History of Riverside County, California, Part 45

Author: Holmes, Elmer Wallace, 1841-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 845


USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 45


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After his removal to California in 1889 Mr. Spooner made a brief sojourn at San Diego and then came to Riverside county in 1890, since which time he has owned and improved his present ranch. Here a deep bereavement came to him in the death of his wife, October 4, 1908. Later another catastrophe befell him in Feb- ruary of 1911, when he was thrown from his buggy in a runaway accident and suffered the breaking of one limb near the hip. Not- withstanding the weight of these two misfortunes he impresses a stranger as being well-preserved for his age. Tall and erect, his shoulders are not yet bowed by the burden of the years, while his fine mind shows no trace of the infirmities incident to age. His only child, Margaret, is the wife of Clinton Pooley, of Buffalo, N. Y., and also of Riverside. There are two beloved grandchil- dren, Margaret and George Pooley. In religion Mr. Spooner is identified with the Riverside Congregational Church. His first


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presidential ballot was cast for General Zachary Taylor, but after the disintegration of the Whig party he allied himself with the Re- publicans at their organization and in 1856 he supported John C. Fremont for the presidency. Up to the present time he has sup- ported all Republican candidates for the presidency and has been stanch in his allegiance to the party principles.


ALTON L. ALDERMAN


Known throughout Riverside county as a man of sterling char- acter and excellent business ability, Mr. Alderman has been a resi- dent of California since 1875, and of Riverside county since 1893, and by his untiring energy and progressive spirit has aided mater- ially in the progress of the state and county. He was born August 28, 1868, in Ashtabula county, Ohio, of which locality his parents and grandparents were natives. His paternal grandfather served in the war of 1812, and his great-grandfather in the Revolution, while Albert N. Alderman served three years in the Civil war. Upon his honorable discharge the latter returned to his native state, continuing his trade of carpenter until 1875, when he brought his family to Orange county, Cal., where he farmed for a time in Tustin. Purchasing a ranch of twenty acres planted to oranges and wal- nuts, he erected a comfortable home and successfully operated his orchard until 1908. In 1887 he lost his wife, who prior to her mar- riage was Miss. Elizabeth Brainard, a native of Ohio, her parents, who died when she was young, having been early settlers of that state. In 1908 Mr. Alderman took up his residence with his son Alton in Hemet, where he passed away in 1909, aged eighty-three years. He is survived by three of his children: A. L .; Arlington R., of Los Angeles; and Lillian, now the wife of C. W. Sheats, of Santa Ana. His eldest son, Heber, passed away in Tustin in 1904.


Alton L. Alderman received his education in the public schools of Orange and Tustin and upon completion of his studies engaged in mining in the southern part of California and in Arizona. He continued in that field, however, despite attendant hardships, work- ing at various occupations during a low run of luck and for six years was employed as stage driver between Hemet and Idyllwild. In 1909 he purchased in Hemet two and one-half acres upon which he erected a commodious residence beautified by a large lawn and an abundance of flowers and surrounded by shade and fruit trees. In addition to his other interests, he owns four valuable mining prop- erties, one of which is situated within thirty miles of Hemet and which has been in operation for the past two years, showing richer


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deposits as developed. He also owns a bee ranch in the moun- tains, his apiary consisting of several hundred stands.


The marriage of Mr. Alderman, which occurred in Hemet, Feb- ruary 9, 1907, united him with Miss Bertha C. Scanland, whose birth took place in Brown county, Ill., the daughter of Dr. F. W. Scan- land, a prominent physician of Hersman, Ill. Politically Mr. Alder- man is a Republican and maintains at all times a deep interest not only in civic matters, but in the welfare of his fellow citizens.


JOHN M. MYLNE


The value of scientific training in a chosen field can scarcely be overestimated, the systematized knowledge thus acquired enab- ling its possessor to attain success utterly beyond the untrained mind. In Mr. Mylne, chief engineer of the Riverside Trust Com- pany, also superintendent and engineer of the famous Gage Canal System, we find a man who not only took advantage of the oppor- tunities presented in his youth for his intellectual advancement, but who, throughout his life, has put forth every effort to consummate his ambitions.


Born in Ontario, Canada, in December, 1866, his parents, Rev. Solomon and Ann (Malloch) Mylne, gave him every advantage within their power. Upon completion of his high school studies he entered the Royal Military College at Kingston, Canada, grad- uating in 1888. He then accepted a position in Ottawa as engineer in the construction of the Ottawa & Gatineau Valley Railroad, and in 1890 located in Riverside. Cal., where he became assistant en- gineer for the Riverside Trust Company. Ten years later he was promoted to the position of chief engineer, still later being chosen by the Gage Canal System as their engineer and superintendent. In 1901 he was elected president of the Hawarden Citrus Associa- tion, his long experience and training enabling him to discharge his many technical duties with skill and dispatch.


Mr. Mylne was united in marriage in Riverside, September 21, 1898, with Miss E. B. Irving, of Kingston, Canada. Four children have been born to them: Gwendolyn, John Malloch, Enid and Kath- leen, all of whom are being educated in a private school. Mr. Mylne's political principles are allied with the Democratic party, which he has always heartily supported. He holds membership in the Riverside Presbyterian Church, his religious activities forming a vital part of his life, and he is deeply interested in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his fellowmen.


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JASON L. RECTOR


One of the upbuilders of the Coachella section of country and the first man to make a permanent home here is Jason I .. Rector, a native of Fremont county, Iowa, where he was born January 16, 1851, and where his grandparents were among the original pioneer settlers. His father, Benjamin Rector, grew up and was among the first white settlers in what is now Fremont county. He served as major of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry during the Civil war. After his marriage to Mahala A. Thomas he settled down to farm pursuits in Iowa, where he later became well and favorably known. He was a delegate to the national convention that nominated Lincoln for president.


J. L. Rector received his education in a private school near his birthplace, completing it in the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant. Returning to his home he secured a position in the government postal service which he retained one year, after which he went to Newton, Harvey county, Kan., and engaged in farming and the real estate business. In 1876 he came westward with a construction crew, but returned to Newton and took up business pursuits, and for a time taught school there. In 1884 he came to San Diego, Cal., where he engaged in the butcher and cattle busi- ness buying stock throughout the southern part of the state, and it was in the pursuit of this calling that he had occasion to visit what is now the Coachella valley, buying beef cattle from the Indians. From San Diego he went to Redlands and soon after- wards accepted a position from the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and the A. N. Towne estate to get out wood from the large tracts owned by them in this locality. He moved to the section of country which at that time was but a desert waste and pitching his tent on the present site of Coachella, set to work to carry out the contract with his employers.


In 1901 Mr. Rector relinquished this work and carried into execution a long cherished plan of surveying the valley and his next step was to put down a well to test the idea that an abundance of water was available for irrigation, and this has been determined by the well watered tracts of land that have made the desert "blossom as the rose" and the land to become some of the most valuable of any in the state for fruit and farming purposes. His first well tapped a fine artesian spring and while it was small many have been developed since that produce as high as ninety inches of water and some have been put down fifteen hundred feet and have a continuous flow of pure water. When it was found out that Mr. Rector had struck water in that arid region many men came


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from various places to inspect the result. Large amounts of money had been expended by several persons interested in the development of the section, but without success and the well that has been the means of developing the valley was the first one put down by hydraulic means, since which time that has proven the only successful method.


By the well-directed efforts of Mr. Rector irrigation was made possible and sturdy citizens were located on homesteads the prior rights to which had been forfeited by previous settlers, who, on account of being unable to get water, had abandoned their claims. Upon his suggestion the legality of these claims was contested by the government as well as by himself, with the result that others were located and one of the most prosperous sections of Riverside county has been built up. Erecting an adobe house Mr. Rector advertised the fact that he was prepared to locate settlers at a cost of $10 per filing, his time being well filled, and fresh in the minds of many pioneers of this region was the visit to the little adobe dwelling-the only habitation within a radius of many miles. As the country became settled up Mr. Rector, always having in mind the necessity of having a market for the principal products, organized in 1902 the Coachella Valley Produce Association, of which he became president and manager and which shipped the first car of fruit ever raised in the valley, in fact, for several years the entire crops of the valley were disposed of through this com- pany. Later a large packing house was erected for cantaloupes, which at one time controlled the entire acreage of the valley, amounting to over two thousand acres. Three years later, after a very successful business, an ice plant was erected in connection with their other interests and this was continued several years, ice being manufactured by the most modern methods and at a less cost than in almost any other part of Southern California.


It was in 1904 that Mr. Rector put into use a plan he had been formulating several years and which revolutionized the fruit business throughout the entire state. He built the first pre-cooling plant, and for a time it was the largest in. existence as well as the finest. His method and appliances were evolved from his own plans and he at once applied for a patent on the system and for several years it was pending in the patent office. Others have since put his ideas into use for their own benefit. His plant was constructed with four sections, having a capacity of four car- loads each, and was used for pre-cooling cantaloupes, grapes and tomatoes. The goods were shipped on consignment only and so satisfactory was the output upon reaching destination that when it came the time of year to let contracts, buyers came to Coachella from all the principal cities of the United States to bid for them. It was a big item to dealers to handle this fruit, as they were


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advertised throughout the world by so doing. The company was organized as the Coachella Valley Refrigerating Company, of which Mr. Rector was the sole owner. This company was the first one to get passing reports for their cars of produce while enroute and many of their trains were run on a passenger train schedule. They were the first to wrap cantaloupes in tissue paper and by their system of inspection were noted for putting out the best grades of fruit. At the World's Fair in St. Louis the cantaloupes exhibited by them took the second prize, and at the Portland, Ore., Exposition the seedling dates displayed secured honorable mention.


In 1905 the A. N. Towne Estate, under the Coachella Land & Water Company, caused the town to be platted, later selling out to Mr. Rector, who in turn sold to Strong & Dickinson of Los Angeles, he with others having previously installed a water system with over two miles of pipe, and also having planted all the ornamental trees that now grace the town and make it attractive. Most of the land in the whole valley has passed through his hands. In 1911 he made the only hand-drawn map of the valley and that same year was among those who promoted a cotton gin, which is ready for operation. He also carries on a wide general real estate business, besides being a representative of the lands owned by the Southern Pacific Company. In addition to his holdings in the valley Mr. Rector has a home in Los Angeles, wherein his mother and brother reside. His only son is a resident of Mexico. It may be confidently stated that Mr. Rector is in reality the father of the Coachella Valley, as ever since he has known any- thing about it he has been its warmest advocate and always has been ready to give of his best efforts, as well as time and means, to advance worthy projects. Every movement has had his hearty co-operation. A progressive Republican, he is keenly interested in political issues. His life throughout has been one of firm in- tegrity and generous principles and he is well worthy representa- tion in the history of Riverside county.


H. GORDON PATTEE


As an efficient and enterprising member of the firm of Pattee & Lett, fruit shippers, organized by his father, Gordon Burleigh Pattee, in 1879, Mr. Pattee is well known in Riverside as a man of public spirit, his interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the city being both enthusiastic and practical. His father, whose


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birth occurred January 20, 1824, at New Canaan, N. H., received his education in his home town, and upon his graduation from Canaan Academy became a cabinet maker's apprentice in Boston, Mass., residing in that city six years. Returning to his home he established a mercantile store, which he successfully conducted until 1858, when he removed to Ottawa, Canada. In 1879 he visited Riverside, Cal., the winter climate of which so favorably impressed him that he decided to spend that season of the year in the Golden State, devoting the summer months to his lumber industry in Can- ada, which was one of the largest in the Dominion. He organized the Pattee & Lett Packing Company, in partnership with W. P. Lett, the firm today being the oldest independent packing associa- tion in the state. Securing a large tract of land the company planted an orchard, being the first to utilize the higher slopes for the cultivation of oranges, Mr. Pattee remaining active in both industries until his death, February 7, 1908, whereupon his son, H. Gordon, took over his interests, taking his father's place in the firm. Mr. Pattee was united in marriage in 1858 with Miss Mary Read, a native of Connecticut, the ceremony taking place in New Haven. Four children were born to them: Mrs. C. Berkeley Powell, of Ot- tawa, Canada; Mrs. F. W. Carling, also of Ottawa; Lewis G., a di- rector in the firm of Pattee & Lett, his residence being in Ottawa; and H. Gordon. Mrs. Pattee makes her home at the Glenwood Hotel in Riverside.


The birth of H. G. Pattee occurred in Ottawa, Canada, October 6, 1878. He received his preliminary education in Bishop's College School at Lennoxville, Quebec, Canada, and following his gradua- tion in 1898, he continued his studies in the University of Toronto for a short time. In 1900, having completed his studies, he enlisted in the Canadian militia, serving two years as first lieutenant. Upon the death of his father he removed to Riverside, taking his place, as before mentioned, as a member of the firm of Pattee & Lett. For some time he had served in the Molson's Bank of Canada.


Mr. Pattee's marriage, which took place in Riverside, Cal., October 17, 1906, united him with Miss Lila Lett, a native of Cali- fornia and a daughter of W. P. Lett. They have one son, William Burleigh, born January 8, 1911.


A director of the Victoria Club, Mr. Pattee also serves as cap- tain of the Victoria Golf Club, and as a representative of the Riv- erside Polo Club has taken an active part in various polo tourna- ments. While a resident of Canada he played on the Ottawa cricket team for several years, and also on the "Rough Riders' " football team of that city. As members of the Riverside Episcopal Church, both Mr. Pattee and his wife lend material aid to numerous worthy movements.


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NATHAN T. PUTNAM


Known throughout Riverside as a man of progressive spirit Mr. Putnam possesses also the qualities of courtesy and generosity which have endeared him to his many friends and associates. A son of John P. and Sallie (Tapley) Putnam, natives of Danvers, Mass., he was born in Chichester, N. H., January 8, 1834. His parents dying in that state when he was six years old he was taken to Danvers, Mass., and graduated from the public school of that place in 1851. His school days over, he secured work with his uncle on a farm near that city, but a year later gave this up to go to sea. Starting as a cabin boy in 1852, he worked his way up until he was first officer, and by the time he gave up the sea in 1865 and had been employed on several vessels. After reaching San Francisco he relinquished the seaman's life. Returning to Danvers via the Isthmus of Panama, he entered the contracting and building business and followed this for thirty-five years. Hav- ing decided to spend his declining years in the Golden West, in 1900 he located in Riverside, Cal. On Sedgwick street he pur- chased a five-acre orange grove which he has since managed, finding in his new industry not only profit, but pleasure as well. He is now over seventy-eight years old, and hale and hearty.


Mr. Putnam was united in marriage February 28, 1858, in Danvers, Mass., with Miss Martha Tapley, a native of that place. Four children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy. D. Abbott is employed as a carpenter in Riverside; and William T., a contractor, also resides in Riverside. Nathan T. Putnam is a life member of Evergreen Lodge No. 259, F. & A. M., having been made a Mason in Danvers in 1869. He maintains a deep interest in the welfare of his fellow citizens. He has always been a stanch Republican, well versed in political proceedings. and is an active and efficient member of the Riverside Congregational Church.


HARVEY POTTER


One of the oldest and much respected citizens of Riverside county, as well as the oldest attorney practicing at the bar of the county is Judge Harvey Potter, who was born at Turin, Lewis county, N. Y., July 17, 1834. He is a son of Chester Potter, of English ancestry, who was a stone mason by trade, although in later


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years he became a farmer. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. The paternal grandfather of Harvey Potter served in the War of the Revolution. His mother, Dinah (Miller) Potter, was of English and Irish extraction.


In 1837 the Potter family moved to Somonauk, Ill., settling there on a farm which was transformed from the raw prairie land by arduous labor. It was on this farm that their son Harvey grew to manhood and early in life learned to endure hardship and priva- tion. He attended the common school of his home locality during the winter months and in the summer he worked with his father on the farm. After attaining young manhood in 1854, he entered Wheaton (Ill.) College, from which he was graduated with the de- gree of A. B., on July 4, 1860. He then entered the law department of the University of Chicago, graduating therefrom in 1862 with the degree of LL. B. Judge Henry Booth, dean and leading professor in the department, paid Mr. Potter this tribute: "Among all the students of my school from twenty popular colleges, not one was superior to Harvey Potter." In 1864 he received the degree of A. M. from his Alma Mater.


At the time of his graduation from the law school the Civil War was at its height and feeling that he owed his first duty to his country, he enlisted in August, 1862, as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was pro- moted from time to time until in 1863 he was commissioned first lieutenant of his company, and commanded Company F of that regiment during part of the Atlanta campaign. At the battle of Peach Tree Creek the company he commanded captured the colors of the Twelfth Louisiana Tigers. He participated in several im- portant battles during that campaign and on account of the serious illness of his wife, resigned from the service August 17, 1864. Returning to civil life he taught school the first winter and in May, 1865, settled in Jefferson, Iowa, and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession, that of the law. He became prominent in politics and served as assistant United States assessor of Greene, Calhoun, and Sac counties in 1866-7. He was elected county judge of Greene county and served during 1868-9, the latter year being ex-officio county auditor. During the many years of his residence in Iowa he was active in all movements for the betterment of the community in which he lived and took an interested part in all public affairs.


In August, 1887, Mr. Potter moved to Riverside, Cal., and began the practice of his profession which he has since continued with marked success. Here as in Iowa he has entered into the political and social life of the place and has served in various capacities. From January, 1891, to 1895 he served as justice of the


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peace of Riverside township, being elected to that office in the fall of 1890. On May 17, 1893. he was appointed court commissioner of Riverside county, which position he still holds. He was police magistrate (city recorder) of the city of Riverside from January, 1903, to May, 1907. During his professional career Judge Potter has been admitted to and practiced in the following courts, viz .: The Supreme court of Illinois, May 5, 1865; Supreme court of Iowa, July 27, 1870; U. S. Circuit and District courts of Iowa, May 28, 1872; Superior court of San Bernardino county, Cal., September 7, 1887; Supreme court of California, October 14, 1889; U. S. District court of California, July 24. 1899.


He has always taken a great interest in the Grand Army of the Republic, having served as post commander twice in Iowa; adjutant of Riverside Post No. 118 four years and a half; aid to commander in chief in 1900; post commander in 1901; department aid to patri- otic instructor 1902-5-6; judge advocate S. V. A. 1903; judge advo- cate of the Department of California and Nevada 1900 and 1908. Politically he has always been a Republican and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont in 1856 and has voted for every Republican nominee since.


On August 24, 1862, occurred the marriage of Harvey Potter and Miss Mary L. Price, a native of Illinois. They have one son, Earl H., now a resident of Corona, an electrician by trade. Mrs. Potter is a woman of education and refinement and has been of great assistance to her husband in his political and professional career. For some time she served as state vice-president of the W. C. T. U. in Iowa, and had charge of the work of that organiza- tion in the eleventh congressional district of that state. Since resid- ing in California she has been prominent in W. C. T. U. work, having held the position of president of the local society and the same office in San Bernardino county (in which Riverside county was then located) and was also state superintendent of mercy work.


Mr. and Mrs. Potter are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are earnest workers in the Sunday school and other religious work of that organization. They graduated at the Chautauqua Sunday School Assembly at Clear Lake, Iowa, in the summer of 1877. Both have long been active workers in the cause of temperance and Mr. Potter was president of the Greene county (Iowa) Prohibition Club and as such had charge of the work in that county during the campaign for the constitutional amendment, and carried the county by a good majority. Since becoming a resident of Riverside he has taken an interest in all matters that have had for their object the upbuilding of city and county.




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