USA > California > San Diego County > San Diego county, California; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 46
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T. L. LEWIS.
T. L. Lewis, superior court judge for San Diego county, is by the consensus of public opinion accorded a position of distinction in the ranks of the legal fraternity of southern California. The specific and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplish- ments but rather to leave a perpetual record as established by public opinion. Judged in that light there is no mistaking the position of T. L. Lewis in connec- tion with the legal and judicial history of San Diego county. . He was born in Pennsylvania, November 19, 1851, and during his early boyhood accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois. He was about twelve years of age when in 1863 they went to Iowa, where the succeeding six years of his life were passed, and in 1869 the family home was established in Peru, Nebraska.
Judge Lewis pursued his education in the common schools of the various localities in which the family lived and after leaving the schools of Peru en- tered the State Normal School there. He supplemented his more specifically literary course by the study of law in the University of Iowa at Iowa City and following his preparation for the bar he began practice in Burt county, Nebraska. Vol. II-23
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That his preparation was thorough and that he brought to the outset of his professional career certain rare qualities is evidenced by the success which attended his initial efforts as a member of the bar. He also became a prominent factor in political circles there and served as a member of the state legislature in 1885. He was district attorney of Burt county and the profession sustained a marked loss when he resolved to come to California and established his home in San Diego. Judge Lewis has likewise filled various prominent official posi- tions in the line of his profession since coming to this city. He has been deputy city attorney, was deputy district attorney of the county and was afterward elected district attorney for a term of four years. The excellent record which he had made in defending public and private interests before the courts rec- ommended him for judicial honors and in 1908 he was appointed superior judge of the county to fill out an unexpired term. In the fall of the same year he was elected for the full term of six years, so that he is now sitting upon the bench as incumbent to continue throughout 1914. His decisions are strictly fair and impartial and indicate a thorough mastery of the principles of jurisprudence, with clear conception concerning the points of law to which they are applicable.
In 1886 Judge Lewis was married to Miss Mary Fullen, a native of Nebraska, and they have three children, Glenn L., Elsie J. and John J. His fraternal relations are with the blue lodge of Masons, the Foresters of America and the Elks. His political support has always been given to the republican party and he is conversant with the leading questions and issues of the day but has sought no office outside of professional lines. He has much natural ability but is withal a hard student and is never content until he has mastered every detail of the case which comes before him. He is indeed an able, faithful and con- scientious minister in the temple of justice.
J. E. NEEB.
The rapid growth and expansion of the fruit-raising industry in southern California has effected many different lines of activity and has had a direct influence upon the development of a business closely connected with it-that of box manufacturing. The fruit shipped from the markets of the state must be carefully packed in order to retain its freshness and this has given rise to the establishment of many wooden box making concerns throughout California. San Diego has its full share of these institutions, but none of a more important character than that operated by J. E. Neeb at the foot of Twenty-third street, on the water front. By virtue of his able management of the affairs of this con- cern and by reason of the high business standards to which he has steadily adhered Mr. Neeb has attained a place of prominence in business circles of San Diego, and in five years has become recognized as a contributing force in the general development of the city.
J. E. Neeb was born in Lewiston, Minnesota, October 7, 1879, and is a son of Henry W. and Charlotte M. Neeb. He received his education in the public schools of his native city and went from there to Los Angeles, where he became foreman of one of the largest box making concerns in the city. Thus he has
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been identified with this special line of work since the beginning of his active career and has gained a success in it which places him in the front ranks of progressive business men of San Diego. In Los Angeles his advancement was rapid and he was soon promoted from the position of foreman to that of man- ager and thus gained a varied experience which has been invaluable to him in the development of his own factory. In 1907 he resigned his position in Los Angeles and came to San Diego, where he opened a box factory at the foot of Twenty-third street. He has since built up a large patronage among the most important fruit growers of southern California. His annual output of lemon boxes alone would tax the capacity of any ordinary plant, but Mr. Neeb supplies also the peach and apple growers of the section. He makes it his aim to have every box from his factory of the highest quality which can be made by skilled workmen, with the most modern machinery. Thus through his valuable work and activity he has not only added to the growth of the special industry in which he is interested and, therefore, to the general expansion of the city, but has also done important work in developing methods and estab- lishing standards. He is an active member of the Merchants Association and in full accord with its plans for expansion and advancement. San Diego classes Mr. Neeb among her foremost citizens.
A. M. PETERS.
A. M. Peters, of Fall Brook, is one of the most extensive landowners of this part of San Diego county as well as one of the oldest residents and for twenty- six years has stood as a representative of all that is practical, systematic and progressive in modern ranching methods. He was born in Vermont in 1828 and is a son of L. Peters, a native of the same state. For many years the father was a sailor on Lake Champlain and only abandoned this occupation in 1840 in order to- go to Illinois, where he settled in De Kalb county, purchasing land. He lived there for some time but finally moved to Iowa, settling in Clayton county in 1851. He was killed in an accident in the following year and his wife survived him until 1864.
