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 133

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

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L. D. HOCKETT, M. D. Descended from an old southern family, of Scotch-English ex- traction, and devoted believers in the Society of Friends, the Hockett family was established 11 the north by Jonathan Hockett, a native of North Carolina and a pioneer of Clinton county, Ohio. His son, Seth, was born and reared in Guilford county, N. C., and in early manhood entered land from the government in Ohio, after which he continued to make Clinton county the scene of his activities. At the time of his death he was sixty-five years of age. His birthright membership in the Society of Friends was never allowed to lapse, but the teachings of the sect were strictly fol- lowed in his daily life. In Ohio occurred his marriage to Nancy Garner, who was born in Maryville, Tenn., and in childhood accompanied her parents to Ohio, where she died at forty years of age. Like her husband, she belonged to a strict Quaker family. Of their seven chil- dren the oldest, Zimri, was born in Clinton county January 12, 1820, and as a boy becanie inured to the hardest kind of farm toil, that of clearing a tract of raw land. On starting out for himself he learned the trade of earthenware manufacturing, which he conducted at Martins-

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ville for twenty years. Finally, however, the in- vention of moulds ruined the trade, and lie sought other pursuits. Going to Watseka, Il1., he embarked in the manufacture of drain tile, which he continued for fourteen years, meeting with fair success. On his retirement from busi- ncss, in 1899, he came to California, settling at Whittier, where he has since made his home.

The wife of Zimri Hockett was Lucinda Bundy, who traced her lineage back to French- Huguenot ancestry and who was a member of the Society of Friends, as is also her husband. They were the parents of nine children, namely: Allen, who died at forty years; Milton, who was thirty-five at the time of his death; Mary, de- ceased; Silas, who is engaged in the manufac- ture of gold dry washing machines in San Fran- cisco; Alonzo, M. D., of Whittier; John, of El Paso, Tex .; Newton, who has a large music store in San Francisco, and is also a partner of his brother, Silas, in the manufacturing business; Nancy, Mrs. Tabor, deceased; and Lewis, who is engaged in the piano business in Toledo, Ohio. The two eldest sons were soldiers in the Union army during the Civil war, and the others were equally ardent in their support of the Union, but were too young to be accepted for service.

At Martinsville, Clinton county, Ohio, L. D. Hockett was born August 24, 1854, being a son of Zimri and Lucinda Hockett. During the summer months, when the closing of the schools gave him an opportunity for work, he assisted his father in the manufacturing business. In 1875 he began to read medicine with Dr. L. M. Bundy, of Watseka, Ill., and later attended the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, also the Bennett Medical College of Chicago, finally completing his course of lectures in the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa. In 1881 he began to practice at Ash Grove, Ill., and from there in 1892 removed to Cissnapark, also in Iroquois county, where he remained until his removal to California in 1898. Since beginning practice it has been his aim to keep in touch with all improvements and develop- ments in the medical science, hence he has not only been a student of current medical literature and an attendant upon medical conventions, but, in a broader way, he has received help through his post-graduate courses, one of which he took in Bennett Medical College in 1890-91, another in Chicago in 1897, while dur- ing his early years of practice, in 1885, he spent three months in the college at Cincinnati where he had first studied.

In 1882 Dr. Hockett married Miss Mary A. Brown, of Joliet, Ill., the daughter of a Meth- odist minister and herself an active worker in that denomination. They have four children, all at home, namely: Neni M., Harold B., Bessie and Lonnie. At no time has Dr. Hockett been

willing to turn aside from professional work to enter the field of political activity, and his only acceptance of official honors was in the position of councilman, which he filled for two years, having been elected to the position by the Re- publican party. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias at Whittier, the Frater- nal Aid, Modern Woodmen of America and Lodge No. 322, F. & A. M., of Whittier.

A. H. DUNLAP. Practically the entire life of Mr. Dunlap has been spent in California, as he was a small child when his parents crossed the southern plains to the Pacific coast. Ad- joining the city of Whittier stands his home- stead of eighty acres, where, in 1890, he erected a commodious and attractive three-story frame residence for the abode of his family. Surround- ing the house are extensive and well-kept grounds, adorned by palms and roses and a thrifty orange grove. In the vicinity of Whit- tier he owns about one hundred and twenty-five acres, all of which (excepting a few acres in oranges for home use) is under cultivation to English walnuts, which he has found to be the most profitable crop that can be raised in South- ern California.

From his native county of Perry, Mo., John Dunlap went to Texas in young manhood and entered state land near Belton, Bell county, where he engaged in raising cattle and horses, and was a ranger in the Mexican war. In Texas he married Mary Huston, who was born in Mis- sissippi and died in California in 1900, aged sev- enty-three years. Desiring to conduct a stock business in California, during 1854 John Dunlap started with his family and his wife's brother across the country, with a drove of cattle and horses. While on the trip the Indians killed his brother-in-law and stampeded the horses, steal- ing nearly all of them. Impeded by these dis- couragements, he started to work to recoup his losses, and was so successful that he became a very large stock-raiser. For two years after his arrival in the state he lived on a ranch at El Monte, thence removed to what is now Kern county and bought a large tract of land near Bakersfield. In 1872 he bought a stock rancli of four thousand acres near Redlands, and on this property, known as Yucaipe ranch, he con- tinued stock-raising and general farm pursuits until his death, in 1875, at sixty-four years of age. The success that he gained was due to his persevering industry and energy. Devoting his attention closely to his personal affairs, he took no part in politics aside from voting the Demo- cratic ticket, nor was he identified with any fra- ternity except the Masonic Order, in which he served as a master mason. After his death the town of Redlands sprang into existence, and his children, on the division among them of the

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estate of four thousand acres, incorporated what is now the Yucaipe Water Company, which has since supplied water for a part of the city and vicinity. They still own the entire estate, which is very valuable property.

Of eleven children who attained maturity A. H. Dunlap was the second son, and was born near Belton, Tex., December 23, 1849. At five years of age he was brought to California, and as soon as large enough to ride a horse he began to accompany his father in his expeditions, driv- ing as many as four thousand head of sheep from one ranch and grazing them through to Arizona, to ship or sell. During his days as a cowboy he had many thrilling experiences with wild animals and hostile Indians, but with the incoming of settlers and the onward march of civilization this country became more like cast- ern settlements. After having superintended the Redlands ranch for two years, in 1872 he re- moved to the vicinity of Rivera, buying forty acres which he planted to walnuts. From there he came to the suburbs of Whittier in 1890. In the organization of the Bank of Whittier he was one of the leading factors and has since been one of the stockholders of its capital stock of $50,000. Reared in the faith of the Democratic party, he continued in its support until the con- vention of 1896 declared for the silver standard; not believing the adoption of such a measure would be beneficial to the country, he cast his vote for William McKinley for president. Like his father, he is connected with the Masons.

In San Bernardino county, in 1872, Mr. Dun- lap married Miss Susan Standefer, daughter of James S. and Caroline R. Standefer, and a native of Texas. In childhood she accompanied her parents to California; her mother died at Pomona April 20, 1888, and one of her brothers, William R., a Californian of considerable prom- inence, died in the Ranchito district April 4, 1879. Mrs. Dunlap is associated with the Christian Church and an attendant at its ser- vices. Born of her marriage are five sons and three daughters, namely: Albert Huston, who is a rancher and horticulturist near Rivera; Wil- liam Tyler, who died at twenty-one years of age; John, who occupies a large ranch at Redlands; Ross, Randall Montgomery and Minnie, at home; Lena A., who is a student in the Art Institute of Chicago; and Lillian, at home. In all of his dealings with his fellow-men Mr. Dun- lap has been straightforward and honorable, by which course of action, continued during the long period of liis business activity, he has won the friendship and confidence of associates. Of a modest and retiring disposition, he scarcely does justice to his own capabilities, but ascribes his success to the training of his parents, the efficient co-operation of his wife, and the op- portunities which Southern California offers men of determination.

ALLEN J. WILSON. Nowhere within the limits of Los Angeles county can there be found a citizen who takes a greater interest in general horticultural affairs, and particularly in the pack- ing business, than does Mr. Wilson, of Whittier. Favorably known as a self-reliant man of busi- ness ability, he has won the confidence of peo- ple in the line of his specialty, while as a citizen, 110 less than as a packer and shipper, he is highly esteemed. Through the exercise of fair judg- ment and sound common sense, he is meeting with a success that is as gratifying as it is de- served.

Though a native of Cedar county, Iowa, A. J. Wilson spent his early childhood years princi- pally in Kansas, having been only four years of age when his father, James K. Wilson, took the family to that state and settled near Osage. A few years later they came to California, and the son's education was largely carried on in Los Angeles. In 1897 he came to Whittier and the following year the other members of the family joined him here, his father being now engaged in the wholesale fruit business in this town. From boyhood he has been familiar with the fruit business, and soon after his arrival in Whit- tier he was placed in charge of the packing houses of the Earl Fruit Company. The details of this work occupied the winter months, while in the summer he devoted his attention to buy- ing fruit for the canneries. His next step was the forming of a partnership with his brother, E. E., and the two continued together in the packing and shipping business at Whittier until October, 1901, when A. J. bought his brother's interest and has since operated alone. During 1901 his shipments aggregated in value about $100,000, and included two hundred cars of oranges and lemons and forty cars of potatoes. The output in 1902 will reach about the same amount.

Thoroughly absorbed in business affairs, Mr. Wilson does not participate in political affairs, aside from casting his vote for Republican meas- ures and candidates. In 1901 he married Miss Katherine Black, who was born at San Juan, and has always made California her home. In religious connections she is a member of the Episcopal Church.

THOMAS F. SIMPSON. As superintendent of the Los Angeles county farm Mr. Simpson has been placed in charge of an institution car- ing for one hundred and ninety-three persons at the present time; while he also maintains a gen- eral oversight of the property, consisting of three hundred and forty acres, the larger part of which is under cultivation. Thirty acres have been planted in oranges forming a thrifty grove, now in bearing condition. The neat and attrac- tive appearance of the farm is frequently com- mented upon by visitors, and proves, better than

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words could do, the energetic and efficient super- vision of the manager.

Of Canadian birth, Mr. Simpson was born in Ontario November 16, 1862. His father, Alex- ander, a native of Scotland, settled in New York state as a boy, having crossed the ocean with his mother. In his young manhood he removed to Canada, where he married Anne McFadzean, of Scottish birth, but a resident of Canada from childhood. Agriculture formed his occupation from early youth until he died at fifty-two years of age. His wife still survives him. Both were strict members of the Presbyterian Church and possessed all the religious fervor and loyalty characteristic of the true Scot. Of their eleven children Thomas F. was third in order of birth. On completing the studies of grammar and high schools he began to teach when nineteen years of age, and during the next two years taught twenty-two months. For a short time afterward he was employed in Montreal and the lower provinces.

Coming to California in 1884, Mr. Simpson secured employment in Tulare county. Two years later he removed to Los Angeles, where he experienced as a dealer in real estate, all the fluctuations, excitement and reaction incident to the boom, the decadence of which found him "stranded" financially. His next venture was as a prospector in Idaho, Washington and Montana mines, where he met with fair success. Return- ing to Los Angeles county, he was employed as foreman on a ranch near Englewood, where for ten years he had charge of a grain and stock ranch of sixteen thousand acres. On resigning as foreman, he spent six months in Kansas City, Mo., after which he returned to his former posi- tion. About a year later, February 1, 1900, he was appointed superintendent of the Los Angeles county farm at Downey. By his mar- riage to Miss Della Shereman, a native of Kan- sas, he has one daughter, Olive. In politics he is a Republican. For several years he acted as deputy sheriff of his district, but aside from that he has held no offices, nor has he desired posi- tions of a political nature. In fraternal relations he is connected with the Independent Order of Foresters and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

ATWOOD SPROUL. In the colonial period of America's history a Scotchman crossed the ocean from his native land to Maine. At the time of the Revolution he was master of a vessel that fell into the possession of the British, and officers and crew became prisoners-of-war. Realizing that he faced certain death in their hands, he jumped overboard off the coast of Newfoundland and swam ashore, then ran back into the rocks, which furnished him a sure hid- ing place. He served bravely. in the war and afterward returned to Maine, where he lived to

be very aged. His son, William, was born in Bristol, Me., and met with fair success as a farmer, also held a number of local offices, given him by the Democratic party. At the time of his death he was sixty-seven years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Bug- bee, was born in Maine and died there when sixty-two years of age. They were the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom attained ma- ture years.

