History of Riverside County, California, Part 65

Author: Holmes, Elmer Wallace, 1841-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 845


USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 65


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his death. Surviving him is the second wife, his first wife having passed away during the early years of their children.


The efficient postmaster of Beaumont, James A. Kelly was born in Coles county, Ill., January 7, 1844, and was a son of the late E. L. and Elizabeth Kelly. As a boy he aided in the cultivation of the home farm. It was not possible for him to attend school regularly, but by self-culture he became a man of broad information. June 7, 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company F, Eighth Missouri In- fantry, and was mustered into the Union service at St. Louis, whence he was ordered to Kentucky and the Cumberland river. He took part in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, Tenn., Fort Hymer, Ark., the siege and surrender of Vicksburg, Miss., the two engagements at Jackson, Miss., and the historic struggle at Chat- tanooga. During the early part of his service he was in command of General Grant, but later he was assigned to the Fifteenth Army Corps under Gen. John A. Logan. On the expiration of his time he was ordered to St. Louis and there received an honorable discharge. After a brief visit at home he went to Springfield, Ill., and again enlisted, but was not mustered into service, as news was received of the surrender of General Lee and the close of the war.


In Coles county, Ill., October 9, 1866, occurred the marriage of James A. Kelly and Miss Zenobia Lemons, who was born in Wis- consin, but removed to Illinois at an early age, settling in Coles county. They became the parents of ten children, but four died in childhood. Olivene is the wife of James L. Thompson, of North Da- kota; Ozeta married Nathan Gunnels, an engineer on the Southern Pacific Railroad; Helen is the wife of John R. Holman and lives in Beaumont; Ben also lives in this village; Hannah married E. C. Lucy and resides at Needles, Cal .; and Harry is employed as a fire- man on the Southern Pacific Railroad. The family are connected with the Presbyterian Church and maintain a warm interest in re- ligious movements. In former years Mr. Kelly was actively identi- fied with the Riverside Post, G. A. R., but of more recent years he has not kept up his association with that body, retaining, however, the same interest in Grand Army matters that has characterized him since the first establishment of the order.


About two year's after his marriage Mr. Kelly sold his property in Coles county and moved to Iowa, buying land in Lucas county and for three years engaging in agricultural pursuits. From there, having disposed of his property, he returned to Coles county, bought a farm and resumed general farming. It was not until 1886 that he sold out and came to California, joining his father in River- side county and renting a farm near Beaumont. Always stanch in his support of Republican principles, his fidelity to the party re- ceived just recognition under the administration of President Mc-


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Kinley, when he was appointed postmaster at Beaumont. The commission was renewed under Presidents Roosevelt and Taft. Be- sides serving as postmaster since 1898 he has acted as deputy county clerk since 1899 and fills both positions with credit to himself and satisfaction to all interested parties. The federal government rents from him the building used for postoffice purposes and he owns other property in Beaumont, including a neat residence whose or- derly appearance gives silent testimony to the industry and care of his wife.


D. M. BROWNING


The birth of D. M. Browning occurred in Carthage, Hancock county, Ill., July 28, 1861. He is the son of James M. Browning, a native of Tennessee, whose father, David Browning, moved with his family from Tennessee to Illinois and was one of the pioneers of Hancock county. James M. Browning was reared in Hancock county, Ill. He received a good education and for some years in his early life he was a teacher. He married Miss Eliza Matthews, who was born in Indiana, but was reared in Illinois. Throughout Hancock county Mr. Browning was well known, having served three consecutive terms as county treasurer, and he also held other official positions of trust and honor.


D. M. Browning spent his boyhood days in Carthage and was educated in the public schools of that place. He further fitted him- self to cope with life's problems by taking a commercial course in the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Ill. After completing this course he worked for a time in his father's office. In 1887 he came to California and located in the Hemet valley. Here he pur- chased sixty acres of land and improved his ranch to a considerable extent, putting up buildings and planting fifteen acres in deciduous fruit, the remainder of the land being devoted to general farming. In time he added to his holdings in the Hemet valley by purchasing other properties, but in 1900 he sold all of his property and moved to Corona, where he purchased a nice residence property and en- gaged in fire insurance and notary work. He is also interested in other business enterprises, being one of Corona's most successful and progresive citizens. He does not confine all his attention to his private affairs, but has ably served the community in various public capacities. For six years he was deputy county clerk and for four years served as deputy assessor. For years he was a member of the board of trade and a director of the Corona Home Telephone


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Company. He has ever taken a keen interest in educational matters and has been a member of the Corona school board for nine years, and has served on the building committees for the different school buildings. For that entire time he served as clerk of the school board and is still a member. Of recent years Mr. Browning has identified himself with the Republican party, being an advocate of the Lincoln-Roosevelt principles.


Mr. Browning was married in Los Angeles, February 20, 1895, to Miss Anna B. Kendig, the daughter of Abram and Margaret Kendig. Mrs. Browning was born in Missouri, where she was reared and educated, and subsequently she devoted some time to school teaching, both in her native state and in California. Four children were born of this marriage, Clara Fern, Evelyn Etta, Erma Birdine, and Helena. Mr. Browning is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows of Corona, and he and his wife are members of the Rebekah Lodge. Mrs. Browning has served through the chairs of the lodge and is past noble grand and she has served twice as delegate to the Rebekah Assembly.


MARK M. STRICKLER


Among Riverside's successful orchardists is Mr. Strickler, a man of sterling qualities and unquestioned business ability, whose energy and progressive spirit have greatly aided in the develop- ment of the community. He was born October 29, 1848, in Tyrone township, Fayette county, Pa., where he spent his youth on the farm of his parents, Joseph and Barbara (Newcomer) Strickler, both na- tives of that state. Upon his graduation from high school in 1868 Mr. Strickler engaged in general farming, removing five years later to near Scottdale, Pa., where until 1879 he was superintendent of a coke manufactory. He then purchased in German township, Fay- ette county, a farm which he successfully conducted for ten years, moving thence to Uniontown, Pa., where he took up auctioneering. On account of failing health in 1900 he located in Riverside, where he purchased a five-acre orange grove on Pennsylvania avenue and High street, his well-directed efforts in this field affording him not only profit, but pleasure.


Mr. Strickler was united in marriage in Fayette county Novem- ber 4, 1869, with Miss Margaret Francis, of that county. Two chil- dren were born to them: Jennie, Mrs. R. R. McClure, and Mrs. Ida B. Moser, a widow with one son; both daughters reside in River-


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side. A stanch Republican, Mr. Strickler was elected in 1907 to serve as councilman of the fifth ward, which office he filled to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, and in 1911 he was re- elected for another term. He is a member of the Redstone Con- clave, Independent Order of Heptasoph, and as an active worker in the Riverside Methodist Church has greatly assisted in the cause of practical Christianity.


JAMES L. CAMPBELL


One of Riverside's well known newsmen and public-spirited citizens is Mr. Campbell, who, since 1898, has been identified with the circulation of various prominent dailies of Los Angeles and Riverside as well as surrounding cities, in connection with a general news business. He is a native of Tennessee, his birth having oc- curred September 10, 1875. Nine years later his parents, John E. Campbell, also of Tennessee, and Anna (Wade) Campbell, a native of Alabama, took their family to Colton, Cal., where they remained a year, during which time J. E. Campbell was connected with a fruit cannery. Later he homesteaded one hundred and forty acres, and acted as foreman of the Colton Fruit Cannery in season. He also served two terms as deputy assessor of San Bernardino county for the district of Riverside, and later he carried on horticultural in- terests, having planted many groves in the county. For three years he operated the Los Angeles Times agency in Riverside and in 1904 engaged in real estate work, buying numerous ranches which he developed and sold. An injury received in an auto accident in 1910 compelled him to retire from active work, after which he resided in Riverside until the fall of 1911. He then made a visit to his old home in Tennessee, after an absence of twenty-seven years. Upon his re- turn to Riverside he settled on an alfalfa ranch near Perris, of which he and his son, J. L., are owners. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell: James L .; Myrtle, a graduate of the San Diego Normal and a teacher by profession; Mabel, who died in 1885; Mamie, who resides in the parental home; Mildred, a grad- uate of the San Diego Normal and now the wife of Ernest M. Gif- ford of Riverside; and George, who is employed by the Salt Lake Railroad Company.


James L. Campbell received a common school education in Riverside and at the age of nineteen went to San Diego, where for two years he worked at the fruit and poultry trade, returning thence to his home, where he at once became a paper carrier. A year later


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he secured the circulation agency of the Enterprise, shortly there- after adding the Los Angeles papers to his stock, and in June, 1900, he established a cigar, tobacco and news business, being now located at 660 Eighth street. Since 1904 he has had the agency of the Los Angeles Examiner and conducts a wholesale as well as a retail busi- ness, having since June, 1897, operated a newspaper circulation business which has grown steadily and today ranks among the most important and successful agencies in the city. Mr. Campbell's in- troduction into the newspaper business occurred in 1886, when he was a lad of eleven years. He was present when the first daily paper was run through the press in Riverside and he assisted in delivering the same about town.


In 1900 Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Codd, a native of England. Four children have been born to them: Mabel A., Edna L., Clyde H. and Helen Grace. Mr. Campbell is a member of the following lodges: Riverside Lodge No. 282, I. O. O. F., and Star Encampment No. 73; Hiawatha Tribe No. 106, I. O. R. M. (having been collector of this lodge for eight consecutive years) ; Magnolia Camp No. 92, W. O. W .; Junior Order of United Ameri- can Mechanics, serving as collector, and with his wife is a member of the Daughters of the Rebekah and Pocahontas Council, auxiliary to the Redmen. He has efficiently served as a member of the Democratic county central committee and is identified with many public enterprises.


WILLIAM RIDDELL


One of the progressive and successful ranchers of Riverside county is William Riddell, who owns a neat and well-improved ranch of twenty-six acres on Sampson avenue, near Corona. A native of Canada, he was born near Ottawa December 3, 1865, grew to manhood there and was educated in the Ottawa public schools, after which he attended and graduated from Ottawa Business Col- lege. Upon coming to the United States he came to Corona, Cal., in 1887 and for a time was engaged in the lumber and hardware business. After selling this business he became associated with the Corona Hardware and Implement Company, serving in the capacity of manager for a number of years.


On April 13, 1891, Mr. Riddell and Miss Minnie Wall were married in Corona, the latter the first young lady to live inside the circle of the Boulevard. Mr. Riddell bought a lot and built a resi- dence thereon, residing there until coming to the place where he now resides, which was purchased in 1910. Here he has a nice


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residence and well-equipped outbuildings. The land is cultivated to alfalfa principally, and sufficient fruit for family use is also raised. A splendid system of irrigation is installed on this ranch.


On coming to Corona Mr. Riddell was a sufferer from lung trouble, but the salubrious climate and pure water have done wonders for him and now he is free of his old complaint. Mr. and Mrs. Riddell have one son, Alfred G., who is helping carry on the farm and is a young man of promise. Mr. Riddell is identified with the Republican party and served on the central committee of the county of Riverside for some time. He was deputy county clerk for the term of twelve years, and also served a number of times as delegate to both the state and county conventions. He is a Master Mason and a member of Temescal Lodge, No. 314, F. & A. M., and of Riverside Lodge, No. 643, B. P. O. E. In all his dealings with his fellows he has proven worthy the highest esteem and deepest regard.


JOSEPH SCHNEIDER


The incessant struggle necessary to the earning of a liveli- hood prevented Mr. Schneider from enjoying the advantages of a good education and the social pleasures of interest to the young; but to recompense him for these deprivations there came to him, as a result of his early labors, a spirit of self-reliance and independ- ence that proved of great value to him in subsequent disappoint- ments and adversities. In his home city of Riverside he is well known and highly honored, his services as chief of the fire depart- ment since 1901 having brought him into direct contact with many of the people. All recognize in him the qualities necessary to his position. Quick in resources, prompt in action and energetic in movement, he is well fitted to meet the many emergencies associated with his work and has proved the right man in the right place.


Born in Ste. Marie, Jasper county, Ill., on March 7, 1863, Mr. Schneider is a son of Joseph and Theresa Schneider and descends from a German family early identified with American history. As a pupil in local schools he gained a knowledge of the three R's, but at the age of thirteen years he left school in order to make his own way in the world and for some time he was employed by neighbor- ing farmers. Later he began to work with his father, who was a contractor employed in railroad construction. He became a section hand on the Wabash Railroad, but the work did not prove to be congenial and as soon as possible he sought another opening. The opportunity came when he started a lunch counter at Bement, Ill.


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The venture began on a very small scale. Little capital was in- volved, for the young man had worked for wages so small that it was impossible to accumulate much. From Bement he removed to Decatur, Ill., and operated a lunch counter in that city until 1886, the year of his removal to Southern California.


Ever since coming to the west Mr. Schneider has made his home in Riverside county. For a time he was employed as clerk in the Blue Front grocery, but later he resigned that position and en- tered the employ of J. R. Newberry, a retail grocer. During the year 1894 he went to Perris and for one year carried on a retail grocery business with Mr. Newberry, returning to Riverside and embarking in the grocery trade for himself. Two years later he sold out and became connected with the Witherspoon grocery, where he remained until 1898. From that year until 1902 he served as constable of Riverside township. In 1901 he was appointed chief of the fire department of Riverside. The Republican party has re- ceived his ballot ever since he attained his majority, but in his of- ficial position he has friends in both parties and less stress has been put upon partisanship than upon recognized qualifications for the work. In fraternal relations he is a member of Riverside Lodge No. 282, I. O. O. F., having transferred his membership from Be- ment, Ill., and also a member of Riverside Lodge No. 643, B. P. O. E. He is a member of the Pacific Coast Fire Chiefs' Association. At the time of coming west he was unmarried and it was not until a few years later that he established a home of his own, choosing as his wife Miss Nettie C. Jackson, who was born at St. Catharine, Canada. Their marriage was solemnized on November 4, 1890, and has been blessed with two children. Rena C. and Muriel M., both of whom are students in the public schools. The family has a high standing in the city and numbers many friends among people of cul- ture and recognized worth of character.


WILLIAM CORKHILL


A native of England, William Corkhill was born in the city of Salford in 1856, and at an early age was apprenticed to the paint- ing and decorating trade. At the age of eighteen he immigrated to the United States, locating in the town of Pittsfield, Mass., where he resided for some years or until 1887, when with his family he re- moved to the town of South Adams, Mass. In the winter of the same year the lure of the west claimed him and he removed with his family to Southern California. In January, 1888, he settled in


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South Riverside, where he has resided until the present time. Mr. Corkhill is an ardent believer in Corona and misses no opportunity to help it along the path of progress.


BEN H. CROW


Conceded to be San Jacinto's leading real estate man, Mr. Crow has contributed materially toward the progress of the valley, his unfailing optimism and enterprising efforts having encouraged many excellent citizens to locate in this section, in which, during the past two years, he has sold over $900,000 worth of property. His father, George Crow, a native of the state of New York, enlisted for service in the Civil war in the Twenty-third Michigan Volunteer Infantry at the age of sixteen and served until disabled by a wound received at the battle of Lookout Mountain. After completing the term for which he had enlisted he re-entered the service as a mem- ber of. the Twelfth Michigan. Subsequently he engaged in the United States forest service, in which he was employed until 1911, when he resigned and retired. With his wife he now resides at San Jacinto, Cal.


Ben H. Crow, whose birth occurred November 17, 1871, in Oregon, Ill., went with his parents in 1872 to near Millington, Mich., where he was educated in the common schools. In 1893 he went to Arizona, where, in the vicinity of Flagstaff and Williams, he was engaged in the cattle business. For seven years he was employed in the United States forest service there and in 1904 was trans- ferred to San Gabriel as chief ranger, a position which he held for three years. In 1907 he established himself in the hotel business in Los Angeles,, and upon the sale of his interests there he located in San Jacinto, adjacent to which he purchased three hundred acres which he later sold to Nat Goodwin. In 1910, feeling assured of San Jacinto's future, he launched his present business and his success in it has exceeded his expectations, the growth of the valley having been fully commensurate with his untiring labor in its behalf.


May 8, 1911, Mr. Crow was united in marriage with Miss Alleen B. Wheeler, whose birth occurred in Milwaukee, Wis., and who, in 1910 came to California with her mother, who is now a resident of Los Angeles. Mr. Crow enjoys the distinction of having brought into this section more resources than has any other individual, and is highly esteemed for his characteristics of courage and unques- tioned honor. A Republican, thoroughly in touch with political


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developments in general, he is prompt to lend practical aid to worthy candidates, though himself never having desired office. Aside from holding membership in Westlake Lodge No. 398, F. & A. M., and the Westlake Chapter, O. E. S., Los Angeles, Mr. Crow is affiliated with no fraternal organizations. He is a director in both the First National and the Savings Bank in San Jacinto, and a member of the San Jacinto Board of Trade.


JOHN MEHARG


Few men can view in retrospection a more active life governed by high, manly principles, than that of Mr. Meharg. He was born in the North of Ireland, November 25, 1839. His grandfather, a Scotchman, located in that country when a young man. His father, James Meharg, who married an English lady, brought the family to the United States in 1851, settling in Mahoning county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits.


John Meharg received his education in the common schools and an academy, paying his way through the latter by teaching. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for service during the Civil War. He took part in the Atlanta campaign, as well as in many other important en- gagements and skirmishes, was with Sherman in his march to the sea and participated in the Grand Review at Washington. In June, 1865, he was mustered out at Cleveland, Ohio, after which he re- turned to Ohio and completed the study of law and was admitted to practice at the bar of Mahoning county, Ohio, opening an office at Ravenna. A Republican in political affiliations, having cast his first vote at Atlanta, Ga., while on the battlefield, for A. Lincoln, he has ever been ready to support the candidates of that party and has taken an active interest in politics. In 1872 he was elected county clerk of Mahoning county, serving three consecutive terms, and later was elected prosecuting attorney of Portage county. Upon the expiration of his term in office he purchased the Ravenna Re- publican, a leading paper of that place and this he controlled and managed until 1895, when he sold it and located in California, where he hoped to regain his health, which had become impaired by con- tinuous application to arduous duties.


After he had investigated the conditions in Riverside Mr. Meharg decided to make this city his home and invested in property, purchasing a ten-acre grove of oranges in the Riverside Heights precinct upon which he erected a comfortable residence, where he


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has since made his home. While living in Ohio Mr. Meharg served as a delegate to the national convention and at various times was a delegate to state and county conventions, also serving in the same capacity since coming to California. While living in Ohio has was united in marriage and of the union two children have been born, John Jr., who is employed in the National Bank of Riverside, and Mary K., wife of Arthur H. Brouse, likewise an employe of the same financial institution. The family are members of Riverside Presbyterian Church and Mrs. Meharg is one of the leading workers in the various ladies' auxiliaries of that organization, being espe- cially interested in missionary work. Mr. Meharg is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Grand Army of the Republic.


DANIEL LORD


One of Corona's most highly esteemed and successful business men is Mr. Lord, who for the past twenty years has been engaged in handling real estate in this city, his good judgment and well- directed efforts having aided materially in the development of the community. Born in 1849, in Bangor, Me., where he received his education, he later went to St. Louis and entered Jones Com- mercial College, from which he graduated several months later. Shortly thereafter he became employed in the office of D. M. Os- borne & Co., manufacturers of the Osborne machinery, and he continued with the company for over twenty years. After a service of several years as manager of the St. Louis office he went to Chicago and served as assistant manager for the last seven years he was connected with the concern. His health having failed from constant application to his work, he came to California in 1890-91; going back east, the next year he returned and opened an office in Corona for the sale of Riverside county lands, both virgin and improved, and in the meantime his sales have included hundreds of acres of orange and lemon lands.




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