USA > California > San Bernardino County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume II > Part 39
USA > California > Riverside County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume II > Part 39
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On April 2, 1887, Mr. Boyd married in Butler County, Ohio, Miss Lizzie Magie, a native of that state, and a member of an old American family of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are the parents of three children, namely : Shirley B., who is an orange grower, living at 179 Riverside Avenue, Riverside, who married, April 19, 1919, Miss Helen Hazel Smith, a native of Wisconsin, and a daughter of Edwin R. Smith, one of the esteemed retired residents of Riverside ; Mary Alice, who was born in Ohio, was graduated from the Riverside High School, and is now living with her parents; and Harriet Mildred, who was born in California, was also graduated from the Riverside High School, and is now a student in the University of California, Southern Branch.
Mr. Boyd is a delightful gentleman to meet, genial and courteous, and glad to relate entertaining reminiscences of the earlier days at River- side and in the orange growing industry. He is enthusiastic about the city and state, and feels that only a beginning has been made in orange growing, so great does he believe the possibilities to be. Fully realizing the dignity and importance of the closely allied callings of agriculture and
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horticulture, both of which have had in him an earnest and efficient sup- porter, he is anxious to enlist in them the younger men of the country, and feels that this can be accomplished through a campaign of education which will teach the desirability of entering an occupation which not only makes excellent returns for all investments of time and money, but also bestows good health and gives an independence none other can. His own example proves the truth of his many arguments in favor of his beloved work, and his enthusiasm is an inspiration. He is one of the best types of the successful citrus growers of the Southwest, and to him and his associates is due in large part the credit for the remarkable de- velopment of this great region, and the advent in it of a fine class of citizens, who, coming here from more Eastern homes, appreciate the ad- vantages of climate and location, and exert themselves to become partici- pators in its many opportunities.
FRANK W. PARSONS-The energy, the enthusiasm, the steadfast per- sistence that Frank W. Parsons, owner of the garage that bears his name at Riverside, throws into his business not only are characteristic of the man, but would bring him success in any line he might enter. In the garage business, however, he has the work he likes, and in it he has made a name for himself for reliability and excellence of work. He was born at Mount Victory, Ohio, November 22, 1860, a son of Watson and Mary Ann Eliza (Chamberlayne) Parsons. Watson Parsons was a native of New York State, and his family was of Revolutionary stock and English descent. During the war between the states he enlisted in the Buell Division of Light Artillery, of which Gen. John C. Fremont was the commander. For two and one-half years he was in the service up and down the banks of the Mississippi River, and died at Keokuk, Iowa, from the effects of the hardships he endured in the army. He was buried with honors in the soldiers' cemetary at Keokuk. His wife also belonged to an old American family that orginated in this country in the persons of four brothers of the name of Chamberlin, who came here from England. After their arrival they agreed to change the spelling of their name from the old method to that of Chamberlayne, which is still used. The grandfathers of Frank W. Parsons on both sides were ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and members of the General Conference of Western New York during their active years.
Frank W. Parsons attended the public schools and the Lima Seminary of Lima, New York. Entering the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad as a telegrapher, he remained with that road for thirty-two years, rising to be a fireman, and then, in 1881, to be locomotive engineer, his run being principally between Binghamton and Albany, New York. He resigned in 1906, and early in the following year came West to California and located at Riverside.
Having decided to enter a new field, he built the Central Garage, ran it for three years, and then sold it. Erecting the old Mission Garage on Main Street, he conducted it for six years. In 1915 he put up the Parsons Garage on Fifth and Main streets, one of the most modern in the city, covering a large floor space and thoroughly equipped to handle all work in this line. His wife is his business partner. In addition to his garage interests Mr. Parsons owns fourteen acres of fine valencia orange trees in the Bullis subdivision in San Bernardino County under the Vista Grande Water Company.
On September 26, 1883, he married at Binghamton, New York, Miss Cora Millet, a native of Malone, New York. Her father was engaged
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for years in the manufacture of stoves at Montreal, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to Evergreen Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers; the Auto Dealers Association, of which he is president ; and to the Present Day Club and the Business Men's Association. While he has always been a democrat, he has con- fined his participation in politics to the exercising of his right of suffrage.
Mr. Parsons is a man to whom home, friends, the public weal, good government, the larger interests of humanity, education, charity, morality and religion, all find a generous welcome in his heart and life. He is by nature a friendly man, a man who makes friends, who holds them, is loyal to them at whatever cost. His is a genial personality, whole-souled. generous to a fault. His friendships are marked by no boundaries of party or creed. He honors manhood, fidelity, courage, high principle, and when he finds men to his liking he gives them his confidence, his affection, his steadfast loyalty.
DAVID CHARLES STRONG, M. D., surgeon and physician of San Ber- nardino, has established a practice that is in itself a just tribute to his professional skill. When he was graduated he did not consider his medical education was completed, and by means of hospital experience he added much to his already thorough knowledge of surgery and medicine. To these he by practical experience in all branches of his profession has added a masterly understanding of each.
Dr. Strong is thoroughly imbued with the progressive spirit of these times and he neglects no opportunity for research and improvement, and he keeps thoroughly posted in all new methods and in discoveries in sur- gery and the science and treatment of disease.
In surgical cases he takes a very special interest, and he has per- formed many exceedingly delicate and difficult operations, in fact he is the born, not made, surgeon, with the keen eye that seems to see unerr- ingly into the heart of things, the insight and delicate discernment which, combined with his sure knowledge, makes him a surgeon second to few in his chosen sphere.
Dr. Strong was born in Paxton, Illinois, the son of Robert and Mar- tha (Miller) Strong, his father being a farmer and a pioneer of that state. His mother was a native of Indiana. Both died in Illinois. Dr. Strong was educated in the public schools of Paxton, Illinois, and from them went to the Rice Collegiate Institute of the same city. from whence he was graduated in 1898. He then studied medicine in the Medical Department of the University of Illinois, graduating in 1902. He took up the duties of house surgeon in the Wichita Hospital of Wichita, Kansas, remaining there for a year and a half.
Dr. Strong came to California in 1903, locating first in Redlands, where he practiced for two years, in November, 1905, removing to San Bernardino, where he has been in constant practice since. He special- izes in surgery and is the owner of the Sequoia Hospital, located on the corner of Fifth and D streets. It is an up to date, thoroughly modern, well equipped hospital, containing twenty-five beds.
As superintendent of the County Hospital from 1905 to 1911, he made such a record one would have to think long to name one who has done more valuable work in that position.
Dr. Strong first married in Chicago, Illinois, December 25, 1901, to Miss Mary Alice Glenn, a native of Chicago and a daughter of W. T.
IC Strong
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Glenn, a business man of that city who served in the Union army dur- ing the Civil war as captain of an Indiana Company. He was of old American stock of English descent. Mrs. Strong passed away in 1910. They had one child, Robert Glenn Strong, a student of the California State University, Class of 1925.
Dr. Strong contracted a second marriage in 1916, with Alice Bixby, a daughter of Charles Bixby, of Pasadena. Dr. Strong is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the California State Medical Association, the American Medical Association and the San Bernardino County Medical Association. Fraternally he is affiliated with the San Bernardino Lodge No. 836, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; San Bernardino Lodge No. 348, A. F. and A. M .; Keystone Chapter No. 56, R. A. M., and San Bernardino Commandery, Knights Templar. Politically he gives his allegiance to the republican party. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian.
BENJAMIN W. HANDY is one of the pioneers of Riverside, having come here in 1876, so that today he is one of the oldest living citizens, and is held in the highest respect by all who know him. He has been identified principally with the orange culture of this region. His efforts have not, however, been confined to the material things of this world, for to him belongs in large measure the credit for the organization of the Young Men's Christian Association in this city. In 1883 Frank Culver, of Pasadena, came to Riverside and with Mr. Handy and a group of earnest young men discussed the advisability of organizing the association here. The result of the conference was the establishment of the organization of which Mr. Handy was the first president. Since then he has continued to do much in its behalf, and has continued one of its directorate since its establishment.
Born at Marion, Massachusetts, August 12, 1853, Benjamin W. Handy is the son of Capt. Benjamin B. and Betsy C. (Small) Handy, the former a native of Marion, Massachusetts, and the latter of Provincetown, Massa- chusetts. Captain Handy, who died in 1898, came from a family of Revolutionary stock and French descent. He was a son of Caleb Handy, a captain of militia during the War of 1812, and a man who saw active service in that conflict. Mrs. Handy, who died in 1901, belonged to a family of French descent, which was established in this country during its Colonial epoch.
Capt. B. B. Handy commanded a whaling vessel out of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and before he was twenty-one years old had a new ship built for him, of which he was made the captain. He followed the sea with gratifying success until 1869, when he took the post of station agent at Marion Massachusetts, and held it until the fall of 1876, in which year he brought his family to Riverside. After his arrival here he pro- ceeded at once to become a property owner, buying fifteen acres of land on Broughton Avenue, five acres of which were under cultivation, and he planted the other ten with orange trees. In the fall of 1878 his sterling character received proper recognition in his election as supervisor of San Bernardino County, and he sold his ranch and moved into town. When the City of Riverside was incorporated he was elected as one of the first of the city's trustees, and he lived up to the best expectations of his constituents in both offices, to which he was elected on the republican ticket.
Captain Handy was a man of much executive ability, and was one of the promoters and stockholders, with a group of his fellow citizens, to erect the first pavilion for orange shows, which initial undertaking has Vol. 11-18
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developed into such an important feature for both Riverside and San Bernardino counties. This first pavilion was later destroyed by fire. He was one of a company of six who bought the Mound City tract and built the hotel there, now known as the Loma Linda. The Masonic fraternity had in him a zealous member.
Benjamin W. Handy attended the public schools of Marion, Massachu- setts, and went to sea with his father on his last two voyages, coming home a harpooner. During these trips he had a wonderful experience he has never forgotten, and during them visited the Azore Islands, the coast of Africa, the West Indies, the Bermudas, and other places. During those days before the introduction of kerosene, whaling was a most remunerative occupation, but with the discovery of the various uses to which the coal oil could be put, and the fact that it could be produced so much more cheaply, the demand for whale oil fell off very materially, although there will always be a sale for the products from this great mammal.
The Handy family made the trip to California by steamer and the Isthmus of Panama and Aspinwall, and after their arrival at Riverside Benjamin W. Handy assisted his father in his orange growing business until 1882, when he secured property in his own name on Broughton Avenue. He later sold that property and bought another near Little Rubidoux Mountain, and continued in the orange industry for thirty years, shipping through Riverside Heights Association Number 10. About 1912 he sold his interests and since then has lived in comfortable retirement. He has always voted the republican ticket, but aside from serving as the first probation officer Riverside ever elected he has not come before the public for political honors.
When Mr. Handy first arrived at Riverside it was but a small com- munity, and he has had the privilege of witnessing its remarkable growth, and during that period has been a consistent and constructive booster for everything he honestly believed would be beneficial to the city and its people, and has eagerly supported what would secure its welfare.
For many years he has been an honored member of the First Con- gregational Church of Riverside, and has served as one of its deacons. Both he and his sister, Miss Elizabeth J. Handy, have been active in the work of this church. Miss Elizabeth J. Handy was a professional nurse for seven or eight years in Los Angeles. She was called home by the illness of her mother, and remained with her until the latter's death. Since that time she and Mr. Handy have been living at the old home place. Mr. Handy has never married. Another sister, Mrs. Thomas Stephenson, passed away in 1919, and one brother, John Handy, died two years after the family located in the city. A third sister is Mrs. George D. Cunningham, reference to whom is made elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Handy's influence in his community has always been of the highest character. In his business life he has carried out his religious creed, and always has taken great interest in the welfare of the young men of the city, not only through the usual channels of the Association, but has evinced a personal care for them, and many have received assistance from him at a critical period in their career. While he no longer takes an active part in the strenuous life of Riverside, he is still regarded as one of the important factors in the welfare work of the city, and his advice is sought and taken on many subjects.
WILLIAM. M. HULS-While his early life back in his native state of Ohio included service as a teacher and railroad man, William M. Huls since coming to San Bernardino has had his time and energies fully taken
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up with his printing business, which he established here on a small scale and has developed into one of the best commercial printing shops in the two counties.
Mr. Huls was born at Logan, Ohio, May 24, 1873, son of William H. and Elizabeth R. (Weltner) Huls, both natives of Ohio and of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. The parents are now deceased. William H. Huls entered the Union Army at the beginning of the Civil war, in Company H of the 58th Ohio Infantry, served four years, going in as a first lieutenant and coming out as a captain of his company. He was in many battles, including the great engagement at Shiloh. After the war he followed the business of contractor and builder, and was a man of prominence in his home community of Rockbridge, serving as a member of the Board of Education.
William M. Huls acquired a public school education in Ohio, and for four terms taught in the district schools of Rockbridge. The next ten years he devoted to railroad work as operator and ticket agent at Cheshire, Ohio, for the Hocking Valley Railroad. He then joined his brother, A. E. Huls, at Logan, owner of a newspaper and printing plant there, and under his brother learned the printer's trade and remained associated with the business five years. Mr. Huls in the meantime had determined that the best energies of his life should be expended in Southern Cali- fornia, and when he came to the state he brought his wife and two children, leaving them at Los Angeles while he looked over the country for a suitable location. San Bernardino offered the most attractions, and here he established a job printing plant. He has continued the business without interruption, and now has what is regarded as the best equipped one-man shop in the two counties. It is fitted with automatic presses and all the facilities for a general commercial job printing business, and is operated on a capacity schedule.
Mr. Huls is a member of Typographical Union No. 84 of San Bernar- dino, and is also president of the Orange Belt Employing Printers Asso- ciation, embracing all the printers in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. This is an organization for mutual good and interchange of information affecting the welfare of the printing trade. Mr. Huls is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and has always cast his vote as a republican.
At Lancaster, Ohio, May 24, 1898, he married Miss Elizabeth L: Deeds, who was born in Ohio, daughter of William J. and Sarah Ann Deeds. Her father was a merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Huls have two children. Trenton D .. who graduated from the San Bernardino High School in 1919, was during the World war in the service of the navy at San Pedro and is now studying for the profession of dentistry at Los Angeles. The daughter, Nellie Marie Huls, is a member of the class of 1922 at the San Bernardino High School. She is unusually gifted in music and is studying with the purpose of following a musical career.
LEWIS C. HUNSAKER was a man whose sterling attributes of character gained to him a wide circle of friends in Riverside County, where he established the family home in 1902, at Riverside, and where he lived virtually retired until his death in 1909.
Mr. Hunsaker was born in Adams County, Wisconsin, June 29, 1840, his father, Abraham Hunsaker, gained pioneer honors in both Iowa and Wisconsin, in which latter state he conducted farming the remainder of his life, his death occurring in Kentucky while on a visit to his daughter. He was of a representative family that was founded in America prior to
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the War of the Revolution, and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Dodd, was of remote English ancestry.
Lewis C. Hunsaker received the advantages of the common schools of Wisconsin, and his entire active career was marked by close and successful association with farm industry. He continued his residence in Wisconsin until 1865, when he removed to Iowa. He continued as one of the representative farmers of the Hawkeye State until 1902, when he came with his wife to Riverside, California, where he lived virtually retired until his death. His first marriage occurred in the early '60s, and his first wife was survived by two children, Frank, who was a successful merchant in Iowa at the time of his death, and Viola, who is the wife of John Perry, a farmer near Chadron, Nebraska.
On the 9th of December, 1872, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hunsaker and Miss Ella Cone, who was born in Linn County, Iowa, and who knew no other other father than her stepfather, A. B. Mason, of whom more definite mention is made on other pages of this work, in the personal sketch of his son, M. S. Mason. Another son, D. B. Mason, was one of the prominent and honored citizens of Riverside at the time of his death. Mrs. Hunsaker received excellent educational advantages and had been a successful school teacher in Iowa prior to her marriage, her active interest in and association with educational work having con- tinued many years. Both she and her daughter are zealous members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Riverside and are teachers in its Sunday School. While still residing in Iowa Mrs. Hunsaker was specially active in church work, and served both as secretary of its Home Missionary Society and as president of its Foreign Missionary Society. She resides at 329 Beverly Court, Riverside, and is popular in the representative social activities of the community. Mrs. Hunsaker has four children and seven grandchildren. Charles Hunsaker, the eldest, is proprietor of a well equipped grocery store on Brocton Avenue, Riverside. He married Alice Fable, a native of Pennsylvania. Burton C. Hunsaker is the employ of the Pacific Balloon Works at Riverside. Bertha is the wife of George E. Palmer, who is employed by the California Iron Works of Riverside, and they have two children, Ruth and Ernest. Walter Scott Hunsaker, who is now a progressive and successful farmer in the State of Arizona, married Miss Ethel Perry, of Iowa, and they have five children: Helen and Walter, who were born in Iowa; Perry, who was born at Riverside, California; Robert Harold, who was born in Arizona; and Harold, an infant, who is a native of Riverside.
MYRON S. MASON, for a quarter of a century lived the strenuous life of an Iowa and Minnesota farmer. During a brief interlude in his responsibilities he paid a visit to California, and that visit became a permanent association with the Riverside community. He is one of many original Iowa men who make up the progressive element in the town and country, and has been a successful orange grower here for many years.
Mr. Mason was born in Iowa March 15, 1853. He is a descendant of Sir John Mason, privy counsellor of England in the sixteenth cen- tury. The family record reads that two brothers, Sir Hugh Mason and John Mason, came to America in early Colonial days and identified themselves with the colony of Massachusetts. Both were old Indian fighters. Myron Mason is a descendant of the family of Sir Hugh. His father. A. B. Mason, was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, in 1801. In early life he moved west to Illinois and later to Iowa, locating close
and Mars MS Mason
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to the town of Marion, where his son, Myron, was born. He was a farmer, contractor and builder, and his business and personal character made him prominent in the community. He was always called Squire Mason, having served as justice of the peace of Toledo, Iowa. He died in 1862. His wife was Harriet Green, a native of New York State and also of English ancestry.
Myron S. Mason was well educated, attending the public schools of Toledo, Iowa, and also Grinnell College. From farm worker he began the operation of a farm in Iowa, but in 1884 removed to Rock County. in the southwestern part of Minnesota, where he bought a tract of unimproved land. His labors there over a period of years developed a productive farm, and as one of the pioneers he was otherwise prom- inent in that district. He continued his farming in that county until 1894, and did not sell his land there until 1919.
His brother, Dwight B. Mason, had been a resident of Riverside since 1886. Myron Mason paid this brother a visit in 1899. Imme- diately he was transformed into an enthusiastic Californian, and as a preliminary to establishing his permanent home here purchased ten acres of unimproved land on La Cadena Drive. This land he has graded, and he personally planted every tree and shrub and built the house at 381 La Cadena, which he has occupied for the past twenty years. He has brought his grove into a high state of bearing, and the entire tract is one of the beautiful and sightly places in that portion of the city. Ever since the trees came into bearing he has been shipping the fruit through Riverside Heights Packing House No. 10. During his resi- dence in Minnesota Mr. Mason served for some time as secretary of the School Board. He has never been in politics, though interested in the election of republican candidates.
In 1891 he married Miss Alvira Irish, a native of Iowa. She died on the old farm in Minnesota. Mrs. Mason possessed much literary ability, was devoted to church and home, and frequently wrote for religious papers. December 16, 1908, at Tecumseh, Nebraska, Mr. Ma- son married Miss Laura E. Mason, a second cousin. She was born at Fairbury, Illinois, of the same early ancestry as her husband. Her father, Otis S. Mason, was a native of New York State and served in the 129th Illinois Regiment of Infantry during the Civil war. Mrs. Mason has long been identified with the work of the Methodist Church, and has served as an officer in the Daughters of the Rebekah. Mr. and Mrs. Mason have no children, but have taken a niece, Miss Gwendolyn Virginia Mason, as their own. She is now a student in the Riverside schools.
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