USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > A history of California and an extended history of Los Angeles and environs, Biographical, Volume III > Part 23
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It was in 1911 that Mr. Hollingsworth re- turned to California to make his permanent home. He bought a small tract of land at Baldwin Park, and also an acre near the school house, both of which are very valuable pieces of property. In 1912 he opened a grocery store in Baldwin Park and has since conducted a flourishing business there, meeting with much success and giving splendid service and satis- faction to his patrons. Here again he has as- sumed his rightful place in the community and takes a prominent part in public affairs. He is a member of the school board, having rendered valuable service as chairman of that body. He owns and operates the Baldwin Park Cannery, in which a specialty is made of handling peaches and tomatoes, and where also the new breakfast food known as "Shuster Wheat" is canned. This is a novelty, being the first breakfast food to be put up in cans. It is made from the whole wheat and is ready to serve when taken from the cans. The cannery has a capacity of two thousand cans per day.
Aside from his business connection Mr. Hol- lingsworth is well known in social and frater- nal circles, where he is deservedly popular. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and is one of the most progressive and public- spirited men in the community.
Alfred PGriffith.
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ALFRED P. GRIFFITH. One of the most vital features of fruit culture in Southern Cali- fornia, or in fact of any type of agriculture or horticulture, is the question of the water supply tor irrigation. One of the men who accom- plished much for the development and perfec- tion of the irrigation system was the late Alfred P. Griffith, who was a prominent citizen of Azusa and an authority both on citrus culture and the problems of irrigation. A resident of the San Gabriel valley from 1891 until his death, November 12, 1914, he took an active part in all matters of development that affected his locality during that time, being especially identified with the irrigation system of the Azusa fruit section known as the Azusa Water District, and was vice-president and director of the Azusa Irrigating Company and president of the Glendora-Azusa Water Company for many years. At the time that he took up the interests of the water company the district was divided, and one of his most valuable achievements was harmonizing the opposing factions. The prob- lems of irrigation were new to him at that time, as he had never lived in an irrigated section until coming to Azusa, but he made a careful study of all the conditions involved and then applied common sense and plain business logic with most satisfactory results. The old mud ditches were replaced by modern concrete ones and thirty-five miles of cement pipes were laid, delivering the water to every stockholder in proper manner. The saving in the water supply was very great, as it was demonstrated that the loss in the old way of delivery, in one instance at least, was almost fifty per cent to one-eighth of a mile. The company was re-organized and bonds issued to the amount of $80,000. There was great difficulty in marketing these bonds, which were finally taken over by the contrac- tors. Within two years after their issue these bonds were worth from five to ten per cent premium. The initial cost of the system was $125,000, and $150,000 has been spent for im- provements and extensions. The district com- prises four thousand acres and there is a guar- antee of enough water to take care of the entire district. In case of an exceedingly dry season or two, with a consequent failure of the supply of river water, a system of pumping is so ar- ranged as to cover the needs of the entire dis- trict with water from wells. This system is
acknowledged to be one of the finest irrigation systems in the county. The planted acreage of the district has been greatly increased since the completion of the system, and almost every acre in the district is now planted to oranges or lemons.
Mr. Griffith was himself heavily interested in property in this district, owning about two hundred acres, most of which is devoted to the culture of oranges and lemons and deciduous fruits, and it was his intention to establish a private packing and shipping plant of his own. He served as vice-president and director of the Azusa Valley Bank, and later became a director of the Azusa Savings Bank. He was also owner of the best business block in the city, having built the same himself.
Mr. Griffith was a native of Cuba, having been born on that island June 24, 1845, the son of Richard and Sarah (Harris) Griffith, his father being a native of Wales, and his mother a native of Pennsylvania. His boyhood was passed in Philadelphia, where he received his education in the public schools. When he was sixteen he left school and commenced to make his own way in life. He first secured a position with a saddlery, hardware and carriage furnish- ing business, and later became a traveling sales- man for the same firm, remaining in this capacity for ten years. He also occupied posi- tions of trust and responsibility with leading firms in St. Louis, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Cincinnati at various later periods.
It was in 1891 that Mr. Griffith came to Cali- fornia, locating at Azusa, and purchasing thirty acres of land, the nucleus of the extensive property of which he later was the owner.
Throughout his life Mr. Griffith was actuated by the highest principles in all his dealings, a fact which was clearly shown in his early days in the valley, when he was remolding and directing the affairs of the irrigating company. Educational matters also were always of vital interest to Mr. Griffith. For seven years he was a trustee of the Los Angeles University, and for three years he served as a trustee of the Citrus Union high school, being honored by the election to the office of vice-president and later president of the board.
As a religionist Mr. Griffith was a Baptist, having been baptized when thirteen. During his junior years, when so located as to be able
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so to do, he became actively engaged in some kind of Sunday School, young people's, or church work. Coming to California in 1891, he soon found his connection and became presi- dent of the Sunday School Association of his denomination in the county, holding continu- ously for some years either that office or that of chairman of the executive committee. In 1895 he became a member of the State Mission- ary Board, and continued in that office with a short lapse until given the highest gift in the hands of the state convention, that of its pre- siding officer, in which he performed his duties so well at the next conventional gathering that he saved the day, according to the judgment of many in attendance, by his firm hand, leader- ship and ruling. So popular was he at that meeting that there was an effort from the floor to overthrow the action of the nominating com- mittee and place him in nomination for his re- election, which he overcame. He was later elected to the board and held the office con- tinuously thereafter until his death, also the office of executive committeeman, and for two years held the office of chairman of each board and committee.
The marriage of Mr. Griffith occurred in 1888, uniting him with Miss Alice Black, of Baltimore, Md. Of this union has been born one child, a son, Elbert B. Griffith. Mr. Griffith passed away in 1912.
BALDWIN PARK. Located seventeen and a half miles from Los Angeles, "forty-five min- utes from Broadway," in the heart of the far- famed San Gabriel valley, the thriving little city of Baldwin Park is fast assuming a place of real import among the cities of the South- land. Originally the location was a part of the famous Baldwin ranch, and for a time the settlement was called Baldwinville on the south side of the Pacific Electric Railway, and Vineland on the north side. In 1905, about the time that Daune J. Shultis located here, the name was changed to Baldwin Park, and Mr. Shultis was one of the first men to start the foundation for its present prosperity and growth. Associated with him a little later in the promotion of the town were Milton Kauf- man, W. R. Johnson, W. H. Townsend and
N. P. Nelson. Both Mr. Shultis and Mr. Kaufman purchased tracts of land and subdi- vided them, placing them on the market in small tracts of varying size, Mr. Shultis being the pioneer in this line of development. The town-site comprises four square miles of the most fertile land in the valley, and taken to- gether with the unusually abundant water supply, this guarantees a future city of certain size and prosperity. The growth of the town has been almost phenomenal, growing from a few scattered houses in 1905 to a population of fifteen hundred in 1914. The public school, in 1905, boasted fourteen students, while in 1914 there was an enrollment of one hundred and fourteen, a handsome $15,000 building, in the beautiful Mission architecture, having been erected for the school accommodations. The First National Bank is another structure of importance, and is housed in a handsome brick building erected for that purpose. It was erected in the fall of 1914 and opened for busi- ness early in the spring of 1915. Another notable structure is the new Methodist church, which was built at a cost of $3500. There is not a vacant house to be found in the entire town, and new houses, largely of the popular bungalow type, are constantly being erected. The water system of the town supplies the entire four square miles, and is as good as that usually found in a town five times the size of Baldwin Park.
The industries that abound in and about this little city are varied and profitable. Over seven hundred acres are planted to straw- berries, and potatoes have been grown with unusual success, one man having cleared $30,000 from one crop. From one ten-acre grove six thousand boxes of lemons were taken one season, bringing a net return of $10,000. Chicken ranches are real bread win- ners in this locality, and many have been estab- lished within the past few years. The acreage that is planted to fruit and vegetables is rap- idly and steadily increasing, in 1914 there being eight hundred acres planted to potatoes, one thousand to oranges and four thousand to wal- nuts. The chamber of commerce was organ- ized in 1905 and has been continuously in ope- ration since that time. It has a large member- ship and is one of the live commercial bodies of the state. It is affiliated with the Associated
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Chambers of Commerce of the San Gabriel valley, and has been well in the forefront in all movements for local improvement and gen- eral welfare. The greatest growth of Baldwin Park has taken place since 1910, and in spite of the so-called hard times the growth during these years has been steady and rapid.
Another industry that is very profitable at Baldwin Park is that of dairying. Seven crops of alfalfa are usually raised in a year and this is of great advantage to the dairy farmer. The B & F Dairy Ranch is located in the section, this being one of the finest and best equipped dairies in the county.
The social and religious life of the town is far above that of the average place of its size. The Baldwin Park Women's Club is one of the civic organizations which is growing con- stantly in membership and which is accom- plishing real good for the betterment of the community. They have a building of their own in which they meet weekly, and the women of the town are bearing their full share of the municipal responsibility. H. G. Com- fort is editor, owner and proprietor of the Weekly Bulletin, the local newspaper.
JOHN A. HAYDEN. One of the early set- tlers in the district which is now Hollywood, one of the most beautiful residential sections of Los Angeles, John A. Hayden has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of the town and community and has done much for the development and up- building of that section of the city. A native of Ireland, born December 28, 1844, he is the son of Andrew and Julia (Dyer) Hayden, who re- moved to America when this son was but three years of age and located in St. Louis. There he was reared and educated, and there also he made his first venture into the business world. After completing school he entered the slate and tile manufacturing business and in this was very suc- cessful. In 1904 he came to California and lo- cated in the Hollywood district, purchasing ten acres, and expecting to retire from active business life. This portion of the city was then unsettled and there was no expectation that within ten years there would be handsome residences and cosy bungalows scattered all over the then farm. At the time of his location here he erected a com- fortable residence, but has since built a handsome
home next to this where he now resides. He has been actively interested in the platting and sub- dividing of his ranch and has realized a handsome profit from the sale of this property. He is well known through Hollywood as a man of energy and thrift, progressive, public spirited and wide awake to the advantages of the city.
The marriage of Mr. Hayden occurred in Nau- voo, Ill., December 31, 1884, uniting him with Miss Isabelle G. Rogers, the daughter of John and Mary (Williamson) Rogers of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Hayden are the parents of five children, three daughters and two sons, all of whom are well known in Los Angeles and vicinity. They are : Edward F., Hazel, Isabelle (the wife of Harry von Meter), Marcella (attending Stanford Uni- versity), and Thomas.
JOHN JACOB LOCHER. At present en- gaged in the real estate business in Baldwin Park, where he owns extensive property, Dr. Locher is one of the most efficient chemical engineers in the state, and a man of high repute and deep learn- ing. He is a native of Switzerland, born in 1863, and grew to manhood in his native land. In his younger days he engaged in the manufacture of embroideries, dyeing and finishing silks and cot- ton goods. His natural inclination was along scientific lines, however, and he soon forsook commercial pursuits for the learned professions. After attending college in Switzerland he pur- sued his studies in Germany and France, making a special study of chemistry and graduating as a chemical and consulting engineer.
For a number of years Dr. Locher followed his profession in the old country, and then came to California, locating in Los Angeles in 1900. Here he opened a laboratory and again followed a professional career for a number of years, meet- ing with much success. In 1912 he became in- terested in Baldwin Park real estate, readily recognizing the opportunities which the town offered the investor. He at once began making purchases of land there, buying small tracts as they were available, until he now is one of the largest land owners of the community, his hold- ings including many small parcels and a ranch in the northern part of the town. Dr. Locher has been an active factor in the development and upbuilding of the town and is one of the stanch supporters of the best local interests. He
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opened the first drug store in the town, later disposing of this interest. He also owned the land on which the First National Bank stands, was one of the promoters of this institution, and is still a stockholder. Besides conducting his real estate business he is also maintaining a model bakery and butcher shop.
