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 47

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 47
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 47
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 47

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Mr. Bnell was married on the Buena Vista ranch, Monterey Connty, December 25, 1868, to Miss Marter Carter, a lady whom he had known in childhood. This union has been blessed by ›even children.

ENRY H. ARNOLD, the oldest of the Arnold brothers, who came to California in 1852, and settled in Ventura County, two miles east of Hneneme, in 1871, was born in De Kalb County, Illinois, November 10, 1837. (For the father's history, see the sketch of Mathew H. Arnold, in this book.)

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Henry H. left his native State when fourteen years of age, and came across the Isthmus of Nicaragua to California, with the family, and settled in Marysville, in 1857. He located 160 acres of land in Lassen County, . built a house and made it his home for four- teen yesrs, being engaged in raising grain and stock. He sold out and came to Ventura County in 1871, as already stated, his father having come to this county two years previ- ous to that time, thinking he liad found the finest tract of Government land. They were more then a month coming from Lassen County, and their outfit consisted of four wagons drawn by horses, the party number- ing Henry H. and Leroy Arnold, B. J. Rob. ertson (father-in-law of the subject of this sketch), his son Frank, and their wives and children-eleven in all. They camped ont every night, and as there was plenty of deer, antelope, and quails, they had all the meat they wanted. In their journey across the plains and in their pioneer life in the far West they had become accustomed to that kind of life, and enjoyed it. When they ar- rived at their destination they found a squat- ter's board shanty on nearly every quarter- section of land. Mr. Arnold went up the Sespe River to look for a place, but returned and settled in his present locality. This land proved to belong to Thomas Scott, and Mr. Arnold bought 160 acres, on which they camped for three months, or until he got a house built. In 1881 he built a better house, and in 1889 he added to it and remodeled it, until he now has a commodious home. Mr. Arnold's principal crop lias been barley, and he has farmed from 300 to 1,200 acres of land. He is also engaged in raising horses, Belginm stock, and is the owner of Dandy Dick, a fine thoroughbred, seventeen and a half hands high, weight 1,720 pounds.

Mr. Arnold was married in 1866 to Miss

Permilia Robertson, a native of Illinois. They have five children, Charles R. and An- nie G., born in Lassen County, and the three younger, Lizzie, Nellie and Eliza, born in Ventura County. Charles R. married Miss Helen Hodge, a native of California. They have a little daughter, Hazel. This son also has a nice house on the ranch.

The subject of this sketch belongs to the A. O. U. W,, and has been a life-long Re- publican. His first vote was cast for that great, good man, Abraham Lincoln. The Arnold brothers own large tracts of land ad- joining each other, and are all prominent ranchers of the county.

AMUEL D. ANDERSON was born in the State of Pennsylvania, May 4, 1830, the son of John and Elizabeth C. (Roe) Anderson, both natives of Ohio. They had a family of nine children, eight of whom are living, Samuel D. being the oldest. When he was a boy the family removed to Iowa. He attended the public schools of that place and finished his education at a college at Princeton, Kentucky. After reaching the years of maturity, his first work was in the milling business. He soon afterward turned his attention to theology, and became a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was pastor of a charge. The church prospered under his ministry for a number of years, and he has ever been a worthy Christian man. The greater part of his life, however, has been spent on a farın.

Mr. Anderson was married in 1854, to Miss Nancy J. McClaran, a native of Ohio, who removed to lowa when quite young. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had one child, Mary Elizabeth, born September 24, 1855, and died October 15, 1858. Having no family of their

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own left, they adopted a little girl, Elizabeth Jane Hill, taking their own name, and a boy, Thomas Thurman. The former, at the age of twelve and a 'half years, sickened and died. The latter, Thomas Anderson, is still with them, and is now twenty-five years of age.

Mr. Anderson is the owner of a beautiful home in the prosperons town of Santa Paula; and here his cozy home, like its possessor, has an unassuming appearance; but its neat- ness and thrift and the flowers in the well- kept yard, all indicate peace and contentment -a fitting place in which to pass the closing days of a well-spent life. Mr. Anderson and his son are farming ninety aeres of land, seventy acres of which they devote to beans, a erop for which the soil of this country is so well adapted. Mr. Anderson has been a Re- publican since the formation of that party. He was made a Mason in 1860, and was one of the charter members of Santa Paula Lodge, No. 291.

HOMAS A. RICE, a prominent and influential citizen of Ventura County, came to California in 1859. He comes of a good old Southern stock, which origi- nated in England, his great-grandfather Rice having come from England to this country and settled in North Carolina. To him was born a son, Archibald, who wedded Miss Richmond, whose ancestors were the founders of Richmond, Virginia. To them was born a son, William. He married Miss Lonisa Ish, a native of Tennessee, and daughter of William Ish, also a Tennesseean. This worthy conple were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch, Thomas A. Rice, was one. He was born in Jackson County, Missouri, Jannary 24, 1849. His ancestors, on both sides, participated in

the Revolutionary war. One branch of his maternal ancestry is among the oldest Vir- ginia families.

When Thomas A. was ten years of age, the family removed to California, coming across the plains and bringing with them 1,000 head of cattle. Here the father was largely engaged in stock-raising, both in Merced and Contra Costa counties. They had 2,000 acres of land in Contra Costa County, where the family resided, and where the father's death occurred in 1885. He had been a Dem- oerat all his life, was a strict member of the Baptist Church, and was a leading and promi- nent man. He was possessed of those generons and courteous manners so characteristic of the Southern gentleman. It was said of William Rice that he lived an exemplary life.

Thomas a Rice received his education in a private school at his home, and began life as a farmer on his own fine ranch, in 1876. His father had given him 470 acres, and to this he has added until he now has 900 acres in one body, located seven miles northeast of Hneneme and ten miles southeast of Ven- tura. He has converted it into a magnificent ranch; has a whole village of ranch buildings on it and his own sehool-house. He has re- cently built the finest residence in the county. It is artistic in design and is planned with every modern comfort, including electric bells, gas and hot and cold water. Mr. Rice is carrying on general farming, and is much interested in the breeding of fine horses, both driving and draft. In addition to the prop- erty already described, he also owns 320 acres of land about two miles from his home ranch, which is leased and which is being cultivated to beans and corn.

In 1877 Mr. Riee was united in marriage with Miss Lilian Flournoy, a native.of Santa Clara County, California, danghter of Thomas Flournoy, now a resident of Danville, Contra

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Costa County. Their union has been blessed with fourchildren: N. Blanche, Madge, P. Al- vin, and Merrill. They are being educated at home by their governess. Mr. Rice does not give much attention to politics, but is a Dein- ocrat, and has held the office of Supervisor. He inherits those generons traits of character for which his ancestors were distinguished; is affable alike to both stranger and friend, and is much respected and highly spoken of by his fellow-citizens. November 4, 1890, he was elected to the State Assembly, on the Democratic ticket by a majority of 175. He ran 300 ahead of his ticket in his county, Ventura, the highest compliment ever paid to a candidate in that county.

ICHAEL FAGAN is a pioneer of California and of Ventura County. He was born in Pennsylvania, August 26, 1840, the son of John and Annie (Dinnell) Fagan. The father was born in Dublin, Ireland, and emigrated to Canada when a boy. Michael Fagan is one of a fam- ily of nine children, five of whom are now living. After living in Illinois nine years he came across the plains with ox teams to Cali- fornia, arriving August 13, 1852, and he was reared and received his education in Cala- veras County, California. His mother diel in 1851, and his father in November, 1852. He spent the years 1852-'53-'54 in mining, and when he was eighteen years of age-he had abont $11,000. Then for a ti ne he was en- gaged in stock-raising. In 1862 he went to Arora, where he was interested in quartz- mining. About that time he met with re- verses and lost nearly all that he had male. In 1863 he engaged in farming in San Joa- quin County, in partnership with his brother. They sowed 1,000 acres in wheat, and, the

season being dry, the crop was a failure. In March, 1864, Mr. Fagan sailed for Mexico, where he engaged in cotton-raising, and the last six months of his stay there he was in a store. He sold out, prospected a year in Arizona, with but little success, returned to California and settled in Stanislaus County, where he purchased 640 acres of land at Dry Creek. Two years later he again sold out, went to San Joaquin, engaged in the meat business with his brother, and after remain- ing there a year, disposed of his interest in the meat market, in 1869, and came to Ven- tura. Here, for four years, he was engaged in sheep-raising, having as high as 3,500 head of sheep at one time, and a part of the time being in partnership with Mr. Snod- grass. He traded the last of his sheep for property in Ventura, and during the boom sold it and bought 100 acres of land in the vicinity of Saticoy. IIe planted the first orchard there, improved his property, and, in 1884, sold it for $75 per acre. He then bought his present ranch, 740 acres, and erected his pleasant home in a most pictur- esque spot. The property is principally a stock-farm, is fenced in two fields, and an abundance of water is supplied for stock from a sulphur spring on the place, the water be- ing brought in pipes. Mr. Fagan has some fine Durham cattle. His property being located so near Santa Paula, he pastures a great many horses for other people. In ad- dition to other improvements made, Mr. Fa gan has planted a large variety of fruit trees, principally for home use

He was married, April 9, 1879, to Miss Ha tie Tillotson, a native of New York. They have five children, all born in Ventura County, namely: Frank D., Cora May, Ettie Bell, Walter Miller and Marion Morris. The children are all at home with their parents, and attend school at Santa Paula.

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Mr. Fagan is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and votes the Democratic ticket.

N. GARRISON is a veteran of the great war of the Rebellion. He was born in Tompkins County, New York, March 26, 1845, the son of John and Sarah (Cooper) Garrison, both natives of New York, the former born in 1820. His grandfather, Abram Garrison, was also born in that State, in Putnam County, hisancestors being among the early settlers of the State. The subject of this sketch was the third of a family of five children. He was reared and educated in that State, and spent some time clerking in a store.

The war broke out, the old flag was fired on at Fort Sumter, and the fires of patriotism burned in the hearts of the loyal people of the North. President Lincoln called for volun- teers. War meetings were held. Every lit- tle town had its company of volunteers, and the larger places more. The fife and the drum could be heard every day. When the strife began Mr. Garrison was only sixteen years old, and, although eager to enter the service, could not on account of his youth. The following August, 1862, when seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Seventh New York Volunteer Infantry. It was in answer to Mr. Lincoln's 300,000 call; and they went forth into the deadly strife singing, " We are coming, Father Abraham, 300,000 more." In a little over a month they were in the battle of Antietam; and the peaceable farmer boy and clerk and student from school had, as by a miracle, been transformed into a hero. Then they were at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and at the battle of Lookout Mountain, and in the

great and notable march with General Sher- man from Atlanta to the sea. He partici- pated in all the battles that his regiment was ín during the last three years of the war, and never received a scratch, nor was sick a day -- a noble record for a youth of seventeen. He came in at the grand review at Washington, when the war veterans, crowned with victory and glory, made their triumphant march through the beautiful capital of the great country that their heroism had saved. What a glorious chapter in a man's life was that!

On being mustered out of the service, Mr. Garrison returned to his home and was in the oil regions for a time; and not long after .engaged in business in Saginaw, Michigan, four years as a merchant and four years as a dealer in stock and produce. In 1876 he came to the Golden State, and was engaged in farming and stock-raising in Yuba County. While there he was burned ont and met with several financial reverses. He is now, 1890, located in Ventura County, four miles east of Hneneme, on an 800-acre ranch, raising barley, hogs, horses and cattle, and is very successful. Last year he sold $3,000 worth of stock from the ranch. Everything about the place indicates industry and thrift.

Augugt 11, 1877, Mr. Garrison wedded Miss Mary Bayley. She is a native of Ver- mont, daughter of George B. Bayley, also of the Green Mountain State. In his political views Mr. Garrison is a Republican.

ETER McMILLAN, one of the pioneers of Santa Paula, Ventura County, was born in Canada, March 31, 1834. His parents, Donald and Mary McMillan, were natives of Canada, and both of Scotch de-

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scent. Mrs. McMillan's maiden name was the same as her husband's, while they were not relatives. In 1870 Mr. McMillan came to Santa Paula. For eighteen months he was employed on a ranch, working for wages, after which he rented lands and, for two years, raised barley and corn. He was not success- ful in that enterprise, and again worked by the month for a year. In 1874 he built a livery stable-the third building in Santa Paula-which served as a station on the stage route between Santa Barbara and Los An- geles. Mr. McMillan had the charge of eight stage horses all the time, turning out that inany at 4 o'clock every morning, and the same number at 9 o'clock in the evening. His livery stock consisted of two horses, a wagon and a spring buggy. One of the horses with which he began business, Salem, is now twenty-six years old, is a good horse yet and is some times let for light work. Mr. McMillan bonght the ground for his stable and also the Inmber to build on time. For eight years he worked along without getting much ahead. He then purchased three acres on Main street for $350, and from this he sold the lots on which Cleveland Hall and the Petrolia Hotel are built, for $45 per foot front. He also owns two acres a little further ont on the same street, his home property and some other lots. His livery business has in- creased until he now has nine rigs and four- teen good horses, and is raising some valuable colts. Mr. McMillan has been fairly success- ful in his business enterprises, and is one of the reliable old settlers of Santa l'aula.

December 24, 1884, Mr. McMillan, like his father, wedded a lady of his own name, Mrs. McMillan. She was born in New Brunswick; is the daughter of John Murray and widow of William McMillan. She has two children by her first husband, William and Nellie. Mrs. McMillan is a member of

the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McMillan is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. fraternity, and in his political views is a Republican.

- C. WELCH, who occupies a spacions home in East Santa Barbara, has suf- fered all the experiences and priva- tions incident to pioneer life. Coming to the far West at an early day, he has seen the wonderful growth and development of this country. Mr. Welch was born in Linden, Vermont, August 26, 1826. His father, Jacob Welch, was a farmer and miller, own- ing both flour and lumber mills. He was a descendant of Jacob Welch, of England, who emigrated to America in early days. Mr. Welch's mother was a daughter of Cap- tain De Merritt, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and assisted at the retak- ing of Briggs Hill.

The subject of this sketch learned the trade of scale-maker, in the factory of Fair- banks & Company. at St. Johnsbury, Ver- mont, now called Fairbanks village. He served an apprenticeship of three years, and also received an academical education in the same town. He came to California in 1849, via the Isthinns ronte, landing at San Fran- cisco on December 12, 1849. For one year he mined near Sonora, and, although very successful, did not like the life of a miner; so he purchased a ranch of 320 acres, near Stockton, and engaged in general farming, his principal crop being hay, which sold from $25 to $50 per ton. Here he con- tracted fever and agne, and in 1854 he came sonth, first settling at Ventura and later at Santa Barbara. In the latter place he started a blacksmith shop, and also planted a vine- yard of 6,000 vines on the border of the Santa Clara River. In those days wine was

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made in raw-hide sacks, the grapes being treaded out by the Indians in bare feet. In 1862 Mr. Welch took a trip on horseback to Prescott, prospecting, and going by way of La Paz. With Daniel Lount and brothers he built a cabin near the present city of Prescott, they being the first white settlers of that place. In 1865 he rented the orchard and vineyard of the Los Dos Pueblos ranch, which was owned by the Den estate, and in February, 1866, Mr. Welch married the widow of Nicholas Den. He then engaged in stock-raising, keeping abont 3,000 sheep and 800 head of cattle. He bought his present place in Santa Barbara in 1878, built a house and moved his family here on account of the illness of his wife. Mr. Welch lived mainly at the ranch, making frequent visits to town. Mrs. Welch died in 1883. Two years later the subject of this sketch sold his stock and his interest in the ranch, and did not again engage in business. He was married again, at Santa Barbara, in June, 1884, to the widow of Ramon J. IIill. By this marriage he has one son.

OHN MEARS is one of the pioneers of California who came to the State in 1859, and to Ventura in 1869, before the county was formed. Mr. Mears was born in Ireland, in 1844, and at the age of eleven years came to the United States and lived with his aunt, his education being principally obtained in this country. When only a large boy he started for Illinois and went from there to Pike's Peak. After he had made enough money to purchase an outfit, he de- cided to cross the plains for California. He found some difficulty in getting any one to go with him, but at last a young German agreed to accompany him. They secured a

