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 68

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

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Six children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Benn, whose names in order of birth are as follows : Nettie A., now Mrs. Henry Mahan ; Charles F., Nellie, who died in infancy ; Law- rence D., who died at the age of twenty-four years: Mav, and Agnes, who is now the wife of John Riggs. Although Mr. Benn is not identified with any religious hody he contrib- utes to the maintenance of the Baptist Church. of which his wife is a member, and may always

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be relied upon to lend a helping hand in any cause that tends to further the good of the com- munity. Nominally Mr. Benn is a Republican, but strictly speaking he is independent in the matter of casting his vote, invariably giving his ballot to the man who shows the highest prin- ciples of honor and to the one best fitted for the office in question.

MARTIN' VAN CASNER. Distinguished as an early pioneer of Southern California, and as a substantial and prosperous farmer of Ramona, M. Van Casner is eminently worthy of representation in this volume. Settling in Ballena valley nearly forty years ago, he put his shoulder to the wheel, and, in common with his neighbors, who were but few in num- ber, toiled unceasingly and uncomplainingly in his efforts to improve a homestead. Little do the people of this day and generation real- ize the hardships endured, the great ambition required, and the physical effort demanded to secure the honies established by the pioneers for themselves and their descendants. How well they succeeded is evident in the broad expanse of cultivated fields, the large fruit- bearing orchards, and the productive vine- yards that bespeak in no uncertain tones of their courage, industry and thrift. In the up- building and growth of Ramona and vicinity he has ever evinced a warm interest, contrib- uting his full share towards the establishment of beneficial enterprises. A son of Martin Casner, he was born October 1, 1842, in Travis county, Tex., where he spent his early life.

Born in Alabama. Martin Casner began his business career in that state, and for many years was influential in town and county af- fairs, serving several terms as sheriff. Re- moving from there to Texas, he bought large tracts of land, some of which is still owned by his descendants, and in addition to being ex- tensively engaged in the cattle business oper- ated a sawmill and a grist mill. Coming from there to California, he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, and on the homestead which he improved spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the age of sixty-six years. He married Jane Medford, who was born in Alabama, coming from a family noted for its inventive talent, and its mechanical skill and ability. She survived him, dying at the ven- erable age of eighty-seven years.

One of a family of nine children, M. Van Casner was educated in the common schools and under private tutors, receiving exceptional advantages in that line. At the age of seven- teen years he enlisted in the Southern army, joining Company B, Texas Rangers, com-

manded by General McCord, and served for four years. During three years of this time he was doing frontier duty under General Watkins, being stationed at either Bankhead or McGregor. After being mustered out, Mr. Casner bought one hundred and sixty acres of land near the three hundred and twenty- acre ranch belonging to his father, and was there employed as a tiller of the soil for about three years. Coming to San Diego county in 1868, he took his Christmas dinner in Ballena valley, and has since resided here. Taking up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, he immediately began clearing the land, and by dint of persevering toil has now a finely improved estate, which he de- votes to the raising of fruit, grain and stock. His vines, which are ten years old, yield on an average of one ton per acre, of raisins, the altitude of his vineyard being twenty-four hundred feet. In his labors Mr. Casner has met with acknowledged success, obtaining an assured position among the prosperous and substantial agriculturists of this part of the county.

In 1865 Mr. Casner married Mary J. Little- page, a native of Missouri, and they are the parents of nine children, namely: Allie B., wife of O. D. Crothers, of Santa Barbara ; William D., of Orcut, Santa Barbara county, who married Tillie Bergman ; Effie J., wife of Harry Hill, of El Cajon ; Lazarus P., of whom a brief personal sketch may be found on an- other page of this volume; Victor A., an en- gineer ; Vida, wife of J. C. Quinn, of Hanford, Kings county ; Amy, living at home; Grace, attending the normal school ; and Lillie, also a pupil in the normal school. Politically Mr. Casner is a zealous supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and for two terms served as constable. · Religiously he is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

LUCIUS B. PALMER. Among the men who possess a strong faith in the future of Long Beach and who give evidence of that faith through their large business transactions and extensive investments, mention properly belongs to Lucius B. Palmer, member of the real-estate firm of Palmer & Patterson, and identified with the recent growth of this city. Mr. Palmer is a native of Iowa and a son of A. B. Palmer, whose settlement in that state dated back to the days of its territorial existence and witnessed the gradual peopling of the commonwealth with sturdy frontiersmen. For many years he made Muscatine his trading point, but later resided at Iowa City, Jefferson county, and it was in that town that the birth of Lucius B. Palmer

A. Mo. Peter

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

occurred May 17, 1845. A few years later the family raoved to Illinois and about 1851 settled in Monmouth, where he received his primary education in the public schools. Later he sup- plemented his early studies by attendance at Monmouth College for a short time.

When the Civil war began Lucius B. Palmer was a stalwart youth of sixteen years, with all the fiery enthusiasm of youth, deepened by an intense devotion to the cause of the Union. Dur- ing the first months of the war he offered his services and was assigned to Company H, Sixty- second Illinois Infantry, where he served for four years and two months, although the orig- inal period of his enlistment had been for three years only. With his regiment he bore a part in a number of notable engagements, chief among which was the battle of Shiloh. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged while still less than twenty-one years of age, with a record of which he might well be proud.

The first independent venture in which Mr. Palmer engaged was the management of a mercantile establishment at Kewanee, Ill., where he remained for five years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Iowa and took up agricultural pursuits near Grinnell, where he made his home for three years. During the early part of his residence in Iowa, in 1870, he mar- ried Lucinda M. Spooner, a native of Ohio. While they were living on their Iowa farm a daughter was born to them whom they named Elsie, and who is now the wife of S. L. Wallis, of Pasadena. In 1873 the family removed to Nebraska, where Mr. Palmer took up a home- stead claim in the vicinity of Hastings and later became a resident of the town, engaging in busi- ness as a hardware and furniture merchant and also superintending his large tracts of farm land. In Nebraska four children were born, Grove M., Lilah B., Forest M. and Alta H., all of whom are with their parents in Long Beach.

On coming to California in 1889 after dis- posing of his interests in Nebraska, Mr. Palmer made Pasadena his home for ten years and then became a citizen of Long Beach, being attracted to this city on account of it being a prohibition town and also by reason of the locating of the government breakwater. Arrived in Long Beach, he was the first to enter upon real-estate deals with office on the Ocean Front and in 1901 formed a partnership with J. W. Patterson, the two now handling city property almost exclu- sively. In politics he formerly affiliated with the Republican party, but the evils of the liquor traffic caused him to ally himself with the Prohibitionists. In the various places of his residence he has been an active supporter of good schools. While in Nebraska he was not only a member of the Hastings board of edu-

cation, but also for six years officiated as secre- tary of Hastings College. In religion a Presby- terian, he contributes to his own denomination and also, with characteristic liberality, aids other creeds and churches in the furtherance of their work. Since coming to Long Beach he has been an active worker in the Independent Order of Good Templars. Other fraternities in which he holds membership are the Grand Army of the Republic, Order of Pendo, Modern Woodmen of America and Ancient Order of United Work- men.

ANSON MAXWELL PETERS. During the entire period of his residence in San Di- ego county Mr. Peters has made his home near Fallbrook, where in 1886 he bought the tract of one hundred and fifty-four acres that he still owns. Since it came into his posses- sion he has erected a packing house and has planted eleven acres in orange and lemon trees. The neat appearance of the ranch bears testimony to the thrifty disposition of the owner, and those who know him state that he is a substantial farmer. More than that, he stands high as a large-hearted, liberal man, generous to those in need, interested in all lo- cal progressive movements, a contributor to worthy enterprises, a warm friend and genial companion, furnishing in his attributes the highest type of citizenship.

The Peters family is of eastern ancestry. Luard and Merinda (Cochran) Peters were natives of Vermont, and there married and remained for some years after their union. In Grand Isle county, that state, their son, An- son Maxwell, was born December 5, 1828. The family became pioneers of Illinois in 1840 and settled in De Kalb county, where they were pioneers and industrious farmers. Leav- ing the locality in 1851, the parents settled in lowa and some

vcars later they died at Farmersburg, that state. It was im- possible for the son, A. M., to attend school regularly, for much of the time they lived re- mote from any educational institution, and even the crude log-cabin schoolhouse of front- ier days was not always sufficiently near for him to attend with any regularity. Hence the knowledge he now possesses has been ac- quired mostly by habits of close observation and careful reading of the best periodicals and other literature. When a mere boy he hired out to work by the month and at the age of twenty years he bought his time, so that he was free to start out for himself.

Removing to Iowa in 1850 Mr. Peters took tip government land in Clayton county and at once entered upon the arduous task of put-

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ting the soil into proper condition for cultiva- tion. However, he was not long content to remain there, but, hearing much concerning the openings offered to young men by the re- mote west, he determined to seek a home and livelihood beyond the distant mountains and beside the sunset sea. January 5, 1854, he was a passenger on a vessel that sailed from New York City for the Isthmus of Panama, from which point he proceeded up the Pacific ocean, landing in San Francisco about February 2. Immediately afterward he proceeded to the mines at Georgetown and for about fourteen months he followed the adventurous life of a miner, without, however, meeting with any re- markable success. A brief experience con- vinced him that. while the climate of the west was almost ideal, the occupation of mining was not congenial to his tastes, so he returned to Clayton county, Iowa, in April, 1855, and resumed the quiet life of a farmer. For a con- siderable period he remained in that county, but in 1868 he removed to Madison county, Iowa, and secured a large tract of farm land. During 1882 he came to California for the sec- ond time and settled near Saticoy, in Ventura county, where he bought land and took up general farm pursuits. Four years later he disposed of his property in Ventura county and came to the extreme southern part of the state, where he has since lived in the vicinity of Fallbrook.

The marriage of Mr. Peters took place in Clayton county, Iowa, in December, 1855, and united him with Jane Smith. Ten children were born of their union, and one of these died in infancy. The following attained ma- ture years: Ella, wife of Thomas Gabbert, of Ventura county, this state; Dora, who mar- ried William Bernett, and lives at Avery, Cal .; Herbert, living at Fallbrook; Frankie, who is the wife of Rev. Mr. Ashley, a Meth- odist Episcopal preacher living at Garden Grove; Luard, who resides in Garvanza; Su- sie, Mrs. David Brown of Ventura county ; Millie, wife of Rev. Albert Embre, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at San Ja- cinto; Mary, Mrs. Albert Ross, who died at Oxnard, Cal., at the age of twenty-five years ; and Lloyd, who remains with his parents on the home ranch. Interested in educational af- fairs, Mr. Peters has served with fidelity and tact as a member of the school board of his district. In fraternal relations he holds mem- bership with the blue lodge of Masons a Fallbrook. Religion mingles with the other elements that go to perfect his character. For many years he has been an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a gen- crous contributor to its charities and mission-

ary movements, as indeed he is to all philan- thropic measures calculated to promote the welfare of humanity.

JAMES P. WARD. Prior to the outbreak of the war with England James Ward left Ireland and sought the opportunities of the new world. Settling in New Jersey he became a prominent citizen of Leesburg, maintained a constant activ- ity in civic affairs, and when the country ap- pealed to its patriotic men for support in the struggle with England he enthusiastically offered his aid and assisted in equipping a company of volunteers. Eventually he became a wealthy shipbuilder and the owner of three marine rail- ways at Leesburg, also a number of stores and other properties, including farm lands. Until shortly before his death at seventy-three years he continued actively at the head of his extensive business interests.

Among the children of the shipbuilder was a son, John D., who was born near Cape May, N. J., and before he died at forty-one years, built up the largest coal and wood business in Phila- delphia, occupying four wharves and two places of business and receiving contracts to supply fuel for the largest industries of the city. In early manhood he married Margaret Sharp, who was born at Shamokin, Pa., and at the age of seventy-five years (1906) is now living in Los Angeles. The family was founded in America by her father, Patrick Sharp, who was born in Ireland, but established himself in the United States at an early age and became a prosperous clothing merchant of Philadelphia, where he died at fifty-five years of age.

During the residence of John D. and Margaret Ward in Philadelphia their son, James P., was born January 3, 1855, and there he was educated in the Broad street military school and in La- Salle College. Upon embarking in business pur- suits he became a clerk to an uncle in the wood and coal business, but after a clerkship of two years he began in the same business for himself. By arduous effort he laid the foundation of a prosperous enterprise, but ill health deprived him of enjoying the fruits of his labors, for at the expiration of eighteen months he was obliged to relinquish his business interests in Philadel- phia and seek a more genial climate for the benefit of his health. After having spent one year in Texas he returned to Philadelphia with health restored, and during the next fifteen months he acted as city representative for a wholesale soap company.

Coming to California in 1880 Mr. Ward set- tled in Los Angeles and for two and one-half years engaged with R. J. Hambrook in the manu- facture of furniture by water power, but at the

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expiration of that period he disposed of his in- terest in the factory. His next investment was the purchase of sixty-five acres occupying the present site of Hollywood, Los Angeles county, and for two seasons he raised vegetables on that land, shipping to the San Francisco markets. On selling the tract he bought five hundred and fifty acres, which is now embraced in the town site of Lancaster, Los Angeles county. During the "boom" period of the middle '8os he was extensively engaged in farming, also followed the lumber business and carried on a livery, but the reaction following upon the bursting of the boom caused him to close out many of his inter- ests at a loss. The next enterprise which en- gaged his attention was the opening of an install- ment business in Los Angeles and also in Tuc- son, Ariz. After leaving Tucson he managed the United States hotel of Los Angeles for a year and later acquired mining interests in Yuma county, Ariz., and San Bernardino county, Cal. Since 1898 he has made his home at Palms and now is engaged in the real-estate business, for which his long experience admirably qualifies him. He was the first to sell lots in Lancaster on the installment plan and also has sold lots in other parts of the county.

The marriage of Mr. Ward in 1883 united him with Miss Lizzie Winshank, daughter of An- drew Winshank, of Los Angeles county. They are the parents of eight children, namely: Mar- gareta, Mary, John D., James, Andrew, Frank, Elizabeth and Joseph, all of whom yet remain at home. The family are identified with the Ro- man Catholic Church. Mr. Ward is connected with the Fraternal Aid and the Order of For- esters, and politically has always stood stead- fastly by the principles of the Democratic party. Since coming to Palms he has held the position of school trustee for two years, in which office he not only showed his interest in educational affairs as a citizen, but also proved himself well adapted for the work, aiding materially in the advancement of the schools and in the raising of the standard of scholastic training.

BURT G. HURLBURT. Noteworthy among the esteemed and influential citizens of Los An- geles county is B. G. Hurlburt, one of the lead- ing attorneys of Santa Monica, and a man of wealth and prominence. He has lived in four of the most prosperous states of the Union, and in the different localities in which he has made his home is well known, having been actively identi- fied with the foremost industries of each. A son of Henry Hurlburt, he was born, November 17. 1853, in Wyoming county, N. Y., the descendant of an old and honored New England family. His grandfather, Barzilla Hurlburt, a native of Con-

necticut, was a farmer by occupation, and be- came one of the first settlers of western New York, living on the homestead that he reclaimed from the wilderness until his death at the re- markable age of ninety-nine years.

The eighth child in a family of nine children, Henry Hurlburt was born and reared in New York, and there spent the seventy-six years of his earthly life, being successfully employed as a tiller of the soil. He married Arvilla Austin, who died on the home farm, at the age of sixty- seven years. They reared eight children, of whom B. G. was the seventh child.

Having completed his early education by tak- ing a commercial course of study at Pike Sem- inary, B. G. Hurlburt went to Iowa, where he taught school five terms, first in Adair, and then in Guthrie Center. In 1872 he began the study of telegraphy at Anita, Iowa, and in 1876 was appointe 1 operater at Stuart, where he remained two years, becoming well known throughout Guthrie county while in that capacity. Obtain- ing in the meantime some political influence, he then accepted the office of deputy county treas- urer, which he held four years. Embarking then in mercantile pursuits, with a partner he bought out a hardware establishment, which he managed successfully for several years. In 1886 he set- tled in Wallace county, Kans., which was then but sparsely populated, and on April 13 he opened the first grocery store established at Sharon Springs, a newly-organized town. At . that time there were thirty young men in busi- ness there, but no woman appeared in the place for six weeks after his arrival, the first ones com- ing in July.

In the upbuilding of the new town Mr. Hurl- burt took a prominent part, encouraging, aiding and promoting all enterprises conducive to the growth and prosperity of the place, which sub- sequently became the county seat. He became one of the leading attorneys of Wallace county, for ten years serving as county attorney. He also filled other offices of importance, being a member of the school board, and for eight years being justice of the peace. Possessing excellent business ability and good financial judgment, he acquired considerable property, becoming owner of a ranch containing forty-six hundred and twenty acres adjoining Sharon Springs, which he helped name, and of another valuable ranch lying about ten miles south of the town. He looked carefully after his agricultural affairs, and as a stock raiser and dealer met with more than ordinary success. Resigning his various offices in July, 1903, he settled in Santa Monica. Cal., and has since won an enviable reputation as a lawyer of ability, and has built up a fine clientage, his office being on Pier avenue, Ocean Park.

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Mr. Hurlburt has been three times married. In Grinnell, Iowa, he married Kate L. Dosh, daughter of a prominent citizen of Davenport. She died in 1886, leaving three children, namely : Vida, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Mrs. Mildred Leonhardt; and Addie, wife of Rev. Frederick R. Raby, of Kansas. Subse- quently Mr. Hurlburt married Mrs. Ella Cook, of Kansas, who died in California, leaving three children, Abigail, Edith and Emmett. After the death of his second wife Mr. Huriburt married Mrs. Rebecca Boud Kempton, of Ocean Park, a native of Philadelphia, Pa. Politically Mr. Hurlburt is a Republican; fraternally he is an Odd Fellow; and religiously he is a member, a trustee and treasurer of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

GEORGE E. BENNETT. A man who has seen much of the world and has been very active in local public life wherever he has lived is George E. Bennett, who has been a resident of Elsinore since 1887. He is of English descent, and the first member of the family to come to America was his grandfather, James S., who was a wholesale and retail grocer in Bath, Me., owned a coasting vessel at that port, and served this country in the second war with Great Britain in 1812. His father, James H., was born at Bath, and was a sailor and captain of a coast- ing vessel until during the '60's, when he re- moved to West Branch, Iowa, remaining in that place until 1886, and then came to California, where he died at the age of eighty years. Mr. Bennett's mother, who was Catherine Roach be- fore her marriage, was of Scotch descent, born in Vermont, and removed with her parents to Bath, Me., where her father was engaged in the dry goods business. He also served in the war of 1812. The mother is still living and makes her home with her son in Elsinore, and although she is eighty-six years old is very active and enjoys good health. She was the mother of eight chil- dren, George E. being the oldest son. One son, James, was a member of Company B. Ninth Reg- iment Maine Volunteer Infantry, and died in Iowa in 1868.

The birth of George E. Bennett occurred July 20, 1842, in Bath, Me., in which town he was reared and received his education in the public schools. While vet a youth he went on a trip with his uncle, Captain Winthrop Bennett, to Havre. France, and also to the West Indies, shipping as cabin boy. Upon his return to Maine he went to Brunswick and learned the shoemak- ers' trade. continuing at that employment until 1861, when, in April of that year, he volunteered for a three months' term in Company D, Fifth Maine Volunteer Infantry. He saw active serv-

ice from the first and was engaged in the first battle of Bull Run before the expiration of his term in September, when he was mustered out. His was too patriotic a nature to remain impas- sive while his country was calling for help, how- ever, and almost immediately he re-enlisted, this time becoming a soldier in Company B, of the Ninth Infantry, in his native state. Among the other engagements which found his regiment in the firing line was the battle of Port Royal and at Fernandina, Fla., and they also took part in the siege of Fort Wagner. Mr. Bennett was then transferred from the Ninth regiment to the Tenth Army Corps and sent to the front at Petersburg, where he was detailed as dispatch carrier. While performing duties in this capacity he and four companions were captured by rebels on Amelia island and started on their way to the Confederate camp by boat. Mr. Bennett, who was a most unwilling prisoner, watched his chance and suddenly jumped at one of the cap- tors, tipped the boat over, precipitating the party into the water and he and his comrades made good their escape. The rebels, who were loaded heavily with weapons and ammunition, were un- able to swim ashore and it was afterwards learned that they were drowned. Later, while carrying dispatches, Mr. Bennett received a saber wound on the left knee, which completely disabled him. He was sent to the hospital and remained there until able to move about on crutches, when he returned to canıp until he received an honorable discharge in September, 1863. He has many in- teresting stories to tell concerning his war ex- periences, for he had many narrow escapes dur- ing the years of his service.

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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 68

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