A. M. Peters met with peculiarly hard conditions in his early life. When he was ten years of age he was compelled by his father to go aboard a vessel and was consequently deprived of his education. In 1840 he accompanied his parents to Illinois and in that state was hired out by his father and obliged to work upon neighboring farms until he had reached the age of twenty. In that year he rented land in Illinois and in 1849 went to Iowa. In that state he carried on general farming for thirty-three years and became known as one of the most able, systematic and progressive agriculturists in his section. Leav- ing the farm in 1882 he came to California, settling in Ventura county, where he lived for a short time. During this period, however, he still retained his nine hundred and sixty acres in Iowa and had his farm operated by a manager for eight years after he settled in San Diego county. Later, however, he sold the land and purchased one hundred and fifty-four acres two and one-half miles
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beyond Fall Brook, upon which he has lived continuously for twenty-six years. Although he does some general farming much of his attention is given to fruit growing and to raising bees and he has made both branches of his work a profitable source of income to him. Mr. Peters' farm does not by any means constitute his entire holdings in land for from time to time he has made judicious investments and is now the proprietor of valuable tracts. He owns one hun- dred and sixty acres north of Fall Brook, one hundred and sixty acres in River- side county and interests in lands in various other parts of California. He has become connected also with the general business life of Fall Brook and is active in the affairs of several important enterprises. He was a stockholder in the old Fall Brook Bank and was one of the organizers of the present Citizens Com- mercial Bank. He owns a large amount of town property and in its management has shown the ability, the shrewdness and the intelligence of the true modern busi- ness man.
In 1855 Mr. Peters married Miss Jane Smith, a native of New York, and to their union were born nine children: Ellen, the wife of T. V. Gabbert, of California; Dora, who married William Barnett, of Gardena; Herbert, whose home is near Fall Brook; Frankie, the wife of a Mr. Ashley, of Garden Grove; Susan, who married David Brown, of Ventura county; Millie, the wife of Albert Embray, of Eldora; Mary, deceased; Lloyd, who resides on the old homestead; and a child who died in infancy.
Mr. Peters is a member of the Masonic lodge in Fall Brook but beyond this is not interested in fraternal affairs. The hardships of his early life developed in him the resourceful and energetic qualities which have been the basis of his success and which have placed him among the representative citizens of Fall Brook. A spirit of marked enterprise has been ever a dominating force in his character and an important factor in his prosperity. Early realizing that per- sistent labor is the basis of honorable attainment, he put forth diligent effort along constructive lines and has secured a measure of success which brightens his declining years and lightens their burdens.
FORREST L. HIEATT.
Forrest L. Hieatt, who since 1905 has been prominently connected with busi- ness interests in San Diego, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, August 5, 1871, a son of Merideth P. and Sarah M. (Mitchel) Hieatt. After completing his education in the public and high schools of his native city he obtained a posi- tion with the Monon Railroad as assistant cashier. He entered upon his duties in 1889 and did able and successful work for two years, after which he engaged as chief clerk with the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. At the end of one year he abandoned railroading and became chief timekeeper with the Louisville Packing Company and was promoted from this position to that of superintendent. When he resigned this office after three years of able work he established himself in the commercial brokerage business and after four years disposed of his enterprise at a profit and became identified with the real-estate business in partnership with his brother. This association continued until 1905,
F. D.Read
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when Forrest Hieatt came to San Diego. Here he continued his identification with the real-estate business until 1909 and then began the manufacture of bricks and hollow tile. During the three years of his activity in this line he has gained a gratifying degree of success, which places him among the representatives business men of the city.
Mr. Hieatt married, in Louisville, Kentucky, March 1I, 1895, Miss Alla Dora Broadhurst, a daughter of William Allen and Mildred (Dale) Broadhurst, the father being one of the most prominent Christian ministers of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Hieatt have one son, Forrest Henry, aged thirteen, who is a student in the San Diego Army and Navy Academy. Mr. Hieatt gives his allegiance to the republican party and is one of the most progressive and public- spirited citizens in San Diego. He took an active interest in the charter amend- ments, which gave San Diego a commission form of government and was largely instrumental in electing the first progressive council, effectually putting the old Southern Pacific machine out of politics in San Diego. His religion is one of the vital and active forces in his life and influences and controls his everyday actions. He is superintendent of the Sunday school connected with the University Chris- tian church and chairman of the board, and is besides doing able work as elder. Although he has been in San Diego only seven years, his work has aided materially in promoting business activity in the city. He readily and correctly judges the value of any situation in its bearings upon the business conditions and in his private interests has so managed his affairs that he has made steady and sub- stantial progress and given every indication of continued advancement in his chosen line.
