Orange County Biographies

Orange County

Biographies

A. T. ARMSTRONG

of Newport, was born in Augusta County, Virginia, in 1844. His parents, Archibald and Betty (McCutchan) Armstrong, were natives of the Old Dominion, and the fourth generation born and reared on the farm. They had nine children. Their father died in 1853, and the subject of this sketch took charge of the home place until 1864, when he entered Company A, First Virginia Calvary, C. S. A., and served until 1865. From the close of the war until 1867 he again had charge of the farm; he then sold out, moved to Rockbridge County, Virginia, and followed farming there until 1871, when he came to California. ON arriving here he first rented land for some four years, and then bought the ranch which he now occupies one mile east of Newport. For several years he carried on general farming and stock-raising, but recently has turned his attention to dairying.

He was married in 1871 to Miss Mattie Firebaugh, also a native of Virginia, a daughter of David and Margaret Firebaugh. Their four children are: Minnie, now Mrs. Frank Baxter of Fullerton; Berta, Willie and Fannie.

SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California, from the Earliest Period of Occupancy to the Present Time.... - Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. Transcribed by Carolyn Feroben

JOHN AVAS

President of the City Council of Santa Ana, was born in Germany in 1843. His parents came to the United States in 1845, settling in St. Clair County, Illinois, and subsequently moved to Peoria County, that State, where the father died in 1851. Afterward the mother married again and moved to Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois, twelve miles east of Peoria. Mr. Avas, the subject of this notice, remained with his stepfather until he was fifteen years old, and then hired himself out to a farmer for one year, at the end of which time he was to receive $60. The next year he was hired by Asa Brown (afterward his father-in-law) for one year, for $130. Then he rented land until August 4, 1862, when he entered Company B, Forty-seventy Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for the war. He was discharged in February, 1863, on account of disability, and went to farming again. In November, 1864, he married Miss Ruth Brown, a daughter of his former employer. In 1865 he rented land in Woodford County, Illinois, and two years later purchased eighty acres of railroad land for $1,250, paying cash in hand $283; the rest of the purchase money he made off the land. Afterward he bought 160 acres, at three different times. For a period of twelve years he was engaged in farming and stock-raising, and was very successful. In 1882 he sold out his real estate and stock, etc., for $15,000, and came to California. In Santa Ana he has made large investments, and is recognized as one of the best financiers and most successful business men in the city. The Richelieu Hotel, corner of Fourth and Ross streets, is a monument to his efforts in bringing up the west end of Santa Ana. He also owns valuable residence and business property in different parts of the city. He was elected a member of the city council when it was first organized, and he has been elected for each term since, which fact shows how the citizens regard his judgment. In April, 1889, he was elected president of the board, which position he now holds.

Mr. Avas lost his first wife in Illinois, October 4, 1880. While on a visit to Santa Ana in 1881, he formed the acquaintance of Miss Lucy E. Moesser, whom he married October 2, 1881. She is a daughter of J. H. and Lucy Moesser, of Santa Ana, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. The members of Mr. Avas’ household are: Maggie, Ruth, John and George. Mr. Avas is a member of the Baptist Church, and the president of its board of trustees. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and has a host of friends not only in this, but in all opposing parties.

His residence is on Fourth and Larue streets, Santa Ana.

L. N. BAILEY

a leading horticulturist near Julian, was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, in 1840, of Kentucky parents, and of Virginian grandparents. Both his grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers. In his father’s family were six sons and three daughters. On account of ill health he quit school in his seventeenth year, and lived in Texas until 1868, when he came to San Diego county. He was married in Texas, in December, 1862, to Miss Almira P., daughter of Harry Gray, a native of Logan County, Texas. Her mother, whose maiden name was Martha Randolph, was born in Alabama and related to the historical Randolphs' of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have five children: Ella M., born in Harris County, Texas, December 1864; Harry R., born in San Diego County, November 1868; Charles A., in 1871; Ethel N., January 1879, and Lewis Newton, May, 1884; the three last also born in San Diego County.

Mr. Bailey is president of the Cuyamaca Horticultural Society, which took about all the prizes at the horticultural fair at San Diego in 1889.

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