Ventura County
Biographies
Charles G. Bartlett
Charles G. Bartlett, one of the prominent business men of San Buenaventura, was born in the southern part of England, February 23, 1852. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Griffin) Bartlett, were both natives of England. His paternal grandfather, Richard Bartlett, kept a hotel, in earlier times called an inn, at Axworth, and his material grandfather was a flax merchant. Charles G. Bartlett came to the United States when five years of age with his parents, and settled at Adrian, Michigan. In that State he was raised, educated and learned his trade of jeweler. In the year 1872 he came to San Francisco, and worked in a large establishment on Montgomery street, for three years, where they were doing a large jewelry business. In 1875 he came to Ventura, and with his brother, Albert G. Bartlett, opened a jewelry, stationery and music store, which has grown from a little room 10x15 feet into their present large business. Bartlett Bros. have now a second store in Los Angeles, of which Albert G. is manager; Charles G. is manager of the business in San Buenaventura. They enjoy the leading jewelry trade of the city; they have also had the Pacific coast steamship passenger agency for ten years. They employ three men in the San Buenaventura store. It is remarked about Mr. Bartlett that he devotes more time to his business than any other man in the city. Mr. Bartlett has built a very artistic and beautiful home on Santa Clara street, in the best portion of the city, where he enjoys the comforts of home with his industrious family.
He was united in marriage to Miss Alice Day, a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and daughter of James Day, of Ventura. Mrs. Bartlett had one son by a former marriage, Charles, born in Ventura. They now have two daughters: Effie and Mabel, both born in Ventura. Mr. Bartlett joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1872; he is a fine musician, and has been one of the foremost in organizing the fine orchestra and band in Ventura. In politics he is a Republican, but is too much engrossed in business to give much attention to political matters.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 378 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
J. R. Bennett
J. R. Bennett, a rancher near Nordhoff, was born in Ireland, December 1, 1845, the son of respectable Irish parents. In 1864, at the age of nineteen years, he set sail for America, land at Quebec, June 15 of that year. He had relatives there engaged in business, and for a time he was employed by his cousin as supercargo. They bought provisions and clothing and took them to the coast of Labrador, bringing back a load of fish and oil. After three years thus engaged he went to Thurso on the Ottawa River, where for two years he clerked in a general merchandise store. In July, 1869, he came to California and worked in a saw-mill a year in Mendocino County. In 1870 he sent for his brother George and gave him a position in the mill. Starting out in search of easier and more profitable employment, he next went to Vallejo, where he was engaged in laying water pipes until he could accumulate a little money to go still further in search of better employment. Going to San Francisco he worked for a while on the wharf, unloading vessels, and then obtained a situation in a wholesale dairy produce store, conducted by T. H. Hatch & Co. Soon he secured a position there also for his brother George. Two years later he and his brother engaged in the dairy produce business for themselves in the California market, which they continue to the present time, supplying the elite of San Francisco with "Bennett's Celebrated Butter."
While in the market, Mr. Bennett contracted catarrh, which extended to his bronchial tubes, and he was compelled to seek a milder climate than San Francisco. Leaving the business there in charge of his brother, he started in search of health, traveling the whole length of California, from Sisson's to San Diego, and found the most desirable place for pulmonary complaints to be the Ojai Valley. Here he purchased sixty-one acres of land, on which he is now building a handsome residence. He is entering largely into fruit culture, having planted French prunes, almonds, olives, and raising grapes. The property is now in a flourishing condition, and is destined to become one of the most delightful homes on the coast.
Mr. Bennett was married in 1878, to Miss Hatty Greeleese, a native of Thurso, Canada, and a daughter of William Greeleese. Mr. Bennett became acquainted with her while in Thurso ten years previous, and succeeded in persuading her to meet him in California. Upon her arrival, Mr. Bennett went to meet her, taking a minister with him, and they were married in Sacramento. They are the parents of four interesting children, the three eldest having been born in San Francisco, and the youngest in the Ojai Valley. Their names are: Lillian, Stewart R., David S. and Anita. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Bennett is independent in politics, but shares the views of the Republican party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the F. & A .M.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 505 Transcribed by Sandy Neder