Colton California

Lehman, Holly Jean – Obituary

Holly Jean Lehman, 51, of La Grande, passed away on September 1, 2006, at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Boise. Born on April 18, 1955, in San Francisco, she moved to La Grande in 2002 after living in Berkeley. She is remembered for her love of gardening, crafts, astrology, and cats. A celebration of her life will be held on September 9 at her mother’s home. She is survived by her companion, mother, siblings, and other relatives. Memorial contributions can be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Association.

Biography of Alfred B. Miner

Alfred B. Miner, born in Michigan in 1842, became a leading businessman in Colton, California, where he served as president of the Colton Packing Company. After a decade in Chicago, illness led him to California in 1877, where he excelled in the fruit industry. By 1886, he established the Colton Packing Company, significantly boosting the local economy and supporting local fruit-growers. In addition to his business endeavors, Miner contributed to community infrastructure as president of the Colton City Water Company. He was married to Eliza J. Abbot and had one son, Frank A. Miner.

Biography of Nelson Sleppy

Nelson Sleppy, a distinguished businessman in Colton and founder of its first hardware store in 1882, was born in 1845 in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. After an apprenticeship in carpentry, he worked across the West before settling in California. In 1888, he partnered with William S. Bullis, managing Sleppy Bullis until 1890. Active in community and politics, he supported local enterprises and the Republican Party. Married to Mary A. Stoddard, they had three children, establishing a family legacy in the region.

Biography of G. A. Sprecher, M. D.

G. A. Sprecher, M. D., a native of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, has been a significant figure in Colton, California since 1884, establishing the esteemed Colton Pharmacy. A former soldier in the Civil War, he transitioned from a practicing physician in Pittsburgh to a community leader in Colton, contributing to its development and holding extensive real estate. He is involved in local medical associations and Republican politics, and married to Lizzie F. Bashford, with a notable family background, including connections to Wittenberg College.

Biography of Marshall F. Price, M. D.

Dr. Marshall F. Price, born in 1834 in Ohio, had a distinguished medical career shaped by his service during the Civil War as an Assistant Surgeon in the Army of the Potomac. After enduring health challenges from battlefield conditions, he resumed civilian practice in Nashville and later in Topeka, Kansas. In 1885, he settled in Colton, California, where he became an influential physician and community leader. Dr. Price held numerous positions, including city health officer and Territorial Prison Surgeon, while participating actively in local medical societies and civic organizations. He married twice and adopted children from his second wife’s previous marriage.

Biography of John Congreve

John Congreve, born in Waterford County, Ireland, in 1827, has been a prominent figure in the lumber industry of Southern California, notably as the general manager of the Riverside branch of the Pioneer Lumber and Mill Company since 1887. His career began at sea before he transitioned to merchant work in the Southern States. Throughout the Civil War, he remained a strong Union supporter. After establishing successful lumberyards in Los Angeles and Colton, he joined Riverside, contributing significantly to the city’s economic development. Congreve is also active in the local Masonic community.

Biography of James T. O’pry

James T. O’pry, a prominent merchant in Colton since 1888, established a general store after moving from New Orleans, where he thrived in the steamboat industry. Born in Georgia in 1849, O’pry quickly rose to prominence, owning several steamers and leading transportation companies. He later ventured into horticulture and real estate in California. Active in the community and a supporter of the Democratic Party, O’pry is also involved in local fraternal organizations. He married Isabel Kouns, with whom he had three children.

Biography of Jacob Polhemus

Jacob Polhemus, born in New Jersey in 1822, was a key figure in the development of Colton, California, where he settled in 1875. As a carpenter and builder, he constructed many of the town’s early structures, including the first brick business block. Polhemus actively supported local enterprises and was a founding member of the Colton Building and Loan Association. A Republican and dedicated community member, he contributed to churches and schools. He married twice, having three children from his first marriage and none from his second. He passed away in 1889.

Biography of Hon. James Alexander Gibson

Hon. James Alexander Gibson, born in Boston on August 21, 1852, overcame early hardships following his father’s death in the Civil War. Largely self-educated, he pursued a career in law after initially training as a mechanic. Moving to California, he studied under notable mentors and began practicing in San Bernardino. Elected to the Superior Bench in 1884, Gibson later became a Supreme Court Commissioner. A devoted family man, he faced personal tragedy with the loss of his wife, Sarah, in 1889.

Biography of Prof. Charles Russell Paine

Prof. Charles Russell Paine, born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, in 1839, played a pivotal role in California’s educational landscape after moving there in 1870. He taught in several states before establishing a private school in San Bernardino and later serving as County Superintendent of Schools. Alongside his father-in-law, he ventured into fruit farming in Riverside, where they settled on previously barren land. His experiences as a pioneer, including amusing tales of early challenges, reflect his significant contributions to both education and agriculture in the region.

Biography of Alva A. Warren

Alva A. Warren, born on July 21, 1836, in Michigan, was the son of pioneer educator Z. J. Warren. His family migrated through several states before settling in California in 1859. Alva married Betsey Parks in 1865, with whom he had seven children. A trained assayer, he later focused on farming and ranching in San Bernardino County. An active community member, he contributed significantly to local education and was nominated for tax collector in 1888. Warren is remembered as a dedicated and principled citizen.

Biography of Richard H. Stetson

Richard H. Stetson, born in 1856 near Boston, was a prominent figure in San Bernardino County, California. After moving to California in 1877, he thrived in the hotel and livery business, partnering with his brother-in-law. Elected Tax Collector in 1886, he achieved significant electoral success and oversaw a successful office, increasing tax collections dramatically. Stetson married Miss Cole and resided in Colton with his family, owning an expansive tract of land in San Bernardino.