USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > A history of California and an extended history of Los Angeles and environs, Biographical, Volume II > Part 32
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EDWARD BERNHARDT SCHMIDT. Another of the sons of Denmark who have come to California and proven loyal and de- voted citizens of this great commonwealth dur- ing long years of honorable service was Edward Bernhardt Schmidt. He was one of the real pioneers of Los Angeles, having come here in 1867, after a short time spent in San Francisco, which was his point of entry into the new land, and from that time until his death in 1913 he
made his home in this county. He owned ex- tensive real estate which is now well within the city limits, and of almost unlimited value. Much of this property was gradually sold as the city grew in that direction and its value became appreciable. There is a considerable amount, however, which is still a part of the Schmidt estate.
Mr. Schmidt was born in Copenhagen, Den- mark, February 6, 1843, the son of Wilhelm and Emilie (Freseleben) Schmidt. His early education was received in the public schools of his native city, and later he attended a school of navigation, his ambition being to sail the seas. The great war between Denmark and Germany temporarily interfered with his plans and for several years he served in the national army of his country with distinction. Later he went to sea and for several years followed the sea-faring life, visiting many countries and sail- ing many strange seas. Eventually he made the long journey around the Horn and landed in San Francisco. Here he decided to quit the roving life of the sailor and make for himself a home in the land of sunshine and flowers. Accordingly he came to Los Angeles a year later, in 1867, and from that time made this county his home. For a time he worked in San Pedro, then the seaport of the southwest, but an independent municipality. The life of the farmer, however, was the one that most strong- ly appealed to the erstwhile sailor, and he soon took up a tract of one hundred and sixty acres which at that time lay well west of the city, but which many years ago was included within the city limits. It is now bounded by hand- somely improved streets, extending as it does from Vermont avenue on the east to Nor- mandie avenue on the west, and from Third street on the north to Wilshire boulevard on the south. In this enterprise he was associated with his brother Frederick, and together they engaged in diversified farming and dairying for many years, meeting with the greatest success. As the property became more and more valu- able it was sold for city purposes, but much of it is still held by the heirs of the estate. Mr. Schmidt retired from active business life about twelve years before his death, which occurred August 3, 1913, and for the remaining years of his life lived in quiet and rest in the city of his adoption.
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The marriage of Mr. Schmidt took place in Copenhagen, May 21, 1864, uniting him with Miss Pauline Lund, who like himself was a native of Denmark. She bore her husband seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom are well and favorably known in Los Angeles. They are: Harold, who married Miss Emilie E. Winter; Godfrey, who married Miss Lilian Barton; Edward, whose wife was Miss Ruby Noyes; Leah, now Mrs. George Michealsen ; Ella, unmarried ; Hugo, who mar- ried Miss Hattie Dold; and Meta, also un- married.
Mr. Schmidt was never actively associated with the municipal affairs of Los Angeles, al- though his extensive real estate holdings made him an important factor in the commercial life of the city. He was a Republican in politics, but did not take an active part in the move- ments of the party. Since his death his widow has continued to make her home in Los An- geles.
EDUARD WERNIGK, M. D. The trained mind and hand of a skillful physician and surgeon is always a most appreciated addition to any community, and when this splendid combination is coupled with a great loving heart, to which the ills of humanity, especially the poor of humanity, are as his own ills, which he must necessarily strive to alleviate, with no thought of ultimate gain, then is the blessing great indeed. And it was such a man as this, physician, surgeon, humanitarian, who came to Alhambra in 1886, when Dr. Eduard Wernigk located there to spend the remainder of his life doing deeds of loving kindness. A physician and chemist of rare skill, Dr. Wernigk had had many years of experience in Chicago and other centers of the middle west and west, and when he took up his residence in Alhambra it was rather to establish a home among the pleasant surroundings of Southern California than to establish for himself a lucrative practice. Much of his work down through the succeeding years was done among the poorer class of Mexi- cans and for this he received only the simple, heartfelt thanks of those whom he served.
