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 67

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 67

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CHESSMAN J. CHADWICK .- The remarkable development of the oil industry in the Kern river fields may be attributed in large degree to the energy and ability of the men connected therewith and not the least important of these is Chessman J. Chadwick, whose first identification with the business in Kern county dates back to the year 1901 and who now fills a very responsible position as general foreman of the Columbian, M. and S., and the Lorenzo Oil Companies, all located on section 29, town- ship 28, range 28. In addition he has the foremanship of the Minnehaha Water Company, legally organized as the Minnehaha Oil Company, whose lease is located on section 19, township 28, range 28.

Shortly after the discovery of gold in the west Benjamin D. Chad- wick left his eastern home and sailed around the Horn for California, where he landed safely, but without means or friends. In order to secure funds necessary for mining he became a sea-faring man and sailed on vessels between San Francisco and Panama. Later he was a pioneer placer miner in Yuba and Nevada counties. For seventeen years he made his home in Nevada county. Rising to prominence in his chosen occupation, he was elected president of the Sailor Flat Hydraulic Mining Company and con- tintied to superintend the business policy of the organization until its operations were discontinued by reason of the filling in of the Sacramento river at that point. His death occurred in 1903. His widow, who bore the maiden name of Mary A. Landing, resides in Hanford, Kings county, and at the age of sixty-two is physically and mentally well preserved.

Out of a family of four sons and four daughters all are still living except two sons. The eldest of the eight, Chessman J., was born in Yuba county, Cal., June 11, 1869, and grew to manhood in Nevada City, where he supplemented a country school education by a course of study in Potter's Academy. When a mere boy he was accustomed to assist his father in mining operations and at the age of sixteen he devoted his entire time to placer and quartz mining. For two years he was employed in the Sierra Butte mine at Sierra City and for some years he continued to work in the mines of Nevada county. Later he leased a hydraulic proposi- tion at Bloomfield and this he operated with considerable profit. When oil was discovered at Coalinga, Fresno county, about seventeen years ago. he went to that point and secured employment as a tool-dresser. Little more than a year was spent in that place, after which he spent about the same time in the Los Angeles oil fields, coming thence to Bakersfield in

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1901 and engaging with a contractor to drill on the Sacramento lease. Next he drilled on the Sterling and later continued as its foreman under Messrs. Henderson and Martin. Six busy years were spent with the Sterl- ing and when he resigned there he traveled through Nevada, visiting mines of importance, among them those at Tonopah and Goldfield. Upon his return to the Kern river fields in 1908 he immediately was appointed general toreman of the Expansion and soon was promoted to be superintendent, but when that organization was overtaken by the Traders he returned to the foremanship and for the past few years has been retained in that capacity by the Columbian, M. & S., and Lorenzo Oil Companies, also by the Minnehaha Oil Company. Politically he votes the Republican ticket.

HON. PAUL W. BENNETT .- Rarely is there to be found in a com- munity a man so deeply honored, so thoroughly respected or so generally beloved as was the Hon. Paul W. Bennett, whose association with Bakers- field covered the period from 1897 until June, 1913, when he passed from his earthly labors. As Judge of the Superior Court of Kern county for the past ten years, he had proved himself one of the state's ablest jurists, commanding the attention of many outside of the county who frequently called upon him to hear important cases away from Bakersfield and the surrounding county.

Judge Bennett's birth occurred in Gloucester, Mass., in 1836, and had he lived until June 12, 1913, he would have celebrated his seventy-seventh birthday. His early days were passed in Canada, but as he grew up he evinced a desire to see the west and accordingly sailed from Boston, round the Horn, to San Francisco, whence he made his way to Sonoma county and lived there a short time. Mining then attracted him and he went to the mines and subsequently became a resident of the Owens River valley, in order to investigate the country. When Inyo county was organized he became an undersheriff, at which time the study of law was taking all of his spare time. In 1868 he received the appointment of district attorney of Inyo county and election by the people to a second term followed. Inde- pendence had been his place of residence for some time, but he found it expedient for him to go to Mono county, as he there formed a partnership with the late Senator Pat Reddy, the firm of Reddy & Bennett becoming well known throughout the entire mining sections of Nevada and California. Through handling numerous mining suits Judge Bennett became an acknowledged authority on mining law. In 1884 he went to Stockton to practice his profession and there was associated at different times with J. C. Campbell, David Terry and F. D. Nicol. His unusual ability was soon recognized, he was elected district attorney, but retired after one term.

The year 1897 brought Judge Bennett to Bakersfield, where he formed a partnership with the late J. W. Ahern. His reputation had preceded him and his associations with the court work there brought him immedi- ate attention : his clientele was large and his wise, unerring judgment was sought by scores. With the creation of a second Superior Court depart- ment Judge Bennett was named as judge by former Governor George C. Pardee, and he remained on the bench continuously until his death. He was re-elected after a partial term and at a subsequent election he was nominated by both political parties and chosen without opposition. which was evidence of his popularity and the deep regard in which he was held by his fellow citizens. Many important cases came under his hearing and he presided over many notable ones, not the least of which was the great irrigation suit in San Bernardino that had to do with the use of subter- ranean water, and his decision in that case governs the use of such waters throughout the state today.

Like many other strong public characters, Judge Bennett was not a

John Hickey Laura E Hickey

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HISTORY OF KERN COUNTY

partisan, though a Republican of the old school. Nevertheless Democrats and Republicans alike followed in his support and he was the friend and associate of many of the foremost Democrats in the state.

Judge Bennett left a widow, who before her marriage was Sarah B. Potter, a native of Maine. An only child, a daughter, passed away a few years ago. Judge Bennett was in fraternal circles a Knight Templar and a member of the Elks, and his associates in both bodies mourned the loss of a loyal, high-minded and conscientious member. The loss to Bakersfield was irreparable, to the county it proved to be deep and sorrowful, for the judge was loved not alone for his ability and broad-mindedness, but for his unselfishness and sweet, wholesome character.

JOHN HICKEY .- Only those familiar with the hardships and sacrifices incident to the labors of a pioneer preacher can grasp with understanding the record of the life of John Hickey, who while earning a livelihood in an- other occupation labored with unwearied zeal as a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal denomination. As early as 1868, while yet living in Illinois, he was licensed as an exhorter and there began the work which has since become so dear to him. Upon coming to California he found great need of such Christian work as he could offer and his was not the spirit to stand aloof when the harvest was ripe and the laborers few.

Born in Ireland in 1848. John Hickey was brought to America by an aunt in his childhood and settled in Illinois. There was nothing unusual in the disposition of the boy except his love of study and determination to secure a thorough education. With that object in view he worked at any honest occupation offered and saved his earnings with the utmost frugality. After he had finished the studies of the common schools at Godfrey, Ill., he began teaching and with the earnings he took a course in McKendree College at Lebanon, same state, and later attended the university at Mount Pleasant, Iowa. At the close of the sophomore year he left college and spent a year in Kearney, Buffalo county, Neb., as principal of the city schools. From there he came to California in 1875, and settled in Kern county. After teach- ing school in Bear valley he spent three years teaching the Woody School. Linns Valley district, then returned and taught for one year in Bear valley and for two years in Cummings valley. Meanwhile he had studied the soil and had become convinced of its possibilities for agriculture, hence he took up a pre-emption, settled on the land, later bought railroad land adjoining and finally acquired four hundred and eighty acres in one body. Until the farm became productive he taught school in Bear valley, and when he re- signed there he was succeeded by S. C. Smith, who later became United States senator.

Discontinuance of work as an educator did not lessen the interest main- tained by Mr. Hickey in the local schools and for twelve years he served as school trustee with the greatest efficiency. Meanwhile he was devoting much time also to his labors as an itinerant preacher, filling some pulpit almost every Sunday and aiding in the starting of congregations of his denomination. During the week he was busy with his ranch, where he raised grain and other crops, also developed quite a large herd of cattle, so that his brand, the letter P, became known all through that section of coun- try. Finally feeling the imperative need of lightening his labors, he left the ranch in 1908 and removed to Tehachapi. For four years he managed the ranch from his town place and then in 1912 disposed of the property, since which time he has been retired.

Upon the incorporation of Tehachapi in 1910 Mr. Hickey was elected a member of the first board of trustees. At the general election he received a higher number of votes than any candidate. When the board was organ- ized he was chosen chairman and now is deeply interested in the improve- ment of streets and the building of a water system. The village has in him

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HISTORY OF KERN COUNTY

a progressive citizen and loyal promoter. Its best interests have been carefully protected by him. In its citizenship he occupies a place of distinc- tion. Fraternally he was made a Mason in Tehachapi Lodge No. 313, F. & A. M., and later became identified with the Los Angeles Consistory. His marriage, in Godfrey, Madison county, Ill., August 21, 1873, united him with Miss Laura E. Waggoner, a native of that place and a daughter of Samuel and Louise (Powell) Waggoner, natives respectively of Tennessee and Dela- ware. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Hickey are natives of Kern county, but are now living elsewhere in the state. Edwin C. is employed with the Pacific Electric in Los Angeles; Mrs. Laura Edith Howland also lives in that city ; John H. is connected with the Southern Pacific Company in San Luis Obispo; Mrs. Bertha L. Perkins lives in Los Angeles; and Morris L. has a position in San Luis Obispo.

GEORGE C. SPROULE .- At Oil Springs, Ontario, Canada, where he was born February 10, 1880, and where his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Hardman) Sproule, reside, George C. Sproule became familiar with the oil industry in childhood through the fact that his father was engaged as a driller and in other capacities around oil fields. The family had no means outside of the daily wages of the father. There were nine children and it was absolutely necessary that each one should become self-supporting at the earliest possible age. Therefore George C., who was sixth among the nine, had meager educational advantages, but at the age of sixteen was a contributor to the family maintenance. From being a roustabout in the Oil Springs field he was promoted to be a tool-dresser and for four years he followed that line of work, after which he became a driller. When nineteen years of age he came to the Kern river fields for the first time and secured employment as a tool-dresser. Next he drilled for Chancellor & Canfield in the Midway fields. After he had worked steadily in the Kern county fields for four years he returned to Canada, bought a one- third interest in a well-drilling outfit and embarked in independent contract- ing. Although he returned to California in 1906 he still owns an interesct in the oil outfit, his partners being two brothers, John and Jacob Sproule,

Upon his return to the Kern river fields from his Canadian home Mr. Sproule engaged as a well puller on the Monte Cristo. Six months later he entered the employ of the Associated Oil Company and began to drill on the San Joaquin and Canfield divisions. For a time he worked as sub-foreman on the San Joaquin. During June of 1909 he was made foreman on the Green and Whittier division of the Associated and continued to fill the position with ability and devotion for three years. June 1, 1912. he resigned to become superintendent of the Enos Oil Company at an advance of salary. The Enos employs nine men and controls two hundred and twenty acres on section 6, township 29, range 28, where six producing wells (out of a total of twenty) give an average gross return of thirty-two hundred barrels of oil per month. It has not been possible for Mr. Sproule to identify himself with public affairs in his adopted country, for the duties of his position confine him closely to the oil fields. However, he is intelligently posted concerning public affairs and evinces a deep devotion toward the land of his adoption. Fraternally he holds membership with the Woodmen of the World. When he came to the west he had not yet established domestic ties, but in Kern county he formed the acquaintance of Miss Nora M. Barnes, a sister of Tom Barnes, the popular superin- tendent of the Associated Oil Company. Miss Barnes had come to the west from Conway, Laclede county, Mo., and August 21, 1909, she became the wife of Mr. Sproule in Kern county, where they have established a comfortable home in the oil fields. Their daughter, Imogene Elaine, was born here in 1911.

Mrs. W.E. Underwood.

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WILLIAM E. UNDERWOOD .- Through long identification with the landed development of Kern county Mr. Underwood has been brought into intimate association with people similarly engaged and has acquired thorough knowledge of soils, climate, crops and methods of cultivation. An expensive series of experiments with different products, particularly with several varie- ties of grapes, finally convinced him that grain and alfalfa are the crops best adapted to successful growth in his district and hence he now specializes with these, adding thereto an important interest in the stock business and par- ticularly in the dairy industry. When he arrived in Kern county February 3, 1890, he bought land in Rosedale colony and began its development. Now he owns two hundred and sixty-five acres under cultivation to alfalfa and grain and in addition he has on the farm about forty head of stock. When he first came to the colony he bought eighty acres and later added to the farm until he gave it adequate size for grain-raising. Besides the manage- ment of his farm he is interested financially in the Tejon Oil Company, oper- ating in the Kern river field.

A member of a pioneer California family, William E. Underwood was born near Stockton, San Joaquin county, November 13, 1864, and is a son of Ezra · Edwin and Mary (Hughes) Underwood, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Ezra E. Underwood, who came of Colonial and Revolutionary stock, crossed the plains with ox teams in 1859 and engaged in grain farming in San Joaquin county. There he married his wife, who was a daughter of William H. Hughes, a native of Pennsylvania, afterwards a settler in Missouri, where his wife died. In 1849 he brought his children across the plains and settled at Sonora, later locating near what is now Ripon, where he followed stock- raising. Old Uncle Billie Hughes was well known in those parts, where he resided until his death. Ezra E. Underwood settled near Waterford, Stanis- laus county, and was closely identified with the upbuilding of that county, being a member of the county board of supervisors. Upon retiring he re- moved to Santa Cruz, where he died October 7, 1911 ; his wife continues to reside in the same place. Of this union there were three children. William E. being the oldest: Alfred F. resides near Hollister ; Herbert L. is a farmer and dairyman in the Panama district. After he had completed the studies of the public schools William E. was sent to University Mound College in San Francisco and afterwards to the Stockton Business College, so that from an educational standpoint he was well qualified for life's responsibilities. Leav- ing business college at the age of twenty years, he assumed the management of a ranch of sixteen hundred acres owned by his father and situated in Fresno county. The portion of the large tract under cultivation was devoted to wheat-growing and for five years he continued the oversight of the property, meanwhile, plowing, sowing, harvesting and threshing upon a very extensive scale. When he left Fresno county it was for the purpose of identifiying him- self with the new Rosedale colony. and he purchased the small tract six miles west of Bakersfield on the Rosedale road where he continues to reside, hav- ing, however, enlarged the farm by subsequent purchase. From 1890 to 1900 he devoted himself chiefly to the cultivation of grapes. This was not a suc- cess and in 1900 he embarked in dairying, which proved more profitable. Later he specialized with alfalfa, which is well suited to the soil and cli- mate and is perhaps the most dependable and remunerative crop that could be grown in the district. On his ranch he has sunk three twelve-inch wells: on one ranch of one hundred and sixty acres he installed a fifty horse-power Western engine, which yields a capacity of two hundred inches of water. This latter property he is rapidly putting into alfalfa. He is a stockholder of the Security Trust Company of Bakersfield. He was married in Santa Cruz, January 1, 1890, to Miss Roxana J. Adams, born in Essex county, Vt., the daughter of Jonathan C. and Elizabeth (Babcock) Adams, born in Vermont. Her parents, who were farmers, still reside in Vermont.

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Mrs. Underwood came to California in 1888. Her uncle, Moses Adams, was a pioneer of Modesto.

For some years Mr. Underwood has served as a clerk of the board of trus- tees of Fruitvale School District, and in this capacity his intelligence and sagacious judgment have been very helpful to the free educational system of the community. Politically he is a Republican in national issues. He has always stood for public improvement and organized and was president of the Rosedale Improvement Club, and through that organization set out shade trees on each side of the Rosedale road for eight miles between Rosedale and Bakersfield. For years he has been identified with Masonry and has enjoyed fraternal relations with Bakersfield Lodge No. 224, F. & A. M.

WILLIAM BREUCH .- The first representative of the Breuch family to seek a home in the new world was Peter Breuch, a native of Witzenburg, Germany, and a wheelwright by trade, who at the expiration of his appren- ticeship when eighteen years of age crossed the seas to the United States and secured employment in Georgia. His marriage united him with Miss Johanna Wagner, a native of Georgia and now a resident of Denver, Colo. From the south he removed to Wisconsin prior to the opening of the Civil war and settled at Madison, where he was employed at the trade of wagon-maker Twice during the progress of the Rebellion he offered his services to the Union, but each time he was rejected on account of injury to his leg. Dur- ing 1871 he removed to Colorado and settled in Denver, where he resided until death, meanwhile engaging in business as a carriage-maker. Of his twelve children all but three are still living and the third in order of birth is William, born at Madison, Wis., July 18, 1864, and reared in Denver, Colo. At the age of eleven years he was taken from school and apprenticed to the trade of machinist in the Denver & Rio Grande shops in Denver, where he completed the trade prior to the age of eighteen. For eleven years alto- gether he continued in the same shops and meanwhile he had attended night schools, so that his education had not been entirely neglected.

After two years in the machine shops of the Union Pacific Railroad in Denver and three years in the shops of the same road at Como, Colo., Mr. Breuch spent several months at Pocatello, Ida., in the shops of the Oregon Short Line. Coming to California in June of 1890, he entered the Southern Pacific shops at East Bakersfield on the 1st of July, 1890, and there held a position as machinist. During 1901 he was promoted to be foreman of the machine shop, in which capacity he has continued up to the present time. being now the oldest employe in the plant in point of years of continuous service. Ile has given his attention very closely to his chosen work and has taken little interest in public affairs. Politically he is independent. After coming to Bakersfield he was made a Mason in Bakersfield Lodge No. 224, F. & A. M., and he also holds membership with the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, and the Woodmen of the World.

The residence of Mr. Breuch, erected under his personal supervision, stands at No. 508 Monterey street and is presided over by Mrs. Breuch, a lady of culture and gracious courtesy. Prior to their marriage, which was solemnized in Denver, July 23, 1885, she bore the name of Ella Sutherland. Born and reared in Denver, she had the advantages offered by the excellent schools of that city. At the time of her removal to California she was in such ill health that Colorado physicians had abandoned all hope of her re- covery. Her present excellent health she attributes to the fine air and un- excelled climate of Bakersfield. The family of which she was a member and in which she was next to the eldest comprised fourteen children, seven of whom are now living. Her parents were Prof. Alexander and Anna (Mills) Sutherland, the former a native of England, the latter a southern lady. The paternal grandfather was a Scotchman by birth and ancestry and for years

F. M. barlock

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HISTORY OF KERN COUNTY

served as an officer in the English army, in which Alexander Sutherland also served as bandmaster and trumpeteer. During the memorable battle of Balaklava the trumpeteer served in the first platoon and sounded the first charge of the Light Brigade under Lord Carrigan. He was one of the few survivors of the charge and received a wound from which he never fully recovered. Upon leaving the army service he crossed the ocean to New York and for a time taught music in St. Joseph, Mo., but in 1859 crossed the plains to Denver, where he organized the first band in Colorado. For years he engaged in teaching band instruments and his reputation as a musician and instructor was the highest. His death occurred in Denver about 1908 and his wife died in that city thirteen years prior to his demise.

FRANCIS M. CARLOCK .- The memorable era of the '50s found the Carlock family established among the pioneers of California. The father, George M. Carlock, who had taken his wife and children from Adams county, Ill., to Clark county, Mo., made only a brief sojourn in the latter location, but in the summer of 1853 brought his family to the coast via the Platte route, settling at Georgetown, Eldorado county, and trying his luck in nearby mines. Neither the occupation nor the locality proved satisfactory and accordingly he turned his attention to ranching in Washington and there spent his last days. By his marriage to Margaret E. Rohr, who was born in Germany and died in Kern county, Cal., he had a family of eight children. Of these we note the following: A. B., born February 8, 1833, is a resident of Portland, Ore .; Elizabeth, Mrs. Carter, born September 15, 1834, now lives at Lodi, Cal .; Jacob, born April 28, 1836, also makes his home at Lodi; Ervin W., born December 3, 1842, died at Ashland, Ore., October 14, 1912; Francis M. and Mary (twins), were born in Adams county, Ill., August 12, 1844, the latter. Mrs. Pease, dying near Lodi, Cal., at thirty-eight years of age; George H., born August 27, 1847, died in Oakland in November, 1911 ; and Hiram M., born May 28, 1855, makes Portland his home.

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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 67

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