USA > California > Imperial County > The history of Imperial County, California > Part 46
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FELIX G. HAVENS .- Among the men of Imperial County who by reason of their progressive and enterprising ideas and methods have
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come to be regarded as representative citizens is numbered Felix G. Havens. He was born in Jefferson County, Mo., April 5, 1862, a son of Thomas and Prudence Havens. Mr. Havens acquired his education in the practical school of experience. At an early age he followed farming in Mississippi and studied during his leisure time. At times he would attend school for a few months. Between the ages of twelve and twenty-four years he worked much of the time in the cotton fields. Later he became identified with the Acma Publishing Company of Chicago and traveled extensively. In January, 1887, Mr. Havens decided to re- move to the Golden State, and located in Riverside until the fall of 1888, when he went to Northern California and located in Mendocino County, where he took up timber land. Here he remained until January, 1891. From this time until 1897 he was identified with the horticultural commission and for three years he served as horticultural commissioner in Riverside County, having held the position to the satisfaction of his locality. He was then tendered the position of superintendent of the experimental station for the University of Arizona. Here he remained from May, 1897, to March, 1898. Again he served Riverside County in the same capacity from March, 1898, to 1901. Mr. Havens then re- moved to Imperial County to look after his own interests near Silsbee and Calexico. He has the distinction of being the first man to plant 265 acres of barley in the county. Having brought his place up to a high state of cultivation, he naturally had what might be called "a show place." In 1902 he brought the first shipment of swine to the Valley. In July, 1903, he was appointed U. S. commissioner, with offices in Im- perial, where most of the land filings and proofs were made. Mr. Havens held this office until December, 1904, when the law for re- survey of these lands caused them all to be withdrawn from entry. When the office of commissioner was abolished Mr. Havens purchased the Imperial Valley Press, which he continued to publish until 1905. In March, 1906, the paper was removed to El Centro, where it has since been published. In the spring of 1907 Mr. Havens was delegated to go to Washington, D. C., to represent the people of his locality for the purpose of recovering claims caused by the overflow of the Colorado River, these claims amounting to over $800,000. On his return he be- came an active supporter in the movement to secure El Centro as the county seat. Mr. Havens served as the first city clerk of El Centro, from
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guy Urquhart
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1908 to 1910. He is one of the organizers of the Imperial Laguna Wa- ter Company, and served as one of the first directors. He has made a special study of the land laws applying to the peculiar condition of Im- perial Valley, and is one of the best posted men in this respect in the county. For eight years he has served as court commissioner. Mr. Havens has large realty holdings in the county. He has a well improved ranch of 175 acres near Holtville, and has 1280 acres of school land under the Laguna Water Company. His marriage occurred December 25, 1890, to Miss Martha English, and they have one son, Morris. Mr. Havens served as the first justice of the peace, recorder, and secretary of the chamber of commerce.
GUY URQUHART .- No better example of what may be accom- plished by a man of energy and enterprise than the career of Guy Urquhart, dealer in motorcycles, bicycles and sporting goods, 674 Main Street, El Centro. Starting out in life unaided and without finances, he has made a success. He was born August 18, 1894, in Louisville, Ken- tucky, a son of John and Della (Schurmer) Urquhart. His father is a resident of San Diego and his mother died in Los Angeles and was buried in Rosedale Cemetery of that city. The subject of this review received a limited education and at the age of fourteen he started out in life and learned his trade in Los Angeles and San Diego, which he has always followed. He started to walk from San Diego to El Centro and had thirty-five cents in his pocket. He demonstrated that neither finances nor influence are necessary to the man with determination to win life's battles. He had his kit of tools and readily found employ- ment. He saved and worked hard and has built up a business that would do credit to a larger city, and today Mr. Urquhart is considered one of the substantial business men of the community. He has the confidence and esteem of his business associates. Mr. Urquhart was united in mar- riage with Miss Hazel Gribble, a native of Oregon.
