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 87

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

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CHRIS N. OHRE. On the rugged coast of Norway, near where the tempestuous waves of the Skager Rack and Cattegat merge into the calmer waters of Bohus bay, there lies the seaport town of Tonsberg, whose inhabitants are principally of the seafaring class. Gen- eration after generation of the Ohre family sailed the high seas and the smaller bodies of water skirting the shores of Scandinavia, and not a few of the name rose to the command of ships of considerable importance. Amid the sights and scenes familiar to all maritime en- vironments Nils Ohre passed the years of boyhood in Tonsberg, his native village, and under the influence of his father, who was a sea captain, he early learned to love the life of a sailor, and eventually he rose to be captain of a brig engaged in the lumber trade on the Norwegian coast. Both he and his wife, Mar- tina, died in their native village, Tonsberg, and they are survived by six of their eight children, Chris N. being the youngest of the number.

The village of Tonsberg is the native town of Mr. Ohre and May 24, 1855, the date of his birth. As a boy he became familiar with sail- ing and when fifteen he went to sea in his father's brig under a brother, Anton, as cap- tain. After two years on that brig he left to accept a position on another vessel and there- after was connected at different times with various barges and brigs sailing the waters of the Baltic and North seas. Later he obtained a captain's certificate and for years sailed to New Orleans, Philadelphia and New York, making perhaps twenty trips in all. Eventual- ly he left his ship, the Sir John Lawrence, in New York in 1883 and gave up a seafaring life for that of a landsman. For some years

he was employed in a wholesale farm ma- chincry house in Minneapolis, but in 1887 he came to San Diego, and here since then he has made his home. From the time of his ar- rival until 1893 he was connected with a wholesale commission business, but since the latter date he has devoted his attention to the poultry business and other enterprises.

At the time of purchasing the property at No. 4057 Eighth street, San Diego, Mr. Ohre secured two-thirds of an acre covered with sage totally unimproved. On that unpromis- ing site he now owns a comfortable modern residence surrounded by a beautiful lawn and fruit trees of all kinds, besides all of the equip- ment necessary for the poultry industry. Among his six breeds of poultry he is making a specialty of Buff Cochins, Plymouth Rocks and Leghorns, and has altogether about two hundred and fifty hens. In addition he has nine high-grade Jersey cows and delivers milk to customers in the city. The enterprise is conducted under the title of the Scandia dairy and poultry yards, the name being given in hon- or of his old Scandinavian home. In his work he has the able and cheerful co-operation of his wife, who was Miss Mathilda Olson, a na- tive of Sweden. but resident of San Diego · from girlhood. Four bright sons bless their union, Mauritz, Clarence, Oscar and Albert. Since becoming a citizen of the United States Mr. Ohre has been a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and in fraternal affiliations has been connected with the Order of For- esters.

E. FRANCIS CONRAD. The farming re- gions lying in the vicinity of Arroyo Grande are among the most fertile of San Luis Obispo coun- ty and present fair opportunities for gratifying returns to those willing to devote time, thought, energies and untiring industry to their develop- ment. Coming to this neighborhood in the fall of 1876 Mr. Conrad rented the farm which he later purchased and on which he since has made his home. The ranch comprises three hundred and seventy acres, of which two hundred acres are in grain and pasture, forty-five acres in hill pasture, while seventy acres of leased land are devoted to the raising of seed. With his brother, W. A. Conrad, as partner he owns a walnut or- chard of sixteen acres of bearing trees, and the profits from the orchard are a considerable por- tion of his annual revenues.

Born in North Carolina, November 21, 1848, Frank Conrad is a son of E. and Sarah (Holder) Conrad, also natives of that state, and pioneers of 1864 in California. As early as the middle of the nineteenth century the family left the

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

south and became pioneers of Iowa, and from there started across the plains in 1863. The winter season set in before they reached the last range of mountains, so they spent some months in Nevada and arrived in California early in 1864. For a time they remained in Nevada county and for four years engaged in grain farm- ing in Sonoma county, after which they spent two years in Stanislaus county, but each year the weather conditions were such as to cause a failure of their crops. In search of a better location they removed as far north as Tehama county, where they took up ranch pursuits. Later they carried on a ranch in Shasta county for three years. In the fall of 1873 they settled at Guadaloupe, Santa Barbara county, and engaged in ranching in the Santa Maria valley for three years. On coming to the present homestead in the fall of 1876 they rented the land, and here the father died at eighty-nine years and the moth- er when eighty-seven. Of their seven chil- dren four still survive. The parents were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church and in politics the father advocated the cause of prohi- bition ..

