USA > California > San Diego County > San Diego county, California; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 49
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wide study. On leaving the Copper Company at Globe, Arizona, he became mechanical engineer for the Mine & Smelter Supply Company of El Paso, Texas, for a period of two years, at the end of which time he was employed as con- sulting engineer by the Green Consolidated Copper Company at Cananea, Mexico. Under his direction the large copper smelting and refining plants of that com- pany with a capacity of three thousand tons per day were designed, erected and operated. He then returned to the Mine & Smelter Supply Company at Denver, Colorado, as manager and the following year was transferred to the position of general manager for the North American Copper Company at Grand Encampment, Wyoming, where mills, smelters, electrical works and the largest aerial tramway ever constructed, involving an expenditure of more than three million dollars, were designed and erected under his direction.
With the completion of that stupendous task Mr. Tracy went to New York as salesman for the Allis-Chalmers Company and after four months succeeded W. A. Chalmers as manager of the mining, crushing and cement machinery de- partments with offices in Chicago and New York. A year and a half later he was appointed manager of the machinery department of the Guggenheim Com- pany, with headquarters in New York city, and afterward was made general manager of the Taawasa Gold Mining Company at Denver, Colorado, where he remained for a year and a half. Returning to New York city, he became manager of the Traylor Engineering Company and later organized the Tracy Engineer- ing Company of New York. In 1907 he went to Los Angeles to accept the vice presidency of the American Machinery & Construction Company and in 1909 came to San Diego, where he began the organization of the Durostone Company, of which he was chosen president. In 1911 he resigned that office and organized the Tracy Ornamental Brick & Tile Company, of which he became the vice president and so continued until the company was taken over by the Tracy Brick & Art Stone Company, of which he is now the vice president. The busi- ness is devoted to the manufacture of artificial stone, brick and tile, marking the highest attainment in artistic decorative exterior and interior building mate- rials, and has developed, in the short period of its existence, into one of the most important of the city's productive industries.
The steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible. He has advanced from one position to another of larger responsibility and broader scope, and has reached a position amongst the foremost engineers and business men of the Pacific coast. In fact his reputation is known in mining and engineering circles throughout the country and his ability is attested by many of the eminent capitalists and promoters who have had reason to employ his services.
Mr. Tracy married Louise Reynaud. They have two children, Helen M., a daughter, and Reynaud, a son. Mrs. Tracy is a daughter of Gustave and Nancy Reynaud. The former, now deceased, was the American financial rep- resentative of the De Lesseps interests during the period of their activities on the Panama canal. Mrs. Reynaud now resides with the Tracy family in San Diego. Mr. Tracy is a prominent factor in club and fraternal circles. He be- longs to the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, is a member and president of the San Diego Manufacturers' Association and belongs to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was appointed by Governor Hughes of New York and Governor La Follette of Wisconsin as a delegate to the American Mining
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Congress and is a life member of that body. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. In fraternal lines he is connected with the Elks and the Knights of Pythias and be belongs to the Country Club of San Diego and the New York Athletic Club. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. Through the many changes in his career each step has been a progressive one and many of the positions he has held were among the highest in point of responsibility and remuneration in the service of the various corporations with which he has been associated. He is a distinct acquisition to San Diego's list of active and resourceful business men.
JAMES F. WEATHERBIE.
For twenty-three years James F. Weatherbie has lived in California, and during that time his activities have been important in the growth of the fruit- raising industry in the southern part of the state. He has developed from unim- proved tracts several fine ranches in San Diego county and his present home is set in the midst of one of the most valuable and productive ranches in the sec- tion. He owns the Olive Hill ranch of fifteen acres, which he has built up from an unprofitable and only slightly productive state into one of the finest fruit farms in the county. His activities have been so varied and useful that it is difficult to determine which have been of the most lasting benefit, but it is certain that his combined attainments place him among the dominating forces in the section's growth.
