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 82
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During 1878 Mr. Scott established the drug business which he has since conducted and in which he has been prospered. His store is on Main street and is one of the largest of its kind in Monterey county. Equipped with every mod- ern convenience known to the trade, it com- pares favorably with . similar establishments in large cities and certainly is a worthy addition to the business enterprises of Salinas. His at-
J. A. Sadly
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tention is given closely to the management of his business interests, yet he finds time to keep posted concerning all the leading issues of the day and to take an active part in the local affairs of the Republican party, which he has always supported. Like all old soldiers, he takes an in- terest in Grand Army matters and is never better pleased than when he meets one of his former comrades. In fraternal relations he i; connected with the Masons.
B. A. EARDLEY.
The genial and popular superintendent of the Pacific Improvement Company's inter- ests at Pacific Grove, is not indebted for his success in life to an indulgent early fortune or the backing of influential friends. Rather, his youth contained more of dis- couragement than inspiration, and from the age of fourteen necessity forestalled inclination in fashioning the trend of his abilities. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, while his family were journeying from the east to the west in 1860, he is a son of John R. Eardley, a native of England, and a bookkeeper by occupation. The elder Eardley lived for five years in Carson City, Nev., and was there employed as bookkeeper in the office of the secretary of state. At times he filled similar positions in Gilroy, Hollister and Salinas, and in 1881 went to Anaconda, Mont., where he is still engaged in expert bookkeeping.
The attendance of B. A. Eardley at the public schools was interrupted at his fourteenth year, in order that he might prepare for self-support by learning the printer's trade, with the Hollis- ter Enterprise. For four years he was asso- ciated with J. W. Leigh on the Salinas Demo- crat, and in 1881 went to Butte, Mont., with the Inter-Mountain. The following year, owing to failing health, he gave up his trade in favor of less confining work, and became identified with Caplice & MeCune, railroad contractors and dealers in general merchandise, stationed at Walkerville. In 1887 he came to Pacific Grove on account of the health of his family, and soon after established the Pacific Grove Review, and in connection therewith engaged in real estate.
In the spring of 1889 he became associated with the firm whose interests he so well manages at the present time, a responsibility appreciated only by those to whom the extent of the com- pany's undertakings is fully known. The com- pany owns over seven thousand acres of land, and is irrigating and improving this whole see- tion of the country, bringing their million bar- rels of water twenty-six miles from the Carmel river.
May 20, 1888, Mr. Eardley married Janet Robson, a native of Salinas, Cal., and they have one daughter, Alma. Mr. Eardley is an influ- ential factor in general affairs in Pacific Grove, and has been one of the chief supporters and promoters of the town's various enterprises. At the time of its incorporation in 1889, he served a term as the first city clerk, and has since been a member of the city board of trustees, and active in the government of the town. He has been a notary public since 1891. In fraternal cireles he is widely and favorably known, and he is the owner of Robson hall, which is used as a meeting place for the various lodges. He is a member of Pacific Grove Lodge No. 331, F. & A. M., and as an Odd Fellow is a Past Noble Grand and member of the state grand lodge. Although a Presbyterian in religious belief, he is liberal minded in the extreme, and in the absence of a church of that denomination, has cast his lines with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a member of the board of trustees, and president of the board; also been superintendent of the Sunday-school, and Bible class leader. He is one of the substantial business men of the town of which he is an honored citizen, and his many fine personal attributes have made and retained hosts of friends.
OWEN TUTTLE.
As a result of four years spent in the placer mines of California during the gold excitement of the '50s, Mr. Tuttle returned to his castern home convinced that on the Pacific coast is to be found the most ideally perfect climate of which the United States can boast. When therefore about twenty years later he began to suffer with
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bronchitis, he decided to change his location to the far west, and soon afterward established himself in the Pajaro valley near Watsonville, where the remaining years of his active life were passed. For some years he was one of the most extensive hop growers in the valley, but a de- cline in the prices led him to turn his attention to the raising of apples as a more profitable in- dustry. However, he did not discontinue the hop industry, but for some time also maintained an interest in it.
Mr. Tuttle was born in Richland county, Ohio, December 30, 1827, and in 1838 accompanied his father, Hiram Tuttle, to Van Buren county, Iowa, on the Des Moines river. In that locality he grew to manhood on a farm. In early life he learned the stonecutter's trade, but afterward returned to agricultural pursuits and after his father's death bought and lived on the family homestead until his permanent settlement in California. During 1850 he accompanied a party overland and spent four years in the placer mines near Placerville, after which he resided in Iowa until 1873, the year of his second trip to the far west. Coming to Watsonville at that time he bought a farm of seventy-five aeres, which had twelve acres in hops. He enlarged the acreage in hops to forty-five acres, and built kilns and storage houses, himself and his estate conducting a large business until 1901, when the prices deteriorated materially and rendered the industry less profitable.
In 1891 Mr. Tuttle purchased the old Scott boarding house on Main street opposite the plaza. The building he moved to the rear of the lot, remodeling; it for a barn. On the front of the lot he erected a commodious and modern residence, and there he was making his home when heart failure caused his death, July 2. 1800. Ile is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary E. (Burns) Tuttle, and seven children. One child died in infancy, and a daughter, Mrs. Annabel Radcliff, died eight months after his demise. The children surviving are as follows : Iliram D., an attorney of San José ; Morris B., who lives near Watsonville ; Emory O., who re- sides in Alameda, Cal .; Nannie, Mrs. R. L. Craig, of Los Angeles; Adella, wife of Dr. Aaron Schloss, of San Francisco; Iowa H., who
lives on the home place near Watsonville; and Victor H., a member of the firm of R. L. Craig & Co., wholesale grocers of Los Angeles.
Mrs. Tuttle was born and educated in Iowa, and is one of the well known ladies of Watson- ville. While she has aided in many movements for the benefit of the city, her name will be most closely associated and longest remembered in connection with the Watsonville public library. During her work in the W. C. T. U. she became keenly alive to the need of a reading room and library, to which the people might have access ; a place where ambitious boys and girls can se- cure the reading they need for the development of the mind; where weary mothers can find books that soothe and refresh the mind; and where the scholarly can secure articles bearing upon the lines of thought they are pursuing.
To show that the suggestion made by Mrs. Tuttle and carried out by the W. C. T. U. is appreciated, it is only necessary to state that during 1901 14,655 books were issued from the library and 3,442 persons availed themselves of the opportunity of reading the newspapers and periodicals kept in the reading room. The li- brary was founded by women and has always been under their management. It was consid- ered advisable to organize the institution under the legislative act of 1880, authorizing cities of a certain class to levy a tax of one mill on the dollar for library purposes. A petition was cir- culated, signatures of influential citizens secured, and presented to the board of trustees, who levied one-half of the tax allowed by law, amounting to five cents on the hundred dollars. Two years later this amount was increased to seven cents, and as such continues to the pres- ent, thus giving for the current expenses of the library about $840 a year, out of which sum the librarian's salary, rent, light, fuel and other ex- penses must be paid, as well as periodicals sub- scribed for and new books bought. Considering the limited means in their hands, the ladies have accomplished results that would seem almost in- credible to those not familiar with their work. This is due to their constant, untiring efforts, their appreciation of any personal donation and their presentation of the institution's needs to the public whenever an opportunity affords.
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They are especially grateful for the contribu- tion of $250, made by the heirs of the Ford es- tate, and which amount was invested in books, and for the gift of the Odd Fellows library. In all of this work Mrs. Tuttle has borne an active part, and with unflagging zeal has fostered the movement whose inception is due to her prac- tical foresight.
J. P. SARGENT.
One of the best informed stockmen in Mon- terey county is J. P. Sargent, rancher, meat dealer, and prominent upbuilder of the beauti- ful and prosperous city of Monterey, where he was born in 1861. His father, Bradley V., Sr., came to Monterey in 1851, and took a prominent part in the affairs of the town. The son received every educational advantage within the father's power to bestow, and his training at the public schools was supplemented by a course at Santa Clara College. Soon afterward he became in- terested in stock, and has ever since made this branch of industry a careful study. For years he has been a producer of fancy and dairy cattle, blooded and draft horses, and has a thorough understanding of his business in all its branches.
In 1894 Mr. Sargent established the Monterey Meat Company, which does a general retail and wholesale meat business, having also a slaughter house in connection, and utilizing each month about a herd of beef, mutton, and pork. The correct business methods of this firm, as well as their consideration and courtesy in dealing with the general public, have won them the confidence of the community, and a corresponding business success. Mr. Sargent has branched out into other lines of activity, and has been foremost in many of the enterprises which have materially advanced the interests of the town. In 1899 he was one of the organizers of the Monterey Pro- gressive Association, and he was also one of the organizers of the old Capitol Club. He is a di- rector in the Monterey Electric Light Company, of which his father was one of the organizers, and is fraternally associated with the Masonic lodge.
In 1883 Mr. Sargent married Miss K. E. Eckhardt, of Nebraska, and of this itnion there
are two sons, Bradley E. and Charles R., both living at home. Mr. Sargent is interested in growing grain in the Salinas valley, below King City, and also has mining interests in different parts of the state. Politically he is affiliated with the Democratic party, but so liberal are his political views that he regards rather the char- acter of an office seeker than his special brand of politics. He is a member of the county cen- tral committee, and has been a delegate to numerous county and state conventions. The character and ability of Mr. Sargent are worthy the esteem and popularity which he enjoys in his adopted city.
J. L. ANDERSON.
One of the most genial and promising of the younger generation of merchants in San Luis Obispo is J. L. Anderson, who five years ago established an up-to-date men's furnishing es- tablishment, and has since received a liberal pat- ronage from all who appreciated seasonable goods at moderate prices. Few in so short a time could have launched their business in suc- cessful grooves, and gained so settled a reputa- tion for fair dealing and progressive methods.
Of southern antecedents, Mr. Anderson was born in Merced county, Cal., in 1863. his parents, John Fletcher and Elizabeth ( Hanna) Ander- son, being natives of Tennessee. In early life John Anderson removed from his native state to Missouri, and from there in 1857 crossed the plains to California with wagons and ox teams. His trip was replete with adventure and ever present danger, but seemed to be guided by a protecting deity, for the train of which he was a member was just three days ahead of the Mount Meadow expedition, all of whom were massacred by the Indians. For weeks they were followed by the bloodthirsty savages, and they lost every head of stock with which they started away from home. Mr. Anderson set- led in Merced county and engaged in farming and stock-raising for several years, and about thirty-three years ago came to San Luis Obsipo county, where he has since lived. . At the pres- ent time, at the age of seventy-five, he is living with his son, J. L., and still retains those alert
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faculties which have brought him success and friends. One of his brothers was in the South American war which resulted in the death of Maximilian, and he was taken prisoner and banished to Mexico.
On his father's farm J. L. Anderson acquired practical ideas of life and work, and received his preliminary education in the public schools of San Luis Obispo, supplemented by a busi- ness course at Heald's College in San Francisco. Nevertheless, while still very young, he became familiar with the responsible side of existence, and worked alternately on a ranch and in a store between the ages of ten and seventeen. For a few years he was employed in a store in Fresno, and for five years managed the business of the White House in San Luis Obispo, a large dry- goods concern. With this valuable training he felt justified in starting up his present haber- clasher business, since which his predictions have been well verified.
In 1889 Mr. Anderson was united in marri- age with Maggie Albangh, a native of Iowa, and of this union there are two children, Oma and Harold. Although a Democrat in political affili- ation, Mr. Anderson is not active in local poli- tics, and has no liking for the feverish and un- certain life of the average politician. He is as- sociated with the Odd Fellows and the Native Sons of the Golden West, and is deeply interest- ed in all that tends to aid in the upbuilding of his chosen city.
JOHN BREEN.
The old historic town of San Juan, with its quaint streets, and innumerable reminders of a long departed Spanish civilization, has profited by the industry and devoted careers of many lat- ter day sons, few of whom have lived within the shadows of its reminiscent moods longer than has John Breen. As the last of a family of seven children who came here with their parents in 1848, he is entitled to the consideration merited by his long and well directed life, and by his in- valuable services in connection with the agricul- tural and political undertakings of his locality.
Across the lake from Detroit, Mich., on the Canadian side, Mr. Breen was born in 1832, a
son of Patrick Breen, who left Keokuk, Iowa, in 1846, bound for the golden possibilities beyond the Rocky Mountains. Accompanied by his fam- ily and other aspirants for the supposed large fortunes awaiting the stout of heart and strong of endurance, he set out with ox-teams, and was snow-bound at famous Donner Lake, with the ill fated party of that name. For six months he endured all of the hardships and perils afford- ed by the deplorable and seemingly hopeless sit- uation, but eventually started forth upon the lat- ter end of the journey, and reached in safety the Sacramento valley, in March of 1847. For a time he lived in San José and in February of 1848 came to San Juan, where he purchased a large tract of land adjoining the mission. Here he followed farming and stock-raising for the re- mainder of his days, and died at the age of sev- enty, in 1868. At one time he also owned the Topa rancho of twenty-four thousand acres, which he left to his family of six sons and one daughter. He was well known and highly es- teemed in the locality in which he lived, and was a member of the first board of supervisors of Monterey county. Few men in the early days reaped such lavish personal returns for their great and untiring labors, but he was fortunately blessed with children who appreciated his efforts in their behalf, and who like himself exercised thrift and care in the management of their lega- cies.
As a boy of fourteen Mr. Breen came to San Juan with his parents, and he grew to manhood under the spire of the old mission. Eventually he spent a couple of winters in Hangtown, now Placerville, and gained his share of the hidden treasure of the earth. From then on he turned his attention to his present ranch at San Juan, near which he owns two hundred acres, besides two thousand acres of the old paternal ranch in the Topa country. He is engaged in raising cattle, horses and hogs and in general farming, and has been successful, as are most practical and hard working agriculturists and stock-rais- ers. In formulating his success in life he at- tributes much to the helpful assistance of his wife, who was formerly Leah Smith, and whom he married in 1852. Mrs. Breen in a native of Illinois, and came to California in historic '49.
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She became the mother of eight children, one of whom is deceased.
A portion of the influence exerted by Mr. Breen in the county has been from a political standpoint, for his interest in the Republican party has inspired meritorious service in its pro- motion. He was a supervisor at large of Monte- rey county, before the separation of San Benito county, a fact which gave him the chairman- ship of the board, a position maintained until the county division in 1874. He was one of the commission appointed by Governor Booth to organize the new county and put it on a work- ing basis, and soon after the creation of San Be- nito he was elected supervisor of the second dis- triet, and was on the board when the court house was built. He has since served three terms as supervisor of four years each, and for one term was chairman of the board. For forty years he has been a member of the board of school trus- tees, and materially assisted in establishing the present school systems of Monterey and San Be- nito counties. So extended a political service speaks volumes for the confidence enjoyed by Mr. Breen, and for his practical common sense and publicspiritedness. To all who know him he is a typical representative of the hale and hearty and large hearted pioneer, whose word is as good as the gold for which men in the early days risked their lives, and ofttimes bartered their futures and that of their families. Of hin it may be said that with few exceptions the friendships made way back in the shadows of the mission have lived and thrived in uninterrupted sincerity and good will, for he possesses the qualities calculated to hold friends through weal and woe.
BENJAMIN B. BIERER.
The name of Benjamin B. Bierer is associated with all that is most progressive and substan- tial in western development. As one of the most enthusiastic and resourceful of the citizens of Templeton he has fitted into a niche apparently waiting for his occupancy, and has so adjusted his chances as to make him at once the town's benefactor and most helpful promoter.
Of stanch Teutonic ancestry, Mr. Bierer comes
of a family represented in this country by the paternal grandfather, Daniel, who emigrated from his native home in Germany to Union- town, Pa., where he engaged in the meat busi- ness for the remainder of his life. In Union- town, David, the father of Benjamin B., was born, and he also engaged in the meat business, having learned the trade from his father. Even- tually he removed to Rockford, Ill., and there branched out into the mercantile business, be- ing the pioneer in his line in that town. His death occurred there in 1880, at the age of fifty- six years, and his farm, now within the city lim- its, was finally sold by his widow. Mrs. Bierer was formerly Amanda Hitchcock, a native of Canada, and daughter of Artemas Hitchcock, a Canadian merchant, who in 1842 removed to Rockford, and built the first brick block of any importance in that town. This block is located on east State street, and stands as a monument to the enterprise of one of its most reliable and worthy citizens. As a merchant Mr. Hitch- cock was remarkably successful, and left con- siderable property to be divided among his wid- ow and children. To David Bierer and his wife four children were born, two sons and two daughters, of whom Benjamin B. is the young- est. The other son, E. H., who lives with his- mother on the home ranch, was prominent at the time of the Civil war, when he formed a com- pany in Chicago and became staff officer under General Turner. As a result of this service he has suffered from the effects of exposure and privation. Among his friends he numbers many distinguished defenders of the cause of the Union, one of whom is General Brooks. Carrie Bierer became the wife of A. J. Atwood, of Pecatonica, Ill., an ice merchant, and a member of the city council.
At a comparatively early age Benjamin B. Bierer began to learn the watchmakers' trade at Rockford, and thereafter went to Elgin, later on following his trade in Springfiell and Columbus, OFio. For a season he rented a farm in the vi- cinity of Lawrence, Kans., and in 188; removed to California, settling at Templeton, where his mother bought sixty-four acres of land. This land was devoted to wheat and other grains, and a commodious residence was erected for the ac
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
commodation of the family. Mr. Bierer shipped two car loads of fine Jersey stock, the best to be had, and the farm is today among the well de- veloped and paying properties near Templeton. In Templeton, in 1895, Mr. Bierer was united in marriage with Cecilia Millman, a native of San Francisco, and daughter of N. G. Millman, an undertaker of Indiana, who afterward fol- lowed his business in San Francisco and San Miguel, in which latter city his death occurred in 1808. He was prominent in fraternal circles, especially with the Masons and Odd Fellows. Since his death his wife has continued the un- dertaking enterprise, and has proved herself a worthy successor to his large and remunerative trade. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Bierer, Zella, who is six years of age. Mr. Bier- er is a Republican in political preference, and at the present time is serving as constable. He is president of the local Board of Trade, and is connected with the Improvement Company. He is possessed of shrewd business ability, of the re- quisite conservatism, and a public spiritedness which invests his every act with dignity and helpfulness.
A. H. FREDSON.
A. H. Fredson, chairman of the board of su- pervisors of San Benito county, and one of the foremost business men of Tres Pinos, was born in Lincoinville, Waldo county, Me., in 1847. and received his early training and education among his native surroundings. His youth was practi- cally uneventful, and when, at the age of sixteen, vistas of opportunity were opened by the break- ing out of the Civil war, he welcomed it as a chance to broaden his horizon and turn his life By good account. As a member of Company M. First Maine Heavy Artillery, he saw enough of the terrible side of war to convince him of the everlasting grace of peace, a conviction strength- ened as many years after as 1875, when, owing to wounds received in the Battle of Petersburg on June 18. 1864. he was obliged to walk on crutches tur four years.
Peace restored, Mr. Fredson began to chafe at W. Imitations of his chances in far-off Maine, nul the year after the war set out for California
by way of Panama, and up to San Francisco, eventually locating in Sonoma county, where he engaged in farming, near Santa Rosa. In the fall of 1874 he came to Hollister and farmed for a short time. In 1882 he settled in Tres Pinos and assumed charge of the hostelry known as the Southern Pacific Hotel, and during the seven years of his association with the traveling pub- lic gained many friends and received fair re- muneration for time and labor invested. In 1880 he became more interested in handling hay and grain, and for four years confined himself to dealing in those two commodities. In 1899 he succeeded in incorporating the Farmers' Hay Company, of Tres Pinos, of which he has since been manager, secretary and director. The en- terprise is conducted on a large scale, and the shipments made exceed those of any other estab- lishment of the kind in the city. The warehouses are constructed for a possible large increase of business, and have a capacity for handling many thousands of tons of hay and grain. Mr. Fred- son also organized the Tres Pinos Warehouse Company.
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