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 46

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 46

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In 1909 he became manager of the Orange County Fruit Exchange with only two members, the Santiago Association and the David Hewes Ranch Company. It was shown that only about thirty per cent of the product grown was marketed through the Exchange, and the new manager at once started to awaken an interest among the growers, so that by 1915 he had organized, or helped to organize, seven additional associations through which practically seventy-five per cent of the crop was marketed. These included Tustin Hills, Tustin Lemon Association, Villa Park Orchards, Central Lemon, Olive Heights Citrus, McPherson Heights Citrus and Garden Grove Citrus associations. In July, 1915, David Hewes passed away, a few months after he had organized the David Hewes Realty Corporation, and the property passed to the heirs. The directors of the company cast about for the right man to manage the business, and selected Mr. Huff, knowing he could manage, direct and develop, and he assumed

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his duties and at once began to put in operation his advanced ideas, and has continued to serve the company with satisfaction to all concerned ever since, all the time making the ranch more productive and bringing about a steady and strong market, as well as a demand for a highly standardized grade and pack.

Mr. Huff is also a grower himself, owning one or more groves, and bringing them to a higher state of productivity before selling them. He has always been a hard worker, has a keen, analytical mind, ever alert in the interest of the cause he espouses, a winning personality and the ability to convince others, all of which have been a great help to his achievement. He sees a great future for the citrus growers and knows many problems will arise with the development of new groves that will call for the cooperation of all the growers to solve. He is always willing to give advice as to latest methods of care for groves, best bud selection, and picking and packing of the fruit. Mr. Huff was manager of the Orange County Fruit Exchange, during which time he was its member on the central board of directors; since 1915 he has been a director of the Orange County Exchange; is a director and one of the incorporators of the Exchange Byproducts Company, operating the Corona Lemon Products plant; was president of the Orange County Associated Chambers of Com- merce, and believes in forwarding all projects for the upbuilding of Southern Cali- fornia, and plans greater projects for the development of the great Hewes ranch.

The marriage of D. Eyman Huff with Miss Blanche L. Waite was celebrated on April 20, 1901, and united him with a popular lady who grew up in California from a small child. Her parents, Earl and Inez (Robb) Waite, were natives of New York and Ohio, respectively, who came to California about 1884 with their family of four children. The parents are now residents of Long Beach. Mrs. Huff was educated in the schools of Los Angeles and has lived in this vicinity for many years. They have a son, Chauncey Earl Huff, born 1902, and graduated from the Orange high school. He is an amateur wireless operator, and is now taking a course at the Southwestern University in Los Angeles in commercial and business law. Mrs. Huff has ever been an inspiration to her accomplished husband, and shares with him the esteem of a host of friends in Southern California. Mr. Huff is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, and in politics is a stanch Republican in national affairs, although he does not draw the party line when it comes to local issues, supporting the men and meas- ures he considers best suited for the office and people.

CALVIN E. JACKSON .- Law and order could not fail to be among the first appeals in favor of residence in Orange County, so long as that office is filled by such a man as Calvin E. Jackson, who is one of the most popular of California sheriffs, as he always has been the most respected. A man who holds the respect of all who know him, even the criminals whom he causes to be arrested, for they know that at his hands they will be dealt with in justice to the crime committed. His reputation of always giving a square deal in every instance is widely known.

A native of Alabama, Mr. Jackson was born at La Grange, on May 24, 1868, a son of James M. and Ellen (Ferguson) Jackson, the latter dying when her son was but two years of age, so that he has no recollection of his mother or of a mother's love and tender care. James M. Jackson was a mechanic of exceptional ability, who in 1876, when Calvin E. was a lad of eight, removed from Alabama to Texas and is still a resident of that state, living in Stephensville at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Calvin attended the public schools of Alabama and Texas in pursuit of his education, but the school of "hard knocks" supplied him with the greater part of his experience. As he grew to young manhood in Texas he rode the range and in that way learned to know men and conditions. Being a natural leader he decided to come to California in hopes that he would be able to find a broader scope for his talents and in that he has not been disappointed. In 1887 he landed in San Bernardino and worked at the carpenter's trade for two years, learning the business, after which, in 1889, he came to what is now Orange County, and here cast his first vote for the new county then being formed. He worked as a journeyman carpenter for several years in various sections of the county and then for eighteen years was a contractor and builder, em- ploying several men in his operations. He has to his credit the erection of many of the old-time residences throughout the county and these homes stand today as evidence of his skill and thorough understanding of his trade.

