A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume II, Part 38

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1234

USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume II > Part 38

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The Stone family was represented in New England by at least three generations, and the grandfather, Micah Stone, founded a settlement in Vermont which in his honor was named Stoneville ; it is now a part of the town of Enos- burg. There he reared his family and carried on a manufacturing business throughout his active years. Among his children was Micah H., who was born and reared in Enosburg, Vt. In his young manhood he was assistant postmas- ter of the city of Burlington, Vt., and later es- tablished himself there, in the general merchan-

dise business, making that his home throughout the remainder of his life, although his death oc- curred in Pomona, while visiting his son. His marriage united him with Mary Converse Gil- mour, who like himself was born in Vermont, and was a daughter of Duncan Gilmour, who was born in Scotland and became well known in mercantile circles in Burlington. The mother passed away in Burlington in March, 1906, hav- ing become the mother of six children, of whom Charles M. is next to the oldest and the only one in California.

Born in Burlington, Vt., August 4. 1863, Charles M. Stone was given good school advan- tages and was a diligent student in the public and high schools of his native city. A desire to put his education to practical use, and at the same time establish himself in the business world, led him to accept the position of book- keeper with a lumber firm. Later he secured a position with the Merchants National Bank of Burlington, but after remaining with them for a few months as assistant bookkeeper he re- signed his position and came west, reaching Po- mona in December, 1887. For two years there- after he was with the Pomona Land and Water Company as cashier, giving this up, however, to accept the position of assistant cashier of the People's Bank, an institution which was found- ed as a state bank in 1887. Upon the death of J. H. Dole, the cashier, Mr. Stone was elected to that position, in 1898, filling the same credit- ably until the People's Bank was consolidated with the National Bank of Pomona in 1901. His connection with the latter bank as cashier con- tinued uninterruptedly until January of 1904. when he resigned to accept the cashiership of the First National Bank of Pomona, a position which he still holds. His broad knowledge along financial lines makes him a valuable assistant in the management of the bank, to which is added a charm of personality which makes friends with all who are brought in contact with him. As a member of the Board of Trade of Pomona he is actively interested in all measures that come before that body which will enhance the welfare of the community, in fact his support is given freely and unstintedly to all helpful and uplifting undertakings. Besides holding the position of cashier in the First National Bank he is treas- urer of the Del Monte Irrigating Company, and has interests in other business enterprises in his home city and surrounding country.

In Pomona. June 1, 1895. Mr. Stone was mar- ried to Miss Mabel Wilcox Buffington, who was born in Onawa. Iowa, and three children have been born to them, Edmund, George and Marian. The family are communicants of the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Pomona, of which Mr. Stone is treasurer. Fraternally he was

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made a Mason in Pomona Lodge No. 246, F. & A. M., and at this writing is filling the position of treasurer of his lodge, likewise holding the same position in the chapter and commandery, in both of which he is a valued member. He is also identified with Al Malaikah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and with the Woodmen of the World. Coming to Pomona at a time when it was little more than a village Mr. Stone has seen it rise and take rank as one of the prominent cities of the Pacific coast, and in its transforma- tion he has taken more than a passing interest, for many helpful measures have originated and been carried to completion through his personal efforts.

WILLIAM J. BUTLER. One of the old- est settlers in San Diego county is William J. Butler, who first crossed the plains to Califor- nia in 1856, but did not become a permanent resident of the state until 1876, some years later settling in San Diego county and from that time until the present identifying himself with the upbuilding of this section. The But- ler family is of English and Welsh descent, and the early members who came to this coun- try were pioneers in Virginia. The grand- father, Joel Butler, was born in South Caro- lina, early settled on a farm in Tennessee and later removed to Kentucky, where he died. The father, B. F. Butler, was a native of Lin- coln. Tenn., and in 1840 removed to Spring- field, Mo., where he conducted a carriage and wagon shop. In 1856 he came to California with his family, making the trip with ox teams, and bringing a herd of cattle to the new country, the journey from Springfield, Mo., to Marysville, Cal., requiring exactly five months. In 1857 he located in Napa county, where he purchased and improved a ranch upon which he raised grain and stock. It was later decided that this land belonged to one of the Mexican grants and Mr. Butler was obliged to vacate it. He then went to Salinas and made that city his home until his death, when sixty-two years of age. His wife, who was before her marriage Harriet Shipp, was a member of an old Virginia family and a native of Lincoln, Tenn. She survived her husband many years, and passed away January 9, 1902, having attained the advanced age of eighty- four years.

William J. Butler was a member of a family of five children and is the only one now living. His birth occurred November 18, 1842, in Springfield, Mo., and on the trip across the plains in 1856 he rode a mule and drove the cattle. Four years later he resolved to return to the east and in 1860 left Napa, came down

through Southern California, taking the old Butterfield stage route via Sherman to Spring- field, Mo. After arriving there he entered Carrollton College. In 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted in Campbell's Battalion of Missouri State Guards, subse- quently joined Cornell's Regiment, which lat- er consolidated with the Second Regiment of Missouri Cavalry under Price, and served un- til the close of the war. Going to New Or- leans at the close of his military service he was employed by a commission merchant for a time, and afterwards carried on farming near Warrensburg until 1876, when he re- turned to California. Locating at Salinas he entered the employ of Vanderhurst, Sanborn & Co., a 'hardware firm, as a boy having learned the wheelwright's trade. He contin- ued here until 1887, in which year he came to San Diego and engaged in the real estate busi- ness. Later he purchased ten acres of raw land at La Mesa, which he improved and upon which he engaged in raising berries. In addi- tion to carrying on this industry he also took building contracts in San Diego county and city. In July, 1905, he sold the ranch and re- moved to No. 3742 Third street, San Diego, and is now devoting his entire time to con- tracting and building.

·By his marriage in Johnson county, Mo., Mr. Butler was united with Miss Lavinia Ir- win, a native of that state, and of this union six children were born, and all of those living make their home in San Diego. Named in or- der of their births the children are as follows: Julia, now Mrs. A. P. Johnson, Jr .: Hattie, Mrs. Q. C. Crane; Mary, Mrs. Burt Watkins ; Martha, who died in San Diego; Thomas I., a draughtsman ; and Belle, deceased. Mr. Butler is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, which he supports liberally with both his means and personal service, be- ing at the present time a member of the board of trustees. As a citizen he is active and pro- gressive and is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

DAVID POWELL. For more than ten years David Powell, now a successful real- estate dealer of Long Beach, has been actively identified with the business interests of this thriving city and aided in its upbuilding and development. He was born May 27, 1861, in Michigan City. Ind., the son of William and Jane (Crandall) Powell, the former a native of Ontario, Canada, and the latter born in Illinois, of an old New England family. Her father. David, was a farmer and trapper of the typical pioneer frontier type, and his

6. Glentous

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

death occurred in Missouri. William Powell, who was left an orphan when young, located with his foster-parents in Michigan City, where he cleared a farm for himself and lived the remainder of his life. His wife still lives in the old home.

The only son of a family of four children David Powell spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, was educated in the grammar and high schools of Michigan City, and after his graduation from the latter was occupied for a tiine as a farmer and dairyman. Later he conducted a men's furnishing establishment, disposing of it, however, to deal in real estate, a business which he followed until 1893, when he came to Los Angeles as a merchant. One year later, in 1894, he took up his residence in Long Beach and conducted a grocery on Pine street near Ocean avenue for over three years. He then sold out and returned to In- diana, where he still owned a farm of eighty acres within the limits of Michigan City and proceeded to plat it. forming two additions, which he named Powell's and Powell's Gardena additions. It took three years to finish the work and dispose of the lots and after its completion he returned to Long Beach. He bought a berry ranch at Signal Hill and for three and one-half years engaged in horticult- ural pursuits. In 1906 he sold the ranch and established himself in the real-estate busi- ness again, buying and selling property for himself and transacting a general business.

Mr. Powell was married in Michigan City to Miss Grace Boothroyd, a native of that city. and five children have been born to bless the union: Lec is paying teller in the Long Beach National Bank : Ralph is a special officer of Long Beach ; Harry is a barber here; Guy is employed in the Long Beach National Bank ; and Mildred lives at home. Mr. Powell is a stanch advocate of the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party, and both for his personal worth and superior qualities as a progressive and public-spirited citizen is highly esteemed and respected.

EXUPERE SENTOUS. A very' success- ful business man and one who enjoyed a wide esteem throughout Southern California, was Exupere Sentous, a member of one of the families of this section whose best interests have always been parallel with the upbuild- ing and development of the general welfare. He was a resident of this section just twenty- five years, having emigrated from his native land at the age of twenty-two years and made this place his home until his death at the age

of forty-seven. He was born in Haute- Garonne, France, March 22 1859, a son of Francisco and Marie (Fadetill) Sentous, life- long residents of that section, where the father engaged as a prosperous farmer and stockman. There were eight children born to his father (who was married twice), and all are located in California. The first to emigrate was John Sentous in 1852; then Louis in 1855: Vincente in 1874, and finally, in 1881, Exupere Sentous left his native land and coming to Los An- geles made this place his home the remainder of his life.

In the common schools of France Exupere Sentous received his education, after which he engaged with his father in stock-raising, in which he learned much that proved of benefit to him in Southern California. Following his brothers to the western world in 1881 he en- tered into partnership with his two brothers. Louis and Vincente, and for fifteen years the firm of Sentous Brothers carried on business on San Fernando street. At the ex- piration of that period Louis Sentous retired from the enterprise, and the two left removed their business to the corner of Los Angeles and Aliso streets and continued in partnership for nine years.

Desiring at that time to give more of his personal attention to his ranch at Lemon, Exupere Sentous disposed of his business in- terests and removed to the country in the fall of 1903. He owned eighteen hundred acres of land, of which nine hundred acres were devoted to grain and the balance was a stock range. He raised sheep, cattle and horses and was one of the prominent farmers of Southern California. Politically he was a Re- puhlican and although never desirous of per- sonal recognition gave his efforts toward the advancement of the principles he endorsed. In religion he was a member of the Catholic Church. His death occurred June 10. 1906, through a stroke of apoplexy.

December 4. 1894. in Los Angeles, Mr. Sentous was united in marriage with Miss Anna Goaillardeu, born in the Pyrenees, France, a daughter of Francois and Marian (Higene) Goaillarden, her father a farmer and builder of that section, where they both died. They had six children, two daughters and four sons. of whom four are in America. Mrs. Sentous was next to the oldest in the family and came to California in 1891. She is the mother of four children, namely: Zoe, Alphonse. Francois and Antoinette. She is a member of the Catholic Church. Since her husband's death she has removed to Los An- geles and now makes her home on Berendo street.

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ISAAC D. STOCKTON. Among the active, progressive and substantial ranchers of Ventura county is Isaac D. Stockton, of Moorpark, who is carrying on general farming, including the raising of beans and fruit, with excellent pe- cuniary results. He possesses strong individual- ity, a hearty and genial disposition, is patriotic and public-spirited, and has an enviable reputa- tion as a straightforward and upright man and a loyal citizen. A son of Dr. I. D. Stockton, he was born March 11, 1859, in Sonoma county, coming from distinguished ancestry, being a cousin twice removed of General Stockton. prominent in the early history of California, while on the paternal side he also had eleven great-great-uncles in the Revolutionary war.

Dr. I. D. Stockton was born, reared and ed- ucated in Illinois, and there married Louisa M. Spiller, a native of Tennessee. He subsequent- ly removed to Kansas, where he was engaged in the practice of medicine until 1856. Coming then to Sonoma county, Cal., he continued his pro- fessional labors, and was also engaged to some extent in horticultural pursuits and in raising grapes. Moving from there to Kern county in 1872, he took up a homestead claim of one hun- dred and sixty acres, and there continued as a physician and a farmer. building up a lucrative professional practice and improving a good property, which he called Lakeside ranch. He was an able and successful physician, during his fifty years of active practice being well patron- ized and traveling many miles through valleys and over mountains. He attained the venerable age of eighty-three years, dying in 1900. His wife died in Los Angeles, Cal., when fifty-six years old, having borne him nineteen children, fifteen reaching maturity and fourteen of whom are still living. While in Illinois he served in the Black Hawk war in 1832. He was a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and was a member of Santa Rosa Lodge. F. & A. M., which he served as worshipful master, and was an active member of the Republican party.

Acquiring his education in Kern county. where his father settled in 1872, Isaac D. Stock- ton remained at home until about seventeen years old, when he began life for himself. Going to Montana, he was for a while employed in freighting and blacksmithing. and then, after living for a year in Los Angeles, he traveled on horseback through Arizona, Idaho and Montana. becoming thoroughly familiar with that part of the country. Locating in Ventura county in 1888, he farmed for two years in El Rio, and then, in 1890, purchased one hundred acres of his present home ranch. It now contains two hundred and eighty-three acres of rich and fer- tile land. and in addition to its management he has also leased one hundred and fifty acres. He

makes a specialty of raising beans, having two hundred acres, which yield on an average ten sacks to the acre, besides which he raises consid- erable hay. He also has a valuable apricot or- chard of twenty acres.

April 17, 1886, Mr. Stockton married Ida B. Duncan, a native of Kansas, and a daughter of William Duncan, who removed from that state to California, locating in Mariposa county with his family. He died there in 1903, when seven- ty-three years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Stockton became the parents of ten children, namely : Nellie E., Isaac Denton, Jr .. Robert Ivan, Louis M., William Allen, Mary Belle, and an infant. N. Duncan ; the others dying in early childhood. Politically Mr. Stockton supports the principles of the Republican party, and fraternally he be- longs to Ventura Lodge No. 201, I. O. O. F.

HARVEY EVANS. A pioneer settler of Ventura county, Harvey Evans, of Oxnard, has for many years been actively identified with its industrial interests, and is recognized as one of its most intelligent and thorough-going farmers. being the owner of as comfortable a homestead as can be found in this locality. During his long and busy career he has pursued the even tenor of his way as an honest man and a good citizen. advancing the interests of his community as he has had opportunity, and is now reaping the re- ward of his persistent toil and enjoying the con- fidence and respect of his neighbors and friends. A son of the late Thomas J. Evans, he was born March 29, 1847, in Platte county, Mo.

Thomas J. Evans was a Kentuckian by birth and breeding. After his marriage to Catherine King, a Virginian, he went with his wife to Mis- souri, migrating to that state at the time of the Platte purchase, and there began the im- provement of a farm from the forest-covered land. In 1852 he crossed the plains with ox- teams, taking his family to Linn county, Ore., where he took up six hundred and forty acres of wild land and embarked in general farming. Removing in 1858 to Jackson county, Ore., he spent a year in that locality, and the ensuing ten years was a resident of Sonoma county. Cal. Coming to Ventura county in 1869. he located at Saticoy, and was there engaged in tilling the soil until his death, in 1887, at the age of four score years. His good wife preceded him to the better land, dying in 1886, at the age of sev- enty-eight years.

Spending the days of his boyhood and youth in Oregon and in Sonoma county. Cal., Harvey Evans completed his early education at the Santa Rosa Academy. In 1867 he located in Mon- terey, Cal., where he followed farming for two years. In 1869 he came with the family to Ven-

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tura county, and for a year assisted his father in the management of the home farm at Saticoy. Purchasing then the farm which he now owns and occupies, he labored energetically, and in his struggle with nature has been successful, his eighty acres of land being well improved and finely cultivated, yielding abundant crops of beets, beans and barley.

March 9, 1873, in Napa county, Cal., Mr. Evans married Nancy Eliza Montgomery, a na- tive of Oregon, and into their home three chil- dren were born, namely: Frances Josephine, wife of Archie Hart, of Ventura county; Mrs. Lillian V. Mitchell, of Los Angeles; and Clar- ence Harvey, who died, at the age of seven weeks, in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have also an adopted son, Albert W., whom they love and cherish as their own. Mrs. Evans is a member of the Christian Church, in which she is a faith- ful worker. Mr. Evans has never cared for pub- lic office, but has served as trustee of the Spring- ville schools.

ALVIN B. HANCOCK. The name of Alvin B. Hancock, deceased, is inseparably connected with every detail of the development and up- building of the community surrounding San Bernardino, in which section he spent his life from the age of four years. He was the son of Joseph Hancock, who was born near Cleveland, Ohio, in 1822, the latter's parents being Solomon and Alta (Adams) Hancock, born in Massachu- setts in 1793 and Vermont in 1795 respectively, both being of English descent. The great- grandfather was one of the signers of the De- claration of Independence, and the great- grandmother was a daughter of General Ward of Revolutionary fame. Thomas Hancock, the grandfather of Joseph, enlisted in the Revolut- tionary army when but fourteen years of age and fought valiantly for the freedom of his country.

