USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > A history of California and an extended history of Los Angeles and environs, Biographical, Volume III > Part 59
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"In July, 1879, he had occasion to visit his great sheep ranch in the wild San Gorgonio Pass, California. The country was then infested with notorious Mexicans and American bandits, and travelers always went armed. General Bouton and his partner were driving along the moonlit forest road, when three masked men sprang sud- denly from the bushes and thrust in their faces a double-barreled shotgun and two six-shooters, at the same time seizing their horses. It was under- stood that the general was carrying $18,000 to buy a band of nine thousand sheep, and this the highwaymen were after. They made the trav- elers dismount and fastened their arms behind them with chains, closing the links with a pair of pinchers. Another chain was similarly fast- ened about General Bouton's neck, and one of the desperadoes, a cocked revolver in hand, led him along by this, while the other two held shotgun and revolver ready to shoot at the slight- est resistance from the prisoner. So the strange procession started off, the highwaymen desiring to march their prisoners away from the road to some secluded spot where their bodies could be safely concealed. Their intention to rob and then mur- der, fully established by later developments, was perfectly understood by the captives, and the gen- eral decided if he must die he would die trying. As they trod the lonely path in silence, he felt along the chain which secured his wrist, with utmost caution, lest the bandit behind with a cocked shotgun should perceive his intent. Slowly and noiselessly he groped until he found a link
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which was not perfectly closed, and, putting all his strength into a supreme effort (but a guarded one) he wrenched the link still wider open and managed to unhook it. Without changing the position of his hands perceptibly he began to draw his right cautiously up towards his hip pocket. Just as it rested on the grip of the small revolver concealed there, the highwayman behind saw what he was at, and with a shout threw the shotgun to his shoulder. But before he could pull the trig- ger, Bouton had snatched out his pistol, wheeled about, and shot him down. The desperado who was leading Bouton by the chain whirled around with his six-shooter at a level, but too late, a ball from the general's revolver dropped him dead. The third robber made an equally vain attempt to shoot the audacious prisoner, and was in turn laid low by the unerring aim. It was lightning work and adamantine firmness, three shots in half as many seconds, and every shot a counter."
Thus it will be seen that the traits which have made of General Bouton a soldier, pioneer and the founder of a western civilization, are an inheri- tance, and not the accident of nature. The career of the Bouton family has ever been synonymous with civilization. When it spread abroad among the nations it carried with it a higher grade of civilizing influences, which have left their impress upon the people with whom they came in contact, and the name has always been the harbinger of civil and religious liberty. Their descendants are by comparison numerous as the leaves of the for- est, and dispersed in almost every clime. It has taken deep root, and its fruits are found in other as well as in their own native Burgundian soil. For the principle of civil and religious liberty Sir William Boughton in 1356 joined the standard of Edward III of England, when he invaded France, and for the same principle Herard Bowton fol- lowed the fortunes of William III of England, who, under Tehomborge at Portiers and at the battle of the Boyne fought for liberty. Again in the western world and amid a new civilization the name became distinguished in patriotism, and loyalty from the Revolution to the close of Civil strife, and when the days of warfare are ended the name becomes equally distinguished in the simple, practical duties of an American citizen's life. Such is Gen. Edward Bouton today, and as such he occupies a prominent place in the esteem of his fellow citizens-honored for the magnificent
record he has given to the world and for the example of manhood he has left for his coming generation, and again honored for the part he has played in the civic life of the nation.
HON. MEREDITH P. SNYDER. There are names so closely associated with the per- manent development of Los Angeles that the men- tion of the city's growth brings to the old resi- dents thoughts of the personality of these citizens and their important contribution to local progress. None has been more active than Mr. Snyder in promoting measures for the welfare of the city; none has been more deeply interested in municipal affairs, and few have been more influential in fos- tering enterprises necessary to the city's material, commercial and educational growth. Hence in local annals his name is worthy of perpetua- tion, and a complete history of the place could not be written without giving due mention to the citi- zenship of this prominent man.
The Snyder family is of southern origin, North Carolina becoming the scene of their labors dur- ing the colonial period of our country. At Lex- ington Court House, in that state, October 22, 1859, Meredith P. Snyder was born, the son of K. D. and Elizabeth (Heiher) Snyder. Both parents passed away when their son was but a lad in years, and the estate being rendered worth- less by the devastating effects of the Civil war he was compelled to seek a livelihood early in life. Of a studious nature through inheritance he de- voted all the time he could possibly spare to secur- ing an education, accumulating sufficient means to give him considerable collegiate training, although he did not graduate. In 1880 he became a resident of Los Angeles, where he has since made his home and successfully established for himself a place among the representative men of this city. His first occupation was as clerk in a furniture store, after which he engaged in like capacity for B. F. Coulter Dry Goods Company and had charge for four years of the drapery department. Following this clerkship he engaged in the real-estate busi- ness for eight years, when, for a similar period, he was at the head of the M. P. Snyder Shoe Company, a business which is still successfully carried on although under different management.
A Democrat in his political convictions, Mr. Snyder early became associated with this party
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in Los Angeles and was chosen to represent the people in various positions of trust and respon- sibility. For twelve years he was the leader of the Democratic party in the city and practically controlled their movements. Elected in 1891 a member of the police commission he served accept- ably until the expiration of his term, when he was re-elected. Two years later he was elected to rep- resent the second ward in the city council, where he took an active part in all movements tending toward the upbuilding of the town. Careful and discriminating in his public office as he has always been in business life, he considered the worth of all measures introduced before giving them his support, and after having once made up his mind nothing could swerve him from his point. An evi- dence of his standing as a citizen and his promi- nence in the Democratic party was his nomination in the fall of 1896 for the office of mayor. His election by a large majority followed and in Jan- uary, 1897, he took his seat and began an adminis- tration which has meant no little in the welfare of the city. Although exercising a controlling influ- ence in local affairs this influence was used only for the best purposes and for the distinct good of the municipality. Between the expiration of this term and his re-election in 1899 he engaged in the real-estate business, his interests being confined to acreage subdivisions, in which he met with suc- cess. Again chosen to the office in 1899 he began his administration in 1900, and was re-elected in 1902, closing his third term as mayor of the city of Los Angeles in 1905. His record is one which may well be emulated by aspirants to this office, because he had always in mind the welfare of the municipality, its growth and upbuilding, and with this his aim made a success of his work. His reasons for political actions have always been based upon sound judgment and common sense, a careful study of the point in question from all view points, after which he has taken decisive action. He is universally esteemed by thought- ful men whether of his party or another, and justly named among the men who have done much for the upbuilding of the city.
Like all men who work for the good of a municipality Mr. Snyder's hobby was and is municipal ownership of the water supply. Before his entrance into official politics he served as sec- retary of a municipal water works club and very
strongly advocated a supply of pure water, firmly believing that the city would need an unlimited supply. Not liking the methods employed by the old water company he fought them for twelve years, endeavoring to induce them to sell out to the city. He was elected to the office of mayor on the platform of municipal water works owner- ship. He finally induced the old company to set a figure of $2,000,000, at which time he opened a campaign, taking the platform and working to have the city bonded for that amount. When success attended his efforts and the bonds were floated in New York City by attorneys Dillon and Hubbard it was found they were faulty and could not be disposed of until they were out of the hands of the water company. After considerable discussion the water company agreed to deed the works to a trustee and the city selected the same man and even though Mr Snyder had fought them for years, yet the water company chose him as the party and for fifteen days he was sole owner, without bond, of that all-important source of the city's development. By this means the bonds could be negotiated and from this the present system has developed. He appointed the first commission which was the one that brought about the present Owens river project. In 1904 Mr. Snyder or- ganized the California Savings Bank and became its president. A company had secured the char- ter for a bank but were unable to effect its organ- ization, finally giving the entire matter into the hands of Mr. Snyder. They began with a capital stock of $300,000 and in the brief time that has elapsed have become one of the strong banking institutions of this city. Their growth has been phenomenal and they now find their building, located at the corner of Fifth and Broadway, in- adequate for their needs. In the near future they contemplate the erection of a new building. Mr. Snyder is vice-president and director of the Gar- dena Bank & Trust Company and one of the original stockholders in the Central Bank.
The home of Mr. Snyder is presided over by his wife, formerly Miss May Ross, with whom he was united in 1888. She is a daughter of Wil- liam W. Ross, who served in the body guard of President Lincoln during the Civil war and later became a prominent citizen of Topeka, Kans., where he served as mayor and in other prominent positions. Her uncle, Hon. Edmund G. Ross, was governor of New Mexico and also served as
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United States senator. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have one son, Ross. In his fraternal relations Mr. Snyder is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Elks, Knights of Pythias, and various others, being very prominent in these circles. In his busi- ness transactions he has been open and always in favor of a square deal. While a prominent Demo- crat his election as mayor was upon a much broader basis; it was "For the people and by the people." While in office he gave his undivided attention to the people's interests with the same fidelity that he would give to his own. Such men as he build for all time and leave a monument to their memory in substantial form, as well as a heritage to their posterity and an example worthy of emulation.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS CHAPMAN. The records of the Chapman family can be traced back to the year 1650, when the first representa- tive, Benjamin Chapman, left England for Amer- ica and made settlement in South Carolina. He was followed soon afterwards by his brother James, and some years later came John, who set- tled near Salem, Mass. One of the latter's thir- teen children was Isaac, the great-grandfather of Christopher C. Among the eight children in the family of Isaac Chapman was Jacob Kimble Chap- man, a ship carpenter by trade. By his marriage with Julia Griffith there were eight children, of whom the eldest was Sidney S.
Sidney S. Chapman was born near Amherst, Ohio, November 12, 1827, and in boyhood re- moved to Illinois with his parents. His marriage, March 30, 1848, united him with Rebecca Jane Clarke, born in Kentucky November 20, 1829, the daughter of David and Eliza (Russell) Clarke.
Of the ten children born to these parents Christopher C. was the sixth in order of birth. He was born in McDonough county, Ill., August 23, 1858, and at the age of ten years removed to the village of Vermont, in Fulton county, Ill., with his parents. In 1872 the family removed to Chicago, and in that city Mr. Chapman made his home until his removal to California in 1895. During his residence in Chicago he was connected with various enterprises, and for some years had charge of the lithographing department in the publishing house of Chapman Brothers.
In Chicago, on November 9, 1887, Mr. Chap- man married Miss Anna J. Clough, a resident of
that city. Her father was a native of England and her mother of Providence, R. I. Both died in Chicago in 1866. They were the parents of three children, Athelia M., Anna J. and Robert W., the last mentioned now living in Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are the parents of two children : Llewellyn Sidney, born in Chicago, May 22, 1891 ; and Columbus Clough, born in Fuller- ton, Cal., February 11, 1899. In politics Mr. Chapman is a Republican.
JOSEPH MESMER. The name of Mesmer is well known among the business men of Los Angeles, where both father and son have taken a prominent part in the material advancement of the city's best interest. The pioneer, Louis Mesmer, brought his family to Southern Cali- fornia in August, 1859, and since that date he has not only accumulated personal independence along financial lines, but has as well given his best efforts toward the general upbuilding of the city. A native of Germany, born in Surburg, Canton Sulz, in what was then the province of Alsace, France, on the 20th of February, 1829, he was still a youth in years when he left the paternal home in the village of Surburg and went to the city of Hagenau, nearby, where he served a four years apprenticeship to learn the trade of bread baker. Following this he met with success in various parts of his native country, but with an ambition beyond his opportunities he steadfastly turned his face toward the western world. Ulti- mately he embarked at Havre for New York City, thence he went to Syracuse and from there to Buffalo, in the last-named city accepting em- ployment at his trade as a journeyman. After acquiring proficiency in the English language, he removed to Ohio and in Tippecanoe City estab- lished a bakery which he conducted successfully for a period of three years.
Attracted to the remote west he left his family in Tippecanoe City (having in the meantime married Miss Katherine Forst), and in the spring of 1858 sailed from New York City via the Isthmus of Panama for San Francisco. The gold fields throughout the entire Pacific coast held his attention for some time, but not meeting with the success anticipated, he abandoned mining and went to Victoria, British Columbia, and opened a bakery. Here his opportunities for making money
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were most abundant, and desiring at this time to send for his family he disposed of his interests and returned to San Francisco. Upon the arrival of his wife and his son, Joseph, he severed his business connection in that city and came to Southern California and located at Los Angeles, which at that time was a small frontier town containing about thirty-two hundred inhabitants, consisting principally of Mexicans, Digger Indians and about seven hundred Americans and foreign- ers. The main portion of the city then extended from First street north to College street, and from the edge of the hills on the west to Alameda street on the east, comprising an area of about twenty-five of the present city blocks. There were no through cross streets running east and west from Aliso street on the north to Ninth street on the south, the latter named street at that time being a lane twenty-five feet wide. First street extended from Fort street (now Broadway) on the west to Los Angeles street on the east, and Los Angeles street was but three blocks long, extending from Arcadia and Aliso streets to First street. San Pedro street was just as it is now except that it has been widened. There were a number of residences on Main street south of First street to what was then called Ogier's lane and is now Winston street; also on San Pedro to Third street, on Aliso street east to Lyon, and on Macy street east to Los Angeles river. This also was the only avenue to the eastern portions of the county. There was a small group of houses located on the southwest corner of Spring and Sixth streets, a few on the Mission road just north of Macy, and others scattered among the orchards, vineyards and gardens.
The principal business district was bounded by Commercial street, which was only one block long and was located between Main and Los Angeles streets ; Los Angeles street, one block north from Commercial to Arcadia and Aliso street; and Negro Alley, which extended north from Aliso to Plaza streets. Nearly all of the houses were built of adobe blocks, which are made of earth and straw and molded and dried in the sun, of a size twenty inches long, fourteen inches wide and five inches thick. There were about a dozen brick houses and a few frame dwellings. Upon his arrival in the city Mr. Mesmer went with his family to the Lafayette hotel (now St. Elmo), Louis Eberhardt proprietor, and after looking
about for a short time in search of a promising business opening, decided to purchase the Ulyard bakery, which was located on the southwest corner of Main and First streets where the Natick house now stands. On the opposite corner lived Dr. Frechmann, whose daughter, Bertha (now the widow of Fred Morsch), attended the public school on the northwest corner of Spring and Second streets, where the Bryson block now stands, often taking young Joseph Mesmer to school with her. Mr. Mesmer conducted the Ulyard bakery for two years, meeting with great success. In 1861 he undertook (the first and only time it has been attempted in this city) to make matzas ( Passover bread eaten by the Jewish people during Passover), which he sold to Jews all over Southern California. The same year he disposed of this business to the father of ex- Mayor Thomas E. Rowan, and purchased the New York bakery, near the southwest corner of Third and Main streets, the former proprietors having been Peter Baltz and Henry Kuhn. From this bakery bread was supplied not only to a large number of city patrons, but also to the govern- ment troops at Camp Leighton, which was located about where the Playa del Rey car tracks now cross First street, near the town of Palms, Los Angeles county. Later the business at and surrounding Camp Leighton became so extensive that he found it advisable to build a bake oven and temporary building on the camp premises. This oven stood for many years after Camp Leighton had been abandoned, a solitary mark of the place which had once been the scene of im- portant military activities.
After conducting the New York bakery for about a year Mr. Mesmer sold that business and established another near the southwest corner of Los Angeles and Commercial streets, just north of John Goller's wagon shop, continuing also the business at Camp Leighton. The location at Los Angeles and Commercial streets was occupied for six months, then the bakery was removed to where the old First National Bank building now stands on Main street south of Commercial street. From there he continued to supply his city cus- tomers and the federal troops who had mean- while changed their quarters from Camp Leighton to Highland Park, about where the Occidental College grounds were located. After con- ducting the bakery at the Main street location
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for fifteen months Mr. Mesmer decided that he could make more money by establishing a trading expedition into Arizona than he could in the bakery business, and so he, in partnership with a very good friend by the name of Yander, pur- chased two big prairie schooners and loaded them with provisions to sell to the miners and campers of Arizona. They succeeded in disposing of their stock at satisfactory prices and were much elated over their success. However, when homeward bound, sand storms arose, covering up the springs along the road, and as a result their horses died of thirst on the Mojave desert and the men were forced to abandon their wagons. Crestfallen and discouraged and financially much worse off than before they started, they returned to Los Angeles on the over-land territorial stage. During Mr. Mesmer's absence Mrs. Mesmer conducted the bakery business, also a boarding house. Shortly after his return Mr. Mesmer purchased the United States hotel from Otto Stressforth and during the following five years built up a large and lucrative business. At the same time he pur- chased all of the present Main street frontage and built thereon the United States hotel building. After this period of good business prosperity Mr. and Mrs. Mesmer sold their business and rented the property to Hammel & Bremermann and decided that their well earned labors entitled them to a visit to their native land. Taking their three children, Joseph, Louis Anthony and Mary Agnes Christina (the latter two having been born in Los Angeles), they went to New York via the Panama route. From March, 1869, to May, 1870, was spent visiting friends and relatives in the east and in the old country, and the return trip was made from New York by rail to San Fran- cisco, the Union & Central Pacific Railroad having been just completed at that time. Shortly after his return to Los Angeles Mr. Mesmer pur- chased the Dr. R. T. Hayes home on Fort street, the site which is now occupied by the Mason Opera House building, and the family resided there for over twenty years.
Joseph Mesmer, who was the oldest son of his parents, was born in Tippecanoe, Miami county, Ohio, November 3, 1855, and was brought by his father to Los Angeles in 1859. During the years that his parents conducted the United States hotel he was known by, and knew more people than any other person in the city, and as a boy attended the weddings of the parents of many
of the men and women now prominent in Los An- geles business, social and professional circles. Among them were: Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Newell in 1860; Mr. and Mrs. J. Henry Dockweiler in 1862; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Meyer in 1862 or 1863; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Burkhardt and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Lehman in 1863; Mr. and Mrs. John Rumph, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Roeder and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Breer all about the years 1864 and 1865. At the weddings of the last two couples named, relatives and friends drove out to the Boniface Hoffman place at San Gabriel, op- posite the old Mission Church, where under the large sycamores the marriages were celebrated in the usual festive picnic way, dancing, singing and playing games in regular old German fashion. He also attended the weddings of Mr. and Mrs. Her- man Heinsch, Mr. and Mrs. Lorenz Leck, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kuhrts, Mr. and Mrs. John Ben- ner, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Rowan, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac R. Dunkelberger, Mr. and Mrs. Ben C. Trueman, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Jean Cazaux, Mr. and Mrs. James Craig, and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Smith, all of which took place between 1864 and 1868. In his boy- hood days, while roaming around the country or delivering bread to customers, Mr. Mesmer trav- eled over almost every yard of territory now with- in the confines of this city. He could at that time speak the Spanish language as fluently as a native born.
The education of Mr. Mesmer was received in the public schools of Los Angeles and while in Europe he attended college at Strassburg, Ger- many. After his return from Europe he entered the employ of Ralph Leon and remained with him until his father required his services in the wine business, in which he was then engaged, and after working at that employment for about five years he then established a business of his own, opening The Queen Shoe Store. On March 22, 1879, he was married to Miss Rose Elizabeth Bushard, the wedding taking place in St. Vibiana Cathedral; the large edifice was crowded with friends of the contracting parties anxious to witness the cere- mony. They are now the proud parents of five children : Louis Francis, Mary Josephine, Junietta Elizabeth, Beatrice Evalynne and Aloysius James Joseph.
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