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 59

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 59
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 59
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 59
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 59

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

he was also jovial and a genial companion, fond of jokes. music and dancing; a thorough man of business and a perfect gentleman in society. Ile was born near Springfield, Tennessee, No- vember 11, 1821, in the same neighborhood where his father and mother were born, where they married, lived and died. His education was taken in hand by his uncle, Cave Johnson, who became Secretary of the Treasury under President Polk, and at the age of seventeen he was sent to West Point, graduating in 1843, when he was commissioned a Brevet Second Lieutenant in the Regiment of Mounted Rifles, served on the frontier at Fort Jesnp, Louisiana, until 1845, when he was sent with a detach- ment of troops to Fort Washita, Indian Terri- tory, in the meantime being commissioned Second Lieutenant of the First Dragoons, on frontier duty at Evansville, Arkansas, and Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, nntil February, 1847, when he was promoted First Lieutenant of the First Dragoons, and served on the Mexican fron- tier thronghont the war, passing through New Mexico and Arizona, and Lower California to San Diego, serving in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Luis Rey from 1848 to 1851, in the meantime conducting the expedition to the Gila river in 1849.

April 5, 1851, he married Ysidora Bandini, a daughter of Don Juan Bandini, in San Diego; in October of the same year he resigned from the army and was soon thereafter appointel Col- onel and Aid-de-Camp on the staff of Governor Bigler. Ile was very methodical in his habits, and kept a class albumn containing the antographs of all who were at West Point during the time he was there, and also an exceedingly well- written journal of his trip across the country from Indian Territory to San Diego. The jour- nal is beautifully illustrated with views along the route, as he was an excellent artist; only three of his pictures have been given to the public: Old San Diego, the Mission of San Di- ego and the Mission of San Luis Rey, all as they appeared in 1850; a few copies were litho- graphed, and subsequently photographs have

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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

been taken from the lithographs. The missions in 1850 were much finer than they are now, and his foresight has preserved for the future valua- ble mementoes of the past. In his class album appear the signatures of D. H. Hill and R. H. Anderson, of South Carolina; A. J. Williamson, U. S. Grant and R. Hazlitt, of Ohio; T. C. Hammond, Charles Mahou, W. B. Franklin, J. H. Garland and W. S. Hancock, of Pennsylva- nia; H. Brown, F. Denman, D. B. Sacket, F. Steele, Henry M. Judah, M. K. Van Bokkelin, R. S. Ripley and Charles Allen Hardie, of New York; James R. May, John Newton, R. W. Johnston and J. P. Johnston, of Virginia; C. Benjamin, of Indiana; Earl of Van Dorn and W. H. C. Whiting, of Mississippi; E. E. McLean, of Maryland; A. P. Stewart, W. Pope Hale and John Y. Bicknell, of Tennessee; H. Clement Story, of Louisiana; W. L. Crittenden, J. J. C. Bibb, J. J. Reynolds and S. Bolivar Buckner, of Kentucky; Henry Coppee and James Long- street, of Georgia; C. Colon Anger, of Michigan; F. T. Dent, of Missouri; Mansfield Lowell and Alfred Pleasanton, of the District of Columbia. From among the foregoing names it will not be difficult to pick out a large number who have since became famous for the part they took on either side of the late war. Although Colonel Couts was an extensive raiser of cattle and horses, yet he early foresaw that the climate of San Diego County was adapted to all kinds of agriculture, particularly to horticulture, and he was the first to plant an orchard on a large scale with the improved varieties of fruits, and for years his was the only orange grove in the country. For two years after leaving the army he lived in Old San Diego, where he served a term as County Judge; in 1853 he moved with his family, consisting of his wife and two children, to Guajome, which place has ever since been the family homestead; it was an Indian grant and contains 2,219 acres, made by the Mexican Government to Andres, an Indian, and to his two sisters. It was bought by Don Abel Stearns, of Los Angeles, and by him presented to Mrs. Couts as a wedding present. In the Indian

