USA > California > San Benito County > History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties : and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 3
USA > California > Monterey County > History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties : and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 3
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house bonds, while as chairman of the board of town trustees he secured the authorization of $35,000 in sewer bonds. During his absence in the east in 1894 he was nominated for town trus- tee. The question of sewage had arisen and he was known to be favorable to the project. His views on the subject caused him to be elected to the office and he served for six years, being chairman of the board some of the time. The building of the sewage system was conducted under his direct supervision.
For many years Mr. Palmtag held the position of president of the Hollister Light & Power Company and he continued his association with the plant until 1909, when it was sold. During 1898, as a director of the Hollister Water Com- pany, he began an active campaign for the de- velopment of the water system. Through the wise efforts of the company, of which he is now vice-president, artesian water has been se- cured for the town by means of pipes laid from the wells fourteen miles distant. It is univer- sally conceded that the system is one of the best of its kind in the state. During a long period he served as president of the Hollister Storage Company and at this writing he acts as one of its directors. The Hollister Creamery owed its organization and early growth largely to his efforts; for a time he served as its president and he is one of the stockholders in the Alpine Creamery Company. For ten years he was a member of the state central Democratic com- mittee and at different times he has been a dele- gate to state and county conventions, besides which he has attended several national conven- tions of his party. In 1880 he was a member of the Oakland convention which chose dele- gates to the national convention. Again in 1884 he rendered his party a similar service in the Los Angeles convention.
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As early as 1872 Mr. Palmtag began his build- ing operations in Hollister. During that year he crected a residence, also built a block, 56x150 feet, on the corner of San Benito and Fifth streets. Since then he has been interested in the ownership of the postoffice building and the bank building. His first wife, Miss Katie Moore, a native of California, was united in marriage with him in 1875 and died in 1901. Six years later he was united with Miss Annie Reichstetter,
who was born and reared in San Francisco. Fra- ternally he has been connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows since 1875 and during the past twenty years he has been treas- urer of the lodge, in addition to which he is actively associated with the Canton and Encamp- ment. He is also a member of the Elks lodge in Salinas. At the time of the founding of the Hazel Hawkins hospital he was chosen a mem- ber of the board of trustees and in that capacity he since has been instrumental in furthering the inauguratory work connected with this philan- thropic enterprise.
E. PETER IVERSON.
One of the public-spirited and enterprising citizens of Salinas is E. P. Iverson, who since 1868 has made this city his home, and since 1877 has been continuously associated with his brother, James B. Iverson, in the manufacture of farming implements. A native of Denmark, he was born in Sleswick March 11, 1844, the son of Jesse and Hannah (Rurup) Iverson, also na- tives of the same Danish province. Under the instruction of his father he learned the black- smith's trade, a training which has been of ines- timable value to him, for after following it for a time in his native land he came to the United States in 1867 and has since been a most valu- able assistant to his brother. During the first ten years of his association with the plant he was variously employed, learning the business in all of its details during that time, and since 1877 he has shared in the profits of the business as a partner. Owing to the fact that the senior mem- ber of the firm is absorbed in looking after his many outside interests to a great extent, much of the management of the plant devolves upon E. P. Iverson, whose qualifications and broad experience leave nothing to be desired.
In Salinas, November 26, 1871, E. P. Iverson was united in marriage with Miss Karen Lund, who like himself was a native of Denmark. Five children were born of this marriage, as follows: Jesse B., who is bookkeeper in the firm in which his father is a partner; Martin, who is manager of the Soledad branch of the. Wahrlach-Cornett Co .; John, who is associated with his brother in Soledad; Cora L., wife of
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Christopher Thorup, manager of Wahrlach- Cornett Co. at Salinas ; and Effie C., who is still at home with her parents. Besides his associa- tion with the firm of Iverson Brothers, E. P. Iverson is a stockholder and director in the Wahrlach-Cornett Co. His personal affairs have not consumed all of his time and thought, however ; on the other hand he is considered one of the town's most public-spirited citizens and has exerted a valuable influence in the better- ment of the town through his membership in the city council and on the school board. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows or- der, being a member of Alisal Lodge at Salinas, and also belongs to the Encampment and Uni- form Rank, Patriarch Militant.
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DAVID W. LLOYD.
It may with justice be said that few if any men held in a greater degree the respect of their fellow-citizens than the honored California pio- neer whose name introduces this narrative and whose personality was forceful in the early de- velopment of Pacific Grove. However, not alone this city, but other parts and towns in the state, felt the impress of his vigorous mentality and high ideals of citizenship. Through a long identification with the progress of California, covering a period of forty-one years, he main- tained in the midst of change and chaotic con- ditions incident to early growth a devotion to lofty principles of justice and honor that were formative elements in his character.
A native of the Empire state, David W. Lloyd was born on a farm near the city of Rome, Oneida county, May 1, 1831, and descended from Welsh ancestry. Primarily educated in the pub- lic schools of his native town, he later attended the college at Whitesboro, Oneida county, and there terminated his educational advantages. Upon starting out to make his own way in the world he went to New York City and for three years clerked in a wholesale mercantile establish- ment. At the expiration of that time he spent a few months in Boston, Mass., and in 1847 went south to New Orleans, from which point he en- gaged in boating on the Mississippi river as far as St. Louis.
The first news that came concerning the dis- covery of gold in California aroused in Mr. Lloyd a determined purpose to try his luck in the west. Action quickly followed the decision. March of 1849 found him at Fort Leavenworth outfitting for the long journey across the plains. In due time the trip was begun and a large expedition took up its slow march over desert and across mountain. Delays occurred again and again, and finally it was decided to be impossible to reach California before the storms of winter fell upon the mountains; accordingly the winter was spent in Salt Lake City, and in April the line of march was resumed. The party eventually arrived at Georgetown, Eldorado county, June 1, 1850, having made the memora- ble trip without serious misfortune, although not without annoyances of various kinds.
For a time engaging in placer mining in Ore- gon Canon, Mr. Lloyd left that location on ac- count of its lack of water. Until the fall of 1853 he remained at Nevada City, Nevada county, but during that year he removed to Santa Cruz and embarked in the mercantile business, which he conducted until returning in 1860 to the east. For two years he carried on a hotel business in New York, but the golden west had cast its mysterious spell upon him and he was dissatis- fied when away from its inviting surroundings. Accordingly he returned to California and en- gaged in the livery business at Santa Cruz. On retiring from that enterprise he spent two years in San Francisco and then for eight years en- gaged in the fruit business at Santa Clara. In 1874 he settled at Salinas, Monterey county, and opened a grocery and provision store, which he successfully operated until 1887, the date of his removal to Pacific Grove. To him belonged the distinction of being the first permanent resident and merchant of this place, and he continued here until his death, which occurred September 8, 1891. He was very ambitious for the upbuilding of the town, aided generously enterprises for local development, and was instrumental in the organization of the Bank of Pacific Grove, in which he officiated as a director.
In New York City during 1860 occurred the marriage of Mr. Lloyd and Miss Elizabeth F., daughter of Dr. R. Wellington Roberts, an Englishman by birth, lineage and education.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAI. RECORD.
After his marriage in England Dr. Roberts came to the United States at the age of twenty-two years and settled at Troy, N. Y., where his daughter, Elizabeth, was born November 8, 1841. Her education was secured in New York City and qualified her to adorn a station of social prominence with dignity and grace. She was a woman of domestic tastes, wise judgment and Christian fortitude. She died in . Pacific Grove October 14, 1902. There are four daughters now living, namely : Etta B .; Leonia ; Mabel E., wife of M. Dinkelspiel, of Los Angeles; and Mrs. Carrie L. Johnson. Mr. Lloyd possessed a great pride in and affection for his family and in the highest degree and truest sense of the term he was a loyal husband and fond father. Admirable qualities of mind and heart combined to win warm friendships among his associates. His nature was cheerful and even buoyant, his temperament was enthusiastic and even aggres- sive, his disposition was generous and open- handed. To the lowliest he was sincere and kindly, at all times approachable. In business he was equal to any emergency, broad in his concep- tions, prompt in action, and while not disdaining insignificant details he inclined pre-eminently to liberal and large ideas in all of his business re- lations and his commercial identifications.
EUSTACE E: SWETNAM.
The Carmel valley has as one of its best- known ranchers Eustace E. Swetnam, who came to Monterey county as early as 1886 and has wit- nessed its subsequent development with the keen- est interest. A native of Kentucky, he was born in Bath county, October 19, 1863, and grew to manhood upon a farm, seldom going any dis- tance from the old home until he started for the coast. An older brother had become a settler of Oregon and from that state had drifted into Cali- fornia, concerning whose possibilities he had written home such favorable reports that the younger brother was quickly inspired with a desire to come west.
Carrying out this desire, Mr. Swetnam came directly to Monterey county, and after paying his way, found he had just $1 to his name. His first work was as a teamster with the Pacific
Improvement Company, remaining in the same position for four years, with the exception of two harvest seasons, when he helped to harvest the grain in the Salinas valley. During 1892 he married Marceline Vasquez, daughter of an hon- ored Spanish settler of California, sister of A. E. Vasquez and also of Mrs. Luis Wolter. After his marriage he rented the ranch now occupied by A. E. Vasquez and here he remained for five years. When New Monterey was started he bought lots ranging in price from $50 to $300, according to the location. Some of these he sold when the price advanced. On one of the lots he erected a house and moved his family there after living five years on the Vasquez ranch.
An experience of three years in running a fruit and vegetable wagon in Pacific Grove and New Monterey had given Mr. Swetnam a large acquaintance throughout this section of country and his acquaintance was further enlarged by two years of service as clerk in a grocery at New Monterey, where later he started in business on his own account, building the first grocery store in the village and inaugurating a business that proved successful until ill-health, caused by in- door work, forced him to discontinue his activi- ties. Thereupon he sold out the business. In January of 1906 he bought six hundred and ninety-seven acres of hill and bottom land in Car- mel valley, for which he paid $6,000. Later he sold six hundred and ten acres of the hill land, which formed a part of the James Meadows tract. On the balance of the land he has built a house, piit up a barn, set out four acres in apples, peaches and apricots, and cleared off the brush and timber from a large part of the place. While doing the work he has had the pleasure of fully regaining his health. However, he met with a heavy bereavement in the death of his faithful wife, who passed away in December, 1905, at the age of forty-three years. Her entire life had been passed in this county and she had a host of warm friends here. Four children sur- vive her, Rebecca Inez, Elmer Ellsworth, Gladys Mamie and Clarence Eustace, all of whom were born in this county.
Though stanch in his allegiance to the Repub- lican party, Mr. Swetnam has never permitted his name to be presented as a candidate for office
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and has no connection with politics other than that maintained by every public-spirited citizen. While living in New Monterey he was very active in movements for the upbuilding of the place, and the same progressive spirit has charac- terized his identification with affairs in the Car- mel valley. Improvements of every kind receive his co-operation. All of them are aided as gen- erously as his means permit, while he willingly gives of his time for their furtherance. Fra- ternally he holds membership with the Woodmen of the World at Pacific Grove. Owning a neat little homestead of his own, surrounded by a large circle of warm friends, and holding a posi- tion of influence as a citizen, he has no reason to regret the decision in early life which led him to leave the old Kentucky farm for the oppor- tunities of the western coast.
F. O. NASH, M. D.
Traditional lore relative to the Nash family points to their Scotch origin. Originally the name was McNash, but a doughty old Scotch- man, leaving his native land and crossing Ire- land, was taken ill while waiting at port for a packet on which to sail to America. Realizing that his end was near he made his will and re- pudiated everything Scotch, even to the extent of signing the will with the name, Daniel Nash. When his sons settled in the United States they adopted the abbreviated patronymic and later generations adhered to the same form of spelling. For years the family gained their livelihood in Maine, where they flourished in spite of an ad- verse environment and a rigorous climate. At Columbia, Washington county, in the eastern part of that state, F. O. Nash was born August 28, 1842, and there he had the advantages offered by common schools and a local academy. With al keen desire to gain a classical education he entered Amherst in 1863 and took a two-years' course of study in that far-famed institution of learning. During the autumn of 1865 he matriculated at Bowdoin college in Maine and there he continued his studies until he was graduated in 1868 with high honors.
The first location of Dr. Nash was at Baring and nine months later he moved to St. Stephens,
a village on the boundary line between New Brunswick and Maine, and not far from the home of his boyhood. The loss of his health obliging him to seek a more genial climate, he spent a short time in Cuba. He then returned to St. Stephens and resumed his practice, continu- ing to follow it until his health again gave out, when he spent a year in travel. He then became acting-assistant surgeon in the regular army, par- ticipating in the expedition to determine upon the boundary line between the United States and Canada. Deciding to spend the winter in the west, he started upon the long voyage to the islands in the Pacific ocean, spending the winter in traveling over the state, stopping en route to visit friends and relatives in Hollister. Here he found a healthful climate and he improved so rapidly that he decided to remain. Accordingly, May 16, 1874, he settled in San Benito and took up professional work.
Ranching was then the principal industry in the Hollister and Santa Ana valleys and large herds of cattle grazed on the hill lands. Roads had not been opened and traveling was done almost exclusively on horseback. The long drives would have exhausted the doctor's strength had it not been for the restoration of his health to normal condition. For fourteen months he practiced at the New Idria quicksilver mines, where were employed some two hundred men, including a lawless Mexican element and Cornish miners little less troublesome. Many times he had thrilling experiences among the Mexicans. On more than one occasion he encountered the lawless desperado, Vasquez, and his lieutenants, as they rode across the country, but never once did they attempt to molest him. Indeed he met with no attacks from any quarter, notwithstand- ing his frequent trips alone through isolated re- gions. For two years he acted as coroner and public administrator and for a similar period he held office as county physician. The organization of the County Medical Society was largely due to his efforts and he became one of its charter mem- bers. For two years he officiated as president and for a like period he served as secretary and treasurer, while in addition he has been asso- ciated with the State Medical Society.
The marriage of Dr. Nash united him with Miss Ida May Ladd, who was born in Maine,
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
but removed to California in girlhood, settling in Hollister. In this county she made her home until she died in 1905 during a visit in the east. Two children had been born of that union, namely : Francis L., who died July 6, 1894, at the age of eight years and nine months ; and Florence M., wife of Albert E. Nash. The closer settle- ment of the country has made a radical change in the doctor's professional work and he now en- gages principally in office practice. It is no longer necessary for him to take the long drives common to his early sojourn here, and such drives as are necessary are made pleasant through the laying-out and improvement of high- ways. From early manhood he has been a disci- ple of Masonry, and is still active in the blue lodge. In addition he is treasurer of the Hollis- ter chapter and a member of a council in the east. During his travels he has met Masons in every part of the country, even among the In- dians of the north, and everywhere he has found a bond of brotherhood and good-will existent among the members of that fraternity.
JESSE ROSS.
Having had the privilege of extended agricul- tural experience in three states, Mr. Ross has gained a thorough knowledge of their resources. As a boy he aided his father on the home farm in Indiana, where he learned the rudimentary lessons of agriculture. During young manhood he became a resident of Iowa, where he added to his knowledge and experience in agriculture by working on a farm. After coming to California he was interested in mining for a time, but finally resumed his interest and activities in agri- culture, first in Sonoma county, and later in San Benito county, near Hollister. After many years of usefulness he has retired from active cares and is spending the afternoon of his life in his pleasant home in Hollister, at No. 1064 Monterey street.
Born in Harrison county, Ind., November 30, 1832, Jesse Ross is a son of William and Sarah (Kay) Ross, who were both natives of the south, born respectively in Kentucky and Vir- ginia. After their marriage they set up house- keeping in Harrison county, Ind., where the
father carried on farming and blacksmithing as a means of supporting his family. His son Jesse was reared and educated in his native surround- ings, and when not in attendance at school gave his services to his father in doing chores about the farm. This alternation of schooling and farming continued until he was about eighteen years of age, when, in 1850, the family removed to Iowa, locating near the town of Bonaparte, Van Buren county, where the father and son followed blacksmithing. There as in Indiana the latter alternated work with attendance at school, continuing this during the two years he remained in Iowa. This life gradually lost its interest to him as he heard of the opportunities for sudden wealth to be obtained in the mines of California, and although only twenty years of age he set out to cross the plains with an ox- team. The journey was fraught with continual interference from the Indians, although no per- manent injury resulted, and the party finally landed at Hangtown, now Placerville, Eldorado county, glad that their trials of this kind were over.
Mr. Ross reached his destination July 25, 1852, and as mining had been the object for which he came to the west he lost no time in finding a suit- able claim. He continued the life of the miner for eight years, during which time he met with only average success, and in 1860 he changed his location and occupation; going to Sonoma coun- ty, where he engaged in ranching. His ranch was located near Santa Rosa, an excellent tract of land on which he carried on agricultural pur- suits for about eleven years, when he closed out his holdings in that county and since 1871 has been located in San Benito county. The ranch upon which he then settled was well located one mile from Hollister, and consisted of twenty acres, well adapted for raising grain and fruit, the latter including prunes, peaches and apricots. After continuing here for thirty-six years he sold out his holdings in 1907 well satisfied with the efforts of former years, and has since lived re- tired in Hollister.
Mr. Ross was married in 1866, while living in Sonoma county, to Miss Mary Herrington, a native of Iowa, who passed away in 1907. Only one child, a son, Marvin, was born of this union ; he is a resident of Santa Cruz. For many years
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. Ross was a director in the Hollister Cream- ery, one of the active enterprises in the com- munity which is one of the many undertaking's that have benefited by his assistance and co-opera- tion. Politically he is a Democrat, and frater- nally is identified with the United Workmen, having affiliated with this organization over twenty-three years ago.
SAMUEL IRVINE.
During the period of the late '50s Samuel Ir- vine arrived in California via the Panama route, accompanied by his wife, Mary ( McCalla) Ir- vine. The newcomer was of Irish birth and lineage, being a son of William and Phoebe (Hanna) Irvine, and a native of County Down, Ireland, born near Belfast in 1831. After land- ing on the Pacific coast he engaged in mining in Calaveras county and for a time carried on a lum- ber business, remaining for twelve years in that part of the state. It was during 1868 that he ar- rived in Monterey county, where afterward he became an influential citizen and well-known merchant.
In looking around for a location Mr. Irvine found an opening for business investments at Sotoville, a hamlet named in honor of Mr. Soto, its leading general merchant. Later the name of the place was changed to Santa Rita. The vil- lage was situated on the main road through the county, but it was necessary to turn to the right about three-quarters of a mile before the town was reached. After Mr. Irvine bought an inter- est in Mr. Soto's store he had the roads platted so that the stage passed directly by the store. In time he sold out to his partner, but soon bought out the entire establishment and afterward con- ducted it alone. As soon as his son, John, was old enough to be of help, he took him into part- nership, thus relieving himself of many heavy business cares.
After becoming a citizen of the United States and informed concerning its parties, Samuel Ir- vine always supported Democratic principles. April 25, 1876, he was appointed postmaster at Santa Rita and continued in the position until his death in 1898. Thereupon his son, John, succeeded to the office, and remained postmaster
until the establishment of the rural free delivery. No one was more deeply interested than Samuel. Irvine in the establishment of good schools, and as trustee of Santa Rita school for many years. he labored indefatigably to promote local edu- cational interests. Other matters pertaining to. the local development and progress owed much to his zeal. In business dealings he was straight- forward, in physique strong and sturdy, in dis -. position kind, and in good citizenship progres -- sive. His wife passed away in June of 1908. They were the parents of four children, namely : William J., and Mrs. J. A. Armstrong, both of Salinas ; Phoebe and John, both of Santa Rita. The younger son continues the business so long conducted by his father, and the business, car- ried on under the name of Irvine for years, is. the only one in the entire county conducted with- out change of name by the same family for so: many years.
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