USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 76
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Two miles above Central City on the Foxen place, is a Catholic church. Like theLompoc and Guadalupe churches, it was the result of the earnest labors in 1875, of Father McNally, now of Oakland. Its fur- niture and vestments were derived in part from the dismantling of the old La Purissima Mission. It has one tower, and has its cemetery in the church-yard. The church is called the San Ramon. Here, as at Guadalupe, the very best of feeling exists between the Catholics and Protestants.
REUBEN HART
Is a native of England, having been born at Derby- shire, in the year 1843. His parental ancestors were tillers of the soil. His early life was passed in his native country, where his time was divided between attending school and working on the farm of his father. As yonth ripened into manhood, his ambi- tious nature would not permit him to remain in the quiet paths to which he had been accustomed, but called upon him to go forth into the world, and seek the fortune that lies in store for those who have the hardihood to surmount the dangers and difficulties that beset the paths of the pioneers to a new country. In 1867 he emigrated to California, locating in Salinas Valley, but finally settled in Central City, where he has since remained. Mr. Hart is the inventor of an adjustable gang-plow, which admits of from two to six plows being used as the occasion may require, and is now manufacturing them to a considerable extent. Persons who have seen a gang-plow bury itself in a knoll or skip a hollow, will readily appre- ciate the importance of the invention. Within a short time after this article was put on the market 300 or more were in use, giving entire satisfaction. Mr. Hart's business at Central City consists of a ma- chine-shop, with three forges, a department for making and repairing wagons, and then the machine-shop proper, containing a twenty-horse-power engine, with turning-lathe, several circular saws, a boring-machine, and a full set of tools for fitting water-pipe, besides one of the latest improved rolling-mills for crushing feed barley. Mr. Hart besides having considerable town property, is the owner of the water-works which supply the town. He was married January 1, 1879, to Mrs. Harriet Sharp. Their home, of which a sketch is given in this volume, is comfortable and neat, surrounded with vines and shrubbery; he also rents several cottages, which, in connection with his business, is rapidly making him independent.
JAMES F. GOODWIN
Was born in Nebraska, near where the city of Omaha is situated, and is probably the first white child born in that vicinity. His ancestors were of German and English descent. His father was a native of Tennessee, and was one of the first settlers in Nebraska, migrating to that State in 1853. His mother was a native of Missouri. In 1856 James came to California with the family, he being then one year of age. Their first location was in Lassen County, where they remained a few months. They moved to Solano County in 1857, and in 1858 returned again to Lassen County, and remained until the following spring, when they were driven away by the Indians, and once more returned to Solano County, where they engaged in farming and stock-raising unti! 1863.
After the death of the mother in 1863, who left five children, four girls and one boy, the family
GOODWIN & BRYANT DRY GOODS & GROCERIES
POST OFFICE
GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORE & POST OFFICE OF GOODWIN & BRYANT SANTA MARIA STA BARBARA CO. CAL.
R.D. COOK.
FEED & LIVERY STABLE.
RESIDENCE, FEED & LIVERY STABLE OF R. D. COOK, CENTRAL CITY, SANTA BARBARA CO. CAL.
BILL HUDSON
STARLE
FASHION STABLE" J. W. HUDSON PROPR. GUADALUPE SANTA BARBARA CO. CAL.
F. & A.M.
GROCERIES & PROVISIONS
KREIDEL & FLEISHER GENERAL MERCHANDISE
STORE & AGENCY OF WELLS FARGO & CO.S EXPRESS, KREIDEL & FLEISHER, CENTRAL CITY, STA MARIA VALLEY, SANTA BARBARA CO. CAL.
319
THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTY.
removed to Lake County, still pursuing farming as an occupation.
In 1869 the family removed to Los Angeles County, where the subject of this sketch continued his educa- tion by attending the public schools, and also in at- tending one term at Willson College, Wilmington. After leaving college he engaged in various occupa- tions until 1876, when he was employed one year by H. M. Newhall on the Todos Santos Ranch. In 1877 he visited Santa Maria Valley as agent for R. J. Trumbull & Co. Here he decided to remain, and during the following spring opened a variety store. He also engaged heavily in the raising of fruit and eucalyptus trees, having planted in all over 40,- 000 trees in different parts of the valley, which mate- rially helped to develop and beautify the country. Mr. Goodwin is the present efficient Postmaster at Central City.
EMMETT T. BRYANT
Claims Minnesota as the place of his nativity, and was born November 3, 1857. His parents were farmers, and of old-time Puritan stock. At six years of age he removed with his parents to Washoe, Nevada, and after living there two years. came to California, and settled in Napa County.
He received a good education in the common schools, and also by attending the Santa Ynez College under the tutorage of Father McNally, now of Oak- land, where he completed his knowledge of the com- mon branches. His education was finished by attend- ing the Pacific Business College at San Francisco, where he remained four months. In 1869 he came to San.a Maria, where he has since resided, and now in company with Mr. Goodwin is engaged in mer- chandising. He was married April 26, 1682, to Miss Laura Sharp, a step-daughter of Robert Hart.
A view of the business place of Messrs. Goodwin & Bryant will be found in this volume.
SAMUEL KRIEDEL.
The subject of the following notice is a native of the Old World, having been born at Cracow, Austria, in the year 1854. He remained in his native country until he reached his eighteenth year, and during that time received a common-school education, and be- came thoroughly conversant with business in a practical way, his education being supplemented with a course of training in a counting-room. His father was a dealer in, and manager of, real estate and other property. In 1872 Samuel came to the United States, and located in New York City, where he had relatives living, one of whom, Jacob Kriedel, is owner of an extensive silk and velvet wholesale store on Broadway. He remained here four years, and in 1877 came to California and located at San Luis Obispo, and after remaining there two years he went to Central City, and engaged in business, in company with Jonas Cassner under the firm name of Cassner & Kriedel, which continued until the elder
member of the firm was succeeded by Marks Fleisher, when the firm name became Kriedel & Fleisher.
Mr. Kriedel was married August 31, 1879, to Miss Pauline Harris of San Francisco. As a result of this union they have had two children, one of which died in 1882. They have an elegantly furnished house which is pleasantly situated, at Central City.
MARKS FLEISHER
Was born in Cracow, Austria, August 26, 1852, of respectable parentage. He received the benefits of a common school to the ago of eleven, when his parents immigrated to California, and settled in San Bernardino County, where he received such additional education as the country afforded. Leaving school at the age of fifteen, he began merchandising with his father.
In 1867 he went to Los Angeles, and was engaged in a store with S. Hellman, an extensive dealer in fancy goods at that place. Remaining there about one year, he returned to San Bernardino, and engaged in the services of Jacob Rich, remaining with him three and a half years. In 1872 we find him in the employ of Blochman & Co., of San Luis Obispo, engaged as head salesman of the establishment, which position he occupied until 1879, when he came to the town of Central City, and formed the present partnership.
Kriedel & Fleisher have a general merchandise store, containing all kinds of goods generally found in a country store. They are Wells, Fargo & Co's agents, and also do business for several insurance companies, besides acting as agents for the purchase of all the heavier agricultural machinery.
Their stock of goods generally reaches $12,000 to $15,000, and is likely to keep pace with the wants of the growing country around them. They are heavy dealers in grain and wool, making cash advances for the accommodation of their patrons.
The upper part of the store in which they are sit- nated is used as a Masonic Hall, and a large ware- house adjoining the store is generally filled with the heavy goods and unbroken packages. By strict attention to business and fair dealing they have increased their business to such an extent that twice they have had to enlarge their buildings, and con- template still further improvements.
Mr. Fleisher was married, February 19, 1882, to Miss Rachel Barnet, of Santa Cruz, daughter of S. Birnet, one of the pioneer settlers of that place.
The village now contains, in addition to the above, two ho els-the Central City, A. B. Crosby; the American, Charles A. Lewis; one livery stable, A. B. Crosby; one feed stable and camping-yard, R. D. Cook; three general merchants-Kriedel & Fleisher, its pioneer traders; Kaiser & Bro., commission mer- chants and general merchandise; Goodwin & Bryant, general merchandise; J. F. Goodwin, Postmaster;
320
HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
one hardware store, T. Jones & Son; two blacksmith shops, two meat markets, one barber, two paint shops, one restaurant, two saloons, two other stores for the sale of general merchandise, two drug stores, an undertaker, one variety store, two harness shops, one tin shop, one milliner's shop, and two boot and shoe shops.
The professions are represented by one elergyman, two lawyers, one dentist, three doctors and a Justice of the Peace, M. Thornburgh.
The town has a population of about 350 inhab- itants. Among its leading business men, in addition to those given above, are L. Uttey, F. Herting, H. H. Harrison, Robert Braun, M. Thornburgh, and a number of new arrivals, who are adding to the importance of the town.
ROBERT BRAUN
Is a native of Germany, born at Sonneberg. in the Duehy of Saxe-Meiningen-Hildburghausen, June 9, 1845. In the Fatherland he grew to manhood, receiving the education the schools of the country afforded, and there also learning the trade of black- smithing, the most important part of his education, as with it he has been able to travel and maintain himself in strange lands. At the age of twenty-one he left Germany for the United States, and for four years resided in Maryland, where he worked at his trade.
In 1870 Mr. Braun came to California, by steamer, via Aspinwall and Panama, landing in San Francisco late in April of that year. There he engaged at blacksmithing and worked two years, when he crossed the bay and for three years worked at his trade in the city of Oakland. Desiring to try various locations, and to see different parts of the State, he visited Sacramento, Napa City, and other places, working at his trade in each, and finally, eoming to Santa Barbara County, in the spring of 1875, he located at Central City, and there established the first blacksmith shop in the town. Here Mr. Braun has since resided and maintained his business, pros- pering with the growth of the town. The black- smith, as he is indispensable to the farmer, is one of the most popular of the mechanics of the country, and flourishes accordingly. Mr. Braun has estab- lished a fine business in Central City, where he has a good shop and a pleasant residence adjoining, which is shown by an illustration in this book. He was married in 1879 to Mrs. Elise Cramer, a native of Germany.
PROSPERITY.
Central City is growing like a mushroom in rapidity, and like an oak in permanence. This is due to the rich section of country surrounding it, and to the new railroad, the San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria Valley Narrow-Guage, which passes through it, giv- it rapid communication with Los Alamos on the south, and San Luis Obispo and Port Harford at the north, from which latter place grain is shipped direct
to foreign ports. A half a million grain sacks were sold there last year, most of which were shipped filled with grain. Good water is abundant in wells from sixty to ninety feet deep.
The vicinity of Central City is essentially an agri- eultural one. All the staple commodities of this section sueceed well there, though corn thrives better farther up the valley. All kinds of vegetables are raised, including the sugar beet, which is generally a paying crop. The price of farming lands ranges from $15.00 to 840.00 per aere.
The valley at this point is well adapted to the culture of fruit trees, when proper methods are pur- sued. The trees should be allowed all the moisture that the ground contains, nothing being planted between them. There are a number of orchards four to six years old in this vicinity and above, that gen- erally succeed well. Mr. Nance has one of the oldest orchards in the valley, being now six years old. It bears full without a wind-break. In Mr. Stowell's orehard are found plum, apple and almond trees, six years old, six and eight inches in diameter; peach trees, three years old, four inches in diameter; and gum trees, four years old, twelve inches in diameter. The orchard bears all that the trees ean hold up.
CHARLES BRADLEY. .
Among those who have made their own way in the world and achieved the fortune that is the aspira- tion of all ambitious men, the gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is conspicuous. He is a native of England, born at South Wingfield, in the county of Derby, in 1839. The first twenty-nine years of his life was spent in his native town; there he was married, and there five of his children were born. In 1868, he, with his family, came to America, first settling in Salinas Valley, but remaining there only a few weeks. Continuing southward, he made his residence in the Santa Maria Valley, living with his uncle four years, when he purchased the farm where he has sinec made his home, three and a half miles from Central City, a view of which is published elsewhere in these pages. The farm contains 2,500 acres of land, of which 1,200 are well adapted for tillage, and the remainder is excellent grazing land. On this fine estate Mr. Bradley earries on the business of farming and wool-growing on a large scale and in a thorough manner. His place is well improved, and all its appointments are proof of the care, industry, and business ability of the owner.
Mr. Bradley was married April 5, 1857, in South Wingfield, England, to Miss Elizabeth Booth. By this marriage eleven children have been born, of whom two are sons and nine daughters, all living. One daughter, Mary Jane, the eldest, married Mr. Thomas Tunnel, November 28, 1879. Another daugh- ter is also married. Mr. Bradley attributes much of his success in life to the aid of his family, and, together, they have won a competeney of which they may well be proud.
SHEEP SHEARING
BARN
RESIDENCE AND RANCH OF CHARLES BRADLEY, SANTA MARIA, SANTA BARBARA CO.CAL.
RESIDENCE & RANCH OF GUILLERMO J. J. FOXEN, TINAQUAIC RANCHO, STA BARBARA CO. CAL.
321
THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTY.
