USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > A history of California and an extended history of Los Angeles and environs, Biographical, Volume III > Part 43
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The marriage of Mr. May occurred in Scran- ton, Pa., in October, 1897, uniting him with Miss Grace Yale, of that city. They have become the
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parents of two children, a son and a daughter. Of these the son, Cecil, is fourteen years of age, and the daughter, Viola, is a charming child of seven. They are both attending the Los Angeles public schools. Both Mr. and Mrs. May have many friends throughout the city. Mr. May is a Mason, and a member of Los Angeles Lodge No. 42. In his political views he is a Democrat, and while never striving for official preferment, he has always taken a keen interest in all the affairs of his party and has supported their policies unfalteringly. He is active in all ques- tions that pertain to the welfare of the city gen- erally, being especially keen on educational ques- tions, and matters of social and moral betterment. His faith in the future of the city and of the southwest generally is unqualified, and from time to time he invests in city real estate, feeling cer- tain that the values are sure to increase steadily and surely throughout the coming years and that every cent invested in realty in this part of the state is absolutely certain to return to the investor many fold within a very short time.
GEN. CARL F. A. LAST. Although born on an historic island in the Baltic Sea, belonging to Germany, which was held by the Swedes for a number of years at the time of the Thirty Years War and which dates yet farther back into history with its ancient mounds known as the graves of the Hunds, the recollections of Gen. C. F. A. Last, now of Los Angeles, do not extend back to his native country, he having come to the United States in infancy. General Last was born October 17, 1861, at the island of Rügen, a place devoted to fisheries and the exporting of grain and cattle, where his father was a gentleman farmer. The father of General Last was born in Berlin and received his education in his native land, where he served ten years in the German army, and served during the revolution of 1848. After that he re- moved to Rügen, where he remained until 1862, removing then to the United States, when his son was only a year old. The memories of General Last, therefore, do not go back to Germany, his own birthplace and that of his parents, Carl J. C. and Louise (Lemmen) Last, but are confined to his new home, America, where the family first
settled near Milwaukee, Wis., the father continu- ing farming there until the year 1868.
In the year last mentioned the family removed to San Francisco, and thence to Santa Cruz Island, Cal., where the father was in charge of the island for six months, after which he was engaged in ranching in San Mateo county, Cal., until 1871, at which time he removed to San Francisco, where he lived in retirement from business cares until his death in 1886. The educa- tion of the son, C. F. A. Last, was received in the public schools of Wisconsin and of San Fran- cisco until the age of thirteen, when he took up the study of engraving and worked at that trade for four and a half years. He then turned to clerking, being employed a year in a wholesale tea house and seven years in a wholesale liquor house. Coming to Los Angeles, he continued in the liquor business, buying out Joe Bayer & Co. and re-establishing the firm under the name of Joe Bayer & Co., Bayer remaining as his partner until 1891, when his interest was bought out by F. E. Fisk and the firm name changed to Last & Fisk. After a year General Last bought out Mr. Fisk and in 1908 incorporated the business under the name of C. F. A. Last Company, of which he has been the president ever since, the company dealing in both general wholesale and retail liquor. It is also worthy of note that with his partner, Joseph Bayer, General Last sunk the first oil well in Los Angeles in 1893.
The marriage of General Last took place in San Francisco, December 30, 1886, uniting him with Miss Agnes W. Menzies, and they are the parents of one son, Stewart Menzies Last, twenty- three years of age and the secretary and treasurer of the C. F. A. Last Company. In his political interests General Last espouses the Republican cause, and his religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church. Besides being a Mason, in which order he has held the office of master of the Los Angeles Lodge No. 42 for four years, which is very unusual, and a past high priest of the Los Angeles Chapter No. 33, he is also fra- ternally connected with the Elks and the Eagles, and is a member of several social clubs, namely, the California Club, the Jonathan Club, Los Angeles, the Recreation Gun Club, Venice, and the Army and Navy and Union League Clubs, San Francisco. He is also connected with the Greenway Land and Water Company of Orange county, Cal., and the Lux Land Company of
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San Diego county, Cal., and was in 1895 ap- at Suffield, Conn., where their marriage was pointed Brigadier-General of the First Brigade of National Guard of California.
HORACE D. SACKETT. Coming to Cali- fornia in 1887 and locating at Hollywood when that now beautiful portion of Los Angeles was a country village without lights, telephones, paved streets, or other modern improvements, Horace D. Sackett has since made his home there, watch- ing the marvelous growth made by the vicinity, and taking an active and influential part in this same growth and development, contributing his full share of strength, energy and ability toward making Hollywood what it is today. He located in the very heart of the present business district, at Hollywood boulevard and Cahuenga avenue. He built the first modern business block in Holly- wood, a three-story structure, with twenty-eight rooms and three stores on the ground floor. There he himself engaged in the merchandise business until 1909, conducting a first-class general store and meeting with more than customary success. His interests prospered, his property increased greatly in value, and other real estate was purchased from time to time. Since dispos- ing of his mercantile interests in 1909 Mr. Sackett has devoted himself to the care and management of his private interests. He has taken an active part in the public affairs of Holly- wood and Los Angeles for many years and is recognized as a man of ability and worth. He is a stanch Democrat and is keenly interested in questions of political import, and especially those that have any bearing on local matters.
Mr. Sackett is a native of Massachusetts, born at Blandford, December 29, 1843, the son of Leverett and Mary (Culver) Sackett. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and when he was eighteen years of age he went to Suffield, Conn., and there engaged in the gen- eral merchandise business and in farming for several years, meeting with much success. The mercantile lines, however, appealed more strongly to him, and when he came to California in 1887 he returned to his former occupation, and con- tinued therein until his retirement from general commercial activities.
The marriage of Mr. Sackett occurred January 15, 1873, his wife being Miss Ellen M. Lyman,
solemnized. They have become the parents of five children, three daughters and two sons, the older of whom, William Henry, is now deceased. The other children are: Mary M., formerly assistant postmistress at Hollywood; Zella, now Mrs. George H. Dunlop; Emily L., now Mrs. F. Nutting ; and Warren L.
PATRICK JOSEPH O'CONNOR. Born in Kilfenora, County Clare, Ireland, February 2, 1860, Patrick Joseph O'Connor was the son of Patrick and Mary (Fitzpatrick) O'Connor. He was educated in his native country until the age of fourteen years, and worked on the stock farm of his father, who was a farmer. At the age of twenty-one he left his native land and came to the United States, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, which was his home for eight years. Of this time six years were devoted to the undertaking business, which later became his lifework.
In 1889 Mr. O'Connor came to Los Angeles and for eight years was employed by the Los Angeles Street Railway Company, he being one of the original fourteen men employed by the company. He then established himself in the undertaking business at Fifth and Main streets, Los Angeles, in partnership with T. J. Cunning- ham, under the firm name of Cunningham & O'Connor. In 1906 they moved to handsome new quarters at No. 1031 South Grand avenue, where they erected one of the most modern undertaking establishments in the United States.
In 1892 Mr. O'Connor built the first modern cottage between Eleventh and Twelfth streets on Grand avenue, and here he has resided ever since. He was married in Los Angeles, June 14, 1893, to Margaret Daly, and they are the parents of five children, namely: Joseph Allen and Robert Emmett, both of whom are taking the general business and regular collegiate courses at St. Mary's College, Oakland, Cal .; Mary and Mar- garet, who attend the Sisters' School, Los An- geles; and Patrick Edward. Besides being suc- cessful in the undertaking business, Mr. O'Connor has done considerable business in real estate since coming to California. In his religious affiliations lie is a Catholic, being a member of St. Vincent's church, and politically he is allied with the Re- publican party. In the line of his profession he
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holds membership in the Funeral Directors' As- sociation of California, which he served for a term as state president, and is at present chairman of the committee on transportation. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibern- ians, Lodge No. 99, B. P. O. E., the Knights and Ladies of Security, and the Catholic Order of Foresters, and is an officer of the Los Angeles Assembly of the Knights of Columbus.
