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 71
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 71
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 71
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 71
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JOHN HARTLEY SMITH. the founder and pres- ident of the First National Bank of San Ber- nardino, and one of the most thorough business men and experienced bankers in Southern Cali- fornia, was born in Jackson County, Virginia, in 1835. He came to Ohio at the age of fifteen, and in 1853 he came to California and spent two years in the gold mines, chiefly in Mari- posa County. He was quite successful, and in 1855 returned to Ohio with considerable money and a fund of experience which has proved of great value to him in liis subsequent business career, as well as fraught with pleasant mem- ories. Coming he sailed from New York by way of Panama, crossing the Isthmus on foot. He returned by the same ronte, but the railroad had been completed across the Isthmus in the interval. For many years Mr. Smith was ex- tensively engaged in steam boating and operating barge lines on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, he superintending the business, in which there was $250,000 capital invested. After the war he was also interested in the banking business for a number of years in Meigs County; and 29
was actively and largely identified with coal mining and the manufacture of salt in south- eastern Ohio. The daily output of the coal inines was 10,000 bushels, and the salt works turned out 500 barrels a day. The labor and nerve force necessarily consnmed in the man- agement of these various large enterprises proved too much for Mr. Smith's naturally strong constitution, and he was compelled to dispose of his very prosperons business interests, and seek by rest and the most favorable climatic advantages to repair lis broken health. He came to Southern California in 1880, and tlie same year organized the Santa Ana Commercial Bank, the first bank started in that city. Eight- een months after opening the bank failing health again forced him to retire from business, and he sold ont and remained ont of business a year. He then established the Pomona Valley Bank as a State bank in 1884. In 1887 it was reorganized into a national bank, and its name changed to the First National Bank of Pomona. Selling out his interests there Mr. Smith or- ganized the First National Bank of San Ber- nardino, of which he has been president since it opened. Each of these three banks founded by him and of which he has been successively the managing head has become prominent among the banking houses of this part of the State, Though devoting his attention almost exclu- sively to the bank, Mr. Smith has some outside investments, one of which is a large interest in the Southern California Motor Road, one of the finest pieces of property in this region.
Mrs. Smith, whose former name was Roberts, is an Ohio lady. Their family consists of three sons: Pearl, Harry and Hudson, all boys of school age. Mr. Smith also has a step-daughter, who is married and resides in San Bernardino.
The San Bernardino National Bank was established in 1888, with a capital of $200,000, The president at organization was J. G. Burt, the vice-president A. H. Hart, and the cashier E. II. Morse. At present the capital is $100,000. the surplus $13,000, undivided profits $22,000, and deposits $170,000. John W. Davis is pres-
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
ident, S. E. A. Palmer, vice president, and W. S. Hooper, cashier. This bank does a general banking business and has exchange on all com- mercial centers.
The Savings Bank of San Bernardino was established in February, 1890. It is under the same management as the Farmers' Exchange Bank. Its president is Frank Hinckley, vice- president H. L. Drew, secretary and treasurer, S. F. Zombro. Its capital is a $100,000.
The banks report business to be steadily im- proving, and they consider the financial con- ditions as more promising and more satisfactory than during " boom times."
The newspapers of San Bernardino city are: the Times-Index, daily and weekly, edited by L. M. Holt, and the Courier, daily and weekly, edited by A. Kearney. The first named is is- sued in the afternoon, and the second in the morning.
The city water-works were instituted as fol- lows: on November 2, 1889, the citizens voted $160,000 of bonds for a system of water-works. The contracts for laying pipes, constructing reservoirs, sinking wells and setting hydrants, are all let, and operations are now (May, 1890), in active progress. The supply will be of arte- sian water, from an elevation of 205 feet above the city, being very pure and excellent water. By the first of October, 1890, water under press- ure will have been introduced into city use. The city engineer estimates that the quantity will be abundant to supply the needs of years hence, even under the conditions of rapid in crease. The cost to the city of the electric street lights is $411 monthly, which supports tive towers, and some 175 street lights in suspension.
During 1888-'89, the municipal government, under the authority of the State law known as the Vrooman act, did a vast amount of execu- tion in the way of beautifying the city and im- proving its sanitary condition. Among other important features is the completion of the sewer system. Abont 51,000 feet, or over nine miles of sewer pipe was laid, at a cost of about $85,000, and about 140 house connections
were made with it, at a cost of some $14,- 000. This has revolutionized the system of house-plumbing. The principal streets were graded at a cost of some $8,000; and, at a cost of $4,000 culverts were put down to carry the storm water. At the street crossings were laid good plank walks, costing $2,000, and nearly three miles were laid of artificial stone and bituminous rock sidewalks, which cost about $40,000. The construction of the large ditches on the outskirts of the city has been a marked success. The total expenditure for public im- provements during this season was $135,000.
