USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 12
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Withal. Joseph Scott is a man among men and is very much beloved by his fellow towns- men. He is now serving his second term as a member of the non-partisan board of educa- tion, being the president of the present board. He is the president of the Newman Club, a director of the Chamber of Commerce, director of the Equitable Savings Bank and a member of the California Club. He was a member of the Charter Revision Committee, which shaped the present charter. Joseph Scott has served this community well and it is probable that in the future he will have opportunities to serve it better. He is a man of domestic tastes and a firm believer in the Rooseveltian theory. He was married June 6, 1808, to Miss Bertha Roth, a native daughter of the Golden West, and six
beautiful, sturdy children, viz .: Joseph, Jr., Mary, Alfonso, George, Cuthbert and John Patrick, grace their home.
HON. ABBOT KINNEY. The genealogy of the Kinney family is traced to England, whence some of the name came to America as early as 1634. In religious faith they were Nonconform- ists and possessed the zeal, fervor and enthusiasm characteristic of those who refused to conform to the established church. Seeking freedom of re- ligious thought and worship they naturally were attracted to New England, and there and in New York the descendants of the original emigrants ever since have been prominent in the most se- lect social circles. One branch of the family be- came established in New, Jersey and at Brookside, that state, Abbot Kinney was born in 1850. Not only is he a descendant of colonial ancestors through his father, but his maternal progenitors also were pioneers of the new world, having crossed the ocean to this country in 1636. As a boy he was singularly favored. It was his privilege to pass several years in the home of his uncle, United States Senator James Dixon. at Washington, D. C., where he became acquaint- ed with the families of Lincoln, Grant, Sherman and other men illustrious in the annals of the nation. After having availed himself of the edu- cational advantages of Washington he was sent abroad to study and for a time was a student in Heidelberg, also had the privilege of a Parisian education. The chief benefit accruing from his studies abroad was the acquisition of ability as a linguist, yet there was another advantage scarce- ly less important, viz. : the gaining of a thorough knowledge of European races and customs. At the completion of his language and scientific studies he made a walking tour of parts of the continent and by this mode of travel he gained an insight into the daily life of the people, their habits, peculiarities, pleasures and toils.
Returning to the United States with a mind broadened by the highest culture and by cos- mopolitan experiences, Mr. Kinney engaged in translating for President Grant a history of the Civil war written by the Comte de Paris, and the time devoted to this congenial work proved as delightful as any period of his youth. After-
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ward he engaged in commercial activities with an energy as noticeable as that characteristic of his literary pursuits. As a member of the tobacco house of Kinney Brothers, he made his office headquarters in New York City, and for a time was a buyer for the firm in the south, but ulti- mately went abroad for the firm. While procur- ing the famous brands of Turkey for the New York establishment, in 1875 he witnessed the massacre of the Bulgarians and was the last man to leave Salonica, in Macedonia, before the gen- eral slaughter took place in that city. In 1877 he relinquished the work of wholesale buyer and began upon a tour of the world, which lasted for three years. During one year of the time he re- mained in Egypt, where he acted as commissioner to ameliorate the condition of an Egyptian prov- ince, whose people were suffering from a fearful plague of small-pox and famine. After leaving Egypt he traveled in other countries and made a special study of their government, progress and prosperity.
The progress of Mr. Kinney's world wide tour brought him in due time to Southern California, which he speedily decided was the most attractive country visited in all of his travels, and he deter- mined to establish his home in the midst of an environment so picturesque. It was during 1880 that he became a permanent resident of the state and since then he has engaged extensively in hor- ticultural pursuits. Among his first purchases was that of five hundred acres near Sierra Madre, of which tract he planted two hundred acres in citrus fruits. More recently he has acquired other holdings, his principal orange grove being known as Kinneloa rancho near Pasadena. Since coming to the state he has been deeply interested in the welfare of the Indians. During 1883 he and Helen Hunt Jackson were appointed com- missioners to report upon the needs of the South- ern California Indians, and his report induced the government to endeavor to ameliorate their needs. Largely through his efforts the reserva- tion plan was abandoned and lands were allotted in severalty to heads of Indian families, with time limit, to insure the preparation of the red men for civilization.
The interest constantly maintained by Mr. Kin- ney in the preservation of the forests of Califor- nia has led him to accept positions of an official
nature connected with that work. From 1884 until 1887 he acted as chairman of the state board of forestry and had charge of the first surveys for forest reservations. The beautiful valley of Yosemite, with its remarkable natural beauties, he believes to be one of the wonders of the world, and it has been his persistent aim to rid the park of the abuses of overcharge, poor roads, the herding of stock on the lands, and the in- adequate stage accommodations. Under appoint- ment from Governor Budd he became a member of the Yosemite commission in June, 1897, and immediately afterward was chosen presiding offi- cer of the body, in which capacity he labored with rare intelligence and unwearying energy to effect reforms needed in the management of the park. At the time of his appointment there was only one regular stage service to the park. The road over which this ran was improved and two other roads were fitted out with regular service via stage- coach. All of the old indebtedness was paid, and for the first time in many years the park was out of debt. The herding of stock on the land was forbidden, and prices for the entertainment of visitors were reduced to reasonable rates. While the commission did not attain all of its ambitions, its work was performed with zeal, discrimination and executive ability, and was the means of arous- ing the people from the indifference regarding the valley and awakening in them a pride in its beatties.
Fond of the best literature, Mr. Kinney has been interested in securing good reading matter for the people. For two years he maintained a reading room at the Soldiers' Home, and he also established public libraries in Santa Monica and Pasadena. While advocating the acquisition by all of the broad culture gained from the best books and from travel, he is nevertheless intense- ly practical and has little sympathy for the mere "book-worm," who remains blind to the practical affairs of everyday. His love for literature has not been allowed to shut him out from sympathy with his fellowmen, but on the other hand he is keen to promote any reform for the benefit of the people and quick to aid any movement for the upbuilding of the race. While he has accom- plished much as an author and litterateur, he has also been a prominent figure in affairs of his city and state, and has thus gained a rounded
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character devoid of eccentricities. The title of his works indicate the wide range of his mind. Among them may be mentioned "The Conquest of Death," which he wrote especially for his children and which deals with the attainment and perfection of the best of the race; "Tasks by Twilight," a plea to save the children from the attempt to make their minds perform what their bodies cannot bear up; "Money," "Under the Shadow of the Dragon," "Protection vs. Free Trade." "Australian Ballot," "Forestry," "Euca- lyptus," etc. All of these works are written after deep study upon their varied subjects and they prove the author to be a deep thinker as well as the possessor of a fine command of language.
For two years Mr. Kinney devoted much of his time to assisting in the enactment of the Austra- lian ballot law. During that time he wrote many pamphlets and newspaper articles on the subject and made frequent addresses to public assemblies in order to familiarize the people with the Aus- tralian system of voting. Through membership in the Citizens' League as well as in other organ- izations, he has aided numerous movements for the general welfare. One of his projects was to secure the removal of local and state taxes on ocean-going ships owned by Californians, his position being that, as the state cannot protect property on the open ocean, it cannot justly im- pose taxes on the same. In order to relieve the drought crisis he favored the issuing of permits to stock owners. Each permit-holder by law would be responsible for a specified district and would be obliged to guard against fire. By adopt- ing a system of that kind constant fighting over public pastures would end.
Four years after coming to California Mr. Kinney married the daughter of Judge James D. Thornton, and their union has been blessed with five sons. Mrs. Kinney traces her ancestry in a collateral line to Thomas Jefferson and is a direct descendant of Mildred Washington, a niece of George Washington. Both in this country and abroad Mr. Kinney has been acquainted with many men of renown. During his travels in the old world he met Von Moltke, Victor Emanuel. Napoleon III, Emperor of Austria, Abdul Aziz, Ismael Pasha and others, while in our own land he knew Lincoln, MeClellan, Grant, Hancock, Farragut, Seward, Sherman, Thurman, Bayard,
Randall, as well as many statesmen of later fame. With some of these he was intimately acquainted and their memory is enshrined within his heart among the priceless recollections of earlier years. During his half-century or more of life he has traveled in many lands, won the friendship of many of the greatest intellect of the day, tasted of life's joys and successes, and with patriotic fervor has labored to promote the welfare of his country and his fellowmen.
EDWARD H. GROENENDYKE. The Union Savings Bank of Pasadena, of which Mr. Groenendyke is the efficient cashier, was launched on the financial sea January 3, 1895, under the guidance of H. M. Gabriel and Robert Eason. With a board of directors composed of men no less capable than themselves they weathered the storms of ten years, in the meantime increasing their original capital stock from $50,000 to $100,000. At the end of this time the stock- holders disposed of their interest to the present owners, who came into possession March 1, 1905. The officers of the institution are now, Holloway I. Stuart, president ; C. W. Smith, vice-president ; and Edward H. Groenendyke, cashier, all of whom are men of known financial ability. The present capital stock of the bank is $100,000, the same as at time of purchase, and the surplus and undi- vided profits amount to $75,000. The location of the bank in the center of the business district makes it easy of access for all patrons of the commercial and savings departments, as well as the safety vaults. This latter department is the most complete and up-to-date of which any bank in the city can boast. Everything connected with the vaults is of the latest manufacture, and all of the finishings and furnishings are of the most improved character.
Edward H. Groenendyke, the cashier of the Union Savings Bank, is a native of Indiana, born in La Fayette in December, 1877, and is a son of John and Ellen Groenendyke. While he was still a youth his parents removed to the west, his primary and common-school education being received in the schools of Pasadena. This train- ing was followed by a course of three or four years in Throop Polytechnic Institute. Upon leaving college he went to Los Angeles and
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there put into practice his years of business train- ing as a clerk in a real-estate office. Subse- quently he branched out into business on his own account, in 1902 organizing the Los Angeles Trust Company. For three years, or until March, 1905. he filled the position of secretary in the latter company, resigning on the date last men- tioned, however, to accept his present position as cashier of the Union Savings Bank of Pasadena.
In April, 1894, Mr. Groenendyke was married to Miss Vera M. Morehous, a daughter of Col. C. P. Morehous, who is a well-known and much respected citizen of Pasadena. A thorough busi- ness training and complete understanding of the intricacies and details involved in banking have been the secret of Mr. Groenendyke's success, and when to this is added his charm of person- ality, which makes a friend of every acquaintance, the reason for his rise in the business and social world is explained.
GEORGE D. ROWAN was born in Corfu, N. Y., in 1844. He was reared in Batavia, N. Y., where his father, James Rowan, was en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. At the age of twenty he went into business in partnership with his brother-in-law, E. B. Millar, at Lan- sing, Mich., where they conducted a wholesale grocery.
In 1873 Mr. Rowan married Miss Fannie Arnold, a native of Sand Lake, Rensselaer county, N. Y., where her father, George Ar- nold, was engaged as a woolen manufacturer. A few years later the firm of E. B. Millar & Co. moved to Chicago, where they are still one of the largest concerns of the kind in that city. The city interests were looked after by Mr. Millar while Mr. Rowan went to the Orient, and in Yokahoma made his home for a little over a year.
In 1876, owing to his health, Mr. Rowan came to Los Angeles and opened a grocery store on North Main street, which he conduct- ed until 1884. He then moved to San Francis- co, and for a short time was engaged as a com- mission merchant with the firm known as Jen- nings & Rowan. In 1885 he returned to Los Angeles, and went into the real estate busi- ness, which he conducted until 1888, during
which time he became associated with Col. J. B. Lankershim and O. H. Churchill in a num- ber of transactions. In 1889 he retired from active business and became a resident of Pasa- dena. In 1893 the partnership with Col. J. B. Lankershim was dissolved. In 1898 Mr. Row- an returned to Los Angeles, where he made his home until his death, which occurred Sep- tember 7, 1902.
Politically Mr. Rowan was an adherent of Republican principles. He also was one of the early members of the Chamber of Commerce. He left a family of eight children, Robert A., Fred S., Earl Bruce, Paul. Philip D., Benja- min, Fannie F. and Flossie, all of whom are now living.
