Ventura County
Biographies
J. H. Herbst
J. H. Herbst is one of the self-made, successful business men of Hueneme. He was born in Germany, February 16, 1861, the son of Jacob Abraham Herbst and his wife, Ester (Hines) Herbst, the former a native of Russia and the latter of Germany. It was the intention of J. A. Herbst, who was a Hebrew, to educate his son for a rabbi, and his education was conducted with that object in view until he was twelve years of age. By the death of his father, at this time, their plans were thwarted, and young Herbst was obliged to work to help support the family. When eighteen years of age he started for the United States to find, in the land of the free, better facilities for improving his financial condition, with $1.75. He worked his way to New York city, and for twelve years he labored and struggled in that densely populated city, trying to lay up something, and meeting with poor success. In the mean time he married Miss Dora Cohn, a native of Germany. Three children were born to them in New York city, but the densely crowded tenement houses, with but little fresh and much foul air, caused sickness. Two of the children died and the expenses attendant upon sickness and death took all he could earn and constantly kept him poor. In 1879 he started with his little family for California, with scarcely means enough to reach the Golden West. He located in Saticoy, Ventura County, where he worked for wages for a year, and during that time saved $100, with which he started a little grocery business, on a very small scale, going in debt to a considerable extent, which he did not find difficult to do as he was well recommended. He continued at Saticoy nearly two years. In 1881 he came to Hueneme and purchased his present store and the building in which it is located. The building was then new, and they used the upper story for a dwelling. He keeps a fine stock of general merchandise, and is doing a good business. His wife often assists him in the store. Mr. Herbst has been remarkably successful since he came to California. he now has $5,000 at interest and does a $30,000 business. He has been blessed with a family of bright children: Hattie, born in New York city, and Jacob, Herman, Ester and Moses, born in Ventura County, California. Mr. and Mrs. Herbst are both Hebrews. In political views he is Democratic. He is a well informed and progressive business man; and is another illustration of what a poor, honest man, with a strong determination to succeed, can accomplish in this state. He is also one of the many sons of Germany who have come to the United States and by their successful life are a credit not only to their native land but also to the land of their adoption.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 448 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
Reuben W. Hill, M. D.
Reuben W. Hill, M. D., San Buenaventura, was born November 27, 1845, in Arlington, Vermont. His father, Abner Hill, was also a native of Vermont and of English descent. Their ancestors had been in that State on the original grant since the founding of the colony. The Doctor's mother, nee Miriam Webb, was born in Sunderland, Vermont, of Holland descent, but resident for a time equally long in America. Dr. Hill, the youngest of eight children, was brought up in the State of New York and graduated at Washington Academy, one of the oldest institutions of learning in that State. In medicine he graduated at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College at New York city. He began practice in Monterey, Mexico, and one year afterward he removed to Salto, Argentine Republic. Was surgeon on the Pacific steamship line for two years. In 1874 he came to Santa Barbara, and since that time he has practiced in Santa Barbara and Ventura. His residence has been in the latter town since 1877. Here he has purchased a home, and has been connected with all the interests of the place to the present time.
The Doctor is a veteran of the civil war, having enlisted when seventeen years of age, in Company E. First New York Mounted Rifles, and served in the department of Virginia and North Carolina, three and a half years, or until after the close of the war. He participated in all the battles of his department. After the close of the battles of the Peninsula they were in North Carolina in a raid, and did not learn of General Lee's surrender until six days afterward; and they had s sharp battle six days after the surrender of Lee. The Doctor consistently belongs to the G. A. R., being a member of Cushing Post, No. 44, at San Buenaventura, for which post he holds the office of surgeon. He has also been coroner of Ventura County, and County Physician of Santa Barbara County. In 1878 he was made a Master Mason. He is a talented physician, having a good practice and the confidence of a wide and respectable patronage.
Dr. Hill was married 1875, to Miss Mary C. Gutierrez, daughter of Benigno Gutierrez, a native of Chili and a pioneer of California. They have eight children, whose names are Emmet, Ruby, Benigno, Edwin, Jessie, Annette and James. Mrs. Hill is a member of the Catholic Church.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 448 Transcribed by Sandy Neder