Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County, CA
Biographies

SCHIAPPA PIETRA BROS., upright and capable business men of San Buenaventura, came here as pioneers in 1857, when there were scarcely any Americans in the whole county. They are natives of Italy. Sr. A. Schiappa Pietra was born February 2, 1832, and in 1853 came to California, and after spending six months in San Francisco he came to San Luis Obispo and opened a general merchandise store, which was conducted successfully for fourteen months. He then sold out and went to San Fransisco in search of a locality for business, but, failing, he visited San Diego, San Bernardino and other places in Southern California and located in Santa Barbara, engaged in general merchandise; and while there, in 1857, he started a store in San Buenaventura, and in 1878 sold out his business there. In 1864 he bought the Santa Clara del Norte ranch of 13,900 acres and stocked it with sheep; 30,000 or 40,000 are now kept upon it. Also there are planted on the ranch trees of various kinds, including olives and oranges, and they are doing well. Formerly about 4,000 acres were devoted to barley, but this year it is the intention to plant 5,000 acres to beans. The younger brother, Sr. Leopold Schiappa Pietra, was born February 3, 1842, and came to California in 1866, since which time his business was united with that of his brother. He married Miss Amparo Arenas, a native of California, and they have a son and a daughter, both of whom are deceased. In 1877 the brothers built their present line residence, and have made it a place of unusual beauty. The grounds are planted and decorated with artistic skill, and are extremely well cared for. They are also the owners of the St. Charles Hotel at Santa Barbara and the Palace Hotel in San Buenaventura. They are zealous members of the Holy Catholic Church, and are exemplary citizens. [ A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura by Yda Addis Storke, 1891. Transcribed by Karen Seeman. ]

GAIUS WEBSTER, of San Miguel, was born in Delaware County, New York, November 22, 1842, his father, John Webster, being a respectable farmer and justice of the peace. Was educated mainly in the public schools; qualified himself for teaching, and taught school in the winter of 1861-'62. In August, 1862, enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and served until July, 1865, being discharged by reason of the close of the war. Returning to his native county, he spent a month or two visiting relatives and friends, and packing his gripsack started for Oregon alone. There was not a soul on the Pacific coast that he had ever seen, but he was determined to carve a way for himself among strangers in a new and rising country. Stopping in Douglas County, Oregon, he worked for a time in a lodging camp, afterward attending an academy at Roseburg, reviewing the studies of former years and pursuing such sciences as the curriculum of the institution included.In 1866 he entered as a law student the office of Hon. S. F. Chadwick, who afterward became Secretary of State and Governor. Having read the usual course, he was examined in the Supreme Court and admitted to the bar September, 1867. In the spring of 1868 he purchased the Roseburg Ensign, which he carried on as editor and publisher until the spring of 1870, and also attending to such law business as presented. In the political campaign of that year he became the candidate of the Republican party for the office of County Judge, but was defeated with the whole ticket. It was during this period that he became acquainted with Miss Anna West, an estimable lady teacher, to whom he was married in 1870. Near the close of that year, having disposed of the newspaper, he moved to the adjoining county of Coos, settling at Marshfield, on Coos Bay, and engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1872 he was nominated and elected State Senator for the district including Douglas, Coos and Curry counties. He occupied a seat in the State Seriate during the sessions of 1872 and 1874, being the youngest member of that body. From 1875 to 1877 he was associated with D. L. Watson, Esq., in the publishing of the Coos County Record, a Republican paper, the editorial management of which devolved upon Mr. Webster. On the opening of the year 1878, with I. Hacker, he established the newspaper known as the Coast Mail, which he edited for two years, at the same time attending to a considerable law practice.In 1880 he sold the paper, and for two years devoted his entire attention to the law. In the meantime pulmonary and bronchial disease developed in his family, and in the winter of 1882 he moved to Santa Cruz, California, where in the following year he resumed the practice of the law. The coast air of that beautiful place proving unfavorable to his family he moved to Los Gatos, where he purchased an interest in the Los Gatos News, but devoted his time to the profession of the law.In February, 1886, being impressed with the central location and favorable surroundings of San Miguel, he established at that place the Inland Messenger, afterward changed to the San Miguel Messenger, which he carried on with his law business for two years, when he sold the property to F. J. Burns, its present proprietor.Mr. Webster's family consists of his wife and two sons, and two daughters, all nearly grown. His time is now fully and profitably occupied in his profession; he is also improving a fruit farm near town, where he has about thirty acres planted in choice varieties. He is Commander of John Buford Post, No. 136, G. A. R.; Overseer of San Miguel Grange and Notary Public. Mr. Webster is looked upon by his fellow citizens as one of the most enterprising and public-spirited men of San Miguel, and takes an active part in promoting the interests of the place. He stands high in his profession and enjoys a good practice, and looks exceeding young for one who was for the three worst years of the war engaged in the great and saving struggle for National life, and appears as if he was good for another half century of usefulness. [ A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura by Yda Addis Storke, 1891. Transcribed by Karen Seeman. ]

HON. H. PETERSEN is one of the leading business men of Templeton, San Luis Obispo County, California. He is a native of Hamburg, Germany, born July 5, 1840. His parents, Adolph and Augusta Peterson, were Germans who emigrated to the United States, in 1855, bringing their family of six children with them, the subject of this sketch being the second child of the family. They settled near Davenport, Iowa, on a farm of 150 acres, which they bought. They built a home on the property, and made other improvements. Mr. Petersen had received his education in Germany and was fifteen years of age when they came to America. When he began life for himself, he had twelve dollars. He engaged in farming on shares, and continued it until 1868, when he moved west to Grundy County, and purchased 160 acres of prairie land, at five dollars per acre. Here he built a house and improved the property, and lived for fifteen years. At this time the railroad was built to Reinbeck, and Mr. Petersen moved into town, and opened a hardware and Agricultural implement business. He built one store and purchased another, and did a prosperous business until 1886, when he sold out. He was elected a member of the Twenty-first General Assembly by the Democratic party, while there, and served the term of office with credit to himself and his constituents. In the spring of 1886 he visited California, and traveled the State over, looking for a place to settle. In 1887 he came to San Luis Obispo County, and invested in 200 acres of land near Templeton and bought two village lots. In October, 1888, he brought his family to their new home. He bought the hardware business of Mr. E. Griffith, the principal business of the place. It had been started in the spring of 1887.
Mr. Petersen has since continued the business, and has made a success of it. He deals in both hardware and agricultural implements, and his trade extends out for twenty-six miles. His lands are rented and he is getting a share of the crops. He has engaged, to some extent, in the culture of fruit on his lands, principally French prunes. Mr. Petersen was married in Iowa, in 1863, to Miss M. Klein, a native of Saxony, and of German parentage. They have had ten children, seven of whom are living, viz: Teresa, Ida, Antonette, Henryetta, Carl, Rudolph, and Hubert, all born in Iowa. Teresa and Antonetta are married, one in Kansas, and the other in San Bernardino, California. Mr. and Mrs. Petersen are Lutherans, and he is an Odd Fellow. He is still a member of the Democratic party; is a man having well defined business and political ideas; has a general information on all topics; gives his business close personal attention; and is withal a worthy citizen and desirable acquisition to the new town in which he has cast his lot. [ A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura by Yda Addis Storke, 1891. Transcribed by Karen Seeman. ]

JOHN QUARNSTROM is one of the business men of San Luis Obispo County.
He was born in Sweden, of Swedish parents, January 26, 1851; and came to the United States March 28, 1884. Previous to his arrival in America, he was a merchant and contractor in his native country. His first business enterprise in the United States was in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he carried on cabinet-making, and also did a real-estate business. In 1887 he came to Templeton, California, bought out a store, conducted it two years, and then joined the corporation comprising the Bank of Templeton, and the general merchandise firm of J. Quarnstrom & Co., and also the general merchandise firm at Paso Robles of the Nelson Quarnstrom Company. He has also become interested in lands and is engaging in fruit culture. He has build a block in Templeton, and erected one of the finest residences in the town, where he resides with his family. Mr. Quarnstrom was married to Miss S. C. Erksen, a native of Sweden, and their union has been blessed with two children, Annie C. and Ernest L. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Quarnstrom is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in his political views he is independent. He and his family are worthy people, a credit and an important acquisition to the community in which they reside. [ A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura by Yda Addis Storke, 1891. Transcribed by Karen Seeman. ]

E. B. BALLARD is one of the prominent ranchers of Huer-Huero, two and a half miles southwest of Creston, San Luis Obispo County, California. He is the owner of a beautiful estate of 640 acres. The house and farm buildings, which he planned and erected, stand on an eminence somewhat back from the highway, and present a home-like and picturesque appearance. The undulating hills, dotted over with majestic white oaks, form a fine back and fore ground to the picture.Mr. Ballard is a native of England, born September 23, 1860. He received a liberal education in England, and in March, 1880, came to America in search of health and fortune. He went first to Iowa, and from there to Minnesota, where he purchased 640 acres of land which he still owns. In 1883 he came to San Luis Obispo County, California. Cressey, Adams & Ambrose purchased the property and placed it in the hands of C. H. Phillips for subdivision and sale. As soon as it was subdivided Mr. Ballard was one of the first buyers. He is now engaged in diversified farming, raising hay, grain, horses and mules. Mr. Ballard had the asthma very bad, and has found the climate on his ranch very salutary and is now quite free from the disease.In January, 1889, Mr. Ballard was united in marriage with Miss G. Hayes, a native of Maryland, and daughter of Dr. W. W. Hayes who is the pioneer physician of San Luis Obispo.Mr. Ballard's ancestors for five generations have been in the English navy, and up to his father, Captain J. B. Ballard, they have all risen to the position of Admiral. His younger brother, Casper, has now entered the navy with the intention of keeping up the family line in that department. His grandfather, Admiral V. V. Ballard, had the honor of being the captor of the Island of Guadaloupe and Cape Town, South Africa. Mr. Ballard's mother, Charlotte (Hale) Ballard, was the daughter of a land-holder in Hampshire, England.Mr. and Mrs. Ballard are members of the Episcopal Church. They are highly entertaining and courteous people. [ A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura by Yda Addis Storke, 1891. Transcribed by Karen Seeman. ]

W C. JAMISON, a rancher of Santa Ynez, was born in Redwood, Santa Clara County, December 25, 1860. His father, T. B. Jamison, is a native of Maryland, and came across the plains to California in 1854, and again in 1859, with his family, settling in Santa Clara County. In 1865 he was a pioneer to Salinas City, Monterey County, and built the first house. In 1872 he moved to Guadalupe, being among the first to enter that valley. W. C. Jamison lived at home during the several changes of the family, and in 1882 they again broke up; at the opening of the Santa Ynez Valley, went there and established themselves. He rents about 680 acres of land from the Santa Ynez Improvement Company, which he cultivates to wheat and barley, principally grain. This year (1890), the hay crop being short, he is cutting everything for hay; will cut about 275 tons and 150 acres for grain. He uses all heavy machinery, and presses hay in the field.
Mr. Jamison was married at Santa Ynez, December 18, 1889, to Miss Alice B. Mills, a native of California. [ A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura by Yda Addis Storke, 1891. Transcribed by Karen Seeman. ]

ADOLPH F. HORSTMAN, one of the prominent business men of Templeton, is a stockholder and the cashier of the Templeton Bank, and a member of two general merchandise firms at Templeton and Paso Robles, namely, Quarnstrom & Co. and the Nelson Quarnstrom Company, both doing an extensive mercantile business. He is also interested in ranch property and horticulture. Mr. Horstman is a native of Davenport, Iowa, born in July, 1860. His parents, William and Amelia Horstman, were both natives of Germany, and came to the United States in 1861, settling in Iowa on a farm. They were poor people and honest and industrious, and worked by the day and month. After a time they purchased eighty acres of land, which increased in acres and value, until in the course of years they had several thousand acres of valuable land. His father and family came to California in September, 1887, and is now retired from active business, and resides in a pleasant home in Templeton, where he expects to spend the evening of life, amusing himself in the cultivation of fruit and the ornamentation of his grounds. Mr. Adolph F. Horstman, our subject, was educated at Vinton, Iowa, in the Tillford Academy. He engaged in the grain business, as book-keeper for his father for four years. When he was nineteen years of age his father started him in the merchandise business, in Sutherland, O'Brien County, Iowa. He continued the business successfully until 1887, when he sold out and came to Templeton, where he established the bank, and engaged in banking business, to which he now gives his personal attention. Mr. Horstman was married in 1887, to Miss Hatty Sibert, of Reinbeck, Iowa, daughter of Dr. J. G. Sibert, of that State. Mr. Horstman is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has taken an active part in politics, when he resided in Sutherland, Iowa, and was elected Recorder of that town by the Democratic party, of which he is a member. [ A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura by Yda Addis Storke, 1891. Transcribed by Karen Seeman. ]

