Biographies of San Luis Obispo County

Thompson & West

1883

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JAMES G. ABBOTT

Biography & Obituary

Page 362

Died at his residence in San Luis Obispo, February 23 1882. A view of this pleasant home, one of the ornaments of the city, is shown in this book. Of this gentleman the San Luis Obispo Tribune of February 25, 1882, says:

"On Thursday last this city lost one of its most respected citizens, in the person of Mr. James G. Abbott, who died at his residence after a brief illness. Deceased had resided in San Luis Obispo but a little more than one year, but in that time he had made a large number of friends who will deeply deplore his death. Mr. Abbott vas born in Aurora, Erie County, New York, in 1827. In 1832 his father's family removed to Michigan, where he was raised. At the breaking out of the Mexican War Mr. Abbott, then a young man, residing in Illinois, enlisted and served through that war. He came to California in 1852 and settled in Napa County, and subsequently removed to Nevada and Oregon, in both of which States he engaged in the cattle business. While residing in Winnemucca, Nevada, in the fall of 1878, he was waylaid and beaten in the streets of that town, and received injuries from which he never fully recovered, and which no doubt were the primary cause of his death. Three men committed the outrage, and the object was robbery. In 1880 he came to this county and purchased several acres of land in the northern portion of the city, and planted a large orchard, intending to engage extensively n the business of fruit-raising. Last fall he married Mrs. Nancy J. Wright of this city, and fitted up an elegant home which he was prepared to appreciate after successfully passing through the vicissitudes of a busy and eventful life. But he was not destined to long enjoy the comforts which he had provided. On Saturday last he was taken with pneumonia, and on Thursday morning died. He leaves a widow and two brothers, S. H. and A. Abbott, who reside in this city, and two married sisters, one of whom lives at Ukiah in this State, and the other in Missouri. Mr. Abbott was buried yesterday, the funeral being conducted under the auspices of Chorro Lodge of Odd Fellows, of which he was a member."

James Badasci

Pp 345

JAMES BADASCI Was the second of three children, born in Franco-Switzerland, October 9, 1849. His parents were Stephen and Mary (Lanini) Badasci. In his native mountain country he remained until fifteen years of age, receiving the education the schools afforded, and trained to the habits of industry that have enabled him to succeed well in life. In 1866 he emigrated to America, coming direct to California, and without delay engaging to work in a dairy in Marin County. In that employment he remained for nine years, when he removed to Cayucos, San Luis Obispo County, and bought a ranch of 480 acres, a view of which is given in these pages. On this he has since reided, engaged in improving his place, stocking it, farming and dairying. He now milks from seventy-five to one hundred cows, and makes large quantities of butter, which finds a ready market.

Mr. Badasci was married, August 4, 1879, to Miss Katie Muscio. Mrs. Badasci died March 30, 1880, leaving no children.

JAMES QUINCY BUFFINGTON

Pp 345

He is one of the native sons of California pioneers, having been born in Nevada County, November 15, 1850. His father was Abraham Columbus Buffington, and his mother, before her marriage, was Amanda Layton. Ten children graced the festive board of this happy family. The parents removed to Marin County when the subject of this sketch was seven years of age, and in that county of milk and butter he passed his years, and in the public schools acquired his education. In 1867 he came to San Luis Obispo County, where he has since made his home, successfully carrying in the business of dairying. His rancho, situated on Little Cayucos Creek, one mile from the town of Cayucos, contains 480 acres of land, furnishing grazing for the dairy of seventy-five cows. A view of his place will be found elsewhere in this book.

Mr. Buffington was married, October 26, 1870, to Miss Mary Cook, a native of New Brunswick, and they have five children, one daughter and four sons. Mr. Buffington in his social and business life is a very popular gentleman, and takes a great interest in public afiairs, showing himself prominently where he can advance the prosperity and enlightenment of his community. While public-spirited and intelligent, he has not sought high political positions, but has been selected by his neighbors to act as Trustee in his school district, which is evidence of the esteem in which he is held.

CHARLES MABEL

Pp 345

CHARLES MABEL Was born in the county of Roxburgh, Scotland, Decemler 26, 1834. He was the second child of Robert and Helen (Scott) Mabel, there being six children in the family, three sons and three daughters. In 1861 he came to California, and first settled in Sacramento, but finally went to Sonoma and Marin Counties, where he engaged in dairying, continuing in the business until 876, when he changed his location to his present place of residence. The ranch comprises 1,040 acres, located n Old Creek, three miles from Cayucos, and is well stocked with choice cows and all the conveniences for successfully conducting the business of butter-making. From 120 to 150 cows are usually milked, and butter is made for the San Francisco market. A view of the ranch is given in this book

THOMAS S. MABEL

Pp 345

THOMAS S. MABEL, Brother of Charles Mabel, and youngest son of the family noticed in the preceding paragraph, was born in Roxburgh County, Scotland, April 15, 1839. Until seventeen years of age he remained in his native land and there attended school and received his education. He came to America in 1857, and settled in Delaware County, New York, where he remained eight years, engaged in farming. In 1865 he came to California, via the Isthmus of Panama, and for three years was engaged in various occupations in different parts of the State. He then settled in Marin County and engaged in dairying, which business he continued in that county for eight years. In 1876 he came to San Luis Obispo County, locating on the ranch now occupied by himself and brother, on Old Creek, three miles from Cayucos, where they are now extensively engaged in the manufacture of butter, which finds a ready sale in San Francisco.

DAVID C. POWELL

Pps 345 & 346

DAVID C. POWELL Was born in Jackson County, Missouri, July 22, 1847, being the eldest of eleven children in a family of four sons and seven daughters. His father's name was Silas Powell, and his mother before marriage was Harriet Rice. His grandfather was the distinguished Baptist preacher, Joab Powell, well known in Missouri, the principal field of his labors. When the subject of this sketch was three years of age, his parents emigrated cross the plains to Oregon, finding there a home, where they resided until 1869. There he passed his years of youth, obtaining his education in the schools of that State, and becoming familiar with the business of farming and the management of stock. In 1869 his parents decided to seek a more Southern clime, and removed to genial California. While on the long journey he had the sad misfortune to lose his father, who died in Santa Clara County, and the family continued their way to San Luis Obispo. David C. Powell being the eldest of the children, upon him devolved the duty of caring for the others. Settling upon a ranch he entered into the busiless of farming, dairying, and stock-raising, with success, his farm comprising an area of 920 acres, which he owns. In 1871 he came to reside at his present home, which belongs to his mother, now Mrs. Shipp. In this place are 327 acres, and the fine improvements shown in the engraving on another page.

Mr. Powell, was married November 21, 1877, to Miss Martha C. Petty, a native of Missouri, and two boys bless the union. Both Mr. and Mrs. Powell are fond of society and enjoy greeting their friends at their hospitable home.

Mr. Powell, while actively and strictly attending to business, finds time to attend to his duties as a prominent citizen. Politically he acts with the Democrats, and was in 1876 chosen to the honorable ofifce of Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds.

Porter S. Finney

Pp182

Porter S Finney is a native of Delhi, Delaware County, New York, where he was born in 1825, his father, Sheldon Finney, being a carpenter and builder in that pleasant and thriving village. The father was accidentally killed by the fall of some timbers of a building he was engaged in constructing, leaving a family of children thus orphaned to struggle for their future place in the world. While yet a lad of tender years, the present Supervisor went to live with friends in the Genesee Valley, in western New York, where he passed his youth acquiring a good education in the common schools of the country, and acquiring. the valuable and lasting capital of a trade in wagonmaking and blacksmithing. Soon after the discovery of gold in California he, in the spirit of adventure that characterized the young men of enterprise of that time, joined the moving caravan and settled in business in the city of Sacramento. There he formed a partnership with Kimball, afterwards of the great wagon manufactory of San Francisco, and engaged in blacksmithing and wagon work. At Sacramento he remained a number of years, and then removed to Corte Madera, in Marin County, where he resided a short time. In 1867 he joined his cousins, the Steele Brothers, in San Luis Obispo County, and established the well-known Finney Dairy, on the early home of Judge Wm. L. Beebee. In that pleasant locality he remained until 1870, when, fancying that wagon-making was a more rapid road to wealth, he removed to San Francisco and entered the establishment of Casebolt & Co., where he remained two years. In 1872 Mr. Finney, with his family, again made his home in San Luis Obispo, establishing himself in his trade, in which business he has since continued. Here he is regarded as one of the substantial and reliable business men of the city and county, serving both in various public offices. In 1882 he was elected on the Republican ticket as one of the Board of Supervisors, resigning his seat as a member of the City Council in January last, to take his place as Supervisor.

William H De Nise

Pp 336

WILLIAM H. DE NISE, Who was born in Montgomery County, New York, May 23, 1829. In that region where the thrifty Dutch settlers two centuries ago made their homes and extended the Christian civilization along the valley of the Mohawk, the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, receiving his education at the common schools, and training in the habits of industry and self-reliance so characteristic of his ancestors. In 1854, lured bv the grand prospects opening on the Pacific Coast for the enterprise of young men of health and vigor, he came to California, and here engaged in various occupations. His first four years in this State he spent in Yolo County, then in Sacramento, where he engaged in teaming to the mines, and upon the development of the silver mines of Nevada transferred his teaming operations to Gold Hill, in hauling quartz from the mines to the mills, and this he continued very profitably for six years. Then leaving the mining regions our sister State he sought the pleasant valley of Santa Clara, and, for two years, as a farmer, cultivated its fertile soil. From his farm he moved into the city of San Jose, where he dwelt two years, and in 1871 came to San Luis Obispo County. Here he has since lived, engaged in farming and dairying. His farm contains 456 acres, and situated about one mile from Cambria, a view of the pleasant home, its surroundings and the buildings required for the dairy, being given on another page.

Mr. De Nise was married January 30, 1867, to Miss Carrie Brown, a native of New York. They have three children, one son and two daughters.

FRANCISCO ESTEVAN QUINTANA

Biography & Obituary

Pp 362

Was one of the early settlers of the region now embraced in San Luis Obispo County, where he resided from 1843 until the time of his death, which occurred August 4, 1880, at the advanced age of eighty years. Senor Quintana was born in New Mexico, August 4, 1801, remaining in that country until he came to San Luis Obispo, as above stated. During his long life he as actively engaged in the business of stock-raising, both in New Mexico and California; and, being a careful and skillful business man, amassed a fortune. Here he owned a rancho of 6,000 acres of land, and some of he finest improved property in the city of San Luis Obispo. His family consisted of wife and six children, of whom three were daughters and three sons. At the time of his decease the Tribune published the following obituary notice:

"Senor Quintana came to this country poor, but by industry, frugality, and good business habits, acquired a competency. For a number of his later years, Mr. Quintana was afflicted with a diseased leg, which incapacitated him from active business, and two years before his death he had it amputated. His strong constitution and nerve enabled him to undergo the operation, and during the last years of his life he was able to get about. The funeral took place from the Catholic Church."

CHRISTJAN HANSEN JESPERSEN

Pp 363

Is a native of Denmark, born March 10, 1836. His parents were Jorgen and Catherine (Hansen) Jespersen, who had two children, one son and one daughter, Christjan Hansen being the eldest. He remained in his native Denmark until he had reached the prime of manhood, passing his early years at the common schools country, and working on the farm, and when arrived at the proper age served an apprenticeship and engaged in the occupation of ship carpentering. After years of labor at his trade and farming in the cold of northern Europe, he decided to seek that far western land where so many of his countrymen had gone before and prospered so well, and whence the reports turned of the long years of warm sunshine and bright flowers, so vividly in contrast to the dreary winters and scanty vegetation of his Scandinavian home. In 1867 he came to America and to California, first settling at Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, where he engaged in mining and in dealing in lumber. At that pleasant village by the Pajaro he remained seven years, removing 1874 to San Luis Obispo County. Here he purchased a fine farm of 180 acres on the Los Osos Grant, on this he continues to reside, a prosperous farmer. His well cultivated fields and thrifty orchard and garden exhibit an industry and economical management that is the forerunner of wealth. His cottage home and its surroundings are shown on another page.

Mr. Jespersen was married February 27, 1862, while in his native land, to Miss Annie Batille Iversen, and they have seven children, five sons and two daughters.

MORGAN BRIANS

Pp 229

Is one of the veteran dairymen of California, being one of the early immigrants to the State, bringing with him his family of grown sons and daughters. This gentlenan was born in the State of Kentucky, November 24, 1807, remaining in that State until 1817, when his parents removed to Missouri. In that comparatively wild region, wild in the extreme to what it is at the present day, Mr. Brians spent the next .thirty-five years of his life, there he married, and there his six children were born. He was married in 1835 to Miss Elizabeth English. This lady is a native of Tennessee, born in 1811. In 1852, Mr Brians brought his family to California, crossing the plains in the long and toilsome journey of five months. Arriving safely, he located near Petaluma, in Sonoma County, and there engaged in the business of dairying. In that pleasant locality and profitable business he continued until 1868, when he came to San Luis Obispo County and settled in Green Valley, where He now lives on his ranch of 1,335 acres. The residence, shown in an engraving on another page in this volumne, is situated on the road between Cambria and San Luis Obispo, five miles from the former and twenty-five from the latter place. He milks from 150 to 165 cows, and devotes the product exclusively to the manufacture of butter.

JULIAN ESTRADA

Pp 341

Was born in Monterey, California, in 1813, and there he lived through all the peaceful years that so blessed his native country until the Americans came to disturb its repose. Through the years of Mexican control Senor Estrada lived the life of a ranchero. In 1849 he left his native home in Monterey for his rancho in San Luis Obispo County, he having then a grant of three leagues of land obtained from the Mexican Government. This is known as the Santa Rosa Rancho, and is located on Santa Rosa Creek, near the village of Cambria. Here he engaged largely in stock raising, at times having as many io head of cattle on his rancho, driving and selling to the San Francisco market. For many years this was a most lucrative business, producing an enormous revenue to the landed and stock proprietors. Senor Estrada was married in 1842 to Senorita Nicolasa Gajiola. This lady was born in Monterey, California, September 10, 1820. There were eight children by this marriage, three sons and five daughters, all of whom are living, the father of the family dying December 27, 1872, in the town of San Luis Obispo. Three of the children, two daughters and one son, still reside with the mother on the ranch, occupying the old adobe building first erected by Senor Estrada in 1849, a view of which may be found in this volume. Dona Nicolasa is now upwards of sixty-two years of age, and the ranch is managed by Mariano Estrada and her other children.

HENRY HESS

Pp 353

Was born in Germany, September 8, 1842. His parents are John Hess and Louisa Pfeiffer, both natives of Grermany; the family consisted of five children, all of boys, Henry being the second. In his native land he grew to manhood, attending the public schools during his youth, and becoming familiar with the careful care of vine and grape growing, and the cultivation of the farm as practiced in the old country. In 1868, with his strict habits of industry and frugality well formed, he emigrated to America. June 7, 1868, soon after his arrival in New York, he married Miss Susan Schimpf, a native of Germany, and then, with his new family, he moved on to California, arriving in this State the same year. Mr. Hess selected Marysville, in Yuba County, for his home, and in the vicinity of that city planted a vineyard and cultivated a farm. Upon that location he remained until 1873, when he removed to Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo County, where he las since resided as a vineyardist and farmer. The farm of Mr. Hess is situated about one mile from the town of Arroyo Grande, contains fifty acres, well improved, with vineyards and orchards. Here he now lives with lis family, consisting of wife and three children living, of whom two are sons and one daughter.

