USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 64
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
FERDINAND GROTZINGER
Born in St. Louis, Mo., March 9, 1860, Ferdinand Grotzinger lived with his grandparents in that city until 1873, at which time they came to California, making the trip by rail to San Francisco and from there by boat to Los Angeles. The story of his life is that of a man who has achieved success in spite of the lack of good schooling. He attended the public schools of St. Louis until thir- teen years of age, but was not permitted to go to school after com- ing to California. At the age of fifteen, having lived in Los An- geles for two years, he went into that part of San Bernardino county which has since become Riverside county. He engaged in sheep herding and grazed his flocks on the present site of the city of Riverside. He lived in this locality for three or four years and was then in Arizona for two years. Upon his return he found that a saloon and hotel had been built in Riverside as the beginning of a town. After working for others for two years he went into the cattle business for himself and for seventeen years continued this with marked success. Giving up the business at the end of this time he purchased a beautiful alfalfa ranch of fifty acres about six miles northeast of Corona, where he now resides with his family.
In 1886 Mr. Grotzinger was married to Miss Julia Castillo, a native of Riverside county. Mrs. Grotzinger's father was one of the first pioneers to come into this country about 1848. This union has been blessed with three children, as follows: Emma, the wife of William Huston, they and their three children living in Riverside county; Bert, who assists his father in the care of the home ranch; and Clarence, who entered high school in the fall of 1912.
Mr. Grotzinger is a practical farmer and manages his ranch to good advantage. He raises stock for the market with profit, and
Digitized by Google
1
681
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
his alfalfa runs about nine tons to the acre per year, seven cut- tings. He also has an interest in public affairs and has served the community in the capacity of school trustee for twenty years. Po- litically it is not his policy to adhere to any one party, but he always gives his vote to the man he considers best qualified for the office, believing that he can use his right of franchise to better ad- vantage to his country in this way. He has watched the growth and development of Riverside county with keen interest. When he first came here most of the land was used for sheep herding and from Riverside to Temecula there was no inhabitant. In all this progress Mr. Grotzinger has had an active part and continues to show that progressive spirit which has made his life thus far such a success.
FRANK A. BIXLER
Among Riverside's young business men and progressive citi- zens mention is made of Frank Bixler, who was born in Grass Val- ley, Nevada county, Cal., December 28, 1869, a son of the late Marion F. Bixler. The latter was a native of Indiana, born in 1831, and upon his attaining manhood, left the farm and started for California in 1850. His determination to make a home in the west was brought about by the accounts he had heard of the wonderful country bordering the Pacific ocean, and upon arriving here he en- gaged in mining and working at the trade of plasterer in Nevada county until 1871, meeting with fair success in his undertakings. Having made a decision to come to the southern part of the state to seek a home he located in Riverside in 1871, and for a time fol- lowed his trade, but later bought a tract of land on Sierra street and set out fruit of various kinds, specializing in oranges and rais- ins, and continuing as a horticulturist until his death in April, 1897. Prior to this he had engaged in dairying for some time. His wife, whom he married in California, was in maidenhood Miss Lizzie N. Blodgett, a native of Vermont, born in 1849. She passed away in December, 1910. There were two children born to this union: Frank A., of this review, and Cora E., who graduated from the Riverside high school and taught for two years. She died aged twenty-four.
F. A. Bixler received his education in the public schools of Riverside, whither he had been brought by his parents when but two years of age. He finished his school course in 1886, and for a time worked on his father's ranch, subsequently securing a position with the Riverside Navel Orange Packing Co. He held various
Digitized by Google
682
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
positions in their packing-house, and for three years was manager of the same, which under his supervision thrived and grew to be one of the important institutions of the city. He retained that posi- tion until he accepted his present one as manager of the Co-oper- ative Fruit Growers' Association, and in which he is also a di- rector. The packing house is located at Pachappa station and does a large business.
On September 24, 1894, Frank A. Bixler was united in marriage with Miss Rosa B. Russell, a native of San Diego, Cal., the cere- mony taking place in Riverside. Six children have been born to them: Cecil Marion, Frances Lyle, Raymond Russell, Mary Kath- erine, Merton Franklin, and Francis Asa, all natives of Riverside.
Though an active Republican, intelligently interested in politi- cal movements, Mr. Bixler has never desired publicity in that field, choosing, rather, to devote his attention to his business affairs and his home. He is identified with Riverside Parlor, N. S. G. W., and is active in all enterprises pertaining to the welfare of the com- munity.
JOSEPH R. FOUNTAIN
One of Banning's most conservative and progressive citizens is Mr. Fountain who, since 1885, has been a resident of Riverside county. His birth occurred in 1848, in Fleming county, Ky., where he spent his youth, the country schools of that period affording him his early education. Upon reaching manhood he conducted a farm of his own there, but later moved to Macon county, Ill., where he farmed for a time, going thence to Banning, Cal., in the hope of improving the health of his wife. She was formerly Miss Rosa Mier, their marriage occurring in Illinois, and she passed away in Banning in 1889.
Fruit growing engaged Mr. Fountain's attention after coming to California, a pursuit in which he found both profit and pleasure, and although he subsequently visited other beautiful and fertile spots in the state he found none which, in his opinion, excelled the section in which he had located,-a conviction which, throughout his twenty-seven years of residence in this locality, has but deepened. Starting with ten acres which he planted to mixed fruits, he later added to his holdings and in 1897 purchased a ten-acre tract upon which he now resides and which he has highly improved, his sub- stantial home being surrounded by luxuriant flowers, shrubs and trees, which reflect the refined taste and good judgment of its in- mates. Mr. Fountain is also the owner of one hundred and twenty
Digitized by Google
683
ยท HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
acres of fruit land, as well as one hundred and fifty acres devoted to pasture and the raising of barley. His chief interest, however, is in his fruit, in the cultivation of which he is conceded to use the most up-to-date methods known to orchardists.
Of Mr. Fountain's first marriage three children were born: George, who with his wife and two children, resides in Banning; Robert, who met an accidental death by drowning just after his graduation from Stanford; and Rosa, a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley. Mr. Fountain's second marriage united him with Miss Hattie Humphrey, born in Massachusetts, but a resi- dent of San Diego, their marriage occurring in Fallbrook. Two children were born of this marriage, Ruth and Harold, the daughter having graduated from the Banning high school. Politically Mr. Fountain is independent, giving his hearty support to nominees whom he believes possess the ability to discharge their prospective duties. His wife is a member of the Banning Methodist Episcopal Church and is active in the women's auxiliaries of that organiza- tion. Mr. Fountain is always ready to lend all the aid in his power toward worthy public enterprises and by his irreproachable conduct as a public spirited citizen has won the high regard of his fellow men.
WILLIAM P. RUSSELL
An illustration of the power of determination of character and force of will in achieving success in the face of obstacles is to be found in the life-history of William P. Russell, president and mana- ger of the Riverside Heights Orange Growers' Association and one of the influential horticulturists of Riverside. Scarcely anyone now engaged in the growing of oranges in this district was identified with the location and the industry at the time of his arrival here. A pioneer fruit-raiser of the county, he has accomplished much in the development of the occupation and his labors have been effec- tive particularly in the production of larger crops from the land and the netting of larger incomes from the sale of the fruit. In the street nomenclature of the city the name of Russell will find lasting perpetuation, for Russell street was so called in honor of the family.
Almost from his earliest recollections Mr. Russell was forced to be self-reliant and self-supporting. His first struggles were the most trying of all, but in the end they proved helpful to him, rather than a stumbling-block in his progress. Born in White
Digitized by Google
684
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
county, Ind., October 9, 1849, he was a son of William and Eliza- beth Russell, both of whom died leaving him an orphan at six years of age. Ile was then taken into the home of his uncle, John Rus- sell, in White county, where he stayed for one year and then was sent to Madison county to make his home with his grandmother and remained there until her death, when he was fourteen. He then re- turned to his former home with his uncle John, remaining there until he came to California in 1869, joining an uncle at San Diego, near which city he worked on a ranch for a time.
Upon his arrival at Riverside during February of 1871 Mr. Russell entered the employ of the Riverside Canal Company as a day laborer at low wages. Three months later he left that job and began to work on Judge North's ranch as a laborer, remaining about eighteen months. While in the employ of the Judge he aided in the first irrigation work from the Riverside canal, this being on the block where he was employed, now the present site of the Santa Fe depot. With another uncle, Prior S. Russell, he engaged in the nursery business and during their active work along this line of endeavor met with many very discouraging conditions. They were new to the business and had to make many experiments in trying to find out what kind of stock was best adapted to soil and climate. Failure in many instances was the result, but they persevered and followed the business for about twelve years. Meanwhile he had been very desirous of getting a start as a land-owner, so he availed himself of an opportunity to secure an equity in twenty acres of raw land. This he later planted in orange trees. As the years went by the property was paid for through its crops, the value of the grove greatly advanced and now, still in the possession of Mr. Rus- sell, it represents worthily his capable efforts to secure independ- ence. With several others, in the autumn of 1893 he assisted in the organization of the Riverside Heights Orange Growers' Associa- tion, of which he now serves as president and manager, having under his supervision the largest packing-house in Riverside. Em- ployment is furnished to seventy-five persons in season. The spe- cial brands of the packing-house are blue and red globes. Ship- ments are made to eastern markets and the enormous business is conducted with resourcefulness, dispatch and ease.
Giving to the management of the plant and his grove his most earnest efforts, Mr. Russell has not had time for participation in public affairs in late years. During the early struggles of the city after its incorporation in 1883, he served on the board of trustees, remaining for six years. During this time the main sewer was laid and many other very necessary improvements put forward and com- pleted. In all movements for the general upbuilding of the city he has ever been ready to assist as far as has been in his power to
Digitized by Google
-
685
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
do. Such little leisure as he now enjoys is given to the local activi- ties of the lodges of Masons and Knights of Pythias, and to the pleasure of intercourse with the many friends whom he and his wife have drawn to themselves during the long period of their resi- dence in Riverside. Mrs. Russell was formerly Miss Ida Moody and made her home in girlhood in San Francisco, where she was married in September, 1878, coming at once to Southern California and establishing a residence at Riverside, their present home at No. 155 Russell street having been owned and occupied by them during many contented and useful years.
FLORETTA FRASER
Possessed of both courage and perseverance, Mrs. Fraser has unquestionably proven her exceptional ability as a thorough busi- ness woman, her excellent judgment in the control of her affairs since the death of her husband in 1891 having placed her among the most influential citizens of Banning.
Of Scotch ancestry, Mrs. Fraser was born in Lisbon, Me., and was the daughter of William and Sarah (Woodard) Mclellan, na- tives of Litchfield, Me. Mr. Mclellan, who was a farmer by occu- pation, came to San Francisco, Cal., in 1850, but after two years returned to his native state, where he purchased a farm which he successfully conducted for several years. In 1870 he brought his family to San Jose, Cal., where he profitably managed a fruit or- chard until his death in 1883; his wife died in 1897.
A mere child at the time of her immigration to California, Floretta Mclellan received her education in the schools of San Jose, continuing to reside with her parents until her marriage August 12, 1875, to Thomas E. Fraser, whose birth occurred in Nova Scotia. Upon completion of his education Mr. Fraser came to California, where for a time he worked as a carpenter, later con- tracting and building with great success. In 1873 he moved to San Jose, where he served as general superintendent of business affairs to James Lick. Later he served as superintendent of the construc- tion of the Lick Observatory at Mount Hamilton, from the very beginning until it was finished in 1887. In that year he removed to San Francisco, where he remained one year, when he located in Banning, in 1888, having previously purchased property in this city. Later he bought an orchard containing one hundred acres, eighty-five of which were planted to prunes, ten to apricots and the balance in mixed fruits, all bearing, and one of the most valuable 40
Digitized by Google
686
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
properties in this section. Mr. Fraser was a Mason, having joined the order in the east, and his membership was never transferred. Highly respected throughout the county which he assisted so ma- terially in developing, upon his death interment was made in Oak Hill Cemetery, San Jose.
Mrs. Fraser is a member of Emerald Lodge No. 309, Order of Re- bekahs, having passed through all the chairs and now is past grand. Upon the death of her husband in 1891, the estate was found to be heavily mortgaged, but with an ability and determination that stirred the admiration of her friends, Mrs. Fraser at once took steps to remove the indebtedness, her careful plans and untiring industry ultimately accomplishing the result which she so earnestly desired, and also enabling her to further improve her property, in addition to which she owns and conducts most successfully a two- story hotel known as the Banning house. She is also a stockholder in the Banning Water & Gas Company and is conceded by her many friends and associates to possess not only exceptional executive skill, but rare, womanly qualities as well.
GEORGE M. BLAIR
One of the best weekly newspapers published in Riverside county is the Corona Independent, of which Mr. Blair is the owner and publisher, he having had active charge of the same since May 1, 1910, and since then he has purchased and is now the owner of the entire capital stock of the Corona Independent Publishing Com- pany. A native of Indiana, Mr. Blair was born in Lynn, Randolph county, July 12, 1884. Besides receiving a good grammar school education he also attended Ohio Wesleyan University, graduating from that institution. During his youth he became familiar with newspaper offices, first being employed in the mechanical depart- ments and later was engaged in general work about newspaper plants. With the experience thus gained he came west, locating in San Pedro, Cal., where he purchased the San Pedro Tribune, which he published for a time. Selling out his enterprise there he came to Corona and worked on the Corona Independent, later purchasing some stock in the same, and finally taking charge of and publishing the paper. The office is fitted up with the best kind of standard linotype, two revolution Hoe presses, as well as much other modern machinery, and Mr. Blair is prepared to do the very finest kind of work in his line. The presses are operated by means of electricity.
Digitized by Google
687
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Mr. Blair returned to Ohio and was married to Miss Helen Jukes, the ceremony taking place at Marysville, Ohio, June 2, 1906. Mrs. Blair was born and reared in Ohio, educated in the Ohio Wes- leyan University and later took a course in the Conservatory of Music at Marysville. After their marriage the happy couple re- turned to California and commenced their domestic life at San Pedro, Cal. They have one son, James Eugene, born March 7, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Blair are members of the Corona Congregational Church. The former is a member of Temescal Lodge No. 314, F. & A. M., of Corona, and is also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Corona, and a member of the San Pedro Lodge, B. P. O. E.
W. C. CLATWORTHY
During his comparatively short residence in Riverside, Mr. Clatworthy has established himself in the community as a man of culture and broad, humane sympathies, his unfailing consideration for others and his progressive spirit having won high commenda- tion. A son of William and Maria J. Clatworthy, natives of Eng- land, W. C. Clatworthy was born in Somerset, December 5, 1855. At the age of sixteen years he completed the public school course of study and soon after secured a position in an art store, where he worked until 1874, when he resigned his duties to enter Metropoli- tan College in London to prepare himself for the ministry of the Baptist church. He was graduated from the college in 1879, and thereafter was appointed to the pastorate in West Brighton; later he preached at Torquay, both fashionable resorts. In 1892 he relin- quished his charge and came to the United States. He accepted a call to the First Baptist Church in Piqua, Ohio, one of the oldest and best known churches in the state. Five years later he removed to Aurora, Ind., where he served as pastor of the First Baptist Church until 1904. This was one of the largest and most philan- thropic churches of that denomination in the state at that time. He then returned to England for a visit and after an absence of about sixteen months again came to the United States and for the follow- ing three years was pastor in Alma, Mich. Upon receiving a call, on his record, from Pomona, Cal., he accepted and came to Califor- nia and was located there until he removed to Los Angeles to be- come assistant pastor of the First Baptist Church in that city, at that time the largest church of that denomination in Southern Cali- fornia. Subsequent to the organization of the Temple Baptist Church he became assistant to Robert J. Burdette.
At this period in his life Mr. Clatworthy was bereaved by the
Digitized by Google
688
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
death of his wife, whom he had married in London, England, and he has never sought a pastorate again. To aid his eldest son, Will E., who was a funeral director, they went to Redlands and went into the undertaking business which was continued with success for some time. Disposing of their business there Mr. Clatworthy came to Riverside and bought out the E. H. Hooker Corporation and has since been meeting with gratifying success.
In December of 1908 occurred the second marriage of Mr. Clat- worthy, uniting him with Mrs. E. A. Wall, of Monrovia, Cal., where the ceremony took place. By a former marriage Mrs. Clatworthy had two children. Of Mr. Clatworthy's first marriage there are four children living, Will E .; Harlan W .; Mildred (Mrs. Raymond Moses) and Stanford. In fraternal relations Mr. Clatworthy is prominent, being a Knights Templar Mason and he is chaplain of the blue lodge of Riverside. He is also a member of the Odd Fel- lows and the Knights of Pythias and is actively interested in public enterprises of merit.
WILL H. STANLEY
A man of culture and sterling qualities, Mr. Stanley was well chosen to fill the responsible position of superintendent of the So- boba, Santa Ynez, Cahuilla, Santa Rosa, and Ramona Indian Reser- vations in Southern California, his headquarters being at San Ja- cinto, his sympathy and understanding of his charges having created between them a bond which could not be broken lightly.
Mr. Stanley was born August 6, 1876, in Chapman, Kan., and until the age of twenty-one remained with his parents, Aaron F. and Mary A. (Gerhardt) Stanley, natives of Indiana and Germany, respectively. Upon completion of his education the son became a teacher, working on his father's farm during the summer months. and in 1900 secured an appointment as an instructor in the La Jolla Indian school near San Diego, where he remained two years, being then transferred to Soboba at San Jacinto, of which he took entire charge in 1907, and after that date the above-named reservations were added to his supervision.
October 3, 1898, Mr. Stanley married Miss Mae Bessie Light, a native of Lebanon, Pa., who received her primary education in the public schools of her native city and completed her schooling at the State University of Kansas. Her parents, Harvey M. and Mary A. (Groh) Light, are now residents of Lawrence, Kan. After her mar- riage Mrs. Stanley taught six years in the Indian school at Soboba
Digitized by Google
1
-
689
HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
and thus was enabled to understand and assist in meeting the prob- lems that arose in the work of herself and husband. In their son, Arnold A., born in 1900, and who is a student in the San Jacinto public school, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley had an able assistant, the boy having acted as official interpreter of the agency during the past five years. Their second child, Constance E., whose birth occurred on the reservation in 1905, also attends school in San Jacinto.
In his management of the various schools Mr. Stanley dis- played marked tact and ability, his duties being greatly lightened, however, by the assistance of his wife and son. For several years he served as deputy special officer under chief special liquor officer W. E. Johnson and also was appointed deputy under Sheriff Wilson in 1911. He was instrumental in the movement of turning the Government Indian schools over to the county public schools and had just begun the work, having turned the Santa Ynez over in the fall of 1911.
An active member of San Jacinto Lodge No. 338, F. & A. M., and of the Eastern Star, Mr. Stanley also held membership in San Jacinto Lodge No. 383, I. O. O. F., and was a Republican, progres- sive and broad-minded, ever prompt to exercise his privilege as a stanch citizen. He met his death at the hands of an Indian while in the discharge of his duties at the Cahuilla reservation and died May 3, 1912.
JAMES A. KELLY
The course of civilization ever steadily moving westward has brought the Kelly family from the far-distant shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific coast and has identified them at intervals with the development of the central states. The records indicate that during the first half of the nineteenth century E. L. Kelly came with his parents from Indiana to Illinois and settled in Coles county, where he assisted in the development of a farm from a tract of raw land. After his marriage to Elizabeth Yocum, a native of Kentucky, he undertook the improvement of a farm of his own and for years labored with energy and ceaseless industry. During the progress of the Civil war he enlisted in Company F, Eighth Missouri Infantry, and served until the expiration of his time, when he received an honorable discharge. Somewhat later he disposed of his farm in Illinois and came to California, settling on a ranch near Beaumont, Riverside county, in 1884. Eventually he removed to Orange county and bought a ranch near Santa Ana, where he remained until
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.