San Diego County
Biographies
R. D. BUTLER,
San Diego.—The school work of San Diego County is well and ably managed by its superintendent, Mr. R. D. Butler, whose entire life has been given to educational purposes and principles. Mr. Butler was born in Springfield, Missouri, on the 27th day of March, 1851, being the youngest in a family of four children. On account of the failing health of his father they left Missouri in 1856, and with a mule team they crossed the plains by the old emigrant route. After experiencing the usual delays and annoyances of that mode of traveling they arrived safely in California, first stopping at Marysville and then locating in Napa County, where our subject's father bought a farm and carried on general farming, and was physically benefited by the outdoor life. After five years of labor in improving and beautifying, they lost all through the injustice of one of those " floating grants" which swallowed up their property. The loss of property limited Mr. Butler's educational facilities, but by stern perserverance and much hard labor he acquired the education he so eagerly sought, and fitted himself for teaching, beginning at Santa Rita, Monterey County, in 1879, in the district schools, and later in the public schools of that county. In 1881 failing health brought him to San Diego and its genial climate, and for two years he taught at Old Town. In the fall of 1882 he was elected Superintendent of the county schools and was re-elected in 1886, the term of office being four years. Mr. Butler has charge of the schools of the county and visits each district at least once a year. There are 110 districts and they employ 200 teachers in the city and county.
He was married at Salinas, Monterey County, in 1878, to Miss Ida Morgan. This union has been blessed by two children, one only of whom survives.
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.- 372-373
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
HORACE I. BREWSTER,
of San Diego, was born in Schoharie County. New York, in
1853. His early years were spent in his native State. His desire to see the
great western country, however, was early developed, and after spending some
years at Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was engaged in contracting and
mining, he went North, spending some time in Idaho, but finding the climate too
rigorous he took an extensive trip through Washington and Oregon, and came to
San Francisco, where he remained about a year. In September, 1885, he reached
San Diego, and, as he says, came to stay. During the time he has been in San
Diego some of the finest and most substantial residences and business blocks
have been erected under his personal supervision, notably the Methodist Church
block, Snyder block and the Overbaugh and Thomas residences. His last and best
effort was the erection and furnishing of the magnificent hotel which bears his
name, at a cost of $135,000.
After its completion he desired to assume the management himself, and in
December, 1888, the house was opened to the public, since which time it may be
said that the Hotel Brewster has stood in the foremost rank, and from its
excellent management, convenient location, and unexcelled appointments, it is
certain to maintain the leading position it has assumed. Mr. Brewster's pedigree
is second to none, being descended direct from one of the oldest and most
respected families in the United States, namely: Elder Brewster, one of the most
noted of the Pilgrim Fathers, who came over on the Mayflower.
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.- 373
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
A. PAPE,
San Diego, of German descent, emigrated to America in 1880, filled with the thrift, enthusiasm and integrity of his country, and landing in New York for four years followed his trade of carpenter, which he had learned in the mother country. In 1884 he was attracted to southern California, and upon his arrival at San Diego began work at his trade, which he followed for five years, and in September, 1889, he purchased of Mr. Pierce the nucleus of his present handsome establishment, known as the Tropical Natatorium, at the foot of D street. He immediately enlarged his facilities and is now prepared to give hot and cold salt-water baths at all hours during the winter and for his summer patrons has two large swimming tanks, with convenient dressing rooms adjoining. His building covers a frontage of seventy-five feet, with facilities and space for the residence of his family. It is 200 feet deep, with wharves and floats in the rear for outside bathing. He also has a fine chicken ranch in Switzer valley of three and one-half acres, which he is just establishing, starting with a flock of 150 fowls.
In 1885 he was married in San Diego to Miss Dorothea Broetther, who is an able assistant in his several enterprises.
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.- 373
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler