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 4

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

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Born January 31, 1833, in Montreal, Canada, Anthony C. Reche, Sr., was taken by his par- ents, in 1835, to Rochester, N. Y., where he was reared and educated. He there learned the trades of carpenter and millwright, and in February, 1854, started by the way of the Isthmus for the Pacific coast. Locating at Santa Clara, lie followed his trade in that vi- cinity for two years, and was afterwards em- ployed in mining in Calaveras and Mariposa counties, in the latter place also putting up quartz mills. Going to Visalia, Tulare coun- ty, in 1858, he there followed his trade about three years, erecting sawmills and flour mills. The following year he was similarly engaged in San Jose, from there going, in 1862, to San Bernardino, where he operated a general store for twelve months. Removing thence to

Temecula, he ranched for a year, and then re- moved to El Monte, Los Angeles county, where he worked at his trade for a few years, in the mean time going back to Temecula to build a large mill, finally settling there in 1868, and living there a year. Returning to this country in 1869, he opened a general store, keeping miner's supplies, at Pala, where he re- mained a year. Locating in the old town of Fallbrook in 1870, he took up land, and for six years was employed in farming. Migrat- ing then to San Bernardino, he was for fifteen years a resident of that place, but in 1891 he returned to Fallbrook, and here resided until his death, May 27, 1898. He was a Democrat in politics, a man of many fine qualities of heart and mind, and a member of the Catholic Church.

February 22, 1861, at Visalia, Cal., Anthony C. Reche, Sr., married Menora C. Cayton, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of Alexander S. and Elizabeth (Droullard) Cayton. Mr. Cay- ton died in November, 1849, in California, and his widow subsequently married for her sec- ond husband Dr. R. Matthews. In 1854 Dr. Matthews and family came by ox-teams to California, and was the first white man to settle in Visalia. Mrs. Matthews, now a bright and active woman of eighty-three years, is still living. Ten children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Reche, Sr., namely : Vital C., of Ocean Park; Anthony B., born in 1864, and living only one month; Angenora 1 .. , wife of J. H. Maag, of Los Angeles; Helene H., wife of C. S. Wilson, of Big Pine, Inyo county; Charles L., of Banning; An- thony C., Jr., the subject of this sketch ; Flora L., the first white girl born in Fallbrook, and who became the wife of W. H. Buchanan, of Redondo; Bernie E., born in San Bernardino, and now living with his brother Anthony, with whom he is in partnership; Eugenia M., wife of F. W. Roberti, of Seattle, Wash .; and Alma B., wife of L. Fields, of Redondo. Mrs. Reche and her mother, Mrs. Matthews, are living near Fallbrook, where they are held in high esteem and respect.

But three years old when the family re- moved to San Bernardino, Anthony C. Reche, Jr., obtained a practical education in the com- mon schools of that town, and subsequently was for two years track walker for the South- ern Pacific Railroad Company. Removing then to Fallbrock, where he has the distinction of being the first child born of white parents in the place, he worked by the month until 1901. Starting then as a rancher on his own account, he is now, in partnership with his brother, carrying on general farming with ex- ceptionally satisfactory results, having seven

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hundred acres of land on the St. Margaret ranch. Progressive and enterprising, he has proved himself a thorough master of his call- ing, and as a young man of integrity and hon- or is fully entitled to the high position which he holds in the estimation of the community.

In 1903 Mr. Reche married Mamie Free- man, a daughter of Jonas Freeman, of whom a brief biographical sketch may be found else- where in this volume, and they have one child, a daughter named Julia Catherine. Fraternal- ly Mr. Reche is a member of Fallbrook Lodge No. 339, I. O. O. F.

DAVID CRISE, M. D. The initial period of the agricultural development of America found the Greise family immigrating from Germany to cast in their fortunes with those of other pioneers, and several successive gen- erations lived and labored upon Pennsylvania farms. Among the children of George Greise, a farmer of Fayette county, Pa., was a son, George WV., who was born and reared upon the farm in that county, and he it was who changed the spelling of the family name from its original form to the mode in present use. During the '7os he removed to Ohio, but after the death of his wife, Rachel, he returned to Pennsylvania and there spent his last years in retirement. His wife was a daughter of Daniel Stough, a pioneer farmer of Westmoreland county, Pa., and of German ancestry. Both families were identified with the Lutheran Church, their ancestors in the old country hav- ing been among those who followed Luther in the Reformation.

Upon the old homestead in Westmoreland county, Pa., David Crise was born May 23. 1846, being a son of George W. and Rachel Crise. At an early age he proved himself an apt and diligent pupil in local schools, where he advanced so rapidly in his studies that it was decided to educate him for a profession. In accordance with his preferences he was sent to the Jefferson Medical College of Philadel- phia, from which he was graduated in March, 1872, with the degree of M. D. Opening an office at Mendon, Pa., he gained his first pro- fessional experience in that town, whence a year later he removed to Washington county, in the same state, and after four years became a practitioner of Beach City, Stark county, Ohio, where he built up a growing practice during the ten years of his residence in. the town. In July, 1888, he came to California and opened an office at Escondido, where now he has the distinction of being, in point of years of practice. the oldest physician in the town, and one of the oldest in the county of San

Diego. Through membership in the County, State and American Medical Associations, and through the careful perusal of medical jour- nals, he keeps in touch with every advance made in the profession, and is a constant stu- dent of therapeutics. In addition to possessing the advantages derived from years of practi- cal experience in the profession, he possesses undoubted ability in the diagnosis of intricate diseases and in the treatment of the same, which qualities, coupled with his humanitarian principles and genial sympathy, eminently adapt him to fill a high place in the local med- ical field. While he has made. a specialty of the diseases of women and has been unusually successful in that line, his knowledge of medi- cine is broad and varied, and is not limited to any one department of materia medica.

The marriage of Dr. Crise took place in Pennsylvania June 27, 1872, and united hin with Lucetta Null, who was born and reared in that state. Five children were born of their union. The eldest, Vivi Anna, is the widow of Henry Haliday and resides in Escondido. The second-born, Lola E., married H. W. Cleave of Los Angeles. The eldest son, Bruce L., was graduated from the Escondido high school in 1898 and from the medical depart- ment of the University of Southern California in 1903, after which he spent one year as an interne in the Sacramento city hospital, and then became associated with his father in the practice of medicine and surgery, with a specialty of the latter branch of the profession ; his wife was a Miss Davies of Sacramento. The two remaining sons of the family are David R., a well driller in Escondido, and Harry N., a graduate of the Redlands school. The family are identified with the Congregational Church and are contributors to all movements for the religious, moral and educational advancement of their community.

FRANCIS P. BROOKS. A host of friends have witnessed the efforts of Francis P. Brooks in his development and cultivation of a ranch in the vicinity of Norwalk and have appre- ciated his industry, energy and perseverance, which have contributed no little toward his suc- cess. Mr. Brooks is a native of Nebraska, his birth having occurred in Butler county, Sep- tember 6, 1877. His parents, Noah and Esther (Shuggart) Brooks, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Illinois, located as pioneers in Nebraska, where they made their home for some years In the fall of 1901 they came to California and Mr. Brooks now owns a ranch of thirty acres in the vicinity of his son's ranch. He is a Republican in politics and

Prinmas Of England.

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active in the advancement of the principles he endorses, although he has never cared for offi- cial recognition. He is a member of the Sev- enth Day Adventist Church. Of their three children all are living in California.

Francis P. Brooks was educated in the com- inon schools of Nebraska and also spent one year in the Lincoln State Normal, after which he returned home and engaged in farming with his father. At twenty years of age he became dependent upon his own resources and after farming in the middle west for two years came to California in 1901. Subsequently he traveled all over the state, locating for a time in Mendo- cino, Humboldt county, and for one year car- ried on a ranch in Dinuba, Tulare county. About four years ago he came to Norwalk and the first year purchased his present property, which consists of ten acres located one and one- half miles southeast of town, which he has since improved and cultivated. He also leases about eighty acres, devoted to the raising of grain. He is likewise interested in team con- tracting, holding a contract at the present writ- ing for the hauling of pipe for the Murphy Oil Company.

Mr. Brooks' marriage occurred in 1898 and united him with Miss Edna Curtis, a native of Nebraska, and a daughter of Charles Curtis, whose death occurred in Santa Ana, Cal. They have two children, Oris and Hazel. Mr. Brooks is a Republican in politics and in religion be- longs to the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

MAJOR THOMAS Y. ENGLAND. Al- though never a permanent resident of Red- lands, no man was more interested in its de- velopment and upbuilding than the late Major Thomas Y. England, who since he first be- came interested in California gave his time and attention to the beautifying of his winter home, known as Prospect Park and open to the public as one of the show places of the city. Mr. England was born in Wilmington, Del., May 28, 1837, a son of Jamies England, of Quaker ancestry and English origin. The father engaged as a leather merchant and manufacturer of Philadelphia. During the Civil war Thomas Y. England served in the First Regiment Delaware Infantry, first as quartermaster, later as first lieutenant, and was then made commissary of subsistence on the staffs of Generals Hancock, Meade and Wilson, with the rank of captain, but when he resigned was given the rank of major. After leaving high school he became associated with his father and they succeeded in building up a large and lucrative business, in fact, one of the

largest concerns in the world of its character, it being incorporated under the name of Eng- land, Walton & Co., and he served as its pres- ident until his death. Since that time the busi- ness has continued with Mr. Walton as presi- dent. Mr. England became an habitual visitor to Southern California and finally began the improvement of what is known as Prospect Park, a magnificent orange grove and park of sixty acres, which is one of the sightly places in a city of beauty and magnificent improve- ments. Major England and his son J. W. were interested in bringing water into Red- lands and were unusually active in this line during the dry years, when it was thought im- possible to save the orchards. For many years he served as president of the South Mountain Water Company, and was also president of the Orange Growers' Association. Fraternally he was a Mason, and in his home in Philadelphia was associated with the Grand Army of the Republic and Loyal Legion. He refused a commission in the Regular army after the close of the war in order to devote his entire time and attention to his business. In politics he was a stanch advocate of the principles ad- vocated in the platform of the Republican par- ty ; in religion he was a member of the Bap- tist Church.

The death of Major England occurred Jan- uary 2, 1906; he left a widow formerly. Miss E. Clarissa Combs, a native of New Jersey, born near Woodbury, and whom he married October 17, 1862. Her father, Thomas Combs, was also born in New Jersey of English de- scent, and there engaged as a farmer until his retirement, since which time he made his home in Philadelphia. He was a member of the So- ciety of Friends, and a much esteemed and re- spected citizen. His wife was formerly Anna Haines, a native of Philadelphia, and a daugh- ter of Joseph Haines, a builder by occupation. Mrs. England became the mother of the fol- lowing children : James William, a prominent horticulturist who makes his home in Red- lands; Martha E., wife of Charles S. Walton, president of the England, Walton & Co. manu- facturing interests; and Clarissa E., wife of Edwin A. Landell Jr .. a leather merchant of Philadelphia. Mrs. England is a member of the Baptist Church and a generous contributor to all its charities. To her much of the credit is due for the development of Prospect Park, for she was able to give even more time than her husband because of his business interests which demanded his attention. She has been very liberal in all movements tending toward the general welfare of the community and is always counted upon to further the best in- 1 1- 7.

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terests of the city. She spends her summers in her home in Philadelphia and her winters in the sweet sunny land of Southern California.

GEORGE W. GRIFFITHS. Since 1850 George W. Griffiths has been a resident of Cal- ifornia and no citizen has been more interested in the development of the country and its ad- vancement among the sister states of the nation. He was a lad of ten years when he came west, his birth having occurred in Detroit, Mich., August 18, 1840. His father, Charles Griffiths was born in Wales, and in young manhood went to London, thence to America and after locating in the middle west engaged in steamboating on the lakes between Buffalo and Detroit. He was also similarly employed on the Mississippi river between St. Louis and New Orleans, becoming captain of a steamer and later part owner, con- tinuing in this occupation about twenty years. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California, with two comrades, Caleb Gosling, of Napa county, Cal., and George Hughes, of San Francisco, making the journey in ninety days with an ex- press wagon and six mules. Their plan was to have a dinner at four o'clock in the afternoon and then continue the journey to a good camp- ing place for the night, and thus lie down to sleep without the necessity of drawing attention to their camp by a fire. This undoubtedly saved them much trouble from the Indians. After his arrival in San Francisco Mr. Griffiths with Gov- ernor Burnett built the first stern wheel steamer that crossed the bay. Later he went to Sacra- mento and engaged in the hotel business, there meeting with a success which brought him large returns, prices at that day being one dollar per meal. Later he farmed and then followed min- ing in Nevada. Returning to San Francisco he made that place his home until his death. Fra- ternally he was a Mason and an Odd Fellow and prominent in both organizations. Politically he was a stanch Republican. His wife was formerly Mary Ann Whitfield, a native of England, born in the vicinity of London; her father, Walter Whitfield, settled in Michigan, near Detroit. where he purchased land and farmed until his death. Mrs. Griffiths followed her husband to California in 1850, via the Isthmus of Panama, with her son, George W., of this review, and daughter, Mary E., now Mrs. Marshall, of Santa Rosa. A son, William L., born later is now a merchant in Suisun, Cal. Mrs. Griffiths died in San Francisco.

The trip to California remains a vivid recol- lection in the memory of George W. Griffiths, the steamer trip to the east side of the isthmus, the mule-back ride across, and thence to San Francisco by the old sidewheeler. His education

was received principally in the public schools of Sacramento, he being later sent east via Nica- ragua to Burlington College, New Jersey, enter- ing as junior and graduating therefrom at a later date. He then took up the study of medicine under the instruction of his uncle in Detroit, Mich., Dr. Bradie, with whom he remained a year, then returning to California via the Isth- mus of Panama. Upon his return to the state he engaged in farming in Solano county, Cal., later in Southern California and then in Hum- boldt county. About 1886 he returned to South- ern California and located in Orange county where he farmed several thousand acres of land at one time, he and his sons together farming more acres than any other individual in South- ern California. Dr. Griffiths was always pro- gressive in his ideas and the latest methods and improvements found him an ardent advocate, and their farming apparatus was always of the latest make and most modern that could be obtained.

About 1904 Dr. Griffiths retired from active cares and made his home in San Francisco un- til the great earthquake of 1906, when in the fall of that year he came to Los Angeles and is now associated with the real estate and oil land firm of Griffiths, Fackenthall & Griffiths, located at No. 131 East Fifth street, in the King Edward building. He was married in Marin county, Cal., to Miss Elizabeth Moore, who was born in Mich- igan and died in Orange county, Cal., leaving five children, namely: Mary Catherine, Mrs. Dowler, of San Francisco; Charles Ed- win, of Bakersfield; George W. Jr., a con- tractor in Covina; William L., a partner with his father and also a large farmer near Covina ; and Walter B., a farmer near Napa, Cal. Dr. Griffiths has been a member of the Episcopal Church for forty years, his wife having also been a member of that denomination. Politically he is a stanch Republican and gives his support to the advancement of the principles he endorses.

PATRICIO ONTIVEROS. The oldest of the thirteen children of that noble Spanish pio- neer, Juan Pacifico Ontiveros, Patricio Onti- veros, over whose head has passed eighty years, is physically strong, mentally alert and temperamentally happy. While no two people attain longevity from an observance of the same rules of life, there is reason to believe that calm and temperate people have the first claim on borrowed time, and are the greatest strategists in outwitting the biblical injunction of the threescore years and ten. This is em- phasized in the life of Mr. Ontiveros, whose principal activities have centered around the ranch upon which he has lived for half a cen- tury, and of which he at present owns two hun-

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dred and twenty acres. This ranch has as its principal resources grain and beans. Its en- vironment has taken on the character of the owner, is substantial in equipment, conserva- tive in tendency, and uneventful in its routine. It is one of the landmarks of the community, and seems to have always taught its lessons of thrift, industry and wise conservatism.

Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Ontiveros comes from a wealthy and distinguished family of California, he was nnable to attend school during his childhood on account of their scarc- ity. He was born March 17, 1826, in Los An- geles county, where his father was sole propri- etor of nine thousand acres of land. In 1856, the year of the family removal from Los An- geles to Santa Barbara county, Mr. Ontiveros married a native daughter of the former coun- ty, Serrano Leonor, a representative also of an old and prominent Spanish family. Mrs. Onti- veros died in 1898, at the age of fifty-eight, hav- ing become the mother of fourteen children, of whom four died in infancy. Those who reached maturity are as follows: Delphina, who became the wife of Geronimo Carranza; Rosa, de- ceased, formerly the wife of Feliz Carranza ; Sarah, the wife of Miguel Carranza; Natalia, single; Charles, who married Virginia Gon- zales and has six children; Thomas, who mar- ried Paulina Gonzales; and Pablo, Zoilo, Na- poleon and Leandro, the four last mentioned unmarried. The wives of Charles and Thomas Ontiveros, who were in maidenhood Virginia and Paulina Gonzales, are members of a very prominent pioneer Spanish family of Santa Barbara county.

Though never active in politics, Mr. Onti- veros has faithfully adhered to the principles and issues of the Republican party. In religion he is a Catholic and liberally supports the church of that denomination at Sisquoc. The breeding and culture of generations of Span- iards are reflected in the manners of Mr. Onti- veros, and he bears an enviable reputation in the business, social and religious departments of his home community.

JOHN N. TURRENTINE. In tracing the genealogy of this prominent citizen of Escon- dido we find that his ancestors were identified with the colonial history of our country and bore an active part in the early wars. The ma- ternal grandfather, Capt. James Harris, who was an officer in the war of 1812, descended in direct line from John Harris, the founder of the city of Harrisburg. the capital of Pennsyl- vania. The paternal grandfather, Major Sam- nel Turrentine, who was also an officer in the

war of 1812, gained his first experience in mil- itary tactics while serving in the first struggle with England, and his faithful service in that campaign led to his selection as an officer when war was again declared with the same country about thirty-five years later. About the time of the second war he removed to Ten- nessee and there remained until his death some years later. The Harris and Turrentine fam- ilies were both stanchi allies of the Whig party during its existence and both proved their loy- alty to. the stars and stripes in times of peace and war.

Among the children of Major Turrentine was Rev. Wilson Turrentine, a native of North Carolina, who married Elvira Harris, and re- mained for many years a resident of Tennes- see. When death came to terminate his activ- ities, December 17, 1899, he was then ninety- four years of age ; his wife had passed away at seventy-six years, and her father lived to be within four years of a full century. John N., the subject of this review, was born Novem- ber 2, 1845, and in boyhood the advantages of a private school and a course in Lookout Col- lege were given the lad, who early showed signs of a fine mind and aptitude for study. These qualities, combined with religious fer- vor, led him to enter the ministry of the Meth- odist Episcopal denomination, attached to the Central Tennessee conference, under which he labored in assignments in that region.

Coming to Califorina in 1885, Mr. Turren- tine first settled in Tulare county and in the fall of 1886 was chosen pastor of the Visalia Methodist Episcopal Church. After two years he removed to Escondido and during the fol- lowing year he officiated as pastor of the church of his denomination at this point, to which he yet remains a generous contributor. For three terms he held the office of city clerk, and during the first administration of Presi- dent Mckinley he was appointed postmaster, which position he now fills with efficiency and fidelity. The bond agitation, which for some years demanded considerable attention from the taxpayers of Escondido, received due at- tention on his part, and on the occasion of the burning of the bonds, September 9, 1905, he was chosen orator of the day. Ever since cast- ing his first presidential vote for General Grant he has been a firm adherent of the Re- publican party and always supports its prin- ciples with his ballot. While living in Ten- nessee he became a member of the Shelbyville Lodge of Chosen Friends in 1866, and his in- terest in that organization remains unabated. In addition he has been a leading Mason in Consuelo Lodge No. 325, F. & A. M., of which he has officiated as secretary since the organ-

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ization, with the exception of one term, during which he held the office of master.

The marriage of Mr. Turrentine was sol- emnized January 2, 1873, and united him with Mary E. Robinson, daughter of W. T. Robin- son, of Tennessee. Captain Robinson was a man of large talents, exceptional attainments and attractive personality and was beloved wherever known. Descended from a family that sent soldiers to the war of 1812, it was natural that he and three of his brothers should be loyal to the government, and he not only enlisted in the Federal army at the open- ing of the Civil war, but also he raised a com- pany of volunteers and was chosen their cap- tain. The talents which made him successful in war contributed to his prominence in times of peace. As a member of the state legislature and the state senate he represented his con- stituents with honor and dignity, and as judge of Dekalb county he proved himself learned in the law and impartial in its administration. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Turrentine con- sists of four children, namely: Edgar E., cashier of the Escondido Savings Bank; Lucy Harris, at home; Howard B., a clerk in the postoffice ; and Lawrence, a student in the Es- condido high school.

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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 4

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