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 323.
Messrs. Lee & Rice [Editor inserted: Fred E. Lee & J. Clarence Rice]
Messrs. Lee & Rice. - As one approaches the town of Santa Paula in any direction he will see a star on the stones and boulders, and when he arrives in the city he will find several stars in front of a neat and tasteful clothing store. This is the Star Clothing House of Santa Paula, the firm being Lee & Rice.
F. E. Lee, of this firm, was born in Detroit, Michigan, March 23, 1859. He is the son of John L. Lee, who was born in England and came to the United States in 1850. Mr. Lee was educated in the city of Lansing, taking a thorough course in a commercial college. He commenced business as a pressman, in the State printing office at Lansing, and was engaged in press work there for five years. Then for a time he was in a store with his brother, in Lincoln, Nebraska, after which he spent five years in Chicago, on press work. From there he came to Los Angeles, California, and held the position of foreman in the press-room of the Times office, five years, until he came to Santa Paula. Mr. Lee is married to Miss Balcom, one of the fairest young ladies of Santa Paula, daughter of W. E. Balcom, a wealthy and influential citizen of Santa Paula.
J. C. Rice, who is manager of the store with Mr. Lee, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1854, and completed his education at the Michigan State Normal School, at Ypsilanti. He has had experience in the clothing business with the best wholesale houses in the East, and in Los Angeles, both as a salesman and traveling man. He has thus gained a knowledge of the cost of goods which is of much value to him in their present business. Mr. Rice was married, September 22, 1889, to Miss Fanny M. Baker, daughter of C. N. Baker, a prominent resident of Santa Paula and a member of the Board of County Supervisors.
These gentlemen are both talented business men. They established their business in Santa Paula September 22, 1889. They purchased the building in which their store is located, in the business center of the town, have a fine stock of goods, and quite an extensive trade. Both Mr. Lee and Mr. Rice are Republicans and both are worthy members of the K. of P.
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Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
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 550.
C. N. Kimball [Editor inserted: Charles N. Kimball]
C. N. Kimball is one of the prominent ranchers of Saticoy, Ventura County, California. He was born at West Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts, September 17, 1843. His father, C. F. Kimball, was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1818. He was a shoemaker and a farmer. Mrs. Kimball, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was nee Hannah Tyler, born in Boxford, Massachusetts, in 1817. She was a daughter of Flint Tyler, a native of the State of Vermont. C. N. Kimball was the second of a family of seven children, all of whom are living at this writing. He was reared and educated in his native place, and his first work was as a machinist. His country's claim in its time of need caused him to enlist, and he was placed in unattached service on the coast of his native State, doing duty in the fortifications. he was mustered out on the 4th of July, 1865. Then for two years he worked in the factories of Lynn and Haverhill, engaged in the manufacture of shoes.
December 31, 1867, Mr. Kimball sailed from New York for California, at which place he arrived January 22, 1868. He accepted a position on the Central Pacific Railroad, remaining in railroad employ nine months. On Christmas of that year he came to Southern California, and bought a band a sheep which he took to Eastern Nevada and traded for a ranch in Lamoille Valley. He there engaged in farming, raising potatoes and barley; and from that place he went to Eureka, same State, where he burned charcoal for the smelting furnaces. After he had been there a year and a half he was taken sick with pneumonia. At that time he returned to California and worked near Gilroy two years. In 1876 he came to his present locality and purchased seventy-five acres of land. Here he has built a tasteful home and planted trees and flowers, making a very attractive place. In farm products his specialty is Lima beans, which proves to be a bonanza for many of the farmers of Saticoy. Mr. Kimball's crop last year averaged 1,600 pounds to the acre, the price being from three to four and a half cents.
Mr. Kimball was married in February, 1884, to Miss Carry Duval, a native of the State of Maine, and a daughter of E. A. Duval, a prominent citizen of Saticoy, whose history appears in this book. One child, a daughter, born October 4, 1888, died November 4, 1889. Mrs. Kimball is a member of the Union Church. In political views Mr. Kimball is a Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., is a good citizen and a man of worth and integrity.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 550.
C. N. Kimball [Editor inserted: Charles N. Kimball]
C. N. Kimball is one of the prominent ranchers of Saticoy, Ventura County, California. He was born at West Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts, September 17, 1843. His father, C. F. Kimball, was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1818. He was a shoemaker and a farmer. Mrs. Kimball, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was nee Hannah Tyler, born in Boxford, Massachusetts, in 1817. She was a daughter of Flint Tyler, a native of the State of Vermont. C. N. Kimball was the second of a family of seven children, all of whom are living at this writing. He was reared and educated in his native place, and his first work was as a machinist. His country's claim in its time of need caused him to enlist, and he was placed in unattached service on the coast of his native State, doing duty in the fortifications. he was mustered out on the 4th of July, 1865. Then for two years he worked in the factories of Lynn and Haverhill, engaged in the manufacture of shoes.
December 31, 1867, Mr. Kimball sailed from New York for California, at which place he arrived January 22, 1868. He accepted a position on the Central Pacific Railroad, remaining in railroad employ nine months. On Christmas of that year he came to Southern California, and bought a band a sheep which he took to Eastern Nevada and traded for a ranch in Lamoille Valley. He there engaged in farming, raising potatoes and barley; and from that place he went to Eureka, same State, where he burned charcoal for the smelting furnaces. After he had been there a year and a half he was taken sick with pneumonia. At that time he returned to California and worked near Gilroy two years. In 1876 he came to his present locality and purchased seventy-five acres of land. Here he has built a tasteful home and planted trees and flowers, making a very attractive place. In farm products his specialty is Lima beans, which proves to be a bonanza for many of the farmers of Saticoy. Mr. Kimball's crop last year averaged 1,600 pounds to the acre, the price being from three to four and a half cents.
Mr. Kimball was married in February, 1884, to Miss Carry Duval, a native of the State of Maine, and a daughter of E. A. Duval, a prominent citizen of Saticoy, whose history appears in this book. One child, a daughter, born October 4, 1888, died November 4, 1889. Mrs. Kimball is a member of the Union Church. In political views Mr. Kimball is a Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., is a good citizen and a man of worth and integrity.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
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 274.
G. E. Kilson [Editor inserted: George E. Kilson]
G. E. Kilson was born in Iowa, January 29, 1857. His parents, Lewis and Caroline Kilson, were natives of Bergen, Norway. They emigrated to America in September, 1838, and went to Cincinnati, the journey at that time being a most arduous one. They soon afterward settled in Adams County, Illinois, on a farm they bought and improved. Later, they sold it and moved to Wisconsin, and, after a year spent in that State, removed, in 1855, to Butler County, Iowa. They entered 240 acres of land for a homestead, and this they developed into a fine farm. They built a nice home, and there resided until their deaths, which occurred, the mother's on November 10, 1881, and the father's November 28, 1889.
The subject of this sketch was the fifth of a family of seven children. He was reared in Bristow, Butler County, Iowa, and received his education in the public schools of that town. He assisted his father on the farm until the age of twenty-one years. At that time he came to California to carve his own destiny in the land that offers so many inducements to the worthy citizen, arriving in the Golden State February 7, 1882. He had already obtained some knowledge of telegraphy, and his first move was to finish learning that business, at Pino, Placer County. He was afterward sent to Arizona and at different times had charge of several stations: was three months at Yuma, one year at Dragoon Summit, the highest point on the Souther Pacific Railroad, and was two years at Nelson.
Mr. Kilson was married to Miss Laura F. Williams, December 17, 1886. She is a native of California. From nelson Mr. Kilson moved to Saticoy on the 20th of November, 1887. Here he has the position of ticket and station agent. He is an active and capable business man, and at once became identified with the best interests of Saticoy; has bought property and built a neat and pleasant home, where he resides with his family. Mr. and Mrs. Kilson have two children: Lewis, born at Nelson, and Elmer, at Saticoy.
In his political views, Mr. Kilson is a Republican. He is a member of the K. of P., Eden Lodge, No. 101, at Nelson, Butte County, California.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 274.
G. E. Kilson [Editor inserted: George E. Kilson]
G. E. Kilson was born in Iowa, January 29, 1857. His parents, Lewis and Caroline Kilson, were natives of Bergen, Norway. They emigrated to America in September, 1838, and went to Cincinnati, the journey at that time being a most arduous one. They soon afterward settled in Adams County, Illinois, on a farm they bought and improved. Later, they sold it and moved to Wisconsin, and, after a year spent in that State, removed, in 1855, to Butler County, Iowa. They entered 240 acres of land for a homestead, and this they developed into a fine farm. They built a nice home, and there resided until their deaths, which occurred, the mother's on November 10, 1881, and the father's November 28, 1889.
The subject of this sketch was the fifth of a family of seven children. He was reared in Bristow, Butler County, Iowa, and received his education in the public schools of that town. He assisted his father on the farm until the age of twenty-one years. At that time he came to California to carve his own destiny in the land that offers so many inducements to the worthy citizen, arriving in the Golden State February 7, 1882. He had already obtained some knowledge of telegraphy, and his first move was to finish learning that business, at Pino, Placer County. He was afterward sent to Arizona and at different times had charge of several stations: was three months at Yuma, one year at Dragoon Summit, the highest point on the Souther Pacific Railroad, and was two years at Nelson.
Mr. Kilson was married to Miss Laura F. Williams, December 17, 1886. She is a native of California. From nelson Mr. Kilson moved to Saticoy on the 20th of November, 1887. Here he has the position of ticket and station agent. He is an active and capable business man, and at once became identified with the best interests of Saticoy; has bought property and built a neat and pleasant home, where he resides with his family. Mr. and Mrs. Kilson have two children: Lewis, born at Nelson, and Elmer, at Saticoy.
In his political views, Mr. Kilson is a Republican. He is a member of the K. of P., Eden Lodge, No. 101, at Nelson, Butte County, California.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
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 624.
J. B. Kelsey [Editor inserted: Joseph Barnett Kelsey]
J. B. Kelsey, a rancher near Ventura, is one of the pioneers and extensive farmers of Ventura County. He was born in Morris County, New Jersey, November 8, 1838; his father, J. B. Kelsey, Sr., was a native of the same State; his ancestry were from Scotland. Mr. Kelsey's mother was Delia (Conyer) Kelsey; her ancestors were of French extraction. J. B. Kelsey was the eleventh of a family of fifteen children. after his early schooling, at the age of fourteen years, he went to work in a grocery store in Rockaway, and continued there five years, when he came to California, in 1858. He remained one year in San Francisco, and then removed to Alameda County, where he rented lands and engaged in farming market produce. He continued that business until 1868, when he came to Ventura and rented land two years, and then bought and improved 182 acres of land near Ventura. He still owns the property, and has planted trees and built a fruit-dryer. He moved upon the place in 1876, and is now raising corn and beans on a very large scale, - 1,500 pounds of Lima beans, and about the same quantity of small white beans to the acre. His average crop of shelled corn is from 3,000 to 4,000 pounds per acre.
Mr. Kelsey was married, in 1861, to Miss Mary Fichter, a native of New York city, but was raised in New Jersey; her parents were of German extraction. They have had eight children, three of them born in Alameda County, and the others in Ventura, viz: Sarah, who is now attending the Normal School in Los Angeles; Agnes, Victor, Mary (who is also at the Normal School), Della, Helen, Fred, and Olive. They have a large stock ranch, of which Victor has charge, and Agnes is keeping house for him. On this ranch he is breeding horses, both Norman and Clydesdale stock. Mrs. Kelsey died September 24, 1884; they had been married twenty-three years, and the loss was most deeply felt by them all. Mr. Kelsey is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the Masonic fraternity; in his political views he is a Republican. He was again married, to Mrs. Redwin, widow of the late Mr. Lewis Redwin, of Ventura. She is a native of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey and several of the family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 624.
J. B. Kelsey [Editor inserted: Joseph Barnett Kelsey]
J. B. Kelsey, a rancher near Ventura, is one of the pioneers and extensive farmers of Ventura County. He was born in Morris County, New Jersey, November 8, 1838; his father, J. B. Kelsey, Sr., was a native of the same State; his ancestry were from Scotland. Mr. Kelsey's mother was Delia (Conyer) Kelsey; her ancestors were of French extraction. J. B. Kelsey was the eleventh of a family of fifteen children. after his early schooling, at the age of fourteen years, he went to work in a grocery store in Rockaway, and continued there five years, when he came to California, in 1858. He remained one year in San Francisco, and then removed to Alameda County, where he rented lands and engaged in farming market produce. He continued that business until 1868, when he came to Ventura and rented land two years, and then bought and improved 182 acres of land near Ventura. He still owns the property, and has planted trees and built a fruit-dryer. He moved upon the place in 1876, and is now raising corn and beans on a very large scale, - 1,500 pounds of Lima beans, and about the same quantity of small white beans to the acre. His average crop of shelled corn is from 3,000 to 4,000 pounds per acre.
Mr. Kelsey was married, in 1861, to Miss Mary Fichter, a native of New York city, but was raised in New Jersey; her parents were of German extraction. They have had eight children, three of them born in Alameda County, and the others in Ventura, viz: Sarah, who is now attending the Normal School in Los Angeles; Agnes, Victor, Mary (who is also at the Normal School), Della, Helen, Fred, and Olive. They have a large stock ranch, of which Victor has charge, and Agnes is keeping house for him. On this ranch he is breeding horses, both Norman and Clydesdale stock. Mrs. Kelsey died September 24, 1884; they had been married twenty-three years, and the loss was most deeply felt by them all. Mr. Kelsey is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the Masonic fraternity; in his political views he is a Republican. He was again married, to Mrs. Redwin, widow of the late Mr. Lewis Redwin, of Ventura. She is a native of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey and several of the family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
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 328.
Josiah Keene
Josiah Keene was born in the State of Maine, December 19, 1828. His father, Jeremiah Keene, was also born in the "Pine Tree State," and his grandfather, Isaac Keene, was a native of Massachusetts, wand served in both the Revolution and the war of 1812. The Keenes were of Scotch-English descent. Josiah Keene's mother, nee Rebecca Kendall, was born in Maine, a daughter of Colonel David Kendall, who was also a native of Maine and a soldier in the war of 1812. They were of Welsh ancestry, who came to America in the early Colonial times. Mr. Keene's grandmother, on the maternal side, was a Cobourne, a cousin of Governor Cobourne of Maine, and a member of one of the oldest families of the state. The subject of this sketch was the fifth of a family of fourteen childre. All but two are still living. There were three pairs of twins in the family. In 1888 a reunion of the family was held in Minnesota, and members of the family from all parts of the country assembled there, ten grey-haired men and women being present.
Mr. Keene was reared and received a good education in tthe public schools of his native State. At the commencement of the great civil war, he enlisted, in April, 1861, as a private soldier. He served nearly three years, or until the time of losing his left arm at the battle of Chattanooga. He participated in twenty-two hard0fought battles, first at Mills Springs, then at Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Stone River, Perryville, Franklin, and all the engagements of his regiment. After he was wounded he was taken prisoner, and his arm was treated in the Rebel lines. Twelve days later he was exchanged. Mr. Keene considers it one of Mr. Lincoln's best acts when he exchanged 10,000 able Confederate prisoners for 10,000 maimed men, of whom he was one. It was a year before he was able to work, and then he obtained a clerkship in the Treasury Department at Washington and served ten years in that capacity. The close confinement was injurious to his health, and, in September, 1874, he came to California, and spent months in looking over the coast before he finally settled. He purchased three acres of land at San Buenaventura, on which he built a small house. After the boom he erected a very fine residence on that beautiful street, Ventura Avenue, where the family now reside. In the fall of 1875 he took a Government claim of 160 acres of land and also a timber culture of 160 more. This is located six miles due east of Santa Paula. He has planted seventy-five acres to trees and vines. Twenty-five acres are in olives, forty acres in raising grapes, two acres in a variety of fruit and the rest in Eucalyptus trees.
Mr. Keene was married, January 1, 1874, to Miss Lucy E. Monroe, a native of Massachusetts, and a daughter of Rev. Calvin H. Monroe, of that State, a minister of the Baptist church. Their union has been blessed with five children. Kendall C. was born in the city of Washington. The following were born in Ventura, California; Allen H., Herman B., Robo-Vesta and Helen L. Mr. and Mrs. Keene are members of the Methodist Church. He is a Republican and an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 328.
Josiah Keene
Josiah Keene was born in the State of Maine, December 19, 1828. His father, Jeremiah Keene, was also born in the "Pine Tree State," and his grandfather, Isaac Keene, was a native of Massachusetts, wand served in both the Revolution and the war of 1812. The Keenes were of Scotch-English descent. Josiah Keene's mother, nee Rebecca Kendall, was born in Maine, a daughter of Colonel David Kendall, who was also a native of Maine and a soldier in the war of 1812. They were of Welsh ancestry, who came to America in the early Colonial times. Mr. Keene's grandmother, on the maternal side, was a Cobourne, a cousin of Governor Cobourne of Maine, and a member of one of the oldest families of the state. The subject of this sketch was the fifth of a family of fourteen childre. All but two are still living. There were three pairs of twins in the family. In 1888 a reunion of the family was held in Minnesota, and members of the family from all parts of the country assembled there, ten grey-haired men and women being present.
Mr. Keene was reared and received a good education in tthe public schools of his native State. At the commencement of the great civil war, he enlisted, in April, 1861, as a private soldier. He served nearly three years, or until the time of losing his left arm at the battle of Chattanooga. He participated in twenty-two hard0fought battles, first at Mills Springs, then at Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Stone River, Perryville, Franklin, and all the engagements of his regiment. After he was wounded he was taken prisoner, and his arm was treated in the Rebel lines. Twelve days later he was exchanged. Mr. Keene considers it one of Mr. Lincoln's best acts when he exchanged 10,000 able Confederate prisoners for 10,000 maimed men, of whom he was one. It was a year before he was able to work, and then he obtained a clerkship in the Treasury Department at Washington and served ten years in that capacity. The close confinement was injurious to his health, and, in September, 1874, he came to California, and spent months in looking over the coast before he finally settled. He purchased three acres of land at San Buenaventura, on which he built a small house. After the boom he erected a very fine residence on that beautiful street, Ventura Avenue, where the family now reside. In the fall of 1875 he took a Government claim of 160 acres of land and also a timber culture of 160 more. This is located six miles due east of Santa Paula. He has planted seventy-five acres to trees and vines. Twenty-five acres are in olives, forty acres in raising grapes, two acres in a variety of fruit and the rest in Eucalyptus trees.
Mr. Keene was married, January 1, 1874, to Miss Lucy E. Monroe, a native of Massachusetts, and a daughter of Rev. Calvin H. Monroe, of that State, a minister of the Baptist church. Their union has been blessed with five children. Kendall C. was born in the city of Washington. The following were born in Ventura, California; Allen H., Herman B., Robo-Vesta and Helen L. Mr. and Mrs. Keene are members of the Methodist Church. He is a Republican and an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Friday, March 14, 2008
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 577.
G. E. Kaltmeyer [Editor inserted: Gottholdt E. Kaltmeyer]
G. E. Kaltmeyer is one of the thrifty and enterprising self-made men of Ventura County. He was born in Germany, of well-to-do German parents in 1842, and received his education in his native country. A spirit of independence and a desire to do for himself prompted him to start for the United States, here to earn a living and ultimately to establish a home for himself. He came in 1856, and settled at St. Louis, Missouri, where he learned the trade of a confectioner and cook, and was engaged in that business there for ten years; he then went to Tennessee, where he opened a restaurant. From there he went to the Paris World's Fair, and also visited his parents, returning to America three months later. At this time he engaged in the cotton and wool business, and met with reverses, losing all he had made. On his way to New York his ship was caught in a severe storm, and he came so near losing his life that the other things did not seem of much importance.
In 1861 Mr. Kaltmeyer enlisted in a Missouri volunteer regiment, and served three months, during that time participating the battle of Springfield, Missouri. Some time after being mustered out of service, he again located in St. Louis, Missouri, and was engaged in business there until 1866. While in that city, in 1863, he married Miss Josephine Young, a native of Germany. To them were born two lovely children. During the fearful cholera epidemic in St. Louis, they were all taken with the disease, and both wife and children died, he along of the little family being left. At this time he was broken in spirit and also met with financial reverses. With what money he had left he came to California in 1868, via Panama. In San Francisco he worked at his trade, and in the fall he went to Napa County, where he heard there was choice government land in Southern California, and that it was a fine country. He came to Ventura County in December, 1869, and settled on 160 acres of land, which, after a while, he learned was not Government land. He bought eighty acres of it at $16.50 per acre; four years later he bought the other eighty; and still two years later he purchased sixty-seven acres more that adjoined it. Nearly all this time he was unmarried and did his own cooking. After remaining single nearly ten years, he wedded Miss Pauline Ruoff, a native of Germany. This union has been blessed with five children: the first, a son, died; the other children are Matilda, Emelia, Bertha and Hulda, all born in Ventura County.
Mr. Kaltmeyer has greatly improved and beautified his ranch; the house, a very comfortable and attractive one, he built in 1883; and the whole property speaks in unmistakable terms of the taste, refinement and enterprise of the owner. After being broken up twice, he has, by the power of his will and close application to business, become independent and affluent. Notwithstanding his various experiences, he still looks young, and, no doubt, has before him a long and successful career. He was inexperienced in ranch life when he came to his present location, and many were the difficulties he encountered, but he overcame them all, and now ranks among the leading ranchers of his district. Politically, he is a Republican.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 577.
G. E. Kaltmeyer [Editor inserted: Gottholdt E. Kaltmeyer]
G. E. Kaltmeyer is one of the thrifty and enterprising self-made men of Ventura County. He was born in Germany, of well-to-do German parents in 1842, and received his education in his native country. A spirit of independence and a desire to do for himself prompted him to start for the United States, here to earn a living and ultimately to establish a home for himself. He came in 1856, and settled at St. Louis, Missouri, where he learned the trade of a confectioner and cook, and was engaged in that business there for ten years; he then went to Tennessee, where he opened a restaurant. From there he went to the Paris World's Fair, and also visited his parents, returning to America three months later. At this time he engaged in the cotton and wool business, and met with reverses, losing all he had made. On his way to New York his ship was caught in a severe storm, and he came so near losing his life that the other things did not seem of much importance.
In 1861 Mr. Kaltmeyer enlisted in a Missouri volunteer regiment, and served three months, during that time participating the battle of Springfield, Missouri. Some time after being mustered out of service, he again located in St. Louis, Missouri, and was engaged in business there until 1866. While in that city, in 1863, he married Miss Josephine Young, a native of Germany. To them were born two lovely children. During the fearful cholera epidemic in St. Louis, they were all taken with the disease, and both wife and children died, he along of the little family being left. At this time he was broken in spirit and also met with financial reverses. With what money he had left he came to California in 1868, via Panama. In San Francisco he worked at his trade, and in the fall he went to Napa County, where he heard there was choice government land in Southern California, and that it was a fine country. He came to Ventura County in December, 1869, and settled on 160 acres of land, which, after a while, he learned was not Government land. He bought eighty acres of it at $16.50 per acre; four years later he bought the other eighty; and still two years later he purchased sixty-seven acres more that adjoined it. Nearly all this time he was unmarried and did his own cooking. After remaining single nearly ten years, he wedded Miss Pauline Ruoff, a native of Germany. This union has been blessed with five children: the first, a son, died; the other children are Matilda, Emelia, Bertha and Hulda, all born in Ventura County.
Mr. Kaltmeyer has greatly improved and beautified his ranch; the house, a very comfortable and attractive one, he built in 1883; and the whole property speaks in unmistakable terms of the taste, refinement and enterprise of the owner. After being broken up twice, he has, by the power of his will and close application to business, become independent and affluent. Notwithstanding his various experiences, he still looks young, and, no doubt, has before him a long and successful career. He was inexperienced in ranch life when he came to his present location, and many were the difficulties he encountered, but he overcame them all, and now ranks among the leading ranchers of his district. Politically, he is a Republican.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
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 638.
G. W. F. Johnson [Editor inserted: George W. F. Johnson]
G. W. F. Johnson, Proprietor of the Petrolia Hotel, Santa Paula, California, was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, April 22, 1853. His father, George W. Johnson, was born and reared in Indianapolis. While attending school, he spent three years of his life in the family of Henry Ward Beecher. For a long time he was employed on the Daily Sentinel, now a leading paper of Indianapolis. Mr. Johnson's grandfather, Collin P. Johnson, was a pioneer of Indianapolis. He was a native of Winchester, West Virginia. Mr. Johnson's mother, nee Mary E. Kittlemen, was born in Indianapolis, and her father, James Kittlemen, was a pioneer there. Her grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and lived to be 104 years old.
The subject of this sketch was the oldest of a family of three children. He received his early education in Iowa, Kentucky and Oregon, completing his studies at Plymouth College, Oregon. The first work he did was to help Mr. Ben Hodely construct a telegraph line. After that he was engaged for ten years in the hotel business. In 1883 he purchased the Calistoga Hot Springs, together with 148 acres of land known as the old Sam Brannan property, and conducted it a year a half, after which he solt it to Governor Stanford, who now owns it. In Sonoma County, he bought 500 acres of land and for two years carried on general farming and stock-raising. On account of his wife's failing health, her physician ordered them South, and they traveled for nearly two years, seeking health for Mrs. Johnson, but without success; and finally located at Phoenix, Arizona, on a farm of 640 reres. There Mr. Johnson established the Calistoga breeding farm, importing and breeding fine stock of all kinds. After conducting this two years, he sold out and engaged in business in Phoenix, forming the firm of Hiller & Johnson, dealers in investments, bonds, warrants, etc. While in that business they purchased 150 acres of land, joining the city of Phoenix, which city is now the capital of Arizona, and laid out the Hiller and Johnson addition. During the last year he spent in Phoenix, Mr. Johnson conducted the Lemon Hotel - then the leading hotel of the Territory.
March 1, 1888, Mr. Johnson sold his interest to his partner, Mr. E. Hiller (now the cashier and manager of the Hartford Banking Company of Phoenix), and came to Santa Paula. He purchased the lease of the old Union Hotel, and conducted the house successfully for ten months, when it caught fire and burned down. Three months later he bought the ground and commenced the erection of the Petrolia Hotel, which he completed and furnished in a very satisfactory manner. It is 50 x 110 feet, with two stories and a half and a basement, containing forty rooms, and having a central location on Main street. The house is lit with gas, does a good business, and is well managed. It is the regular eating-house for passengers on South Pacific trains, and it is the leading hotel of the place.
Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Booth, a daughter of Mr. James R. Booth. She was born in Oregon in 1857. Their union was blessed with two sons and one daughter, namely: Chester, born in Napa County, September 1, 1877; Carl, in the same place, February 2, 1879; and Pearl E., in Adin, Modoc County. Notwithstanding the efforts put forth to save the life of Mrs. Johnson, she died, of consumption, in 1884. In August, 1885, Mr. Johnson married Miss Mary F. Fornia, a native of Nebraska City, born in 1869. She is the daughter of Mr. Milton Fornia, a merchant of Leadville, Colorado. They have two interesting children: George N., born in Phoenix, May 30, 1887, and Eleanora Cecelia, born September 13, 1889, in Santa Paula.
For the last five years Mr. Johnson has been a contractor for the Government posts in Southern California and Arizona. While in Arizona, Governor F. A. Tritle appointed him Secretary of the Territorial Fair Association, at a salary of $1,200 per year. He was a stockholder in the Valley Bank, and in the Hartford Bank. Mr. Johnson has obtained every degree in the I. O. O. F., and has passed all its chairs. He is a K. of P., and a member of the military order of the Loyal League of the United States. In politics he is a Republican, but is not radical. He is a prominent business man and a very obliging hotel-keeper.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 638.
G. W. F. Johnson [Editor inserted: George W. F. Johnson]
G. W. F. Johnson, Proprietor of the Petrolia Hotel, Santa Paula, California, was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, April 22, 1853. His father, George W. Johnson, was born and reared in Indianapolis. While attending school, he spent three years of his life in the family of Henry Ward Beecher. For a long time he was employed on the Daily Sentinel, now a leading paper of Indianapolis. Mr. Johnson's grandfather, Collin P. Johnson, was a pioneer of Indianapolis. He was a native of Winchester, West Virginia. Mr. Johnson's mother, nee Mary E. Kittlemen, was born in Indianapolis, and her father, James Kittlemen, was a pioneer there. Her grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and lived to be 104 years old.
The subject of this sketch was the oldest of a family of three children. He received his early education in Iowa, Kentucky and Oregon, completing his studies at Plymouth College, Oregon. The first work he did was to help Mr. Ben Hodely construct a telegraph line. After that he was engaged for ten years in the hotel business. In 1883 he purchased the Calistoga Hot Springs, together with 148 acres of land known as the old Sam Brannan property, and conducted it a year a half, after which he solt it to Governor Stanford, who now owns it. In Sonoma County, he bought 500 acres of land and for two years carried on general farming and stock-raising. On account of his wife's failing health, her physician ordered them South, and they traveled for nearly two years, seeking health for Mrs. Johnson, but without success; and finally located at Phoenix, Arizona, on a farm of 640 reres. There Mr. Johnson established the Calistoga breeding farm, importing and breeding fine stock of all kinds. After conducting this two years, he sold out and engaged in business in Phoenix, forming the firm of Hiller & Johnson, dealers in investments, bonds, warrants, etc. While in that business they purchased 150 acres of land, joining the city of Phoenix, which city is now the capital of Arizona, and laid out the Hiller and Johnson addition. During the last year he spent in Phoenix, Mr. Johnson conducted the Lemon Hotel - then the leading hotel of the Territory.
March 1, 1888, Mr. Johnson sold his interest to his partner, Mr. E. Hiller (now the cashier and manager of the Hartford Banking Company of Phoenix), and came to Santa Paula. He purchased the lease of the old Union Hotel, and conducted the house successfully for ten months, when it caught fire and burned down. Three months later he bought the ground and commenced the erection of the Petrolia Hotel, which he completed and furnished in a very satisfactory manner. It is 50 x 110 feet, with two stories and a half and a basement, containing forty rooms, and having a central location on Main street. The house is lit with gas, does a good business, and is well managed. It is the regular eating-house for passengers on South Pacific trains, and it is the leading hotel of the place.
Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Booth, a daughter of Mr. James R. Booth. She was born in Oregon in 1857. Their union was blessed with two sons and one daughter, namely: Chester, born in Napa County, September 1, 1877; Carl, in the same place, February 2, 1879; and Pearl E., in Adin, Modoc County. Notwithstanding the efforts put forth to save the life of Mrs. Johnson, she died, of consumption, in 1884. In August, 1885, Mr. Johnson married Miss Mary F. Fornia, a native of Nebraska City, born in 1869. She is the daughter of Mr. Milton Fornia, a merchant of Leadville, Colorado. They have two interesting children: George N., born in Phoenix, May 30, 1887, and Eleanora Cecelia, born September 13, 1889, in Santa Paula.
For the last five years Mr. Johnson has been a contractor for the Government posts in Southern California and Arizona. While in Arizona, Governor F. A. Tritle appointed him Secretary of the Territorial Fair Association, at a salary of $1,200 per year. He was a stockholder in the Valley Bank, and in the Hartford Bank. Mr. Johnson has obtained every degree in the I. O. O. F., and has passed all its chairs. He is a K. of P., and a member of the military order of the Loyal League of the United States. In politics he is a Republican, but is not radical. He is a prominent business man and a very obliging hotel-keeper.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
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 314.
John Irwin
John Irwin is one of the business men of Santa Paula. A brief sketch of his life is as follows: Mr. Irwin was born in Cherry Tree, Venango county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1841. His father, William Irwin, was a native of the same place, and his grandfather was one of the early settlers of that county, and lived to be eighty-seven years old. His great-grandfather, Richard Irwin, was born in County Armagh Ireland, in 1740, and immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1761, at the age of twenty-one years. In 1809 John Irwin built the first grist-mill in Cherry Tree, and the first saw-mill in the township was built by Ninian Irwin in 1823. Both John and Ninian Irwin were appointed justice of the peace and held the office for years. Most of this early history was obtained from Judge John Irwin, a judge and prominent citizen of Cherry Tree for many years in the early history of the county of Venango. Mr. Irwin's mother's maiden name was Eliza Stewart. She was a native of the same State, and was a daughter of Elijah Stewart, who was also born in Pennsylvania. When the subject of this sketch was nineteen years old his father died, and upon him devolved the care of the farm and his mother and six children. His early educational advantages were limited, and he is evidently a self-made man. He remained with the family until twenty-eight years of age. When John was quite a small boy his father kept a dairy, and the boys early learned to take charge of the stock. Mr. Irwin says that when he was only eleven years old he both bought and sold cows. he was thus inured to hard work in early life and also learned something of the management of the farm and stock; although he was a slight lad, at twenty-one weighing only 100 pounds. His birth-place was only four miles from the first producing oil well in the oil regions of that State, the Drake, which was opened in 1859. When his farm work was done, Mr. Irwin often worked at the oil wells for wages, and after a time purchased an outfit and took contracts to sink wells. The owner of the well furnished the boiler and engine and wood rig; the other material was furnished by the driller. After working in this way for twelve years, he took an interest in wells and became an oil-well owner. In speaking of productive wells, Mr. Irwin says the most productive well he had anything to do with was the "Old Sherman." It flowed 1,200 barrels per day, and it was estimated that it flowed 1,900,000 barrels, and it was then pumped for twenty years. This well was 600 feet deep.
Mr. Irwin had always taken an interest in stock-raising and in 1883 came to California, prospecting. Mr. Lyman Stewart came at the same time and together they looked the oil region over. After looking the country over they decided that there was a good opening for development. Mr. Stewart telegraphed Mr. W. L. Hardison, and at once they began to make roads to the localities of this work, of which Mr. Irwin was superintendent. Mr. Hardison came out and arrangements were made, and in May, 1883, he went back for machinery and men. Mr. Irwin made the preliminary preparations for the wells at Newhall and then came to Santa Paula Canon and engaged in preparations to drill and develop. When a man goes into new fields in this way, such work is called by oil men wild-cating. Mr. Irwin has done much of this work. He continued at Santa Paula until 1887, when he went to Sespe Canon, eighteen miles east of Santa Paula, where they now have wells, with a pipe line to the refinery. Mr. Irwin is superintendent of field work, having a complete supervision of the whole business of sinking the wells, of their production and of making the roads to them. This is the Sespe Oil Company. Thomas R. Bard is president and W. L. Hardison is general manager.
Mr. Irwin was married in 1868, to Miss Caroline B. Canfield, of Niagara County, New York. They have one son, Ralph, who was born in Cherry Tree, Venango county, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1874.
Mr. Irwin cast his first presidental vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has been a Republican ever since. He is the owner of property in Santa Paula and a nice cottage near the center of the town. Mr. Irwin is a well informed man, and has had a long experience in the oil business. His efforts in that direction in Ventura County have been crowned with success, and are resulting in the growth and upbuilding of Santa Paula.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 314.
John Irwin
John Irwin is one of the business men of Santa Paula. A brief sketch of his life is as follows: Mr. Irwin was born in Cherry Tree, Venango county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1841. His father, William Irwin, was a native of the same place, and his grandfather was one of the early settlers of that county, and lived to be eighty-seven years old. His great-grandfather, Richard Irwin, was born in County Armagh Ireland, in 1740, and immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1761, at the age of twenty-one years. In 1809 John Irwin built the first grist-mill in Cherry Tree, and the first saw-mill in the township was built by Ninian Irwin in 1823. Both John and Ninian Irwin were appointed justice of the peace and held the office for years. Most of this early history was obtained from Judge John Irwin, a judge and prominent citizen of Cherry Tree for many years in the early history of the county of Venango. Mr. Irwin's mother's maiden name was Eliza Stewart. She was a native of the same State, and was a daughter of Elijah Stewart, who was also born in Pennsylvania. When the subject of this sketch was nineteen years old his father died, and upon him devolved the care of the farm and his mother and six children. His early educational advantages were limited, and he is evidently a self-made man. He remained with the family until twenty-eight years of age. When John was quite a small boy his father kept a dairy, and the boys early learned to take charge of the stock. Mr. Irwin says that when he was only eleven years old he both bought and sold cows. he was thus inured to hard work in early life and also learned something of the management of the farm and stock; although he was a slight lad, at twenty-one weighing only 100 pounds. His birth-place was only four miles from the first producing oil well in the oil regions of that State, the Drake, which was opened in 1859. When his farm work was done, Mr. Irwin often worked at the oil wells for wages, and after a time purchased an outfit and took contracts to sink wells. The owner of the well furnished the boiler and engine and wood rig; the other material was furnished by the driller. After working in this way for twelve years, he took an interest in wells and became an oil-well owner. In speaking of productive wells, Mr. Irwin says the most productive well he had anything to do with was the "Old Sherman." It flowed 1,200 barrels per day, and it was estimated that it flowed 1,900,000 barrels, and it was then pumped for twenty years. This well was 600 feet deep.
Mr. Irwin had always taken an interest in stock-raising and in 1883 came to California, prospecting. Mr. Lyman Stewart came at the same time and together they looked the oil region over. After looking the country over they decided that there was a good opening for development. Mr. Stewart telegraphed Mr. W. L. Hardison, and at once they began to make roads to the localities of this work, of which Mr. Irwin was superintendent. Mr. Hardison came out and arrangements were made, and in May, 1883, he went back for machinery and men. Mr. Irwin made the preliminary preparations for the wells at Newhall and then came to Santa Paula Canon and engaged in preparations to drill and develop. When a man goes into new fields in this way, such work is called by oil men wild-cating. Mr. Irwin has done much of this work. He continued at Santa Paula until 1887, when he went to Sespe Canon, eighteen miles east of Santa Paula, where they now have wells, with a pipe line to the refinery. Mr. Irwin is superintendent of field work, having a complete supervision of the whole business of sinking the wells, of their production and of making the roads to them. This is the Sespe Oil Company. Thomas R. Bard is president and W. L. Hardison is general manager.
Mr. Irwin was married in 1868, to Miss Caroline B. Canfield, of Niagara County, New York. They have one son, Ralph, who was born in Cherry Tree, Venango county, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1874.
Mr. Irwin cast his first presidental vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has been a Republican ever since. He is the owner of property in Santa Paula and a nice cottage near the center of the town. Mr. Irwin is a well informed man, and has had a long experience in the oil business. His efforts in that direction in Ventura County have been crowned with success, and are resulting in the growth and upbuilding of Santa Paula.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
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 637.
P. J. Hobson [Editor inserted: Peter J. Hobson]
P.J. Hobson is a young business man of Santa Paula, who makes no pretensions to having a history worth writing; but, as he has, by his business fact, made himself a factor in the growth and development of his town, he is deserving of mention in the history of the county; for history is a record of the present as well as the past.
Mr. Hobson was born one mile west of the business center of San Buenaventura, on Ventura Avenue, January 10, 1863. His father, W.D. Hobson, was a business man of that town, - first as a farmer, and afterward extensively engaged in pork and lard packing, with his sons; is now in business in San Francisco. Mr. Hobson's grandfather, William D. Hobson, was born in America, of English ancestors. His mother, nee I. J. Winemiller, was born in Ohio. He is the seventh of a family of ten children, and had a twin sister who died. Young Hobson attended school in Ventura, and finished his education at a business college in San Francisco. For a time he was engaged in farming, and for seven years worked in the packing business. He came to Sant Paula in January, 1887, and bought lard in quantities, which he subdivided and sold at a gain, and also did some business for others in the same direction. He has built twelve dwelling0houses, and owns a half interest in a fine brick block, two stories high, containing three stores, on the best street in Santa Paula.
January 10, 1888, Mr. Hobson was united in marriage with Miss Olive Hink a native of Mendocino County, California, born April 18, 1870. She is a daughter of Samuel Hink, a resident of that part of the State. Mr. Hobson has been a Republican all his life.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 637.
P. J. Hobson [Editor inserted: Peter J. Hobson]
P.J. Hobson is a young business man of Santa Paula, who makes no pretensions to having a history worth writing; but, as he has, by his business fact, made himself a factor in the growth and development of his town, he is deserving of mention in the history of the county; for history is a record of the present as well as the past.
Mr. Hobson was born one mile west of the business center of San Buenaventura, on Ventura Avenue, January 10, 1863. His father, W.D. Hobson, was a business man of that town, - first as a farmer, and afterward extensively engaged in pork and lard packing, with his sons; is now in business in San Francisco. Mr. Hobson's grandfather, William D. Hobson, was born in America, of English ancestors. His mother, nee I. J. Winemiller, was born in Ohio. He is the seventh of a family of ten children, and had a twin sister who died. Young Hobson attended school in Ventura, and finished his education at a business college in San Francisco. For a time he was engaged in farming, and for seven years worked in the packing business. He came to Sant Paula in January, 1887, and bought lard in quantities, which he subdivided and sold at a gain, and also did some business for others in the same direction. He has built twelve dwelling0houses, and owns a half interest in a fine brick block, two stories high, containing three stores, on the best street in Santa Paula.
January 10, 1888, Mr. Hobson was united in marriage with Miss Olive Hink a native of Mendocino County, California, born April 18, 1870. She is a daughter of Samuel Hink, a resident of that part of the State. Mr. Hobson has been a Republican all his life.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
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 290.
Joseph Hobart
Joseph Hobart is a pioneer of the State of California and one of the most prominent horticulturists of the Upper Ojai Valley. His life history would make a book of most interesting reading, but in the short space allowed in a work of this character only a brief outline can be given. He comes of hardy New England ancestry; and in the early pioneer days of California, only the men of strong will power braved the dangers of the long journey to the far West and, once there, stayed and helped to make the country what it is to-day; and it is to their indomitable qualities that California owes the proud position she now occupies among the sisterhood of States.
Mr. Hobart is a native of Abington, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. His father, Benjamin Hobart, was a native of the same town, was a graduate of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, later became a manufacturer and made the first tacks ever made in the United States. He was a member of the Congregational Church. His death occurred in 1875. Mr. Hobart's grandfather, Colonel Aaron Hobart, was born in the same town, and was a foundryman. He cast cannon to be used in the Revolutionary war. The original ancestor of the family in America landed at Hingham, Massachusetts in 1632, and was one of the first pastors of the Hingham Church. Mr. Hobart's mother, nee Deborah Lazell, was a descendant of the Huguenots, and was the mother of twelve children, five daughters and two sons still living. Mr. Hobart received his education at the Phillips (Exeter, New Hampshire,) Academy and at the Leicester Academy, Massachusetts. Being feeble in health and afflicted with asthma, he was advised to go to sea, and his second voyage brought him to San Francisco, in 1849. He returned to that city in 1856, and, in company with his brother, engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business, which proved a success and which they conducted until 1864. He then sold his interest and went to New York and Boston, and in 1871, health again failing, returned to San Francisco. Being troubled with asthma, he then came to Southern California, first to Santa Barbara and then to Upper Ojai Valley. Being delighted with the country, and finding it conducive to health, he purchased 441 acres of land on which he built and planted and on which he has since resided. The altitude of this land is 1,100 feet above sea level, and it is located four miles east of the village of Nordhoff. With him everything was experimental, and those who have not experienced the disappointments and failures know nothing of the difficulties under which the early settlers labored; but intelligent industry has gained the victory, and Mr. Hobart now has one of the finest fruit ranches in this beautiful valley. During his eighteen years' residence in the Ojai Valley he has never had an attack of asthma. He has 1,500 large bearing apricot trees, loaded with fruit; 1,000 French prunes in the same fine condition; 1,000 almond trees also bearing abundantly, and a large orchard devoted to a general variety of delicious fruits. He keeps his ranch in a most excellent condition, has his own fruit-dryer, and has a nuthuller of his own invention that makes hulling of the nuts quite easy. To give an idea of the productiveness of the land we state that, in 1888, from 285 almond trees, Mr. Hobart sold $784 worth of nuts, and the prospect is still better this year. Mr. Hobart has also given some attention to the raising of fine horses and cattle, principally for his own use.
The subject of this sketch was married in 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Hutchinson, a native of Philadelphia, a Quaker, and a lady of Scotch-English descent. This union has been blessed with two daughters, Margaret and Gertrude. Their cozy California home, embowered with trees and vines, at once denotes the intelligence and refinement of its inmates. Mr. Hobart is a gentleman pleasant in his manner and pronounced in his ideas on all subjects. He takes an active interest in educational matters, and is School trustee of his district. He is a decided Republican, and a man of influence in the county.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 290.
Joseph Hobart
Joseph Hobart is a pioneer of the State of California and one of the most prominent horticulturists of the Upper Ojai Valley. His life history would make a book of most interesting reading, but in the short space allowed in a work of this character only a brief outline can be given. He comes of hardy New England ancestry; and in the early pioneer days of California, only the men of strong will power braved the dangers of the long journey to the far West and, once there, stayed and helped to make the country what it is to-day; and it is to their indomitable qualities that California owes the proud position she now occupies among the sisterhood of States.
Mr. Hobart is a native of Abington, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. His father, Benjamin Hobart, was a native of the same town, was a graduate of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, later became a manufacturer and made the first tacks ever made in the United States. He was a member of the Congregational Church. His death occurred in 1875. Mr. Hobart's grandfather, Colonel Aaron Hobart, was born in the same town, and was a foundryman. He cast cannon to be used in the Revolutionary war. The original ancestor of the family in America landed at Hingham, Massachusetts in 1632, and was one of the first pastors of the Hingham Church. Mr. Hobart's mother, nee Deborah Lazell, was a descendant of the Huguenots, and was the mother of twelve children, five daughters and two sons still living. Mr. Hobart received his education at the Phillips (Exeter, New Hampshire,) Academy and at the Leicester Academy, Massachusetts. Being feeble in health and afflicted with asthma, he was advised to go to sea, and his second voyage brought him to San Francisco, in 1849. He returned to that city in 1856, and, in company with his brother, engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business, which proved a success and which they conducted until 1864. He then sold his interest and went to New York and Boston, and in 1871, health again failing, returned to San Francisco. Being troubled with asthma, he then came to Southern California, first to Santa Barbara and then to Upper Ojai Valley. Being delighted with the country, and finding it conducive to health, he purchased 441 acres of land on which he built and planted and on which he has since resided. The altitude of this land is 1,100 feet above sea level, and it is located four miles east of the village of Nordhoff. With him everything was experimental, and those who have not experienced the disappointments and failures know nothing of the difficulties under which the early settlers labored; but intelligent industry has gained the victory, and Mr. Hobart now has one of the finest fruit ranches in this beautiful valley. During his eighteen years' residence in the Ojai Valley he has never had an attack of asthma. He has 1,500 large bearing apricot trees, loaded with fruit; 1,000 French prunes in the same fine condition; 1,000 almond trees also bearing abundantly, and a large orchard devoted to a general variety of delicious fruits. He keeps his ranch in a most excellent condition, has his own fruit-dryer, and has a nuthuller of his own invention that makes hulling of the nuts quite easy. To give an idea of the productiveness of the land we state that, in 1888, from 285 almond trees, Mr. Hobart sold $784 worth of nuts, and the prospect is still better this year. Mr. Hobart has also given some attention to the raising of fine horses and cattle, principally for his own use.
The subject of this sketch was married in 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Hutchinson, a native of Philadelphia, a Quaker, and a lady of Scotch-English descent. This union has been blessed with two daughters, Margaret and Gertrude. Their cozy California home, embowered with trees and vines, at once denotes the intelligence and refinement of its inmates. Mr. Hobart is a gentleman pleasant in his manner and pronounced in his ideas on all subjects. He takes an active interest in educational matters, and is School trustee of his district. He is a decided Republican, and a man of influence in the county.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
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 308.
Thomas Harwood
Thomas Harwood, of Saticoy, is a California pioneer, who came into the State in 1850. He was born in Gibson County, Indiana, November 24, 1841. He was the son of Thomas Harwood, Sr., a native of New York, and the grandson of Ruthland Harwood, who came from England. His mother, Sarah Harwood, was a native of England, They had six children, only three of whom survive. Thomas Harwood obtained most of his education in California, as he was only nine years of age when he came to this State. For fifteen years he was engaged in the freighting business from Marysville to Virginia City, with a ten-mule team and a large wagon. The distance was 120 miles, over mountain roads; the round trip was performed in twenty days. They hauled five tons and cleared nearly $500 each trip. Some of the mountain sides were steep, and the road formed many loops to make the grade possible, and then the hind wheels were dragged down on shoes to keep them from revolving. From there Mr. Harwood went to Butte County, and engaged in ranching; he had 2,400 acres of land, on which he kept about 2,000 sheep. The net income while he was on this ranch was about $3,000. He continued in this business about twelve years when he sold out and came to Ventura, and bought a fine ranch where he now resides. The ranch contains 152 acres, for which he paid $18,000. There are twenty-five acres of bearing apricot trees, the fruit of which they market both green and dry, and a large orange and lemon grove and other citrus fruits; and he is now raising large quantities of beans and corn, both being a paying crop. In two years, at the present prices, the property will have paid all expenses and will have returned the purchase money. He raised 2,100 pounds of Lima beans to the acre, on forty acres of land, which are now worth five cents per pound; the land only cost him $70 per acre. He has raised ninety bushels of shelled corn to the acre, and it is now worth $1 per hundred pounds; he is also raising some Belmont horses.
