Capt. Lyman C. Waite is not only the oldest resident of Riverside,
but he has the distinction of being one of its most prominent
citizens and has been connected with its growth and
development from the beginning of its history. As he reviews the
past from the days when he first located here, even then being
imbued with an unwavering confidence with its future, the present
marvelous development appears like a miracle, although no
other man is better acquainted through personal experience with
the actual progress, step by step.
The birth of Captain Waite took place in Walworth County,
Wisconsin, September 12, 1842. He is a son of Sidney and
Parmelia (Barker) Waite, both of whom were born in Western
New York, where Sidney Waite was engaged in farming until
1836, when he moved to Wisconsin, arriving there during its
pioneer period. He was located in different sections of the state,
including those in the vicinity of Sheboygan Falls, Fond du Lac
and Appleton, and there Lyman C. Waite grew to manhood and
acquired first a common-school training and later one in the more
advanced studies at Appleton University, which he entered in
1860.
Like so many of the youths of that day his studies were
interrupted by the call of patriotism, and he enlisted in 1862 and
was assigned to Company D, Twenty-first Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry. Those were the days which proved a man's mettle, and
this young private, through his bravery and capability, rose very
rapidly through all the stages to be captain of Company C of his
regiment. Later his regiment was attached to the First Brigade,
First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, and had the honor of
serving at different periods under Generals Grant, Buell,
Rosecrans, and Sherman. During his service he participated in
forty-two battles and skirmishes, and was with General Sherman
on his historic March to the Sea and in the Grand Review at
Washington. Among the notable engagements in which he took
part were those of Chaplin Hills (Perryville), Nashville, Jefferson
Pike, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca,
Dallas, Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Averysboro and
Bentonville. The history of his regiment is most interesting. For
one year and eight days after its organization there were but
forty-two men able to report for duty, and it was commanded by a
captain. Captairi Waite's own company could muster only five
enlisted men and two officers, and it is likely that the latter were
numbered among the living only because they had been serving
on detached duty.
Returning to his university after receiving his honorable
discharge Captain Waite completed his courses in it and was
graduated therefrom in 1868, and at once began teaching
school. A year later he went to Belle Plaine, Iowa, and became
principal of its graded schools. It was not his intention to remain
in the educational field, and in 1869 he began the study of law in
the office of Clark & Tewksberry, and in October, 1870, was
admitted to the bar at Toledo, Iowa. In January, 1871, he was
admitted to the bar of California in San Bernardino County, and
at once opened an office at Riverside. He was first justice of the
peace and the first notary public, and acted as both for four
years. Had he cared to devote all of his energies to the law there
is no doubt but that he would have become one of the leading
lights of his profession, but fate ordered his life otherwise and
bestowed upon him still greater honors.
Upon very small circumstances oftentimes hinge a man's career,
and this is the case with Captain Waite. Being on a visit to
Chicago, he happened to attend the old Woods Museum, and
saw a picture of Inspiration Point in the Yosemite which so
attracted him that he resolved to push further westward, although
it was not until 1877 that he was able to gratify his desire to gaze
upon that marvel of natural beauty, Inspiration Point. In that year
he visited the Point and other places in the Yosemite Valley
staging from Merced City via Coulterville, making a stage trip of
200 miles. It was in 1907 he visited the Yellowstone Park and Salt
Lake City, the headquarters of the Mormon Church.
It was in 1870 that Captain Waite came to California, arriving on
December 8, sole capital at time being $100 in money and the
unlimited enthusiasm of youth and a well-balanced, highly-trained
mind. During 1872 and 1873 he returned to his first calling and
taught the children of the first settlers at Riverside, and at the
same time began his experiments in horticulture, which, although
then were productive of but little profit, laid the foundation for his
future wealth and opened up a new vista for th^ people of his
country. His first purchase was of ten acres of land, to which he
later added fifteen acres, and he has lived in the same and
adjoining block for 46 years. \Vhen he first came to California Los
Angeles had a population of but 5.725. San Bernardino, 1,500
and San Diego, 3,000. He was with Judson Brown when
Redlands was first surveyed, and there started two nurseries. He
also established two nurseries at Highland, and with Stephen H.
Herrick owned the first packing house of that community.
His small holdings in realty were expanded until at one time he
was one of the heaviest landowners in this vicinity. His early
nursery operations in Riverside were carried on under the firm
name of Waite & Simms, J. A. Simms being the junior member. As
early as February, 1871, Captain Waite volunteered to go to Los
Angeles for supplies for the community at Riverside.
Accompanied by T. J. Woods, he made the four day trip, arriving
on the return trip March 1, 1877, bringing with him not only the
required supplies, but also a number of lemon, orange and
walnut seedlings, the latter two supposed to bear in eight years
and yield a profit in twelve years. The lemons proved worthless,
and the walnuts were the hard-shell English nuts. In all of the
earlier planting Captain Waite and his associates were ignorant
of the amount of water to use, and the best varieties for the soil
and climate. Some of the trees proved to be utterly worthless,
and the ground had to be re-planted several times. Out of these
first experiments, disheartening as many of them were, has
sprung the most important industry of the Golden State. By 1886
such favorable results had been obtained that Captain Waite with
two associates took with them to the fair held at Chicago during
that year such an exhibit of orange-bearing trees and many other
California products, including calla lilies, as to make a profound
impression and to awaken enthusiasm for this then not
widely-exploited Southwest. As an orange grower Captain Waite
met with remarkable success, producing some of the finest trees
in the world, nnd became the owner of a model orange grove. In
connection with his orange-growing Captain Waite has the
distinction of having received the higest price paid up to that time
for a forty-acre tract of oranges in Highland, from Alexander Fry
who paid him $100,000 for it, and it was then conceded to be the
finest grove in the state. For many years Captain Waite
maintained an interest at Highland, where he had owned the first
fifteen acres of land laid out for town sites. He contributed the
land for the freight and passenger stations of the Santa Fe
railroad, and was connected with many of Highland's leading
concerns.
Captain Waite during his active years was a dominant factor in
the life of Riverside. He was a director of the Citizens Water
Company, which later became the Riverside Water Company,
and for years was president of the Pioneer Society. Among other
concerns which he served as official or stockholder were: La
Mesa Packing Company, of which he was president; was a
director of the First National Bank of Riverside, which he assisted
in organizing in 1885, and of which he served as vice president
from 1885 to 1900, and president from 1900 until 1905; a
director of the Artesia Water Company, the Pacific Lumber
Company and the Loring Opera House Company; president and
largest stockholder of the Highland Domestic Water Company of
San Bernardino; a director and stockholder in the Coast Line of
the Santa Fe Railroad; and president and a director of the
Riverside Savings & Trust Company, which he assisted in
organizing. He was one of the organizers and was president of
the bank of Banning. Owing to an injury, Captain Waite was
forced to retire from all business activities, resigned from all his
official positions, and took an extended trip to Honolulu.
Captain Waite's activities were not confined solely to business
affairs, for he was always foremost in securing advantages of all
kinds for his home community and those in which he felt an
interest. He organized the first school district at Riverside, in
1872, which was several miles square. When this property was
assessed to secure funds for the erection of a schoolhouse it
was discovered that the tax to be collected was not sufficient to
complete a building 16x24 feet with the plaster. With customary
energy Captain Waite went among the residents and urged upon
them the importance of raising the necessary money among
themselves, and the building was completed that year. This
building not only housed the first school, taught by the energetic
Captain, but was useful for numerous community purposes. In it
the first church of Riverside County had its home. Here the
people gathered for social intercourse, and many pleasant
memories are retained of this pioneer building by the older
people. Captain Waite did not relinquish his connection with this
first school even after his increasing cares made it impossible for
him to continue its teacher, but for many years served as clerk of
its School Board. The attendance on this first school increased
so rapidly that before long a second building of the same size
had to be erected to hold the pupils. This original school building
was also used as the first Court House in the county.
It was Captain Waite who organized the first judicial district,
securing the signatures to take before the Board of Supervisors.
This work took full two days on account of the difficulty in
securing transportation. During the early history of Riverside
there was a good deal of trouble from the Mexicans, who
regarded the Americans as trespassers, and on several
occasions it took a good deal of diplomacy on the part of Captain
Waite and other prominent citizens to avoid serious conflict. The
first justice of the peace, Captain Waite, was elected for a term of
two years. The following election, the Mexicans, massing their
forces, elected their own man. It was then that the new judicial
district was created by cutting the old one in two, and Cap'tain
Waite was reelected.
A pioneer in many undertakings, Captain Waite has the
distinction of also being the first white man to be married at
Riverside, the ceremony occurring April 5, 1872, when he and
Miss Lillian M. Shugart were united in marriage by Rev. I. W.
Atherton. Mrs. Waite is the daughter of the late Doctor Shugart,
who with his wife and family came to Riverside among its
pioneers. The following children were born to this marriage: A
son who was accidentally drowned when two years and eight
months old; Marion P., who was graduated from Stanford
University, is a broker of Los Angeles, California, and married
Miss Anna Chapman, a daughter of D. P. Chapman of that city;
Charles E., who was also graduated from Stanford University,
was for seventeen years connected with the Riverside Savings &
Trust Company, is now a broker for the Dubiske holdings at
Riverside; Lillian Martha, who was graduated from the
Marlborough Institute, is at home; Leila M., who is the wife of
John A. Robertson, of Phoenix, Arizona, has two sons and one
daughter; and Mildred H., who is the wife of U. L. Voris, in charge
of shipments on the 35,000-acre farm of the Gates Estate at
Corcoran, California.
Believing it to be the duty of every man to make personal
sacrifices for the public welfare, Captain Waite has responded
generously to calls made upon his time and capabilities and
served in the City Council of Riverside for five years, being
elected to it from the First Ward in 1906. He retired from the
office in January, 1912. During the time he served as a member
of that body he was one of its most active workers to secure
lasting public improvements, many of which still stand as
monuments to his foresight and public spirit. He is a member of
Riverside Post No. 118, G. A. R., and of the San Bernardino
Valley Division of the Loyal Legion of the States of California and
Nevada, which he served as vice commander. The distinctive
character of Captain Waite, his broad and warmly human traits,
and the unfailing and sincere attachment which he inspires in all
those who have come within his influence are perhaps the secret
of his remarkable success, quite as much as his unusual mental
endowments and excellent business capabilities.
but he has the distinction of being one of its most prominent
citizens and has been connected with its growth and
development from the beginning of its history. As he reviews the
past from the days when he first located here, even then being
imbued with an unwavering confidence with its future, the present
marvelous development appears like a miracle, although no
other man is better acquainted through personal experience with
the actual progress, step by step.
The birth of Captain Waite took place in Walworth County,
Wisconsin, September 12, 1842. He is a son of Sidney and
Parmelia (Barker) Waite, both of whom were born in Western
New York, where Sidney Waite was engaged in farming until
1836, when he moved to Wisconsin, arriving there during its
pioneer period. He was located in different sections of the state,
including those in the vicinity of Sheboygan Falls, Fond du Lac
and Appleton, and there Lyman C. Waite grew to manhood and
acquired first a common-school training and later one in the more
advanced studies at Appleton University, which he entered in
1860.
Like so many of the youths of that day his studies were
interrupted by the call of patriotism, and he enlisted in 1862 and
was assigned to Company D, Twenty-first Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry. Those were the days which proved a man's mettle, and
this young private, through his bravery and capability, rose very
rapidly through all the stages to be captain of Company C of his
regiment. Later his regiment was attached to the First Brigade,
First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, and had the honor of
serving at different periods under Generals Grant, Buell,
Rosecrans, and Sherman. During his service he participated in
forty-two battles and skirmishes, and was with General Sherman
on his historic March to the Sea and in the Grand Review at
Washington. Among the notable engagements in which he took
part were those of Chaplin Hills (Perryville), Nashville, Jefferson
Pike, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca,
Dallas, Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Averysboro and
Bentonville. The history of his regiment is most interesting. For
one year and eight days after its organization there were but
forty-two men able to report for duty, and it was commanded by a
captain. Captairi Waite's own company could muster only five
enlisted men and two officers, and it is likely that the latter were
numbered among the living only because they had been serving
on detached duty.
