Orange County CA

Biographical Sketch of Lysander Utt

Lysander Utt a retired merchant of Tustin, is a , “49er.” He was born in Wythe County, Virginia, June 1, 1824. His parents, John and Mary (Criger) Utt, were both natives of the Old Dominion, had a family of thirteen children, and moved to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1840, where the father died, in 1849. The subject of this sketch, the third child in order of birth in the above family, worked at farming until the year named, when he came to California across the plains with an ox team. In Mariposa County he followed mining for two years, and … Read more

Schricker, Richard Alex – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Richard Alex Schricker, 65, of Baker City and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 11 in Phoenix, Ariz. A viewing will run from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Coles Funeral Home in Baker City. A memorial service begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Agape Christian Center in Baker City with a reception immediately following at the church. Pastor Garth Johnson will officiate. A graveside service with military honors will follow at 3 p.m. at Hillcrest East Cemetery in La Grande. Richard was born March 7, 1943, to Richard Clifford and Patricia Louise (Wynegar) Schricker in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alfred Beckett

Alfred Beckett a prominent citizen of Westminster, Orange County, was born in Ontario, Canada, June 7, 1830, a son of Stephen and Anna (Taylor) Beckett, and the sixth child in a family of nine. He received a good common-school education, worked at the mill and lumber business for several years and also did some farming, and in 1877 came to California and bought forty acres of laud in Westminster, which he has put under a high state of cultivation. Politically he is an intelligent supporter of the Republican party. Both himself and wife are highly respected members of social circles. … Read more

Biography of Henry Babel

Henry Babel, deceased, formerly proprietor of the celebrated springs which bear his name, and which are now the property of his widow, was born near Hanover, Germany, on August 2, 1826. In 1845 he immigrated with his parents to America, and settled in Lebanon, Illinois, where his father and mother both died within a year. After their decease Henry went to St. Louis, Missouri, and on October 8, 1849, he married Miss Elizabeth Holadway, a native of Tennessee, a descendant of Scotch ancestry on her father’s side, and English on her mother’s. Early in May, 1850, Mr. Babel and his … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. D. Chaffee, M. D.

J. D. Chaffee M. D. of Garden Grove, was born in Campton, Kane County, Illinois, November 5, 1843, and received his literary education at the Methodist Seminary at Mt. Morris, that State. His health failing, he came to California in 1875, and purchased a ranch at Garden Grove, intending to give his time to outdoor pursuits; but his love for study still grew upon him, and, having in great measure regained his health, he went to San Francisco and took a course at the Hahnemann Medical College, where he graduated in 1887. Since that time he has given his whole … Read more

Biography of Sheldon Littlefield

Sheldon Littlefield Supervisor from the third district of Orange County, was born in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in 1834, and was brought up on a farm. At the age of seventeen years he went to Charlestown same State, and clerked in a grocery for a year. He then took what money he had saved and went to Appleton Academy so long as his money lasted. Then he taught school at Brookline, New Hampshire, and next returned to Massachusetts and for a time was engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, and then obtained a position for three years in a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Moses Spencer Jones

Dr. Moses Spencer Jones, the oldest resident physician in Orange County, was born in Clinton County, Illinois, in 1842, a son of Charles Lee and Elizabeth Leek (Spencer) Jones. His father, a native of Buckingham County, Virginia, moved to Christian County, Kentucky, in 1824, and thence in 1830 to Illinois, where he died August 2, 1860. Dr. Jones was educated at McKendree College, at Lebanon, St. Clair County, Illinois, and completed his education under private instruction in St. Louis. He took a special course under the celebrated Dr. William Niehaus, in ophthalmology and aural surgery, and subsequently a special course … Read more

Gabrielino Indians

The Gabrielino Indians, named after the San Gabriel Mission in Los Angeles County, were also known as Kizh, Playsanos, Tobikhars, and Tumangamalum. Their closest relatives were the Fernandeno, and both groups were part of the California branch of the Shoshonean Division of the Uto-Aztecan stock. The Gabrielino inhabited the drainage area of the San Gabriel River, the Los Angeles region, and southward into Orange County, including Santa Catalina Island and likely San Clemente Island. They established numerous villages, such as Ahau near the Los Angeles River, Akura near San Gabriel Mission, and Pimu on Santa Catalina Island. In 1770, their population, including the Fernandeno and Nicoleno, was estimated at around 5,000, but by 1922 were nearly extinct.

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Maggard

Jacob Maggard residing near Anaheim, was born in Caldwell County, Kentucky, August 12, 1815. His parents,. Jacob and Susan (Bright) Maggard, natives respectively of Virginia and Tennessee, had ten children, he being the fifth. At the age of twenty years he started out in life for himself by working by the day in Scotland County, Missouri, whither his father had moved fifteen years previously. He was reared principally in Randolph County, Missouri. He continued in his calling as a farmer, in which he was successful, until about twelve years ago, when he came to California and purchased property in Sonoma … Read more

Biographical Sketch of P. Justice

P. Justice, of Westminster, was born in Pulaski County, Indiana, November 10, 1838. His parents, Jesse and Matilda Justice, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and brought up nine children, one having died early in life. They moved to Texas when Perry, the subject of this sketch, was fifteen years of age, that is, in 1853. In 1857 the former moved to San Bernardino County, California, and engaged at work in the pine forests. In 1859 he moved to Azusa and lived there until 1888. In 1861 the subject of this sketch started in business for himself by taking … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Prof. John P. Greeley

John P. Greeley, County Superintendent of Schools of Orange County, was born in Swanville, Maine, in 1860. Was educated in the common and high schools of his native place. Graduated at the State Normal School at Castine in 1883, standing second in a class of forty-five. Before graduating he taught in his native town six years. Had charge of the graded schools at Searsport for two years, and in Belfast two years. Prof. Greeley was elected Superintendent of Schools of his native place for three successive years, resigning when he came to California in 1884. Taught one year in San … Read more

Biographical Sketch of B. F. Townsend

B. F. Townsend a prosperous farmer near Garden Grove, was born in Bowdoinham, Maine, in 1834, educated at the high school there, and in 1855 left home to take care of himself. For nine years he worked in a wholesale boot and shoe store in Massachusetts, and from there, January 13, 1864, he went to Chicago, Milwaukee, Sioux City and other places; then to Omaha, and to Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas, where he worked on a farm until 1866, teaching school during the winter seasons. Then he went to Baxter Springs, Cherokee County, Kansas, engaging in the manufacture and sale … Read more

Coffee, Alice Wiles – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Alice Wiles Coffee, mother of Bob Coffee of Enterprise, died Aug. 30, 1989, at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. She was born Dec. 9.1915, at Santa Ana, Calif., the daughter of Scott and Mary Wiles. On Dec.22, 1945, she married George L. Coffee at Long Beach, Calif. He preceded her in death on March 3, 1989. She worked as a parachute rigger in Long Beach, Calif., during World War II where she met her husband. She was a homemaker. After the death of her husband, she moved to Enterprise. Survivors include her son, Bob Coffee, Enterprise, daughter, Kathy … Read more

Biography of Jesse H. Arnold

Jesse H. Arnold, Prominent among those who have been most active in advancing the interests of Orange County, stands the gentleman whose name heads this sketch – the pioneer merchant of Orange. He is a native of Howard County, Missouri, born July 15, 1842, and son of John and Margaret (Heard) Arnold. His father died in Howard County, Missouri, January 30, 1870, aged about seventy-four years; his mother died at his residence in Orange, September 19, 1889, aged eighty-seven years, three months and twenty days. At the time of his mother’s death, Mr. Arnold wrote the following obituary, which not … Read more

Tonack, Ron – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Ron Tonack, 66, of Baker City, died July 6, 2002, as a result of the progression of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). His graveside funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Allan Franks of the Church of the Nazarene and Lynn Shumway will officiate. Ron always enjoyed casual dress, his family members said. They encourage those attending the funeral to dress comfortably in the warm weather. Ron was born Sept. 24, 1935, at Pendleton to Robert and Becky Tonack. He grew up in the Pendleton area. He received his bachelor’s degree from Eastern … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Spencer, M. D.

Thomas Spencer, M. D. of Anaheim, was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, in 1835, a son of Edward Spencer, who was a dry-goods merchant. He came to the United States in 1849, received a common school education at Burlington, Iowa, and in 1854 came overland to California and attended the Toland Medical College, where he graduatedin 1861. He practiced his profession at Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, until 1872, when he bought land in Santa Barbara County. After making his home there two years he returned to Lucas County, Iowa, and bought a large stock farm, which he still owns. He came … Read more

Biography of William M. Higgins, Dr.

Dr. William M. Higgins, pharmacist on Central avenue, Anaheim, was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, June 18, 1826. He was educated at Princeton College, at which he was graduated in 1845, with the degree of A. B. He read medicine for a period of two years, and February 22, 1849, started for California on the bark St. Mary. He remained in Rio Janeiro ten months, then went aboard the ship William Brandt, bound for San Francisco, at which place he arrived in July, 1850, having been ship’s doctor during the voyage. After his arrival in San Francisco he was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Judge S. M. Craddick

Judge S. M. Craddick Justice of the Peace and City Recorder at Orange, was born in Marion County, Iowa. In 1881 he went to Pierre, Dakota, and thence to Mankato, Minnesota, where he was engaged in the book and stationery trade. In 1886 he went to Chicago and engaged in the real-estate business until, on account of the ill-health of his wife, he had to seek a more genial climate. Coming to Orange, he has since then, by his active business habits and enterprising spirit, won the confidence and respect of all the business men who know him. He was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alexander Henry

Alexander Henry farmer and stock-raiser, near Anaheim, was born in Edinburg, Scotland in 1838, the son of Innes and Jacobina (Nicholson) Henry. His father had seven children by his first marriage, and eleven by the second: Alexander, who was a member of the second family, joined the English navy in 1850, and was in service throughout the Crimean war. He was at first errand boy and then ship’s carpenter. After the war lie served six years at the shipwright’s trade at Leith. Next he joined the Sidney of Glasgow and came to San Francisco in 1860, where he worked at … Read more