USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > A history of California and an extended history of Los Angeles and environs, Biographical, Volume II > Part 7
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The early life of John D. Bicknell was passed partly in Chittenden county, Vt., where he was born June 25, 1838, in the little village of Jericho, and partly in Jefferson county, Wis., where his parents removed in 1850. He was the son of Nathaniel and Fanny (Thompson) Bicknell, and a direct descendant of Hannah Dustin. The Wisconsin home of the Bicknells was five miles west of Lake Mills, and it was here that the son, John, received his early edu-
cation. He attended the public schools and later Albion Academy and in due time gradu- ated from the University of Wisconsin. His first professional work was teaching, which he followed for two years after leaving college. In 1859 he removed to Missouri and settled in Howard county. The west, however, was al- luring thousands of young men at the time and proved more fascinating to him than teach- ing or his other plans for continuance in Mis- souri. Accordingly during the spring of 1860 he joined a company of seventy emigrants and was chosen captain of the expedition, which crossed the plains from the Missouri river with an equipment of prairie schooners and ox- teams. After an uneventful journey of five and one-half months the captain of the train landed his company safely at Knight's Landing, Cal., without the loss of men or stock, and with no greater anxiety than the lurking of the savage in dangerous proximity.
Released from his duties as manager of the train, the young captain remained in Knight's Landing for a year, being interested in several enterprises during that time, and becoming especially keen on mining and prospecting, which was then considered the certain path to fortune. Consequently he entered upon a series of prospecting ventures which lasted for several years and took him into the wildest regions of the northwest. His first trip took him into the mountains of Montana, where later sucht fabulously rich deposits of gold and iron were found, but Mr. Bicknell and his party were not successful. They finally returned to Sacra- mento, but shortly were again on their way north, and in 1862 they penetrated the wilder- ness lying north and east of Fort Walla Walla, in the state of Washington. Soon, however, Mr. Bicknell became tired of a roving existence with no substantial gain. Resolving to take up the study of law, he returned to Wisconsin, entered the law department of the State Uni- versity, took the complete course, and in 1865 was admitted to practice in the supreme court of Wisconsin. From 1867 to 1872 he engaged in practice at Greenfield, Mo., from which point he returned to California and settled in Los Angeles.
Although scarcely more than a decade had elapsed between the first western trip and the second, Mr Bicknell found the modes of travel
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radically different (the transcontinental rail- road having replaced the old prairie schooner), and he found that the western country had de- veloped wonderfully through the completion of the railroad. Throwing himself into the civic and professional growth of Los Angeles with customary energy and enthusiasm, he continued for almost forty years a vital force in com- munity upbuilding and an optimistic citizen whose faith never wavered even in the dark days of early stress. He stood four-square to wrong, and was warmly enthusiastic for the right. The record which he made as an attor- ney is incorporated in and forms a part of the record of the courts of this state, that "he who runs may read."
During his years of active practice in Los Angeles Mr. Bicknell was associated with some of the leading legal lights of the city and of the entire west, but he was a leader, rather than a follower, and that men of this class were glad to go wherever he led the way is in itself a conclusive commentary on his ability, character and worth From 1872 to 1875 he practiced under the firm name of Bicknell and Rothchild; from then until 1886 he maintained an office alone, at which time he entered into a partner- ship with Stephen M. White which lasted until 1890, and which was known as Bicknell & White. This relation was a most happy one, and was only dissolved when Mr. White active- ly entered politics and commenced his career in the United States Senate as one of the sen- ators from California. Mr. Bicknell soon after- ward formed another partnership with a lead- ing attorney under the name of Bicknell & Trask. This was later changed to Bicknell, Trask & Gibson, while a succeeding change added the names of Crutcher and Dunn.
It was natural that a citizen so enthusiastic concerning the promise and growth of Los An- geles should invest largely in real estate here, and this he did, with such wisdom that at the time of his death, July 7, 1911, his estate was exceedingly valuable. Two years later, how- ever, the value of the estate had increased more than three-quarters of a million, the report of the appraisers, Courtney Lacy, George J. Kuhrts and F. P. Sproul, rendered and filed in the probate court, showing the valuation to be $1,340,003. For several years before his death Mr. Bicknell devoted his entire time to looking
after his vast interests, having given up the active practice of the law. These interests con- tinued to increase and multiply almost to the day of his death. He was vice-president of the First National Bank, and a heavy stockholder therein. He was also one of the incorporators and the president of the Western Union Oil Company, and his oil holdings were very large.