Dr. Wernigk was a native of Germany, born in Bavaria, February 2, 1832. At an early age he took up the study of chemistry and soon be- came an expert. Later he became a student at
famous Heidelberg University and also at Munich, graduating with the highest honors. At Heidelberg he served under the noted chemist Dr. Bunsen and was sent by him at the early age of twenty to lecture on chemistry at the Carlsruhe University, in Baden. Later Dr. Wernigk came to America and became assistant chemist at the Rush Medical College, Chicago. From there he traveled west, being located at various places, including Helena, Mont., Nevada City, Nev., and Denver, Colo., being gone from Chicago six years in all. Returning to the Windy City he estab- lished himself in one of the best suburbs and there practiced until 1886, at which time, accom- panied by his wife and her mother, he came to California, locating at Alhambra, where he con- tinued to reside until the time of his death, Sep- tember 16, 1904.
The marriage of Dr. Wernigk was solemnized in Illinois in 1866, the bride being Miss Marie Wernigk, who although bearing the same name as himself, belonged to a different family. Her father, Theodore Wernigk, a German physician, came to New York in an early day and later died there. Her mother, Mrs. Louise Wernigk, came to Alhambra with her daughter in 1886, and con- tinued to make her home there until the time of her death in 1907, she being then eighty-one years of age. Soon after coming to Alhambra Mrs. Wernigk invested in several pieces of real estate, including a ten-acre tract in the eastern part of town and an eleven-acre tract near the center of town. In later years both these pieces became very valuable as city property and were sub- divided and platted, and sold as lots for resi- dences. From their sale a very handsome profit accrued to their owner.
Since the death of her husband Mrs. Wernigk has continued to make her home in Alhambra, where she has many warm friends. The memory of her husband is a living reality to the many whom he helped in their hour of physical suffer- ing and he is revered by all who knew him for his kindliness of heart as well as for his unusual skill. Although he gave so freely of his time and ability for the welfare of those who were too poor to make any adequate remuneration, Dr. Wernigk also enjoyed a large practice among an exclusive circle in Alhambra and vicinity, and among these people Mrs. Wernigk is held in the highest esteem, both for the remembrance of her departed hus- band, and also for her own sake.
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COOPER BROTHERS. Coming to San Gabriel with their mother for a visit when they were nine and seven years of age, respectively, and since that time making their home here con- tinnously, never having been out of the state in all that time, is the record that entitles Isaac A. and Thomas T. Cooper to the title of true pioneers, and makes even the most enthusiastic Native Son almost willing to allow them the claims of real sonship. Since 1859 they have cast in their lot with the Golden State and are as loyal and enthusiastic in their devotion as it is possible for men to be. Both men are natives of Mis- souri, having been born in St. Louis, Isaac A. on June 20, 1850, and Thomas T. on October 25, 1852. They are descended from old Southern families of Virginia and Alabama and are very proud of the lineage. Their father, Isaac J. Cooper, started west with General Fremont on his first trip from St. Louis in 1844, but never arrived in California. Their mother, Mrs. Mary C. Cooper, with her small children, three in number, came to California in 1859, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, to make a visit to her relative, Mrs. B. D. Wilson, of San Gabriel. The conditions that she found here so pleased her that she determined to remain, and never again returned to the east. Having money to invest she purchased two hun- dred acres of government land just north of what is now Huntington drive. This she had planted to oranges in 1863, and here she made her home until the time of her death in 1898. When the sons were large enough they assisted with the care of the grove and gradually, as they grew older, they took the entire responsibility of the property and its care off their mother's shoulders. Their first steps in education were directed by a private tutor, William McKee. Later they at- tended St. Vincent's College in Los Angeles.
These brothers still make their home on the original site at San Gabriel, although all of the property except ten acres has been sold. In early days this property was in vineyard, but later this was taken out and replaced with orange trees, which still stand and are in excellent bearing. During their mother's life the brothers devoted their entire time to the care of the property and to looking after her comfort, she being something of an invalid, and in consequence they have never married. They are very fond of hunting and have a cabin at Pine Flats, high up in the Sierra Madre Mountains, where they go to enjoy this sport,
having missed making this trip but two seasons in forty-five years. They have four burros and a complete camp outfit and usually remain in the mountains from four to six weeks on these occa- sions. They are especially keen on hunting deer and many of them have been killed by these able sportsmen. Both of the Mr. Coopers can tell many interesting tales of the early days, when as boys they roamed over the country with their dogs and guns, hunting quail and rabbits where cities now stand. There were but three thousand in- liabitants in Los Angeles when they arrived, and the stage from Wilmington into the city was driven by General Banning on the day of their landing. The other member of their family was a sister, now Mrs. Mary C. Bacon, of Alameda. who came to California with the family in 1859.
Both the Cooper brothers are men of splendid character and minds and are well informed as to local and national conditions. They are fond of a quiet life and do not take an especially active part in the affairs of their community, but all questions of importance are certain to receive their support on the side of right and progress. They have been associated with various move- ments for the improvement of their section of the county and are of the type that builds for the fu- ture as well as for the present.
ROBERT McGARVIN. It was the privilege of Mr. McGarvin to enjoy an identification of almost four decades with the development of Los Angeles. Throughout that long period of alter- nating progress and financial depression he re- mained cheerfully and courageously optimistic concerning the ultimate greatness of his chosen city. As discouragements did not depress, so booms did not unduly elate him, and in each he remained the resolute, far-seeing and discriminat- ing judge of local possibilities. In the early days of growth, when the population was small and the great assets of climate and soil unappreciated by many, his convictions concerning future pros- perity were as strong as in the subsequent era of remarkable advancement. That his judgment was wise his own individual success proved, for with a capital of only $3.50 at his arrival in March, 1875, he rose to be a prosperous citizen and the owner of valuable property. The luck attending his very first day in Los Angeles (when he man-
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aged to double his small capital) seemed to attend later efforts and brought him ultimately into a position merited by his efficiency.
Of Canadian birth, Mr. McGarvin was born at Chatham, Ontario, June 2, 1841, being a son of John and Susan McGarvin, both now deceased. Until fourteen he was a pupil in local schools and until eighteen he remained on the home farm, from which he went to Detroit, Mich., to take up carpentering. After a short time in Detroit he went to the West Virginia oil fields, but soon gave up that industry in order to become a pioneer of Kansas. For cight years he was employed in a carriage factory at Baxter Springs, that state. Meanwhile in that town, on the 4th of July, 1869, he had married Arminta Bernice Woolsey, daugh- ter of Madison and Susan Woolsey. The oppor- tunities afforded by the town and the business were small indeed and he was induced to try his fortune in Southern California, where he found employment in the Bath carriage-shop. Los An- geles. At the expiration of seven months he went to Anaheim and there he was joined by his family. In Los Angeles he embarked in the carriage busi- ness at No. 220 South Spring street as a partner of E. White, whose interest he purchased a num- ber of years later. As property rapidly increased in valne it seemed unprofitable to continue a car- riage business in so central a location of the down- town district, so he rented the building for restau- rant purposes and turned his attention to the real estate business as a partner of Mr. Bronson, the two continuing together until the death of Mr. Bronson fifteen years afterward. Nor was the business closed out at that time, for it was not until 1911 that the other partner decided to retire wholly from its large interests.
The Chamber of Commerce afforded a medium through which Mr. McGarvin gave his services freely and wisely to the advancement of Los Angeles, and practically from the time of its or- ganization until his death, which occurred July 17, 1912, he was constantly associated with the civic activities of this great body. Politics did not engage his attention in any large degree, yet he was well-posted concerning national problems and uniformly voted the Republican ticket. The example of a long life was given to the tem- perance cause and he further showed his advocacy of such principles through membership in the Independent Order of Good Templars. For some years he was an active worker in the Fraternal
Brotherhood. Endowed with energy and a willingness to sacrifice self for the larger interests of the community, he formed a valuable accession to the pioneer citizenship and aided in laying strong and firm the foundations on which have been built the metropolis of the west. For more than forty years before his death he was blessed by the companionship of a devoted wife, who survives him and also survives all of their chil- dren. Four sons had come to bless their union. Two were twins, one of whom died unnamed and the other, Albert D., in early life. Willie W. also passed away at a very early age. The eldest son, Donnie Clio, born in Kansas in 1870, married Miss Una Taylor Adams, December 19, 1900, and died June 21, 1910, leaving an only child, a beloved daughter, whose death occurred four days after his own demise. During 1893 he had been in Chicago as assistant manager of the Los Angeles county exhibit at the Columbian Exposition and in 1894 he filled a similar position at the San Francisco Mid-Winter Fair. In 1903 he was elected public administrator and in 1905 was ad- mitted to the bar, after which he engaged in prac- tice. For three years he was secretary of the Republican county central committee, and in 1904 and 1905 he served as chairman of the Republican city central committee, while in addition he acted as secretary of the Young Men's Republican League. In the Jonathan Club, Union League and California Club he was valued for his fine social qualities. Fraternally he was a member of Los Angeles Lodge No. 290, F. & A. M .; Signet Chapter No. 57. R. A. M .; Los Angeles Com- mandery No. 9, K. T., and Al Malaikah Temple, ·A. A. O. N. M. S. Mental alertness character- ized all of his enterprises and gave him promi- nence in the law, in public affairs and politics, while a remarkably genial and optimistic disposi- tion gave him the warm friendship of an ac- quaintanceship extending into many parts of the state.
WILLIAM BYRON SCARBOROUGH. Born in Louisiana in 1853, William B. Scar- borough moved to Texas in 1868 and was edu- cated in Waco University. Though educated for a lawyer, he became engaged in mercantile pur- suits.
In February, 1885, Mr. Scarborough moved to Los Angeles and has ever since been engaged in
Dr. John J. Scholl
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loaning money on first mortgages, his clients living in almost every state in the Union. He was one of the founders of the Temple Baptist Church and has held some of the highest offices in Mason- ry. He was mayor of Monrovia for seven years and president of the American National and Granite Savings Banks for four years.
Mr. Scarborough is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and an ardent admirer of our city and its high-class citizenship, and a firm believer in the future of our "City of the Angels."
JOHN THEODORE SCHOLL, M.D. The prevalence of distinctly heroic qualities in the lives of people who would disclaim with earnestness all right to the title of hero gives to biography its greatest charm. So modest and unassuming was Dr. Scholl in disposition, so devoted to professional labors and so lost to thought of self in the needs of men and women around him, that he underestimated his own powers and failed to do justice to his own manly, gracious nature, his own deep love for humanity and his own deep desire to make the world happier through his ministrations as surgeon and physician. To him life meant opportunity for service in his chosen profession. The allurements of travel and of luxurious ease did not appeal to him. Not for him the easy chair or months of recreation in the mountains and beside the sea. No greater happiness came to him than the opportunity to minister to the physical ills of humanity. To watch the ailing grow strong under his care gave him the con- tent that only the true physician can feel. To study materia medica in its latest evolution, to grasp the most modern discoveries in the realm of therapeutics, this was his idea of recreation, this his plan for a vacation. To the unobservant such a life may be ordinary or commonplace, but to the thoughtful student of humanity the quality of heroism, the element of humani- tarianism, seem uppermost.
So positively American was Dr. Scholl in thought, speech and outlook upon life that it gave surprise to strangers to learn that he was of Prussian birth. However, the greater part of his life was spent in the United States, for he was yet quite young when the family left Cologne, Prussia, where he was born March 9,
1833, and crossed the ocean to the new world. settling at Port Washington, Wis. After his graduation from the St. Louis Medical College in 1858 he returned to Wisconsin and there married Miss Catherine Power, who survives him, together with their two sons, Dr. Albert J. Scholl, of Los Angeles, and William John Scholl, of San Diego. A long period of success- ful practice in Wisconsin was followed by the removal of Dr. Scholl to Los Angeles in 1883. at which time the sleepy little Spanish pueblo was little known to the world. For twenty-one years the Doctor and his family occupied a resi- dence at Main and Fourteenth streets, and about 1904 removed to No. 1501 Santee street. where he remained until his death, February 15, 1912. Although he took little part in public affairs and never became widely known in politics, no one rejoiced more than he in the steady upbuilding of his adopted city. During the twenty-nine years of his residence in the town he saw it develop from a mere village into a city of cosmopolitan attractions. Its pros- perity was a source of constant satisfaction to him. Although little inclined to boast of the charms of Los Angeles, in his quiet way he was mindful of every attraction and rejoiced in every advancement.
Through all his life Dr. Scholl was a lover of good literature, but naturally his reading pertained largely to medical matters. and in order that he might perfect himself in the science of medicine he mastered the French language while yet a young man. German also he spoke fluently. In fact. he loved to study languages and mastered them with ease.
In many respects Dr. Scholl might be called an ideal physician. With soul and heart he devoted himself to the profession. Not only did he keep posted in the scientific progress of the schools and clinics, but in addition he made the sphere of his patients a part of his own world. As years passed by, many of his patients removed from Los Angeles to other parts of the west, but constantly they sought him when treatment was necessary. Thus it happened that people came to him daily from long dis- tances and without previous announcement. In order that he might not disappoint them, in his late years he seldom went further from home than the length of the city block in which he lived. Of his own time, strength, intelligence
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and mastery of the profession, he gave as will- ingly to the poorest as to the richest of his patients. Many a poor patient had been helped by him without thought of return. In fact, so quiet and unostentatious was he in his charities that none knew their extent or realized their magnitude. When the announcement of his passing went forth there were tears in many a home where his kindly professional ministra- tions had been given for years, and he was mourned by hundreds of persons whose lives he blessed by his unselfish sacrifices in their behalf and by his wonderful skill in the art of healing.
GEORGE A. HARRIS. Like the Pilgrims who settled at Plymouth, the inhabitants of New England in more recent years have shown the true pioneer spirit. From the New England states of fifty years ago to the towns of the Middle West and thence to California, the western limit of our country, many an indomitable spirit has made his way and has been instrumental in the upbuilding of cities in both the middle and the far west. Such an interesting career was that of the father of George Harris, a resident of Southern California who was born in Bangor, Me., July 1, 1850, the son of Amos Harris of New Brunswick and Mar- garet (Easterly ) Harris, a native of Maine. The father, Amos Harris, was a machinist by trade, employed in the Hinkley & Egrey machine shops at Bangor in his early manhood, from there going to Minneapolis, Minn., where he became as- sociated with the Minnesota Iron Works and the St. Anthony Iron Works. At one time he owned ten acres of land in what is now the center of the city of Minneapolis, and, besides being associated with the early progress of that city, was also the founder of the town of Harrisburg, Pierce county, Wis. During the Civil war he entered the navy, being engineer of the famous Kearsarge, and in 1872 came to California, where he was for five years a resident of the city of Santa Barbara, the last days of his life being spent in Downey, Cal., where he died in 1890. The fraternal associations of Amos Harris were with the Masons.
The son, George A. Harris, is the great-great- grandson of one of the early governors of the state of Maine. His wife is Clara E. (Wardell) Harris, a native of Wisconsin, by whom he has three children, Charles, Rovani and Alene, the
youngest of whom, besides being a fine crayon artist, possesses also much talent in musical lines and takes vocal lessons at the Davis Musical Col- lege in Los Angeles.
The earliest employment of George Harris, after coming to California, was in a sawmill at San Rafael owned by Isaac Shaefer, where he was engaged for two years. He also worked a year on Sherman Island in the Sacramento river. He then removed to the southern part of the state, where in 1876 he took up a claim on the Rose- crans Ranch in Los Angeles county, soon giving this up, however, and locating on the Dominguez Ranch near Compton, where he still lives. Here he at first raised corn and alfalfa, the latter selling as low as $2 per ton, but for a number of years he has been successful in the raising of sugar beets upon this property, where he has leased one hundred and eight acres of land. He at one time owned a forty-acre ranch in the San Joaquin Val- ley, and is at the present time the owner of sixty acres of fruit land near Utah Lake, Utah, besides being a half owner of the Western Rock and Sand Company of Los Angeles which controls a patent sand dump machine.
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