History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches, Part 65

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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In 1886 Mr. Oilar sold the ranch to George Freeman, and his son Henry Davis Oilar purchased the old Roxana Spooner place in the town of Morro, where his parents lived until their death. Mr. Oilar was always "Uncle John." and Mrs. Oilar "Aunt Kate," to the younger generation, their home being known to all for its kindly, open hospitality.

Mrs. Oilar died on June 3, 1897, at Morro, and Mr. Oilar on January 2. Both are buried in a beautiful mausoleum erected by their son, Henry D Oilar, in the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Cayucos.

here were six children by the first marriage, three sons and three dimeliters, who grew up with relatives in the East. The Oilars are a long- look race, coming from sturdy pioneer stock. John Lincoln Oilar's grand- 0101, Viss Montgomery, born in Scotland, lived one hundred fifteen aftermonths and fifteen days. She married an Irishman, named Melowmery, and was a sister of Abraham Lincoln's grandmother.

George. S. andreus.

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GEORGE LESLIE ANDREWS .- That it makes little or no difference under what conditions a man labors, provided he be master of his handicraft and rich in the particular experience needed for success in his chosen field, is shown in the career of George Leslie Andrews, once a prosperous farmer and stockman in Monterey county, and of recent years equally fortunate in the same undertaking in Cholame. Born in Nebraska City, Neb., on February 20, 1865, George was the son of Nathan David Andrews, a New Yorker, who was reared in Pennsylvania and who later came to Nebraska as a farmer. In 1868, the father crossed the plains with teams of horses ; and the same fall his family joined him by rail. The following year he settled in San Luis Obispo County, near Morro, where he engaged in general farming. lle then came to what is now Stone Canon, Monterey county, in 1878, and bought there a homestead. He was interested in stock-raising until he retired, about fifteen years ago, to Paso Robles. In September, 1915, he died in his eighty-seventh year. His mother was Amanda Covert, a native of Ohio, where she married. Afterwards she removed to lowa and Missouri, then to Nebraska, and back to Morse City, lowa. She died near Stockton, the mother of five children, four of whom grew up. The only one living is the subject of our sketch.

Coming to California in the fall of 1868, George was educated at the public school near Morro, and in San Luis Obispo, and finally in Slack Cañon, in Monterey county. Meanwhile, from a lad, he was learning the stock business and farming. In the capacity of a young rancher, he traveled through various parts of the state, and when twenty-one took charge of the home place of six hundred forty acres. He also rented other land, and went in for cattle- and hog-raising. As the years passed, he became owner of the old home of three hundred twenty acres, and still owns the place, although he has sold off six hundred forty acres of other land he owned.

In 1911, having sold out much of what he possessed, he bought, in the Cholame country, a ranch of thirteen hundred fifty acres, which he devoted to the raising of grain, cattle, mules, sheep and hogs. Five hundred acres is tillable, and he puts in about four hundred acres to wheat and barley.

In Gilroy, George Andrews was married to Miss Isabelle Easton, a belle of the town, by whom he has had four children : Charlotte Amy, who has graduated from the San Jose State Normal and is a teacher at Cholame. Sherman A., who assists his father on the farm; Jemima, who attends the San Jose State Normal ; and Sibyl A., who is in the high school at San Jose Made a Mason in the San Miguel Lodge, No. 285, F. & A. M., Vr Andress- was Master for three years in succession. He also belongs to the O. ES and to the Knights of Pythias, of Paso Robles. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been a member of the County Central Committee.

CARMI W. REYNOLDS .- It is to the native sons that the future prestige of the state is intrusted, and there are hardly any who have been interested in the present development who cannot see the possibilities at the future. To these Carmi W. Reynolds is no exception He was born in og Luis Obispo County, March 1, 1878, near the site of the tank farm II father was IIenry Clay Reynolds, a native of New York, born nf Chenango, Broome county, December 27, 1846. Ile worked on the home plice until seventeen years of age; and then, in 1803, enlisted for service in the ( nif War in Co. B, 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry, and served fifteen months Soon after

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his disellarge he came to California, to Monterey county, where he engaged in farm work until 1869. Then he came to San Luis Obispo county and farmed for himself near town until his death, June 9, 1884. On November 1. 1874. in San Luis Obispo, he had married Rebecca J. Love, who was born in Napa county, December 6, 1854, a daughter of William Love, a pioneer who crossed the plains in 1854, settled in Napa county and was engaged in tarming successfully until his death, on September 13, 1860.

