USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 75
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The winter of 1869-70 was quite dry, and grass- hoppers made their appearance in formidable num- bers, but without doing much damage. On May 30, 1870, a fierce wind-storm, which darkened the sun. pre- vailed. On July 4th a heavy thunder-storm caused the river to rise and break a channel through to the sea. Lightning struck Sulphur Rock, setting the adjoin-
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HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
ing woods on fire. The first religious service was held in F. Holloway's house by a preacher named Williams. In 1870, Judge Thornburgh, since Justice of the Peace, bought of Larkin Cook the place located by the ill-fated Rosenburg.
The winter of 1870-71 was so dry that little farm- ing was done, and the grasshoppers destroyed nearly all that grew. The red spider appeared in such numbers that the wind blew them into piles, and filled up wagon ruts in the roads. This season was remarkable for the abundance of fish which came ashore in large quantities.
Mr. Stowell came into the valley in 1871, and immediately set about planting an orchard, which eventually demonstrated the success of fruit-raising in this section.
On December 22. 1871, J. Holloway was married to Miss Rebecca Miller. This was the first wedding in the valley. The following winter brought plenty of rain, and from that time the prosperity of the place was assured. In 1874, R. D. Cook established the first blacksmith shop. In the same year a Good Templars Lodge was instituted.
The town of Central City was laid out in 1875. From a Grange organization of fifty members had been evolved the Santa Maria Valley Farmers' Union, since disbanded. At the instanec of this society, John Thornburgh, R. D. Cook, Isaac Miller, and Isaac Fesler appropriated the adjoining quarters of their Government claims for a town site one-half mile square. It is ten miles from Guadalupe, two miles from the Santa Maria River, sixteen miles from Point Sal and the Chute Landing, nineteen miles from Los Alamos, twenty-nine miles from San Luis Obispo, and eighty-four miles from Santa Barbara.
The first building was erected in this year, and was used by Miller & Lovet as a store. The post- office was afterward located in the same building. The post-office for this vicinity had been kept at Dana's place on the Nipoma Raneh, and known as the Santa Maria office. Though transferred to Cen- tral City at this time, its official title remained un- changed.
JOHN G. PRELL
Is a native of the Old World, having been born near Leipsic, Germany, April 5, 1838. He early saw the disadvantages one had to contend with in his self- support and advancement in his native land, and had learned of the opportunities offered in the great country across the ocean. With an ambition to be- come something more than seemed possible in the crystallized systems of government and society in Europe, when eighteen years of age, he emigrated to America, pushing westward from his port of landing, and making his home at South Bend, Indiana. There he resided until 1859, when he tried the mining regions of Pike's Peak, or the Territory of Colorado, remaining there but one year, when he came to Cali- fornia, and commenced mining in El Dorado County
After a trial of the mines for the short period of four months, he continued his westward journey to Santa Clara County, and tarried in that pleasant valley the following year. Still remaining unsettled, he next went to Los Angeles, where he passed a summer and returned to Santa Clara. In 1863 he became a citi- zen of the United States, being naturalized in Santa Clara County, and there he remained until 1866. Mr. Prell in 1866 returned to his old home in South Bend. where his first years in America had been spent, and there passed the winter. He then went to Jasper County, Missouri, where he remained one year. While a resident of Missouri he married Miss Eliza Power, and then with his wife returned to Cal- fornia, and to his former home in Santa Clara. So- journing two years in Santa Clara, he came to the Santa Maria Valley in September, 1868, and in November following built, what he claims, the first house in the valley, which is now his home, and is illustrated in this volume. Here he has a farm of 480 acres, which he cultivates in a thorough manner, having it well improved, and with fine prospects for the future.
THOMAS WILSON
Was born in the town of Buckie, Scotland, August 10, 1822. His dear old Scotland remained his home until 1847, when he emigrated to Canada, settling at Kingston, by the borders of Lake Ontario, where he lived for two years engaged as a landscape gardener. In the year 1849 Mr. Wilson moved to Lockport, Illinois, where he engaged in his professional pursuit of gardening, to which he added farming. The Prai- rie State claimed him as a resident until 1853, when, with his family, he wended his way across the plains and mountains to California, settling in Sacramento, where he lived for nearly two years. Then thinking that his fortune could be the quicker gained in the gold mines, he undertook the search for that precious metal in the gulches of Amador and Calaveras Counties. His labor in the mines was rewarded with fair success, but as in the case of most miners, the fortune made in one mine would be expended in another. In 1857 he beeame an American citizen by declaration of the Court of Calaveras County. After continuing his mining operations with varied success until 1868, he removed to Santa Barbara County, locating in the Santa Maria Valley. At that time this beautiful and populous valley was a wilderness, and Mr. Wilson is believed to have erected the first dwelling ever constructed within its limits. This pioneer structure is now his home, and is illustrated in this volume. The site is about one mile from Central City; is pleasantly located, and the improve- ments show thrift and good taste. The farm com- prises an area of 160 acres of choice land, and is cul- tivated with the care and judgment of an expert farmer.
Mr. Wilson was married June 6, 1849, to Miss Anna Maria Quinlon, and ten children have been born to them, five being daughters and five sons.
RESIDENCE & RANCH OF THOMAS WILSON, SANTA MARIA, STA BARBARA CO. CAL.
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JAMES M. M'ELHANEY.
James M. McElhaney was born in Arkansas in 1840; came to this State in 1854, while yet a boy. After quite a varied experience in differ- ent parts of the State, he finally found a resting- place in Santa Barbara County in 1872, where he suc- ceeded in getting 160 acres of fertile land, which, with judicious management, will enable him to live in comfort and ease the rest of his days. A view of his place is contained in this work.
S. M. BLOSSER
Is a native of Virginia, and came to the State in 1850. He has had a varied experience in different parts of the State, since that time, which, if related at length, would make a book by itself. Fortune did not always favor him, but did not so entirely refuse his solicitations for favor as to induce him to give up the effort to get well off. His motto seems to have been "Try Again," and in 1879, he finally located in the pleasant and promising village of Central City, where he is doing a good work in furnishing visitors with food that makes men wise and strong for life's labors. In addition to this, he is also owner of forty acres of the good land in the vicinity of the town.
W. T. MORRIS
Is a native of Virginia, born in 1823. He resided some years in Wisconsin, and then removed to this State in 1869, and to this county in 1873. He is hand- somely fixed on eighty acres of the famous Santa Maria land. A view of his place is included in this book.
RUDOLPH D. COOK
Was born in Clermont County, Ohio, January 19, 1832, remaining in his native home until he was eigh- teen years of age, there acquiring his education and learning the trade of a carpenter. In 1850, he moved to Quincy, Illinois, and there engaged as a clerk for one year. The following year, 1851, he drove an ox team across the plains to California. Arriving in this State, he concluded to try a farming life, rather than to labor in the mines where the people were gener- ally gathering. He therefore located in Sonoma County, his cash capital at the time of his arrival be- ing the sum total of 75 cents. He continued at work and in business until December 5, 1855, when he took the steamer route for the East, arriving in St. Louis in January following. Joining with another as partner, the two purchased a band of 350 head of cattle, and the necessary outfit, and in the summer of 1856, drove them across the plains to California, tak- ing them to Sonoma County, arriving there in Sep- tember. He remained in the cattle business in Sonoma until 1860, when he removed his stock to Tehama County, where he continued in the business until 1865. In that year he moved to Solano County, where he resided until 1869, excepting fourteen months of the period, spent in Sonoma County. In 1869, Mr. Cook came to Santa Barbara County; and since Cen-
tral City has had a habitation and a name, he has been one of its principal and most busy residents. Although a carpenter by trade, he has been princi- pally engaged in farming, having a fine farm of 160 acres adjoining the town, and forty acres within the town plat. In town he has a livery stable, and does a prosperous business, being full of energy and push, and knowing no such word as fail. The handsone residence and the livery stable of Mr. Cook in Cen- tral City, in the Santa Maria Valley, constitute ono of the attractive illustrations in this book. In the early days of his California life, while a resident of Sonoma County, October 12, 1854, Mr Cook was married to Miss Nettie Nelson, a native of North Carolina. Both are fond of society, and their present home in Central City is noted for its hospitality and comforts.
Madison Thornburgh
Is a native of Indiana, born near Hagerstown, Wayne County, October 24, 1835. In that progress- ive and enterprising section, he grew to manhood, receiving his education at the public schools and at the Union Institute, in Randolph County, in the same State. At the age of 23, Mr. Thornburgh mar- ried Miss Ellen MeLucas, a native of Indiana; and in the spring of 1858, moved, with his family, to Dallas County, Iowa, where he lived for seventeen years. During his long residence in Iowa, he was chiefly engaged in manufactures, having a woolen mill and a saw-mill. He also farmed to a considerable extent. In 1875 he came to California, settling at once in Central City, Santa Barbara County, in the fertile valley of the Santa Maria. Mr. Thornburgh was ap- pointed Justice of the Peace shortly after his arrival in Central City, to which position he has since been
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HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
successively elected. He is also largely interested in farming operations, having a fine farm of 80 aeres adjoining the town, and another of 160 acres five miles distant. He is a leading man in public affairs, taking great interest in educational matters. He is clerk of the Board of School Trustees, and through his exertions the district school has been advanced to its present prosperous and high position. Under his management and through his energy, the fine public school building which now adorns Central City, was constructed, and for such labors the people will hold him in kind remembranee.
T. A. JONES & SON, S. J. JONES.
The elder is a native of Indiana, born in 1831, from which place he moved to Wisconsin. He was raised to the trade of a carpenter, but with that versatility of mind peculiar to Americans, he adopted another calling more congenial to his bent of mind, and in company with his son, who is but little past his ma- jority, he opened a store stocked with general mer- chandise, making hardware a specialty. Under a methodieal system of doing business, they are build- ing up a profitable trade, which bids fair to keep pace with the growth of Santa Maria. A view of the place will give an idea of the amount of business trans- acted.
HENRY STOWELL.
In the early stages of the Republic it was eustom- ary to regard Massachusetts or Virginia as the mother of great men. Fifty years later New York disputed for the precedenee, but the seepter has passed from New York, and now Ohio claims to be the mother of statesmen. Though all are by no means statesmen, yet the energy and intellect which ma le Ohio one of the foremost States in the Union generally characterizes her sons whether they plow the prairies of the West or the plains of California. No one acquainted with Mr. Stowell will fail to observe the happy combinations of talent which enabled him to perceive the values of the Santa Maria Valley, and locate in it when land could be obtained at priees now considered insignificant. Mr. Stowell was born in Ohio in 1828, and received the benefits of the school system built up in that State. In 1853, while yet young, he emigrated, making his way to California, where, after a variety of experiences, he settled in the Santa Maria Valley in 1872.
To appreciate the value of the work done by Mr. Stowell, it must be remembered that it is but a few years since the idea of raising fruit in the Santa Maria Valley was considered a huge absurdity. With that independence of thought which charac- terizes the man, he set about the work, and now fruit trees of all kinds, well laden with Pomona's gifts, attest the soundness of his judgment.
He also is farming on an extensive scale, owning 170 acres of excellent land, raising large crops of grain. He is well situated in life, with an interesting and affectionate family, a comfortable and elegant
home, and is well prepared to spend the afternoon of life in taking things easy.
ISAAC MILLER.
