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 110

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 110
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 110
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 110
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 110

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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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

advance of Riverside, and has done mnuch toward building up the city. Among the most noticeable of his buildings is the Wood block, a fine three-story brick building 46 x 72 feet, on the east side of Orange street, near the corner of Eighth street, which is one of the most sub- stantial buildings in the city, erected in 1887; two commodious and well ordered stores, 20 x 40 feet, occupying the lower story, between which is a broad entrance and stairway to the upper stories, which are arranged with well lighted rooms for offices and lodgers. Upon the south side of the building are broad porti cos extending the whole length of the block, that give to the inmates the advantages of the outdoor air without descending to the ground floor. Just north of this block, Mr. Wood has his residence, which is a substantial one-and-a- half story brick cottage, surrounded by well ordered grounds.

Mr. Wood was born in Spartansburg, South Carolina, February 20, 1830. His parents were Captain Coleman C. and Clarissa (Bomar) Wood, both natives of that State, and descendants of old colonial families. His father was a veteran of the war of 1812. His mother was a dangh- ter of Rev. Thomas Bomar, a prominent divine, well known throughout Sonth Carolina. Mr. Wood's father was a planter by occupation and largely engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1844 he moved his family to Georgia and set- tled in Cass County, about eighty miles north of Atlanta, where he resided until 1848, and then located in Poinsett County, Arkansas, and later to Greene County in the same State, where he resided until his death, in 1857. He was largely engaged in farming, stock- raising and land speculations. Mr. Wood was raised to agricultural pursuits, and also learned the trade of a carpenter. In 1850, when twenty years of age, he started in life on his own account. He left the parental roof and spent the next five years in various places in Texas, Lonisiana and Mississippi. In 1855 he decided to seek his fortunes in the El Dorado of the West (Cali- fornia), and in May of that year left Westport,

now Kansas City, Missouri, with a party of forty-one others, for a trip across the plains. With the exception of several skirmishes with roving bands of Indians, the monotony of the long journey was only relieved by the labors and hardships incident to the overland trip of that day. In September, 1850, Mr. Wood ar- rived in Colusa County, where he spent a year in mining and other occupations and then, in connection with Thomas Etzler, took up, or lo- cated upon 160 acres of land, of the Thomas O. Larkin grant. The grant was confirmned, but Mr. Wood could not conform to the demands of Mr. Larkin. He therefore abandoned his improvements and located at Red Bluff, Tehama Connty, and there entered the hotel business, and was at one time the proprietor of the well- known and famous old Eagle Hotel. He also established himself in the dairy bneiness and other enterprises. He was successful in some of his industries and unfortunate in others, and in 1860 he gathered his little capital together and went to Mendocino County, and there es- tablished himself in the stock business. In 1864 the mining excitement in Eastern Oregon was at its height, and Mr. Wood sought his fortune in that section. He followed the life of a miner for about a year and was successful in his operations. He then established a hotel at Marysville, near Cañion City, investing nearly all his capital in that enterprise. In June, 1865, a flood occurred throughout that country ; his hotel and property were swept away, and he was financially ruined, having lost everything buta few hundred dollars that he had on his person. Mr. Wood then made quite an exten- sive prospecting trip through Washington Ter- ritory, but not suited with his discoveries he came to San Francisco, and in the fall of 1865, located in Santa Clara County, working at his trade and other pursuits until December, 1866. He then came to San Bernardino County and lo- cated upon a farm abont one and one-half miles north of the court-house. He resided there until he established himself in Riverside.

In October, 1868, Mr. Wood married Miss

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

Susan Rhyne, a native of Virginia. She is the daughter of Isaac and Phœbe (Nesbitt) Rhyne, also natives of that State. From this marriage there are three children, viz .: Claudina L., now Mrs. William Studabecker, of Riverside; Min- nie B and J. Shirley.

Mr. Wood is well known in the community with which he has been so prominently identi- fied. His straightforward and consistent course of life has gained him a large circle of warin friends. In political affairs he is a consistent Democrat, and takes a deep interest in the suc- cess of his party and principles. As a worker in its ranks he has often served as a delegate to conventions, and as a member of the county central committee. In the years of 1882-'83 and 1884 he served as deputy sheriff of the connty. In 1886 he was appointed as deputy assessor, a position that he now holds. He is a member, and Past Grand of Riverside Lodge, No. 282, I. O. O. F., and Star Encampment, No. 73, of the same order and was the Noble Grand and delegate to the Grand Lodge of the State in 1884. He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and has been a trustee of the same since its first establishment in Riverside.