The farm formerly occupied by his parents is now the home and property of E. F. Conrad, who in addition to engaging in ranch pursuits has been identified with the ministry of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church for a long period and has given his services freely to the work of preaching the Gospel. In this responsible service he has labored without financial returns, but wholly from love of the ministry and from a desire to extend the kingdom of Christ in the world. Mainly through his unaided exertions he acquired a broad education and is particularly well versed in the Scriptures. As a speaker he is both interesting and instructive, while in the pulpit, when depicting to his hearers the value of Christian service, he is especially earn- est and eloquent. For seven years he gave his entire time to the ministry, during the greater part of his active life he has earned a livelihood from the cultivation of the soil and has engaged in religious work gratuitously, without expecta- tion of reimbursement.

In 1876 occurred the marriage of E. F. Conrad and Mary Frances Bryan, who was born and educated in California. They are the parents of the following children: Edna May, who married A. C. Haskin and lives in San Francisco; Clara Belle, Mrs. J. R. Reinike, of Arroyo Grande ; Howard F., who married Georgia Pheonix and resides in Arroyo Grande; Edwin A., who mar- ried Chrystal Tully ; Nellie C., Marion McGrady, Leila I., Laura Grace, Merle M. and Landreth Bryan. The importance of the suppression of the liquor traffic appeals to Mr. Conrad with such force that he has for years supported Prohibi-

tion principles at the polls, and both by precept and example he has given his support to the cause of temperance. Interested in educational matters, he served as trustee of the Arroyo Grande high school and in other ways has aided the cause of free schools in his county.

ABNER D. JACOBS. Conspicuous among the pioneer residents of California is Abner D. Jacobs, now living on a farm in the Belvidere district, Los Angeles county, retired from the activities of life. Coming here when the coun- try was in its original wildness, ere the dusky savage had fled before the advancing steps of civilization, he has taken an important part in developing the resources of this wonderful coun- try, and by his sagacity and foresight has at the same time been enabled to accumulate a goodly estate. A son of John Jacobs, he was born in 1838 in Arnheim, Brown county, Ohio, and was there brought up until fifteen years old.

Engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his life, John Jacobs cleared and improved a farm in Ohio. He was a man of strong patriotic principles, and in the war of 1812 offered his services to his country. He took part in several engagements, and fought under General Jack- son in the battle of New Orleans, when General Pakenham, the British commander, was killed. He married Maria Devore, a daughter of Abner Devore, a native of Ohio, who, in 1844, made a trip to western Texas, and on his return trip, a few months later, was murdered at Fort Leaven- worth, Kans. Of the children born of their union, all grew to years of maturity, namely : El- len, Rebecca, Abner D., Elsie and Benjamin Franklin. Enlisting at the beginning of the Civil war, Benjamin Franklin, served as a sol- dier in an Ohio regiment, continuing until the close of the conflict. He is now living in Ken- tucky.

Remaining with his parents on the home farm until 1852, Abner D. Jacobs then went to Illi- nois, intending to settle there. Meeting with friends who were on their way to Missouri, he accompanied them to that state, but as he was dissatisfied with the prospects in that locality he returned to Hancock county, Ill., where he re- sided two years. In 1854 he started for the Pa- cific coast with Dr. T. L. Barnes, crossing the plains with ox-teams, the trip taking six months. He began life here as a miner in Eldorado coun- ty, and while thus employed went to Coloma, Eldorado county, to see four desperadoes exe- cuted. After two years of prospecting he went to Petaluma, Sonoma county, where he remained for a time, and from there going to Mendocino coun-

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ty, where he was for many years engaged in the timber business. Subsequently purchasing land east of Redondo, Los Angeles county, he has improved a fine ranch, on which he is living free from the cares of active business, enjoying to the utmost the fruits of his many years of toil. Not far from him is the home of one of his early playmates and schoolmates, and they take solid pleasure and comfort in each other's society, meeting frequently and talking over the events of their boyhood days.

