San Diego County, California
Biographies
COL. CHALMERS SCOTT
One of the best-known citizens of San Diego is Colonel Chalmers Scott. He is
a native of Louisiana, having been born in New Orleans, May 9, 1845. In 1854
he came with his parents to San Francisco. where his father, Rev. William A.
Scott, was for many years pastor of St. John's Presbyterian Church. Chalmers
attended the public schools until 1861, when he went to Europe with his
parents. He attended college in Montauban, France, up to June, 1862, and
then was a student in the University College, London, until May, 1863. His
family then returned to the United States and he accompanied them. From
June. 1863, to May, 1864, he attended the law department of the University
of New York, graduating- at the head, though the youngest of his class, at
the age of nineteen, and haying the degree of LL.B. conferred upon him. He
then entered the law office of Blatchford, Seward & Griswold, where he
remained until November, 1864. when he returned to San Francisco and for a
year read law in the office of Haight N Pierson. He would have continued his
legal studies but an injury to one of his eyes, received when at school so
affected the sight that he found close application to his books was using up
his eyes completely. A sea voyage was recommended and just at this time he t
the late Thomas M. Cash, who was, at that time, the representative of the
New York Harold on this coast. By him Mr. Scott was appointed special
correspondent of the Harold, to make a trip to China and back.
He made the trip, was gone nearly three
months, and on his return rushed through a two-thousand-word dispatch to the
Harold before any other newspaper man could get a word of the news. A few
days afterwards Mr. Bennett appointed him by telegraph resident
correspondent of the Harold in China. This, however, he was obliged to
decline. His eves still troubled him and he went into the Sierras with an
engineering party of the Central Pacific. Railroad, remaining from June,
1867, to April, 1868. Becoming snow blind he returned to San Francisco.
The Spring Valley Water Company was then building their great San Andreas
dam, and he joined the construction force under Colonel Elliott, U. S.
Engineer Corps, as paymaster.
At the end of a year he resigned and again resumed the study of the law, entering the office of Gen. W. H. L. Barnes. In January, 1870, his attention was attracted to San Diego, and looking upon it as a coming city he came here and formed a law partnership with Col. G. A. Jones. He was admitted to the bar in July 1870, and in March of the following year he was appointed County Clerk, to fill the unexpired term of Capt. George A. Pendleton, deceased. He joined the Texas Pacific Survey as transitman under C. J. Fox, and made a survey from San Diego to San Gorgonino Pass.
In March, 1873, the party being called in, he resumed his law practice. In November, 1874, haying married Maria Antonio Coutts, eldest daughter of the late C. J. Coutts, he moved out to the homestead on Rancho Guajome as legal advisor of the estate. In December, 1875, he accepted the position of Deputy State Treasurer under Don Jose Guadalupe Estudillo, but the climate of Sacramento not agreeing with his family he returned to Guajome. For a short time, in 1880-81, he was in the employ of the California Southern at San Diego, but in May, 1881, he was appointed Assistant Engineer on the Central Pacific Railroad, in charge of the survey from Yuma to Port Isabel, at the mouth of the Colorado. From Yuma he was transferred to Corinne, Utah, to survey a line by way of South Pass, of the Rocky Mountains, to Yankton, Dakota. The following year he went to Tucson, and in conjunction with Hon. S. R. De Long, Chief Engineer of the Tucson and Gulf of California Railroad Company, made a reconnaissance to Port Lobos, and afterward reconnoitered branch lines from Pacheco and Gila Bend to the Gunsight mine in ?tigers District, Arizona.. He was afterward in charge of the survey for the extension of the Vaca Valley and Clear Lake Railroad.
In August, 1883, he was sent to Guatemala as Chief Engineer of the Central American Pacific Railway and Transportation Co., to build an extension of the Guatemala Central Railroad from Escuintla to the city of Guatemala, a distance of thirty-eight miles. The previous management had wasted over two years of their time, and had graded only five miles of road, and laid three miles of track, leaving thirty-three miles to be surveyed, located, graded, and ironed in twelve months in order to save the concession. In thirteen miles of that distance the grade is continuous at the rate of two hundred and forty-six feet to the mile, and nine bridges from one hundred and eighty to two hundred and twenty feet in length and from eighty to one hundred and fifty feet high, and at Lake Amatitlan there was one solid fill seven hundred and fifty feet long and eighty feet deep in the lake, which had to he filled from one end, requiring over five hundred thousand cubic yards of dirt. It was in this work that the discipline of the Central Pacific Railroad proved its value, for with Colonel Scott as Chief Engineer and J. B. Harris as Superintendent of Construction, the locomotive blew its whistle in Guatemala City on July 19, 1884, the birthday of President Barrios, two months ahead of contract time.
