San Bernardino County
Biographies
D. P. CHAPMAN.
Among the well-known and representative orange groves in the Riverside colony tract is the five acres owned by the above-named gentleman. This grove is located on the west side of Cypress avenue, north of Bandini avenue, about one mile south of the business center of Riverside. About four acres of his land is in oranges, seedling and Washington Navel trees twelve years of age, and other budded trees of Washington Navel, Mediterranean Sweet and St. Michael varieties, varying in age from one to six years. He has one acre in vineyard, which produced in 1888 over $200 worth of fruit. Mr. Chapman is a thorough horticulturist, and is reaping a rich reward for his labor. It is doubtful whether any finer oranges are produced in the colony than those grown upon his place. He purchased the land in 1887, since which time he has erected a substantial residence of attractive appearance, and also suitable out-buildings. He has one of the most desirable homes in his section.
The subject of this sketch was born in Tolland County, Connecticut, in 1836. His parents, Simon C. and Jerusha (McKnight) Chapman, were also natives of that State. He was reared and schooled in his native place until eighteen years of age, and then went to Georgia, and was there engaged in mercantile life for the next four years, after which he resided in New York until 1861. In that year he located in Whiteside County, Illinois, where he established himself in mercantile business. The war of the Rebellion called him to the service of his country, and in 1862 he enlisted in the Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry as a private. His close attention to military duties insured his promotion to Corporal and then Sergeant. He served in the Western army under Generals Sherman and McPherson until wounded at the battle of Champion Hill. His wounds necessitated his discharge and closed his military career. He then returned to his home in Connecticut and engaged in business. In 1864 he was elected to the Legislature from Ellington Township, and took a leading part in the legislation of his State and in the support of war measures.
In 1865 Mr. Chapman moved to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where for more than twenty years he was the trusted general agent of the Aetna Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut. He successfully conducted the business of that company until 1887, when he moved to his present home in Riverside. He is a progressive citizen and promptly identified himself with the best elements of the community in which he resides. In political matters he is a Republican. He has for years been a member of and a deacon in the Congregational Church. He is a member of Patterson Post, No. 88, G. A. R., of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Chapman was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Olmsted, of Hartford, Connecticut. The names of their children are: Louise C., Emily S., Maud M., Anna M. O. and Mildred.
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… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 687-688
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
GEORGE A. WILBUR,
an enterprising citizen of Chino, is the founder and sole proprietor of the Chino Store, opened to the public in February, 1888, since which time he has conducted one of the most prosperous enterprises in that section. His large and commodious store is well appointed in all respects, and is well stocked with a choice selection of goods. He deals in provisions, groceries, dry goods and everything in the general merchandise line, furnishing goods, boots and shoes, crockery, tinware, hardware, cigars, tobacco, etc. He is thoroughly competent in his business, and justly merits the liberal patronage bestowed upon him by the residents of Chino and vicinity. He is also Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express agent, and the Postmaster of Chino. Mr. Wilbur is a native of California, dating his birth in 1865, near Redwood City, San Mateo County. His parents, John and Hannah W. (Pratt) Wilbur, are natives of Massachusetts. They came to California in 1864 and located in San Mateo County, where they resided until 1874, and then moved to Riverside, where they have since resided. The subject of this sketch was reared and schooled in that enterprising colony, becoming a practical horticulturist in his youth. When eighteen years of age he entered into mercantile life as a clerk in his brother's store at Riverside, and in 1885 engaged in business under the firm name of Wilbur Brothers. He continued that business until 1887, and then located in Los Angeles, where he engaged in the real-estate business under the firm name of George A. Wilbur & Co. He was one of the founders and incorporators of the Los Angeles Real Estate and Stock Exchange. Mr. Wilbur continued his business in Los Angeles until he established his present enterprise. In addition to his mercantile operations he is also engaged in horticultural pursuits upon a ten-acre tract in Chino, upon which he has a choice variety of walnuts, prunes, pears, and other deciduous fruits. He is confident that citrus fruits can be successfully and profitably cultivated in that section, and is devoting considerable attention toward establishing that fact. Politically Mr. Wilbur is a Democrat, but is liberal and conservative in his views. He is a member of Sunnyside Lodge, No. 112, K. of P., of Riverside. He is an energetic and progressive citizen, and a supporter of any enterprise that will develop the resources of his section.
A man of sound business principles and straightforward in his dealings, he has gained the respect of his associates and of the community.
September 15, 1887, Mr. Wilbur married Miss Minnie Saunders, a native of Utah. There is one child from this marriage, viz.: Hazel Elsie.
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… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 688-689
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler