USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > A history of California and an extended history of Los Angeles and environs, Biographical, Volume II > Part 33
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For some time Mr. Harris has been interested in French Percheron draft stallions, and with four others was the owner of the famous im- ported stallion Chichi. This famous horse, which is now dead, was kept at his ranch, and took four premiums at the St. Louis World's Fair, some of the colts of this horse selling as high as $500 when two years old. Mr. Harris now owns and keeps at his ranch a beautiful imported French gray stallion, Kersaint, foaled April 27, 1910, the sire being Gazier and the dam Eminence. This animal, whose weight is eighteen hundred pounds, is the best type of draft horse ever imported from France, and was bred by M. Lecomte of Orne, France, a district which once formed a part of Normandy and where some of the best horses of France are raised, Perche being another old name of this part of the country, from which the Percheron breed of horses takes its name.
WALTER G. SORY. Through successive generations the name of Sory flourished in the south, a motive power in public, social and com- mercial affairs, an exponent of the attractive amenities of existence no less than of its practical
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and philanthropic ideals, and a factor in those interesting events that radiate through the history of the country. In temperament, character, at- tainments and forceful personality Walter G. Sory was worthy of the prestige of an honored name and by his own successful life added lustre to the heritage of his ancestors. Living in Los Angeles through years marked by unparalleled growth along all lines of industry and himself pronouncedly western in sympathy, sentiment and tastes, there yet lingered in his mind the old southern traditions, there appeared in his attitude toward others that delightful old southern hospi- tality and courtesy, and there was apparent in his distinguished personal appearance the fine breed- ing of generations of cultured forbears. The universal principles of toleration and humani- tarianism governed his life and guided his busi- ness transactions, while religion entered into his character to throw its benefactions over his spirit and to mingle with other elements in building the superstructure of a life almost ideal in its aspira- tions.
A son of J. L. and Nancy J. (Holtum) Sory, whose dates of birth were respectively March 13, 1807, and March 25, 1814, the late Walter G. Sory was born in Rush county, Tex., March 11, 1853, and passed away at his Los Angeles home, August 20, 1913, at the age of sixty years. Al- though a Texan by birth, only the first two months of his life were passed in the Lone Star state, for in the spring of 1853 his parents removed to Mis- sissippi and settled at Holly Springs, the home of his boyhood. Largely self-educated, deprived of the advantages given so freely to the young people of today, he yet met with courage the discipline of life and fitted himself for a helpful Christian citizenship and the responsibilities of maturity. At an early age he served an apprenticeship to the trade of cornice-worker and soon he became an expert in the occupation. March 9, 1886, he was united in marriage with Miss Flora Johnson, daughter of John C. and Elizabeth (Shaver ) Johnson, prominent pioneers of Newport, Ind., where she was born and reared. On the 22d of March, about two weeks after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Sory arrived in Los Angeles, which at that time was in the midst of a wonderful de- velopment destined to receive a temporary check in 1889. Until seven years before his death he engaged in business in this city and only shortly before his passing he had erected a beautiful resi-
dence, which he was destined to enjoy for only one month. An innate generosity of heart caused him to contribute largely but unostentatiously to the relief of suffering. For years he was an active member of the First Methodist Church of Los Angeles and religion was a part of his daily life, all transactions in business being free from nar- row selfishness and un-Christian policies. The beautiful influence of a pure religion was spread over his life and character, so that his life was a benefaction to all within the sphere of its influence and his death an irreparable loss to home circle, friends and community. While nominally a Republican, he was very broad in views concern- ing public questions and did not bind himself to any party or measure unless thoroughly convinced that its attitude toward the general welfare was above criticism. From year to year he did his duty in life as it was given to him to understand duty, keeping in touch with the advancement of the world and particularly with the growth of Los Angeles, and always willing to throw over the frailties of our race the mantle of charity; and finally with hope and faith passing on, in response to the decree of Him who rules our incomings and outgoings.
IVAR A. WEID. One of the early landed proprietors of Los Angeles county, and a man who has left the indelible stamp of his influence on both the city and county, was Ivar A. Weid, who for more than thirty years made this county his home. He owned extensive acreage in what is now Hollywood, one tract of four hundred acres extending from Second street on the south to Santa Monica Boulevard on the north, and from Western avenue on the east to Hollywood cemetery on the west, while another extensive tract of two hundred and forty acres included what is now known as the Weid canyon. The former tract is now closely settled with beautiful homes, principally of the bungalow type, and forms one of the desirable residence sections of the city. During the latter years of his life Mr. Weid was retired from active business under- takings, and traveled abroad much of his time, only returning when the management of his large estate demanded his personal attention. His death occurred August 25, 1903, in Denmark, where he was taken suddenly ill, passing away within a short time.
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Mr. Weid was a native of Denmark, having been born at Odense, October 23, 1837, the son of Henning and Marie (Munk) Weid, both natives of Denmark, where they lived and died. The son was educated in the public schools of Odense, continuing his studies until he was about sixteen years of age. He then served his allotted time in the military life of the country, after which he determined to come to the United States in search of wider opportunities for his activities. He arrived in America during the Civil war, and immediately enlisted in the Eighty- second Illinois Infantry, but on account of illness was honorably discharged in 1863. In the mean- time, however, he had rendered distinguished service and been promoted to the rank of captain. Following his discharge he returned to Denmark for a brief visit, and the following year returned to America, locating finally at San Francisco, where he engaged in the merchandise business until 1871. In this latter year he came to Los Angeles, secured the land on the present site of Hollywood previously mentioned, and made his home there. He soon became identified with local affairs of importance and was later appointed revenue gauger in the United States revenue serv- ice, which he held for over seventeen years.
During his entire period of residence in Los Angeles county Mr. Weid, as is naturally befitting one to whom the future prosperity of the locality was as an assured fact, invested largely in real estate and held what he secured until there was at least a decided advance in value. He was associated with many large transactions, and much valuable property passed through his hands at various times. He was identified with many projects for local improvements and was always to be found firmly grounded on the side of progress and general betterment for city and county. In his political affiliations he was a Re- publican, and closely associated with the affairs of his party, both state and national. being especially keen on all questions of local import. He was honored by his party on various occasions, and several times represented his district as a delegate to state conventions at Sacramento. He was a member of Anaheim Lodge, R. A. M., also belonged to the Loyal Legion and to the Los Angeles Pioneer Society.
The marriage of Mr. Weid took place in San Francisco, March 7. 1868, uniting him with Miss Marie Magnus, the daughter of John and Carolyn
Magnus. Mrs. Weid bore her husband five chil- dren, Otto, Ovidia, Selma, Victor and Axel, all well known in Los Angeles county, where they have spent their lives and received their educa- tional advantages. Since the death of her hus- band Mrs. Weid has continued to make her home in the county, spending part of her time at Venice, and part in Los Angeles. Her years of residence here have given her many warm friends whose sincere affection makes her life a pleasant one. Her husband also is remembered by his former friends and business associates with kindly rever- ence.
GEORGE B. ADAMS. Known throughout Los Angeles county as the "father" of Alhambra, and especially noted in the immediate vicinity of that city and San Gabriel, where he made his home for more than twenty-five years, and where the various members of his family still reside, as a man of splendid character and kindliness of heart, George B. Adams was for many years one of the leading citizens of the county, giving of his best for the development and upbuilding of the community where he had established his home. A man of more than ordinary business sagacity and judgment, who made a financial success of practically everything to which he put his hand, he is yet remembered best by his friends and neigh- bors for his splendid traits of heart and mind, for his ever-ready help given to those in need, what- ever their demands, for his unfaltering support of everything that was good and true and his equally unfaltering condemnation of wrong. He was always to be found well in the vanguard of any progressive movement and there is no man who ever did more for the betterment of his home city than did he. Death found him at his home in Alhambra on April 10, 1900, surrounded by the members of his family, consisting of his wife, his son and daughter Alice.
