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Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 318.

R. J. Ealy [Editor inserted: Rush J. Ealy]

R. J. Ealy, a rancher near Fillmore, was born in Johnson County, Iowa, February 12, 1853. His father, William C. Ealy, is a native of Pennsylvania, born November 3, 1815; was an architect and builder, and is now a resident of Kansas. His grandfather, John Ealy, was German, as was also his ancestry. He emigrated with his brother to this country during the Revolutionary war, in which they both took part, on the side of American liberty. One of the brothers settled in New York, the other (John) in Pennsylvania, and from these sprang two distinct lines, one called the Yankee and the other the Dutch. Mr. Ealy's mother, nee Margaret Ellen Williamson, was born in Kentucky, March 19, 1824. Her father, about thirty years before the civil war, was the owner of a number of slaves in Kentucky, and, becoming convinced that slavery was wrong he voluntarily freed them. William C. Ealy's eldest child is now Mrs. Lizzie Jepson of Ventura County. His second son, John William, is a publisher in New York city. The third child, Henry B., is a dealer in agricultural implements in Keokuk, Iowa.

The subject of this sketch, the youngest son, was reared and educated in Iowa City, and there learned the tinner's trade, which he followed for nineteen years. He had a hardware store in Dysart, Tama County, Iowa; but, being in poor health, he disposed os his business interests there and came to his present location in Southern California. He purchased from the railroad company and Government a ranch of 200 acres, and secured satisfactory title to the same. This property is located two miles and a half east of Fillmore, in one of the most productive sections of the country, and is each year becoming more valuable. Mr. Ealy at once set about its improvement, built a home and planted a large variety of fruit trees and also walnut trees. A fine spring and two wells furnish an ample supply of water for the place. Mr. Ealy also started a general merchandise store, and for four years was Postmaster. Since coming to this sunny land he has fully recovered his health, and is now in a fair way to enjoy life.

He was married in 1872, at Iowa City, Iowa, on Christmas eve, to Miss Ella Whisler, daughter of John Whisler, a native of Pennsylvania. She was born and reared in Cedar County, Iowa. Their union has been blessed with two children, Willie C., born in Dysart, Iowa, January 7, 1876, and Ray J., born in Ventura County, California, October 20, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Ealy are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Ealy is a lifelong Republican.


Descendants of Rush J. Ealy

1 Rush J. Ealy b: 12 Feb 1853 in Johnson County, Iowa d: in Ventura County, California
.. +Ella Whisler b: 1857 in Cedar County, Iowa m: 24 Dec 1872 in Iowa City, Iowa
........ 2 William Cullen Ealy b: 07 Jan 1876 in Dysart, Iowa d: in Ventura County, California
............ +Mabel b: 1880 in Iowa
................... 3 Gladys Ealy b: 1900 in Ventura County, California
................... 3 William Ealy b: 1902 in Ventura County, California
........ 2 Ray J. Ealy b: 20 Oct 1884 in Ventura County, California
............ +Glessie L. b: 1886 in Kansas
........ 2 Frederick J. Ealy b: 1893 in Ventura County, California
............ +Agnes b: 1897 in Arkansas
................... 3 Vivian Ealy b: 1918 in Ventura County, California


Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 284.

C. S. Duval

C. S. Duval, the building and proprietor of the Charles Hotel, Saticoy, was born in Maine, August 4, 1858. He is a son [of] E. A. Duval, mention of whom will be found in another part of this book, where the history of the family is given as far as known. Mr. Duval came with his father to Saticoy in 1868, and was engaged in the general merchandise business, under the name of Crane & Duval, for two years. He sold his interest and purchased lots of the Pacific Improvement Company, with the understanding that he would build a hotel for the accommodation of their trains. He accordingly erected the Charles Hotel, 56 x 100 feet, two stories high, having a balustrade on three sides, and containing twenty-five rooms. It was built at a cost of $12,000 and was opened to the public June 2, 1889, being the first hotel in this part of the valley. After being successfully conducted for eight months, it was destroyed by fire. The cook upset a pot of lard on the range, and, there being a strong wind blowing, the whole house was soon in flames. Their best efforts to save the building was ineffectual, only a portion of the foundation being left. The property was insured for $8,000, which the company paid in full; and Mr. Duval commenced the erection of a new building on the 3d of March, 1890, which was opened for business April 4. It contains eighteen rooms and is suitably finished and furnished throughout. It is the eating-house for the trveling public between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, trains stopping for both dinner and supper. This house is being conducted in a first-class way, and Mr. Duval, by his genial and accommodating manner, has secured a good patronge.

Mr. Duval was married in 1879 for Miss Mary E. Knox, a native of Iowa, and daughter of John Knox of that State. This union has been blessed with three children, Elmer H., Lawrence and Melvin, all born at Saticoy.

Mr. Duval belongs to the Regulators of Santa Clara Valley. In politics he is Republican.

Descendants of C. S. Duval

1 C. S. Duval b: 04 Aug 1858 in Maine d: Bef. 1910 in Ventura, Ventura County, California
.. +Mary E. Knox b: 1855 in Iowa m: 1879
........ 2 Elmer H. Duval b: 1882 in Ventura, Ventura County, California
........ 2 Lawrence G. Duval b: 10 Dec 1884 in Ventura, Ventura County, California d: 20 Aug 1964 in Ventura County, California
............ +Minnie M. b: 1880 in Maine
........ 2 Melvin Hurst Duval b: 10 Dec 1888 in Ventura, Ventura County, California d: 18 Aug 1957 in Los Angeles, California
............ +Sarah M. b: 1889 in California
........ 2 May Duval b: 1893 in Ventura, Ventura County, California



Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 639.

F. C. Davis [Editor inserted: Frank E. Davis]

F. C. Davis, one of the prominent business men of Santa Paula, was born in the town of Derby, Orange County, Vermont, May 12, 1857, the son of Dudley M. Davis, a native of Canada, who came to the United States in 1838, settling upon a farm in Vermont, where he brought up his family and still resides. He has been selectman of his town for many years. His grandfather, Enoch Davis, was a Canadian, and lived to be ninety-four years of age. Mr. Davis's mother (name before marriage Lydia Blake) was born in Canada, a daughter of Rev. Isaac Blake, a Methodist minister, who was also a native of the Dominion. His grandfather was Daniel Blake, and the Blake family trace their ancestry back to the Normans of England, and their forefathers have been of more or less historical note. Mr. Davis has an uncle, Isaac Elder Blake, now living in Denver, Colorado, who made a vast fortune in the oil regions in Pennsylvania, but lost it all in speculation; yet he has regained another fortune and is immensely rich. He is a fine musician and organist; has donated to the Methodist Church a magnificent pipe organ, equal to six common organs combined, at a cost of $30,000, and he himself is the performer upon this instrument. He is still Superintendent of the Continental Oil Company. His youthful resolution never to drink tea or coffee or any strong drink, he has faithfully kept.

Mr. Davis, our subject, next to the youngest of four children, completed his school education at Derby Academy, Orleans County, Vermont, at the age of sixteen years. He obtained his certificate and taught school in the winter seasons for seven terms. In 1879 he visited the oil fields of Pennsylvania, where his father and uncle had made money, but decided to come to California, where his uncle had come two years previously, to introduce the shipping of oil on a car he had invented. On arriving in San Francisco his uncle met him at the station and offered him $100 per month to run the Sacramento station of the oil business, which position he declined because he did not feel competent. He finally went to the warehouse without his uncle's knowledge and told the keepers that he was a young man from the east wishing to learn the oil business. They permitted him to commence work, at $750 per week, and in two years he became one of the salesmen. During the first year in his new situation he and four others were each to receive $100 per month if they sold 300 gallons each a day; but if less than that, $75 per month. At the end of the year it was found that his sales nearly equalled all four of the others, and he was given the position of superintendent and general manager of the business in San Francisco.

In 1873 he came with his uncle to Santa Paula on a prospecting tour, and while here organized the Mission Transfer Company, for the purpose of transferring oil by pipe-lines and marketing it. Leasing the territory they obtained a royalty on the oil produced. He and his uncle held fifty-one shares of the stock, and two years ago sold out their entire interest; but Mr. Davis has revived his interest in the company, and has also stock in the Oil Company of California. He also has a large stock ranch and considerable real estate in Santa Paula. He is one of the owners of the Champion Livery Stable, is interested in the driving park, being secretary of the association, which has eighteen or twenty fine blooded horses in training. He has a neat home in the town. He is a Master Mason, being now Senior Deacon of his lodge; is also an Odd Fellow; at San Francisco he was Vice-Grand of the lodge. In his political views he is a Republican, and as a business man he is one of Santa Paula's best citizens.

He was married in 1884, to Miss Miriam Garrison, a native of San Francisco and daughter of Lewis B. Garrison, of New York; she was born April 27, 1864, of Scotch ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had two children; the first born, a daughter, died; and their son, Walter Elmer, was born April 1, 1888.

Descendants of Frank E. Davis

1 Frank E. Davis b: 12 May 1857 in Derby, Orange County, Vermont d: 22 Nov 1920 in Santa Paula, Ventura, California
.. +Miriam Garrison b: 27 Apr 1864 in San Francisco, California m: 1884 in California d: 24 Jan 1945 in Los Angeles, California
........ 2 Daughter Davis b: Bet. 1884 - 1887 in Santa Paula, Ventura County, California d: in Died Young
........ 2 Walter Elmer Davis b: 01 Apr 1888 in Santa Paula, Ventura County, California d: 21 Dec 1952 in San Jose, Santa Clara, California
............ +Margaret Mae Holman b: 19 Aug 1872 in Liberty, Clay, Missouri m: 04 Jul 1921 in Santa Clara, California d: 21 Sep 1963 in Santa Clara, California
........ 2 Dudley Lewis Davis b: 09 Sep 1891 in Santa Paula, Ventura County, California d: 29 Apr 1924 in Santa Paula, Ventura County, California
........ 2 Frank G. Davis b: Feb 1895 in Santa Paula, Ventura County, California



Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 566.

John F. Cummings

John F. Cummings is a prominent and successful rancher living four miles west of Santa Paula on a farm of rich land and on one of the finest roads. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, September 19, 1835. His father, James Cummings, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1795, was a farmer, and lived to the age of eighty-five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Christine McMillan, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1801, of early American ancestry. Mr. Cummings, our subject, the fourth in their family of seven children, was brought up in Ohio, and began life as a farmer on one of his father's farms. In 1860 he came to California and for several years worked by the month in the northern part of the State. Taking 160 acres of land, he improved it as he gradually obtained the means. In 1872 he sold it and came to Santa Paula, bought 150 acres of unimproved land, and year by year he has been making it one of the finest ranches in the county. He has erected the buildings and fences and planted the trees and witnessed their wonderful development. He has added other land to his original purchase. On this place he has raised heavy crops of corn, and also raised and sold many hogs; but his principal business now is the raising of Lima beans. Last year (1889) he raised on seventy-five acres sixty-five tons of beans, for which he has, at date of writing, refused four and a half cents per pound. On ten acres he raised 3,300 pounds of beans to the acre; this quantity, at five cents per pound, would be for the ten acres $1,650. His crop for 1889, at the same price, would amount to $6,500. He has harvested three large crops of potatoes from one planting; has raised corn sixteen feet high and ten feet to the ears; so that the productions of his farm are truly marvelous; and yet not all of his land is in cultivation. Politically, although he voted for James Buchanan for President, he has long been a Republican. He is a man of industrious habits, executive ability and hospitable disposition.

In 1880 Mr. Cummings married Miss Georgia Sweeny, a native of Long Island, New York, and a daughter of Charles Sweeny, a native of the same state. Their five children are: Ada B., Madge, Christine, Walter W. and an infant daughter named Esther.


Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 404.

A. Canet [Editor inserted: Amerling Canet]

A. Canet came to Ventura in 1873. His native place was France, where he was born in 1833. He sailed for New York, and while there was engaged eight or nine years in the manufacture of bonnet frames. He returned to France, and then came again, to California, where he took up his present location of 137 acres of Government land. He afterward bought 270 acres, and has since added to his property until he now has between 1,300 and 1,400 acres of rich pasture and grazing land. The land was wild and uncultivated, but he is improving it, and as the country grows it will increase in value every year. He is raising cattle, horses and sheep, but most of his time is devoted to sheep-raising, keeping from 1,000 to 2,000. He employs from two to five shepherds, according to season, and hound-dogs to keep the wild-cats from his flocks. They shot fifteen during the last winter. When they are in pursuit of a wild-cat they make the hills resound with their "music." In addition to his stock-raising, Mr. Canet raises corn and barley, to which the land is well-adapted; nor could it be surpassed for fruit.

Mr. Canet was married in 1864, to Miss Kate Brangan, who was born in Ireland. They have one son, Ed. C., born in New York, in 1865. In his political views Mr. Canet is mostly independent, but has lately voted with the Republicans. Mr. and Mrs. Canet are members of the Catholic Church.

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Descendants of Ameling Canet

1 Ameling Canet b: Aug 1833 in France d: in Ventura County, California
.. +Kate Brangan b: in Ireland m: 1864 in New York
........ 2 Edward Canet b: Aug 1864 in New York d: in Ventura County, California
............ +Maria L. b: Jan 1873 in California d: in Ventura County, California
................... 3 Jane Canet b: May 1891 in Ventura County, California
................... 3 Renae Canet b: Mar 1893 in Ventura County, California


Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 384.

A. W. Browne [Editor inserted: Albert William Browne]

A. W. Browne came to Ventura County in the fall of 1873, from his native city, Philadelphia, where he was born February 9, 1852. His father, N. B. Browne, was born in Philadelphia, in 1818; was a lawyer and a Representative in the Legislature from his district; held the office of Postmaster of Philadelphia under the administration of President Lincoln; was Sub-Treasurer and had charge of the Mint and Custom House; helped to organize the Trust and Safe Deposit Company of that city; was president of the company, and it might be said that he was the originator of that enterprise. The ancestors of his family were originally English. Mr. Browne's mother, nee Mary Jane Kendall, was a native of Reading, Pennsylvania, and also of English descent. The subject of this sketch was the third of a family of two sons and two daughters, and his mother's death occurred when he was only four years old. Mr. Browne received his education at Sanders' Institute, Philadelphia, and at Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Massachusetts. For five years he was employed in the Trust and Safe Deposit Company, Philadelphia, beginning as errand boy and rising to the position of receiving teller.

He came to California and engaged in sheep-raising, in Ventura County, ten years, being in partnership with Levi Taylor. They had as many as 12,000 sheep at a time, divided in flocks of 2,000 each. He disposed of his sheep, and afterward purchased 5,000 acres of land and engaged in the cattle business on the ex-Mission ranch, ten miles east of Ventura. He sold out in 1887, and for a year was one of the managers of the Anacapa Hotel. In 1882 he had served as Supervisor, and resigned the office to go away with his sheep. He was again elected, in 1888, to represent the town of San Buenaventura on the County Board, which position he now holds. He is the secretary of the Republican Central Committee, of Ventura County, and is a tried and true Republican of intelligence and ability, and a leader in his party.

Mr. Browne was married, in 1878, to Miss Neotia Rice, a native of California, born in 1860. She is the daughter of Peter Rice, who traces his ancestry back to the Germans. They have four children, all born in Ventura County, viz.: Albert O., Valeria O., Nathaniel B. and Samuel H. Mr. Browne takes a just pride in being a member of the California National Guard, of Ventura; is Second Lieutenant of the Company.

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Descendants of Albert Willam Browne

1 Albert Willam Browne b: 09 Feb 1852 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania d: in Ventura County, California
.. +Neotia Rice b: Dec 1857 in California m: 1878 d: in Ventura County, California
........ 2 Albert O'Brien Browne b: 13 Feb 1880 in Ventura County, California
............ +Maude L. b: 1880 in California
................... 3 Albert W. Browne b: 1910 in California
........ 2 Valeria O. Browne b: Sep 1883 in Ventura County, California
........ 2 Nathaniel Borrodaille Browne b: 01 Feb 1886 in Ventura County, California
........ 2 Samuel H. Browne b: Nov 1887 in Ventura County, California
........ 2 Mary K. Browne b: Jun 1891 in Ventura County, California
........ 2 Ruth E. Browne b: Oct 1893 in Ventura County, California
........ 2 Craig Browne b: 1879 in Ventura County, California d: in Died Young

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.