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 96

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 96

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In 1890 Mr. Warring became interested in de- veloping oil in Hopper cañon. He served as sec- retary of the Fortuna Oil Company, which drilled sixteen wells. At the present time he owns several hundred acres of land showing oil seepage. His oil interests include the position of president of the Hopper Canon Oil Company, of which he was an organizer. He is among the largest stockholders in the Tapo Oil Com- pany, which owns eight hundred acres of oil land, a portion of the Tapo ranch. In several other oil companies he is also a stockholder. Gold mining has received some attention from him, and he is a stockholder in the Yellow Bird gold mine in Arizona. The Fillmore Citrus Fruit Association numbers him among its stock- holders. Since starting out in the world for him- self, at the age of twenty-three, he has been successful in his varied undertakings.

The marriage of Mr. Warring, in 1881, united him with Miss Alice Conaway, daughter of Joshua A. Conaway. Four sons were born of this union, Edwin, Floyd, Alfred and Lester, to whom the death of Mrs. Warring, June 18, 1896, was an irreparable loss.

While Mr. Warring has numerous business activities, they do not prevent his participation in local affairs. Indeed, we find him prominent in measures for the benefit of the Republican party and for the general advancement of his commu- nity. For one term he served as justice of the peace at Buckhorn, and has also served for some years as a member of the school board. At times of elections he has been called upon to serve on

L. (. degrands

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

the election board, and he has also more than once been connected with the Ventura county central committee.

BENJAMIN F. WARRING. The distinc- tion of being the first white settler at Buckhorn, Ventura county, belongs to Mr. Warring, who arrived here from San José September 30, 1869. He was born in Tioga county, N. Y., March 9, 1829, and his parents, Hudson and Rebecca (Sherman) Warring, were also natives of that state. While he was still quite small his mother died and his father went away. He was then taken into the home of Mr. Slocum, a farmer, with whom he remained until he reached his majority. In 1851 he came, via the isthmus. to California, and at San José joined a sister, Mrs. Grinnell, who had gone there as a missionary in 1849. Near San Jose he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, where he remained for eighteen years, meantime raising grain and other farmi products. Accompanied by his fam- ily, in 1869, he came to the Santa Clara valley, then Santa Barbara (now Ventura) county, and homesteaded his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which afterward became known as Buckhorn ranch. This name was given for the following reason: During the first few years of his residence in Ventura county he spent most of his time hunting deer and bear, which were very plentiful in the mountains. The bucks' horns he nailed to a board, which he placed over his gate. For miles around his place became known as the ranch with the bucks' horns, and this was shortened in time to the Buckhorn ranch. It was a resting place for the travelers and prospectors, who always found a hearty welcome there and plenty of provision for man and beast. When the railroad came through in 1887 a side track was built and a flag station established, which was known as Buck- horn. Later a postoffice was established here. so that finally, after having for many years trav- eled sixty miles for his mail, Mr. Warring is now able to get it at his own door.

During the first few years on his present place Mr. Warring's principal crops were hay, barley and wheat, but gradually he set out a family or- chard, which to-day comprises forty acres, prin- cipally in apricots. A drying plant is operated in connection with the orchard. The water right, from Hopper cañon, which Mr. Warring devel- oped himself, flows sixty miner's inches under four-inch pressure, furnishing plenty of water for the ranch. Indeed, the improvements are all first-class, and he has just reason to be proud of the place, as representing the result of his energy and perseverance. During the '8os lie took up or leased land at Hopper cañon (for- merly called Arroyo cañon) and put down about twelve oil wells, producing eight hundred bar-

rels per month. In 1899 he sold his interest to the Fortuna Oil Company, which he had organ- ized. Tle Tapo Oil Company, of which he is a member, owns eight hundred acres of oil land on the Tapo ranch, where his son, I. Hudson Warring, is developing oil, having organized the Tapo Oil Company.

In San José, in 1854, Mr. Warring married Miss Missouri Easley, and afterward their family included five children: Isaac Hudson, of Santa Paula; Elihu, of Buckhorn; Walter, who re- sides with his parents; Mrs. Emma Wilson and Miss Lottie Warring, who are deceased. Dur- ing the Civil war Mr. Warring was a member of. a local cavalry company at San José. The Republican party has always received his firnı allegiance, and for many years he served as school director. Both as ranchman and oil pro- ducer he has been successful, and among the residents of his community none is more highly respected than the owner of Buckhorn ranch.

LOUIS JOSEPH LEGRAND. California, whither turns instinctively the thought of the landscape gardener in America, as expressive of the endless possibilities of a nature loving call- ing, has reflected in its parks and driveways, its fragrance and riots of glorious color sympho- nies, the fulfilled ambitions of some of the most appreciative and intelligent master artists in the world. And in thus attributing much of the charm of this richly endowed state to the co- operation of the landscape gardener, it is but a step from generalities to personalities, for in singling out those who have attained to the greatest results in collaborating with nature one is forced to the admission that many are ' called but few chosen. One whose mind is most finely attuned to the harmonies of nature, and who has developed its latent resources and blended its utilities, is L. J. Legrand, superin- tendent of Calvary cemetery in Los Angeles, and chief instigator of the intricate and be- wildering beauty of the city parks.

In his youth Mr. Legrand received every ad- vantage calculated to inspire his best efforts. He comes from Belgium, a country which num- bers among its chief charms prolific horticul- tural and floricultural resources. A native of the Province of Liege, near the city of that name in western Belgium, he was born June 21, 1853, a son of Francois and Rosalie (Hermann) Legrand, natives of the same province. The father was a farmer by occupation and served with distinction in the Belgium army, but he is now dead, as is also his wife. Their nine children are, with the exception of L. J., living "in their native land. After completing his edu- cation in the public schools of Liege, Mr. Le- grand attended the Horticultural College in Vilvorde, north of Brussels, for two years, and then entered the horticultural department of

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the University of Ghent, where he took a full course and was graduated in 1874. For the fol- lowing eight years he engaged in business in Ghent, and during that time propagated prin- cipally species of ferns and palms, but was also interested in house plants and in fibrous root plants. Only those who have visited in their travels the markets of that picturesque city of Ghent, and have seen the wealth of blooms pos- sible of production in the wonderfully rich soil, are capable of appreciating what a Mecca for the florist would be this particular part of Bel- gium. And thus it happened that Mr. Legrand built up a large business of more than local im- portance, for he eventually shipped to all parts of the world on a wholesale scale, and in the interest of his increasing trade made annual trips to England, Holland, France, Germany and Switzerland.

Placed thus in touch with the most intelli- gent and exacting trade in the world, Mr. Le- grand decided to test the possibilities of a newer but nevertheless resourceful country, and upon landing in America in 1884, chose Cali- fornia on account of its climate and natural advantages. For the first three months in Los Angeles he engaged in business with Stengel, and afterwards took up landscape gardening. and the following year. 1885, was made super- intendent of the Los Angeles parks. Almost immediately he began the work of improving the general aspect of the city, and laid out the Sixth street and Plaza parks, and later the East- lake Park of fifty-two acres and the Westlake Park of thirty-five acres. A still later under- taking was the arrangement of Elysian and Prospect parks, and his labors in this capacity extended for the time being over a period of six years. After resigning from the city service he was installed as chief landscape gardener of the Whittier Reform School, for which he ac- complished most satisfactory results, and at the end of two years returned to Los Angeles, where, owing to the death of Mr. Tomlinson in 1893, lie was reappointed superintendent for one term. He accomplished the landscape work of Hollenbeck and Echo parks, and the first year planted forty thousand trees in Elysian Park. The planting of these trees, many of which were on the hills, caused a great deal of criticism to emanate from the columns of the conservative press, which predicted all kinds of disaster, even prophesying that Mr., Legrand would have to carry ground up to the top of the hills to make the trees grow. The grounds, which to-day ap- pear like a forest. and cast a grateful and allur- ing shade from the swaying branches of trees whose doom was foretold by the press, plainly establish the fact that the planter, and not his critics, understood what he was about. After the expiration of his term Mr. Legrand stepped ont of his position to accommodate the candi-

date of the incoming party, which differed from him politically. He then went about laying out some of the most attractive places in the city, and at present he is engaged in the arrange- ment of the grounds of Lyman Stewart, on the corner of Lucas and Twenty-sixth streets, a fine place covering five acres. He also laid out the Hollenbeck home grounds, the Childs grounds, on Adams and Arlington streets, and others worthy of note.

In the meantime, about five years ago, Mr. Legrand was made superintendent of Calvary cemetery, which has developed under his skill into one of the ideal cities of the dead, and which contains one hundred and forty-four acres of land. About one-fourth of the property is fenced and improved, and it is continually assuming a more finished aspect. In this, as in his other undertakings, Mr. Legrand has earned the keen appreciation of the thousands who have benefited by his plans for the redemption of the city, and in his steadfast approach towards the best of his calling has disarmed the hostile criticism of the less confident. As in all undertakings of actual worth and ofttimes surprising and unusual advancement, the ele- ment of competition and rivalry plays an impor- tant part, but, unlike Mr. Legrand, all are not content to abide the decision, awaiting the ma- turity of their plans. In this he has shown the culture and tact to be expected from a member of one of the finest and oldest Flemish fami- lies, and whose advancement has extended into many fields beloved of the student and remote from his immediate occupation.

June 1, 1876, while living in Ghent, Mr. Le- grand married Caroline Wallem, a native of Ghent, and daughter of Charles Wallem, an artist painter whose work brought him more than local renown, and who was celebrated all over the continent. Her paternal grandfather was a native of Belgium and a merchant during his active life, while his wife was born in the same province. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Legrand: Henry, a resident of Los Angeles; Fernand, assistant superin- tendent under his father; Martha, educated at the Convent of the Visitation at Ghent: and Paul, living with his parents. In his work Mr. Legrand has found an able and appreciative assistant in his cultured wife, who has the in- stincts of the artist, the hospitality of the Bel- gian born, and the womanliness which wins and retains many friends.

MADISON THORNBURGH, to whom is due the distinction of being the first real-estate man, the first insurance agent, the first justice of the peace, and the first notary public of Santa Maria, has been connected with the town of his adoption to an extent which renders those who came after him his debtors and sincere apprecia-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tors of his work in behalf of progress and enter- prise. Of sturdy Quaker stock, he was born at Hagerstown, Wayne county, Ind., in 1835, a son of John Thornburgh, a native of Newmarket, Jefferson county, Tenn., where he was born in 1809. The mother, Elizabeth (Hunt) Thorn- burgh, was born in Gifford county, N. C., and died in Indiana many years ago. The paternal grandfather, Henry, who was of German de- scent, was born in North Carolina in 1773, and in 1824 migrated to Indiana, where he bought a large tract of government land and farmed dur- ing the remainder of his life. He was a devout Quaker, and invariably sat at the head of the early day meetings at Richmond, Ind. John Thornburgh was known as "John the Saddler." a nickname which resulted from his occupation. He removed with his family to Towa in 1874, and built the Redfield woolen mills, in Dallas county, Iowa, and in 1870 came to Ventura county, Cal., and lived at Rincon Point for a year. He then took up land where is now the site of Santa Maria, but which was at first called Central City, the present nanie being substituted by a committee of citizens called together for the purpose by Mr. Thornburgh, in 1883. This early pioneer died in the midst of his successes in De- cember of 1895, having played well his part in the east as well as the west, and having been successful as a farmer and merchant. which latter occupation lie engaged in for a few years during the '70s. In his family were eight children, three of whom are still living, Madison being the sec- ond child. The others are: Sophia B., who is the wife of S. B. Jones, of Santa Maria: and Jesse, a courageous soldier during the Civil war. and at present a resident of Santa Maria.

While the store of the elder Thornburgh was doing a flourishing business during the '70s, his son, Madison, was a trusted clerk, and rapidlv rose to a knowledge of every detail of the busi- ness. He later branched out on his own respon- sibility, and became interested in insurance. real estate, and in holding the various political offices for which he has showed such an especial fitness. Scarce an enterprise which has arisen with the influx of population but has received the benefit of his support and the advantage of his financial and executive ability, one of his most conspicu- ous undertakings being the organization of the school district, he himself being clerk of the board for eight years. He has ever since taken an active interest in educational matters. He was one of the committee that helped bring the sugar refinery to Santa Maria, the value of which has been repeatedly demonstrated to the satis- faction of the most casual observer.

In his allegiance to the Republican party Mr Thornburgh follows the example of his fore- fathers, not one of whom ever voted the Demo- cratic ticket. He has served as justice of the peace and notary public, and has been postmas-

ter of Santa Maria since May of 1898. Out of a little hole in the wall he has evolved a service of dignified proportions, and has a fine office in which the postal affairs are conducted. As evidence of his success Mr. Thornburgh has come into the possession of a large amount of real estate, and in connection therewith is the interesting fact that, when in the real-estate busi- ness, he was instrumental in defeating the At- lantic & Pacific Railroad regarding the reserva- tion between Ventura and San Francisco, and restored to the people every alternate section between these points. He has seen every build- ing put up in this town, and feels a natural pride in being to such an extent a participator in its present prosperity. In addition to his town prop- erty he owns two thousand acres in the county.

Mr. Thornburgh has been thrice married, the present Mrs. Thornburgh having been, before her marriage, Victoria Woodward of Santa Maria, daughter of Prof. Charles Woodward, who built and for twenty years maintained the Salem College organ. To Mr. and Mrs. Thorn- burgh has been born one daughter, Ruth, who is now eight years old. By a former marriage to Mary Laubach, of Iowa, there is one son, Frank, who, until a short time ago, was deputy · postmaster under his father. Fraternally a Mason, Mr. Thornburgh is the veteran of his order in this state, and is now a charter member · of Hesperion Lodge, No. 264, of Santa Maria. While justice of the peace at Santa Maria, the jurisdiction of Mr. Thornburgh extended over an area greater than the state of Rhode Island.

J. J. STREETS, D. V. S. The necessities, disposition and unquestioned nobility of that wonderful friend of man, the horse, is by no one better understood and appreciated than by Dr. Streets, the capable and popular veterinary surgeon of Ventura. So intimate has been his association with these almost human helpmates, and so profound his research in connection therewith, that he is regarded as one of the best authorities in Southern California, and as such is a member of the veterinary board of Califor- nia, to which he was appointed by Governor Gage in 1899. Quite in keeping with his stand- ing in the community, he has the finest and larg- est livery stable in the town, in connection with which is maintained a veterinary hospital with modern equipment, where the physical ills of the modern Pegasus are conscientiously and skill- fully treated. The livery business is conducted under the firm name of Streets & Foltz, and the large patronage is proof of its reliable business tactics.

To the conduct of his business Mr. Streets brings a most thorough preparation, having in his youth been favored with fortunate educa- tional training. A native of Crete, Will county. T1l., he was born September 9. 1863, a son of

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

John W. Streets, who was born in Delaware. The father went to Will county, Ill., when a young man, eventually settling at Woodstock. McHenry county, where he engaged in educa- tional work. He finally returned to Will county, where he died. The mother, formerly Martha J. Williamson, was a native of Crete, Ill., and a daughter of John Williamson, a pioneer of Will county when Chicago was a trading post. He was a native of the north of Ireland, and of Scotch descent. His wife, Lucinda Williamson, was born in New England. The parents were farmers during the greater part of their lives, and were pioneers and prominent citizens of Crete, Ill. The mother, who died in Wood- stock, had two children, the other son being Frank, who is now a merchant at Woodstock, III.

While being reared in Will county, Ill., Dr. Streets studied at the public schools at. Naper- ville, and eventually was graduated with high honors from the State' Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, in 1887, having taken the three years' course. He was valedictorian of his class, and was appointed house surgeon during his third year. Subsequently he entered the Amer- ican Veterinary College, in New York City, and upon his graduation in 1888, received the de- gree of D. V. S. He later engaged in practice in Aurora, Kane county, Ill., and in 1891 lo- cated in Ventura, Cal., which has since been the scene of his activity, and the beginning of his ex- cellent work as the only graduate veterinary of the town.

After coming to Southern California Dr. Streets married Alice C. Drucker, a native of San Francisco, and a member of the association called the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Of this union there is one daughter and one son, Margaret and James. Dr. Streets is a member of the Fraternal Aid and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is past officer of the encamp- ment, and past officer and scribe of the canton. He is prominent in the affairs of the town, and his many admirable claims as a public-spirited citizen are fully appreciated by the community of which he is so valuable an acquisition. As a Republican, he has been active in local and county affairs, and is an cx-member of the county central committee. He is a member of the State Veterinary Association and has been stock inspector of Ventura county ever since his location in the county.

EDWARD M. WAGNER, who is a large land owner and harness and saddle man- ufacturer of Ventura, was born in Oshkosh. Wis., October 19, 1851.' His father, Willian1. was born in Trier, Alsace-Lorraine, and immi- grated to America in 1846, settling in Milwau- kee, Wis., where he engaged in the mercantile business. He eventually removed to Oshkosh, WVis., where he became prominent in the affairs

of the town, and built the first opera house there. This structure became the victim of a disastrous conflagration, as did its successor, but the third building remained a successful monument to the enterprise and good management of its owner. He conducted a general merchandise business, and continued the same until the breaking out of the Civil war. As captain of Company B, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, he served his country throughout the war, in the army of the west, and was honorably discharged after the expiration of his term of service. He continued his inter- ests in Wisconsin for a time, and January 4, 1875, located in Ventura, Cal., and managed the Palace and other hotels until his appointment as a government officer in the mint at San Francisco. At the expiration of six years he resigned this position and retired to Ventura, where he died in 1898, at the age of eighty-two years. He was prominent in fraternal circles, and was a member of the Masons and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and was also associated with the Grand Army of the Republic. In his young manhood he married Anna Gan- sen, who was born in Germany, and died in Ventura at the age of sixty-seven years. The Gansen family came from Holland, and were political refugees to Germany, on account of which the name was changed from Jansen to Gansen. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wagner: John B., who has been dep- nty auditor of Ventura county for about sixteen years; E. M., who is living at Ventura: A. J .. who is a resident of Stockton, Cal .; Mrs. Emma Benchley, who is living at Fullerton, Cal .: Ju- lius K., who is in San Francisco; Mrs. Annie Cross, of Salem, Ore .; William, Jr., who is a resident of Ventura; and Ernest, who is a miner in the Klondike.

The education of Edward M. Wagner was ac- quired in the Oshkosh public schools and Osh- kosh Academy, and in 1874 he came to Ventura with his father. For many years he was associ- ated with his brother, A. J., in the management of the Palace Hotel, and his interest was eventu- ally disposed of to his brother, after which he en- gaged in the ranching business. At present he is the owner of one hundred and ninety acres of land, all tillable, a portion of which is irrigated. and which is rented out in tracts. The manage- ment of this property and also that of Mrs. M. C. Solari, of over two thousand acres, is a large responsibility and consumes considerable of Mr. Wagner's time. In 1887 he engaged in the man- ufacture of harness and saddles, and has a well- equipped store on Main street. In business cir- cles he is regarded as one of the substantial men of the town. and his success has been entirely the result of application and the practice of the highest financial ethics.

Mrs. Wagner was formerly Elvira Solari, who was born in Ventura and educated at Santa

J.R. Atelison

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Clara College. She is the oldest daughter of Augustus Solari, and is the mother of one son, Orestes Edward. In political circles Mr. Wag- ner is well and favorably known, and as a stanch Democrat has served on the county central com- mittee. He is associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, is one of the Sons of Vet- erans, and is a member of the Board of Trade. With his family, he attends the Mission Church.

JAMES R. ATCHISON. The association of Mr. Atchison with the Los Angeles Electric Railway Company dates from December 1, 1898, when he accepted a position as chief engineer of their plant and he still continues in the same capacity, although the title has since been changed to that of superintendent of power plants. For use in the city plant there are now two engines of fifteen hundred horse power; one of one thousand: one of six hundred and one of three hundred; while the capacity of the three engines in the Pasadena plant is respectively six hundred. four hundred and fifty and two hundred and fifty. In addition to this the com- pany owns another plant on Mount Lowe, which is utilized in operating Mount Lowe Rail- way.

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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 96

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