Mr. Weatherbie is a native of New Brunswick, and was born in Chatham, October 20, 1865. He was reared and educated on Prince Edward Island and remained there until he was about twenty-four years of age, working at the blacksmith's trade, which he had learned in his youth. When he came to the United States he settled in Boston, Massachusetts, and there worked at his former occupation, shoeing horses for the old horse car company of that city. In 1889 he came to California and settled in San Diego county, working on the Finley ranch in Sweetwater valley. When he abandoned this connection he came to National City and there conducted a blacksmith shop in partnership with John Grier. He later managed this enterprise alone for some time and finally, disposed of it at a profit. Immediately afterward he went to Perris, Riverside county, and there became foreman for a grading contracting firm. In the spring of 1893, however, he became connected with the fruit-growing busi- ness and has been identified with it almost continuously since that time. In that year he purchased a ten acre ranch in the Waterville tract at La Mesa Heights. This was covered with a heavy growth of sagebrush, which Mr. Weatherbie cleared and then planted the acres in lemon trees, developing eventually a fine, profitable ranch. Disposing of this, he worked at his trade in La Mesa for a short time and afterward followed the same occupation in Spring valley, where he removed in 1896. Afterward, however, he resumed his fruit-growing, buying the Snyder ranch of five acres in La Mesa, which he planted entirely in lemons. This property, although small, has for many years past produced the largest crop of fruit to the acre in Spring valley. Some idea of the extent of its pro-
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duction may be gained from the fact that in four months its owner picked from the trees one thousand dollars worth of lemons. In 1912 Mr. Weatherbie sold this property to George McNeil and since that time has been giving his entire attention to the conduct of the Olive Hill ranch, which he purchased in 1909. This comprises fifteen acres of fertile land and is situated on one of the finest elevations in the valley and is excellently adapted to fruit-growing. It was, however, in an extremely run-down condition when it came into Mr. Weather- bie's possession, and to him is due the credit for having developed from it a valuable and productive tract. He has ten acres planted in lemons and five in olives and his fruit is of the finest grade for he understands thoroughly methods of cultivation and care and has studied fruit-growing as a practical science. He has made the speculative buying and selling of fruit lands one of the active interests of his life and has made some profitable investments along this line. At one time he purchased a tract of land which he disposed of in less than a year at one hundred per cent more than he paid for it. This demonstrates Mr. Weatherbie's business ability, in so far as foresight and discrimination are con- cerned, but it still more effectively shows the rising value of California land and the opportunities open to all enterprising investors.
In 1895 Mr. Weatherbie married Miss Emma Torrence, a native of Iowa, who came with her father, John N. Torrence, to La Mesa in 1892. They have three children, Guy, Everett and Myrtle. Mr. Weatherbie is a charter member of La Mesa Lodge, I. O. O. F. Necessarily a man so active in the development of a representative industry and so able, shrewd and progressive in the conduct of his affairs as Mr. Weatherbie, has become prominently identified with im- portant business interests of his section. He was one of the promoters of the enterprise which accomplished the work of piping water into the valley in 1907, and perhaps no movement has been of more material advantage to southern California than this. The company which did the work was known as the Helix Mutual Water Company, and Mr. Weatherbie was a director. He also called the first public meeting for the promotion of the new two million dollar irrigation system, which is soon to be installed in the La Mesa valley. Fruit-growing interests of this section owe a constantly increasing debt to Mr. Weatherbie, who for many years has given his attention, his study and his active work to the support of modern methods and the establishment of needed improvements. He has been one of the greatest individual forces in the development of the industry and is inevitably promoting general prosperity in advancing so ably his private interests.
PAYNE BROWNE.
Payne Browne has been in San Diego since 1885, and has been prominent in the contracting and building business since that time. He has seen the city grow and develop along all lines and has assisted materially in its expansion, since he has erected many of the most important buildings. He was born in Mount Gilead, Morrow county, Ohio, September 10, 1846, and is a son of Payne T. and Elizabeth Browne.
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Payne Browne, of this review, received his education in the public schools of his native section. He subsequently went to Colorado, where he remained for ten years, and in 1885 came to San Diego. He found here a small village, newly organized and undeveloped in its business relations, but offering many oppor- tunities for advancement to the far-sighted business man. Mr. Browne estab- lished himself as a contractor and builder and rapidly developed an extensive business along these lines, for he is an able, shrewd and enterprising man. Dur- ing the years of his activity he has had charge of much important construction work and has gained recognition as an expert builder. He is a personal friend of Professor Black of the city, who was instrumental in securing for Mr. Browne the contract for the planning and laying out of the beautiful grounds surrounding the State Normal School. His success in this work is the best proof of his general ability, for the school grounds are beautiful and artistic in every way and reflect great credit upon the man who designed them.
Mr. Browne married in Iola, Kansas, in 1874, Mrs. Louise D. Calkins, nee Downer, of Illinois, and they became the parents of five children, all of whom reside in San Diego or in the vicinity of the city. Mr. Browne gives his alle- giance to the republican party and keeps himself well informed on questions of the day, although his public spirit never takes the form of office seeking. He has lived in San Diego for twenty-seven years and has witnessed the growth and expansion which have transformed the city into a modern metropolis. To a great extent also he has been identified with it, for his efforts have not only promoted his individual success, but have constituted an element in the general progress.
LOUIS ALMGREN, JR.
Louis Almgren, Jr., chief of the fire department in San Diego and one of the most able, reliable and efficient executives ever entrusted with this important office, was born in Peoria, Illinois, February 5, 1876, and is a son of Louis and Elsie (Peterson) Almgren. His education was begun in the public schools of his native city, where he remained until 1884, and then moved with his parents to Russell, Kansas, where he attended the public schools for two years. When he came to San Diego he pursued his studies in this city until 1890 and then secured employment as a mechanic. He afterward worked at various mechanical trades until 1902. During that time he spent two years in the American navy and saw service in the Spanish-American war. At the close of hostilities he returned to San Diego and in 1902 obtained a position as fireman, and in this capacity did able and conscientious work until 1907, when he resigned. He worked at his trade for two years and then again became connected with the fire department. He was so prompt in the discharge of his duties and so quick and cool in the face of danger that he was immediately recognized as an excellent leader and in 1909 was made chief of the department. In two years he has fully proved his fitness for the po- sition by reason of the competent work he has done in improving and systema- tizing methods and in inspiring his subordinates with his own zeal, coolness and en- ergy.
LOUIS ALMGREN, JR.
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Under Mr. Almgren's supervision the department has been greatly improved; motor-driven apparatus having been substituted for that drawn by horses; the fire signal system having been rebuilt and modernized and the police signal system installed, including all underground construction for those systems, giving to San Diego one of the most modern and efficient departments on the Pacific coast.
Mr. Almgren married, in San Diego, in May, 1900, Miss Theresa Liljegren, and they have three children : Louis Robert, eleven years old, and Sidney, aged nine, who attend the public schools; and Theresa, twenty-two months old. Fra- ternally Mr. Almgren belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias and is also a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner. He gives his allegiance to the republican party and his public spirit takes the form of active interest in the welfare of San Diego and in ready cooperation in move- ments which promote it. As fire chief he is giving the city the services of a courageous, business-like and progressive man who works steadily and con- stantly for reform, improvement and fire prevention. While yet a comparatively young man, he has won a high place in his chosen calling, for he possesses the perseverance, energy and good judgment which are indispensable factors in success.
THE GRANDJEAN GAS MACHINE COMPANY.
All over the world, for many years past, men have been devoting their energies and inventive talents to the production of a new product or by-product to generate a gas for lighting, heating and cooking at a very small expense, something which can be put into service at any place and produce an illuminat- ing gas anywhere in the country districts as well as in the city. After years of experimenting and hard labor this has been accomplished by Dr. Arthur Grand- jean, who is not only an inventor and expert mechanic, but also a civil, mechan- ical and naval engineer. He has invented the Grandjean automatic, self-feeding, Hydro-carbon gas making machine, which will undoubtedly revolutionize home conditions, especially in country districts. To invent and perfect this system of gas making was a work which would have discouraged many men, but in the face of adverse criticism and obstacles, Dr. Grandjean persisted and success has crowned his efforts.
