Thomas Allen Howard has
been prominently identified with the business interests of Seeley since
October, 1914. Mr. Howard was born in Nashville, Tennessee, February 27,
1872, son of James and Uzebie (McDonald) Howard. His father was a prominent
farmer of his locality and was largely identified with the mule brokerage
business of that state. The family dates back to Revolutionary stock and
were prominent in various ways in the South. Thomas A. received his
education in the public schools of McKinney, Texas, where his parents
removed when Thomas was young. At an early age he assisted his father on the
home ranch for a few years. He eventually came west and located in San
Diego, California. He followed various vocations while there and in 1899 Mr.
Howard went in the mountains, raising cattle in partnership with Adolph Levi
until 1904. Mr. Howard then became identified with his brother, J. A.
Howard, in the same business. This co-partnership continued until 1910, Mr.
Howard remaining in the mountains all the time. October 1, 1914, he engaged
in the meat business in Seeley, with William Kuntler. The firm own their
own modern building and the latest and most improved machinery was
installed. Mr. Howard with his brother owns a small ranch near Seeley.
Politically Mr. Howard is a Democrat, but has never aspired for office. He
was married in Phoenix, Arizona, December 17, 1914, to Miss Rhoda Pittman of
Danville, Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Howard was born one daughter, Katherine,
born December 4, 1915.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918,
p. 355.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.
Baron B. Mastick is one
of the representative men of Imperial County. Previous to coming to this
community he was connected with the stock business in Iowa, and had much to
do with the advancement of the section of Iowa in which he resided. His
birth occurred in East Claridon, Ohio, August 22, 1844, a son of Nathaniel
and Louisa (Bradley) Mastick. The family came from Vermont and Connecticut
and are descendants from General Bradley of Revolutionary fame. Mr.
Mastick's brother, Erman E., fought in the Civil War and was captain of
Company K, Second Iowa Infantry. Baron B., the subject of this review,
received his education in his native state, attending the public schools. He
later entered Hiram College. Finishing his education, he clerked for a
period of three years. Later he removed to Harlan, Iowa, where he engaged in
the stock business. He served as county recorder for four years. Disposing
of his realty holdings in Iowa, he went to Nebraska, where he bought and
shipped livestock and grain for fifteen years. Mr. Mastick spent three
winters in Imperial County before he located in Seeley permanently, which
was in 1912. He owns, with his son, Fred E., one hundred and fourteen acres,
and has improved his land and raises cotton, corn, alfalfa, and hogs.
Politically Mr. Mastick is a Progressive-Republican. He was married at
Painsville, Ohio, April 24, 1867, to Miss Jennie E. Sisson, a daughter of
Augustus L. and Elizabeth (Warner) Sisson. Mr. and Mrs. Mastick celebrated
their golden wedding in 1917. Their two sons are Fred E., born December 21,
1879, in the hardware business at Seeley; and Claire S., born in 1883, in
the United States Army, at present stationed in the transportation
department at Fort Kearny, California. Mr. Mastick has been identified with
the business interests of Seeley since 1914, and has been engaged in the
insurance line since that time.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California",
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918,
pp. 355-356.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.