Carmi W. Reynolds is the second child in the family of four born to his parents, and he had the advantages of the public schools until he was fifteen, when he went to work for William Sandercock as driver of a transfer wagon, in which position he remained for six years. He then worked a short time for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and later was employed by the Southern Pacific Milling Co. The first year he worked in the yards, and then he entered the office as bookkeeper and remained until 1907, when he was promoted to the position of manager, which he has since held with credit to himself and satisfaction to his superiors. Besides attending to that business, he has interested himself in local affairs. He is a member of Chorro Lodge No. 168, I. O. O. F., and of the Rebekah Lodge, San Luis No. 210.

On September 24, 1905, in San Luis Obispo, occurred the marriage of Carmi W. Reynolds with Miss Lovis S. Whitledge, who was born in Ken- tucky and came to this city with her parents in 1902.

HORATIO M. WARDEN, JR .- The extensive enterprises in which Mr. Warden successfully engages have been rendered possible by his own keen business talents, as well as by the shrewd foresight and wise invest- ments of his father, the late Horatio Moore Warden, who is remembered as one of the capable pioneers of San Luis Obispo County and is mentioned at length in another part of this history. In this county, where he was born July 3, 1886, on the Highland Ranch, the Warden home place, Horatio M. Warden, Jr., received the rudiments of his education in the public schools, and the knowledge thus acquired was supplemented by attendance at Santa Clara College near San Jose. He also spent one year as a student in the San Luis Obispo Business College.

After leaving school, he became associated with his father in business in 1906, familiarized himself with the details of his extensive farming inter- (fts, and assisted in bringing to a high state of development the High- Mand Ranch, of which he is now proprietor, and which is known as one of the show places of the county. Mr. Warden has continued the stock business carried on by his father with up-to-date methods and is enjoying a high de tree of success.

In August, 1908, Mr. Warden was united in marriage with Miss Georgie Jolly v San Jose: and they have three sons : Horatio Ml., III ; Robert Donald; and Freak. Mr. Warden is an active member of San Luis Obispo Lodge, 0 F O. 1.11 s, and of the Woodmen of the World. After the death of OF Tihver, He became vice-president and manager of the H. M. Warden Co., med y degosto, it's operations with fine business ability. No citizen of the MUL a more Slicitous for its welfare than is Mr. Warden, who has won 1 00 For thoself and is building wisely and well. Like his parents, Jr 1 9 2 \ iden and Mrs. Queenie Warden, he is interested in every- odt ton 00 promote the welfare of the county and the people, and mends who appreciate his sterling qualities of manhood.

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MICHAEL W. PHELAN .-- The son of one of the pioneer famines p San Luis Obispo County, and a man who has entered into the active aGap- of his native section, as well as maintained the most helpful participation pv the progress of the state, Michael W. Phelan, of Los Berros, was born un the old home place two miles north of Cambria, October 12, 1864. Ile at tended school in the building that had been erected by his father for use as a schoolhouse, one of the first common schools started in the county , and after finishing the course, he went to Oakland and took supplementary work in St. Mary's college, graduating in 1885.

After that he returned to his father's ranch and, under his direction. learned the details of a successful farmer's life. Dairying and stock raising were the principal industries, and in 1894, with a brother-in-law. 1. Me \]- ister, he engaged in the stock business on Carissa plains, renting property consisting of 5,500 acres, on which the "painted rocks" are located. There for sixteen years he did business on a large scale, when he and his partner sold the lease to the Miller & Lux corporation.

In 1906, Mr. Phelan bought five hundred acres near Los Berros, settled on his purchase and, leasing one thousand acres of the Dana tract and three thousand acres from Mrs. Kate Bosse, engaged in the stock business with growing success. Besides doing well financially, he has built up a reputation for fair dealing and good management, and today is one of the well-known stockmen of the county, being an expert judge of cattle who is often sought to pass judgment on stock. Mr. Phelan is interested in the home estate and in other tracts in various parts of the county.

At Los Berros, April 18, 1900, occurred the marriage of Michael II . Phelan and Miss Mary C. Donovan, a native of Monterey county, and they have three children-Dan J., Donald W. and Cyril .A. M. Phelan.

ALEX STIRLING COOK .- In the life of this successful citizen of San Luis Obispo County are illustrated the results of perseverance and energy. coupled with judicious management and strict integrity. lle is a citizen ot whom any community might well feel proud. He was born March 20, 1861. in New Mills, N. B., a son of Alex Cook, who was born in the Island of Arran, Scotland, and with his father, John, migrated to St. Johns river. N. B. John Cook was a sca captain and master of vessels plying between the British Isles and different ports of the world in the merchant marine strong He was an officer in the British navy and lost a leg in an engagement, stod died in New York after his retirement. Alex Cook was a lumberinso mn New Brunswick and manager of a large mill at New Mills. He sailed from there in 1867 for San Francisco; and coming to Cumbria, San Luis Obi-for County, engaged in the cattle business with two of his sons, later retiring to San Luis Obispo. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and in Ves Brunswick had been supervisor for year . He marriedl Mary Ferguson. native of Arran, Scotland, whose father brought the family to New Brunswick. where he died on his farm. She died in San Luis Obispo, and was to mother of nine children, seven now living.

Alex Stirling Cook was reared in New Mill- until five years of age In 1867 he was brought by his parents to Cambria, Cal, by want to l'anno He grew up on the stock ranch, and was educated in the publi a load , amil also attended the Lytton Springs College in Sonoma county, groinating lo

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1881. He then returned to the ranch and worked with his brother Neil ; and with him he later took over the home place and continued the stock business. They ran a dairy of seventy-five cows on the seven hundred eighty acres in Harmony valley. The herd were shorthorns, mixed with Jerseys. They panned the milk, skimmed it by hand, did their churning by horse power and worked the butter into rolls, shipping it to the San Francisco and Los Angeles markets. In 1898. Alex Cook sold out to his brother and started business inde- pendently in Green valley, renting the James Taylor ranch of six hundred acres and running a dairy of one hundred cows, with improved facilities. He had a separator, and churned by steam. He shaped the butter in squares and cubes, averaging therefrom nine hundred dollars income a month for nine months of the year. He raised beef cattle and hogs, and ran the dairy very successfully. In 1911, he sold out and located near Paso Robles; where he bought ninety acres on the state highway four miles south of town. There he is raising alfalfa, and has an orchard, and one of the best-equipped pumping plants in the county, with nine hundred gallons capacity per minute, lifting water only sixty feet from an eight hundred twenty-five foot well. All of these improvements he has made since he purchased the place. He also has a new residence, with all modern conveniences. Twenty-two acres of the place are set out to Bartlett pears, and the balance is seeded to alfalfa.

Mr. Cook was united in marriage in San Luis Obispo, in 1912, with Miss Belle Gage Walker, who was born in Michigan; and they have one son, John Stirling McDonald Cook. Mr. Cook was made a Mason in San Simeon Lodge No. 196, F. & A. M., the pioneer Masonic lodge in this county, and he is also a member of the Eastern Star chapter. He served as school trustee in the Harmony district for several years. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder. In politics Mr. Cook is a Republican. Ile is alive to the needs of the community and is a supporter of all movements that will build up the county.

WILLIAM HENRY AWALT .- Statistics show that California has drawn a very great share of her population from the Middle States, and Iowa has her share of representatives here. One of the prosperous citizens who have made their success in San Luis Obispo County and claim Iowa as their birthplace, is William H. Awalt, born in Bloomfield, Davis county, on Feb- ruary 22, 1853. His father, William, a native of Tennessee, and his mother, Maria (Nichols) Awalt, a native of Indiana, were married in the latter state on March 28, 1841. The father came to California in 1884, settled in San Diego for a time, and then went back East to Missouri, and in 1888, after Four years on the farm there, again came to California on account of ill Health, and died on August 8 of that year. His wife had died on January 19, 1883. They were parents of nine children.

William 11. Awalt attended the public schools in Missouri until he was isteen years old, worked for his father on the home farm until 1877, and Ofer Started out for himself, moving west to Trinidad, Colo., working on the FEbol and doing teaming for a year from Trinidad to Santa Fe, N. M. Bruine to Missouri in 1878, he engaged in farming and stock-raising on Lamel We Had purchased, and continued until 1883, when he sold out and took Why THE father's farm and carried on the work until 1888.

If they disposed of what he had and came to California, and in the The at the year located near Pismo, San Luis Obispo County, in the Oak

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SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

Park district, purchasing forty acres of land that was covered with brush and scrub timber. He cleared this and also engaged in teaming for eight years. In 1906 he leased his home place and went to MeKittrick, Kern county, where he teamed in the oil fields for three years. Returning to San Luis Obispo, he retired from participation in active business to the enjoy- ment of his well-earned rest.

Mr. Awalt was married on June 19, 1884, to Miss Frances Ellen Brown, who was born in Illinois on May 10, 1868. They became the parents of seven children, all of whom are still living: Thomas 11., Mary E., Nellie, Albert, Minnie, Elsa and Edith. Not having visited his old home in twenty-six years, Mr. Awalt took a trip back to Iowa, Ilinois and Colorado, starting on June 12. 1916, and returning to his home on September 12. He had a very enjoyable time, during which he took notice of the growth and development of that part of the country since he left it for California, an observation, how- ever, that left him more than ever impressed with his adopted home.

OTHELLO CHARLES CONTERNO .- Descended from a long line of military and musically inclined families, and himself a veteran bandmaster and musician, Othello Charles Conterno was born in Iloboken, N. J., June 10. 1868. a son of Octavio D. Conterno, a native of France but of Italian parentage, who brought him to New York, where he was educated in the public schools, and as a musician. The paternal grandfather of our subject was bandmaster in the U. S. Navy on the S. S. "Constitution" and on the frigate "Mississippi." The father served in the Seminole War and was wounded in the Everglades of Florida. When the war in which Garibaldi figured broke out in Italy, he went to that country and fought with that hero's army until the breaking out of the Civil War in this country, when he left Italy and returned to the United States, and took part in that struggle from 1861 to 1865, once being slightly wounded in action. After the war. he was mustered out and received his honorable discharge. At a later period. he enlisted and was bandmaster of the Third and later of the Sixth 1. S. Cavalry, serving through the Indian campaigns, when he left the service on account of his wife's health. Ile resigned at Tucson, Ariz., and then came overland to Los Angeles with wagons and on horseback, taking forty seven days to make the journey. Mr. Conterno settled in Los Angeles and was manager of Agricultural Park several years.

In 1876, at the Centennial exercises in Los Angeles, he led the orchestra and a large chorus of voices. He was professor of music in St Amigeht's College for years. At one time he was mining in Arizona, where he was ely tured by the Apaches; but being familiar with their habits-for at Wache won't kill his prisoner between sunset and sunrise he st le Put and made his escape in the night, finally returning to Los Angeles, where he ag pe word up his work as professor of music at the college. In 1882 he went to Dallamit s teacher and leader, and later moved to San Jose, where he died in 1903 at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a Mason, past post commander of the G. A. R., lieutenant-colonel Union Battlefield Veterans, and past great -schem of the 1. O. R. M. of California, and was connected with other orders His kite was Janette Beese, who was born in New Jersey of German de cuit Mr- Octavio D. Conterno now resides in Los Angeles and is seventy yearsint lec There were seven children in the imily : Julius B. mimns cancer, m Invo county; Othello C., of this review. Norma, Mr. Mariatta, ni Inte

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county , Zola. Ar- Santos, now with the Red Cross in Paris; Stella D., Mrs. Willtimis of Los Angeles; Eugene O., mining foreman in Inyo county ; and Garfield JAmmessa grocer in Santa Barbara.

Othello L Conterno was brought up in different army posts until he was eleven years old, when he accompanied his parents to Los Angeles and was educated at St. Vincent's College, receiving his first lessons in music under his father, and then under various band leaders. Finally he went to San Francisco and entered the employ of W. W. Montague, in his stove house; and there he remained four years learning the different branches. In 1890. when twenty-two, he enlisted as a musician in the Second U. S. Cavalry, joined his regiment at Ft. Walla Walla, Wash., was then transferred to Ft. Lowell, Ariz., and in 1891 to Ft. Wingate, N. M., where he remained four years, and was then mustered out of service and honorably discharged.

Mr. Conterno then joined his uncle, Luciano Conterno, in New York City, filling an engagement of thirteen weeks as a musician, and then went on a concert tour with Conterno's Concert Band until the breaking out of the Spanish-American War in 1898. He enlisted as bandmaster of the First U. S. Volunteer Engineers under Eugene Griffin, and was sent to Porto Rico. lle was mustered out, January 25, 1899. On March 19, 1899, he again enlisted in the 8th U. S. Infantry Regiment, was appointed bandmaster and on his arrival in Cuba served until July 19, 1900, when the.regiment was ordered to proceed to China for the Boxer War. The regiment was sent to Ft. Snelling, Minn., to be recruited, and then proceeded via San Francisco to Nagasaki, Japan, where it awaited orders eight days. Meantime the situation cleared, and they proceeded to the Philippine Islands instead, serving from October 26, 1900, until July. 1902, when they were sent back to the United States at the close of the insurrection.

After returning to this country, he was sent to Seattle and a part of the regiment went to Alaska; but the remainder were at their headquarters in Ft. Lawton, Wash .. and six weeks later they were sent to Governors Island, N. Y .. and remained until February, 1906. They were then transported across the continent and again embarked on transports for the Islands. They were. stationed on the Island of Guimaras, remaining two years, when they came back to the United States. IIe was stationed at Angel Island until 1908, and while there the regiment hiked to Atascadero to attend military maneuvers, tak ne the train back to San Francisco. In 1908, he went to Monterey, and in 1910 mareled to Atascadero again ; and on arrival back in Monterey he had milers to proceed to the Philippines, in March, 1911. Meanwhile the WARution in Mexico started and they were sent to the border instead, and Cleaned there until June, when they returned to Monterey. On February 12. 1012 they started back to the Islands, and remained on the Island of Milyonde the savage Moros, for three years. On August 16, 1915, he malval tromp active service, being given credit for thirty years' service = in . . Men assignments.

Who Me Conterno, in 1908, had purchased a ranch near Paso molho sailed on it after his retirement and began raising stock por os mel de tic meantime he organized the Paso Robles Band, which goobers, and is a splendid organization. It gives concerts in 16 140. Mr -. Conterno became proprietor of the Bon Air in Wwe, 0 00 make their residence, while their son operates the

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

ranch, as he has done for the past seven years. During the Spanish-American War, Mr. Conterno's colonel wanted him to be mustered out with a recom mendation for appointment to a commissioned office ; but he declined.

In New York City occurred the marriage of Mr. Conterno with Miss Annie Wilderson, a native of Denver, Colo., who made the various trips to the Philippines with her husband. While at the post of Camp Jossman, Island of Guimaras, Mrs. Conterno was appointed and served as postmaster for two years at the request of Col. F. A. Smith, now Brigadier General, U. S. . 1., retired. They have one son, Herman B. Mr. Conterno was made a Mason in Hill Grove Lodge No. 540, F. & A. M., in Brooklyn, N. Y. He is a Republican.

VERNON EXLINE .- The environs of Paso Robles and portions of the town itself present many a pleasing and instructive picture, and nowhere will one be better rewarded for visiting this section and tarrying awhile than in the horticultural establishment of the enterprising young farmer Vernon Exline, where the orderly arrangement of everything suggests the orderly, well-trained man. It was on Levi Exline's well-managed place at Paso Robles, on July 4, 1879, that his son Verne, as he is familiarly called. was born. The public schools cared for the lad's education, and the environ ments of home were added to contribute to his development until he had reached his twenty-fifth year.

For nine years he raised grain hereabouts; then he bought two hundred acres adjoining his father's place and engaged in farming, horticulture, and grain- and stock-raising. Adjoining his father's three hundred twenty acre- of land, he owns two hundred acres, about four miles northwest of Paso Robles on Gallinas (Chicken) creek. He has set out sixteen acres to almonds. and thirteen aeres to Bartlett pears, and devotes the balance to the raising of grain and stock.

Independent in politics, he has been unusually serviceable as a trusted and clerk of the Oak Flat school district, while in the circles of the knights of Pythias at Paso Robles, amid the more familiar exchanges of true and tried friends, are displayed to the best advantage the likable qualities of this well-liked gentleman and sturdy pioneer.

JAMES F. CAREAGA .- Among Californians who may feel a particular pride, both because of their participation in the present development of the Golden State and because of their association, through family ties, with ile historic past, is James F. Careaga, a farmer and stockman residing muc miles west of Los Alamos. Ilis father was Ramon 1. Careaga, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this history. Mr. Careaga descends trum in early Spanish nobleman, a native of ancient Castile, who came out te Mes ico as a military officer in the service of the King of Spain The group father was Colonel Satornino Careaga, who led a detachment of Spanish - 10 diers from Mexico on an expedition to Monterey. He served under Capt 00 Munoz, and from him and the Spanish government receive l special reinem tion for bravery in protecting the endangered Mission San Jose

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History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches, Part 65

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