USA > California > Imperial County > The history of Imperial County, California > Part 38
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HISTORY OF IMPERIAL COUNTY
JAMES A. ROBISON .- One of the prominent business men of South- ern California is a man to whom success has come as a result of un- faltering determination, untiring industry, energy and enterprise, for he has worked his way upward to the success which he now enjoys. Mr. Robison has been manager of the California Central Creameries since 1915. He is a native of Barrackville, West Virginia. His birth oc- curred March 3, 1875, a son of James Z. and Martha E. (Floyd )| Rob- ison. He acquired his education in the public schools of Fairmont, West Virginia, and later took a four-year agricultural course and graduated from that department in Wisconsin. He became an instructor in that course in the University of Wisconsin. He was the organizer for the Creamery Package Manufacturing Company, and did much to place various creameries on a paying basis until 1904. In 1905 he removed to Phoenix, Arizona, where he was identified with the Maricopa Cream- ery as manager for a period of two years. He then took the manage- ment of the De Laval Dairy Supply Company in Los Angeles until 1909, when he came to the Imperial Valley and erected and operated the creamery at Brawley. The creamery was operated under the name of the Imperial Valley Creamery Company. Mr. Robison also erected a creamery at El Centro, and one at Holtville, and in the fall of 1915 he disposed of his holdings. The various plants were merged under the name of the California Central Creameries. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He was united in marriage to Miss Flor- ence Stewart of Phoenix, Arizona, February 27, 1907, and one son, Raymond, has been born to them. It can be said of James A. Robison that he has been an active factor in the commercial circles of Imperial County and he is regarded as one of the enterprising and progressive men of the community. He endured many hardships and the establish- ments that he has erected are among the best in California. Mr. and Mrs. Robison have a host of friends in the Imperial Valley.
FRED C. MORSE (deceased) was numbered among the staunch and enterprising business men of Imperial County, and he was highly es- teemed among his fellowmen. Mr. Morse was progressive and capable and his death was mourned by a wide circle of friends. Mr. Morse was born in Red Bluff, California, April 18, 1891. He acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of Los Angeles. Finishing his education, he
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entered the employ of the Hoffman Hardware Company of that city, where he remained for a period of six years. He concentrated upon his business affairs, and won the confidence of all who came in contact with him. He also was identified with the Pacific Hardware Company for three years. Mr. Morse engaged in the auto service supply business in El Centro and later transferred his interests to the present location, 741 Main Street. He was united in marriage to Miss Madeline Ward, September 14, 1911. To this union has been born one son, Fred C. Morse, Jr., born November 6, 1912. The management of the business is under the personal supervision of Ellis F. Ward, brother of Mrs. Morse. Ellis F. was born in Los Angeles January 19, 1901. He is a son of Ellis F. and Marie (Romero) Ward. He attended the public schools of San Diego. Finishing his high school education, he became associated with Mr. Morse, and after his death, which occurred April 6, 1917, took the management of his business affairs. Mrs. Morse takes an active interest in the social affairs of El Centro and is a member of the Federated Woman's Clubs.
WILLIAM W. MASTEN .- No section of the country can boast of a more sturdy and courageous band of pioneers than Imperial County, but not all of the early settlers of this section had the courage of their convictions to such an extent as had William W. Masten. The enter- prise to which a community owes its importance in an industrial and commercial way are those which build up and develop its resources. In this connection mention should be made of Mr. Masten. He is one of the county's leading business men, and he came to the county Decem- ber 25, 1900. He was born April 10, 1853, in Pennsylvania, a son of John W. and Mary Elizabeth Masten; both parents were natives of Dutchess County, New York. The genealogy of the family dates back before the Revolutionary war. William W. received his education in Iowa, where his parents moved when he was young. His father was a pioneer in Iowa and took up a homestead and became one of the first business men in his locality. William W. assisted on the home place until he was twenty-six years of age. He studied nights after a hard day's work and was self-educated. Leaving home he bought land from the railroad company and farmed for three years. He then went to northwest Nebraska, where he took up prairie land and improved his
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holdings. Here he remained for four years. Going to Kansas he rent- ed on a large scale where he remained until he came to California and settled in San Diego, which was in 1890. Here he remained for a time and then went to Corona, Riverside County, where he followed farm- ing and contracting for ten years. He then, on December 25, 1900, landed in Imperial County and became engaged by the California De- velopment Company and was located at Cameron Lake. In six weeks Mr. Masten was made superintendent of the company's team work. He remained in this capacity ninety days. He was then given charge of the entire contract work, working as many as 250 head of horses on the ditch system. He followed this for a period of four years. He then developed his own section of land, fencing and cross-fencing and rais- ing crops. He had as high as 150 head of cattle and operated at that time the largest dairy in the county. In 1908 Mr. Masten disposed of his ranch holdings in conjunction with other work and engaged in the hotel business. Mr. Masten has the distinction of erecting the first house, hotel, meat market, bakery, and started the first transfer busi- ness in El Centro. Having also erected the first livery stable, he had the control of the livery business in the county. Mr. Masten is a Prohibi- tionist. He was twice married, the first union being to Miss Emma P. Purdy in 1878, and her death occurred in 1883; to this union were born John Wesley, born in 1880, now farm adviser and professor of agriculture, located at Reedley, California, and Charles Franklin, born in 1881, a graduate of the architectural school of the University of California, and now serving as first lieutenant in the Engineering Corps at Camp Kearney. He was inspector of the Wheeler Memorial Building of the University of California at Berkeley.
OTTO E. OHMSTEDE .- Among the men of Imperial County who have done much towards the development of El Centro, is Otto E. Ohmstede, manager and director of the Imperial Valley Baking Com- pany. Since July 6, 1914, he has been actively identified with its organ- ization. He was born at Guide Rock, Nebraska, October 9, 1889, a son of John and Lucia (Suess) Ohmstede, who reside in Guide Rock. Mr. Ohmstede acquired his education in the public schools and Grand Island, Nebraska, Baptist College, leaving school at the age of nineteen. He assisted his father on the home farm until he came to California.
JOB.Toles
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He remained with an uncle until he came to Imperial Valley and or- ganized his present business, which is the largest concern of its kind in Imperial Valley. Their products are shipped to various points in California and Arizona. Fraternally Mr. Ohmstede is a loyal knight of the B. P. O. E. of El Centro. He was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Church, September 22, 1914, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Church of Redlands, California. Mr. Ohmstede's father was a pioneer in Ne- braska and his mother was in that state when the Indians were numer- ous.
JOHN B. TOLER .- In business circles of Seeley no name is known better than that of John B. Toler, one of the men whose standing has grown with the town and who has now a large measure of success. Mr. Toler is a native of Carbondale, Illinois, and was born June 13, 1874, a son of John W. and Harriett E. (Spiller) Toler. His mother passed away in December, 1889, and is buried in the Oakland Cemetery of Carbondale. His father is still living and resides in Carbondale. He is one of the pioneers of his state. John B., the subject of this review, secured a good educational training in the public and normal school. Early in life he entered the drug business with Francis A. Pricket, president of the State Board of Pharmacy. Here Mr. Toler became proficient in his chosen field. Mr. Toler came to Seeley and engaged in business and has been proprietor of the Seeley Drug Store since De- cember 15, 1913, meeting with every success. Mr. Toler's success in the business world has come as a direct result of his own ability and industry and he is known as one of Seeley's most substantial citizens. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the Auto Club of Southern California. He was united in marriage in Carbondale, Illinois, December 29, 1892, to Miss Pearl I. Holt, daugh- ter of Harry and Jane Holt, both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Toler have been born two children: Awanda, wife of Orman J. Lewis of Carbondale, Illinois; and Francis B., a cotton buyer. Mr. Toler has the respect and esteem of his business associates and both he and his wife have a large circle of friends.
CLARENCE JOHN PARK .- Prominent among the representative men of Brawley may be mentioned Clarence John Park, who came to
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Imperial County in 1907. He is enterprising and progressive, and is essentially a self-made man. Mr. Park was born March 24, 1877, a son of Hiland H. and Lydia (Putnam) Park. His parents settled in Wis- consin in 1852, coming from Vermont, where his ancestors settled pre- vious to the Revolutionary war. Mr. Park is eligible to join the Sons of the American Revolution, on both sides of the family. Mr. Park's parents are both deceased and are buried in Dodge Corners, Wiscon- sin. The subject of this review attended the schools of Springfield, Mis- souri, where he entered Drury College. At the age of twenty he went to Colorado, where he worked at surveying. Later he went to Montana and assisted in the survey of the Burlington Missouri Railroad. He worked in the surveying department on various railroads in Missouri, Arkansas, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona. In 1905 he removed to Los Angeles, where he followed his profession until he came to Imperial County as United States deputy surveyor for the re-survey of the county, in the summer of 1907. Mr. Park then opened an office which he has maintained, except in 1912, when he was appointed superintendent of Water Company No. 5 of Holtville. Mr. Park settled on a homestead eleven miles east of Brawley. Here he has erected substantial buildings and is putting his land under culti- vation. Fraternally Mr. Park is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Consistory of Los Angeles, and holds membership in the Al Mel Aika Temple of Los An- geles. He served as the first master of Brawley Lodge.'From 1910 to 1913 he was inspector of the Blue Lodges of Imperial County. He is past patron of the Alamo Chapter of the Eastern Star of Brawley. Mr. Park was married in Petersburg, Tennessee, October 17, 1912, to Miss Bertice Hart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Hart of Peters- burg, Tenessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Park have been born one son, Jean H., born July 7, 1913.
DAN VOORHEES NOLAND .- Energy, ability and well directed ambition, guided and controlled by sound judgment, have constituted the foundation upon which Dan Voorhees Noland has built his suc- cess, and is numbered among the leading representatives of his pro- fession. Mr. Noland is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, his birth oc- curring January 20, 1875, a son of Henry D. and Lucy (Sebrell)! No-
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land. His father passed away and was buried in Riverside, California, and his mother makes her home in El Centro. Mr. Noland acquired his education in the public and high schools of Riverside, California, after which he entered Franklin College in Indiana. He also attended Stan- ford University, entering the law department. Later he read law with W. H. Chamberlain of San Francisco, and was admitted to the bar in 1903. Returning to Riverside, Mr. Noland began the practice of law and remained in that city for one year. He then went to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he practiced his profession for three years. He came to El Centro when it had a population of eight hundred people. Here he has met with every success. He may be termed a self-made man. He is broad and liberal-minded, absolutely fair, and impartial in his judi- cial actions. Fraternally Mr. Noland is a member of the K. of P. and is a Royal Arch Mason. In his political allegiance he votes for the best man, irrespective of party. Mr. Noland was married June 15, 1904, at Riverside, California, to Miss Ella D. Arbuckle, a daughter of James and Annabelle Arbuckle of Pictou, Nova Scotia. Both of Mrs. Noland's parents are buried at Pictou, Nova Scotia. To Mr. and Mrs. Noland have been born three daughters: Muriel S., Margaret R., and Dana Annabel, all attending school. The ancestors of Mr. Noland are of Irish descent. His grandfather was born in Kentucky and his father was a native of Indiana. Mr. Noland was a volunteer and saw service in the Spanish-American war. Whether in business or social relations, he holds the good will and confidence of all who are associated with him.
