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 92

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

USA > California > 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 92

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JOHN T. SHOOP. Properly numbered among the self-made men of our times is John T. Shoop, who for many years has been ac- tively identified with the agricultural interests of the western part of San Diego county, his ranch, situated about ten miles east of Ocean- side, being favorably located. Thrown prac- tically upon his own resources when a mere child, he began life with no other capital than strong hands, resolute will, and an abundance of determination, even as a boy being handi- capped by a lack of the educational advan- tages that are today in the reach of every American child, whether born in a palace or a hut. Industrious, diligent and persevering, he has attained success in his undertakings, now owning and occupying a valuable home estate, and being numbered among the re- spected members of his community. A native of Virginia, he was born January 22, 1835. a son of Isaac and Polly (Robinson) Shoop. His parents, both of whom were born and reared · in Pennsylvania, settled first in Virginia, from there removing, in 1837, to Alabama, where both spent the remaining years of their lives, the father dying, at the age of fifty-four years, in 1850, and the mother a few years before.

Until seven years old. John T. Shoop made his home with a married sister, after which he was bound out to a man named Green Ed- monson, with whom he lived three years, in the meantime attending a subscription school for a brief time. He subsequently lived for awhile with his brother-in-law. Mr. Moore, with whom he had previously lived for a time,

and then went to work for a Mr. Adkinson, who was to pay him for liis services in stock. In 1851 Mr. Shoop migrated to Mississippi, where he was engaged in the manufacture of chairs for a few months. Not very successful in that occupation, he settled in Arkansas, working as a day laborer until he had saved some money. Not contented, however, with his condition or his future prospects, he came across the plains with an ox-team train in 1861, and for a short time lived in Los Angeles. Then after spending a few months in Wat- sonville, he engaged in mining on Owens riv- er. He subsequently went to Sonoma county, from there going to Napa county, where for two years he was employed in a fruit orchard. He subsequently lived for a time in San Fran- cisco, but not liking city life went to San Luis Obispo county, where he located a govern- ment claim. Selling that in 1878, he pur- chased land in Jones county, Tex., where he was engaged in stocking-raising and dealing for four years. Disposing of his interests in that place, he came to San Diego county, and on November 2, 1882, bought out a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, the greater part of which is now included in his home ranch, although he has sold forty acres of his orig- inal purchase. He has since been profitably engaged in general ranching, and in his vari- ous undertakings has met with excellent suc- cess.

In 1866 Mr. Shoop married Margaret Conley Foley, who was born in Galway, Ireland, one of a family of twelve children. She came to the United States in 1855, and after living for a few years in Boston, crossed the con- tinent to California. locating in San Francisco, where she resided until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Shoop are the parents of three chil- dren, namely : Isaac Henry, who was educated in the River District school and is now farm- ing with his father: Margaret, wife of Frank Peters, of San Diego; and Elizabeth, wife of Stonewail J. Walker, who is engaged in min- ing in Riverside. Politically Mr. Shoop is identified with the Socialists.

WILLIAM DAVIS. One of the most pros- perons and highly esteemed residents of San Pedro is William Davis, a substantial represen- tative of the lumber interests of this part of Los Angeles county. and one of its active and hon- ored business men. In a true sense he has been the architect of his own fortunes, his success in life being due to his persistent efforts and de- termined pluck. Coming to this country as a young man, poor in pocket, but rich in energy and ambition, he laboriously toiled onward and

1770

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

upward, rising by slow degrees to his present position of affluence and influence. A native of Wales, he was born in Cardiff, October 31, 1863, and was there brought up and educated. His grandfather, Thomas Davies, came from one of the older families of Cardiff, and there his par- ents, David and Sarah (Griffith) Davies, spent their entire lives, the father, who was a hotel- keeper, dying in 1903, and the mother a few months later.

After leaving the public schools of his native land, William Davis was employed as a clerk for a number of years. Not satisfied with the financial returns of his employment, he immigrat- ed to the United States in 1888, coming direct- ly to San Pedro, Cal., where for about three years he had a hard time in trying to meet his expenses, although he tried various occupations. In 1890 he entered the employ of the San Pedro Lumber Company, beginning as switch clerk, and for ten years remained with the company, the greater part of the time, however, being lumber surveyor. Resigning the position in 1900 he has since carried on a thriving business as lum- ber surveyor, and in 1902 was one of the or- ganizers of the Lumber Surveyors' Association of Southern California, which he served as first vice-president until sending in his resignation. Prudent in his expenditures and wise in his in- vestments, he has accumulated a good property, and in 1903 erected on Front street. at Knob Hill, the Alta Vista, a modern, well-finished, up- to-date house, containing twenty rooms, and from this receives quite an income.

In national politics Mr. Davis is strongly Re- publican, but in local affairs he votes independent of party restrictions. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of San Pedro Lodge No. 332, F. & A. M., of which he is secretary; a member of Los An- geles Consistory No. 3, and is also a Shriner ; and is past chancellor commander of San Pedro Lodge No. 126, K. P.

ROBERT LEE WATSON. The entire life of Robert Lee Watson has been passed in Cali- fornia. for he is a native son of the state, his birth having occurred in the city of Los Ange- les, January 29, 1864. His parents, James J. and Mary D. (Dominguez) Watson, were na- tives respectively of Scotland and Los Angeles county. The father, a pioneer of the Pacific state, was a prominent citizen of Los Angeles, his wealth, acquired after coming to California, and his wide personal influence, combining to win for him a high place in political and municipal affairs.

The schools of Los Angeles furnished fair ad- vantages to Robert Lee Watson, who, after com- pleting the course attended commercial college

in Santa Clara. Having attained manhood's es- tate and being well equipped for the future which lay before him, he then returned to his native city, where he established an insurance business and also loaned money. He continued success- fully engaged in this work for the period of three years, when he decided to take up agricult- ure, and accordingly located on his present prop- erty, three miles north of Wilmington. He is now engaged in extensive ranching operations and also raises fine horses and a large number of sheep, having made for himself a place among the enterprising ranchers of this section. His home is presided over by his wife, formerly Louisa Poggi, whom he married April 29, 1899. She is the daughter of Rafael Poggi, who oper- ates a large winery in this vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are the parents of one child, Sus- anna, who is six years old.

MRS. MARY E. LINDSKOW. For up- wards of thirty-seven years a resident of San Pedro, Mrs. Mary Lindskow is widely and fav- orably known throughout the community in which she lives, and has the respect and esteem of her neighbors and friends, who have ever found her a kind, helpful and genial companion, always ready and willing to render assistance any sympathy wherever and whenever needed. A daughter of William Sanford, she was born in New York City, where the earlier days of her childhood were spent.

A native of Germany, William Sanford was born in Detmasten, Schleswig-Holstein, and early in life embarked in seafaring pursuits. Be- coming master of a vessel in course of time, he visited many of the important ports of the globe, in 1848 coming to California, where he was sub- sequently, as captain of a vessel, engaged in the coasting trade. In 1858, having returned east for his family, as master of the ship John Bar- ing, he sailed from New York City for San Francisco. After rounding Cape Horn the ves- sel was disabled, and for some time laid at Val- paraiso for repairs. On arriving in San Fran- cisco, Captain Sanford continued coasting, and in 1870, in charge of the schooner Ajax, de- livered the first load of rock used in the con- struction of the San Pedro breakwater, dump- ing it about one hundred feet south of the pres- ent ship yard of the Wilmington Transportation Company. He subsequently retired from active labor, and was a resident of this city until his accidental death by drowning, in the San Pedro Harbor, January 16, 1882. He married Mary McGrogan, who was of Scotch descent. She

died in California, in 1863. Eight children blessed their union, and of these Mary E., the

ofrace ofthuan

1773

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

subject of this sketch, was the first born, and is the sole survivor.

Mary E. Sanford obtained the rudiments of her education in the public schools of San Fran- cisco and Vallejo, completing it at the Palace Street convent, in San Francisco. February 18, 1866, she married for her first husband John McGuire, who was born in Ireland, but was reared and educated in Albany, N. Y. Mr. Mc- Guire was a man of great patriotism, intensely devoted to his adopted country, which he first served as a soldier in the Mexican war, being under command of General Kearney. During the Civil war he enlisted in the first volunteer regiment of cavalry from Albany, N. Y., and afterward as an artilleryman fought the full four years. After two weeks incarceration in Libby Prison he was exchanged, and at the close of the conflict entered the regular army. under General Stoneman fighting the Indians in Cali- fornia and Arizona. After his marriage with Miss Sanford, Mr. McGuire, as regimental tailor went on the vessel John C. Stephens to Sitka, Alaska, as a member of Company H. Second Artillery, being one of the first body of troops to land in that territory after it passed into the control of the United States. He died while in service, at Cape Disappointment, Wash., June 24, 1871, leaving two children : Susan Alaska, the first white girl born at Sitka, is the wife of Will- iam M. Hart, of San Pedro; and Emily Ellen is the wife of C. B. Parker, of Catalina Island, a taxidermist. Fraternally Mr. McGuire was a member of the Masonic order, and was a man of much worth.

October 7, 1873. Mrs. McGuire married for her second husband Martin Emil Lindskow, who was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, where the family name, originally spelled Lindskov, meant Lind forest, or Lind woods. His father, Andrew J. Lindskow, was head gunner on the frigate Christiania the Ninth, which was destined to be captured by the Prussians; rather than be made prisoners by the enemy or have their three ships taken they blew themselves up. Im- migrating to America when a lad of fourteen years, Martin Emil Lindskow subsequently fol- lowed the sea for many years, being often em- ployed in foreign service. At nineteen years of age he went back to Denmark. Enlisting in the Danish navy, he was assigned to the frigate Sjelland, which was dismantled in a sea fight, and nearly all on board were killed. From that battle he carried a piece of shell in his leg to his grave. Coming to . California in 1868 Mr. Lindskow was for a time employed as superin- tendent under Captain Polheamus and Thomas Hayes, to deliver rock to build the government breakwater at San Pedro. In 1870 he secured a position with General Banning as head lighter

man, and while with this employer he helped to build the old breakwater, and also assisted in dis- charging vessels. Subsequently he was en- gaged in the hotel business in San Pedro, and was also active in civic affairs, serving as dep- uty marshal, night watch and jailer. While firing salutes during the first election of Con- gressman McLaughlan, Mr. Lindskow lost his right hand by a premature explosion, a sad ac- cident. He died August 23, 1902, leaving a wide circle of friends to mourn his loss. He was a man of high standing in the community and much respected. He was a stanch Repub- lican in politics, a member of the Lutheran Church, and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lindskow, the following children were born : George W. E., of San Pedro; Axel Rich- ard; Edward Sylvester; Mrs. Carrie J. Wack, of San Pedro; Ellen Christine, widow of the late G. B. Sullivan, of this city; Rose Dagmar, at home; and Hugo Valdmar, who died when but thirteen months old. Mrs. Lindskow re- sides at the old family home, at the corner of Eleventh and Center streets, and is happy in hav- ing her children near her. She is an active mem- ber of the Woman's Relief Corps, and Foresters Circle of America, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HORACE A. JOHNSON. The agricultural resources of San Diego county have been devel- oped by a large number of intelligent and in- dustrious farmers, among whom may be men- tioned Mr. Johnson, the owner of a large farm lying in the vicinity of Bonsall, his postoffice town, and somewhat to the east of Oceanside, his railroad station. On coming to San Diego county in 1884 Mr. Johnson settled upon his present property of three hundred and seventy-five acres, which he bought from the government. At that time the land was bare and unimproved. No attempt had been made to place the soil under cultivation. Hence he became the possessor of virgin soil, with all its possibilities of develop- ment. Under his supervision buildings have been erected, fences have been built as needed, and three hundred acres of the farm have been placed under cultivation to grain, of which he makes a specialty.

Mr. Johnson is proud of the fact that he can claim to be a native son of California, San Jose is his native city and May 19, 1863, the date of his birth, his parents being S. V. R. and Almira (Rooker) Johnson, natives respectively of New York and Ohio. The father, who learned the butcher's trade in early life, crossed the plains from the east to California in 1852 and after his

1774

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

arrival engaged in mining. After a brief and not especially successful experience in various mines (including those of the Fraser river) he again turned his attention to the butcher's trade, which he followed with varying success for a long period. On disposing of his interests in San Jose he came to Oceanside in 1887 and opened a meat market, which he conducted in addition to operating a ranch and raising stock. The re- maining years of his life were passed in Ocean- side, where he died in 1899, at the age of sixty years; one month after his demise his wife passed from earth.

Educated in California schools and reared in a California home, Mr. Johnson early became im- bued with an affectionate loyalty and patriotic devotion to the state, and this feeling is still one of the leading attributes of his character. In youth he was familiar with the northern and central portions of the state, but since the fall of 1884, when he removed to San Diego county, his interests have been concentrated in the southern part of the commonwealth. Industrious in disposition, genial in temperament, of an ac- commodating nature, ready to assist the unfor- tunate and to relieve the distressed, he furnishes a type of the quiet, unostentatious farmer and na- tive-born citizen, and among the people of his locality he has many friends. Though never active as a partisan, he has pronounced opinions on political questions and is in sympathy with the Democratic party. At Santa Ana in 1890 he married Miss Fannie M. Pickle, who was born and reared in California, and is a woman of gentle disposition, an earnest Christian and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their family consists of five children, namely : Lerue, Lila, Horace, Jr., Erva and Leo, all yet at home.

BENTON McCOY. It would be difficult to find a man more emphatically in accord with the true western spirit of progress or more keen- ly alive to the opportunities awaiting the indus- trious and intelligent man of affairs in Los An- geles county than is Benton McCoy, who in ad- dition to carrying on a real-estate and teaming business is also managing a small ranch. De- termination and tenacity of purpose are char- acteristics which have been paramount in all of his undertakings, traits which he no doubt in- herits from his father, John Benton. The latter was born in Scotland, and when he was eleven years of age shipped as a cabin boy on a vessel bound for the United States. Life on the water had a particular fascination for him and he fol- lowed the sea for twenty-one years. Later he joined the United States navy as carpenter, and was in the country's service for three years and

four months. During this time he was stationed at Monterey when the fort was built at that point, and he was on the vessel at the time the soldiers were buried on Dead Man's Island at San Bernardino. After he was mustered out of the service at Norfolk, Va., in 1848, he went to the Mississippi valley and settled in Illinois not far from Joliet, where for a number of years he farmed on land which he had taken up from the government. Selling this in 1853 he bought a farm near Homestead, Iowa, whither he removed the same year. Prior to leaving Illinois, however, he was married, in 1852, to Marietta Miller, who was born in New York state, and they made their home in Iowa until the death of Mr. Mc- Coy, which occurred in September, 1880, at which time he was in his seventy-third year.

Born in Iowa December 10, 1854, Benton Mc- Coy was educated in the public schools of that state and when not in attendance during the summers helped his father with the farm duties. In the mean time he had been giving consider- able thought as to his plans for the future, and by the time he was of age had made up his mind to locate on the Pacific coast, whither so many stories of the possibilities for ambitious young men had originated. Upon coming to the state in 1875 he worked on a farm in the vicinity of Chico, Butte county, for one year, and after a five months' stay in Oregon again returned to that city. The year of 1878 was spent in Los Angeles, after which he again went to Chico, leaving there in the fall of 1879 to investigate the possibilities in Plumas county. A few months later he went back to his home in Iowa, but after spending the winter there returned to this state in April, 1880, and spent one season in lumber- ing in Butte county; for about two months he was also interested in mining at the Cherokee mines. His father's death in September, 1880, broke up the family home in Iowa and in the following spring the mother, two daughters and John Oliver came to Los Angeles county. Giv- ing up his mining enterprise Benton McCoy came to Los Angeles county to meet them and thus since 1881 he has been a resident of this county. The death of the mother occurred near Wilmington in 1887, when fifty-four years of age. Locating in Wilmington in 1881, from that date until 1893 Mr. Benton was engaged in bridge carpentering, in the latter year pur- chasing a ranch of four and three-quarters acres for $280, selling the same tract three years after- ward for $5,200. He still owns a ranch of one and three-quarters acres upon which, in 1903. he erected a modern eight-room house, 24x40 feet, which is equipped with all of the conveniences and many of the luxuries of latter-day homes.

