Arthur D. Stump enjoys
recognition as one of the leading and enterprising business men of Calexico.
He has won merited success as manager for the Pacific Land and Cattle
Company and has been identified with that concern since June, 1916. In every
sense of the word he is a self-made man. Through his energy and business
foresight the concern with which he is associated has prospered. Mr. Stump
is a native of Kansas, his birth occurring September 19, 1873, son of Thomas
and Emma Stump. His father was a native of Ohio, while his mother was born
in Indiana. His mother passed away when Arthur D. was a mere boy of five
years. His father makes his home in Kansas City with his daughters. Arthur
D. acquired his education in the public schools of Kansas and Iowa. Leaving
school he found employment on farms and in the coal mines at Richmond,
Missouri, for a period of five years. He enlisted in G troop, Seventh
Cavalry, during the Spanish-American War and saw service in Cuba. He
received his discharge on April 22, 1899. Returning to Kansas, he entered
the retail meat business in Topeka for a period of seven years. Coming to
Los Angeles, he worked at his trade for twelve years. Coming to Calexico, he
took the management of the Calexico meat market and the city market, both
owned by the Pacific Land and Cattle Company. Mr. Stump was united in
marriage with Carrie L. Reynolds of Fall River, Massachusetts, and they have
two children: Shirley Fay and Arthur Delbert. Fraternally Mr. Stump is a
member of the B.P.O.E. of Topeka, Kansas. He is also a member of the
Spanish-American War Veterans. His grandfather fought all through the Civil
War and was wounded while in action. He drew a pension for service rendered
his country. While a resident of Calexico Mr. Stump has made a success of
his company's business and through his management the company has greatly
prospered.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 452-453.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, January, 2007.
CHARLES FREDERICK JOHNSON
In reviewing the
careers of the pioneers of Imperial Valley, prominent mention should be made
of the subject of this review. He is in every respect a self-made man. He
started out in life on his own resources and through his energy and business
foresight he has accumulated a handsome competency and has achieved success
in life as a result of his own efforts. Mr. Johnson has overcome many
obstacles in life, as he was left fatherless when he was young. He was born
in Sweden, July 15, 1858, and in 1882 he came to America. His father died
when he was five years of age. His mother passed away the following year.
Mr. Johnson located in Princeton, where he found employment at farming for
some months. He then worked for the C. B. & Q Railroad when that company was
constructing a double track between Chicago and Council Bluffs, and again
took up farming, which he continued in Illinois until he was twenty-three.
He worked for others until he was married. He then rented land and in 1893
he removed to Wichita, Kansas, and purchased eighty acres of land seven
miles from that city. Here he remained for seven years. In 1907 he purchased
fifty acres and paid cash. Mr. Johnson improved that place and disposed of
his holdings and came to Imperial County and bought his present place of one
hundred acres, which have been brought up to a high state of cultivation.
Corn and alfalfa have been planted successfully each year. Mr. Johnson
disposed of twenty acres in the fall if 1917 to his son-in-law, T. I. Young.
Mr. Johnson acquired only a limited education, but has gained a wider scope
of knowledge in the school of experience. His buildings are of the most
modern type. All of his stock are of superior grade. While a resident of
Illinois, Mr. Johnson was married in 1887 to Miss Sarah E. Wickblad, who is
a native of that far - off land of Sweden. Her birth occurred in 1866. She
came to America in 1881, and was a daughter of John and Sarah Wickblad. To
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born nine children: William L., born in 1888,
has served in the US Army for five years; Mamie D., born in 1890, now the
wife of G. P. Pruitt; Lillie E., born in 1891, wife of Thomas I. Young,
residing opposite Mr. Johnson; Fritz H., born in 1894, now serving in the US
Army and at present located at Camp Lewis; Laura M., born in 1899; Vera H.,
born in 1901; Sumner C., born in 1904; Roy C., born in 1906; and Hattie C.,
born in 1908. The last four children are residing at home. Mr. Johnson has
never aspired to public office, but takes an interest in matters that will
better the conditions in his locality. The Johnson family are well known in
Calexico and vicinity and are esteemed by all.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 453-454.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, January, 2007.