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 81

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

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From work at the carpenter's trade he latter branched out into contracting and building, fol- lowing this in Kansas until 1889, in which year he located in Denver, Colo., and associated him- self as supervising architect with the firm of Coe Brothers. Owing to an injury which he had received in a street-car accident he gave up his position in the fall of 1895, and in the same year he came to Pomona. When sufficiently re-

covered he began to deal in realty and during the ten years which he followed the real-es- tate business was known as one of the most en- ergetic and thoroughgoing business men in his line in Pomona. He owns considerable valuable property which he has accumulated from time to time, and aside from looking after his own interests in this line he is practically retired from business.

The pleasant family home at No. 702 North Garey street is graciously presided over by his wife, formerly Ida Wizer, who was born near Topeka, in which city their marriage was cele- brated. Two children have been born to them, Arthur L. and Helen. In Manhattan, Kans., Mr. Greaser was first married to Miss Alice Kneeland, a native of Waitsfield, Vt., her death occurring while on a visit to her old home in that state. Mr. Greaser is a stanch member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving his congregation as steward, and he is also a firm believer in temperance principles. His mem- bership in the Board of Trade is a proof of his interest in his home city, and in the discussions in that body his opinion carries considerable weight. His fraternal affiliations ally him with the Odd Fellows, belonging to both the lodge and encampment, and also to the kindred order of Rebekahs. Another organization of which he is a member is the Heptosophs.

LYMAN O. CALKINS. Enterprising, prac- tical and progressive, Lyman O. Calkins holds an assured position among the leading merchants of Inglewood, where he is carrying on a substan- tial mercantile business and is also serving as postmaster. A son of the late Nathan O. Cal- kins, he was born August 8, 1877, in Bagley, Grant county, Wis., where his grandfather, Ly- man Calkins, was a pioneer settler and a farmer of prominence.

A native of New York state, Nathan O. Cal- kins was but a child when he was taken by his parents to Wisconsin, where he grew to man's estate. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-third Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the conflict, being first lientenant of his company. He afterward followed farming in Bagley, Wis., until 1878, when he removed with

his family to Elm Creek, Buffalo county, Neb., where he was employed in mercantile pursuits for ten years. Going from there to Kimball county, that state, he was there engaged in busi- ness as a furniture dealer for about seven years. Coming to Los Angeles county in 1895, he was engaged in farming at Inglewood. until his death, in 1903. He was a man of sterling traits of character, highly respected by all. In politics

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he was a Republican, and socially he was a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Masonic fraternity. His wife, whose maiden name was Jennie C. Eastman, was born in Ohio, and is now a resident of Inglewood. Her father, Reuben R. Eastman, removed from Ohio to Wis- consin, thence to Michigan, and is now living re- tired from active pursuits in Inglewood.

The third child and oldest son in a family of seven children, Lyman O. Calkins was but a year old when his parents settled in Buffalo county, Nebraska, where he acquired his rudi- mentary education. He afterward attended the Kimball county high school, from which he was graduated in 1895. Coming very soon after that important event to Los Angeles county, he fol- lowed farming for about two years, subse- quently serving three years as a clerk in the store of Carr & Stevens, at Los Angeles. In December, 1904, he, in partnership with H. H. Zillgitt, engaged in business on his own account, and as one of the proprietors of the Inglewood Mercantile Company, has built up a substantial and profitable trade. The building occupied by this enterprising firm is 30x100 feet, and is well stocked with a fine line of goods, the ambition of Messrs. Calkins and Zillgitt being to supply the demands and to please the tastes of their many patrons. In January, 1905, Mr. Calkins was commissioned by President Roosevelt postmaster of Inglewood, and as such is performing the duties devolving upon him with ability and fidel- ity.

A stanch adherent of the Republican party Mr. Calkins takes an intelligent interest in po- litical matters, and is a generous supporter of all beneficial projects. He belongs to the Inglewood Commercial Club and is a member of the Wood- men of the World.

