Imperial County Biographies

Among the men of Imperial County who by reason of their progressive and enterprising ideas and methods have come to be regarded as representative citizens is numbered Felix G. Havens. He was born in Jefferson County, Mo., April 5, 1862, a son of Thomas and Prudence Havens. Mr. Havens acquired his education in the practical school of experience. At an early age he followed farming in Mississippi and studied during his leisure time. At times he would attend school for a few months. Between the ages of twelve and twenty-four years he worked much of the time in the cotton fields. Later he became identified with the Acma Publishing Company of Chicago and traveled extensively. In January, 1887, Mr. Havens decided to remove to the Golden State, and located in Riverside until the fall of 1888, when he went to Northern California and located in Mendocino County, where he took up timber land. Here he remained until January, 1891. From this time until 1897 he was identified with the horticultural commission and for three years he served as horticultural commissioner in Riverside County, having held the position to the satisfaction of his locality. He was then tendered the position of superintendent of the experimental station for the University of Arizona. Here he remained from May, 1897, to March, 1898. Again he served Riverside County in the same capacity from March, 1898, to 1901. Mr. Havens then removed to Imperial County to look after his own interests near Silsbee and Calexico. He has the distinction of being the first man to plant 265 acres of barley in the county. Having brought his place up to a high state of cultivation, he naturally had what might be called "a show place." In 1902 he brought the first shipment of swine to the Valley. In July, 1903, he was appointed U.S. Commissioner, with offices in Imperial, where most of the land filings and proofs were made. Mr. Havens held this office until December, 1904, when the law for resurvey of these lands caused them all to be withdrawn from entry. When the office of commissioner was abolished Mr. Havens purchased the Imperial Valley Press, which he continued to publish until 1905. In 1906, the paper was removed to El Centro, where it has since been published. In the spring of 1907 Mr. Havens was delegated to go to Washington, D.C., to represent the people of his locality for the purpose of recovering claims caused by the overflow of the Colorado River, these claims amounting to over $800,000. On his return he became an active supporter in the movement to secure El Centro as the county seat. Mr. Havens served as the first city clerk of El Centro, from 1908 to 1910. He is one of the organizers of the Imperial Laguna Water Company, and served as one of the first directors. He has made a special study of the land laws applying to the peculiar condition of Imperial Valley, and is one of the best posted men in this respect in the county. For eight years he has served as court commissioner. Mr. Havens has large realty holdings in the county. He has a well improved ranch of 175 acres near Holtville, and has 1280 acres of school land under the Laguna Water Company. His marriage occurred December 25, 1890, to Miss Martha English, and they have one son, Morris. Mr. Havens served as the first justice of the peace, recorder, and secretary of the chamber of commerce.

No better example of what may be accomplished by a man of energy and enterprise than the career of Guy Urquhart, dealer in motorcycles, bicycles, and sporting goods, 674 Main Street, El Centro. Starting out in life unaided and without finances, he has made a success. He was born August 18, 1894, in Louisville, Kentucky, a son of John and Della (Schurmer) Urquhart. His father is a resident of San Diego and his mother died in Los Angeles and was buried in Rosedale Cemetery of that city. The subject of this review received a limited education and at the age of fourteen he started out in life and learned his trade in Los Angeles and San Diego, which he has always followed. He started to walk from San Diego to El Centro and had thirty-five cents in his pocket. He demonstrated that neither finances nor influence are necessary to the man with determination to win life's battles. He had his kit of tools and readily found employment. He saved and worked hard and has built up a business that would do credit to a larger city, and today Mr. Urquhart is considered one of the substantial business men of the community. He has the confidence and esteem of his business associates. Mr. Urquhart was united in marriage with Miss Hazel Gribble, a native of Oregon.