Returning to his university after receiving his honorable
discharge Captain Waite completed his courses in it and was
graduated therefrom in 1868, and at once began teaching
school. A year later he went to Belle Plaine, Iowa, and became
principal of its graded schools. It was not his intention to remain
in the educational field, and in 1869 he began the study of law in
the office of Clark & Tewksberry, and in October, 1870, was
admitted to the bar at Toledo, Iowa. In January, 1871, he was
admitted to the bar of California in San Bernardino County, and
at once opened an office at Riverside. He was first justice of the
peace and the first notary public, and acted as both for four
years. Had he cared to devote all of his energies to the law there
is no doubt but that he would have become one of the leading
lights of his profession, but fate ordered his life otherwise and
bestowed upon him still greater honors.
Upon very small circumstances oftentimes hinge a man's career,
and this is the case with Captain Waite. Being on a visit to
Chicago, he happened to attend the old Woods Museum, and
saw a picture of Inspiration Point in the Yosemite which so
attracted him that he resolved to push further westward, although
it was not until 1877 that he was able to gratify his desire to gaze
upon that marvel of natural beauty, Inspiration Point. In that year
he visited the Point and other places in the Yosemite Valley
staging from Merced City via Coulterville, making a stage trip of
200 miles. It was in 1907 he visited the Yellowstone Park and Salt
Lake City, the headquarters of the Mormon Church.
It was in 1870 that Captain Waite came to California, arriving on
December 8, sole capital at time being $100 in money and the
unlimited enthusiasm of youth and a well-balanced, highly-trained
mind. During 1872 and 1873 he returned to his first calling and
taught the children of the first settlers at Riverside, and at the
same time began his experiments in horticulture, which, although
then were productive of but little profit, laid the foundation for his
future wealth and opened up a new vista for th^ people of his
country. His first purchase was of ten acres of land, to which he
later added fifteen acres, and he has lived in the same and
adjoining block for 46 years. \Vhen he first came to California Los
Angeles had a population of but 5.725. San Bernardino, 1,500
and San Diego, 3,000. He was with Judson Brown when
Redlands was first surveyed, and there started two nurseries. He
also established two nurseries at Highland, and with Stephen H.
Herrick owned the first packing house of that community.
His small holdings in realty were expanded until at one time he
was one of the heaviest landowners in this vicinity. His early
nursery operations in Riverside were carried on under the firm
name of Waite & Simms, J. A. Simms being the junior member. As
early as February, 1871, Captain Waite volunteered to go to Los
Angeles for supplies for the community at Riverside.
Accompanied by T. J. Woods, he made the four day trip, arriving
on the return trip March 1, 1877, bringing with him not only the
required supplies, but also a number of lemon, orange and
walnut seedlings, the latter two supposed to bear in eight years
and yield a profit in twelve years. The lemons proved worthless,
and the walnuts were the hard-shell English nuts. In all of the
earlier planting Captain Waite and his associates were ignorant
of the amount of water to use, and the best varieties for the soil
and climate. Some of the trees proved to be utterly worthless,
and the ground had to be re-planted several times. Out of these
first experiments, disheartening as many of them were, has
sprung the most important industry of the Golden State. By 1886
such favorable results had been obtained that Captain Waite with
two associates took with them to the fair held at Chicago during
that year such an exhibit of orange-bearing trees and many other
California products, including calla lilies, as to make a profound
impression and to awaken enthusiasm for this then not
widely-exploited Southwest. As an orange grower Captain Waite
met with remarkable success, producing some of the finest trees
in the world, nnd became the owner of a model orange grove. In
connection with his orange-growing Captain Waite has the
distinction of having received the higest price paid up to that time
for a forty-acre tract of oranges in Highland, from Alexander Fry
who paid him $100,000 for it, and it was then conceded to be the
finest grove in the state. For many years Captain Waite
maintained an interest at Highland, where he had owned the first
fifteen acres of land laid out for town sites. He contributed the
land for the freight and passenger stations of the Santa Fe
railroad, and was connected with many of Highland's leading
concerns.
Captain Waite during his active years was a dominant factor in
the life of Riverside. He was a director of the Citizens Water
Company, which later became the Riverside Water Company,
and for years was president of the Pioneer Society. Among other
concerns which he served as official or stockholder were: La
Mesa Packing Company, of which he was president; was a
director of the First National Bank of Riverside, which he assisted
in organizing in 1885, and of which he served as vice president
from 1885 to 1900, and president from 1900 until 1905; a
director of the Artesia Water Company, the Pacific Lumber
Company and the Loring Opera House Company; president and
largest stockholder of the Highland Domestic Water Company of
San Bernardino; a director and stockholder in the Coast Line of
the Santa Fe Railroad; and president and a director of the
Riverside Savings & Trust Company, which he assisted in
organizing. He was one of the organizers and was president of
the bank of Banning. Owing to an injury, Captain Waite was
forced to retire from all business activities, resigned from all his
official positions, and took an extended trip to Honolulu.
Captain Waite's activities were not confined solely to business
affairs, for he was always foremost in securing advantages of all
kinds for his home community and those in which he felt an
interest. He organized the first school district at Riverside, in
1872, which was several miles square. When this property was
assessed to secure funds for the erection of a schoolhouse it
was discovered that the tax to be collected was not sufficient to
complete a building 16x24 feet with the plaster. With customary
energy Captain Waite went among the residents and urged upon
them the importance of raising the necessary money among
themselves, and the building was completed that year. This
building not only housed the first school, taught by the energetic
Captain, but was useful for numerous community purposes. In it
the first church of Riverside County had its home. Here the
people gathered for social intercourse, and many pleasant
memories are retained of this pioneer building by the older
people. Captain Waite did not relinquish his connection with this
first school even after his increasing cares made it impossible for
him to continue its teacher, but for many years served as clerk of
its School Board. The attendance on this first school increased
so rapidly that before long a second building of the same size
had to be erected to hold the pupils. This original school building
was also used as the first Court House in the county.
It was Captain Waite who organized the first judicial district,
securing the signatures to take before the Board of Supervisors.
This work took full two days on account of the difficulty in
securing transportation. During the early history of Riverside
there was a good deal of trouble from the Mexicans, who
regarded the Americans as trespassers, and on several
occasions it took a good deal of diplomacy on the part of Captain
Waite and other prominent citizens to avoid serious conflict. The
first justice of the peace, Captain Waite, was elected for a term of
two years. The following election, the Mexicans, massing their
forces, elected their own man. It was then that the new judicial
district was created by cutting the old one in two, and Cap'tain
Waite was reelected.
A pioneer in many undertakings, Captain Waite has the
distinction of also being the first white man to be married at
Riverside, the ceremony occurring April 5, 1872, when he and
Miss Lillian M. Shugart were united in marriage by Rev. I. W.
Atherton. Mrs. Waite is the daughter of the late Doctor Shugart,
who with his wife and family came to Riverside among its
pioneers. The following children were born to this marriage: A
son who was accidentally drowned when two years and eight
months old; Marion P., who was graduated from Stanford
University, is a broker of Los Angeles, California, and married
Miss Anna Chapman, a daughter of D. P. Chapman of that city;
Charles E., who was also graduated from Stanford University,
was for seventeen years connected with the Riverside Savings &
Trust Company, is now a broker for the Dubiske holdings at
Riverside; Lillian Martha, who was graduated from the
Marlborough Institute, is at home; Leila M., who is the wife of
John A. Robertson, of Phoenix, Arizona, has two sons and one
daughter; and Mildred H., who is the wife of U. L. Voris, in charge
of shipments on the 35,000-acre farm of the Gates Estate at
Corcoran, California.
Believing it to be the duty of every man to make personal
sacrifices for the public welfare, Captain Waite has responded
generously to calls made upon his time and capabilities and
served in the City Council of Riverside for five years, being
elected to it from the First Ward in 1906. He retired from the
office in January, 1912. During the time he served as a member
of that body he was one of its most active workers to secure
lasting public improvements, many of which still stand as
monuments to his foresight and public spirit. He is a member of
Riverside Post No. 118, G. A. R., and of the San Bernardino
Valley Division of the Loyal Legion of the States of California and
Nevada, which he served as vice commander. The distinctive
character of Captain Waite, his broad and warmly human traits,
and the unfailing and sincere attachment which he inspires in all
those who have come within his influence are perhaps the secret
of his remarkable success, quite as much as his unusual mental
endowments and excellent business capabilities.
| SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTIES BY JOHN BROWN, Jr. Editor for San Bernardino County AND JAMES BOYD Editor for Riverside County WITH Selected Biography of Actors and Witnesses of the Period of Growth and Achievement VOLUME II THE WESTERN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION 1922 Original Copyright information |