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 90
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ROBERT ROBERTSON.
The position of superintendent of the Califor- nia Powder Works at Santa Cruz is maintained with great credit by Robert Robertson, who was born in Fredericksburg, Va., in 1861, and is a graduate of the State University of Virginia, and a post-graduate of Harvard University. Pre- vious to assuming his present responsibility, in May, 1900, he was associated for four years with the service of the United States Geological Sur- vey. Mr. Robertson married Marion Miller, of Burlington, Iowa, and of this union there is one child, Mildred.
The California Powder Works, established in 1863 for the manufacture of explosives, acquired the tract of land with ample water privileges upon which it is now located the same year, and the following year was inaugurated the mann- facture of black powder for blasting, military and sporting purposes. As the country developed there was an increasing demand for the powder, the demand being greatly augmented by the in- tro duction of high explosives into the country, and the establishment of additional works at Pinole, Contra Costa county, Cal. Another pe- riod of pronounced development took place with the manufacture of smokeless powder in 1897, be used by the government in connection with
its cannon and small arms for both army and navy. At the present time the California Powder Works are turning out blasting powder, fuse powder and sporting powders of all kinds, as well as Hercules dynamite, gelatine and Cham- pion improved powders. As an adjunct to its business the company each year loads many mil- lions of shot-gun cartridges with both black and smokeless powder, and its Eureka Black, Diana and Native Sons brands of loaded cartridges are widely known and in great demand. Since its establishment, the California Powder Works has pursued a broad and liberal policy in all its deal- ings, and in consequence it occupies an enviable place among the commercially strong enterprises of the state. It was the first concern to put smokeless powder on the market, and it has main- tained a uniform quality of excellence as regards all of its commodities, keeping abreast of the most advanced and scientific improvements. From two hundred and thirty to two hundred and fifty men are employed by the Santa Cruz branch, and the plant covers two hundred and twenty-two acres of land, the total number of buildings being two hundred and eleven.
SAMUEL H. RAMBO.
Among the general merchants of Boulder Creek the name of Samuel H. Rambo, of the firm of S. H. Rambo & Co., deserves mention. He was born in Pennsylvania, October 12, 1843, and lived in his native state until his twelfth year. His father, M. Rambo, married a Miss Brother- ton, and both were born in Pennsylvania, the for- mer in 1805. He died in Kansas in 1890, and his wife passed away in 1854.
When ten years of age Samuel H. Rambo lost his mother by death, and was deprived of the care and solicitude which she had lavished upon him. The following year he was taken by his father to Osage county, Kans., where they located on a fan, and where the son was educated in the public schools. In 1878 he left his home sur- roundings in Kansas and came to California, and lived in Santa Clara county for four years, two years of that time clerking for Celand Rogers. For the same length of time he engaged in the wood and coal business for himself in San José.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In 1882 he became identified with Boulder Creek and has since made this thriving town his home and principal field of activity. For many years his general merchandise store has been among the substantial and reliable business establishments of the town, and his upright business methods and evident desire to please have won him the patron- age and confidence of a permanent and increasing trade. To some extent Mr. Rambo has been in- terested in the local undertakings of the Repub- lican party, and among the offices maintained by him with credit may be mentioned that of super- visor, which he has held for eight years. Fra- ternally he is associated with the Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
In 1867 Mr. Rambo married Nettie Stagg, a native of Indiana, and daughter of John Stagg, who was born in Kentucky. To an otherwise creditable career Mr. Rambo has added a meri- torious military service. September 1, 1862, he enlisted in the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, serving until his discharge, September 26, 1865, and his name is enrolled among the members of the Grand Army of the Republic. With his wife Mr. Rambo is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
WILLIS R. CONGDON, M. D.
To accurately estimate the influence for good exerted upon a community by a citizen of pro- fessional skill, wise judgment and progressive spirit is a difficult task; but even those who judge from a most superficial point of view bear testimony to the importance of their citizen- ship. Of Dr. Congdon it may be said that he has risen to a position of unquestioned influence among the professional men and enterprising citizens of Santa Cruz. His acknowledged skill in the diagnosis and treatment of disease has given him an assured position in the confidence of the people. In addition to answering calls for his services, he has a considerable office practice, and for the accommodation of such patients he has fitted up a suite of rooms on Pacific avenue, where he has a complete equip- ment of medical accessories.