That work completed, Colonel Scott returned to San Francisco, and after spending a year on other railroad work, resigned and followed civil engineering- in Oakland and San Francisco, returning to San Diego in November, 1886, where he entered into the real estate business in April, 18S7. Fie is a tine Spanish scholar and is considered the best authority on Spanish names in this locality. He deals largely in Lower California properties and is an authority on titles. Colonel Scott was a member oldie National Guard of California for ten years, from 1865 to 1575. In the latter year he was appointed Chief Engineer with the rank of Colonel on the staff of Governor Irwin, and served in that capacity for four years.
As previously noted Colonel Scott
married a Miss Coutts, who was an acknowledged belle. She was considered one
of the most beautiful young women in Southern California, and to-day there
are few matrons in the State who can equal her in queenly grace and
attractiveness. Their union has been blessed with four children, one son and
three daughters, all of whom are living. Colonel Scott is himself a notable
man personally. He is six feet and three and one-half inches high and weighs
two hundred pounds.
CHARLES HUBBELL.
One of the substantial and public-spirited citizens of San Diego is Charles
Hubbell. Although he retired from active business some years ago, he takes a
deep interest in everything that pertains to the advancement of the city.
Mr. Hubbell is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Ballston in
November, 1817. He lived until he was seventeen in Ballston and Oswego and
then went to Rochester where he became Assistant Teller of the Bank of
Monroe. He remained in Rochester two years and then went to Pontiac,
Michigan, to accept a position as Cashier of a bank there. He built and put
in operation the first saw-mill in Clinton County, Michigan, and aided in
cutting out the first road from Pontiac to Ionia, fifty years ago. He was
one of the original incorporators of Saginaw City. He assisted in the first
development of the Salt Springs of Northern Michigan and was identified with
many other projects of importance in that State. In 1839 he returned to
Rochester to act as Teller of the Commercial Bank. In 1846 he removed to
Cincinnati, to become Teller of the Ohio Life and Trust Company. ' After
-one year in this position he went into the banking house of Ellis Sturges
as Cashier.
In 1853 he had a severe attack of hemorrhage of the lungs and spent a year and a half traveling about for the purpose of recovering his health. Then he settled at Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained fifteen years. There his natural taste for horticultural pursuits, a taste which he had never before had the opportunity to gratify, induced him to engage in fruit raising. He resided on a farm during the summer months and in the winter he lived in the city of Keokuk. During his stay there he tilled several city and county offices.
In 1870 as his health was still far from rugged, on the advice of Professor Cleaver, who is now Surgeon-General of the Santa Fe Railroad Co., he started for California, coming direct to San Diego. Upon his arrival he was so pleased with the climate that he decided to make it his future home.. He purchased one hundred acres of land on the National Ranch, and planted a vineyard and fruit orchard. In 1874 he accepted the position of Cashier of the Bank of San Diego and remained with that institution until it was merged with the present Consolidated National Bank. Mr. Hubbell was a member of the Committee of Forty, appointed by the citizens to induce the building of a railroad to San Diego. He was Corresponding Secretary of the committee, and labored zealously to bring about that much desired object—railroad communication with the outside world.
Mr. Hubbell was one of the original stockholders in the California Southern. He never sought public office here, but at the earnest solicitations of his friends he ran for, and was elected, School Trustee in 1S72, and afterward in ISM, at the latter time being chosen President of the Board, which position he resigned last spring. He retired from active business in 1880, and has since been attending to his private affairs. Before coining to San Diego his health was so bad that he was not expected to live, but now, at the age of seventy, he enjoys perfect health, is active, and looks much younger than he really is. He has been prominently identified with the horticultural interests, and has been Secretary of the County Horticultural Society.
In religion," Mr. Hubbell says, " I am
a Baptist, having belonged to a church of that independent and democratic
organization, nearly fifty years. I accept implicitly the doctrines taught
by the Lord Jesus Christ, in their spirituality, and particularly as to
purity, truth, love, universal benevolence, and .the golden rule ,,f sixteen
ounces to the pound."
The ancestral motto of his family, has always been, Esse, (pram videri—be
what you seem to be. Mr. Hubbell was married in 1843 in Rochester, New York,
to Miss Anna M. Sage, who died very suddenly in 1881. During the
thirty-seven years of her married life, she was never known to speak an
unkind word to either her husband or children. He has had seven children, of
whom five are living, four sons and one daughter. One of his sons is a
lawyer, practicing in Rochester. One is a student in Crozer Seminary in
Pennsylvania and two are connected with the First National Bank of this
city. He is now building a residence, to cost about $to,000, on the corner
of Eighth and Ash Streets, adjoining the residence of his son, O. S. Hubhell.
