USA > California > San Bernardino County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume III > Part 57
USA > California > Riverside County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume III > Part 57
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In 1909 he married Miss Carrie Bush, a native daughter, who was born in 1887 and was educated at Watsonville. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have one child, Jene, born December 26, 1915.
For seven years Mr. Hamilton was foreman of the Gold Buckle Orange Packing House, but resigned that office in 1920 to assist his brother in caring for their groves in East Highlands. He is known as an alert, progressive young orange grower, a son of pioneers of the industry in this section of the State and a man of unqualified good citizen- ship. He is a Knight Templar Mason, being affiliated with Redlands Commandery No. 45, and is also a member of Lodge No. 583 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Redlands.
CLARENCE S. CRAIN is a veteran editor and publisher, has been in the newspaper business in the West for many years, and directs the destinies of one of the live papers of San Bernardino County. He has
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a wide acquaintance with people and conditions in the desert section of the county, and experience and residence admirably qualify him to work for the common interests of this region as representative of the first district on the County Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Crain was born in Iowa, September 18, 1867, oldest of the four sons of Ira B. and Jane (Summers) Crain. His parents were natives of Michigan and farmers. Clarence Crain acquired a public school education in Iowa, and as a youth learned the printer's trade and took up the business and profession of journalism when still quite young. For ten years, while living in Iowa, he owned and conducted the Brooklyn Chronicle in that state. For many years he has been an active and staunch republican in politics, working in the interests of the party, and has been one of the party leaders in San Bernardino County. The first political recognition paid him was in 1896 when he was appointed post- master of Brooklyn, Iowa, under President Mckinley. In 1901 he sold his newspaper and resigned the office of postmaster.
Coming west he located at Ely, Nevada, where he purchased and for ten years conducted the White Pine News. In 1910 he was elected on the republican ticket sheriff of the county, and held that office six years, until January 1, 1917. Then after a brief vacation and period of travel he located at Victorville, California. In May, 1917, Mr. Crain pur- chased and on June 1, took possession of the Victor Valley News-Herald, and during the past five years he has brought this paper to a high standard as one of the leading journals in the valley, a paper which on both its business and its news sides reflects his long experience and talent.
His prominence as a newspaper man as well as his vast knowledge of conditions was a factor in his selection to represent the first district as supervisor. He was requested to make the campaign and was elected in 1920, assuming the duties of office in December of that year. Since then he has overcome many obstacles contending measures of vital benefit to his district of the county. While a detailed record of his work cannot be presented, mention should be made of the successful exertions he made to fulfill the project so long talked of in the state highway connecting Victorville with Cajon Pass and San Bernardino. The chief object of this project for a number of years has been securing the right of way, and Mr. Crain personally conducted those negotiations, and made it possible to complete this vital system of roadway linking the desert country with the coast cities. Mr. Crain served as secretary of the local Red Cross during the war and is still its secretary. He was deeply inter- ested in all war causes. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, San Bernardino Lodge of Elks, is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, and at all times has the interests of the com- inunity at heart.
August 3, 1902, Mr. Crain married Miss Margaret MacDonald, who was born in Scotland in 1880, coming with her parents to America at the age of two years. She was educated in the schools of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Crain have one son, Donald L. Crain, born at Ogden, Utah, October 7, 1903, a graduate of the Victorville High School and of Longmire's Business College of San Bernardino.
MACK W. H. WILLIAMS, treasurer of San Bernardino County, has done many things which are of paramount importance to the people of the county. He is one man who is especially fitted to the office, in whose administration is shown great shrewdness of perception and masterly exhibition of skill in finance. His stewardship of the wealth of the county has shown him to be a man of real ability and fitness, one who
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can handle the monetary affairs of his commonwealth with severe exacti- tude, a master of every detail.
His work is worthy of chronicle for it has all been constructive and upbuilding. His keen knowledge of finance is inherent and he is able to instantly cope with any situation which arises. His rare maturity of judgment has placed him at the head of the treasurers of the State in points of earnings, for which the citizens of San Bernardino County owe him a debt of gratitude.
Mr. Williams was born in Morristown, Tennessee, January 3, 1879, the son of J. S. and Mollie E. ( Ellis) Williams, both natives of Tennessee. J. S. Williams was, in his early life, a millwright and flour mill operator but afterwards a builder and contractor. He died in 1911, but his wife is now living in Redlands. They were the parents of three children, all now living: Dora, wife of Rufus B. Knapp of Hollywood; Cora I ... wife of C. W. McIntosh of Redlands, and Mack W. H.
J. S. Williams moved his family from their native state first to Texas, then to Sothwest Missouri, later to Colorado, and then to Red- lands, California, in January, 1899, where he followed his regular line of business.
Mack W. H. Williams attended public schools in Texas and Carthage, and then went to business college. There he learned the printer's trade in Carthage, Missouri, on the Carthage Press, remaining there four years. He then went into the paint contracting business which he followed for two years in Colorado. In 1899 he came to California, locating in Redlands, and followed the same business in that city for about seven years. The next eight years found him prospering in the real estate business, but his real life work commenced when he was appointed county treasurer and tax collector under the old charter. In 1918 he was elected treasurer under the amended charter.
Previous to this he was mayor of Redlands a year and a half and city trustee for two and a half years. During his term as mayor and city trustee of Redlands the municipal water plant was built, the main city park was constructed and the ornamental lighting system was installed. These three improvements are among the most important of the city's public improvements and the supervising of them, with the myriad of details, problems and adjustments called for a vast amount of executive ability. It called for talents of an unusual order but Mr. Williams proved himself the keystone of the arch, winning golden opinions from everyone. In fact he placed himself in line for higher offices in the gift of the people.
During his term as treasurer he has taken advantage of the system which has permitted him to save the tax payers of the county many thousands of dollars, for he made the money placed in his hands earn an interest, which pro rata rate exceeded any other treasurer in the State. After the report of the State Controller showing his earnings in excess of other treasurers', many of the county treasurers of other counties became more active and are now showing increased earnings.
The following extract from one of the county grand jury reports is of interest: "The records of the treasurer's office are in excellent condition and we feel he is to be commended for conducting his office with such thorough efficiency and care and for so utilizing the funds in the treasury to earn for the county a large sum of interest." The interest earned on current deposits by Treasurer Williams, January 4, 1915, to January 4, 1922, seven years, was $136,924.71.
The State Controller's report for 1916 shows that Treasurer Williams earned more from current deposits than any other county treasurer in
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the State, regardless of the fact that other treasurers had more money, and the controller's subsequent reports show his pro rata earnings to be at the top.
Mr. Williams was married in 1901 to Edith E. Baughman, a daughter of C. H. Baughman, of Redlands. They are the parents of four children : Eva E., a student at Stanford University ; Ray E. and Donald C., attend- ing Redlands High School, and Betty E., attending grammar school.
He is in religious faith a Baptist. In politics he adheres to the prin- ciples of the democratic party. He is a member of Redlands Lodge No. 300, Free and Accepted Masons ; Redlands Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons; Al Tir Sar Temple No. 189, Knights of Khorassan ; Redlands Lodge No. 186, Knights of Pythias, and Fraternal Brotherhood No. 27. He is also a member of the Young Men's Christian Association.
FRANK L. TALMADGE-The name of Talmadge is a well-known one in Southern California, and especially in Big Bear Valley, where three of its bearers, Frank L., John W. and William S. Talmadge have taken a very prominent part in the development of this region. These brothers, reared in the mountains, with but limited opportunities, are splendid specimens of American manhood, upright, honorable, broad-minded and dependable, eminently successful from every standpoint. They have been largely instrumental in securing the opening up and up-building of Big Bear Valley, in which they have resided for so many years for they were here when the Indians were driven out; witnessed the last fight made by the Red Men in the valley, which resulted in the death of a number of the savages, and the wounding of two of the Talmadge mill crew. William S. Talmadge distinctly remembers the wounded men being brought into camp. In those early days bear, deer, duck and other game was very plentiful. While the Talmadges have been inter- ested along many lines, their operations have been heaviest in lumbering and stock raising.
The father of these brothers, also named Frank L. Talmadge, was born in the State of New York in 1830, and died at Victorville, Cali- fornia, in 1918, at the age of eighty-eight years. In 1855 he was married at Los Angeles, California, to Nettie Jane Lane, who was born in Illinois in 1829, and died at Victorville in 1910. Five children were born of this marriage, namely: Etta, who was born at El Monte, California, in 1857, married J. H. Benson ; Edna, who was born at El Monte, California, in 1859, married C. J. Daley ; William S., who was born at El Monte in 1862; John W., who was born at Little Bear in 1864; and Frank L., Jr., who was born in 1868.
When a boy the elder Frank L. Talmadge was taken to Illinois by his parents, and there he resided until 1853. In the spring of that year he left Chicago, and traveled by ox team overland by way of Salt Lake to San Bernardino, arriving there in December of that same year. He was first employed by David Seeley, and worked for two weeks in a saw mill in Seeley Flats, now Los Angeles playground, when the winter storms drove them out, and he had to look elsewhere for employment. He obtained work at his trade as a mason at Los Angeles, and continued to work as a mason and bricklayer in that city until 1862. During all of this time he longed for the mountains, and in 1862 returned to them and lived there the remainder of his long and useful life. For a time thereafter he worked in a saw mill owned by a Mr. James, and then moved to Little Bear Valley, where he constructed a saw mill, the first and only one in the district operated by water power. It was located on the present site of the dam.
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In 1865 Mr. James moved his saw mill to the present site of Blue Jay Camp, and Mr. Talmadge joined him, and in 1866 bought him out. and formed a partnership with Messrs. Caley, Richardson and Arm- strong. They operated this mill for eight years, and then moved to the present site of the Pacific Electric Camp. After three years another change was made to Little Bear Valley, and the plant was maintained there until it was burned in 1891. Mr. Talmadge was a pioneer in the lumber industry, and found a market for his product at Riverside, Red- lands and San Bernardino. He supplied the lumber used in the con- struction of the old courthouse at San Bernardino, and for many other buildings of the early days. Ox teams furnished the motive power, and Mr. Talmadge freighted his lumber with them, prior to 1870 hauling as far as Los Angeles. He and his partners owned many head of oxen, and had two fast ox teams, of six yoke each. These were for fast freight, and used continuously from 1853 to 1870.
The wife of Mr. Talmadge was a widow when he married her, she and her first husband, Nathan Strong, having come to Los Angeles by the southern route, in ox teams. Mr. Strong died soon after their arrival at Los Angeles.
Frank L. Talmadge, Jr., received but a common school education and lived in the mountains both summer and winter, and worked in his father's timber and mill. In 1892 he began butchering beef stock, and then, during 1893-4 he worked for Mr. Fleming. In 1892 George Rathhurn and William S. Talmadge bought 320 acres of land in Bear Valley, and in 1906 the latter bought Mr. Rathburn's interest. They were engaged in the stock business, feeding in the valley in the summer, and around Warren's Wells in the winter. In 1911 William S. Talmadge and John Clark bought 640 acres from John Metcalf, and in 1913 he and his brother, Frank L. Talmadge, bought Mr. Clark's interest. The three brothers then bought 1.120 acres adjoining land, and as they already owned a portion of the Lucky Baldwin land, had a large property. In 1920 they sold the Metcalf land to Bartlett Brothers, making a hand- some profit. They have continued in the stock business, have prospered, and still own a large herd of cattle. They are all Masons, belonging to Phoenix Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of San Bernardino: Frank L. and William S. Talmadge are members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Native Sons of California, and the Big Bear Valley Chamber of Commerce.
John W. Talmadge married Martha Whitby, and they became the parents of three children, namely : Bert W., Dorris and Bernice. Bert W. Talmadge is a veteran of the World's war, having served in the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Regiment. Fortieth Division. He was trained at Camp Kearney, sent overseas, and participated in some of the heaviest of the fighting in France. After the signing of the Armistice he was released, returned home, and is now operating a saw mill in Bear Valley.
William S. Talmadge was married to Minnie Rathburn in 1888. She was born in San Bernardino, and died in 1915. They had two sons, namely: Otis, who was born December 4, 1888; and William R., who was born April 12, 1901. Both were drowned by the overturning of a canoe in Big Bear Lake, October 8. 1912.
These brothers have been connected with many operations in the valley. William S. Talmadge's freight teams transported the power plant into Lytle Creek. Other instances might be given of the various enterprises which they have either owned or backed, but it is scarcely necessary for they are known far and near as men of public spirit, enterprise and business acumen. Practically all of their lives have been
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spent in this region and their interests are centered here, and none of the people of the valley are better pleased over its remarkable development than they.
O. W. HARRIS-The biggest element of success in California, as anywhere else, is the man and not the conditions of environment, climate or other circumstances. A case in point is that of O. W. Harris, one of the prosperous and widely known citizens of San Bernardino County, whose home has been in the Redlands district since the year that colony was planted, during the '80s.
Mr. Harris was born in Indiana in 1860, son of John T. and Louisa J. Harris, natives of the same state and farmers there. O. W. Harris was the oldest of their four children, the others being Grant D., Bruce T. and Edgar D.
Reared on his father's Indiana farm and securing such advantages as were offered by the local schools, O. W. Harris remained there during the vigorous years of his early youth, and accumulated some degree of prosperity as a farmer. In 1883 he married Miss Alice E. Cook, who was born in Indiana, March 27, 1860, her father being a native of the same state, while her mother was a Virginian. Mrs. Harris passed away June 21, 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Harris lived in Indiana until their first three children were born, and then sold their property for $4,000, and on October 30, 1887, started with this capital for California, leaving the train at San Bernardino and completing their journey to Redlands by team. They reached their destination November 7. Redlands had been formally instituted as a colonizing center the preceding year. but when the Harris family reached there the settlement was still in its infancy. including a few scattered improved tracts, but chiefly wild desert or grain land. Mr. Harris remembers when there were only four buildings near State and Orange streets .. The railroad did not reach the town until the next winter. His brother, Grant, had preceded him to Redlands. The $4,000 that represented the proceeds of the sale of his 160 acre farm in Indiana Mr. Harris invested in ten acres of wild land in East Highlands, with water rights. At odd times he leveled the land, hauled orange trees from Redlands, and developed a grove that became noted as one of the best in the community. He sold that property in 1920. At one time he was also in the nursery business, raising orange stock, but entered this feature of the industry rather late, when the market was well supplied and there was much competition. Mr. Harris put in a number of years of very hard labor leveling, grading for groves, and caring for orchards of other owners. In 1887 he planted the property at the corner of Alvarado and Palm avenues, and that is his present home. comprising a magnificent site, which he has improved with a modern and beautiful residence, commanding a picturesque view of the city and valley below and the mountains in the distance. When he first came to California Mr. Harris and family lived in his barn. In 1910 he planted sixty acres on Judson Street, Colton Avenue and Lugonia. The great freeze of 1913 nipped the trees in the bud, but as his years of study and experience dictated he cared for the plantation and they now con- stitute a fine orchard. At the present time Mr. Harris owns eighty-five acres of bearing orange trees, a splendid grove, and much city property besides, including the southeast corner of Central and Fourth streets. His pioneer instinct directed him in 1898 to buy a tract of land in the mountains. This he named Oak Glen, and he set out an apple orchard, the results of which have proved a splendid apple district. He sold this tract to his son in 1920. Altogether his record is that of a practical and
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successful fruit grower, and one that earns him a high place among the citizens who have constituted the progress and prosperity of the Redlands country.
He was one of the organizers and has been a director of the Gold Banner Association since it was founded. This association is one of the largest packing houses in Redlands. He is a director and the president of the Redlands Water Company ; is president and a director of the Oak Glen Domestic Water Company, and he is a director of the East Lugonia Mutual Water Company.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harris after they came to California. Ruth E., the oldest of their family of seven, was born December 9, 1883, was educated at Redlands, and has entered heartily into the affairs of that community, being a member of the Contemporary Club, the Presbyterian Church and did much war work. The second of the family, Chester C. Harris, was born October 5, 1885, is a rancher living near San Bernardino. He married Mabel Webster, of San Ber- nardino, daughter of a pioneer family of California forty-niners. They have one child, Oscar Webster Harris, born September 17, 1911. The third child, Hazel L. Harris, born July 20, 1887, died May 14, 1901. The fourth member of the family, Virginia R., was born February 25, 1891, and died June 3. 1909. The fifth of the family is Benjamin H., born January 21, 1896. He was in the World war with the Fortieth Division, being trained at Camp Kearney, went overseas in 1918, and as a member of the Military Police was chiefly employed in traffic service, keeping men and supplies moving. He returned to the United States in 1919 and was discharged at Camp Kearney. The next in age, John M., was born October 20, 1896, enlisted in the Naval Reserves in July. 1918, was on active duty until January, 1919, and is still subject to call. He has been an employe of the postal service at Redlands since leaving the military service. He married Bernice Blankenship, of East Highlands, and they have a daughter. Jean, born October 10, 1919. The youngest of the family is Olive E., born April 5, 1898, educated at Redlands, an enthusiastic patriot during the war, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
FRED H. BAILLEE, who passed to the life beyond some years ago, is recalled with affection and appreciation by the residents of San Ber- nardino, where he made his home for nearly a quarter of a century. No man stood higher in the business life of the community, progressive and active in all the details of his business life he lived up to his strict ideas of business honor and integrity. He was always active in every forward movement of the city and was one of San Bernardino's greatest boosters.
In fraternal and social circles he held the same enviable position for in his intercourse with his friends and associates he was courteous, kind and considerate, and so today he is thought of with tenderness, with deep regret for his loss.
Mr. Baillee was a valued member of the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce and was president of the Merchants' Protective Association. While he was a democrat he was never an offensive partisan, but always ready to do his part in the service of his party.
Fraternally Mr. Baillee was a member of the Masons, of the San Bernardino Castle No. 27 of the Knights of Pythias and of Lodge No. 836 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Modern Woodmen of America and of the Knights of Maccabees. His Free and Accepted Masonic affiliation was with the Phoenix Lodge, No. 178.
Vol. 111-20
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Mr. Baillee was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a son of David and Margaret Baillee, his father being a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and his mother of Dublin, Ireland. He was educated in the public schools of Scranton and at once went into his father's wall paper and paint store in Grand Island, Nebraska, receiving a thorough training and insight into business methods. He remained with his father until the latter's death and then carried the business on alone for some years afterwards. He then removed to Rock Springs, Wyoming, entering the same line of business in 1893. He remained there for two years when he sold out to come to Southern California.
He located first at Redondo, but in 1896 removed to San Bernardino. He started business in partnership with W. H. Parsons in the same line he had always been in, wall paper and paints. At the end of two years he bought out his partner and continned the business up to the time of his death on February 19, 1910.
Mr. Baillee married on April 30, 1890. at Grand Island, Nebraska. Mrs. Baillee carried on the business until 1918, when she closed out the wall paper and paint departments. retaining the art department. She replaced the two departments with a floral establishment she purchased and is running the resulting business now. In addition to her business activities she is active in politics, being a member of the Democratic County Central Committee of San Bernardino.
MRS. MARGARET E. BETTERLEY-Having won her right to a place among the worth-while women of her period, Mrs. Margaret E. Better- lev, after six years of strenuous effort as owner and manager of Camp Eureka, has retired with a comfortable fortune, but she will long be remembered as one of the most active factors in the development of Big Bear Valley, and the raising of high standards of living. Her influence has always been exerted in behalf of a proper enforcement of law and the maintenance of order, and it will continue to be felt, although she no longer is in business on the lake.
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