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 71

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

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Mr. and Mrs. Houghton are the parents of four children of whom three are living, the second daughter, Eula, having died at the age of thirteen years ; Myrtle, Lena and Alta. Fraternally Mr. Houghton is associated with the Independent Order of Foresters, of Downey, and politically is a stanch Democrat. He is serving as a mem- her of the boards of trustees for both the Little Lake grammar and the Norwalk high schools and is especially active in the advancement of educational interests.

ISAAC CLAY IJAMS. Those who are in- terested in the study of heredity will find ample support for their theory regarding the trans- mission of traits and tendencies in the life of Mr. Ijams and will admit unhesitatingly that he comes of progenitors who were honorable and high-minded. History records the pathetic fact that when he was but one day old he was left without a natural guardian, his father having died three weeks before he was born, and his mother passing away twenty-four hours after his birth. Thus destined to never know parental love and protection he was left to the mercy of others who had little or no interest in his wel- fare. And right here it must be noted that future developments show that he certainly was a child of noble qualities. Until he was about four years old he was brought up in the home of a Mr. Leib, a relative on his mother's side, and thereafter until he was fourteen years old lived with a relative of his father. At that age he

decided to strike out in his own behalf and for the following six years worked as a farm hand in the neighborhood of his birthplace, Logan, Hocking county, Ohio, his birth occurring Sep- tember 2, 1840. Thus far in his life he had had no advantages for an education, but from the time he began to be self-supporting he diligently laid aside from his small earnings such sums as could be spared after providing the actual neces- sities of life, with the intention of having this apply towards an education. In 1860, when he was twenty years old, he went to Iowa City, Iowa, and obtained three months' schooling, dur- ing which time he also, became interested in the patent rights business through his association with an uncle on his father's side. He continued with his relative until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he decided to remove to the west.

It was in 1862 that Mr. Ijams with a company of others with like ambitions undertook the journey across the plains, and just four months to a day from the time they left Iowa City they reached their destination, Auburn, Ore., after a journey the hardships and dangers of which cannot now be told. It was not accomplished without hardships and great loss of life, how- ever, for they had literally to fight their way among the Snake and Banock Indians, through whose territory their route led. While they were crossing the Snake river on a raft fifteen of their number were killed by the redmen with one fell swoop, and a number of others were killed singly. Mr. Ijams remained in Oregon for about eighteen months and then returned to Iowa City, where during the following winter he recruited another party of emigrants for the west. The train consisted of about one hundred wagons, destined for Boise City, Idaho, which they reached just three months from the time of starting. With five others Mr. Ijams pur- chased considerable land in that vicinity, he him- self owning one hundred and sixty acres near what is now Boise City, and in 1863 he had the town site surveyed and laid out into lots. As he had a half interest in the undertaking it was with considerable pride that he watched the growth of the new town, and during the three years that he remained there he saw the strag- gling village increase to a population of one thousand, he himself building the first adobe house in the settlement. It was about 1866 that lie left Idaho for Montana, where he hoped to fined sudden wealth in the mines, but after pros- pecting for some time with unsuccessful results he finally gave up the search. His time and efforts were not wholly lost, however, for he gained a wonderful insight into the western part of our country and he became noted as a scout and guide to less experienced travelers. During

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his residence in Montana he made his headquar- ters in Helena. Before coming further west he went on a visit to Arizona and Utah, making the trip on horseback. After spending the winter in Fort Mojave he retraced his steps westward, continuing on to Los Angeles. From there he went to the mines of Kern county, later going to San Diego county, and still later to Mexico, during all of this time being interested in min- ing. After spending one year in Mexico he again went to San Diego county, and during the year he was there was married. His identifica- tion with California in reality dates from the year 1885, at which time he located a govern- ment claim of two hundred acres in Los An- geles county not far from Toluca, which has been his home ever since. As he took the land from the government not a furrow had been turned when it came into his possession and he has literally carved out his own fortune, for to- day he has one of the finest ranches in this part of Los Angeles county. In 1899 he added to his acreage by the purchase of one hundred and five acres of partially improved land. Besides building a commodious residence and ample barns he has erected a windmill, this latter how- ever being more for ornament than service, for his ranch is so located that irrigation is unneces- sary. He has about sixty acres set out to wal- nuts and fruits, including peaches, pears, apples and prunes, besides which he raises some stock, having about twenty head of work horses and fifteen head of cattle.

