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 26

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 26

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Thus with the three great requisites for success in agriculture and horti- culture, viz. : Fertile soil, equable climate and abundant water. Orange County is forging ahead with giant strides, as note the increase in annual productions fron $12,294,694, reported by the county statistician in 1910, to $77,152,500, reported by the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce in 1919.

BIOGRAPHICAL

WILLIAM H. SPURGEON .- The family represented by William H. Spurgeon, the founder of Santa Ana, is of English extraction, and has been identified with America for several generations. His father, Granville Spurgeon, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., engaged in agricultural pursuits in Henry County, that state, for some years and from there removed to Bartholomew County, Ind., in 1830, and became a pioneer farmer of the Hoosier state. Ten years later he took his family to Clark County, Mo., and there, too, undertook the development of a farm from raw prairie. Admirably qualified by nature for the task of pioneering, he led a busy life in the midst of frontier surroundings that would have daunted a less adventurous spirit. In 1864, he decided to come to California, and accompanied by his family, he crossed the plains in a prairie schooner drawn by mules. After a long, tedious journey they reached Solano County, and near what is now Cordelia, settled and remained until his death, which occurred in 1867, a short time after the death of his wife, Lavinia (Sibley) Spurgeon, a native of Prince Edward County, Va., and of Scotch lineage.

It was during the residence of the family in Henry County, Ky., that their son, William H., was born on October 10, 1829. When a babe in arms he was taken to Indiana, and thence in 1840 accompanied his family to Missouri, where he was reared and received a practical common school education. At the age of sixteen he became a clerk in a country store at Alexandria, where he was employed for several years. Shortly after the discovery of gold in California he determined to seek his fortune here, coming by way of New Orleans and the Isthmus of Panama. He spent four years in California, working in the gold mines, and met with financial success; he also served in the Rogue River Indian War. In 1856 he returned by way of Panama to New York City, and thence to Missouri, becoming connected with a mercantile busi- ness at Athens, where he remained for some time.

The second journey made by Mr. Spurgeon to California was in company with his father and other members of his family across the plains in 1864. In 1867 he went to Los Angeles, and during his brief stay there his wife, Martha (Moreland) Spurgeon, a native of Kentucky, died. Soon afterward he returned again to Clark County, Mo., and from there, in 1869, came to what is now Santa Ana. Upon his arrival he pur- chased seyentv-six acres of the Santiago de Santa Ana grant, which originally con- tained 62,000 acres. Immediately after buying this property he proceeded to lay out the present town of Santa Ana, employing for this purpose Mr. Wright, a well- known surveyor and civil engineer. The name the town bears was given it by Mr. Spurgeon in honor of the old Spanish grant. When he located here there were but few trees in the entire valley and the country was covered with wild mustard so high that he could not look over it from horseback, and in order to view the valley that contained his purchase he climbed one of the sycamore trees. The town of Tustin had just been started and the Los Angeles and San Diego stage road lay through the town and about three miles from Mr. Spurgeon's land. In order to get the stage to come through his purchase and to get a post office established he cut a road through the mustard at his own expense. He then built a small building of redwood on what is now the southwest corner of Fourth and Broadway, and in this conducted a gen- eral store, the first in Santa Ana, and it is said that all the goods contained therein at the opening could have been hauled away in a wheel barrow. As the population grew and the needs of the community became greater he added to his stock until he carried a large variety of general merchandise, and for eighteen years conducted a successful business, during which time he became widely known throughout this sec- tion as a reliable' merchant and progressive citizen.

Mr. Spurgeon put down the first artesian well in this section, which yielded an ample supply of water at 300 feet and supplied the town for some time, thus estab- lishing the first water works here. In order to induce settlers to locate at first he would give one lot to anyone buying one, and in that way sold a lot at the corner of Fourth and Main streets for fifteen dollars, and to induce the man to accept the bargain, he threw in another one of equal size adjoining. To show the wonderful

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growth of Santa Ana, this property has increased in value until it is now held at approximately $85,000.

During his life as a merchant Mr. Spurgeon acted as agent at Santa Ana for the Wells Fargo Express Company, and also filled the office of postmaster. After the organization of Santa Ana as a city he was chosen a member of the first board of trustees and served as president of same. Scarcely an enterprise was organized for the benefit of Santa Ana with which his name was not identified, either directly or indirectly. For twenty-five years he held the lot where the courthouse stands for its present nse, refusing many offers for it for other purposes. He donated the lot for the Spurgeon Memorial Methodist Church South. It was his privilege to see the city, started by his foresight and built up by the energy of such men as he, take its place among the representative cities of Southern California. How much of the credit due for this result is due to his wise judgment would be difficult to state, but it is a recognized fact that Santa Ana owes to no citizen more than it does to Mr. Spur- geon. He was always an advocate of good schools and every movement for the social and moral betterment of the community met with his cooperation.

Realizing the necessity for the town to possess favorable banking facilities, Mr. Spurgeon turned his attention to the establishment of a bank and, with others, incor- porated the First National Bank of Santa Ana, of which institution he was chosen president, and during the term of his service the bank secured the solid financial basis upon which its subsequent prosperity has been built. He promoted the Santa Ana Gas Company, which he served as president, was a stockholder and director of the Santa Ana Gas and Electric Company, which succeeded to the business of the former company, and he was financially interested in the Santa Ana Valley Irrigation Company for five years, and for three years served as its president, and also as a members of the board of directors. As a home place he owned twenty acres of land at the east end of Fourth Street, part of which he sold to the Southern Pacific and to the Santa Fe for depot and yard purposes. Realizing the value of transportation facilities he used all his influence to get the roads to extend their lines to Santa Ana. He later owned a tract of thirty, and also one of ten acres which he, himself, planted to walnuts.

Mr. Spurgeon was always a staunch Democrat, and was chosen by his party to various positions of trust and honor. He served as a member of the state assembly, representing his district of Los Angeles County, this being before Orange County was organized. He served one term as supervisor before the partition of Orange County, and after the organization of the county was again elected supervisor, serv- ing as chairman of the board. He was an active member of the Merchants and Manu- facturers Association, and also of the Chamber of Commerce of Santa Ana.

Mr. Spurgeon's farsightedness and keen perception is seen when supervisor of Los Angeles County. In the early days he was not slow to see that this end of the county was neglected and did not get the aid nor public improvement it was entitled to, so it was then the idea came to him that the proper way to get what was due in this end of the county was county division and a separate county, and in that case he saw that Santa Ana would no doubt be the county seat, and so strong was his desire in that direction and so certain was he of it, he kept the block now occu- pied by the court house for that very purpose, and would not consent to sell it to any one, although he had some splendid offers for it. His ambition was finally realized -Santa Ana as the county seat and his choice of block selected as the court house site was no longer a dream but became a reality, thus fulfilling his ambition.

Mr. Spurgeon's second marriage occurred in Santa Ana on April 14, 1872, uniting him and Miss Jennie English, a native of New Madrid County, Mo., who came to this part of California from Santa Cruz County in 1869 with her parents. Her father, Robert English, first crossed the plains in 1850 from Missouri, and after some time spent in California, returned to his home. From there he subsequently moved with his family to Texas, from which place, in 1861, they crossed the plains from Red River to California by ox team, settling at El Monte. While on their tedious journey they were joined from time to time by different immigrants until their train numbered sixty wagons. They had several skirmishes with the Indians, but suffered no losses. Both Mr. and Mrs. English died in Santa Ana. Mr. and Mrs. Spurgeon became the parents of five children: Grace, the wife of R. L. Bisby of Santa Ana; Lottie and Mary deceased; William H., Jr., is prominent in the furniture business in Santa Ana, and Robert Granville resides at Long Beach, having served in the U. S. Navy in the World War.

On February 24, 1909, Mr. Spurgeon incorporated his property under the title of the W. H. Spurgeon Realty Company, the members of his family being associ- ated with him as directors of the corporation, and he himself being president until

Joah Palmer

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his death on June 20, 1915. During the last years of his life the company built the W. H. Spurgeon Block on the corner of Fourth and Sycamore streets, the largest and most pretentious building in the city, a fitting monument to its founder. Mrs. Spurgeon survives her husband and continues to make her home in the city she has seen built up from a stubble field and in the development of which she has taken a woman's part, aiding and encouraging her husband in his ambition to see it a beau- tiful city with modern public improvements, with its paved streets, as well as being one of the principals in making it the seat of government of the county, a desire that was very keen and dear to them both. Her children are looking after the large affairs left by her husband, and by their love and devotion do all they can to shield her from worry and care.

The life of Mr. Spurgeon illustrates the possibilities which Southern California offers men of energy and judgment, where the opportunities for wise investments and large returns are even greater than they were in the early days. The record of Santa Ana's founder, who started with less than $1,000, is an example that is worthy of emulation and one that will encourage many another young man in his struggle toward success. In October, 1909, during the carnival of the Parade of Products held in Santa Ana, Mr. Spurgeon was presented with a memorial-a beautiful piece of art work done in colors with a pen, setting forth his identification with the county's interests. By a happy coincidence it was the eightieth year of Mr. Spurgeon's birth, the fortieth year of the founding of Santa Ana and the twentieth year of the organiza- tion of Orange County.

NOAH PALMER .- The passing away in January, 1916, of Noah Palmer, at the age of ninety-six, closed a career whose value and service to the community, indeed to the whole of Orange County, would be difficult to measure. Intimately associated with practically every enterprise that concerned the early development of Santa Ana, it is perhaps in his especial ability as a financier that he was most closely identified with the great progress made in this section of Orange County. Possessed in an unusual measure of keenness and discernment of mind, he was always quick to grasp advantages, albeit he was of a conservative temperament, so that, although his judg- ment was quick and decisive, he was never led into developments of a speculative character. A pioneer of '49, it was his privilege to witness such a transformation throughout the commonwealth of California as can never again take place within the confines of the United States, so marvelous has been the change that has been wrought in those years.

The Empire State was Mr. Palmer's native home, his birth having occurred Sep- tember 3, 1820, at Lowville, Lewis County, N. Y. His parents were Ephraim and Hannah (Phelps) Palmer, natives of New York, and there they spent all their days. Ephraim Palmer came of a long and honored line of English ancestry, his forbears being of the Quaker faith, and he lived a well-rounded out life, reaching the age of eighty-eight years; the mother passed away in early womanhood, when Noah was but seven years of age. An older sister lived in Jefferson County, N. Y., and there Noah went to live after his mother's death. He remained there until he was eighteen years old, receiving a good education in the local schools of the vicinity. He then began life on his own account as a school teacher, continuing in this profession for ten years, first in New York, until 1840, when he went to Indiana. In 1849, when the news of the discovery of gold in California went like wildfire over the country, even to the backwoods hamlets, Noah Palmer, like thousands of other young men, was fired with an ambition to seek his fortune in this new Eldorado. Joining the Isaac Owen missionary train he set out on the long journey, and for six long, weary months they slowly wended their way acress the plains and desert, a journey that was fraught not alone with hardship but with many dangers. The hard work of mining, at Hangtown, now Placerville, however, proved too much for Mr. Palmer. so he went to San Jose and began farming, later removing to Santa Clara, where he continued ranching for many years. In 1852 he returned East and with his wife and little daughter started back to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, making the rough trip across the Isthmus on mule back, there being no railroad in those early days. The family established their home in Santa Clara County, and for a number of years Mr. Palmer was quite active in political life, being a leader in Republican circles. For four years he served as tax collector of Santa Clara County, and represented his district in the state legislature for one term.

In August, 1873, Mr. Palmer came to Santa Ana, then only a small hamlet. There was little to attract one at that time, as there had been but little improvement of the surrounding country, and this offered but scant promise of the possibilities that eventually were unfolded. With that keen foresight that was ever a dominating

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characteristic, Mr. Palmer felt that success awaited the pioneer here who had patience and perseverance, coupled with energy. He returned to Santa Clara, and on Decem- ber 1, of that same year, he closed a deal for 1765 acres, comprising a part of the old Santiago de Santa Ana grant, originally a tract of 62,000 acres. On his return to this locality he was accompanied by a number of his friends in Santa Clara, and to them he disposed of 1065 acres, giving them their choice of location. He re- tained 700 acres, and this he put under cultivation and produced some of the best crops ever seen in this section. This land was all within the corporate limits of Santa Ana, now all subdivided into town lots except forty-five acres. His friends built on their various properties, and also farmed with success for years.

In 1882 Mr. Palmer began his active interest in the banking field, for which his abilities especially fitted him. With W. S. Bartlett, Daniel Halladay and others he organized the Commercial Bank of Santa Ana, with Mr. Halladay the first presi- dent. After a very few years Mr. Palmer succeeded to that office, and held it until April 23, 1910, when he retired. He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Orange and served as its president until the bank was sold. He was also a director of the Bank of Tustin and of the Orange County Savings Bank-now the Orange County Trust and Savings Bank. He was active in the promotion of the Santa Ana, Orange and Tustin Railway and was the first president of the company. In each of these developments he was enabled to further the material progress of the county by stabilizing the financial foundation of the locality through his wise oversight. and by aiding those who were in need of capital to carry on the agricultural and horti- cultural development that has brought undreamed-of wealth to the county.

While a school teacher in Franklin County, Ind., Mr. Palmer was married in March, 1843, to Miss Susan Evans, born January 28, 1824, in that county. She passed away on October 28, 1903, after a wedded life of over sixty years, in which there had been more than the usual share of eventful interest. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, two of whom are living: Emma Palmer, Mrs. George J. Mosbaugh, who is the mother of a son by a former marriage-H. Percy Thelan of Santa Ana; and Miss Lottie E. Palmer. Mrs. Almira A. Hewitt, the eldest daugh- ter, died in March, 1912, leaving three children, Fred P., William L., and a daughter, Mrs. Susy Deuel. Mrs. Mosbaugh and Miss Lottie E. Palmer are residents of Santa Ana, and through their loving ministrations the latter years of Mr. Palmer's well- spent life were surrounded with every care and comfort.

WILLIAM N. TEDFORD .- Coming to Newport Valley, then in Los Angeles County, in 1868, William N. Tedford was the first settler of the Valley, as he and his family were the only Americans here at that time. Following him were Isaac Williams, Jacob Ross, Thomas Smith and Thomas Cozad, all of whose names were associated with the pioneer days of this section.

Of Scotch-Irish extraction, the first representative of the Tedford family in this country was an early settler of Virginia, members of the family subsequently settling in Tennessee. This state was the birthplace of John Tedford, the father of our subject, and he continued the westward march of the family, removing to Ran- dolph County, Mo. While a resident of Tennessee he had married Miss Catherine Hannah, and there William N. Tedford was born on August 16, 1826. At the age of five he accompanied his parents to Randolph County, Mo., where he grew to man- hood. Here he was married, May 19, 1852, choosing for his companion Miss Nancy Jane Baker, the daughter of Isaac and Jane (Mccullough) Baker, natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Tennessee.

In 1864, twelve years after their marriage, and after five of their children were born, emulating the pioneer spirit of his forbears, Mr. Tedford, with his wife and family, started on the long journey across the plains with ox teams, reaching Solano County, Cal., in September of that year. Remaining there for two years, they re- moved to Monterey County, where they engaged in farming for another two years. In 1868 they came to what is now Orange County, settling on sixty acres of raw land in Newport Valley which Mr. Tedford had purchased. Although the country was wild and barren, they set to work to improve the land and make a home, and it was their privilege to see the surrounding territory transformed from its uninhabited. desolate state to prosperous ranches and orchards. It is safe to say that none of the old settlers of Orange County rejoiced in its development more sincerely than did Mr. Tedford, who had been so closely associated with its earliest days, and who did his share in helping to make it the garden spot of the country.

The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tedford: Walter B .; Ed- ward; Mrs. Emma J. Maxwell, now deceased; Thomas F .; Mrs. Katie M. Felton: Mrs. Maggie L. Young; Charles L .; Mattie Susan, wife of Rev. C. R. Gray; George

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I., and Harry A., now deceased. The five eldest were born in Missouri, the younger children all being native sons and daughters of California. 1n 1899 Mr. Tedford sold his ranch to his son-in-law, E. W. Felton, and purchased a residence at Spurgeon and Third streets, Santa Ana, and here he made his home until his death, on November 9, 1905, Mrs. Tedford surviving him until 1919. Always a Democrat in his political sympathies, Mr. Tedford took an active part in the affairs of his party, and among other offices of trust he served as supervisor of Orange County for four years.

CHARLES C. CHAPMAN .- Genealogical records give the year 1650 as the date of the founding of the Chapman family in America by the arrival in the new world of three brothers from England, who became the progenitors of a numerous race that. taking root in Massachusetts, spread its branches throughout the growing colonies of the Central West. No representative of this family was more worthy than Sidney Smith Chapman, who was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1827. He followed the west- ward tide of emigration at an early age, settling in Illinois when he was a youth of eighteen and embarking in the building business. While he never achieved wealth he was singularly fortunate in gaining that which is far more enduring-the sincere regard of friends and the affectionate admiration of business associates. Into the building of houses he put the same integrity and the same patient industry that he put into the building of his fine personal character and his deep Christian faith.

After a long period of labor as a builder in Macomb, Ill., Sidney S. Chapman removed to Vermont, same state, in 1868 and later followed his trade in Chicago, where he and his first wife were charter members of the West Side Christian Church. During the World's Fair his health failed and in October of 1893 he passed from earth. His life, as it was ordered, contained not only happiness, but also sorrow and dis- appointment. Whatever came to him he bore with simple dignity and quiet courage, seldom giving utterance to any words save those of hope. As a workman he was not content with the mere completion of a task, but strove to finish each contract with greater skill than he had displayed in previous efforts. He was a firm supporter of prohibition, and politically a Republican. To his descendants he left the heritage of a life that was a model of uprightness and simple devotion to duty.

In 1848 S. S. Chapman married Rebecca Jane Clarke, eldest daughter of David and Eliza (Russell) Clarke, both natives of Kentucky, where the daughter also was born. The family of Mr. Chapman by this marriage numbered ten children, seven of whom attained years of maturity and five are now living, viz .: Charles C., whose name introduces this narrative; Christopher C., an orange grower near Yorba Linda; Samuel James, who is engaged in the real estate business in Los Angeles; Dolla, Mrs. W. C. Harris, whose husband is a well known builder and successful architect of Los Angeles; and Louella, Mrs. J. Charles Thamer, of Placentia. Cal. The eldest son, Col. Frank M., died in Covina, this state in 1909. Emma E., Mrs. L. W. B. Johnson, died in Illinois in 1888, leaving a son and daughter. The wife and mother passed away at the family home in Chicago January 2, 1874, and later her youngest sister became the wife of S. S. Chapman, their union resulting in the birth of three children, Ira, Earl and Nina. After the death of her husband the widow remained in Chicago for several years, but subsequently removed to Los Angeles, where she died.

During the residence of the family in Macomb, Ill., Charles C. Chapman was born July 2, 1853, and in that city his education was secured, but he owes more to self-culture than to text-books, more to determination and will-power than to youthful opportunities. His first employment was that of messenger boy and he recalls carry- ing the message that announced the assassination of of President Lincoln. Later he clerked in a store and in 1869 joined his father at Vermont, Ill., where he learned the trade of bricklayer. On the 19th of December, 1871, he went to Chicago and imme- diately secured employment, first working as a bricklayer and in 1873 superintending the erection of several buildings, after which he engaged in the mercantile business. During 1876-77 he engaged in canvassing in the interests of a local historical work in his native county and during 1878 he embarked in a similar enterprise for himself at Galesburg, Ill., whence the office in 1880 was moved to Chicago. The business was first conducted under his own name and after his brother, Frank M., became a partner. the firm name was changed to Chapman Brothers and later to the Chapman Pub- lishing Company.

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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 26

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