USA > California > History of the State of California and biographical record of Coast Counties, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 45
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cultivation of grain. However, Mr. Blackburn persisted in cultivating his orchards, believing that as the region became populated and rail- roads were built there would be a demand for fruit. Another matter on which he insisted was the raising of the finest qualities, and few ac- complished more in this direction than did he. The years passed by and it seemed as if the world would not soon hear of the Pajaro valley apples, but by chance they were brought before buyers. When the apples of the Santa Clara valley became affected by insects L. G. Soreso- vich sent from San José to buy up fruit in the Pajaro valley and thus the fine quality of the products became known.
Forming an association with James Waters, in 1867 Mr. Blackburn established the Pajaro Valley Nursery, and for several years did all he could to sell a high grade of fruit trees, setting out apple orchards and berry gardens. Many varieties were brought from the east to test their adaptability to California climate and soil, and some of these have since become standard grades. In the introduction of walnut, chestnut, pecan and sassafras trees, he was a pioneer, and the importance of his work cannot be ad- equately estimated by one not familiar with the subject. One thousand acres of land in Santa Barbara county which he purchased and on which for years he conducted stock-raising and general farming are yet owned by his heirs. In addition he owned valuable property in Wat- sonville and was a silent partner in the mer- cantile business conducted by C. J. Averrett.
The marriage of Mr. Blackburn in 1854 united him with Arminda Short, whose father, Stephen Short, was a pioneer of California. Born of their marriage were the following chil- dren: Harry, who died at twenty-two years, while he was serving as district deputy for State Sen- ator Thomas Beck; Mary, who resides with her mother: Lula, who married Charles J. Averrett and has three children, Harry, Florence and Bessie; Thomas, who died at three years of age; and Frank, a merchant, who married Minnie Hudson and has one child, Charis.
The important personal interests of Mr. Blackburn did not prevent him from interesting himself in affairs affecting the prosperity of his
city and commonwealth and the welfare of his fellowmen. His service of twelve years as a member of the board of supervisors covered an important period in the county's history and was productive of good along various lines. A friend of the public-school system, during his service of a quarter of a century in the office of school trustee he introduced many improve- ments, promoted the grade of scholarship, se- cured the adoption of modern text books, and in other ways proved himself a man of enterprise as well as a believer in education for all. Dur- ing the existence of the Order of Red Men he was connected with that organization, and he was also active in the work of the Odd Fellows. While not identifying himself with any denom- ination, he was a liberal giver to religious and charitable movements and a contributor to the erection of houses of worship in various parts of the valley.
SILAS B. CALL.
San Luis Obispo contains innumerable re- minders of the meritorious career of Silas B. Call, who for many years was one of the suc- cessful operators in its busy marts of trade, and accumulated large worldly recompense through unremitting industry and business sagacity. He was born in Newport, N. H., where he spent the early part of his life, and where his father, Stephen, also a native of New Hampshire, was a very successful man and large land owner. The elder Call was well and favorably known in his native state, where his four score years were passed, and he was the largest taxpayer in Sullivan county. Of English descent, his fam- ily was first represented in America by three brothers who emigrated from England and set- tled in the east, and his father, Nathan, the paternal grandfather of Silas B .. removed at a very early day to New Hampshire. Stephen Call married into a family intimately connected with the Revolutionary war, for the father of his wife, formerly Pauline Dunham, fought at the battles of Monmouth and Brandywine. There were six sons and two daughters born to Mr. and Mrs. Call, of whom Silas B. was the youngest. One of the sons, Hial, lives near
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Newport, N. H., and is a farmer by occupation, while Henry and Nathan live at Santa Cruz, Cal., having settled there in 1855. James was a soldier during the Civil war, but since 1866 has never been heard from, and it is generally sup- posed that he is dead. George is in Sheridan county, Ore. One sister, Mrs. Hannah Ainger, is now deceased, while the other, Mrs. R. Gun- nison, lives in Iowa.
Notwithstanding his father's prosperous con- dition, Silas B. Call was reared to an apprecia- tion of the dignity of labor, and of the honor attached to independence and business ability. When fifteen years of age he began to learn the liarness and saddle trade with Edward Wheeler, of Newport, which gentleman was the author of the Newport History. At the expiration of five years Silas had qualified as a master me- chanic, and upon starting out to make his own way went to Lowell, Mass., where he found em- ployment and remained one year. Not being favorably impressed with the business chances in the staid and conservative New England town he set out for the west, locating first in Santa Cruz, Cal., working one year for a Mr. Peter- son. In the fall of 1861 he came to San Luis Obispo and established a saddle and harness business, which, from a small beginning, grad- ually assumed substantial and permanent pro- portions. The continuous success of his enter- prise gained for him recognition among the commercial factors of the place, and the large patronage enabled him to make numerous ad- vantageous investments in town and county. He became the possessor of several business houses on Monterey street, and his activities extended into various avenues remote from his saddlery business. He died May 26, 1880, at the age of forty-two. Had he lived to be an older man, he would doubtless have instituted even larger successes. As it was, he stood very high in the public regard, and his unquestioned integrity and liberality was a matter of pride with all who knew him.
The many interests of Mr. Call have been car- ried on since his death by his widow, who was before her marriage Emeline Lunceforde, daughter of William Lunceforde, a successful farmer of Illinois. Mr. Lunceforde married
Mrs. Mary Trent Holdaway, of East Tennessee. They resided near Lebanon, St. Clair county, Ill., until 1852, when they with their four chil- dren, William T., Nancy E., Sarah M. and Cyn- thia M., started for the west, arriving in Cali- fornia in 1854, settling in El Dorado county and engaging in farming and stock-raising. He was prosperous, enterprising and public-spirited and was entitled to the distinction accorded bravery because of his participation in the In- dian wars. In 1861 Mr. Lunceforde and family came to San Luis Obispo county, where the father and mother spent their closing days. All of the children still survive them; William T. and Sarah M. reside in San Bernardino, Cyn- thia M. in Santa Barbara county, and Nancy E. (Mrs. Call) in San Luis Obispo. Of the chil- dren born to Mr. and and Mrs. Call, there were three sons and one daughter. Silas, Reuben and Stephen Albert are living at home, and Lena is the wife of W. R. Spence, formerly of San Francisco, now a resident of San Luis Obispo. Ralph, the youngest, died at the age of seven. By a former marriage to Cyrus Snell, Mrs. Call had one daughter, Rhoda, who is the widow of Charles H. Reed. Mrs. Call inherits the estate of her husband, including the large stores on Monterey street. Since his death she has erected a fine brick building, where was formerly a frame structure. Another fine property owned by Mrs. Call is that occu- pied by the hardware store of C. H. Reed Com- pany. The family residence is one of the most delightful and homelike in the town, and Mrs. Call is a genial and hospitable acquisition to the social life of the community.
TRUMAN ANDREWS.
With the innumerable throng of eastern men whom the discovery of gold drew to California came Mr. Andrews, a pioneer of 1850. He was born in Utica. Oneida county, N. Y., in 1822. and was a son of Edwinand Ellen (Van Vlaeck) Andrews. When a boy he attended the common schools of Utica, where he received advantages perhaps better than those accorded most boys of that day. He was a young man when the whole world was electrified by the news that
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gold had been found in California. With all the enthusiasm of youth, he determined to seek a fortune for himself beyond the mountains. .Arriving in the state after a long and wearisome journey, he proceeded to the mines near Co- lumbia, but did not find the life of a miner as alluring and satisfactory as he had anticipated. Turning his attention to other pursuits, in 1852 he went to Santa Clara county and took up five hundred acres of raw land just outside of the city of San José. The excellent pasturage af- forded by the land and its close proximity to the city rendered it especially suited for dairy pur- poses, and accordingly he gave himself to that occupation. He was the pioneer dairyman of San José and was well known through all that vicinity. After a time, however, the land be- came too valuable to be retained for dairy pur- poses, and he accordingly disposed of it at a handsome profit over the cost price.
In 1882 Mr. Andrews came to San Luis Obispo county and bought one thousand acres from Col. W. W. Hollister. In this way he be- came the proprietor of the now well known Sycamore ranch, on which he established the Oak Hill dairy. Having found the dairy busi- ness profitable in his former home, he took it up with the advantage of his previous expe- rience, and continued to conduct the dairy dur- ing the remainder of his life. It was his aim, as a dairyman, to produce only the finest quality of butter and cheese. No inferior article was permitted to leave the ranch. His dealings with others, in a business way, were always honor- able and fair. No deceit or trickery ever entered into any business transaction or was permitted by him. Through all of Los Osos valley he was known as an honest and honorable man, and hence his death, which occurred March 28, 1892, was mourned as a public loss. It was the united testimony of the people that a good man had gone from among them.