In Bristol, Elkhart county, Ind., April 20, 1868, Dr. Congdon was born to the union of Joseph R. and Carrie E. (Curtis) Congdon. Ilis
father, a native of Lockport, N. Y., and a gradu- ate of the medical college at that point, became a practitioner of Bristol, Ind., where his life work was ended in 1889, when he was sixty-five years of age. At this writing Mrs. Congdon is a resident of Ontario, Cal. The advantages offered by public schools were supplemented in Dr. Congdon's boyhood by attendance in the University of Notre Dame (Indiana), from which he was graduated in 1886. Returning home he gained his first knowledge of the medi- cal science as a student under his father, and then entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he received the degree of M. D. in 1889 on the completion of the regular course of lec- tures. His father dying about that time, he succeeded him in practice, but a year later re- turned to Chicago, where he associated himself with his cousin, J. L. Congdon, M. D., under the firm title of Congdon & Congdon. How- ever, the climate of Chicago proved unsatisfac- tory and in 1896 he determined to remove to California, at which time he settled in Santa Cruz and opened an office. From the first he has been recognized as a painstaking, efficient and judicious physician, and his services have gained a flattering degree of appreciation in his home city. Since coming here he has estab- lished domestic ties, his wife being Edith L., daughter of Mrs. Clara C. Case. They are the parents of one son, Willis R., Jr.
A number of the fraternal organizations have secured Dr. Congdon's services in the capacity of medical examiner. He is connected with the Maccabees, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Portuguese Union, Foresters of America, and the Ancient Order of United Druids. Both in political and religious views he is inclined to be liberal and independent, and has not allied him- self with any party or denomination. He is a member of the Board of Health of the city of Santa Cruz. Recognizing the value of recrea- tion, it has been his aim to reserve a few hours of the day and a few days of the year as a vaca- tion period, when he can find relaxation from professional labors. At such times he is wont to find much pleasure with his gun in hunting expeditions, for he is a skilled marksman, a fact that is attested by the fine specimens of
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animals of all sizes, from the squirrel to the wild (at, and birds of all sizes, from the smallest up to the American eagle, that may be seen, beau- tifully mounted and decorated, in the parlor of his residence.
ABRAM MUSCIO.
The success which has come to Mr. Muscio since he arrived in the United States speaks vol- umes for his sterling traits of character and his cletermination. To a greater degree than most young men, he was hampered in getting a start in the world, for he came to America with only the most meagre knowledge of the English language, and he was also obliged for some time to send his earnings back to his parents in Switzerland. However, in spite of these and many other hin- (rances, he has become one of the largest prop- erty-holders and most extensive dairymen in San Luis Obispo county.
In Someo, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, Mr. Muscio was born in March, 1849, being the youngest of nine children. In November, 1866. he left home for America, crossing the ocean to New York, and thence proceeding via Panama to San Francisco, where he arrived January 12, 1867. For ten years he carried on a rented dairy in Marin county and thence removed to San Luis Obispo county in 1876, settling on the coast four and one-half miles north of Cayucos and renting a ranch of twelve hundred and eighty-six acres. At once he stocked the place with cattle, keeping a herd of about one hundred and fifty dairy cows. So capable and efficient was he in the manage- ment of the property that his earnings each year were gratifying, and in 1884 he purchased the entire ranch. Since then he has built an addition to the dwelling, erected a substantial dairy house with all modern improvements, planted a large orchard, put out a garden and trees, and has fenced a part of the place with hedge. At this writing he has one hundred and sixty dairy cows. mostly Holsteins and Durhams. In 1881 he bought fourteen hundred and fifty acres in Green valley, which he still owns, but rents for dairy purposes. In partnership with three others, he owns a ranch of seventeen hundred acres near Santa Ynez, in Santa Barbara county, which is
also well stocked with dairy cows. In addition, he owns and manages a ranch of six hundred and seventy-two acres on Torro creek, which is stocked with dairy cows and which he superin- tends in connection with his home place. His large property holdings prove him to be an enter- prising and thrifty farmer. The larger part of his means has been accumulated through his work in dairying, an occupation for which his early training and his tastes especially adapt him.
The management of his dairy interests does not represent the limit of Mr. Muscio's activities. He is a stockholder in the San Luis Commercial Bank, the Swiss-American Bank of San Fran- cisco, and the Dairymen's Union of San Fran- cisco. During his long service as a school di- rector he aided in establishing and building up an excellent system of education for his district. Fraternally he is a member of San Simeon Lodge No. 196, F. & A. M., and San Luis Chapter. R. A. M. In San Francisco, in 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Assonta Righetti. They are the parents of six children, namely : Dante, who was educated in Switzerland and is now cashier of the Calaveras County Bank ; Ro- milio R., who is assistant cashier of the San Luis Commercial Bank: Sila, who is a graduate of King Conservatory of San José, and is teach- ing music in San Luis Obispo; Lillie, a gradu- ate of the State Normal School, and now teach- ing school in San Luis Obispo county; Edina and Florence, both of whom are graduates of the San Luis Business College. Florence is now in Mills College of Alameda county.
CYRUS SHORT.
From the time when, a youth of sixteen years, Mr. Short came to California with his parents he has been identified almost wholly with the Pajaro valley, and now makes his home in Wat- sonville, where he is a property-owner. He was born in Henderson county, Ill .. March 8, 1836, and was a son of Stephen and Nancy ( Prunty) Short, natives respectively of Virginia and Ken- tucky. Ilis father removed from the Old Do- minion across the mountains in early manhood and after his marriage settled upon a farm in Henderson county, Ill., where he followed agri-
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cultural pursuits. A later removal took him to Oquawka, Ill., where he followed the cooper's trade. In the spring of 1852, with his family and a party of friends, he made the journey via ox-teams across the plains to California, reach- ing Santa Cruz at the expiration of six tedious months. In settling in this locality he followed the suggestions of friends who had preceded him to the west.
One of his first ventures was in raising pota- toes, in which he met with some successes and some discouragements. He then took up a squat- ter's claim to one hundred and sixty acres and for twelve years made his home there, meantime improving the land, but at the expiration of the time he was forced to abandon the ranch on ac- count of being unable to secure a clear title to the property. Coming to Watsonville, he bought ten acres of J. A. Blackburn, now owned by Hon. Thomas Beck, and here he spent his remaining years. At the age of eighty-five he was still sturdy and robust, able to do as heavy a day's work as most men twenty years younger than he. His death was not due to advancing years, but was the result of an accidental fall when get- ting down hay in the barn. His wife also at- tained an advanced age. being eighty-seven at the time of her death. Longevity has been in- herited by their children, and all of the eight are still living, namely: Mary, Mrs. Thomas Reck- ords: Elizabeth, Mrs. Jesse Wycoff ; Emeline, Mrs. Thomas Beck : Arminda, Mrs. J. A. Black- burn: Cyrus, of Watsonville; Newton, of Ar- royo Grande, Cal. ; Malinda, Mrs. James Waters, and George, of San José. In politics the father was a Democrat. During early life he identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, but later became a Presbyterian.
With the exception of a few years spent in the mines, Mr. Short has made his home in Wat- sonville or vicinity ever since he accompanied his father to the west. Farming has been his princi- pal occupation, and at one time he owned an estate in the country, but this he sold on moving into Watsonville. Like his father, he believes in Democratic principles, and may always be relied upon to cast a straight party vote. For three terms he filled the office of constable. In reli- gious views he is not connected with any denom-
ination, but hokls liberal views. In 1881 he married Trancito, daughter of Frank Watson, and a native of Monterey county, of English an- cestry. They became the parents of seven chil- dren, namely : Harry, deceased: George, who is married and has one' son, Harry Lester ; Louis; Mary, Mrs. Edward Bancom, who has one daughter, Eva; Thomas, James A. and Ida, all three deceased.
A. W. SMITH.
In his capacity as the owner and proprietor of the only drug establishment in Templeton, A. W. Smith is filling an important place in the com- munity, and is managing his affairs in such man ner as to win the appreciation and gratitude of the whole community. He is one of the very promising and capable young men of the town, and all things point to a continuation of his suc- cess and a widening of his usefulness and respon- sibility. A worthy representative of the Hoosier state, Mr. Smith was born in Wells county, Ind., March 25. 1868, a son of W. H. Smith, a native of Huntington, Ind., and a druggist at Columbia City for ten years. The elder Smith removed to Chicago, Ill., in 1886, but after a year located in San Rafael, Cal., where he engaged with his son in the drug business for six or seven years, re- moving then to St. Helena, Cal., where he lives at the present time. The paternal grandfather. Thomas, was born in Pennsylvania, and eventu- ally became one of the very early pioneers of Indiana. where he took up land and lived until his death. On the maternal side .1. W. Smith is connected with an Indiana family, at the head of which was Dr. Scott, who adopted Amelia Griffith, the mother of Mr. Smith. Dr. Scott practiced medicine in Wells county, Ind., for many years, and died there at the age of sixty years.
The older of the two children born to his par- ents, A. W. Smith was educated in the public schools, and during the leisure of even his most youthful days spent a great deal of time in his father's drug store. Eventually he entered the Illinois College of Pharmacy, at Chicago, from which he was graduated from the junior and senior course in 1886. The fall of the same year
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he came to california, and February 22, 1902, started a business of his own in Templeton. For a year and a half after coming to the state he was druggist at the Veterans' Home in Napa county.
Much of the success which has come his way Mr. Smith attributes to the encouragement given by his gifted and popular wife, who was formerly Catherine Howett. and whom he married in San Francisco. Mrs. Smith was born in Cass county, Ohio, a daughter of W. C. Howett, for many years engaged in the nursery business on the coast, and at present a traveling salesman for the Chattanooga Medicine Company, of Tennessee. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, and is variously identified with the organizations in which the county abounds. He is what may be called a hustler, and possesses personal character- istics which would make him a credit to any lo- cality in the country.
RUDOLPH B. SPENCE.
The name of Spence is inseparably associated with the very early history of Monterey county, with the reclamation of enormous tracts of land, political offices of great importance, and business enterprises at once substantial and developing. The founder of the family on the coast was David Spence, the paternal grandfather of Rudolph B., who was born in Huntley, Scotland, and who became secretary to John Beggs & Co., hide and tallow merchants of Liverpool. That his services were highly appreciated by the company became apparent in 1822, when he was sent to establish a branch office in Callao, Peru, and two years later was ordered to Monterey county, Cal., as a fitting field for business extension. Endowed with fundamentally strong and commanding traits of character, his influence became noticeable in the general undertakings of that unsettled time, and his conservative judgment and business sa- gacity were appreciated in many avenues of ac- tivity. He served as alcalde under Governor Ar- guello, and also hell many offices of importance under the Mexican régime. After leaving poli- ties he turned his attention to the natural re- sources of the country, and took up two grants of land, the first, called the Buena Esperanza, in the Salinas valley, containing twelve thousand acres,
and the second, the Llano Buenavista, also in the Salinas valley, and including the present site of the factory and town of Spreckels. About three- fourths of the first grant is still in the possession of the family. These interests were manipulated by this pioneer with skill, and with his death in Monterey county, in 1875, at the age of seventy- seven years, there passed beyond the ken of those who had known him one of the most prominent and forceful characters of his time and place.
Through his marriage, in 1829, with Adelaide Estrada, David Spence became allied with one of the best-known of the Spanish families. Mrs. Spence was born in Monterey, and was a dauglı- ter of Mariano and Isabel Estrada, natives of Monterey, and the latter a sister of Governor Ar- guello, and daughter of Governor José Dorio Arguello. Mrs. Spence died in 1875. David Stewart Spence, her son, was reared in Monterey county, and was educated at the Honolulu Scotch College. Although resembling his father in many ways, and having the additional inspiration of not having to start from the bottom round of the ladder, he was not to be permitted to enjoy the advantages of wealth and social standing to any great extent, for his death occurred in his thirty- eighth year. He married Miss Malarin, now Mrs. A. V. Fatjo, of Santa Clara, and of this union there were six children, two of whom died young, Rudolph B. being the oldest in the family. Alexander, the second son, is a resident of Santa Clara, as is also David, while Arcadia is the wife of L. L. Arguello, mentioned in another part of this work.
Rudolph B. Spence was born April 27, 1857. in Monterey county. His education was acquired at Santa Clara College, Santa Clara, Cal. He married Mary T. Sullivan, a native of San Fran- cisco, and daughter of John Sullivan, founder of the Hibernian Bank of San Francisco, and the first president thereof. Inez Eugenia, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Spence, is liv- ing at home with her parents. Mr. Spence is engaged in looking after his large inheritance. which included fourteen hundred acres of land, besides the seven hundred and seventy acres com- prising the old grant improved by his grand- father. Of this land, much is devoted to the cul- tivation of olive and apple trees, the trees of the
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HON. ELIHU ANTHONY
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former fruit numbering fifteen hundred, while those of the latter number four thousand. The land is all rented out to tenants, and brings in a large income to the owner. Mr. Spence is very prominent in the community, his claims for con- sideration being vested in his own personality and general worth, rather than in what his forefathers may have accomplished. He is liberal and pro- gressive, and represents a high type of land- owner and landlord.
HON. ELIHU ANTHONY.
To the distinction of being the oldest surviv- ing settler of Santa Cruz, Mr. Anthony adds that of being an influential factor in all move- ments tending toward the progress of his city and county. When he came to Santa Cruz there were only five American families within the county limits. Gold had not yet been dis- covered in California, which was to prove the talisman to draw thousands of emigrants across the country. Few people had as yet been at- tracted to the boundless west and few also real- ized its matchless possibilities of climate and of production. Since the time of his arrival in January of 1848, Mr. Anthony has been asso- ciated with enterprises for the growth of the town and no one takes greater pride than he in the attractions of this city of flowers by the sun- set sea.
In Saratoga county, N. Y., Mr. Anthony was born November 30, 1818, being a son of Asa and Sarah (Odell) Anthony. In childhood he accompanied his parents to Allegany county. N. Y., and from there went to Ridgeway, Mich .. where he learned the blacksmith's trade. Re- turning to Allegany county, he accompanied his father in removing to Fort Wayne, Ind., and there worked at his trade. During a revival in that city he was converted and shortly after ward, in 1841, was licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal denomination, becoming a circuit rider and a member of the Northern In- diana conference. In 1845 he married Frances Clark, but she died while still a young woman. and the children born of their union also died young.
Giving up his connection with the circuit in
1846, Mr. Anthony went to Iowa and from there started to cross the plains to Oregon. After a tedious journey of six months, filled with many hardships and constant inconvenience, he reached Fort Hall, and there meeting a gentle- man from Oregon was persuaded to go to Cali- fornia. The trail led him through Marysville and along the Humboldt river to the Sacra- mento valley. In this trip he accompanied a large expedition composed of sixty-three wagons. On his arrival in California he was so pleased with the country that he permanently abandoned all thought of settling in Oregon. and in October, 1847. reached San José and three months later came to Santa Cruz, which has since been his home. Here he found Mr. Miller in charge of a small blacksmith shop. engaged principally in making bridles, bits and spurs, as there was little else to do in his line. The two men formed a partnership and were plying their trade when, in January of 1849. news came of the discovery of gold. Mr. An- thony made a trip to the mining district and found men working there with sharpened sticks, as few had picks or other tools. Returning home, he hired a sailor to take charge of his forge and he bought all the bolts and iron from old abandoned vessels. With the material thits secured he made picks of all sizes and kinds. These, while lacking beauty, were substantial and practicable. On being completed they were taken to the mines by Thomas Fulton, where they were readily soll for three ounces of goll (Inst. The seven dozen were quickly disposed of and the venture proved financially profitable for the shrewd projector. Wishing to continue the business on a larger scale he went to San Francisco to buy iron, but found none on sale.
Returning to Santa Cruz, Mr. Anthony estab- lished a small foundry and mide the first ploughs in the state. Prior to this he had manufactured points for the women ploughs then in use. About 1850 he opened a mercantile estable ment with A. A. Hecos and the following for he was appointed the first postmaster of Santa Cruz, a position that he held for fourteen veurs. In his mercantile interests he had James Cutler for a partner some years, after which Dr J. T. MeClean and brother acquired interests.
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