USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 52
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
He twice married. In 1850 Sarah Thompson became his wife and by this marriage three children were born: Annette, the wife of J. F. Hanna, of Riverside; John A., of Greeley, Colo., where he is a banker and farmer; and William F., of Tarkio, a banker and farmer. In 1878 the death of his wife occurred and in the fall of 1879 he married Elizabeth (Phillips) Gowdy and of this marriage they had one daughter, Esther B.
Digitized by Google
.
.
562
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Always interested in education, Mr. Rankin was connected with the schools in his section and when on the board he was strong in his advocacy of hiring the best teachers that could be obtained, with the result that those schools were noted for efficiency. Tarkio Col- lege in the city of that name was one of his "pet" hobbies and he gave with a liberal hand towards its maintenance. He served in the Illinois state legislature from 1874 until 1880, three terms, and he positively refused to allow his name to go before the convention thereafter. During his terms in that office he never swerved from the path of duty as he saw it and was impartial in dealing justice and favors to all who were deserving. He was one of those strong, steadfast characters that mark the passing of the Puritans. Slow to make up his mind, but when once made up it was impossible to change it, seldom in error, but when he had investigated a project his way he was thoroughly posted and equal to pass judgment. To his descendants he left an untarnished name more valued by them than the fortunes they received. He was ever David Rankin-farmer.
ETHAN ALLEN CHASE
. One of the upbuilders of Riverside county as well as one of the best known nurserymen and fruit growers of California is F. A. Chase, who has been a resident of Riverside since 1891. He was born in Turner, Oxford county, Me., January 18, 1832, a son of Col. Nathaniel and Eunice (Westcott) Chase. The former was born in Buckfield, Me., June 28, 1800, followed farming there until 1826, then moved to Turner and in 1845 settled in Kennebec county, that state, where he continued agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1878. His wife was a native of that same county and died August 31, 1842.
F. A. Chase received the rudiments of his education in the pub- lic schools of his native county until he was sixteen, after which he entered Hebron (Me.) Academy and was graduated in 1850. Sub- sequently he was employed in teaching school at Laurens Hill, Laurens county, Ga., from 1851 to '53, after which he removed to Sidney, and was engaged in cutting ship timber with his father and brothers for one year. Going then to Turner, Me., he engaged in the manufacture of wooden ware for the next year and after selling out he embarked in the nursery business, in August, 1856. This latter enterprise he found both congenial and profitable and we next find him in business in New Brunswick, where he remained until 1862 engaged in general merchandising. Selling out, he
Digitized by Google
563
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
returned to Kennebec county, Me., following that business with his brothers in Sidney until 1868. Seeking larger fields for opera- tions he next journeyed to Rochester, N. Y., and with his brothers established the Chase Brothers Nursery Company, and there he remained until 1891. During the years that intervened they built up a large and lucrative business. In 1889, with his brother and nephews, he established the Alabama Nursery Company at Hunts- ville, Ala., and became its president, remaining in that position until January, 1911, when he sold out. In the meantime they estab- lished offices at Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, St. Louis, Augusta (Me.), New York City and Richmond (Ga.), employing at times five hundred traveling salesmen and selling nursery stock through- out Canada and the lower provinces, from the Lakes to the Gulf and from the Atlantic seaboard back to the Rocky mountains.
Mr. Chase came to California in the winter of 1891, seeking a milder climate than northern New York afforded. After travel- ing over parts of Southern California he came to Riverside and at once saw the opportunities that soil and climate afforded and in- vested in property and organized the Chase Nursery Company, of which he was president, also engaged in the growing of oranges. He continued his interests in Rochester, N. Y., until 1895, when he sold out and thereafter devoted his time and attention to his California enterprises. In 1900 he bought property south of Corona, about twelve hundred acres, and planted about seven hundred fifty acres.to oranges and lemons. Upon the Chase Plan- tation, as it is called, is located a pumping plant capable of throw- ing sufficient water for his needs. He laid out beautiful drives through his groves and everything about his ranch is kept up to the highest standard. Besides this he owns valuable orange groves in Riverside and with his sons and others organized the National Orange Company, of which he is president.
Going to Perris Valley in 1898 with his sons Mr. Chase pur- chased land and established the station of Ethanac, sunk many wells and built a steam electric plant to supply power to pump the water, with the idea of establishing a dairy colony. Corona being short of water, bought land near there, laid pipe lines to Corona and later bought out the interests of Mr. Chase and sons, they taking in part payment some stock in the Temescal Water Company of Corona. This led them to go to Corona and buy land, giving that city and surrounding country the impetus that makes it now rank the second city in Riverside county and its citrus groves and alfalfa ranches noted all over the state.
On November 3, 1860, in Portland, Me., occurred the mar- riage of E. A. Chase with Miss Augusta Field, a native of Maine. Six children were born of this union: Frank F., vice-president of the National Orange Company; Florence, Mrs. Newell, of Roches-
Digitized by Google
564
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
ter, N. Y .; Harry B., secretary of the National Orange Company; Lewis N., an educator and writer in London, England, and Martin A., treasurer of the National Orange Company. One son, Ethan A., Jr., died aged three years.
GEORGE F. WARD
Long before Riverside had attained to eminence as a center of citrus industry and as a town of no insignificant commercial import- ance, Mr. Ward removed hither from his eastern home. At that time he was a young man entering upon life's activities and his ambitious energies had turned toward the west as offering an ad- vantageous opening for the earning of a livelihood, with a possible attainment of business success and financial independence. Varied enterprises, of more or less importance, have engaged his attention during the period of his identification with the place and at this writing, as well as for some years past, he acts as the senior partner of an extensive undertaking firm, whose reputation for honorable business dealings and for professional skill is the highest.
Born in Brockton, Mass., April 22, 1861, George F. Ward is a son of Franklin Ward and a member of a family long established in New England. Between the years of six and sixteen he was sent to the Brockton common school, leaving in 1877 in order to begin to make his own way in the world. The first employment secured by him was that of clerking in a local grocery and for two years he remained there, meanwhile learning many lessons in business affairs and general transactions. The grocer's occupation did not, however, appeal to him as congenial and he turned his attention to the car- penter's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of three years, meanwhile mastering the details of the work and fitting himself for its successful pursuance. At the expiration of his time he left the east and came to California, in May of 1882, settling at Riverside, where he secured employment as a carpenter. Gradually he drifted into the contracting business and some of his buildings still stand, bearing silent witness to his skill.
While giving his time to the erection of buildings Mr. Ward had developed an interest in the undertaking business and he re- linquished contracting, after which he went east to study the science of embalming. After six months of study he came back to Riverside and embarked in business as an undertaker, continuing alone until 1895, when he formed a partnership with W. H. Davis. The two continued together until 1901, when Mr. Ward sold out his interest.
Digitized by Google
565
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
During the two ensuing years he was a partner in a planing-mill industry, conducted under the title of the Cresmer & Ward Com- pany, and later he served until 1905 as building inspector for the government at the Indian school. Since 1906 he has been senior partner in the undertaking firm of Ward, Amstutz & Glenn and has devoted his fine talents to the enterprise in which he is interested. In 1912 this firm erected a Mission-style building on Seventh street for their business requirements, and it is equipped with all modern appliances. The pleasant home which Mr. Ward has in Riverside is brightened by the presence of wife and daughter, the latter, Miss Eunice D., a high school graduate and a young lady of social prominence. Mrs. Ward was formerly Miss Frances W. Ray- mond and was educated in Ohio. She was married in Riverside in August of 1890, and ever since has made this city her home. The family hold membership with the Congregational Church. Though not an active partisan, Mr. Ward holds stanchly to Republican ten- ets. In fraternal associations he is prominent, being a trustee of Riverside Lodge, I. O. O. F., also leading worker in the blue lodge and chapter of Masonry, while, in addition, he holds membership' with the Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World, Independent Order of Foresters, and the Sons of Veterans.
GEORGE E. SNIDECOR
With the restless eagerness of youth, ever pressing forward toward a goal vivid with the brightness of their own clear-eyed vision, many of the most capable and ambitious young men of the eastern and central states have sought the opportunities of the west, following the tide of migration toward the setting sun and thus exemplifying by their lives the truth of the adage, "Westward the star of empire takes its way." Iowa has furnished her quota of young men to aid in the financial upbuilding and horticultural devel- opment of California and among the number mention belongs to George E. Snidecor, vice-president of the First National Bank of Corona and cashier of the Citizens' Bank of the same town. Prior to his location in Corona in 1908 he had investigated a large num- ber of villages and cities in this part of the state. Before determin- ing to invest his means here and establish a home in the town he spent three weeks driving over the country tributary to the town, meanwhile making a careful study of conditions. It was his de- termination to ascertain actual conditions of soil, for he realized that the town itself would depend entirely upon the soil fertility of
Digitized by Google
566
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
the adjacent territory. The result surpassed his brightest expecta- tions. He found the natural resources had not been exaggerated, but on the contrary were such as to justify great hopes for the fu- ture. Therefore he became a resident of Corona and this step he has had no cause to regret.
Born in Marshall county, Iowa, January 13, 1869, George E. Snidecor is a son of John N. and Millie (. (Clary) Snidecor. As a boy he attended the Cherokee (Iowa) schools, near which town the fam- ily had settled in 1870. In 1887 he was graduated from the high school of that town and later he attended the Iowa State University at Iowa City for one and one-half years. Upon leaving the uni- versity he engaged in the mercantile business with his father at Washta, Iowa, and continued there until 1907, when he removed to the state of Washington. After one year as cashier of the Ephrata Bank he sought another location and this time came to Southern California, where in 1909 he was chosen vice-president of the First National Bank of Corona and cashier of the Citizens' Bank, which is operated as a savings department of the larger institution. Both concerns are prepared to accommodate their customers and grant as liberal lines of credit as the business, balances and responsibility of the borrower warrant. The banking quarters at the corner of Sixth and Main streets are equipped with all modern conveniences helpful in the management of the business or in the accommodation of customers. Both the commercial and the savings departments have ample capital and are thus enabled to offer a service unsur- passed in the entire section. The safety of the funds of the deposi- tors is the first question with the officers and no loan is made that contains any element of hazard. Speculation and "frenzied finan- ciering" have been avoided. Both institutions have confined their attention to their legitimate function of providing first-class bank- ing facilities for the locality. The Citizens' Bank was organized in 1890 and has passed safely through several disastrous financial panics. Its present officers are T. O. Andrews, president; Frank Scoville, vice-president; George E. Snidecor, cashier; and these three gentlemen, with the addition of R. L. Willits and G. P. Mc- Corkle, form the directorate. The First National Bank was organ- ized in August of 1905 and since then has been ably and conserva- tively governed, its own importance increasing with the growth of Corona.
Since coming to Corona its civic affairs have had the support of Mr. Snidecor in their development and he has here, as in Iowa, given stanch allegiance to the Republican party. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic blue lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His first marriage was solemnized in Cherokee, Iowa, in October, 1893, and
Digitized by Google
.
567
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
united him with Miss Jessie Ferrin, who died May 3, 1909, leaving an only son, John, born in 1907. The present wife of Mr. Snidecor, whom he married in Riverside, Cal., July 3, 1910, was Mrs. Gertrude Colvin, of Marion, Iowa. Personally Mr. Snidecor possesses the traits that win and retain friends. As a citizen he is an optimist, seeing immense possibilities for Corona with the fruit industry al- ready developed but still growing larger, the alfalfa industry in process of development and the rich and undeveloped resources of fire clay, limestone and rock contained in the mountains, the whole forming an outlook most gratifying for present residents and most alluring for prospective citizens of large or small means.
GEORGE F. HERRICK
A well known rancher of the Riverside Heights precinct, George F. Herrick was born in Chittenden county, Vt., July 29, 1851. He received a limited school education, but being endowed with a natural ability and being a lover of good literature, he has kept abreast of the times in all matters of moment. Starting to make his own way in the world he learned telegraphy and when he had mastered that he secured a position as operator and station agent in his native state and continued there for twelve years, abandoning that field to engage in farming in Vermont. In 1887 he brought his family to California; and locating in Riverside, secured work as a carpenter and later took contracts for work of that nature. His first purchase of land was a five-acre orange grove, which subsequently became a part of the city; this he still owns. In 1905 he bought the place upon which he now resides, the same being a ten-acre tract of bearing oranges, which prior to his purchase he took care of for the owners. He has successfully car- ried this work forward and has one of the well kept and good pro- ducing properties in the locality.
On September 27, 1874, in Cambridge, Vt., occurred the marriage of G. F. Herrick to Miss Susan Tyler, a native of Essex, that state. Mrs. Herrick had the advantage of a good education and was for several years a successful teacher, and who by her kindly, sympathetic nature has always been surrounded by a circle of warm friends. Four sons and one daughter were born of this marriage, the latter dying in infancy. Charles W., a resident of Berkeley, Cal., is in the railway postal service; Walter L., who died December 18, 1899, aged twenty-two years, was a member of Com- pany M, Seventh Regiment, N. G. C., and volunteered for duty in
Digitized by Google
568
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
the Spanish-American war; Fred T. took a special course and for four years was physical director of the Riverside Y. M. C. A., and is now chief clerk in the office of the superintendent of the State Board of Charities and Correction, and resides in Berkeley; and George W., an orchardist, ably conducts the affairs of his father's ranch.
Mr. Herrick is a member of Magnolia Camp No. 92, W. O. W., and is also affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees, Tent No. 19. He is one of Riverside's public spirited citizens and is a Re- publican in political preference. He has served on the elective board, has done jury duty, besides having been chosen to represent his county in various conventions. Both himself and wife are active members of the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church of Riverside, Mr. Herrick assisting the choir, while his wife lends her aid to the various ladies' auxiliaries of the church, being especially interested in missionary work.
SAMUEL B. HAMPTON
With a foresight and perseverance which mark the man who will one day realize his ambitions, despite adverse circumstances and lack of assistance, Mr. Hampton early laid the foundation of the prosperity which he enjoys today, his efficient management of the Corona Lemon Company during the past eight years having amply proven his fitness for his responsible position. As president of the Corona Foothill Lemon Company he expects the new project to contribute materially to the growth and wealth of the county, both himself and secretary, H. R. Case, having planned most carefully for the future of the undertaking. Having acquired south of the city, eight hundred acres on the mesa, specially adapted for lemon culture, on account of being far above the frost line, the company is now planting the trees. An abundant water supply has been de- veloped from wells and a two hundred and fifty horse power pump- ing plant has been installed in connection with which three miles of pipe line, with a capacity of two hundred miner's inches, has been laid.
Mr. Hampton is a native of Linn county, Iowa, has birth having occurred February 26, 1870. At the age of four years he went to Osage county, Kan., with his parents, I. S. and Ellen (Hazelrigg) Hampton, natives of Ohio and Iowa, respectively. Upon completion of his public school studies he accompanied his father in 1886 to Elsinore, Riverside county, Cal., where for a year he worked at various occupations, removing thence
Digitized by Google
569
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
to Riverside to take up his new duties as packer in the estab- 1 lishment of Griffin & Skelly. After three years he became foreman for the Riverside Fruit Company and later accepted a situation in a similar capacity for F. B. Devine & Company, fruit packers. In 1900 he removed to Hollywood, Cal., where he became house manager of the Cahuenga Valley Lemon Exchange, and in 1901 changed his residence to Whittier, Cal., where he organized the Whittier Citrus Association, serving as manager until October, 1904. Moving thence to Corona, Riverside county, he became manager of the Corona Lemon Company, which position he now holds. The annual pay roll for labor in groves and packing house is about $60,000, a fact which in itself is an important consideration in both the commercial and industrial development of the city. Their leading brands of fruit are the Pride of Corona and Corona Beauty, justly famed for their superiority.
Mr. Hampton was united in marriage in Riverside, Cal., No- vember 25, 1890, with Miss Nora Willets, a native of Indiana. Three children have been born to them: Robert Lester, a graduate of the Corona high school, class of 1912; Ethel, attending the high school; and Doris, who attends grammar school. A stanch Republican, he has always maintained a wide interest in political developments, and is conceded to be one of Riverside county's most progressive and dependable citizens.
PETER PROVENSAL.
Numbered among the early settlers of Riverside county is Peter Provensal, a pioneer of 1875 and a native of France, born November 11, 1855, being a son of P. and Josephine Provensal. After having attended private schools in France during boyhood, he learned the trade of a baker in his father's bakery and in 1870 crossed the ocean to New York City, where for three months he had employment at his trade. Next he crossed the continent to California and settled at Oakland, where he worked as a baker for five years. From Oakland he came south to Los Angeles and thence to San Jacinto, Riverside county, where he was employed for a year in the herding of sheep. On his return to Los Angeles he worked in different bakeries for four years and then removed to San Bernardino, where he opened a bakery. This shop he con- ducted for eight months and then sold. His next location was at Riverside, where he worked as an employe in the St. George hotel for four years. The year 1892 found him a resident of Corona
Digitized by Google
.
570
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
and here he has since made his home, having in 1907 opened the Corona Home laundry, of which he is the sole proprietor
Established at the corner of Second and Main streets in a small frame building, the laundry seemed at once to fill a long-felt want. The growth of the business necessitated the erection of larger quar- ters in 1908, when a brick building, 25x60 feet, was added to the original house. At the same time labor-saving machinery was in- stalled. The result is that the plant has equipment surpassed by none in Riverside county. No money has been spared by the owner in purchasing the most modern mechanical appliances known to the trade, including centrifugal wringers, washers. and electrical irons. Electric motors and a steam engine of twenty horse power give both electric and steam power for use. The plant has its own private water supply from a well sunk on the premises, furnishing an appar- ently inexhaustible supply of pure water far beyond the present requirements of the business. For use in case of accident or an emergency connection is made with the city water mains.
With the sound judgment characteristic of him, Mr. Provensal equipped the plant to handle a larger volume of business than Corona now affords, foreseeing the time when the place would be much larger than at present. The industry represents an invest- ment of over $20,000 and affords facilities for superior work, so that comparatively little laundry is sent out of the city, the people recognizing the value of the home institution and desiring to aid it by their patronage. Nineteen persons are furnished steady employment and in addition to the distribution of money in wages a large amount is paid out for supplies of various kinds. It is there- fore of importance to the community to foster an enterprise of financial and industrial benefit to the people and the general impres- sion is that the plant is worthy of support. Where the patrons object to the use of machinery in the handling of delicate fabrics, hand work is done and extreme care is adopted in the handling of all materials. The uptown office is at No. 508 Main street. Adjacent thereto is a vacant property with a frontage of seventy-five feet, all owned by Mr. Provensal, who thus has a frontage of one hundred feet on Main street. Two wagons collect and deliver laundry and a considerable amount is also shipped in from other towns.
Besides his other properties Mr. Provensal owns a residence at Ninth and Joy streets surrounded by one-quarter block of grounds in one of the most desirable parts of the city. His home is presided over by Mrs. Provensal, a native of Sweden, born in 1869, and in maidenhood, Miss Marie Jacobson. She came to America in 1887, stopping in Chicago one year, where she had a brother. He died a few weeks after her arrival but she had decided to remain in this country and learn to speak English, attending school for
Digitized by Google
571
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
that purpose. She married there J. B. Knorr and they came west as far as Lincoln, Neb., remaining there another year and thence on to California, settling in Corona, which has since been her home. She is interested in Corona's growth and believes there is no better place to succeed than here. Her marriage with Mr. Provensal occurred in 1908. Mr. Provensal was married twice prior to this union and by the first he has one son living, Joseph Adolph, who is in business in Los Angeles. By the second mar- riage he also has one son living, John Amery, who is assisting his father, is married and resides in Corona. Mr. Provensal sup- ports Republican principles. Stanch in his allegiance to the city, he believes in its future development and has contributed his share towards the enlargement of its business activities.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.