History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Volume I, Part 97

Author: Vandor, Paul E., 1858-
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1362

USA > California > Fresno County > History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Volume I > Part 97

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Among interesting reminiscences, Mr. Winchell recounts one of being present, in Sacramento, January, 1863, at the ceremony of the inauguration of the Central Pacific Railroad, when he saw Governor Stanford climb onto a wagon loaded with dirt which was drawn by four white horses bedecked with ribbons and flags, and throw off the first shovelful of dirt.

Receiving his early education from his parents, young Winchell was then sent to San Francisco and entered City College, a private institution, situated on the northeast corner of Stockton and Geary Streets, whose presi- dent was Dr. Veeder. Later he graduated from the public schools, and Heald's College. As a young man he was engaged in various businesses and enter- prises-clerk in his father's law office, clerk in the Recorder's, Tax Collector's and Sheriff's offices, and was chief deputy in the Assessor's office, from 1880 to 1895. He also engaged in buying and selling land, in sawmill and timber enterprises, in farming and stock-raising ; and in experimental work of hy- bridizing and plant-breeding.

With an inherited love of books, and under the influence of a home atmosphere congenial to the pursuit of knowledge, L. A. Winchell has been, since childhood, a delver into the treasures stored through the ages; being especially interested in ethnologic, archaeologic and geologic subjects. Of an adventurous disposition, with a love of the wild, and an ardent worshipper of nature, he was led to gratify his spirit by early explorations into the moun- tains. From boyhood till the present time he has devoted many months to this fascinating appeal. After the perfection of the photographic "dry plate" there was presented opportunity, heretofore denied, to picture the unknown beauties and wonders of the great alpine regions of the Sierras. Among other achievements, he photographed, in detail, all the great walls, domes, recesses and crests of the Tehipite Valley-a yosemite of entrancing beauty and grandeur, in the canyon of the middle fork of Kings River. These were the first photographs ever made of that region, excepting three made by Frank Dusy, in which Mr. Winchell assisted.

Mr. Winchell sketched a plat of the Valley and named all of the prom- inent points. The names bestowed by him are of record and have been used many times by writers and are perpetuated in the United States Geological Surveys. In this connection it may be mentioned that Mr. Winchell was one of a party of five who, in July, 1879, took the first mules and horses into the Tehipite Canyon. This was accomplished after desperate struggles over

LAWinchell.

Greating M. Winchell.

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terrible ledges of granite and porphyry, through dense thickets that were all but impenetrable and through which they cut their way with axes and sheath-knives, following, at favored times, a dimly-marked deer trail, and all down a declivity of 45 degrees and less, for a distance of 4,000 feet. Fur- ther explorations of the high alpine region of the Sierra Nevadas, embracing the serrated summit known as the Palisades, and the circumjacent territory which contributes to the sources of the San Joaquin and Kings Rivers, were made during the summer of 1879 and succeeding years.

He furnished to the public the first map of this terra incognita, with notes, sketches and names bestowed by himself upon prominent features of this wonderland; including a description of the great residual glacier which lies in the deep gorge at the foot of the "Mother Palisade," and whose exist- ence was hitherto unknown to the world. To the highest of these palisade spires were given the names of "Winchell's Peak," in honor of Alexander Winchell, the eminent American geologist and author; "Agassiz Needle," and the "Mother Palisade," all rising about 14,000 feet. Mount Goddard, a comparatively isolated peak, at the head of the south fork of the San Joaquin River, was scaled by him on September 23, 1879. This was the first successful effort to reach the pinnacle. A monument was built on the summit and a record left. At a later ascent he took photographs from and at the summit.

In his forty-five years' explorations Mr. Winchell has familiarized him- self with all that vast mountain-world from the head of the Tuolumne to the Kern and Kaweah. His familiarity with the mountains and forests led the United States Government to appoint him to a position in the Forestry Ser- vice, which he held for five years, resigning to devote himself exclusively to his farming and fruit-raising interests. While in the government service he made an official report on the surveys, plans, dam sites, wagon-, rail- and power-line routes of the electric company that afterwards constructed the Big Creek reservoir, now known as Huntington Lake; and reported, ad- versely, on a proposition by a power company to convert into a lake the Blaney Meadows, on the south fork of the San Joaquin, and saved this beauti- ful playground for the enjoyment and benefit of posterity. Segregation of the meadow lands, examining doubtful surveys, establishing new lines and monuments, and making plats and reports, were the principal duties occupy- ing most of his time during his five years' of service.

On September 7, 1883, at the residence of his uncle and aunt in Oakland, Cal., L. A. Winchell was united in marriage to Miss Ernestine Miller, de- scendant of Revolutionary ancestors on the maternal side, and eldest daugh- ter of John Alan and Phydella Mary Ann (Roberts) Miller. The ceremony was performed by Rev. O. C. Wheeler, D.D., who had officiated at the mar- riage of Mr. Winchell's parents in Sacramento, in 1853. Mrs. Winchell, of literary inclinations, has written widely for magazines, short stories of the mountains, presenting striking portraitures of aboriginal character, and sketches of life among the Indians of California. To the Mothers' Magazine she has contributed many most excellent articles devoted to the study of child life. She is a woman of generous impulses; loyal and self-sacrificing in the interests of her friends, ever ready to give assistance in time of trouble and need; thinking little of her own comfort, but devoted to her sense of duty ; and she is loved and admired by those who know her.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Winchell: Geraldine, July 28, 1884, married Charles F. Ramsey in 1913, and lives in Fresno; Donald R., September 4, 1886, died March 1, 1889; and Lilbourne E., May 10, 1890, mar- ried Clara Mary Heidenreich in 1918, and resides in San Francisco. Lil- bourne E. entered the service of the United States Navy in 1907, went round the world on the battleship Nebraska, with the fleet from San Francisco, in 1908, and has since been in all foreign waters; he holds rank of chief petty officer in the engineer's branch and is now at San Francisco engaged in destroyer trial service. As a matter of record it may be mentioned that the

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Winchell name has been prominent in every war of the United States from the French and Indian to the great World War.

Mr. Winchell belongs to the California Peach Growers, Inc., and the California Associated Raisin Company. He is an Independent Democrat in national politics, and was one of the early members of California Parlor No. 1, of San Francisco, Native Sons of the Golden West

LEDYARD F. WINCHELL .- Born in one of the now historic build- ings at Fort Miller, Fresno County. November 30, 1859, the second son of Judge E. C. Winchell and his wife, Ledyard Frink Winchell lived during his youthful days in that romantic region, and until the family moved to the new county seat in 1874. He received his early education from his parents, later he attended the schools of San Francisco, finally graduating from a commercial college in San Jose. From 1877 to 1880 he was a clerk in his father's law office in Fresno, and later was a deputy in the county recorder's office.

On December 7, 1878, he was made secretary of the first hook and ladder company of Fresno, whose equipment was stored in the old Metropolitan Hall building on Eye Street, and was burned in the big fire of July, 1882, which destroyed the whole block. This outfit was replaced by a hand engine and hosecart (venerable relics of 1850, procured in San Francisco), which as assistant foreman, he operated with his company until 1885, when the first steam fire engine was brought into use, with Mr. Winchell as assistant chief of the department. He continued an active member of the volunteer depart- ment up to the time of his leaving Fresno, in 1900. In recognition of his con- spicuous services he was, in 1889, elected, in San Francisco, "honorary mem- ber of The Veteran Volunteer Fireman's Association of California."

After a second term in the tax collector's and recorder's offices, he was. in 1884, elected constable of the third township (included Fresno) and he afterwards served as a deputy sheriff during 1886-87 and 1892-93. One time Sheriff O. J. Meade and Mr. Winchell left Fresno after dark. in a buggy, and after driving hard all night. camped at daylight in the mouth of Silver Can- von and remained in seclusion till darkness came again, then proceeded on their way to the New Idria quicksilver mines. At the proper moment they gained entrance, quickly and unexpectedly, through a small door, into a cabin in which there were several Mexicans, drinking and gambling. Cover- ing the astonished inmates with their six-shooters and ordering "hands up," they allowed all to leave except the man they were after. While one kept him covered, the other disarmed him of his "gun." which was a powder-and- ball Colt's 45 dragoon, loaded to the ends of the cylinder. While his hands were still extended above his head they handcuffed him and took him out- side-all the while he was cursing and raving fiendishly. This was the no- torious bandit and murderer, Juan Galindo, wanted for years in several of the coast counties for desperate crimes, and who, it was well known, had many times said no officer could take him alive. They tied him in a buck- board and brought him to Fresno, where he was tried, found guilty and sen- tenced to prison for life. This was but one of his experiences in man-hunting while an officer : but space will not allow their narration, though the experi- ences were thrilling.

In June, 1885, Mr. Winchell aided in the organization of, and enlisted as a private in Company C, Sixth Regiment of Infantry, N. G. C .: became Cor- poral in 1887: Second Lieutenant in 1889; elected Captain, December 16, 1891. In December. 1893, by Governor Markham, he was appointed Brigade Inspector, with rank of Major, on the staff of Brig .- Gen. M. W. Muller. During the railroad strike in 1894. he was detailed Commissary and Quarter- master of the military camp at Bakersfield, whence the first strike-bound trains in the state were moved, opening the traffic on the Southern Pacific through to Los Angeles. His services were commended in the military reports.

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On June 17, 1885, Mr. Winchell was married to Miss Marie Louise Packard, at her home in Fresno. Four children were born to them: Adele C., born April 10, 1886, now the wife of Laurence B. Morton, living in San Fran- cisco; Marie Louise, May 9, 1888, now Mrs. Ralph Stout, who lives near Raymond: Laurel E., December 11, 1891, who married George Wenzel and lives in San Francisco ; and Ledyard F., Jr., February 4, 1890, in Fresno. The latter moved to San Francisco with his parents and while still in school, aged fourteen, enlisted in the Starr King Cadet Corps, which organization was active during the panic following the fire in 1906. They were busily engaged in patrolling, food distribution and giving aid to the refugees. In May, 1906. he enlisted in Company H, Fifth Regiment Infantry, N. G. C., known as the Nationals, and the oldest in the state; in 1915 he was elected Second Lieutenant. In the spring of 1917 he entered the army in the Marines, was sent to Quantico, Va., then to France, where as a member of Seventy-ninth Company, Sixth Regiment, Machine Gun Battalion, he saw heavy fighting in the bitter contests of that body of Americans. After the armistice he went with Pershing's army to Coblenz, where he served till his discharge. He married, in San Francisco, July 10, 1919, Miss Edith Tuck, and they make their home in that city.

In 1900, Ledyard F. Winchell moved with his family to San Francisco and engaged in the real estate business and mining enterprises. All his records and papers were destroyed at the time of the fire in 1906. He con- tinued in business, however, until September, 1918, when he was suddenly stricken by a paralytic stroke from which he never recovered. He died on September 23rd. His ashes are interred with those of his parents in Moun- tain View Cemetery, Oakland, Cal. Led, as he was familiarly known, was a man of great activity of mind and body, was a "mixer," widely known and universally liked by his friends for his genial disposition and upright character.

ANNA CORA WINCHELL .- The youngest child of Judge E. C. Winchell and his wife, Laura C. Winchell, she was born June 24, 1870, while her mother was visiting with her sister, Mrs. Ledyard Frink, in Solano County, Cal .. near the town of Rio Vista, on the Sacramento River. Coming back to the old home near Fort Miller, with her mother, she remained there till her parents moved to Fresno in 1874. She attended school in Fresno, and later was sent to Oakland, Cal., to finish her education. In 1889 she was graduated from Field Seminary, California's oldest private school for girls. and returned to Fresno to live.

Displaying, at a very tender age, a passion for music, she early, at the age of four years, began acquiring the rudiments of harmony. As time passed she was given special instruction on the piano, for several years, by the fore- most teachers of Oakland and San Francisco, also completing a course in pipe organ.

She was recommended for Eastern Conservatories, although not availing herself of the opportunity. She became a most delightful and finished pianist ; and is now a thoroughly recognized and competent critic of the several branches of music.

With a pronounced literary taste, as well, and a natural talent for writ- ing, she early engaged in newspaper work. In 1902 she became music and drama critic for the San Francisco Dramatic Review, and at the same time held the position of pipe-organist at Howard Methodist Church. In 1904 she joined the staff of the San Francisco Call, then a morning daily, as associate society editor.

During the 1906 earthquake and fire disaster she escaped from the falling walls of her hotel, the Argyle, with nothing but her nightrobe and a bed quilt wrapped around her, barely escaping the heavy brick cornice of the roof, as it fell in crashing masses behind her. Waiting in this plight, with a

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group of other women at the corner of Larkin Street and Golden Gate Ave- nue, she watched the dome of the city hall come tumbling down. After many exciting experiences she finally reached her family.

Shortly after the fire, she accepted a position on the San Francisco Chronicle, and was assigned to the Army and Navy, and the Relief and Red Cross Funds Corporation, in addition to handling special Sunday features. She is the art and music editor of the Chronicle at this time, besides con- tributing to other departments.

FRANCIS SHERIDAN BLAIR .- Varied as the numerous chapters in the marvelous history of California's development, are the different stories of the sturdy pioneers who, by their lives of hard work, sacrifice and accomplish- ment, made that history possible. A certain similarity, to be sure, runs like a thread, and often a thread of pure gold, through most of them but each differs in characteristic details, as the settlers themselves differed in personal- ity, and what one pioneer lacked in initiative, experience or foresight, the other frequently supplied. Thus, working in generous rivalry, each contrib- uted his share toward the founding of the present great commonwealth; and ofttimes the humbler a man was in his calling, the more valuable was the contribution he made in the direction of genuine progress.

Francis Sheridan Blair belongs to a family and a group of pioneers who may well be proud of their association with the Golden State. His father was Thomas Franklin Blair, a native of Missouri who farmed awhile in that State and first came to California in 1852. For a couple of years, he went into a mine where he was fairly successful; and settling for a time in Sacra- mento County, he busied himself with fruit-farming and a truck garden. He had crossed the great continent by means of ox team, and it was a small matter, therefore, in 1866, to move into Contra Costa County, where he took up general farming.

In 1875, however, convinced that Fresno County offered, after all, the best of inducements, he came here and went into grain-farming near Center- ville. After a year, he moved to New Auberry Valley, continued his farm- ing, but added stock-raising to his ventures. He was a thorough, progressive man, and results of a satisfactory kind usually rewarded his conscientious efforts. In 1889, he moved out on the plain, six miles north of Clovis; and there he died, in 1913. He was survived by his wife, who had been Lucy E. LeMoin before her marriage. She was a native of Ohio, came west at an early age, met Mr. Blair in Sacramento County, and there was married. She rejoiced as the mother of seven affectionate children, in the devotion of her husband, and the esteem of all who knew her.

Francis was born, the fourth child in the family, on Grand Island, Sacra- mento County, on October 18, 1864, and spent part of his youth in Contra Costa County and New Auberry Valley. When he was eighteen, however, he started to farm for himself, taking a ranch north of Clovis. He settled still nearer Clovis in 1889, and for sixteen years farmed grain-land, changing only when, in 1905, he sold his property and moved to Madera County. There he farmed for three years.

Returning to Fresno, he resumed farming, but disposing again of his agricultural interests, he came to Friant and bought out the general merchan- dise business of Collins Bros. He increased the extent and variety of the stock, improved the furnishing and arrangement of the store, and took pride in not only conducting the one general merchandise establishment in this section, but in making it quite equal to any in the state located amid such a limited population.

While at Auberry Valley in 1897, Mr. Blair was happily married to Susan B. Ruth, a native of Linden, Stanislaus County, and they have had three children: Francis, Geneva, and Truman. The Blair home is a center of California hospitality, and few persons, if any, are more highly esteemed than this representative merchant and the companion of his joys and sorrows.

J. J. Reybum

Mary A. Rey burn

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JAMES JOHN REYBURN .- A sturdy pioneer of the early seventies, and one who had an active part in the making of California in his period, James J. Reyburn will be long remembered and honored for what he so un- ostentatiously accomplished. He was the father of C. J. Reyburn, the vineyard rancher, whose sketch is given elsewhere, and whose success indicates that he is a "chip off the old block."

James J. Reyburn was born in Miami County, Ohio, on August 14, 1836, the son of John Stewart Reyburn, a native of Kentucky. His father had been a soldier in the War of 1812 and no one ever questioned the patriotism of a Reyburn. Arriving at manhood, J. S. Reyburn removed to Ohio; and there, in Miami County, he worked as a cabinetmaker until 1839. Then he moved on to Burlington, Iowa, and bought a farm near that city, on which he was living when he died, on May 31, 1840. His wife had been Nancy Davidson before her marriage, and she was born in old Virginia ; she died on September 30, 1860, in Iowa. Four children were born of this union, two of whom have become known as Pacific pioneers. Joseph trailed across the plains to Oregon as early as 1862, and later came south to California and Stanislaus County. Then he lived in Fresno County, and still later in the Jefferson district.

The third child, James J. Reyburn, a mere boy when his father died, ob- tained only a limited education and had to make his own way when most lads are having an easy time. He first hired out as a farm laborer five miles west of Burlington, and later he entered a flour mill, succeeding there so well that he bought an interest in the Franklin Mill at Des Moines. When he sold out, in 1866, he moved to Missouri ; and in Scotland County he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Missouri was all right, but by 1873 Mr. Reyburn had discovered a country with still greater attractions; and disposing of all his interests in the East, he made haste to come to California.

He first settled in Stanislaus County and started in raising wheat near Salida ; but still having an eye on the highest and best goal, in 1875 he moved to the Big Dry Creek district in Fresno County. Here he preempted and homesteaded a tract of land, later purchasing more in the same body, until le owned 640 acres at Red Bank on the creek, fourteen miles northeast of Fresno. Here he lived until the spring of 1890, raising wheat and operating so extensively that at times he had also many acres of rented land under cultivation.

At the beginning of that decade he bought eighty acres of land ten miles northeast of Fresno, which he set out as an orchard and vineyard. The soil was good, and when all was in bearing, he sold forty acres. While here, Mr. Reyburn also raised fancy chickens, and at exhibitions of poultry, carried off many leading prizes. In 1903 he disposed of his ranch on Big Dry Creek and located in Fresno, where he lived in comfortable retirement a couple of years and then on his ranch, giving only general supervision to business in- terests. He and his wife were both active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Clovis.

While at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1859, Mr. Reyburn had married Mary McDonald, and their home came to be merry with the voices of five children : John S. died at twelve years; Chester H. is a minister in the Presbyterian Church, now located at Mountain View: William D., with Title Insurance and Trust Company, Los Angeles ; Clarence J., a viticulturist near Clovis; and Nancy, who married M. M. Sharer. On October 27, 1909, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Reyburn celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary at their home, when they welcomed their children, grandchildren and their other relatives and old-time friends. Two of those present attended their wedding at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1859, namely, Joseph Reyburn and Minnie P. McDonald.

After a life of unusual activity, in which he had done his civic duty as a Republican in national affairs and as a school trustee knowing no party lines, Mr. Reyburn died on March 25, 1914. Mrs. Reyburn resides with her son, Clarence.

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JOHN W. SHORT .- To old settlers of forty years ago John W. Short is best known as editor of the Fresno Republican, the duties of which posi- tion were confided to him at the age of twenty-four, within a year after coming to Fresno in 1881. The first year in Fresno he worked as a printer on the paper, of which he was later the editor for more than a decade, and one of the owners and publishers for many more years. The period of Mr. Short's editorship was a time of rapid growth in Fresno, and the change from pioneer conditions filled the columns of the paper with the record of tragic friction between discordant elements, now but a matter of memories to be happily forgotten. Under Mr. Short's direction the paper persisted stanchly and successfully for the forces of law, order and moral advancement, and its in- fluence laid a foundation upon which has since been built a structure of community cooperation and public service that has few if any counterparts in American communities.

To those of more recent arrival Mr. Short is better known as Fresno's Postmaster, in which place he served for fifteen years, and as a director and officer of the Chamber of Commerce, and a worker and builder in Fresno's development. In politics Mr. Short has always been a Republican, and his first appointment as Postmaster was by President Mckinley, his second by President Roosevelt, and his final appointment by President Taft.

John W. Short was born in Shelby County, Mo .. October 8, 1858. He is a brother of Hon. Frank H. Short, in whose sketch the family history will be found. In 1869 he preceded the family to Hastings, Nebr., which was then beyond the confines of civilization. As a boy he endured all the hardships incident to life upon the frontier. However, he was not entirely deprived of advantages, for he went to school a few years and laid the foundation of the broad education subsequently gained through reading and observation. His education in the printing business began at the age of fourteen, when he entered the office of the Sarpy County Sentinel. A year later he went with the Papillion Times, where he worked his way up from the lowly position of "devil." Returning to Hastings, he was employed on the Hastings Journal, first as typesetter and later as a reporter and assistant editor.

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History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Volume I, Part 97

Author: Vandor, Paul E., 1858- Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company Number of Pages: 1362

Author: Vandor, Paul E., 1858-
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1362