Mr. Adams was a native of New York state, born at Syracuse, September 5, 1826, the son of Zophar H. and Lucy ( Barnes) Adams. Here he remained with his parents, attending school 11ntil he was seventeen, when he removed to Elgin, Ill., where for several years he was employed in one of the village stores. At the age of twenty- three he engaged in business for himself, his first venture being in the grocery business. After a few years, however, he purchased a stock of
REwirsching
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watches and jewelry and followed that line for many years, constantly increasing and building up his business until he came to the Pacific coast, in 1876. It is a well-known fact that the National Watch Factory at Elgin has been the making of the town, and to Mr. Adams, more than to any other, is due the credit for the locating of the factory there. Many other cities were anxious to secure this industry, but the young jeweler was determined that the new factory should locate in Elgin and to this end bent his every energy, using the utmost tact and diplomacy, securing very liberal inducements from the city, and even going so far as to suppress one entire edition of the Elgin Gazette, which contained a premature hint which, it was feared, would alarm the rival towns and so cause them to redouble their efforts. After many weeks of untiring application to the cause his efforts were rewarded with success. The first watch made in the new factory was given to the president of the Elgin company, and the second was presented to Mr. Adams in apprecia- tion of his services, and this watch he proudly carried until the day of his death.
It was in 1876 that Mr. Adams removed with his family to California and located at what was then known as the Alhambra tract, near the famous old San Gabriel Mission. Here he be- came at once interested in the fruit industry, pur- chasing land and planting it to oranges and lemons. He made a careful study of the condi- tions, took an interest in all that pertained to the culture of citrus fruits, to the problems of mar- keting the crops profitably, and to the general de- velopment of the industry. In fact, the same splendid public spirit that prompted him to strive for the welfare of Elgin came with him to Cali- fornia and aided him in the development of the new home community. He was especially appre- ciative of the need of a central location for a town in that part of the county and it was through his efforts that the little city of Alhambra was founded, and he was always very proud to be called its "father."
The marriage of Mr. Adams occurred in Elgin, Ill., April 18, 1850, uniting him with Miss Ellen M. Truesdell, the daughter of Burgess Truesdell and Maria L. (Gale) Truesdell, of that city. Of this union four children were born, three daugh- ters and one son. Of these Florence and Gertrude passed away prior to the death of their father, while Alice passed away in 1910. Claude, the
only one of the children living, makes his home in Alhambra.
Throughout his lifetime Mr. Adams was an earnest Christian having been reared in the Epis- copal church, but uniting with the Methodist Episcopal church when he was about twenty- three years of age. He continued an active mem- ber of this denomination throughout the remain- der of his life, having been steward and trustee for fifty years. His death left a place in the life of his home community that has not been entirely filled, even though fifteen years have passed since his death, and the older members of the com- munity remember him with deep affection and regret.
ROBERT E. WIRSCHING. When a de- sire to meet one of the pioneers of Los Angeles leads one along Brooklyn avenue and thence to Britannia street, it may then be one's good for- ttine to meet Robert E Wirsching, who since 1875 has made this city his home and mean- while has been an interested participant in its municipal progress. As he reflects upon the marvelous development within the forty years of his identification with the town, he might well exclaim, "All of which I saw, and part of which I was." When he arrived in the then small Spanish town he found little to attract a stranger except the unsurpassed climate and the picturesque scenery. Of business there was little or none; of society there were only the occasional functions of the Spanish gran- dees, descendants of the aristocrats of previous generations ; of prophetic visions concerning future greatness there was only the occasional optimistic statement of some far-sighted man who glimpsed the value of climate and scenery as an asset to the country. In the midst of such conditions the newcomer resolved that here, far from the land of his birth and remote from the home of his childhood, he would estab- lish his lares and penates and engage in some business that promised a livelihood. For self- support he had previously depended upon his trades of wagon-builder and photographer, but in this city he established his reputation and achieved his success through the agricultural implement business. Many elements entered into his early prominence. A genial personality won friends for him in every circle of American
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population. Being of Teutonic origin, he was popular among the Germans here, while he had the added advantage of a considerable acquain- tance among the Spanish-American element through his marriage to a descendant of one of the old Spanish families.
