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 110

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

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pervision, was made to bloom and blossom as the rose. When quite advanced in years, but still a hale, active and energetic man, he came to California, settling at Duarte in 1884. Since becoming a citizen of the United States he has given his allegiance to the Republican party. In religions views he is a Congregationalist.

The marriage of Mr. Baxter united him with Miss E. M. Ironside, a native of Scotland, being a daughter of Jamies Ironside, a blacksmith and farmer. Of their union the following-named children were born: James, who is a livery- man in San Bernardino, Cal .; William A. and John, of Monrovia; Leslie, who died in Iowa: Mary, who is married and lives in Los Angeles; Jennie, Mrs. W. B. White, of Los Angeles: George, who was accidentally killed; Albert, of Riverside county; Robert, who died in Iowa; Charles, of Monrovia; and Annabel, who died in Iowa.

WILLIAM A. BAXTER. Those who form the acquaintance of Mr. Baxter at the present time, noting his stalwart physique, carrying well its two hundred and eighteen pounds, find it difficult to realize that when he came to Cali- fornia in 1882 he had been an invalid for seven years and weighed only one hundred and seven- teen pounds. He is one of the many who owe to timely removal to the Pacific coast their health and, indeed, life itself. A native of Aber- deenshire, Scotland, born in 1854, he was taken to Canada by his parents, William and Eliza- beth M. Baxter, when but an infant. His boy- hood years were passed principally in Illinois and in 1874 he accompanied the family to Iowa, where he continued to make his home until his removal to California. For some time he was unable to engage in active work on account of ill health, but as soon as sufficiently recuper- ated to resume work, he began the manufacture of cement pipe, later carried on a livery busi- ness in Monrovia, and for ten years had a har- ness shop here. He laid the first cement pipe for the water system and in other ways aided in the progress of the town. At this writing he devotes himself to the improvement of his orange grove of three acres, where he has a cozy home.

The fraternal relations of Mr. Baxter are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while in politics he is a stanch Republican. After coming to California he established a home of his own, his marriage being solem- mized in Orange, and uniting him with Miss Elizabeth Bond, a native of Marshalltown, Iowa. Her father, Rev. John Bond, was born in Indiana and during active life officiated as a preacher in the Society of Friends, of which he was a birthright member. Reared in that faith, Mrs. Baxter still retains her membership in the same, while Mr. Baxter is a believer in

Jahn G. Haice

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Presbyterian doctrines. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters, namely: Walter A., Harold L., Charlotte and Helen, all of whom are with their parents in Monrovia.

JOHN G. HILL. The splendid possibili- ties arising from the fertility, resources and general advantages of the region surrounding Oxnard, are nowhere more emphatically re- produced than in the life and efforts of John G. Hill, one of the most successful and prominent of the ranchers and stock-raisers of Ventura county. In the future history of the accom- plishunents of the county his name will be fore- inost along several lines of activity, not the least of which is the proud distinction of being the owner and breeder of some of the finest speci- mens of horse flesh in California, if not in the world. Every lover of this noblest friend of man who visits this ideal retreat, and is brought to realize the care and indulgence exercised in his development, departs with the conviction that here at least his needs and nature are faith- fully studied, and consequently attain to their greatest beauty, intelligence and usefulness.

The fourth child in his father's family of ten children, John G. Hill received the training ac- corded the average farm-reared boy. He was born in Paris, Monroe county, Mo., March 14, 1845, a son of James and Nancy (Gray) Hill, natives of Kentucky. For many years the an- cestors of the family for the most part engaged in agriculture, and in producing the blooded stock for which Kentucky is justly famed. When seven years of age John G. ac- companied his parents and the rest of the fanı- ily across the plains to California, where they settled in Napa county, and where the elder Hill purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he subsequently added by the purchase one thousand and four hundred acres. There the sons gained the comprehen- sive knowledge of farm life which has been of such invaluable aid in their mature years, one of the best products of his father's example being Ben Hill, of El Cajon, one of the most noted horsemen in California. The parents passed to the great majority while living in their adopted state, the father in 1870, at the age of three score and two, and the mother in more recent years at Napa City.

