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 42

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

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Ciphard Band

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

As a delegate to convention and a partici- pant in public affairs, Mr. Hill has been of as- sistance in promoting Republican success. He is connected with the Fraternal Brotherhood and the Maccabees. By his marriage to Miss Nellie Fillburn, who was born in Santa Rosa, Cal., he has a son, Robert, and the family oc- cupy a pleasant home at No. 1317 West Elev- enth street.

CEPHAS L. BARD, M. D. Prominent among those to whom the medical and surgical profession for years was a source of pleasure and research, in whom the opening vistas and yet hidden paths inspired the workings of a mas- ter mind, and who, after a strenuous army and frontier experience, later long continued peaceful practice, was Dr. Cephas L. Bard, who came to California in 1868, and was the first graduate physician to locate in the then small settlement of Ventura.

The ancestry represented by Dr. Bard was an enviable one, the profession of law and medi- cine being upheld by brilliant exponents on the maternal side, while on the paternal side Drs. John and Samuel Bard were founders of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Remote ancestors of the family were among those persecuted Huguenots who were forced to seek an asylum in more tolerant Eng- land, from which country they crossed the sea and became pioneers of Pennsylvania. The great-great-grandfather, Richard, settled in the state of William Penn in 1745, and in 1758 he and his wife were captured by the Indians and saved from a general massacre for a more dread- ful fate. Fortunately, however, he succeeded in making his escape, and his wife, after being in captivity for a year, was surrendered at Fort Du Quesne in consideration of a ransom of forty pounds sterling. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Bard, was also born in Pennsylvania, was a farmer during his active life, and during the war of 1812 was invested with the rank of captain.

The next in succession, Robert M. Bard, the father of Dr. Bard, was born in Chambersburg, Pa., in 1810, and became a prominent attorney and a leader of the bar of Franklin county, Pa., at the time of his death being candidate for con- gress. The mother of Dr. Bard, formerly Eliza- beth Little, came of a distinguished family, and was the daughter of Dr. P. W. Little, of Mer- cersburg, Pa. Her brother, Dr. B. Rush Little, was at the time of his death professor of ob- stetrics in the Keokuk (Iowa) Medical College, and another brother, R. Parker Little, was for years connected with the Columbus Medical College. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Bard, Col. Robert Parker, was on the staff of General Lafayette during the Revolutionary war, and received special recognition from Gen-

eral Washington as a reward for gallant service during the conflict. Two sons and two daugh- ters were born to Robert M. Bard and wife, and the two sons, Cephas L. and Thomas Robert, rose to eminence among the citizens of Ventura county, the latter being honored by election to the United States senate from the state which he so niaterially and ably served.

A native of Chambersburg, Pa., Dr. Bard was born April 7, 1843, and was graduated from the classical course of the Chambersburg Academy at the age of seventeen. As a preliminary to the study of medicine he entered the office of Dr. A. H. Senseny, one of the most talented physi- cians of Pennsylvania, and later began to study at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, when an interruption was caused by the out- break of the Civil war. Enlisting as a private in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-sixtlı Pennsylvania Infantry, he participated in the second battle of Bull Run, and the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. At the expiration of his nine months of service he continued to study at Jefferson Medical Col- lege, and finally passed an examination before an army board and was appointed assistant sur- geon to the Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsyl- vania Infantry by Governor Curtin. This regi- ment was exceptionally active and was at the front in all of the important battles, its greatest losses occurring at Hatcher's Run, Dabney's Mills, Petersburg, Gravelly Run and Five Forks. The regiment was commanded by Col. William Sergeant, brother-in-law of General Meade, com- mander of the army of the Potomac.

After the war Dr. Bard returned to Pennsyl- vania and resumed the study of medicine, gradu- ating from Jefferson Medical College in 1866, and then practicing at Chambersburg until 1868. During a part of the time he was county phy- sician. He then located in Ventura, after which he pursued, at various times, special courses in New York and Philadelphia, and acted as county physician during the greater part of his resi- dence here. He was the first president of the Ventura County Medical Society, and in 1893 was elected president of the Southern California Medical Society. At a meeting of the State Medical Society in San Francisco, in 1897, he was elected president, and the following year presided at the meeting in Fresno. He was a member of the American Medical Association and surgeon of the Southern Pacific Railroad from Saugus to Carpinteria and branches. In political affiliation he was a Republican and in religion a Presbyterian. He was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the Grand Army of the Republic, Cushing Post; Lodge No. 214, F. & A. M., at Ventura, Chap- ter No. 50, R. A. M., and Al Malakiah Temple, N. M. S., of Los Angeles.

With his brother the senator, Dr. Bard,

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that battle. He was present during the siege of Vicksburg, near the close of which he was at- tacked by typho-malarial fever and was off duty for fifty-five days.

After the surrender of Vicksburg the Thirteenth Army Corps was sent to the depart- ment of the Gulf. There Colonel Sheldon was in the campaign up the Teche and to Opelousas, and was then sent to Plaquemine, one hundred and ten miles above New Orleans, to resist the advance of General Walker. He remained in command of that district four months, and was then transferred to the command of the district of Baton Rouge. From there he was sent in command of five regiments to the assistance of the retreating army of Banks after the disastrous Red river campaign. From that time until the close of the war he was in command of an ex- peditionary force that operated in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. In recognition of meritorious and gallant services he was bre- vetted brigadier-general. At the close of the war he was in New Orleans and remained there, engaging in professional practice, which stead- ily grew more important and lucrative. As he had been prominent in the army, so also in af- fairs of peace he proved himself to be a wise counselor, and his service of three terms in the house of congress added new lustre to his name. In 1880 he was a delegate to the national Re- publican convention, where he was instrumental in securing the nomination of his friend, James A. Garfield. Later ine and his wife spent two months in the White House as the guest of the president, who also showed his friendship by tendering him the appointment as governor of New Mexico, an office that he filled from May 5th, 1881, until June 15, 1885. On the expira- tion of his term he remained in the territory practicing law. In December, 1885, he was ap- pointed a receiver of the Texas & Pacific Rail- road, which he operated for two years. When the road was sold and his accounts adjusted (which occurred without objection to a single item), he removed to Pasadena, Cal., where he has since resided. Since coming west he has had numerous honors conferred upon him. In 1896 he was a delegate-at-large from the state to the Republican national convention at St. Louis, which nominated Mckinley for president.

In spite of his active life and the hardships of his army service, General Sheldon is un- usually well-preserved, and at once impresses a stranger as a man of fine physical powers. However, splendid as are his powers of body, they are surpassed by those of the mind. In the midst of his busy life, he has found time to gain a broad knowledge and has devoted many of his happiest hours to literary pursuits. In habits he has been exemplary and in character ir- reproachable. Doubtless, if those best acquainted with him were asked his chief trait, they would

promptly reply "Moral courage," and it is true that this faculty is especially prominent among his characteristics. It was noticeable in his youth, and the years of manhood have given abundant opportunity for its development. As a patriot and a statesman, and a man who has rendered most helpful service to our country, his name is worthy of perpetuation in the annals of the nation.

A. L. JENNESS. Very early in the history of America three brothers bearing the family name of Jenness came from England to seek homes in the new world. One of these settled in Rye, N. H., and from him the lineage is traced to Judge A. L. Jenness, of Santa Mo- nica. Joseph Jenness and his son, Joseph, Jr., spent their entire lives as farmers near Wolf- boro, Carroll county, N. H. The latter married Eliza J. Hawkins, who was born at Wolfboro and is now living on the Wolfboro homestead. Her father, Joseph, was descended from an English family long resident in New Hamp- shire.

