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 41

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

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The youngest in the family of his parents, Frank Pierce Meserve was born in Rochester, N. H., November 30, 1852, and there received his preliminary education through the medium of the public and private schools. He later became a student in Lebanon Academy, in Maine, which he attended to the age of nineteen years, and was then apprenticed to learn the trade of tailor." A year later he purchased the business where he was an apprentice, this being in Newport, and he there continued his efforts for the period of thir- teen years. In 1888 he disposed of this business and in the same year brought a carload of mer- chandise to California and in Redlands opened a clothing business on Monday morning after his arrival here Saturday. Ever since that date he has conducted this enterprise here and has been very successful in the work. In 1900 he incor- porated the Meserve Clothing House, of which he is acting as president, and they are now located at

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No. 10-12 East State street, where they carry one of the best lines in Redlands, and also conduct a branch store at Beaumont. Mr. Meserve has tak- en a prominent part in public affairs of Redlands and is a prominent factor in many enterprises of merit. He is now serving as treasurer of the Home Gas & Electric Company and for many years was a director in the Redlands National Bank. He was instrumental in the organization of the Home Realty Company, in which corpora- tion he is now serving as president, they owning many valuable orange groves throughout this section. He was one of the organizers of the Red- lands Library Association, when it was a private library and served for the period of three years as a trustee. Three different times he has been a member of the city council, and was a member of the school board for three years; he is now a member of the Board of Trade and is director and vice-president, and chairman of the member- ship committee. It will thus be seen how active has been his championship of matters of public import. This impression of his loyalty and the strength and power of his citizenship became so generally a matter of public sentiment that in 1898 he was elected on the independent ticket to the state legislature, serving his constituents in the session of 1899, and again in the special ses- sion of 1900. He has never disappointed those who have put their trust in him, both as to his fidelity and ability, and as such no man is held in higher esteem in the city of Redlands than is he.

Mr. Meserve has been twice married, the first union occurring in 1878 in New Hampshire, when he married Minnie A. Harvey, who was born in New Hampshire and died in Sacramento in March, 1899, when her husband was attending the legislature as a member. In Los Angeles on De- cember 25, 1904, he married Helen Crossman, a native of Pennsylvania and born of this union are two children, Frank P. Jr., and Harold Arthur. In his fraternal relations Mr. Meserve is promi- nent, having been made a Mason in Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 15, and was its youngest master ; here he assisted in the organization of Redlands Lodge No. 300, and was its first master under the dispensation ; having been raised to the degree of Royal Arch in New Hampshire he assisted in the organization of the Redlands Chapter, of which he was the first high priest ; he is also a member of St. Bernard Commandery No. 23, K. T., of San Bernardino; Al Malaikah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Los Angeles; and also belongs to the Scottish Rite bodies in Los Angeles. He is also identified with the Order of Eastern Star, of which he is past worthy patron and an honorary member of the Daughters of Isis. He was like- wise active in the Odd Fellows, having been made a member of this organization in New Hampshire and there officiated as past grand and is associated

with the Encampment, Canton and Rebekahs, in all of which he is past officer, and is a director in the Odd Fellows Hall Association, which he helped to organize. He is a charter member of the lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in Redlands, and was its first exalted ruler, and has been to four Grand Lodge sessions. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor; the Uniformed Rank of the K. of P., of which he is past captain ; the Rathbone Sisters; the D. O. K. K., of Los Angeles ; and the Woodmen of the World, of which he is a charter member here and its first C. C. He belongs to the Royal Court and the Fraternal Union. In religion he belongs to the Unitarian Church, and officiates as a member of its board of trustees.

The travels of Mr. Meserve have taken him practically into every corner of the world, in 1904 taking a trip around the world which lasted eighteen months, spending six weeks in India, traveling seven hundred miles up the Nile, visit- ing every country and famous city of Europe, and in fact, leaving nothing unseen that he had set out to see on his magnificent tour. Previous to this he had visited in every state and territory in the Union, had made several trips to Alaska and to Honolulu, and is thus familiar with the manners and customs of every civilized country in the world. He is endowed with mental gifts which have made his advantages of vast impor- tance in his life ; he retains a vivid impression of countries he has visited, can give in detail their manner of living, their habits and customs, and as an entertaining companion has no superior in Southern California or indeed in the state. He has been broadened by his contact with the world and brought into closer understanding and sym- pathy with its problems. He is always liberal and enterprising, holding out his hands to uphold the efforts of those who seek to advance the ma- terial prosperity of the place. He is justly named among the representative citizens of Redlands.

REMIE CALLENS. Although a young man who has been engaged in business for himself but a few years Remie Callens has already at- tained a success which gives him a position among the most prominent ranchmen of Ven- tura county. He was born in Menin, Belgium, October 25, 1881, the son of August and Leona (Martens) Callens, both of whom were born in Belgium, the former in Mynde and the latter at Besseghem. The elder Callens was engaged as a farmer in his native land and when he im- migrated to this country in 1888, settling in Ventura county, Cal., near Hueneme, he spent the two years preceding his death in the same pursuits. They were the parents of six chil-

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dren, two of the five sons now residing in France and the remainder of the family living in California.

Shortly after her husband's death Mrs. Cal- lens purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in the Ocean View district and on this ranch the son, Remie, was reared, and now lives. His education was received for the most part in the public schools of Ocean View and when he came to choose a life work he naturally de- cided upon that in which his father engaged and in which he had received his training. He helped his mother until reaching his majority, when in 1902, he rented the place from her and conducted it as an independent venture. This proved very successful and in 1905 he took in his brother, Rene, as a partner and they con- tinued business as Callens Brothers, cultivating in addition to the acreage in the home ranch a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of rented land. The lines which they follow are stock- raising and the cultivation of grain crops, beans and beets.

Remie Callens was married in Oxnard to Miss Mary Callens, a native of Belgium, and they are the parents of one child, Henry. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus of Ox- nard, and is a loyal adherent of the Democratic party in politics. He is energetic and ambitious and there is no doubt but that the future holds still greater success for him than has the past.

WILLIAM THOMAS MORRIS. Remem- bered throughout San Bernardino county as one of its early and successful pioneer settlers, Will- iam Thomas Morris was horn in Lewis County, Mo., March 8, 1838. His father, Robert Morris, was born near Louisville, Ky., the descendant of a prominent family of that state, and in young manhood located in Lewis county, Mo., where he engaged as a farmer and stockman' until his death at the age of fifty-two years. His wife, formerly Eliza Price, was born in Kentucky, a member of the same family to which Gen. Sterling Price belonged. She also died in Mis- souri, leaving nine children, of whom four daughters are now living. William T. Morris received his education in the public school and the Academy at St. Francisville, Mo., after which he engaged in teaching for a time, and finally embarked in the mercantile business. He was located in Monticello, Mo., where he attended school for a time and from which point in 1859 he started to Pike's Peak, and thence returned to Missouri. Of southern tendencies he served for a time in a Missouri regiment in the Con- federate army, participating in several important engagements, among them the battle of Wilson's creek. In 1863 he came to California, a member

of the same train in which his future wife travel- ed with her parents. He engaged in mining in Arizona, and later engaged in the raising of grain and hay until 1866, after which he came to California and in San Bernardino was married August 14, and following this began horticult- ural pursuits with his father-in-law on a tract of two hundred and twenty acres, devoted to a vineyard, orchard and the raising of alfalfa. In 1871 he disposed of his California interests and returned to Lewis county, Mo., and there farmed for a time and then engaged as a merchant in the grocery and hardware business, being located in Williamstown. Because of asthma Mr. Morris returned to California in 1884 and purchased the property owned by his widow, fifteen acres located at the foot of the Terracina bluff, and improved the place until his death, which oc- curred in 1899, at the age of sixty-four years. He was a member of the Christian Church and an earnest and upright citizen. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic organization, and politically was a Democrat.

The wife of Mr. Morris was in maidenhood Miss Lucynthia McCoy, who was born in Osage, now Maries county, Mo. Her father, David McCoy, was born in North Carolina, where the paternal grandfather, Hugh, located upon his emigration from Scotland, having come to America as a member of the British army and was wounded in the engagement which was the scene of Burgoyne's defeat. He was taken from the battlefield to the house of John Franklin, and was nursed by the family, a daughter, Jemima, falling in love with him and marrying him. They settled in Burke county, N. C., where Mr. McCoy engaged as a farmer. Later he returned to Scotland for some property and was lost at sea. His wife and family eventually removed to Kentucky, where David McCoy married, and from that state went to Indiana and improved a farm. Locating in Osage county, Mo., he spent eighteen months, thence going to Iowa for a time, and then returning to Missouri farmed in Lewis county until 1863. In the last named year he brought his family to California across the plains with mule and horse teams, the jour- ney made in less than four months to Marys- ville, Yuba county. They remained in northern California for three years, when they came to San Bernardino and in Crafton Mr. McCoy pur- chased a farm in conjunction with his son-in-law, Mr. Morris, and together the two engaged in its cultivation until 1871, when they both took their families back to Missouri. After thirteen years Mr. McCoy returned to California and made his home with his daughter until his death in 1895 at the remarkable age of one hundred and four years and eleven months. He served in the war of 1812 under General Harrison and was

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present at the battle of the Thames when Tecumseh was killed. He was a Democrat politically. He was a man of strong integrity of character, of personal worth, and was justly named among the respected and helpful citizens of whatever community he made his home. His wife was formerly Lucynthia Davis, a native of Casey county, Ky., and a daughter of Robert Davis, who died in that state. Mrs. McCoy died in Missouri at the age of eighty years. She was the mother of seven children, of whom six attained maturity. Mrs. Morris was the young- est and was educated in the public schools of Missouri, and three years after going to Califor- nia was married and located at Crafton. Since her husband's death she has sold a part of the property, retaining nine acres, of which six are in oranges. She has two children, Emma B., wife of Stephen Bedford, of Fort Worth, Tex., and Lucy M., wife of W. H. Bedford, of Los Angeles. Mrs. Morris is a member of the Christian Church.

JOHN J. STRATTON. Although Mr. Stratton has been a resident of Pomona only since June of 1905 his skill as a contractor and builder in Los Angeles had given him a wide reputation and paved the way to success for him in his new location. In connection with his building interests he also owns a five acre orange grove on East Second street, which is in fine bearing condition.

On both sides of the family Mr. Stratton comes of southern antecedents, his parents, John and Sarah (Lansdowne) Stratton, both claiming Kentucky as their birthplace. After the close of the war, in 1865, the parents re- moved to Muscatine county, Iowa, and it was during the five years spent on a farm in that locality that our subject was born. From Iowa they removed to Jefferson county, Kans., in 1870, and after about sixteen years of farm life in that state the father sold out his hold- ings and came to California. Here as in the middle west he continued to follow agricultural pursuits for a time near Los Angeles, but is now living in Bonsall, San Diego county, own- ing an interest in the Mount Fairview hotel. Mrs. Stratton died in San Diego county in 1898.

Of the eight children born into the parental family seven are living, John J. being next to the youngest of the family. He was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, December 23, 1866, but as he was only about four years old at the time his parents transferred their home into the adjoining state of Kansas his earliest recollections are of the latter state. His boy- hood and youth were spent on the parental

