USA > California > San Diego County > San Diego county, California; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 23
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operations through all the ages. He was born in Rock Island, Illinois, March 27, 1881, but when he was a small child the family removed to Nebraska and the greater part of his youth was passed in Fremont and Norfolk, that state. He supplemented his early public-school education by study and practical experience along the line of electrical engineering, being employed at that work in Nebraska. He came to San Diego in July, 1900, and here he again took up electrical engineer- ing but later turned his attention to architectural drawing and for three and a half years was associated with I. J. Gill, an architect of this city. Feeling that his training and experience were sufficient to qualify him to engage in business on his own account he opened an office in December, 1910, and has since special- ized in the erection of fine homes. He has drawn the plans for some of the most beautiful residences in and near San Diego, including the homes of John S. Haw- ley, J. L. Doyle and Charles A. Martin, the home of Owen Wister at Grassmont, and the Pine Hills Hotel near Julian. He has also made the plans for many of the smaller houses and cottages and his work is constantly growing in importance as well as volume and, today, some of the most beautiful residences of southern California stand as monuments to his skill and ability.
On the 21st of February, 1907, Mr. Requa was married to Miss Viola Hust, a native of Spokane, Washington, and they have one son, Richard. Mr. Requa belongs to Red Star Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and has many pleasant friends and acquaintances in San Diego, while his business prominence and suc- cess are established and assured.
PETER J. PIEPENBRINK.
One of the many prominent business men of San Diego who have grasped the modern idea of specialization and have applied it intelligently in the building up of their success is Peter J. Piepenbrink, master mechanic, specialist in all kinds of machine and foundry work and secretary and treasurer of the Standard Iron Works. As one of the important officers of this concern he is intimately con- nected with the industrial interests of San Diego and is closely in touch with the most recent thought along industrial lines. His activities constitute, therefore, a force in this phase of the city's activity and have placed him among the most influential men in San Diego. Mr. Piepenbrink is one of the many excellent business men and reliable citizens whom Germany has given to America. He was born in Duisburg, Rhine Province, October 24, 1868, and is a son of Jacob and Caroline Piepenbrink.
Peter J. Piepenbrink attended the public schools of his native country until he was twelve years of age and then came to the United States, settling in Chi- cago, where he became identified with the William Deering Company, manufac- turers of harvester machines. Mr. Piepenbrink served as apprentice in the machinery department and thus began a career which has always been identified with mechanical work. He learned the underlying principles of the mechanic's trade during his apprenticeship and he made fullest use of his opportunities, remaining with the William Deering Company until 1885, when he came west. He settled near Oceanside, San Diego county, California, and for one year
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engaged in farming, but at the end of that time came to San Diego and worked as a sawyer and planer for six months in the interests of the Russ Lumber Com- pany. He then secured employment in the Standard Iron Works as machinist and has been connected with this concern since that time. Necessarily his advancement came rapidly, for he is an expert mechanic and he combines with this general business ability of a high order. In 1900 he was appointed superin- tendent, in which position he demonstrated his possession of the force of char- acter and executive ability necessary in the management of men. Two years later he was elected secretary and treasurer of the concern and has acted in that capacity since that time. In the Standard Iron Works is done all kinds of general foundry, machine and blacksmith work and also structural steel build- ing. The concern is one of the most important of its kind in the city and the men who control its policies and standards are, therefore, influences upon industrial development. By virtue of his position as secretary and treasurer Mr. Piepen- brink occupies a responsible place in the affairs of the company and, therefore, in the general business life of San Diego.
Mr. Piepenbrink married, in San Diego, May 7, 1890, Miss Louisa Kolben- schlag, and they have two children: Carl E., who is twenty-one years of age and who is attending the California School of Art in San Francisco; and F. W., nineteen years of age, who is connected with the Standard Iron Works. The family are devout adherents of the Lutheran church. Mr. Piepenbrink gives his allegiance to the republican party but is not active in a political way. His fra- ternal connections are extensive. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of the Maccabees and is prominent in the Masonic order, being past master of San Diego Lodge, No. 35, A. F. & A. M., and a member of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star. His success is an example of the value of a special talent, practically trained. Even that, however, would not have made Mr. Piepenbrink more than an expert mechanic had it not been combined with keen discernment and judgment, which have carried him up to an important position in the executive and administrative branches of his business.
