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 94

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

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BENJAMIN F. PETTIS, now the postmaster and a general merchant of Goleta, has led an eventful life and overcome obstacles that would have discouraged a less courageous and persist- ent man. He was born in Madison county, N. Y., November 22, 1833, and lived in his na- tive county until thirteen years of age. His edu- cation was limited in the extreme, for the choice was left to himself of work or school, and in his immaturity he chose the former as the pos- sible lesser of two evils. At the early age of nine therefore, he entered a woolen factory, and there worked until thirteen years old, and when fifteen he was apprenticed to a blacksmith and followed the trade as long as he remained in New York. In 1855 he removed to Michigan and received the contract to get out lumber for a large planing mill which he eventually helped to erect in Chicago, and from then on his course was westward by different stages as opportunity permitted. From Fort Leavenworth he came over the government trail to Salt Lake City, and then to Carson City, driving six yoke of government oxen, at the time that Johnson was sent by the governor to regulate the Mormon troubles. For a time he did the blacksmithing and shoeing for Major Chorpening who had the government contract to carry mail from Sacra- mento to Salt Lake City, and finally arrived in Carson City two years after leaving Leaven- worth.

At Carson City Mr. Pettis suffered some of the inconveniences attached to being financially broke, but finally things looked up when he se- cured a job at prospecting for a certain judge, and was promised $75 per month. The jurist, however, before the first inonth had expired, disappeared entirely from the scene. Nothing daunted, the would-be prospector secured a po- sition with the management of a pack train over the mountains between Carson City and Placer- ville for a year, and in 1863 had gotten so far ahead in worldly goods that he was in a position to purchase a half interest in a blacksmith shop with a Mr. Mead. After two years he went to Alpine county, Cal., where he remained

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until 1872, and during that time improved the opportunities for prospecting and made consid- erable money, but made the mistake of putting it all back into the same line. He finally left this unsatisfactory method of making and losing money and came to Goleta with the six or seven thousand dollars saved from the experiment. There was at the time a small shop here, and this Mr. Pettis purchased, and until 1896 did a large business in the blacksmithing line. The shop was then turned over to his son, who has since continued to run it.

About nine years ago Mr. Pettis was ap- pointed postmaster of Goleta, and built a store which he rented for four years, or until he gave up blacksmithing. He then took charge of his store, and has since continued in this capacity. He owns considerable town property, and has built a fine home with all modern conveniences, including a water plant. He is prominent in all affairs of the town, and possesses the true western spirit of progress. Politically he enter- tains broad views, has nearly always been asso- ciated with the Republican party, but of late years has regulated his vote according to the qualifications of the parties seeking office, rather than to any party preferences. For two years he served as justice of the peace, to which he was elected on the Republican ticket. He is affili- ated with the Odd Fellows, and is a charter member of the Webster Lodge, at Markleeville, Alpine county, and was for eight years secretary and treasurer of the same.

In 1870 Mr. Pettis married Mary J. Brock- man, daughter of Israel and Elizabeth (Carieger) Brockman, and a sister of Nick Carieger, a very wealthy Californian. Of this union there are the following children living: Frank B., who learned the blacksmith's trade of his father and succeeded him in business in Goleta; Maud, at home; Ralph, who is a resident of Prescott, Ariz .; Ethel and Alma, both at home. The chil- dren have been given every possible educa- tional advantage, and the oldest daughter spent four years in the State Normal School. Mrs. Pettis died in January of 1894.

JUAN SAVE. The Oak Park dairy near Santa Barbara is one of the model establish- ments of its kind, and has reached its present condition of remuneration through the enter- prise and thrift of its owner and manager, Juan Save. A native of the vicinity of Toulouse, Haute Gerome, France, he was born March 19, 1843, a son of Pedro and Katie (Chanfraou) Save, natives of the locality, the father born in 1816. The parents spent their entire lives in France, industriously working their farm, and conscientiously rearing their family of four chil- dren, two of whom have immigrated to America.

Juan Save was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the free schools of his native

land. The first important event in his life was his immigration to America in 1861, his depar- ture being taken from Havre in the Saxonia, which landed in New York. He immediately re-embarked on the steamer Aspinwall for the Isthmus of Panama, after which he came by steamer to San Francisco, and engaged as as- sistant in a dairy. In 1867 he located in Santa Barbara and was interested in teaming and run- ning a dairy until 1885, and then turned his at- tention exclusively to the latter occupation, in which he has since been so successful. Interest- ing to note is the fact that his original dairy as- pirations were strengthened and put into execu- tion by the possession of but one cow, and that the milk was distributed to customers by being carried around on horseback. Gradually he in- creased his herd, and in time purchased a de- livery wagon, and now has about forty cows and a large trade in Santa Barbara. For pasture he rents over a hundred acres of land and keeps there his growing stock, and besides he owns a quarter section of land near La Cruses, forty- three miles from Santa Barbara.

Mrs. Save was formerly Francisco Botiller, a native of Santa Barbara, and a member of an old Southern California family of French de- scent. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Save, viz .: Katie, who is now Mrs. Moullet, of Santa Barbara; Francisco, who is the wife of Mr. Manent, of Santa Maria; Peter, who is a resident of Stockton, Cal .; John, Jr .. who is assisting his father with the dairy; Pas- qual, who is living in the Eagle Canon; Louis, who is a resident of Los Angeles; Teleciana, George, Viatrix, Celia and Lorenzo. The five iast-named children are living at home. Mr. Save is a Republican in national politics, and is fraternally associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

W. J. SHERRIFF. Typical of the opportu- nities offered by California to men of intelligence and ambition is the success achieved by Mr. Sherriff, who has taken an active part in the im- provement of Los Angeles, his present home, and has also contributed materially to the de- velopment of the resources of Ventura county, where he is a large property owner. He canie to this state in 1887 from Pittsburg, Pa., where he was born in 1841 and with whose business in- terests he was associated. While still a mere boy he turned his attention to mechanical pur- suits, being of that turn of mind, and thus he early gained practical knowledge along a valu- able line.

The first event of great importance in the life of Mr. Sherriff was occasioned by the outbreak of the Civil war. Being of a patriotic spirit and just the age to render his country effective serv- ice in the army, he offered hmself to the Union cause. In 1862 his name was enrolled in Com-

REV. AND MRS. JOHN H. STUNTZ

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

pany I, One Hundred and Forty-second Penn- sylvania Infantry, with which he went to the front and bore a share in the army's activities. At the battle of Gettysburg he was seriously wounded, and was thus prevented from seeing any more active service, but forced to remain in the hospital until the war ended. On being honorably discharged he returned to Pittsburg and became interested in business pursuits. In time he was chosen president of the J. B. Sherriff Manufacturing Com- pany of Pittsburg, manufacturers of brass and iron products, their specialties being engines, boilers and steam supplies. While having his business headquarters in Pittsburg he made Al- legheny City his home.

After coming to California Mr. Sherriff resided in Los Angeles for two years. For some years afterward he alternated between Pittsburg and California, retaining the position of president of the J. B. Sherriff Manufacturing Company until 1896, when he sold his interest in the business. Meantime he had become a ranch owner in the west, having in 1891 established himself on a ranch near Santa Paula, Ventura county, com- prising one hundred and twenty acres. Lemons, apricots and other fruits are the principal prod- ucts of the land. In addition, he owns three hun- dred acres on the south side of the river, suitable for stock-grazing. He is a stockholder and the auditor of the Santa Paula Co-operative Com- pany, and owns property in that town. The im- provement of his ranch represents years of as- siduous labor, but its present appearance repays in ample measure the toil expended upon it. The orchard of fifty acres is one of its most attractive features, and there are also excellent buildings and other improvements. In September of 1901 he removed to Los Angeles, where he has im- proved Sherriff's Place on Washington, between Toberman and Union streets. At this location he owns one and one-half acres and is now erect- ing fourteen residences, his own home being at No. 1032 West Washington street.

For years Mr. Sherriff has been a leading worker in the Christian Church. When he lived in Ventura county he was one of the largest con- tributors to the building of the church at Santa Paula. For two years he was a director of the Santa Paula Young Men's Club, in the organiza- tion of which he assisted. All temperance work receives his hearty support, and he has been especially active in the Anti-Saloon League, be- ing president of the society in the First Christian Church. Politically he is independent, voting for the men rather than the party. His army service was later held in memory through liis active participation in the work of the Union Veteran Legion, Camp No. I, of Pittsburg. In 1865 he married Charlotte Seiferheld, by whom he had two children, Charlotte Sarah, deceased, and William S., and they also have an adopted

daughter, Florence I. In the work of the Chris- tian Church Mrs. Sherriff is, like him, very ac- tive and deeply interested, and since she identi- fied herself with that people in 1855 she has been a constant worker in their belialf. Not only re- ligious measures, but all matters for the general good of the community in which they live, re- ceive the support of Mr. and Mrs. Sherriff, and they have unselfishly contributed to worthy movements of the wealth they have accumulated, no helpful beneficence being denied their sup- port.

REV. JOHN H. STUNTZ. During the Revolutionary war, among the Hessian soldiers hired by King George was Conrad Stuntz, who came to America to fight the patriots. No sooner, however, had he landed in this country and studied the merits of the case than his sympathies were warmly enlisted on the side of the feeble colonies fighting for independence. He was among the first to desert the British army and offer his services to the Americans. Washington, finding that he was trained in mili- tary tactics, detailed him to train the raw re- cruits, and during all of the war he gave his time to this duty, receiving no pay whatever for his services. General Washington, believing that such disinterested labors were worthy of reward, presented his case to congress, which granted him eight hundred acres of land in West Virginia. His sweetheart from Hesse crossed the ocean to join hin, and on their marriage they settled at this farm. Their son, George, was born on the 4th of July, 1789, the date of the adoption of the American constitu- tion. Inheriting a love of country and a pa- triotic spirit, it was natural that he should en- list in the war of 1812 and uphold the dignity of American arms in that conflict. He settled on an unimproved farm in Erie county, Pa., where he remained until death. He was one of the founders of Alleghany College at Mead- ville and was keenly alive to the importance of excellent educational advantages. For more than fifty years he preached in the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been ordained as a local minister.

Next in line of descent was Erastus R. Stuntz, who was born in Pennsylvania and there died in 1842, having spent all his life in that state with the exception of a short time with an uncle, John Stuntz, in St. Clair county, Ill. While living there he was bereaved by the death of his wife, Mary (Walratlı) Stuntz, who left three children, the youngest of whom, John H., was only four- teen months old. The daughter, Catherine M., is now the wife of L. D. Benton, of Nortli Pasa- dena. The older son, George Erastus, was a soldier in the Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry and was severely wounded at Shiloh. As ser- geant he entered the First Minnesota Cavalry

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for the Sioux war, remaining in the army until the Indians were subdued. For many years he was a government surveyor and civil engineer, making his headquarters in Duluth, where he died.

While his parents were living at Lebanon, St. Clair county, III., John H. Stuntz was born in 1838. Early orphaned, he was reared in dif- ferent homes, but principally near Albion, Erie county, Pa. Never having known a home of his own, he was influenced to marry while still a mere youth of nineteen years and six months. His marriage occurred in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., February 17, 1858, and united him with Miss Laura Emeline Rhoades, who was born in Erie county, Pa., a daughter of Justus and Emily (Parlin) Rhoades. The Rhoades family was among the early English settlers of Con- necticut, and there Justus Rhoades was born and reared. His father moved from that state to Madison county, N. Y., where he entered three hundred acres of land, and he himself settled in Génesee county, where eight of his children were born. From there he took his family to Erie county, Pa., where the two young- est children were born, and there both he and his wife died. All but one of their ten children at- tained maturity, Mrs. Stuntz being the youngest of all. Her brother, Albert, was a soldier in a Pennsylvania regiment during the Civil war; another brother, Rev. Harlin C. Rhoades, was a pioneer Methodist minister of the Pacific coast and now resides in Los Angeles.

When seventeen years of age John H. Stuntz began to teach school, receiving $17 a month and "boarding round." After two years of teaching he attended Richmond College in Jef- ferson county, Ohio, for one winter, and after his marriage resumed teaching, receiving $24 a month. During 1860 he attended Alleghany College, staying there until his funds were ex- hausted, when he began to work in the oil regions. Returning to college in 1861, he en- listed from there with many other college boys in the Alleghany College Volunteers, and July 21, 1861, was mustered in at Harrisburg for three years, as a member of Company I, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. Though the fife was an instrument as yet beyond his control, his captain said, "John, you must be the fifer," and he consented to fill the place. Among the bat- tles in which he was present may be mentioned the following: Drainesville, December 20, 1861; seven days' battle in front of Richmond, including Mechanicsville, Gaines Mill, Charles City Cross Roads and Malvern Hill; South Mountain, Md .; Antietam, the bloodiest single ciay's battle of the whole war; second battle of Bull Run; Bristow Station; Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. While carrying a wounded man from the battlefield at Gettysburg, following the same line of work in which he had engaged all

during the long night in his endeavor to relieve the sufferings of the wounded and meantime crossing again and again the line of danger, he slipped on a cobble stone and fell. The man, who weighed about one hundred and seventy- five pounds, was on his back and fell on him, injuring him for life. One of the vertebra of the spine was broken, leaving a splinter next the spinal cord and so seriously injuring him that he has never been free from pain since. For some time he was obliged to remain in the hospital, and as soon as able to go around, he assisted in hospital duty and detail work. At the close of his three years' term two regiments of veteran volunteers were formed from the Pennsylvania Reserves, Comrade Stuntz re- enlisting in Company K, One Hundred and Ninety-first Pennsylvania Veterans, in which he remained until the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Washington, D. C., in June, 1865.

At the time of enlisting Mr. Stuntz had com- menced to study for the ministry, but the four years he anticipated devoting to this study were given to his country. In the fall of 1865 he went to Minnesota and the following year be- came a frontier preacher in the Methodist Episcopal denomination, meantime studying the regular theological course, at the close of which he was ordained. The constant pain resulting from his war injury, together with the arduous labors of a circuit rider, affected his health to such an extent that he was obliged to seek an- other climate and occupation. Coming to Cali- fornia in 1876, he settled on a twenty-acre ranch four miles east of Anaheim, and engaged in the raisin business. After four years he re- moved to Alhambra, where he spent eleven years on a small ranch. Since then he has made his home in Pasadena, where he occupies a resi- dence on Kirkwood avenue, near Cedar street. Being totally disabled, he does not engage in work of any kind. Fortunately he possesses a very sunny and cheerful disposition, with a faculty of looking on the bright side of life, and so, in spite of his continued illness, he has derived more pleasure from existence than many of rugged health, but pessimistic tempera- ment. Though not permitted to carry out his original plan of becoming a life worker in the ministry, yet his cheerful acceptance of his lot and his brave endurance of suffering have preached many a sermon more eloquent than words. His interest in the Methodist Episcopal Church has never waned, nor has he lost a spirit of comradeship for all who once wore the blue. He is connected with the J. F. Godfrey Post No. 93, G. A. R., is a stanch believer in pro- hibition and for twenty years has been an hon- orary member of the Women's Christian Tem- perance Union. Of the latter organization his wife was formerly president and is now vice-

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president-at-large and superintendent of three departments. She is an active worker in the Ladies' Aid Society and other organizations of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a mem- ber of the National Association of Civil War Musicians. In the encampment of California and Nevada Mr. Stuntz represented his post and he was also elected in 1902 to represent the de- partment of California in the national encamp- ment at Washington, D. C. From her early childhood Mrs. Stuntz has evinced the gift of a musician and composer, and, while she is not situated so that it can be developed, yet she has accomplished much in spite of obstacles. In the midst of daily household cares many of her musical compositions have come from a sur- charged heart and brain, and they are then hastily transcribed, to be laid aside perhaps for months. When brought to sight a theme is sug- gested, and line by line the words are framed to suit the melody, after which the harmony is composed on the organ. Among her compo- sitions are the "Mother's Lullaby," and a hymn to the same melody, entitled "Come to Me, Jesus," "Christmas Song," Santa's Good Will Visit," and the "Home Where I Was Born."

S. L. SHAW. While Mr. Shaw's claims for recognition in the business world are based largely upon his superiority as an architect, builder and contractor, he is none the less appre- ciated as one of the most enterprising and re- sourceful of the citizens who have helped to build up the moral, intellectual, and general mu- nicipal well being. As a builder and contractor he has erected many of the most important build- ings in the town of Ventura, which has been his home since 1868. His skill in his chosen life work has been fostered ever since he was old enough to handle tools, under his father's ex- perienced instruction. The elder Shaw, Jesse A., was born in Massachusetts, and in his young manhood settled in Vermont, where for years he was a contractor and builder. He eventually removed to Dartford, Green Lake county, Wis., and there conducted his trade until 1867, when he took up his residence in Monterey, Cal., where he continued to build and contract in part- nership with his son, S. L., until his death in 1900, at the age of seventy-three. His career was embellished by patriotic services during the Civil war in a brigade band. He married Eliza Locke, also a native of Vermont, and a daughter of Ira Locke, who died in Wisconsin, and who married Miss Putnam, a direct descendant of Gen. Israel Putnam. Mrs. Shaw resides in Ven- tura, Cal., and is the mother of two children, S. L., and Floyd P., who is in the soda water busi- ness.

S. L. Shaw was born October 7, 1849, in Ben- nington county, Vt. He was six years old when his parents moved to Wisconsin. Until his

eighteenth year he lived in Green Lake county, that state. Following in the footsteps of his father. he became an expert carpenter, and as a preliminary lived in Monterey county be- tween 1867 and 1868, where he put his skill to the practical test. In 1868 he accompa- nied his father to Ventura, and subsequently joined him in partnership, succeeding to the en- tire business upon his father's retirement from active life.

Among the many fine structures which owe their creation to the constructive talent of Mr. Shaw may be mentioned the Powers residence, the Salari residence, that of Mrs. Sexton Leech, the Poli street school, the grammar school, the high school, the Bard Hospital, besides numer- ous otlier residences and public buildings. In fact he is the largest builder in the town, and brings to the conduct of his affairs a keen knowl- edge of the fundamentals of construction, and an innate appreciation of the substantial, artistic and beautiful. Personally he owns several resi- dences as well as his home, and is also the pos- sessor of a ten-acre ranch three miles out of Ventura. He is the friend of education and all improvement, and was elected to the school board in 1886, and has continuously held tlie position ever since, and has, as well, been clerk of the board. In the fall of 1897 he was elected city trustee on the Republican ticket. His re- election followed in 1899 and 1901, when he re- ceived the largest vote of anyone on the ticket.

Twice married, Mr. Shaw was first united with Alice Henderson, who was born in Grass Valley, Cal., and died in Ventura, leaving two chil- dren, Edgar M., who is a mason in Grass Valley, and Jesse Bert, who is with his father in the con- tracting business. Mrs. Hettie Shaw, the pres- ent wife of Mr. Shaw, was born in California, and is the mother of two children, Frank and Daisy.

JAMES BARRON SHAW, M. D. Dr. Shaw was born in London, England, November 4, 1813, the son of a Scotch father and an English mother. As a boy it was his ambition to enter the navy, but this choice being opposed by his mother, he selected the medical profession. For nearly three years he studied under Dr. Nichol of Inverness, after which he spent four years in University College of London. In April, 1836, he received the degree of M. D. from Glasgow University, and in August of the same year be- came a member of the Royal College of Sur- geons, London. During the following winter he studied surgery in Paris.

Being the possessor of ample means, Dr. Shaw decided to make a tour of the world instead of beginning active practice. In 1842, while in Cal- cutta, he was appointed assistant surgeon in an Indian regiment about to leave for China, and with this regiment he served until the treaty of Nankin was signed, returning to Calcutta in

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1843 and thence going back to England. The year 1844 found him in Hong Kong, where he practiced his profession until coming to Califor- nia. The discovery of gold led him to embark for the new world, and he arrived in San Fran- cisco July 3, 1849. Going to Sacramento, thence to Mokelume river, and from there to Dry creek, Tuolunine county, he soon found himself not adapted to mining, so resumed professional work. The winter proved to be a severe one, and hedecidedtogo to Mexico, where he had friends and relatives. When ready to start for Mazatlan, he met Don Pedro Carrillo, a cultured man who had been educated in Boston and was then living at Santa Barbara. His advice led Dr. Shaw to come to this city, where he arrived January 6, 1850, and soon began to practice his profession. From May, 1852, until May, 1853, he was in Mexico, Honolulu and San Francisco, returning to Santa Barbara at the latter date. For sixteen years afterward he had charge of Santa Cruz island, with an area of 54,000 acres, and formerly a penal settlement of the Mexican government.

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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 94

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