Mr. Jackson has always had an interest in politics and was more or less promi- nent in the circles of the Democratic party. In 1906 he was elected to the responsible office of constable and served in that very difficult office for eight years. During thet time he became very well informed as to the hahits of criminals and successfully trailed them to their haunts. His successful discharge of all the duties of his office led to his election, in 1914. to the office of sheriff of the county and after four years' service he was again elected to succeed himself. Since he took up his duties he has

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inaugurated many reforms in the conduct of his office, systematized the handling of prisoners and their capture, his duties of constable having been invaluable to him in this larger field. His first word is efficiency, and he never sends any of his deputies into places of danger that he won't go himself, in fact he nearly always takes the lead when danger threatens in the capture or apprehension of a criminal. Even with the increasing of the population in the county, crime is really decreasing in proportion. It has often been said of Sheriff Jackson that "when he goes after a man he usually gets him," and no finer compliment can be paid a public official.

The marriage of C. E. Jackson and Miss Ida Cox, a native daughter, born at Downey, Cal., the daughter of George W. Cox, a pioneer who crossed the plains from Texas in 1869, was celebrated on March 27, 1889, and they have become the parents of two daughters-Lela, a teacher in the schools of Los Angeles; and Elaine, is the wife of W. M. Wilson of Long Beach and the mother of a daughter, Loraine. Mrs. Jackson shares with her husband the esteem of their many friends. The home of the family has been in Santa Ana for many years, in fact Mr. Jackson has lived here ever since the county was organized and is therefore well and favorably known in every part of it. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Santa Ana Lodge No. 794, B. P. O. Elks. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are deeply interested in the upbuilding of the county, are supporters of all movements that have for their aim the betterment of civic and social conditions and of making Orange County a better place in which to live.

COL. J. K. TUFFREE .- Coming to Anaheim in 1872, Col. J. K. Tuffree will ever he remembered as one of Orange County's stanch pioneers. While St. Louis, Mo., was his birthplace, he was descended from an old Baltimore, Md., family who traced their ancestry back to France, the family name being originally spelled Trefrey, of the French Huguenots. He was reared in St. Louis, where he received 'a splendid educa- tion. On the breaking out of the Civil War, he united his fortunes with the cause of the Confederacy and served throughout the conflict, and it was no doubt owing to this service that his old friends and the old settlers of Orange County and Southern California called him Colonel Tuffree.

Immediately after the close of the war, Colonel Tuffree came to California and for a time he was with the Union Pacific as a dispatcher, being the first dispatcher located at Truckee. Afterwards he came to San Francisco, being stationed at the terminal, and while there he made the acquaintance of C. B. Polhemus, as well as his daughter, Carolina. The acquaintance with the daughter ripened into love and resulted in their marriage. She was born in Paita, Peru, but was reared and educated in San Jose, Cal., and was a cultured and refined woman, and their union proved to be a very happy one. C. B. Polhemus was an Eastener of a prominent and highly esteemed family, and a man of an excellent education. He came from Mt. Holly, N. Y., and was a son of Captain Polhemns, who served in the Revolutionary War. Possessing a love for travel and adventure he made the trip to Paita, Peru, via Cape Horn, where he was engaged in the banking and mercantile business and also served as U. S. Consul. In 1852 he came to San Francisco. He made a number of trips to Peru, remaining for long periods in that country and while there met and married Miss Garay, the beautiful daughter of Governor Garay, then governor of Peru. On the death of his wife he returned with his daughter to California and they made their home in San Jose. He owned a ranch at Gilroy and later also bought Commodore Stockton's ranch, and in order to obtain shipping facilities he built a railroad known as Alsip and Company, of which he was president until it was sold to C. P. Huntington and associates. Aside from his large mercantile interests, Mr. Polhemus was a large landowner and one of the six original owners of the Don Abel Stearns Rancho Company, comprising five large ranchos of 200 square miles.

After Colonel Tuffree's marriage, he made a trip East with his bride, remaining about one year in New Jersey and Delaware. On his return to California, he located in Anaheim, becoming manager of Don Abel Stearns Rancho Company, later on locating in Placentia on their ranch, comprising parts of sections nineteen and thirty of the old Rancho San Juan Cajon de Santa Ana, naming it "De Buena Vista." It included 662 acres and had been given them as a wedding present. Colonel Tuffree began farming his ranch and was also manager of the Stearns Rancho Company until his own affairs having grown to such large proportions that they required all of his time, he resigned his position and devoted all of his time to ranching and horticulture. He took a leading and active part in irrigating matters and was one of the original directors of the Anaheim Union Water Company and was active in the development which brought water for irrigating purposes over this section of the county. To do away with the necessity of irrigating at night he suggested a large reservoir to store the water when

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it could be used next day. The reservoir was built on his ranch and still goes by the name of Tuffree reservoir. He was also the owner of lands in San Diego County. Colonel Tuffree was one of the organizers of Orange County and took a prominent part in the affairs of the new county, and his interest in its development continued until his death, in 1903. He was a Mason and always a strong Democrat. After his death Mrs. Tuffree continued to reside at the old Tuffree home, surrounded by her children. who relieved her as far as possible from all worry and care. She passed away in June, 1915, aged sixty-two.

Colonel and Mrs. Tuffree were the parents of nine children, as follows: Frederick B. resides on a part of the old Tuffree ranch; Juanita C. is the wife of Alonzo E. Yorba and also lives on a part of the ranch; Charles P. died at the age of thirty-two, in 1908; George R. died in infancy; Nellie A. is the wife of John A. Lloyd of San Francisco; John C. and Henry D. are ranchers at Placentia; Mariquita R. is Mrs. O'Brien of Honolulu; S. James, of Placentia, who is manager of Tuffree Heirs' rancho. Orange County owes much of its present greatness to men and women of Colonel and Mrs. Tuffree's type, for much of it is due to their optimism, constant application and ceaseless energy, coupled with sacrifice and self-denial, in those early days when they aided so materially in changing this region overgrown with brush, cactus, and wild mustard into the beautiful citrus orchards of today considered a garden spot of the world, to be enjoyed and bring comfort and happiness to coming generations.

CHARLES E. FRENCH .- Preeminent among the successful esteemed and influ- ential Californians of the past whose exemplary, industrious lives and sound judgment and good works have paved the way safely and nobly for all who come after, thereby giving to posterity an inheritance of inestimable value, must be mentioned Charles E. French, who was born in Athens, Somerset County, Maine, on June 3, 1841, and was educated at the public schools and seminaries of that state. When about sixteen years of age, he entered a business house in Boston, where he rapidly advanced in positions of trust; and on the breaking out of the Civil War, stirred by patriotic desire to do something in defense of his native country, he enlisted in the Ninth Regiment, Maine Volunteers, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, being subsequently trans- ferred to Commodore Samuel Francis Du Pont's naval expedition which on November 7, 1861, bombarded and captured the fortifications defending Port Royal harbor, S. C., an engagement justly regarded as one of the most brilliant achievements of naval tactics and requiring for its success not only able planning on the part of officers, but the skilful execution hy each man under command. Continuing in the service until the failure of his health necessitated his retirement from the army, Mr. French came to California via the Panama route in 1864 and located at Yreka, in Siskiyou County, where he engaged in mining and general merchandising, and after spending a few years on this coast, he returned to his old home in the East.

In November, 1868, Mr. French was married to Miss Emma L. Waugh, a native of Boston, and the daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Sawyer) Waugh, who had been born in Townsend and Lowell, Mass., respectively. She was reared in "the city of culture," and was graduated from Brighton Seminary; and for two years, or until her marriage. she applied herself to teaching. She was splendidly equipped, therefore, to be the intellectual stimulating companion of a man of ever-increasing weighty affairs. Resum- ing business in Maine, Mr. French became a member of a boot and shoe manufacturing firm, and was also appointed Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue by President Grant. Finding it impossible to endure the rigors of Eastern winters, he resigned his office, sold out his business in 1870, and returned to San Francisco, where he expected to permanently reside; but being advised by his physicians to seek a more genial climate, he came to Southern California in April, 1871, and assumed the general man- agement of the extensive land and stock business of Irvine, Flint and Company, whose holdings then comprised the ranchos San Joaquin and Lomas de Santiago, and part of the Santiago de Santa Ana, upon which latter ranch the city of Santa Ana is now located, in all about 108,000 acres. At that time, there were very few white inhabitants residing in the country southwest of Anaheim, between the Santa Ana River and San Diego, and the entire country from the foothills to the sea was one vast cattle and sheep range. Mr. French had over 100,000 acres of land under his control, and at times during his administration there were over 50,000 head of sheep grazing upon the broad sweep of the San Joaquin, where today is heard the busy hum and puffing of tractors and modern machinery.

In 1876, Mr. French removed the ranch headquarters to a location east of Tustin and erected a commodious ranch house for James Irvine and his family. In 1878 he relinquished the management of the company's business and removed to Santa Ana, where he had previously made investments for himself. He engaged in the handling

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of land, and at once took an active interest in the development and building up of the town. In 1886 he erected the brick block adjoining the Bristol and Rowley block on the east, and in 1899 he built the Grand Opera House block, one of the largest in the city, which is still a monument to its founder. He served as postmaster at Santa Ana, holding office under Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur and also Cleveland; and he took an active part in securing the main line of the Santa Fe Railroad through Santa Ana, to which undertaking he freely devoted much time and means, and was twice elected a director of the California lines system, which has been such an important factor in the marvelous growth and prosperity of Southern California.

Whenever, too, public improvements were proposed, Mr. French was always found ready to encourage and aid them, to the fullest extent of his resources, and in this way he advanced not only the building up of the city, but the upbuilding of the popular home community as well. In the founding of the Santa Ana Free Library he took a very live interest, and for several years he served as president of the board of trustees. Having business and property interests in Los Angeles, he also maintained a branch office there for years, and in various ways was the better able to help the younger Santa Ana by means of Los Angeles connections. He always regarded Santa Ana as his home, however, and constantly maintained an elegant residence surrounded by extensive lawns and well-kept grounds, making it one of the most attractive homes in all Southern California. Two children blessed the home life of Mr. and Mrs. French, and have in time proven valuable members of society; Gertrude has become Mrs. Elmer B. Burns of Santa Ana, and Miss Ethel resides with her mother. Mr. and Mrs. Burns have two children, Gladys and Carl. The latter went with Company L from Santa Ana and served overseas until after the armistice, and received the Croix de Guerre for bravery, having been both gassed and wounded. Returning with Company L, he received his honorable discharge in April, 1919.

Mrs. French came to California in the fall of 1872 and joined her husband in what was then a remote region, almost out of the pale of civilization, and for a time their nearest neighbor lived seven miles away, unless the half-civilized natives of that period are considered. Nothing daunted, Mrs. French continued to reside there until their removal to Santa Ana, aiding her husband and helping to make his name and influence known and recognized in the financial circles of Southern California. He was an able financier, with a conservative view of investment, and combined calm jndg- ment and keenness of foresight. It was not his disposition to rush blindly into things. but with a critical insight he weighed and measured principles, and with unbiased mind gave his influence toward those measures whose value could not be questioned. It is possible that many persons seeking the reason for Mr. French's success may account for it as a combination of "Eastern brains with Western enterprise;" he descended from a family long and honorably associated with the history of New England, some of whose representatives served as officers in the Revolutionary War, his maternal ances- tors, the Palmers, having come from England to this country during the Colonial period, and he inherited qualities of the greatest value to one destined to leadership in the several fields mentioned. It must not go unsaid, also, that Mr. French gave his devoted wife much of the credit for his business success, saying that he had learned in the early part of their life together that her judgment in property and business matters was so reliable that when he followed their joint conclusions, he had always made a success.

