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 24

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 24
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 24
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 24
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 24

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).

abont six months. He spent the year 1888 in Fresno County, returning in 1889, and is now employed as circumstances permit. He owns two houses and one improved lot at the corner of B and Columbia streets, where he now re- sides, renting one of the houses. This property is the visible increase of his years of industry and economy.

Mr. Koop was married in San Diego, in Jan- uary, 1877, to Miss Mary Sickinger, a native of Germany, but educated in Wisconsin. They have four children, all of whom are living.

APTAIN ALPHONSO B. SMITH was born in Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky, June 10, 1841. His parents were of Dutch and English extraction, and were also natives of Kentucky. His father, F. C. Smith, was a sea captain, who came to Califor- nia as early as 1843, and in September, 1849, he returned with his family for permanent resi- dence. Five children were born to the parents and all are living, two of whom still remain with their mother in Sacramento. The father died while on his way to Oregon, in 1879.

The subject of this sketch early manifested an attraction for the sea, and at the age of fif- teen years was placed before the mast. The boy's dauntless energy and ambition enabled him, almost before he reached manhood, to step from the forecastle to the quarter-deck. For nearly a score of years his active life was passed at sea as master, on the bar of the Columbia river as pilot, and as trader in the northern territories. His pursuits were as various as his talents, and, possessing the inventive genius in an eminent degree, Captain Smith began to in- vent during his boyhood; and in whatever field of employment circumstances placed him he was sure to attempt some improvement in method or mechanismn.

In 1879 he abandoned the sea and trade. and zealously devoted all his energies to the business of invention. Many of his patented

152

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

devices have proved of immense practical valne, viz .: California Grain Lifter, an attachment to mowers; Reversible Friction Clutch; Wagon Harrow; Clod Crusher and Seeder, combined; Safety Apron, for railroads; Universal Wrench; Carpet Sewing Machine, over-cast stitch; Hand Rock Drill; Reversible Plow, for hillsides; Electro-Liquor-Anger; Lock Nut-bolt, switch threaded-unts pass right and left; and Ily- draulic Ram. These illustrate the versatility of his inventive genius. He is also the proprietor and publisher of Smith's Farm Directory for California, Oregon, Nevada and Washington, Idaho and Arizona territories, a detailed collec- tion of valuable facts.

His favorite pursuit (invention) was tempo- rarily interrupted by his accepting the post of United States Consul at San Blas, Mexico, to which he was appointed by President Arthur; after holding this post of honor for more than a year he resigned. He returned immediately to the field of invention, for which his talent rendered him so capable. His latest invention is his reciprocating propeller for vessels. It is an invention of his own, strictly in accord- ance with the laws of nature, which after many experiments he perfected in July, 1880-a won- derful invention combining strength, practica- bility and simplicity, thus requiring less ma- chinery and carrying capacity, and an increased rate of speed. He also has a new set of nautical instruments, which can be set in the Captain's room, consisting of five discs and which are self-registering upon a thin sheet of lead under- neath; disc No. 1 registers the course of the ship; No. 2 is the registering ship's log; No. 3, number of miles per hour the wind is trav- eling from any point; No. 4 registers all changes in tides, and No. 5 the chronometer, which also electrically rings the ship's bell. He has a ship's compass which is self-registering and is not affected by coming in contact with any metal. A model ship is about being constructed which will embrace the above system and appli- ances and will make a floating wonder.

He is the most conspicuous inventor in Cali-

foruia and is believed to be among the first, if not actually the first, inventor who obtained a patent in this State. His first patent, though not his first invention-the Hinge Butter Mould, com- monly in nse in California dairies to this day- was obtained while he was yet a lad.

Necessity has been literally the " mother of in- vention " in Captain Smith's experience; wheth- er ashore or at sea, the occurrence of an accident, the presence of a difficulty, or the want of a bet- ter way of doing things was sure to be suggest- ive of an improvement. The facility with which he invents and his fertile resources have im- pelled him from boyhood to look out for the better way to accomplish work, and his success has been as great as it has been remarkable.

Captain Smith was married in Sacramento city, California, in 1869, to Miss Sadie E. Mor- ton, eldest daughter of Colonel Robert H. Mor- ton, of Kentucky, by whom he has four children, only one of whom, a daughter, is now living, and with the family resides in San Diego, California.

G. REINHARDT .- One of San Jacinto's leading business men and a pioneer in the hardware business is J. G. Reinhardt, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 18, 1846, and came with his parents to the United States and settled at Springfield, Illinois. Ilis parents, George Frederick and Lena Reinhardt, were both natives of Germany. They were the parents of sixteen children. After Mr. Rein- hardt had received his education he learned the tinner's trade and worked as a journeyman until 1867, when he removed to Kansas and was there in business until 1885. He came to San Jacinto and opened his tin and plumbing shop. Seeing the need and an opening for a hardware store, he added hardware and increased the stock as fast as the demands of the trade re- quired, and has now the leading hardware bnsi- ness of the town. He has now connected with him in the business Mr. E. D. Bradley, Mr.

153

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

Koch and G. F. Reinhardt, his son, all of them gentlemen of business ability and means The firm is a strong business firm and their trade extends a good many miles out of San Jacinto in every direction.

Mr. Reinhardt was married to Miss Catie Trusheim, a native of Germany, born in 1845. The fruit of this union is seven children, the first six born in Kansas and the last born in San Jacinto, viz .: Frederick, John W., Annie E., Albert M., Charles E., Willie and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Reinhardt are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Reinhardt is a mem- ber of the A. O. U. W. He is one of the organizers of the city water-works and one of its directors. He is a trustee of the Methodist Church, and during the construction of their brick church he was steward of the church and assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has built a very comfortable and commodi- ous home on an acre of ground just a little southwest of the business part of the town and has surrounded it with trees, shrubs and flowers, making a very desirable residence for himself and family.

EWIS DURETT was born in Keeseville, Essex County, New York, February 3, 1834. His father, Anthony Durett, was born in Canada, and when a small boy came to reside in the State of New York. His grand- fatlier. Anthony Durett, was a native of France. His mother, Margaret (Myres) Durett, was born in the State of New York, of Scotch parents. When only nine years of age, Mr. Lewis Durett was deprived of his mother by death, and he was obliged to come up without many of the early advantages that some boys enjoy. His father died in 1863. Early in life he was put to work at whatever he could, and learned the business of gilding in a tool factory. In 1859 he removed to Port Huron, Michigan, and was there for ten years. September 13, 1862, he enlisted in the Union ranks, in Company F, 10

Twenty-seventlı Michigan Infantry, and was soon sent to the front. In Kentucky he was engaged in several small battles before reaching Vicksburg, which was captured while he was there. on July 4, 1863. They then went to Knoxville, Tennessee, and were in all the bat- tles there until 1864. At the battle of Knox- ville he received a gun-shot wound which caused him to remain in the hospital three months. After returning to his command he was detailed on provost duty, and was there until July, 1864, when he was sent to the quartermaster's depart- ment and served there until July 26, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. When he came home he sailed on the lakes four years,-one year before the mast, and afterward as mate and sailing master. During this time he was en- gaged in the grain, iron ore and lumber trades. In 1869 he removed to Nebraska and engaged with his brother in the plastering business, and while there he took a Government homestead and purchased eighty acres besides, making 240 acres of land in York County, Nebraska. Since then he has been engaged in buying and selling stock. In 1884 he came to San Jacinto, bought a lot and built a store, which he still owns. He also bought twenty acres of land where he now resides, and has built a comfortable hoinc. He also has town lots in different places. April 10, 1852, he was married to Miss Angelina Bolio, born May 10, 1836, in Canada. They had three children: Harriet, born February 19, 1853; Henry, born November 19, 1855, and Williamn, born May 6, 1858. Mrs. Durett died March 22. 1866, and in 1871 he was again married, to Miss Sarah A. Gilbert, a native of Troy, Wal- worth County, Wisconsin, daughter of William H. Gilbert. She was born June 27, 1852. She is a member of the Christian Church, of the Ladies' Aid Society, and of the W. C. T. U. While in Nebraska she was also a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary Relief Corps. When the first G. A. R. started in Nebraska, Mr. Durett joined Anderson Post, No. 32, and is now a member of J. A. Addison Post, No. 121, San Jacinto. His principal business is the breeding

154

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

and raising of blooded horses, both trotters and all works. He owns a fine Clyde stock horse; he is also the owner of Pope Leo, a Blackhawk and Hamilton horse that has a record of 2:22, and is from very fast stock. He has also several very valuable brood mares and some very promising growing colts. One of the very desirable things about a horse is docility and gentleness of temper, and Mr. Durett's horses are remarkably gentle and well trained. He is justly prond of his horses.