DWIN CALDWELL, of Riverside, was born in Putnam County, New York, Sep- tember 13, 1824. His father, Absalom Caldwell, was a native of that State, and a farmer by occupation. Mr. Caldwell was reared upon his father's farm, and educated in the public schools. In 1846, deciding to seek his home in the great west, he went to Wisconsin, and located in Washington County, establishing his residence in the town of West Bend. There, in partnership with his brother, he built saw and flonr mills, and was prominent in building up the pioneer industries of that sec- tion.

The California gold fever claimed him as a victim, and in 1849 he joined the army of gold teekers, and crossed the plains. Upon his ar-

rival in California he located in the mining dis- tricts, and for a year or more endured the hardships and discomforts of a miner's life. In 1851, having met with moderate success, he returned via the Isthmus route to his Wis- consin home, and engaged in his old pursuits In 1856 he sold out his business interests in Wisconsin, and transferred the scene of bis operations to St. Paul, Minnesota. There he engaged in a brokerage and commission business. The year 1861. again found Mr. Caldwell seeking the Pacific coast, and in that ycar he located at Gold Hill, Nevada, and again engaged in mining. While there he was superintendent of the famous Yellow Jacket mine, which dur- ing his superintendency advanced from $25 per foot to 82,700 per foot. In 1864 he re- signed his position, and came to California, first residing at Petaluma, and later in Oak- land and San Francisco. During the next four or five years he was interested in developing mines and dealing in mining properties in White Pine, Enreka and other points in Nevada. He was, also, in the years 1868 and '69 engaged in the commission and produce business in San Francisco. In the early years of the Riverside colony Mr. Caldwell became interested. He was a firm believer in the future of Southern California, and in 1871 he visited Riverside and purchased a twenty-acre tract on the north side of First street, just east of Orange street. In 1873 he erected a cottage upon the land and a residence for his family. He was at that time engaged with his mining enterprises in Nevada, but he directed the planting and im- provement of his lands, planting orange trees and a large variety of deciduous fruits. In 1878 he established his permanent residence in Riverside, and gave his personal attention to his horticultural interests. He corrected his previous mistakes by uprooting his deciduous trees, and planting orange trees. In 1882 he sold the south ten acres of his tract to J. J. Hewitt, and purchased ten acres on the west side of Orange street, which he made his home. He planted that tract in oranges and

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

grapes, and has erected one of the pleasantest and most comfortable homes to be found in Riverside. He has not confined his enterprise entirely to Riverside, but is interested in real estate in other sections of the county. He is a part owner of the well-known Waters ranch, at Old San Bernardino, upon which he is plant- ing an orange grove of over fifty acres in ex- tent. Mr. Caldwell is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, and has, during his residence contributed in no small degree to those public enterprises that have made Riverside 80 prominent, and enabled her to gain an enviable position in the ranks of the leading cities and colonies of Southern California. He has proved a desirable acquisition to the commnu- nity. He is a consistent member of the Con- gregational Church, and is president of the board of trustees of the society in Riverside. In political matters he is a Republican.

In 1852 Mr. Caldwell married Miss Martha A. Hayt, a native of New York. There are two children from this marriage: William A., who is a resident of Washington Territory, and Albert A., who at . this writing (1889) is a student in the California State University at Berkeley.

RS. CAIRA R. WILKES .- In noting the remarkable growth and prosperity of the Riverside colony, and collecting the data upon which to base the proper repre- sentation of the magnificent industries estab. lished and successes achieved by the represent- ative people in the various enterprises that are to be embodied in the history of the county, a manifest injustice would be done to the lady whose name heads this sketch were not a proper mention made of her interests, her long years of individual efforts, and her successes in horticultural enterprises, that have added 80 much to the growth and prosperity of the col- ony. Mrs. Wilkes came to Riverside in the fall of 1876. She was possessed of capital,

practical knowledge of horticultural pursuits in the East, and a wonderful fund of energy and ambition. Upon her arrival she purchased forty-five acres of land on Magnolia avenue, just below Adains street, abont five miles south of the city. The lands thus seeured were wild and uncultivated, but Mrs. Wilkes, with her characteristic energy, set about having them cleared and prepared for tree-planting. She personally supervised and directed all improve- ments. Many of the trees first planted, par- ticularly of deciduous fruits, proved non-pro- ducing or not profitable, and they were uprooted and citrus fruits took their place. As the years passed she continued her efforts and soon had some of the finest orange groves in the colony. The twenty acres on the west side of the avenue, after being fully improved, were sold to Mr. McNabb, in 1886. Mrs. Wilkes then trans- ferred her residence to the twenty-five-acre tract on the east side of the avenne. Then she caused to be erected a comfortable and comnio- dions two-story residence, complete in all its appointments and furnishings. This home she has surrounded with magnificent ornamental trees, waving palms and rich floral productions. She is one of the most successful florists in the colony, and devotes much attention to cultivat- ing rare and choice flowers. In the cultivation of palms she has achieved a wonderful success, Her beautiful home is situated an eighth of a mile from the avenue, and the winding drive- way leading to her residence grounds is bordered on each side with rows of palm trees that are magnificent in size and perfect in their propor- tions. The success she has reached in growing and proportioning her palms is wholly due to her practical-sense way of cultivating and trim- ming them. She is no less successful in orange- growing, and nearly the whole of her twenty- five-acre tract is devoted to that fruit, the trees being almost exclusively budded fruit of the most approved variety. Mrs. Wilkes is a native of New York, but previous to coming to California had spent most of her life in Canada, and was for many years a resident of Brantford,

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where she conducted the agricultural interests of her ninety-acre farmn. She is a lady of eulture and refinement, well versed in the prac- tical affairs of life, and possessed of undoubted sonnd business qualifications. She has gained a success in her many enterprises of which she may be justly proud.

OHN ALBERT COLE, a prominent eiti- zen of San Bernardino County, is the fourth of a family of nine children of James A. Cole. He was born while his parents were en route to California, in April, 1858, and hence has always considered himself a native son of the "Golden State." His father was a native of Illinois, where he was born March 8, 1828. He married Miss Kelly in Little Rock, Arkansas, her native eity, and settled in Columbus, Ohio, which was their home for a number of years. He was a farmer and horticulturist by occupa- tion, and on arriving iu Callifornia in 1858 located on the farın in Old San Bernardino, where he passed the rest of his life, and died in July, 1887. His widow still resides on the old homestead, which consists of fifty-eight acres, valued at $37,000. Fourteen acres of the place is devoted to the production of English walnuts, the trees being twenty years old. Three hnn- dred sacks of walnuts, weighing eighty-five pounds each, were sold as the prodnet of the orehard in 1888.

The subject of this memoir has been a life- long resident of San Bernardino County, and has divided his attention between horticulture, hotel-keeping and the livery business, in which he has been very successful. On November 19, 1885, he joined in marriage with Miss Nettie Waters, second daughter of the late James W. Waters, Sr. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Cole was elected Sheriff of San Bernardino County, on the Democratic ticket, and assumed the duty of the office January 1, 1887, which he filled with ability for two years. He was renominated by the party as his own successor, but, 1888 being

a year of Republican victories, he was defeated by Mr. Seymour, the present sheriff, by 136 votes, thongh he ran over 500 votes ahead of his ticket. Mr. Cole owns a twenty-acre grove of six-year-old orange trees in Old San Ber- nardino, of the choicest budded varieties, which yielded this past season 1,000 boxes of fruit, it being the second erop from the orehard. He also has some valuable city property in San Bernardino.

Mr. Cole is a gentleman of fine business qualifications, and highly esteemed for his in- tegrity of character and affability of manners. He is a member of Token Lodge, No. 290, I. O. O. F., and of Colton Lodge, No. 37, Knights of Pythias.

ENJAMIN FRANK ALLEN .- The sub- jeet of this sketch is among the early settlers of Riverside, and ranks as one of the successful hortienlturists of the colony. Mr. Allen is a native of New England, dating his birth in Aroostook County, Maine, in 1844. His parents were John and Joanna (Ramsdell) Allen, both natives of that State. His father was one of the pioneers of that section and one of the wealthiest agricnlturists in the county. He died in Riverside in 1886, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.

Mr. Allen was roared to farin life and given the benefits of a common-school education. Soon after reaching his majority he established him- self on a farm of his own and engaged in that ocenpation until 1869. In that year he came to California and located in San Mateo County, where he was engaged for a year or more as a stage driver between Redwood city and Sears- ville. He then returned to Maine and entered into mercantile pursuits at Presque Isle, in his native eonnty. Ill-health and financial diffi- eulties compelled a suspension of his business, and in 1876 he again sought the Pacific coast. This time he came broken in health and with limited mneans. Upon his arrival he located in

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

Riverside and entered upon horticultural pur- snits npon a rented place, but sickness caused him to abandon that enterprise and seek other means of support, and in 1878 he established a lanndry, the first ever opened in Riverside. He also built him a cottage residence on Ninth street, between Vine and Mulberry streets, and engaged in horticultural pursuits upon that block. In 1880 he sold his city block and es- tablished his present residence on Colton avenue, just north of the city limits. At that point he has fifteen acres, nearly all of which are in oranges, but three acres being in bndded fruit and the balance in seedlings. The grove, except two and one-half acres of young trees, was planted in 1873 and 1874 by P. S. Russell. Ten acres of orange grove is in good bearing, and during the three years preceding 1889 gave an average yield of nearly $400 per acre. Among his trees are 105 lemon trees of the Eureka variety, the product of these is cured and packed by Mr. Allen, and his success in lemon curing is best shown by noting the fact that the yield from his 105 trees in 1888-'89 brought himn $550. He is also the owner of the block between Maine and Market, Third and Fonrtli streets, which is planted in oranges. His wife is the owner of a ten-acre tract on the south side of Russell street, adjoining his home place on the north- west. Upon that tract Mr. Allen has been en- gaged in raisin-growing. He is a thorough horticulturist, and a successful one, and a firm believer in the profitable future that awaits the orange-growers of Riverside, and in the value of lands adapted to orange cultivation. He has a beautiful home, consisting of a well-ordered two-story residence, surrounded by liis groves, ornamental trees and floral productions. During the days of the real-estate " boom " Mr. Allen was induced to sell his orange grove at what was considered a big price, and entered into real-estate operations; but when the smoke of battle had drifted past, and values had settled down to paying investments, he bought back his old home, and such was his knowledge of its real worth, and his faith in the future

that he readily paid a large advance over his selling price a year before.

Mr. Allen is well known to the people of Riverside as an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, one who during his years of residence has been a supporter of Riverside's interests and the people; such men are always ea desir- able acquisition to the community. Mr. Allen is a charter member of Evergreen Lodge, No. 259, F. & A. M., also a member of Riverside Chapter No. 67, Knight Templar. In politics he is a consistent Republican. March 29, 1875, Mr. Allen was united in marriage with Miss Louise E. Averill, a native of Maine. They have two children: Florence G. and Beulah F.

AMUEL ALDER is one of the pioneer mechanics of Riverside, having established the first carriage-making, and general blacksmithing ever founded in the city. No his- tory of the inannfacturing and business enter- prises of Riverside could be considered complete without a mention of Mr. Alder, and his associa- tion with the building np of the city and colony. The subject of this sketch was born in Wilt- shire, England, in 1845, son of Samuel and Ann (Chivers) Alder, both being natives of that county. His father was a weaver by occupation and the family were dependent upon his wages alone for support. The children were put at labor early in life, and at the age of twelve years, when a mere child, Mr. Alder was ap- prenticed. at the trade of wagon-maker. He served a six years' apprenticeship, and then worked as a journeyman for a year. Realizing the disadvantages the workmen of the old coun- try were laboring under, he decided to try his fortune in the new world, and in 1864 embarked for New York. Soon after his arrival in that city he struck ont for the great West. His first stop was in Wisconsin; not satisfied, he contin- ned his westward march; securing a position as teamster, he joined an emigrant train and drove a team across the plains to Salt Lake City.

CRAFTON RETREAT, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY. (Property of Mrs. E. W. C. Meacham.)

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

There he obtained employment at his trade and remained in that city until 1867. In that year he came to California and located in Sacramento. The next two years were spent by Mr. Alder at hig trade in that city, in Petaluma and Vaca- ville. In the fall of 1869 he came to Sonthern California and located in San Bernardino, and the next year, in partnership with Joseph Bright, established a carriage and blacksmith shop on Third street. He conducted that enterprise until 1874. At that time the Riverside colony wasattracting attention, and Mr. Alder, believing in the future prosperity of the colony, decided to cast his fortunes with the Riversiders. He sold out his interests to his partner and came to Riverside, and in partnership with Frank Petch- ner, the pioneer blacksmith of the colony, es- tablished carriage-making and general black- smithing works on Main street, at the corner of Seventh street. His partnership with Mr. Petchner continued for ten years, until 1884; since that time he has conducted the business alone. Mr. Alder, during his business here, lias been one of the most enterprising and public- spirited inen of Riverside. Both himself and partner were liberal contributors to the pioneer enterprises that proved important factors in placing Riverside in the position she occupies, in the ranks of the progressive cities of Southern California. Hinself and partner donated to the Citrus Fair Association a hundred-foot lot on the corner of Main and Seventh streets, one of the most valuable lots in the city. Mr. Alder was also a large contributor in the erection of the Young Men's Christian Association building. It is well understood that an appeal to him is never in vain, where aid is required in advanc- ing the interests and welfare of his chosen city. He has been a successful man in his business, and by his industry and straightforward dealing has gained a modest competency. Among his real-estate interests is his business lot on Main street, between Sixth and Eighth, and residence block of two and a half acres, between Main and Orange, Second and Third streets. This block he has under a fine state of cultivation, and dis- 45

plays his love of horticulture by producing some of the choicest fruits in the city, Mr. Alder takes an interest in the political affairs of his city and county, and is allied with the Repub- lican party.

Mr. Alder married in 1870, wedding Mrs. Margaret Scott (nee Schyff). She is the dangh- ter of John H. and Gertrude Schyff, natives of Holland. They are residents of San Bernardino, where they have lived for more than a quarter of a century. From this marriage there are six children: John H., Samuel R .: Rebecca P., Flora M., Grace and Lucile. There are also two children living from Mrs. Alder's first mar- riage, viz .: William Edward and Nora.

M RS. ELLEN WOODS CRAFTS MEA- CHAM .- This lady, who, with her hus- band and family, occupies as a residence one of the old landmarks of the county (the well- known Crafton Retreat), is a native of Jackson, Michigan, and daughter of Myron Harwood and Miranda (Capen) Crafts. Her father, who was born in Whately, the family-seat, was a man of great force of character. He came to San Bernardino County when the country was new, locating at the place which took his name, and left the impress of his character indelibly upon the community. His unusual business ability, while securing for him ample means and property, could have enabled him to accumulate a much vaster fortune had his inclinations run more to hoarding. He established his home at the place which took the name of "Crafton Retreat," a spot of great natural beauty, which has been rather enhanced than detracted from by the hand of man. He had a clear foresight of the great future which was in store for the community of his adopted home, and his judg- ment was verified even before his death, which occurred in this county. He was one of the early members of the Republican party, and during the war stood manfully by his convic- tions, though he and a Mr. Robbins at that

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

time cast the only Republican votes in the county.

His daughter, Mrs. Meacham, with whose name this sketch commences, was nine years old when her parents removed from Jackson to Windsor, Michigan, nine miles from Lan- sing, and there her mother died. After this sad event she went to live with her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Leonard Woods. After she had been there two years, she went to Olivet, Michigan, to attend college, and there received the advantage of a three-years course of study. She then went to Troy, New York, to live with Mrs. Eliza Stewart, a sister of her grand- father and wife of Philo P. Stewart, one of the founders of Oberlin College. For a time she attended the high school in Troy, then went to a young ladies' boarding school at Danbury, New York, meantime making her home in Brooklyn with Mrs. Douglas Putnam, her mother's sister. In 1865 she left boarding school, and came to California to join her father. After a time here she went to Los Angeles, where she tanght public school one year. During the two years following she kept house for her father, and during that time was married, on the 10th of January, 1869, to David Meacham, a sketch of whom will follow this article.

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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