USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Pomona Valley, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the valley who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 54
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At Onarga, Ill., Doctor Tyler was married to Miss Lucretia M. Peck, a native of Illinois, by whom he has had one daughter, Irene, now the wife of M. L. Chaney of Whittier, Cal. Doctor and Mrs. Tyler are active members of the South Methodist Church of Pomona, where the doctor is chairman of the board of stewards; and Doctor Tyler is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a Modern Woodman.
IRA A LEE
A public official of Pomona whose untiring activities affect the daily accomplishments of many of the citizens of both town and Valley, and whose integrity, high sense of duty, and varied and valuable ex- perience form the most desirable assurance that whatever he under- takes will be carried to the most successful conclusion possible, is Ira A. Lee, the secretary and manager of the Irrigation Company of Pomona. He was born in Dallas County, Iowa, on April 25, 1873, the son of Aaron M. and Caroline (Macey) Lee.
The fourth child in the order of birth, Ira A. attended the rural schools of his district, and supplemented what he learned there with studious reading and keen observation of daily life. He remained with his father on the farm until he was twenty years of age, during which time he mastered the many sides of Middle West agriculture, and came to California and Pomona in the great "boom" period of 1888, as a young man, when young men especially were trying to make things hum here.
Five years after first locating in this favored region, Mr. Lee entered the employ, as outside man, of the Irrigation Company of Po- mona, and then as Zanjero of the water district, filling a time-honored office that descended, with its historic name, from early California days. Since 1912, Mr. Lee has had the office work of the company to look after ; and no one ever did it more thoroughly or to the greater satisfaction of those with whom the water company have to deal.
Mr. Lee has also followed the development of real estate, in which he himself has from time to time dealt, and with especial quali- fications for just that kind of enterprise, he has become an authority on land valuations. He is appraiser for the Los Angeles County probate court of Judge J. C. Reeves, and was selected by the judge as appraiser of the very important Louis Phillips estate of Pomona-the largest and most valuable estate in the Valley, and one running into the mil-
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lions. In this assignment, in particular, Mr. Lee has been very suc- cessful, satisfying the interests of all concerned, and displaying that rare combination of experience, knowledge and every-day common sense, so essential in cases of such responsibility and many-sided features.
Mr. Lee has been a standpat Republican in national politics, with broad views as to non-partisanship in much that is of paramount local import, and for four years he was one of the most popular members of the City Council of Pomona. During his term in office the new City Hall was built and the era of street paving was begun. He also be- longs to the Chamber of Commerce of the city, and avails himself of this association to do all that he can to advance the interests of this portion of Los Angeles County and bring Pomona into closer and more helpful relations with the rest of Southern California. As an official of the water management to whom is entrusted much responsibility, he is a member of the executive committee of the Mutual Water Company of California.
On April 6, 1909, at Pomona, Mr. Lee was married to Miss Eva Ulery, a native of Indiana and the daughter of Joseph F. Ulery, for twenty years a resident of Pomona. Two sons have blessed this union, Leonard J. and Robert M.
G. LUTHER TRAVIS
A dealer in and authority on insurance, who has done much, while also operating extensively with loans and surety bonds, to place this very important branch of commercial and financial endeavor on a dig- nified, safe and attractive basis, is G. Luther Travis, the agent for the Investment Office Building of Pomona, where he has his own finely appointed headquarters. He was born near Louisville, Ky., on No- vember 9, 1854, in a farming district, where there were only country schools, and as a young man started railroading with the Louisville & Nashville Railway. At first he was agent at Louisville and then at New Orleans ; and for nine years he was traveling auditor for the same railroad.
In 1902 he came to Pomona as the agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad; and when, after six years, the company wished to transfer him to Los Angeles, he resigned, since he had become so attached to Pomona that he preferred to remain here.
He then started in the insurance business, and in that field, dealing in all kinds of insurance, he has been phenomenally successful. He represents the Home Insurance Company of New York, the Fireman's Fund, the Queen of America, the Philadelphia Underwriters, and the National, and also the New York Life and the Hartford Accident. He built one of the finest homes in Pomona, located at 322 East Holt Street, greatly beautified the grounds and sold the same to D. C.
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Crookshank. He bought the home in which he at present resides at 498 Kenoak Drive, one of the choice residences of the town. He has frequently been asked to run for public office, but always has refused.
In the year 1883 and at Franklin, Tenn., Mr. Travis was married to Miss Minnie Kersey, who was born in Indiana, the daughter of David M. and Catherine (Vernon) Kersey, pioneers of that country. He belongs to Pomona Lodge No. 789, of the B. P. O. Elks, in which he has attained all chairs except that of Exalted Ruler, which he re- fused to accept on account of the demands of his business. He is prac- tically a charter member of the Elks, for he joined shortly after the lodge was formed. In social circles, therefore, as well as in the world of commerce, Mr. Travis is kept busy on account of his popularity.
Mr. Travis has been closely associated with the growth and de- velopment of the Pomona Valley, and is one of the men who, when railroading, was one of the best posted on affairs of all kinds in the Valley.
ROBERT STUDER
The genial proprietor of the Claremont Inn, Robert Studer was born in Canton, St. Gall, Switzerland, September 25, 1871. His father, John R. Studer, migrated from Switzerland to New York City as a young man and for some years was engaged in business there, until he returned to Switzerland and while living there the son Robert was born, and when he was a babe of nine months, his parents again returned to New York City.
Robert Studer was reared in New York City and in Hoboken, N. J., receiving a good education in the public schools, after which he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed until he moved out to San Antonio, Texas, where he followed his trade and ranching for eleven years. In 1901 he came to Los Angeles, where he had charge of the . grading of streets in Florencita addition for Mr. Rowan, after which he removed to Santa Clara County, where he was in the employ of Hays Bros.' packing house for a period and then he leased and ran a farm for a time, when he returned to San Antonio and for the next six years engaged in gardening. However, his liking for California was so great it overshadowed his interest in Texas and he came back to Los Angeles and soon afterwards located in Claremont. In 1916 he pur- chased the Claremont Inn, where his ability and amiable manner has made him successful and he has built up a large and splendid business, which is rapidly growing.
In San Antonio, Texas, occurred the marriage of Mr. Studer and Mrs. Emma Fangerou. She was a native of Germany and they have three children: Annie (Mrs. Strange), of Ontario; Robert J., and Paul R.
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By her first marriage Mrs. Studer had five children : Mata ( Mrs. Crowe), of Texas; Walter, who is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and is assisting Mr. Studer in his business ; William was with the Pacific Electric in Los Angeles until he enlisted in the United States Army, serving overseas as a sergeant; Emma (Mrs. Patterson), of Pomona ; and Mrs. Gretchen Ziovanazzi, of Los Angeles.
Mr. Studer is a Republican in national politics and is a very liberal and enterprising citizen.
HENRY A. KREHBIEL
An aggressively-operating wholesaler who has always found time, in the midst of a busy life, for public-spirited work, is Henry A. Krehbiel, the well-known dealer in flour, feed and potatoes in Pomona. He was born in West Point, Lee County, Iowa, on May 14, 1865, the son of John C. Krehbiel, a Mennonite minister, who was widely esteemed for practicing what he preached. His wife was Katherine Raber before her marriage, and she became the mother of ten chil- dren. Both now rest from their earthly labors.
Henry A., the youngest child, had the ordinary advantages of the country school, and in time he worked at various occupations until he entered the flour mills of McPherson County, Kans., in which field he advanced more and more until he had rounded out twenty years as a miller. Then, in November, 1908, he decided to leave the Middle West and settle on the Pacific Coast.
Fortunately for all concerned, California attracted him in par- ticular ; and more fortunately, he had his attention directed to Pomona, and here early settled. He established his present expanding business, and ever since he threw open the doors, he has been rewarded with success. Besides this well-planned and well-directed enterprise, Mr. Krehbiel also has an apple orchard in Yucaipa Valley in a high state of development ; and to this venture he gives much of his time. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and actively supports its ever-changing, but important programs.
When Mr. Krehbiel married, at Mound Ridge, Kans., and on December 24, 1891, he chose for his wife a lady of the same family name, but in nowise related to. him-Miss Katie L. Krehbiel; and by her he has had four children. Myrtle F. has become Mrs. A. B. Crane of Osage City, Kans .; Donald died in Kansas in 1907, in his eighth year; Delyte attends the high school of Pomona, and Harold is in the grammar school. A Republican in national politics, Mr. Krehbiel has served as a city councilman in Lindsborg, Kans .; while as a Presby- terian he has always worked for the extension of the Gospel and the improvement of spiritual affairs. He was active in all the war drives, and put his shoulder to the wheel to help along the Liberty Loans and the beneficent work of the Red Cross.
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WILLIAM WILLARD STOVER
Interested in the orange industry here for twenty years, William Willard Stover aided in that branch of development work in the Valley, his latter years being given over to the personal supervision of the work in his grove. Born in Lena, Stephenson County, Ill., January 30, 1863, he was a son of Zacharias and Margaret (Willard) Stover, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively, who early set- tled in Lena, where the father was a merchant and stock raiser. After finishing his grammar school education William Willard attended the high school and after his graduation he took a course in the Phila- delphia College of Pharmacy. His father having removed to Re- public, Kans., and engaged in banking, William was called from college to be cashier in the Republic County Bank, now the Citizens State Bank. He continued as cashier from twenty-one years of age until the bank was sold in 1902. As early as 1892 he made a trip to California and purchased his original orange grove at Ontario, making occasional visits to look after it. The grove had just been set out and he had it cared for, so that in 1902, when he moved hither, it was ten years old and bearing. On locating here, the family resided in Po- mona for seven years, engaged in buying, improving and selling orange groves. In 1909 they moved to Claremont, and soon afterwards built their beautiful residence at 845 Indian Hill Boulevard. Here he passed away, on January 17, 1912. He always retained the original orange grove which he had bought in 1892. While in Kansas he was also interested in farming and keeping stock, owning a farm of 400 acres and leasing 320 acres more on which he raised corn and alfalfa. He was a Republican in political beliefs and in fraternal circles be- longed to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In church affairs, with his family he was a member of the Congregational Church, having been a trustee and deacon of Pilgrim Congregational Church at Pomona.
The marriage of Mr. Stover, on December 24, 1887, at White Rock, Kans., united him with Miss Frances Pairan. She was born in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, the daughter of Charles Pairan, who was born in Wolfanger, Hesse-Cassel; his father, Antone Pairan, was a native of France and later a teacher in Germany. Charles Pairan learned the mercantile business in his early manhood, coming to Lancaster, Ohio; he married Marie Louise Mayer, a native of Lancaster, Ohio, and here engaged in the merchandising business, until he removed to White Rock, Republic County, Kans., where he took up the same line of business. Later he removed to Portland, Ore., and lived there retired until his death. Mrs. Pairan now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Stover. Mrs. Stover was the second youngest of a family of seven children, four of whom are living, and was educated in Ladies' Institute, in Atchison, Kans. Since Mr. Stover's death she has
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resided at the old home on Indian Hill Boulevard, superintending her fifteen acres of orange grove, as well as the Kansas holdings. Mr. and Mrs. Stover had four children, three of whom are living: Willard Pairan, a graduate of Pomona College, enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve forces and was stationed at San Pedro and Mare Island, and received a commission as ensign. He is now manager of the orange and walnut exchange at Hemet; Louise, after completing her work in the musical department of Pomona College and the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music, where she graduated, is now teaching piano in Claremont and Pomona ; Margaret was a junior in Pomona College and died in May, 1918; and Clarence is a junior in Pomona College.
CHARLES G. SPENCER
A supervising official who thoroughly understands his responsible field of work and has long contributed toward greater efficiency in certain industries, is Charles G. Spencer, the far-seeing foreman of construction and installation for the Southern Counties Gas Company of Pomona. He was born in Morgan County, Ill., on October 23, 1885, and grew up in a prosperous farming section, where he attended the plain but excellent district schools, the most disappointing feature of which was the shortness of the school terms. He worked hard and long on his father's farm, so that it was left to him largely to acquire his education and to solve his destiny. However, by hard, persistent study Mr. Spencer has made up for much that was then denied him, and he has become, to a remarkable degree, a well-educated man.
