USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > A history of California and an extended history of Los Angeles and environs, Biographical, Volume III > Part 17
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But California drew Mr. Keller westward once more, this time to Wilmington, where, together with E. N. McDonald, he went into the feed and grain business with a capital of $15,000, under the firm name of the McDonald Company, a firm which started in with a business of $100,000 a year, but which has increased today to $12,000,- 000 per year. Later this company made their headquarters at Los Angeles, where they built a feed mill at the corner of Molino and Palmetto streets and were organized as the McDonald Grain and Milling Company with a capital of $200,000, Mr. McDonald being the president and Mr. Keller the secretary and manager. As the business in- creased they also went into flour milling, putting up their first mill at No. 913 East Third street in 1898. At Mr. McDonald's death Mr. Keller was elected president and in 1902 the name of the company was changed to the Globe Grain and Milling Company, with a paid-up capital of $1,000,000, which has today increased to $3,300,- 000. Since 1902 they have established a mill at San Francisco with a capacity of sixteen hundred barrels per day. This is their largest mill, that in Los Angeles ranking second, with a capacity of one thousand barrels per day. The other mills of this company are those located at Colton, Cal., which has a capacity of two hundred and fifty barrels ; San Diego, Cal., three hundred and fifty barrels; El Paso, Texas, four hundred barrels; and Woodland, Cal., two hundred barrels. Their two elevators are situated at Portland, Ore., and San Pedro, Cal., respectively, that at Portland, which is the larger, having a capacity of sixteen
thousand tons. The company also run their own steamer for carrying bulk grain, its capacity being thirty-two hundred tons.
Besides being president of the Globe Grain and Milling Company, Mr. Keller is president of the Valley Ice Company at Fresno and Bakersfield, Cal., which does all the car icing for the Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe Railroads ; president of the Globe Ice and Cold Storage Company at El Paso, Texas; president of the San Joaquin Valley Farm Lands Company, controlling sixty-five thousand acres known as the James ranch ; direc- tor of the Ralston Iron Works, San Francisco, and of the Merchants' National Bank, Los Angeles.
Mr. Keller is a Mason, a member of the South- ern California Lodge, Signet Chapter, Golden Gate Commandery, San Francisco, and also be- longs to the Shrine in Los Angeles. Socially he is identified with the California Club, the Los An- geles Athletic Club and the Los Angeles Country Club, his residence being at West Sixth street and Shatto place, Los Angeles. Politically he espouses Republican principles.
LOUIS LANDRETH. The beautiful little foothill city of Whittier owes much to the enter- prise, industry and splendid judgment of Louis Landreth, who has been one of her most promi- nent citizens since 1888, when he removed to that point from Downey, where he had been engaged in farming. Mr. Landreth has been engaged in real estate and building enterprises principally, but has also taken a general interest in all that has been for the welfare of his home city, and has always been found well in the forefront of any progressive and upbuilding movement that has been launched, giving of his strength and ability freely at all times for the public weal. He has erected business blocks on Greenleaf and Phila- delphia streets and at present owns much valuable property in and near Whittier.
Mr. Landreth is a native of Indiana, born in Owen county, May 21, 1844. When he was a lad of five years his parents removed to Mercer county, Ill., where he was reared and educated. His father was a farmer and the boy early as- sumed his share of the responsibilities of the labor on the home place, remaining in association with his father until he was twenty-four years
E.t.C. Klokke.
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of age. At that time he was married and began farming for himself, locating on a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres in Mercer county, Ill., later purchasing an additional farm of two hun- dred and forty acres. It was in 1886 that he finally came to California, locating for a short time in Pasadena, and later purchasing a ninety- acre ranch near Downey, this county. Here he remained until in 1888, when he removed to Whittier, where he has since made his home. He became at once interested in real estate promo- tions, being one of twenty men to organize the Pickering Land and Water Company, and one of the directors of the company, serving in this capacity until the company property was sold to Whittier. He has been extensively engaged in the real estate business since then, buying and selling both city property and farm lands, and being especially interested in subdivision proposi- tions. In 1906 Mr. Landreth engaged in the feed and fuel business, in which he is still engaged in connection with his son. He has been an important factor in the development and general upbuilding of Whittier and has rendered many valuable services to the municipality. He has always been deeply interested in the cause of education and in the early days rendered valuable service as a member of the school board.
Mr. Landreth has been twice married, the first Mrs. Landreth being Miss Mary Walters of Pennsylvania in her maidenhood. She died leav- ing two daughters, Eva, now the wife of Harry Townsend, and Bertha, now Mrs. John Plant. The second marriage united Mr. Landreth with Miss Viola Murdock, of Illinois, who bore her husband four children, all of whom are well known in Whittier, where they were reared and educated. They are: Chart T .; Ceola, the wife of Roy Stevens; Vera, now Mrs. Rogers, and Howard. Mr. Landreth is at present serving as director of the First National Bank of Whittier. Both he and Mrs. Landreth are well known in their social circle in Whittier, being especially prominent in church and fraternal affairs. Mr. Landreth is a charter member of the Odd Fellows of Mercer county, Ill., and of the Knights of Pythias of Whittier, while both he and his wife are active members of the Congregational Church of Whittier.
MAJ. ERNST F. C. KLOKKE. The native land of Maj. Ernst F. C. Klokke, who died re- cently in Los Angeles, was Holland, where he was born in Utrecht, July 21, 1834, the son of Ernst C. and Jacoba (Van Steenwyk) Klokke. In that city he was educated at a se- lect school, acquiring a thorough commercial education to which he applied himself with the persistence which was a marked characteristic of his subsequent successful career.
When he was but sixteen years of age, Major Klokke left Holland for New York city, where he resided until 1856, when he removed to Chi- cago, in which city was made the beginning of his great success and where he spent thirty years. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry, which formed a part of the Army of the Cum- berland and took part in many of its engage- ments. By constant promotion, he was finally brevetted major for courage and meritorious services, and after three years and three months was honorably discharged in the autumn of 1864. Returning to Chicago, Major Klokke resumed his interest in the fur business which he had left at the outbreak of the war, and his rise in importance in the city was due partly to his honorable service during the war. He was prominent in politics on the side of the Re- publican party and was thereby called upon to fill numerous important offices. He became a member of the boards of police and fire com- missioners in 1872, and for the five years fol- lowing 1877 held the position of county clerk of Cook county.
When this last term of office expired, Major Klokke spent some time in European travel, making an extended visit to his native city. Upon his return to Chicago he decided to settle in California, and in 1888 came to Los Angeles, which city he made his home for the remainder of his life. Here he invested largely in real estate and became the owner of a fine orange ranch, his home on South Figueroa street being one of the most beautiful residences in the city at that time. His interest in the life and wel- fare of the city of his adoption was unfailing, and he was for twelve years consecutively a di- rector of the Los Angeles Chamber of Com- inerce, and was president of the Municipal Art Commission of Los Angeles and of the Pla- centia Orange Growers' Association. Frater-
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nally he was a Master Mason, being also a years and is now serving as president of the member of the Grand Army of the Republic; the Military Order of the Loyal Legion Asso- ciation of Southern California, of which he held the presidency for two terms, and the California and Los Angeles Country Clubs.
Major Klokke was married in 1873 to Miss Johanna E. Schneider, who, with three chil- dren, Helen A., Karl C. and Ernst A. Klokke, survives him.
HERBERT JOHNSTON EVANS. One of the prominent citizens of Monrovia is Herbert Johnston Evans, dealer in real estate and insur- ance, interested in oil lands especially, and closely associated with municipal affairs in the beautiful little city at the foothills. Mr. Evans is a native of London, England, having been born there November 8, 1869, the son of Edward J. and Caroline (Taylor) Evans. His education was received at Vermont College, Lower Chapton, London, and at the age of fifteen he entered the law office of E. H. Burkett, of Curriers Hall, 6 London Wall, in London. Three years later he left there to enter the shipping offices of Hopcraft & Broadwater, of Frenchurch avenue, London, where he continued until 1891. At that time he left England and came to the United States, locat- ing at Muskogee, Indian Territory (now the state of Oklahoma), where he was bookkeeper for J. A. Patterson & Co., general merchants, which firm was later incorporated under the name of the Patterson Mercantile Company. Here he re- mained for nine years, and in 1900 removed to New Mexico on account of ill health. In 1901 he went to Denver, Colo., and from there in 1905 he came to Monrovia, Cal., and ever since has made his home here.
Mr. Evans became heavily interested in real estate in Oklahoma, and still retains his interests there, besides which he has valuable holdings in Monrovia, all of which investments show rare judgment and foresight.
Since coming to Monrovia Mr. Evans has been prominently associated in the various municipal activities, and is recognized as a man of public spirit and wide awake to all questions of civic betterment and social progress. He was a mem- ber of the board of city trustees from 1908 to 1910, was re-elected in 1910 for a term of four
board. He is also prominent in fraternal circles, and served as grand master of the grand council of Royal and Select Masters of Oklahoma in 1902-1903; as grand high priest of the grand chapter of the Royal Arch Masons in 1903-1904; as grand commander of the grand commandery of Oklahoma (then Indian Territory) in 1903- 1904; besides which he is a member of the Granite Club of Monrovia, of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks of Muskogee, Okla .; is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine.
The marriage of Mr. Evans took place in Mus- kogee, Okla., on September 5, 1894, uniting him with Miss Jane Louise Berry. Both Mr. and Mrs. Evans are popular with a wide circle of friends in Monrovia. They are members of the Episcopal Church.
EDWARD L. MILLS. Thrown entirely upon his own resources when less than eighteen years of age, rising thereafter to the important position of superintendent in several large manu- facturing companies where he was engaged consecutively, and later starting an independent business which employed only two men but now requires the assistance of fifty employes, Edward L. Mills is an example of what can be accom- plished by a man with a steady purpose in life.
Born near Montoursville, Pa., October 28, 1868, Mr. Mills was the son of James B. and Emma Mills, and received his education at the town- ship school in the winter and at a private school at Montoursville in the summer, until the age of sixteen, when he left school and secured a posi- tion as apprentice machinist at Moltz & Watson Iron Works, at Montoursville, at the small wage of $2.40 per week. After working with this com- pany for a year or more, he found it necessary to support himself independent of assistance from his parents, and not earning sufficient for that purpose in the position he then held, he was com- pelled to look elsewhere for more remunerative employment. In those days apprentices were held to fixed rules, wages being advanced only as agreed, regardless of the efficiency manifested by the man, and having determined to better his con- dition, Mr. Mills left home, securing a position similar to his first, in the employ of the Variety
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Iron Works at Williamsport, Pa., at wages suf- ficient to support himself. Having finished his trade there, he secured a position as machinist with the Emporium Machine Company, at Em- porium, Pa., and soon after accepting the position was appointed foreman, an office which he held for several years, when a better position was offered him as foreman for the J. H. McEwen Manufacturing Company, of Ridgway, Pa., which position he resigned after some time in order to secure employment which would enable him to see the country and at the same time gain more knowledge in a mechanical line. Going to Erie, Pa., he secured employment with the Erie City Iron Works, as traveling engineer, which brought him in contact with a great number of business men, the experience being of great value to him. At the expiration of about two years the same company appointed him designer in their draught- ing department, with an increase in salary, which office he filled for about five years, when he was offered the superintendency of the Buffalo Forge Company, of Buffalo, N. Y., at much higher wages, which he accepted, and was with them about two years, resigning to take the position of superintendent for the Bovaird & Seyfang Manu- facturing Company, at Bradford, Pa., on May 30, 1896, and while residing in that city Mr. Mills became a member of the city council, also of the police and fire commissions. In the fall of 1900 he resigned his position in Bradford in order to come to Los Angeles, Cal., and accept a posi- tion as foreman with the Baker Iron Works. In the East he had met Fred L. Baker, who had convinced him that Los Angeles was an excellent place in which to live, and he has never had cause to change that opinion during his residence of many years here.
