Ventura County Biographies

R. J. Ealy

Submitted by Sandy Neder

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

  
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