The steady and rapid growth and the increased prosperity of Pomona Valley is directly the result of the pioneer settlers in this locality who have spent the better part of their lives in developing its latent resources and in building up a community which, socially, economically and in civic progress ranks with any in the state, and has during the years attracted the better class of citizenry to help in the further advancement of this ideal home community. Among the old settlers in the Valley Joseph J. Baynham stands well to the front in the roster of names of pioneer orange men here. Born in Fulton, Mo., September 28, 1857, he was a son of G.H. and Martha E. (Games) Baynham, the former born in Halifax, Va., August 17, 1814, and the latter a native of Georgetown, Ky., born December 5, 1821; their marriage taking place December 4, 1839, at Fulton, Mo., and in that locality Joseph J. was reared and received his education in the public schools and Westminster College at Fulton, Mo. After school days were over Mr. Baynham engaged in farming and stock raising, making a specialty of pure-bred and high-grade horses, cattle and sheep—a business he greatly enjoyed. However, wishing to seek a milder climate he disposed of his holdings in Missouri and removed to Pomona Valley, Cal., in 1886. This was at the very beginning of a settlement here, and during the formative years of the Valley he aided materially in developing the citrus industry and in laying the foundation for its present day phenomenal state of cultivation. He was one of the first men to engage in orange growing in the La Verne district, and from the beginning had great faith in the future possibilities of the culture here. For the first five years he hauled water in barrels and tanks to irrigate his growing orange grove, and his perseverence during those years of working against obstacles, when the present day irrigating facilities were as yet only dreams, met with success and he became one of the prominent orange growers of the district. He gave his orchard the same care and attention that had made him so successful in stock raising in the East, and he succeeded in developing and growing what has become one of the finest orange groves in the Pomona Valley. He was one of the prime movers in the organization and development of the La Verne Land and Water Company, of which company he was vice-president and director.
The marriage of Mr. Baynham occurred in Fulton, Mo., as had that of his father before him, and united him with Katherine De Groff, a native of Paris, Ky., the ceremony taking place August 2, 1883.
Mrs. Baynham was a daughter of A.P. and Margaret E. (Robnett) De Groff, natives, respectively, of Rochester, N.Y., and Paris, Ky. Her grandfather on the paternal side was born in France and migrated to New York State, where A.P. De Groff was reared. After graduating from college he followed the vocation of teaching, later removing to Paris, Ky., where he was engaged in educational work and there he married. In 1860 he removed with his family to Paris, Mo., where he followed farming until his death.
Great-grandfather Robnett came with two of his brothers from their native France to Virginia. The name was originally Robinette, but the emigrant changed it to Robnett, so as to establish a particular and distinct spelling of the name by his branch of the family. His son, Moses Robnett, was an early settler of Kentucky, locating in the famous blue grass region near Paris, where he married Miss Maria Kenney, a native daughter of Kentucky.
Mrs. Baynham is the fourth oldest in a family of ten children and is the only one in California. Four children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. J. Baynham: Charles Robnett, a successful orange grower in the Claremont district; Willa De Groff is Mrs. Rickett of Pomona; Joseph Robnett is a successful orange grower in the La Verne district; James De Groff was a member of Company D. Seventh California Infantry, National Guard. On the declaration of war on Germany by the United States Congress he enlisted with his regiment and was mustered into the One Hundred Sixtieth Infantry, later being transferred to the Forty-first Engineers and went with them overseas February, 1918, serving with the first army until the armistice, after which he was transferred to the Twentieth Engineers, assisting in the cleaning up and rehabilitating of the country. His last three months overseas was spent as a student in the Law Department of the American Expeditionary Forces University at Beaune.
Returning to San Francisco June 1, 1919, he was mustered out in that city June 17, with the rank of sergeant, and he is now attending Pomona College. He is a member of the Chas. P. Rowe Post of the American Legion at Pomona.
During his many years of residence here Mr. Baynham was active in all good works in the community; a Democrat in politics, he exerted his influence to further civic betterment in his district, and in church work he served as deacon of the First Baptist Church in Pomona for over thirty years, and held that office at the time of his death. Fraternally he was a member of the A.O.U.W., and of the Fraternal Aid. His passing, which occurred June 1, 1918, removed from the community a man in whom reposed the sincerest respect and admiration of all, and ended a life which was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Baynham continues to reside at the family home, 228 College Avenue, Claremont, which they built in 1906. The children are very kind, loving, and devoted to her and assist her in looking after the affairs left by Mr. Baynham. She is hospitable and charitable and has a large circle of friends by whom she is held in the highest esteem.
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 9/7/08, Pages 335-337
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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