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 138

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

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In a family of two sons and six daughters, S. K. Woodward was next to the youngest. Reared to a knowledge of farm pursuits, he has always been more or less interested in agricul- ture, though for a portion of his early life he followed the building business. During the Civil war he served in a Texas regiment for four years, his company being principally on duty east of the Mississippi river, with the army of the Tennessee. After the close of the war he resumed the pursuits of peace, making his home in Texas until his removal to California. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and the Democratic party, and his allegiance to both has continued up to the present time. Fraternally he is a member of the blue lodge of Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. After coming to Los Angeles county he married Eliza Dunn, who was born in Georgia, a daughter of J. A. Dunn. They became the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, namely: Rob- ert R., at home; William B., of Gardena; Car- rie L., Henry M., Samuel C. and Earl T., who are with their parents.

L. J. WOOLLEY. The industry in which Mr. Woolley is especially interested has not only brought a fair degree of success to him, but has also proved helpful to his home town of Re- dondo, as it has brought to the public notice its desirability as a fishing district. It was he who started this business here and he has now built up a good trade, employing three men with three boats and making large shipments each day. Besides, he is the owner of the yacht Ruby. In addition to his local interests he owns stock in copper and lead mines in Colo- rado.

In Sacramento, Cal., Mr. Woolley was born on the 4th of July, 1867, being a son of John and Cassandra Woolley, natives of Ohio. His father engaged in school teaching as an early means of livelihood and later turned his atten- tion to general merchandising. In 1849 he crossed the plains and settled in the Willa- mette valley in Oregon. After twelve years he

James a Blood

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

removed to Sacramento, Cal., where he en- joyed a fair degree of prosperity until the floods of 1866 caused a total loss of the savings of years; indeed, he and his family barely escaped with their lives. Discouraged with prospects there, he removed to San Francisco in 1867 and later settled in Santa Barbara, from there going to Ventura county and buying three hundred acres near the present site of Oxnard. The raising of sheep formed his principal occupation from that time until his death.

The youngest of five children, L. J. Woolley received a public-school education and the ad- vantages of a business training in Los Angeles Business College. For a time he was employed as a musician in an orchestra of Los Angeles, from which city he came to Redondo in 1889 and has since engaged in the fishing business. One of the active Republicans of the town, he has done much to promote the success of his party. For two years he served as city mar- shal and for one term held the office of city trustee. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and Independent Order of Foresters. After coming to Redondo he married Miss Anna Smith, who was born in Germany, and by whom he has one son, Ross W. Woolley.

JAMES A. BLOOD. On a high elevation among the foot-hills in Santa Barbara county, commanding a splendid view of the ranches of the valley, the changeful ocean, and the distant Channel Islands, is the residence of James A. Blood, one of the first settlers in the Carpinteria valley. He came here in 1867, after various ex- periences in different parts of the country, in- terspersed with the successes and failures which fall to the lot of men of marked individuality, and with force of character sufficient to lead them into risks while endeavoring to achieve their ex- pectations.

An interesting light is thrown upon the suc- cess of Mr. Blood from a knowledge of the dif- ferent stages which led up to it. He was born in Boston, Mass., in 1818, a son of Joseph Blood, a native of Salem. His father was a mechanic by occupation, and in 1820 removed to Roches- ter, N. Y., when that town contained but one public house and one mill, and when the pub- lic thoroughfares were filled with stumps of all grades and varieties. James A. lived in Roches- ter until 1838, when he went west to Peoria, Ill .. just after the Black Hawk war, and remained there for twelve years, engaged in the manufac- ture of plows. He made the first scouring plow in the state, then known as the Blood & Moshier plow, and so great a curiosity was it that people came for miles to witness its workings. Mr. Blood also engaged in farming in Illinois, and at one time owned a quarter section of land. In 1850 he made arrangements to cross the plains to California, taking with him several men who

paid him for transportation, and upon arriving at his destination located at Sacramento in July of 1850, being one of the first to cross the moun- tains east of Sacramento. He then engaged in placer mining for a time on the American river, and the same fall returned east by way of the isthmus, and engaged in the hardware business in Farmington, Ill. A year later he sold out and again crossed the plains, this time settling at Marysville, where he traded with the mining camps in partnership with Thomas Shannon, who later was a member of congress from Cali- fornia.

In the fall of 1858 Mr. Blood returned east with his brother, and on the border of Texas pur- chased twelve hundred head of cattle, which they drove up the Arkansas river to Pueblo, then on to Denver and Nevada, leaving the cattle to graze during the winter at Big Meadows on the Hum- boldt river. This deal proved a disastrous one, for the Indians stampeded and stole much of the stock, leaving them about five hundred and fifty head of cattle; the remainder were stolen by the red men. Mr. Blood then went to the Indian valley and engaged in placer mining, and finally struck a good quartz mine, for the crushing of which he built a mill, the investment affording about $100,000 profit. The second year a divi- dend of $300,000 was declared between the three stockholders. The third year he sold out and took another trip east, and in the spring of 1867 located at Carpinteria, and purchased one hun- dred and seventy acres of land, a part of which comprises his present home. The land is splen- didly improved, and walnuts, lemons, olives, and general fruits are raised in large quantities. For a number of years Mr. Blood was a member of the firm of Blood & Orr, grocers, of Santa Bar- bara, but after six years he went out of the busi- ness and returned to the management of his ranch. He is a director in the Commercial Bank of Santa Barbara, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and owns considerable real estate in this city.

At Avon, Fulton county, Ill., March 29, 1840, Mr. Blood married Cornelia L. Woods, and it has been his lot to enjoy a most harmonious home life. Fifty years from his marriage he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding. In politi- cal affiliation Mr. Blood is a Greenbacker, and in 1881 was a candidate for county treasurer, but was defeated by a small majority.

P. S. VENABLE. Numbered among the few native-born sons of California residing in Redondo is Mr. Venable, who was born in this state January 19, 1862. His father, Hon. J. W. Venable, was a native of Shelby county, Ky., born in 1831, to Samuel and Louisa (Allen) Venable. The Venable family came from Scotland and settled in Prince Edward county, Va., thence removing with Daniel

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Boone to Kentucky. At the age of sixteen years J. W. Venable served three months in the Mexican war. The next year he came to Cali- fornia and began mining in Placer county, after which he followed farming and stock-raising for thirty years. In 1869 he settled in Los An- geles county and purchased two hundred acres twelve miles from Los Angeles, where he still makes his home. Under his supervision the land has been brought under cultivation, largely to deciduous fruits. In former years he was a prominent Democrat of his community: In 1873 he was elected to the state assembly; from 1881 to 1884 served as assessor of Los Angeles county, acted as supervisor from 1886 to 1888, and while in Contra Costa county held office as justice of the peace and associate justice. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Masons, Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Work- men.

In Placer county, in 1852, J. W. Venable mar- ried Angelina Garrett, who died in 1860, leav- ing a daughter, Elizabeth Louisa, wife of Joseph Albright. The second wife of Mr. Venable was Annie Elizabeth Tate, of Contra Costa county, by whom he became the father of the following- named children: P. S., of Redondo; Caroline, Nellie, Mattie, John A., Villa Marsh, Joseph W., Charles Bush, Mary H., Lulu E., Aggie, An- drew and George. The father of Mrs. Annie (Tate) Venable was Jackson Tate, a native of Maine and a seafaring man by occupation. The subject of this sketch received a public-school education in California. He was seven years of age when the family settled in Los Angeles county, and has spent practically all of his ac- tive life here. In this county he married Susie, daughter of William Mallott, and a native of Platte county, Mo. Her father removed from Missouri to Los Angeles county in 1875 and settled upon an alfalfa ranch; his death occurred some years later. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Venable are Hazel, Max, Carrie and Helen, all of whom are at home. The family are con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Fraternally Mr. Venable is associated with the blue lodge of Masons, Eastern Star, Inde- pendent Order of Foresters, Maccabees and Royal Arcanum. Reared under Democratic in- fluences, he has seen no reason to change his faith in mature years, and votes for and works with the candidates of the party. He is inter- ested in educational matters, as is shown by his efficient service as school trustee. At this writ- ing he is a director of the Redondo Board of Trade. In addition to his tract of two hundred acres, he leases about twenty-six hundred acres, which is utilized for grain. The supervision of his ranch is under his personal control and none of the smallest details are neglected. However, he finds time for other interests, particularly for contracting, of which he is making a specialty.

Among his contracts are those for the grading of Hermosa avenue in Hermosa, a new beach town near Redondo; the completion of a con- tract for the Los Angeles & Pacific Railway Company; and the grading of the new car barns for the Redondo & Los Angeles Electric Rail- road, all of which contracts he has executed with painstaking skill.

M. R. TOLAND, M. D. In no field of thought has the development of recent years been more remarkable than in that of electric- ity. It has long been known to students of the science that medical practitioners might ad- vantageously avail themselves of its possibilities in the healing art, but even at the present day comparatively few physicians take advantage of this opportunity. After some years in gen- eral practice, Dr. Toland decided to take up the study of electricity, believing it to be one of the greatest remedial agents within the reach of the medical science. Accordingly he went to San Francisco and studied under the most able pro- fessors. On the conclusion of his course. in 1885, he opened an office at San Jacinto, but two years later came to Pomona, where he has since made a specialty of electro-therapeutics. His office on Second street comprises a large reception room and three consulting and oper- ating rooms, fitted out with the latest electrical appliances, including the Bertman battery and the X-ray machine. With the advantage of years of experience and study, and with the aid of his modern equipments, he is prepared to treat all diseases that can be benefited by elec- tricity. He is a member of the Southern Cali- fornia Medical Society and at one time served as its vice-president. In addition he has been connected actively with the Riverside Medical Society and the Academy of Medical Science in Los Angeles.

In Columbus, Miss., Dr. Toland was born May 3, 1853, and is a son of Rev. J. F. W. To- land, whose entire active life was devoted to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He was reared principally in Waco, Tex., where he attended the high school and the university. On completing his literary studies he took up the study of medicine, taking two years of lectures in Bryan University and later attending the Atlanta (Ga.) Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1883. Until coming to California he carried on practice in Waco and other southern towns, but he has never had cause to regret his decision to re- move to the Pacific coast and devote himself exclusively to the treatment of diseases by electricity. He has acted as medical examiner for the majority of fraternal organizations in this locality and is personally connected with the Foresters, Maccabees and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

The marriage of Dr. Toland united him with Miss Maud B. Gaines, who was born in Little Rock, Ark., and grew to womanhood in Waco, Tex. They are the parents of eight children, namely: Clarence G. Toland, M. D .; Molly O., who married J. S. Poole, of Valley Mills, Tex., and has a son, Sanford; Mattie E., at home; Minta W., wife of C. F. Downing, of Valley Mills, Tex., and the mother of a daughter, Paulina; Perin H., a student of dentistry in Los Angeles; Ethel L., Marcellin R., Jr., and Jo- seph F. The oldest son was born in Waco, Tex., in 1875, and after the completion of an academic course began the study of medicine, for which he had showed decided inclination from early boyhood. After graduating from the Kansas City Medical College in 1891, he re- turned to Pomona and has since assisted his father in his practice. At this writing he is sec- retary of the Medical Society of the Pomona Valley and a member of the Southern California Medical Society.

B. S. NICHOLS. The varied services ren- dered by Dr. Nichols in connection with the development of water in the Pomona valley and his long and successful occupancy of the posi- tion of president of the Pomona Land and Water Company have brought him prominence and influence among all who realize the impor- tance of the proper solution of questions rela- tive to irrigation. Of eastern descent, he was born in Enosburg, Vt., in 1824, and received his education in that little town, afterward taking up the study of medicine, as taught by the old school. In 1847 he began to practice at Frank- lin, Vt., but later opened an office at Crown Point, Essex county, N. Y., and still later was a practitioner at Whitehall, N. Y., where he set- tled in 1851. The constant strain of long drives, exposure in inclement weather and responding to calls by night as well as day, finally seriously undermined his health and obliged him to re- linquish his practice. Entering upon a new line of activity, he became a partner of Israel Davy in the manufacture of iron, under the firm title of Davy & Nichols, at Fairhaven, Vt. From there in 1865 he removed to Burlington, Vt., where he made his home until 1886. During the Civil war he helped raise a regiment for service in the Union army, but his men were ab- sorbed by other regiments, and he did not go to the front.

Having disposed of his interests in the east, in the fall of 1886 Dr. Nichols came to Califor- nia and settled in Pomona, where he has since been associated with the Pomona Land and Water Company. This organization was estab- lished in 1881 with C. T. Mills as president and M. L. Wick vice-president. The company's original purchase comprised twelve thousand acres of pasture and unimproved land, all situ-

ated in the Pomona valley. The first step of the company was the development of a system of water available for all horticulturists whose land was contiguous to the system. April 20, 1884, Mr. Mills died. He was succeeded as president by H. A. Palmer, and the latter in turn was succeeded in 1887 by Dr. Nichols, who had previously become a large stockholder. Since then a tract of three thousand acres has been added to the original purchase. From time to time portions of the property have been sold to settlers and by them converted into finely improved fruit ranches. In the system. as originally planned, artesian wells were util- ized, but they proved inadequate to the de- mand, and so pumping stations were erected which have since been used.

In addition to being connected with this company. Dr. Nichols is interested in the Po- mona water works, also bore a part in estab- lishing the Claremont and Del Monte Water Companies and the Palomares Company. In spite of the fact that these varied interests have demanded much of his time and thought, he has still found leisure to exercise a close supervision of his ranch near Pomona. This spot is one of the most inviting in the neighborhood. The thrifty appearance of the orchards proves that the owner has made a success in his experi- ments with the raising of tropical fruits. The residence of adobe is one of those typical south- ern structures that seem happily in harmony with the environment, and around it on every hand may be seen beautiful palm trees, which complete the rural picture of beauty and con- tent.

While living in Crown Point, N. Y., Dr. Nichols married Miss Lucy H. Penfield. The children born of their union are named as fol- lows: Charles P., of Pomona; Mrs. Mary H. Burr, of Bridgeport, Conn .; James H. and Allen P., both of Pomona; and Mrs. Annie S. Barrows. The family are connected with the Congregational Church.

EDWARD J. FLEMING. As a resident of Pomona during almost his entire life Mr. Flem- ing is especially interested in its progress and familiar with its history. He was born in Cam- · bridge, Mo., March 28, 1872, and was four years of age when he accompanied his mother to Cali- fornia, joining his father, Peter Fleming, in the eastern part of Los Angeles county. Primarily educated in local public schools, he was after- ward a student in Pomona College, where he completed his literary studies. When, it came the time to choose a life occupation, he decided upon the law, and the decision made in his youth he has had no cause to regret in his man- hood. Under the preceptorship of P. C. Ton- ner, one of the most noted attorneys of Po- mona, he began his law studies, and continued

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. .

the same uninterruptedly until he was admitted to the bar in 1894. It was his good fortune to begin in practice as a partner of his former preceptor, and the firm of Tonner & Fleming continued until the fall of 1896, the junior part- ner meantime relieving the older lawyer of much of the detail connected with the practice and at the same time gaining much from the constant association with a man of such keen intellect and shrewd judgment as Mr. Tonner possessed. In 1898 Mr. Fleming formed a part- nership with Paul E. Ussher, and this associa- tion continues to the present, the firm transact- ing a general law business.

Ever since he began to practice Mr. Fleming has been identified with local matters and, as a public-spirited citizen, has done his part toward advancing the interests of Pomona. As the candidate on the anti-license ticket, he was elected city attorney in 1897 to succeed J. A. Owen. Two years later he was re-elected, but resigned the office October 16, 1899, and Allen P. Nichols was elected to fill the vacancy thus created. During his incumbency of the office he drew up the papers in connection with the issuing of a $30,000 bond for the sewerage; the documents passed the test of courts and the bonds found a ready market. All through this matter he had been firm in adhering to the law, and turned a deaf ear to the advice of many citizens. The result was an honor to him and a credit to the community. While a partner of Mr. Tonner, their firm organized many of the local companies and had charge of the law mat- ters of a majority of the corporations here doing business. In these various ways he has gained a comprehensive knowledge of the technicalities of the law and particularly the management of a civil practice. The success which he has al- ready attained is, in the opinion of his friends, the precursor of a long and prosperous career.

As evidence of his interest in Pomona and the permanency of his residence here, it may be mentioned that Mr. Fleming has erected an at- tractive dwelling house on the corner of Holt and Gordon avenues. When the Order of Maccabees was organized he hecame a charter member and has since occupied its various chairs. As an officer he has been connected with the Knights of Pythias and is also a mem- ber of its grand lodge. In addition he is con- nected with the Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

PAUL E. USSHER. The junior member of the Pomona law firm of Fleming & Ussher was born in Walkerton township, province of Onta- rio, Canada, June 2, 1878. His father, Henry Ussher, M. D., was a native of Quebec, and spent much of his active life in Canada. On the completion of his literary course he took up the

study of medicine, which he continued until he was graduated from McGill Medical College of Montreal with the class of 1861. During the early months of his practice he made his home at Bowmanville, and from there removed to Walkerton, Ontario, during the '6os, being the first physician to settle in that township. Among the people for miles in every direction he was known and respected, and his practice grew to such dimensions that leisure was impos- sible. Under the strain of years of overwork his health at last broke down, and he found himself obliged to relinquish professional work entirely. Hoping that a milder climate might produce beneficial results in his physical condi- tion, in 1889 he went to Florida, but was dis- appointed in that region, and so came to Cali- fornia. The climate of Pomona at once proved beneficial. Accordingly he sent for his family and purchased a ranch of deciduous fruits. With his son-in-law, M. W. Cobban, he embarked in the cattle business, having stock both in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. In this he continued until his final retirement from business. In the various places where he re- sided he identified himself with local affairs and always proved himself to be a helpful, resource- ful citizen. While living in Ontario he served as county coroner and jail surgeon and in other capacities. Masonry, with its high principles and its spirit of helpfulness, appealed to his na- ture, and he gave it his interested support. In religion he was a member of the Christadel- phian Church. By his marriage to Catherine Gammond, of Montreal, he had four children, namely: Georgiana, who married M. W. Cab- ban; Marguerite, wife of W. L. Lawrence; Paul E .; and Frederick, who is in the drug business.

The early education of Paul E. Ussher was secured in Canadian schools, and after coming to Pomona he was given all the advantages of the grammar and high schools here. Selecting the profession of law for his life work, he en- tered upon its study under the tutelage of the talented P. C. Tonner, to whose kindly over- sight and guidance he owes much. Upon at- taining his majority, in 1898, he was admitted to the bar, and afterward continued with Mr. Ton- ner for eighteen months, at the expiration of which time the firm of Fleming & Ussher was formed by his partnership with Edward J. Flen- ing. The young men possess the energy requi- site to success and are building up an impor- tant practice in all of the courts. Various fraternal societies number Mr. Ussher among their inembers, including the Woodmen of the World, the Knights of Pythias and the Order of Foresters, in which he has served as an offi- cer. The qualities which he possesses are bringing him a high place in the regard of the people of Pomona, where professionally and so- cially he has won a host of friends.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ELLEN BURPEE FARR. The artistic taste and executive ability of Mrs. Ellen Burpee Farr are perhaps the predominating characteristics which have won her an unchallenged position among the influential women of Southern Cali- fornia. The old missions perpetuated in all their picturesque interest by her magic brush ; the fo- liage and vivid berries of the pepper tree which have brightened so many of her canvases; her fish, game, and Indian basket studies, have made her name a household one in Pasadena and throughout the state, and brought orders from every part of the United States, and five differ- ent countries beyond the sea. So far-reaching a reputation bespeaks a world of tireless appli- cation to the best tenets of art, and would in it- self, irrespective of her other claims to consider . ation, constitute the sum of a well rounded career to any woman less splendidly enthusiastic than this believer in all things beautiful and uplifting.

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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 138

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