History of Orange County, California : with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its earliest growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 111

Author: Armor, Samuel, 1843-; Pleasants, J. E., Mrs
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1700

USA > California > Orange County > History of Orange County, California : with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its earliest growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 111

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With his mother and his family, he came to Santa Ana in 1909, and purchased a ranch of ten acres, seven of which were set out to oranges and three to walnuts and apricots, interset. They installed a pumping plant with a Layne-Boller pump and a Westinghouse motor having a capacity of seventy-five inches, for irrigating their orchard, selling the surplus to adjoining orchardists.

On February 24, 1913, Mr. Finch was married to Miss Frances Rawson, a native of Wabasha, Minn., and the daughter of George and Nellie Rawson. Mr. Rawson was a conductor on the first train to pass over the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad from Wabasha to Faribault, and he helped to develop that valuable system. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Finch moved onto a walnut grove of five acres on San Juan Street. Tustin; but a year later he removed to Los Angeles and entered the employ of Albert Cohn on West Washington Street, still later working at their down- town store. In 1914, he moved back to Santa Ana, where he was employed by the Santa Ana Sugar Company.

While busied there, on October 22, 1918, Mrs. Finch, who had become the center of a large circle of appreciative friends, passed away, and on the eighteenth of the following month, Mr. Finch's mother died, having succumbed to influenza. One child, Harold W. Finch, died in infancy. Not long after these sudden afflictions, Mr. Finch visited his wife's people in Minnesota, and then went to Utah to sell a ranch of 240 acres. Since then, he has made his home on the North Main Street ranch, living with his brothers and sisters, and assists in managing the old homestead. Besides himself, Raymond C. Finch is operating the home ranch; John A. is with the Western Union Telegraph Company in Santa Ana; Leonard B. is with the Beach Manufacturing Company, Los Angeles, and Jennie I., Mrs. Marion Hopkins of Santa Ana. Leonard served in the United States Army auto school in Los Angeles during the late war. Fraternally, Mr. Finch is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.

alfred William Finch.

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY

EDWARD D. MARION,-For over thirty years the ranch property now known as the E. D. Marion orange grove, on the Garden Grove-Anaheim Boulevard, has been in the possession of the Marion family. It was purchased in 1887 by E. D. Marion, Sr., upon the arrival of the family here from Denver, Colo. He had but limited means and this he invested in six acres of unimproved land located near the Fairview schoolhouse. to which their children were sent until that district was discontinued and a better and larger building erected at West Anaheim. Improvements were immediately started to make a comfortable home by the erection of a house, which at that time was the only one between Anaheim and Garden Grove, and they kept cows and chickens and did farming on a small scale, at the same time adding improvements from time to time, for Mr. Marion believed it the best policy to "pay as you go," which he always did. He was a native of New York state, but in early life went to Colorado where he was united in marriage, in Denver, with Miss Mary Davis, a native of England, who had come to Colorado early in her life. In Denver Mr. Marion conducted a nursery and greenhouse for many years. They became the parents of four children, all born in Denver: Mary, was married to James Johnson in May, 1901. in Los Angeles; they went to Needles, where he died on February 23, 1916, and there his widow still lives; Anna, died on March 31, 1894; George K., was born on February 21, 1881, and died May 30, 1890; and Edward D., of this review, who was born on May 14, 1880. The father died on April 1, 1906, and the mother lived about a year, passing away in 1907, both highly esteemed by all who knew them.

After the death of the father, E. D., Jr., began to make further improvements on the property by setting ont Valencia oranges, having to go to San Dimas for his stock because there was none nearer. His were the first trees to be set out on the Garden Grove highway; soon others followed and today this section has become the center of the Valencia orange district of the county. He is a member of the Orange Growers Association at Anaheim. This grove has proven to be one of the best of producers and his ranch is recognized as one of the show places in this locality. He replaced the original house with a modern structure in 1919 and now enjoys all the conveniences of city life.

Having spent nearly all his life in Orange County, where he attended the grammar and high schools of Anaheim, it is but natural that he should take a just pride in the advancement of the locality where he has lived for so many years and he has given his support to all movements for the betterment of social and moral conditions that have been brought to his notice. On December 4, 1914, in Anaheim, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Pauline Domke, a native of Iowa and the daughter of August Domke. Their union has been blessed by the birth of a daughter, Anita. Mr. Marion is a member of Anaheim Lodge No. 1345, B. P. O. Elks, also of the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican and the family belong to the Pres- byterian Church.

ANAHEIM FEED AND FUEL COMPANY .- Among the old established busi- ness firms at Anaheim is that of the Anaheim Feed and Fuel Company, located at 242 West Center Street. The business was established by R. W. McClellan, and was conducted under his name until 1917, when W. D. Grafton became interested in the business and the firm name was changed to The Anaheim Feed and Fuel Company. September 29, 1919, A. V. Vail bought Mr. McClellan's interest in the business and became a partner of Mr. Grafton. The business, established a number of years ago. has gradually grown to its present dimensions, and is the largest in its line in Orange County. The new home of the firm fronts on Center and Oak streets, and they have the only public weighing scales in the town. They do a large business in orchard supplies, are agents for the Pacific Guano Fertilizer Company, and also deal extensively in seeds and poultry supplies. Both members of the firm have been successful orange growers and are widely known, and have been actively connected with the growth of Orange County for many years.

William D. Grafton, the son of Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Grafton of Cambridge, Iowa, was born in Story County, Iowa, July 6, 1875. He completed his education at the Cambridge, Iowa, high school, and took a course in business college at Des Moines, lowa. He was afterward assistant department manager for the Harris Emery Com- pany, the largest department store in Des Moines. He was with the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, at Anaconda and Bonner, Mont., for sixteen years, and from there came to Los Angeles. Cal .. and engaged in the hay and grain business. Later he came to Orange County and became an orange grower in the Orange district, and in 1919 became a partner in the Anaheim Feed and Fuel Company. His marriage with Miss Lois Newport has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely, William W .. Helen and Nelly Kathryn. Fraternally he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of the encampment.

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The junior member of the firm, Albert V. Vail, is a native of Muscatine, Iowa, where he was born April 30, 1882. His father, now deceased, was a native of New York state. His mother, who survives her husband, was in maidenhood Bertha Mouche. She is of French parentage and was born in Austria. The father came to California first in 1886, then he returned to the East and in 1888 brought his family to California with him, arriving at Anaheim, March 3, of that year. For many years he was engaged in ranching, raising grain and vegetables in the Fullerton district. In politics he was a Democrat, and was active and very prominent in the politics of his party. He was a member of the Orange County Democratic Central Committee.

Albert V. attended the public schools of Fullerton, and supplemented this with a course at the Santa Ana Business College. He followed the occupation of farming and was engaged in .the transfer business at Fullerton, and was also an orange grower in the Fullerton district. He now owns two orange and lemon groves on which oil is being developed. He was the founder of the El Camino Water Company, one of the best irrigation systems in the county, and September 29, 1919, became a member of the firm of The Anaheim Feed and Fuel Company. His marriage with Miss Freda Backs, a native of Anaheim. resulted in the birth of two children, Frederick and Albertha. Mr. Vail was formerly a member of the Santa Ana Lodge of Elks, and when the Anaheim- Fullerton lodge of the order was instituted he became a charter member of it, and was the first tyler of the lodge.

PERRY MILLER .- To develop a productive and profitable ranch from desert land, construct commodious and substantial buildings and in every way to equip the place for successful general farming-to accomplish all this in a few years bespeaks an enterprising and experienced rancher. This is an epitome of Perry Miller's thirteen years of ranching in Orange County. He was born on February 5, 1857, in Sandusky County, Ohio, a son of Jacob and Mary Miller, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the parents of five children, Perry being the only one residing in California. When he was one year old his parents moved to Michigan and in that state he received his early education, and there his parents died before he was nine years of age.

In 1889 Mr. Miller migrated to Fremont County, Iowa, where he followed general farming until 1906, when he came to Southern California and in 1907, located in Orange County, Cal. A year previous he had purchased fifty-six acres of unimproved land located on what is now West Orangethorpe Avenue, at the Los Angeles County line. With his characteristic energy and progressive spirit he at once began to improve and develop the land until today he possesses a splendid homestead as the fruit of his industry and enterprise.

In Branch County, Mich., in 1883, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Belle Baker, a native of Michigan, and the daughter of John and Parthenia (Dutcher) Baker, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. One son. C. L., was born to them; he is married to Lucy Ball of Downey. Cal .. and -two children have blessed their union-Dorothy and Perry. In religions matters Mr. Miller is a Spiritualist and in politics he is an Independent, giving his voice and vote to the men and measures he conscientiously believes the best for the welfare of the community and nation.

HARVEY F. HARTMAN .- One of the best posted men in his special line of endeavor, and a recognized authority on the cultivation and propagation of chili peppers is Harvey F. Hartman, of Buena Park district, Orange County. He devotes one-half of his thirty-acre ranch to raising the popular Mexican, Anaheim and Pimento chili peppers, so much used, in both their green and ripe state, in canning, pickles and cookery. Mr. Hartman was born in Toledo, Ohio, on December 3, 1881, a son of Frederick C. and Anna Hartman; the father being a native of Germany, the mother of the Buckeye State. Mrs. Hartman passed away in 1882, when Harvey was but nine months old. F. C. Hartman brought his family to California in 1894; he followed the trade of a cabinet maker but in later years took up horticulture. He passed to his eternal reward in 1911. in Pasadena.

Harvey F. Hartman received his early education in the public schools of Ohio and after removing to California attended the splendid schools of Pasadena. Later his education was supplemented by a special course in a correspondence school, after which he pursued a special study of the science of horticulture and seed selection, in which he has attained signal success and made for himself a prominent place in the horticultural and agricultural circles of his community. In addition to his specializing in chili peppers Mr. Hartman devotes half of his ranch to general farming; he thor- oughly understands the cultivation and peculiarities of the soil in this vicinity and is an authority on the most suitable crops to be propagated. He has resided on his ranch near Buena Park since 1909 and has greatly improved the place.

Frank.R. Lagarque Mary Lagourgue

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY

On May 1, 1906, Harvey F. Hartman was united in marriage with Miss Rose Bastady, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Imanuel Bastady and this happy union has been blessed with four children: Rosalie Marie, Helen Esther, Ida Mae and Frank Christian. Mrs. Hartman is a native of Basel, Switzerland. The family are members of the Con- gregational Church of Buena Park. During his residence in Orange County, Mr. Hartman has contributed his share to the substantial development of agriculture and horticulture in the county and is an honored member of the Farm Bureau of Buena Park. Having been interested in floriculture while living in Pasadena, he still retains his love for the beautiful by his membership in the Floricultural Society of that city. Believing there is a great future for the dahlia, he is beginning the cultivation of special varieties on a small scale on his ranch.

FRANK R. LAGOURGUE .- A successful rancher and an influential member of the Anaheim Citrus Union, Frank R. Lagourgue has more than one interesting story to tell of the past as it affected either himself or his forebears. He was born in Sac City, Sac County, Iowa, the son of William V. and Elizabeth (Austin) Lagonrgue. His father was born in Jamaica, West Indies, where the grandfather William Lagourgue, who was a native of France, was a large sugar planter. In time he disposed of his holdings in Jamaica and located in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was a lumberman until his death. William V. Lagourgue as a young man sailed on the Great Lakes, then located in Iowa and was one of the first one-half dozen settlers of Sac County. Here Frank received his early schooling at Sac City, and when sixteen years old moved to Gage County, Nebr. His father purchased school land near Beatrice and also some land from the Otoe Indians, and he had a large farm where he raised wheat and corn. Frank continued his studies for a while after coming to Nebraska, and more and more caught the spirit of the West which was to lead him on to his greater accom- plishment on the shore of the Pacific.

On November 30, 1882, Frank R. Lagourgue was married to Miss Mary Latta, a native of Minnesota, and a member of a family that moved to Indiana and then to Nebraska, in 1880. Her parents Robt. S. and Mary Latta, natives of Illinois and Ohio, respectively, came of splendid old Eastern stock, her father being a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, very highly esteemed for his earnestness and devotion to his calling. After his marriage Mr. Lagourgue engaged in the drug business in Odell, Nebr., and later in Imperial, Chase County, Nebr. In the fall of 1901 he drove overland with a team and wagon to Stillwater, Okla., and there lived for a winter. On April 1. 1902, he came to California and settled at Anaheim, and here purchased a home on East Center Street, in which he lived for a few years. In 1908, he bought ten acres on Placentia Avenue, cleared the land, developed water and set out Valencia oranges. In 1914, however, he sold out and purchased a ranch on Liberty Lane, north of Ana- heim, and since then he has made that farm his home ranch, dispensing there to all who come an acceptable hospitality. All these years he has engaged in contracting and painting in Anaheim and vicinity, his work being most excellent and highly appre- ciated. Five children were granted Mr. and Mrs. Lagourgue: Carl R. lives in Wasco, Cal .; Alta is a bank clerk of Glendale, Ariz .; Robert V. resides in Pomona; Bernice has become Mrs. E. L. Hartwell of Long Beach; while Frank died at the age of nine years. Mrs. Lagourgue is a member of the Free Methodist Church in Garden Grove. Mr. Lagourgue is vice-president of the Northeast Water Company, from which he irrigates his ranch. A member of the Masonic fraternity he is affiliated with Anaheim Lodge, F. & A. M.

Mr. Lagourgue's father recalls with interest the fact that in early days the very Indians that massacred the settlers of New Ulm, Minn., used his farm in Iowa as their camping ground. He treated the Redmen kindly, and they in turn never molested him or his family. And when one of his horses followed the Indians' horses as they took their leave, an Indian, discovering the wandering beast, brought it back and tied it in his father's yard.

EDWARD CHAFFEE .- The son of honored pioneers of Orange County, Edward Chaffee, of Garden Grove, is a Californian in all but birth, having been a resident of the state since he was five years old. He was born on the Chaffee farm near Elgin. 111., March 16, 1876, the son of Albert J. and Susan (Ambrose) Chaffee, who are men- tioned elsewhere in this volume. In 1881 the family removed to California, settling at Garden Grove, then Los Angeles County. Here the lad grew up, attending the public schools at Garden Grove, and later taking a two years' course at the State Normal School at Los Angeles. In the meantime he was brought up to do hard work on his father's grain and dairy farm, learning thoroughly how to master all the problems that go with making a success in agriculture. When he reached manhood he began farm ing on his own account, and he is now the owner of a profitable ranch of forty-five

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY

acres, half a mile northeast of Garden Grove. In addition he farms eighty-five acres of rented land in the vicinity. Always progressive in his ideas, Mr. Chaffee has kept pace with the changes brought about by the successive steps in the progress of the country. At one time he was interested in the production of celery, but when other crops became more profitable he at once turned his attention to them and has made a marked success in raising sugar beets, lima beans and alfalfa. He has erected a comfortable country residence on his ranch, and also improved the place with barns and other buildings. Some time ago he set out four acres of apricots and they are now bearing profitably. For the past six seasons he has operated a bean thresher in partnership with R. A. Oldfield.

Mr. Chaffee's marriage, which occurred on July 10, 1902, united him with Miss Carrie S. Pullen, who was reared at Arcola, Ill., and came to California in 1896. Six children, all boys, have been born to them: Clare S., Harold E., Milton A., Robert A., Walter B., and John D. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Garden Grove. Mr. Chaffee takes an active interest in the development of Garden Grove, particularly in furthering the interests of the Garden Grove Lima Bean Grow- ers Association, which he helped organize, and of which he is the secretary. He is also a member of the Garden Grove Farm Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, and for six years was secretary for the Orange County Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Mrs. Chaffee justly shares her husband's popularity in the community and the whole family is highly esteemed.

FRED DORN .- A liberal-minded, kind-hearted, sterling fellow, who has proven both a builder up and an upbuilder of Anaheim, is Fred Dorn, who was born in Alsace- Lorraine, on March 31, 1867, the son of George Dorn, a native of that country and a stonemason, and also a member of an old family. He married Caroline Smith, a model woman of her land and generation, and one who influenced most helpfully the subject of our sketch. Both parents are now deceased.

Fred, the only one in the United States, to which country he came when he was fifteen, in 1882, attended the public schools of his locality, where he received a good grounding in the essentials of education. When he reached Ford County, Ill., he began to work on a farm, and continued his schooling in the winter time. Two years later, he removed to Adams County, Nebr., where he continued to work as a farm hand. He there rented land, raised grain and stock, got more and more familiar with American conditions, and both in his successes and failures prepared himself for the next great step in his career, his removal to the Pacific Coast.

This was effected in 1890, when he removed to California and settled for a while at Fillmore, in Ventura County where he secured ten acres and went in for general farming. At the end of seven years, however, he sold out and moved south to Los Angeles, where he was in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad Company. He next engaged as a contractor in cement construction, and for another seven years followed that line of activity.

In 1907 he bought his present place of eighteen acres at Anaheim-raw land, where he had to grub out the eucalyptus and the apricot trees from three or more acres. He set out a vineyard, raised stock, had orange trees which he budded to excellent Valencias, so that with the exception of an acre and a half of lemons, he has devoted much of his land to oranges of that type. He belongs to the Mutual Orange Distributors Association, where his experience carries weight.

JOHN C. ELBINGER .- A progressive rancher, who owns twenty well-improved acres, devoted to oranges and walnuts, in the West Anaheim district of Orange County, is John C. Elbinger, a native of Germany. where he first saw the light of day on August 24, 1849. His parents, George and Mary Elbinger, were also natives of Germany and their family consisted of two children, John C. and Elizabeth.

When twenty-six years of age, John C. Elbinger immigrated to the United States so he could enjoy a greater degree of liberty in the pursuit of life and happiness and where so many great opportunities were offered to enterprising and ambitious young men-opportunities such as they could never hope to enjoy in their native land. After his arrival in this country Mr. Elbinger resided for a short time in Kankakee County, Ill., but in March, 1877. migrated to Nebraska, farmed there four years in Saunders County and in 1881 he went to South Dakota where he took up 320 acres of land and engaged in general farming and stockraising. The land was located in territory for- merly occupied by Indians. He improved the land, developed the place into a good paying farm and remained in South Dakota for twenty years. Mr. Elbinger's superior business ability and expert knowledge of land values were recognized by his fellow- citizens in his election to the important position of county assessor of Douglas County, a post he filled with credit to himself and great satisfaction to the tax-paying public tor the period of fifteen years.

Mir Mano Joseph. P. Quay hew

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY

During the year 1901, John C. Elbinger moved to the Pacific Coast, coming directly to Riverside County, Cal., where he purchased ten acres, slightly improved. and devoted the ranch exclusively to oranges. Ten acres soon became too small for such an ambitious and progressive man as Mr. Elbinger, he sold. it and removed to Orange County where he purchased his present ranch in 1908. The land was partly improved when he took possession, but he began more extensive improvements, setting out walnut and orange trees and in due time developed his place into a most profitable ranch where he has a comfortable house and most pleasant surroundings. His career it but another illustration of what thrift, frugality and well-directed effort, coupled with the judicious management of one's financial affairs, can accomplish.

In 1877 Mr. Elbinger was united in marriage with Miss Marguerite England, this happy union being blessed with a son, George Elbinger, who married Miss Catherine Haas, and they are the parents of twin girls, Elizabeth and Agnes. In 1910 Mr. Elbinger was bereft of his loving and faithful helpmate. During his residence in Orange County he has filled minor offices of trust and responsibility and always mani- fested a deep concern in the development of the best interests of Orange County.

JOSEPH P. MAYHEW .- A self-made, very successful man whose public-spirit- edness has actuated him to share with others some of his successful opportunities and, more than once, to point the way so that his fellow-citizens might attain to the same sort of prosperity his foresight enabled him to divine, is Joseph P. Mayhew. who returned to Anaheim and the Orange County country, notwithstanding his good luck further east, because he had received such a favorable impression of Southern California when he first came here to look around. He was born at Calumet, N. Y., on December 13, 1852, the son of Mark A. Mayhew, who was born and reared in England, followed a seafaring life for sixteen years, and before he left Great Britain, married Miss Sarah Young, also English by birth. After their eldest son, William A. Mayhew, later a resident of Danville, Ill., had been born, Mr. and Mrs. Mayhew migrated from England, and in 1850 located at Calumet, N. Y., Mr. Mayhew turning his hand to anything which would enable him to support himself and family. Three years later, he moved west to Illinois and settled near Sheldon, in Iroquois County, and there bought forty acres of raw land upon which he put up a log cabin. He steadily improved his farm and also added to it, until he had 120 acres; prospering to a happy degree, save in the death of his devoted wife, in 1866. Just forty years later, on April 21, he closed his own career in death.

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History of Orange County, California : with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its earliest growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 111

Author: Armor, Samuel, 1843-; Pleasants, J. E., Mrs Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1700

Author: Armor, Samuel, 1843-; Pleasants, J. E., Mrs
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1700