USA > California > San Bernardino County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume II > Part 12
USA > California > Riverside County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume II > Part 12
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DON YGNACIO REYES, last survivor of the "Vaqueros," or cowboys, of the Lugo family, was born in Los Angeles, California, on July 1, 1816, and died at his ranch near the mouth of Reche Canyon, about eight miles south of the City of San Bernardino, December 16, 1914. having passed his ninety-eighth anniversary, most of his life having been spent in the saddle as one of the most experienced and skillful horsemen in all California.
His father, Antonio, was the first Catholic child born in Monterey ; his mother, Clara Cota, was from Santa Barbara, the family being well known to Don Pio Pico, the governor of Alta California in those days. He was "major domo" for the Lugo family in driving their vast herds of cattle from Los Angeles County to the newly acquired San Bernardino rancho. He loved to relate how he and his vaquero companions, all expert riders, would enjoy themselves lassooing grizzly bears at the base of the mountains north of San Bernardino and around Little Moun- tain, where the bear had come down to feast on the wild plums so plentiful then. The grizzly would be lassoed by the feet, four or five lariats would secure all his feet. When fastened tightly and safely on the ground, the venturesome riders would turn old bruin over on one side, then on the other, until weary with such sport, would mount their horses and release the grizzly, glad to gallop off to the mountains.
Don Ygnacio related a queer story as to how Devil Canyon, near by on the west, derived its name. While sporting with the grizzlies, as stated, a mysterious woman on a cream-colored horse came from that canyon to enjoy the sport; she appeared so often that they wished to know something of her, and rode with his vaqueros towards her, when she retreated and increased her speed on her fleet horse as they approached, going towards this canyon. She disappeared, vanished, and with diligent search could not be found, so Don Ygnacio and his vaqueros concluded that his satanic majesty had something to do with this mysteri- ous disappearance and called the canyon "Devil Canyon," which name it has borne to the present day. Daniel Sexton, the veteran pioneer. gives his version of the way this noted canyon derived its name, which may be found in his sketch.
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Señor Reyes had several encounters with the Pahute Indians, who came from the northern deserts to steal horses and cattle. He states that fifteen of the redskins were killed by the ranch men near where San Bernardino was afterwards located. He owned an interest in the Mus- cupiabe Ranch, granted originally to Michel White, 1843, at the mouth of Cajon Pass, so that he would assist in preventing the Indians from committing further depredations. This barrier was of some help, but the noted old bandit, Chief Walker, continued his depredations, driving the Lugo stock up the west ridge of Devil Canyon. His trail may be seen on the mountain side to this day.
In 1851 Don Ygnacio drove the cattle and horses back to Los Angeles County, as the Lugo family had sold the San Bernardino rancho to Lyman, Rich and Hanks, the pioneer colonists. No more picturesque character of the early days of pastoral California lived in Southern California. On May 16, 1906, when ninety years of age, he entered the law office of Hon. Byron Waters in San Bernardino to pay his respects to his old friend, having his lariat, spurs and bridle lying on the floor beside him. and presented a picture which even a Bierstadt would yearn to paint. He felt like a school boy just granted a holiday on his way with his old friend and chaperon, John Brown, Jr., to his birthplace, Los Angeles, to lead the municipal parade in a feast and barbecue, where he was accorded ovation after ovation, the recipient of such honors not excelled by those given to Generals Sheridan or Custer.
DANIEL SEXTON, pioneer of 1841, states that he was born in Louisi- ana, March 24, 1818, arrived at Old San Bernardino in December, 1841. The Indians at that time had full and entire possession of all the country. He hired a number of Indians to cut and saw timber in the San Gorgonio Pass, just north of Doctor Edgar's ranch, which was located in 1876. He furnished lumber to Col. Isaac Williams at Chino and to others. He paid the Indians 25 cents per day for labor. Horses and cattle could be bought for 50 cents each. One hide was worth two living animals. He acquired great influence over them and could have raised five hundred warriors in a few hours. In 1842 the Indians asked me, he says, if the Americans had any feast days. I told them they had and I made an American flag and hoisted it over the camp north of San Gorgonio Pass and with the Indians celebrated the Fourth of July, 1842.
