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 70

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 70
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 70
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 70

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As a citizen and a business man Mr. Kel- logg holds an exalted position in the com-

munity. He was Principal of Goleta public schools ten successive years, which fact is a strong evidence of his high standing as au educator. He takes an active interest in public affairs, bnt is in no sense a politician. Although yet a comparatively young man he has acquired a handsome property, a good business, a fine home, and is surrounded by hosts of friends, and, the greatest of all bless ings, a happy family.

R. W. T. LUCAS, a prominent physician and surgeon of Santa Maria, was born in Buchanan County, Missouri, March 18, 1850. His father was a farmer by occupa- tion, and emigrated to Montana in 1864, across the plains in prairie schooners, and our subject rode a mule. The company brought out about 1,000 head of cattle and several loads of freight. They stopped at Deer Lodge Valley, took up land and ran a butter and cheese dairy until 1868, when they sold out and came to California. They settled near Woodland, Yolo County, where they farmed for several years, but he has now retired, at the age of sixty-seven years. The subject of this sketch gained his education by hard work, making expenses as opportunity offered. He attended the public schools, and then the Hesperian College at Woodland, and also taught in the public schools of Yolo and Solano counties. In 1874 he entered the Medical College of the Pacitic at San Fran- cisco, at which he graduated in November, 1876. He began practicing at Woodland, Yolo County, and also gave lectures at the college on physiology and hygiene. He had charge of the County Hospital until 1879, when he came to Guadaloupe, Santa Barbara County, and practiced until June, 1884, when he came to Santa Maria. He bought town

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property and also 160 acres of ranch property. He rents eighty acres, and is improving the remainder. He has already set out twenty- two acres in orchard and deciduous fruits; his present residence property he bought in 1887. The Doctor has had an extensive and successful practice throughout the Santa Maria Valley; he is a great reader, and has a large library.

He was married in Sacramento County, September 9, 1879, to Miss Lula Maupin, of French descent. They have two children: Lee Forman and Orion Lulu. The Doctor is an enthusiastic Mason, and has served the lodge at Guadaloupe as Master for four years, and is still officiating. He has been a mem- ber of the Grand Lodge for several years, and belongs to San Luis Obispo Chapter, No. 62, R. A. M., and to San Luis Obispo Command- ery No. 27, and has the most extensive Masonic library in Southern California. He is an enthusiastic and consistent Democrat, and takes an active part in every campaign.

292 EORGE W. M'CABE, son of Anthony McCabe and Elizabeth E. (Waller) McCabe, was born in Nova Scotia, March 13, 1857. In 1869 the entire family, consisting of parents and four children, moved to San Francisco. In 1872 Mr. McCabe and his son George took charge of the Borax Lake property, in Lake County, -- property which has since developed for its owners very valuable and important mines. Young MeCabe decided to learn some trade, and selected that of blacksmithing, at which he worked in Napa, Napa County, for some time. In 1879 he moved to San Luis Obispo, where he continued work at his trade. In 1882 he engaged in business for himself and

is now established in one of the most im- portant shops of the city.

In 1882 Mr. McCabe was married to Miss Steele. To them have been born three chil- dren. Mr. McCabe is a worthy and respected citizen. April 1, 1890, he was elected one of the City Trustees. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, in which organi- zation he has filled many high positions. He also belongs to the A. O. U. W., in which society he is an ardent worker. Mr. McCabe is active in politics, and is at present Chair- man of the Republican County Convention.

AMES R. WILLOUGHBY is another illustration of what energy and integrity will do for a man in California. He arrived in San Francisco in April, 1853, in pioneer times, even without a hat! The canse of this was: The steamship Independ- ence, on which he was a passenger, caught fire and burned until she sank; 200 of her passengers were lost, but Mr. Willonghby, with others, were cast upon an island, whence they were subsequently rescued by a whale- ship. He lost everything. He was at that time twenty two years of age, vigorous and ambitious, and he obtained work by the day and odd jobs until he was soon able to carry on a systematic business for himself, buying and selling hogs, sheep and cattle. His business increased apace upon his hands, while he also added the wholesale butchering trade, and for twenty-nine years supplied the meat markets of San Francisco. Thirty years ago, in traveling over the State to buy stuck, he saw Ventura County, " fell in love " with it, and soon afterward bought a ranch of 10,000 acres near Saticoy, and he still owns 7,500 acres of that tract, on which he is rear- ing improved breeds of horses, cattle, sheep

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and hogs. He keeps about 100 head of horses,-French Canadian, Clydesdale, Cleve- land Bay and Richmond,-some of which are as fast trotters as any in the world. He has 5,000 sheep, 1,000 hogs and 600 head of cattle,-Durham, Hereford, Devon and Hol- stein. He has fifteen hands in his constant employ; has several barns 100 feet long, and many other ranch buildings. He has a ranch of 180 acres of fine land near Saticoy, planted in walnut and other fruit trees, and furnished with a good house and barns. Although in business in Ventura for many years, he did not reside here until 1881, when he bought his present home, on the corner of Santa Clara and Aslı streets.

Mr. Willoughby was born in Canterbury, Connecticut, October 22, 1831. His father, William F. Willoughby, was a native of Con- necticut and died in 1849. His grandfather, Russell Willoughby, emigrated from Eng- land to Connecticut in early life. His mother, whose maiden name was Phebe Carey, was also a native of Connecticut. Their family consisted of twelve children, and the mother is still living, now aged eighty-four years. James R., the eldest son, had charge of the business, and the cares of the farm devolved upon him. He was married in 1862, to Miss Mary E. Holloway, a native of Tennessee, who died in 1881. The children by this marriage were: W. F., George D., Abby, Charles R. and James. The three first named are mar- ried and the others are with their father. Charles R. has recently received an appoint- ment to attend the West Point Military Acad- emy. August 10, 1886, Mr. Willoughby was united in matrimony with Miss Rena Roberts, a daughter of William and Mary (Fowler) Roberts, from England, and she was born in Minnesota. They have one interest- ing little girl, Irene Sessions, born in San

Buenaventura. The family attend the Pres- byterian Church and contribute to all the churches of the town. Mr. Willoughby is a member of the A. L. of H .; a Trustee of the city, and for four years has been chair- man of the Republican County Committee. The county has been Democratic, but it is now Republican; and although Mr. Will- oughby has been so influential, he has re- fused political preferinent, desiring rather to attend to his private business.

AMES FRANKLIN WILLIAMS, de- ceased, was one of the leading members of the bar of Santa Barbara County. He was born in the town of Manlius, Onon- daga County, New York. May 14, 1818, the son of Nathan Williams, a dry-goods mer- chant. After attending the public schools of his native town, he attended Union College, Schenectady, New York, at which institution he graduated at eighteen years of age. He later took a thorough course in the study of law, paying for his own education. He mar- ried Miss Susan Sweet, July 28, 1845, and for three years traveled in the Southern States. He then came to California, in 1849, and spent some time in the mining regions, with headquarters at Sacramento city. In this he had average success, but he subse- quently took up the practice of his profession at Martinez, Contra Costa County. He was promptly recognized as a lawyer of ability, and was elected to the District Attorneyship of his county. He served one term as Sn- perior Judge of Contra Costa County by ap- pointment. Mr. Williams remained there until the year 1867, when he took up his residence at Santa Barbara, and opened a law office. He was a popular Democrat, and several times chosen by his party for County

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Judge, which party was in the minority. He practiced law up to within two years of his death, which occurred August 2, 1876. He was the father of three children, one daugh- ter, now deceased, and two sons, one son dying in infancy; the other, Nathan Wallace, is a well-known and substantial merchant of Santa Barbara and a " native son." He was born at Martinez, California, November 18, 1854, and graduated at Heald's Business College of San Francisco, in 1873. He learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he successfully followed for about ten years. He is now junior member of the popular grocery house of Hunt, Hosiner & Co., State street, Santa Barbara.

Hle was married September 8, 1878, to Miss Jennie E. Orr. They have three chil- dren, two daughters and a son: Gasper Franklin, Eva B. and Gracie E.

UDGE S. A. SHEPPARD was born May 22, 1824, in the District of Co- lumbia. His ancestry on the paternal side were English and Scotch, and on his mother's side Irish and Scotch. His au- cestors were Colonial settlers of Virginia and Maryland. His father, a native of An- napolis, Maryland, in early days was a farmer, and afterward resided in Baltimore city and the District of Columbia, and owned both city and country property. Judge Sheppard completed his school life in a class- ical academy in Georgetown, District of Columbia; commenced to study law in 1844, in Cincinnati, in the law office of William T. Forrest, and removed to Baltimore in December of the same year, where he con- tinned his law studies and was admitted to the bar in the city of Baltimore, in January, 1847. He practiced his profession there and

in the United States courts in Washington city until February 3, 1849, when he started for California. He came around by way of Cape Horn, and landed in San Francisco September 9, and went to the mines with a party of seven friends who had come to the coast with him. They went to the Shasta Diggings, Redding's Bar, and after prospect- ing there for a while they went to the Feather River, locating at Bidwell's Bar. Soon after the rains set in, the mines become inundated, and he, with others, returned to San Fran- cisco, where he opened a law office, December 10, 1849. He soon had a paying practice, and he continued his profession there suc- cessfully ten years. He then removed witlı his family to Tulare County and opened an office at Visalia, and practiced law there seventeen years, namely, until April. 1876; and since that time he, with his family, has been a resident of San Buenaventura, engaged in the practice of law. In San Francisco he was Public Adininistrator; in Tulare County he was District Attorney two terms; was also Mayor of Visalia; was appointed by Governor Haight Judge of the County Court to fill a vacancy, and was afterward elected to a full term. While residing in San Buenaventura he was elected County Judge of Ventura County, and since a mein- ber of the Board of Town Library and Pres- ident of the Board. Politically, he sympa- thizes with the old Jeffersonian Democratic principles. He was initiated in Washington Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F., it being the first lodge organized in the United States.

In 1848 Judge Sheppard married Miss Margaret L. Armstrong, a native of Balti- more and a daughter of James Armstrong, a wholesale leather merchant and manufact- urer of that city, and they have now living two sons and three daughters, viz .: Isabella, now the wife of George E. Stewart, of Nord-

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hoff; Margaret, now Mrs. Horace Stevens, residing in Batavia, this State; Summerfield D., residing at Huencine, Ventura County; Thomas A., who is also there, in the drug business, and Annie R., the youngest, is at home. Mrs. Sheppard is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and the Judge's father was an Episcopalian. Judge Sheppard has built a nice home in the beautiful and health- ful village of Nordhoff, where, with his chil- dren near him, and also his many friends whom he has known so long, he will spend the evening of his long and eventful life in peace.

R. BENNETT, a rancher near Nordhoff, was born in Ireland, December 1, 1845, the son of respectable Irish parents. In 1864, at the age of nineteen years, he set sail for American, landing at Quebec, June 15 of that year. He had relatives there en- gaged in business, and for a time he was em- ployed by his cousin as supercargo. They bought provisions and clothing and took thein to the coast of Labrador, bringing back a load of fish and oil. After three years thus engaged he went to Thurso on the Ot- tawa River, where for two years he clerked in a general merchandise store. In July, 1869, he came to California and worked in a saw-mill a year in Mendocino County. In 1870 he sent for his brother George and gave him a position in the mill. Starting ont in search of easier and more profitable einployment, he next went to Vallejo, where he was engaged in laying water pipes until he could accumulate a little money to go still further in search of better employment. Going to San Francisco he worked for a while on the wharf, unloading vessels, and then ob 32

tained a situation in a wholesale dairy prod- uce store, conducted by T. H. Hatch & Co. Soon he secured a position there also for his brother George. Two years later he and his brother engaged in the dairy produce bnsi- ness for themselves in the California market, which they continue to the present time, sup- plying the elite o: San Francisco with " Ben- nett's Celebrated Bntter."

While in the market, Mr. Bennett con- tracted catarrh, which extended to his bron- chial tubes, and he was compelled to seek a milder climate than San Francisco. Leaving the business there in charge of his brother, he started in search of health, traveling the whole length of California, from Sisson's to San Diego, and found the most desirable place for pulmonary complaints to be the Ojai Valley. Here he purchased sixty-one acres of land, on which he is now building a handsome residence. He is entering largely into fruit culture, having planted French prunes, almonds, olives and raisin grapes. The property is now iu a flourishing con- dition, and is destined to become one of the most delightful homes ou the coast.

Mr. Bennett was married in 1878, to Miss Hatty Greeleese, a native of Thurso, Canada. and a daughter of William Greeleese. Mr. Bennett became acquainted with her while in Thurso ten years previous, and succeeded in persuading her to meet him in California. Upon her arrival, Mr. Bennett went to meet her, taking a minister with him, and they were married in Sacramento. They are the parents of four interesting children, the three eldest having been born in San Francisco, and the youngest in the Ojai Valley. Their names are: Lillian, Stewart R .. David S. and Anita. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Ben- nett is independent in politics, but shares the views of the Republican party. He is a

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member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the F. & A. M.

MEHLMANN, one of the enterprising inen of San Luis Obispo, was born in @ Berlin, Germany, June 28, 1846; studied agriculture and surveying; served one year in the Prussian army, in the war of 1866; and in 1869 came to America. After stopping a short time in Nevada, he came the same year to San Luis Obispo and engaged in diversified farming upon 320 acres of good land near town. This, however, he sold, and after working for several years at the car- penter's trade, and some time in a surveyor's office as draughtsman, he engaged in the sale of wines and liquors and in the bottling of lager beer, which he now prosecutes with success.

He was married March 1, 1883, to Miss Löwenstein, who was born in Prussia in 1853, and they have five children.

KELLER, deceased, formerly a resident of San Luis Obispo, was born in Ba- varia, Germany, May 26, 1826, and at the age of seventeen left home and learned his trade, as brewer, following the business six years in a large establishment. In 1849 he came to America and resided in Cinein- nati and Columbus, Ohio, for a time. In 1852 he came overland with a large band of horses and cattle to California, being six months on his way, but losing the most of his stoek by death on the route. He arrived at Sacramento, and then spent considerable time at the gold mines. In 1856 he returned to Germany, intending to stay; but, not liking the prospects there, he came to America again

the next year and located permanently in Newtown, El Dorado County, where he es- tablished a large brewery and was quite suc- cessful with that institution.

In 1860 he returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, and married Miss Minnie Wiegand. In 1870 his brewery was destroyed by fire, and the next year he moved to Oakland and estab- lished himself there in the same business for a period of three or four years; then he re- sided about four years in Temescal, a north- western suburb of Oakland, where his resi- dence and grounds formed one of the chief attractions of the town. In 1879 he moved to San Luis Obispo, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1882. He had eight children, all of whom are still living.

W. NUTTALL .- The leading real-es- tate broker, formerly interested largely @ in our northern coast, is R. W. Nutt- tall, Esq. There is no better informed gen- tleman as to land values and the industry of our country in general, in California. He has a large extent of fruit, farm and grazing land to sell in small lots to suit purchasers.

HOMAS NORTON, M. D., a leading citizen of San Luis Obispo County, was born in Roscommon Connty, Ireland, December 24, 1846, the son of Dr. Thomas Norton, who was an eminent physician in Ireland, and a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, also of the Royal University of Edinburg. He died abont 1860 in his an- tive country, after having spent about seven years in America. He had six sons and one daughter, of whom the subject of this sketch is the third child.

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Dr. Norton received a thorough education in Ireland before coming to Canada and the United States, arriving in San Luis Obispo in 1881, where he has since resided.

P. HALL is one of the successful ranchers of Ventura County. His father, William Hall, was a native of Berkshire, Massachusetts, and his grand- father, Parker Hall, was born in Rhode Island, and was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. They were of English descent. Mr. Hall's mother, Sarah (Dyer) Hall, was born in West Troy. New York. Her father, William Dyer, was an early settler on the Hudson River, and used to run the first ferry across the river there. William Hall was twice married, and had eight children by the first wife and four by the second. The sub- ject of this sketch was the youngest child by the first marriage, and was born Angust 14, 1833. His mother dying when he was a year and a half old, he was thus early in life bereft of her love and care, and when he was four years old he went to live with his aunt. Six years later she died, and he was then put on a farm to live until he was twenty-one years old, when he was to have a suit of clothes and $100. During that period he attended school a part of the time in the winter, and at other times he was engaged in work on the farm. As he terms it himself, he was educated with the hoe and between the plow handles. He may be said to have educated himself. He then taught school in the winter and worked on the farm, by the mouth, in the summer. The usual price for farm work was $10 per month, but a part of the time he received $13, because he was considered a reliable hand. He received $15 per month for his first

school, and taught ten terms. In the fall of 1856 he went to Iowa, and taught and worked until he was able to buy 115 acres of land. This he improved by building, etc., the whole costing him $3,300. After living there ten years, he sold the place for $6,200. He then removed to Red Oak, Montgomery County, Iowa, and bought 160 acres of land, unimproved, on which he erected buildings, residing there eight years. At that time it was considered one of the best improved farms in the township.

Mr. Hall spent the year 1882 in Cali- fornia, for the benefit of his wife's health. The change of climate saved her life, and in 1884 they sold out and came to Ventura and bought their present comfortable home and thirty acres of land. The house and grounds are pleasant and attractive and the locality is delightful. Mr. Hall has acquired such & habit of industry that he could not be happy unless engaged in some active employment. Since coming to this sunny land he has de- voted his time to the cultivation of fruit and vegetables, has been more especially interested in the production of beans, having raised from 1,600 to 2,200 pounds to the acre. The price for Lima beans, in 1890, is $4 per hundred pounds.

October 19, 1859, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Ann Ballon, a native of Essex County, New York. The Ballon family were Rhode Island people, their ancestors having settled there with Roger Williams, in 1645. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have two living children, Edward and Elmer E., both born in Farmersburg, Iowa. The older son resides in this valley, and the younger is now taking a scientific course of study in the university at Los Angeles. In Clayton, Iowa, Mr. Hall was elected Justice of the Peace, and served four years. Ile has been a Republican ever since the organization

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of that party. Both he and his wife and sons are members of the Methodist Church.

OHN AND ALPIIONSO A. WIGMORE, in 1875, purchased the Rancho del Puente, of 4,800 acres, situated near Los Alamos. The rancho was a part of the original Rancho de la Laguna de San Francisco, originally granted to Antonio Guitierrez. The ranch has been fenced and partitioned by the present owners, who have also developed the water, the source of which is obtained from a small laguna, and several large springs, which are now distributed by pipes about the ranch. The place was rented until 1889, but is now under the management of Alphonso A. Wigmore, and is being more highly im- proved and stocked with high grade Durham cattle, and a class of carefully selected mares, in view of breeding horses for draft pur- poses, from Percheron stock. They now have a large number of cattle and horses, but as the ranch affords fine grazing they propose keeping about 1,000 head. They are also experimenting with deciduous fruits, in view of setting out a large acreage, favoring also the English walunt, olive, grapes and figs. Abont 1,300 acres of the ranch is tillable, affording ample apportunity for the growing of all grain, hay and supplies.

M. ARMSTRONG, the able Super- intendent of the Public Schools of San Luis Obispo County, was born in Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, February 10, 1844, the son of John L. Arm- strong, who was born in the same connty in 1804. He was a miller and merchant by occupation, and a leading spirit in business,

social and political circles where he lived. He was a Democrat in politics, but whenever before the people as a candidate for office his excellent reputation drew to him a large Re- publican support. He came West to Chari- ton, Lucas County, Iowa, in 1855, and engaged extensively in real-estate business, investing his money in large tracts of land. Later he took up his residence at Nebraska City, Nebraska, where he spent eight years. Subsequently he moved to San Luis Obispo, where he and his estimable wife are spending their declining years in retirement.

The subject of this sketch opened his bnsi- ness career as a contractor and freighter on the great plains, engaging successively with the United States Government and the West- ern Union Telegraph Company, who were then building the Western Union line through the Western States and Territories. He had acquired a fair education, and being amply qualified he accepted the principalship of the public schools of Astoria, Oregon, in 1864, continuing in that position two years. Mr. Armstrong then spent two years in the em- ploy of the Government as head Quarter- master's clerk, at the headquarters of the Department of the Columbia, at Portland, Oregon. In 1868 he came to California and taught school in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, and for four years was principal of the public schools of San Luis Obispo city. He resigned this position, and in 1886 was elected to the superintendeney of the county schools, where he served a four years' term. Mr. Armstrong attended the biennial session of the State convention of county superintendents of schools, and there took a prominent part in the amending and formulating the present excellent school code of laws, many of which were subse- quently adopted by the State Legislature. During his term of office the schools of his

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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