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 25

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 25
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 25
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 25
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 25

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 DIEGO COUNTY.

San Diego. She was born in Ohio, in 1869. She is a member of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wetmore is engaged in the drug business on National avenue, cor- ner of Twenty-eighth street. He has a good location and is doing a very satisfactory busi- ness. Mr. Wetmore is a young man and has a long future before him, and with his business tact it will no doubt be a prosperous one. Not many of the older of San Diego's business men who consider themselves the princes and kings of business in San Diego when at his age liad half so good a start in business as he has.

C. FRISBIE, San Diego .- One born of New England parents and endowed witlı

O the thrift and perseverance of New En- land people, is Mr. J. C. Frisbie, who was born at Vernon, Oneida County, New York, Feb- ruary 1, 1830. There were but two children, J. C. being the younger and the only one surviving. Ifis father was a farmer, and in 1844 left Ver- non and moved to Illinois, settling near Chicago. The subject of this sketch began his education at Vernon, and completed an academic course which was finished at Chicago. After com- pleting his education, he began mercantile busi- ness in Chicago, and after a few years became a member of the firm of Hibbard, Spencer & Co., in a general line of hardware, and remained with them until 1876, when, on account of del- icate health of himself and wife, he closed up. his business and started for California. He was married in Chicago, in February, 1852, to Miss Maria L. Earl, a native of New York.

After traveling quite extensively through Colorado and mnuch of California, he decided that the vicinity of San Diego, all things con- sidered, was the most desirable place to settle; so he immediately purchased a tract of land on the east side of the Sweetwater river, four niles from the bay at National City, and nine iniles from San Diego, a ranch of 246 acres, which owing to situation and exposure he

named Sunnyside. He commenced immediately to improve the land, which was then, with the exception of a few acres, absolutely unbroken soil, and to the superficial observer might have been deemed unpromising as far as cultivation was concerned. The beauty of location, how- ever, commanding one of the finest views to be wished for, attracted him, as also the pure and mild air, freedom from cold winds, and an abundant and easily obtained supply of pure sweet water. Work was begun, and the entire tract was enclosed with fence, and divided into fields for the better protection of crops and fruit. Fruit trees were planted and other ini- provements made. Oranges, lemons and grapes were the principal fruits planted, and with these he has been particularly successful. The raisins made from his vineyard are equal to any made in this or any other country. After the Sweet- water dam was built the place and orchard were piped and connection made therewith, from which the water supply is most abundant.

Though citrus culture was not so well under- stood then as now, yet he believed that southern California, and a portion of San Diego County in particular, was adapted to it. The abundance of choice fruit now being produced by his or- chard, and others in his vicinity, fully proves the correctness of his judgment, and Sunny side can be referred to as a typical San Diego bay region place. The residence, which is sit- uated on an elevation nearly in the center of the tract, is surrounded by ornamental trees and shrubbery in great variety. Of the many beautiful and valuable locations in San Diego County, none give more satisfactory evidence of what can be accomplished in the development of the resources of its soil and climate than Sunnyside; and Mr. Frisbie may justly feel proud of his success, coming as he did from a mercantile life with no previous experience of farming or fruit growing.

He lived on his ranch nntil 1881, when he moved to town, remodeled his house at the cor- ner of Tenth and F streets, where he and his wife now reside. He has always taken an active

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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

interest in the agricultural and horticultural re- sources of this county and is always ready to assist in its development.

APTAIN RUFUS K. PORTER, now seventy-one years old, came to California in 1849, and forty years of his very busy lite have been spent on this coast. The Captain is of English descent. His grandfather, Tyler Porter, was born in the State of Maine, and was a farmer and a soldier in the Revolution. His son, Rufus Porter, was born in Maine, and lived until he was ninety-three years of age. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and received a pension from the Government. He was inar- ried to Miss Eunice Twombley, a daughter of William Twombley, a native of Mine, who had nine children, the subject of this sketch being the third, and but four of which still survive.

