USA > California > Imperial County > The history of Imperial County, California > Part 39
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OTIS BURGESS TOUT, editor, and, with Mrs. Tout, proprietor of the El Centro Progress, came to Imperial Valley in 1907 from Port- land, Oregon, where he was engaged in newspaper reporting. Born in Indiana, May 1I, 1880, he followed his father, who was a minister in the Christian church, through the states of Missouri, Florida, Kansas and the then territory of Oklahoma. The family came to California in 1892, went to Oregon in 1899, and to Washington the next year. In Eugene, Oregon, in 1900-1901, Otis attended the State University. His first newspaper work was on the Ashland, Oregon, Valley Record. His next was on the Eugene Morning Register and then on the Eugene Daily Guard. Acting as correspondent for the Portland Telegram, he was offered a city position by that paper, which he accepted. Illness caused him to change his occupation to writing life insurance, and in 1905 he won a trip to Los Angeles. Bad health followed him until he visited his parents, who were then in Imperial, where J. F. Tout, his father, was pastor of the Christian church, the second minister to lo- cate in Imperial Valley, then almost a virgin desert. The desert seemed to be just the place, for his health improved at once. Mr. Tout accepted a position as foreman in the office of the Imperial Valley Press in January, 1907, and in April was offered the management of the Calexi- co Chronicle, owned by W. F. Holt. In the county seat fight that fol- lowed, Calexico was credited with casting the winning votes for El
Frank Withrow
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Centro, and Mr. Holt, who was backing El Centro, was so gratified that he presented the Chronicle and the equipment to Mr. Tout. In June, 1909, Mr. Tout was married to Mrs. Estelle May Downing, of El Centro. She being a practical printer, they formed a co-partnership in the publishing business that has endured ever since. They sold the Calexico Chronicle in 1912 and purchased a defunct printing plant in El Centro, where they started the El Centro Progress as a weekly. In the fall of that year it was changed to a morning daily and since that time has been conducted on a broad plan which has commanded ex- tensive patronage and financial success. Mr. and Mrs. Tout own one of the many handsome homes in El Centro, located at Fifth and Holt. Both have been in the Valley long enough to be called pioneers, and have played a foremost part in its development. Mr. Tout was this year elected Exalted Ruler of the El Centro Lodge of Elks, No. 1325.
FRANK WITHROW .- One of the model ranches of Imperial Coun- ty, located in Water Company No. 8, at Brawley, and containing 560 acres of very valuable land, is owned by Frank Withrow, the subject of this review. Mr. Withrow came to Imperial County, January, 1906, and is rightly classed among the pioneers. He is a conscientious and broad - minded citizen, influential in all his dealings with his fellow men and commands the respect of all who know him. Mr. Withrow was born at London, Ohio, December 15, 1868, the son of John S. and Ellen (Foster) Withrow. His mother died when he was in infancy and is buried at London, Ohio. The father of Mr. Withrow resides at Pomona, California. The family is of old English origin and came to this country long before the Revolution. The father of Mr. Withrow is a Civil war veteran, having fought valiantly through that tempestuous period. Mr. Withrow received his education in Allen County, Kansas, and left the country school at the age of 18 years. He attended school during the winter months and during the summer assisted on his father's ranch, remaining at home until he reached the age of 21 years. In 1890 Mr. Withrow came to El Paso, Texas, and engaged as air-brake inspector with the Southern Pacific Railroad. He followed this voca- tion for ten years. From El Paso Mr. Withrow went to Bakersfield, California, in 1900, and while in this city engaged as a tool dresser in the oil fields, where he remained for four years. Then he embarked
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upon a new venture and followed rice growing in south Texas for two seasons with success. Later he came to the Imperial Valley and rented about 640 acres of land for the purpose of raising barley and hogs. This proved to be a great success and he filed on 320 acres in Cali- patria, which is now used for truck growing and which has been brought up to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Withrow is making his home on the 320 acres, having previously sold 80 acres of the Cali- patria land. On his home ranch Mr. Withrow devotes his time and energies to the raising of barley and alfalfa, and has made extensive im- provements about the place which are attractive in the extreme. His land is all irrigated according to the most modern methods. Incidental- ly, Mr. Withrow is a director of the Brawley creamery and cold storage company. When he votes he affixes his mark after the best and most deserving man on the ballot. He is a member of the Blue Lodge of Masons of Brawley. Mr. Withrow was married at Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 20, 1913, to Mrs. Blanche E. Wilbur of Los Angeles.
