JEROME, BENJAMIN W. -- A native-born son of the state, who has come into prominence as one of the successful ranchers of Orange County, is Benjamin W. Jerome, who possesses in a large measure those qualities which have been the foundation of the upbuilding of the West, enterprise and determination, qualities which he no doubt inherited from his father, William Jerome, a pioneer settler with a record for valiant service in the Civil War, and later in the bloody conflicts with the Apaches, that his descendants may well cherish with pride.
William Jerome was born in London, England, on July 21, 1846, and on migrating to America located in Pennsylvania. Shortly after his arrival there the Civil War broke out, and he at once joined the colors of his adopted country and enlisted in the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served throughout the conflict. After the close of the war he enlisted in the regulars and was sent to the Pacific Coast to relieve the First California Volunteers, who had restrained the depredations of the Indian tribes during these days. Coming to California via the Isthmus of Panama, they landed at San Pedro and made their way to Yuma, Ariz. Here Mr. Jerome served for two years under Captain Dunkelberger, and later in the company of Captain Bernard, and took part in the Apache campaign when Chief Cochise was at the head of the tribe. During one of the battles he was twice wounded and on account of climatic conditions and lack of hospital facilities he was sent to San Diego. After his recovery he was given his honorable discharge and mustered out and located in Los Angeles; here he was appointed as a member of the police force, and it was during this time that he made the acquaintance of Miss Martha Ward, like himself a native of London, England, who had come to California on a visit. The acquaintance continued and resulted in their marriage in 1875.
In 1879 Mr. and Mrs. Jerome removed to what is now Orange County, settling at Olive, and on September 25, 1881, he located at Tustin, where he built his home and thereafter made his residence. Here he engaged in business as a plaster and cement contractor, a trade which he had learned in Philadelphia in his early days. He was always prominent in the ranks of the G. A. R., and his passing, on August 20, 1900, at the age of fifty-four, left a heartfelt void in the ranks of his comrades. His widow survives him and makes her home with her daughter, M. Louise, on the Irvine Ranch. Five children were born to this worthy couple: William C. is the present auditor of Orange County and a partner with his brother in the ranching business; Benjamin W., the subject of this review; M. Louise leases 200 acres of the Irvine ranch; Nellie is the wife of C. E. Stone, who is foreman of the Whiting ranch operated by the Jerome brothers; Estelle is Mrs. Don Rudd of Santa Monica.
When Benjamin W. Jerome was in his second year his parents moved to Olive, Orange County, and later to Tustin, and here he has ever since made his home, attending the public schools and growing up in close touch with every phase of ranch life. On reaching young manhood he and his brother, William C., started farming on the Whiting ranch, raising wheat and barley for a number of years. They worked hard and made a splendid success of their undertaking, which enabled them to branch out more extensively from year to year. The problems involving the nature, condition and needs of the soil, and properly supplying that which is lacking in order to realize the highest state of productiveness, are matters to which they give close attention, and by the scientific application of the most approved methods of culture they have demonstrated what can be accomplished by intelligent and systematic work.
In addition to the 320-acre ranch north of Irvine on which Mr. Jerome makes his home, the brothers operate 800 acres of the Whiting ranch and the tract of 200 acres south of Irvine which their sister, M. Louise, holds under lease. They also are the owners of 200 acres, all under cultivation, 160 acres lying in the Imperial Valley and forty acres near Tustin. Formerly they devoted the greater part of their holdings to hay and grain, but of late years they have specialized in lima beans, and in this they are most successful, producing up to twenty sacks an acre on some of their land.
Mr. Jerome's marriage, which occurred at Santa Ana on October 8, 1902, united him with Miss Effie Smithwick, who was born at Kernville, Kern County. She is the daughter of Edward Smithwick, a native of Texas, who crossed the plains in the early days. He engaged in stock raising in Tulare County, later going to Kern County, where he met and married Rebecca Reid, also a native of Texas, who had been brought across the plains by her parents when but a babe. The Smithwicks came to Santa Ana about forty years ago and Mr. Smithwick engaged in the livery business there and also occupied the office of justice of the peace; he still makes his home there. Mrs. Jerome was graduated from the Santa Ana high school and for four years was herself a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Jerome are the parents of one son, Benjamin E.
Mr. Jerome is prominent in the California Lima Bean Growers Association and in fraternal circles is a member of the Elks, Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen, being affiliated with the Santa Ana lodges of these organizations. In his political sympathies he is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party. Active, progressive and successful, the Jerome brothers are among the most energetic workers in Orange County, and they bring to bear upon all their dealings those principles of honesty and integrity that are ever the real basis of success.
