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 41

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 41
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 41
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 41

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Mr. Middagh's ancestors came from Hol- land and Germany. His grandfather, Martin Middagh, was a Revolutionary soldier, and a lientenant at the battle of Bunker Hill. Dur- ing that conflict he was struck in the face by a ball which carried away some of his teeth. His father, George Middagh, participated in the war of 1812. His mother was Mary (Goble) Middagh, and both his parents were natives of Pennsylvania. His own birth occurred in Canada, October 29, 1826, and he is one of a family of nine children, only three of whom are now living. On account of his American sentiments his father had to leave Canada in 1837, and, with his family, located in Illi- nois. From there he went to Iowa, was a

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pioneer of both States, and, of course, school opportunities for his family were limited.

In 1854 the subject of this sketch went to Shasta County, California, and engaged in mining two years. He then removed to Oregon, and both mined and farmed there for thirteen years. When he went to Ore- gon he had two old horses and twenty-five cents in money, and when he left, in 1869, he had saved $1,000. In that year, as al- ready stated at the beginning of this sketch, he located in San Luis Obispo County, California.

In 1852 Mr. Middagh married Miss Mary Huston, a native of Burlington County, Hanover Township, New Jersey. Her father was Robert Huston, a native of Ire- land, and his father was a Scotchman who settled in Ireland and was killed there in the time of the Rebellion, and his head was placed on a pole. His family escaped to America. Mrs. Middagh's grandfather Sherry, on the maternal side, was a Highland Scotch drummer-boy in the English army in the Revolutionary war, and deserted to join Washington and the cause of the Colonies. With his clothes tied on his back, he swam across a river to reach the American lines. He was with Washington at Valley Forge. His feet were protected with some old rags tied around them, and he was wounded in the ankle. After peace was declared he set- tled in New Jersey.

Mr. and Mrs. Middagh have had five chil- dren. All are now deceased except one daughter, Mary Abigail, who resides with them. She has 160 acres of land adjoining her father's property, on which she is raising stock. Mr. Middagh is raising horses and cattle. His farm products are grain and hay. He has a sample of Egyptian oats, grown on his place, that measures seven feet in length. One stool of wheat contained twenty-six heads, with 100 grains to the head.

Mr. Middagh is a political reformer. He is a Granger, and is treasurer of the Farmers' Alliance, a new society recently organized at Estrella.

APTAIN C. J. CURRIER, a veteran of the late war, is a prominent citizen of San Miguel, having a large ranch in that vicinity and being United States Pen- sion Agent at San Francisco. He is a native of Derry, New Hampshire, born September 19, 1844. His father, David Currier, is also a native of that State and a banker of the city of Derry for thirty years, where he raised his family. The Captain, the seventh of nine children, was educated at Pinkerton Academy in his native town, and was but little past sixteen years of age when the country was plunged into a great war. He endeav- ored to enlist, but was rejected on account of his youth and the strenuous opposition of his parents. As the great struggle pro- gressed his interest increased and his zeal fired up at the news of each battle, and in the spring of 1862, when not yet seventeen years of age, he broke over all restraints and en- listed as a private soldier in Company I, Eleventh New Hampshire Infantry, and was assigned to the Ninth Army Corps, under command of General Burnside. In three months he was promoted to be Second Lieu- tenant of his company. His regiment had been in several skirmishes, but in no decisive battle until December 12 and 13 at Fred- ericksburg, when they were put to the test and their gallantry and bravery were dis- played. Of the survivors none fought more gallantly than our Lieutenant, and his serv- ices were fittingly recognized at the time by his superior officers. In the spring of 1863 his regiment was sent to the West and was

