Ventura County
Biographies
Henry Dubbers
Henry Dubbers, a rancher residing in Ventura, came to Ventura in 1862, and as he is one of its most worthy pioneers, this history would not be complete without recording his life. He was born in Holstein, in the year 1819, and came to America in 1851, coming direct from Germany to California. His parents were both natives of Germany, and his father was a merchant. When Mr. Dubbers came to San Francisco he was sick, and his intentions were to go to South America; but becoming acquainted with other Germans, who were engaged in farming, he was induced by them to stay in California. They had rented land in San Mateo County at $4 per acre, and induced him to put capital in the business; he soon discovered that there would be a loss in the venture, and took it under his own management. He soon after bought the property - 500 acres - and made good to the other parties all that they had put in and more. The property advanced on his hands, and he sold it at a liberal advance. He then came to Ventura, but the title to the lands was so unsettled that he did not buy at that time. A few years afterward oil was discovered, and it was pronounced very rich; New York and Philadelphia capitalists came in, and as he could talk Spanish he was taken in with them. They bought a large tract of land, and Mr. Dubbers took charge of the receiving of the machinery and supplies for the soil wells, and forwarding it to the wells. When Mr. Dubbers came to Ventura only two or three schooners stopped here during the year, to bring supplies and provisions, and for a good while the country was very much isolated from the outside world.
He bought an interest in the Santa Ana ranch, and owns about 930 acres; he is raising wheat and barley on it. He had fifteen acres in city tracts, which he subdivided, and has sold about half of it at renumerative prices.
In 1859 Mr. Dubbers was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Osterman, a native of Germany. They had four children: - Henry, born in San Mateo; Hattie, born in Ventura, and is married to Mr. J. B. Ward, a civil engineer from Cleveland, Ohio; Alfred, born in Ventura, and is now at the Berkeley University; Emma, born in Ventura, and is now with her sister in Pittsburg. Henry is married, and lives at Point Reyes. Mr. Dubber's ancestors are all deceased, in Germany, but he thinks of making a visit to that place; he has lived in Brazil and Buenos Ayres, and can speak English, Spanish, French and German. When he came to Ventura there were only a few Americans in the place, and no mail conveniences. When the postoffice was established, Mr. V. A. Simpson was the first postmaster, and a stage route was established twice a week from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. Mr. Dubbers is leading a quiet and retired life, in his old-style, adobe house, surrounded with life's comforts. He is spending the remainder of his life under the shade of some large trees planted by his own hands.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 371 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
C. S. Duval
C. S. Duval, the building and proprietor of the Charles Hotel, Saticoy, was born in Maine, August 4, 1858. He is a son [of] E. A. Duval, mention of whom will be found in another part of this book, where the history of the family is given as far as known. Mr. Duval came with his father to Saticoy in 1868, and was engaged in the general merchandise business, under the name of Crane & Duval, for two years. He sold his interest and purchased lots of the Pacific Improvement Company, with the understanding that he would build a hotel for the accommodation of their trains. He accordingly erected the Charles Hotel, 56 x 100 feet, two stories high, having a balustrade on three sides, and containing twenty-five rooms. It was built at a cost of $12,000 and was opened to the public June 2, 1889, being the first hotel in this part of the valley. After being successfully conducted for eight months, it was destroyed by fire. The cook upset a pot of lard on the range, and, there being a strong wind blowing, the whole house was soon in flames. Their best efforts to save the building was ineffectual, only a portion of the foundation being left. The property was insured for $8,000, which the company paid in full; and Mr. Duval commenced the erection of a new building on the 3d of March, 1890, which was opened for business April 4. It contains eighteen rooms and is suitably finished and furnished throughout. It is the eating-house for the traveling public between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, trains stopping for both dinner and supper. This house is being conducted in a first-class way, and Mr. Duval, by his genial and accommodating manner, has secured a good patronage.
Mr. Duval was married in 1879 for Miss Mary E. Know, a native of Iowa, and daughter of John Knox of that State. This union has been blessed with three children, Elmer H., Lawrence and Melvin, all born at Saticoy.
Mr. Duval belongs to the Regulators of Santa Clara Valley. In politics he is Republican.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 284 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
E. A. Duval
E. A. Duval is an early settler and a prominent business man and rancher of Saticoy, Ventura County, California. He was born in one of the Windward Islands of France, September 14, 1834. His parents and all his ancestors were French people. Mr. Duval came to American when sixteen years of age, and has become thoroughly identified with American principles and government. A part of his life was spent in the State of Maine. He came to California in 1861, went to the mines in Nevada for three years, and was afterward in the grocery business. From Virginia City he came to Saticoy, in 1868. This country was then a vast field of mustard. Mr. Duval purchased seventy-five acres of land, built a house, and at once commenced the work of planting trees. Some of the trees first planted have attained a wonderful growth. His land is now mostly devoted to fruit - apricots, peaches, plums, prunes, nectarines, apples, pears, figs, oranges, lemons, blackberries, almonds and walnuts. At the time he bought this property, land was sold at from $12 to $20 per acre. It is now worth from $150 to $500 per acre, according to the improvements made. Mr. Duval has disposed of a part of his land, but retains a fine home, where he resides; and in addition to his ranch interests he is also engaged in mercantile business.
He was married, April 15, 1855, to Miss Artemisa G. Hopkins, who was born in Frankfort, Maine, daughter of Captain Smith Hopkins and Susanna Hopkins. Their union has been blessed with ten children, nine living, viz.: Charles S., Carrie, Winton, Gertrude, Anna, Willie, Walter, Earnest, and Edwin. The first three were born in Maine, and the others in Saticoy, California. They are members of the Union Church of Saticoy. In his religious views Mr. Duval is a Conditional Immortalist. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist. He is a public-spirited citizen, and is much interested in the upbuilding of his town.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p541 Transcribed by Sandy Neder