One of the improvements for which Mr. An- drews most stanchly stood was the securing of good roads for San Luis Obispo county, and inring his service of many years as overseer he gave himself largely to bringing about the re- -ult so greatly desired by him. In his political views he always voted the Republican ticket.
His marriage in 1847 united him with Miss El- len Otis, a native of Ontario county, N. Y. Six children were born of their union, namely: Otis, who operates a farm near Redding, Cal .; Charles, whose home is in Oakland, this state; George, who operates a portion of the old homestead; Fred and Bert, who are also ranch- ers; and Mary C., wife of E. H. Crawford, of San Luis Obispo. Since the death of Mr. An- drews his wife has maintained a general super- vision of the property which comprises ten hun- dred and thirty acres, partly in grain, partly de- voted to grazing purposes, and the balance utilized for the dairy.
JOHN T. KENT.
Ever since settling in Monterey county Mr. Kent has made his home on a farm nine miles from San Lucas, on the old Los Angeles stage route. Through diligent application he has ac- quired five hundred and sixty acres of land, which, with three hundred and twenty acres owned by his sons, makes eight hundred and eighty acres in one body, the improvement of which is carried forward under the keen super- vision of father and sons. While general farm- ing is conducted to some extent, the crops raised are used principally for the feeding of the stock, for Mr. Kent believes that more rev- enne is to be derived from the raising of cat- tle, horses and hogs than from the sale of the crops in the open markets.
The early home of Mr. Kent is far removed from the home of his later years. He was born in Halifax county, Nova Scotia, August 29, 1843, and grew to manhood on a farm, receiv- ing such advantages as local schools afforded. In 1867 he went to West Cambridge, Mass., and for a few months worked out, after which he went from Boston to New York and there boarded the vessel Rising Sun for California. After a tedious voyage he reached the isthmus, crossing which he took passage on a Pacific ocean ship and finally anchored in San Fran- cisco. Ilis first location in the far west was near San Mateo, where he spent a few months on a ranch. Later he spent two years as an employe in a sawmill at Santa Cruz, and then worked at
PEDRO ZABALA
PEDRO ZABALA Taken in June, 1867
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Felton for a year. On his return to Santa Cruz he secured employment in the powder mill, where he remained for a year. From there, in May of 1872, he came to Monterey county and settled on the farm he now owns. This he se- cured by taking up a homestead and pre-emp- tion claim. The year before coming here he married Miss Cynthia Phillips, of Summit county, Ohio. They are the parents of seven children, namely: Hattie, who is engaged in teaching school; Henry A., John S., Merrill C., Persis A., Alfred and Pearl A. For six years Mr. Kent held the position of roadmaster and his service proved helpful to the best interests of the community in the matter of good roads. In politics he supports Democratic principles.
PEDRO ZABALA.
As far as lies in the power of any one indi- vidual, Pedro Zabala has illustrated in his life the force and control of circumstances which characterized for generations the race from which he springs, and which national traits brought under the fluttering flag of Spain the sunniest isles of the ocean, the richest de- pendencies in the world, and the most illustrious promoters of artistic, literary, commercial and maritime supremacy. Of all the different parts of Spain which strove in friendly rivalry to in- crease her prestige and add to her glory, none attained to greater renown than did the people of Castile, nor does any name convey to the remembering world more of romance, grandeur, pride of birth or splendid culture. As far as descent is concerned Mr. Zabala is entitled to special consideration apart from his standing, for he is the only remaining Castilian in this part of the state, who has distinguished him- self by conspicuous success. .
