Ventura County
Biographies
Jacob K. Gries
Jacob K. Gries is one of the best known and highly respected citizens of Ventura County. He came to California in 1852, and has had large experience in the early history of the State, as well as the early settlement of Ventura County. He has been a leading man - a man of nerve and of great natural ability. His early experience in the Golden State would make a book of interest; but he declines to recount the privations, dangers and exciting times that tried men's souls in the settlement of the great State in which he has had a share, and in which he has borne an honorable part, and for which he is now rewarded by having his home in the most civilized, enlightened and delightful portion of the world. All new countries have their ruffians and renegades, and California was no exception to the rule, but she has proudly and grandly outlived the stormy days, and the pioneer looks with just gratification and pride upon the great country he has helped to develop.
Mr. Gries was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1830. His father, Jacob Gries, was a native of the same county, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. In early life he had been a hat-maker, but after his removal to Ohio he became a farmer. He died on his own farm, in Ohio, in 1870. The subject of this sketch was reared in Ohio. At the age of twenty years he removed to Indiana, and a year later took his course westward to the Pacific Coast. He arrived in June, 1852, and July 16, following, he was twenty-two years old. He went to Foster's Bar, on the Yuba River, and mined until late in the fall, then, in company with others, he engaged in the hotel and staging business, two very important occupations at that time. The hotel in which he was interested was the Oregon House, in Yuba County, and he was thus engaged for three years. From 1857 to 1860 he was in the butchering and meat business. In the latter year he removed to Nevada, remaining there until 1869, ranching and mining. He owned a ranch in the Washoe Valley, which he sold in the fall of 1868, and removed to White Pine County, where, for several months, he was interested in the toll-road business.
November 1, 1869, Mr. Gries came to Ventura County and engaged in farming, raising barley, corn and wheat, on eighty acres of land which he purchased of the Briggs grant, near Santa Paula. This property he still owns. He also bought 360 acres of Thomas R. Bard, on the Colonia Ranch, which he afterward sold at a great profit, and bought 412 acres in the ex-Mission ranch, still retaining it. He has a one-half interest in 426 acres on the Colonia ranch. Mr. Gries came to Nordhoff in December, 1887, and has here built a fine residence, where he resides with his family. For a number of years he has been interested in the production of thorough-bred horses, mostly trotting stock.
In 1860, Mr. Gries was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Foulks, daughter of John Turbett. By her he had one child, Belle, born in Yuba County, California. She married Norris Claybury, and they reside near Santa Paula. After twenty-two years of wedded life, Mrs. Gries died. Four years later Mr. Gries married Mrs. Mary Simpson, a native of Texas, and widow of Frank J. Simpson. Mrs. Gries is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gries is a Republican; he was a Democrat before the war, but at that time took a strong stand in favor of the Union and has since affiliated with the Republican party. He is a man of strong convictions, a natural leader among men, and has been prominent in Ventura County ever since its organization. He has been active in helping to maintain law and order in his county, for which he has the respect and good will of every worthy citizen in the county. Mr. Gries has enjoyed pleasant business relations with others, and has had in his employ men who have remained with him for years, all of them speaking highly of Mr. Gries, and some of them having risen to wealth and influence. It is scarcely necessary to add that he is a warm admirer of California and considers Ventura County the cream of the great State.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 465 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
Abner Haines
Abner Haines, a prominent rancher near Santa Paula, is one of California's pioneers, who came to the State in 1853. He was born in York County, Maine, October 10, 1823. His father, Samuel Haines, was also a native of that State, born in April, 1800. His grandfather, Samuel Haines, Sr., was also born there, before that portion of the Union became a State. The ancestors of the family came originally from England to Massachusetts. Abner's mother, whose name before marriage was Silvia Woodsum, was also born in Maine, the daughter of Abner Woodsum, a native of that State and a participant in the early wars with the Indians. Mr. Haines, the eldest of six children, all living, began teaching school when a young man, but soon bought an interest in a saw-mill and worked in the lumber business and also at farming. On his arrival in California, in 1853, he engaged in mining in Indian Creek, the Middle Yuba, Forest City and Moore's Flat, with many ups and downs, finally leaving the mines with $900. As a sample of his luck it may be mentioned that one time he bought $300 worth of potatoes, at ten cents a pound, and planted them; and when digging time arrived they were so cheap that he gave them away rather than to leave his work, where he was getting $100 a month. After leaving the mines he followed teaming for a time and then obtained a section of State land, on which he raised hay and live-stock. He sold his hay at Marysville, cut about 200 tons, receiving about $10 a ton. Four and a half years afterward he sold out and took a Government claim in Sutter County, which was at that time in appearance a poverty-stricken cow pasture. Commencing in 1861 he improved it and raised grain there until 1867. Then he came to Santa Paula and purchased 150 acres of land, to which he has since added fifty acres more. On this property he was also a pioneer, and has made it a beautiful home, characteristic of Southern California. When he arrived here there were probably not more than two houses between Ventura and Camulos in the whole Marine Valley. He paid $10 per acre for his land, and it is now worth $200 per acre. The second year he was on the place he planted his orange and lemon trees, which are now in bearing. The first year he raised wheat, but he is now raising Lima beans; last year (1889) on 100 acres he raised 100 tons, which are worth five cents, but that is very high. Mr. Haines first voted for Stephen A. Douglas for President, but since that time has been a Republican. He is a member of the Baptist Church.
In 1864 he married Charlotte Goodwin, a native of Maine, born in 1833, and daughter of Governor Goodwin, of that State. They have had three children, of whom two are now living - Maud, born in Sutter County and married to Samuel Henderson, and lives near her father; Edith, born in Santa Paula, is living at home.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 632 Transcribed by Sandy Neder