San Bernardino has taken a decided stand on the telephone system, having numerous local connections, besides others with Riverside, twelve miles distant; Colton, three miles dis- tant; Etiwanda, sixteen mniles distant ; and Red- lands, ten miles distant.
The first burial ground of San Bernardino valley was located on a bluff overlooking the lowlands, on the spot where M. B. Garner's house now stands. Many of the bodies fron this cemetery were removed to the new grave- yard, east of A street, between Seventh and Eighth, just outside the city limits. The Jewish cemetery occupied the adjoining lot on the north, and next to that was the Roman Catholic burying-ground, until a few years since, when that sect purchased a new tract, several miles north of the town. In this old cemetery are buried most of the dead of San Bernardino valley.
CHURCHES.
The following is a list of the churches of San Bernardino:
First Methodist Episcopal .- Corner of Sixth and E streets. Value $30,000. Seating ca- pacity 1,200. Services every Sabbath at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M. Sunday-school at 9:30 A. M .: A. Fussel, Superintendent. Prayer meeting Wed- nesdays at 7:30 P. M. Rev. George W. White, Pastor.
Methodist Episcopal Church South .- Fifth street, between D and E. Established fifteen
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
years. Value $8,000. Seating capacity 800. Services every Sunday at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M. Sunday-school at 9:45 A. M. Prayer meeting every Wednesday at 7:00 P. M. Rev. W. B. Stradley, Pastor:
Congregational .- Corner Fifth and D streets. Organized and church built and dedicated No- vember, 1876. Value $4,500. Has a seating capacity of 200. Services every Sabbath at 11 A. M. and 7:30 P. M. Sunday-school at 9:45 A. M. Rev. J. H. Jenkins, Pastor.
Presbyterian .- Church corner of E and Park avenue. Value $4,500. Seating capacity 300. Services every Sunday at 11 A. M. and 7:30 P. M. Sunday-school at 9:30 A. M. Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:30. Rev. John Morrison, Pastor.
Baptist-First Church .- Third street, be- tween F and G. Value $4,000. Seating ca- pacity 200. Services every Sabbath at 11 A. M. and 7:30 P. M. Prayer meeting on Wednesdays at 7:30 P. M. Rev. A. J. Frost, Pastor.
The Evangelische Gemeindeschaft liold their regular services every Sunday afternoon at A. O. U. W. Hall on Third street. Snuday- school at 1:45 P. M., and preaching at 3 P. M. German-speaking citizens are kindly invited to attend. Theodore Suhr, Pastor.
Holiness Church .- Meets every Sunday in Swing Block, corner of D and Fourth street, at 10 A. M., 3 P. M., and evening.
Latter Day Saints .- Corner of Fifth and G streets. Regular services every Sabbath. David Harris, Minister.
African Methodist Episcopal Church .- Has regular services every second and fourth Sun- days of each month at 11 A. M. and 7:30 P. M., with class at P. M. Building on west side of D street, between First and Second. Charles Au- gustus, Pastor.
Roman Catholic .- The church of San Ber- nandino of Siena was built in 1870. Prior to this Roman Catholic worship had been con- ducted in two small chapels. ' The present edi- fice was erected at the cost of Mrs. Catherine Quinn, the value being some $9,000. This
parish includes San Bernardino and a large por- tion of San Diego County. There are some 100 families of this faith within the city limits. Rev. Father Stockman is the incumbent.
SOCIETIES.
Silver Wave Chapter, No. 75, O. E. S .- Meets second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in Masonic Temple. Mrs. Susan Clark, W. M .; T. J. Wilson, W. P.
San Bernardino Council, No. 37, O.C.F .- Meets first and third Wednesdays of each month in A. O. U. W. hall, on Third street, between .D and E. L. Caro, Councilor; Mrs. M. S. Rowell, Vice-Councilor; S. C. Benjamin, Secretary; Al- fred Steinman, Treasurer.
Woman's Relief Corps .- The Woman's Re- lief Corps meets every Saturday afternoon at A. O. U. W. hall. Mrs. Lizzie Reinoehl, Presi- dent; Miss Ida Seymour, Secretary.
Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union .- Meets the second and fourth Satur- days of each month at Y. M. C. A. hall, on D street, at 2 P. M. Miss Ellen Ballard, Presi- dent; Lillie Hisom, Recording Secretary ; Flor- ence Gibson, Corresponding Secretary.
