Because he is one of
the broad, conservative ranchers of the Valley, prominent mention in the
pages of the first history of Imperial County should be made of the name of
Isaac Wesley Ferris, a factor of importance in the ranch life of the
northend and particularly in Water Company No. 8, at Brawley, where Mr.
Ferris is well and favorably known. Mr. Ferris has a ranch of 160 acres,
where he lives, and 320 acres in partnership with T. McNerney. Isaac W., the
subject of this review, came to Imperial Valley in 1902, and was born in
Dundas County, Ontario, Canada, March 26, 1870, the son of David and Anne
(Bates) Ferris. The parents of Mr. Ferris raised a family of twelve
children, of which three have died. Mr. Ferris is the youngest of the family
of twelve. Euphemia is buried at Van-kleek Hill, Canada, Joseph is buried in
the Glendale cemetery at Los Angeles, and the body of David has been
interred at Walla Walla, Washington; Mary Jane Boutwell, of Melrose,
Massachusetts; Belle, wife of John Whealdon, of Seattle, Washington; Emma,
wife of William G. Shellsbear, minister to Singapore, India; Robert, of
Walla Walla, Washington; James A., a resident of Lewiston, Idaho; and Alice,
wife of W. J. Suffel, of Seattle, Washington. Mr. Ferris received his
educational at Winchester, Canada, and left school at the age of 20 years.
Immediately thereafter he departed for Oakdale, Washington, where he engaged
as an employee in the flour mills, which vocation he followed steadily for
nine years. From that point he journeyed to North Yakima, Washington, where
he engaged in the same business for three years. Later he arrived in Los
Angeles, where he was successful in the carpenter trade, and, following the
terrific earthquake at San Francisco, he immediately found employment in the
bay city in helping to build the torn and shattered portions of what were
once stately and dignified buildings. He remained in San Francisco for three
years during this period in his life. Mr. Ferris then went to Utah in 1911
and worked in the oil fields, where he branched out in a new line and staged
for one and a half years. Later he returned to Imperial County and joined
the firm of C. A. Canfield & Delano as manager on a ranch comprising 320
acres, which position he held for three years. Upon his arrival in the
Valley in 1902, Mr. Ferris had the distinction of cutting the first wheat
hay grown where the town of Brawley now thrives progressively. In 1914 Mr.
Ferris purchased a relinquishment of the present property upon which he is
now making his home. The land is all under cultivation and yearly attains a
remunerative state of productiveness. Many improvements have been made about
the place. Politically Mr. Ferris is a staunch Republican. He was married at
Los Angeles, California, February 23, 1918, to Miss Lida Bracewell of San
Bernardino. Mr. Ferris is a director of Water Company No. 8, which position
he has occupied for the last three years. All in all, Mr. Ferris represents
all the worthy attributes which go with the self-made man.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 427-428.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, January, 2007.
Richard C. Starner, one
of the representative ranchers of Imperial County is in every respect a
self-made man. He has achieved success in life as a result of his own
efforts and has been earnest and upright, and has gained the esteem of all
who know him. Mr. Starner was born in Carroll County, Maryland, June 22,
1876, a son of Calvin and Annie Starner. His parents were both natives of
Maryland. Farming was his father's vocation and his life was spent in hard,
faithful labor. He was one of the substantial citizens of his locality.
Richard C. acquired his education in the public schools, after which he
assisted on the home place for one year. He then worked out until he reached
the age of twenty-five, when he went to Colorado and remained one year, and
then spent a year in Portland, Oregon, where he worked in the freight house
for twelve months. Previous to coming to California he had managed to save
$250. He heard of the great possibilities of the Imperial Valley and in 1904
cast his lot with the pioneers in this locality. He took up his present
place of 240 acres of land, and the re-survey in 1906 took off twenty-five
and a fraction acres. Mr. Starner now owns 225 1/9 acres, which is
considered one of the best appointed ranches in Imperial County. It is
devoted exclusively to grain, and Mr. Starner has made a phenomenal success
of the chicken business. He has 600 brown leghorns and ships large
quantities outside of the Valley as well as supplying the local market. He
set out all of the trees and beautiful shrubbery around his house, which is
a modern, well-built bungalow, and has every convenience that can be found
in the cities. He erected a 3,000-gallon water tank, which gives him ample
water for domestic purposes. Mr. Starner's mother is deceased and his father
resides in Maryland, half a mile from the old homestead. He resided on his
original farm for forty years. Mr. Starner was united in marriage with Miss
Mary Ida Williams, a native of Maryland, October 22, 1913. Mr. and Mrs.
Starner are active workers in the Methodist church of Holtville. Two
brothers of Mr. Starner reside in the valley. William C. Starner, his
nephew, came to the county in December, 1908, and also pioneered with Mr.
Starner, helping to level the entire ranch of Mr. Starner. He came here at
the age of 17 years and is now a ranch owner of Imperial County. Edward O.,
another brother, came to the Valley in September, 1917, and Harry K. located
in the Valley in October, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Starner have a host of friends
and acquaintances in Holtville and vicinity.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 429 - 430.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, January, 2007.