San Bernardino County
Biographies
HENRY F. MACY, M. D.,
deceased, was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1826. He was
reared to farm life, and had in early life the advantages of a common-school
education. His father, Matthew Macy, was a native of Nantucket, Massachusetts,
and a descendant from one of the oldest families of that island. His mother,
nee Patience Austin, was a native of Rhode Island. Dr. Macy was reared in
the pioneer days of Starke County, when educational facilities were
comparatively limited, but he secured a good education, and after arriving at
manhood entered upon the study of medicine, graduated at a medical college, and
commenced the practice of his profession. In 1850 he came to California and
spent some three years in the mining district. Returning East he settled in
Kansas, locating in Hiawatha, Brown County. In that county, in 1859, he married
Miss Rebecca J. Dorland, a native of Ohio. Dr. Macy was in the practice of his
profession in Kansas for many years, and was also engaged as a
druggist, and largely interested in the lumber business, taking a leading part
in the various industries of that new country. Being an ardent Republican and a
strong Union man, he took a leading part in the trouble preceding the war of the
Rebellion, as a Free-State man, and during that war was a strong supporter of
the ad‑
ministration and war measures. He was also prominent in the Odd Fellows order, being for more than forty years a member of that organization, both subordinate lodge and encampment.
In 1886 Dr. Macy decided to seek the genial climate of Southern California, and chose Riverside for his residence. Upon his arrival he purchased the ten-acre tract upon the southwest corner of Bandini and Cypress avenues, and took up his residence upon the same, engaging in horticultural pursuits. He died at his new home in 1888, and though but a short time a resident of Riverside, his manly qualities, straightforward, consistent course of life gained him many warm friends, by whom he was respected and esteemed through life and who sincerely mourned his death. He left his widow and two daughters,—Mary and Helen.
Mrs. Macy assumes the care of their home and the rearing of her daughters. She is becoming well versed in horticultural pursuits, as her orchards and vineyards well attest. Seven acres of her land is in oranges, one-half seedlings and the remainder in Washington Navels and Malta Bloods. These were planted by John A. Simms in 1881, and are now coming into bearing. Three acres are in raisin grapes. The implements on the place are first-class in every respect. The substantial and well ordered cottage residence was erected under her supervision, and in it she has combined the conveniences and luxuries of a modern home.
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.- 518
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
LEROY S. DYAR.
Among the pioneers of Ontario and representative men of that beautiful colony, mention should be made of Leroy S. Dyar, who was born in Franklin County, Maine, in 1833. His father was Colonel Joseph Dyar, a well known agriculturist of that county. His mother was Mary S. Gay. Both of his parents were natives of that State. Mr. Dyar was reared and schooled in his native place, closing his studies in the high school and academy. He was reared as a farmer. In 1858 he decided to try his fortune on the Pacific coast, and came by steamer to San Francisco. After a short stay in that city he proceeded to Yuba river and engaged in mining until the next year. He then located in Salem, Oregon, and was employed in farming and teaching. until 1863, when he established himself in mercantile pursuits in Salem, under the firm name of N. O. Parrish & Co. In 1864 he was appointed Postmaster at Salem, and held that office until 1868. He was engaged in various enterprises in Salem until 1871, when he accepted a position in the Indian Department as superintendent of schools of mechanical and agricultural instruction, and was stationed on the Yakima Indian Reservation until the fall of that year, when he went to the Grand Ronde Reservation as commissary in charge. In the spring of 1872 he was appointed Indian agent of the Klamath Reservation, located at Klamath lake.
It was this reservation that the notorious Modoc Chief, Captain Jack, and his band had left two years before and were then at war with the United States troops among the famous lava beds. Mr. Dyar filled the position admirably, and so conducted the affairs of the reservation as to prevent any further dissatisfaction among the Indians and also to prevent their aiding Captain Jack or his associates. His ability was soon recognized by the department, and he was appointed a member of the peace commission which was to treat with the rebellious Modocs for a return to their reservation. This commission was composed of General Canby, Dr. Thomas, Colonel Meacham and himself. The history of the massacre of General Canby and Dr. Thomas, and the miraculous escape of Mr. Dyar and Colonel Meacham—the latter severely wounded—is an oft-told chapter in the history of our Indian wars. Mr. Dyar never had any confidence in the plan of meeting the Indian chiefs, for he had no confidence in them, and he protested strongly against the members of the commission uselessly exposing their lives to the murderous savages. He warned them that they were going the road to sure death, and that he should of course accompany them and share their fate. Nothing could change them in their belief of the honesty of Captain Jack. They met the chiefs, who had secreted arms at the place of meeting, or had them concealed upon their persons. The conference was but a short time in session before Mr. Dyar saw what he believed conclusive evidence that a massacre was intended. He managed upon some slight pretext to get outside of the circle composed of the members and the chiefs, and did not again take the place reserved for him. This saved his life, for upon the first outbreak he was enabled to run toward the encampment of troops. He was fired upon and pursued, but before he could be overtaken relief from the camp met him.
Mr. Dyar remained in charge of his reservation until 1877, and then engaged in stock raising until 1882, when ill health compelled him to seek a southern climate. In that year he came to San Bernardino County, and being pleased with the location and future prospects of the Ontario colony, in December, 1882, purchased a twenty-acre tract on the corner of San Antonio avenue and Fourth street. The next spring he came to reside upon his purchase, and at once commenced its improvement. The first orchard set out in the colony was by Mr. Dyar early in the spring of 1883. Since his arrival in Ontario he has been identified with many of its improvements and has been engaged in dealing in real estate and improving places. His present residence is a neat cottage with well ordered grounds upon a villa lot on the west side of Euclid avenue, between Third and Fourth streets. In its varied horticultural and floral productions this is one of the finest places in Ontario. He is a thorough and practical horticulturist, and makes a success of whatever he touches in this line. Among his real-estate interests in Ontario are ten acres between Seventh and Eighth streets, in lemons, now in bearing, seven acres on San Antonio avenue and Twenty-second street, in Washington navel
oranges, and some twenty acres of unimproved land. He is a firm advocate of Ontario and its wonderful resources, and has done much toward advancing the interests of the community in which he resides. A strong supporter of churches and schools, he is a member of the Methodist Church and a trustee in the same. He is also president of the hoard of regents of the Chaffey College. He has for many years been a member of the Odd Fellows organization, and is a charter member and Past Grand of Olive Lodge, No. 18, of Salem, Oregon.
Mr. Dyar has been twice married. His first marriage, in 1854, was to Mary J., daughter of Luther and Mary (Bartlett) Tubbs. She died in 1857, leaving one child, Charles Herbert, who married Miss Annie M. Ryan. Mr. Dyar's second marriage was in 1863, when he was united with Miss Mary T. Gleason, daughter of Ryal and Rebecca (Tyler) Gleason, of Maine. They have one child,—Helen L.
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.- 518-520
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler