USA > California > Kings County > History of Tulare and Kings counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 82
USA > California > Tulare County > History of Tulare and Kings counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 82
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exceptional ability, his early predilection for drawing having been followed by thorough training therein. In his home town he estab- lished a studio where he devoted his time to his beloved art, both landscapes and portraits receiving his attention, and after his re- moval to Alton, Ill., where he opened a studio, he continued to main- tain his first work shop. In 1860, after the death of his wife, he took his family to Visalia, Cal., where, until his death in 1876. he continued to work at his profession, taking up artistic sign painting also during his latter years. Among his best works are his copies of the Duke of Athens, Venus Arising from the Sea, the Court of Death, upon which he worked almost twelve years, a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and an original study, The Dance of the Four Seasons. He painted, also, many of the scenie charms of the bean- tiful Yosemite valley. His delight in life was to work ont through the medinm of his brush the dreams created by his soul, and his nature, kindly and compassionate toward all living creatures, was unsullied by selfish greed of gain.
Frank Rembrandt Kellenberg received his education in the schools of Visalia, whereupon he entered the employ of Richard E. Hyde, a pioneer merchant of that city, also for thirty years president of the Bank of Visalia. In his first position Mr. Kellenberg served eighteen months, when he became a clerk in the establishment of Douglas & Company, who later sold to Stevens & Company, with whom Mr. Kellenberg remained many years. Eleven years and six months from the date of his entrance as an employee of the store, he purchased a one-fourth interest in same, but in 1881 he dis- posed of his share in the establishment and started a retail shoe business, which for seven years he profitably conducted. In 1906 he sold his store and entered the real estate field which, offering a more untrammeled and largely open air life, had long appealed to him.
In 1885 Mr. Kellenberg was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Rebecca Kelsey, a danghter of Hiram Kelsey, who is mentioned else- where in this volume.
Some of the most important sales of which Mr. Kellenberg is the anthor, are the following: The Bequette estate, consisting of eight hundred acres; the Benjamin Hicks tract north of Visalia, eight Inindred acres; a tract of six hundred and forty acres in Kings county, and the twenty-four hundred acre Brandon ranch in Fresno county. Hle owned and sold also large ranch interests as follows: Three hundred and twenty acres near Orosi; six hundred and ninety- one acres near Orosi, in the Stokes mountains; one hundred and sixty acres near Cross creek; eighty acres near Farmersville; one hun- dred and sixty acres on the Tule river; fifty acres three miles from Visalia, and numerous smaller places. He is at present interested
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in a section of land in the Lost Hills, Kern county, where oil has been found and where drillings are now taking place.
Mr. and Mrs. Kellenberg have been blessed with a son and a daughter, Frank Guido and Louise. In retrospection, Mr. Kellen- berg frequently mentions his early days in the west, beginning with the never-to-be-forgotten stage coach trip across the plains, from Gilroy to Visalia, then inhabited only by wild horses and antelope, which took flight at the sound or sight of man. He has been one of Visalia's most dependable citizens, always prompt to lend his aid whenever possible toward the development of the community.
HIRAM KELSEY
One of Visalia's substantial citizens was Hiram Kelsey, who passed away August 8, 1907. He was born in Logan county, Ohio, December 10, 1829, his ancestors having been pioneers of Kentucky and also among the first settlers of Ohio. In 1799 his grandfather. John Kelsey, moved from the former state to Warren county, forty miles north of Cincinnati, when his son Abner, father of Hiram, was but six months old. In this section Abner Kelsey spent his youth, and ere he reached his majority wedded Miss Nancy Purdy, a native of Genesee county, N. Y., whose mother, Miss Brown before her marriage, was a native of Scotland. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey, nine of whom grew to maturity; but two, however, are now living. Both husband and wife lived to a good old age, ninety-one and eighty, respectively.