Near Augusta, Me., Atwood Sproul was born March 3, 1835, a son of William and Susan Sproul. In 1854 he left home for the distant state of California, where he mined for four years, meeting with alternate successes and re- verses. On leaving the mines he went to Hum- boldt county, Cal., and for a year was employed in a saw and flour mill. Seven months were then spent as a prospector and miner in Trinity county, from which he returned to Humboldt county for the winter. The spring of 1862 found him in what is now Grant county, Ore., where he pursued his mining ventures, built the Humboldt ditch and erected a sawmill on the ditch. This mill he operated with fair success for twenty years. A claim that he opened in the vicinity, known as the Humboldt mine, is still being worked.

In the spring of 1886 Mr. Sproul disposed of his property in Oregon and came to Norwalk, Cal., where he and his brother, Gilbert H., had purchased four hundred and fifty-seven acres of unimproved land in the winter of 1868. The village of Norwalk now stands on his old ranch. Immediately after settling here permanently, he built a livery barn and began the buying, selling and training of horses. At this writing he owns sixteen head of thoroughbred runners, among them being Conveth, a chestnut horse, 187, that sold for $10,000 as a yearling, but was injured when young. The pedigree of this stallion shows the great prominence of the three greatest of England's racing families in the first half of the nineteenth century, viz .: the blood of Waxy, winner of the derby of 1793, as exemplified through the two sons. Whalebone, winner of the derby of 1810, and Whisker, winner in 1815; the blood of Oroville, winner of the St. Leger of 1802, as exemplified in Emilius, derby of 1823, and Muley, who got Margrave, the Leger winner of 1832, and Vespa, winner of the Epson Oaks in 1833; also the blood of Touchstone, the great- est stallion of the past seventy-five years, as exemplified through Orlando, derby winner of 1844, and the sire of Teddington, winner in 1851. Conveth is by Favonius, dam Craco- viene by Trumpeter and Cachucha; Favonius by Parmesan and Zephyr, all of these being of the finest breeds.

The original property purchased by Mr. Sproul at Norwalk cost only $11 an acre, but through the laying out of the town site by him-

AS. If. Sherman.

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self and brother, and through the improvements he has made, the value of the land has greatly advanced. Several years ago he sold one hun- dred and sixty acres in a body, and at other times he lias disposed of small tracts, but he still retains a considerable acreage, some under cul- tivation and some in pasturage and hay. By his marriage to Miss Caroline Sollinger of Norwalk he has two daughters, Carrie and Deatrice. In politics he is a Republican and always votes with the party, although not active in its affairs, nor at any time seeking official honors.

HENRY H. STEVENSON. During the times of religious persecution in Scotland the Stevenson family sought safety in the north of Ireland and from there a later generation crossed the ocean to America, settling in North Caro- lina. Robert Stevenson and four of his brothers enlisted from that colony for service in the Rev- olutionary war, where he fought for indepen- dence and liberty. Later he migrated to Ken- tucky and from there went to Caledonia, Belle- view valley in Missouri, where he became one of the foremost men of his day and locality. He aided in building the first Presbyterian church erected west of the Mississippi. He was a mem- ber of the first state constitutional convention of Missouri, also a member of the first state legis- lature of Missouri, which met in St. Louis. On the occasion of attending the meeting of that body he was accompanied by his son, John, who, at the time, saw the first steamboat that ever cast anchor in the St. Louis docks. Later the fam- ily removed to what is now Butler county, Mo., where this Revolutionary hero and brave pioneer spent his last days.

Born in Kentucky in 1807, John Stevenson graduated from a college in Indiana and studied medicine, but did not engage in practice, turning his attention instead to surveying. As county surveyor and deputy United States surveyor he surveyed the greater part of southeastern Mis- souri, and laid out the town of Poplar Bluff in Butler county, which he named. On the estab- lishment of the county he was elected the first county judge. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, in the hope of finding gold, return- ing east via Panama three years later. Again in 1857 he crossed the plains, this time accom- panied by his son, Henry H., and driving a herd of cattle, which formed the nucleus of his herd in Santa Clara county. When he returned to Missouri in 1860, it was his intention to again come to California, but the outbreak of the Civil war changed his plans, and he remained in Mis- souri, dying in Wayne county. His wife, Eliz- abeth, was born in Illinois and died in Missouri in 1847. Her father, Abraham Walters, was a native of Virginia and died in Illinois. Of her two children who attained mature years, Henry H. alone survives. He was born in Butler conn-

ty, Mo., August 28, 1840. His education was re- ceived in public schools and Arcadia College.

One of the most vivid recollections in the life of Mr. Stevenson is of the six months' journey across the plains with his father in 1857, when they brought three hundred head of cattle to Cal- ifornia. Indians were hostile and numerous, and on one occasion attacked the party. Indeed, from Salt Lake City to Carson continual skir- mishing was necessary, and had it not been that many white men had joined forces and made one large expedition, herds and men alike would have perished. Among the men who had joined them were Governor Denver and Bishop, with their government escort, which made an addition so formidable that the Indians concluded retreat was safer than any more fighting. At last the company arrived in California, with their thirty wagons on the end gate of each of which was tied an Indian scalp. As may be imagined, the cavalcade attracted no little attention, for Indian scalps were not seen every day, although fights were numerous with the red men.

Though only a youth of seventeen, Mr. Ste- venson did a man's work during all of the trip and stood his turn as guard with the others. In 1860 he returned with his father via Panama, and the next year joined the Missouri state troops under Colonel Hedgepeth while Jackson was governor. While acting as scout under Jeff Thompson he was captured at Greenville by Colonel Boyd's troops and was brought into the colonel's presence and condemned to be shot as a spy. However, he was imprisoned a few days, which gave him his chance to escape. One even- ing the provost marshal was forced to lie down, suffering from a severe headache. Just before he had asked the prisoner to assist to write out some passes. He availed himself of the provost's absence to make out one pass for himself, and when night came on, he fled, seeking refuge in Arkansas. At the expiration of his year of serv- ice he was given his choice between returning home or re-enlisting in the Confederate army. He chose the former, returned home, secured his father's permission to come to California, and in the fall of 1862 arrived in San Francisco via New York and Panama. His condition was not very prosperous, as he did not even have a dol- lar in his possession. However, health and de- termination constitute excellent capital for a young man, and he was soon at work. For four years he was deputy county assessor and collec- tor, for two years he was deputy clerk, and for two years deputy recorder. Ill health caused him to remove to Southern California in 1876 and for a year he worked at the carpenter's trade in Los Angeles, after which he bought a farm at Downey, and made his home there from 1879 until 1892. He still owns twenty-four acres of walnuts, which he improved from a wilderness and has made a valuable orchard. The land is

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one and one-half miles north of Downey and one inile south of Rivera. Since 1892 he has con- sidered Long Beach his home and here he owns and occupies a residence on Fifth street near American avenue. . Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Foresters. In Santa Clara county he married Miss Mary M. Walter, who was born in 1852 in what is now Nevada while her parents were en route to Cal- ifornia. Her father, George Walter, was a na- tive of Ohio, and after coming to the coast en- gaged in horticultural pursuits at Downey. but died at Ventura.

In October, 1899, Mr. Stevenson was ap. pointed interpreter and clerk to Major Morrison, judge-advocate of the Philippines, and went to those islands, remaining fourteen months, and returning home in March, 1901. During his stay he was stationed principally at Zamboanga, Min- danao Island. Availing himself of exceptional opportunities afforded him to study resources, climate, soil, people and prospects, he acquired a large fund of valuable information, and was so well pleased with what he saw that he antici- pates returning to the Philippines and investing in property there as soon as the difficulties are settled. His study of the political situation, car- ried on under favorable conditions, has made him an anti-imperialist, with a firm belief that to add the Philippines to our national possessions will not be for the highest good either of our coun- try or of the islands themselves.

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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 133

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