CYRUS CHALMERS MARSHALL .- On the roster of county offi- cials of Imperial County appears the name of Cyrus Chalmers Mar- shall, who, following a period of efficient and capable service as city marshal of Brawley, was appointed by the city commissioners in March, 1915, to this important position. Mr. Marshall was born in Cairo, Southeastern Iowa, April 15, 1861, a son of William H. and Rachel Marshall. His father was a native of Ohio, while his mother was born in Iowa, both parents deceased. Cyrus C. acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of Iowa. He learned the butcher trade with his father, who had followed this vocation for many years. Early in life Mr. Marshall went to western Kansas, where he drove stages in
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Comanche County for three years. He afterwards engaged in the livery business in Kansas and Oklahoma for many years. For eight years Mr. Marshall was identified with the sheriff's office in Pawnee County, Oklahoma. While serving in this capacity he took part in one of the most notable bank robberies that ever occurred in the state. It was the bank robber's last "job." When Chal Marshall, as he was called in Oklahoma, left his home in Jennings to serve some official papers, he had no idea what the day had in store for him in the way of a battle with "Tom" Jordan, the Cherokee outlaw and bank robber. Mr. Marshall had been an officer in the west for over twenty-five years and he saw much service in the "wild and woolly" days in Kansas. When Mr. Marshall reached the railroad station he was handed a mes- sage stating a telephone message was awaiting him at Mannford. Mr. Marshall caught the train and was soon in the town. He was soon talk- ing to a farmer over the telephone who said he would come to town and give him important news. When the farmer arrived in town he confided to Mr. Marshall that between two and three o'clock that af- ternoon "Tom" Jordan and his partner, "Tom" Phemis, would ride into the town of Keystone and rob the Keystone State Bank. Phemis did not take part in the robbery, but at the given time Jordan arrived on the scene. Mr. Marshall had gone in the bank by the rear door and took a position back of the stove. He was determined to take his pris- oner alive, and get the outlaw's story, which would put irons on a score of men. Jordan appeared at the cashier's window and demanded the cashier to turn over what he had. "Hand over what you've got," and "throw up your hands," shouted Marshall. Jordan began shooting, but before he could raise his pistol for a second shot Mr. Marshall demand- ed he throw up his hands and fired to hit Jordan in the right shoulder to "break down" his pistol arm. The bullet hit the mark, but the sting of the bullet did not stop Jordan and he fired four more shots at Mr. Marshall, the second bullet ranging fourteen and the fifth bullet thirty- eight inches to the right of Mr. Marshall's head. Jordan rushed to the street and was killed by shots fired by a dozen men. Mr. Marshall re- ceived $300 from the bankers' association for his bravery and gallant work. The banker presented Mr. Marshall with a costly new service Colt revolver with mother of pearl handle and a bull's head hand- somely engraved on the handle. Mr. Marshall came to California and
J. C. Kemp.
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engaged in the dairy business at Redondo Beach for one year and then engaged in the hotel business in Anaheim for about a year. Coming to Brawley in March, 1915, he was made city marshal, which office he has held since. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Okla- homa, he being a Knight Templar. His lodge presented him with a handsome Masonic ring when he left Pawnee County. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Marshall was married May 16, 1887, to Lizzie G. Crissman, a native of Illinois. Their three children are: William F., now in the United States Infantry, lo- cated in the Canal Zone ; Cora Armina, a school teacher, and Elizabeth Lucile, at home. Mrs. Marshall and oldest daughter are members of the Eastern Star.
GROVER C. KEMP, present chief of the police department of Calex- ico, is a highly trained, well-informed officer who is eminently fitted for the important position which he holds. Mr. Kemp was born in Har- rison County, Missouri, September 2, 1885. A son of William R. and Clara M. Kemp, who are both natives of Missouri. Grover C. acquired his education in the public and high schools of Missouri. The family removed to South Texas, where the father was identified in the cattle business. Mr. Kemp assisted his father for a time when he went to Oklahoma, then Indian Territory. For some years he was in the cattle business and he then decided to cast his lot with the Golden State. He came one year previous to his family. His parents came to Calexico four years ago, and engaged in the hotel business. Mr. Kemp's mother passed away in February, 1915, and his father now resides in Oklaho- ma. On his arrival in Calexico, Mr. Kemp engaged on the railroad. However, after a time he went back to Oklahoma where he remained a few months. On his return to Calexico, he became identified with the police department. Resigning after a time he went back to railroad work, and after the change in city affairs he returned and worked nights on the police department for one year. In April, 1916, Mr. Kemp was made chief of the department, which office he now holds to the en- tire satisfaction of the community. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. He was united in marriage July 14, 1902, to Maudie E. Love, a native of Kansas. To this union have been born five chil- dren : Homer Allen, Lloyd Ernest, Ruby Irene, Harry and Edith. Mrs.
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Kemp's father is one of the leading ranchers and stockmen in Oklaho- ma and recognized as a representative man of his locality. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp have a wide circle of friends and give their support to movements which have for their purpose the advancement of Calexico and Imperial County.
JANUS R. FORD is numbered among the esteemed citizens of Im- perial County. He has held the position of secretary and manager of the Imperial County Title Company since October, 1915. Mr. Ford was born near Clinton, Missouri, March 21, 1887, a son of William B. and Virginia C. (Slack) Ford. He received his education in the public schools and Missouri University. In June, 1911, he left college and traveled extensively throughout the western states. He came to Cali- fornia January 1, 1912, and located in Los Angeles, and became identi- fied with the Title Insurance & Trust Company of that city for a period of two years. During that time he attended night school, where he studied law and was admitted to the Bar in January, 1914. He served as attorney for the Imperial Title Guaranty and Bonded Abstract Com- pany previous to the time it was made the Imperial County Title Com- pany, which was in October, 1915. Fraternally Mr. Ford is a member of the Masonic Lodge and holds the office of Junior Deacon of El Cen- tro Lodge, No. 384. He was married in San Diego, California, March II, 1916, to Miss Ella Yetive Golberg, daughter of Arne S. and Marie Golberg, one of the representative families of that city. The father of Mr. Ford was a veteran of the Civil War, being attached to the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, and fought on the Union side. Mr. Ford's mother's people came from Kentucky, and her brother, William J. Slack, was a general in the Confederate Army and was killed in action at the battle of Pea Ridge. Janus R. Ford, the subject of this review, is a man of unusual professional ability, and has a wide circle of friends.
WILLIAM H. PRUITT is a man of enterprise and discrimination, and in the course of a long and varied business career he has been identified with a number of important interests. Mr. Pruitt is a native of Butler County, Kansas ; his birth occurred April 29, 1874, son of T. R. and Lydia (Huff) Pruitt. His father was of French ancestry, now deceased, and his mother was of German birth and still living. Wil-
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liam H. was educated in the public schools of Kansas, Finishing his schooling, he enlisted in the Ninth United States Infantry and saw active service in China and the Philippines. He received an honorable discharge in 1903. For five years he ranched in Oklahoma and later moved to Prescott, Arizona. Here he clerked for a time and moved to San Diego, where he operated a transfer business. He disposed of the transfer business and engaged in the retail grocery business for two years. In 1914 Mr. Pruitt purchased the laundry business in Calexico of Judge McCollum and operated the first steam laundry in Calexico. Previous to taking over the Calexico laundry, Mr. Pruitt operated the Valley Laundry at El Centro for two years. The earthquake demolish- ed the laundry buildings in both places, and Mr. Pruitt erected his pres- ent commodious building and installed up-to-date and the most modern machinery in 1914. Mr. Pruitt also purchased the Valley Steam Laun- dry in El Centro of the late J. P. Hiel in 1912 and now operates both plants. He was married March 8, 1904, to Tilla Midkiff of Kansas, a daughter of Aaron and Mahila Midkiff. To Mr. and Mrs. Pruitt have been born one son, Paul, born December 21, 1914. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F., the K. of P. and B. P. O. E. Mr. Pruitt has eighty acres east of El Centro and eighty acres west of El Centro, which he has in corn and alfalfa. Mr. Pruitt gives his ready support to movements which have for their purpose the advancement of Imperial County.
VIRGINIA TENNY SMITH, M. D .- A notable figure among the residents of the Imperial Valley is Dr. Virginia Tenny Smith, who came to Calipatria in 1914 from Los Angeles. The new county was unusually fortunate in securing a physician so experienced and skilled in her profession and a woman of such broad culture and personal charm. Virginia Tenny Smith was born March 20, 1860, in old Ver- mont, of American parentage, but of Huguenot descent. After attend- ing the convent at Burlington, Vermont, she entered the medical school of Boston University, from which she received the degree of doctor of medicine in 1888. After a year's time spent as resident physician in the Dio Lewis Sanitarium, she located in Detroit, Mich., and devoted her time to private practice. But in 1907 the lure of the West became too strong to be resisted and she came to Los Angeles, California, where
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she remained until her removal to the Imperial Valley. Dr. Smith is an ex-member of the Boston Medical Association, the American Institute of Homeopathy, the Michigan State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and the Medical Association of Southern Cali- fornia. Dr. Smith was the first person to purchase land from the syndi- cate at Calipatria, in 1914. There were other settlers in that section, but the doctor purchased the first forty-acre tract. Her beautiful ranch is equipped with every improvement known to modern ranching, and includes a number of labor-saving devices. She had a beautiful resi- dence which was destroyed by fire in October, 1917. Her home was filled with priceless oriental rugs and furniture from all over the world and was destroyed in the fire. Dr. Smith's ranch is the show place of the north end. She has been a conscientious and hard worker, and she is today a worthy representative of true Western womanhood.
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