USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches > Part 35
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As early as 1875 he came to Guadalupe, and there he bought six hundred acres of the Guadalupe rancho, paying twenty dollars an acre. Some of this acreage is lowland and some lies on the mesa. This property is still in the possession of Mr. Donovan. He next purchased a ranch of three hundred acres of mesa land at Nipomo, and this was followed by the acquisition of five hundred acres at Guadalupe, also of the Guadalupe rancho, all o it first-class bean land. Another investment was three hundred twenty acres, one mile to the northwest of Santa Maria-a town called Central City. when Mr. Donovan first came there; and although he was now carrying considerable land for a small investor, he nevertheless greatly improved his last purchase. lle keeps all his lands rented out, and has been more than successful in the dairy business.
While at Watsonville, and when about forty-one, he married Miss Mary Mccarthy, by whom he had seven children, all strong, healthy and bright. Their names are: Agnes, Gertie, Cornelius, Mary, Leo, Gerald and Margaret. Fach has been properly trained in the Catholic faith. He himself enjoyed but few educational advantages ; but he has afforded his children high school and college training.
For a man of his years, Mr. Donovan is still active and powerful. He is keenly alive to the politics of the day, and especially to all that upholds Deme - cratic standards. Always interested in the cause of education, he served for years as a member of the school board of Santa Maria, of which Mrs. Donow in is now a member.
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ANTONIO J. SOUZA .- Enjoying the entire confidence of his fellow Portuguese-Americans, among whom he is regarded as a successful leader, capable of guiding others to success, and both meriting and receiving the esteem and good-will of Californians generally, A. J. Souza occupies an enviable position among the developers of the Santa Maria valley. Born at Flores, in the delightful Azores, on June 10, 1862, the son of Manuel J. Souza, who reached his seventy-second year, and Mary (Urcela) Souza. who lied when he was five years old-both father and mother having come orig- mally from Portugal-young Souza was one of eight children, four of whom re living. He attended the public school at Flores, where he was brought up. There he laid the foundation, in good health and industrious habits, for his later career, in which he has advanced to such a prominent and influential place in the community.
When seventeen years old he came to the United States and to California, and almost from the first day when he worked as a farm hand in or near Santa Maria, he showed commendable progress. After seven or eight years he had saved enough money to buy an attractive ranch of some two hundred -eventy acres, and before long he was the owner of three hundred fifty acres farmed with the most up-to-date and labor-saving devices. Two hundred thirty-five acres are under cultivation : one hundred seventy acres are in beans ; seventy in hay, corn, and produce ; and the balance is pasture. Practicing econ- omy and working steadily, Mr. Souza in time took a very respectable place among his competitors, and is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well- earned rest, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, in all of whom he is greatly interested.
On November 29, 1888, the marriage of Antonio J. Souza and Miss Maria Concicao, a native of the Azores and a devout member of the Catholic Church, was solemnized, and of this happy union nine children have been born. Mary is the wife of Frank L. Novo, a blacksmith in Santa Maria, and is the mother of a son, Angelo; Joseph E. married Pearl Reel, and with their two children, Harriet and Albert, they live on part of the Souza home ranch, as does also Manuel E., who married Edith Tracy : Annie became the wife of George Sargenti, a promising young rancher of the valley, and has a daughter, Amy : two daughters are Isabella and Ida: Anton and Angelo are at home; and Ruth, the youngest child, is deceased.
As might be expected of one who has been interested in every movement for the good of the community, Mr. Souza is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Masons, Guadalupe Lodge No. 237. Santa Maria Chapter, R. A. M., and the Eastern Star Chapter; the Odd Fellows and 15 bekahs of Santa Maria : the Knights of Pythias and the Portuguese Lodge, 1, D E. S., of which he has served as master and secretary. Mrs. Souza is a prominent member of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. Progressive in Ons attitude toward public affairs, Mr. Souza has been active, as a Republican, The kcal politics. He served for fifteen years as a member and as secretary of the school board in his district, until he refused to accept the position any oneer He has been a resident on the ranch where he now lives for over Wenty two years, and has watched with interest the rapid growth of the ANhay, and assisted many less fortunate than himself to get a start in life. W x- large-hearted, jovial in manner and an interesting conversationalist, into ha- a large circle of friends throughout this section of the state.
Henry Hoer
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HENRY HOLT .- The interest which attaches to the life story of Cali- fornia pioneers is a visible expression of the gratitude which all men feel towards the forerunners of civilization in the Far West. The life history of Henry Holt is one of unusual interest; it possesses, in fact, that fascination which attaches to all lives that present the spectacle of small beginnings and large achievements, and of success wrested from adverse circumstances. By birth and descent a German, he has yet spent so many years in the West that he is a typical Westerner, a grand representative of the pioneers of Cali- fornia. Henry Holt was born in Hanover, October 24, 1833, was educated in the common schools of his native land, and in 1852 came to the United States. Arriving at New Orleans, he traveled to Cincinnati, O., and thence to New York, where he went to work on a pilot boat in the harbor. Soon after, he began a seafaring life, sailing to Holland, where he learned naviga- tion, and then to the East Indies, finally coming again to New York and in 1858 around the Horn to San Francisco.
His object in coming to California was to seek his fortune in the mines, and immediately on his arrival he went to Oroville and Marysville, where he engaged in mining ; but not meeting with the success he anticipated, he went back to San Francisco and again became a sailor, sailing to the ports of China, the East Indies, Boston and Nova Scotia, and again coming around Cape Horn to California. In San Francisco he went to work in a livery stable, and then went to Point Reyes and became a cheese-maker on a dairy ranch. Once more in San Francisco, Mr. Holt was employed in road- building for a time, then journeyed to Monterey county, and soon after arrived in San Luis Obispo County. Through his knowledge of cheese-making he secured a position with Steele Bros. as a cheese-maker on their Corral de Piedra ranch near San Luis Obispo, did his work well, and gave good satisfac- tion. Mr. Holt had a thorough knowledge of the dairy business and, realizing that money could be made by proper management, bought fifty cows, drove them to Guadalupe, leased land and started a dairy of his own. Later he increased his interests by leasing land on the Huasna and carrying on a dairy on shares with Mr. Porter, the owner of the land.
In 1877 came the dry year, and his cattle suffered and began to die ; so he drove the balance across the mountains into Kern county. He leased three ranches near Bakersfield and held his cattle there for a time, and in that way saved about half of them. That fall he sold two hundred twenty two- and three-year-old steers for five dollars a head in San Francisco, but later got twelve dollars a head in Bakersfield. He once more returned to the Huasna, practically "broke," remained for a couple of years, and then located on the Todos Santos in Santa Barbara county, where he was dairying and raising cattle and hogs for the following six years, having about fifteen hun- dred head of the former and about two thousand of the latter, and making about $75,000 through his venture. One sale of stock alone netted him $20,000. From almost every venture in which Mr. Holt has been engaged he has netted good returns, and he has become an authority on live stock.
In Guadalupe he has erected three brick residences, improving the prop- erty at a cost of $10,000, so that it will bring him an income. He also owns two business houses in Santa Maria. He believes in improving the proper- ties in which he is interested, and in keeping them in repair. He now own- seven hundred acres near Guadalupe, one hundred fifty-five aeres in his home
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place at Los Alamos, twenty-three hundred sixteen acres in Foxen Canon, three hundred twenty acres in Long Canon, and seven hundred twenty-five acres at Santa Rita, near Lompoc, all of which property is leased to tenants und from which Mr. Holt derives a handsome income.
Hle has retired from active work, although he still superintends the large merests he controls, and keeps himself heartily in accord with every move- Ment that has for its object the upbuilding of the state. He has made friends piterever he has done business, for he believes in square dealing at all times; aid he is numbered among the most progressive and prosperous citizens wi Santa Barbara county. He is reliable and upright, and his integrity never has been questioned. He tries to live by the Golden Rule, and it is the con- sensus of opinion that his word is as good as his bond. He is generous and kind-hearted, a gentleman of the old school who dispenses his charities in an unostentatious manner.
MICHAEL J. MEHERIN .- Ireland has contributed her quota of sons and daughters to help build up the United States, and none of those who have become citizens of this country are more loyal than M. J. Meherin, pioneer i San Luis Obispo County by reason of residence, and also by the ties : marriage that bind him to the family of that prominent pioneer, John M. 'rice, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Meherin was born in Ireland on December 15, 1842, and was reared on the farm owned by his father, who was engaged in stock-raising in his native land. With four broth- ms. Michael came to the United States, having California as his objective want. He came by way of Panama and arrived at Cave Landing. in San Lip- Obispo County, in 1868. He found work for five months on the dairy rwich of P. O'Connor: and later, for six years, with his brother, Dennis Woherin, he was engaged in sheep-raising. Then, with the same partner, he pened a store, the second one at Arroyo Grande, and for eight years carried my general merchandise business, selling out at the end of that time. In 1881. He and his brother built a wharf at Pismo costing $16.000, and they also Had the steamer "Santa Maria," built in San Francisco in 1883, at a cost of Stt,000, which was operated in the coast trade for a time. They also owned the lumber yard at Pismo, managing that in connection with the wharf and seamer. Still later, in 1884, they built a wharf at Lompoc, costing $23,000. Werwards, Mr. Meherin farmed on one hundred five acres of land, near Pismo, owned by his wife, where he has lived for the past twenty-five years.
He was united in marriage with Mary Ann Price, a daughter of John M. Prop and a native of California; and they have had four children to bless A daughter, Mrs. Mary Manderscheid ; another daughter. Mrs. Ne Ramona Bolton : Mark E., the only son ; and a third daughter, Andrea Wire arel.
11 Melerin has seen many changes take place in this county, and well od inter- the tales told by those earlier settlers who were here when there Were Of Joy white men and the country was infested by Indians and crim- Mal- od h, will animals of all kinds. He himself has had many thrilling Osimantes, and recounts many experiences that were encountered by the froteer bilders of this commonwealth who have laid the foundation for future generations.
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JOHN M. PRICE .- The life history of John M. Price is one of unusual interest. Full of incidents. stirring and adventurous, it possesses that fascina- tion which attaches to all lives presenting the spectacle of small beginnings and large achievements, and a success wrested from adverse circumstances. A native of England, born in the old seaport town of Bristol, September 29, 1810, he was early taught the lessons of thrift and right living. His education was limited, for at the age of fifteen he went to sea on a whaler in the Southern ocean. After a three years' cruise on the "Cadmus." at the age of eighteen, he landed on the coast of California in the barque "Kent," a whaler commanded by Captain Lawton. Mr. Price and a companion named Black left the ship at Manzanillo, a Mexican port, where they had been treated with the utmost consideration and courtesy by the natives, who wanted them to remain. In order to get away, they boarded another whaler and were landed at Monterey, where they again deserted the ship : and with the aid of friendly Indians, they made their way into the timber in Monterey County. They cut timber with a whipsaw, and followed lumbering for a time: and after- wards they worked as vaqueros about the Castroville section, before there was any place of that name.
In 1836 Mr. Price came to San Luis Obispo County, where he worked for W. G. Dana on the Nipomo ranch. Later he was employed on the Huasna ranch for Isaac Sparks, and in 1846 he was living in an old log cabin on a ranch about twenty miles from what is now Arroyo Grande. He was surprised, one day, by the appearance of John C. Fremont and his troop- ers, who wanted him and his men- the Indians who were working for him-to surrender. He went as far as Santa Barbara and later returned to his place of abode. When gold was discovered Mr. Price and F. Z. Branch went to the mines and were engaged in mining for a time, meeting with good success, but afterwards came back to San Luis Obispo County.
Mr. Price worked on the Pismo ranch with Mr. Sparks, and later he purchased seven thousand acres of land near the beach and engaged in raising cattle, sheep and horses on a large scale, meeting with prosperity for almost fifty years.
He was one of the best-known men in the county. He served as alcalde under Mexican rule, and later was justice of the peace, county judge, and super visor of the county. Under the alcalde there was no defined justice, the official meting out justice as he saw fit and as it suited his humor ; needless to say, Mr. Price was just in all his decisions, and held the respect of all. During the pioneer days in the county there were but few white men, and the country was overrun with Indians and bandits. Those were the days when ranching tried men's mettle ; they had to be on the watch continually to keep the cattle and horse thieves from running off their stock, and many were the trials endured by Mr. Price.
