A memorial and biographical history of the counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura, California Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future; with full-page steel portraits of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day, Part 33

Author: Storke, Yda Addis
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 738

USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > A memorial and biographical history of the counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura, California Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future; with full-page steel portraits of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 33
USA > California > Santa Barbara County > A memorial and biographical history of the counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura, California Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future; with full-page steel portraits of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 33
USA > California > Ventura County > A memorial and biographical history of the counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura, California Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future; with full-page steel portraits of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 33

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).

" Miss Florence Vandever, daughter of Gen- eral Vandever, is the present librarian, and under lier management the place is made

232

VENTURA COUNTY.

attractive, as shown by the increased attend- ance.

"The library is one of the best small libra- ries in the State, and is the pride of the citizens of Ventura. The success of the library is mainly due to the intelligent and constant supervision of Messrs. James Daly, W. E. Shepherd and Judge S. A. Sheppard, and especially to James Daly, who was one of the original founders, and since then almost continuously one of the trustees, he having been untiring in his efforts to build up the library and make it a success.

" The library is open every afternoon and evening, and it is largely patronized, the Venturans taking great pride in the institu- tion."

A feature æsthetic as well as practical of the town is

FLORICULTURE.

A few years ago Mrs. T. B. Shepherd of San Buenaventura, possessing a love for flowers and rare plants, songht, through a system of mutual exchange, to add to her collection and at the same time furnish per- sons in other parts of the country with such seeds and bulbs as she grew at home. In her zeal and anxiety to secure for herself some varieties grown by Eastern florists, she oc- casionally applied to them, proposing to furnish from her stock such as they might wish to propagate. These applications were often entirely unnoticed. l'eter Henderson, however, the noted seedsman and florist, wrote her encouragingly and advised her to raise seeds and bulbs for the Eastern market. This was four years ago; but, having no capital and only a limited experience, her progress was necessarily slow. But with a courage born of love for the business, she went to work upon about two acres of ground adjoining her residence. As fast as the in- come from her sales would permit she would

order seeds and bulbs from prominent florists in Europe and America. Her ground had to be prepared and necessary buildings put up, and all from the income of the garden. Thus has she worked along, experimenting sometimes though rarely failing, until she has demonstrated that this country, and right. here in Ventura, is one of the best places for cultivating flowering plants for profit in the world. Of all the European plants and bulbs she has cultivated, those raised here are superior to those raised in their own country. Her business has increased until it requires the constant attention of two men under her supervision, and her sales to Eastern seeds- men and florists alone will amount to $2,000 this year. This amount does not include her sales to individuals and those who purchased for their own use, which sales are very con- siderable. She values her stock at $5,000, and fully expects to realize that amount upon her next year's sales. Eastern florists who would not deign to answer her letters when, as an amateur, she applied to them for favors, now send her orders for seeds and bulbs. She shipped, in one year, on orders from the Eastern States, 10,000 calla lilies, 20,000 Freesia refracta alba and 1,750 Canna Ehemani. She has already received orders for thirty-three pounds of smilax seed, and has sent to one order $45 worth of fuchsia seed. Mrs. Shepherd states that her business is increasing rapidly, and that, as Southern California becomes better known for the ex- cellence of its seeds and bulbs, she cannot supply the demand, notwithstanding the fact that she is now improving and planting out five acres in addition to the above floral park.

It having become noised abroad that Mrs. Shepherd was willing to impart to others the results of her experience, she has been be- sieged with letters, often from people who

233

VENTURA COUNTY.

write from curiosity only. This is obviously unfair to the lady; for, while she is always ready to give information to persons in- terested in pursuing this new field of labor she has shown to be open to and practicable for women, she has not the time nor the strength to attend to the merely curious.

THE COUNTY HOSPITAL.

This institution is situated in a central portion of San Buenaventura, on the same tract as the court-house and other county edifices, where the county owns one half- block.

The building has recently been renovated; its walls calcimined and cheerful pictures hung upon them; the wood-work is clean with fresh paint, and carpets are laid on most of the passage-ways. In the lower hall is a case containing a number of books and periodicals.

The office contains a supply of medicines; the wards are well lighted, well ventilated, commodions, and comfortably fitted. There are four wards upstairs and two down, - in all abont eighteen beds. At present thirteen beds are occupied-eleven by inen, and two by old ladies of neat and tidy appearance, disabled by rheumatism from work.

The kitchen is well kept, and it and the pantry seem to be supplied with viands of a better quality than is usual in such institu- tions.

The outhouses are ample and orderly, the grounds cheerful with flowers, and the kitch- en-garden filled with vegetables.

This hospital seems less formal and more homelike than most refuges of the sort.

It is under the management of Dr. Cephas R. Bard, the county physician, and of Dr. Joshua Marks, hospital superintendent. The cost of the hospital was $10,000.

Until within the past few years the poor were " farmed out;" tlien the atention of Mr.

W. H. Jewett, county anditor and recorder, having been called to an act of the Legisla- ture of 1882 to provide aid for the indigent sick, he looked up the records, and claims were made out for $1,800. This being allowed, the matter was pressed, and Ventura County was found to be entitled to $10,700 from this source, and the amount was duly collected from the respective fund or appro- priation.

THE COURT 110USE,

built in 1872, originally consisted of the main square building, to which was added, some six years later, a wing containing an enlarge- ment of several offices in two stories, and a vault for the storage of records. In 1884 four rooms were added to the west end. It now contains the quarters of the sheriff, assessor, district attorney, clerk and auditor and recorder, on the ground floor; and the court-room and chambers, jury-room, and the offices of the county surveyor and school superintendent. The treasurer is quartered elsewhere. The building is of brick, stuccoed, with fittings rather comfortable, although somewhat ont of repair and antiquated. At the time of the present writing, an addition is in progress, to contain the papers of the clerk's office and and the supervisors. The cost was $20,000.

THE COUNTY JAIL,

erected in 1888, is a substantial brick build- ing of two stories and a basement, its wood- work being of Oregon pine, sugar pine, redwood, and white fir, all the materials being of the best quality. The cells, locks, etc., are of the most modern and complete desigus, and the jail is a model of this sort of insti- tution. It cost $20,000.

The valuation of Ventura's county property as per the rates of the present year, 1890, is as follows: court-house, $20,000; hospital, $10,000; jail, $20,000; records, books, im-

234

VENTURA COUNTY.

provements, furnishings, etc., $35,000; total, $85,000.

BANKS.

The pioneer banking establishment of this county is the Bank of Ventura, which was founded in September, 1874, with a capital of $250,000. Its officers were: L. Snod- grass, President; M. Cannon, Vice-Presi- dent; H. M. Gay, Cashier and Secretary. This bank now has a paid up capital of $100,- 000; surplus, $50,000. Its present officers are: E. P. Foster, President; L. C. McKeeby, Vice-President; J. A, Walker, Cashier; A. Bernheim, Secretary.

The bank of William Collins & Sons was opened in September, 1887. The following is its comparative statement:

RESOURCES.

Sept. 1, 1889.

Sept. 1, 1890.

Loans and discounts ..

$172,727.11

$203,076.05

Bonds

35,500.00

30,000.00

Warrants

3,192.96

678.50

Cash.

15,762.60

24,815.68

Due from Banks

9,929.96

73,341.28

Real Estate, furniture, fix-

tures

21,000.00

$257,212.63

$352,911.51

LIABILITIES.

Capital stock

$100,000.00

$100,000 00

Surplus and profits

26,719.70

38,116 38

Deposits.

130,140 07

212,708.06

Due other Banks

352.86

2,087.07

$257,212.63

$352,911.51

Reserve fund.

$38,116.38

In the city of San Buenaventura there are 679 census children, of whom 464 are en- rolled in the public schools, the average at- tendance being ninety-seven per cent. of the enrollment. There are some 125 or 130 children of Spanish blood in attendance. There are three departments-primary, gram- mar and high schools. The corps comprises Professor Black, principal of the city schools,

and nine other teachers. The school build- ings are: the High School-house, which cost $30,000; the Poli street building, worth $2,- 500, and the Meta street building, worth $2,000. The High School was established in 1889, by the people voting a special tax for the purpose, the vote being unanimous but for two votes. This department has three courses, scientific, literary and class- ical, and it prepares pupils for the colleges and for the State University. There are thirty-three pupils in the Iligh School, of whom eight are seniors, who will be gradnated in 1891.

CHURCHES.