FRANK ALLEN .- Imperial County has been the magnet which has drawn to these fertile borders men with broad and conservative views on ranching and agriculture in general. One of those who early took advantage of the glowing opportunities which this county afforded so generously was Frank Allen, owner of an 80-acre ranch in No. 8 water district. Mr. Allen, the subject of this review, came to Imperial county October 31, 1904, and was born in Saginaw County, Michigan, May 23, 1869, the son of Augustus A. and Pearlette Allen, who came from New York State to Michigan in the early days, where they pioneered and later resided at Saginaw. Both passed away and are buried at Good- rich, Michigan. The family was of old Yankee stock, coming to the country long before the Revolution. The famous General Ethan Allen, is one of the ancestors of Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen's father, incidentally, fought during the Civil war. Frank Allen received his early education at Saginaw, Michigan, leaving high school at the age of 17 years. He then worked about the saw-mills and along the boom and river in Sag- inaw valley until he reached the age of 22 years, when he married. Later he opened a harness shop, carrying on the business for four years. Following this venture, Mr. Allen purchased an old homestead
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of his grandparents and cultivated and farmed the land until he came to Imperial County. Upon his arrival here he bought the present prop- erty, which was a desert claim of forty acres. In 1914 he added another forty acres to his holdings, also a desert holding, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. The subject of this review was superintendent of Water Company No. 8 for one year. Mr. Allen's agricultural under- takings include the harvesting of grapes, barley and corn, and in gen- eral he is meeting with a great deal of success in this line of endeavor. Politically it might be stated that Mr. Allen has very pronounced views on this subject and can always be found voting conscientiously for the man best suited for the position. Fraternally Mr. Allen is affiliated with the Maccabees. He was married at Saginaw, Michigan, on February 19, 1891, to Miss Emma Peeim of Saginaw. Two children are the result of this union: Pearl, wife of Earl Robinson, a rancher near Rockwood, California, Mrs. Robinson being a graduate of the Brawley high school, and Stella, wife of L. W. Ballard, of Brawley. Mrs. Ballard is also a graduate of the Brawley high school and has two children, Lewis and Albert Verne.
WILLIAM M. PICKENS, now filling the office of captain of police and deputy sheriff of Calexico, is recognized as one of the efficient and untiring officers of Imperial County. Under him the department of po- lice has developed and increased in efficiency, and lawlessness has been kept down at the lowest level. Mr. Pickens, aside from his official du- ties, rents a fifteen-acre ranch in Water Company No. 6. The subject of this sketch came to Imperial County in 1915. He was born in Harden County, Tennessee, January 5, 1880, a son of Walter G. and Fariba Pickens. His father is still a resident of that place. William M. acquired his education in the schools of his native state. Leaving high school at the age of eighteen, he went to Texas and followed the range for two years. Coming to California he settled in Fresno and served as deputy sheriff and was later appointed to the police force of that city. Later he was appointed as state police for the Southern Pacific Railroad under Governor Gilette. This office he held for two years. He was transferred to Arizona in the railroad service and held that commission under Sher- iff Wheeler. Politically Mr. Pickens is a Democrat. He was united in wedlock at Savannah, Tennessee, to Miss Ada Hudiburg, a daughter of
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Joseph G. and Euphena C. (Gillispie), both deceased and buried near Savannah, Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Pickens have been born three children : William Elwood, born October 10, 1899; Flora E., born April 14, 1902, and Harvey Adolphus, born December 15, 1909. As an offi- cial, Mr. Pickens has reflected honor upon the city of Calexico and is a credit to the department of which he belongs.
JOSIAH W. EDWARDS .- Over in Water District No. 8, in Brawley territory, the critical observer will find forty acres of highly cultivated land, the property of Josiah W. Edwards, a man who has achieved considerable and whose success has been marked since his arrival in Imperial County in 1908. Mr. Edwards is very appropriately classed among the pioneers of this county. He was born in Oregon City, Missouri, June 13, 1854, the son of Josiah D. and Parmelia (Westfall) Edwards, both having passed away and being buried in Portland, Ore- gon. The family is of Welsh and English origin and dates back many years, the members of which came to this country long before the Revolutionary war. During that tempestuous period a number of Mr. Edward's grand-uncles fought in that war, achieving fame owing to their valor during stormy conflicts. At least fifteen cousins of Mr. Ed- wards' fought during the Civil war. Mr. Edwards received his early education partly in Oregon and Washington, leaving school at the age of 19 years. Owing to his ambitious nature, the subject of this review immediately after leaving school, followed farming, and later was affiliated with the logging industry of the great Northwest until he came to Imperial County. Upon his arrival here he settled on his present property and has gained wide distinction in the dairy business and also as a raiser of poultry, which is always in the thoroughbred class. Politi- cally Mr. Edwards is a staunch Democrat. He was married in Olympia, Washington, December 14, 1886, to Miss Mary Helen McAllister, daughter of William and Agnes McAllister. The parents of Mrs. Ed- wards have passed away and are buried in Centralia, Washington. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwards: John Archer, born at Thurston County, Washington, a cement worker; Mary Grace, wife of C. C. Foulk of Calipatria; William Ernest, a soldier in the national army at Camp Kearny, California; Millie Agnes, a student at the Uni- versity of California.
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JOHN ALFRED WIEST .- An industrious and well-to-do agricultur- ist, John Alfred Wiest, is the owner of a finely improved and valuable ranch at Wiest, California, in Water Company No. 5. His ranch in re- gard to appointment compares favorably with any in his locality. In all he has 160 acres. Mr. Wiest came to Imperial County November 6, 1903, and was born in Arcadia, Kansas, January 6, 1882, the son of Phillip A. and Elmina E. (Johns) Wiest. The father of Mr. Wiest died in 1906 and is buried in Arcadia, Kansas. Mr. Wiest's mother resides in this county. The family is of old Pennsylvania origin, members of which came to this country long before the Revolutionary war from France and Wales. Owing to wounds received during the Civil war, Mr. Wiest's father succumbed in 1906, as above mentioned. The effect of imprisonment and the hardships at Libby prison, where he spent nine months in 1863, had much to do with breaking down the health of Mr. Wiest's father. George Wiest, uncle of the subject of this review, was a captain in the IIth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Mr. Wiest's father was in the 51st Pennsylvania Volunteers. Mr. Wiest received his education in Arcadia, Kansas, where his parents were listed among the pioneers from 1878 until 1902, when they moved to California. John A. left school at the age of 18 years and went to Spokane, Washington, for the purpose of locating on a homestead. After that, however, he had attended school at Fullerton, California. Later he took up electrical engineering at Pasadena for twelve months, coming to the Valley on November 6, 1903. He located at Wiest, filing on 160 acres of desert land, being the first permanent settler. Mr. Wiest returned to Kansas some time afterward, where he remained for sixteen months. Then, on November 3, 1905, he again set foot on California soil and immediately began cultivating his property in this county, which, at present, has been brought to a high state of cultivation. During the year 1910 Mr. Wiest filed on an additional 160 acres of land, and Mrs. Wiest also filed on 320 acres. That same year he also purchased another 160 acres, making in all a total of 800 acres of finely situated and valuable land. It was in 1912 that Mr. Wiest sold 640 acres of land for $19,000, which had been improved prior to the selling. Politically Mr. Wiest is a Re- publican, and is also one of the first trustees in the school district at Wiest. He is a raiser of thoroughbred hogs in his district. Fraternally Mr. Wiest is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Brawley. In the beginning
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of things the town of Wiest, wherein Mr. Wiest resides, was called after the Wiest family, and was formally named by Congressman Smith of the 8Ist District. John Alfred Wiest was the first pioneer within many miles when he first came to the county of Imperial. John A. was married at Wiest, August 21, 1909, to Miss Winifred Netta Robertson, daughter of James W. and Margaret Anna Robertson, of Honolulu, having been born and raised in that city. The father and mother of Mrs. Wiest were pioneers of that island country. Her father died February 4, 1900, and is buried in Honolulu. Her mother died in 1894 and is buried at Stockton. California. Mr. and Mrs. Wiest have three children: Bya Joy, born in Los Angeles; John Adam, born in Wiest, California; and Clinton Edward, born at Wiest, California. Mr. Wiest has found dairying and hog raising very remunerative, milking as many as IIO cows at one time, but has discontinued the business in order to devote his time to other pursuits. In the good-road movement in this county he has been an active factor. For six years he has been roadmaster, and was a delegate to the Southern California road con- vention at Los Angeles in 1911. Politics also have taken up much of Mr. Wiest's time. His fine home was destroyed by fire, but since that disastrous conflagration he has constructed a new, modern and more pretentious dwelling. Originally Mr. Wiest was a grading contractor and leveled more than 15,000 acres of land in Imperial County, all of which is now producing heavily each year. He has experimented with dates, asparagus and other fruits in the county successfully. Mr. Wiest went through many hardships to achieve the results which are so ap- parent today. He has labored hard during his time in the Valley, and it has been primarily through thrift and well-concerted energy that he has acquired his place of prominence among his fellow men.
JOSEPH M. SCHEIBR has achieved success in life as a result of his own efforts. He has been upright in his business dealings and has now the respect and confidence of his neighbors and associates in his com- munity. Mr. Scheibr was born in Switzerland in 1897. He acquired a limited education in his native land. He is a son of Jacob and Anna Scheibr. Joseph M. came to America in 1903 and located in Minnesota. Here he found employment for some months and later, in 1904, he re- moved to Los Angeles, where he remained for two years and worked at
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the dairy business. In 1906 he came to Imperial Valley and worked out for fifteen months at dairying. He then bought thirty cows and rented land for four years at Imperial. He then came to the El Centro district, where he remained three years on one place. March, 1913, he moved his dairy string to his present place and purchased eighty acres with his brother, Ambrose, who was born December 28, 1881. Scheibr Broth- ers now have a string of fifty cows. The subject of this sketch was the first Swiss to locate in Imperial Valley, his brother coming to the coun- ty two years later. Joseph M. was the first Swiss to purchase cows and engage in the dairy business in Imperial County. The brothers are pro- gressive and up-to-date ranchers and have a well appointed place.
ARTHUR G. GOFF is the owner of a ranch of eighty acres in Water Company No. I, Calexico. He has achieved success along agricultural lines as a result of his own efforts and each year finds him making sub- stantial improvements to his place. Mr. Goff is entitled to prominent mention in this history among the pioneers of Imperial Valley. He came to this county in 1902, and was born in Bedford County, Virginia, June 30, 1877, a son of James L. and Mary A. (Austin) Goff. His father was a native of Virginia and the Goff family is of Scotch origin and came to America and were among the founders of Virginia. The parents of Mr. Goff are both dead. His father is buried in Botetourt County, Virginia, and his mother's body has been interred near Bedford, Vir- ginia. Arthur G. received his education in the public schools of his na- tive state. He assisted on the home place until he was eighteen years of age. He then worked in the woollen mills for eight years. Coming to Imperial County, he found employment at ranching and with the water companies. In 1911 Mr. Goff became assistant superintendent of Water Company No. I. This position he filled until June, 1916. Mr. Goff filed on his first ranch in Water Company No. 6, in 1903. This he sold in 1907 and purchased another ranch in Water Company No. I. He dis- posed of this place in 1911. He then purchased his present place of eighty acres which he is improving to make it one of the best ranches in the county. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the I. O.O.F. Mr. Goff married in Calexico in February 13, 1907, Miss Myrtle Bradbury, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Bradbury. Her father passed away and is buried at Phoenix, Arizona, while Mrs.
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Goff's mother resides in El Centro. To Mr. and Mrs. Goff have been born one son, Albert, born in San Bernardino, December 31, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Goff have the good-will and esteem of all who know them.
ARCHIE B. FINLEY .- Well entitled to recognition in this publica- tion is one of the pioneers and representative citizens of Imperial County, namely, Archie B. Finley, owner of forty acres of land in Water Company No. 8, at Brawley, California. Mr. Finley has been long identified with the agricultural and real estate interests of the community, and he has been an influential factor in furthering the up- building of the county in many ways. Archie B., the subject of this re- view, came to Imperial County in 1903, and was born in Oakland, Cali- fornia, August 4, 1895, the son of John W. and Hattie (Hinckley) Finley. The parents of Mr. Finley came to this part of the country from Kansas and started pioneering in the most practical way. There was nothing but sand hills to greet them upon arrival, but through perseverance they have become prominent among the ranch people of the Valley. The ranch controlled by Archie B. was originally the prop- erty of his parents. Archie B. received his education in Brawley and left the high school in that city at the age of 18 years. At the time of his entrance into high school life at Brawley the county school was known as the Spruce School. After leaving school he assisted his par- ents on the ranch until he purchased the property. At that time he launched forth into the dairy business and was also very successful in the raising of alfalfa for stock feeding. He keeps on an average of about thirty head of cattle and other livestock. He has erected a fine residence on the place and has carried improvements on an extensive scale, all of which add greatly to the appearance of the place in general. Trees have been planted, and with the addition of shrubbery the Finley homestead is one of the best country homes in the district. Politically Mr. Finley can always be depended upon to vote for the man who deserves the highest consideration. He was married at Brawley, California, May 31, 1916, to Miss Essie Minshew, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Minshew. Her mother died when Mrs. Finley was very young and is buried in Belcherville, Texas. Her father resides in Brawley, Califor- nia, where he has resided since 1913. Mr. Finley has a son, Clayton Earl, born May 8, 1917, on the ranch. The progress of Mr. Finley has
F. Bları
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been marked by impregnable integrity, conscientious effort and broad, conservative business methods throughout.
FREDERICK B. WARE .- One of Imperial County's most progres- sive and influential ranchers is Frederick B. Ware, the subject of this review. Frederick B. is the owner of 227 acres of valubale land in Water Company No. 5, near Brawley. For years he has been a promi- nent factor in the development of the Valley, and is rightly esteemed and highly regarded by all who know him. Mr. Ware came to this county during November, 1907, and was born at Johnsville, Plumas County, California, October 25, 1883, the son of Silas and Fannie (Dolley) Ware. Mr. Ware's father came to California in the early days and worked in the gold mines in a period which was known mostly for its romantic abandon. Later he became one of the state's pioneer ranchers, settling in Sierra County. At present the parents of Mr. Ware are residents of Pacific City, Washington. The lineage of the family traces back many years, members of which came to this country long before the Revolutionary war, settling in Iowa, where Mr. Ware's grandfather fought the redskins. The early education of Mr. Ware was obtained in the public school of Sierra County, an institution which he left at the age of 17 years. Later Frederick B. followed teaming and farming in the home town until he came to Imperial County for the purpose of helping his brother-in-law, John Blinman, to develop a ranch. It was while engaged in this pursuit that Mr. Ware bought his present property, which in the beginning was rough desert country. At the present time Mr. Ware has a finely appointed ranch which is a credit to the Valley. It has reached a high and remunerative state of productiveness. Mr. Ware follows general farming and is very success- ful in the raising of grain and cattle. He keeps as high as forty-five head of livestock, which includes twelve horses. He has planted 3000 eucalyptus trees, constructed a modern residence, and has made numer- ous improvements, all of which command attention. Politically Mr. Ware is a Republican, and has been trustee of the Mulberry school since it was organized. Fraternally he is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West. He was married at Sierraville, California, January I, 1907, to Miss Louise Blinman, daughter of Fred and Maria Blin- man, both pioneer ranchers and merchants of California, residing at
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Sierraville, California. To this union four children have been born: Alice, born at Sierraville, California ; Orland, born in Imperial County ; Lyle, born in Sierraville, and Olga, born in Imperial County, on the home place. Everything Mr. Ware has gained in this county has been wrought and achieved through his individual efforts. No outside assist- ance, financial or otherwise, came forward to start Mr. Ware down life's pathway, hence the assertion that the result of Mr. Ware's efforts in the Valley represent in all a personal monument of endeavor.
GEORGE W. NICHOLS .- Well entitled to recognition in this publi- cation as one of the pioneers and representative citizens of Imperial County is the name which heads this review. Mr. Nichols has been long identified with the agricultural and real estate interests of this com- munity, and he has been an influential factor in furthering the upbuild- ing of the county in many ways. He was born in Unity County, New Hampshire, March 16, 1856, a son of John and Mary Nichols. His father was a native of Nova Scotia and his mother was of good Old England stock; both are deceased and buried in the cemetery at Unity, New Hampshire. George W.acquired his education in the public schools and the Randolph State Normal, where he remained two years and later spent one year at the Black River Academy at Ludlow, Vermont. Mr. Nichols' mother died when he was about nine years of age. His grand- father, who was a sea captain, reached the age of 104 years, and his grandmother lived to be 102 years. Early in life George W. worked on farms for his food and clothing for seven years. He then went to Bos- ton, Massachusetts, where he learned the plumbing trade and followed it up to 1876. Going to Hillsboro Bridge, New Hampshire, he was fore- man for a large concern for three years and later he went to Great Falls, Montana, to engage in the plumbing business. He worked in Chi- cago and went from St. Paul to Yellowstone Park to take charge of the plumbing and steamfitting in the Grand Fountain Hotel. Coming to the Pacific Coast, he visited Tacoma, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco, and later settled in San Diego, where he engaged in the hardware and plumbing business, where he remained for seven years. In September, 1900, he came to Imperial County, where he took up eighty acres, which is one of the fine places of his section. He was associated with the real estate business for ten years, and hauled people from San
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