USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 18
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In 1880 Mr. Morehous was married to Miss Ida Cook, a native of Rhode Island, and their only child, Vera May, is now the wife of E. II. Groenendyke, cashier of the Union Savings Bank of Pasadena. Mr. Morehous is fratern- ally associated with the Knights of Pythias, and is socially identified with the City Valley Hunt Club, one of the oldest clubs in South-
crn California, and the Balso Chico Gun Club, one of the wealthiest social organizations of the state. The latter club owns a tract of three thousand acres on the Huntington electric rail- road, at Newport and Long Beach. The style of architecture employed in the club buildings is peculiarly artistic, and the interior plan is on the order of a first-class hotel, making it possible for members and their families to spend their summers together there. During the winter season the club is occupied by its members who delight in shooting small game, ducks abounding in that vicinity during cer- tain seasons. In 1896 Mr. Morehous erected the fine residence in which he and his wife now live. The many dependable qualities which have distinguished the life of Mr. More- hous during his residence in Pasadena have called forth the esteem and respect of his fellow-townsmen, and he has attained an en- viable position as a citizen of Los Angeles county.
REV. EDWARD J. HARPER. This es- teemed clergyman, pastor of the Knox Presby- terian Church of Los Angeles, is a man of edu- cation and culture and bears fitly and well the name of Christian. He is a deep thinker, an eloquent preacher, and as broad and liberal in his spirit as he is sincere and devout in his con- victions. A native of the south, he was born in Columbus, Miss., September 13, 1863, a son of Charles F. and Martha (Wheeler) Harper, of whom a more extended account may be found on another page. In the spring of 1868, when Ed- ward J. was a lad of five years, the family re- moved to California, settling in Los Angeles, which at that time bore little promise of attain- ing its present size and commercial importance. His first school training was received in the pub- lic schools of this city, where he displayed un- usual ability as a student. Subsequently he entered the high school and here, as in the gram- mar school, he showed remarkable aptitude and upon his graduation in 1883 he delivered the valedictory of his class. Later he entered the University of Southern California, remaining until the close of his junior year, when he en- tered Vanderbilt University of Nashville, Tenn.,
James ator hay.
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graduating from the latter institution in 1889 with the degree of S. T. B.
Returning to California after his graduation, Mr. Harper entered the ministry of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church South, his first charge being in San Luis Obispo. Subsequently he was appointed pastor of the church in San Ber- nardino, having been ordained as a minister of the denomination in 1891 in that city. From San Bernardino he went successively to Downey and Redlands, in the latter city organizing the con- gregation and building the church edifice. After giving up this charge he was not actively asso- ciated with the ministry for a time, having been called south to assume the position of financial secretary of the Wesleyan College for Ladies, a position which he held for two years. This is the oldest woman's college in the world and the first college ever chartered for women. Re- turning to California at the end of two years, Mr. Harper was appointed to a pastorate in San Francisco, filling the same for two years, and thereafter located once more in Los Angeles. Here, as in his former charges, he continued the work of upbuilding and spreading the gospel of peace and good-will, and as an evidence of his accomplishments may be seen the Woodlawn Church at the corner of Woodlawn avenue and Fortieth street. Thus far in his career he had espoused the belief and doctrines of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church South, but owing to a change in his belief in favor of the Presbyterian Church he joined the latter denomination in Sep- tember, 1906, and is now pastor of the Knox Presbyterian Church of this city, located on Thirtieth street near Main.
In Nashville, Tenn., Mr. Harper was married to Miss Myrtie Roberts, who was born in Ken- tucky and received her training in the south, having been educated in Price's College for young ladies at Nashville. March 25, 1907. Mr. Harper received the appointment of city forester for Los Angeles, a position recently created and one for which the applicants were required to pass the civil service examination. Mr. Harper passed the test with the highest percentage and as a result was appointed to the position, and April I took the oath of office. In national politics he espouses Democratic principles, but in local affairs he puts man ahead of party, vot-
ing for the candidate best qualified for the posi- tion in question. Under the administration of Mr. Harper the church of which he is pastor has prospered in all of its departments, and throughout the community his influence for good has been felt and appreciated.
