San Diego County
Biographies
J. T. MORGAN,
a son of the golden West and a business man of San Jacinto, was born in San Bernardino, California, July 12, 1863. His father, J. T. Morgan, Sr., was a native of Illinois, and his grandfather, Thomas Morgan. was a pioneer of that State. Mr. Morgan's father married Miss Elizabeth Mee, by whom he had two children, but one of whom the subject of this sketch survives. The other, a daughter, died when quite young. Mr. Morgan was educated in San Bernardino, and spent a year in Arizona, where he learned his trade—butchering and the meat-market business, which he has followed ever since. He came to San Jacinto in 1887, and owns the only two markets in the place—one in Old, or South, Jacinto. His market occupies a fine brick store on the business street, and is a well equipped market. He is doing a very nice business. Mr. Morgan is a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, and a nice, young business man of good ability.
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.- 361-362
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
AMELIO ORTEGA
was born in Ventura County, California, September 21, 1851. His father, Francisco Ortega, was a resident of Ventura County. His mother's maiden name was Cordelia Dominguez. They had four children, two boys and two girls, of which family but two survive, the subject of this sketch and his sister. He came to San Jacinto in December, 1874, and after he had been here ten years he purchased 320 acres of land on which be has built a good house and barn and has planted trees and will soon have a nice place. He is sowing 600 acres of grain this year for his own use on his ranch for his stock. He has six horses and about seventy head of cattle, and with a partner has about 6,000 head of sheep. He was married in 1882 to Miss Birginia Estudillo, and they have three children: Francesco, born June 9, 1883; Reducinda Neguila, born May 16, 1886, and Amanda Rosaria, born May 29, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Ortega are nice people, and belong to the Catholic Church. They are going to have the children go to English schools to get an English education.
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.- 362
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
LEWIS W. CRAIN,
one of the many sons that old Kentucky has furnished California, was born in Mason County, Kentucky, May 9, 1843. His father, John S. Crain, was born in Fleming County, same State, in 1819. His grandfather, Lewis Crain, was born in Virginia and was of Scotch ancestry. Mr. Crain's mother, Florinda (Markwell) Crain, was born in Virginia, as was also her father, Lewis Markwell. His father came from England. Mr. Crain was the first born of nine children, and was educated at his home in Washington, Mason County. When through with school he became a farmer. In 1864 he removed to Platte County, Missouri, where he remained ten years. Then he came to Arizona and mined for two years. In 1887 he came to San Diego County and took a quarter section of Government land on the San Jacinto mountains, and a quarter section of timber culture near Winchester. His present large ranch is on the east end of Menifee valley, where he has a good home. He has planted trees, has a good well and windmill, and is sowing 200 acres of wheat and barley. In 1854 he married Miss Catherine Barnes, a native of Platte County, Missouri, by whom he had one daughter, Florence Nora, born September 23, 1874, in Johnson County, Kansas. He lost this wife, and in June, 1887, was married to Miss Alice Graham, of Illinois. Mr. Crain has held the office of Constable of his township and has also been railroad master and deputy county clerk, and is a man who stands high in his community.
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.- 362-363
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler