USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 50
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GEORGE D. CUNNINGHAM
In his choice of Mr. Cunningham, in 1903, to fill the office of postmaster of Riverside, ex-President Roosevelt is conceded to have made a wise appointment, the succeeding years having conclusively demonstrated the ability of the new official. Keenly alive to the in- creasing needs of his community, he has spared no pains to aid in the improvement of the department of which he has charge, main- taining, as well, an active interest in civic affairs in general.
Mr. Cunningham was born in Nova Scotia, April 30, 1852, and was the son of H. R. Cunningham, a native of Nova Scotia, and Eleanor (McGregor) Cunningham, whose birth occurred in Guys- boro, Nova Scotia. Until 1869 he attended the public schools of his native town, later assisting his father in the general merchan- dise business until 1870, when he went to Merrimac, Mass., where, as apprentice to a carriage manufacturer, he remained seven years. In 1876 he came to Riverside, Cal., where he secured a position as clerk in the mercantile store of R. F. Cunningham. A year later he resigned this position to enter the carriage manufacturing busi- ness, having previously purchased the stock of a local manufac- turer. Later he engaged in the retail furniture industry with an associate, John Kelly, the firm being known as Cunningham & Kelly. In 1889 he sold his interest, and in partnership with Alfred A. Wood conducted a hardware store until 1903, when he disposed of his share of the business, having been appointed to the position of postmaster of Riverside. In 1907, as before stated, he was re- appointed, his fitness for the work having been recognized.
Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage, in Riverside, Febru-
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ary 20, 1879, to Miss Susan E. Handy of Marion, Mass. Six chil- dren were born to them, of whom three are living: Mrs. Harry B. Stewart of Riverside, and Marjorie and Dorothy, who, upon their graduation from high school, took a year's course at Stanford Uni- versity.
A Republican of broad and generous principles, Mr. Cunning- ham is deeply interested in political affairs. He is a member of Riverside Lodge No. 643, B. P. O. E., and No. 259, F. & A. M., also being a Knight Templar and a member of Al Malaikah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.
EDMUND D. CRANE
The material development of Riverside county may be attrib- uted in large measure to the identification therewith of young, re- sourceful and energetic men, who from the original inception of the various colonies forming the foundation of the county's wealth have been associated with every movement for the local welfare and have been important contributors to the general prosperity. Not the least successful and interesting of these progressive young citizens is Mr. Crane, than whom perhaps none possesses a more thorough knowledge of land and real-estate values.
Although unable to claim for himself a lifelong identification with Riverside county, during all but the first ten years of his life Mr. Crane has been a resident of this portion of the west, having come to Temescal in the year 1894 from Michigan, where he was born at Akron, Tuscola county, October 18, 1884, and where he had passed his early childhood days in the home of his parents, George W. and Dora Crane. Primarily educated in his native village, he entered the public schools of Temescal at the age of ten years and for four years carried on the regular course of studies in that town. Subsequent attendance for a year at the public schools of Arlington was followed by a course of study in the business college at Riverside, where he remained for a year and meanwhile qualified for commercial activities.
The first clerical position held by Mr. Crane was that of book- keeper in the First National Bank of Riverside, and for for five years he continued in that capacity, a trusted and capable employe of that prominent financial institution. On resigning from the bank he became a partner in the firm of Bollinger & Crane, dealers in fertilizer, and for two years he continued in that connection, but closed out his interests at the time of his appointment in Sep-
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tember, 1910, to the office of county tax collector to fill an unexpired term. He was the only candidate of the Republican party for the office at the primary election, was elected at the general election and continued in office until July, 1912, at which time he resigned.
In Riverside, on New Year's day of 1910, Mr. Crane was united in marriage with Miss Flo Forrest, a native of Ohio, where she was educated. They established a comfortable home in the city. Ever since attaining his majority Mr. Crane has voted the Republican ticket in local and general elections. While he is devoted to his party, partisanship is submerged beneath an intense loyalty to county and commonwealth, whose welfare he promotes by progres- sive citizenship and whose resources he believes to be unsurpassed . by earth's most favored spots. To a man of his genial temperament and companionable nature, identification with fraternal organiza- tions is to be expected, and we find him both interested and influen- tial in the local societies of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks.