JAMES A. FOSHAY. The services ren- dered by Prof. James A. Foshay in an educa- tional line in Los Angeles have been such as to ineradicably associate his name with this work, although he has recently resigned his position as superintendent to enter upon the responsible duties which are his as president of the Fraternal Brotherhood. Since 1895 he has served as superintendent of the schools in the city of Los Angeles and with each passing year has contributed more and more to their improvement, his peculiar fitness for the work serving to bring out the highest capabilities of the teachers under his supervision. He is a native of Cold Spring, N. Y., born November 25. 1856, a son of Andrew Jackson and Eme- line (Griffin) Foshay. The father was born January 21, 1830, on a farm in Kent, N. Y., where his parents, Lynes and Ruhannah (Smalley) Foshay, spent their entire lives. The professor's great-grandfather, John Fo- shay, served in the Revolutionary war with distinction, as did also the maternal great- grandfather, John Smalley.
Reared to young manhood in his native state, James A. Foshay received a preliminary education in the district school in the vicinity of his home, after which, in 1875. he entered what is now known as the State Normal Col- lege at Albany, N. Y., from which he was graduated with honors. For the ensuing three years he taught in the public schools, at the close of that time being elected school commis- sioner of Putnam county, N. Y. Re-elected to the office, he combined with the discharge of his duties those of secretary of the New York State Association of School Commissioners and Superintendents. He gave to each the at- tention and characteristic energy which have distinguished every phase of his career, and in 1885 was re-elected to that important trust.
Mr. Foshay came to California in 1887 and
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located in Monrovia, Los Angeles county, where he secured a position in the grammar schools, and in the following July was elected principal. A year later he was appointed a member of the Board of Education of Los An- geles county, and in 1891-92 served as presi- dent. In all public capacities he gave evidence of his unusual ability and also of the thorough- ness of his work, gradually assuming a promi- nence which called him to higher positions than any he had yet filled. In 1893 he became deputy superintendent of the schools of the city of Los Angeles under Professor Brown, and was re-elected the following year. In 1895 he was chosen superintendent, entering upon his important duties before reaching his thirty- ninth birthday. The marked success of his first eight years in California was but a pro- phecy of his future career, for he has in every way lived up to the promise of his young man- hood. Eleven years have passed since he as- sumed the responsibilities of this position and each term has witnessed his resumption of the duties incumbent upon him as superintendent, and to his efforts are due the great progress and development which have characterized the public schools of this city. When he took charge of the work there were only ten thou- sand, one hundred forty-four pupils, while there are to-day thirty-four thousand, seven hundred and ninety-five; the school property at that time was valued at $740,670 and to-day at $2.670,000.
The educational work of Dr. Foshay has been far-reaching, its influence keenly felt throughout Southern California, and indeed thoroughly appreciated all over the state. In 1898 he attended the convention of the Nation- al Educational Association (of which he was second vice-president), and against considera- ble opposition secured the next meeting in Los Angeles, where the following year a most en- tertaining and successful session was held. He has proven an upbuilding factor in the South- ern California Teachers' Association, having served efficiently as president. He was also elected a member of the California Council of Education, the National Council of Education, and a director of the Southern California Acad- emy of Sciences. He has also taken an active
part in musical culture and literary societies. He has made many addresses upon important educational topics indicative of his mental at- tude and thought, and these have proven a source of study and development of inestimable value to the teachers under him. The crown- ing work of Dr. Foshay was his successful ad- vocacy of the scheme of bonding the city in 1905 for $780,000 for the purpose of raising funds to add to the public school buildings and equipment ; through some defect in the bonds this matter was taken to the supreme court and in February, 1906, was approved, when the bonds sold for $7,000 premium. He also labored zealously at this time to have the building power transferred from the council to the Board of Education, and succeeded in ac- complishing this end. As advisor of the board all plans for building and remodeling were submitted to him for approval before being carried out. Significant of the high esteem in which Professor Foshay is held was the con- ferring upon him of the degree of Doctor of Pedagogy by his alma mater; this is a degree that cannot be earned by the passing of exam- inations, but is given to those only who have distinguished themselves as educators.
