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 57

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 57

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The marriage of Mr. Crowell united him with Miss Ella Stamps, who was born in Alabama of an old southern family, and removed to Arkan- sas with her father, H. J. Stamps, a planter and merchant. Born of this union are five children -Belle; James Stamps, who is general manager of the Louisiana milling plant established by his father; Susie Lee; Robert D., who is assist- ant manager of the Louisiana mill, and Ida.

It is not too much to say that Mr. Crowell merits praise for the success he has achieved. When he was a young man, just ready to start out in life, the south had not recovered from the calamity of the war. Industries were at a low ebb. An air of discouragement pervaded the country. Beginning then, with his youth and enthusiasm, he worked his way forward until he had established industries giving em- ployment to a large number of men and thus greatly benefiting the localities in which they had been established. At least three large and successful plants owe their origin to his en- thusiasm and energy, and, while thus building up communities, developing local resources and attaining financial prosperity, at the same time he won the confidence of his large circle of busi- ness and social acquaintances and maintained the esteem and respect of all.

GEORGE ANTHONY BROUGHTON, M. D. While to Dr. Broughton belongs the distinction of being a son of one of the greatest benefactors and promotors of Santa Barbara county, and while a justifiable pride has stimu- lated the effort to maintain so admirable an ex- ample of a worthy life, it may also with justice be said that the qualities he possesses would bring him prominence unaided by ancestral in- fluence; for now, while practically a young man, he has attained a prominent place in the profes- sion in his county and obtained a very exten- sive and lucrative practice in the locality where he resides.

Dr. Broughton was born in Santa Cruz, Cal., February 28, 1875. His parents, W. W. and Mary Elizabeth (Anthony) Broughton, were among the early settlers of Santa Cruz, where his father began the practice of law and jour- nalism. His boyhood days were spentein Lom- poc, Santa Barbara county, where his parents have resided for the last twenty-five years. He received his education in Santa Barbara county and San Francisco, graduating from the Medi- cal Department of the University of California May 13, 1896. After his graduation he served an interneship at the Sacramento County Hos- pital and the French Hospital, San Francisco, and then entered into general practice at Chino, San Bernardino county. In 1898 he gave up his practice there and located at Oxnard to have charge of the surgical work at the sugar mills, then being erected by the American Beet Sugar

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Company, which work he now has, in addition to an extensive country practice and the sur- gery for the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany throughout this vicinity.

February 10, 1901, Dr. Broughton married May Livingston, a resident of Los Angeles and a native of Hueneme. Her parents, Robert G. and H. (Palmer) Livingston, were among the very early settlers of Ventura county, and lived in Hueneme for many years, where Mr. Liv- ingston conducted a very extensive mercantile business, the family later moving to Los An- geles, where they now have their home. A woman of rare accomplishments and delightful personality, Mrs. Broughton received her educa- tional advantages in Los Angeles and San Fran- cisco, completing her studies in music and art in Florence, Italy, in 1900. To Dr. and Mrs. Broughton was born a daughter, Beatrice, No- vember 25, 1901. Mrs. Broughton is a member of Acacia Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, Los Angeles. Dr. Broughton has affiliations with the Oxnard Masonic Lodge and Oxnard Ma- sonic Club, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Foresters. He is also a member of the Southern California Medical Society.

JUAN B. BANDINI. During the early days of San Diego (Old Town) the Bandini family was prominent among the representatives of Spanish aristocracy. Capt. José Bandini, a na- tive of Spain, became an officer in the Spanish navy, and in that capacity spent a considerable period in Peru, South America, where he mar- ried Gertrude Orgacita, also of Spanish lineage. Later he became interested in mercantile ma- rine trading along the coast of California, but finally retired, became a landsman, and died at San Gabriel. His son, Juan, was born in Peru, and in early manhood held a commission in the Spanish navy. Acompanying the family to Cali- fornia, he settled in San Diego, and there mar- ried Dolores Estedilio, who was born in Mon- terey, and died in San Diego. Her father, Capt. José Estedillo, was a native of Spain, an officer in its army and for years a commander of land forces in California.

Many enterprises called forth the energy and executive ability of Juan Bandini, chief among these being merchandising, farming and stock- raising. His possessions steadily increased until they included fifty thousand acres, extend- ing from Rincon to Agua Manse. It seemed as if fortune accompanied him in all of his ventures. This was largely due to his strong character, wise judgment and indomitable will. The plans which he made he possessed the energy to execute, and his influence was a potent factor in the development of Southern California. Indeed, during pioneer days people sometimes smilingly said that Juan Bandini and

Abel Stearns owned all of Southern California, a statement that had in it a degree of truth when it is remembered that he owned Jurupu and Rincon ranches, one-half of Encenado and all of the Guadalupe and Tecatta ranches, be- sides many other landed estates. Included in his property was the present site of San Diego, which he and Mr. Davis sold to Mr. Horton, the founder of New Town. His death occurred in 1859, when he was visiting his daughter, then the wife of Abel Stearns, in Los Angeles. Of his first marriage were born the following children: Josepha, who chied in Los Angeles; Alexander, who died in childhood; Arcadia, whose first husband, Abel Stearns, died in 1871, and three years later she was married to Col. R. S. Baker, one of the founders of Santa Monica; Isadora, who died in Los Angeles; José 31. and Juan B., both of Santa Monica. The second wife of Juan Bandini was Dona Refugio Bandini, by whom he had two daughters and three sons, now living.

In Old Town (San Diego) Juan B. Bandini was born November 15, 1833. When eight years of age he was taken to Los Angeles, and from twelve to sixteen was on American ves- sels in the merchant marine service. Returning to Los Angeles, he became a clerk in the store of Abel Stearns, but later took charge of a ranch owned by his father in Lower California. Subsequent to his father's death he returned to Los Angeles to superintend the business owned by Mr. Stearns. Later he engaged in the cattle business at San Luis Rey, where he owned and operated Last Chance ranch. When he again went to Los Angeles he identified himself with real estate matters and assisted Colonel Baker, who owned the Vicente ranch of thirty-six thou- sand acres, but sold the larger part to Senator Jones of Nevada. The two men donated three hundred acres, valued at $100,000, to the United States government for the establishment of the Soldiers' Home. After the death of Colonel Baker Mr. Bandini took charge of Mrs. Baker's interests in Santa Monica, where he has since made his home. Though proud of his Spanish lineage, he is a loyal American, a pronounced Republican and a thorough patriot. During the Civil war he was lieutenant of Company B, First California Cavalry, and served in California and Arizona for eighteen months, when he was hon- orably discharged.

The first wife of Mr. Bandini was Esperanza Sepulveda, a native of Los Angeles and daugh- ter of José Diego Sepulveda. Among the Span- ish pioneers of California Mr. Sepulveda held high rank. Born in 1813, he was a son of Do- lores Sepulveda, whose vast estates extended along the seacoast from San Pedro to Redondo and for miles back into the foothills. On this property, known as San Pedro rancho, José Diego Sepulveda was born and spent his entire

P.J Barber

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

life, dying in 1869, when fifty-seven years old. His wife was Maria Elisalda, daughter of a wealthy Spanish officer living in San Diego. Mrs. Esperanza Bandini died in Los Angeles in 1866, leaving two daughters, namely: Mrs. Ar- cadia Gaffy of Los Angeles and Mrs. Dolores Ward of London, England. The second mar- riage of Mr. Bandini occurred in San Diego and united him with Miss Caroline Moreno, men- ber of an old family of that city, where she died in 1874.

HON. P. J. BARBER. The history of the Barber family in America dates from 1635, when Thomas Barber, who was born in England in 1614, crossed the Atlantic and settled first at Windsor, later in Hartford, Conn. Next in line of descent was Thomas (2d), born in 1644, whose son, Thomas (3d), born in 1673, was the father of Thomas (4th), born in 1716, and the latter had a son, Jacob, born in 1738, whose son, Thomas, born in 1773, was the father of Hon. P. J. Barber, and was born in Canton, Hartford county, Conn. His carly life was spent in a country town. He was well educated, particularly as a musician, was a good vocalist, played every instrument then in vogue, the violin being his favorite, and wrote and taught music for years. He carried on farming early in life; later conducted a boot and shoe factory.

During the war of 1812 Thomas Barber raised a company of volunteers, but on the morning of starting for the front he was thrown from his horse and his shoulder was broken, thus prevent- ing him from entering the service. Indeed, he never afterward recovered from the injury. In 1820, accompanied by his family, he removed to Nelson, Portage County, Ohio, settling on Sec- tion 36, the journey by ox-teams taking forty- five days. With the assistance of his oldest sons, he cut down the timber, planted crops, put up a log house and barn, and made every effort to establish a comfortable home in the then wilder- ness of the Western Reserve. Adversity came to him, and from the first he was called on to endure many hardships. not the least of these being caused by the burning of his barn, with all his first year's crops just as a severe winter had set in, and by the same fire he lost some of his stock and all of his farm implements. This would have discouraged and disheartened many men, but with his fortitude and power of endurance he was undaunted, and with the help and encour- agement of his devoted wife and children he struggled through the next few years, determined to regain losses and provide a comfortable home. So far were they from civilization that bears, wolves, deer and other wild game were plentiful, and the Indians had scarcely yet abandoned those forests for the western prairies. But he and his wife had other troubles to bear up under be-

sides those of a financial nature. In 1828 sickness entered the home, and within fifteen months five of their children were laid in their graves. After this his fortunes took a turn for the better; he cleared away more of the forests and put under cultivation one of the best of farms, built a commodious dwelling, barns, etc., planted large orchards, manufactured maple sugar, butter and cheese, his crops were plentiful, and his lands increased in value. He was a man of sterling qualities, honored and respected by all; his word was as good as his bond; he was sound in judgment, public-spirited, and a man of dauntless courage. He was a member of the Masonic order, and a believer in the noble principles for which that fraternity has ever stood. He died in the old home September 17, 1848, in his seventy-sixth year.

The mother of P. J. Barber bore the maiden name of Percy Merrill, and was born in Hartford county, Conn., in 1781. She became the wife of Thomas Barber in 1797, and reared a large family, the youngest of whom, Peter J., is the sole survivor. Her death occurred in the same old home in Nelson, Portage county, Ohio, May 19, 1849. The Merrill family in this country de- scends from Nathaniel Merrill, who was born in England in 1610, and settled in Newbury, Mass., in 1634. He and his wife, Susan, had a son, John, born in 1635, who married Sarah Watson. Their son, Willerton, born June 28, 1675, married Han- nah Waters, by whom he had a son, Gideon, born in 1710. The latter married Mary Bigelow, and their son, Nathaniel, born in 1742, married Han- nah Belden, their daughter, Percy, becoming the mother of P. J. Barber.

Ten years after the Barber family settled in Nelson, Ohio, the subject of this article was born, November 26, 1830. When a boy he had the advantages of district schools, supplemented by attendance at Windham Academy. When seven- teen years of age he began to learn the cabinet- maker's trade in Windham, Ohio. In 1849 he went to Cleveland, where he followed cabinet- making and carpentry, and at the same time took up the study of architecture. In 1852 he fell a victim to the California gold fever and joined a party who were planning to seek their fortunes in the far west. From New York they sailed to Panama in February, 1852, having passage on the steamer United States to Chagres, thence going by a small boat to the head of river navi- gation, and from there by mules to Panama. At the isthmus there were nine thousand people wait- ing for ships to take them to California.

After a delay of many days they secured pas- sage on the old Clarissa Andrews. Among the passengers were E. W. Earl, E. C. Smith. L. V. Hopkins, Ezra S. Johnson and Prof. J. W. Pike, all close friends of Mr. Barber. Prof. Pike it was who gave the old ship the name of "floating coffin." The voyage was a memorable one, that

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left a lasting impression upon the minds of the survivors. One of the company of the Ohio party, Barnus Ives, became delirious from fever contracted at Panama, and when but four days out threw himself overboard and was lost at sea. Seventeen-including the only woman aboard- died on the voyage, resulting from hunger and thirst, and were consigned to the briny deep; no doubt they were devoured by sharks that fol- lowed close in the wake of the ship. Death stared all in the face for many long, weary days. They finally landed in San Francisco, May 22, 1852, after a voyage of sixty-five days.

The majority of Mr. Barber's comrades pro- ceeded to the mines, but he decided to remain in the city for a time, and secured work at his trade. In August he went to Marysville, but his invest- ments there in the Mammoth Joint Stock Mining Company proved a total loss, as during the winter the snow lay from three to ten feet deep, and in it the sixty-six animals owned by the company and packed with machinery and provisions for the mine were lost, also two men; and before the place could be reached in the spring the secre- tary sold the mine and mill and was never after heard from by the stockholders. To add to his troubles, he was taken ill with fever, and for days his life was despaired of. When convalescing, the hotel where he stopped was burned, and he narrowly escaped alive, while his clothing and hair were burned as he fled through the flames, he having risked his life to save that of the watchman who was asleep in a remote corner of the second story. Returning to San Francisco in December, he worked on the Haun & Whis- man Mill near Santa Clara during the summer of 1853, and in 1854 and 1855 was employed in Oakland and its foothills. Mr. Barber worked at the carpenter's trade and also studied architecture, under the noted French Archi- tect Henrn, and later worked at draughting for Renben Clark on the plans for the California state capitol. From 1856 to 1869 he contracted for buildings in San Francisco, being also archi- tect and superintendent for many besides. While in San Francisco he was secretary of the Build- ers' Association, and was treasurer of the Elysian Club for years. This was a social organization of a very delightful character, of which he enter- tains most pleasant memories. He was an active member for years of the First Light Dragoons in San Francisco, under Capt. C. L. Taylor, and but for a young wife and child would have gone into the Union Army with the California hun- dred. He has often regretted that circumstances were against him.

Becoming convinced that the climate of San Francisco was ruining his health and that Santa Barbara offered especial advantages above all other localities, Mr. Barber gave up a good and lucrative business and removed to this city in 1869, and has since made it his home.

Among the buildings for which Mr. Barber was architect may be mentioned the court-house, Santa Barbara College, Arlington hotel and annex, Presbyterian Church, several school buildings here, besides one in Lompoc, Santa Ynez and Carpinteria, the Clock building, First National Bank, the Dibblee mansion, Crane's Hall, opera house, Cottage Hospital, Channel City Hall, Public Library, Savings Bank, upper Hawley block, the residences of John Edwards, Orena, Captain Moore, Rev. James Villa, Mrs. Lucy Brinkerhoff, Judge Can- field, A. W. Buell, Captain Greenwell, and others, having, altogether, planned and had charge of erecting over one hundred and forty build- ings in Santa Barbara county, representing an outlay of more than $1,250,000. For four years he was also interested in the lum- ber business as a member of the firm of Tompkins & Co., and for a time he owned a suburban farm of twenty-seven acres, on which he had fine crops of corn, grain, etc., an orchard, and for years a large apiary.

It might be supposed that the numerous busi- ness responsibilities of Mr. Barber would leave him no time for public affairs, but not so. No one was more interested in the early growth of Santa Barbara. Every movement for the city's progress has received his encouragement and assistance. In 1880 he was elected mayor, serv- ing one term. In 1882, under President Arthur, he was appointed postmaster, and held the office for four years. After much solicitation on the part of his fellow citizens, in 1890, he again consented to be a candidate for the mayoralty, and was elected by a large majority. During this admin- istration he planned the boulevard, fountain and other work of Plaza del Mar, which is conceded to be the finest work of its kind along the coast. Another act to be credited to this administration is the building of the large out-fall and other sewers, sufficient in capacity for a city of 100,000 inhabitants at cost of $18,000. By persistent efforts he saved to the city over $200,000, in thwarting a scheme for putting in a 41x62-foot sewer, a mile and six hundred feet long, that could not be reached by one- fourth of the sewage of the city. The city fire cisterns and flushing tanks were planned and superintended by him and the most of the bridges. At the time of President Harrison's visit to Santa Barbara, April 3. 1891, Mayor Barber arranged for his reception, and was himself the bearer of this city's welcome to its distinguished guest. The president was met by Mayor Barber and Senator Heacock, at Pasadena, and accompanied to Santa Barbara, where he was honored by our first battle of flowers ; an immense arch spanned State street ; the key-stone, 10x12 feet, was ornamented with his picture, flags, bunting, etc., and he was given an immense reception in the evening at the Arlington Hotel.

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In addition to the various offices mentioned, Mr. Barber was a member of the board of health for one term. He was president of the County Mid-Winter Fair Association, exhibiting in San Francisco in 1893, made the plans for the build- ing and had charge of gathering the exhibits from different parts of the county, and shipping the same to the Fair grounds. His idea for the design for the building was unique, being a fac-simile of an Old Egyptian pyramid, and it attracted constant attention, and drew forth many flattering comments from visitors to the fair.

Mr. Barber was chairman of the Chamber of Commerce committee on coast defense, and spent much time and money in getting the proposition of fortifying Santa Barbara before congress. While promoting this movement, he had a per- sonal interview with Major-General Shafter, then in command of the military and naval forces on the Pacific coast, who gave him forceful letters in support of the measure. The United States senators and members of congress from his state were served with copies of it, and also strong petitions and various other documents, maps and charts of the city and sea coast. General Shafter went still further, and sent a military engineer to the port to carefully study the situation. How- ever, just as favorable action was about to be taken by congress, the chamber, through unwise efforts on the part of a few of its members, defeated the measure by an unsuccessful attempt to get a government building for the post office. Otherwise, strong fortifications would now be in a condition to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Santa Barbara.

In travel Mr. Barber has found a source of recreation and enjoyment and a temporary rest from hard work. His first visit back to the old Ohio homestead was made in 1863, going by Nicaragua and returning by Panama, on the isthmus. In 1887, after years of almost incessant toil, and feeling that he had earned a few weeks of recreation, he took with him his daughters, Ella and Alice (his wife having declined making the trip), and started for the Old World; they went via the Santa Fe route to Kansas City, thence to St. Louis, to Cincinnati, over the Cumberland mountains to Chattanooga, Tenn., taking in the battle grounds of Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, National bury- ing grounds, etc .; through Knoxville and Vir- ginia to Washington, D. C., Baltimore and Philadelphia to New York, joining with the others of Tourgee's party, took passage on the Furnessia of the Anchor Line, and after a pleas- ant nine days' voyage landed at Glasgow. The morning following the jolly party took the cars for a twenty-mile ride to Lake Lomond, a tour- ist boat to head of lake almost under the shadow of Ben Lomond, thence by carriages over the hills and through the woods to the head of Loch

Katrine, then by boat down this lake past Ellen's Isle and silvery strand to Loch Archery, then by carriages through the Trosachs to the low lands, all made memorable through Scott's poem, Lady of the Lake; on the banks of the Dhune they took cars for Edinburgh, Scotland's great, proud city, where rises Sir Walter Scott's grand monu- ment, superior, architecturally, to any. They were taken high up in the tower of Royal Castle, where Lord Darnley's hirelings murdered Rizzio, Mary Queen of Scots' private secretary,-the blood stains still remaining on the floor,-then to the John Knox house, around Arthur's seat, to the theaters, churches and elsewhere, then on to Dryburg Abbey, where are deposited the re- mains of Sir Walter Scott, then to Abbottford, his old home, to Melrose, next to Stratford-on- Avon, visiting the old chamber where Shakes- peare was born, then to Carlile and on to Lon- don, taking in the Houses of Parliament, West- minster Abbey, where are the remains of many of England's illustrious dead, including those of Sir Christopher Wren, the great architect; there, too, is a bust of Longfellow, the great American poet. They visited the National Museums, the Tussand Gallery, parks, St. Paul's Church, thea- ters and other objects of interest, promenaded the Thames embankment, and crossed London bridge, the greatest thoroughfare of its kind in the world. While in London they were visited at their hotel, the Salisbury, by Dr. J. B. Shaw and wife, and a delightful hour was spent over their dinner table; it was a great treat to meet people from Santa Barbara.

From London they proceeded to Rotterdanı in Belgium, then to The Hague, to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, then to Antwerp, Brussels, and to the field of Waterloo, once red with the blood of determined warriors; their day there was fraught with profound interest, mingled with sad reflections upon the terrible slaughter. Where was Wellington's headquarters is a pyra- mid 245 steps in height, surmounted by the British lion-in bronze, thirty feet in length- in commemoration of the great victory by the English and allies. From there on to Cologne, a beautiful city on the banks of the Rhine, its cathedral being the finest specimen of Gothic architecture in the world; then a day's ride up this most charming of all rivers, skirted on either side by a strip of valley, and where were not villages were beautiful residences close upon each other, with romantic hills and mountains in the background, mostly terraced and covered with grapevines, with here and there a habita- tion; old castles, churches and towers on either side, some laid in ruins by Louis XIV.

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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 57

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