USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 105
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Mr. Sturgeon is one of the sturdy, rugged charac-
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HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.
ters that delight in measuring swords with one who is worthy of his steel. He is like General Taylor, does not know when he is whipped, but keeps firing away.
Mr. Sturgeon is a forcible writer, and, under the nom de plume of " El Cabo," worried the politicians and hungry land sharks very much a few years since.
MILTON WASON,
Formerly Judge of the County Court of Ventura, and a well-known and widely-honored citizen, was born in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, in Jannary, 1817. His ancestry were of Revolutionary stock, one grandfather having been Captain in Washington's army at White Plains; the other was also engaged in that war, fighting at Bunker Hill. Judge Wason achieved a college education, belonging to the class of 1842, at Dartmouth. Teaching school for two years, he then proceeded to Boston, and entered the law office of Phillips & Robbins, and com- pleting the ordinary legal course, was admitted to the Bar in 1846. Mr. Wason came to California in 1849, and sinking the lawyer in the gold-digger, labored for over three years in the mines. From 1853 to 1868 he was a farmer in Solano County, repre- senting the county in the State Senate in 1863 and 1864. He moved to San Buenaventura in 1868. In the latter location he has held the office of County Judge for five years, and was State Senator from Ventura for 1880-81. At present he is Deputy Col- leetor of Internal Revenue. In consequence of his agricultural operations and publie positions, Mr. Wason has never practiced law to any extent. He was married in 1852 to Miss Maria Angelica Borgniss, and the couple have four children.
Mr. Wason has few of the traits popularly ascribed to lawyers, being unassuming and plain in appear-
ance, and blunt in speech, more given to the equities of law than its technicalities. He is deservedly pop- ular among the rural population, probably for the same reason that was urged as the source of Millard Fillmore's popularity with the people, i. e., " he never deceived them." He has a miscellaneous library of several hundred volumes, modern works on the sciences predominating.
WALTER MURRAY
Was one of that class of men from whom heroes are made, whose tremendous motive power is always urging them to action. His career furnishes inei- dent enough to fill a good-sized volume. With a physical development that would stand up to the work his mind conceived, he would have taken the first rank in the nation.
He was a native of England, coming to the United States at an early day, however, so that the charac- ter of American society moulded his in all things. When during the Mexican War it was deemed best to send to this eoast a thousand young and vigorous men to re-mould society, and introduce American habits of business and thought, the novelty of the project enlisted his support at onee, and he secured a position in Stevenson's Regiment, which reached California in time to take part in the closing up of the war. He was with Fremont in his famous pas- sage of the San Marcos Pass, Christmas Day, 1847. He was also in time to witness and take a part in the rush for the newly-discovered gold diggings. He mined a year or two in Sonora, and was associated with Dr. Gunn in the publication of the Sonora Herald, the first paper published in the mines. To his pen principally was due the marked vigor of the paper, which sold, as our information says, like hot cakes, at a dollar a copy. In 1853 he came to San Luis Obispo, studied law, and in due season com- menced practice. He became inevitably a power in politics, making his talent felt in every convention, and was twice elected to the State Senate, though belong- ing to the Whig Party that was then in its decadence. When on February 5, 1874, Judge de la Guerra was compelled to resign on account of his health, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term. His death occurred October 5, 1875, while in office.
To say that Judge Murray had no enemies would be to a great extent wrong. No man of his positive and aggressive character can pass through life with- out evoking opposition, but it may be said truthfully that he died universally respected. He had none of the time-serving, truculent spirit so common among successful politicians, but was Walter Murray always, making warm friends as well as enemies. He had an intellect of the first order, and was never confused or misled by sophistries, which he would brush aside like cobwebs. He was an honor to the Bar and to the State which he helped to build up.
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R. M. DILLARD
Was born in Kentucky, of respectable parentage, one of his relations having been a Congressman. Mr. Dillard was partially educated at the University of Virginia, leaving college before the completion of his course, to join the Confederate Army. He was a member of Forrest's and Wheeler's divisions of cav- alry, and participated in the battle of Chickamauga. On the conclusion of the war, Mr. Dillard studied law with Chief Justice Stykes, of Kentucky, and was admitted to the Bar in 1867. Two years later, he found himself a clerk in the law office of Judge Myrick, in San Francisco, and stayed there a year. At the end of that time he loeated permanently in Santa Barbara. Since his arrival, he has entered into poli- ties to some extent, running as the Democratie nomi- nee for the County Judgeship, and missing the election by sixteen votes. On the death of Judge Maguire, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term, which he did to the satisfaction of all concerned. Judge Dillard is honest, warm-hearted, and impetuous, above anything like intrigue, or bargain and sale, and would commit suicide rather than betray a friend, or do a mean thing, and consequently has hosts of friends and no enemies. He is given rather to advise a peaceful settlement than costly litigation -a babit hardly productive of big fees. He is an ardent lover of nature, taking long walks over the hills. He is also well read up in general literature.
J. T. RICHARDS.
This well-known member of the Bar was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1842. His family is of Welsh descent, but became connected with many of the old families of Virginia, Maryland, and Penn- sylvania by marriage, so that the name is now con- nected with many other stocks. His father's name was John Custis Richards, the middle name being derived from the Custis family that Washington married into Dr. John Custis Richards was highly esteemed, not only for his medical knowledge. but for his scientific attainments, whieb. in view of his duties and labors as a physician, were something remark- able. He accumulated a large library of scientific works, which was entirely destroyed by fire when the rebels destroyed Chambersburg. Young Rich . ards, at the age of seventeen, was traveling in Europe with a tutor and finishing his classical education. After spending three years in Switzerland and Ger- many, he returned, and entered the law school of Columbia College, in New York City, where he grad- uated in 1866, receiving a special prize of $150 for a thesis on municipal law. The Committee on Diplo- mas was Hamilton Fish, Samuel D. Ruggles, Theo- dore Dwight, and other eminent men. He prosecuted his law studies for awhile in the office of Brown, Hall & Vanderpool, of New York. but his health failing, he went to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he alternated the practice of law with editing the polit-
ical department of the Daily Erie Republican until 1868, when he came to Santa Barbara and associ- ated himself with the Hon. Charles Fernald, with whom he remained about seven years. During his residence here he has served the community in various ways, as Mayor of the city, City Attorney. etc. As Mayor he was very efficient in bringing the expenses within the income, and in promoting reforms generally, so much so that there was a general desire for his re-election. He was the editor of the Times (daily and weekly) for many years, and wielded a vigorous and trenchant pen, not always ou the popu- lar side, however, which probably eaused his defeat, when he was nominated in 1879, as the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. During his editorial career be opposed the subsidizing of the Atlantic and Pacific California Railroad, then a very popular projeet. The defeat of the measure was owing to a great extent, to his vigorous editorials. He has an extensive and valuable practice. His name has been frequently mentioned in this volume in connec- tion with the most important events of the county, Mr. Richards is a strong and elegant writer, forming his style after classic models. His mind is eminently judiciary, being by his mental peculiarities better fitted to act as a judge than as a special pleader, and is not what is termed a brilliant orator, though sensible and pleasant in his speech. His logieal powers are too strong to permit his becoming a special pleader, or making brilliant flights in oratory on every insignificant subjeet. He has an elegant home, and is well fixed in the world.
O. L. ABBOTT
Was a lawyer of much prominence in Santa Barbara ten years since. He was a popular speaker and a much respected man for his talents and character. He was prominent in every movement for the im- provement of the city or the development of the country. He was the promoter of the project for colonizing the Santa Ana Rancho, which, however, did not suceeed. It is not known where he is at present.
JUDGE J. D. HINES.
Judge Ilines was born in Ohio on New Year's Day, 1826. Acquiring a common-school education, he began his law studies with Tom Corwin, of celebrated mem- ory, Dan Corwin and Daniel B. Pratt, of Indiana, the great American traveler. He was admitted about 1850, and remained in Ohio mainly engaged in the profession of the law until 1871. During a part of the time Mr. Hines served as conduetor, and after- wards as Assistant Superintendent of the Miami Railway. Leaving Ohio at the last-named year, he eame to Ventura, and engaged in the duties of his profession. As an evidence of the esteem in which he is held, he was elected Superior Judge of Ventura upon the adoption of the New Constitution, with hardly a dissenting vote. The Judge has been Whig and
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HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.
afterwards Republican in politics. Judge Hines is enthusiastic in the study of natural science, and has probably explored the highlands of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties more thoroughly than any other man living, in fact the courses of the streams and ranges of mountains are best known from his descriptions thereof. He is held in high esteem by all who know him. He was married in 1852 to Miss Alice Whinnery, of Ohio. They have two children living.
THOMAS M'NULTA
Is a native of the United States, born about 1848. He is a young man of decided talent, of studious habits and excellent character, and possesses the confidence of the community. He has had charge of some very important cases, and has held the office of District Attorney one term, being elected in 1877. He is a pleasant speaker, though inclined to be impet- uous in argument. When the fires of youth have been subdued, so that he can moderate his labors to a condition that will permit of steady work, he will undoubtedly take high rank in his profession.
B. F. THOMAS
Is a native of Missouri, born February 22, 1846. The Thomas family are of Welsh origin, though in their career in the United States they intermarried among the German race. The family settled in Kentucky in an early day, emigrating from that State when Missouri was attracting the attention of the Kentucky people, with its fine resources of land and navigable water, and from thence to California when young Thomas was but seven years old, so that Cal- ifornia may claim with some propriety the honor of being his native State.
When he had attended the schools of California a sufficient time he studied law with Mr. Tulley, of San José, a noted lawyer and politician, and was admitted to the Bar, January 13, 1874. He located at Guadalupe, and commenced practice. His first prominent appearance as a candidate was in -1874, when Gray, MeNulta, Kincaid, and Thomas were running for District Attorney. The public deeming it unwise to divide the votes of the Law and Order Party and allow Gray to be elected, propositions were made for the withdrawal of all but one of the others, which was not effected, however, though enough votes were concentrated on Kincaid to elect him by a small majority. In 1875, Mr. Thomas was elected to the office, which he filled with credit. He was retained in the case of the people vs. Gray, , on the side of the prosecution. He is still young, of good habits, a thorough student, and being a Democrat is likely to rise in life. He is happily married, and has a pleasant home.
C. A. THOMPSON
Is a son of Alpheus B. Thompson, whose marriage into the Carrillo family is mentioned in the chapter on Spanish families. He is a brother of Frank
Thompson, who was so often elected County Clerk. C. A. Thompson was educated in the Catholic College at Santa Clara, studied law with C. E. Cook, and was duly admitted to practice. He has acted as Deputy County Clerk many terms, and has thus acquired an extensive knowledge of law forms and proceed- ings, which is of great value to him in his specialty of land cases. Mr. Thompson is a quiet, industrious man, making no pretensions to greatness. His con- nection by marriage with the Spanish population has naturally made him their trusted counselor. He married a daughter of J. M. Andonaegui, an accom- plished and beautiful lady. They have several children, who inherit the famed beauty of the old Spanish families, and constitute a happy household.
S. A. SHEPPARD.
Judge Sheppard's native place is the District of Columbia, and his birth occurred in 1824, of English and Scotch-Irish parentage. He was educated in the schools and academy of Georgetown, studied law with William II. Collins, in Baltimore, and was admit- ted to practice in the County Court in Jannary, 1847, and to the United States District Court in 1848. He came to California in September, 1849, via Cape Horn,. and engaged in law practice in San Francisco by December of the same year, after a short time spent in visiting the mines at Bidwell's Bar and elsewhere. Until 1859 he was continuously in practice at the city, meeting professionally such renowned lawyers as Halleck, Billings, Senator Baker, Tracy, John W. Dwinelle, Hall McAllister and others of scarcely less individuality and prominence.
In 1859 Mr. Sheppard left San Francisco and pro- ceeded to Tulare County, and was elected District Attorney, holding the position for two terms. For six years he served as County Judge of Tulare, re- moving in 1876 to Ventura County, which has been his residence since. In 1878 Mr. Sheppard was elected County Judge of Ventura, holding that office until the courts were reconstructed by the New Con- stitution.
The Judge has never been an office seeker, rather declining political honors than otherwise, but his popularity has made him almost uniformly successful whenever he was prevailed upon to enter the arena. He was married in 1848 to Miss M. L. Armstrong of Baltimore, and has had five children.
W. E. SHEPHERD,
The former editor of the Signal, and later an active lawyer of San Buenaventura, was born in Iowa, of respectable parentage which originated in Ireland. He finished his high school studies and joined the Union Army, when nineteen years old. He belonged to Company H, 3d Iowa Volunteers, and remained a private until the close of the war. The regiment was a part of the Army of the Tennessee, and fought all through the various campaigns from Shiloh to Vicks- burg. Mr. Shepherd escaped without a wound, and
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THE BAR.
after the war became Postmaster of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and so remained for five years. He studied law with Philip Myers and was admitted to practice in 1866. He miugled in political matters and became a candidate for elector on the Greeley ticket, canvass- ing Iowa along with Weaver, afterward Greenback candidate for the Presidency. Mr. S. was a delegate to the convention which nominated Greeley. He found the climate of Iowa unfavorable to his health, and emigrating to California fixed upon Ventura as a residence. His connection with the Signal has been mentioned, and it only remains to say that after five years of editorship, he retired from the tripod and began law practice. He has a fine practice in com- pany with N. Blackstock. He was married in 1866 to Miss Theodosia Hall, daughter of Chief Justice Hall, of Nebraska, and they now have a numerous and interesting family. He has an elegant residence in a portion of the town overlooking the surrounding country, and is well situated to enjoy life.
A. A. OGLESBY
Is a native of North Carolina, and at the breaking out of the war joined the southern troops, being a member of Company H, Forest's Cavalry. At the end of the war he was paroled at Gainesville, Alabama, May 1865. He studied law at Lebanon Law School in Tennessee and was admitted to practice in 1868. In that year he immigrated to Missouri where he remained until 1870 when he came to California, locating first in San Luis Obispo. In 1871 he was elected District Attorney of that county and re-elected in 1873 and again in 1875. In 1878 he removed to Santa Barbara where he has since resided.
Mr. Oglesby is the Tom Corwin of the Santa Bar- bara Bar. His funny stories frequently convulse the Bar, the Judge, and also the jury. It matters little whether the joke is on himself, a friend, or an enemy-it must come out. His friends say that he had rather lose a case than a joke. He is genial, obliging, and jolly; has nothing of the morose, sarcastic, or revengeful in his disposition. He is a pleasant speaker though apt to become impetuous and excited. Of course he has hosts of friends as such a man always has.
C. W. GOODCHILD
Is an Englishman by birth, and was educated at a elassieal school. After leaving the school he came to the United States in 1868 and to Santa Barbara in 1876. He studied law with W. C. Stratton who has been so successful in making lawyers. He married in 1876 one of the daughters of Benjamin Foxen and has a pleasant home in Guadalupe.
He is still a student, a hard worker and has life be- fore him, but bids fair to achieve distinction in due season.
DAVID P. HATCH,
The present Judge of the Superior Court of Santa Barbara, has received extensive notice on page 234
of this work, in the general history of the county, but for the sake of preserving the unity of the sketches of the Bar the principal facts in his life will be repeated here. Ile was born at Dresden, Maine, November 22, 1846; was educated at the Wesleyan Seminary, at Kent's Hill, graduating in 1871; studied at the Michigan Law School, at Ann Arbor, and com- pleted his preparatory law studies with Flandrean & Clark, in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was admit- ted to practice in the Supreme Court, March 28, 1872, being soon after appointed City Attorney. Was elected the same year to the office of District Attorney for Otter Tail County, which he held until March, 1875, when he came to California, making his home in Santa Barbara, for which place he was appointed City Attorney in 1880; but in November, of the same year, was elected to the office of Judge of the Superior Court for four years, which position he now holds. Judge Hatch takes life pleasantly, having a cosy home on De la Vina Street. His ac- complished wife, formerly Miss Ida Stilphen, presides over his household and entertains his visitors with inimitable grace and dignity, leaving nothing to be desired in that respect.
ORESTES ORA
Was born in Wayne County, Illinois, in 1857, from old American stock, emigrants from the Western Reserve. He acquired a common-school education and began his law studies in his native State, but be- fore their completion he immigrated to Ventura and finished his law studies with the Williams Brothers and was admitted to practice. Mr. Orr is yet single; is a man of excellent character and of good talents, studious and likely to achieve success in his profession.
JAMES L. BARKER,
A native of Massachusetts, and graduate of Amherst College, class of '61, studied law with the firm of Dean & Saunders, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and came to California in 1869. Since his arrival in Santa Barbara he has held the positions of Town Surveyor and Deputy County Surveyor. Mr. Barker possesses a fine property of abont 300 acres, on which is growing a plantation of twelve acres of euca- lyptus trees. Mr. Barker's name has been frequently mentioned in this history in connection with general topics. His studies are quite diffusive, ranging through law, mathematics, psychology and natural seience. He has also speculated considerably in real estate.
COL. ALEXANDER J. CAMERON
Died in Santa Barbara, Tuesday, December 17, 1877, of angina pectoris. The Colonel was a native of Scotland, born April 5, 1840. Entering the Union Army in the late war, he rose to the rank of Lieu- tenant-Colonel. Settling in Illinois when peace en- sued, he studied law and was admitted to the Bar. His want of health led him to seek the genial elimate of Santa Barbara, and, locating here in 1875, he
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began the practice of his profession, but the seeds of disease were too firmly implanted in his system and he soon passed away.
WILLIAM T. WILLIAMS
Is a native of Missouri, Livingston County, born December 14, 1842. His parentage was highly re- spectable and honorable. His father was an emi- nent physician of Kentucky; his mother was a Downing of Fauquier County, Virginia. A rela- tive of his family saved the life of General Jackson at the battle of the Horse-tail in the Creek War. Mr. Williams was brought to California in 1853, and placed at school at Santa Rosa. Afterwards he studied law under Judge Latimer, ex-Attorney-Gen- eral, and was admitted to practice in 1865; was Dis- trict Attorney for Santa Barbara County before its division, and has been retained in several important cases; is an active debater, usually Republican in politics, but supported General Mcclellan and Dr. Glenn.
B. T. WILLIAMS,
Brother of W. T. Williams, was born in Lawrence County, Missouri, in 1850, and studied law with Judge Ross, of Santa Rosa, in this State. His life has been mostly identified with that of his older brother, their practice being mutual and in partnership. Mr. Wil- liams is a Republican, and was for four years District Attorney of Ventura.
The Williams brothers are each of splendid physical development, standing something over six feet high, and well calculated to win their way where physical strength and endurance are needed. They are ready speakers and have in their appearance a conscious- ness of power that indicates success as the usual result. They are both married, the elder to a dangh- ter of Albert Packard, one of the oldest attorneys of Santa Barbara, and both have children.
LEMUEL CLARKE M'KEEBY
Was born in New York in 1825, of honorable parent- age. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, and engaged in mining with good success in Nevada County. He retired from mining in 1863, and remov- ing to Carson, Nevada, erected works for the manu- facture of sulphuric acid, an article of importance in the metallurgy of silver, and which Mr. McKeeby's previous studies in chemistry enabled him to deal with. Meantime he continued his law studies and was admitted to practice by the Nevada Supreme Court, and on the State's admission iuto the Union he was chosen by the people of Carson as their member to the Legislature. In 1868 he removed to San Buena- ventura and engaged in trade with good success until 1881, when he sold out his commercial interests and entered upon law practice. Mr. McKeeby is a Re- publican, has been connected with the local govern- ment of the place of his residence, and is widely recognized as a responsible, careful and industrious
business man and lawyer. Mr. McKeeby's practice is mostly in connection with mercantile or land matters, he having little love for the wranglings of criminal prosecutions. He is possessed of fine physique, and according to the Latin proverb, " a sound body and sound mind," must, in his case, account for his pleas- ant and cheerful spirit, which emits sunshine every- where.
He is prominent in building up schools, literary institutions, and everything that benefits society. His wife ably seconds him in his beneficent designs. Her maiden name was Miss Caroline A. Sampson, a cousin of the Hon. Owen Lovejoy. They were mar- ried in 1857.
JOHN HARALSON
Is a native of Georgia, and was born in 1854, of respectable parentage. He received a partial col- legiate education at the University of Georgia, at Athens; studied law with James M. Mobley, and was admitted to practice in 1878. The next year he came to California and located at Bakersfield, shortly after removing to Ventura County, and engaging in law business. Mr. Haralson is a Democrat in politics, with strong attachment to Southern habits, society and principles. He is square and honorable in his transactions, maintaining traditional honor of his citizenship. He is a rising young man with a brill- iant future before him.
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