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Gc 979.402 L882m v.2 1131983
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 01115 5691
LOS ANGELES FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA
JOHN STEVEN McGROARTY
WITH SELECTED BIOGRAPHY OF ACTORS AND WITNESSES OF THE PERIOD OF GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1921
COPYRIGHT, 1921,
BY AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
1131983
Genealogical -12.50 (3 vols.)
M. T. Workman
LOS ANGELES From the Mountains to the Sea
WILLIAM HENRY WORKMAN. Statued against the background of early Los Angeles history is a figure that stands out prominently as that of a pioneer city builder, a promoter of constructive enterprises, a leader in civic activities, a benefactor of his fellowmen-William Henry Work- man.
Angelenos are just beginning to realize what William H. Workman did for them, for the city, for California. Under the influence of strong personality, they knew him and remember him best as "Uncle Billy," the kindly character, the staunchi friend. Through the hallowed memories of years "Uncle Billy" is enshrined in the hearts of those contemporaries yet living; and many those of more recent years glean some concept from this brief sketch of the life and works of this wonder man.
W. H. Workman, shorn of the personal halo which followed him in life, stands out in Los Angeles history with ever-increasing prom- inence. The man, the historical figure, the city father is assuming the place that eventually the world accords the great in sifting the wo:th- while doings of mankind. Some day, ere long, it is not too much to ex- pect that to his memory and for the things he did for Los Angeles will be erected a fitting monument of recognition and esteem.
Constructor of the first street railway, builder of Boyle Heights, donor of many church sites and parks, organizer of banks, founder of schools, public official of wide capacities, pioneer of many enterprises and works of civic welfare-these, in composite, tell the story of the William Henry Workman which will go down in the chronicles of Los Angeles.
Mr. Workman's activities were initiative. He had no models to go by in carving out his career and in erecting the structures he built ; he had no precedents to follow. He saw the needs of the growing city of Los Angeles and he created the means of relief ; he builded from mental perspective ; he completed his works through sheer executive ability and dynamic energy.
It is said that men of noted works are not really appreciated until the lapse of fifty years. Let us not wait so long to relate the good deeds, the great things accomplished by William Henry Workman.
As did many another pioneer, Mr. Workman crossed the plains in an ox cart, migrating with his parents from Booneville, Missouri, to San Francisco, and thence by water to San Pedro and Los Angeles, requir- ing six months for the trip. The family reached Los Angeles on October 17, 1854, and from that date became a powerful factor in the develop- ment of Los Angeles and Southern California.
The Workmans descended from hardy stock, forefather Thomas Workman being a native of England, and John Hook of Virginia serv- ing as a soldier under General Washington. David Workman and Nancy Hook were married in Missouri, and in New Franklin their son, W. H. Workman, was born January 1, 1839.
Young Workman received his education in the Booneville public schools and the F. T. Kemper Collegiate Institute. He then learned the printers' trade, and when he reached California he immediately took a
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position with the Southern Californian, and later with the Los Angeles Star.
Opportunity gave him a place as a clerk with the Banning Trans- portation Company, and later as a mounted messenger for the company between Los Angeles and San Bernardino, on which trips he frequently carried large sums of payroll money.
The business venture upon the foundation of which he built his fortune was a partnership with his brother, Elijah H. Workman, in a manufacturing, harness and saddlery business at 76 Main street. Hides and harness, with accessories, were the substantial articles of trade in early days, there being a time when hides were used as mediums of ex- change-as "money," in fact.
As a merchant young Workman was a success and he found time to enter other lines of activity of a political, civic and development nature. With a tenacity, industry and cheerfulness almost beyond belief, he carried through each new venture to success. He initiated many projects and was more responsible, perhaps, than any other one man for the speedy growth of the city.
It is hard to say whether in business building, traffic development or civic duties Mr. Workman accomplished more for Los Angeles. In whichever line he became active, he looked far into the future for his aspirations and worked with a view to the needs of the city in the years to come, rather than for the requirements of the moment. He was far in advance of his day in his visions, and he initiated many things that at the time, perhaps, were not appreciated so much as in the years that followed, when they proved of immense value to the city.
Mr. Workman was a pioneer in street railway transportation in Los Angeles and was also directly instrumental in securing or aiding the con- struction of every steam line which entered the city.
In 1875 Mr. Workman built the single-horse car line which ran from the junction of Main, Spring and Temple streets, then the business center of the city, east on Aliso street to Pleasant avenue, in Boyle Heights, crossing the river on a surface bridge.
In 1886 he secured a franchise and built at his own expense a broad- gauge street çar line from First and Spring streets east on First to Ever- green Cemetery. It remained a two-horse line until purchased by the Los Angeles Cable Company, which made it into a cable road.
In 1888, when mayor, Mr. Workman operated the first electric car of the Pico Heights Electric Railway Company on the day service was inaugurated. In 1894 he constructed the Cummings street extension in Boyle Heights. In 1896 he secured the franchise for the East Fourth street line to Evergreen Cemetery, in Boyle Heights. He procured $50,000 to aid in financing the construction of the Fourth street bridge, donating $25,000 of it himself.
In 1909 he bid in the franchise for the East Seventh street line, which ran out Stephenson avenue east of the river, and he induced the Los Angeles Railway Company to assume the franchise and build the line.
Mr. Workman was even more active in steam railroad develop- ment. In 1872 he aided the Southern Pacific to enter the county and city of Los Angeles, with a depot at River Station. Later he aided the Southern Pacific to conduct its traffic along Alameda street, through Wolfskill orchards, and secured the donation of the site, provided the road would build the Arcade station-which it did.
In 1875 he aided in the construction of the Los Angeles and Santa
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Monica independent line to combat the interests then in control of freight hauling between Los Angeles and San Pedro Harbor.
In 1888 Mr. Workman obtained for the Santa Fe the right to enter the city provided it would construct a levee along the west bank of the Los Angeles River to the present station.
Mr. Workman's crowning transportation feat was securing the Salt Lake's entry into Los Angeles. R.alizing during his career as mayor that the city's future depended on getting more transcontinental facilities and business, he made a trip from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City by buckboard, scouting out the route, noting the traffic possibilities and pre- paring the people to aid in securing a railroad.
Then he went on to St. Louis and laid his data and plan before the late U. S. Senator Richard C. Kerens and those associated with him in the big terminal deal in St. Louis, and presented the facts so convinc- ingly that Kerens and his associates put the road through.
Mr. Workman assisted the road to get into Los Angeles on the same terms given the Santa Fe-to levee the east bank of the Los Angeles River. He served as a member of the road's first board of directors, and was of great help in developing the road's facilities, which also aided Los Angeles.
As a business man Mr. Workman not only was a successful mer- chant, but he promoted all manner of development projects, all of which had much to do with the upbuilding of Los Angeles. He amassed quite a fortune at this, but missed his greatest personal opportunity to become a multi-millionaire when as mayor, in 1887 and 1888, he deliberately sacrificed his personal affairs to attend to his civic duties in the days of the big real estate boom. Fortunes were turned over and over again, a large share of the prosperity being due to Mr. Workman's own efforts, but in which he could not participate.
His largest contribution to the city's success was in purchasing and subdividing Boyle Heights, a section that comprises about one-fifth of the area and population of the whole city.
In the early days the Plaza was the geographical center of the city. which, under the Pueblo grant, had secured title to a tract six miles square (thirty-six square miles, with the plaza in the center), which ex- tended across the river and far beyond the settled section.
After providing for all business and residence sites, the municipality sold off a large part of its land holdings to encourage development and provide a civic income in taxes on improvements and increased popula- tion. The land was divided into thirty-five-acre tracts, which sold for twenty-five cents an acre to the east and north, and for fifty cents an acre in the west and southwest, including the Westlake district.
Mr. Workman foresaw the possibilities of the subdivision plan and also the success of farming the hill section, provided water could be secured. A limited number of "close-in" farms had been sold near the river where water could be obtained, but the ranchers feared to pioneer the back sections.
