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 65

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 65
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 65
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 65

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

He was married April 22, 1884, to Miss Adela L. Frisbie, a native of Napa County, California. She is a danghter of Edward Frisbie, a native of Albany, New York, and now a banker of Redding, Shasta County, California. Mr. and Mrs. Walden have two children, a son and daughter: Arthur F., born at Redding; and Jean, in San Buena- ventura. In politics Mr. Walden is Repub- lican. He is a very pleasant and courteous business man, and is full of enthusiasm in regard to the history and great future of his native State.

ACOB K. GRIES is one of the best known and highly respected citizens of Ventura County. He came to California in 1852, and has had large experience in the early history of the State, as well as the early settlement of Ventura County. He has been a leading man-a man of nerve and of great natural ability. His early experience in the Golden State would make a book of interest; but he declines to recount the privations, dangers and exciting times that tried men's souls in the settlement of the great State in which he has had a share, and in which he has borne an honorable part, and for which he is now rewarded by having his home in the most civilized, enlightened and delightful portion of the world. All new countries have their ruffians and renegades, and Califor- nia was no exception to the rule, but she has proudly and grandly outlived the stormy days, and the pioneer looks with just gratifi- cation and pride upon the great country he has helped to develop.

Mr. Gries was born in Berks County, Penn-

sylvania, July 16, 1830. His father, Jacob Gries, was a native of the same county, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. In early life he had been a hat-maker, but after his removal to Ohio he became a farmer. He died on his own farm, in Ohio, in 1870. The subject of this sketch was reared in Ohio. At the age of twenty years he removed to Indiana, and a year later took his course west- ward to the Pacific Coast. He arrived in June, 1852, and July 16, following, he was twenty-two years old. He went to Foster's Bar, on the Yuba River, and mined until late in the fall, then, in company with others, he engaged in the hotel and staging business, two very important occupations at that time. The hotel in which he was interested was the Oregon House, in Yuba County, and he was thus engaged for three years. From 1857 to 1860 he was in the butchering and meat business. In the latter year he removed to Nevada, remaining there until 1869, ranching and mining. He owned a ranch in the Wa- shoe Valley, which he sold in the fall of 1868, and removed to White Pine County, where, for several months, he was interested in the toll-road business.

November 1, 1869, Mr. Gries came to Ventura County and engaged in farming. raising barley, corn and wheat, on eighty acres of land which he purchased of the Briggs grant, near Santa Paula. This prop- erty he still owns. He also bought 360 acres of Thomas R. Bard, on the Colonia Ranch, which he afterward sold at a great profit, and bought 412 acres in the ex-Mission ranch, still retaining it. He has a one-half interest in 426 acres on the Colonia ranch. Mr. Gries came to Nordhoff in December, 1887, and has here built a fine residence, where he resides with his family. For a number of years he has been interested in the production of thorough-bred horses, mostly trotting stock.

466

SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO

In 1860, Mr. Gries was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Foulks, daughter of John Turbett. By her he had one child, Belle, born in Yuba County, California. She married Norris Claybury, and they reside near Santa Paula. After twenty-two years of wedded life, Mrs. Gries died. Four years later Mr. Gries married Mrs. Mary Simpson, a native of Texas, and widow of Frank J. Simpson. Mrs. Gries is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gries is a Republican; he was a Demo- crat before the war, but at that time took a strong stand in favor of the Union, and has since affiliated with the Republican party. He is a man of strong convictions, a natural leader among men, and has been prominent in Ventura County ever since its organiza- tion. He has been active in helping to maintain law and order in his county, for which he has the respect and good will of every worthy citizen in the county. Mr. Gries has enjoyed pleasant business relations with others, and has had in his employ men who have remained with him for years, all of them speaking highly of Mr. Gries, and some of them having risen to wealth and influence. It is scarcely necessary to add that he is a warm admirer of California and considers Ventura County the cream of the great State.

R. O. V. SESSIONS is a native of Union County, Illinois, born February 27, 1852. His father, Richard Sessions, was born in North Carolina, March 20, 1820. He removed to Illinois in an early day, was reared there and became a merchant, spend- ing the whole of his life in that State, with the exception of the first eight years. He was a prominent Methodist and a devoted Christian. His death ocenrred in Illinois, in 1876. The Doctor's grandfather Sessions,

also named Richard, came from England to America in the latter part of the seventeenth century. His mother, nee Mary House, was horn in Tennessee, September 14, 1826, the daughter of Robert House, who was of Ger- inan descent. The subject of this sketch was the oldest child of a family of four sons and one daughter. He was reared in Illinois, and at the age of fifteen years began to assist his father, who was conducting a general merchandise business in Hamburg, and was engaged in the store for ten years. He then began the study of medicine, first reading with Dr. J. I. Hale, of Anna, Illinois, and afterward attended the Chicago Medical Col- lege three years, gradnating in 1882. He then went to Springfield, Missouri, where he practiced two years, after which he returned to Illinois, and continued the practice of his profession at Hamburg and at Auna. He next came to California, opened an office in Hueneme, and has here met with marked success. When he came here he was the only physician in the place, and by his skill and close attention to his patients, he has estab- lished a fine practice. His ride extends out twenty-five miles, and he now has the prinei- pal part of the practice on the ocean side of the Santa Clara River. He is the owner of a nice home and office in the center of town, the grounds extending through from Broad to Market streets. The house fronts on one street and the office on the other, with an at- tractive flower garden between, in which the Doctor takes much pleasure and needed rest from his labors.

Dr. Sessions was married in 1875 to Miss Lney Martin, a native of Missouri. They have one son, Kenneth V., born in Springfield, Missouri, November 20. 1877. The Doctor is a Republican, but does not give politics much attention. He is strictly a temperate inan, nsing neither strong drink nor tobacco

467

AND VENTURA COUNTIES.

believing both to be injurious. He is not only a successful practitioner, but is also a good business man and a worthy and respected citizen.

ATRICK MCHENRY was born in Ire- land, March, 1848, and at the age of nineteen years came to America, coming direct to California. Patrick was preceded by two brothers, and upon his arrival the three went to ranching in Marin County, and engaged in that business jointly for a year and a half. At the expiration of that time, in 1869, Patrick invested in some cat- tle and came to San Luis Obispo County, locating in the Los Osos Valley, where he has since remained, engaged in the cattle and dairy business. His present ranch, 500 acres in extent, is located in a very pretty part of the valley, the view froin which is extensive. Very many changes have taken place in this district since he first settled here. Immense ranches have been ent np and sold, and where there were only a half dozen settlements then there are thirty or more now.

Mr. McHenry was married in November, 1873, and is the father of seven children, five of whom are now living.

ILLIAM M. ZELLER was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, December 22, 1853. His father, David Zeller, was also a native of the same State, boru in 1802. He had large real estate interests there, and was the senior member of the firm of D. Zeller & Co., in the wholesale commission business, Hon. Thomas R. Bard being the junior partner. His death occurred in 1884. Mr. Zeller's grandfather, Jacob

Zeller, was a Maryland planter, and the an- cestors of the family came from Switzerland. Mr. Zeller's mother was Mary Parker (Little) Zeller. The maternal ancestry is the same as Mr. Bard's, which appears on another page of this book. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of a family of three children. His early education was obtained at Hagers- town, where his boyhood days were spent, and in 1869 he attended the Mercersburg College. He finished his education at the Massachusetts Agricultural College at Am- herst, atter which he was engaged in farming in Maryland for four years. He then came to California and engaged in farming on the Colonia and Las Posas ranches. Mr. Zeller is still conducting his farming operations ou a large scale, having 1,800 acres of land de- voted to the cultivation of barley, alfalfa and beans.

In 1885 he was married to a San Francisco lady. Mr. Zeller is a member of the A. O. U. W. He is a strictly temperate man, and politically is a Republican.

In speaking of Mr. Zeller's father, it is just to his memory to say that while he was a Sonthern gentleman and at one time had numerous slaves, he never sold one, and often arranged with them, giving them wages whereby they were permitted to buy their liberty. He was a man very correct and methodical in his business habits, as well as at his home and on his premises. Seldom do we find a man in these days possessing such admirable traits of character.

F. CLARK is one of the young busi- ness men of Saticoy. He was born in Horton, Bremer County, Iowa, July 14, 1863. His father, Otis Clark, is a native of Ohio; and for the past twenty years has

468

SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO

been a resident of California, and is now en- gaged in the lumber business at Ynba City, Sntter County. His mother, nee Laura A. Patridge, was born in New York, in 1845, and her death occurred September 30, 1888. She was a devoted wife, a faithful and loving mother, and her loss is deeply lamented by the family. She was the mother of three children, all of whoin are living, the subject of this sketch being the oldest. He is a graduate of the State Normal School at San José, class of 1885. Mr. Clark spent some years in teaching, being for two years Prin- cipal of the schools of Brentwood, California, and in 1888 came to Saticoy where he en- gaged in farming. He has 100 acres of very choice land on which he has recently erected a handsome residence. He has selected a beautiful location for building, and when the arrangements of the grounds are completed it will be one of the attractive places of the community. Mr. Clark . is the manager of 900 acres of farm land adjoining his own, the property of his father-in-law, Jolin Nicholl. The entire tract is rented in lots of from forty to eighty acres to tenants who are mainly men of families and in comfortable circumstances, the principal crop raised being Lima beans.

Mr. Clark was married, July 27, 1887, to Miss Agnes Nicholl, a native of San Pablo, California, and also a graduate of the State Normal School. They have one daughter, born Angust 30, 1888. Since taking up his residence in this county, Mr. Clark has been identified with its best interests; and is justly proud of the great State of his adoption.

E. McCOY was born in Placerville, Cal- ifornia, June 7, 1864. His father, J. D. D. McCoy, was born in Canada in 1835, was the pioneer hotel proprietor of

Hueneme, and now resides at Portland, Ore- gon. His ancestors were Scotch, but resi- dents of America for many generations. Mr. McCoy's mother, Margaret (Lynch) McCoy, died when the subject of this sketch was quite young, leaving a family of ten chil- dren. Mr. McCoy was reared and educated in Ventura and Hueneme, and began his business career in a hotel. He has owned the Seaside Hotel for the past five years. This house was built by Mr. Judkins twenty- two years ago, and Mr. McCoy's father bought it, made some additions to the build- ing, and opened it to the public, conducting the business for fifteen years. Since it has been in the possession of Mr. McCoy, Jr., he has remodeled and enlarged the building. It is as old as the town itself, is well man- aged, and is provided with a good table.

Mr. McCoy was married April 17, 1884, to Miss Ina Woodruff, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and daughter of William and E. A. Woodruff, who reside in Hueneme. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy have one child, Maggie, born in Hneneme, March 17, 1885.

The subject of this sketch votes the Re- publican ticket, but is not an active politician. Ile is a well-known business man in the county, and has been identified with the best interests of Hueneme since its beginning.

FENRY M. STILES, one of the pioneers of California, came to Ventura in the winter of 1867. He was born in Medi- na County, Ohio, December 15, 1837. His father, Milton Stiles, was born in the State of Massachusetts, in 1808. A large part of Mr. Stiles' life has been spent, both in Ohio and California, in the mercantile business. He is now spending the remainder of his days with his son Henry M. in Ventura; he

469

AND VENTURA COUNTIES.

is eighty-two years of age. Mr. Stiles' grandfather, Dorus Stiles, was also a native of Massachusetts; his mother, Catherine (Nelson) Stiles, was a native of Massachu- setts. Mr. Stiles was the fifth child in a family of seven children. He received his early education in the public schools in Ohio, and at fourteen years of age began to earn his own living by working on a farm. In 1852 he went to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and worked there for a while, and then to Minne- sota, then a Territory, and, like President Lincoln, ran a flatboat on the Minnesota River to St. Paul, and was soon made captain of the boat. He had three men under him; the business was freighting lime. After being engaged in this business for two sea- sons, he returned to Ohio, and from there came to California, in 1856, and settled in Amador County, and with his father engaged in mining for five years. In 1864 Mr. Stiles went to Oregon, and remained there one win- ter, then he went to the mines in Placerville, Idaho Territory, being very successful. The next year he lost all he had made, and went to Montana and prospected for a while, and then to Salt Lake and next to Prescott, Ari- zona, where he drove a four-horse team for a time; thence he came to Los Angeles, and from there, in 1867, in November, to Ven- tura. Here he purchased a lot, erected a livery stable,-the second in the town,- which he ran for four years; and since that time he has been back and forth in the Ter- ritories several times, but has always con- sidered Ventura his home. In 1866 he made a prospecting trip into Idaho, with sixty men and 100 horses. Getting far into the snow, the party became disgusted with their leader and separated. While two or three were out hunting the Indians shot one of them; the others made their escape back to their com- rades. They started twenty-five men on

horseback after the Indians, but they failed to reach them.

In Arizona Mr. Stiles made another pros- pecting tonr, with fifty men, to the head of Black River, but found neither gold nor silver; and they were not tronbled by the Indians. Since coming to California he has made three trips to the East. He is now proprietor of the Ventura Soda Works, furnishing the whole of the county with temperance drinks. In company with his brother, he also owns 266 acres of land in Pleasant Valley, which they are improving, by planting trees, sink- ing wells and erecting buildings. In 1874 Mr. Stiles built a brick building in Ventura, the best in the town at that time. He also built the house where he resides and owns a building on Main street above the Ventura Bank. Mr. Stiles has seen much of frontier life and has had many interesting experi- ences; he is now one of Ventura's reliable and prosperous citizens.

He was married in 1874, and had one son, Freddie, who now resides in Idaho. In 1885 he was again married, this time to Miss Theresia Frank, who was born in San Fran- cisco. Her father, Philip Frank, M. D., was from Vienna, Austria, and her mother was a native of New Orleans. By this marriage there are two children: Wilbur II., born in Lead City, Dakota Territory, and Milton P., born in Ventura.

CHILLE LEVY, one of the prominent business men of Hueneme, came to California in 1871. He was born in Alsace, France, now Germany, October 23, 1858; his parents were both natives of France. After he arrived in San Francisco he went to a business college for two years, to take a business course and to learn the English

470

SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO

language. He then engaged in clerking and as book-keeper in a genernl merchandise store in Dixon, Solano County, and was there two years. In 1875 he came to Hueneme and engaged in business, the firm being Wolff & Levy, in which they continued for ten years, meeting with excellent success. In 1885 he sold his half interest, and opened a wholesale grain, commission and banking business. He handles large quantities of grain, honey, beans and wool, and ships his produce all over the United States and Mexico; he is also a director, stockholder and vice-president of the Hueneme Bank. He is extensively interested in real estate throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties.

In 1881 Mr. Levy took a tour to Europe and was there married to Miss Lucy Levy, a " forty-second cousin " of his, and a native of Paris, where her parents reside. They have four children, born in Hueneme: Anna E., Palmyre, Joseph Paul and Julia E. Mr. Levy has built a nice home; he has bought recently a ten-acre lot on one of the best streets, about a half-mile from town, which he designs to fit for a residence, and lay out in handsome grounds in the near future. In his political views he is a Republican, and prominently identified with that party; he is a very active business man, and a mem- ber of the San Francisco Produce Exchange.

OHN H. KUHLMAN was born in Ger- many, in 1827, received his education in his native country, and at the age of fifteen entered upon a three-years' appren- ticeship to the blacksmith trade. His terul having expired, in 1845, he came to the United States, landing at Galveston, Texas, and worked at his trade for three months in

that State. He then gave it up and was em- ployed as a cabin-boy on a steamboat, con- tinuing that business five years, and being promoted from cabin-boy to steward of the boat. While sailing on the steamer Pal- metto, he was shipwrecked on Matagorda Bar, January 9, 1851. Fifty passengers were on board, and all were saved in a re- markable manner, which is worth relating here. Among other freight they had a bull on board-a fine large animal. One end of a rope they attached to him and the other end to the vessel. He was sent over- board and. swam ashore, and they were thus landed before the ship was dashed to pieces. Mr. Kuhlman sailed on the schooner Euro- pean, for Chagres, and was again shipwrecked at Algrat Keys. They were rescued this time by the Apalachicola and landed at San Juan del Norte, and taken to Chagres on the steamer Avon. He remained a month at Chagres and crossed the Isthmus in April, 1851, working his passage on the steamer New Orleans. He returned to Panama May 5th. The steamer was sold. For three months he acted as steward on the steamer Unicorn. After that he went into the mines, where he was engaged until 1859. At that time he came back to San Francisco, and went on a steamboat to Olympia. From there he went to Anaheim, and from there, in 1865, to Santa Barbara. In the latter place he opened a variety store, ran it three years, and, in 1869, started a branch store of the same kind in Ventura. He afterward sold his business at Santa Barbara and moved to Ventura, where he built a store, in 1870, on leased ground. This he traded to Mr. Hobson for his present store, and has since continued business in the same place.

In 1870 he was married to Miss Maria Botilla, of Santa Barbara. They have six children: Christina, Charles, Rosa and Henry,

471

AND VENTURA COUNTIES.

born in Santa Barbara; and John and Flora, born in Ventura. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlman and the children are all members of the Cath- olic Church. Mr. Kuhlman was brought up in the Lutheran Church.

In addition to the business interests al- ready mentioned in this sketch, it may be stated that Mr. Kuhlman has stock in the Anacapa Hotel, and is treasurer of the com- pany which owns it He is the owner of considerable valuable business property on Main street, Ventura, and has fifty acres in another place. He still retains a lot and brick store in Santa Barbara. Mr. Kuhlman has an extensive acquaintance throughout the county, and is regarded by all as a reliable man and a worthy citizen.

AMES RAYMOND VANCE was born in Schuyler County, Illinois in 1824. His father was a farmer and owned the land where Nauvoo, onee a Mormon settle- inent, is now located. His father having died, his mother moved with the family to Wisconsin in 1838. At the age of eighteen the subject of this sketch began lead-mining, which he followed for six years; then in 1849 he started for California, with older brothers, traveling across the plains with a horse- team. They were ninety days en route, coming by old Fort Kearney, North Platte river and Sublette's Cut-off. They began placer-mining and found their first gold at Steep Hollow on the Bear River. After two years of mining, with varying success, Mr. Vance went back to his home in Wisconsin for a visit, but again returned to California in 1853, and engaged in mercantile life at Forbestown and Camptonville, and what was then Uder County. In 1858 he was appoint- ed Deputy Sheriff of Uder County, under

Mat Wood, and was an officer abont four years. He then went to Nevada aud cn- gaged in silver-mining, until the latter part of 1864, when he began farming again in Sono- ma County, continuing until 1868, when he came to Santa Barbara. He took up 400 acres on Casitas Pass and began the stock business, having about 500 head of cattle, and continning for ten years. He lost near- ly all his stock in the drouth of 1877. The next year he moved to Santa Barbara to edu- cate his children, and there engaged in farm- ing. In 1886 he was elected Supervisor and Councilman, serving two years as Supervisor and four as Councilman.

Mr. Vance was married in Santa Barbara in 1869, to Miss Mary C. Nidever, a daugli- ter of John Nidever. They have seven chil- dren, all at home. Mr. Vance has passed through the experience of all miners, having frequently "struck it rich " and then losing heavily through some disastrous speculation. He now owns twenty-seven acres in East Santa Barbara, where he resides.

ON. THOMAS R. BARD, a prominent business man of Hueneme, is the best known and most distingnished factor in the growth and development of the county of Ventura. Ile is a man with whom the history of Ventura County is more intimately connected than with any other. He was born in Chambersburg, Franklin County, Penn- sylvania, December 8, 1841, the son of Rob- ert M. Bard, a lawyer, born in the same county in 1810, and died in 1851. His grandfather, Thomas Bard, was also born in the same county, and his great-grandfather, Richard Bard, was of Scotch-Irish descent. He came to America in 1745, and was one of the earliest pioneers of that part of Pennsyl-

472

SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO

vania; both himself and wife were captured by the Indians, April 19, 1758. Five days after being captured he made his escape, and made unceasing efforts for the release of his wife. She was in captivity for more than a year, but was finally given up at Fort du Quesne, Pittsburg, her ransom being forty pounds sterling. Mr. Bard's mother was Elizabeth S. Little, a native of Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, born in 1812, and died in 1880. She was the daugh- ter of Dr. P. W. Little, and a grand-daughter of Colonel Robert Parker of the Revolution- ary army.

Mr. Bard's parents had two sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living. He was reared and educated at the Chambers- burg Academy, and began, at the age of sev- enteen, the study of law with Hon. George Chambers, then a retired Supreme Justice of the State of Pennsylvania; but, finding an active life more suitable to his tastes, he abandoned his studies of law for the pro- fession of railroad and mining engineering, in which he received a practical training in the Alleghany Mountains. When he re- turned he was offered a position in a forward- ing and commission house at Hagerstown, Pennsylvania, which he accepted. While at that place the war broke out, and the firm, differing in politics, dissolved, the town be- ing a border town and excitement running high. Mr. Zellar, one of the company, took Mr. Bard as a partner, and then he com- menced his business life, before he was twenty-one years of age. While in business at Hagerstown the firmn there were agents for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and were in constant danger of rebel raids, and had to be constantly on the alert to know of the proximity of Confederates. For this purpose Mr. Bard found it necessary to do some scouting, and was on the battle-field of

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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