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 60

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 60
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 60
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 60

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OHN SPENCE, of Santa Barbara, is a native of England, born at Little Grans- den, Cambridgeshire, January 14, 1848. He remained there until 1870, when he emi- grated to America. He was, at fourteen years of age, apprenticed to learu the busi-

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ness of a landscape gardener, which he thor- oughly inastered, and upon his arrival in America assumed charge of the gardens of one of the wealthiest men of Norwich, Con- necticut. He there read of the natural beauties of California, and in 1875 came to Santa Barbara. He leased the ground, now comprising his present home, for five years, which he planted to fruit trees, small shrub- ery, flowers and palins. The sale of stock from this business brought him a handsome income, and he gradually added to it orna. mental and fruit trees and shirubery. He also engaged quite extensively in the raising of Pampas plumes, and is a pioneer in this now important industry. At the New Or- leans Exposition of 1885 he made an exhibit of 10,000 plumes, which attracted much at- tention, a portion of thein being dyed in various beautiful hues, and most tastefully arranged. His design of the American flag, which spanned the California exhibit, a rain- bow thirty six feet in length and a pyramid thirty feet in height, were special features of the exposition. He had charge of the Santa Barbara County exhibit, and did himself great credit, as well as the county which he represented, in his management of affairs. He is one of the active members of the Santa Barbara Horticultural Society.

Mr. Spence was married in England, to Miss Helen F. Reeve. She is an enthusi- astic admirer of flowers, and takes a lively interest in flower culture. They have four childrea, and ony of the most beautiful homes in Southern California.

J. YOUNG, a rancher and Deputy As- sessor for the city of Lompoc, was born in Shiawassee County, Michigan, in 1839. His father was a farmer and carpen-

ter, and moved to Clinton County in 1849, where he continued his trade. Our subject learned the trade of carpenter with his father, and worked with him until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Angust, 1861, at St. Jolins, Clinton County, in Company D, First Michigan Cavalry, under Colonel Thornton F. Broadhead, for three years. He was discharged January 1, 1862, and then re- enlisted in August following in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, under Colonel J. T. Cope- land, the regiment being with the Army of the Potomac until June, 1863, when he joined General Custer's brigade. Their first heavy battle was at Gettysburg, and they were in every heavy battle fought by the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Young was taken prisoner near Richmond June 18, 1864, and was taken to Richmond. He was sent to Anderson- ville, where he remained three months, and suffered every possible deprivation in diet, being confined to poor food and water. He was then sent to the prison at Florence, South Carolina, where he was kept three months; there the water was fair but they had but little to eat. He was paroled in December, but remained as a prisoner until January 1, when he was sent home to Michi- gan, having lost seventy-five pounds during his six months' imprisonment. The exchange of prisoners was made in April, and then Mr. Young returned to his regiment, and they moved to Fort Leavenworthi, Kansas, where they were discharged July 3, 1865.

After a visit to his home he went to Chi- cago, where he worked at his trade of carpen- ter and builder about seven years, when he caine to California, arriving at San Francisco Jannary 2, 1873. He then spent one year working at his trade in Monterey County, and in the spring of 1874 came to thie Jonato Rancho, owned by R. T. Buell, to superin- tend building, and after completion he went

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to Lompoc and bought two blocks, built a house, and followed his trade of contractor. He then sold ont, and in 1883 bought forty acres northeast of town, which he has since cleared and improved by building a house and planting a small orchard, and he now inter- ests himself in the cultivation and improve- ment of his ranch, raising the general crops of the valley.

Mr. Young was married in St. Johns, Michigan, July 1, 1867, to Miss Naomi J. Everett, and they have nine children. Mr. Young was appointed Deputy Assessor in the spring of 1889, under Frank Smith, whose biography appears elsewhere.

