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 131

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 131
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 131
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 131
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 131

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).

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have reared a family of five children, whose names are as follows: Paul and David Lafayette, their two sons, are attend- ing the University of Southern California at Los Angeles, where Paul will graduate with honors on June 26 of this year (1890). Mar- tha Margaret, having finished her education, is at home with her parents, while Mary Elizabeth and Alice Eugenia are attending the public school in Orange.

They are all intelligent, bright children, healthy and strong in body and give promise of being useful men and women, and such is the earnest prayer of their parents.

YSANDER UTT, a retired merchant of Tustin, is a "'49er." He was born in Wythe County, Virginia, June 1, 1824. His parents, John and Mary (Criger) Utt, were both natives of the Old Dominion, had a family of thirteen children, and moved to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1840, where the father died, in 1849. The subject of this sketch, the third child in order of birth in the above family, worked at farming until the year named, when he came to California across the plains with an ox team. In Mariposa County he followed min- ing for two years, and then for twenty-three

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.

years he was engaged in teaming and farming in Placer County. Two years ago he retired from active business, and will spend the even- ing of life on his fruit ranch near Tustin. He has been very successful in his business pursnits, and is widely and favorably known. Politically he is true to the principles of the Democratic · party, and his genial disposition and cordiality are such as only the true " Southern spirit " can inanifest.

In 1864 he married Miss Arvilla E. Platt, and they have one son, Charles E., who is now his father's successor in the mercantile business at the old stand at the corner of Fourth and D streets in Tustin.

R. R. F. BURGESS, of Santa Ana, was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1834, and when he was quite young the family removed to New York State, and three years afterward to Michigan, locating in Washtenaw County, where they remained about twelve years. The father died in Montcalm County, that State, when the subject of this sketch was seventeen years of age, and the latter therefore had to look after the welfare of the family. He served three years in Company A, Twenty-first Michigan Infantry, during the last war, going out as a wagner and having charge of an ord- nance train; and afterward he had charge of a foraging party until the close of the war. Re- turning to Michigan, he studied dentistry, and in 1866 began to practice his profession in Ionia and subsequently in Muskegon, both in Michigan. In 1871 he moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, but in 1874, on account of the ill health of his wife, he came to California. The first three years here he practiced dentistry in Los Angeles, and in 1878 came to Santa Ana and bought land on East Fourth street. This he soon sold off in town lots except the part on which he erected a residence. He recently be- came connected with the Santa Ana Free Press, and is the treasurer of the company and principal

stockholder. Both himself and wife are mem- bers of the Baptist Church, and are highly respected by the community.

He was married in Michigan, in 1859, to Miss Carrie E. Allured, a native of England.

W. TOWNER, the subject of this sketch, now Jndge of the Superior Court of º Orange County, is a native of Essex County, New York, born in 1823, in the town of Willsboro. When he was fifteen years old his father moved to St. Lawrence County, same State. His education was only that of the common school except one term, in 1841, at the Malone Academy, Franklin County. In 1844, he and an older brother went to Cleve- land, Ohio, where he remained until 1854, when he went to West Union, Fayette County, Iowa, remaining there until August, 1861, when he entered the army, becoming Captain of Company F, Ninth Iowa Infantry Volunteers. At the battle of Pea Ridge he was disabled by the loss of his left eye. After his recovery he was com- missioned by President Lincoln, Captain of Company B, Second Regiment, Veteran Re- serve Corps. This commission he held till July, 1866.

Then he returned to Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1874 went to Madison County, New York, where he resided nntil 1882. He then came to Santa Ana. During these years his occupations were, from seventeen to twenty-six, teaching school winters and working by the day or montlı summers; in 1849 he began preaching as a Universalist, and continued thus until 1854, when, his voice failing, he engaged in the lumber and steam saw-mill business in Iowa, till 1859, and was then admitted to the bar at West Union; and since that time to the present, excepting the five years he was in the military service, he has practiced law. While in Cleve- land, Ohio, he was Judge of the Municipal Court two years. At the first election held here in Orange County, July, 1889, he was chosen

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.

Judge of the Superior Court. He received the nomination on a non-partisan ticket, having two opponents, and in the election received 500 majority over both. As a lawyer he has had practice in all the Courts of Iowa, Ohio, New York and California, and in the United States Circuit Courts in all these States bnt Iowa.

He was married in Ohio, in 1850, to C. A. Sweet, of Lorain County, that State, and has had three children: Arthur J., married, and living at Santa Ana; Frederick E., died in 1876, and Lillian S. married G. D. Allen, now of River side.

RED C. SMYTHE, the first Assessor of Orange County, was born in the city of Los Angeles, near the old Pico Hotel, in 1857. His father, John Smythe, was a native of the State of New York, and of Irish ancestry, while his mother, whose maiden name was Jo- sephine Yorba, is a native of California and of Spanish descent. The subject of this sketch, the eldest of his parent's nine children, left home to take care of himself at the age of eleven years, taking as his first task that of waiting on the table at Los Angeles. Afterward he entered the printing office at Anaheim and set type on what was then the Southern Californian, but is now the Anaheim Gazette. After this he worked in the printing office in Los Angeles. His health failing, he made a journey to Nevada and Oregon, herding cattle in those States. Sub- seqnently he kept books for Kelley & Felez. Returning to Anaheim, he began plowing and soon entered a clerkship in A. Langenberger's store; he next was employed on the Anaheimn Ditch; and it was while he was thus engaged that he was elected Assessor for the town of Anaheim, and about this time he was made Deputy Sheriff of Los Angeles County, serving in this capacity under Sheriff's A. T. Currier, George E. Gard, J. C. Kays and Martin Aguirre, until his election to the office of Assessor of Orange County in July, 1889. During the full

period that he was depnty sheriff he served as City Marshal of the city of Anaheim, also con- stable; also two years as Deputy County As- sessor under C. C. Mason, County Assessor of Los Angeles County, and two terms as Special School Assessor of Anaheim School District.

Politically Mr. Smythe is a stanch Republi- can, and socially he is a member of the order of Chosen Friends, being now a councilor of the order. He is also president of the N. S. G. W., and Commander of the American Legion of Honor. He is a gentleman well known through- ont California for his bravery and executive ability, and has won for himself a host of friends irrespective of party.

OUIS SCHORN, President of the Olive Milling Company, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1839, came to the United States in 1856, and engaged as clerk for a dry- goods merchant in Alabama until 1861, when he returned to the old conntry to visit his par- ents. In 1864 he again sought the " land of the free." After clerking three years in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, he spent one year in Kansas, and then nntil 1882 he was successfully engaged iu the grocery and milling business in Texas. Then he came to California and purchased forty acres of land northwest of Anaheim, where he now lives, and where he devotes his attention to fruits and vines, and is very successful both in horticulture and in the manufacture of wines and brandies. He has since bought 160 acres of highly improved land a half mile southwest of the Southern Pacific depot in Anaheim, devoted principally to oranges and deciduous fruits. In 1887 the Olive Milling and Land Improvement Company was organized, with a paid up capital of $50,000. Those forming the company were Mr. Schorn, Thomas Dillon, C. Culvert and Washington Martin. For four years prior to this organization Mr. Schorn and Mr. Dillon had been carrying on the milling business successfully. In the fall of 1889 the

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.

mill was totally destroyed by fire; but through the energy and enterprising spirit of these men it has been re-built and is now in full running order, doing a business of over $2,500 per month. The intention of the company is to have a town at Olive, and with the railroad facilities now promised and the beauty of the location they have flattering prospects of suc- cess.

Politically Mr. Schorn is identified with the Democratic party, and though only recently a citizen of this place he has inade a host of friends not only in his own party but in all the others. At present he is also president of the Anaheim Union Water Company.

He was married June 26, 1880, to Miss Min- nie Stely, who died in 1885. They had two daughters.

EONARD PARKER, of Anaheim, was born in the town of Boston, New York, March 1, 1818. His parents, Joel and Annie (Woodcock) Parker, were natives of Mas- sachusetts. The senior Parker, by trade a car- penter, was employed as a builder and contractor in the city of Buffalo, New York, for many years, and the subject of this sketch had very little opportunity for getting an education. At the age of twenty-one years he started out as a farmer, and afterward learned the blacksmith trade, his early life being a rugged one. He walked five miles to work and then cradled wheat for 50 cents a day, at the same time paying $2 a bushel for corn! In 1852 he moved to McHenry County, Illinois, and bought out a claim on the frontier, and this he improved and cultivated for twenty years, being successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising. April 1, 1870, he came to California and bought 200 acres of unimproved land near Anaheim; it was then almost completely covered with cactus and sage brush. One can scarcely realize now, as he beholds the beautiful flowers and the or- chards of oranges, apricots and prones full of

delicious fruit, that the land was once so wild and bare. Surely, Mr. Parker has made the " desert fertile and blossom as the rose." He lias to-day over 3,000 orange trees which yielded last year (1889) over 5,000 boxes of fruit.

September 15, 1838, Mr. Parker married Miss Kate Kennedy, a native of Montgomery County, New York, and born in 1820, the daughter of Abraham and Catherine (McGregor) Kennedy, parents natives of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Parker have reared a large family of children, viz .: Joel B., of Orange; Anna L., wife of Simeon Tucker; Walter M., in Texas; Mary A., wife of Owen Handy; Della, now Mrs. R. A. Brown; Eva L., wife of Arthur Lewis of Los Angeles; Jesse R., of National City; Lydia, wife of Captain O. S. Wood, of Anaheim; Er- nest T., of Orange; and Kate, who died at the age of sixteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Parker in 1888 celebrated their "golden wedding," and were the recipients of many valuable presents. They are remarkably well preserved, both in mind and body, having been all their lives in the practice of the principles of temperance, which they advocated, but do not believe in orthodoxy or Christianity.

AMES W. LAYMAN, deceased, late of Santa Ana, was born in Peoria, Illinois, January 24, 1846. His parents, Martin and Elizabeth Layman, were from the State of New York, and had thirteen children, of whom James was the eighth. He was educated at Minneapolis, Minnesota, where his father had moved when the son was seven years old. He followed farming with his father in Minnesota until 1871, when he came to California. His first purchase here was a ranch near Newport, where he lived four years. He then purchased property on Main street in Santa Ana, which he improved and converted into a beautiful home. Subsequently he bought the Santa Ana Hotel, of which he was the proprietor for eleven years. The brick block on Fourth street, west

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.

of the First National Bank, stands as a monu- ment to his enterprising spirit. Later he bought property on the corner of Sixth and Birch streets, where he erected a magnificent residence. He was a very liberal and public-spirited man, aided every enterprise both public and private, which had for its object the good of the people, and in his deatlı Santa Ana lost one of her best citizens. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined the order in Minnesota, at the age of nineteen years; and he was a charter member of the Santa Ana Lodge of the same order. Politically, he was a strong supporter of the Republican party. His death occurred October 19, 1889.

He was married in Minnesota, June 22, 1871, to Miss Mary J. Moran, who was born in Can- ada, and whose parents were John and Margaret Moran, both Canadians, and among the first settlers of Minnesota. Eight days after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lyman started for the Golden State. During their life together they have had two children: Minnie M. and Per- kins A.

AREY R. SMITH, President of the Savings Bank of Santa Ana, was born in Strykersville, New York, in 1843. His father, Rev. Dexter P. Smith, D. D., was a native of New York State, and his mother, nee Hannah J. Borland, was a native of Vermont. They moved to Iowa in 1845. Carey was ed- ucated at the State University of Iowa, gradu- ating in the normal department in 1860. He then taught school until 1861, when he entered the army, in Company F, First Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, and served three years, most of the time on detached service, his health failing. After the war he returned to the University, entered the collegiate department, and studied a year, and then his failing health compelled him to find a freer life. He owned and man- aged a dairy farm for five years, thus recruiting his physical powers to enable hin to aim again

for his greatest ambition, namely, a university education. Accordingly he returned to the University, but at the end. of a year was again compelled to desist, and he returned to the dairy farmn, engaging also in the breeding of Holstein cattle until about six years ago, when he became a resident of Santa Ana in the best part of the Golden State. In the cattle business he had some extraordinarily good stock; he refused $5,000 for a single cow. His knowledge of cattle was so thorough that he was elected by the American Holstein Breeding Association as an Inspector of the Advanced Registry for the Coast, and has been re-elected ever since. For two years he edited the West- ern Stock Journal and Farmer at Iowa City. After settling in California he entered the busi- ness of law, money-lending and real estate, but after a year his health compelled him to ahan- dou the business. In 1889 the Savings Bank of Santa Ana was organized, with Mr. Smith as President, C. F. Mansur, Cashier, and Q. R. Smith, assistant cashier. Mr. Smith is a public-spirited man, having aided materially in the growth and development of his adopted city. Fifty shares of gas stock he virtually gave to the county in order to have the plant located in Santa Ana. He took an active part in favor of county division and in securing railroads. He was sent to Chicago as a representative of the citrus fair in 1886.

E. SHARP, a retired capitalist of Santa Ana, was born in East Tennessee, No- vember 17, 1809, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Lamb) Sharp, who had but two children: the subject of this sketch and a boy named Prophet, who died in 1850. The parents died in 1828, the father one day and the mother the next. In 1830 Mr. Sharp went to Illinois, where for several years he followed farming in Madison County; after this he went into the mercantile business at Bunker Hill, Illinois, and subsequently he moved to Litchfield, that

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.

State. In 1864 he came to California and spent the first ten years in Sacramento County. In 1874 he came to Westminster, where he fol- lowed farming two years; then he purchased property in Santa Ana and built two houses. Since then he has been in the real- estate busi- ness until about two years ago. He also owns property in Pomona. Mr. Sharp is a true Christian gentleman, and has been an active worker in the Baptist Church for over fifty- four years.

He was married first in 1832, to Mary E. Robinson, a native of North Carolina, and a daughter of Zachariah and Elizabeth Robinson. By this marriage there was one child-Sallie A., now the wife of William Kell, of Pomona. Mrs. Sharp died June 12, 1873, and December 21, 1875, Mr. Sharp married Mrs. Clarissa M. Trask, of Jefferson, Maine; her parents were Alexander and Mary (Curtis) Trask, who had ten children.

ILLIAM DRESSER, the proprietor of extensive farins and a resident of Santa Ana, was born in East Smithfield, Lon- dou, England, August 20, 1813. His parents, Christopher and Mary Dresser, came to America in 1824, landing at Montreal. Subsequently they settled in northern New York, in 1833 in Ohio, and in 1836 in Boone County, Illinois, They had four children. His father was born January 1, 1769, and died June 13, 1841; and his mother, born June 25, 1772, died November 9, 1845. By trade his father was a “ linen draper," which in England corresponds with a dry-goods merchant in the United States. Mr. Dresser was educated at Alleghany College, Meadville, Pennsylvania. Afterward he fol- lowed forming in Boone County, Illinois, until 1850, when he came to California. He had in- tended to come the previous year, but the company which he was to join did not organize. In April, 1850, he started with a Beloit, Wis- consin, company. They arrived at Council

Bluffs May 10, passed the Humboldt desert on the night of the 4th and 5th of July, and be- tween Council Bluffs and Carson Valley they probably passed 30,000 immigrants. July 19 Mr. Dresser first saw the gold miners at work. He arrived at Ringgold on the 20th, and was at Kelsey's Diggings when they received the news that California had been admitted to the Union.

Mr. Dresser is a farmer and rents land in Tulare and Yolo counties, while he lives in the genial climate of Southern California for his health. He is probably the oldest Sunday- school worker in the State now living. He organized and conducted the first Sunday- school ontside the large towns; in Suisun valley in March, 1851. He is a close Bible student, and has in his possession a Bible printed in England in 1608. He is practically and theoretically a temperance inan. As long ago as 1827, when a boy in the State of New York, he signed the first temperance pledge that was ever seen in New York State, and he has faith- fully kept it to this day. He signed a private paper brought in the city of Plattsburgh from Boston long before public pledges had been published.

Mr. Dresser was first married in De Kalb County, Illinois, July 29, 1838, to Miss Sarah Jenks, daughter of Jacob and Mary Jenks. She died May 23, 1854, and April 3, 1885, Mr. Dresser married Mrs. M. E. M. Anthony. Mr. Dresser's children are Albert, Charles, William, Emma and Julia.

R. DRESSER, one of the pioneers of Santa Ana, and a successful busi- ness man, was born in De Kalb County, Illinois, in 1839. For his parentage see sketch of William Dresser. He started ont in life for himself at the age of twenty-one as a farmer. In 1861 he came to California, located first in Sutter County, where he " held down a squat- ter's claim " nntil 1870, when he came to Southern California and located in Santa Ana,

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.

where he has since resided; and here he devotes his attention mostly to agricultural pursuits. His first purchase was that of 140 acres in the northeast part of what is now Santa Ana, when there were but two or three houses in the place, and he has seen a lively city spring up around him, and has added his share toward its growth and development. Mr. Dresser is a quiet and unassuming man and a trne Christian gentleman He is a Republican in his political sympathies and also an able advocate of the principles of temperance.