Mr. Ijams' marriage united him with Miss Edith Shaw, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Sikes) Shaw, and of their marriage four chil- dren were born. The eldest, Isaac Edwin, re- sides with his father on the ranch; Nettie Cornelia grew to young womanhood and died in Los Angeles county at the age of twenty years ; Katie May became the wife of John Haas, and with her husband lives in Calabasas, Los Angeles county; and William Frederick, who with his older brother lives on the home ranch and assists in its management.

While Mr. Ijams is the pioneer of Calabasas he is also called the father of Toluca, a name to which he is honestly entitled, for he was one of the originial settlers in this part of the country, which owes so much to his fostering care and valuable hints along agricultural lines. It would be hard to find anyone who has experienced more thrill- ing adventures in this western country than has Mr. Ijams. He has met face to face all of the wild animals of the plains, and has partaken of the flesh of all edible kinds. Many and hazardous have been the trips which he has made across the plains, and while he has been called upon to bury many a comrade whose ready aim the redskins has laid low, yet through it all he has

been mercifully spared, and there is probably no one in this part of the country who can depict more graphically than can he the life of the frontiersmen, that vanguard of civilization whose lives must inspire their followers with gratitude and reverence for the conditions that have been brought about. Besides his election to minor offices within the gift of his fellow- citizens he has twice been elected justice of the peace, and is now filling that office. Inde- pendent in politics and as generous in all other matters he gives his religious affiliations to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN R. ABBOTT. Living retired from ac- tive business at his pleasant home in Long Beach is John R. Abbott, who during his long and useful life has labored wisely and well, and is now enjoying a well-deserved reward. As a young man, he was industrious, courageous and progressive, and the success with which he met during his, working career was brought about by persistent energy, well-directed toil and excep- tional business ability. Since coming to this country he has shown himself a man of honest purpose and sterling integrity, well worthy of the esteem and respect of the community. A native of New York, he was born, February 23. 1829, in Saratoga county, a son of John C. and Lydea (Hudson) Abbott. His father was a life-long resident of New York state, while his mother was born and reared in New Jersey, and died in Portland, Mich.

Educated in the common schools, John R. Ab- bott had as a boy few of the advantages granted to the young of this generation. At an early age he began working for a living, toiling early and late. He subsequently learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed a few years in Led- yard, Cayuga county. Going then across the country to Michigan, he settled in Ionia county, where he resided many years, obtaining a good position among the capable business men of his community. From 1870 until 1880 he was post- master at Hubbardston. He afterwards removed to St. Jolins, in Clinton county, and was there one of the leading citizens for many years. Dur- ing the time he made many visits to the Pa- cific coast, coming first on a pleasure trip in 1882. In 1899, having made up his mind that California was the only place for a man to live and thoroughly enjoy himself, he located in Long Beach, and has since made this his home. He purchased a lot and erected a house soon after coming here, and has since dealt to some extent in real estate, having bought and sold a number of city lots.

Mr. Abbott married first, in 1857, in Led- yard, N. Y., Almira E. Deyo, who died at her

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home in Michigan in 1889. He subsequently married October 3, 1893, in St. Johns, Mich., Louisa .Waldron, who was born in Bristol, Eng- land, and came with her father, the late Will- iam Waldron. to the United States in 1871, lo- cating in Michigan. Mr. Abbott has one daugh- ter, Almira W. Abbott. In his political affilia- tions Mr. Abbott has been identified with the Republican party since casting his vote for its first presidential candidate, John C. Fremont. Fraternally he was made a Mason in Hubbards- ton, Mich., about thirty years ago, and since coming to Long Beach has joined the Order of the Eastern Star. While a resident of New York state he was connected with the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows.

JOHN KUEBLER. The proprietor of the Penny Arcade in Long Beach, John Kuebler is a well known citizen here, and as a pioneer settler in Orange county he has a large acquaint- ance throughout this section of Southern Cali- fornia. The family is of German origin and the first member to come to this country was the grandfather, George Kuebler, who was a native of Wurtenberg. He first settled in Mary- land' and plied his trade as a weaver and later removed to Pennsylvania, where he spent the remainder of his life. John Kuebler, who was born April 23, 1859, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was the son of William and Margaret ( Serena) Kuebler, the former a native of western Mary- land and the latter of Westmoreland county, Pa. The father was engaged as a weaver in Pennsyl- vania, and when he removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1854, superintended the building of the first woolen mill in that city for Nick Brown and conducted the plant for many years. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted as a pri- vate in Company G, Twenty-fourth Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and sacrificed his life on the altar of his country's need, his death oc- curring in service at Helena, Ark., in 1864. His wife lived for many years and died in Anaheim, Cal

The youngest of a family of four children, three of whom are residents of California, John Kuebler was reared in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he attended the public schools until twelve years of age, then finding it necessary to work for his own support and that of his mother. His first employment was secured on farms and in brickyards and later he engaged in indepen- dent farming operations near Cedar Rapids for several years. During the years of 1880 and 1881 he spent seven months in Colorado, after which he returned to Iowa and in 1882 filed on a homestead in Holt county, Neb., near O'Neill, improved the place and the following four years

·was engaged in agricultural pursuits. His resi- dence in California dates from 1886, when he came to Anaheim and began farming on four acres of land, and also engaged in the ranu- facture of asphalt pipes for sewers and .oad crossings. In 1902 he disposed of his inter- ests in Orange county and locating in Long Beach established a confectionery business on the wharf, becoming the pioneer business man there. When the old pavilion was burned his losses amounted to $2,350. After this he bought and sold real estate, meeting with good success, and now has a nice residence at No. 1334 Apple- ton street. On July 4, 1906, he opened on the wharf the most modern and complete Penny Ar- cade in this state. It has three entrances from the wharf and pavilion and covers a large space in two rooms with dimensions respectively 20x 50 feet and 36x15 feet.

By his marriage in Holt county, Neb., Mr. Kuebler was united with Miss Martha Picker- ing, a native of Wisconsin. She is a member of the Ladies of the Maccabees Lodge, and Mr. Kuebler is a member of the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks. In politics he exercises independence in the casting of his ballot, pre- ferring to vote for the men whom he believes will best fill the offices to which they are elected. He is a citizen of progressive ideas, with energy and business ability to carry them out, and in every developing and upbuilding enterprise lends an enthusiastic support.

M. T. OWENS. Although he has been a resident of Long Beach but a few months M. T. Owens has built up a large plumbing and steam and gas fitting business and has a fine estab- lishment located at No. 441 Pine street. Having learned the trade in boyhood and followed it continuously ever since, he has mastered the work in every detail, as is fully proven by the numer- ous satisfactory contracts he has completed in this city. He was born July 30, 1864, in Liver- pool, England, the son of John and. Mary (Roberts) Owens, natives respectively of Eng- land and Wales, and a grandson of John Owens, who spent a portion of his life in America, but returned to England and Wales, and spent his remaining years on that side of the ocean. Reared in Wales, the father learned the trade of moulder, plying it in Liverpool until the time of his death in that city, his wife having also died there. They became the parents of fifteen children and eleven of them grew to maturity.

Until fifteen years of age Mr. Owens attend- ed the public schools of his native city, then be- gan to learn the plumber's trade and upon the completion of his apprenticeship followed that occupation as a traveling journeyman for several

WG phillips

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

years. In 1887 he came to the United States, locating in Utica, N. Y., and subsequently worked at his trade and traveled throughout the states of New York, Michigan, Indiana, Illi- nois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and again in New York, after which he went to Toronto, Canada, for a season, then to Iowa for a year, and in 1901 came to Los Angeles. He continued to work as a plumber in that city until 1906, in the spring of which year he located in Long Beach and established his present business. His marriage in Indiana united him with Miss Margaret E. Nichol, a native of Toronto, Canada, and they are the parents of one child, Elmer C. In national politics Mr. Owens favors Republican principles. He is a member of the Sons of St. George and Canadian Workman Lodge, and belongs to the Merchant Plumbers' Association of Long Beach. Of high personal integrity, successful in busi- ness, and progressive and public spirited as a citizen he is held in high esteem by all who know him.

WILLARD G. PHILLIPS. Having come to Southern California in 1872 Willard G. Phillips is one of the oldest settlers in this part of the state. In all of his business trans- actions he has met with flattering success and is now a large property holder and money lender. His home ranch, which is located in Valle Vista, comprises forty acres, the larger part of it being devoted to the raising of na- vel, blood and Valencia oranges. The eleva- tion in this section being about eighteen hun- dred feet makes it an ideal place for the culti- vation of this fruit, and oranges of better qual- ity and flavor cannot be grown anywhere. A stock ranch which Mr. Phillips owns on Smith Mountain, San Diego county, comprises three hundred and eighty acres, and upon this place he has also a sawmill in which he manufact- ures lumber for his private use. This valua- ble property has been in his possession since 1891.

The birth of Mr. Phillips occurred in 1850, in the state of Maine. and his parents, Rich- ard and Phoebe (Cowing) Phillips, both of whom are now deceased, came to California in 1850 via Panama, when the gold excitement was attracting so many people to this state from all parts of the country. The father en- gaged in mining in the Dutch Flat district for eighteen months, after which he returned to his old home in Maine and remained there the rest of his days. The son, whose education was received in the Maine public schools, came to California in the fall of 1872, locating first in Mendocino county, where he engaged in lumbering until 1889. when he came to

Southern California and bought his present ranch in the San Jacinto valley, the place be- ing at that time entirely unimproved. He erected all of the buildings now located on the land, set out the trees and has one of the best cultivated groves in this part of the country.

Mr. Phillips is a man who is interested in social and civic matters, the good government of his community and the highest develop- ment of the country at large, and is held in the highest esteem by all who know him. He was made a member of the Masonic order in Ellsworth, Me.

PROF. HOMER F. PINNELL. Liberally educated, well informed, and a man of excep- tionally fine executive ability, Prof. Homer F. Pinnell, supervising principal of the San Pedro schools, and principal of its high school, is ably discharging the duties devolving upon him in his responsible position, giving good satisfaction to all concerned. As a teacher he has had a prac- tical experience in different grades, and has met with eminent success, becoming known as one of the most popular and efficient educators of this part of the state. A son of Dr. Elijah A. Pinnell, he was born, January 26, 1869, in La- doga, Montgomery county, Ind. His grand- father, George Pinnell, was a pioneer settler of Indiana, where he spent the later years of his . life. He comes of French Huguenot extraction, the emigrant ancestor, whose name in France was spelled Pinel, having settled in South Caro- lina in early colonial days.

Elijah A. Pinnell was born and reared in Kentucky, but when a young man removed to Illinois, and during the Civil war enlisted in an Illinois .regiment, taking part in many serious engagements. Preparing himself for a profes- sional career, he subsequently settled as a physi- cian in Ladoga, Ind., from there removing to Bedford, Iowa, where he continued in practice until his death. Dr. Pinnell married Mrs. Eliza- beth ( Britts) Byrd, who was born in old Vir- ginia. and died in Indiana. She was of German ancestry, her Grandfather Britts having been born in Germany. Of her union with Dr. Pin- nell but one child was born, Homer F., the sub- ject of this sketch. By her first marriage she had six children, one of whom, George Byrd, is a successful attorney in Indianapolis, Ind., and a man of prominence and influence, being an ex- state senator, and the grand supreme secretary and treasurer of the Grand Lodge of the Knights and Ladies of Honor.

Brought up in Montgomery county, Ind., Homer F. Pinnell received his elementary edu- cation in the public schools. As a boy he was a brilliant scholar, and when but thirteen years

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of age entered the Normal School at Ladoga. The following year he began teaching in Clay county, Ind., and taught for six consecutive years, each summer pursuing his studies at the Ladoga Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1886. In 1889 he entered DePauw University, which he attended a year, and in 1890 came to California, locating in Los Ange- les. The same year he entered the sophomore class of the University of Southern California, where, in addition to doing some junior work, he was tutor in English.

