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 8

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

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Owing to considerable trouble with rheuma- tism, which only a change of occupation and cli- mate could benefit, Elmer O. Lutz left New Mex- ico in 1897 and removed to San Diego, where he has since made his home. However, it was not until three years later that he disposed of his interests in New Mexico, all of the land and cattle being then sold. In 1898 he established a boathouse at the foot of D street and opened the business which he has since conducted with energy, judgment and originality. However, since beginning in the business he has disposed of his first property to the Corinthian Yacht Club and has purchased the property at the foot of H strect. He is identified with the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, also the San Diego Yacht Club. His home is a comfortable residence in the city, presided over by his wife, formerly Miss E. May Addington, a native of Iowa. In politics he gives his influence and ballot toward the principles of the Republican party, of which he is a pronounced supporter.

C. O. ANDERSON is making extensive im- provements at Glenoak ranch, erecting thereon a beautiful mission style house which is being fitted with all modern improvements, including an acetylene gas plant, and a telephone, his am- bition being to make it one of the most com- fortable and attractive homes in that section of the state. The land is devoted to the growing of fruit and grain, the conduct of these opera- tions being in the hands of a manager. The ranch has an independent irrigation plant with gasoline engine to furnish power for the centrif- ugal pump, which has a capacity of seventy- five gallons per minute.

Mr. Anderson was born September 26, 1857, in Sweden, in which country he received his early education. When fourteen years of age he came to the United States, going directly to Chicago. Later he removed to Rock Island

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and engaged in the manufacture of shoes, re- maining there some time. After disposing of his interests there he entered mercantile enter- prises in Des Moines and Davenport, Iowa. In 1887 he came to San Diego, Cal., and secured employment in a retail shoe house, remaining eight and one-half years with F. T. Wright & Co., after which he became manager of the shoe department in Marston's department store. Severing his connection with this firm after three and a half years of valuable service to his em- ployer he next accepted a position as traveling salesman for the firm of Utz & Dunn of Roches- ter, N. Y., the field given him being California, Nevada and the Hawaiian Islands, a position which he has filled for the past seven years.

Mrs. Anderson is a native of Illinois and was for many years a school teacher in the public schools of California. Fraternally Mr. Ander- son is a member of the Woodman lodge, the Knights of Pythias, and holds membership in the Traveling Men's Protective Association of Utica, N. Y. Politically he is an advocate of the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party. He is one of the best posted shoe men in the country and is personally popular with all who enjoy his acquaintance. He is weil-read, well-traveled, and takes an interest in all matters of importance to the public welfare.

CAPT. SAMUEL WYLIE McNAB. A man of keen insight and a good judge of human nature, Capt. Samuel Wylie McNab' is an ef- ficient executive officer under appointment by the sheriff of San Bernardino county. He is of Scotch descent, and the sturdy elements of char- acter found in the men of that nationality are a part of his inheritance from his early ancestors. His grandfather, Henry McNab, was a weaver in Philadelphia, later removed to Pittsburg, and finally became a pioneer of the state of Iowa. His son, James, was born in Philadelphia, be- came a farmer near Pittsburg, and moved in suc- cession to Galena, Ill., where he was engaged in lead mining, Dubuque, Iowa, and later settled in Jackson county of that state, near Maquoketa, where he operated a farm until his retirement from active business and now resides with his son in San Bernardino, having reached the ad- vanced age of eighty years. He is a Republi- can in political faith, which party also receives the support of Captain McNab. The mother, who was Mary Hogg before her marriage, was a native of Pennsylvania and died when her son was but four years of age.