Nor must it be supposed that any special and protecting fortune directed the way to the large worldly possessions and the present leis- ure from active business life spent in his beautiful home in Salinas, for Mr. Zabala has hewn out of the hard rock of adverse cir- cumstances the model of his own life structure. He was born in the Province of
Biscay, Spain, in 1825, and at an early age be- came an orphan and dependent upon his own brain and ability. He acquired a public school education in his native land, and when twenty- one years old departed from the shores of Spain for the less tried opportunities of South America. The mercantile business in which he engaged for a year being not entirely sat- isfying, he followed the inclination of thou- sands who had heard of the ready fortunes awaiting the ambitious in the gold fields of Cal- ifornia, and landed in Monterey in October of 1849. His already mature judgment separated the transitory gain of mining from the per- manent advantage of more legitimate business, and he therefore embarked upon a mercantile business in which he was engaged for eiglit years in Monterey. With the solid backing of this experience he then located in Salinas City, which at the time had but a few adobe build- ings and shacks, and was surrounded by new and undeveloped country. With keen discern- ment he anticipated the future which is to- day, and as proof of his faith invested heavily in land, principally in the country, where huge ranches could be purchased at a nominal price. This property has since increased in value with startling rapidity, and the owner therefore has the advantage to which he is entitled by reason of his foresight and ability to purchase. Since the very early days his chief occupation has been that of stock raising, and for many years his large herds roamed at will over his meadows and uplands, and brought in correspondingly large returns from a financial standpoint. In the meantime the innate refinement, culti- vated mind, moral courage and appreciation of the rights of those with whom he was thrown in contact, raised up for Mr. Zabala hosts of friends, and to-day his successes and personal qualifications are responsible for his enviable standing in the community. Tactful, genial and unostentatious, he extends a most kindly hospitality, and is a gentleman of the old school.
While living in Monterey Mr. Zabala married Anita, daughter of W. P. Hartnell. also one of the pioneers of Monterey county. Mr. Hart- nell was of English birth, and in his native country was a very prosperous merchant. In
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the interests of a large mercantile house in Liverpool he came to America in 1822, but once arriving in California he was so impressed with the superior advantages to be found here that he never returned to England. He filled many important positions here, was appraiser of goods in the custom house for several years, and was the first assessor of Monterey county. The first also to translate the laws from Span- ish into English, he was appointed by Spain to gather and report statistics as to the num- ber and condition of the missions in California, and a copy of his reports and letters was pre- served in a book which is now one of the treas- ured possessions of Mr. Zabala. To Mr. and Mrs. Zabala have been born the following chil- dren: Pedro, who is one of the most capable attorneys of Salinas and Monterey county ; William and Adelberto, who have charge of the extensive ranch and other business affairs of their father; John L., who is a physician in San Francisco; Ana, Manuela, Teresa and Vir- ginia. The stanch friend of education, Mr. Za- bala has given his children every advantage within his power, and all are a credit to the care which has been so lavishly bestowed upon them. Among the most interesting possessions of this early pioneer is the passport which was made out when he desired to come to this country, and which is dated December, 1848, and signed by Blanco Encalado, governor of Valparaiso. Like all passports, it contained a full description of the traveler, height, color of eyes and hair, and business occupation. Through some oversight it was not taken up at the North American port, and it is of exceed- ing rarity and value and probably the only one in the statc.
R. E. JACK.
To the permanent settlement of the west the citizenship of the cast has made heavy contri- butions. From the densely populated regions of the Atlantic coast settlers have been drawn to the promise and fertility of the Pacific coast environments. Mr. Jack came across the con- tinent from Maine to California and in this state, so far remote from his carly home, he has spent
the active years of his life. He was born near the Kennebec river in Maine in September, 1841, and received his education principally in Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill, Ken- nebec county, from which he was graduated in . 1860. When twenty-one years of age he went to New York City, where he secured employ- ment with the shipping and commission house of William J. Dewey & Co.
During the Civil war Mr. Jack was a member of the New York militia at the time of Lee's raid on the Susquehanna. He was a volunteer in the Fifty-sixth New York Infantry, and sixty days after he had enlisted in that regiment the negro riot broke out in New York City, which called his company into active service. Among the several important engagements in which he took part was the battle of Gettysburg. After retiring from the army he came to California and at once engaged in sheep-raising with Col. W. W. Hollister, the two purchasing the Cholame ranch, in the northeastern part of San Luis Obispo county, and extending over the boundary line into Monterey county. At that time the ranch consisted of twenty-eight thou- sand acres, but its dimensions were later in- creased to fifty thousand acres. At the death of Colonel Hollister, his interests were purchased by Mr. Jack, who continues to operate the ranch as a sheep and cattle range and has become known as the largest wool-grower of Central California.
In 1870 Mr. Jack married Miss Nellie Hol- lister, whose father, Joseph Hubbard Hollister, was one of the wealthy pioneers of San Luis Obispo county. Born of their union are two sons and two daughters, namely: R. E., Jr., who is a student in the California University; Howard V., Gertrude M. and Ethel E. Since 1871 the family home has been in San Luis Obispo.
In connection with William D. Beebee and others, Mr. Jack took an active part in the or- ganization of the County Bank of San Luis Obispo. For a time this institution had a pros- perous existence, but the long-prevailing drought which affected every industry of this region so crippled the bank's resources that it was forced to go into the receiver's hands,
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through no fault or mismanagement, however, on the part of the officers, who were exonerated from all blame by those familiar with the cir- cminstances. Fraternally Mr. Jack is connected with the Knight Templar Masons. In politics he has been one of the leaders of the Republi- can party, and has served as member of both the county and state central committees. At one time he served as president of the city coun- cil, and in 1892 he was a delegate to the national Republican convention of Minneapolis, which nominated Benjamin Harrison for president.
HENRY WILEY.
The transformation wrought in California during the past forty or fifty years is due to the energy and patient perseverance of the pioneers, men who, leaving comfortable homes in the east, identified themselves with the newer west, and out of its crudity evolved the present-day civ- ilization. Among these men mention belongs to Henry Wiley, a retired farmer and capitalist of Watsonville, who has assisted in bringing the unimproved land of this region under culti- vation to apples and other fruits, and whose success may be attributed to his wise judgment and business ability.
Mr. Wiley was born in Genesee county, N. Y., in 1831, and is a son of Samuel Wiley, a farmer. He was reared on the home farm and made a success in agricultural pursuits, but, not being satisfied with the location or climate, he determined to seek the opportunities of the far west. During 1857 he made the long voyage to California, where he arrived in the fall of that year. For four years he engaged in farming on rented land, after which he bought a squat- ters' right in Monterey county, consisting of seventy-five acres near Watsonville. After a year he disposed of that place and bought from Mr. Clark forty-seven acres and from Mr. Lopus thirty acres. Few improvements had been made on the tract, and he at once set about the task of clearing and cultivating the land, which he brought under cultivation to apples. Later he bought seven acres from Judge G. M. Bockius, and this he also set out to apples. Ifis next purchase consisted of thirty acres, bought
of K. F. Redman, and this he also planted in apple trees. Some of his apple orchards are fifteen years old, while others were planted eight years ago, and all are in a fine bearing condition. As an indication of the profitable cultivation of the land, it may be stated that Mr. Wiley received $5,600 from sixty acres, selling the apples on the trees. Among the various qualities raised he considers the Newtown pip- pin the most profitable, and a large number of these trees may be found in his orchards. His home is in Watsonville, where he bought the Owen Tuttle place on West Third street and rebuilt and remodeled the house into a hand- some modern residence.
April 2, 1855, before leaving New York state, Mr. Wiley married Miss Sarah J. Cathers, sister of the late James Cathers, of Santa Cruz county. They became the parents of six chil- dren, namely: Mary J., Mrs. G. W. Johnson, deceased; Margaret, Mrs. Edgar Lewis; Lizzie, at home; Olive, wife of C. H. Gray, of Phila- delphia; Grace, at home; and Henry, who died at twenty-two years of age.
ALBERT ROSELIP.
From boyhood until death Mr. Roselip was a resident of California, having come to this state with his parents at the age of twelve years. A native of Berlin, Germany, he received his pri- mary education in the schools of that city, and afterward gained an English education in Cali- fornia. From an early age he was familiar with ranching and on selecting his life work he chose that with which he was best acquainted and to which he also seemed best adapted. As a rancher in Contra Costa county he gained an independent foothold and later was similarly en- gaged in Monterey county for three years. During 1877 he came to San Luis Obispo county. He was forty years of age, and in the prime of his activity and usefulness. For some time after removing to this county he was en- gaged in the Steele ranch. In 1883 he pur- chased fifty-three acres of the Steele tract near Edna and settled on that place. The land was raw.
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