ROBERT A. ROWAN was born in Chi- cago, August 27, 1876. At the age of three months he came to Los Angeles with his par- ents, and his education was received in the public schools of Los Angeles and Pasadena. His first business experience was in New York City, where for about a year he was em- ployed by the firm of Ward & Huntington, ex- porters of hardware to South America.
In 1897 Mr. Rowan went into the real estate business, and in 1905 the business was reor- ganized and incorporated under the name of R. A. Rowan & Co., real estate brokers, with R. A. Rowan as president, F. S. Rowan secre- tary and P. D. Rowan treasurer, with offices on the second floor of the Herman W. Hell- man building. In partnership with A. C. Bil- icke, the Hotel Alexandria was built during the years 1905-1906.
Mr. Rowan was married February 28. 1903, to Miss Laura Schwarz, of Los Angeles, a daughter of Louis and Lena Schwarz.
PROF. GEORGE R. CROW. The life of Prof. George Rush Crow reflects the highest ideals and strongest principles that animate man- kind toward a plane of better morals, a kindlier brotherhood, a broader living, and in the evening of his days it is possible for him to look back over a fast-fleeting vista of years without regret, and forward without fear to that which awaits him in the Providence of God. For over twenty
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years he has been a resident of Southern Cali- fornia, in the "land of sunshine and flowers" re- newing his youth and adding by the power of the genial clime, the fragrant-laden winds of the sun-kissed Pacific, to his mental and physical being, until today he is not known among his friends as a man of advancing years, but rather as one who has within him the perpetual foun- tains of springtime.
Professor Crow is a native of Ohio, in which state his grandfather, William Crow, a native of Virginia and a member of a distinguished family of the Old Dominion, settled in the early days of the Northwest territory. He became a pioneer farmer of Pickaway county and besides acquiring financial independence for his family, early assumed a place of importance among the upbuilding factors of that portion of the state. His death occurred January 15, 1814, his wife, Susanna, having passed away five years earlier, the last resting place of both being in Pickaway county. The professor's father, David Crow, was also a native of Virginia and was only a lad in years when he accompanied his parents to Ohio in 1802. Ten years later he served in the War of 1812, after which he married and estab- lished a home among the pioneer conditions of Pickaway county. Like his father he engaged in farming and like him, also, was successful in his labors and became known as one of the prosper- ous citizens of his community. His wife, Mary Connelly, was a native of Maryland, from which state she accompanied her parents to Ohio, and there married, in the vicinity of Salem Church, and passed the remainder of her life. Mr. Crow died October 31, 1860, and his wife passed away on the 21st of January three years later. They became the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters.
George Rush Crow was born near Circleville, Pickaway county, September 26, 1832, and on his father's farm spent the years of his boyhood. His preliminary education was received in the district school in the vicinity of his home; this amount of training was sufficient for the average farmer lad, but, endowed by inheritance from strong, colonial ancestors, with pronounced lit- erary ability and studious habits, he was never satisfied until able to take the course at the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which institution he
was graduated with honors in the year 1861. His studies were shortly afterward interrupted by his enlistment in 1862 for service in the Civil war ; he participated in all of the important en- gagements of the Army of the Cumberland, and for distinguished services at the battle of Mur- freesboro was raised to the rank of captain. On account of his special qualifications he was as- signed to the corps of engineers, and suffice it to say he acquitted himself with the honors which had become recognized thus early as the result of the personal excellence he always sought in whatever he undertook. After the close of the war he located in Illinois and in Logan county engaged in agricultural pursuits for several years. In the meantime, four years after his graduation, his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts for merit in literary work. These interests he had kept up and had gradually come to be known as a man of erudition and one who was always in close touch with advancement in every line. In August, 1870, he was elected to the chair of Latin language and literature in the Illinois Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Ill., and for ten years rendered exceptional serv- ice toward the advancement of educational work in this institution.
