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 87

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 87
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 87
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 87

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He was married in 1857, to Elizabeth Fry, of Strasburg, Germany, and they have five children, namely: Mary L., now Mrs. R. Swain; Thomas T., Robert Donglass, John and Elizabeth M.

EORGE STONE, deceased, in his life- time a resident of San Luis Obispo County, came to California from Mexico, having served in the United States army during the Mexican war. He arrived in San Buenaventura in 1849, having lived some time previously in Los Angeles. He was employed by Isaac Calahan, who was at that time lessee of the Mission at San Bnenaven- tura. For a time he was in charge of a store there which Mr. Calahan owned. They were two fast friends, whose friendship grew in strength and happiness with years. Mr. Calahan died in 1851, and soon afterward Mr. Stone moved to Santa Barbara, where he took from Captain Sparks, on shares, the Arroyo Grande Rancho, with 500 head of cattle. He then returned to San Buenaven - tura, where he married the widow of Isaac Calahan, whose maiden name was Valdez and who still survives. In 1852 Sparks sold the

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ranch to Captain Mallagh and gave Mr. Stone a lease of the Huasna ranch for five years, and $1,000 in coin if he would cancel his lease of the Arroyo Grande. Mr. Stone re- mained on the Huasna ranch until 1858, when he delivered it and the live-stock there- on to Captain Sparks, who was so highly pleased with his management and close at- tention to his business that he offered him every assistance he might require in any business he desired to engage in. In Octo- ber, 1858, he went to Mexico; but in 1860 returned to California, broken in health and in purse. Soon he was appointed under Sheriff by Sheriff Dennis, and his execution of duty was such as to gain for him the full confidence and esteem of the entire com- munity. In 1862 he again took charge of the ranch on favorable terms, receiving 4,000 head of cattle, large and small; but two years afterward the dry season put an end to his stock enterprise. He was shortly afterward appointed Internal Revenue Assessor of the county of San Luis Obispo, which office he held until the county was joined to the Santa Barbara district. Then until his death, which occurred April 7, 1882, he lived in San Luis Obispo County, in or near Cayncos. He had a wide circle of acquaintances, all of whom held him in high esteem. Of quick but generous impulses, ready to take up the gauntlet when thrown down to him, he was ever ready to lend a helping hand to a van- quished foe. He left six children.

UAN V. AVILA, proprietor of the Avila Hotel at Avila Beach, is a son of Don Miguel Avila, and was born April 28, 1845. That point has always been his home. The splendid Avila Rancho, con- sisting of 16,000 acres, has been subdivided

and sold,-the most of it, -the subject of this sketch being the administrator of the estate. His hotel is a very popular resort, nine miles from the city of San Luis Obispo and di- rectly upon the beach of the broad blue ocean. He was married in September, 1889, to Miss Nuthall.

OSES T. WELLS came to Ventura County in 1869, and in 1870 located at Saticoy, thus becoming one of the early settlers. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1845. His father, Rev. Samuel T. Wells, a retired Presbyterian minister, is now residing at San Buena- ventura. The history of his life will be found in another place in this work. In 1860 Mr. Wells and his family removed to Oakland, California, where the subject of this sketch finished his education at the old Braton Col- lege, now the State University, at Berkeley. Before coming to Southern California he was variously employed: was freight clerk at Oak- land, four years; was pilot on the Oakland ferry for five years, during which time he became widely acquainted with the people of Oakland and California in general; held the position of engineer in the mines at Virginia City for a time; then went to Leadville, prospected all over the country, acted as engineer a portion of the time, did general mining, and, having made a study of assaying, when a Boston syndicate was formed to locate mines, he and his friend, Mr. Fink, were employed by them to prospect, and were the first explorers of the old Ute reservation, where they dis- covered large fields of coal.

As before stated, Mr. Wells located in Saticoy in 1870. He and his father pur- chased land at $15 per acre, and twenty acres, containing the Saticoy mineral springs, they

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bought for $100 per acre. His father bought 600 acres at above price, 300 of which he sold to the railroad company for $150 per acre, receiving a check for $45,000. Of the remaining 300 acres Mr. Wells is the owner of 180. They first engaged in raising barley, corn and hogs, and are now making a spe- cialty of Lima beans. He also raises Jersey cattle and valuable horses, and devotes con- siderable time to poultry, ducks, geese, turkeys and chickens. They gave the ramie plant a test, but were unsuccessful. With like results they tried the castor-oil bean. Flax can be raised withont irrigation, as is the other products of this ranch. Mr. Wells built a house, planted trees, and now has a nice home. His land extends to within one mile of the station.

May 2, 1889, he was married to Miss Annie Nicholl, a native of San Pablo, Contra Costa County, California, daughter of John Nicholl, a prominent land-owner and farmer of the Santa Clara Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Wells have an infant daughter.

Mr. Wells is a life-long Republican, takes an interest in the affairs of the county, is intelligent and public-spirited, and is well spoken of by his fellow citizens. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

AMES PERCY, a gentleman who was thrown upon his own resources at an early age, who has participated in the exciting adventures of the hunter, who has experienced the changing fortunes of the miner, and who is now a well-to-do citizen of Saticoy, Ventura County, is deserving of mention in a work of this character. A sketch of his life will be found of interest, and it is as follows:

Mr. Percy was born in Scotland, Angust

16, 1850. He is one of a family of four sons, and his parents, John and Rebecca Percy, both English people, came to America and settled in New York the year following his birth. The father was a brick-layer and a contractor and builder. When the subject of this sketch was five years old, his father started to California, via Cape Horn, and died while en route. Young Percy was also deprived of a mother's care at an early age, her death occuring when he was twelve years old. He then made his home with Mr. Sells, in Iowa, for three years, after which he started ont in life for himself, and worked on a farm in Iowa until he was twenty-one. At that time he went to Wyoming and was em- ployed on a stock ranch one year. He then turned his attention to the exciting business of trapping beaver and hunting buffaloes. This he followed two years, being in partner- ship with Mr. Stephen Stone. They found a market for their game in Denver, and when the meat was not worth shipping, they hunted for the hides, selling them for from $1.50 to $3.00 each. During the two years they spent in hunting, they killed 1,300 buffaloes; and it was estimated that there were between 2,000 and 3,000 men engaged in the business at that time, 1872 and 1873. Beavers were quite plenty on the South Platte from Greeley, Colorado, to Julesburg, same State; and they caught 150 during one season, and sold the hides for $1.50 to $5.00 each.

Mr. Percy next turned his attention to mining, in both Utah and Arizona, and was engaged in that business six years, sometimes inaking and sometimes losing money. He has been in all the mining excitements of the coast, his principal interests being in quartz mines. In the fall of 1874 he was working on the MeCracken mine, having had the first con- tract on that celebrated mine; and, while working, a ladder broke and he fell fifty feet,

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which resulted in a broken ankle and his be- ing laid np at San Francisco a year for repairs. Upon his recovery, he prospected in the Tombstone district, Arizona, and there located some good mines, among the rest the Burleigh mine, for which he was paid $30,000, being in partnership with his brother Hugh at this time. The parties to whom they sold the mine were afterward offered $100,000 for the same, and refused it.

After selling the mine, Mr. Percy went East and, in 1881, was married to Miss Cora DeNice, a native of Iowa. He returned to Arizona with his bride, and engaged in the cattle business, in company with his brother Hugh. After continuing in that business six years, he sold out and came to Ventura County, California. He purchased seventy- five acres of land adjoining the town site of Saticoy, and is here engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has twenty-five acres devoted to apricots, five to prunes, and ten to oranges, lemons, apples, and a variety of other fruits.

Mr. Percy has three sons, and his brother, referred to in this sketch, also has three sons. Mr. Percy is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Mr. Harrison. Previous to this time he had lived in the Territories, and consequently had no opportunity to vote for President before.

P. WEBB is one of the promising young citizens and ranchers of Sati- coy, Ventura County. He came to California in 1879 from Memphis, Tennessee, where he was born March 25, 1856. His father, J. L. Webb, is a native of North Carolina, and was one of the first residents of Memphis. He was in the wholesale mercan- tile business, and was a dealer in cotton; was a man of liberal views, and a Democrat.

The ancestors as far as known were residents of North Carolina. Mr. Webb's mother, Arim (Sheppard) Webb, was also born in the "Tar State." He is the youngest of a family of eleven children, and was reared and educated in Memphis, completing his educa- tion at the East Tennessee University. He clerked for several prominent firms of his native town and at the time he started for the far West he had the position of agent and salesman of the Alabama Lime Association.

Mr. Webb, after his arrival in California, spent eight years as a farmer at Carpenteria, and from there came to his present location, one of the most productive valleys in South- ern California. He is the owner of fifty acres of choice land, ten acres of which are in English walnuts and three acres are de- voted to apricots and prunes and a variety of other fruit. Mr. Webb has a nice home, surrounded with majestic shade and orna- mental trees and attractive gronnds. One of his principal crops is Lima beans, the land being especially adapted for their production.

Mr. Webb was married, in 1888, to Mrs. Franklin, widow of the late M. E. Franklin, who was a native of Mississippi. Mrs. Webb was born in Virginia. She has five children, Grace, Earnest, Bernard, Nellie and Bessie. Mrs. Webb is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Webb possesses those conrte- ous and affable manners so characteristic of the Southern gentleman, and guests are wel- comed at their delightful home in a charming manner by both himself and Mrs. Webb.

M. WHITE is a pioneer Californian and an early settler of Santa Paula,

o Ventura County. He was born in Kentucky, February 6, 1842. His father, Obadiah White, was a native of Virginia, his

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remote ancestors being Irish. His mother, nee Eliza Jane Jet, was a daughter of William Jet, of Virginia. Mr. White's parents had eight children, only three of whom are living. He was the second child, and was reared in Kentucky until fifteen years of age, when the family removed to Missouri. From that State they came to California, in 1862. Since coming to the far West, Mr. White has been engaged in various occupations; was a farmer on the Ojai; a miner at Virginia City, two years, for wages; mined for himself one season in Idaho, where he made $1,000; worked for wages in Placer County, Califor- nia, at $3 per day ; farmed in Sonoma County; and in 1874 came to Ventura County. Eight years he was foreman on the Blanchard & Bradley ranch. Since then he has been buying and selling lots; is now the owner of five lots, three dwelling-houses and a black- smith shop, all of which are rented.

He was married, in 1888, to Sarah Ellen Shessler, a native of Ohio. They are the parents of twin sons, Otto and Bert, born in Santa Paula, May 4, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Presbyterian Church. For over twenty-three years he has been affiliated with the I. O. O. F. fraternity. Politically, he is a Democrat.

WOOLEVER is a pioneer of Califor- nia, having resided in the State con- tinuously for the last thirty years. He was born in New York, February 24, 1820, the son of Samuel Woolever, a native of Pennsylvania, oneof that hardy race of well- to-do people, the Pennsylvania Dutch. His mother's maiden name was Effie Glaspie, a native of New Jersey, daughter of William Glaspie, a valiant soldier in the Continental army. They were of Scotch ancestry.

At the age of nine years Mr. Woolever was cast upon his own resources; so that hard work interfered with his getting a liberal education, and his opportunities in that direc- tion were limited. In 1845 he removed to Illinois, and, after years of hard work he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, on which he built a home and lived until 1860, when he sold out and came to Califor- nia. He first lived in El Dorado two years, then removed to Yolo County, where he bought 160 acres of improved land. This he sold in 1864 and went to Gilroy, Santa Clara County, bought a house and lot and lived there seven years, doing some speculating and other business. He sold that and pur- chased a ranch of fifty acres, three miles west of Santa Panla, on which he made many im- provements. Mrs. Woolever is entitled to the honor of planting with her own hands the large grove of eucalyptus trees, now about 100 feet high, and many of the other fruit trees on the property. She says that her greatest regret in parting with the place was having to leave that fine grove. Mr. Wol- ever has bought property in Santa Paula, a very pleasant home with large yard and gar- den, where he has retired from active busi- ness, and is living upon what he has saved in a life of frugal industry. His time is occupied in his garden and in the cultivation of the flowers and shrubs which beautify his home.

In 1844 Mr. Woolever was united in mar- riage to Miss Maria Sovereign, a native of New York, and daughter of Richard Sover- eign, of New Jersey. Of the nine children born to them, five are living. Those born in Illinois are: Samuel, in 1850; Izettus, 1852; and Mary J., 1858. Louisa was born in California, and is now at home with her parents. Politically, Mr. Woolever is a Re- publican. He has never sought or held

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office, but has often served as a member of school boards. Mrs. Woolever is a member of the Presbyterian Church. She has the old family Bible which she brought with her and read on their long and tedious journey across the plains. She says when it was not in her lap it was under her feet, in the wagon, where she could easily get it.

