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 65

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

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when in his ninety-fifth year, and the mother when eighty-six years of age.

Born in Penobscot county, Me., January 31, 1828, Samuel Mudgett passed his boyhood ' years without much variation, for when he was not attending the subscription school he was generally to be found performing tasks upon his father's farm. However, in later years he did not confine himself to agriculture exclus- ively, for in addition to managing a farm which he had purchased near the home place he also carried on a substantial lumbering business. Notwithstanding the fact that he was succeed- ing well from a financial standpoint he had fallen a victim to the western fever, and all who have been similarly affected will appre- ciate Mr. Mudgett's paling interest in affairs which had once held his closest attention. When forty years of age, in 1868, he disposed of his Maine farm and crossed the country as far as Iowa, there purchasing a farm of eighty acres in Buena Vista county. Then as now the land was excellent for grain raising, and he put his entire acreage in this commodity, corn and wheat forming his largest crops. Eight years in the Mississippi valley, however, had made him desirous to reach out still further toward the setting sun, and thus it was that in 1876 he made to the west a tour of inspection, going direct to Nevada county, Cal., where he established a lumbering business. After he had been in the far west long enough to satisfy himself that he would not care to live in the east again he decided to dispose of his Iowa property, and returned to that state for the purpose of settling up his affairs in the middle west. Going back to Nevada county, he re- mained there in all about three years, after which he made his home in Mono county, this state, for two years. It was at this period in his career that he came to Santa Barbara county, at the same time (1882) purchasing the ranch of forty acres upon which he has since made his home. All of the acreage not planted to apples, peaches or almonds is in grain, all of which produce abundantly, and while continued activity is no longer a neces- sity Mr. Mudgett is not content to be idle, and every day finds him working among his chick- ens, in the raising of which he has established quite a paying business.

In 1854. while still a resident of his native state, Mr. Mudgett was married to Miss Susan Mansur, who was also born in Maine, as was also her father, Alvah Mansur. Alvah and Mary Ann (Trast) Mansur. the latter a native of New Hampshire, became the parents of seven children, of whom one son died in the Civil war (he having enlisted in Company .A. Eleventh Maine Volunteers) and Mrs. Mud-

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gett is the only one of the family in California. Mr. Mansur died at the early age of forty years, his wife, however, surviving to reach her sixty-seventh year. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mudgett, but all were taken from them at an early age with one ex- ception. Orin died in infancy, as did also the next child; Arthur died when two and a half years old; Frank when nine; and Ernest at the age of five and a half years. The only surviv- ing child is Laura A., who was born in 1855, and is now the wife of Daniel Toy, and the the mother of seven children. Though in the twilight of their lives Mr. and Mrs. Mudgett are cheerful and as young hearted as at the beginning of their married life, and enjoy the close companionship of their only living child, Mrs. Toy and her family living on a ranch near by. In 1860, while still a resident of Maine, Mr. Mudgett joined the Masonic order, and he now holds membership in Hesperian Lodge No. 341, F. & A. M., at Santa Maria. Differing from his father in his political belief he is a stanch Democrat, and it was on this ticket while a resident of Iowa that he was elected one of the trustees of Grant township, later becoming treasurer. Personally he is a man of many fine qualities, and with his wife stands in the highest esteem in the community which for nearly twenty-five years has been their home. Both are members of the Presby- terian Church at Santa Maria.

JEAN BERDELIN LOUSTAU. Born in Lescar, Basses-Pyrenees, France, August 12, 1865, Jean B. Loustau was the youngest of five children born to Jean and Marie Lerfarger. He spent his boyhood on the farm and was educated in the public schools. He served one year in the Fourth Company, Eighteenth Regiment of In- fantry in the French army. In 1891 he came to Los Angeles, California, and in 1892 engaged in farming on West Jefferson street. He was mar- ried in Los Angeles June 17, 1893, to Miss Natali Riviere, who was born in Los Angeles. She is the daughter of Bertrand and Sacramenta (Rezi) Riviere. The father was born in Haute Garonne, France, in 1817, and came to California in 1850 via Cape Horn, being nine months and three days on the sailer that landed him in San Francisco. He followed mining until 1852 when he came to Los Angeles and began the dairy business on San Pedro near Seventh street. Then he pur- chased twenty-five acres on the corner of South Main and Washington, the present Schuttes Park. He paid $1.25 per acre and a few years later sold it for $25 per acre, which at that time was con- sidered a big price. He then purchased one hun- (red and sixty acres on what is now the corner

of West Jefferson and Santa Monica avenue for $1.25 per acre. Later he bought adjoining land so he had three hundred and eighty acres and was a successful farmer. Some years later he sold off several tracts, but retained one hundred and twenty acres until his death in 1897. His wife who was born in Los Angeles died in 1883. Of their six children, Mrs. Clara Eschordiaz, Mrs. Enez Berges, Francisco and Louis died in Los Angeles. Jean Pierre is a grocer on West Jeffer- son street ; and Natali, the wife of our subject.

Mr. and Mrs. Loustau owns thirty-three acres of very valuable land on West Jefferson and Santa Monica avenue which will soon have to be platted as a part of the rapidly growing city. They have four children: Hortense, Louis, Jean and Bert- rand. Mr. Loustau is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Foresters, is a Republican in politics, and is a progressive man much esteemed by his many friends.

DENIS MULVIHILL. One of the old set- tlers of San Bernardino county and an enterpris- ing and progressive horticulturist is Denis Mul- vihill, who came to California in 1875 and has since made this state his home. He was born in County Kerry, Ireland, June 1, 1849, a member of one of the oldest and most prominent families of that section, their ancestry being traced back to the sixth century. His father was a farmer who brought his family to the Isle of Guernsey, where he engaged in the manufacture of cement blocks. In 1871 he came to Brooklyn, N. Y., and five years later to California, his death oc- curring in April, 1887, at the age of sixty-six years, while on a visit to his son. The mother, formerly Mary Lynch, was also a native of Coun- ty Kerry, Ireland; she still survives and makes her home in Los Angeles at the age of eighty- four years. She became the mother of three sons and three daughters, of whom one son and two daughters are deceased. A son, Edmund J., was roadmaster for the Southern Pacific Rail- road for over twenty-four years, when he re- signed and is now living retired in Los Angeles ; the daughter, Catherine, is the wife of James .C. McInerny, of Los Angeles.

In infancy Denis Mulvihill was taken by his parents to the Isle of Guernsey, and there at- tended the public schools in pursuit of an edu- cation. In 1868 he came to Brooklyn, N. Y., and there engaged in different lines until 1875, when he came to California and entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, work- ing in the freight house in Los Angeles and later as section foreman. In 1876 he was sent to Dry Camp on the desert, nine miles west of Indio when that place was the terminus. He re- mained there as foreman for the period of

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

two years, when he went to El Casco as fore- the Civil war. His father, a farmer, subse- quently removed to Nebraska, and there spent his last years, dying in Barnston, while his wife, who survived him, died in Topeka, Kans.

man of section 41. In the fall of 1880 he pur- chased his present ranch, known as the old Peter Horton place, and in 1885 he resigned his posi- tion as foreman to give his time and at- tention to the improvement and cultivation of his property. This consists of one hun- dred and twenty acres of rich land, all lying in the valley, three miles south of Red- lands and adjoining its city limits, has a pipe line for irrigation from Yucaipe creek, he own- ing one-ninth of the water right. He has ten1 acres in apricots, five acres in prunes, twelve acres in oranges, ten acres in alfalfa, and the remainder devoted to grain and stock. He has built a comfortable and substantial residence and many other improvements which have placed his ranch among the valuable ranches of the county.

In Los Angeles, in the old Plaza Church, Mr. Mulvihill was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Hanrahan, who was also a native of Isle of Guernsey, the ceremony being performed by Peter Verdeguer, who was made Bishop of Brownsville, Texas, in 1878. They are the parents of the following children : Mary Frances, a graduate of the Redlands high school and Stanford University, and now a teacher in the Los Angeles Polytechnic high school; Edmund, a graduate of the Redlands high school, and en- gaged with his father in the management of the home ranch; John H., a graduate of Redlands high school and a clerk in that city; Margaret Ellen, a graduate of the Redlands high school and now a student in the San Diego Normal ; and Frank G., attending the Redlands high school. Mr. Mulvihill was school trustee for twenty-one years and clerk of the board for twenty years in the Railroad district. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of Redlands, and politically is a stanch adherent of the principles advocated in the platform of the Democratic party, having served as a member of the Democratic County Central Committee for the past eight years. With his family he is a member of the Sacred Heart Church of Redlands, and is one of its most liberal supporters. He is liberal and progressive and held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

GEORGE ELMER TRIGGS. Enterprising. energetic and capable, George Elmer Triggs, of Rivera, is a valuable member of the community in which he resides, and as a skilled mechanic, expert in all departments connected with black- smithing is doing his part in promoting its in- dustrial prosperity. A son of Thomas and Mary Triggs, he was born in Marshall county, Kans .. where !, parents settled soon after the close of

Being taken by his parents to Nebraska when a small child, George E. Triggs was there brought up, acquiring a practical education in the district schools. After the death of his father he went with the family to Topeka, Kans., where he served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, which he subsequently followed for a time in Douglas, Wyom. The Spanish-American war breaking out while he was there, he enlisted in Company F, First Wyoming Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as corporal for eighteen months. For a year he was stationed in the Philippine Islands, where he was an active par- ticipant in twelve or more engagements. Re- . turning to California, he was mustered out of service in San Francisco, receiving his honor- able discharge. Going back then to Topeka, Kans., he operated a blacksmith's shop there for a year, meeting with good success. Com- ing then to Los Angeles county, he was located for six months at Whittier. From there he came to Rivera, where he opened a well-equipped blacksmith and machine shop, in which he is pre- pared to do all kinds of work in his line with promptness and ability.

In Rivera. Cal .. November 29, 1902, Mr. Triggs married Belle Ellis, who had been postmaster here for seven years, and they have one child, Ira Ellis Triggs. Politically Mr. Triggs is a strong Prohibitionist, and fraternally he belongs to the Rivera Lodge of Good Templars, is a member of Rivera Camp, M. W. A., the Red Men and the Philippine Veterans' Society.

J. CHARLES MACLAY. A wide-awake. progressive, thorough-going business man. J. Charles Maclay has for the past twenty years been intimately associated with the mercantile in- terests of Fernando, and has been an important factor in advancing the welfare of the commun- ity in which he has so long resided. The Maclay Company, of which he is a member, is one of the long-established firms of the place, and has built up a large and lucrative trade in general mer- chandise. He is distinguished as a native son of California, his birth having occurred January 20, 1860, in the city of Stockton, where his fath- er, Alexander Maclay, lived for a number of years.

U'ntil fourteen years of age J. C. Maclay lived in the Santa Clara and San Joaquin valleys and in April, 1874, came with the family to Fernando, where he completed his public school education. He subsequently farmed for a year, after which he continued his studies for two years at the Uni-

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versity of Southern California, in Los Angeles. Returning to Fernando at the end of that time, he was employed in agricultural pursuits for a season. Embarking then in mercantile trade, he met with success from the first and now as a member of the Maclay Company is carrying on a flourishing business as a general merchant, his store being well stocked with a choice line of groceries, dry goods and everything demanded by the trade, his aim being to supply and satisfy the wants of his numerous customers.

February 28, 1900, Mr. Maclay married Isa- bella Rice Granger, who was born and reared in New York, and they have one child, Fredericka Maclay. Politically Mr. Maclay is a steadfast Republican. Fraternally he is a charter member and past noble grand of Fernando Lodge No. 365, I. O. O. F., and a charter member of Fernando Lodge No. 214, A. O. U. W., in which he has passed all the chairs, and represented his lodge at the Grand Lodge in 1892. Religiously both Mr. and Mrs. Maclay attend the Presby- tcrian Church.

HENRY C. HUBBARD. Prominent among the early settlers of Fernando is Henry C. Hub- bard, who came here upwards of thirty years ago, when the post office and the little village store were the only business establishments of the place. In the development of this straggling hamlet to a populous township, rich in its agri- cultural and industrial resources, he has taken an active part, watching its growth with genuine pride and satisfaction. Of New England an- cestry, he was born September 19, 1844, in Hart- ford, Windsor county, Vt., but was brought up and educated in New Hampshire, living there until after attaining his majority.