Having, with his father-in-law, Andrew A. Boyle, purchased the land east of the river on the bluffs, comprising what is the whole of Boyle Heights, Mr. Workman prepared to subdivide the property in 1876. He named the subdivision Boyle Heights in honor of his father- in-law. So as to secure water for domestic purposes, he paid the City Water Company $30,000 to extend their mains across the Los Angeles River to the new subdivision.
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Here another epoch-making scheme was devised by this resourceful man-an irrigation aqueduct that carried water from far in the hinter- land to the large tracts which he proposed to cultivate. Los Angeles' first large aqueduct, thereupon, became a reality, but not before Mr. Workman engaged in long arguments with other members of the council of fifteen, who wore finally persuaded to make the investment for the returns in water rentals and increased taxes.
The aqueduct was built from a point fourteen miles up the river, where a sufficient gravity fall could be obtained to carry the flow into the high ground behind the hills of East Los Angeles. The high line canal route may still be traced in its torturous windings between the hills; and the main r.servoir, No. 9, still makes a depression in the land back of the zoo near Eastlake Park.
After securing water it was necessary for Mr. Workman to prove that the lands were fertile in the high country. Theretofore people had the impression that only the lands along the river were cultivable. He planted the first vineyards and orchards in the neighborhood and on the site of the present Hollenbeck Park. At large expense he secured cut- tings of all varieties of grapes and other vines and experimented with them to determine their value to this climate and soil. He did likewise with other plants and deciduous fruits. He put in a private reservoir and pipe line system and cultivated his land.
All that Mr. Workman had predicted proved true; his experiments were successful. Boyle Heights became a garden spot under the magic of water and cultivation, and a large population was established. An- drew A. Boyle had built the first house; Mr. Workman followed with a mansion, which his widow and other members of the family still oc- cupy. His children were born there, grew up and prospered. Boyle Heights became rich and grew with the years-a monument to a man of resource and energy.
Among other things, in later years, Mr. Workman became interested in banking and organized the American Savings Bank at Second and Spring streets, which is now a branch of the Home Savings Bank.
Mr. Workman's political and civic life are so interwoven that they can not be separated. He took political office merely to aid in civic de- velopment, and not for the honor or salary. He won the complete con- fidence of his fellow-townsmen and the many offices to which they elected him attested to their ideas of his worth.
From 1872 to 1879, inclusive, Mr. Workman was a city councilman for eight successive terms. He was chosen mayor in 1887-88, was city treasurer for three terms, 1901-07, and served as a park commissioner and member of the board of education for a number of terms. He also was a member and officer of many civic bodies.
When Mr. Workman became mayor, Los Angeles was a city with some 30,000 inhabitants, whose form of government was regulated by the state law. There were no paved streets, no electric cars or lights, no parks; there was no city charter, no city hall worthy the name, no chamber of commerce, and little that a city of that size should have.
When he completed his two-year term Los Angeles had all these things-and more-largely through the initiative and executive ability of Mr. Workman.
To secure the proper government for the city, Mr. Workman started the movement which resulted in the election of the first Board of Free- holders, of which he himself was a member. The charter was formu-
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lated for a city which might develop to 50,000, it was thought, and it still governs Los Angeles, which has grown twelve times as large as expected in a little more than thirty years.
Mr. Workman also institut d the campaign, and signed the contract, for the construction of the present City Hall, in those days a magnificent structure. He was one of the group which started the present Chamber of Commerce, and was its first vice president during his term as mayor. He was instrumental in organizing the Sixth District Agricultural Park Association, being on the first board of directors.
He was the first to institute the park improvements. He donated two-thirds of the land, and secured the gift of the remainder, for Hollen- beck Park, on Boyle Heights. He foresaw that in time the people would need "breathing spots," as he called it.
Westlake Park was then a desert with alkali cones dominating it. Mr. Workman and others interested caused these to be levelled and. to get anything to grow, it was necessary to cover the entire park with a layer of soil. This required an expenditure of money and he induced the council to set aside a regular amount to be devoted to the care of parks. He was active in the laying out of South Park, Central Park, Eastlake Park (now Lincoln) and Echo Park.