ALFRED B. COMSTOCK. The family rep- resented in Ventura county, Cal., by Alfred B. Comstock, is one prominently named among the substantial citizens of the middle west, a son of A. J. and Adelaide (Binns) Comstock, the for- mer residing on the farm that was entered from the government by his father. A. J. Comstock was born in Ohio, but was taken by his parents to Iowa while still a lad in years, and in that state he was married at Oskaloosa, his wife be- ing a native of England, but was brought to New York City when four years old, and finally to the Hawkeye state. When only seventeen years old A. J. Comstock manifested his loyalty and patriotism to his country by enlisting for service in the Mexican war, fighting gallantly for one year; in 1862 he again gave his serv- ices to his country, enlisting in Company C, Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, and as captain

serving three years. At Tyler, Tex., he was se- verely wounded and but for the devotion of one of his men who stayed gallantly by him on the field he would probably have died. The two were taken prisoners and after three months' incarceration Mr. Comstock was paroled and later discharged, and on the home farm in Iowa he once more resumed the duties of civic life. Mr. Comstock is to be named, also, with the pioneers of California, for in 1852 he came to the Pacific coast by way of the Isthmus of Pana- ma, and after landing in San Francisco went at once to the mines in the vicinity of Sacramento, Marysville, Dutch. Flat, and Gold Hill, where he remained for two years, when he returned to Iowa. His father-in-law, Thomas Binns, also crossed the plains to California in 1852, and in San Francisco engaged at his trade of brick mason, returning two years later with Mr. Com- stock by way of the Isthmus of Panama.

Alfred B. Comstock was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, August 3, 1854, and in the public schools of Oskaloosa received his education. Young manhood found him occupied as a hard- ware merchant in Fremont, Iowa, where he re- mained until 1886, in which year he disposed of his interests and coming to the Pacific coast lo- cated in Ventura county. In the city of Ven- tura he engaged as clerk for one year, when he purchased land on Ventura avenue and entered upon ranching pursuits. He remained in that lo- cation for seven years, when he came to his present property, eight hundred acres of raw land, entirely devoid of cultivation or improve- ments. He bent every energy and effort toward the development of that which is today appro- priately named among the most valuable ranches in this section of Ventura county, adding a good residence, comfortable and substantial barns and outbuildings, good fences, and setting out a large orchard of apricots and walnuts. He de- votes considerable of his time to the raising of stock, in which line he has met with uniform success, for he combines with ability a steadfast- ness of purpose and unlimited energy which could only result in successful termination of his plans. At the same time he has not allowed his personal affairs to engross his attention en- tirely, but has given thought and effort toward the advancement of the best interests of the community, being accounted one of the substan- tial and enterprising citizens of Ventura county.

Mr. Comstock established home ties through his marriage in Oskaloosa, Iowa, May 6, 1882, with Miss Anna E. Ellis, a native of that state. Mr. Comstock has served as school trustee and in other like positions since residing in this com- munity and takes a strong interest in educational matters. He believes in advancement in what- ever line a man engages, and holds that the de-

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velopment of one's own personal property is the surest way to increase the value of property throughout the section. He is at present con- templating the sinking of an artesian well to be five feet in diameter, and thirty feet deep before any drilling is done, the supply of water to be used for irrigation purposes. He has just com- pleted a twelve-inch well and has also recently added other valuable improvements to his ranch. He breeds the best stock and works for the best crops that can be produced in this section of California, counting no effort lost that brings his work to a higher grade.

ROBERT B. EDMONDSON. The agri- cultural interests of Ventura county are well rep- resented by Robert B. Edmondson, one of the most successful ranchers in the vicinity of Ox- nard, and a man of public spirit and energy, who is alive to the best interests of both state and county, giving his best efforts to the advance- ment of all movements of a progressive char- acter. Descending from a long line of southern ancestors, his immediate progenitors were of good old Virginia stock, and he himself was born in Virginia July 4, 1867.

On the old family homestead in Washington county, Va., where his son was born on Inde- pendence day, William B. Edmondson carried on general farming until the close of his brief life in 1876, when he was only thirty-seven years of age. He was a son of Col. R. B. Edmondson, who won his title for meritorious services in the Revolutionary war. The wife of William B. Edmondson, who before her marriage was Fan- nie C. Dolin, is still living, and makes her home in Saulsbury, Tenn.

The early boyhood years of Robert B. Ed- mondson were closely associated with the pater- nal farm in Washington county, Va., and in the nearby public schools he was one of the most diligent of students. He supplemented this train- ing by a course in Emory and Henry College, lo- cated in Emory, Va., and in fact has never ceased to be a student, for the broad school of experience has enlarged his scope of knowledge, as well as the reading of carefully selected litera- ture. After leaving college Mr. Edmondson car- ried on farming in his native county for a time, but he soon began to chafe under the restrictions by which he was bound and longed for broader fields upon which to develop his ideas along ag- ricultural lines. Removing to California in 1887, he came direct to the Santa Clara valley and for four years lived on rented property. His resi- dence near Oxnard, Ventura county, dates from the year 1891, at which time he purchased his present home ranch, comprising one hundred and forty-one and one-half acres. Seventy acres

of this are in a walnut orchard, of which thirty acres are in bearing condition, and in addition he has one hundred acres in lima beans. He has brought to bear in his ranching the habit of study and penetration which has characterized every- thing that he undertakes, and as a result he en- joys a substantial income from the plentiful har- vests yielded.

November 16, 1898, in Oxnard, Robert B. Edmondson and Mrs. E. J. Crinklaw were unit- ed in marriage, the latter being a native of North Carolina. By her first husband, James L. Crink- law, four children were born, Leslie, Charles, Ruth and Mitford, and by her marriage with M. Edmondson she become the mother of two children, Fannie and Robert B., Jr. All of the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are identified with the congregation at Oxnard. Mr. Edmondson's personal inter- ests do not prevent him from enjoying the ameni- ties of fraternal intercourse, and many of his pleasantest hours are passed in the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges of which he is a member.

THOMAS TOMPKINS. One of the earliest pioneers of the state of California was Thomas Tompkins, now deceased, who arrived in San Francisco in 1846 and in spite of the trials and privations of a frontier existence had a long and successful career in this state. He was of English birth, the city of his nativity being Lin- colnshire, where he was born August 15, 1817. When but eleven years old he was brought by his parents to America, the family settling in New York state, where the mother's death oc- curred shortly after their arrival, the father liv- ing there until he had reached the advanced age of eighty-four years, when his death oc- curred. There were ten children in the family. Thomas Tompkins received his education through the medium of the public schools of New York, his home being about nine miles from Rochester. After school days he engaged in agricultural pursuits in New York, and in that state occurred his marriage to Miss Jane Rollins, a young lady of English parentage who came to America with her father and mother on the same ship that brought the Tompkins family, the vessel being a sailing craft that required three months to make this trip. Of this union were born two children : Amanda who became the wife of B. F. Garner of San Bernardino, and is now de- ceased; and Jane E., now Mrs. Hunter of Los Angeles.

In 1846 Mr. Tompkins and his family boarded the ship Brooklyn, which had been chartered by three hundred Mormons, and was bound for San Francisco via Cape Horn, visited the islands on which Robinson Crusoe lived, and arrived at

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its destination June 3, 1846. Soon after land- ing he took up government land and engaged in ranching, and when gold was discovered a couple of years later he was one of the few who kept his head throughout the excitement, and instead of rushing off to the mines he found his gold mine in a hundred and fifty acres of potatoes and other vegetables and grains which sold at almost fabulous prices. He also owned and operated the first threshing outfit that was ever run in that part of the state. He with his fam- ily made a visit and spent some six months on the Society Islands. In 1852 Mr. Tompkins, thinking there were still greater opportunities for the ranchman in San Bernardino county, brought his family here, purchasing the present ranch which is a part of the original purchase from the Mormon elders of Salt Lake City. Later, in 1858 he sold out his holdings and re- moved to Salt Lake City, but not being quite satis- fied with the entire workings of the Mormon faith there he soon returned to San Bernardino county and was fortunate in being able to buy back his original purchase, and this place is now held by his widow. His first wife died in San Bernardino county and in 1865 he married Miss A. F. Perry, a daughter of Jeremiah and Jane ( Merrick) Perry, all natives of Tennessee. When quite young she was taken by her parents to Texas where they died, and when thirteen years old she and her three sisters came to the northern part of California, living in that section for a number of years, later came to Los Angeles, and finally in 1864 settled in San Bernardino. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins became the parents of seven children, namely: Perry, married Miss Zora Avery, lives in Berkeley, and has one child; Henry, married Miss Lelia Patton, lives in Los Angeles; Walter, married Miss Lula Alexander, lives in San Bernardino; Birdie ; Daisy ; Violet ; and Mabel at home. Polit- ically he was a strong advocate of the principles embraced in the platform of the Republican party. His death in January, 1885, at the age of sixty- six years, removed a most successful, honorable and highly respected man. Mrs. Tompkins who survives him is an active member and liberal supporter of the benevolences of the Unitarian Church. She owns a fine ranch of eighty-five acres, devoted to the raising of hay and grain, and lives in a very comfortable home thereon.

JOSEPH PERRY SYLVA. In the United States it is a matter of pride that a large por- tion of the best and most prominent citizens in the different walks of life have risen to distinc- tion solely through their own efforts, unaided by wealth, influential family or circumstances over which they have no control. A notable in-

stance of the sterling worth which overcomes obstacles and creates its own opportunities is presented in the career of Joseph P. Sylva, for- merly a merchant and the postmaster of Wilming- ton, and one of the most honored men of the county.

On the Isle of Pico, one of the Azores, which belongs to Portugal, Manuel and Isabelle Sylva were born, and there also they reared their fam- ily and spent their entire lives, the father living to reach his eighty-seventh year, while the moth- er was in her seventy-fourth year at the time of her death. Born on the Isle of Pico August 24, 1845, Joseph P. Sylva was reared under the sunny skies of his native land until he reached his nineteenth year, prior to which time he had received a fair education in the common schools of that country. At the age mentioned he left home and friends and was a sailor on the high seas for the following two years. Touching at the port of San Francisco in 1866 he was so fav- orably impressed with the prospects which he foresaw that he determined to remain in the United States. Before he could make much headway in a strange country, however, it was necessary for him to learn the language of his adopted countrymen, and he therefore lost no time in seeking out and joining a night school. During the year thus spent in school he paid his expenses by working at any honorable employ- ment that he could find. July 27, 1867, marks the date of his arrival in Wilmington, where he first worked as a laborer. As he became more familiar with the language and customs of the country he naturally sought more responsible and remunerative employment, and from the time he became an employe of the Southern Pa- cific Railroad Company his advance was steady and well merited. During the years which he was with the latter company he was enabled to lay by considerable money, and on February I, 1877, he invested his means in a small grocery store which had been established here, and with the determination which had characterized all of his former efforts set about to convert it into one of the leading enterprises of the town. His efforts met with success from the start, and it was not long before he had built up a large trade. Misfortune, however, overtook him in 1882, his store and stock being totally destroyed by fire that year. Phoenix-like he erected upon the ashes of his former prosperity a substantial brick store which stands today in the heart of the bus- iness center of town. After conducting a gro- cery in this building for about twenty-three years he was obliged to give up business on account of failing eyesight, and is now living retired, finding sufficient occupation in caring for his property. Besides the building just mentioned he owns two buildings in San Pedro, which are up-to-date in

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every particular and bring him in a good in- come.

Mr. Sylva was married in Los Angeles, No- vember 7, 1870, to Francisca Villa, a lady of Spanish antecedents, and six children came to bless their union. Ida is the wife of John S. Thomas, and they make their home in Wilming- ton ; Joseph, who is his father's namesake, is as- sistant cashier in the State Bank of San Pedro; Isabelle is principal of the schools at La Ballona ; Martha is her father's housekeeper, the mother having died October 20, 1897; Lillian is attend- ing high school at Wilmington, and Carl is at home. Ever since 1872 Mr. Sylva has given his vote and support to the Republican party, and was school trustee of Wilmington for seven years, three years of this time being clerk of the board. From 1897 until 1904 he served as post- master of the town, giving entire satisfaction to those who had secured his appointment, and is now serving as one of the town trustees. Fra- ternally he was made a Mason in Wilmington Lodge No. 190, F. & A. M., and formerly be- longed to the chapter at Los Angeles, but has lately had his membership transferred to San Pedro. He also belongs to Bohen Lodge No. 138 I. O. O. F., at San Pedro, and to Lodge No. 55, A. O. U. W., at Los Angeles.

WILLIAM T. GILLIS. A man of excellent financial and executive ability, progressive in his ideas, with a strong personality, William T. Gillis is one of the representative men of Los Angeles county, holding a noteworthy position in business, fraternal and social circles, his influ- ence being felt through the community. Coming from a long line of thrifty ancestors, he was born and reared in Nova Scotia, receiving his educa- tion in Pictou, graduating when young from the Pictou Academy.

As a young man, Mr. Gillis began his active career as a druggist, for three years owning a store in Pictou. Coming to Santa Monica in 1887, just after the close of the great boom, he opened a drug store, which he managed a num- ber of years. Subsequently settling in Redlands, he was there employed in the drug business for six years, being successful in his operations. Returning to Santa Monica in 1901, he has since been a resident of this place. Becoming identified with the Pacific Land Company in September of that year as vice-president and manager, he assisted in developing Sawtelle and the surrounding country between that place and Santa Monica. Recently this company has pur- chased stock in the Santa Monica Land and Water Company, which owns thirty thousand acres of land in this vicinity, including Santa Monica canon, and also owns the water system.

The company to which Mr. Gillis belongs also organized the Palisade Investment Company, which recently acquired title to fifty acres of most valuable land, known as the Palisade. Hav- ing improved three-fourths of the tract, they put it on the market, readily disposed of it at advantageous prices, and the remaining fourth has just been put on the market by the Alta California Land Company, of which Roy Jones is president.

Mr. Gillis is likewise identified with other en- terprises, being vice-president of the Santa Monica Investment Company, which during the past year built thirty houses, varying in cost from $1,000 to $4,000, for the special benefit of the laboring class of people, who enjoy owning their homes, but are unable to build them with- out help. He is a stockholder and a director in the Bank of Santa Monica, and is treasurer of the Santa Monica Savings Bank, of which T. H. Dudley is president. Mr. Gillis was one of the organizers of the Sunset Brick and Tile Com- pany, which was later merged into the Los An- geles Pressed Brick Company, still retaining his interest in the latter, and he is also identified with the Southwest Warehouse Company, which has a large warehouse in Santa Monica, on the tracks of the Southern Pacific & Electric Rail- way.

Politically Mr. Gillis is a straightforward Re- publican. Fraternally he is prominent in Ma- sonic circles, being a member and past master of Santa Monica Lodge, F. & A. M .; a member of Los Angeles Commandery, K. T .; and a mem- ber of Al Malaikah Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Los Angeles. He is likewise a member of Santa Monica Lodge, B. P. O. E., of which he is past exalted ruler, and from which he received a handsome jewel as an appreciative token of serv- ices that he rendered the organization; and of Redlands Lodge, K. of P. Mr. Gillis has one son, Robert William Gillis.

ASHBY C. VICKERS. Conspicuously iden- tified with the best interests of Ventura county is Ashby. C. Vickers, an extensive and prosperous ranchman, living on the Schiappa Pietra ranch. He owns one hundred and three acres of fine land, and rents a large tract, being engaged principally in the raising of beans. By industry, energy and wise management he has improved a good home, which, with its environments de- notes the supervision of an intelligent farmer and capable business man. At the same time he has proved himself a useful member of the community, and one well deserving the esteem and confidence so generously accorded him by the people. A son of William Vickers, he was born, December 25, 1861, in Cape Girardeau,

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Mo., of Virginian ancestry. Born and brought up in Virginia, William Vickers became a pioneer settler of Missouri, living there until 1862, when he removed to Sangamon county, Ill., where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1879, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha Derry, was born in Virginia seventy years ago, and is now a resident of Illinois.

Educated in the public schools of the Prairie state, Ashby C. Vickers remained in Illinois until 1884, when he came to Ventura, Cal., where he resided two years. He was subsequently en- gaged in the livery business at different places, being located Santa Paula a year, at Los Angeles two years, at Pleasant Valley a year, and at Hueneme two years. Purchasing then one hundred and three acres of the Schiappa Pietra ranch, he has since been actively employed in ranching, at the present time renting adjoining land, and making a specialty of cultivating beans on about three hundred acres, an industry which he is carrying on most successfully.

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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 81

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