History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 86

Author: Mason, Jesse D; Thompson & West. 4n
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Cal., Thompson & West
Number of Pages: 758

USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 86

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

J. D. Patterson 40,483

Robinson, Fawcett & Dean 16,537

R. G. de la Riva 18,990

G. S. Sewell 10,820

R. G. Surdam 10,350

S. B. Wharf Company 20,075

V. A. Simpson 14,096

J. W. Stevenson

10,000

Thomas A. Scott 61,652

A Schippapietra 104,370

G. B. Taylor 11,135

D. W. Thompson 39,981

Ygnaeio del Valle 57,290

San Buenaventura C. M. and M. Co. 187,745 S. T. Wells 11,740

E. B. Wallsworth

10,000

Total land assessment $1,690,934

Town lots 130,115

Improvements on outside lands 153,739

Improvements on town lots 103,203

Personal property. 905,340

Total assessed value

$2,983,331

EXCESSIVE RAIN-FALL.

The winter of 1874-75 was noted for a great amount of rain. In January of that winter 9,32 inches fell in one week at San Buenaventura, while in the Ojai the fall was much greater, being esti- mated at ten inches for twenty-four hours. There may have been some inaceuraey in the measurements, but there is no doubt of the substantial truth of the statements. The San Buenaventura and Santa Clara Rivers were impassable for several days. This con- dition might have occurred in any rainy season, but the phenomenal part of the matter is that the rain- fall was not general throughout the State. In the northern part of the State, where the rain-fall some- times amounts to sixty inehes in a season, three inches in twenty-four hours is extremely unusual. The explanation of the great rain-fall is in what are termed "eloud-bursts," this term being used not because it is appropriate, but because it is in general use in this and other parts of the Pacific Slope to indicate a vast rain-fall over a limited area, some- times of less than one square mile. If the measure- ments had been taken at different places in the county, they would have shown still greater ditfer- ences-much more rain in some places, scareely any at others. As this subject is of interest, not only to the resident of Ventura, but to the general reader, it will be treated at length in the article on the Ojai Valley, because in that valley are evidences of one of the most terrific cloud-bursts known.

FIRE COMPANY.

The "Monumentals," a fire company, was organ- ized in 1875. The officers and members of this very necessary and useful company, the first to organize in Ventura, were among the most respectable eitizens of San Buenaventura. B. T. Williams was the first President; L. F. Eastin, Secretary; Louis Arnaz, Treasurer; R. G. Surdam, Foreman; and Owen Rodgers and A. J. Snodgrass, Assistants.

Having now provided themselves with the means to extinguish fires, it is probable that the question of light and illumination began to agitate the San Buen- aventurian mind, for in the same year

Dr. O. Food

WILLIAM OTTERBEIN WOOD.

THE Wood family of which the subject of this sketch is a member, is a very ancient family, which has a record of many hundred years, extending back to the early days of English history. The Woods of the United States trace their origin to three brothers of that name who came here something over a hundred years ago. One went back and never returned; and died without marrying; two married and left many de- scendants. One of them, according to the records, owned 640 acres of land where the city of New York now stands. The Wood family took strong ground in favor of independence of the colonies. Like many of the old English families, the Wood family have traditions of large wealth belonging to them in the old country. The maternal side of W. O. Wood sprang from the Calverts of Virginia. One branch of the family claimed descent from the Capets of France. The parents and grandparents of W. O. Wood were devoted Christians, so he comes of Christian stock. His father was Abner Benjamin Wood, who was born in New York, October 16, 1798. and was married to Nancy Stone Calvert, November 6, 1821, in Kenhawa, State of Virginia. She was born in Virginia, Febru- ary 26, 1805. Two years after marriage, the young pair moved to Scioto County, Ohio. Being a mill- wright he built a flour-mill on one of the branches of the Scioto River, fourteen miles from Portsmouth, the county seat. The parents were baptized into the faith by immersion, and removed to Clark County in 1840, where they resided until their deaths, the mother dying November 29, 1842, and the father, Feb- ruary 8, 1845, leaving a family of nine children, three girls and six boys, of whom young Ben (W. O.), as he was called for short, was the eldest, and was born July 28, 1826, on Long Branch, one of the tributaries of the Scioto River. Young Wood, like most of the children of the pioneer settlers, obtained his educa- tion under much difficulty, studying by the light of hickory bark or pine-knots. He generally stood first in his class, carrying off the honors in orthography, arithmetic, and penmanship. At eleven years of age, he was able to help the " Master" out of many difficult problems, who, when he met with any difficulty, would tell the pupil to take it to Ben or Otterbein Wood.

