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 56

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

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DAVID G. HARRINGTON. Among the wide-awake, enterprising men who have been largely interested in the upbuilding of Ocean- side David G. Harrington holds an important position. He is successfully engaged in general ranching and carries on a substantial business as a dealer in real estate, his transactions in this line being many and large. As a loyal, public- spirited citizen he is ever among the foremost to encourage and support all enterprises con- ducive to the growth and prosperity of his adopted town, and as a public official has per- formed the duties devolving upon him ably and faithfully. A son of William Harrington, he was born November 12, 1833, in Franklin county, Vt., coming on the paternal side of Irish an- cestry, and on the maternal side of good old New England stock.

A native of Ireland. William Harrington im- migrated to the United States when young, set- tling in Vermont, where he was engaged as a tiller of the soil until his death, in 1849, when a comparatively young man. He married Lydia Stockwell, who was born and reared in New Hampshire. She survived him, and died in Min- nesota in 1893, at the advanced age of ninety- five years, at the home of her son, David G. She was a most estimable woman and a valued mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She

bore her husband eight children, and these are scattered in different parts of the Union, some living in Minnesota, some in Texas and some in California.

Educated in Franklin, Vt., David G. Harring- ton attended first the district school and then the village academy, remaining on the home farm until after the death of his father. At the age of seventeen he began learning the trade of car- penter and joiner, and after serving an appren- ticeship of four years in his native county went to Toledo, Ohio, where he remained a short time. Going thence to West Superior, on Lake Superior, he was there employed in carpenter- ing and fishing for eight years. Desirous then of broadening his scope of action, in 1862 he went to Dakota county, Minn., locating near St. Paul. Turning his attention to agriculture, he became owner of one thousand acres of land, on which he was prosperously engaged in gen- eral farming for thirty-six years, by his diligent labor and judicious management acquiring a handsome property. In 1898 he came to South- ern California in search of a desirable place of location. Charmed with the site, scenery, cli- mate and future possibilities of Oceanside, he bought land, and has since carried on an ex- tensive business as a buyer and seller of real estate in this vicinity, and has also continued the pursuit of agriculture, owning and occupying a valuable ranch of twenty acres, which he de- votes to general farming purposes.

In 1859 Mr. Harrington married Mary A. Seward, who was born in Franklin county. Vt .. and of their union seven children have been born. of whom we make the following mention: Lloyd M., of Oceanside, is married, and has one child : Nancy, wife of Guy Maltby, of San Diego, has eight children; D. Seward, of Dakota county. Minn., has two children; Charles D. is a well- known physician of Minneapolis, Minn .; Reuben B., of Farmington, Minn., is married, and has one child; Stephen G., also of Farmington, Minn .. has three children ; and Herbert E. resides at home. Mrs. Harrington was a woman of great intelligence and thrift, doing credit in her daily life to her New England training, and was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which she united when a girl. She died while on a visit in Minnesota, September 24. 1906.

Politically Mr. Harrington is a stanch Demo- crat. as was his honored father. During the Civil war he served as a soldier about six months, being a sergeant of Company C, First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He took part in several engagements around Petersburg, including that preceding the evacuation of the city, and was present at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court House, after which he was mustered out

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of service. While a resident of Minnesota he was very prominent in political affairs, serving for eight years as county commissioner of Da- kota county ; as assessor, as township supervisor, and for thirty years was a member of the school board of his district. In 1896 he belonged to the Bryan Club of Dakota county, and in 1900 was a member of the Bryan Club of Oceanside. For four years he has been a member of the board of trustees of Oceanside, the past two years serving as president of the board.

JAMES W. DAVIS. Varied enterprises have engaged the attention of Mr. Davis since first he came to California many years ago in the hope of regaining his health, which had become impaired by service in the army and by later exposure to the inclement weather of a northern climate. The immediate object of his removal was accomplished and with re- stored strength he was able to take upon him- self the duties of active life, working at differ- ent occupations and filling a number of posi- tions. For a number of years he has made his home in Whittier, where he owns real estate and at this writing officiates as city superin- tendent of water supply.

