USA > California > Riverside County > History of Riverside County, California > Part 74
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of the Riverside Realty Board and of the Riverside County Humane Society.
The marriage of Harry M. May and Miss Frances Howard was solemnized in Milan, Ill., September 18, 1900, and was blessed with two sons, David and Bruce, now (1912) eight and six years of age respectively. The family hold membership with the Pres- byterian Church and form an acceptable addition to the working element of the local congregation, whose maintenance they assist in assuming and whose charities are promoted by their ready assist- ance. While a student in the university Mr. May held fraternal relations with the Tau Beta Pi and in the latter circle of activities he has been similarly characterized by genial temperament, compan- ionable disposition and kindly generosities. Ever since he at- tained his majority he has voted the Republican ticket in general and local elections and has been warmly attached to the principles of that organization, yet always sinking the demands of partisan- ship beneath the claims of a high-minded, impartial citizenship.
ROSWELL M. ROGERS
Travel throughout the western part of the United States as far north as Canada and south across the line into Mexico has given Mr. Rogers a comprehensive knowledge of the resources of the vast region lying to the west of the Mississippi valley. Of all this great country he considers Southern California the most desirable from a standpoint of soil fertility, climatic conditions and business opportunities, and since he came to Riverside in 1907 his devotion to this well-known region has deepened with his increased knowledge of its attractions. His attention has been given to his trade and he has not identified himself with horticultural activities, although he maintains a warm interest in the leading occupation of the locality.
The early boyhood days of Roswell M. Rogers were passed in a valley in Utah lying between the San Pitch and the Wahsatch mountains and in the county of San Pete, where he was born at Moroni, March 20, 1867, being a son of Ruel N. and Lovina Rogers. After the completion of the public-school studies he was sent to Brigham Young's Academy and remained there until his graduation in 1891. Turning his attention from text-book study to practical affairs, he apprenticed himself to Leo Halliday of Provo, Utah, and for three years served his time at the trades of brick-layer and plasterer. When he had completed his apprenticeship and was free to make his own way, he traveled from place to place as a
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journeyman, meanwhile gaining practical experience at his trade and at the same time acquiring important information concerning the western country. Eventually he decided to establish a perma- nent home in Riverside and here since 1907 he has engaged in mason contracting, doing a large business in the line of his specialty. As a workman he is skilled, practical and efficient and completes every contract with thoroughness, neglecting no detail that will contribute in the least toward a satisfactory consummation of the task in question.
The first marriage of Mr. Rogers took place at Junction, Utah, January 25, 1892, and united him with Miss Theresa Barnson of that place, His second marriage was solemnized at San Bernar- dino in March of 1908 and united him with Miss Mabel McIntyre, by whom he has one child, Lovina. Mrs. Rogers is a daughter of William and Annetta McIntyre, who settled in Riverside in 1889. Of the first marriage there were four children. The eldest, Carl D., was born at Panguitch, Garfield county, Utah, March 10, 1893, and received a thorough education in local schools and Salt Lake Uni- versity. At this writing he acts as his father's assistant in the mason business. The second child, Nellie, is a high school student. The others, Leon and Theresa, are pupils in the public schools of Junction, Utah. From early life Mr. Rogers has been a close stu- dent of public affairs. As he has reviewed the accumulating of vast wealth in the hands of a few, he foresees a time when the masses will be in little less than slavery to the capitalists and he regards socialism as the antidote for such a deplorable condition of affairs. Hence he is a socialist in the true sense of that often-abused word, a firm believer in the rights of the poor and in the obligations of the nation toward even the humblest struggler who can claim citi- zenship beneath the stars and stripes.
CHARLES N. GARDNER
Although the period of his identification with the development of Elsinore was all too brief in duration, Mr. Gardner became an enthusiastic believer in the future prosperity of the place and de- voted the last energies of his useful existence to plans for the local development. These plans have since been carried from the formu- lative stage into actual operation through the sagacious efforts of his wife, a talented business woman, with the forceful assistance of his former business partner and intimate friend. Throughout the greater part of his life he was a resident of Milwaukee, Wis., where
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he was born in 1847 and where his parents remained until death, father and son having been business partners for many years in an enterprise of substantial importance and considerable promi- nence. When the business finally passed into other hands the younger member of the firm removed to Tacoma in 1903 and opened a piano establishment on C street, where he continued in business for five years, removing thence to California and settling at Elsi- nore. Shortly after his arrival he acquired the Lake View Inn and Hot Springs, but his demise in 1909 left to his widow and business associate the task of developing this property, notably one of the most beautiful places in Southern California. During his resi- dence in Wisconsin he was identified prominently with the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks at Milwaukee, but aside therefrom he held no fraternal associations. Nor did his tastes incline him toward politics, in which he took no part whatever other than giving his ballot to the men whom he considered best qualified to represent the people.
The marriage of Mr. Gardner August 10, 1892, united him with Miss Mary Prothero, who was born in Wisconsin, being a daughter of Thomas and Anna M. Prothero, still residents of that state. The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner is Amos Dodge Gardner, who was born August 26, 1893, and received his education largely in the German and English Academy at Milwaukee. After accompanying his parents to the west he identified himself with the upbuilding of the coast country and is now a capable supporter of Riverside county development. Since the death of his father he has remained with his mother and has assisted her in the carrying forward of their business affairs.
With a view to the development of the property Mrs. Gardner bought ten acres across the lake and this she contemplates trans- forming into a beautiful park, thus affording a means of pleasure and recreation for the patrons of the Inn. Other property has been acquired since the death of Mr. Gardner and in these important transactions Mrs. Gardner has the benefit of the experience and counsel of M. L. Cambern, the long-time business associate as well as especial friend of Mr. Gardner. This gentleman is likewise a "booster" of Riverside county and believes that you can traverse the entire area of the United States without discovering a spot more rich in natural wealth, more delightful in climate, or more attractive in the high character of its citizenship than Riverside county in general and Elsinore in particular. With this opinion concerning the merits of the locality he has been glad to invest in property and recently succeeded with Mrs. Gardner in securing the franchise for fifty years for the lighting and heating of the city of Elsinore, be- sides which he has aided Mrs. Gardner in making arrangements to
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bore for oil at once. General projects also receive his practical as- sistance and any movement for the local upbuilding receives his en- thusiastic support.
JOHN A. SIMMS
An identification of many years with the business interests of Riverside and a mental endowment peculiarly qualifying him for extensive participation in finances, form the substantial basis upon which Mr. Simms has risen to a commanding position in the finan- cial circles of Southern California and especially in that portion thereof included within the boundaries of Riverside county. As president of the Riverside Savings Bank & Trust Company, vice- president of the First National Bank and also as president of the Riverside Title & Trust Company, his influence is wide and his prominence unquestioned. In the management of the funds en- trusted to the various institutions with which he has connection he displays a judgment rarely at fault and a conservative spirit that shuns all hazardous investments, however promising they may ap- pear to the casual observer. An era of encouraging progress has characterized the concerns of his upbuilding and confidence has marked their relations with depositors and customers, who regard them as invaluable factors in the civic prosperity.
A son of. Albert G. and Mary Simms and a native of Henry county, Ky., born September 20, 1851, John A. Simms accompanied his parents to Indiana at an early age and settled with them on a farm near Brookston, White county, where he received a common- school education. Upon leaving school he began to give his entire attention to the home farm and for five years he continued to assist his father in agricultural operations. The call of the west then led him to Southern California, where he joined an uncle, Dr. Ball, at Riverside, and soon he secured employment in the Russell nurser- ies. At the expiration of three years in the nursery business he embarked in buying and selling real estate and this proved a profitable enterprise. During the year 1887 he entered the nursery business with L. C. Waite, investing all of his capital in the under- taking, and here, as in previous connections, he has prospered, his retirement in 1895 enabling him to enjoy in leisure and comfort the fruits of his profitable industry. However, idleness was uncongenial to his tastes and after a lapse of eleven years he again became con- nected with civic enterprises, this time entering the arena of finance as an officer in institutions of large capital and expanding resources.
The family of Mr. Simms consists of his wife, formerly Miss
46
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Jennie Patton, whom he married in Riverside August 7, 1879, and their two sons-twins-La Roy and La Monte, who were students in Heald's Business College at Riverside and now employed in the First National Bank of this city. While not a partisan and at no time a candidate for official honors, Mr. Simms maintains a warm interest in all public affairs of importance and gives his support to Republican principles. He was elected a member of the board of freeholders that framed the new city charter and served as a mem- ber of the council four years. During his term in office the munici- pal electric light plant and system were installed. In local affairs he supports those officials who in their administrations emphasize economy and system. Public service, in his opinion, should be ele- vated to a high place and the keenest minds should be retained so that good government may be promoted. Various fraternal organi- zations have received the benefit of his energy and ability, among these being the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Foresters, also the lodge, chap- ter and commandery of the Masonic order.
ALVA R. MCCARTY
Alva R. MeCarty, a resident of San Bernardino county, is the only man in that county who is living on a United States grant of land, he having a patent to seventy-three acres that was signed by President Grover Cleveland in 1885. Mr. McCarty was born in Mason county, Ill., in 1858, and at the age of eleven years he moved with his parents to Dallas, Tex., and after a stay of seven years in the Lone Star state the family moved to California and settled in San Bernardino county. Mr. McCarty's father bought one hundred acres of land and also that number of acres near Compton and eighty acres in Temescal. Mr. McCarty now owns two hundred acres of as fine land as can be found. His ranch was the first in the county to have pipe lines and plenty of water. On this land beets, hay, oats, grain, alfalfa and fine stock for the market are among the commodities raised.
Mr. McCarty married Margaret Walkenshall, a native daugh- ter of California, born in San Bernardino, and four children were born to the union, of whom three sons are living. They were all born on the ranch, the house in which their advent took place still being intact. Mr. McCarty's father and mother were born in Ohio and Indiana, respectively, the former, Cornelius McCarty,
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died at Temescal. The sons, who assist their father with the work of the ranch, are good citizens and men of honor. Clarence is a member of the Odd Fellows and William of the Redmen. Their father does not belong to any orders, but was at one time school trustee.
Mr. McCarty is a stanch Democrat. He started in life with practically nothing, but by dint of careful management and hard work has arisen to a position of honor among his fellows and has accumulated a competency.
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