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 42

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 42
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 42
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 42

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Mr. McGuire is an enterprising, intelli- gent business man, one whose influence for good is felt in the community. He is now serving his district as School Trustee. Poli- tically he is a Democrat; and socially affi- liated with the Masonic fraternity.

HOMAS CLARK, a pioneer citizen of the Ojai Valley, was born in Ireland, November 14, 1842. His parents, Bernard and Annie (McCarron) Clark, were also natives of Ireland. The subject of this sketch was educated in his native country, and, in 1855, came with his parents to the United States and settled in Wisconsin, where his father purchased a farm. Mr. Clark, Sr., was a faithful member of the Catholic Church all his life, and died in 1865. Mr. Clark is one of a family of three children, all now in California, and his sister, Mrs. Thomas Thompson, lives on an adjoining farm. After working for some time on a steamboat, Mr. Clark next engaged in the saw-mill business, and sawed lumber to aid in keeping the rebels out of New Orleans. In 1861 he returned to Wisconsin and there mnet the lady who afterwards became his wife and has been a faithful helpinate to him thus far on life's journey. She is also a native of Ireland, and of the same town in which Mr. Clark was born, her maiden name having been Annie Murphy. She was a daughter of Hugh Murphy, who was a native of Ireland,

a devout Catholic all his life, and who lived to the advanced age of ninety-nine years. After his marriage, Mr. Clark worked a year in Chicago and then, in 1864, came to So- nomna County, California, where he rented a farm. In 1868 he bought 150 acres of land in the upper Ojai Valley, lived on it for a year, and then moved upon his present ranch of 180 acres. Here he has expended much labor in improving the land, clearing off the brush and stones and " making the wilder- ness to bloom like the rose." He has erected a comfortable home and has one of the finest ranches in the valley, and his success is due to his own industry and enterprise. On this ranch is plenty of fruit, which was planted for home use, but they now have more than is needed for that purpose. Mr. Clark lias a splendid vineyard and makes his own wine, a superb article, and has it in his cellar for years, growing better as it gets age. In addition to cultivating his own land, he rents other lands and raises large quantities of choice wheat. Mr. Clark is giving some atten- tion to the raising of Morgan horses, Poland- China and Berkshire hogs and Jersey cattle. They also raise a great many fine chickens. Mrs. Clark is a lady of refinement and takes much pleasure in the cultivation of flowers, which are found in profusion around her home, and in bloom all the year. The beau- tiful pictures and many ornaments which are found in her cosy parlor also go to show her good taste.

One day a minister called to see Mr. Clark while he was at work in his vineyard, and, after following him around a while, he said: "Mr. Clark, I must congratulate you. The Lord has placed you in a fine vineyard." " Yes," said Mr. Clark, " but the Lord had nothing but brush and stones here when I came here." When they first settled in the valley, there were only three families in

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it-the families of Messrs. Ayers, Lucos and Proctor. The grizzly bears were plenty and quite familiar. Mrs. Clark says they would lift a panel of fence and set it to one side and pass through easier than a man could. They were thinned out and gotten rid of by poison- ing. During eight years of his residence here, Mr. Clark owned and ran the Ventura grist mill, in company with Mr. McGuire.

The subject of this sketch belongs to the Democratic party and is often a delegate in their county conventions. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.

AMUEL NOTT is one of the worthy business men of San Miguel. His father, John Nott, was a native of England, a hardware man there, and after- ward continned the business in New York city; so that Mr. Nott, the subject of this sketch, inherits the business, or, as he says himself, was born a hardware man and a tinner. He made his arrival in this mnudane sphere September 17, 1840, in England. In 1852, at the age of twelve years, he came to New York. His mother, Elison (Wardrope) Nott, was a native of Scotland, and her ancestry can be traced back to the Scottish chiefs. His grandfather was killed in the battle of Bothwell Bridge. However, Mr. Nott takes little stock in ancestry except as a matter of history. He is one of those plain, common-sense men who hold that it is not who a man's father was, but what he is him- self that tells the story. There were nine brothers and sisters in his father's family, all born in England, and all living. This gen- tleman does not dispute that who a man's parents are has innch to do with his longev- ity. Their mother is the only one of this

large family who is now deceased. Her death occurred in New York city, in 1873.

