History of Kern 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, Part 121

Author: Morgan, Wallace Melvin, 1868- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1682

USA > California > Kern County > History of Kern 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 > Part 121

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JAMES H. PARKER .- The force that resides in individual character and that impels to the development of mental powers finds an illustration in the life of Professor James H. Parker, assistant superintendent of the schools of Bakersfield and a leading promoter of educational work in the city. The promise that he gives of increasing usefulness in the public school system affords gratification to those who watch the careers of the native sons and the descendants of our western pioneers, for he claims California as the place of his birth and is the son of one of the early and extensive ranchers of Butte county. The elder James Parker, who was a native of Wayne county, Mo., and a corporal in the Union army during the Civil war, left Missouri for the west shortly after the close of the struggle in which he had borne so honorable a part. Upon his arrival in California he selected for his future home a tract of raw land near Chico and thereafter gave his attention to the developing of the place into a productive and remunerative ranch with abundant pasturage for his fine herds of stock. Eventually he became the owner of two large ranches in Butte county, and these were not only utilized for stock range, but also for the raising of grain and hay, and in each department of agriculture he met with encouraging success. When he began to feel the encroachment of age with its attendant infirmities he sold his farms and retired to private life. The last eighteen months of his life were passed in East Bakersfield and he died here in 1911, while the death of his wife, who was Mary E. Reese, a native of Missouri, occurred in Butte county, June 9 of the following year.

There were ten children in the Parker family, and all but two are still living. The fifth in order of birth, James H., was born at the old home- stead near Chico December 23, 1881, and grew to manhood at the ranch, meanwhile attending neighboring country schools. From youth he exhib- ited keenness of intelligence and acuteness of mental powers. It was his ambition to fit himself for educational work. With this object in view he began the study of pedagogy in the Chico State Normal School and there-

1243

HISTORY OF KERN COUNTY

after continued in the same institution until he was graduated with the class of 1906, after which he engaged in teaching in Siskiyou county. From that county he came to East Bakersfield in 1907 to become an instructor in the Washington school, where the following year he served as assistant principal in charge of that work. Effectiveness in discipline and thoroughness in in- struction led to his retention in the same office. Upon the consolidation of the school work at the union of the two cities in 1910 he was elected assistant superintendent of the city schools, which position he has since filled with ability, tact and fidelity. Meanwhile he has kept in active touch with the work of the State Teachers' Association and the San Joaquin Valley Teach- ers' Association, in both of which he is a member, while in addition he has become an associate member of the National Educational Association. Since coming to Bakersfield he has become identified fraternally with Bakersfield Lodge No. 266, B. P. O. E. In religious views he is in harmony with the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church and has been a regular contributor to its maintenance and philanthropies. Politically he gives his allegiance to Republican principles.

ERNEST V. BENJAMIN .- It is not uncommon to read in fiction of young men who through sheer force of ability and character forge their way to the front and take their place among the leading men of public affairs or captains of industry. In actual life such occurrences are rare, since wealth or influence or prestige form important elements in determining the position of men. It may be said, however, that in the instance of Mr. Benjamin ability and acumen have brought him to prominence without the aid of facti- tious circumstances. The fact that he is a member of the management com- mittee of the Kern River Oilfields of California, Limited, which forms one of the most important oil-producing organizations in the entire district, bespeaks the possession of an high order of business judgment. Nor is his only asso- ciate on the committee, W. W. Orcutt of Los Angeles, less talented than himself, for he stands among the most influential geologists of America and has an enviable reputation as a specialist on matters pertaining to the geology of the oil fields of California.

On section 33, townshin 28, range 28, the Kern River Oilfields of Cali- fornia. Limited, own six hundred and forty acres, formerly belonging to the old Imperial and 33 Oil Companies. In addition they own all of section 1, township 29, range 28, also have four hundred and eighty acres on section 25, township 28, range 27, and three hundred and seventy acres on section 19. township 28, range 28. Besides this large acreage the company is acquiring lands in the Santa Maria and other fields. The Standard is now putting down a deep well on section 35 to test the territory in this respect and if successful the Kern River Oilfields will no doubt proceed to further development. They have two hundred and forty wells on section 33 and are deepening some in order to get better results from the new air-compressor system.

Of English birth and lineage, possessing the force and aggressive char- acter that has made the Englishman a dominant power in the world, Mr. Benjamin is a native of London, England, and was born April 28, 1883.

WILMOT LOWELL .- Probably few men were more intimately identi- fied with the early upbuilding of Bakersfield and Kern county than was Wilmot Lowell, and certainly none exhibited a greater devotion to its wel- fare, according to his means, than did he, for whenever possible he contributed of time and means and influence to progressive projects. Few of the enter- prises advanced for the general welfare lacked his enthusiastic support and sagacious aid. Among the early settlers who came here from the east and established homes in this growing country, none was more loyal to his adopted community, none more generous in the maintenance of neighborhood enterprises, and none more highly honored for worth of character than was the late Wilmot Lowell, who for years ranked among the leading sheep-

1244

HISTORY OF KERN COUNTY

raisers of Kern county, later engaged in horticultural pursuits in the suburbs of Bakersfield and finally became interested in the real-estate business and in the building up of comfortable homes for the people. For some years the city had the benefit of his executive ability in the office of trustee and the Methodist Episcopal Church persuaded him to fill the same position in their local work. Besides the building up of property on Eighteenth street and on Chester avenue he was interested in the building of the Southern hotel and also donated one acre of ground to be sold for the benefit of the Beale library. In honor of his memory and in recognition of his generous aid, a room in the library bears the name of the Lowell room.

Born at Concord, Me., November 16, 1836, Wilmot Lowell was a son of William and Mary (Tyler) Lowell, likewise natives of Maine, and a grandson of John Lowell, a farmer by occupation and of English ancestry. The parental family consisted of six children, namely: Wilmot, Danville and William H., all of whom died in Bakersfield; Henry, who died in Boston in 1912; John and Alexis, both now living in Bakersfield. When advanced in years the father relinquished his farming activities in Maine, also retired from ship-carpentering, in which he had engaged to some extent, and came to Bakersfield, where he remained until death. About 1862 Wilmot Lowell came via Panama to California and settled in the vicinity of Hollister, San Benito county, where he engaged under Flint & Bixby, and there gained his first knowledge of the sheep industry. The work proving congenial from the start, he soon made preparations to enter the same. After he came to Kern county he continued the sheep business with his brothers, William H. and Alexis. meeting with alternating successes and reverses. Their home ranch, which has since been laid out and built up as a part of the city of Bakersfield, was sold soon after they discontinued the sheep business, in 1887, to the Lowell Land & Improvement Co., and was laid out as the Lowell addition. In this company Mr. Lowell held a one-fifth interest and filled the office of president. He gave his entire attention to the upbuilding of this addition and to other real estate holdings which he owned until his health failed and he was obliged to relinquish active work. During 1902 he resigned as city trustee and his death occurred December 14, 1905, at his residence in Bakersfield. From young manhood he had sustained Republican tenets and given his allegiance to the party in all elections.

The marriage of Mr. Lowell took place at Westboro, Mass., in 1889 and united him with Miss Sarah Elizabeth Flagg, daughter of Alexis and Mehitable (Lowell) Flagg, natives respectively of Vermont and Maine, the mother dying in her native commonwealth, and the father in Massachusetts, where he had followed general farming. Mrs. Lowell was born in Wilming- ton, Windham county, Vt., and is the survivor of two children. Her educa- tion was received in the schools of Maine and qualified her for the responsi- bilities of business. Since the death of Mr. Lowell she has remained at the family residence, No. 1119 Eighteenth street, and superintends personally her varied interests and continues as far as is possible Mr. Lowell's deep interest in and devotion to the advancement of Bakersfield.

COL. ARTHUR SAXE CRITES .- The title by which the cashier of the First Bank of Kern is familiarly known comes to him through his service as lieutenant-colonel of the Second Regiment, California National Guard. His experience in military tactics, however, has not been limited to the Guard, for he holds membership with the Spanish-American War Veterans by right of identification with that recent struggle. During May of 1898 his name was enrolled as a member of Company G, Sixth California Volunteer Infantry, stationed in camp at San Francisco, and drilled during the summer to an intimate knowledge of all military details. Upon being mustered out in December of the same year he held the rank of quartermaster sergeant.

1245

HISTORY OF KERN COUNTY

At the reorganization of the National Guard in 1899 he became a member of Company G, Sixth Regiment, and was elected its captain. From the first he was popular with the members of the Guard, who about 1905 elected him major of the regiment. When the Sixth was mustered out in May, 1907, he re-enlisted as a private in Company L, Second Regiment, California National Guard, and was promoted to be first sergeant, later was chosen second lieu- tenant and battalion quartermaster. On the 20th of October, of the same year, he was elected lieutenant-colonel of the Second Regiment, which com- mission he has held ever since.

A son of Angus McLeod and Louesa Maria (Jewett) Crites, early set- tlers of Kern county, Arthur Saxe Crites was born near Caliente, this county, February 4, 1879, and in childhood walked a distance of four miles to the grammar-school in Keene. Later he became a student in the Kern county high school, Bakersfield, and when he completed the course in 1895 he was a member of the second graduating class of that institution. Before the Spanish-American war he engaged in ranching, but after his return in December, 1898, he became bookkeeper for the Kern County Land Company. Later he entered the Kern Valley Bank and after two years as bookkeeper he was promoted to be assistant cashier, which position he filled for three years. Meanwhile the First Bank of Kern had been organized in 1901 and early in 1905 he and G. J. Planz bought a controlling interest in the institu- tion, of which he since has been cashier and manager.

In addition to the management of this well-known banking institution Col. Crites acts as secretary and manager of the Kern County Mutual Build- ing & Loan Association, also is a member of the original board of directors of the Security Trust Company (now the largest banking institution in Kern county) and has other interests that identify him intimately with the financial affairs of city and county. From early life he has been strong in his adher- ence to Republican policies and at this writing he acts as a member of the county central committee of the party. Masonry appealed to him in young manhood by its philanthropic principles and spirit of brotherhood. As past master he is connected with Bakersfield Lodge No. 224, F. & A. M. Besides being king of Bakersfield Chapter No. 75, R. A. M., he officiates as prelate of Bakersfield Commandery No. 39, K. T., also is associated with Al Malaikah Temple, N.M.S., in Los Angeles. Three children, Emma C., Arthur Saxe, Jr., and Angus D., have been born of his union with Miss Nellie L. Duncan, who was born near Quincy, Ill., but came to California at an early age and was a resident of Bakersfield at the time of their marriage.

BENJAMIN LEONARD BRUNDAGE .- In the passing of Benjamin L. Brundage, on August 20, 1913, in Los Angeles, the city of Bakersfield lost one of its most conscientious, enterprising and liberal citizens, one whose efforts toward the advancement of civic interests, whose un- selfish activity in the development of conditions and whose per- sonal progressive spirit aided not a little in the rapidity with which Bakers- field has come to the fore. Probably best known as the city assessor of Bakersfield, he for a number of years officiated as secretary of the Bakers- field Board of Trade and in this position spared no effort to promote the permanent prosperity of the community.

Mr. Brundage was a lifelong resident of Kern county, the son of Benjamin and Mary B. (Lively) Brundage, and was born in Glennville March 2, 1871. From the age of one year he lived at the county-seat where he became well known not only through his official capacity, but also as an enterprising business man, as an extensive rancher and progressive horticulturist, and as an automobile dealer as well. Primarily educated in the local schools, he later was sent to Hopkins Academy in Oakland and then entered the University of California as a member of the class

1246

HISTORY OF KERN COUNTY

of 1892. For years he operated with success the Brundage ranch of four hundred and seventy acres, which is devoted to general crops. In 1912 he constructed a brick and concrete business block at the corner of Fif- teenth and I streets, which he devoted to his automobile business.

For some years, beginning in January of 1899, Mr. Brundage acted as deputy county assessor under J. M. Jameson. During April of 1899 he was chosen city assessor for the first time and since then he has been re- elected at the expiration of each term. His long retention in the office furnishes abundant evidence as to the trustworthy quality of his services and the devotion which he gave to every duty while in office. As a Democrat he was a loyal party leader, a champion of the principles for which that organization stands, and a believer in its adaptability to promote national prosperity.

During the year 1906 Mr. Brundage married Miss Virginia Stark, who was born in the county of Los Angeles, and was educated in Bakersfield, and who survives him. Mr. Brundage was a prominent and most popular member of the Elks and the Knights Templar, which orders graciously conducted his funeral service with the attendant honors, and he was laid to rest in Union Cemetery, Bakersfield, mourned by not only a host of loving friends and relatives but by an entire community who deeply felt the loss of one whose generous motives and untiring energy had contributed so much to their well being. His memory shall live long in the hearts of those who have benefited by his kindly and thoughtful acts and he has gone to eternal rest with the assurance of having done his duty well. justly earning the praise, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

CHARLES W. CURTZWILER .- The Curtzwiler family lineage is traced to Germany and after emigration from that country the original name of Kurtzweiler was for convenience changed to the present spelling. Charles, father of Charles W., was born and reared in Cologne, but after the death of his father he accompanied the widowed mother and other mem- bers of the family to the new world. A brief sojourn was made in Kentucky and then removal was made to Holgate, Henry county, Ohio, where his mother passed her last days. Attracted to the west by reports concerning its mining possibilities, Mr. Curtzwiler tried his luck in the Sierras, but found no gold to reward his laborious effort. For a time he conducted a hotel at Waterford, Stanislaus county. Later he lived at Tulare and eventu- ally removed to Merced, his present place of residence. Some time after he came to the west he married Miss Eureka Garrison, who was born in this state and died at Tulare. Her father, William T. Garrison, came of a colonial family of New England and was an emigrant across the plains during the era of the prairie schooner and the overland trail. For years he engaged as a contractor in the building business, but is now retired from active labors and makes his home in Tulare.

The family of Charles Curtzwiler comprised six children, of whom five are still living. The eldest, Charles W., was born July 22. 1880, during the residence of the family at Waterford, Stanislaus county, and he was six at the time of their removal to Tulare. He was graduated May 24, 1901. from the Tulare high school, and on the 6th of July following he arrived in Kern county. Up to September 1, 1903. he had been employed as a clerk for two different firms, after which he was engaged as mailing clerk with the Kern County Land Company, with whom he has continued ever since, by promo- tion going from one position to another until in April of 1910 he was made water clerk for the concern. Since that time he has devoted himself assid- uously to the duties of the position.

The marriage of Mr. Curtzwiler, which was solemnized in East Bakers- field in March. 1905, united him with Miss Minta Lawhorn and has been

1247

HISTORY OF KERN COUNTY

blessed with two daughters, Constance and Wilma. Mrs. Curtzwiler is a na- tive of Kansas, but was reared and educated in Visalia, where her father, John W. Lawhorn, resided for many years prior to his demise. In recent years Mr. Curtzwiler has erected a comfortable and attractive residence at No. 2728 Twentieth street and there he spends his leisure hours in the society of family and friends. Although a believer in Democratic principles, he is not a partisan and takes no active part in political movements. In religion he is in sympathy with all measures for the uplifting of humanity, but maintains an especial interest in the Congregational Church, of which his wife is a member. In fraternal relations he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

MRS. EMERETTA C. SYBRANDT .- The supervisor of music in the public schools of Bakersfield has utilized her rare talents in developing among her pupils a love for and a knowledge of the art to which she has devoted a lifetime of intelligent study. Four years of successful work in this position have given to the people an admiring recognition of her ability and efficiency. Thoroughly educated in the rudiments of music, pos .. sessing a native talent for the art supplemented by the best educational opportunities the east afforded, at one time she made a specialty of the lead- ing parts in operas and oratorios, but with her marriage in young woman- hood to George Sybrandt, of Albany, N. Y., she retired from professional labors. Thereafter for four years, until the untimely death of Mr. Sybrandt, she irradiated a home life with the tender ministrations of wife and mother, giving to her husband the cordial co-operation and loving helpfulness of the true wife, and surrounding their two children, Ida and Paul, with self-sacri- ficing care which became even more watchful after the death of their father.

Although a resident of the east for a considerable period and enjoying the advantages of its splendid conservatories of music, Mrs. Sybrandt proudly claims California as her native commonwealth, the home of her early girlhood, Rocklin, Placer county, having been her native locality and the environment of her earliest memories. She cannot recall the time when her interest in music began. It seemed a part of her being, an innate pos- session of her soul, giving expression to the deepest thoughts and holiest aspirations of her nature. Fortunately it was possible for her to develop her conspicuous talent for the art and she was trained under competent in- structors in Boston, Mass., Albany, N. Y., and Syracuse, N. Y., where for some years she held a prominent position in musical circles. Her married life was passed in New York and after the death of her husband at Albany. that state, she returned to California, where for eight years she taught music in the bay cities, mostly at Alameda. For a time she was the solo soprano in the Unitarian Church and later held a similar position in the First Methodist Episcopal Church, both in Alameda. Later, at San Jose, she held positions as solo singer in the First Congregational Church and Unitarian Church, after which she took charge of the choir of the First Presbyterian Church. Meanwhile students under her wise guidance were trained in a knowledge of music and carefully prepared to enjoy a steady progress and an ultimate success in the art. When the board of education in Bakersfield during 1909 sought an artist competent to serve as supervisor of music in the public schools, her enviable reputation led them to offer the position to her and it has been a matter of subsequent congratulation tha! they were successful in enlisting her interest and securing her acceptance of the difficult and responsible position.

CLARENCE LESTER HEROD .- The sixth in a family of ten, C. L. Herod was born near Greencastle. Putnam county, Ind., a son of Bailey and Harriet (Minter) Herod, and a brother of James Herod, mentioned else- where. Reared in Putnam and Hendricks counties. Ind .. he had

1248

HISTORY OF KERN COUNTY

such advantages as the local schools afforded. In 1887, when yet a mere lad. he came to California and began to work at Big Pine in Inyo county. Soon, however, he crossed the state line into Nevada and secured employment in Fish Lake valley in Esmeralda county as a laborer on a ranch owned by N. T. Piper, who in a short time, recognizing his efficiency, placed him in charge of a general store at Oasis. At the same time he had charge of the postoffice which was in the store room. Leaving Nevada in 1890 he came to Kern county and became connected with his older brother. James, in the dairy business, operating the Keefer ranch in the Panama district and manufacturing butter for the Bakersfield markets. At the expiration of two years he sold his interest to the brother and secured a clerkship with Dunkelspiel Brothers, later holding a similar position with other Bakersfield firms, and in 1910 associating himself with the Ardizzi-Olcese Company.

The marriage of Mr. Herod took place in Bakersfield December 10, 1895, and united him with Miss Louise Yoakum, a native daughter of Kern county and a lady of business ability and social prominence. Her father. William Yoakum, was born in Missouri and crossed the plains to Cali- fornia before a railroad had been built across the continent. Afterward he engaged in mining and milling until his death. Particularly was he asso- ciated with the development of three of the well-known old mines of Kern county, viz .: Long Tom (where he built a mill), the Little Hattie and Isa- bella. Some time after coming west he married Callie Gilbert, a native of Texas. Three daughters blessed their union. The youngest of these. Louise, was born at the Long Tom mine in this county. The eldest daughter. Harriet E., formerly a teacher in Bakersfield, is now the wife of J. S. Douglas, of the San Emidio ranch. The second daughter, Minnie, now Mrs. W. F. McKinzie, of Lebec, Kern county, also engaged in teaching in the Bakersfield schools for some years. Mrs. Yoakum, who afterward became Mrs. Pettit, crossed the plains with her parents in the days when wagons and oxen were utilized as the only sure means of transportation across the deserts and plains. Her father, Robert Gilbert, had served in the Mexican war and had traveled through California as early as 1848, but returned to Texas and it was not until some years later that he brought the family to live in the west. The present home of Mrs. Pettit is at Fort Tejon Canyon, where she owns a ranch. Mrs. Herod was educated in the Kern county schools and has always remained a resident of this community. Politically she favors the Democratic principles, while her husband is equally stanch in allegiance to the Republican party. Besides being prominent in the local work of the Women of Woodcraft, she is a charter member and leading worker in Tejon Parlor No. 136, Native Daughters of the Golden West, at Bakersfield, in which organization she was formerly the president and is now the recording secretary.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Kern 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, Part 121

Author: Morgan, Wallace Melvin, 1868- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company Number of Pages: 1682

Author: Morgan, Wallace Melvin, 1868- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1682