MENDELSON was born at Zagorow, Province of Warsaw, Russian Poland, November, 1840. He was a descendant of the old Castilian Hebrews, and his grand- mother still spoke the Spanish language. While at home he attended the public schools, learn- ing Polish, Russian and German. Ile then spent two years studying in Germany, and there learned English, which he considers the most difficult of all languages. His father was a merchant, and the son's inclinations were turned in the same direction. In 1857 he went to Lon- don, England, and there entered the general merchandise store of Moses & Son, where were employed 2,000 clerks, remaining until 1860, when he came to the United States, spending one year near New York. He then went to St. Louis in 1861, and President Lincoln then calling for 60,000 ninety-day men to meet the Southern insurgents, though foreign to the conntry, Mr. Mendelson at once took up arms for the land of his adoption, and enlisted May 8, 1861, in Company M of the Fourth Missouri Regiment, United States Reserve, Colonel B. Gratz Brown, under General Siegel, and was at the taking of Camp Jackson, near St. Louis. He was discharged in the city of St. Louis, August, 1861, and then went to Kentucky, re- maining until the capture of Memphis, when he immediately went to that city and entered into the business of general merchandise.

In 1863 he sold his interest and embarked

for California by the Isthmus of Panama, ar- riving in San Francisco in October of the same year. After a short business career, he accepted a position as clerk, remaining until 1866, when he went to Anaheim, Los Angeles County, and there started a Inınber business, which he con- tinued abont four years. Then going to Real del Castillo, Lower California, he opened a general merchandise store, selling out in 1886, when he was elected by the people to the posi- tion of Sindico, and as such immediately took the position of Representante del Ministerio (Prosecuting Attorney), holding the position until July 1, 1888. In 1887 he received also a position from the International Company, and in July, 1888, became general agent of the said company, and now holds a position under con- tract as steamship freight agent for the same company, both in San Diego and Ensenada, and to make out all consular and custom-house papers, and to pass steamers through the custom- house.

In 1885 he was married to Miss Carmen Lamadrid, of Spanish descent, though a native of California. The family of Lamadrid still resides in Lower California, where they have a large stock ranch at Las Cruces. Mr. and Mrs. Mendelson have two children, both living.

HOMAS S. SEDGWICK. a member of the American society of civil engineers, to whose professional labor San Diego is much indebted for her prominence as a railroad terminus on the Pacific coast, was born in Zanes- ville, Ohio, and is a descendant from a profes- sional family, his father, grandfather and a great- grandfather, as well as several others of their family, having been noted clergymen and teach- ers.

Colonel Sedgwick began his professional ex- perience in 1852, and was engaged on several railroads previous to the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, and was made Adjutant, and

155

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

afterward appointed Captain and detailed as topographical engineer to the staff of the Army of the Cumberland, where he served until July, 1864, participating in the campaign from Murfreesboro to Winchester, and was on duty at the battle of Mission Ridge, and laid out 'and superintended the construction of defensive works at Chattanooga and Bridgeport, Tennes- see, whence he was appointed Lientenant-Colo- nel of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Col- ored Infantry, and participated (in command of his regiment) in the capture of Richmond, Vir ginia, April, 1865. He went with the Twen- ty-fifty Corps, General Godfrey Weitzel com- manding, to Texas, in 1865, and served there until May, 1867, commanding a part of the Texas frontier for nearly one year.

In 1867 Colonel Sedgwick was connected with the survey of the Kansas Pacific Rail- road from near Fort Riley, Kansas, over the Santa Fe trail, now known as the great Santa Fe ronte, through Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Northern Arizona and South- ern California to San Bernardino and Los Angeles, California, where he met General W. S. Rosecrans, his former army commander, with whose staff he had served in the Army of the Cumberland. He had studied the ques- tion of transcontinental railroads, and convinced Colonel Sedgwick of the advantages of San Deigo as the best available Pactic terminus. After returning to the East, Colonel Sedgwick, in an able paper advocated the ronte via the Gila river, and direct to San Diego, so strongly as to displease the managers of the Kansas Pacific plans, who were seeking Government aid to construct their road to San Francisco. They failed, and afterward two of their mnost promi- nent men acknowledged that had they adopted Colonel Sedgwick's plans, they would probably have succeeded, and been able to reach San Deigo within a few years. They afterward combined with the Texas Pacific Company. In 1868 Colonel Sedgwick became interested with General Rosecrans in the road from San Diego to Ynina; and in the absence of General

Rosecrans, as Minister to Mexico, he combined with the Memphis & El Paso Railroad of Texas, which was under the leadership of General Fre- mont, who was seeking Government aid and right of way across New Mexico and Arizona. As a result of this combination the Memphis & El Paso Company sent Colonel Sedgwick ont to California, in 1869, to make a survey and loca- tion of the road from San Diego to Fort Yuma, by the direct ronte, which was done, demon- strating the practicability and feasibility of the route. During the time occupied by this sur- vey work, Colonel Sedgwick wrote many vigor- ons articles for the San Diego Union, descrip- tive of the route and the many advantages of San Diego as prêeminently the best Pacific terminus for a southern transcontinental rail- road. It attracted the attention of Eastern cap- italists, who were instrumental in finally estab- lishing a railroad terminus on the Bay of San Diego.

Colonel Sedgwick retains the maps of his surveys, and believes that the direct route to Fort Yuma will yet be constructed, and although at the age when inost men are willing to lay aside their life-work, he looks as if he could take an active part in its accomplishment.

RANKLIN PRENTICE NICHOLS, a hotel-keeper of San Diego, is a native of New Hampshire, and was educated at Kim- ball Union Academy, New Hampshire, and Amherst College, Massachusetts. He engaged in teaching for a while, and then held the posi- tion of County and City Superintendent of Schools, also instructor in the State Normal Institute. For the past twenty years he has been engaged more or less in the hotel business. He served in the war of the Rebellion in the Seventh Michigan Cavalry, it being one of the regiments known as the Michigan Brigade, Army of the Potomac, commanded by General Custer. Major Nichols is a son of Dr. Joseph Nichols, who was a physician of some repute in

156

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

New Hampshire, and who was both a pupil of and a graduate in the school of Renben Dimond Musseg, M. D., LL. D.

Major Nichols married Miss Amelia Grant, danghter of Rev. Jacob Grant, a graduate of Madison University, New York. He came to San Diego in 1885, where he has resided ever since.

OSEPH LECYR was born in Aroostook County, Maine, August 8, 1847. His father, Vilas Le Cyr, was a native of the same place. His grandfather, David Le Cyr, came from France and settled in Maine. His mother, Mary (Lisotte) Cyr, was also a native of Aroostook. His grandmother had twenty-two children and was the mother of five pair of twins, and sixteen of them have been married and had families. She lived to be eighty-seven years of age, and retained her eyesight uniın- paired. She was a very smart woman to the close of her life. Mr. Le Cyr's parents had six children, of whom he was the second. When a child he was sent to a French school in Maine, and later he went to Houlton Academy. When sixteen years of age he offered his services to his country in its great struggle for national life. He enlisted in Company C, Sixteenth Volunteer Infantry, Maine, and served to the close of the war. He was in the victorious army of the Po- tomac and participated in several of the hardest- fought battles of the war, and was present when General Lee surrendered. At the close of the war he was discharged. He then took a course at the Bryant & Stratton Business College, Mis- souri. He then took a clerkship in a commission house in St. Joseph, Missouri. After this he went to Montana, where he engaged in mining. In 1867 he came to White Pine, Eureka County, Nevada, and settled there. He was a pioncer there, and kept a livery stable and hauled ore for six years. He then came to Inyo County, California, where he continued his livery busi- ness and teaming for fifteen years. He then

removed to Daggett, and while there was en- gaged in teaming and blacksmithing, also held the office of deputy sheriff. Then he sold out and came to San Jacinto in 1886, where he pur- chased 200 acres of land in and about the valley of San Jacinto, on a tract of which he built a good house and several barns, and planted a variety of fruit trees, including orange trees, and is farming on a large scale. Hle is sowing this year 1,200 acres of wheat, barley and oats. He has also four acres of vineyard, and everything about the property has the appearance of basi- ness and thrift. The trees are making a fine growth. He is also raising some good blooded horses of the Norfolk stock and English Shire, and mnles. Ile was married in 1877 to Miss Emma Holland, born in Missouri May 2, 1861. She was the daughter of Mr. David Holland, of Manchester, England. They have two 8018 :--- Joseph R., born in Daggett, California, January 21, 1885, and Ferdinand, born May 9, 1887, in San Jacinto. Mr. Le Cyr is a member of the G. A. R., J. A. Addison Post, No. 121, San Jacinto, and is an energetic business man of good ability.

EUBEN L. WARDROBE, of San Jacinto, was born in Canada, October 15, 1826, a citizen of the United States by birth, inas- inuch as his parents were natives and citizens at the time. His father, Daniel D. Wardrobe, was born in Massachusetts, and was in the war with Mexico under General Scott. His mother, whose maiden name was Ortha Moore, was a native of New Hampshire. In their family were five sons and one daughter. The subject ot this sketch, the fourth in this family, learned the trade of milling as he grew up and went to Massachussetts, where he was for a time en- gaged in the mann'acture of shoes, and after- ward in farming. In 1849 he sailed from Boston for California, on the ship Capital, and after landing at San Francisco he went to Cal- averas County, where he was engaged in mining

157

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

for some time; he then removed to San Joaquin County and engaged in farming until the win- ter of 1884, when he came to San Jacinto; but one year he spent in Napa County. The town of Lodi is upon a portion of his land and the Union Pacific Railroad runs through it. When Mr. Wardrobe came to San Jacinto there were only two small stores in the place. He bought 405 acres of land and improved and built on it, and has since built a very comfort- able home, where he now lives, on Center ave- nue, one of the nicest and best streets in the city. He has a farm of ninety acres on the mesa. He is sowing 100 acres of wheat this year. He was married in 1855 to Miss Eliza- beth Glenn, who was born in Missouri, and they have had five children, all but one of whom are living, and all born in San Joaquin County, viz .: Adelbert, Albert, William and Ivin. He lost his partner by death, and in 1875 was married to Miss Mary Dixson, who was born in Rich- land County, Ohio. Her father, Robert Dixson, was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Ohio. The first fruit of this union was two children, viz .: Myrtle N. and Wilson S., both born in San Joaquin County. Mrs. Wardrobe is one of the first members of the Methodist Church in San Jacinto, and Mr. Wardrobe is of the Missionary Baptist persuasion: They are nice, generous people, and have the good will of all who know them.

NEWTON MEAD owns and occupies a model ranch about three miles west of the city of San Jacinto, which with its nicely painted building and white fences presents to the approaching visitor a beautiful picture. He is engaged in raising horses, cattle and poultry, and large quantities of grain. Mr. Mead was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, March 13, 1858. His ancestors settled in Greenwich about forty years after the Puritans landed at Plym- outh Rock. His father, Solomon Mead, was born there, and is still living, at the age

of eighty-eight, and spends his winters in liis son's California home where he greatly enjoys the balmny air. Mr. Mead's mother, Elizabeth (Dayton) Mead, was of Scotch descent. Mr. Mead had two brothers and four sisters, all born in Greenwich, and all graduates of Eastern colleges.

H. WETMORE, JR., a native of Galesburg, Illinois, was born September 16, 1867. His father, G. H. Wetmore, was born in Ohio in 1832. He came to California in 1849, but returned to the East in 1852. He went to Texas, where he became a horse-dealer and re- mained two years, when he returned to Gales- burg, Illinois, where he engaged in the real estate business, and operated in Iowa, eastern Nebraska and Dakota. In 1869 he moved his family to Yankton, where he continued his real estate business until 1874, when he removed to Iowa, where he purchased a farm four and one- half miles north of Adair. He lived here for twelve years, when he moved into Adair, and in 1880 started the Bank of Adair, which business he has continued ever since. In 1877 he came to California and has made eleven trips across the country. He is now in Adair. He has made investments in San Diego and county and has property in Iowa and Dakota. Mr. Wet. more's grandfather. Horace Wetmore, was born in Connecticut. His mother, Mary (Ellis) Wet- more, was born in Indiana in 1833. She was a daughter of Laban Ellis, a mill owner and farmer in Knox County, Illinois, and was mar- ried to Mr. Wetmore in 1855. They have had four children, four of whom are still living. Mr. G. H. Wetmore, Jr., was the youngest of the family, and attended school at Swartmore and at Drake University, Iowa. After leaving school he remained with his father until he was eighteen years of age, when he came West. In 1887 he came to San Diego and in 1889 was married to Miss Parkison, daughter of Mr. M. E. Parkison, now in the wind-mill business in

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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