BNER HAINES, a prominent rancher near Santa Paula, is one of Califor- nia's pioneers, who came to the State in 1853. He was born in York County, Maine, October 10, 1823. His father, San- nel Haines, was also a native of that State, born in April, 1800. His grandfather, Sam- uel Haines, Sr., was also born there, before that portion of the Union became a State. The ancestors of the family came originally from England to Massachusetts. Abner's mother, whose name before marriage was Sil- via Woodsum, was also born in Maine, the daughter of Abner Woodsum, a native of that State and a participant in the early wars with the Indians. Mr. Haines, the eldest of six children, all living, began teaching school when a young man, but soon bought an in- terest in a saw-mill and worked in the lum- ber business and also at farming. On his arrival in California, in 1853, he engaged in mining in Indian Creek, the Middle Yuba, Forest City and Moore's Flat, with many ups and downs, finally leaving the mines with $900. As a sample of his luek it may be mentioned that one time he bought $300 worth of potatoes, at ten cents a pound, and planted them; and when digging time ar- rived they were so cheap that he gave them away rather than to leave his work, where he was getting $100 a month. After leaving the mines he followed teaming for a time and

then obtained a section of State land, on which he raised hay and live-stock. He sold his hay at Marysville, cut about 200 tons, receiv- ing about $10 a ton. Four and a half years afterward he sold out and took a Government elaim in Sutter County, which was at that time in appearance a poverty-stricken cow pasture. Commencing in 1861 he improved it and raised grain there until 1867. Then he came to Santa Paula and purchased 150 acres of land, to which he has since added fifty acres more. On this property he was also a pioneer, and has made it a beautiful home, characteristic of Southern California. When he arrived here there were probably not more than two houses between Ventura and Camulos in the whole Marine Valley. He paid $10 per aere for his land, and it is now worth $200 per acre. The second year he was on the place he planted his orange and lemon trees, which are now in bearing. The first year he raised wheat, but he is now raising Lima beans; last year (1889) on 100 aeres he raised 100 tons, which are worth five cents, but that is very high. Mr. Haines first voted for Stephen A. Douglas for Presi- dent, but since that time has been a Republi- can. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

In 1864 he married Charlotte Goodwin, a native of Maine, born in 1833, and daughter of Governor Goodwin, of that State. They have had three children, of whom two are now living-Maud, born in Sutter County and married to Samnel Henderson, and lives near her father; Edith, born in Santa Paula, is living at home.

G. SURDAM, the founder of the towns of Nordhoff and Bardsdale, was born ? in Dutchess County, New York, Au- gust 11, 1835. His father, Lewis L. Sur-

B.Shaw AL. ..

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dam, was a native of Connecticut. His ancestors came from Germany and had been residents of America for many years. Mr. Surdam's mother, Julia (Lockwood) Surdam, was born in Dutchess County, New York, the daughter of Hanson Lockwood, a native of Connecticut. His great-grandmother, Julia Williams, attained notoriety and fame during the Revolution by the daring deed of swim- ming her horse across the Hudson River to escape the Red Coats, with her little son, Mr. Surdam's grandfather, on her lap. The sub- ject of this sketch is one of a family of four children, two sons and two daughters, all now living. He received his education in Illinois, and was there until 1854, when he came to California, and has remained in this State ever since. For ten years he was engaged in mining, in all the mining regions of the State, and made and lost fortunes and expe- rienced all the vicissitudes and hardships of mining and pioneer life. In 1864 he came from San Francisco to Los Angeles, sick with bilions fever. Old Dr. Griffin sent him to the care of the Sisters of Charity, who nursed him, and to them and Dr. Griffin he owes his life. In 1865 he had charge of the mines on the Santa Catalina Islands, and had mnuch to do in entertaining visitors to the islands and showing them points of interest.