In 1844, Mr. Price was united in marriage with Miss Dona Andrea Carlon, a native of California, born in Santa Barbara County. They became the parents of fifteen children. eleven of whom are living: Mrs. M. Walker, Mrs. Victoria Thompson, John S., Mrs. Ellen Bushnell, George, Mrs. Carlotta Vidal, Mrs. Mary Meherin, Sister Angelica Price, William B., Mrs. William Hamil ton, and Michael. Two sons and two daughters are deceased. Mr. Price lived at his home in Pismo for many years, and died there June 1, 1902, at the age of ninety-two years.
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MAT. IVERSEN .- It is an old saying, and one with almost kinder- garten simplicity, that if you do not succeed at first, you should try again; and how well Mat. Iversen, the progressive secretary of the Farmers' Alliance Business Association and the advocate of good roads, has applied the motto will be seen in his winning out for supervisor after he had been defeated in a candidacy for that honorable office. In fresh, green Ballum, Schleswig, Den- mark. Mat. was born, on December 10, 1860, his father being none other than the esteemed pioneer. Hans Iversen, elsewhere described in this book. He was reared at Ballum, and was educated in the public schools; but from his tenth year he was compelled to divide his time between the task of get- ting a book education and the equally formidable job of working on a farm. As a very young boy, indeed, he shouldered considerable responsibility, one commission being to drive his father's cattle all the way to the coast.
When he reached his seventeenth year a crisis arose in Mat.'s affairs, but he met it with a brave heart, and with much of the foresight which has characterized his operations ever since. About that time his native country came under the rule of Germany; and the Iversens objecting to what they looked upon as little short of military oppression, Mat. concluded to come to the United States. The first of April, therefore, in the year 1878, we find the lad as far west as Monmouth, Ill .; and there he tarried for half a year work- ing for the first time on an American farm. His next stage on the journey toward his western goal was Omaha, where he secured work with the Union Pacific Railroad, and for a while at tilling the soil ; but in 1882 he had reached San Francisco and had taken up an altogether new occupation, as a con- ductor on the Third and Montgomery street car line, which at that time was propelled by horse-power. It was not a very inviting occupation, but it gave Mat. a considerable boost, and, for the time being, such assistance was all that was desired by the youth, who was fleeing from Old World autocracy.
In March, 1883. Mat. Iversen came to San Luis Osbispo County, and homesteaded in the Union district, harvesting his first crop the following year. At that time he had to haul all the water that was needed in barrels for a distance of three or four miles : and taking some of this, he mixed it with the clay about him and made adobe bricks, which were dried in the sun. With these he built two houses, the one for his father and the other for him- self: and having somewhat comfortably fixed himself up, he set to work in dead earnest to see what he could get from the soil. In 1886, a well-rig came in and sunk wells in the neighborhood, and as soon as he was able to make arrangements, Mat., too, had a four-inch bore running to the depth of three hundred seventy-two feet. On a still larger scale he engaged in grain-raising, buying a header and all the other equipment, and in the same year began to baul his wheat, first to San Luis Obispo, then to San Miguel, and afterwards In Paso Robles.
On account, however, of the methods employed by the S. P. M. Co. of Pkn R Bles, who at that time had no opposition and seemed to discourage rather lan help the ranch folks, some of the farmers, in 1891, organ- leof the Farmers' Alliance Business Association, which was incorporated with Mat as secretary: and in that influential capacity our friend has derved erer since. In the beginning they used part of a large warehouse built in Paso Robles, and this has been so enlarged and added to that today
Mat. Iversen
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it boasts of a very pretentious volume of business, in 1916 doing an aggregate business of $200,000. But Mat. has not only been secretary ; he has been a director in the Association, as also in the Paso Robles Mercantile Co., his up-to-date tendencies having been everywhere quickly recognized, and this recognition has served as an encouragement to him in the introduction of the most modern appliances and the most efficient means for the transaction of the day's business.
Besides participating in this venture of the Farmers' Alliance and pur- chasing lands, Mat. has also leased certain tracts and engaged in grain-raising on a large scale elsewhere, managing these hoklings until lately, when he sold most of his lands, retaining only the two-hundred-eighty-acre ranch upon which he lives. His decision to do this was made with no little regret. since he is fond of agriculture ; but he found the operation of a thousand or more acres a little too strenuous, and decided to quit in order to devote his surplus time and energy to the care of his own home place.
Mr. Iversen has been twice married. By his first marriage he was joined to Miss Jensine Christensen, a native of Schleswig, Germany, who died in the Union district. His second wife was Mrs. Alma Hager, a native of Sweden. By her first marriage she had had one son, George Hager, whom Mr. Iversen adopted. The young man is a graduate of the Paso Robles High School, and is now attending the College of Agriculture in the University of California, as a member of the class of 1917.
Mr. Iversen took a very active part in the organization of the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau, and is a member of the Union Center. In 1917 he was elected a delegate to the Farm Bureau Conference held at the College of Agriculture, University of California; and with other delegates he trav- eled more than a thousand miles through fourteen different counties, to study, see and report what farm bureaus and farm advisors can accomplish. A trustee of the Union school district for fifteen years, Mr. Iversen has always responded to the calls for public service. In one instance, however, he did so with a slight embarrassment for his pains. This was in 1912, when he consented to become a candidate for supervisor, and lost out by only five votes. Four years later he was again a candidate-of the First Supervisoral District-and at the primary election he received a majority over his two opponents. No election result could have been more satisfactory to his constituents ; for having come to this district when there were no well-built thoroughfares, and no fences to separate one property from another, and when many of the conveniences of life, including the means of intercommuni cation, were lacking, Supervisor Iversen is well known to favor the construc- tion of good roads, and in his hands that most important feature of California's development may well be regarded as absolutely safe.
THOMAS F. ABBEY .- Among the old-time families of Oak Flat, San Luis Obispo County, mention may be made of the Abbey family, whose head. on their arrival here, was Thomas F. Abbey. He was a native of Driffield. England, who married Eleanor Nichelson, also a native of that place. He was a miller by trade, and had the management of a large mill in England until March, 1874, when he came to America, bringing with him his wife and four children and settling in Sullivan, Ind., where for six years he engaged in farming. Going then to Kansas City, he was head miller in a large flouring mill ; and there he remained until he came to California, in July, 1880. Locat 17
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SAN DEF KRISENY COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
quy Su Da-tomje Larifits. he homesteaded sixty-eight acres of land, two udf- from: Pawn Kol b- Hopwwwved it and farmed until his death. His wife JA, det werden leifily_ All four of the children came to California. These pre Und- Lamer, employed by the Globe Mills in San Francisco; Eleanor, Me Tobe John of Farella Plains; Mary E., Mrs. John F. Botts of Oak [UT bm) Ilhabeili M., who was born at Stockton-on-Tees, England, came nos fer paris To America, and accompanied them in their removals from pir oveplex, receiving her education in the public schools of Kansas City wTt TTT xabiorden. On September 23, 1900, at Morgan Hill, she mar- nel William Janthis, somuntive of Kentucky, who died in March, 1912. She thisworkmir of four , løkdren, Eleanor, William, John and Grace. She owns Yr old Abled rande, where she is engaged in general farming and horticul- UM, suresebille raising fruits and nuts; and while enjoying repute as a -nousenal wamismo, she takes an active interest in all that tends to build up
ALVA PAUL .- It is possible that there is no better-known man through- all the greater part of San Luis Obispo County than Alva Paul, now living raffred in San Luis Obispo after many years of activity in ranching and HunME a threshing outfit, and after serving in some official capacity or other Dewo ral year -. Ile was born in Croydon. Sullivan county, N. H., October Is his father died when he was quite young, he had to make his com pey in the world from the early age of nine.
Melot his home county when he was but fifteen, with only twenty-five IL MIJN pocket, went to lowa and for six months worked on a farm near Conde Talled . Then, 1 1872. he came to California and, locating in San Luis OFF to calle sarl. if the harness shop owned by his uncle. S. B. Call. Later here we Go employ of John Slack, on the Los Osos. Meanwhile, he was femme body ogget on. He rented land of H. J. Beck, and from 1876 until (20Mak en la own account. He made several moves during the next po we Thbiline rented land, and in 1880 we find him on a ranch of five for sel haly an owned by S. P. Stowe at Chorro. On this ranch he royplat Sens, and he was the first man to turn a furrow in that
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