USA > California > San Diego County > San Diego county, California; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 18
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In 1904 Mr. Flower's failing health obliged his residence in California and he and his wife came to Coronado, where the husband's death occurred. To their union were born three children: Elliott F., who has attained prominence as a magazine writer; Mrs. Harriett D. Smith; and Louis B. Mrs. Flower still maintains her residence in Coronado and has become well known in club and social circles. Recognizing the law of universal brotherhood and the obli- gations and ties of our common humanity, she has allowed her sympathetic spirit to prompt action which, guided by rare executive ability and sound prac- tical judgment, has resulted in great good and has crowned with honor and esteem her useful and beneficent life.
HERBERT ANSON CROGHAN.
Herbert Anson Croghan, who for twenty years has been employed as a bookkeeper, was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, August 13, 1872, and is a son of Thomas and Alice E. Croghan, the former of whom was born August 27, 1846, and the latter, December 4, 1852. In the acquirement of an education he attended the public schools of his native city and supplemented this by a course in a business college, after which he secured a position as a bookkeeper. He followed the same occupation after he came to San Diego and has a record of approximately twenty years' continuous activity in this line.
On October 16, 1897, Mr. Croghan married Miss Mary E. Gandy, a daughter of Asbury P. Gandy. Mr. and Mrs. Croghan are well known in social circles of San Diego, where they have a wide acquaintance. They are members of All Saints' parish of the Episcopal church.
Mr. Croghan is a consistent republican and served his fellow citizens ably and conscientiously as deputy county treasurer of San Diego county in 1894 and 1895. His fraternal affiliations include his connection with the Knights of Pythias, in which organization he belongs to Red Star Lodge, No. 153. He was master of San Diego Lodge, No. 35, F. & A. M., in 1906 and still retains
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his membership in the Masonic order in all its branches, including the Shrine, as well as other fraternal societies. Socially he belongs to the Cabrillo Club, of which he has been a member since 1895, and the San Diego Rowing Club. Twenty years of continuous identification with one line of work, combined with an unusual natural ability, have made him one of the most able men in his line in the city. He is a man of high moral character, industrious and en- terprising, and his honesty and uprightness have merited him the confidence and respect of his business associates and neighbors.
B. G. AUSTIN.
San Diego knows B. G. Austin as the president of the Central Building Company. His reputation in the field of his chosen profession is, however, not limited by the confines of this city or of this state. In many sections of America there stand monuments to his ability in various fine structures of both a public and private character. Mr. Austin was born in Tottenham, near Toronto, Canada, May 14, 1862, and in his youthful days he learned the car- penter's trade, eventually becoming a contractor of Toronto. Such was the progress that he made in his chosen calling that he came to rank with the leading contractors of that city where he erected two hundred or more fine homes, including what at that period were some of the most beautiful residences there. In 1902 he removed to Denver, Colorado, where he turned his attention to mining, but later he again took up contracting and building and in 1908 came to San Diego. He has erected here at least twenty-five of the finest homes in the city which is noted for its magnificent residences.
Mr. Austin has made a study of architectural drawing, mining and metal- lurgy and on all these subjects is regarded as an expert. He organized the Central Building Company of San Diego on the 5th of June, 1911, and its officers are Benjamin G. Austin, president ; F. J. Austin, secretary and treasurer ; G. P. Butler, assistant secretary; and E. L. Thomas, attorney. These gentle- men, together with O. Cornwell and C. L. McIlwain, constitute the board of directors. The company was incorporated under the laws of the state and lias general offices in the Grant building on Fifth street. The company was or- ganized to engage in what is recognized as one of the safest and most profit- able industries, that of cooperative or partnership home building. Through their plan and purpose small amounts of money are brought together in one large fund. Each shareholder is a part of the whole and every dollar invested will have the same proportionate earning power. Here the capitalist has no advantage, for his money has only proportionate earning power. Mr. Austin, recognizing the opportunity in this direction not only to promote individual success and add to the growth and development of the city, enables the small investors to secure good homes for themselves and receive permanent value from their money.