Mr. Harwood was married in 1876, to Miss E.A. Mastin, born November 14, 1859, in Quincy, Plumas County, California; her parents were natives of Georgia and South Carolina. They have four children, three born in Butte County, California, as follows: Thomas F., born September 26, 1879; Oliver, December 4, 1881; Henry Irvin, October 9, 1883; and Frederick W., born in Ventura County, August 21, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Harwood are members of the Congregational Church. In his political views Mr. Harwood is a Republican, and has frequently held the office of School Trustee. He is an intelligent California, and is alive to the interests of his State, and highly esteemed by his neighbors.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 308.
Thomas Harwood
Thomas Harwood, of Saticoy, is a California pioneer, who came into the State in 1850. He was born in Gibson County, Indiana, November 24, 1841. He was the son of Thomas Harwood, Sr., a native of New York, and the grandson of Ruthland Harwood, who came from England. His mother, Sarah Harwood, was a native of England, They had six children, only three of whom survive. Thomas Harwood obtained most of his education in California, as he was only nine years of age when he came to this State. For fifteen years he was engaged in the freighting business from Marysville to Virginia City, with a ten-mule team and a large wagon. The distance was 120 miles, over mountain roads; the round trip was performed in twenty days. They hauled five tons and cleared nearly $500 each trip. Some of the mountain sides were steep, and the road formed many loops to make the grade possible, and then the hind wheels were dragged down on shoes to keep them from revolving. From there Mr. Harwood went to Butte County, and engaged in ranching; he had 2,400 acres of land, on which he kept about 2,000 sheep. The net income while he was on this ranch was about $3,000. He continued in this business about twelve years when he sold out and came to Ventura, and bought a fine ranch where he now resides. The ranch contains 152 acres, for which he paid $18,000. There are twenty-five acres of bearing apricot trees, the fruit of which they market both green and dry, and a large orange and lemon grove and other citrus fruits; and he is now raising large quantities of beans and corn, both being a paying crop. In two years, at the present prices, the property will have paid all expenses and will have returned the purchase money. He raised 2,100 pounds of Lima beans to the acre, on forty acres of land, which are now worth five cents per pound; the land only cost him $70 per acre. He has raised ninety bushels of shelled corn to the acre, and it is now worth $1 per hundred pounds; he is also raising some Belmont horses.
Mr. Harwood was married in 1876, to Miss E.A. Mastin, born November 14, 1859, in Quincy, Plumas County, California; her parents were natives of Georgia and South Carolina. They have four children, three born in Butte County, California, as follows: Thomas F., born September 26, 1879; Oliver, December 4, 1881; Henry Irvin, October 9, 1883; and Frederick W., born in Ventura County, August 21, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Harwood are members of the Congregational Church. In his political views Mr. Harwood is a Republican, and has frequently held the office of School Trustee. He is an intelligent California, and is alive to the interests of his State, and highly esteemed by his neighbors.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Republican Profession Development Opportunities Online:
Many opportunities exist, for online Republican Professional Development. Please review some of the following web-based resources:
"Are you talking to me?", A Guide to Reaching Young Voters, from the Harvard University Institute of Politics.
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/pdfs/IOP_Voters_Guide.pdf
The Voter Registration and Mobilization Guide, from the Harvard University Institute of Politics (September 2006).
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/pdfs/voter_registration_guide.pdf
A State-by-State Guide to Absentee Voting, from the Harvard University Institute of Politics (2008).
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/pdfs/absentee_ballot_guide.pdf
GOPAC's 2004 Get-Out-The-Vote guide:
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/GOTV.pdf
GOPAC's "Precinct Leader Get Out the Vote Handbook":
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Precinct.pdf
GOPAC's "Money" (A Step-by-Step Guide to Raise the Necessary Capital for Winning Your Campaign):
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Money.pdf
GOPAC's "Winning Habits of Successful Legislators":
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Winning.pdf
"Are you talking to me?", A Guide to Reaching Young Voters, from the Harvard University Institute of Politics.
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/pdfs/IOP_Voters_Guide.pdf
The Voter Registration and Mobilization Guide, from the Harvard University Institute of Politics (September 2006).
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/pdfs/voter_registration_guide.pdf
A State-by-State Guide to Absentee Voting, from the Harvard University Institute of Politics (2008).
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/pdfs/absentee_ballot_guide.pdf
GOPAC's 2004 Get-Out-The-Vote guide:
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/GOTV.pdf
GOPAC's "Precinct Leader Get Out the Vote Handbook":
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Precinct.pdf
GOPAC's "Money" (A Step-by-Step Guide to Raise the Necessary Capital for Winning Your Campaign):
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Money.pdf
GOPAC's "Winning Habits of Successful Legislators":
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Winning.pdf
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
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 307.
E. W. Harrold
E. W. Harrold is one of the many prominent citizens who lived in the beautiful valley of Saticoy. He was born in Wayne County, Indiana, November 8, 1839, and is the son of Jonathan Harrold, a planter, born in Virginia, of English ancestry. When the subject of this sketch was two years old his parents removed to Illinois, where he was reared and educated. For a number of years he was engaged in stock-raising for beef, conducting the business on a large scale. he moved from that State to Texas, where he spent ten years in the same business. In 1886 he came to San Francisco, and from there to his present ranch, five miles and a half nearly due west of Santa Paula, where he owns 2,500 acres of choice land. He has erected a new house on an eminence overlooking the whole valley, the view from which is exceedingly beautiful. The entire valley, with its fine ranches and comfortable homes, and the mountains opposite, is a picture that the visitor beholds with delight and does not soon forget. Mr. Harrold's residence can be seen for many miles in every direction. A large portion of the ranch is planted to olives. They are devoting 375 acres to walnuts, and fifty acres to corn. Some thoroughbred Jersey cattle are kept on the ranch for home use.
Mr. Harrold was married in 1886, in San Francisco, to Miss Clarise Harris, a native of Maryland, an accomplished lady, the daughter of J.B. Harris, who was born in New York in 1830. He has for some time been prominent in railroad building; was assistant superintendent of the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad, superintendent of the South Pacific to Fort Yuma, of the western part of the Northern Pacific; is now engaged in the construction of the Nicaragua Canal. Mr. and Mrs. Harrold have two interesting children: John H., born in Texas, June 24, 1887, and E.B. Harrold, Jr., born October 28, 1888. Mrs. Harrold is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Harrold's political views are Republican, but he is liberal and independent in politics as well as other topics.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 307.
E. W. Harrold
E. W. Harrold is one of the many prominent citizens who lived in the beautiful valley of Saticoy. He was born in Wayne County, Indiana, November 8, 1839, and is the son of Jonathan Harrold, a planter, born in Virginia, of English ancestry. When the subject of this sketch was two years old his parents removed to Illinois, where he was reared and educated. For a number of years he was engaged in stock-raising for beef, conducting the business on a large scale. he moved from that State to Texas, where he spent ten years in the same business. In 1886 he came to San Francisco, and from there to his present ranch, five miles and a half nearly due west of Santa Paula, where he owns 2,500 acres of choice land. He has erected a new house on an eminence overlooking the whole valley, the view from which is exceedingly beautiful. The entire valley, with its fine ranches and comfortable homes, and the mountains opposite, is a picture that the visitor beholds with delight and does not soon forget. Mr. Harrold's residence can be seen for many miles in every direction. A large portion of the ranch is planted to olives. They are devoting 375 acres to walnuts, and fifty acres to corn. Some thoroughbred Jersey cattle are kept on the ranch for home use.
Mr. Harrold was married in 1886, in San Francisco, to Miss Clarise Harris, a native of Maryland, an accomplished lady, the daughter of J.B. Harris, who was born in New York in 1830. He has for some time been prominent in railroad building; was assistant superintendent of the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad, superintendent of the South Pacific to Fort Yuma, of the western part of the Northern Pacific; is now engaged in the construction of the Nicaragua Canal. Mr. and Mrs. Harrold have two interesting children: John H., born in Texas, June 24, 1887, and E.B. Harrold, Jr., born October 28, 1888. Mrs. Harrold is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Harrold's political views are Republican, but he is liberal and independent in politics as well as other topics.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
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 620.
Wallace L. Hardison
Wallace L. Hardison, of Santa Paula, is one of the most prominent business men of Ventura County or Southern California. Joseph Hardison, the originator of the family in America, came to that part of Massachusetts now embraced in the State of Maine before the Revolution, and it is believed from Sweden. His son, Joseph Hardison, and his grandson, Ivory Hardison, and his great grandson, Wallace L. Hardison (the subject of this sketch), were all born in Caribou, Aroostock County, Maine. Mr. Hardison's father was born in 1802, and he dates his own birth in August 26, 1850. His mother, Dorcas (Abbott) Hardison, was born in China, Kennebec County, Maine, in 1804, and was a descendant of the old Abbott family, statesmen and authors of the early history of the country. There were eleven children in his family, of whom he was the youngest. His education was received in the public schools and a short course in the Holton Academy; before reaching maturity his business had been that of farming. In 1869, when nineteen years of age he came to Humboldt County, California, where for a short time he worked for wages; soon, however, he began to work for himself, as a contractor, in a small way. In the fall of 1870 he went East to Pennsylvania, and engaged in work for his brother, who was controlling the drilling of oil wells. In the course of a year he was taken into partnership, and in another year he began to operate for oil on his own account. While in Pennsylvania he was connected with the drilling of 300 oil wells. The first well he owned was the Eaton and Grant, the time occupied on it before it began to produce oil was about three months, and its production was 100 barrels per day. While engaged in the oil business in Pennsylvania, he purchased the Eaton farm in Saline and Ellsworth counties, Kansas, and afterward purchased other lands adjoining, to the amount of 10,000 acres, which he stock with horses, cattle and hogs, introducing some fine blooded horses to improve the stock. After running this property eight years, a stock company was formed, and half of the stock was sold to F. G. Babcock, of New York, and the other half was sold the following April. July 1, 1888, Mr. Hardison took stock and started the National Bank of Saline, Kansas, and for four years owned the controlling interest and was its president until March, 1885, when he sold his interest; but he is still a stockholder. In 1882, with other gentlemen, he organized the Eldred Bank of McLean County, Pennsylvania, and was its president until 1884, and still retains stock. Through the influence of Mr. Lyman Stewart Mr. Hardison, in April, 1883, visited the oil regions of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and was so impressed with the country - the prospect for oil, the fertility of the soil and the excellent climate - that he decided to move here, which he did in July 17, 1883. In connection with Lyman Stewart, Milton Stewart and others, they drilled seven wells, six at Pico Canon and one at Santa Paula Canon. Only one of these wells was a producing well, which yielded a large amount, and is still producing splendidly. They have organized the Hardison-Stewart Company, and have drilled forty wells. They also organized the Sespe Oil Company, composed of Thomas R. Bard, Daniel McFarland and others, and have drilled twenty-seven wells. In connection with Thomas Bond, W. Chaffee, Messrs. Stewart, Dolbeer and others they have built pipe lines from the wells to Hueneme, Ventura, and Santa Paula, and a refinery at Santa Paula. This crude oil is shipped all over the country, and the refined oil finds the principal market at San Francisco and Los Angeles. They also manufacture lubricating oils, gas oils and asphaltum. Their grade petroleum is largely used for fuel, for the generation of steam. They built a steamboat, at a cost of about $65,000 to carry oil in bulk to San Francisco; her capacity was 160,000 gallons. It caught fire and burned at the dock, and has not yet been replaced.
Mr. Hardison has assisted in the organization of the First National Bank of Santa Paula, and is one of the directors and a stock-holder. He has been a factor in the organization of the Universalist Church of Santa Paula, and also in the starting of the Santa Paula Academy. He is president of the Horse and Cattle Company. In 1883 he bought 6,400 acres of the ex-Mission Rancho, and a company was formed to which he sold the ranch. Before organizing the company he had sold interests in the ranch to his brother, Harvey, and to his nephew, C. P. Collins, and also to John R. D. Say, At the time of organization the company had about 500 head of cattle. Mr. Hardison still retains stock in this enterprise. In 1885 he imported twenty thoroughbred registered Holstein cows and a bull from Holland, through a cattle firm of Hornellsville, New York, They are doing finely. Mr. Hardison is present of and a stockholder in the Santa Paula Hardware and Stove Company, who have just completed a very large and expensive store building, an ornament to the place and a credit to their reputation. It is fully stocked to demand all the modern requirements in the line of hardware. The building is 62 x 80 feet, with a rear addition 40 x 60 feet, for stoves, making the total depth 140 feet. Mr. Hardison is also a director of the Los Posos Land & Water Company, conducting an extensive enterprise. His home place, of eighty acres, is situated in a beautiful locality in the Santa Paula Canon, a mile and a quater from town, where they enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding country. Mr. Hardison has here built an elegant house, on a beautiful site, surrounded with grounds, to his taste, where he enjoys the comforts of home life. When in Pennsylvania, he represented his district in the Legislature during the exciting sessions of 1880-'81. In his political views he is a Republican; in his religious, a Universalist, and he is a total-abstinence man with reference to strong drink and tobacco. He has a fine physical development and is a splendid representation of the self-made American business man.
In 1875, Mr. Hardison was united in matrimony with Miss Clara McConnell, of Venango County, Pennsylvania. Her father, William Benjamin Harrison McDonald, now resides in Santa Paula. Mr. and Mrs. Hardison have five children, three of whom are living, namely: Guy Lyman, born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1876; Gussie, born in McKean County, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1880, and Hope, born in Santa Paula, April 2, 1889.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 620.
Wallace L. Hardison
Wallace L. Hardison, of Santa Paula, is one of the most prominent business men of Ventura County or Southern California. Joseph Hardison, the originator of the family in America, came to that part of Massachusetts now embraced in the State of Maine before the Revolution, and it is believed from Sweden. His son, Joseph Hardison, and his grandson, Ivory Hardison, and his great grandson, Wallace L. Hardison (the subject of this sketch), were all born in Caribou, Aroostock County, Maine. Mr. Hardison's father was born in 1802, and he dates his own birth in August 26, 1850. His mother, Dorcas (Abbott) Hardison, was born in China, Kennebec County, Maine, in 1804, and was a descendant of the old Abbott family, statesmen and authors of the early history of the country. There were eleven children in his family, of whom he was the youngest. His education was received in the public schools and a short course in the Holton Academy; before reaching maturity his business had been that of farming. In 1869, when nineteen years of age he came to Humboldt County, California, where for a short time he worked for wages; soon, however, he began to work for himself, as a contractor, in a small way. In the fall of 1870 he went East to Pennsylvania, and engaged in work for his brother, who was controlling the drilling of oil wells. In the course of a year he was taken into partnership, and in another year he began to operate for oil on his own account. While in Pennsylvania he was connected with the drilling of 300 oil wells. The first well he owned was the Eaton and Grant, the time occupied on it before it began to produce oil was about three months, and its production was 100 barrels per day. While engaged in the oil business in Pennsylvania, he purchased the Eaton farm in Saline and Ellsworth counties, Kansas, and afterward purchased other lands adjoining, to the amount of 10,000 acres, which he stock with horses, cattle and hogs, introducing some fine blooded horses to improve the stock. After running this property eight years, a stock company was formed, and half of the stock was sold to F. G. Babcock, of New York, and the other half was sold the following April. July 1, 1888, Mr. Hardison took stock and started the National Bank of Saline, Kansas, and for four years owned the controlling interest and was its president until March, 1885, when he sold his interest; but he is still a stockholder. In 1882, with other gentlemen, he organized the Eldred Bank of McLean County, Pennsylvania, and was its president until 1884, and still retains stock. Through the influence of Mr. Lyman Stewart Mr. Hardison, in April, 1883, visited the oil regions of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and was so impressed with the country - the prospect for oil, the fertility of the soil and the excellent climate - that he decided to move here, which he did in July 17, 1883. In connection with Lyman Stewart, Milton Stewart and others, they drilled seven wells, six at Pico Canon and one at Santa Paula Canon. Only one of these wells was a producing well, which yielded a large amount, and is still producing splendidly. They have organized the Hardison-Stewart Company, and have drilled forty wells. They also organized the Sespe Oil Company, composed of Thomas R. Bard, Daniel McFarland and others, and have drilled twenty-seven wells. In connection with Thomas Bond, W. Chaffee, Messrs. Stewart, Dolbeer and others they have built pipe lines from the wells to Hueneme, Ventura, and Santa Paula, and a refinery at Santa Paula. This crude oil is shipped all over the country, and the refined oil finds the principal market at San Francisco and Los Angeles. They also manufacture lubricating oils, gas oils and asphaltum. Their grade petroleum is largely used for fuel, for the generation of steam. They built a steamboat, at a cost of about $65,000 to carry oil in bulk to San Francisco; her capacity was 160,000 gallons. It caught fire and burned at the dock, and has not yet been replaced.
Mr. Hardison has assisted in the organization of the First National Bank of Santa Paula, and is one of the directors and a stock-holder. He has been a factor in the organization of the Universalist Church of Santa Paula, and also in the starting of the Santa Paula Academy. He is president of the Horse and Cattle Company. In 1883 he bought 6,400 acres of the ex-Mission Rancho, and a company was formed to which he sold the ranch. Before organizing the company he had sold interests in the ranch to his brother, Harvey, and to his nephew, C. P. Collins, and also to John R. D. Say, At the time of organization the company had about 500 head of cattle. Mr. Hardison still retains stock in this enterprise. In 1885 he imported twenty thoroughbred registered Holstein cows and a bull from Holland, through a cattle firm of Hornellsville, New York, They are doing finely. Mr. Hardison is present of and a stockholder in the Santa Paula Hardware and Stove Company, who have just completed a very large and expensive store building, an ornament to the place and a credit to their reputation. It is fully stocked to demand all the modern requirements in the line of hardware. The building is 62 x 80 feet, with a rear addition 40 x 60 feet, for stoves, making the total depth 140 feet. Mr. Hardison is also a director of the Los Posos Land & Water Company, conducting an extensive enterprise. His home place, of eighty acres, is situated in a beautiful locality in the Santa Paula Canon, a mile and a quater from town, where they enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding country. Mr. Hardison has here built an elegant house, on a beautiful site, surrounded with grounds, to his taste, where he enjoys the comforts of home life. When in Pennsylvania, he represented his district in the Legislature during the exciting sessions of 1880-'81. In his political views he is a Republican; in his religious, a Universalist, and he is a total-abstinence man with reference to strong drink and tobacco. He has a fine physical development and is a splendid representation of the self-made American business man.
In 1875, Mr. Hardison was united in matrimony with Miss Clara McConnell, of Venango County, Pennsylvania. Her father, William Benjamin Harrison McDonald, now resides in Santa Paula. Mr. and Mrs. Hardison have five children, three of whom are living, namely: Guy Lyman, born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1876; Gussie, born in McKean County, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1880, and Hope, born in Santa Paula, April 2, 1889.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
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 434.
Harvey Hardison
Harvey Hardison, deceased, late one of the prominent business men and oil-well operators of Santa Paula, was born in Aroostook County, Maine, February 9, 1844. Natives of the same State were also his father Ivory and his grandfather Joseph Hardison; and it is believed that the family originated in Sweden. Harvey's mother, Dorcas (Abott) Hardison, was born in China, Kennebec County, Maine, and her ancestors were English and Irish. In their family were eight sons and three daughters, all of whom excepting one are yet living.
Mr. Hardison, the subject of this memoir, was the eighth in this family, inheriting a fine physical organization and a good disposition, and was reared to strict temperance habits, using neither tobacco nor strong drink. At the age of twenty-one years he began work for himself in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, drilling for oil. About two years afterward he obtained an outfit, began to take contracts and for five years drilled wells for Lyman Stewart, now of Los Angeles. He then began drilling for himself, as well as for others, having an interest in Shangburg and in Venango County, Pennsylvania. He bored about 300 wells, ranging from 800 to 2,000 feet in depth. The time required for sinking the deepest well then required about three months; but now the same work can be done in about one month.