farm in the vicinity of Williamstown, Jeffer- son county, Kans., conning his lessons in the schools of the latter city. When he was eight- een years old he determined to carry out his plans for future business life, having in the mean time decided upon the carpenter's trade as the most congenial, hence the most promis- ing financially. Two of his older brothers, W. A. and S. M. Stratton, had been established in the west as builders and contractors for some time, and hither he came in 1884 and placed himself under them as a carpenter's apprentice. Both of the brothers are now well known in building circles in Los Angeles, and for a time after completing his apprentice- ship John J. also worked at his trade in that metropolis. In 1889 he located in Seattle, Wash., and during the time he spent there working at his trade the city was visited by a destructive fire. Locating once more in Los Angeles in 1891, he resumed work at his trade and continued to follow carpentering exclu- sively for about six years, when, in 1897, he branched out as a contractor and builder. Many of the finest residences, flat buildings and blocks in that metropolis stand as an evidence of his skill and ability, and among the number we mention the Hinman, the Dono- hue flats and the Fremont Avenue school. It was with a record as a finished and successful master of his calling that he came to Pomona in June of 1905, and as his reputation had pre- ceded him he found opportunities awaiting him of which he had little dreamed.

The family residence on East Second and Reservoir streets is the embodiment of Mr. Stratton's artistic skill and practical workman- ship, and is one of the most modern residences in Pomona. The home is presided over by his wife, who before her marriage was Miss Kate Thomas and was born in Texas. Three children have added sunshine and happiness to their marriage and are receiving every ad- vantage which it is in the power of their par- ents to bestow. Named in order of birth they are as follows : John J. Jr., Wesley Lincoln and Leonard Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Stratton are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pomona, both being stanch sup- porters of its various benevolent departments. Mr. Stratton is an active worker in the Sunday- school, being assistant superintendent, and he is also a stanch Prohibitionist.

JULES HUGUES. Since locating in Pomona in 1901 Mr. Hugues has made a specialty of raising wine grapes, which he manufactures into wine, his plant being located on South Garev street between Crow avenne and Phillips road.

Low Frank Reynolds

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Born in Gap, Hautes-Alpes, France, April 20, 1875, he is a son of Van Zant Hugues, the latter carrying on a farm in that country during his entire life, both parents now being deceased. Of the four children born to them one is deceased and two are residents of California. As his father was a farmer it was natural that Jules should become familiar with the duties of the home farm, and when his school days were over to follow in his father's footsteps in the choice of an occupation. This he did for a number of years in his own country, and upon coming to the new world in 1899 he also sought a similar occupation. His first location was at Cucamonga, San Bernardino, county, there en- tering the employ of J. B. Lafercate, a large manufacturer of wine, and during the eighteen months of their association Mr. Hugues thor- oughly learned the process of wine manufacture. In 1901 he removed to the Tisnerat ranch, which he ran as a winery for three years, when, in 1903, he bought his present vineyard of fifteen acres on South Garey street, between Crow avenue and Phillips road. All of the improvements now seen on the place are the result of Mr. Hugues' own efforts, he having built the house, large barn, and also the distillery, which is 52x82 feet, with an excellent storage cellar. Taken all in all the plant is one of the finest in Southern California and in the light of his past accomplish- ments, with youth and health at his command, failure is impossible.

In Los Angeles Mr. Hugues was married to Miss Elizabeth Gambot, who like himself is a native of France. Three children have come to add brightness to their home-Grace, Jean Baptiste and Jean. Politically Mr. Hugues is a Republican. Much credit is due him for what he has accomplished since coming to Pomona, and as a business man and citizen he is highly esteemed.

IRA FRANK REYNOLDS. Frank Rey- nolds, one of the substantial ranchers of the Puente district, is a man who has made his own way in the world and by his own per- sonal efforts has acquired a competence, while at the same time he has won the distinction among his fellow citizens of being a business man of ability, keen judgment, and an integ- rity in his dealings with others which places him prominently in the citizenship of this sec- tion of Los Angeles county. Mr. Reynolds is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in East St. Louis, June 21, 1862; his father, Ira J., a native of New York and his mother, Mary (Davis) Reynolds, a native of Ohio, were married in East St. Louis. The father was a railroad man, working as conductor on

the Alton & Terre Haute line, but he gave this up to cross the plains to California in 1849, driving an ox-team, and upon his safe arrival in the state he engaged in the mines at Feath- er river, in Yuba county. His mining claims he sold out to his two brothers who had ac- companied him, and in 1850 he returned east via Cape Horn, and after two years in his East- ern home, once more crossed the plains, driving a herd of cattle. While in California the sec- ond time he was with Kit Carson in his In- dian expeditions. Finally returning to his home he remained until 1875, in which year he brought his family to California over the Union Pacific Railroad, and both father and mother still survive, he at the age of eighty-five and she seventy-six. Mr. Reynolds is a Democrat in politics and both himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church. They be- came the parents of twelve children, of whom eight are now living.

