USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 72
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EUSEBIUS MORSE MILES.
Extended realty activities throughout a number of well-known regions in the Pacific coast country gave to Mr. Miles a compre- hensive knowledge of the soil, climate and possibilities of each section; and to Elsinore, where the closing years of his life were passed, he gave a devotion of citizenship as sincere as it was unquestioned. Without making any pretentious claims as to pos- sible rivalry with the more populous cities of the valley, he yet appreciated its spirit of quiet restfulness, understood its merits of soil and climate, and entered into harmonious accord with its zeal for development and educational advancement. Since his lamented demise Mrs. Miles has continued to reside here and owns
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a cozy, attractive home, with real estate representing important moneyed aggregations.
It was the misfortune of Mr. Miles to suffer for many years as a result of the hardship, injuries and exposures of war, and his death eventually resulted therefrom. Having been born in 1846, he was only fifteen years of age when the war cloud darkened the national sky. Youth was no handicap to patriotism and he was enthusiastic to serve the Union in the cause of freedom. With a company of privates from his native city of Galesburg, Ill., he en- listed in the service and was assigned to Company C, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, a regiment commanded by Col. Robert G. Ingersoll. With the command he marched to the front and immediately began to take part in a series of engagements that kept him in the din of battle and the excitement of camp until his health broke down. On account of a very serious illness he was honorably discharged in 1864 and returned to his old home, where for some time he was unable to engage in business of any kind. Indeed, he was never afterward rugged and sturdy, but was forced to give constant at- tention to the care of his health.
The marriage of Mr. Miles took place in 1869 and united him with Miss Geraldine Shipman, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Isaiah Shipman, the latter of Ohio birth, while Mrs. Shipman was born and reared in Canada; Mr. Miles himself was of southern extraction and came from ancestry long identified with the devel- opment of Virginia and Kentucky, his parents having been Ken- tuckians by birth. However, they left the home of their fore- fathers and began anew among the pioneers of Illinois, where they lived to attain a fair degree of material success. Two sons blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miles. The elder, Eugene Herbert, was born at Chippewa Falls, Wis., and received a high school educa- tion in that town. The younger son, Frank, was born in the same city in 1873 and died there at the age of ten months. The family removed from the Falls to Iron River, Bayfield county, Wis., in 1891, but during September of the following year they came for the first time to California and for five years lived at Castle Craig, Shasta county.
Subsequent to a residence of eight years at Fall River Mills, Shasta county, Mr. Miles removed to Watsonville, Santa Cruz county. During 1906 he went to Washington and carried on realty interests in Seattle for sixteen months. At the expiration of that time he spent three months at his old home in Watsonville and then sojourned at Los Angeles, whence he removed to Elsinore in 1906 and here, after more than forty years of ill health, he suc- cumbed December 8, 1910, to the effects of his service in the Civil war. For a long time he had retained membership with the blue
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lodge of Masons at Chippewa Falls, Wis., and his body was con- veyed to that town, where the beautiful burial service of the order was read beside his last resting place. His long struggle against ill health and his brave attitude in continuing business affairs despite physical suffering, had won for him the sympathy and admiration of friends at every place where he made his home. Often, in testimony of their appreciation of his discouragements, his friends in the Republican party elected him to local offices and at such times he received likewise the support of many Democrats, for he was respected by all acquaintances regardless of their polit- ical views.
JOSEPH M. OLDENDORF
A Teutonic origin would be indicated by the name of Oldendorf as well as by the genealogical records, but it is a matter of history that several successive generations have been identified long and honorably with the development of the new world. Established in the first immigration near the shores of the Atlantic ocean, they followed the westward drift of civilization and settlement and Joseph M. Oldendorf was born in Illinois, whither his parents, Philip and Fannie Oldendorf, had removed during the period of frontier development. Born at Mount Carmel May 27, 1855, he attended the public schools of his native village and in 1871 left the high school within a month of the time he would have graduated. Later he attended the business college at Evansville, Ind., and at the expiration of one year received a diploma from the institution.
Practically the first employment secured by Mr. Oldendorf was at Indianapolis, Ind., where he secured a position as clerk in 1876 and remained until 1882 connected with a leading mercantile house. During the last-named year he came to California and settled at Riverside, where for one year he gave service as zanjero with the Riverside Water Company. On resigning that position he bought ten acres at No. 247 East Central avenue and immediately settled at the new purchase. From that time to the present he has re- mained at the same place, meanwhile making improvements, and in 1904 adding to the property by the purchase of an orange grove of ten acres adjoining his original grove. When he came here seven acres of the ten had been planted to seedling oranges and these he grafted with navels of the choicest varieties, also planting the balance of the grove in the same kind of orange, so that he finally acquired a property producing fruit of the most select grades. It has been his pride to maintain a high class of improvements and
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to keep the grove in a condition not only financially remunerative but also artistically attractive. The grove is said to be one of the finest in the district and its deserved reputation may be attrib- uted to the owner's constant labor and sagacious judgment.
The religious views of Mr. Oldendorf are in accord with the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church and he has his membership with that congregation in Riverside. It has not been his policy to mingle in public affairs or participate in political conventions. Aside from voting the Republican ticket he has no part whatever in politics, but civic movements of non-partisan origin meet his approval and secure his co-operation, when once he is convinced of their ultimate value to the community. Nothing perhaps interests him more than do educational matters. He believes the future pros- perity of our country depends upon the proper education of the masses and in his opinion the poorest child, as well as the most wealthy, needs the very best educational preparation possible in order to meet life's exigencies. Holding this theory, he was willing to accept a position as a member of the board of school trustees and for six years the schools of Riverside had the benefit of his intelligent supervision and wise co-operation. While making his headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind., in November of 1881 he married Miss Minerva Josephine Barrett, by whom he has three children. The eldest, Jesse B., a graduate of Annapolis Naval Academy, is in the United States Navy. The two youngest, Frances and Bea- trice, have had superior educational advantages in California, sup- plemented by attendance at an exclusive seminary at Graves End, London, where they were students for one year.
OSWALD M. ROBERTSON
Widely known as one of the most successful poultry men of Southern California, Mr. Robertson has justly earned his enviable position by his perseverance and his absolute integrity, his character being synonymous with his reputation-manly and sincere.
Born June 4, 1875, in Rothesay, Scotland, Mr. Robertson's parents were John and Elizabeth (Miller) Robertson, both also na- tives of Scotland. Upon completion of his high school studies in Oldham, England, whither the family removed in 1881, the son in 1887 entered the Manchester grammar school, from which he gradu- ated in 1891. He then served two years in a law office in Glasgow, Scotland, thereafter being employed for a like period in a general merchandise office in that city. The company then, in 1893, trans- ferred him to London, England, where for three years he acted as assistant manager. In 1896 he started on a trip around the world,
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returning to Glasgow after an absence of nine months. In Janu- ary, 1907, he immigrated to America, settling in Arlington, River- side county, Cal., since which time he has been engaged in poultry raising, his specialty being the hatching of chickens.
Mr. Robertson was united in marriage in Glasgow, Scotland, in October, 1902, to Miss Margaret Mary Roberts, a native of Wales. With their three children, Muriel, Gwendolyn and Mary, Mr. and Mrs. Robertson reside on their home place known as Rose- neath Ranch, in Arlington. As members of the Arlington Presby- terian Church, they are never too busy with personal affairs to lend their material support to the cause of practical Christianity, and are highly esteemed throughout the community.
JAMES G. DANIELS
Of sturdy Scotch blood, one of Corona's most esteemed citi- zens is James G. Daniels, who was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1865, and received his education and early training in the old coup try. At the age of twenty-one years he decided to come to America and seek his fortune. He landed in New York, but stayed in that city only two weeks, going from there to Boston, Mass., where he lived for seventeen years. Before leaving his native heath he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth C. Norval, a native of Scotland, and together they started for the United States to found their home. Four children have been born to this union: William C., who was born in 1887 and is at present living, with his family, in Los Angeles; Harry J., born in 1890, now living at home with his parents and employed in the grocery business at Corona; Beatrice L., born in 1893, and living at home, having gained her education in the public schools of Corona; and Fred J., who was born in 1900 and is now attending school.
