USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 57
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An official member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Mr. Har- ford takes great interest in the Perris Blue Lodge, and is also a member of the Elks. He is conceded to be one of the most public- spirited and progressive citizens of Perris, and enjoys the unquali- fied esteem and regard of his many friends and associates.
ALBERT E. THRESHER
.Among Riverside's progressive and influential merchants is Mr. Thresher, who since 1891 has been identified with the develop- ment of the city. His birth occurred March 18, 1870, in Monson, Mass., his parents, Eben and Henrietta (Hitchcock) Thresher, being natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively. Upon com- pletion of his public school course Albert E. Thresher entered Mon- son Academy, from which he graduated high in the class of 1887, going thence to Granville, Ohio, where he studied two years in Deni- son University. From Ohio he came to Riverside, Cal. He experi- enced no trouble in securing a position as salesman in the mercan- tile store of Rockhold Brothers, in whose service he remained four- teen years, resigning his duties to engage in the retail grocery business September 11, 1906, in partnership with A. M. Lewis, under the firm name of Thresher & Lewis. His excellent education, united with instinctive business ability, has enabled him to fully meet his share of the responsibilities necessarily a part of such an undertak- ing. The establishment has grown rapidly in importance since its organization and its extensive trade justified the opening of a branch store in West Riverside in 1911.
December 16, 1897, Mr. Thresher was united in marriage with Miss Alice M. Hall, a native of Michigan. Their one child, Almon O., is a student in the public school of Riverside, and though but thirteen years of age he displays remarkable ambition and mental ability.
An active member of Riverside Lodge No. 282, I. O. O. F., Mr.
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Thresher exemplifies in his daily life the principles of kindness and fellowship which form the basis of that organization. He is a stanch Republican, and though always prompt to aid to the best of his ability in political activities, has never desired publicity in that connection, finding his chief interest and happiness in his home and business duties. Both himself and wife are members of the River- side Congregational church, to which they lend their hearty and practical support, and as consistent Christians and public spirited citizens are held in high regard throughout the community.
EDWIN C. SEARES
The inauguration of an intimate identification with the progress of the Citizens' Bank of Arlington took place October 4, 1904, when Mr. Seares entered this financial institution upon its organization in the capacity of assistant cashier in charge, which responsible position he still holds, aiding by his good judgment the sound busi- ness policy adopted by the other officers. It is a branch of the Citi- zens' Bank of Riverside, which was nationalized in 1907, at which time it became necessary, in order to comply with the national laws, to give to the branch bank a separate identity, making it a State bank. This financial concern enjoys the most cordial relations with similar institutions throughout the state, and its drafts are honored in every portion of the west. When the stockholders of the Riverside institution decided to establish a branch at Arlington for the accommodation of customers and depositors there, the entire capital stock of $25,000 was subscribed by themselves and is still thus retained. To provide suitable quarters and secure adequate fixtures an outlay of almost $5,000 was made, including safe deposit vaults modern in construction and guaranteed fireproof. The bank has become a favorite place for deposits and maintains a large checking account, utilizing the funds thus entrusted to its care in the making of loans upon first-class securities, so that the welfare of the depositors is safeguarded in the fullest degree.
The greater part of the life of Edwin C. Seares has been passed within Riverside county, he having come hither with his parents, Charles and Mattie Seares, from Cassopolis, Mich., where he was born September 29, 1883. The excellent schools of Riverside af- forded him opportunities of which he availed himself and in 1902 he was graduated from the high school with honors won by credit- able efforts. Immediately after completing the high-school course he secured a position as bookkeeper with the Union Savings Bank
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and continued in that capacity until October of 1904, when he en- tered upon the duties connected with his present position. In the most cultured circles of society he is a welcomed guest and among the young people he enjoys exceptional popularity, possessing the tact, refinement and polished manners that win friends among all classes. With his mother he has a comfortable home in Arlington and is surrounded by everything to enhance the pleasures of exist- ence. Fraternal relations of a congenial character bring him into prominent association with the local lodges, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is inclined to be independent in his views and favors the men and measures in his opinion best calculated to promote the welfare of city, commonwealth and nation. Invariably he has worked for the uplift of the whole people rather than the benefit of a few. To an unusual degree he is public-spirited. Progressive projects win his support and their upbuilding commands his practical assistance as well as warmest interest.
J. F. FERGUSON
One of the men who have aided greatly in building up Hemet is Mr. Ferguson, who, by his well-directed efforts and unwavering integrity has won the confidence of the entire community. Pro- gressive and public spirited, he has aided materially in the devel- opment of that section, in which he has located many excellent citi- zens, and is well known as the owner of several substantial business houses, including the Ferguson block, which he erected in 1905.
A native of Missouri, Mr. Ferguson was born August 24, 1869, in Chariton county, and moved to St. Paul, Minn., in 1875 with his parents, John W. and Mary E. Ferguson, both natives of Indiana. In 1888, shortly after his graduation from high school, he accom- panied his mother and sister to Los Angeles county, Cal., where he clerked in a mercantile store. After following merchandising for several years, in 1896 he opened a jewelry store in Hemet, having learned the trade in Los Angeles. From time to time he bought and sold real estate, his success encouraging him to the extent that he sold his jewelry business and engaged exclusively in buying and selling both city and valley property.
On July 21, 1895, Mr. Ferguson married in Los Angeles Miss Hattie M. Cassady, who was born and educated in Litchfield, Minn., and who, for a time taught in the public schools of Carlyle, Ill.
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Three children were born to their union: Elmer Franklin, Lowell C. and Portia May.
A firm Prohibitionist, having greatly aided that cause, Mr. Fer- guson is ever prompt to assist in the work of bettering social condi- tions. For a number of years he served as superintendent of the Hemet Water Company, and has also been identified with many public enterprises of worth. He is a member of San Jacinto Lodge No. 338, F. & A. M., and San Jacinto Chapter No. 87, R. A. M., while both himself and wife are active members of the Christian Church of Hemet, Mrs. Ferguson being also connected with La Victoria Chapter, O. E. S.
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HARRY H. HINDE
The founder of the Hinde family in the United States, Thomas Hinde was a prominent member of the medical profession in Eng- land and held a high rank as a surgeon in the British navy. He came to America, under the command of General Wolf, from Cheshire, and served under that general. He held General Wolf in his arms when he was wounded and dying at Quebec. For his services as a soldier he was awarded a large land grant by the Crown, located in what is now the state of Kentucky. Rev. Thomas S. Hinde, his son, who in later years proceeded westward to Illinois and laid out and founded the town of Mount Carmel, Wabash county, was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, known far and wide for his exceptional ability and deep devotion to the cause of the church.
The course of his duties as minister gave to Mr. Hinde a residence for some years in Urbana, Champaign county, Ohio, and in that town occurred the birth of his son, Edmund C., who early in life became a resident of Mount Carmel, Ill. As early as 1853 this son joined an expedition organized in Independence, Mo., and with the caravan he traveled across the plains to California, where he engaged in mining for several years. On his return to Illinois he became interested in the grain business at Mount Carmel and devoted the balance of his active life to that occupation. After his retirement he came again to California, this time settling at Riverside, where he spent his last days in the home of his son, Harry H. His widow is still living and makes her home with her son in Riverside.
Born at Mount Carmel, Ill., September 17, 1865, Harry H. Hinde received fair advantages in the schools of his native city.
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Upon starting out to make his own way in the world he went to Kansas City, Mo., and for about three years was employed in printing and newspaper work. Later he was elected a member of the Missouri legislature from Kansas City. In 1905 he came to California and in 1907 he became a citizen of Riverside, where he purchased a well-known and old-established hardware business on Main street. The business is incorporated under the name of the Hinde Hardware Company and represents an important trade in shelf and heavy hardware, also filling orders for tinning, gas- fitting and plumbing. Under the energetic supervision of the present owner, who is a thorough-going business man, a steady growth has been secured in every department and the establishment carries a complete line of hardware and plumbing accessories.
Fraternally Mr. Hinde is identified with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and the Odd Fellows. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce and in other ways, direct and indirect, he aims to promote the welfare of Riverside, which in the compara- tively brief period of his identification with its citizenship already has benefited from his resourceful energy, keen intelligence and splendid business qualities.
MARK H. PLAISTED
In the olden times, ere the restless spirit characteristic of the twentieth century had left its impress upon the national life, it was not uncommon for generation after generation to occupy the same homestead, but few families can boast an identification with a local- ity covering a period longer than was the record of the Plaisted family in Maine. Their history shows that seven successive genera- tions lived and labored at South Berwick, where the first of the name in America settled during the year 1632 and where for more than two centuries afterward the race was still represented in un- broken line and honorable lineage. The small village lying between the shores of the Atlantic and the state line of New Hampshire boasted neither productiveness of soil nor commercial opportunities, vet it produced citizens unsurpassed for intelligence, patriotism and high principles of honor.
Genealogical records show that John Plaisted, Jr., his father, George, and grandfather, John, were natives of the same locality and lifelong residents thereof. In the family of John, Jr., was a son, Mark H., who was born at the old homestead in South Berwick
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November 20, 1836, and received a practical education qualifying him for life's responsibilities. Hardships and vicissitudes came to him at an early age. When only eleven years of age he was left an orphan with limited means and thus it became necessary for him to earn his own livelihood from youth. At an early age he proved him- self to be a natural mechanic and he took up work congenial to his tastes and talents, gradually drifting into the manufacture of pipe organs, which engaged his attention for fifty years. In Dover, N. H., August 30, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary H. Ricker, who was born, reared and educated in New Hampshire and is a woman of noble character and gentle disposition.
Not long after his marriage Mr. Plaisted established his home in Boston as offering exceptional opportunities for his chosen occu- pation. While he made that city his headquarters he was called to every part of the country in the interests of his business. Scarcely any of the great cities of our country are without specimens of his handiwork in one or more of their churches and it was only recently that he retired wholly from the work in which he had been so re- markably successful. Perhaps his greatest achievement and the work that brought him the widest reputation was the building of the great pipe organ for the peace jubilee, the same being installed in a structure that covered four and one-half acres of ground. The achievement was one almost without a parallel and attracted atten- tion throughout the entire country, bringing to the builder plaudits from every side.
In his travels throughout the United States in the interests of his work Mr. Plaisted was attracted by the delightful climate of Riverside and in 1887 he came to this city as a permanent resident, purchasing two and one-half acres and erecting thereon a comfort- able home. The residence bespeaks his painstaking skill. Not only was he the architect, but he also had charge of the building and every nail was driven by himself. Since the purchase of the prop- erty he has sold off a number of lots. He built and now owns three residences on the west side, also has several houses which he has remodeled and now rents to tenants. His special pride is his own home at No. 1110 West Seventh street, which, sharing with other houses a world of blossom, foliage and color, yet retains its own individuality and speaks eloquently though silently of the skill of its builder and occupant.
The family of Mr. Plaisted comprises now only himself and wife, their two sons having gone forth into the world of affairs, where they are achieving reputations of their own and adding to the prestige of an honored family name. The elder, Mark R., a newspaper man, is now connected with the State Journal at Spring- field, Ill., and the younger, Roger W., of Boston, travels in the
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United States and Europe in the interests of the Sub Target Gun Company of Boston. The Masonic Order is the only fraternity in which Mr. Plaisted has become deeply interested and in it he has risen to the thirty-second degree, being a member of Charity Lodge at North Cambridge, Mass., and the Grand Consistory of the Scot- tish Rite.
ALLA HARGRAVE
Possessed of both courage and ability, Mrs. Hargrave has car- ried on the affairs of her thirty-acre fruit ranch at Banning since the death of her husband, Ira Hargrave, December 24, 1903. He was an ambitious young man and after his marriage in September, 1898, with Miss Alla Blackburn, settled on a ranch and began im- proving it and raising fruit. His father, Samuel Hargrave, was born in Charles City, Va., February 19, 1828, and when eighteen menths old was taken by his parents to Harrison county, Ohio. Upon reaching manhood he moved successively from Ohio to Iowa, thence to Minnesota, and to Michigan, where he was united in mar- riage in Monroe county with Miss Rhoda Emma Howe, a native of that state. Some time after marriage the young couple went back to Minnesota, and farmed in Mower and Fillmore counties, remain- ing there until they sold out and came to California in November, 1886. Mr. Hargrave journeyed to San Diego, Elsinore and Ban- ning looking for a location, and finally settled in the latter place in January, 1887, purchasing five acres that was set to fruit and upon which he assisted in erecting a comfortable house. He added to his land until he owned seventy acres, since deeded to his sons. His wife passed away August 14, 1898, and he now makes his home with his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Hargrave, and at the age of eighty- four years is hale and hearty and in the enjoyment of all his facul- ties. He is a member of the Quaker faith, in which he was reared.
Mrs. Hargrave was born in Monroe county, Mich., October 24, 1876, a daughter of H. C. Blackburn, a native of Saginaw county, Mich., and Mary (Howe) Blackburn, a native of Monroe county. In 1879 the family moved to Kearney county, Neb., where Mr. Black- burn followed his trade as blacksmith at Minden until selling out in 1904 and joining his daughter in California. He is now a resi- dent of Banning, making his home on property adjoining that of Mrs. Hargrave, also looking after her ranch property.
After completing her education Mrs. Hargrave taught school for a time and on account of ill-health came to California in 1895
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and located in Banning. The mild climate and complete rest soon restored her health and she was married in Banning in 1898 to Mr. Hargrave. Three children have been born to Mrs. Hargrave, Emma May, Samuel Jay, and Ira, all students in the Banning school. She and her children are members of the Methodist Church of Banning, and all matters for the public good have her support. She is a member of Emerald Rebekah Lodge. By her unfailing kindness Mrs. Hargrave has won the admiration of a large circle of friends.
CHARLES W. MAIN
A successful rancher and dairyman of Riverside county is Charles W. Main, who owns a place of one hundred and fifty acres in the valley between Arlington and Corona, and has been a resi- dent of California since 1893. The son of John Main, he was born in Barton county, Mo., October 10, 1873. John Main was born in Cuyuga county, N. Y., and as a young man of eighteen he came west and settled for a time in Arkansas, and was engaged in raft- ing logs down the Mississippi to New Orleans. He later located on a farm in Barton county, Mo., and was there married to Miss Martha Hottle, a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Main moved to Cali- fornia in 1894 and bought several orange ranches. He died in 1899, his wife surviving him. Charles W. is the only son of a family of four children. One sister is the wife of John Owings of Los An- geles; Grace is the wife of Roy Smith of Lemoore, Cal .; Florence is the wife of Don Cameron of Sierra Madre, Cal.
Charles W. Main grew to be twenty years of age on the farm where he was born. His primary education was received in the common schools. He later took a course in the St. Francis Insti- tute at Osage Mission, Kan., graduating with the class of 1888. He came to California in 1893 and locating in Riverside county, worked at anything that came to his hand to do among the orange groves. In Corona, October 28, 1895, Mr. Main and Miss Lula E. Craw were married. Mrs. Main was born in San Bernardino, Cal., and re- ceived a good education, completing a course in the State Normal at Los Angeles. For fifteen years she was a teacher in the Corona schools, for four years of this time serving as principal and one year as vice, and is now teaching in the Alvord school. She is the oldest in service of the Corona teachers and for six years has served on the county board of education.
After his marriage Mr. Main located on a ranch at Rincon, Cal.,
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and was there for two years, when he moved to Corona. He owned an orange grove of twelve and one-half acres and was a fruit grower for some years up to 1908, when he sold out and bought the place on which he now resides, consisting of one hundred and fifty acres. Aside from thirty acres in alfalfa, the land provides pas- ture for the thirty head of cows with which Mr. Main does a fine dairy business. He owns Jerseys, Holsteins and Guernseys, in fact, the best stock available for his farm. The cream from the milk is supplied to the Riverside Dairy Company. He is a Master Mason and a member of Corona Blue Lodge, F. & A. M.
JOHN T. GARNER
While the beauty of its homes and the perfection of its orange groves have been the principal points that have drawn to River- side the admiring attention of the country, at the same time it is not wanting in the enterprises that culminate in prosperous business houses and of these we mention the Pioneer meat market. Since 1901 the sole proprietor of this establishment, Mr. Garner had laid the foundation for successful work through previous experience in cattle-buying and since the acquisition of the market he has catered to a large and growing trade among the most select circles of the community. Quality has been his aim and ambition. Nothing inferior is accepted at his yards and only the choicest of meats is offered to his customers, who appreciate this care on his part and reward it by their regular patronage.
Not only may Mr. Garner claim California as his native com- monwealth, but he further claims San Bernardino as his native city, so that all of his life up to the present time has been passed in the same region. In the home of his parents, M. B. and H. H. Garner, where he was born in September of 1871, he passed the uneventful years of boyhood, meanwhile attending the public schools until the completion of their course of study. During the fall of 1888 he entered the academy at San Bernardino and there contin- ued as a student until his graduation in 1891. On the completion of his studies he secured employment in the circulating department of the San Bernardino Index and continued with the same news- paper, but occupying more advanced positions, for three years, at the expiration of which time he resigned in order to enter other lines of activity.
A long experience as a cattle-buyer for his brother, who was
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engaged in the wholesale and retail meat business, gave Mr. Garner a thorough knowledge of the occupation and enabled him, when he bought the Pioneer market at Riverside in 1901, to enter upon its management with every assurance of success. Nor has he been disappointed in the hopes with which he embarked in the business. A growing and important trade has rewarded his constant efforts to cater to the desires and needs of customers. Every detail of the industry comes under his watchful eye. Not even the slightest matter is neglected. The most scrupulous cleanliness is observed in every department and nothing is overlooked that will enhance the satisfaction experienced by the people who trade at the market.
During 1905 Mr. Garner established domestic ties, being united in marriage in that year with Miss Amelia Holstrum, a popular young lady residing in Riverside. They are the parents of two sons, Charles and John Knox. Although not caring for politics nor desiring official prominence, Mr. Garner maintains an interest in public questions and votes the Democratic ticket at local and gen- eral elections. By virtue of his lifelong identification with this state he holds membership with the Native Sons of the Golden West and his fraternal associations are further enlarged through his connection with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in his home city.
NATHANIEL M. M. THURSBY
One of the active and successful ranchers of Riverside county is Nathaniel M. M. Thursby, who has been a resident of Riverside since 1901. Born in Appanoose county, Iowa, February 17, 1873, he is the son of William and Matilda (Alexander) Thursby, the former a native of Maryland, reared in Pennsylvania, and the latter a native of Allegheny county, Pa. Nathaniel M. M. Thursby is one of two sons, his brother being James F. Thursby. The family moved west in 1880, locating in Jewell county, Kan., and five years later moved to Wabaunsee county, where the boys grew to mature years on a farm. As a young man the subject of this sketch came to California in 1901, coming direct to Corona, where he worked in the orange and lemon groves. His first purchase of property was a ranch of twenty-two acres on which he built a barn and other buildings. He made general improvements on the place and later bought more land adjoining his original holdings. He now owns forty-eight acres which constitute a neat and well-improved
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ranch and make for Mr. Thursby and his family a fine home. His ranch is mostly planted to alfalfa, with two and one-half acres in oranges, intersected with walnut trees. He also raises some good stock on his ranch.
On November 28, 1901, Mr. Thursby's marriage to Miss Nettie I. Glass occurred. Mrs. Thursby was born in Ohio and reared in Kansas. She is a woman of considerable attainment and education and for some years previous to her marriage was a teacher. Four children have been born to this union: John Scott, Thomas Glass, James Boyd and Genevieve M.
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