Grover C. Kemp, present
chief of the police department of Calexico, is a highly trained,
well-informed officer who is emminently fitted for the important position
which he holds. Mr. Kemp was born in Harrison County, Missouri, September 2,
1885. A son of William R. and Clara M. Kemp, who are both natives of
Missouri. Grover C. acquired his education in the public and high schools of
Missouri. The family removed to South Texas, where the father was identified
in the cattle business. Mr. Kemp assisted his father for a time when he went
to Oklahoma, then Indian Territory. For some years he was in the cattle
business and he then decided to cast his lot with the Golden State. He came
one year previous to his family. His parents came to Calexico four years
ago, and engaged in the hotel business. Mr. Kemp's mother passed away in
February, 1915, and his father now resides in Oklahoma. On his arrival in
Calexico, Mr. Kemp engaged on the railroad. However, after a time he went
back to Oklahoma where he remained a few months. On his return to Calexico,
he became identified with the police department. Resigning after a time he
went back to railroad work, and after the change in city affairs he returned
and worked nights on the police department, which office he now holds to the
entire satisfaction of the community. Fraternally he is affiliated with the
Masonic Lodge. He was united in marriage July 14, 1902, to Maudie E. Love, a
native of Kansas. To this union have been born five children: Homer Allen,
Lloyd Ernest, Ruby Irene, Harry and Edith. Mrs. Kemp's father is one of the
leading ranchers and stockmen in Oklahoma and recognized as a representative
man of his locality. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp have a wide circle of friends and
give their support to movements which have for their purpose the advancement
of Calexico and Imperial County.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 413-414.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, January, 2007.
Janus R. Ford is numbered
among the esteemed citizens of Imperial County. He has held the position of
secretary and manager of the Imperial County Title Company since October,
1915. Mr. Ford was born near Clinton, Missouri, March 21, 1887, a son of
William B. and Virginia C. (Slack) Ford. He received his education in the
public schools and Missouri University. In June, 1911, he left college and
traveled extensively throughout the western states. He came to California
January 1, 1912, and located in Los Angeles, and became identified with the
Title Insurance & Trust Company of that city for a period of two years.
During that time he attended night school, where he studied law and was
admitted to the bar in January, 1914. He served as attorney for the Imperial
Title Guaranty and Bonded Abstract Company previous to the time it was made
the Imperial County Title Company, which was in October, 1915. Fraternally
Mr. Ford is a member of the Masonic Lodge and holds the office of Junior
Deacon of El Centro Lodge, No. 384. He was married in San Diego, California,
March 11, 1916, to Miss Ella Yetive Golberg, daughter of Arne S. and Marie
Golberg, one of the representative families of that city. The father of Mr.
Ford was a veteran of the Civil War, being attached to the Seventh Missouri
Cavalry, and fought on the Union side. Mr. Ford's mother's people came from
Kentucky, and her brother, William J. Slack, was a general in the
Confederate Army and was killed in action at the Battle of Pea Ridge. Janus
R. Ford, the subject of this review, is a man of unusual professional
ability, and has a wide circle of friends.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, p. 414.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, January 2007.