The resignation of Professor Crow from his position in the Illinois Wesleyan University was induced by his desire to locate on the Pacific coast ; in 1883, after severing business connec- tions in the east, he came to Los Angeles and since that date has been largely identified with the progress and development of this section of the state. As president of the Long Beach Land & Water Company he took a prominent part in the erection of the first hotel and the building of the first steam railroad to that resort. Here in 1885 he inaugurated the Chautauqua Assembly of Southern California, which has ever since held annual assemblies at Long Beach. Great praise is due Professor Crow for his wise man- agement in freeing the assembly from a burden- some debt and placing its affairs on a solid financial basis. A summer school has also been established at Long Beach, to which enterprise in numerous ways the professor largely con- tributed.
In his religious life Professor Crow has given the added impulse of active living, relying not
2 Q Poster
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alone upon his own faith, but exemplifying every day his belief in the religion of the Apostle James that "faith without works is dead." During his entire life he has been a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and for almost the life of the average man he has proven a factor in its development and upbuilding. For a number of years he has served as a member of the board of trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, and as president of the same for a large part of this time was instru- mental in advancing the best interests of the de- nomination in Southern California. Pre-emi- nently of an aggressive spirit, it has been the part of Professor Crow to be actively identified in all movements with which his name is con- nected; and characteristic of his strongest traits is also the success which has attended his efforts in all lines, for he gives to everything that claims his attention the same energy and thought which have distinguished his entire career. He is broad-gauge, thoroughly in touch with modern methods and thought, and still found foremost among the men seeking to advance the country's best interests. His aims and ambitions have al- ways been high, and however far short he may fall of a perfect attainment he has still steadily bent his steps toward the standard of excellence chosen by him in the early morning of life as the most priceless possession the world could give him. Such men cannot fail to have their influ- ence and the world cannot but be better for their having lived.
In Topeka, Kans., October 14, 1869, Professor Crow was married to Elizabeth M. Kanaga, a native of Urbana, Ohio. Four children have been born of their marriage, Marie, Chauncey, Florence Elizabeth and G. Maurice. The second daughter, Florence E., became the wife of Bert F. Mull, of Columbus, Ohio, their marriage be- ing celebrated August 24, 1898. The youngest son, G. Maurice, was married in June, 1903 to Edna Davenport, of Los Angeles, and the fol- lowing children have been born to them, Virginia Florence and Elizabeth Davenport Crow.
ANDREW OLIPHANT PORTER. AI- though many years have elapsed since the death of Andrew Oliphant Porter, he is still
remembered by the pioneers of Pasadena and revered by those who knew him personally in his citizenship, as well as by those who knew only his name as connected with the upbuild- ing and development of this section of South- ern California. Mr. Porter was a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Law- renceburg July 17, 1819; he was there reared and educated and launched in a business ca- reer. In the early '5os he was attracted to California by the discovery of gold, engaged in mining for some years, and then in 1857 returned to his Indiana home. Later he lo- cated in Shelbyville, Ind., and was there en- gaged as local agent for the Indianapolis, Cin- cinnati & Louisville Railroad, now the "Big Four." A man of business judgment and en- ergy, he also engaged in the grain business and invested in real estate, purchasing land for $25 an acre which he later sold for $90. Later he associated himself with William Elliott and others in the conduct of the Shelby Mills, much of the management devolving upon him, his splendid integrity and trustworthiness be- ing relied upon to protect his partners' inter- ests. The reputation he early established in business remained with him throughout life, and never was his trust misplaced or betrayed.
After fifteen years spent in his eastern home, in 1873 Mr. Porter came again to California, being one of the twenty-eight pioneers of Pas- adena who formed a company and purchased four thousand acres of land upon which the town now partly stands. The colony estab- lished by these men was called the Indiana colony. Many of them are still living in Pasa- dena and have reason to look with pride upon the results of their early efforts. Mr. Porter had great confidence in the future of Southern California and without hesitation invested his means in real estate, which as time passed rose in value and eventually made him a wealthy man. In 1875 he built one of the first substan- tial and beautiful homes on Orange Grove avenue, in what is now South Pasadena, lo- cated on elevated ground which afforded a magnificent view of the city below, the valley and mountains. He originally owned quite a large tract here, but as property increased in value for residence purposes he sold the land
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