San Bernardino County
Biographies
EDWARD HELLER.
Among the representative orange groves of that section of Riverside colony known as Brockton square, mention should be made of the one owned by Mr. Heller. His residence and land, ten acres in extent, is located on the south side of Rubidoux avenue, about half a mile west of Brockton avenue. Five acres of his tract is in oranges, about twelve years old from the seed; the balance, or three acres, is in budded trees of the Washington Navel and Mediterranean Sweet varieties; one acre of his land is devoted to raisin grapes, and one acre to alfalfa. At this writing Mr. Heller has resided on the place less than two years, but during that time he has shown that he is a practical horticulturist. His system of pruning and budding are unequaled, and are producing the best of results. Everything about the place, the neat cottage residence, suitable out-buildings, well ordered grounds, etc., denote the pleasant and comfortable California home.
Mr. Heller was born in Haynau, Province of Schlesien, Prussia, in 1824. His parents, Benjamin and Caroline (Sturm) Heller, were natives of Saxony: Mr. Heller was reared and schooled in his native place, and early in life apprenticed as a furrier. Upon the expiration of his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman in Dresdeu, Hamburg, and other places until 1849. He then decided to try his fortunes in the New World, and in that year came to the United States. He first located in Michigan, and later in New York, where he remained until 1852, and then went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he established himself in business at his trade until 1857. In that year he moved to Illinois and located in Freeport, where he opened a hat, cap, and fur store, which he conducted for over thirty years. He was successful in his business, and ranked among the prominent and substantial merchants of that section. He was one of the original incorporators and a director of the well-known German Insurance Company of Freeport for over fifteen years.
In political matters he has been a Republican from the organization of the party in 1856, and was a Union man and a strong supporter of the war measures during the Rebellion. In 1888, desirous of a more genial climate, he came to California and chose his present home for his future residence. He has entered heartily into his horticultural pursuits, and is destined to achieve the success in that he has won in other occupations.
In 1854 Mr. Heller married Miss Mary A. Schottle, a native of New Jersey. She is the daughter of Charles and Catherine (Putz) Schottle, natives of Baden. The children by this marriage are: Emma, William, Antoinette, Edmund and Mamie.
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.- 680-681
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
MISS E. C. DYER,
Cashier Riverside Banking Company, was born in Illinois, taught school before engaging in the banking business, about fifteen years ago, first in that State and for the past twelve years in Riverside. She is a lady of culture, possesses remarkable force of character and extraordinary business powers.
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.- 681
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JOSEPH HEAP
is one of the representative mechanics of Riverside, and is the proprietor of a blacksmith shop on the south side of Eighth street, between Main and Market streets. He is a native of England, and dates his birth in Manchester, in 1848. His parents, William and Hannah (Ward) Heap, are both natives of that country. In 1848 or
early in 1849 his father emigrated with the family to the United States, and located at Council Bluffs, Missouri. The next year he moved to Salt Lake, where he remained until 1852. In that year he brought his family to San Bernardino County, and settled down to agricultural pursuits near the town of San Bernardino, where he has since resided. Mr. Heap was reared upon his father's farm, and hard labor was his lot from early boyhood. His schooling was such as he could obtain in the common schools for a short term each year. At the age of seventeen years he started in life upon his own account, and was engaged in rough manual labor, in teaming, lumbering, and working in the mills. When twenty-two years of age he commenced work at the blacksmith trade, with Stephen Jefferson, of San Bernardino. He was naturally a good mechanic, and by his industry and close attention he soon became a skilled workman and an expert in horse-shoeing.
In 1876 his attention was directed to Riverside as a desirable locality, and he sought work in the colony. He worked at his trade in the town for a year, and was then employed by Governor Waterman, at Cook's cañon, until 1878, when he again established his residence at Riverside. After working a year for Petchner & Alder, he opened a shop on Main street, under the firm name of Masters & Heap. He conducted that business for two or three years, and then sold out and worked at his trade as a journeyman, in the shop of Mr. Parker until 1885, when he opened his present establishment. Mr. Heap's long residence in the county has made him well and favorably known. He is a thorough mechanic, and skilled in his calling. His honest work and straightforward dealings has gained him a well deserved patronage and enabled him to establish his family in a pleasant home, surround them with the comforts of life, and secure to his children the advantages of a good education. He is the owner of the business property occupied by his shops, and a well ordered home on the corner of Orange and Sixth streets. He is a good citizen, a kind neighbor and a desirable acquisition to any community. In 1868 Mr. Heap married Miss Mary Schyff, daughter of John H. and Gertrude Schyff, pioneers of San Bernardino County. From this marriage there are five children, viz.: May B., Gertrude, Harry W., Dora B. and Cyrel Irving.
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.- 681-682
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler