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 49
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
E. P. IVERSON.
Among the pioneers whose association with California began at a period antedating the 'zos, mention belongs to E. P. Iverson. He merits recognition among the pioneers of Sa- linas, for he came to this then hamlet in 1868. He was then a young man, having been born in 1844, and possessed the energy and cheerful op- timism of youth. With these qualities, but with- out means or influential friends, he was ready to fight the battle of life with a sure hope of victory. In 1867 he came to California, and, after spending some months in Alameda
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
county, began to clerk for his brother. J. B., in Salinas. Ten years later the two formed a partnership and from that day to this the firm of Iverson Brothers has been one of the most influential and progressive in the city of Salinas. They manufacture heavy team and farm wagons. family carriages, buggies, sulkies, plows, har- rows, etc., and conduct the largest business in their line in Monterey county. Both brothers have wielded great influence in local affairs. J. B. has been a director of the Monterey County Agricultural Association and president of the Salinas Gas, Electric Light and Water Company: while E. P. has officiated as a mem- ber of the city council and school trustee. In politics both are believers in Democratic princi- ples, and fraternally they belong to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
The marriage of E. P. Iverson and Karen Lund, a native of Denmark, was solemnized in Salinas in 1871. They are the parents of five children: Jesse B., at home; Martin, who is employed in Soledad: John F., who is now in San Francisco; Cora L., wife of C. Thorup, of Salinas, and Effie C.
McDOWELL REID VENABLE.
The genealogy of the Venable family is traced back to a very early period in the settlement of Virginia. Its members were prominent even among the unusually brilliant coterie of states- men whose names give luster to the annals of the Old Dominion in the colonial period. Sev- cral successive generations resided at the home- stead, which for miles around was known as State Hill and which was maintained with ele- gance until the devastating days of the Civil war wrought ruin throughout all that region. Judge V'enable's great-grandfather, who was a member of the burgess, had two sons, one of whom, Richard N., became a prominent lawyer, while the other, Abraham, served as United States senator from Virginia. Richard, son of Richard N., became a planter in Virginia, and married Magdaline McCampbell, by whom he had five children. She was born in Lexington, Rock- bridge county, Va., and was of Scotch-Irish parentage.
The fourth among the five children compris- ing the family, McDowell Reid Venable, was born in Charlotte county, Va., in 1836. Pri- marily educated in common schools, he later had the advantage of attendance at Hampden Sidney College in Prince Edward county and also took lectures in law at the University of Virginia. Reared under southern influences, he gave his sympathies unreservedly to the Con- federacy and at the opening of the Civil war enlisted in the Richmond Howitzers in the Army of Northern Virginia, under Gen. Robert E. Lee. June 10, 1861, he participated in the battle of Bethel. Among the later engagements in which he bore a part were those around Richmond, at Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, Mal- vern Hill, Cedar Mountain, the second battle of Manassas, at Antietam (where he was wounded and reported among the dead), South Mountain, Harper's Ferry and Fredericksburg. After the battle of Antictam he was promoted to be second lieutenant, and later became first lieutenant of the Engineers' Corps, in which capacity he was stationed at Shreveport. La., during the closing period of the war. Under Gen. Kirby Smith he also saw active service through Arkansas and Texas. When the war closed he was acting as captain of the Engineers' Corps, in charge of pontoon bridges.
For about a year after the war he remained in Texas, and then returned to his Virginia home, resuming the pursuits of civic life. For two years he engaged in the practice of law, but his health had been seriously undermined by the hardships of army service and a change of climate was deemed necessary. For this reason he came to California in 1868. After one year in San José he came to San Luis Obispo, where he has since been a participant in public af- fairs and a promoter of local industries. From 1872 until 1880 he held office as county judge, filling the position with a fidelity and tact that commanded universal respect. In 1872 he was chosen a delegate to the national Democratic convention at Baltimore, Md., which nominated Horace Greeley for president. A further honor was tendered him when, in 1886, he was chosen to represent this district in the state legislature. Ilis interest in educational matters led him to
333
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
accept the office of school trustee and for many years he served as president of the board. The office of president of the San Luis Obispo Board of Trade was also long held by him.
On the organization of the Commercial Bank of San Luis Obispo, in 1888, Judge Venable be- came one of the original stockholders and direc- tors, and was chosen to occupy the responsible position of president, Mr. Brunner of San Fran- cisco being made vice-president. Since then he has remained at the head of the institution. The bank has a paid-up capital of $200,000 and is recognized as one of the strongest financial concerns in Central California. The reputation it has gained for strength is due in large meas- ure to the conservative spirit shown by the president, his care in making investments, and his integrity of character, which has never been questioned. Indeed, the qualities he possesses seem to be those best adapted for the banking business, and "the right man for the right place" may be said of him in his capacity of president.
Though far removed from the scenes of his youth, Judge Venable has never forgotten the associates of boyhood, and especially has he borne in mind those who shared with him the hardships and perils of forced marches and fierce struggles with the enemy. It is an unusual oc- currence that of his friends (about thirty in number) who fought in the Confederate army, almost every one came to California and more than twenty gained for themselves prominence and success as attorneys or jurists. In 1872 Judge Venable married Miss Alice Watkins, daughter of G. M. Watkins, of Montgomery county, Md. They are the parents of five daughters, namely: Catherine Ralston, Alice McDonald, Edna Louise, Magdaline and Reida McDonald.
WILLIAM WAHRLICH.
The city of Salinas is the abode of a large number of men who were thrown upon their own resources at an early age and whose nat- ural abilities were strengthened by contact with the world, thus gaining for them the esteem of associates and financial success. Included in this list is Mr. Wahrlich, president of the Wahr-
lich-Cornett Company, which has its principal headquarters in Salinas, but also operates a branch house in Soledad. The firm have their Salinas store in the McDougall building on Main street, and thus enjoy the advantages of a central location, in the best part of the city. Employment is furnished to about fifteen per- sons, whose courtesy to customers, combined with the genial characters and well known up- rightness of the heads of the firm, have given the store popularity throughout this vicinity. A large stock is carried that embraces all the features of a modern department store, and the proprietors, buying in large quantities, are able to sell at particularly reasonable prices, yet en- joy a fair profit as compensation for their own efforts.
The founder of this large business was born in Schleswig, Germany, in 1855, and received an excellent education in German schools. On the evening of the day that he was twenty years old he arrived in Salinas, and here he has since made his home. At once he secured employ- ment with the Vanderhurst-Sanborn Company, with whom he remained for five years as clerk, meantime acquiring a thorough knowledge of the mercantile business in all of its details. Fortified
by this knowledge, but with very limited means at his command, in 1880 he established a small grocery business. His experience and general business talent enabled him to conduct the en- terprise successfully from the first, and the store received a constantly increasing patronage. Later Mr. Cornett was adınitted to partnership and in 1895 the firmn was incorporated under its present title, with Mr. Wahrlich as president and J. Andresen secretary. Among the direc- tors of the company is J. B. Iverson, one of the most influential business men of Salinas.
In 1880 Mr. Wahrlich married Miss Christine Krough, a native of Denmark, and of their union was born one son, Carl, who is now living in San Francisco. A man who gives his atten- tion so closely to business interests as does Mr. Wahrlich could scarcely be expected to par- ticipate in public affairs, and it is not surprising that he takes no part in politics. However, he keeps well posted concerning national questions and advocates the policy adopted by the Dem-
334
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ocratic party, lf he has had no time for pol- itics, still less has he had leisure to participate in fraternal society matters, and is not associ- ated with any of these various organizations. More closely than do most, he has confined his attention to the building up of his business, and the result fully justifies the time and thought he has given to the attainment of success.
LUCIAN SANBORN.
Few names are more inseparably associated with the history of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties than that of Lucian Sanborn, who as merchant, bank director and general promoter of important enterprises proved the value of his citizenship and the integrity of his character. Perhaps in Salinas he was best known as a mem- ber of the firm of Vanderhurst, Sanborn & Co., Incorporated, which has conducted a large and successful business for the past thirty-five or more years; however, this enterprise did not represent the limit of his activities, for he was also a member of the Ford-Sanborn Company, which established branch stores in different parts of the state and built up a reputation sec- ond to no firm in its part of California.
In his native town of Merchantsport, Me .. Lucian Sanborn received such advantages as the common schools afforded; these being but limited, the broad knowledge that he acquired was the result of self-culture in later years rather than any special advantages that fell to his lot in youth. During the excitement caused by the discovery of gold in California, in 1849, he was among the argonants who sought fortune on the Pacific coast, but, failing to meet with the hoped-for success in the mines, he went to Wat- sonville, and soon afterward started in business with Dr. Ford, forming the firm of Ford & Sanborn, general merchants. The subsequent years of his life were marked by great activity and uniform success. Although he started out with no means, his resolute will and iron deter- mination brought him prosperity at an earlier age than it comes to most self-made men. With a keen intuition, rare foresight and sound judg- ment, he was fitted to conduct mercantile pur- suits with skill and efficiency, and every firm
with which he was identified owed much to his sagacity and energy. He became a heavy stock- holder in the Monterey County Bank and served as one of its directors, besides which he had stock in other banks. Until his death, which occurred in 1899 at seventy-six years of age, he led an active business life, giving his entire attention to the management of his commercial interests, and finding all the recreation he de- sired in the companionship of his wife (formerly Caroline Scott) and son and daughter.
The only son of Lucian Sanborn is L. W. Sanborn, secretary of the Ford-Sanborn Com- pany, and a young man of marked executive ability. Born and educated in San Francisco, after he had completed school he was connected with some of the largest firms in his native city, and thus acquired a broad and deep commercial education and experience which has proved of the greatest value to him since. He moved to this city in 1889 and has since made his home here. Politically he advocates Republican prin- ciples, but politics appeals less to him than busi- ness, and his time, thought and attention are concentrated upon the varied business interests which he has inherited and acquired.
WILLIAM SHIPSEY.
In addition to having held the office of mayor of San Luis Obispo from 1898 to 1902, Mr. Shipsey is regarded as one of the best anthor- ities on law in the county. He was born in Ireland, and was reared and educated for the greater part in and near the city of Cork. His earliest aspirations were turned toward telegraphy as a means of support, and to this end he perfected himself in this occupation while still in his native land. When eighteen years of age, in 1869, he came to the United States and settled in Monterey county, and aft- erward completed his education in St. Mary's College, San Francisco, graduating in 1873 with the degree of B. S. He thereafter turned his at- tention to the mercantile business in Monterey, but not finding this congenial he decided to read law, and entered the office of Judge Greg- ory in Salinas. During his residence in Salinas, where he remained until 1876, he served as dep-
S. W. FOREMAN
337
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
uty clerk of Monterey county, and after re- moving to San Luis Obispo, he again entered the office of Judge Gregory, and was admitted to the bar of California in 1877.
In 1878 Mr. Shipsey located in Salinas and formed a partnership with Judge Gregory, an association amicably and satisfactorily contin- ued until his removal to San Francisco in 1882. While in the latter city he was for a time part- ner of Judge William J. Graves and was associa- ated with D. M. Delmas. In 1884 he located in San Luis Obispo, which has since been his home. In 1890 Mr. Shipsey married Annie Barrie and of this union there are five children, viz: Edward, William, Jr., Margaret, Kathline and Helen. Mr. Shipsey has one brother, Edward, who is a physician in Ireland, another brother who is a merchant in the old country, and a brother, Thomas Jacob, also a physician, who died after immigrating to the United States. Mr. Shipsey owes his position as head of municipal affairs in San Luis Obispo to his acknowledged ex- ecutive and general ability. His administration has given satisfaction to the constituents who placed liim in office, and his tactful handling of important public responsibilities and complica- tions has won him the appreciation and ap- proval of the best element of the opposite party.
SOLOMON W. FOREMAN.
For many years before his death Mr. Fore- man owned and occupied a large ranch near the city of San Luis Obispo, in Los Osos valley. He was born near New Phila- delphia, Ohio, in 1823, and was a son of Jacob and Mary Foreman, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and early settlers of Ohio. For years they made their home at New Phila- delphia and when finally they passed away their bodies were laid to rest in the cemetery at that town. Solomon W. Foreman was a self- made man and his education was so thorough that he was enabled to teach school with more than ordinary success. Having considerable natural ability along the line of civil engineer- ing, he took up that study, and for some years before his marriage he traveled over the coun- try, employing himself in that occupation.
With the customary outfit of oxen and mule teams, in 1859 Mr. Foreman crossed the plains to California, being accompanied by his wife and four children. Nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of the trip, which they thoroughly enjoyed. The strange surroundings, the con- stant changes, the camping out at night and eating beside the camp fire, with the hearty appetite which only the fresh air of mountains and plains can induce-all of this afterward formed one of the happiest memories of Mr. Foreman's well-stored mind. They took two cows with them, so there was no want of an abundance of milk and butter. On the Fourth of July, 1859, they camped at Independence Rock, on the Sweetwater, and from there pro- ceeded to Grass valley, in Nevada county, where they settled. From the surveyor-gen- eral of the United States Mr. Foreman received contracts for the survey of portions of Nevada. In 1864 he went to San Francisco, where he took a government contract to survey Santa Cruz. In 1867 he came to San Luis Obispo county and took up government land. How- ever, he still continued his chosen occupation and surveyed in various parts of the county ; also, in the capacity of deputy United States surveyor, he surveyed portions of Arizona, Ne- vada and California. To him belongs the credit of originating the plan for the Florence canal in Arizona, the construction of which he super- intended.
About 1874 Mr. Foreman purchased a large ranch in Los Osos valley, and twelve years later he established his permanent home on this place, giving up the occupation in which he had been so successful and hoping that in the quiet life of a farmer he could regain his health, which had been injured by overwork. However, he was not a man content to be idle, so his life on the ranch was a busy one, and he made a number of important improve- ments. In 1878 he was a partner of Mr. Har- ford in the hardware business in San Luis Obispo. From the age of twenty-one he was identified with the Masonic order and was con- nected with King David Lodge No. 209. F. & A. M. Politically he was a Republican from the time he attained his majority.
338
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The marriage of Mr. Foreman occurred in 1850 and united him with Margaret Price, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Thomas and Anna (McGee) Price. During her hus- band's lifetime she was his devoted helpmate and since his death she has wisely and judi- ciously conducted the home ranch of two hun- dred and fifty-three acres, superintending the gen- eral work with acknowledged ability. Her con- nection with church work has continued through many years. She was the first member of the San Luis Obispo Methodist Episcopal Church, the first contributor to the Sunday-school, and has been a constant worker in the same. Nine children were born of her marriage, namely: Mary, wife of J. W. Flint; Julia, deceased; Emma, who is the widow of Judge W. H. Ben- son, of Florence, Ariz., now resides in Los Angeles; Abbie, wife of Leslie Jacox; Alice, who married Charles Lemon, of Florence, Ariz .; Kate, wife of Albert Barker, county treas- urer of Pinal county, Ariz .; Anna, wife of Frank Schilling, a resident of Colorado; Harry and Mabel, who died when three years old. Besides rearing her children, Mrs. Foreman has also cared for a granddaughter, Alice Truesdale, who is the daughter of Julia (Foreman) Wobcken.
Death entered the home and removed Mr. Foreman from the midst of his family, August 12, 1888, after a useful life covering sixty-six years, eight months and fourteen days. It is not too much to say that his death was mourned as a general loss. San Luis Obispo county lost a typical citizen, one who had started in life with nothing but his own talents and up- right character, and who achieved success through energy and perseverance. Not only was he successful in business, but also in that which he valued more, in 'gaining the respect and confidence of his fellow men. When he passed away the county was deprived of a val- uable promoter of its prosperity. Benevolence was one of his leading traits. No man was turned away unaided when it was in his power to help him. His heart was large, but his charities unostentatious and quietly given. Undoubtedly his happiest hours were those spent in his home, surrounded by his family, for he was essentially a domestic man, and cared
little for public affairs or official honors. That his thoughts often, in his absence from home, dwelt upon his family, is set forth in the fol- lowing poem, which he composed while in the mines near Nevada City, Cal., and sent to his wife and two children, Margaret, Mary and May, who were living in Winfield, Ohio, Sep- tember 18, 1852.
"TO THE LOVED ONES AT HOME, M. M. AND M."
Do they miss me at home, do they miss me? 'Twould be assurance most dear,
To know at this moment, some loved one Were saying, "I wish he were here;" To feel that the group at the fireside Were thinking of me as I roam.
Oh, yes, 'twould be joy beyond measure. To know that they miss me at home.
When twilight approaches the season That ever was sacred to song,
Does some one repeat my name over, And sigh that I tarry so long?
And is there a chord in the music That's missed when my voice is away;
And a chord in each heart that maketh Regret at my wearisome stay?
Do they place me at the table a chair, When evening's home pleasures are nigh?
When the lamps are lit in the parlor, When the stars look down from the sky, And when the "good nights" are repeated, When all are preparing to sleep,
Do they think of the absent and waft me
A whisper-"good night" o'er the deep?
Do they miss me at home do they miss me, At morning, at noon, or at night, Are joys less eagerly welcomed Are pleasures less hailed than before, Because one is missed from the circle Because I am with them no more?
O, yes! their hearts and their voices, Are calling me back as I roam; And their eyes are grown weary with weeping, And watch but to welcome me home.
Loved ones,-ye shall not wait me much longer. I'll hurry me back over seas- For how can I tarry when followed By watchings and prayers like these?
Mountains and deserts now part us, Yet wearisome frettings are vain, The invincible fate that parted Will assuredly unite us again.
HON. GEORGE STEELE.
Through a long period of residence in San Luis Obispo county, continuing from the fall of 1866 until his death, October 21, 1901, Judge Steele acquired a thoroughly knowledge of local resources and formed a wide acquaintance among the people of the central coast region.
339
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
He was born in Delhi, Delaware county, N. Y., May 14, 1825, being a son of Nathaniel and Damaris (Johnson) Steele, natives respectively of Connecticut and New York. His paternal ancestors were for several generations identified with the early growth of Connecticut, from which state the paternal grandfather removed to New York and made settlement in Delaware county. During the days before railroads had revolutionized our modes of travel, Nathaniel Steele owned and operated a stage line running between Kingston and Delhi, and he was also proprietor of the finest hotel in all of Delaware county, besides being a successful farmer and well-known business man. Accompanied by his wife, he came to California in 1856, and seven years later he died in Marin county, when sev- enty-six years of age. His wife had died in 1862. They were the parents of nine children, all but one of whom are deceased.
When about eleven years of age, in 1836, George Steele accompanied his parents to Lorain county, Ohio, where he afterward at- tended public schools. His education was com- pleted in Oberlin (Ohio) College. In company with his cousin, R. E. Steele, in 1855 he came to California, via the isthmus. From San Fran- cisco he proceeded to the mines and spent a year, then went to Marin county and rented a large tract of land, in which his cousin also had an interest. Later they were joined by his brothers and were associated in building up one of the pioneer dairy industries of the county. On their ranch was a large herd of milch cows, and the cheese and butter manufactured were of the finest quality. In 1864 his brothers moved from Marin to San Mateo county, and he, being elected county judge of Marin county, removed to San Rafael, the county seat, where he remained until his removal to San Luis Obispo county. On his arrival here he bought a tract of forty-eight thousand acres, all raw land, comprising portions of the ranchos Corral de Piedra, Pizmo and Bolsa de Chemisal, all of which were old Spanish land grants. A few small adobe buildings formed the only attempt at improvement which had been made. In part- nership with his brothers, I. C. and E. W., and a cousin, R. E., under the firm title of Steele
Brothers, he at once began to bring the land into fitting condition for the management of a stock ranch. A large herd of milch cows were driven down from San Mateo county, and thus the first dairy in San Luis Obispo county was established.
Soon the products of the ranch began to be known throughout Central California. Large shipments of cheese and butter were made. bear- ing the brand of Steele Brothers. Prosperity rewarded the constant exertions of the brothers, and they continued together harmoniously for a long term of years. At last, one by one, they withdrew from the business, and in 1880 the partnership was dissolved. Afterward Judge Steele engaged in general farming and stock- raising on his portion of the ranch, and estab- lished an extensive agricultural business. The property now bears little resemblance to the bar- ren tract that he purchased years ago. A neat ranch house has been built; other buildings have been put up as needed; and the attractive- ness of the place has been greatly heightened by the grove of eucalyptus trees which the judge planted near the house. At one time he owned land where the village of Edna now stands. When the railroads were built through the county, he donated ground for the depot and gave the right of way for both roads.
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.