HARLES L. SAUNDERS, one of the prominent developers of Lompoc, was born in London, England, in 1827. His father was a carpenter and boat-builder, and moved with his family to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1841. In 1844 our subject was appren- ticed to a carriage-maker at Brunswick, Ohio, where he remained four years. He then worked in an adjoining town until 1849, when he went to Independence, Missouri, and worked one year there. May 1, 1850. he started across the plains for California, with a mule team. They made a comfortable and rapid trip, and after three months arrived at Hangtown. He then went to the mines on American River, and in 1852 to the Yuba River, where he began trading, opened a store and boarding-house, which he contin- ued until 1855. Mr. Saunders then went to Salmon River in Klamath County, where he kept a store and traded, and built two bridges across the Klamath River, remaining until 1864. He then came to Salinas, where he rented 2,100 acres of land and engaged in stock-raising, and also conducted a dairy of

seventy-five cows. In 1876 he came to Lon- poc, and bought thirty acres in the corpora- tion, which he improved by building a house and setting out a small orchard. His family remained here while he managed the wharf down at the sea. In 1881 he sold out to Goodall & Perkins. In 1880 Mr. Saunders bought the lot on the corner of H street and Ocean avenue, and in 1881 he erected a two- story building for a hall and store, opening the store himself with a full stock of general merchandise. He continued this business until May, 1889, when he sold out. In 1885 he bought 3874 acres in the San Miguelito Cañon, where he raises horses and cattle, and also carries on general farming. In 1887 he bought fifteen acres, his present residence property, where he built a house and barns. In 1889 he built the two-story hotel, 50 x 140 feet, on Ocean avenue, called the Saunders Hotel.

Mr. Saunders was married in Klamath County, in 1856, to Miss Jane A. Swan, a native of New York. They have five children.

OHN G. PRELL is a native of the Old World, having been born near Leipsic, Germany, in 1837. At the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed, for a term of three years, to learn the trade of cooper. His father having previously died, in 1855, his mother with brothers and sisters emigrated to the United States and settled at South Bend, Indiana. The subject of this sketch worked at brick-molding until 1860, when he sought the mining regions of Pike's Peak, but after a brief experience of four months he pushed further West to California, and after a few months in the mines of El Dorado County he settled in San José for the winter. But still unsettled, in the spring he went to

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Los Angeles, and there passed the summer, returning to San José in the fall, and finding a job of brick-molding he settled in that locality, aod later engaged in farming, which he followed until 1866. He then returned to his old home in South Bend, but not liking the cold weather he went to sonthwestern Missouri, where he passed several months, and in 1867 returned to the more temperate climate of San José. He was engaged in farming until 1868, when he came to Santa Maria, and was among the first to locate land in the valley, and he claims the honor of having built the first house, November 7, 1868. In 1869 he moved his family here. He has since purchased 320 acres of land near by, where he follows grain farming, only raising sufficient stock for ranch purposes. He has four acres in orchard, and a large variety of fruit.

Mr. Prell was married at Rolla, Missouri, in 1867, to Miss Eliza Powers, a native of Ohio, and they have four children. He is a member of Santa Maria Lodge, No. 302, I. O. O. F., of Hesperian Lodge, No. 264, F. & A. M., and of the Chosen Friends.

E. CARTER, whose fine orchard and fruit ranch stands out prominently east of Lompoc, was born at Hopkin- ton, New Hampshire, in 1834. His father had extensive lumber interests, and owned and operated a saw-mill; he died when our subject was but ten years of age. . After the death of his father Mr. Carter lived out, and worked at farming until 1856, when he camne to California by water and the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San Francisco, May 2, 1856. He then went to the mines in Sierra County, where he was engaged in mining and farming until the fall of 1869, when he

moved to Watsonville, and bought fifteen acres of land and set out a small orchard in that locality. In 1876 he came to Lompoc, and bought 116 acres, ninety-six of which he still owns and which is highly developed. It was largely covered with brush and tim- ber. In 1877 he began setting out his or- chard, which now covers twenty-two acres, nearly all of which is now in bearing, mainly of winter apples, but he has also a large variety of fruit. He formerly planted beans, wheat, barley, mustard, etc., but now devotes his entire time to the orchard, and also raises hay for home use; he keeps several mares, and raises a high grade of draft and trotting stock. His attractive and substantial home is evidence of the years of labor which he has expended upon the improvement of his prop- erty. He was married in 1868, in Sierra County, this State, to Miss Lucy E. Glidden, a native of Maine.

H. ROACH was born in Sanel, Men- docino County, California., Febru- ary 26, 1860, the son of Patrick and Catherine (Prucell) Roach, the former a na- tive of Ireland and the latter of Detroit, Michigan, of Irish parents. They came to California in an early day and were pioneers of Mendocino County. They were the par- ents of twelve children, nine of whom are still living. The father has followed farming and stock-raising all his life, and reared his numerous family in the county where he still resides.

The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of his native county, and also took a course in Heald's Busi- ness College. For four years he was engaged in a meat market in his native town. He came to Ventura in 1888, and entered into

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partnership with Mr. George Saviers. They have two markets, one at Hneneme and the other at New Jerusalem. Being men well qualified for the business in which they are engaged, they have a thriving trade.

Mr. Roach has held the office of Justice of the Peace at Westport, Mendocino County, for two years, and also Notary Public two years. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, Ventura Lodge, No. 214. Mr. Roach is a single gentleman and, no doubt, other chapters in his history will soon follow!

EWIS LINBARGER, a California pio- neer, came to the State in 1857. He was born in Illinois, January 6, 1836, son of Lewis and Jane (Henderson) Linbar- ger, the former of German ancestry, and the latter a native of Jackson County, Indiana. IIe was one of a family of eleven children, seven of whom are now living. The family removed to Missouri in 1841, and in 1843 emigrated to Oregon, where the subject of this sketch was reared and educated. When he came to California, he first located on a ranch of 160 acres in Contra Costa County, which afterward proved to be a grant. He then sold his improvements there and went to San Joaquin County, where he purchased property and engaged in farming; then sold out, went away and bought and sold again; returned to San Joaquin County, bought 160 acres of land, which he improved; then sold out, and this time came to Ventura County. He here engaged in stock-raising for five years; was then absent from the connty for a period of time, after which he returned and continued the same business four years more. In 1882 he purchased his present ranch of 100 acres, located two miles west of Santa Paula. He improved the property by erect-

ing buildings, etc., and engaged in raising barley and hogs, for four years. He then turned his attention to the production of Lima beans, of which he is now raising large crops, at remunerative prices. The work is all done by machinery, so that the labor is not severe.

Mr. Linbarger was married in February, 1858, to Miss Malinda F. Blevins, of Oregon, and danghter of Alexander Blevins, who emigrated there in 1843. They have three children: Mary J., born in Contra Costa Connty, is now the wife of Allen Baker, and resides in Santa Panla ; Nancy Lucinda, born in San Joaquin County, married F. M. Edgar, and also resides in Santa Paula; and Charles L., born in Linn County, Oregon, is married and lives on his father's ranch. Mr. Linbarger is a Democrat.

W. SHICK was born in Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio, August 18, 1819. His father, Peter Shick, was born in Philadelphia in 1791, and his grandfather came to America from Germany. His mother was Elizabath (Woodruff) Shick, a native of Brown County, Ohio, born of English parents. Mrs. Shick was the third of a family of eleven children, five of whom are now living, and are scattered over the United States. He was educated in his native State. When he be- came of age he purchased the old homestead on which his father had lived six years, the youngest of the family were born, and on which his father died in 1835. It con- tained 100 acres. His father had settled on it in 1829, had reclaimed it from the bush, and, at his request, was buried on it. After living on this property five years, Mr. Shick sold out and went to Davis County, Iowa, where he bought eighty acres of im-

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proved land, farmed it for two years, then sold, and in the same neighborhood bought 100 acres. On this property he made his home for twenty years.

In 1861, when the war broke out, he en- listed in Company G, Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served during the war. He made that remarkable march with General Sherman from Atlanta to the sea. On this march he was detailed to the ambulance corps, and drove the mail ambulance for General G. M. Dodge, of Iowa. On his way from Dallas, Georgia, to Kingston, after the mail, his team ran away and he was thrown from the wagon and run over, his left ankle being badly injured, also right shoulder and knee slightly. He has, to some extent, been a cripple ever since. At the time of General Lee's surrrender, he was in the hospital from the effect of this injury, where he was discharged on surgeon's certifi- cate of disability July 10, 1865. He returned to his home and engaged in agricultural pur- suits on his farm and, in winter, also tanght school. In 1877 he sold his property and came to California. In Inyo County he bonght 116 acres of land, and resided there ten years. He then sold and came to Santa Paula, where he bought the house in which he now resides with his family. He has received a small pension, dated from the date of discharge.

Mr. Shick was married in 1843, to Miss Eleanor A. P. Clark, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Mr. John Clark. They had one child, Elizabeth, born in Ohio, and is now the wife of Thomas Bates, of Missouri. Mrs. Shick died in 1845. For his second wife he wedded Catharine Srofe, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Elijah Srofe. Her father was born in Ohio, and was the son of a soldier of the war of 1812, who was wounded in the battle of Lundy's Lane. By this wife

he had four children, two of whom are living: Mary A., born in Ohio, now married to A. J. Humphrey, and resides in Davis County, Iowa; David T., born in Davis County, Iowa, resides at his father's old home. This wife died in 1855. Mr. Shick's next wife was nee Martha J. Mohler, also a native of Ohio. She lived only a short time after marriage, her death occurring in 1858. He was after- ward married to Annie M. Torrence. She, too, was a native of Ohio, and her death oc- curred a year after her marriage. Mr. Shick's present wife was formerly Mrs. Catharine Tull, widow of Mr. W. Tull, of Davis County, Iowa, and daughter of Mr. Thomas Clark. They have had four children, three of whom are living. Their eldest son, T. M., lived to be twenty-three years of age, and was mar- dered by one Henry Brown, who was con- victed of the crime and sentenced to imprison- ment for life. Ida May, and Rena C. and Francis M. were born in Davis County, Iowa, and now reside with their parents. Mr. Shick is a member of the Baptist Church, and her husband of the Christian Church He is a worthy member of the G. A. R. In Davis County, Iowa, Mr. Shick held every township office, and was Justice of the Peace for eight years. In Salt Creek, that county, he served as Postmaster. Notwithstanding his advanced age, seventy-one years, he is still hale and hearty, and bids fair to enjoy a long life in his happy California home.

C. NANCE, a rancher of Santa Maria, was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, in 1839. His father was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation. Our subject lived at home until sixteen years of age, engaged in farming and also learning the trade of carpenter. In 1855 he went to

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Buchanan County, Missonri, to join his uncle, Rev. Isham Nance, who emigrated to Missouri in 1835, at the settling of the Platte purchase. Mr. Nance engaged with Colonel Fouts as overseer of his plantation and slaves near Rock Honse Prairie, remain- ing until 1858, when he started with a freight train of Guthrie & Mitchell for Salt Lake City. He engaged as cook, but was soon promoted second wagon boss. The train was composed of thirty-two wagons, six yoke of oxen to each wagon. In the spring of 1859 he started for Pike's Peak, with his own outfit, and returning again as assistant of John S. Woods. In 1860 he went to Nebraska, where he engaged in farming, and in 1862 mnoved westward to the mines in eastern Oregon, where he re- mained until 1866, meeting with good suc- cess. He then caine south to San José and Castroville, where he worked at his trade, helping to build the first seven houses of that town. In 1867 he went to Salinas City, at the founding of that town, and engaged in the building of the first fifteen houses. He then returned to San José, and in part- nership with W. T. Morris farmed the Parr ranch until 1870, when he took a trip East. On returning to California Mr. Nance con- tinued his trade np to 1872, when he came to Santa Maria, and bought land, which he farmed and also worked at his trade as op- portunity offered. In 1881 he bought 240 acres of grazing land in Cat Cañon, and he also rents 500 acres, which he farms to wheat and barley. He set out one of the first or- chards in the valley, of 300 trees. He now devotes much time to stock interests, breed- ing a fine grade of horses for general utility purposes, keeping about twenty-five head. He owns two stallions, Frank Leslie, of Mes- senger stock, known as the trick horse, and the Rowdy Dutchman, of Hambleton stock.

Mr. Nance has been a director of the Santa Barbara Agricultural Society since its organ- ization in 1884. He was Roadmaster for Santa Maria district two years, and in 1884 was appointed Deputy Sheriff, under R. J. Broughton, and is now serving his fourthı term. He was married in Santa Maria, in 1881 to Miss Maggie Smith, and they have four children. Mr. Nance is a member of Hesperian Lodge, No. 264, F. & A. M.

ARVEY HARDISON, deceased, late one of the prominent business men and oil-well operators of Santa Paula, was born in Aroostook County, Maine, February 9, 1844. Natives of the same State were also his father Ivory and his grandfather Joseph Hardison; and it is believed that the family originated in Sweden. Harvey's mother, Dorcas (Abott) Hardison, was born in China, Kennebec County, Maine, and her ancestors were English and Irish. In their family were eight sons and three danghters, all of whom excepting one are yet living.

Mr. Hardison, the subject of this memoir, was the eighth in this family, inheriting a fine physical organization and a good dis- position, and was reared to strict temperance habits, using neither tobacco nor strong drink. At the age of twenty-one years he began work for himself in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, drilling for oil. About two years afterward he obtained an ontfit, began to take contracts and for five years drilled wells for Lyman Stewart, now of Los An- geles. He then began drilling for himself, as well as for others, having an interest in Shangburg and in Venango County, Pennsyl- vania. He bored abont 300 wells, ranging from 800 to 2,000 feet in depth. The time required for sinking the deepest well then

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required about three months; but now the same work can be done in about one month.

In 1883 Mr. Hardison came to Newhall, California, and superintended the putting down of the Hadison & Stewart wells at Pico. They sank four wells before " striking oil." The fifth well, called the Star, was a good producer, yielding fifty barrels per day. In Adams, Saltmarsh and Aliso cañons he superintended the drilling of oil wells. In tunnels from some of these electric lights are employed to work by, and all the latest im- provements in the oil-well business are brought into use. One well in Adams Cañon gave a flow of 1,000 barrels per day. In the Saltmarsh Cañon the company has four pro- ducing wells, one of them having yielded 100,000 barrels of oil. In the Adams Cañon one well produced 125,000 barrels. These wells are from 250 to 1,750 feet deep. They have also producing wells in Santa Paula Cañon and three in the Aliso Cañon and five in the Ojai. At the time of his recent death, Mr. Hardison had a fourth interest in the Santa Paula Horse and Cattle Company, who have a ranch of 6,400 acres stocked with horses and cattle, some of which are thor- oughbred stock. Mr. Hardison owned other property.

Mr. Hardison was appointed Postmaster of Santa Paula in April, 1889, and his daughter Ida was employed as assistant and his son Frank as deputy. Mr. Hardison was a member of the A. O. U. W., of the Uni- versalist Church and of the Republican party. April 4, 1890, he met his death from explosion of gas in one of the oil tunnels in Adams Cañon, where he was superintendent. It was supposed that the explosion was so sudden and forceful that deatlı was instantaneons. His bereaved wife and children bore the fearful calamity with great fortitude. Mr. Hardison was a noble,

generous and large-hearted man, and a pleas- ant and kind husband and father, and was also esteemed highly by all who knew hin.

His marriage took place in 1869, when he wedded Miss Delphina M. Wetherbee, a na- tive of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, born September 14, 1848, a daughter of Franklin Wetherbee, who was born in New York. Mrs. Hardison is a member of the Presby- terian Church at Santa Paula, and has proved herself an excellent wife and mother. There are two sons and two daughters, all of whom are also members of the same church. Ida A. was born in Centerville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1870; Franklin I., Jannary 20, 1872, in Parker City, Pennsyl- vania; Seth J., November 14, 1874, in Tur- key City, Pennsylvania, and Ruth M., in the same place, Jannary 16, 1877.

- ESSE HILL, one of California's pioneers, and an early settler of the Lompoc Val- ley, was born in Mason County, Vir- ginia, in 1820. His ancestors were natives of the Old World, who came to this country at an early day, and both his grandfathers were soldiers in the war of the Revolu- tion. Jesse lived at home, and engaged in farming until 1849, and then passed one year in lowa, when, being thrilled with the California excitement, in the spring of 1850, he started for that undeveloped conn- try, across the plains, by Salt Lake City and the Truckee route. He crossed on horseback. At Truckee he was shot by an Indian, but only laid up about fifteen days, and landed in California in October, 1850. He settled near the San Joaquin River, and bought ont what has since been known as Hill Ferry, which he operated for ten years, and which became the popular crossing for the droves of cattle

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of Southern California, as they were moved toward the mines. In 1862 he sold his in- terest and then moved back to the foot-hills, where he embarked in the sheep business, keeping a herd of 5,000 sheep. In 1869 he drove his flock sonth to the Rancho la Pur- isima, 3,300 acres of which he still owns, also the Rancho Santa Rita of 2,500 acres. In 1877, the dry year, Mr. Hill lost about 15,- 000 sheep, and though still in the business has only continued in a small way, keeping about 1,600 head on Santa Rita. He also farms about 700 acres, 100 acres in beans, and the balance in barley, of which he rents a large portion. The Rancho la Pnrisima, Mr. Hill has given to his two sons, wlio carry on farming, but who are more par- ticularly interested in the raising of horses and cattle, keeping about forty head, and breeding to running and trotting stock. In politics Mr. Hill is a Democrat, but takes no official distinction, and devotes his life to his· family and farın.

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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