USA > California > Imperial County > The history of Imperial County, California > Part 36
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LESLIE OAKLEY BANNISTER .- Prominent among the represen- tative ranchers of Imperial County is Leslie Oakley Bannister, whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Bannister came to Imperial County in Sep- tember, 1905, and was born at Brantford, Ontario, Canada, December 14, 1873, the son of Ely and Mary Bannister. Both have since passed away and are buried at Ontario, Canada. Mr. Bannister is the owner of a sixty-acre ranch in Water Company No. 8, in the Westmoreland dis- trict, and is held in high esteem owing to the broad and conservative methods which he is constantly employing on his ranch property. The family is of old English origin. Mr. Bannister received his education at Brantford, Ontario, during an early age, and left school at fourteen, following which he assisted his father on the home farm until he reached the age of 17 years. He then went to Chicago, working for the Pullman Company in their shops during 1892 and 1893, this being dur- ing the World's Fair period. At that time California was the magnet which drew Mr. Bannister westward, and after severing his connec- tions with the Pullman Company he left immediately for California. Upon his arrival here he engaged in team work in the orange orchards and nurseries for eighteen months. He also followed this vocation at Pomona for a short time. After being in the San Jacinto Valley for about eight years, where he worked on ranches in general, in addition to having charge of the water system for the Hemet Land & Water Company for about six years, Mr. Bannister made up his mind to try the Imperial Valley. He arrived in this county in 1905. His first employ- ment was as foreman on the Chaplin ranch and later with the National
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Lumber Company. Shortly afterwards he put in a crop of cantaloupes with a partner, and following this pursuit, which was unsuccessful, he secured a position as forest ranger for the United States Government, having had previous experience prior to his arrival in California. Hav- ing taken the civil service examination in California, Mr. Bannister followed his ranger job for three years and eight months. Later in his career Mr. Bannister went to Westmoreland, where he laid out the townsite which is now such a credit to the community. He planted 6000 trees, made the survey of the streets, and looked after the work for the townsite people for about two years, when he bought his present prop- erty, which under his able supervision has been brought up to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Bannister has been very successful in raising milo maize, and on the home ranch has constructed a pretentious resi- dence which is one of the show places of the county. Mr. Bannister is a Republican and has also acted in the capacity of school trustee in his district. He was married at San Jacinto, California, December 12, 1898, to Miss Mary Worden, daughter of Henry and Lauretia Worden. The father of Mrs. Bannister has passed away and is buried in the San Ja- cinto cemetery. The widow resides at Hemet. To Mr. and Mrs. Ban- nister have been born four children: Gladys, born near Hemet, Cali- fornia; Helen, born in the same house at Hemet; Esther, born at San Jacinto, and George, born in the Imperial Valley. Owing to the fact that he is the owner of one of the model ranches in the Imperial Val- ley, Mr. Bannister is entitled to a great deal of credit for his progressive methods adopted in following his chosen line.
BENJAMIN F. PADDACK has the distinction of being chosen secre- tary and treasurer of the Bachelors' Club of Calipatria, and has served as such since January, 1917. During his office he has fostered enterprises and measures which were projected for the general good of the town, Mr. Paddack's family has been worthily and prominently linked with the annals of American history from the start of Cincinnati, Ohio. His grandfather and grandmother sailed down the Ohio river in a flat boat and took up their abode on the banks of the Ohio where Cincinnati is now located. Scarcely two hundred people were there at that time. Pad- dack Road was named after his grandfather, and the ground where the county infirmary now stands was sold by the grandfather in the
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early days, and McMillan Avenue, in Cincinnati, was named after Mr. Paddack's grandfather. Benjamin F., the subject of this review, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 3, 1865, a son of Benjamin F. and Mary (McMillan) Paddack. He received his education in the public and high schools of that city. At the age of seventeen he entered the employ of James L. Haven, as office boy ; at various times he was pro- moted until he was made superintendent. Remaining with this firm for fifteen years he resigned and became associated as superintendent of the Mckinnon Sheet and Metal Works of St. Catherines, Ontario, Can- ada. Later he returned to Cincinnati and was engaged as manufactur- er's agent for several years when he came to California. In 1912 Mr. Paddack engaged with the Bellridge Oil Company of Kern County, California, where he remained until he came to Calipatria, and became identified as office man with Coats' and Williamson, Inc., who are developing 10,000 acres of land in the vicinity of Calipatria. Mr. Pad- dack was united in marriage with Miss Coralyn Bayless, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel O. Bayless. Mrs. Paddack's father, at one time, was general counsel for the Big Four railroad. His death occurred in Cincinnati and he is buried in the Spring Grave cemetery of that city. Mrs. Paddack's mother resides in Los Angeles, California. Mr. and Mrs. Paddack have one son, Bayless, born February 22, 1903. Mr. Pad- dack takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the develop- ment of better conditions of Calipatria and is popular among his fellow townsmen.
WILLIAM JOHN MEAGHER .- The progress made in mercantile lines in El Centro has been brought about by the efforts of men of pro- gressive ideas. W. J. Meagher and Philip Tull, proprietors of the Val- ley Tent and Awning Company, have devoted their best efforts to make this concern one of the leading houses in Imperial County. Mr. Meag- her was born in Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, May 5, 1883, a son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Meagher. His father is deceased and his mother resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Meagher acquired his education in the pub- lic schools and his college education in Madison, Wisconsin. He spent many years in his native state. The firm was incorporated October 14, 1914. Mr. Hall, previous to its incorporation, was the originator of the business. It is now conducted on broad business lines and does a whole-
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sale as well as retail business in Imperial Valley, and elsewhere. The firm makes a specialty of manufacturing tents, awnings, cotton sacks and corn bags. They also do expert upholstering and make new auto- mobile tops. This firm was far-seeing in its plans as it saw the future possibilities of Imperial Valley and adjacent territory. The result is they have built up a large business and have been rewarded with suc- cess from the start. Mr. Meagher was married in Los Angeles August 7, 1917, to Miss Lottie M. Barrow. Mr. and Mrs. Meagher have a host of friends in El Centro. He is president and manager and Mr. Tull is secretary and treasurer of the Valley Tent and Awning Company. They are both esteemed by their business associates.
CARY K. COOPER .- Among the men who, by reason of their busi- ness ability and enterprise, have come to be regarded as representative citizens and leading business men of Imperial Valley is numbered Cary K. Cooper, assistant secretary and manager of the Pioneer Title Insur- ance Company, with offices at 559 Main Street, El Centro, since its organization in March, 1916. Mr. Cooper was born at Table Rock, Ne- braska, September 28, 1878, a son of O. A. and Ella (Merrifield) Coop- er. His mother passed away in Nebraska in 1905. His father still re- sides there and is numbered among the highly respected citizens of that locality. Cary K., the subject of this review, received his education in the grammar and high schools of his county. He attended the Univer- sity of Nebraska and took a business course. He became identified with the electric light company of Humboldt, Nebraska, and held the office of manager. Later he installed several electric light and telephone com- panies in Nebraska and served as postmaster for a period of six years at Humboldt. In 1912 Mr. Cooper removed to the coast and located in Los Angeles. Here he became identified with the Pacific States Elec- tric Company. He traveled extensively for his concern and later re- moved to Imperial Valley. Politically Mr. Cooper is affiliated with the Republican party and socially he holds membership in the Alpha Theta Xi, a college fraternity. He was united in marriage June 28, 1899, to Miss Mae Fellers, a daughter of A. H. and Mary Jane Fellers, both residents of Humboldt, Nebraska. Mr. Cooper richly deserves what- ever success has come to him, for he now holds a prominent position in the business world.
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IRA L. WILSON has been actively and successfully identified with the business interests of Imperial County along realty lines since 1903, and he is today one of the leaders in his chosen field. Mr. Wilson is a native of Franklin County, New York, and was born February 13, 1872, a son of E. N. and Alice (Hoxey) Wilson, who now reside in Los Angeles. Ira L. Wilson, the subject of this sketch, acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of his native county and state. Finishing his education at a comparatively early date, he decided to cast his lot with the Golden West, and came to Redlands, California. Here he engaged in contracting and building and has the distinction of being the young- est contractor that ever engaged in business in that city. Before he had reached the age of twenty-one he had the contract for and erected the First Congregational Church of that city, besides many other exten- sive contracts, all of which were proof of his mechanical skill. Mr. Wilson continued in the contracting business until 1900, when he start- ed the Whiting Supply Company at Imperial and Holtville, which was reorganized and called the National Lumber Company. He engaged in that business until 1907. In that year he organized the "C Wilson About It (?)" Land Company at Imperial, later removing to El Centro and carrying on business in San Diego also. In connection with his busi- ness interests along realty lines, loans and investments, he main- tains an office at 472 Main Street, El Centro. Mr. Wilson devotes time to his own ranch holdings. On July 28, 1893, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Nora Crum, daughter of C. C. Crum of Redlands, California. The father of Mrs. Wilson resides in Redlands and is num- bered among the substantial residents of that community. The mother of Mrs. Wilson passed away in 1905. The family is of old American origin, and Mr. Wilson's grandfather and his two brothers were veter- ans of the Civil war and were killed in action. Mrs. Wilson's father was also in action in the Civil war. The subject of this review was one of the pioneers on this desert and has the distinction of occupying the fourth tent house in this locality, and operated the first automobile in Imperial Valley. He erected the Alamo Hotel at Holtville, which was the first building erected, and which marked the town site of Holtville.
HUGH P. WILKINSON .- Imperial County, the youngest county in the state, is one of the most progressive and prosperous, and justly
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claims a high order of citizenship. The county is, and has been favored with men who have given substantial aid in the promotion of the best interests of this favored section of the state. In this connection the sub- ject of this review demands recognition as he has been actively engaged in the county since 1909. He is a public-spirited citizen and his busi- ness methods demonstrate the power of activity and honesty in the business world. Mr. Wilkinson has been proprietor of the Wilkinson general store of Niland since August 1, 1914. He was born in Crooks- ton, Minnesota, September 27, 1886, a son of Samuel A. and Violet H. ( Barteau) Wilkinson. His father was a pioneer merchant of Crookston and died in 1894, and is buried in Madison, Wisconsin. Mr. Wilkin- son's mother resides in San Diego and the family dates back to early English origin. Hugh P. acquired his education in the public and high schools of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and the Louisiana State Univer- sity. He took up civil engineering and leaving the university in 1904, he followed this vocation, being engaged in canal and land surveying in Beaumont, Texas. Remaining in Texas for several seasons he went to St. Louis, Missouri. where he was engaged in civil engineering work for six months, when he came to California. Mr. Wilkinson worked in the Santa Fe Railroad office at San Diego, where he took up telegraphy. He served in that capacity and as station agent throughout the Valley for the Southern Pacific until he resigned to engage in the general mer- cantile business at Niland. Here he has given substantial aid in the promotion of the best interests of this favored section of Imperial Val- ley. Politically, Mr. Wilkinson is a Democrat and is serving as school trustee. He was united in marriage at Beaumont, California, August 23, 1910, with Miss Ada L. Johnson, daughter of John and Martha L. (Sumner) Johnson. Her father settled in California in 1854, with his parents, and followed mining. He died in 1916, at the age of 77 years, and is buried in Beaumont, California. Mrs. Wilkinson's mother makes her home in Niland. Mrs. Wilkinson is now serving as postmaster of Niland and is held in the highest regard in the community. Mr. Wilkin- son maintains a forty-acre ranch near Niland which he secured in 1914.
HARRY H. CLARK .- In this age of colossal enterprise is demanded constructive power, and this demand has been such as to develop and mature many veritable captains of industry. Such title is eminently
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worthy of ascription to Harry H. Clark, who has been an influential factor in connection with the greatest of enterprises, especially in the development of mining properties, in which connection he has gained a national reputation. He is now general manager of the Imperial Valley Farm Land Association, and makes his home at Calipatria, California. Mr. Clark came to Imperial County in October, 1913. He was born at Fort Wayne, Indiana, May 22, 1858, a son of Allen and Martha (Mas- sen )! Clark. The family is of old English origin. His great grandfather died at the age of 108 years. His birth occurred in the United States and he was buried at Bluffton, Indiana. In every sense of the word, Mr. Clark is a self-made man. He had no educational advantages. This handicap he effectually overcome in later years; for he profited much from self-discipline and through the lessons he gained in the school of political experience. At the age of fifteen he left his native state and for some time previous to this, he worked as a bootblack and sold papers in Indianapolis. Going to Texas, he worked as a cowboy for four years. Leaving Texas, he went to Kansas, where he found work on the farms for two years. In 1879 Mr. Clark came to California and found employment in the vineyards. He soon became general manager for the Egger's Wine and Raisin Vineyards and later became general manager of the Kimball Prune Orchard at Hanford, then the largest French prune orchard in the world. The two latter positions he held for five years. The following five years Mr. Clark was western manager for the P. P. Mast interests which included mines, orchards and vine- yards. Going to Arizona, he became manager of one of the largest mining interests in the state for eighteen months. Mr. Clark then looked after his own mining interests in California, which he carried on suc- cessfully. Disposing of his interests he went to Alaska and there was interested in the 'mines for some years, and in 1902 he returned to the states. Mr. Clark, on his return from Alaska, went to Tonopah, Ne- vada, and was offered a salary of $6,000.00 per year to manage one of the big mines, but preferred to direct his own operations. He was one of the organizers of Goldfield, and soon had holdings in the leading camps in Nevada. Mr. Clark was the owner of the town of Bullfrog, Nevada, and controlled the mines. It was his ceaseless efforts and un- tiring energy that made Bullfrog. He was one of the pioneers and when others turned back, he pushed on with every confidence. But for
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Mr. Clark the town of Bullfrog would have been miles west of its present location ; but for him there would have been no such marvelous water supply. He was instrumental in building the railroad through that mineralized section. He built his own telephone line from Bullfrog to Goldfield, a distance of sixty-seven miles. Mr. Clark was the prime mover in what was reputed to be the most gigantic power scheme ever launched up to that period. He organized a five million dollar company for the purpose of supplying Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities in California and Nevada with power. He and his associates ac- quired practically all the water rights on King River and had a total of 400,000 horsepower. Mr. Clark was the chief promoter of this immense project. He spent one year in the leading mining camps of South Amer- ica. Mr. Clark still has large mining interests in Mono, California, and Nevada. He was requested to make a report on 47,000 acres of land in Calipatria, on which California capitalists held an option, and on his re- port the company purchased this large tract, and Mr. Clark became general manager. He has one of the show places of the north end com- prising 160 acres. Politically, he is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic lodge of Brawley and is a life member of the Elks lodge of Reno, Nevada. He also holds membership in the Fores- ters of America. Mr. Clark was married in Fresno County, California, in 1882, to Miss Mary N. Reed, daughter of Hon. Judge Reed, de- ceased, of Mariposa County, formerly superior judge of that district. Mrs. Clark's mother still resides in Mariposa County and is in her ninety-first year. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born one daughter, Alice, wife of Luther G. Brown, a prominent attorney of Los Angeles. Mrs. Brown is past secretary of the Friday Morning Club of that city.
FRED C. PALMER, proprietor of Fritz Cafe and Bakery at Calipat- ria, California, is one of the pioneers of that place. He originally start- ed business in a tent and achieved success along his chosen field. Mr. Palmer came to Imperial County in 1905. He was born in Elmira, New York, October 25, 1864, a son of Martin and Mary (Copley) Palmer. The family are of old English and Irish origin and the family on his father's side came to America in the very early days. His parents are buried at Elmira, New York. Mr. Palmer received his education in the public schools of his native town; at the age of eighteen he started out
John: & Rosson,
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in life to make his own livelihood. His father for twenty-five years held the position as manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company at Elmira, New York, and Fred C., the subject of this review, was asso- ciated with him for a period of four years. Mr. Palmer came west and located in Denver, Colorado, for a time and then removed to Riverside, California, where he became identified with James H. Fountain, a groc- eryman and rancher. Mr. Palmer was connected with the grocery de- partment for a period of nine years. He then worked for several fruit companies in various parts of the western slope in various capacities until he came to Imperial County. He had contracts in the Valley dur- ing the cantaloupe season, and, seeing the possibilities when Calipatria was opened, Mr. Palmer engaged in his present business, in which line he has achieved success. He is well known and has many friends in his community. Politically Mr. Palmer is a Democrat, but has never as- pired to office.