O. S. HUBBELL.
The stranger visiting San Diego is naturally astonished at the progress made
by the city during the past two years. If he was to be told that one of the
leading spirits in designing and carrying out the improvements that meet his
gaze on every hand,—the street railroads, . the ferry, the motor lines, the
beautiful suburban tracts,—was a young man, not yet thirty years of age, his
astonishment would not be lessened. 0. S. Hubbell has already accomplished
in his brief business career far more than many men, who deem themselves
favored by fortune, have done in the space of a long and laborious
life-time. Mr. Hubbell was born in Keokuk, Iowa, May 29, 1859, but removed
with his parents to San Diego when he was twelve years (If age. On his
arrival here he attended the public schools, graduating at the high school.
He made preparations to enter college, but his health failing he
relinquished that object and entered the employ of the Bank of San Diego,
the first bank established in this city, in the latter part of 1876. He
first was book-keeper, then teller, and then was appointed assistant
cashier.
He remained with this institution three years, and at the age of twenty-one was one of the incorporators and a stockholder of the Consolidated Bank of San Diego, and also an incorporator and stockholder in the Consolidated National Bank. He continued with this bank until 1885, when he resigned and became a stockholder and accepted the position of assistant cashier in the First National Bank. In 1886 he was elected a director and soon afterward cashier, a position which he still occupies. His wide acquaintance and well-known ability as a financier, added to his acknowledged integrity, aided very materially in giving the bank its present high position The deposits when he first became connected with it were about $50,000, now they amount to nearly 12,500,000.
Mr. Hubbell is a half owner of Reed Hubbell's Addition. This was the first addition of any size cut up from acre property into lots and put on the market with any Success. It was first offered in August, 18S6. It is situated on the bay between San Diego and National City, and originally consisted of 210 acres. They sold So acres in a body and cut the balance up into lots. The property is now very valuable. Among- other land corporations with which Mr. Hubbell is connected, are the Escondido Land and Town Co., the San Marcos Land Co., the El Cajon Valley Co., the Morena Land Co., the Junipero Land and 'Water Co., and the Pacific Beach Co., in each of which he is an incorporator, a stockholder, and a director. He is a stockholder in the College Hill Land Association. He is a stockholder and Secretary of the Coronado Beach Co. He was one of the incorporators of the San Diego National Bank, and the Bank of Escondido, and a stockholder in the Bank of Elsinore and the Exchange Bank of Elsinore. He was one of the incorporators and is a director in the Coronado Ferry Co., an incorporator of the San Diego Street Railroad Co., and an incorporator and stockholder in the San Diego and Coronado Water Co., the San Diego and Cuyamaca Railroad Co., the San Diego, Old Town and Pacific Beach Railroad Co., and the \Vest Coast Lumber Co. He is also a one-fourth owner in the San Diego Gas and Electric Light Co., the present stock of which is $500,000, and Treasurer of the company. He was one of the incorporators of the Marine Railway and Dry Dock Co. He was also an incorporator and is now a Director of the Cuyamaca Club, the leading gentlemen's club of San Diego. Last January he was elected a Director of the California Southern Railroad Co. He was one of the organizers of the San Diego City Guards, a crack militia company, in which he has served for six years.
He owns considerable city real estate besides his outside property.. He has six lots on Sixth Street, which he intends to improve shortly: and about $200,000 worth of Fifth Street property. He intends to soon begin the erection of a block too feet square on Sixth Street, which will be six or seven stories in height, entirely fire-proof, and will be one of the finest structures in Southern California. He has in contemplation also the erection, in connection with other parties, of two or three business blocks, costing from $100,033 to $150,033 each. He is now building a handsome residence on the corner of Seventh and Ash Streets, occupying a whole block, and will cost when finished $5o,000. The interior will be finished entirely in natural woods. The site of this residence is known as Groesbeck Hill, named after Mrs. Hubbell's father. Mr. Hubbell owns over I ,ODD acres of land within the limits of the city of San Diego.
He was married in San Diego in 1881 to Miss Kate L. Groesbeck. a daughter of Gen. John Groesbeck, formerly of New York, who was at the time of his death the oldest member of the order of Odd Fellows in the United States. He has two children, both boys. It is not difficult to analyze the causes of Mr. Hubbell s success. Primarily, he has had the opportunity; secondly, he has improved it. Combining in a wonderful degree keen financial foresight with promptness of decision, failure is to him an unknown quantity. Personally, he is one of the most genial of men; affable in his manners, courteous to all, his popularity is not to be wondered at. If O. S. Hubbell has attained an extraordinary measure of success, the means by which he secured it were such that he has raised up friends rather than enemies along his pathway in life.
Mr. Hubbell has been very hard worked
during the past few years, and will as soon as possible retire from any
active part in the management of the many enterprises he is now engaged in,
and devote his whole time to his duties at the bank, in which institution he
deservedly takes a great deal of pride, leaving to his associates the
conduct of all outside affairs with which his name is now connected.
