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 95

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 95
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 95
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 95
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 95

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).

In 1877, Dr. Sylvester was married to Miss Mary Abbie Davis, a native of Lawrence, Mass achusetts. He justly attributes much of his success in life to the co-operation and encour- agement received from his estimable wife. They have three bright children, namely: Millard S., Mabel N. and Wesley D.

EVERDAY J. PIERSON, junior member and business manager of the well-known firm of Holmes & Pierson, the editors and proprietors of the Riverside Daily Press and Weekly Horticulturist, of Riverside, is a native of Licking County, Ohio, and was born in 1848. When a child his parents moved to Springfield, Illinois, and thence in 1857 to Poweshiek County, Iowa. He was engaged in his attend- ance in the public schools until fifteen years of age, and then apprenticed to the printers' trade at Montezuma, Iowa. After serving his ap- prenticeship, he commenced his travels as a journeyman, and was engaged on the Chicago Tribune, and also several job offices in Chicago and St. Lonis. In 1866 his roving disposition prompted him to enter the United States mili- tary service, and he enlisted in the Fifth United States Cavalry. The next two years was spent with his regiment on the Pacific coast and in the Territories, being stationed in Idaho, Mon- tana, Oregon and California, his first advent in Southern California in 1868, at which time he was the hospital steward of Drum Barracks at Wilmington. In 1869 he was honorably dis- charged from the service, and after some months working at his trade in San Francisco, Sacra-

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

mento and Marysville, returned to his home in Iowa.

Shortly after his arrival there he established the Malcolm Gazette, which he later consoli- dated with the Montezuma Republican, and for the next three years conducted one of the most successful newspaper enterprises of that section. In 1873 he located at Des Moines, Iowa, and was engaged as one of the editors and publislı- ers of the Iowa State Journal, until 1876. In that year he went to Denver, Colorado, and es- tablished a job printing office, and also estab- lished and published the Colorado Law Re- porter. Mr. Pierson spent about eight years in that city, and while there was identified with inany of the enterprises and speculative " booms" so intimately connected with the building of that wonderful city. He experienced the usual suc- cessess and also reverses, and in 1884 decided to seek a home in Southern California. In that year he came to Los Angeles, and a year later located in Riverside. After a year in the latter place, he purchased from J. H. Roe a one-half interest in the Valley Echo, and was engaged in the publication of that paper until December, 1888, when the firm of Holmes, Roe & Pierson was formed, and he assumed the position of business manager in the publication of River- side's leading paper. Mr. Pierson is not only a practical printer, well versed in the details of his calling, but is a first-class business man as well, and much of the success of the enterprise is justly attributed to his able management. In political matters he is a Republican, ard stanchi in his support of the principles of that party. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and steward of the same. He is also a member and secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association of Riverside, and of the fraternal societies; he is also a member of the Masonic order and United Workmen.

Mr. Pierson was married in 1871, wedding Miss Louise P. Marshall, a native of Illinois, and their children are: Perley C., Ethel and Roy M. Mrs. Pierson's parents were Jephtha H. and Mary M. (Condit) Pierson. His father was a

native of New Jersey, and an early settler in the Western States, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was a veteran of the war of the Rebellion, having served with distinction in the Twenty eighth Regiment, Iowa Volunteers. Mr. Pierson's mother was born and reared in New York.

AMES M. DRAKE is one of Riverside's representative and well-known business men, and has for years been the treasurer of the city, which responsible and important office he fills with honor and credit to himself and the municipality whose interests he so ably guards, Although not a pioneer of Riverside, her history would be incomplete without a fit- ting mention of Mr. Drake's eight or ten years' association with her interests.

He is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and dates his birth April 12, 1837. His parents were Charles and Mahala J. (Jeter) Drake. His father was a native of Virginia, a descendant of one of the old colonial families. Mr. Drake was reared in Louisville until the age of twelve years. At that time the death of his mother occurred and his father then moved to Marshall, Clark County, Illinois. After a residence of four years in that place the family moved to Naslı- ville, Tennessee. Mr. Drake terminated his school days in the public schools of that city and then returned to Louisville and started in life by learning the trade of an upholsterer and house-furnisher. He then established himself in Shelbyville, Kentucky, where he remained until early in 1858, when he established an upholstering and honse-furnishing business in Huntsville, Alabama. He was successfully conducting his enterprise when the secession movement and the formation of the Confederate government plunged his State into the civil war. Mr. Drake was not a secessionist, nor did lie believe that success would ever crown the efforts of the Southern leaders in disrupting the Union of the States, but he was a Southern man by

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

birth and his fortunes were cast with his State. He was too manly to shirk the issue, and too brave to shrink from the support of his people upon the field of battle. He felt compelled to enter the war, and in 1862 he entered the Con- federate army in Ward's Battery as a Corporal. He was distinguished for his gallant service and was promoted and received a Lieutenant's com- mission. He served faithfully throughout the war and was engaged in many of the hard-fought battles. His battery was for a long time serv- ing in the Army of the Tennessee under General Johnston, and later in the Department of Mo- bile, and participated in the battles of Resaca, Marietta, Kenesaw, Peach-Tree creck, Corinth, Jonesboro, Atlanta, Shelby, and many others.

The close of the war terminated his service, and in May, 1865, he returned to his home in Alabama. His business was destroyed and he was financially ruined. He accepted the situ- ation and went bravely to work in building up and establishing a new era in the Sonth. He employed himself as a clerk in mercantile houses, and theu in business on his own account. In 1872 he moved to Scottsboro, and engaged in the hotel business as the proprietor of the well- known Harris Hotel. He spent nearly ten years in that business, and in 1881 decided to seck a home in California. In that year he came to Riverside, and in February, 1882, established himself in business as a bookseller and stationer un Main street. This was the first bookstore ever opened in Riverside. He started in busi- ness with limited resources, but he met a mnuch needed want of the community, and his straight- forward and honest dealing gained him their patronage and support, and he gradually in- creased and enlarged his business until at this writing he is at the head of the largest book- selling and stationery establishment-with but one exception-in San Bernardino County. In June, 1888, Mr. Cundiff entered into partner- ship with Mr. Drake, under the firm name of Drake & Cundiff, since which time the business has been conducted by these gentlemen. Mr. Drake has not confined himself exclusively

to mercantile pursuits. He is the owner of eighty-seven acres of land, six miles east of Riverside, near Box Springs, and has been en- gaged in agricultural and horticultural pursuits. His lands are capable of irrigation from the Bear valley water system, and it is only a ques- tion of time when the increasing demand for orange lands will render it a very valuable property. His residence in the city is located on Tenth street, Franklin Square. He has taken a deep interest in the growth and prosperity of the city, and has ever been a willing and liberal contributor to enterprises that have tended to secure those results. In politics he is, nation- ally, a Democrat, but locally, an independent. In 1886 he was elected City Treasurer. The confidence he inspired and the satisfaction he afforded the community by his honest adminis- tion of the affairs of the office, is best attested by the round majority by which he was re- elected in 1888; was re-elected April 14, 1890. Mr. Drake is a member of the following frater- nal societies of Riverside: Lodge No. 282, and Encampment No. 73, I. O. O. F., Sunnyside Lodge No. 112, Knights of Pythias, and the uniform rank of the same order, and also a mem- ber of the Knights of Honor. He has for many years been a consistent member of the Metli- odist Church.

February 4, 1859, Mr. Drake married Miss Maria A. Jones, a native of Alabama. There is but one child living from this union,-John R., who is a resident of Riverside, engaged in ranching upon lands at Box Springs. The fourth child, Engene C., was known in Riverside. He died in that city August 12, 1888, at the age of twenty-two years.

ONALD W. McLEOD is one of the prom- inent and well-known citizens of River- side and has been identified with many of the leading public enterprises of the colony for the decade of years preceding 1890. Mr. McLeod is a native of Nova Scotia, born at Scotsburn,

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

Pictou County, November 18, 1841. His par- ents, Duncan R. and Annie (Fraser) McLeod, were of Scotch descent. Mr. McLeod was reared upon his father's farm, and early in life became familiar with the practical duties of farm life. He was given the advantages of a good ednca- tion, and at nineteen years of age graduated at the Provincial Normal School at Truro. He then-engaged in teaching, and later entered the Dalhousie University at Halifax. Young and ambitions he entered heartily upon his college course, but over-work and a too close application to his studies resulted in physical prostration, and in 1863 his ill health compelled an aban- donment of his university studies. He then decided to try his fortunes in the United States, and in that year located in New York city, where he entered into mercantile life; but again his health gave way, and he became convinced that not only a change of occupation but also a complete change of climate was necessary. In 1867 he came to the Pacific coast and located in San Francisco, and for the next seven years was associated with and held a position of re- sponsibility and trust in the American Tract Society, and the California Bible Society.

In 1874 Mr. McLeod returned East, and at Fort Wayne, Indiana, married Miss Elizabeth M. Evans, a native of that State. She is the daughter of William Rush Evans, of Kendall- ville, Indiana, and is a niece of S. C. Evans, a prominent and well-known citizen of Riverside. In 1875 Mr. McLeod decided to seek a resi- dence in Southern California. In 1880 he por- chased a twenty-acre tract on Arlington avenue, about three miles south of Riverside village, and engaged in horticultural pursuits. He has been noticeably successful in that enterprise, having one of the representative orange groves of Riverside. He has fifteen acres in budded orange trees and four acres in raisin grapes. His trees and vines are remarkable for their magnificent proportions and prolific yield, and his orange grove, when it reaches its full bear- ing, is destined to be one of the most profitable in the colony. Mr. McLeod has built up a

beautiful and comfortable home, surrounded with shade and ornamental trees and flowers, which leaves little to be desired in completing a model California home. Nor has he neglected the practical improvements, as his well ordered ontbuildings, packing house, etc., sufficiently attest. He is a thoroughly trained business man as well as a sucessful horticulturist.

In 1880 he was appointed secretary of the Riv- erside Land and Irrigating Company, and held the position until Angust, 1882, when sickness compelled his resignation. June 4, 1887, he was again appointed to the position and has held the office since that date. He is also a director of the company and is a director and secretary of the Riverside Land Company.

Mr. McLeod has throughout his life been a consistent Christian. He is a member and an elder of the Presbyterian Church of Arlington, and in 1883 and 1888 was sent as a delegate from the Los Angeles presbytery to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. In political matters he is a sound Republican and has taken his share of work in the ranks of his party as a delegate to county conventions, etc. He is a member of Templar Lodge, No. 17, I. O. O. F., of San Francisco. As a public-spirited citizen, a kind neighbor, and an honest man, he well merits the respect and estcem awarded him, and is a desirable ac- quisition to Riverside.

AMUEL C. PINE, for over thirty years has been a resident, and identified with the varied interests, of San Bernardino County. He is now engaged in general farm- ing operations upon 160 acres of productive land located in Chino Township, Chino school district, fonr miles south and east of Chino. In 1867 Mr. Pine purchased a squatter's claim to this land, which was then in its wild and un- cultivated state. He spent years in litigation with grant claimants, but finally secured his Government patent. The first year of his oc

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

cupancy he devoted his attention to stock-grow- ing, but later commenced a system of general farming that has been successful and remuner- ative. He has a vineyard of ten acres of raisin grapes of the Muscat variety; also several va- rieties of table grapes; ten acres of orchard which produces a fine variety of peaches, ap- ples, plums, apricots, pears, figs, prunes, nectar- ines, etc. His soil and climate seem well adapted to the successful growing of deciduous fruits. The remainder of his lands is devoted to hay, grain and stock. Of the latter he raises good grade stoek of cattle and Norman draft horses. He is a successful farmer and an il- lustration of what energy and enterprise, com- bined with sound sense and business habits will do when applied to the lands of Rineon valley. Mr. Pine can well be styled a pioneer of San Ber- nardino County, and a brief review of his life is of interest. He dates his birth in St. Law- rence County, New York, July 30, 1825. His great-grandfather, Joseph Pine, was a native of Italy who emigrated to the Massachusetts colo- nies before the Revolutionary war. He was one of the thirteen patriots that fired the first volley at the historic battle of Lexington, and later was commissioned as an officer in the con- tinental army, and served gallantly throughout the years of the Revolutionary war. Mr. Pine's father, Joseph Pine, was a native of Boston, Massachusetts, but in early life located in New York, and for nearly forty years was connected with the educational interests of that State as a teacher and professor in various colleges. He married Miss Delia Winna, a native of that State. In 1833 the parents of the subject of this sketeh moved to Ohio and located in what is now Lake County, and there engaged in farm- ing. Mr. Pine was reared to that calling. In 1847 he went to Quincy, Illinois, and engaged in the lumber business until 1850. In that year le fitted out a train and crossed the plains to the South pass of the Rocky mountains in Wyoming Territory. There he established a trading station and also engaged in stock-grow- ing. Mr. Pine spent about eight years in the

mountains as a trader, stock-raiser and miner. In 1858 he came to San Bernardino County, and located about fifteen miles east of the county seat, where he engaged in stock business. In 1861-'62 he built a Inmber mill in Little Bear valley, twenty-five miles northeast of San Bernardino. This was the pioneer mill of that section. He was engaged in that enterprise until 1865 and then settled on Little creek in the dairy business, after which he spent a year on the Jurnpa ranch in stock business, and thence to his present residence.

Mr. Pine's long residence and varied inter- ests, have gained him a large cirele of friends and acquaintances in the county, by whom he is respected and esteemed. He is a member of San Bernardino Lodge, No. 146, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a consistent Republican. He has for years held the position of school trustee of his district. In Utah, in 1855, Mr. Pine married Miss Jane Morrison, a native of Buť- falo, New York, the daughter of Jolin and Ellen Morrison. From this union there are five children, viz .: Samuel, who married Miss Bea- trice Gregory; Edward, who married Miss El- len Walkinshaw; Edwin, Myron and Dudley. Samuel and Edwin are residents of San Diego County, and the other children are residing in San Bernardino County.

LEXANDER KEIR, JR., a farmer near San Bernardino, is a Scotchman, and was born in Glasgow. His father, Alexander Keir, Sr., was a coal miner, and was born in Scotland, in 1815. His mother, Marion (King) Keir, was born in Scotland in 1814. They came to this country in 1848 and stopped at St. Lonis. They had eight children, the subject of this sketeh being the third. The oldest, William, was scalded to death in Scotland; one sister, Elizabeth, died of cholera in St. Louis, in 1849; the youngest sister, Espy, was bitten by a snake. In 1850 Mr. Keir crossed the plains with an ox team and cows from Salt Lake, in a train con-

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

sisting of ten wagons, which was called the " Scotchi train." They tarried two years at Ce- dar City, 250 miles south of Salt Lake, and left there September 15, 1853, for California, where they arrived November 15, of the same year. Mr. Keir took up a piece of what he thought was Government land in Los Angeles County, but was obliged to surrender it later to Mr. Workman. In 1854 he came to San Bernardino Connty and bought twelve acres on Base Line, one mile east of San Bernardino, at $15.50 per acre. He now owns a fine tract of 100 acres, devoted to fruit, vegetables and general farm products; he also owns a valuable property on Third and D streets, and his father owns val- uable property on Second street, Santa Monica.

Mr. Keir was married in 1869, to Miss Mary Parrish, a native of Iowa, the daughter of Ezra Parrish, of New York State. They have seven children: William, Mary, Sherman, John King, Frank, Robert and Ida Gertrude. Mr. Keir is an active worker in the interests of the Demo- cratic party. He is enthusiastic and methodi- cal, and generally brings his man through. Socially he is a Mason and an I O. O. F.

RANK PETCHNER is one of Riverside's pioneer settlers. He arrived in Riverside in December, 1870. and has ever since been identified with her interests and enterprises. Mr. Petchner had spent many years in frontier life in the Territories, and had been engaged in mercantile and mining enterprises, and had made and lost fortunes; but when he located at Riv- erside he was withont means, and dependent for the support of his family upon such labor as could be obtained. He was a blacksmith and opened a blacksmith shop on the corner of Sixth and Main streets; he also bought a block of land bounded by Sixth and Seventh and Almond and Chestnut streets; and later purchased other lots on Market street. The first brick residence in the city was built by Mr. Petchner in 1875, on his block of land. The first year or two he

worked at any labor that offered, as there was not a demand sufficient to occupy his time at his trade. He also improved his land by the planting of citrus and deciduous fruit trees. In 1874 he entered into partnership with Samuel Alder, and established a carriage-making and blacksmith shop on Main street. This enter- prise was a success, and, under tbe able manage- ment of these gentlemen, became one of the leading industries of the colony. Mr. Petch- ner was engaged in that business until 1884, when sickness compelled a retirement from labor and active business pursuits. Since that time he has been engaged in the care of his real-estate interests and horticultural pursuits. He has made many building improvements in the city, and is the owner of a fine residence on Market street, and also several cottages. He has been a very liberal man in supporting the various public enterprises of Riverside. Upon the or- ganization of the Citrus Fair Association, Mr. Petchuer and his partner donated to that organ- ganization the valuable lot on the corner of Seventh and Main streets, upon which now stands the Loring Opera House block, and also was a large contributor toward the Y. M. C. A. building. He is a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 282, I. O. O. F., and Star Encampment, No. 73, of the same order; he is also a member of Riverside Post, No. 118, G. A. R., and the Vet- eran Association of Colorado.

The few facts gathered regarding the life of Mr. Petchner are of interest and forcibly illus- trate those traits of industry and honesty, his characteristics, so well known to his circle of friends and acquaintances. He was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1839. His parents were Gotleib and Rosanna (Eichler) Petchner, both uatives of that country. His father was a me- chanic, a brick 'nason by trade, and reared his children to labor. Mr. Petchner was given the advantages of a schooling in the public schools until fourteen years of age, and then appren- ticed to a blacksmith. The death of his father in 1855, left him entirely dependent upon him- self and in 1856 he determined to seek the

James Boyd

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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.

new world. In that ycar he came to the United States, and shortly after landing in New York proceeded to Pittsburg. There he readily found employment at his trade, and also devoted his attention to mechanical engineering, and later was employed as an assistant engineer on the Mississippi river steamers. In the spring of 1860 he found himself at St. Joseph, Missouri, and decided to try his fortunes in the mines of Colorado. He accordingly went to Pike's Peak and spent the summer in mining, after which he located in Denver and worked at his trade, In 1861 he entered the military service of the United States as a private of the First Colorado Battery, and served his term of enlistment, re- ceiving an honorable discharge. In 1863 he continucd his westward march and located in Virginia City, Montana. There he estab- lished a bakery and confectionery store, and a bakery in Helena, and also engaged in mining enterprises. He was among the pioneer busi- ness men in those cities, and was successful in adding by thousands to his world's goods. It was in the day of high prices. Mr. Petchner states that he has paid $150 a sack for flour, and other necessaries of life in proportion. This was in the winter of 1865-'66. In the spring of 1866 he went to Fort Benton and purchased $20,000 worth of flour at $25 per sack and shipped it to his city. It was a year of high water, and steamer after steamer dumped its cargo of general merchandise in the Territory. Flour fell to $5 per sack and even lower, and he was financially ruined. Nothing daunted, he closed up his business, meeting all obliga- tions, and in 1868 located at Green River, Wyo- ming, and there established himself at his trade. He sold that in the summer of 1870, and decid- ing to try his fortunes in Southern California he caine via Salt Lake City, overland to San Bernardino, and thence to Riverside.

Mr. Petchner married , in 1863, Miss Annie ()'Connor, a native of Ireland. She died in 1878, leaving four children, viz .: Carrie, Charles, William and Lonis. His second marriage took place in 1883. when he married Mrs. Mary 89

Murphy. There are no children by this mar- riage, but Mrs. Petchuer has one son living from her former marriage: Thomas Murphy, who is a member of Mr. Petchner's household.

AMES BOYD, a pioneer of Riverside, came to the colony in 1872, all his worldly gouds consisting of a farm team of four horses, four cows, a lot of chickens and a few household effects, and eight dollars in cash; but he had a reserve capital of health, energy, intelligence, and a determination to succeed. He secured a squatter's claim to seventy-three acres of land about two miles north of Riverside, and later an adjoining tract of eighty acres, upon which he camped with his family, his only shelter being a shanty 10 x 10, devoid of protection from the scorching sun and sand storms. Their modest cook stove was in the open air, and all the cooking was done in the morning to avoid the heat of the mid-day sun. Their inid day repast was served cold, but the necessary heating of tea, coffee and even edibles, was accomplished by setting the receptacles containing them upon the fireless stove in the open air; it was rare, indeed, that the fierce rays of the sun had not generated heat, that the storage qualities of that old stove rendered sufficient to bring water nearly to the boiling point. Mr. Boyd planted the seed of the eucalyptus, surrounding his home with those trees. Their growth seems marvel- OU+; careful measurement taken in 1889 showed one of these trees, seventeen years old from the seed, nearly 150 feet in height and eleven feet four inches in circumference, measured four feet from its base. In the spring of 1873 Mr. Boyd commenced the planting of nursery stock, citrus trees, decidnous fruit trees and grape-vines. A large portion of his land is devoted to general farming and stock-growing; he also engaged in jobbing work, teaming, etc. He entered heart- ily into public improvements, road building, etc. He served for a term or more as road master, and during that time the first two and a

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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