Miss E. C. Dyer, born in Illinois, transitioned from teaching to banking around fifteen years ago. For the past twelve years, she has served as Cashier at the Riverside Banking Company. Renowned for her cultural sophistication and exceptional business acumen, Miss Dyer exemplifies determination and leadership in her field.
Samuel K. Klinefelter, born June 10, 1845, in Ohio, was the youngest partner at Hayt Klinefelter, a prominent Riverside livery stable. After moving to Kansas, he enlisted in the Seventh Regiment of Kansas Cavalry during the Civil War, participating in significant battles before returning to farming. He later ventured to California, engaging in various businesses including dairy, hotel management, and meat markets. By 1887, he established a successful livery operation in Riverside, becoming a well-respected community figure and a dedicated Republican.
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.
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.
William B. Sawyer, M.D., born in 1854 in Massachusetts, is a notable figure in Riverside’s medical and civic communities. Son of an influential family, he pursued a robust education, graduating from Amherst College and Harvard Medical School. After practicing in Kansas City, he moved to Riverside, where he resumed medicine in 1886 after a brief venture into dairy farming. An advocate for public health and a writer, he contributed significantly to local media and politics. He married Emma J. Nichols, with whom he had five children, and has been a steadfast supporter of Riverside’s growth.
Judge William W. Noland, born June 25, 1825, in Indiana, emerged from a pioneering family with roots in the South. He began his career in farming before evolving into roles such as county treasurer and railroad agent in Indiana. After relocating to Riverside, California, in 1880, he excelled in horticulture and became a key figure in the community. A dedicated public servant, he was elected as City Recorder and earned widespread respect, despite political differences. Noland was also a devoted family man and active in his church and fraternal organizations.
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.
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.
Seneca LaRue, born in 1831 in Indiana, moved to California in 1850, initially mining before returning to farming. In 1876, he settled in Riverside, acquiring 40 acres where he focused on horticulture, particularly citrus fruits. His successful orange grove spans 22 acres, yielding significant profits by 1888. LaRue constructed a well-appointed residence and engaged in community development. He married Samantha Leach in 1858, and they had eight children. A respected member of the Universalist Church and a Republican, he is known for his entrepreneurial spirit and contributions to Riverside.
George H. Dole resides in a prominent home on a twenty-acre property in Riverside’s Arlington district. His modern two-story residence is surrounded by well-kept grounds, including a ten-acre orange grove primarily of Washington Navels, and a ten-acre vineyard of Muscat grapes. Born in 1842 in Hawaii to missionary parents, Dole pursued education and a career in journalism before dedicating himself to agriculture. He moved to Riverside in 1889 for his children’s education and has since become a respected member of the community and church.
Miles Shoemaker, born in 1849 in Delaware County, Indiana, purchased a twenty-acre tract near Riverside Avenue in 1882, where he cultivated citrus and deciduous fruits. His efforts led to a fruitful orange grove and vineyard, with notable profits from his crops. Shoemaker, married to Amanda S. Carpenter with two children, has earned respect in his community for his practical approach to horticulture. Active in local politics as a Republican, he embodies the industrious spirit of early California settlers.
Frank T. Nelson, a prominent horticulturist, arrived in San Bernardino County in 1863, initially settling in Redlands where he cultivated a successful orange grove. After selling his land in 1887, he moved to Riverside, acquiring additional properties, including a well-producing ten-acre orange grove. Born in 1861 in Illinois, Nelson was raised in Indiana before venturing into farming. He married Nellie Mills in 1888, and they have one daughter. A respected figure in his community, he is actively involved in the Methodist Church and supports the Prohibition Party.
S. M. Goddard, a prominent businessman in Colton, California, leads the esteemed James Lee Company, a significant wholesale enterprise founded in 1885, which became the largest warehouse in the county. Following the death of his partner, James Lee, in 1886, Goddard continued the business and also sold the banking branch, which evolved into the First National Bank of Colton. A dedicated civic leader, he serves as City Treasurer, contributes to public improvements, and presides over the Hermosa Cemetery Association. Born in New York in 1854, he moved to California in 1882 and married Margaret A. Lee, with whom he has one daughter.
David D. Banta, born in 1859 in New Jersey, is the principal owner and business manager of Riverside Mills, established in 1887. After honing his skills in New York and working in various cities, he settled in Riverside where he has successfully managed the mill, which is a leading local industry. Banta employs around fifteen skilled laborers and operates advanced machinery. A dedicated community member, he supports public initiatives and is active in the Republican Party and his local church. He married Emma Stults in 1885, with whom he has one daughter.
Dr. James Porter Greves, M.D., known as the Father of Riverside, was instrumental in founding the Colony Association and played a pivotal role in establishing the city of Riverside after arriving in 1870. Born on September 6, 1810, in New York, he pursued a diverse career in medicine across various states before settling in California. A respected community leader, he served as Riverside’s first Postmaster and contributed greatly to its horticultural development. Dr. Greves died on September 25, 1889, leaving behind a legacy of public service and compassion.
Peter Suman, a prominent horticulturist in Riverside, settled in December 1880, purchasing a two-and-a-half acre property before acquiring ten acres on Brockton Avenue in 1881. He cultivated his orange grove, remarkable for its seedling trees and diverse varieties, achieving significant annual yields. Born in Indiana in 1832, Suman engaged in various enterprises before relocating to California for its climate. An active community member and a supporter of Prohibition, he married May J. Pugsley, with whom he had one daughter, Ida Belle.
Otis T. Dyer, born in 1844 in New York, played a pivotal role in Riverside’s development before 1890. After serving in the Civil War, he established a successful banking career in Illinois. In 1880, he moved to Riverside, founding Dyer Bros. Bank. His banking acumen led to the formation of the Riverside Banking Company, and he was crucial in the city’s incorporation and water supply management. A prominent community figure, Dyer was also involved in various enterprises and held strong ties to local fraternal organizations and churches. He resided in a beautifully landscaped home with his wife, Mary Weed, and their four children.
William J. Guthrie, a prominent San Bernardino businessman, was originally from Detroit, Michigan, where he gained expertise in commercial practices through his work with the McKillop Mercantile Agency. After moving to California in 1878 and spending time in Colorado, he established a grocery and crockery store in San Bernardino in 1882. Following the retirement of his partner, he focused solely on the crockery business, achieving success until his temporary retirement in 1889. Additionally, he owned valuable land and an orange grove, indicating a prosperous future ahead.
Joseph K. Shields, born in 1853 in Cook County, Illinois, moved to California with his family in 1855. After pursuing various occupations, including running a meat market and working for the Central Pacific Railroad, he established himself in Riverside by 1885. Shields became the editor of the Riverside Enterprise in 1888, showcasing his rise through hard work and ambition. A Republican and active in local organizations, he married Josie Labadie in 1879 and has three children. He exemplifies the self-made man of his era.
Captain Lyman C. Waite, born in 1844 in Wisconsin, was instrumental in the early development of Riverside, California. A Civil War veteran, he rose through the ranks to achieve the rank of Captain, participating in numerous significant battles. After the war, he pursued education and law before settling in Riverside in 1870 with only $50. Waite established the first nursery in the colony and became a prominent businessman, contributing to various local enterprises, including banking and water companies. He was married to Lillian M. Shugart, with whom he had four children.