The subject of this sketch attended school until he was thirteen years of age, when he went to Connecticut and learned the clock-inaker's trade. He was in the Jerome clock factory four years, when he went through the Southern States peddling clocks, and stopped in Texas for a year, where he taught school and was deputy sheriff. He was in Austin, Texas, when it was started. From there he went to Lonisiana, where he tanght school for five years. He then traveled through the Western States and went back to Boston, where he was baggage-master for a while and afterward a conductor on the railroad, but being injured by an accident he was laid up for three months at Worcester, Massachusetts. In 1849 he went all the way from Boston across the plains to Sacramento, California, where he engaged in mining. He was clerk in the San Francisco postoffice for seven years. He theu went to Lower Califor- nia, where he was engaged in the merchandise trade and mining. He received authority from the Mexican Government to take the salt, of which there was a large field there at that time, and ship it to San Francisco. He then went on

horseback across the country, thirty days' jour- ney, and stopped at San Pedro, where he was store and hotel keeper. From there he went to San Diego and settled on Government land at Spring Valley and engaged in farming and stock-raising. and supplied the market of San Diego with butter, eggs, cheese and ınilk. He was married December 24, 1852, to Mrs. Sophia Moody, daughter of Edward Welch, a native of Maine. Mrs. Moody had a daughter, Marietta Moody, born April 5, 1849, who married Cap- tain I. A. Gregory, of Marblehead, Massachu- setts, and now resides with her family at North Chollas. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have one daugh- ter, Rufina A. She is the wife of Mr. Chas. S. Crosby, and was born in San Francisco, Novem- ber 23, 1854.

The Captain has been Spanish court inter- preter for many years; he has also been a school trustee and overseer of highways, and has been a stanch Republican since the organization of the party. He has long been a correspondent for one of the leading San Francisco papers. He is in good health and a lively old gentleman. His wife also enjoys good health. They came to their present ranch in July, 1886, and have a very pleasant home, and devote considerable attention to raising fine fowls, of which they have different varieties.

AMES RUSSELL, was born in the city of New York, July 7, 1853, and in the year 1858 he crossed the ocean, together with his parents, to make his home in the Golden West, arriving in San Francisco in the fall of the same year. From there he moved to Stock- ·ton, where he received his education, principally in the common schools. His father being in the wholesale and retail hat business, he was employed first as clerk, and afterward, during the sickness of his father, together with an old- er brother, took control of the business, and assisted his father, on his recovery, to run the business. During this time his mother also be-

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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

came an invalid, and he took care of her until she came south to San Diego for her health. Mr. Russell and his father moved from Stock- ton to San Francisco, where he continued as clerk in the hat store of his father. During his life in Stockton he was known as a great fireman, never missing a fire for several years, being a member of the volunteer hose com- pany, Eureka No. 2, and a very earnest and daring worker, always taking great interest in all tournaments given by the fire department. In San Francisco he continued to clerk for his father until 1870, when he was called to San Diego to take charge of a grocery business, for- merly owned by his older brother, and also to look after his invalid mother, arriving here April 1, 1870, at which time quite an excite- ment was prevailing over the building of the " Tom " Scott railroad or Texas Pacific. The city was then in its infancy, most of the general, and all of the legal, business being done at Old San Diego, three miles north of Horton's ad- dition. He then took charge of the grocery business, until times became so quiet that he gave it up, and turned his attention to the care of his invalid mother. In 1874 Mr. Russell went into the city marshal's office under Cap- tain A. P. Knowles, then city marshal of San Diego, and there commenced his official and political career. He served as deputy during the marshal's term, and wasalso appointed Con- stable by the supervisors of San Diego County. At the expiration of said term he was elected Constable, and appointed city executive officer, also served as deputy sheriff and deputy United States Marshal. He is an ardent and straight Republican, and a great worker in politics, and is one of the most successful, if not the most, of officers in Southern California, . never missing his man, no matter where he is located, a terror to evil doers generally, and is acknowledged as one of the best civil and crim- inal officers in San Diego County. During his experience in the different official capacities that he has filled, he established what is known as Russell's Detective and Patrol service, which

has been of a great deal of benefit to the citi- zens and business men. He has taken charge of nearly all of the criminal cases that have transpired in the county during his service as an officer, and more particularly the murder cases, making a reputation as a detective.

During the boom times, he, like others, made quite a little money speculating. During this period he was always known as a very charitable person, giving whenever called upon, always taking 'an interest' in all public undertakings, and always, whether at home or abroad, was a great npholder of San Diego and its future; he is well known to all officials throughout his State, and has a large correspondence from officials all over the United States.

Mr. Russell was married December 22, 1880, to Miss Ida May Bosserman. a young lady of San Diego County, who has been of great assist- ance to him in his detective business, being very observing and shrewd, taking charge of his business matters many times when he was ab- sent, working np cases and running down crimi- nals. They have one girl, Charlotte May Rus- sell, more familiarly known as "Lottie," a bright girl of seven years, known to almost every one in the city.

Mr. Russell was nominated by the Republican party of the county of San Diego for Sheriff in the fall of 1888, and made one of the most gallant fights for his party, spending a great deal of money; and made stump speeches thirty- two times in different sections of his county, for the whole ticket from Harrison and Morton down to the last officer on the ticket,-some- thing which had not occurred for fifteen years previous, and brought against him the enemies he had made in his fourteen years' official ex- perience,-the "mugwump " element and the jealous office-seekers who did not wish him to succeed. The fight was a bitter one, all con centrated to beat him, which was consummated by fraud. The whole of the Republican ticket was elected except him, who was beaten by a small majority. Becoming satisfied that he was beaten by frand, he contested the election of his

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adversary, which has shown that there were several hundred illegal votes cast. After sev- eral weeks of continuous trial in court, and sever- al months of hard work on the case, it was finally brought to its last issne in the Supreme Court of the State of California. He has made many friends, both in and out of his party, and is known as a straight Republican without question. He has been prominently mentioned as the next United States Marshal for the Southern District of California; and if the party wishes to remember one of its ablest workers it will certainly give him the appointment. In the meantime he is managing his detective and patrol service, and also acting as deputy United States marshal; and any one needing his assist- ance will find him a thorough gentleman and a No. 1 officer.

G. BUTLER .- Two and one-half miles west of San Jacinto on that beantifnl tract of mesa land, is situated the very nicely managed fruit ranch and nursery of L. G. Butler. It has the same grand scenery as other places near it, and it has a very artistic new dwelling-house and a very neat new barn. The property has a fine growth of young trees and shrubs on it, and as soon as the improve- ment in trees and hedges take shape it will be the equal of any place to be found in any coun- ty. Fifty acres are already planted to vines, orchard and nursery. The trees are just old enough to begin bearing the coming season. He has 2,000 Bartlett pear trees, 1,600 French prunes, 500 apricot, plum, peach and apple trees and 300 olive trees. The walk in front of the property, extending its whole length, has a double row of olive trees. He is sowing 300 acres of wheat, oats and barley this year. Mr. Butler was born in Wisconsin, February 28, 1851. His parents were George and Eliza (Schoolcraft) Butler. They had four children, the subject of this sketch being the third child. He was raised on a farm and attended the pub-

lic schools in Illinois until he was eighteen years of age. He then spent two years in Iowa and then removed to Nebraska, where he owned a farm, and he engaged in farming until Octo. ber, 1873, when he sold it and came to Califor- nia. He settled at Orange, where he engaged in the fruit and nursery business. He sold this business and removed to the coast where he en- gaged in the stock business, raising cattle and horses. In 1885 he sold out and came to Sar. Jacinto and purchased his present place. In 1872 he was married to Miss Martha E. Selby, danghter of George Selby, a native of Oliio, born in 1856. They have one boy, Chester G., born March 14, 1881, in Orange, California. Mr. Butler does nearly all the work on his place himself. He is very industrious and a good farmer. He is well informed on the fruit tree business, and his trees show it, and are fine, without a drop of irrigation. Some people who say choice fruit cannot be raised in Southern California should see this and many other sim- ilar ranches. Such men as Mr. Butler, the practical men who show what can be done, are of great value in any community, and there is room for inany more.

UGUST KRAMER, a native of Prussia, was born at Casline, Province of Pomer. ania, Angust 30, 1830, being the young- est in a family of four children. He remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, securing a common-school education and learn- ing the trade of tailor, which he continued in his own country until 1856, when his attention was turned toward America, and he took pas- sage at Bremen by a sailing vessel for Balti- more, and after a pleasant voyage of six weeks he arrived at Baltimore in July, 1856. He then went to Cincinnati, remaining five months, and then to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he opened a tailor shop and remained three years, then selling out and coming to California in 1860.

