Ventura County
Biographies
A. W. Browne
A. W. Browne came to Ventura County in the fall of 1873, from his native city, Philadelphia, where he was born February 9, 1852. His father, N. B. Browne, was born in Philadelphia, in 1818; was a lawyer and a Representative in the Legislature from his district; held the office of Postmaster of Philadelphia under the administration of President Lincoln; was Sub-Treasurer and had charge of the Mint and Custom House; helped to organize the Trust and Safe Deposit Company of that city; was president of the company, and it might be said that he was the originator of that enterprise. The ancestors of his family were originally English. Mr. Browne's mother, nee Mary Jane Kendall, was a native of Reading, Pennsylvania, and also of English descent. The subject of this sketch was the third of a family of two sons and two daughters, and his mother's death occurred when he was only four years old. Mr. Browne received his education at Sanders' Institute, Philadelphia, and at Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Massachusetts. For five years he was employed in the Trust and Safe Deposit Company, Philadelphia, beginning as errand boy and rising to the position of receiving teller.
He came to California and engaged in sheep-raising, in Ventura County, ten years, being in partnership with Levi Taylor. They had as many as 12,000 sheep at a time, divided in flocks of 2,000 each. He disposed of his sheep, and afterward purchased 5,000 acres of land and engaged in the cattle business on the ex-Mission ranch, ten miles east of Ventura. He sold out in 1887, and for a year was one of the managers of the Anacapa Hotel. In 1882 he had served as Supervisor, and resigned the office to go away with his sheep. He was again elected, in 1888, to represent the town of San Buenaventura on the County Board, which position he now holds. He is the secretary of the Republican Central Committee, of Ventura County, and is a tried and true Republican of intelligence and ability, and a leader in his party.
Mr. Browne was married, in 1878, to Miss Neotia Rice, a native of California, born in 1860. She is the daughter of Peter Rice, who traces his ancestry back to the Germans. They have four children, all born in Ventura County, viz.: Albert O., Valeria O., Nathaniel B. and Samuel H. Mr. Browne takes a just pride in being a member of the California National Guard, of Ventura; is Second Lieutenant of the Company.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 384 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
P. L. Byers
P. L. Byers was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1845. His grandfather, David Byers, came from Germany about the year 1768, and settled in Pennsylvania where Peter Byers was born in 1812. He was a well-to-do farmer and wedded Miss Susanna Sourwine. They were the parents of thirteen children, the ninth one being P. L. Byers, the subject of this sketch. He was reared and educated in his native state, and when eighteen years of age entered the war, enlisting in Company K, Eighty Ohio Cavalry. He was in the Army of the Potomac and participated in all the battles of the campaign. At the battle of Winchester, September 19, 1864, he was wounded in the right arm and laid up for three months in the Little York hospital, Pennsylvania. Upon his recovery, he returned to his regiment at Beverly, West Virginia, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out August 5, 1865. On account of the wound received, he gets a pension of $2 per month.
After leaving the service, Mr. Byers returned to the quiet life of the farm, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since. He came to Santa Paula, June 25, 1875, and after seven years gardening, he purchased his present home property of five acres. He has built a nice house, planted a hedge and all kinds of fruit trees and small fruit, and has one of the neatest little places in all the county. Mr. Byers was married, in 1870, to Miss A. Davidson, of Illinois. She was born in 1850, daughter of John Davidson of that State. Her ancestors were natives of Kentucky, but her father was born in Pennsylvania. They have had eight children, six of whom are living. The first two were born in Missouri and the others in California. Their names are Norman O., Ona M., John L., Creed H., Marge E. and Earl. Mrs. Byers is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Byers has never joined any society, is a strictly temperate man, Democratic in his political views, is an industrious man, and one highly respected by his fellow citizens.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 342 Transcribed by Sandy Neder