In 1867, fired by the ambitions of youth, Mr. Hubbard came from the Atlantic coast to the Pa- cific shores, locating in Santa Cruz, Cal., where he lived until 1875, working first for wages, and afterwards as a lumber manufacturer and dealer. Coming then to Fernando, he has since been an honored resident of the place. Subsequently forming a partnership with F. M. Wright, under the firm name of Hubbard & Wright, he pur- chased. in 1887, eleven hundred and twenty acres of partly improved land, which was then used as a sheep ranch, there having been at that time one hundred and sixty thousand sheep in the valley. He has placed the land under culti- vation, devoting it entirely to grain, and every year he and his partner raise excellent crops. In the carrying on of their profitable occupation this enterprising firm uses all of the latest improved machinery and appliances, including steam plows and steam harvesters, and are meeting with ex- cellent financial returns.

In 1884 Mr. Hubbard married Kate E. Maclay, a daughter of the late Hon. Charles Maclay, of whom a sketch may be found on another page of this biographical work. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard, Catherine P. and M. Wright. Politically Mr. Hubbard is a stanch Republican, and for four years served as supervisor of Los Angeles coun- ty. Fraternally he is one of the charter mem- bers of Fernando Lodge No. 343, F. & A. M., and a charter member and past workman of San Fernando Lodge No. 214, A. O. U. W.

J. EUCLID MILES. The real-estate in- terests of Santa Monica have an able representa- tive in the above-named gentleman, who, al- though he has been a resident only since 1902, is a prominent factor in the material upbuild- ing of the city. He is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Morrow county. His father, Enos Miles, was born in Chesterville, that coun- ty, where he carried on a grocery. In 1849 he crossed the plains with ox-teams and came to California, locating in Marysville, Yuba county, where he engaged in placer mining, and was also one of the builders of the Yuba river dam. Having returned to the east in the mean time, in 1853 he made a trip to the coast by way of the Isthmus, and located once more in Marys- ville. Subsequently he returned once more to Ohio, and in Mansfield, that state, his death oc- curred in 1888. His wife was in maidenhood Margaret A. Claflin.

J. Euclid Miles grew to manhood in his native state, receiving his education in the common schools near his home and also in Notre Dame University and the Brothers School in Dayton, Ohio. His first position was as a clerk in a busi- ness house on Wall street, New York City, which he accepted in 1872, but subsequently he re- turned to Ohio and for a short time was en- gaged in the book business with his father in Mansfield. In 1873 he became an employe of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indiana- polis Railroad, and after giving this up went to Colorado, there securing a position in the motive power department of the Denver & Rio Grande which he held for a number of years. With the means accumulated during that time he went into business for himself in Pueblo, Colo., estab- lishing a real-estate and insurance office at that point. During the twenty-two years in which he made that place his home and the scene of his activities he rose to a position of prominence among the citizens both socially and financially and accumulated considerable valuable property. Deciding to locate in Southern California, on July 4, 1902, he came to Santa Monica and at once organized the Santa Monica Investment

Daniel Myers.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Company, one of the strongest real estate con- cerns of this place. He is now acting as general manager for the company, while Robert F. Jones serves as president; Edwin Dike as vice-presi- dent ; Roy Jones, as secretary ; and the Bank of Santa Monica as treasurer. They conduct a general business and have met with more than the expected success.

Mr. Miles was married in New York City to an accomplished lady, a native of Ireland, in which country she received her education. In his fraternal relations Mr. Miles is associated with the Knights of Columbus, and the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks, of which latter he is treasurer. A man of ability and many ad- mirable personal traits of character, he is held in high esteem by all who know him and ac- counted a representative citizen of his adopted city.

DANIEL MYERS. While there are many people in Southern California engaged in the poultry business, few devote themselves so exclusively to the turkey raising branch of the occupation as does Daniel Myers of Hemet. He also carries on general ranching on a large scale and has three hundred acres of land planted to grain crops, a like area being used for pasturage purposes. There are twenty- five head of cattle, eighteen horses and a thou- sand voung turkeys on the place at the pres- ent time. Mr. Myers was born August 4, 1843, in Wayne county, Ohio, the son of John and Mary (Middlekauff) Myers, the father being a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Maryland. Both parents settled in Ohio when they were children, and Mr. My- ers, who was occupied as a farmer in that state, is now living there at the advanced age of ninety years. His wife died in Ohio in 1887.

It was in the public schools of his native state that Daniel Myers was educated, his boy- hood days being spent on his father's farm. When twenty-one years of age, being of an ambitious nature and desiring to see some- thing of the world, he joined a party of emi- grants coming to California in the spring of 1864, and after a trip occupying four months and five days arrived in Sacramento August 25 of that year. For the following twelve months he secured employment by the month, and then established himself in the turkey business, raising twelve hundred the first year, and during the following four years marketed eight thousand eight hundred and fifty birds. Poultry was high in those days and this busi- ness was almost as good as a gold mine to Mr. Myers. In 1870, desiring to make a change, he

disposed of his interests in Sacramento. Lo- cating in the San Jacinto valley he purchased an interest in the Estudillo grant and later added to his possessions by acquiring one hun- dred and eleven acres of government land, upon which his home is now located. He built substantial and commodious buildings and oth- erwise improved the ranch. He engaged in farming operations exclusively for six years, then added turkey raising to his pursuits, and has since that time built up the business to its present extensive proportions.

In 1873, while in Ohio, Mr. Myers was unit- ed in marriage with Amanda Shanklin, a na- tive of that state, and they are the parents of three children : Charles C., living at home ; Ed- win, engaged in mining in Alaska; and Etta, the wife of Charles Slanker of Riverside. Fra- ternally Mr. Myers is a member of Pomona Lodge, I. O. F., and politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. He takes a spe- cial interest in educational matters and has been trustee of his school district, also of the Hemet high school for one term. He is a man of progressive ideas and upright character and exerts a salutary influence in the community, the welfare of which he has always had at heart.

HORACE J. SEELY. Some years after the fever heat of excitement over the discovery of gold in California had subsided Horace J. Seely was brought to the state by his parents, Timothy and Mary (Love) Seely, natives of New York and Ohio respectively, although their married life up to that time had been passed in Michigan. Besides Horace J., who was born in Berrien county, Mich., September 2, 1850, there was one other child in the parent- al family, Charles, who was born in Napa county, Cal., September 27, 1859: he died of cancer of the stomach March 21, 1906. From Napa county, where the family first settled, they removed to Solano and Contra Costa counties respectively, remaining only a short time in each, however, and in 1871 settled in Arroyo Grande. San Luis Obispo county, where the father spent the remainder of his life. During a part of the twelve years which Mr. Seely lived in Napa county he was a mem- ber of the National Guards. and fraternally he belonged to the Masonic order. His church affiliations were with the Methodist Episcopal denomination at Arroyo Grande, with which body of believers his wife is still connected. Mr. Seely died at the age of seventy-seven years, his death terminating a life filled with noble and unselfish deeds. His widow still'

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

survives and at the age of seventy-three years enjoys her faculties unimpaired.

As he was a lad of eight years at the time the family left Michigan to take up life in the west Horace J. Seely was educated almost en- tirely in the schools of Napa county, which was his home for twelve years. Following the fortunes of his parents he came to Arroyo Grande in 1871, and for thirty-five years has assisted in the march of progress in this flour- ishing center of activity. His twenty-two and a half acre ranch produces twenty-five sacks of beans to the acre, besides which he raises large quantities of beets.

In 1875, in Arroyo Grande, Mr. Seely was united in marriage with Dora Casteele, a na- tive of Missouri, and four children have been born to them. The eldest born, W. J., is now thirty years old and a resident of Santa Rita; Mary, who is twenty-eight years old, is the wife of Fred Keller, of Santa Barbara county, and the mother of one child; A. T. chose as his wife Sarah Fillmore, and they have one child : the youngest child of the family is Clara, now in her seventeenth year. In his political belief Mr. Seely is a Republican, and his re- ligious inclinations are toward the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a mem- ber, her membership being in the church at Arroyo Grande. The accumulation of exces- sive wealth has at no time been the aim or object of Mr. Seely's life, but rather to live well and worthily, and that his life has been above reproach is the universal acknowledg- inent of those who have been associated with him for the long period of thirty-five years.

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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 65

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