In addition to his other interests, Mr. Austin is the owner of large mining properties in Canada north of Toronto, bearing native gold, copper and silver. He is also the owner of a gold and silver mine in Colorado and another in Inyo
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county, California. He is a man of keen business discernment and seems to readily foresee the possibility for successful accomplishment along any di- rection.
In 1904 occurred the marriage of Mr. Austin and Miss Florence J. Dibb, a native of Toronto, Canada, and they have two daughters, Violet J., and Catherine D.
COLONEL KIT CARSON.
The name of Kit Carson will ever fire the imagination and awaken the enthu- siasm of the American youth and the record of the bearer of this name in San Diego is scarcely less thrilling and exciting in its details than is that of his illustrious grandfather, the famous Kit Carson, soldier, explorer and scout, who played a prominent part in the early history of San Diego as well as in that of other sections of the great west, traveling over the plains and mountains with General Fremont, participating in the early Indian wars and raising the first American flag in California at Old Town, near San Diego.
He of whom we write was born on the Pecos river, in New Mexico, in 1852, and his early life was passed in that territory as a cowboy and Indian fighter on the plains. All of the events and incidents peculiar to that picturesque period in the development of the southwest are familiar to him not only as a wit- ness but as an active participant in those activities which shaped the annals of that section. He took part in the Lincoln county war in New Mexico in 1871, a contest waged between the cattle rustlers and cattle owners when the latter tried to drive the former from the country. The attempt was successful, many of the rustlers being driven out or killed and thus rendering property interests much more safe and secure. Colonel Carson also participated in many of the fights with the Indians in those early days and he was with Colonel Cody (Buffalo Bill) on the plains in the early '70s. At the time of the Custer massacre he was only thirty-five miles from the scene of that awful tragedy. In 1879 he went to Leadville, Colorado, and so successful were his operations in the gold mines there that he took out eighty thousand dollars in a short time. Later he returned to New Mexico. For many years he has been promi- nently associated with mining interests in the southwest and on the Pacific coast and is now the owner of other valuable mining property. He has exten- sive mining interests in Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona. He is connected with the Standard Mining Company, owning gold and silver bearing proper- ties in New Mexico, the Prince Extension and Searchlight mines in Nevada and the Bonanza King mine near Salt Lake.
Colonel Carson is a lecturer of note. He has lectured all through Europe and through the southern and western states upon the west as he saw it in the early days. Few can talk more interestingly for his experiences cover every phase of the life of the cowboy, the prospector and the trapper. While on a ranch in New Mexico he and his men, between the years 1883 and 1886, killed eighteen grizzly bears and when taking a pleasure trip through Arizona a few years ago he and his wife killed mountain lions, the bounty on which
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netted them three thousand dollars. He has never forgotten his skill or cun- ningness of the scout and guide and can still trail a horse or an Indian over rocky ground after the trail is forty-eight hours old. For a considerable period he was the owner of a large cattle ranch in New Mexico and has driven cat- tle all over that state. His last days on the plains, however, were in 1886. Since that period he has concentrated his energies upon mining operations and in February, 1912, he established his home in San Diego for the purpose of engaging in the real-estate business here. He has made rapid progress throughout the intervening period and has prepared and recently placed upon the market five thousand acres of irrigated land in Yuma county, Arizona, of which tract he is one of the largest owners.
In 1898 Colonel Carson was united in marriage to Miss Lulu Chapman, a native of Illinois, and they occupy a fine home in San Diego, which Colonel Carson purchased. With all his varied, exciting and interesting experiences Colonel Carson is a modest, unassuming man, but when he can be induced to talk of his earlier life the story is one of intense interest, giving a vivid pic- ture of those phases of history which have marked the settlement and develop- ยท ment of the great southwest.
ALBERT E. ADAMS.
