GLESS, JUAN -- A native of far-away Spain, Juan Gless is one of El Toro's pioneer settlers, having come there thirty-five years ago, when all of this section of Orange County was given over to sheep raising, thousands of them grazing over the land that has in later years been transformed into highly cultivated ranches and orchards. Navarro, Spain, was Mr. Gless' birthplace, and there he first saw the light on April 25, 1861, his parents being Bernard and Juana Gless, farmer folk near Aldudes, who spent their lives in that section, both having passed away some years ago at the old home.
There were six children in the Gless family; Pedro and Gracian reside in France; Pierre resides with our subject; Mrs. Juana Bidart of El Toro; Mrs. Ysabel Yauregue of Ventura, and Juan of this review. The home place of the Gless family was on the line between France and Spain, and here Juan was reared, learning when but a lad to take care of sheep and cattle, that being the principal industry of the region. Having heard good reports from some of their countrymen who had migrated to California, telling of the success awaiting young men of brain and muscle who were willing to work, Mr. Gless left the old home for the New World, reaching California in October, 1885. Finding employment with S. Chavorie and LeFur at Newport, he continued with them for three years, when he purchased a band of sheep and started out on his own account, ranging them on the plains and in the mountains, and increasing his herds until he had 6,000 head. He made his headquarters at El Toro, but in the old days he ranged his sheep as far north as Los Angeles up to what is now Seventh Street, that locality then bearing no indication that in the years to come it would be the business center of the metropolis of the Pacific Coast.
In Los Angeles, November 14, 1904, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gless, when he was united with Miss Antoinette Carle, who was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, the daughter of Antoine and Clementine (Derzoft) Carle, Alsatian farmers. The mother passed away in 1899, and the following year Antoinette came to Los Angeles with her father and his family. In the Carle family were four children: A. C., a rancher in El Toro; Julia, now Mrs. Falkenberg, of Los Angeles; Estelle, wife of Geo. N. Vusich, resides in Los Angeles, and Antoinette, the youngest, made her home in Los Angeles until her marriage to Mr. Gless. Her father afterward resided at El Toro, making his home with Mr. and Mrs. Gless until his death in 1915. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gless continued to reside at El Toro until they bought their present place in 1907. It is a splendid ranch of 135 acres, thirty acres being a bearing orchard of apricots. They also engage in general farming and stock raising, in which they are very successful. Mrs. Gless has been an able helpmate to her husband, encouraging him in his ambition and assisting him in every way possible, and he attributes much of his success to her assistance and advice.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gless: John P. and Madeline Estelle. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church at El Toro, and Mr. Gless shows his belief in cooperation by membership in the California Prune and Apricot Growers Association.
