USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches > Part 103
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Her first marriage took place in Davis county, Ia., on February 24. 1856. when she was wedded to Rev. James Lambert, who was born in Lawrence county, O., on September 25. 1830. He came out to Iowa, where for a time he followed farming. After studying for the ministry, he was ordained in the Baptist Church and became pastor of the congregation at Harlan, la.
In 1876 he came with his wife to Lompoc, Cal., and there engaged in farming until 1887. Coming to Paso Robles, they homesteaded one hundred sixty acres about three miles north of town, where they built a home and improved the ranch. He organized the Baptist Church in Paso Robles, and became its first pastor, continuing in the pastorate there until his health failed and he had to give up the ministry. Having sold their ranch, they built a residence in Paso Robles ; and he died at his home, on August 10, 1899. In early days he had been made a Mason.
Of the union with Mr. Lambert seven children were born, as follows: Malissa Alice, Mrs. Lindner, of Paso Robles; James Albert, who resides in Stockton : William J., who died at the age of seventeen months: Louis _1., of Santa Maria : Marinda J., Mrs. Morton, who died at the age of forty years . Hattie, Mrs. Grant, of Los Angeles ; and Carey W., of Oakland.
About seven years after the death of her first husband, Mrs. Lambert was married to I. M. Lewis, a native of Missouri and an early settler of California. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Baptist Church, and of its local Ladies' Aid Society. Politically, she is a Democrat.
GEORGE W. BRYAN .- \ member of the firm of Bryan Bros., pro- prietors of the Baden Market, and a resident of Paso Robles since 1892, George W. Bryan was born in Norton county, Kans., April 1, 1884. His father, William N. Bryan, was born in Iowa. He was a farmer, who removed to Norton county, Kans., where he was a pioneer and a homesteader. Coming to the Coast, he located in Paso Robles, where he has since been proprietor of Bryan's Express Co., the leading transfer company of the place. George Bryan's mother, Belinda Alexander, was a native of Indiana.
When but a lad, George W. Bryan came with his parents to Paso Robles. where he grew to manhood. After completing the grammar school courses. he entered the employ of II. Nelson as a butcher. Previous to this, when he was only thirteen years of age, and while in the fifth grade at school, he had begun driving the delivery wagon for the same firm, mornings and evenings. and on Saturdays; and after graduating, he worked in all the departments. and learned the butcher business in all of its details. Resigning his position in 1905, he accepted an engagement with C. W. Steinbeck, the butcher in Oakland, with whom he continued for a year. He was in Oakland at the time of the San Francisco fire. Returning to Paso Robles in 1907. Mr. Bryan became a partner of his former employer in the butcher business; and two years later they also bought the Central Market at King City, and Mr Bryan removed to that place to manage the business. Later still, on selling his interest in the Paso Robles Market, he became sole owner of the Central Market in King City. There he continued in business for three years, and then sold out and again removed to Oakland. Six months afterward, he left the state and moved to Bandon. Ore, where he was employed at his trade for six months.
On his return to Paso Robles, he formed a parthership with his brother. J. B. Bryan, who had learned his trade under him ; and they bought the Baden Market on Pine street, where they have since been doing a successful
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busine -- They have a modern and well-equipped slaughter house, and the market is up to date in all of its details. It is equipped with a California cold-storage plant. They do both a wholesale and a retail business in meats, manufacture sausage, and cure ham and bacon. Mr. Bryan, through his long experience, has become an excellent judge of stock; and he does the buying for the firm, making trips through this county and adjoining counties for cattle, sheep, and hogs to supply the Baden Market.
In San Jose. George W. Bryan was united in marriage with Miss Theresa Carpenter, a native of Kansas, who came with her parents to Arroyo Grande when she was but a year old. They have two children, Gene and Nathalie, who are attending school, and are being taught by the same teacher under whom their father received his first instruction. .
Fraternally, Mr. Bryan is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is also an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is a Republican. In his spirit of local pride he is very liberal and enterprising, assisting, as far as he can, with his time and his means, all worthy objects that contribute to the upbuilding of the community and the comfort of its citizens.
JOHN CALVIN SPILLMAN .- A resident of California since 1891. John Calvin Spillman was born in Montgomery City, Montgomery county, Mo., September 24, 1876. His father. Calvin Spillman, was born in Kentucky and moved to Missouri as a boy. He learned the trade of the millwright, and also of the blacksmith and the machinist, and followed these trades in Mis- souri. In 1891 he brought his family to California, and for a time worked at his trade at Honcut. Afterwards, he was engaged in erecting canneries in Marysville and Yuba City. He died in 1908. The mother. Jennie E. (Mc- Ilmoil) Spillman, was born in Iowa, of Scotch parentage. She now resides in Hermosa Beach, Cal. Of her eight children, seven are living; and the subject of this sketch is third in order of birth.
John Calvin Spillman was raised in Hannibal, Mo., and pursued his studies in the public schools there till 1891, when he came with his parents to California. He then entered Marysville High School, from which he was graduated. He was with George Hammersly for three years, learning the cigar-maker's trade, but followed it for himself only about eighteen months, not liking the confinement nor the work. Entering the employ of the Sacra- mento Valley Irrigation Co. at Willows, he took up the scholarship and field work, and two years later was made foreman of the field work. He con- tinned with the company five years in all, until 1913, when he resigned to accept his present position as foreman of field work and equipment for the Atascadero Holding Corporation, taking charge of his department on No- vember 5, 1913. Since then he has given it all of his attention, looking after the entire equipment of the company, all machinery, implements, horses, etc., besides having charge of the field work. He took a special veterinary course in the International School of Correspondence, in order the better to care for the horses in his charge.
At Atascadero, on March 10, 1915, John Calvin Spillman was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Thomas, who was born at Livermore, Cal., the daughter of Mrs. \. 1. Thomas, who is represented elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Spillman have a residence in Atascadero, located in block Q. He is a member of San Luis Obispo Lodge, No. 322, B. P. O. E. Politically, he is an administration Democrat.
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CHRISTJAN N. JESPERSEN .- \ native of San Luis Obispo, Christjan N. Jespersen was born on April 5, 1890. His father, John Il. Jespersen, was a native of Denmark, who came with his father, Christjan II. Jespersen, to California when he was one year old. The family located at Eureka, and later moved to Watsonville, San Luis Obispo County, arriving there when John was about a dozen years of age. John Jespersen was raised at Los Osos, and was educated in the public schools of his vicinity. He followed blacksmithing in San Luis Obispo, and there he married Elizabeth Lager, a native of Kolding. Denmark. They finally located on a ranch in the Cuyama valley, Kern county, where he was a pioneer homesteader. After disposing of his ranch, he removed to McKittrick and engaged in business as a general contractor, and also served as constable. In 1902 he came to Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, and took up cattle-raising. Here, in 1907, he was accidentally killed while hauling a load of hay over Rector grade; a colt in his team caused the load to go over, and he was killed instantly. After his death the widow located at Union, where she engaged in grain-raising.
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Jespersen had nine children : Christjan N., of this review ; Herman, a farmer near Paso Robles: Clarence, a farmer near U'nion : Annie, Mrs. Hans N. Aaroe, of Union ; Lester, who is assisting his mother : and John, Marie, Harry, and Elizabeth, who are at home.
Christjan N. Jespersen completed the public schools in San Luis Obispo County, and then took a course in the International Correspondence School in bookkeeping and business law. When a lad he had learned to drive the big teams in the grain fielids ; and when his father died, he took charge of the farm together with his mother. Ile was then seventeen years of age: and he continued on the home farm, helping his mother, until 1913, when he was married, in Union district, to Miss Jennie Iversen, a native of Union and a daughter of C. A. Iversen, of whom also a sketch appears in this work.
After his marriage, Mr. Jespersen engaged in grain farming on the Pfister place and three other places, operating 1,400 acres. In 1916 he leased a part of the Estrella ranch, where he raises grain. He operates 1,300 acres, 1,100 acres of it being plow land. Ile uses two twelve-horse teams and has sown seven hundred acres to grain, principally wheat. To reab the grain, he em ploys a combined harvester, with which he reaps also for some of his neighbors.
Mr. and Mrs. Jespersen have two children, Lawrence and a baby. Mr. Jesperson was trustee and clerk of Union school district for three years. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World, while Mrs. Jespersen is a member of the (). E. S. In politics he is an Independent Democrat.
JOHN H. BUNCH .- A resident of California since 1873, and of San luis Obispo County the most of that time, John Il. Bunch was born near Berry- ville, in Carroll county, Ark., on November 17, 1858. He is the son of Wil- liam and Rebecca (Smith) Bunch, natives of Missouri and Arkansis, re spectively. They were farmers, who came to California in 1873. ['he father returned to Arkansas, where he died: the mother che I m Adelenda their four children, the subject of this sketch is the oldest, and the only one now living.
John H. Bunch was raised on the farm in Arkansas, and was educated in the local schools. In 1873 he came to California with his parents and worked on the home farm at Plano. In 1876 he came to Adelaida, San Ie -
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Obismo County, where he was employed at farming. He entered into part- nership with his brother, Stillman, and they continued farming at Adelaida for three years, when they sold out and dissolved partnership. About 1884 he moved to the vicinity of Shandon, took up a homestead, and continued ranching. Mr. Bunch was one of the early settlers of that section. After a year at Arroyo Grande, he returned to Shandon, where he remained until 1898. He then went to Hanford, and was there for fourteen years, when he again returned to San Luis Obispo County, and rented on the Huntington ranch. in partnership with J. T. Jones. They ran 1.100 acres for several years, and then dissolved partnership. After this Mr. Bunch moved to Bradley, Monterey county, and there engaged in farming and stock-raising for the following two years.
In 1916, Mr. Bunch returned to San Luis Obispo County and rented part of the Estrella ranch, leasing about 1,200 acres there. He sows from five hundred to six hundred acres to grain cach year, using two ten-horse teams, and employing a thirty-two horse-power combined harvester for gath- ering his grain.
John H. Bunch was married in the Cholame district to Miss Mary E. Hammond, who was born near Jacksonville. Ill., and came with her parents to California when sixteen years of age. They have four children: Bertie Edison. Earl Ericksen, Ernest Hollibe, and Elvin Eldred, all living at home. In politics, he is a Democrat.
THOMAS JOHNSON .- Thomas Johnson, bookkeeper at the Sacramento ranch, in San Luis Obispo County, is a native of England, born in Leeds, Yorkshire, on July 25, 1886. His father, Henry Johnson, was also born there, and was a law stationer in Leeds until his demise. His mother, Annie (Clark- son) Johnson, is residing at their old home in Leeds. Of their four children. Thomas is the only son, and the only one of their children who came to the United States.
Thomas Johnson received his education in the grammar and high school in Leeds. After graduating from the high school, he entered the municipal service of his native city as an accountant, and continued so engaged until. in the spring of 1913, he came to the United States. Arriving in Los Angeles, in May of that year, and desiring outdoor employment, he found work on a ranch in that vicinity until March, 1915, when he came to San Luis Obispo County and took a position as bookkeeper at the Sacramento ranch. He has since then continued in that position, assisting also in the supervision of the place and giving all of his attention to the interests of the ranch.
In religious preference. Mr. Johnson is an Episcopalian. IJe is a sup- porter of every movement for the uplift of society and the promotion of the public good.
ERNEST A. HAHL .- A resident of California for over twenty-seven years, and of San Luis Obispo County for more than twenty years, where he is now engaged in farming and stock-raising in the Red Hills, near Shandon, Frnest A. Hahl was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1871, a son of Peter and Cathrina (Mulland) Hahl, natives of that place, who spent their entire lives in their native country.
Ernest A. Hfahl was the youngest of five children in his parents' family, and is the only one in California. His childhood was spent on the farm at Otterndorf, near llanover ; and he received his education in the public school. When seventeen years of age, he decided to come to America. Ile arrived
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in New York City in 1888, and for some time was employed as clerk in a grocery store there. In 1890 he came to San Francisco, where he was En- gaged in clerking for a while, and then entered the employ of D. O. Mills. on his farm at Millbury. Later he went to Los Angeles and worked on \ ujupe ranches in that vicinity.
Mr. Hahl then came to San Luis Obispo County, now over twenty years ago, and pre-empted eighty acres in the Cholame hills. Hle proved up.on this pre-emption, and then homesteaded one hundred sixty acres in the same vicinity. He now had two hundred forty acres. He improved his place with buildings ; and after several attempts at sinking wells, he succeeded in get- ting sufficient water. Here he engaged in grain-raising, and also entered into partnership with a friend. J. C. Bors, who had a place of four hundred acres. Mr. Bors sold his property and went to Napa ; and one year later Mr. Hahl sold out and bought three hundred twenty acres, the nucleus of his present ranch. He purchased quarter section after quarter section, until now he owns over 1,200 acres, which he has cleared and broken up. The ranch is located about ten miles cast of Shandon, in the Red Hills section. It is sup plied with an abundance of water, from springs and wells ; and there is ample pasturage for the live stock. Here he engages in cattle raising, specializing in Durham and Holstein cattle. Ilis brand is bar JI (- ID), left hip. Ile has about four hundred acres under plow, two hundred fifty acres in grain. He operates his farm with one big team. In 1916, Mr. Hathl completed a new modern residence of the bungalow style, for which he hauled the lumber from Paso Robles. Ile has set out orchard and shade trees, and vegetable and berry gardens, near the house.
On December 12, 1914, Ernest A. Hahl was married, in San Francisco, to Mrs. Ruby (Eggleston) Morrish, who was born in Eureka, Nev. She is a daughter of Ruben Eggleston, a native of Auburn, N. Y. Her grandfather. John Eggleston, also came to California, but died in Salt Lake City. The family trace their history back to the Pilgrims who came over in the "May- flower." Her father crossed the plains to California in 1849. He passed on to Nevada, where he was one of the well and favorably known pioneer pros- pectors and miners at Eureka and Virginia City. Later he came to California, and was engaged in mining in this state until the time of the mining excite ment at Cripple Creek, Colo., when he went to that locality. A typical miner. he was interested in the Alaska boom, and afterwards in the mining operations at Goldfield, Nev. Ile now resides at Aransas Pass, Lex. Mrs Hall's mother was Mary McGinley, who was born in bols an, Cal. She was a daughter of John McGinley, a native of northern Ireland, who came around Cape Horn to California when a boy of seventeen, arriving at San Francisco. For a time he worked in the mines, but later went onto a large rauch in Sacramento county. The big flood of 1862 washed away his buildings He helped construct the levees. Some time after this, he engaged in the the atrical business. He ran an opera house in Reno, Jev., And one in Who. and another in Salt Lake City : but each burned down, and he became dis- couraged with the business. He died in Nevada.
There were two children in the family of Ruben and Mary ( Metales ) Eggleston ; and of these Mrs. Ilahl is the elder. She received her elu tion in the public schools of San Francisco and of Humboldt county. Is het first marriage she had one daughter. Ruby Naomi ( Morrish) Hall. Of her union with Mr. Hahl a son was born, Ernest August, Jr.
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Mr. Hahl has been a trustee in Choice Valley district. Mrs. Hahl is a member of the Star King Chapter of the O. E. S., in San Francisco, and a trustee of Alliance school district.
JOHN W. McALPIN .- A resident of San Luis Obispo County since 1890, and a highly esteemed citizen of the vicinity of Creston, John W. McAlpin was born in London, England, in 1870. His father was also named John, and was a native of Perth, Scotland. The McAlpin family trace their ancestry back to about the tenth century, to Kenneth McAlpin, king of Scotland. The grandfather. John McAlpin, was also born in Perth ; and he, as well as his son John, were country gentlemen, the latter spending many years in London. There the subject of this review was reared and received his education in private schools, later attending Albert Memorial College, in Suffolk.
Soon after his graduation, young John McAlpin came to California, locating in San Luis Obispo County, where he selected and purchased his present ranch of two hundred ten acres on the Santa Margarita road, near Creston. He has improved the property, and here he is successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising.
John W. McAlpin was married in San Francisco to Miss Alice Blake, a native of that city, and the daughter of Dr. James Blake, a prominent physi- cian on Geary street. They have three children: Douglas Jan, Alice and Elizabeth.
Mr. Me Alpin has reason to be proud of his Scotch lineage. He is a mem- ber of the Sons of St. George. In national politics he is a Democrat ; while in matters of religion he is an Episcopalian.
F. J. FILOUCHEAU .- F. J. Filoucheau is a native son of California, born in San Juan Bautista, San Benito county, November 23, 1869. His father, Matthew Filoucheau, was a native of Bordeaux, France, and came to San Francisco in the pioneer days of California, when he was a young man. After he had clerked for a wholesale house in that city for a time, they sent him to Mazatlan, Mexico, and from there he came to San Juan, where he engaged in the mercantile business for many years. Afterwards he opened and conducted a restaurant, and became widely known as one of the finest chefs on the coast, his excellent menus giving him fame throughout the state. HIe died in 1894, aged sixty-four years. His wife was Albina Boronda, who was born near San Juan, the daughter of Camelo and Francisca (Castro) Boronda, both natives of California. She died at the home of her daughter. Mrs. R. F. Careaga. Matthew and Albina ( Boronda) Filoucheau had ten children, only two of whom are living: the oldest, Maria Antonia, the widow of the late Ramon F. Careaga, who resides in San Jose ; and the sub- ject of our sketch, who is the second youngest of the family.
F. J. Filoucheau received his education in the public schools of San Jose. After leaving school he apprenticed himself to the tinsmith's trade, which he followed for about five years. Ile then gave up his trade to engage in the restaurant business in San Juan; and later he removed to Santa Barbara, where he became proprietor of the St. George Restaurant. In 1912, he came to Los Alamos as proprietor of the Depot Hotel, and also of the St. George Hotel, continuing here until 1913, when he sold out and opened the Hotel Camino Real at San Juan Bautista, on the state highway between Salinas and Gilroy. A year later, however, he sold out and returned to Los Alamos, where he remained on Mrs. Careaga's ranch for a year. In 1916, he bought the St. George Hotel, which he improved ; and since then he has been its proprietor.
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Being a fine chef, he is at the head of the culinary department ; and he also directs the hotel and service. The meals at the St. George are excellent, and the hotel is well and favorably known.
Mr. Filoucheau was married, in San Juan Baptista, to Genevieve Ramoni, who was born in Hollister, the daughter of James Ramoni, a prominent pio- neer contractor and builder, who later became a rancher. His wife was Francisca Williams, who comes of a very prominent old family, being related to the Carlisles and Jessuruns of Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Filoncheau have one child, Marguerite.
Mr. Filoucheau is a member of the I. D. E. S. In politics, he is a Democrat.
ISAAC SIMS .- One of the oldest pioneers of the Adelaida district in San Luis Obispo County, and for many years a farmer and blacksmith there, Isaac Sims was born in Indianapolis, Ind., April 5, 1838, a son of Mathew Sims, a native of Ohio, whose father, James Sims, was born in England and, coming to the United States, became a pioneer in Ohio, and later in In- dianapolis. Here, for some time, James Sims followed his trade as a hatter, still later moving farther west and settling in Des Moines, la., where he con- tinued at his trade. He next made his way to Springfield, Mo .; and from there, in 1857, he came to California. He and his wife had fourteen children, one of whom, James Washington Sims, had come to this state in 1849. Mathew Sims accompanied his father in 1857. The old gentleman and his family lived in Half Moon Bay for a time, later moving to Sacramento county, and then to Mason Valley, near Carson City, Nev., where he died at the age of ninety-seven years, hale and hearty to the last.
Mathew Sims was married in Indiana to Miss Nancy Dovee, who was born in Ohio. He was a millwright and miller, and followed his trade in Indiana, and later in Des Moines, la., and in Springfield, Mo. In 1857 he came with his father across the plains to California, in the train known as the Captain Derby train, consisting of one hundred men, with ox teams and about five hundred head of cattle. Their numbers insured them from Indian attacks and the train came through in safety. Captain Derby had made four trips across the plains and knew Indian character well. At different times he let the Indians take the cattle to graze over night, and they returned them in the morning. In California, Mathew Sims engaged in farming at Half Moon Bay. Later he removed to the vicinity of Sacramento, and then to Lodi, where he was engaged as a wagon maker. He went from there to Mason Valley, Nev., and ran a wagon shop. Here he died at the age of seventy-six years ; and his wife died the year following at the same age. Of their eleven children, the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, and is the only one living.
Isaac Sims attended the pioneer schools in Springfield, Mo., and had an uneventful life up to 1857, when he crossed the plains with his parents. driving an ox team all the way, and taking six months for the trip. After the family had settled at Half Moon Bay, he went to school two seasons and then learned the blacksmith's trade, working in a shop near Brighton, Sacramento county. In 1866 he went to Carson City. Nov., and bought an interest in a blacksmith shop, where he continued in business about five years He then opened a blacksmith shop in Mason Valley, where the Sims families were among the early pioneer settlers, and where Isaac remained about five years.
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