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 62
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ing on Third street, where was inaugurated a private hospital, well supplied with operating rooms, modern surgical instruments and trained attendants. The wisdom of his departure was not slow of confirmation, for in a very short time the quarters were entirely inadequate, and by 1897 he built a new building at No. 129 Third street. As may be supposed, the new structure was a vast improvement upon the old, and no appliance known to surgical science was omitted, nor any detail overlooked to facilitate the most antiseptic and careful surgical operations. So large was the patronage accorded this ideal hospital that even these quarters were insuffi- cient to supply the demand, a fact met by Dr. Watters with a ready solution. He purchased an adjoining tract of land comprising forty feet frontage, and the present building, comprising twenty-two rooms, was erected in 1902. A training school for nurses has been inaugurated in connection with the institution, including lec- tures from physicians upon subjects necessary for the education of the nurses, in addition to their practical experience in caring for the sick.
The efforts of Dr. Watters are by no means confined to the management of the hospital, for he has a large outside practice of more than local dimensions. He has had remarkable suc- cess in the alleviation and cure of the many dis- tressing diseases which visit humanity, and en- joys, to an exceptional degree, confidence in his professional skill and in his integrity as a man. In keeping with his efforts to explore all the by- ways of medicine and surgery, he took a special course in the latter science at Rush Medical College in 1891, and in 1893 took a course at the San Francisco Polytechnic Institute. He is a member of the Tri-county Medical Society, the California State Medical Society and the Amer- ican Medical Association. Owing to the indi- viduality of his methods he is regarded rather as a leader than follower, and the present infltt- ence which he wields is destined to increase witlı his own ever widening knowledge. Although a prominent member of various fraternal organ- izations, he is unable to attend with any regu- larity, owing to the many professional demands upon his time. He is a member of the Pajaro Lodge No. 110, F. & A. M .; Watsonville Chap-
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ter, R. A. M., and Watsonville Commandery No. 22, K. T.
S. V. WRIGHT.
The San Luis Obispo bar numbers among its junior members several bright young lawyers, but none whose brief professional experience evidences more strength than does that of S. V. Wright. Born in Savannah, Andrew county, Mo., Angust 29, 1874. he is the second of the three children born to Samuel P. and Nancy J. (Vaughan) Wright, natives of Indiana. Samuel P. Wright was a farmer in early life, and as a young man he carried mail in Kansas, later en- gaging in the mercantile business in Savannalı, Mo., in both of which places he was a pioneer. Hoping to add to his opportunities, hie crossed the plains in a wagon in 1860, and for two or three years engaged in gold mining, meeting with the success of the average rather than that of the exceptional miner. He returned to Mis- souri in 1863, but 1877 found him again in Cali- fornia, where he lived in San Luis Obispo a retired life until his death in 1881, at the age of fifty-nine years. His wife was a native of Perry county. Ind., a daughter of Nicholas Vaughan, a native of New York state. Mr. Vaughan was a man of diversified gifts, and de- voted his active life to preaching the gospel, piloting boats on the Mississippi, and in man- aging an hotel in Cannelton, Ind., in which town his death occurred at the age of eighty-nine years. Three children were born to Samuel P. Wright, and of these Anna L. is the oldest. while the youngest, Charles F., lives with his mother in Santa Clara county, Cal.
Obtaining his rudimentary education in the public schools, Mr. Wright graduated from Le- land Stanford University in 1895, with the de- gree of A. B. For the following year and a half he remained at the university to study law, after which service he found he was equipped for the exacting and arduons work of teaching, which he followed for eight months with developing results to his pupils and himself. In November, 1897, he entered the office of F. A. Dorn as dep- uty district attorney, and was appointed deputy county clerk September 1, 1898. In January,
1899, he opened a law office in the San Luis Obispo Bank building, and during eight months of 1901-2 engaged in educational work in Los Alamos, Cal. Notwithstanding his educational work, Mr. Wright has maintained his law office in San Luis Obispo since 1898. He is fraternally associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the A. O. U. D. He is active in Republican politics, and is manager for his mother's residence property in this town. At Arroyo Grande, Cal., Mr. Wright married Mand L. Grieb, daughter of Conrad Grieb, a prosper - ous and successful farmer and fruit raiser of the Arroyo Grande valley, who came from Germany when a young man and settled on his farm of two hundred acres of rich bottom and hill land in said valley in San Luis Obispo county.
E. C. WATKINS.
Although a comparatively young man, hav- ing been born in California in 1861, E. C. Wat- kins has achieved large results in a business way, and is at present the most extensive grocer in Paso Robles. To the example of an ambitious and far-sighted father Mr. Watkins is indebted for the early aspirations which spurred him on to make the best of his opportunities. The elder Watkins, Edmund by name, brought a fund of shrewd business sagacity with him when he emigrated from his native city of Liverpool, England, and engaged in stock-raising in So- noma county, Cal. He had large ideas of his favorite occupation, and in 1862 bought the Sney ranch of eight thousand five hundred acres, for which he paid $16,000, and upon which he raised thousands of sheep. In those early days of wool-raising possibilities in Sonoma county he set the example of raising the best kind, and imported sheep in liberal numbers from Ans- tralia, the headquarters for the most exclusive sheep industry in the world. Interested with him in the business was Mr. Roberts, of San Francisco, whose manager he became.
Both men were much interested in elevating the standard of California horses, and accom- plished much towards realizing their desires. At the first horse fair hekl in California. Mr. Wat-
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kins imported from England, for Hood & Beal, some fine specimens of horse flesh, among which was "England's Glory," and in 1861 he brought over "Lady Edgerton," a thoroughbred, who afterward attained a great reputation in horse circles. After coming to this country he made several trips back to England, each time bring- ing back something to improve the ranch, and help in making it an ideal of its kind. When he disposed of the ranch, in 1872, twelve thou- sand sheep were grazing on its fertile meadows, and he realized $127,000 on the sale. Mr. Wat- kins is at present living in San Luis Obispo, and is interested both in a dairy and an apprais- ing business, his customers in the latter capacity being for the greater part San Francisco men. He married Maria Priest, a native of London, England, and who bore him six sons and four daughters, of whom E. C. is the oldest.
At the age of sixteen E. C. Watkins engaged in the wool grading and sorting business in the woolen mills in San Francisco, and in 1886 located in San Luis Obispo, where he opened a stationery store, carrying also a full line of Jap- anese goods. At the end of a year this business enterprise came to grief through the Andrews Hotel fire, and he lost all that he had in the world. He then removed to Cholame, San Luis Obispo county, and homesteaded a tract of land, of which he eventually proved up three hundred and twenty acres. For four years he engaged in a general merchandise business in the village, and at the same time was justice of the peace and postmaster, and an influential member of the community. In 1897 he located in Paso Robles and started a grocery business on a small scale on Pine street, and his unquestioned success has proved the wisdom of this departure.
The marriage of Mr. Watkins and Louise Day occurred in San Francisco, Cal., Mrs. Watkins being a native of Chicago, Ill., and a daughter of Thomas Day, an engraver who came to Cal- ifornia in the early 'zos, and died in San Fran- cisco at the age of sixty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins are the parents of one son, Ray- mond D., who is at home. Mr. Watkins is ac- tively interested in promoting the interests of the Democratic party in his county, and has been a member of the county central commit-
tee, of which he was secretary during one con- vention.
H. H. WAITE.
At the head of the largest and best equipped planing mill, machine shop and foundry in San Luis Obispo county, and one of the largest in the state, Mr. Waite has been a public factor in the development of the resources of the county, and of remarkable assistance in the employing of labor, and in stimulating general trade. He is personally an example of the value of perse- verance in the face of difficulty and discourage- ment, for trials and obstacles have come his way and found him courageous and persistent in overcoming them. A native of Ohio, Mr. Waite was born November 21. 1845, a son of Ezra and Experience (Felt) Waite, natives respectively of New York state and Vermont. Ezra Waite was reared in New York state, and during his active life engaged in farming in Ohio, in which state his death occurred in Huron county at the age of seventy-eight years. To himself and wife were born six children, only two now living, H. H. being the youngest of all.
The head of the present large foundry enter- prise was educated in the public schools of Ohio, and served his mechanical apprenticeship in Norwalk, Ohio. When thirty years of age he came to California and settled at Merced, Cal., in the San Joaquin valley, thereafter removing to Oakland, where he started a planing mill, and was working up a good business when the mill burned to the ground, unfortunately not being insured. He then removed to Los Alamos, re- mained there for three years, and later came to San Luis Obispo, where he started a planing mill and machine shop. since so remarkably sticcessful. He is engaged in the manufacture of house furnishings, water and oil tanks, and commodities in that line, and the steam shop supplies wind mills, horse powers; engines and all manner of brass and iron castings. Although starting in a small way, and without any outside influence or help whatever, Mr. Waite has built 1:p a business valued at $20,000, and which does an annual business of $50,000.
In San Luis Obispo Mr. Waite married B. L.
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Ryan, a native of Vermont. Mr. Waite is fra- ternally connected with the blue lodge of Ma- sons, and he is politically a Republican, but has never entertained aspirations for office. He is one of the substantial men of this county, and fills a conspicuous place in its npbuilding.
HIRAM JACOB WOOD.
During the long period of his identification with the building business in Watsonville, Mr. Wood has had charge of the construction of many of the most notable structures in the city, and thereby has not only advanced his own rep- utation as a contractor, but has also promoted the progress of the city. He was born in New York City January 21, 1847, and is a son of Abraham Chase and Charlotte A. (Robinson) Wood. His father, a native of Orange county, N. Y., spent the years of early manhood in New York City, where he was connected with an ice business. In 1853 he came to California and prospected in the mining regions of the state. The year 1858 witnessed his arrival in Monterey county, where for a few years he conducted ag- ricultural pursuits. On selling out there he removed to Watsonville and engaged in team- ing. Fond of horses, he gained a local reputa- tion through his expertness in breaking colts, and his services were frequently in requisition along this line. His death occurred in August, 1900, at the age of seventy-six years and six months, and his wife died at the age of seventy- two years and six months, her demise occur- ring the year before his own. They were the parents of two sons, the elder of whom, John WV., died in 1868 at the age of twenty-five years. While a resident of Monterey county in 1861 the father was initiated into Masonry and some years before, while still living in New York, he became identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The codes of both these organiza- tions he always lived up to and regarded with loyalty.
In company with his mother and brother, Hiram J. Wood came to California December 30, 1866, settling in San Francisco, where he received a public-school education. There, too, he gained his early knowledge of the carpenter's
trade. In 1868 he went to San Juan and worked at his trade there for four years, coming to Wat- sonville from there in November of 1872. His first employment was as a journeyman for James Waters, with whom he remained for four years. He then began in the building business for him- self, his first contract being for a house on the east side of the plaza for Jerome Porter, but now owned by S. H. Fletcher. One of his re- cent contracts was for the Moreland Notre Dame Academy, and to him is due the credit for its graceful effects and substantial work. Many of the best residences in Watsonville and the Pajaro valley were built by him. At times he has employed as many as twenty men a day in the carrying out of his contracts, and now furnishes steady employment to several men in his line of work. Besides building for others, he erected his own home on Walker street and one for his father.
By the marriage of Hiram J. Wood to Annie Ross, daughter of Asa Ross, of Santa Rosa, and a native of Missouri, five children were born, namely: Jesse C., a plumber, who married Car- rie B. Judd; Lottie B., a teacher; Annie May, wife of H. L. Towle; Estella H. and Leona Gertrude.
L. V. WILLITS.
Ever since coming to Watsonville, Mr. Willits has been interested in the buying and selling of fine horses. Indeed, when he first came here, i11 1875, it was with a car load of thoroughbreds. On his ranch have been raised some of the finest draft horses in the central coast region. On his first trip he brought the noted stallion, Adolf, of French-Belgian stock, and costing $1,800; also a mare of the same stock. Some- what later he purchased the Percheron stallion, Brezoles, in Illinois, at a cost of $2,500. The reputation of these stallions has not been lim- ited to Santa Cruz county, but has extended throughout the state. To-day a descendant of the Percheron, Van, is considered one of the finest horses in the Pajaro valley. For his home Mr. Willits bought the Woodworth property on Rodriguez street, and as headquarters for his stock he bought the M. Nealy ranch of sixty
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acres. At first he devoted his ranch to pasturage and the raising of grain for feed, but eventually he set out twenty-nine acres in apples. A por- tion of this tract he has sold and has purchased other property, so that he now owns forty-seven acres in one body.
Near Richmond. Wayne county, Ind., Mr. Willits was born in 1831. His father, William, moved to Mercer county, Ill., in 1834, and there the son passed the year of boyhood, meantime gaining a general idea of farming. He can scarcely remember when he first began to be interested in stock. He has always been a lover of fine horses, and on attaining maturity began to buy and raise as good specimens as could be obtained with his limited means. Subsequently he entered exclusively into the business of rais- ing thoroughbreds. His object in coming to California was to enjoy the beautiful climate, as, from a financial point of view, his business could be conducted as profitably in the east, but he has never regretted the move and has no desire to return to his old home. Since coming to Watsonville he has served two terms as a mem- ber of the board of town trustees.
While living in Illinois Mr. Willits married Livonia A. Davis, who was born in Ohio and grew to womanhood in Illinois. Four children were born of their union, but two died in in- fancy, the others being Ralph W., of Watson- ville, and Charles D., of San Francisco. Among the best social circles of Watsonville Mrs. Wil- lits has a high position, and her work in con- nection with the W. C. T. U. and the establish- ment of its free library is especially worthy of praise, being of a character beneficial to the young people of the city and permanently up- lifting in its nature.
H. WESSEL.
To the people in and near Templeton the name of H. Wessel is familiar, for he has made his home in this village since 1891 and has been intimately connected with many local enter- prises. He was born in Holstein, Germany, in 1835, and is a son of Hartwig and Telsche (Pin- gel) Wessel, also natives of Germany. In 1852 the family came to the United States and settled
on a farin about twelve miles from Davenport. lowa. On that place the father conducted gen- eral farm pursuits for many years and there he died at the age of eighty-five years. His wife was eighty-two at the time of her death. Both were strong and robust and continued in good health until shortly before death.
The first occupation of Mr. Wessel after com- ing to America was as clerk in a store at Daven- port. He continued in that city until 1868, when he moved to Belle Plaine, Iowa, and there en- gaged in selling hardware and agricultural im- plements. Five years were spent in Belle Plaine, after which he returned to the home farm and remained there until his removal to California in 1891. While living in Belle Plaine he was proprietor of a canning factory for a time and also operated a steam grist mill for four years. On his arrival in Templeton, Cal., he became interested in the banking business and bought stock in the Bank of Templeton, of which he served as president for several years. Among other investments he made here may be men- tioned the buying of land and the planting of a prune orchard of thirty acres, now in bearing condition. In addition he owns two ranches near Templeton, also the largest residence in town. For some years he has bought grain for San Francisco firms and ships to that city.
In 1867 Mr. Wessel married Miss Margaret Nagel, by whom he has four children, Paulina, Etta. Frank and Harry. It has never been his desire to hold official positions. Several times his friends have nominated him for some office, but almost invariably he has declined to serve, preferring to devote himself to his personal affairs, and having no taste for politics. While living in Iowa he served as a supervisor of Ben- ton county and he also consented to act as township clerk of Iowa township and accepted the office of school director, filling the latter position nine years. Since attaining his majority he has always given his support to the Repub- lican party.
When a boy Mr. Wessel had few advantages. He came to America with a fair German educa- tion, but lacking almost wholly a knowledge of the English language. Hence his first few years in this country were exceptionally difficult, but
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
as time passed by he was rewarded for his pains- taking efforts, industry and perseverance, and at the time lie left Iowa for California he was in comfortable circumstances. Integrity and uprightness have been the foundation stones on which his character has been built, and he stands high as a representative German-American citi- zen of San Luis Obispo county.
CHARLES WERNER.
Among the prominent German-Americans who contributed to the pioneer development of Monterey county, Charles Werner occupied a conspicuous place, for he possessed to a large degree the traits of character upon which mate- tial success is founded. If he failed to carry to a finish some of his most cherished desires, he left his unfinished work in hands which had developed under his training. Three of the sons of Mr. Werner, who inherit his aptitude and per- severance, are among the most substantial of the residents of the Pajaro valley, and have, since the death of their father, April 23, 1887, worked together to adjust his affairs, and relieve whatever of obligation he may have been unable to meet. These sons maintain a creamery of their own, and operate a large dairy of sixty cows.
Charles Werner was born in Prussia, Ger- many, May 14, 1821, and was reared on a farm, subsequently serving an apprenticeship to a brewer. Equipped with a common-school edu- cation, a useful knowledge of farming and his trade, he came to the United States about 1852, and at Kenton, Ill., owned and operated a small distillery until May 18, 1863. Before leaving his native land, September 8, 1850, he married Emelia Workmann, a native of Prussia, and who was born December 26, 1830. Of this union there have been born five children, viz: Emelia, who died in infancy; Charles, who died at the age of six years; Ernest, Herman and Rudolph C. After disposing of his brewing interests in Illinois, Mr. Werner came to California in 1863, leaving his wife and chil- dren behind until the following year. On the coast he operated the distillery in San Fran- cisco until 1869, and after selling out came to
Monterey county and purchased one hundred and sixty-five acres of land, now owned by his widow. He later purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres, and at a still later period bought two hundred and forty acres in San Mo- sells Cañon. When he first came here he built a small distillery on his ranch, but only operated the same until about 1884-5. Thereafter he de- voted all of his time to his ranches, but although he was an indefatigable worker, was unable to pay for all of his land. Mr. Werner was a Democrat in politics, but never sought or accepted official recognition. His widow and sons live on the original farm, where their model dairy and extensive general farming operations are carried on. The sons are un- married, and are politically Democrats.
RICHARD R. WELCH.
An intimate identification with the early build- ing interests of Watsonville was maintained by Mr. Welch, who came to this place in 1860 and soon afterward erected the first brick building in the town, a structure now owned by O. D. Stoesser. For more than forty years afterward he followed the mason's trade, though at the same time he had other and varied interests, many of them being of an important nature. Finally, in 1902, he retired from business, and is now enjoying the fruits of his many and ardu- ous years of labor.
London, England, is the native city of Mr. Welch, and June 6, 1833, the date of his birth. His parents were Robert and Catherine (Heron) Welch, the former of whom died in 1841, and the latter is yet living in England. When a boy he attended the London schools. At the age of eighteen years he left his native country and crossed the ocean to America, settling in Sing Sing, Westchester county. N. Y., and there learned the mason's trade. During 1855 he removed to Milwaukee, Wis., where he began to take contracts for masonry and plastering. Returning to New York in 1859, he planned to locate in the east permanently, but instead was led to change his plans, and in 1860 sought the opportunities of California. At first he worked as a journeyman in East Oakland, which was
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
then known as San Antonio. A later place of employment was San José, whence he came to Watsonville.
All of the pioneer brick work done in Watson- ville was the handiwork of Mr. Welch, and the brick used in this city was, until 1890, manu- factured entirely in Santa Cruz county. In addi- tion to contracts in Watsonville, he was fre- quently called to Santa Cruz, and for more than forty years held a position among the leading masons in the county. His present attractive homestead in Watsonville consists of a two- acre tract forming a part of the old Rodriguez estate. This he has improved with a neat resi- dence, fruit trees and shrubbery, and in this pleasant home many of his happiest hours are spent. Recently he sold the rear end of the lot facing on East Third street. He was first mar- ried in Milwaukee to Bridget Murphy, a native of Ireland. After her death, which occurred when she was twenty-three years of age, he was united with Bridget Tully, also a native of Ire- land. They are the parents of a daughter, Mary Ellen, who married J. F. Aston, an undertaker of Watsonville.
FREDERICK E. WEFERLING.
While he is scarcely yet in the prime of life, Mr. Weferling has already demonstrated his ability as a rancher and is proving that he pos- sesses the qualities necessary to success in any occupation of life. As his name indicates, he is of German lineage. His father, William Weferling, was a native of Germany and immi- grated to the United States in early manhood, settling in Illinois. Somewhat later he removed to Wisconsin and established his home in Black- hawk, where his son Frederick was born Octo- ber 19, 1872. Prior to leaving his native land he had served as an inspector of sugar-beet facto- ries and was therefore familiar with this busi- ness in all of its details. Both in Illinois and Wisconsin he became identified with sugar-beet industries, and it was for the purpose of engag- ing in the industry under more favorable cli- matie conditions that he settled in California about 1874. His first location was in Santa Cruz county, where he started a sugar-beet fac-
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