JOSEPH FAIVRE.
In a city where the leading residents are remarkable for the eventful
character of their lives, Joseph Faivre is entitled to take a prominent
place. He was born in New Orleans, on the 4th of June, 1828. When Joseph was
seven years old, his parents removed to Ohio, leaving him in charge of an
acquaintance engaged in the cooperage business, to whom, six years later,
their son was apprenticed. At the end of six years he was pronounced a
master of his trade, and engaged in business on his own account as a trimmer
of broken cargoes on the city levee. He was thus engaged for seven years,
when he left the Crescent City and joined his parents at Dayton, Ohio, and
went to work at his trade. After coopering for a year he went to work
quarrying stone and boating it down the Miami Canal to Cincinnati, where it
was used for the Catholic cathedral being built by Archbishop Purcell. After
completing his quarrying contract he engaged as a buyer of tobacco and grain
for Henry Harmon, a well-known merchant of Dayton. After continuing at this
business for eight years he returned to New Orleans, but only remained there
a month when he left for Indiana, locating at the town of Adeka, on the
Wabash, where for two years he kept a hotel. His venture as a landlord,
however, was not a successful one. He lost all his savings, and removing to
Otter Creek, six miles from Terra Haute, he went to work at his trade as a
cooper. At the end of two years he availed himself of an opportunity to
lease the Prairie House at Terra Haute, a large hotel, which he conducted
fir eight months. In the fill of 1S56 he removed to Leavenworth, Kansas,
where he kept a livery stable for two years, at the same time being engaged
in buying and selling real estate. During this time he built seven or eight
houses. He made a prospecting tour through the mountains of Colorado, and at
the end of three months located at Denver. There, during the years of
1860-61-62, he engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business, doing
the largest trade of any house in the city. He was at this time also doing
business as a freighter of supplies from Leavenworth, St. Joe, Atchison, and
Nebraska City to Denver. There were no railroads then, and Faivre's wagons
were the equivalent of the freight trains of to-day.
In 1863 he sold out at Denver and went into the freighting business from Leavenworth to Salt Lake and Virginia, Montana. This trade was quite hazardous as, in addition to the ordinary dangers that befell his trains in the long journey across the plains, from the elements. they were liable to an attack from bands of hostile Indians, and Mr. Faivre was obliged to use the utmost care and tact to avoid these wily foes. While engaged in this business he also conducted an auction and commission house at Virginia, Montana. One of his trains met with a serious accident while descending the Bear River Mountain. An explosion occurred in one of the wagons, which was drawn by eight yoke of large Missouri cattle, and loaded with 5,500 pounds of powder and 75,000 feet of fuse. As may be imagined, the shock was terrific. The driver was blown to atoms and seven of the cattle were killed, their remains being scattered in all directions. During the same trip, one of the drivers of the train was struck by lightning on the Big Sandy River, in 'Wyoming. There was not a break upon his skin but the corpse was like a mass of jelly, and the sole of one of his shoes was split by the fluid.
In the spring of 1865 Mr. Faivre became snow blind, and he returned to Leavenworth, where he built a residence and made it his home. In 1870 he came to San Diego on account of his health. After a short sojourn here he liked the place so well that he went hack to Leavenworth, settled up his affairs, and came on here to reside permanently in June, 1871. When he first came here in 1870, he bought considerable property, and upon locating here he purchased more and engaged in the business of real estate, brokerage, and loaning money, buying up school warrants. etc. About five years ago he retired from active business and devoted his attention to the conduct of his private affairs. In 1885 he made a trip to Europe, being absent tour months.
Mr. Faivre has done a great deal to
develop and beautify San Diego. He has built eight houses of his own and
probably as many more as agent fir others. One of his buildings is a
three-story brick 50 x 100 feet, on E Street, between Fourth and Fifth,
nearly opposite the First National Bank, costing 816,000. He is now erecting
a fine building fir business purposes, 75x 100 feet in size, on the corner
of Seventh and I) Streets. One part will be four stories in height and the
portion on the corner will be five stories. It will be provided with an
elevator, have all the modern improvements, and cost over $40,000. Mr.
Faivre was married in 1848 near Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Klyntick. They have
had one child, who died of the cholera in New Orleans.
GEORGE WILLIAM BARNES, M. D.
If a practical example of the benefit to be obtained from a residence in San
Diego was wanting, it could be supplied from the experience of Dr. George
William Barnes. He has been a resident of this city for seventeen years, and
though formidable chronic maladies, with which he has struggled through the
greater part of his professional life, still continue, he finds, in this
mild and equable climate, an immunity from acute attacks and generally an
amelioration of chronic affections that makes existence comparatively a
pleasure.
Dr. Barnes was born in Frederick County, Virginia, December 9, 1825, and at the age of ten removed with his parents to Newark, Ohio. Having decided to follow the profession of medicine, he became a student under the tutelage of Dr. A. O. Blair, of Newark, then one of the most prominent homeopathic physicians of Ohio. After attending courses of instruction in the Medical College of Ohio, the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, and the Cleveland Homeopathic College, he was graduated in the latter institution in I851. In the same year he located in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he pursued an extensive and lucrative practice for fourteen years. In 1865, having been elected to a professorship in the Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College, he removed to that city. In 1869, however, he was obliged, because of failing health, to resign his position and seek a milder climate. He came to California and spent nearly a year in the State in the study and observation of its climatology. At the end of that time he decided that San Diego possessed in a larger degree the conditions favorable for his health and comfort than any place he had visited, and accordingly located here. Subsequent experience has convinced him of the wisdom of his choice. Several years since Dr. Barnes received a spinal injury which has interfered to some extent with physical effort, but notwithstanding this he continues to do professional and other work far beyond his apparent ability to perform. He is a man of immense vital force and strength of character and besides his professional labors takes an active interest in all affairs pertaining to the social and material advancement of the city. While his ability as a physician places him in the front rank of his profession, his sterling personal qualities have served to endear him to a large circle outside of his professional clientele. He invested considerably in city property during the early years of his residence, and this having steadily enhanced in value has made him independent. He was largely instrumental in organizing the San Diego Society of Natural History, and has labored zealously to promote its prosperity. He has continued as its President since its organization to the present time.
Dr. Barnes had associated with him in practice from 1881 to 1884. Dr. E. A. Clark, now of Los Angeles, and from the latter date to the 1st of November last, he had as his associate Dr. A. Morgan. He now has associated with him Dr. B. F. Gamber, late of Cleveland, Ohio, who has successively filled the positions of professor of anatomy, of physiology, of hygiene, and of sanitary science, at the Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College.
Dr. Barnes' high professional standing
is recognized throughout the country, and he retains many evidences of the
esteem in which he is held by -the medical fraternity. Among the positions
of honor and trust he has held are the following: He has been a member of
the American Institute of Homeopathy, the oldest national medical
association in the United States, since 1853; and since 1878, in consequence
of a membership of over twenty-five years, he has belonged to the
association of seniors of that body. He aided in the establishment of the
first medical dispensary in Cleveland and the Homeopathic Hospital, still in
successful operation, and was one of the consulting physicians of the
latter. He was physician to the Cleveland Protestant Orphan Asylum, was
Secretary of the Cuyahoga County Medical Society and Treasurer of the
Western Institute of Homeopathy. He assisted in the establishment of the
Ohio Medical and Surgical Reporter, and in its editorial management during
its first volume. Ever since his resignation from an active professorship in
the Cleveland College he has had the honorary title of Emeritus Professor of
Materia Medica in that institution. He is now a member of the California
State Homeopathic Medical Society, and an honorary member of the Los Angeles
Homeopathic Medical Society. He is also a corresponding member of the St.
Louis Academy of Science and of the Wisconsin State Historical Society. He
has contributed to a great many medical journals and is the author of a
seven-page pamphlet which has been very widely read, entitled, "The Hillocks
and Mound Formations of the Pacific Coast."
THOMAS L. NESMITH.
It must be a source of pride to the old residents of San Diego, the men who
gave the impetus to its growth, that started its "boom," to look around them
and see the city of their creation, as it were, making such tremendous
strides, and feel that to their individual efforts is largely due the change
from a struggling hamlet to a thriving young metropolis. Thomas L. Nesmith
is one of these early San Diegans, one of the men whose clear foresight and
keen business sense foresaw that on the shores of this magnificent harbor
must at no distant day arise a great commercial city. Mr. Nesmith is a
native of New Hampshire, having been born in the town of Derry in that
State, in 1811.
His early youth was spent at the old Nesmith homestead, "The Lilacs," at Derry. The rudiments of his education were acquired at the district school, and he afterward attended the Pinkerton Academy at Derry. After leaving school he entered the employ of his Uncle Newcomb, in Haverhill, Massachusetts, as a clerk for a short time. He was not satisfied with the progress he had made in his studies, however, and he returned to the academy again and completed his course. He then entered the store of William Anderson, a cousin, in Derry, and made up his mind to become a merchant. He remained there for four years. He had now reached the age of twenty-one, and longed to. go out into the world and tight the battle of life in earnest. I its capital, measured by the usual standard, was not large, but it was substantial. It consisted of honesty, ability, anti perseverance. Prepared as he was for the contest, he started for New York City where he obtained an advantageous position in a large mercantile house. Here he remained for fifteen years, traveling, meanwhile, in the course of his business, through the different States and West Indies. When he was thirty-eight years old he visited Europe, with his family, where he remained two years. He then returned to this country and located in the South, where he engaged in the mercantile business. Afterwards he went to Mexico. After passing two years in Mexico, where he established his son, Anthony Rutgers Nesmith, in business, he removed to Minnesota, where for two years he carried on banking. He had long desired to go to California, but circumstances had prevented. In 1S70, however, he determined to go, and reached San Diego that year, with his family. San Diego has been his home ever since, and he was eight years at one time without leaving the county.
At the time of his arrival here the site of the present city of San Diego was covered with sage-brush and cactus, and there were not more than a half a dozen buildings. The Horton House was in course of erection. There was little promise, then, of the great city of the future. Within a short time after his arrival he was elected President of the Bank of San Diego, which position he held until 1883, when he resigned. When the question of railroad communication was first thoroughly agitated, a committee composed of the leading citizens was formed for the purpose of negotiating- with the different railway corporations and forwarding the interests of the city. Of this body, known as the "Committee of Forty," Mr. Nesmith was chosen President, and labored early and late to assure the building of a transcontinental railroad. In 1875 he resigned this post of honor upon being elected a Director of the Texas and Pacific Railway Company. Mr. Nesmith presided at the great railroad meeting held here in 1872, under the auspices of Col. Thomas A. Scott, when Prof. Louis Agassiz, Senator Sherman, and other distinguished men were present. He was one of the founders and the first President of the San Diego Benevolent Association, an Organization that has done and continues to do a vast amount of good.
Mr. Nesmith married Maria Antoinette, a
daughter of the late Anthony Rutgers Gale, of Natchez, Mississippi. She died
at San Diego, in 1873. She was a woman of rare beauty, and most highly
accomplished. He has two sons and a daughter living, having lost one son,
Anthony Rutgers Nesmith, who died in Mexico, in 1880. Otto A. Nesmith is a
lawyer residing in Minnesota, and Loring Gale Nesmith is cashier of the
First National Bank of San Jose. His daughter, Henrietta, is the wife of
Brig.-Gen. A. W. Greely, Chief of the Signal Service Bureau. When the news
of the rescue of her gallant band was received she was in San Diego,
visiting her father. She hurried across the continent and arrived at
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, just in time to welcome him upon his arrival
there.
There is no citizen of San Diego more highly esteemed than Mr. Nesmith, and
his kindly face and courtly manners are familiar to all. It is the earnest
wish of those who know him that he may yet he spared many years to enjoy the
contentment that follows a career so honorable and ennobling as his has
been.
While Mr. Nesmith has fulfilled well
his duties to the living, he has not been unmindful of those who have gone
before. He has placed three memorial windows in St. Paul's Church, in this
city, in memory of his family who are deceased. They are as follows' One to
his wife, Maria Antoinette Nesmith, "Christ Blessing little Children;" one
to his son, John Wadsworth Nesmith, The Wise Men:" (me to his son, Anthony
Rutgers Nesmith, The Angel at the Tomb." The windows were made at Munich, in
Bavaria, and as works of art they are very perfect.
MRS MARY J. BIRDSALL.
When the advocates of female suffrage advance arguments in support of their
cause they are too apt to appeal to sentiment, and to over look one of the
most forcible arguments. That is the ability with which women direct those
branches of business that are popularly supposed to fall within the special
province of men. When we find a woman who combines executive ability with
attention to detail, who has a talent for direction as well as a faculty for
managing—who is, in fact, a thorough woman of business, the most ultra
opponent of equal rights to the gentler sex is apt to surrender his
opinions. When we find a specimen of this stronger type of womanhood, she
not only excites our admiration but commands our respect. We admire the
gifts with which nature has endowed her, and respect the manner in which she
has applied them. Among that body of able, enterprising, and progressive
pioneer residents that gave the impetus to San Diego's growth, there is to
be found the name of a woman—Mrs. Mary J. Birdsall. Coming to San Diego when
it was but a hamlet, she has lived to see it advance to a bustling,
commercial city, and by her business prescience she has been enabled to
participate in the general prosperity that has attended its wonderful
growth.
Mrs. Birdsall was born near Jefferson City, Missouri, but was raised in Tennessee, and educated at the Young Ladies' Model School in Summerville, Tennessee. She graduated at the age of fifteen, and within a year afterward was married. About twenty years ago she came to California, by way of the Isthmus, and for two years lived in the northern part of the State. Then, in 1870, she came to San Diego. At that time what is now the city of San Diego contained but a few board houses. The erection of the Horton House, the first brick building, had just been commenced, and it gave little promise of the great future before it. In company with her husband, Mrs. Birdsall started the Home Restaurant on the ground where the Commercial Hotel now stands. It was afterwards known a; the Lyon Restaurant. In 1880-1881 she kept a hotel known as the Commercial, situated below the Horton House, on the ground now occupied by the Chadbourne Furniture Company. In 1881 she began the erection of the fine house at present occupied and managed by her, the Commercial Hotel, on the corner of Seventh and I Streets. It contains one hundred and fifteen rooms, and is admirably arranged for the purpose for which it was designed. It is strictly a temperance house, and no liquor has ever been sold in it. It is especially popular with the old residents of this section of the State. Being cast upon her own resources, Mrs. Birdsall cultivated her natural business ability, and by strict attention to her duties she has acquired a most enviable position in the community. While directing her hotel in an admirable manner she has, by the exercise of judicious investments, acquired a handsome competency. Besides the Commercial Hotel she owns considerable city real estate and county property. During San Diego's darkest days, Mrs. Birdsall never lost faith in the future—her confidence in the city's ultimate importance was unbounded.
Mrs. Birdsall has two sons and one
daughter, the latter being married. One son is attending college, and one
resides in Arizona. Her father died here in 1880. Mrs. Birdsall is a lady of
retiring disposition never seeking publicity. She is, however, very
charitable, and has contributed liberally to all good objects.
DR. D. CAVE.
One of the most promising signs of the healthful condition and assured
permanency of the Republic is the deep interest manifested in its
institutions by our adopted citizens. Many of the most progressive members
of the body politic are men who were born under monarchial Governments. When
transplanted to the free soil of America they seem to imbibe the spirit of
our institutions intuitively and become leaders in every social and business
enterprise. A good type of this class of citizens is the subject of this
sketch.
Dr. D. Cave was born in Strasburg, France, in 184.6. When a child he removed with his parents to Vienna, Austria. At the age of twelve he began work in mercantile business, in which he continued till he was eighteen years old. Then, having a taste for natural science and mechanical work, he commenced the study of dentistry. At the age of twenty-three he began the practice of his profession and continued with success for about four years, when a bronchial affection which he had contracted compelled him to abandon practice and he began to travel for his health.
He visited America for a twofold purpose—first, in search of health, and secondly, for the purpose of seeing the cradle of scientific dentistry, and to satisfy his desire for improving himself in his profession. Ill health compelled him to cut short his stay in the principal Eastern cities, and he soon started for the Pacific Coast. Upon arriving in San Francisco he consulted with several acquaintances as to his future movements.
They advised that he go by steamer as as Los Angeles, as it was a good locality for business and an excellent climate for threat troubles. They also told him that San Diego had a good climate, but that the place was dead; that there was nothing but sand hills there, and that jackrabbits fed in the streets. He determined, notwithstanding their reports, to go as far as San Diego, and then if he did not like it he would return to Los Angeles or Santa Barbara. He accordingly purchased a ticket for San Diego and left on the steamer Orioczba on the voyage down the coast. After visiting Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, during the time the steamer stopped at those places, he landed in San Diego on the 14th day of April, 1S72. He was in poor health, hardly able to speak the English language, without friends, and his whole capital had dwindled down to one solitary twenty-dollar gold piece. He went to the Horton House, and in a few days his throat began to improve, and his voice, which had been lost for nearly six months, returned like magic. He determined to advertise his profession and begin work at the hotel with what few instruments he had. lie met with such success that in a short time he was able to establish himself in the business part of the town, in one of the best localities, and to furnish his offices in the best style. He was thus enabled to do the finest kind of work, and soon gained a reputation as a skilled operator that was not confined to the limits of San Diego. He is the only dentist that has remained here through all the ups and downs of the community for fifteen successive years. His practice has steadily increased until he retired from business a short time ago, when he turned over to his successors a practice of over one thousand dollars cash receipts per month.
Dr. Cave has been the tutor of two of San Diego's young men, and so high was his reputation that they were granted licenses by the California Board of Dental Examiners without attendance at any college of dentistry. Both now have a lucrative practice of their own, and have gained a reputation for their skill. He is an active member of the California State Dental Association, and also of the Southern California Deontological Society. He aided, too, in organizing the San Diego Dental Society, of which he is President. Dr. Cave has not confined his usefulness to his profession, however, but has been prominent in all movements having for their object the advancement of San Diego. To him belongs the credit of having organized the San Diego County Immigration Association, in the latter part of 188. He was President of the Committee of Celebration at the time of the completion of the Atchison system to the Pacific Ocean via San Diego. He served a term as President of the Chamber of Commerce, in 1885, and while occupying that position, demonstrated the advantages of the soil of San Diego for raising cereals, fruit trees, plants, etc., by showing what had been produced on his own land. He was at this time, ex-officio, a member of the Board of Pilot Commissioners. He has been President of the San Diego Fire Company and is now an exempt member. He has been Chancellor Commander and is a charter member of San Diego Lodge No. 28, Knights of Pythias; and Master of San Diego Lodge No. 35, F. and A. M. He is now President of the Board of Directors of the Free Public Library, and Vice-President of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which he aided in organizing. He is a Director in the San Diego Building and Loan Association ; Treasurer of the Morena Land and Town Co.; a member of the San Diego Horticultural Association, in the work of which he has taken an especial interest; a member of the San Diego Natural History Society; a member of the San Diego Benevolent Association, and, in fact, is identified with about every public organization in the city.
Dr. Cave was naturalized in 1877, and
has always been an earnest and consistent Republican. He has taken an active
part in political affairs, but has steadily realized, although repeatedly
urged to do so, to be a candidate for any political position. He was married
in San Diego, June 19, 1878, to Miss Rosa Meyer, a native of France, and a
graduate of a high school in Paris. He has two children. He is the largest
stockholder in the new town of Morena, and contemplates erecting a fine
residence there the coming season.
DR. W. A. WINDER.
Few residents of San Diego are better known or more highly respected than
Dr. W. A. Winder. A veteran of two wars, his life has been an adventurous
one. He was born in Baltimore, Md., December 5, 1824. His father was an
officer in the regular army, and the greater part of his early boyhood was
passed with his parents at the different military posts between North
Carolina and Maine. Up to the time he was nine years of age he attended
school in North Carolina, and then went to Baltimore, where he continued in
school until sixteen years old. Haying a fondness for medicine he now began
to study it, and fit himself for practice. He attended lectures in
Philadelphia. When the Mexican War broke out, he volunteered his services,
and just after the battle of Buena Vista was commissioned a Lieutenant of
Artillery. He served during the rest of the war and continued in the service
for eighteen years, resigning at the close of the Civil \Var. Just after the
Mexican War, in 1848, he was sent with part of his regiment to Florida, to
assist in quelling the outbreak of the Seminole Indians, and he remained
there thirteen months.
In 1854 he sailed from New York with
his regiment. the Third Artillery, for California on board the ill-fitted
steamship San Francisco. Thirty-six hours out of New York. when in the Gulf
stream, the ship was caught in a hurricane and disabled. For fourteen days
she drifted about on the ocean in a helpless condition. There were 750
soldiers and thirteen officers, some of whom had their families, besides a
number of civilian passengers. During this time cholera broke out on board
and nearly one hundred died from that dread disease. Perhaps the most
terrible of their misfortunes occurred during the height of the storm, when
an immense sea struck the ship and carried away the upper saloon. on which
were crowded over two hundred soldiers. Finally, when hope had well-nigh
given way to despair, a vessel hove in sight, and in answer to their signals
of distress replied that she would stand by them. The following day the sea
had gone down sufficiently to permit the transfer of most of the passengers
to the vessel, which proved to be the Scotch bark Three Bells, of Glasgow.
Another vessel also came to their assistance, and all were rescued before
the doomed steamer sank beneath the waves. For his heroic conduct during
those dreadful days of trial on board the San Francisca, and the part he
took in securing the safe transfer of the women and children to the Three
Bells, Lieutenant Winder was accorded a vote of thanks by the Legislature of
his native State, Maryland.
He started again with his regiment for the Pacific Coast, and was sent with
a detachment to the Mission San Diego, where he remained for three years,
during which time he made ten expeditions among Cahuila Indians, living in
the northern part of the county. At times they displayed hostile traits, and
the presence of the troops was necessary to prevent an outbreak. He was then
stationed at Fort Yuma for a year, during which time that post was
threatened by Indians. During the War of the Rebellion he served about six
months in the Army of the Potomac, commanding- Battery G, Third Artillery,
and then was ordered to this coast and paced in command of Alcatraz, in San
Francisco harbor. There he remained three and a half years, until the close
of the war. He then resigned his commission and entered civil life. Soon
after this he engaged in a mining venture below Ensenada, in Lower
California, for a while, and afterwards was interested in a mine at Lyttle
Creek, near San Bernardino. He then went to Los Angeles, where he remained
until 1872. In the latter year he came to San Diego, where he has made his
home ever since. He has practiced medicine until about three years ago, when
he retired from active practice. He now has charge of the Marine Relief
Hospital, an institution which he has built himself, and is but just
completed.
Dr. Winder was married in 1850, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to the daughter of Governor Goodwin, of that State. He has one son, who is now a lieutenant in the navy and attached to the United States steamer Marion Dr. Winder is the owner of Winder's Addition. He is a liberal-spirited citizen, and a representative man.
THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO.
San Diego, CAL. Leberthon & Taylor 1888
Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham - Pages 159-180
Site Created: 05 August 2006
