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 61

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

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JOHN E. SMITH. Occupying a foremost position among the worthy and respected cit- izens of Ventura county is John E. Smith, of Moorpark, an able and skilful agriculturist, who has never been satisfied with less than the highest possible results in his farming oper- ations. A man of culture and scholarly at- tainments, he holds a position of influence in the community, and among his fellow-men is respected for his many fine qualities of both heart and mind, and honored for his integrity and strength of character. A son of John Smith, he was born, August 22, 1843, in Hen- rysburg, Canada East, now province of Que- bec, coming from English stock.

Emigrating from England, his native coun- try, in 1830, John Smith settled in the United States, living first in the east. In 1836 he pur- chased a tract of heavily wooded land in Ohio, cleared an opening, and having erected a small house moved into it with his family. Work- ing with indomitable perseverance and a reso- lute will, he improved a good homestead and gave material aid in advancing the growth of the town, county and state. He was success- ful as a farmer, and remained a resident of Ohio until his death, in 1887, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He married Mary Braithwaite, a native of England, and of this union there are three children living. She sur- vived him ten years, dying in Canada in 1897, at the age of four score and two years.

Having received his elementary education in the public schools of Lorain county, Ohio, John E. Smith continued his studies, intend- ing to fit himself for college. The Civil war breaking out in 1861, his patriotic ardor was aroused, and, enlisting in Company H, Forty- first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he served for one year, during which time he saw some hard fighting, taking part in the engagement at Pittsburg Landing and at Corinth. Subse-

quently, at Nashville, Tenn., he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability. Returning to Ohio, he remained at home a year, and then entered Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, and having finished the course was graduated from the classical department. Then, after teaching a year in Fisk University, at Nashville, Tenn., he took a three years' course of study at the Andover (Mass.) Theo- logical Seminary. Going south after his grad- uation from that institution, he taught Latin in the Atlanta University for two years. The ensuing six years he was engaged in minis- terial work, preaching four years at West An- dover and Andover, Ohio.

Subsequently removing to Dakota, Mr. Smith took up government land, and the next eighteen months resided in that state. Sell- ing his land, he then accepted a position in Nio- brara, Neb., and for a number of years had entire charge of the Indian work in that place, at the same time being a teacher in the In- dian school. Coming to Ventura county in 1891, he invested his money in land, buying eighty acres near Moorpark, where he has improved a fine orchard, the entire tract be- ing devoted to apricots and walnuts. About one-fourth of this place is in bearing condition, and he carries on an excellent business as a fruit dryer, the amount disposed of in 1903 reaching twenty tons. He also carries on general farming, cultivating one hundred and ninety acres in all, raising grain, corn and beans on a part of his ranch. Laboring dili- gently and successfully, he is continually im- proving and beautifying his property, each suc- ceeding season bringing him in richer rewards from a financial standpoint.

September 9, 1874, Mr. Smith married Lydia E. Stratton, a native of Ohio, and they have three children, namely: Hope B., a graduate of Pomona College; Raymond S., a senior in that institution ; and Philip E., a junior. Pol- itically Mr. Smith invariably and conscien- tiously supports the principles of the Repub- lican party, and for several years served as school trustee in his district. He is an active member of the Presbyterian Church.

HOTEL ESCONDIDO, located at the head of Grand avenue, on an elevated point of land, overlooks the "City of the Hidden Val- ley," and commands on either side views of unsurpassed beauty. The house and its en- vironments present an unusually attractive appearance, the ten-acre park being adorned with beautiful shrubbery and a large variety of ornamental trees, while its winding walks and driveways are made brilliant and fra-

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grant by the many rows of exotic plants and native roses. The entrance to the grounds is carefully guarded by two tall Norfolk Island pines, one on each side of the drive, giving to the visitor a faint suggestion of the wealth of beauty within. A deep well furnishes clear, sparkling water for use in the house, while the grounds are watered by irrigation from the city water works.

