San Diego County
Biographies
FRANK H. CARPENTER
is not only a pioneer of Perris, but also a native of
California. He was born in San Joaquin County, January 5, 1859. His father, Ira
Carpenter, was a native of Ohio. He came to California in 1858, and settled near
Stockton. In 1856 he married Miss Mary Heald, daughter of Amos Heald, a
resident of New York. Their
son, the subject of this sketch, received his education at Stockton in the
public schools, and followed farming for several years. He and his father were
also contractors in Los Angeles and many of the beautiful streets of that city
were graded by them. In 1884 he came to Perris with his mother, and located a
Government
claim of 160 acres adjoining the town of Perris, which he improved until the
town started. He then platted a part of it to extend the town " Carpenter's
Addition to Perris." When Mr. Carpenter first came into the valley where Perris
now is, there were only two or three houses near him: Mr. M. Lutz, Mr. L. D.
Reynolds and Albion Smith. Mrs. Albion Smith, his aunt on his father's side, and
Mr. Carpenter built the first main building, a two-story hotel, that was built,
which has since been enlarged. He afterward sold his interest to Mrs. Smith for
a stock of general merchandise at Pinicate. He moved the goods to Perris and
opened the first store, at that place, in a part of the hotel building. He
continued the business for two and one-half years, and was the first Postmaster
in that place, at the end of which time he sold his store business and engaged
in the real-estate business. In March, 1888, he bought the Perris livery stable,
which he still owns. He was married, August 20, 1888, to Miss Ada M. Peebles,
who was born in Lovilia, Iowa, in 1865. Her parents are George Peebles and Mary
(Wray) Peebles. Her father was a farmer and school-teacher, and her brother, Ed.
L. Peebles, is a member of the staff of the San Diego County Reporter.
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have one child, Charles Casper, born in Perris, July 7,
1889. Mr. Carpenter is a charter member of the Independent Order of Foresters,
organized in Perris. When he came to Perris he brought four horses, two cows and
farming implements. He now owns 620 acres of land, 175 town lots, and a well
stocked livery stable, and has accomplished this in six years. He is one of the
leading, reliable and successful business men in Perris.
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.- 302-303
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
HOOK BROTHERS & OAK.
Joseph F. & Albert W. Hook - Ora Oak
In the latter
part of the year 1887, Mr. Ora Oak was looking over Southern California for a
place to engage in business. After considering the merits of the many new places
that were starting in California at that time, he returned to Oakland, most
favorably impressed with San Jacinto. In San Francisco he met Mr. Joseph F.
Hook, an old acquaintance, who was also desirous of exchanging city for country
business, and they went to San Jacinto with the intention of going into business
there. But the real-estate values being too high they went to Perris.
There they met Mr. George S. Blethen, from whom they bought the property on
which they have since built. The bargain was closed for block 3, January 3,
1888. In the months of February and March following they put up their store, and
in April, 1888, the Perris Valley Supply Company's general merchandise store was
opened. In August of the same year they bought the ground and built their
warehouse
and side-track. In addition to their general store business they handle wagons,
agricultural implements, lime, cement, and are wholesale dealers in hay, grain,
honey, etc. From their start they grasped the idea of what Perris needed in the
way of a supply store, and their success has been beyond their highest
expectations. The men who compose this firm are hard‑working, pushing men, who
do business on the live-and-let-live basis, and not only have their eyes been
wide open to their own interests but also to the development and growth of their
town. They have been leading factors in the improvements already made in Perris.
The firm consists of Joseph F. Hook, Albert W. Hook and Ora Oak. They are all
natives of the State of Maine, which State has developed so many hardy,
self-reliant sons. Joseph F. Hook was born in 1850, and Albert W. in 1856. They
came to Los Angeles in 1864, and in 1888 to Perris, where with Ora Oak they
began business under the firm name of Hook Brothers & Oak. Mr. Oak was born in
Garland, Penobscot County, Maine, June 21, 1851; his ancestors were pioneers of
Garland. After attending the public schools of his town, the Foxcroft Academy
and a few months in the State College of Maine, he came to California, arriving
at San Francisco January 1, 1872, and engaging with the Bancrofts as entry clerk
in their large book-publishing house. In 1876 he went to Nevada, where he
remained five years, having all the varied experiences of pioneer life. In 1881
he again went to work for Bancroft & Co., spending several years as their
representative in Old Mexico. In 1886 he came to Southern California, the
country of his choice.
Mr. Oak is an apt illustration of the ability of the American to adapt himself to any phase of life that presents itself. His firm has, in him, a very efficient business man, and they enjoy the trade and confidence of a wide tract of country in their vicinity, which they appreciate. They are deserving of all their success.
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.- 306
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler