USA > California > San Bernardino County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume III > Part 11
USA > California > Riverside County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume III > Part 11
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In 1878 Mr. English married Miss Millie Carter, who was born in Beaver City, Utah, and was educated in the public schools of that state. She is a descendant of early Utah pioneers. Her grandfather, Amascy Liman, was a soldier in the Mexican war, a member of the famous Mormon Brigade, and first became acquainted with California as a soldier during this war. He then returned to Salt Lake, and subsequently was with the early Mormon organization at old San Bernardino. He was president of a branch of the Mormon Church in Southern California, being recalled to Utah by Brigham Young. He was one of the twelve apostles in the church until his death in 1904. Mrs. English's father was Philo Carter, another noted California pioneer of San Bernardino County. It was Philo Carter who discovered the first gold on Lytle Creek. Mr. and Mrs. English became the parents of eight children. The oldest. Lulu, born in Utah in 1880, is the wife of W. L. Berry, an old and prominent resident of the Chino Valley, where he is a dairyman and rancher. Mary, who was born in Utah in 1882, died at the age of nine months at Beaver City. Luell, born in 1886, in Utah, is Mrs. Arthur Brown, of Riverside. Edward, born in 1888, is a blacksmith at Riverside. William K., Jr., born in Utah in 1892, is a blacksmith at Zelzah, California; Walter, born in Nevada in 1898, is in business with his brother at Zelzalı; Philo, who was born at Corona, California, in 1900, is an accountant and clerk with the Santa Fe Railroad Company ; May, the youngest of the family, was born at Corona in 1902, and is now chief bookkeeper at Corona for the Southern California
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By-Products Company. The four sons all learned the trade of blacksmith and except one are still identified with that work.
DUDLEY PINE was the youngest son of the late Samuel C. Pine, Sr., whose noble career as a pioneer of the San Bernardino Valley has been described on other pages.
Dudley Pine was born at his father's Rincon homestead ranch June 2, 1872. He has never married, and he grew up and received his education in this locality and since early manhood has been fully occupied with his ranching and farming. He has done much to develop lands in this section.
His brother Myron, who was born at San Bernardino May 22, 1868, married in 1891 Miss Agnes Lester, daughter of the venerable pioneer of the Rincon Grant, Edward Lester. Myron Pine and wife had five chil- dren, Hazel G., Myrtle G., Ivy G., Mary and Myra Agnes. Myron Pine now lives in Imperial.
Another brother of Dudley Pine was Edwin Pine, who was born July 28, 1860. He married Miss Annie Bell Gilbert, daughter of J. D. Gilbert, another early settler of San Bernardino. They have three children, Gil- bert Edwin, Miss Beryl and Madelen. Edwin Pine was a prosperous rancher in the Chino Valley and died April 16, 1920, at his ranch.
The Pine family have been large factors in both the early settlement and later development of San Bernardino County, and individually and collectively have stood for the very best in citizenship. They have helped develop the lands of the Rincon Grant from virgin and desert soil, and all of them share in the credit for the improvement noted in this section of San Bernardino County.
BYRON WATERS-One of the specific and important functions of this publication is to enter enduring record concerning those whose stand is es- sentially representative in the various professional circles in California, and there is no profession that touches so closely the manifold interests of society in general as does the legal.
In both the paternal and maternal line he traces his genealogy back to families who founded America. Mr. Waters claims the Empire State of the South for his nativity as he was born at Canton, Cherokee County, Georgia, on the 19th day of June, 1849, the youngest son of the three children of Henry H. and Frances (Brewster) Waters.
Henry Hawley Waters was born in Renssalaer County, New York, near the City of Albany, in the year 1819, his parents having been num- bered among the pioneers of that section, whither they removed from Massachusetts, where the respective families were found in the Colonial days. Henry H. Waters was the youngest in a family of five children, and owing to the conditions and exigencies of life in a pioneer communi- ty, his early educational advantages were limited-a handicap which he effectively overcame through self-discipline and through definite ad- vancement by personal effort. He served an apprenticeship as a mechanic and assisted in the construction of one of the first steam road locomotives ever operated in the State of New York. He had no little inventive ability, but there could be no reason to doubt that he did well to turn his attention to other lines. When about twenty years of age he went to Georgia, where he proved himself eligible for pedagogic honors and was successfully engaged in teaching for a period of about two years. In the meanwhile he had determined to prepare himself for the legal profession, and by close application he gained an excellent knowledge of law, so that he gained admission to the bar of Georgia. For several
Byron Chaton
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years he was engaged in the practice of his profession at Canton, that state, and in 1849, at the time of the ever memorable gold excitement in California, he became one of the intrepid argonauts who made their way by various routes to the new Eldorado. He was one of the first in Georgia to set out for California. The company of which he was a member made the voyage to Havana, Cuba, crossed the Tehauntepec Isthmus in Mexico by means of a pack train, and made the remainder of the journey on a sailing vessel. In later years Mr. Henry H. Waters frequently reterred to the fact that all the men of his party who drank whisky while on the trip across the Isthmus were attacked by disease that soon terminated their lives. He finally disembarked in the port of San Francisco and thence made his way to the original placer mines in Tuolumne County. The mining camp was then known as "Jim Town," and the little city at that point, at the present time, bears the more dignified appellation of Jamestown. Mr. Walters passed about two years in this state and then returned to Georgia, having made the return journey across the plains. He resumed the practice of his profession, but a few years later he again made the trip across the plains for the pur- pose of visiting his brother, James W. Waters, of San Bernardino County. He remained a limited time on this occasion and then made his third trip overland by returning to his home in Georgia. In 1858 he was appointed executive secretary to Governor Joseph E. Brown of that state, whose son, Joseph M. Brown, afterward became governor. He retained this office until 1865 when Governor Brown was deposed from office by the Federal authorities after the close of the Civil war. During the progress of that war, as executive secretary to the Governor, Mr. Henry Waters had much to do with the direction of military af- fairs in the state. He held the rank of colonel on the staff of the Gov- ernor and was instrumental in mustering in thirty regiments for the Confederate service. He thus lived up to the full tension of the great conflict between the North and the South, during which his loyalty to the Confederate cause was of the most insistent order. In the meantime H. Waters had purchased a plantation in Coweta County, Georgia, and after the disorganization of the state government and the installa- tion of the carpet bag machine at the close of the war, he retired to his plantation. Two years later he sold the property and located in Harris County, Georgia, where he engaged in the manufacturing of lumber. Later he established his home at Geneva, Talbot County, Georgia, where he gave his attention principally to the management of his large cotton plantation in that county. He died in the City of Macon, that state, in 1869, as the result of a stroke of paralysis, and his name is on record as that of one of the progressive and honored citizens of Georgia. His devoted wife died in 1860 at Milledgeville, Georgia, in which state her entire life was passed. She was born in Gainesville, Georgia, and was the daughter of Dr. John Brewster, a native of South Carolina and a scion of one of the old and distinguished families of that common- wealth. Dr. Brewster was one of the able representatives of his pro- fession in Georgia where he was engaged in active practice for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Waters became the parents of three chil- dren, Emmett, the eldest of the three was accidentally killed at Paris, Kentucky, on the day following his graduation from Millersburg College. Prior to this, when but eighteen years of age, he tendered his services in defense of the Confederate cause by enlisting in the First Georgia Regu- lars at the inception of the Civil war. He gained promotion through the various grades until he was made adjutant in his command, and he participated in many engagements. On July 26, 1864, in the battle of
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Peach Tree Creek, in the front of Atlanta, he was shot through the right leg, and the injury was so severe as to necessitate the amputation of the member.
Henrietta, the second child, became the wife of Edwin A. Nesbit, and they came to California in 1867 and resided for many years in San Ber- nardino, where both died. They reared eleven children to maturity. Mrs. Nesbit was long numbered among the successful and popular teach- ers in the schools of California. She followed this profession for over twenty years in San Bernardino, and for a decade was one of the most loved and valued teachers in the schools of Los Angeles.
The third and youngest of the children is he to whom this sketch is dedicated-Byron Waters, who was reared to the age of sixteen years in his native state and was afforded the advantages of its best private schools, in which he continued his attendance until the close of the war between the states. The family experienced serious financial reverses, as did nearly all other in the South at this time, and after leaving school he worked for nearly three years in the cotton field on his father's plantation. He became associated as a boy with those who afterwards formed the Ku Klux Klan, and under these conditions his father sug- gested that he take some cotton to market and utilize the proceeds in going to California. The devoted father, bereft of wife and elder son, realized that by this procedure the younger son would escape the diffi- culties and troublous experiences incidental to the so-called recon- struction period in the South, for it was but natural that intense sectional prejudice had been aroused among the youth of the South, owing to contemplation of the frightful ravages worked by the war just ended, especially the devastating effect of Sherman's victorious march through Georgia from Atlanta to the sea. Accordingly, Mr. Byron Waters came to California in 1867, at the age of eighteen years, and here began work as a cow-boy on his uncle's ranch at Yucaipa in San Bernardino County, said uncle having been James W. Waters, pre- viously mentioned as one of the sterling pioneers of this section of the state.
The ambition of young Waters was not to be thus satisfied, however, and in April, 1869, he began the study of law in the office of Judge Horace C. Rolfe of San Bernardino. Later he continued his technical reading under the direction of Judge Henry M. Willis of the same city. He was admitted to the bar in January, 1871, and during the many intervening years that he has been in active practice in the various courts of the state it has been his to gain and retain high prestige and distinction as one of the ablest members of the California bar as well as one of the most successful. His list of cases presented before the Supreme Court of the state is one of the largest that can be claimed by any member of the bar of this favored commonwealth, and in this and other tribunals there stands to his lasting honor many noteworthy victories as an advocate of great strength and versatility. More than fifty-one years of consecutive devotion to the work of his profession have made Byron Waters one of its peers in the state and the bar has been honored and dignified alike by his character and his services.
He has made his home and professional headquarters in San Bernardino during most of these years; has stood as an exponent of the most loyal and public spirited citizenship, and none has a more secure place in popular confidence and esteem.
In 1881 Mr. Byron Waters effected the organization of the Farmers Exchange Bank of San Bernardino, one of the solid and leading
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financial institutions in the state. He was its first president, and held that office for several years. During the formative period of the bank he guided its affairs with a firm hand and with the utmost discrimination and progressiveness-showing the same characteristic energy and integrity that have marked his career in all its relations.
Always unwavering in his allegiance to the democratic party, Byron Waters has done much to promote its cause in California while he has resided in a county and state that show large republican majority under normal conditions. In his home county there early came recognition of his ability and sterling character, as is shown by the fact that in 1877 he was elected to represent the same in the State Legislature. At the ensuing session he became a recognized leader of his party in the House, and before the close of the session he stood at the head as a member of that body. His reputation for talent and personal and official integrity brought about the following year, 1878, his election as a delegate at large to the State Constitutional Convention, and he had the distinction in this connection of receiving a larger majority than any other candidate for such representation in the state. Though he was one of the youngest members of that convention Mr. Waters' thorough knowledge of constitutional law, his exceptional power in debate, and his prescience as to future growth and demands won for him a commanding influence in the deliberations of that convention.
His adherence to and earnest advocacy of certain opinions while in the convention temporarily cost him somewhat of his popularity, but the time and the subsequent working of constitutional provisions which he opposed have demonstrated that he was right in the course he pursued at the time.
In 1886 Mr. Waters was made democratic candidate for the office of justice of the Supreme Court of the State of California, but while he was eminently qualified for the position and was defeated by a small majority he was unable to overcome the far greater strength of the republican party and thus ordinary political exigencies com- passed his defeat.
Mr. Waters has been affiliated with the Masonic fraternity since 1873. He is liberal in his religious views.
On the 31st day of December, 1872, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Louisa Brown, a native daughter of San Bernardino, who was born July 23, 1852, she being one of the daughters of John Brown, Sr., the noted hunter and trapper of the Rocky Mountains and Louisa Sandoval Brown, his wife, who was a member of one of the dis- tinguished families of Taos, New Mexico. Of this union there has been issue as follows, all of whom are surviving except their daughters Florence and Clara and son Brewster, those living now, (1922) being Sylvia, Frances, Helen, Emmett, Byron, Jr., and Elizabeth.
A characteristic of the Waters family is that they have been builders of homes and business structures as exemplified by them in San Bernardino. J. W. Waters, as is shown by reference to him in this work, caused to be built in San Bernardino notable buildings and Byron Waters has built therein two structures for his law offices and also from time to time three residences, first a cottage on West Fifth Street early in life, later the large brick residence on Fourth Street opposite the Elks Club, and later built the Bunker Hill residence, where with his family he now resides, the place being situated on an eminence at the westerly side of the San Bernardino Valley, present- ing a view of the fertile valley of that name, overlooking the cities
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of Colton, Rialto, San Bernardino, Redlands and Highland, situated therein, with the enclosing mountains surrounding the valley.
For many years Mr. Waters and his family have spent the summers at their picturesque mountain home embracing the valley known as Seeley Flat, having an elevation of one mile above sea level, twelve miles north of San Bernardino, consisting of 160 acres of land, nestled among the surrounding pine-clad hills sloping to the enclosed meadow, in the center of which is a knoll elevated above the meadow and on top of which is situated the cabin home of the place at which they have en- joyed the summer months, always extending entertainment to relatives and friends in full measure of old fashioned Southern and California hospitality.
DAVID GLEN HENDERSON .- To such men as David Glen Henderson, an octogenarian now living at Etiwanda, life is a continuous adventure and enterprise, and every new day brings opportunities for work and accomplishment. Mr. Henderson is one of the few survivors of that now distant past when the establishment of homes in Southern Cali- fornia meant a persistent struggle with the adverse forces of nature.
He was born in Calder, Scotland, March 28, 1842, son of David and Margaret (Adams) Henderson, and was one of their six children. David Henderson was a coal miner. Born in Scotland, he was seriously injured by a fall of slate and never entirely recovered. In 1848 he came to America, and in 1849 brought his family to this country. He first located at Dry Hill, now within the city limits of St. Louis, Missouri, and he died there in 1850. His widow soon after- ward was married to James Easton, a member of the Mormon Church. Early in the spring of 1851 James Easton, his wife and the Henderson children went from St. Louis to a point near Council Bluffs, Iowa, where they joined a train made up of fifty ox teams and embarked for Salt Lake City. The captain of the train forbade the killing of buffalo, and they had no serious trouble with Indians, reaching the Salt Lake country in the fall of 1851. Here James Easton took up farming. In 1853 the second stage of the journey was begun, again by ox teams. On both of these stages of the transcontinental trip David Glen Henderson drove a three yoke ox team, though on the trip from the Missouri River he was only a youth of eight or nine years old. The second stage of the journey had San Bernardino as it destination. The route was through the desert, and Mr. Henderson has a vivid recollection of some of the hardships encountered. While passing through a canyon in the mountains a party of Indians met them and demanded food and whiskey. Halt was made in an open spot and a parley ensued. The travelers offered the Indians potatoes and turnips, but this did not please the red men, and from the way they handled their bows and arrows, their only weapons, the party feared an attack. An older brother of David G. Henderson acted as interpreter, and while talking with the savages displayed an old pepper box revolver, showing how rapidly it could be fired. It was a piece of strategy that served to discourage the Indians from any further hostile act, and they withdrew, sullen but peaceful. In crossing the desert from one water hole to another the party filled all the churns, pails and everything that would hold water, and they traveled chiefly at night, resting the oxen through the heat of the day. Of these early voyagers of the desert few now remain. The journey itself, as well as the work necessary to be done after reaching the destination, was evidence of the great courage and determination
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that entitle these pioneers to lasting admiration. The Easton and Henderson families settled about a mile east of the old Fort at San Bernardino. Here David G. Henderson came to manhood. Prac- tically the only school advantages he had were in the years from five to seven before he left the Middle West. In Utah and California his program was one of work, but he also studied privately and is today an exceptional penman. He became versed in all phases of woodcraft and hunting, and hunting has always been a favorite sport. Even in 1921 he went into the Sierra Mountains and shot his deer. Perhaps the steadiest employment he had as a youth was driving ox teams in hauling food and provisions.
In 1862 Mr. Henderson married Miss Matilda Hawker, who was born July 27, 1845, at Melbourne, Australia. Directly after his marriage he bought five acres, but soon sold that and purchased twenty acres, both tracts being near San Bernardino. During 1864- 65 he was engaged in placer mining on Lytle Creek, then a boom district, though his own luck as a miner failed him. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Henderson went to the coal mines at Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County, and remained there two years, getting good wages and returning with some capital. He then farmed and did teaming. In February, 1884, Mr. Henderson took up eighty acres of state land, proved it up and secured the title and planted part of it. After keeping this ranch for twenty years he sold out in 1904. Then, leaving his family in San Bernardino County, he again went to the frontier, filing on eighty acres of desert land seven miles southwest of the Imperial townsite. This he improved and two years later sold. On returning to San Bernardino County he filed on a 160 acre tract, the northeast quarter of Section 29, North of Etiwanda. Later he discovered that this was not Government land but was owned by the railroad, and he made arrangements to purchase forty acres from the railroad company. This land lies at the corner of Summit and Etiwanda avenues, and he has set it to fruit, built a home and otherwise instituted improvements that mark his secure material prosperity.
For nearly fifty years Mr. Henderson had the companionship of his good wife, who was taken from him by death on January 10, 1921. Eleven children were born to their marriage, and all are living butt one. The oldest, David Henderson, is a farmer at Bishop in Inyo County ; Alexander also lives at Bishop; William is in business at Rialto; Walter Scott is a resident of Etiwanda : Nettie is the wife of Edward Purdue, living on a place adjoining the Henderson ranch ; Robert R. is a rancher at Etiwanda ; Maggie is Mrs. James Anderson, of San Bernardino; Belle is the wife of William St. Claire, of Little Rock, Los Angeles County ; Grover C. is a citrus grower at Etiwanda ; Earle E. lives at Etiwanda ; and Glen is the deceased child.
FENTON M. SLAUGHTER, late of Rincon, was one of the finest types of the fearless pioneer who brought the really constructive civilization into the valleys of Southern California. He was identified with the first tide of gold seekers on the Pacific Coast, a few years later came into Southern California, and for many years his industry and rare business judgment made him one of the powerful men in the ranching affairs of the Rincon Valley, where his family still reside and are properly accounted among the most substantial people in this vicinity.
Fenton M. Slaughter was born January 10, 1826. The English family of Slaughter was established in Colonial Virginia as early as
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1616. His grandparents were Robin and Ann Slaughter. His father, Louis Slaughter, was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, April 25, 1779, and married Elizabeth Gillem, of Rockbridge County, Virginia. Louis Slaughter died in 1834, leaving his widow with the care of eleven children.
Fenton M. Slaughter under such circumstances had to become independent as soon as possible, and in 1835, when he was nine years of age, his mother moved to Callaway County, Missouri, and in 1842 to St. Louis. Fenton M. Slaughter had a common school education, and at St. Louis entered the shops of McMurray & Dorman to learn the trade of mechanical engineer. After his apprenticeship he was an engineer on river steamboats from St. Louis to New Orleans. He answered the first call for volunteers at the beginning of the War with Mexico, and he served in Company B of the Second Regiment, Missouri Mounted Volunteers, under Capt. John C. Dent and Col. Stirling Price. His service was in the Santa Fe country, keeping down the Indians, and he participated in the battles of Taos and Canadian Fork with the Navajo, and in the latter engagement was taken prisoner. After twenty-three days he succeeded in eluding his captors, escaped on a mule, and after a ride of 125 miles reached Albuquerque. A short time before his discharge, in 1847, he was in a skirmish with the Indians at Sevedas ranch in the Valley of the Rio Grande.
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