With the exception of two years spent in the coal mines of Mul- berry, Kans., he worked on the home farm in Illinois until March, 1906, when he arrived in Santa Ana, Orange County, Cal .; and, as with so many other young men who first came out here, his first employ- ment was in the orange groves, picking fruit. Later still, he put in a year in the packing houses, and then he secured employment with the Edison Company, in the gas department of that corporation in Santa Ana. He began at the lowest round of the ladder, so to speak, and gained a very thorough knowledge of the manufacture of gas; and when he had held the position for three years in that city, he was trans- ferred to Long Beach, to serve in the same capacity, and still later to Whittier, where he remained for five years.
When the Southern Counties Gas Company was organized in 1911, it took over the gas department of the Edison Company, and Mr. Spencer then became associated with the Southern Counties Gas Company, on which account he has the honor of having been one of their employees since its start. In June of 1916 he was transferred to Pomona, and made foreman. Since 1916, the company has been using natural gas, and Mr. Spencer has had to familiarize himself with
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the new departure. His position is a responsible one, for he is called upon to direct and to look after the welfare of a considerable number of men. The company is constantly making expenditures, laying new mains and spreading out over the Valley; and as Mr. Spencer has entire charge of all outside work, he is a very busy man. Able and devoted, it need hardly be said that he gives his employers and the public entire satisfaction.
At Santa Ana, on November 5, 1906, Mr. Spencer was married to Miss Ada Hix, a native of Santa Ana, and the daughter of Alva and Blanch Hix, pioneers of Orange County, who came to Santa Ana thirty-seven years ago, when the town had only a couple of stores and few houses. One son has blessed the union, a lad named William A. Spencer. Mr. Spencer is a member of the Odd Fellows.
EDWARD WALTER THOMAS
One of the old settlers of San Dimas, Edward Walter Thomas was born at Galveston, Ind., September 28, 1862. His father, David Thomas, was born in Johnstown, Pa., while the grandfather, also named David Thomas, was born in Wales and settled at Johnstown, Pa. Edward's father was a millwright and came out to Indiana when a young man, where he built and operated flour mills. Later on he engaged in building and running sawmills and lumber manufacturing, being located at Galveston, Ind., where he had a large lumber yard. In 1879 he removed to Grand Island, Nebr., where he was among the early settlers to break prairie and improve a farm. In 1890 he located in Pomona, setting out an orange grove on Holt Avenue. He died in Pomona, aged eighty years. Mr. Thomas' mother was Miss Louise Jane DeMoss before her marriage, and she was born in Galveston, Ind., of French descent, and she also passed away in Pomona .two years after her husband. This worthy couple had three children : Mrs. Mariella McEndree of Pomona; W. F. Thomas of Pomona, and E. W. Thomas, the subject of this sketch. The youngest of the family, he was reared in Indiana till 1879, when he came to Grand Island, Nebr., and received a good education in the public schools, after which he learned the dry goods business. Later, he bought out the store of his employer and continued in business until 1889, when he sold, came to California, arriving in Pomona in January, 1890, and six months later he engaged in the dry goods business on Second Street, continuing until 1893, when he disposed of his store and located in San Francisco in the employ of the Hamburgers. There he continued for one year, when he quit to locate in Sacramento in the employ of Wasserman, Davis & Company for two years, when he resigned and returned to Pomona, and then he located in San Dimas and soon purchased an orange grove and engaged in citrus culture. Since then he has owned five different groves, every one of which was a success, and was sold at
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a profit. In 1914 he entered the employ of the Elwood Fruit Com- pany, and since then has been foreman of their packing house at San Dimas, as well as being engaged in citrus growing.
In Pomona occurred the marriage of Mr. Thomas and Myrtle R. Cowan, a native of Thorntown, Ind., of whom he was bereaved in 1912, leaving him a daughter, Nadine, now the wife of J. G. Middle- ton of San Dimas, a progressive, enterprising and liberal citizen. Mr. Thomas is an ardent protectionist and Republican.
JOHN CARSON BOWEN
In disposing of the chances that have come his way in life, John Carson Bowen has evinced both discretion and sound business judg- ment and has won a place among the business men of his locality. Self-made in every sense implied by the term, he has become the proprietor of a business establishment by his own persevering efforts and is meeting with the success deserved by men of his caliber. Born October 20, 1884, Mr. Bowen is a native of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and the son of John F. and Julia A. (Jenkins) Bowen. Five children were born to John F. and Julia Bowen, and the family have lived in Pomona since April, 1896. The father has passed on, and the mother is still living with her family surrounding her.