On the death of his parents, the cares of the family devolved largely upon him, a responsibility which he met without hesitation. He was only six- teen years old, and besides attending to the wants of

the large family, teaching school winters and work- ing on the farm summers, he managed to add to his stock of knowledge, until he was considered compe- tent to teach any school in the country.

When the Mexican War broke out, a call was made for volunteers. W. O. offered his services, but the regiment being full, he was left out.

On the discovery of gold in California, he put the family in charge of a younger brother, and, with his eldest, started for California, March 29, 1849, making St. Joseph, Missouri, their starting point, which place they left May 7th, where they had awaited several days their turn to cross the Missouri River. Soon after getting over the river, they united with others to the number of ninety-nine, for mutual protection, calling themselves the "Union Band." Dr. J. C. Gray was elected Captain, and Moses Clampet Chaplain. They held regular religious service every Sunday. While a party was bathing in the river one Sunday, one of the number was drowned. in spite of all the efforts to rescue him. At the Little Blue, the cholera broke out among the emigration. Young Wood saw three victims to it buried in one grave. He had it, but recovered, else this biography had not been written. They had some trouble in swimming their stock over the rivers. At Green River, a dan- gerous stream, some of the cattle lodged on an island. and young Wood was one of two to swim to the island to get them off, which they did successfully. At the Humboldt River the Indians made a raid on their stock, driving off about thirty head, the Wood boys losing all but three. They spliced with others, and passed through the Lassen Pass, reaching Bid- wells, October 8. 1849. After mining on Feather River and Deer Creek for two years, with moderate success, he returned to Illinois by way of Nicaragua and New Orle ins. The ship on which he embarked was a slow sailor; water gave out, and the passen- gers, dying at the rate of one a day. were thrown over as food for sharks. The passengers were allowed but one quart of water per day. Nearing the Port Realjo, the captain landed the passengers, 300 in number, soon after which the old hulk went down to rise no more. The passengers traveled through Nicaragua and the States of Leon, also visited the Island of Ometapa, in the Lake of Nicaragua, and continued down the river to Gray- town. Christmas Day the party went seining in the

BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM OTTERBEIN WOOD.

river, but a shark cut short the sport by getting into the net. At Graytown he took the ship Piedmont, for New Orleans; but they met a storm, and for seven days were drifted back and forth, without making much progress, but finally reached Cuba, and thence went to New Orleans, and thence up the river, when he was glad to reach home once more; though on their way from Evansville, the team ran away, mak- ing a general wreck of carriage and passengers.

On the second day of January, 1852, he was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Jane Marrs, daughter of William B. Marrs, an old settler from Kentucky. He (Marrs) was a member of the Legislature when the capital was at Vandalia, Stephen A. Douglass then being a member.

From 1852 to 1868, W. O. was settled in Clark County, Illinois, where he gained the good-will and confidence of his neighbors, by his straightforward and honest dealing. In 1868 he immigrated to Cali- fornia, residing the first two years in Sutter County, and then two years at King's River, Fresno County, after which he came to the present county of Ven- tura and settled on the Colonia Rancho, where he owns 320 acres of land, with elegant and extensive farm buildings, surrounded by eucalyptus trees. His place adjoins Springville, and is eight miles from Hueneme, fifteen from San Buenaventura and forty from Newhall.

The most important part of Parson Wood's biog- raphy remains to be told. He is one of the most de- voted persons in the world in disseminating and ad- vocating, on all proper occasions, his religious convic- tions, which run like a golden thread through all the actions of his life, governing and modifying always. He and his wife took upon themselves the obligations of Christianity, and were baptized into the Baptist Church, July, 1861, the baptizing being performed by Elder Robert O. Hawkins, pastor of the same church to this date (1882). His Christian experience was so effective in building him up in grace that the church set him apart for the ministry, and in No- vember, 1863, he was regularly ordained as a minis- ter of the Baptist Church, the obligations and duties of which he has ever observed, doing his Master's work everywhere, leaving a broad and well-defined work wherever he has sojourned. From 1863 to 1868, he labored and preached in the Palestine and Westfield Associations, in Illinois; was also clerk of the latter Association for the first four years of its existence, and was moderator for the two years' session held at the Clarksville Church, in 1867, also at Paris, Edgar County, in 1868. He also assisted in the organization of the Antelope Valley Church, Cal- ifornia, in 1870, and was pastor of the North Marysville Church, and preached the first sermon in Chilamo Valley, about that time. In October, 1871, he held religious service where Santa Paula now stands, and five years later was instrumental in organizing a Baptist Church there, and continued to preach there

and at Saticoy, Hueneme, Pleasant Valley, Ocean View and other places. In 1878, he organized the Baptist Church at Springville, known as " The Little Flock of Jesus Christ." In 1881, he caused the church to be built-one of the most unique in style, and the best adapted to the purposes for which it was designed, to be found in the State. The lot (five acres) was donated by T. R. Bard. On the fourth Sunday of November, 1880, it was dedicated, free from debt, the last $600 being assumed by himself. When the bell rings for prayer service, the worship- ers are conscious that they have not to ask forgive- ness for giving to the Lord what they had no right to call their own, or, in other words, some other per- son's property. The bell, a peculiarly rich-toned in- strument, was cast at Los Angeles; weighs 1,400 pounds, and cost about $200.

The church is in a prosperous condition. Present organization: Pastor, W. O. Wood; Clerk, W. F. Wood; Deacon, Cyrus Bellah. Regular monthly meetings are held commencing the Saturday previous to the fourth Sunday, continuing through the Sab- bath. Communion every fourth Sunday in the months of November, February, May and August. The fifth Sunday, when it occurs, is devoted to praise service. Band of Hope meets at three o'clock, the first, second and third Sundays of each month. This Band is very prosperous, and was organized Novem- ber 7, 1881, W. O. Wood being the first to put his name to the pledges. The Sabbath-school was or- ganized by him, June 2, 1882, and has a respectable library, and is prospering. First Superintendent, Cyrus Bellah; Secretary, S. L. Wood. First Superin- tendent of the Band of Hope, May Guthrie; Clerk, Ula Laswell; Chaplain, Cyrus Bellah. In politics his first vote was cast for the Whig Party, afterwards he was a supporter of S. A. Douglass, since then has been a conservative Democrat. He has held various township and county offices. He has been a member of the F. and A. M. No. 133.

Parson Wood, as he is universally called, is one of the most indomitable workers to be found. When once he has made up his mind on a subject, he admits of no further doubt, but goes to the work of convert- ing everybody to that faith. He never doubts; con- sequently he is ever in serious earnest, and when he preaches the eternal punishment of sin, he believes it, and has a realizing sense of its horrors.

He is the material of which martyrs are made, and if need be, would stand in the fire, singing praises, until life was extinct. He is strong to rule, as well as to resist, and generally manages things in his own way. If Cromwell were to come upon earth, and organize a war against royalty, high churches, etc., he would choose Parson Wood as his First-Lieuten- ant, knowing that. he would go through the fight without flinching. Strangers passing through Ven- tura should not fail to make the acquaintance of Parson Wood.

RESIDENCE OF W. O. WOOD, SPRINGVILLE, VENTURA CO. CAL.

Jova

365

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS.

THE VENTURA GAS COMPANY

Was also organized. Its Board of Trustees consisted of J. M. Miller, L. F. Eastin, E. A. Edwards, M. A. Powell, and J. J. Mahoney, of whom the first named was President, the second Secretary, and the third Treasurer.

The manufacturing interests also received a start" this year, in the construction of the

VENTURA PLANING MILL,

Whose projectors were Messrs. Wright and Hicker- son. They set up their establishment on the corner of Chestnut and Front Streets, in the vicinity of the wharf. Their building was 40x53 feet in size, was provided with a twenty-horse-power steam engine, driving sash-saws, mortising frames, planers, and other apparatus necessary to the business.

NEWSPAPER HISTORY.

It would be impossible to write a fair and com- plete history of any civilized region without having recourse to the newspapers. On them, the faithful historian depends for a reflection of the events which together make up the annals of a people or a country. To the conscientious and industrious editor is due a debt greater than most men recognize. And this debt is large or small exactly in proportion to the care and labor which have been expended upon the faithful and accurate presentation, each day or each week, of the every-day matters which transpire in the immediate neighborhood of the newspaper office. As before insisted npon, the proper function of a country editor is exclusive attention to home affairs. No country editor ever yet made a reputation for himself or his paper, or ever even secured subscribers or advertisements, through attention to events occur- ring abroad or in the large centers of commercial traffic. Such events find abler treatment in the journals of that locality. No stranger ever examines a copy of a country paper for news concerning Euro- pean affairs, or general political issues. Ilis sole object in scrutinizing the columns of a local paper is to ascertain the condition of affairs-generally agri- cultural or pertaining to the business-of the neigh- borhood of the place of publication. The future his- torian, intent upon gathering important materials for his work, experiences the keenest disappointment in finding the files of papers on which he had placed reliance, filled with profitless discussions of the tariff, the Austrian Succession, or the state of affairs under the Commune, while the desired information as to the records and capacities of the immediate vicinity are totally neglected. . Frequently in such cases the advertisements furnish the only index to the affairs of the surrounding locality, while even these are de- servedly scarce in such a sheet.

The influence of the newspaper in developing the resources of the country has been referred to before. Something of the same sort was suggested by the

remarks upon Mr. Bradley's connection with the Sig- nal, and now there comes upon the scene another moulder of public opinion.

THE "FREE PRESS"

Was first issued on November 13, 1875. The editor and publisher was O. P. Hoddy, and the paper's poli- ties was nominally independent. There were twenty- three columns of reading matter, and the sheet was progressive and satisfactory in nearly every respect. For a short time a daily edition was also published, but of course unsuccessfully, the issue ceasing about January 20, 1876.

The Free Press, soon after its establishment, loy- ally took up the cudgel in favor of Ventura as against every other town. The Santa Barbara Press often referred to the wreck of the Lucy Ann, which was bleaching on the beach near San Buenaventura, and sconted the idea of calling the Ventura landing a harbor, or comparing it with the calm and safe ha- ven of Santa Barbara, where a wreck was never known.

February 19, 1876, H. G. MeLean became editor and proprietor of the Free Press.

Of course the interests of the two papers, the Sig- nal and the Free Press, conflicted, and a wordy war was the result. Considerable personal matter was published in each paper, derogatory to the personal character of the publisher of the other; and the state of affairs resembled that existing at the same time in Santa Barbara. Mr. Shepherd, of the Signal, had been a soldier, and Postmaster; but did not profess to have an interesting or important biography, and did not propose to write it at any one's request; would, however, if paid for it.

NEWSPAPER WAR.

In 1876 the Signal took Democratie ground, giving as a reason for any change of principles, that the Republican leaders had grown so corrupt as to prom- ise nothing but ill to the unfortunate country whose government they controlled. Many interesting, able, and instructive articles were published by both papers in that year, concerning the resources of the county, borrowing the idea, probably, from Mr. Johnson's previous exertions for the parent county. Many copies of each paper were issued for circulation in the East, with the hope of influencing immigration.

During the trial of the persons charged with the More murder, the two papers assailed each other, the Signal condemning the murder in unstinted terms, the Free Press being rather inclined to excuse it. The Free Press expressed the opinion that the editor of the Signal was present at the murder. The latter retorted that the other was a liar and slanderer.

POLITICAL AFFAIRS IN 1875.

The election of 1875 prodneed some curious and instructive phases. This, it will be remembered, was

366

HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.

the election at which three State tickets, headed by Irwin, Phelps, and Bidwell, were before the people, and in which the subject of drawing up a new Consti- tution was voted on. The people of Ventura entered into the spirit of the different issues with their accus- tomed energy, but evinced at least as much interest in the election of a County Supervisor as in the more momentous issues of the campaign. Between Daly and Robinson, the two candidates for that office, there was the fiercest rivalry. The Democrats were united on Irwin and the rest of their ticket, but the Republicans were broken up into factions to an alarming extent. The temperance question had drawn away many votes. Under the leadership of W. D. Hobson, an enthusiastic advocate of their cause, and their candidate for Lieutenant-Governor, the temperance people threatened to produce a con- siderable disaffection from the Republican ranks.

PEOPLES' PARTY.

The result of the matter was that a committee of influential citizens, Republicans, temperance men, and Independents, or Booth men, were formally requested by a large number of their fellow-citizens to meet and organize a party on such principles and sentiments as would unite the entire Republican and temperance wings. The committee called upon to effect this were the following well-known citizens: Will Evans, S. White, M. D. L. Todd, J. G. Ricker, J. Willett, L. Snodgrass, I. Barnard, J. Myers, H. C. Haskins, J. A. Conaway, F. A. Sprague, J. W. Guiber- son, W. S. McKee, C. E. Sowles, R. Robinson, J. N. Jones, J. Y. Saviers, S. D. Pinkard, G. G. Glowner, John G. Hill, W. Olds, Norman Fay, John Saviers, H. Walbridge, W. I. Rice, D. Rondebush, M. H. Gay, G. W. Chrisman, J. P. Cutler, E. B. Higgins, M. Arnold, and M. T. Jenifer.

The resulting Convention met on May 22, 1875, and selected a strong list of nominees for the county officers. These were: For District Attorney, J. Hamer; Clerk and Recorder, S. M. W. Easley; Sheriff, John R. Stone; Treasurer, L. Snodgrass; Surveyor, L. D. Chillson; Assessor, W. P. Ramsaur; County Superintendent, J. B. Alvord; Coroner, S. P. Guiber- son; Supervisor First District, Richard Robinson.

The corresponding Democratic nominations were: For County Clerk, L. F. Eastin; Sheriff, C. O'Hara; District Attorney, B. T. Williams; County Surveyor, Ed. T. Hare; Treasurer, L. Snodgrass; Superintend- ent Schools, F. S. S. Buckman.

The resulting canvass was waged with enthusiasm, distinguished speakers from various parts of the State visiting and addressing the people of Ventura. Among others, Irwin and Jo. Hamilton appeared, speaking at San Buenaventura on the 28th of July. The withdrawal of one or two candidates left the two tickets with the composition shown in the appended table :-

ELECTION RETURNS FOR 1875.

CANDIDATES.

San Buenaventura.

Ojai.

Saticoy.

Santa Paula.

Sespe

San Pedro.

Hueneme.

Pleasant Valley

Majority.

Assembly-

H. Edwards

156 39 37

Haynes

132 34 33 40 53

Sheriff-

178 43 40 46 36

Stone O'Hara

111 30 32,40 86

24 52 23 40

County Clerk- Eastin

181 38 36 42 44

17 155 45 57

Easley

109 35 36 45 78

34 142 41 31

County Treasurer -

Snodgrass Gilbert

142 39 44 43 60 23

17 32 4

District Attorney- Williams

173 36 42 54 74 24 52 37 51 134 116 37 30 34 47 26 41 45 33

County Superintendent-

188 37

44 49 68 27 57 50 37 152

Buckman. Alvord

101 36 29 38 54

4 39 36 49

Assessor- Harkey

162 36 36 43 57

28 51 45 54 53

Livingston

126 37 36 43 65 27 45 40 32

Surveyor-

Hare

207 40 40 40 57 18 60 43 50 164

Chillson

88 31 26 39 65 41 35 40 36

Coroner-

143 34 39

41 55 35 38

41 39

Guiberson Delmont

141 30 32 46 67 16 56 43 48

Supervisor- Dalv

188

48 25

Robinson ..

95 25 49

For the Convention

39 47 37 32 69 20 31 43 54 151

Against the Convention

116 7

12 40 20

5 56 15 8

Governor-

Irwin, Dem

122

33 37 35 19 53 38 47

Bidwell, Ind .

93 34 38 41 82 32 27 39 30

Phelps, Rep

68 11 2 6

4 16 8 5

L. F. EASTIN,

The successful candidate for Clerk of Ventura County, who, though still young, has seen many years of official life, so often selected as Deputy Clerk by others holding the office, and being repeatedly elected by the people. Lafayette Findla Eastin was born in Lexington, Fayette County, Missouri, November 8, 1845. His parents, James Woodson Eastin and Rebecca Ann Fine, were married April 13, 1843. On the 3d of May, 1847, they left Missouri on the long and desperate journey-as it was then in truth regarded-across the plains to California, taking with them the child of two years, the subject of this sketch. Thus does Mr. Eastin rank as one of the youngest of the pioneers, with the prospect of living, to hand in person, the record of a noble band far down among his successors-the sons of the emigrants previous to 1850. The family of emigrants arrived at Sutter's Fort, in the Sacramento Valley, August 20, 1847, hav- ing made a very quick and successful passage. In 1850 they settled in Santa Clara County, and are still living in the same house they first occupied in the exciting times of thirty-two years ago.

Santa Clara was a pleasant place to settle in, and there many of the early pioneers located and pros- pered. The principal towns of the county have been distinguished for their excellent schools and for the enlightened condition of society. In these schools young Eastin obtained his education, com- pleting his course at the University of the Pacific, where he graduated with the honor of valedictorian, May 31, 1866. During his youthful years, when not at school, he had assisted his father in the labor of

La Cañada.

148 35 27 40 62 27 76|55 49

Hamer.

367

POLITICS AND PROGRESS.

the farm, and after graduating, returned to the work. For two years he continued the life of a farmer, and then, in March, 1868, entered the office of County Clerk of Santa Clara as Deputy Clerk. This posi- tion he held through two terms, his service expiring in 1872.

The following year he removed to Ventura County, arriving in San Buenaventura May 19, 1873. Shortly after he received the appointment of Deputy Clerk of the county, and held the position until he was elected to the office in 1875, taking possession in 1876, after three years' service as Deputy. Mr. Eastin has been an exceedingly popular clerk, being peculiarly adapted to the position, and taking great pride in the completeness and perfection of his work. Such satisfaction did he give that he was again elected in 1877, re-elected in 1879, and is now, 1882, the County Clerk. During his official life he has been a prominent member of society, being fond of its pleasures, and in entertaining and being enter- tained by others. He was married July 19, 1874, in San Buenaventura, to Miss Fannie Sutton, a native of Can- ada. Both himself and wife take great interest in the advancement of society, and by reading and travel are familiar with the manners and people of the world. Mr. Eastin was one of the founders of the Ventura Library, of which, for three years, he was Trustee. Among the benevolent orders he is also prominent, being a member of San Buenaventura Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 214, of which he was Secretary in 1876, and Master in 1880, and re-elected in 1881. He is also a member of Royal Arch Masons, No. 50, and its Secretary; also a member of Ventura Commandery, No. 18, U. D., of which he is Recorder. Politically, he is a Democrat, and exercises a high degree of influence in that party, as his long and successful career of political life is sufficient evidence. Not only in poli- tics, but in social and business life, has he been suc- cessful, adding energy and urbanity of manner to good education, talents, and invariable good fortune.

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History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 86

Author: Mason, Jesse D; Thompson & West. 4n Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Oakland, Cal., Thompson & West Number of Pages: 758

Author: Mason, Jesse D; Thompson & West. 4n
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Cal., Thompson & West
Number of Pages: 758