Dr. Foshay's prominence in fraternal circles (being a Knight Templar Mason and hav- ing served as eminent commander of Los Angeles Commandery No. 9, and also as grand master of the Grand Lodge of California) has given him a wide acquaintance throughout the state and the entire Pacific coast, as well as the United States, and this was the means of his being elected to the presidency of the Fra- ternal Brotherhood at a large salary. Dr. Fo- shay takes a broad interest in all questions of the day and a personal stand that leaves no room for doubt as to his convictions. In poli- tics he endorses the principles advocated in the platform of the Republican party and votes that ticket, although in the smaller sense of the word he is not a partisan. He is a mem- ber and director of the University Club.
Dr. Foshay's home, located at No. 1023 West Sixth street, is presided over by his wife, formerly Miss Phebe Powell Miller, with whom he was united in marriage March 18, 1885. She was born in Carmel, Putnam coun-
B
John C. Final
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ty, N. Y., May 2, 1856. a daughter of John Griffin and Phebe Powell (Carpenter) Miller, both of whom were natives of Amawalk, Westchester county, same state. Both Dr. Fo- shay and his wife are members of the Baptist church and are prominent in social circles.
A résumé of the salient points in the career of Dr. Foshay bring out forcibly his natural traits of character and the ability which is his both through inheritance and years of study and training. These have made it possible for him to grasp the opportunity which his keen perception recognized, and have brought to him a thorough understanding of the situation. The ability, tact and power of decision might in themselves never have accomplished their ends; to those who know him these seem but subordinate qualities, for that which makes them forceful is the sincerity of the man, his honesty of purpose, and the fearless manhood which has stood for the right against every ob- stacle during the course of his splendid career.
JOHN CHARLES FREMONT. Through- out American history and story no name is more familiarly known than that of John C. Fremont, the Pathfinder of the Rocky Mount- ains. School children of all ages read and reread with renewed delight and interest his encoun- ters with the dusky foe on the plains and ex- ploits of thrilling adventure throughout his en- tire career on the western frontier. His fear- less and daring spirit was no doubt an inher- ited tendency, for it is known that the founder of the family in America was a man of large undertakings and indomitable courage. Born in France at a time when the edict of Nantes was still in effect, he lived there contented with his surroundings and privileges until the revocation by Louis XIV, when he was sent to Canada as an officer in the troops, and there he eventually settled with his family. There the family became well known, the famous Dr. Charles James Fremont being a member of this branch of the family. The grandson of this immigrating ancestor, Louis René, was the founder of the family in the United States, his later years being spent in Charleston, S. C., his death occurring there in 1818. In Virginia
he married Anne Beverly Whiting, whose aunt. also a Miss Whiting, became the wife of John Washington, and held George Washington in her arms at the time of his christening.
Born in Savannah, Ga., January 21, 1813, John Charles Fremont, of this sketch, was a lad of five years when the death of his father cast the first shadow over his young life. Remaining with his widowed mother in Charleston, he there became a pupil in the public schools, where he displayed an aptitude and receptivity which made him a delight to his teachers. One especially, Professor Robertson of the University of South Carolina, took a keen interest in him and gave him outside assistance in his studies that was of untold advantage to him. Circumstances over which he had no control, however, put an end to his school days, and at the age of nineteen the support of his mother, brother and sister fell upon his young shoulders. From his earliest school days he showed a fondness for mathe- matics, and it was along this line that he bent his keenest energies. Naturally he sought em- ployment which would make use of his train- ing, and this he had no difficulty in finding. His first practical work was as a surveyor in the rice lands of South Carolina, a task which involved considerable risk to life, and was paid for ac- cordingly. From 1833 to 1835 he was a teacher of mathematics on the sloop-of-war Natchez, and later became assistant to Capt. W. G. Williams of the United States topographical engineers. Subsequently he was appointed an assistant to Mr. Nicollet, who under the direction of Gen- eral Sibley, with headquarters at old Fort Snell- ing. explored the country north of the Missouri river, at the same time discovering its source. In May, 1842, he set out on another expedition, his object this time being to survey beyond the Rocky Mountains by the south pass, one of the members of his party being Kit Carson, the noted trapper and scout. On this occasion, on Au- gust 15, he scaled the peak that is now known as Fremont's Peak.
With a band of thirty-nine trusty men Mr. Fremont set out in May of 1843 for the pur- pose of finding a path to the Pacific ocean. In his equipment he had the first India rubber boat ever constructed, and this was also the first boat that ever floated on Salt Lake, the explorers
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sighting this body of water for the first time September 6, 1843. It is a fact worthy of note that the maps which Mr. Fremont made of the country at this time were the same ones which Brigham Young used in making his way to that garden spot. Proceeding toward the coast, Mr. Fremont reached California in the middle of the following December, and in March of 1844 reached Sutter's Fort, near Sacramento. Hav- ing accomplished the purpose for which he came he began to retrace his steps on the 24th of the same month, reaching Kansas July 1, 1844. Starting on his third expedition in 1845 he finally reached Monterey, the old capital of Cal- ifornia, there raising the first American flag on Gaviota Peak, when threatened with attack by Castro's men. From Monterey he went to Kla- math lake. Working under the direction of orders received from Washington to defend the interests of the United States in California and to pro- tect American settlers, with Stockton and Sloat he soon wrested northern California from Mexi- can rule, and July 4, 1846, was elected governor of California. By the treaty of Cahuenga, on January 13. 1847, he concluded articles of capit- ulation which left the territory in the possession of the United States. During the memorable year of 1849 he was elected United States senator from California, taking his seat September 10, 1850, the day after the state was admitted into the Union. He and his wife though southerners were advocates of a free state and it was largely through his influence that it was admitted as such.
In September, 1853, Mr. Fremont made his fifth expedition across the continent, and three years later became the recognized leader of a new political party whose slogan was "Free soil, free speech, freedom and Fremont." The Re- publican convention of June, 1856, witnessed his nomination for president. Returning to Cal- ifornia in 1858, a few lears later, at the outbreak of the Civil war, he was made major-general of the regular army, commanding the western department, with headquarters in St. Louis. At the hands of President Lincoln in March of 1862 he was given command of the mountain district of Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, and in 1878 was appointed governor of Arizona. Further promotion and honor awaited him, for
by act of congress he was made major-general of the regular army in 1890, and put on the re- tired list. He was not long spared to enjoy his new honors, however, for death came to him a few months afterward, July 13, 1890, while on a temporary visit in New York City.
In Washington, D. C., October 19, 1841, oc- curred the marriage of John C. Fremont and Jessie Benton, daughter of Thomas H. Benton, United States senator from Missouri. Opposi- tion to the marriage on the part of Mr. Benton proved no bar to the consummation of the plans of the young people, for they were quietly mar- ried without his knowledge or blessing. Sub- sequently Mr. Benton became reconciled to their marriage and in later years he became Mr. Fre- mont's stanchest friend. Five children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fremont, but of these two died young. The eldest, Elizabeth Mc- Dowell Benton Fremont, was born in Washing- ton, D. C., in 1842, and as long as her parents lived continued to make her home with them. She has been a resident of California since June, 1849, living first in San Francisco, later in Los Angeles, and in 1904 came to Long Beach, al- though she still retains her home in Los Angeles. The next child, John Charles, named for his illus- trious father, was born in San Francisco in April, 1851, one of the first American children born in the state. As an officer in the United States navy he participated in the Spanish-Amer- ican war and later was made commander of the U. S. Ship Florida. His marriage was with Sallie Anderson, who is a daughter of Gen. Adna Anderson, who laid out the Northern Pacific Railroad. Their three children are : John Charles (who is the third of that name and the second to serve in the United States navy) ; Jessie Benton and Julia Van Wyck. Francis Preston Fremont was born in Washington, D. C., in May, 1855, and is a major in the United States Army. His marriage united him with Caroline Townsend, a daughter of John D. Townsend, a prominent attorney of New York City, and they have one son, Benton Fremont.
During the same year in which General Fre- mont died congress granted a special pension to his widow, following which the women of California united in giving her a beautiful res- idence in Los Angeles. She was born in May,
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1824, and died at the home just mentioned De- cember 27, 1902. General Fremont's remains were interred on the beautiful banks of the Hudson in New York, and at her death her ashes were taken east and placed beside his re- mains. A woman of many charming traits of character, she was an inspiration to all with whom she came in contact, and though dead she yet speaks, for she was a writer of considerable note. Not only are her writings entertaining, but they claim the greater merit of truth, and are based on her experiences in this western frontier. Notable among the productions from her pen are: "A Year of American Travel;" "Souvenirs of My Time:" "A Sketch of Senator Benton ;" "Stories of the Guard," and "Will and Way Stories." At the time of her death she was en- gaged in the preparation of her autobiography.
Colonel Fremont was in Paris with his wife and daughter in 1851 and '52, during which time Napoleon declared himself emperor, and they were honored guests at the last birthday dinner given in honor of the duke of Wellington. They were also presented at court. In 1869, General Fremont, wife and daughter again went abroad, this time visiting in Copenhagen and Denmark particularly. Mrs. Fremont owned the first car- riage that was even seen in California, it having been built for her in the east and brought around the Horn. It was so arranged that she could use it as a bed at night, and in this conveyance she and her eldest daughter made many trips throughout the state with Colonel Fremont.
JONATHAN SAYRE SLAUSON. A rec- ord of the life of the late Jonathan Sayre Slau- son is in brief a history of the progress and de- velopment of Los Angeles and Southern Califor- nia during the past thirty years. Without eulogy or embellishment it shall stand in fee simple of all that his living meant in all departments of activity-financial, political and moral,-and give to him a place among the honored names of our western commonwealth. Born in Westtown, Orange county, N. Y., December 11, 1829, he was one of a family of thirteen children, his parents, David H. and Elizabeth (Sayre) Slau- son, being natives of Connecticut. The paternal ancestors came from Hampshire, England, three
brothers immigrating to the western world during the colonial period of our history. They became earnest, patriotic and loyal citizens and served valiantly in the Revolutionary war, in which two of the brothers perished. The remaining brother located in Connecticut after the close of hostili- ties and there reared his family and engaged in pursuits which brought him a competence. David H. Slauson removed to Orange county, N. Y .. where he became known as a prosperous and successful farmer, rearing his children to ways of usefulness and inculcating habits of thrift and industry which spoke largely in their suc- cess in later life.
The childhood and youth of Jonathan Sayre Slauson was passed upon his father's farm, where he became familiar with the first duties of life, before reaching his teens learning to plow a straight furrow, milk the cows, and perform other labors of more responsibility. In fact, responsi- bility was the watchword of the earlier years of his life, for that which did not fall to his lot in the natural course of events he sought with a persistence that gave him the most beneficial training of his life. Like the other farmer lads of his home vicinity he attended the public schools and like them also was supposed to have ac- quired sufficient education at the age of sixteen to enable him to pursue the graver responsibili- ties without further study. However, he was of too ambitious a turn of mind to be satisfied, and after clerking until 1851 in a store in Middle- town, Orange county ( where his mother located with her family after the death of the father), he took up the study of law. For a time he was engaged in reading in the office of a local lawyer, after which he entered the New York State Law School at Poughkeepsie, and was graduated therefrom in the fall of 1854. The following year found him located in New York City, where he opened an office and began the practice of his profession. Success was a part of the man, a logical outcome of his efforts, and that he won a place of prominence among the legal fraternity of New York City was never a matter of surprise to those who had known him best and could fitly appreciate his persistence and his courage and unconquerable determination to overcome all obstacles. Failing health induced
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