USA > California > San Diego County > San Diego > History of San Diego, 1542-1908 : an account of the rise and progress of the pioneer settlement on the Pacific coast of the United States, Volume I > Part 25
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In 1852; he was elected and served as associate justice of the court of sessions. He also became secretary of the board of trade and held the office twelve years. April 21, 1856, he was admitted to the practice of law. In 1858-9 he served as county treasurer, and again in 1861-2-3. In 1866-7 he was city trustee, and in the latter year was instrumental in selling the city's lands to A. E. Horton. He had shown his faith in the new town by settling there upon his first arrival; and he now stood by Hor- ton and did everything in his power to aid in building up the new addition.
From the time of his removal to Horton's Addition he began to prosper and became a vital element in the life of the new town. In 1870 he was a leading spirit in the organization of the first bank in San Diego, the Bank of San Diego, which later was „merged in the Consolidated National Bank, in both of which, as well as in the San Diego Savings Bank, he was continuously a director and officer. In 1871, he went to Washington city to rep- resent San Diego in the matter of its pueblo lands, and argued the case with skill and ability. In company with James M. Pierce he built the handsome and substantial Pierce-Morse block on the northwest corner of Sixth and F Streets, and, in com- pany with Messrs. Whaley and Dalton, the Morse, Whaley & . Dalton block. At one time he was quite wealthy, but the collapse of the great boom hit him very hard, and he never fully recovered.
Ile was one of the prime movers in the organization of the San Diego & Gila Railroad and acted as a director and officer as long as the organization continued. He was also prominently connected with all other railroad projects from that time until his death, and probably knew the story of San Diego's struggle
EPHRAIM W. MORSE, THE IDEAL CITIZEN
One of the earliest American settlers at Old Town and one of the founders of New San Diego, who filled a place of great prominence in business, political and social life from his arrival in 1850 until his death in 1906
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO
for railroad facilities better than any other man. At the time the representatives of the Santa Fé came to San Diego, in Octo- ber, 1879, he was secretary of the Citizens' Committee, charged with the duty of furnishing the visitors with information. This duty he performed in a remarkably efficient manner, promptly prodneing everything called for, and answering. all questions clearly and accurately. His associates testify that his great knowledge and untiring energy on this occasion were among the strongest elements contributing to the bringing of the railroad.
Among other activities, he was a member of the real estate firm of Morse, Noell & Whaley from 1880 to 1886, and for abont a year longer of the firm of Morse, Whaley & Dalton. He was also connected with the San Diego Flume Company and made a considerable investment in it. Ile was publie administrator in 1876-7. He had little taste for office, however, and only served when he felt it to be a duty. One of his greatest ser- vices was in connection with the park, which he was instru- mental in having set aside. With characteristie steadfastness, he was a friend of the park to the end and stood up for its pres- ervation and improvement, even when others weakened. He was a truly public spirited citizen, to whom no worthy enter- prise or charity appealed in vain. He was an old and active Freemason and a member and officer of the first lodge formed in San Diego. He early learned the Spanish language and was regarded as a friend by the native population. Personally he was one of the most lovable of men, full of unaffected kindness and so unassuming that his real worth and the true value of his services were often not appreciated. He passed away on January 17, 1906, retaining his faculties in a remarkable degree to the last.
His first wife died at Old Town, in 1856. In 1865, while act- ing as school trustee (an office which he filled for several terms). he was instrumental in bringing here Miss Mary C. Walker, of Manchester, New Hampshire, to teach the Old Town school. The story of her troubles, and final resignation, has been told. On December 20, 1866, Mr. Morse and Miss Walker were married. By his first wife, he had one son, Edward W. Morse, who is a resident of Merrimae, Mass.
NOELL, Charles P. Born in Bedford County, Virginia. Feb- rnary 20, 1812. Came to California in November, 1848. He was a merchant in San Francisco until December, 1849. when he lost all he had in one of the great fires. In February. 1850. he came to San Diego and put up the first wooden building in the place. Here he condneted a general store, in partnership with Judge John Hays, for eighteen months. In company with M. M. Sexton and James Fitten, he bought a schooner in San
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NOELL'S ENVIABLE RECORD
Francisco, loaded it with a miscellaneous cargo, and went on a trading expedition up the Gulf of California. They bought a band of sheep in Sonora, shipped them across the gulf, and drove them to San Diego overland. This was the first large band of sheep ever brought to San Diego County. In 1853, he sold his interest in the store to Judge Hays. The following year, he was elected and served as assemblyman. He then went to South America and remained two or three years, prospecting for gold. In 1870 he came back to San Diego, but returned to Texas where he had a brother, and three years later settled in San Diego for good.
In 1850, he was one of the purchasers of the addition known as Middletown, and, some years later, this proved a profitable investment. He was in the real estate business in partnership with Morse and Whaley, from about 1880 to 1886, when he retired. He was a publie spirited citizen and did much to aid in the development of the city. In 1850, he was chosen one of the first councilmen; while serving in that capacity, he did everything in his power to prevent the looting of the city treas- ury by the ring which were then in the majority. Finding he could accomplish nothing, he resigned, in disgust. Two years later, when the treasury was empty and the town impoverished by the folly of his opponents, he was chosen a member of the first board of trustees (the city charter having been abolished). He was never married. He died December 30, 1887, leaving a valuable estate, and a richer legacy in the esteem of his neigh- bors. On his monument is carved the words: "An Honest Man is the Noblest Work of God." He deserves everlasting remembrance as the one honest and fearless man in San Diego's first reign of graft.
NOYES, William H. Noyes was editor of the Herald on several occasions during Ames's temporary absence, and onee conducted the paper for a long period. He joined a company of volunteers and went to Arizona with them, a short time before the Civil War, and was killed in a battle with outlaws.
PENDLETON, George Allan. Born at Bowling Green, Vir- ginia, in 1823. He was appointed to West Point in 1842, and was there at the same time as Grant, Sherman, Stoneman, and others. Cave J. Couts was also his classmate. He was appointed first lieutenant in the Seventh Regiment. New York Volunteers, August 29, 1846. This was the famous "Stevenson Regiment." The appointment was signed by Governor Silas Wright. of New York, and bears on its baek the certificate of Colonel Stevenson that Pendleton had taken the oath. The regiment was stationed at La Paz more than a year and then came to California, see- ing little active service in the Mexican War. Lieutenant Pen- dleton resigned and settled at Sonora, Tuolumne County, where
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO
he engaged in business. In 1849 he represented the San Joaquin district in the State Constitutional Convention. In 1855 .he came to San Diego and made it his home.
In the following year he organized the San Diego Guards, was chosen captain, and remained at the head of the organiza- tion until it was disbanded, shortly before the Civil War. In 1857 he was elected eounty clerk and reeorder (the two offices being combined in one), and continued to fill the position until his death, in 1871. He also held various other offices, being at times the only official in the county.
Captain Pendleton was a nephew of Colonel J. Bankhead Magruder and a descendant of the last British governor of Vir- ginia. He was a man of capacity and culture. He married, first, Concepeion B. Estudillo, daughter of José Antonio Estu- dillo. He married, second, Clara F. Flynn, who survives him. He died March 3, 1871. His widow is now the wife of William Carson, and lives in San Diego. She relates that during the boom times, after Horton eame, Mr. Pendleton would sometimes have as many as 400 or 500 deeds on hand at a time, waiting to be recorded. She was his deputy several years. His part in the conveyance of the city lands to Horton has been related. He was a steadfast friend of Old Town.
POOLE, Charles Henry. Born in Danvers, Mass., February 5, 1835. Entered West Point but resigned before completing course. Engaged in newspaper work and surveying at Salem and Boston. In 1853 was appointed assistant to Lieutenant Derby in the survey of the river and harbor of San Diego. His wife eame out with Thomas Whaley, Mrs. Morse, and party. in 1853. He made some surveys of lands on the desert, and two or more surveys for the San Diego & Gila Railroad (the first of the kind ever made in San Diego County). He was county surveyor several terms, and made an official survey and map of the San Diego pueblo lands which is well known. His report to the Surveyor-General is a most interesting document, full of in- formation, to say nothing of its humor. He was a very bright man. After leaving San Diego, he had a checkered career. From the year 1867, he was located in Washington, D. C., as assistant topographer in the P. O. Department, until his death, which occurred January 25, 1880. .
ROBINSON, James W. Judge Robinson was, perhaps, the only early settler who had a distinguished career before coming to San Diego. He was a native of Ohio, went to Texas at an early day, and in 1835 was living in Austin. In November of that year he was a member of a convention which met at San Felipe, and was by that body ehosen lieutenant-governor of Texas. In the following January, as the result of a long quar-
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GOVERNOR ROBINSON
rel between Governor Smith and his council, Smith was deposed and Robinson became governor of Texas. The independence of Texas was proclaimed on March 2d and the republic organ- ized. In December, 1836, he was commissioned judge of the 41st judicial district and became a member of the San Antonio bar. A short time after, Santa Ana had the whole court seized and carried away. prisoners, and confined in the fortress of Perote. In January, 1843, tiring of his imprisonment, Rob- inson sent a letter to the Mexican president proposing to use his good offices in the negotiation of peace between the two coun- tries. His offer was accepted and he was released and sent as a commissioner from Santa Aña to . the Texan authori- ties. There was never any chance of such a proposition being accepted by the Texans, and Robinson knew it; but he had gained his object-his liberty.
In 1850, Governor Robinson came to San Diego with his wife and son, and settled. From the first he took a leading part in public affairs. It was stated by Mr. Morse that Robinson and Louis Rose were the originators of the San Diego and Gila Railroad project. He was district attorney in 1852-3-4-5. and in the latter year delivered the Fourth-of-July oration at Old Town. He was school commissioner in 1854, and rendered many other important services. He died late in October, 1857. His son, William N. Robinson, was a child when he came to San Diego with his parents. He was a well known citizen of Jamul. where he died October 30, 1878. He served in the Confederate army. In 1869-70 he represented the county in the assembly. Mrs. Robinson (his mother) was for many years the only Amer- ican woman living in San Diego.
ROSE, Louis. Mr. Rose's business undertakings have been mentioned. He came to San Diego in 1850, from Texas, with Governor Robinson and party. He was a member of the first grand jury, in 1850, city trustee in 1853 and, later, interested in the San Diego & Gila Railroad and its treasurer from organ- ization. Served as a volunteer in the Garra uprising. About 1866, he bought the tract known as "Rose's Garden" from Judge Hollister. He laid out Roseville on lands purchased by him, partly from Governor Robinson and partly from the city. At one time he was offered $100,000 for the townsite, but refused it, believing it would be the site of the future city. He was a Mason and one of the founders of Lodge No. 35. He was a most enterprising citizen and at times had considerable means. In June, 1883, he resigned as postmaster at Old Town, after having served nearly ten years. He died February 14, 1888. ITis only child. Miss Henrietta Rose, is a teacher in the San Diego public schools.
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO
SCHILLER, Marcus. Born in Prussia, October 2, 1819. Came to America when 17, and in 1853 to San Francisco. Three years later, broken in health and fortune, he came to San Diego. In 1857 he formed a partnership with Joseph S. Mannasse. The activities of the firm of Mannasse & Schiller have been sketched.
Mr. Schiller was city trustee in 1860-1 and 1868, and in the latter year aided in establishing the park. He was superintend- ent of schools in 1868-9. Also served as stockholder and director of the San Diego & Gila R. R. He married Miss Rebecca Bar- nett, of San Francisco, in September, 1861, and left a family. He died March 19, 1904.
SLOANE, Joshua. If this work were a collection of enter- taining anecdotes, instead of a sober and veracious history, it would be easy to fill it with stories about the various characters who once lived here. Among them all there is, perhaps, none more interesting than Joshua Sloane. Ile was the butt of many jokes and the "fresh" young newspaper writers of the early 70's took such liberties with his personality that it is difficult to disentangle him from their fairy tales. But enough has been gathered from the records and from the recollections of his friends to show that he was something more than merely an eccentric old man.
He was a native of Ireland, came of a good family, and had advantages when young. He came to San Diego in the early 50's and earned a livelihood by various pursuits. At one time he was a clerk in Morse's store and later a deputy in Captain Pendleton's office. He owned a wind-power mill near the old Mission and had some real estate. In 1858 he was deputy post- master and in the following year postmaster. When his term was about to expire, the people of San Diego, who were nearly all opposed to him in polities, signed a protest against his reap- pointment. When the letter containing this document was deposited in the postoffice, Sloane's curiosity was aroused by its appearance and address, and he opened it and read the enclos- ure. Having done this, he coolly cut off the remonstrance, wrote on similar paper a petition for his own reappointment, pasted the signatures below it, and forwarded the altered enclosure in a new envelope. The people of San Diego were at a loss to understand why their almost unanimous petition passed unheeded, and it remained a mystery until Sloane himself told the story, years after.
In the campaign of 1856, Sloane voted for Frémont, and is said to have been one of two or three in San Diego who did so. In the campaign of 1860 he was very active. organized a Republican club, and became known to the party leaders in the East. For this service he was made collector of the port in 1861, and served one term. A famous story about those days
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JOSHUA SLOANE AND THE PARK
was to the effect that he appointed his dog, "Patrick," deputy collector, and carried him on the pay roll. He was an auto- graph collector and delighted to show the letters he had received from notable persons.
