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 108

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

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It is to the citizenship of such men as Mr. Dodworth that Pasadena owes its high stand- ing among the cities of Southern California and its prestige as the home of people of the highest culture and refinement. In many ways, but chiefly through the erection of the finest business block in the city, Mr. Dodworth has promoted the prosperity of the place and en- hanced its importance among neighboring towns. At the same time his honorable course in business, his courteous bearing, and his lib- eral citizenship have given him the confidence of the entire community and a high place in the regard of all his associates.

MRS. MARY G. BANTA-JONES. As one of the pioneers of Pasadena Mrs. Banta-Jones has been intimately associated with and deeply interested in the progress of this popular west- ern city. She was born at Sacket Harbor, N. Y., a daughter of David and Mary (Smith) Hooper, the former born at Sacket Harbor, and the lat- ter near Hartford, Conn. The Hooper family was founded in America by her grandfather, Robert Hooper, an Englishman who settled at Sacket Harbor. From the latter city David Hooper removed to Ohio and spent his last years near Norwalk. While the support of his family was derived from his labors as a tiller of the soil, much of his time was given to min- isterial work and almost every Sunday he preached for some congregation that was too poor to engage a salaried minister. All of his preaching was done gratuitously and for the good of the cause. After his death his wife came to California and died in Pomona. Her parents, Jedediah and Mary Smith, were of New England birth and ancestry; the former fought in the battle of Sacket Harbor and after the Revolution had ended he engaged in farm-

ing near the spot where that historic engage- ment had occurred. In later life he removed to Ohio, where he died near Norfolk.

In the family of Rev. David Hooper there were seven daughters and one son who attained mature years. The latter, Sidney, enlisted in the Union army at the opening of the Civil war, went to the front with his regiment from Ohio, and died in a hospital in Georgia. Only two of the daughters are now living. Mary G. Hooper, who was second among the children, was eight years of age when the family went to Ohio and settled near Norwalk, Huron county. A few years later, while still a mere girl, she became the wife of Isaac Banta, who was born near Amsterdam, N. Y., of a Holland-Dutch family long identified with New York. For many years Mr. Banta not only followed farming on a large scale (owning six farms and employing twenty-two hands), but he also carried on a large contracting business, and afterward con- ducted a hotel in Norwalk. With the hope that California climate would benefit his health, which had become impaired through overwork, he came to Pasadena in 1882. With the aid of Mrs. Banta he started the first hotel in this city and then built the Los Angeles house on the present site of the First National Bank (Fair Oaks and Colorado), continuing as proprietor of this hotel until 1887. While visiting his old home in Norwalk, Ohio, he died in 1888, and his remains were interred there. Of his four children, Mrs. Lucy Pierce of Pasadena is the only survivor, George having died at twenty- three, Jennie at twenty-four and Martha at eighteen years of age. After the death of Mr. Banta his widow erected a beautiful home at No. 408 North Fair Oaks avenue and in it she has since resided. February 13, 1902, she be- came the wife of L. C. Jones, who was born in Deerfield, Franklin county, Mass., a son of Lorenzo W. and Mary Ann (Williams) Jones. His father, who was born in Deerfield and died in South Dakota, followed the carpenter's trade. The Jones family is of Puritan stock and Welsh descent. Mrs. Mary Ann Jones was born at Charter Oak, Conn., daughter of Daniel Wil- liams, and a member of the family made famous by the history of Roger Williams. Her death occurred in Illinois. Of her five sons and one daughter, four sons are now living, Mr. Jones being the third in order of birth. Born in 1835, he remained in Massachusetts until he attained his majority, meantime attending dis- trict schools and Deerfield Academy.

Following the throng of resolute pioneers who were beginning to populate the vast prai- ries of the central west, in 1856 Mr. Jones went to Ogle county, Ill., where he broke a tract of raw prairie land, put up needed buildings, and transformed a wild acreage into a valuable es- tate. After twenty-six years in the same loca-

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tion he removed to Iowa and engaged in the mercantile business at Storm Lake. From there, in 1892, he came to California, where he has since improved an orchard of twenty acres at La Canada, which, in conjunction with a son, he still owns. While living in Ogle county, Ill., he was married at Oregon, that county, to Miss Jane Wadsworth, who was born in Manchester, Ill., and died in Iowa. The six children born of their union are as follows: Mrs. Lettie Way- ler, who died in Minnesota; Herbert R., a trav- eling salesman with headquarters at Minneap- olis; Mrs. Mittie V. Rogers, who died in Los Angeles; Willard F., a business man in Wash- ington; Charles C., who is in partnership with his father in the ownership of the La Canada ranch; and Mrs. Grace E. Little, of Los An- geles. Fraternally Mr. Jones is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically is a firm believer in Republican prin- ciples. Of this party Mrs. Banta-Jones is also a member, and, while not having the right of franchise, has nevertheless wielded considerable influence in the party's behalf. In religious connections she affiliates with the Christian Church, while Mr. Jones is associated with the Methodist Episcopal denomination.

EDWIN CAWSTON. Throughout South- ern California Mr. Cawston is known as the proprietor of the South Pasadena Ostrich farm, while in many parts of the United States his name is known as that of the first importer of the birds to this country. In 1887 he brought fifty-two ostriches from South Africa. The journey was memorable for many reasons, but chiefly on account of its many anxieties and re- sponsibilities. From the time of purchasing the birds the new owner found himself con- fronted by difficulties, among which were the heavy export taxes at Cape Colony. When at- tempting to ship from Natal he was confronted by ironclad freight rules, and finally chartered his own sailing ship and made the voyage in that way. Not only did the trip prove a hard one for the ostriches, but they were also affected by the change of climate, and never thrived under Southern California skies as they had in the sands of South Africa. To-day not one of the fifty-two survives. However, their offspring seemed in no wise injured by the troubles of the parents, but are in every respect as healthy and contented as their cousins in the old world.

During the first eight years Mr. Cawston found the business a constant struggle, as con- siderable experimenting had to be done, and this naturally proved quite costly. Moreover, the climate at Norwalk, where he started his farm, did not prove entirely satisfactory, but since 1895, when he removed to a ten-acre tract at South Pasadena, the fortunes of the business

have improved, and the farm is one of the fa- mous show places of Southern California, al- most all of the tourists from the east now visit- ing here in order to see and study the ostriches. At various times he has experimented in raising flocks elsewhere, but a few experiments in Northern California convinced him that climate was unsuitable. One hundred were sent to Florida, thirty to Hot Springs, Ark., and one thousand to Arizona. These experiments show that Phoenix furnishes the most ideal climate for breeding and raising, and accordingly he keeps a large number there at all times. His latest experiment is especially interesting, be- cause through it ostriches have now been intro- duced into Europe. In 1901 he made arrange- ments to ship forty birds from New York to the south of France, where, January 15, 1902, he opened a farm between Nice and Monte Carlo. As he was the pioneer ostrich-raiser in America, so, too, he was the first to conceive the idea of raising the birds in Europe, and there is every reason to believe that his inde- fatigable energy, thorough knowledge of the business and familiarity with the habits of the birds will enable him to achieve gratifying suc- cess and make of his farm one of the favorite resorts of southern France.

In his work Mr. Cawston has the advantage of cosmopolitan knowledge and wide travel. Of English birth, a graduate of Charterhouse College in London, he is a member of an old English family. His father is a member of the London Stock Exchange, and his brother, George, has been for some years a director in the South African Company, of which the late Cecil Rhodes was the distinguished head. He himself has traveled through much of the world, has gained a broad knowledge of men and nations, and has always kept posted con- cerning international problems. However, his attention is given closely to his chosen occupa- tion, the gaining of success in which has been his ambition and most cherished hope, and it is a matter of gratification to all familiar with his self-sacrificing devotion to the industry that he has now placed it upon a substantial basis and has achieved the success which he justly merits.

WILLIAM TENHAEFF. Although born and reared in another country, Mr. Tenhaeff is a patriotic American and gives loyal alle- giance to our national institutions and the gov- ernment of the United States. With a fervent love for the stars and stripes, he believes that no colors equal in beauty and meaning the red, white and blue. He was born in Prussia, Feb- ruary 9, 1826, being a son of Frederick and Johanne (Osterman) Tenhaeff, natives of Prus- sia and lifelong residents of that kingdom. Of eleven children comprising the family, five are

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living, and two of these have crossed the ocean to America. Following the usual German cus- tom, William was confirmed at fourteen years of age and at the same time left school to take up life's active duties. In 1854 he left his native land, taking passage on a sailing vessel at Rot- terdanı and proceeding to New Orleans, thence up the Mississippi to St. Louis, and from there to La Prairie, Adams county, Ill., where, in 1855, he opened a general store. Within a few years he had built up a profitable trade among the farmers of that section, and, being of an eco- nomical disposition, lie accumulated consider- able property. Meantinie he became well known through his familiarity with public af- lairs, his capacity for leadership, and his high standing among German-Americans. Among the local offices to which he was elected were those of supervisor, township treasurer and school treasurer. A further tribute to his pop- ularity was paid him when the members of his party (Republican) nominated him for the state senate. The district being strongly Demo- cratic, he failed of election, but maintained an excellent record at the polls. In 1865 he re- turned to Prussia in order to attend the cele- bration of the golden wedding of his parents, and enjoyed a pleasant visit with his relatives and former associates. On his return to Amer- ica he relinquished business pursuits and gave his attention entirely to agriculture. Two farms were improved under his supervision, one con- taining two hundred and forty acres and the other two hundred and sixty acres. In addition to the raising of farm products, he made a spe- cialty of stock-raising and shipped large con- signments to the Chicago markets. To provide pasturage for his cattle a large amount of land was necessary, and in this way he utilized at times as much as twelve hundred acres. In 1893 he disposed of his property in Illinois and came to California, where he now makes his home on South Fair Oaks avenue, Pasadena.

The marriage of Mr. Tenhaeff united him with Miss Eva Kaufmann, who was born in Germany, and died in Pasadena March 3, 1900, leaving five children, viz .: Anna, who is with lier father in Pasadena; Mrs. Mary Eisele, of Quincy, Ill .; Alexander, of Pasadena; Leo- pold, who is employed on the Salt Lake Rail- road; and Clara, at home. Mrs. Tenhaeff was a member of the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Tenhaeff is of the Evangelical faith. Since be- coming a citizen of the United States he has always voted the Republican ticket and advo- cated the party's principles. Stanchly in favor of the abolition of slavery, he aided in the work through his membership in the Union League, and no one in his community was more eager than he to encourage the soldier and aid the widows and children of those who fell while fighting for the country.

WILLIAM D. DILWORTH, M. D. The physical ills to which the residents of Oxnard fall heir are skillfully and conscientiously ad- justed by Dr. Dilworth, who has succeeded in building up a large practice extending through- out the entire valley. He was born in Chicago in 1871, and is the eldest child of Benjamin and Alice (McClellan) Dilworth, natives respectively of Ireland and Canada. The father was a con- tractor and builder in Chicago, and before and after the great fire put up many of the large buildings in that city.

When a mere child Dr. Dilworth left Chicago and went to Sterling, Ill., where he received his education, and where he lived until 1887. He then returned to Chicago and entered the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894. The family, in which there were five children, came to California in 1887, and after his graduation Dr. Dilworth joined them at Pasadena. He there engaged in practice for a year with Dr. N. A. Dalrymple, and then located in Hueneme, where he practiced successfully about five years. From there he came to Oxnard in October of 1900, and has already become prominently identified with the professional and other inter- ests of the place. For the convenience of his practice he has constructed a pleasant and well- equipped office in the public square.

January 20, 1900, in Los Angeles, Dr. Dil- worth married Miss Laura M. Dunn, who was born in California and is a daughter of J. M. Dunn. In politics Dr. Dilworth is a Republican, and is fraternally associated with the Masons, which organization he joined in Hueneme. In the estimation of those who know him the doctor is destined for a brilliant professional career, suggested by his close application to the best tenets of medical science, his natural aptitude, and his decided personal qualifications.

BYRON LISK. The Pasadena Milling Company, which was founded by Mr. Lisk in 1889, is one of the leading business houses of the city, and occupies a stone building, 75x170 feet, the plant being operated by a boiler of twenty-five and an engine of fifteen horse- power. The location of the mill is California street and Raymond avenue, and among its products are rolled barley, cracked corn, corn meal, graham flour and feed meal. In the job- bing of local and northern flour an extensive trade has been established. For the conven- ience of shipping a siding lias been built to con- nect with the Santa Fe Railroad. At the time of starting the business, in July, 1889, Mr. Lisk bought out the plant of the old Pasadena Mill- ing Company. Two years later a former part- ner, George P. Lyman, joined him, and they continued together for a time, when a brother of Mr. Lisk bought out Mr. Lyman's interest,

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and the present firm of Lisk Bros. was thus organized.

The Lisk family are of Quaker descent and remote English and German lineage. Israel, son of James Lisk, was born in Albany county, N. Y., and was a strict adherent to the Society of Friends. His son, Anson, likewise a native of New York, removed to a farm in Michigan, and later settled at Onarga, Ill., where he died. In Albany county, N. Y., his wife, Garretie Shear, was born and reared, a daughter of Ste- phen Shear, a Quaker, whose last days were spent in Virginia. She is still living, and makes her home in Pasadena. In spite of her eighty years, she retains to a large degree her physical faculties. Of her marriage there were two sons, Byron and Allen G., and both of them reside in Pasadena, where they are connected in busi- ness.

In Edwardsburg, Cass county, Mich., Byron Lisk was born February 25, 1850. From nine years of age he was reared in Illinois. His edu- cation was largely received in the Onarga high school and the University of Illinois at Cham- paign. At eighteen years of age he began to teach in district schools, being at the head of one school for five successive winters. Not de- siring, however, to continue educational work permanently, he removed to Roberts, Ford county, Ill., where, as a member of the firm of Lyman & Lisk, he started a hardware, furniture and lumber business. Later Mr. Harding was admitted to the firm, and at a subsequent date the title was changed to Lisk Bros., continuing as such until 1888, when Mr. Lisk came to Pasadena. During his residence in Illinois he served as supervisor of Lyman township, Ford county, as township treasurer, member of the school board, and as postmaster of Roberts, in all of which positions he faithfully conserved the interests of the people. At the same time, with his brother, he operated two creameries successfully for six years, these varied business and official interests making his life a very busy one.

In Illinois Mr. Lisk married Miss Alice Hen- derson, who was born in Ohio. They have eight children, namely: Mrs. Minnie Nettleton, of San Francisco; Mrs. Lucina Turner, of Pasa- dena; Mrs. Alice Lacy, of Pasadena; Grace, Ouina, Anson, George and Irene. Politically Mr. Lisk is a Republican, fraternally is con- nected with the blue lodge of Masons at Pasa- dena, and along business lines holds member- ship in the Board of Trade. On the organiza -- tion of the Pasadena Orange Growers' Asso- ciation he became a charter member, and has since officiated as vice-president and a director. Besides owning interests in various ranches, he is the sole owner of twenty-five acres in North Pasadena, which he has planted in oranges and deciduous fruits. For six years

he has been vice-president of the North Pasa- dena Land and Water Company, in which he is also a director. When the Pasadena High- land Fruit Association was organized he was one of the charter members, and has since been a director, also now holds the office of president. Another enterprise in which he is represented on the directorate is the Pasadena Deciduous Fruit Exchange, which is the largest and leading packing and local exchange in this vicinity.

JAMES R. GIBBS, superintendent of the Santa Barbara Cemetery Association, has an exhaustive knowledge of all branches of agri- culture, horticulture, landscape gardening, and the possibilities of natural development. He was born in Scotland in 1861, and is a son of James Gibbs, a prominent Scotch veterinary surgeon, who served in his professional capac- ity in the Franco-Prussian war, the result of his heroism being a wound through the spine from which he never recovered. For eighteen years, until his death, he was confined to a bed of continual suffering. His brother, Charles Gibbs, was inspector of police in Glasgow, and through his influence secured a position for his nephew, James R., with Ross & Wallace, commission merchants, who sent him to Canada to buy and ship apples. During the four years of his association with the firm Mr. Gibbs was so successful that he determined to go into business for himself. He accordingly went to Detroit, Mich., and formed a partnership with James White, from Wadingston, Glasgow, an old fruit man of experience, and they bought and shipped apples to Glasgow for two years

In 1884 Mr. Gibbs went to Omaha, Neb., and became associated with J. G. Craig, a landscape gardener and florist, whose foreman he eventually became, and when Forest Lawn, the now beautiful cemetery of Omaha, was established he became assistant superintendent under Mr. Craig. Together they took a raw farm of four hundred and sixty acres and evolved the delightful landscape effects which are the pride of the Nebraska capital. In 1897 Mr. Gibbs came to Santa Barbara and for two years was associated with C. B. Hale, and in March of the same year became superintend- ent of the Santa Barbara Cemetery Associa- tion. The grounds comprise seventy acres, and under his capable management the drive- ways, lawns, shrubbery, and floral effects have been beautified beyond the expectations which necessarily accompanied the reputation of Mr. Gibbs when he came to California. He devotes all of his time to the work of keeping the ceme- tery in order. While living in Omaha Mr. Gibbs married Miss Forsyth, who accompanied him to California. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have been born two children, Walter and Jessie.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

MARY M. GALLY. A more thoroughly delightful resting place for the lover of nature or the physically exhausted could scarcely be found than Oak Glen Cottages in the Ojai valley. Here are found all those wonders of air and sky and verdure for which Southern California is so famed, and which in their un- changeableness are unlike the charm of any other part of the world. The nine cottages con- stituting the residence part of this ideal resort nestle in the valley in picturesque and con- venient arrangement, their roofs and verandas shaded from the noon-day sun by the sweep- ing branches of white and live oaks, those strong and rugged sentinels in the world of trees. The main building contains the dining rooms and general recreation rooms, and the cuisine furnished is such as to tempt a jaded palate, the finest cream and milk, and the fresh- est vegetables being served in abundance upon the absolutely neat tables, and by the trimmest of waitresses. The cottages, situated one mile from the village of Nordhoff, furnish a privacy and independence not to be found in a large hotel, and each room is supplied with cheerful wood fires when the evening chill comes in from the sea. The elevation of fifteen hun- dred feet insures a bracing and dry air, and the mountains intervening between the grounds and the sea, shut out the coast influence and fogs. Hither come many families year after year, delighted at the uniformity of good treat- ment, and the congeniality. Many exchange their permanent quarters in hotels in Los An- geles and Santa Barbara for the varied interests here united, the usual rush beginning in November and continuing until May. All games are at the disposal of guests, including billiards, tennis and golf, and it is the pride of the manager that she has the finest golf links in Southern California, and the only ones that are maintained by a resort. Hunting in the mountains and fishing in the river afford unlim- ited amusement, and smooth, hard roads tempt the sojourner on long exploring tours to the different points of interest in the valley. Arte- sian wells two hundred and fifty-two feet deep supply the house and grounds with water from an unfailing source, and mineral springs abound with their curative ingredients.

The idea of the retreat in the Ojai valley originated in the brain of B. W. Gally, for many years one of the prominent business men in the valley, and who was born in Wheeling, W. Va., July 9, 1852. His father, Hon. Thomas M. Gally, was a native of Virginia, a leading Whig politician, and a member of the consti- tutional convention of Virginia in 1852 and 1854. His mother, Mary List, was also a native of Wheeling, W. Va., and a daughter of H. List, a leading banker of that city. To this couple were born two children, a son, B. W., and a

daughter. After availing himself of excellent educational advantages Mr. Gally engaged in the banking business, but, owing to impaired health from too close confinement, removed to California in 1883. He then purchased the grounds where the cottages are now located, the foriner owner being W. S. McKee. In his enthusiasm over the beauty of his surround- ings, and his faith in the efficacy of the climate to restore and invigorate, he continued to add to his possession every possible convenience for travelers, and added several to the cottages already erected by Mr. McKee. The genial owner of the valley resort was a typical south- ern gentleman of the old school, with that grace of manner and courtesy of bearing which marks the man of birth and breeding. His death in 1893 was regretted by the friends and acquaint- ances who had enjoyed his friendship, and by those who had basked with him in the perpetual . sunshine of his adopted Ojai.

Mrs. Mary M. Gally, who is so successfully carrying on the management of the cottages, was born in Jefferson City, Mo., a daughter of Dr. William and A. A. Davison, both deceased. She was educated at the Female Seminary at Jefferson City, and in 1885 became the wife of Mr. Gally, by whom she has three children, Howard, Kilbourn and Willey, students in the high school. It may be said that Mrs. Gally is in every way fitted for the responsibility which is hers as manager of the Oak Glen Cottages, for she has the instinctive kindliness of disposition, unfailing tact, and knowledge of human nature, which would invariably aid in conducting an enterprise of this kind. Year by year she welcomes some of the most distin- guished people of Southern California, and treats them so well that they are in haste to return to her hospitable and picturesque sur- roundings.

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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 108

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