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 83

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 83
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 83
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 83

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plans far ahead and depending upon the skillful use of his pawns. He never skir- mished for temporary advantage, but looked far into and planned for the future. He cared nothing for the antagonism and oppo- sition of the powerful and influential, and made all his battles with his equals in power and influence, whilst he displayed to his em- ployés and the poor a careful consideration and dignified and kind bonhomie. It was a privilege coveted by the laborer to be of his party in the field. Hesitating, and in ordi- nary conversation laboring to give proper expression to his thoughts, thoughi forcible and eloquent when aroused in a serions cause, it was difficult for passing acquaint- ances to gain any conception of the depth of his character and strength of his intellect. Indeed, none but his most intimite friends know how noble and great he was. The worldling and time-server could not approach him. An unfortunate barrier of pride and sensitiveness and diffidence lay between him and the hero-forging public.

" Captain Greenwell was happiest and ap- peared best at the post of duty in moments of action and danger, when coolness, judg- ment and courage were demanded. He was a perfect executive officer, and peril seemed to expand his force and quicken his wits. Some will remember his taking command of the steamer Senator some twenty-five years ago when it had been driven near the rocks of Point Concepcion, on a dark, foggy and stormy night, when the Captain was ill and exhausted and the crew were tired and rebell- jous; and by his command of men, skill, coolness, judgment and courage got her afloat and saved her from shipwreck, lescu- ing the ship and passengers at the expense of the freight, which he cansed to be thrown overboard. At the beginning of his career in the coast survey, a young man, he at the

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risk of his own life rescned from shipwreck some sailors, with gallantry and brilliancy. Many of the old commanders of the navy thought and said that the United States had lost a brilliant and efficient officer; and yet his shore duties were performed with equal genins. He was the best surfer in the serv- ice; was an excellent mountaineer, and never forgot a landmark; and he was peculi- arly fitted for reconnoissance work to map out and complete a practicable scheme of tri- angulation. He was thorough in everything, and was incapable of slipshod or slovenly work. The monuments he set in the fields were permanently fixed and so described that those officers who followed his footsteps had little difficulty in connecting with his work; and the work itself was faithful, exact and complete.

"As a host Mr. Greenwell was elegant, liberal and bountiful of sympathy, warmth and geniality. His house was the reunion of the young who were happy in the atmos- phere of refinement. But his male friends loved most to be with him in the mountains, or on the ocean, in camp or on deck; he seemed then so free from restraint, so natural in his goodness, so noble in thought, ways and bearing, so kindly, gentle and sympath- etic. It is there that they love to call him back and look upon his face unclouded with sorrow, unfurrowed with care, unmarked with bitterness against a selfish, ungrateful world, and listen to his lofty, refined sentiments and thoughtful words. The writer recalls at this moment some of his earnest utterances as he with others sat together in his tent looking at the ' everlasting hills.'

There is "everything in blood. An hon- orable and worthy sire begets a brave and honest son; and pure blood is the best legacy we can give to our offspring. The fact that it flows within our veins and that we are the

medium of transmission, makes us guard the stream from pollution and send it onward as clean and clear as it came from the fountain head. It is the charm which preserves the sci- on of genteel stock in the midst of waywardness, folly and pursuit of pleasure, as well as from worldliness, from dishonor and crime; we can err in precept, discipline and training in the rearing of children, and all men do; for God alone can indisputably shape the youth- ful character; but we bequeath to them in onr blood, jealously preserved from disease and poison, the antidote for all our errors; and we can fall asleep with the consciousness that the offspring of our body and bearers of our name can not without unnatural per- version cast upon it disgrace or stain."

P. SPROUT, an early pioneer of Cal- ifornia, was born in Guernsey Coun-

0 ty, Ohio, in 1835. He remained at home on his father's farm until seventeen years of age, when he started. for California. He shipped at New York on the Brother Jonathan, crossed the Isthmus of Panama and there took the ill-fated McKim, which was over crowded, shortly provisioned and very unseaworthy. They ran into San Diego harbor, and from that place Mr. Sprout walked to Los Angeles. He worked his passage from San Pedro to San Francisco on the brig Fremont. After a short engage- ment at Sacramento, he went to the mines at Nevada City and engaged in placer mining in Placer and Nevada counties, until 1869, as laborer, superintendent and owner, as the circumstances allowed. During the latter part of that time he was superintendent of hydraulic mining. In 1869 he came to Sauta Barbara to take charge of the Belmont ranch for Fernald, Blancher & Co., an exten-

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sive fruit ranch. For four years he was in their employ. He then settled in East Santa Barbara and engaged in dairy farming on a ranch of 150 acres, keeping fifteen Jer- sey cows.

Mr. Sprout was married, at Santa Barbara, in 1871, to Miss Angusta Mandell, a lady of German descent, They have six children living. Mr. Sprout is a member of Santa Barbara Lodge, No. 56, and was a charter member of the encampment, I. O. O. F.

ENRY STODDARD, one of the early settlers of the Montecito valley, was born in Dayton, Ohio, Jannary 2, 1835. His father, Henry Stoddard, Sr., was a promi- nent lawyer of Dayton, and practiced in that city for upwards of fifty years. The subject of this sketch gradnated at the Miami Uni- versity of Ohio, and afterward studied engineering at the Yale Scientific. He then studied law at Dayton, and later at St. Louis with Judge Bates, who was Attorney General under President Lincoln. In 1863 he went ont on the John Morgan raid, companies be- ing especially formed to resist the raid, but not regularly connected with the army. In the spring of 1864, when special call was made for troops, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio National Guards, under Colonel John G. Lowe, Mr. Stoddard being a member of the regimental staff. They were sent to Harper's Ferry and Baltimore, and were mustered out in the fall at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio.

Returning to Dayton, he engaged in the manufacture of linseed oil and varnishes. under the firm name of Stoddard & Co. Ten years later, owing to failing health, he sold out all interests and came to Santa Barbara, California, in August, 1873. He purchased

twenty acres of land in the Montecito Valley, and in the out-of door life which he led, re- covered his health. In 1876 he engaged in the real-estate business in Santa Barbara, and the next year was appointed Postmaster, under President Hayes. For four years and a half he tilled that office very acceptably to the people. In 1882 he was elected County Re corder, and upon the expiration of his term of office he again entered the business of real estate and insurance. He negotiates many loans for Eastern capitalists.

Mr. Stoddard was married in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1850, and has four children living. He is a member of the Starr King Post, Department of California, G. A R.

LARSEN, who is a professional dairy- man, was born in Denmark, in 1844. His father being a farmer, the subject naturally inclined to the products of the soil, In 1868 he graduated from the college at Copenhagen. He had previously devoted himself to the acquirement of the science of the dairy farmn. He was engaged on an exten- sive dairy farm at Skeyward, and there re- ceived full instructions in the making of butter and cheese. In 1868 he was married at Grano, and then became manager of several large dairies, up to 1876, when he came to America. He first settled at Easton, Pennsylvania, where as veternary surgeon he passed one year. He then went to DeKalb County, Illinois, where he built a large manufactory, bought up milk and made butter and cheese, continuing for two years. He then went to Milwaukee, and started a commission store for farm produce; but failing in this venture, in 1880 he came to California, first starting at San Francisco as veterinary surgeon, which he continued very successfully for three

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years. He then came to Santa Ynez, among the first settlers, and bought 160 acres near the old mission, but the purchase proved a losing investment; and in 1884 he came to Lompoc, as foreman of dairy for R. T. Bnell. He then leased land and rented or purchased stock, and is now (1890) carrying on a very satisfactory business. He has 200 head of Holstein and Jersey cows, and makes butter in rolls for market. He bought the old Hea- cock ranch of 500 acres, in 1889, and also owns town property.

He has two children: one son at home and a daughter who is married and lives in Sau Francisco.

M. GREENLEE, one of the pioneer stage drivers of California, was born in Stark County, Illinois, in 1841. His father was a farmer, and also owned extensive milling interests, having built the first mills in Stark County, the old red Snatchwine mills on Walnut Creek, which were the only mills at that time west of Chicago. The subject worked in mills and on farm until 1855, hav- ing moved to Henry County in 1852, from which point in 1855 he started for California, with his father, taking out a number of blooded horses and fine cattle. His father was one of the largest importers of horses and cattle of that period, driving to Marysville, from which point he sold through the country. Between 1855 and 1862 the subject made nine trips across the plains in driving horses and cattle. In 1863 he went to Nevada, teaming and driving for Wells, Fargo & Co., remaining until 1868, when he returned to Marysville, driving on the old Colnsa road for about two years, and in 1871 came to Los Angeles, and later on to Santa Barbara, team- ing, staging and driving for Wells, Fargo &

Co., until 1880, when he entered into part- nership with A. F. McPhail, in the Champion Stable and in the Santa Barbara Transfer and Bus Line; also having individnal land in- terests in the city and owning about fifty acres in the Montecito Valley. He came to Los Alamos in the spring of 1890, and keeps the Los Alamos stables, and also owns the stock of the old Patterson stable, in all about forty head of horses and wagons, both light and heavy for country driving. He also runs the stage line between Los Alamos and Lom- poc, a distance of twenty miles.