His greatest service to San Diego was. undoubtedly, his work for the park. Ile was seeretary of the board of trustees at the time the question of setting aside the park came up, and was one of the earliest. most tireless, and most earnest advocates of a large park. One of his friends says regarding this: "He was the man who first proposed having a big park here and he urged it upon the trustees till they let him have his way. There were people here who wanted it cut down and it was due to his efforts that this was not done. He often said to me: 'They want to ent up the park, but I'm damned if they shall do it!' He stood like a bulldog over that big park and, some day, peo- ple will be grateful to him for doing so. His mission here seemed to be to save that park, and he did it."
While Joshua Sloane was a shy man, he had a few warm friends who understood him and speak of him to this day with respeet and affection. There is no doubt that he was eccentric and much misunderstood. He died, unmarried, January 6. 1879.
SMITH, Albert B. This was one of the earliest American settlers, coming to San Diego before the Mexican War. He was a native of New York. His service in the Mexican War has been described. In 1856, 1858-9 he was superintendent of schools. He married Guadalupe Machado de Wilder, widow of Peter Wilder and daughter of Jose Manuel Machado. They had several children: Angelo Smith, born 1851 : married Sally J. Burr, widow of Dr. Edward Burr; they had five children. Lives in the old Burr place at Old Town. Mrs. Smith died recently. Estes G. Smith, married first. Joseph Sehellinger : see- ond, Richard Kerren, both of whom are dead. She lives at Old Town. Albert H. Smith, married first, Mary Pond ; they had five children ; second, Julia Cota, who had four children. Lives in the old A. B. Smith house at Old Town. Mary Smith, first wife of Andrew Cassidy. Ysabel Smith, married Geo. Lyons and had three children; she is dead.
STEWART, John C. Was a shipmate of Richard Henry Dana in 1834, and settled at San Diego in 1838. Dana speaks of meeting him when he revisited San Diego, in 1859. He was born Sept. 2, 1811, and died February 2, 1892. He married Rosa Machado, daughter of José Manuel Machado ; she was born November 15, 1828, and died May 4. 1898. John C. Stewart was second mate of the Alert. He was a pilot and was called "El Pilato." He served in the Mexican War and with the Fitz-
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO
gerald Volunteers in 1851. Children: John B., married; lives at San Bernardino; has five children. Manuel, unmarried, lives at Old Town. James, unmarried, lives at San Diego. Frank J., unmarried, lives with Paul Connors at Old Town. Rosa, . unmarried. Serafina, married Lonis Serrano. Mary N., mar- ried Paul S. Connors. Susan, married Ben F. Parsons, lives at Old Town; has three children.
SUTHERLAND, Thomas W. Was one of the earliest, if not the very first, attorney to make San Diego his home. He was alcalde March 18, 1850, on which date he signed the deed to Davis and associates for the new San Diego traet. He was the first city attorney under the American administration, and dis- triet attorney in 1851. He removed to San Francisco in 1852.
TIBBETTS (or Tebbetts), George P. Was an elector at La Playa, April 1, 1850. A member of the "Reform" council elected in 1851, and mayor in 1852, being the last mayor before the abolition of the city's charter. He was associated with the San Diego & Gila R. R. from its inception, and was its secre- tary from 1854 to 1858. He served as an ensign in the Garra campaign, and in 1853 was a captain of militia under Kurtz. He left San Diego before its new prosperity began and settled at Santa Barbara, where he was for many years the publisher of the News.
WALL, Enos A. Born at Freeport, Maine. Was an elector at San Diego, April 1, 1850. Married Antonia Machado, daughter of José Manuel Machado. He died in new San Diego, Jannary 2, 1885, and left a family, none of whom lives here now. A daughter, Refugia, married. Capt. William Price. He was a shipmate of John C. Stewart's, and is said to have been in charge of one of the old hide houses when Dana was at San Diego in 1836.
WARNER, Jonathan T. Better known as Don Juan Warner, was born at Lyme, Connectient, November 20, 1807. He canie to California in 1831 and settled at Los Angeles. In 1848 he removed to what is known as Warner's Ranch and lived there until 1857. His adventures in the Garra insurrec- tion have been mentioned. In 1836, he married Anita Gale, daughter of William A. Gale. His later years were spent in Los Angeles. He was San Diego's first state senator, serving in 1850-1-2.
WIIALEY, Thomas. Mr. Whaley was born in New York City, October 5, 1823. He received a good edneation at Wash- ington Institution, and then travelled two years in Europe with his tutor, M. Emile Mallet. At the breaking out of the gold · fever he sailed for California in the Sutton,-the first ship to leave that port for the diggings,-and reached San Francisco
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THOMAS WHALEY AND FAMILY
July 22, 1849. In the summer of 1851, Lewis A. Franklin and George H. Davis chartered a vessel and with a cargo of goods started down the coast on a trading voyage. Mr. Whaley had an interest in this venture, but remained in San Francisco as agent. Reaching San Diego, they liked the place so well that they determined to remain. Mr. Whaley followed in October, and, in partnership with Franklin, opened the Tienda Califor-
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS WHALEY
nia (California Store). In the following April the firm was dissolved and in partnership with Jack Hinton, Mr. Whaley bought the interest of R. E. Raymond in the Tienda General (general store). This partnership continned a year and in that time the firm cleared $18,600-quite a sum for those days. In April, 1853, Hinton retired and E. W. Morse entered the firm.
Mr. Whaley went to New York and married Miss Anna E. Lannay, August 14, 1853. Mrs. Whaley is of pure French extraction, being a descendant of the De Lannay and Gode- frois families. On the return of the party to San Diego a num-
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO
ber of others, including Mrs. Morse and Mrs. Poole, came with them.
In 1856 Mr. Morse retired from the firm and Mr. Whaley con- tinned alone, also engaging in briekmaking in Mission Valley . -the first burnt bricks made in San Diego County. In that year, also, he erected his residence and store building, which is still standing at Old Town-the first burnt brick building on the coast south of San Francisco. In 1858 he was engaged in mercantile business with Walter Ringgold, but the store and goods were destroyed by an incendiary fire.
Upon the breaking out of the Garra insurrection, Mr. Whaley joined the Fitzgerald Volunteers and served in the campaign. In 1859 he quitted San Diego and was in different employments, at San Francisco and in Alaska. Soon after Horton came, he returned from New York, bringing a stoek of goods with him. He bonght out Mr. Morse, who removed to new San Diego, and took into partnership Philip Crosthwaite. By February, 1870, it had beeome gnite evident that the new town would prevail as the city of the future, and the firm removed to Horton's Addition. The enterprise did not prosper, however, and the connection was a disastrous one for Mr. Whaley. In 1873 he again went to New York and remained five years. In 1879 he once more settled in San Diego, and in the following fall engaged in the real estate business with E. W. Morse. Charles P. Noell was soon after admitted to the firm. In February, 1886, Mr. Noell sold out to R. H. Dalton. Mr. Whaley retired from active business in 1888. He was a large property owner at Old Town, new San Diego, and La Playa. He was a public spirited citizen, but took little part in politics, only holding the office of city trustee in 1885, city clerk in 1881-2, etc. He died December 14, 1890.
WILDER, Peter. One of the American residents in 1845. Ile married Guadalupe Machado, daughter of José Manuel Machado. They had two daughters: Dolores, who was married to Dr. David B. Hoffman, and Refugia, who was the wife of Captain Samuel Warren Hackett. Wilder died and his widow was married a second time, to Albert B. Smith.
WITHERBY, Oliver S. Judge Witherby was one of the most important men in the community, in his day, as he is yet one of the best remembered. He was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, February 19, 1815. Received his education at the Miami University, where he graduated in 1836. Studied law in Ham- ilton, Ohio, and was admitted to practice in 1840. At the breaking out of the Mexican War, he was appointed first lien- tenant and served about a year, when he was invalided and dis- charged. Served as proseenting attorney of Hamilton County
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JUDGE WITHERBY
and acted as editor of the Hamilton Telegraph. In February, 1849, came to San Diego as quartermaster and commissary of the U. S. Boundary Commission, reaching San Diego June 1. Liking the country, he decided to remain, and the people of San Diego County elected him to represent them in the first assem- bly, at Monterey, in 1850. He was appointed by this legislature judge of the newly created first district court and served the full term of three years. In 1853 he was appointed collector of customs for San Diego and adjoining counties and filled a term of four years. In 1857 he purchased the Escondido Rancho and for more than ten years was a successful farmer and stock raiser. In 1868 he sold his ranch and removed to San Diego. He was a'stockholder and director of the early banks of San Diego, and in 1879, upon the consolidation of the Bank of San Diego and the Commercial Bank, he was chosen president of the new institution and served several years. Ile invested largely in real estate and showed his faith in the city's future at all times. He was prominently connected, as an investor and executive officer, with most of the important enterprises of his day. At the collapse of the great boom and the subsequent bank failures, he was "caught hard" and lost practically his whole fortune, although he had been rated at half a million. He died December 18, 1896.
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