Ventura County Biographies

Orion C. Walbridge

Submitted by Sandy Neder

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

 
Orion C. Walbridge is the second brother of the Walbridge Brothers. He was born 
in Texas, March 5, 1856. His father, Henry Walbridge, was a native of the State 
of New York, born in 1822. He was a farmer by occupation, and a consistent 
member of the Christian Church. His death occurred in 1883. Grandfather William 
Walbridge was born in Vermont, and was in the war of 1812. His wife was a niece 
of Commodore Perry, and great-grandfather Walbridge came from Scotland, and was 
a participant in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Walbridge's mother, nee Mary 
Crocker, was born in Indiana in 1829, a daughter of Orion L. Crocker, who was 
wounded in the war of 1812, was a cousin of the late Charles Crocker, and was a 
farmer and a devoted Christian man. Mr. and Mrs. Walbridge had six children, 
four sons and two daughters. The eldest son, William, has a family and lives in 
Washington. Harvey M., a partner in the firm, has a wife and one child. Whatever 
he undertakes he aims to be the best, and will not be content with any second 
place. Mattie, the second sister, is a stenographer and typewriter operator, 
having a good position in Santa Barbara. With O. C. Walbridge reside his mother, 
his sister Myra and his brother George. They are an interesting and intelligent 
family. The whole family are good Templars. The sister is a members of the 
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and a prominent temperance worker. They are 
members of the Christian Church at Ventura.
    Mr. Walbridge came to this county in 1873, and has been engaged in farming 
and in the business of pressing hay. There is not a neighborhood in Ventura 
County in which the Walbridge brothers have not for years run their hay press, 
and they are the pioneer hay-balers of the county. Their business in that 
direction has so increased that they now own and operate two presses. This year, 
1890, they have planted 110 acres of Lima beans, of which the average crop is 
1,500 to 2,000 pounds per acre. Great honor is due to the honest toiler, whose 
steady blows and persistent work develop the country.
 
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS 
OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 452