USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches > Part 63
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Dr. Lynch married Miss Mary Campbell, a native of Colorado; and they have two daughters, Genevieve and Elizabeth. Mrs. Lynch is very active in club life : she served as president of the Woman's Republic, and is a leader in social affairs in San Luis Obispo. Dr. Lynch owns a ten-acre pear orchard and some lots in the Atascadero Colony. He is always interested in every movement for the development of the county, and is a "booster" for the city of his adoption, where he is widely known.
EDWIN S. WHITLOCK .- In improving the western opportunities which have come his way, Edwin S. Whitlock, one of the substantial citizens of Arroyo Grande, has displayed characteristic enterprise. He was born in 1877 and came with his parents to San Luis Obispo when eleven years of age, locating in the Eldorado district between Pozo and Creston, where he attended the public schools and grew to manhood on his father's ranch. When he was twenty-one, he went to Kern county and was in the employ of Miller & Lux as teamster one year. Returning home, he and his brother farmed in partnership one year, but were not successful; and in 1901, Mr. Whitlock was employed for six months by J. B. Gibson, a contractor for preparing land ready for seeding. He then worked for L. C. Routzahn on his seed-farm six years, and learned that line of business.
But farming did not appeal to him, and he sought an opening in some commercial line. He therefore entered the employ of the Arroyo Grande Commercial Company, buying an interest in the business in 1907, and be- coming treasurer and manager, succeeding A. M. Rayl. Under the effi- cient management of Mr. Whitlock, the business has expanded and now the establishment has a flourishing and constantly increasing trade, draw- y cu Som from a radius of many miles in the surrounding country.
During 1917, it is expected that a suitable concrete building will be Mitpred, 60x65 feet, to house the company's business. The present offi- cargaml directors of the corporation are: George Grieb, president; H. M. dams vice president; W. E. Hixon, secretary; E. S. Whitlock, treasurer lo malosos: B. F. Patchett, auditor ; Carl Fink and W. L. Edmonds, com- Morar il directorate.
h A lot bel was married in Oceano, October 10, 1911, to Annie Jose- Dime Tocco who was born in Cambria, this county, and they have one ih Philip Idk if. Mr. Whitlock is a member and an elder in the Presby-
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terian Church. He is a member of the U. P. E. C. and the Modern Wennien of America. In all matters pertaining to the upbuilding of his home city, Mr. Whitlock has been a liberal supporter ; and he is keenly alive to the possibili ties of his section of the county.
WILLIAM G. BURKE .- Among the representative business men of San Luis Obispo County is William G. Burke, proprietor of the general merchan- dise store in Nipomo. He has been a resident since February, 1913, when he came to this place and purchased the general store conducted by W. A. Baum- gartner at Nipomo. Besides the merchandise business, Mr. Burke buys and sells beans, grain-bags and barley. Ile has been meeting with deserved suc- cess since he came to this locality, where he enjoys the confidence of a wide circle of patrons and friends.
Mr. Burke is a native of Kansas, born in Burlingame, Osage county, Octo- ber 8, 1868, and attended the public and high schools of that county until he was sixteen years old. His father, James H. Burke, was a merchant in Burlin- game and it was but natural that the son should select a business career when he started independently. At the age of twenty Young Burke went to Yakima. Wash., and worked as a clerk for some time; then for eight years he was connected with the Northern Alaska Commercial Company, and was in Alaska in the interest of that concern.
While in that territory, on September 16, 1911, at Fort Gibbon, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Johnson, who was born in Blair, Neb., in February, 1885. Besides his commercial interests in this county, Mr. Burke has investments in the Iditarod telephone company of Alaska, and has mining interests in Amador County. Ile is deeply interested in the welfare of his adopted county, where he has been uniformly successful and where he has aided every movement for its upbuilding in various localities. He is affable and courteous, is a man of strict integrity and by square dealing has built up a good trade since becoming owner of his present business.
PHILIP AND JOHN BIDDLE .- One of the old and prominent resi- dents of the Pacific Coast, as well as an upbuilder of San Luis Obispo County, Philip Biddle was well known through his accomplishments in financial and other activities, and was an important factor in the upbuilding of the state. Ile was a native of Pennsylvania, where his early boyhood 1. spent. At an early age he was orphaned, and his foster parents took him to France, where he attended school a short time and lived a few years but not liking the country, he ran away and returned to the land of his birth. locating in Indiana, where he grew up. He married Rebecca Votant_ adv of French parentage. Of their union five children were born, Rebeen why married and is now deceased : Mrs. Mary K. Plummer, who reside 1 Sam Francisco until her demise in 1901, and who was the first woman lav ver o California: Jonas, also deceased: John, deceased, who was a parther with his father in many of his financial ventures, as well as in manufacturing and in his stock interests; and Washington, now an aged man lying it Tom nessee.
After the death of his wife in Indiana, in 1849, Mr Biddle bright lim children to California by way of the plains in wagons drawn boy with afol after a long and dangerous journey, in which many hardships were endure !! they finally arrived in the state of "golden opportunity " For a time father and sons mined. Then they came to San Francisco, but, not tijdig cop
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ditions to Their Hiking, they went to San Jose and took up their abode in a rude by Gatan Were Mr. Biddle and his sons erected a lime kiln of brick, on the muyskirts of the town, and began burning lime, much of which was used in the custruction of pioneer buildings in San Francisco, as well as in other sectores. The kiln is still standing and is pointed out to tourists as one of the landmarks of that section.
From this business Mr. Biddle became wealthy. He came to San Luis Obispo County in 1884 and invested in land, then selling cheap. His first purchase was of twenty-five thousand acres, to which he added ten thousand at a later date. Ile began raising cattle, and in time was one of the largest cattle men in this section. He met with reverses through dry years and by the depredations of cattle rustlers, but became wealthy and prominent, as well as a large holder of land. Eight thousand acres of the land is still in she possession of the heirs of Mr. Biddle. He lived on the ranch in the vicinity of Arroyo Grande until he moved to San Francisco, where his last (Liy- were spent in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest. After he left the Lunch, his son John, with whom he was in partnership for years, remained on (e ranch about one year and then moved with his family into San Luis Obispo, looking after the ranching interests from that place. He and his father carried on a private banking business, and loaned money, but never foreclosed a mortgage on a deserving man. After Mr. Biddle had become firmly established in the stock business, he became a partner with Mr. New- hall and raised large numbers of cattle on the California ranch belonging to Mr. Biddle. Those were the days when cattle were delivered to the markets um hoof, and it required diligent care to get a drove of stock to San Fran- nico without having the cattle thieves make raids on it.
Philip and John Biddle also engaged in the dairy business and raised, besides, many fine horses that brought good prices. Wild horses roamed the broad expanse of range before the fence laws went into effect, and there were many of them captured on their land and properly trained. Philip Biddle was a financier of more than ordinary ability, and it seems that All his operations were fairly successful. After he removed to San Francisco he still engaged in loaning money and became a prominent factor in the life tothat metropolis, where he died. He was a Mason and a member of the Calaornia Society of Pioneers in that city. At his passing the state lost one und her most representative citizens, who had watched and taken a most im- pnlmnt part in her upbuilding.
worthy son of his father, John Biddle looked after the interests of dom company and gave it his undivided attention. He was born in Indiana, modated in the subscription schools of that period there on the frontier; amil when his father came to California, he accompanied him and later was canal with him in almost all of his business enterprises. He remained m san For thispe County caring for their large interests until he, too, 1- 1 182. aged fifty-two years. He was a member of the Odd wod wok po california Society of Pioneers.
oder Bobffey 1 united in marriage at San Luis Obispo with Miss Eliza- In Welke die ga tive of the Hoosier State, who passed away in February, AT woo fers Ind useful life. They had four children-Philip, George, we wel lo The latter married Ruth Wilson and is now living on the Wo th villet members of the family are living at the old home
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place in San Luis Obispo, and are joint owners in the estate of some volo thousand acres of valuable range and agricultural land in the Arroyo Grand section.
Both father and son were men of note in San Luis Obispo County and very much interested in the welfare of the county and the people. They favored and assisted every movement that had for its ultimate object the bettering of conditions in general, and especially good roads, good schools and good government ; though neither Philip nor John were aspirants for any political office, preferring to give their time to the stock interests in which they had made their financial success. They counted such men as John P. Andrews, H. M. Warden, Luigi Marre, the Steeles, Fred Wickenden and others as their intimates, all of whom helped to lay the foundation of our great state, and particularly of San Luis Obispo County.
G. CONRAD GINGG .- As might be expected of one who has spent his entire life in California, Mr. G. C. Gingg is a patriotic son of the Golden State and ardently champions all measures looking towards the development of the commonwealth. He was born in San Francisco, June 25. 1873, a worthy son of Swiss parents. His father, Jacob Gingg, came from his native canton in Switzerland at an early age and settled in Newark, N. J., where he followed his trade of butcher, which he had learned in his native country after his school days were over.
In 1868, having saved enough money to enable him to come to the Pacific Coast, he settled for a while in San Francisco, and there continued his vocation of butcher. Meeting with success, he embarked in business on his own account, and gradually branched out from the retail business into an extensive wholesale trade, buying and shipping. By giving close attention to details, he won success and a sound financial standing in that city.
In 1892, with his family he came to San Luis Obispo and here started the nucleus of the present prosperous wholesale and retail meat business known as the Gingg Brothers and Co. Market. Mr. Gingg was a man of enter prise. as is shown by his success, and made and kept his friends. He is a prominent member of the .1. O. U. W. and of the Fraternal Brotherhood, and in politics is a Republican. He was united in marriage with Johanna Gerken. now deceased, and they became the parents of two sons and one daughter G. Conrad. Herman II., and Mrs. Anita Bergk. As the sons grew to man hood their father took them into the business and taught them the details with a thoroughness characteristic of the thrifty Swiss, so that in time he was able to retire. Now he is living in Gilroy, having turned over the bum ness to his sons.
G. C. Gingg was educated in the public schools of San Francisen, al while going to school would spend his spare time in the shop with his father. and in this way became familiar at an early age with almost of the details of the butcher trade, as well as the conduct of the business end of their extensive and lucrative concern. As soon as he was old enough, he trek a very active part in the management and added to a great extent in the upbuilding of the business.
In 1892, with the family, he settled in San Luis Obispo, and it is largede clue to his executive ability that the business has grown to its present proffor tions. The family have always worked in harmony, and all have abledl in making the business a pronounced success. In time they branched and soom
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the retail trade into a large wholesale trade, which is given every attention by G. C. Gingg. As manager of the business in San Luis Obispo, he is recog- nized as one of the most progressive citizens of the city, is popular with all classes of people, and gives personal attention to building up and holding their trade. In connection with their market, they conduct a large slaugh- ter house located near the city, and all modern conveniences have been installed to make the handling of their product sanitary in every way, and to lighten manual labor.
Mr. Gingg is a member of the Fraternal Brotherhood, and is an Elk. Besides these fraternal organizations, he belongs to the various civic bodies in San Luis Obispo and is a supporter of all movements that have been promoted to build up the county and to make it a desirable place to live. Hlis strict integrity and fair dealing have won for him many stanch friends, and have contributed to the building up of their business from year to year.
J. H. FRANKLIN, M. D .- During his residence in Santa Barbara county. J. H. Franklin, M. D., has become known as one of its able and skilful physicians, and by his genial manners and kindly courtesy has endeared himself to all classes of people. While devoted to his life work, the doctor takes great interest in the progressive movements of the day and his sym- pathies are as broad as humanity. He was born in Gilroy, the son of Warham Easley and Marion (Fife) Franklin.
Dr. Franklin was united in marriage with a native daughter, in 1916, Miss Claire Dolcini becoming his wife. He is a Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter, and is also a member of the San Luis Obispo Lodge, No. 322, B. P. O. Elks.
HANS MEHLSCHAU .- The Danish element in American life, which has done much to make this nation worthy the friendship and sympathy of all other countries, has especially worthy representatives among the upbuild- ers of San Luis Obispo County. This is noticeable in the successful career of Hans Mehlschau, who was born in Apenrade, in the province of Schleswig- Holstein, Germany, January 21, 1866, where he attended the public school until he was fourteen. He was the youngest of five brothers, and his mother being dead, he had, as a lad, to make his own way in the world. He selected the United States as the scene of his efforts, and having relatives in San Luis Obispo County, California, immediately came here.
On his arrival in 1880, he joined his relatives at Nipomo and found work in the near by ranches for about six years, acquiring rapidly a working knowl- edge of Spanish, English and German and thus becoming useful to his em- Moyers. When he was twenty, he had learned to speak English and had become familiar with the methods of the ranchers in this section of the umUry : so with the money he had saved, he was enabled, in 1886, to join Ine Faller Andrew in a ranching enterprise. They leased land near Nipomo uden cool in raising grain and stock. This partnership lasted for twenty- your, and as they succeeded financially, they bought land from time to lime most they had abont 1000 acres of fine land suitable for raising grain
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on -paraiber 24. 1908, they divided their property, stock and implements, me goose The hundred acres where he now lives. Since then he has when hogy re oil greatly improved his holdings, erecting a modern country Teadaree dir, and other buildings. He raises grain, beans and stock, making
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a specialty of heavy draft horses. Besides his own land. Mr. Mehlschau leases additional property and farms on a large scale.
On July 6, 1891, at San Luis Obispo, Mr. Mehlschau was united in mar- riage with Miss Maria Jensen, a native of the same province as himself, born in the town of Loit, November 17, 1867. She came to this country, with her uncle, in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Mehlschau have had three children : Mattie C .; Flora H., who died aged sixteen ; and Hans C., Jr.
Politically Mr. Mehlschau is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He and his brother are the only charter members left of Nipomo Lodge No. 164, that was organized in 1889, with about thirty- five members. Mr. Mehlschau is public-spirited, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He has made his own way in the world since he was fourteen. and has been a resident of the Nipomo district since that time, and is counted among the pioneers of the county.
JOHN HENRY BRADHOFF .- A representative of the best type of citizenship, J. H. Bradhoff, banker and farmer, was born in Contra Costa county on September 17, 1869, a son of Henry Bradhoff, a farmer and pioneer of California of about 1859, who died on his ranch on San Pablo creek, Contra Costa county, in 1894. J. H. Bradhoff lived at home and attended the schools of Bay View and Alameda until 1887. Having learned the stock business, he came to San Luis Obispo County and secured employment with J. C. Baker, remaining six years; and with the savings of those years he leased the Baker ranch of two hundred eighty-seven acres, purchased live- stock from time to time, and for two years was engaged in dairying and stock-raising.
In 1895, he bought the Graves place of one hundred acres on Santa Rosa creek. a mile and a half above Cambria, fifteen acres of which was bottom land, and here he erected a comfortable home and moved his family, October 16, 1895. At first he did a general farming, but later worked into the dairy business. For some years he engaged in breeding cattle of the Jersey strain. but of late he is breeding shorthorn Durhams.
In 1909 he bought from J. D. Campbell one hundred acres adjoining his ranch, and moved his residence onto the latter place, it being more central and on the county road. ITe has piped water from the springs on the Graves place, 2,500 feet. The water is very soft and as cool as the best moun- tain water. Besides raising stock, he has a dairy of twenty five cows, and on thirty acres of fine bottom land he raises beans and is getting most excel lent crops. On these ranches he has managed a successful business ; and he has greatly improved his home place, until it is one of the best in this part of the county.
Mr. Bradhoff was united in marriage on September 16, 1891. to Mijs Annie Baker, a native of Sacramento county, and they have two children. Harry C. and Ethel. In politics he is a Democrat, and while never aspirine to office, has taken an interest in local politics. For several years he has served as a member and clerk of the school board of his district lle ys stockholder of the Bank of Cambria and has acted as its president ice July 12. 1913. It is safe to say that there has been no enterprise, hay is for its aim the advancement of the county or the welfare of the people. In that he has given it his co-operation. He has a host of friends throughout the entire county, where he is well and favorably known.
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KNUD NIELSEN .- The town of Paso Robles, with its various lines of activity, has drawn within its hospitable limits many men whose business capacity and fine traits of citizenship would be a credit to any community in the country. Among these men special attention is called to Knud Nielsen, a mate of Denmark, where he was born on the island of Fyen, in the town wi w.111. July 20. 1843, but who has been a valued citizen of the Golden Stile -nice 1874, and numbered among the successful men of San Luis Ohne County. His father, Niels Knudsen, was a farmer, and the son was peared on the home place and sent to the public schools of his vicinity.
in the spring of 1870. Knud Nielsen made up his mind that the United States held better opportunities, and he left home and finally arrived in Clinton county, Ia., in April of that year. There, he was engaged at farm work until in the spring of 1874, when he went to Nevada and was employed in a quartz mill until October of that year. He became salivated while work- my in the mill, and came to California for his health. He was in Sacra- mento for a short time, and then secured employment on a ranch in Yolo county near Davis. Mr. Nielsen saved his money and was soon able to pur- lise a team and engage as a contractor in hauling and teaming. This he Continued for the following eighteen years, meeting with good success.
With his savings he finally came to San Luis Obispo County in the fall oi 1892, and four and one-half miles west and north from Paso Robles pur- based seventy-three acres of land, which he began clearing and putting in shtpe for grain. Hle continued in farm work until 1913, when he sold out and moved into Paso Robles. Here he bought three large lots, put up buildings and went into the poultry business. He has a small pumping plant with an engine, and raises alfalfa and kale by irrigation for his chickens, which are of the White Leghorn variety. Mr. Nielsen is busily employed with his new undertaking and has thus far made a success, increasing his mimber of chickens from year to year.
lle is a great reader and keeps well posted on current events and general ondes, but particularly on the raising of chickens and their care. His build- pre- are modern and sanitary. In politics he votes the Republican ticket. Aside from the places mentioned Mr. Nielsen has traveled into other states North and South, and his experience leads him to the conclusion that the soil and climate of California are most to his liking.
JAMES C. AND NORA E. TANNER .- A pioneer of the Morro section afel one of the few original settlers left there, James C. Tanner has been successfully engaged in dairying and farming for many years. He was born W Richfield Springs. Otsego county, N. Y., March 3, 1851, attended the pub- To svobod- and West Winfield Academy until he was twenty-one years old til then came to California and located in the Sierra valley for two years.
To 18;1. Mr. Tanner settled in San Luis Obispo County on Old Creek, wol the Greening ranch and ran a dairy and farmed. In 1881. he bought me dom'el sixty acres of land, it being part of the Morro and Cayucos 001 00 Morro creek three miles from Morro, and here he raised stock. ran di- comete , and made every improvement seen on the ranch today. Ik toole on ( fle first silos erected in this section of the county and Miner 0 ,000 AT & novess. He has erected a pumping plant and is raising by An 1000: Was given his personal attention to his interests, each prosperous and gaining in popularity in the county.
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On November 27, 1884, Mr. Tanner and Miss Nora E. Corey were umnesl in marriage at Bloomfield, Sonoma county, and they have seven children Isabelle, Ella, George, Clifford, Rudolph, Chester and Frvin, all living :) enjoying educations that well fit them for positions in life. Mr. and Mr- Tanner are among the best-known pioneers of the county. They are much interested in public and social affairs.
Mrs. Tanner, who was born in San Rafael, Marin county, on June 28 1858, is the daughter of a California pioneer, Noah Corey, who was born in Canada on November 14, 1828, and was reared on a farm until January 1, 1852. when, with a brother, he set out for California via Panama, arriving at ( lark's Point on February 26. The brothers engaged in contracting for supplies and logs for a sawmill, and later leased a ranch and went into dairving In 1853, they removed to San Francisco and borrowed an old schooner to go south for provisions; but a storm arose and they had to abandon the craft, narrowly escaping drowning, from which they were rescued by a surveying party who happened to be near. They landed at Point Reyes, and made their way to their ranch much poorer financially. They ran the first dairy of American cows in Marin county till 1861.
Noah Corey sold out and settled on a ten acre orchard he bought in Bloomfield, Sonoma county. In 1885, he located in Monterey county, bought one hundred acres near Salinas and there resided until a short time before his death, on November 5, 1909. He was married in Essex, Vt., to Miss Sarah Potter, who died in San Luis Obispo County in May, 1904. Noah Corey was a son of Captain Reuben Corey, a native of New Hampshire, who re moved to Canada, when a young man, and won there the rank of captain in Her Majesty's service. Eventually he came to California and settled in Sonoma county in 1856.
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