JOSEPH A. ESTUDILLO .- The life record of Joseph A. Estudillo is interwoven with the history of Imperial County. His parents indeed are of the true pioneers of Southern California, and his father, Hon. Fran- cisco Estudillo, was one of the first men to locate in Southern Califor- nia. He served as United States Indian Agent for a period of four years
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during Grover Cleveland's administration. Mr. Estudillo's father was the owner of fifty-five hundred acres of land where the town of Hemet is located. At present the family have a ranch of two hundred and fifty acres in Riverside County. Joseph A. was born in San Jacinto, July 12, 1876. He acquired his education in St. Vincent's and Santa Clara col- leges. During the early period in Imperial County, C. R. Rockwood and Dr. W. T. Heffernan purchased of Mr. Estudillo's father thirty-eight head of stock to be used in the engineering department in Imperial Val- ley, and Dr. Heffernan went to San Jacinto and made his selection of horses, and Joseph A., the subject of this review, accompanied him to the Valley, where he has always remained with the exception of five and a half years, when he traveled extensively. Mr. Estudillo acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land near Imperial, and now has eighty acres under cultivation. He was married November 19, 1916, to Miss Ida Twelves, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Orson Twelves. Mr. Estudillo is a member of the Native Sons, and both he and his wife are active members of the Catholic church of Calexico. Mr. Estudillo started the first drug store in Calexico. He also served as the first postmaster of Calexico for a period of four years under the Cleveland administration. After he disposed of his drug store in 1910 he looked after mining in- terests for a time. Mr. Estudillo has the good-will and confidence of all who are associated with him.
WILLIAM W. APPLE, M. D .- Among the professional men of Im- perial County is Dr. William W. Apple, who has practiced his profes- sion for many years with ever-increasing success. He is one of the men of his chosen county who, by reason of his personal integrity and abil- ity, is recognized as one of the leading men in his locality. Dr. Apple was born in Young's Creek, Indiana, September 4, 1861, a son of W. C. and Elizabeth (Low) Apple. He received his education in the public schools of Young's Creek. At the age of eighteen he began teaching school and taught for seven years. In 1888 he entered the normal school of Mitchell, Indiana, and graduated from that institution in 1889. He was made principal of the Conyersville, Tennessee, graded schools for a period of three years, and during that time he studied medicine and entered the hospital college of medicine at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1889, graduating in 1892 with the degree of M. D. He was the first
H. GFuller M. J.
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honor man of the class. Dr. Apple started to practice his profession in the latter part of 1892, at St. Francisville, Illinois, remaining there until 1896, when he removed to Carmi, Illinois, and at this place he remained until the fall of 1899. In that year he removed to Los Angeles, Califor- nia, where he practiced until 1905, then going to Stanislaus County to look after his property interests there. In 1910 he came to El Centro and has since been identified with this city. The doctor has had ranch holdings in Riverside, Stanislaus and Imperial counties. His ranch in Imperial County produced a crop of grape fruit in 1917. He is a member of the State and County Medical Society. Fraternally the doctor is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P. He was united in marriage at Orangeville, Indiana, July 27, 1889, to Miss M. H. Hat- field, a daughter of William and Sarah Hatfield, a prominent family of that locality. To this union have been born a son and daughter, Cheer- ful H. and William L. The latter is identified with the Holton Power Company. Dr. Apple's ancestors are of German extraction and came to America previous to the Revolutionary war.
HENRY J. FULLER, M. D., is one of the representative citizens and honored and progressive professional men of Imperial County. Dr. Fuller was born at Vergenes, Vermont, June 3, 1852, son of Ezra and Caroline Fuller. His father fought in the Civil war and fell in the battle of Petersburg at the age of thirty-five. Dr. Fuller's mother is living at Hill City, Kansas, and has reached the age of ninety-two. The grand- parents of Dr. Fuller came from France and settled in Canada, and later settled in New England States. The subject of this review ac- quired his education at the Louisville Medical College, where he re- ceived his degree of M. D. in 1876. He then attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, taking a postgraduate course. For one year Dr. Fuller took the chair of gynecology at this institution. He located at Millbrook, Kansas, where he practiced his profession for twenty years. He was appointed United States surgeon at this place for a period of ten years. He then served as surgeon for the Kansas divi- sion of the United Pacific Railroad, which office he held for five years. He was a member for many years of the Kansas State Board of Health. Owing to his health, Dr. Fuller removed to California and located at Riverside, where he practiced for three years. Locating in Imperial,
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Dr. Fuller established the Valley Fruit Company. He started the corner drug store in Imperial, he having studied pharmacy. He was a member of the American Medical Association and various State associations, but owing to his ill health he was obliged to give up practicing his pro- fession. Fraternally he is a member of the K. of P. lodge. Dr. Fuller married in Illinois, March 14, 1875, Miss Ella M. Hushaw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hushaw, both deceased. Five children blessed this union. Kate died in 1906 and is buried in Richland, Oregon ; Roy, a practicing physician, resides in Los Angeles; Frank, a druggist, in Los Angeles ; Harry, a first lieutenant in the U. S. Army ; Ruth, wife of Harry Sheldon of Imperial. The great uncle of Dr. Fuller had the ap- pointment as minister of the interior of France.
JASPER L. TRAVERS is a man of progressive and enterprising ideas and methods, and is one of Imperial County's leading and influential citizens because of the prominence he has attained in promoting the permanent interests of the community along all lines. Mr. Travers is as- sociated with industrial, commercial and financial enterprises, and he can indeed be numbered among the builders and promoters of Imperial County's growth and greatness. His efforts have found tangible result in the development of El Centro. He seems to possess almost an intu- itive perception in recognizing opportunities that many others pass heedlessly by, and by utilizing such opportunities he has advanced to a prominent position among the leaders of Imperial County. The subject of this review is a native of Massachusetts. His birth occurred Febru- ary 15, 1872, a son of Robert and Ann Travers. His father was formerly a sea captain and followed the seas for many years, and visited many countries. He gave up this vocation in 1890, when he removed to Cali- fornia and became identified with orange growing. His death occurred in Redlands, April 22, 1910. Jasper L. Travers removed to Redlands in 1898, and in 1905 he came to El Centro, where he played an important part in the early history of the town. He has the distinction of erecting the first structures on the townsite. Mr. Travers is one of the foremost and in point of residence the oldest contractor in El Centro. He erected many permanent buildings in this city which have added to the beautifi- cation of the town. Among the structures erected by him may be men- tioned the Oregon Hotel, a three-story brick building; the El Centro
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Hotel, a two-story brick building with annex; the El Centro National Bank building, the Peterson block, the Bill block, the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, and many handsome schools, ice plant, the pow- er station, the laundry, creamery and oil plant, and many other sub- stantial buildings and residences, all proof of his mechanical skill. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Masonic lodge and the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, and has held the office of Noble Grand of the latter order in Redlands. He is one of the men who assisted in creating the I. O. O. F. lodge of El Centro. He is also a member of the Eagles lodge and Woodmen of the World, and has filled all the chairs in the two lat- ter orders. Politically Mr. Travers gives his support to the Republican party, but can always be counted upon to cast his vote for the man, ir- respective of party. In April, 1912, he was elected a member of the grammar school educational board of El Centro, and for the past six years he has been honored as president of that body, and he served as city councilman for some time. He is vice-president of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce and is a director of the Security Commercial and Savings Bank of El Centro. Mr. Travers was united in marriage January 31, 1893, with Miss Emma J. Snow, of Nova Scotia. To this union have been born one daughter, Ruth, born in Redlands, California, July 4, 1902. Mr. Travers is the only contractor that maintains an office the year around and is located at 508 Main Street, El Centro.
ALEXANDER L. RICHMOND .- Ceaseless industry, supplemented by sound judgment, has rendered possible the success gained by Alex- ander L. Richmond, president of the Barbara Worth Hotel Company, of El Centro, California, since 1915. He is a man of progressive and enterprising ideas and methods, and is a descendant of one of the best known and highly respected colonial families in America. His ances- tors are of English origin and came to America in 1594. The family rec- ords date back to 1040 A. D. The first of the American family, John Richmond, settled in Tonkin, Rhode Island, and the family became famous and were distinguished paper manufacturers for many years. Alexander L. Richmond was born in Lima, Ohio, March 1, 1866, a son of D. C. and Laura (Drucker) Richmond. He attended the public and high schools of Lima, Ohio, after which he entered the Notre Dame University at South Bend, Indiana. At the age of twenty he became
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identified with railroad construction and the operating departments of various railroad systems throughout the East. He attained prominence and distinguished himself by filling the office of auditor of the Detroit & Lima Northern and the Detroit, Toledo and Milwaukee railways. Through the various stages of progression he advanced to a builder of railroads. The name of Alexander L. Richmond was regarded as synonymous with railroad development in the East. He built the Wa- bash Pittsburgh Terminal Railway, the Pittsburgh and Butler Rail- road, the Franklin & Clearfield Railroad, the Coal and Coke Railroad in West Virginia, the Newburg branch of the Erie Railroad, the Shenan- doah Valley Railroad in Virginia. He built a section of the Erie Canal and the Oil Belt Railroad in Illinois. After an eventful period of many years of close application and identification with the railroad business throughout the Eastern States, Mr. Richmond came to Imperial Coun- ty, California, where he is the president of the Barbara Worth Hotel, one of the most imposing and modern hotels in California. Fraternally Mr. Richmond is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding member- ship in the Blue Lodge at Pittsburg. He was united in marriage May 5, 1894, to Miss Clara B. Worrell, of Staunton, Virginia, a daughter of George Worrell, who was one of the highly esteemed citizens of his locality. Richmond, Wisconsin, was named after this historic family. Mr. Richmond was at one time owner of the Hotel Lincoln, in Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, and was connected with the banking and industrial interests of that city for a number of years. He has served as president of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce and had the good-will and con- fidence of all who were associated with him while he held that office. Mr. Richmond is a member and one of the vice-presidents of the League of the Southwest. Its purpose is to bring the great Southwest into closer alliance, social and commercial, and to link communities in a spirit of brotherhood, the promotion of the civic, commercial and social interests of the territory embraced within the organization. Am- bition, energy and a progressive spirit, have brought A. L. Richmond to a position of prominence and distinction among the builders of rail- roads of the East; and, in Imperial County, California, he is considered a man of forceful personality and effective ability. His attention, how- ever, is now concentrated upon his business affairs, in which he has met with well-deserved success.
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WALTER E. PACKARD .- A history of Imperial Valley would not be complete without a mention of Walter E. Packard, who is one of the most highly esteemed and deservedly respected citizens of the Valley. He has been closely associated with the agricultural development since 1909 as the local representative of the College of Agriculture of the University of California. His work at the Imperial Valley Experiment Farm, of which he was superintendent, has had an important influence in moulding the farming practice of the Valley. Mr: Packard has taken an active interest in irrigation affairs, having represented Imperial Val- ley in conferences in Washington on two different occasions. As presi- dent of the Farm Bureau he took a leading part in promoting agricul- tural co-operation. Mr. Packard was born in Oak Park, Illinois, Febru- ary 22, 1884, a son of Samuel Ware and Clara A. (Fish) Packard. His father was a native of Massachusetts and his mother was a native of New York. In the parents' family there were five children. Walter E., after attending the Oak Park Public and high school, graduated from the Iowa State College and later took the degree of master of science from the University of California. He spent some time in Idaho in de- veloping a claim and later took a position as special investigator for the office of Irrigation Investigations of the U. S. Department of Agricul- ture. In 1909 Mr. Packard took the position as special representative of the College of Agriculture in Imperial Valley, and as a result of his work several bulletins have been published by the University of Cali- fornia. In July, 1917, Mr. Packard accepted the position as Assistant State Leader of Farm Advisers in California. Mr. Packard was united in marriage December 20, 1909, to Miss Emma Leonard, of Waukee, Iowa. Two children have been born, Clara Eleanor, born November 2, 1910, and Emma Louise, born April 15, 1914. Mrs. Packard graduated from the Iowa State College in 1907 as a classmate of Mr. Packard and, before her marriage, spent some time in South Carolina in social work among the mill workers. While in the Valley Mrs. Packard took an active interest in child study work as chairman of the Home Eco- nomics section of the Woman's Ten Thousand Club.
BENJAMIN SHANK .- One of Imperial County's progressive and influential ranchers is Benjamin Shank, the subject of this review. In- cidentally Mr. Shank is the owner of 160 acres of highly cultivated land
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in Water Company No. 5, near Brawley. Success has come to Mr. Shank, and it is primarily through his individual efforts, coupled with broad business foresight, that he has achieved the enviable position which is his today. Mr. Shank came to Imperial County in the fall of 1905, and can, as the result, be well and truly classed among the pio- neers of the Valley which was once a vast desert, with the water holes few and far between. He was born in Saline County, Kansas, January 9, 1885, the son of Bernard H. and Katherine (Wieland) Shank. Ben- jamin received his education in Saline County's public schools and left the institutions of learning at the age of 17 years. Being practical, Mr. Shank engaged as a ranch hand until he came to this county, where he engaged for a while with Thomas O'Brien. Later he filed on eighty acres and some time thereafter purchased the balance of his land, all of which at the time was rough, barren, desert land. This he leveled and rounded out in such shape that shortly he was able to raise crops most successfully, and now his holding is producing a yearly harvest which is highly remunerative. Mr. Shank has planted 600 trees and all the buildings since erected about the place are modern in every detail. In the raising of cattle and particularly hogs Mr. Shank has been most successful. He also sells grain extensively. Mr. Shank is a stockholder of the Imperial Valley Bank, and when he votes on political questions can always be depended upon to affix his mark next to the name of the man most deserving. He was married at Brawley, California, October 25, 1910, to Miss Emma Schoneman. Their three children are Evelyn, born in El Centro; Ella, born on the ranch, and Burton, born on the home place. Mr. Shank, undoubtedly, comes under the head of self- made men. He is industrious at all times, and devotes his energies in the direction of pursuits which are far-reaching in their effectiveness. All he has gained today in the way of worldly goods represents an achievement which resulted from his own individual efforts.
LOYAL A. STRIEBY .- Prominent among the wide-awake and pro- gressive ranchers of Imperial County is Loyal A. Strieby. He has done much in advancing the material prosperity of this county and has the good-will and esteem of all who know him. Mr. Strieby came to the Valley in 1908. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1866, a son of Samuel and Eliza (Johnston) Strieby. His grandfather fought
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in the war of 1812. Mr. Strieby's parents are both deceased and buried in Ontario, California. Loyal A. acquired his education in the public schools of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, after which he attended the Greens- boro Academy. He came to Imperial Valley in 1908. Upon his arrival here he purchased his present ranch of 160 acres, which is now in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Strieby is largely identified with the stock business and owns about 200 head of fine stock. His place is well adap- ted for stock and general ranching and under Mr. Strieby's manage- ment the ranch has been made to prosper materially. He was married at Cucamonga, California, April 4, 1904, to Miss Grace Fifield, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey Fifield, who reside at Cucamonga, Califor- nia. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Strieby : Margaret and Samuel were born in Cucamonga, and William and Florence were born on the ranch. Mr. Strieby is in every respect a self-made man. He started out in life without influential friends or funds and through his own energy and business foresight he has made a handsome compe- tency.
ROBERT GRAHAM ELMORE .- Prominent mention should be made in the pages of this, the first standard history of Imperial County, of Robert Graham Elmore, one of the Valley's most practical ranchers and the owner of 160 acres of highly cultivated land in Water Com- pany No. 5, near Brawley. Mr. Elmore is a pioneer of the Valley, hav- ing arrived in this fertile zone during February, 1908. He was born in Pettis County, Missouri, August 28, 1889, the son of John E. and Carrie May (Jenkins) Elmore. Mr. Elmore's father came to the Valley in March, 1908, and owns, with his wife, 640 acres of land which is prized property of the county. Originally this holding was rough, desert country, but through the efforts put forth, coupled with a thorough knowledge of agriculture, it is now noted for its productiveness. Mr. Elmore received his education in the public school of Corona, Califor- nia, and for six months he attended the Los Angeles High School. He left the high school and for over three years attended Polytechnic. Robert G. has always lived on a ranch and has always found it expedi- ent to assist his parents on the home place whenever possible. Even during his school days Mr. Elmore devoted his activities to orchard work and later to general farming, raising barley, wheat and corn most
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