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 66

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

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ALFRED C. DRAKE. The western repre- sentative of a fine old family of New York, Al- fred C. Drake is located in the vicinity of El Monte and engaged in the management of a fine- ly improved ranch of ten acres, in walnuts six- teen years old, and also, a fifteen acre tract in the Bassett district which is set to walnuts and alfalfa. Born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., March 10, 1873, he was a son of James and Martha (Vincent) Drake, the former of whom was a native of the same place and the latter of Ontario. The grandfather, Francis Drake, was a soldier in the Civil war, serving in a New York regiment, after which he followed farming in St. Lawrence county, where his son James was engaged as a builder. The latter subsequently removed to Franklin county, Iowa, and followed his trade, and from there went to Minnesota and North Dakota, finally coming to California. He died in El Monte in 1898, at the age of forty- eight years. His wife had previously died in their home in Iowa.

The only child born to his parents, Alfred C. Drake was reared in the different states where his parents made their home, removing to Iowa at the age of four years, thence to Minnesota at seven, and at nine to Valley City, N. Dak., his education being received in the public schools and the St. Cloud ( Minn.) Normal School. He then attended a business college in Fargo and in 1893, after his graduation, located in Phoenix, Ariz. In the same year he came to El Monte, where his father had purchased a ranch on the Santa Anita road. He farmed this property for a year and a half, when he bought a ranch in the Puente district and when twenty-three years of age he engaged in farming for himself. In El Monte, March 10, 1896, he married Miss Myra Maxson, a native of Colusa county, Cal., and a daughter of B. F. Maxson, whose name is one well known in this section of Southern Cali- fornia. (For more complete details concerning his life refer to the sketch of his son, which ap- pears elsewhere in this volume.) Mrs. Drake traces her ancestry on the maternal side to Pris- cilla Alden. She is a woman of excellent quali- ties, well educated and highly cultured, and has a wide circle of friends in El Monte and vicin- ity. They have four children, namely : James Merwin, Elizabeth Fay, Frederick Arthur and Francis Maxson.

In 1904 Mr. Drake improved his property by the erection of a new residence and also made other improvements. Both himself and wife are members of the Mountain View Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Drake officiates as chair- man of the board of trustees. Fraternally he is prominent, having been made a Mason in 1903 in Lexington Lodge No. 104. F. & A. M., of El Monte, of which he is now serving as master, and both himself and wife are members of the Order of Eastern Star, El Monte Chapter No. 172, of which he is Worthy Patron. He is also identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, having served in his local lodge as recorder for seven terms, and the Independent Order of Good Templars. He is a Republican in his political convictions, and actively supports his party principles. Since its organization he has been a member of the Mountain View Walnut Growers' Association. In educational affairs Mr. Drake has always taken a prominent part, having served for the past six years as a member of the board of trustees of the Mountain View School district.

EDWARD J. STEWART. In the selection of Mr. Stewart as overseer of their pipe lines the Los Posas Water Company of Somis have secured the services of one who will guard the interests of his superiors with the same care that

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his own affairs would receive. In the distribu- tion of water over the town and vicinity three engines are kept in constant operation, besides which four windmills are at all times adding to the supply.

As a native son of the state Mr. Stewart was born in Ventura county September 24, 1871, a son of Oscar D. Stewart, a native of Michigan. (For a more complete history of the Stewart family the reader is referred to the sketch of the father, which will be found on another page of this volume.) The common schools of this county furnished the text-book knowledge which Mr. Stewart was permitted to enjoy, but he has never ceased to be a student, for by the reading of carefully selected literature he has become well informed, and all who know him speak of him in the highest terms. His school days over, his energetic disposition made immediate work essential, and in the selection of ranching he chose the work nearest at hand, for he was reared on a farm and during his boyhood and. youth had assisted his father very materially in the care and management of the home place. He discontinued his agricultural enterprise, how- ever, in November, 1905, at which time he ac- cepted his present position with the Los Posas Water Company. Though he has been with the company little more than a year the time has been all sufficient to prove his trustworthiness, for he believes that what is worth doing is worth doing well.

In 1895 Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Lucy Russell, who is of southern parentage, born in Mississippi, the daughter of Henry and Lucretia (Sheffield) Russell. The mother is de- ceased, but the father still survives and is a resi- cent of Ventura, being marshal of the town. Two children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, Lorraine and Russell. Mr. Stewart is proud of the privilege to claim mem- bership in the organization known as the Native Sons of the Golden West, which is his by right of birth in this state, and he affiliates with the par- lor at Ventura. The only other order to which he belongs is the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the camp at Somis. His political sympathies are in accord with Democratic prin- ciples, which he supports whenever the occasion arises.

GEORGE W. GLENN. The descendant of a representative pioneer family, and a lifelong resident of California, G. W. Glenn occupies a prominent position among the thriving ag- riculturists of Ventura county, his highly im- proved and productive ranch being located near Camarillo. A man of industry and sound judgment, the success which has attended him

throughout his career has been brought about by persistent energy, well-directed toil and exceptional business ability on his part, and he is in truth well deserving of the respect and confidence in which he is everywhere held. A son of the late Joseph Glenn, he was born January 5, 1857, in Visalia, Tulare county, and there and in Kern county he received his early education.

A native of Tennessee, Joseph Glenn suc- ceeded to the occupation of his ancestors, be- coming a farmer. In 1852 he came to Califor- nia, and for a while tried mining, but not meeting with the anticipated success he re- sumed his former independent calling. Re- moving from Kern county to Ventura county, he first took up a government claim near Hueneme. Later he spent some time as a farmer in Los Angeles county, but in 1886 re- turned to Ventura county, and was here em- ployed as a tiller of the soil until his death in 1891, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a man highly esteemed, and a stanch Democrat in his political views. He married Mary Grounds, a native of Arkansas, and she is now living in Hueneme, a bright and active woman of seventy-eight years, and a valued member of the Presbyterian Church. Four- teen children blessed their union, five of whom are deceased, and of the nine that survive seven are residents of California.

Brought up on a farm, G. W. Glenn became well versed in agricultural lore during the days of his boyhood and youth, and started out on his own account at an early age. Com- ing to Ventura county, for six years he car- ried on general farming in Hueneme on rented land. The ensuing four years he was similarly employed in Los Angeles county, but not being quite contented with the results of his operations in that locality he returned to Ven- tura county. Laboring earnestly and success- fully, he made money, and in 1893 purchased seventy-seven acres of his present home ranch, which now comprises one hundred and fifty acres. A part of his land he devotes to rais- ing hay, but he makes a specialty of beans, his land readily yielding about twelve sacks per acre.

In 1880 Mr. Glenn married Catherine M. Cawelti, a daughter of the late John Cawelti. Mr. Cawelti was born January 26, 1828, in Germany, and died at the age of sixty-three years in Ventura county, Cal. He came with his parents to this country when young, and for many years was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ohio. In 1864 he migrated with his family to Sonoma county, Cal., and in 1868 removed to Ventura county, where he ac- quired a handsome property, becoming owner

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of ten hundred and three acres of land in the Santa Clara valley of the south. As a gen- eral farmer he was exceedingly prosperous, and as a man and a citizen was much respect- ed. He was a Democrat in politics. While living in Ohio he married Catherine M. Wag- ner, who was born in Germany, and died in Ventura county, at the age of seventy-three years. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in that faith reared her nine chil- dren, all of whom are living in California, in Pleasant Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn are the parents of four children, Ethel, Lena, Clifford and Edward. In his political affiliations Mr. Glenn is a Democrat, and religiously he be- longs to the Baptist Church. He is a mem- ber of the Fraternal Brotherhood, an organi- zation in which he takes great interest. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn are known far and wide as generous, hospitable people, and their pleas- ant home is a center of social activity.

LEROY ARNOLD. Until his death Leroy Arnold was one of the most prominent citizens of Ventura county, where he. settled in 1870. He was born January 22, 1842, in DeKalb county, Il1., his father, Cutler, being a native of Ohio, born in 1818, and his mother, Emily Hough in maidenhood, being a native of Illinois. They removed to California in 1852, coming by the Panama route to Marysville, and from there they went to Sierra county, remaining there for a time. The year 1857 found them in Lassen county, where the father engaged in ranching until 1868, when he came to Ventura county and engaged in that business on a large scale. Both parents continued to reside here until their deaths, having spent their last days in the home of their son Leroy. The father lived to be eighty- two years of age. Of the nine children born to the parents six are still living.

In Lassen county. September 19, 1865, Leroy Arnold was married to Miss Carrie F. Hill, a native of Indiana and the daughter of William R. and Sarah (Gragg) Hill, the former a native of New York state and the latter born in Noble county, Ind. William R. Hill, who was a farmer and carpenter by trade, settled in Indiana prior to his marriage. From there he removed to Missouri and one year later settled in Iowa. In 1859 he started for Pike's Peak with his wife and seven children. He began the trip with horses, but while on the way decided to come to California instead and traded his horses for oxen. His route followed the Sublet cut-off by Harney Lake valley, Mr. Hill coming only a few days after the Shepard party, which was massacred. He located on Lassen county and engaged in contracting and building in ad-

dition to farming until 1865, when he removed to a farm near Eugene, Lane county, Ore., re- maining there for six years. After this he re- turned to California, first to Ventura county, and after a few years bought a home in Tulare county. He died at the latter location in the year 1884, and his wife in Ventura county in 1870. There were seven children in the family, Mrs. Arnold being next to the oldest.

In 1870 Mr. and Mrs. Arnold removed to Hueneme. Mr. Arnold rented a ranch for a time, and then bought out the interest of his brother Eugene in a one hundred and sixty acre ranch and engaged in farming, in addition to which he operated a thrashing machine and raised thoroughbred horses. He took a promi- nent interest in all public affairs of this section, was an advocate of the principles of the Republi- can party, and fraternally affiliated with the Masonic lodge. His death, which occurred February 25, 1902, at the age of sixty years, one month and three days, removed one of the most successful men and highly respected citizens of Ventura county. His wife and seven children survive him, the youngest son, Dell, and Mrs. Arnold conducting the home ranch, which com- prises over one hundred and twenty acres of land devoted to beet growing. It is a well im- proved piece of property and has a ten-inch well located on the highest point, from which the whole ranch may be irrigated. The other chil- dren are: Effie, who married Arthur Smith, of Hueneme : Mollie, now Mrs. W. T. Fulton, of Camarillo; Martha, the wife of J. E. Fulton, of Oxnard: Olive, who married Walter Rowe, of Hueneme ; and Roy and Alton, both residing in Hueneme. Mrs. Arnold adheres to the faith of the Christian Science Church.

LAZARUS PETER CASNER. An active, wide-awake man of versatile talents, broad and progressive in his views, L. P. Casner has had a varied career in life, and wherever he has lived and labored has won for himself an honored position in business circles. He now has charge of the stage station on the stage line route between Foster and Julian, the station being located on the boundary line of the Ballena and Ramona precincts, and in this capacity is ably and faithfully performing the duties devolving upon him, winning the approval of his emplovers, and the esteem and hearty good will of the traveling public. He is a native of San Diego county, born May 14, 1873, a son of Martin Van and Mary (Little- page) Casner.

Endowed by nature with those three char- acteristics, energy, ability and push, which are pre-eminent in all true born Americans, L. P.

Lloyd & Noble.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Casner started in life at the early age of seventeen years, for two years being employed on the Hurt stock ranch in Arizona. Return- ing home, he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a while, after which he was engaged in the cattle business on his own account for five years. He subsequently learned the trade of butcher, which he fol- lowed in Monrovia, Los Angeles county, for two years, during which time he joined the Los Angeles Butchers' Union, to which he still belongs. Going then to Lower California, he ran a store there for a year. Returning to Los Angeles, he was for five years connected with a private detective force, and while thus employed traveled extensively throughout the west and northwest. Settling then in San Diego county, he was for a few seasons em- ployed in general ranching, and then accepted his present position with Mr. Foster, and has had full charge of the stage station, as above mentioned, managing its business most suc- cessfully and satisfactorily.

In 1898 Mr. Casner married Edith M. Clev- enger, who was born in Chico, Butte county, Cal., a daughter of J. K. P. Clevenger, and they are the parents of three children, namely : Charlotte C., Lorain and Violet Pearl. Mr. Casner is a straightforward Republican in politics.

LLOYD E. NOBLE. The impetus afford- ed to all business enterprises through the rap- idly growing popularity of Long Beach has attracted to its citizenship a large number of men directly or indirectly connected with the real estate business and the building industry, and among these men may be mentioned Lloyd E. Noble, who has been interested in the building for sale of modern cottages and substantial residences, as well as doing a gen- eral real estate business. Though familiar with every detail connected with contract car- pentering and himself the possessor of varied experience in the occupation, he is yet a young man, having been born December 8, 1881, and is a native of Lake City, Calhoun county, Iowa. His father, William M. Noble, was born in Illinois and became interested in the hardware and building business in Iowa. where he became an extensive and successful contractor at Lake City. On coming to Cali- fornia in 1887 he took up work at his chosen trade in Whittier and erected a number of substantial structures in that locality, later being similarly occupied in Santa Ana. For some years he has made his home in Los An- geles, where he is financially interested in a flourishing industry. His first wife, who bore

the maiden name of Sarah Seaburn, died in California August 6, 1892, at thirty-nine years of age, and he remained a widower until Oc- tober II, 1905, when he was united in mar- riage with Jennie R. Kirby of Los Angeles.

When the family came to the Pacific coast Lloyd E. Noble was less than six years of age, hence his education has been secured almost wholly in the west and principally in the schools of Whittier. When fifteen years of age he began to assist his father in carpenter- ing and thus acquired an early and thorough knowledge of the trade. At the age of eighteen he became a partner of his father in contracting and building and aided in the erection of houses at Santa Ana and Long Beach. In December, 1904, he became a part- ner in the D. C. Lamb, Noble Grill Company of Los Angeles, with which his father was as- sociated, but at the expiration of six months he sold his one-third interest. Subsequently he engaged in building houses in Long Beach, his plan being to buy vacant property, im- prove with modern dwellings and then sell. Since January 1, 1906, he has been engaged independently in the general real estate and investment business, also doing building to improve his own properties.

Since coming to Long Beach Mr. Noble has been connected with the Volunteer Fire Company as a department officer, the com- pany having proved a distinct advantage and source of protection to the city. Further he is active in the California National Guard as a member of Company H. Seventh Regiment. maintains affiliations with the Fraternal Aid and the Modern Woodmen of America, in re- ligion gives his support to the First Method- ist Episcopal Church, and takes an active in- terest in the Y. M. C. A. as chairman of the membership committee from the First Meth- odist Episcopal Church. In political affairs he favors Republican principles in national is- sues, but in local elections maintains an inde- pendent attitude. favoring the men and meas- ures best adapted to promote the progress of city and county.

HENRY DARIUS FREEMAN. Ranking high among the active and thriving ranchers of the Santa Maria valley is H. D. Freeman, a man of ability, intelligence and good business capacity, whose ranch of two hundred acres lies directly south of Santa Maria. . The greater part of the tract is sown to grain, sixty acres alone being given over to corn, which, though not raised for commercial purposes direct, sup- plies feed for his hennery, which is the largest

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and one of the most flourishing industries of the kind in the valley. At this writing ( 1906) he has eighteen hundred laying hens and two thou- sand young chickens, the latter produced by the use of three incubators, which are kept in con- stant operation. The incubators which are used on the ranch are manufactured by Mr. Free- man's brother, Albert J., both being authorities in the raising of chickens, and that their theo- retical and practical knowledge produce un- deniable results will be seen when it is stated that during 1905 they sold in the San Francisco market $3.300 worth of eggs and $500 worth of poultry.

A native son of the state. Henry D. Freeman was born in Marin county August 8, 1859. a son of William D. and Mary ( Halstead) Free- man, of whom more facts are given in the sketch of Albert J. Freeman. Mr. Freeman has known no other home than his native state, and in fact his life has been about equally divided be- tween Marin and Santa Barbara counties. Edu- cated in the common schools of Marin county. while still a school boy he became interested in the dairy business through association with his older brother's dairy, and finally started in busi- ness in the same line for himself. This con- tinued for some time, but in the mean time he had been making investigations along the line of poultry raising. which in 1890 took tangible form by the inauguration of his present ranch in the Santa Maria valley. Having a thorough understanding of poultry raising, in 1897 he en- gaged in the business on a large scale, and by giving personal attention to details he has gained a standing in the business community from a financial standpoint of which he is well worthy. and judging from his past record still greater successes await him.

In 1878 Henry D. Freeman was united in marriage with Miss Mary Lucas, a native of Mis- souri, and the following children have been born to them : Chester L., Ruth, Lulu, Emil, Joe, Nellie and Lillian. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are mem- bers of the Christian Church, and are rearing their children to lives of usefulness. Politically Mr. Freeman is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs to the Good Templars and the Red Men, affiliating with the lodges at Santa Maria.

EDWARD MARION CHURCHILL.

Among the prosperous business men of Es- condido E. Marion Churchill, a hardware mer- chant, holds a position of importance. He is a man of recognized ability and worth, pos- sesses keen judgment, and is enterprising and progressive. A son of C. B. Churchill, he was horn, March 15, 1870, at Prairic City, Jasper county, Towa. His Grandfather Churchill, a

native of New York state, moved to Wiscon- sin at an early day, being a pioneer farmer of that state, and afterwards followed the march of civilization still further westward, locating in Iowa, where he resided until his death.

Born in Erie county, N. Y., C. B. Churchill went with his parents to Wisconsin, where he followed farming for a number of years. Sub- sequently settling at Prairie City, Iowa, he improved a fine farm, and was profitably em- ployed in agricultural pursuits for a number of years. He kept abreast of the times in his la- bors, using the most approved farm maclin- ery, and was one of the first to own a thresh- ing machine in that state. In the fall of 1871 he moved to Butler county. Neb., where he purchased wild land and continued his opera- tions as a farmer and stock-raiser. In 1883. in partnership with his son, G. D. Churchill, he embarked in business as a general merchant at David City, Neb., where he remained a few years. Selling his interest in the firm he re- sumed farming for awhile, and in 1893 locat- ed in Escondido, where, in addition to general ranching, he was engaged in the milling bus- iness until his retirement from active pursuits. He married B. A. Stephens, who was born in Erie county, Pa., a daughter of Sylvester Stephens. "who spent his last years on a Wis- consin farm. She bore her husband six chil- dren, of whom two sons and three daughters are living, Edward Marion, the subject of this sketch, being the youngest child.

Brought up and educated in Nebraska, Ed- ward Marion Churchill was graduated from the David City high school, after which he took a course of study at a business college in Des Moines, Iowa. Returning to Nebraska, he re- mained at home until 1893, when he came with the family to Escondido, where for two years he assisted his father in improving a ranch. Entering the flour mill then, he learned the miller's tradc. and changed the process of manufacture of four to the E. P. Allis bolting system. hy which two hundred and sixty-five pounds of wheat were made to produce a bar- rel of flour, instead of three hundred and twen- ty-five pounds, as formerly required. Until 1899. he continued the management of the plant, when, finding the location undesirable for milling purposes, he gave up the business. intending to go east for awhile. Changing his mind. he bought a half interest with C. Young in a bicycle business, paying $too for his share, and ran the shop until October. 1900, when the plant. with the exception of the repair shop, was burned out. For $200 Mr. Churchill then purchased his partner's interest in the business and the lot, and, moving into a new

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building, dealt in bicycles and sporting goods for a year, during which time he was robbed one night of goods worth $150. In December, 1901, forming a copartnership with Prof. J. E. Thomas, principal of the high school, Mr. Churchill bought out the hardware business of Arthur Jones, and has since been resident manager of the store, in which he carries a full line of hardware, agricultural implements, bicycles and sporting goods. His store, which he moved into in March, 1902, is 25x80 feet, and the warehouse is 50x120 feet. He han- dles the Pope Manufacturing goods, the J. I. Case threshers and engines, Oliver chilled plows, and the Studebaker's wagons and bug- gies, carrying a fine assortment. He has ac- quired considerable property, and on Iowa street has erected a fine residence.

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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 66

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