Woman's Christian Temperance Union .- Meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Y. M. C. A. hall, at 2:30 P. M. Mrs. L. M. Nickerson, President; Mrs. Tillie Shearer, Recording Secretary; Miss Mary Bennett, Cor- responding Secretary.
Phoenix Lodge, No. 178, F. & A. M .- John C. King, W. M .; Henry A. Kellar, S. W.
Keystone Chapter, No. 56 .- Thomas J. Wil- son, H. P .; W. L. G. Soule, King.
. St. Bernard Commandery, No. 23, Knights Templar-W. L. G. Soule, E. C .; T. J. Wil- son, Gen.
San Bernardino Lodge, No. 146, I.O.O.F .- Meets every Thursday evening at their hall on Third street, between C and D, at 7:30. Frank Perdew, N. G .; J. W. Eber, V. G.
Magnolia Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 94 .- Meets in I. O. O. F. hall, the second and fourth
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
Mondays of each month. Mrs. A. P. Morse, N. G .; Miss B. Caro, V. G.
Morse Encampment, No. 51, I. O. O. F .- Meets at the hall on Third street, the first and third Friday evenings of each month. J. W. Eber, C. P .; C. E. Raymond, S W.
Token Lodge, No. 290, I. O. O. F .- Meets at the hall every Saturday evening at 7:30.
Canton Lodge, No. 17, P. M., I. O. O. F .- Meets at the hall every Tuesday evening. L. Rheinohl, Com .; C. E. Raymond, Lient.
Meridian Lodge, No. 145, A. O. U. W .- Meets every Tuesday evening in their hall on Third street, between D and E. E. A. Hult, M. W .; N. A. Richardson, Recorder.
Diamond Lodge, No. 235, A. O. U. W .- Meets every Monday evening in the hall on Court street. E. R. Waite, M. W .; George G. Ashbaugh, Recorder.
San Bernardino Legion, No.5, Select Knights, A. O. U. W .- Meets every Friday at the A. O. U. W. hall on Third street. C. F. Roe, Com- mander; S. F. Kelley, Recorder.
Valley Lodge, No. 27, K. of P .- F. L. Hig. gins, P. C .; E. H. Shonsis. V. C .; A. Palmer, K. of R. & S.
Paradise Lodge, No. 237, I. O. B. B .- H. Baruch, President; B. Rowich, Secretary; L. Jacobs, Treasurer.
W. R. Cornman Post, No. 57, G. A. R .- F. T. Singer, Com .; J. D. Potter, V. C.
Besides the above named there are the fol- lowing organizations: The Ladies' Benevolent Society, the Associated Charities, the Hebrew Benevolent Society, the Native Daughters of the Golden West, the Native Sons of the Golden West; San Bernardino Lodge, No. 220, I. O. G. T .; the Central Labor Union (incorporated), San Bernardino Assembly, No. 8482, K. of L .; Local Union, No. 86, U. B. C. & J. of A .; Typographical Union, Horseshoers' and Black- smiths' Union, Society of Spiritualists, Old Boys' Hunting Club, San Bernardino Land and Building Association, San Bernardino Fire De- partment, Horticultural Association, Board of
Trade, the Bar Association, and the Society of Pioneers.
The Sun Bernardino Society of California Pioneers was organized in the court-house in the city of San Bernardino, in the county of San Bernardino, State of California, on the 21st day of Jannary, 1888, with thirty charter mein- bers.
Its objects, as stated in its constitution, are to cultivate the social virtues of its members, and to unite them by the bonds of friendship; to create a fund for benevolent purposes in be- half of its members, and to collect and preserve information and facts connected with the early settlement of California, and especially of the county of San Bernardino, with a history thereof from the time of such settlement to its organi- zation as a county; to form libraries and cabi- nets, and by all other appropriate means to advance the interests and increase the prosperity of the society; to create a fund for the purchase of a suitable lot and the building thereon of a memorial hall to perpetuate the memory of those whose sagacity, energy and enterprise induced them to settle in this country, and to become the founders of a new county.
The qualifications for the admission of mem- bers embrace all persons who were citizens of the United States, or capable of becoming eiti- zens thereof, and who were residents of Califor- nia prior to the 31st day of December, 1850, and also those who were the residents of the eonnty of San Bernardino at the time of its or- ganization, April 26, 1853; and the male de- scendants of all such persons also shall be eligible to membership.
Honorary and life members may be admitted who have rendered distinguished and important services to the State, or to this society; also the wives and daughters of members of this society.
The meetings of the society have been regu- larly held every Saturday, at two o'clock, since its organization.
The first officers of the society, with their age, place of departure, mode of arrival, and place of arrival in the State of California, were as follows:
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
George Lord, Sr., age eighty nine, left New York, crossed the plains, and arrived at Steep Hollow, California, in 1849; was and is the president of the society, and has been present at every meeting since its organization, with but one exception, when he was attending the funeral of an old friend.
John Brown, Sr., the celebrated Rocky Moun- tain mountaineer and hunter, born December 22, 1817, at Worcester, Massachusetts, seventy .. two years of age, crossed the plains with an ox and mule team, and arrived at Sacramento, Cali- fornia, in 1849; he was elected first vice presi- dent of the society.
James W. Waters, Sr., age seventy-five, left New York, crossed the plains, and arrived at Los Angeles, California, in 1844; was elected second vice-president of the society, and was a life-long companion, hunter and trapper with John Brown, Sr. He died at his home in San Bernardino, on the 20th day of September, 1889.
David Seely, age seventy · left Canada, crossed the plains and arrived in what is now San Bernar- dino, California, in 1850; he and John Brown, Sr., above referred to, are the only survivors of the commission appointed by the Legislature of this State to organize the county of San Ber- nardino, which they did April 26, 1853. Mr. Seely was elected third vice-president of the society.
H. B. Harris, treasurer, age sixty-three, left Virginia, crossed the plains, and arrived at Mariposa mines in 1849.
Henry M. Willis, corresponding secretary, age fifty-eight, left Maryland, came around Cape Horn, and reached San Francisco June 28, 1849.
John Brown, Jr., secretary of the society, age forty-two, left the Rocky Mountains, crossed the plains with his parents, and arrived at Sacramento, California, in 1849.
William F. Holcomb, vice president, age fifty-nine, left Iowa, crossed the plains, and arrived at Hangtown in 1850.
Sydney P. Waite, age fifty-one, left Kentucky,
crossed the plains, and arrived at San Gabriel, California, in 1849.
Marcus Katz, corresponding secretary, age sixty six, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, came across the Isthmus, and arrived at San Fran- cisco in August, 1850.
R. W. Waterman, now Governor of the State of California, age sixty-three, left New York, crossed the plains, and arrived at Butte, Cali- fornia, in 1850.
Charles G. Hill, age seventy nine, left New Hampshire, came around Cape Horn, and ar- rived in San Francisco, theu known as Yerba Buena, in 1834.
N. G. Gill, marshal, age fifty-nine, left New York, crossed the plains, and reached Feather river in 1849.
D. H. Wixom, marshal, native of Iowa, age forty-two, crossed the plains, and arrived in Los Angeles County in 1851.
At this date (May 10, 1890) the number of members has increased to ninety-seven, and during the existence of the society five of its members (Hardin Yager, James W. Waters, Sr., Peter Forsee, John Garner and B. F. Mathews) have ended their career on earth. Since its organization the Pioneer Society has taken an active part in all public celebrations; the 4th of July, Admission day, and the Centennial Anni- versary of Washington's inauguration as first President of the United States, were celebrated in an appropriate and becoming manner. The arrival of the California Pioneers from New England was made a special occasion for the manifestation of a most fitting welcome, par- ticipated in by the citizens generally, including the children of the city public schools. They arrived in San Bernardino on the 17th of April, 1890, and were accorded such a welcome as will never be forgotten by those participating therein. A dramatic and imposing feature of this reunion was the sudden death of General Samuel A. Chapin, of Maine, who delivered before the assemblage in the opera house an address pregnant with sentiment and emotion. Immediately after he sat down it was observed
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
that his head had fallen forward, as if he had swooned; investigation showed that he was dead !- no doubt from excess of emotion. Every honor possible, in word and deed, was shown to his memory by the San Bernardino Pioneers.
NEWSPAPER8.
The following is a list of newspapers pnb- lished in the county of San Bernardino: City of San Bernardino Times-Index, daily and weekly; Courier, daily and weekly; Riverside Press, daily and weekly; Phænix, weekly; Col- ton Chronicle, weekly; News, weekly; Ontario Record, weekly; Observer, weekly; Redlands Citrograph, weekly; South Riverside Bee, week- ly; Beaumont Sentinel, weekly; Banning Her- ald, weekly; Chino Champion, weekly; Rialto Orange Grower, weekly.
RIVERSIDE.
INITIAL.
