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 125

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 125

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 bearing Colonel Bentzoni is a typical soldier, with a firm, elastic step, an erect car- riage, and an imposing dignity of manner. His long years of active service have left few traces in figure and face, for, with the exception of impaired eyesight, he retains the strength, physical robustness and alertness that char- acterized his army service. Like the majority of army officers, he is never too weary to enjoy a good story and a hearty laugh, and like them, too, he is generous toward those less fortunate than he in fighting the battles of life.

WILLIAM C. CROWELL. Many years ago Jonathan Crowell, a native of the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts, removed to Yar- mouth, on the bay of Fundy, in Nova Scotia, where during the brief and fleeting summers he endeavored to secure from the soil those products which would sustain his family and find a ready sale in neighboring markets. He himself was a descendant of another Jonathan, who came from England and set up his home at Cape Cod, where his ship landed. Jonathan, son of the Nova Scotian emigrant, was born on that peninsula, and there spent his entire life. Next in line of descent was Capt. Wey- mouth, a native of Yarmouth and for years in earlier life a sea captain, but now, at seventy years of age, a tiller of the soil near the bay. By his marriage to Elizabeth Gavel, a native of Nova Scotia, he had eleven children, six of

whom are still living, three sons and one uauguter naving their nomes in Camiormia. 01 the sons, Charles and William C. reside in t'asadena, while Weymouth lives in LOS Angeles; the daughter, Mrs. Adeline Crosby, is a resident ot l'asadena.

in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, William Chanı- beriain Crowell was born September 21, 1871. The days of boyhood he passed on a farm, on which ne worked during summers, while in the winter he attended school. During 1889 he went to Seattle, wash., where he was an ap- prentice under his brother, Weymouth. His leisure hours were given to the study of archi- tecture in the Puget Sound Business College, where he studied for two years. Coming to Pasadena in 1894, he took up carpentering. in the fall of 1895 he went to Guatemala, Central America, in the capacity of superintendent and draughtsman for Henry Jones, a large con- tractor. His sojourn in that region was bene- ficial to him educationally, for he gained an excellent knowledge of Spanish. After a year with Mr. Jones he turned his attention to con- tracting and architectural work in San Marcos, Guatemala, and was laying the foundation of large profits and a successful business when his health gave way, through outdoor work in a climate exceedingly warm and enervating. In 1897 he returned to Pasadena and later spent six months at his Nova Scotian home, recuper- ating. Since his return to Pasadena he has en- gaged in contracting and building, having built among many other structures the Pasa- dena ice plant, Tompkins, Hitchings, Coffin, Dr. A. S. Hoyt and Michael Cudahy's resi- dences. He was married in Yarmouth, in Au- gust, 1899, to Miss Iva Mickerson, a former schoolmate there. They have two children, Elsie and Ruth. The family are connected with the First Baptist Church of Pasadena. In politics Mr. Crowell is a pronounced Repub- lican, while fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Foresters and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

WILLIAM H. BULLIS. Since 1880 MI. Bullis has considered Tropico his home, al- though for a few years the acquiring of his trade kept him elsewhere. As a consequence of his long residence in this locality he is familiar with its growth from the early days of its settlement to the present time and has been especially interested in experiments made in order to ascertain the varieties of fruits best adapted to the soil. In 1890 he went to Salt Lake City, where he served three years at the trades of bricklayer and cement finisher and two years at the plasterer's trade. Returning to California in 1895, he has since carried on business at Tropico as a contractor in plaster,

840

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

brick and cement work, under the firm name of Bullis & Stine. A large trade has been built up that extends throughout the San Fernando valley. In addition to this business, Mr. Bullis has improved twenty acres on Third street, West Glendale, ten acres of which are in fine qualities of peaches and apricots. The balance he expects to plant in grapes. The land is under the Verdugo Canon Water Company, in which he is financially interested. At one time he served as a director in the Tropico Water Company.

As early as 1849 Joseph R. Bullis, grand- father of William H., sought the possibilities of California and entered the mines near Hang- town. His first visit to Southern California was made about 1867, when he bought a large tract of land at Lynwood. In time he acquired several thousand acres of the Tugo tract, where he engaged in stock-raising, general farming 'and dairying. At the time of his death, in July, 1889, he was eighty-nine years of age. During the forty years of his residence in California he witnessed many changes and saw the whole state evolved from a wilderness to a highly im- proved and thickly settled region. Being him- self a man of shrewd foresight, he believed Southern California investments would prove profitable, and so not only invested personally, but advised others to do the same. It was largely as the result of his advice that his grandson ten years ago bought the twenty acres he now owns.

JUAN E. CAMARILLO. A visit to the home of Juan Camarillo, worthy descendant of that elder Camarillo, whose deeds in the early days of Ventura county will ever be recalled as historic mile-posts in the development of the state which he visited first in 1834, coming hither from Mexico, where he was born in 1812, is an occurrence destined to linger long in the memory of the fortunate one. Upon a portion of the enormous ranch which he bequeathed to his sons, Juan E., the younger, who was born at Ventura in 1870, has erected a home which for novelty and interest is unexcelled in the county. With his brother, Adolpho, he was educated in the grammar school at Ventura, and with him graduated from the Woodbury Business College, at Los Angeles. He also attended for a time the university of Southern California. After his father's death, December 4, 1880, he lived with his mother in Ventura until her death in 1898, at the beautiful home with its memories of the splendid traits of char- acter which brightened the career of the Mexi- can emigrant, and which had no superior in Ventura. Juan E. still owns this home, but to drown the sorrow occasioned by the departure of his beloved parent, and to afford occupation in his now lonely life, he erected the beautiful ranch house which is now his home, located about half a mile from that of his brother. This house is enjoyed by himself and one Oliver B. Dunn, whom Mr. Camarillo took as a com- panion from his youth; besides being a com- panion he is now the foreman of the ranch. Mr. Dunn is indeed a worthy recipient of his friend's interest, and it would be difficult to find a nobler or more congenial companion.

On another page of this volume will be found mention of Philip H., son of Joseph R. and father of William H. Bullis. Since 1880 he has owned property in the town of Glendale, but his home is now in Redondo. By his mar- Adjacent to the home is a large and finely equipped barn, wherein are kept blooded sad- dle and driving horses, of the good points of which Mr. Camarillo is an excellent judge. Of minor importance, however, is the really pala- tial home of the horses compared with the in- terest which greets the traveler who secures admission to the home, with its valuable and exhaustive collection of Indian relics, many of them the work of tribes now extinct, who car- ried with them to the happy hunting ground the secret of the art embodied in their produc- tions. Now in Ventura county there is but one Indian woman basket maker, of whom Mr. Camarillo has an admirable kodak picture, rep- riage to Henrietta, daughter of William Payne, there were born five children: Joseph W., a horticulturist at Alhambra; W. H .; Tessie A., Mrs. Stine, of West Glendale; Georgia F., at home; and James Allen. William H. was born in Kent county, Mich., April 4, 1869, and was brought to California at the age of six months. His education was obtained mostly at Lynwood, although he was for a time a student in the Glendale school. His attractive home on Glen- dale avenue is presided over by his wife, for- merly Luella M. Marden, who was born in Minnesota, came to California in 1880 and graduated from the Los Angeles State Normal School. For eight successive years she taught . resenting her outside of her cabin, at work on the primary department in the Tropico school, the baskets by which she makes a living. . A particularly interesting relic is that of a man- tle or mangas, formerly worn by men of high degree in Spain. It is decorated with a gold fringed collar, hand made, and has a hole in the center through which the head is supposed to project. Another cherished souvenir is the Indian cap of penance, used to designate a red man who had been guilty of a crime, and to and since 1899 she has served efficiently in charge of the Tropico postoffice, having been appointed to this office under President Mc- Kinley. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bullis are stanch adherents of Republican principles, and he has served as a member of the county central com- mittee, besides aiding in other ways to promote the party welfare in his town and county.

841

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

single him out as unworthy the notice of liis tribe. It is made in the shape of a fool's cap, and from the roots of an herb, so finely woven into a net that it has the appearance of leather. Also there is included in the collection the first scales used by the elder Camarillo when he first opened his store in Santa Barbara, a queer kind of scales, the old style chimes variety. Many of the most interesting and important of these prized reminders of the past are handed down from the grandfather, who secured them when he was appointed by Spain commandant of the mission in San Diego county, which office is similar to that of governor or superintendent, and carried with it a large responsibility, and varied opportunities for good government.

With a due appreciation of their responsibility as descendants of a noble family, the Camarillo heirs observe a most delightful hospitality, and invariably dispense towards strangers as well as friends those old world considerations and gal- lantries of manner so intensely admired, yet so rarely seen, in this country of commercialism and devotion to the worship of the golden calf.

JOHN B. DAWSON. The rapid growth of Los Angeles during recent years and the high character of the architecture adopted for its public buildings and residences have combined to attract to this city contractors and builders of superior skill, conspicuous among whom is John B. Dawson, of the firm of Dawson & Eld- ridge. Desiring a larger scope for his activities than his former home afforded, he established himself in Los Angeles in 1895 and has since devoted himself with energy and intelligence to his chosen occupation. The contracts which have been filled by himself and partner, S. T. Eldridge, include some of the most important in the vicinity, and all have been executed with dispatch and great care.

A member of an eastern family and a son of John and Agnes (Porter) Dawson, this citizen of Los Angeles was born near Rochester, Mon- roe county, N. Y., April 22, 1859. After having completed the studies of the local schools, he took up the carpenter's trade, which he learned in its every detail while he was still young, and in addition he studied the builder's and archi- tectural departments. Even at an early age it was his ambition to become a successful con- tractor and builder, and, to aid in the attain- ment of this end, he acquired a thorough knowledge of carpentering, seeking the best employers, so that he might have the benefit of their successful experience. After some years as a journeyman he went to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he followed the trade for five years. Dur- ing this time he became interested in military matters and enlisted in Company A, First Regi- ment Michigan State Troops, in which he served

for three years and received various promotions including first-sergeant. While in Ann Arbor he was also active in fraternal organizations, particularly the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, in which he was honored with the offices of past grand and past chief patriarch. In that city he was made a Mason in Fraternity Lodge No. 262, F. & A. M., and also belonged to Washtenaw Chapter No. 6, R. A. M., and Ann Arbor Commandery No. 13, K. T.

When the boom of the '8os was attracting many settlers to the Pacific coast, Mr. Dawson became interested in studying about the west, with the result that in 1887 he settled in Pasa- dena. The large amount of building then in progress rendered his calling a desirable one, and he immediately found employment as a foreman of buildings, in addition to which he also became interested in real estate, and bought and sold a number of lots. However, after a year in Pasadena, the cessation of the boom put an end to improvements, and in 1888 he removed to Santa Cruz, where he began to take contracts for buildings, among these be- ing the Santa Cruz County Bank building, the residences of Capt. W. W. Gray, A. M. John- son, J. L. C. Stevens, William Rennie, W. D. Haslam, and many others, also the Capitola ho- tel at Capitola.

In Santa Cruz Mr. Dawson married Miss Mamie E. Sutphen, daughter of Judge C. T. Sutphen, and they made their home in an at- tractive residence erected by himself. Accom- panied by his wife and two children, Mildred Agnes and John Clifford, in 1895 he moved to Los Angeles, trading his Santa Cruz property for a deciduous fruit ranch at Boulder creek, which he still owns. Shortly after settling in this city he formed a partnership with a well- known contractor, under the firm title of Daw- son & Schurz, and they were given contracts for a number of fine residences in Los Angeles and Redlands. While in the midst of their ac- tivities, with much work ahead of them, Mr. Schurz was bitten by a black spider and lost his life. They had just accepted a contract to build the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Pasadena, which, at a cost of $80,000, was af- terward completed by Mr. Dawson. After a time he formed a partnership with S. T. El- dridge, who is represented elsewhere in this work. Among their many contracts may be nientioned those for the $30,000 residence of Hiramı Higgins, the State Normal School addi- tion, the Twentieth street schoolhouse, with twelve rooms; the Los Angeles Railroad car- shops; the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, costing $60,000; also the city hall and jail building at Pasadena, Cal., $40,000.

Having given his attention closely to business matters, Mr. Dawson has never entered into the political life of the city, and aside from vot-

842

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ing the Republican ticket takes no part in pub- lic affairs. In religious views he inclines to- ward the Presbyterian faith, while his wife is identified with the Episcopal Church. As a citi- zen he favors all movements for the growth and upbuilding of Los Angeles, to whose beauty and attractions he has added not a little by his work as a builder.

ARTHUR L. CHAFFEE. Surrounding the dry-goods and clothing business of A. L. Chaf- fee & Co., of Ventura, there is a tinge of the historic, a suggestion of hardship in early days, and of obstacles overcome, rendering possible the present successful trade. Beyond the fact that the enterprise is without exception the old- est of its kind in Southern California and by far the largest in its line in Ventura county, is its association with the life of that well-remen- bered pioneer, Walter Scott Chaffee. This early settler, who, more than any other in the small Spanish settlement of San Buenaventura, dis- pelled with the enthusiasm of his eastern spirit the old-world traditions of the town, was born in Peterboro, Madison county, N. Y., February 2, 1834. His father and ancestors were associ- ated with many of the early struggles of the country, and during the great slavery excite- ment the former was instrumental in aiding many an unfortunate to gain liberty.

At fourteen years of age Walter Scott Chaf- fee began to clerk in a store in Syracuse, N. Y. Ten years later he opened a general mercantile store at Portage City, Wis., but soon he re- turned to New York, and from there went to Colorado about 1860, engaging in mining near Leadville with Jerome B. Chaffee. The follow- ing year he came to Ventura, which at the time had only three American citizens. He started a farming industry on More's grant and was es- pecially interested in raising hogs. Six months later he opened a general store in a small adobe house, shipping a stock of goods here from San Francisco by schooner. By 1863 the increase of trade warranted the erection of the present brick structure on the corner of Palm and Main streets. He erected the first frame building in Ventura county, bringing the lumber from San- ta Barbara and putting up a house which is still the family residence and in good condition. In time he became the instigator of many en- terprises. Much real estate came into his pos- session. He owned a ranch of one hundred acres devoted to walnuts and apricots, and was one of the first to set out a walnut grove, also one of the first to resort to irrigation. He was one of the original incorporators of the Bank of Ventura. When the town was incorporated he was appointed by the legislature a member of the first board of trustees. His courage and strength of character are best illustrated by the stand which he took during the Civil war, when,

upon a liberty pole in front of his store, there waved a United States flag. After a number of flags had been stolen, he took the precaution to guard the last one with a shot gun, and this same flag was the only one south of San Jose which was placed at half mast when it was known that Lincoln had been assassinated.

The wife of Walter Scott Chaffee was Re- becca Nidever, a native of Texas, born in 1846. Her parents, John and Mary (Vernon) Nidever, came to California as early as 1853, and died in Santa Barbara county. Mrs. Chaffee is still liv- ing on the homestead. Of her nine children eight are living, namely: Walter S., who is secretary of the corporation; John H., who is cashier of the Ventura Savings Bank; Arthur Leslie, the subject of this article; Helen, wife of Willington Wilde, of Ventura; Ethel M., wife of M. McIlhenney, of Los Angeles, Cal .; Lawrence W., Chester C. and Bessie M. Arthur Leslie Chaffee was born in Ventura November 22, 1870. He acquired his education in the public schools and at Heald's Business College in San Francisco. When sixteen years of age he entered his father's store and was engaged in the capacity of bookkeeper. On the death of his father he became an administrator of the estate and one of the incorporators of the same, which includes all the property besides the store. For some time he continued the business alone, but in 1900 the firm of A. L. Chaffee & Co. was incorporated. Possessing excellent ability as a manager and a keen knowledge of finance, he is a worthy successor of his father.

The marriage of A. L. Chaffee united him with Eva Solari, who was born in Ventura and received her education in Pomona convent near Pasadena. Her father, Augustino Solari, was a pioneer merchant of Ventura. By her marriage two children have been born, Grant Leslie and Harold Scott. Mr. Chaffee is a Republican in politics.

J. H. DOBBINGS. Proud of his descent from a long line of British naval officers, Mr. Dobbings is equally proud of his citizenship in the "land of the free," and no native-born son of the United States is more loyal than he in allegiance to our government and its institu- tions. Since September, 1885, he has made his home in America, and for some years past has filled with efficiency and faithfulness an impor- tant position as first assistant engineer at the Pacific Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. The machinery now in use at the plant has been put in under his super- vision, and includes eight boilers, with a ca- pacity of five hundred horse-power; one engine, seventy-five, and one engine, twenty-five horse; one ice machine, of five tons capacity (twenty- five horse); and one eight-ton ice machine, fifty- horse power.

archibald Mcneil

845

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

The great-grandfather of Mr. Dobbings was for years connected with the British navy. The grandfather, J. G. Dobbings, was an officer in the British navy until sixty-four years of age, when he was retired after an honorable and ac- tive career. The father, John, was born in El- stow, Bedfordshire, England, and in early man- hood turned his attention to mining. For twenty-six years he was superintendent of mines for a large company in England, but since 1888 he has made his home in Pasadena, Cal., where he is living retired. He married Sarah Bell, who was born at Newcastle-on- Tyne, and died in England in 1874. Her father, George Bell, was at one time manager of a di- vision of the Northeastern Railroad in England.

The family of John and Sarah Dobbings com- prised four daughters and one son, the latter, J. H., being next to the youngest of the chil- dren. He was born in Middlesboro, Yorkshire, England, April 13, 1864, and received his edu- cation in local schools. At fourteen years of age he began an apprenticeship to the machin- ist's trade in Bolckow, Vaughn & Co. (his father's employers), with whom he continued to serve for seven years. On the completion of his time, in September, 1885, he canie to Amer- ica, settling in Des Moines, Iowa, where lie worked at his trade with the Pioneer Coal Com- pany. The spring of 1886 found him in San Francisco, where he followed his trade in the Risdon iron works. From there, in October, 1887, he removed to Pasadena, where he en- gaged in the retail oil business until 1889, and then, going to San Diego, was occupied as chief engineer of the Fourth street cable rail- way until it was closed down in 1893. Mean- time he had embraced the first opportunity to take out naturalization papers and had entered into full American citizenship in 1890, since which time he has taken an active part in local Republican movements and has worked in the interests of his party. On leaving San Diego he became first assistant engineer at the Sol- diers' Home, which position he has filled since May, 1893, with credit to himself and satisfac- tion to those concerned.

During his residence in San Francisco Mr. Dobbings formed the acquaintance of Miss Mattie A. Evans, who was born in Concord, N. H. They were married in San Francisco and now have a family of two children, Olney J. and Dorothea Belle. Mrs. Dobbings is a Presbyterian in religious belief, while Mr. Dob- bings, having been reared in the Church of England, finds the Episcopalian faith in accord with his doctrinal views. He was made a Ma- son in Silver Gate Lodge, San Diego, and is now senior warden in the Santa Monica blue lodge; also a member of Lodge Perfection No. 3, in Los Angeles; and Rosary Croix Chapter No. 3, K. T., in Los Angeles. For some years

he has been affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank, in Santa Monica. Along the line of his chosen occupation he is connected with Council No. 4, San Diego, Na- tional Association of Stationary Engineers.

ARCHIBALD McNEIL. The owner and proprietor of the Santa Maria flour mills, and known as one of the substantial citizens and business men of Santa Maria, Mr. McNeil was born near London, Canada, in 1848. His par- ents, Peter and Henrietta (Beaton) McNeil, were natives of Scotland, in which country they were reared, educated and married. After their immigration to America they settled near Lon- don, Canada, where the father engaged in farm- ing. On his homestead he died in 1875 and his wife in 1882. They had a family of ten chil- dren, of whom Archibald was seventh in order of birth.

A practical home training and an education acquired in the public schools, supplemented by learning the trade of miller, were the prepara- tions with which Mr. McNeil started out to face the world when twenty-two years of age. He learned the miller's trade in Napier, Canada, under James G. Sutherland, and among the most pleasant recollections of his youth are those connected with his stay of four years as a member of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Suther- land. On coming to the States hie settled near Lafayette, Ind., and operated a mill for a year. He then came to California and for two years worked in a mill at Chico for General Bidwell. A later location was at Marysville, this state, and for nine years he had charge of Governor Perkins' mill at Oreville. From there he came to Santa Maria in 1882, and formed a partner- ship with John Adams, under the title of Adams, McNeil & Co. Buying Mr. Popp's mill at Nepoma, they tore the building down, and removed the machinery and timbers to Santa Maria, where the plant was changed from a burr to a roller mill. The affairs were con- ducted under the partnership until 1899, when Mr. McNeil became the sole possessor of the mill property, and now operates it alone. The present capacity of the mill is sixty barrels a day, and about all of the mill work for miles around is taken care of at this enterprising es- tablishment. The building is located on Ocean avenue, on the Pacific Coast Railroad tracks near the depot.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 125

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