Since early in the year 1905, the business in- terests of Mr. Mills have been carried on inde- pendently, he having organized and incorporated the Mills Iron Works in Los Angeles on January 31, 1905, of which he was elected president. Be- ginning business on March 1 of that year with three men who constituted the working force and stockholders, after about two years he purchased all the stock, thus becoming sole owner of the com- pany. As the business increased rapidly, new tools were from time to time installed, the year 1910 seeing the erection of new and larger build- ings and the installation of more and heavier tools, which increased the capacity of the com-
pany vastly in the output of oil and water well tools, placing them in a position to manufacture the heaviest tools demanded by the trade. While working to the full capacity, they employ from fifty to sixty men, their product being mostly sold in the state of California, shipments also being frequently made to Nevada, Arizona, Mexico and occasionally to Europe.
Mr. Mills is not a member of any church, secret society or club, but in his political interests is a member of the Republican party. His marriage with Verna M. Hart was solemnized in Williams- port, Pa., on November 2, 1896, and they are the parents of one daughter, Edith V., who is at present a pupil at the Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles.
HENRY VAN NESS. The father of Henry Van Ness of Compton, Cal., was born in Ger- many, a country which is well represented in this part of the state by the names of its sons and grandsons; and his mother, Lucy (Martinez) Van Ness, a native of Arizona, bore one of the old Spanish names that tell of the former Spanish occupation of the Southwest before the Ameri- cans took possession of the land. Leaving his childhood's home in Germany, the father came to California as a poor boy, where he was for a while in business in Los Angeles, later devoting himself to mining in Arizona, but returning to California to settle in Compton in the late '90s. Here he bought thirty acres of land and engaged in dairying, a pursuit which he followed until his death in 1904, aged about sixty-two years.
The son Henry, born in Los Angeles, June 3, 1891, was one of eight children, namely: Alice (now Mrs. Lemon), Ruby, Frank, Charles, Henry, Joseph, Madge and Lucy. He began in the dairy business at the early age of thirteen years, eventually taking entire charge of his father's ranch, which place he continued to carry on until 1912. In that year he rented his present place of twenty acres, where he runs a fine modern dairy farm of fifty-three cows and keeps two thoroughbred Holstein bulls. The milk from his dairy is all bought by the Casso Cheese factory at Compton.
Henry Van Ness is one of the rising young men of Compton, and it is by his own endeavors and perseverance that he has come to his present
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prosperous condition in life. His wife is Ade- laide (Jenkins) Van Ness of California, a daugh- ter of Isaac Jenkins, a pioneer of this state, at present residing at Huntington Park, Cal. Fra- ternally Mr. Van Ness is connected with the Odd Fellows.
LEE CHANNING GATES. Ohio has sent many worthy sons to California, none of whom has won greater honor for himself, or rendered higher service to the state and city of his adep- tion than has Lee Channing Gates, who for more than twenty-five years has been an esteemed resi- dent of Los Angeles, and an active participant in municipal affairs as well as a prominent figure in the legal and commercial life of the southwest.
Mr. Gates was born in Preble county, Ohio, April 4, 1856, the son of Laborius Andrew and Maria (Brumbaugh) Gates. His parents removed from Ohio to Wayne county, Ind., when he was four years of age, and in the latter state he received his early education in the district schools near his father's farm. At an early age young Gates determined to become a teacher, and when he was eighteen he passed the teacher's examina- tion and for four years was engaged in teaching in the country schools of Indiana. This work proved but a stepping stone, however, to higher education and another professional calling, for in 1879 he went to Dayton, Ohio, and began reading law in the office of his uncle, Lee Brumbaugh, and later with the firm of Nevin & Krumler. His admission to the bar of Ohio, May 5, 1881, was the result of close study and faithful application. Opening an office in Dayton, he carried on a suc- cessful practice for four years, when ill health compelled him to seek an active, out-of-door life, and he removed to Butler county, Kans., and engaged in stock raising.
For five years Mr. Gates followed the fortunes of the cattleman, pioneering in the truest sense of the word, and incidentally regaining his health. He then opened an office in Eldorado, Kans., and again practiced law, until in 1891 he came to Los Angeles, where he has since resided. In the Angel City he first became attorney for the Los Angeles Abstract Company, which was afterward merged with the Title Insurance and Trust Com- pany, and the services of Mr. Gates were retained by the larger organization. In 1894 he was ap-
pointed its chief counsel and has since held that important and influential position.