One of Mr. Bicknell's many philanthropic projects was the Hollenbeck Home for Old People, of which he was one of the founders, and of which he said but a short time before his death, that of all the accomplishments with which his path was strewn, this one was to his declining years the greatest pleasure and satis- faction. He was a Mason and a Knight Tem- plar and was at all times prominent in the circles of the order and an eager worker for their well being. He was also a prominent member of both the California Club and the Jonathan Club.
Mr. Bicknell was twice wedded. The first marriage was to Maria Hatch, in Jericho, Vt., in 1868, but the bride lived but two months, dying in Wisconsin, where they then resided. The second marriage occurred in 1871, to Mrs. Nancy (Christian) Dobbins. There were two children by this marriage, Mary, now Mrs. Horace G. Cates, and Edna, the wife of Charles P. Bagg, M. D., a prominent surgeon in the United States navy. The widow and both daughters reside in Los Angeles, where they are well known socially. At the death of Mr. Bicknell his entire estate, with the exception of a few minor bequests, was divided between his wife and two daughters.
HON. THOMAS D. MOTT. By her rich and varied resources California has drawn to her unshackled energies the sons of many states and countries. They came hoping to attain personal success, and, to such extent as they have been fortified by determination, perseverance, intelli- gence and sound judgment, they have gained prosperity. While promoting their personal in- terests, at the same time they have advanced the welfare of their adopted state and have been found on the side of progress and justice in every cause. As one of this class mention belongs to T. D. Mott, whose death February 19, 1904, re-
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moved from earth one who for the past fifty years had been well and favorably known in business and commercial circles in this city. By those who had labored side by side with him during this time he was affectionately known as the "father of modern Los Angeles," a name which was well merited when it is considered how thoroughly un- selfish he was, placing personal gain secondary to the well-being of the little Mexican pueblo to which fate led him in 1851.
Of eastern birth and parentage, Thomas D. Mott was born in the village of Schuyler, Sara- toga county, N. Y., July 30, 1829, and the first eighteen years of his life were spent in this locality, once the scene of important events during the war of the Revolution. At the age of fourteen he began to make his own way in the world, re- ceiving as compensation the munificent sum of $25 per year, board included. His natural apti- tude and ambition led him to look for a more inviting field for his abilities, an opening for which he had not long to search, for soon after the beginning of the gold excitement in California he had mapped out a course for his life in the new and untried west. After a journey of about six months, interspersed by numerous perils and privations, he arrived in San Francisco and it was not long before he secured lucrative employ- ment in the mines of the northern counties. By the exercise of the most rigid economy he was enabled to lay by enough means to warrant him in embarking in a general merchandise business in Stockton, where it may be said he met with his first business success. At the age of twenty-one, with the proceeds which this business netted him, he determined to put his efforts into a scheme which he had been investigating and which he felt sure would warrant the expenditure of time and money which he had planned to invest. This was the establishment of a suitable ferry system over the San Joaquin river, a venture in which he suc- ceeded far beyond his expectations until disposing of his interests in the northern part of the state to cast in his lot with what was then known as the pueblo of Los Angeles. His good judgment and foresight in selecting this spot for his future home rewarded him in after years with rich har- vests. For some time after his arrival here he carried on a livery stable, but it was not long before it was discovered that he possessed those qualities needed in a statesman and public man, and he was brought to the front by the many
friends who had been attracted to him by his sterling traits of character. A natural gift of organization and an ambition to master men and affairs led him into politics and for more than a quarter of a century his reputation as a Demo- cratic leader extended throughout the state. In 1863 he was elected the first county clerk of Los Angeles county, his re-election following for three successive terms, and during this time he dis- charged the manifold duties of the office, which also included the responsibilities of ex-officio re- corder and auditor. It was about this time that Los Angeles was confronted with a grave ques- tion, namely, whether or no the Southern Pacific, which was then being built through the San Joaquin valley. would be laid out to take in Los Angeles. It was a vital question with the strug- gling town and meant life or death to its future, and it was this condition of affairs that induced the election of Mr. Mott to the legislature by his constituents. There, as in every other position to which he was called, he became a commanding figure, winning the regard of his constituency by insuring the construction of the railroad over the Tehachapi and through the Soledad canyon, a route which secured an immense advantage to Los Angeles and was a large factor in bringing this city into public note. Mr. Mott in Southern California and W. W. Stow in Northern Cali- fornia were for many years the most powerful, dominant and influential figures in politics in the state.
Mr. Mott was one of the organizers of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and during the days of its early struggles he gave lavishly of his means to support it, in fact continued to do so until it became self-supporting. In 1886 he built the first large business block south of First street, a building which still bears his name, and which was but one of the many building ventures which he later undertook.
In his private life Mr. Mott bore an unblem- ished record. In 1861 he was united in marriage with the daughter of Don Jose Sepulveda, a repre- sentative of an old Spanish family. Don Fran- cisco Sepulveda, the grandfather, was born in Aragon, Spain, and he it was who established the family in America, coming here as a member of the army under command of Captain de la Guerra as an officer. After his services were no longer needed he settled on his grant at Santa Monica, still later removing to Los Angeles, where he
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erected the Pico house. His son, Don Jose, who was born in San Diego, acquired the San Joaquin ranch south of Santa Ana, this vast estate com- prising eleven leagues or fifty thousand acres of land. Besides this he also acquired the Santa Ana grant of eighteen hundred acres. Over the hills and plains comprised in these tracts roamed thou- sands of cattle, divided into bands of various colors, forming a scene which readily reminded one of the holdings of the patriarchs of old, as told in Biblical history. Don Jose Sepulveda was without doubt one of the foremost men of his day, no one exceeding him in quality of character or in his benefactions to the poor and needy. His marriage united him with Francisca Avila, who was born in Santa Barbara, Cal., the daughter of Antonio Ygnacio Avila. The latter was born in Spain and came to America with his father, a capitalist, who located in Southern California and became a prominent figure in the upbuilding of this section of the country. Twelve children originally comprised the parental family. ten of whom grew up and three of whom are now living. One of these, Judge Ygnacio Sepulveda, was for many years judge of Los Angeles county and later a prominent attorney of Mexico City. The beautiful and cultured home of Mr. Mott had been the meeting place of many men of note and prominence in years past, which was indeed a privilege to those thus honored, for those who knew him only casually loved and honored him as their friend. No more fitting close to this resumé of the life of Mr. Mott could be given than is couched in the language of Maj. Ben C. Truman : "No man anywhere ever possessed a more radiant and charming personality. All through his life he had been noted for his unerring manliness, his irreproachable rectitude, his liberality and charity and his love of home."
WALTER SCOTT REAVIS. Having come to California when a boy, and completed his edu- cation in the schools of this state, where he also taught in later years, married, and pursued the greater part of his business career, Walter Scott Reavis, who died in this state in 1905, was associated with the interests and advancement of California during the greater part of his life.
Born in Henry county, Mo., September 4, 1841, Mr. Reavis was the son of Fenton Goss and Mary
(Dickson) Reavis, the father, who was a farmer and merchant, having been a member of one of the oldest families of Virginia. The son received his education in the country schools of Missouri and in private instruction from his mother, com- pleting his studies at the Pacific Methodist Col- lege at Vacaville, Cal., whither he had come in 1859. After finishing his education he taught for a time in the public schools of Yolo and Solano counties, then spending a couple of years in Mazatlan, Mexico, during the '60s, and while there he studied and became proficient in Spanish, which was of value to him in later years. Re- turning to California, in 1869 he settled at Los Nietos, Los Angeles county, where he taught until coming to Los Angeles city in 1877, here teaching in the public schools until the year 1886. After that date he was employed by the Citizens' Water Company, and when this company was combined with the City Water Department, he retained the same position, continuing therein until his death, which occurred on October 21, 1905.
The marriage of Mr. Reavis with Lucy Eliza- beth Pleasants was solemnized on December 25, 1866. She came to California ten years previously and resided with her father, James M. Pleasants, in Solano county. Her mother, Lydia Mason in maidenhood, was married to Mr. Pleasants in Lincoln county, Ky., in August, 1833. She died in Missouri when her daughter was eleven years old. The ancestry of the Pleasants family is traced to the year 1668, when one John Pleasants, a Quaker from Norwich, England, came to this country and settled in Curles. on the James river in Virginia, near where Richmond now stands. The family history is traced in a direct line to 1806, when Edward Pleasants, father of James M. Pleasants, emigrated with his family from Goochland county, Va., to Lincoln county, Ky., and it was here that James M. was born April 29, 1809. In 1835 he moved to Missouri and there his wife died. Mr. and Mrs. Reavis became the parents of three daughters, N. Ellen, Cora A. and Mary M. Reavis, of whom the last mentioned is deceased, passing away May 17, 1903. The family home, since 1890, has been on Sunset boulevard, Los Angeles, where Mr. Reavis owned two acres of land. In politics he cast his ballot for the men and measures that had for their object the best interests of the state, county and city, and his religious associations were with the Methodist Church, in which he was an ardent worker.
yours
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HERMAN SILVER was born on the 21st of July, 1830, near Hamburg, Germany, where his father, a man of education, refinement and of the strictest integrity, had been identified with the shipping interests, but having met with business reverses, and finding himself unable to cope with the financial difficulties which beset him; with- drew from his preferred vocation, to engage in mercantile pursuits, which enabled him to provide his family with the necessities and many of the comforts of life, and to give to each child, what he deemed its greatest requirement : the thorough mental training which would best fit it for a use- ful and prosperous career.
Herman, who was one of six bright children, was always rather delicate and extremely sensi- tive; but his capacity for absorbing different branches of knowledge was enormous, and it was remarkable how quickly and with what apparent ease he mastered the most difficult lessons. He soon became a decided favorite with teachers and scholars alike ; the pride and wonder of many and the envy of some, as well. It was great joy for this boy and his associates to go down to one of the wharves after school, and talk to some of the sea-faring men who were always to be found there ; and the news that "a ship had come in from America," would spread like wild fire and cause books to be put away and desks closed at the earliest possible moment; and eager feet would go scurrying down to the water front, and hearts would thump like small sledge hammers; as their owners sat quietly listening in open-eyed astonishment, to the marvelous stories the sailors told them of the far-away country they had seen. Once, when Herman's sharp eyes had caught one of the jackies winking very hard at another, and he half guessed why he had seen them laughing together so immoderately, his enthusiasm cooled somewhat-but he said, as they went on their way: "No doubt these fine fellows have been imposing upon our credulity and have told us much which could not be verified, and yet, if only one-third, or even one-fourth, of what we have heard is true, it must be a wonderful country, and I mean to go there some day and find out what it is like; I could easily return if it did not suit me."
As Herman grew older he became more and more absorbed in his books; more persistent in his studies, more than ever determined to master everything of vital interest which came his way,
and as a result his health suffered. Even then, it was with the utmost difficulty that he could be persuaded not to confine himself so closely, but to exercise more frequently in the sunshine and open air. At the age of eighteen, Herman was recovering from an attack of fever, and was far from robust ; so the family physician recommend- ed a seavoyage as the best means of restoring his health and strength. "Let him go," he said; "it will do him more good than all the medicine in the world,-it is just what he needs." So the brilliant young student decided he would under- take the journey, after learning that a friend, a few years older than himself, was to accompany him; desiring to locate with some relatives who had preceded him, but at the last moment he was unavoidably detained, and could not sail until a later date; and poor Herman, terribly disap- pointed, sad and tearful, willing and only too anxious to turn back-yet ashamed to do so; walked irresolutely up the gangplank, and soon saw the cruel sea dividing him from those he so dearly loved, and from whom he had never before been separated. He realized that he was alone, bound for a strange country-and he felt miser- able and lonely, "Oh! if only I had stayed at home," he murmured. as something swelled in his throat and nearly choked him, as nothing had ever done before. Already the glowing rose and gleaming gold of his expectancy-had changed to the somber gray of stern reality.
Many admiring glances were cast his way, as he paced the long deck, day after day, and for hours at a time ; striving to regain his lost spirits, to overcome his dreadful heartache for those he had left behind. He was now nearly six feet in height, perfectly proportioned, lithe as a panther and with the head and neck of a Greek god. On his father's side, he could trace his lineage back to a proud don of old Castile; and it was this ancestry, no doubt, which gave him his distin- guished manner, the clear olive complexion, the beautiful dark eyes, and the thick, loosely curling blue-black hair, as fine as silk.
One morning the sea was unusually rough, and he was thrown violently forward and into one of the deck chairs, and, before he could rise, a warm hand closed over his, kindly eyes looked straight into his own, and a pleasant voice said : "My son-I trust you will permit me to call you so, I have often watched you and sympathized with you ; for you have made a brave fight to con-
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quer what I know from my own past experience, to be worse than 'mal de mer,' and that is 'mal de cœur'; I already feel like a father to you, and if it is possible, I hope you will look upon me as such ; at any rate let us be friends,-for I am sure you will never regret it." Tears stood in Herman's eyes and sparkled on his long lashes, as he struggled to compose himself sufficiently to thank his new friend for his wholly unexpected words of cheer.
One day he said: "My son, I am Father Gerard, of Montreal, Canada. I was born in Spain, nearly forty years ago, and the name I left behind me was one of the most prominent in all Madrid. Whatever may have transpired there, I wish you to know that I am innocent of any wrongdoing. You are a proficient Hebrew scholar, and I have always desired to become one; come with me for a time at least and teach me that language, and I will do all in my power to perfect your English." Herman smiled, as he answered: "I shall be glad to do so, for it would give me much pain to part with you now ; only- let it be distinctly understood between us, that you are entitled to your opinions, and I, to mine ; let neither attempt to interfere with the other's religious liberty." "I have no intention of doing so," replied the father.
After landing in New York, they spent a fortnight there, seeing as much as possible of the city and its surroundings, and then left for Mon- treal; the trip up the St. Lawrence River being one which this young lover of natural scenery never forgot. Father Gerard secured a pleasant room and good board for his protegé, not far from his own quarters ; and every afternoon they would study together. Often as the twilight stole upon them unawares, they would put aside their books, and sit silent and preoccupied; one ab- sorbed in the contemplation of his past, the other, in his future; and when the shadows had lengthened and deepened into night, and the little room was brightened with the ruddy glow of the flickering fire, or the candles' mellow light ; they would grow more animated, and discuss with the keenest interest the leading topics of the day. Herman's masterly conception of various occult truths ; his sparkling wit, his merry laughter, and his ready flow of language (although he still spoke with a decided accent), so fascinated the father, that he would listen with rapt attention to all he had to say ; and then again, it would be the
younger man who sat enthralled, as the hours slipped by unheeded, and the father poured forth his hoarded treasures of perfected thought, as though inspired. For the sake of this youth, he went back into his past, and lived it again; he revisited the many lands through which he had travelled, describing and comparing the people, their customs and traditions ; the scenic grandeur ; the architectural beauties ; the magnificence of the ruins ; the wonders of the museums; the artists' and the sculptors' masterpieces ; the most sublime and renowned in music; the most famous and exalted in literature. His voice rose and fell caressingly upon the ear, like the plaintive minor melody of chiming bells. Now it was vibrant with a note of exultation, as if in memory of the triumphs he had known; now it was tremulous with emotion, as though recalling a love which had been won and lost ; it grew strangely sad and tender, and had within it a cadence of despair, as though crying out in vain for a forsaken home and mother ; and it sank almost to a whisper, as he said: "My son-we are here in this material world that we may be chastened; for it is not until we have groped our way through the dark- est shadows; not until we have drained the cup of bitterness to the dregs, and been plunged into the depths of misery and despondency ; that we are enabled to bask in the glorious light of supreme intelligence; or climb to those sublime heights of spiritual attainment which every beau- tiful, progressive soul so longs to reach."
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