This hotel, which was built by the Escon- dido Land and Town Company at a cost of $50,000, was at the time of its construction most modern in every respect. It is three stories in height, and with its rose-covered' veranda, which extends almost entirely around the building, is indicative of the comfort to be found therein. It is finely equipped and furnished, having large corridors, baths, and with its superior ventilation and excellent sew- er system, is an ideal health resort. It con- tains one hundred guest rooms, each furnished comfortably, and in busy seasons is usually taxed to its utmest capacity. In the base- ment is a billiard table which gives the guests opportunities for social recreation indoors, and out of doors is a tennis court for their especial use. The hotel is noted for its select class of guests, and under the supervision of its pro- prietor, Mrs. D. F. Henderson, and its man- ager, H. M. Hawkins, it gives to each visitor all of the comforts, ease and pleasures of a well-kept home. Mrs. Henderson came from St. Paul, Minn., to Escondido, Cal., in 1899, and being charmed by the location of the house, the climatic conditions of the surround- ing country, and its many natural attractions and varied improvements. she purchased the hotel, which is now recognized as one of the very best in its appointments of any in South- ern California.

FRANK J. GARRISON. Associated in the largest building and plumbing business in Rivera and its vicinity, Frank J. Garrison is named among the progressive and enterprising men of the community. He is a son of James A. Garrison, the senior member of their busi- ness firm, and a prominent and successful citi- zen. (For complete details concerning his life refer to his biographical sketch, which appears elsewhere in this volume.)

Frank J. Garrison is a native of Bellona, N. Y., his birth occurring September 26, 1864; his childhood and youth were passed in that city, where he received his education. He learned the trades of builder and plumber under the instruction and practical training of his father, and after their location in California

they established the business which they have since conducted with a full measure of success.

Mr. Garrison has established home ties through his marriage with Mrs. Ellen Marlin, a daughter of John Mclaughlin, of Los An- geles, who brought his family to this section of California when his daughter was only a small child. She received her education in Los Angeles, and here married Mr. Garrison. In religion she belongs to the Baptist Church and is prominent in all its charitable move- ments. Mr. Garrison is a citizen whose worth is appreciated by all who know him and who is universally esteemed wherever known.

JOHN HOOK. On Christmas Day in 1847, John Hook was born in Baden, Germany, the son of Magnus and Anna (Willman) Hook, both of whom lived their entire lives in that country, where the father was occupied as a farmer. There were eleven children in the fam- ily of which John Hook was a member, and two of his brothers are still residents of Germany. He received a good common school education in Baden and in his fifteenth year began to learn the carpenter trade, no progressive and enterprising German family considers the education of the sons complete until it embraces the knowledge of some good trade. After completing his appren- ticeship he followed the occupation as a traveling journeyman for three years in different parts of Germany, Switzerland and Italy, while in the latter named country having had the pleasure of seeing Pope Pius IX. On returning to his na- tive land he enlisted in the German army and served a term of three years, after which, in 1870, he emigrated to America, landing in New York City. He did not remain at that point, however, but pushing his way westward stopped for seven months in Arkansas, where he plied his trade, from there traveling the rest of the distance across the continent into California. His first stop was at Sacramento, then at San Francisco, where he remained two years, next coming to Southern California and locating in Los Angeles for a year, after which he became a resident of San Bernardino.

Arriving at this place he first secured employ- ment in a sawmill in the mountains and subse- quently adopted the occupation of farmer. He formed a partnership with John Suverkrup some time later and for twenty-six years carried on a lumber manufacturing business under the firm name of Suverkrup & Hook. Disposing of his interests in this enterprise Mr. Hook then re- tired to San Bernardino city and this place has since been his home. In 1890 he was married to Miss Johanna Jacobson, who had two years previously come from Sweden to California,

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and they have one daughter, Bertha, a very tal- ented young lady. Mrs. Hook is a woman of much culture and refinement and is especially well versed in languages, speaking a number of them fluently. Their home which is located at 503 B street is an attractive one comfortably and artistically furnished. Mr. Hook is, fraternally, a member of Phoenix Lodge No. 178, F. & A. M., and of Keystone Chapter No. 56, R. A. M. He is an advocate of the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party, but has never sought political office, preferring to per- form his duties as an intelligent and progressive citizen in the private ranks.

