USA > California > San Bernardino County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume III > Part 25
USA > California > Riverside County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume III > Part 25
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WILLIAM C. SECCOMBE .- While San Bernardino is indissolubly con- nected with the growth and development of the citrus industry, this city is remarkable in other ways, for its varied population and many interests have afforded unexcelled opportunities for the establish-
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ment and maintenance of sound business concerns, many of which are still in existence although founded a long while ago. These opportunities have developed an alert class of men, who, while acquir- ing a fortune, have not lost their strong sense of civic duty nor neglected the claims upon them of the unfortunate, but have grown in constructive citizenship and humanitarianism as they have in com- mercial importance. One of these representative citizens is William C. Seccombe, who for many years was connected with the retail drug trade of San Bernardino, and is still one of the honored residents of the city.
William C. Seccombe was born at Waverly, Nova Scotia, Canada, May 21, 1873, a son of Canadian parents who came to San Bernardino in 1883, and here he was reared. After completing his studies in the public schools of San Bernardino he became a student of the old Sturgess Academy, which until the establishment of the high schools gave the youth of this community the equivalent of a high school training. After these schools were opened, however, the academy died a natural death, although it is still remembered by those of Mr. Seccombe's generation with kindly affection.
With the completion of his educational training Mr. Seccombe sought an opportunity to acquire one of a still more practical nature, and found it in the drug store of Ernest E. McGibbon and later that of John A. Lamb, remaining with these two concerns the decade between 1885 and 1895. By this time he had acquired a working knowledge of the business, and decided to acquire a store of his own. With F. N. Towne and M. D. Allison he founded the firm of Towne, Seccombe & Allison, their first location being the old store of Frank M. Towne, remodeled, at 406 Second Street. Under the new manage- ment the business grew so rapidly that expansion became necessary, and the partners then established their second store, at 576 Third Street, in 1909. In 1912 the Dragon Pharmacy was acquired and added to the business of the other two flourishing stores. For twelve years Mr. Seccombe was secretary, treasurer and active manager, but retired from the concern in March, 1919. That the company had been properly and successfully managed is evidenced by the fact that at the time Mr. Seccombe retired the company was operating three stores and doing a business many times greater than when it was established.
Mr. Seccombe has been active in many directions, for from 1907 to 1919 he was one of the energetic members of the Board of Educa- tion, and during the last six years was president of the board. During that six years the beautiful Polytechnic High School group was built, and when it was dedicated he delivered the address. From 1891 to 1904 he served as a member of the California National Guard, and from April 9 to December 2, 1898, was in the service during the Spanish-American war, holding the rank of first lieutenant of Com- pany K, Seventh Infantry. In 1900 he received commission as major of the Seventh Regiment, California National Guard, and continued to serve as such for four years. The National Guard was re-organized after the return of its members, who had volunteered for service during the Spanish-American war.
For many years he has been prominent in Masonry, and he also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which he holds a life membership, and he is a charter member of the Rotary Club. His family attend the Congregational Church, in which Mrs. Seccombe is an active worker.
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On December 25, 1897, Mr. Seccombe married Miss Margaret Lee Perdew, a daughter of G. F. R. B. and Jeanette ( Woodworth) Perdew. Mr. Perdew was a pioneer of California, coming here from Texas in 1862 by ox team and settling at San Bernardino. His death occurred in this city in November, 1900. Mrs. Seccombe was born at San Bernardino, February 20, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Seccombe have two sons, namely William Lyle, who was born May 21, 1902, was gradu- ated from the San Bernardino High School, and is now attending the Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis, Oregon, and taking the civil and structural engineering course; and Gordon Herbert, who was born June 20, 1911, is attending the public schools of San Bernardino. Having released himself from the confining responsi- bilities of an engrossing business, Mr. Seccombe is now free to give expression to some of his ideas relative to outside matters, and is studying some of the problems of the day. Always a friend of the public schools he, while no longer officially connected with their man- agement, is looked upon as an authority emeritus, and his advice 1S oftentimes sought by members of the board of educators. His benevo- lences, which are many and varied, are seldom made public, but are distributed as he feels they are needed. Having spent all but ten years of his life at San Bernardino, it is but natural that his interests should center here, and that he should do everything within his power to aid in the further development of his adopted city.
ALVA B. COWGILL .- While not one of the pioneers of the Redlands colony, Alva B. Cowgill has done pioneer work in the past twenty years, particularly in the development of the citrus growing interests and, more important still, in the marketing problems affecting himself and associated growers in this vicinity.
Mr. Cowgill was born at Spencer's Station in Guernsey County, Ohio, February 9, 1856, and his parents, P. C. and Ellen (Spencer) Cowgill, were also natives of the same state. His father was a merchant. Their four children were Alva, Charles, Ella and Grant, all living but Grant, who died at Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Alva B. Cowgill has lived a busy life practically from the time that he can recollect his environment. When he went to school he attended to the opening of his father's store in the morning, then put in the regular hours at his studies, and afterward clerked until closing time. Later for three years he was clerk and assistant in his father's business, and then for five years was ticket and freight agent with the Baltimore and Ohio Railway. In 1879 Mr. Cowgill, after finishing a course in a business college, entered the old firm of Graham, Bailey & Company, wholesale and retail druggists at Zanesville, Ohio. He became an accountant at $40.00 a month. He learned the business as well as the routine of its accounting system, and at the end of three years had become a part owner. About that time the business was incorporated as the Bailey Drug Company. Mr. Cowgill for eight years was the head traveling representative, and was then called back to the general offices and made manager and treasurer. Mr. Bailey in the meantime had accumulated extensive banking interests and turned over practically the entire executive management of the business to Mr. Cowgill. His judgment was well placed, since the house expanded and increased in prosperity under this manage- ment. Mr. Cowgill for eleven years devoted himself wholely to the interests and welfare of the business, and at the end of that time found his health so impaired that it was imperative he seek outdoor
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employment. In the meantime he had achieved a financial compe- tence, represented in his holdings of stock in this prosperous drug house.
Selling out his business at Zanesville, Ohio, Mr. Cowgill came to Los Angeles in 1901 and spent some time in investigating the various districts of Southern California. His first purchase was a 20-acre orange grove in the Redlands district, and later he bought 16 acres of unimproved land, 10 acres of which he set to Washington Navels and 6 acres to grape fruit. For five years he lived on this land and worked outside in cultivating, planting, pruning and caring for his trees. He had his groves in a most satisfactory condition and, even better, his health and strength were completely restored. He then sought an opportunity again to connect himself with some of the broader commercial work for which his previous training had so well qualified him. He therefore became one of the organizers of the Redlands Mutual Orange Company in 1906, and since its organization he has been secretary and general manager. This is one of the leading growers' marketing organization in the Redlands district. In 1906 was also organized the Mutual Orange Distributors, a co-operative selling organization, and Mr. Cowgill has since served as its secretary and director. In no small degree the strength and efficiency of these organizations has depended upon Mr. Cowgill, who has recognized here an important opportunity for a public spirited service to his associated growers, and he has done much to improve the marketing and distributing facilities now available to the producers in the Red- lands section. At the same time he has acquired interests in several irrigation companies that bring water to an increased area of citrus land, and in twenty years he has had impressed on his memory a vivid picture of the splendid development of this section of Southern California.
In 1880 Mr. Cowgill married Miss Nellie Broomhall. She was born in Quaker City, Ohio, August 12, 1858, daughter of W. P. and Rachel (Redd) Broomhall, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Cowgill's four children were all born at Zanesville, Ohio. Ethel M., born June 23, 1882, was married May 24, 1911, to Fred C. Knapp, a con- tractor and builder of Los Angeles. They have a daughter, Kathryn Claire Knapp, born in Los Angeles July 11, 1912.
The second child, Claire Cowgill, was born June 25, 1886, and graduated from the Redlands High School and from Smith College at Northampton, Massachusetts, with the degree A. B.
Chester B. Cowgill, born April 14, 1890, was educated in the Red- lands High School, spent four years in the University of California at Berkeley, and is now in business in Los Angeles. March 19, 1918, he enlisted from Redlands, and was sworn into military service at Rockwell Aviation Field at San Diego March 23d, being assigned to Squadron C. He was transferred to March Aviation Field at River- side in August, 1918, was promoted to private first class and acted as sergeant in charge of power plants, and November 13, 1918, was transferred to the Field Artillery Officers Training School at Camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky, being assigned to the Seven- teenth Observational Battery. He received his honorable discharge December 7, 1918.
August 27, 1917, C. B. Cowgill married Gladys Ingersoll, of Los Angeles, who is also a graduate of the Redlands High School, the California State Normal School, is a very talented musician, both
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vocal and instrumental, and before her marriage was a teacher in the public schools of Los Angeles.
The fourth child, Ralph Cowgill, was born February 6, 1894, graduated from the Redlands High School, attended the State Univer- sity and a business college, and is now connected with the refinery of the Standard Oil Company at Bakersfield. He married Miss Ruth E. Swan at Redlands December 23, 1916. She is a graduate of the Redlands High School. He joined the Naval Reserves for a period of four years, and was on active duty until released after the signing of the armistice. Both these brothers were married and held good positions, yet they waived all claims for exemption when they were called to the colors.
This sketch tells in brief the story of a busy life and is a record of usefulness and honor. Mr. Cowgill is truly one of the men who have been instrumental in making the country around Redlands bloom and blossom as the rose.
ARTHUR T. GAGE, M. D .- A specialist of the eye, ear and throat, to which his practice is limited, Doctor Gage has brought special re- sources and facilities to the medical profession at Redlands, where he began his work several years ago. Doctor Gage represents solid old New England stock, and was a successful physician and surgeon in Massachusetts before coming to California.
He was born at Somerville, Massachusetts, November 25, 1883. His father, Charles F. Gage, has given fifty-four years of his business life to the service of the Boston & Maine Railroad, most of the time as general claim agent. He is a member of the Congregational Church. Charles F. Gage, who lives at Winchester, Massachusetts, married Martha A. Adams, of the historic Adams family of New England, and a direct descendant of Priscilla Alden. Charles F. Gage and wife had four sons: Frederick A., John H., Edward C. and Arthur T.
Arthur T. Gage graduated from the high school at Winchester, Massachusetts, in 1902. For four years, 1902-06, he attended Tufts Medical College, and by reason of his high qualifications when he entered and by the hard work he devoted to his studies he graduated with the M. D. degree. He is a member of the Phi Chi fraternity. His college course was followed by an experience presenting some of the finest opportunities to a young medical graduate. From June, 1906, to October, 1907, he was an interne in the Boston City Hospital, a great institution with 1,200 beds and 48 house officers. From 1908 to 1918 Dr. Gage practiced at Melrose, Massachusetts, and in the latter year moved to Redlands, succeeding Dr. B. F. Church in practice.
At Melrose, Massachusetts, September 4, 1916, Doctor Gage mar- ried Miss Ruth Greenleaf, of a prominent family of Melrose. She is a graduate of the Melrose High School. Her parents were born in Massachusetts and she was a child when her father died. For years he has conducted an old established book store in Massachusetts. Her mother is still living in Melrose. Dr. and Mrs. Gage have two children: Howard Alden Gage, born January 7, 1918; and Priscilla Gage, born June 13, 1920. Dr. and Mrs. Gage attend the Congregational Church. He is a member of the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce of Redlands and is affiliated with the Elks
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RAYMOND CLYDE GERBER is all but a native Californian, a chemist by profession, was in the chemical warfare division during the World war, came out of hospital practically an invalid, and in two years has perfected and carried out the careful plans laid during his convales- cence and now has one of the thoroughly organized and systematic dairy establishments in Southern California, supplying a high-grade of milk to several of the cities of San Bernardino County.
Mr. Gerber, whose home is at East Highlands, was born at Worth- ing, South Dakota, July 6, 1889, and a few months later his parents came to California. He is a son of Gotlieb and Mary A. Gerber, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of Wisconsin. His father was a merchant. Both parents are now deceased. There were seven children: Henry G., who married Grace Jones and whose chil- dren are Neal, Loris and Lorna; Mrs. Louisa A. Leavitt, whose three children are Rossiter J., Donald and Mary Louise; Mrs. May Moore, who died leaving a son, Dalton Moore; Mrs. Ida B. Spradling, who has one child, Frankie; Herbert J .; Mrs. Alyda R. Pollard, whose two sons are Robert G. and Raymond C .; and Raymond Clyde Ger- ber. the seventh and youngest of the family.
Mr. Gerber was educated in the Redlands public schools, gradu- ated from the University of Redlands in 1913, and after obtaining a high school teacher's certificate at the University of Southern Cali- fornia at Los Angeles went to the Philippine Islands and taught high school there during the years 1914-15-16. On returning to the United States he reentered the University of California, working toward the Master's degree and specializing in chemistry. In 1917 he became principal of the high school at Nogales, Arizona, and while there on December 14, 1917, volunteered in the Hospital Corps, was trans- ferred as a chemist to the Sanitary Corps, and later entered the same branch as chemist with the Engineers Corps. Later he was made a chemist in the Chemical Warfare Service, Gas Division. After a period at Nogales Mr. Gerber was on duty for nine months at Washing- ton, D. C., then was sent to the army gas school at Camp Humphrey and was engaged in training gas officers. While in the line of duty a gas bomb exploded and being seriously injured, was sent to the hospital at Camp Humphrey, and later to the Walter Reid at Wash- ington, where he remained from September 13, 1918, until discharged from hospital and resumed civilian life April 26, 1919.
Mr. Gerber had steadily cherished a purpose even before going into the army and had drawn up plans for a model dairy. Almost immediately on his return from the army he set about to erect and equip such a dairy and ranch. His business is known as the Gerber Certified Dairy. This establishment, at the end of Orange Street, has thirty acres of land, planted to alfalfa and oranges, but the most interesting feature is the equipment and planning of the dairy itself. Mr. Gerber as a chemist has worked out to the utmost detail every feature that would insure the sanitary production and handling of milk. His certified milk department is the last word in that new and modern art of food production. In 1921 his plant stood second in raw milk production in average per cow and also in average per herd. In two years his business has increased six-fold over the original volume. He now furnishes Grade A raw milk to Redlands, San Bernardino, Highland and East Highland, and certified milk to Red- lands, Colton, San Bernardino, Highland and the dining service of the Salt Lake Railway. Mr. Gerber is practical manager of the entire business, the ownership of which is vested in the Gerber estate.
Q. C. Senter
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FRANK II. BENEDICT .- In considering the great interests involved in the building industry, which concerns the health and comfort of a community as well as business expansion and commercial progress, the building contractor occupies a place of great public responsibility. In lesser rank, the workman follows instructions, but it is the con- tractor who must bear the responsibility of success or failure, who must provide for every possible contingency. It is but a small part of his work to watch supplies, men, material, transportation and ex- pense, and not every well trained and naturally skilled artisan can do all this. It needs much more than mechanical ability, including as it does, personal qualities of a high order, this explaining, perhaps, why this vocation is not an unduly crowded one. A building con- tractor who, at the present time, can successfully meet the demands of a modern city like Riverside in the way of beautiful and dignified structures must be accounted very competent, and one whose satis- factory work is seen in different parts of the city is Frank H. Benedict, who has been a resident of California since 1908.
Frank H. Benedict was born June 26, 1858, in Lenawee County, Michigan. His parents were John W. and Laurinda (Wolcott) Bene- dict, both of whom were born in the State of New York, and both families were of English descent and of Revolutionary stock. In earlier days the Benedicts were farming people, but in John W. Bene- dict the mechanical impulse became the stronger and he became a carpenter and later a contractor. He was a man of peace, but when the Civil war came on was anxious to do his part and show his devo- tion to the Union. Prevented from entering the army because he was the sole support of his aged parents, he paid three substitutes to serve in his place. He married Laurinda Wolcott, who survived him, passing the declining years of her life at Riverside, where she passed away in her eighty-seventh year.
Frank H. Benedict had educational privileges in the public schools and then learned the carpenter trade under his father. He was twenty-one years old when he went to Detroit, Michigan, where he became a contracting carpenter and remained until 1908, in which year, attracted by building activity at Los Angeles, California, he removed to that city. He continued in business there until 1913, and then came to Riverside, which place proved so attractive that he soon determined to make it his permanent home. Soon after his arrival he built a striking and beautiful Swiss chalet type of residence at 170 Fairfax Avenue, which he afterward sold. Subsequently Mr. Bene- dict purchased his present handsome residence at 230 Terracino Drive. the D. D. Gage home, which had been built by Judge Richard North.
Mr. Benedict married at Weston, Michigan, Miss Sarah H. Withington, a native of Michigan and a daughter of D. E. Withington, a lumber man and sawmill owner in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Benedict have one daughter, Holly, the wife of O. C. Cofer, who is in the insur- ance business at Riverside. Mr. and Mrs. Cofer have two children : Marcia and Janet. Mr. Benedict and his family belong to Calvary Presbyterian Church. In his political attitude he is somewhat independent, never having formed unbreakable party ties and never feeling desirous of holding a political office. His own affairs have demanded close attention and he has never felt justified in accepting a public responsibility to which he would have to give a divided mind. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council at Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Benedict
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has a wide acquaintance in business circles, and in every way stands deservedly high as a citizen and social factor.
JUDGE E. BARRY lived a life which was in many respects as fascinating as a romance, for he left his home and family in the "Sunny South" to join the picturesque "Klondike rush," and he accomplished more than any other gold seeker, not financially but in the things worth while, the spiritual. Many men are living today good lives because Judge Barry made that journey. A descendant of old southern families on both sides of the family, he upheld the best traditions of his ancestry, he had all the courtesy of their school, kinder than the kindest, with always time for the considerate word, he yet was always fighting for the imperishable moral treasures more than for material gain. His rare personal qualities attracted friends, whom he held always, for with Judge Barry once a friend, always a friend. His unusual intellectual gifts and high character would have given him place and power, but he never sought these things and honors had to be forced upon him.
His life record is the more remarkable when it is remembered that that he was, owing to unexpected and untoward circumstances, de- prived of an education until he had nearly reached his majority. In a short space of time he secured the best of educations, and to this he added an unlimited fund of knowledge gathered from wide experience. Always he kept a steady equipoise of soul and the determination to make the world the better for his having lived in it. This he did, and when his passing was made known no word could voice the grief of his legion of friends throughout the United States. Although he had been in Redlands a brief period of time he had made many warm friends and he went into eternity loved and loving as few men are. A kind and loving father and devoted husband, a loyal friend, a worth while neighbor, Judge Barry will long be remembered. There was, there is, no kinder, manlier man.
Judge E. Barry was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, November 15, 1849, the son of Jackson Barry and Sina ( Minter) Barry, his father a native of Rockingham, North Carolina, and his mother of Sumner County, Tennessee. Jackson Barry was a noted civil engi- neer, following that occupation all his life.
When Judge Barry was six years old his parents moved to Marshall County, Kentucky, and he received the meager education obtainable in those days in that locality, but he attended the little country schools when in session and his opportunity for study came when he was nineteen years of age, and he studied so assiduously that he made up lost time and graduated from the best county high school and was, moreover, the valedictorian of his class. He soon obtained a diploma and commenced teaching, occupying himself in that line of work, scholastic work, for two years. Then for eight years he was county school commissioner, a position filled with re- sponsibility, for upon him devolved the engaging of all teachers. Judge Barry was always an earnest and ardent advocate of temper- ance, and he would never employ a teacher who drank.
Later Judge Barry was elected county judge, and served faithfully and well, his record sending him to the Kentucky Legislature, where he made a success of everything he undertook, serving his consti- tuency brilliantly.
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