Mr. Nott went to Honolulu in 1866, and opened a hardware business, and continued there until 1885. He then sold out and came to California. At Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, he bought a fruit orchard and a nice home. As there was no opening for his business he came to San Miguel, and opened his present hardware store, and he here enjoys a good trade which extends over an area of seventy miles in width. Mr. Nott still retains his valuable property in Los Gatos. He bought the lot and built his store, and also a home in San Miguel.

At Honolulu, he met and married the lady of his choice, Mary E. Andrews, who was born in Honolulu, daughter of Rev. Lorrin Andrews, one of the first missionaries sent there by the American Board of Missions, in 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Nott have eight chil- dren, all except one born on the Islands, viz .: Annie W., Samuel W., Robert H., William W., Mary A., Sarah T., Elizabeth W. and Lorrin A. They are members of the Con- gregational church. Mr. Nott is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the G. A. R. His war record is as follows: he enlisted in the Union army in October, 1862, at Canandaigua, New York, Company G, One Hundred and Forty-eighthi New York, at a time when the great civil war had reached vast proportions, when the two great armies had become in dead earnest and were struggling for supremacy and many thousands of precious lives were being sacrificed. Ile enlisted as a private soldier and went to the front to do his share in putting down the great rebellion and sav- ing the Union. He participated in eighteen battles, among them were Cold Harbor, the siege of Petersburg and Fort Harrison; and was with General Grant during 1864 and 1865, up to the surrender of General Lee.

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He was present at the surrender, and his corps, the Twenty-fourth, was left in charge of the captured city of Richmond. He passed through the deadly struggle without receiving a scratch, but his health was impaired by ex- posure and fatigue, from which he has never recovered. He was discharged at Richmond, and returned to his home and took up his old trade, the hardware and tinning business, as already referred to. He is a quiet, pains- taking, and industrious business man, and deservedly enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.

- RS. JULIA F. WILLIAMS. who for twenty-five years has faithfully served the light house department in dis- charging her duty at the light-house on Santa Barbara Point, like the wise virgins with lamps always filled and trimmed ready to light at the appointed time, was born on Campo Bello Island, New Brunswick, July 12, 1826. She passed her childhood at East- port, Maine, was married there to Albert J. Williams, and she and her husband resided at Waterville, Maine. Her husband came to California in 1849, and she followed him in 1852, coming by the Isthiuns of Panama, and arriving in San Francisco, February 22, 1853. The trip up from Panama was fraught with much discomfort, as ship-fever was among the passengers and there were seventy-five deaths and burials at sea. Mr. and Mrs. Williams lived in San Francisco until 1856, when they came to Santa Barbara. The light-house was then being built, and as soon as it was finished Mr. Williams received the appointment of keeper, from President Franklin Pierce, and the lamp was first lighted December 19, 1856. In 1857 there was a severe earthquake which shook the

stone light-house, rattled the blinds, threw the chimney, from the lamps, and even the earth could be seen to quake. On December 25, 1857, Mrs. Williams gave a Christmas dinner at the light-house to all the American families in town. About thirty persons were present. After dinner they played base-ball, and at midnight sang " Home, Sweet Home," and withdrew. In 1860 Mr. Williams was superseded, and in February, 1865, Mrs. Williams received the appointment from Commodore Watson, light-house inspector at San Francisco, which was confirmed at Washington. Mrs. Williams was the first woman appointed light-house keeper in Cali- fornia and is now the oldest incumbent in the light-house service of the State. For twenty- five years she has rendered most faithful service, filling and trimming her own lamps. With the exception of three weeks, when ill, she has lighted the lamp at sunset, changed it at midnight, never retiring until that duty was performed, and extinguishing the lamp at sunrise. She keeps her own books, record- ing each day the amount of oil used, hours the lamp burned and the condition of the weather, making monthly, quarterly and annual reports. Now, in her sixty-fourth year, she is still regular in the discharge of her duty.

S. BARRY is one of the public-spirited citizens and prominent business men of San Miguel. He came to the coast in 1869. Mr. Barry is a native of Galena, Illinois, born February 22, 1845. His father, Richard F. Barry, was born in Washington, District of Columbia, and his grandfather, Commodore Barry, was first commodore of the United States navy. The ancestors of the family were originally from Ireland, having

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settled in America before the Revolution. His mother's maiden name was Emily Weber. She was a native of France. There were only two sons in the family, J. D., now living in San Francisco, and E. S., the subject of this sketch. He was educated in St. Louis, Mis- souri, and started in business in that city as entry clerk in a large wholesale dry-goods house. During the war he was chief clerk in the disbursing office at Little Rock, Arkansas. At the close of the war he con- tinued in the occupation of entry clerk in the wholesale business. After coming to this coast he was paymaster for Wells, Fargo & Co., on their route between Salt Lake and Fort Benton, on the head waters of the Mis- souri River; was in that business three years, and made payments along the route for 1,100 miles, while the country was infested with stage robbers and Indians. After that Mr. Barry spent some time in the White Pine country, Nevada.

In 1869 he came to California and was in the employ of the Northern Pacific Trans- portation Company, Holladay & Brenham agents, San Francisco. Afterward with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, and after that engaged in mining. In 1879 he went to Soledad and engaged in stationery and express business, and has been with the company ever since. Mr. Barry is a prom- inent Odd Fellow, has passed through all the chairs, and is now District Deputy.

He was married in 1874, to Miss Ella M. Little, of Hollister. Their union has been blessed with three children, viz .: William B., born in San Francisco, in 1877; Edward L., in Soledad, in 1885, and Gail W., in San Miguel, in 1888. Mrs. Barry is a Presby- terian. In his political views, Mr. Barry is a Democrat.

In speaking of his ancestors, it should be further stated that his grandfather, on the

maternal side, Captain John H. Weber, a noted sea captain, had the honor of having Weber River and Weber Cañon namned for him.

P. SQUIER was a descendant of one of the early pioneers of Ohio, who emigrated to that country when it was wild and unsettled. He was born in San- dusky County in 1838, and is one of a family of eight children, only four of whom are liv- ing. His father was a merchant at Taylor- ville, Illinois, where he moved in 1844, and where the subject of this sketch received his education. As soon as he heard of the firing on Fort Sumter in 1861, he was thrilled with patriotism and enlisted April 19th in the Illinois State Militia, and, under the next call of the President for more troops, was trans- ferred to Company H, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, Colonel John M. Palmer in com- mand, and Andrew Simpson as Captain of the company. Mr. Squier went out as Second Lieutentant, and for gallant and meritorious service at Shiloh was promoted to Captain of Company H, Captain Simpson having been wounded. In 1861 the regiment was in the campaign of the Missouri, under General Fremont, and in 1862 joined the forces under General Grant, and were at Forts Donelson and Henry, Shiloh, Corinth, Metamora, the siege of Vickshurg and many skirmishes. He was wounded at Jackson, Mississippi, by a cannon ball, July 6, 1863, and was mustered ont at Springfield, Illinois, in Angust, 1864. IIe returned home and served as enrolling officer, not being able to attend to more active duty.

Mr. Squier learned the trade of carpenter and builder at Taylorville, Illinois, where he served two terms in the city government, and

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worked at his trade until 1875. In that year he came to California, coming direct to Santa Barbara. He began work at once and super- intended the construction of many of the best residences in the upper part of the city. He bought block 234 on the west side of the city, in 1884, and erected his present resi- dence in 1886. In 1888 he was elected city Councilman from the second ward.

Mr. Squier was married at Taylorville, Illinois, January 17, 1865, to Miss Priscilla Keller, a native of Pennsylvania. They have four children, all living in Santa Barbara. Mr. Squier is a member of the Masonic order, and at Taylorville held the responsible po- sition of Master and High Priest for a num- ber of years; and was Master of the Santa Barbara Lodge, No. 192, F. & A. M., for two years. He is also a Knight Templar.

ILLIAM C. COOK, one of the prominent business men of New Jerusalem, Ventura County, Cali- fornia, was born in Toronto, Canada, October 28, 1856. His birth occurred in Canada while his mother was there on a visit, so that he is the son of a United States citizen. His father, William Cook, was born in England, came to America in 1837, and settled at Buffalo, New York. His mother, Hannah (Chappel) Cook, was also a native of England Of the five children born to them, William is the only surviving one. His early life was spent in Rochester, New York, at Buffalo and at London, Canada. He graduated at a high school and also spent one year at the Huron College. For nearly a year he sailed on the steamship Oceanic, White Star Line, between New York and Liverpool, after which he traveled in England, Ireland and France.

His father sent him a ticket to return to America on the Atlantic. He missed that ship, however, and sailed in the Oceanic. On that voyage the Atlantic went down near Halifax, Nova Scotia, with 950 souls on board! His parents thought he was on the lost ship, and it was a glad surprise, indeed, when he reached them in safety. His father thinking it best for him to learn a trade, he chose carriage-making, and worked at it three years, receiving $25 per year and his board. After his term of apprenticeship had expired he worked in the same shop for a while, and later in Detroit and Chicago. He then ac- cepted the position of brakeman on the New York Central Railroad. After being thus employed for two months he went home on a visit, and in May, 1876, came to California. He worked in Saticoy two years, then went to the Conejo Valley, and next came to New Jerusalem. A year and a half he worked here for wages, and then was employed for four years in Hueneme. He returned to New Jerusalem and formed a partnership with Mr. Wilkes and opened his present carriage and blacksmith business. The firm now, 1890, is Cook & Joy, Mr. Joy having bought out Mr. Wilkes. Mr. Cook owns a five acre lot, on which he built his residence. He also owns another honse and lot.

The subject of this sketch was married November 26, 1876, to Miss Annie Groves, a native of Canada. They have a family of two sons and two daughters, all born in Ven- tura County, viz .: Hannah, Emma, Charles and Willie, Mr. Cook is a Republican and takes an active part in political matters. He holds the office of Justice of the Peace, and is clerk of the board of trustees of the school district. He has recently been appointed Postmaster of New Jerusalem. He is Depnty Grand Master of the A. O. U. W., and a charter member of the order at Hueneme,

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where he aided in establishing a lodge. Mr. Cook has recently united with the F. &. A. M.

It should be further stated, in connection with the history of Mr. Cook's family, that his father, brother and au uncle were Union soldiers in the late war. His brother and uncle both died at the Andersonville prison.

HARLES A. THOMPSON was born at Santa Barbara in May, 1845. His father, A. B. Thompson, was a native of Portland, Maine, and came to Santa Bar- bara at an early age. He was a seafaring man, and was largely engaged in trading with the Sandwich Islands, taking out hides and tallow and exchanging for silks, dry goods and other merchandise, which he sold through his stores in Santa Barbara. He owned three vessels, which he ran between the California coast and the Sandwich Islands. He was also owner at one time of the Santa Rosa Islands, where he kept a large number of sheep. The family was composed of six children, namely: Frank A. Thompson, now residing at Ventura; Mary Isabelle, who married E. Van Valkenburg, and resides at Santa Barbara; Ellen Ann, who married George Tyng, a descendant of the eminent divine, Doctor Tyng, and lives in the city of Mexico; Frances Caroline, who married John F. Dana, and resides on the Nipomo Ranch in San Luis Obispo County; Albert F. Thompson, the youngest, who died in New Mexico, February 16, 1885, where he was assisting to compile new laws for the Terri- tory; and Charles A., the subject of this sketch, who was educated at the Santa Clara College. After leaving the college in 1858 he went into the County Clerk's office, under Charles S. Cook for one year. Then, on the election of his brother, F. A. Thompson, to

the office of county clerk, which he held for twenty one years, Charles A. continued deputy throughout the several terms. He then studied law, and was admitted to the bar in November, 1875. Mr. Thompson has served as deputy County Assessor, as City As- sessor and as a member of the city council. His practice has been largely in searching records and proving titles.

He was married in Santa Barbara, in 1876, to Miss Maria E. Andonegui, whose parents were natives of San Sebastian, Spain. They have two children, Charles Lawrence and Francis.

H. FRINK, the proprietor of " The Great Wardrobe " clothing store, San- ta Barbara, was born at Philadelphia, Jefferson County, New York, in 1849, a de- scendant of the Frinks of Stonington, Con- necticut, his grandparents inmigrating to Jefferson County among the earliest pioneers. At the age of sixteen years Mr. Frink began his mercantile life at Bedford, Michigan, where he clerked in a dry-goods store three years. He then returned to Philadelphia, and in 1869 bouglit an interest in a general merchandise store, carrying on the business for three years under the firm name of Rouse & Frink. He next passed three years at Albion, New York, returning to Philadel- phia again, in 1876, and remaining until 1879. In that year he sold out and came to California, first settling at Antioch, Contra Costa County, where he was again connected with his former partner, Mr. Rouse, in gen- eral merchandise business. In 1883 Mr. Frink bought out his partner and continued alone until 1886, at which time he came to Santa Barbara and opened the clothing store known as " The Great Wardrobe." It is now

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(1890) the leading store in clothing and gents' furnishing goods in the city. Mr. Frink keeps on hand a large line of the finest quality of ready-made clothing, manufactured by the leading houses in Syracuse, Roches- ter, Chicago and New York city; also deals in the Stetson & Dunlap hats.