January 3, 1862, in California, he married Mary E. Willock, by whom he had three chil- dren: Clarence, Frank and Willie. She died April 12, 1873, and Mr. Dresser was married again February 9, 1875, in Illinois, to Frances Mabie, whose parents were Peter and Eliza (Chapel) Mabie. By this marriage there are Albert, Arthur, Lonis, Perry, Harry and Ernest.

D. HALLADAY, one of the members of the city council of Santa Ana, was

· born in Vermont, May 8, 1830. His parents, David and Nancy (Carpenter) Halla- day, were both natives of Vermont and moved to Michigan in 1843. They had eight children. M. D., our subject, engaged in the lumber and saw-mill business, and in 1874 came to Califor- nia for his health; and so rapidly did he im- prove that he determined to make this country his home. He accordingly purchased thirty acres of land within the town limits of Santa Ana, which he improved, and for several years had one of the best-paying vineyards in the valley. In November, 1887, he bnilt a very fine residence on the corner of Chestnut avenue and Halladay street. Most of his land has been divided into town lots and sold. Mr. Halladay is a member of the Baptist Church. He has been school trustee three years, and is a member of the city council.

He was married March 23, 1863, to Miss Celia Halladay, daughter of William and Sebri-

na (Whitney) Halladay, and they have had four sons, viz .: Daniel S., a graduate of Berkeley College; William D., deputy surveyor of Los Angeles County; Guy and Harlow.

EOPOLD GOEPPER, proprietor of the Brunswick Dining Parlors, Santa Ana, is a native of the Buckeye State, and was born October 10, 1856. His parents, Herman and Magdalena, were both natives of Germany, and came to America with their parents when quit young. The subject of this sketch, the eldest of their six children, left the common schools at the age of thirteen years. He was bronght up on a farm and came with his father to Cali- fornia in 1870, locating in Santa Clara County, where they followed agricultural pursuits for six years. Then they came to Santa Ana. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Goepper started out in life for himself, and has by his own efforts worked his way up to the position he now holds as a business man. In 1877 he began work as a waiter in the hotel kept by James Layman in Santa Ana. Afterward he was employed in the lumber-yard and theu at blacksmithing. In 1879 he went to San José and, as times were dull, he went to work as waiter in the Lick House, and next he was night clerk in the St. James Hotel; next he was employed as steward in the Ogle House, the first hotel in Fresno. In 1880 he returned to Santa Ana, and followed house painting, with success, until 1887, when he went into the real-estate business. After the boom was over he kept a restaurant and bar, in com- pany with his brother, and at that he was also successful. Then, in January, 1889, he took charge of the Richelien restaurant, where he supplied the hungry public with the necessaries of life until he took charge of the Brunswick, May 1, 1890, where he is now holding forth, attentive to the wants, comfort and convenience of the people. He has made for himself a good name as a hotel man, and is really very popular.

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.

The Goepper tract of Santa Ana was laid out by him and his father, and it is one of the best additions of the city, being located between Main and Ross streets, east and west, and bounded on the west by Seventeenth street.

Socially, Mr. Goepper is a member of Lodge No. 82, A. O. U. W., in which he has passed all the chairs. He was chosen representative to the Grand Lodge in San Francisco in 1887, and he is at present District Grand Deputy Master. He is also a member of Santa Ana Lodge, No. 236, I. O. O. F.

November 23, 1887, he chose for his partner through life Miss Fannie Russell, the accom- plished daughter of George L. and Nancy (Crowley) Russell, natives of Missouri, pioneers of 1849 to the Golden State. Mr. Russell was one of the first settlers in Santa Ana, building the fourth house in the place.

OHN H. GARNER, veterinary surgeon, Santa Ana, was born in Ogden City, Utah, June 26, 1850, the fourth son of John and Olive (Rossen) Garner, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Missouri. His father was one of the pioneers who crossed the plains to California in 1851 with ox teams, lo- cating in San Bernardino, where he followed farming for a period of twenty-eight years. He died at the age of sixty-one years.

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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