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He joined a company of about sixteen wagons and came across the plains by Council Bluffs, Omaha, up the north side of the Platte river, by Landers' Cut-off, north of Salt Lake, to the Dalles in Oregon, then to Portland and Van- couver's Island, and arrived in San Francisco in 1861, where he remained eight years in the tailor shop of a Mr. Tobin. In 1869 he came to San Francisco, bringing about $2,000 worth of clothing, and renting one of the three stores, then built in town on Fifth street, between G and H, and at once started a tailor shop; later he moved to Higgins' block and opened a store, remaining about three years; he then bought a lot on the Plaza and there put up a two-story building for store room and living conveniences. In 1872 he rented a store and moved to Los Angeles, remaining about one and one-lialf years, and then moved to Sulein, Oregon, and remained two and a half years. He then went to Bodie, but finding the weather too cold he returned to San Diego, in 1876, and opened a tailor shop and a store of gents' furnishing goods in his own building on the Plaza, which he continued until May, 1888. He speculated a little during the boom of 1888, but his success was mainly due to strict attention to business, and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor.

Mr. Kramer was married in San Francisco, in March, 1864, to Miss Kempe Jacobini, a lady of Swiss descent. His wife died in 1867, leaving no children.

J. STICE, of San Diego County, was born in Scotland County, Missonri, on the 10th day of February, 1849. His father was a native of Kentucky, and his mother a native of Missouri. There were twelve chil- dren, six of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch was the eleventh child in order of birth. He came to California with his father, mother and family, in 1857. There were about 100 wagons, and his brother Bluford, having crossed before, was captain of the company.

Mr. Stice and family came direct to Napa val- ley, arriving in October, and bought the "Old Mill" farın of 300 acres, where he remained until 1860, when he sold out and went to Solano County, where he bought a farm of 160 acres. Ile followed farming until 1868, when he sold ont and went to San Jacinto, where he began stock-farming, first buying one-twentieth of the San Jacinto ranch, which consisted of 35,000 acres, and was owned by the Estndillo heirs. He bought 1,776 acres at $2.33 per acre, then stocked it; but, dry seasons following one an- other, he made little progress in cattle-raising. In 1874 he drove his stock to San Jacinto and sold them. He then bought a farm of 130 acres and farmed for two years, when he sold the farm and moved to the Sacramento river, on what was called Andrus Island, an island about five by ten miles, but lying below the river and surrounded by dykes. Beets and other vegetables were the main products of the island. He was there abont six months, when a freshet came, the dyke broke, and house and everything was carried away, only a little furni- ture being recovered. He then returned to Napa County, and exchanged the San Jacinto ranch for a small farm in Napa valley.

Mr. A. J. Stice had been with his father all these years, but in 1876 he left the home circle and came to San Jacinto, where he rented and farmed General Bowden's ranch for about three years. He then went to Los Angeles and rented the Agricultural Park, running it about six months, when he moved to Calico, San Bernar- dino County, where he ran a saloon. He also sold water in the town of Calico, hauling it about two and one-half miles, and selling it for at first 5 cents, then 3 cents per gallon, there being no water at Calico at that time. He re- mained at Calico until 1882, when he sold out and came to the city of San Bernardino, and under the firm name of Stice & Phelps, bought and managed a livery stable and business, re- maining one year, when he sold out and re- turned to San Jacinto, and built the first livery stable at that place, which he ran for two years,

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then selling. Buying a planing mill at San Jacinto, he managed it for about eighteen months, selling in February, 1889, and retiring from active business. While at San Bernardino he made seven trips to the Bear valley, driving a team of fourteen mules, hauling cement for the Bear valley dam.

He was married at San Jacinto in July, 1886, to Miss Adalidie Thomas, who was born in Los Angeles, of American and Spanish parents. The union has been blessed with one child, who is still living.

