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 53

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 53
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 53
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 53

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and had he followed the profession of either a lawyer or minister he would have been a success.

EVİ EXLINE is the pioneer horticult- urist of Paso Robles. He is a native of Ohio, born January 15, 1844. His father, Adam Exline, was a native of Penn- sylvania, of German ancestry. His mother, nee Christine J. Saucerinan, was born in Ohio. They had a family of nine children, of whom Levi is the youngest except one. In 1843 his father moved to Indiana, and was a prominent pioneer of that State. He took up a Government homestead, reared his family on it, and there lived until 1862, when his death occurred. On a corner of his farm stood a log school-house, with benches made from split logs; and here Mr. Exline received his education, and learned the lessons of fortitude and self-denial which served him so well in after life. From this old home of his childhood, in 1868, he came to California, to make a home in a more salubrious climate. For a time he worked a place of his brothers, in San Luis Obispo County. He then re- moved to El Dorado County, and in the mines, twenty-five miles east of Placerville, he met with good success. He then came to his present locality, three miles northwest of Paso Robles, and took up 160 acres of land. By purchase he afterwards acquired 160 acres adjoining this land. When Mr. Exline came into the county it was princi- pally occupied by sheep ranchers, who had no love for the settlers who wished. to till the soil. First, they told him nothing could be raised and, second, they claimed to own the land; and it was by no means a friendly and warm reception he received. He knew that they had no legal claims to the land, for he

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had himself been to the land-office and made investigations. So, in spite of all objeetions, he sat down to stay. He built a very com- fortable adobe house, and by his own industry and the help of his ever faithful companion, it was soon surrounded with fiowers and fruits, and covered with thrifty grape-vines; and thus by their united efforts has the barren sheep pasture been transformed into one of the most delightful shady nooks for a home imagin- able. A little cooling brook gurgles its way through their grounds, and lends a charm to the beautiful .cene. Mr. Exline has thirty acres devoted to fruit of nearly every decidn- ous variety, and lias fourteen acres planted to watermelons. He also raises blackberries and raspberries; and finds a ready market for all his fruit.

Mr. Exline's wife was nee Miss Emma Stone, a native of Wisconsin, a danghter of Samuel Stone, now a farmer of Fresno, Cali- fornia. They were married in Angust, 1879. Three children have come to brighten their home: Vernon, Clytie and Hazel. Mr. and Mrs. Exline are consistent meinbers of the Methodist Church. They also belong to the Grange. Mr. Exline has been Overseer of the Grange since its organization here. He is also President of the Farmers' Alliance, and he has often been elected School Trustce of his district. For years he was an active Republican, and is now looking eagerly for other advance measures that will ameliorate and advanee the condition of the American citizens, namely: lower rates of interest, cheaper and safer railroad facilities, better methods of dealing with intemperance, cheaper methods of obtaining the implements of husbandry, and other measures that will benefit the humblest citizens. Mr. Exline is a gentleman of intelligence and integrity, and his plans and ideas are in harmony with those of his companion.

In speaking of the undeveloped condition of the county when he came here, Mr. Exline says that the settlers were few and far be- tween, and that there was but one store in San Luis Obispo. Three bullsdogs were tied to the back door of it, as if to keep people from coming in the back way. Now San Luis Obispo has many magnificent residences and places of business, and three other towns have started np between his home and that city; the county is being swiftly settled up with happy, refined and industrions people, and still there is room for inore.

EBERN STEELE, a rancher of Lom- poc, was born in Randolph County, Illinois, June 2, 1844, His father was a farmer of that county, and in 1851 moved to Mount Vernon, Missouri. In 1853 he came to California, driving an ox team across the plains and being exactly five months on the road, arriving at Stockton, September 17, where he settled and for the following nine years passed much of his time at the mines. Sebern graduated at Benicia College, in 1864, and began the business of building in 1865. He was in the employ of S. E. Hoisington, who was a very superior mechanic, and with whom he remained about eighteen months. Ile then started out independently, and has sinee been alone in business. He worked at building and contracting in Stockton and Santa Barbara until the spring of 1875, when he came to Lompoc, and followed his trade about fifteen months. He bought 2,110 acres, on August 12, 1876, which was a part of the Lompoc grant, then a wild howl- ing wilderness, covered with brush and tim- ber, which by persistent energy has been transformed into beautiful farming and graz- ing land, with abont 1,400 acres cleared. IIe

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sows a large acreage to barley, and raises horses, cattle and hogs. His land fronts upon the ocean, about two miles in extent, and is near the memorable spot upon which was wrecked the steamship Yankee Blade, in 1853. His residence overlooks the sea, and he has three other dwelling houses on his ranel, with the necessary ont-buildings. Mr. Steele engaged in building until 1882, but since then his contracting has been in the nature of road-building or clearing timber land. He now has a contract for clearing 300 acres of brush and timber, upon which he uses the Hawkeye stump puller, pulling out large trees by the roots, saving time and labor of cutting them down or digging about.

Mr. Steele was married at Stockton, December 23, 1868, to Miss Laura J. Par- nell, whose parents were natives of Cornwall, England. Her father was a pioneer of 1849 to California, and a member of the Society of California Pioneers of Stockton. She died December 25, 1889, leaving six children,- four sons and two daughters.

HARLES G. BARTLETT, one of the prominent business men of San Buena- ventura, was born in the southern part of England, February 23, 1852. His par- ents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Griffin) Bartlett, were both natives of England. His paternal grandfather, Richard Bartlett, kept a hotel, in earlier times called an inn, at Axworth, and his maternal grandfather was a flax mer- chant. Charles G. Bartlett came to the United States when five years of age with his parents, and settled at Adrian, Michigan. In that State he was raised, educated and learned his trade of jeweler. In the year 1872 he came to San Francisco, and worked in a large establishment on Montgomery

street, for three years, where they were doing a large jewelry business. In 1875 he came to Ventura, and with his brother, Albert G. Bartlett, opened a jewelry, station- ery and music store, which has grown from a little room 10x15 feet into their present large business. Bartlett Bros. have now a second store in Los Angeles. of which Albert G. is manager; Charles G. is manager of the business in San Buenaventura. They enjoy the leading jewelry trade of the city; they have also had the Pacific coast steamship pas- senger agency for ten years. They employ three men in their San Buenaventura store. It is remarked about Mr. Bartlett that he devotes more time to his business than any other man in the city. Mr. Bartlett has built a very artistic and beautiful home on Santa Clara street, in the best portion of the city, where he enjoys the comforts of home with his industrious family.

He was united in marriage to Miss Alice Day, a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and daughter of James Day, of Ventura. Mrs. Bartlett had one son by a fornier marriage, Charles, born in Ventura. They now have two daughters: Effie and Mabel, both born in Ventura. Mr. Bartlett joined the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows in 1872; he is a tine musician, and has been one of the fore- most in organizing the fine orchestra and band in Ventura. In politics he is a Repub- lican, but is too much engrossed in business to give much attention to political matters.

- MBROSE FAEH was born in Illinois, June 9, 1862. When he was thirteen years of age, the entire family came to California, one of whom, a married sister, was in very delicate health, and it was for her benefit that the change of residence was made.

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She subsequently died of consumption. The family settled on Monterey street in the city of San Luis Obispo. Here young Faeh re- ceived the advantages of a good schooling, as the opportunities for study were excellent. In 1882 he purchased a ranch on the Salinas River and made that his home for one year, at the end of which time he sold out. At present he is residing on a ranch near San Luis Obispo, engaged in farming, cattle-rais- ing, etc.

A period of Mr. Faeh's life, which probably he regrets very much and which forms a part of his early history, he relates for publica- tion. It occurred between the years 1876 and 1879. Without the knowledge of his mother or family, he left them at their home in San Luis Obispo and engaged in ranching in some remote part of the county. He was gone two years and a half and no one of the family knew of his whereabouts. Being only fourteen years of age, of course his continued absence caused no little anxiety. All the time, however, he was rapidly gaining a thorough knowledge of ranch life, whether or not he was sowing his " wild oats," and that experience has been of great value to him since, if it was not so to his family.

Mr. Faeh was married in 1887, and has one child.

S. NICHOLS, a retired rancher of Lompoc, was born in Lewis County, New York, in 1840, where he was also educated. At the breaking ont of the war he enlisted at Boonville, in October, 1861, in Company B, of the Ninety-seventh New York State Volunteers, under Colonel Charles Wheelock. The regiment was in the First Corps, and brigaded under General Duryea, and began active service at the battle of Cedar

Mountain, in Angust, 1862, which was fol- lowed by Rappahannock, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Under General Grant they were at the battle of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor. Malvern Hill, siege of Petersburg, and many smaller engagements and skir- mishes. Mr. Nichols was wounded several times, from which he has never recovered. They were mustered out in October, 1864.

Mr. Nichols then returned home, where he passed one year. In the fall of 1865 he came to California by water, and the Isthmus of Panama. After arrival at San Francisco he went to Santa Cruz, where he had brothers living, and in partnership with them he en- tered the lumbering business, which he fol- lowed for four years. He was engaged in butchering until 1874, when he came to Lom- poc, with the original incorporators of the colony. He attended the first sale and bought some inside property ; he also rented 150 acres, which he farmed. In 1878 he took up 160 acres of Government land, north of town, and also rented 500 acres additional. He im- proved his ranch and carried on general farm- ing up to January, 1890, when, owing to lameness caused by his armny disabilities, he rented his ranch, and moved his family in town, where he owned improved property.

Mr. Nichols was married in California, in 1872, to Miss Pastora Dakan, and the union has been blessed with three children.

WILLIAMSON was born in Scotland in 1835, and received instruction in his school-days from the celebrated Scottish historian, Dr. McIntosh. He served an apprenticeship in the tin and hardware business, after which he went to sea and visited the different ports in Europe, and

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finally doubled Cape Horn and came to Cali- fornia. On the day of landing at San Fran- cisco, he was engaged by a mercantile house in that city, his various duties consisting of those of steward, waterman and copying clerk, which dnties occupied his time from 4 A. M. to 10 P. M. After three years' service in this business, he gave the placer mines a trial, soon returning, however, to San Francisco, where he made the acquaintance of the senior member of a large English mercantile house and was given the position of trading agent. During his engagement with that tirin he saw the important cities of the world.

It was in 1868 that Mr. Williamson came to San Luis Obispo, where he has ever since been actively engaged in business. He is the pioneer merchant in the tin and hardware business, and relates some very interesting stories of the experience of merchants in those early days of San Luis Obispo. Every thing, he says, was in an embryo and un- settled state of affairs, but money was plenti- ful, the soil new, and new people were com- ing into the town and county every day, bringing their families with them, their efforts all seeming to tend to establish an endless prosperity and a rapid growth of both town and county. But the dry years came and the county suffered many serions draw- backs. Mr. Williamson is a firm believer in a splendid future for this country and is of the opinion that it is not far distant.

He was married in 1866, at Santa Cruz, and has seven children, five sons and two danghters.

M. LLOYD, a prominent business man of San Bnenaventura, and a large prop- erty holder, was born in Lee County, Virginia, November 23, 1835. His father,

Absalom Lloyd, was also a Virginian; but his great-grandfather, J. Lloyd, came from Wales. His mother, Elizabeth (Willis) Lloyd, was born in Johnson County, Ten- nessee, the danghter of Rev. Louis Willis, a clergyman of the Methodist Church; they were of German descent. Mr. Lloyd's father was married twice, and he was the first child of the second family. He studied law under the direction of General Tutt, of St. Joseph, Missouri, three years, and then was admitted to the bar. In August following he enlisted in Company C, Third Missouri Cavalry; was at first elected a First Lieutenant, and was afterward promoted to Captain. His terin of service expiring at the end of three years, he went to Colorado and engaged in freighting from Nebraska to Denver. He was the first returned Confederate soldier that was ad- mitted to the bar in Nebraska, awaiting the decision concerning the test oath, by Chief Justice Mason until sometime in 1866; he continued in his profession in Nebraska City until 1871, when he returned to his old home in Missouri and lived there many years en- gaged in his calling. In 1874 he was elected States Attorney for two years, on the Demo- cratic ticket, and in 1876 was re-elected. In 1878 he was elected to the State Senate from the Sixteenth Senatorial District, and also for the revision session of the State Constitu- tional Convention, serving three sessions. In 1884 he was appointed assignee of the New- ton County Bank, under a bond of $190,000; and in 1888 he closed the estate, having settled every claim against the bank. In 1886 he visited California and Ventura County, and made investments which proved very successful. He bought 4,000 acres joining the town of San Buenaventura and partly in the corporation. A part of this property he sold at greatly advanced prices. He also owns three-fourths of the stock of

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the Ventura Land and Water Company, which firm owns 5,200 acres of land, subdivided, one of the finest stock and fruit ranches in the county. They have settled upon it a colony with a school-honse. On his property here in the city he has built a beautiful resi- dence, laid out large grounds and planted flowers, shrubs and ornamental trees; it will soon be the mnost delightful suburban resort and property in the whole country. This ranch is stocked with cattle and horses. He has also a three-fourths interest in a fine large furniture store in Ventura, stocked heavily with choice cabinet-ware, over which Warren E. Lloyd, his sou, presides. While it is his good fortune to have quite a good share of this world's goods, it does not render him in the least vain; and he may be seen at work with shovel and spade with his inen, planting his trees and ornamenting his grounds,-as hard at work as if for wages to support his wife and children. He is a saga- cious, well-informed business man and enjoys the good-will of his fellow citizens. He is a member of the Masonie fraternity and of the A. O. U. W. Also one of the promoters and trustees of the Scorrit College at Neosho, Missouri.

In 1864 he married Miss Sarah E. Bramel, born in 1839, in Missouri. Her father, John H., was a native of Virginia. They have six children: Lee W., now in the University at Berkeley, will graduate in 1892; Lora V., married to Mr. M. L. Montgomery; Warren E., at home with his father; Roberta T., also now in the University; Ralph B. and Eleanor P. Mr. Lloyd and his wife and family are members of the Methodist Church, South. They have been largely instrumental in the erection of a fine church editiee in Ventura, laving donated about one-third of the cost of the property. They believe that Christianity should be the paramount principle in life, and

that Christian institutions should be liberally supported.

B ENJAMIN FRANKLIN TUCKER, the first Postmaster of the town of Loin- poc, and the present efficient agent of Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express, was born in Washington County, Maine, in 1829. At an early age he began working at lumbering and saw-mills, until 1850, when, in Febru- ary, he went to Boston to visit an uncle. In 1850 he sailed for California, around Cape Horn. They made but one landing, at Val- paraiso, on July 4, and arrived at San Fran- eiseo September 22. Mr. Tucker shipped before the mast, which has proved to be his first and last voyage. The vessel was loaded with lumber, and they carried but one pas- senger. He passed the winter in San Fran- eiseo, and in June, 1851, went to the mines in Tuolumne County, remaining about one year, when he went to Santa Cruz. After one year at farming he began the carpenter's trade, which he continued for twenty years, the last ten of which were passed in the em- ploy of the California Powder Company, in putting up their buildings and then acting as repair hand. He became interested and pur- chased stock in the Lompoc Colony, and to attend the first sale of lands he came to Lom- poc, in the fall of 1874, but only bought town lots. In March, 1875, by Postmaster General Jewell, he was appointed first Post- master at Lompoc, and held the office con- tinuonsly for ten years and nine months, up to President Cleveland's Democratie admin- istration. At the establishment of Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express agency in Lompoc Mr. Tucker was appointed agent, which office he has held up to the present time. He served one term as Justice of the Peace, having been

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elected in the fall of 1884, and has worked more or less at carpentering ever since he settled in the valley.

Mr. Tucker was married at Santa Cruz, in October, 1853, to Miss Emily R. Hecox, and they have fonr children. Mr. Tucker was a charter member of Lompoc Lodge, No. 248, I. O. O. F., which was established July 10, 1876, and also a charter member of Lompoc Lodge, No. 57, Knights of Pythias.

AMES BEATTIE, the prominent mer- chant tailor of Santa Maria, was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, in 1852. His father soon after moved to London, where he carried on his trade of tailoring, and by whom our subject was taught to follow in the same industry. In 1872 he came to the United States, first settling in Boston, then in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, District of Columbia, and Chicago, in each city finding ready occupation with the leading tailoring establishments. On account of poor health he left Chicago in 1880 for the warmer Pa- cific coast. He first settled in San Francisco, engaging with Bullock & Jones. the leading inerchant tailors of that city. After one year he came to Chico, and in 1884 to Santa Maria, where he established a first. class shop, and with a fine line of imported and American cloths he finds a very satis- factory market, both at home and from the adjoining towns. He likes the town and climate, and has fully recovered his healthı. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Beattie built his present store building, 24 x 40 feet on Main street, and is prepared to meet the require- ments of the people.

He was married in Washington, District of Columbia, February 15, 1877, to Miss Sarah Reddy, who died in 1879, leaving a little

daughter, Elizabeth, who was born Novem- ber 20, 1877. Mr. Beattie is a member of Santa Maria Lodge, No. 302, I. O. O. F.

SIDORE WEILL, one of the leading mer- chants of Lompoc, and the vice-president of the Lompoc Bank, was born in Mo- wenheim, Alsace, in 1845. His father was an extensive dealer in stock and grain. Isidore came to America in 1862, and immediately offered his services and life, if need be, in the defense of the land of his adoption. Soon after his arrival he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Massachusetts Infantry, under Col- onel Masey. The regiment was in the Sec- ond Corps, under General Hancock, and they were in the battle of Wilton Station, Spott- sylvania, siege of Petersburg and all the en- gagements through Virginia. The regiment attended the Grand Review at Washington, in 1865, and was then sent to Boston, Massa- chusetts, where they were minstered ont and discharged. Mr. Weill then went to Mem- phis, Tennessee, where a brother was living, and he there began his mercantile life, which has proved so successful. In 1867 he made a visit to his native country, but returning the same year came direct to California, where he arrived in September, 1867. He then went to Solano County and was em- ployed by Blum Bros. in general merchandise, with whom he remained nntil 1875, when he opened business for himself, with a Mr. Da- vidson. After three years he sold ont and came to Ventura County and opened a store at Hneneme, continning until 1880, when he again sold out and came to Lompoc. He opened a general merchandise store on H street, in May, 1880, with fresh goods and a fine assortment, carrying on a very satis- factory business. In February, 1889, he

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moved to his present spacious rooms on Ocean avenne. He keeps everything in the line of farm implements or family requirements. He owns considerable city property and much ranch property, in San Luis Obispo County. The Bank of Lompoc was organ- ized May 20, 1890, and Mr. Weill was elected vice-president and manager. He has been acting as agent for the Commercial Bank of San Luis Obispo for several months; he orig- inated the idea of starting a local bank.

Mr. Weill was married in San Francisco, in 1875, to Miss Hannah Kaiser, a native of Alabama. They have two children, Maier and Reine.

R. HARRIS was born in Missouri in 1832. He received his education in his native place, and at the age of eighteen years, like many an ambitions youth, he decided to go West. It was in 1850 that he set out for California, across the plains and alone. This journey, which he describes as a very tedious one, was made with a wagon and pack, but Mr. Harris walked the greater part of the time. Upon his arrival in the Golden State, be settled in Nevada City, Oc- tober 5, 1850, where he remained one year, after which he went to Sacramento, where he spent a short time in the mines, without any very great success, however. He next found employment in the Water Ditch Company, remaining in their service for two years. The winter of 1854-'55 Mr. Harris spent in San Francisco, at that time a very small, sparsely settled and unattractive place; and in the spring he joined a Government sur- veying party, as an assistant surveyor, and for three years filled that position in all the important Government surveys.

In 1857 the subject of this sketch took up

his residence in the northern part of San Luis Obispo County, where lie engaged in stock- raising. For the next eight years he was engaged at this calling. with considerable success. At the end of that time he went back to his profession of surveying, which he has since continued to follow. His long and varied experience in this capacity in different parts of the State has been of inestimable value to those who have been so fortunate as to secure his services. Indeed, it would be hard to find any one who could take his place.

Prominent in politics and a stanch Demo- crat, Mr. Harris has held for many years a conspicuous position among his fellow citi- zens in the management of the city and county affairs. To mention the public offices which Mr. Harris has held, or for which he has been the nominee of his party, would be to mention every important office in the gift of the county. He was Supervisor in 1865- '66-'67, County Surveyor for twelve years, City Councilman for four years, and was also a member of the Board of Trustees for San Luis Obispo. When it is explained that Mr. Harris was elected to the offices mentioned above as the nominee of the Democratic party -a party greatly in the minority in this sec- tion of the State -- his personol popularity is shown at a glance. He was twice a nominee for Sheriff and once for Assemblyman, but was defeated by his opponents.

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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