In 1866 Mr. Hill began farming independently on his father's ranch, and in 1868 removed to Ventura county, and bought an interest of six hundred and thirty acres in the old El Rio de la Santa Clara a la Colonia grant, which, in its entirety, contained forty-four thousand acres of land. This has since been his home, and a more representative Southern California ranch it would be difficult to find. During the years that have intervened since its purchase giant agricultural interests have been carried on,

grains raised in large quantities, the pastures have afforded grazing for thousands of thor- oughbreds, and the markets have profited by the Durham cattle and Berkshire hogs. Years ago, in partnership with G. W. Chrisman, Mr. Hill owned at Montalvo a town site of three hundred and fifty acres of land, fifty acres near Santa Paula, one hundred and eight acres sown to alfalfa on the Colonia grant, and four-fifths of two hundred and sixty acres planted in walnuts. With M. L. Wolff he owned one-third interest in eight hundred and forty-two acres rented and sown in barley. He also had five hundred and thirty-seven and one-half shares out of one thou- sand shares of the Ventura water-works, in partnership with G. W. Chrisman. All of these investments have proved worthy the manage- ment and far-sighted discernment of the part- ners, and while many of them have, in the light of passing events, gone into other possession, they are representative of the enterprise and progress for which Mr. Hill is widely known. In 1885 he built on the home property a beau- tiful (and at the time the finest) country resi- dence in the county, which, since the subsequent growth of the city, is now on the outskirts of the town, and on the west side.

Indeed it is doubtful if the enterprising little town of Oxnard had ever reared its spires and homes to the sky had it not been for the faith in its future entertained by Mr. Hill. When there were barely a handful of people here, his enthusiasm for the present and confidence in the future stimulated others in like manner, and as a practical demonstration of his belief himself and Henry T. Oxnard laid out the plans of the town in the latter part of 1897, and the survey was made the following year. For the town site Mr. Hill sold a two-thirds interest in three hun- dred acres of land, and afterwards established the Colonia Improvement Company, which has accomplished wide reaching results, and of which Mr. Hill is now vice-president. The com- pany owns the fine hostelry known as the Ox- nard hotel, also the water works and electric light plant. And so has developed this town of two thousand inhabitants, where formerly Mr. Hill and those who shared his aspirations viewed a waving field of mustard.

In addition to his other interests Mr. Hill owns gold and silver mines in the Bradshaw mountains in Arizona, operations upon which have already begun, and from which he expects large returns. He is the owner of the new postoffice, a fine modern structure, and model in its way, built expressly for the purpose to which it is devoted, and he also has built a splendid vault with attendant conveniences, on South Fifth street.

In 1866 in Contra Costa county Mr. Hill mar- ried Aranetta Rice, daughter of William and Louisa Ricc, and sister of Thomas A. Rice.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Two children are the result of this union, Ear- nest Rice Hill and Ralph Norman Hill, both ranchers of Ventura county. The latter was the first postmaster of Oxnard. The former was educated at the Leland Stanford University and the latter at the Belmont School. The two sons built the first building in the town in which the postoffice was conducted, and which has since been substituted by, the present commodious structure. Although a Republican at present, Mr. Hill was a Democrat until 1896, but has never aspired to political office.

ISAAC BAILEY. The story of the founders of this nation is interesting, not only from a historical standpoint, but also as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others. Yet we need not look to the past, for the present furnishes many examples worthy of emulation in the men who have risen through their own efforts to positions of prominence and financial success. To this class belongs Mr. Bailey of Pasadena, who was formerly engaged in the manufacture of linseed oil in Illinois. The suc- cess of his life is due to no inherited fortune, but to his own sturdy will, steady application, wise judgment and tireless energy.

In an early day four brothers came from Eng- land to America and cast in their fortunes with the struggling colonies. Descended from one of them was David Bailey, a farmer in the east, and the father of Alfred Bailey, who owned a homestead of one hundred and fifty acres in Schoharie county, N. Y. In the family of Alfred and Betsey (Reynolds) Bailey were six sons and two daughters who attained mature years. The next to the youngest of these was Isaac, whose birth occurred in Delhi, Delaware county, N. Y., October 31, 1844. On the completion of a pub- lic-school and academic education, in 1859 he secured employment in a dry goods store in Albany, N. Y., and for seventeen years he re- mained in that city. Removing further west in 1876, he settled in Gilman, Iroquois county, Ill., and there embarked in the manufacture of linseed oil. Under his direction the Gilman Linseed Oil Company was established and he became its president. After ten years in Gil- man he removed to Evanston, Ill., and erected a residence there which he still owns. The lin- seed oil business was sold to the trust, and hav- ing no special ties to bind him to the east, Mr. Bailey decided to enjoy, for the balance of his life, the delightful climate of Southern Califor- nia. Since 1894 he has made his home in Pasa- dena, where he purchased and remodeled the residence at No. 720 East Colorado street. Un- der his direction the home has been transformed into a bower of beauty that is a joy to the be- holder as well as a source of pride to the owner. The grounds, too, have been improved

until they form a fitting environment for the mansion.

While it was Mr. Bailey's plan, on coming to California, to seek entire rest from business activities, yet he is of too active and nervous a temperament to enjoy a life of retirement ; hence we find him identifying himself more or less with local movements; aiding in the putting forth of new ventures; showing himself to be a patriotic citizen, desirous of still further en- hancing the fame of Pasadena throughout the world, and contributing his quota to forward movements. He owns a ranch of twenty acres at Rialto, which tract is under cultivation to citrus fruits. He is a director of the Los An- geles County Building and Loan Association, a well-known enterprise, while he also has vari- ous oil interests, being president of the Amazon Oil Company of Bakersfield, Cal., a director in the Revenue Oil Company, and a stockholder in other companies. His interest in educa- tional affairs led him to accept the position of regent of the Southern California University, in Los Angeles. With his wife, who was for- merly Miss M. Louise Borthwick, of Albany, N. Y., he is an earnest and active member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pasa- dena, in the building of which he was a gen- erous contributor. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree, while politically he votes for Republican principles. He is a genial gentleman of high social qualities and has a wide circle of acquaintances, by all of whom he is esteemed highly for his sterling qualities.

FRANCIS BECKWITH. That period of inflation and enthusiasm best known as the "boom" found Mr. Beckwith a newcomer in California and a pioneer of Altadena, where he made several purchases of property. At this writing he owns two and one-half acres in this place, besides two lots on Second street, Long Beach, and two lots in Cariton, Cal. The home place is planted with a variety of products, prin- cipally vegetables, and also contains a well- appointed dairy, the milk for the same being obtained from seven Jersey cows. In this way the land is being brought to a paying basis, and will in time become remunerative to a grat- ifying degree.

Mr. Beckwith dates his arrival in California from January 2, 1887, previous to which he had spent some years in Texas. He was born in Yorkshire, England, August 12, 1848, being a son of Thomas and Nancy (Hartley) Beckwith. lifelong residents of Yorkshire, the former being a "farmer by occupation. The maternal grandfather, Henry Hartley, followed the trade of a weaver in the cotton mills, and such was his skill with the loom that he accumulated a neat competency, which enabled him to retire

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

from active cares before he had reached old age. In the family of Thomas Beckwith there were three daughters and ten sons, and all but three of these attained mature years, Francis being the fifth in order of birth. The family being large and their means limited, he was set to work when only eleven years of age, and ever since then has earned his own livelihood, besides helping to support others. For two years he worked in paper mills, after which he returned to school. His next position was that of bookkeeper in the cotton mills, and later he became assistant bookkeeper in an iron foundry. In a year he was promoted to be cashier and collector, and also held a position as salesman. Subsequently, for four and one- half years, he held the office of manager.

On embarking in business for himself, Mr. Beckwith formed a partnership with two others and conducted a successful and growing trade. When the partnership was dissolved, he turned his attention to jobbing in the same line. Six years later he closed out his business and in 1881 crossed the ocean to the United States, settling in Texas. However, this state did not equal his anticipations, and, while he saved a little money during his residence there of five and one-half years, yet the results were too small to be satisfactory, and he was thus led to cast his lot in with the people of California, a decision that he has no cause to regret. Be- sides his landed interests, he is the owner of water stock. Since becoming a citizen of our country he has affiliated himself with the Re- publican party. Socially he is identified with the Sons of St. George, and in religion is a stanch Episcopalian.

While living in England Mr. Beckwith mar- ried Miss Mary Ellen Worthington, who was born in Lancashire. Her father, George Worth- ington, was a lifelong resident of England, where for years he filled a responsible position as manager of the spinning department in a cotton mill. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith are Arthur, George and Elizabeth (twins) and Margaret, all of whom are being given the advantages of excellent educations.

FITZ E. BEACH. One of the characteris- tics of the people of Pasadena is a love of their city. The tie that binds them to the place is not a fragile one, that may be broken by the softest call from afar. This trait is a conspicu- (11s feature in the character of Mr. Beach. His travels have taken him to many countries, and during the time he spent abroad he was a thoughtful student of conditions and peoples, visiting Great Britain. and traveling through France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Holland and Belgium. There was much to ad- mire in those historic lands but he returned to

Pasadena firm in the belief that it is unrivaled for beauty and climatic attractions.

Tracing the lineage of the Beach family, we find that Abel Beach removed from Connecti- cut to New York in boyhood and settled in Peruville, Tompkins county, where for years le carried on a mercantile business, and a large business in insurance and money loaning. His son, Ezra, was born in Peruville, was a school teacher, and afterwards traveled through Iowa for A. S. Barnes & Co., of New York, intro- ducing their text-books in schools. Later he engaged in farming until his death at fifty-four years of age; he married Lucy A. Fitts, who was born in Groton, N. Y., and now makes her home in Pasadena, Cal., with her only child. Her father, Pascal Fitts, a native of Massachu- setts, held the office of assessor for three terms and also held several town offices. He · spent much of his active life on a farm near McLean, N. Y., where he died. Fitz E. Beach, born in Peruville, N. Y., was given excellent advantages in the high school of Moravia, N. Y., and taught school in Cayuga county, N. Y. After complet- ing his education he traveled through the west, and prepared himself for teaching in Washing- ton. On his arrival in California he was de- lighted with the appearance of Pasadena and accordingly settled here, buying a lot and mak- ing a home, on South Los Robles avenue, for himself and mother. Taking up the study of law under Congressman James McLachlan, of Los Angeles, he was admitted to the bar there and to the United States district court for Southern California, since which time he has had a law office in Los Angeles.

Besides his practice, Mr. Beach has bought land and built a number of houses in Los An- geles, where he now owns valuable property, and was one of the pioneers in the oil develop- ment in Los Angeles. At one time he owned a part of the tract near the Cudahy Packing House which is now in the manufacturing dis- trict of Los Angeles. On the organization of the Central Bank he became the owner of one- sixth of the stock and was the teller. An- other enterprise in which he was a stockholder was the Los Angeles Hay, Storage and Mill- ing Company, in which he held the office of vice-president. During the years of its con- struction, although not a railroad man, he was a director in the Pasadena & Los Angeles Elec- tric Railroad Company, and he has also been a director in the State of California Mutual Building and Loan Association. In the incor- poration of the Pasadena Daily News Company he was an active factor, at the same time be- coming a member of its board of directors; it was especially his object, in identifying himself with this movement, to secure for Pasadena a newspaper of high grade, representative of the culture of the people, and for better state,

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

county and city government. Not only is he informed in matters pertaining to the public welfare, but he is also actively interested in local enterprises, and progressive measures receive his co-operation. Politically he supports Re- publican principles. He is a member of the New Century Club of Pasadena. In matters fraternal he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Masons.

NELSON C. BURCH. Prior to the Revo- lutionary war three brothers came from Wales to America and identified themselves with the struggling colonies. One of the brothers was a Tory, but the others were loyal to the colo- nies, and John H. acquired an extended reputa- tion as a scout and daring soldier during the Revolutionary conflict. Asa, who was a son of this patriot, was born in New York state and during the war of 1812 served as a captain of a company under General Scott. The next gen- eration was represented by V. D. Burch, who was born near Auburn, N. Y., and married Amanda Chapin, who, at eighty-seven years of age, is living at Jefferson City, Mo. The fam- ily of which she is a member settled in New England in an early day. Her grandfather, Levi Green, was a nephew of Nathaniel Green, who served all through the Revolution and at the battle of Bennington was detailed to escort the prisoners; the latter, attempting to escape, were killed.

On the homestead near Auburn, N. Y., Nel- son C. Burch was born October 11, 1835. When a small child he was taken into the home of his grandfather, Asa Burch. At eighteen years of age he went to Kentucky and from there to Athens, Mo. He read law with Daniel F. Miller at Fort Madison, Iowa, and later at Keo- kuk, where he was admitted to the bar on mo- tion of Hon. Samuel F. Miller, late of the United States supreme court. After his admis- sion to the United States district court at Keo- kuk, he was examined and admitted to practice in Missouri, where he began professional work in 1858. His first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln and from the first he was a thorough believer in Free Soil and the prin- ciples of the emancipation proclamation. In 1861 he became connected with the govern- ment service at Washington, where he re- mained until the fall of 1864. Returning to Missouri, he bore a part in the reorganization of the state. In January, 1865, he was made bookkeeper to the state treasurer. In July, same year, he was appointed clerk of the su- preme court, which position he held for eight years. Later he engaged in practice, also es- tablished the first daily Republican paper in Jefferson City, Mo., continuing as editor of the same until 1885.

Owing to ill health, Mr. Burch found contin-

ued residence in Missouri impossible, and there- fore, in 1887, disposed of his interests in Jef- ferson City and came to California. The town site of Tropico had just been laid out in the midst of a large sheep ranch. Being attracted by the climate, he bought five acres and erected a residence, where he has since made his home. In addition he owns five acres at Glendora. For a few years he conducted an active practice in Los Angeles, where he had his office, but since the sunimer of 1901 he has given his at- tention to the work of notary public in Trop- ico, confining his attention to office work, including the drawing up of wills. For years during his residence in Missouri he was an active Republican politician, but of late years he has not been a participant in pub- jic affairs, although his interest in national problems is deep and sincere. With his fam- ily, he holds membership in the Presbyterian Church, while fraternally he is connected with the lodge and chapter of Masonry. July 7, 1859, he married Miss Gertrude Ayres, of Alexandria, Mo. Four children were born of their union, namely: Maude, at home; Win- nie, who married Lewis Wagner, formerly of Jefferson City, Mo., and now of Denver, Colo .: Emmons, at home; and Asa, who was drowned at six years of age. During the period of his residence in Tropico Mr. Burch has won many warm friends among the people of this vicinity, and is himself devoted to the welfare of the town and its people. However, he has never forgotten his oid Missouri home, but in mem- ory often lives over again the stirring scenes of war times in which he participated. When re- turning to Jefferson City to visit old friends he was greeted with the heartiest pleasure by the comrades of days gone by, and from none was there a warmer welcome than from the "boys" who were in his employ when he edited the Jefferson City State Journal, and who have since succeeded to the active management of the paper.

A. S. BIXBY. During the early days of Cal- ifornia's history as a state, Mr. Bixby came hither from the far distant shores of Maine, where he was born, in Somerset county, in 1831. He was the eldest of ten children, all of whom are still living except two, the youngest of the eight being over fifty years of age. His parents, Simon and Deborah (Flint) Bixby. were natives of Maine, and died there at the respective ages of fifty-eight and seventy years, after having spent their busy lives in the midst of farm toil and surroundings. Mrs. Bixby was a daughter of Dr. Thomas Flint, a physician of Farmington, Me .. and he in turn was a son of Thomas Flint, Sr., who served as a surgeon on a privateer during the war of the Revolution.

The educational advantages offered to the

CHIEFS

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

boys and girls of his locality when Mr. Bixby was a boy were exceedingly meagre, as the school was held for only eight or ten weeks out of the year. However, in spite of this lack of advantages, by observation and by experi- ence he has acquired a fund of valuable in- formation upon all topics of importance to him as a citizen and horticulturist. Setting out as an independent farmer when he attained his ma- jority, for five years he tilled the soil in his home state, and then came to the Pacific coast. Here his first occupation was that of raising sheep on a ranch in Monterey county, and for a considerable period he followed the stock- raising business. It was not until 1877 that he turned his attention more exclusively to citrus culture, in which he is now engaged at Sierra Madre, having during the year named pur- chased five acres at this place. While the ranch is small, it bears first-class improvements, and is a valuable piece of property. In politics he votes with the Republican party, fraternally is connected with the Masonic order, and in religion attends the Congregational Church. By his marriage to Mary L. Goodwin, who was born, reared and educated in Dresden, Me., he has four children, viz .: Alice May, who is the wife of Albert J. Close, residing in Pomona, Cal .; Lulu A., at home; William F., now in Troy, N. Y .; and Florence L., who is with her parents in their Sierra Madre home.

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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 110

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