USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 60
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Immediately after locating here Mr. Dole entered into horti-
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cultural pursuits, purchasing a tract of land and beginning its im- provement. The oranges had already been set out by W. R. Russell in 1883 and were on a paying basis when he secured the grove. He also had some raisin grapes at first, but these were gradually supplanted until the tract of twenty acres was entirely in oranges. Besides attending to the ranch Mr. Dole also had time to enter into the civic life of the city and became identified with all leading movements for the well-being of the city and its people. He served in the city council and was always interested in matters that would develop town or county.
The family were members of the Congregational Church and Mr. Dole was liberal in his donations to all its philanthropies. He was a Mason, having been made a member in Hawaiian Lodge No. 21 in Honolulu, and was affiliated with Evergreen Lodge of River- side.
ALEXANDER M. MACKEY
Among the respected residents of Banning, A. M. Mackey enjoys to a degree the confidence and esteem of his fellows and by his progressive principles and perseverance has won a fair degree of success. He was born April 18, 1858, in Muskingum county, Ohio, the eldest of the two sons born into the family of Robert and Nancy (Mckinney) Mackey, natives of that state. The other son, Dr. John G. Mackey, is a practicing physician of San Fer- nando, Cal. Robert Mackey was a farmer in Guernsey and Mus- kingum counties prior to his enlistment in the Civil war. In the Seventh Ohio Cavalry he served under General Kilpatrick and participated in numerous engagements. He was wounded three times, the last time permanently crippling him for the rest of his life, the shot injuring his left ankle. He was honorably discharged in 1865 and returned to his home in Ohio. The following year he moved to Nevada, Vernon county, Mo., where he resided some years and in 1883, with his family, removed to Riverside county, and in Riverside engaged in the hotel business for two years. Selling ont, he moved to Banning and made his home with his son A. M. Mackey for a time and then bought five acres of land and resided thereon until his death, at which time his widow went to San Fer- nando and is making her home with her son, Dr. John G. Mackey.
Alexander M. Mackey grew to manhood in Vernon county, Mo .. and received a fair education in the common schools, assisting his father with the farm work, and accompanying the family to Cali- fornia in 1883. He was associated with his father in the conduct
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of the hotel in Riverside, in 1885 going to Banning and purchasing two and one-half acres of land which he set to fruit and erected a house, into which he and his parents moved and lived until the marriage of the son in 1895. In 1887 Mr. Mackey engaged in the butcher business in Banning, continuing for about seven years. He sold out and worked at various occupations, then buying land from time to time until he now owns twenty acres in deciduous fruits, still retaining his residence on his original purchase of two and a half acres.
February 19, 1895, Mr. Mackey was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Kerr, a native of Belfast, Ireland, where she was educated. She came to California with her sister Minnie and has since remained a resident of the state. Six children were born of their union. Those living are: William O., Agnes, Robert Bruce and Allen Milton. Nellie and David died in early childhood. In politics Mr. Mackey is a Republican and both himself and wife are active members of the Banning Methodist Church and for about thirty years Mr. Mackey has been a teacher in the Sunday school.
HENRY DANIELS
In Mr. Daniels, capable manager of the famous Bixby orchards near Corona, we find a man whose perseverance and excellent judg- ment have enabled him, orphaned and unaided, to master the many difficulties that have beset his career, his sterling qualities fully meriting the wide esteem which he enjoys today.
Born in Cornwall, England, November 28, 1859, Mr. Daniels went to the north of England three years later with his parents, William and Louisa (Marks) Daniels, natives of Cornwall, and received a meager education in the public schools in that part of England. His father died in 1862. At the early age of ten years he secured employment as a fireman, faithfully supporting his mother until her death a year later. At the age of fourteen he worked in the mines and upon the death of his only brother three years later cheerfully gave his earnings toward the maintenance of the bereaved family. In 1878, weary of the mines, and filled with hope concerning the opportunities to be secured in America, he left England and arrived in New Jersey in the fall. Of neces- sity, he turned again to mining, in which occupation he remained several years, removing thence in 1884 to California, where he mined and engaged in the apple business near Julian. In 1894
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he located in Riverside, which at that time was but a small village, and shortly thereafter secured employment in various orange groves. In 1899 he took charge of the Bixby orchards in Temescal canyon, comprising two hundred and thirty-seven acres devoted to oranges, lemons and walnuts. Since then sufficient water has been developed and piped from the mountains to irrigate the entire tract, which through his untiring efforts has been ditched and piped with over three thousand feet of standard pipe. Today this ranks among the most beautiful and highly improved groves in the county. In January, 1912, this entire tract was sold to Eugene and Orlin Holcomb, of South Dakota. Mr. Daniels has pur- chased forty acres, which he is developing in lemons.
In Banner, in 1885, Mr. Daniels was married to Miss Mary J. Brown, also a native of England, and the following children were born to them: Lizzie, Louisa, Ida and Alfred. One son, John, died at the age of seven years.
For eight years Mr. Daniels efficiently served as school trus- tee, has held the offices of clerk of the school board of Temescal district and he also served as a deputy county clerk. An active member of Circle Lodge No. 377, I. O. O. F., he has always been intensely interested in the improvement of social conditions, the more, perhaps, because of the awakening of his sympathies through his own experience, and is widely known as a man of philanthropic and unselfish principles.
ADELBERT D. TILDEN, M. D.
Well known throughout Riverside and community as a physi- cian in the true sense of the word, having for the past twenty-three years ministered not only to the sick of that locality, but to the needy as well, regardless of remuneration, Dr. Tilden's name will live long in the hearts of those whom he has befriended. Born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1850, he spent his youth upon the farm of his parents, Daniel and Mary Ann (Stowe) Tilden, natives of Ohio. Daniel Tilden was a descendant of Nathaniel John Tilden, who came from England to America in the Mayflower in 1721. To Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Tilden two children were born, Adelbert D. and Ida M., both residents of Riverside.
After graduating from the public schools Adelbert D. Tilden entered the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, having previously studied medicine in his leisure moments on the farm. Upon completion of his course in 1876 he returned to his home, where he remained about a year, his physical condition being
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greatly below normal. In 1887 he engaged in general practice in Jefferson, Ohio, and eleven years later, having long been laboring beyond his strength, gave up his work and located in California, where he spent a year recuperating his health. He then opened offices in the building now containing the Arlington apartments, taking as his associate Dr. Moon, with whom, however, six months later he severed partnership. Until 1903 he continued alone in his work, when, upon the contraction of blood poisoning, he was again forced to give up his professional duties. After two years, during which period he traveled throughout the state, he returned to Riv- erside and in November, 1909, established an office in the Crescent building, resuming his practice.
Dr. Tilden is a stockholder of the Westlake Hospital of Los Angeles and has rendered much active assistance to the cause of prohibition in Los Angeles county. For six years he served on the board of pension examiners of Riverside and in all move- ments pertaining to the public good is always prompt to lend his aid. He holds membership in the Eclectic Medical Society of Ohio, as well as in the Los Angeles County and State Medical Societies. He has always been a stanch Republican and deeply interested in political developments, but throughout his life has devoted his best energies to the intelligent and sympathetic exercise of his profes- sion.
ISAAC S. MURRAY
Though an erstwhile resident of Riverside, having passed away March 12, 1885, two years after his location in that community, the memory of Mr. Murray is still fresh in the minds of those who experienced the pleasure of his acquaintance. Born in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1841, he was the son of John and Rachel (Smith) . Murray, and received his early education in the schools of his home section. Later he attended Woolville College in Nova Scotia, and upon his graduation engaged in the retail grocery business. After disposing of his store he removed to Halifax, where he established a wholesale commission and grocery trade, which he relinquished in 1883, emigrating immediately thereafter to Riverside. As a retired citizen, widely known for his broad sympathies and deep interest in civic developments, he lived quietly in his home on Lime street until his death, as above mentioned.
In Halifax. June 25, 1872, Mr. Murray was united in marriage with Miss Annie Stephen of Halifax. Three children were born
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to them: Frederick W., who died in 1885, aged ten years; Lewis, who is employed as bookkeeper in the office of the Sierra Vista Fruit Company, Riverside; and John A., who is the efficient man- ager of the Pacific Telephone Company's district office at Eugene, Oregon.
An elder in the Presbyterian Church of Halifax, Mr. Murray maintained a sympathetic interest in all matters tending to aid his less fortunate fellow men. He was a believer in the gospel of practical Christianity and his life throughout has exemplified his high and honorable principles and his just consideration of the rights of others.
JOHN H. BALDWIN
An almost unbelievable increase of population and develop- ment of the natural resources of Riverside county has taken place since the birth of John H. Baldwin, about eight miles from the present site of the city of Riverside, May 27, 1864. At that time Riverside city was not in existence; what is now known as River- side county was a portion of San Bernardino county; the nearest trading point was San Bernardino, where a few straggling houses were located and the few buildings that are incident to a pioneer village. In the days when gold was first discovered in California, Mr. Baldwin's parents, then living in Illinois, were caught in the onrush of the people to the far west. Reaching California they located in San Bernardino, a little later moving to the ranch above mentioned, where the son, John H., was born. He obtained such schooling as was afforded in those days. Among his childhood recollections is the memory of the first railroad that was built in Southern California, being put through from San Bernardino to Los Angeles. His early boyhood days were spent with his parents on the home ranch and when a young man he worked as a cowboy for a few years. The county was very sparsely settled and much of the land was devoted to cattle raising. When twenty-two years of age he removed to San Diego county and after an absence of seven years returned to Riverside county.
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In 1891 Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage with Miss Lillie Wilson, a native of California, born August 30, 1870, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Wilson, natives of Missouri and Iowa respec- tively. Both of the parents died in California. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are the parents of three children, the eldest of whom, a son, died in infancy. The two remaining children are Mabel C.,
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who was born May 1, 1893, in Corona, and educated in the public schools of that place; and Thelma Lillian, who was born June 30, 1905.
Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin's home place of nine acres is located about four miles north of Corona. Besides caring for the home ranch he is also interested in raising alfalfa near Arlington. Mr. Baldwin can readily remember the time when the property where he now cultivates alfalfa was considered barren soil and was over- run by wild antelope. In addition to this property Mr. Baldwin also has a grain ranch. His interests are not centered in his own personal affairs and progress alone. He takes an active part in the community welfare and for the past six years has served as school trustee and has been road overseer for the past ten years. Mr. Baldwin has one brother, Thomas, and four sisters, all but one of whom live in Riverside county. He is affiliated with the Republican party in national politics and upholds the tenets of that party.
A. THEODORE HOFFMAN
Widely known as one of Corona's leading contractors and builders, having erected in that community many beautiful homes as well as business buildings, Mr. Hoffman is a man of sterling qualities and unquestioned ability, his progressive spirit and kindly courtesy having won him many friends since his arrival in the city in 1903.
Born November 3, 1859, in Madison county, Ind., Mr. Hoffman received his education in the district school of that community, working as a carpenter during the summer months. At the age of twenty he moved to Barton county, Mo., with his parents, James and Melissa (Anderson) Hoffman, both natives of Indiana, and for several years assisted his father in agricultural pursuits, also devoting a portion of his time to his trade. In 1899 he removed to Iola, Kan., where he remained over five years, working at his trade, and from there came to Corona, Cal., of which he had heard many pleasing reports.
In 1882 Mr. Hoffman married Miss Frances Beeson, who was born in Indiana, and whose parents passed away when she was a small child. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman were blessed with two chil- dren: Charles E., born in 1883, who resides with his wife in Kan- sas City, Mo .; and James L., born in 1890, educated in the Corona public schools and now employed as a butcher in that city: Mr.
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Hoffman's father, aged seventy-five, resides in his home in Barton county, Mo., where his wife was accidentally drowned in 1889.
Member of Circle Lodge No. 377, I. O. O. F., Mr. Hoffman also holds membership in the Red Men as well as Corona Encamp- ment No. 41. While in Missouri he served efficiently several terms as school trustee, and has always been intensely interested in edu- cational progress. An independent, with generous political tenets, he has never been found wanting in his support of able and worthy candidates, and is conceded to be one of Corona's public-spirited and highly esteemed business men.
GEORGE WESLEY FINK
To the man who possesses the characteristics of patience and determination, united with absolute honor and consideration for the rights of others, life yields both success and happiness, and it is with sincere regret that his fellows mourn his loss. Distinctly of this type was Mr. Fink, who passed away in Corona May 1, 1911, survived by his wife and five children.
The birth of Mr. Fink occurred February 5, 1836, in Palmyra, Ill., where he received his early education, completing his studies in the schools at Girard, Ill. His parents, John and Matilda (Ham- mond) Fink, were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively, and became pioneers of Illinois. Until the age of twenty-one years the son assisted his father on the farm, and after following farm- ing several years he enlisted in 1864, under Captain Ross, in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, serv- ing faithfully and continuously until the close of the war. In 1868 he removed to Barton county, Mo., where he remained fifteen years, going thence to South Dakota. For a period of twenty-five years he successfully farmed near Wolsey, his loyal citizenship winning wide commendation. In September, 1908, the family lo- cated in Corona, Cal., both himself and wife having long desired to live in the Golden West.
Mr. Fink was united in marriage March 29, 1860, in Macoupin county, Ill., with Miss Rebecca M. Andrew, who was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1842, and whose parents, James and Cyrene (Eads) Andrew, were natives of Pennsylvania and Missouri, re- spectively. Mr. and Mrs. Fink were blessed with eleven children. Of these four died in infancy, Elsie L. at the age of sixteen, and Charles W. when twenty-eight years old. Of those living we men-
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tion the following: Lizzie F., wife of L. C. Whitcomb, who lives in South Bend, Ind., where the latter is engaged in the real estate business; they have three sons and three daughters; Luther A. married Miss Mattie C. Stobbs, a native of Illinois, and they have four children; Nellie E. resides with her mother; Willis J., a rail- way mail clerk with headquarters at Elk Point, S. Dak., married Helen E. Black, and they have two sons; Minnie B., who was born in Dakota, also makes her home with her mother.
Mr. Fink was a valued member of Wolsey Lodge, I. O. O. F., and was also affiliated by right of service with the Huron (Dakota) Post, G. A. R. A man of broad and generous sympathies, he was always prompt to aid in all movements pertaining to the welfare of his fellowmen, endeavoring at all times to conform his life to the teachings of practical Christianity.
WALTER N. TILSON
. Prominent among orchardists of Riverside county is Mr. Til- son, whose beautiful ten-acre grove near Corona ranks among the finest in that section. Thoroughly enterprising and up-to-date in his methods, he has spared no effort to develop his property, which comprises six acres of oranges, the remainder being de- voted to lemons.
Born October 31, 1864, in lower Canada, near Magog, Mr. Til- son was taken four years later to Piatt county, Ill., by his parents, Richard and Nancy Jane (Currier) Tilson, also natives of Canada. Mrs. Tilson passed away in Piatt county in 1878, after which her husband resided in that county until 1908, when he came to Corona, Cal. Upon completion of his education the son continued to work on the farm and at the age of twenty-two married Miss Louise Fuller, also a native of Canada, whose parents died in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Tilson were blessed with four children, all of whom were born in Illinois: Victor W., born in 1889, and who, with his wife, formerly Miss Dena Miller, a native of California, resides in Corona; Archie F., whose birth occurred in 1891, and who upon completion of his education in Corona became his father's assist- ant on the ranch; Ora, born in 1892, a graduate of the Corona high school, class of 1912; and Everett, born in 1898, who is in his sec- ond year of high school.
Since his acquirement of his grove Mr. Tilson has improved its standard so greatly that in 1909 twenty-five acres produced
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nineteen thousand boxes of oranges and lemons and in 1911 five thousand boxes of lemons were secured from four acres, a similar tract, containing three hundred and thirty-three orange trees, yielding forty-two hundred boxes of oranges.
Mr. Tilson is an active member of Temescal Lodge No. 314, F. & A. M., of Corona, and is also associated with the Modern Woodmen of America. A stanch Republican, he maintains a deep interest in political affairs in general and is always prompt to lend his assistance in all municipal movements.
JOHN W. HUMBEL
The birth of John W. Humbel occurred February 15, 1843, in a covered wagon in the state of Missouri while his parents were moving from that state to Iowa. Two hours after his birth the wagon was in Iowa and the family remained there for about six years. From there removal was made to Indiana, and seven years later to Illinois. Mr. Humbel's education began in Indiana and was finished in Illinois, not in a college, but in the school of Life where Experience sat and ministered to the needs of the scholars. In 1861 Mr. Humbel enlisted at Danville, Ill., in Com- pany B, Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Wall, who was shortly afterwards killed in active service. Mr. Humbel remained with his company for three years and eleven months, during which period he saw much active service and was exposed to many perils, and partially lost his hearing. He took part in thirteen battles and many minor engagements. After his discharge at Springfield, Ill., he remained in that state, working a farm near Danville until 1888, when he came to California, and has here continued his interest in agriculture. When he came to Corona there were only twelve or fifteen houses and he has seen it grow to be the second city in Riverside county.
In 1866 Mr. Humbel married Catherine Milliner, a native of Illinois. Six children were born to the union. Ida Bell, born in Illinois, is now the wife of W. H. Frazier, residing near Corona with her three children; Mary I. married Benjamin A. Tucker of Corona, Cal., and has three sons and one daughter; George W. died when nine months old; Benjamin Oliver died when five months old; and another child died in infancy; William Arthur, born in 1880, married Jeanette Boele, a native of Holland, and has one son, William M., born in 1909; they reside in Corona. Mr. Humbel's
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parents, who were natives of Tennessee, are deceased. Mrs. Hum- bel's father is living in Illinois, her mother having died in May, 1912. The former is a native of Kentucky and the latter of Iowa. Mr. Humbel is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and politically is a Republican, whose first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. He was road supervisor for some time in Illinois. He is a progressive man who is well liked by all.
DANIEL JAY DAWSON
Well known in Corona and environs as a prosperous rancher and apiarist, Mr. Dawson is a man of unquestioned courage and honor, his progressive spirit and good business judgment having placed him among the leading citizens of the community. His father, Daniel S. Dawson, a native of Maryland, spent his youth in Virginia, and for some time operated a tow boat on the Potomac river. In the early '40s he left the scenes of his boyhood and located in Terre Haute, Ind., from there going to Topeka, Kan., and in 1872 to Salt Lake City, Utah. From there three years later he went to Bozeman, Mont., and there as in the other places pre- viously mentioned he followed the mason's trade. A later removal brought him to Southern California, location being made in San Bernardino county. Filing upon two hundred and forty acres in section 30, now known as Dawson's canyon, he engaged in farm- ing. In those pioneer days much wild game, including bears and deer, fell before his musket. . In 1891 he removed to Temescal and retired from active duties, his death occurring in 1893, when he was seventy-four years old. Mr. Dawson's wife, formerly Miss Mary Ann Speelman, of Virginia, passed away in February, 1894, and of their two sons and six daughters, only Daniel Jay and two of his sisters, Harriett E. and Mary M., who reside in San Bernar- dino, are living today. Mr. Dawson was a Civil war veteran, hav- ing served under Capt. Ross Burns in the Kansas militia and was at one time an active member of the Masonic Lodge of Topeka, Kan.
Born in Leavenworth, Kan., July 9, 1867, Daniel Jay Dawson accompanied his parents in 1872 to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he received his preliminary education, and he graduated from the San Bernardino high school in 1889. In 1890 his father presented him with $2,000, with which the young man purchased a general mer- chandise store in Temescal and this he successfully conducted until 1898. During this time he also served for eight years as post-
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master. In 1905 he filed on one hundred and sixty acres in Daw- son's canyon, later purchasing the forty acres upon which he now resides.
September 2, 1908, Mr. Dawson was united in marriage in Co- rona with Miss Lauvina Frances Bunch, whose birth occurred in Missouri and who accompanied her father to California in 1900. Mr. Bunch, whose wife passed away shortly after the birth of Lau- vina, resides in Corona, where he is living retired with his eldest daughter.
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