In 1883 Mr. Hardison came to Newhall, California, and superintended the putting down of the Hardison & Stewart wells at Pico. They sank four wells before "striking oil." The fifth well, called the Star, was a good producer, yielding fifty barrels per day. In Adams, Saltmarsh and Aliso canons he superintended the drilling of oil wells. In tunnels from some of these electric lights are employed to work by, and all the latest improvements in the oil-well business are brought into use. One well in Adams Canon gave a flow of 1,000 barrels per day. In the Saltmarsh Canon the company has four producing wells, one of them having yielded 100,000 barrels of oil. In the Adams Canon one well produced 125,000 barrels. These wells are from 250 to 1,750 feet deep. They have also producing wells in Santa Paula Canon and three in the Aliso Canon and five in the Ojai. At the time of his recent death, Mr. Hardison had a fourth interest in the Santa Paula Horse and Cattle Company, who have a ranch of 6,400 acres stocked with horses and cattle, some of which are thoroughbred stock. Mr. Hardison owned other property.
Mr. Hardison was appointed Postmaster of Santa Paula in April, 1889, and his daughter Ida was employed as assistant and his son Frank as deputy. Mr. Hardison was a member of the A. O. U. W., of the Universalist Church and of the Republican party. April 4, 1890, he met his death from explosion of gas in one of the oil tunnels in Adams Canon, where he was superintendent. It was supposed that the explosion was so sudden and forceful that death was instantaneous. His bereaved wife and children bore the fearful calamity with great fortitude. Mr. Hardison was a noble, generous and large-hearted man, and a pleasant and kind husband and father, and was also esteemed highly by all who knew him.
His marriage took place in 1869, when he wedded Miss Delphina M. Wetherbee, a native of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, born September 14, 1848, a daughter of Franklin Wetherbee, who was born in New York. Mrs. Hardison is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Santa Paula, and has proved herself an excellent wife and mother. There are two sons and two daughters, all of whom are also members of the same church. Ida A. was born in Centerville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1870; Franklin I., January 20, 1872, in Parker City, Pennsylvania; Seth J., Noember 14, 1874, in Turkey City, Pennsylvania, and Ruth M., in the same place, January 16, 1877.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 434.
Harvey Hardison
Harvey Hardison, deceased, late one of the prominent business men and oil-well operators of Santa Paula, was born in Aroostook County, Maine, February 9, 1844. Natives of the same State were also his father Ivory and his grandfather Joseph Hardison; and it is believed that the family originated in Sweden. Harvey's mother, Dorcas (Abott) Hardison, was born in China, Kennebec County, Maine, and her ancestors were English and Irish. In their family were eight sons and three daughters, all of whom excepting one are yet living.
Mr. Hardison, the subject of this memoir, was the eighth in this family, inheriting a fine physical organization and a good disposition, and was reared to strict temperance habits, using neither tobacco nor strong drink. At the age of twenty-one years he began work for himself in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, drilling for oil. About two years afterward he obtained an outfit, began to take contracts and for five years drilled wells for Lyman Stewart, now of Los Angeles. He then began drilling for himself, as well as for others, having an interest in Shangburg and in Venango County, Pennsylvania. He bored about 300 wells, ranging from 800 to 2,000 feet in depth. The time required for sinking the deepest well then required about three months; but now the same work can be done in about one month.
In 1883 Mr. Hardison came to Newhall, California, and superintended the putting down of the Hardison & Stewart wells at Pico. They sank four wells before "striking oil." The fifth well, called the Star, was a good producer, yielding fifty barrels per day. In Adams, Saltmarsh and Aliso canons he superintended the drilling of oil wells. In tunnels from some of these electric lights are employed to work by, and all the latest improvements in the oil-well business are brought into use. One well in Adams Canon gave a flow of 1,000 barrels per day. In the Saltmarsh Canon the company has four producing wells, one of them having yielded 100,000 barrels of oil. In the Adams Canon one well produced 125,000 barrels. These wells are from 250 to 1,750 feet deep. They have also producing wells in Santa Paula Canon and three in the Aliso Canon and five in the Ojai. At the time of his recent death, Mr. Hardison had a fourth interest in the Santa Paula Horse and Cattle Company, who have a ranch of 6,400 acres stocked with horses and cattle, some of which are thoroughbred stock. Mr. Hardison owned other property.
Mr. Hardison was appointed Postmaster of Santa Paula in April, 1889, and his daughter Ida was employed as assistant and his son Frank as deputy. Mr. Hardison was a member of the A. O. U. W., of the Universalist Church and of the Republican party. April 4, 1890, he met his death from explosion of gas in one of the oil tunnels in Adams Canon, where he was superintendent. It was supposed that the explosion was so sudden and forceful that death was instantaneous. His bereaved wife and children bore the fearful calamity with great fortitude. Mr. Hardison was a noble, generous and large-hearted man, and a pleasant and kind husband and father, and was also esteemed highly by all who knew him.
His marriage took place in 1869, when he wedded Miss Delphina M. Wetherbee, a native of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, born September 14, 1848, a daughter of Franklin Wetherbee, who was born in New York. Mrs. Hardison is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Santa Paula, and has proved herself an excellent wife and mother. There are two sons and two daughters, all of whom are also members of the same church. Ida A. was born in Centerville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1870; Franklin I., January 20, 1872, in Parker City, Pennsylvania; Seth J., Noember 14, 1874, in Turkey City, Pennsylvania, and Ruth M., in the same place, January 16, 1877.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
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 445.
E. S. Hall [Editor inserted: Elwin S. Hall]
E. S. Hall. a prominent business man of San Buenaventura, was born near Fairmont, Marion County, Virginia, February 27, 1854; and his father, Robert Hall, was also born near the same town. His grandfather, Rynear Hall, also a native of Virginia, a son of Jordan Hall, who was born in Delaware, went at an early age to Virginia. His father was Thomas Hall, of Dover, Delaware, born in 1724, died in 1772. Mr. Hall's mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Hayhurst, also a native of Virginia, was a descendant of old residents of that State. E. S., the subject of this sketch, had no brother, but has one sister, who is now the wife of Henry Roberts, of Virginia. The mother died when E. S. was but two years old, and the father now resides in Iowa. The subject of this sketch was brought up by his uncle, E. B. Hall, now of Santa Barbara. His early education was received from private tuition before the day of public schools in Virginia. Later he was a attendant at public schools, and also at Lincoln Academy and the normal school. He read law in the office of his uncle, Judge E. B. Hall, who was a member of the firm of Hall & Hatch. He was with them three years 1876-'79, and October 7 of the latter year he came to San Buenaventura, where he has since been in the practice of his profession, and also engaged in real estate and insurance. For two years he was District Attorney, his services being satisfactory to the public. He is a Republican, but has not sought office. He owns considerable real estate. He built a good house on Santa Clara street, but, receiving a good offer for it, he sold it and is now preparing to build a better house, - one that will be an ornament to the town.
Mr. Hall is an active and pleasing business man, with a very large acquaintance in the county. His office is on the first floor, on Main street, in the center of the business, and is well equipped in every particular for the comfort and convenience of his patrons, as well as for his own health and comfort. He is a gentleman of "all-around" business tact and a well read lawyer.
Mrs. Robertine Hall, his wife, is a daughter of Judge Hines, the first Superior Judge of the county, who was a Grand Master Mason and High Priest of the order in California. She was born in Vincennes, Indiana, is a graduate of the San Jose State Normal School, and has a host of friends throughout the State. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have tow children: Edwin, who was born in Ventura, January 4, 1884, and Alice, born in the same place, December 28, 1886. Mrs. Hall is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hall had Presbyterian parents, but is not a member of the church. He is a member of Blue Lodge, Royal Arch and Knight-Templar divisions of Free Masonry, and both himself and wife are members of the O. E. S.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 445.
E. S. Hall [Editor inserted: Elwin S. Hall]
E. S. Hall. a prominent business man of San Buenaventura, was born near Fairmont, Marion County, Virginia, February 27, 1854; and his father, Robert Hall, was also born near the same town. His grandfather, Rynear Hall, also a native of Virginia, a son of Jordan Hall, who was born in Delaware, went at an early age to Virginia. His father was Thomas Hall, of Dover, Delaware, born in 1724, died in 1772. Mr. Hall's mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Hayhurst, also a native of Virginia, was a descendant of old residents of that State. E. S., the subject of this sketch, had no brother, but has one sister, who is now the wife of Henry Roberts, of Virginia. The mother died when E. S. was but two years old, and the father now resides in Iowa. The subject of this sketch was brought up by his uncle, E. B. Hall, now of Santa Barbara. His early education was received from private tuition before the day of public schools in Virginia. Later he was a attendant at public schools, and also at Lincoln Academy and the normal school. He read law in the office of his uncle, Judge E. B. Hall, who was a member of the firm of Hall & Hatch. He was with them three years 1876-'79, and October 7 of the latter year he came to San Buenaventura, where he has since been in the practice of his profession, and also engaged in real estate and insurance. For two years he was District Attorney, his services being satisfactory to the public. He is a Republican, but has not sought office. He owns considerable real estate. He built a good house on Santa Clara street, but, receiving a good offer for it, he sold it and is now preparing to build a better house, - one that will be an ornament to the town.
Mr. Hall is an active and pleasing business man, with a very large acquaintance in the county. His office is on the first floor, on Main street, in the center of the business, and is well equipped in every particular for the comfort and convenience of his patrons, as well as for his own health and comfort. He is a gentleman of "all-around" business tact and a well read lawyer.
Mrs. Robertine Hall, his wife, is a daughter of Judge Hines, the first Superior Judge of the county, who was a Grand Master Mason and High Priest of the order in California. She was born in Vincennes, Indiana, is a graduate of the San Jose State Normal School, and has a host of friends throughout the State. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have tow children: Edwin, who was born in Ventura, January 4, 1884, and Alice, born in the same place, December 28, 1886. Mrs. Hall is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hall had Presbyterian parents, but is not a member of the church. He is a member of Blue Lodge, Royal Arch and Knight-Templar divisions of Free Masonry, and both himself and wife are members of the O. E. S.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
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