The firm of Rees & Wirsching carried on an agricultural implement business and sold their stock of goods throughout Southern California, where they had a further trade in wagons, car- riages and kindred equipment for country places. One innovation introduced by them proved of exceptional value to the expanding of the trade of Los Angeles. It had been the custom to buy from San Francisco, but this firm determined to break away from the domi- nant commercial influence of that city and ac- cordingly their orders were sent wholly to the east. Others in time were induced to follow their example, the result being that Los An- geles soon developed into a wholesale center. The disastrous floods of 1884 caused the firm a loss of $15,000, other losses also coming to them later through influences over which they had no control. Mainly, however, they had a prosperous business experience and eventually the partners retired with a considerable sum to their credit, as the result of their identification with Los Angeles in the era of its first business expansion.
The birth of Mr. Wirsching occurred at Saxe- Meiningen, Germany, February 15, 1846, he being one of a family of five sons and five daughters. When he was but six years of age the family came to America, locating in Con- necticut, where young Wirsching acquired an education and mastered the art of photography, later becoming a wagon and carriage builder also. His father was admitted to citizenship before the boy became of age. When less than thirty years old Robert E. Wirsching became a citizen of Los Angeles and here, July 28, 1880, he married Miss Carlota Valencia, a native daughter and a young woman whose excellent education had been utilized in the profession of teaching for some years before her marriage. Of the union four children were born, Rose, Robert, Carl and Ernest. When Mr. Wirsching first came to Los Angeles all the money he had was a $20 gold piece : but he discovered that there was a premium of about four per cent on gold and changed his gold at the postoffice for
greenbacks, thereby making eighty cents. After paying a debt he owed he had only money enough left for his supper and bed, but the next day he went to work at his trade at $4 a day, sleeping at night on the floor of the shop where he was employed. Saving his money, he loaned it to his employer, and today is the owner of the building wherein he worked and slept when first coming to California.
The fraternities of Mr. Wirsching are the Masons and Foresters, in the latter of which he has filled the important offices of High Chief and Major-General, representing the Foresters at Toronto, Canada, where he was sent by the Supreme Court of California. Politically he votes the Republican ticket in general elections. He is thoroughly appreciative of the advan- tages and institutions of the great nation that has been his home for so long a period that he only vaguely recalls the land of his birth. Par- ticularly is he cognizant of the advantages offered by California, in which it has been given to him to achieve definite success through well- directed efforts. As a member of the city council from the ninth ward in 1889-90 he was instrumental in fostering some of the pioneer movements whose development meant much to a later generation. During 1893-94 he served as fire commissioner, and in the two following years held the important post of police com- missioner. From 1896 until 1900 he represented the second district on the county board of supervisors. Mr. Wirsching was appointed by Mayor Rose on the Board of Public Utilities, first for an unexpired term and then for a term of four years, beginning January, 1914, wherein he is now serving. As a citizen and public official his loyalty to Los Angeles has been of the most insistent order, while his course in life has been so guided and governed as to secure for him the high regard of his fellow- citizens.
FREDERICK H. RINDGE. The late Frederick H. Rindge holds a place in the annals of Southern California unsurpassed by that of any other citizen, won not by his great wealth nor yet by his use of it, but by the inherent qualities of noble manhood which distinguished his career. His death, which occurred in Yreka, Siskiyou county, Cal., August 29, 1905, removed from the
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society that had known him a philanthropist, a Christian gentleman, a successful financier and a man of affairs, and above all a man of noble mental and moral stature, unswerving integrity and honesty of purpose, whose life, though closing in comparatively early manhood, was ever a power for good and an influence toward better, purer and higher things. His is a career which will never pass from the memory of those who have known him, for its influence will live for all time in the lives of the many who have felt the power of his strong, earnest and upright man- hood.
Mr. Rindge was the representative of an old eastern family, the name having been established in New England during the colonial period of our country. His father, Samuel Baker Rindge, was a prominent woolen importer and manufac- turer of Cambridge, Mass., where his citizenship was productive of much material benefit to the city. Frederick H. Rindge was born in Cam- bridge in the year 1857 and spent his boyhood and young manhood in that city. His preliminary education was received in private schools and with tutors with whom he prepared for college, entering Harvard University one year after ex- President Roosevelt. During his third college year his health became impaired. A few years later he received a degree from his Alma Mater. He stic- ceeded to the large estate left by his father, a care and responsibility which generally taxes men of his age to their utmost capacity. That he proved equal to the task is evinced by the fact of his successful career, during which he doubled his wealth. He brought to bear upon the business interests left him by his father the same ability and energy which have characterized his efforts in all enterprises. He was a true philanthropist, studying the needs of the human family and en- deavoring to uplift it in every way he could. He believed that people should not wait until they died to make their bequests, but should make them during their lifetime. Following out this belief he gave liberally to many causes and studied close- ly the effect it had upon the community where he gave it. Several substantial monuments were the result of his generosity to his home city, as well as an imposing city hall and a handsome public library which he built and presented to Cam- bridge. He gave the Children's Island Sanato- rium opposite Marblehead, Mass., with all its buildings, to children recovering from illness and
in need of fresh air, an island which covers about twenty acres of land and is in charge of the Epis- copal church. His crowning gift was the erection of the Rindge Manual Training School, which was conducted at his expense for a period of ten years, when it was turned over to the city of Cambridge. This was the first manual training school in the state of Massachusetts, and from it sprung up a system of schools which is now a pride of the state. As a direct result of the estab- lishment of the Rindge Manual Training School, the Massachusetts state legislature passed a law making compulsory the establishment of similar schools in all cities with a population of over twenty thousand. Mr. Rindge is among the one thousand Americans whose careers are an in- spiration to young men, to whom, together with our chief executives, from Washington to Wood- row Wilson, is dedicated the National Memorial of the United States, at Washington, D. C.
The interests of Mr. Rindge became identified with those of Los Angeles in 1887, when he be- came a resident of Southern California. A de- tailed description of his association with business enterprises since that date would form a history of itself, for as he was ever found ready to espouse the cause of public or private interests he was called upon daily to lend the influence of his name and wealth to incipient plans. He early established his interests here on a firm basis, one of his first investments of importance being the purchase of the Malibu ranch, above Santa Monica, where he made his home for a large por- tion of the time. That magnificent expanse of mountain and valley was a source of much pleas- ure to him, and there he expended much money in bringing the lands to a state of high cultivation and beauty. He erected a fine home, and al- though far removed from neighbors or settlements it was supplied with every modern convenience. In 1904, at a great expense, he built a wagon road up the coast for the convenience of the ranch in- terests, and as the house had been destroyed a few years ago by fire it was Mr. Rindge's inten- tion to build again, as life on this vast estate held a charm for him surpassed by no other. Malibu ranch stretches like a shoestring along the coast line from Las Flores canyon far beyond Point Dume into Ventura county. It is a mile wide at some points and at others broadens out, contain- ing in all about fifteen thousand acres of land.
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In the city of Los Angeles Mr. Rindge began to make judicious investments in the business dis- tricts shortly after his location in Southern Cali- fornia, and that his vision at that early date was keen and sure is evidenced by the fact that his property has about doubled in value up to the present time. The Rindge block, at the northeast corner of Third street and Broadway, was owned by him, and it was largely through his aid that the handsome Conservative Life building, at Third and Hill streets, was built. Apropos of this build- ing may be mentioned Mr. Rindge's association with the Conservative Life Insurance Company, an organization which his money and foresight established in this city, he being elected president and thereafter discharging the duties of that office. This company is now known as the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company. The moral in- fluence of Mr. Rindge was as keenly felt in this line as in all others that engaged his attention, fellow officers and all employes experiencing the kindliness of his nature, the friendliness and generosity characteristic of his dealings with those about him.
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