CHARLES SAMSON, M. D.
The career of Dr. Charles Samson offers in many ways splendid examples of the broadening and deepening effects of true public spirit. This quality is the dominating element which coordinates and controls all of his activities and has made him known throughout San Diego county as one of the truly loyal, helpful and enterprising men in the public life of the district. That he is mayor of La Mesa is only another proof of the confidence and esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens, for this office provides him with an excellent field for his work for the general welfare. His name has come to be regarded as synonymous with development and progress in the city and he has achieved prominence as a man of marked ability and substantial worth. Dr. Samson was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, August 20, 1873, and received his primary educa- tion in the public schools of that section. This was supplemented by a course in a commercial college and in the University of Nebraska, and his medical studies were pursued at Rush Medical College in Chicago. After receiving his degree he went to Oakland, Nebraska, and practiced his profession there for some time. His force of character and ability had their natural effect upon his career. He was rapidly carried forward into public life and served as mayor of Oakland for two terms, giving to the city an able, straightforward and pro- gressive administration. However, he did not neglect the practice of his profes-
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sion but only made his skill as a physician another vehicle for his public service, for he did able and conscientious work as health and quarantine officer and as city physician of Oakland. In Nebraska he joined the county and state medical associations and has since kept up his membership. In fraternal circles, too, he became well known and prominent and is past grand of the grand lodge of the state of Nebraska of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In this organization he is also a past officer in the grand canton of Nebraska. He here also kept up the work in physical training which he began while in college, where he took an active interest in athletic sports and served as gymnasium instructor. While pursuing his studies in Chicago he joined the National Guard and was first lieutenant of Company K.
In 1908 Dr. Samson left Nebraska and came to La Mesa, San Diego county, and purchased a ten acre tract of land, upon which he built one of the most beautiful homes in the city. It has eight large rooms, the outside ones connect- ing with wide porches by means of French windows, thus making it an ideal home in the southern California climate. In La Mesa Dr. Samson has won prominence in his profession, which is equalled only by the importance of the place which he holds in business and political circles. He was elected mayor of the city in 1912 on the republican ticket and has already proved a political abil- ity of a high order, which has made his administration of the city's affairs broad- minded, constructive and efficient.
In 1902 Dr. Samson married, in Nebraska, Miss Ida Johnson, a native of that state, and they have two children, Vernon and Harold. Dr. Samson is always the foremost figure in all movements looking toward municipal expansion and has been especially prominent in securing for the city a permanent and abundant water supply. He works in connection with the company which is promoting the project of irrigating twenty thousand acres of land in San Diego county and is one of the foremost figures in its affairs. The company expects to spend two million dollars on the project. Broad-minded and liberal in his views, Dr. Samson has worked along lines of the greatest good to the greatest number and La Mesa and all of San Diego county has profited greatly by the activities of a man at once able in judgment and fearless in the execution of his ideas.
HANS SCHUMANN-HEINK.
Hans Schumann-Heink, son of Madame Ernestine Schumann-Heink, one of the greatest contralto singers the world has ever known, is himself a musician of great power and ability. He was born in Hamburg, Germany, November 2, 1887, and acquired an excellent education in the public schools of that city and of Saxony. According to the German custom, he learned a trade, that of jeweler in Dresden, Saxony, carrying on his regular studies at the same time. On April 12, 1905, he left his native country and came to America, securing employment with Tiffany & Company, the New York jewelers, in their factory at Forest Hill, New Jersey. He worked in the silver and goldsmithing depart- ment for one year, after which he spent a short time in the New Haven clock
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factory. In order to gain a military education, he joined the United States army and was sent to Fort Slocum, New York, to the recruiting station. He enlisted as a private and was discharged some time afterward as corporal. Froni his childhood Mr. Schumann-Heink has studied music and his great natural ability along this line has been systematically trained and perfected. After his discharge from the army he continued his work in Chicago, studying vocal music with Professor W. L. Hubbard, and piano with Glen Dillard Gunn. After this he returned to Germany and took up the study of vocal and operatic music under Professor Karl Scheidlmantel. He inherits much of his mother's apprecia- tion, brilliancy of execution and dramatic power and his musical attainments are of a high order. When he returned to America he joined the musical com- edy company The Three Twins as assistant manager and was with it for thirty- eight weeks of one night stands. He was with Elsie Janis in The Slim Princess, in which he played a character part with great fidelity and humorous apprecia- tion, continuing his stage career afterward as a student in the Will-o'-the-Wisp company.
