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 70

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

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For a number of years Madison and Olivia (Davidson) Putman, natives respectively of Ten- nessee and Pennsylvania, made their home in Alabama, where their son, Madison D., was born November 15, 1841. From that state the family removed to Texas about 1848 and settled in

Williamson county, later removing to Llano coun- ty, where the father died in 1875, at the age of sixty-three years. The mother survived him for a considerable period and attained the age of eighty-one years. During boyhood Madison D. Putman had fewer opportunities to attend school than fall to the lot of the average youth, for the family were poor and it was necessary for him to aid them in earning a livelihood. Yet, in spite of lack of advantages, he has gained a broad fund of information, for he possesses the faculty of close observation and has always been fond of reading. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in McCord's Regiment and served on the frontier, remaining in the army until the close of the struggle in 1865. While herding some horses his horse fell on him and the ac- cident resulted in the breaking of his leg. Through all of his army service as well as in private life he was known as a man of fearless courage, and there are still living those who tell of his valor in killing the noted Comanche Indian, Big Foot, on the Llano river.

Coming to California in 1868, the following year Mr. Putman sccured his present farm from the government and on this place he and his wife have since improved a comfortable home- stead. Mrs. Putman was born and reared in Texas and in that state in 1866 became his wife, after which they remained in the old home neighborhood for two years and then removed to the Pacific coast. They are the parents of five children, namely: John E., of Los Angeles ; Callie C., wife of Theodore Yerrick; James R., of San Diego county; David R., living in New Mexico ; and Harvey D., who remains at home and aids in the care of the property. The fam- ily attend the Baptist Church, of which Mrs. Putman was an earnest member and a liberal contributor to its charities. She died February 18, 1906, aged sixty-one years. For a number of years Mr. Putman filled the office of school trustee, in which capacity he was helpful to the educational interests of the district. With that exception he has refused official positions and has taken no part whatever in politics aside from the voting of the Democratic ticket at local and general elections.

CHARLES E. CHAMBERS. One of the most energetic and enterprising business men of San Jacinto is Charles E. Chambers, who in com- pany with H. S. Roach, is owner of the San Jacinto electric light plant, and the sole proprietor of the lumber yard, warehouse and feed mill in that city. He was born May 24. 1868, in Polk county, Iowa, the son of James S. and Isabelle (Fay) Chambers, the father being a native of Scotland, who came to this country in 1838, and

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located in New York; the mother claiming Ohio as the place of her nativity. The elder Chambers, who was a coremaker by trade, removed to Illi- nois when that country was new, and located at Freeport, in 1861 enlisting for service in the Civil war in Company G, Forty-sixth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, later becoming a member of the Eighth Regiment of Illinois Cavalry. In the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded in the leg and was discharged on ac- count of disability. At the close of the war he returned to Illinois and was there married, after which he removed to Iowa, and later came to California, arriving in Los Angeles in 1884. He remained in that city for a short time only, go- ing to San Jacinto and taking up a homestead in that valley. He improved the place and added to the acreage from time to time and the ranch is now a large and valuable property. Mr. Chambers died February 9, 1903, at the age of sixty-nine years, and his wife, who is now sixty years old, is still living on the old homestead.

It was in the public schools of Iowa and Los Angeles that Charles E. Chambers received his education, and when his studies were completed he learned engineering, securing a position with the Santa Fe Railroad, which he held for two

years. Later he learned the machinist's trade with the Baker Iron Works of Los Angeles, after which he came to San Jacinto in 1898 and es- tablished the electric light plant, buying a lot, on which to erect a building for the installation of their own machinery, and from which plant the company now furnishes to the people of that section electricity for both light and power pur- poses, the plant being modern in every way, equipped with a one hundred and sixty horse power Corliss engine.

In May, 1897, Mr. Chambers was united in marriage with Nora Vines, of Phoenix, Ariz., and they have become the parents of two chil- dren, Shirley and Geraldine. He is an advocate of the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party, and is now filling the office of deputy city marshal of San Jacinto. In all matters of public interest to the community Mr. Chambers takes a leading part and he is held in the highest esteem by all who have the pleas- ure of his acquaintance.

GAUDENZIO GARBANI. One of the sub- stantial ranchmen, who has many friends, is Gaudenzio Garbani, who has a large ranch near Winchester, in Riverside county. He was born July 2, 1849, in Gresso, Switzerland, the son of Giatomo and Rosa Garbani, both of whom lived their entire lives and died in Switzerland. Mr. Garbani received a good education in his na- tive country and when the time came for him

to choose an occupation he adopted that of agri- culturist and engaged in farming in his own country until 1874, when he immigrated to Amer- ica. Coming to California in that year he located first in Sonoma county, which section was then attracting many men of his nationality. He work- ed on a ranch there for a short time and the following year decided that Southern California offered greater advantages, and came to Los Angeles. After remaining here a few months he settled in Temecula, living there for the succeed- ing five years. In 1880 he took up a government claim of one hundred and sixty acres, and later bought a five hundred and sixty-acre tract where he now lives. The land was entirely unimproved when he came into possession and the house, barn granaries, etc., which are now on the place were built by Mr. Garbani. He has also brought the soil into a high state of cultivation and raises very fine grain crops. He has all necessary modern machinery for use in planting, cultivat- ing and harvesting, for the latter purpose using a thirty-two horse power combined harvester.

The marriage of Mr. Garbani occurred in Switzerland in 1873, uniting him with Mary Ann Speziali, a native of that country, and they are now the parents of four children, Rose, Lena, Elizabeth and Dolores. They are devout mem- bers of the Catholic Church, and their influence upon the community in which they live is an elevating one.

BARTLEY F. PITTS. For many years Bart- ley F. Pitts has been a resident of Hueneme, where he fills the position of engineer and as- sistant superintendent of the wharf. He is a native of California, his birth having occurred in Eldorado county, April 15, 1857. His father, William O. Pitts, was born in Missouri and crossed the plains about 1850, arriving in El- dorado county, where for a time he engaged in mining. From there he went to Mendocino county, where he farmed and raised stock until 1875, when he removed to Hueneme and con- ducted a livery business for the following twelve years. He met with good financial success which now enables him to live retired from active work, his present age being seventy-two years. The mother of Mr. Pitts was Isabel Burris before her marriage. She came from her native home in Keithsburg, Ill., with her father, Shered Burris, who settled as a farmer in Mendocino county, Cal., where he died. The mother of Bartley F. Pitts is still living.

There were nine children in the parental fam- ily Bartley F., being the oldest. He received his education in the public schools of Mendocino county and when his father brought the family

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to Hueneme and located on a ranch he remained with him until he had reached the age of twenty- two years. He then began an independent busi- ness career, working on ranches for a time, and in 1884 entered the employ of the Hueneme Wharf Company as stationary engineer, being later assigned to the position of assistant superin- tendent in addition to that of engineer. Mr. Pitts has succeeded in accumulating considerable prop- erty and his holdings include a twenty-two acre ranch near Hueneme, which is planted to beets and on which he has a nice residence; also a six acre tract lying near the town.

Mr. Pitts was married in his home town to Miss Ella C. Bacon, a native of Marysville, Cal., and a daughter of Charles W. Bacon, a pioneer miner of this state. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and fraternally holds mem- bership in the Hueneme Camp No. 9591, M. W. A., of which he is a past V. C. He was also a member of the Hueneme Parlor, N. S. G. W., until its removal to Ventura. Mr. Pitts is a highly respected man who has many warm friends in the county where he has so long resided.

FRANK WARNER PHELPS. Numbered among the active and capable busines men of In- glewood is Frank Warner Phelps, who is render- ing excellent service as superintendent and secre- tary of the Inglewood Domestic Water Company. Well educated and progressive, he takes a genu- ine interest in local matters, using his influence to advance the welfare of the general public, and as a man and a citizen has the respect and esteem of the community in which he resides. A son of I. W. Phelps, he was born November 26, 1877, at Ellsworth, Kans.

Born in New York state, I. W. Phelps spent his early life in that part of the country, living there until 1859, when he made an overland trip to Colorado, where he engaged for awhile in min- ing. As soon as news of the breaking out of the Civil war reached him he started for the nearest fort in order to offer his services to his country. Enlisting in a Kansas regiment he served eighteen months in an independent company of scouts, under command of Bill Cody, after which he. was commissary sergeant of his regiment until the close of the war. Subsequently settling in Ellsworth. Kans., he opened a store of general merchandise, and there built up a large business, having an extensive trade with the incoming trailers. A man of good financial ability he was one of the founders of the Ellsworth Bank, and quite prominent in public affairs. Coming to California in 1885 he established a large real es- tate business in Los Angeles, and having pur- chased much West Lake property, he improved

it, and is now living retired from active pursuits. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a Knight of Pythias. He married Rose M. Sternberg, who was born in New York, a daughter of the late Rev. Levi Stern- berg, a pioneer Lutheran minister of Ellsworth, Kans., and a sister of Dr. George Sternberg, a retired surgeon-general of the United States army. Of the two sons and two daughters born of their union, Frank Warner, the special sub- ject of this sketch, is the second child in order of birth.

But a young lad when he came with his par- ents to California, Frank Warner Phelps was educated in the public schools of Los Angeles, re- ceiving his diploma from the high school in 1896. He subsequently entered the University of Cali- fornia, at Berkeley, from which he was gradu- ated with the degree of B. S. in 1900. Engaging then in the oil busines in Los Angeles, he was secretary of the Lincoln Crude Oil Company for a year, afterwards as manager of the Phelps & Beveridge Oil Company, buying lands, putting down wells in different places, and overseeing the pumping, remaining as manager of the firm until the closing of the works in 1904, the prop- erty not being sold until 1905. Coming to Ingle- wood in 1903, Mr. Phelps was for a year super- intendent of the Inglewood Water Company and its property, but since that time has been super- intendent of the Inglewood Domestic Water Company, of which he is also secretary, filling both positions most ably and satisfactorily. Feb- ruary I, 1906, he was made president of the Ingle- wood Realty Company, engaged in the general real estate and brokerage business.

July 1, 1903, in Los Angeles, Mr. Phelps mar- ried Mabel Morton, who was born in San Fran- cisco, Cal., a daughter of William Morton, now assistant city electrician at Los Angeles. She is a woman of culture and a graduate of the Los Angeles normal school. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have one child, Morton Warner Phelps. Politi- cally Mr. Phelps is a stanch Republican, invaria- bly casting his votes for his party's candidates. He belongs to the Inglewood Commercial Club and is a member of the Chi Psi fraternity.

JAMES M. SHEPARD. Prominent among the foremost business men of Los Angeles coun- ty is J. M. Shepard, who is actively associated with two of the leading organizations of Comp- ton, being vice-president of the First National Bank of Compton, and of the mercantile firm in- corporated under the name of the Ambrose Shepard Conpany. A man of excellent execu- tive and financial ability, he takes great interest in the general welfare of town and county, and in developing and advancing the industrial pros-

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perity of central California is doing his full share. He was born in September, 1837, in Mason coun- ty, Kentucky, which was also the birthplace of his father, George Shepard, Jr. His paternal grand- father, George Shepard, Sr., a native of Virginia, was an officer of the Revolutionary army, serving as sergeant of his company, and while at the fort in Lexington, Va., was married to a Miss McDermott.

Born, reared and married in Kentucky, George Shepard, Jr., remained in his native state until the spring of 1856, being employed in agricult- ural pursuits. Moving then to Missouri, he took up land, but before he had made any improve- ments on it he died, his death occurring August 26, 1856. His wife, whose maiden name was Malida Davis, died a few months earlier, in No- vember. 1855, in Kentucky.

Having obtained his rudimentary knowledge of books in the common schools of his native state, James M. Shepard completed his early edu- cation in Manchester, Ohio. In 1856 he went to Missouri, where he entered upon a professional career, teaching school there until 1861. In 1862 he located in Jacksonville, Ill., and for several years was a resident of that city, being engaged in the general merchandise business, and also being interested to some extent in agricultural pursuits. Returning to Missouri in 1870, he fol- lowed general farming for many years, first in that state and then in Nebraska. Coming to Cali- fornia in 1887, he spent six months in Pasadena, and then, in partnership with his son, opened a mercantile house in Compton. Building up a large trade in general merchandise, this firm en- larged its operations in 1896, incorporating the business under its present firm name, the Am- brose Shepard Company, with J. V. Shepard as president ; J. M. Shepard. vice-president, and A. J. Shepard, secretary and treasurer. This firm is also connected with the Compton Water Com- pany, and A. J. Shepard is secretary of the Home Telephone Company. Although his business in- terests are in Compton Mr. Shepard has for two years resided in Los Angeles, his home being at No. 807 Adams street.

August 18, 1862, in Jacksonville, Ill., Mr. Shepard married Rebecca Van Winkle, a native of Illinois, and they are the parents of five chil- dren, all sons, namely: Samuel, cashier of the Farmers' Bank, at Union Star, Mo .; J. V., presi- dent of the Ambrose Shepard Company, in Compton; A. J., secretary and treasurer of the company ; J. L., engaged in farming near Comp- ton, and Charles Hubert, a graduate of the Le- land Stanford, Jr., University, who has for the past five years been chemist for the Union Iron Works, in San Francisco. Politically Mr. Shep- ard is a sound Republican, and while living in Andrews county. Missouri, served two terms as

county judge. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shepard are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Compton. Both come from substantial Revolu- tionary stock, their paternal grandfathers having fought for the independence of the colonies, and both are eligible to membership in the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution.

GUSTAVUS LOUIS JUNOD. Prominent among those who have given substantial assist- ance in promoting the growth and upbuilding of Long Beach is Gustavus Louis Junod, a real- estate dealer, at the present time actively engaged in the sale and transfer of city property. A native of Switzerland, he was born, February 15, 1849, in the canton of Vand, which was likewise the birthplace of his parents, August and Nannette (Bornan) Junod.

A watchmaker by trade, August Junod im- migrated with his family to the United States in 1849, settling in St. Louis, Mo., where, during the same year, he died of cholera, being then but twenty-nine years of age. His widow, a stranger in a strange country, with five little children to support, left St. Louis, settling on a farm about thirty miles east of that city, near Highland, Ill., where she reared her family, although she spent the last years of her life in Sangamon county, dying in Springfield. Of the five chil- dren she bore her husband, four are living, Gusta- vus L., the subject of this sketch, being the youngest child. One of her sons, A. H. Junod, of San Francisco, was employed in the United States service at Benton Barracks during the war. A son by another marriage, Julius Cuendet, now a resident of Idaho, served as a musician in the Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the war.

An infant when brought to this country, Gus- tavus Louis Junod was reared and educated in Highland, Ill., obtaining his early education in the district schools, and becoming familiar with the various branches of agriculture while yet a boy. He subsequently served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade on his own account. Giv- ing that up for a time, he carried on a general mercantile business there for a few years, be- ing quite successful. Going to Pawnee coun- ty, Kans .. in 1892, he bought a ranch at Larned, where he established a very successful busi- ness in raising, buying and shipping cattle. Disposing of his interests in Kansas in 1903, he came to Los Angeles county, and for two years was employed as a contractor and builder at Long Beach, building up both business and residence property. In 1905, as head of the firm of Junod & Scales, he embarked in his present occupation, and in addition to buying and selling city realty has laid out the Junod addition

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to Long Beach. A man of sterling integrity, courteous and genial, he is most pleasant to deal with, and is conducting his extensive real-estate transactions with great financial ability and suc- cess.

In Madison county, Ill., Mr. Junod married Elizabeth Bosler, who was born in canton Aargau, Switzerland, of German ancestry, and of the children born of their union seven are living, namely : E. H., of Springfield, Ill., conductor on a passenger train; Annie, of Long Beach; Mrs. Ellen Converse, of Los Angeles; Mrs. Rosa Colgin, of Los Angeles; Mrs. Nellie Burkhart, of Long Beach ; and Flora and Minnie, of Long Beach. In national politics Mr. Junod is a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party. but in local affairs votes according to the dictates of his conscience.

ANTOINE REVOLON. The decadence of the mining industry in California was fol- lowed by the rapid development of stock- raising and for years the vast ranges were supposed to be worthless except for the pas- turage of stock. It was during the stock-rais- ing epoch of California's history that Mr. Re- volon became a resident of the state, where for years he was engaged extensively in the raising of sheep, and experienced all the hard- ships incident to the development of that in- dustry in the midst of discouraging circum- stances. Notwithstanding the obstacles he encountered and the hardships he endured he met with considerable success, and still retains his large ranch holdings where once his sheep wandered over the broad range. Since 1903. however, the large ranch has been rented and he has made his home in Los Angeles county, where he owns twenty-five acres two miles southwest of Palms, a well-improved home- stead worth $600 per acre and improved with a neat and adequate set of buildings.

A native of France, born August 15. 1847, Antoine Revolon received a fair education in his native tongue, and afterward served an apprenticeship to the trade of baker and con- fectioner in Paris. In the fall of 1868 he ar- rived at Boston, Mass., from France, and at once proceeded to Chicago, where for six months he was employed at his trade. How- ever, it was his ambition to become a land- owner, and with this object in view he left Chicago for Kansas and pre-empted a home- stead near Williamsburg. Franklin county. After he had the title to the land he set about making needed improvements and in time placed the land under cultivation and in ex- cellent condition for profitable management. Many conditions, however, proved unsatis-

factory, and,in the fall of 1874 he disposed of the farm and came to California, settling near Oxnard, in Ventura county. Immediately aft- erward he became interested in the raising of sheep and six years later he purchased a sheep ranch of thirty-five hundred acres, the larger part of which was in range and pasture- land, although a portion was under cultiva- tion. In 1884 he sold his flocks of sheep and gave his attention wholly to general farming, remaining on the Ventura county farm until 1903, when he rented the land to tenants and removed to Los Angeles county.

The marriage of Mr. Revolon took place November 15, 1871, and united him with Miss Catherine Gormont, who was born in Clear- field county, Pa., June 4, 1841, being the daughter of French parents. While still quite small she accompanied other members of the family to Kansas and there remained until after her marriage to Mr. Revolon. They are the parents of three daughters, one of whom, Eugenie, remains with them at home. The others are twins, Louise Antoinette and Marie Josephine. and they married brothers who are partners in business in Prescott, Ariz., where they are prominent citizens, Louise A. being the wife of Floyd J. McCoy, and Marie J., tlie wife of Lawrence B. Mc- Coy. The family are earnest members of the Roman Catholic Church and contribute to its various charities. Since becoming a citizen of the United States Mr. Revolon has voted the Republican ticket at all elections and has been a delegate to county conventions. When it is remembered that he came to our country without means, unfamiliar with the language and unused to the customs of the people, his present success entitles him to special praise and proves that he is a man of ability and en- terprise.

ALONZO OSMOND HOUGHTON. Edu- cational affairs of Norwalk have had in Mr. Houghton one of its most earnest advocates, but not to this upbuilding alone is he devoted, for throughout his residence here he has proven him- self a conservative and helpful business man in whatever avenue the community has sought ad- vancement. Mr. Houghton is a native of Hop- kins county, Tex., his birth having occurred in that section December 2, 1860; his father, James Houghton, died in Texas, after which the mother. Nancy (Hastings) Houghton, came to Califor- nia in 1868 across the plains with his paternal grandparents. They first located in Stanislaus county and remained for one year, when they came south to Los Angeles county, where the grandfather, W. L. Houghton, purchased land

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and kept his grandson with him until his death. The lad's mother died in California in 1871 when about thirty-three years old. A. O. Houghton received a common school education and after the close of his schooldays worked with his grandfather on the ranch. He was about twenty years old when they passed away, and he then began ranching for himself. In 1881 he pur- chased his present property, which consists of thirty-nine acres of land, and here he has erected necessary buildings for the successful conduct of his ranch, set out a fine family orchard of various fruits, and devotes fifteen acres to hay and barley. He also leases land and extends his farming interests. In 1888 he married Miss Ollie Day, a native of Mississippi, and a daugh- ter of James Warren Day, who was born in Mississippi, August 30, 1836. His wife, Margurite C. Orman was born in Mississippi, October 4, 1847. Her marriage to Mr. Day occurring October 26, 1862, in Tippah county, Miss. They came to California in January, 1884 and located near Norwalk, where he engaged in ranching until his death here in January, 1887. The wife survives him and resides in Sher- man. Cal.

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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 70

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