HON. JAMES McLACHLAN, M. C. The heights to which men can rise are limited by their mental endowments and their physical powers. A rugged and stalwart physique, capable of long endurance, is not less necessary to success than a strong intellect and broad mental gifts, and the man who possesses the two qualifications enjoys the open sesame to power and prominence. In studying the success which Mr. Mclachlan has attained and the prominent position to which he has risen we find that he owes much to a "sound inind in a sound body," for he inherited from a long line of Scotch ancestors a robust constitution, remarkable power of will, and a mind responsive to training and cultivation. With these qualities, backed by tireless industry and energy, he has steadily worked his way forward unaided by moneyed friends or prestige until now he is in a position commanding the respect of all who know him.
The bleak and rock-bound coast of the shire of Argyll, Scotland, was the home of generations of the Mclachlan family, and Congressman Mc- Lachlan was born there in 1852, being a son of poor parents of honored name and honorable ancestry. When he was three years of age the family sought the larger opportunities of America and crossed the ocean to New York, where they settled on a farm in Tompkins county. In that locality he learned the first lessons of life, attended country schools and aided in the farm work at home. Eager to acquire knowledge, and being a diligent student, he was ready to begin teaching when only sixteen years of age, and at that time took up the calling near his home. In his leisure hours he continued his studies so that he fitted himself for a college course, and with the money earned in teaching he paid his expenses while at Hamilton College. From that institution he was graduated in 1878, after which he took up the
study of law, and in 1880 was admitted to prac- tice by the supreme court of the state of New York. Opening an office at Ithaca, N. Y., he built up a growing practice in that city and continued there until 1888, when he removed to California and took up professional practice in Pasadena, his present home.
Ever since early youth Mr. Mclachlan has been an active worker in the Republican party and has been prominently identified with political affairs in the various places of his residence. He is a forceful and convincing speaker and is con- sidered one of the best campaigners in the state. The first office he filled was that of school com- missioner of Tompkins county, to which position he was elected on his party ticket in 1877. Two years after coming to Los Angeles county he was elected district attorney, and the splendid record which he made in that office not only established a precedent difficult to be surpassed by his successors, but also it brought him before the public in such a favorable light that his name was deemed worthy of consideration for higher offices. In 1894 the seventh district chose him to be its representative in the Fifty-fourth Con- gress, and again he was chosen to serve in the Fifty-seventh session. The ability with which he met his duties and the support which he gave to measures for the upbuilding of the coast country deepened the admiration of the people for his sterling qualities and led to his re-election as a member of the Fifty-eighth Congress. At this election he received nineteen thousand four hun- dred and seven votes, while the Democratic can- didate, Carl Alexander Johnson, received eight thousand and seventy-five; the Socialist candi- date, George H. Hewes, twelve hundred and sixty-one; and the Prohibitionist candidate, Frederick F. Wheeler, eleven hundred and ninety- five.
In 1904 Mr. Mclachlan was elected to the Fifty-ninth Congress by an increased majority ; in 1906 was re-elected to the Sixtieth Congress, and was later honored by election to the Sixty- first. During his ten years' service on the River and Harbor Committee he worked indefatigably to obtain the harbor at San Pedro, for which he secured an appropriation of $6,000,000, and an appropriation of $1,000,000 for a postoffice at Los Angeles. In 1910 he gave a telling speech in Con- gress entitled "Our Unpreparedness for War," which has been styled the keynote speech on this
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subject. It provoked considerable discussion at the time, but in view of present conditions it has become prophetic. In every association of states- manship his uprightness and sincerity of purpose have never been questioned, even by those whose opinions bring them into affiliation with other parties than his own.
On the 26th of December, 1887, Mr. McLachlan was married to Minnie J. Jones of Groton, N. Y., and they came to California on their wedding trip. They had no intention of remaining, but finally concluded to make Pasadena their permanent home. Mr. McLachlan did not return east again until seven years later, when he went to Wash- ington as representative to Congress. Mrs. Mc- Lachlan died of pneumonia January 30, 1907, while Mr. McLachlan was hastening home from Washington to be at her bedside. Four children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Lachlan: Anita J. is now the wife of Ralph Reynolds, manager of the Los Angeles Automo- bile Club; Gladys K. is the wife of Gardner B. Towne, who is engaged in the real estate business in Los Angeles; and Marjorie J., the widow of Harvey S. Bissell, resides at La Crescenta. The only son is Douglas J. The family occupy a com- fortable residence on the corner of Marengo and California, Pasadena, set in the midst of a well- kept lawn and attractive surroundings.
WILLIAM J. HUNSAKER. A history of Los Angeles would be incomplete without includ- ing the name of William J. Hunsaker, who ranks among the leading attorneys of the state and who for almost twenty-five years has been closely identified with legal affairs of import, handling many cases involving great issues. Eminently qualified for the profession by reason of his im- partial, inherent qualities, his keen judgment and knowledge of the law, he has served long and well, his achievements justly meriting the appro- bation which he has enjoyed throughout his career.
Into the home of Nicholas and Lois E. (Hast- ings) Hunsaker at Contra Costa county, Cal., was born William J. Hunsaker in 1855. His father, who crossed the plains in 1847, settled along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, where the family remained until 1869, at which time they removed to San Diego, then but a
small village. There the subject of this sketch received most of his education, attendance at the public schools being supplemented by the study of law under Major Leon Chase and A. C. Baker, afterwards Chief Justice of Arizona. That even at that early period of his career Mr. Hunsaker showed ability and application far above that of the average boy may be safely judged from the fact that he was admitted to the bar in 1876, when he was just twenty-one. Here the young attorney made splendid progress, winning the confidence of his fellow-citizens, who in 1882 chose him for district attorney. In this capacity he served two years, declining renomination.
In 1892 Mr. Hunsaker removed from San Diego to Los Angeles in order to broaden his interests and take up a more active career. He was soon appointed solicitor for the Santa Fe Railroad Company, which position he filled for a number of years, subsequently relinquishing these duties to engage in the general practice of the law. During the past decade and more Mr. Hun- saker has handled many notable cases in state and federal courts, some of which were concerned with civic affairs.
Mr. Hunsaker's home is situated in the San Gabriel valley, on a part of the Sunnyslope ranch, formerly the property of the late L. J. Rose, one of the most beautiful portions of Southern Cali- fornia. He was married early in life to Florence Virginia McFarland. Four children were born of this union, viz., Mrs. Mary C. Brill, Mrs. Rose H. Lashbrooke, Daniel M. and Miss Florence King Hunsaker.
Mr. Hunsaker is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, in social circles being af- filiated with the California, the Jonathan and the Los Angeles Athletic Clubs. He has served as president of the Los Angeles Bar Association, California Bar Association and Los Angeles City Club.
JOSEPH P. DUPUY. That Los Angeles is the great musical center of the Pacific coast, and one of the great musical centers of the world, is an acknowledged fact, and no small part of this distinction is due to Joseph P. Dupuy, who came first to this city when he was only twenty-two years of age, in 1887, as soloist for St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral. He has not been constantly in the city since that time, having spent some time .
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abroad in study and also having taught in the University of New Mexico for a time, but never- theless he has been especially active in the devel- opment of musical affairs in this city and has given a constant impetus to the artistic life of the western metropolis. He returned to Los Angeles in 1897 and since that time has made his perma- nent home here and has been constantly on the alert for an opportunity to serve the cause to which he has devoted his great talents. He was instrumental in securing the first subscription for the first Symphony Orchestra, which has since proven such a great success, and was one of the committee for the re-organization of the Ellis Club. He was on the committee that founded the California Music Teachers' Association and is now state director of this organization. He is also a charter member of the Gamut Club, and was the founder and first director of the Orpheus Club. He has pioneered in the musical fields of Los Angeles for many years and his ability and devotion are recognized by the music teachers and artists of the state, as is evidenced by his election as director of the state association.
Mr. Dupuy is a native of France, having been born in Bordeaux, in February, 1865, the son of Leon and Elise (La Boix) Dupuy, both natives of France. Mr. Dupuy attended the private schools of his native province until he was seven years of age, when his parents removed to the United States, locating in Chicago. There again he at- tended private schools until he was sixteen. Then he returned to France and studied music and languages until he was twenty years of age. Re- turning to Chicago he sang in church choirs and appeared in many concerts until the time of his coming to Los Angeles, two years later. He re- mained as soloist at St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral until 1892, when he went east, singing in opera and concert for two years, and then accepted a posi- tion as head of the musical department of the University of New Mexico. He remained in this position until in 1897, when he returned to Los Angeles, where he has since made his home, teach- ing, doing concert and choir work, and generally promoting the musical life of the city of his adoption.
Mr. Dupuy is a member of the board of direc- tors of the Los Angeles branch of the American Opera Association, and a vice-president of the National Federation of Musical Clubs, and it was through the herculean efforts of said board (F.
W. Blanchard, president ; Mrs. W. H. Jamison, secretary ; L. E. Behymer, J. P. Dupuy, Dr. Norman Bridge and Mrs. Gertrude Parsons) that the Ninth Biennial Convention and Festival of the said National Federation of Musical Clubs was secured for Los Angeles for 1915. This con- vention and festival was held at Los Angeles from June 24 to July 3, 1915, at which was given the premiere production of the $10,000 prize American opera, "Fairyland," by Horatio W. Parker and Brian Hooker. This was America's greatest musical event during the year. There was a chorus of five hundred trained voices, eighty vocal artists and soloists and an orchestra of sixty pieces, all under the direction of Mr. Hertz, for fifteen years past director of the Metro- politan Grand Opera in New York city.
This effort cost Los Angeles $50,000, $10,- 000 of which was paid as a prize for the best opera in the English language submitted by an American composer residing in the United States. This great sum was raised entirely by Los Angeles musicians and public spirited citizens, a fact which shows that Los Angeles is becoming a great American music center, particularly so when it is remembered that Los Angeles offers a prize of $10,000 every four years for the best American opera by an American composer.
The marriage of Mr. Dupuy occurred in Albu- querque, N. M., while he was at the state uni- versity, the bride being Miss Ruth Jenks, of that city, the marriage being solemnized in the year 1895. Of this union have been born two sons, both of whom are giving rare promise of musical ability. The elder, Leon, now eighteen years of age, is a student at Manual Arts High School, where he stands high in musical circles. He is a member of three musical clubs and sings in the Manual Arts Glee Club. The younger son, Reginald, aged eleven years, is a pianist of ability, and is still a student in the grammar schools.
Mr. Dupuy has formed a wide circle of personal friends and is a general favorite with the musical lovers of the city. He is a member of the Masons, being affiliated with the Valle de France Lodge. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and has been prominent in musical circles in that denomi- nation. In his political preferences he is a Demo- crat, and while forming his opinions on the broad basis of ability and worth, he has given his support to all that he deems best for the ulti- mate welfare of the city.
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JOHN BARNETT HOLTZCLAW. Though starting in a small way in the decorating and house furnishing business in the Johnson block, Los Angeles, with one small store room facing on Hill street, the business of John Barnett Holtzclaw increased to such an extent that he was com- pelled to seek larger quarters, the new location being at No. 347 South Hill street, where he occupied a space of three floors and basement with adjoining workshops in the rear. At this time a partnership was formed, the firm name being Holtzclaw, Allen & Co. The business was conducted under this name for four years, at the end of which time Mr. Holtzclaw disposed of his interests in said business, and later on entered into the same line of business with offices and studios at No. 632 Metropolitan building, at Fifth street and Broadway, Los Angeles. Having associated himself with some of the finest firms in the east and abroad, Mr. Holtzclaw represents them as manufacturers' agent for their lines of hand-made furniture, imported rugs, wall papers and upholstery fabrics. His plan for securing large decorating contracts is unique, in that he does not carry large stocks of the various lines, but only samples and examples of the finest things to be had. Special plans and drawings for in- terior furnishings are submitted exactly as an architect submits plans for the building of the house proper. Mr. Holtzclaw holds a very en- viable position in the decorative trade in this sec- tion of the country, and has to his credit the decorating and furnishing of many of the finest residences, banks, theaters and hotels on this coast.
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