USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 63
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At the call to arms of the nation Mr. Davenport offered his services in the Union cause and December 15, 1862, enlisted in the Eighth Missouri Cavalry, and was assigned to the Seventh Army Corp, Department of Arkansas. After his discharge on October 14, 1865, he returned to Dade county and again resumed farming, which he continued until 1883. In the above-named year he sold out and with his family came to California, settling in Cedarville, Modoc county, where he remained nearly a year, after which he returned to Missouri, bought back his home farm and continued his chosen occupation until 1900, when he settled in Riverside, Cal. While residing in Missouri Mr. Davenport was closely iden- tified with all political movements and was elected one of three judges of the state, his jurisdiction being the western district. (This office is similar to our office of supervisor.) For ten years he served as postmaster of Davenport, Mo., about six miles from Golden City. Always interested in the maintenance of good schools, he served a like period on the school board in his district.
Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Davenport ten children were born, nine of whom are living. Ata E., the sixth in order of birth, died at the age of sixteen years in Missouri. Of the others we mention the following: Rebecca A. is the wife of E. T. Hickman and they are the parents of four children; Martha J. is the wife of John Thomison and the mother of four children; Julius A. is the father of three children; Sarah M. is the wife of W. H. Helm and the mother of five children; Della M. married H. T. Waggoner and they have three children; James H. is a farmer of West River- side and the father of three children; Rose D. became the wife of J. W. Coiner and the mother of two children; Minnie S. married C. E. Sunstedt and they have two children; and Terry V., who is named after his great-grandfather and father, a native of Modoc county, Cal., is the father of three children. In December, 1911,
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this worthy couple celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary at their home in Riverside. Both are hale and hearty and, though having had many ups and downs in life, enjoy the glorious Cali- fornia climate and bid fair to be spared many years more.
In 1900, having long desired to make a home in the west, Mr. Davenport disposed of his interests in Missouri and came to River- side, where he purchased thirteen acres of land. Five acres in one tract was planted to oranges and the eight acres in another tract was used for pasturage. For the following ten years he cultivated and improved his property, selling out in 1910 to retire from active physical duties, since which time he has lived in retire- ment with his wife at No. 464 East Ninth street, Riverside. Always public spirited and prompt to lend his assistance towards public improvements, Mr. Davenport ranks among Riverside's best citizens.
EMERY A. CLOUGH
Wholly unaided, either by capital or influence, Mr. Clough has succeeded during his residence in California in establishing himself as one of Banning's most enterprising and prosperous citi- zens, his success in horticultural pursuits and his efficient service as president of the Banning Water Company since 1909, having attested to his good judgment and executive ability.
A native of Monmouth, Me., Mr. Clough was born August 23, 1863, and spent his youth upon the farm of his parents, George M. and Elizabeth (Goding) Clough, both natives of that state. During the winter months he attended the district school of his home com- munity, farming through the summer, and in 1888 located in Tustin, Orange county, Cal., where for several years he followed ranching, later securing a position as foreman of the Highland Home place at Beaumont. After eight years, having carefully saved his earn- ings, he purchased near Banning his present ranch of thirty-five acres, twenty of which he set to almonds, the remainder being in grapes, all of which are now bearing. Mr. Clough also leases other ranches, at present being located on a seventy-acre tract, most of which is in young orchard.
August 5, 1896, in Modesto, Mr. Clough was united in marriage with Miss Emma Dyke, of Macon county, Ill., and later a resident of California. Mr. Clough is still a member of Warrensburg (Ill.) Camp, M. W. A., and with his wife enjoys membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Banning, both being well known as practical, helpful Christians.
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D. W. GLENN
Good business judgment and foresight, combined with honor- able principles, have enabled Mr. Glenn to bring to fruition the plans which in early youth he formed for the acquirement of a for- tune, his well directed efforts and untiring perseverance richly meriting the success which he has achieved. He was born in Wardensville, W. Va., April 29, 1861, son of John C. and Harriett (Wilson) Glenn, natives of Virginia. Upon completion of his edu- cation in the public schools of Wardensville, Mr. Glenn worked at various occupations until 1882 when he located in Ohio, where he remained until 1885. From Ohio he went to New Mexico, where for twenty-three years he engaged in stock-raising, after which, in 1910, he located in Redlands, Cal. Six months later he came to Riverside county and purchased a ten-acre orange grove, to which in 1911 he added ten acres, this also being in oranges, and taken as a whole his property is regarded as among the most valuable in this section of the county. Mr. Glenn still continues his interest in the stock business in New Mexico. In 1908, when he made his clean-up he sold twenty thousand head of sheep. Since his retire- ment from the range he has made many visits to the scene of his former activities.
In 1909 Mr. Glenn was united in marriage with Mrs. Sadie Solander, whose birth occurred in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn are actively identified with all public movements of worth and enjoy a large circle of stanch friends. A member of Carrizozo Lodge, No. 41, F. & A. M., of New Mexico, Mr. Glenn is also affili- ated with Corona Lodge, No. 271, K. of P., and is always prompt to aid his less fortunate fellow citizens.
JOSEPH MILLBANK
In Joseph Millbank Corona has a man of decided traits of character and one whose personality indicates his Anglo-Saxon origin and ancestry. He was born in England in 1854, son of John and Betsy (Perry) Millbank, the former being born in 1818, but both being now deceased, the mother dying at the age of fifty-eight years. Mr. Millbank was educated in his native land and his first employment was in the dairy business, in which he was engaged for fifteen years. At the age of forty-six years he came to the United States and settled in Colorado, and after remaining there for five
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years came to Corona, Cal., in which place he has continued to live as one of the progressive and liberal members of the community.
In April, 1877, Mr. Millbank married Harriet Oliver, a native of Essex county, England, and to this union nine children were born, one of whom died in England. Those living are residents of Corona. Alice, born in England, is the wife of G. Bateman; John, now in Santa Ana, is married and has two children; Emily is the wife of Chester Anson; the others are William, Harriet, James, Frederick and Hilda. The last-mentioned, now attending the gram- mar school, was three years old when the family came to America. For five years Mr. Millbank has served as janitor of the Lincoln grammar school. Well and favorably known in his vicinity, he is always ready to assist every worthy project.
WILLIAM H. GREEN
Although dating his identification with Elsinore from a period quite recent, Mr. Green has entered enthusiastically into the activi- ties of the town and allows no pioneer to surpass him in sincere devotion to the local well-being. It was during January of 1910 that he first became associated with the citizenship of the place and since then he has familiarized himself with conditions and possibili- ties to an unusual extent. Immediately after his arrival in town he began to promote the organization of a Chamber of Commerce and when his efforts had met with success in the starting of the new concern he was chosen its secretary, which position be filled during the year 1910. Through his able management of the Lake Elsinore Valley Press, a paper established in 1888, he has promoted local measures of importance and has proved a forceful "booster" for the attractive city chosen as his home.
Born at Hillsdale, Mich., in 1870, William H. Green is a son of Nelson M. and Mattie E. (Field) Green, natives of Ohio. The father now makes his home in Frontier, Mich. The mother died in Los Angeles in 1909. Primarily educated in the grammar school, William H. Green passed through that and entered Hillsdale Col- lege and by diligent application to text-books he laid the foundation of his present broad fund of information. When a mere boy he be- came interested in the printing business. It is impossible for him to recall the time when his mind first formed the project of being a printer. The mysteries of the "art preservative" appealed to him from youth and it was an easy task for him to learn the trade. This
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occupation he has followed throughout all his active life and he is considered one of the most skilled printers in his county.
At the age of twenty-three years William H. Green was united in marriage with Miss Lottie L. Lake, a native of Northville, Wayne county, Mich., and a woman of splendid mental attributes, deserv- edly popular in her circle of acquaintances. Four children bless the union, Hazel M., Ellsworth, Marshall M. and Wellington S., all of whom are being given the best advantages within the gift of their parents. The daughter is a graduate of Los Angeles high school, winter class of 1912. In politics Mr. Green always has given his in- fluence to the Republican party, whose principles he champions with intelligence and fidelity. Fraternally he holds membership with the blue lodge of Masons at Elsinore and Sunset Camp, M. W. A., in Los Angeles.
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THEODORE D. HEWITT
The son of one of the pioneers of Riverside, Theodore D. Hewitt was born October 13, 1860, during the residence of his par- ents in Illinois. His education was begun in the public school at Forreston and was completed in the State Normal School at Nor- mal, Ill., from which he was graduated in 1876. From that time until 1880 he engaged with his father in general merchandising at Forreston and from 1880 until 1885 he was connected with the banking business in that city. Going to Freeport, Ill., in 1885 he embarked in. the manufacture of windmills and water-supplies and built up an important and profitable concern, which he sold out in 1900 on his removal to California. For a considerable period after his arrival in Riverside he engaged in the manufacture of machines for making orange boxes and other packing-house equipment, but in 1909 he disposed of the business, since which time he has been suc- cessfully identified with the real-estate interests of the vicinity.
The marriage of Theodore D. Hewitt was solemnized at Free- port, Ill., June 1, 1881, and united him with Miss Clara Long, mem- ber of a prominent family of that city. They became the parents of an only son, Emerick, who is now manager of the Loring opera house at Riverside. The Episcopal Church has the benefit of the identification of the family. Like his father, Mr. Hewitt supports the men and measures of the Republican party, but never has been an office-holder nor an active partisan in his beliefs. Among the local organizations which owe much to his membership and helpful influence may be mentioned the Masonic blue lodge, the Modern
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Woodmen of America, Knights of Pythias, National Union and Vic- toria Club. Inheriting not only his father's ability, but also his deep devotion to the welfare of Riverside, he has given stanch co- operation to public enterprises of value, has assisted in move- ments for the common welfare and has neglected no opportunity to promote civic prosperity by influence, time and means.
JESSE A. KING
Among Riverside's most popular and successful real estate men is Mr. King, whose qualities of manliness and enterprise, united with good business judgment, have placed him in the ranks of the most influential citizens of the community .. Born July 24, 1854, in Buffalo, N. Y., his parents, Samuel H. and Henrietta (Miller) King, removed in 1861 to Rochester, Minn., where the son received his preliminary education. Upon completion of his high school course in 1872 he secured a position as teacher in Olmsted county, later performing like duties in Mower county, attending during the summer months the State Normal at Winona. In 1887 he removed to Dexter, Minn., where he purchased twelve hundred acres which he successfully farmed, conducting a hardware busi- ness also until 1893, when he located in Riverside, Cal. Shortly thereafter he established mercantile stores in both Perris and Lake- view, but two years later sold his interests and bought a ten-acre orange grove on the corner of Russell and Colton avenues, River- side, which he retained until 1897. Upon the disposal of his prop- erty at a good profit he took up his residence in Los Angeles, estah- lishing in Bakersfield the Minnehaha Oil Company, which he served as vice-president and secretary until 1900. Upon the sale of his business he returned to Riverside, where he opened a real estate office, in which field he has since been active. Mr. King was one of the first men who introduced the exchanging of real estate in the west and he has exchanged property in almost every state in the Union.
In Rochester, Minn., J. A. King was united in marriage with Miss May Pople on October 27, 1880. Their union has been blessed with two children, Edward Alonzo, born in 1882, and who is his father's assistant, and Jessie May, who completed her studies in the public school of this city.
In fraternal relations Mr. King is active and is a member of Sunnyside Lodge No. 112, K. of P., and is also affiliated with Court California No. 451, I. O. F., and with Riverside Camp No. 8513, M.
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W. A. As a Republican he has always maintained an active inter- est in political matters and as an efficient worker in the Riverside Congregational Church his religious life is that of a practical and consistent Christian.
HENRY K. LAIRD
One of the attractive fruit farms lying within the region tribu- tary to Elsinore is the property owned by H. K. Laird and under cultivation principally to apricots and peaches. The attractive appearance of the tract bears silent testimony concerning the artistic taste of the owner, whose sagacious judgment is proved by the thrifty management of the well-improved acreage. The care of the place does not represent the limit of his energies, for in addition he leases and operates a tract of grain land. In the kindred pursuits of grain and fruit farming he finds a diversity of labor as well as an enlargement of financial returns and since he came to the farm he has enjoyed a growing measure of success.
The Civil war with its tragedies bears no place in the memories of H. K. Laird, for one-half of its long contest had been made into history when he was born in 1863 and the fair land of Missouri, where he was born and reared, had recovered from the worst of the struggle when he began to be interested in the outer world of activ- ity. He had very limited educational advantages, but worked early and late on a farm and afterward served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade. During 1887 at the age of twenty-four years he left Missouri and settled in California, which was then attracting wide attention throughout the east. A brief sojourn in Elsinore, then a village of small proportions, was followed by removal to Temecula. Afterward he erected the first building and started the first store at Sawtelle, Los Angeles county, where also he bore a part in the establishment of the water company and furthermore started a water plant of his own, but this he soon sold.
After an absence of eighteen years Mr. Laird returned to Elsi- nore and now conducts his ranch a few miles out of town. His first marriage took place in 1888 and united him with Miss Jennie Clay- ton, a native of Missouri. The children of that union are Jesse W., Roy H. and William K. During 1901 Mr. Laird was united in mar- riage with Miss Cora L. Haines, who was born and reared in Mis- souri, being a daughter of George L. Haines, of that state. The four children of their union are Lee E., Nelson C., Henry K., Jr., and Andrew G. It is the desire of Mr. Laird to give all of his chil-
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dren the very best educational advantages his means will permit and he is bending every effort toward aiding them to prepare for fields of usefulness in future years.
While making his home at Sawtelle Mr. Laird assisted in founding a lodge of Odd Fellows at that point and he still hold's membership with that organization, in addition to belonging to the Fraternal Brotherhood and the Maccabees. The philanthropic labors of these various lodges receive his cheerful and generous aid. While he avoids partisanship he has firm opinions upon all political questions and gives his support to the men and measures advocated by the Republican party. During one period of four years he filled the office of deputy sheriff of Los Angeles county, but as a rule he has avoided public positions, preferring to devote himself unre- servedly to private affairs. His devotion to Riverside county is un- questioned. Of the various localities to which Destiny has drawn him, none appeals to him as possessing greater charm or larger promise than does the city of Elsinore and he has joined the large and growing ranks of citizens pledged to promote the civic and community interests to the extent of their abilities.
C.
THOMAS H. WILKS
The descendant of a long line of English ancestors, Thomas H. Wilks was also a native of England, born in Oxford in 1880, the son of Richard and Fanny (Kimball) Wilks, they, too, being natives of the Mother Country. The year 1887 witnessed the removal of the family to the United States, settlement first being made in New York and from there they removed to Kansas. A still later change brought them to California, settlement being made in what was then San Diego county but which has since become a part of Riverside county. Here, near Wildomar, Richard Wilks now owns a ranch of two hundred and five acres of choice farming land and in close proximity his son also owns a fine tract under cultivation.
A lad of seven years when he came with his parents to the United States, Thomas H. Wilks became a pupil in the school of Wildomar, Cal., and by studious application laid a good foundation that has been added to by reading and observation and has made him the well-informed man that he is today. Following his school career he took up the work for which he was best fitted and his success as an agriculturist during the past ten years has proven beyond doubt that his estimate of his abilities has not been mis-
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taken. Starting without means his record in the meantime has been most creditable and today he is counted among the most successful citizens of his community. On his ranch near Wildomar, compris- ing one hundred acres, he raises alfalfa, barley and alfalfa seed. In addition to the home place, upon which in 1912 he erected a fine country home, he owns a ranch of one hundred acres not far from Wildomar, all of the land under his control showing the possession of wise judgment and a thorough understanding of the intricacies of present-day farming methods.
August 2, 1908, Mr. Wilks was married to Miss Viola Fetterly, who was born in New Mexico, the daughter of Edith Brockman and Charlie Fetterly, the latter deceased and the former still living and a resident of Riverside. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilks, Horace and Arthur I.
Thomas H. Wilks was the second in a family of four children, all of whom are living except the youngest, Valentine John, who was accidentally killed by a hunter who believed footfalls heard on the thicket near Elsinore denoted the presence of a deer. The eldest son, Richard, Jr., assists his father in the care of the home ranch. The only daughter, Mary Elizabeth, also resides at home. Highly esteemed for his capable citizenship and manly qualities, Mr. Wilks is always prompt to respond to calls relating to the wel- fare of the municipality in which he lives, though his chief interests are centered in his home.
PAUL BERTRAMSON
One of the most enterprising and successful citizens of River- side county is Mr. Bertramson, who resides one and a half miles from San Jacinto, his ranch of twenty acres being among the most valuable in that section. His parents, John and Jennie (Anderson) Bertramson, both natives of Denmark, left their home in Germany in 1884 and located in Crawford county, Iowa, where, in 1891, the wife passed away. In 1892 the father removed to Nebraska, set- tling on a farm near Sidney, where his death occurred in 1910.
Born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, May 30, 1879, Paul Bertramson was educated in the public schools of Crawford county, Iowa, later working on a farm. In 1894, with a brother and sister, he went to MeMinnville, Ore., remaining two years, then returned to Nebraska. In 1906 he left the parental home in Nebraska and journeyed to Colorado, where he remained two years, going thence to Los Angeles, Cal., and for over two years was manager of the Hicks ranch at Inglewood. In 1910 he purchased near San Jacinto, Riv-
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erside county, sixty acres, upon the sale of which he bought the twenty-acre ranch he now owns and which is supplied by water from a pumping plant installed in 1912.
February 2, 1909, Mr. Bertramson was united in married in Los Angeles with Miss Flora Elschalger, whose birth occurred in Ohio, where her parents still reside. In addition to raising alfalfa and Kaffir corn for his stock Mr. Bertramson conducts a dairy supplied by twelve high-grade Jersey cows, and is working into the poultry business, having three hundred laying Plymouth Rock hens.
A Republican with well defined principles, Mr. Bertramson has always maintained a deep interest in both municipal and national developments. Since locating in this valley he has supported move- ments for the development of the place and is strong in his advo- cacy of the opportunities offered to settlers by both soil and climate.
WALTER SCOTT HATHAWAY
One of the leading merchants of Banning is Mr. Hathaway, whose progressive methods and unquestioned ability have greatly aided in the growth of the community where he has resided since 1883. Of English parentage, he was born January 10, 1860, in Mil- waukee, Wis., where he received his education, later becoming a messenger boy in the service of the Northwestern Life Insurance Association of that city. By virtue of the faithful performance of his duties he was advanced from time to time. In 1883, having long desired to locate in the west, he resigned his position and came to Banning, Cal., shortly thereafter establishing the first lum- ber yard of that section, and in February, 1884, purchased the first town lots offered for sale, erecting on his property a comfortable residence. Later he bought Hathaway Canyon, where he started an apiary which he gradually enlarged until upon its sale it in- cluded over two hundred and fifty stands.
In 1885 Mr. Hathaway purchased an interest in a mercantile store, the firm name of which subsequently changed several times, having been known for some years, however, as W. S. Hathaway & Co. Besides his business house, which is well stocked and mod- ern, he owns several residences which he erected in Banning, hav. ing also sold a number of those which he built.
In September, 1893, Mr. Hathaway married Miss Sarah A. Foster, a native of Oregon, the ceremony taking place in San Fran- cisco. Mr. Hathaway is a member of Banning Lodge No. 237, I. O. O. F., and also holds membership in Evergreen Lodge No. 259, Riv-
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erside Chapter No. 67, R. A. M., Commandery No. 28, K. T., and Al Malaikah Temple, Los Angeles. Both himself and wife are affil- iated with the Rebekahs, Mrs. Hathaway having held all of the offices of the lodge, and now is past grand. For several years Mr. Hathaway served as secretary of the Banning Water Company and also served as justice of the peace in the early days. One of the first permanent residents of Banning, he has been untiring in his endeavors to assist in developing that section, and besides having been one of the promoters of the Banning bank, has been closely identified with many other public enterprises of worth.
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