Ventura County
Biographies
Dr. Cephas L. Bard
Dr. Cephas L. Bard, a pioneer of San Buenaventura, of 1868, deserves special mention in this work. Previous to the Revolution the progenitors of the family to which he belongs came to America and settled in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, when the colony was in its infancy. The men were men of character and ability, active in the affairs of the time. The Doctor's father, Robert M. Bard, was a native of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, born in 1810, and for many years practiced law in that county, being at the head of the bar; was a man of talent, a prominent leader, and a candidate for Congress at time of his death. He married Elizabeth Little, a native of Mercersburg, same State, who was born in 1816, the daughter of Doctor P. W. Little. Their family consisted of two sons and two daughters, the Doctor being the third child. He completed his education in a classical course at Chambersburg Academy, and his medical education at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. His ancestors on the maternal side were nearly all physicians, and on the paternal side Drs. John and Samuel Bard were founders of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. It is but natural therefore that the subject of this sketch should inherit a taste for this profession. He began his medical studies by entering the office of Dr. A. H. Senseny, a talent physician of Pennsylvania; and while he was pursuing his studies there, he enlisted as private in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-sixty Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, participated in the battles of the Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. After his term of service had expired he attended lectures at the Jefferson Medical College; and later he passed a satisfactory examination before an army medical board, and was appointed assistant surgeon in the army. Going to the front with his regiment, the Two Hundred and Tenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, he participated in all its successes and reverses, in the Army of the Potomac, until the close of the war. This regiment was a crack one, composed of remnants of several veteran regiments, and was commanded by Colonel William Sergeant, brother-in-law of General Meade, Commander of the Army of the Potomac, and its history shows that it ever was in the front when the battle raged most fiercely, and its casualties were enormous. Its greatest losses occurred at Hatcher's Run, Dabney's Mills, the fights before Petersburg, Gravelly Run and Five Forks. One flag of truce sent in by Lee at Appomattox passed through a portion of this regiment deployed as skirmishers. By an official order one assistant surgeon was always with his regiment in order to give instant aid, and Bard was ever with his command, and on several occasions, when meeting with reverses, he remained behind exposed to the volleys of his friends as well as those of his foes.
Returning home he continued his practice until 1868, when he came to Ventura County, California, where for twenty-two years, with exception of two years devoted to study in Eastern cities, he has been identified with all the interests of the place of his adoption. He was the first American physician with a diploma to locate in this county. By devotion to his calling and ambition for excellence he has justly attained an enviable reputation.
His professional character has been shaped by his army experience and residence in a frontier country. Debarred association with the professional brethren and remote surgical supplies, he is bold, self-reliant and full of expedients. An accomplished rider and well versed in the language and ways of the native Californians, he seems to be "to the manner born." A description of his long rides; his varied adventures in mountains and swollen streams; his contact with characters not met with now, and his reminiscences of men and things, would make a most interesting book. He has not allowed himself to become an old fogy, but by close study, and by attendance at the Eastern medical schools, he has kept fully abreast of the times. He is at present a member of the Board of Pension Examiners, President of the County Medical Society, and Surgeon to the County Hospital.
He is a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Grand Army of the Republic, and Knights Templar, and is a Republican in his political sympathies and a Presbyterian in his religious opinions. His residence is one that in all its features and appointments exhibits refinement and taste.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 487 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
Thomas Barrows
Thomas Barrows is a native of Massachusetts, born on Martha's Vineyard, April 14, 1843. His father, James Lloyd Barrows, was also a native of that State, and was a merchant and manufacturer. Their ancestry came from England. His mother, Hannah Cottle, was born in Massachusetts, the daughter of Captain Edward Cottle, a sea captain of merchant ships. Mr. Barrows finished his education at Gorham, Maine. He began his business career at Indianapolis, as clerk in a wholesale dry-goods house. After this he accepted the position of general traveling agent for the Grover & Baker Sewing Machine Company, and acted in that capacity for several years. He next took the general agency for the Victor Sewing Machine Company, for the Northwest, with headquarters at Chicago, the firm being Thomas Barrows & Co. During this time he was a partner in the Elgin Iron Works, manufacturers of small engines and castings. Their sewing-machine business in Chicago became quite extensive, sales reached 8,000 machines in the best year, and altogether they disposed of 25,000. They were caught in the great Chicago fire and lost quite heavily, but were again receiving orders the week following the fire.
In 1875 impaired health caused Mr. Barrows to leave Chicago and come to California. He was first in Oakland and San Francisco. His disease was hemorrhage of the lungs and attending troubles, and his physician advised the mildest climate possible. The Ojai Valley was decided upon, and he arrived at this place in 1878. He purchased 160 acres of unimproved land, which, under his judicious care and management, now presents a very different appearance. He has erected a comfortable home, planted a large variety of trees and vines, and his property has become a lovely tree-embowered retreat. Mr. Barrows has long since regained his health, and is now in a situation to enjoy life, under the shade of the vine and fig tree of his own planting. His ranch is provided with ample barns. He is now engaged in raising Holstein and Jersey cattle and fine blooded horses of the A. W. Richmond stock, and is also raising work-horses; has had as high as 300 head of horses and cattle at one time. He has dealt some in real estate, and owns about 250 acres of choice land in the valley. He is engaged in orange culture both at his home and also at Pomona.
Mr. Barrows was married, in 1869, to Miss Sarah W. Coffin, a native of Edgartown, Massachusetts, daughter of Jared W. Coffin, who traces his ancestry back to Nantucket. This union was blessed with a daughter, and a few days later the young mother and beloved wife was called away, and thus a most sad bereavement came to him. The daughter, Charlotte C., is now attending the Pomona College. Several years after his wife's decease, Mr. Barrows was again married, in 1872, to Miss Ella A. Cole, of Medway, Massachusetts, daughter of Captain John Cole, a sea captain of whaling and merchant vessels. They have one child, David P. Barrows, who is also attending Pomona College, in the freshmen class. All the family are members of the Congregational Church. While in Chicago Mr. Barrows was superintendent of the Tabernacle Sunday-school and deacon in the Tabernacle Church; is now a deacon in the Nordhoff Congregational Church, and also an active worker in the Sunday-school. He is a gentleman of pleasing and genial manners, and one whose influence for good is felt in the community in which he resides. Politically, he is a Republican.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 519 Transcribed by Sandy Neder