Mr. French was prominent in banking and real estate circles. He was president of the Orange County Savings Bank, and a director of the First National Bank of Santa Ana. When the first street railway for Santa Ana was projected, Mr. French took an active part in establishing it, and was its secretary for several years. The road is now a part of the Interurban Railway system. He was also one of the promoters and incorporators of the Los Angeles and Ocean Railway Company, and held the office of the vice-president of the same until the road merged into the Los Angeles Terminal, now the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad. Fraternally, Mr. French was a Mason, and a member of Sedgwick Post No. 17, G. A. R., from its organization. He was also a member of the Pioneer Society of Los Angeles County. Though the Civil War left him in poor health, his magnificent spirit of pluck and determination enabled him to continue courageously for years at his duties, and in that way, when many would have sought their selfish ends and rested, he was active in his useful career until, on November 2, 1914, he passed away, to his eternal reward. Rev. A. L. Petty a former pastor of the Baptist Church in Santa Ana came over from Los Angeles and assisted Rev. Otto Russell, the local pastor, in a demonstration of esteem and regret seldom witnessed in Santa Ana, and to give voice to feelings of deepest sorrow expe- rienced by all who knew him. In accordance with his desire, his body was cremated.

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After Mr. French's death, his widow was appointed administratrix of the estate, and although she had probably never written half a dozen checks in her life, she accepted the trust and with her native ability and imbibed business acumen, with which, as it proved, she had been liberally endowed, she not only settled the estate satisfactorily, but since then she has managed the large affairs entrusted to her with signal ability and pronounced success, enlarging her real estate holdings and improving those already held. She is the owner of valuable business and residence property and different ranches at Stanton and property in other places in the county, and she attends to all the transactions required herself.

She continues to make her home at the beautiful large family residence at the corner of Ninth and Spurgeon streets, a splendidly furnished estate where she dispenses an old-time California hospitality; she is a member of the First Baptist Church and also of the Ebell Club, and other social organizations; and she finds great pleasure in informing herself about and supporting all movements likely to benefit the community. In 1910, with her husband and daughter, she made an extended tour of Europe and brought home many fine specimens of art; and her memory being excellent she is ever interesting and a source of inspiration to all who are so fortunate as to be counted among her friends.

WM. F. ESPOLT .- A resident of California since 1894, William F. Espolt's birth- place was at Dennison, Iowa, where he first saw the light of day on February 7, 1885, his parents being William and Louise (Homeier) Espolt. The father was a well known farmer in the neighborhood of Dennison for a number of years, but in 1894 he disposed of his holdings there and came to California, settling at Whittier, where he purchased ranch and town property, and here he still makes his home.

William F. Espolt grew up in Whittier, attending the grammar and high schools there, and assisted his father in the development of his ranch property. His first pur- chase of property in Orange County, with his father as a partner, was a tract of thirty acres on Palm Avenue, raw land at the time of purchase, and William F. threw himself energetically into the improvement and development of the place, setting it out to oranges and lemons. When he had disposed of the property he bought ten acres in East Whittier, only partly developed and he continued the work and sold that in 1919. In the meantime he had bought fifteen acres north of the upper boulevard, which has been improved into a fine bearing citrus grove. In 1919 he became the owner of twenty acres on Walnut Avenue, near La Habra, which is devoted to Valencia oranges and lemons. The water for irrigating his properties is furnished by the La Habra Water Company and he markets his fruit through the La Habra Citrus Association. Mr. Espolt is a stockholder in the First National Bank of La Habra and in the Citizens Commercial and Savings Bank of La Habra.

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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 46

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