WILLIAM R. JOHNSON. The most im- portant factor in the upbuilding of a town or community is the quality of its citizenship, and in this particular the thriving little city of Baldwin Park appears to have been blessed, for it claims a goodly share of clever, capable, energetic citi- zens, whose every effort is unselfishly turned to- ward making their home town a center of useful activities and toward the development of its splen- did resources. One of the best known and most active of the leading citizens of this little city is William R. Johnson, who since coming to Califor- nia in 1909 has made his home here. He is engaged in the real estate and insurance business and owns a valuable property where he makes his home. In all the best interests of the town Mr. Johnson may be found well in the front of the most progressive, and he gives very freely of both his time and ability for the general public welfare. He has rendered valuable service in the cause of educa- tion as a member of the school board, and for the past four years he has served that body as clerk. He is a prominent member of the Bald- win Park Chamber of Commerce, taking an active part in the affairs of that organization.
Mr. Johnson is a native of Oswego county, N. Y., and when he was four years of age his parents removed to Olmsted county, Minn., where he lived until he was sixteen years of age, passing his boyhood on a farm and attending the district school. At the age of sixteen years he went to St. Paul and was closely identified with the city's activities for many years. For a num- ber of years after making that city his home he was engaged as a bookkeeper, and later he became secretary of the Odd Fellows, this order having extensive property interests in that city, and the care of all this, as well as the customary lodge routine, fell upon the shoulders of this young man. During the eighteen years that he filled this position he became known as one of the most prominent Odd Fellows in St. Paul. Mr. Johnson has always been a Republican in his
political affiliations and from an early age took an active part in the local affairs of his party. For six years he served as a member of the St. Paul city council, and following this served as county auditor for four years. Later he became clerk of the juvenile court, holding this position for two years, when he resigned to come to California in 1909.
The marriage of Mr. Johnson occurred in St. Paul in 1876, uniting him with Miss Julia Glea- son of that city. They have three children, two sons and a daughter: Charles W., Frank, and Mrs. A. A. Watson, the last-mentioned a resident of Ramona Park, this county. Mr. Johnson has always been especially active in fraternal affairs and has many friends among the members of various beneficial organizations. He joined the Odd Fellows in St. Paul in 1882, and is past grand master of the state of Minnesota. He is also a prominent Mason, being a life member of St. Paul Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., and also be- longs to the Scottish Rite.
GEORGE B. GORDON. The citrus indus- try of Southern California has claimed, and is still claiming, the best men of the community, men of brains and ability ; and oftentimes, after making a hard fight in some less attractive field, and winning, a man turns for his own pleasure to the citrus belt and spends his leisure days among his orange and lemon groves. This is, in a sense, the case with G. B. Gordon, of Glen- dora, although it was not leisure time that Mr. Gordon had to spend, but rather the growing demands of his large horticultural interests that made it necessary for him to give up his growing legal practice just when he had won distinction in his profession. He is now accredited as one of the leading citizens of Glendora, taking a promi- nent part in the affairs of the municipality, and also figuring largely in the matters that pertain to the citrus industry, being manager at this time for the Glendora Orange and Lemon Growers Association.
Mr. Gordon is a native of Tennessee, having been born in Columbia, August 7, 1881. His father, Hugh T. Gordon, came with his family to California in 1888 and practiced law in Los An- geles until 1894, when he came to Glendora and took up eighty acres of government land. The
Stephen loSorry
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son, G. B., was educated in the public schools of Glendora and later attended the University of California at Berkeley, after which he entered Yale, graduating from the law department in 1908. Returning to Los Angeles, he entered the law offices of Denis & Loewenthal, where he practiced his profession for three years. At the end of that time he was obliged to give up his legal practice to look after his growing horti- cultural interests at Glendora, where he owns ex- tensive property. He has conducted a citrus nur- sery on his ranch with much success for a num- ber of years, and also owns and manages a splen- did forty-acre lemon and orange grove, which is one of the best producing lemon groves in the valley. Mr. Gordon was elected manager of the Glendora Orange and Lemon Growers' Associa- tion in 1912, a position which he has held contin- ually since that time.
The local affairs of his home town have always been a matter of deep interest to Mr. Gordon, and he has given of his best effort for the public weal. In the spring of 1914 he was elected a town trus- tee and has rendered valuable service to the mu- nicipality since that time. He is progressive and enthusiastic and believes in civic progress along permanent lines. The marriage of Mr. Gordon and Miss Ethel Colcord, a native of Boston, Mass., was solemnized October 1, 1912, and they have one son, George B., Jr.
HON. STEPHEN WALLACE DORSEY. Descended from a distinguished old French family through a long line of New England an- cestry, Stephen Wallace Dorsey has himself been a man of more than ordinary achieve- ments, and was for many years a conspicuous figure in the United States Senate and a promi- nent factor in the affairs of the nation. He has been a resident of Los Angeles since 1898, and from this point as the pivot of his many finan- cial activities he has controlled vast interests throughout the United States and Mexico, with close connections with leading financiers in London, England. His holdings are largely inining properties and real estate, and he is associated with the leaders in the financial affairs of the country in many ways. His en- terprises are all along the line of the develop- ment of natural resources, and his influence in
the affairs of the southwest has been of a decidedly beneficial character.
Senator Dorsey was born at Benson, Vt., February 28, 1844, the son of John W. and Marie H. Dorsey. He was married to Laura Bigelow, daughter of John P. Bigelow, of Washington, D. C., and London, England, at the latter city, in 1902. She died in Los Angeles July 9, 1915. The boyhood of this distinguished man was spent on his father's farm and in at- tendance at the public schools of his district. In 1858 he went to Oberlin, Ohio, where he entered Oberlin College to complete his education.
The breaking out of the Civil war changed the plans for many young men, and among these was young Dorsey. On April 19, 1861, he answered the first call for volunteers issued by President Lincoln, enlisting in the Union army as a private for a period of three months. At the end of that time he re-enlisted in the First Ohio Light Artillery (August 1, 1861), and served continuously from then until the close of the war. He saw much active service, and was in more than twenty important battles, was wounded four times, and received many promotions for gallantry in action. His first promotion was to the rank of corporal, and then followed in rapid succession his elevation to sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain and major, and in 1865, while yet scarcely twenty-one years of age, he attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Among the bat- tles of note in which he was an active partici- pant may be mentioned the battles of Phillipi, Rich Mountain, Garrick's Ford, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. During this time he was a member of the corps of Gen. George H. Thomas, but in January, 1864, he was transferred to the Army of the Potomac, going east with Generals Grant and Sheridan. With them he took part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. In August, 1864, he went with the Sixth Corps to the defense of Washington, and was in several bat- tles immediately surrounding the national capital, including Winchester, Cedar Creek, and all other engagements during the Sheridan campaign of that year. He returned with his command in January, 1865, to Petersburg, and engaged in the battles leading to the capture of
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that point, and also of Sailor Creek, and finally of Appomattox.
It was during the war that Senator Dorsey received his first inclination to engage in the rail- road business. He became acquainted with Thomas A. Scott, then assistant secretary of war (later president of the Pennsylvania Rail- road system), whose duties included the con- trol of transportation of troops and supplies. The two men became fast friends, and through his association in this work Senator Dorsey saw the great possibilities of a railroad career. At the conclusion of the war he became, through Mr. Scott, actively identified with the railroad business of the southwest, assisting in the reorganization and reconstruction of lines that had been demoralized during the years of hostilities. Later, as chief engineer, he took an active part in the incorporation and con- struction of various railroads in the south, in- cluding the Texas & Pacific, Little Rock & Fort Smith, and the Arkansas Central.
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