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 46

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 46
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 46
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 46

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married November 23, 1869, to Miss Anna Raney, a native of Pennsylvania, born Octo- ber 27, 1846. Her father, Alexander Raney, was a native of Pennsylvania, a well-to-do farmer, who like many others lost his eldest son in the great Rebellion. The Doctor and Mrs. Logan had a family of three children, two daughters and a son, all born at Tyrone, Pennsylvania: Gertrude E., Mary A. and George Burkett. Dr. Logan had received two wounds while fighting in the defense of his eountry, one by a spent ball in the left lung, and one in the back of his head, and it is believed that the wound in the lung in- duced consumption, which terminated in his death. It first manifested itself in 1883, and December 9, 1885, he died. At the time of his death he was a member of the school board, a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and of the independent order of Odd Fellows. He was also an honorable member of the Pennsylvania State Dental Society. Dr. Logan had been for years a consistent member of the Methodist church, and a regu- lar attendant at church and Sabbath-school. He was a man of pleasing manner and fine ability, and took an active part in the organi- zations to which he belonged, as well as in the schools and public welfare. His loss was felt not only by his bereaved wife and chil- dren, but by the whole county in which he lived. Resolutions of high esteem and con- dolence were tendered to Mrs. Logan by his societies and the school board of which he was a member. His funeral was one of the largest ever known in that county.

In 1887, after settling up her business in Tyrone, Mrs. Logan, with her children, came to Santa Panla and invested $4,000 in the property where she now resides. Besides the beautiful residence whiel, with her chil- dren, she occupies, she owns three other houses which she rents, all being valued at

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$12,000, and she lives upon her rents and interest. She is a lady of refinement and intelligence, and has been very successful in business.

OSEPH HUBBARD HOLLISTER, deceased, a son of John and Philena (Hubbard) Hollister, was born in Lick- ing County, Ohio, Marchi 9, 1820. His parents were from Connecticut. His father in early life moved to Ohio, where he estab- lished himself on a farm. Joseph here grew to manhood. In 1853 he came to California, with his brother, Colonel W. N. Hollister, crossing the plains with a large flock of sheep, -said to be the first lot ever brought to California from the East; the brothers sold their stock at an excellent profit, and our sub- ject returned East for more in 1856. Coming West this time with his flock in partnership with J. W. Cooper of Santa Barbara, he met with a detention in Utah, the Mormon troubles there causing them some embarassment to travelers. Mr. Hollister deviated from his ronte to the South, entering into Mexico, and, owing to the lateness of the season, he was obliged to spend the winter there. The next year lie reached California, In 1860 he returned to Ohio for his family, and came to California with them in 1865. In that year he purchased the Chorro and San Luisito ranches in San Luis Obispo County, and he also owned a portion of the Lompoc Rancho in Santa Barbara County. He was said at one time to be also the largest sheep owner in Cali- fornia. He made his home on the Chorro ranch, five miles distant from San Luis Obispo, north, and lived there until his death, January 5, 1873.

June 8, 1843, he married Miss Ellen, a daughter of Joseph Mossman, of Ohio, and

had four children, all of whom are now living, viz .: Mrs. Phineas Banning, a widow of Los Angeles; Mrs. R. E. Jack, of San Luis Obispo; Mrs. Sherman P. Stow and John H. Hollister, also of San Luis Obispo, whose sketch is given at length.

- ON. JOHN H. HOLLISTER, one of the most prominent citizens of San Luis Obispo County, is the only son of Joseph Hubbard Hollister, deceased, whose sketch is also given. He was born in New- ark, Ohio, November 27, 1856. When he was seven years of age the Hollister family removed to California, where the father had acquired large property interests; and since that time the subject of this sketch has made California his home, his name being con- spicuous among those who have aided the development of the agricultural interests of the State and more especially of San Luis Obispo County. He received an excellent education, finally graduating with honors at the State University at Berkeley. Since 1866 he has made the county of San Luis Obispo his home, his present residence being in the city. His country home, on the beautiful Chorro Rancho, containing 2,000 acres, is located five miles northwest of San Luis Obispo. He is a large property holder, and extensively engaged in the cattle business, both in this State and Arizona. In partner- ship with Judge Frederick Adams of San Luis Obispo, he has two ranches in the latter Territory, namely, the Santa Rosa in Pima County, fifty miles sontheast from Tucson, and the Las Cienegas in Graham County, on the Gila River; and on these are 5,000 head of cattle. Mr. Hollister is also one of the owners of Chimnicos Rancho of 20,000 acres,

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in San Luis Obispo, which is used for stock purposes. ·

In matters political Mr. Hollister is a con- spicuous figure. When but twenty-three years of age he was a Supervisor of the county,-the youngest who was ever a mem- ber of the board, as well as one of the most active, competent and intelligent. In 1882 he was the Republican candidate for the Assembly, when the Democrats were well organized and in the majority, and he made a spendid canvass, gaining the election. His record in the Assembly was distinguished by able and conscientious work. He introduced measures, which were passed, becoming the anti-oleomargarine law, the law to extir- pate fruit-tree pests and to prevent diseases in fruit trees, etc., laws of importance to the agriculturists. He is a member of the orders of Patrons of Husbandry, Knights of Pythias and Free Masons, is in the State Militia, from which he has passed through the different grades from private up to the rank of Major. He is interested in all matters connected with the progress of this State.

April 22, 1880, is the date of his marriage to Miss Flora May Stocking, a native of Sonoma County, this State, and they have had five children, four of whom are now living: John Hubbard, William M., Mary Banning and Flora Hollister.

C. J. WILSON was born near Wheel- ing, West Virginia, in 1822. His grandfather emigrated to Virginia in early days when the State was so thinly set- tled that for months he would not see a white face. The subject of this sketch is the only living member of a family of seven children. Ile was reared on his father's farm and re- mained there until the age of twenty-eight

years, when he came to California, and was among the first to cross by the Nicaragua route. He arrived at San Francisco, August 17, 1850, and went to the mines in Tuolumne County, near Sonora, where he remained seventeen years, working at placer and quartz mining. He was once buried twenty-four hours in a caving mine, and fully realized the sensation of being buried alive!

Mr. Wilson was married at Sonora in 1857, to Margaret Ann Calder. They came to Santa Barbara in 1867. Here Mr. Wilson purchased three blocks, or about fifteen acres, at East Santa Barbrra, and has since con- tinned to make this place his home. Build- ing was difficult and expensive in those days, and for a month he lived in his first house without a door. During his residence here Mr. Wilson has been engaged in stock-raising and speculation. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have had three children, but only one daughter survives. She is now the wife of Harmon Bell, of Kansas City.

REDERICK STOCK .- The able and efficient manager of the works of the Los Angeles Granite and Brown Stone Company, at Sespe Canon, Ventura County, California, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a thoroughly com- petent superintendent, having been reared to the business in his father's quarry in England. The quarry which this company is operating is located eight miles east of Santa Paula, on the banks of the Sespe River. The brown stone here obtained is exceedingly durable and of a splendid texture. For uniformity and permanency of color it is unsurpassed by any brown stone on the continent. The works, under Mr. Stock's management, are being run to their greatest capacity, filling orders

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for many public buildings of the country. They are now at work on orders for the Academy of Science and the Concordia Club building, San Francisco, also the Keating Block, San Diego. They also furnish the stone for the Reform School building. The stone for the Whittier building was supplied by them, the corner-stone of which weighed ten tons. They are now getting out six stones, fifty-two feet cube, each weighing seven tons.

Mr. Stock was born in England, October 9, 1859, the son of John and Ann (Thomas) Stock, natives of England. John Stock was the owner of a quarry, and both his sons learned that business with him. The quarry is still in the possession of the family, and is now being conducted by his son Charles. Mr. Stock was married in 1878 to Miss Alice Emily Player, a native of Bristol, England. They have three children, born in England: Walter, Victor and Greta. Mr. Stock is a member of the Congregational church of Los Angeles city.

OSIAH KEENE was born in the State of Maine, December 19, 1828. His father, Jeremiah Keene, was also born in the " Pine Tree State, " and his grandfather, Isaac Keene, was a native of Massachusetts, and served in both the Revolution and the war of 1812. The Keenes were of Scotch- English descent. Josiah Keene's mother, nee Rebecca Kendall, was born in Maine, a daughter of Colonel David Kendall, who was also a native of Maine and a soldier in the war of 1812. They were of Welsh ancestry, who came to America in the early Colonial times. Mr. Keene's grandmother, on the maternal side, was a Cobourne, a cousin of Governor Cobourne of Maine, and a member

of one of the oldest families of the State. The subject of this sketch was the fifth of a family of fourteen children. All but two are still living. There were three pairs of twins in the family. In 1888 a reunion of the family was held in Minnesota, and members of the family from all parts of the country assembled there, ten grey-haired men and women being present.

Mr. Keene was reared and received a good education in the public schools of his native State. At the commencement of the great civil war, he enlisted, in April, 1861, as a private soldier, He served nearly three years, or until the time of losing his left arm at the battle of Chattanooga. He participated in twenty-two hard-fought battles, first at Mills Springs, then at Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Stone River, Perryville, Franklin, and all the engagements of his regiment. After he was wounded he was taken prisoner, and his arm was treated in the Rebel lines. Twelve days later he was exchanged Mr. Keene considers it one of Mr. Lincoln's best acts when he exchanged 10,000 able Con- federate prisoners for 10,000 maimed men, of whom he was one. It was a year before he was able to work, and then he obtained a clerkship in the Treasury Department at Washington and served ten years in that capacity. The close confinement was in- jurious to his health, and, in September, 1874, he came to California, and spent months in looking over the coast before he finally settled. He purchased three acres of land at San Buenaventura, on which he built a small house. After the boom he erected a very fine residence on that beautiful street, Ven- tura Avenne, where the family now reside. In the fall of 1875 he took a Government claim of 160 acres of land and also a timber culture of 160 more. This is located six miles due east of Santa Paula. He has

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planted seventy-five acres to trees and vines. Twenty-five acres are in olives, forty acres in raising grapes, two acres in a variety of fruit and the rest in Eucalyptus trees.

Mr. Keene was married, January 1, 1874, to Miss Lucy E. Monroe, a native of Massa- chinsetts, and a daughter of Rev. Calvin H. Monroe, of that State, a minister of the Bap- tist church. Their union has been blessed with five children. Kendall C, was born in the city of Washington. The following were born in Ventura, California; Allen HI., Her- man B., Robo- Vesta and Helen L. Mr. and Mrs. Keene are members of the Methodist Church. He is a Republican and an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

ATHEW ATMORE, of Santa Panla, is another one of the many brave and worthy pioneers of the great State of California, and is justly entitled to honorable mention in a work of this character. A sketch of his life is as follows:

Mathew Atmore was born in England in 1837. His parents, Mathew and Maria (Pond) Atmore, were English people, and his father was a Methodist minister. The family came to America in 1846, when the subject of this sketch was nine years of age, and set- tled at Battle Creek, Michigan. There young Atmore was sent to school. When seventeen years old he ran away from home with an older brother, Charles (now of Denver); came across the plains to California, and went into the mines in El Dorado County, where he mined for a year, making $600 clear. They then returned to Michigan and remained at home during the winter. The following spring their father furnished them with money to come back to California, and when they reached the mines they were $600 in

debt, which they paid after mining three months. The second year they engaged in freighting from Sacramento to Virginia. Some idea of the difficulties and expenses of freighting in those days may be obtained from the following facts: seven yoke of oxen and a large wagon cost $1,400; the cost per yoke to shoe the oxen was $7. Seven yoke of oxen were required to each wagon; their freight was heavy castings for stamp-mills, each wagon being capable of hauling six tons, and the price per pound for freighting being thirteen cents; in addition to the castings they also carried a ton of hay and a ton of ground feed; the roads down the mountain sides were very bad, and the grade so steep in some places that the rear wheels were run down with wooden shoes; the toll on these mountain roads was 840 for a single trip, and twenty-two days were required to make the journey. On two trips they brought back silver ore, in sacks of $250 each. On the last trip one of the sacks was stolen, and they afterward refused to take the risk of freighting silver. They followed this busi- ness two years, always receiving their pay in checks, the only kind they dare take, for the country was infested with thieves.

At this time the great war of the Rebel- lion burst upon the country, and when the news of the firing on Fort Sumter, and, later, the battle of Bull Run, reached the far West, the patriotic enthusiasmn of every loyal man was fired, and each stood ready to serve his country. Mr. Atmore enlisted in 1861, in Company K, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, and was in garrison in San Fran- cisco until the following July. At that time the Utah expedition was organized and placed under command of Colonel P. Edwin Conner of the Third Infantry. Six companies of cavalry and ten of infantry started for Salt Lake City July 10, 1862. In Nevada the

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expedition was reorganized, and in September the march was continued. They established Fort Ruby, and two companies were left to garrison the fort. At the Jordan River, forty miles south of Salt Lake City, they were met with orders from Brigham Young to proceed no farther. The answer sent to Mr. Young was that they would cross the Jordan River if hell were at the bottom. At sun- down, October 10, the bugle rounded for dress parade. They formed in line when the an- swer was read, and the order given to mareh at 3 o'clock the next morning and take eighty rounds of cartridges; the artillery were to take all the ammunition they could earry. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the next day, they were in Salt Lake City. Mr. Atmore's company was in the advance, and as they en- tered the city there was not a Mormon in sight. They were hailed with delight by the American residents, and the Governor of the Territory made them a speech of welcome on the public square. On an eminence over- looking the city, two and a fourth miles away, with the mountains in the rear, with a splen - did view of the country for forty miles in front, and with a bountiful supply of water, they went into temporary quarters. They dug holes, ten feet square and fonr feet deep, and placed logs around the top, on which they built their tents. In these they passed the winter, and here they permanently established Fort Douglas, which still stands there, al- +hough efforts have been made for its removal. The objeet of this expedition was to protect the Americans at Salt Lake City from any rebellious movement on the part of the Mor- mons, and also to prevent the renegade In- dians from their frequent deeds of murder and plunder. At this time their deeds had been formidable, and many American citizens had been surprised, murdered and robbed by them. There was a band of some 600 red

men overrunning that part of the country, and the soldiers under Colonel Conner had had several skirmishes with them. Many of the soldiers had crossed the plains and had sustained not a little suffering from the hands of the Indians, one man having been scorched to the knees by them; and the determination of the commander was to punish the Indians for these ontrages.

Colonel Conner waited until the snow was two feet deep, and the Indians had established their winter quarters, when he decided to make an attack. The Indian eamp was 140 miles away, fourteen miles from the town of Logan, with only an Indian trail from Logan to the camp. The expedition consisted of 256 cavalry, and twenty-five infantry to es- eort the wagon train. They took one 12-pound howitzer, with six men, all under the com- mand of Lientenant Honeyman Hough. The distance was made in four days and nights, and the advance guard captured four Indians at the town of Logan, to prevent news of their arrival being carried to the camp. They left Logan in the evening and the next morn- ing at sunrise drew up on the south bank of the Bear River, a quarter of a mile below the Indian eamp. The river at the ford was three feet deep, with iee on either bank, and great difficulty was experienced in getting the broncos across. The Indians were ready to receive them, there being 1,100 in camp, men, women and children, with 600 braves, some of the latter being mounted and riding around in circles, as if to intimidate the whites. The order was given to dismount and charge, when within a short distance of the enemy. Mr. Atmore and his eomrade took aim at the chief nearest them, and, without orders, fired, and the chief Bear Hunter, dropped from his horse. When within ten feet of the Indians, the order was given to fire. The fight lasted until about half-past nine o'clock. The In-

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dians had had a black flag ont all morning, indicating no quarter. About 10 o'clock a white shirt was hoisted in its place. The in- terpreter was ordered to tell the women and children to come out, and a call was made for ten volunteers to go down to the head of the ravine and keep them from escaping to the hills. Twelve went, Mr. Atmore being one of the number. They were met by forty In- dians and a fierce conflict ensued. Inside of twenty minutes two of the whites were killed and four wounded. (Adolphns Roe, Company K, of Berrien County, Michigan, and J. Adams, same company, Third Infantry, from Roxbury, Massachusetts, were the killed.) At this time the troops were ordered to close in, and in less than fifteen minutes the fight was over. Orders were given to kill the wounded Indians, and the men who had suf- fered by them in crossing the plains were not slow to obey the command. The Union loss was twenty-two killed and fifty-four wounded, out of a total of less than 300 men. Not more than 100 fighting Indians got away, the women and children were not mo- lested, and the command returned with about 600 ponies; twenty-five of the best horses they could not catch, and they were shot. The camp was full of plunder and the soldiers were six days in returning to the fort. In the spring they started after Pocatello, the chief of the renegade Snakes, who, however, made good his escape. That summer they were engaged in fighting the Indians on the overland ronte. In October they made peace, and thus ended the Indian troubles. Mr. Atmore returned to Salt Lake City, was mus- tered out of service, and went East. Twenty- six of them each paid a man $100 to take them to the Missouri River, and most of the way they found it necessary to walk to keep from freezing.

Mr. Atmore then settled in Van Buren

County, Michigan, and remained there twelve years; then spent a winter in Nebraska, after which he came to Santa Paula, California, in 1876. He worked for two years by the day, and then bought a Government claim of sixty- two acres, located síx miles east of Santa Paula. He also purchased a water-right and afterward sold a part of it for $3,000, re- serving four inches of water. He then bought twenty-five acres of land at $100 per aere. He has here erected a comfortable home, sur- rounded by trees of his own planting.

Mr. Atmore was married in 1865 to Miss Mary E. Gorham, a native of England. They have four children: Haider, Grace D., Run- sen D. and Frank. Mrs Atmore was in delicate health before coming to this State, and the invigorating climate of Southern California has greatly benefited her, and her life has been prolonged. Mr. Atmore is a Republican and a worthy member of the Grand Ariny of the Republic.

BRAM MUSCIO, a prominent rancher of San Luis Obispo County, was born March, 1849, in Someo, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, the youngest of nine children, whose parents are stili living, at the old Switzerland home. Abrain left home in November, 1866, and arrived at New York, the principal port of the New World, during the next month; but he came at once to Cali- fornia, by way of Panama, arriving at San Francisco January 12, 1867. He first set- tled in Marin County, and was engaged there ten years principally in the dairy business, with Batista Tomasini. In 1876 he came to San Luis Obispo County, locating on the coast four and a half miles north of Cayncos, renting a ranch of 1,300 acres. In 1884 he was able to purchase this property, on which

SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO

he now resides, engaged chiefly in dairying, with good snecess. The dwelling and dairy buildings are models, and there is no prettier front yard in the county. The highest esthetic taste is exhibited in the architecture of the residence and the plan of the grounds. Mr. Mu cio also owns a rancho of 1,450 acres in Green Valley, which he has rented; but the stock thereou, 170 cows, heowns. He is also a prominent man in many business enter- prises; is a stockholder in the Commercial Bank of San Luis Obispo, etc.

He was married in June, 1871, to Miss Assonta Righetti, and has six children, whom he is educating with care. The, two oldest sons are now pursuing their studies at San Francisco.

W. BUELL, whose handsome resi- dence stands out very prominently among those of East Santa Barbara, was born at Essex, Vermont, March 18, 1836. His grandfather, Samuel Buell, was a resident of Connecticut, but, being drill- master during the Revolutionary war and located in Vermont, he became familiar with that country and later went there with his family and located. He moved in the winter on an ox sled, and it is said of his wife that when not too eold as she journeyed, she passed the time in knitting. Mr. Bnell's father, Linas Buell, was born in Vermont, and lived to the ripe old age of seventy-one years. The old homestead, which was built 105 years ago, is still in the Buell family. A. W. Buell lived at home nntil twenty-one years of age, when he started for California, March 17, 1857. First went to St. Louis by rail and boat, and there joined a party of sixteen men, one woman and child, all from Vermont, which composed what was known as the

Yankee train. With three wagons, each drawn by three yoke of oxen, about eighty head of loose stock and 3,500 sheep, they started on their long march aeross the plains, taking the northern route. After ten moutlis of travel and a hard, tiresome passage, they arrived at San Francisco, the " Mecca of their pilgrimage," December 25, 1857. He then joined a brother who came to California in 1853, and together they engaged in farming, planting potatoes and sowing barley, with good results. Then for several years Mr. Buell engaged in the dairy business, keeping 160 cows, and in one year making 60,000 pounds of cheese and three tons of butter, and selling $1 500 worth of hogs. In 1867 he came to Santa Barbara and bought a one- fourth interest in the Juanita ranch, of about 26,664 aeres. Later he traded his interest for the Cañada Corral Rancho, at El Capitan, and there resided until May 1, 1889, engaged in stock-raising and dairy business. Mr. Buell brought the first American dairy cows to the county. He sold his ranch and stock interests May 1, 1889, and moved to his pres- ent spacious residence, which he had built in 1888, and there he has since resided in quiet contentment.

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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