John Mears

John Mears is one of the pioneers of California who came to the State in 1859, and to Ventura in 1869, before the county was formed. Mr. Mears was born in Ireland, in 1844, and at the age of eleven years came to the United States and lived with his aunt, his education being principally obtained in this country. When only a large boy he started for Illinois and went from there to Pike's Peak. After he had made enough money to purchase an outfit, he decided to cross the plains for California. He found some difficulty in getting any one to go with him, but at last a young German agreed to accompany him. They secured a one-horse wagon and covered it with canvas, having a pole in it in place of thills. They attached four yoke of oxen to the wagon and, with provisions enough to last, set out on their perilous journey June 20, 1859, from that part of Colorado where Denver is now located. They were not many days on the way until they encountered swollen streams. The first they crossed without sustaining any serious loss, but the second proved more difficult, as their wagon was wrecked and the most of the provisions lost. The German could not swim, so clung to a part of the wagon. Mr. Mears, while trying to get out of the wagon, got his foot fastened and hung with his head in the water, and would shortly have been drowned had not some plunge of the oxen set him free. He then succeeded in reaching some logs and was carried down the stream nearly a quarter of a mile, when some other emigrants who had come up rescued him. He found the German on the bank, minus his hat. One of the wheels of the wagon was broken, and their clothes, money and provisions lost in the stream. Their first conclusions was to return, and Mr. Mears let an emigrant who had helped them have one yoke of the oxen to add to his team, on the condition that if he did well he would send back the pay for it. They found a sack of their flour, and the German proposed that they rig up the rear wheels of the wagon, start forward and overtake the emigrants, and in company with them work their way through. With willow bark they fastened the end-board of the wagon on the hind axle tree and secured the sack of flour to that; and, cold and wet and hungry, they started on and in time feel in with the emigrants. By shooting game they managed to subsist until they reached California, six months later.

    While at Pike's Peak Mr. Mears had become acquainted with a number of young Indians, and run races and jumped with them, and an Indian chief had taken a great fancy to a navy-blue coat he had, which Mr. Mears gave him. The Indian in return presented Mr. Mears with a buffalo robe. While out on the plains Mr. Mears was some distance from the train hunting, and on his return saw about fifty Indians about the emigrants, the emigrant train, which consisted of about fifteen wagons, having been stopped by the Indians. Mr. Mears was somewhat alarmed, but knew it was useless to attempt an escape, so walked up. The chief recognized him as the gentleman who had given him the coat, shook hands, and gave him to understand that they wanted water for a sick man. The emigrants fearing they would not have a sufficient supply for themselves, had refused to give them the water. Mr. Mears gave them water and also a little whisky for the sick man, for which the Indians gave signs of great satisfaction, and the train was permitted to proceed.

    When Mr. Mears came to Ventura County he first settled on the Santa Ana. At that time there were no settlers there except Mr. Arness and another gentleman. Between where he now lives and San Buenaventura there were only about five houses, which were occupied by Mr. Montgomery, Mr. McKenna, Mr. Peter Boyle and others. In 1870 Mr. Mears moved upon the quarter-section of land three miles north of Santa Paula, which he had purchased from the Government, and there kept bachelor's hall for four years, being engaged in sheep-raising, having as many as 8,000 head of sheep and employing ten men, Americans and Spaniards, to assist him in their care. His wool was sent by schooner to San Francisco, and they drove the fat sheep to that city for market. It required two months to make the journey, taking 2,000 sheep at a time. Mr. Mears has added to his first purchase until he now has 1,700 acres, and is engaged in general farming, raising sheep, horses and cattle, and beans, barley, corn and hay. His pasture land is valued at $10 per acre, and the farming land at $150 per acre.

    In 1874 Mr. Mears married Miss Ellen Lavelle, at Ventura. She is a native of the "Emerald Isle," born in 1856. They have built a comfortable home, surrounded with trees, on the banks of the Santa Paula River. They have a family of six children: John W., Frances E., George H., Florence, Ellen C., and Lawrence M. L. Their first born, a beautiful little girl, they lost when two years and nine months of age. A bean got fast in her windpipe, and before medical aid could be obtained it went to her lungs and caused her death. A fine picture of this little daughter hangs in their parlor.

    Mr. and Mrs. Mears are members of the Catholic Church. For the past fifteen years Mr. Mears has served as a School Trustee in his district. His political views are Democratic. Notwithstanding all that he has seen and experienced of pioneer life and adventures, Mr. Mears is still a young man. He is a worthy and respected citizen, and holds a prominent place in the community in which he resides.

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