James F. S. Howland, a
man, who, by his own initiative, hard work and good judgment, has made a
success and is now the proprietor of the general store at Meloland. Mr.
Howland came to Imperial County in June, 1914, and was born at Lampton
Mills, Canada, September 2, 1880, a son of Fred A. and Jane (Ford) Howland.
His father died in 1883, and is buried in western Ontario, and his mother is
a resident of Los Angeles, California. The Howland family is of Puritan
fame. James F. S. Howland acquired his education in the public schools of
Toronto. At an early age he engaged with the Gutta Percha Rubber Company,
where he remained for a period of three years. Coming to Los Angeles, he
became identified with Howland & Company, a kodak supply house. Here he
remained for seven years. Mr. Howland then took up ranching near Los
Angeles, and upon coming to Imperial County he rented land for one year. He
then engaged in business at Meloland, which he has carried on up to the
present time. Mr. Howland, owing to his energy and business foresight, his
achieved success by earnest and upright dealings. He was married in Los
Angeles, May 28, 1914, to Miss Myrta E. Turk, daughter of Frank S. and Sarah
T. Turk. Her father passed away in June 9, 1913, and her mother is a
resident of Los Angeles, California.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, p. 485.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, April, 2007.
After a long and varied
career, during which he traveled extensively and devoted his energies to
numerous kinds of endeavor, Alfred Park Walton is now a leading rancher of
Imperial County. He started out in life on his own resources at the age of
nine years and is a self-made man. Mr. Walton came to Imperial County in
1912, and is now the owner of seventy-seven and one-half acres of land
located within Water Company No. 1. He was born near Quincy, Illinois, June
16, 1861, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Walton. Both parents died when Alfred
P. was a mere boy of nine years. He received his education in the school of
experience. After his parents' death, Mr. Walton stayed with his brother
until he was fourteen years of age. Owing to bad treatment at his brothers'
house he ran away and found employment on a ranch in Coleman County, Texas,
with T. W. Mahoney. Here he remained over four years and received the same
pay as an older and more experienced hand. In 1879 Mr. Walton went on a
trail to Dodge City, Kansas. Returning to Dennison, Texas, he worked as
dairying for twelve years. In 1912 he came to Imperial County, and, after
the first year, he has been identified with the dairy business. He now has
seventy-two head of cows and is in a comfortable position financially,
besides having a commodious home. Mr. Walton maintains an excellent
reputation among his associates and is held in high esteem. He was married
at Sherman, Texas, January 17, 1903, to Mrs. Belle Murphy, a daughter of
Frank S. and Molly Murphy. Both parents of Mrs. Walton died when she was an
infant. Mr. Walton is an enterprising and enthusiastic rancher and takes an
active part in all matters that are for the betterment of conditions
generally in his locality.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 485-486.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, April, 2007.
William Brandenburg is
numbered among the substantial and progressive ranchers of Imperial County.
He is a native of Switzerland and was born January 19, 1870, and came to
America in 1887. He located in New York City and later made his home in New
Jersey. He remained in the East about seven years. Removing to Oregon and
later to California where he took up ranching near Stockton. Coming to
Imperial County, he became identified with the California-Mexico Land &
Cattle Company. He leveled land for the company and operated an outfit on
both the American and Mexican sides. Mr. Brandenburg bought city property in
Calexico which has become valuable. He at one time worked fifteen hundred
acres on the Mexican side for the California-Mexico Land & Cattle Company.
Mr. Brandenburg was educated in his native country, and in 1887, on his
arrival in New York from Switzerland, he became identified for a time with
his uncle, who was engaged in the silk ribbon manufacturing business. Mr.
Brandenburg is recognized as one of the pioneers of Imperial Valley. He was
married to Miss Anna Anthony, a native of Pennsylvania. Two children have
been born to this union - Eugenia and William Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Brandenburg
have gained an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances in Imperial
County, and they are highly respected by all in their community.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 486-487.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, April, 2007.