B. K. GILLESPIE.
One of the best known and most widely popular men in San Diego is B. K. Gillespie, owner of the U. S. Grant Hotel Auto Livery and manager of the San Diego Sight-Seeing Company. He was born in Bryan, Ohio, February 15, 1881, and is a son of R. H. and Mary F. Gillespie. After attending the public school he completed the course at Rio Grande College and in 1906 came to San Diego, where he started in the auto livery business. The nature of his work is entirely suited to his talents and capabilities as is evident from the magnitude of the busi- ness he has built up. He is a man of great tact and geniality, and of unvarying courtesy, making friends easily, and with his comfortable cars, experienced guides and capable drivers makes the daily trip between the Grant hotel and Tia Juana, Mexico, a delightful experience for his passengers. His guides know every inch of the country, its history, its peculiarities and its resources, and have
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the gift of imparting their knowledge in a vivid and forceful way. Many people come to San Diego from various parts of the state to go from here to old Mexico, attracted chiefly by their desire to witness the Spanish bull fights which are held at frequent intervals throughout the year. As produced they are identical in every detail with those held in Spain, with the exception that in the Mexican contests two horses are allowed to a toreador. Mr. Gillespie brings a great many people over the border daily and has built up an extensive business which directly affects general activity in San Diego. He is well known in the city and is always active in support of all municipal enterprises. He belongs to the Order of Panama, the Advertising Club, the Merchants Association and the Chamber of Commerce and fraternally is affiliated with the Order of Elks. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party but his public spirit takes the form of effective work along lines of business with no desire for public office.
EDWIN J. SWAYNE.
Many interesting events and experiences crowd the life record of Edwin J. Swayne and that he has attained a creditable and gratifying measure of suc- cess is indicated by his real-estate holdings in the city of San Diego, where since 1887 he has made his home. He was forty years of age when he came to this state, his birth having occurred in Chester county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1847. His parents, Enoch and Elizabeth Swayne, were well known mem- bers of the Society of Friends or Quakers, and the father was a strong abo- litionist who labored in connection with the support and conduct of what was known as the underground railroad, whereby many a slave was assisted on his way to freedom in the north.
Edwin J. Swayne pursued academic courses of study at Unionville, Penn- sylvania, and at Deptford, Woodbury, New Jersey. Early in his business career he engaged in general merchandising in Pennsylvania. At the age of twenty he became imbued with the desire to penetrate the uninhabited portions of the United States and to become familiar with the life of the uncivilized Indians. He left his Pennsylvania home, traveled from eastern Kansas by team across the plains, then known as the "great American desert," following the Smoky Hill route. During this journey, at the time of the Indian troubles on the plains, many hardships were encountered and many narrow escapes made. Landing in Denver, he soon joined a party leaving for Georgetown Camp. He assisted in surveying the town site of Georgetown, Colorado, living in a log cabin with Commodore Stephen A. Decatur and others. At George- town he joined a party to explore the region beyond the snowy range, during that year crossing the backbone of the Rocky mountains six times on foot, often under great difficulties and encountering the savage Indians. The party named the Rocky mountain pass known as Burro Pass because of their experi- ence in lowering their pack jacks over the crest of perpetual snow with ropes. Returning from this expedition to Denver, Mr. Swayne joined another party and traveled by team north from Denver to the Black Hills in Wyoming ter- ritory, encountering the Arapahoe Indians at Cache la Poudre river near the
EDWIN J. SWAYNE
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present site of Greeley. After a checkered experience in this wild region he returned with numerous relics, among them an Indian coat gotten from Chief George of the Utes. The following year Mr. Swayne was appointed United States Indian agent to the Pawnee tribe by President U. S. Grant, under his peace policy, afterward resigning this position for commercial pursuits in New York city.
For seventeen years Mr. Swayne was associated with the manufacturing of hardware specialties in New York city, working his way upward until he became general manager of the business, in which he continued until nervous prostration necessitated his retirement in 1885. In 1887 he came to San Diego and after his arrival here his recuperation was rapid. Since that time he has been closely identified with the interests of city and county and throughout this period has enjoyed in large measure the confidence and good-will of his fel- low citizens. For thirteen years he conducted an orange grove in Paradise valley, known as Bon Air, and at the same time he pursued a loan and real- estate business in San Diego which he incorporated and conducted most suc- cessfully. As the years have passed he has not only dealt in but has also made judicious investments in realty in this city and his holdings are now large, bringing to him a good annual return. He has also figured in financial circles as one of the organizers of the Merchants National Bank of San Diego and for some time he was one of its directors.
On the 14th of November, 1872, near Philadelphia, Mr. Swayne was mar- ried to Miss Ruth J. Pennock, a daughter of Marshall L. and Rachel L. Pen- nock. Her parents were active members of the Society of Friends, belonging to the Philadelphia yearly meeting, and were also strong temperance advocates and led exemplary lives. Mr. Pennock was always a successful business man and after reaching the age of forty years lived retired. His family numbered five children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Swayne have been born two sons, Laurence P. and Harold E., the former having married Ruth E. Reed.
In politics Mr. Swayne has always been a republican but not an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and his church work. He held membership with the Society of Friends in Philadelphia and New York but subsequently became a member of the Methodist church in East Orange, New Jersey, and for the past quarter of a century has been officially connected with the First Methodist Episcopal church of San Diego. He seeks to further moral progress as well as material prosperity in this city. His upright life has placed him in an enviable position among his fellow citi- zens and his personal worth has gained for him high regard and confidence.
ADELBERT H. SWEET.
Since 1885 Adelbert H. Sweet has been practicing law in San Diego and is known as one of the most able and prominent attorneys in the city. He was born in Huron county, Ohio, August 22, 1857, and is a son of Charles R. and Betsy Sweet. His education, begun in the public schools of Huron county, was continned in the Normal School at Milan, Ohio. He later attended Baldwin Vol. II-12
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University, at Berea, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1883. Afterward he spent one year in the law department of the University of Michigan and then moved to Wellington, Kansas, and studied law in the office of a local attor- ney. He was admitted to the bar in 1884 and in the following year came to San Diego, where he has practiced since that time with steadily increasing success. He is a strong and forceful advocate, well versed in the underlying principles of his profession and with a broad general knowledge which forms an excellent foundation for his legal reading. During the twenty-seven years of his practice in this county he has been connected with a great deal of the important litigation in the courts of the state and gives special attention to corporation law and the law of water and real estate, and represents a large number of important cor- porations doing business in San Diego county.
On January 4, 1894, Mr. Sweet was married, in San Diego, to Miss Amy Whatmore and they have one child, Elaine, who lives at home. Mr. Sweet gives his allegiance to the republican party and readily cooperates in any movement which has for its object the general advancement and progress. He has important fraternal relations, being a member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Wood- men of the World. Through his connection with the California Bar Association he keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought in his profession and he thus has the advantage of contact with the most eminent lawyers in the state. In a field of activity, where everything depends upon personal merit and force of character, Mr. Sweet has proved himself able, conscientious and incorruptibly honest and has effectively demonstrated the ultimate value of these qualities in ensuring success.
WILFRED R. GUY.
One of the most prominent men in public life in San Diego is Wilfred R. Guy, judge of the superior court, department 1; judge of the juvenile court, and in his private practice one of the most able lawyers in the city. He was born in Elkton, Ohio, February 12, 1860, and is a son of Hezekiah and Ellen Guy. His education was received in the public schools of Mount Nebo, Ohio, and in the high school at Leetonia, Ohio, and this was supplemented by a course in Mount Union College at Mount Union, Ohio, which he attended until 1884. In the same year he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was graduated from the law department in June, 1887. He was then admitted to the bar and came to San Diego, where he has practiced with increasing success for a quarter of a century. The prominence which he has attained is the best evidence of his capability. Little by little he established himself among the strong and forceful practitioners of the city. As he became better known his patronage increased and as the field of his activity extended his work took on broader aspects until he finally became identified with the official branches of the law. He was elected judge of the juvenile court, and in January, 1909, judge of the superior court, department I, and his success in both positions has had an important influence upon the county. Attainment in law often carries with it prominence in politics
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and Judge Guy has proved no exception to this rule. He served his fellow citi- zens as a member of the California legislature for four years, from 1895 to 1898 inclusive, and during that time he stood constantly on the side of right and progress, supporting many measures for the general welfare, among which was tlie bill providing for the State Normal School at San Diego. His associates in the assembly recognized in him a broad and liberal-minded man of business abil- ity and during the session of 1897 he was made chairman of the ways and means committee and did effective and conscientious work in that responsible position.
In San Diego, in July, 1889, Judge Guy was united in marriage to Miss Laura A. Ellsworth, and they have five children, Rose E., Ruby E., Alice May, Lucile and Elizabeth. Judge Guy is a stanch republican and has always upheld firmly the principles and policies for which that party stands. He is a member of the Baptist church and one of the successful workers in the promotion of its doc- trines. He is a deacon and superintendent of the Sunday school and well known in San Diego as a man of high and exemplary character. His only fraternal affil- iation is his connection with the Knights of Pythias. He is well known in social circles of the city by reason of his many charming and hospitable characteristics and the high position which he has atttained in public life.
J. M. STEADE, M. D.
Dr. J. M. Steade, enjoying a large practice, his patronage steadily increasing since his arrival in San Diego in 1894, is a native of Bourbon county, Kansas, and spent his early life on the plains with his father, who was a ranch owner. Follow- ing the removal of the family to Indian Territory the son lived the life of a pioneer on the frontier. He killed his first buffalo on the site of the present city of Oklahoma, and participated in many raids against outlaws and the Indians of the early days. He was shot in the head in one of the Indian raids and yet carries the scar of that bullet. Having taken up the practice of medicine as life work he was an active representative of the profession in Indian Territory and did much emergency surgical work while upon the frontier of the west. He was graduated from the Cincinnati Eclectic College in 1887 and further qualified for his professional duties by a course in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894. The same year witnessed his arrival in San Diego and for many years he took an active part in public affairs of the city, his cooperation being always counted upon to further any movement or project that had the welfare and improvement of San Diego as its object. He is now concentrating his efforts more largely upon his profession and enjoys a very large practice. He is also the vice president of the Inclined Gravity Hinge Company of San Diego, controlling one of the growing and profitable industrial enterprises of the city.
Dr. Steade for several years was a member of the San Diego board of health, in which connection he did much to advance sanitary conditions and promote a knowledge of those principles upon which the health laws rest. A large majority elected him to the office of alderman of the city and he served as president of the board. It was Dr. Steade who sent out the first call for a meeting to establish
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the Masons in the city of Oklahoma and he was on one of the first trains to take the Royal Arch degree there. He has continued his connection with Masonry throughout the intervening years and is today an exemplary representative of the .craft. He has become a Consistory Mason and also a member of the Mystic Shrine, and he likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Dr. Steade's interests and activities as thus indicated have been extensive, varied and impor- tant.
Dr. Steade married, in 1886, at Cincinnati, Ohio, Miss Malla E. Thill, of that city. They have two children, the eldest, a daughter, Earla, the wife of Arthur Rowley of Springfield, Massachusetts, and Milton D., who is a student, attending public school. The life of Dr. Steade has been fraught with many incidents which if written in detail would constitute a narrative more thrilling than fiction. At length, tiring of the life of the plains, he decided to concentrate his energies upon a definite purpose and, seeking in the medical profession the outlet for his ambition and his industry, he has gained an enviable position among the medical practitioners of his adopted city.
HARRY S. UTLEY.
Harry S. Utley, district attorney in San Diego and in his private practice one of the most able and successful lawyers, was born in Northamptonshire, Eng- land, March 10, 1861, and is a son of William and Charlotte Utley. Until he was fourteen years of age Mr. Utley attended private schools in his native section and then spent two years in Clevedon College. Having early determined to practice law, he studied this profession in England until January, 1885, in which year he crossed the Atlantic to America. He traveled throughout various parts of the United States for two years and then settled in San Diego and continued the study of law under John R. Jones. In 1889 he was admitted to the bar and in the same year opened an office in the city. His practice extended rapidly as his ability became more widely known and he was soon connected with many import- ant legal cases. The success with which he conducted these and the accurate knowledge of the underlying principles of law which he evidenced were recog- nized in 1894 by his appointment as assistant district attorney, in which office he served with ability and conscientiousness, making an excellent record in the pub- lic service. In 1898 he resumed his private practice and carried it forward suc- cessfully until 1907, when he was appointed to his former position and served until 1910, when he was made district attorney upon the resignation of L. R. Kirby from that office. He brings to the performance of his duties a detailed knowledge of legal principles, a logical mind capable of making the most practical use of them and seven years' experience as assistant district attorney. Having in two years fully demonstrated his qualities of well timed aggressiveness, sin- cerity of purpose and resolute conscientiousness, he was reelected to the office in 191I.
On May 1, 1888, Mr. Utley married Miss Gertrude Manning, of San Diego, and they have three children : Gertrude Florence, Edith Constance, and H. Mere- dith, who is attending Leland Stanford University. Mr. Utley gives his allegiance
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to the republican party, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Cuyamaca Club. He has lived twenty-six years in San Diego and has become well known to the people of the city as an able lawyer and upright public official. He combines legal ability with the courtesy and consideration of a true gentleman and has therefore won not only prominence in political and professional work but widespread respect and esteem.
A. G. WILLIAMS.
In every town and city there are men who by the consensus of public opinion are placed in the front ranks of enterprising citizens. In this class belongs A. G. Williams, one of the well known business men of National City, who for the past twelve years has been actively identified with almost every phase of com- mercial expansion in the community. His labors have not only been a source of profit to himself but have also constituted an element in the general pros- perity, for he has been always an active supporter of measures for the public good.
Wisconsin numbers Mr. Williams among her native sons, for he was born in Crawford county, that state, April 9, 1864. When he was twelve years of age his family moved to Minnehaha county, South Dakota, where the educa- tion which he had begun in his native section was completed. After he had attained his majority he took up a homestead claim in South Dakota and added to his holdings from time to time until he was one of the most extensive land- owners in Minnehaha county. He had fifteen hundred acres planted in wheat, oats, barley, corn and flax and was known as one of the most progressive, substantial and scientific farmers in that locality. For many years he oper- ated a threshing machine and furnished grain for farmers throughout an extensive territory. Gradually he became prominent in the public life of the district and held many important local offices, including that of supervisor of the township in which he lived. Mr. Williams remained in South Dakota until 1900 and then came to San Diego county and purchased a home in National City and opened a general store. His first day's sales amounted to fourteen dollars and it is significant of his business ability and constructive talent that when he sold out six years afterward the daily sales averaged one hundred and fifty dollars. Since that time he has become connected with some of the most important business interests in this section of California and has proved him- self a capable and successful financier. What he undertakes he carries for- ward to successful completion and his work along modern and progressive business lines has been practical, beneficial and far reaching in its effects. A firm believer in the future of San Diego county and of National City, he has become interested in the platting and exploitation of various subdivisions and has besides other important real-estate connections. There is hardly a phase of business activity in the city in which he is not well known and prominent. He is a stockholder in the National City Bank, acts as agent for the Rochester German Fire Insurance Company and is vice president of the Homeland Build- ing Company. This company has constructed many of the most beautiful
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