USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 84
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His father, the late Robert M. Bard, of Chambers- burg, was a man of high character and marked abil- ity. For many years previous to his death, he was the acknowledged leader of the Franklin County Bar, then including many eminent lawyers.
At the age of sixteen Bard was examined for admission, and entered the Chambersburg Academy. He was graduated at that institution two years there- after, at the head of his class, and then entered the law office of Hon. George Chambers, of Chambersburg, remaining there as a student of law till 1859, when failing health obliged him to seek a more active employment. At the solicitation of the Chief Engi- neer, he joined an engineering corps in the " Broad Top" coal regions, and remained actively engaged in the field till the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, at which time the officers of the Cumberland Valley Railroad selected him for the responsible position of transportation agent at Hagerstown, Maryland, then a hot-bed of secession leaders and sympathizers. That town was at that time the terminus of the road, and was also the depot of supplies for the Union forees operating in the Shenandoah Valley and in Western Virginia. In this position Bard, then only twenty-one years of age, exhibited not only executive ability of a very high order, but great political sagacity also. He suggested the plan of reversing the political policy of the secessionists, and of stamping out the spirit of rebellion that then dominated that portion of Maryland. Acting upon this resolve, he was one of the chief organizers and promoters of a league of Union men formed for mutual support, and for the defense of the Govern-
ment and the Union. Under its guidance and pro- tection, public meetings were held throughout Western Maryland, and effective measures were urged upon the people of the commonwealth to restrain the House of Delegates, then in session, from passing an ordinance of secession. By the patriotic efforts of this organization, Western Mary- land was thereafter committed to the support of the Union canse.
The duties of Bard as transportation agent were exacting. He had personal charge of the transpor- tation of troops, war material, and supplies to the Potomae and Shenandoah Valley, and then demon- strated his ability to grapple with and overcome all obstacles besetting that department of the public service.
" The work of organizing railroad transportation," says a distinguished author on the Civil War, " had, in fact, become one of the most serious questions of the war, and one of the most important branches of the military administration." The Cumberland Val- ley was often the scene of the operations of the opposing armies. Raiding Confederate forces fre- quently interrupted the business of the railroad and sometimes destroyed portions of it. Loyal men in the border States became active partisans in the struggle to sustain the Union, and Bard's position enabled him to render the most important services to the Union commanders, which were at all times acknowledged. For these services, in times of great peril, Bard is by nature peculiarly fitted. Beneath a modest and calm exterior is concealed indomitable will and the highest courage. While engaged with his trains, two hours' ride from Sharpsburg, he heard the first guns on South Mountain which preceded the fierce conflict at Antietam on the following day. Hastily taking measures to put his trains beyond the reach of danger, and entrusting them to well- chosen subordinates, he made his way with all possi- ble speed to the field of battle, and as an independ- ent volunteer joined the Union Army, and struggled with it wherever the contest was hottest throughout that memorable day.
BIOGRAPHY OF THOMAS ROBERT BARD.
His personal services rendered Banks and Milroy's troops during their retreat, and his assistance to Averill and Couch, in their attempts to prevent the destruction of his native town of Chambersburg, received the warmest recognition, and merit no less praise.
While engaged in these important services, Bard often met the late Thomas A. Scott, who was then Acting Assistant Secretary of War, and also Vice- President and Manager of the Pennsylvania Rail- road. Unerring in his judgment of men, Colonel Scott, in the autumn of 1865, selected Bard to take sole charge of his large landed interests in Southern California. How faithfully and with what ability this duty has been discharged, Colonel Scott, in his lifetime, attested, and the community in which Mr. Bard has lived well know and appreciate. His administration has been wise and beneficent. These lands, previously uncultivated and unoccupied, have been for the most part converted into productive farming districts.
From 1868 till 1872, Mr. Bard was successively elected to the office of Supervisor of Santa Barbara County from the district of Ventura. During the latter year the district was cut off from Santa Bar- bara County, and was then formed into a new county under the name of Ventura. In the discharge of the duties of that office, he evinced characteristic effi- ciency and fidelity. Clear-headed, firm-hearted, mod- est, and courteous, not given to much speaking ex- cept when speech is of the essence of things, and then briefly and to the point; honorable and faith- ful to every trust, public and private, in every emer- gency and progressive movement, he is the foremost and natural leader. His permanent residence is near the town of Hueneme, the shipping point of the fertile valley of the Santa Clara. To the development of the natural wealth of this region, he has devoted much of his time, energy, and means, promoting the pros- perity of the community in which he lives.
RESIDENCE OF THOMAS R. BARD, HUENEME,VENTURA COUNTY.
Ι.
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CONDITION AND COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
the ditch, while J. K. Greis obtained an interest in it soon after its conception.
POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
The year 1872 was still further characterized by the refusal of many property owners to pay taxes. The canse of this was owing to the still existing connection with Santa Barbara County, no election having yet been held. At a later date this difficulty was settled.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
The Commissioners appointed by the Legislature, composed of Messrs. S. Bristol, Thomas R. Bard, W. D. F. Richards, A. G. Escandon and C. W. Thacker, constituting a Board of which Mr. Bristol was Pres- ident and Mr. Bard Secretary, to put into action the Government of Ventura County, met January 15, 1873, and issued the following proclamation :-
ELECTION PROCLAMATION.
" Know all men by these presents: That we, the Board of Commissioners appointed, and by law authorized, to perfect the organization of the county of Ventura, in accordance with an Act entitled ' An Act to create the county of Ventura, to establish the boundaries thereof, and to provide for its organiza- tion,' approved March 22, 1872, do hereby give notice that an election shall be held in the county of Ven- tura on the 25th day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
" There shall be chosen by the qualified electors of said county at said election, one District Attorney, one County Clerk, one County Superintendent of Public Schools, one Sheriff, one County Assessor, one County Treasurer, one County Surveyor, one County Coroner; and by the qualified electors thereof, one Supervisor for each Supervisor District of said county.
" There shall also be chosen at said election, by the qualified electors thereof :-
" For the township of Ventura, one Constable; for the township of Saticoy, two Constables and two Justices of the Peace; and for the township of Huen- eme, one Constable."
TOWNSHIPS FORMED.
The county of Ventura is divided into three town- ships, named and described as follows :-
THE TOWNSHIP OF VENTURA,
Bounded on the west by the boundary between the boundary of Santa Barbara and the county of Ventura, as established by statute; on the south by the Pacific Ocean, on the north by the northern boundary of Ventura County, and on the east by a line beginning at the sea-shore, in front of a gulch commonly called the " Graveyard Barranea," and running thence northwardly to the head of said guleh; thence in a northerly direction to the casternmost corner of the Rancho Cañada"Largo, as now surveyed; thence in the same direction to the summit of Sulphur Mountain; thence along the summit of said mountain in an easterly direction to the Santa Paula Creek, sometimes called the Mupu Creck; thenee north- wardly, following the general direction of said ercek to the head thereof, and thence northwardly so as to
exelude the dwelling and rancho of Mutah to the northern boundary of Ventura County.
TOWNSHIP OF SATICOY,
Bounded on the west by the eastern boundary of the township of Ventura, on the south by the Pacific Ocean and the northern boundary of the township of Hueneme, on the north by the north boundary of the county of Ventura, and on the east by the east- ern boundary of the county of Ventura.
THE TOWNSHIP OF HUENEME,
Bounded on the north by a line beginning at the mouth of the Santa Clara River and running thence eastwardly up the middle of said river to a point opposite the hill on the south side of the river known as and called " Punta de Loma," and thence cast- wardly following the summit of the hills immedi- ately south of said river to the eastern boundary of said county of Ventura; on the south by the Pacific Ocean and the southern boundary of Ventura, on the west by the Pacific Ocean, and on the east by the eastern boundary of Ventura. The islands of Ana- capa and San Nicolas are attached to and form a part of the township of Hueneme.
SUPERVISOR DISTRICTS.
The county of Ventura is divided into three Super- visor Districts, designated and numbered as follows :-
District No. 1 embraces all the territory included in the township of Ventura.
District No. 2 embraces all the territory within the township of Saticoy.
District No. 3 embraces all the territory within the township of Hueneme.
The county of Ventura is also divided into eight election precincts, named and described respectively as follows :-
Precinct of San Buenaventura, embracing all the territory included within the corporate town of San Buenaventura.
Precinct of La Cañada, embracing all the territory within the township of Ventura, except the corporate town of San Buenaventura.
Precinct of Mountain View, bounded on the north by the northern boundary of the county of Ventura, on the east by the eastern boundary of the county of Ventura, on the west by the western boundary of the county of Ventura, and on the south by a line extended easterly from a point in the Santa Paula Creek and opposite the eastern end of the Sulphur Mountain, and following the summit of the Sierra Pinal, so called, to the eastern boundary of the county of Ventura, excluding the farms of Joseph Bartlett and - Richardson in the Santa Paula Cañon.
Precinet of Sespe, embracing all the territory in the township of Saticoy lying south of the Mountain View Precinct, and east of the precinct of Saticoy.
Precinct of Saticoy, bounded as follows: Beginning at the mouth of the Santa Clara River, and running
46
358
HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.
thenee northwesterly along the boundary of the township of Saticoy to the eastern boundary of the township of Ventura; thenee along the eastern bound- ary of the township of Ventura to the Santa Paula Creek; thenee southerly, including all the water-shed on either side of the Santa Paula Creek to the mouth of the Santa Paula Canon; thence following the prin- cipal stream-bed of the Santa Paula Creek to the Santa Clara River; thenee due south to the township of Satieoy; thenee westwardly along the southern boundary of the township of Saticoy to the place of beginning.
Preeinct of Pleasant Valley, bounded as follows: Beginning at " Fickas Point," or " Punta del Posito," and running thence westerly along the Conejo Road to the northeast corner of William Rice's tract of and at the Saueelito, so called, on the Raneho el Rio de Santa Clara de la Colonia about one and a half miles; thence south to the southeast corner of said Rice's traet; thence southerly to Point Magu on the Pacific Ocean; thence eastwardly following the south- ern boundary of the county of Ventura to the bound- ary between the Ranchos Simi and Conejo; thence following the boundary lines between said ranehos to the corner of the Ranehos Calleguas, Las Posas, Simi, and Conejo, and thence following the southern boundary of the Rancho Las Posas to the place of beginning.
Precinct of San Pedro, embracing all the territory within the township of Hueneme lying north of the precinet of Hueneme and north of the preeinet of Pleasant Valley, including all of the Ranchos Simi, Las Posas, Santa Clara del Norte, and a part of the Rancho el Rio de Santa Clara de la Colonia.
Precinet of Hueneme, bounded as follows: Begin- ning at the southeast corner of Riee's tract on the Rancho el Rio de Santa Clara de la Colonia, defined as one of the points on the western boundary of the preeinet of Pleasant Valley, and running thenee due west to the Pacific Ocean, thenee along the shore of the Pacific Ocean south wardly to Point Magu; thenee northerly to the place of beginning; the islands of Anacapa and San Nicolas being attached to and forming part of the precinct of Hueneme.
THE FIRST ELECTION
Was held on February 25, 1873. There had been an attempt on the part of the Republicans to forego the usual party issues in making the required nomina- tions, and they accordingly proposed a fusion of the Democrats and Republicans, and an effort to seleet, irrespective of party, suitable individuals as candi- dates, whose election would secure benefits not to be had otherwise. A Republican eaucus selected J. H. Bradley, W. D. Hobson, and L. C. MeKeeby as a committee to confer with the Democracy in the matter; but through jealousy, or hopes of greater benefits to their side, the latter refused, and both parties nominated candidates.
REPUBLICAN TICKET.
Sheriff, W. B. Baker; Assessor, W. D. Hobson; Treasurer, E. A. Edwards; County Clerk, Robert Lyon; District Attorney, B. F. Williams; Superin- tendent of Sehools, Elemer Drake; Surveyor, L. D. Chillson; Coroner, C. L. Bard.
DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
Sheriff, Frank Peterson; Assessor, John Z. Barnett; Treasurer, P. V. McCarty; County Clerk, Frank Molleda; District Attorney, J. Marion Brooks; Super- intendent of Schools, F. S. S. Buckman; Surveyor, C. J. De Merritte; Coroner, C. L. Bard.
THE VOTING PLACES
In the various precincts and the election officials were :-
San Buenaventura-House of William Ayres; In- speetor, L. C. McKeeby; Judges of eleetion, Ysidro Obiols, William Ayres.
La Cañada-House of José de Arnaz; Inspector, José de Arnaz; Judges, A. D. Barnard, R. Ayers.
Mountain View-House of Alexander Gonzales; Inspector, William Cuddy; Judges, Joventino Mor- aga, Griffin Robbins,
Sespe-House of F. A. Sprague; Inspector, S. M. W. Easley; Judges, J. A. Conaway, F. A. Sprague.
Satieoy-Saticoy School House; Inspector, N. W. Blanchard; Judges, W. Baker, Hugh O'Hara.
Pleasant Valley-House of Solomon Walbridge; Inspector, W. D. Ramsauer; Judges, D. Roudebush, J. S. Haskey.
San Pedro-House of Roberto Dominguez; In- spector, L. Snodgrass; Judges, J. Y. Saviers, S. D. Pinkard.
Hueneme-Hneneme School House; Inspector, M. H. Arnold; Judges, - Browning, Wesley Coble.
The total vote of the county in this election was 630, the result being generally favorable to the Dem- ocrats. The successful candidate for the County Clerkship, F. Molleda, did not live long to enjoy bis position; but dying soon after election, was succeeded in the office by S. M. W. Easley, who was appointed by the Supervisors, April 2, 1873.
COUNTY OFFICERS IN 1873.
District Judge, Pablo de la Guerra; County Judge, Milton Wason; Distriet Attorney, J. M. Brooks; County Clerk, Frank Molleda; S. M. W. Easley; Sheriff, Frank Peterson; Treasurer, E. A. Edwards; Assessor, J. Z. Barnett; Superintendent Schools, F. S. S. Buckman; Surveyor, C. J. De Merritte; Coroner, Dr. C. L. Bard; County Physician, Dr. S. P. Gui- berson.
Supervisors: Township 1, James Daley; Township 2, J. A. Conaway; Township 3, C. W. Thacker.
Justiees of the Peace: Township 1, J. W. Guiber- son, W. D. Hobson; Township 2, F. A. Sprague, J. G. Ricker; Township 3, John Saviers, R. J. Colyear.
359
CONDITION AND COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
ROAD DISTRICTS.
Immediately on the establishment of the county government, certain changes were made in the road districts. All the territory in the First Supervisor District was made into the San Buenaventura Road District, and R. R. Hall was appointed overseer thereof. The Third Supervisor District was to con- stitute the Saticoy Road District-M. D. I .. Todd, overseer. Mountain View and Sespe Road Districts were united under the name of Sespe Road District, and Ari Hopper became overseer.
COUNTY BONDS ISSUED.
T ,1 1 .
[ By some oversight on the part of the printer, the forepart of the sketch of Dr. Bard's life was left out of the regular print, and we herewith insert it .- ED. }
CEPIIAS L. BARD, M. D.,
Was born at Chambersburgh. Franklin County, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1843. Inheriting a taste for the study of medicine, nearly all of his maternal ances- tors being physicians, and on his paternal side being connected with Drs. John and Samuel Bard, founders of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, he early determined to devote himself to the medical profession, and after completing a course of classical studies at the Chambersbergh Acad- emy. he entered the office of Dr. A. H. Senseny, one of Pennsylvania's most talented physicians. Whilst an office student, the reverses of MeClellan occurred. and Dr. Bard, yielding to patriotism and responding to the call for volunteers, enlisted as private in Company A. 126th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volnu- teers, and with that regiment participated in the battles of Second Bull Run. Antietam, Fredericksburgh, and Chancellorsville. The term of service having expired, he returned to his studies, attending lectures at the Jefferson Medical College. Again, yielding to a sense of patriotism, he, after passing a satisfac- tory examination and being appointed Assistant Surgeon of Pennsylvania Volunteers, went to the front. and with his regiment participated in all of the successes and reverses of the Army of the Potomac, until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. Returning to his old home, he practiced his profession until 1868, when he removed to San Buenaventura, California, he being the first American physician to locate there.
It is worthy of note that Dr. Samuel Bard was General Washington's physi- cian, and that Col. Robert Parker. Dr. Bard's maternal great grandfather, was a Colonel under Washington. and from him received special recognition for gallant services.
Dr. Bard's time being fully occupied by professional duties, he has had little leisure for political matters, although he is known to entertain decided opinions on most national questions, which, however has not prevented his having numerous friends, as was shown by the election of 1873.
January 1, 1874.
City Council of San Buenaventura: Y. Obiols, T. F. Chapman, J. H. Bradley, L. C. MeKeeby, F. Mol- leda. City Attorneys, Hines & Brooks; City Marshal, M. M. Henderson.
Immediately upon the establishment of the county seat at San Buenaventura, the question of procuring suitable buildings for the use of the county officials became of importance. The Signal, in summing up
358
HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.
-
thence northwesterly along the boundary of the township of Saticoy to the eastern boundary of the township of Ventura; thence along the eastern bound- ary of the township of Ventura to the Santa Paula Creek; thence southerly, including all the water-shed on either side of the Santa Paula Creek to the mouth of the Santa Paula Canon; thence following the prin- cipal stream-bed of the Santa Paula Creek to the Santa Clara River; thence due south to the township of Saticoy; thence westwardly along the southern boundary of the township of Saticoy to the place of beginning.
Precinct of Pleasant Valley, bounded as follows: Beginning at " Fickas Point." or " Punta del Posito."
REPUBLICAN TICKET.
Sheriff, W. B. Baker; Assessor, W. D. Hobson; Treasurer, E. A. Edwards; County Clerk, Robert Lyon; District Attorney, B. F. Williams; Superin- tendent of Schools, Elemer Drake; Surveyor, L. D. Chillson; Coroner, C. L. Bard.
DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
Sheriff, Frank Peterson; Assessor, John Z. Barnett; Treasurer, P. V. McCarty; County Clerk, Frank Molleda; District Attorney, J. Marion Brooks; Super- intendent of Schools, F. S. S. Buckman; Surveyor, C. J. De Merritte; Coroner, C. L. Bard.
prawiey, w. D. nousou, and u. C. Mcneeby as a committee to confer with the Democracy in the matter; but through jealousy, or hopes of greater benefits to their side, the latter refused, and both parties nominated candidates.
Supervisors: Township 1, James Daley; Township 2, J. A. Conaway; Township 3, C. W. Thacker. Justices of the Peace: Township 1, J. W. Guiber- son, W. D. Hobson; Township 2, F. A. Sprague, J. G. Ricker; Township 3, John Saviers, R. J. Colyear.
359
CONDITION AND COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
DR. CEPHAS L. BARD.
During the canvass preceding this election the party lines were generally strietly drawn ; there was one notable exception, however: Dr. Bard was nominated for Coroner on both tickets, and of course unanimously elected. This was due more to his popularity as a man and a physician and a desire to pay him a com- pliment, than to the importance of the office to which he was nominated. He is a brother of the famous financier, T. R. Bard, coming to the State about the same time. He is a physician with a wide practice, to which he seems devoted. His carriage may be seen going day and night, on his errands of mercy. If the thanks and gratitude of the patients he has relieved could be converted into coin, he would un- doubtedly be the richest man in the county, for his praise is on every tongue. He is possessed of one of those phenomenal elastie spirits, that never fails him, and whether at a siek bed or in social meeting, his cheerful spirit is always contagions. Every man, woman, and child within his acquaintance regards him as a personal friend, which indeed he is, with all he meets. Among the things San Buenaventura bas reason to be proud of, not the least is the presence of a physician like Cephas L. Bard.
With the election of the Supervisors the duties of the Commissioners ceased, which had been to organ- ize and set in motion the county government, which was now done. County Judge Milton Wason had received his official appointment at the same time with the Commissioners-an appointment good until January 1, 1874.
City Council of San Buenaventura: Y. Obiols, T. F. Chapman, J. H. Bradley, L. C. McKeeby, F. Mol- leda. City Attorneys, Hines & Brooks; City Marshal, M. M. Henderson.
ROAD DISTRICTS.
Immediately on the establishment of the county government, certain changes were made in the road districts. All the territory in the First Supervisor Distriet was made into the San Buenaventura Road District, and R. R. Hall was appointed overseer thereof. The Third Supervisor District was to con- stitute the Saticoy Road District-M. D. L. Todd, overseer. Mountain View and Sespe Road Districts were united under the name of Sespe Road District, and Ari Hopper became overseer.
COUNTY BONDS ISSUED.
In May, 1873, the Supervisors ordered the issue of interest-bearing bonds to the amount of $20.000, to meet current expenses; and bids for these bonds were advertised for.
The Board also authorized F. A. Thompson to transcribe such portions of the records of Santa Barbara County as related to Ventura County, pay- ing 84,000 for the service.
SETTLEMENT WITHI SANTA BARBARA.
On April 13, 1875, a final settlement with Santa Barbara was effected under the terms of the Aet of March 22, 1872. C. E. Huse and Ulpiano Yndart were Commissioners on the part of Santa Barbara, and Thomas R. Bard and Charles Lindley for Ven- tura, making the proper estimates, decided that the latter eonnty was entitled to 8581.52. Their report was as follows :-
INDEBTEDNESS.
Amount of indebtedness, according to the state- ment of F. W. Frost, Treasurer of Santa Barbara County.
Bonds of 1856, and subsequent indebted-
ness $19,796 42
Court House and Jail Bonds 50,000 00
Interest due on same 777 76
Total $70,574 18
Assets to March 20, 1873
$10,693 87
Old Court House and lot.
3,000 00
Present Court House unfinished with pro- ceeds of bonds 50,000 00
Interest on same, paid and unpaid. 1,652 76
Cost of advertising 400 00
Delinquent taxes collected up to date 3,810 78
Funds for interest on hand.
2,698 92
Total assets. $72,256 33
Total indebtedness 70,574 18
Excess of assets $ 1,682 15
The proportion thereof belonging to Ventura County was fixed at $581.52.
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