In 1866 Mr. Surdam came to San Buena- ventura, built a warehouse and handled grain and oil for ten years. He sent the oil to San Francisco, which was used to preserve the timbers of the Palace Hotel. He pur- chased 1,700 acres of land and the town of Nordhoff was started. He built the hotel and gave twenty acres of land for public purposes, and it soon became a noted sanita- rimm. IIe sold the whole tract in two years; and when he named the town after Mr. Nordhoff, the author, Mr. Nordhoff wrote him a letter thanking him for the honor and

speaking in the highest terms of the climate and picturesque location of the beautiful new town.

Bardsdale is located abont one mile north of the railroad station at Fillmore. A num- ber of nice houses have already been built, surrounded with thrifty trees and shrubs, all supplied with a fine system of water works. In this beautiful valley Mr. Surdam now re- sides, and is the manager of the whole prop- erty, which is, as he terms it, his pet tract. The subject of this sketch has never married. He is a man of very generous impulses,-not so much after making and hoarding money as to help his fellow men. It may truthfully be said of him that he has done much to build up Ventura County. He has long been identified with its interests, has seen its day of small things, and has great faith in its future.

Mr. Surdam is a Royal Arch Mason, and has been a stanch Republican all his life. He is a man well known and much respected throughout the county.

R. J. B. SHAW .- Perhaps none of the pioneers have attained a higher place in the affections of the citizens of Santa Barbara city and county than Dr. Shaw; and therefore a brief outline of his career becomes an essential part of this volume.

James Barron Shaw was born in London, England, November 4, 1813, of a Scotch father, who was born in Invernesshire, and English mother, of London. He had unusual advantages of education and culture, both in England and Scotland, up to his sixteenth year, when it was deemed necessary for him to choose a profession, as was the custom in those days, the navy being his choice, but strongly opposed by his mother; the medical

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profession was selected. Instead of beginning his studies in London as wished, he preferred Inverness, where he had become acquainted with a Dr. Nicol, who consented to receive him as a pupil, and never has the Doctor regretted his choice. After nearly three years' study with Dr. Nicol he went home and entered University College, London, where he spent four years, attending the required lectures, demonstrations and hospital practice. Having completed the six years' study required by the Royal College of Surgeons of London, he found several months must transpire before he could present himself for examination, the college requiring the candidate to be fully twenty-two years of age. Ascertaining that with his credentials of study and a year's resi- denee, with lectures, at the Glasgow Univer- sity, he could on exainination obtain the degree of Doctor of Medicine, he went to Glasgow and in April, 1836, was successful. Returning to London, he became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in August, 1836.

After receiving his diplomas, the Doctor went to Paris for the winter, to perfeet himself in performing surgical operations, where sub- jects were so much cheaper than in London, attending lectures and the various hospitals in Paris.

On returning home, and having sufficient means, he determined to take a voyage round the world, not yet being inelined to commence practice. He took other voyages, in one of which, in 1842, - being in Calcutta and finding surgeons were required for the two wars then being carried on by England, one in Afghan- istan, the other in China,-he applied for China, and obtained an assistant surgeoney in an Indian regiment preparing to leave for China. He served with the regiment until the treaty of Nankin was signed. He re- turned to Calcutta in 1843 and embarked with another regiment to England. In 1844

he returned to Hong Kong (via Madras and Calentta), where he remained practicing his profession until 1849, when the world was electrified by the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia. As soon as practicable he einbarked upon a Swedish vessel and arrived in San Francisco July 3, 1849. In August he went to Sacramento in company with a number of his fellow passengers, where they organized, and proceeded to a point on the Mokelumne River. There they worked as gold-seekers in the usnal manner, until it became apparent that not one of the party was adapted to such an occupation. The Doctor then proceeded to Dry Creek, Tuolomme County, where lie bought a log shanty-the best sort of build- ing that locality afforded-and recommenced the practice of his profession. The place was chosen on account of the variety of miners, there being a considerable number of Ameri- cans as well as several companies of the Spanish-speaking race,-Sonorians, Chilians, Mexicans and Californians,-with whose lan- guage the Doctor was quite familiar, he hav- ing resided in many Spanish countries. The Americans became jealous of the Spaniards, who were more successful than themselves in taking out gold, and they determined to drive the foreigners away from their mines, giving only ten days' notice to clear out. This was literally carried into effect, not one of the Spanish race, except Californians, being left. The Americans soon repented of their injus- tice and came to the Doctor, asking him to use his influence to get them to return; which they positively refused to do.

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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