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 83

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

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lifework. Later he entered Rush Medical Col- lege of Chicago, from which institution he was graduated with honors in 1877, thoroughly equipped theoretically for the practice of his pro- fession.

Following the westward trend of immigration, Dr. Hamilton, immediately following his gradu- . ation, located in the then new town of Grafton, N. Dak., and established himself as a practi- tioner. Step by step he advanced to a place of prominence in his profession, constantly increas- ing his patronage and widening his influence until he became known as a representative physi- cian of that section. For seventeen years he remained a resident of that place, and for four- teen years of this time served as president of the United States board of examining surgeons for soldiers' pensions ; also, for a similar period, served as county physician. For two years he served as county coroner, for four years as a member of the examining board for the insane, and for nine years acted as secretary and super- intendent of the county board of health. He was the first vice-president of the North Dakota State Medical Society, and served as district surgeon for the Northern Pacific and Great Northern Railroad Companies. Significant of his ability, his standing as a physician and citi- zen, were the honors which came to him un- sought, and in which positions he faithfully and efficiently discharged all duties incumbent upon him. Impaired health, however, caused by con- stant application to his duties and the rigors of the northern climate finally induced Dr. Ham- ilton to leave Grafton, and in September, 1894, he came to Southern California and established his home in Santa Monica, where he has ever since remained. Besides his private practice he is district surgeon for the Southern Pacific Railway ; is the medical examiner for all the old- line insurance companies in Southern California ; and also 'acts in the same capacity for four fra- ternal societies. He is a director in the Santa Monica Bank and is actively connected with other local enterprises, in the success of which he is deeply interested. During the anti-saloon movement in Santa Monica in March and April, 1900, he was one of five constituting the execu- tive committee that rid the town of her ten saloons. In 1906 he with others organized the Santa Monica Bay Hospital Company, with a capital stock of $100,000, he being made presi- dent of the company. At a cost of about $40,000 the company has erected a building on the cor- ner of Pacific and Fourth streets, Santa Monica, overlooking the ocean.

Dr. Hamilton has taken a deep interest in various medical societies of Southern California, being a member of the Los Angeles County Medical Association, California State Medical

Society, and also belongs to the American Med- ical Association, which is the largest medical association in the world. Despite his engross- ing professional cares he has also taken an active interest in fraternal organizations, in Grafton having been made a Mason and there raised to the degrees of Royal Arch and the Commandery, and also became a member of the Mystic Shrine, which he joined in Fargo, N. Dak. He secured demits from these various lodges and is now identified with Santa Monica Lodge No. 307, F. & A. M., Chapter and Commandery, and Al Malaikah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Los Angeles. He is also a member of the Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias, in Santa Monica, and the Independent Order of Foresters of the same place. He is a director in the Western Masons' Mutual Life Association of Los An- geles, and maintains a deep interest in its wel- fare. In his political affiliations he is a Repub- lican, and believing in the active duties of a citizen he has sought to advance the principles he endorses. As a member of the Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica he takes a deep interest in forwarding all charitable and denominational movements. Personally he is held in the high- est esteem by all who have known him, either professionally or socially, admiring and respect- ing him for the sterling integrity of his char- acter, for the personal honor he steadfastly main- tains, and the practical demonstration of his be- lief in the universal brotherhood of man.

The home of Dr. Hamilton, in Santa Monica, is presided over by his wife, whom he married October 21, 1887. She was formerly Miss Bertha R. Crookston, a native of Ann Arbor, Mich., and a woman of rare personal qualities and grace of manner. In the years of their mar- ried life she has proven a worthy helpmate to her husband and has maintained through all conditions her good cheer and Christian help- fulness. Four daughters were born of their union, three of whom are living, Helen, Clara and Esther. The second daughter, Edith, died October 16, 1900, after an unsuccessful opera- tion for appendicitis. The Hamilton home is a place of refinement and culture, and there also true hospitality abounds. Both the doctor and his wife hold a high place in the social life of the city and are universally esteemed.

BRUCE E. DOUGLAS. One of the many active, enterprising and worthy citizens of Los Angeles county is Bruce E. Douglas, who until recently, as proprietor of the Bay View Trans- fer Company, carried on a thriving business in Long Beach. Energetic, accommodating and painstaking he met with much success in his oc- cupation, being popular with his patrons. In 1906

Austin Walsh

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he embarked in the real-estate business under the name of the Riverside Real Estate Company. A son of Cyrus Douglas, he was born in March, 1845, in Vermilion county, Ill., being one of a large family of children.

Born in 1792, in Vermont, Cyrus Douglas lived there until 1820, when he migrated to Illinois, becoming a pioneer farmer of Vermilion county. He was a man of influence and patriotism, and served as a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and was afterwards engaged in agricultural pursuits in Illinois until his death, in 1880, when nearly ninety years of age. In 1822 he married Ruby Bloss, they obtaining distinction by being the first white couple married in Vermilion county. She was born in 1800, and died in 1865. Thirteen children, nine boys and four daughters, were born of their union, Bruce E., the subject of this sketch, being the youngest child. Six of the children are still living of the eleven that grew to years of maturity. Of the two that died young, one was killed accidentally on the ice, and the other by being thrown from a horse. Three of the sons served in the Civil war, Thomas en- listing in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, while Joseph and Luther belonged to a Missouri regiment. Dor- man, one of the older children, came to California in company with several friends in 1849, and after mining two years with good success re- turned to Illinois, and is still living there, being now over eighty years of age. Three other sons besides Bruce settled permanently in California, namely : Cyrus, who came here in 1852, served in the Indian war in Oregon, and subsequently located in Lompoc, Santa Barbara county, resid- ing there until his death; George, who has been a resident of Lompoc since coming here in 1888; and Joseph, who settled in Pomona in 1892, and is now one of the city trustees.

On account of ill health when young, Bruce E. Douglas was unable to attend school at all, so that he is largely self-educated, having gleaned his knowledge by reading and observation. At the age of twenty-two years he left home, and until September, 1887, was engaged in farming for himself in his native state. Com- ing to California in that year he located in River- side when the boom was at its height, purchased an orange grove. but when the property depreci- ated he lost everything. The following thirteen years he carried on a good business in establishing orange groves, setting out and budding trees, after which he had charge of S. F. Herrick's nursery for three years. January 1. 1904, he purchased the business of the Bay View Trans- fer Company, which he managed successfully until April, 1906.

In March, 1866, in Illinois, Mr. Douglas mar- ried Lucy Girard, of Ohio, and they are the

parents of three children, namely : Cyrus E., manager of the Bay View Transfer Company, who is married and has one child; Minnie, wife of John L. Tummond, of Los Angeles ; and Clara, wife of P. M. Ogden, of High Grove, Riverside county. Politically Mr. Douglas is a loyal adher- ent of the Republican party. Fraternally he was made a Mason in Illinois in 1870, joining Fair- mount Lodge No. 590, A. F. & A. M., and is now a member of Long Beach Lodge No. 327, F. & A. M. Religiously both he and his wife are Christian Scientists.

AUSTIN WALSH. Conspicuous among the earlier settlers of San Diego county is Austin Walsh, who, with his twin brother, Ambrose Walsh, located near Valley Center upwards of thirty years ago, and has since been a valued and useful member of the com- munity. By his intelligent industry and wise management he has built up one of the finest homesteads along the western coast, and by his sterling worth as a man and a citizen is held in high esteem by his neighbors and friends. He was born, January 29, 1845, in Atchison county, Mo., a son of the late Walter Walsh.

The birth of Walter Walsh occurred on the high seas, while his parents were crossing the Atlantic ocean, en route to the United States. Reared and educated in Maine, he began life there as a farmer. Wishing, however, to take advantage of cheap lands. on the western frontier, he subsequently migrated to Mis- souri, taking up land that was in its virgin wildness, and there improving a homestead. Again starting westward in 1854, he crossed the plains with ox teams, following the noted train in which all of its members were mas- sacred, and during the long journey had much trouble with the Indians. Purchasing one hundred and eighty acres of land in Contra Costa county, he lived there about sixteen years, when he sold out and moved to Mission valley, San Diego county. Entering land at Valley Center October 16, 1879, he began the improvement of a ranch, on which he resided until his death, in 1887, at the age of sixty- nine years. He was a man of excellent charac- ter, a Democrat in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belonged to the Cath- olic Church. In Maine he married Jane H. Colby, a native of that state, and they became the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living. His wife survived him, dying in 1888, aged sixty-five years.

Coming across the plains when a lad of nine vears. Austin Walsh was educated in the dis- trict schools of Contra Costa county, and until

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twenty-three years old lived with his parents, assisting in the care of the farm. Upon be- ginning the battle of life for himself he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in San Diego county and set to work as a farmer in earnest. In his undertakings he has met with some reverses, but his good fortunes have far outnumbered his failures, and he is now the owner of two vainable ranches in Valley Cen- ter, one containing one hundred acres, and the other forty-five acres. He is devoting himself to general ranching, and is numbered among the progressive and prosperous agriculturists of the community.

May 3. 1884, in Merced, Cal., Mr. Walsh married Nancy C. Merrill, who was born in this state, and died at Valley Center in 1901. Seven children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Walsh, namely: Alice G., Anna, Norval (who died in infancy), Norman, Fannie, Mer- rill and Paul W. Politically Mr. Walsh is identified with the Democratic party, and for a number of years has served as clerk of the Vespa school district.

THOMAS HAZEL STEWART. Now re- tired from the active cares of life, Thomas H. Stewart is enjoying the competency acquired by him during the past busy years. He is of southern birth and breeding. his grandfather, Thomas Stewart of Scotland, having located the family fortunes in North Carolina, where he en- gaged as a farmer and Baptist minister. One of his sons, Charles Stewart, was also a Baptist minister, who organized a church in Pickens county, Ala., serving for forty years as its pastor with the exception of the thirty-seventh year when he took a vacation. Aaron Stewart, another son, was born in North Carolina and in young manhood became a farmer and millwright, erect- ing water mills in Alabama and Mississippi. He died in Winston county, Miss .. after a life of usefulness and helpfulness to those about him. He was a patriot. serving in the war of 1812 in Colonel Alcom's regiment and Harpool's Com- panv. He married Sarah Brock, who was born in Bedford county, Tenn., a daughter of Isaac Brock, also a native of the same state, and a farmer throughout his entire life. Mrs. Stewart also died in Mississippi. She was the mother of thirteen children, of whom ten attained maturity and six are now living.

Thomas Hazel Stewart was born in Pickens county, Ala., June 7, 1828, the fourth in the family of his parents. He was reared principally in Mississippi in the vicinity of Louisville, and received a meager education in a subscription school, whose sessions were held in the primitive log cabin of the age. The death of his father

occurring when he was only six years of age necessitated his remaining at home to assist in the management of the plantation. With the ex- ception of a trip made to California in 1852 he remained at home until he was twenty-seven years old. His trip to California was made via Nicaragua and upon his arrival in the state he went to the mines on the American, Yuba and Feather rivers, engaging in this occupation for nearly two years. Returning east via the Isthmus of Panama, he remained on the home farm until 1855, when he purchased land and improved property of his own, also erecting a mill on the Harshuqua river. In 1856 he married Miss Anna L. Kirk, whose death occurred the same year. In connection with his brother, he engaged in the milling business, operating by water power flour, corn, saw and cotton mills. They were suc- cessful in their enterprises and with his ac- cumulated means Mr. Stewart added to his land- ed property until the breaking out of the Civil war in 1861. Loyal to the cause of the "sunny south" he enlisted in Company A, First Regi- ment Mississippi Infantry, and after six months' service assisted in the organization of Company A, Forty-first Regiment Mississippi Infantry. For over a year he served as orderly sergeant in that company, when the quartermaster de- tailed him in charge of the transporting of the regiment, later in transporting of the brigade. then the division, and in battle was placed in charge of the ambulance corps. He participated until the close of the war, taking part in the battles of Resaca, Atlanta, Chattahoochie, Frank- lin, Nashville and many others. He was wounded five times and at the close of his service was on crutches, it being ten years before he. fully re- covered from the effects of a wound received at Nashville. He also had two brothers in the Civil war, Charles J., who was killed at Gettysburg, and Lieut. Robert C., killed at Stone River.

Upon his return to civic pursuits Thomas H. Stewart built a large steam saw-mill in Mont- gomery county, Miss., on Black river, and there engaged in the manufacture of lumber for seven. years. Disposing of these interests at the close of this period he engaged in farming for several vears, in 1881 again making a trip to California. He located near Saticoy, Ventura county, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres, shortly afterward improving the property by the erection of a substantial residence, barn and outbuildings. With the accumulating means he bought adjoining property until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres all in a high state of cultivation. For many years he was known as one of the extensive farmers in that section. In 1904 he located in Long Beach, investing in business property on Third street, where he erected the Stewart building in connection with

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his son, Charles, and daughter, Mrs. Hill. They also erected Armory Hall, a building 40x80 feet in dimensions.

In Mississippi Mr. Stewart was united in mar- riage with Miss Mattie C. Dooley. a native of Georgia, and born of this union are three chil- dren : John of Long Beach ; Eloise, wife of R. L. Hill, of Long Beach; and Charles W., a real- estate dealer of this city. Mr. Stewart is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church in his religious affilia- tions. Politically he adheres to the principles embraced in the platform of the Democratic party. He was made a Mason in Robert Burns Lodge No. 177 in Kilmichael, Miss.

HENRY THOMAS KORTNER. A wide- awake rancher in Santa Barbara county is found in Henry T. Kortner, brother of Christian Kort- ner, one of the extensive agriculturists and stock raisers of the vicinity of Santa Maria. Mr. Kortner was born in Norway September 9, 1860, and like his father followed the sea in the early part of his life, leaving home at the age of four- teen, and continuing upon the deep for nine years. The last four and a half years of his sea-faring life was spent along the Pacific coast. He first located across the river in San Luis Obispo coun- ty, where he started at the bottom round of the ladder as a farm hand.

In 1891 Mr. Kortner rented the three hundred acres of land upon which he still lives, and where he is engaged principally in grain raising. He is making a success of his chosen calling, and is supplementing his practical work by study and research along these lines. He is a bachelor, and his home is presided over by his sister, Otelda Kortner, who shares his ambitions and attends to his comfort and well being. Mr. Kortner is broad minded and liberal, a believer in education and good government, and a supporter of the Democratic party. While not aspiring to office, he has served as road commissioner and has held other offices within the gift of his fellow- townsmen. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Foresters at Santa Maria. Industry and in- tegrity are among the most valuable assets of Mr. Kortner, and these, combined with intelli- gence and good judgment, assure him a liberal share of material prosperity.

JOHN P. CHRISTENSEN, a contractor and builder of San Diego, was born at Aal- borg, Denmark, June 5, 1827. being the young- est of nine children, of whom only four sur- vive. He received a common-school education, studied architecture at the Architectural In- stitute, and also learned the bricklayer's and

plasterer's trade, which he followed for a num- her of years.

In the spring of 1866 Mr. Christensen left Denmark, taking the steamer at Hamborg for New York. Going to Chicago he found em- ployment in the office of M. Waskyer, an archi- tect of that city, but later went to work at his trade as bricklayer. In the fall he went to New Orleans, remaining there until the spring of 1867, when he went to St. Louis and there worked at his trade until the fall of 1869, when he came to California, reaching San Francisco in October. While there he read about the different places, among them being San Diego with its fine climate and excellent harbor. He came to San Diego December 18, 1869, going to work at plastering for Van Poser & Fraser. When the Horton house was ready for bricklaying he went to work on that under Henry Hamphill (the pioneer bricklay- er) and after the Horton house was finished he began contracting for himself in bricklay- ing and plastering. He sent to San Francisco for two barrels, of English Portland cement, for which was paid $10 per barrel. That was the first Portland cement which ever came in- to San Diego. Having done considerable cement work in the old country the trade was not new to him and his architectural and prac- tical training made him well qualified to in- troduce the innovation into San Diego, where his satisfactory filling of such contracts did much toward interesting people in the use of cement. He is the pioneer manufacturer of artificial stone in San Diego, as well as all other kinds of plain and ornamental concrete and cement work.

May 6, 1874, Mr. Christensen was married to Mrs. Hannah Marshall, a native of Bur- lington, Iowa, and of their five children only one daughter survives. She is a school teach- er and a graduate of the Normal school at San Diego. Mr. Christensen is a member of San Diego Lodge of Odd Fellows, Veterans and Encampment, and has always supported the Republican party.

ALVAH DOWNEY. Mr. Downey's coming to the west can in no way be traced to the influence which brought the Argonauts hither in 1849, for three years prior to this he had set out on his march toward the setting sun. Leaving his parents in Illinois, in 1846 he came overland as far as Salt Lake, and some years later again took up the journey to the coast, arriving in San Bernardino county in 1854. Indians were numerous here at that time. but as they were pcaceable, gave little or no cause for disquiet or fear on the part of the newcomer.

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Wild game was also plentiful, and many a buf- falo and deer fell before his unerring rifle, thus furnishing the meat supply for the family. It was his custom in the early days to go on an expedition of this kind every fall, dressing and drying the meat in the mountains, and later bringing it down to the ranch.

A son of Calvin C. and Nancy (Meyers) Downey, Alvah Downey was born in Canada, September 29, 1828. When he was a lad of ten years his parents came to the States, locat- ing in Hancock county, Ill., near Carthage, and there the father's earth life came to a close fifteen years later, his death occurring in 1853. The wife and mother also passed away there a few years later. In the meantime Alvah Downey had left the parental homestead and become established on the Pacific coast. Upon first com- ing to the county he purchased a number of lots in San Bernardino, and later bought the ranch upon which he now makes his home. This originally included forty acres, but he has since disposed of a portion of it and now has twenty- five, admirably located one and one half miles southwest of Highland. Probably no one in the county who came here as early as he did recalls more vividly the transformation which has taken place during the last half century. Excellent roads have taken the place of the blazed trail, telegraph and telephone wires cross and recross the fields, and the daily service of the rural free delivery adds immeasurably in distancing the discomforts and isolation of former days.

After coming to the west, February 22, 1849. Alvah Downey was united in marriage with Elizabeth Hawes, and of the two children born to them only one is now living, William A., a resident of San Bernardino. The daughter, Mary E., died when one and a half years old. Mrs. Elizabeth Downey passed away in 1876, and the following year Mr. Downey married Mary Benson, the daughter of Jerome Benson. Three children were born of the second mar- riage, as follows: Calvin H., who makes his home with his parents on the home place; Edna E., who is the wife of Samuel Johnson and lives in Oregon : and Jerome Henry, who lives near his parents. Mr. Downey is now nearing the four- score milestone of life, contented with his lot, at peace with the world and enjoying life only as one can who has lived well and worthily.

ERNST KOHLER. When Ernst Kohler came to Ventura county he had nothing but his two hands and a determination to succeed to enable him to achieve the success which is now his, but they were enough, for he is now in com- fortable circumstances and has a fine home on his ranch near Oxnard. He is of German par-

entage, his birth having occurred March 26, 1858, in the province of Hanover, Germany, where his father, Henry Kohler, owned a farm. The son received his education through the medium of the common schools of Hanover and at the age of twenty-three decided to come to America, landing in San Francisco and remaining there two weeks to see the city and visit the various places of interest there. He then came to Ventura county and found employment on ranches in the vicinity of Hueneme. He soon decided to establish himself independently, how- ever, and rented a piece of land in the Ocean View district and commenced to raise grain and stock. In 1892 he has accumulated sufficient funds to enable him to purchase the land which he had been renting and he now owns ninety acres upon which he has put all of the fine im- provements it boasts. His crops are principally beets and beans, and in addition to farming his own land he rents an adjoining tract of fifty acres which is devoted to beets.

Mr. Kohler was married in Ventura county to Miss Barbara Furrer, who was born in Switzer- land, and they have become the parents of three children : Francis Christopher, Dora Clara, and Mary Hulda. They are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Kohler is considered one of the most reliable men of that vicinity and his many admirable qualities have won for him the highest respect and esteem of the citizens of Ventura county.

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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 83

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