In 1868, in Mendocino county, Mr. Jacobs married Martha Jane Pound, who had the dis- tinction of being the first white girl born in Oakdale, the site of the present populous city of Oakland. She died March 22, 1885, leaving four children, namely : John F., Charles L., lda M., and Violet. Politically Mr. Jacobs is a Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

JOHN XAVIER WOODS. Conspicuous among the public-spirited, progressive men, who by their energy, wealth and keen fore- sight have done much towards building up Southern California, and were among the fore- most in developing and advancing its many and varied interests, was J. X. Woods, a well- known resident of Oceanside, and president of the Bank of Oceanside. A son of the late F. X. Woods, he was born, December 28, 1844, in Ottawa, Canada, on a farm.

Born, reared and married in Canada, F. X. Woods lived in his native land until 1865, when he settled in Ohio. Subsequently re- moving to Missouri, he resided in St. Louis until his death, in 1878. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Daze, was born in Canada, and died in 1874 in Oakland, Cal. Both were members of the Catholic Church. Of their large family of children, ten grew to years of maturity.

Having acquired a good common school ed- ucation in Ottawa, Canada, J. X. Woods worked on his father's farm until about twen- ty years old. Going to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1864, he began life as a railroad man, working in the motor department of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad for five years. Removing to Kansas in 1869, he secured a po- sition on the St. Joseph & Denver Railroad, running a locomotive and train for three years. From 1872 until 1874 he was employed in the motor department of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, after which he went to Terre Haute, Ind., where he had charge of a locomotive ou the Vandalia Railway for five years. Going from there to Colorado in 1879, he invested his money in mining property, and losing all of

his capital he resumed railroad work, being employed in the motor department of the Santa Fe Railroad until 1882, when he as- sumed charge of that company's shops at Winslow, Ariz., a position that he retained five years. Becoming interested in stock rais- ing, he then resigned his position with the Santa Fe Company and turned his attention to the cattle business, in which he continued un- til the hard times of 1892 and 1893, when he again entered the railroad service. While liv- ing in Winslow, Ariz., Mr. Woods became prominent in public lite, and for six years served as supervisor of Navajo county. He was also elected to the upper house of the territorial legislature, and by the governor was appointed a member of the territorial board of equalization, a position which he held up to six months prior to his death, which occurred September 17, 1906.

Forced to leave Arizona on account of ill health, Mr. Woods came to Oceanside, where he took up his residence and became actively identified with many of the leading interests of town and county. He was one of the pro- prietors of the Bank of Oceanside ; and besides owning real estate in this locality was finan- cially interested in the local electric light plant.

In 1874 Mr. Woods married Mary Curvin of Illinois. She and their infant child died a few years later, and he then went to Colorado. Re- turning to Illinois he married for his second wife Emma Anderson, who was also a native of the Prairie state, and of this union three children were born, Selma P., Pauline and Francis. Politically Mr. Woods was a true- blue Republican, active in party matters, and while in Arizona was one of the six delegates sent to the national convention in Chicago, where he assisted in nominating Theodore Roosevelt for president. Fraternally he was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and belonged to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He was a member of the Catholic Church at Oceanside, and also attended the Mission, and Mrs. Woods is a communicant of the same church.

HUMPHREY G. SULLIVAN has been a resident of California for more than a quarter of a century and has identified himself prominently with the upbuilding of the state and especially San Luis Obispo county, where he has resided continuously since 1882. This section of the state has undergone many changes since Mr. Sullivan first settled here, and from a wild and uncultivated region dotted here and there with small shanties has emerged into one of the finest

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and most highly developed farming sections in the state, the scattering homes having multi- plied many fold, and the crude shanties made way for large modern residences, the pride of their owners. Mr. Sullivan's ranch comprises one hundred and two acres of fertile land which is devoted to the growing of corn and beans and some vegetables and orange and lemon trees.

