Historical and biographical record of southern California; containing a history of southern California from its earliest settlement to the opening year of the twentieth century, Part 107

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman pub. co.
Number of Pages: 1366

USA > California > Historical and biographical record of southern California; containing a history of southern California from its earliest settlement to the opening year of the twentieth century > Part 107

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In Houlton, Me., Mr. Gidney married Miss Clara M. Jones, who was born in Hodgdon, that state. They have four children: Ray M., who is a graduate of the Santa Barbara Business Col- lege, at fourteen years of age; Harry D., Lucy M., and Pearl C.

Since coming to Santa Barbara Mr. Gidney has been affiliated with the Odd Fellows and is past noble grand of the lodge. He is also a past officer of the Foresters. In politics he is independent. From 1892 to 1894 he was a mem- ber of the city council, where he served as chair- man of the finance committee, and, during the absence of Mayor Gaty, he served as acting mayor for eight months.

LUCIUS DARWIN GATES, owner and pro- prietor of the Santa Barbara foundry and ma- chine works, also of the South Side water works, was born in Valparaiso, Ind., January 18, 1864, a son of Lorison L. and Nancy (Ingrham) Gates. His paternal grandfather, Rev. Lorison Gates, was born in New York, of English descent, and at an early age settled in Ohio, thence removing to Indiana, where he gave his active life to the ministry of the Christian Church. He is still living, and is now about ninety years of age. Lorison L. Gates, who was born in Ohio, be- came a farmer in Indiana, but in 1875 he took his family to Butte county, Cal., where he fol- lowed farming. Two years later he located at Los Alamos, where he bought and conducted a ranch, and here he died in 1888. His wife, the mother of our subject, was the daughter of Scotch parents that lived in Rensselaer county, Ind., and her father was killed in battle during the Civil war; she died in Indiana when Lucius D., the older of her two sons, was six years of age. The latter, in 1875, came to California with his father and settled in Santa Barbara county in 1877, but two years later went to San Francisco, where he began to learn the machin- ist's trade in the Pacific rolling mills. Next he became an apprentice in the Sacramento foundry, where he became an expert machinist and tool- maker, remaining there from 1880 to 1884. On account of the ill health of his father, he then returned to Santa Barbara county, where he started a machine and repair shop at Los Ala- mos.

November 26, 1886, Mr. Gates located in Santa Barbara, where he erected the machinery for the electric-light plant. In January, 1887, he established a foundry and machine shop at Nos. 711-717 Bath street, and this business he has since conducted. He is now erecting a new

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shop, 50x100 feet, and will put in an additional engine to assist the eighteen-horse now in use. The machinery is modern and fitted for its special purpose. By means of artesian wells, a supply of water has been secured and a pump- ing plant established, which furnishes water for the southern part of the city, and he is owner of these works, as well as the machinery plant. His attention is given closely to his business affairs, and he takes no interest in fraternal so- cieties, with the exception of the Odd Fellows. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

The marriage of Mr. Gates, in Santa Barbara, united him with Miss E. J. Brooks, who was born in New York state. They have six chil- dren, Carrie May, Lucius L., Olive E., Earl I., Ralph B. and Barbara.

MRS. PEDDIE FRANKLIN. A resident of Santa Barbara since 1870, Mrs. Franklin was born in Rehoboth, Mass., near Providence, R. I., February 13, 1825, and was one of ten children, all but one of whom attained mature years and five are now living. Her father, Noah Bliss, was a son of Noah and Peddie (Cushman) Bliss, and a grandson of Noah Bliss, a descendant of English ancestors who became early set- tlers of the Massachusetts colony and bore a brave part in all of the Indian wars. These three men who bore the same name were born in the same locality in Massachusetts and engaged in farm work. The father was eighty- eight at the time of his death. He had married Olive Medberry, whose father, Abel Medberry, took part in the Revolutionary war when a mere boy. He was of English descent, as was also his wife, whose family name was Carpenter. At the time of her death Mrs. Bliss was seventy- four years of age.

When about fifteen years of age the subject of this article secured employment in Pawtucket, R. I., and during a larger part of the eight en- cuing years she was employed in the weaving department. In 1848, at Rehoboth, Mass., she became the wife of William A. Franklin, who was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., and received an excellent education in Cazenovia Seminary. For some years he engaged in edu- cational work, for which his education and his tastes admirably fitted him. The year after his marriage he bought a farm in Seekonk, Mass., and became interested in agricultural pursuits. In 1859 he became a resident of Fall River, Mass., where he engaged in the hotel business until 1867. Next he was proprietor of the Park hotel at Newport, R. I.

Disposing of their eastern possessions, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin started for California Janu- ary 5, 1870, making the voyage from New York to Aspinwall via steamer and then on the Old Constitution up the Pacific to San Francisco, where they arrived February 28. Three weeks

later they came to Santa Barbara, and in March bought seventy acres of wild land, on which no effort at improvement had ever been made. This they at once commenced to improve, and from time to time sold off portions of the prop- erty. Mr. Franklin's tastes were toward literary pursuits rather than commercial affairs, so he gave into his wife's hands the management of much of his business interests, having found her to be possessed of wise judgment, excellent dis- crimination and keen intuition. It is therefore largely to her energy that her present prosperity is due. In addition to her interests in the west, she still has capital invested in the vicinity of her old home. She aided in organizing the Tecum- seh Manufacturing Company of Fall River, Mass., and was also one of the organizers of the Mechanics' Manufacturing Company, of the same city. Since the death of her husband, which occurred August 17, 1898, she has con- tinued to reside at her comfortable home on Franklin avenue, Santa Barbara, where she is surrounded by all the comforts that her busi- ness judgment and industry have rendered pos- sible. Her life, however, has not been without its sorrows, and she has been especially bereaved in the loss of all of her children. Her daughter, Isabelle M., was only four years of age when called hence by death. The only son, William Arthur, was a young man of great promise and received excellent educational advantages, grad- uating from the Albany Law School with the degree of LL.B. Returning to Santa Barbara, he began the practice of his profession, and was already known as a promising attorney and a rising orator when, in 1876, he died at the age of less than twenty-two years. The youngest member of the family circle was Annabel Euge- nia, who was twenty years of age at the time of her death.

J. B. EASON. The popular hostelry owned and managed by Mr. Eason at Nordhoff is a credit to the town and to the taste and enterprise of the host. A favorite stopping place for the tourist and commercial traveler, all are here treated with the utmost tact and consideration. their roonis are well cared for to the point of absolute neatness, and the inner man is satisfied with the viands furnished. The hotel has thirty available rooms, and the price of $2 and $3 per day is very reasonable when the character of the accommodations is considered.

The family of which Mr. Eason is a member have for years been residents of Mississippi, and worthy and successful farmers. J. B. Eason was born in that southern state, October 20, 1860, and grew to manhood and received his common- school education there. While living there he married Emma, daughter of William and Jennie Reaves, also of Mississippi. In 1884 he deter- mined to seek a change of location and occupa-

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tion, impelled to the change by the illness of his wife and children. He therefore settled in Nordhoff, Cal., where he remained for a year, going then to Santa Paula, where he engaged in the meat business, and resided on an orange ranch in the lower Ojai valley. From this line of industry he branched out into the hotel business, and has since been the proprie- tor of the Ojai Inn.

To Mr. and Mrs. Eason have been born five children: Pearl, Reaves, May, Tressie and Wal- ter. Mr. Eason is the friend .and advocate of education, and is giving his children every pos- sible advantage. Pearl, the oldest, is now attend- ing high school, and the other children will enjoy a similar opportunity. Mr. Eason is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presiden- tial vote for Grover Cleveland. He is asso- ciated fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America.

S. J. EDWARDS. Near Land's End, Corn- wall, England, S. J. Edwards was born May 14, 1846, a son of William and Elizabeth (Roach) Edwards, natives of England, the former of Welsh descent. After having learned the build- er's trade under his father, in 1865 he crossed the ocean to Halifax county, Nova Scotia, and the following year settled in Jersey City, N. J., where with two partners he engaged in sewer contracting for five years. During the '70s he settled in Lowell, Mass., where he was foreman under the street superintendent in the contract- ing of the city sewers and other city improve- ments. Later he became superintendent of the work, but resigned to accept a similar position in Lawrence, Mass., where he remained three years. For a year he was superintendent in the construction of the water works in South Shore, Quincy and Cohasset, Mass. In 1887 he came to California, settling in Pasadena, where he was a pioneer in sewer building and was su- perintendent in the laying of the first pipe and sewer in the city system. The close of the boom brought a cessation in all improvements, and he then went to Utah, where he was engaged in the construction of the water works and reservoir of Salt Lake City. Returning to Pasadena after a year, he worked for the North Pasadena Land and Water Company, and later was with J. DeBarth Shorb for two years. With Hughes & Meyer, in 1893, he became interested in the construction of the Los Angeles outfall sewer as foreman of construction on the two sections, which proved a most important and responsible work, but was successfully com- pleted.

As a member of the firm of Hughes & Ed- wards, the senior partner being J .B. Hughes, Mr. Edwards engaged in sewer building and cement work in Pasadena, Los Angeles and other places, the two men continuing together

until 1899. In the fall of 1900 the firm of Ed- wards & Halloway was organized, since which time they have engaged in street grading, sewer building and cement work. While living in Massachusetts he married Miss Edna Bryant. who was born in New Hampshire. They have two sons, William Bryant and Albert E., both of Pasadena. While in Halifax Mr. Edwards was miade a Mason, later transferring his member- ship successively to Jersey City, Lowell and Pasadena. He joined the Royal Arch in Jersey City, and is now connected with Crown Chapter No. 72, R. A. M., of Pasadena, in which he is past high priest. Since coming to Pasadena he has joined the commandery, in which he is cap- tain-general. In Temple Lodge of Perfection he is senior warden, in Rose Croix Council served as junior warden, and is master of cere- monies in the Temple of Kodosch, thirtieth de- gree. Besides these various degrees of Ma- sonry, he is connected with Eastern Star, and his wife is worthy matron of the order. Both are members of the Amarath and in religious asso- ciations are identified with the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In politics he is a Republican.

WILLIAM BRYANT EDWARDS. Since 1887 a resident of Pasadena, W. B. Edwards was born in Lowell, Mass., December 12, 1875, and was therefore almost twelve years of age when he accompanied his father, S. J. Edwards, to California. His education was completed in the Pasadena high school, after which he studied architecture in this city, later going east, where he was a student and working in offices. Since then he has followed the occupation of architect and superintendent of building, and his work is of such a character that there are constant de- mands upon him for contracts by those who recognize his superior ability and unusual attain- ments. In the designing of residences he has displayed great taste and skill, his plans combin- ing utility, convenience and beauty. Among the houses which he has designed are some of the most beautiful now to be seen in this fair city of the west, which boasts the possession of homes than which no handsomer can be found in any American city. In the building up of the city, by the establishment of a high standard of architecture, he has borne an important part. It is his aim to select and originate designs which will be in harmony with the environment, so that the fair-smiling valley, the grand old moun- tains and the homes themselves may all pre- sent an harmonious aspect to the visitor and resident, and thus make of the city an abode of beauty that, in the providence of God, "will be a joy forever."

Besides his ability as an architect Mr. Ed- wards possesses considerable musical taste, is himself a fine tenor singer, and now officiates as leader of the choir in the Baptist Church. In

JohnAdams.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Pasadena he married Miss Jessie Linola Bald- win, who was born in Iowa. Fraternally he is connected with Pasadena Lodge No. 272, F. & A. M., and has been raised to the degrees of chapter, council and Temple Lodge of Perfec- tion, of all of which he acts as organist.

HON. JOHN ADAMS. The genealogy of Mr. Adams of Pasadena indicates his descent from one of the F. F. V's. His father, John, and grandfather, Zachariah Adams, were natives of the Old Dominion and served respectively in the war of 1812 and the Revolutionary struggle. For many years the father carried on a farm near Somerset, Pulaski county, Ky., but finally retired from active cares to enjoy the comforts accumulated by a long life of toil. At the time of his death he was almost ninety years of age. His wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter of Hezekiah Clemmons, a soldier from Virginia in the Revolutionary war and descended from one of the oldest families of that state. She was born there and died in Kentucky. Of the nine chil- dren comprising the family John alone survives. One of the brothers, Charles, was a soldier in the Mexican war and died while at the front with the army.

At the family homestead in Pulaski county, Ky., John Adams was born June 1, 1819. When fifteen years of age he accompanied an older brother to Rush county, Ind., where relatives resided, and there he remained for two years. From Indiana, in company with the same brother, he went to Illinois, making the journey by ox-team and passing through Chicago dur- ing the year (1837) when the name of Fort Dearborn was replaced by that now in use. Reaching Winnebago county, the brother squatted on land which he afterwards entered when it came into market near Trask Ferry and with him our subject remained until 1840, when he crossed the line to Wisconsin. For a time he was interested in mining and merchandising at Dodgeville, and from there removed to West Blue Mound (generally known as Pokerville), Wis., where he was the first merchant and the first stock dealer. Chicago was the nearest market and he was accustomed to drive several hundred head of cattle to that point, two hun- dred miles distant, bringing the cash back with him. When he first bought goods in New York, checks and drafts were not in vogue and he was obliged to carry gold, at one time having $9,000 in gold on an eastern trip. The goods pur- chased did not reach their destination until three months after shipment, being in early days sent via the Mississippi to Galena and hauled from there; while later they came via canal and lake to Milwaukee, and thence by teams.

Removing to Black Earth, Wis., in 1863, Mr. Adams opened a general store and also began to deal in stock and grain. The railroad had just been completed and had given the town an

incentive to progress previously unknown. In 1868 he was elected to the state legislature of Wisconsin and was re-elected in 1869 and 1870, serving with conspicuous fidelity and intelli- gence. During 1874 and 1875 he served as sheriff of Dane county, filling the position with such ability that, had the state law permitted re-election to the office, he would undoubtedly have been chosen to succeed himself. In 1882 and 1883 he was a member of the state senate representing the twenty-sixth senatorial district, during which time the law was changed to biennial sessions. After 1875 he no longer en- gaged in mercantile pursuits, but concentrated his attention upon the buying and selling of farm lands, owning more land than any other property holder of Dane and Iowa counties, Wis. In addition he had farms in Iowa. As long as he remained in Wisconsin he was prom- inent in the Democratic party, assisting in state committee and convention work, and aiding in many ways the progress of his party. Decem- ber 24, 1890, he came to California, and now owns and occupies a comfortable home at No. 619 North Madison avenue, where he has well- kept grounds and two acres in fruit.

In Dodgeville, Wis., in December, 1846, oc- curred the marriage of John Adams and Miss Eliza Blanchard, who was born in Cortland county, N. Y., January 19, 1832, and grew to womanhood in Wisconsin. One of her brothers, Alvin Blanchard, was the founder of Blanchard- ville. Her father, Asahel Blanchard, settled on a farm near Dodgeville in an early day and some years afterward was accidentally killed in a run- away accident. Nine children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Adams, and five of these are living. Charles died at Black Earth, Wis., and George in Colorado Springs, Colo., while two died in infancy. Those surviving are Alva, John, Jr., Frank, Elizabeth and William H., all residents of Colorado except the daughter, who is with her parents in Pasadena. John, Jr., is an extensive cattleman in the San Juan country; Frank, also a large rancher, is now president of the fire and police board in Denver; William H., who has large cattle interests in the San Juan country, represented that district in the state legislature one term and for the past fourteen years has been a member of the state senate. Perhaps the most distinguished member of the family is Hon. Alva Adams, ex-governor of Colorado, who was born in Wisconsin May 14, 1850, and has made his home in Colorado since 1871. His first work there was hauling ties from the mountains south of Denver for the building of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, then in process of construction. Later he be- came a hardware merchant in Colorado Springs, in which he has been engaged much of the time since at different points, now being located at Pueblo, Colo. In 1876 he was elected from Rio Grande county to the state legislature; in 1886

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was elected governor, and again, in 1896, was the successful candidate for that high office, be- ing one of very few governors who have re- ceived re-election at the hands of the people. As chief executive he was noted for his careful oversight of the state's finances, his close ex- amination of every bill demanding an appro- priation and his prompt rejection of such as were not wholly praiseworthy. The high char- acter of his two administrations won him honor in his own state and elsewhere, and he is recognized as one of Colorado's most emi- nent men.

ALDEN R. DODWORTH. For several generations the Dodworth family was identified with the manufacturing interests of Sheffield, England, where various representatives en- gaged in the manufacture of cutlery, the princi- pal product of that old town. From there Thomas Dodworth brought his family to America and settled in New York City, where, with his four sons, he organized the first suc- cessful and well-known band in the city. There are still living those who can recall the Dod- worth band as the favorite at all leading social and political functions. Upon the death of the organizer of the band its leadership fell to the hands of his son, Allen, a native of Sheffield, England, and the inheritor of pronounced mu- sical ability. In conjunction with this work, he organized and conducted the Dodworth dan- cing school on Broome street, it being the first institution of the kind in New York City. Among his pupils were the children of many social leaders, and some of those whom he taught the art of the muse Terpsichore have themselves since become prominent in the most aristocratic circles of the country. He contin- ued at the head of this school until his death, in 1896, at the age of seventy-eight years. Since then the institution has been continued by rela- tives, and is now conducted by a nephew, T. George Dodworth, and a grandson, Arthur Dodworth, the present headquarters being at No. 13 East Forty-ninth street, between Madi- son and Fifth avenues.

The wife of Allen Dodworth was Calanthe E. Raymond, who was born in Westchester county, N. Y., the daughter of a pioneer mer- chant of New York City, and is now making her home in Ocean Park, Cal. Of her two children, A. R. is a resident of Pasadena, Cal., and Frank is proprietor of a dancing school in Brooklyn, N. Y. The older of these sons, who forms the subject of this article, was born at the family residence on Broome street, New York, July 16, 1842. When a boy he attended gram- mar school No. 42, on Greenwich avenue, and the knowledge there obtained was supplemented by study in the University of the City of New York, from which he was graduated. At the

opening of the Civil war he was a member of Company E, Seventh New York state militia, which was mustered into the government serv- ice and sent to Baltimore, thence to Frederick City, and supported the Second Rhode Island Battery in the battle of Gettysburg. During the riots in New York they were called back to the city, where they aided in quelling the disturbance, and were then honorably dis- charged.

Mr. Dodworth went to the oil regions around Oil Creek in 1865 and for nine and one-half years he successfully engaged in the oil busi- ness, abandoning the same only on account of its injurious effect upon his health. During that time he became known as one of the most scientific and expert producers in the region, and the high degree of success which he at- tained was justly merited through his intelligent supervision and indomitable energy. Believing that the climate of North Carolina would prove beneficial to his health, he bought land and set out a vineyard at Ridgeway, that state, where he remained five and one-half years, meantime cultivating his sixty acres of vines. For the three and one-half years ensuing he made his headquarters in Cologne, Europe, meantime traveling all over the continent and into the British possessions, visiting points of historic interest and studying the various governments and peoples. On his return to the United States he remained for a time in New York City and East Orange, N. J., after which, in 1889, seeking a location that would combine beauty of scenery with perfection of climate, he came to Pasadena, Cal., which is his present home. Here he erected a residence on Terrace Drive and West Colorado avenue, invested in real estate and improved various properties. In 1901 he completed the Dodworth block, which is the finest building of its kind in the city, and contains all modern improvements and appliances. To its other advantages it adds that of a central location, on the corner of Colo- rado and Fair Oaks avenue. The building, 58x100, is of white pressed brick, finished in quartered oak, and is five stories in height, con- taining five store rooms and forty-two offices, the service in which is rendered first-class by means of an electric elevator. Besides his Pasa- dena interests he owns stock in various mining properties in Southern California, notable among these being his interest in the American Girl and American Boy property at Ogilby, on the Southern Pacific road.

The marriage of Mr. Dodworth united him with Miss Sarah Sutherland, who was born and reared in New York City. They are the par- ents of four children: Florence, of Pasadena; Cally, wife of C. B. Scoville, of Chicago; Lil- lian, who married E. J. Pyle, assistant cashier of the Pasadena National Bank; and Arthur

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Allen, who is connected with the Dodworth Dancing School in New York City. Excep- tional advantages were given to the daughters and son, not only through their attendance at New York schools, but also through their studies and travels abroad.

Under the influence of his father, who was a stanch old-line Democrat, Mr. Dodworth was reared in a belief of that party's principles, and he has never ceased to support them in national elections. However, in local matters he be- lieves the standing and character of the candi- date to be of more importance than his opin- ions concerning tariff, imperialism, currency and other national issues, hence he is inclined to be independent in municipal elections. Dur- ing his residence in Oil City, Pa., he was initi- ated into Masonry, and is now connected with Corona Lodge, F. & A. M., of Pasadena, also the chapter here, and the thirtieth degree Scot- tish Rite.

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Historical and biographical record of southern California; containing a history of southern California from its earliest settlement to the opening year of the twentieth century, Part 107

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918 Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman pub. co. Number of Pages: 1366

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman pub. co.
Number of Pages: 1366