USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches > Part 66
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Born May 1, 1889, one of eleven children, all of whom have grown maturity or at least to promising youth, and most of whom Have had a food measure of success, James Careaga farms with his brother, Bernarda I some two hundred acres, and besides rents out and supervises seven then aul acres belonging to the Careaga estate. James | Care iga mamtano an emm able position as an up-to-date rancher of the coast section
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J. THOMAS JONES .- How affability, as well as experience and enter- Press. may be made an asset even in business, is daily demonstrated by J. Tounos Jones, the extensive farmer and successful merchant of Shandon Messa- born at Berryville, near Eureka Springs, Ark., December 10. 1869; mo since the middle eighties he has been contributing no little to making Serotonand its neighborhood one of the most desirable places of residence in ny of the agricultural sections of the state. His father was James L. Jones, ativebi the same district. who abandoned his farm during the Civil War to velit on the side of his state in the Confederacy, as a sergeant of a company. Le first came to California in 1856, crossing the plains with ox teams; but 0 1859. anticipating the clash between the North and the South, he rushed back East again. In 1873, however, he brought his family to California and wortled on a ranch near Cambria, later removing to Adelaida, where, in 1877, he bought another ranch. Seven years afterward he moved to the Cholame valley and homesteaded a hundred sixty acres, upon which he made exten- -ive improvements. In 1909, he died at Paso Robles. Mrs. Jones, who died on the first of January, 1895, was born in Arkansas, grew up as Miss Cath- princ Emily Smith, and was married in Arkansas about 1853 or 1854. Of the We children born of this union, four grew up and are still living: James H., who is in Arkansas; W. H., who is at Parkfield, Monterey county; Molly, mow Mrs. Rutherford, who is farming near Shandon; and John Thomas Jones, the subject of our sketch.
In 1873, J. T. Jones came with his parents to Cambria, and four years Mer he accompanied them to Adelaida. He attended the public school first wider Prof. Phelps, of Cambria, and then under Prof. Parsons, of Adelaida. Dating completed his studies, he worked one year for Mr. Burnett. In 1884 he Limite to the Shandon country and began riding after the stock and driving big tears. With his brothers, in a firm known as Jones Bros., he was interested in threshing machine the first steam thresher, as a matter of fact, in San Luis Maispo County : and the work of threshing he has followed ever since. In time he secured a combined harvester, and the last few years he has used two -11 h machines, with which he has gathered the crops for his neighbors as well ve for himself.
When twenty -one, Mr. Jones homesteaded a hundred sixty acres of land To the Cholame Hills in McMillan's Canon, which he soon improved and hob op. later selling the same. He then bought his father's place, improved cl oldel to it, sinking a fine artesian well, and planting some eight Ihonderd nichts deres to grain. He also raised horses and cattle. An inci- Tec solar (11 @ the quality of Mr. Jones' enterprise is found in an under- lors ce the brothers rather ont of the ordinary. When he and his brothers To the move at San Miguel, and they noted the want of a hotel there. Har Took . bagelry and ran it for two years while the railroad was being wo ll Having rented and farmed still other land, Mr. Jones, in 1909, wo Ww Loper Bros., and then bought a hundred ten acres adjoin- -room where He now makes his home and headquarters, and where 1 Modi boTero Mmonds, the first in this vicinity.
Fer rus Ofmy Air lines was interested in the Rochdale store, and when Veswe waited. in 1913, he took over the business. With the mi ci trato of daughter, he has since conducted the popular estab- niby Tipo. general merchandise store here. He continues renting
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J.T. Jones.
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lands, farming to grain and raising stock extensively, and he gives part of his attention to the Farmers' Alliance Business Association, of which he is a stockholder.
On November 11, 1892, John Thomas Jones was joined in wedlock to Miss Nancy C. Tomlin, a native of Cherokee county, Kan., and the daughter of George Tomlin, who brought his family to California in 1887, when she was seventeen years of age. He was a broom-maker and, locating in Bakersfield, he established a broom factory there. He now resides in Florida. George Tomlin served as a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. Her mother, who resides with the subject of our sketch, on account of her health, was Miss Mary J. Stockton, a native of Illinois. There were eleven children in the family. The children of Mr. and Mrs. J. Thomas Jones are: Ethel, now Mrs. Hagerman, who is assisting in his store; Clara May, who is in the Paso Robles high school ; and Stillman Edwin.
Mr. Jones has served as school trustee of the Shandon district. Politically, he aligns himself with the Democratic party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Santa Lucia Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Paso Robles, and of the Brother- hood of American Yeomen.
JOHN CARROLL .- A representative citizen of San Luis Obispo and environs, and a progressive man of his locality, John Carroll was born in Tipperary, Ireland, October 25, 1867, and until he was sixteen received his education in the common schools. He lived at home assisting his father up to the time he left for America in 1884. He had a brother and sister in Cali- fornia, located at Lompoc, Santa Barbara county, and that place was his destination when he and another sister left their native land. The oppor- tunities offered in the New World for bettering his condition appealed to the young man, and he did not linger in his home country very long after making his decision.
He had no money on his arrival here, and so was compelled to go to work at any honest employment that offered, and he spent the first three years in this country working on his brother's dairy ranch near Lompoc. He learned the dairy business and became acquainted with the ways of the country, and soon took up work on the wharf, loading and unloading the vessels that docked there. This was continued for three years, and he then spent a year making cheese for his brother. In 1892, we find him a resident of San Luis Obispo County and employed on the ranch owned by his aunt, Mrs. Kate Donohue. He saved his money and rented a place of one hundred eighty acres, which he now owns; and there he planted barley and farmed. In 1906 he bought the old Kelly place of five hundred acres. From time to time he has added land, until he is the owner of six hundred eighty fine acres, upon which he raises beans and barley with great success.
Mr. Carroll was united in marriage with Miss Frances T. Roselip. a native of San Luis Obispo County, and they have five children : John Jr .. Dennis, Emmett, Catherina and Evelyn. In politics, Mr. Carroll supports the candidates of the Democratic party. He has served as a trustee of the Edna school district for six years. Ile is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus and of the Young Men's Institute, and a communicant in the Catholic Church. Among those with whom he has business relations, his word is con- sidered as good as his bond.
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L. D. WALLER .- One of the most lucrative and important industries Hey la & come into existence on the Pacific coast during the last twenty Font- has been that of raising seeds of all varieties, and it has attracted men Wir arestudents of nature as well as strong business characters. Of the encorestul seed men of Santa Barbara county, L. D. Waller is among the le-known. He was born in London, England, and received a liberal educa- from illere, where he also took up the seed business and continued it until he jump to this country to extend his operations if possible. He first stopped it Ses Brunswick, and soon after went to Boston, where, in 1906, he began Frugt seed business.
Desiring to start a seed-farm for himself, Mr. Waller came to California 108 and looked about for a location for a time until he decided that the sematom about Guadalupe offered the proper advantages. He worked for Mit- for three years in various places, and in 1912 interested other parties auf under the copartnership of L. D. Waller & Co. leased fifty acres of Low adjoining Guadalupe to grow sweet-pea seed, besides cultivating numer- mmeother varieties of flower seeds. The next year their business doubled and from time to time they increased their acreage until they now have about three hundred acres under a high state of cultivation, and grow almost every Land of flower seed.
The Waller Seed Company do a wholesale business and have over six foundred different varieties of flowers on their ranch, specializing in sweet- Dea growing. It is interesting to note the recognition given the firm's enter- price when they were awarded the silver gilt medal of the National Sweet Pea Solet: of Great Britain at the exhibition of the American Sweet Pea Society h Mat the Panama Pacific Exhibition, San Francisco, June 11. 1915, for their theple. of Spencer sweet peas. Mr. Waller is a public-spirited citizen and a unter of all movements for the upbuilding of the country surrounding his h-tite section. He keeps abreast of the times, and is one of the best-posted mehamn lits line of business in this section of the state.
JEFFREY PHELAN AND JEFFREY WILLIAM PHELAN .-. \1- Durch during the period of the early fifties California attracted many men udechnul reputation, it has been the glory of the state that it also attracted Targul of young men, sturdy of frame, upright in life and honest in every 100 0 10 To this latter class belonged Jeffrey Phelan, who was born in holy Waterford, Ireland, August 13. 1824. He left Ireland in 1851, landed y York, then went to Covington. Ky., where he stayed five months. 0 0 Dage geht to Salem. 11 .; and for three years he found work in the In capoler, 18: 4, he landed in San Francisco and went at once to Sutter's Rodas county, and mined for another three years. In 1858 he took w Pela. renewed home acquaintances for four months and Witwi-co in August. 1858; and coming to San Luis Obispo - Do di of t lanch two miles north of Cambria.
Www er was married, in 1858, to Miss Alice Hearn, a native of Oh land, and they had three sons and three daughters. boffo: William Phelan. Ile and his wife were the first " lo astytion, before Cambria was started, and their oldest plot child born there. Mr. Phelan helped build the at Then we llis ranch contains seventeen hundred acres,
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and he had a dairy of two hundred cows, besides owning about four thousand acres of mountain land. His death occurred on February 5, 1908.
Jeffrey William Phelan was born February 12, 1870, on San Simeon creek, and attended the public school at Cambria and also St. Mary's College in Oakland. When he returned home, in 1893, he went to work on the ranch with his father, and after the latter's death, in 1908, he and his brother, Richard, took charge of the home place and have since managed it for the Phelan Land and Cattle Co., incorporated after his father's death. They have engaged extensively in dairying and the stock business and have met with good financial success.
On November 24, 1899, Mr. Phelan was married to Miss Irene Dodson, who was born on Santa Rosa creek. In politics Mr. Phelan supports the candidates of the Democratic party.
ERNEST F. CESMAT .- The republic of France has given to the United States many of her best citizens, men who have become very successful and influential in the various localities in which they have elected to reside. California has had her share of these thrifty men, and they have adapted themselves to their surroundings and have aided every movement for the upbuilding of the state. In Ernest F. Cesmat, San Luis Obispo County has a solid, substantial citizen. He was born in Eastern France, near the Alpine mountains, December 11, 1862, and was reared to farm work on the place owned by his father. He attended the public schools of his native place until he struck out for himself.
In 1884, at the age of twenty-two, he came to California to seek his fortune in the land of opportunity. Locating in San Ardo, in Monterey county, Mr. Cesmat worked on a sheep ranch for the first eighteen monthis, and then at harvesting in the grain fields, and later on threshing machines, until he had saved enough to begin for himself. He bought the San Ardo hotel property, rented it out, and later disposed of it at a profit. He also leased one hundred sixty acres of land on shares for two years, and later increased it to three hundred acres, farming to grain.
In 1892 he disposed of all his interests in Monterey county and came to Los Berros, San Luis Obispo County, where he purchased twelve acres of land, and with a team of ponies cleared it of the brush. This he sold, and later rented a place near the depot. Going back to Monterey county, he worked in the harvest fields until he had saved three hundred fifty dollars ; and with that money he came to Los Berros and bought the land he had rented. From time to time he has added to this until he now owns forty acres, which he farms to grain and beans; he also farms rented land near by, and is the owner of a cattle ranch of one hundred sixty acres in the hills, where he raises stock. In addition to this, he and his wife conduct a grocery store, and Mrs. Cesmat was postmaster of Los Berros for eleven years. On his hill ranch he cuts wood for market, and since coming to the county to make his home he has made a success of his operations.
Ernest F. Cesmat was married to Miss Emma Rodriguez, a native of Iowa. and they have two sons: Victor, of Modesto, who is married and has two children : and Raymond, who lives at home.
Landing in San Francisco with just ten dollars in his pocket, Mr. Cesmat has worked hard and is now one of the respected and prosperous men of his locality. He is a Democrat.
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RAFAEL A. MORA. - A native son and a representative of an old Spanish family, Rafael 1. Mora was born in Watsonville, Cal .. April 27, 1870. He was a son of Rafael A. Mora, born in Guadalajara, State of Jalisco, Mexico, whose father came from Spain to Mexico in the pioneer days of the territory of California. Rafael Mora, senior, went to San Francisco as early as 1850, at a time when that place was small and little more than a tent city. He en- gaged in raising hogs on the present site of the town, and when the gold excitement took so many men to Mariposa county, Mr. Mora disposed of his hog business and tried his luck in the mines. But he did not meet with the success he had hoped for, and soon after opened up a meat market in the mining district, where he remained until about 1860. His next move was to Santa Cruz county, where he located at Whiskey Hill ; and in 1874, he came to Cambria. San Luis Obispo County, and settled at the old Keystone quick- silver mine. There he engaged in the stock business and made butter, and met with fair success. He had taken up government land, but did not prove up on it, as he found that part of it was included in the Hearst ranch. He was married, in 1865, to Mrs. Francisca (Cole) Garcia, a daughter-in-law of the late General Inocente Garcia. Mr. Mora passed away in Cambria at a ripe old age, and was much respected by all who knew him.
The subject of this review was educated in the public schools of Cam- bria, completing the grammar school course at San Simeon. He worked in a general merchandise store during the years he was attending school. when it did not interfere with his studies, in order to assist with the support of his mother. Ile also worked four years on a ranch at Pozo for his half- brother. His first move for himself was when he formed a partnership with Albert Juarez, and leased three hundred twenty acres of land, of which they cultivated one hundred forty acres to grain, while the balance was devoted to the stock business. After one year, Mr. Mora sold out to his partner and for a time traveled over various part of the state working for wages and gaining a varied experience.
In the fall of 1897 he came back to San Simeon and for a period of six months took charge of the Bay View Hotel. Following this venture, he bought and soll stock throughout San Luis Obispo County and part of Mon- terev county until July. 1899. He had taken up a homestead claim and proved up on it when he became of age; and this he sold for three hundred fifty dollars. He then opened a butcher shop at Cambria, where he carried on a seressful business until 1914.
In 1909, Mr. Mora, with two others, had purchased the J. C. MeFerson ranch of three hundred seventy acres, as well as the Jack ranch at the head of Santa Rosa creek, consisting of nine hundred ten aeres, both located in 1. vicinity of Cambria. Here they engaged in dairying and stock-raising. 11| 1911 they dissolved partnership. Mr. Mora becoming sole owner of the Jack ranch, which he still holds and where he is engaged in raising cattle, Mes in buying and shipping stock, a business he has followed actively me 1808. He is considered the largest individual stock-buyer in his local- i Kralen Tayn- a ranch of two hundred eighteen acres at Goldtree station Ihr bropa valley, tour miles west of San Luis Obispo, where he resides with The ranch is given over to dairying and raising beans and Ahdie wol is well improved with fine residence, barns and other buildings.
On January 16. 1900. Mr. Mora was united in marriage with Miss Jose- Fire Vantia. a nalive of Cambria, the daughter of Joaquin and Tomassa
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(Vasquez) Cantua, also of old Spanish families and pioneers of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Mora have had eight children : Ralph A. : Alfonso R. ; Frances. now deceased; another daughter also named Frances, deceased ; and Ru- dolph, Lawrence, Lewis and Ramona.
Mr. Mora is a member of Cambria Parlor No. 152, N. S. G. W., belongs to the Foresters of America, and is Past Chief Ranger and now ( 1917) treas- urer of Court Pride of the Forest No. 231 at Cambria. Mrs. Mora is a charter member of El Pinal Parlor No. 162, N. D. G. W., at Cambria. Mr. Mora is a Republican and is a liberal supporter of all public movements that will build up the county and advance the interests of the residents. He is a self-made man, well and favorably known in his community, where he and his wife have a wide circle of acquaintances and friends.
E. E. LONG .- The organizer of the E. E. Long Piano Company, whole- sale and retail dealers in pianos, piano players and talking machines in San Luis Obispo, and the dominating factor in one of the largest establishments of its kind, E. E. Long has made his influence felt in many ways, especially throughout the central coast counties. A native of Ohio, he was born in Cincinnati, in 1864, and was educated in the public schools of that city and in Belmont College. He later took up the study of law and in 1890 was admitted to the bar ; but he never availed himself of the opportunity to prac- tice the profession. He then took up the study of medicine, but not finding it to his liking, decided to go into the mercantile business. For seven years Mr. Long had charge of the wholesale department of the MePhail Piano Company's business in Boston, Mass., and later was identified with the Winter Manufacturing Co. of New York, makers of pianos and piano play- ers, where he had charge of their wholesale department.
Mr. Long was making two trips to California each year in the interests of the factory, and knowing the territory and climate, decided to open a busi- ness of his own. Finding in San Luis Obispo a fine outlook, he started in on a small scale, branching out each year until the territory of the lower half of the state is covered by his traveling salesmen, and a large volume of business is carried on. His stock is valued at $50,000, and includes the standard makes of instruments. The local store is in charge of his son, R. R. Long, who is also a partner in the business. J. II. Slocum is another member of the firm. In San Luis Obispo County Mr. Long has identified himself with the best interests of both city and county, and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Merchants' Association. Fraternally, he is a Mason.
The marriage of E. E. Long with Miss Dora Carrington, also a native of Ohio, united him to a lady of much talent. Mrs. Long is a graduate of Syracuse University and of the Cincinnati College of Music, in both vocal and instrumental courses. She studied with Madam Lund of Sweden, as well as with the best teachers of New York and Boston, and is recognized as a musician of more than ordinary talent. Mr. and Mrs. Long are the parents of one son, R. R. Long.
In the places where they have lived, both Mr. and Mrs. Long have been leaders in social affairs. Their beautiful suburban home and grounds, of eight acres, are located in the Arroyo Grande valley. There Mr. Long has erected a magnificent country residence, modern in every detail and one of the show places of the county. 31
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HENRY TANNER .- That spirit of unselfishness which leads men and Momen to volunteer to go into remote corners of the earth and to face untold døtigers and disease to succor their fellow men, without giving thought to Poli t sure to bring its reward; and this spirit is exemplified in the life wi siis successful citizen of Arroyo Grande. Henry Tanner is a native of Withany, born on the Rhine. He was reared and educated in his native Lundl. and there learned the baker's trade. At the age of eighteen, he left home mel friends and came to the United States. In 1888 he opened the first bak- kry in Arroyo Grande, where for the following ten years he carried on an on pasing business.
In 1898, when the war between America and Spain was imminent, he enfisted as a member of the California Red Cross Society, and saw service in Manila for one year as a volunteer nurse in the Red Cross Hospital. To prepare himself for this vocation, Mr. Tanner studied and took training in San Francisco at different hospitals, observing operations and learning the details of first aid to the wounded, and also attended lectures at Cooper Medical Hospital. As he looks back upon those months, spent in Manila, Mr. Hanner counts them as the most interesting of his career.
Returning to his usual duties after the Spanish-American War, he con- imted to build up a name for himself in AArroyo Grande, and is now owner w the Tanner Opera House and Tanner Hall. For the last six years, he has conducted a moving picture show in the town, and has otherwise contributed to the well-being of the community. He has been in the van of all forward movements, and supports all public enterprises for the development of the county. le has thus made a success, and has prepared well for the future.
HERBERT E. BROOKS .- The proprietor of the oldest commercial almond orchard in the section about Paso Robles and one of the well-posted men on the care and planting of almonds is Herbert E. Brooks. He is well wod favorably known, and is a man who lives by the Golden Rule and whose word is as good as his bond. He was born at Delta, near Rome, Oneida wwwinty. N. Y .. in 1861, and was reared there and went to the public school Until fourteen. His father was Joseph Brooks, who enlisted at the first tap of W drinn for service in the Civil War, served three months and re-enlisted for three years, but was killed in battle soon after. Joseph Brooks also had twwbje thers in the service. He married Sarah Kingsbury, who was born in Vends county, and died in New York in 1915. Grandfather Brooks was in the Wan et 1812, and on the maternal side great-grandfather Newsom was in the
at the age of sixteen, in 1877. Herbert E. Brooks went with an uncle. De ford. to Raw lins county, Kan., and settled on the plains near where the no Job Pin is located. There his uncle engaged in the cattle business, To worked for him. riding the range and trailing cattle into Nebraska, 03004M\ \. caning for years. In 1878, he was in an Indian raid, when 1 0 MM Were killed on the neighboring claims, and he himself had a Mb Jo m a running fight, when he nearly rode into the savages' ( 1891, Mr Brooks' mother joined him in Kansas ; and they home- Wood land on the north fork of the Sappa, and he started in locomo himself, acquiring four hundred eighty acres. Later malo ce frees wird wheat. The county-seat was established at Atwood
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Having heard such good reports of California in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming, he decided to locate here; and in 1893 he came to San Luis Obispo County, where he had a brother-in-law, George Alex- ander, living in Paso Robles. Coming here, Mr. Brooks bought his present place of thirty acres, planted to almonds in 1890, settled on it and has made a study of the business ; and on rented land he raises hay and grain. He has had some very fine crops from his trees, and they bring good prices. The orchard is in the best of condition and very thrifty. Mr. Brooks gives it his entire attention ; and his brands, I X L, Ne Plus Ultra, and Nonpareil, are well known.
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