USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 54
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ing his duties he engaged in business in Ostego, successfully con- ducting for a time a flour and grist mill and also maintaining an interest in a shoe factory, which he served as secretary for two years. In 1904, however, his health having become greatly impaired, he disposed of his interests and located in Riverside county, Cal., where he purchased a ranch of ten acres, a small portion of which was in alfalfa, and the remainder set to apricots and oranges. This continued to be his home until 1911, when he removed to Hemet. In 1910-11 he served as president of the Hemet Orange Growers Association, which was organized in 1908 and during the season of 1911-12 shipped seventy cars of fruit.
On March 20, 1877, Judge Nevins was united in marriage in Kalamazoo, Mich., with Miss Lucinda Replogle, whose birth oc- curred in Ohio in December, 1852. She received her education and later taught in the schools of Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Nevins were blessed with two sons: Wilfred B., a college graduate, and now a civil engineer in the service of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, and Egbert R., a mechanical engineer, who resides in Otsego, Mich.
A life-long Republican, Judge Nevins has ever maintained a keen interest in political matters and while in Allegan, Mich., served as delegate to county, congressional and state conventions, and besides serving as chairman of various county conventions, also acted as deputy school superintendent of Allegan county and treasurer of Otsego for two terms. For a time he was engaged in the real estate business in Hemet. He is now secretary of the Growers Drying and Canning Company of Hemet. In his field of work Judge Nevins finds both pleasure and profit, his health having been completely restored since his location in the west.
While living in Michigan Judge Nevins was a member of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, but since coming to California has not affiliated with the orders. During their residence in Michigan, both himself and wife attended the Congregational Church, and are now identified with the Presbyterian Church of Hemet, to which they lend efficient service.
ARTHUR B. TUTHILL
Experiences of boyhood and youth, prior to his arrival at Corona in February of 1890, enabled Mr. Tuthill to form an intelli- gent conception of various parts of the west and prepared him for an enthusiastic appreciation of the opportunities offered by Co- rona as a place of permanent residence. In his careful study of conditions prevailing in this section he arrived at a conclusion
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favorable to its possibilities from a commercial and horticultural standpoint and the decision then made has not been changed by the occurrences incident to an identification of more than twenty years with the community. At this writing and since August of 1910 he has served as street superintendent of Corona and under his economical and sagacious oversight the public highways are maintained in an almost ideal condition. It is his ambition to fill the office in a manner satisfactory to the taxpayers, hence his energies are directed closely to the work and his time is devoted assiduously to the details connected therewith.
Very early in the colonization of the new world the Tuthill family became identified with pioneer history. Edward B. Tuthill, a descendant of the original immigrant, was born in Orange county, N. Y., in 1828, and as early as 1866 followed the tide of emigra- tion toward the west, settling in Morgan county, Ill., where he and his wife, Sophia, became the parents of a son, Arthur B., July 19, 1867. During the year 1873 the family removed still further west and settled at Georgetown, Colo., where the boy was sent to the primary department of the public school. The period of resi- dence in Georgetown was brief, for the year 1874 found the family in Martinez, Cal., where again the boy was sent to school. The final location of the family in Colorado was at Colorado Springs, where they made their home from 1878 until 1882, and in the last- named year came again to the Pacific coast, settling in San Mateo county, Cal. From that point the youth went into San Francisco to the high school until he had acquired an excellent education in the common branches.
An identification of two years with the ranching interests of San Luis Obispo county while working on his father's farm gave Mr. Tuthill a comprehensive knowledge of agricultural condi- tions in that section of the state. After having worked there from 1884 until 1886 he removed to Monterey county and took up a claim to three hundred and twenty acres of raw, unimproved land in Indian valley. In an effort to develop the tract into a condi- tion of productive fertility he remained on the claim until 1890 and then disposed of the land, coming in February of that year to Riverside county. Shortly after his arrival in this county he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Chino Hills, but instead of attempting to improve the property he rented it to other parties and gave his attention to work as bookkeeper for the Pacific Clay Manufacturing Company. In 1907 he was pro- moted to be superintendent of the plant, but the following year he resigned and thereafter devoted his time to the management of a livery business until he sold out in 1910 at the time of as- suming the duties of street superintendent.
Various fraternal bodies have received the benefit of the iden-
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tification of Mr. Tuthill with their local societies, among these being the Woodmen of the World, the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to all of which he has contributed as gen- erously as his means permitted. While he keeps posted concern- ing national issues and favors the principles of the Republican party, he has displayed no partisan bias, but on the other hand is inclined to be broad and liberal in his views. With his family he holds membership in the Corona Congregational Church and gives regularly to its maintenance as well as to its missionary enterprises. At the time of his arrival in Riverside county he was unmarried and at Corona, September 19, 1895, occurred his union with Miss Valeria I. Kelley, of this city. They are the parents of two daughters, namely: Dorothy, a high school student, and Marian, a pupil in the public schools.
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JEFFERSON MARTIN COLBURN, M.D.
One of the successful physicians of the city of Riverside and a man of high ideals and sterling qualities is Dr. Colburn, who was born in Rutland county, Vt., April 4, 1858. He received his educa- tion in the common and high schools of his native place and then entered Black River Academy at Ludlow, Vt., taking a preparatory course, subsequently attending the Homeopathic Medical College at Kansas City, Mo., from which he was graduated in 1886. He at once opened an office and began professional labors in Kansas City, where he maintained an office and built up a very successful practice until in August, 1904, when he came to Riverside, Cal. In the city of his adoption he soon established himself and by his skilful work again built up a large and successful business.
Since his arrival here Dr. Colburn has become interested in horticulture and purchased two tracts of land of ten acres each at Rialto and Bloomington, which are set to oranges. Besides these orange groves he has become owner of further interests by pur. chasing forty acres of land in Lytle Creek Canyon, where he has developed ten acres of apple land and has that amount in bearing fruit. The balance is being cleared of brush and timber and will soon be set to the same fruit. The tract is well watered by numer- ous springs on the place and has no need for artificial irrigation. He is still owner of property in Kansas City and also has some holdings in Redlands, this state. The doctor devotes himself as- siduously to his calling and with the aid of his wife is enabled to
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carry on his agricultural pursuits without interference with his practice.
The marriage of Dr. Colburn occurred in Rutland, Vt., in 1886 and united him with Miss Della M. Wilmoth, who is also a native of the Green Mountain state. Their two children are Rovena J., wife of Glen Shaw, and Walter E., a student in the Riverside high school and who is interested in wireless telegraphy. Mrs. Colburn is a lady of culture and is looking after their interests in ranching pursuits and by her good judgment and capabilities has been of inestimable value to her husband in his professional labors as well.
Dr. Colburn is a member of the Odd Fellows, Lodge, Encamp- ment and the Rebekahs, and the Fraternal Brotherhood. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the State and County Medical Societies, and still retains his membership in the Kansas City Homeopathic and the Hahnemann Medical Societies. He has always devoted his best interests to his profession and by his pa- tient sympathy and high sense of honor has become well and favorably known throughout Riverside and its environs.
GEORGE T. ROBERTS
Having exemplified throughout his life an innate determination and high ethical principles, Mr. Roberts deservedly ranks among Riverside's foremost citizens, his executive skill and judicious judg- ment having won early recognition in the commercial world. He was born May 30, 1858, in Springfield, Mass. He remained with his parents, George H. and Julia A. (Webster) Roberts, until the com- pletion of his education in the grammar and high schools of his home town, going thence in 1873 to New York City, where he be- came secretary for George P. Rowell & Company, newspaper adver- tisers. A year later he returned to Springfield, joining his mother in the men's furnishing goods business, and in 1876 secured a posi- tion as clerk in the Agawam National Bank. After two years of faithful service he accepted a position in the office of the Boston & Maine Railroad Company as rate clerk, fulfilling his duties with such satisfaction to his employers that he was encouraged to remain with them for many years. However, he finally relinquished the work in which he had become most proficient to cast his fortunes in the west. In October, 1891, he journeyed to Fresno, Cal., pur- chasing a forty-acre vineyard adjacent to the town and later secur- ing a position as bookkeeper with the National Ice Company. In
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June, 1898, however, having disposed of his property to good ad- vantage, the company transferred him to their Riverside office, promoting him to the position of manager, in which capacity he has since served most creditably.
Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss E. Louisa Cary in Springfield, Mass., April 27, 1889, two years prior to their re- moval to California. They have two children, Winford C., em- ployed in the drug business in Riverside, and Irene W., a graduate of the Riverside high school and now attending the State Normal at Los Angeles.
A Republican, thoroughly versed in the principles of his party, Mr. Roberts has always exercised his rights as a public spirited and energetic citizen, and his interest in civic improvement has always been active. Frequently he takes the initiative in vital matters con- cerning the welfare of his fellow men, and enjoys with his wife and family the fellowship and good will of the community. Mr. Roberts is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics of River- side.
SENECA LA RUE
Few now survive of that heroic band of Argonauts who, in the flush of the excitement caused by the discovery of gold, braved the dangers of the desert and the mountains in an arduous effort to reach the then unknown west. Memories of the stern and even perilous journey across the plains linger vividly in the mind of Mr. La Rue and in frequent retrospect he recalls the thrilling inci- dents connected with travel in "prairie schooners" during the eventful summer of 1850. Although his first identification with the new country did not prove to be permanent he never ceased to reflect upon the west with pleasure and finally, after a long period of useful and diligent labor in his native commonwealth, he again sought the shores of the Pacific, this time as a pioneer in the orange-growing district of Riverside. The second trip impressed upon his keen intelligence the wonderful transformation wrought in little more than a quarter of a century. The locomotive had replaced the slow-moving oxen and the traveler hastened over the lands where once the miles had dragged their weary stretches of monotonous perspective. Cities had sprung into existence where once the wild animals had undisputed possession of the land. Large ranches gave evidence that the tillers of the soil had displaced the nomadic Indians. On every hand the increasing prosperity and
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productiveness of our country aroused a feeling of pride in the heart of the patriot.
In the populous and productive state of Indiana there are few counties more prosperous than Franklin, which for years has held a record for the fine quality of its corn and the energy of its agri- culturists. It is this county which Mr. La Rue claims as his native locality and there his birth occurred May 16, 1831, his parents having been Berian and Mary Ann La Rue. During boyhood he was sent to the local schools. Nothing occurred to individualize his existence until the discovery of gold in California awakened his desire to try his fortune as a miner and in the spring of 1850 he joined an expedition that crossed the plains in emigrant wagons. The experiences of the journey were not unlike those of all travelers of the period and combined hardships with pleas- ures as the caravan wended its slow way over the plains.
The youthful gold-seeker went at once to Eldorado county after arriving in California and tried his luck at mining in accord- ance with plans formulated prior to his departure from Indiana. Good fortune and bad alternated in the experiences of the ensuing years, but he was able to take back a neat sum when he returned to Indiana via the Panama route during the spring of 1857. Shortly after he had settled in the old surroundings in Franklin county he bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres and there he de- voted himself to general farming and stock-raising. It was not until the autumn of 1875 that he again came to California and this time he engaged in hydraulic mining in Mariposa county for a brief period. Attracted by reports he had heard concerning the Riverside district and wearying of the mines he left Mariposa on horseback to investigate various localities for a new home; none suited him until his arrival in Southern California in May of 1876 and he bought forty acres in the Riverside colony. Later he sold seventeen and one-half acres out of the tract. The balance he planted to orange trees. With the development of the grove into bearing condition he began to be in receipt of an income that has grown with the passing years, while at the same time the value of his land has greatly increased, so that he has no reason to regret the step that led him to this part of the country, although he ex- perienced some of the hardest times of his life here.
The marriage of Mr. La Rue and Miss Samantha Leech was solemnized in Franklin county, Ind., in 1858. She passed away in 1903 aged sixty-two years. Five children blessed the union, all of whom, with one exception, are residents of Southern California. They are as follows: Mrs. Sarah Stiles, of Riverside; Sophronia, who is a graduate of a private school at Redlands and now resides with her father at No. 294 Riverside avenue, this city; Scott, who
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is engaged in growing oranges at West Riverside; Eugene C., who is engaged in the government service with headquarters at Salt Lake City; and Mrs. Irene Johnson, of Riverside. The principles of the Republican party receive the support of Mr. La Rue, who keeps posted concerning the problems before our country and is particularly well posted in regard to local issues, being a stanch patriot and loyal citizen, eager to promote the welfare of River- side.
CICERO P. WILKINSON
Prominent among orange growers of Riverside county is Mr. Wilkinson, who is also well known as an expert fumigator, conduct- ing this work by contract throughout the community. He was born February 22, 1859, in Wellington county, Canada, and in 1868, after a brief education, left the home of his parents, William and Sarah (French) Wilkinson, natives of Canada and England, respectively, to establish a home in the west. After visiting various sections of California and adjacent states he worked several years at hydraulic mining, and for about a year, in 1880, was in Silverton, Colo. In January, 1881, he went to Tombstone, Ariz., in the mines of which section he labored until April, going thence on burros through the Black Hills, New Mexico, and Arizona on a prospecting expedition. Upon completion of the trip in December he at once formulated plans for his return to California and in January, 1882, located in Riverside, later securing a situation in the service of Lockwood Brothers, who then controlled the Casa Blanca ranch in Riverside county. In September, 1882, he accepted a position in the. Pioneer meat market conducted by John Stone in Riverside, and two years later engaged in the retail meat business on his own account. Upon being appointed, in 1896, to the office of county superintendent of horticultural fumigating, he disposed of his trade, and until 1902 performed his new duties. He then relin- quished his position and engaged in stock raising in Palomas, Ariz., successfully working in this field until April 1, 1904, when he re- turned to Riverside, purchasing on Grand avenue seven acres planted to oranges. Since that period he has devoted his energies to his orchard and to the work of fumigating in general, having three complete outfits, and during 1911 employed seventeen men. In 1911 he invented and has had patented a fumigating generator, to better aid in the mixing of the chemicals and avoid burning of the tents, as well is simplifying the work.
Mr. Wilkinson was united in marriage May 26, 1886, to Miss
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Mary Labadie, a native of Yuba county, Cal., the wedding taking place in Riverside. Their union was blessed with five children: Mrs. Hazel White, of Blythe, Cal .; Marie, a graduate of Heald's Business College; Ruth and Harold, who are attending public school; and Alice.
Politically Mr. Wilkinson is allied with the Republican party, which, as a public spirited citizen, he supports to the best of his ability. He is a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 282, I. O. O. F., and Magnolia Camp, W. O. W., having throughout his life en- deavored to exemplify the principles of unselfishness and fellow- ship advocated by those fraternities.
HERSCHEL L. CARNAHAN
One of the most successful attorneys in the city of Riverside the extent of whose practice is unequaled by his contemporaries throughout the county, is H. L. Carnahan. He was born in 1878 in Aledo, Ill., a son of Porter M. and Jennie (McCrory) Carnahan, natives of Illinois and Ohio, respectively. Upon completion of his high school studies in 1892 Mr. Carnahan entered Monmouth (Ill.) College. After completing his course he was employed on the Chicago Record and traveled through the south in the interests of the news department. On account of failing health he came to California in 1897. He afterwards taught school for two years in this county, subsequently taking up the study of law in the offices of Collier & Evans, and was admitted to the bar in 1900.
In January, 1901, the firm of Collier & Evans was dissolved and the new firm of Collier & Carnahan was formed. Later a new member, H. H. Craig, was taken into the firm, which was reorgan- ized under the name of Collier, Carnahan & Craig. This partner- ship continued until April, 1911, when Mr. Carnahan removed his offices to the First National Bank building, where he has since con- tinued alone in the practice of his profession. His success has been most gratifying, not only his wide knowledge of the law, but his absolute integrity, rapidly increasing his clientage throughout the county.
Mr. Carnahan is an active member of the State Bar Associa- tion, and his advice is often sought on intricate questions of the law. In politics he is a Republican, serving as chairman of the Republican county central committee and otherwise taking an ac- tive part in the questions arising in local and state politics, though never as an aspirant for official recognition. He holds membership
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in the Riverside Country Club, and as chairman of the public library board of the city of Riverside he has been a factor in for- warding many projects in this connection that have worked for the betterment of conditions locally. In Riverside, November 29, 1905, Mr. Carnahan was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Helmer, a native of Ottawa, Canada.
THOMAS M. HENNESSY
Characterized by worthy ambitions and unwavering integrity, the life of Mr. Hennessy, a well-known citizen of Riverside, illus- trates the power of perseverance and well-directed efforts united with unfailing optimism. He is a native of California, his birth having occurred in Merced county, January 5, 1874. His father, Thomas L. Hennessy, was born in Ireland and was brought to America at an early age and was in California in 1852. His mother, Mrs. Mary J. (Heald) Carpenter, was born in New York. In 1883, after the death of her husband, she with her son by a former marriage, Frank Carpenter, and Thomas M., came to Riverside county and took up government land near Perris. This move was made on account of her ill health. Here Thomas M. attended school until 1888, completing his education the following year in Los Angeles. He then went to San Luis Obispo county and for the following two years was engaged in ranching.
In 1896, during the famous strikes in the mining districts of Cripple Creek and Leadville, Colo., Mr. Hennessy joined in the search for gold and for about five years labored in the different fields with indifferent success. In 1901 he returned to Northern California and was there engaged in the same occupation until 1906, when he again came to Riverside county. Settling in Riverside he embarked in the second-hand business on Seventh street and some time later disposed of that enterprise to purchase a half interest with H. A. Ross in the furniture and second-hand busi- ness, being located on Eighth and Orange streets. The business was built up from a small beginning and in 1911 he purchased the interest of his partner, since which time he has continued with good success and has built up a large and profitable business in his line. He is now located in commodious quarters at the corner of Orange and Ninth streets.
Mr. Hennessy was united in marriage April 10, 1909, with Mrs. Edith (Nichols) Jackson, a native of Michigan, the ceremony oc- curring in Riverside. With their infant daughter, Martha L., and 34
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a son, James Jackson, by her former marriage, they reside in their well appointed home at No. 624 Locust street.
A Republican in politics, progressive and broad minded, Mr. Hennessy is awake to the general issues of the day. He lives as near as possible to the teachings of the Golden Rule. That he is a man of philanthropic spirit and interested in civic affairs is indicated by his membership in the Business Men's Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Fraternally he is a member of Evergreen Lodge, No. 259, F. & A. M .; Riverside Lodge, No. 282, I. O. O. F .; Mag- nolia Camp, No. 92, W. O. W., and of the local parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West.
MIGUEL A. AGUIRRE
A business man and rancher of prominence, Mr. Aguirre has been actively identified with the development of San Jacinto and surrounding valley for the past fifty years, his public spirit and un- questioned honor having gained the commendation of the entire community. A native of California, his birth having occurred in San Diego August 25, 1849, Mr. Aguirre was the eldest in a family of seven children, four of whom are now living. His parents, Jose A. and Rosario (Estudillo) Aguirre, were natives of Spain and Cal- ifornia respectively. Jose A. Aguirre was made a citizen of the United States in Louisiana, going thence to Mexico, and came to this coast in the early '40s. He engaged in merchandising, doing business with the Orient, South America and other points for many years. After his first marriage he settled at Santa Barbara. After the death of his first wife he married her sister and went to San Diego, there entering the mercantile business. Later he engaged in the stock business in Los Angeles and San Diego counties, continu- ing this until his death, in 1860. His widow was afterward married to Manuel Ferrer and passed away September 4, 1895, at the age of sixty-six.
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