USA > California > San Bernardino County > Ingersoll's century annals of San Bernadino County, 1769-1904 : prefaced with a brief history of the state of California : supplemented with an encyclopedia of local biography and portraits of many of its representative people > Part 70
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DR. BEN BARTON, an early settler of San Bernardino county, was born in South Carolina, June 8, 1823. He was the son of Thomas Barton, a native of the same state, and a descendant of a colonial family which has always been prominent, several members having served in the American armies during the revolution, and one member, Major Barton, being famous for his deeds of bravery in the cause of freedom.
Dr. Barton was brought up on the old family estate, which he left in 1843 to pursue his professional studies in Lexington, Ky. After completing his course in medicine he practiced in Alabama and in Texas until 1854. when he came to California. He first located at El Monte and then went to the northern part of the state, but in 1857 he came to San Bernardino and purchased from the Mormon elders, Lyman and Rich, the property known as the "Old San Bernardino Mission," including about rooo acres of land. He later acquired title to a large tract of land adjoining this ranch, which he sold in parcels at various times."
In 1858 he built the adobe house now standing on the corner of C and Fourth streets. in the town of San Bernardino. This he occupied as a drug store. He was also postmaster, and the postoffice was located in his store. About 1859 he sold this property and soon after- ward gave up the practice of medicine to devote himself exclusivey to the care of his ranch. In 1866-67 he built a large brick residence on a commanding site of his ranch property, and here for twenty years he made his home. He then moved into San Bernardino city. where he lived until his death, January 1, 1899. The ranch property was sold in 1888 to a Los Angeles syndicate and the Barton Land and Water Co. was organized to dispose of the "home" tracts into which it was divided. A number of beautiful homes are now located on this tract, and the remnants of the old "mission" and the brick residence built by Dr. Barton are well known landmarks.
Dr. Barton occupied a large place in the early history of the community. Soon after his arrival in the county, in 1861-62, he was elected to the Assembly. He set out the vine- yard on his place which has long been famous for its wines, and built a winery. He also had large orchards and raised grain on an extensive scale.
Dr. Barton was married at Bastrop, Texas, to Miss Eliza, daughter of Henry Brite of Missouri. The family consisted of John, born at El Monte. September, 1855: Hiram M .. born at San Gabriel, December, 1856; Lelia, born in San Bernardino, 1859, died in infancy ; Mary, born at Mission. 1860, and Anne, born at Mission, 1864. Mrs. Barton, with a daughter, Miss Mary, still resides in the family residence at. San Bernardino.
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. DANIEL MCKENZIE BRADFORD, late of San Bernardino, was born in Steuben county, N. Y., March 20, 1832. He was a lineal descendant of William Bradford, first governor of Massachusetts. His father carried a musket at Detroit when Hull surren- dered and his grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution, having served with Washington at Valley Forge. His mother was of Hugenot descent, her ancestors having heen driven from France by the Edict of Nantes. She was a woman of remark- able energy and endurance, the mother of a family of thirteen children, all of whom lived to have families of their own.
DANIEL McK. BRADFORD
D. M. Bradford was born in a log house and grew up amidst the hardships and deprivations of the frontier. Åt nine years of age he was set to hauling stone, driving an ox team. When he was thirteen he started alone for the territory of Michigan, a brother having preceded him. With a pack on his back and $5.25 in his pocket, he walked to Buf- falo and there took boat for Detroit. From Detroit he had to walk three days to reach his destination in Jackson county. His father's family followed and located on a farm in the then un- hroken wilderness. When the son was fifteen the father died and the boy be- came the chief support of the family. He had a hard struggle with poor health and discouragements. In 1865 his health failed entirely and he was ordered to go west in order to save his life. He pur- chased a farm near Grinnell, Iowa, and after a long. hard struggle, succeeded in paying for it. His health again gave way and he came to California. He purchased property on Third street and on January 17, 1882, the day when snow fell to the depth of ten inches in this city, he moved into San Bernardino.
Mr. Bradford had few opportuni- ties for education, but his tastes led him to read and acquire knowledge for himself and he was a well-read and well-informed man. He joined the church at the age of thirteen and was a consistent member throughout his life. He was connected with the Congregational church of this city and was long one of its trustees. From the Iowa church he received a life membership in the American Bible Society and the San Bernardino church made him a life member of the Home Missionary Society. He was an honorary member of the San Bernardino Society of California Pioneers and a very welcome addition to all their gather- ings. He was always a pronounced advocate of temperance and an energetic worker in this cause.
In April, 1855, Mr. Bradford married Miss Lucia Coddington. Mrs. Bradford died in San Bernardino, June 16, 1896. Their only daughter is the wife of Rev. C. H. Davis. Mr. Bradford died in 1904.
LEWIS JACOBS, late of San Bernardino, was a native of Prussia, born January 31, 1832. He spent his youth in his native land and came to America to seek larger opportuni- ties in his twentieth year. He landed at New York in 1851 and at once decided to join the throng who were then rushing to the gold mines of California. He took passage by way of the Isthmus and reached San Francisco in November, 1851. He spent some months mining in the Sacramento valley but did not meet with the success he had anticipated. Coming south by steamer to San Pedro, with a small stock of "Yankee notions" in a pack he made his way on foot from Los Angeles to San Bernardino, arriving here in the fall of 1852. He soon thereafter was able to open a small store. This, which was probably the first store
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in San Bernardino outside of the Fort, was located on the west side of C street near the corner of Fourth. Here he laid the foundations of the fortune which he accumulated dur- ing his long residence in tihs city. In connection with the Meyersteins, he was the first banker of San Bernardino county, at first in a small way and as a private bank; but in 1875. he retired from the mercantile business and opened the Bank of San Bernardino. which has since that date remained one of the solid financial institutions of Southern Cal- ifornia. It has financed many of the large enterprises of the San Bernardino valley and has been an important factor in the growth and prosperity of the county as well as the city. Mr. Jacobs was largely interested in many directions, and was one of the progressive business men who had faith in the country even under discouraging appearances.
He was a member of the Masonic order and held many offices in Phoenix Lodge and passed through many degrees. He was also a member of the I. O. O. F., Knights of Pythias. B'nai B'rith and Chosen Friends.
In 1900 he visited Europe, accompanied by his daughter, Miss Lena Jacobs. On the return voyage he died very suddenly, expiring Sept. 18, 1900.
In 1858 Mr. Jacobs married at San Diego. Mrs. Jacobs died in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs had four children, Mrs. Oscar Newberg and Miss Lena, of San Bernardino; Mrs. H. Roman , of San Francisco and Mrs. Polaski, of Los Angeles.
JOHN WEMPLE SEARLES, deceased, was born at Tribes Hill, Montgomery county. New York, November 16, 1828. His father, George Searles, was the son of Dennis Searles and grandson of Captain Searles of the American army, wounded at the battle of Cam- bridge in the war of the Revolution. His mother's maiden name was Helen Wemple. She was a woman of superior education, the daughter of Mindred Wemple, who was one of the first settlers of Fonda, N. Y.
John Wemple Searles spent his boyhood on his father's farm near Randolph, New York, and obtained his early education at the district school. He learned the blacksmith trade and worked at his trade at Randolph until 1849, when he started for California, tak- ing passage from New York City via Cape Horn. Arriving in California he joined his brother, Dennis Searles, who had preceded him a few months, and they settled at Indian Creek in Shasta county. They purchased 160 acres of land and two mining claims, one at- tending to the farm and the other mining. After a few years they sold this property and went to Los Angeles and from there to the Borax mines, where, in April, 1874, they pre- empted claims of 160 acres each, which eventually made them wealthy men.
John W. Searles was a hunter. His favorite pursuit was hunting bear and decr, with which the country abounded. He was an expert rifle shot and one of his ways of keeping well supplied with money was to go into town, and when all the crack shots assem- bled together, they would make up a purse, each contributing $5 or $10 apiece. After h series of shots the purse would be given to the man who made the largest percentage of per- fect shots. He also traveled over the state challenging any one on a wager to beat him at shooting with either rifle or six-shooter. He won out in every case and made money. He died at St. Helena, California, October 7, 1897.
Mr. Searles married Miss Mary Covington in Los Angeles January 1, 1873. She was born at Salt Lake, Utah. Mrs. Searles' death followed the birth of their only child, a SO1. He never remarried.
Dennis Searles, son of John W. Scarles, was born in Los Angeles, February 27. 1874. His childhood was passed at the Borax mines. From 1886 to 1891 he was at Belmont school. Belmont, Cal. He was first president of the alumni association of this school. In 1891-5 he at- tended Stanford University. In his senior year he was president of the class of 1895. His vaca- tions were always passed at the Borax mines, now the property of the Pacific Borax Com- pany, having been sold before the death of his father. Mr. Searles is in the. employ of the new company as superintendent.
Further reference to John W. Searles as a bear hunter will be found in Chapter XV.
ANSON VAN LEUVEN, deceased, was born in Canada, October 16, 1829. He was the son of Benjamin Van Leuven and Catherine Snyder, both Canadian born, and as the name indicates of Dutch descent. The father, Benjamin Van Luevan, a man of religious temperament, early became a convert to the Mormon faith and removed with his family to White county, Illinois, in 1839, to be among those of his own religious faith, and remained there seven years. In 1846 he removed to Atchison county, Missouri, locating about twelve miles from Lyndon, where he lived until he went to Utah in 1851. He settled on a farm at Springville, Utah, about fifty miles from Salt Lake City, and five miles from Provo, where he lived until 1854, then started for California, following the route of the San Bernardino colonists, bringing with him five teams of oxen besides considerable other stock. His wife
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
died at Atchison, Missouri, in 1850. £ His children were: Sabra, who had married at. Council Bluffs ; William Kimball, who also came with the family ; John, Rhoda. A daugh- ter, Zilpha, who married Nathan Dillon and lived at Quincy, Ill., and later at Provo, Utah. came to California in 1851.
Anson Van Leuven, together with his brother Louis, came to California in 1852, lo- cating in old San Bernardino. Here he developed a fine ranch and was the pioneer orange grower of the county having set out his first orchard in 1867. These trees were very pro- ductive and attracted much attention when they came into bearing.
Anson Van Leuven married Elizabeth Robinson, daughter of William Robinson, Janu- arv 16, 1863, in San Bernardino. Mrs. Van Leuven was born at Nauvoo, Ill., and came
overland, via Salt Lake, in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Van Leuven were the parents of five chil- dren-Myron, Sarah (died 1882), Byron A., Henry, Mand, benjamin (died April, 1868).
Mr. Van Leuven died, after a long and useful life, May 23, 1896.
ORSON VAN LUEVEN of Moreno came to San Bernardino in 1854 with his father's family and lived at old San Bernardino for many years. About 1878 he located on govern- ment land, where Redlands now stands, and built a house which still stands on Olive avenue near Center street. Mr. Van Leuven lived here some twelve years, then removd to Moreno, where he is engaged in ranching.
Mr. Van Luven married Catherine, daughter of John Roberts of San Bernardino. She died in 1901 as the result of a runaway accident. There are now eight living children of this marriage-Frederick, of San Jacinto; Dora, now Mrs. L. J. Fay of Redlands; Lila, Mrs. J. Gass of Redlands Junction; Nettie, Mrs. Allen McKinzie of Redlands; Myrta and Clara. Mrs. Gass was the first child born in Redlands, her birth occurring April 21, 1880.
LYMAN JOHN FAY of Redlands was born November 15, 1866, in Sacramento, Cal .. the son of Norman Fay, a native of New York. L. J. Fay lived in the Yucaipe Valley and owned one of the first dairies in the vicinity of Redlands. He now resides in Redlands. In 1888, he married Miss Dora, daughter of Orson Van Leuven. They have one daughter, Alice.
The late JOHN Y. ANDERSON, of San Bernardino, was born in the state of Mary- land. February 1, 1827, the son of Samuel and Jane Anderson. His school days were passed in Philadelphia and he first attended Sunday School in 1832, in what was known as the "Brick Maker's Sunday School," corner Third and Walnut streets.
Mr. Anderson went to Wilmington, Delaware, when he was eighteen and learned the trade of machinist. When the war with Mexico was declared, he enlisted in South Caro- lina and was stationed at Fort Moultrie, S. C. Upon his discharge in 1848, he entered the United States navy and was assigned to the United States frigate "Raritan," at that time the flagship of the home squadron, under Commodore Porter. He entered the navy as landsman and was discharged in April, 1850, as first-class petty officer.
In 1850 he started for California overland. On reaching the Missouri river, he en- gaged with the government to drive a six-mule team through to Santa Fe. There were 175 wagons in the train and two regiments of soldiers. They had made a good start on the way when for unknown reasons they were ordered back to St. Louis. After some delay, Mr. Anderson started again, this time with a train of twenty-one wagons of supplies for the Mormons at Salt Lake. From Salt Lake he went on and arrived at Hangtown, in August. 1851. He at once began prospecting in the vicinity of Poverty Flat and along the American river. After a year's work, he was able to sell his interests, and with several thousand dol- bars in hand, he returned east, via the Isthmus, and on October 14, 1852, he was married at Philadelphia to Miss Mary Benner Yerkes. In 1853 he returned to California with his wife and again engaged in mining, prospecting on the American river and in Nevada county, Caliornia ; later trying his luck in British Columbia and spending six years in the mines at Virginia City. Nevada. In 1868 Mr. Anderson came to San Bernardino county and pur- chased of Senator Conn the ranch which he occupied for the remainder of his life. This he enlarged and improved and made a valuable property. Mr. Anderson died August 28, Içor.
He lived a temperate and religious life, always being a consistent follower of the Christian religion and advocate of temperance principles. He was a charter member of the First M. E. Church of San Bernardino and for twenty years its recording stewart; he was also the first superintendent of its Sunday School
The first Mrs. Anderson died in Philadelphia, April 29. 1859. Mr. Anderson married Mrs. Louisa Arthur of New York city, in Virginia City, Nev., January 10, 1864. They had three daughters and two sons.
WILLIAM McD. HENDERSON of Rialto was the son of David Henderson. The parents with their eight children emigrated from Lanarkshire, Scotland, to America in 1850.
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The father died with cholera at St. Louis while en route, but the family continued their journey and reached Salt Lake, where they resided about a year, then removed to Cedar City, Utah, where the boys of the family were employed in building a sawmill. In Septem- ber, 1853, a train, consisting of fifteen or sixteen wagons was made up at Cedar City to come overland to California, following the route of the Keir train. They located in Southern California. The family beside the mother, included Margaret, who married Charle Mogeau, and after his death, Henry Yager; David G. of Etiwanda; Jeanette became Mrs. Tom Walkenshaw and later Mrs. William Roberts of Corona: Mary, Mrs. Tom Ashcroft of Corona ; John Henderson and William MeD., of San Bernardino.
William MeD. was employed in freighting by General Banning and David Alexander
MRS. ISABEL HENDERSON Mother of William McD. Henderson
WILLIAM McD. HENDERSON
between Los Angeles and San Pedro and later between Los Angeles and Salt Lake. In 1856-7 he was employed with government surveyors in the official survey of Utah. For many years he was engaged in freighting, in government work on the frontier and in mining. About 1870 he returned to San Bernardino county and for thirteen years was employed in the lumber business in the mountains. Later he engaged in mercantile business in Rialto. Mr. Henderson was always interested in the material growth and prosperity of the county, which was so long his home and was a valuable eitizen in every respect. He died at Long Beach, September II, 1904, and was buried with Masonic honors from the new Masonic Temple, San Bernardino.
CLARK S. FABUN was born in New York state. He early learned the trade of carpenter, and, after working in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, went to Illinois and Ohio. He first married Avis Ann Haken, and after her death married her sister, Susan. The Haken family were Latter Day Saints. but Mr. Fabun did not join the society. They went to Salt Lake City and then joined the immigrants to California coming in the train of C. C. Rich, which was guided by Captain Hunt.
Mr. Fabun bought a tract of land on Warm Creek bottom lying between Third and
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Fifth streets. Herc his second wife died and later he married Susanna Harris, whose family had also come out with the Seeley train and had lived in the Old Fort. Mr. Fabun's land, forty-five acres, included the five acres upon which the Santa Fe round house and oil tanks are now located. Upon this land he planted one of the largest deciduous fruit orchards then in the county. He was a good mechanic and opened a blacksmith and repair shop in the "Old Fort," and in company with William McDonald, made and repaired wagons and farm implements. He returned to Salt Lake with the Mormons and later moved to Arizona, where he engaged in freighting. At one time he freighted between Anaheim Landing and Salt Lake City, and also to the Ivanpah mines. He was an energetic business man, kind- hearted, and popular with all who knew him. His children now living are: Mrs. Cynthia W. Sparks, Los Alamitos, Cal .; Syrenos S. Fabun, Little River, Cal .; Mrs. Frank Ferris, Hanford, Cal .; Russel; Mrs. Elsie Harris; John B., Thatcher, Arizona; David I., private, Light Battery F, 4th U. S. Artillery, Philippine Islands,
JAMES ALEXANDER BRAZELTON was born in Bushville, III., December 4, 1830. His father, Alexander Brazelton, was a hatter by trade and owned a modest property in Bushville. The son, James, attended the district schools, but early showed an instinct of barter and trade, and when nineteen owned a fine team of draught horses with a wagon and outfit, the result of his own accumu- lation. When the "gold fever" of '49 broke - out, he desired to join a party being made up in his vicinity. His parents, however, objected strongly, but in spite of their protests, the young man started for Califor- nia with his team and equipment. The gold seekers went to Nauvoo, Illinois, and there paused to make the final arrange- ments for their long overland journey. There the elder Brazelton followed and attempted to detain his son as a minor, but the son evaded capture by lying con- cealed in the court house of Nauvoo for three days, or until the father had returned home.
The party arrived at Sacramento in 1849, and young Brazelton's stock being in good condition, he at once found employ- ment in freighting. He also gained a reputation as a keen horse trader. About 1855 he drifted southward to Los Angeles, and there was associated with Thomas D. Mott in an extensive livery and freighting business. In 1861 he joined the late Gen. Phineas Banning in operating a stage line between Los Angeles and San Bernardino, also carrying the mails and the business of Wells-Fargo Co. This he continued up to 1865, when he formed a partnership with Nathaniel Kinman and for about nine years did a general livery and freight business in San Bernardino, under the firm name of "Brazelton & Kinman."
In 1874 Mr. Kinman sold his interest to A. M. Kenniston and for almost twenty JAMES A. BRAZELTON years the firm of Brazelton & Kenniston continued in business, becoming one of the landmarks of the town. The termination of the business of this old firm was brought about by the sudden death of Mr. Brazelton, at Los Angeles, June 27, 1894, while on a business trip to that city. Mr. Brazelton was twice married. The first wife was Miss Hannah Huston, of San Bernardino, a daughter of Daniel Huston. She died in April. 1875. leaving four children-Mary : George and Edward, who have succeeded to the business of their father and still carry on a general livery business, and Milton, who was accidentally shot when about
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sixteen. In 1876 Mr. Brazelton married Miss Bell Huston, a sister of his former wife, and to this union one son, Robert, and one daughter, Gladys, were born.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER HOBBS, proprietor and host of the Hobbs House on Court street, San Bernardino, is an early California pioneer, born near the Catawba river, in Iredell county, North Carolina, April 2, 1828. He was the second child born in the family of Little- berry B. and Rebecca Carrigan Hobbs, and is of English and Scotch descent.
Very early in life he -left the home farm in search of more congenial employment and obtained a contract for carrying the United States mail at White Sulphur Springs, Miss., continuing this business for years. In 1853 he started for California, journeying by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, thence by water to San Francisco. He was first employed on a ranch near Napa, California, subsequently engaging in cattle dealing.
Mr. Hobbs made a visit to Virginia City and Carson City, Nevada, and after elevei months returned to California, and in 1860 traveled with mule team to Los Angeles. In 1861 he was mining in Holcomb Valley and the Colorado river region; following this in 1864 he engaged in freighting from Los Angeles to Arizona points. Three years later he bought a farm joining Chino rancho, which he sold in 1882 and opened a boarding house; also con- ducted a livery stable in San Bernardino.
Mr. Hobbs had the usual experience of the early California pioneer, living an exciting and adventurous life, and, notwithstanding the perils, hardships and narrow escapes, reached a sturdy old age. Besides the hotel which bears his name, Mr. Hobbs was the owner of valuable property in San Bernardino and at Corona.
Mr. Hobbs married Mrs. Martha Jane Giles, daughter of Daniel Cline, a California poineer. There were no children born of this union. He died in 1904.
JUDSON M. DALEY was born at Salt Lake City, Utah, November 2, 1853, the son of Moses Daley. Jr., and Margaret B. ( Henry) Daley. His grandfather, Moses Daley, Sr., came to San Bernardino in 1849, and died here, leaving numerous descendants, well known in the valley.
Moses Daley, Jr., came to San Bernardino July 4. 1858, and settled at a place now known as South Colton, where the family lived until the flood of 1862. when they came to San Bernardino and bought a place at the corner of B and Fifth streets. He went into the busi- ness of freighting to Arizona points.
Judson M. Daley attended the Fifth street school in San Bernardino, taught by Mr. Alsop, and .afterwards by Will S. Knighten of the M. E. Church. His first work was freighting on the desert. In 1870 he drove one of his father's teams, which was engaged in moving Gen. Crook to Prescott. He followed the business of freighting until the Southern Pacific railway came through this section of the country. He then removed to the ranch at Riverside, where his father died, but returned to San Bernardino and bought the old Wixon place. He went to San Diego and worked at the carpenter trade for eleven months, then came back to San Bernardino county and has lived here ever since.
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