USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > A history of California and an extended history of Los Angeles and environs, Biographical, Volume II > Part 9
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have an earnest interest in his success and wel- fare. May he live long and prosper, and when finally summoned to the 'Home Office,' may he have a clean track and a safe run. G. H. Bone- brake, Hiram Sinsabaugh, Richard Egan, I. W. Hellman, H. L. Drew, A. W. Francisco, Direc- tors."
In the same year, Mr. Silver accepted the posi- tion of receiver of the Los Angeles and Pacific Railway Company, having been earnestly solicited to undertake this laborious task, by both stock- holders and creditors of the road; and succeeded in arranging the tangled affairs of the company, with most gratifying success.
In 1896, he was elected a member of the City Council, that body electing him their president ; after which, he was presented with a magnificent bouquet of American Beauty roses; a curiously carved gavel of beautiful, light and dark mottled wood from Lookout Mountain; and a gigantic floral harp, bearing the inscription: "To the Honorable Herman Silver, President of the Council-elect : The Citizens of Los Angeles, ir- respective of party,-congratulate you." Mr. Silver's speech followed. During this term he also served for a time as acting mayor. At the end of the term, before final adjournment, Mr. Charles H. Toll presented the following resolu- tions, which he read himself : "WHEREAS, The noiseless passage of the 'swift-winged feet of time,' has brought to full fruition the official term for which this body was organized in 1897, and there is about to take place the dissolution of those bonds of mutuality of purpose and desire to faithfully discharge in an honest and con- scientious manner the public duties devolving upon us, which have held us during the two years just passed in an atmosphere of harmony and concord ; and, Whereas we recognize that to the calm and dignified mien and to the masterly mindful guidance over the deliberations of this body, exerted in the genial, benign presence of our worthy presiding officer, the Honorable Herman Silver is to be credited the major portion of the generous favor and respect extended to this body by the people whom we have the honor to repre- sent ; now therefore be it Resolved, that we, the members of the outgoing City Council, do lavish upon our retiring president, our heartfelt ex- pressions of praise and thankfulness for the just, equitable and fearless manner in which he has ever conducted the deliberations of our body ;
for the noble spirit of forbearance and paternal kindness with which he has borne our many short- comings; for the skillful exercise of diplomacy and tact with which he has made the rough places smooth and easy of passage, and for the inspir- ing influence diffused through our entire term of office by his disinterested and self-sacrificing devotion to the interests of the municipality he serves; and be it further Resolved, that our warmest expressions of praise and commendation be extended to the very worthy minute clerk of our Council, Samuel M. Haskins, to whose clear head and skillful execution much is due from this membership for the ease and celerity with which its manifold and various business has been transacted. Also that we do now acknowledge with gratitude, the fairness and impartiality with which the deliberations of this body have been presented to the public through the indefatigable and painstaking efforts of the representatives of the press, and for the manly, honorable spirit in which they have accepted and treated confi- dences and municipal secrets. Resolved, that these resolutions be spread upon the records of the City Council and that a copy of them be trans- mitted to the Honorable Herman Silver, Presi- dent of this Council." In seconding the fore- going resolutions, Mr. Mathuss said that he had prepared resolutions of similar tenor, but it would not be necessary for him to present them. Mr. Toll suggested that the vote on the resolutions be a rising one, and when he put the question every member of the Council arose to his feet. Presi- dent Silver could hardly speak when he replied to the resolutions. He tried to conceal his emo- tion, but the tears coursed down his cheeks and his voice, usually firm, was husky. He spoke in a manner which showed his great earnestness, but several times he had to pause because of his feel- ings. He said: "Gentlemen of the Council, by the provisions of the charter, our relations here as representatives of the people are terminated, but before the gavel announces the final adjourn- ment of this body, you will pardon me for detain- ing you here long enough to express my thanks for the countless courtesies and uniform kind- ness which you have shown me, officially and per- sonally, I cannot express in words. In the dis- charge of my duties in this position I have en- deavored to act fairly and impartially, to guard against violations of the rules, and to check un- bridled license in debate. Intentionally I have
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never given offense to any member of this Coun- cil, and I will carry away from here only the most kindly regard for all the members. I con- sider it proper and right that the thanks of this Council be extended to the heads of the various city departments for the assistance they have given us. I know of no one to whom this Council is more deeply indebted for faithful, in- telligent and painstaking service than our esteemed Minute Clerk, Samuel Haskins. That the Council should thus thank him publicly is certainly proper." Mr. Silver then complimented the newspaper men who had done service in the City Hall during the term of the Council. He closed by saying: "Again I thank you gentlemen, for all the courtesies, all the kindness shown me, and wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year, I now declare this Council adjourned with- out day." The gavel sounded, and the old Coun- cil was no more.
In 1898, Mr. Silver was re-elected a member of the Council, and became president for the second time by acclamation, every member vot- ing for him ; the crowded lobby applauding vigor- ously as he was escorted to the chair. The presi- dent's desk had been literally covered with flow- ers by his friends and admirers, and a number of set pieces had also been placed about the plat- form. After he had delivered a short address, thanking the other members for the honor con- ferred upon him, President Silver was presented with an alabaster desk weight, with the words: "President. Fourth Ward-1899-1900," en- graved thereon; and a large star composed of roses, violets and orchids, with an accompanying card upon which was written : "To the Honorable Herman Silver, President of the City Council, your Los Angeles friends congratulate you." Immediately after this, Chief of Police John Glass appeared, bearing a gigantic floral gavel of unique design, with the following inscription : "For our president. From the Fourth Ward. We are proud of you." Mr. Silver again spoke briefly, expressing his appreciation in a very happy man- ner. At the close of the Council meeting, the work of the session having been completed, the minutes read and approved and the Council of 1899 and 1900 was about to pass into history, Councilman Toll indicated his desire to be heard, and having been recognized by the Chair, ad- dressed the president, and in behalf of his as- sociates, paid tribute to him in one of the most
eloquent speeches ever heard in a Council Cham- ber, and presented him with a beautiful loving cup of carved teakwood, with three handles of polished elkhorn ; between which were oxidized and frosted silver shields, with the inscription : "Presented to Herman Silver by his colleagues, Los Angeles City Council 1899-1900." Mr. Silver. completely taken by surprise, was almost over- come by the event, and it was with difficulty that he controlled his emotion. In a broken voice he replied: "Gentlemen of the Council, it is true, as has been said by my esteemed colleague, our official relations will be ended. When I shall lay down the gavel now, it will be for the last time, and we shall meet no more in this chamber. I wish to express my gratitude to you for the kind- ness and consideration which you have always shown me. I have tried faithfully to execute the duties imposed upon me. If I have failed, it has not been intentional. I cannot express in words my appreciation of your gift; they fail me. I can say no more ; but I shall cherish the gift and the memory of the givers during the remainder of my life. May God's blessing attend you all your days."
In 1902, he was appointed a member of the City Water Commission and elected president of that organization. Relative to the retirement from office of the Board of Water Commission- ers, the directorate of the Merchants and Manu- facturers' Association adopted the following reso- lutions: "WHEREAS, the Board of Water Commissioners, legislated out of office by the adoption of the new charter, has worked faith- fully and earnestly, and under great difficulties in the administration of the Water Department, Resolved, by the board of directors of the Mer- chants and Manufacturers' Association, that the thanks of this association be, and hereby are, tendered to the individual members of said board for their conservative, earnest, honest and im- partial discharge of their duties, and especially to the Honorable Herman Silver who, as president of said board, actively assumed entire charge in the management of that department; and be it further Resolved, that we regret that circum- stances have so shaped themselves that the city has been deprived of the continued valued serv- ices and sound advice of the Honorable Herman Silver, in the capacity of president of said Board of Water Commissioners." And the following resolutions were unanimously adopted by the
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board of directors of the Chamber of Com- merce : "WHEREAS, the City Council of Los Angeles did the honor to this Chamber of Com- merce to ask it to submit the names of twenty-one citizens, from which the Board of Water Com- missioners was to be chosen; and WHEREAS, the gentlemen selected from said numbers as com- missioners, and now retiring from office under the terms of the amended charter have served the city with great ability and fidelity; be it therefore Resolved, that the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce take this opportunity to express hearty thanks in behalf of the citizens of Los Angeles, to the retiring Board of Water Commissioners, for the zeal, public spirit and effectiveness with which they have fulfilled their duties and promoted the interests of the city. Resolved, that this board is confident that it voices the sentiment of a majority of the citizens of Los Angeles in recognizing the services of President Silver, who performed a vast amount of work without compensation-services the value of which is beyond computation, and for which he was well fitted by reason of his long training, scrupulous integrity and recognized ability."
In 1903, he was appointed by Governor Pardee, a member of the State Bank Commission, and elected its president. In 1904, by special request of the State Bankers' Association, he delivered an address at its annual meeting, held in Los Angeles, for which he received a unanimous vote of thanks. Previous to his re-appointment, to the Bank Com- mission and his re-election to the presidency, in 1906 (it being the first instance of a member having been elected president for the second time) ; Governor Pardee was in receipt of the following communication: "Los Angeles, April 14, 1905 .- Governor George C. Pardee, Sacra- mento, California. Dear Sir: The undersigned banks in the City of Los Angeles, having found the Honorable Herman Silver exceptionally well qualified for his office of State bank commissioner, hereby unite in requesting his re-appointment to succeed himself at the expiration of his term end- ing June, 1905.
"Mr. Silver's examinations have been thorough and painstaking. his positions firm but reason- able, and his devotion to duty conscientious and unswerving. This letter is written without his suggestion or knowledge, and in the belief that his continuance in office would be a just recogni-
tion of his services and also would reflect credit upon the authorities whom he represents. Re- spectfully, Security Savings Bank, by M. S. Hell- man, Vice-President; Southern California Sav- ings Bank, by A. H. Braly, Vice-President ; Equitable Savings Bank, by W. J. Washburn, President ; Dollar Savings Bank and Trust Com- pany, by James C. Kays, President ; Mercantile Trust and Savings Bank, by F. M. Douglas, President; State Bank and Trust Company of Los Angeles, by H. J. Woollacott, President ; Central Bank of Los Angeles, by William Mead, President ; Union Bank of Savings, by W. S. Bartlett, President; German-American Savings Bank, by Gail B. Johnson, Vice-President ; Home Savings Bank of Los Angeles, by O. J. Wigdal, Cashier ; Co-operative Savings Bank, by F. H. Nichols, Cashier; International Savings and Ex- change Bank, by Jules Kauffman, Vice-President ; Broadway Bank and Trust Company, by Warren Gillelen; Los Angeles Trust Company, by J. C. Drake, President ; Merchants Trust Company, by L. L. Elliott, Manager."
On the first of March, 1908. he resigned from this position and retired to private life; and the political career which had begun in Illinois in 1858,-was ended.
Mr. Silver was a collector, by instinct and opportunity ; his case of rare minerals was one of the finest of its size; his ancient coins and old currency, were well nigh priceless; and some of his precious old volumes could scarcely have been duplicated, among which were: A book of "Poems and Essays" printed in Bath, England, in 1798; the Abbe Raynal's "History of the Indies," beautifully bound and published in Edinburg, in 1804; a "Lacon." printed in 1820; a "Talmud," in 1821 ; a German "Prayer Book," in Berlin, in 1829; "Practical Forms," (a little book on law) in 1830; "An Historical Account of the Ten Tribes," by the Reverend Dr. M. Edrehi, of Morocco, printed in London, in 1833; another "Talmud," in 1842; a "Robley Dunglison," in 1844; a "Siloah," printed in Leipsig, and a Ger- man and Hebrew "Bibel." in Berlin, in 1845; a Hebrew "Ritual," in 1847, and a little English "Bible," in 1850. Other treasures in this col- lection were: A silver communion plate, said to have been brought from Spain, one hundred fifty years ago; a piece of English paper money, one hundred thirty years old ; an Odd Fellow's regalia, made nearly one hundred years ago; an old red
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and white glass and pewter mug, said to have once belonged to Goethe; a glass plaque, with a head of Sir Moses Montefiore, in the center, seventy-five years old; a peculiar old knife, pur- chased in Hamburg, in 1846; a little birch bark canoe, made by a descendant of Big Beaver, in 1850; a very fine example of Indian basketry, woven by a Mojave squaw, one hundred one years of age; several rare shells, sent from the South Sea Islands in 1852; and a wonderful wooden rose, called the "Rose of Hell" which grows on a tree in the wilds of South America, ob- tained for Mr. Silver by an old friend, General Sampson, former minister to Chile and Peru. His valuable book of old stamps was several years ago bestowed upon his namesake, Herman Silver Blanchard, son of the late Judge Blanchard, of Ottawa, Illinois. His collection of old passes, issued to him from nearly all parts of the civilized world, was most unique and interesting ; especially so was one of solid silver, artistically engraved, presented by an old friend, the Honorable Otto Mcars, the "Toll Road King," at the time of the opening of his road through Marshall Pass, Colo- rado; the series were strikingly original and the especial pride of President Mears.
As a "raconteur" of short stories, Mr. Silver was at his best ; with a twinkle in his eyes, and a genial smile lighting up his fine face, he would tell story after story in a most delightful manner, and they were always terse and to the point, and never failed to bring forth rounds of laughter; his appreciative listeners invariably requesting him for more.
Those who had the privilege of attending one or more of his lectures, will not soon forget the treat, for his appearance on the platform was dignified and imposing ; his enunciation clear, and his manner of delivery, forceful, yet easy and pleasing ; and he had a deep, broad, and com- prehensive understanding of his subject. He was often witty, never tiresome, and always entertain- ing and instructive. In appreciation of his efforts in this direction, in behalf of Temple B'nai B'rith, of this city, of which he was a member, he was presented with a handsome gold-headed, ebony cane, appropriately inscribed. He founded West- gate Lodge, No. 335, F. & A. M., and was its first chaplain ; receiving annually thereafter, a beauti- ful floral offering as a token of their esteem.
Herman Silver was a gentleman of the old school ;- a humanitarian in the truest sense of
the word, and a natural leader of men. He had an unusual insight into human nature; the mag- netism to attract, to hold,-and to sway ; he was intuitive to a marked degree, and thus capable of a quick grasp of diversified situations and exist- ing conditions ; and his splendid mentality enabled him to dominate and rule. General Grant once said to him: "Mr. Silver, you have missed your calling,-you would have made a great general, you were cut out for one !"
Mr. and Mrs. Silver had long anticipated the pleasure of celebrating their golden wedding anniversary in a manner befitting the occasion, but a severe attack of illness prevented them from doing so.
Perhaps Mr. Silver's chief characteristic was his inordinate love of home ; and he was never so happy and contented, as when smoking and work- ing in his garden, among the flowers, or arranging a bouquet of his favorite blossoms for Mrs. Silver's sitting-room-his practice for more than half a century. He would sit for hours in his easy chair on the broad veranda, and his evenings were invariably spent at his own fireside, con- versing with his family or friends,-listening to some good music, of which he was passionately fond, or to some entertaining book which was read aloud, or playing a social game of cards, at which he was an expert, and exceedingly lucky. Yet his last years were greatly saddened by Mrs. Silver's invalidism ; her almost constant pain and increasing helplessness, caused by chronic rheu- matism, were a cause of worry, and often depres- sion ; for she had been to him a loving companion, -a comfort and helper through the trials and vicissitudes of life. To her he had turned, for strength when he was weak, for light when his pathway seemed the darkest, and for the inspira- tion and incentive to bring forth the noblest and best there was within him.
Mrs. Silver was a woman of unusual force of character ; an affectionate mother, and a true and sympathetic friend. Naturally strong, vivacious, energetic, and fond of social intercourse, her greatest trial was her enforced quietude, knowing that she could not hope to regain her former health; yet she seldom complained, and sought whenever possible, to forget her own misfortune in aiding and encouraging others.
On the 19th of August, 1913, Mr. Silver did not arise at his accustomed hour, saying he did not feel as well as usual, and would remain in bed
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and rest. He was persuaded to permit his physician to be summoned; but it was too late- for he did not wait for him to arrive! A few stabbing pains in the region of the heart,-a quick, startled cry of protest-and the lofty spirit had departed to find a higher sphere of use- fulness, a greater opportunity for doing good,- and the world was poorer for his going !
Mrs. Silver did not long survive the parting. After six months of widowhood, she was stricken with apoplexy-from which she could not rally, and a week later, on the 26th of February, 1914-her radiant, unselfish soul went on to seek its mate.
CORA E. SILVER.
Mr. and Mrs. Silver were blessed with three children: A daughter, lost in infancy ; a son, Herman L. Silver, a successful business man, with a genius for invention ; and a beautiful and re- markably gifted daughter, Cora E. Silver; whose years of devotion to her aging parents, and con- stant, loving solicitude for their welfare, have been the wonder of all who know her, but now that she is no longer needed in the home, it is predicted for her that she will soon become famous abroad ; for she possesses a soprano voice of rare sweet- ness, and phenomenal range and power; has mastered both violin and piano; has succeeded as an artist, designer, and writer; has marked histrionic ability, and an indomitable will, which admits of no defeat.
YGNACIO SEPULVEDA. Descended from a long line of Spanish-Californian ancestry, and himself a son of the period of the Mexican regimé, having been born during the epoch made famous by Gertrude Atherton as "The Splendid Idle Forties," Judge Ygnacio Sepul- veda, recently returned to the land of his birth after thirty years voluntary exile in the City of Mexico, is a type of the true Californian of an early day, and also a splendid type of man- hood. His return to Los Angeles is almost like a fairy tale, for when he left the city it numbered barely fourteen thousand souls, and he returns to find it a metropolis of over half a million. Quaint old Spanish adobes have given place to towering structures of stone and steel ; wandering country lanes are busy thorough-
fares ; and where wide meadows once stretched are now crowded city streets and stately resi- dences, schools, churches, parks, hotels, etc. For during the long years of his absence one hurried visit some six years ago is the only time that Judge Sepulveda has been in his na- tive city since he left it in December, 1883. In so high esteem was he held, however, that his memory has not been lost, and there was a ready place awaiting him on his return.
Judge Sepulveda was born in Los Angeles July 1, 1842, the son of Jose and Francisca (Avila) Sepulveda, both descended from old and honored families of Spain and California. The boyhood days of the present honored citizen of Los Angeles were spent in this city, and later he was sent to Boston (Mass.) to attend school, passing through three of the best preparatory schools of that time. He was ad- mitted to the bar of California, in Los Angeles, in 1863, when he was just twenty-one years of age, and immediately commenced to practice law in his native city. Both in preparation and in native ability the young Sepulveda was far above the average young man of the time, and his rise was swift and steady. Within the year (1863) he was elected to the state legisla- ture, where he rendered distinguished service, and in 1869 he was made county judge of Los Angeles county. Here again he distinguished himself, and so was further honored in 1874 by being elected district judge of Los Angeles, and in 1879 became superior judge of the county.
It was in December, 1883, that Judge Sepul- veda left the land of his birth and took up his residence in Mexico City, Mexico, where he continued to reside until December, 1913. Here again he met with signal success in his busi- ness and professional undertakings and was honored by both the government of Mexico and also by that of the United States, receiving at various times evidence of the confidence and esteem in which he was held by both countries. In 1896 he was first secretary and charge d' affaires of the United States in Mexico, and he is a member of the Academy of Jurispru- dence and Legislation of Mexico. The recent disturbed condition of affairs in the southern republic have been at least partially respon- sible for the return of Judge Sepulveda to his native land, and he has opened office where he will give especial attention to the care of
Upepilacia,
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Mexican interests, for the handling of which he is so ably fitted.
The marriage of Judge Sepulveda took place in Los Angeles, December 13, 1883, uniting him with Miss Herlinda de la Guerra, also a native of California, and born in Santa Barbara. She comes of one of the oldest and most distin- guished families of that section, and one which figured prominently in the history of an early day. Of this union one daughter alone sur- vives, Conchita Sepulveda, who is well known from Mexico City to San Francisco, in both of which cities she is a social favorite and society belle. In 1913 she was queen of the Portola festival at San Francisco, and was signally hon- ored by the city in every possible manner, being hailed as a typical daughter of California. Miss Sepulveda is especially well known in social circles in Los Angeles, where she has many friends and relatives, and where she has been a frequent and a welcome visitor in re- cent years.
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