one-horse wagon and covered it with canvas, having a pole in it in place of thills. They attached four yoke of oxen to the wagon and, with provisions enough to last, set out on their perilons journey June 20, 1859, from that part of Colorado where Denver is now located. They were not many days on the way until they encountered swollen streams. The first they crossed without snstaining any serious loss, but the second proved more difficult, as their wagon was wrecked and the most of the provisions lost. The German could not swim, so clung to a part of the wagon. Mr. Mears, while trying to get out of the wagon. got his foot fastened and hung with his head in the water, and would shortly have been drowned had not some plunge of the oxen set him free. He then succeeded in reaching some logs and was carried down the stream nearly a quarter of a mile, when some other emigrants who had come up rescued him. He found the German on the bank, miuns his hat. One of the wheels of the wagon was broken, and their clothes, money and provisions lost in the stream. Their first conclusion was to return, and Mr. Mears let an emigrant who had helped them have one yoke of the oxen to add to his team, on the condition that if he did well he would send back the pay for it. They found a sack of their flour, and the German proposed that they rig up the rear wheels of the wagon, start forward and overtake the emigrants, and in company with them work their way through. With willow bark they fastened the end-board of the wagon on the hind axletree and secured the sack of flour to that; and, cold and wet and hungry, they started on and in time fell in with the emigrants. By shooting game they managed to subsist until they reached California, six months later.

While at Pike's Peak Mr. Mears had be-

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come acquainted with a number of young Indians, and run races and jumped with them, and an Indian chief had taken a great fancy to a navy-blue coat he had, which Mr. Mears gave him. The Indian in return pre- sented Mr. Mears with a buffalo robe. While ont on the plains Mr. Mears was some dis- tance from the train hunting, and on his re- turn saw about fifty Indians about the emi- grants, the emigrant train, which consisted of about fifteen wagons, having been stopped by the Indians. Mr. Mears was somewhat alarmed, but knew it was useless to attempt an escape, so walked up. The chief recog- nized him as the gentleman who had given him the coat, shook hands and gave him to understand that they wanted water for a sick man. The emigrants fearing they would not have a sufficient supply for themselves, had refused to give them the water. Mr. Mears gave them water and also a little whisky for the sick man, for which the In- dians gave signs of great satisfaction, and the train was permitted to proceed.

When Mr. Mears came to Ventura County he first settled on the Santa Ana. At that time there were no settlers there except Mr. Arness and another gentleman. Between where he now lives and San Buenaventura there were only about five houses, which were occupied by Mr. Montgomery, Mr. McKenna, Mr. Peter Boyle and others. In 1870 Mr. Mears moved upon the quarter- section of and three miles north of Santa Paula, which he had purchased from the Government, and there kept bachelor's hall for four years, being engaged in sheep-rais- ing, having as many as 8,000 head of sheep and employing ten men, Americans and Spaniards, to assist him in their care. His wool was sent by schooner to San Francisco, and they drove the fat sheep to that city for market. It required two months to make

the journey, taking 2,000 sheep at a time. Mr. Mears has added to his first purchase until he now has 1,700 acres, and is engaged in general farming, raising sheep, horses and cattle, and beans, barley, corn and hay. His pasture land is valued at $10 per acre, and the farming land at $150 per acre.

In 1874 Mr. Mears married Miss Ellen Lavelle, at Ventura. She is a native of the "Einerald Isle," born in .1856. They have built a comfortable home, surrounded with trees, on the banks of the Santa Paula River. They have a family of six children: John W., Frances E., George H., Florence, Ellen C. and Lawrence M. L. Their first born, a beautiful little girl, they lost when two years and nine months of age. A bean got fast in her windpipe, and before medical aid could be obtained it went to her lungs and caused her death. A fine picture of this little daughter hangs in their parlor.

Mr. and Mrs. Mears are members of the Catholic Church. For the past fifteen years Mr. Mears has served as a School Trustee in his district. His political views are Demo- cratic. Notwithstanding all that he has seen and experienced of pioneer life and advent- ures, Mr. Mears is still a young man. He is a worthy and respected citizen, and holds a prominent place in the community in which he resides.

D. SMITH began his pioneer life at the age of eleven years by moving with his parents from Hanover, New Hampshire, where he was born in October, 1833, to Kendall County, Illinois, where his father followed farming. Our subject worked at farming nntil 1870, when he came to Cal- ifornia in compay with his two brothers, J. M. and Frank Smith. They settled at Car-

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penteria, and N. D. and Frank were pioneers in the shipping and lumber business, taking all merchandise through the surf to vessels, shipping wood and grain. In 1874 they built a wharf and deliveries were made much easier. In 1876 he sold his interest to Frank and J. M. Smith and the subject of this sketch came to Santa Barbara and started merchandise business at 618 State street. un- der the firin name of Smith & Johnson. In 1886 Mr. Smith bought Mr. Johnson's in- terest and has since continued alone; he car- ried a full line of groceries, crackers and pro- visions.

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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