Albert E. Adams, president of the Adams-Henry Company, successor to G. H. Ballou Company, importers and jobbers of teas, coffees and spices and manufacturers of Sun Spices and Sun Baking Powder, is by virtue of his po- sition one of the foremost men in business circles of San Diego. He has, moreover, other claims to prominence in the city for he has been an active promoter and organizer along the line of municipal growth, having assisted in platting two of the most important suburban subdivisions. He was born in Chillicothe, Missouri, August 31, 1871, and is a son of Charles A. and Elizabeth Adams.
Mr. Adams, of this review, acquired his education in the public schools of his native city and was graduated from a Chillicothe business college in 1889. He immediately became connected with the Adams & Sons Grocery Company, and his business ability gained him rapid advancement, first to the position of assistant manager and then to that of secretary and treasurer. He remained in Missouri until July, 1909, when his failing health compelled him to go to California. He still retained, however, his office as treasurer of the Adams & Sons Grocery Company. In 1909 he located in Santa Cruz county, California, and after one year, his health being restored, he moved to San Diego, where he became prominent in the real-estate business. He is still coowner of two im- portant subdivisions, Lemon Grove park and Wilshire place. In July, 1912, he purchased an interest in the G. H. Ballou Company, wholesale coffee and spice importers, and was made treasurer of the concern, and in less than a year he has proven himself such an efficient and capable business man, that he has been made president of the firm which now does business under the name of the Adams-Henry Company.
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In Chillicothe, Missouri, February 3, 1897, Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Adaline Elizabeth Henry and both are well known in social circles of San Diego. They are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Adams gives his allegiance to the republican party and while he is always ready to support worthy movements for the general good, his public spirit never takes the form of office seeking. Although he has been in San Diego only four years, he has already become one of the well known business men of the city. He is watchful of opportunities and by making practical use of his business ad- vantages, has steadily progressed to prosperity and success.
GUY C. WHITE.
Guy C. White, who has been admitted to the practice of law in the United States district courts of both Illinois and California and who has been one of the most prominent and successful attorneys of San Diego since 1909, was born in New Hampton, Chickasaw county, Iowa, August 21, 1873. His parents were . Frank and Mary (Shepard) White, the former a native of Wisconsin, who came to Iowa in 1859. For some years after his arrival in that state he followed farming but later abandoned this in favor of general merchandising. Even- tually, however, he became special agent for the State Insurance Company at Des Moines, and was active in this work until 1884, in which year his wife passed away. In November, 1889, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Frisbee, of Clermont, Iowa. In later years he has re- sumed farming and is now one of the prominent figures in agricultural circles of Iowa, where he owns two fine farms. He also has extensive holdings in town property in Clermont, Iowa.
Guy C. White was reared at home and educated in the Iowa public schools. He remained upon his father's farm until February, 1893, in which year he came to Chicago. Being ambitious to study law, he entered the office of John F. Geeting, one of the most prominent and successful criminal lawyers in the west and also active as the editor of The American Criminal Reports. Mr. White thus had the advantage of expert training under an able man and when he was admitted to the bar of Illinois in June, 1895, was fully equipped for the prac- tice of a difficult profession. He first entered upon the general practice of law but later became a specialist in mining corporation law. This gave him an opportunity to study conditions and brought him in touch with important mining interests. Being an able man he recognized great business chances and invested judiciously in ventures of which he approved, so that he has extensive holdings in the mining districts of Arizona. In April, 1908, Mr. White left Illinois and came to San Diego. One year afterward he was admitted to the bar of California and has already won success, having secured a good cli- entage which connects him with important litigated interests of his district.
Mr. White has been twice married. His first union was with Miss Ora Slaughter, whom he married in 1897. They became the parents of a son, Frank E., who is thirteen years of age. Mrs. Ora White died in February,
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1908, and in August, 1911, Mr. White was again married. His second wife was in her maidenhood, Miss Estelle Montgomery, who was born in Ohio.
Mr. White gives his allegiance to the democratic party, but has never been active politically. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, but beyond this has no fraternal connections. He is one of the influential and prominent citizens of San Diego, and active in movements looking toward public progress and advancement. In his law practice he is found an able and earnest worker in that preparation which is necessary before the work in the court begins, and in the presentation of a cause he is clear and cogent in reasoning and logical in his deductions.
D. D. WRAY.
D. D. Wray, of the Monarch Drug Company, connected with one of the old and largest drug stores in San Diego, is by virtue of his connection with com- mercial interests and the force of his ability, a dominating figure in business cir- cles of the city. The enterprise with which he is connected has a unique and interesting history. A drug store was here established twenty-five years ago by Augustus Lang upon a lot fifty by one hundred feet at the corner of Fifth and D streets-a tract which was given by its former owner, Father Horton, in payment for two days' work. It is now the most valuable piece of property of its size in San Diego, being assessed at one hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars-an example of the wonderful rise in property values which has taken place in the city in one generation. It was in the year 1885 that Mr. Lang traveled from Atchison, Kansas, over the Santa Fe to Deming, New Mexico, and thence over the Southern Pacific to Colton and from that point to San Diego over a line called the California Southern. In rainy seasons the freshets often hindered the road users for weeks so that mail was brought in only by boat. All this indicates the conditions which existed in San Diego at the time of the establishment of the drug business of which Mr. Wray is now one of the pro- prietors. Mr. Lang opened what was known as the San Diego Pharmacy on September 1, 1886. He introduced modern methods and secured up-to-date show cases, store fixtures and equipment, and opened a store far in advance of anything hitherto seen in the little town. Success attended the new ven- ture but after a year the business was sold to Frank Murtha. Other changes in ownership have occurred until at length the store became the property of D. D. Wray and Mr. A. T. Johnson, who, conducting its interests under the name of the Monarch Drug Company, have now one of the finest establish- ments in southern California. The property has been used continuously as a drug store since the business was established here by Mr. Lang more than a quarter of a century ago. The store building and land on which it is situated are the property of Madam Joseph Jose, her sole heir being George Doyle, and from her Mr. Wray and his partner, A. T. Johnson, have secured the second long lease upon the property. In 1912 they negotiated for the lease of the room adjoining, which they added to their store, in this way making it the largest pharmacy in San Diego. Since carrying out their plans the "Starkey
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corner," as it is known in San Diego, to all of the old residents, is one of the busiest and most important sections of the city.
Mr. Wray and his associate are reliable, progressive and resourceful busi- ness men, constantly studying conditions and their effect upon general ad- vancement. The line of goods carried is very complete and the stock is always tastefully and attractively arranged. They never lose an opportunity to secure all that is most modern in connection with the drug trade and in every way meet the desires and wishes of their patrons. The Monarch Drug Company is the representative in San Diego of the famous Rexall remedies and the sale of these goods alone is a valuable source of revenue, for the Rexall Company of Boston has an international reputation for handling none but the highest grades of medicines. The Monarch Drug Company, moreover, employs in its prescription department only the most skilled and able men and has kept this branch of the business up to the highest standards in furtherance of its policy- that of handling only the best and most reliable goods on the market. The business has been a valuable factor in the trade expansion of San Diego, not only through the system of trade which has been built up but also in the less direct but equally important way of introducing progressive methods and high standards, thus setting an example which others have followed. Mr. Wray is recognized as a forceful and able business man, far-sighted, energetic and de- termined, and belongs to that class of citizens whose labors have proved and are proving an element in public prosperity as well as in individual success.
ALLEN H. WRIGHT.
Allen H. Wright, city clerk of San Diego, and for many years prominent in newspaper circles of New York and California, was born in Rome, New York, April 20, 1873, and is a son of Samuel A. and Ann E. Wright. His early education was received in the public schools of his native city and he was graduated from the Rome Free Academy in 1891. After laying aside his books he taught school for six months and in order to fit himself more fully for this occupation, enrolled in the Albany State Normal College, from which institu- tion he was graduated in June, 1893. For some time afterward he taught in the schools of Bouckville, New York, and served for one year as principal be- fore he engaged as a traveling salesman for C. W. Bardeen of Syracuse. After one year he went to Sharon, Pennsylvania, to accept the position of city editor of the Daily Telegraph, and thus began a newspaper career which extended over a period of eleven years. When he resigned his position on the Sharon Tele- graph he returned to Rome, as county editor of the Daily Sentinel, and he worked in this capacity until 1898. The next year was spent in Albany, New York, as clerk in the state land survey office, but in 1900 he again returned to the newspaper field, resuming his former position as county editor of the Rome Daily Sentinel. He interrupted his business affairs for six months in order to take a trip abroad, and upon his return engaged as clerk in the Brooklyn navy yard until January, 1901. In the same year he returned to Rome and again became identified with the Daily Sentinel as its city editor, and he did
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able work in this office until February, 1904, when he came to San Diego. For six months after his arrival in this city he conducted a book store at the corner of Sixth and D streets but sold out at the end of that time to become secretary of the Folsom Brothers Company, real-estate agents. He spent only six months in this capacity and then returned to newspaper work, engaging as reporter on the San Diego Union and then on the San Diego Sun, with which journal he was connected until the fall of 1905, when he went to Long Beach, as editor of the Long Beach Press. His next position was that of telegraph editor of the San Diego Tribune and this he held until August, 1906, when he resigned the position. In all these various activities Mr. Wright proved himself possessed of a true journalistic instinct-the faculty for recognizing news of value and for writing his stories in a concise and telling way. The papers with which he was connected profited greatly by his activities, for he had that breezy and spirited style so necessary in reportorial work.
In August, 1906, Mr. Wright was appointed deputy city clerk and after two years became chief deputy city clerk. This office he held until January 1, 191I, when he was appointed to the position of city clerk, which he has since held, discharging his duties ably and conscientiously and standing always on the side of right, progress and general improvement.
Mr. Wright married, in Waterville, New York, on June 25, 1901, Miss Florence M. Bangs, and they have two children: Allyn H., Jr., ten years 01 age; and Helen F., aged seven years. Both attend the San Diego public schools. Mr. Wright is prominent in the Masonic order and is secretary of the New York State Society. He is well known in religious circles, holding mem- bership in the First Presbyterian church, and is an active worker in the Young Men's Christian Association and in the Floating Society of Christian Endeavor, of which he is ex-president. He is a member of the National Geographic So- ciety and the American Historical Association. He also belongs to the Wide- awake Improvement Club and gives his ready cooperation to every movement looking toward the public advancement and welfare. Belonging to the Sons of the American Revolution, he is secretary of San Diego Chapter, No. 2. He is a man of excellent business ability, which he displays in the conduct of his official affairs, and is known throughout the city for his honesty and integrity and the interest which he takes in public improvement. In every relation of his . life he is a man worthy of confidence and esteem and one of the city's most substantial business and political factors.
JOHN LAWRENCE.
The real-estate field offers an excellent opportunity to enterprising, alert and wide-awake business men of San Diego and it is to that department of labor that John Lawrence is devoting his energies, his activities being based upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity. Too often the real-estate dealer steps aside from the path of rectitude in order to promote a sale, but this Mr. Lawrence will not do and it has become recognized by the public that he regards honesty as the best policy. He was born in Collingwood,
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Canada, September 29, 1860, and is a son of Charles and Catherine Lawrence. With the thoroughness that has characterized his entire life he pursued his education until he graduated from the high school of his native city, after which he became interested in the raising of thoroughbred stock, making a scientific study of animal life in all of its phases so that he became acquainted with the best methods of developing and improving domestic animals. In fact he secured an international reputation as an expert in the raising of shorthorn cattle, Shropshire sheep, Red Tamworth swine and Royal Blue Barred Plymouth Rocks. He won many valuable prizes at the agricultural fairs in different parts of Canada and also acted as an expert judge on several occasions when scientific and technical knowledge were required concerning domestic animals.
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