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 86

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

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CAPT. HENRY G. BURTON. M. D. While America was still an unsettled wilderness the Burton family crossed the ocean from England and identified themselves with the pioneers of Connecticut. When war was declared against the mother country Elijah Burton was among the brave patriots who bore arms in the cause of independence. After the close of the war he removed from Connecticut to Vermont, accom- panied hy his family, which included a son. Na- than. The latter became judge of Bennington

county and one of the most honored men in all that region. He married Charlotte, daughter of Dr. Josiah Graves of Connecticut, who served as sergeant in the Revolutionary war and later became a physician in Vermont, where he died. In the family of Judge Nathan Burton was a son, J. G., who in early life followed farming. The possession of superior ability brought him into prominence among his fellow-citizens, and he was honored by them with election to important positions. One of his first offices was that of selectman, later he became a member of the legislature, and finally was elected to the state senate, where his service was that of a broad- minded patriot and able statesman. By his mar- riage to Ruth, daughter of Titus Sheldon and a native of Rupert, Vt., he had three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living but one daughter. One of the sons, Capt. Titus Sheldon Burton, came to California in 1856 and engaged in merchandising in the vicinity of Marysville and Downeyville, but now makes his home at Weber Lake, this state. During the Civil war he raised Company I, of the Eighth California regiment and served as its captain in California from 1864 to 1865.

The youngest child of Hon. J. G. and Ruth Burton was Henry Guild Burton, who was born at Rupert, Vt., October 27, 1846. He was edu- cated in public schools, the Burr & Burton Sem- inary of Manchester, Vt., and Fort Edward Col- legiate Institute at Fort Edward, N. Y., from which he was graduated. At the age of twenty vears he began to study medicine with Dr. J. H. Guild of Rupert, and later matriculated in the medical denartment of the University of the City of New York, from which he was graduated in 1869. During subsequent years he has en- deavored to keep posted in all developments made in therapeutics, and as an aid thereto he took a course of lectures in the Post-Graduate Medical School of New York City in 1881 and 1882 and again in 1801 and 1802. His initial ex- perience as a practitioner was gained in Benson. Vt .. and in the adioining town of Castleton.

Under annointment by President Grant. A11- gust 5, 1876. Dr. Burton became assistant sur- geon, with the rank of first lientenant, in the United States army. Five years later he was raised to the rank of cantain, and continued in the service without interruption until Fehrnarv 5. 1802. when he was retired on account of disabili- tv. During his active service he was from 1876 to 1880 stationed at Fort Bowie and Fort Verde. Ariz. From there he was transferred to the de- partment of the east and until 1882 was sta- tinned in New York state. at Forts Niagara, Wadsworth. and Hamilton. From that time until 1887 he was in the department of Dakota. at Forts Abraham. Lincoln and Acciniho'n. His next station was Plattshure Barracks. N. Y .. where on account of illness he was given a fur-

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lough of eighteen months. On returning to duty he spent a year at David's Island in New York. Later, for some months, he was stationed at Vancouver Barracks, Wash. In December, 1890, he was transferred to San Diego Barracks on ac- count of ill health and remained there until his retirement in February, 1892. At the expira- tion of his long service with the government he took up private practice in San Diego. A year later he went to San Francisco as instructor in ophthalmology and otology in the San Fran- cisco Polyclinic, and continued there until Jan- uary, 1897, when he was appointed first assistant surgeon of the Pacific Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, and since then he has been identified with the work at the Sol- diers' Home. In Benson, Vt., in 1869 he mar- ried Mary L. Clark, who was born in New Jer- sey. While in Castleton he held membership with the Congregational Church. His political views are in accord with Republican principles. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution at San Francisco, and along the line of his profession is associated with the San Diego County Medical Society and the Amer- ican Medical Association.

LOMBARD CONKLIN. Foremost among the honored pioneers of Montecito is Lombard Conklin, who was born in Tioga county, N. Y., in 1828, his parents, Jacob and Joanna (Arm- strong) Conklin, being also natives of Tioga county. He received a common school educa- tion in his native state, and in 1843 removed to Fort Wayne, Ind., at which time that now flour- ishing town was too insignificant to command the dignity of a railroad station. Taking up en- gineering, he followed the ocupation for many - years. In 1856 he came west by way of Pana- ma and up the coast to San Francisco, eventu- ally locating at Diamond Springs where he be- came engineer of the saw mill. When the chill of winter caused a lull in the sawmill industry he turned his attention to the mines, and some experiences not planned by the management fell to his lot. In the winter of 1857 he was buried in the hydraulic mines at Dutch Flat, and was completely covered with dirt for some time be- fore relieved from his uncomfortable position.

In 1860 Mr. Conklin changed his field of activ- ity to the Comstock inines in Nevada, and also worked in the Aurora mines, as engineer in the mines and quartz mills. While he filled this po- sition in the Union mill Samuel Clemens (bet- ter known as Mark Twain), was an employe of the mill for several days. After five years in Nevada Mr. Conklin took a trip of investigation and engineering to San Francisco, Gold Hill. Silver City and Virginia City, and in 1868 came to the Montecito valley and purchased a ranch of seventy acres. This land originally was sold for forty-eight cents per acre or $25.00 for fifty-

two acres. It formerly belonged to the Pueblo Indians, and was densely covered with oak trees. The trees have now been removed, and Mr. Conklin raises hay, stock, and fruit, and has a fine lemon orchard of Eureka lemons, selling his fruit to the Santa Barbara Lemon Exchange. There is also an orchard where all kinds of fruit are grown, and the house and outbuildings are of a high order of construction, and quite in keeping with the natural thrift of the owner. Not quite convinced of the desirability of a perman- ent residence on his farm, Mr. Conklin disposed of the same in 1873, and removed to Sonoma county, Cal., where he farmed with indifferent success for three years. He then came back and re-purchased his original possession, and has since had no desire to wander from his abundant harvests and well-tilled acres. In July, 1901, he revisited Sonoma county, Cal .. and found that the country had not kept pace with the improvements in Santa Barbara coun- ty, and that real estate had increased but little in value in the last quarter of a century.

Mr. Conklin keeps in touch with all advance in the horticultural line, and is likewise interested in all that concerns the general improvement of the valley. In politics he is a Republican, but has held no office except that of trustee of the school district, which he filled for several years. He is an active member of the Santa Barbara Congregational Church, and has been a teacher in the Union Sunday School for several years. A liberal-minded gentleman, he is esteemed by all who know him, especially by those who have for years enjoyed his friendship.

BENJAMIN W. DUDLEY. During the long period of his residence in the Santa Clara valley Mr. Dudley has gained many friends and a high place among the ranchers of his locality. Of eastern birth and extraction, he was born at Canaan, Grafton county, N. H., May 12, 1844. and is a son of Timothy B. and Elizabeth K. (Davis) Dudley, the former a native of Vermont, but for many years a resident of New Hamp- shire. In 1855 the family removed to south- eastern Iowa, and five years later settled in Fond du Lac, Wis., where they made their home dur- ing the Civil war. Being a firm believer in Union principles, Benjamin W. Dudley proved his patriotism by his enlistment in the Federal army in 1864, at which time he became a mem- her of the First Wisconsin Cavalry, army of the Cumberland, under Colonel Harnden. One ex- perience of war times which he has never for- gotten was in connection with the capture of Jeff Davis, in May, 1865, his company having the honor of finding the Confederate general when he was in hiding. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Nashville and returned to his Wisconsin home.

Going to Lee county, lowa, in 1869, Mr. Dud-

W. F. Wicker

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ley embarked in the meat business at Denmark. While there he often heard of California and the opportunities which it offered aspiring and ener- getic men. Finally he decided to seek a home in the far west, so closed out his interests in Iowa. Via the Union Pacific Railroad he ar- rived in California in 1875. Shortly after his ar- rival he bought forty acres of the Santa Paula y Saticoy rancho in Ventura county, but soon went further north in the state. Returning in 1877, he afterward added one hundred and sixty acres of land to his forty-acre tract, and for the past eight years has held a trust deed given in such a way that should he see fit, he can hold the same during the balance of his life. The ranch forms one of the best improved places in the valley. For a time he followed general farming, making a specialty of wheat and barley, and he also had live-stock in considerable numbers. He was a pioneer in the walnut-growing industry and has now thirty acres in the soft-shell variety. In addition, he has forty acres planted in lima beans, in which industry he was also a pionecr. Since the organization of the Saticoy Water Company, he has officiated as its secretary and much of the time has also acted as manager. A. promoter of the system of sprinkling the country roads, he has thus enhanced the comfort of the people of the valley. Another way in which he has benefited the community was through the introduction of an ordinance (which was passed) prohibiting the growth of the morning glory until seed time, and thus he rid the locality of what was rapidly becoming a pest.

As a candidate of the Republican party Mr. Dudley has been elected to various local offices. In 1883 he was chosen justice of the peace and held the justice court for the Saticoy district. From 1887 to 1891 he served as supervisor and during two years of the time was chairman of the board. Before his last election the saloons of Ventura county paid only $64 per year (due each quarter); believing this sum far too low, he introduced a high license ordinance, which was passed, thus giving the county $600 per annum in advance. In recognition of his perseverance in securing the passage of this ordinance he became known as the "daddy of high license." The board of supervisors in 1894 appointed him commissioner from Ventura county to the San Francisco midwinter fair. In educational mat- ters he is warmly interested. Besides being for six or more years a director of the district school, he is also a member of the union high school board of education of Ventura.

In Wisconsin Mr. Dudley married Gertrude Newell, who died there, leaving a daughter, who is now Mrs. Carrie N. Nugent, of Chilton, Wis. His second marriage took place in California, within one-half mile of his present home, and united lıim with Miss Carrie L. Smith. Four children were born of this union, Laura Alice,

Mary E., Oscar L. and Ethel I. The family are identified with the Ventura Congregational Church. Fraternally Mr. Dudley is a charter member of Cushing Post No. 44, G. A. R., of which he was elected commander in January, 1901, and has filled other offices. He is one of the directors of the Rochdale Co-operative store. Always active in temperance work, he is president of the Anti-Saloon League of Ventura county and was one of the main promoters of the test case of L. Serf. vs. Ventura county. With but limited means when he came to this county, besides which he was hampered by ill health, not only has he regained his health, but he has also been successful in his undertakings, and now occupies a place among the prosperous ranchers of Ventura county.

W. F. WICKENDEN. The mercantile inter- ests of Los Alamos are well represented by W. F. Wickenden, one of the successful and enter- prising general merchants of the county of Santa Barbara. A westerner by birth, training and education, he was born in San Luis Obispo, June 5, 1861, a son of Frederick Wickenden, who came to this county in 1889, and still is a rancher on a very extensive scale. His educa- tion was acquired in the public schools, supple- mented by a course at St. Mary's College, from which he was graduated with honors in 1882. For a number of years he afterwards lived on his father's ranch, and learned to be a practical and scientific farmer.

· An early adaptability to general business con- vinced Mr. Wickenden that he would find his greatest sphere of usefulness and success in that field, and in 1889 himself and brother, J. D., opened a general mercantile establishment in this town. Their plans were wisely laid and their honest financial methods and correct esti- mate of what would be generally required se- cured for them an extended patronage, not only in the town but in the surrounding country. In addition to their general trade they for many years furnished the Alcatraz Mining Company with provisions, an important item of profit in itself. The responsibilities of Mr. Wickenden were increased in 1899 by the death of his brother, J. D., on April 29th, since which time he has been the sole owner of the business, and has greatly increased his stock. He has now added hardware and agricultural implements to his general necessities, and contemplates branch- ing out even further as the demand increases. His establishment is a well conducted, neat and orderly place, where goods may be bought at a figure consistent with reasonable profit, and of the best quality procurable. In addition, the owner thereof has another store at Garey, run on much the same lines, but less extensive.

The marriage of Mr. Wickenden and Mar- garet Sauer occurred in San Luis Obispo in

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1883. Mr. Wickenden is a believer in the higher education, and is giving his children every advantage within his power. The three oldest are now attending high school. A stanch Democrat, Mr. Wickenden had never desired public office, although often called upon to fill positions of trust. When twenty-one years of age he was a candidate for county re- corder, and was defeated by only fourteen votes. Fraternally he is associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Lodge No. 219, at Los Alamos. He is a man of fine prin- ciple and unquestioned integrity, and is highly regarded by the community in which he lives.

JAMES H. CRANE. This citizen of Ven- tura, who is now enjoying a well-earned relaxa- tion from business cares, was born in Caldwell, N. Y., January 7, 1824. The family of which he is a member is of Scotch extraction, the first em- igrants from their native land having settled in New Jersey, where they became prominently identified with the growth of their respective localities. Major Nathaniel S. Crane, the father of James H., was born in New Jersey, and be- came one of the wealthiest men in his county, if not in the state. He was a railroad contractor, and built the Morris canal and the Erie Railroad, and was incidentally a farmer and successful fi- nancier. By meritorious service during the war of 1812 he was raised to the rank of major, and his whole life was filled with worthy undertak- ings, quite in keeping with his powerful physi- que and mentality. He died in New Jersey at the age of eiglity-four years. Twice married, he raised six children by each marriage. The mother of James H. Crane was July Hedges, who was born in Connecticut and died in New Jersey.

Inheriting his father's business ability, James H. Crane began at a comparatively early age to earn his own living, and in New Jersey, where he was reared and educated, engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. His weather eye, open for opportunities, foresaw the waiting chances in the west, and in 1852 he boarded the good ship Daniel Webster, in New York harbor, and made the trip to San Francisco, via Nicaragua, Leland Stanford being a fellow passenger. Ar- riving in California he engaged in mining on the North Fork of the American river, at Union- town, but soon forsook the uncertainties of mining for the occupation of freighting. With a team of six fine horses, and a wagon which bore the inspiring name, "Pro Bono Publico," he began the conveyance of goods and chattels over the rough country roads, and into the min- ing camps. In 1855 he returned to New Jersey, taking the same route by which he came and finding his way back to Caldwell, N. J. There he engaged in many enterprises, all equally success- ful. His responsibilities included large real es-

tate transactions, traffic in farms, horses, stock, and loans, the carrying on of mercantile busi- ness, and the supervision of the management of three or four farms. He also owned land in Mont Clair, where he was prominent in business cir- cles, and where he held numerous local offices.

In 1887 Mr. Crane returned to California and located in Ventura, where for a time he engaged in real estate and loans, but from which he eventually retired. He has a pleasant and hos- pitable home on Poli street. His wife was, be- fore her marriage, Abbie D. Harrison, and is a native of New Jersey, and a relative of William Henry Harrison. To Mr. and Mrs. Crane have been born two children, Ella, and William, who died at the age of almost two years. Ella, the wife of Thomas Gould, and the mother of two children, Thomas C. and Olive Gould, is a flori- culturist of national reputation; her petunias are said to be the finest in the world, and the demand for them has extended to all countries.

THOMAS A. CRAVENS. Prominent among those who for years enjoyed to the utmost the advantages to be found in Southern California, and whose declining days were brightened by the consciousness of having well performed their part in developing her resources, was Thomas A. Cravens, whose latter life was centered in the beautiful Carpinteria valley, and whose death February 29, 1888, at the age of sixty years, re- moved a worthy citizen, a stanch friend, and a loving husband and father.

Until his twenty-first year Mr. Cravens lived in Marion county, Ala., where he was born in 1828, a son of Dr. Jesse P. and Lucretia (Curry) Cravens, the former of whom was a prominent physician in Alabama. Dr. Cravens stood high in professional circles in the south and made a success of the calling for which he was so well fitted. He also was an appreciator of the climate of California, and he spent four years here with his son, T.A., his death occurring in 1886, at the home of another son, M. Cravens, in Texas. Thomas A. was the oldest of eight children, and he was reared on the old home- stead and received a practical education in the public schools. In 1849, when twenty-one years of age, he shared the popular excitement over the discovery of gold in California, and braved the perils of an overland trip across the plains through Mexico and Arizona to San Diego, from where he took a small boat to San Francisco.

On the American river Mr. Cravens engaged in placer mining with fair success. Later he en- gaged in the lumber and milling business at Eu- reka, owning his own mills and carrying on a large business. For several years he farmed in Sonoma and Santa Cruz counties, and in 1869 came to the Carpinteria valley, and bought sixty- nine acres of pueblo lands, covered with brush and live oaks. His industry soon wrought a won

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derful change in the appearance of things, and, cleared of the timber, the land stretched into broad fields whereon were planted lima beans, among the first in the neighborhood. To this farm he gave his undivided attention until his death, and the improvements and general well being were a source of continued pride to him. His public spirit was never questioned, and he generously contributed toward the maintenance of any just and worthy cause. A strong Demo- crat, he took an active part in the undertakings of his party in Santa Barbara county. He was ambitious in promoting the cause of education while serving on the school board and assisted in building the school house. He was a Knight of Pythias, and was chancellor of his lodge.

Like so many men who come into a new coun- try and endeavor to make a place for themselves in the community, Mr. Cravens owed much of his success to the assistance of his wife, who was formerly Elizabeth J. Humes, a native of Mis- souri, and daughter of David B., a native of South Carolina. The father emigrated to Mis- souri about 1826, and came over the plains to California in 1852, locating near Marysville, Yu- ba county, where he lived for twelve years, re- moving thence to Santa Cruz county, where his death occurred in 1884. He was an influential man, and successful as an agriculturist. To Mr. and Mrs. Cravens were born the following children: Kittie, who is the wife of John Bail- ard, of Carpinteria; Lulu, at home; Fannie, who is married to Lawrence Bailard; Thomas, a resi- dent of Sonora, Mexico; George, a farmer in the Carpinteria valley; Mark, who is working the home farm; and Archie, who is at El Rio, Ventura county. Since her husband's death Mrs. Craven has proved her ability as a man- ager, and has not only kept the place in good order, but has made extensive improvements thereon. The farm is now composed of one hundred and twenty-six acres. Among the prod- ucts of her land are walnuts, to which twenty acres have been planted, and there is also a family orchard. Besides these she raises large quantities of beans and corn. She has a pleas- ant home and is liked and respected by all who know her worth.

ROBERT DEVINE. A life filled with many thrilling experiences in mining camps and on the frontier has been crowned by an old age of com- fort, and in the twilight of his useful existence Mr. Devine is enjoying a deserved relaxation from the cares that once engrossed his time. The ranch which he owns and occupies consists of fifty acres of valuable land at Tropico, a por- tion of which he bought in 1882, later acquiring the balance of the property. Deciduous fruits and figs are here raised, but his specialty is the raising of grapes and thirty-eight acres are

planted in the finest varieties that California can produce.

To those acquainted with Mr. Devine it is always a pleasure to meet him when he is in a reminiscent mood and hear him tell of incidents connected with the pioneer days of California or of his childhood days in county Tyrone, Ire- land. He was born October 30, 1834, and is the eldest among three, and one of the five chil- dren of Robert and Sarah Margaret (McGrevy) Devine, who were born in county Tyrone. His education was secured in the national schools and he grew to manhood on a farm. In 1855 he set sail on the Great Western from Liverpool and after six weeks arrived in New York. From that city he proceeded on the Illinois to the Isthmus of Panama, which he crossed on the railroad, and then came up the Pacific on the Golden Age, which anchored in San Francisco January 13, 1856. At once he set out for the mines at Shasta, Trinity county, later going to Siskiyou county and mining on the Sacramento river. During 1862, when the Salmon river ex- citement drew thousands of miners to Idaho, he started for that region, going Irish tandem (one foot before the other) and engaged in mining and prospecting there. He was among the first hundred who, under Capt. Jeff Stanford, went into Boise City. All of these men were heavily armed, as a protection against hostile Indians, who had killed many white men shortly before their arrival. Their watchfulness was continucd all during their prospecting days, for the red men were constantly on their trail.

As a prospector Mr. Devine met with many hardships and was often in great peril. At one time he and several comrades were on the buf- falo hemp, for four days without food, and their sufferings were increased by the fact that the snow had blinded them. Despair seized upon them. Their hopes of rescue grew fainter with each passing hour. Finally, as they roamed around sightless, they heard the bleating of a flock of sheep and followed the sound until they came up to the shepherd, whom they entreated to sell them a sheep. Meeting with a rough re- fusal, Mr. Devine (the only one of the party who was able to see) shot one of the sheep and pro- ceeded to cook it, afterward paying the herder $10 for the animal. Strengthened by partaking of the meat, the men gained courage and soon found their way back to camp. More than once when far away from food and shelter, Mr. De- vine has given his horse his last loaf of bread, in order that the animal might be sustained un- til they reached civilization. Of those days it is his testimony that more sympathy existed be- tween the rough, uneducated miners than can be found in the more polished society of today. The latch always hung on the outside. Hospitality was unstinted and warm. Doors and windows were never locked, vet robberies were almost

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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 86

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