It will readily be seen from the following list of the different denominations and their churches that Ventura County will rank among the first as a church-going people; and while the compiler has not been able to get the whole number in the county, the fol- lowing brief sketches of the principal churches of San Buenaventura will be found nearly correct:

Catholic .- There are 1,500 Roman Cath- olic parishioners in the district of La Mision, and 850 in Ventura, where Father Cipriano Rubio is pastor, officiating in the old Mission church. This sanctuary has been extensively repaired, but with consistency preserving as far as might be the ancient characteristics. The earthquake of 1857 caused the roof to fall in, lodging in the garret, where it was held by the vigas (beams). Thereupon the present roof of shingles was put in place. Twenty years ago new altars and flooring were supplied, and about the same time the pews were placed. Within the last three years, many modifications have been made, but with discretion. The sanctuary, being of insufficient space, was raised, and extended to the body of the church; and a new chancel railing was put in. The main altar was built in 1886-

235

VENTURA COUNTY.

'88, and two side-altars in 1889. Since 1885 there has been a resident priest at New Jerusalem, eight miles from Ventura. Pre- vious to that, Father John Pujot had offici- ated there at intervals since 1875 or 1876.

Congregational Church .- The Congrega- tional Church was the first Protestant church in the county, having been organized in 1867, at the time the land known as the Briggs tract was thrown upon the market and opened to settlement, the founding of said church being the result of the settle- ment of the above mentioned tract of land by American citizens.

There being no Protestant church at that time nearer than Santa Barbara, the services of Rev. M. B. Starr were secured to act as missionary for $1,000, donated by the So- ciety of Missions.

The first members consisted of Revs. Bris- tol and Harrison, Eliza A. Shaw, Francis L. Saxby, Isabella L. Hobson, Hannah E. Mc- Carty, Mary A. Herbert, Matilda P. Barn- ard, George Beers, Sarah Beers, Edward B. Williams, Elizabeth A. Williams, Amanda Baker, Maria A. Wason, Nancy L. Banning, Celia A. Simpson, Fanny Williams, W. E. Barnard and G. S. Gilbert, the two latter persons being deacons, and the latter of these clerk.

A simple and iuexpensive church, 28 x 40 feet, costing but a few hundred dollars, was soon erected. The Ventura Land Company donated the lot on which the church was built, and the Rev. Mr. Warren, of San Fran- cisco, preached the first sermon in the new edifice, the Rev. Mr. Harrison occupying the pulpit from October, 1869, until March, 1870. Rev. W. E. Merritt officiated from July 30th of that year until the following October. Rev. S. Bristol preached at inter- vals until 1875, when Rev. T. C. Jerome, of Illinois, was engaged and remained until

June, 1876; Rev. R. B. Snell from August 1, 1876, to January 1, 1878; Rev. Charles B. Shelden from January, 1878, to -. Rev. T. D. Murphy began his services here October 26, 1884.

The church building now occupied was finished, furnished and dedicated free from debt, without missionary help, May 3, 1885. It has a seating capacity for 350 persons. An annex, 24 x 30 feet, has recently been added.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- In 1867 Rev. R. R. Dunlap was appointed to the pas- torate of Santa Barbara, his charge en- bracing the whole county, which at that time included the county of Ventura. In 1867 Rev. P. Y. Coole took charge of the western district and Mr. Dunlap was sent to San Buenaventura and Saticoy, and he organ- ized the church in San Buenaventura. In 1870 Rev. George O. Ashe was sent to this circuit and became popular at once. He held services in the room which afterward became the public reading room. Mr. Ashe's family responsibilities crowded upon him. He worked during all his spare time at the printer's case, thus obtaining but a small pit- tance, upon which the average Methodist minister in all new countries is supposed to keep the wolf from the door. In 1871 the Rev. B. Holland was sent to the circuit, and, like his predecessors, received a very small allowance, but conversions followed his labor, part of the converts joining the Methodist Church and part joining other churches. In 1872 Rev. G. O. Ashe was returned to the circuit for a second time and much good was donc during his year. Rev. Adam Bland officiated in 1873, and was instrumental in building the Methodist Church, at a cost of $1,700, the lot upon which the same was built costing $400, and when the church was com- pleted the society found itself in debt $1,000.

VENTURA CA'NTY.

Mr. Bland seems to have been the first pastor who received a fair salary, he receiving $200 from the Missionary Society and $500 from the people.

In 1874 Rev. W. A. Knighten became pastor, Ventura being set apart as a station with a missionary appropriation of $500. After arriving at the place, he and others concluded that the house rent was so high that it would be better to build a parsonage; consequently the Inmber was bought, and the house was completed in abont six days, most of the work being donated. During this year the Sunday-school was organized and an organ purchased for the church. A ladies' " Aid Society " was organized and rendered efficient financial aid, paying a large portion of the church debt, and furnishing the parson- age. Mr. Knighten was returned for the third time. This year was marked with financial prosperity. During the three years that Mr. Knighten was pastor, he had the pleasure of seeing the membership increase from seventeen to seventy-five.

Rev. F. S. Woodcock was appointed pas- tor by the conference of 1877 and remained one year. Owing to the severe financial de- pression of that year, the church was consid- erably crippled, but maintained its spiritual power. In September, 1878, the South- ern California Conference held its session in San Buenaventura. The sittings were at- tended by the people generally and greatly enjoyed. At this session Rev. E. F. Walker was appointed pastor, but he became discour- aged and remained only ten months. At the next session of the conference the Rev. J. A. Van-Anda was appointed, and the work of the church proceeded. The Rev. J. H. Peters served the church during 1880-'81, and dur- ing his pastorate the church enjoyed a good degree of prosperity, and reduced its indebt- edness. During 1882 Rev. A. N. Fields

was pastor and had a fair share of success, and did good work. Rev. James A. White was sent to the charge by the conference of 1883. Improvements on the church prop- erty were immediately commenced. The parsonage was removed from behind the church to the corner of the lot and enlarged. The church editice was dedicated during the year. Mr. White remained three years. Rev. J. A. McMillan followed in the fall of 1886 and had a successful year. During this year the church debt was entirely paid off. He was returned for another year, but owing to ill-health was compelled to abandon his work at the end of three months, the pulpit being supplied until the end of the confer- ence year by various ministers.

In April, 1888, Rev. W. L. Douglass was transferred from the New York East Con- ference and placed in charge of the church.

Presbyterian Church .- Rev. T. E. Taylor, a missionary to the Sandwich Islands in 1847, and founder, in 1852, of the first church for foreigners, having returned and settled in Virginia City, Nevada, was petitioned by a number of Ventura citizens to organize a Presbyterian Church in this place. He an- swered at once, and on Sunday, January 31, 1869, in the school-house just north of town, he met the friends of the enterprise. At the close of his sermon ten members were en- rolled by certificate, who at once elected as elders, M. J. Ashmore, E. B. Conklin and B. Lehman. The following gentlemen were elected trustees: M. J. Ashmore, A. D. Barnard, E. B. Conklin, George A. Gilbert and S. W. Chaffee. Mr. Taylor was invited to remain as their pastor. T. R. Bard gave the ground on the northeast corner of Oak and Meta streets, 80 x 200 feet, for the church building, and by March 27, 1870, the present honse of worship was finished, paid for and dedicated, all in fourteen months

237

VENTURA COUNTY.

from the organization of the soiety. The total cost was $2,511.60. Mr. Taylor found it necessary to resign shortly after the comple- tion of the church. He was followed for short terms by Revs. William Campbell and H. H. Dobyns, and November 1, 1873, Rev. Mr. Taylor was recalled, continning his pastorate to the close of the year 1876. The parson- age on Meta street had been built in the meantime, entailing a heavy debt upon the young and struggling church.

The year 1877 was wholly given to the experiment of a " union " with the Congre- gationalists, the points of which were, that for that term both organizations worship to- gether in the Presbyterian church, under the pastorate, first, of Rev. Mr. Snell, now of the Snell Academy, Oakland; second, that of Rev. Charles B. Sheldon, of the Anoka Congregational Union, Minnesota; but the ec- clesiastical, like the domestic step-fathership, was not satisfactory to all the parties con- cerned. The debt had increased, while death and removals had weakened the already feeble church. As a result, Sunday, January 6, 1878, the " union " was, on motion of Mr. N. Blackstock, dissolved. No permanent supply for the pulpit was secured till July 1, when Rev. S. T. Wells, of Oakland, amid great discouragements, began his pastorate, which continued for three years and resulted in greatly strengthening the church and free- ing the property from encumbrance.

Mr. Wells resigned the pastorate in July, 1881, but as " honorably retired " continues, with his excellent wife, foremost in every good work. His successor, Rev. F. D. Sew- ard, of New York, carried forward the work with rare energy and faithfulness from Octo- ber, 1881, until September 1, 1887, when he took the field of Synodical Missionary for Southern California; and Rev. James M. Crawford, the present pastor, was called to

the church from Gree iville, Ohio. Under its varions lealers the church has steadily increased in membership, while the Sunday- school and prayer-meetings have shared in the prosperity of the congregation.

The church building, now eighteen years old, and by no means attractive in its exte- rior, is, inside, not surpassed in the county for the cheerfulness and good taste of its fur- nishings; and though quite a nple for all the nses of the church, is being so fully occupied as to make it evident that more churchly and commodious quarter, is only a question of the near future. From a dependent of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions and church erection, it has become self-sustain- ing, and at the same time a generous con- tributor through the nine great agencies of that church to the world's evangelization. It has steadily fostered the work at Saticoy, and been largely instrumental in securing to that community a beautiful church building, a church organization and Subbath-school.

Besides the officers already alluded to, Messrs. T. R. Bard, D. S. Blackburn, George W. Chrisman, J. L. Kenney, James R. Boal, J. P. Cutter, Frank Dennis, E. A. Edwards, A. J. Collins and Rev. S. T. Wells have served as trustees. Messrs. E. A. Duvall, J. P. Cutter, J. C. Brewster, N. Blackstock, George P. Waldon, Hou. William Vandever, A. D. Seward, L. W. Hare and Luther Skel .- enger have been elders.

Rev. James Monroe Crawford, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Ventura, was born in Trimble County, Kentucky, August 12, 1836. His father, John Crawford, of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, was of Scotch descent, and brought up in the Pres- byterian Church; his mother was Clarissa Bell, a native of Culpeper Court-house, Virginia, who, from childhood, was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

238

VENTURA COUNTY.

At the time of their marriage they were residents of Madison, Indiana, which city continued to be the family home, with the brief exception of two years spent in Ken- tucky, until 1876. The subject of this sketch was the oldest son of twelve children; the foundation of his edncation was laid in the private and public schools of that city. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to learn the pattern-maker's trade, that being his father's business. During the three years' term of service he had taken a preliminary course in theology, aided only by the text books and such comments on them as he was able to read in the people about him. Ad- mitted into the Southeast Indiana Confer- ence as an itinerant minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in October, 1856, he en- tered fully upon the double work of student and pastor.

On September 14, 1858, he was nnited in marriage to Miss Clarissa L. Golay, the daughter of Constant and Louisa Golay, of Switzerland County, Indiana, both of whom were descendents of prominent Swiss families.

August, 1862, during the gloomiest period of the war, he enlisted a full company of volunteers from his congregation in Dearborn County, Indiana. On their "inuster in" as Company H, Eighty-third Indiana Volun- teers, he was unanimously elected, and Gov- ernor Morton commissioned him, Captain; two months later he was appointed Chaplain; and during the siege of Vicksburg was com- pelled to resign on account of wretched health. After five months' rest he resumed his work. While closing his term as pastor of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, having fallen a victim to insomnia, he gave up active service, spending the next six years in a fight for life and health. It was at the close of that period, with returning health, that he severed his ecclesiastical con-

nection with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and united with the Presbytery of Indianap- olis. The cause of the change was no griev- ance, neither a want of appreciation of Methodism, nor disappointment as to his private ambitions; but rather a conviction that had sprung up early in his ministry and strengthened each year that both the teach- ings and methods of the Presbyterian Church would be more helpful to his Christian expe- rience and add largely to his ability to make full proof of his ministry.

Mr. Crawford was called immediately to the pastorate of the Sixth Church, Indian- apolis, Indiana, and thence to Greenville, Ohio, and from the latter church to this, September 1, 1887, of which he continues pastor at this writing. Of their family of eight children, three died in early childhood; three are yet with them; two, Edward S. and Louisa, are in the East, the former as foreman of the pattern department of the Malleable Iron Works, Indianapolis, Indiana, and the latter, as wife of Rev. Berthold Seeholzer, a minister of the North Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Episcopalian .- During the summer of 1887, an informal meeting of four or five persons interested in the Episcopal Church was held at the residence of Judge L. C. Mc- Keeby, to consider the propriety of organ- izing snch a church in San Buenaventura. As a final result of the preliminary confer- ence, the Rev. A. G. L. Trew, Dean of the Diocese, visited Ventura on the 7th of De cember, 1887.

Services of the Episcopal Church were held in the house of worship of the Congregation- alists, who kindly placed their edifice at the service of the Episcopalians for the purpose.

A mission was organized under the name of St. Paul's, and the announcement made that the bishop had appointed Rev. F. R.

239

VENTURA COUNTY.

Sanford, of Connecticut, as missionary reetor thereto. Jannary 15, 1888, the first regular service was held in Odd Fellows Hall.

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.

Author: Storke, Yda Addis Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 738

Author: Storke, Yda Addis
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 738