JOHN E. ROSSON .- An enterprising and prosperous representative of business interests in Calexico is John E. Rosson, and is an active factor in the commercial circles of Imperial Valley. Mr. Rosson was born in Green County, Missouri, February 17, 1845, a son of A. P. and Nancy (Overton) Rosson, both deceased. The subject of this sketch had little chance for education. He assisted on the home place. After leaving home he farmed in Mississippi, Arkansas, Idaho and Texas. This vocation he followed up to ten years ago. In October, 1911, he came to California and to Imperial County. He started the present busi- ness-soda works-and has since been identified with the business. Mr. Rosson was twice married; to the first union there were born three children, and to the second were born two children. His son, John, is a farmer near Calexico; James W. resides in Calexico, and Lizzie, wife of D. A. Waters, lives in Northern California. Mr. Rosson is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges of Texas. Mr. Rosson has many friends and acquaintances in Imperial Valley.
CHARLES M. BERRY, numbered among the representative men of Imperial County, now serves as secretary of the Laguna Water Com- pany with offices in El Centro. He was born in Nelsonville, Ohio, Sep- tember 23, 1860, a son of Thomas and Hanna (Charleton) Berry. His
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father was for many years superintendent of the coal mines in Nelson- ville. His death occurred June 4, 1899, and Mr. Berry's mother passed away January 19, 1903. Charles M. Berry acquired his education in the public and high schools of Nelsonville. He afterwards took a business course in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. At the age of nineteen he took a position at Nelsonville as bookkeeper. He was promoted and trans- ferred to New Straitsville, Ohio, and served as secretary of the C. H. C. and I. Co. Removing to Denver, Colorado, he was associated with his father in the coal mining business, remaining in Denver for twenty years. He engaged in mining in California for three years. In 1913 Mr. Berry removed to Imperial County and took the office as assistant as- sessor and tax collector for the Imperial Irrigation District, remaining in that position until he was made secretary of the Imperial Irrigation District. Politically Mr. Berry is a Republican. Fraternally he is a Ma- son and holds the office of high priest of El Centro Chapter No. 109. Mr. Berry married at Chanute, Kansas, May 6, 1885, to Miss Grace M. McCune, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine McCune. Her father's death occurred in 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have three daughters and one son : Bessie M., wife of Frank H. McIver of El Centro; Grace I., born March 15, 1889; Hazel M., wife of Clark Booher of El Centro; Frederick M., born January 27, 1894, now serving in the United States Army. Mr. Berry's ancestors came from Yorkshire, England.
FRANCIS B. FULLER .- Among the strong financial institutions of Imperial Valley is the El Centro National Bank, and among the bank- ers of prominence in that city is Francis B. Fuller, who has been presi- dent of that institution since its organization March 9, 1909. He has done much toward securing for his institution the foremost position in banking circles that it now occupies. His banking experiences extend over many years. Francis B. Fuller was born in the Sugar Valley, Geor- gia, January 29, 1862, a son of Samuel O. and Elizabeth ( Bates) Ful- ler. He acquired his education after he passed his twenty-fourth year. Previous to this he had followed agricultural pursuits and rented farms both in Georgia and Texas. From the age of twenty-four to twenty-six he acquired a common school education. He entered the mercantile business and worked one year; then he rode the range for a period of fifteen years, receiving $25.00 per month. In 1898 he was elected Dis-
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trict Clerk by the people of Herford, Texas, which position he held for four years. He then became interested in the Herford National Bank, which he helped to organize. Later he retired from the Herford Bank and organized the Western National Bank of Herford, Texas. He held the position as cashier for a period of four years. Mr. Fuller then came to California and located in El Centro, where he engaged in the real estate business until he organized the El Centro National Bank, which was the first national bank organized in El Centro. Mr. Fuller is care- ful, painstaking and systematic, and as a result he is a student of hu- man nature and conditions; seldom has he made an error in extending credit or making investments. The institution of which he is president has greatly prospered through his efforts. He is readily conceded to be among the able and well-informed men in banking circles in Southern California. Mr. Fuller has large realty holdings in El Centro, as well as farm properties. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic and K. of P. lodges. He holds the office of president of the Chamber of Com- merce. He was twice married, the first union being at Herford, Texas, to Miss Salome Moore. Her death occurred in 1910. To the first union were born two children, Jean Luvois and Frances Salome. The second marriage occurred May 15, 1915, to Mrs. Rosa Negus. The great- grandparents of Mr. Fuller had fifteen children, fourteen of whom lived to be men and women, and the first natural death that occurred in that family occurred in 1914. Mr. Fuller's father was killed in action during the Civil war. Mr. Fuller erected the first residence in El Centro on the present site of the Barbara Worth Hotel.
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