language the term means " frog-pond." When Colonel Couts went ont there in 1852 to take possession and inaugurate liis improvements, there was not the sign of a tree of any kind, where uow are immense orchards, vineyards and willow thickets; he carried a few boards from San Diego, and with them and willow poles, hauled from the river bottom two miles away, he put up a little shed sufficient to cook and sleep in. There was a damp piece of land, a small cienega, but no running water, and in order to water his mules it was necessary to dig a hole in the ground with a spade, and with a sınall dipper dip up enough water to fill a bucket and thus water his mules. Where that was done in 1852 there is now a large pond, sixty feet in diameter and seven feet deep, full all the time and running over in a large stream, which is used for irrigation. At that time there were a great number of Indians in and around San Luis Rey, and it was an easy matter for Colonel Couts as he was an Indian agent, to command the services of enough laborers to do his work. It was not long before the results of the patient la- bor of 300 Indians took the forin of an immense adobe house, built in a square, containing twenty rooms, a fine court-yard in the center, well filled with orange and lemon trees and every variety of flower; immense barns, stables, sheds and corrals were added, after extensive quarters for the servants were built; then to finish the whole a neat chapel was built and formally dedicated to the worship of God. His military training enabled him to control and manage the Indians, as only he could. Everything in and about the ranch was conducted with such neatness and precision that a stranger would at once inquire if " Don Cuevas," as he was generally called, was not from West Point. By strict attention to business he accumulated thousands of cattle, hundreds of horses and mules, a large band of sheep, and added to his landed interest by the purchase of the San Marcos, Buena Vista and La Joya ranches, besides some 8,000 acres of Government lands adjoining the homestead; in all some 20,000 acres. But the passage of the

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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

" no-fence law " almost ruined him financially, as he was compelled to dispose of his cattle at a fearful sacrifice, and he was just recovering from the crash when he died. He was not permitted to enjoy the fruits of years of toil and thou- sands of dollars well spent.

His death occurred at the Horton House, in San Diego, June 10, 1874, from an anenrism. Colonel Couts was one of twelve children, his wife one of ten, and she bore him ten, viz .: Abel Stearns, who died in 1855, aged nearly four years; Maria Antonia, now the wife of Colonel Chalmers Scott, living in San Diego, with seven children; William Bandini, mar- ried to Cristina, daughter of Don Salvador Estudillo, farming near the San Marcos ranch; Cave Johnson, Jr., a surveyor by profession; Ysidora Forster, now the wife of W. D. Gray; Elena, married to Parker Dear, Esq., and living on the Santa Rosa ranch; Robert Lee, John Forster, and Caroline, married to John B. Minston, of Los Angeles.

Doña Ysidora Bandina de Conts, widow of Colonel Cave J. Couts, deceased, has continued to reside on the old homestead at Guajome, and for fifteen years has managed the estate with great skill and ability. Her task has been a trying one, and, but for her great will-power, she would have broken down long ago; but she eomes of a family renowned for physical and mental strength and beauty. Her father, Don Juan Bandini, was a prominent official under the Mexican government, living in San Diego, where Ysidora was born, but, being a progressive man and possessing an education far above those who surrounded him, he was quick to foresee the result of the war with Mexico, and was one of the first to side with the Americans. It was three of his daughters, Ysidora being one, who made the first American flag hoisted in Los Angeles. Her grandfather, Don Juan Ban- dini, was a native of old Spain, and admiral in the Spanish navy, stationed on the Pacific coast under the old regime, and was in com- mand in Peru when his son John, the father of Ysidora, was born. The family are originally

Italian, and Prince Bandini, of Rome, is at the present head of the house. At the time of her marriage, Don Ysidora was considered the most beautiful lady in Sonthern California, if not on the coast; and even now, although time and care have necessarily had their effect, yet few, of her years, would claim to rival her.

ILLIAM STEILBURG, of San Jacinto, was born in Hanover, Germany, Decem- ber 4, 1842, and came to America in

1854. He was for two and one-half years a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, and then removed to Louisville, where he engaged in the furniture business for thirty years. Here he did a very nice business, selling as high as $30,000 per annum. When the great civil war broke ont he enlisted for three months, at President Lin- coln's first call, in Company A, Third Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. When his term expired he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and under this enlistment was in active service three years and four months, making his service in all three years and seven months. He was a participant in the first battle of Bull Run as well as in the second battle, in the battle of Antietam, and in the seven days' battle of the Wilderness, and was with Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley. Part of his service was detailed duty with Capt. Meigs on the engineer corps, surveying the roads and giving information in regard to the position of battle-fields. He was in some of the severest fighting of the war and came out withont a scratch.