In 1852 Hiram Kelsey crossed the plains to California and pros- pected for a time in Placer county, later moving to the San Jose valley, where he conducted a farm. In 1854 he returned to Placer county and engaged in the butcher business, securing his beef from the well-known Todd brothers, cattle dealers of Napa valley. In addition to his profitable trade, Mr. Kelsey's income from his mine ventures was not inconsiderable. After three years in this loca- tion he returned east, where he married Miss Jemima Hill, and with his bride located on an Iowa farm, where they resided seven years, and where three of their children were born: Isadora May (now Mrs. George A. Butz), Harlan W. and Minnie R. (wife of Frank R. Kellenberg of Visalia). As a proof of his popularity and executive ability, Mr. Kelsey was elected three times to serve as supervisor while residing in Marion county, Iowa. Later he disposed of his farm and took his family to Michigan, where they resided two years. moving, in 1886, to Missouri. Their youngest son, John W., was born in California, and in 1873 the family came to Visalia, where
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Mr. Kelsey engaged in business and where his conscientious prin- ciples and wide sympathies, soon recognized by his fellow citizens, were able to find adequate expression during his service of two years as health officer. Later he established a butcher shop in Tulare, and in 1887 retired from active life, spending his last days in Visalia. For many years Mr. Kelsey was the oldest member of the Knights of Pythias, and upon his death was mourned by a large number of friends who appreciated his genial, kindly nature and his keen sense of justice.
HENRY C. SMITHI
The hardy Norwegian, wherever the fortunes of life may cast him, he he safely landed or shipwrecked, is quite likely to make the best of the situation in which he is placed and more certain than men of some other nationalities which might be mentioned to win all the snecess that is enwrapped in the possibilities of the unknown future. Kings county has had some pioneers and numerous citizens of this nationality. One of the best known of them is Henry C. Smith of Guernsey, son of John H. Smith, who was born in Norway in November, 1813. eventually coming to Tulare county, and died there May, 1907.
Henry C. Smith was born at Sonora, Tuolumne county, Cal., Feb- ruary 12, 1866, and lived with his father wherever the latter's agri- cultural enterprises caused him to establish a home until the old Norwegian farmer passed away. As a boy he attended Lakeside dis- triet school until he was seventeen years old. Afterwards, in accord- ance with the custom which has obtained quite generally with farmers' sons. he gave his services to his father until he was twenty-one years old. After that. as has been stated, the two were associated in business during the remainder of the life of the elder Smith. Since his father passed away the son has given his attention to general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the breeding of hogs. Hle owns eight hundred acres of good land and a one-half interest in an additional two hundred and eighty aeres. As a farmer he has been very successful and takes rank with the best agriculturists in his part of the county.
In 1909 Mr. Smith built the Kings County Cheese factory, of which he is the sole owner, and its location is on the southeast corner of the northwest quarter of section twenty-five, township twenty, range twenty one. On his land are a hundred and seventy-five cows
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whose milk is utilized in the factory. His cheese-maker is an expert in his line and they manufacture three brands of cheese, viz .: Yonng American, Flat and Monterey, all being full-cream and commanding the highest market prices because of their delicious taste and ex- cellent quality. Constantly looking for improvements, Mr. Smith, in 1911 and 1912, put down two artesian wells so that his lands are now among the best irrigated tracts in the county. The wells have a depth of twenty-three hundred and eighty and two thousand feet respectively, and flow copiously, and in connection with the Lake- side ditch furnish an abundance of water for irrigation purposes.
In 1899 Henry C. Smith married Miss Marie Heinrich, a native of Kansas, who has borne him six children: Albert, Ethel, Clara, Vernon, Marie and Queenie. Mr. Smith takes a deep and abiding interest in everything that pertains to the advancement of his county and state and is ready at all times with liberal encouragement of measures directed to the benefit of the people at large.
VAIL BROTHERS
Painting and paper hanging is now a well recognized trade, and those who succeed in it are men who like the Vail Brothers of Han- ford, Kings county, Cal., have given years to its acquisition and practice. J. W. and E. M. Vail were born at Antioch, Contra Costa connty, C'al., sons of F. M. Vail, a painter, who had himself served an apprenticeship to a trade which he had perfected by long years of experience. When the sons were mere boys their parents took them to Lemoore, Kings county, where their father taught them their trade and they began their career as contractors of painting and paper hanging. It was in 1911 that they built their present store and shops on North Douty street, Hanford, materially extending their business after having devoted ten years of work and study to it. Besides handling materials for their own contracts, they sell house lining, wall paper, paint, oils and glass and merchandise of all kinds which can be utilized in interior or outside decoration of buildings.
There are not in Hanford, in the younger business circles, two more popular or well esteemed men than J. W. and E. M. Vail. They take a publie spirited interest in all the affairs of the town and affiliate with several of its fraternal organizations, notably with the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Woodmen of the World. They are members of the Painters' union, of which J. W. has served as trustee and E. M. is the recording secretary.
In July, 1897. J. W. Vail married Miss Mary Bollman, a native of Atlanta, Ga., then living in Kings county, and they have daughters named Mary and Agnes. E. M. Vail married Miss Minnie Cox in
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1901. and they have had two sons and a daughter. The second son died when two years of age. The two living are named respectively Frank and Minnie May.
To F. M. Vail, the father of J. W. and E. M. Vail, belongs the distinction of being the first man married in King's county. His see- ond union at an age of forty-three with his present wife, then Mrs. llattie Stanton, a native of California, on the second day of June, 1893, is the first marriage recorded in said county.
ROBERT K. OGDEN
A native of the Prairie State, now one of the successful men of Tulare county, the career of Robert K. Ogden has been one of strug- gles and success. He was born at Victoria, Knox county, Ill .. April 2, 1864, a son of Mathew B. and Catherine (Fisher) Ogden, the one a native of Pennsylvania, the other of Illinois. The father came to California and, locating in Riverside, was one of the pioneer orange growers in the southern part of the state. He met with much success and became widely known in fruit cireles as well as in the leading markets of California and the East. He so far won the confidence of his fellow citizens that they called him to the office of justice of the peace and elected him a member of the board of supervisors of Riverside county.
In young manhood Robert K. Ogden engaged in freighting be- tween Leavenworth, Kans., and Santa Fe, N. Mex. Buffalo and other wild game were plentiful in that part of the country at that time, and he saw buffalo chased by hunters through the streets of Dodge City, Kans. After he had freighted for a time he went to Indian Territory. He once drove a band of horses to New Orleans and later was engaged in the livery business for a year in Arkansas. We next find him in Montgomery county, in his native state, working for wages. From Illinois he went to Kansas City, Mo., where he was employed to assist in the construction of a railroad from that city to Beatrice, Gage county, Neb. California has been his home since 1889 and he began his career here as a rancher on Lewis creek, between Exeter and Lindsay. In the period 1891-95 he was farming west of Visalia, grow- ing wheat extensively and breeding hogs in large numbers. In 1896 he bought his present farm of sixty acres on the Exeter road, four miles from Visalia, and has greatly improved the property, planting much of it to alfalfa and maintaining a fine dairy. He is considered one of the np-to-date farmers of Tulare county and his success is of so substantial a character that it seems to hold out a promise of note- worthy futuro achievement.
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In December, 1891, Mr. Ogden married Miss Pearl Mathewson, who was born in Tulare county, a daughter of one of its pioneers. They own a fine home in Visalia. Mrs. Ogden has been a worthy helpmeet to her worthy husband and has given him her sympathy and encouragement in all the years since their marriage. They have children named Arthur M., Harry R., Beulah, Beryl, Ralph and Wanda. Mr. Ogden affiliates with the Eagles, the Modern Woodmen and the Woodmen of the World.
ENOCH A. SMITH
On his father's side the subject of this sketch is descended from old Virginia families and on his mother's from families long known near Frankfort, Scott county, Kentucky. His parents were Jeptha and Nancy Rachel (Waller) Smith and he was born in Kentucky, January 26, 1840. When he was five years old his parents took him to Northeast Missouri, where his father farmed and where his mother died in 1848. In 1850 his father came overland, with ox-teams, with the Ilill outfit, to California and located in Yolo county. From there he later went to Nevada county, where he mined for a short time and later was otherwise employed until 1866, when he passed away. Enoch remained in Northeast Missouri until 1857. In the spring of that year the Vines and McManus party was organized for immigration to Cali- fornia by the overland route. Ox-teams were to be used; there were forty wagons manned by twenty men. The train left St. Joseph, May 5, 1857, and arrived at Santa Rosa September 1, following. Six hun- dred head of cattle, the property of a Mr. Moore, were driven. At Gravelly Ford, Indians stole twenty-one cattle, seven of which they killed, but the immigrants rescued the fourteen others. The twenty men kept up a long running fight with twenty-five Indians, killing nine- teen of them. Closely pursued, the surviving redskins sought safety by jumping into the Humboldt river, but the white men waited on the bank and shot at a head whenever it appeared above the water. After that there was no molestation of this party by Indians. Between Lassen Meadows and Honey Lake valley the immigrants came upon a deep spring which they sounded to a depth of one hundred and thirty- two feet without finding bottom.
After living for a time near Windsor, Mr. Smith came to Tulare county and located at Visalia in 1859. He was acquainted with all the old settlers, the Evanses, the MeCrurys, the Morrisseys and the Shannons and others, and was a witness to the hanging of James MeCrury and knew the latter's friend, Mr. Allen. For a time he had charge of a band of sheep in Frazier valley which numbered two
50
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thonsand head. After his marriage he bought government land in Sand Creek district, holding three hundred and twenty acres. He pre- empted one hundred and sixty acres in 1869 and has taken over land since until he and his son, George E. Smith, own one thousand acres, farming two hundred and fifty acres and devoting the remainder to pasturage. They keep an average of one hundred and fifty head of stock and seventy-five hogs.
When Mr. Smith came to this part of the state, cattle and sheep were being fed everywhere, houses were scattered very sparsely over the country and travelers found at Smith Ferry the only dwelling they passe 1 in eighteen miles from that point to within four miles of Vi- salia. There were many hands of deer and antelope and he shot deer from time to time for food. Brown bear were numerous. He is the owner of many relies of by-gone days. Mr. Smith is a public-spirited citizen of Republican principles and has done his full share toward the development of the county. He married in 1872, in Northeast Mis- souri, Miss Ellen Harley, a native of Maryland, and their only son and child, George E., a native of California. is a member of their household.
LEWIS S. SMITH
In no lines of business is true progressiveness more eagerly sought or more quickly recognized than in those which tonch npoli onr household economies. Especially is this true of the dairy busi- ness, which is ably represented at Hanford by Lewis Smith, proprietor of the up-to-date concern at No. 116 S. Irwin street, which is operated under the name of Smith Brothers. Mr. Smith was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, April 3, 1879, and was there reared and educated. Ile early inclined to a business occupation and was employed as a sales- man in a general store until 1904. Then he came to California and, locating at Hanford, worked in that vicinity until 1907. Then, with his brother George R. as a partner, he engaged in the retail milk business and built and equipped the fine plant at the location above mentioned. It is a building eighteen by forty feet in area measure- ments, having a concrete floor and other equipment, thoroughly sanitary and of the latest models. In 1909 he bought his brother's interest in the business, but has since conducted it without change of name. Ilis milk is purchased from R. R. Butler and Ray Campbell, both of whom keep inspected dairies. In 1912 he added a complete ontfit for the manufacture of ice cream for the wholesale and retail trade.
December 20, 1910, Mr. Smith married Miss Bessie Johnson, a
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native of Missouri, born April 2, 1891. who had become a resident of Hanford. They have one son, Lewis Sidney, born November 14, 1912. Socially he affiliates with the Odd Fellows lodge, encampment and canton at Hanford and with the organizations of Knights of Pythias. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce and in his other relations with his fellow citizens he has always shown a degree of publie spirit that has commended him their good opinion.
WILLIAM M. CLARK
The birth of William M. Clark occurred in Scotland county, Mo .. November 5, 1866. He was a son of James M. and Martha E. (Baker) Clark, the former a native of Kentucky, his mother a native of Mis- souri. James M. Clark served in the Civil war under General Morgan in the Confederate army and was one of ninety-nine of Morgan's men who tunneled out of the Federal prison for Confederate captives at Chicago. One of the guards hailed him after he had left the tunnel, and failing to get a response fired at him, but missed him. He had other narrow escapes which would be interesting could they be nar- rated here. He was in the service from 1862 until the end of the war, all the time in Lee's command and a part of that time under the great general's anthority, took part in many battles and skirmishes, and from time to time did hazardous seonting. One of his recollections was of an involuntary horse trade on a bridge, another was of the instantaneons disappearance of the nose of the man near him whose face had unfortunately come into the range of Federal firearms. After the war he lived in Missouri until 1892, when he died, aged forty-five. It was beside his father's deathbed that William M. Clark married Miss Mary Johnson, and they have had three children, Arthur, Marvin and Laurin. Mrs. Clark was born in the same county in Missouri as was Mr. Clark. Their oldest child is now a student in the grammar school.
Mr. Clark lived with his father in Missouri until he was twenty- three years old. He learned farming, and contracting and building, and was employed at different times at these occupations. When he came to California and settled in Tulare county, in 1889, he found him- self in the midst of a vast wheat country, the land ranging in market value from $5 to $15 an acre. Later he bought thirty acres at $25 an aere, which is now worth $200 an acre. He has fourteen acres of grapes and ten aeres of peaches and will soon plant five acres to orange trees. His first crop of grapes yielded him three-quarters of a ton to the acre and his peaches in 1911 sold for $400. He is not
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giving much attention to stock and keeps only such as is required on his ranch.
Fraternally Mr. Clark affiliates with the Modern Woodmen, Mrs. Clark with the Royal Neighbors. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his political conviction he is a Democrat. As a citizen he is public-spirited and helpful.
JABEL M. DEAN
As citizen and official, Jabel M. Dean, of Hanford, Kings county, Cal., has impressed his personality npon the progress of that city. Born in Tennessee, June 29, 1860, he settled in Hanford in 1880 and learned the carpenter's trade with W. H. Nyswonger. He worked as a carpenter until 1896, when he engaged in contracting and building with W. W. Cole as a partner. Among the residences built in Hanford by this firm may be mentioned those of T. J. MeJunkin, A. G. Parks, L. C. Dunham, Charles McGee, J. Bowman, William Trewhitt. Thomas Ehod, A. M. Fredericks, Frank Arnold, E. W. Pilkington, Mrs. Mary Bruner, and three for H. E. Wright. In Lemoore they erected the residences of Ed. Sellors and R. Deacon; they built an addition to the Methodist church at Hanford; and among the country homes of their fashioning are those of J. J. Cartner and John W. Jones, and those of Mrs. Ilitehock and Mr. Hackett of Grangeville. They draw their own plans for buildings and give the most conscientious attention to every detail of construction.
In 1906 Mr. Dean was elected city trustee of Hanford, and during his four years' service a number of important civic matters were nn- dertaken, including the beginning of cement sidewalk construction in residence streets, the extension of the sewer system, the buying of chemical fire engines and of hose carts, and the extension of the electrice fire alarm system. In this period a proposition was made to submit to the people the question of the abolition of saloons in the city, and Mr. Dean was the only member of the board who voted for it. He introduced an ordinance demanding that the people vote on the ques- tion of a municipal water system. In other ways he has proven his publie spirit. He is a member of the Carpenter's Union.
WILLIAM BRYAN CHARLES, M. D.
In Salem, Washington county, Ind., William B. Charles, M. D., of Hanford, was born March 12, 1857, a son of Levin and America (Rodman) Charles. Nathan Charles, his grandfather, a Quaker, was
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born in Maryland and was taken by his parents to North Carolina, where he married. In 1818 he settled within the present limits of Washington county, Ind., as a farmer and saddler, and died there in 1868, aged ninety-one years. His son, Levin Charles, born in North Carolina, was four years old when his parents took him to Indiana, where he passed the remainder of his years, dying at the age of sixty- five after a nseful career as a farmer. He was prominent in local affairs as a Whig and later as a Republican. He married America Rodman, who was born in Shelby county, Ky., daughter of Hugh Rod- man, a native Kentuckian, who settled in Washington county, Ind., about 1825. He had served in the war of 1812 and later became a successful farmer and he lived to be seventy-five years old. Hugh Rodman, Sr., his father, born in Bucks county, Pa., settled in Ken- tneky in 1786, going thence by boat down the Ohio river. He traced his ancestry to Scotland. America (Rodman) Charles died in Indiana in 1875, fifty-two years old, having borne eleven children, of whom Doctor Charles was the sixth.
After attending the schools at Salem, Ind., until he was nineteen years old, Doctor Charles came in 1876 to what is now Kings county, Cal., and for two years was employed at farm work and teaming. Then, returning to Indiana, he entered an academy at Salem to pre- pare himself for the university and was graduated in 1882. A part of the time while he was a student at the academy he taught school in the vicinity and gave some attention to an acquisition of a knowl- edge of the drug business under the instruction of his brother, who was a physician as well as a druggist. He entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Kentucky at Louisville and was duly gradn- ated from that institution March 1, 1887. It was at Norcatur, Kans., that he entered npon the practice of his profession. There he remained until 1894, and in March of that year he located at Ilanford, bnikling up a lucrative practice and commending himself to his fellow citizens of all classes by his thorough knowledge of his profession and a winning per- sonality. At Norcatur, Kans., Doctor Charles was married November 30, 1887, to Miss Carrie S. Wildfang, a native of Wisconsin, and two of the children born to them are living, Ethel and William Gordon. Though he was always very busy professionally, Doctor Charles, as a loyal, public-spirited citizen, found time to devote himself to the uplift of the community. Ile was a stanch Republican and influential in politi- cal affairs. He served as delegate to several county and state con- ventions and was a member of the Republican State Central Com- mittee. He was appointed to the office of county physician in 1899 and served until 1906, when he resigned and, on account of his wife's ill health, returned to Kansas and practiced at Oberlin for one year. November 30, 1907, he returned to Hanford and in 1909 was reap- pointed county physician. In 1912 he was appointed city health officer,
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