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 44

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 44

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JOHN A. GARDNER .- The Gardner family possesses qualities that bring success in the oil industry. A brother of John A., Eugene, is a tool- dresser for the Midway Premier, while their father, the late Daniel Gardner. was an expert driller and well-known oil operator, following the business prin- cipally in his native Pennsylvania, although often called temporarily to other places to aid in the drilling of wells. By his marriage to Margaret Mays, likewise now deceased, there were two sons and four daughters. Of these John A. was born in Emlenton, Venango county, Pa., March 20, 1873, and at an early age learned the oil business under the capable oversight of his father, with whom he worked both as a tool-dresser and driller in Pennsyl-

Thomas A. Means

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HISTORY OF KERN COUNTY

vania, Ohio and Indiana. For seven years his father engaged with the Burmah Oil Company in India and during five years of that time John A. worked with him, going out to India in 1900 via Liverpool, Port Said and the Suez canal to Rangoon, and traveling inland a distance of five hundred miles. After five years of steady work as a driller, without rest or vacation, he returned to the United States, pleased to again identify himself with the business under more favorable conditions than existed in India. After an unsuccessful venture in the buying of wells at Geneva, Ind., in 1908 he came to California and engaged in drilling for the Standard Oil Company at New- hall, from which place in 1910 he came to the Midway. After having drilled two wells for the Midway Five Oil Company, he began to drill for the Mid- way Premier Oil Company and in 1911 became its superintendent, which responsible position he since has filled with credit to himself and most fortu- nate results for the company. His family consists of three daughters, Mar- garet, Edna and Mary, and his wife, whom he married in Toledo, Ohio, and who was formerly Miss Frances Cook, of that city.

THOMAS A. MEANS .- A good history of California would not be complete without the name of Thomas A. Means, who, through his discovery of oil in Kern River field and his long identification with that industry, became known as the "Apostle of Petroleum." He owned a small ranch near Kern river, and being a man of much learning, natural intelligence and close observation, he early became convinced in his own mind that that territory was underlaid with oil. Accordingly he talked oil to everyone who would listen to him and was naturally ridiculed by many, but firm in his belief he continued to deliver himself of his convictions on the streets of Bakersfield and no argument would dissuade him from his ideas.

It was after some experience in the McKittrick field that Judson Ellwood came to Bakersfield, where a brother, James Monroe Ellwood, had a small woodyard. During a conversation on the subject of oil the latter told his brother that he had heard of the Tom Means ranch and how Means had for years foretold the coming great era of oil. Subsequently James Monroe Ellwood went to Mr. Means to talk about cutting some wood, but the latter immediately changed the subject to his favorite topic of oil, and so enthusi- astic was he on the subject, that Ellwood leased a portion of the ranch for oil and induced his father, Jonathan Ellwood, to come to Bakersfield. The two then began to dig for oil, and that in the true sense of the word. as they were obliged to use the only tools they had-an ordinary shovel and a hand auger. In May, 1899, they started work on the north bank of the Kern river about seven miles from Bakersfield, beginning the rude well under the edge of the cliff. They went down with the hand auger seventy- five feet, when they struck good oil indications. Then they secured a steam rig and at three hundred and forty-three feet they drilled into oil, whereupon young Ellwood rushed to Tom Means and shouted: "Your prophecy has been fulfilled!" But Means only smiled and said, "I knew it was there." However, in that moment, through his faith and preaching, Tom Means had brought to California a new oil field, whose vastness and wealth have aston- ished the world.

Mr. Means was a native of New Brunswick. November 9, 1840, being the date of his birth. Receiving an excellent educational training in youth he possessed a special fondness for the study of languages, and he was able to speak all the Latin tongues, or as it has been said of him, he was able to keep silent in many languages. As early as 1868 he came to Bakersfield, which then boasted of one house, that of Colonel Baker, and one store, that of Mr. Chester. During 1871-72 he worked in Inyo county, but returning to Kern county he began to ranch and raise stock, acquiring later a farm of two hundred and fifteen acres. It was during the early '80s that Mr.

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Means first discovered oil indications in Kern county on the south bank of the Kern river on section three, 29-28, and it was entirely due to his stead- fast refusal to be discouraged in his endeavor to interest capital and promote enthusiasm that the oil industry was developed in this community. At the time of his death, which occurred in Mercy hospital August 4. 1912, Mr. Means owned considerable real estate in Bakersfield and San Francisco.

TERENCE B. McMANUS .- As early as 1876 Mr. McManus first came to the west and spent a short time in San Francisco. Again in 1902 he visited that city, but returned to his Minnesota home after a brief vacation. During 1912 he was called to Bakersfield by the demise of his brother, the late Thomas A. Means, and being himself the nearest surviving relative he was named as administrator of the estate. Having therefore business inter- ests here and being pleased with the appearance of this lively, prosperous city he determined to bring his family hither and establish a home. Since doing so he has become interested in the real-estate business and also has acquired farming interests.

A son of Terence and Thirza ( Brownell) McManus, T. B. McManus was born in Westmoreland county, N. B .. May 22, 1849. During boyhood he attended the common schools and aided in the work on the home farm. After leaving home he became connected with a mercantile business and also engaged in contracting at Memramcook, N. B. Removing to Minnesota during 1883 he settled near Crookston, purchased land and improved a large farm in the Red River valley, where he engaged extensively in wheat-growing and passed many busy. useful years. Meanwhile in 1893 President Cleveland appointed him deputy collector of internal revenue for the Ninth congres- sional district, embracing a territory three hundred miles in length. For five years he discharged the duties of that responsible position. In 1905 Governor John A. Johnson appointed him a member of the board of grain appeal of Minnesota, with headquarters in Duluth. At the expiration of his first term in 1907 he was again chosen for the same post and in 1909 he was reappointed. the last appointment bearing date of September 13, 1909, having been the last official act of Governor Johnson before his fatal illness. After five years on the board he retired in July of 1910, leaving a record of creditable and honorable service to the farmers of Minnesota. Subsequent to his retirement he continued to make Duluth his home until April, 1912, when he came to Bakersfield on business matters and shortly thereafter he established a home in this city. His family consists of his wife, formerly Miss Helen Hachey, of New Brunswick, and their five chil- dren, Thomas W., Loretta, Lucile, Arthur and Charles, all vet remaining at home, and the eldest being now associated with his father in the real-estate business as T. B. McManus & Son, having established their offices in the Bank of Bakersfield building, where they already have a large clientele.

MRS. WALTER WRIGHT .- Mrs. Wright is the elder of two daughters of the late William Millen, a drilling contractor in the oil fields of West Vir- ginia and at Marietta. Ohio. By his marriage to Mary St. Clair he became the father of two daughters, Agnes F. and Edith. The latter is the wife of Lloyd Halsell, a druggist at Jamestown, N. Y., where Mrs. Millen also makes her home. After having graduated from the Holy Angels' Academy, an institution for girls, at Buffalo, N. Y .. Agnes F. Millen entered the Nurses Training School connected with the hospital of the Johns Hopkins Univer- sity at Baltimore, Md. The best professional opportunities awaited her there and of these she availed herself to the fullest extent. Having gradu- ated from the training school with the class of 1902, she returned to New York state and engaged in professional work at Jamestown and Buffalo. For a time she was employed in the Sisters' Hospital at Meadville, Pa.

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Another important position was held in the Municipal hospital at James- town. Later she engaged in private nursing at Bradford, Pa., and in that city formed the acquaintance of Walter Wright, to whom she was married at Olean, Cattaraugus county, N. Y. Ever since her marriage she has pur- sued her professional duties. During November of 1912 she came to Taft with Mr. Wright, who is a surveyor, now engaged in the Midway oil fields. Upon the opening of the hospital May 2, 1913. she became superintendent and general manager and since then she has devoted herself to the discharge of the duties of the position, which she fills with recognized capability and executive sagacity.

GENERAL HOSPITAL OF TAFT .- The General hospital of Taft, financed and erected under the supervision of M. W. Pascoe, M. D., and opened to the public May 2, 1913, has entered upon its history of useful service to humanity under the capable oversight of Mrs. Walter Wright as general manager. The modern equipment of the hospital, the sanitary con- ditions rigidly observed, the services of graduate nurses and of a trained dietitian bespeak a most earnest and sincere purpose to surround the patients with skilled attendants and scientific supervision. The building contains fifteen rooms and is so arranged as to furnish accommodations for twenty- five patients. For convenience and comfort a hall was built through the entire length of the hospital, rendering possible a free circulation of air that mitigates the heat of summer. On the left as the visitor enters the building is the reception room, furnished in mission style and decorated in soft shades of green and brown soothing and restful to the eye. The hand- some clock on the wall of this room was the gift of A. T. Connard. On the right of the entrance is the operating room, finished in pure white and equipped with the most modern surgical appliances.

The spacious hall terminates in the dining room and diet kitchen, off which the nurses and hospital staff have their quarters. A screened porch, large enough for perhaps eight beds, will be used to accommodate patients who prefer the open air. In connection with the other conveniences there is a laboratory where all prescriptions are compounded. While the hos- pital was made possible almost wholly through the energy and progressive spirit of Dr. Pascoe, other physicians are invited to take their patients there and the utmost courtesy is shown to all. Besides Mrs. Wright there are three graduate nurses, Miss Julia Trabuca, Mrs. Catherine Spann and Mrs. Agnes Marlin. The two first-named are graduates of the Los Angeles city and county hospital, while Mrs. Marlin comes from the Post-Graduate hos- pital of Chicago. Mrs. Lora Dennison, of Santa Cruz, has been engaged as dietarian and prepares the food for the patients in accordance with the most modern laws of science and sanitation.

HIPPOLYTE SEINTURIER .- A resident of Kern county since 1901 and a prosperous sheepman since 1904, Mr. Seinturier was born at Ancel, Hautes-Alpes, France, in June. 1877. being the youngest in a family of eight children, six now living, whose parents. Martin and Hippolyte (Espitallier ) Seinturier, have been lifelong farmers in France. As a boy he was taught the rudiments of agriculture as conducted in France. From an early age he was familiar with farming and stock-raising. Upon leaving home in 1901 he came to California and at Delano joined a brother, Joseph, who years before had established himself in Kern county. Under the oversight of the elder brother the young emigrant learned the sheep business as fol- lowed in this part of the world. For a year he helped the brother in the herding of a flock of sheep. Later he worked for other sheepmen. During 1904 he bought a small flock of sheep and started in the business for himself. Ever since then he has ranged his flocks in the vicinity of Delano and in the Tehachapi region. In the main he has been successful. His

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fock has increased in size and has been maintained in health, so that he is well satisfied with the results of his California venture. Since becoming a citizen of our country he has voted the Republican ticket. At Los Angeles, in June of 1908, he married Miss Marie Borel, who was born at Ancel, France, and came to Kern county in 1907. There are three children of the union, Berthe, Martha and Edna. During 1912 Mr. Seinturier bought a modern residence on the corner of Humboldt and Tulare streets in East Bakersfield and here the family have since made their home.

ROMULUS ORCIER was born in Bussard, Hautes-Alpes, France, where he received his education in the public schools, remaining on the home farm until 1890. In that year he migrated to San Francisco and the same year came to Delano, Kern county, where he found employment with his brothers, Fred and Theophil Orcier, who were owners of large flocks of sheep on Poso creek. Two years later he bought a band of sheep, ranging them in Kern and Inyo counties. He was successful in the venture, but in 1905 sold his sheep and the same year opened the Pioneer hotel at Famoso, of which he has since been the proprietor. He also built and opened a livery stable for the accommodation of travelers.

On August 5, 1903, in East Bakersfield, occurred the marriage of Mr. Orcier with Miss Marie Morel, a native daughter of Los Angeles, the daughter of Jullien Morel, a pioneer stockman of Southern California and afterwards of Kern county. Mr. and Mrs. Orcier are the parents of three children, Clementine, Julia and Romulus, Jr. Fraternally he is an active member of Aerie No. 93, F. O. E., in Bakersfield. He is a Republican.

CHARLES FRANK HABERKERN .- Although from his earliest rec- ollections a resident of California, Mr. Haberkern claims Illinois as his native commonwealth and was born in Princeton, August 26, 1865. The death of his father, Charles, who had been an industrious farmer of that locality, occurred during the infancy of the son, who thereafter became the charge of his aunt, Mrs. George Zimmerman. The latter had accompanied her husband to California in 1850 and at the expiration of their tedious journey across the plains had settled in Sonoma county, taking up agricul- tural pursuits in that section. During 1865 they returned to Illinois for their orphaned nephew and in December of that year brought him to Cali- fornia, where he was reared partly on a farm in Sonoma county and partly

in San Francisco. For some years he attended the Lincoln school, on Market and Fifth streets, San Francisco, and upon leaving school he began to learn the butcher's trade in that city, where he remained until he had acquired a thorough knowledge of the occupation. While following the trade he engaged to some extent in the buying and selling of cattle.

Coming to Bakersfield in 1888, three years later Mr. Haberkern became interested in the raising of grain and stock in the Tejon district and con- tinued there until 1897, when he bought property on Kern Island. Although since 1908 he has maintained his residence in Bakersfield, he still owns the ranch and superintends it personally, this being possible through the fact that the tract of ninety acres lies only three miles from the city. Alfalfa is the principal product grown and this, instead of being sold, is fed to the horses and mules that are raised there for the markets. The excellent condition of the property and its profitable maintenance reflect credit upon the owner, who is considered a skilled stockman and capable farmer. Since coming to Bakersfield he became one of the original stockholders in the Security Trust Company. The Bakersfield Club numbers him among its well-known members.

A pioneer in the oil industry, Mr. Haberkern dates his connection with the Kern county fields from 1899. During that year he became interested

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in property at the present site of Maricopa. With others he formed a company that put down a well and struck oil in paying quantities at a depth of five hundred and nineteen feet. this being the first well brought in on the flat. Two other wells were then put down. The venture proved profitable and the company later sold at a profit. Since then Mr. Haberkern has continued in the development of oil lands in North Midway and from the organization of the Eight Oil Company has been a director and stockholder. While his success in oil operations has been excellent and now gives him financial independence, it is abundantly merited by his arduous labors during the incipiency of the industry. When first he began to drill wells water was so scarce that it was the custom for the men to drive two miles with a team and tank and with buckets dip the water to fill the tank. It was then brought to the well. so that the work might be continued without delay. If any break occurred in the machinery he would start at once, night or day, for Bakersfield. a drive of forty-five miles, in order that repairs might be secured at once, and there were many times when he started on these long trips at midnight. Drinking-water was brought to the lease by their teams from the mountains, costing them about $1.25 per barrel. Those were days of hardship, privation and unceasing labor, but he has seen the reward of his efforts and is now enjoying the fruits of his toil.

WILLIAM MILES HOUSER .- The immediate cause of Mr. Houser's removal to this place from the Santa Clara valley, where he had enjoyed a long and successful identification with the Palo Alto ranch, was the fact that a brother, A. W. Houser, had become a resident of the place. had acquired a livery stable and hotel business here and was meeting with results so encour- aging that the incentive to join him was sufficient to bring about his de- parture from the more northerly section of the state. Nor did he ever have reason to regret the decision to cast in his lot with Kern county. for as president of the Amber Oil Company. as supervisor of the first district and as owner of mines around Randsburg. he reaped the benefit of a prosperity that marked this section of the country and at the same time was instrumental in promoting the welfare of the people of his district.

Born in Pittsburgh. Pa., January 27, 1865. William Miles Houser came to California at the age of six years and settled with his parents at Stockton, where he attended school until fifteen years of age. The father. William, a native of Pennsylvania, had been a coal miner in that state from early life until the failure of his health necessitated a complete change of occupation and of climate. Thereupon he came to California, but he was benefited only temporarily. His death occurred in April of 1875. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Schwagard. was born in Pittsburgh. Pa .. December 12, 1833, and still makes her home in San Joaquin county.

Upon leaving school and taking up for himself the problem of self- support, William Miles Houser secured employment on a stock ranch owned by G. W. Trahern, for whom he worked during the following six years. Meanwhile the care of stock, their needs and moneyed values became as an open book to him. As a judge of animals he established an enviable reputation in his locality and when the ranch where he had labored was sold to the trustees of the Leland Stanford University he was invited to remain in the capacity of stock-trainer and superintendent of one of the ranch depart- ments, later as foreman of the ranch. In appreciation of his faithful and intelli- gent services he was paid excellent wages. For eighteen years he remained on the Palo Alto ranch, relinquishing the position eventually in 1900 that he might cast his fortunes in with those of the mining community of Rands- burg. where the following year he bought the livery stable and leased the hotel owned by his brother. A. W. After he had conducted these two enter- prises with success for two years, he gave up the hotel to continue the livery

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business and mining. Meanwhile he had acquired an interest in oil wells at Fellows, Kern county, and these wells by subsequent development became very valuable, so that he reaped financial benefit from an early and judicious investment. Besides acting as president of the Amber Oil Company, he was owner of the Houser group of mines, adjoining the Yellow Aster mine (the largest in the state of California). His holdings were further increased by the purchase of Easy Street mine at Randsburg. In addition he owned a tungsten mine in San Bernardino county and many other properties.

When only twenty-one years of age Mr. Houser became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and later he enlarged his fraternal relations by identification with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Eagles. As a stanch supporter of the Democratic party he was a leading local politician, while the larger interests of the county were promoted by his earnest service as supervisor of the first district, to which office he was elected in 1908. May 20, 1890, he married Miss Ella Goff, who was born at Stockton, this state, the daughter of Russell and Lucy (Phelps) Goff, na- tives of Michigan and Boston, Mass., respectively. In 1847, when a mere lad, Mr. Goff came via Panama to San Francisco. He remained in the state for a number of years after the discovery of gold, then returned east and in 1852 he again returned to California, becoming interested in mining and farming. He spent his last days with Mrs. Houser in Randsburg, where he died in 1907 aged seventy-seven years. Mrs. Goff came with her mother in 1852 via Panama to join her father, Capt. W. G. Phelps, who had brought a sailing vessel around Cape Horn to San Francisco in 1849. A man of force and determination. he became well known on the coast, especially in the vicinity of Stockton, where he had large ranch interests. Mrs. Goff who now makes her home in Los Angeles, was the mother of four children. all living. Mrs. Houser, who was the eldest, passed her childhood and obtained her education in the schools of Stockton.

To Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Houser were born eight children, namely : Ella May, deceased : Lillian, Mrs. F. E. Hill of Los Angeles : Ellen Geraldine, Mrs. F. P. Hill, of Los Angeles; M. Melvin, deceased ; Edith Gertrude ; William Miles, Jr. ; Reginald Leland, deceased ; and Wilma Elaine, who was born four months after her father's death. The death of Mr. Houser, August 11. 1912, removed from his community one of its most dependable citizens.

ANDREW C. SILVER .- Almost forty years intervened between the first visit of John F. Silver and his second removal to the western coast. During that long era many changes had been made. Railroads had spanned the continent, so that, instead of traveling with wagons and ox-teams, as in the first trip, he came speedily, surrounded by every comfort of modern travel. At the time of his first trip he was a young man and as yet unmar- ried. In the interim of his western trips he had married and reared a family, only one of whom, Andrew C .. survives at the present writing. The father himself passed away in 1909 and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Craig and was born in Indiana, now makes her home in Oklahoma, so that Andrew C. is the sole representative of the family on the western coast. The trade at which he is an expert, that of brick-laying, was the one which his father followed for years, first as a day laborer and later as a contractor. Not having gained a fortune in the California mines during the four years he engaged in that work, he returned to Michigan in 1853 and resumed the trade of bricklayer. He had removed to Michigan from his native New Hampshire and from Michigan he went to Illinois, where he became a brick contractor at Shelbyville. The next move took him to Kansas, where he settled at Winfield in 1879 and immediately became identified with the contracting business as a specialist in brick. From that place he came to California in 1887 and after two years in Los Angeles

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proceeded to Bakersfield, where he engaged at his trade as long as his health permitted.

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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 44

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