However, Mr. Schumann-Heink has now abandoned the stage and has turned his attention entirely to business affairs, proving in this relation able, resourceful, progressive and far-sighted. While he was in New Jersey he held a position in the public traffic department of the police service and gave a great deal of time to the study of conditions. He became an expert upon the traffic question and his ability along this line was recognized in his appointment as traffic regula- tor in various cities of the state. In February, 1912, he came to the El Cajon valley to take charge of the sixteen acre fruit ranch owned by his mother. He has erected upon it a fine bungalow and gives his entire time to the further development and improvement of the property, proving a capable, systematic and resourceful business man. He has four acres planted in lemons and twelve in oranges and harvests abundant crops of both fruits every year. In addition he is extensively interested in poultry-raising, keeping about four hundred chickens, and this is rapidly becoming one of the most profitable branches of his business.
On the Ist of July, 1911, Mr. Schumann-Heink was united in marriage to Miss Zelda Marker, a native of Evansville, Indiana, and both are well known and widely popular throughout El Cajon valley. Mr. Schumann-Heink's mother has erected a beautiful home near the ranch at Groosmont, where she intends to make her home in the near future. Although still a very young man, Mr. Schumann-Heink is beyond all question a successful one and has attained pros- perity by his own efforts and by the force of his individuality, being not content to go down into history merely as the son of a famous mother.
ALEXANDER B. SHAW.
Alexander B. Shaw, city electrician of Coronado and chief electrician of the Coronado Beach Company, was born in Preston county, West Virginia, July 2, 1874, and acquired his early education in the public schools. After laying aside his books he served for three years on the police force of Duquesne,
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Pennsylvania. For five years thereafter he was employed in the electrical depart- ment of the Carnegie Steel Company at Duquesne and held there an important position, gaining practical experience in an establishment where the only standard is real efficiency. Determined to make this his life's profession he accordingly took up the study of electrical engineering through the International Correspond- ence School, completing a course in 1901. He worked for fifteen months in the interests of the McClintock-Marshall Construction Company of Pittsburg, but resigned in August, 1902, and came to Coronado, where he has since resided. He is chief electrician for the Coronado Beach Company and city electrician and in both responsible positions has done able, practical and useful work.
In 1892 Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Pearl E. Fields, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have four children, Ada V., Laura, Doris and Florence. Mrs. Shaw belongs to the Rebekahs and is an active member of the Ladies of Woodcraft, while Mr. Shaw belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Rebekahs and the United American Mechanics' Association. He gives his allegiance to the republican party and was for five years president of the Coronado board of education. His life in all of its phases has commanded the respect and confidence of his friends and busi- ness associates and he now ranks high among the progressive and valued citizens of Coronado.
ERNEST BENARD.
Ernest Benard, a pioneer nurseryman of San Diego, where he has been engaged in this business for twenty-six years, was born in Orleans, France, February 18, 1859, and is the son and grandson of well known nurserymen, iden- tification with this line of business having become a tradition in his family. He learned the details of planting, cultivating and grafting trees from his father in his childhood and from a very early age has been an expert in everything per- taining to tree cultivation. He came to America in 1884 and for some time engaged as a nurseryman in Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York. In 1886 he came to California and obtained a position as foreman for the California Nursery Company at Niles, working under John Rock, one of the well known nurserymen in the state at that time.
In 1887 Mr. Benard came first to San Diego county with several carloads of trees which were for planting in the Hotel del Coronado grounds. Coming to Mission Valley in 1889, he here purchased thirteen acres, upon which he has since conducted a nursery, his force and ability gaining him rapid success. At first he specialized in raising olive trees but soon transferred his interests to orna- mental stock, specializing at the present time in hedges, ornamental trees and roses. Many of the most beautiful grounds around the best homes in San Diego were planned by Mr. Benard and the trees started from stock from his nur- sery. He also planted the beautiful trees and shrubs which adorn the Point Loma homestead grounds and has done much valuable and original work along the line of his interests, having been the first man to use city water in the valley, and having also introduced into the section the famous Ascalana Gifford
MR. AND MRS. ERNEST BENARD
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olive. At first Mr. Benard supplied only the demands of southern California but he has little by little extended his selling territory, shipping his stock all over the Pacific coast and to the eastern states. That success, which special efficiency in one line and long experience in it gives, Mr. Benard has attained, for he understands the least detail of the care and cultivation of trees and flowers, and his knowledge being practical, has been productive of excellent results. He is not only a pioneer in his business but is today one of the most important men engaged in it, having through the years steadily adhered to a policy of prog- ress and expansion and to high standards of business integrity.
In 1891 Mr. Benard was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Herkert, a native of Illinois, and they have become the parents of two daughters, Rose M. and Lilly C. For a quarter of a century Mr. Benard has resided in Mission Val- ley and throughout the entire period has enjoyed the respect and confidence of his business associates and the warm regard of his many friends.
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