Other interests also have claimed the attention, support and co-operation of Mr. Gates. Since 1908 he has been a prominent member of the Cali- fornia Land Title Association, and three times has been elected its president. He is also con- nected with the American Association of Title Men and a member of the executive committee for the association. The most important public work that has been allotted to Mr. Gates has been in the service of Los Angeles and the south- west in the upper house of the state legislature, to which he was elected in 1910. Here he dis- tinguished himself in a number of splendid efforts for direct legislation, the most eminent service rendered his constituency and his state, however, being his introduction into the Senate of the Initiative, Referendum and Recall measure, and his active and aggressive work in securing its passage. The resultant good from this measure and the adoption of similar measures by cities and states throughout the country have been sin- cere tributes to the progressive spirit of Mr. Gates.
The marriage of Mr Gates took place at Rich- mond, Ind., April 14, 1883, when he was united with Miss Bessie B. Caldwell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Caldwell, of that city. Two children have been born to them, Hazel and June, of whom the latter is now the wife of Harold A. Baker. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gates are popular with a wide circle of friends, Mr. Gates being actively identified with the most progressive civil and social clubs of the city, and also of the lead- ing commercial organizations. He is a prominent member of the Los Angeles Bar Association, the Municipal League, the Union League, Jonathan, University and Sunset Clubs, the Southern Cali- fornia Automobile Association, the Gamut Club and the various city clubs interested in civic questions and engaged in the promotion of better government for the city and the state. He is also a Mason.
Mr. Gates has a vigorous, energetic mind. His perception in questions of law, logic or morals is keen. His command of language is such that he expresses his ideas with remarkable clearness and beauty. He is recognized as an authority in real estate law in California and as a speaker is one of the most eloquent.
Altogether, the position occupied by Mr. Gates
Dann
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in Los Angeles, and in fact, throughout the state, is builded on a firm foundation, the basic principle of which is in the splendid service that he has rendered, in his acknowledged ability in his capacity as attorney and legislator, and his sterling qualities as a man, and as a leader of men. He is a willing servitor of the people, and has yet to be found wanting in his devotion to the general welfare and to the public good.
DEAN MASON. Prominently identified with the commercial and business interests of Los Angeles and Southern California for a long period, Dean Mason is today known throughout the coast as one of the staunchest and most loyal supporters of the Southland. He is identified with a multitude of interests in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties and holds property interests of great value, as well as being associated with bank- ing, lumber and railroad enterprises here and elsewhere.
Mr. Mason is a native of New York, having been born in Chautauqua county, November 27, 1863, the son of George and Harriet ( Brownell) Mason. He was educated in the public schools of New York state, graduating from the high school. All his life he has been engaged in busi- ness pursuits and has met with the greatest suc- cess in his various undertakings. For six years he was a partner in Mason's Bank, Plankington, S. Dak., and after moving to Los Angeles he was connected with the California Bank for several years. It was in California also that Mr. Mason became interested in the lumber business. The principal scenes of his operations in this line were in northern California and southern Oregon, where he operated for seven years. He was also engaged in several railroad building projects in this region, and here also was decidedly suc- cessful.
Yet another venture in which Mr. Mason has met with his accustomed good fortune has been in the development of the kieselguhr deposits in Santa Barbara county. These deposits are the largest in the world and comprise about two thou- sand acres. He is manager of the Mason estates and vice-president of the Mason Company and of the Magne Silica Company. He is also a director of the Security National Bank of Los Angeles,
and a director of the Southwest Society of Ar- chæological Institute of America.
In Los Angeles Mr. Mason is well known both socially and in business circles, where he has many friends. In Los Angeles in 1893 he was married to Miss Mary L. Strong. Mr. Mason is a member of the principal civic clubs of the city and also of the Los Angeles Country Club.
GEORGE MONROE SAVAGE. The Justice of the Peace in Lankershim, Cal., is George Monroe Savage, a native of Warren county, 'Tenn., where he was born November 7, 1853, and since November, 1910, has held the above office, having been re-elected for a second term of four years in 1914.
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