The Grandjean gas making machine consists chiefly of three galvanized iron tanks which occupy a space of about three by five feet and are five feet high. In this area are gathered a supply or feed tank, a compressed air tank and a gasometer, together with a generator, air pump, pipes and valves. In its action it is entirely automatic. The manufacture of gas is regulated by the amount used, the supply keeping just ahead of the demand, for the machine operates only when a burner is open. Beyond keeping the feed tank supplied with gasoline no attention is required by this remarkable apparatus. The automatic feed pro- vides just enough gasoline to mix with the required amount of air; no heat is employed, so fires and high explosions are avoided. This is the only gas making machine in which gasoline of ordinary and inexpensive grades can be used, so that the cost of the gas is less than half the usual price, though the gas itself
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is far superior to the ordinary variety, both as an illuminant and as fuel. Thus the Grandjean gas making machine is one of the few new appliances of wide usefulness and assured efficiency and economy and its inventor has done a useful and worthy work in meeting a long-felt need of the people in the suburban and country districts.
Dr. Grandjean is not only a physician and surgeon, an expert civil and mechanical engineer and inventor, but he is also a methodical, systematic and able business man and he has therefore made the best possible use of his inven- tion, securing control of its manufacture by United States patents which cannot be infringed upon. He has incorporated the Grandjean Gas Machine Company under the laws of California, to manufacture the machines in the eight Pacific coast states, California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona and Alaska; with a capitalization of one million dollars. It is the intention of the inventor to interest large capitalists to secure control of the patent rights for the whole United States by increasing the capitalization of the California corpora- tion and deeding the patent rights to the corporation for the whole United States.
In this invention, there is the making of another giant industry, as it will fill a long-felt want in supplying gas anywhere in the country, thus removing the greatest obstacle to country life.
The company has its office at No. 1245 Fourth street in San Diego. The officers are: President, George R. Harrison, capitalist and rancher ; vice presi- dent, Arthur Grandjean, M. D., who is personally in charge of all construction work ; secretary, Royal A. Wood, secretary and director of the San Diego Kero- sene Mantle Lamp Company ; treasurer, Claus Spreckels, of the San Diego Elec- tric Railway Company; and general manager, William B. Gross, a prominent real-estate broker and founder of the town of Grossmont, California. With these officers, on the board of directors are: George H. Eilerman, capitalist ; and F. J. Lea, vice president and manager of the Pedrara Onyx Company.
The value and benefit of the work which Dr. Grandjean has done is not confined to the city and county in which he resides, for its effects will be felt throughout the country in increased comfort and convenience and in added com- mercial growth. Not the least notable result of his work is the impetus which it has given to general business activity in San Diego, for Dr. Grandjean has built up in the city a modern, intelligently conducted and expanding enterprise, the operation of which will materially benefit the community along all lines.
GEORGE W. REED.
George W. Reed, one of the representative and progressive citizens of Fall Brook, controls large property interests in this part of San Diego county and has displayed excellent judgment and business ability in their management. His land lies in several tracts, one of thirty acres in Fall Brook, and six town lots and a great deal of improved property in Oceanside. Mr. Reed gives his attention to the management of his valuable holdings and is also doing able and progress- ive work as supervisor of the county roads. He is a native of California, born
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near San Francisco, in 1861, and is a son of Jacob T. and Martha Reed, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Missouri. Both crossed the plains to Oregon at an early date and their marriage occurred in that state. Afterward they came as pioneers to California, settling near San Francisco in the late '40s. They remained in that section for a number of years and later went to San Luis Obispo county, whence two years later they came to San Diego county. Here the father took up government land at Valley Center and lived upon this property until his death, in 1884. His wife afterward came to Fall Brook, where she resides at the present time, having reached the age of eighty- four. In their family were eleven children: Joseph, a resident of Fall Brook; Benjamin and Samantha, both of whom have passed away; Jacob Thomas, of Huntington Beach, California; John W., a miner of Pala; George W., of this review ; Wilbur, whose home is in Fall Brook; Austin, of Garden Grove; Gran- ville, of Redlands ; Emma, deceased; and Malina, who resides near San Francisco.
George W. Reed acquired his education in the public schools of San Luis Obispo county and about 1880, when he was twenty years of age, came to San Diego county, where he took up land. This property he sold three years later and bought a homestead right, residing upon this tract until 1895. He has since sold this farm also, and the land which he owns at the present time is for the most part in Fall Brook, although he is the proprietor of a fine tract in Oceanside. Four acres of his thirty acre farm are planted in olive trees and Mr. Reed realizes every year a handsome profit from the sale of this fruit. He divides his time between the management of his ranch, the supervision of his important land holdings and his duties as county road commissioner. His varied and important interests have made him one of the prominent men in this part of the county and his able management of his affairs has gained for him a high place in the ranks of progressive and upright business men.
On February 3, 1880, Mr. Reed married Miss Emma Watkins, who was born in California, a daughter of W. K. and B. C. Watkins, pioneer settlers in the state. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have adopted three children, who were left orphans upon the death of Mr. Reed's youngest sister. They are Jessie, who was born in 1898; Ray, born in 1901; and Floyd, whose birth occurred in 1903. The family are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Reed has lived in San Diego county for almost a quarter of a century and the fact that his closest friends are numbered among those who have known him from the early times is an indication of his upright and well spent life. Not only in his busi- ness activities, but also in his social relations, he manifests sterling qualities of mind and character and is justly accounted one of the valued residents of this community.
F. L. BOTSFORD.
F. L. Botsford, who has been identified with mining and real-estate interests throughout his entire business career, has since 1909 maintained an office at San Diego and is recognized as one of the most successful real-estate dealers of the city. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the Ist of November, 1874, and
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when a youth of twelve years came to this state with his parents, the family home being established in Los Angeles. There he continued his studies until graduated from the high school. In 1895 he made his way to the Colorado desert as a pioneer miner and spent six years east of Salton Sea, developing gold mines known as the Brooklyn, Los Angeles and Botsford group of mines. In 1900, at the time of the gold excitement in Alaska, he went to Nome and for one season was engaged in mining on Anvil creek and the beach sands. Subsequently he became quite actively interested in real-estate operations at Los Angeles. In association with A. J. Yeager he purchased a silver mine in Sonora, Mexico,-the old historical Zambona mine --- developed the same and then sold it. He likewise organized a company, went to Goldfield, Nevada, and purchased a lease on a mine there, but the venture proved unprofitable and was abandoned. In 1909 he came to San Diego and has here been actively engaged in the real-estate business to the present time. He built and still owns the Hotel Botsford on Sixth street, a handsome modern structure to which three more stories are now being added. He is also interested in a tract of five hundred acres of land east of the city limits, which is soon to be subdivided. Mr. Botsford has made it a point to thoroughly acquaint himself with both city and country property and there is perhaps no one more familiar with realty values and with the possibilities for purchase and sale than he. He has made a study of the business, and his close application and unremitting diligence have gained him the distinctive position which he occupies in real-estate circles today.
In 1904 Mr. Botsford was united in marriage to Miss Alice G. Grannis, a native of Minnesota, by whom he has two children, Virginia and Jane. Frater- nally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masons and also belongs to the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a valued and popular member of the Jonathan Club of Los Angeles, the Cuyamaca Club of San Diego, the Country Club of Coronado and the Country Club of San Diego. His has been a somewhat eventful career, of varied experiences and of wide travel, and the lessons of life which he learned in youth concerning the value of character and the forcefulness of intense and well directed energy have borne fruit in his later years, making him one of the highly respected as well as suc- cessful business men of San Diego.
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