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 55

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

USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume II > Part 55

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

PATRICK DONOVAN. Rising from pov- erty to independence and from obscurity to prominence in his county, Patrick Donovan proved himself to be the possessor of the facul- ties that lead to success. Nor was his prosper- ity alone that of gaining a valuable ranch by dint of persevering energy and wise judgment. He was also successful in winning friends and in gaining the respect of associates. When he passed from his labors into rest there was none to say an unkind word of his character ; on the other hand, all united to bestow trib-

utes of praise upon the man whose progressive character they admired, whose kindness of heart had often been proved, and whose gen- erosity to those in need was one of the leading traits of his disposition. Throughout all of his active life he was a friend of higher education for the rising generations; having been de- prived of educational advantages himself, he realized their value and was solicitous that others might enjoy the privileges he was de- nied.

Born in County Cork, Ireland, February 22, 1840, Patrick Donovan was a brother of Dan- iel Donovan whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. On attaining the age of twen- ty-one years he came to the United States and settled in Boston, where he was employed as a longshoreman. Two years later, in 1863, he came to California and made a brief sojourn at Watsonville, Santa Cruz county, after which he carried on a farm in Monterey county for three years. Next he came to Santa Barbara county and remained for three years at Guada- loupe. From there he removed to Nipomo, San Luis Obispo county, where he was en- gaged in ranching for five years. Eventually he came to the vicinity of Arroyo Grande and bought a ranch of four hundred and seventy- five acres, of which a considerable portion is under cultivation to beans and grain. On this place he remained until his death, which oc- curred at the age of sixty-six years, March 16, 1906.

The marriage of Mr. Donovan occurred in 1867 and united him with Jane McCarty, who came to the United States in girlhood from her native place in County Cork, Ireland. There she attended the same school with Mr. Donovan and a mutual attachment was formed. Her parents died in Ireland and she came to America, where she was married in San Francisco. Of her union four children were born. The eldest. Mary, is Mrs. J. E. Adams of Santa Maria. John A. spends a part of the year in looking after the interests of the home ranch, and the remainder of the year is occupied in Arizona, where he is en- gaged in stock-raising as well as being inter- ested in a number of other enterprises; he is a young man of exceptional abilities, inherit- ing many fine qualities from his father; hon- est, capable and energetic, he is making de- cided progress in his business undertakings and the future has much in store for him ; his per- sonal qualities are such as to make him a gen- eral favorite and none know him but to ad- mire and respect him. The next child in order of birth is Katie, Mrs. C. Williams, of Los Berros valley. . Agnes resides with her mother on the ranch in San Luis Obispo county. The

1500

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

family are identified with the Catholic Church of Arroyo Grande, and Mr. Donovan always contributed generously to the work of the church, in whose faith he passed from earth. Though he never held any offices, he was well posted concerning politics and voted the Dem- ocratic ticket at all elections. From the time (1871) that he became a naturalized citizen of the United States he was deeply interested in the political history and material progress of his adopted country, and those born under the stars and stripes were not more loyal to the Union nor more devoted to its prosperity than was Mr. Donovan.

JAMES A. JASPER. The history of the Jasper family in America dates back to the colo- nial settlement of Virginia, whence one of their number crossed the mountains into the wilder- ness of Kentucky. Among the children of this Kentucky pioneer was a son, Hon. Achilles Jasper, who was born in the Blue Grass state and served as a member of its legislature, also conducted a stock farm there for some years. After a time he became a pioneer of Missouri, settling in Holt county. Eventually in 1853 he removed to Texas, where he died ten miles east of Fort Worth. In his family there was a son, William H., who was born in Kentucky, lived for some years in Holt county, Mo., and in the fall of 1853 removed to Texas, engaging in the cattle business in that state. Not only did he serve throughout the entire period of the Mexi- can war, but also through the Civil war, and at the expiration of the latter conflict he was a cripple through disability brought on by ex- posure and privation. Returning from Texas to Missouri, he settled in Clay county, but in 1868 made another change of residence, this time coming to California with his wife and five children via New York and Panama. After one one year at Santa Clara county in 1869 he went to San Luis Obispo county, and in 1870 removed to what was then Los Angeles (now Orange) county, settling at Santa Ana, where he took up horticulture and general ranching. At the time of his death, which occurred November 7, 1900, he was eighty-two years of age.

The marriage of William H. Jasper united him with Mary E. Brown, who was born in Holt county, Mo., and now resides at Santa Ana, Cal. One of her brothers, Rev. Samuel Brown, is a well-known Methodist Episcopal preacher in northern California. Her father. Samuel Brown, who was a pioneer farmer of Holt county, Mo., crossed the plains to Califor- nia in 1850 with ox-teams and wagon and settled near San Jose, buying an unimproved tract of ranch land. In 1861 he removed via the south-

ern route to Texas and settled in Denton county. but in 1865 returned to Missouri and a year later followed the old California trail across the plains to San Jose, where he remained until his death. There were nine children in the family of William H. and Mary E. Jasper and all but one of these are still living, James A. being next to the eldest in order of birth. While the family were living on a farm in Holt county, Mo., he was born March 7, 1853. His earliest recollections are of Texas, and when he was yet a small child his father left home and entered the army as a volunteer in the Civil war, from which he returned permanently disabled. Up- on his son fell the burden of helping to support the family and to educate the younger children, hence he had no opportunity to attend school himself nor did he enjoy any of the advantages that fall to the lot of most boys of the middle class. Yet he was ambitious to acquire know- ledge and neglected no opportunity to gain in- formation by reading and self-culture.

Upon leaving home at the age of twenty-six years Mr. Jasper married Miss Mary E. Will- iams, of Santa Ana, Cal., and began housekeep- ing at what was known as the old Gospel swamp. four miles south of Santa Ana. However, poor health forced him to abandon agricultural pursuits and he thereupon engaged in merchandising in Santa Ana, but in 1885 removed to Julian, where he engaged in ranching and stockraising. Soon he became interested in newspaper work through the purchase of the Julian Sentinel. which he published every week for eight years and which was noteworthy as the only paper in San Diego county printed away from direct ac- cess to telegraph, telephone and railroad. In 1902 he removed to the Imperial country and purchased a farm of two hundred and forty- six acres which he still owns. After he settled on the place he became interested in the dig- ging of the canal and saw the first shovel of

dirt thrown up in its construction. After hav- ing engaged in raising grain and stock for a few years, in December of 1905 he brought his fam- ily to San Diego, where he now resides.

For years Mr. Jasper has been a stanchi ad- herent of the Democratic party and one of its local leaders. The members of his party in the third district in 1892 elected him to represent them on the county board of supervisiors, and he was re-elected in 1896, 1900 and 1904, serv- ing until January, 1906, when he resigned owing to the pressure of other duties. Since 1888 he has been a member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and in October. 1905, he was chosen its secretary to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Wood, being duly elected to the office in January following. The organization possesses a membership of five hundred and thirty-five

R. B. Wilson

1503

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and is, with one exception, the largest in South- ern California. In the upbuilding of the town and county it has proved most helpful. Al- though having for its ultimate aim the attract- ing of a desirable class of permanent settlers, it yet has been equally helpful in promoting the prosperity of the people already resident here, and has proved a power in the material develop- ment of the community.

Fraternally Mr. Jasper holds membership with the Order of Foresters, while in religious views he upholds the doctrines of the Christian Church and is identified with that congregation in San Diego. His wife has been a lifelong resident of California and was born near Watsonville, Santa Cruz county, being a daughter of Isaac and Lydia (Patterson) Williams, who crossed the plains to California respectively in 1844 and 1846. After a brief experience as a miner Mr. Williams settled near Watsonville and planted the first large apple orchard in the Pajaro val- ley, later becoming a leading horticulturist of the locality. Three children comprise the fam- ily of Mr. and Mrs. Jasper, namely : Ralph, who is engaged in ranching near Imperial; Mollie, who married Thomas Doss and resides in Los Angeles; and Virgil, who remains with his parents in their San Diego home.

RUSSELL B. WILSON, a resident of Sher- man, Cal., since 1896, was born in Sherburne, Vt., in 1832, a son of Jonathan and a grandson of Ezra Wilson. The latter was a farmer of the pioneer period, being the first white man to settle in Rutland county, Vt. There he hewed a farm out of the timber lands, living on berries and such game as he could kill until the harvest of his first crop, when he carried his wheat on his back to the mill to have it ground into flour. The greater part of his life was spent in Rutland county, where his death occurred at an advanced age. He inherited the valiant spirit of his forefathers-early set- tlers of the colonies-and during the Revolu- tionary war served as a Continental soldier. His son Jonathan was reared among the primitive surroundings of a pioneer section and followed farming his entire life, having re- ceived a limited education in the rude schools of the day. He was induced by his son to go to Wisconsin, where land was cheap and op- portunities greater for a growing family, and in Menomonee took up government land, and with the aid of his sons cleared a farm which remained his home until his death. His wife was formerly Huldah Thompson, also a native of Vermont. They became the parents of thir- teen children, twelve of whom were living at

the time of their removal to Wisconsin, and one son still makes that state his home.

It was through the influence of Russell B. Wilson that the family fortunes were removed to the middle west, he being then a young man. His education was received in the com- mon schools of Rutland county, which he at- tended during the winter months and assisted during the summer on the home farm. In 1852 he took a course in the Leoni (Mich.) high school preparatory to taking up educa- tional work, after which he taught in that town for two years. Then going to Minne- sota, he took up a quarter section of land in the vicinity of Northfield, cleared it and began farming. Well satisfied with the country he returned to Vermont and induced his parents to locate in Wisconsin, just across the river from his farm in Minnesota. He gave valua- ble assistance in the clearing of his father's farm and during the winter worked in the lumber camp on the Menominee river. After two years he returned to Northfield and be- came prominent in public affairs, supporting the principles of the Republican party (having cast his first vote for Fremont) and served for a time in the Minnesota legislature. In 1868 he disposed of his interests in that section and went to Kansas, following contracting and building successfully there for one year.

January 1, 1880, Mr. Wilson started for Cal- ifornia and arrived in Los Angeles county on the Ioth of that month. He took up a home- stead of a quarter section on the slope back of Pasadena, later selling this property to Mil- ton Lindley for the erection of the Esperanza Sanatorium. After having disposed of this interest he engaged in contracting and build- ing in Los Angeles for five years, and with the means thus acquired invested in a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres in the vicinity of Cucamonga. This venture proving disastrous he sold out and in 1896 located in Sherman, where he purchased property whichı has since become very valuable. Since his location here he has taken great pride in the growth of the place and the improvement of his property, setting out various tropical trees, among them the Mexican lemon guava and the cherimoya or custard apple tree, so named be- cause of the resemblance to custard in con- sistency. This fruit is prized for its delicate flavor. Mr. Wilson does not raise this for profit, although the market price is from fifty to seventy-five cents each. His friends are liberally supplied with this fruit.

Mr. Wilson was married in 1857 to Miss Mary Potter, a resident of Pittsburg, but a native of Allegheny, Pa., whose death occurred in California. They became the parents of

1504

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

three sons : Russell B., Jr., of Los Angeles ; W. W., of Texas; and one son who died at the age of three years. Mr. Wilson is well in- formed and in touch with current events, keep- ing abreast of the times by the perusal of the best papers and magazines the country affords, and, although in no sense narrow, he is de- cided in his opinions, and frank in his utter- ance of them. He has been an interested spec- tator of the growth of California and has as- sisted in every way possible towards its up- building.

ROBERT L. OWENS. A well-known and respected citizen of Saticoy, and a progressive and prosperous ranchman, Robert L. Owens is closely associated with the agricultural and busi- ness interests of this part of Ventura county, and may well be classed as one who has con- tributed his full share toward its growth and improvement. He is a man of solid worth, pos- sessing in a high degree those traits that com- mand respect in all circles, and win esteem among one's neighbors and associates. A son of David C. Owens, he was born, May 24, 1862, at Glade Spring, Washington county, Va.

Born and reared in Washington county, Va., David C. Owens spent his entire life in the old Dominion state. He was a planter by occupation, raising grain, hay and cereals. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company F, Sixty-third Vir- ginia Volunteer Infantry, in which he served four years. Returning home, he continued in agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1895, at the age of sixty-eight years. He married Sarah O'Neil, who spent her forty-five years of earthly life in Virginia. Of the six children born of their union, Robert L., the subject of this sketch, is the only one living outside of their native state. The father was a stanch Democrat in politics, and, with his wife, belonged to the Baptist Church.

Having first attended the common schools, R. L. Owens completed his early education at the Emory and Henry College, in Emory, Washing- ton county. Beginning the struggle of life for himself, he then went to Florida, where for two years he was clerk in a general store. Coming to California in 1888, he worked as a wage- earner in Saticoy for two years, after which he was employed in ranching on his own account in Los Angeles county for a year having land in Inglewood. Returning to Ven- tura county in 1891, he leased the Santa Del Norte ranch of two hundred acres, which he is still carrying on, devoting it entirely to the rais- ing of beans, which yield bountiful harvests, averaging twenty-five sacks to the acre. The yield in 1905 was exceptionally large, one hun-

dred acres producing thirty-five sacks to the acre. For some time after locating here, he was engaged in mercantile business in addition to ranching, having a variety store in Saticoy. He disposed of that, however, and purchased seven- teen acres of land, which he has set out to wal- nuts, and here he also has a fine artesian well for irrigating.

December 27, 1893, Mr. Owens married Lil- lian Kimball, who was born in Sonoma county, a daughter of George Kimball, and they are the parents of four children, namely : Winnifred, Carleton, Leland and Helen. Politically Mr. Owens votes independent of party affiliations, supporting the best men and measures at the polls. Fraternally he is a member of Saticoy Lodge No. 1419, I. O. F. Religiously he at- tends the Congregational Church, of which Mrs. Owens is a consistent member.

JOSEPH W. NICHOLSON. Distinguished alike as a native son of California, and for the noteworthy position that he has won among the rising young business men of Los Angeles coun- ty is Joseph W. Nicholson, who is connected with the Compton branch of the San Pedro Lumber Company. Active, energetic and pro- gressive, he had done much to promote the in- terests of his employers, at all times proving himself capable and reliable. A son of the late F. H. Nicholson, he was born March 18, 1875, in San Jose, Santa Clara county, being there reared and educated.

Although born in New York, F. H. Nicholson began life for himself in Illinois. embarking in mercantile pursuits in Joliet, Will county. Fol- lowing the tide of emigration westward, he came to California in 1849, and for a few years sought for gold in the mining regions, in his efforts meeting with some degree of success. In 1863 he married Elizabeth Charles, a native of Ire- land, and for some time thereafter was located in San Jose, where he engaged in the general merchandise business. In 1879 he removed to Maderia and became cashier and manager of a store belonging to a lumber company. He was a man of good business judgment, and continued in mercantile pursuits until his death, in 1884. To him and his good wife eight children were born, and all are living, namely: Annie M., Frank R., Charles H., Louis F., Edmund A., Joseph W., George H., and Genevieve E. He was a Democrat in politics, and was a member of the Catholic Church, to which his wife also belongs.

Having laid a substantial foundation for his future education in the common schools, Joseph W. Nicholson attended the State Normal school in San Jose. He was then employed in teach-

duncan

1507

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ing school for a year and a half, meeting with success in his professional work. Since that time he has had charge of the San Pedro Lum- ber Company's yard in Compton. This com- pany was first organized thirty years ago, be- ing incorporated with a capital of $300,000. In his present position Mr. Nicholson shows a thor- ough understanding of the details of his busi- ness, which he is managing to the entire satis- faction of the company. He is a man of up- right character, highly esteemed by his associ- ates. Politically he is identified with the Demo- cratic party, but has never been an aspirant for public office. Fraternally he is a member of the San Pedro Lodge of Elks No. 966, and relig- iously he is true to the faith in which he was reared, belonging to the Catholic Church.

WILLIAM P. DUNCAN. For many years the late William P. Duncan was well known throughout Compton and its vicinity as an in- dustrious and enterprising farmer, an honor- able and upright citizen, a kind neighbor, and a loving husband and father; and his death, which occurred April 15, 1899, on his home farm, was a cause of general regret. A na- tive of Mississippi, he was born, February 23, 1826, in Lowndes county, about three miles from the city of Columbus, where his father, William Duncan, an extensive cotton raiser, had large mercantile interests. William Dun- can was born in North Carolina, while his wife, whose maiden name was Jane Dowdle, was a native of Mississippi, and a life-long resident of that state.

Having received such educational advan- tages as were afforded by the common schools of his boyhood days, William P. Duncan be- gan life for himself as overseer on a plantation, retaining the position several years. In 1851 he went to Texas, where he was engaged in the stock business for upwards of a quarter of a century. Going from there to New Mexico in 1878, he continued in that occupation for about five years, when he disposed of his stock and removed to Kansas City, Mo. Four years later, in 1886, he came with his family to Cali- fornia, just after the completion of the Santa Fe road to Mojave, and for a few months re- sided in Los Angeles. Investing his money then in land near Compton, he purchased one hundred acres, from which he improved one of the best and most productive ranches in this section of the state. Twenty acres of the original tract were subsequently sold, but still later five acres were added by purchase, the ranch now containing cighty-five acres, upon which Mrs. Duncan and children are carrying on dairying with good results. To the im-

provements previously inaugurated they are making continual additions, each year adding substantially to its attractiveness and value. Mrs. Duncan also owns one hundred and six- ty acres of wheat land in Riverside county, in the Alamos school district.

In 1859, in Texas, Mr. Duncan married Elizabeth J. Hall, who was born in Tennessee, which was also the birthplace of her parents, John M. and Elizabeth (Moore) Hall. Mr. Hall, a stock-raiser and dealer, moved from Tennessee to Texas after the death of his wife, and there spent his last years. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, uniting with that organization ahout twelve years be- fore he died, and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan six children were born, namely: John W., who married Dollie Connor, and has one son; James E., who died at the age of forty-one years; Mary P., who died when thirty-nine years old; Robert M., of Arizona ; and David P., and Harry H., liv- ing at home. Politically Mr. Duncan was a strong Democrat. Mr. Hall, Mrs. Duncan's father, was also a Democrat, and four of his sons served in the Civil war on the Confeder- ate side.

JOHN JOHNSTON. A man of great men- tal attainments, untiring industry and incor- ruptible integrity, John Johnston is a well- known citizen of Southern California. For many years he was engaged in the practice of law in Chicago, where he met with well mer- ited success. He was born, April 2, 1845, in Illinois, and there received his elementary edu- cation. After his graduation from the Peoria high school he attended Gambier College for two years, subsequently taking a full course of four years at Yale College, and then enter- ing the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated three years later.

Beginning the practice of his chosen pro- fession in Chicago, Mr. Johnston was in part- nership with Emory Storrs, a noted lawyer, for a short time. Subsequently becoming head of the law firm of Johnston, Rogers & Apple- ton, he built up an extensive practice, becom- ing well known throughout northern Illinois, his clientele being large and lucrative. He ac- quired wealth while thus employed, becom- ing owner of real estate in Chicago, also at Lake Geneva, Wis., where he had a beautiful summer home, which he called Gaylynne. Near this home is the famous Yerkes Observ- atory, for the site of which Mr. Johnston gave sixty-three acres of land, and in which is the largest refracting lens in the world. A bril-

1508

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

liant scholar from his boyhood days, he had an honorable record in school and college, and on graduating from Yale, in 1863, was class his- torian. He is highly esteemed as a man and as a citizen in Oceanside, and his home, which he calls Gay Mount, is a center of social activ- ity.

In 1871 Mr. Johnston married Elizabeth Con- stance Gay, who was born in Georgia, a daugh- ter of Capt. Charles H. Gay, the descendant of a Virginia family of prominence and influ- ence. She was brought up in Baltimore, Md., and was educated at a school in New Haven, Conn. John Johnston, Jr., the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, was prepared for college at Racine College, after which he was gradu- ated from Princeton College. He is now a real estate owner in San Diego, and it was partly to be near him, partly for the mild cli- mate, and partly on account of ill health, that Mr. and Mrs. Johnston come to Oceanside to live. Politically Mr. Johnston is an unswerv- ing Republican, and while a resident of Chica- go served for a number of years as a member of the board of education. He belongs to the University Club of that city, and is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to lodge, chapter and to Montjoie Command- ery, K. T.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 55

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