San Diego County
Biographies
ISRAEL METZ.
Just to the east of the railroad, one mile north of Perris, is a 160-acre ranch without a stump or stone on the whole property. This is the ranch and home of Mr. Israel Metz. He settled on the then wild Government land September 29, 1884, and made the adobe brick and built a very comfortable home, and planted his grounds to trees, shrubs and flowers. Mr. Metz is a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, and was born November 12, 1831. His grandfather, John Metz, was a native of Germany, but settled in Pennsylvania, where his son, Israel Metz's father, was born, raised and married to Miss Anna Doan in 1830. They had a family of eleven, of which Mr. Metz was the eldest. When quite young his parents removed to Iowa, where he received his education. He learned the cooper's trade before he became of age, and worked at it about three years, and has worked at it, more or less, all his life. He farmed in Iowa for five years, and came to California in 1855. He has resided in Santa Clara and San Joaquin counties, and lived within seven miles of Stockton for twelve years, on a farm which he owned. He was in San Benito County four years. Then he went to Sonoma County, then to Tehama, and then to Shasta. While at the latter place he got the chills and fever, and came south to San Diego County in 1884, and settled in his present home. He has been a resident of California for thirty-four years, and has seen much of pioneer life when there were but few settlers, no railroads, and few of the privileges or enjoyments of civilization. He was married March 15, 1853, to Miss Margaret Wiley, who was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, November 24, 1832. She was a daughter of Mr. James Wiley, a native of Virginia, born April 11, 1802. They have had five children: Amanda Elizabeth, born in Santa Clara County, November 28, 1855; she is married to Mr. La Fayette Flood, and their land adjoins her father's. Albert W., born in San Joaquin County, December 17, 1857, and married to Miss Trulover; their home is on the same section. Teressa Elnora, born in San Joaquin County, September 16, 1859; Joseph Orlando, born in Los Angeles County, February 8. 1870. Mrs. Metz is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Metz is a pleasant and sociable man and an excellent neighbor.
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.- 328
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
DR. W. F. PERRY,
of Perris, was born in Binghamton, New York, March 20,
1852. His great-grandfather, Anson Perry, was a full cousin of Commodore
Perry. The Doctor's grandfather, also Anson Perry, was a soldier in the service
of his country in the war of 1812. Dr. Perry's father, David B. Perry, was
born September 25, 1811, and in 1835 was married to Miss Lucy B. Chaffee. They
celebrated their golden wedding, February 2, 1885. Mrs. Perry died in 1887, and
Mr. Perry in 1889,
at the age of 78. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are
living. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the public
schools of Binghampton, his native town. In 1882 he entered the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, of Chicago, and graduated at the Kentucky School of
Medicine in June, 1885, and commenced the practice of his profession in Chicago,
where he remained for two years, then having serious throat trouble he came to
California December 1, 1887, and located at Perris, December 17, 1887. He bought
a home and made great improvement in the growth of trees, shrubs and flowers. He
has trees planted only six months that are now fourteen feet high. The whole
property and grounds have an air of taste and culture and will soon be a place
of great beauty under the Doctor's skillful treatment. He was married, February
18, 1887, to Miss Matilda Schoonever, born in 1851, near Hornsdale, Wayne
County, Pennsylvania, daughter of William and Margaret (Darling) Schoonever. The
Doctor is now clerk and director of the Perris School District, and is a member
of the Independent Order of Foresters, and is the examining physician of the
order. He is the only physician in Perris, and is a man in every way qualified
for the successful practice of his profession. He reports great improvement in
his own health since coming to Perris and recommends it as a most healthy
place,---only four deaths in the place, and they from natural causes, and
forty-four births, since his arrival here two years ago.
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.- 328-329
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
A. E. COLBY
is another good citizen who has located on a fine Government ranch near Perris. Was born in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, October 21, 1852. His his mother, Colby, was a native of Vermont; father L. A. Caroline (Hicock) Colby, was also a native of Vermont. They had six children, all of whom are living. A. E. Colby was educated in the Albion Academy, Rock County, Wisconsin. In December, 1869, when he was only eighteen years of age, he came to California and settled, first in Sonoma County and then in Santa Barbara County. He then went back to Wisconsin, and froze out in one winter, and came back to Santa Barbara County, where he remained about twelve years. December 25, 1884, he located his present valuable ranch, 320 acres of splendid plow land, built a house and is making improvements as fast as possible. Last year he sowed 250 acres, nearly all to barley; this year (1889) he is sowing eighty acres to wheat and the balance to barley. He was united in marriage September 4, 1880, to Miss Mary Pierce, daughter of Mr. E. H. Pierce, who now lives near them. She was born in Santa Barbara County. They have had five children, four of whom are still living. Their eldest son, Ralph Colby, born December 11, 1881, met his death May 18, 1889, when only eight years of age, by drowning in the river near his home. The children now living are: Jessie, born in Shasta County, California, April 20, 1882; Rubie, born in Ventura County, March 15, 1884; Percy, born in Perris December 17, 1886, and Harry, born in Perris, February 4, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Colby are highly esteemed by their neighbors and friends.
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.- 329
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler