USA > California > San Bernardino County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume III > Part 60
USA > California > Riverside County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume III > Part 60
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Dr. Reed was appointed professor of plant physiology with the University of California and assigned to his duties with the Riverside Citrus Experiment Station in July, 1915. He is an authority of na- tional reputation in his chosen field. His manual of Bacteriology, published in 1914, is one of the leading text books on that subject in
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use in agricultural colleges. He has written many other articles on plant physiology and plant pathology, published as bulletins or in scientific periodicals.
Dr. Reed was a delegate to and attended the Tenth International Congress of Agriculture at Ghent, Belgium. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, is a member of the American Botanical Society, a member of the American So- ciety of Biological Chemists, the Phytopathological Society and presi- dent of its Pacific Division and past president of the San Jacinto section of the Western Society of Naturalists. Dr. Reed has also thoroughly interested himself in local affairs at Riverside and is a member of the City Park Board. He is a member of the Sigma Xi scientific fraternity, a republican, a member of the Calvary Presby- terian Church and the Kiwanis Club of Riverside. August 17, 1904, he married Mary Hannah Dewey, of Owosso, Michigan, in which state she was born. Her father, George M. Dewey, was for many years prominent in Michigan newspaper affairs. Her father is a first cousin of Admiral George Dewey. Mrs. Reed is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
During the winter of 1921-22, Dr. Reed visited Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica and Cuba, studying the plants and fruits of those countries. The trip was one of intense interest, and brought him in contact with many new phases of the fruit industry ..
GEORGE H. LONGMIRE was born in Washington County, Tennessee, September 27, 1869, and the following spring his parents, William and Julia (Brown) Longmire, moved to Kansas. His father was of German descent and his mother of an English family, both were born in Tennessee and both are now deceased. His father spent his active life as a farmer. George attended public schools in Kansas, and for several years he gave unflagging attention to the duties of the family farm. He completed his liberal education with his graduation from the Central Normal College of Great Bend, Kansas, in 1901, with the A.B. degrec. The following year he remained as an instructor in the Normal College, then established and conducted for a year a business school at Hutchinson, Kansas, after which he taught a year in the Iowa City Business College at Iowa City, Iowa.
Mr. Longmire has had an active part in the life of San Bernardino since 1903, when he came to take charge of the old San Bernardino Business College. He was manager of this institution for three years for its owner, Mr. Zinn, who owned another school in Riverside. At the end of three years Mr. Zinn sold the school, and Mr. Longmire then entered the service of the San Bernardino National Bank as bookkeeper, with which he remained five years.
In the meantime, in 1907, Mrs. Longmire had started the Long- mire Business College at 415 H Street. In that location this school has prospered and grown and in 1911 Mr. Longmire joined her in the management. In 1919 he gave up his college duties to take charge of the Santa Fe Building & Loan Association, in which he was a large stockholder, but after a year, owing to the ill health of his son, he resumed his work in the college, since it gave him more time at home.
The original building used by the Business College was a small one. It has been enlarged and now occupies a ground area 50x100 feet. The school has all the facilities of equipment and teaching staff for the most thorough instruction in commercial and shorthand Vol. 111-27
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branches. Between 125 and 135 pupils are enrolled yearly, and the number has been steadily increasing. Approximately fifteen hun- dred students have had the benefit of training under Mr. and Mrs. Longmire since the school was started, and these former pupils in- clude many men prominent in business and professional life in San Bernardino and elsewhere.
Mr. Longmire is a member of the Rotary Club, the Modern Woodmen of America and the First Methodist Episcopal Church. He and Mrs. Longmire have had unbounded faith in the future of San Bernardino, and their surplus has been invested in city property until they are owners of valuable land in several sections of the city.
Mrs. Longmire was formerly Miss Mabel Kelly. She was born in Iowa, daughter of Louis Kelly. As a young woman she taught district school near Dodge City, Kansas. She was married to Mr. Longmire August 30, 1899, and they pursued their course in Central Normal College together, Mrs. Longmire graduating with the Bache. lor of Science degree. They have a daughter, Floy, wife of M. R. Irwin. A son of Mr. and Mrs. Longmire died at the age of seven years.
JOSEPH L. EDMISTON .- During a period of twenty years one of the best known figures in musical circles of Los Angeles was Joseph L. Edmiston. For the last six years, however, he has been a follower of the rural life, and at West Riverside is the possessor of a modern and highly remunerative poultry ranch. In these widely divergent activities he has shown himself possessed of versatility and capacity for painstaking effort, while as a citizen he has never failed in those duties and responsibilities which in their performance evidence the true worth of a man to his community.
Joseph L. Edmiston was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1867, a son of Rev. Berry and Ednah (Lee) Edmiston, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of New Hampshire. Rev. Berry Edmiston, who was a minister of the New Jerusalem faith, removed to Riverside in 1878, where he resided until his death in 1912. Mrs. Edmiston also passed away here in the same year. They were the parents of three children: Joseph L .; Charles H., of Riverside ; and Rev. Lloyd H., of Riverside.
The education of Joseph L. Edmiston was secured in the public schools of Riverside, to which city he had been brought as a child. From early youth he had displayed musical talent of no small order, and, this being developed, when he was still a young man he em- barked upon a musical career, which he followed at Los Angeles for some twenty years. In 1916 he gave up his musical work and re- turned to his boyhood home, where he purchased ten acres of land at West Riverside and started a poultry ranch. His original ven- ture was a somewhat modest one, but each year has seen his enter- prise grow and flourish. He was formerly president of the Arling- ton Poultry Association, and at present is a director in the Farm Bu- reau Poultry Division. His political faith makes him a republican, and his religious connection is with the New Jerusalem Church.
On September 22, 1904, Mr. Edmiston was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Jones, daughter of Charles H. and Mary (Board) Jones, of San Diego, California, and to this union there have been born three children: Joseph R., Tasker L. and Constance M., all at home and attending school. Mrs. Edmiston was born at Bristol, England, where she received her education, and came with her par-
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ents to the United States about 1890, settling first at Cincinnati, Ohio, and removing later to San Diego, California. Both she and her hus- band are interested in worthy charitable, educational and religious projects, and give them their support on all occasions. Their ac- quaintance is wide and their popularity great in the community of their home.
CARL W. STILLWELL .- California is properly termed the Golden State, for it has proven a veritable treasure trove to the people of this coun- try from the day that the first particles of precious metal were dis- covered, but today its wealth is not confined to its gold deposits, nor are those profiting from its wonderful natural resources merely miners. Its possibilities are unlimited, and almost every day new ones are uncovered until the enthusiasm of its native sons is shared by all who come within the radius of its beneficent influence. One of these of quite recent development is the presence, especially in the southern portion, of regions which for beauty of scenery, climatic conditions, hunting and fishing opportunities and camping facilities far out-distances any advantages offered by foreign resorts in any part of the world. One of these delightful natural playgrounds is Big Bear Valley, which since 1915 has shown a most remarkable development, and is fast becoming one of the most popular in the country. The fact that here may be developed ideal camps to which are attracted the very best class of tourists has brought into the Valley men of wide experience, high character and commanding business ability, and one who is finding here congenial surround- ings and manifold opportunities for his genius as a promotor is Carl W. Stillwell, proprietor of Stillwell's Camp at Pine Knot.
Carl W. Stillwell was born at Big Rapids, Michigan, May 12, 1884, and was educated at Ferris Institute, that city. His first business experience was secured at Saint Louis, Missouri, with the Stillwell Catering Company, operating in hotels and restaurants. For ten years he maintained this connection, and then, in 1911, came to California and was still associated with his father C. H. Stillwell (now proprietor of the Stillwell Hotel, Los Angeles, in opening up and managing the following places. They opened and operated The Morgan Hotel, Eighth and Hope streets, Los Angeles. Selling this property, they opened the Monroe Apartments, lease and fur- nished, and conducted them until they sold them. The next venture was the operating of the furnished apartment houses known as the Hirsh and Potter apartments, which they had newly furnished.
Always on the outlook for big undertakings, Mr. Stillwell came to Big Bear Valley August 24, 1919, and leased of the Bear Valley Mutual Water Company for a period of twenty-five years, with the privilege of buying the property at the termination of the period of the lease, ten acres of lake front land. At once he began the improvement of his property, constructing Stillwell Camp. He erected permanent buildings, modern in design and equipment, a general store, dance hall and pool hall, twenty-five cabins and nice dining rooms, and provided for all kinds of outdoor sports and athletic games, which are offered free to his guests, including a fleet of boats, motor, row and sail, and canoes. Many original ideas are constantly being carried out for the advantage of his guests. During 1921 he inaugurated the practice of throwing open free to the public the dance and pool halls. Mr. Stillwell's young son, Charley Monroe Stillwell, is Icader of his magnificent orchestra, which plays in his dance hall and pavilion.
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The same enterprise, energy and originality which characterize his present operations have made Mr. Stillwell a success in all of his former enterprises.
On December 29, 1904, Mr. Stillwell married Miss Mamie Caroline Monroe at Saint Louis, Missouri. She was born at Indianapolis, Indiana, and is a highly educated, cultured lady, whose charming personality adds to the attractiveness of the home atmosphere she and her husband strive to maintain at their mountain camp. They have a son, Charley Monroe, who is fifteen years of age and was born at Saint Louis. He has attended the Los Angeles High School, and although only fifteen years old is a musical genius, specializing on the piano, saxophone and drums. The opening of the spring season 1922 will find him leader of a five piece orchestra, he playing the drums as well as the saxophone.
F. C. SKINNER .- The right kind of a man can carve any manner of fortune for himself out of circumstances which to others would offer no opportunity whatever. The love of adventure must be in his soul, the willingness to take a chance at big odds, and the determination to make good no matter at what cost to himself. These are some of the characteristics which have enabled F. C. Skinner, manager of Pine Knot Lodge, to make an overwhelming success of his life, and, while acquiring a fair measure of prosperity, to assist in building up Big Bear Valley, the play-ground of Southern California, an ideal location, 6,800 feet above the sea level, surrounded by three commanding peaks, San Gor- gonio, or Greyback, 11,485 feet in height, and San Bernardino and Sugar Loaf Peak, both over 10,000 feet in height. Prior to coming to the Valley, however, Mr. Skinner had accomplished much, passed through many experiences, and made numerous friends, but he regards what he has accomplished since his arrival at Pine Knot Lodge as the most note- worthy of his achievements.
F. C. Skinner was born at Dixon, Nebraska, August 1, 1872, a son of H. D. and Mahala Skinner. H. D. Skinner was born in Scotland, while his wife was a native of England. Both came to the United States with their parents, he when four years old and she at the age of nine years. They were married in Michigan, and in 1869 migrated to Nebraska, ยท making the long trip overland with oxen. When they located at Dixon the entire region was a wilderness, and for some years their home was in a sod house. They experienced many hardships, but lived to see their section of the state vastly improved. F. C. Skinner had an elder sister, Minnie B., who was born and died in Nebraska, these two being the only children of their parents.
The boyhood of F. C. Skinner was spent much as that of any lad on a Nebraska claim in the '70s and '80s, and he acquired what educa- tional training he received in the neighborhood schools. In 1893 he made a trip to California, but left it for Denver, Colorado, that same year, and lived in that city until 1899, when he went to Spokane, Washington. In the meanwhile, however, he had enlisted for service in the Spanish- American war, and served as quartermaster sergeant of Company F. First Idaho Volunteer Infantry, and after the close of the war was sent to the Philippines, where he remained for a year, in all being in the service for eighteen months. He was mustered out at Fort McAlister. San Francisco. With the discovery of gold in Alaska, he decided to seek his fortune, and in 1900 went to Nome Beach, Alaska, and for the subsequent two years had the regular gold man's luck, winning and losing. This did not discourage him from being one of the Goldfield rush
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in 1904. After reaching Goldfield he decided that there was more money for him in the hotel business than in prospecting, and he conducted a hotel there, and later one at Rhyolite.
Returning to Denver, he matched Jack Squires against Jim Jeffries, but this match was broken. Mr. Skinner then became manager of the Denver Country Club, which position he held until November 2, 1912, when he came to Los Angeles, California, and conducted a cafe at Ocean Park until February 15, 1915, when he signed the contract to take charge, as manager, of Pine Knot Lodge, Big Bear Valley, and entered upon what has been for him the most constructive period of his life.
In the spring of 1915 he came into the Valley, and at that time there were not accommodations for over 250 or 300 people in the entire Valley, in camps and private homes altogether. In 1921 such progress has been made that there are over 700 private homes and thirty-two camps, each one of the latter having accommodations for from 40 to 250 people. Pine Knot Lodge is a world-famed resort, and although situated in what was once an almost inaccessible valley, is now reached by the Mill Creek and Clark's Grade road and the Crest Route combined, which make what is known as the "Rim-of-the-World Highway," recognized to be one of the genuine wonders of the country, if not of the world. The Lodge is most modern in every way, and the management has an individual lighting and ice plant, and operates a store in connection with a modern hotel and bungalows.
Mr. Skinner has lived a busy life, and since coming to the valley has exerted himself to the utmost. Coming to Pine Knot Lodge practically a poor man, he soon saw that here was his opportunity, and set to work to develop it. Today he is known all over the civilized world for his expertness as a host and his knowledge of the hotel business, which enables him to attract to his resort the most seasoned travelers. Some idea of the affectionate esteem in which he is held may be gathered from the fact that, although in the very prime of vigorous manhood, he is called by his many guests "Dad" Skinner. He has acquired large interests in numerous holdings in Big Bear Valley, among others being the valuable North estate. In July, 1921 he organized the corporation known as the Big Bear Amusement Association, with a capital of $150,000, the officials of which are: Alfred L. Brush, president; F. C. Skinner, vice president ; G. M. Bartlett, secretary ; J. H. Lowe, treasurer, and these gentlemen, with James Ervin. R. R. Woodward and G. R. Siler, form the Board of Directors. The association has taken over all of the dance halls, pleasure boats, picture theatres, golf club grounds, and all indoor and outdoor sports in the Valley.
Mr. Skinner belongs to the Chamber of Commerce in Big Bear Valley, one of the most active organizations in San Bernardino County. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, both of Redlands, the Jonathan Club of Los Angeles, the Tuna Club of Catalina Island, the largest fishing club in the world, and has always taken an active part in clean athletic sports and recreations.
On July 29, 1896, Mr. Skinner married Evelyn Andis, who was born in Nebraska in 1881. They have one daughter, Helen, who was born at Denver, March 4, 1899. She is a graduate of the Denver High School, and for a time was a student of Saint Mary's School of Denver. She is now the wife of R. L. Shouse, a successful automobile dealer of Los Angeles.
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Mr. Skinner is a man of delightful personality, and his many experi- ences have given him a vivid hold upon life, and an appreciation of the best in it. He appears to have a natural appreciation of just what a hotelman should be and to carry out his ideas completely and capably. Yet, while he is sincere and genuine in his warm friendships, he is none the less an astonishingly good business man, whose quick-acting mind can reach out and grasp the possibilities of a project, as is evi- denced in his recent amalgamation of the various pleasure-giving activi- ties of Big Bear Valley, which promises to be one of the most important ventures of the entire valley. So sanguine is he of the further oppor- tunities of this wonderful region that he looks to see many other projects developed along numerous lines, and it is safe to say that if he has anything to do with such development the ventures will be successful.
ROYAL HENRY KENDALL, whose death occurred at Redlands, San Bernardino County, December 19, 1916, came to California within a few years after completing his gallant service as a soldier of the Union in the Civil war, and he gained much of pioneer experience in connection with the development and progress of Southern California.
Mr. Kendall was born in Rockingham County, Vermont, April 25, 1848, and was a son of Isaac F. and Idelia (Pulsifer ) Kendall, both representatives of families founded in New England in the Colonial era. Mr. Kendall was one of a large family of children, and in 1922 one of his sisters and two of his brothers were living in New England. Mr. Kendall was but thirteen years old at the inception of the Civil war, but his youthful patriotism was not long to be curbed, as shown by his having enlisted in Company C, First New Hampshire Cavalry. He had previously made ineffectual attempts to.enlist, but was rejected on account of his youth. He was seventeen years old when he was finally accepted for enlistment, and he continued in service until the close of the war-a period of about two years. He took part in twenty- six important engagements, and a wound which he received in his right foot at the battle of Shepherdstown continued to afflict him until the close of his life. He participated in the Shenandoah campaign, and was also with Sherman's forces in the Atlanta campaign.
A few years after the close of the war Mr. Kendall came to Cali- fornia, and here his first service was in the employ of Judge Willis at Old Mission, San Bernardino County. After his marriage, in 1876, he settled on a ranch in the San Jacinto District, and later he became one of the first settlers at Redlands, where his house was one of the first build- ings there erected. For some time he was there engaged in the hay. grain and feed business, and finally he organized the Criterion Mining Company, which made exploitation in mining in the Old Baldy District. In this venture he met with financial losses, from which he never fully recouped. He was ever a staunch democrat, and he served four years as city marshal of Redlands. His health finally became much impaired, but he continued to give his attention to such service as he could render, he having been unable for many years to do manual work. He was one of the sterling and honored pioneer citizens of Redlands at the time of his death, was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in the days of his prosperity did much to advance the civic 'and material growth and development of Redlands, where his widow still maintains her home, she being an earnest member of the Baptist Church.
In 1876 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Kendall and Miss Emily Benson, who was born at Alameda, this state, January 20, 1858, a daughter
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of Jerome and Jane (Pine) Benson, who were born and reared in the State of New York and who came from Illinois to California with wagon and ox team in the early pioneer days when the gold rush to California was still at its height, their children having been four in number, Dudley, Eliza, Ina and Emily, the last two being the surviving children in 1922. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall became the parents of five children: Stella, born July 2, 1877, became the wife of Victor Sublett, and her death occurred June 2, 1919, she having left no children. Etta, born Novem- ber 1, 1879, is the wife of George Nowlin. Roy H., the elder son, is made the subject of the following sketch. Dudley Bert, who was born April 1, 1883, married Marie Boening, and they reside at Long Beach. Laura, born May 13, 1886, became the wife of Roy Kendall (no family kinship), and she died June 7, 1913, leaving no children.
ROY H. KENDALL, who now has active management of extensive citrus orchards in San Bernardino County, with residence at 750 Citrus Avenue, Colton, was born at Redlands, this county, on the 20th of June, 1880, adequate record concerning the family history being given in the preceding sketch to follow in the memoir dedicated to his father, the late Royal H. Kendall.
Mr. Kendall attended the public schools at Redlands until he was fourteen years of age, and then entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of machinist, in which he became a skilled artisan. He success- fully conducted one of the first automobile garages at Redlands, the Park Garage, and in this connection he attracted the attention of Alonzo Hornby, one of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of Redlands, who retained him as chauffeur and mechanic for seven years, within which they traveled extensively through European countries, they hav- ing toured through England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Switzerland, besides having visited Algiers. After re- turning to the United States Mr. Kendall passed two years with his employer in New York and the New England States, and he is now associated with Mr. Hornby in the extensive growing of citrus fruits on the Colton Terrace of San Bernardino County, where he has active supervision of a large acreage of orange groves.
The year 1912 recorded the marriage of Mr. Kendall and Miss Flor- ence Pentland, who was born in the State of Arizona and whose parents were born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall have one son, Harold Henry, who was born at Redlands, August 15, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall are members of the Presbyterian Church, and they are popular figures in the social life of their home community.
EDWIN F. WILLIAMS, of Blythe, Riverside County, has shown in his sentiments and activities the vigorous progressiveness that has been potent in connection with the development of productive industry in this section of Southern California, and his prominence and influence are measureably indicated by his holding the office of president of the Palo Verde Joint Levee District.
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