In 1869 he was married to Miss Wrample- meier, a native of Cincinnati. They have two children, both born in Louisville, viz .: Alma, born in 1870, and Walter, born in 1886. Mr. Steilburg came to California in 1887 and set- tled at San Jacinto. He bought forty acres of land, built a good house and barn, and planted 4,400 deciduous trees, consisting of the fol- lowing kinds: prunes, apricots, peaches, pears and apples. He is a member of the Knights of

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Honor of Louisville, Kentucky. Politically he is a Republican. His parents were Lutherans and he was brought up in that religion. He is a citizen of responsibility and character, and very soon his nice property will be bearing large quantities of delicious fruits.

HOMAS JACKSON ARNOLD, Collector of the port of San Diego, was born in Beverly, West Virginia. He was tlie son of Jonathan Arnold, one of the most successful and prominent stock-grazers in his section of the State; and his mother, Laura (Jackson) Ar- nold, was the only sister of " Stonewall " Jack- son. Thomas was educated at Parkersburg and Lexington, Virginia, at the latter place under his uncle's care and supervision. In 1867 he graduated in law at the Washington and Lee University and returned to his native town to practice his profession. At the age of twenty- two he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for his county, and was re-elected the second and third terms. In 1876 he was married to Miss En- genia Hill, a daughter of General D. II. Hill. Owing to his wife's failing health they removed to San Diego in the fall of 1880, where Mr. Arnold practiced his profession until July, 1886, when he was appointed by President Cleveland Collector of the port of San Diego. We append below the opinions of the press from both a Democratic and Republican point of view on his appointment and retirement from office: -

The Daily San Diegan of July 29, 1886, says: " It always affords the San Diegan much pleasure to record the appointment of a good Democrat to an office that has been held by a Republican long after the Democratic latch strings have been hung on the public door. The appointment of Thomas J. Arnold, Esq., a well- known attorney of the bar in this city, as Col- lector of this district, is a source of gratification to his many friends and the Democratic party, with which he has been identified ever since his majority. Mr. Arnold has received warm

and hearty congratulations from his party friends over the honor conferred on him, while his fitness for the position is unquestioned. * The San Diegan wishes him a suc- cessful official career."

The San Diego Union of March 20, 1890, says: " Mr. T. J. Arnold yesterday surrendered the office of Collector of the port of San Diego to his successor. Mr. Arnold has held the office for nearly a full term, and has adminis- tered it with his characteristic integrity and fidelity. His rulings on close questions, upon which there were no decisions, have been sus- tained by the department with mach uniformity and he has had the pleasure of seeing several of his suggestions adopted as department rules of administration. The business of the office has increased largely during his term of office and he turns it over to his successor in good con- dition. In turning the office over to his suc- cessor Mr. Arnold has placed him under obliga- tion for many courtesies."

HILIP A.BETTENS, nursery man of Es- condido, was born near Vevay, Switzer- land County, Indiana, July 31, 1838, of Swiss parentage; and when abont thirteen years of age he commenced traveling on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers during the winter months and worked on his grandfather's farm during the warmer portions of the year until 1859, when he moved to Florence and continued farm- ing until April 1, 1887, when he came to San Diego County. After a few weeks' residence in Coronado he moved to San Pasqual valley; was there nineteen months and then moved to Es- condido, September 1, 1888, where he was first in charge of the L. and T. Company's vineyard for several months, and is now in the nursery business for the Sweet Water Nursery Company.

In 1859 he married Miss Clara A. Dufour of Switzerland Connty, Indiana, and of Swiss par- entage. She died in November, 1880. By that

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marriage there are four sons and two daughters. The oldest son, Philip A., is a graduate of West Point and he holds the rank of Lieutenant, be- ing stationed at Fort Robinson, Nebraska; the second son is in the employ of the Coronado "Beach Company, occupying a responsible posi- tion in their office. His daughter's name is Anna G.

DGAR S. PAYNE, the cashier of the Oceanside Bank, was born in Watkins, New York, August 8, 1853. His father, J. W. Payne, was born in Ovid, Seneca County, New York, in 1825. He is at present engaged in farming, although he was formerly in the hardware business. His mother, Maria (Snther- land) Payne, was born in Yates County, New York, in 1828. She was the dangliter of Mr. Alexander Sutherland, a pioneer of Yates Conn- ty, and was married to Mr. Payne in 1848. Their union was blessed with six children, all of whom are living and of whom Mr. Edgar S. Payne is the second. Mr. Payne was educated in the public schools and the Genesee College, Lima, New York. In 1871 he finished his studies there and engaged in the banking busi- ness at Watkins, in which business he continued until he came to Oceanside in 1887, where he opened the Oceanside Bank. . He is a man of fine business habits, is a member of the Meth- odist Church, Deputy County Clerk and City Treasurer of Oceanside.

RTHUR GRAHAM NASON, the origi- nator and President of the San Diego & Coronado Transfer Company, which posi- tion he has so acceptably filled from its organi- zation, is a mnan well and favorably known, who has always taken a lively interest in the general welfare of San Diego, and has contributed in various ways during his brief residence here to develop and beautify the city of his choice

Mr. Nason was born in New York city, July 7, 1856. In 1872 he moved to Nason, Orange County, Virginia, where he engaged in milling and general merchandise until 1880, when he Inoved fo Fort Concho, Bexar County, Texas, where he remained for five years engaged in the sheep and cattle business, and operating quite extensively in ranch lands. In 1885 he was attracted to San Diego, believing that its natural advantages and resources were sufficient to insure its future prosperity (which conviction he still retains) and at once entered into part- nership with Charles W. Morrill (of San Luis Rey flume fa:ne) in the real-estate business and consuinmated some of the largest sales in this county, among them the Soledad valley lands, which he purchased from Mr. Andrew Cassi- day and subdivided into small acreage tracts, in the sale of which he was very successful. Mr. Nason is a good specimen of the push and energy that have made San Diego. In part- nership with James F. Fisher he built the Hotel " Albemarle," corner of Front and D streets; the Pickwick building and the " Gould. block," both of which are on Fourth street, and several other of the prominent business blocks, as well as some of the most unique residences of the city; his own being one of the handsomest · cottages, both in architectural design and finish. In 1887 he purchased the Murrietta Hot Springs from Mr. M. L. Wicks, of Los Angeles, an interest in which he still retains; he is also interested in a water enter- prise now under way; is a large owner of city and acreage property, and has a fine fig and grape ranch in the Tia Jnana valley. The company of which he is president is a very important insti- tution in San Diego, and has a paid up capital of $50,000. Probably no other one citizen of San Diego has been instrumental in getting so many young men to forsake the East and make their homes in the " land of fruit and flowers" than the subject of this sketch, and his name and influ- ence can always be found associated with all charitable objects.

In October, 1886, Mr. Nason was united in

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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

marriage to Miss Ada, daughter of Mr. T. W. Ward, a prominent banker and land owner of San Saba, Texas. They have two children: one son, Harry Ward, and one daughter, May Bev- erly.

ROF. J. H. HILL, instructor of vocal and instrumental music, San Diego, was born at San Antonio, Texas, in 1852; his father was a school-teacher and his mother a teacher of music. Professor Hill began his studies at the age of five years, both in music and the classics. He studied at the university at the city of Mex- ico and graduated at the Gonzales College, at Georgetown, Texas. In 1871 he went to New Orleans and for two years studied music with private teachers at the New Orleans Conserva- tory. From 1872 to 1876 he was principal of the music department of the Gonzales College; he then studied one year with Professors Gip- recht and Gottschalk; from 1877-'80 he was musical director of Goliad College; from 1880 to 1883, of the Southwestern University, com- mencing with eleven pupils, but before leaving had over 100. He then spent eight years in travel and study, and in 1888 came to San Diego, opening rooms at the corner of Fourth and I) streets, and teaching music under the auspices of the College of Fine Arts, which is under the management of the University of California, the Conservatory of Music being a department of the college. Professor Hill also has charge of the innsical department of the " College of Letters " at Pacific Beach. He makes a spe- cialty of the piato, and in the conservatory averages about twenty-five pupils.

K. HAMILTON, one of the fire commis- sioners of San Diego, was born in Travers County, Texas, August 24, 1856, his father being a native of Alabama and his mother of Tennessee. They had two sons and two dangh-

ters, all living. His father was a lawyer. Upon reaching maturity he bought and operated a cotton plantation, owning his own cotton-gin, with an annual production of from 300 to 450 bales of 500 pounds each. Losing his health, he was obliged to seek a milder climate, and in 1880 leased his ranch and came to California, first settling at Los Angeles, then Santa Bar- bara, making the latter place headquarters. He journed from valley to hill and from coast to interior, as favorable localities were suggested, but found permanent relief only after coming to San Diego, in 1884, where after one year he recovered his health. He then entered the real- estate business, and in 1887 connected fire insur- ance therewith, under the firm name of Hamilton & Stevens, which firm was succeeded in Octo- ber, 1889, by G. B. Grow & Co. Mr. Hamil- ton being retained as manager, he represented a good list of foreign and American companies. In May, 1889, under the new charter, Mr. Hamilton was appointed fire commissioner by the Mayor, it being deemed wise that insurance companies should have a representation npon that board.

Mr. Hamilton was married at Santa Barbara, in October, 1885, to Miss Ora Combs, and they are now the fond parents of two bright-faced children. He is a member in good standing of the A. O. U. W., and of San Diego Lodge, No. 35, F. & A. M.

JOSEPH FAIVRE, San Diego .- In a city where the leading residents are remarkable for the eventful character of their lives, Joseph Faivre is entitled to take a prominent place. He was born in New Orleans, June 4, 1828. When Joseph was seven years old, his parents removed to Ohio, leaving him in charge of an acquaintance engaged in the cooperage business, to whom, six years later, their son was apprenticed. At the end of six years he was pronounced a master of his trade, and engaged in business on his own account as a trimmer of

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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

broken cargoes on the city levee. He was thus engaged for seven years, when he left the Cres- cent City and joined his parents at Dayton, Ohio, and went to work at his trade.

After coopering for a year he went to work quarrying stone and boating it down the Miami Canal to Cincinnati, where it was used for the Catholic cathedral being built by Archbishop Purcell. After completing his quarrying con- tract he engaged as a buyer of tobacco and grain for Henry Harmnon, a well-known merchant of Dayton. After continning at this business for eight years he returned to New Orleans, but only remained there a month when he left for Indiana, locating at the town of Attica, on the Wabash, where for two years he kept a hotel. His venture as a landlord, however, was not a successful one. He lost all his savings, and removing to Otter creek, six miles fromn Terre Hante, he went to work at his trade as a cooper. At the end of two years he availed himself of an opportunity to lease the Prairie House at Terre Haute, a large hotel, which he conducted for eight months. In the fall of 1856 he re- moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he kept a livery stable for two years, at the same time being engaged in buying and selling real estate. During this time he built seven or eight houses. He made a prospecting tonr throngh the moun- tains of Colorado, and at the end of three months located at Denver. There, during the years of 1860-'61-'62, he engaged in the wholesale and and retail grocery business, doing the largest trade of any house in the city. He was at this time also doing business as a freighter of sup- plies from Leavenworth, St. Joe, Atchison, and Nebraska City to Denver. There were no rail- roads then, and Faivre's wagons were the equiv- alent of the freight trains of to-day.

In 1863 he sold out at Denver and went into the freighting business from Leavenworth to Salt Lake and Virginia, Montana. This trade was quite hazardous as, in addition to the crdi- nary dangers that befell his trains in the long journey across the plains, from the elements, they were liable to an attack from bands of hos-

tile Indians, and Mr. Faivre was obliged to use the utmost care and tact to avoid these wily foes. While engaged in this business he also con- ducted an anction and commission house at Vir- ginia, Montana. One of his trains met with a serious accident while descending the Bear River Mountain. An explosion occurred in one of the wagons, which was drawn by eight yoke of large Missouri cattle, and loaded with 5,500 pounds of powder and 75,000 feet of fuse.

As may be imagined, the shock was terrific. The driver was blown to atoms and seven of the cattle were killed, their remains being scattered in all directions. During the same trip, one of the drivers of the train was struck by lightning on the Big Sandy river, in Wyoming. There was not a break upon his skin, but the corpse was like a mass of jelly, and the sole of one of his shoes was split by the fluid.

In the spring of 1865 Mr. Faivre became snow blind, and he returned to Leavenworth, where he built a residence and made it his home. In 1870 he came to San Diego on account of his health. After a short sojourn here he liked the place so well that he went back to Leavenworth, settled up his affairs, and came on here to reside permanently, in June, 1871. When he first came here in 1870, he bought considerable property, and upon locating here he purchased more and engaged in the business of real estate, brokerage, and loaning money, buying up school warrants, etc. About seven years ago he retired from active business and devoted his attention to the conduct of his private affairs. In 1885 he made a trip to Europe, being absent four months.

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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