USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > A history of California and an extended history of Los Angeles and environs, Biographical, Volume II > Part 41
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to close down. Then going to Nevada he en- gaged in mining near Austin for five years, after which he returned to Plumas county, where, after buying the water rights, he was enabled to continue his operations on the claims he owned there. The properties proved to be valuable and were eventually sold to San Fran- cisco parties for $25,000. Returning to Sierra county, Francis X. Eberle resumed mining there for four years, then selling the property to San Francisco parties for $20,000.
It was soon after this, in 1876, that Mr. Eberle came to Los Angeles to make his home and began his investments in city and county property. His investments have been made with much judgment and today he owns much valuable city property. There is among his holdings a lot at the corner of Eighth and San Pedro streets, where the Whiting Wrecking Company have their establishment ; another at the northwest corner of Fifth and San Pedro streets ; also the northwest corner of Ninth and Mateo streets; a ranch of sixty acres near Florence, and his home at No. 1244 Santa Barbara avenue. Mr. Eberle is still deeply in- terested in mining, owning two gold and silver mines in New Mexico in the Mogollon mining district, which he located in 1880. He also owns considerable stock in the Socorro Mining and Milling Company in the same district, which is now paying splendid dividends.
Mr. Eberle has many friends throughout the city, men who have known him through the long years of his residence here, and who ap- preciate his splendid qualities of heart and mind. He is a Republican in politics, but has never been intimately associated with the af- fairs of his party, although at all times a pro- gressive citizen, wide awake to all that is for the betterment of the city, and for its best in- terests socially, morally and commercially. He is also a prominent Mason.
The marriage of Mr. Eberle took place in La Porte, Plumas county. Cal., August 30, 1869, uniting him with Miss Mercedes Bute, whose mother came to California in 1862. Mrs. Eberle became the mother of four sons: Francis, who passed away in infancy, and three who make their home in Los Angeles. They are Robert, who married Belle Chivelle ; Herman, who mar- ried Miss Frances Braham ; and Francis Xavier, Jr., still in school.
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CHARLES FREDERICK OFF. Since put- ting down his first oil well during the spring of 1896 Mr. Off has continued to be identified with the oil industry in various sections of California, meanwhile making his headquarters in Los An- geles, where as general manager of the Ojai and several other oil companies he maintains offices in the Bumiller building on South Broadway and from this central location keeps in touch with the progress of this great industry throughout the west.
Of the children comprising the parental family we mention the following: Charles Frederick Off was born at Lowden, Iowa, May 13, 1866; John W. A. is a capitalist living in Los Angeles; Julia Maude is a teacher of music in New York City ; Theofil R. died in childhood; and Edward T. is a resident of Pasadena, where for several years he officiated as president of the Tourna- ment of Roses. The eldest son attended the pub- lic schools of Fond du Lac, Wis., but at the age of thirteen left school to take up the burden of self-support. Notwithstanding lack of early op- portunities, he is well educated in German and English and has considerable proficiency in music. For three years he clerked in a general store at Plymouth, Sheboygan county, Wis. In 1880 he went to Denver, Colo., and found employment in a music store. During 1883 he came to Los Angeles with his mother and sister, who were invalids. Since then he has made his home on the northeast corner of First street and Union avenue.
After having put down several water wells in the spring of 1896 Mr. Off embarked in the oil industry and achieved a distinct success. During 1896 he put down his first oil well in the Los Angeles field, and in this field he put down six wells altogether. Next he leased eighty acres of oil land at Whittier and drilled wells under the title of the Whittier Crude Oil Company, Incor- porated, now owners of seven wells in that dis- trict. While retaining the management of that company Mr. Off also became manager of the Rice Ranch Oil Company at Orcutt, where under his management seven wells were a proven suc- cess. In 1908 he inspected the west Kern county fields and was instrumental in leasing the prop- erty now owned by the Lakeview Oil Company in the Sunset-Midway field. Under his manage- ment several wells were drilled. Lakeview No. 1,
popularly known as the Lakeview gusher, is prob- ably the most famous well in the country. From March 15, 1910, to September 12, 1911, it pro- duced about ten million barrels of oil and thus gave the Sunset-Midway field a permanent place on the oil map of the world. The association of Mr. Off with this famous property has continued from the first and furnishes abundant proof con- cerning the intimacy of his identification with the oil business.
October 9, 1897, Mr. Off was united in marriage with Miss Grace Maude Bemis, formerly of Evansville, Wis. The ceremony was solemnized at Janesville, Wis. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Off consists of four children, Lillian Merle, How- ard Jerome, Theodore Roosevelt and Carl Fred- erick.
SAMUEL J. SMITH. It is wonderful what irrigation will do for the dry, sandy soil of South- ern California which in its native state appears like that of the desert or seashore. For with a little care, acres of prosperous fruit orchards will flourish in the sheltered valleys and flowers will blossom with profusion; and the agency which brings about this magical change and makes such prosperity possible is irrigation, which certainly does "make the desert blossom as the rose." The thousands of windmills by which the orchards of Southern California are irrigated and enabled to thrive so well are the work of a man who came to California twenty-eight years ago and spent most of the succeeding years in Los Angeles, interesting himself in the welfare of the new country and by his death this last year depriving the state of one of its most valued residents.
This pioneer resident of the state, Samuel J. Smith, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., where he was born January 19, 1867, came to California in 1886, beginning his career in this part of the country with the manufacture of windmills which he was the first person to introduce for the purpose of irrigation on the west coast. Following the manu- facture of windmills, Mr. Smith engaged in the construction of gas engines, in which he built up for himself a very prosperous business. He was also the founder and until very recently the principal factor in the Smith-Booth-Usher Com- pany, one of the largest firms for the manufac- ture of machinery in the West, and originally
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known as the S. J. Smith Machinery Company until 1907, when it was enlarged and the name changed to the present form, Mr. Smith selling his interest in the concern. Mr. Smith was also concerned with the organization of the Lambert Manufacturing Company of El Segundo, Cal., a new company, and of which it was intended he should be managing director.
At the time of his death Mr. Smith was in very prosperous circumstances, residing at No. 2300 Scarff street, Los Angeles, and held membership in two of the best known clubs of the city, the California and Jonathan Clubs. Surviving him are his widow, Mrs. Laura May Smith, and a son and two daughters, namely, Lloyd S., Ilo S. and Frances L. Smith.
ALBERT M. NORTON. The father, as well as the grandfather of Albert M. Norton, a well known lawyer of Los Angeles, was well ac- quainted with this city in its pioneer days, and the story of their lives is the story of the growth of the city as well. The grandfather, E. Green- baum, came to this city as early as 1851, en- gaging in the merchandise business here until his death in 1910; his wife was the first Jewish woman in Los Angeles city. His journey from New York westward in those long ago days was the usual one in those times, consisting of a trip by sailing vessel to the Isthmus of Panama, which had to be crossed on mule-back, and another jour- ney by water to San Diego, Cal., whence the en- terprising pioneer walked northward up the coast to Los Angeles. Along the road from San Diego to this city the fine automobile road known as El Camino Real, has since been laid out, closely following the old road of the Spanish monks who, in former times, often made this journey by foot, driving their flocks before them, from mission to mission along the California coast, the route of the padres being marked by bells stationed along the way and bearing the Spanish name El Camino Real, signifying the King's Highway. But in the days of the grandfather of Mr. Norton, as well as of the monks themselves, the comforts and convenience of an automobile journey up the coast had not been dreamed of. Mr. Norton's father, Isaac Norton, came to New York in 1852, and received his education in the schools of that city,
removing in 1869 to Los Angeles, where he en- gaged in the mercantile business until the year 1881. At that time he engaged in mining in Calico, Cal., and also in Arizona, after three years of mining experience returning to Los Angeles and interesting himself in real estate in this city. The first three-story building on South Hill street was built by him at the corner of Seventh and rented. Mr. Norton became secretary of the Metropolitan Building and Loan Association, which position he still holds, as well as being president of the Hebrew Benevolent Society and the Jewish Consumptive Relief Association.
Born in Los Angeles June 25, 1879, the son and grandson of pioneers of this part of the country, Albert M. Norton may well be called a native son of California. His early education was received in the grammar and high schools of the city, he being graduated from the latter in 1897, after which he was graduated in the first law class at the University of Southern California, in the year 1901. Mr. Norton then commenced practicing law independently, in 1911 entering the partnership of Trask, Norton & Brown, and since the death of Judge Trask in 1913 has been prac- ticing his profession alone. In 1902 he became secretary of the Democratic County Central Com- mittee, while from 1908 to 1912 he acted as chair- man of the same committee and vice-chairman of the State Democratic Central Committee. It will thus be seen that in his political convictions he is a stanch Democrat, while socially he is connected with the Concordia Club, his membership in the B'nai B'rith testifying to his loyalty to the Jew- ish faith.
On October 27, 1904, Mr. Norton was married in Los Angeles to Myrtle Prenzlauer, and they are the parents of two children, Marion and Law- rence Norton, the elder of whom attends the public schools of Los Angeles.
CHARLES A. DUCOMMUN. A native of Los Angeles, although of French parentage, Charles A. Ducommun can boast of a father who came to California in the early days with the true pioneer spirit and set himself up in business in the days when Los Angeles was but a small town compared to its present state of development.
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The father of Mr. Ducommun was born in metals and similar supplies. Mr. Ducommun is unmarried, and is a member of the Jonathan Club, one of the finest men's clubs in the city of Los Angeles.
1820 in Southern France, where he received his education in private schools, later becoming an expert watchmaker in Switzerland. He there carried on his trade until the year 1840, at which time he made the trip to New York City by sail- ing vessel, engaging in watch making in the new city until 1846, when he went to some of the cities of the southern states and followed his chosen profession, being for a time in Augusta, Ga., and in Mobile, Ala., until 1849. It was early in this last-mentioned year that he removed to California, with several others starting on the tedious trip across the plains from Fort Smith, Ark., and, following the Santa Fe trail, arrived in Los Angeles on August 26, 1849. Here he engaged in his chosen profession of watchmaking for about ten years, the summers of 1850 and 1851 being spent in mining in the Feather river country and Mariposa county. Deciding to settle permanently in Los Angeles, Mr. Ducom- mun opened a jewelry store on Commercial street, this city, a business which about 1854 he re- moved to North Main street. In the meantime he added hardware to his business, in which he dealt exclusively after the year 1870, at which time he disposed of the jewelry branch of his business. The death of Mr. Ducommun occurred in 1896.
The son, Charles A. Ducommun, was born March 28, 1870, in the adopted home of his father, during the time that the elder Mr. Ducommun was engaged in the jewelry business in the city of Los Angeles, and from a small place of unim- portance and unattractiveness he has seen the city grow to its present magnificent proportions. The education of Charles A. Ducommun was received in the public and high schools of his native city and at a business college which he attended for a period of six months, after which time he en- gaged as clerk with his father and worked in all branches of the business until, at the death of his parent in 1896, he and his brothers became own- ers of the business. In 1900 they went into the hardware jobbing business, and this on April 30, 1907, was incorporated, C. A. Ducommun being elected president of the same. Removing to their present location at Nos. 217 to 227 Central avenue, Los Angeles, the company occupied its fine three- story and basement brick building, where is car- ried on a general business in hardware, tools,
JOSEPH GOESTENKOHRS. Another self- made man who during a long career of usefulness accumulated a competency, was Joseph Goesten- kohrs, who was born in Delbrich, Westphalia, Germany, in 1827. He was reared and educated in his native place and learned the trade of tailor, which he followed there until 1851, when, at the age of twenty-four years, he decided to come to America, and landed at St. Louis, Mo., with but seventy-five cents in his pocket. He immediately secured employment at his trade and soon after- ward opened a shop of his own, succeeding be- yond his expectations. With the money which he saved he invested in property in that city and erected three brick business buildings, as well as several residences, all of which showed his wise judgment and foresight.
In the late '70s Mr. Goestenkohrs removed to Los Angeles, where he invested in real estate, and for a number of years bought, sold and ex- changed property on a large scale, thus adding materially to his wealth. In partnership with Ludwig Wanndhammer he erected a three-story apartment house of thirty-one rooms on Bunker Hill avenue between First and Court streets. Dur- ing the many years of his residence in Los An- geles he acquired various property interests and at the time of his death, May 13, 1914, left his widow a number of valuable real estate holdings.
Mr. Goestenkohrs was twice married, the first wife being Mary Denigan, a native of Ireland; she died in 1893. The following year he married Louisa Branneka, who was born in Missouri of German parents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Goesten- kohrs were members of the Catholic church and supported its charities. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Goestenkohrs has made her home on South New Hampshire street, where she takes much pleasure in her flower garden and dispens- ing charity to those whom she considers deserv- ing. She takes pride in the fact that her hus- 'band's career was an example worthy of emula- tion by ambitious young men who wish to make their own way in the business world.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
AUGUST J. KOLL. Descended from sturdy old German stock, and himself a native of the Fatherland, August J. Koll, prominent citizen of Los Angeles, has made this city his home since 1883, and since 1889 has been engaged in business for himself as the manufacturer of ma- terials for interior finishings of buildings of all classes, making a feature of high grade specialty work. He has also been prominently iden- tified with the most progressive civic and miu- nicipal movements during the long period of his residence here, and has always been ar- rayed on the side of progress, upholding every movement which tends toward the general wel- fare and betterment of the city.
Mr. Koll is a native of Holstein, Germany, born February 13, 1859. His father was Hartvig Koll, who came to America in 1879, locat- ing at Chicago, Ill., where he lived in retire- ment until 1886. when he came to Los Angeles. Here he continued to reside until his death, in 1894. The mother, Dora Koll, lived and died in Germany. The son attended the pub- lic schools of his native city until he was four- teen, when he determined to come to America, prompted partly by a desire to see the world, and partly to better his condition. He went first to Chicago, where he learned the trade of millwright, working at his trade in the day time and attending school in the evenings, with an occasional brief period in day school, until 1878. He then went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he was employed at his trade for two years, at the close of which time he returned to Chicago and em- barked in business for himself, being associated as an active partner in the planing mill busi- ness for a number of years. In 1882 he dis- posed of his interests there and removed to Minneapolis, Minn., where he engaged in the same industry for a year. after which he trav- eled for about the same length of time, visit- ing North and South Dakota and finally Ore- gon. From Portland, Ore., he went to San Francisco in 1883, and later was employed in a planing mill at Modesto for six months.
It was in 1883 that Mr. Koll first came to Los Angeles. During all his travels he had not found a location that exactly pleased him for a place of permanent residence, and having heard much about this city, he finally deter- mined to pay it a visit. He was fortunate in finding employment in the Mechanics Planing
mill as a millwright, and soon decided to make his home here. In 1889 he resigned his position with the planing mill and embarked in business for himself, starting on a very small scale in the woodworking line. By persistent effort and personal application he has developed and ex- tended his undertaking until at the present time he conducts one of the largest industries of its kind in the city and is now the pioneer planing mill man in the city. While conducting a general planing mill business he still makes a specialty of interior finishing materials, and especially of Koll's patent lock joint columns. In the various departments he employs thirty men, most of them skilled work- men, and all of the business is carried on under his personal supervision, he being thoroughly familiar with every detail of the enterprise. In fact it is by this careful personal attention to all details that Mr. Koll has made such a decided success of his undertaking and won for himself his present enviable position in the business life of Southern California. It is a well known fact that his activities are not confined to Los Angeles, but extend throughout the southwest generally, and he has even branched out as far eastward as Arizona.
The marriage of Mr. Koll occurred in Los Angeles in October, 1887, uniting him with Miss Etta Williams. Of this union have been born four children, three sons and a daughter. Of these, the eldest son, Walter, is foreman in his father's mill; Harvey is employed in his father's office ; Milton is attending the University of Cali- fornia; and Marie is a student at the Girls' Col- legiate School.