Mr. Frink is a courteous and pleasant gen- tleman who commands the respect and confi- dence of all who meet him. He was married at Antioch, California, in 1880, to Mary Elizabeth Ross, a native of St. Lawrence County, New York. The union has been blessed with one child, Clarence Harlow.

B. G. ALLEN is one of San Miguel's prominent citzens and business men. He came to California in 1856, and is a native of the city of Utica, Oneida County, New York, born April 21, 1849. His father, Elihu Allen, was a native of ()neida County, New York; came to California in 1849; and was a member of the fire department of San José in 1854. Mr. Allen has a framed cer- tificate of his membership. The Allens were originally from Schenectady, New York, and belong to the posterity of Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame. His mother was Mary Ann (Graves) Allen, a native of New York, and daughter of Benjamin Graves, from Con- necticut, a prominent citizen, who removed to Oneida County, New York, and reared a large family there. Mr. Allen's mother was a descendant of Mollie Stark, of Revolution- ary fame.

The subject of this sketch is the only sur- vivor of a family of four children. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of San José, and also took a year's study in the East, at the Business College of Utica, New York. In 1867 he engaged in farming in

San José, and was very successful, farming 400 acres for several years; and afterward, by the failure of crops and other causes, he lost what he had made. Then he obtained the position of clerk in a store, and afterward he became manager of the Los Gatos store, which position he held for four years. He then opened a general merchandise business for himself in that town, and remained there two years. In 1887 he moved to San Miguel, and opened a general merchandise store, and has conducted a successful business, enjoying the patronage and confidence of the people. The trade extends in the surrounding country for fifty miles. Mr. Allen also owns a ranclı of 160 acres, which he farms, raising wheat and hay. It is improved with good house, barns, fences, etc. He has also invested in lots in the town. He built his store in the business center of the city, on Mission street, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets.

Mr. Allen was married in 1871 to Miss Hattie Ables, a native of Big Valley, Sonoma County. She was the first white child born there. Her father, William C. Ables, was a native of Ohio, and came to California in 1852. He was a leading Methodist and prominent rancher in California from 1852 to 1885, when his death occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have two sons, Edgar E., born in Castorville, and William B., born at San José. The family are attendants of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Allen is a promi- nent Odd Fellow, being a member of San José Encampment, No. 34, and Nacimiento Lodge, No. 370, I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and takes a lively interest in any public enterprise that tends to improve the community where he resides. He lias unbounded faith in the upper Salinas Valley, and thinks the planting of fruit will soon make it compare favorably with any

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county in the State. Mr. Allen speaks both the English and Spanish languages.

- E. JACK, of San Luis Obispo, was born in the State of Maine, in September, 1841, and very early in life evinced a high order of talent for business. Accord- ingly he went to New York, where he was connected with a commercial house on Wall street. In 1864 he came to California and at once engaged in wool-growing. He is now the owner of Cholame Ranch of 40,000 acres, but he devotes his time to banking, in his city, being cashier of the First National Bank of San Luis Obispo; is also the princi- pal of the Bank of Paso Robles, in that town, the Bank of Santa Maria and the Bank of Lompoc in the county of Santa Barbara. Mr. Jack represents the progressive element in business, and is prominent in all matters connected with the welfare and prosperity of San Luis Obispo. In politics he is a leader, and at the present time is President of the city council.

He was married in 1872, to a daughter of Colonel Joseph Hubbard Hollister, end has a family of four children.

IRGIL A. GREGG, Superior Judge of San Luis Obispo County, was appointed to the office he now holds by Governor Waterman, February 8, 1889. Mr. Gregg was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, in 1844. His father was born in Virginia, in 1810, and his mother in Tennessee, in 1819. Both parents were pioneers of Iowa, when it was a part of Michigan Territory. The sub- ject of this sketch at the age of thirteen years, entered the Iowa Wesleyan University at

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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