The Rubidoux Rancho was patented in De- cember, 1876, to the Rubidoux heirs, and by them to the Riverside Company. That portion of the Riverside colony north of the Govern- ment land strip is situated on the Jurupa Rancho, being held under the original grant and patents from the United States Govern- ment, based upon a final confirmation of title by the United States Supreme Court. That portion reaching from south of the Jurupa line to the sonth line of present improvements is United States Government land, entered by Benjamin Hartshorn, who sold it to the River- side Land and Irrigation Company. Sonth of this again is a portion of the Rancho San Ja- cinto Sobrante, confirmed by United States patent. The title to all these lands is perfect and unquestioned, with no liens whatever ex- isting.
The origin of Riverside was as follows: In November, 1869, the California Silk Center Association was formed in Los Angeles for the purpose of growing silk-worms, and the mnl- berry-tree, citrus fruits and grapes. To this
purpose the superintendent of the company pnr- chased, under anthority, over 4,000 acres of the Roubidonx Rancho, and 1,460 acres of Govern- ment land on the Hartshorn tract, which ad- joined this to the eastward. There had also been made arrangements to purchase from the Los Angeles Land Company 3,169 acres of that portion of the Jurupa Rancho opposite the Ronbidoux Rancho, on the east side of the Santa Ana river. At this time was planted, for the nourishment of the silk-worms of the prospective colony, a number of mulberry trees, many of which still exist. The president of this association was Lcuis Prevost, a French gentleman well versed in serienlture. In April, 1870, he died; and as he was the only member conversant with the methods of the proposed system, the enterprise of silk-raising was abandoned.
In 1870 Southern California was just begin- ning to attract attention as a resort for invalids, and also to call the interest of investors, struck by the large returns yielded by orchards and vineyards. In the spring of that year a party came to Los Angeles to select lands suitable for the settlement of a colony to engage in the culture of grapes and semitropical fruits. Among other objective points they visited in San Bernardino County the tract which had been chosen by the Sericultural Association, and were convinced that it possessed every es- sential requisite for the success of the proposed colony. Accordingly, on September 14, 1870, were purchased from the stockholders of the Silk Center Association all the real estate, water rights and franchises of the company. After the consummation of this purchase, an in- corporated organization was formed, under the name of " The Southern California Colony As- sociation."
These pioneers were so few in number that their nanies can be recorded; they were: Judge John W. North, Dr. James P. Greves, Dr. San- ford Eastman, E. G. Brown, Dr. K. D. Shugart, A. J. Twogood, D. C. Twogood, John Broad- hurst, James A. Stewart and William J. Lin-
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
ville. Nine of tliese gentlemen still live to enjoy the wonderful transformations that are taking place about them.
The first families to arrive were installed in September. During the next two months the lands were surveyed and platted, the water sys- tem begun, and other active operations carried forward.
The first building erected in the settlement was the office of the company, built on the land afterward occupied by the depot of the Riverside, Santa Ana & Los Angeles Railway Company.
The first child born in the settlement was a daughter of John Broadhurst, born December 26, 1870. The first born in Riverside was a daughter of A. R. Smith, born March 31, 1871.
The first religions services were held in the company's office, the officiating clergymen being Revs. Higbie and Bates, respectively Methodist Episcopal and Congregational, and Rev. C. F. Loop, Episcopal.
The first resident clergyman was Rev. J. W. Atherton, during whose administration was built the first church edifice (Congregational).
In 1871 the citizens built the first school- house, a frame building, which cost $1,200.
The first merchant in Riverside was E. Ames, who built in 1870-'71, a house still given to commercial purposes. In 1875 B. D. Buet & Brother erected the first brick building in Riverside. It was 25 x 70 feet and two stories high.
DEVELOPMENTAL.
To realize the enterprising and confident character of the people who undertook this work and to estimate properly the great results which through their efforts have been achieved in an astonishingly brief period, it is necessary to review briefly the difficulties with which they contended.
The lands they selected lay not along the low flats bordering the river, but upon the higher " mesas " or table-lands, to irrigate which (and irrigation only could give life to the enterprise) the water must be led out upon those mesas
miles away from the channel of the river, and hundreds of feet above it. To do this would require a higher order of engineering skill, and a far greater expenditure of money, than had hitherto been devoted to such purpose in the neighboring section. For this reason the proj- ect was ridiculed, and its failure predicted, by the residents of the neighboring territories which were better watered.
The plains upon which they located were pasture lands only, destitute of water for domestic use even, and, owing to the deficiency of the annual rainfall, they had never yielded- further growth than a scanty supply of feed for a few months each year to roving bands of cattle and sheep; from June to November they were almost as dry and barren as the desert.
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