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 92

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 92
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 92
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 92

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).

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and at various times by the company then operating the railroad in San Luis Obispo County. In 1885 he was engaged in the Cosmopolital Hotel, and three and a half years later he entered into business for himself, and now conducts an establishment known as the Castle Saloon.

Thomas Robbins, the father of George W., was very intimately associated with old Cap- tain Dana in his early life. He came to California as first mate on Captain Dana's vessel. Before the vessel's next trip, Cap- tain Dana got married and Captain Robbins took control, running the boat up and down the coast on its regular trips.

George W. Robbins was married in Decem- ber, 1876, to Miss Hottel a native of Penn- sylvania.

OHN JACOB SCHIEFFERLY was born in Zurich, Switzerland, January 1, 1831. Of his life prior to the year 1849, when he came to. San Luis Obispo, very little is known, save the fact that for a short time he was before the mast on a sailing ves- sel, and after this he went into the mines and engaged in so'ne light work, such as book- keeping, etc. After arriving in San Luis Obispo in 1849 he was employed by Captain Wilson in his warehouse at Port Harford, then known as Avila Port. After being thus occupied for two or three years he established a restaurant and lodging house (all the build- ings then being adobes), which he operated for a period of three or four years. Young Schiefferly clerked for Samuel Pollard for awhile, and afterward engaged in the general merchandise business for himself, and still later formed a copartnership with a brother of Pedro Quintana, now deceased. Their busi-

ness was conducted on the site of the present store of Quintana Brothers & Masterson.

May 3, 1855, Mr. Schiefferly was married to Juana Feliz. To them were born ninc children, five daughters and four sons, all of whom are now living. Shortly after his mar- riage Mr. Schiefferly purchased the Buena Vista ranch and resided there four years. He then bought the Quavitas ranch of 1,400 acres, a distance of seven miles from the city of San Luis Obispo, and lived there with his family for a period of ten years. This prop- erty is now in possession of the estate, al- though unoccupied by the family, who are now living in the city. This ranch is sup- posed to contain some deposits of bituminous rock, and if this is so the property is of great value.

Mr. Schiefferly died July 14, 1889, leaving the nine children already alluded to, and twenty-five grand children. In 1879 the sub- ject of this sketch sent to Germany for his aged mother, met her at San Francisco, and brought her to his home in San Luis Obispo. She was a strong and vigorous woman, al- most up to the time of her death, which occurred six years after her arrival in America.

Mr. Schiefferly was one of the prominent men of his time in this city. He was exceed- ingly active in politics, and a very important factor in all matters of a political nature. He held at different times the offices of Constable and Sheriff, and was county assessor twice. While sheriff he had a number of important duties to performn, which in those days were somewhat perilous. Being called upon one day to arrest a band of thieves in Ventura County, he left San Luis Obispo with a posse of men, and, overtaking the thieves, he called on them to halt. They declined to do so and at the same time fired on the Sheriff. The fire was returned the Sheriff picking ont his man and killing him instantly. This occurred

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during the term of 1854-'56. Mr. Shiefferly suffered a severe fracture of the leg about the year 1870, which nearly resulted in his death at that time. On his return from San Fran- cisco, where he had taken his son John to college, the stage in which he was traveling npset, and he was found aferward with his leg broken in three places. He was confined to his bed for three months, during which time his life was despaired of from time to time. He fully recovered, however, and was able to use his wounded limb. Prior to his death, Mr. Schiefferly was engaged in the real-estate business.

B. PREFUMO, son of Antonio and Anna Prefnino, was born February 20, 1844, in Genoa, Italy. He was one of a family of seven sous and five daughters. At the age of thirteen years he went before the mast, and for five years was on the high seas, making frequent trips to the coast of Italy and the different countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea. Young Prefumo had a strong inelination for sea life, but his parents greatly desired that he should spend his boyhood days at home and pursue his studies at school. The trip just alluded to, therefore, was taken against their wishes. He came to San Francisco when eighteen years of age, as third mate of a sailing vessel. This was in 1862. He determined to leave his ship at this port, although he had shipped for a much longer period of years, but he was not satisfied with his future prospects on this vessel. He therefore secreted himself in the city, and when the time came for the boat to sail, third mate Prefumo was not to be found. He started soon after for Nevada City, Nevada County, California, and was in business there for three years, returning then 42

to San Francisco. He clerked for a short time in West Point and next went to Monterey, where he remained for three years as a elerk in a general merchandise store. In 1868 Mr. Pretumo first settled in San Luis Obispo. At that time he established himself in the general merchandise business with W. H. Henderson. This arrangement lasted one year. Then after doing business alone for eight years, he formed a copartnership with Mr. Vallmer, and up to the present time the business is conducted under the firm name of Prefumo & Vallmer.

Mr. Prefumo was married in 1876 to Miss Ada Selby, daughter of Captain Selby, one of the early pioneers of this eoast. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Odd Fel- lows, having joined in 1868. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

APTAIN DAVID P. MALLAGH was a native of Ireland, and came to Cali- fornia in the year 1849, settling down in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County. He was soon afterward married to Juanita Carillo. To them eleven children were born, five of whom are now living, viz .: Mrs. Ellen Morriss, Mary, William and John Mallagh and Mrs. Jansen. Soon after his marriage the Captain and his wife moved to San Luis Obispo County, settling on what was then known as the Arroyo Grande ranch. Shortly afterward he disposed of this property and took the Hner-IInero ranel. Captain Mallagh was a sea captain for a period of ten or twelve years, in charge of coast steamers and sailing vessels, and at that time was very prominent in all maritime matters. He built and oper- ated a number of wharves at various landing places in this county. The wharf at Cane Landing is being used as the regular steam-

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boat landing. The stage and freight business between this landing and San Luis Obispo was successfully operated by Captain Mallagh, in whose charge it was at that time. The ranch of 1,600 acres, adjoining the Pizmo ranch, constituted the home of the Mallagh family until the Captain's death. He was a worthy and respected citizen. At various times he served the public as deputy sheriff and also as Sheriff. At one time he was elected Sheriff on the independent ticket.

OUIS LAMY, son of Lonis Lamy, a na- tive of France, and Maria Antonia (Or- tega) Lamy, of California, was born in San Luis Obispo July 31, 1862. After re- ceiving a common-school education in that city, he was sent to San Francisco, where lie attended lectures at Hastings Law School. He subsequently entered the law office of W. J. Graves, in that city, and remained there between the years 1881 and 1884. He re- turned to San Luis Obispo and has been en- gaged in the practice of law in that place since April, 1885.

Mr. Lamy was married in March, 1886, to Miss May Finn, of San Francisco, by whom he has two children. He is a Senior Past President of Los Osos Parlor, No. 61, Na- tive Sons of the Golden West; is also Senior Past Chief Ranger of Court Star of San Lnis Obispo, No. 7697, Ancient Order of Forest- ers of America.

H. DALLIDET, JR., a real-estate dealer of San Luis Obispo, was born on what was then known as Gabriel Salazar's place, three miles from this city, April 6, 1857, a son of P. H. and Maria

(Ascencion) Dallidet. He attended school in this city, and later, in 1873, at St. Mary's College, San Francisco. He then entered into business, but owing to ill healthi was soon obliged to withdraw for a time. Shortly afterward he went to Guadaloupe, and was there engaged as an assistant in the mercan- tile establishment of Mr. Hartman, and a few months later returned to his home on the Salazar place in San Luis Obispo County. In 1876 Mr. Dallidet entered the county clerk's office, then in charge of Mr. Nathan King, and was his chief deputy for three years. Under Mr. Simmler he was also in the post- office for six months, in 1881. He then be- came interested in real-estate operations and has since been more or less engaged in this occupation. June 1, 1882, he associated himself with Mr. Phillips in this business, which engagement proved to be an eminently successful one. The sale of immense tracts of land and prominent ranches known to every old settler of this locality was success- fully negotiated by this firm. In 1886 Mr. Dallidet established himself alone in the real- estate business, and about this time he also bought an interest in some improved gold mines, which he still retains.

October 6, 1886, he was married to Miss Dora Oldfield of Brooklyn, New York, and they now reside at Fixlini Terrace, a pretty place owned by Mr. Dallidet in the suburbs of San Luis Obispo city.

MIL FLUEGLER was born in Germany, September 3, 1851. He received a good common-school education in his native country, and in 1866 started for America, locating at once in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the confectioner's trade, which trade he had learned while in Germany.

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At this time young Fluegler was not robust and, becoming ill at different times, his family advised his return to Germany, which advice he acted upon in 1867. Again interested in the new world, he started once more for America, in 1868, and worked at his trade this time in Philadelphia. In 1873 he went to Australia and worked in the mines near Sydney. This expedition was far from suc- cessful, many lives and a great deal of money being lost by those who took part in the undertaking. Mr. Fluegler, after his un- fortunate adventure in the mines, worked awhile at his trade there and then sailed for California, arriving in San Francisco in 1875. The following year he came to San Luis Obispo, remaining, however, only a short time. In 1877 he was engaged for four months in the bakery and confectioner's busi- ness in Bakersfield. From San Francisco, soon afterward, with two companions he started for the Black Hills. Soon becoming disgusted with the country there, he took a trip into various parts of the United States, visiting Leavenworth, Kansas, and Philadel- phia, then back to San Francisco, Bakers- field, north to Washington Territory, and finally back to San Luis Obispo, in 1878. In the latter place he has continued to reside up to the present date, engaged at his trade. Since 1882 he has been in business for himself.

Mr. Fluegler was married, March 24, 1882, to Carrie Moltz, a native of Indiana, by whom he has one child.

ILLIAM MALLAGH, son of Cap- tain David P. Mallagh, was born at the Hner-Huero ranch, San Luis Obispo County, August 15, 1864. He at- tended school in San Luis Obispo and fin-

ished his education at Santa Ynez, Santa Bar- bara County, taking the full business course. After leaving school he went into the rail- road business, in which he was engaged for a time, and later connected himself with the Cosmopolitan Hotel, one of the leading hotels in San Luis Obispo, where he is still in- terested. For three years he has been a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West. Mr. Mallagh was married, May 21, 1890, to Miss Nellie Dana.

- ILLIAM DOMINGO FOXEN, de- ceased, also known as Benjamin Foxen, of San Luis Obispo County, was born in Norwich, England, in 1798, and commenced a seafaring life when a lad, entering the merchant service. He was gradually promoted until he became first officer, in which capacity he visited many parts of the old world and finally the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Meeting Captain Thompson, afterward a resident of Santa Barbara, he was entreated by him to enter his large shipping business. Santa Barbara was reached in 1820, but it was in 1818 that Mr. Foxen first anchored his vessel in San Francisco Bay, the first vessel ever anchored in that harbor. Entering the employ of Captain Noriega at Santa Barbara, he built a schooner in the little bay, since called from that event the Goleta. By this time Mr. Foxen had given up all idea of returning to his home in England; accordingly, following the usual custom, he sought a wife among the graceful señoritas. In 1830 he married Eduarda Ozuna, of the town of Santa Bar- bara; but, according to the laws of the Catlio- lic Church, he was prohibited from marrying one of the believers of that faith unless he also became a Catholic. He therefore changed

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his faith, and his name from Benjamin to William Domingo, and all was thenceforward " plain sailing." He had eleven children, of whom nine are now living, namely: Ramona, now Mrs. Wiekenden, and living at Tinaquaic Rancho; Francisca, now Mrs. Goodchild, of San Luis Obispo eity; Jnana Maria, now the wife of Mr. Roth, at Ventura; Marie Antonio, now Mrs. Stone, at Los Alamos; Mathilda, now Mrs. Cartere of Santa Barbara; William José, at Los Alamos; Fred, at the same place; Thomas, at Tina- qnaie Rancho and John Charles, at San Luis Obispo.

Mr. Foxen was granted by the Mexican government two leagues (8,888 aeres) of fine land, called the Tinaquaic Rancho, situated abont fifty miles from Santa Barbara and near Los Alamos. He died February 19, 1877. During the Mexican war he did much to assist General Fremont in his eam- paign, furnishing him with provisions, horses, ete., for which he received no return what- ever-an experience similar to that of other old settlers. He personally made the capture of Santa Barbara city a very easy matter for Fremont, guiding him from his ranch over the monntains by the old San Mareos trail instead of the beaten road, to the outskirts of the city, undiscovered, and while the Mexican troops were all at mass in the old mission early on Christmas morning. The American flag was floated in the center of the city and the place was captured then and there. Mr. Foxen was successful as a physician, although of course without special training. He was especially available in the relief of much suf- fering at points remote from the towns. At his death his property was divided equally among the children, some of whom are still residing at the old homestead.

Charles Foxen, son of the preceding, was born in Santa Barbara, December 15, 1853,

and was a resident of the old homestead until a few years ago. when, owing to the ill health of his wife, he moved to the city of San Luis Obispo. He was married in 1878 to Lenora Villa, and has six children. He is a gentle- man of modest and nnassuming manner and is universally esteemed

EORGE FREDERICK SAUER was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1836. He spent his boyhood and was educated at his home. In 1856 he came to New York eity, remaining there for two years. In 1858 he journeyed to California, coming to San Luis Obispo. It was here that he met his future wife, and was married April 23, 1862. Four children were the result of this union, two of whom are now living, a son and dangh- ter. Mr. Sauer was engaged in the bakery and grocery business, and mnade San Luis Obispo his home until his death. which oc- eurred July 31, 1873. He served as City Treasurer during the years 1865 and 1866 The subject of this sketch was a man of the strictest integrity, and, as the proprietor of one of the earliest places of business in the city, oceupies an important position in its history.

P. LIMA was born in the Azores Islands September 12, 1835. In 1857 he came to America, and after remaining in Boston, Massachusetts, a few weeks, he went before the mast, shipping to Charleston, South Carolina. A few months later, hear- ing of a good opportunity to ship to the Arctic ocean, Mr. Lima determined to go there, and for the period of three years and more was an inhabitant of the Arctic regions.

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Returning to Massachusetts in 1860, he made a short stay in New Bedford, and shipped to Rio Janeiro, South America, returning to Massachusetts three months later. Appar- ently not satisfied with these expeditions, he determined to come to California, and in the latter part of 1860 arrived in San Francisco; proceeded at once to the mines and remained there for fifteen years. Meeting with indif- ferent success as a miner, Mr. Lima returned to his native country, the Azores, for a brief stay. Four months later he came back to California, settling in San Luis Obispo in 1875 where he has remained up to the present date. He is proprietor of the Luzitania Hotel.

Mr. Lima was married September 23, 1877, and has for children.

IMOTHY CAVANAUGH was born in Ireland in 1823, and went to Canada at the age of eight years. In 1845 he came to the United States and settled in Illi- nois. It was there he cast his first vote for President, and General Taylor was the man who received it. Mr. Cavanaugh remained in Illinois only three years. At the expira- tion of that time, like many others, he caught the gold fever. In 1850 he set out for Cali- fornia and at once sought the mines, where he remained, however, only six months. He then traveled around prospecting, and finally settled down in Santa Clara County, in July, 1852, where for three years he was extensively engaged in ranching. During this period Mr. Cavanaugh was married, and eleven children is the result of this union, ten of whom are now living. In 1883 Mr. Cavanaugh came to San Luis Obispo County, and, with the as- sistance of his sons, is operating a fine ranch of 1,000 acres, near the Santa Margarita station on the Sonthern Pacific Railroad.

Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh are living in a very pleasant cottage near the railroad, - the eleventh house he has constructed during his life-time.

JOHN MCDONNELL was born in Tippe- rary, Ireland, in 1846, and at the age of sixteen years came to America, coming direct to San Francisco. He was first em- ployed in the commission business in the city, but very soon afterward went to the Santa Clara Valley and engaged in farming. For thirteen years he was engaged in that oc- eupation, a part of the time on his own account and a part of the time for P. W. Murphy. In 1879 Mr. McDonnell was employed on the famous Santa Margarita ranch, in San Luis Obispo County, the property of Mr. Murphy, and from that time has been the foreman. Under his charge this vast prop- erty, twelve miles synare, is being success- fully and judiciously managed. As far as the eye can reach this beautiful piece of land extends, and every visitor to San Luis Obispo who has a day at his disposal, would miss much by not making the journey of only eleven miles to this ranch. Mr. McDonnell is unmarried.

DWIN P. BEAN was born in Corinth, Maine, May 1, 1844. He is the son of Reuben and Mary (Smith) Bean, both natives of New Hampshire and descended from early New England settlers and soldiers of the Revolution. Both are now deceased. They reared a family of twelve children, all of whom continue to make their home in the East with the exception of the two brothers, Edwin P. and Renben, who, together, came

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to California in 1862. These brothers have traveled and lived together ever since, in California and elsewhere, and their interests, business, social and otherwise, have always been identical. Before settling down in this State the brothers went to Virginia City, Nevada, and opened a lumbering business, owning saw-mills and operating them for a period of nine years. In 1871 they came to Hill's Ferry, California, and for three years were engaged in farming, and later on turned their attention to raising sheep extensively. It was in 1878 when the brothers purchased a ranch in the Santa Margarita Valley, eight miles from the city of San Luis Obispo. From that time until 1889, they were extensively en- gaged in cattle-raising. In the latter year, the Southern Pacific Railway Company, hav- ing established a station at Santa Margarita, the brothers leased their ranch and opened a hotel at the railroad station, which they con- tinue to operate. The hotel is a commodious building, and as the town promises to be a thriving one in the future, this property of the Bean Brothers, which consists of seven acres, is a valuable one.

Edwin was married in 1878 to Miss Re- becca Maud Sumner, a native of California. They are the parents of three children. This interesting family is so situated as to enjoy life, and their many friends always receive a hearty welcome in their pleasant home.

- F. READY was born in Ireland in 1844, and two years later was brought " by his parents to America. In 1853 he set out to work for himself and went to Virginia, where he learned the trade of black- smithing. In this he was successful, and during the civil war he worked at his trade on the battle-field, shoeing horses for the

Army of the Potomac. In 1865 Mr. Ready went to Omaha and worked on the Union Pacific Railroad until that road was com- pleted. IIe then, in 1867, came to Califor- nia and at once located in San Luis Obispo. Mr. Ready was employed in a blacksmith shop for five years after he settled in the city. After that time, and since the year 1872, he has been in charge of a shop himself. For some time he has been closely identified with the management of the city's affairs. In 1882 he was elected to the City Council for a term of two years; in 1888 he was again elected, and was subsequently chosen as the President of the Board-the chief executive officer of the city. He has also served as Supervisor for a term of years. Mr. Ready is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Masons, Knights Templar and Knights of Pythias. He was married July 14, 1872, to Miss Mary Somers, of Canada. Three children have been born to them.

SAAC L. WILSON, son of James and Nancy (Barlow) Wilson, was born October 6, 1844, in Madison County, Indiana. When young Wilson was four years old the family moved to Atchison County, Missouri, where the father engaged in farming. It was in that sparsely settled country that Isaac re- ceived a good common-school education and laid the foundation for a very valuable and useful life. In 1863 he started on a pros- pecting tour, traveling through many of the Western States, looking for a desirable spot to settle. In 1867 he engaged in the lumber business in Montana, was there four years, and then went to Washington Territory and Oregon, remaining in those places, however, but a short time. Los Angeles was the next objective point, and a year was spent in that

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city. During that time Mr. Wilson worked at the carpenter's trade. Los Angelos then was not the Los Angeles of to-day, and the attractions there were not sufficient to keep him longer than a year. It was in 1873 that he first went to Santa Barbara, and it was then that he met his wife, Miss {Frances Martines, to whom he was married October 5, of the same year. By this marriage three children have been born, all now liv- ing. Two years were spent in Santa Bar- bara, and in April, 1875, Mr. and Mrs. Wil- son moved to San Luis Obispo, where they have since resided. In his business relations Mr. Wilson has always held a prominent po- sition in this community. As a contractor and carpenter he is nnexcelled. There are few structures of any note in regard to which he has not been consulted. Mr. Wilson had in charge the alteration of the old inission tower in San Luis Obispo. In 1878 the tower was cracked and became dangerons. This necessitated the erection of a framne one. This work, and also the encasing of the entire structure of adobe with wood, Mr. Wilson successfully completed-a task not difficult of execution, but of a nature always of historical importance. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Odd Fellows, and also of the A. O. U. W. At various times he has held promient offices in these organizations.

EORGE T. GRAGG, son of Moses and Rebecca (Alden) Gragg, was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, April 29, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Gragg, both now dead, were New England people and reared a family of nine children. George T. received a good common-school education at his home and also learned the carpenter's trade. At the age of twenty, March 1, 1849, he re-

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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