TEPUSQUET RANCHO
Is carved out of a region of Government land which surrounds it on all sides but the southeast, where it joins the Sisquoc. It contains 8,900 acres (U. S. patent), and lies in the upper part of the Santa Maria Valley. It consists of low, rolling hills, the approaches to the lofty Sierra de San Rafael, which lies to the East. The cereals are cultivated to some extent, but stock-raising is the principal industry. On March 1, 1881, 200 horses, 200 cattle, and 250 sheep browsed over its rugged surface. The rancho is the property of the Foxen Brothers. A stream of water, which rises to the north of the rancho and flows south into the Santa Maria, furnishes ample power for any enterprise that may need it.
THE SISQUOC RANCHO
Lies at the very head of the Santa Maria Valley, and extends back eight to ten miles into the hills. To the northwest lies the Tepusquet, and to the south the La Laguna and the Tinaquaic Ranchos. Government land forms the remainder and the greater part of the boundary. It comprises 35,- 485.90 acres of land, mostly rolling country. The cereals are, however, an item of production. The stock upon its thousand hills are the chief interest. In the year 1877, it was in the possession of J. B. Stone and Parsons. In the spring of 1881, 19 horses, . 660 cattle, and 4,200 sheep fed upon the rank grass and oats indigenous to the soil.
On August 11, 1875, Mrs. Julia Holloway was the heroine of an encounter that was a remarkable example of feminine nerve and pluck. She was going up the creek, about eighty yards from her house, after some clothing that she had hung out to dry, when she was confronted by an extremely large and ferocious wild-cat. The cat, without any ceremony, attacked the lady, when a very fierce conflict took place. The cat jumped upon Mrs. Hol- loway with the evident intention of chewing her to pieces, but he found himself determinedly seized by the throat, and by sheer strength of will and muscle borne to the ground, in which position Mrs. Holloway managed to hold him with one hand, while with the other she succeeded in seizing a stone, with which she beat out his brains, the cat in the meantime clawing and biting the lady badly. Her skirts, how- ever, proved very efficacious in protecting her limbs from his terrible scratching.
TINAQUAIC RANCHO.
This rancho is nearly rectangular in area, three miles by five miles, lying at the head of the Santa Maria Valley. It contains approximately two leagues of land. Passing through it diagonally from the northwest to the southeast corners is the main county road connecting the Nipoma Rancho with the Gaviota Pass and Santa Barbara. To the north lies the Sisquoc Rancho, to the east and south La Laguna, to the west Government lands taken up
by settlers, while its south west corner just touches the northeast point of Los Alamos Rancho. It was granted originally to Victor Linares, May 6, 1837, and confirmed to Wm. D. Foxen, the title calling for 8,874.60 acres. From Foxen it passed into the possession of Fred Wickenden, his son-in- law. Its surface is hilly, but large tracts are sown to grain every year. Stock-raising is by no means superseded, as the following statistics, taken in the spring of 1881, will show: Upon the rancho at that time grazed 60 horses, 500 sheep, and 1,200 cattle. First-class water-power awaits the manufacturer.
It should be remarked with reference to all these ranchos that they do not retain their original bound- aries and acreage as given here, but that they are disintegrating constantly, tracts of various sizes being broken off for the benefit, mainly, of the farmer. It is a question of time, only, when all the tillable land of this part of the county shall be in the hands of the grain-raisers and the orchardists.
THE FOXEN FAMILY.
Persons having occasion to visit the part of the county containing the three last-named ranchos, will find numerous well-to-do people bearing the name of Foxen-children, grandchildren, and even great- grandchildren of the old patriarch Foxen; also, some of his grandchildren bearing other names.
. WM. DOMINGO FOXEN,
Also known as Benjamin Foxen. The first name was given him on his baptism into the Catholic Church, in place of the latter, which was his bap- tismal name in the place of his nativity, the Catholic custom requiring a change of name in case of a renunciation of any other church. He was born in Norwich, England, in 1798. He commenced a sea- faring life in the British Navy while yet a lad. Afterwards he entered the merchant service, and was gradually promoted until he became first officer. In this capacity he visited many parts of the Old World, and finally the islands of the Pacific Ocean. At the latter place he met Capt. A. B. Thompson, afterward a resident of Santa Barbara. Captain Thompson, who was in the hide and tallow trade between California and Boston, wanted a first officer, and Mr. Foxen resigned the situation on the English merchantman to go into the service with him. He reached Santa Barbara in 1820, and, like many a man who saw the beautiful country and still more beautiful women, he desired to stay. He went into the employ of Captain Noriega, and built a schooner at the little bay, since then called, therefrom, the Goleta. The timber was brought from the San Mar- cos Rancho across the mountains, with immense labor, but it was finally put together and launched, and did very good service in the trade between Upper and Lower California, he acting as commander. By this time he had given up all thoughts of return- ing home, and, following the usual custom, sought
322
HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
WILLIAM DOMINGO FOXEN.
MRS. WILLIAM FOXEN.
a wife among the graceful señoritas. There was one obstacle; he was a Protestant, and the laws of the Catholic Church prohibited marriages with unbe- lievers. He bridged over the chasm by becoming a Catholic. His name was changed from Benjamin to William Domingo, and all went merrily with him. He married Edwarda Ozuna, of the town of Santa Barbara. He was granted a tract of land, called the Tinaquaic, of two leagues, or about 8,880 acres. Here he had a numerons family of sturdy sons and daughters who are among the foremost citizens of Santa Barbara. One daughter married C. W. Good- child, an attorney of Guadalupe; another, F. Wick- enden, and another, John R. Stone, of Ohio. He died, February 19, 1877, leaving a large posterity of children, grandchildren, and great. grandchildren. The sons have the father's enterprising character, and are all well-to-do in the world.
The elder Foxen was sturdy, fearless, and honest, more inclined to assert his rights and maintain them by force than to appeal to the law for redress. If he sometimes overstepped the boundaries established by the rules of refined society, he also had his corre- sponding virtues, unknown to the denizens of cities. As a sample of the confidence reposed in him, it is related that on one occasion when he was in charge of the Sheriff, on his way to San Luis Obispo, the two hunted bears on the trip up the coast. To appreciate his virtues, and give due credit to his motives, we must see him surrounded by the dangers
of frontier life, where his own will was the only law, and his physical prowess his only protection.
On the death of the elder Foxen, the estate was divided, to some extent, among the family, though some of the sons have established themselves else- where. Four of the sons have illustrations of places in this volume; also, one illustration of a place for- merly the property of John R. Stone, deceased, now occupied by the widow, a daughter of the elder Foxen. From the best information attainable, he left ten children-seven sons and three daughters.
GUILLERMO J. J. FOXEN
Was born, March 19, 1833, in Santa Barbara, where he lived until 1839, when the family removed to the Sisquoc Rancho. He is a stock-raiser by occupation grazing 800 acres of land. Like all the region where the Foxen family reside, the country is com- posed of hill and dale, the live-oaks giving the val- leys the appearance of an old, well-kept orchard. The beauty of the country cannot be depicted on paper. One must see for himself the green hills of the spring season change to the brown hues of sum- mer before they can appreciate the love the Foxens have for their places. A view of his place is given in this book.
THOMAS F. FOXEN.
Like the others of the family he has retained some of the ancestral oaks, which in England, where the Foxen family formerly resided, were regarded as
RESIDENCE & RANCH OF THOMAS FOXEN TINAQUAIC RANCHO STA BARBARA CO. CAL.
F. WICKENDEN
RESIDENCE, RANCH AND STORE OF FRED. WICKENDEN, TINAQUAIC RANCHO, STA BARBARA CO. CAL.
323
THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTY.
almost indicative of the owner's force of character. While retaining the oaks, he has also cultivated the less stately but not less useful fruit trees, which make the home still more attractive. He was born the 9th day of March, 1852, in the town of Santa Barbara, living there until he was five years of age, when he removed with his parents to his present home. He is engaged in stock-raising, graz- ing 1,200 acres of land. He was married in 1878, to Miss Adelina Botilla. They have two children. A view of his place is given.
FRED R. FOXEN.
Farms 806 acres near Los Alamos. He has sur- rounded himself with the comforts and refinements which wealth enables one to enjoy. The view indi- cates a love of nature, as some of the grand old oaks are allowed to flourish, and a vineyard and an orchard bearing fruit enable him to make glad the hearts of all who visit his home. A view of his place is given in this book.
JOHN CHARLES FOXEN
Farms 400 acres on the Sisquoc. When one who is shut up by the dull brick walls of a city listens for the first time to the lowing of the herds that throng the hills, or to the songs of birds that make the old oaks their homes, he is apt to wish that he, too, could live in the Tinaquaic; but all cannot live in the country. Some must delve in mines, some navigate the sea, and some forge iron. We do not believe that John C. Foxen wishes to leave his pleas- ant home for city or marine life. A view of his place is given.
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