History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches, Part 59

Author: Morrison, Annie L. Stringfellow, 1860-; Haydon, John H., 1837-
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1070

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At the end of that time he had saved enough to purchase land of his own, and he accordingly bought three hundred sixty acres in the Morro dis- trict; and out of this property he has made one of the best ranches in the section. He developed water and has a fine system of distribution for irri- gation. He has forty acres in alfalfa and keeps a herd of fifty high grade Jersey cows, raising his own calves and thereby increasing his herd year by year. His barns are sanitary, and he separates the cream on the ranch and sells it to the creamery in San Luis Obispo. Ile is a sturdy type of a self- made man, for he came to the country a poor boy and by dint of perseverance he is now able to retire and enjoy his well-earned rest in the evening of his life.

In. 1877, Mr. Ilansen was married to Lena Petersen, a native of California, and they have four children. Nelson is married to Lillian Ghiringelli : John married Miss Gladys Gladstone and has one daughter ; Elizabeth is married to Albert Nelson and has three sons; and Carrie is a teacher of music in San Luis Obispo.

GEORGE F. DEISS .- A leading citizen and prominent business man of San Luis Obispo, George F. Deiss was born in Germany. Februar 11. 1862, and arrived in this country at the age of nineteen years with no mener or friends, and unable to speak the language of the country. He had only a limited education : but he was willing to work at any honest employment that was offered. He got as far west as Nebraska and there, in Thayer county, worked on a farm one year. He then went to St. Louis and learned the trade of baker, following it three years. Ile did not like that kind of work, and found an opportunity to learn the butcher's trade ; and in that line he has since been engaged.

He worked in St. Louis until 1886, when he decided to come to Cab fornia ; and arriving in San Francisco, he worked at his trade there, and later also in Oakland. In July, 1890, he came to San Luis Obispo, where he at once found work in the butcher shop operated by 1. Marre; and here he remained until December, 1892. He had saved enough from his earnings to embark in business on a small scale, and opened a shop on Higuer i street This small beginning meant hard work and long hours ; but he could see that it also meant prosperity, for he began to build up a fine trade, which n creased to such proportions that in 1899 he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, J. B. Berkemeyer, under the firm name of Deiss & Berke meyer, and they have continued together up to the present time Their shop is located at 1019 Chorro street, and is known as the Fulton Market. being the market he worked in when he arrived here. They owh and operate an up-to-date slaughter house west of the city, and kill all their own beer and hogs, averaging two cattle and eighteen head of hogs weekly Their shop 1 modern in equipment and cleanliness is everywhere shown, Both partner

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

gie their personal supervision to the conduct of the business, and hence have built up a splendid trade. Mr. Deiss is the owner of a block on Marsh street, and with hus partner he is a one-half owner of a business block on Higuera street.

Mr. Deiss is one of the most prominent Odd Fellows in the state. He is i member of the Lodge, Encampment, Canton and the Rebekahs. He has passed all the chairs of the order and several times served as a delegate to the Grand Encampment, and is a Past Grand of the Grand Lodge of the state. Ile was one of the organizers of the German Lutheran Church of San Luis Obispo and served as trustee many years, and for a time was secretary of the board. For ten years he was a member of the volunteer fire department, lland Engine No. 3.

Mr. Deiss was united in marriage in St. Louis with Mary Berkemeyer, who, like himself, is a native of Germany. They have two sons: Henry G., born in 1886; and Clarence, born in 1897. Mrs. Deiss is a prominent worker in the local lodge of Rebekahs, and is active in various charitable organizations of the city. Some years ago Mr. and Mrs. Deiss took a trip back to their old home in Germany, and returned more than ever pleased with their Cali- fornia home. In business circles Mr. Deiss is highly respected, and wherever known he has a host of friends.

EGBERT D. BRAY .- One of the prominent builders of San Luis Obispo, and formerly of Santa Barbara county. Egbert D. Bray has had a varied experience and has won a name for himself. He was born in Craw- ford county, Mo., January 21, 1878, a son of Ferdinand and Anna E. (Patten) Bray, both natives of Missouri and now residents of Los Gatos, California, which place is also the home of their three married daughters, Mrs. Meta Estelle MeGlashen, Mrs. Mary Finley and Mrs. Annie Mullen.

When seven years of age, Egbert was brought to California by his parents, his father thereafter for many years carrying on a blacksmith shop at C'ambria. His school days over, Egbert D. Bray worked on dairy ranches milking cows, and later went to Los Angeles and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed there and in Pasadena. He then became salesman for the Western Meat Company of San Jose, and held that position for three years. Coming then to Santa Barbara county he was in the employ of several of the leading butcher shops in Santa Maria as salesman.

Going back to his trade of carpentering, he began contracting, and for seven years carried on a fine business, erecting fifty-seven buildings, among whirl mention may be made of the Masonic Temple, Christian Church, four Www iness blocks, and the residences of N. Porter, F. Martin, George Trott, I. P. Scaroni, P. W. Jones, Charles Smith, A. P. Silvaro, F. Whitmore, Dick Thaland, Frank Silver, and many others.

In 191], Mr. Bray came to San Luis Obispo and continued his business witamcess; and while here he has executed many contracts. Among the In Wimp - Freetel by him are two houses for E. M. Merryfield ; homes for John Kowy Wont k Barcellos, F. M. Payne, Easton Mills, L. Defosset, and others; me Thi ury Kamm Garage. It is needless to say that his work gives satis- open h The many patrons, who depend upon him entirely for first-class

co kre mited in marriage with Bertie B. Barnett, a native of (00: KOT00, What 1- active in the temperance cause and a writer of ability.

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They have five children. Leola M. is employed by the Pacific States Tele- phone Company ; Pauline and Edith M. are students in the high school ; and Raymond and Edna attend the grammar school.

KARL STEINER .- Europe has contributed greatly to the population of this country and California has benefited by the migration of a portion of those people who have thought to better their condition financially by seek- ing the "far West" to make a home. Among these is Karl Steiner, who was born November 7, 1863, in Linden, Switzerland, of German-Swiss parents. His father, Christian Steiner, was a very prominent man in his county, a member of the school commission for many years, who also served as a county official and was postmaster of Linden. The grandfather of Karl was a man of high education and taught school in his native country for forty- five years, during which time thirteen different members of his own family went to school to him.

Karl was reared on a ranch, and after his school days were over he assisted his father for three years at farming, and then for a time was em- ployed in the State Insane Asylum in Switzerland. He served for seven weeks in the Swiss army, after which he went to Haute-Saone, northern France, and for two years was employed in a dairy. In 1888, with his brother Christ, he came to America, settling with an uncle in Yutan, Neb .. where he worked for two years on a farm, and learned considerable of the ways of the country. He then went to Omaha, Neb., working at various occupations for a time; and after that, with the money he had saved, he engaged in the dairy business for himself in Omaha.

His next move was to Pender, Neb., where, with his brother, he pur- chased two hundred seventy acres of land and farmed; but they had two bad years of drought and hailstorms, which destroyed their crops, and so they sold out and dissolved partnership. Karl leased a farm on an Indian reservation in that state, and farmed until he came to California, in 1901, and settled in San Luis Obispo County. With John Güdel as a partner, he here lcased 1,600 acres of the Cole ranch and engaged in dairying and the stock business, and met with success. With the proceeds of his years of labor here, he purchased his present ranch of one hundred forty acres in the Independence district near Edna. He improved the land from its raw state. cleared some of it and planted a family orchard and other trees, also setting out roses and shrubbery, and now possesses a wellimproved ranch and a comfortable home.

Ile is engaged in dairying, and in raising beans, grain and hay ; and be- sides his home place he rents another tract of one hundred sixty acres near by in partnership with his oldest son Fritz, and this is devoted to grain and beans. At his home place, he has fitted up a fine tennis court which is a source of pleasure to the children, and to those of their friends who enjoy that sport.

Mr. Steiner married Anna Gudel, a native of Switzerland; and they are parents of six children : Mrs. Emma Rhigetti, Fritz, Clara, Maric. Lil- lian and Robert. They have two grandchildren to brighten the home circle. Fred and Harold Rhigetti. Mr. Steiner has served as clerk of the Inde- pendence school district since its organization. Ile and his family are men- bers of the Lutheran Church.

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SAN LLOS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

ISAAC S. VAN MATRE .- Success is an indefinite, indefinable some- dans for which many a man strives, and the attainment of which is supposed to give happiness to the lucky; but whatever reward is granted in return for the struggle, it is certain that no one enjoys reaching the goal more than stich a pioneer as Isaac S. Van Matre, who, by his own hard labors, self-denial and consistent application to duty. has created all that he possesses.