The youngest child born to his parents, John Carson Bowen, was educated in the public schools of Pomona, and on finishing his school- days, learned bicycle repair work with E. E. Izer, later in the same business with Padgham & Abbott for four years. He then found employment with Midgley Brothers, in the clothing business, remain- ing with them six years, two years with Harris Brothers, and for the next three years was with Evans and Combe.
After this length of time given to clerking, Mr. Bowen felt himself fitted to engage in business on his own account, and on Feb- ruary 14, 1914, he opened an establishment of his own, with an up-to- date and carefully selected stock of men's furnishing goods. Since his first opening he has met with the encouragement Pomona affords to enterprising and progressive men, and when these attributes are com- bined with energy and strict integrity, success is an assured fact.
The marriage of Mr. Bowen united him with Miss Winnifred Hill, the ceremony occurring October 9, 1907, and one son has blessed their union, Jack. Fraternally Mr. Bowen is a member of the Mason", and of Pomona Lodge No. 789, B. P. O. Elks, of which he is a past exalted ruler. Fond of outdoor life, as are most of Pomona's citi- zens, he takes his recreation in golf and other outdoor sports. With his own business to look after, he is never too busy to aid in all public- spirited movements for the betterment of the community, and is readily interested in projects which favorably affect Pomona Valley.
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PROF. BENJAMIN S. HAUGH
The best talent obtainable in the instructors it employs is ever sought by La Verne College, and foremost among these are Prof. Benjamin S. Haugh and his talented wife, instructors in music and cxpression at that institution, who are accomplished musicians with a record for thorough mastery of their art and the ability to impart their knowledge to others. Professor Haugh was born. at Lima, Allen County, Ohio, December 9, 1873. He is the son of Jacob and Mary (Miller) Haugh, natives of the Old Dominion, born in Rock- ingham County, Va. They were married in Allen County, Ohio, whither they had emigrated in their youth, and there Jacob Haugh engaged in farming and contracting and building, afterwards remov- ing to Johnson County, Mo,, and still later to McPherson, Kans., where he resided until his death on December 2, 1909; his widow survived him and she still makes her home at McPherson. Mary Miller Haugh was very musical, possessing a rare lyric soprano voice, so the son, Benjamin, naturally inherited a love and talent for music which found expression to such an extent that at the age of sixteen years he began teaching vocal music and directing classes, so when it came to his college course he majored in music as a matter of course. His early boyhood days were spent in Ohio, but at the age of ten years he accompanied his parents to Johnson County, Mo., where he finished his public school education, after which he spent one year at Mt. Morris College, Mt. Morris, Ogle County, Ill. He then entered McPherson College at McPherson, Kans., where he was graduated from the academic department as well as the school of music and expression and the department of stenography. During his college course he was assistant teacher in the vocal department, directing the chorus classes as well as public audiences, which gave him an unusual and valuable experience in that line of his profession.
Professor Haugh's marriage, which took place on August 31, 1904, at McPherson, Kans., united him with Miss Laura E. Harsh- barger, born in Huntingdon, Pa., a lady of culture and refinement ; she also took the academic course and studied expression and sten- ography at McPherson College, graduating in these courses, making her way by teaching stenography at the college. She then spent two years at North Manchester College (Indiana), as head of the Depart- ment of Public Speaking. Mrs. Haugh's parents are also residents of La Verne. Her father, J. P. Harshbarger, was born in McAlevys Fort, Pa., and married Mary Van Dyke, who was born in McVey- town, Pa. He was a contractor and builder in Pennsylvania, Ne- braska and Kansas, and a pioneer homesteader in Scott County, Kans. As a young man he was ordained a minister in the Church of the Brethren and later an elder, and was active in pioneer missionary work, preaching gratis and following contracting and farming for a
Mrs. Laura & HHaugh.
Benjamin SCHough.
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livelihood. From Scott County he removed to Hutchinson, Kans., where he was superintendent of the Old People's Home, a position he filled ably for a number of years; he then went to McPherson, Kans., where he resided until he and his wife came to La Verne, Cal., where they now reside. At sixty-five years of age, Mr. Harshbarger is still actively employed at his trade.
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