The family of which A. L. Jenness is a mein- ber consisted of himself and two sisters, of whom one sister is deceased. He was born on the farm near Wolfboro May 11, 1842, and re- ceived excellent educational advantages, for his parents were of that sturdy class of New Eng- landers whose devotion to education has made that region a power in the world. After a course of study in Wolfboro Academy he en- tered New Hampton Institute and later matricu- lated in Amherst College, where he continued until the junior year. About 1867 he became a teacher in Clermont county, Ohio. The year 1869 found him in Missouri, where he was long a successful and prominent educator. For a time he was connected with the schools of Au- drain county, in 1872 went to Monroe county, and a year later secured an appointment as teacher in Montgomery county, where he was superintendent of the Danville schools until 1882. From 1883 until 1888 he held a position as superintendent of the Montgomery City schools. Next he was for two years superin- tendent at Jamesport, where his successful work sustained the high reputation he had previously won in educational circles. From 1890 to 1892 he was engaged with the Fayette schools, and the two following years was superintendent of the Chillicothe (Mo.) schools. Meantime he was actively interested in institute work, was a favorite speaker at county and state teachers' conventions, and did much to promote educa- tional work in Missouri. His removal from the state to California in 1894 was a loss to the public-school system, whose welfare he had so long and so honorably promoted.

Settling in Santa Monica in 1894, Mr. Jenness has since made this city his home, and has en-

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gaged in the real-estate and insurance business both here and in Los Angeles, besides which, from 1898 to 1902, he held the office of justice of the peace, elected on the Republican ticket. He is a member of the vestry of the Santa Mo- nica Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a past officer of the Ancient Order of United Worknien and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership in the latter organi- zation now being with the Montgomery City, Mo., lodge. While living in Missouri he mar- ried Rosa Marshall, who was born in Ohio and died in Missouri. The two daughters of their union, Louisa R. and Lydia J., are teachers in Ohio schools. After coming to Santa Monica he was again married, his wife being Margaret Van Every, who was born near Hamilton, On- tario, and who shares with him in the esteem of associates and acquaintances.

MAJOR JOEL ADAMS FITHIAN. The life which this narrative sketches began April 3, 1839, near Bridgeton, Cumberland county, N. J., on the old Fithian homestead which has been in the family for generations, and closed at Los Angeles, Cal., March 26, 1898. Be- tween these two dates is the epitome of a career that was busy, useful and successful. Whether as a soldier on the battlefield between north and south, or as a soldier in the no less stern battle of life, Major Fithian acted well his part; and the prosperity that came to him was directly attributable to his wise judgment and tireless activity. The latter years of his life were inti- mately identified with Santa Barbara, where he made his home. It may be doubted if any citi- zen maintained a warmer interest in the city's well-being and growth than did he. From the time of establishing his home here until his death, he was a constant contributor to move- ments looking toward the city's advancement. His name is particularly associated with the Fithian building, Santa Barbara's finest struc- ture, which he began in 1895 and completed the following year. The building affords a fine specimen of modern architecture and is in every respect substantial and elegant. With a frontage of one hundred and forty-six feet on State, corner of Ortega street, it occupies a location central and desirable, and its commanding posi- tion is further enhanced by the presence of a large Seth Thomas clock with chimes. It was Major Fithian's privilege to see the consumma- tion of this building, but the many other plans he cherished for the city's improvement were prevented by death. Among these plans was one for the improvement of Ortega street be- tween State and Chapala, by the erection of sub- stantial business houses, including a two-story block covering two-thirds of the street. Had not death intervened, the city would now pos-

sess many other monuments to his business enterprise.

When a boy Joel Adams Fithian resided in Bridgeton, N. J., with his parents, Joel and Han- nah (Ludlam) Fithian, but before reaching his majority he removed to Easton, Md. There he became the owner of a large plantation. About that time sectional feeling was bitter. The war was approaching, and in his part of Maryland the sympathies of the people were with the south. A committee of prominent citizens waited upon him and gave him twenty-four hours to leave the state. Knowing the fate that other Union men had met, he felt that "dis- cretion was the better part of valor" and left, returning to Bridgeton, N. J. Shortly after- ward, with Lieut. (later Capt.) Elijah Husted. he opened a recruiting office and, under the name of the Kearney Guards, formed what afterward became Company F, Twenty-fourth New Jersey Infantry, of which he was duly elected captain. With the regiment he was mustered into service September 16, 1862. Upon reaching the field, the Twenty-fourth was attached to General Abercrombie's brigade, but soon was permanently transferred to French's (Third) Division, Couch's (Second) Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, Brigadier-General Nathan Kimball commanding. His eminent fit- ness for staff duty was recognized by Gen. Wil- liam H. French, who appointed him to the im- portant office of inspector-general of the Third Division, and in that capacity he took part in the battle of Fredericksburg, in December, 1862, under General Burnside; and Chancellorsville, in May, 1863, under General Hooker. On the expiration of his term of enlistment he was mus- tered out June 29, 1863. However, he was not content to remain out of the service as long as the government remained in need of soldiers, and he soon returned to the army. February 28, 1864, he was appointed major and addi- tional paymaster, U. S. A., in which capacity he was with the armies of the Potomac and Shenan- doah, participating in various campaigns under General Sheridan. Immediately after the sur- render of the Confederates he was ordered to Richmond, Va .. to assist in the final payment of the soldiers, and he remained on this duty until October 12, 1865, when he resigned his commis- sion and resumed the duties of a private citizen.

The next thirty years of Major Fithian's life were devoted principally to the banking busi- ness, first in Richmond, Va., where he became vice-president of one of that city's largest banks; and later in New York City, and Paris, France, where his interests were large and of the great- cst importance. Finally, attracted by the sunny skies and genial climate of California, he estab- lished his home in Santa Barbara, into whose activities he at once entered with the energy that was one of his characteristics. Possessing

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the qualities of mind and heart that win and retain friends, he soon became one of the lead- ing citizens of huis adopted city. In any gath- ering of people his soldierly bearing, courtly dignity of manner and genial courtesy made lim a conspicuous figure. Nature had endowed him liberally, and education and culture had brought these gifts to fruition. His face bore the stamp of a striking personality, and even those who met him but once could readily dis- cern his possession of powers that raise a man from competency to wealth and prestige and prominence.

In New York City Major Fithian married Fannie B., daughter of Richard B. Connolly. Four children were born of their union. The elder daughter, Myra, married Chester Allan Arthur, son of ex-President Arthur, and resides in Colorado Springs, Colo. The younger daugh- ter, Fannie, is the wife of Comte Arthur de Gabriac, of Paris, France. One son, R. Bar- rett, is a resident of Santa Barbara, in whose improvement he takes an active part. The other, Joel R., is an extensive horticulturist of Carpinteria, and president of the Union Mill & Lumber Company. They are both members of the Santa Barbara Club, the Polo and Country clubs and the Chamber of Commerce. Major Fithian built and founded the Country Club in Montecito, which now belongs to his elder son, R. Barrett. In 1898, while Major Fithian was returning from a visit of a few months in Paris, apparently full of life and health, he was sud- denly taken ill in the journey across the conti- nent, and was unable to proceed further than Los Angeles, where he died within a compara- tively few miles of the home he loved. After his death Mrs. Fithian spent a portion of each year in Europe, while the balance of the time was passed in her old home-town of Santa Bar- bara. Her death occurred December 29, 1901, when she was visiting in Paris.

GEORGE WALTER JUDKINS. The Jud- kins family came from England to Maine many years ago and was afterward identified with the development of the Pine Tree state. After some ycars of seafaring life, during which time, as mate of a vessel, he has sailed all over the world, Lawrence McLaurin Judkins decided to seek a home on the Pacific coast and in 1847 rounded the Horn and landed in San Francisco. For a time he engaged in trading on the Sacramento river, but as soon as news of the discovery of gold reached him he hastened to the mines of the American river, where he joined the eager throng of gold-seekers. A few years later he purchased a farm in Sonoma county and in 1862 removed to San Diego county, buying a tract of unim- proved land fifteen miles above old San Diego. The cultivation of this property engrossed his attention and he was bringing it to an excellent

condition when, in 1868, he was murdered by one of his Indian employes. He had survived some years his wife, Annie (Dornell) Judkins, who was born in Wisconsin, crossed the plains in 1850 and died in Sonoma county. Of their three children, Foscaria died in Nevada; Joseph D. resides in Washington, and George Walter, in Los Angeles.

His membership in Ramona Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West, proves that George Walter Judkins is a native Californian. He was born in Petaluma, Sonoma county, October 16, 1858, and grew to manhood on a farm. In 1879 he traveled through Nevada and Idaho, visiting the principal mining centers, and then crossed the mountains on horseback, and in 1880 arrived at Chico, Butte county, Cal. Going next to San Francisco, he secured an unimportant position in the machine shop of the Pacific Rolling mills, where he learned the machinist's trade. On com- pleting the trade he was employed to put in ma- chinery of all kinds in different parts of Califor- nia. His residence in Los Angeles dates from September, 1888, when he began contracting and building. In 1891 he entered the employ of the Los Angeles Consolidated Railway Company (now the Los Angeles Railway Company), and after assisting to put in their plant, he acted as chief engineer of the same for six vears. On the organization of the Los Angeles Traction Com- pany, he accepted a position as first engineer and superintended the building of the company's plant, which is one of the largest in the city. As motive power, four boilers are used, each with three hundred and twenty-five horse power, oil being used as fuel. Two engines have two hun- dred and fifty-horse power, and one has seven hundred and fifty. With a view to enlarging this capacity the company expects soon to put in other boilers and engines, which will make the plant one of the largest in the entire west, as it is al- ready one of the most reliable and perfect in its operation.

In Chico, Cal., Mr. Judkins married Miss Nona McCargar, who was born in Minnesota. and bv whom he has three children, Georgia, Ray and Hazel. The family are identified with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, to the support of which Mr. Judkins is a contributor. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Los Angeles; Independent Order of Foresters, in which he is past officer; Modern Woodmen of America and Fraternal Brother- hood, as well as Native Sons of the Golden West, previously mentioned. For eight years he was a member of the board of examiners, having charge of examinations of stationary engineers applying for licenses. In politics he votes with the Re- publicans.

The position held by Mr. Judkins is one for which he is especially qualified. The mechanical skill with which nature endowed him has been

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developed and trained by constant study and by long experience in his particular occupation. His knowledge of machinery is complete and thorough, and those in a position to know have said that, in their opinion, Los Angeles has no resident more familiar with the operating of large plants than is Mr. Judkins.

ROBERT BRENT ORD. During a com- paratively long and very useful life Robert Brent Ord creditably upheld the reputation of a family numerously identified with the important affairs of the country, and who served with distinction during the Civil war, their talents adding lustre also to the professions of law and medicine, and solidity to the commercial undertakings in which they were engaged. Judge Ord was born in Washington, D. C., March 4, 1827, a son of James Ord, who was born in England, and came to the United States when a young man. The elder Ord acquired his education at Georgetown College, his intention being to enter the priest- hood, but subsequent events modified his plans to entering government service, first as midship- man, and later as one of the regular navy. For many years he was located in Michigan as Indian agent at Sault Ste. Marie, after which he retired from business life and located in Santa Cruz. After the death of his wife he lived for a time in San Francisco, his remaining years being spent with his son, Gen. E. O. C. Ord, at whose home his death occurred. He married Rebecca Ruth Cresap, member of an old Maryland family, who prided themselves upon gallant service in the wars of the Revolution and 1812. Of the seven' sons and one daughter in the family, one son and one daughter are now living. Placidus served in the Civil war and died in Omaha; Gen. Ed- ward O. C. Ord participated in the Civil war with the rank of major-general; Judge Pacificus Ord came to California in 1849, was an attorney of large wealth, judge of the supreme court of California, and died in Washington in 1900; Dr. James L. Ord was a practicing physician in Santa Barbara for forty years, was surgeon in the United States army, and died in Maryland; Marcey, who came to California in 1849, was a successful business man and died in Santa Cruz; John, who came west in 1855, resides at the old homestead in Santa Cruz; and Georgiana C. is Mrs. Judge Holliday, of San Francisco.

Judge Robert B. Ord was reared at Sault Ste. Marie and educated in a Maryland college. In 1849 he came to California via Panama, the steamer Oregon bringing him from the isthmus to San Francisco. The following years were notable for remarkable undertakings in the stock raising . business; operations being con- ducted upon the old Glen ranch which he pur- chased near Chico, Colusa county, and which contained over three thousand acres. For a long time he was a general stockman, but finally

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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 42

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