Ventura County
Biographies
F. H. Dunham
F. H. Dunham is one of the most prominent business men of Santa Paula, is a stockholder in and a director of the Hardison & Stewart Oil Company, and Superintendent of the Mission Transfer Company's oil refinery. There are four companies here interested in the oil development: the Hardison-Stewart Company, the Sespe Oil Company, Torrey Canon Oil Company, and also the Mission Transfer Company, which latter are refiners and marketers of the oil and transfer it from the wells to their refinery and see to its shipment. Mr. Dunham was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, October 26, 1855. He is a son of Rufus A. Dunham, a native of Massachusetts, born in September, 1819. His grandfather, George Dunham, was also born in Massachusetts. They are of English ancestry. Robert Dunham, who is the progenitor of the American branch of the family, was born in England about the year 1760. When sixteen years of age he was drafted into the English army to fight the American Colonies. When he reached America he took the first opportunity offered to join the American forces, and at the close of the war he made his home in Massachusetts. He was a descendant of Sir R. Dunham, a Knight of the west of England. They had a family coat-of-arms, which is yet in existence, and it is stated that at the close of the war he expected to found an estate in America, but was not successful as it was contrary to the ideas of the founders of a republic. Mr. Dunham's mother's name was Hannah Morton Westgate. She was born in Rochester, Massachusetts, in 1821. In speaking of Mr. Dunham's paternal ancestors, it should be further stated that his great-grandmother, nee Mary Albertson, was a direct descendant of Peregrine White, one of the original Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony. The subject of this sketch was the seventh of a family of twelve children, ten of whom are now living. He was reared and educated in his native town, graduating at the high school at the age of sixteen. When he was eighteen years old he engaged in the steam laundry business in which he continued six years. He then removed to Olean, New York, and went into the employ of the Acme Oil Company, remaining with them seven years and in that time learning the business thoroughly. From there he came to Santa Paula, California, to superintend the construction of the oil refinery and to operate the works, in which business he is still engaged. The capital stock of the Mission Transfer Company is $250,000, and their refinery is the most complete of all on the Coast. The quality of their refined petroleum is unsurpassed by any in the world. Mr. Dunham is a most competent man in his line of business. He is a man of few words, but has a fine business head and is a gentleman of first-class business integrity.
Mrs. Dunham is a native of Massachusetts, born in April, 1863. Her maiden name was Alice M. Green, and she is the daughter of Captain Paul Green, of that State. She and Mr. Dunham were married in 1882. They are both Methodists and he is a steward and trustee of that church. Mr. Dunham is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham reside in a beautiful and substantial new house of their own planning and building. The grounds are being ornamented with trees and flowers, and the place is fast becoming one of those delightful homes, of which there are so many in Southern California.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 318 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
R. J. Ealy
R. J. Ealy, a rancher near Fillmore, was born in Johnson County, Iowa, February 12, 1853. His father, William C. Ealy, is a native of Pennsylvania, born November 3, 1815; was an architect and builder, and is now a resident of Kansas. His grandfather, John Ealy, was German, as was also his ancestry. He emigrated with his brother to this country during the Revolutionary war, in which they both took part, on the side of American liberty. One of the brothers settled in New York, the other (John) in Pennsylvania, and from these sprang two distinct lines, one called the Yankee and the other the Dutch. Mr. Ealy's mother, nee Margaret Ellen Williamson, was born in Kentucky, March 19, 1824. Her father, about thirty years before the civil war, was the owner of a number of slaves in Kentucky, and, becoming convinced that slavery was wrong he voluntarily freed them. William C. Ealy's eldest child is now Mrs. Lizzie Jepson of Ventura County. His second son, John William, is a publisher in New York city. The third child, Henry B., is a dealer in agricultural implements in Keokuk, Iowa.
The subject of this sketch, the youngest son, was reared and educated in Iowa City, and there learned the tinner's trade, which he followed for nineteen years. He had a hardware store in Dysart, Tama County, Iowa; but, being in poor health, he disposed of his business interests there and came to his present location in Southern California. He purchased from the railroad company and Government a ranch of 200 acres, and secured satisfactory title to the same. This property is located two miles and a half east of Fillmore, in one of the most productive sections of the country, and is each year becoming more valuable. Mr. Ealy at once set about its improvement, built a home and planted a large variety of fruit trees and also walnut trees. A fine spring and two wells furnish an ample supply of water for the place. Mr. Ealy also started a general merchandise store, and for four years was Postmaster. Since coming to this sunny land he has fully recovered his health, and is now in a fair way to enjoy life.
He was married in 1872, at Iowa City, Iowa, on Christmas eve, to Miss Ella Whisler, daughter of John Whisler, a native of Pennsylvania. She was born and reared in Cedar County, Iowa. Their union has been blessed with two children, Willie C., born in Dysart, Iowa, January 7, 1876, and Ray J., born in Ventura County, California, October 20, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Ealy are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Ealy is a lifelong Republican.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 318 Transcribed by Sandy Neder