One of the
essentially able and representative members of the bar in Imperial County is
Harry N. Dyke, who is now filling the office of city attorney, with offices
in Imperial. The oldest of two children born to Eugene B. and Emily
(Gilbert) Dyke, his mother is now residing in San Diego and in her
sixty-fifth year, Mr. Dyke's birth occurred in Iowa in 1873. Eugene B. Dyke
was a man of high mental attainments and widely known throughout Iowa as a
brilliant and successful journalist. For a full quarter of a century he was
editor of the Charles City Intelligencer, of which he kept complete files,
rendering the paper especially useful for reference when questions of moment
arose in regard to public or private affairs. He was an able and fearless
writer, and his death, which occurred in 1897, was a distinct loss to the
community and to the journalistic world, as well as to his immediate family.
Brought up in Iowa, Harry N. Dyke, acquired his elementary knowledge in the
public schools, after leaving the high school entering the law department of
the State University of Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of
1896. He was admitted to the bar the same year, and began the practice of
law in Iowa. After the death of his father he assumed the management of the
Charles City Intelligencer, with which he was identified for four years. In
1901, deciding that the extreme West was the proper place for an ambitious
young man to begin his career, Mr. Dyke came to California, and in 1902
located in the Imperial Valley, settling here in pioneer days. He took up
one hundred and sixty acres of wild desert land, but ere he had made many
improvements sold it at an advantage. In 1904, when Imperial became
incorporated, Mr. Dyke had the honor of being elected the first city clerk,
and held the office continuously until 1910. For three years he served as
secretary of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce, and for a brief period was
justice of the peace. He is now devoting himself to his profession, and as
an attorney has built up a good patronage in Imperial and vicinity. Mr. Dyke
married, in 1898, Adele Hammer, and they have one child, a daughter named
Dorothy.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California",
Elms and Franks Publ., 1918, pp. 314-315.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, September, 2006.
James W. Cass has
gained distinction in the Valley owing to his mechanical skill and ability
in handling automobile repair work. He is a native son and his birth
occurred in Stockton, March 8, 1886, son of Charles L. and Lenie (Stevens)
Cass, deceased. His father died in Stockton, May, 1917, and is buried in
Stockton. His mother died February 18, 1907, and was buried in the Odd
Fellows' Cemetery in San Francisco, California. James W. acquired his
education in the public schools. He started out in life at an early age. He
engaged in the express and draying business in Vallejo, and in San
Francisco, and followed this vocation for two years. He engaged in the tea
and coffee business for a time, and at the age of twenty-one he learned the
automobile trade, which he has since followed. In 1912, Mr. Cass came to
Imperial Valley out of curiosity. He did not intend to remain, but seeing
the possibilities, he opened his present concern, which is the largest in
the city. Owing to his expert mechanical skill, his business grew to such an
extent he had to eliminate the selling of gasoline and changing tires. Mr.
Cass has employed as high as eight first-class mechanics. Fraternally he is
a member of the Masonic Lodge of Imperial. In politics he votes for the man,
irrespective of party. He was married in Los Angeles, California, January
29, 1908, to Miss Ethel Bell Chamberlain, daughter of Riley Chamberlain, a
prominent actor in the east; his death occurred in 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Cass
have four children: Marjorie E., born February 18, 1912; Jennie C., born
November 1, 1914; Halbert S., born March 30, 1916; and Rena, born August 10,
1917. Mr. Cass has a vast amount of energy and enterprise and has a host of
friends both in business and socially.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California",
Elms and Franks Publ., 1918, pp. 315-316.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, September, 2006.