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 69

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

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To his primary interest in agriculture Mr. Hache owes his early training in his native land of France, where he was born in 1856, and where he lived until 1890. From his boyhood days he was taught to assist his father on the home farm, and he eventually engaged in farm- ing on his own responsibility, with marked suc- cess. Consequently, upon immigrating to the United States, he renewed his association with the work for which he was best fitted by nature and acquirement, and at once found employ- ment with the company, who have found his services of most conspicuous value.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ADOLFO CAMARILLO. The name of Camarillo carries with it the impression of vast stretches of land under one ownership, great agricultural undertakings in the early days of Ventura county, association with the illustrious mission fathers, and encounters with the red men of the plains. From the birth of that oft- recalled pioneer, Juan Camarillo, which oc- curred in the City of Mexico in 1812, California was destined to profit by his emigration from his native land in 1834. As one of a little colony that started out upon the sea in search of un- tried lands at Monterey, and that, becoming tired of winds and waves, moored their craft at San Diego, continuing their journey by land, he was filled with hope for a future of realized dreams.

Departing from his companions at Santa Bar- bara, he became a trader with the Indians be- tween San Francisco and San Diego, disposing of. their wares and receiving currency therefor. The hospitable mission fathers gave him a room in which to lodge, and thither came the Indians and transacted their business. With the funds thus realized, amounting to $3,000, he embarked upon a business venture, and opened a store in Santa Barbara, of which he was one of the first merchants. Eventually he removed to Ventura, where he constructed a large adobe house with twenty rooms, one of the first dwellings in the town. Gradually many lands came into his pos- session, and at the time of his death, December 4, 1880, he had a ranch of ten thousand acres at the head of Pleasant valley, eighteen miles east of Ventura. In the very early days the Bard and Camarillo families were on most friendly terms, and had many business transactions in common. The enormous ranch was left to his two sons, Adolfo and Juan E., and his town property of $40,000 was left to his four daugh- ters, namely: Adelaida, who is Mrs. A. C. Mor- aga, of Santa Barbara; Maria, Mrs. José de Arnaz, of Los Angeles; Aldegunda, wife of A. F. del Campo, of Ventura; and Arcadia, who married J. J. Mahoney, of San Francisco.

Since the elder Camarillo's death the ranch has not been divided, but is occupied and worked jointly by the two sons. Five thousand acres of the land are tillable. The principal staples raised are barley, beets and beans. The Oxnard branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad runs through the ranch, and Camarillo station is about a mile from the residence of each of the brothers. There is also a good store and post- office, and the Southern Pacific Milling Com- pany has a warehouse on the grounds. Each of the brothers has a separate home, that of Adolfo having been erected in 1893, and still regarded as one of the most beautiful homes in Southern California. Its exterior and interior bear many traces of the workings of artistic natures, with a regard for harmony and convenience, accentu-

ated by modern improvements such as gas, hot and cold water, telephone and call bells. The hedges and lawns are an example of expert gar- dening, and the roads are invitingly hard, smooth and white. The home is presided over by Mrs. Isabel (Menchaca) Camarillo, who be- came the wife of Adolfo Camarillo in 1888. They have four children, Rosa, Eva, Isabel and Adolfo. In politics Mr. Camarillo is a Demo- crat, while in religion, like his ancestors for gen- erations past, he is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

CHARLES S. CLARKE. Descended from Scotch ancestry, the Clarke family has been rep- resented in America ever since Colonel Clarke crossed the ocean in the Mayflower and settled at Northampton, where his body lies buried. From that day to this the family has not been without a representative in Northampton, and Charles S. Clarke was himself a native of the historic old town. However, he was reared prin- cipally in Kirkland, Ohio, where his father, Quartus Clarke, owned and operated a large mill. During the early '4os he and his brother Edward settled in Illinois, and there he engaged in teaching, for which his academic education had qualified him. Later, on account of ill liealth, he went south, and for a time was inter- ested in a mercantile business in Memphis, Tenn. About 1848 he settled in Peoria, Ill., and began merchandising, but, deciding that a less confin- ing occupation would be beneficial to his health, he disposed of his goods and bought a farm near Peoria. Eighteen months later he returned to the city, where he remained four years, mean- time taking an active part in building the rail- road (now the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) running from Peoria to Ellenwood. A subse- quent investment comprised a farm twenty-two miles from Peoria, and, settling upon the prop- erty, he became interested in raising fruits and general farming products. Meantime he also owned one of the first distilleries of Peoria, but after a time turned the business over to his sons, and they continued to operate the plant until the death of his son, Charles C. Clarke.

The marriage of Mr. Clarke, in Mentor, Lake county, Ohio, in 1846, united him with Miss Melissa M. Randall, a daughter of Elias and Mindwell (Corning) Randall, natives respec- tively of Rutland county, Vt., and New Hamp- shire. Her maternal grandfather, Col. Warren Corning, a pioneer of Ohio, purchased a large tract of land in Lake county and afterward sold it out in town lots, Mentor being established on the property. When a young man, Elias Ran- dall settled in Mentor and bought the Corning homestead, where he conducted farm pursuits. His last days were spent in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clarke, in Peoria, Ill., and his death occurred at seventy-seven years. His wife

a. CBuffington

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

died in the same city at eighty-three years of age. Both were members of the Christian Church. Of their seven children, three are liv- ing, one son, Willard, being a large rancher and a resident of Los Angeles.

A member of a family of wealth and culture, Mrs. Clarke was given excellent advantages in her girlhood and was educated principally in the Ladies' Seminary at Painesville, Ohio. She made her home in Mentor until her marriage, when she left the old familiar surroundings to accompany her husband to Memphis, Tenn., and from there to Illinois in 1849. For many years she was prominently identified with the best society of Peoria, and it was a source of regret to her many friends there when, in 1891, the ill health of a daughter rendered a change of climate necessary. Thereupon she came to Los Angeles and has since made her home at No. 1124 West Adams street, where, surrounded by all the comforts which ample means and ar- tistic tastes render possible, she is passing the evening of her noble and useful life. Only one of her children is with her, a daughter, Mary. The three sons remained in Peoria, where they have long been prominent citizens and success- ful financiers. Sumner and Chauncey D. are both now somewhat retired from active business cares, although the supervision of their large investments in Peoria engross much of their time. The second son, Charles C., who was head of the distillery and at one time mayor of Peoria, died in that city September 1, 1901. The eldest daughter, Lucy, is the wife of John K. Speed, of Memphis, Tenn.

From the time of establishing his residence in Peoria until his death, which occurred in No- vember, 1890, Mr. Clarke was interested in the building up of the city, and many important en- terprises owed their inception to his public spirit. His seventy-six years of life were busily, usefully and happily passed, and he exemplified in his daily conduct and his large charities the spirit of Masonry, of which he was a member. His interest in politics was not active, yet he kept in touch with matters pertaining to the pub- lic welfare and cast his ballot with the Repub- lican party after its organization. Among the friends of himself and wife were some of the most influential people of Peoria, their literary tastes, breadth of knowledge, familiarity with art and fondness for all that enhances culture and uplifts the world making them welcomed guests in the most select circles. Among their friends was Col. Robert Ingersoll, in whose be- liefs they thoroughly sympathized and whose warm friendship remained theirs until death. Another of their friends was Mrs. Bradley, whose gifts to Peoria in memory of her husband were so munificent as to attract the attention of the entire country. Many charitable organizations, rendered necessary by the rapid growth of the

city, received the benefit of their influence and personal contributions. The death of Mr. Clarke and the subsequent removal of his wife to Los Angeles was a source of regret to the pioneer circles of the city, among whose members they had long been honored and prominent.

A. C. BUFFINGTON. No more courageous and hopeful pioneer braved the dangers of the overland trail in 1850 than A. C. Buffington, at present a resident of Los Angeles, and rest- ing from the ccaseless activity which character- ized his earlier career in California, and rendered him one of the most eager developers of the latent resources of the state. No distinctive phase of pioneer life, no trials, victories or fail- ures following upon the footsteps of these fore- runners of western civilization, but have in- delibly impressed their lessons upon his strong personality, and left as their handiwork a typical representative of the creators of the splendid harvests and general well-being of the land of the setting sun.

Although born in Meigs county, Ohio, March 15, 1820, Mr. Buffington was reared on Buffing- ton Island, W. Va. This island, then one hun- dred and sixty acres in extent, but now a little larger, was the possession of the paternal grand- father, Joel Buffington, who spent the greater part of his life on it, and eventually died there. His son, Joseph, the father of A. C., was born in Hampshire county, Va., and subsequently came into the ownership of Buffington Island, which he devoted to farming and stock-raising. The first keel boat on the Ohio river was oper- ated by him, and he navigated the Ohio and Mississippi rivers for several years. About 1837 he renioved to Iowa (then known as Black Hawk's purchase), and located upon a farm near Wapello, Louisa county, where he engaged in farming until his death. His wife, Chloe (Har- vey) Buffington, was born in Baltimore, Md., a daughter of William Harvey, a native of Eng- land, and later a resident of Baltimore, from which city he removed to the farm upon which he died in Virginia. Mrs. Buffington, who died in Iowa, was the mother of thirteen children, and all grew to maturity. Her youngest son, A. C., at the age of over eighty-one years, is now the only surviving member of the family, although the others lived to a good old age.

In his youth Mr. Buffington learned to farm on Buffington Island, and his education was obtained at the early subscription schools. In 1837 he accompanied the family to Iowa, the journey being made by wagon through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and they crossed the Mis- sissippi river at Burlington. He remained on the home farm in Louisa county, Iowa, until twenty-three years old, and assisted in breaking the crude land and developing its hidden rich- ness. As an independent venture he took up a

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farm at Pella, Marion county, Iowa, which he sold in 1846 to the first Holland settlers of the neighborhood. Another farm improved by him was in the vicinity of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and upon this he lived until he came to California in 1850. In the spring of 1850 a crowd started across the plains with ox-teams, going up the Platte on the north side, crossing the Sweet- water and on to Salt Lake City, where Mr. Buf- fington saw and heard Brigham Young. They then continued their journey by way of the Humboldt and Carson rivers, and came down Bear river to Sacramento, the trip having con- sumed five months. On the way they had sev- eral skirmishes with the Indians, and lost one nian and nearly ali of the cattle. Mr. Buffington at once went to the Rough and Ready mines on Deer creek, a branch of the Yuba, where he engaged in placer mining for seven years with considerable success. He then went to Marin county and bought a dairy farm, and for ten years manufactured butter for the San Francisco market. In 1867 he located in San Luis Obispo county, between Cambria and Cayucos, originally owning six hundred and forty acres, to which he added until he had two thousand acres. This fine property was devoted to the dairy and stock-raising business for fif- teen years, after which he settled in Orange county, near Newport Corners, and bought an- other farm. Two years later, in 1884, he re- moved to Los Angeles and built a fine residence on the University addition, in which he lived for a time, and afterwards settled upon a farm of twenty acres near Burbank. Eventually he permanently settled in Los Angeles, where he is well and favorably known, and has taken a prominent part in the city's growth and pros- perity. He still owns twelve hundred acres of land in San Luis Obispo county, and his farm near Burbank.

Mr. Buffington was married in Louisa county, Iowa, to Amanda Layton, a native of Ohio, and who died in Marin county, Cal. She was the mother of ten children: Ceres, who became Mrs. Osgood, died in Marin county, Cal .; Ruth, who is now Mrs. Kuffel, lives in San Bernardino; Marrietta, who is now Mrs. Hill, resides in San Luis Obispo county; Martha, who is Mrs. Fletcher, lives in Kern county; Quincy, who is a dairy rancher, lives in San Luis Obispo county; Louisa died in Marin county when quite young; Isabella also died young; Amanda died in Marin county before attaining her ma- jority; Anne E. became Mrs. Everett, and died in San Luis Obispo county; and Amelia died in infancy. A second marriage was contracted by Mr. Buffington in Marin county, Cal., with Mary E. Chamberlain, who was born in Idaho (where the old Oregon trail crossed the Snake river), where her parents stopped temporarily on their journey to join the pioneers of Oregon.

Her father, Aaron Chamberlain, was murdered in 1849 while returning with considerable money from San Francisco. His watch was recovered by his widow many years later in Oregon and she wore it till her death in San José, Cal. Of the second marriage of Mr. Buf- fington there were twelve children, viz .: Grant, who was killed by the accidental discharge of his gun while hunting, and who was a student at the university; Thomas Dick, who is living in San Luis Obispo county; Winfield Scott, Ida and Mary, all of whom died in San Luis Obispo county; Grace, who lives in Los Angeles; Celia, who died young; Abram, who is deceased; Charles; Harvey, of San Luis Obispo; Olive Lay and Lillian Gertrude. Charles, Olive Lay and Lillian are living at home. Five of the chil- dren died of diphtheria within eleven days in San Luis Obispo county.

During the war Mr. Buffington was an Abo- litionist and Republican, and cast his first pres- idential vote for John C. Fremont. He is now a Prohibitionist, and while in Marin county served on the board of supervisors. While liv- ing in Iowa he became a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, later was noble grand of Harmony Lodge at Rough and Ready, and is now a member of Cayucos Lodge No. 300. He is a member of the Church of the Naza- rene.

O. P. COOK. The ranching interests of the Santa Clara valley are ably represented by Mr. Cook, who is a man of progressive spirit and keeps abreast with all the developments made in agricultural matters in his community. He was born in Connersville, Ind., February 10, 1860, and grew to manhood on a farm near that place. On attaining his majority he determined to seek a livelihood beyond the Rocky mountains. Oc- tober, 1881, found him in California, his first location being at Coleta, just west of Santa Bar- bara, where he leased the Santa Barbara nursery from Joseph Sexton. At the expiration of seven years the nursery was transferred to the Sexton ranch in the Santa Clara valley of the south, where it was conducted for several years on an extensive scale. From fifty to seventy-five acres were in young trees, furnishing both deciduous and citrus fruit stock. For some years this was the only nursery in Ventura county and its busi- ness was large and important.

In 1890 Mr. Cook bought forty-two acres comprising a part of the Kile ranch near Mont- alvo. Resuming the nursery business in his new location, he set out forty acres in nursery stock. For ten years he continued in the same indus- try, but in 1900, deciding another venture would prove more profitable, he took out his trees and began to raise Lima beans, with sixteen inches of rainfall, crops averaging one ton to the acre. In addition to the cultivation of his own land, he

Mary A Ashley

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

has leased the Truesdale ranch, which gives him control of one hundred and sixty acres. It has been his aim to maintain a high class of im- provements on his ranch, which he is ambitious to bring to an ideal state of cultivation. Its value is improved by a well three hundred feet deep, which supplies the entire neighborhood with water.

The marriage of Mr. Cook occurred Decem- ber 30, 1890, and united him with Miss Maude L. White, of Ventura, Cal. When a mere child she was orphaned by the death of her parents, Benjamin and Margaret White, natives respec- tively of Virginia and Kentucky. In religion she is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, while fraternally she is an active worker in the Rebekah Lodge, to which Mr. Cook also belongs, as he does also to Ventura Lodge No. 201, I. O. O. F. In politics he has been a lifelong adherent to the principles of the Republican party, and is in thorough sympathy with its doctrines. For individuals and for the government as well, he believes in the policy of expansion. When he came to California it was with no means or friends, but through his per- severing industry for twenty or more years he has risen to a position of honor among the peo- ple of Ventura county.

MRS. MARY A. ASHLEY. To enumerate the many enterprises in Santa Barbara which have been started and placed on a substantial footing by Mrs. Mary A. Ashley, and to de- servedly credit her with the forethought and business ability so readily recognized by those who are familiar with her undertakings, is to follow the untiring steps of a woman animated by the most kindly and humanitarian motives, and gifted with a knowledge of what is needful in a large city to insure comparative comfort in illness, pleasure and profit in health, and sani- tary conditions for people in whatsoever walk of life.

The traditions of her people and the early surrounding influences of her life were such as to inspire Mrs. Ashley with broad ideas of exist- ence. Born into the Morrille family January 5. 1819, at Sutton, Caledonia county, Vt., she is of French and English descent. Her father, Dr. Jacob C. Morrille, was a graduate physician, and was a native of Runnymede, N. H. For many years he engaged in practice in Sutton, Vt., but in 1837 located in Hennepin, Putnam county, Ill., and later in Magnolia, Ill. In those early days the claims of civilization were not exorbitant among the pioneers, many crude customs prevailed, which would hardly come up to the expectations of the disciples of medi- cine at the present time. For his medical ser- vices in Vermont, Dr. Morrille received as remuneration all manner of produce, sheep, cat- tle, maple sugar and wool, having indeed little

use for money, except for the tax collector and the United States government, which disposed of profits to the extent of twenty-five cents for a single postage stamp. There were no matches, and on every hearth was kept a continual fire. The life of this pioneer physician was bright- ened by the companionship of his wife, formerly Mary Baker, who was born in Westminster, Mass., a daughter of John Baker, also of Massa- chusetts, and in later life was owner of a carding and woolen mill at Barre, Vt. Mrs. Morrille, who came to California in 1870, and died in 1881 at the age of eighty-five years, was the mother of three children, all girls of whom Mrs. Ash- ley is the only one living.

The education of Mary A. Morrille was ac- quired at Lyndon Academy in Vermont, and at the age of twenty years she came to Illinois. The journey thence was accomplished in a rather tedious way, and quite at variance with present day methods of transportation. November Ist the family started by stage to Montpelier, then by stage to Burlington, by steamer to White Hall, to Buffalo by way of the canal, and by steamer to Cleveland. An intention to reach the Ohio river by way of the Ohio canal was frustrated, owing to the fact that the canal was frozen over, and they were therefore obliged to finish the route to Illinois by stage to Ohio, steamer to St. Louis, then up the Illinois river to Hennepin, the head of navigation. One won- ders how a Wall street speculator would like to spend his time globe circling at this rate of speed.

The marriage of Miss Morrille and Dr. James B. Ashley occurred at Hennepin, June 12, 1839. Dr. Ashley was born in Windsor county, Vt., a son of Jonathan Ashley, who was a native of Massachusetts, and one of the first settlers of Barnard, Vt. He was a farmer by occupation, and married a Miss Osborn, who was born in Vermont. Dr. Ashley was educated at Dart- mouth and Castleton Medical School trom which he in due time graduated. In 1839 he located in Illinois, and resided in Magnolia, Put- nam county, and in Livingston county, owning nearly two sections of land. He lived in Mag- nolia until coming to California. Owing to fail- ing health he removed to Santa Barbara in 1869, where he built a residence, bought land, loaned money, and lived in the enjoyment of his beauti- ful adopted town until his death, January 28. 1876, at the age of three score and ten years. He was a Republican in politics, a physician of ability, and a man of high moral standing in the communities in which he lived.

Since her husband's death Mrs. Ashley has continued to live in Santa Barbara, her time more than occupied with the management of her property, of which she possesses a considerable amount, and in the prosecution of those philan- thropic enterprises for which she is so well

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known. She is a spiritualist in religion, and a Republican in politics. About thirteen years ago hier fertile brain evolved the project of building the Cottage Hospital, whichi, without her, would never have been the city pride and model institution that it is to-day. She organ- ized some of the women of Santa Barbara into a hospital association of which she was made president, and which position she continued to hold for ten years, or until the then erected institution was self-sustaining. By means of en- tertainments and other devices, general interest and donations from those who thoroughly sym- pathized with her in her work, the money was raised, and the erection began. To-day the Cot- tage Hospital has a reputation all over the state, and has no superior in its equipment and gen- eral management. Another improvement in the city directly traceable to the energy and execu- tive ability of Mrs. Ashley is the city library, for which she had long felt a necessity, and which she ardently worked to institute and maintain. Numerous other undertakings of equal merit and equal universal utility are also the result of her insight and practicability, and it is conceded that her accomplishments in this California town are of the most substantial and lasting kind.

DON GASPAR ORENA. The life which this narrative sketches began in the pueblo de Oreña, province Sautander, Spain. The home in which the boyhood years of the Spanish youth were passed was one typical of old-world civilization, culture and refinement. The father, Don Lorenzo de Oreña, was a merchant of Cadiz and a captain in the Spanish army during the Napoleonic era. The mother, Dona Maria de Escandon de la Guerra, was a daughter of Juan de la Guerra, a wealthy Spaniard whose life was one of leisure and of participation in the larger movements where the arts and sciences reign and culture abounds.

When only sixteen years of age Don Gaspar Oreña began a life of travel and adventure. A sailing vessel bound from Cadiz for New York had him as a passenger, and from New York he went to Boston, where he boarded the ship Delaware for the Sandwich Islands, via Cape Horn. In five months the islands were reached, and three months later he boarded a ship bound for Monterey, Cal. In this way, while a mere lad, he gained a broad knowledge of men and countries that has since proved helpful to him. The fall of 1840 found him in Santa Barbara, where for a time he visited an uncle. At the suggestion of his uncle he secured a clerkship with a large mercantile establishment in Mexico, but the climate proved unhealthful and he re- turned to Santa Barbara in two and one-half years. His next employment was as super- cargo of the barque Guipuzcoana, owned by Don José Antonio Aguirre, and for about five years

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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 69

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