San Bernardino County
Biographies
HIRAM C. KELLER,
one of the successful and enterprising farmers near the Base Line, was born at Pisgah, Iowa, in 1849. His father, Nathan Keller, was born in North Carolina and resided in Pennsylvania, and had a family of ten children. He died in Pisgah, Iowa, while crossing the plains to Salt Lake. The subject of this sketch was married in 1873 to Miss Sadie Sparkes, the daughter of George W. Sparkes, one of the pioneers of this valley, and a well and favorably known citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Keller have an interesting little family, consisting of Nettie, Drusilla, Cassie Leu Anna and Lela Malinda. Socially Mr. Keller is an I. O. O. F., Token Lodge, No. 290, San Bernardino, and politically an enthusiastic supporter of the Democratic party.
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.- 558
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
WILLIAM STONES
was born in Oldham, England, February 13, 1815. He sailed from Liverpool November 8, 1840, for America, and was blown back by a storm. The 16th of the same month they again sailed for America and landed safe in New Orleans January 3, 1841. He remained there ten days and then went to St. Louis, where he dug stone coal for eight or nine years. In April, 1850, he set out with others for California by ox teams, and were eight months on the road. Twenty-six of their number died on the way of cholera. They had sixty-four wagons, divided into ten sections, and 150 souls to start out with. Mr. Stones mined in the northern part of the State for five or six years and was very successful. In 1856 he came to San Bernardino County and bought lands in Central district, where he has ranched it ever since. He was married December 15, 1833, in England, to Sarah Fitten, who bore him five sons and one daughter: William H., James E., Roni M., Hiram N., John T., and Mary, who married James Cass and died in Ione valley. Mrs. Stones died in 1855, and Mr. Stones married Mrs. Charlotte Parker. Mr. Stones has lived many years in the world and is a man highly respected and beloved by all who know him.
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.- 558
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
REV. B. L. BALDRIDGE
was born in Adams County, Ohio, February 9, 1821. His father, Rev. William Baldridge, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1760. He served in the Revolutionary war at the age of sixteen years, and for many years after its close was an active minister in the United Presbyterian Church. He graduated from college in 1790, was licensed to preach in 1792, was ordained in 1793, and died October 31, 1830. The subject of this biographical sketch was educated at Miami University and subsequently studied theology at Oxford. He was ordained January 10, 1851, at Centerville, Michigan, by the United Presbyterian Church. He served as pastor of the Associate Reformed church in Centerville, Michigan, for seven years. In 1857 he was sent as a missionary to Leavenworth, Kansas. Here he organized a United Presbyterian church and was settled as pastor until 1874; then served as chaplain in the Kansas State prison for about two years. June 3,1876, he was commissioned Chaplain in the United States army, and continued in this position until 1884, when he was retired. At the time of his retirement he was stationed at Angel Island, California. Mr. Baldridge was married July 27, 1859, at Goshen, Indiana, to Miss Sarah M. Gilmore, a daughter of John and Harriet (Crane) Gilmore. They have two children, viz.: Mary H., now Mrs. Lieutenant R. H. R. Loughborough, who is in the regular army and stationed at Port Missoula, Montana; John G., who is still at home. In 1884 Mr. Baldridge bought a nice little fruit ranch in Highland district, which he has improved and where he at present resides, retired from active work, except such as is necessary to keep things in order on the ranch. Politically he is a strong advocate of the principles of the Prohibition party and by his voice and vote is doing all he can in favor of the temperance cause.
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.- 558-559
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler