USA > California > San Bernardino County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume II > Part 53
USA > California > Riverside County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume II > Part 53
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Horticulture at once attracted his attention, and in November, 1891, he purchased ten acres of fine land in what was then known as "The frostless belt" on Chicago Avenue, south of Center Street, which was planted in oranges. He gave this grove so much care and such intelligent cultivation that it soon attracted the attention of less successful growers and he was soon in demand as superintendent, having over two hundred acres of orange groves under his care.
He next planted fifteen acres in navel oranges in section 30, less than a quarter of a mile from his home, and this soon became a show place of the valley. The entire tract was under the Gage water canal. Mr. Freeman was employing on an average of from ten to fifteen men, using six teams in the orchard work. In 1900 he disposed of the first ten acres he had acquired at the purchase price of $4,500, receiving $14,000, an advance due to the attention he had given it.
After the sale of this ten acres Mr. Freeman purchased an acre of land on Center Street, between Chicago Avenue and Ottawa Street, where he erected a residence which was occupied as the family home for many years. Mr. Freeman also bought four hundred and fifty acres of land in Indio County.
Some years afterward Mr. Freeman sold all his ranch properties and built the Freeman Building on the corner of Eighth and Orange streets. This he sold, realizing handsomely on the investment, and. purchased the southeast corner of Eighth and Lime streets. With S. S. Patterson he erected the Ark Building on this property in 1910. Later on, when the health of Mr. Patterson failed and he practically retired, dying in 1914, Mr. Freeman looked after his estate.
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For some time prior to his death, January 27, 1918, Mr. Freeman had practically retired from active business, devoting his time to looking after his individual interests. He was in sympathy with the principles of the republican party and supported them at the polls. He was identified with the Baptist Church.
Mr. Freeman married Miss Florine Braman, who was born at Braman Hill, Wyandotte County, Kansas, her parents being natives of New London, Connecticut. Her childhood was spent on a farm in Wyandotte County. Her father was an abolitionist and they under- went many hardships owing to this fact. He was a first lieutenant in the Sixth Kansas Cavalry, and saw active service for three and one-half years.
Mr. and Mrs. Freeman had two children: Flod B. Freeman, en- gaged in automobile work in Pasadena. He married Lillian A. Nemeyer, of Pasadena, and they are the parents of Robert B. and Ruth N. Freeman. Agnes E., the daughter, is the wife of C. W. Chapman, a plumber of Pasadena, and they are the parents of six children : Margaret F. in high school; Gilbert W. and Freeman H. students; Dorr, Dora, twins, and Gertrude Grace.
Mrs. Fred H. Freeman is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, the Auxiliary of the sons of Veterans, of the Daughters of Rebekah and Neighbors of Woodcraft and of the Baptist Church, of which her husband was also a member.
BENJAMIN F. ROCKHOLD-For over thirty years Benjamin F. Rock- hold has been numbered among the leading citizens of Riverside, and for the greater portion of that time was closely identified with the growth and development of some of its most representative con- cerns. From the day he came to this city until the present he has always had a faith in it and a love for everything connected with its prosperity, toward which he has contributed much. He has not limited his efforts in behalf of the city to material things, but has given to it freely of his enthusiasm, ideas and vital forces. To him now in the days of his luxurious retirement, as in those of his aggressive actions, he believes that nowhere in the country are there to be found such ideal conditions for a healthy, happy and honorable existence as here at Riverside.
Benjamin F. Rockhold was born at Canton, Fulton County, Illi- nois, May 29, 1840, a son of Ezekial M. and Jemima (Turner) Rock- hold. Ezekial M. Rockhold was born in Wirt County, Virginia, but went to Illinois prior to the Black Hawk war, in which he served actively as a captain of the Thirty-second Regiment, Illinois State Militia. His commission, which his son is carefully preserving, is an interesting document of that period and is signed by Governor Duncan of Illinois and countersigned by Secretary-of-State A. P. Field. It bears the date of July 18, 1832, and commissioned Mr. Rock- hold captain to take rank from July 1. Captain Rockhold was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1845, at the age of thirty-six years and six months. His ancestors came from England with the second party to make the trip after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620. Mrs. Rockhold was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Sterling Turner and a member of an old Southern family. The Turners originated in England, from whence they immigrated to the American Colonies prior to the American Revolution and settled in North Carolina. Mrs. Rockhold died at Riverside at the age of seventy-eight years, having survived her husband for many years.
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Growing up amid strictly rural surroundings, Benjamin F. Rock- hold attended the country schools of Illinois during the winter seasons and made himself useful on the farm in the summertime. His four brothers followed the same plan of attending school and farming, but their peaceful life was disturbed by the outbreak of war between the two sections of the country.
In July, 1861, Mr. Rockhold left home and enlisted in Company E. Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under General Oglesby, who later became colonel of the regiment. Assigned to the Army of the Mississippi, Mr. Rockhold served for three years with it, during which time he was made a sergeant, and one year with the Army of the Potomac. He was at the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, the battle of Shiloh and the forty-seven-day siege of Vicksburg. After the capture of the latter stronghold he was in the campaign against the points below it, and although in many bitterly contested engage- ments was not wounded. However, he had many narrow escapes, one being when a bullet cut through the right shoulder of his coat and left a heavy blue mark on his body. At the termination of his three-year enlistment Mr. Rockhold was mustered out and returned home, but after a brief stay, re-enlisted in the Hancock Corps and was sent to Washington, where he arrived on the evening of the assassination of President Lincoln, April 14, 1865. He arrived in the city at nine in the evening, and the President was shot an hour and a half later. Upon the arrival of the Hancock Corps at Washing- ton the troops were taken to the Union Depot, where they spent the night. They were scarcely settled when a cavalry regiment came down Pennsylvania Avenue and surrounded the depot, as it was thought that perhaps Wilkes Booth had tried to hide among the soldiers. Needless to say he would have had but short shrift had this been the case. The troops were heartbroken at the news, the first they had received of the terrible tragedy. Mr. Rockhold was one of the guard placed about the prison in which Mrs. Surrat and the others implicated in the assassination were confined and later hung, and he commanded this detachment. He also had charge of the guard at the residence of Secretary-of-State Seward after the attempted assassination of the latter. For two months Mr. Rockhold continued in this service, and in all was with the Hancock troops for a year, after which he was honorably discharged and returned home.
From the time of his return from the army until 1888 Mr. Rock- hold was engaged in a geneal mercantile business in Stark County, Illinois. In that year he was induced to come to Riverside through the enthusiastic reports sent back to Illinois by his old neighbors, the Dyer family, who had come to California and were so pleased with Riverside that they endeavored to have their friends join them. Mr. Rockhold responded to their wishes in this particular and has never regretted making the change.
In 1889 Mr. Rockhold and his brother, John F. Rockhold, went into a grocery business under the firm name of Rockhold Brothers, and he remained in it for twenty-four years and then sold to his brother. For the subsequent four or five years he was engaged in handling real estate, but then retired, feeling that he had earned the privilege of enjoying at leisure the ample means his foresight and enterprise had accumulated. At one time he was the owner of several orange groves, but has disposed of them all. He was a director of the Citizens Bank and the National Bank of Riverside, but has dis-
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posed of his interests in these institutions. He still, however, retains his connection with the United Wholesale Grocers of Los Angeles, and belongs to its Board of Directors.
Long a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, he was its commander until his retirement January 1, 1921. In 1918 he attended the reunion of the Vicksburg soldiers at Vicksburg. Free transportation was given to the veterans both ways and 101 of them were on the excursion train. He also attended the reunion of the Grand Army of the Republic at Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1920. While living in Illinois he belonged to the Odd Fellows, but has not put in his card since coming West. A strong republican, he has always been active in party matters and has served on the City Board and as a delegate to county conventions.
In October, 1871, Mr. Rockhold married in Illinois Jennie Hay- wood, a native of England and a daughter of Thomas Haywood, who belonged to an old and prominent English family. Mr. and Mrs. Rockford became the parents of three daughters, two of whom survive. Norma H. is a lady of unusual talent, who finished her musical educa- tion in Italy. She is now the wife of Maj. William Robbins, who was overseas during the World war, in active service with the Rain- bow Division, and is now in the bond business at Los Angeles, Cali- fornia. Miss Bonnie E. is also a musician of great talent. She is an instructress on the violin and lives with her parents. Vera died when thirty years old. She was the wife of Roland Adams, of Sierra Madre. She left a little daughter, Jane, who is now eight years old and makes her home with her grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Rockhold are mem- bers of the First Baptist Church of Riverside, of which he has been a deacon for twenty-years, and of which he was a trustee for a num- ber of years.
Mr. Rockhold is a man who commands the respect of all who know him. During his long residence at Riverside he has lived up to the highest standard of business ethics and Christian manhood, and has set an example all would do well to follow. He believes that a man owes it to his community to take an honorable interest in its welfare, even if doing so necessitates a personal sacrifice, and he never has been too much occupied with his own affairs to respond to any demand upon him for civic duty.
A. HEBER WINDER, of the law firm Adair & Winder, of Riverside, has achieved many prominent and interesting associations with the bar of Riverside County during his ten years residence here. He is a highly qualified lawyer, and has gained high standing in other activities as well.
Mr. Winder was born at Miamisburg, Ohio, May 2, 1882, and is of English ancestry, his people having lived in Maryland during the Colonial and Revolutionary periods. His parents were also born in Ohio, and his father is now an orange grower in the Riverside district.
A. Heber Winder acquired a grammar and high school education in Ohio, and for five years successfully engaged in teaching in his native state. For several years he was principal of the Fairview High School at Dayton, Ohio. He took his law-arts course in Cornell University at Ithaca, New York, graduating LL.B. in 1908, and in the same year was admitted to the Ohio bar. Judge Winder was admitted to the California bar in 1910, and since June, 1911, has been a resident of Riverside. For seven years he was associated with the firm Purington & Adair, and on the death of Mr. Purington continued his association with A. A. Adair under the name Adair & Winder. This is a firm whose reputation has been
A.M.inder
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well earned. They handle a general practice but to a large extent special- ize in corporation and probate law.
The Riverside Chamber of Commerce employed Mr. Winder to perform the legal work as attorney for March Field, and he gave much of his time for three years to that cause. During 1913-15 he served as city judge of Riverside and was city attorney from 1915 to 1918. During the year 1917 he was president of the City Attorneys Association of California.
On first coming to Riverside Judge Winder took a leading part in republican politics, and at one time was secretary of the Republican County Central Committee. He is a member of the Alpha Chi Rho National Fraternity, is a past master of Riverside Masonic Lodge, mem- ber of Riverside Commandery, K. T., and Al Malaikah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Los Angeles. He also belongs to the Riverside Lodge of Elks, is a director of the Riverside Chamber of Commerce, vice president of the Present Day Club, a director of the Title Insurance Company of Riverside and president of the Kiwanis Club, Interna- tional. He has served during the past three years as president of the Board of Trustees of the First Congregational Church of Riverside.
July 18, 1912, Judge Winder married Helen A. Dobbs, a graduate of Cornell University. She was born in New York, daughter of A. W. Dobbs, and through her mother is descended from the family of which the late Frances Willard was a distinguished representative. Judge and Mrs. Winder have two children: Beatrice and Willard.
A. S. MALONEY, attorney of San Bernardino, has devoted his life to the mastery and practice of the law. That he thoroughly familiarized himself first with its theory, and then with its application is shown by his record. Mr. Maloney secured the practical experience necessary early in his career by virtue of public office, but he soon decided that private practice was preferable and succeeding events have proved the wisdom of his choice. Not only has he gained high standing with the attorneys of San Bernardino since his advent here, but he stands equally high with the general public.
Mr. Maloney was born in Waseca, Minnesota, July 22, 1876, the son of John and Bridget (Nilan) Maloney. John Maloney was a native of Ireland who came to the United States in 1856. He did not remain long in New York, but went out to Minnesota two years later, in 1858, where he engaged in farming. After sometime spent in this occupation he embarked in a mercantile business, and carried it on until his death in 1904. Mrs. Maloney was also a native of Ireland, coming to America in 1856 and marrying Mr. Maloney in Oliphant, Pennsylvania that same year. They were the parents of twelve children, only four of whom are now living. Mrs. Maloney still lives in Waseca.
A. S. Maloney was educated in the schools of Waseca, after his graduation from its high school, attending the University of Minnesota. He was graduated from the law department in June, 1904, and he at once commenced practice in his home town. It was not long before the Governor of Minnesota appointed him municipal judge, and he was still occupying that position when he was elected county attorney. After serving two terms in this position Mr. Maloney decided upon a change and removed to Williston, North Dakota. He formed a partnership in that city with Lieutenant Governor Burbeck, but only remained one year. coming to San Bernardino in 1911, where he has followed the general practice of law.
Mr. Maloney married in 1910, in Waseca, Minnesota, Margaret E. Drysdale, a daughter of Mrs. Nora Drysdale, who is now a resident of
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San Bernardino. Mr. and Mrs. Maloney have two children, Geraldine Francis and Mary Grace, both students in St. Catherine's Convent of San Bernardino. Mr. Maloney is a member of the California State Bar Association and of the San Bernardino County Bar Association. He is in politics a republican. He is a trustee of the San Bernardino City Library Board and a member of the County Welfare Commission. Dur- ing political campaigns he is called upon frequently to make speeches throughout the county, and has always shown a willingness to perform this duty without compensation. He is a member of the Catholic Church and is a past grand knight and a past district deputy of the Knights of Columbus.
R. BIRD SHELDEN has been a resident of Riverside since 1893. For some years his active interests were chiefly identified with fruit growing. He represents a pioneer family of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan, where Shelden has been a distinguished name for over seventy years. Mr. Shelden was associated with mining in that district, and still has im- portant mining interests both in the copper and iron districts of the north- ern states and also in California.
Mr. Shelden has the distinction of being the first white child born in Houghton County, Michigan. His birth occurred June 10, 1852. The village of Houghton, now center of Michigan's great School of Mines. owes its inception to the enterprise of his father, Ransom Shelden, who made his first visit to the site in 1845. He moved his family to that locality in 1847. He was a trader for several years, and during the early fifties, in partnership with his kinsman, purchased mining lands including the present sites of Houghton and Hancock. He was post- master, one of the first village trustees of Houghton, owned sawmills and built up a very extensive estate. Ransom Shelden was born in New York in 1814, and died in 1878. His two older sons were Carlos D. and George C. Shelden. both of whom were long prominent in the life and affairs of Northern Michigan. George C. Shelden died in 1896 and Carlos D. Shelden in 1904. Carlos D. Shelden was a congressman from Michigan and a leader in the republican party in the state. Both he and his brother were Union soldiers. Carlos raised a company in 1861 and was a captain in the 23rd Michigan Infantry until the latter part of 1864. George C. Shelden was also a participant in manv battles. Nevertheless. the story is told of how he one day. while sitting on the steps of the capitol building at Washington watching a parade, was arrested as a deserter. He was soon released, though he failed to get restored to him his saddle and puo tent.
The wife of Ransom Shelden was Theresa M. Douglas, a cousin of Dr. Douglas Houghton, who was the first state geologist of Michigan and whose memory is preserved in the City of Houghton.
R. Bird Shelden is the only surviving child of Ransom Shelden. He was educated in the grammar and high schools of Houghton and in a Military Academy at Mount Pleasant, New York. For several years he was a merchant at Houghton in dry goods and groceries, but his store burned and entailed a complete loss. After that he was bookkeeper for a time and then for a number of years served as deputy internal revenue collector at Houghton.
On account of ill health he decided to come to California, visiting the state in 1892. He returned in the spring of 1893, and since that year has been one of Riverside's most loyal and public spirited citizens. For several years he conducted a ranch and orange grove of thirty acres at Highgrove and Palmyreta Avenue, but since selling that interest has lived
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in the city. He is both the owner and operator of mining properties. At one time he operated the Casey Mines. He was also associated with the family in the ownership of copper bearing properties. Some of his valuable ore properties are hematite iron lands near the Wisconsin line in the Crystal l'alls district. This ore is being produced and shipped by the lessees. Mr. Shelden was formerly a director of the First National Bank of Riverside. He is a republican, a Knight Templar Mason and Elk.
At Houghton, Michigan, August 23, 1874, he married Cordelia A. Paull, a native of Wisconsin and daughter of Josiah Paull, who repre- sented an old American family of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Shel- den have two children: Ransom P. and Theresa. Ransom P. was for five years an electrician and chief electrician in the United States Navy service, being in China after the Cuban war, but most of his time was spent in special duty. He is now connected with the Electric Company at San Bernardino. The daughter, Theresa, is the wife of Capt. F. L. Thompson, U. S. A., and has two children, Leslie Shelden Thompson and Douglas Gregory. Her husband, now stationed at Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas, was in service as a machine gunner in the 91st Division in France and received a special citation for bravery from Gen- eral Pershing. He has also been in the navy and was on the Arizona border during the Mexican trouble.
JAMES BETTNER, who came to Riverside soon after the development started by the original colony, was one of the most successful horticul- turists of the county, and among other achievements that give him a high place in the citizenship he was one of the pioneers in the movement im- mediately preceding the organization of the horticultural interests into what is now the Fruit Growers Exchange.
He was born at Riverdale on the Hudson, now within the limits of New York City, of an old family of Scotch descent. He was educated both for a technical profession and for the law, and was admitted to the New York State Bar. He was a graduate civil engineer of the Troy Polytechnic College, and his preference decided him in favor of the civil engineering profession. During the seventies he was assistant to the distinguished engineer, Mr. Roberts, in surveying the route of the Northern Pacific Railroad through Montana. Owing to the arduous nature of his profession he lost his health, and first came to Riverside in 1877, accompanied by his wife and daughter. The daughter soon after- ward died. During the winter Mr. Bettner became acquainted with A. S. White, and he soon came to share Mr. White's enthusiasm for the boundless opportunities of Riverside. That led to his purchase of forty acres of land, which Mr. White agreed to plant.
In December, 1879, Mr. Bettner, Mrs. Bettner and their two sons came to Riverside, spending a short time at the old Glenwood Tavern and then with G. W. Garcelon while Mr. Bettner was building a home on this forty acre tract at Indiana Avenue and Jefferson Street. He was a man of scientific attainments and of scientific mind, and he made a serious study of horticulture and proceeded with the development of his tract of land with such success that he had what was considered the banner grove of Southern California. He was perhaps the first in this district to appreciate the real value of fertilization. He brought his land up to the highest productive capacity. In 1884-85, at the World's Cot- ton Central Exposition at New Orleans, his oranges took first prize. He was also a member of the First State Board of Forestry with Abbott Kinney and Sands Forman. Active, and a man of ability, he realized the advantages to be acquired by securing other property, and his invest-
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ments proceeded with unlimited faith, a faith fully justified by subsequent events. In 1877 Mr. Bettner bought Frank Miller's property on Main Street, the Blue Front Store, adjoining the property belonging to Mat- thew Gage at Main and South Eighth Streets, which he also bought. The price he paid for this was at that time the record high price for that class of property. When asked why he paid such a price he said that he bought for an investment and believed that location would always re- main the center of the town. It is today.
Mr. Bettner and others bought Santa Monica Heights and other prop- erty at Santa Monica, and in Los Angeles acquired a tract of land known as the Bettner Tract, in the southwestern portion of the city. This tract is now completely covered with homes. Mr. Bettner was a democrat - in politics and was one of the leaders of his party in Riverside County. He was a speaker on many occasions and was completely at home on the platform.
It is claimed that the original conception of the idea of a Fruit Grow- ers Exchange originated with a few, of whom Mr. Bettner was one. He and T. H. B. Chamblin and L. G. Rose of San Gabriel were associated in the pioneer organization, eventually merged into the Fruit Growers Exchange.
At Albany Mr. Bettner married Catherine Allen, a native of that city. His son, Louis S. Bettner, is deceased. He is survived by Mrs. Bettner and their son, Robert Lee Bettner. Mrs. Bettner lives on Magnolia Ave- nue at Riverside, and still owns about ten acres of the original prop- erty developed by Mr. Bettner.
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