County Kerry, Ireland, was the place of the birth of Humphrey G. Sullivan, and August 6, 1850, the date. He is a son of Peter and Mary (Gallivan) Sullivan, both of Irish nativity, and a member of a family of six children." He re- ceived his education in Ireland and after his school days were over engaged in farming there until he was thirty years of age. Immigrating to California in 1880, he landed first in Alame- da county, where he remained about two years. From there he came directly to San Luis Obispo county and for twelve years worked for Dr. Hayes, who lived near San Luis Obispo, be- ing engaged as foreman of his vineyard. He then decided to purchase a ranch of his own and bought the place in Verde Canyon which is now his home. In 1897 occurred the marriage of Mr. Sullivan to Sidney Clark, who was born in Ireland, and to them have been born two sons, Lester and George. He is an ardent Republi- can in politics and has always taken a prominent interest in matters of interest to the public at large, while for several years he has done active service on the school board of his district and has filled the obligations of his trusteeship with entire credit to himself and satisfaction to the patrons of the schools. His election to the office was also in recognition of the intelligent and en- thusiastic interest he has always displayed in matters of educational importance.

JAMES C. COLE. One of the oldest pioneers of San Bernardino county and a man who has prominently identified himself with the improve- ment of that section of Southern California is James C. Cole, by occupation a farmer and of- ficially a member of the city council of San Bernardino. He was born September 3, 1853, in Springville, Utah, the son of James Alfred and Elizabeth (Kelley) Cole; the father a native of Dayton, Ohio, and the mother born, educated and reared to womanhood in the same state. In 1849 the father removed his family to Utah, settling on a farm near Springville, where he resided until 1857 when he journeyed still farther west and settled in San Bernardino, locating in the old town at the Mission. He purchased a farm of five hundred acres and engaged in farm- ing and stock raising until the time of his death in 1888. The mother still lives on the old home- stead at the advanced age of seventy-six years.

There were eight sons and two daughters in the family of which James C. Cole was a mem- ber. He attended school at the old Mission until fifteen years of age, when he secured employ- ment on a ranch for a time, but being ambitious to acquire an independent business he went to Nevada and started in the stock raising. Those were years of great excitement in the western country and Mr. Cole had his share of the thril- ling times during his sojourn in the sage-brush state. In 1874 he returned to San Bernardino, purchased sixty-five acres of the best land in that section and turned his attention to its culti- vation. A part of the place is now within the corporate limits of the city and upon that he has placed good buildings. His principal crops · are grain and alfalfa.

In 1875 Mr. Cole was married to Abbie, the oldest daughter of William and Mary (Noble) Davis, who became pioneers of San Bernardino county in 1852. This union has been blessed with the birth of four children: Laura, a graduate nurse of Los Angeles; Ira residing at San Jose ; Jessie and James W., both of whom are at home. Mr. Cole has taken an especial interest in polit- ical matters and stands high in the councils of the Republican party. He has repeatedly served as delegate to the county and state con- ventions and is now serving a term as council- man from the first ward of the city of San Ber- nardino. Fraternally he affiliates with the. Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 27.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PATTERSON. Closely identified with the industrial and finan- cial advancement of Glendale, a thriving town in Los Angeles county, is Benjamin F. Patterson, who has been one of the foremost in establishing beneficial enterprises since he first assisted, more than twenty years ago, in laying out the place. Energetic, far-sighted, with keen· perceptive faculties, he has attained a high position in the business community, and is held in high esteem as a man and as a citizen. A native of Ohio, he was born in Mount Vernon, Knox county, De- cember 9, 1845, a son of Robert Patterson. His grandfather, James Patterson, was a farmer by occupation, owning land in Pennsylvania.

Born and reared on the paternal homestead in Pennsylvania, Robert Patterson lived in his na- tive state until becoming of age, when he settled in Ohio, where, for several seasons, he followed the independent occupation to which he was reared. Migrating with his family to Musca- tine county. Iowa, in 1850, he became a pioneer farmer of that county, until his death, at the age of forty-seven years, he was one of its leading men, serving as supervisor, county commissioner and county clerk. His wife, whose maiden name

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was Laura Nye, survived him, passing away at the age of sixty-seven years.

On July 25, 1862, then a boy of sixteen years, Benjamin F. Patterson enlisted in Company E, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He took an active part in many of the important engage- ments that followed, and before celebrating the seventeenth anniversary of his birth, was badly wounded, at the battle of Perry Grove, Ark., re- ceiving three buckshots in the calf of his right leg. Subsequently, on June 26, 1863, during the siege of Vicksburg, while under the command of General Grant, he received a severe scalp wound. With his regiment, under Captain Barney, head of his company, and Col. William McE. Dye, he saw hard service, both in field and camp. He received his discharge in July, 1865.

Subsequently returning to Iowa Mr. Patterson was for a number of years prosperously employed in farming and stock-raising. Coming with his family to California in 1882, he erected two resi- dences in Los Angeles, which he sold advanta- geously. In 1884 he purchased fifty-two acres of land, which he improved and cultivated and which now constitutes part of the townsite of Glendale. He soon became prominent in local affairs, and as a member of the Verdugo Springs Water Company, which consisted of Capt. C. E. Thom, E. M. Ross, E. T. Byram and himself, laid out the town in 1886, at the beginning of the boom. These gentlemen, with optimistic vision, erected the Glendale hotel, and built the narrow gauge railroad between Glendale and Los Angeles, a line of railway now owned by the Salt Lake Railway Company. After the boom Mr. Patterson and the remaining members of the company paid up the indebtedness and it was found that this railroad was the only one out of seventeen that was not put into the hands of a receiver, a fact that reflected great credit upon the owners of it.

After the boom collapsed Mr. Patterson again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and leased a ranch of four hundred acres, which he devoted to grain, and for three years was suc- cessfully employed in tilling the soil, being ably assisted by his two older sons, William and Eldon. He is now an influential citizen of Glen- dale, and in every way a representative man. He owns considerable property of value, and, with others, established the Bank of Glendale, the leading financial institution of the place.

In 1868, in Iowa, Mr. Patterson married Mary Keen, a native of New Jersey. and they became the parents of five children. William Albert died at the age of eighteen years; Eldon, residing in Glendale, served in the Philippines as a soldier, and is now serving as city marshal; Mabei, "Jessie and Bertha complete the family. In his

political views Mr. Patterson is independent, vot- ing for the best man and measures without party restrictions. He is a man of patriotic spirit, and assisted in organizing N. P. Banks Post No 170, G. A. R., of Glendale, of which he was com- mander for years. The post now has thirty-five members, and is in a flourishing condition, own- ing its own hall.

SAMUEL ROTANZI. A noted writer has said, "Never desert your own line of talent ; be what nature intended you for, and you will succeed." Evidently Mr. Rotanzi is in full sym- pathy with this author, for he has measured his own ability and hewn his way straight to the line thus marked out. Trained to agricultural pursuits from his youth up, he has a thorough knowledge of all branches connected with the art and science of agriculture, and is considered an authority on all questions concerning the dairy. He is extensively engaged in general farming and cattle raising, being manager of the Martin, Bloom & Brackett ranch, known as the Santa Ysabel ranch, which contains eighteen thousand acres of land, and in addition owns a magnificent farm of seven hundred and twenty acres, which he is successfully carrying on, giving him the supervision of more than eighteen thousand seven hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in San Diego county. ' A man of sterling integrity, honest and upright in all of his deal- ings, he is justly entitled to the esteem and re- spect so universally accorded him. A son of James Rotanzi, he was born, November 15, 1853, 11 Switzerland, where he was reared and edu- cated.

Born, reared and married in Switzerland, James Rotanzi became a farmer from choice, in that independent occupation spending his active life. Ambitious to try life in America, he came to the United States, locating in Sacramento, Cal., where his death occurred shortly afterward.

In immigrating to the United States when but seventeen years old, Samuel Rotanzi came di- rect to Sonoma county, Cal., where for twenty years he was prosperously engaged in the stock and dairy business, becoming the owner of val- mable land, and meeting with satisfactory re- sults in his labors. Disposing then of his in- terests in that county, he came to San Diego county, accepting his present position as man- ager of the Santa Ysabel ranch in 1889, and has since had full control of its affairs. In its su- pervision he has met with eminent success, not only as a general farmer, but as a stock raiser and dairyman, having the care of about two thousand head of cattle on the Santa Ysabel ranch alone. Industrious and thrifty, he has accumulated money, a part of which he invested, in 1893, in

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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 87

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