USA > California > Imperial County > The history of Imperial County, California > Part 30
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BERKLEY V. EZELL is one of the progressive business men of Im- perial Valley. He is proprietor of the Ezell Sheet Metal Works at 645 Main Street, El Centro. He was born at Mexia, Texas, January 28, 1883, a son of John and Jennie (Berkley) Ezell. His father passed away in 1884, and his mother resides in Berkeley, California. Mr. Ezell acquired a limited education in the public schools at Stevensville,
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Texas. At an early age he started to learn his trade. He followed his vocation working in Texas and New Mexico, and in 1903 he removed to Los Angeles, where he worked for the Southern California Supply Company for a period of five years. In 1908, he engaged in business for himself and continued for one year. He then worked for the Colton Hardware Company, where he remained until he came to El Centro, where he established business March 1, 1913. Here he has met with business success. Mr. Ezell manufactures all kinds of sheet metal work, such as skylights, cornice work, tanks for water systems. He also does heating and ventilating systems. He installed the heating system in the El Centro High School and many other important buildings in the Val- ley. Mr. Ezell has a ranch and has improved it and will put it in cotton this season. Mr. Ezell was twice married, the first union being to Del- la Baker, and her death occurred at Colton, California. To this mar- riage there were two children: Madeline, born January 6, 1906, and Vivian, born June 21, 1909. The second marriage occurred at Colton, California, January 3, 1913, to Florence Forsee, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Forsee, who reside in San Diego, California. Two children have been born of the second union: Clyde Berkley, born January 19, 1914, and Herbert W., born June 6, 1916. Mr. Ezell has been gratified with success in the business world and he and his wife have a host of friends in El Centro.
J. C. HARCLEROAD, who enjoys recognition as one of the lead- ing and enterprising business men of El Centro, has won merited suc- cess. He is engaged in the automobile business and is proprietor of the Buick Garage at Sixth and State streets. He was born in Plattsville, Wisconsin, August 1I, 1886, a son of J. M. and Alma ( Burris) Harcle- road. The subject of this review acquired his education in the public schools, after which he entered the University of Wisconsin, graduat- ing in the class of 1907, and receiving the degree of B. M. He then became identified with the engineering department of the Buick Auto- mobile Company, which position he held until 1912, when he came to California and was connected with the sales department of the Buick for a period of one year. Mr. Harcleroad came to Imperial County in 1913, locating in El Centro. He purchased the property where he is now located and now has the exclusive agency for the Buick automo-
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bile in Imperial County. Fraternally Mr. Harcleroad is a member of the B. P. O. E. He was united in marriage in Lancaster, Wisconsin, to Miss Minnie M. Wright, May 21, 1911, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Wright, who are numbered among the prominent and representative families of Lancaster, Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Harcleroad have been born two children, Eleanor and John James. The family resides at 642 Hamilton Street, and enjoys the acquaintance of a host of friends.
GEORGE W. ALLEN is numbered among the representative business men of El Centro. The opportunities that Imperial County offers to men of enterprise are nowhere better exemplified than in the successful career of George W. Allen. He was born on a farm near Paoli, Orange County, Indiana, a son of John D. and Lucinda (Sutherland) Allen. He received his education in the public schools where he was born. He later attended the normal school at Mitchell, and later at Paoli, Indi- ana. At the age of twenty-four he taught at the Clemens School in Orange County, Indiana. Later he was made principal of the schools at New Lebanon, Indiana, remaining in that position for two years. He purchased a farm in Sullivan County, Indiana, where he person- ally cultivated and looked after his place until 1903. He then came to California and located at Riverside, where he engaged in the paint and wall paper business. Later, disposing of his business, he traveled for some time, then removed to Imperial County and rented a ranch of ten acres and by intensified farming of the place, made a clear profit the first year of $800. He then engaged in the building and construction work in which he made a success, after which he again engaged in ranching for a time, but owing to the poor state of his health he was obliged to go to Hot Springs. Returning to El Centro, Mr. Allen en- gaged in the real estate and loan business, which has been profitable. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Riverside, California. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Allen was twice married, the first union being to Miss Bell Funk, of Sullivan County, Indiana. To this union were born two daughters, Erma, wife of James Garrison of Car- lisle, Indiana, and Harriett, a graduate of the University of California, wife of James C. Bradley, of Ceres, California. The second mar- riage took place in September, 1899, and five children have been born to this union: Arthur L., Goldie R., Helen, Eva and Woodrow Mar-
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shall. Mr. Allen's great-grandfather was Ethan Allen, of Revolution- ary fame, and on his mother's side was the Warren family of Vermont, also of Revolutionary fame.
GEORGE W. ANDERSON .- Energy and progressive spirit have brought George W. Anderson to a position of prominence and dis- tinction among the representative men of Imperial County. He is presi- dent of the Imperial Valley Hardware Company in El Centro, and has had that office since the amalgamation of the El Centro Hardware & Implement Company and the Anderson & Meyer Company, January I, 1913. Mr. Anderson was born in St. Marys, Kansas, August 26, 1882, a son of George F. and Louise O. (Fletcher) Anderson. His father was identified with the hardware and furniture business at St. Marys, Kansas, for many years. He was one of the pioneers of that locality and was numbered among the substantial and representative men of his day. The father of Mr. Anderson passed away in 1902 and his mother died in 1917. George W., the subject of this review, received his education at the Washburn College at Topeka, and received the degree of B. S. Socially he is a member of the Phi Delta Theta, a col- lege fraternity. In 1904 he came to California and located in San Diego for a few months, then went to Alaska, where he followed mining for a time. This venture proved partially successful, but he did not care to remain in Alaska long, and returned to San Diego, where he en- gaged with the firm of Samuel Gordon-Ingle company, later known as Hazard-Gould Company. Under Hazard-Gould Company, Mr. Ander- son became manager of the wholesale department. Later he and Mr. Howard P. Meyer came to the Imperial Valley and purchased the hardware and grocery store of King L. Kendle of Holtville, forming the Anderson & Meyer Company on June 30, 1908. February, 1909, they purchased the hardware and furniture store of G. W. McCollum at Calexico, where Mr. Anderson remained for three and one-half years. After the consolidation of the Anderson & Meyer Company and the El Centro Hardware Company, Mr. Anderson moved to El Centro and became president and general manager of the Imperial Valley Hardware Company. This firm now operates seven stores in the Valley. Fraternally Mr. Anderson is affiliated with the Masonic Order. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Knight Templar, and
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a member of the Shrine. He is also a member of the El Centro Cham- ber of Commerce. Mr. Anderson was united in marriage in Los Ange- les March 15, 1913, to Miss Edith Mae Cliff, a daughter of John C. Cliff, who was largely identified with the livestock business for many years, and now retired. The ancestors of both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are of colonial stock. In business Mr. Anderson has the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been associated and of all who are in any way connected with him.
ADOLPHUS M. SHENK .- The opening of the Imperial Valley brought settlers from every state of the union: north, south and east contributing to the citizenship of the fertile section. Adolphus M. Shenk, one of the men who has participated in the transformation of this region, the development of which seems almost magical, has by his own efforts and abilities overcome the difficulties atendant upon the settlement of a new community, and by his industry, perseverance and capacity for affairs of breadth and importance, has worked his way to a position of prominence and is recognized as one of the important and representative business men of Imperial County. His birth oc- curred in Omaha, Nebraska, January 12, 1882, a son of John W. and Susan C. (Brooks) Shenk. His father is a native of New York State, while his mother was born in New Jersey. The parents of Adolphus M. were married in Cape May, New Jersey, October 27, 1867, and their golden wedding anniversary was celebrated in Pasadena at the home of his son, Hon. John W. Shenk, Superior Judge of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia. There were in attendance four sons and two daughters. The father of the subject of this review was born in Cobleskill, Schoharie County, New York, January 20, 1842. His wife was Susanna Cane Brooks, and she was born in Tuckahoe, Cape May County, New Jersey, February 25, 1844, and married by Rev. William A. Brooks, Mrs. Shenk's father. She was always very active in missionary work and she was state organizer of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Church in Nebraska. Mr. Shenk's father is a gradu- ate of the Garrett Biblical Institute, Northwestern University, 1865, and received the degree of B. D., in 1865. He was sent to South Ameri- ca and from 1866 to 1867 he was junior pastor of the M. E. Church of Buenos Aires. He held many important offices in the church in different
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parts of the country. He was editor of the Omaha Christian Advocate in 1899. He received the degree of doctor of divinity from Nashville, Tennessee, in 1889. His literary productions include "Higher Criticism and the Christ," published in New York in 1906. Mr. Shenk was spend- ing the winter in Los Angeles of 1899-1900. In April of 1900 he and his wife, accompanied by Sam Ferguson, a real estate man, took the Southern Pacific train for the Imperial Valley. They drove from Flow- ing Well and crossed the Colorado Desert and camped forty miles from the railroad, where Calexico is located, the next day. Rev. Shenk took up sixteen hundred acres of land, a half section for himself and wife and his three sons, being the first locators of government land in Imperial Valley. Adolphus M. acquired his education in the public and high schools of Omaha, after which he took a business course, graduat- ing from the latter. He took up stenography and followed office work two years. January 12, 1901, he came to Imperial Valley and settled on his land where he became identified with ranching, turning the first water on lands for the purpose of irrigation and growing the first crops. Mr. Shenk served on the school board and as a city trustee. He took an active part in creating the County of Imperial. He is now iden- tified with the business interests of Calexico and maintains an office in the postoffice building and specializes in real estate, farming and loans. Mr. Shenk was united in marriage to Bernice B. Riddle of Santa Rosa, California. To this union have been born two children, Joyce and Janet. Mrs. Shenk takes an active part in the social circles of Calexico, and is a member of Eastern Star and the Improvement Club of Calex- ico. Mr. Shenk has the distinction of being the second postmaster ap- pointed in Calexico, and served in this capacity for five years. He was manager for two years of a general merchandise store and since his retirement from the store has engaged in the general brokerage busi- ness and handles a large percentage of the loans of Imperial Valley. Fraternally Mr. Shenk is affiliated with the Masonic Order, being a member of Blue Lodge and Chapter. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge.
PRESTON B. FULLER, proprietor of the King Cotton Hotel at Im- perial, came to the Valley in 1903, and being possessed of progressive ideas, has managed his hotel in such a way that it has been a success-
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ful venture. Mr. Fuller has been proprietor since November 15, 1917. He was born near Topeka, Kansas, January 25, 1865, son of Johnson M. and Mary (Coaley) Fuller. The parents of Mr. Fuller were among the sturdy pioneers who located near Topeka in the early days. Both parents are deceased and are buried in Kansas. The family are of Eng- lish origin, and came to America at a very early date. Mr. Fuller's father and two brothers, Perry and Daniel, fought in the Civil war for four years. Preston B., the subject of this review, received a limited education. He assisted on the home place and attended the district school of Cherokee County. He remained at home until 1888. He then prospected in Colorado, Arizona, Nevada and California, and practi- cally followed this life until 1891. He prospected in the desert counties of California from 1903 to 1911. He then took up one hundred and sixty acres of land at Corizo Creek, and his land is the only holding in the Valley which has a running stream of water. This is on the route of the old Butterfield stage route and part of the old adobe station is still standing. This old station was quite a noted stopping place in the old days. Mr. Fuller is fortunate in having this stream of water, as the place is self-supporting as far as water is concerned. Mr. Fuller is identified with the stock business. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Fuller's ranch is noted for its hospitality. He never charges the weary traveler who may stop there, and many a man has been spared his life after a long journey over the desert by stopping here. Mr. Fuller is held in high esteem by all who know him.
ROGER MERRITT LINEKIN was born at Vineland, New Jersey, March 16, 1880, a son of Orlando and Julia (Merritt) Linekin. His father followed the seas and for many years was a sea captain and followed this vocation practically all his life. He was in the merchant marine service and visited many countries, now residing in New York. The family is of old American descent, but originally came to this country from France. Roger M. acquired his education in the public schools of New Jersey. Early in life he learned the shoe manufacturing business, which he followed for seventeen years. Coming to California, Mr. Linekin found employment with the Sperry Flour Company of Los Angeles, where he remained for nearly four years. In 1914 Mr. Linekin removed to El Centro and purchased the Suitotorium, which
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business he has since conducted with gratifying success. Politically he is a Republican. Fraternally he is a member of the M. W. O.A. Mr. Linekin married at Vineland, New Jersey, April 9, 1903, Miss Gertrude McAlister, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. McAlister, both deceased and buried in Bridgetown, New Jersey. To Mr. and Mrs. Linekin was born one daughter, born at Camden, New Jersey, Novem- ber 18, 1907.
HERMAN J. SCHITTERER, numbered among the enterprising and prosperous business men of Imperial County, is the name that heads this review. He was born in San Diego, California, December 31, 1891, a son of Herman and Elizabeth (Newcomb) Schitterer, who reside in San Diego, his father being one of the representative business men of that city. Herman J. acquired his education in the public schools of San Diego. At an early age he learned the jewelry manufacturing trade, which vocation he has always followed. When Mr. Schitterer came to El Centro it was impossible to secure a location, and when the annex to the Armstead Building was completed he secured a location. After being in El Centro one week he secured a room five feet wide to com- mence business. With a small capital Mr. Schitterer commenced busi- ness and now his business has increased to one of the important indus- tries of El Centro, for he is the only jewelry manufacturer in the Valley. He does a wholesale as well as retail business, and he is fav- orably known as one who can produce exclusive designs and produc- tions in his chosen field. Fraternally he is a member of Sunset Lodge, I. O. O. F., of San Diego, California.
NOLES JAMES MORIN has been an important factor in the busi- ness life of Brawley since 1911. He was born in Chatham, Ontario, No- vember 15, 1874, son of Lucian and Catherine Morin. His father was a native of Canada and his mother came from Canada. The parents re- moved to Kansas when Noles was very young. He was reared and attended the public school. He learned the blacksmith trade partially with his father during his boyhood days, and finished his trade in the railroad shops of the Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads. Mr. Morin started a shop and it has increased in volume of business until he now has one of the largest and best equipped plants in the Im-
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perial Valley. He does general blacksmith work and specializes in au- tomobile repairing. He was married in Prescott, Arizona, to Nellie Sanderfur, December 29, 1907, a daughter of Allen and Jane Sander- fur. Mr. Morin has a ten acre orange grove in Monrovia, California, which has been brought up to a high state of cultivation. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Brawley and holds member- ship in the B. P. O. E. of Prescott, Arizona. Mr. Morin's parents are both deceased; his father died in 1909, and his mother passed away in July, 1916; both are buried in Salina, Kansas. Mrs. Morin's mother died in July, 1917, and her father died in 1908; both are buried in Monrovia, California.
JAMES DUVAL PHELAN, Democrat, native of San Francisco, grad- uated from St. Ignatius University with degree of A. B .; honorary de- gree Ph. D. Santa Clara University ; studied law University of Califor- nia ; was vice-president of California World's Columbian Commission, 1893; elected three times mayor of San Francisco, 1897-1902 ; after San Francisco disaster was president of relief and Red Cross fund; served as regent of the University of California; member of library trustees and park commission; chairman charter association which gave new charter to San Francisco; president adornment association which pro- cured the Burnham plans for that city; member of the Society of Cali- fornia Pioneers ; president of the hall association of the Native Sons of the Golden West ; president of the Mutual Savings Bank, and director in the First National Bank and First Federal Trust Co. of San Francis- co. He received complimentary vote for United States Senator in the California Legislature in 1900; was commissioned by appointment of State Department to Europe, 1913, on behalf of the United States Gov- ernment to support the invitation of the President to foreign countries to participate in the Panama-Pacific Exposition; in December, 1914, was appointed by State Department, under special authority from the President, to investigate the fitness of the American minister to the Dominican Republic; was nominated in Democratic primaries August, 1914, as party candidate for the United States Senate by popular elec- tion ; elected November of the same year, receiving a plurality of 25,000 votes, carrying 39 counties to his opponents' 19. His term of service will expire March 3, 1921. Address, 2249 R Street, Washington, D. C .; Phe-
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lan Building, or residence, 2150 Washington Street, San Francisco; country residence, Villa Montalvo, Saratoga, Santa Clara County, Cal.
EDWARD E. WILLIAMS is numbered among the substantial busi- ness men of Brawley, California, and is engaged in the business of sell- ing new and second-hand furniture. He has since the start been doing a profitable business. Mr. Williams was born in Canada, March 5, 1879, son of Thomas and Maria Williams. He attended the public schools in Canada and after finishing his schooling he followed farm- ing until he was twenty-seven years of age. For six years he followed carpenter work after coming to the coast. In 1915 he returned to Canada owing to his mother's death, and then returned to Ontario, California, where he engaged in the furniture business. Mr. Williams removed his stock from Ontario to Brawley, where he has since remained. Mr. Wil- liams was married December 25, 1902, to Miss Lula M. Gidney, a na- tive of Canada. To this union have been born seven children : Edna L., Clarence Edward, Frank George Earl, Harold Alvin, Rodger Ray, Marvin Lewis and Elva Alice. Fraternally Mr. Williams is a member of the Yeomen Lodge of Brawley. The family are members of the Free Methodist Church.
DR. JOSEPH A. MILLER .- A man of vigorous mentality and of great versatility of talent, Dr. Joseph A. Miller, of Brawley, California, has now a position of note among the leading members of the medical profession of England, Canada and the United States, his professional knowledge and ability being recognized and appreciated. Dr. Miller was born in Toronto, Canada, September 3, 1829. He acquired his educa- tion in Toronto, Canada, attending the Toronto University and Liter- ary College. He studied medicine and practiced in London, Toronto and Hamilton, Canada. He came to the coast in 1853, where he prac- ticed. He spent some years in British Columbia and the Arctic region. Dr. Miller was united in marriage in Paso Robles, California, Septem- ber 3, 1889, to Charlotte Angieline Wood, daughter of Benjamin and Charlotte Wood. Her father was a native of Illinois, and he came to California overland in 1857. On the trip across the plains the Indians attacked the caravan about 100 miles north of Salt Lake City. In the fight which ensued Mr. Wood and his brothers, James and William,
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were wounded. There were eight men and two women in the party. The wife and daughter of James Wood were killed and five head of mules were taken by the Indians. Mrs. Miller's father settled in Con- tra Costa County from 1857 to 1862. He later removed to Haywards and then went to Monterey, where he remained twenty years. Dr. Mil- ler resided in Monterey, California, from 1889 to 1899, when he re- moved to Sonoma County, where he practiced his profession for five years. In 1905 he removed to Brawley and practiced with gratifying success until 1910, when he retired owing to his health. Mrs. Miller has been conspicuous in the W. C. T. U. work in the Valley for a num- ber of years and was the founder of the work here. She served as president of that body for eight years. She takes an active part in church work and has been identified with newspaper work for some years in the Valley. Dr. Miller is much esteemed by those who know him for the sterling character of his manhood. Mrs. Miller has always been prominent in religious work and has countless warm friends in the Valley. She taught school in the State for eight years.
EARL McREYNOLDS has achieved success in life as a result of his own efforts, and holds the regard of all with whom he has been thrown in contact. He is a native son. His birth occurred in South Pasadena, California, September II, 1886, son of Aaron and Mae McReynolds. His father was a native of Canada and his mother was born in Nebras- ka. Mr. McReynolds attended the public and high schools of South Pasadena, after which he attended business college. He worked for the John H. Norton Construction Company, who had the contract for con- structing the road-bed for the Salt Lake Railroad from Los Angeles to the Utah line. Mr. McReynolds had a clerical position with this firm for two years. He then for over four years was identified with the Southern Pacific road in the operating department. Resigning his posi- tion with the Southern Pacific road, he went with the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad for one year, in the operating department. He then became identified with the Wells Fargo Express Company, working in California and Nevada up to 1913, when he became associated with the Brawley Hardware Company. This firm was taken over by the Imperial Valley Hardware Company, and Mr. McReynolds still holds his posi- tion with this firm. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of the
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Water and Fire Commission. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Brawley. Mr. McReynolds was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Polsie, of Santa Ana, California, October 31, 190I.
WILLIAM HENRY BEST .- A highly esteemed and respected citizen of Brawley, William Henry Best is eminently worthy of special men- tion in the first history of Imperial County. Few of the pioneers of the county met with such success as fell to the portion of Mr. Best, who is now the owner of the finest property in the county, consisting of 320 acres, which has been brought up to a high state of cultivation. Pos- sessed of progressive ideas, energy and enterprise, he made his ventures a success. William H. Best is the senior member of the firm of Best, DeBlois and Covington, and came to the county in March, 1904. He purchased a half section in No. 4, and a half section in No. 5; about three years later he invested in stock of the Imperial Valley Savings Bank, and in 1912 he was appointed vice-president. He has served as president of Water Company No. 4 for the past seven years, and has been identified as chairman of the advisory board of the Imperial County Water Companies for a period of two years, and is still serv- ing as chairman of that board. Mr. Best was born in Port Williams, Nova Scotia, September 28, 1865, son of Newton W. and Anna C. (Holmes) Best. Mr. Best's father resides in Turlock, California, and is 79 years of age. His mother died December 12, 1912, and is buried in Santa Ana. Mr. Best received his education in the California schools, having accompanied his parents to this State via the Panama route. He assisted on the home place at Santa Ana until he was of age. He then went to Beaumont, California, where he purchased land and rented more and engaged in the livestock business. Here he remained until 1894. He then returned to Orange County and rented land. Later he purchased a ranch and remained at Tustin until he removed to Imperial County. In politics Mr. Best is a Republican. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. lodge. He was married at Redlands, California, December 27, 1892, to Miss Anna Covington, daughter of Peter H. and Martha A. Covington. Her father's death occurred in 1917, at the age of seventy-one, and her mother resides at Santa Ana, California. To Mr. and Mrs. Best have been born two children-Hallie M., born Jan-
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