POMEROY B. FUSSELL. The horticultural interests of San Bernardino county have in Mr. Fussell truly a most successful exponent, every detail of the business, all modern methods and improvements, being a part of the under- standing which he has brought to bear in his work. He is a native of the middle west, his birth having occurred in Fayette county, Iowa, near the town of Fayette, September 14, 1857; his father, David E. Fussell, was born in Ohio and in 1844 became a settler of Linn county, Iowa, there engaging in farming for four years, when he located in Fayette county and improved a farm from the wilderness lands, his death eventually occurring in that place. His wife, formerly Rachel Jennings, was born in Ohio and died in Iowa. They had twelve children, of whom seven survived and are now living.

The sixth child in the family of his parents, Pomeroy B. Fussell was reared on the paternal farm and educated in the district school in the vicinity of his home until old enough to enter a more advanced institution, when he became a student in the Upper Iowa University at Fay- ette. He attended this institution for four years, and upon leaving school engaged in the hard- ware business in Fayette, the firm being known as Fussell & Co. After ten years in this work he disposed of his interests and then engaged in general farming and fancy stock breeding, raising Polled Angus cattle, Poland China hogs, and fine poultry, and continuing so occupied for five years. In November, 1888, he came to Redlands, which had then a population of but four hundred people, and the following year took charge of one hundred and forty acres, which he set out in oranges and for the ensuing seven years proceeded to cultivate. During this time he set out several other orchards, over one hun- dred acres in all. The year 1897 was spent in San Diego as assistant under the chief engineer of the ice plant of the Coronado Hotel Com- pany. Returning to Redlands he purchased fif- teen acres in San Timoteo cañon, under the Ter-

racina bluff, and proceeded to set it out in navel oranges, irrigation being received from the Lower Yucaipe Water Company. In 1906 he bought the old Grant place containing thirty-two and a half acres, of which twenty-four acres are in oranges, while the property is further improved with a residence, barns and outbuildings. There is a pumping plant on the ranch, and two one hundred and twenty foot wells, operated by a nine horse power gasoline engine with a twenty- seven inch capacity, which allows him to sell water as well as irrigate his own ranch.

In Iowa, in 1879, Mr. Fussell was married to Miss Sarah J. Houlsworth, a native of that place and a daughter of Joseph, born in Pennsyl- vania and a pioneer farmer of Iowa. Her mother was in maidenhood Eliza Jane McConn. Mr. and Mrs. Fussell are the parents of the following children : Nellie L., wife of G. W. Zellers, of Los Angeles; Homer Leo, engaged with father ; Georgia O., a graduate of the San Bernardino Business College in 1907. Fraternally Mr. Fus- sell is very prominent, being a member of the Knights of Pythias of Redlands, and belonging to the Uniformed Rank of the K. of P .; the Rathbone Sisters ; Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is V. C .; the D. O. K. K .; Royal Neighbors, of which his wife is also a member ; and the Fraternal Aid. He is identified with the Mutual Orange Growers' Distributers, of Bryn Mawr, in which he is a director, and polit- ically is a stanch Republican.

CAPT. MITCHELL DUFFY. As pro- prietor of the Salt Lake ferry Captain Duffy operates four naptha launches and carries on a successful business in San Pedro, of which city he has been an upbuilder and a promoter of movements calculated to advance the general welfare. The captain is a pioneer of the state, having come west in 1871, locating two years later in Santa Monica, Los Angeles county, and in 1881 in San Pedro, which was then known as Fyall. He is a native of Ireland, his birth hav- ing occurred in French Park, County Roscom- mon, December 9, 1841, one of a family of thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters. of whom all attained maturity and five are now liv- ing. His father, Mitchell Duffy, was an exten- sive contractor and bridge builder, having worked in nearly every section of Ireland. He died in his native land, as did also his wife, formerly Maria Cullen.

Until he was sixteen years old Mitchell Duf- fy, Jr., was reared in Ireland, there receiving his education and youthful training. He became an expert horseman in his native land and after his arrival in New York City in 1847, became a jockey, riding in many races, principally under

JOHN MCCAIN

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Hiram Woodruff on the Fashion track of Long Island, where he won thirteen races out of twen- ty. He also performed a noteworthy feat in the stopping of a runaway team attached to a car- riage containing seven people. Climbing over the rear of the carriage he caught the reins, which were hanging over the dashboard, and succeeded in stopping the frightened animals. He was fond of all sports and was an expert swimmer, an accomplishment which he has put to good use since locating in California. On ac- count of his increasing weight he finally gave up his work as jockey and in 1871 came to Cali- fornia, in San Francisco locating as a dealer in horses and from that point making several trips to New York City. In 1873 he removed to Santa Monica, during the first sale of lots in that place, and built a residence on Fifth street, and later erected the bath house on Southern Beach. Resi- dents of the place regarded such a move as a mistake, but results soon justified his faith in the future of the town, taking in on his first Sun- day $107 from 9:45 A. M. to 4:30 P. M. At the same time he conducted a restaurant in the canon and. np town, continuing this business un- til 1881, when he sold out and came to what was then known as Fyall, where there were but three shanties. The following year he bought several lots and built the first house in San Pedro, be- ing located on Terminal Island. He ran the first row boats to Terminal for the benefit of his bath house and also built and ran the first gaso- line launch here. Since the building of the Salt Lake Railroad he has conducted a ferry serv- ice, operating four launches, Blanche, May, Ida and the. Orient, the latter the largest, having a capacity of one hundred and fifty passengers. At one time he also owned and operated the Dora and Elsie. He is assisted in his work by his three sons, and together they are carrying on a suc- cessful business.

Mr. Duffy owns several residences in San Pedro, his home place being on Fifth street, near Center, one of the finest houses in San Pedro, while four of his other houses are located on Fifth street and one on Sixth street, the cost of all the buildings which he has put up in the city amounting to $21,000. He has been an inter- ested witness and participant in the growth and progress of the place and has given his best ef- forts to advance the general welfare. His home is presided over by his wife, formerly Anna M. Reddy, a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., where they were married. They became the parents of ten children, of whom eight are living: Edward, captain of the Orient : Ida, wife of Walter Recht- wig, of San Pedro; George, of St. Louis; Dora, wife of Norbey Olds, of San Pedro; Elsie, who graduated with highest honors from the Univer- sity of California in the class of 1905; Cyrus,

in business with his father; Blanche, at home; and Horace, also in business with his father. Mr. Duffy is a member of the Foresters of America, and politically is a stanch adherent of the principles advocated in the platform of the Democratic party, having served as a member of the county central committee.

JOHN McCAIN. To become an associate of Mr. McCain is to enjoy the privilege of lis- tening to many exciting stories of his experi- ences when crossing the plains or running cat- tle on the desert, for during his younger years he remained for a considerable period upon the outposts of civilization and endured the dangers incident to the existence of a fron- tiersman. When he had abandoned that life of vicissitude he settled down to agricultural pursuits and in 1871 came to Julian, San Diego county, where he engaged in blacksmithing and since 1884 he has been proprietor of the Mountain Glen hotel and livery barns in the same town, besides owning and taking charge of eighty acres of orchard and pasture, also owning one hundred and sixty acres on which are located the Borago springs.

Born near Little Rock, Ark., January 25, 1843, John McCain is a son of George Mc- Cain, a pioneer of 1851 in the far west. When the latter had decided to establish a perma- nent home in California he returned across the plains for his family, and with them start- ed back toward the coast, but en route, in 1854, he was bereaved by the death of his wife. The year following he settled in Mendo- cino county, and in 1868 became a resident of Acampo, where he died in 1882, at the age of eighty-three years. The removal of the family to the west when John McCain was a mere lad caused him to become familiar with pio- neer life at an early age and gave him an ac- curate insight into conditions as they then existed throughout a sparselv settled tract of country. With his father he settled near Acampo in 1868 and took up the raising of cattle and the carrying on of ranch pursuits. From that locality in 1871 he came to Julian, where he has since resided. In the midst of pleasant surroundings, in the quiet spot where he has established his home, he passes his days in busy contentment, remote from the frontier scenes of Idaho and Montana where the ad- venturous experiences of a cattleman filled his younger years.

The marriage of Mr. McCain took place near Julian in 1872 and united him with Mary E. Cline, who was born in this state near the line of Oregon. Of the marriage five children

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

were born: Christian is married; John is at home; Maude, Mrs. Russ, who lives near Es- condido, has one child; Lillie, who is the wife of Robert Haley, has three children and lives near Julian; and Edith, the wife of Joseph McGann, has one child. Politically Mr. Mc- Cain always has given allegiance to the Dem- ocratic party, but has not been active in local politics nor has he been a candidate for any of the offices of town or county ; however, at all times he is anxious to aid measures for the benefit of the party and especially those for the upbuilding of his community. He has al- ways been ready when called upon to aid those less fortunate than himself and has sur- rounded his family with all the luxuries that have come within his reach.

OSCAR WILLIAM HARRIS. Among the pioneers of Redlands prominent place belongs to Oscar William Harris, residing at No. 114 West Palm avenue, who since his location here in 1887 has bent his energies to the accumulation of personal means and at the same time building up for himself a position among the representa- tive citizens. Mr. Harris was born in Newton county, Ind., October 14, 1860, a son of John T., also an Indianian, born in Tippecanoe county. The grandfather, Benjamin, was a native of Vir- ginia and became an early settler of Indiana, where he engaged as a farmer until his death. John T. Harris participated in the Civil war as a soldier in the Fifty-first Regiment Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, enlisting in 1861 and serving for over three years. Upon the close of the war he returned to Indiana and engaged in farming near Kentland, Newton county, spending his last two years in Jasper county, same state. His wife. formerly Louisa Cashaw, was born near Kokomo, Ind., and also died in that state. They were the parents of four children, of whom Os- car William is the eldest and the only one living.

Reared on the paternal farm and educated in the district school, Oscar William Harris re- mained at home until attaining his majority, when January 4, 1883, in Newton countv. he married Miss Alice Cook, a native of Miami, Ind., and a daughter of Milton E. Cook, of Vermilion county, Ind., and granddaughter of Eli. of North Carolina, and an early settler in Vermilion county and later in Miami county, where he fol- lowed farming. He was a member of the Friends Church and a helpful and practical citizen. Milton E. Cook was a farmer and Quaker, and married Rebecca Rinker, who was born in Virginia and died in Indiana. They were the parents of nine children, of whom all are living and five are in California, Mrs. Har- ris being the fifth in order of birth. After mar-

riage Mr. Harris located on an eighty acre farm and later purchased eight acres adjoining, en- gaging in general farming and stock-raising. In order to enjoy the healthful climate of Southern California he decided to locate here, so disposing of his property in 1887 he came to California and located in Redlands, where his brother, Grant D. Harris, had preceded him. He bought ten acres and set it out in navel oranges, and later bought three acres adjoining, making thir- teen acres in all on the Bench, at East High- land. He has lived in Redlands since 1887 on the same property, owning ten acres at No. 114 West Palm avenue, near Cajon street, all of which is in oranges. In 1904 he completed a handsome residence on his ranch. In addition to the property already named he owns seven and a half acres in oranges on Highland avenue, and sixty acres on Judson between Lugonia and Colton avenue, which he is now setting out in navel oranges. He has also improved a fifty- acre ranch at Oak Glen, watered by Oak Glen creek, which supplies also water for domestic purposes, and was one of the organizers and is now president of the Oak-Glen Domestic Water Company, with canal and stone flumes, sixteen acres being in apple orchard. He is a director in the Redlands Water Company and interested in the development of the resources of the coun- try, also a director and was one of the promoters of the Redlands Golden Orange Association.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Harris, namely: Ruth E., attending Oc- cidental College; Chester C., in Imperial, Cal; Hazel, who died at the age of thirteen years; Benjamin Harrison; Virginia R .; John Milton; and Olive. Politically Mr. Harris is a stanch Republican.

CHESTER JOHN HOLMES. The Holmes family was first established on American soil in 1687, the emigrating ancestor being an Englishi- man who came to Massachusetts and later was one of the original settlers of Woodstock, Conn. He was a civil engineer by occupation and as- sisted in the first surveys of the country. Suc- ceeding generations were prominent in the social, civic and political life of Connecticut, where the name became a representative one. A son of the emigrant John Holmes, born in Woodstock, Conn., was named David ; he engaged as a farmer in that state, married and reared a family, his son, Josiah, representing the family name in the Revolutionary war. He was engaged in the hotel business as a means of livelihood; in his family was a son, David, who again returned to the soil and followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. He reared a family. among his sons being one whom he called John.

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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 61

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