Reared to the age of thirteen years in his native place, I. Frank Reynolds received his education in its schools, and also the schools of San Luis Obispo, where his parents located after spending the first winter in Woodland, Yolo county. When his schooldays were over he came to Southern California and locating in the vicinity of El Monte began raising grain and hogs. In 1889 he bought ten acres of land and to this purchase he added forty acres in 1900, the first property being in eighteen year old walnut trees in full bearing, and which he recently sold for $9,000 cash. The forty-acre piece he sold for $15.000. In 1892 he came to his present property, and since that time has given his best efforts toward its improvement and development. He general- ly carries on grain farming with his horticult- ural interests, leasing from six to eight hun- dred acres, upon which he raises wheat, bar- ley and oats.

In 1887 Mr. Reynolds was united in mar- riage with Miss Rosa Alexander, a native of California, and a daughter of John Alexander, now deceased, her mother still surviving and making her home in El Monte. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are the parents of the following children, two, Frank and Francis dying in childhood : George A., Edith, Cora, Foster and Della. Politically Mr. Reynolds is a stanch adherent of the principles embraced in the plat- form of the Republican party, and although never desirous of personal recognition by his party has still given every effort toward the advancement of the principles he endorses. He has served as school trustee for several terms. In addition to his farming interests he also conducts a meat market in Puente, and runs a wagon through the country. His

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business sagacity and judgment, combined with his straightforward, honorable methods in the conduct of his enterprises, have won for him a large circle of friends and patrons, who are glad to witness his unusual success. In 1907 he was appointed by the board of super- visors as road overseer of the Rowland dis- trict.

HERVEY EBENEZER SHAW. For twen- ty years Hervey Ebenezer Shaw, city engineer of Long Beach, has been a resident of this section of Southern California and has been actively identified with its development. He is a thoroughly experienced practical worker and fulfills the duties of his office with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. That branch of the Shaw family of which he is a member is of Scotch extraction, his great- great-grandfather, James, having been born in Aberdeen, Scotland. He came to America in 1743, settling first in New Jersey and later re- moving to Virginia, where he became a large planter. Both he and his son, John, who was born in Virginia, were loyal patriots and served in the Revolutionary war. His grandson, Eb- enezer, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., but in 1802 removed to Ohio, which territory at that time belonged to Virginia, and settled first in that section now embraced in Stark county, later removing to Savannah, Ashland county, where he engaged in farming and lived the remainder of his life. His son, Dr. Will- iam S., became the father of Hervey Ebenezer. He was a graduate of the Western Reserve College, from which he received his medical degree, and was engaged as an active practi- tioner in Ashland county, Ohio, during his en- tire lifetime. Politically he was an ardent ad- vocate of Republican principles and was a member of the original Whig party. His wife, Elizabeth Hanna in maidenhood, was the daughter of Rev. Archibald Hanna, a pioneer Presbyterian minister of Ohio, in which state the daughter was born and also died.

The only child of his parents, Hervey E. Shaw was born in his father's native home near Canton, Stark county, Ohio, April 24, 1849, and was reared in Savannah, Ashland county, where he received a preliminary education in the public schools and later entered Savannah Academy, taking a college preparatory course. After finishing his studies he learned the car- penter's trade, although he followed that occu- pation but a short time, later engaging in the drug business at Ashland. Subsequently re- moving to Virginia he then took up survey- ing and civil engineering for a time, and on his later removal to Mansfield, Ohio, became

a contractor and builder. It was while resid- ing in that city that he lived as next-door neighbor to Senator John Sherman, of whom he can tell many interesting anecdotes.

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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 41

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