FRED H. ROBERTS
A locality whose principal industries are identified with or related to horticulture calls for a distinct and specific line of ability on the part of its inhabitants and perhaps no resident of Corona exhibits these significant traits in a greater degree than does Mr. Roberts, the keen and resourceful manager of the Orange Heights Fruit Association. Notwithstanding the fact that his identification with the concern covers a brief period only from the standpoint of years, it has been a very important period from the standpoint of results. Steady growth has marked the history of the plant. Uni- form development has characterized each of its departments. Hun- dreds of cars are shipped to eastern markets bearing its products to consumers demanding the most select and fancy grades and its original buyers remain its steadfast friends and leading adver- tisers.
The high standing of the association and the enormous increase in its business may be attributed in large degree to the tact and ability of the manager, Fred H. Roberts, who has been a resident of Riverside county since 1902 and a leading figure in local horticul- tural affairs since 1906. He is a native of Wisconsin and was born in Grant county February 21, 1869, being a son of Horace D. and Jennie Roberts, long-time residents of that state. After he had completed the studies of the grammar school he entered the high
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school and continued there until he was graduated. With a desire for more extended knowledge he went to the State Normal School and took a course of study covering three years. After he had completed the studies of that institution he took up telegraphy and for eleven years he was in railroad and Western Union press service in different eastern states. Upon resigning his position he came to California and for some time he was engaged as a station agent in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad Company at different places, coming in that capacity in 1903 to Corona, where ever since he has made his home.
A satisfactory service of three years as manager of the Queen Colony Fruit Exchange laid the foundation of the success attained by Mr. Roberts in the domain of horticulture. In December of 1909 he became manager and assistant secretary of the Orange Heights Fruit Association and this position he since has held. Living a busy life, he has had no leisure for participation in public affairs and has taken no part in politics aside from voting the Republican ticket. The Fraternal Brotherhood and the Knights of Pythias have had the benefit of his intelligent aid in local affairs connected with their development. At the time of his arrival in California he was unmarried, but he established home ties in January of 1905, when he was united with Miss Birde Stobie, at Colton, this state. Both are earnest supporters of the Congregational Church and have been zealous in their efforts to promote the welfare of its charitable and missionary movements.'
Organized in 1905, the Orange Heights Fruit Association com- prises seventy-five or more individual growers working together upon a co-operative basis, and allied with the Queen Colony Fruit Exchange, which is a member of the California Fruit Growers' Exchange. Two large houses are operated, one for oranges, the other for lemons. Both are equipped with the most scientific me- chanical devices for the economical handling of fruit, extreme care being taken to avoid abrasions of the skin or otherwise impairing the keeping qualities of the fruit. The brands, Homer, Camel and Family, are recognized in the eastern markets as being of the choicest quality of oranges and lemons shipped from the state. A force of about one hundred trained pickers is maintained through- out the season, so that individual growers are relieved from the necessity of breaking in untrained pickers. Each picker's number is stamped upon all of his boxes, so that his work may be closely inspected and thus carelessness is immediately discovered. The same system of inspection is maintained as the fruit goes through the various packing processes and the result is absolute uniformity of the product. A large number of packers and other assistants
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are hired and the payroll embraces about one hundred and sixty names.
The success of the association may be cited as a proof of the value of intelligent co-operation, which gives to each member the benefit of the lessened expenses due to large picking and packing facilities. The same element of co-operation lessens the cost of fer- tilizer and packing house supplies. It is the testimony of all con- cerned that the manager deserves much credit for the present high standing of the association. The foremen also prove able assist- ants in the business and the same may be said of the board of di- rectors, consisting of F. F. Thompson, I. H. Moore, R. D. Lamson, W. C. Barth, C. E. Harris, A. R. Whitmore, L. A. Fink, W. A. Hively, W. N. Tilson. The officers are F. F. Thompson, president; I. H. Moore, vice-president; Corona National Bank, treasurer; R. D. Lamson, secretary ; F. H. Roberts, manager and assistant secretary; and H. E. McCrea, accountant. All of the men serving as directors hold positions as leading horticulturists of the vicinity and all are men of experience in this important industry.
FRANK A. TETLEY
In a locality far removed from the city of his birth and distant also from the homes of his ancestors, Frank A. Tetley is achieving a success noteworthy by reason of its attainment solely without extraneous assistance but through his own versatile abilities and unwavering persistence. He was born June 20, 1866, in Moscow, Russia, where his father, Joseph Tetley, was a large wool mer- chant and also bought all of the foreign wools and camels' hair used by the large carpet firm of John Crossley & Son of Halifax, England. Both his father and mother were natives of Bradford, England, as was likewise his grandfather, Robert Tetley, who was a wool merchant. His warehouses at that time were on the site in that city now occupied by the Great Northern Railroad freight depots and warehouses.
Frank A. Tetley came to this country with his father and mother at the age of two years and settled in Pittsfield, Mass. For fifteen years his father managed the Hotel Springside, which was known in those days as a very fine and unique summer resort for New York and Brooklyn people. At the age of fourteen years Mr. Tetley entered the Pittsfield Journal office as "printer's devil," and at the age of sixteen years he had become so proficient in type- setting that the Journal Company released him from his position
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as apprentice and made him a journeyman, and he was known as one of the fastest compositors at that time. At eighteen he discon- tinued the printing business and went to the Chickering Business College at Pittsfield. He went through the full course and received his diploma in six weeks, breaking the record for quickness in finish- ing the school. After this he assisted his father in the hotel busi- ness and in 1887 came to Riverside, where for about three years he acted as clerk in the Glenwood Hotel.
A successful identification with the real estate business began when Mr. Tetley entered the firm of White & Miller as a clerk, which position he filled for eighteen months. At the expiration of that time he and George F. Seger bought out their employers, in- augurating the real estate business of Seger & Tetley. The part- nership extended over three years and then Mr. Tetley bought out his partner, since which time he has handled large properties and managed many important deals so as to secure a successful out- come. In addition, since 1902 he has built up a nursery business that is not surpassed in volume by any similar enterprise in the country: The original firm of Tetley & Merriman has been suc- ceeded by the firm of Tetley, Merriman & Childs, growers of orange nursery stock and owners of the Monte Vista nurseries, situated in the foothills and on frostless ground. Mr. Tetley has improved and planted in large groves about four hundred acres, one hundred acres of which is the Monte Vista ranch, now owned in partnership with Mr. Childs, fifty acres on Arlington Heights, sixty in West Riverside, forty in Highgrove and other scattered pieces, all of which are doing well and are in a thrifty condition. At the present time he is developing a tract of one hundred and fifty acres near Whittier and fifty acres at Highgrove. He also owns a great deal of business property in Riverside, the largest piece of which is the Arlington Hotel, owning this in partnership with Hugh G. Newton of London, England. He has great faith in Riverside and believes it is one of the best places in Southern California for investment. Mr. Tetley today is one of the directors in the Citizens National Bank, the Security Savings Bank and the Citizens Bank of Arling- ton.
The marriage of Mr. Tetley was solemnized in Pittsfield, Mass., in June of 1883, and united him with Miss Marion Oddy of that city. They are the parents of three children. The eldest, Gordon, is engaged in the real estate and insurance business for himself at Riverside. The only daughter, Frances, is a pupil at the Girls' Collegiate School at Los Angeles, and the younger son, F. A., Jr., is a pupil in the Riverside city schools.
The personal characteristics of Mr. Tetley are such as win and retain the confidence of associates. Of imposing physique, he
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is five feet and eleven inches in height and well proportioned, creat- ing the impression of excellent health and a robust constitution. Politically he votes with the Republican party, while socially he is connected with the Country Club and is a director in the organiza- tion.
KINGSBURY SANBORN
A resident of Riverside county since 1887 and since that date connected with the Riverside Water Company, Kingsbury Sanborn was born December 10, 1863; in Lawrence, Mass., his parents being John C. and Mary (Kingsbury) Sanborn, natives of New Hamp- shire and Connecticut, respectively. Mr. Sanborn of this review represents one of the ninth generation of American-born Sanborns, the progenitor of the family in this country having sailed from England March 9, 1632, in the William and Francis, landing in Boston June 3 of that year.
Kingsbury Sanborn received his education in the public schools of Massachusetts, and after graduating from the high school at Lawrence entered the State Agricultural College at Amherst, Mass., completing his studies and receiving the degree of B. S. in 1886; he also received a diploma of the Boston University. He went at once to Bar Harbor, Me., and there engaged in the mercantile busi- ness for a time, after which he came to California, settling in Riverside. Soon after his arrival here ,he secured a position with the Riverside Water Company as transit man. By diligent applica- tion to his duties wherever he was called he was advanced from time to time and in 1907 was appointed consulting engineer, which he still holds, and has the confidence of the other officials and direc- tors of the company. He has been continuously in the service of the company longer than any other of the employes.
On March 7, 1892, Mr. Sanborn was united in marriage with Miss Della Patton, daughter of Stephen S. Patton, one of the pioneers of Riverside, having located here in 1875. In fraternal re- lations Mr. Sanborn is a Mason and a past master of Evergreen Lodge No. 259, F. & A. M. He is also connected with the other Masonic bodies of the York Rite and past officer of the Chapter and Commandery. A Republican in politics, he maintains an active in- terest in the welfare of that party's interest and is always ready to lend his aid for the betterment of conditions in general and for the moral uplift of the citizens.
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MOSES D. FREEMAN
Inured to privations from early childhood, accustomed to work with patient fidelity in varied lines of activity, fearless in danger whether on the sea, at the battle front or in the engineer's cab guiding the fast trains to their destined points, throughout all of his busy, useful years of labor Mr. Freeman proved himself an em- ploye to be trusted and a citizen to be respected; and now, the twi- light of life's eventful day upon him, he contentedly passes his days in his beautiful home at Riverside. In recognition of fidelity in the war he receives a government pension and in view of his long and successful identification with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company he is granted by them a regular pension. These amounts form his principal income and enable him to surround himself and family with the comforts richly merited by diligence and integrity.
A resident of California since 1867 and of Riverside since 1890, Mr. Freeman was born in Maine September 2, 1830, a member of a humble family, unable to give him any educational advantages. When very small he was sent to sea and for several years he worked his way on ocean vessels, meanwhile learning all the details con- nected with a sailor's work. Later, however, he gave up a seafaring existence and began to learn railroading, for some years working as a brakeman in Maine. In 1847, when only seventeen years of age, he married Maria Condon, whom he had known from his earliest recollections and who had been rocked in the same cradle with him during infancy. In 1863 he gave up his position on the railroad in order to enlist in the Union army and was accepted as a member of Company D, Second Maine Cavalry, with which he went south under General Banks and engaged in military duty in New Or- leans. Later he was sent with his regiment to Florida and at the close of the war he was mustered out of the service at Pensacola, that state, after having served on detached duty as wagon-master continuously from the time of his enlistment. Upon his return to Maine he worked for a year or more on the Kennebec & Portland Railroad.
After having removed to the west Mr. Freeman secured a posi- tion as brakeman on the Southern Pacific Railroad and later was made fireman. From that work he was promoted to be engineer and for almost seventeen consecutive years he filled that responsible post with the same company, meanwhile experiencing no accidents or catastrophes to mar the even routine of his employment. During 1890 he came to Riverside and bought two and one-half acres of land, which he improved with a neat residence and an orange grove now in thrifty bearing condition. The year after his removal to
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this place his wife died, leaving two sons, Frank and Walter, and two daughters, Nancy, Mrs. Warren Howe, and Eliza, Mrs. Frank Gilman. At Riverside, November 8, 1893, Mr. Freeman married Mrs. Matilda Long, the widow of George W. Long, a farmer of Ohio for years prior to his demise. She was born in Michigan and reared in Ohio, but later, after being left a widow, she removed to California, bringing with her some of her ten children, the youngest of whom, Miss Ethel, is a graduate of Heald's Riverside Business College. Mrs. Freeman passed away in December, 1911, after an illness of but three days. Both Mr. and Mrs. Freeman were mem- bers of the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church of Riverside. In 1856 he cast his first presidential ballot and supported John C. Fremont. Since then he has voted for every Republican nominee for the presidency and has never failed to give his influence to the principles of his party. The Riverside Post, G. A. R., numbers him among its members and he enjoys meeting the old war veterans, with whom he can exchange interesting tales concerning the experi- ences of the Rebellion. In his circle he is highly honored as a kind- hearted man, an obliging neighbor and a loyal citizen, and a just recognition of his toil-filled life is bringing him honors in his ad- vancing years.
ANDREW J. WARE
That it is within the power of self-reliant men to accomplish much for themselves in the world of affairs and to attain success without the aid of extraneous circumstances or influential friends is proved by the rise of hundreds of our foremost citizens from pov- erty to prosperity, from obscurity to opulence. In the list of resi- dents of Corona who have achieved success by reason of persistence in spite of hardships we mention the name of Andrew J. Ware, president of the First National Bank and secretary and manager of the Corona Lumber Company. His life has been an uplifting force in the community, compelling attention by reason of its quiet sin- cerity and enkindling admiration through high-minded principles. Ever since in early boyhood he awakened to the true nobility of existence he has striven toward the attainment of life's ideal and has cultivated patriotic principles and lofty purposes, realizing that high aims alone redeem existence from the commonplace and raise the individual into the brotherhood of the world's best heroes.
A son of the late A. J. and Lucinda (Watt) Ware and a native of Steubenville, Ohio, born July 26, 1860, Andrew J. Ware was only four years of age when the family sought a new home in northeast-
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ern Iowa and settled in the small but thriving village of Waverly, where he was sent to the public schools until he had gained a fair education fitting him for business responsibilities. After the age of twenty years he took charge of a farm owned by his mother and situated near Waverly, where he tilled the soil with more or less success and learned many lessons of patience in spite of discourage- ment and perseverance in the midst of obstacles. Finally he and his mother disposed of the property in Iowa and came to California, settling at Corona in 1892. From that time until 1896 he engaged in the confectionery business. After he sold out in the last-named year he engaged with the Newport Lumber Company as manager and in that connection acquired his first knowledge of the business in which he has been successful to an unusual degree.
Upon resigning from his association with the Newport Lumber Company in January of 1904 Mr. Ware organized the Corona Lum- ber Company and has since conducted its affairs as manager and secretary, in association with F. M. Enderly of Riverside as presi- dent. In addition to the management of the lumber yard, he has had increased responsibilities. since 1909, when he accepted the presidency of the First National Bank of Corona, in which previ- ously he had officiated as a director and likewise for years had been a large stockholder. On February 2, 1910, Mr. Ware, H. W. Miller and F. W. Enderly organized the Perris Valley Lumber Company at Perris, of which Mr. Enderly is president and Mr. Miller man- ager. Mr. Ware is also president of the Corona Mutual Building and Loan Association. The present board of directors are: A. J. Ware, F. J. Mueller, John P. Key, George E. Snidecor, R. L. Wil- lits and G. P. McCorkle. When he came to California Mr. Ware was unmarried and some time afterward he returned to Iowa, where at Fort Dodge he was united with Miss Florence Markin in Sep- tember of 1898. The benefactions of the Congregational Church, the charities of their district and the society of the town have had the benefit of their active interest and co-operation, as well as the many kindnesses they have done unconsciously.
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Aside from the casting of a ballot in favor of Republican can- didates and measures, Mr. Ware has taken no part in politics nor has he ever been willing to transfer his attention from business enterprises to the arena of public affairs. Acceptance of office would be foreign to his inclination. Yet he is intensely patriotic and deeply devoted to the welfare of Corona, where he has lived for many years, helping to solve her problems of upbuilding and advancement. His faith in the locality is unwavering and he de- lights in its steady growth, unmarked by any hoom, which he re- gards as detrimental, because the inflation of values is followed by a reaction as inevitable as it is serious. He regards the diversity of products as one of the greatest advantages of Corona, for there
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