JEREMIAH FRANCIS MUIR

Pp 342

Was born in Missouri, April 11, 1846, his parents being Presley Thomas Muir and Mahala (Floyd) Muir. The family were among the first American pioneers of the West, the father of Presley Thomas Muir being a soldier of the Black Hawk War, which opened the fertile region of the northern Mississippi Valley to the peaceful settlement of the white race. Mr. Muir grew to the age of eighteen in his native State, attending the public schools of the country and performing the work incident to a farmer boy's life. In 1864 he left Missouri for California, taking the route across the plains, and was six months making the toilsome journey. His first location in this State was in Sonoma County where he resided three years, and then removed to Mendocino County. In 1870 he came to San Luis Obispo County, where he has since dwelt. Here he is engaged in farming and dairying. His farni is located on Willow Creek, four miles from Cayucos, and comprises 320 acres of excellent land for his purposes. He milks upwards of forty cows, and is constantly increasing his herd. A view of the ranch is given in this book.

Mr. Muir was married August 16, 1870, to Miss Emma English, a native of Missouri. He is a highly respected member of society, and belongs to the Order of Freemasons. In politics he acts with the Democratic Party, and takes great interest in public affairs and in whatever measures he regards as of benefit to the public, and to the community in which he lives.

DANIEL HENRY

Pp 353

A native of Scotland, was born near Glasgow, in December, 1824. His father was Neil Henry, and his mother's maiden name was Margaret Bailey. In the family were five children, Daniel being the fourth. When but one and a half years of age his parents removed to Nova Scotia, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools of the country. His early spent on a farm, and thus being inured and skilled the cultivation of the soil has made that his business through life. When twenty-four years of age he went to Massachusetts, and for the following fifteen years made that State his home, coming to California in 1867. Upon arriving in the "Golden State" he chose Sonoma County for his residence, remaining there and farming until 1869, when he came to San Luis Obispo County, where he has since lived. Mr. Henry was married September 9 1850, to Miss Sabrina McKeen, a native of Nova Scotia, the family being members of the Presbyterian Church. Their home is located two miles from the village of Arroyo Grande, where Mr. Henry owns a fine farm, of which he is justly proud

TIMOTHY MURPHY

Pp 341

A view of whose dairy farm and residence is given on ther page, was born in County Cork, Ireland, and vhen quite young was brought by his mother to America, settling in Lawrence, Massachusetts. There he passed childhood years, attending school and working as he was able. In 1859 he came to California, first locating at Benicia, but tarried there only two months. He afterwards resided two years in San Mateo County, engaged in farming, then went to Marin County, where he remained, as dairyman, for about ten years, coming to San Luis Obispo in 1874. Here he purchased a finely located ranch of 850 acres, lying between Cayucos and Cambria, where he milks 100 cows and carries on the business of dairying extensively.

Mr. Murphy, in 1878, married Miss Johanna McCarty, and the happy couple reside in the pleasant home shown in the engraving.

STILLMAN F. BREED

Pp 362 - 363

Was born January 23, 1829, in Monroe County, New York. His father was Silas Breed, and his mothe's maiden name was Nancy Bangs. In 1835-36 occurred the period of great excitement through New York and the New England States regarding the grassy prairies and "oak openings" of the Territory of Michigan, then to be admitted as a State in the Union. The fertile lands of the embryo State offered the brightest opportunity that had ever opened to the people of the East, and a rapid emigration ensued. The parents of Mr. Breed joined in the movement, and when seven rears of age he became a resident of the "Wolverine State". Being of a studious nature and of scholarly tastes, he acquired in the schools of Michigan an excellent education, and at an early age entered the field as a teacher of youth, adopting that most honorable and worthy vocation as his profession. When twenty-four years of age he was elected County Clerk of Van Buren County, which position he held through two successive terms. While County Clerk he published a Republican paper in the town of Paw Paw. In 1858, after serving his second term of office, he sold his paper and printing etablishment, and came to California, where he soon engaged as a teacher. For the following five years he taught school in the counties of Contra Costa, El Dorado, and Monterey, and in the latter county was, while teaching, interested in the business of sheep and wool-growing.

Mr. Breed returned to the East in 1864, remaining at his old home in Michigan for two years, going from there to Kansas, where he remained one year. In Kansas he resumed his editorial work, and published a, real estate paper at Eureka. He then went to Texas and engaged in teaching in various places, teaching in the schools of Austin, where were five hundred students. From Texas he went to Springfield, Missouri, where he taught in a seminary for young ladies until 1874, when he returned to California. Remaining two years in San Francisco, he then came to San Luis Obispo, where he has since lived, engaged in farming. Mr. Breed's residence and surroundings are the subject of a sketch illustrated in this book.

PEDRO QUINTANA

Pp 362

The son of Don Francisco Estevan Quintana, was born in New Mexico, January 29, 1883, and when ten years of age came with his parents to California, since which time he has lived in San Luis Obispo. He is the owner 6,000 acres of land in the county, besides valuable property in the city of San Luis Obispo, and carries on the business of farming and stock-raising extensively. Mr. Quintana resides on one of his farms, situated nine miles northwest of the city, a view of it being published in this volume. He was married September 4, 1856, to Miss Luz Herrera de Quintana, and six children, five sons and one daughter, have been born to them.

JAMES CULTER MC FERSON

Pp 182

Is one of the brave stock of '49ers whom fate and love of adventure brought to this coast the year following the discovery of gold in the race of Sutter's Mill. Mr. McFerson was born in Brown County, Ohio, August 5, 1824. In the home of his nativity he remained until he had reached the age of sixteen years, there attending school and preparing himself for his future contest with the world. He then moved into the adjoining State of Indiana, where he remained until 847, when he returned to Ohio. In 1848 came the news which aroused the young men of the world to unusual energy. This was the discovery of gold in California. Mr. McFerson was then in his twenty-fifth year, full of vigor and enterprise, feeling as if the new world of the West had opened especially for him. He was in the prime of young manhood, of sufficient age to have experience in business, and thus peculiarly fitted to become a pioneer in a new country. In the spring of 1849 he joined the throng for California, crossing the plains as a passenger, with sixty-one companions, in the passenger train of Turner, Allen & Co. The train was safely in the mines, when each of the company started out to seek his fortune as he thought best. Mr. McFerson engaged in mining until 1857, when he took a contract to supply wood to a quartz mill belonging to Fremont on the Mariposa estate. In this he was engaged for two years, when, in 1859, he removed to Tulare County and commenced farming. In December, 1865, he removed to San Luis Obispo County, locating upon tract of Government land, where he now resides, two miles from the village of Cambria. A view of this pleasant and prosperous home, made through the industry of the owner, is given on another page. The ranch contains 370 acres, and is devoted to farming, dairying, bee-keeping, etc. Mr. McFerson is a man of enlarged views in public matters, a Democrat in politics, liberal in sentiment and practice, and highly respected by all. On numerous occasions he has been called to responsible official positions. He was elected Supervisor of Tulare County while residing there, and since he came to live in San Luis Obispo County has been four times elected to the same office, being Supervisor at the present time. He is also a School Trustee, which position he has held for the past seven years, although he has no children to attend. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows classes him among its members, and all society feels his influence for good. Mr. McFerson was married August 5, 1855, at Indian Diggings, El Dorado County, to Mrs Guegnon, nee Titus, a native of Ohio. They have no children

Edwin P Bean

Pp 232

In a pleasant canada on the northern slope of the Santa Lucia Range, eight miles north of the city of San Luis Obispo, is the well-known and popular hostelry of Bean Brothers, whose place makes one of the fine land

scape views illustrated in this book. These gentlemen are successful farmers and horticulturists, as well as hotel- kee