H. B. SMITH, a prominent citizen and Justice of the Peace of Creston, is a native of Southern Ohio, born near Sandusky, July 9, 1841. His father, William Smith, was a native of Connecticut, and a soldier in the war of 1812. He was in the Ninth United States Infantry, and at the battle of Sackett's Harbor. Mr. Smith has the pocket- book his father carried in that war, and many other interesting relics. His father married Lucy Turner, a native of New York, and daughter of Mr. Samuel Turner, who was a soldier of the Revolution. Mr. Smith's grandfather, Eri Smith, was also a soldier of the Revolution; so that, as far as patriotism is concerned, he can claim as good ancestry as the best. His parents had eleven children, four of whom are now living. He was the youngest except one. He lived in Ohio until thirteen years of age, when, in 1854, the family removed to Illinois. His youth was spent working on the farm in summer and attending the district school in winter, finishing his education at the Lombard University, Galesburg, Illinois. He then carried on farming and also taught school in the winter for eleven years. In Illinois he bought forty acres of land, which he improved by building, etc., and which he sold before removing to Southern Nebraska. In that State he purchased a farm of 320 acres, which he also improved, building a house on each quarter section, and on this property he resided ten years. At this time, 1885, a throat trouble caused him to sell out, leave his Nebraska home, and come to California with a hope of obtaining relief from his disease; and he has been greatly benefited. He owns 306 acres of land, located 260 rods northeast of the village of Creston. Mr. Smith has built on the crest of the hill and will soon have a very attractive home. He has planted a large variety of fruit trees, comprising the following: prunes, apricots, pears, peaches, plums, figs, apples, almonds, nectarines and also grape vines. Wheat is his principal crop, and in 1889 he raised 1,665 bushels on 105 acres. Mr. Smith was united in marriage, in 1863, with Miss Emma Stone, a native of West Virginia, and daughter of Mr. Anson Stone, a native of Virginia, and a soldier of the war of 1812. This union was blessed with nine children, five of whom are living, all natives of Illinois, viz.: Bertha D., Clark S., Fred H., Paul L., and Lillie M. After eighteen years of wedded life, Mrs. Smith died. Her loss was greatly felt by her many friends and her bereaved family. A beautiful character washers; a devoted wife, a loving and indulgent mother, and a true Christian. She had long been a consistent member of the Methodist church. In 1882 Mr. Smith was again married to Miss Lizy Nesmith, a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, daughter of Mr. Thomas Nesmith. She is a member of the Methodist church. While in Illinois, Mr. Smith was elected by the Republican party, Justice of the Peace, for the years 1870 to 1874. He was also elected on the Board of Supervisors in that State. While in Nebraska, he was selected by his party to till the office of Justice, in 1875. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has since adhered to the Republican party. In 1889 his fellow-citizens elected him Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. Mr. Smith is a careful, painstaking, conscientious officer, and as such is respected by all. He is a member of the Grange, and is strictly a temperance man. [ A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura by Yda Addis Storke, 1891. Transcribed by Karen Seeman. ]

RUFUS DANA SMITH was born at Newark, Caledonia County, Vermont, May 2, 1846. His parents were natives of that State. His father in early life followed the trade of joiner, but after forty years of age devoted himself to tilling the soil. In the gold excitement of 1849 he visited California, spending one year in the mines very successfully, then returning to his home in Vermont, in 1868, he moved to Minnesota where he died at the age of eighty years. The subject of this sketch, being filled with youthful patriotism, enlisted at the age of fifteen years, in Company K, of the Eighth Vermont Infantry, Colonel Thomas in command. The regiment was mustered in February 10, 1862, and was immediately ordered South, going to Ship Island, where they joined the troops under General Butler and from there to New Orleans, then to Algiers. He was taken prisoner at Bayou des Allemands in September, 1862; a detachment of 150 were sent then to guard a bridge, and they were surrounded by about 1,500 men and all captured. They were then sent to New Iberia on Bayou Teche, where they passed ten weeks in a prison camp and suffered terribly from short allowances of food and water, and the little food received was worm-eaten and the water stale and muddy. Many died from the effects. From New Iberia they were taken to the Vicksburg jail, and in November, 1862, were paroled, and our subject joined his regiment. In 1863 they were under General Banks, marching through the same swampy, malarious district, and in April, 1864, Mr. Smith was discharged, owing to disability caused by imprisonment and exposure. He then returned home to recuperate, and February 10, 1865, re-enlisted in Company D, Ninth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, composed of veterans more or less disabled. They were first stationed in Northern Vermont to guard the banks and private property from the depredations of Rebel sympathizers, then living in Canada. Later they were sent to Washington and served as guard about the White House, and were mustered out at that place, November 18, 1865.The subject of this sketch then returned to Vermont and followed farming until 1867, when he was married at Barton, Orleans County, Vermont, January 9, to Miss Lucy M. Lebourveau, and in May of the same year they went to Spring Valley, Minnesota. He then farmed for five years, and, on account of failing health, went into a store and clerked four years. He never recovered from the exposure of the war, and for a milder climate went to Santa Barbara in 1876, and there had his leg amputated. After recovering, in 1877, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and re-elected in 1879, but resigned in March, 1880. He was then appointed Under Sheriff by C. E. Sherman, and later by R. J. Broughton, thus holding the office continuously to the present date.Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five children living, and have lost one son. He is a member of Magnolia Lodge, No. 242, F. and A.M., and Starr King Post, No. 52, Department of California, G. A. R. [ A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura by Yda Addis Storke, 1891. Transcribed by Karen Seeman. ]

CAPTAIN CHARLES P. LOW, of Santa Barbara, was born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1824, and when he was four years of age his parents moved to Brooklyn, where his father became a member of the firm of Seth Low & Co., merchants of New York. Of his parents' twelve children he has four brothers and one sister still living, and they are all in Brooklyn; the brothers are all merchants, doing business mainly with China. His nephew, Seth Low, has been mayor of Brooklyn, and is now president of Columbia College. At the age of eighteen years the subject of this sketch began a seafaring life, having studied seamanship ever since he was twelve years old. He begran before the mast on the Horatio and the crack East Indiaman, commanded by Captain Howland. This vessel made a ten-months trip to China. Then Mr. Low went to London on the packet ship, Toronto, Captain Griswold, of the London Packet Company. Then he shipped for Rio Janeiro, then on the Houqua, Captain N. B. Palmer, the first clipper ship out of New York to China. He was a seaman for eight years, being third mate, second and first mate, and finally Captain at the age of twenty-three years. While Captain, in 1848, he experienced a most terrible typhoon in the Indian Ocean, a regular cyclone which lasted twelve hours and swept off the deck all the railing, masts and boats. The Captain was washed overboard, and, after being twice engulfed, he caught a rope, and as soon as he got his head above water he gave orders to cut away the masts, and so saved the ship from foundering. As a testimonial of their approbation, the Atlantic, Sun, Mercantile and Union Insurance Companies of New York, presented Captain Low with a beautiful chronometer, with this inscription: "Captain Charles P. Low, late Captain of the ship Houqua, as a testimonial of their approbation of his good conduct in saving said ship and cargo after having been thrown on her beam ends in the Indian Ocean, on the 5th of January, 1848, in a violent typhoon and nearly filled with water; hut by the extraordinary exertions of the master and crew, was righted and subsequently taken by them to her port of destination, which was 3,500 raises distant."After having arrived at Hong Kong, the Captain re-rigged her with his own crew, and after three voyages up and down the coast he returned to New York. There he took charge of the Samuel Russell, January 16, 1850, from New York to San Francisco, making the passage in 108 days—ten days quicker than any vessel before had made the trip. He carried 1,000 tons of freight, on which he received $60 a ton, which was more than the original cost of the ship. Then, by way of China, he completed his trip around the world, within the year. He next took charge of the N. B. Palmer to San Francisco, to China and to New York, by way of the Cape of Good Hope. In 1859 he took command of the Jacob Bell and made a voyage to China. Next he took command of the N. B. Palmer, being on board of that vessel twenty-one years, with the exception of the last trip to China referred to. He has been
around the world seven times, making twenty-six voyages to China, and being thirty-one years at sea. In 1873 he left the sea and came to Santa Barbara and purchased eighty acres of land on the mesa. In 1875 he was the originator of the Agricultural Association, of which he has been president; and he has also been president of the Cemetery Association, and also the first president of the Young Men's Christian Association.He was married at Peabody, Massachusetts, in 1852, to Miss Sarah Maria Tucker, a native of Salem, whose father was a merchant. She has also made trips to China and been around the world four times. They have five sons and two daughters. Three sons are in business in San Francisco. One is connected with the American Oil Company, one is agent for a firm in Japan, and one is in the hardware business; one son is a physician and one is at the State University. [ A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura by Yda Addis Storke, 1891. Transcribed by Karen Seeman. ]

BACK