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under the command of General Grant as long as Captain Currier was able to remain in it. The regiment took part both in the siege and the capture of Vicksburg and pursued General Joseph E. Johnston. In November Mr. Cur- rier was at the siege of Knoxville, and in the campaign in Virginia in 1864. On the sec- ond day of the battle of the Wilderness, in May, 1864, Captain Currier, commanding his company in advance of their line, was cheering on his men. In the assault the Captain fell with a bullet in his face, and after temporary treatment on the field he was sent to the hospital at Washington. As soon as he recovered he joined his regiment and for his bravery was promoted First Lien- tenant and soon afterward Captain. He was at the siege and battle of Petersburg; at the battle of Poplar Grove Church. September 30 he was twice wounded, one ball striking him in the hip and one in the jaw. The lat- ter passed through his head, taking out part of his jaw and most of his teeth, and cutting his tongue nearly in two. He lay on the battle-field four hours, crawling slowly and painfully to the rear, as the balls of the con- tending forces were passing over him. At night he was picked up nearly dead, cared for, aud the second time sent to the hospital at Washington. Lying on the field, wet and cold induced rheumatism, with which he has ever since suffered to some extent. The war closed before he was able to leave the hos- pital. He was twice brevetted for bravery- once at the battle of the Wilderness and once at the battle of Poplar Grove Church. As soon as he was able, he accepted a position, after being mustered out, as clerk in the War Department at Washington, where he re- mained a year. He was then commissioned Second Lientenant of the Twenty-first In- fantry. In 1869 his regiment, commanded by General Stoneman, came to California.

He remained with it until 1870, when he re- signed his commission and retired to private life.

In 1874 he came to San Luis Obispo County, purchased a ranch of 1,000 acres and engaged in stock-raising. His home is a quiet retreat on the Salinas River, about a mile northeast of San Miguel, but since his appointment as pension agent he has to spend Innch of his time in San Francisco. He is a member of the G. A. R. at San Miguel, In- dependent Order of the Loyal Legion and also of the Odd Fellows Encampment and Masonic Chapter. He still carries in his cheek a dimple made by that rebel ball, which, however, in no way detracts from his fine, gentlemanly personal appearance. It is in- deed as graceful as a physical defect can be. In his political principles he is an ardent Republican, but he has declined office. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church.

In 1869, at Manchester, New Hampshire, he was united in matrimony with Miss Nataline Smith, a native of Providence, Rhode Island, and daughter of Waterman Smith, president of the First National Bank of Manchester. They have a son and daugh- ter, both born in San Francisco, namely: Charles Waterman, who graduated with honor in the class of 1889 at the California Military Academy at Oakland; and Harriet Nataline, at present a pupil of Snell's Sem- inary in Oakland.

OSEPH HOBART is a pioneer of the State of California and one of the most prominent horticulturists of the Upper Ojai Valley. His life history would make a book of most interesting reading, but in the short space allowed in a work of this charac-

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ter only a brief outline can be given. He comes of hardy New England ancestry; and in the early pioneer days of California, only the men of strong will power braved the dangers of the long journey to the far West and, once there, stayed and helped to make the country what it is to-day; and it is to their indomitable qualities that California owes the proud position she now occupies among the sisterhood of States.

Mr. Hobart is a native of Abington, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. HIis father, Benjamin Hobart, was a native of the same town, was a graduate of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, later became a manufacturer and made the first tacks ever made in the United States. He was a member of the Congregational Church. His death occurred in 1875. Mr. Hobart's grandfather, Colonel Aaron Hobart, was born in the same town, and was a foundry- man. He cast cannon to be used in the Revolutionary war. The original ancestor of the family in America landed at Hingham, Massachusetts. in 1632, and was one of the first pastors of the Hingham Church. Mr. Hobart's mother, nee Deborah Lazell, was a descendant of the Huguenots, and was the mother of twelve children, five dangliters and two sons still living. Mr. Hobart re- ceived his education at the Phillips (Exeter, New Hampshire,) Academy and at the Leicester Academy, Massachusetts. Being feeble in health and afflicted with asthma, he was advised to go to sea, and his second voy- age brought him to San Francisco, in 1849. He returned to that city in 1856, and, in company with his brother, engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business, which proved a success and which they conducted until 1864. He then sold his interest and went to New York and Boston, and in 1871, health again failing, returned to San Fran-

cisco. Being troubled with asthma, he then came to Southern California, first to Santa Barbara and then to Upper Ojai Valley. Be- ing delighted with the country, and finding it conducive to health, he purchased 441 acres of land on which he built and planted and on which he has since resided. The altitude of this land is 1,100 feet above sea level, and it is located fonr miles east of the village of Nordhoff. With him everything was experimental, and those who have not experienced the disappointments and failures know nothing of the difficulties under whieli the early settlers labored; but intelligent in- dustry has gained the victory, and Mr. Hobart now has one of the finest fruit ranches in this beautiful valley. During his eighteen years' residence in the Ojai Valley he has never had an attack of asthma. He has 1,500 large bearing apricot trees, loaded with fruit; 1,000 French prunes in the same fine condition; 1,000 almond trees also bear- ing abundantly, and a large orchard devoted to a general variety of delicious fruits He keeps his ranch in a most excellent condi- tion, has his own fruit-dryer, and has a nut- huller of his own invention that makes hnll- ing of the nuts quite easy. To give an idea of the productiveness of the land we state that, in 1888, from 285 almond trees, Mr. Hobart sold $784 worth of nuts, and the prospect is still better this year. Mr. Hobart has also given some attention to the raising of fine horses and cattle, principally for his own use.

The subject of this sketch was married in 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Hutchinson, a native of Philadelphia, a Quaker, and a lady of Scotch-English descent. This union has been blessed with two daughters, Margaret and Gertrude. Their cozy California home, em- bowered with trees and vines, at once denotes the intelligence and refinement of its inmates.

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Mr. Hobart is a gentleman pleasant in his manner and pronounced in his ideas on all subjects. He takes an active interest in educational matters, and. is School Trustee of his district. He is a decided Republican, and a.man of influence in the county.

W. BLUMBERG is the proprietor and manager of the Ojai Hot Springs, in

6 the Matilija Canon, located fifteen miles from Ventura and five miles from Nordhoff. Here Mr. Blumberg has what might be called a village for the sick, the halt and the invalid of every description, and here are located three springs. The Hot Sulphur Spring is 104° and is impregnated with sulphate of soda, magnesia and other healing properties, and is the safest and most healing to be found. Every one who has tried its efficiency speaks in the most em- phatic manner of the benefits derived. An- other fine spring is called the Fountain of Life, which is tonic in its effect. The third spring Mr. Blunberg calls the Mother Eve spring. It is alterative and cathartic in its effect. It is one of the unexplained mys- teries of nature how these delightful health- giving fountains should flow from our benefi- cent mother earth in the same locality. The canon in which the little health town is located has a beautiful, clear mountain stream, the San Buenaventura River, run- ning through it, filled with a great many shy little tront, that all can fish for but only the expert can catch. This romantic spot is hemmed in by mountains 1,000 feet high on either side, and those who enjoy wild and rugged scenery can here find a place of de- light. It is about nine hundred feet above the sea, and is completely shut in from the breezes of the great Pacific, fifteen miles

away. Mr. Blumberg has eighty acres of land, in the center of which he has built the Matilija House, which is designed with kitchen, dining-room, parlor and office, near which are five or six cottages in which guests may have the quiet of home. There are also some tents, the bath-house, a store and postoffice, all built and conducted by Mr. Blumberg, who is also the Postmaster. He is an enterprising business man, well in- formed, pleasing in his manner, and takes great pains to look after the comfort of his guests. Consequently, his resort is fast be- coming a popular one.

The subject of this sketch was born in Roxbury, Delaware County, New York, July 9, 1836, the son of Christopher Blumberg. His grandfather, George Blumberg, came from Germany, was detained in the British army, and afterward became a settler of Del- aware County, New York. Mr. Blumberg's mother, nee Jane Mackey, was a native of New York. Her father, Thomas Mackey, was also born in the same State. They were of Scotch ancestry. Mr. Blumberg received his education in New York, and afterward went to Iowa, where he was admitted to the bar. In 1872 he came to California, aud after residing in Los Angeles one or two years came to Ventura County, where he has since remained. He built the first hotel in Nordhoff, for which he received the twenty acres of land on which it stands. He ar- rived in Nordhoff January 12, 1874, and at that time the town was in the embryo state. Mr. Blumberg named the hotel which he built The Nordhoff, but it has since been called the Ojai House. For three years he was its proprietor and conducted it success- fully. The land for the town site was bought. for $4.25 per acre, and sixteen years later Mr. Blumberg sold one-fourth of an acre for $5,000. He still has considerable real-estate

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interests in the town. He started the Hot Springs enterprise January 20, 1887.

Mr. Blumberg was married in 1859, to Miss Catherine E. Vanenren, a native of New York, danghter of Calvin Van Curen, also a native of New York. Their union has been blest with five children, four of whom are living, viz .: Inez ()., Wheeler C., Birdsel W. and Irene M. The last named was the first child born in Nordhoff. Mr. Blumberg is a Republican and was elected Justice of the Peace by his party. He is a Master Mason.

ILLINGSTON & PERRY .- Among the progressive developers of Santa Barbara County the firm of Lillingston & Perry holds a prominent place. All who visit the beautiful valley of Carpenteria should take that lovely drive up through the Lillingston Cañon, which is suggestive of the primeval forests, with its dense underbruslı and its gnarled and twisted live-oaks which have stood the storms of centuries. Far back in the cañon lies the "Glen Rosa " Ranch and ostrich farm, which was started by Mr. Lillingston in 1885, at which time he made the purchase. The ranch is composed of 160 acres, largely mesa and upland. He carried on general farming until September, 1888, when he sold a half interest to Mr. Perry, his fellow countryman, and together they conceived the idea of starting an ostrich farm. They purchased four fine birds from Mr. E. Cawston, of the Norwalk Ranch, near Los Angeles. Two of the birds were im- ported from Africa and are now eleven years old. The other two are eighteen months old, and were raised in California. The birds were placed on the ranch in October, 1889,

and are now (May, 1890,) laying and doing well.

During the year 1890 Mr. Perry bought another ostrich ranch, at Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, where there are about thirty birds, in fine condition.

Mr. Lillingston was born in London, Eng- land, in 1861, and before twelve years of age had circled the world in his travels with his parents. His father, Rev. F. A. C. Lillings- ton, is a prominent clergyman of the West End of London. Mr. Lillingston was edu- cated in the Haileybury College of England, and afterward studied in Germany. In 1878 he entered the National Provincial Bank of England, going in as clerk and rising to as- sistant cashier, remaining seven years. In 1885 he came to California.

Mr. Harold Burder Perry was born in Lon- don, England, in 1869. Hís father was editor and proprietor of Perry's Gazette, a bankruptcy journal of great prominence. Mr. Perry was educated at the Repton School, and came to America in 1887. The next year, as already stated, he purchased an interest in the "Glen Rosa" Ranch.

B S. SUTTON was born at Romulus, Seneca County, New York, in 1828. He was educated at the Ovid Academy, at Ovid. IIis father was a farmer, and to this calling the subject of this sketch was reared, and has followed through life. After remaining at home until twenty-three years of age, he started ont for himself, first going to McLean Connty, Illinois, where he par- chased 242 acres of prairie and timber land, and engaged in general farming, raising corn, cattle, hogs, etc. In 1863 he sold out and went to Livingston County, same State, near the town of Forest. He there bought 200

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acres and carried on the same. class of farm- ing, until 1873, when he again sold out and came to California. He first stopped at Ventura, but in November, 1873, he came to Carpenteria and bought forty acres of land. This he immediately improved by building a house and barns. During the boom of 1877 he sold thirty acres, continuing to hold ten acres, which is largely devoted to alfalfa and orchard.

Mr. Sutton was married in Bloomington, Illinois, in 1854, to Miss Mary Barnard, a native of Ohio, who moved with her parents to Illinois in 1840, being among the first pioneers. They have five children, all of whom are living.

A. CRAVENS .- Among thie Califor- nia pioneers of 1849 was T. A. Cra- vens, who was born in Marion, Ala- bama, in 1828. His father, Jesse P. Cravens, was a physician and surgeon of Marion, and enjoyed a large practice. T. A. Cravens was educated in Marion, and at the age of twenty- one, during the California gold excitement, started on that long, tedious journey across the plains, taking the southern route, through New Mexico and Arizona. Upon his arrival in California he went to the mines on the American River, and there, and at other points, he was engaged in placer mining for about two years, with reasonable success. He then went to Eureka and engaged in lum- bering, owning his own saw-mills and remain- ing about three years. In January, 1856, Mr. Cravens was married in Marysville, Yuba County, to Miss Elizabeth Humes, a native of Missouri. They then went to Plumas County, and Mr. Cravens again en- gaged in placer mining, about three years. In 1859 they removed to Sonoma County

and purchased a farm of 160 acres, and car- ried on general farming until 1865, and in Monterey County, until 1868, when they came south, spending the winter in Los An- geles, and in the spring of 1869 locating in the Carpenteria Valley, where they purchased a ranch of sixty acres, on which was a small adobe house. Land was mainly unimproved, being covered with brush and a heavy growth of live-oaks. Then the work of clearing and improving began, and the broad, beautiful fields in a high state cultivation now sur- round their more modern house and more complete out-buildings. They have added seventy acres to their ranch, all valley land, of which 100 acres are yearly planted to Lima beans, with an average yield of 2,000 pounds to the acre. They keep eight or ten horses and mnles and several cows, but only for ranch purposes.

Mr. Cravens was a man popular among his associates and much respected by all. He served his county one term as Supervisor. At the age of sixty years, after an active life of much labor and hardships, he passed away. His widow has since managed and carried on the ranch. Mr. and Mrs. Cravens have been blessed with eleven children, eight of whom survive, one daughter being married to John Bailard and living in the valley, and seven children living at home.

SITTENFELD, the pioneer merchant of San Miguel, and one of its most . prominent citizens, is a native of Prussia, Germany, born in 1855, of German parents. He received his early education there, and served an apprenticeship to the mercantile business, which proved of great value to him in after years. He came to the United States in 1870, and accepted a posi-

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tion as clerk in San Luis Obispo County, with the firm of Goldtree Bros. After being in their employ four years they started a store at San Miguel, in 1874, and Mr. Sittenfeld became a partner in the business, and was as- signed the management of it; it was located near the old Mission building. There had been another man in business at that place, but he soon sold out to them, and for a num- ber of years he had the only store in the town. The trade continued to grow under Mr. Sittenfeld's management until 1886, when the railroad was built. He then sold out to his partners, the Goldtree Bros., and organized the present firm of A. Sitten- feld & Co .. general merchandise dealers, Mr. Mandersheid being the other member of the firm. They have established their store in the business center of the town and carry a large stock, which is kept np in excellent style, neatness and order prevailing through- out the store. Mr. Sittenfeld, as a business inan, is a "success," collecting about him a large circle of friends and still keeping his old customers with him. They have a branch store at Cholame, employing six men in both stores, including themselves, both taking an active part in the business. Mr. Sittenfeld has purchased a 160-acre ranch, a mile and a quarter from town, on which he takes great pleasure in making improvements. Ile has planted a large variety of trees and vines; and there are a large number of oak trees on the ranch, which naturally add to the beauty and picturesqueness of the place. The farm is devoted to wheat. For many years Mr. Sittenfeld was the Postmaster of San Miguel, and for twelve years was Wells, Fargo & Co.'s agent, and has also held the office of Justice of the Peace at Parkfield, Monterey County.

Notwithstanding the amount of business he is doing, and the length of time in busi-

ness, he is still a young and single gentleman, but the fixing of this nice place so near the town would seem to indicate that Mr. Sittenfeld does not always intend to board at the hotel, and that there are to be still other chapters of interest in his history!

ILLIAM McGUIRE was born in Co- shocton County, Ohio, April 29, 1846. His father, Thomas McGuire, was also a native of Ohio, and his grandfather, Francis McGuire, was born in Virginia. His great-grandfather, William McGuire, was a native of the north of Ireland, came to Amer- ica before the Revolution, participated in that struggle, and lost his life for independ- ence. Mr. McGuire's mother, nee Sarah Johnson, was born in Orange County, New York, daughter of Henry Johnson, a native of the same county. They were of German ancestry, and are in the line of heirs of the New York Trinity Church property. Mr. McGuire's parents had three children, of whom the subject of this sketch and his sister, a resident of Ventura County, are living. Mr. McGuire was reared in Ohio. He began life as a photographer. On account of ill health he was obliged to abandon it and en- gage in out-door employment. In 1875 he came to Ventura County, California, and bought a small place on the Avenue near San Buenaventura city. Ile built upon and im- proved the property, and when his health recovered he engaged in milling with Thomas Clark, in the Ventura mill. After this, Mr. McGuire purchased 262 acres of land in the beautiful Upper Ojai Valley, and has here erected a comfortable house and barns, and is engaged in stock-raising, and also producing large quantities of hay, which he feeds to his horses and cattle.

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Mr. McGuire was united in marriage, in 1875, with Miss Nancy Darrah. a native of Ohio, and daughter of William and Elizabeth Darrah. This union has been blessed with eight children, all but one living, and all born in Ventura County, viz .: Corena, Will- iam, Myrta A., Thomas, Sarah, Claus and Katie B.

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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