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 7

Author: Guinn, J. M. (James Miller), 1834-1918; Leese, Jacob R. Monterey County; Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849. Story of San Benito County
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 454


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 7
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 7


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Born in New Brunswick, N. J., in 1820, the early years of Benjamin Titus did not differ materially from those of other boys of the time and locality. The common schools gave him a knowledge of the three R's and subsequent habits of reading and close observation broadened his


range of information, so that he was regarded as one of the well-posted men of his vicinity. In 1862 he was united in marriage with Miss Kate A. Eginton, who was born in Ireland April 4, 1836, and who came via the Isthmus of Panama to California in 1868, bringing with her two chil- dren. During the absence of her husband at Monterey for the purpose of taking up govern- ment land, she bought out a squatter, George Bee, and upon his return Mr. Titus found her in possession of a squatter's right. Wild animals were very numerous and she was in constant dread of the attacks of bears, wild cats and other animals upon her children.


Nine children comprised the family of Mr. and Mrs. Titus. Eight are now living, namely : Mary A., who married Walter Emery; Florence C., wife of L. H. Wiley; Laura A., who mar- ried Chapman Foster; Amanda, Mrs. John Smith; Ernestine, widow of G. L. Davis, of Pacific Grove: Benjamin E .; Thomas W .; and Mahala, wife of Julius Lyons. On coming to Monterey county Mr. Titus took up one hun- dred and sixty acres of desert land eight miles from Salinas. By degrees he brought the land under cultivation, built fences, erected substan- tial buildings, planted fruit and shade trees, and cleared much of the forest timber from the ranch. The two sons began to help him as soon as they were old enough to be of assistance and after the death of the father, which occurred April II, 1908, they succeeded to the management of the estate, making their home with the widowed mother on the home ranch. In politics the father voted the Republican ticket. At the time of the establishment of the Washington school he con- tributed generously to the same. In disposi- tion he was cheerful, even jovial, and always dis- played an optimistic spirit regarding the future of this country. In his last days he had the sin- cere faith of a Christian to uphold him and he passed to his eternal rest, mourned by a large circle of friends, who had witnessed the stirring labors of this resourceful pioneer.


The two sons manage the estate of twenty- three hundred acres. Three hundred acres are under cultivation, a large tract being devoted to a variety of fruits and to the raising of vege- tables for the market. Two wagons run from the ranch into Monterey, delivering vegetables


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and fruit to customers. Through experiments conducted by the two brothers it has been demon- strated that beets can be successfully grown on sandy soil. For the past fourteen years much of their time has been given to the clearing of their timber land for the purpose of securing pasturage for their stock. About five hundred cords, besides the stumpage, have been taken out annually, and for this work $3,000 has been paid out each year. The result has been a trans- formation in the appearance of the ranch, which now ranks among the improved estates of the county and reflects in its neat appearance the thrift and energy of the proprietors. Follow- ing the example of their father, both are ener- getic supporters of Republican principles and have participated actively in public affairs.


GEORGE A. DAUGHERTY.


To the gentleman whose name heads this arti- cle the publishers of the History of Monterey and San Benito counties are indebted for the land grant history of Monterey county. He is interested in the abstract business in the county and is also connected with the Salinas Abstract Company, organized in January, 1907. by the consolidation of the Land Title Company, of which he had been the president for some time. and the Monterey County Abstract and Title Bureau, with the following stockholders: G. A. Daugherty, J. A. Bardin, P. W. Soto, F. W. Sargent and A. G. Winckler. Mr. Daugherty is as well one of the representative attorneys at law in Salinas. He was born in Coshocton, Ohio, in 1861, the son of John Daugherty, a farmer and one of the men who settled in that part of Ohio when it was in its primeval condi- tion. His mother was of Scotch descent and in maidenhood bore the name of Elizabeth Dickie.


The common schools of Ohio afforded the means for a preliminary education for G. A. Daugherty, after which he entered Muskingum College, his tuition being paid partly from the savings of teaching school prior to entering. He was graduated in 1884. From boyhood it had been his ambition to become a lawyer, and with this end in view he decided to come to the Pa- cific coast as offering a wider field for an am-


bitous young man. A short time after he had left school he landed in this state and came to Monterey county, where he accepted employment at anything he could get to do in order to get a start. His first work was in threshing, and this was followed by teaching in the Salinas schools for a time. He then entered the law office of H. D. Tuttle (later superior judge of Santa Clara county), and after two years was admitted to practice before the supreme court of the state. He formed a partnership with Mr. Tuttle, which continued amicably till the removal of that gen- tleman to San Jose. After Judge J. K. Alexan- der left the bench they formed a partnership, and this association continued for five years. when Mr. Daugherty opened an independent office. Three years later C. F. Lacey was ad- mitted as a co-partner, the firm becoming Daugh- erty & Lacey. Besides his law business the com- pany represents the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, the Pajaro Valley Railroad Company, Spreckels Sugar Company, Stone Canyon Coal Company and the Stone Canyon Pacific Railroad Company, besides several banks and other corpo- rate firms in the county.


In 1889 Mr. Daugherty was united in mar- riage with Emma Littlefield, and they have four daughters: Hazel R., Lyllis A., Georgia B. and E. Corena. After the eldest daughter completed her course in the Salinas high school the family took up a temporary residence in Berkeley, in order that the daughters could have the advan- tages of the State University, as well as oppor- tunity for musical development.


In politics Mr. Daugherty has ever been found in the ranks of the Republican party, and was for years a member of the county central com- mittee. He has taken an active part in educa- tional matters and served as president of the board of education in Salinas for some time.


MASON LORENZO DEXTER.


From an early period in the history of Cali- fornia as a commonwealth until his demise at the age of sixty-three years, Mason Lorenzo Dex- ter was closely identified with various affairs, agricultural, commercial and political. Al- though he first came to the state in 1855. when


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he was seventeen years of age, his residence here was not continuous from that time until his death, yet he considered himself a Californian in spite of removal elsewhere and ultimately re- turned to the coast to enjoy the healthful ad- vantages of the climate and the commercial op- portunities of the age.


Born in Ionia, Mich., June 8, 1838, the gentle- man whose name introduces this sketch was a son of Lorenzo and Sarah (Phelps) Dexter and received a common-school education in the home neighborhood. Lured to the west by the dis- covery of gold, during 1850 the father, who was a miller by occupation, crossed the plains to Cali- fornia and became a pioneer of the state. In- stead of giving much attention to mining he be- came attracted by the farming openings and took up land in Yolo county. In 1855 his son, Mason L., came via the isthmus and joined him in Yolo county, aiding there in the development of a raw tract of land. The father died in 1878 and the son, at the age of twenty-one years, re- moved to Nevada, where for a few years he re- sided in Virginia City. During that period he became prominent in local affairs and was a lead- ing Republican. For a time he was a member of the council of Virginia City and also held office as treasurer of the county, filling both posi- tions with fidelity and accuracy.


The climate of that section did not prove ad- vantageous to his health, and thus Mr. Dexter was led to sever all connections there and return to Michigan. At the expiration of two years, in 1875, he returned to California and settled near the coast in the southern part of Monterey county, where he bought a large tract of raw land and engaged in general ranching. During the three years that he remained on the land he made a specialty of the dairy business. How- ever. in those days the market facilities were inferior to those of the present and he did not find the industry profitable. After 1878 he made Salinas his home and here he was prominent in Republican politics. For nine years he served as county clerk, succeeding himself three times and filling the office with characteristic ability and efficiency. On his retirement from the posi- tion he embarked in the boot and shoe business and established himself among the progressive merchants of the place. During 1899 he retired


from business owing to failing health and De- cember 13, 1901, he passed from the scenes of his activities.


The marriage of Mr. Dexter took place Au- gust 19, 1874, and united him with Miss Clara Shipman, a native of Erie county, N. Y., and now a resident of Salinas, making her home at No. 130 Church street. Fraternally Mr. Dex- ter was identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Masons, in the latter organization having been prominently identified with the local lodge, chapter and commandery, and having held different offices in these several bodies. The high principles of Masonry he up- held by precept and influence. At the time of his death he was serving as justice of the peace. From early life he was deeply interested in move- ments for the bettering of the schools. The free school had in him an ardent champion. For twelve years he was a member of the board of education of Salinas and during his efficient service of that period he had the privilege of assisting in the establishment of the high school.


JOHN J. BEVANS.


Evidences of skill in the building business, exemplified by the construction of some of the most attractive residences in Salinas, have given Mr. Bevans a high place among the people of the city, who recognize in him the possession of both artistic taste and constructive ability. The trade of carpenter, which he had learned in all of its details before coming to the west, has been his principal occupation in life, to which in later years he added the contracting business, and has filled contracts for the erection of some of the most substantial homes in Salinas.


Mr. Bevans was born in Lewis county, Mo., August 21, 1861, his parents being Ignatius and Sarah Ellen (Cookey) Bevans, natives respec- tively of Maryland and Virginia. The father was a farmer and stockraiser in Lewis county, in which vicinity the son grew up, and finally, after his school days were past, worked with his father in the maintenance of the home farm until reach- ing his majority. Prior to this he had made up his mind to come to California, and as soon as his time was his own, at the age of twenty-one,


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he set out for the west, reaching Salinas, Cal., October 10, IS82. As has been previously stated, he had learned the carpenter's trade while living in Missouri, and this he found to be an important asset in the town into which he came as a stranger. His ability as an expert workman gave him all the work that he was able to do, and finally he added the duties of architect to his other accomplishments. This was a wise move, indeed, for being a natural architect he is thus enabled to combine his artistic and constructive ability to the best advantage. Residences have been his specialty, and some of the best and most sub- stantial to be seen in Salinas are evidences of his handiwork. Among them may be mentioned those of P. Zabala, W. J. Hill, D. A. Madiera, A. Hughes, G. A. Daugherty, E. W. Palmtag, Roy Alexander and D. F. Davies. In addition to the foregoing, he also designed and erected the Armory on Alisal street, the Boysen cottages on Cayuga street, and he also constructed the prin- cipal cottages at the Paraiso Hot Springs, near Soledad, and the store owned and occupied by the Wahrlich-Cornett Company, in Soledad. He has also planned and built cottages at Pacific Grove and Monterey. The keynote of the suc- cess with which Mr. Bevans has uniformly met is undoubtedly the honesty of purpose which en- ters into everything that he undertakes. His buildings are always erected on honor, and this, combined with good taste in designing and the best workmanship, is responsible for the remark that is often heard: "When you want a home for comfort, durability and fine workmanship, give the contract to Mr. Bevans." Fraternally Mr. Bevans is associated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and in his political preferences he is a stanchi Democrat.


A. J. CHANEY.


A recital of the events in the lives of early settlers in a new country and their progress with changing conditions will ever be of interest to those of later generations, whose only knowledge of these things come to them second hand. Mr. Chaney is one of those who came to the state many years ago and has witnessed its gradual rise in importance both as a desirable and al-


together healthful place in which to live, and also as a most satisfactory field of opportunity for gaining a livelihood.


Mr. Chaney's life history began in Indiana, his birth occurring there, in Clay county, February 8, 1848. His father was a farmer, and his earli- est recollections are of helping him with the chores about the home place. As he grew a little older, however, his life seemed restricted in the home surroundings and when a mere boy he started out on a tour of inspection, going as far west as Iowa. He was there during the progress of the Civil war, and the call for able- bodied men to defend the country's honor came to him with a conviction. Though only sixteen years of age he enlisted for service in the Union army in 1863 and rendered valiant service in Company F, Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, during the two years following. The term of his enlistment having expired, he re- mained in Iowa for a while afterward, and finally, in 1871, completed the journey westward to the Pacific coast. His first experience in the state was in Santa Cruz county, where he en- gaged in ranching for six years, at the end of this time coming to Hollister. A few years later we find him located on a ranch in the county not far from Hollister, upon which he made a spe- cialty of raising high-grade cattle, besides car- rying on a general ranching enterprise. This combined enterprise he carried on for many years with splendid success, disposing of these interests, however, in 1901, in order to interest himself with his son in another branch of agri- culture. Since then father and son have been amicably and profitably engaged in maintaining an orchard in this vicinity, having twenty acres in apricots and ten acres in prunes, and for all of their products they find a ready sale, as they are of superior quality and in great demand. In addition to the orchard they maintain a thriv- ing dairy business and dispose of the milk to the condenser at Hollister.


Mr. Chaney's marriage, which occurred in 1870, united him with Miss Mary E. King, who like himself was a native of Indiana. Four children were born to them, one of whom, Laura. is deceased. The others are: William, a resident of Hollister ; John, who is associated with his father in the maintenance of the orchard and


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dairy, as previously stated ; and Lulu, who is the wife of C. J. Pierce and resides in Hollister. Mr. Chaney is a member of but one fraternal order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in Mound Lodge No. 166, of Hollister. Personally he is popular in the community which his labor and character have helped to upbuild, and in 1892 his fellow-citi- zens expressed their appreciation of his ability in a public capacity by electing him to the board of supervisors, an office which he filled creditably for four years.


RICHARD E. SHORE.


Especial interest attaches to the few survivors of that vast throng of brave young soldiers who, more than sixty years ago, offered their aid to our country during the period of the Mexican war. Included in this number is the honored pioneer Richard E. Shore, who was born in Washington county, Mo., November 6, 1827, and at an early age enlisted at St. Louis as a member of the northern division of the army under Gen- eral Price, serving for eighteen months at the front. The most important engagement in which he bore a part was the battle of Santa Cruz, sixty miles south of Chihuahua. At the close of the war he was mustered out of the service and re- ceived an honorable discharge at Independence, Mo. While a soldier in the army he endured many hardships and suffered from forced marches of protracted duration, but fortunately he pos- sessed a fine physique and splendid constitution, so that his hard service in no wise incapacitated him for future activities.


Travels through the southwest while in the army had given Mr. Shore a love for the free life of the plains, so when gold was discovered in California he was eager to set out upon the trail. After having secured the necessary outfit he started on the overland trip with an expedi- tion comprising three hundred persons with one hundred and fifty wagons. The route took the party through the ancient city of Santa Fe, where a stop was made. During June of 1850 Mr. Shore arrived in Santa Clara, whence, after a brief rest, he proceeded to the mines in Sonora. A fair degree of success rewarded his efforts. Young and strong, he was able to endure the


greatest hardships. The winter was cold in the mountains, but he had no coat, his only covering being a blanket. However, hardships did not daunt him. His nature was of sterner stuff. After having remained at the mines until 1859 he erigaged in farming near what is now Moun- tain View, acquiring a ranch which he sold out in 1870. At the same time he came to what is now San Benito (then Monterey) county and bought two hundred and thirty-seven acres at an average price of $65 an acre. The tract was situated seven miles northwest of Hollister and under his supervision was transformed from a raw piece of land to an improved and valuable homestead. After the railroad was built to Gil- ยท roy he hauled his wheat and barley to that point. During the thirty-eight years of his residence on the ranch he met with fair success, although some of his early ventures proved unprofitable. Like all who settle in a new locality, it was his de- sire to ascertain the crops best suited to the soil and climate. With that object in view he planted many fruit trees, but he found the locality was not suited to horticulture and soon abandoned his efforts. Other experiments showed him that draft horses could be raised profitably and he therefore made a specialty of the business, exhib- iting his best horses at the annual county fairs.


In Santa Clara county in 1863 Mr. Shore mar- ried Miss Martha Ellen Janes, who was born in Missouri November 26, 1845, came to California during the latter part of 1850, and died March 20, 1890. Of their seven children four were born in Santa Clara county. The eldest, Grace L., married W. J. Brown, of San Felipe, and has four children. Frank E., who is connected with the Grangers Union, is married and has two children. Ruth E., Mrs. William Beggs, has one child and lives at Bakersfield. George W. died at the age of twenty-three years. Itha S., who was born in San Benito county, married J. F. Brown, of Hollister, and has one son. Since December of 1908 her father has made his home with her. The two youngest sons, Frederick L. and Ernest D., were born in San Benito county ; the former resides at San Jose, and the latter in Hanford. The children were given good educa- tions in the public schools and the University of the Pacific. After a school was organized near their farm home they were sent regularly


Mars John Iverson John Werson


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as pupils and for years Mr. Shore served as a trustee. In national politics he always has ad- vocated Democratic principles. For eight years he served as supervisor from district No. I, be- ing a member of the second board of supervisors in the county. At the same time William Palm- tag was a member of the board and through the efforts of these two men the agitation for a new court-house was started. During his term of office the new building was erected and bridges also were built over the San Benito, while other improvements were inaugurated.


Fraternally Mr. Shore was made a Mason in Mountain View Lodge and later was transferred to San Benito Lodge No. 211, F. & A. M., at Hollister. Though not identified with any church, he has been liberal in his contributions to church and charitable institutions. On the organization of the Grangers' Union he was chosen a member of the board of directors. Prominently identified with the organization of the Lathrop Hay Com- pany, he afterward served upon the directorate of the concern. So far as his means allowed, he always has aided local progressive projects. It was not until about 1898 that he relinquished his numerous activities and began to enjoy the rest to which his arduous life and financial success fairly entitled him, and recently he has been liv- ing retired in the home of a daughter at Hol- lister, enjoying the companionship of the very few of the survivors of his early co-laborers and retaining the warm regard of the younger gener- ations. The twilight of his honorable existence is being tranquilly passed in the town which he has seen develop to its present dimensions from a hamlet of insignificant proportions and com- mercial unimportance, and in this era of progress he has been deeply interested as a loyal citizen and rugged pioneer.


JOHN IVERSON.


Upon the list of prominent citizens who have given their best efforts in upbuilding the com- monwealth of California mention belongs to John Iverson, who for the past forty years has been a continuous resident of Monterey county. Dur- ing this time he has built up an enviable reputa- tion as a rancher and business man, his versatile


abilities enabling him to interest himself with confidence in many avenues of activity. With justice his ranch near Chualar is conceded to be one of the most flourishing in Monterey county, and in addition to this he owns a one-third in- terest in the general merchandise store of An- derson, Beck & Co., of Chualar, one of the larg- est distributing centers of this part of Monterey county.


For generations the Iverson family had been identified with Denmark, and there John Iverson was born, September 7, 1846. The home-loving spirit which had long been a characteristic of the family was destroyed or broken in upon, at least, when in 1861 John Iverson, at the age of fifteen years, went to sea and continued the life of the sailor one year. After touching at different ports he landed in San Francisco on August I, 1863, and here met his brother, J. B., who had come just two weeks before, and was


working in Alameda county. Here he located and for five years he had no difficulty in finding all that he could do on ranches in that locality. At the end of this time, however, he came to Monterey county and near Salinas undertook the management of a ranch for himself. This con- sisted of one hundred acres of what was known as the Graves ranch, there and in the vicinity of Salinas making a specialty of raising grain for five years. He next came to the vicinity of Chualar, where he rented five hundred acres of the Jacks ranch, the value of this being enhanced at this time owing to the fact that the railroad had just been completed through the town. Dur- ing the years that Mr. Iverson rented this prop- erty he laid by considerable means and was thus enabled to purchase property of his own. His long residence in Monterey county convinced him that no better land could be found anywhere in the state than here, hence his choice fell on a tract of six hundred acres not far from Chualar, which be purchased from Jesse D. Carr. Since his original purchase Mr. Iverson has added an- other tract of like amount, until he now owns twelve hundred acres of as fine land as is to be found in the county. He has been engaged in the raising of cattle and horses, and also grain, and from both branches of agriculture he is reaping a good annual income. The passer-by is impressed with the neat, thrifty appearance of


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