Mr. McCoy's home is presided over by his wife, who before her marriage, December 10,

1775

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1894, was Leonora Sylva. Mrs. McCoy is a daughter of Joseph Sylva, one of the very early settlers of Wilmington. The four children com- prising the McCoy family are Otto Benton, Ruth E., Joseph A., and Earl J. Fraternally Mr. Mc- Coy is a member of Lodge No. 198, F. & A. M., at Wilmington; and Bohen Lodge No. 138, I. O. O. F., at San Pedro; and in his political views is independent. He is one of the trustees of the Wilmington Cemetery Association. Mrs. McCoy is an adherent of the Catholic Church, while Mr. McCoy is a believer in the Presby- terian faith.

GEORGE HANSEN. Descended from an ancient family of the Danish race and Luth- eran faith, George Hansen of San Diego was born at Bornholm, Denmark, April 16, 1860, and was next to the youngest among four chil- dren, two of whom are now living. His par- ents, Lars and Elizabeth (Jorgensen) Hansen, were natives of the same locality as himself and the former followed the occupation of a contracting mason throughout all of his active life. Of the entire family George was the only one to cross the ocean to the United States and he came in 1882, after having served at the carpenter's and cabinet-maker's trade from fourteen until seventeen years of age, then at- tended high school for a year and afterward returned to his trade at Bornholm. After com- ing to the United States he was employed in putting up derricks in the Pennsylvania oil regions and from there crossed the continent to San Francisco in 1883, securing employ- ment as a cabinet-maker at fair wages. In 1887 he arrived in San Diego and secured work as a journeyman until about 1891, when he embarked in contracting and building as a member of the firm of Hansen & Engebretsen. The partnership was dissolved at the expira- tion of two years and since then he has been alone. In addition to his residence at No. 2380 C street, he has built six houses of his own, but several of these are now sold. Fre- quently he has drawn his own plans and dis- charged the duty of architect as well as build- er. Among his contracts were those for the Southwestern Investment Company's building on Fifth street, Fry, Garritt & Smith's build- ing. the Fry flat, and the residences of Major Schon, Bishop J. Edmonds, L. A. Wright, C. M. Gifford and many others. August 1, 1906, Mr. Hansen was appointed street superin- tendent of the city of San Diego.

In San Diego occurred the marriage of Mr. Hansen and Miss Emma Carlson, a native of Sweden. Their family consists of four chil- dren, Roy, Alva, Ella and George, Jr. The

Republican party receives the ballot of Mr. Hansen in local and general elections. On the organization of the Union League Club he became one of its charter members and he is similarly connected with the Scan- dinavian Society, of which he was the first financial secretary. Along the line of his oc- cupation he is prominent in the Master Car- penters' Association, of which he formerly served as treasurer and now officiates as sec- retary. The Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias are among the fraternal organizations to which he belongs. After com- ing to San Diego he was made a Mason in Silver Gate Lodge, F. & A. M., and later rose to the Royal Arch Chapter and the thirty-sec- ond degree of Masonry. Prominent in the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, he was in- itiated in Sunset Lodge No. 328, at San Diego, of which he is past noble grand. During 1893 he was honored with the office of dis- trict deputy grand master. In the Encamp- he is past high priest, while in the Canton he officiates as an aide on the colonel's staff, with the rank of lieutenant. With his wife he is actively associated with the Order of Re- bekahs. On the occasion of the Grand En- campment at San Diego in 1905, he officiated as treasurer of the executive committee. The unusual and gratifying success of the conven- tion may be attributed to the tact, energy and sagacity of the executive committee, aided by the members of the order in San Diego and by the co-operation of the citizens of the place, irrespective of fraternal relations.

JAMES McPHERSON. After having lived in many different cities and states of the Union. the varicd attractions of scenery and climate of Southern California, with the opportunities of- fered here to men of spirit and determination, lured Mr. McPherson to this section to estab- lish his permanent home. He is a native of Scot- land, having been born on the Shetland Islands, and is one of two children born to John and Christina (Jamison) McPherson, the former of whom is deceased. Spending the first sixteen years of his life in his native country, where he received a common-school education, he then went to Canada, there learning the baker's trade, which he followed during the remainder of his stay in that country. In 1886 he went to Wy- oming, where he remained for awhile, then went to Denver, Colo., and his trade met with such success there that he was soon enabled to take charge of a large bakery, which he continued to manage during the remainder of his stay in that city.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 92

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