While living in Boston, Mr. Daniels worked for a lead pipe manufacturing company. On coming to California the family first settled in Los Angeles, where Mr. Daniels purchased a rooming house which in turn he traded for a grocery store in Corona. This latter business was traded for an interest in a planing mill. In addition to his lumber interests Mr. Daniels has taken up, under the desert act, three hundred acres of government land in Chucka- walla valley, on which he expects soon to take out a patent. He is a man much respected in the community, as he has made all that he has by his own efforts and industry and he is a public-spirited
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man, being ever ready to aid in movements for the benefit of the community. He is a member of the Red Men of Corona. Politically he does not hold strictly to any party tenets, but votes for the man he deems best fitted to serve the people. Mr. Daniels' mother is deceased. His father, who is still living in Scotland, paid his son a visit in America at one time. Two brothers and one sister reside in Wakefield, Mass.
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M. L. COLEMAN
The record of the life of M. L. Coleman shows that he is a native of Michigan, a son of William H. and Lucretia Coleman and born in the city of Battle Creek, August 8, 1840. Primarily edu- cated in the grammar school of that city, he later attended the high school and eventually became a student in the Kalamazoo Busi- ness College, from which he was graduated in 1861. Returning to his native city on the conclusion of his commercial course he made a brief sojourn there and then settled at Lansing, Mich., where he secured employment with Joseph Mills. For eight years he was .connected with the Second National Bank as a general utility man. Upon resigning from that institution he became a leading factor in the organization of the Lansing National Bank, of which he acted as general manager. The concern enjoyed excellent, growth and continued to conduct a profitable business until the charter expired in 1895, when the business was discontinued.
Seeking a home in a more genial climate than Michigan can boast, Mr. Coleman came to Southern California after he had closed out his banking interests in 1895. A tour of inspection led him to locate at Riverside and here he bought twelve acres of unimproved land, which he planted in orange trees. Since the grove came into bearing it has returned large dividends, not only upon the original investment, but also upon the present valuation. Subsequent pur- chase has increased the holdings of Mr. Coleman, who now owns thirty acres, all under cultivation to oranges. The large and valu- able estate represents the results of his own unaided and judicious labors and proves him to be a man of thrift, discriminating wisely in all business matters and superintending his enterprises with an unfailing energy. Surrounded by an estate artistically attractive and financially remunerative, blessed with the admiration of a younger generation and the warm friendship of associates of his own age, he is tranquilly passing the twilight of his useful existence. Diversified activities fill his mind. Aside from the care of the
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property, he has outside interests, notably the work of the Congre- gational Church, to which he is a generous contributor. In a lesser degree he maintains an interest in politics, but his partisan associations extend no further than the voting of a Republican ticket at all general elections. While living in Battle Creek, in May of 1865, be married Miss Mary Sutton, of that city. They are the parents of four children, of whom the eldest, William T., is engaged in the hotel business at Greenville, Mercer county, Pa. The younger son, Frank F., is interested with his father in the growing of oranges. The daughters are Mrs. Frank O. Atkins, of Los Angeles, and Miss Nina L., who remains with her parents to brighten their declining days with her intelligent and helpful companionship.
CHARTER REEVE
Among Elsinore's most industrious and public-spirited citizens is Mr. Reeve, who has not only made a success of his own enter- prises, but has assisted not a little in the development of the community. A native of England, his birth occurred March 31. 1850, in Earith, where he received a good education, and later learned the trade of landscape gardening. Still later he was employed by a cousin in the livery business, prior to his immigration to America. at the age of twenty-five. Locating in Oneida, N. Y., he took up his chosen work and continued there for two years. Then, in 1877, he returned to England to take charge of a large butcher busi- ness formerly conducted by his grandfather. Six months later, however, he relinquished his duties and again came to the United States, first going to Wisconsin and later to Plymouth, Iowa. Sub- sequently he settled in Minnesota, where he remained eight years. taking up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Wilkin county. After he had made a six months' visit to his native land, he returned to the United States, settling in Fresno, Cal., in 1891. Subsequently he went to San Francisco, thence to Los Angeles and finally to Elsinore, where he again became a landscape gardener. and in 1892 purchased his present ranch of eleven acres. He has cleared and improved the land and his orchard is devoted to apricots and other fruits.
Mr. Reeve's parents, John and Sarah Ann Reeve, never left their native land, preferring to spend their last days among the scenes which they had known and loved so long. Mr. Reeve is affiliated with no fraternities and has never held public office. except the position of school trustee in Grand avenue district
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Untiringly ambitious, not only for himself, but likewise for public ·welfare, his well directed efforts are conceded to be well worthy of emulation, and as a man of ability and culture he is highly esteemed throughout the community.
ELLINGTON H. RECORD
Among the successful ranchers of Riverside county none is more highly esteemed than Mr. Record, who resides three miles from San Jacinto. Starting with a capital of but $500, supple- mented, however, by ambition and enterprise, his finances have so greatly improved that today he is regarded as one of the most prosperous citizens of the community. His father, Jonathan G. Record, whose ancestors came from England to America in the Mayflower in 1620, had also the distinction of being a cousin of Benjamin Franklin. He was a farmer by occupation, actively con- ducting his duties until his death in San Jacinto, in October, 1902, aged eighty-two years. His wife, formerly Miss Lucilvia Irish, of Maine, was a daughter of Hon. William Irish, a Republican, who for two terms served as Maine's representative in the state senate. Mrs. Record, among whose relatives was the illustrious Daniel Webster, is making her home adjacent to her son's, and at the age of seventy-five years is enjoying good health.
Born July 15, 1866, in Aroostook county, Me., Mr. Record there attended school until sixteen years of age, then removing to Coddington county, S. Dak., where he assisted his father in breaking up the prairie land and improving a farm. Coming to Riverside county in 1893 he worked at various occupations for a time and then went to Ventura county and worked as a farm hand. Three years later he purchased in West Riverside a fourteen-acre orange grove. After disposing of this he came to San Jacinto and for some time rented a dairy farm, after which he bought in Riverside a ranch upon which he resided for eighteen months. Returning to San Jacinto, he purchased forty acres on Central avenue, which he sold two years later and shortly thereafter departed for the Colorado desert, which is now included in Imperial county, and where he re- mained four and one-half years, during which time he improved and sold several ranches. Upon the sale of his property in 1908 he removed to Riverside, and after eighteen months purchased the ranch upon which he now resides, and which at that time was virgin land. His untiring and well directed efforts toward its development, however, have placed the major portion under cultivation and today its worth is conceded to be at least $25,000. Besides a general 45
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farming and dairy business, Mr. Record raises hogs, the proceeds from his live-stock having been $1,000 in 1911.
March 13, 1898, Mr. Record was united in marriage with a cousin on his maternal side, Miss Grace E. Blodgett, of Aroostook county, Me., whose parents, George R. and Evangeline (Perry) Blodgett, were also natives of the county. Since the death of his wife, who was a descendant of the well-known Capt. John Barbour, Mr. Blodgett, who is a farmer by occupation, has continued to make his home in San Jacinto valley. Mr. and Mrs. Record have one child, Evangeline, whose birth occurred September 13, 1899. A self-made man, who has mastered his difficulties with patience and optimism, Mr. Record has never lost sight of his duty to his fellows and deservedly enjoys the sincere regard of his many friends and associates.
MELVIN M. RANDALL
The late M. M. Randall who had been a resident of Riverside county since 1892, was the owner of a valuable and well-kept ranch of eleven acres on Magnolia avenue. He was the son of John and Esther (Adams) Randall, the former a native of Knox county, Ohio, and the latter a descendant of former President Adams. Mr. Randall grew up in Ohio, but in 1852 moved with his family to McLean county, Ill., opening up a new farm near Bloomington. They were among the first families to settle in that community. M. M. Randall was born in Knox county, Ohio, March 18, 1849, and was but three years of age when the family moved to Illinois. He spent his boyhood days on the farm with his father and received thorough training along agricultural lines. He was practically a self-educated man, living on the farm until he was fifteen years of age and then he learned the carpenter trade and worked at this for several years.
In 1877, in Ellsworth, McLean county, Ill., Mr. Randall mar- ried Miss Viola J. Dunlap, the daughter of Calhoun Dunlap, one of the pioneers of McLean county, having settled there in 1857. For several years Mr. and Mrs. Randall made their home there on a farm. They then purchased and improved a farm of one hundred and twenty acres near Carthage, Barton county, Mo., an undertaking that proved remunerative, but on account of poor health they were forced to leave that locality and in 1892 came to California. They located in Corona, where Mr. Randall engaged in working in the orange groves and also worked at the carpenter's
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trade for some time, In 1903 he purchased the home place where he spent his last years. The place was under cultivation to al- falfa, and he further improved the property by building a good house and by erecting suitable outbuildings. In addition to carry- ing on the ranch he conducted a dairy and was the owner of some of the best Jersey stock in Riverside county. Besides the home place he also had other real estate, owning a lot on North Main street, Riverside, and one in the Boulevard tract in Corona. Mr. Randall was satisfied with his quest for health, fully recovering in this salubrious climate.
Mr. and Mrs. Randall became the parents of three sons and one daughter. The oldest son, Cecil B. Randall, resides in Corona, Cal., is married and has two children. Belle Randall is the wife of A, H. Larrabee, of Corona. Charles C., who is also married, is living in Riverside and is employed in the office of the Portland Cement Company. The other son, Raymond F. Randall, is em- ployed in the traffic department in Santa Ana.
Politically Mr. Randall was a Republican and was proud of the fact that he cast his first vote for U. S. Grant, and that he never missed using his right of franchise, except once, that being at the time of his removal to California. Mr. Randall was a direc- tor of the Riverside Water Company. Both Mr. and Mrs. Randall were members of the Corona Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Randall has served through the chairs of the Rebekahs and is past matron of the Eastern Star. Mr. Randall died December 1, 1911.
ROBERT STRAIN
Among the prominent business men of Corona is Robert Strain, who for a number of years has been manager of the Growers' Fruit Company. He has been a resident of California since 1889, coming to the state in that year and settling in Los Angeles. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1877. The family was well known in that city, where the paternal grandfather and father of our subject were very prominent publishers and binders, employing as many as five hundred hands. The father dying when his son was a child, the mother came with her family to the New World, locating in Los Angeles, Cal., where Robert Strain grew to years of maturity. He was well educated in the Los Angeles schools and later served for a time at the printing business. Subsequently going to San Bernardino he secured employment in the Santa Fe
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railroad shops and remained there until accepting employment in . the orange and lemon groves at Fullerton. In that town he worked with the E. K. B. Fruit Company for five years and then became manager of the Exchange. In 1909 he came to Corona and took charge of the Exchange. Besides handling and shipping oranges and lemons he also visits other shipping points and solicits busi- ness for the company. While in Fullerton he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Strain was married in Fullerton, Cal., April 27, 1903, to Miss Ethel Spencer, who was born and reared in Fullerton. They have one son, Robert Stanley Strain. Mr. Strain owns and occupies a neat residence in Corona.
Mr. and Mrs. Strain are active members of the Congrega- tional Church and participants in its work. The new church edifice, one of the best public buildings of Corona, was erected at a cost of $35,000. Mr. Strain is an active and successful business man of Corona, where he is highly esteemed by all who are brought in contact with him.
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