Mr. Greenlee was married in Santa Barbara in 1889, to Miss Emma Bisbee. Mr. Green- lee first visited Los Alamos in September, 1876, and bnilt the first house in town for the old stage line.

J. NICHOLS, the leading jeweler of Lompoc, was born in Central New York, in 1848. His father, J. A. Nichols, was a lawyer ot Tioga County. The subject was educated in Tioga Connty, and in 1865 began his trade of jeweler and watch- maker near home and completed it in New York city. He then worked at his trade through several of the Central States, and in 1874 came to Santa Barbara, where he re- mained two years. He then went East and worked at his trade until 1880, when he again returned to Santa Barbara, and remained until 1883, when he camne to Lompoc and opened his present business. He carries a fine stock of watches, clocks and jewelry; also musical instruments and sewing-machines.

He was married at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1874, to Miss A. J Martin, a native of Ohio, and they have two children. Mr. Nichols built his present store and residence, bnild-

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ing 25 x 40, on Ocean avenue, in 1889, and his stock is neatly and tastefully arranged.

He is a member of Lompoc Lodge, No. 57, Knights of Pythias.

O. GARDNER .- One of the active and progressive farmers of Santa Ynez Valley is C. O. Gardner, who was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1848. His father was an extensive farmer in that locality, owned and cultivated 400 acres of land, also kept a dairy and dealt largely in cattle and horses. The subject of this sketch was reared at home, being engaged at work on his father's farm until twenty-six years of age. In 1874 he came to California, coming direet to Guadaloupe. He worked on a farm in the Santa Maria Valley until 1862, when the town of Santa Ynez was laid out. Mr. Gardner at once purchased town lots and erected his present residence. He then leased about 500 acres from Bishop Mora, and later from the Santa Ynez Development Company, who bought the valley. Since that time he has been a large producer of barley, hay and wheat. In plowing he uses two gangs of five ten-inch plows each; and uses the im- proved large machinery for harvesting his crops. To a certain extent he is a breeder of fine work horses, keeping about twenty head.

Mr. Gardner was married at Santa Maria in 1882 to Miss Eva J. Preston. They have had three children, all now deceased.

R. J. WILL GRAHAM was born in Hancock County, Illinois, in 1850, and came to California in 1852, with his parents, making the journey across the plains with an ox team. They settled in Colusa

County, at the little town called Grand Island, on the Sacramento River. His father settled on what was supposed to be Govern- ment land, but in 1860, through the recog- nition of the Government of certain bound- aries, a claim for a Spanish grant was es- tablished, and the tenants were obliged to buy, hire or clear out; and Mr. Graham then moved to Sutter County, where he bought a ranch of 160 acres and carried on general farming and stock-raising.

The subject was educated in the public schools of Colusa and Sutter counties, and in 1880 entered the medical department of the Willamette University, at Portland, Oregon, where he graduated in medicine and surgery in 1883. He practiced medicine in East Portland for one year, and in 1884 came to Los Alamos, where he has since carried on his profession. In 1888 he built a two-story brick house, the only brick honse in town.

Dr. Graham was married at San Francisco, in 1882, to Miss Maria Gennette Drum, a native of Pennsylvania. The Doctor covers in his practice a radius of about twenty miles, necessitating long drives to see his patients.

P. WHITNEY was born in Corinth, Maine, on October 7, 1834. His

O father was a farmer, also kept a small shoe store. From thirteen years of age sub- jeet lived with his brother, who had large milling interests, and he worked in the shingle mills in summer and in the blacksinith shop in winter. In 1852 they went to Canada, and then to Minneapolis, Minnesota, always in milling interests and continuing black- smithing. In 1856 they moved to what is now Kingston, Minnesota. His brother took np Government land, built a saw and grist mill, and thus started and named the town,

SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO

and remained until March, 1859, when they started for California, driving ox team to Omaha, where they remained until May, then via Salt Lake City drove on to Red Bluffs, Tehama County. In January, 1860, they went to Table Rock, Sierra County, re- maining until October, 1862, working in the mines. They then went to Petaluma, and except one year at Virginia City remained until 1868, carrying on blacksmith shop. He then went to Eel River, Mendocino County, and acted as superintendent of his brother's stock ranch, and also interested in blacksmith shop, remaining until 1882, when he went to Point Reyes, Mendocino County, and there worked at his trade for five years. Mr. Whitney's interests were identified with his brother until the death of the latter, in Janu- ary, 1883. In 1887 he came to Los Alamos, first renting shop and later buying 100x 100 feet, and establishing his present situation.

He was first married in Petaluma, on April 13, 1865; and formed his second matri- monial relation, at Potter Valley, Mendocino County, in October, 1877, by marrying Mrs. Marthia Long. He has four children living, but all by his first wife.

M RS. E. A. GREER, one of the early and successful settlers of the town of Santa Ynez, was born at Harper's Ferry, and was a daughter of Jolin Cochrane, a contractor and bilder of that locality. Miss Cochrane was first married in 1851; being left a widow, she remarried in 1866, at Dayton, Nevada, to Henry Greer, a native of Belfast, Maine, and together they came to California in 1868, stopping at Santa Barbara until purchasing a ranch of 160 acres in the west end of Montecito Valley. They culti- vated some fruit and were among the first to

plant orange trees. Mrs. Greer came to Santa Ynez in 1884, during the infancy of the town, and has since been one of its prominent resi- dents. She purchased one-quarter of a block, 150 x 200 feet, upon which she first built her store and residence, and later a large livery stable. In 1888 she erected the town hall, called the Greer Hall, upon which she has placed a large brass bell, the first bell of the town. Adjoining her store she also estab- lished a restaurant, which she has continued with success to the present time. IIer store is general merchandise, and she keeps a full line of dry goods, groceries, hardware and household supplies. She also has a ranch of 160 acres in Pinie Cañon, which is well- stocked with horses and cattle. Mrs. Greer has four children, three daughters and one son. She is a woman of great executive ability and should feel proud of her well de- served success.

J. ANTHONY was born in Whitley County, Indiana, in 1849. In 1854 he came across the plains to Cali- fornia with his parents, suffering great delays and hardships from the Indians, who were especially troublesome that year. His early lite was passed at his home in Santa Cruz, a part of the time being employed as clerk in the lumber business of his father, G. T. An- thony. In 1872 he went to Monterey County and engaged in the stock business on Gov- ernment land, keeping about 200 head, and continuing there for three years. At the end of that time he returned to Santa Cruz, where he was occupied one year in a saw-mill. In 1876 he came to Lompoc and engaged in farming, The next year he located at Los Alamos, where he was interested in sheep- raising, and, although the year was dry, he

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was very successful, seliing at a profit in the fall of 1877, and then returning to Lompoc. At that time he entered his father's black- sınith shop and learned the trade, at which he has since continued to work. He came to Santa Ynez in November, 1887, and after purchasing town property and building his house, he went into partnership with his father, under the firm name of G. T. An- thony & Son. They have erected a fine brick building and are doing a prosperous busi- ness, being also agents for light and heavy wagons and farm machinery.

Mr. Anthony lost his first wife at Lompoc. He was there again married in 1884, this time to Miss Louisa Manda Reed, a native of Cali- fornia. He has one child by his first inar- riage and two by the second.

T. ANTHONY, one of the early pio- neers of California, much of whose life has been passed in pioneer work, was born in Saratoga County, New York, in 1820, and at the age of fourteen years went with his father to a lumber camp in Allegany, New York, remaining about three years, when he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and there learned the trade of foundryman and ma- chinist. In 1840 he was married at Fort Wayne to Miss Hannah Hurd, after which they went to Whitley County, where Mr. Anthony bought a farm of 160 acres, being obliged to leave the shop ou account of fail- ing health. He engaged in raising sheep and general farming, continuing until 1854, when he sold out and came across the plains to California, starting with forty-eight head of cattle, six yoke of oxen, ten horses and four mules. They had a very hard trip. as the Indians were very hostile that year, and Mr. Anthony lost nearly everything except his

mules, one eow and one horse. He then went to Santa Cruz and opened a foundry, with his brother, and later went into the lumber business; but, owing to depression in Cali- fornia in 1874, he lost about $75,000, and was financially ruined. after twenty-one years of close attention to business at Santa Cruz. In 1875 be located at Lompoc and opened a blacksmith shop, as his trade only was left to him, and by economy and energy he has reasonably prospered. He remained until November, 1877, when he came to Santa Ynez and bought town property, erected a residence and, in partnership with his son, G. J. Anthony, built a fine brick blacksmith shop. They have carried on a successful business; are also agents for wagons, car- riages and all kinds of farming implements.

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony have had twelve children, five only surviving. Mrs. Anthony is living, at the age of seventy years, and on January 18, 1890, the children gathered at the homestead and joyfully celebrated the golden wedding of their happy parents, a celebration few people are spared to enjoy.

ORMER & CHALLENOR, whose beautiful ranch of 160 acres lies south of Ballard's, in the Alamo Pintado Valley, are of English birth, and were edu- cated at Jesus College, at Cambridge, Eng- land.

Max. C. Dormer studied engineering with Professor Stuart, at Cambridge, and later with the Crewe Locomotive Works at Crewe, England. In 1887 he came to the United States, and direct to California, to visit his old friend D'Urban, who then owned the ranch, which was later purchased by Mr. Dormer, and where he now resides.

John Challenor studied for the army,

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entering in 1885 the Fourth Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment, serving three years, until he acquired the Captaincy, and then, not caring to go into active service, he resigned and turned over his commission. He then came to the United States. and to California to visit his friend, Mr. Dormer, and soon after the above partnership was formed. In 1889 they set out 2,000 peach trees, and in the spring of 1890, 4,000 more peach and 4,000 prunes, covering about 100 acres. The land was wild bottom land when they took it, but has since been converted into a veritable garden, by their system of thorough cultivation. The old adobe ranch house is one of the landmarks of the valley, nestling as it does beneath the shade of the majestic live-oaks, and the conveniences of windmill and out-buildings which have since been added, making of the ranch an ideal home.

EFFERSON B. TOWNSEND, a rancher in the upper Arroyo Grande, was born August 11, 1843, in Missouri, of South- ern parents who are not now living, and was brought up on a farm. In 1856, when he was thirteen years of age, the entire family crossed the plains to California with ox teams, being five months on the road. It was the plan of Mr. Townsend's father to take a herd of cattle from the plains, where he could get them cheap, and bring them on and dispose of them as the best occasions of- fered, beef being very high at that time in this State. The party did bring 2,000 head of cattle. Sonoma County was reached, a place of 200 acres purchased, and the family settled there; and it was here that Jefferson continued his studies, attending for a time the Sonoma College, conducted by the Com-

berland Presbyterians. From 1856 to 1867 he was at his parental home, and then he came to San Luis Obispo County, taking up 160 acres of land two and a half miles south of San Luis Obispo city, where he was en- gaged for eight years in farmning. He then spent a year in San Francisco. Returning to this county he bought a place on the Corra de Piedra and worked that for eight years. He came upon his present property in De- cember, 1882, which occasion was celebrated by a Christmas dinner. This ranch lies in the upper Arroyo Grande, between ranches Santa Manuelo and Arroyo Grande, and com- prises 640 acres. Here Mr. Townsend is en- gaged in dairying and stock raising, and also to some extent in fruit culture, the soil being well adapted to grapes. He has 6,000 vines in bearing, producing both raisin and wine grapes of excellent quality. His dwelling is situated on the Arroyo Grande Creek, which runs through his property. The view through and around the splendid trees near by is espe- cially fine.

Mr. Townsend has been married twice- first in San Francisco, April 29, 1868, and the second time August 9, 1888. He has four sons and two daughters.

Z W. SAUNDERS, M. D., the popular and successful physician of Lompoc, was born in Birmingham, Iowa, April 25, 1843. His father was by trade a cab- inet-maker, who moved to Uniontown, Mis- souri, in 1858, and there bought 700 acres of timber land, and there erected a large saw and grist mill and carried on a very snecess- ful business. In 1876 he visited Lompoc, then returned East and closed his business, and in 1880 brought his family to Lompoc, where he settled and died in November,

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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