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 164

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

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Mr. Hiltscher and his brother engaged in the meat business in Fullerton for twelve years and had the finest market in town; they killed their own beef, pork, lamb and mutton, but when the packers got control, they discontinued their own slaughter. Mr. Hiltscher sold his interest in the market in 1908 and purchased twenty one acres on the Romneya Drive, and himself set the land out to Valencia oranges. Later he purchased ten acres adjoining, also devoted to raising Valencia oranges. He also owns four acres of the old home place, making thirty-five acres in all. Aside from setting ont his own and his mother's orchard he has set out for several other ranchers, or more than 300 acres in all. He is an experienced orchardist and particularly of citrus fruits and his advice and ideas are sought by others. He also helped to make roads and clear and break up much land here. He receives water for his irrigation from a community pumping plant, and profits by the supply of seventy inches in the well. He built the home on his ranch himself-and it goes without saying that it is a comfortable dwelling. He markets his oranges through the Placentia-Fullerton Orange Growers Association, and as he is a hard worker his grove shows the best of attention.

BAUTISTA DUHART .- A resident of California since 1878, when he located at San Juan Capistrano, is Bautista Duhart, born in Hasparren, Basses Pyrenees, France, January 20, 1856, a son of Jean and Marie Duhart, farmer folk, now both deceased. Of their ten children Bautista is the eighth in order of birth and received a good educa- tion in the schools of his native place where he was brought up on the farm. In 1878 he came to California locating at San Juan Capistrano and immediately went to work for Oyharzabal Bros.

He continued with them, caring for their stock for seven years when he formed a partnership with Pierre Daguerre, purchasing a flock of sheep and they continued together about five years, when he sold his interest to Mr. Daguerre and then became associated with D. Oyharzabal, raising sheep for nine years, when he sold out and located in Santa Ana and purchased a ranch on McClay Street which he set out to walnuts. Two years later he also purchased his present place of four acres on Hickey and Baker streets, Santa Ana, where he raises walnuts, oranges and lemons and where he has a comfortable residence from which place he operates his other ranch.

In Los Angeles in 1889 occurred the marriage of Mr. Duhart when he was united with Miss Marie Ydelaray, who was also born in Basses Pyrenees, France, and this union was blessed with seven children: Leona, deceased; Stephen assists his father on the ranch; Peter resides at Taft; Henrietta is Mrs. Crowell of Santa Ana; Helen and Miguel are deceased: and Josephine is the youngest. Mr. Dnhart is a member of the Tustin Lemon Growers Association and of the Santa Ana Walnut Growers Asso- ciation. With his family he is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Santa Ana, while politically he is a decided Republican.

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CARL G. GUTZMAN .- The proprietor of the popular Bon Ton Bakery, at 310 West Fourth Street, Santa Ana, Carl G. Gutzman was born in Pembroke, Ontario, Canada, on December 28, 1890. He was reared on a farm and attended the rural schools of his district. In 1912 Mr. Gutzman came to California and located at Ana- heim, where he learned the trade of a baker with the Wilson Bakery. In 1914. in partnership with his brother, Albert, he opened a bakery at La Habra, where he remained until 1915, when he sold his interest and followed his trade in various places in Southern California until he came back to Santa Ana in 1916. At first he entered the employ of D. F. Cook, proprietor of the Bon Ton Bakery, and continued as an employee until January 1, 1919, when he purchased it and became the sole owner.

The Bon Ton is the largest and most modern bakery in Santa Ana, and is strictly sanitary in all its appointments: the floors are of hardwood, the kitchen is light and airy; the huge oven is of the latest model, with white pressed brick front, and gas is used for fuel. The most modern machinery is installed for making bread and pastry. Mr. Gutzman buys his flour in carload lots, and before putting it into the mixer every sack is poured into the sifter, where it is both cleaned and screened, thus assuring the sanitation of every pound. The Bon Ton is one of the few bakeries in the county that nses this extra precaution. "Bon Ton Bread" has always been very popular with the people of Santa Ana, and their pastry and fancy cakes are also sold in large quantities. The average output of the bakery is 600 loaves daily. Mr. Gutzman is an enterprising and up-to-date business man and is making a great success of his business.

In Santa Ana in 1914, Mr. Gutzman was united in marriage with Miss Rosa Ana Krock, a native of Ohio, and they are the parents of two children: Dorothy Mildred and Oscar Eugene. He has much civic pride and is deeply interested in the Merchants and Manufacturers' Association of Santa Ana.

ARNOLD F. PEEK .- In applying himself to the solution of the important prob- lem. "What does the public really want?" Arnold F. Peek, proprietor of the Fourth Street Meat Market, has not only rendered good service to the community, but he has undertaken to do what was certain of bringing its own reward, and spelling for Mr. Peek unqualified success. He was born at White Cloud, Doniphan County, Kans., on July 21, 1892, and so came to California rather late-in 1904.

His father, W. S. Peek, was a dealer in furniture and hardware, and had a suc- cessful career, also, so that he was able to retire. He passed away, however, leaving a widow, who was Jennie Arnold before her marriage, and she is still breathing the balmy air of the Golden State.

Arnold's education was obtained at the grammar and high schools of his native state. and also at the State Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo. When able to assume the responsibilities of a business he formed a partnership and bought the Chicago Market at 318 East Fourth Street. Later he sold out his interest to his partner, and on November 1, 1916, he purchased full title to the Fourth Street Market, one of the oldest in the county. He has completed the furnishing in a thoroughly modern fashion, and by diligent attention to lfis patrons, both anticipating their needs and striving in all cases to satisfy their desires, he has built up a trade demanding the employment regularly of no less than five men. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants and Manufacturers' Association, and lends his influence in all cases to forwarding the permanent interests of both city and county.

On July 20, 1912, Mr. Peek was married to Miss Ionia Tunison, and they have three children: Stewart, Damaris and Gordon. He takes a keen interest in national politics, working with the Republicans, and prides himself that in local affairs he knows no party lines.

MERTON BLACKFORD .- The choice for the office of postmaster is not always wisely made, even after connselling and deliberation, but few if any communities in all California have greater reason for congratulation on account of the incumbent in the Federal office than has Fullerton, which is so well served by the Hon. Merton Blackford. a native of Illinois, but for years a thorough Californian. He was born at Hoopeston, Vermilion County, on January 14. 1878, the son of James A. Blackford, a sturdy farmer who had married Miss Lucinda Thomas, the latter of Welsh descent while the former's parents were from Kentucky and migrated to Indiana in an early day. They had five children, and Merton was the fourth in the order of birth. Both parents are now among the silent majority of mankind.

When he was still a child, the Blackfords moved to Holton, Jackson County. Kans., and there the lad continued his schooling. Afterward, he worked on a farm, and then for a couple of years he was busy with railroad express work.

Coming to California in 1901, Mr. Blackford located at Fullerton and took up one kind of occupation after another, in each case proving the man for the place. As

das. 36 Latourette Charlotte Latourette.

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY

a Democrat, he received the political support necessary for nomination as postmaster, and was appointed by President Wilson on February 15, 1916. Since that date the office has been conducted in the most approved manner, worthy of both the nation and the city, and in accord with the modern American spirit that insists on faithful and disinterested service, so much so that on June 4. 1920, he was renominated and again appointed for another term by President Wilson.

At Anaheim Mr. Blackford was married to Miss Edna M. Moss, a native of Kansas and the daughter of W. R. and Susan Moss of Olinda, by whom he has had three children: Alvin, Buford and Nina. Fond of outdoor life and baseball, Mr. Blackford also finds recreation and stimulation with his fellows in the Masons and the Woodmen of the World.

JAMES H. LATOURETTE .- A rancher who succeeded in converting an area of cactus and brush into one of the choice citrus groves of Orange County is James H. Latourette, who therehy discovered the true field for the exercise of his initiative and enterprise, that of hatching out baby chicks. He was born at Long Valley, Morris County, N. J., on January 16, 1865, the son of Obadiah and Martha (Apgar) Latourette, born in New Jersey. On his father's side he is descended from old French *Huguenot stock, who were early settlers on Long Island and later in New Jersey. James H. grew up to assist his father, who was a miller by trade but did general farming. He attended a private school at Long Valley, and at the age of eighteen took a trip to Omaha, where he worked at carpentering. He thus gradually ventured into contracting and building, and in that line busied himself for the next five years in Omaha. Then he removed to North Dakota, and settled in the new town of Amenia, in Cass County. He continued to contract for building, and he did all the building for the Amenia-Sharon Land Company, erecting grain elevators, farm buildings and farm homes. The Amenia- Sharon Company had 62,000 acres of North Dakota land, and they undertook to build a complete set of farm buildings on each section of land, after which they rented the same ont to tenants; and so satisfactory were his dealings with that go-ahead concern. that he remained in their service for fifteen years. To accomplish this he ran a crew of from ten to forty men.

In 1910, Mr. Latourette came to California with his family and settled at Anaheim, and here he purchased five acres on North Street, which he set out to Valencia orange trees. Needing fertilizer for his grove, he started raising poultry, establishing the Latourette Rhode Island Red Hatchery; and so successful has he been in this field that during the past season he has hatched, raised and sold some 17.000 baby chicks. His specialty is Rhode Island Reds, and he has at last reached that degree of prosperity that his name is a guarantee for anything sold or shipped by him. He keeps the finest stock obtainable and thus gets good results.

On Christmas Day, 1906, Mr. Latourette was married, at St. Paul, to Miss Char- lotte Crawford, a native of Ridgeway, Winneshiek County, Iowa, and a lady of natural accomplishments who was educated in that state. She is a daughter of Henry and Marjorie (McIntosh) Crawford, born on the Isle of Man and Wellsville, Ohio, respect- ively, who were settlers in Winneshiek County, Iowa, as early as 1854, where Mr. Crawford died; his widow survives him and now resides on her orange ranch on Pla- centia Avenue near Anaheim. Mrs. Latourette received her education at the Decorah Institute, after which she was engaged in educational work until she removed to North Dakota, where her brother, John Crawford, was a farmer and there she met and married Mr. Latourette. He gives no small amount of credit for his success to his devoted wife who has been a constant helpmate and an enthusiastic encouragement to him in his ambitions. They have two daughters, Marjorie Janet and Mildred Helen, hoth students in the Anaheim schools, and parents and children attend the Methodist Church of Anaheim. Mr. Latourette is a charter member of the Yeoman Lodge of Amenia, and was formerly an Odd Fellow.

LEO J. SHERIDAN .- There is always room at the top of the ladder for the climber who is anxious to reach that goal, and Leo J. Sheridan, the efficient secretary of the Anaheim Union Water Company, is an example of what may be accomplished hy a young man who applies himself energetically to his work, fulfills his duties to the best of his ability, and brings out the best that is in him.

Mr. Sheridan's native state is South Dakota, where he was born at Columbia, August 8, 1887. He attended the public schools in his native city, where he acquired a good education, and continued his studies for three years at St. Johns University. Collegeville, Minn. Returning to his native state. he engaged in mercantile pursuits, working in establishments at Columbia and at Mt. Vernon. S. D. He came to Anaheim, Cal., in 1911, and for three years was engaged with the Elliott and Bushard Realty Company as salesman. He then entered the employ of the Anaheim Union Water

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Company, starting at the bottom of the ladder. He worked in the company's pumping plants, gained a general knowledge of the business, and was appointed zanjero, holding this position for four years. He was detailed to office work in Anaheim one month of each year, and when a vacancy occurred in the office force in the fall of 1919 he was appointed secretary of the company.

His marriage united him with Miss Evelyn River of Iowa, and their union has been blessed by the birth of one child, a daughter, named Kathleen. Mr. Sheridan is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church, is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus, and is further affiliated fraternally with Anaheim Lodge, B. P. O. Elks.

ALBERT BINER .- A very energetic and successful young business man, who has by his efficient management become one of the largest manufacturers of soft drinks in Southern California, is Albert Biner, proprietor of the Santa Ana Soda Works, 807 West First Street. He first saw the light of day at Miles City, Mont., January 31, 1885, a son of Theophile and Julia (Truffer) Biner, natives of the Republic of Switzerland, who settled at this Montana town. The father, who was engaged in the contracting business there, is now a resident of Los Angeles.

Albert Biner's early education was received in the public schools of Montana and British Columbia, which was supplemented by a course in the Seattle Business College. In 1905, in company with his father and brothers, he established the Phoenix Brewing Company at Phoenix, B. C., where he continued in business for nine years; after retiring from the brewing company he located in Santa Ana in 1915, where he established the Biner & Mckay Bottling Works. The next year, having bought out his partner, Mr. Biner purchased the Santa Ana Soda Works from G. W. Wells, the pioneer soda manufacturer of Orange County, who had been engaged in the business here for fifteen years. Mr. Biner enlarged and greatly improved the plant, installing new machinery, so that it is now one of the best equipped plants of its kind in the state. He also installed a Lowe hydro bottle sterilizer and automatic filling machine. The "Jester Brand" is the trade mark of his products, his specialties being grape, orange and ginger ale, which he manufactures from his private formulae, and con- noisseurs pronounce them superior to the average soft drinks of this class. In addi- tion to his own soda business Mr. Biner has the agency for Los Angeles and Orange County for the new soft drink, Ward's Orange and Lemon Crush, a plant for manu- facturing these popular beverages having just been completed in Los Angeles. Mr. Biner is also Orange County agent for East Side Zest.

The extensiveness of Mr. Biner's business operations is better understood when one realizes that it requires five large trucks to deliver his products throughout the county. The great increase in his business has made it necessary for him to install another filling machine. The capacity of the plant is now 1,000 cases daily.

In 1910 Mr. Biner was united in marriage with May Kreider, the ceremony being solemnized at Olympia, Wash., and this union has been blessed with four children: Marjorie, Genevieve, Carolyn and Leo. Mr. Biner's enterprising spirit is shown by his membership in the Santa Ana Merchants and Manufacturers Association and the Chamber of Commerce of that city.

ALVIN F. NOWOTNY .- A rising young man in Anaheim and vicinity is Alvin F. Nowotny, who came very naturally and honestly by his special gifts, for his father was one of the men in the early days of Texas capable of filling public office and assum- ing a progressive and an aggressive leadership. Our subject was born in New Braun- fels, Texas, on March 2, 1887, the son of Frank and Mary Nowotny, and from his boy- hood he profited by all the advantages arising from the fact that his father, when he was only twenty-four years of age, had been elected city marshal, which office he filled with signal ability until the time of the Civil War. Then he enlisted for active service at the front, but was discharged on account of physical disability and made sheriff, which office he held till 1870; that year and for the following two years, he served as a Texas ranger and helped to drive the Indians out of Texas. In the early seventies he purchased his ranch near New Braunfels, and there he reared his family. Having come from Bohemia, Austria, when he was sixteen years old, and settled in Texas, Frank Nowotny brought with him some of the best Old World blood and spirit of thrift and endurance; and his wife was equally fortunate in her inheritance, for she was born in Luxemburg, and came to America with her parents when she was three years old.

Alvin Nowotny was sent to the grade school in New Braunfels, but having lost his mother when he was twelve years old, he started to work in a grocery store, and ever since then he has been working for himself. He spent fifteen years in the grocery trade, and then he embarked in insurance. He also had a "try" at the hotel management, which if it did nothing else for him, enlarged considerably his knowledge of human nature. In 1908 he came out to Anaheim and entered the mercantile field with Fred

Mr.and Mrs. Emest S. Gregory.

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Ahlborn; and he remained with him until 1913. In 1914, he tried his luck at men's furnishings, but after a year, he sold out. Then, in 1915, he went into the grocery busi- ness with Fred Marsh, but since then he has been occupied in extending the ever- enlarging field of the Metropolitan Insurance Company of New York, as assistant superintendent of the Anaheim district.

Mr. Nowotny not only made his home in Anaheim since coming to California, but in April, 1920, he purchased his ranch of five acres on East North Street. It was set out to Valencia orange trees, six and eight years old; and this, with his customary foresight and enterprise, he has brought to a still higher state of cultivation. His land is watered from Pumping Plant, Section No. 2. He belongs to the Anaheim Cooperative Orange Association, and contributes as far as he is able to its excellent work.

On June 5, 1907, Mr. Nowotny was married to Miss Ella Riley, who was born in the vicinity of New Braunfels, the daughter of John Riley who had married Johanna Kloepper. The Kloepper family came to Texas in 1849, while the Rileys came to the Lone Star State nineteen years before. Mrs. Nowotny, attended the grade schools of New Braunfels. Two children blessed this union of Mr. and Mrs. Nowotny-Raymond A. and Alvin Wilbur. Mr. Nowotny is a Democrat; is a member of the Lutheran Church of Anaheim; and belongs to the Masons and the Elks.

ERNEST S. GREGORY .- The success that has attended Ernest S. Gregory in his vocation of building contractor is due to honest dealing, thorough workmanship, artistic ability and an earnest effort to give satisfaction to his patrons.

Mr. Gregory is a native of the Old Dominion, and was born March 3, 1881, in Chesterfield County, Va. Reared on a farm, he attended the country schools, and at the age of nineteen sought a wider field for his ambition and talents in California, locating at Fullerton, where he learned the carpenter's trade with contractor C. H. Smith. This was supplemented by a course at Throop Polytechnic Institute at Pasa- dena, and a course in the International Correspondence School at Scranton, Pa., in mathematics and drafting, for which he received a diploma. After two years at Fuller- ton he went to Los Angeles and became foreman of one of the largest building concerns in that city, erecting over 3,000 bungalows for this company in eleven years. During these years he used to make short visits to Fullerton, where he built three or four houses a year, and in the spring of 1919 he located permanently at Fullerton. The character of the people who have chosen Fullerton as their home is such as to demand for the individual's comfort the very best that can be procured for the money expended, and Mr. Gregory caters to the middle class of people who want to own their own homes. He purchases lots, draws his own plans, endeavors to make each one a little different from the others, builds bungalows and sells them on the installment plan. In 1919 he erected thirty bungalows, and in 1920 has averaged one home a week. Among the artistic work he has done may be mentioned some of the homes at Ramona, and homes in the Home Builders and Victoria Square tracts. A prominent banker at Fullerton recently said that E. S. Gregory had done more to upbuild the city of Fullerton the past two years than any other man in the place. The conception of Mr. Gregory's bungalows are especially artistic, and they sell readily, many of them having added charm by reason of their situation among the orange and walnut orchards.

Mr. Gregory's marriage united him with Miss Laura E. Gage, a native of Kansas, and of their union have been born two children, Esther and Ellsworth. Mr. Gregory has realized his ambition to secure a solid and substantial start in the world to a gratifying extent, and Fullerton is deeply indebted to this broad-gauged, self-made man, who has added so much to the material comfort of her citizens and the wealth and artistic beauty of the city. With his wife Mr. Gregory holds a high position among the residents of Fullerton, and they number the most intelligent and cultured people of the place among their friends. Mr. Gregory is a member of the Fullerton Club and the Board of Trade.

REV. ARTHUR T. O'REAR .- Coming to Santa Ana on January 1, 1916, to take the pastorate of the Spurgeon Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Arthur T. O'Rear has become closely identified with all the movements that aim to encour- age, foster and strengthen the moral and uplifting forces of the community. Not alone has his church shown a steady growth, both in members and influence, but Reverend O'Rear has also given much of his time to activities of a civic and public nature. During the war he was especially active in all the local work, taking a prominent part in all the Liberty Loan drives and serving as vice-president of the County Council of Defense. At present he is a member of the Reconstruction Committee; executive secretary of the Near East Relief Association; a director of the Social Service Board; treasurer of the new Santa Ana Hospital Association; chairman of the Inter-Church .

World Conference for Orange County, and president of the Santa Ana Ministerial Association.

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A native of Virginia, Arthur T. O'Rear was born at Glade Spring, Washington County, October 6, 1878. His parents were John C. and Martha C. (Brooks) O'Rear, the former born at Winchester, Tenn., and the latter in Tazewell County, Va. A descendant of old Revolutionary stock, Arthur O'Rear is eligible to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution. For generations many members of his family have stood high in professional circles, numbering among them judges, ministers and educators, one cousin being for eight years chief justice of the Supreme Court of Kentucky.

Educated in his early years in the public schools of Virginia, Reverend O'Rear later attended the Glade Spring Military Academy for four years. Glade Spring is a Methodist community and he became a member of this denomination when a young man. Later he took a four years' course at the Emory and Henry Methodist College, at Emory, Va., a famous ministerial college of the South, graduating in 1898. He then entered Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tenn., where he took a post-graduate course. Taking up missionary work, he spent four years in the mountains of North Carolina, having headquarters at Asheville, and also taught school in West Virginia.

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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 164

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