In addition to his business prominence Mr. Koll is also well known in fraternal circles. He is a Mason of the Scottish and York Rites, and also a Shriner. In the Odd Fellows order he has filled all the chairs with distinction during his many years of active membership. He is past patron of South Gate Chapter No. 133, O. E. S., and present patron of South Gate Court No. 18, Amaranth. Politically Mr. Koll is a Republican, and while never aspiring to office, he has always been an active factor in municipal affairs, and has supported all move- ments that have been for the ultimate welfare of the city and holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce. Together with his family he at- tends the Lutheran church.
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As is natural with one whose faith in the future of Southern California is abiding, Mr. Koll has invested in real estate from time to time, both in city and country property. He is at this time owner of a fine sixty-three acre orange grove in West Riverside, a valuable property, which is one of the show places of that section.
THOMAS WARDALL. Coming to Cali- fornia in 1878 with the intention of remaining but one year, Thomas Wardall, prominent citizen of Monrovia, has been since that time continuous- ly a resident of this state and of Los Angeles county. He is one of the pioneer land owners of the Monrovia vicinity, having owned extensive acreage at Duarte, where he engaged in farming and fruit raising for many years. He is now making his home in Monrovia, where he is heavily interested in real estate, but he is still intimately associated with the affairs of Duarte, where he resided for many years.
Mr. Wardall is a native of Indiana, having been born at Otter Creek, Ripley county, August 6, 1841. When he was six months old the family removed to what is now Cincinnati, Ohio, and when he was four years of age they again moved, this time going to Union, Rock county. Wis. They located on a farm and remained there until young Wardall was about twelve years old. There he learned to help with the farm work, milking his first cow when he was eight, and by the time he was ten years old he was milking ten cows daily. When he was twelve years old the family moved to Springfield, Ill., and while there Mr. Wardall saw Abraham Lincoln, then a young attorney, practicing law in partnership with Douglass, under the firm name of Lincoln & Douglass, Attorneys.
After a year at Springfield the Wardall family removed to Mitchell, Mitchell county, Iowa, and thence to Northwood, Worth county, of the same state, where the elder Wardall, together with several others, laid out the town of Northwood. Young Wardall lived here for twenty-one years, his father owning and operating a hotel in the town, and also owning a farm near there. After finishing his education in the public schools of Northwood for a time he clerked in one of the local stores, but later became a clerk in the court
house, where he worked in all the county offices except that of county superintendent of schools and sheriff, and became thoroughly familiar with all details of county business. At the age of twenty-one he was elected township assessor, and later he served as town clerk and also one term as county recorder. During the last three years of his residence at Northwood he was engaged in farming, being located on a half section of land in that vicinity.
It was in 1878 that Mr. Wardall came to Cali- fornia, expecting to return to Northwood at the end of a year. During that time, however, he had become so enamored of the California climate and general conditions that he purchased a tract of one hundred and seventeen acres at Duarte and prepared to make this section his permanent home. Disposing of his Iowa interests he established his family on the Duarte property and commenced farming, later purchasing an additional tract of ten acres, which he set out to fruit, principally oranges. Five acres of the original purchase was also set to walnuts and the rest was devoted to diversified farming. Here Mr. Wardall lived until December, 1906, when he disposed of the property and located in Monrovia, where he has since resided.
As befitting one whose faith in the future of the community has always been unqualified, Mr. Wardall has always been heavily interested in real estate. About 1888 he purchased twenty acres in the eastern end of Monrovia, and on settling there in 1906 he immediately subdivided fifteen acres of this land, laid it out in town lots and put them on the market. Almost the entire property has been sold for home purposes, and it is here that Mr. Wardall erected his own resi- dence. This tract was known as the Wardall sub- division. Later he bought ten acres more which he also subdivided, improved and sold for resi- dence purposes. He made all the streets eighty feet wide, thus greatly enhancing the value of the property. This second subdivision was known as the Wardall Orange Grove tract. He has also erected a handsome business block in the down- town section which also bears his name.
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