When Joseph Hancock was ten years old his father removed to Clay county, Mo., where he lived three years and experienced many hard- ships. Some of his neighbors were less fortu- nate than he, however, and upon one occasion the son gave his shoes to another boy who had none. Four years later the family went to Adams county, Ill., and remained there for three years, after which they resided a like period in Hancock county, that state. In 1846 they left Illinois and from that time until 1851 made their home in Council Bluffs, Iowa. That year they pushed on further west and became early settlers of Utah. The trip on this occasion was fraught with many dangers and privations, and in crossing the Missouri river they barely escaped drowning. After stopping a short time in Salt

Lake City they finally resumed their journey to California. During the early part of the journey Mr. Hancock was very sick with chills and fever, and while crossing the desert between Salt Lake and Bitter Springs nearly perished for want of water, the entire train being almost without that precious commodity. Al- though burning with a raging fever Mr. Han- cock refused to drink, insisting upon saving the scant supply for the children. A Mr. Thorn, who with his family was a member of the train, ran entirely out of water about this time, and athough Mrs. Hancock had but a scant pint left she divided it with his children, who were cry- ing pitifully from thirst. It is needless to say that the train was devoutly thankful when Bitter Springs was reached. On this part of the trip Mrs. Hancock had walked and driven the team.

The first piece of land which Mr. Hancock purchased upon his arrival in San Bernardino consisted of five acres, and he later added to this holding fifty-six acres, upon which he built a new house, thereafter the family homestead. He had many interesting stories to tell bearing on his life's exciting experiences, and possessed numerous interesting relics of . bygone days, among them being a board which was used as their table when crossing the plains, and a pow- der horn used in the war of 1812 by an ances- tor who took part in that conflict. The first marriage of Mr. Hancock occurred in Hancock county, Ill., and united him with Miss Harriet Brook, a daughter of Samuel Brook, of Pennsyl- vania. Her death occurred in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In 1848 he wedded Miss Nancy Bemis, and of this tmnion seven children were born : Alvin B., who married Elizabeth Nish and is now deceased; Solomon, who married Eudora Hammock; Elenora, the wife of George Miller : Jerusha, wife of Charles Tyler: Lucina. wife of George Lord. Jr .; Foster, who married Kate Mapstead; and Joseph.

The birth of Alvin B. Hancock occurred Jan- uary 13, 1850, near Council Bluffs, Iowa, and in 1854 he was brought by his parents to San Ber- nardino county, where he received a common school education. After the completion of his studies he ranched with his father on the home place until he attained his majority, when he began his independent business career. In 1882 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Nish, who was born in San Bernardino. Her parents, William and Isabelle (Henderson) Nish, were both na- tives of Scotland and immigrated to this coun- try when very young, living with their parents in Iowa and Missouri before their marriage. which occurred in the former state. Mrs. Han- cock's father received a good education in Scot- land, where he was engaged as a contract miner. and her mother attended the public schools of

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the United States. They came to San Bernardino county in 1856 and lived there the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1872, at the age of forty-two years, and the mother in 1890, at fifty-five years. Mrs. Hancock became the moth- er of seven children, namely ; Robert, who married Eula Hamilton, has one child and lives in San Bernardino; William, Lester, James, Beauford, Earl and Clyde. Mrs. Hancock is the owner of a fine ranch of sixty-acres, upon which is grown grain and hay, which yield her a very comfortable income. Mr. Hancock was a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party during his lifetime and fraternally was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows at San Bernardino.

THOMAS H. SIMONTON. Among the highly respected and esteemed citizens of Santa Monica is Thomas H. Simonton. who by his in- dustry, thrift and business ability, has acquired enough of this world's goods to enable him to live retired from active life. A son of Hamil- ton Simonton, he was born October 2, 1827, in Frankstown, Pa. A native of Perry county, Pa., Hamilton Simonton spent the earlier part of his life in that vicinity. Subsequently removing with his family to Indiana, he carried on a large business as a canal contractor until 1837, when the state, from whom all contracts were let, sus- pended payment, and he stopped work. The en- suing three years he was employed as a miller. The state then settling for fifty-five cents on a dollar, he purchased five hundred and sixty acres of land in Miami county. Embarking in agricultural pursuits, he met with marked suc- cess, continuing thus employed until his death, in 1852. He was a member and an elder of the Presbyterian Church, and a man of sterling char- acter. His wife, whose maiden name was Keziah Woodburn, was born in Perry county, Pa., and died in 1895, aged eighty-two years.

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A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume II, Part 38

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company Number of Pages: 1234

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1234