Mr. Stice was elected Constable in San Diego County in 1872, for two years, but resigned when he moved from the county. In Novem- ber, 1886, he was elected Supervisor of the Fifth District for a term of four years. He is a director of the Agricultural District, No. 22, appointed by the Governor, and in company with the eight other members originated and successfully carried through the first agricult- ural fair ever held in the county. It was held at Escondido, commencing October 1, 1889, and continuing five days. It was founded on a State subscription of $4,000, $2,000 of which conld be applied in 1889, and the remaining $2,000 in 1890, the subscription to be applied in seenring ground and erecting suitable build- ings. The tair was successfully carried through, with a small surplus in the hands of the treasurer.

S AMUEL WHITMORE, rancher, San Diego County, is a native of the State of New York, and was born July 23, 1836. His father, Oliver B. Whitman, was born in New Jersey, and was of Holland Dutchi parentage. He was married to Miss Mary Aldrich, daughter of Charles Aldrich, of Vermont, and also of Holland Dutch parentage. She was born in Vermont in 1808, and had four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second. He was raised in New York, where he worked on the farm in summer and went to school in

the winter until he was eightcen years of age, when he learned the harness-maker's trade, at which he worked for two and a half years, but quit on account of failing health. In 1856 he removed to Belvidere, Boone County, Illinois, where'heengaged in farming, and attended school two winters. In 1860, with a company of twenty-one, he came across the plains to Cali- fornia. He landed in the north part of the State and engaged in school teaching, mining and farming. In 1869 he came to San Diego, overland, through the center of the State, with a team, and settled at the head of the bay. Here he traded part of his team for a Govern- ment claim, on which he staid two years, and in 1873 bought two acres of land in Chollas Valley. He assisted in plauting the trees on the ranch called the " Nest," and has improved the ranch on which he now resides. It is planted to all kinds of fruit and has ripe fruit of some kind every day of the year. He was married in 1883 to Miss Ella Philips, who was born July 30, 1851. Her father, Wesley Philips, was born in New Jersey, September 28, 1803, and raised in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Whitmore's grand- father was a local Methodist minister, and the whole family were Methodists from the com- mencement of Methodism. Her mother was Margaret R. Connell, daughter of Zachariah Connell, the founder of Connellsville, Pennsyl- vania, and was born August 18, 1808. Her father provided supplies for the soldiers of the Revolution. He was born in 1737 and died August 26, 1813. Mrs. Whitmore's family moved to Illinois, and four of her brothers were in the Union army. Her brother, Robinson Philips, died of camp sickness, June 5, 1861, before he was sent to the front; Joseph Henry Philips was a musician in the Second Iowa regiment and was killed at the battle of Fort Donelson. Fielding D. Philips was a member of Company F, One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois. He was wounded and taken prisoner in the expedition at Red River, was paroled, returned home and died from his wounds. John H. Philips served all through the war in Com-

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pany D, Twenty-second Illinois, and was slightly wounded. He died October 25, 1876. Joseph Henry Philip's body was found on the battle field by his comrades and buried beside an oak, on a smooth place of which they cut his name. Years afterward when the tree was ent a chip came off on the reverse side of which were found his initials. The new wood had grown into tlie carved letters and thus his remains were identi- fied. Mrs. Whitmore now has the piece of tree and it was shown the writer. It is almost need- less to say that Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore were both trusty and efficient members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of San Diego, and workers in the Sunday-school. She is its or- ganist and he its librarian. He is the superin- tendent of the Mount Hope Cemetery, which office he has held three years. Mrs. Whitmore is president of the W. C. T. U. of San Diego County.

AMES KERR .- At the front, among the most prominent business men of San Jacinto, and those who have been most active in the promotion of its growth, stands the name of James Kerr. He was born in Millers burg, Holmes County, Ohio, October 13, 1849. His father, James Kerr, was born in Virginia, February 7, 1800. His grandfather, James Kerr, was also born in Virginia and was a sol- dier in the Revolution and in the war of 1812. His mother, Alice (Elliot) Kerr, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, January 20, 1812, and was married to James Kerr in 1830. The fruit of this union was nine children, seven of whom are still living. Mr. Kerr was the youngest but one. In 1852 his father moved to the Platte Purchase, Missouri, and there, when a lad, at- tended school. In April, 1867, when he was eighteen years of age, he was married to Miss Clarissa Cockerel. She was born in Kentucky, October 20, 1851. Her father, Mr. James Cockerel, was a tobacco planter of that country. Their union has been blessed with four children,

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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