Early in the settlement of Illinois the Davis family removed from North Carolina to the newer country and took up agricultural pur- suits in the inidst of a frontier environment. Ransom Davis, who was a farmer of Greene county, married Elizabeth Hart, a member of a South Carolina family, and they became the parents of five children, among whom was James W., born in Whitehall, Greene county, March 19, 1843. From Illinois the family moved to the north and took up a raw tract of land in Hennepin county, Minn., where the parents labored earnestly in the development of a farm homestead. Eventually they moved to the town of Litchfield and there died. The early years of James W. Davis were passed uneventfully in the routine of farm work, but when he was eighteen the outbreak of the Civ- il war broke the monotony of existence. Fired with the enthusiasm of youth he determined to offer his services to the Union. August 15, 1861, he became a member of Company K, Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry, in which he served as corporal and non-commissioned of- ficer.

The experiences which fell to the young sol- dier were such as fate brought to the lot of all who participated in bringing success to Union arms. The memorable campaign be- fore Atlanta and the march to the sea with General Sherman remain impressed upon his memory as among his most thrilling experi-

ences of war times. When the war ended he was sent to Washington and there took part in the grand review. On returning to the pur- suits of peace he became a farmer and thresli- erman in Minnesota. After some years his health failed him and in November, 1879, he sought the more healthful climate of Cali- fornia, where he settled in November of 1879. For three years he was connected with a gro- cery on Spring street, Los Angeles, and then entered the police department as a city guard. One years later he was chosen chief of po- lice by the city council, and in that capacity proved himself a fearless, trustworthy and capable officer, determined in his efforts to up- hold law and justice. The collapse of the boom brought financial disaster to him as to the entire population of Los Angeles. The de- pression and loss in values left him $15,000 the poorer and somewhat discouraged him as to immediate investments in Los Angeles, so he removed to Whittier, where he was con- nected with the state school for four years and one month, meanwhile filling various positions of trust with credit to himself. Twice he was elected city marshal and since leaving that of- fice he has served as city water superintend- ent. While in Minnesota he married Miss Olive Gilman. They have no children of their own, but reared an adopted daughter, Daisy, who is now the wife of H. G. Webster of Los Angeles. In politics Mr. Davis always gives his vote to Republican candidates and meas- ures, and in matters fraternal he holds mem- bership with the Masons and the Grand Army of the Republic.

JOHN LAUGHLIN. Ventura county is for- tunate in having been settled by a most enterpris- ing, industrious and intelligent class of people; and among this number is John Laughlin, of Moorpark, who is actively identified with the development and promotion of its agricultural interests. In the management of his ranch he has shown good judgment, and has placed his land, which is advantageously located, under ex- cellent tillage, and made improvements of a sub- stantial character. A son of Alfred Laughlin, he was born, March 25, 1852, in Lincoln county, Mo., where he spent the days of his boyhood. His father was born and reared in Missouri, liv- ing there until 1865, when, having been left a widower the previous year, he started westward with his four children, traveling across the plains with ox-teams to Oregon, where he passed his remaining years, dying at the age of sixty. He was a man of high character, honest in all of his dealings with his fellow-men, and a faithful mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He

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married Lucy Kent, who died in Missouri, her native state, in 1864. Two of the children born of their union are residents of California, Mr. Lauglılin having a sister residing in Santa Bar- bara.

Accompanying the family to Oregon in 1865, John Laughlin soon after began to be self-sup- porting, working for wages in Oregon for a num- ber of seasons. Going from there to Nevada, he was employed in agricultural pursuits for two or three years, but was not sufficiently pleased with the country to remain there per- manently. Making a decided change, therefore, in 1872 he came to Southern California, and for fifteen years was a ranchman in Santa Barbara county. Migrating then to Riverside county, he took up a claim of school land, and having proved his title, sold out and went to San Luis Obispo county, where he purchased a ranch of sixty acres, and for about five years made a specialty of raising beans. In 1893 he came to Ventura county, and having bought his present farm of one hundred and forty-three acres, has since been actively and prosperously engaged in its care and cultivation. He raises beans in large quantities, his land yielding about fifteen sacks to the acre on an average, which is a profitable crop, and he has recently set out a fine grove of walnut trees.

In 1889 Mr. Laughlin married Jane Morgan, who was born, reared and educated in Iowa, and into their home three children were born, namely : Pauline, who died at the age of fourteen months ; Frank; and Charles, who died in infancy. Mrs. Laughlin died in 1899, at the early age of thirty- seven years. She was a woman of many excel- lent qualities, highly respected by her many friends and acquaintances, and was a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Po- litically Mr. Laughlin is an unswerving Repub- lican, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

WILLIAM LIGHT GRIFFITHS. One of the most successful men of Los Angeles county is William Light Griffiths, who in addition to an eighty-acre ranch he owns conducts extensive properties throughout the section surrounding Covina, Los Angeles county, as well as a steam threshing machine which has brought him in large financial returns in the past years. Mr. Griffiths is a native Californian, his birth having occurred in Humboldt county, at Bear River Ridge, September 15, 1873. His father, George W. Griffiths, also represented in this work, was born in Detroit, Mich., where the paternal grand- father, Charles, had located upon his emigration from Wales with three brothers. Charles Grif- fiths came to California in 1849, crossing the

plains with ox-teams and upon his safe arrival established a hotel and confectionery at Sacra- mento. He was flooded three times and burned out a like number of times, but survived all his disasters and each time rebuilt his enterprise. His death occurred in San Francisco. George W. Griffiths came to California in 1850 and en- gaged in teaming in California and Nevada, after which he engaged in the cattle and dairy busi- ness in Humboldt county, then as a farmer in Yolo county and finally, in 1889, came to Ven- tura county, thence to Orange, then Los Angeles county, following general farming occupations in each place. He is now living retired in Los Angeles. His wife, formerly Eliza Moore, a na- tive of Lansing, Mich., was a daughter of Ed- ward Moore, who crossed the plains in 1849 and located in Marin county and engaged in dairy farming. He is now living in San Benito county, where he has a large stock ranch, re- tired from active business life at the age of eighty years. Mrs. Griffiths died in 1904 at Fairview. They became the parents of four sons and one daughter, namely: Catherine, who became the wife of Fred Wickersham, of Peta- luma, and after his death married A. L. Dowler, of San Francisco; Charles E., a large contractor of Bakersfield, Cal .; George, a cement contractor of Covina; William L., of this review; and Walter, a farmer and stockman, of Napa county.

William Light Griffiths was reared on the paternal farm and educated in the public schools, at the age of sixteen years beginning life for himself. His first venture was raising potatoes, then bean growing in Ventura county, remain- ing at Camarillo for the period of three years. Deciding to engage in farming on a larger scale in 1890 he went to the San Joaquin valley and rented one thousand acres, which he cultivated for three years, then located on La Puente ranch, while he also rented a part of the Baldwin ranch, farming in all seven thousand acres. He equipped with every possible improvement in the manner of carrying on his farming enterprise, purchasing a Best steam traction engine, of one hundred and ten horse power, equal to from five to seven gang plows, he having plowed one thousand acres in ten and a half days. He also owns a steam thresher and reaper, which has a thirty-five foot cut ; it has an auxiliary engine of twenty-five horse power which runs the separator. In addition to his general farming he also raised fine roadsters, and full-blooded Jersey cattle. With his brother, George W., he was inter- ested in the Griffiths' Bros. Milling Co., which they organized, building a large concrete mill and warehouse on Citrus avenue and the Pacific Electric carline. where they manufactured cereals and flour, and also handled hay, grain, coal and wood. He served as vice-president of the com-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

pany until they sold out in 1905 to the San Gab- riel Valley Milling Co.

In San Luis Obispo, Cal., June 14, 1904, Mr. Griffiths was united in marriage with Miss Elenore Russell, a native of Missouri who had been educated in the schools of New York. Mr. Griffiths is prominent in Masonic circles, hav- ing been made a member of the order in Santa Ana, raised to the degrees of Royal Arch and Knight Templar, and is now a member of Al Malaikah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belongs to Pomona Lodge No. 789, B. P. O. E. He belongs to the Episcopal Church in religion, while politically he is a stanch adherent of the principles advocated in the platform of the Re- publican party. Socially he is prominent in Covina, being a member of the Covina Country Club. Mr. Griffiths enjoys the esteem and con- fidence of all who have known him during his long residence in this section, appreciated for his sterling traits of character as manifested in both business and social life.

STEPHEN D. LANPHER. A substantial and prosperous rancher and a respected citizen of San Luis Rey, the late S. D. Lanpher is specially deserving of mention in this historical record, having been a fine representative of the brave and courageous pioneers who came to Cal- ifornia in 1849, and were thereafter identified with the best interests of their adopted state. Little do the people of the present generation realize the hardships and the trials endured, the great ambition required, and the physical strength demanded to secured the homes established by the early settlers for themselves and their de- scendants. How well they succeed in their ef- forts is plainly proved in the broad expanse of cultivated fields and the large and productive or- chards and vineyards everywhere visible, the many fine farm residences and buildings that have been erected, and in the long trains of palace cars that are used for transportation in place of the wagon drawn by oxen. Of New England ancestry, Mr. Lanpher was born January II, 1822, in Bucksport, Me.

Completing his early studies in the district school of Sangerville, Me., S. D. Lanpher began life as a sailor, for seventeen years following the sea. He visited many ports, as first mate of his vessel making a number of trips around the Horn, being engaged in trade along the Pacific coast. After his marriage he worked for a time as a wharf hand, remaining in New England until 1849, when he came by way of Cape Horn to Cali- fornia. Settling in San Francisco, he was there engaged in the milk business for a little while. and then went to Marin county, where for six years he carried on a prosperous dairy business.

Removing then to Sonoma, he purchased fifty acres of land, from which he improved a ranch, on which he resided eight years. Coming to the San Luis Rey valley in 1875 he purchased the ranch now owned and occupied by his widow and son, and continued his agricultural labors. He carried on general farming and stock-raising with both profit and pleasure, placing a large portion of his one hundred and sixty acres of land in a tillable condition, residing here until his death, September 9, 1890. Inheriting in a marked meas- ure the habits of industry, energy and thrift char- acteristic of his Maine ancestors, he became suc- cessful in his business career through his own strenuous efforts, by his integrity, honesty and upright dealings winning the esteem of the com- munity in which so many years of his long and useful life were passed. He was a Republican in politics, and served his district most accept- ably as school director.

In Maine, in 1853, Mr. Lanpher married Sarah Knowlton, who was born, reared and mar- ried in that state, and is now living on the home ranch, beloved and respected by all who know her warm heart, and kindly, sympathetic nature, winning for her a large circle of sincere friends. Two children were born to her and her husband. Philantha died at the age of seven vears, and Fay, born in California, resides with his mother on the home place.

E. Y. CAMMER. A man of enterprise and ability, E. Y. Cammer was for many years a leading journalist of Los Angeles county, in that capacity becoming widely and favorably known, and is now actively identified with the mercan- tile interests of Ocean Park, owning and man- aging a well-stocked grocery store. A son of the late B. W. Cammer, he was born, October 9, 1857, in Huntsville, Tex.

Born and reared in South Carolina, B. W. Cammer moved to Texas in early manhood, and for a few years was employed in mercantile pur- suits, first in Centerville, and afterwards in Bremond. He subsequently made a decided change of occupation, engaging in newspaper work in different towns, including Huntsville, Centerville and Bremond, Tex. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary J. Lee, was a native of Alabama.

The oldest son of the parental household, E. Y. Cammer worked in his father's office until familiar with the printer's trade, which he first followed in his native state. For several years he was editor of the Hearne Enterprise. at Hearne, Tex., after which he edited the Calvert Clipper. in Calvert, Tex. Coming from there to California in 1886, he worked in the job print- ing office of the Los Angeles Times for two

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years. Locating in Lancaster, Los Angeles county, in 1888, he published the Lancaster Ga- zette for four years, when, in 1892, he sold out to Walter S. Melick. He continued in the same office, however, for two years longer, and then embarked in mercantile pursuits, opening in Lancaster a general store, which he managed with good results until April, 1904. Coming in that month to Ocean Park, he opened a grocery at No. 15 Pier avenue, where he established a fine trade, his patronage being large and luca- tive.

Mr. Cammer's first marriage occurred in Canı- eron, Tex., in 1880, uniting him with Elizabeth Peoples, and to them were born three children, as follows: Edna, wife of C. W. Crawford, of Los Angeles; J. Benjamin, in the store with his father; and Margaret M. Mrs. Elizabeth Cammer died in Los Angeles in 1901, and in Sacramento, Cal., in 1892, Mr. Cammer was united in marriage with Emma J. Menzies, who was born in California, a daughter of Thomas Menzies, now a well-known resident of Ocean Park. Politically Mr. Cammer is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and fraternally he is a member of the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Modern Woodmen of America, and of the In- dependent Order of Foresters.

BISHOP J. EDMONDS. A man of marked business ability and judgment, B. J. Edmonds is numbered among the active and useful citi- zens of San Diego, and now, as city auditor and assessor, is filling the position with credit to him- self and acceptably to the people. Of English ancestry, he was born January 4, 1864, in New Brunswick, N. J., which was likewise the birth- place of his father, James C. Edmonds. He comes from patriotic stock, his great-grand- father, James Edmund Edmonds, having served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His grand- father, Jacob Edmonds, was born in Dover, N. J., but when a young man removed to New Brunswick, N. J., where he embarked in the lum- ber business, establishing the first lumber yard opened in that city.

Brought up and educated in New Brunswick, James C. Edmonds developed great executive power when young, and for forty years was manager of the Meyer Rubber Company, the plant being located in New Brunswick, N. J., and the office in New York City. He was an able assistant in developing and promoting the business of the company, devoting his energies in that direction until his death, December 6, 1879, while yet in manhood's prime. He mar- ried Mary Brown, who was born in Philadelphia, and died in. New Jersey December 13, 1880.

Her father, Benjamin F. Brown, a wholesale paint dealer, served in the Civil war, and her grandfather, William Brown, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army.

The ninth child in a family consisting of eight daughters and three sons, B. J. Edmonds received excellent educational advantages, and after his graduation from the high school attended Rutgers College, in New Brunswick, N. J. At the age of nineteen years he went to New York City, where he was for a time employed as a clerk. Re- turning to his native city he was subsequently employed in the plant of the New Brunswick Rubber Company, for six or seven years being assistant superintendent. Resigning the position in 1894, he entered the United States Internal Revenue service, at East Millstone, N. J., in Fleischman's distillery, which was paying $1,000,000 taxes per year. At the end of six years he resigned that position, and on account of the ill health of his wife came to California, hoping that in this land of kind sunshine and balmy airs she might regain her physical vigor, and in this wish he has not been disappointed. Locating.in San Diego in 1900, he entered the employ of the Southern California Railway Com- pany, having charge of its wharf until the steamer line was discontinued. He was after- wards bookkeeper for Simon Levi, wholesale commission merchant, until receiving his appoint- ment to his present position as city auditor and assessor.

In New Brunswick, N. J., Mr. Edmonds mar- ried Annie Vroom, who was born in that city, a descendant of a Holland-Dutch family of prom- inence. Five children have blessed the union of Mr .. and Mrs. Edmonds, namely: Cora; War- ner, a graduate of the San Diego high school, and now with the Southern California Railroad Company ; Eleanor ; and James Clark and Bishop Jacob, twins. In politics Mr. Edmonds has the courage of his convictions, voting according to the dictates of his conscience. He belongs to the Episcopal Church, and is a member of the Cham- ber of Commerce.

GEORGE H. HAZELTON. An honorable service during the entire period of the Civil war and an equally honorable record as a pri- vate citizen mark the life of George H. Hazel- ton, a retired business man of Ocean Park and the owner of valuable real estate in that sub- urb, as well as in the Seagirt tract. Though for years a resident of the east and also for a considerable period identified with northern California, he has found no spot so nearly ap- proaching the ideal as the southern part of the Sunset state, where kind Nature smiles upon the intelligent efforts of man and a pictur-

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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 56

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