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 48

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

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WILLIAM S. SMITH, M. D. Very early in the colonial history of America representa- tives of the Smith family crossed the ocean from Holland to seek the opportunities offered by the new world. Several generations lived and died in Pennsylvania, the majority of them making Union county the scene of their labors. Dur- ing the latter half of the nineteenth century John Smith, who was a native of Union county, drifted from the home of his ancestors into the south and settled in San Antonio, Tex. In early manhood he married Winnifred Taylor, who was born in Ireland and at the age of two years accompanied her parents to the United States, settling in New York City and receiving a com- mon-school education in its excellent schools. While they were living at San Antonio their only son. William S., was born March 11, 1879. The family came to California in 1885 and settled at San Diego, but later removed to San Fern- ando, where the father was stationed in the em- ploy of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. Since his death, which occurred in Los Angeles, the mother has made her home with her son.

While still a mere boy William S. Smith showed himself to be the possessor of a fine mind and a keen aptitude for study. After he had completed the studies of the San Fernando

high school, graduating with the class of 1898, he entered the University of Southern Califor- nia and took the regular medical course, gradu- ating from that department in 1902 with the degree of M. D. The first experience which he gained as a practicing physician was in Pres- cott, Ariz., where he built up a growing practice during the three years of his sojourn there. How- ever, though enjoying a gratifying share of the patronage of the people, he found the environ- ment less satisfactory than in California and in three years returned to this section. Since then he has had his office in the Keller block in Santa Monica, where he is known as a capable rep- resentative of his profession. His talents seem to adapt him especially for surgery and he is making a specialty of that department, although by no means diminishing his interest in the regular practice of medicine.

The marriage of Dr. Smith was solemnized in Los Angeles and united him with Mabel Wilson, whose father, J. S. Wilson, is a retired citizen of Santa Monica, well known to the residents of the place. As a progressive citizen, it has been Dr. Smith's policy to keep posted concern- ing the problems affecting our national welfare and a careful study of the political situation has made him a stanch supporter of Republican prin- ciples, yet he displays no sentiment of narrow partisanship, but concedes to others the same privilege of independent thought which he de- mands for himself. To discharge his duty as a patriot, to aid in movements promoting the wel- fare of town, county and state, and to give his influence toward plans for the benefit of his fellowmen, this is the measure of responsibility which he places upon himself and this his ideal of citizenship.

M. SWEENEY. One of the largest ranches in Santa Barbara county is owned by M. Sweeney, a leading dairyman of this section of the state. He is a native of Ireland, and was born on his father's farm in 1856. The father, James Sweeney, and the mother, Mary (Sweeney) Sweeney, were both born in Ireland and lived there until their death, the former at the age of sixty-three years, and the latter at the early age of forty years. Mr. Sweeney was one of a family of seven children, and was ten years old when he was left motherless. He is the only member of the family in this country, two of the children still remaining on the old homestead in Ireland, and the others living either in New Zealand or their native land. The father had during his entire life- time been engaged in farming and cattle rais- ing, and the son was from childhood trained to the work. His education was received in the

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schools of the Emerald Isle and at the age of nineteen he decided to immigrate to the United States and make his fortune in the golden land of promise which offers so much opportunity to the vigorous and industrious young man. He came directly to California, arriving in San Francisco, where he remained one year, and from there came to Lompoc, where he has since remained. It was necessary for him to begin at the very bottom of the ladder, and this fact makes his success all the more flat- tering, for today he is independent in fortune, is well posted in the stock industry and the details of the dairy business, and is popular in the community.

The ranch upon which Mr. Sweeney lives and which he owns comprises ten hundred and forty acres, eighty acres of which is farm land, and the remainder is devoted to pasturage for the three hundred head of cattle and general stock, including one hundred head of high grade dairy cows. It is necessary to employ two additional men to conduct this immense ranch and keep up its high state of improve- ment and cultivation. He has been at his present location for nine years, and in addition to the other branches mentioned also gives some attention to the raising of horses.

In the fall of 1877 Mr. Sweeney was mar- ried to Miss Isabell Rogers, a native Cali- fornian, and to them have been born four chil- dren : Hugl, now in business with his father; Sylvia, who became the wife of Frank Callis, of Lompoc; Lena and Vernon. Politically Mr. Sweeney is a strong believer in the prin- ciples of the Democratic party, and is a mem- ber of the Catholic Church at Lompoc.

PHILLIP DOERR, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Carpin- teria, has for eleven years been engaged in the hotel and livery business in this village and the wants of the public in his line are ably attended to. Mr. Doerr is a member of a family of four- teen children, four of whom are living, John, one of the brothers, making his home at Santa Ana. The father, Phillip Doerr, a native of Germany, immigrated to Missouri in the early half of the nineteenth century and died in that state in 1861; the mother, in maidenhood The- resa Michaels, was a native of Belgium and had attained the age of sixty-five years at the time of her death.

Phillip Doerr was born in Perry county, Mo., March 12, 1853, and received his education in the common schools of that county. After his school days were over he filled a position as clerk in a store for six years, and in 1880, when twen- ty-seven years of age, left Missouri and came

to Carpinteria, Cal., where he worked on a ranch for his step-father. He then removed to Santa Barbara, where he worked at the carpen- ter's trade two years and was employed on the old street railway for two years. Following this he returned to Carpinteria and accepted a posi- tion in the warehouse of the S. P. Milling Com- pany. Aside from his hotel experience, as pro- prietor of the Doerr hotel at Carpinteria, he spent four years in the business at the Asphalt mines.

May 30, 1885, Mr. Doerr was married to Miss Lizzie B. Gay, a native of Minnesota, and to them two children have been born. Lewis H., born November 8, 1886, lives at home, and be- long to the Modern Woodmen of America. Lawrence R. was born January 14, 1889, and works at the plumber trade in Los Angeles. Mr. Doerr is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Carpinteria, and with Mrs. Doerr, be- longs to the Rathbone Sisters. Politically he af- filiates with the Democratic party, and while he is a firm believer in its principles and does his full duty as a public citizen interested in good government, his business forms his chief interest and occupies the greater part of his time. Mrs. Doerr is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

GEORGE T. STONEHAM. Prominent among the leading citizens of Ocean Park is George T. Stoneham, a man of superior busi- ness qualifications, who has met with success in his active career, and wherever he has lived has fully established himself in the confidence and esteem of his friends and associates. . A son of John Stoneham, he was born, April 25, 1843, in Elizabeth City, N. J., where the first two years of his life were spent.

Moving with his family to Illinois in 1845, John Stoneham became a pioneer of Chicago, settling there at the time when Fort Dearborn was occupied by a garrison. There were neither railroads nor docks in Chicago at that date; there were no sidewalks, and on Randolph and other now prominent business streets there were signs on which was printed in bold letters the words "No bottom here." For a number of years he had what was called the Railroad eating house, near the landing place for boats, at the foot of State and Water streets, where he also kept a supply store until burned out by the fire that likewise destroyed the first theater erected in that city. This was subsequently re- placed by Rice's theater. He married Elizabeth Muddell, and they both spent their last years in Chicago.

Receiving his early education in Chicago, George T. Stoneham attended a school on Mad-

S. M. Doane Sur.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ison street, just opposite the present site of Mc- Vicker's theater. He subsequently learned the trade of carriage manufacturer, but instead of following that long engaged in the manufacture of fire apparatus, being foreman for a number of years for the Babcock Fire Extinguisher Company in Chicago. While thus employed he made the aerial hook and ladder trucks for Los Angeles, and also manufactured fire apparatus for foreign countries, including England and Russia. During the memorable fire of 1871 he lost nothing, being located south of the fire zone. He subsequently moved to the west side of the city, and giving up his manufacturing business became a successful dealer in real estate, making much money in his operations.

Coming to California May 1, 1899, Mr. Stoneham resided for three years in Sierra Madre, Los Angeles county, where he was en- gaged in the cultivation of oranges, having a grove of twenty-five acres in the heart of the town. Disposing of that at an advantage, he speculated in real estate in Pasadena for a year, meeting with good success. Locating in Ocean Park in April, 1903, he purchased twelve acres of land, lying between Fourth and Sixth streets, and this, known as the Stoneham tract, he has since sold at a profit. On Fourth street he erect- ed a fine residence, which he now occupies, and has since been identified with the best interests of his adopted city. He possesses great financial and executive ability, and for seventeen years was officially connected with the Union Savings Loan and Building Association, of Chicago, serving as director, vice-president and president, in the latter capacity carrying it safely through with its real estate dealings.

In Chicago, Ill., Mr. Stoneham married Sarah F. Vest, a native of Illinois, and they have one child, Charles J. Stoneham, of Ocean Park. The son married Bertha Richardson, and they have two children, Ada and Sarah.

G. M. DOANE, SR. The active and en- terprising people of Santa Maria who have done so much to promote the industrial pros- perity of Santa Barbara county have no more worthy representative than G. M. Doane, Sr., a leading contractor and builder and an es- teemed citizen. As a boy he was noted for his thoroughness, self-reliant energy and per- sistency of purpose, and these traits of char- acter, strengthened by his honesty and fidelity, have been the leading factors in winning him success in the business and social circles. A son of M. M. Doane, he was born September 27, 1849, in Winnebago county, Il1.

A native of Canada, M. M. Doane crossed the border when a young man, locating first

in Michigan, then in Illinois, from there go- ing to Wisconsin. He subsequently settled on a farm in Iowa, and there resided until his death, at the venerable age of four score and four years. During his earlier years he was a miller, but later in life confined his atten- tion entirely to agricultural pursuits. He was a Republican in politics, and although an ac- tive party worker was never an office seeker. In religion he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Jane Albright, who was born in Indiana, and died in Iowa, at the age of fifty-two years. They were the parents of ten children, of whom G. M., the subject of this sketch, is the only one residing on the Pacific coast.

Taken when a small child by his parents to Wisconsin, G. M. Doane, Sr., lived there until eleven years of age, when the family removed to Iowa. Completing his early education in the public schools. he began as a youth to learn the carpenter's trade, serving an appren- ticeship in Elgin, Fayette county, Iowa. He subsequently followed his trade in Iowa for a number of years, in addition carrying on a lively business as a dealer in real estate. Com- ing to California in 1880, he located at once in Santa Maria, and as a contractor and build- er has since built up an extensive and lucra- tive business. He has had charge of the erec- tion of some of the largest and most notable buildings in this vicinity, for the past six years keeping about twenty men steadily employed. In addition to his work in this line he also car- ries on a substantial mercantile business, han- dling all the supplies necessary in building, in- cluding doors and moldings, and finishing ma- terials of all kinds.

In 1869. in Iowa. Mr. Doane married Mary M. Hatfield, a native of Pennsylvania, and into their home seven children have been born, namely: George M .. Jr .. of Santa Maria, who married Jennie McFall. by whom he has three children : Mary G., wife of W. A. Mattocks, of Santa Maria, and the mother of one child; Clarence M., of Santa Maria, who married Gloria Frates ; Milford L., also of Santa Maria, who married Sadie Bloomer, by whom he has one child; Perry; Oscar; and Richard. Al- though an independent voter in local matters, Mr. Doane is a stanch Republican in national affairs, and fraternally he is an active member of Hesperian Lodge. No. 264, F. & A. M., which he has served as junior warden and as senior deacon.

ROCK SARRAIL. Among the old settlers of Southern California who deserve special mention in this work is the subject of this

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article, Rock Sarrail, who was born in Basses- Pyrenees, October 12, 1839, the son of Pierre and Madelena Cassou, who were the parents of five children, four of whom grew to ma- turity.

Rock Sarrail was the third of the family and was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. Having heard of the great advantages of the Pacific coast, he de- termined to cast his fortune in California, and with that end in view, in the spring of 1859, then in his twentieth year, he left Havre on the sailer Besan, and, after being tossed about on the waves for five months and three days, came around Cape Horn and landed in San Francisco with only five dollars as his world- ly possession. With a courage and determin- ation to succeed he immediately sought em- ployment, and the next day after arrival went to work in a dairy, but a few months later obtained a place as gardener, and followed that occupation and mining for several years, and then leased a small farm in San Francisco across from the old race track, where he had floral and vegetable gardens. In 1870 he came to Los Angeles and in 1871 purchased a band of sheep, ranging them in different places in San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles counties for nineteen years. Meantime in 1877 he pur- chased eleven acres on West Jefferson and Durango streets; this property he improved with a vineyard and still owns, and on it he has erected seven residences, fronting Jeffer- son street, a property that has become very valuable.

His estimable wife was Madelena Cassou, also from France. She passed away in 1889 at the age of forty-three years. They had a family of eight children, as follows: Mary, now Mrs. John Cassou of Anaheim; Pierre, pro- prietor of the Ramona Bottling Works of Los Angeles; Leona, now Mrs. John Massalin of this city ; Jennie, Mrs. Albert Blanchard, died in Los Angeles; and Joseph, Louis and Silvan, all engaged in feed and fuel business on West Jefferson street, Los Angeles, under the firm name of Sarrail Bros .; and Julius, also of Los Angeles.

Mr. Sarrail is a Republican and is a member of the French Hospital Association, has always assisted in various ways in the upbuilding of his community and has great faith in the growth and future of the state of his adoption.

cultural life on the Crawford county homestead, James H. Patterson further followed the exam- ple set by his father and pushed out into the frontier, during young manhood, settling on new land in Boone county, Ill., which he had taken up from the government. The land responded readily to his careful cultivation, and in the course of the years spent on that farm he became financially independent, finally retiring from act- ive life. His last days were spent in Pomona, Cal., where he passed away in 1904, at the age of eighty-six years. Politically he was in sym- pathy with Republican principles, and was faithful member of the Baptist Church, to which denomination his wife also belongs. She was formerly Rhoda Moss, born near Ripley, Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., the daughter of James Moss, and is now living in Pomona, aged over eighty years. Nine children originally gathered around the family fireside, but of the number only six are now living.

The fourth in order of birth was Justin E. Patterson, who was born in Belvidere, Boone county, Ill., October 17, 1856, and was brought up to an intimate knowledge of farming on the family homestead in that vicinity. Unlike many farmer lads he had fairly good opportunity for securing an education, and when he had ex- hausted the resources of the schools of Belvidere he took up the higher branches of study in Chi- cago. This equipment qualified him as a teacher and thereafter he followed teaching in Boone county for five years. During this time he had formed definite plans to take up the furniture and undertaking business, and upon relinquish- ing his position as teacher entered upon the work with a will. After learning all departments of the business he followed it for about four years in Belvidere, Ill., and in 1891 came to Pomona and opened undertaking parlors on Main street. From that location he subsequently removed to West Second street, and still later, in 1903, erected the building which he now occupies at No. 151 East Second street. The building is 231/2x120 feet, two stories in height, the lower floor being occupied as office and chapel, while in the warerooms are displayed the fine line of caskets and other needful accessories to a first- class undertaking establishment. Since locating in Pomona he has also erected a fine family res- idence at the corner of Holt and Garey avenue.

In Belvidere, Ill., Mr. Patterson was married to Miss Carrie Bement, who was born there, and two children, Millicent and Donald, have been born to them. Besides his associations of a busi- ness nature, being a member of the State Fit- neral Directors' Association and a member and Directors' Association, Mr. Patterson is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership

JUSTIN E. PATTERSON. The family rep- resented by the above-named citizen of Pomona was established in Crawford county, Pa., by the . president of the Southern California Funeral grandparents, and there their son, James H., was born, near Meadville. Reared to an agri-

ROBERT C. KIRKPATRICK

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in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, For- esters, Woodmen of the World, Woodmen of America, Fraternal Aid, Fraternal Brotherhood and Knights of Pythias. He is an enthusiastic worker in behalf of the welfare of his home city and is an active member of the Board of Trade. Politically he is a Republican, and with his wife is a member of the Baptist Church, both taking their places among the active and zealous workers of that organization, which they also support liberally in a financial sense.

ROBERT C. KIRKPATRICK. The true though trite saying that in union there is strength is nowhere better exemplified than in the Menifee valley, Riverside county, where the four sons of the pioneer, Robert C. Kirkpatrick, and one of his grandsons own and operate one of the larg- est ranches in the county. When Menifee valley was still a part of San Diego county the father came to this part of the country in 1879 and lo- cated in the center of the valley, taking up three quarter-sections of land from the government. besides buying railroad land. Some idea of the newness of the country may be formed when it is told that between his ranch and Box Springs (a distance of twenty-five miles) there was only one house. Robert C. Kirkpatrick, the inspirer of the enterprise which has since grown up around his pioneer undertakings, has passed to his reward, and his estate has fallen to his four sons, John A., Amos G., Claudius M., and Will- iam T., who are no less ambitious and enter- prising, and in carrying out the wise policy of their father are meeting with a success no less gratifying. Robert H. Kirkpatrick, a grandson and the son of William T. Kirkpatrick, is also interested in the ranch, as is a daughter, Keziah Teel, of Long Beach, who accompanied the fam- ily to the coast.

The sons well recall the appearance of the property when their father first assumed control of it in 1879 and have not only witnessed its transformation from a desert to one of the finest ranches in the county, but have taken no small part in the work which this involved. They now control over three thousand acres of land, the greater part of which is in barley and wheat, the harvesting of which requires two large twenty- six horse-power combined harvesters. These are drawn over the fields by seventy-five head of work horses, which are fine animals of their own breeding and raising. All of the grain raised on this immense tract is shipped direct to the Globe Mills in Colton.

Robert C. Kirkpatrick and his four sons were all natives of Tennessee. Leaving the south in 1874 the father and sons made their way across the plains to the Golden state and settled in

Orange county, remaining there for five years. The next removal brought them to San Diego county, where besides buying railroad land they took up three quarter-sections of land from the government. Since they settled here the county lines have been changed, so that their property now lies in Riverside county. Together the sons own fifteen hundred acres, besides which they lease land which brings the acreage under their control up to three thousand acres, all in grain. The machinery and stock necessary to conduct this large ranch represent $10,000, be- sides which they have money to their credit in the bank. The wonderful success which has come to the Kirkpatrick brothers is due in a great measure to the excellent water facilities with which their ranch is supplied. Varying in depth from seven to twenty feet water may be bored for in any part of the ranch. What is true of this part of the valley holds good throughout this portion of the county and is rapidly bringing it into prominence as one of the best grain-raising sections of the state.

The wife and mother, who in her maidenhood was Elizabeth Thompson, died in Tennessee in 1864, ten years before the removal of the father and sons to the west. The father passed away upon the homestead ranch in Menifee valley. Cal., near Perris, in 1904, at the good old age of eighty-five years. Claudius M. and William T. are married and have families, while John A. and Amos G. are still single. In their political opin- ions the brothers are united, all voting the Dem- ocratic ticket. They are held in the highest re- spect wherever known and are foremost in as- sisting any project for the betterment of the community. Too much praise cannot be accord- ed them for what they have accomplished, and both their lives and their accomplishments are excellent examples for the younger generations to take as their patterns.

WILLIAM MERRITT PIERSON. The re- sort of Skyland was largely the result of the ef- forts of Mr. Pierson, who gave it the name, built the hotel, and in other ways took a most active interest in its upbuilding. He is now re- siding at Bryn Mawr in a delightful home over- looking the San Bernardino valley and engaged in horticultural pursuits. He is a native of Ce- dar county, Iowa, where he was born September 15. 1856, the oldest of four children, all of whom are living. born to his parents, George and Deb- oralı (Smith) Pierson. They were both natives of New York, the father being born in Cattar- augus county and the mother in Erie county : they became carly settlers of Cedar county, Iowa, where the father engaged as a farmer until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted

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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 48

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