Born in Hempstead county, Ark., December 20, 1844, Isaac was the son W Abraham J. Van Matre, a native of Illinois, who settled in Hempstead Aunty, where he became both a merchant and a farmer. The elder Van Matre later removed to Red River county, Tex., where he was engaged as a stockman and a farmer, and in 1868 he came overland to California with the subject of our sketch. He homesteaded land in San Luis Rey valley, and later removed to Watsonville. There he was a merchant until he retired, and after that he lived with his son, Isaac, dying in 1911 at the age of eighty- geen. Many were the stirring memories of his life, and not the least those which carried him back to Civil War days and his service, for a year, in the cause of the Confederacy. Isaac Van Matre's mother was Melinda Clampit, a native of Tennessee, who died in 1868, in San Diego, the mother of four children. three of whom are living. Mr. Van Matre's maternal grandfather, Colonel Logan, served as an officer in the Revolutionary War.

The oldest child was Isaac, who was brought up in Arkansas until he was three years of age, when he went to Texas with his parents, and there attended the public school. He also learned to help farm, and while riding the range he got his first insight into the stock business, which en- gaged him for eight or ten years. In 1868,. he crossed the plains with mule Dios, making for San Diego just when the new town was started. There he helped haul lumber for the Horton House, and then he went to farming on the ranch in San Luis Rey valley. At the beginning of the eighties he came to Santa Barbara county ; and finding attractive ranch work at Los M mos, he farmed there for four years.

In 1884. Mr. Van Matre located in San Luis Obispo County, buying the ranch of two hundred fifty-eight acres, one mile from Creston, that he still (Wars. In addition to regular tilling of the soil, he took up stock-raising, wed for many years ran a dairy in addition, milking from twenty to thirty of The finest Durham cattle. He shipped the cream to Los Angeles, and there woon won positive recognition for his farm products. Having also installed a wwwwymme plant from the natural wells on his estate, he was able to raise Mille on a large scale. Not content with this important venture, he home- Mental a hundred sixty acres on the Carissa Plains, and later he bought Three huidred twenty acres more. He now has four hundred eighty acres Tom la gomvand stock, which he leases to his sons.

Wldf pr San Diego county, Isaac Van Matre was married on October STED Th Wee Permelia J. llickey, a native of Titus county, Tex., and For To the lead ni, e children. Joseph is married to Sadie Barnes and has Actor 1. Jennings married Barbara Glenn ; Henry married Dosie three children, Esther. Wesley and Virgil. The three be ge Liming some four thousand acres, using caterpillar Mary, Mrs. Scott, lives at Porterville and has ( one. Harvey and Henry. Leslie was married to Lucy Va che in San Francisco, who died at Creston on August

Permelia q Vanvatre

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23, 1916, leaving two children, Vincent and Margaret. Leslie is engaged in stock-raising on Carissa Plains.

Mr. and Mrs. Van Matre own and occupy a residence in Creston. Mrs Van Matre's parents, Isaac and Melinda (Marshall) Hickey, were natives of Tennessee. They removed to Texas, where they resided until 1865, when they came by ox teams to California. Isaac Hickey was a minister of the Baptist Church for over forty-three years. lle was a clear and forceful speaker, and was a conscientious Christian man who lived up to his teachings. They spent their last days in Creston, and died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Van Matre. the father aged seventy-three, and the mother eighty-six years of age. Mrs. Van Matre is also descended from old Revolutionary stock. In politics, Mr. Van Matre is a Democrat. He has devoted much time and attention to school affairs as trustee for the San Juan district. Like his wife, he is an active participant in the religious life of the community, being a charter mem- ber of the Church of God in Paso Robles.

JOHN F. CONKEY .- Optimism is the keynote of the success achieved by John F. Conkey, lawyer, journalist, business man and postmaster of Santa Maria. Mr. Conkey was born in New York City, April 17, 1852. a son of Ithamar Conkey, a native of Massachusetts who went to New York and was married in Froy to Miss Elizabeth Billings, a native of Northumberland. Saratoga county. They became the parents of five children two born in Troy and three in New York City.

Ithamar Conkey was a basso-profundo. He sang a duet with Jenny Lind. the Swedish Nightingale, at the Castle Garden concert under the auspices of P. T. Barnum in New York City. Ile was a professional bass singer, and for several years sang in Trinity Church, New York City. It was said of him that he had the best bass voice in New York City in his time. He could go down to B flat with ease, producing a full, round organ tone in that register.

Between professional work as a singer, and his duties as representative of the Metropolitan Fire Insurance Company as surveyor, he accumulated a com- petency. He surveyed nearly every building in Manhattan and established the rate of fire insurance, and was an authority on fire insurance rates lle became the owner of a farm at Roselle, N. J., and died at Elizabeth, in the same state, at the age of fifty-two.

The childhood, youth and young manhood of John 1. Conkey were spent in much the same manner as were those of the average child of parents of moderate means in New York and New Jersey. He laid the foundation i his education in the grammar and high schools of New York Cin, and later took a course at the Peddy Military Institute at Ilightstown. \ 110 clerked in dry goods and grocery stores in the city until 1876, and then began reading law at Saratoga Springs, where he was admitted to the bar ih 1880 He followed the profession in the Fast until 1892. He then came to Cahfor nia, locating at San Jacinto. Riverside county, and continued his profession. He became a resident of Santa Barbara county in 1905, and settled in Sant Maria, where he opened an office and practiced law. He is a member of the bar of Santa Barbara county and has been admitted to practice in the United States Circuit Court.

While studying law in New York, Mr. Conkey added to his income In reporting for the Saratoga Fagle. The lure of journalism prompted hin. in 1907, to buy the Graphic of Santa Maria, of which he was proprietor mal

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editor tuimel June 8, 1916, when President Wilson appointed him postmaster of that any He has always been an ardent Democrat, active in party affairs und a legate to conventions. Mr. Conkey received the hearty endorsement vi the atigens of the valley for his present position, and upon taking charge of the office instituted needed reforms for the systematic handling of its increasing business.

Mr. Conkey was married in 1874, Miss Blanche Moscrip becoming his wire. She was born at Fort Miller, Washington county, N. Y., on the banks of the Hudson. Fort Miller was used during the Revolutionary War, in which her great-grandfather Livermore was a soldier. Her maternal grand- father served in the War of 1812. The late Mary A. Livermore, pioneer woman's rights advocate, came of the same family. Three children were horn to Mr. and Mrs. Conkey. Robert M. succeeded his father as editor of the Graphic ; Mary E. married Bruce McBride of Santa Maria; and Marie Louise is the wife of S. S. Stephenson of the same city. J. F. Conkey is well liked by all who know him. He is sixty-four years "young," and is hale, hearty and genial, and as active as a man of twenty-five.

The genealogy of the Conkey family is traced to Scotch ancestry and the name was known as Conkey and McConkey. The progenitor of the family in America was John McConkey, a Scotchman, who settled with a colony, all bearing that name but one (a minister named Abercrombie), in Pelham, Mass., about two hundred years ago. This John McConkey dropped the "Me" from the name, and it has ever since remained Conkey. The first record of the family in this country is found in the old Presbyterian Church at Worcester, Mass., where John Conkey owned a pew. Records at Pelham .how the Conkeys to have been landowners and taxpayers. Strange to say, though the entire colony who settled at Pelham were named McConkey, there is not a person by that name there today. In direct line of descent John I. Conkey of Santa Maria is the fifth John. His grandfather John was a Aldier in the Revolutionary War.

BELA CLINTON IDE .- In the life of this successful citizen of Arroyo Grande are illustrated the results of perseverance and energy, coupled with judicious management and strict integrity. He is a citizen of whom any community might well be proud. As a pioneer of this city, he has made his Mouence felt for the general good. Bela Clinton Ide was born in Catta- Wanens county, N. Y., May 5, 1842. At the age of thirteen he came with w parents to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he attended school. He learned The table of blacksmith at Plymouth, Mich., which he followed until his valamint En service in the Civil War. He was mustered in at Detroit, KOgler 15. 1862, and assigned to Company C, 24th Michigan Infantry. For nye vone lui was with the Army of the Potomac, First Army Corps, and in 14.0 44 Trwa- Terred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. During his term of ser- bar wider three different captains-C. B. Crosby, Charles A. Hoyt, 1 40 3 Cab 1-poon and was also under various generals. He partici- dro alwy Tarih of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He To play During the last-named battle, and was later released. He wwwop mn wyeral skirmishes. He was mustered out at Cincinnati,

To brise 6 alle bigan, Mr. Ide worked in a sawmill at Grand Rapids, The Gro Tilbe vo Mi Trade, until 1868, when he went to Dodge county, Wis.

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There he farmed until 1872. His next move was to Rice county, Kan .; and after two years spent in farming there, he came to California and settled in Arroyo Grande, then a very small village, or rather a stage station, with few settlers in the country round about and large ranches stretching over the plains. He first worked on a threshing machine for R. S. Brown, then for Steele Bros. as a teamster on their large ranch, and later as superintendent of their large dairy. He was employed later by Schwartz, Harford & Co. in their lumber yards located at a point one mile east of Port Harford.

Returning to Arroyo Grande, he served as postmaster from 1902 to 1910, was a member of the school board for several years and did much to promote the cause of education. He was a member of Fred Steele Post No. 70, G. 1. R., at San Luis Obispo, and later of Colonel Harper Post, in Arroyo Grande, of which he is the present commander. When he joined, there were forty members, and now there are but seven of the number left.

Mr. Ide is a prominent Mason, belonging to the lodge and chapter, and has held the offices of Master, Senior Deacon and Senior Warden. He was one of the first men to build a house down near the railroad tracks, a site now valuable property. He has built three houses in the town, and Ide street was named in his honor.

Mr. Ide was married in Wisconsin to Mrs. Adelaide (Wood) Hawkins, a native of Pennsylvania, and they had one son, George P. Ide, formerly post master of Arroyo Grande. Mrs. Ide passed away in 1906.

MRS. EMMA KEARNEY RUDE. A representative of a pioneer family in California and herself a native of the state, born in Watsonville, Mrs. Emma Kearney Rude is the daughter of James Kearney, a native of Ohio, who was married in Kentucky to Nancy Green, a native of that state. They moved to Missouri, and then to Ohio, and from there came across the plains with io teams, experiencing the usual trials and hardships encountered by the pio- neers. Arriving in California, Mr. Kearney settled on some land near Wat- sonville that was supposed to be government land ; but as it was chimed by another, the settlers were driven off in 1869, one woman being killed in the fight. Mr. Kearney gave up his claim, though afterwards the property praveil to be government land. He then moved to Watsonville and engaged in toom ing from there to Salinas until 1870, when he took up a homestead on the fluer Huero, proved up on it, and there raised grain and stock until his death in 1892. While on a visit to his son. J. A. Kearney, in Santa Yne, he was kicked by a horse, and died two days later. His wife passed away in 1870. leaving three children, of whom Mrs. Rude is the vongest, and the wall one now living.

Emma Kearney was reared on her father's fach on the Huer Hueros attended school in the first schoolhouse erected om 1 strell plain . Jul in year in Paso Robles, walking four miles from the ranch and wadling the river, in order to get to school. She was married, 10 1885, no Baker field to William I. Rude, a son of pioneers who came across the Ollos, and a brother of A. N. Rude, of whom mention is made elsewhere my Hus work Atter thet marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Rude took up a homestend indfbog canon, Monte- rey county, proved up on it and sold it three years later when they moved to Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara county, and farmed one voir They they moved onto the old Kearney place on the Huer Duero and ran that three sets Their next move was to a government tree claim on Bitter Witer, on alto

SAS THIS GRISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

does prised ws. nul wineis they later sold. They moved to Paso Robles in 18'3 Store The\ npewed a feed yard and started a transfer business, now man- agli Mr- Rmlr Mr. Rude has continued to do freighting and teaming to am detoni, as well as farming in the vicinity of Paso Robles. They own Tom- varais. Am1 ... residence, and also five acres on Salinas bottoms, devoted nemlig vegetables.

Je Mint Mrs. Rude have five children living. John is in Taft ; and Charles. Tantes. Low and Mildred are at home. Mrs. Rude recalls many incidents of early wx- wifen bears, deer. quail, rabbits and other game were very plentiful. Chic prakt iny 1877 she and her brother were at her father's place at Sand Springs, when a bear killed a steer in the corral adjoining the shack in which they were sleeping. The next day their bed was moved farther up the hill on topof a stack of wild oat hay! Other interesting reminiscences of pioneer times that are fast passing away are pleasingly told by Mrs. Rude, some of them relating to the great hardships endured by the settlers and the many sacrifices they had to make.

HANS PETER MATHIESON .- A prominent citizen of San Luis Obispo County, and one who has for many years been active in business und social life. Hans Peter Mathieson commands the respect of all who know him. He was born in Schleswig, Germany, April 8, 1866. a son of Peter Mathieson, who was a native of Denmark, and a farmer by occupa- tion, and who served in the War of 1864, and also in the War of 1870, in the cavalry division of the service.

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History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches, Part 59

Author: Morrison, Annie L. Stringfellow, 1860-; Haydon, John H., 1837- Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company Number of Pages: 1070

Author: Morrison, Annie L. Stringfellow, 1860-; Haydon, John H., 1837-
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1070