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 64

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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DR. MARION ALBERT MENGES .- A man of forceful character and fine pro- fessional attainments who through his many years of identification with the best in- terests of Orange County made a substantial contribution to its development in more than one line, is Dr. Marion Albert Menges, whose passing away in 1912 removed from the community one of its most public-spirited citizens. Dr. Menges was born in Elk- hart County, Ind., in 1859, the son of George W. Menges, a well-known farmer in Elkhart County. Marion A. Menges attended the local schools and then entered the Northern Indiana State Normal at Valparaiso, where he was graduated. He then began teaching, first in his native county of Elkhart and then in Green County, Ind., and while so engaged he determined to take up the study of dentistry and accordingly entered the dental college at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating from there in March, 1888, with the degree of D.D.S.

Four years previous to his graduation, in 1884. Dr. Menges had been married to Miss Stella Butcher, who was born at Bloomfield, Green County, Ind .; she was the daughter of David and Wilhelmina (Hopkins) Butcher, natives, respectively, of Mis- souri and Ireland, the father being a prominent farmer and business man of Green County, where he resided until his death. Mrs. Butcher, who now makes her home at Santa Ana, is the mother of three children, two of whom are living: Mrs. Menges and Mrs. Cora B. Cavins, both of Santa Ana. Immediately after his graduation, with his wife and their two children, Dr. Menges came to California, locating at Santa Ana, where for some time he engaged in the practice of dentistry. He was quick to see the great possibilities of Orange County, both for horticulture and the development of oil, and after a time he gave up his dental practice and, in connection with the late Ralph Smith, began the development of oil on a twenty-acre tract in Brea Canyon. In start- ing in this field he showed commendable judgment and enterprise, as it was on this lease, after he sold his interest to Otis Birch, that a gusher well came in. This was the first great gusher in this section and although Dr. Menges was compelled to let go of his holding before its final development, it made a millionaire of Mr. Birch, who is now a resident of Pasadena. As it was, Dr. Menges used the capital obtained by the sale of his oil properties for the acquiring of horticultural lands, and for a number of years he was very active in the realty field in Orange County. At the time of his demise he was the owner of considerable valuable property in this section, and was one of Orange County's well-to-do and influential citizens. He was a Knights Templar Mason and past master of Santa Ana Lodge No. 241, F. & A. M.

Five children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Menges: Mina is the wife of Ed King, a rancher at Tustin, and they are the parents of three children: Dr. Mark Menges, who is a practicing dentist at Fullerton, married Miss Gladys Harrison and they are the parents of one daughter; George married Miss Bernice Roper of Santa Ana and man- ages the home ranch; John is also engaged in the practice of dentistry and is in part- nership with his brother Mark at Fullerton; Helen is a student at the Santa Ana high school. The two older children were born at their eastern home, the three youngest being natives of California.

M. G. Menges menge

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY

Since the death of Dr. Menges, Mrs. Stella Menges has continued to maintain their beautiful ranch home at 1602 East First Street, Santa Ana. The commodious residence, set in the midst of attractive and well-kept grounds and surrounded by a thirteen-acre walnut and orange grove, shows the painstaking care that has been be- stowed upon it. It has been brought up to a high state of cultivation through the efficient and careful husbandry of Mrs. Menges' son, George, who, with his accom- plished wife, resides on the ranch. The Menges ranch is one of the show places of the locality, with its many ornamental trees and particularly its row of stately palms-one of the finest in Orange County.

The Menges family has throughout its residence in Orange County been promi- nent in its social and civic life, and Mrs. Stella Menges has aided in many of the movements for the upbuilding and betterment of the community. She is a member of the Christian Church and takes much pleasure in her affiliation with the Eastern Star and the Ebell Club of Santa Ana.

CAPTAIN HARRY GANTZ .- A South Dakotan who has added his mite to the development of Orange County and California, and like all Dakotans has written for himself an enviable record of practical accomplishment not likely soon to be effaced. is Capt. Harry Gantz, the rancher from the historic Deadwood, where he was born on September 4, 1888. His father was Fred M. Gantz, a professional man of that state. who married Miss Molly Christie, a native of Virginia, still enjoying, with her hus- band, the blessings of life and health. Harry was an only child, and it is safe to say was not neglected in his education.

He not only attended the grammar school, but also went to high school and a first-class military school, where he remained for five years. This school was the Kemper Military School, of Booneville, Mo., from which he was graduated with the class of '07. Then he went to the Philippines, as second lieutenant in the Philippine Constabulary. After three years he came home in 1911, and joined the regular U. S. Army as second lieutenant of infantry. In 1914 he was made first lieutenant in aviation. and in 1916 was promoted to be captain in the same arduous and dangerous field. In the fall of that year, he resigned and went to live on his California ranch. Now he has 140 acres, in Orange County, and employs eight men to maintain them in their high-water condition of development.

At Santa Barbara, on September 1, 1915, Captain Gantz was married to Miss Beatrice Wooster Miller, a native daughter and the only child of Charles Wooster Miller, now deceased, and Gertrude Benchley Miller. They were large landowners at Fullerton. Captain Gantz, who is fond of polo, horses and dogs, has completed with his gifted wife, a beautiful home of pure Spanish design which is, like his ranch, one of the real show places of the county. In national political affairs, he is a Republican, but he works untiringly for the best interests of the locality in an unpartisan manner affording a stimulating example to all young men ambitious of serving society and their country. He is an Elk, a life member of Deadwood Lodge No. 508, a member of the Fullerton Club, the Board of Trade, the Santa Barbara Country Club, and the Army and Navy Club, in each of which established organizations he is known for a strong personality and positive influence.

OLIN E. STEWARD .- Although a native of Michigan, Olin E. Steward, the recently appointed city manager of Anaheim, is associated through his family with the pioneer days of California. His father, Newton B. Steward, came to the California gold fields by way of the Isthmus of Panama in 1853, and for fifteen years followed mining. The mother, who was Lorana Gilbert before her marriage, crossed the plains at the age of sixteen years, in 1852, and some years later met and married Newton B. Steward. After these years of arduous struggle in the mining camps, for there were hardships a-plenty in those pioneer days, Mr. Steward's health failed and he returned East, settling in Michigan. There he remained until 1889, when he came back to Cali- fornia and engaged in ranching at Santa Ana for a number of years until his demise in 1896. The mother still resides there at the age of eighty-four years.

Of the five children of Mr. and Mrs. Steward, all of whom are living, Olin E. is the fourth in order of birth. He was born in Wayne County, Mich., on July 4, 1868. His early education was obtained in the rural schools in his home district, and he then attended Albion College, graduating fom there with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1898. He then pursued a further course of study at Northwestern University in Chicago, and there, in 1901. he received the degree of Bachelor of Sacred Theology. On completing the work there he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After devoting four years of his life to this work, his health failed and hie was compelled to abandon his plans for a ministerial career and seek other fields of work.

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It was then that he took up engineering work, and he has since been successfully engaged in this line of endeavor.

For two years he was with the assessor's office at Santa Ana, and in 1909 he became city engineer of Anaheim, and through his efficient administration great strides have been made in the development of the city, as all the paving, sewer work and side- walk laying have been done since he took office. In addition to his work as city engi- neer, he was also superintendent of streets. In November, 1919, Mr. Steward was made city manager of Anaheim, a position he is exceptionally well qualified to fill, because of his intimate connection with the city's material development of the past years, giving him a broad grasp of its future needs and possibilities. In addition to the duties of his office, Mr. Steward is also a member of the Anaheim board of health, is gas and sewer inspector, so that his civic interests radiate in many directions.

Mr. Steward's marriage, which occurred on September 14, 1898, united him with Miss Edna M. Simmons, a native of Michigan. Two children have been born to them, Katherine and Wendell. Deeply interested in the future development of his chosen state, and particularly in Orange County, Mr. Steward ranks high among its public- spirited citizens, as he is always ready to give of his time and energy to every worthy project that has for its motive the upbuilding of the community. He has served for three years in the ranks of the California National Guard. Mr. Steward still manifests an intense interest in the Methodist Church, being president of the board of trustees of First Methodist Episcopal Church of Anaheim.

HON. J. RALPH CARHART .- The Empire State was never better represented, among those who have attained fame as public officials in California, than in the phenomenally successful career of the Hon. J. Ralph Carhart, the popular mayor of Fullerton, whose influence has been so potent in favor of a broad and substantial development of the municipality under his control. He was born in New York City on January 12, of the Centennial year of 1876, and his father was Thomas F. Carhart, the clothing manufacturer so well known to New Yorkers of. that day, and founder of the firm of Carhart, Witford and Company. He married Miss Marie Louise Casteria, a native of New Orleans, the daughter of Louis Casteria, a prominent attorney of that city, and they were the parents of seven children, but only two sons and two daughters are now living. Mr. Carhart died in 1882; his widow survives and makes her home with her son, J. Ralph Carhart, giving him an opportunity to minister to her comfort and happiness, while she receives the homage of the whole family.

The second youngest of the family, Ralph attended the Columbia grammar school in his native city; but having removed to California with his mother in 1891, he con- tinued his studies at Throop Polytechnic at Pasadena. His mother had acquired ranch property of value in the San Fernando Valley, and this estate he managed for her for five years. After that he came to Fullerton, and since then he has been successfully engaged in ranching. He has devoted himself in particular to the breeding of Jersey cattle and Poland-China hogs, and his exhibits at fairs have won the first prize.

At Fullerton, on September 28, 1898, Mr. Carhart was married to Miss Helen Anna Benchley, daughter of Edward K. Benchley, president of the Farmers and Mer- chants Bank of Fullerton. Their daughter, Helen Louise, is now Mrs. Stewart S. Miller; and there are two sons, Ralph Benchley and Thomas Fair Carhart. The family attend St. Michael's Episcopal Church at Anaheim and Mr. Carhart is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of Santa Ana Council No. 14, R. & S. M., Anaheim Lodge No. 1345, B. P. O. Elks, the Fullerton Club, the Hacienda Country Club at La Habra and the California Club of Los Angeles. In politics Mr. Carhart is a Republican, and on April 20, 1916, he was elected mayor of Fullerton for a four-year term. His adminis- tration has proved just what anyone would expect who knows the man and his peculiar fitness for such a high office of trust.

MARCUS ARTHUR BRIDGE .- A native son of California and the son of a pioneer of the gold days, Arthur Bridge has successfully combined his work as a masonry contractor with citrus ranching, his ten-acre citrus grove at Yorba Linda bearing the marks of intelligent care. Born on March 6, 1879, at Compton, Cal., Mr. Bridge is the son of Marcus L. and Amy (Millard) Bridge. The father crossed the plains in 1850, when but nineteen years of age, settling in Northern California, and remaining there until the Civil War broke out, when he returned East and enlisted in an Illinois regiment, serving throughout the conflict. As soon as the war was over he returned to California, locating in Los Angeles, at that time a small settlement, and he and Mrs. Bridge still make their home there.

Of a family of five children, Arthur Bridge is the third eldest, and with the other children was educated in the public schools of Los Angeles. Early in boyhood he took up the masonry trade, learning the work from his father, who had been engaged

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY

in this line for many years. Leaving home at fifteen, he started out in life for himself. and soon was successfully contracting big jobs, among them the extensive building operations of the Janss Investment Company. During this period he worked on some of the largest buildings ever erected in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and made a reputation for himself for this thorough, high-grade work. In 1910 Mr. Bridge came to Yorba Linda and purchased ten acres of bare land and immediately set out his nursery stock, from which his present grove of lemons was planted. In these days there was no water company at Yorba Linda and Mr. Bridge was compelled to haul water in wagons both for irrigation and household purposes, until the present pipe line was installed. All of Mr. Bridge's brothers and sisters are interested in land at Yorba Linda, but at present none of them are permanent residents.

In addition to the development of his citrus ranch Mr. Bridge has also continued his work as a masonry contractor, and since permanently locating here he has had charge of practically every job of plastering and bricklaying both in Yorba Linda and the surrounding country.

On December 6, 1906, Mr. Bridge was married to Miss Myrle Reese, who, like. himself, is a native of California. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin M. Reese, were pioneers of California who settled at Santa Barbara in the early days. Mr. Reese died in Arizona and Mrs. Reese is now a resident of San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Bridge are the parents of two children, Dorothy Myrle and Donald Arthur, both attending school at Yorba Linda. Mrs. Bridge is a charter member of the Women's Club of Yorba Linda and takes an active part in all the progressive movements of the com- munity. Mr. Bridge is prominent in all the cooperative organizations of Yorba Linda, being a member of the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and a charter member of the Foothill Groves Association, of which he was formerly a director, being one of its organizers. In fraternal circles Mr. Bridge is affiliated with the Yorba Linda Lodge of Masons. Politically he gives his support to the Republican party.

PIERRE NICOLAS, Jr .- Whenever the historian of Fullerton shall attempt the agreeable task of narrating the story of this favored spot in Southern California, the knoll overlooking the entire valley whereon is the magnificently-situated home erected by the late Pierre Nicolas, will be a certain reminder of the life and successful labors of one of the most prominent and widely esteemed citizens of that city. He was born in Los Angeles on October 21, 1881, the son of Pierre and Hippolyte (Vincent) Nicolas. The father had originally settled at Whittier and there their son attended for a time the grammar school, later going to the Sisters School at Anaheim and laying a firm foundation for a course at the Orange County Business College of Santa Ana and the finishing course at St. Vincent College of Los Angeles. All these years Pierre lived on his father's ranch and when not in school or otherwise employed, assisted with the ranch work.

On October 21, 1914, Pierre Nicolas was united in marriage with Miss Kathryn Backs, a native daughter of Orange County, born in Anaheim into the home of Joe and Catherine (Hyermann) Backs. Joe Backs came from Germany to America when a child and made his way directly to California; Mrs. Backs came to California when a girl of seven and her life has been passed in this locality ever since. Kathryn received her first schooling in Anaheim and has been reared in Orange County.

The elder Nicolas owned a tract of land north of Orangethorpe Avenue on the avenue now known as Nicolas Avenue which was named in his honor. The property east of Nicolas Avenue that finally came into the possession of his son, Pietre, was owned by his father for six months before he died. Pierre added a tract of twelve acres, making forty-five acres in the home place, all of which he improved with pipe lines and pumping plant and set to oranges, lemons and walnuts, also terraced the prop- erty at a big expense of time and money and made of it the show place of Fullerton. He later bought sixty acres on Orangethorpe Avenue and this he set to Valencia oranges and installed a cement pipe line throughout the entire ranch, which is under the Anaheim Union Water Company. Pierre, or "Pete," as he was familiarly known to his friends, was a man of action and was never idle. When he was twenty he was engaged in the livery business in Fullerton, in partnership with O. R. Fuller, and when he embarked in ranching he operated on a large scale, leasing some 2,300 acres which he put into grain. He used the most modern machinery and implements and employed many men to perform the duties on his ranches. His greatest ambition was to make of his home place a desirable place of residence and that he succeeded no one need doubt who has ever visited the spot. Here he and his wife entertained in true Cali- fornian style.

Mr. Nicolas was a man of striking personality, six feet in height and weighing 240 pounds. He made friends wherever he went and these he maintained until his

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY

death. which occurred on February 10, 1920, after an illness of but a few days from the flu. Mrs. Nicolas, after the settlement of the estate became the owner of the ranch of sixty acres on Orangethorpe, which she is wisely conducting, with the assistance of her brother, Edward Backs. She is widely known for her attractive personality and her deep interest in all that pertains to the advancement of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Nicolas both belonged to the Catholic Church in Fullerton. Mr. Nicolas was originally a member in the highest standing in Santa Ana Lodge No. 794, B. P. O. Elks, and but a short time before his death transferred to Anaheim Lodge No. 1345, and his death was deeply mourned by his brother Elks and by all who ever knew or had business relations with him. He was generous to a fault, was a man of the strictest integrity and a stanch supporter of all progressive movements for the upbuilding of Orange County and Southern California.

HORATIO AUGUSTUS ALLEN .- A much-loved and highly esteemed resident and builder up of Orange County, Horatio Augustus Allen, who passed away in 1916, left the heritage of a well-spent life, filled with kindly deeds whose memory will ever be cherished by those near to him. A native of Canada, Mr. Allen was born on a farm in Oxford County, twenty-five miles northeast of London, Ontario, April 27, 1833. His father, Nathan Prescott Allen, was born in New York state, where he married Miss Armenia Mott, also of that state, and later they removed to Oxford County, Ontario, where they became successful farmers. The Allen family come of old New England stock, tracing their ancestry back to the days of the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock. Nathan P. Allen had twin brothers who became prominent attorneys in New York City, but he was the only one of his immediate family to settle in Canada.

Horatio Augustus Allen was educated in the excellent schools of Ontario and at the business college in Buffalo, N. Y. Returning to his old home, he engaged in farming and in business until he made his first trip to California in 1863, coming by way of the Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco at a period when the Golden State was still but sparsely settled and bearing but little evidence of the wonderful growth and prosperity that have marked its later years. Remaining in San Francisco for nearly two years, he returned to his Canadian home, going by way of the Nicaraguan route, which at that time shared honors with Panama as a passageway from ocean to ocean, arriving home in April, 1865. He was aboard the train from New York to London, Ontario, when the wire came telling of the assassination of President Lincoln.

Upon his return to his native country Mr. Allen engaged in farming, managing his father's farm until 1874, and then began his career in the banking business. In 1877 he opened a private banking house at Port Elgin, in which he was eminently successful, and he became a prominent man of affairs with a very high standing in financial circles, establishing a record for veracity, integrity and honesty of purpose that was never questioned. After being identified with the banking interests of Port Elgin, on Lake Huron, he decided to make his home in the land of sunshine and flowers. His second trip to California was in 1884, when he brought his family to Tustin, where his nephew, cx-Senator Prescott Cogswell, then resided; Mr. Cogswell is now one of the super- visors of Los Angeles County. Mr. Allen returned to Port Elgin in the spring of 1885, but in the fall of 1885 his health became impaired, so in January, 1886, he brought his family out with the intention of establishing his home in California. His first purchase was a ranch of eight acres at Main and Glenn streets, Tustin, the nucleus of the large acreage he later acquired and left to his family on his passing away. He added to his holdings until he became the owner of eighty acres in five different ranches near Tustin, all set to walnuts with the exception of fifteen acres, which were in Valencia and Navel oranges-a well-improved and valuable estate.

Mr. Allen's marriage, which occurred at Mt. Pleasant, Ontario, May 9, 1877, united him with Miss Emma German, also a native of that country, born at Wilton, Ontario, and a daughter of Rev. J. W. and Sarah (Purdy) German. Her father was of English and Scotch-Irish descent and a minister in the Wesleyan Methodist Church, a very able and conscientious preacher, who filled the pulpit for more than forty years, until he retired. Mrs. Allen's maternal ancestors trace back to England through Massachusetts, and her great-grandfather Purdy, being a United Empire Loyalist, moved from New York state to Ontario about the time of the Revolutionary War. She is the second eldest of six children living, and has a brother, Edgar German, who resides in Los Angeles. Emma German received a good education in the schools of Ontario, and after completing the high school course, attended Hamilton College. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Allen was blessed with three children: Lucius of Tustin, and Augustus Horatio of Santa Ana; both assist their mother in caring for her ranches, giving it all of their time and attention. Gerald is a sophomore at Occidental College. Mr. Allen's death, which occurred April 8, 1916, removed from the roster of early enthusiastic settlers an estimable citizen, who had made a definite contribution to the

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development of the county, and who enjoyed the highest esteem of all who knew him. His example is well worthy of emulation.

Since her husband's death, Mrs. Allen, with the aid of her sons, continues to manage and operate the different ranches, and tries as far as possible to carry out the plans and ambitions of her husband; and, like her husband, she is very optimistic over the future greatness of this favored section of California. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church and of the ladies' aid and missionary societies of that denomina- tion. Cultured, refined, well-read and a pleasing conversationalist, it is indeed a pleasure to know and enjoy her hospitality.

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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 64

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