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 45

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

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JOSEPH A. COLE. The name of Cole is synonymous with progress and development in the vicinity of Downey, for it was in this section of Southern California that the immigrating pioneer first located at a time when there was no promise of future productiveness to induce set- tlement here. This ancestor was George W. Cole, the father of Joseph A., whose name ap- pears at the head of this article. For more com-

MARY KOHLER

HERMAN KOHLER

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plete details concerning his life refer to his bi- ography, which appears on another page of this volume.

The seventh child in order of birth in the fam- ily of his parents Joseph A. Cole was born De- cember 10, 1865, near Downey, Los Angeles county, Cal., on his father's farm, and in that vi- cinity attended the public schools until he was ten years old, when his parents located on a ranch near Whittier. He became a student in the Los Nietos schools and completed the course, after which he prepared to enter upon the work for which he had been so thoroughly trained. Prosperity followed his efforts and he soon be- came known throughout this part of the county as an enterprising and progressive rancher, fully in touch with all modern methods and improve- ments, and intent upon advancing the best in- terests of the business he follows. He owns con- siderable property, forty acres of the old Cole homestead now belonging to him and being fully improved with all modern buildings (among them a beautiful residence in which he makes his home), and substantial barns adequate for the protection of stock and machinery. He also owns a walnut orchard of twenty acres near his home, and twenty acres in the frostless belt of La Habra valley, which is very productive for the raising of vegetables throughout the entire vear. Mr. Cole belongs to the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association, one of the oldest associations of its kind in the world, and is serving as a director in the same.

Mr. Cole was married to Nola L. Landreth, one of the prominent ladies of Whittier, who was educated in Whittier College. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two sons, Roy Ken- neth and Cawthern Chester. In his political af- filiations Mr. Cole is a Democrat.

HERMAN KOHLER. From Germany the United States receives some of her best and most enterprising citizens. Herman Kohler, one of the most highly respected ranchmen in Ventura county, was born October 6, 1853, at Brailingen, Burgdorf, Germany, the son of Henry and Mary (Gerke) Kohler, both na- tives of Germany, where they died several years ago. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, nine of whom are living and two of whom have homes in California.

Herman Kohler received his education in the public schools of his native country, and was also married there at Shernbustel, in 1875, his wife being Mary, a daughter of Henry and Sophia Boedeker. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Kohler were farmers and so it was but natural that the younger generation should follow the same calling. They remained in

the old country until 1883, when, attracted by the opportunities offered to ambitious young people in this new country, they im- migrated to America, coming to Ventura coun- ty, Cal., where Mr. Kohler located on a ranch and engaged in farming and stock-raising. As he had only $50 when he arrived it was nec- essary for him to work by the month for a short time and he was in the employ of Anton Maulhardt until the opportunity presented it- self to rent a farm. By careful management and the employment of good business meth- ods he was soon able to buy a place of his own and now owns two hundred acres of land lo- cated two and a half miles from Hueneme on the Conejo road. He has seventy acres planted to beets, the remainder being devoted to beans and hay. The property is very fine- ly improved with modern buildings and all necessary appliances and Mr. Kohler may well be proud of the success he has achieved.

Politically Mr. Kohler affiliates with the Democratic party. There are three children in his family, Otto, Albert and Louis, and both parents are members of the Lutheran Church at Oxnard. In 1904 Mr. and Mrs. Kohler at- tended the World's Fair at St. Louis and also returned to Europe for a visit at the old home and other points of interest in Germany. They were absent three months and enjoyed their well-earned outing.

FRANK L. TROXEL. A wide-awake, keen- sighted, enterprising business man, Frank L. Troxel, of Fernando, is prominently identified with one of the leading industries of Southern California, and as manager for the Stewart Fruit Company of Los Angeles is carrying on a flour- ishing business. He is an expert horticulturist and fruit grower, and owns and occupies a finely improved ranch, situated a mile and a half west of Fernando. He was born February 5, 1864, in Seneca county, Ohio, but was reared and edu- cated in St. Joseph, Mo., whither his parents re- moved when he was but a year old.

Brought up on a farm, Mr. Troxel became fa- miliarly acquainted with the various branches of agriculture while young, and until after attain- ing his majority was engaged in farming in Mis- souri. Migrating then to the Pacific coast, he settled in Elmira, Solano county, Cal., where he was for two years engaged in the culture of fruit. Going then to Placer county, he was in business at Auburn for two years, and from that time until 1901 was associated with the develop- ment of the fruit industry, residing during the summer seasons in Sacramento, and making Los Angeles his headquarters winters. Purchasing ten acres of land in Fernando in 1901 he at once

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erected a fine residence, and has made other im- provements of an excellent character, his home estate being one of the best in its appointments of any in the neighborhood. In 1906 he added seven acres of adjoining land to his ranch. Ten acres of the estate is in walnuts and the balance in oranges. In addition to caring for his own ranch Mr. Troxel is now manager for the Stewart Fruit Company of Los Angeles, having control of the Fernando district, and in this ca- pacity is meeting with undisputed success. This company owns four hundred acres of land, the greater part of which is devoted to the raising of oranges, although lemons are raised to some extent.

In Missouri Mr. Troxel married Louie Cooper, who died in Auburn, Cal., leaving one child, Clay- ton C. Troxel. Mr. Troxel married for his sec- ond wife Ella Eslick, a native-born Californian. Politically he is an earnest supporter of the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and fraternally he is a member and the treasurer of Fernando Lodge No. 343, F. & A. M., is a Scottish Rite Thirty-second Degree Mason, belonging to Al Malaikan Temple, A. A. O. U. M. S., and a member and past officer of Fernando Lodge No. 365, I. O. O. F. Both Mr. and Mrs. Troxel at- tend the Presbyterian Church, and are willing contributors towards its support.

JOHN HUGH BARCLAY. One of the in- fluential and successful business men of Fernando is John Hugh Barclay, a real estate dealer and insurance agent, who, as justice of the peace, is actively associated with the administration of public affairs. He is well known throughout this section of the county, and is held in respect as a man of integrity, faithful and trustworthy in every relation of life. The earliest recollections of Mr. Barclay are of a modest home in the town of London, province of Ontario, Canada, where his birth occurred November 20, 1844, and where he spent his early life.

After graduating from the London high school, John H. Barclay learned the carpenter's trade. which he followed in his native province for about ten years. His health failing, he came to California in 1869, hoping in this land of sun- shine to recover his natural physical vigor. After spending a year in San Luis Obispo county, and about one-half that length of time in Marysville, he located in Los Angeles county, and for a num- ber of seasons was engaged in the hotel business, first at Wilmington, and then in Los Angeles. Coming then to Fernando, he subsequently en- tered the employ of the Southern Pacific Rail- road Company, which he served as a bridge and tunnel carpenter from 1886 until 1896. Resign- ing his position in the latter-named year he has

since carried on a prosperous business as a fire and life insurance agent and a dealer in real estate, and has become the owner of valuable property in town and county. He has been prom- inent in local matters, and since 1894 has served most acceptably to all as justice of the peace, his decisions being invariably fair and just.

In 1878, in Los Angeles, Cal., Mr. Barclay married Ellen Collins, a native of Canada, and they have two children, namely: Richard J., of Los Angeles; and Margaret J., living at home. Politically Mr. Barclay is a zealous supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and fra- ternally he is a member of Fernando Lodge No. 343, F. & A. M., and a member and past officer of Fernando Lodge No. 365, I. O. O. F.

JACOB HARPS. One of the active, prom- inent and enterprising residents of Fernando is Jacob Harps, who has ably performed his full share in promoting and advancing the upbuilding and growth of the village in which he lives, his contributions in this line being fully recognized and appreciated by his fellow-citizens. A man of excellent judgment and fine business capacity, he has labored earnestly and wisely, and his for- tune has grown with the town and county. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born, April 24, 1849, in Mercer county, where he received his education, remaining there until twenty years of age.

Learning the trade of bridge building when young, Mr. Harps worked for wages for a few years, after which he started in business for him- self, taking contracts for building railroad and county bridges. He was subsequently for four years road superintendent for the Smith Bridge Company of Toledo, Ohio. Leaving that city in 1872, he located in San Francisco, and the en- suing two years was superintendent for the Pa- cific Bridge Company. From 1874 until 1876 he was engaged as a contractor in San Francis- co. Giving up that business then, he came to Los Angeles county, settling about three miles east of Fernando. Buying a tract of wild land, he cleared and improved a ranch, and for twelve years was there successfully employed in raising small fruits and bees. Moving then into the vil- lage, he opened the first lumber yard in the com- munity, and for ten years carried on a substan- tial business as a lumber manufacturer and dealer. Disposing of his interests in that line, he spent the next two years in Klondike, making two trips to that region. Since that time he has lived practically retired for active pursuits, al- though he devotes some time to the raising of poultry, supplying to some extent the local mar- kets with eggs and chickens, having a well-ap- pointed and finely equipped poultry yard. He

Jasper In Conner

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

erected a handsome residence in the village, and· becoming of age. Starting life for himself in also built a substantial block, known as Harps' hall, in which are office rooms, a store and a good auditorium. 1875, he went to the Black Hills, where he was engaged for about a year in mining, when, on account of the frequent raids of the Indians on In California, in 1876, Mr. Harps married Lillian Nickerson, who was born in this state, and they are the parents of three children, name- ly: Beulah, wife of J. O. Jenifer, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Clarence, who is employed in the signal service department of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company ; and Harry, who is employed in the surveying department of the Santa Fe Railroad Company. Politically Mr. Harps is a sound Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for public honors, having held no office excepting that of school director. Frater- nally he is a member of Fernando Lodge No. 343, F. & A. M. He belongs to no religious organiza- tion, but contributes towards the support of the Presbyterian 'Church, of which Mrs. Harps is a consistent member. lone miners, he left that region, going to Butte City, Mont. After mining in that locality for a short time he purchased horses and wagons and engaged in freighting on a large scale, running ten four-horse wagons, keeping forty of his forty-six horses working every day. He carried freight from the Anaconda and Gar- rison mines, hauling ten thousand pounds to a team, averaging four loads a day, and many days, receiving $1 a ton for freighting, made $200 a day. In addition to this work, he was also engaged to some extent in mining and prospecting, discovering two good mines, the Bluebird and the Black Rock, both of which he sold. The railway companies laying tracks to the mines in 1893, Mr. Conner sold his freighting outfit and located at Great Falls, Mont., where he purchased six hundred and eighty acres of land, on which he was engaged in farming and stock raising for two years.

JASPER NEWTON CONNER. One of the many worthy citizens and capable and in- dustrious agriculturists of Los Angeles coun- ty, Jasper Newton Conner is prosperously en- gaged in his independent occupation at Fer- nando. He has had a varied and busy career, during which he has pursued the even tenor of his way as an honest, hard-working man, ever advancing the interests of his community as opportunity offered, and wherever he has resided has enjoyed the respect and esteem of his neighbors and friends. A son of Richard Conner, he was born, January 1, 1854, at Mount Vernon, Ohio. His grandfather, Rob- ert Conner, a native of West Virginia, moved from there to Ohio with the early pioneers, cleared and improved a farm, and afterwards settled in Knoxville, Ill., where he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until his death.

Born and reared in Ohio, Richard Conner was first engaged in farming in his native state, and was subsequently similarly employed in Knox county, Ill., having a farm near Knox- ville. He moved from there to Missouri, and spent the closing years of his life in Kansas City. He married Cynthia Furgeson, who was born of Scotch ancestors in Ohio, and is now residing in Fernando, with her son Jasper. She is a most estimable woman, and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She bore her husband nine children, seven of whom are living, Jasper N. being the fourth in order of birth.

But a child when the family removed to Illi- nois, Jasper N. Conner was brought up on a farm, obtaining a practical education in the district schools and remaining at home until

In 1895, on account of the ill health of his wife and children, Mr. Conner sold his Mon- tana farm and came to California, locating in Fernando, where he continued as a tiller of the soil for two years. In February, 1898, he went to Alaska on a prospecting trip, going up Cop- per river, and up to the divide. He found some of the largest copper deposits known, but would not locate claims on account of the dan- gers incurred in getting to them, the fording of deep rivers and rough rides over precipices and chasms being exceedingly risky, so much so that he wondered that he got out alive. In 1900 he returned to Fernando, glad enough to be back in "God's own country." He has since resided in this place, owning his home, but is engaged in farming just outside the city, rent- ing land, which he is carrying on successfully.

In Lacygne, Kans., Mr. Conner married Mary Kendall, who was born in Kansas, a daughter of David Kendall, a soldier in the Civil war. She had a frail, delicate constitu- tion, and it was hoped that the genial climate of California might prove of great benefit to her health, but the family were doomed to dis- appointment, her death occurring in Fernando in November, 1896. Four children were born to them, and these, too, have passed to the higher life, Daphine and Dallas dying in this city, Pearl passing away in Montana, and Walter dying at Colorado Springs. Although Mr. Conner devoted himself to the care of his family, sparing neither time nor expense in trying to alleviate their sufferings, that dread disease, consumption, proved fatal to his wife and children. For a second wife he married

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in February, 1904, in Fernando, Helen Wis- ner, a native of Iowa, but a resident of Cali- fornia since 1902; by this marriage one child, Daphine, has been born. In national affairs Mr. Conner invariably supports the principles of the Democratic party, but in local matters he supports the best men and measures. He is a man of sterling character, honest and up- right in his dealings, and is a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HON. CHARLES MACLAY. Conspicuous among the pioneer Methodist preachers of Cal- ifornia was the late Hon. Charles Maclay, who came to the Pacific coast in 1851, and for many years thereafter was actively engaged in religious work, proclaiming glad tidings of great joy to multitudes of people. A man of strong person- ality and much force of character, he toiled with faithful zeal in his Master's vineyard, his con- scientious labors being legitimately rewarded by the establishment of numerous churches and the conversion of many souls to the true Christian faith. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born, November 9, 1822, in Concord, Franklin county, where he was brought up and educated. Of a deeply religious nature, he early determined to devote hintself to the special work of spreading the gospel, and in 1844 joined the Baltimore Con- ference. Soon afterward when Bishop Bowman founded the Dickinson Seminary at William- sport, Pa., he was appointed its agent and was also licensed to preach.

Coming by way of the Isthmus of Panama to California in 1851, Mr. Maclay began his labors as a preacher in that city, and was subsequently very active in denominational circles, presiding at the first Methodist Episcopal Conference held in the state, and being influential in the founding of the California Christian Advocate. Subse- quently removing to Santa Clara, he built the first Protestant church erected in that city and was practically one of the founders of the town. He was very popular with the general public, being elected as one of the trustees of the first college established on the Pacific coast, and as a loyal and patriotic citizen he rendered appre- ciated service as a member of the vigilance com- mittee. In local affairs he took a prominent place, and it was largely through his efforts that the state purchased land and built the old toll road between Santa Clara and Santa Cruz. He served two terms as representative to the state legislature, to which he was elected in 1861 and 1862, and from 1864 until 1868 was a member of the senate. While in the legislature he was in- strumental in having a state normal school lo- cated at San Jose, and in having passed the bill. under the old constitution, exempting church and

school properties from taxation. He was always among the foremost in the inauguration of state improvements, giving freely of his time and money to promote beneficial movements, and es- pecially while a resident of both San Francisco and Santa Clara was his influence apparent.

Coming to Fernando in 1873, Mr. Maclay, with two other men, purchased the north half of the Fernando ranch, which consisted of fifty-six thousand two hundred and seventy-six acres of land, with scarce any improvements, paying the sum of $40,000 for it. The partnership being dissolved in 1881, he took as his third of the property the land lying east of the Southern Pa- cific Railroad, and north of Pacoima, and this he soon afterward put on the market. In 1885 he established and endowed the Maclay chair and theology in Fernando College, in which the ap- pointment of the faculty was subject to the bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The corner- stone of the college building was laid in 1888, but after a few years the school and the chairs were moved to Los Angeles, being merged with the University of Southern California. The col- lege building is now owned by the Seven Day Adventists, who use it for educational purposes.

March 2, 1851, Mr. Maclay married Kate P. Lloyd, who was born at Williamsport, Pa., and into their household six children were born, namely : Thomas Lloyd, who died at the age of fourteen years ; Arabella, who is the widow of the late A. B. Moffitt, and resides in San Francisco ; Robert Holmes, of whom a brief sketch may be found on another page of this volume; Mary, of Fernando, the widow of the late H. W. Gris- wold; Kate Paxton, wife of H. C. Hubbard, of Fernando, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; and Josephine Lloyd, wife of T. J. Walker, of Fernando. When Mr. and Mrs. Maclay came with their family to Fernando there was no church of their denomination in this part of the county, but largely through the strenuous efforts of this godly couple a Methodist Episcopal Church was erected, and for a time Mr. Maclay supplied the pulpit, while Mrs. Ma- clay saw to it that the building was well cared for. They were truly generous. hospitable peo- ple, keeping open house for both strangers and friends, and often having it filled to overflowing with ministers, laymen and politicians. They were Christians in the highest and best sense implied by the term, benevolent and charitable, and in their every day life were guided by the highest moral principles. Both have passed to the bright world beyond, the death of Mr. Maclay having occurred at his home in Fernando, July 19, 1890, and that of Mrs. Maclay, July 2, 1898. Their deaths were a loss to the entire community. and were mourned by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Politically Mr. Maclay was

A lasmelly

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a stanch Republican, and during the second elec- tion of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency his name was on the state electoral ticket. Frater- nally he was made a Mason when young.

ARCHIE CONNELLY. A pioneer settler and a veteran of the harvest fields, Archie Connelly is one of the best known and most highly esteemed men of Ventura county, dis- tinguished for his honesty, integrity, industry and kindheartedness. The owner of two valua- ble ranches, he gives close attention to the de- velopment and improvement of his land, and in his agricultural labors is meeting with note- worthy success. He is prudent in the man- agement of his affairs, strictly honorable in his dealings, and is recognized by his fellow-men as a true and loyal citizen of his adopted coun- try. A native of Ireland, he was born March IO, 1845, in County Monaghan, being one of the seven children of Owen and Ann (Duffy) Connelly, who were life-long residents of the Emerald Isle. One of his brothers resides in California, and one of them is now living in Ireland, occupying the farm on which his great-grandfather spent the larger part of his long life.

Beginning the battle of life for himself when a lad of eleven years, Archie Connelly spent some time in Scotland and England, working at any honorable employment. Not satisfied with his future prospects on British soil, he immigrated to the United States at the age of eighteen years, and for the next two and one-half years worked at the trade of a stone and brick mason in New York City. Going then to New Jersey, he was employed on a farm for several seasons, there acquiring a fair knowledge of general farming as carried on in the Atlantic states. In 1869 he came to California, locating first as a ranchman in Sonoma county, later going to Contra Costa county, where he remained about a year. Coming then to Ventura county, he worked for James Leonard for three years, receiving good wages. Wise in his expenditures, he ac- cumulated quite a sum of money, and with it in 1876 purchased his home ranch, lying near Oxnard, and has since been here profitably en- gaged in the cultivation of beets and beans, two of the best crops that can be raised in this part of the county, the land hereabout yield- ing on an average twenty sacks of beans to the acre. He has also acquired other property of value. owning three hundred acres of land in the Conejo valley, upon which he raises large quantities of hay, wheat and barley.

Tn 1877 Mr. Connelly married Lizzie Kline, a native of Ireland, their marriage being sol-

emnized in Ventura county. Thirteen chil- dren were born of this marriage, three of whom have passed to the life beyond. Those living are as follows: John T. of Los Angeles coun- ty, Annie, Mary K., Joseph, Frank, James, Peter, Charles, Thomas and Raymond. Mrs. Connelly died on the home farm in 1899, at the comparatively early age of forty years. Politically Mr. Connelly is a Democrat in na- tional affairs; fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Columbus ; and religiously he and his family are members of the Catholic Church.

IRA EZRA MILLS. One of the most en- terprising men of Crafton is Ira Ezra Mills, whose residence is located in Crafton, at the corner of Fourth aventte and E street. His at- tention is given over to horticultural pursuits in the vicinity, where he located in 1890, and since that time he has accomplished notable results in this line of work. Born in New Haven, Vt., June 7, 1867, he is the representative of an old and honored New England family; his father, Ira, and grandfather, Ralph, were both natives of that state, where they engaged in farming throughout their entire lives. Ira Mills served as a musician in the Civil war, as a member of Company B, Fifth Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry. His death occurred in 1867, being survived until 1873 by his wife, formerly Adelaide Gulley, a native of Addison, Vt., and daughter of Erasmus Gulley, a farmer.

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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 45

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