During this year the Lugos came in with their cattle and horses to stock their new ranch, which had been granted them by the Mexican governor. There were already 3,000 or 4,000 horses on this plain. I have seen hundreds of them in a drove going down to water at the river near Riverside. At Old San Bernardino Mission the Indians cultivated much land and raised large crops of corn, beans and potatoes. Mill Creek Zanja was then in good condition, kept so by the Indians under the supervision of the mission fathers. The Indian, Solano, who laid off this ditch in 1822, died at my house, he states, in 1858. He told me about the Temescal tin mines. I married his niece in 1847. In 1852 I built a saw mill near the foot of Mount San Bernardino, in Mill Creek Canyon. This is how Mill Creek got its name. I have been asked frequently how Devil Canyon got its scary name. I will tell it now.
was working for Colonel Williams at the Chino ranch. He stated to me one day that he was getting tired of eating meat and con- cluded he would have some vegetables, so he sent me and two of his favorite Indians to the low gap in the San Bernardino Mountains, about twenty miles to the northeast, to spy out a road to the top where the timber was, so he could build a road there
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down which he would bring fencing material for his vegetable garden, as the cattle roamed at will in all directions. Daniel went with his two companions, taking provisions for a two days' trip. He had not gone far up the canyon when a rattlesnake bit one of the Indians, who died soon after. Continuing his way up the canyon, we reached the top, found a feasible route and grade for the proposed new road, he return- ing down the canyon, the second Indian being bitten by another rattler. As the Indian jumped, but too late, the venomous reptile had inserted his fang. This Indian had exclaimed, "El Diablo"-the first direful exclamation that came to his lips, "The Devil." Mr. Sexton heard this shriek, went to the Indian, but having no preventive application or antidote this second Indian soon became the victim of the poison. On reaching home Colonel Williams at once inquired for his two Indians. When Mr. Sexton informed him he was very sorrowful and asked if the Indians said anything before dying. Yes, Mr. Sexton said, the second one exclaimed as he was bitten, "El Diablo"-the devil-so that canyon took its name Devil Canyon and has borne it ever since.
UNCLE JOSEPH HANCOCK, the veteran patriarch of the pioneers, was born on the banks of Euclid Creek, near Cleveland, Ohio, May 7, 1822, where he lived until his thirteenth year, when his parents moved to Clay County, Missouri, where his mother died. He lived in Quincy, Illinois, and came to Iowa, where he became acquainted with Miss Nancy Hunt, who afterwards married the well-known and highly esteemed pioneer, Edward Daley. At Council Bluffs, Joseph Hancock married Nancy A. Bemis, August 31, 1848, and crossed the plains to Utah, where they arrived in 1851, and started for California in 1854, arriving that spring in San Bernardino, settling in the western portion of the town, where he has continued to live to the present time (February, 1922) as one of the successful farmers among a neighborhood of industrious tillers of the soil. Uncle Joseph Hancock is a descendant of patriotic and revolutionary ancestry. His grandfather, Henry Hancock, a shoe- maker by trade, was the brother of the immortal John Hancock, first signer of the Declaration of Independence, adopted by Congress July 4, 1776, which honorable distinction Uncle Joe has lived and borne with becoming modesty. In celebrating Independence Day in the early days of San Bernardino he was leading member of the band to furnish music for the occasion on his fife, with Mother Highmore on the bass drum and Ben Van Leuven, with his two fingers in his mouth, whistling ener- getically "Yankee Doodle," "Hail Columbia," "America," "Star Spangled Banner," "Red, White and Blue," and other revolutionary and patriotic airs, always receiving vigorous hand clapping and generous applause from the enthusiastic Americans, not alone for the trio of musicians but for the thrilling sentiments aroused by the musical selections, after discoursing their music from the top of a wagon box, called a "prairie schooner" in those days, used as a platform.
At a meeting of the Pioneer Society in San Bernardino when Uncle Joe was ninety-six years of age, he gave the very interesting history of Mount Vernon School District, in which he lived and raised his family. He stated that he was one of the school trustees of that district with John Garner and Joseph Thorn, and traded the lot and the small adobe building thereon, one room used for the first school, for the large lot on which was built a larger school room, used for many years, and then increased in size to accommodate the children of the growing dis- trict, giving the name "Mount Vernon" to this school in honor of the home and burial place of Washington.
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On May 7, 1921, occurred a memorable family reunion at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lucina Hancock Lord, 1073 Mount Vernon Avenue, on the occasion of Uncle Joseph Hancock reaching his ninety- ninth birthday. Mrs. Lord's sister, Mrs. Jerusha Hancock Tyler, fur- nished the large cake, 14 by 16 inches in dimension, on which ninety-nine candles were lighted, illuminating the face of this venerable patriarch, and all those around the table betokening the bright past and promising future. By his side sat is great-great-granddaughter, Miss Lois Boesch (just cele- brated her fifth anniversary), who put her arms around grandpa's neck and kissed him to show the love of the fourth generation and of every generation. His heart was made glad. He thanked everybody, sang songs, played on his old fife, told stories of the long ago. His eyesight is good, uses no spectacles, hearing a little defective, uses a cane and crutch around the house a little, but likes to ride out in the open air in his buggy and take his old friends for a little ride. In the morning he uses weak coffee, no tobacco, no liquor, but does like apple pie, and says he hopes to see one hundred years, which he is likely to do at this writing (February 22, 1922), being in his usual health, occupying himself around the house and yard. He was smoothing and fitting a new handle in his ax, which he had broken splitting wood recently. He does not worry and has a kind word for everybody.
He loves to sing and talk of olden times. From a journal kept by him he sang several verses on this, his ninety-ninth anniversary, of a song composed by Thomas and Amy Ward Hancock, put in verse by Levi Hancock and sung by Solomon Hancock and his two sons, Joseph and Charles, July 4, 1837, while standing on the cornerstone of the intended meeting place in Caldwell County, Missouri, now (1922) eighty-five years ago, the first and ninth verses being :
"Come, lovers of freedom, and gather And hear what we have to say, For surely we. ought to remember The cause which produced this great day ; O, may we remember while singing The pains and distresses once borne
By those who have fought for our freedom, And oft times for friends called to mourn.
"Go celebrate this birthday of freedom, Be sure and don't let it be lost, Remember the toils of your fathers And also the blood it has cost ; Yes, daughters, you, too, love your freedom, You, too, love your country most dear, You love well your own independence Your forefathers gained for you here."
At the meeting in the log cabin in Pioneer Park, May 6, 1916, Wil- ford A. Boren being president of the Pioneer Society, selected Uncle Joe Hancock and Aunt Nancy Daley as his right and left supporters and places of honor. When Aunt Nancy moved that best congratulations be extended to Uncle Joseph Hancock on his ninety-fourth birthday, with whom she had been acquainted for the past eighty-two years, away back in Iowa when she was only seven years old when he came to her father's house one evening shouting, "Wolf! Wolf! Come out with your gun and shoot the wolf !" causing an excitement she never forgot, adding
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that Uncle Joe was the soul of honor in all his dealings with his fellow man. A vote of greetings and congratulations was extended to Aunt Nancy for the blessing she has been to San Bernardino ever since she arrived in June, 1851, the pioneers being highly honored by the presence of these two most worthy members.
Grandfather Hancock is filled with patriotic pride to realize that seven of his grandsons responded to their country's call in the late World war, but very few can surpass this record, those brave American boys being James Hancock, Clyde Hancock, Earl Hancock, Beauford Han- cock, Solomon Hancock, Philip Hancock and Don Charles Joseph Tyler.
Uncle Joseph Hancock, who married Nancy Augusta Bemis, August 31, 1848, had seven children-four boys and three girls-born to them : Alvin Hancock, born in Council Bluffs, lowa, January 13, 1850.
Elnorah Hancock, born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, March 19, 1851.
Solomon Hancock, born in Great Salt Lake, Utah, November 11, 1852.
Jerusha Hancock, born in San Bernardino, California, August 30, 1854.
Lucina Hancock, born in San Bernardino, California, April 29, 1856. Foster Hancock, born in San Bernardino, California, October 21, 1857.
Joseph Nephi Hancock, born in San Bernardino, California, Novem- ber 25, 1866.
Uncle Joseph's father was named Solomon Hancock, and his mother's name was Alta Adams Hancock. His wife, Nancy Augusta Bemis, was born in the Town of Eliceburg, Jefferson County, State of New York.
HENRY GOODCELL, SR., pioneer farmer and builder, son of Thomas Goodcell, was born September 26, 1823, at Nonington, a county parish about ten miles north of Dover, England. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to a sea captain and the two years following served as a seaman before the mast and the next six as mate of the vessel on which he had served as an apprentice. His experience and knowledge of navi- gation was of use to him all through life. In 1853 he crossed the Atlantic and the American continent to Utah, where he remained till the spring of 1857, when he started with a train of ten wagons for California. On the way they stopped for a few days' rest at Mountain Meadows to recruit their stock, the last train that encamped on that ill-fated spot prior to the frightful massacre. Mr. Goodcell drove into San Bernardino in May, 1857, and became a permanent resident until his death. He purchased land and planted an orchard and vineyard and became one of the successful farmers of San Bernardino.
In 1867 he established a brick yard and for many years furnished the brick for many of the business blocks and residences serving as monuments to his memory for activity and perseverance in building up the city of his choice.
Mr. Goodcell married Miss Harriet Birch in 1847. His eldest son, Henry Goodcell, Jr., always of a studious disposition, became one of the prominent school teachers of the county, then served as county school superintendent, following the term of his old schoolmate, John Brown, Jr. He has the honor of being the first San Bernardino graduate of the State Normal School. By close application he qualified himself for the legal profession and at once gained and has retained the reputa- tion of being one of the leading members of the San Bernardino Bar. His son, Rex B. Goodcell, is following in the footsteps of his father, demonstrating his love for the science of jurisprudence.
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Mr. Goodcell, Sr., was an honored member of the Pioneer Society and frequently attended and participated in the meetings with his old friends. His wife died in San Bernardino in November, 1885, and he passed away March 11, 1902, aged seventy-nine years, honored and beloved by all who knew him.
Mrs. Mary Bennett Goodcell, beloved wife of Henry Goodcell, Jr., was one of the leading women of San Bernardino, promoting the wel- fare of the city in various activities as public school teacher, in Teachers' Institutes, at the Woman's Club, at municipal celebrations. Her latest achievement was her perseverance in transforming what was known as "Tin Can Alley" in the southeastern portion of the city to the beautiful "Meadowbrook Park" that now adorns the city. Justice requires the mention of Col. W. L. Vestal, veteran of the Grand Army of the Republic, who aided her in this commendable municipal enterprise.
AMOS W. BEMIS, pioneer farmer, was born in Jefferson County, New York, in 1828, son of Alvin Bemis. When Amos was eight years of age his parents removed westward to Ohio, and in 1844 to Lee County, Iowa, where his father died three years later. The family lived in Iowa three years after the death of the head of the family, and in 1851 the mother, with seven sons and three daughters, started for California overland. Amos being the eldest of the family, the greater responsibility rested on him. They did not come through direct to California, but spent two winters in Ogden, Utah, where Amos W. Bemis was married to Miss Julia Mccullough, also a native of the Empire State, and started with his bride for California from Ogden, March 20, 1853, crossing the deserts and plains with team to San Bernardino, where they arrived June 5 the same year. He at first bought twenty acres of land, camping out all the first summer. Later he increased his holdings to 200 acres, which he developed into a fine home, devoting most of his time to farm- ing and stock raising. When Mr. Bemis came to San Bernardino it was little more than a fort and trading post. Frequent encounters with Indians and wild animals occurred and life was uncertain, being com- bined with hardships of which the present generation knows nothing. In fact, Mr. Bemis' brother, Samuel Bemis, met death from a bear near San Bernardino, while his brother, Nephi Bemis, had been killed in ambush by Indians.
Amos W. Bemis has during all his life of more than half a century in the San Bernardino Valley been one of its most highly esteemed citizens, his name ever being a synonym for honesty and upright living. He believed in law and order. He was never excused from jury duty by the prosecution when it had a good case requiring the enforcement of the law.
His wife preceded him to that undiscovered country, her death occurring June 3, 1902, he following her June 5, 1905.
Seven children were born to them : George, Amos, Henry, Levi, Irvine, Wilson and Loran Bemis, highly respected citizens who honor mother and father.
EDWARD DALEY, pioneer of 1851, one of the founders of San Ber- nardino, road builder, was born in New York State, March 31, 1825. came to the new State of Ohio, then in 1844 moved westward, pioneering in the Middle West six years. July 24, 1846, he married Miss Nancy Hunt, daughter of Capt. Jefferson Hunt. In 1849 they started overland to California, and arrived at Sycamore Grove in the month of June, 1851, and moved down to San Bernardino in September on the purchase
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of the San Bernardino Rancho from the Lugo family and helped to build the fort in which the colonists entrenched themselves to repel the attacks of hostile Indians. Mr. Daley was active in all matters promoting the welfare of their new home. He opened the first restaurant to accom- modate the travelers through the new country near what is now Third and E streets, known by the pioneers as "Daley Inn," and being the birthplace of their son, C. J. Daley, the well-known pioneer. Mr. Daley was a successful farmer and served the county as supervisor for four years and guarded the interests of the people as he did his own with great care and circumspection. His home was the gathering place for his neighbors and friends, who were always made welcome. The girls and boys who were entertained by Aunt Nancy and Uncle Ed in their hospitable home are now grandmothers and grandfathers who look back to those childhood days with gratitude for the many happy hours and games enjoyed under the roof of Aunt Nancy and Uncle Ed Daley.
The Daley road from San Bernardino to the mountain tops and then on to Little Bear Valley to the Talmadge and La Praix Saw Mills will always remain a monument of his resolution and determination to afford more convenience to those saw mills to enable them to supply the increas- ing demands for more material to continue the building of the city.
He died at the old homestead, January 25, 1896, in his seventy-first year, his beloved wife following him January 4, 1921.
To them were born eleven children-Loami, Celia, Edward, Jefferson, John, Grace, Annetta, Frank, Lou, May and Kate Daley, all living (1922) except Loami, Grace, Edward and John, who have passed on to their heavenly home, those living being among our most highly respected and honored citizens.
GEORGE COOLEY, pioneer farmer, county supervisor, was born in the Village of Eythorn, in the County of Kent, England, December 21, 1831, started from Dover, England, for California March 13, 1853, arrived in New Orleans June 5, 1853, came up the Mississippi to Keokuk, Iowa, then crossed the plains with an ox team by way of Salt Lake, Utah, then to San Bernardino, California, where he arrived May 11, 1857, and settled down permanently on his extensive farm about four miles south of San Bernardino, followed the honorable occupation of a farmer, being one of the successful tillers of the soil by reason of his industry and perseverance.
For a number of years he consented to serve as a county supervisor. The Hall of Records and Court House are objects of his pride, as he saw to it that the money of the people was judiciously and economically used in their construction, thus establishing himself strongly in the con- fidence of the people. This excellent example has been followed by his children and grandchildren in the community where they live and trans- act business. His son, George M. Cooley, began his apprenticeship under the pioneer tinner and hardware merchant, Jack Ruffen, gradually climbed the business ladder, until now (1922) he is doing an immense business, formed a company with his sons and takes time to attend to his valuable ranch of citrus and deciduous fruits, besides becoming a recognized authority on the culture of the potato.
Uncle George Cooley was married to Mrs. Ellen Cooley, who was born in Charlton, Kent County, England, July 14, 1834, the romantic wedding taking place on the American ship Camillus of New York, Charles R. Day, commander, and who performed the marriage ceremony about eleven miles north of Monte Christo, West India Islands, and came
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to San Bernardino with her husband, lived a long and a happy life and raised sixteen children.
DE LA M. WOODWARD was one of the interesting pioneers of the San Bernardino Valley, active in the progress of the county in various capacities. First as a successful farmer, then as president of the Board of Trustees of the City of San Bernardino, he was leading star of the first theatrical troupe of San Bernardino, Harry T. Payne, Edward Pea- cock, J. A. Kelting, George Mattison, Mrs. Minerva O. Kelting, Mrs. John Miller being the other members of this histrionic aggregation. Ed Peacock was the painter of the scenes, the other members did the carpenter work, while the lady performers prepared the costumes. The complimentary tickets were distributed so generously that the treasurer was not able to meet the demands, so after a brief season the troupe suspended the circuit confined to San Bernardino.
Taney Woodward was active in the literary societies of the city, exhibiting much natural ability in the debates on municipal, state, national and worldwide subjects. He was active in May Day and Fourth of July celebrations. He borrowed a yoke of oxen from John Stutchberry and with Harry T. Payne and George Mattison went up Devil Canyon and brought down the first Christmas tree and placed it in the old adobe school room on Fourth Street, when Mr. and Mrs. Robbins engineered the crowning of the Queen of May. On several Christmas tree festivities he made an ideal Santa Claus. He became one of the active members of the Pioneer Society, served on the various committees with his old friends and associates, filled the office of president two terms, assisted his companions in erecting the pioneer monuments in Cajon Pass to indicate the junction of the Santa Fe and Salt Lake Trails leading into San Bernardino, thence to Southern California.
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