USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 90
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
THE Rancho La Colonia, or Rio de Santa Clara, as finally confirmed, comprises a tract of about 48,883 acres, having the San Miguel Rancho on the north- west, separated from it by the Santa Clara River, to the north the Rancho Santa Clara del Norte and
RESIDENCE & RANCH OF JOHN SCARLETT, 5 MILES SOUTH OF SAN BUENAVENTURA, VENTURA CO. CAL.
42
RESIDENCE OF T. E. MILLS, 2 % MILES EAST OF SAN BUENAVENTURA, VENTURA CO. CAL.
RESIDENCE & RANCH OF G.F. ROTSLER
SATICOY VENTURA CO. CAL.
*
381
EASTERN PORTION OF THE COUNTY.
Government land, to its east and south a small trian- gular piece of public land and the Rancho Guadalasea, and to the southwest the Pacific Ocean. The history of the contention over the boundaries of this grant will illustrate the legal war common to most ranch histories.
LITIGATION OVER THE TITLE.
In May, 1837, eight old soldiers petitioned Gov- ernor Juan B. Alvarado for permission to settle with their families on the Santa Clara River. They were Valentine Cota, Salvador Valenzuela, Leandro Gon- zales, Rafael Gonzales, Vicento Pico, Rafael Val- dez, Vincent Feliz, and Jose Maria. May 22d the Governor granted their prayer, upon condition that they should occupy, and directed the authorities of the municipality of Santa Barbara to point out the lands upon which they might locate. The record of possession is dated September 28, 1840. A transla- tion of the claims of the grantees was filed May 10, 1852, before the Board of United States Land Com- missioners, appointed under the act of Congress of March 3, 1851, to settle the private land claims in the State of California. The original papers were filed December 29, 1852. No expediente (a map and deseription of same) or other record evidence of a grant to Valentine Cota et al. for the Rio de Santa Clara could be found amongst the archives, and the claim was rejected, October 31, 1854. Five years later the case came up on appeal before Judge Ozier, of the United States District Court, of whom it is stated that his decrees of confirmation have become notorious as having caused great litigation and much misery amongst the poor settlers. In June, 1857, he reversed the decision of the Commissioners, declaring the grant to be valid, and fixed the boundaries as follows :-
" Beginning on the Santa Clara River, in the place called El Paso del Rio, and thence easterly two and a half leagues to a hill, called the En Medio, on the side of the main road to El Conejo; thence southerly to the sea-shore, between two esteros, three leagues: thenee over the plain and along the sea-shore north- west to the river, where there is a cienega or marsh, three leagues; thence over the plain and along the bank of the river to the point of beginning, one and a half leagues; stakes having been driven in each corner, as is more particularly described in the jurid- ical possession, which is of record in this ease, and to which reference is had in aid of said description."
The decree of confirmation was filed June 4. 1857. An appeal was taken to the United States Supreme Court, which was dismissed, and the deeree of the lower court became final. The Mexican measure- ments were thus left to settle the question as to boundaries, and all that the Surveyor-General of the United States could legally do was to locate the rancho in accordance with said measurements.
In the meantime, sixteen days later than the appli- cation of Valentine Cota et al., viz., upon Jannary 15, 1853, Guadalupe Ortega de Chapman filed an-
other claim before the Commissioners, which was also rejected. This elaim was also appealed to the U. S. District Court, and heard before Judge Ozier, who confirmed a part of the same land to Mrs. Chapman that four-years before he had awarded to Valentine Cota et al. The words of the award, though differ- ing from the former decision, will be recognized by those acquainted with the locality as covering a part of the same ground.
" The lands confirmed are those known under the the name of Rancho San Pedro, situate in the county of Santa Barbara, being the last rancho on the left bank of the Rio de Santa Clara towards the sea, and bounded as follows: Commencing at a point on the left bank of said river, and opposite the center of the old Corral of San Pedro, situate on the left bank of the river, and a short distance from the same, thence in a direet line to the center of said cor- ral; and from thence in a direet line towards the Rodeo Hueneme to a point in front of a small lake situate near the sea. thence in a direct line (to be so run as to exelude from the rancho hereby confirmed the said small salt lake) to the high water-mark of the Pacific Ocean; thence along the line of the high water-mark aforesaid to the month of the River Santa Clara; thence up the left bank of the same and along the left bank of the river to the place of begin- ning, including in the limits of the land hereby eon- firmed, one-half of the aforesaid Corral Viejo de San Pedro, a certain rodeo formerly called ' The Rodeo of the Willow', and a place called 'The Estero'; provided that the quantity of land bereby confirmed shall not exceed the maximum quantity prescribed by the colonization law of Mexico of 1824, of cleven square leagues of land."
Three separate surveys were made by as many surveyors, each survey being larger than the previous one But the elaim of Mrs. Chapman*, being later found to be ineluded in the earlier decree of confirma- tion to Valentine Cota et al., fell to the ground as null and void.
Returning to the consideration of the Superior Court confirmation to Valentine Cota et al., it had become necessary to fix the boundaries by a new survey. This was made by G. II. Thompson. U. S. Deputy Surveyor, in 1867, and the results of the survey published in November and December of the same year. The rancho was thus made to contain 44,833.3 acres. This result was retained in the Sur- veyor-General's office, open to inspection and objection, for more than ninety days, the time prescribed by law. Bishop Amat presented objections, which were waived, and the survey approved June 22. 1869. The case was transmitted to the General Land Office upon Amat's appeal. December 3. 1869, the decision of the Surveyor-General was affirmed.
July 17, 1869, a number of settlers, who had squatted on what they considered publie land, appeared before the Commissioners of the Land Office, by Brittain & Grey, and set forth why they had not appeared before, to protest against the survey. They
. Mrs. Chapman, the wife of Joseph (José) Chapman, of the romantic affair of the Ortega Rancho, mentioned on page 39.
49
382
HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.
filed a letter of their attorney, James F. Stuart, who explained their laches for not contesting the matter before the Surveyor-General. In spite of their rep- resentations the survey was again approved. The settlers then appealed to the Secretary of the Interior, S. D. Cox, by Brittain, Grey & Stuart. June 15, 1870, Cox modified the decision of the General Land Office, cutting off 17,000 acres from the eastern por- tion. A copy of this decision was transmitted to the Surveyor-General, June 16, 1870, with orders to amend the survey accordingly. June 23d, the original claimants applied to the Secretary of the Interior for a modification of his decision, so as to direct the Sur- veyor-General to take proof as to where the eastern boundary should be located to satisfy the decree. This application was denied. May 26, 1871, Sec- retary Cox having been succeeded by Secretary Delano, the claimants applied for a review of his pred- ecessor's action. The Secretary, in order to satisfy himself of the probable grounds of Cox's action, instructed the General Land Office to select its most skillful experts, familiar with Spanish titles and surveys, to make a personal examination and report. Surveyor-General Hardenburg, and T. Silas Reed, of Wyoming, were appointed for this purpose, with Eugene A. Fisk as Secretary. They came upon the ground, Hardenburg resigned, but Reed, however, made a rigid examination, taking much testimony. Among the witnesses was Antonio Rodriguez, one of the Mexican officers who gave the orginal possession to the colonists.
All this time squatters were taking possession.
Reed made an elaborate report, accompanied by a map, and recommended the approval of Thompson's survey. Whereupon, Secretary Delano, upon the joint opinion of Geo. II. Williams, Attorney-General, and W. H. Smith, Assistant Attorney-General, as to his power to grant a rehearing, re-opened the case, set aside the order of Secretary Cox, and directed the approval of the survey and patents to issue, which was done. Bills have been introduced into Congress to re-open the survey, but thus far all attempts have failed.
FIRST CULTIVATION.
Christian Borchard, in company with his son, J. E. Borchard, settled upon the Colonia Rancho in No- vember, 1867. They moved into an old adobe for- merly occupied by the Gonzales family. Their first crop, the first planted on the rancho, was wheat and barley. Thirty acres of each were sown in the spring of 1868. At harvest time it was found that the wheat had rusted so badly as to be worthless, and was hence left standing. The barley yielded eighteen centals to the acre. It was estimated that the wheat would have averaged five tons to the acre as hay. The Borchard place is about nine miles from the county seat, on the IIueneme road. C. Borchard lives near Springville. J. E. Borchard -- to prove how thickly mustard grew-at one time stated that he
was one of two men who gathered, with a remodeled old-fashioned Mayberry header, twenty-five tons of wild black mustard-seed in two months and a half. The whole country being open, they moved from place to place, just where the mustard stood thickest. They cleaned it and sold it for two cents per pound. M. C. Borchard was the projector of the enterprise. James Leonard settled on the Colonia in 1868.
Cutler Arnold, of Hueneme, came to the valley in 1868, and settled on the ranch now owned by
JOHN SCARLETT,
Who was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, June 18. 1825, his father being Richard Scarlett and his mother's maiden name Elizabeth Armstrong. There were four children in the family, John being the sec- ond child and only son. His parents were farmers, and he grew up to the same occupation, spending his youth at the schools of his native land, and aiding in the work of the farm. In 1852, he bade farewell to Ireland and emigrated to America, locating in Phila- delphia, where he engaged in business as a dyer, and continued it for three years. Still westward, like the star of Bishop Berkeley, seemed his destiny, and in 1857 he sailed from New York by steamer, via the Isthmus of Panama, for California, arriving at San Francisco in March of that year. He soon obtained employment as fireman in the San Francisco Sugar Refinery, but showing himself very efficient and faithful to his duties, he was quickly made assistant engineer, and then promoted to be first engineer. This position he held for three years, and then went into business for himself, moving to Dublin, Amador Valley, Alameda County, where he built a hotel. The business of hotel keeping he continued for ten years. when, in 1871, he leased his house and engaged in the business of sheep and wool growing. During the succeeding three years, he successfully pursned this lucrative business, and then, in 1874, purchased the farm upon which he now resides. This fine prop- erty, comprising 700 acres of most excellent land, is situated on the Santa Clara River, in Ventura County, three miles from the county scat. An illus- tration of his pleasant home is elsewhere published. IIere he has lived with his family since 1875. Mr. Scarlett was married September 22, 1864, to Miss Annie Lyster, a native of Australia. They have four children, three girls and one son.
P. B. HAWKINS,
Who lives three miles east of Hueneme, came to the county in 1869. He had been here in 1850, purchas- ing cattle. Seeing that the land was goodly, he returned at a later day, and made a home. Pendleton B. Hawkins was born in the town of Paris, Henry County, Tennessee, in 1824, and there lived until he was six years old, when his parents moved to Mis- souri. That was in 1830, a period in the history of the Republic when the Mississippi River was the western border of civilization, only a comparative
RESIDENCE AND RANCH OF P. B. HAWKINS, HUENEME, VENTURA CO. CAL.
EEEF
11
RESIDENCE AND RANCH OF JOHN G. HILL, HUENEME, VENTURA CO. CAL.
383
EASTERN PORTION OF THE COUNTY.
few venturing across into Missouri or Arkansas or Louisiana, where the great rivers of the West opened channels of travel. Missouri was the only State west of the river, excepting a part of Louisiana; and all the vast region from the Mississippi to the Rocky Mountains was called Missouri Territory. In this frontier State, Mr Hawkins grew to manhood, becoming familiar with the work of the farm, the management of stock, and the ways of life that make one self-reliant and able to make his way in the world, wherever his lot might be cast. In 1850, Mr. Hawkins came to California, and, like the great ma- jority of the immigrants of those early years, sought his wealth in the placers of the Sierra Nevada. Con- tinning mining for three years, he then tried stock- raising, and for this, located in the San Joaquin Val- ley. For a period of six years he remained in that valley, which was then the great cattle range of Cal- ifornia-the broad acres that now produce so many millions of centals of wheat yearly being then consid- ered fitted only for grazing.
In 1855, Mr. Hawkins married Miss Adeline Dickey, and in 1860, moved with his family to Eastern Oregon and there continued his business of stock-raising. Soon thereafter the discovery of mines of gold and silver in Idaho induced another removal, and he went to Boise City in 1862, engaging in farming and freighting until in 1869, when he disposed of his business in the snowy region of Idaho, and sought the more genial clime of the Southern California Coast, settling upon his present ranch, three miles east of Hueneme, Ven- tura County. Here he re-established his stock-raising business, and also engaged in farming. having up- wards of 200 acres of fine land, well adapted to his purpose.
The residence of Mr. Hawkins is shown in an illustration in these pages. His family consists of himself and wife and ten children-six daughters and four sons.
Jacob Gries also came in 1869, and has farmed ever since on the rancho he now owns.
Henry W. Old started his present home near Hueneme on July 23, 1869. He also has a place on the Conejo Rancho, fourteen miles from Hlueneme, where he has large stock-raising interests.
Thomas Scott, the railroad king, who had pur- chased the Colonia from its Spanish owners, as a pos- sible terminus for a trans-continental railroad, sold it in 1869 to Thomas R. Bard for $150,000. The year of 1873 is noted for the number of artesian wells sunk upon the rancho, several of which proved to be flow- ing. That of P. B. Hawkins is said to have been the first one which struck a flow. The Co- lonia Rancho includes the greater part of the broad expanse of the Santa Clara Valley, oceanward. The country between the bluffs of the river and Hueneme is nearly level, with vast fields of grain and flax, presenting a scene at once peaceful and busy. The farm-houses are hidden away among stately
groves of eucalyptus, pepper, cypress, India-rubber and pine trees, while the fields, for the most part, are unfeneed, and reach far and wide. The views are necessarily limited to the far-off mountains and the immediate neighborhood along the road. The rancho extends along the ocean about eight miles, and back into the interior ten miles. The soil is variable, often- times even on the same acre. In the vicinity of IIneneme and along the coast, it is sandy, and uni- formly produces good crops of grain and corn, while farther from the coast it is often clayey, and heavier and more difficult to work, but produces well in a favorable season. The lower portions of the rancho are subject to exudations of salt and alkali, which materially interfere with agricultural operations.
As illustrating the power of the soil, the following incident may be related of one of the Colonia's most enterprising farmers,
JOHN G. HILL.
In 1882, he thought, from the appearance of his barley field, that 4,500 saeks would hold the crop, and he purchased that many. By the time the threshing-machine had labored for one day, he con- eluded he could fill 1,000 more, and ordered them. Next day, as the pile of grain still increased, and the pile of sacks diminished, he ordered another thou- sand. The result was not less than 6,500 sacks, from what he estimated as a 4,500-sack crop, and he is a good judge of grain too.
Mr. Hill was born March 14, 1845, in Paris, Mon- roe County, Missouri. When he was seven years of age his parents immigrated to California, crossing the plains with ox teams, and settled in Napa County. There his mother still resides, his father having died in 1870. Mr. Hill remained in Napa County until 1868, when he removed to his present home in Ven- tura. This is located about three miles from the sea- port of Hueneme, and ten miles from San Buenaven- tura, the county seat. A view of the residence and surroundings is published in this volume.
Mr Hill is principally engaged in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of fine blooded stock, of which he is a great admirer. He has a number of thorough-bred horses, especially of the Lexington and Ben Wade stock, that are his pride and delight. In their introduction he is doing great good to Ventura County. It is a pleasure for him to exhibit them to the many interested and admiring visitors to his well-improved and handsome place. He is also a specialist in hog breeding.
Mr. Hill was married June 20. 1866, to Miss Ara- netta Rice, of Contra Costa County, and they have been blessed with two children, both sons.
The surface water on the Colonia Rancho is gen- erally unfit for household use. Fair water, however, is obtained in wells 43, 90, 200, and 343 feet deep. The Santa Clara Ditch, which flows through Spring- ville, irrigates a part of the eastern portion of the
384
HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.
rancho; but everywhere artesian wells capable of irrigating 160 acres, if ever needed, can be obtained at a depth of from 125 to 150 feet, and at a cost of about $225. It is stated that the number of wells at present is nearly fifty, those of Wesley Cable, P. B. Hawkins, M. Bacon, L. Sutton, and John G. Hill being amongst the notable ones. Corn, barley, and flax have been the exclusive crops, but late ex- perimenty prove that the rust-proof wheats, White Russian and Odessa, will yield large crops. Forty acres have averaged forty bushels to the acre. Apri- cots, apples, quinces, figs, pears, peaches, and English walnuts have been successfully cultivated. Lemons and oranges make a rapid growth. Including 6,000 acres owned by J. D. Patterson, about half the lands have been sold to actual settlers, who have been improving their farms for a number of years. The balance is offered for sale or lease in small farms of from forty to 160 acres each. Tenants are sup- plied with a house and a barn. Leases are for one- fifth of the crop delivered at Hueneme, with first right to purchase at the expiration of the lease. Many of the farms offered for lease have artesian wells.
The climate is excellent, no malaria, no agne. Four school districts maintain school for the greater part of the year. The town of Hueneme, where large warehouses and a wharf have been built, is on the tract. Attention is called to the salient facts in the career of
EDWARD KELLOGG BENCHLEY.
As affording an interesting and instructive example which the young gentlemen of the San Francisco metropolis would do well to imitate.
His farm comprises an area of 320 acres under a high degree of cultivation. The fortunate owner is a California boy, Mr. Benchley, having been born in San Francisco, August 9, 1854. In that city he grew up to manhood, obtaining his education in its excellent public schools, and there was trained to thorough business habits. When twenty-two years old he made a journey to Japan and China on a tour of business and pleasure. In 1876, after this very pleasant and instructive trip, he came to Ventura County, and took a position in the office of Thomas R. Bard, where he remained for a period of nine months. He then bought 160 acres of the farm he now occupies, and engaged in its cultivation. Mak- ing a success in his new vocation, he added another 160 acres, thus doubling his farm. Mr. Benchley is a strong advocate of thorough cultivation, and his success is convincing proof that his theory is correct. In 1877 he married Miss Emma Wagner, a native of Wisconsin, and they have two children.
Among the fine engravings which adorn this book, and illustrate the homes and scenery of Ventura County, will be found one giving a view of his resi- dence, which is located about four miles northeast of Hueneme, and about the same distance from Spring- ville.
HUENEME
Is situated upon a projection of the Colonia Rancho into the sea, about twelve miles from Point Magu on the south, an equal distance from San Buenaventura ou the north, and eight miles from Springville. Here is the Hueneme Wharf, and one mile to the west the Hueneme Light-house.
The town was started by W. E. Barnard, of Ven- tura (now of Oakland), G. S. Gilbert, and H. P. Flint, in June, 1870. It was urged against the site that it would be overflowed at high tide; that the morasses and swamps about the town would prevent any communication with the surrounding country; and furthermore, that it was a part of the Colonia Rancho, whose proprietors, indeed, undertook to dis- possess the founders of the town.
The Hueneme Lighter Company, composed of Chas. H. Bailey, W. E. Barnard, Christopher Chris- tensens, and Daniel Dempsey, began work in 1870. The first shipments were made in June, and were composed of lumber. Experienced persons had prophesied dismal results. They declared that no goods could be safely landed; that the place would be overwhelmed by the fury of the waves, or by devastating floods from the Santa Clara River; but the result fully confirmed the wisdom of Mr. Barnard's opinions. So successful were the landings that a store was started by Messrs. Gilbert (now of San Buenaventura), Flint & Barnard, and arrangements made to have the steamer Kalorama make regular visits. Her first trip to Hueneme was made June 20, 1870, when fifty tons of grain were shipped with- out difficulty, and the practicability of the landing firmly established. Sixty thousand sacks of grain were shipped during the first year. All shipments thus far had been by means of lighters. A few disasters, such as the loss of some valuable machinery destined for the oil-works, and the probability of the place doing a great business in the future, demanded and justified the building of a wharf. Accordingly, T. R. Bard and R. G. Surdam petitioned the Board of Super- visors for the right to construct a wharf at that point. Their prayer was granted August 4, 1871, and the work began and was finished the same month. It was 900 feet long, and had a depth of eighteen feet of water at its outer end. It was connected, by means of a tram-way, with a warehouse built on the shore at the same time. Corrals for stock were also built. This enterprise reaped its just reward within a short time, in the shape of a large volume of busi- ness. On September 12, 1871, the County Board of Supervisors fixed the maximum rates to be charged at Hueneme Wharf as follows: Steamers and vessels owned in port, 100 tons or less, $25.00 per year; steamers and vessels owned in port, 20 ) tons or up- wards, $50.00 per year; other vessels, $10.00 per trip; lighters or steamers used in discharging freight, 25 tons register, 83.00 per day; 25 to 100 tons regis- ter, $7.50 per day; 100 tons register or upwards,
E. K. BENCHLEY
RESIDENCE & RANCH OF EDW. K. BENCHLEY HUENEME VENTURA CO. CAL.
385
EASTERN PORTION OF THE COUNTY.
$10.00 per day; first-class freight, per ton, $2.00; second-class freight, hay, light machinery, and petro- leum, per ton, $1.50; lumber, per M, $1.50; shingles, per M, 15 cents; sheep or hogs, each, 10 cents; cattle or horses, each, $1.50; single packages, 25 cents.
WAR.
However pleasant the conception of the wharf enterprise may have been to its projectors, it was not brought forth a perfect creation without severe travail, and the promise, if not the execution, of much blood- shed. To fully understand the matterit is necessary to retrogress a little. It should be remembered that T. R. Bard bought the Colonia Rancho of Thomas Scott in 1869; that W. E. Barnard was the first settler at Hueneme, and claimed his place as being public land; that at this time the question of the proper bounda- ries was yet awaiting final decision before the United States authorities.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.