San Bernardino County
Biographies
BARNABAS TIBBALS,
owner of a fine orange grove in Brockton square, on the south side of Bandini avenue, about two miles south of Riverside, purchased this place in August, 1887, and immediately commenced his horticultural pursuits. At this writing his land, consisting of ten acres, is all in orange trees, except a few deciduous trees and table grapes. About one-half of his trees are seedlings, and the rest Washington Navels. He has spent much labor in pruning, fertilizing and cultivating, since buying the place, and has now a very productive grove. The improvements on the place consist of a commodious two-story residence surrounded with ornamental trees and flowers, and substantial outbuildings.
Mr. Tibbals was born near Rochester, Monroe County, New York, in 1824. He was the son of Lewis and Betsey (King) Tibbals. His father was born in Cayuga County, New York, and his mother was a native of Suffield, Massachusetts. In 1826 Mr. Tibbals' parents moved to Michigan, and located on what afterward became the township of Avon, Oakland County. They were, among the earliest pioneers of that section, the country at that date being wild and uninhabited except by roving tribes of Indians. The subject of this sketch spent his early youth and young manhood in hard labor upon their pioneer farm, deprived of all schooling except such as could be obtained in the pioneer schools of that date. He remained on the old homestead farm until his marriage, in 1852, and then started in farming on his own account. Mr. Tibbals was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1884. He then established his residence in Ypsilanti, where he remained until moving to Riverside in 1887. Although not an old resident of Riverside, Mr. Tibbals is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, and a firm believer in the future wealth and prosperity that await the thorough horticulturist of the colony, and any enterprise that will tend to advance the interests of his section finds a ready supporter in him. He is a desirable acquisition of the Baptist Church and also a member of the Masonic fraternity, retaining his membership in Ypsilanti Lodge, No. 44, F. & A. M., of Ypsilanti, Michigan. In political matters he is a straight Republican.
Mr. Tibbals' first marriage was in 1852, when he wedded Miss Isabelle S. Dewey. She died in 1869, leaving no children. In 1872 he married Miss Jennie Pardee, a native of Michigan, the daughter of Daniel T. and Juliana (Babcock) Pardee. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbals have two children: Jennie Isabella and Grace Edith. Mr. Tibbals' father died in 1876, at the age of ninety years; his mother died in 1868, at the age of seventy-six years.
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.- 663
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
FRANK B. DeVINE.
No history of Riverside purporting to record her growth and prosperity can lay claim to real value and interest that does not award the merit to her mercantile enterprises, and the men who have conducted them. Most prominent in this record would be the names of Boyd & DeVine, commission merchants and jobbers, whose establishment is located on the corner of Eighth street and Pachappa avenue. This is one of the most important wholesale and commission houses in the city, dealing extensively in groceries, grain, honey, etc. They are also large fruit and raisin packers, placing their products on the markets under the celebrated "Sunbeam" brand. Their packing business was first established by the German Fruit Company, who sold out their interest to Boyd & DeVine in May, 1887.
The few brief facts gathered regarding Mr. DeVine's career previous to locating in Riverside are of interest. He was born and reared in Rochester, New York, dating his birth in 1848, had the advantages of a good schooling, and graduated at the high school of that city with honor. He then entered into mercantile life as a clerk and book-keeper, in the well-known establishment of Burke, FitzSimons, Hone & Co., of his native city. In 1870 he went to New York city, and for the next twelve years was engaged in mercantile pursuits, holding responsible positions in some of the largest business houses in the city. He was for many years connected with the firm of Wright, Bliss & Falyan. In 1882 Mr. DeVine came to Southern California and located at Los Angeles, and there associated himself with the German Fruit Company, and was a director of that company. In 1885 he established a branch office in Riverside, and controlled its affairs as general manager. He was successful, and established a good business, which he conducted until 1887. In that year he formed a partnership with John Boyd, a well-known pioneer citizen of Riverside, and under the firm name of Boyd & DeVine established his present business. Mr. DeVine has been the active member of the firm, and the manager of the business. The success that has been attained by the firm is in no small degree attributable to his keen foresight. Mr. DeVine promptly identified himself with Riverside and her people, and is liberal in the support of her public institutions and enterprises. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and has taken an active part in establishing that church in Riverside. In political matters he is a Democrat, not an office-seeker, but always ready to work for his party and principles. He is a member of the Democratic county central committee, and has been a delegate in many of the conventions. Mr. DeVine is residing with his family on Twelfth street, where he has one of the most pleasant homes in the city. He has been twice married, first wedding in 1876, Miss Annie Moran, a native of Savannah, Georgia. She died in 1877, leaving one child, Annie. His second marriage was in 1887, when he was united with Miss Vinie Collier, a native of Paterson, New Jersey.
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.- 663-664
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler