An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day, Part 106

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1038

USA > California > Los Angeles County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 106
USA > California > San Diego County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 106
USA > California > Orange County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 106
USA > California > San Bernardino County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 106

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

He at an early age took active part in polit- ical discussions, and ardently supported Douglas for the presidency in 1860, and in all of his many addresses in that campaign warned the Buchanan and Southern Democracy that if Lincoln were elected and war ensued, the Douglas men would vigorously support Lincoln's administration. He always determined to get back to California, and, although possessed of too inneh of a roaming spirit, wherever he was and however well doing, his heart was always set on California for a home. In May, 1862, he crossed the plains, intending to go into the Solomon river mines, in Idaho, but because of

the loss of part of the team by Indians, he brought up in the Powder and Burnt River mines in Oregon, and put in a hard winter (1862-'63) prospecting in the deep snows. The latter part of 1863 was spent in a prospecting tonr through the Idaho mines, until the heavy snows drove him out of the mountains, when he turned his steps to Nevada, which he reached overland through Utah. To show the incidents of such a life, he found himself about ont of money when he reached Schell creek, an over- land home stage station in western Utah. The proprietor was a young Mormon who wanted to go to Salt Lake City to get married. Was- son was offered one dollar a day to take charge of this station for one month, and this meant preparing meals at all hours, day and night, inaking beds, sweeping the house, washing table and some bed " linen." But the job was taken, done well, and double wages offered to remain another month; but by correspondence he had secured the office of chief clerk in the office of the assessor of internal revenue for Nevada, at six dollars per day. To this place was soon added an assessorship of Ormsby County. He served in both capacities and charged for each service on the days devoted to each.

For over ten years he has written for various papers east and west of the Rocky Mountains, and his brother Joseph being a writer and print- er, they, with a Mr. Harding, established the Owyhee Avalanche, in Idaho, in August, 1865, and continued it till November, 1867. During this " episode " he cooked for the firm, procured the supplies, cut the wood, carried the water, washed the dishes, mostly edited the paper, " rolled" the forms, kept the books, carried the papers on Saturday, made the collections, paid the bills, etc. The enormous snows of winter were too severe for his invalid brother, and so the paper was disposed of, and six months were spent in visiting the old States and looking around.

In June, 1868, he and his brother established and published the Argent, at Winnemucca, Nevada. Although immediately designed as a

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

campaign paper, it was in the plan to make it permanent, but he was chosen secretary of the State Senate, which led to its abandonnent. Governor Blaisdel appointed him one of the County Commissioners to organize Elko Conn- ty, and after this work was fairly done, in 1869, he, with his brother, drifted to Oakland, Cali- fornia, where they bought a half-interest in the Daily News, and he became chief editor and financial manager of it; but it was soon seen to be a financial failure, and was given up early in 1870, when he went to Arizona and spent seven months in company with Governor A. P. K. Safford (who was afforded military escorts), in prospecting the various settled and many un- settled portions of that Apache-afflicted land.

His friends in Congress (Senator Stewart, Congressmen McCormick and Fitel) pushed a bill through establishing Arizona as a United States surveying district, and secured his ap- pointment in July, 1870, as Surveyor General, which office he held three full terms, and would have rounded ont sixteen years in that position but for the assassination of President Garfield. His record in this office was not surpassed for efficiency and uprightness by any similiar offi- cial in the service, especially in examining and reporting upon land claims originating under the laws and customs of Spain and Mexico. Not one of his decisions has been set aside by superior tribunals.

In October, 1870, he established the Arizona Citizen, and published it for seven years and one month. A great many unfaithful civil and mili- tary officials will testify to the fairness of the paper under his editorship. In 1872 he was ap- pointed alternate commissioner on the Centen- nial Commission, and participated in nearly every meeting of that body up to its closing one in 1879.

July 2, 1874, he and Miss Harriet N. Bolton, a native of Augusta, Maine, were married; she was a teacher. having taught four years in Stockton, this State. She became much attached to California, and so a return here in 1882 was agreeable to both, still retaining interests in Arizona real estate, cattle and mines.

Owing to a lameness that became unendur- able on hard sidewalks, he reluctantly left Oak- land after a residence there of four years; spent a year in closing up his Arizona business, and leaving there in August, 1887, he became a gen- eral agent of Richard Gird, which place he still occupies. As incidental to this agency he edits and manages the Chino Valley Champion, which is recognized as a good model of news- paper work. Against his will he was appointed first Postmaster here by the Cleveland adminis- tration, which removed him for his expressed opinions. A change in the incumbency being necessary he was reappointed in November, 1889, and still holds the office. Also against his will he was elected one of the two Justices of the Peace for Chino Township in 1888. It is dne him to say that excepting the office of County Commissioner of Elko County, Nevada, and Centennial Commissioner, he did not seek any office until after his friends induced him to do so. He is altogether too independent to be a successful politician, bnt has a decided ten- dency to public affairs.

RADFORD MORSE is the well-known City Marshal of Riverside. He is a native of Plymouth County, Massachusetts, dat- ing his birth in Middleboro, May 4, 1848. He was reared and schooled in his native place, closing his studies in the Pratt Free High School. He then located in Brockton, Massa- chusetts, and was employed in the shoe mann- factories for many years, becoming expert in his business, and was employed as a cutter in the mannfactory of C. R. Ford. During his life in Brockton, Mr. Morse was prominent in the military circles of the State. He was for eleven years a member of the National Gnard of Mas- sachusetts. He first enlisted as a private, and rose through the successive non-commissioned grades to a lieutenancy after four years' service, and three years later was commissioned as Cap- tain of Company I, First Regiment of Massa-

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

chusetts Infantry, holding that position four years, until, in 1881, Mr. Morse decided to seek a residence on the Pacific coast. He came to California, and in March of that year located in Riverside. Upon his arrival he purchased a ten- acre tract in Brockton square, of William Ran- dall, which he held until the next year, when he sold out and purchased a seven-acre tract on Jurupa avenue, and entered into horticultural pursuits. He sold that place in 1887 and pur- chased a ten-acre tract east of Riverside, which he has planted with Washington Navel orange trees. He is thorough in his horticultural enterprises and has set his tract with well selected stock from his own nursery, and is destined to have one of the representative groves of his section. His residence at this writing is on Mulberry street, between Second and Third streets.

Mr. Morse is a progressive citizen and has taken a deep interest in the progress of his chosen city. He was a member of the County Board of Horticulture in 1889, and in 1887 was a director of the Riverside Water Company. September 28, 1886, the Board of City Trustees appointed Mr. Morse City Marshal and Tax Collector of Riverside. He conducted the affairs of his office so creditably and satisfactorily that in the spring of 1888 he was re-elected to the position and has filled the office since that date, being again re-elected April, 1890. He is also a member of the Riverside Board of Health In political matters he is a Republican and in whatever community he has resided he has always taken a working part in the ranks of his party. He has, since 1884, been a member of the Republican County Committee, and since 1888 on the executive board of the same. He has also served as a delegate in several of the county conventions. Mr. Morse is a member of the Riverside Lodge, No. 282, I.O.O.F., and also Sunnyside Lodge, No. 112, K. of P., and Division No. 30, Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, holding a lieutenant's commission in the latter order. He is a supporter of the Con- gregational Church.

In 1871 the subject of this sketch married Miss Ella A. Keith, daughter of Gilman P. Keith, of Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Mr. Morse's parents were Captain Levi Morse and Sally (Tinkham) Morse, both natives of Massachusetts and representatives of old col- onial families.

ILLIAM FRANCIS HOLCOMB, a member of the Society of California Pioneers of San Bernardino County, and the discoverer of gold in the valley which bears his name, was born in Indiana in 1831, but his parents moved to Will County, Illinois, in his infancy, where they lived till he was eight years old. They then went, in 1839, to Iowa and located in Portland, Van Buren County Iowa. His father having died, his mother moved with her family in 1845 up into Wapello County and took up a piece of Gov- ernment land. The same year his oldest brother, Stephen Holcomb, went to Oregon, where he still resides near the city of Portland. Stephen achieved considerable celebrity as an Indian scout in the employ of the Govern- ment out on that then wild frontier.

After eleven years' residence in the Hawkeye State, the subject of this memoir left Ottumwa, Iowa, on the 5th of May, 1850, for California, In crossing the plains his company narrowly escaped a conflict with the Indians several times, but experienced nothing more serious than slight skirmishes. They came via Fort Laramie, Green river and Sublette's cut off. In crossing Green river, the ferry-boat sank and Mr. Holcomb's wagon and the entire contents, including his boots, which he had taken off to assist in getting their cattle across, were lost. Securing a mule to pack their little remaining luggage, he and a com- panion proceeded on their perilous journey, Mr. Holcomb being barefooted, and he never put his feet in shoes or any other footwear from that time (July) until the next Decein-

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

ber. About seventy-five miles from Salt Lake they sold their mule for $50 and continued on with only such things as they could carry. Their sufferings from hunger and fatigue were at times almost beyond human endurance or belief. On one occasion, when near the sink of the Humboldt river, for six days and niglits they had no other food but rosebuds, and for three days of the time were without even those!

As they were starting to cross the fifty-five inile desert from the Humboldt to the Carson river in this famishing condition, they met with a piece of good fortune which seemed like a special providence. One morning lying square in the middle of the trail they found a large sack filled with provisions, including coffee and several substantial edibles prepared and put up in a tempting style by loving hands for some member of the last preceding emi- grant train. Opening the sack, Mr. Holcomb and his comrade took out a quantity of such articles as they deemed best for their use, then tied it up and left it with the remain- der of its contents for the next hungry traveler. On reaching Carson river they found plenty of food and water, but were so uttterly ex- hausted and weak that their stomachs loathed food, and, sinking dowu half unconscious upon the side of the trail, they slept until suffi- ciently rested to begin to take nourishment in small quantities.

Remaining at Carson river until their strength was pretty fully recovered, they resumed their journey, reaching Hangtown-now Placerville -on August 28, 1850. Mr. Holcomb spent ten years in the mines in that part of the State, and although he did a great deal of hard work he only met with moderate success, making little more than current expenses. He first visited San Bernardino in February, 1860, a horse and a gun comprising his wordly possessions at that time. He and his partner went on up into the mountains east of the city, prospecting in Bear valley and beyond, and while there he explored a sinall valley on the headwaters of the Mojave

river, and discovered a gold mine, which for a time created considerable excitement and was quite extensively worked, there being 1,500 people or more in the valley in 1861. The richest portion of the placer diggings was soon worked out, and tlie excitement subsided; it is reported, however, that the mines are about to be re-opened.

In 1863-'64 Mr. Holcomb spent a year in Arizona, during which he obtained a small in- terest in the Vulture mines, which he subse- quently sold for $500. On returning from Arizona he settled in San Bernardino, which has been his home ever since. In 1880 he purchased the place of fourteen acres on the corner of I street and the Base Line road, where ·lie and his family now reside, paying $1,400 for it. He has erected a frame dwelling and planted about half the land to deciduous fruit trees, now in bearing. He has refused $14,000 for the property.

In 1872 Mr. Holcomb was elected County Assessor on the Republican ticket, and was re- elected, serving in that office eight years. On retiring he spent seven months in Arizona as superintendent of a mining ditch for the Tomb- stone Mill and Mining Company. In 1882 he was nominated and elected County Clerk by a majority of about 240 votes over A. F. McKen- ney, then holding the office and a very popular man. Mr. Holcomb was the first Republican clerk ever elected in San Bernardino County. He was re elected as his own successor by a much larger majority over J. H. Boyd as the Democratic candidate. During his first terin as County Clerk Mr. Holcomb served also as ex- officio County Recorder, County Auditor, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and Clerk of the Board of Equalization. At the close of this term the clerk's office was segregated from the others.

In 1860 Mr. Holcomb married Miss Stewart in San Bernardino, a native of Illinois. They have a family of five sons and two dangliters, all but two married and living in San Bernard- ino, and all have homes presented to them by their father. Even the two minor children are

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

thus provided for. Mr. Holcomb is justly prond of his family; and few men are as well satisfied with the results of a laborious life, or review the retrospect with as much pleasure. He has for many years enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most successful hunters on the Pacific coast, and has probably captured more grizzlies than any other man in California. And, as he has retired from active business and still loves the sport, he spends a portion of every scason with " old boys" in the mountains hunting and fishing. Mr. Holcomb is a member of the Society of California Pioneers of San Bernardino County and of the "Old Boys' Hunting Club." Having won the prize over about fifty comret- itors in a Christmas hunt in 1888, the Old Boys' club presented him with a beautifully designed and engraved silver cup, which he values highly as a keepsake.

EORGE W. PRESCOTT, of San Bernard- ino, Master Mechanic of the Southern Cal- ifornia Railroad, and one of the most expert mechanical engineers in this country, was born in New Hampshire fifty-one years ago. At the early age of seven years he was left without father or mother, and at thirteen he left his na- tive State and started ont to fight the battle of life alone and unaided. Going west as far as Ohio, he spent the next five years in the old city of Chillicothe, where, following the natural bent of his mind, he studied the business of inachinist, and when just past his eighteenth birthday he took charge of a locomotive engine. In 1856 he went to Columbus, Kentucky, and commenced building the Mobile & Ohio Rail- road. On January15, 1857, he unloaded from the steamer J. C. Swan the first locomotive engine that ever passed over that road, and set it up and run it over the line. He put up all the engines and cars for that road till the spring of 1861.

On May 3, of that year, the war of the Re- bellion having broken out, and Mr. Prescott's

New England blood and patriotism allying him to the cause of the Union, he resigned his position and went North, notwithstanding he was offered $500 a month by the Superintend- ent of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad if he would remain and take charge of the machinery of the line. On June 15, of that year, he began to run an engine on the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and was connected with that company in various capacities of responsibility in the operating department and shops until 1869. In that year he superintended the laying of the track between Winona, Shaska and La Crosse. At the solicitation of W. B. Strong, Mr. Prescott entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in 1871 as Super- intendent of wrecks on the Iowa Division. In 1873 he accepted the position of fuel agent on the Michigan Central Railroad. During the three years of lis connection with that road he also filled the positions of train-dispatcher and assistant superintendent without the title. In 1876 he accepted the position of mechanical superintend- ent of the locomotive and car department of the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad, tendered him by Charles G. Peck, and continued in that capacity until 1881. He then resigned and was connected with the Chicago Fire & Spring Works two years. For six years thereafter he was mechanical superintendent of the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railroad, with headquarters at St. Louis.

Mr. Prescott received the appointment, May 7, 1889, as master mechanic of the California Southern and California Central lines, consol- idated in November of that year into the Sonth- ern California Railway, and forming the Cali- fornia division of the great Santa Fé system. Advanced ideas and improved methods have been introduced by Mr. Prescott in operating the mechanical department of the railway, which have resulted in materially increasing the scope and volume of work performed, while the cost of that department has been reduced, thus dem- onstrating his remarkable qualifications and adaptation for the position he so ably fills.

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

On Angust 23, 1856, Mr. Prescott married Miss McFarland, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, her paternal grandfather having been the first settler in that (Ross) county. Mr. and Mrs. Prescott have but one child, a son.

AMES T. O'PRY, one of the representative and enterprising merchants of Colton, has a well equipped general merchandise store, centrally located on Front street opposite the Southern Pacific Railroad depot. Captain O'Pry came to Colton in February, 1888, after years spent in active business pursuits in New Orleans, and in the next month established himself in mercantile pursuits. He also purchased a five- acre tract of orange land from the Colton Water Company and commenced horticultural indus- tries by planting it with budded orange trees; and he is also interested in real estate in Colton, Glendora and other places. He is a popular man, straightforward in his dealings, and has gained a liberal support and patronage from the Colton community. Captain O'Pry is a native of Georgia, dating his birth in 1849. His par- ents, James and Nancy E. (Brown) O'Pry, are also natives of that State. During the days of his infancy his parents moved to New Orleans, and he was reared and schooled in that city. Early in life, in his boyhood days, he was schooled in mercantile life, but when twenty years of age chose steamboating as his calling, and entered upon a three years' apprenticeship as a pilot. He was ambitious and quick to learn, and rose rapidly in his profession until he was licensed as a master, and was then placed in command of various steamers on the Mississippi river. As he accumulated means he became an owner of steamers, and became one of the prominent fig- ures in steamboat circles in New Orleans. Among the well-known and popular boats that he owned and commanded were the Oriole, Isa- bel, Alvin, Sunbeam, Daisy, and later the steam- ers Martha and Neptune. He incorporated and was the president of the New Orleans and Gulf

Transportation Company. He was also the pres- ident of and owned a controlling interest in the New Orleans and Perriaux Beouff Transporta- tion Company. A man of sound practical knowledge, keen business instincts, prompt and straightforward in his dealings, Captain O'Pry successfully inaugurated and conducted some of the soundest transportation enterprises of New Orleans. Years of active business pursuits finally so undermined his health that it became imperative that he seek a change of climate and comparative rest, and in 1888 he came to South- ern California, and locating in Colton established his present occupation.

He is at this writing (1889) still largely in- terested in transportation companies in New Orleans, and is also president of the Western and Southern Steamboatmen's Association of that city. In politics he is a supporter of the Dem- ocratic party. He is a member of Colton Lodge No. 37, Knights of Pythias, and Colton Lodge, No. 255, A. O. U. W. He also retains his memberships with the Pickwick and Commer- cial clubs of New Orleans. The Captain, in 1872, married Miss Isabel Kouns, a native of Ohio, the daughter of Captain John Kouns, a well-known resident of that State. The three children from that marriage are: Alvin, Hattie Belle and James T.

P. CHAPMAN .- Among the well-known and representative orange groves in the

o Riverside colony tract is the five acres owned by the above-named gentleman. This grove is located on the west side of Cypress avenue, north of Bandini avenue, about one mile south of the business center of Riverside. Abont fonr acres of his land is in oranges, seed- ling and Washington Navel trees twelve years of age, and other budded trees of Washington Navel, Mediterranean Sweet and St. Michael varieties, varying in age from one to six years. He has one acre in vineyard, which produced in 1888 over $200 worth of fruit. Mr. Chapman

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

is a thorough horticulturist, and is reaping a rich reward for his labor. It is doubtful whether any finer oranges are produced in the colony than those grown upon his place. He purchased the land in 1887, since which time he has erected a substantial residence of at- tractive appearance, and also suitable out-build- ings. He has one of the most desirable homes in his section.

The subject of this sketch was born in Tol- land County, Connecticut, in 1836. His parents, Simon C. and Jerusha (McKnight) Chapman, were also natives of that State. He was reared and schooled in his native place until eighteen years of age, and then went to Georgia, and was there engaged in mercantile life for the next four years, after which he resided in New York until 1861. In that year he located in Whiteside County, Illinois, where he established himself in mercantile business. The war of the Rebellion called him to the service of his country, and in 1862 he enlisted in the Ninety- third Illinois Volunteer Infantry as a private. His close attention to military duties insured his promotion to Corporal and then Sergeant. He served in the Western army under Generals Sherman and McPherson until wounded at the battle of Champion Hill. His wounds neces- sitated his discharge and closed his military career. He then returned to his home in Connecticut and engaged in business. In 1864 he was elected to the Legislature from Ellington Township, and took a leading part in the legis- lation of his State and in the support of war measures.

In 1865 Mr. Chapman moved to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where for more than twenty years he was the trusted general agent of the Ætna Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connect- icut. He successfully conducted the business of that company until 1887, when he moved to his present home in Riverside. He is a pro- gressive citizen and promptly identified himself with the best elements of the community in which he resides. In political matters he is a Republican. He has for years been a member

of and a deacon in the Congregational Church. He is a member of Patterson Post, No. 88, G. A. R., of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Chapman was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Olmsted, of Hartford, Connecticut. The names of their children are: Lonise C., Emily S., Mand M., Anna M. O. and Mildred.

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1038

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1038