Street work had always been a hobby with Mr. Workman. In the early seventies he induced the board of supervisors to build the first bridge over the Los Angeles River, at Macy street. It was covered and was constructed in two spans, totaling some 300 feet across. He also secured the construction of a wooden bridge at Aliso street, and another at First. street. He secured the opening of First street east to Boyle Heights in 1875.
Later he induced the Santa Fe, the Los Angeles Cable Company and the city to build the first viaducts over the river at First street and Downey avenue, each bearing one-third of the expense.
When he became mayor, Mr. Workman started proceedings to pave streets, the first in the city. He continued active in this line all of the remainder of his life, as he had many properties in front of which he wanted good paved streets and was willing to bear his share of the assessments.
As city treasurer Mr. Workman strongly backed the Owens River aqueduct, routed from Inyo County to Los Angeles. In conjunction with the city attorney he went to New York City and sold the bonds. During the time he held this office he withdrew from circulation $2,500,000 and guarded it in the city's vaults at his own expense because the law did not permit its deposit in banks. He took up the matter with the State ·Legislature and secured the passage of a law permitting the city to de- posit its funds at interest with banks giving proper security.
Mr. Workman might have had higher political honors. While mayor his friends mentioned him for governor, but he said: "I'd rather be mayor of Los Angeles than governor of California." He also refused to permit his name to be used as a candidate for United States senator.
As a citizen Mr. Workman was interested in every worthy work that was proposed. He donated five church and many school sites, in addition to Hollenbeck Park. He assisted in the organization of the first high school in the early seventies, when a member of the Board of Education. and aided in the construction of the building.
Mr. Workman was married, in 1867, to Miss Maria E. Boyle. who (in 1920) lives hale and hearty. There are seven children : Boyle Work-
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man, president of the Council of the City of Los Angeles (1919-21) ; Mary ; Elizabeth; William H. Workman Jr., secretary and general man- ager of the Los Angeles Morris Plan Company ; Charlotte, Gertrude and Thomas E.
Mr. Workman died on February 21, 1918. His body lay in state in the City Hall, and his memory is honored by all Los Angeles.
BOYLE WORKMAN. Considered apart from his prominent family relationship in Los Angeles, Boyle Workman has had an active experi- ence in business and public affairs that is the best sort of justification for the reputation lie enjoys as one of the city's most useful, energetic and public spirited men.
A son of the late William H. Workman, whose life and family are sketched elsewhere, Boyle Workman was born September 20, 1868. His birthplace was the first modern house constructed on Boyle Heights. The builder of this home was Andrew A. Boyle, his maternal grandfather. Andrew A. Boyle was the first American to locate in that community, while Boyle Workman was the first American born there. .
Other houses then occupying the site were all adobe after the man- ner of the Spanish regime. The Boyle house was built of brick. As a boy in that locality Boyle Workman could look over to the east and see not a single habitation nor tree to obstruct his vision as far as the hills, a vast tract of land now cut up in ranches and oil fields. These lands were acquired by his grandfather and his father and subdivided, with many generous donations of sites for schools and churches.
Boyle Workman attended St. Vincent's College, which then stood at Seventh street and Broadway. From his home out on the Heights he rode horseback to school. Where the Los Angeles Athletic Club stands today was an orange orchard owned by the college. Mr. Work- man in 1884 entered Santa Clara College for a time, but returned to St. Vincent's College and graduated in 1887. At that time his father was mayor of Los Angeles.
The hall where the graduation ceremonies were held was upstairs on Main street, between. First and Second streets. Boyle Workman's graduating essay was on the subject of Southern California, and in the course of his survey he predicted many improvements which have since been more than realized.
From school he entered his father's office, part of the time acting as mayor's clerk. Offices in that day were not equipped with type- writers, and he wrote the mayor's messages and documents in longhand, and some of his writing is today in the archives of the city.
From school days to the present Boyle Workman has been a deep student of municipal government. It is a subject that appealed to him, and he also had the invaluable advantage of association with his father, and even while a boy gained a mature insight of some municipal sub- jects that are scarcely understood during the lifetime of the average citizen. To this early training under his father Mr. Workman attributes much of the municipal knowledge which has made him a valued public servant in later years.
In 1889, when his father retired from office, Boyle Workman joined the local interests at that time changing the horse car to a cable system of street transportation. He became assistant to E. L. Lewis, then cashier of the company. Later he engaged independently in the fire in- surance business as manager for Southern California of the Home Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company of California.
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In 1895 Mr. Workman married Miss Frances Widney, daughter of Judge and Mrs. R. M. Widney. Mrs. Workman is a native of Los Angeles, and her family came to Southern California the same year that Boyle Workman was born. Mr. and Mrs. Workman have two children, Eleanor and Audrey, both residents of Los Angeles. Mrs. Workman is president of the Los Angeles branch of the Needlework Guild of America, a charitable organization having a membership of five thousand in Los Angeles and more than four hundred thousand members in the United States.
After his marriage, Mr. Workman took up manufacturing at Boyle Heights, organizing a brick yard and installing modern machine pro- cesses. Up to that time all the local brick was hand made by Chinamen. It was the first important industry in the Boyle Heights section. The Hollenbeck Home for Old People was built entirely from brick manu- factured here by the Monarch Brick Company, of which Mr. Workman was secretary. The business was continued with much success for sev- eral years, notwithstanding the active competition of yards operated by Chinese labor. One innovation introduced in the brick yard was fuel oil for the kilns instead of wood, the usual fuel.
After disposing of the brick business, Mr. Workman became a draftsman in the city engineer's office. In 1900 his father was elected city treasurer, and Boyle became assistant city treasurer, and for three consecutive terms had practically entire charge of the office. Here he showed his administrative ability. One of the first reforms he suggested to his father practically amounted to placing the city government on a cash basis. Up to that time tax monies had been collected twice a year. and in the intervals the city treasurer had no funds to meet current de- mands. Mr. Workman began building up a system of surplus funds so that bills could be paid at any time of the year. He also introduced a system of daily balances, checking with the auditor's office, and that sys- tem is still in use.
On leaving the treasurer's office in 1907, Mr. Workman organized the American Savings Bank at Los Angeles. He was chosen assistant cashier, while his father was the first president. When William H. Workman, on account of the growing interests of his real estate hold- ings, resigned as president, Boyle Workman became vice president, serv- ing until 1913, when the Home Savings Bank and the American Savings Bank were consolidated.
The first branch bank in Los Angeles was established by Mr. Work- man on Boyle Heights, known as the Boyle Heights Branch of the Amer- ican Savings Bank. Eventually other branches were established in other sections of the city. Later the American Savings Bank had seven branches, and Mr. Workman continued as vice president of the con- solidated institution.
When Judge H. H. Rose was elected mayor of Los Angeles, his first appointment was to call Boyle Workman to the Public Service Commission, in July, 1913. Some big improvements in Los Angeles transpired during his incumbency. Mr. Workman and his associates handled the task of absorbing a number of small water distributing con- cerns, the largest of which was the Hollywood Water Company. The great aqueduct supplying Los Angeles from the mountains was finished and the water turned on while he was a member of the commission.
Some important hydro-electric development was also done, par- ticularly the installation of Power House No. 1 in San Francisquito
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Canyon, that being the first unit in a proposed municipally owned hydro- electric system. The current from this plant was distributed through the East Side, particularly Lincoln Heights, and was the beginning of a program of promising development to the advantage of consumers, though subsequent extension of the plan was forestalled by the World war.
Mr. Workman retired from the Public Service Commission January 1, 1917, and in October of that year sold all his banking interests. Since his father's death, in 1918, he has managed the extensive estate.
During 1919 many groups of thoughtful Los Angeles citizens pointed out the availability of Boyle Workman as candidate for mayor. He de- clined the candidacy, though he consented to run for member of the Council. There were forty candidates before the voters, and in the elim- inating process Mr. Workman stood second highest, and among the eighteen presented to the voters for final ratification he received the largest vote of all.
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