An illustration in these pages represents the pleas- ant home of Mr. Isaac Miller, the pioneer of Central City. The brief recital of this gentleman's life ex- hibits the many vicissitudes to which the early set- tlers of California were subject; their struggles and aspirations; their many enterprises and wanderings; rising on the high wave of prosperity and sinking into the trough of the ever-changing waters. Mr. Miller is a native of the old " Mother of States," hav- ing been born in Seott County, Virginia, May 25, 1828. In the year 1844, when he was sixteen years of age, his parents moved to the far West, settling in Miller County, Missouri. There he remained until he became a grown man, when, in 1850, he, with his father, joined the grand caravan that was rushing westward across the broad plains to the golden slopes of the Sierra Nevada. Then Nevada City was the great attraction to immigrants arriving by the north- ern ronte, and there he went and engaged in mining. The first year of his California residenee was spent in Nevada City, when he and his father sought other mining localities, and thus, until the fall of 1853, did they delve in the primeval roeks for gold. He then tried farming, locating on a fine body of land near Healdsburg, on Russian River, Sonoma County. This seemed a slow process to fortune, and after farming for two years he again turned his attention to min- ing, continuing the struggle in California, with the varied sueeess usual in that industry, until 1860, when the great Washoe excitement drew thousands of people over the Sierra Nevada to the silver mines of the eastern slope. Mr. Miller went with the rush, going to Virginia City, where he remained until the spring of 1861, when he pushed out into the desert and to the mountains east of the Humboldt River, where it was expected other Comstock veins of ore could be found. In April of that year Mr. Miller and others were guided by Indians into the Star Cañon, on the eastern slope of the West Humboldt Range, and there discovered the famous Sheba Mine and many others. The reports of these discoveries spread over the country, causing a great exeite- ment. Some of the ores found on the surface were very rich, quantities assaying as high as $16,- 000 a ton. Star City was laid out, and became a city, in fact, with one long main street well filled with fine buildings, costly hotels, elegant saloons, great stores, noisy quartz mills, and a population, floating and resident, of several thousand. That was Mr. Miller's eity, and there he had mines of untold value. In 1863 he built a grand hotel at a cost of $25,000. For a few years the excitement continued, and mining, building, and speeulating were carried on with a mad energy. Through the broad eañon ran a fine stream of sparkling mount- ain water, the lofty Star Peak rose majestically but
RESIDENCE AND RANCH OF ISAAC MILLER, WITH PARTIAL VIEW OF THE TOWN OF CENTRAL CITY, SANTA BARBARA CO.CAL.
RESIDENCE & RANCH OF H. STOWELL, SANTA MARIA VALLEY, SANTA BARBARA CO.CAL
RANCH & RESIDENCE OF GEORGE J. TROTT SANTA MARIA VALLEY SANTA BARBARA CO.CAL
*
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two miles distant, a pleasant view opened to the east, great veins of silver-bearing ore cropped out along the cañon, and all nature seemed combined to favor the locality in grandeur of scenery, healthful climate, and inexhaustible resources, to make the city permanent, desirable, and prosperous. The ores, however, were rebellious; the expectations were too great; the veins were not as rich as the assay of specimens had shown, and in 1867 or 1868 the town declined until it appeared that absolute desertion was inevitable. For a number of years Mr. Miller remained, keeping a store of general merchandise, but when nearly the last had gone he abandoned his home and his hopes in Star City. Only a few lingered after the pioncer had left, and now the long rows of ruined walls, the solitary chimneys, the marks of building foundations, the hundreds of tunnels and shafts in hills and flats, show only where a city has been. The fortunes made had disappeared as they came. Mr. Miller next sought a place of business that did not depend upon the chance of mining, and selected Santa Barbara for his field of future opera- tions. In 1873 he located upon the site of Central City, and there started another town, donating eight lots for others to build upon to made a beginning. His new city is in the Santa Maria Valley, about ten miles east of Guadalupe, with daily mail and all the offices that make a town. His home place is imme- diately adjoining, and he has another farm of 350 acres in the vicinity.
Mr. Miller was married May 29, 1864, to Miss Anna Robrecht, a native of Germany. From this marriage six children have been born, of whom five are living, one daughter and four sons.
In 1875 R. Brown opened a blacksmith shop, F. Newman a paint shop, while the first hotel was erected by Mr. Crosby. It is still in operation, and its proprietor
JOHN ALBERT CROSBY
Is a native of the State of Ohio, having been born at Jefferson, Ashtabula County, April 10, 1840. His ancestor on his father's side was Joseph Crosby, a native of Connecticut. His mother, Mary Hoyt, was born in New Hampshire.
After arriving at the age of fourteen, having acquired a good common-school education, the young man left his home and began the battle of life, and was engaged in different pursuits, until he reached the town of Sparta, Wisconsin. Here he remained two years, following the occupation of a painter until 1857, when he came to the Pacific Coast.
Upon his arrival in this State he sought the mines as the proper avenue to wealth, and made his first location at Columbia, Tuolumne County. Being un- successful in mining, he went to Visalia, and resumed his former occupation, that of a painter.
Here he remained working at his trade until the year 1861, when he removed to San Francisco, and learned the trade of stencil cutting and steel engrav-
ing, which business he followed for several years, having an office on Marker Street. In 1874 he left San Francisco for a trip through Southern California. Arriving in the Santa Maria Valley, he stopped for a few days near the present site of Central City. At this time there was talk of locating the town, and being impressed with the advantages of the location, Mr. Crosby invested in a number of town lots. Here he erected the first hotel, which was a small, one-story building, containing dining-room, kitchen, and four bed-rooms. This has been enlarged from time to time, until it now contains twenty-five rooms, and is one of the many fine buildings in the Santa Maria Valley, a view of which accompanies this volume.
Among Mr. Crosby's earliest steps upon entering the arena of life, and perhaps his wisest one, was in taking a partner for his toils and triumphs, a sharer in his joys and sorrows; he was married December 1, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth Hayward Blaney, of San Francisco.
A Union Sabbath-school was instituted in 1877, by M. Thornburgh and Miss Hattie Allumbaugh. It was afterward merged into the Methodist Sabbath- school.
A Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1878. The Rev. Mr. Stevens, who afterwards became the pastor, was one of the principal movers in the mat- ter. Mr. Thornburgh donated the lot and a liberal cash gift. Among the principal subscribers were C. C. Oakley, H. C. Sibley, R. D. Cook, S. F. Loek- wood, and John Tunnel, who testified to their zeal in the cause by giving 825 each. The society was organized with about twenty members. The first pub- lie school in the town was opened in 1881. J. S. Cur- rier was the first teacher, using the church building for a time. On September 7th, the town issued bonds for $1,000, bearing eight per cent. interest, and payable in 1882 and 1883. With this sum a two-story school house, 24x40 feet, was built. Within one year the school numbered about eighty pupils.
GEORGE JOSEPH TROTT.
The opportunities offered a young man for progress, comfort, and a competency in this pleasant portion of California when intelligence and spirit are supple- mented by industry, enterprise and frugality, are illustrated in the subject of this sketch, whose home forms one of the illustrations of this volume.
George Joseph Trott was born at St. Anthony, Minnesota, February 21, 1853. Minnesota was then a young Territory of the extreme northwest, with a few villages along the Mississippi and other navigable rivers, and in this comparative wilderness Mr. Trott first saw the light. There he remained and grew up, incited to energy and thrift by the example of the busy people around him, who were making the wild- erness into one of the prominent and wealthy States of the Union. In 1870, when but seventeen years of age, he crossed the plains to California. Then the
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HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
immigrant was not compelled to toil many long months with the lumbering ox wagon, keeping con- stant guard against the predatory savage or searching the deserts for grass and water, but the Pacific Railroad was built, and in the flying train, through day and night, over plain, mountain, and desert, the traveler made his easy journey. Thus arriving in California he made his way direct to Santa Barbara County, locat- ing upon the land where Central City has since been built, a pleasant and healthy location in the valley of the Santa Maria, close by the borders of San Luis Obispo County. Engaging actively in farming he there remained until 1876, when he settled upon his present farm, eight miles up the valley of the Santa Maria from Central City, and eighteen and a half miles from Guadalupe. His farm contains 160 acres of fine agricultural land which has been well improved, con- stituting a handsome property. In addition to his farming, Mr. Trott is the owner of one of the most effective steam threshing-machines in the valley, which he himself manages and in which he takes a jut pride. In 1881, he threshed with this machine 57,000 centals, or 95,000 bushels of grain, mostly wheat.
This young and enterprising farmer does not take to himself all the joys and cares of his active life, but shares them with wife and family. Mr. Trott was married in 1875 to Miss Mary E. Oakley, a native of California, and is the happy father of four daugh- ters.
The Santa Maria Times came into existence April 22, 1882, with H. J. Laughlin & Co., proprietors, and S. Clevenger, editor and manager. The stock used to publish it was that of the Guadalupe Telegraph, which paper was discontinued in October, 1881. Mr. Clevenger had formerly been connected with several San Jose papers, and later had been in a job printing- office. The paper is independent in politics, and devoted principally to the publication of local news. It boasts a subscription list of 300, and its columns of local advertisements assure its financial success. A job printing-office is operated in connection with the paper and turns out creditable work.
The Good Templars' organization has flourished, averaging about fifty names on its roll. Its interests have chiefly been promoted by Mrs. M. M. Thorn- burgh, M. D. Miller, and S. J. Jones. Mrs. Emily Pitt-Stevens took it in hand at one time, securing over 100 members in two days.
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