USA > Florida > Orange County > Early settlers of Orange County, Florida; reminiscent-historic-biographic, 1915 > Part 4
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The demonstration that this can be done is before our eyes. Mr. Nehrling has set an example of what can be done on high pine land with knowledge, patience, love and en- thusiasm and adaptatation to circumstances. Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland are fast be- coming winter resorts. They are bound to be- come still more so in the future. One of the best colleges in the South, Rollins College, is located in this region. Rich Northern people, cultured and refined, are building costly winter homes everywhere. They naturally look around to find out what they can do to adorn their place properly. They feel instinctively that Northern trees and shrubs cannot and ought. not to find a place in their grounds. What really will do well-the most beautiful native and exotic plants-can be easily seen in this garden, and Mr. Nehrling is always willing and very obliging to give his advice free to everybody who asks for it. Being a philan- thropist in the best sense of the word he al- ways finds pleasure in helping people along.
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EARLY SETTLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY
JAMES BAILEY MAGRUDER
J. B. MAGRUDER
"Bailey" Magruder, as he is familiarly known, has had a remarkable Florida experi- ence. He is a constructor and had he the ad- vantages of a Vanderbilt in wealth, he would build a city.
Very few men amid discouragements and hard knocks could show so much as a result of their labor as Mr. Magruder, who is pos- sessed of faith, foresight, grit and get-there far above the average man.
In 1872 he was brought by his father, Major C. B. Magruder, to Rock Ledge, Indian River, from Georgia. His trading proclivities devel- oped at an early age, for at fifteen he was master of a boat and started the first trading boat on the Indian River, when the settlers of all that region depended upon the periodical visits of these stores on boats for their gro- ceries and general goods. Even the Seminole Indians eagerly looked for Magrudler's boat and freely traded with him for such articles as captured their fancy.
In 1878 he decided to move to Orange Coun- ty and first located at Lake Howell, and en- gaged in orange growing, in time having as many as seventeen groves in cultivation. Ile
established a livery business in Sanford, also buying and selling horses, mules and wagons. While trading thus extensively he, like many others, touched bottom when the great freeze swept everything away, losing 95 per cent of all he owned.
In 1900 he decided to remove to Orlando, where he went into the livery and sales busi- ness. Gradually he bought up various proper- ties until he became possessed of splendid orange groves, farms and city property.
His first building venture was "The Arcade." now occupied by the United States postoffice .. Southern Express Company, Branche's Book Store, Sentinel Printing office and a dozen other lines, besides a large rooming house.
His next building venture was "The Lu- cerne Theatre," a long-needed improvement and the best opera house Orlando has ever had. Then he built a new brick livery stable, following that with "Oak Lodge," a large rooming house in the eastern part of the city, and completed his extensive constructive op- erations to this date by erecting the large four-story Empire Hotel.
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EARLY SETTLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY
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W. J. HILL
W. J. HILL
W. J. Hill is the oldest business man in the hardware line in Florida, and claims to have lived longer in Sanford that anyone else.
"Funny how I came to Florida in the first place," said he. "I was born in London, Eng- land. March 15th, 1842. I came to New York in July, '72. I worked as an interpreter in the election race of Grant and Greeley, as most of the people did not understand the Cock- ney language. Worked at this until the election was over. It was cold and uncomfortable. One day I met an Englishman I knew. 'Tell me,' said I, 'Where do all of the blooming swells go when it gets like this?' 'To Florida, my chap,' said he, and to Florida this swell immediately went.
"Our steamer stopped at Savannah, and I bought a map, and started to walk to Florida, as it looked a short distance on the map. I walked until I came to about a half dozen houses, and I asked a lady if that was Florida, and she laughed, and asked me where I came from, and said, 'No, young man, this is Jessup, Georgia.' I then made my way from there by train and boat until I got to Jacksonville. At that time it was a mud-hole. I went south with two Georgia men, who were going to Fort Meade. They had hired a man and boat to take them south, and asked me to go with them, which I did. We landed at the place now called Sanford; then, the smallest place
in the world, and I had come from the largest place.
"I looked about. Not even a policeman around, and you may be sure there was no- body else. Everything was bathed in warm sunshine. It was just the place I wanted. I saw tropical trees loaded with fruit. The river, we knew, swarmed with fish. We caught sight of a covey of quail. I made a quick decision. 'Captain,' I said, 'I will stop here.' So we were left there with nothing but guns and ammunition.
"The first night we slept on the ground. At least they did. I was too scared of snakes. I got up and took a walk, still scared of snakes. I lay down, but you should have seen me get up. I thought I was bitten by a snake, and I hallowed, and asked them to do some- thing for me, as I should soon die. So they tried to find the place where I was bitten, and pulled out a sand spur. I asked them what animal it was that bit me, or was it one of those stingarees, that I had heard the boat- men talking about. Should I die? And they said that I would have to be very careful, and put pine gum on it, which I did. When night came, I couldn't get my pants off. They stuck to the gum. They had to cut a piece out to get them off. I sent that sand spur to my sister in England to show her what I had been through.
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EARLY SETTLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY
"The next day the Georgia men started to Fort Meade. I went with them for about three miles. I asked an old gentleman ( Aleck Vaughn's father, sitting in an orange grove with no fence around it, 'What is the name of this place?' He told us that it was Fort Ried. I said, 'Let us go to the Fort and see the soldiers.'
"He said: 'This is the Fort' (meaning his house ) 'and I am the soldiers.'
At first I slept on the ground. Then one day an old sugar barrel floated up the river, and I hauled it ashore and used it to sleep in. Uncomfortable ? Bless you, I just knocked out the head, and lay in it, and it was fine. Nice current of air all night. Most of the time I ate quail. Didn't have to shoot them. Just made a net and always had a supply. Well, things were going along fine, when I ac- cidentally killed a pig, and had to skip down and live among the Seminole Indians for six months. (Better for me if I had shot a man.)
"During that time I discovered some of the phosphate beds that have made fortunes for others. Didn't know what phosphate was, and worse luck, didn't know that I could have squatted on 500 acres of land anywhere, and eventually owned it, it not having been sur- veyed by the U. S. Government at that time. Yes; I liked the Seminoles all right, only they
wouldn't talk, and I always liked folks to be sociable. But the alligators furnished plenty of music. We killed fully 1.000 during the time I was among the Indians, in 1876.
"When 1 came back to Sanford, I got an- other sugar barrel, and added it to my sleep- ing quarters. Then after some time, the cap- tain of a steamer brought me down a piano box. Some time after this, I built a small room in the top of a live oak tree, and put a sign on it-'No Boarders Wanted'
"Previous to that time there was no civilized person in the whole neighborhood but myself. Negroes were not allowed to stop there. Oc- casionally I saw some of the 'Cracker' people. The occasional visitor who got to coming to Sanford would take me for a wild man. And today, there is a town of 7,000 people where I lived in a sugar barrel, and the country there- abouts is well settled. When I first went there, some times as much as three weeks would pass without my seeing a soul.
"When the city was incorporated, in 1877, there were but 8 people living in Sanford who could vote, and its borders were extended to include the Swede settlement, three miles dis- tant, so that there might be votes enough to make it a town. As I was inspector, and the Swedes could not read or write, I was their proxy, and did all the voting myself."
H. A. LUMSDEN
H. A. LUMSDEN
Born in Talbot Coun- ty, Ga., Oct. 22, 1854, Mr. Lumsden em- igrated to
Orange County, Fla., in January, 1886, locat- ing in Apop- ka. Later, he moved to Clay Spring, and after- ward to Or- lando, Janu- ary. 1887.
a
He became merchant and was so engaged for nine years,
and was afterward appointed on the police force of the city, serving three years.
His business for many years has been con- nected with the city liveries, being a fine judge of horses and mules, and for several years past he has conducted a livery business in Orlando, and, although Orlando has the. reputation of having more automobiles than any other Southern city (one to every four- teen inhabitants) the livery business is still of great importance as the demand for horses and mules seems never to diminish.
Mr. Lumsden is a hunter of reputation and his guidance has been sought by many sports- men during the hunting season, for he knows the country and understands the game.
Many of the older citizens who were sports- men first and business men on occasions, rel- ish with satisfaction the memory of those fine old hunting days when they and "Lum" "took to the woods" and interviewed the quail and the turkey and frequently the deer and some- times the bear.
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35
FAIRLY SETTLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY
A. A. STONE
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A mile and a half northwest of Mait- land lies the grove known for the past thirty years or more as the grove of A. A. Stone & Son.
This grove has been brought to its present state of productiveness ness through the ceaseless energy and sound business sense of A. A. Stone and his son, L. L. Stone.
The senior mem- ber of this partner- ship, Alvord Alon- A. A. STONE z0 Stone, was born in Killingworth, Connecticut, August 24th, 1829. Though fa- miliar with all kinds of farm work, he also learned the business of the fisherman, and
from the age of sixteen to about forty he was captain of a crew that plied their craft suc- cessfully throughout the fishing season, April to November.
The winters furnished variety by affording the opportunity to get the ship timber which proved profitable employment.
He early showed great interest in grafting trees and many a tree of his neighbor's as well as his own orchard testifies still to his success . in this line of work.
With such appreciation of tree culture it is not strange that Florida appealed to him as a most delightful place of residence. Accord- ingly, in 1883, the move was made from Guil- ford, Conn., his residence since 1867, to Mait- land, Florida.
With the help of his son, L. L. Stone, he built a four-roomed dwelling, which became the ell of the house erected later.
In every community he and his good wife have always stood for the best things, while their married life, now rounding out sixty-five years, has been remarkable for its devotion and joy through all the changes that have come to them.
2034509
L. L. STONE
His orange grove was the first to come into bearing after the years spent in recruiting it from the destruction of the freeze and he helped to rehabilitate many another grove by setting his fine budded trees.
The junior member of this partnership, Lov- ell Lazell Stone, was born in Killingworth, Connecticut, November 16th, 1857.
In his tenth year the removal to Guilford took place, where his education was continued in the public schools of that thriving borough, including Guilford Institute, now the local high school. After a season's work with his father in the fishing business, he took a course at Eastman's Business College. Poughkeepsie, N. Y., which served him well in the business of these late years.
He became interested in Florida and came to the State in 1883 in company with his par- ents, and in the pioneer work that fell to their lot he made many friends who stood by him in many trying experiences, and in turn, he proved a firm friend to many in need.
He took special charge of the stone business which was carried on several years, and the good condition of that work today testifies to his thoroughness and reliability.
His daily life gave evidence of a strong Christian character. He was active in Sunday School work and in the cause of temperance.
On August 22nd, 1914. the bite of a rattlesnake caused his death, and his parents were de- prived of the strong support that had borne them up so faithfully.
I .. I .. STONE
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EARLY SETTLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY
N. H. FOGG
Boston has contributed a number of citizens to Orange Coun- ty, but none more valuable than MIr. N. H. Fogg. In the earlier days, when the electrical pro- fession was in its infancy, Mr. Fogg was an electrician in the employ of the R. H. White Dry
Goods Co., of Boston, He N. H. FOGG came to Or- ange County, Florida, in 1884, locating in Altamonte Springs, where near this famous medicinal spring he has
a fine grove and a beautiful home-place. He devoted his attention to the development of his own property, experimented in orange growing, pecan raising and in the cultivation of rare tropical and semi-tropical shrubs, trees, Japan cane, etc., giving the result of his ex- periments to the public far and near, through the various Florida newspapers of which he was the valued correspondent. His newspaper work was of an interesting order, always practical and yet very entertaining and when- ever the name of N. H. Fogg was attached to an article in the Jacksonville Times-Union, Tampa Tribune, Orlando Reporter-Star, Sen- tinel and Citizen, one could always rest as- sured that there was something well worth reading at hand. In this way he has done some very excellent constructive work for Orange County, and many a man has received great encouragement from his many sketches.
For some years Mr. Fogg has been retired on his orange grove and takes life easy, rest- ing assured that he has been among those valued early pioneers who have not lived in vain.
MRS. ELIZABETH M. SAUNDERS-MASSEY
Usually men are the earlier settlers in any new section, and it is so in Orange County; but there were some women who braved the hard life incident to the up-building of the county, and then there are others who arrived after the way had been blazed and homes and groves took the place of log cabins and forest.
Among these last named is Mrs. Saunders- Massey, who came to Orange County from Toronto, Canada, where her husband was connected with the Taylor Safe Manufactur- ing Company, turning out a product known the world over.
The primary object in coming to Florida was her son's health, and the sightly mansion on the hill-side and orange grove known as the "Hoosier Springs Grove" was selected with this in view. It is a most beautiful lo- cation, overlooking "The Three Graces" Lakes, "Faith," "Hope." and "Charity," which viewed when the setting Florida sun casts its many hned rays over the limpid waters, is a picture
well worth an artist's vision. Mrs. Saund- ers-Massy lo- cated in Or- ange County, but the dìvid- ing lìne of Seminole was ut immediate- ly along her southward property line, SO that she now lives in Seminole County. She can throw an
orange across into Orange County.
ELIZABETH M. SAUNDERS- MASSY
EARLY SETTLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY
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BERNHART HUPPLE
BERNHART HUPPLE
With his wife,
Friederika, Mr. Hupple came from Gotha, Germany, in 1883, and locat- ed in Olivia, now Gotha, Orange County, Florida.
Originally a
marble cutter, he found no opportu- nity in this line in his new home, and gave his attention to mill work and orange growing in the employ of Mr. Hemple, of Buffa- lo, N. Y., who de- veloped a large property in Gotha.
Later he worked in fruit growing for Mr. Koehne. In the year 1885 he purchased the home place, including a farm of ten acres, which today is a model farm of its sort. In 1895 Mr. Hupple thought he would try the North, and worked for a time in Louisville, Ky .. but the South appealed to him and Florida sand had gotten into his shoes and he soon came to the conclusion that, although there were draw-backs in Florida and Gotha was not altogether free from them, it was better here in the open, care-free life of a farmer, than in the over-populous hard-driven city, and he returned and went industriously to work, as a German always will, and determined to wrest success out of the ground. Here he lived, la- bored and finally died, aged 57, April 20, 1914.
His memory is cherished fondly by his family and friends, and his life and labors, although ended all too soon. will never be forgotten by them who loved him.
L. C. OSBORN
L. C. OSBORN AND WIFE
November 7th, 1881, this active citizen re- moved from Indiana to Zellwood, Florida, en- tering into the fruit business with his father, and later established a store in the town, do- ing business together from 1889 to 1913.
For twenty years he has held the responsi- ble office of School Trustee and four years
has been the postmaster. He is now also acting deputy of registration. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Five children came to bless his household, one daughter and four sons.
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E.IRLY SETTLERS OF OR.INGE COUNTY
W. T. BERRY
In February of 1884, Mr. W. T. Berry left Russell County, Ala., for Orange County, Fla. After spend- ing three years in fruit culture, in 1887 he entered in- to the mercantile line at Wekiva Springs for two years, and then turned his atten- tion to railroading as agent for the Florida Midland, the T. O. & A., and in 1892 became connected with the Seaboard Air Line W. T. BERRY at Apopka, where he has served as station agent ever since, making twenty-four years of continuous railroad service, a fine record for a faithful man.
Mr. Berry not only proved himself a valued and faithful employee of the railroads, but he ranks as a good and useful citizen of his chosen town, where his attainments have been readily recognized and rewarded by the people.
No more honorable positions can be filled by any man than on the governing board of his city, where he is best known by friends and neighbors, and on the educational board, which has to do with the fitting of the on-coming generation. In these places Mr. Berry has evidenced his fitness by unremitting attention and fidelity. Apopka takes especial pride in her schools, for her citizens are among the first in the State, many of the first settlers having located there and many of them re- mained.
For fifteen years he served as town coun- cilman, and for six years has been trustee of the public school district, for eight years alderman and for two years justice of the peace. All these offices he has filled with honor and fidelity. Mr. Berry was married in 1891, and has two children, Jeane V. and Thomas W.
TYRANNUS J. MINOR
Georgia has sent many good citizens down to Florida, and among them came Mr. T. J. Minor in December, 1885, locating at Crown Point. A farmer for years in Guyette Coun- ty, Ga., he went into merchandising and upon coming to Florida he soon opened a store known as T. J. Minor & Brother, and except for four years, 1895-99, he has continued in business at Ocoee.
Ococe was one of the earliest settled spots in Orange County and has ever been a busy place, surrounded with luxuriant orange groves and profitable gardens. The residents are community-loving folks and the prosperity of the section has depended on men of char- acter and energy, and among these men Mr. Minor has been prominently identified as a community builder and as a business prospect- or.
In 1893 he was appointed postmaster and held the office 14 years, and was supervisor of the Ocoee schools for several years.
Twice he was a heavy loser by fire, in 1908,
and two years later, but with true Georgia grit he persevered and now owns 18 acres of orange groves, har- vesting 1,000 boxes with prospects of increase this fall.
He, with J. O. Maguire, became interested in the Ocoee orange packing house and it is in successful operation to this day.
He became asso- ciated with the Citrus Exchange in 1909, and was its secretary till 1914.
Mr. Minor has a family of five laughters and one 5011. .
TYRANNUS J. MINOR
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EARLY SETTLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY
JAMES W. GRAVES
J. W. GRAVES
J. W. Graves can safely be counted an original Orange County man, because he was born in Crown Point, Orange County, Fla., May 30, 1876.
After graduating in the county schools he engaged in farming and citrus fruit growing, in which he has been successful. He has been connected with the Ocoee orange packing house for twelve years and has demonstrated his ability in the business.
During the past season he has been exten- sively engaged in growing tomatoes and water- melons for market. His tomato farm covered ten acres and 250 acres of watermelons, truly a planter on a large scale. Mr. Graves and family, of wife and one child, Helen Louise, a little over two years of age, live in a pretty residence in Ocoee, though Mr. Graves is the owner of a fine ten-acre orange grove at Crown Point.
I. W. GRAVES
In the year 1871, Mr. Graves emigrated from Georgia, though the original family home was in North Carolina, where his father was a builder and contractor of considerable note. In those days the broad-ax was very useful in building, and he had a reputation for wield- ing this implement.
He was a true pioneer with all of the early settlers' instincts-and the new and wild sec- tions of Florida held out many alluring in- ducements to him.
The question with him, as with many other newcomers seeking a home and fortune, was whether to locate along one of the natural water courses or go farther into the interior of the State, as each locality held out enticing inducements, somewhat differing in character and it was rather a difficult matter to decide which of the two would develop the sooner.
Mr. I. W. Graves first located at Titusville, on the Indian River, after a time moving to Lake Butler, Orange County, where he cleared the wild hammock and planted the Chase grove.
Here he lived for seven years and then re- moved to Crown Point, living there for seven- teen years, all the while grew oranges and vegetables.
In 1903 he made a final move to Ocoee, where he has continued in his favorite line of business to this day. Men of this kind, the produc- ers of the county, make her most val- uable citizens. The children of this busy man and his wife are James WV. Graves, Minnie M. £ Parramore,, Arthur F. Graves, Anna L. Rawlins, George T. Graves.
I. W. GRAVES
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EARLY SETTLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY
ELIJAH HAND
ELIJAH HAND
Mr. Elijah Hand recently died in Orlando, but while he lived he proved what one man could do in business life in Orange County. He came to Orlando from Shelbyville, Ind., in 1885.
His business was that of undertaker and furniture dealer. He was the leading under- taker in this section for many years, and es- tablished a business in furniture, carpets, etc .. that compelled him to build larger quarters, resulting in the erection of the Iland b. ild - ing, which is located on the site of the old Mag- nolia hotel property on Pine street, the entire lower floors of which were devoted to his splendid business.
Ilis foresight and keen business ability stood him in good stead at a time when many others
could not see ahead very far, and by "taking time by the forelock" and building a spacious place where furniture, rugs, etc., could proper- ly be exhibited, and then stocking with season- able and elegant goods, he captured the public eye and demand at the same time and realized a speedy and substantial profit.
As a builder in the city, he left his mark for in addition to his own business block, he built a fine two-story brick on Orange avenue, and the handsome three-story brick, corner Orange avenue and Church street. Besides this, he was the owner of orange groves and timber lands and had a comfortable business property in Indiana.
Mr. Hand had two sons, Harry E. Hand and Carey Hand, the latter succeeding his father in the undertaking business.
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EARLY SETTLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY
MRS. MARY KERR DUKE
Mrs. Duke was the fourth child of John P. Kerr, Scottish born, and Sarah Howard Kerr, of North Carolina. She was born in North Carolina and soon after removed with her parents to Greensboro, Alabama, where she spent most of her girlhood. In 1857, the fam- ily removed to Dubuque, lowa. While they lived in this northwestern city Mary was sent to the Elmira Female College, New York State, where by her ability, scholarship and delight- ful manners she distinguished herself, and af- ter four years graduated with much distinc- tion. While a student in this college, she had for a warm friend the Rev, Thomas K. Beech- er, who had great admiration for her charac- ter and talents.
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