The birth of Mr. McNab occurred December 18, 1868, at Canes Ford, near Maquoketa, Iowa, and the first twelve years of his life were spent on the farm. He then went to Maquoketa and

attended the public school for a short time. A year later he began to learn the printer's trade in Sharon, Pa., and after working in the Eagle office for some time returned to his native state and again attended school at Maquoketa. His education being completed he journeyed through various parts of the United States, in 1887 coming to San Francisco, where he was engaged on the city papers there for a season, then came to Los Angeles and worked on the old Tribune-Herald. In 1890 he returned to Iowa and farmed for three years, after which he again took up his trade in the Maquoketa Record office. But one who has once lived in California is never quite satisfied away from her alluring attractions and 1895 found Captain McNab again a resident of San Bernardino county. In a short time he was engaged as foreman of the Riverside Enter- prise, and a year later accepted a similar position on the San Bernardino Sun. Retaining this posi- tion until January, 1903, he resigned at that time to accept the appointment as a deputy under the county sheriff and has since given his entire time to his official duties. In fraternal circles Captain McNab affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America, is a member of Kaaba Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Davenport, Iowa; was made a Mason at Maquoketa in Helion Lodge No. 36, A. F. & A. M., and now belongs to San Ber- nardino Lodge No. 348; was a member of Bath- kol Chapter No. 94, R. A. M., at Maquoketa, of which he is past high priest, and now belongs to Keystone Chapter No. 56, at San Bernardino; was formerly a member of Tancred Commandery No. 40 at Maquoketa, of which he is past re- corder, and is now a member of San Bernardino Commandery No. 23 and San Bernardino Lodge No. 856, B. P. O. E. He has been a member of Company K, Seventh Regiment of National Guard of California since 1898, in 1902 was elected lieutenant of the company and in 1905 was elected and commissioned captain. He is also a member of the Board of Trade at San Bernardino and takes an active interest in all matters tending toward the development of that section of the state.

WILLIAM PAPSON. As a pioneer Will- iam Papson is remembered among the early set- tlers of California and his name held in the high- est esteem by all who ever knew him. He was born in Hillsdale, N. Y., in 1831, his father hav- ing emigrated from his home in England and located in New York. Reared to young man- hood in his native state and educated in the public schools, he was well equipped for the bat- tle of life, and in 1852, at the age of twenty-one years, he outfitted with ox-teams and crossed the plains to California. He came safely through

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the hardships and dangers of the trip, and upon his arrival in the state he followed the example of the great majority of the settlers of the west and engaged in mining. He was first located in Plumas county, where he continued for a time, but having been trained to an agricultural life he soon became interested in this pursuit and decided to purchase a farm. He settled near San Jose and engaged in general farming and fruit raising and there, March 8, 1865, he mar- ried Miss Matilda Freer. She was born in Atchison county, Mo., a daughter of William H. Freer, who brought his family across the plains in 1849. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Papson continued to farm in that section for the period of three years, when they removed to San Felipe and followed ranching for seven years. Returning to Santa Clara county they again engaged in farming in the vicinity of Ber- ryessa and after three years removed to Los Gatos and made that place their home for seven years. They were principally occupied during this time in horticulture, in which they were very successful. Removing to Lake county in 1888 Mr. Papson purchased a ranch near Upper Lake and engaged extensively in the raising of stock, grain and hay. He also owned one hun- dred and thirty-four acres on the banks of Lula lake, where his death occurred July 12, 1897. He was a citizen of worth and works, interested in the movements of the day, and always ready to lend his aid in matters of public import. He was a Republican in politics but never cared for official recognition. Fraternally he was made a Mason in San Jose Lodge No. 10, F. & A. M.

Mr. and Mrs. Papson were the parents of one son, George W., who has charge of the home place in Lake county. After the death of her husband Mrs. Papson remained in Lake county until January, 1900, when she located on the old home place near Savannah, and is now re- siding with her mother on the old Freer home- stead in the vicinity of El Monte, Los Angeles county.

VICENTE LUGO. A man of modest, un- assuming character, honest and upright in his dealings, Vicente Lugo, living near Santa Monica, is a fine representative of the early Spanish families who were so prominent in the settlement of Southern California. A na- tive Californian, he was born, January 19, 1865, in Los Angeles, which was also the birthplace of his father, the late Francisco Lugo. His grandfather, Antonio Lugo, was born and reared in Spain. When a young man he im- migrated to California, and during his day was one of the leading business men of Los Angeles, owning large herds of cattle and horses, and

accumulating much wealth. He married An- tonio Rondon in California.

A life-long resident of Los Angeles, Fran- cisco Lugo became owner of several thousand acres of land that his father bought from the Mexican government, it being a part of the San Bernardino grant. He was not actively engaged in agricultural pursuits himself, but hired men to run his ranch, a large portion of which he lost prior to his death, which occurred at his home in Los Angeles, at the age of sixty- five years. He married Vicente Machado, who was born in Santa Barbara, and died at the age of sixty-five years, in Los Angeles. Both she and her husband were members of the Catholic Church.

Vicente Lugo, with his sister, Francisca Lugo, inherited from his mother's estate thir- teen acres of valuable land, part of the grant known as La Ballona rancho, lying one mile north of Venice, where they are now living, their home being pleasantly located, on a corner lot, on the Short Line Electric Railway. Mr. and Miss Lugo have recently sold twelve acres of their ranch, receiving $1,000 per acre for it, retaining for themselves the home lot, on which their residence is located. Politically Mr. Lugo is a stanch supporter of the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and fraternally is a member of the Foresters of America.

EDWARD C. D. VAN ORNAM. The first representative of the Van Ornam family in the United States was Great-grandfather Van Or- nam, who, as may be surmised from the surname, was a native of Holland. Bringing with him all the sturdy qualities for which the Dutch as a nation are noted, he settled in New York state and reared his family amid the trying conditions which always prevail in a new country. A grand- son of this immigrant and the father of our sub- ject, Daniel D. Van Ornam, was born in Wills- boro, N. Y., where in his early manhood years he followed his trade of mason and builder. From there he later went to Buffalo, that state, and still later to Massachusetts, in both of which places he continued to work at his trade. Some time before his death he removed to the middle west, settling in Davenport, Iowa, and later in Cedar county, that state, where he died when in his fifty-seventh year. As his wife he had chosen Harriet F. Ross, who was born in Massachusetts, the daughter of Peter Ross, the latter born in New York state of English descent. In the latter's family was an- other daughter, Olive, who became the wife of Mr. Burbank, by whom she has one son, Luther Burbank, who is known the world over as the Wizard of Horticulture. Mrs. Harriet F. Van

R. L. Hough

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Ornam survived her husband many years, and passed away at the home of her son Edward in Long Beach September 4, 1906, when she was in her ninety-fifth year. For many years she had been a member of the Methodist Church, and throughout her life she exemplified the teachings of the Christian religion.

Of the ten children born to Daniel D. and Har- riet F. (Ross) Van Ornam only two are now liv- ing, Edward C. D. and Ferris B., both of I.ong Beach. Edward C. D. was born in Champlain, N. Y., August 8, 1836, and was reared in Buffalo until six years old, when the family removed to Massachusetts, settling in Worcester. He at- tended the public schools of that city for a time, but later returned to Buffalo, where he was a pupil in the public schools. By the time he had reached his sixteenth year he had settled upon definite plans for his future career in the business world. From his father he learned the brick- mason's and builder's trade, and in 1854, when the family removed to Davenport, Iowa, he worked side by side with his father in the execu- tion of the many and important contracts which came to them. Among them may be mentioned the Cook & Sargent's marble block, the Episcopal Church of Davenport, besides numerous fine resi- dences. After he followed his trade continuously for about twenty years he made a change in both occupation and location, in 1870 removing to Cass county, Iowa, where he purchased wild land and started out as a farmer and stock-raiser. His specialty, however, was the raising of fine stock, consisting principally of high-grade Short-horn Durham cattle. During the eleven years which he carried on stock-raising in Cass county he was fairly successful, but a desire to resume his trade caused him to dispose of his interests there and remove to Lewis, that county. In that city and Omalıa, Neb., whither he later removed, he car- ried on contracting until 1887, during the winter of that year coming to California and visiting many cities in various parts of the state, Long Beach being among the number. He returned to Iowa in the following spring and again took up his trade, but the middle states seemed less at- tractive than formerly and he determined to transfer his interests to the west. Coming to Long Beach in 1893 he at once began to take con- tracts for building and during the twelve years following erected many of the finest buildings in this city. He has erected a number of residences on his own account and later sold them. Since 1905 he has not been in active business and is now living retired in the enjoyment of the com- petency accumulated through many years of con- tinned activity.

In Durant, Cedar county, Iowa, Mr. Van Or- nam married Ann M. Doolittle, born in Walling- ford, Conn., her father being Chester Doolittle,

well known in that state, where his death oc- curred. Mrs. Van Ornam died in 1890, in Lewis, Iowa. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Ornam, as follows: Hattie M., the wife of Fred W. Snell, of Buena Park, Cal .; Luther L., who died in early childhood; Bertha F., Mrs. John B. Steen, of Long Beach; William W., also of this city; Edward E., who died when in his twenty-fourth year; Chester D., manager of the San Pedro Lumber Company at Huntington Beach ; and Ralph R., who is in the employ of the Nofzinger Lumber Company, Los Angeles. In his church affiliations Mr. Van Ornam is a Pres- byterian, and politically he is a Republican.

JOHN J. HOUGH. The supervision of the roads of Long Beach district have been in the charge of Mr. Hough for a considerable period and under his direct personal oversight as fore- man and superintendent the work has been maintained at a high standard of excellence, his success in the department being proved by his retention in the office at the solicitation of the people of the district. Mr. Hough is a representative of an eastern family, his par- ents, George and Hester Anna (Tiffany) Hough, having been born, reared and married in New York state, but becoming early settlers of Illinois, where the mother died in 1865. At that time John J. was scarcely four years of age, he having been born in Kane county, Ill., November 7, 1861. For a long period the father continued to make his home in Illinois. Twenty years after the death of his wife he came to California and settled at Garden Grove, Orange county, where he remained in retire- ment from active cares until his death in 1893, at seventy-five years of age.

Little of special importance occurred to mark the years of Mr. Hough's youth. Edu- cated in common schools, he was fitted for active participation in life's duties and respon- sibilities and was qualified to discharge his obligations as a citizen. In young manhood lie chose agriculture as his vocation and for some years tilled the soil of an Illinois farm. When he came to California in 1878 he bought land near Santa Ana and for some years con- ducted general ranch pursuits, but finally disposed of his holdings and removed to Long Beach in 1893. On the corner of Orange and Seventh streets he established his home, sur- rounding which he owned five acres which he utilized for a market garden. For a short time he engaged in truck farming, but soon the rise in property values made his place too high-priced to retain for such purposes, and he afterward sold three acres at a gratifying

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

advance on the original cost. In 1896 he was appointed road superintendent of Long Beach district, which position he has since satis- factorily filled.

While living in Orange county, Mr. Hough was married at Garden Grove, June 30, 1886, being united with Miss Alice Sturgess, a native of England, and, like himself, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which faith they are training their three children, Sadie, Vanoni and Clinton. Though not a partisan in political ideas and not narrow in his views, Mr. Hough is firm in his adherence to the Republican party and gives its principles his constant support. The only fraternal or- ganization to which thus far he has given allegiance is the Masonic order, in which he holds membership with Long Beach Lodge No. 327, F. & A. M., and maintains a warm interest in its work, upholding its lofty prin- ciples of the brotherhood of man and aiding in its frequent charities.

HARRY M. WILLARD. By means of ex- tended travels through much of the region west of the Mississippi river Mr. Willard has gained a comprehensive idea of this portion of the United States, and his experience, based upon habits of close observation as he followed his occupation in different towns, convinced him that few cities surpass San Diego in scenic beauty and equable climate. During 1897 he traveled south from Utah as far as the City of Mexico, where he had planned to settle and engage in the building busi- ness, but he was not satisfied with the surround- ings, so returned to the States and visited San Diego on a tour of inspection, the result being that he removed hither and established himself as a contractor and builder.

On a farm near Burlington, Iowa, Harry M. Willard was born May 19, 1858, being third in order of birth among five children and the only one to settle in California. His parents, Samuel G. and Eliza J. (Lansdale) Willard, were natives of Ohio and the latter died in Iowa. The former crossed the plains to California in 1849 and tried his luck in the northern mines for three years, after which he returned to the east, purchased raw land in Iowa, improved a valuable farm, and now, at the age of eighty-five years, continues to reside at the old homestead in retirement from agricultural labors. On the home farm the early years in the life of Harry M. Willard were un- eventfully passed. In addition to common school advantages he had the privilege of studying in Denmark academy, and thus acquired a better education than many farm boys of that day.

On starting out for himself to earn his own livelihood in the world, Harry M. Willard went to

Kansas about 1880 and became interested in the insurance business at Topeka. His first visit to the Pacific coast was made in 1886, when he bought a team and wagon and traveled overland to Oregon, thence to California. It was thus possible for him to inspect the country much more closely than if the trip had been made via rail- road. When he reached Santa Barbara he began to work at the carpenter's trade, remaining in that town for a year. Afterward he made brief sojourns in Pasadena and Los Angeles, where he followed carpentering. On his return to Iowa in 1889 he gave his attention entirely to the build- ing business, but in 1890 again followed the tide of immigration westward, this time settling at Salt Lake City and engaging in contracting and building with considerable success. Perhaps his most important work there was the superintend- ing of the erection of the building utilized as a courthouse and city hall, which cost $4,000,000 and represented a substantial and unique style of architecture. Since coming to San Diego in 1897 he and his brother-in-law, under the firm name of Willard & Neely, have had the contracts for numerous residences and flats, and St. Joseph's sanitarium, also many buildings at Homestead, Point Loma and Pacific Beach. His residence, at No. 1701 Second street, was erected by himself and he has also built other houses to be sold as opportunity offers. On the organization of the Master Builders' Association he became a charter member and at this writing holds the office of treasurer.

The marriage of Mr. Willard took place at Burlington, Iowa, and united him with Miss Eva Neely. a sister of William T. Neely, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mention of her family appears in the sketch of her brother elsewhere in this volume. The Demo- cratic party receives the ballot of Mr. Willard at both local and general elections. In fraternal relations he is identified with Silver Gate Lodge No. 296, F. & A. M., in which he was made a Mason, and is also associated with the Wood- men of the World and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

MORITZ TREPTE. A skilled mechanic, en- ergetic and progressive, Moritz Trepte is actively identified with the industrial prosperity of San Diego, and as a carpenter and contractor has been an important factor in the upbuilding of the city. He is widely known as a man of sterling integrity, his business dealings being character- ized by fairness and honesty, and he is every- where esteemed and respected. He was born December 5, 1864, in the kingdom of Saxony, Germany, and in that land of industry and thrift was well trained in those habits and virtues that

Mr J Laurent

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

should make him a desirable citizen of any coun- try. His parents, Carl and Christine (Gurgen) Trepte, were life-long residents of Germany, the father, who was a miller by trade, dying in 1871.

The youngest of a family of nine children, Moritz Trepte is the only member of the parental household in America. Brought up in Saxony, he received a common school education, and in early life, under the instruction of his grand- father, Gottlieb Gurgen, learned the miller's trade, which he followed until becoming of age. Eager to try his fortunes in the United States, the mecca of every boy of ambition, he immi- grated to this country in 1886, going directly to Milwaukee, Wis., where for two years he worked at the carpenter's trade. Coming to California in 1888, he followed his trade in San Francisco until 1895, when he made a trip to Southern California. Being very much impressed and pleased with San Diego and its surroundings, he decided to settle here permanently. Forming a partnership with Herman Stroele, he engaged in contracting and building under the firm name of Stroele & Trepte, continuing thus until 1900, when he bought his partner out. Since that time Mr. Trepte has carried on the business alone and in the filling of his many contracts has erect- ed some fine business houses and many hand- some residences. In 1905 he built his own at- tractive residence at No. 155 Twentieth street.

In San Francisco, Cal., Mr. Trepte married Christine Treusch, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and they are the parents of three chil- dren, Walter, Alvin and Carl. Mr. Trepte is a member of the Master Carpenters' Association of San Diego, and an active worker in the or- ganization. Politically he is a Socialist. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Woodmen of the World; Turn Verein, of which he is ex-presi- dent ; to the Sons of Herman, and to the Knights and Ladies of Security. Religiously he is true to the faith in which he was reared, being a Lutheran.

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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 8

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