Removing to Redlands in 1891, Mr. Pinnell started a nursery, but as a horticulturist was not particularly successful. Resuming his profes- sional labors, he taught in Calico, San Bernar- dino county, for a year, and then went to Beau- mont, Riverside county, where he taught the ensuing year. In 1894, when the high school was established at San Jacinto, he assumed its charge, and remained as its principal for two years, being very successful in his work. For a year he was afterwards principal of the Hemet high school, and then for the same length of time had charge of the grammar school at Rialto. From 1898 until 1901, he taught in the Pomona high school, as an instructor proving very efficient. Resigning the position, he served as principal of the high school at Santa Maria for two years, when, on account of the ill health of his wife, he went to Anaheim, where he had charge of the high school for a year. In 1904 he accepted his present position of principal of the San Pedro high school, which was organized in 1903, and in addition to having charge of this school is also supervising principal of the grammar schools of the city, In his labors hie is meeting with eminent success, and is widely known as one of the leading educators of South- ern California. The new high school building just completed cost, furnished, about $55,000, and is one of the best in its appointments and equipments of any in the county.

In Redlands, Cal., Professor Pinnell married Bertha E. Coveney, who was born in Michigan, and was educated at the Northern Indiana Nor- ma! School, at Valparaiso. Professor and Mrs. Pinnell have three children, Vivian, Marion and Muriel. Politically the professor is a Repub- lican in national affairs, but in local matters casts his ballot for the men best suited for the positions. He is a member of the Southern Cali- fornia Teachers' Association, and both he and his wife are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church

EVAN MOSHER. Significant testimony concerning the attractions of Long Beach as a residence city is offered by the thousands of men

and women who have come hither from all parts Of the United States and have established per- manent homes within its limits. In the midst of of an environment rendered picturesque by the proximity of the mountains and the ocean, and surrounded by evidences of a cultured people and a progressive citizenship, Mr. Mosher has selected the place where he hopes to pass the remaining years of his life and where, blessed with the comforts rendered possible by long busi- ness activity, he is enabled to retire from the strenuous labors of the past. Of eastern birth and parentage, descended from a long line of eastern ancestry, he believes the east to be sur- passed by the west in climate and fully equaled in point of business opportunities.

A native of Jefferson county, N. Y., born Ait- gust 4, 1840, Mr. Mosher is a son of Leonard and Margaret (Strickland) Mosher, also na- tives of that state, where the father died in 1884, at seventy-five years of age, and the mother passed away in 1891, also aged seventy-five years. During all of their active years they re- sided upon a farm and maintained agricultural interests. Their son, Evan, was the recipient of such advantages as country schools afforded, in addition to which he had the privilege of attend- ing the Wesleyan College at Gouverneur, N. Y., for about nine months. While he was yet making his home with his parents the Civil war began and from the first he was an ardent believer in Union principles. Offering his services to the country, he was enrolled September 7, 1863, as a private in Company C, Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, and at once accompanied his regiment to the front. Among his engagements were those of the Shenandoah valley and Petersburg, where he served under the gallant General Sheri- dan. At the expiration of his time he was hon- orably discharged June 23, 1865, at Sacket Har- bor, and from there returned to the home farm.

The first experience which Mr. Mosher gained in business affairs was as a business man of Gouverneur, N. Y., where he engaged in the sale of books, stationery and wall paper. After a brief connection with that line of activity he embarked in the furniture and undertaking busi- ness in the same town, and for twenty-five years he remained proprietor of the same store, mean- while winning the confidence of the people through his reliable methods of transacting busi- ness and his strict conformity to the highest rules of honor. On retiring from business in that city he closed out his interests in the east and re- moved to California, arriving June 1, 1891, in the city of Pasadena, where he made his home for a few years. From there in 1895 he moved to Long Beach and for fourteen months en- gaged in the furniture business, but at the ex- piration of that time disposed of his interest

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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 71

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