USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 21
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Dr. Hagan's home at No. 758 Lake street is presided over by his wife, to whom he was mar- ried in Los Angeles in 1897, and who was for- merly Mamie A. Berke, a native of Faribault, Minn. Her father, Ferdinand Berke, who par- ticipated in the Civil war, died in Los Angeles in 1902. While professionally Dr. Hagan is a very busy man, he yet finds time for relaxation, and indeed he considers it a necessity to his well- being, thoroughly believing in the saying that "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." For two years he was secretary of the Los An- geles Driving Club, of which he is still a member. His love for man's best friend, the horse, is one of his strongest characteristics, and he owns a number of fine animals. His fraternal associa- tions are numerous and include membership in the Woodmen of the World, Knights of the Mac- cabees, Red Men, Eagles and Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks. His membership in the last-mentioned order is in Lodge No. 99, at Los Angeles, of which he is past exalted ruler, and now has charge of the southern jurisdiction of California in the capacity of district deputy grand exalted ruler. Politically he allies himself with the Republican party, and in the interest of good citizenship is a member of the board of police commissioners of this city. Taken all in all, Dr. Hagan is a man of the times, progressive and public-spirited, helpful to his city, and one whom it is a pleasure and honor to know.
COL. FRANK M. CHAPMAN, of Covina, Cal., is a native of Illinois, having been born in Macomb, McDonough county, in that state, on the first day of the year 1849. He is the eld- est of a large family of children born to Sid- ney S. and Rebecca Jane Chapman. His fa- ther was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1826, and was a descendant of one of three brothers who came from England to Massa- chusetts about 1650. He came to Macomb when a young man and in 1848 was united in marriage with Rebecca Jane Clarke, the eld- est daughter of David and Eliza (Russell) Clarke, natives of Kentucky and early pioneers
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of central Illinois. Colonel Chapman's boy- hood was passed at Macomb. There he attended the common schools and engaged in various occupations until he answered the last call made by President Lincoln for soldiers. He enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry. Though a mere boy in years he was accepted and with his regiment went south, where he remained until after the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged.
Upon his return home our subject engaged at clerking in a store until 1868, when he went to the neighboring town of Vermont and en- gaged in business for himself. After the fire in Chicago in 1871, there being a great de- mand for bricklayers in that city, and having learned that trade with his father, who was a builder, he went there and for a while was foreman for a large building firm. For a while he engaged in building and contracting in that city for himself, when he again drifted into mercantile life. This he followed with vary- ing success until he began the study of medi- cine. He entered Bennett Medical College, Chicago, and was graduated with the class of 1877. The following year Mr. Chapman, with his brother Charles C., embarked in the pub- lishing business. Prosperity attended this en- terprise and the business grew until Chapman Brothers (as the firm was known) erected their own building and owned a large printing plant in Chicago. For many years the firm did an extensive and prosperous printing and publish- ing business, and at the same time engaged extensively in the real estate business, and also erected many large buildings in Chicago.
On the second day of December, 1894. Colonel Chapman, with his family, landed in California, taking up his residence in Los An- geles. Here he lived for a year, when he re- moved to Palmetto Ranch, at Covina, at which place he is extensively engaged in orange growing. Since taking up his residence here he has been identified with almost every local enterprise inaugurated by its people, and is regarded as one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of the community.
Colonel Chapman was united in marriage with Miss Wilhelmina Zillen, September 9.
1886. To them have been born four children: Frank M., Jr., born at Chicago, Ill., July 17, 1888; Grant, also at Chicago, June 11, 1891 ; Grace, born in Los Angeles, October 18, 1895; and Clarke, born at Covina, February 21, 1898. Mrs. Chapman was born in Friedrichstadt, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, July 2, 1861. She is the daughter of Wilhelm Ferdinand and Louise (Fencke) Zillen, and came with her fa- ther to the United States in 1866.
Politically Colonel Chapman has been a life long Republican and has taken more or less active part in politics. He has been a dele- gate to many conventions. He represented the twenty-fifth ward in the city council of Chi- cago, and while chairman of the committee on railroads he was author of the ordinance demanding the elevating of steam railways, thereby doing away with grade crossings.
The subject of our sketch was appointed licutenant-colonel of the National Guards by Governor Henry Gage, and reappointed by Governor George C. Pardee, and Governor James N. Gillette, having served on the staff of these three governors.
Colonel Chapman and family are members of the Christian Church, and not only take an active part in church work, but are identified with every movement for the betterment of their community.
CAPT. J. PEMBROKE JONES. The line- age of the Jones family is traced to Wales, whence the first of the name in America crossed the ocean to Virginia during the colonial period of our nation's history. Among the de- scendants of this immigrant was Thomas Jones, the grandfather of Captain Jones, who among other children reared a son John on the old Vir- ginia plantation. Following the traditions of his predecessors he too became a large land holder, at one time owning six hundred acres well stocked with cattle, horses and mules, in the raising of which and in the care of his large prop- erty he kept a large number of slaves. The pro- verbial southern hospitality had been meted out to him in generous measure, to the end that he was known far and wide and had friends and ac-
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quaintances innumerable. Throughout his ma- ture life he enjoyed the close companionship and sympathetic co-operation of his wife, who prior to her marriage was Mary Booker, she like him- self being a descendant of Welsh ancestors.
Among the seventeen children born into the home of John and Mary (Booker) Jones was J. Pembroke, born on the Virginia plantation near Hampton, February 28, 1825. Every advantage for his care and training was bestowed upon him with a generous hand by his parents, and for nine years he received instruction from the same private tutor. Thereafter he prepared for entry into William and Mary College, a non-sectarian educational institution in Williamsburg, Va., founded in 1693. He pursued his studies in that institution for some time, and upon leaving col- lege in 1842 entered the navy and went to sea, where he received his nautical training. Before he was twenty-one years of age he had circled the globe. In the meantime war had been de- clared and waged between Mexico and the United States and he was one of the navy officers who participated in that struggle. He graduated from the naval academy where he received his promo- tion and from that time served in the navy until the cloud of the Civil war spread its blighting gloom over both north and south. Loyal to the section of country which was his own home as well as that of innumerable ancestors in times past he returned to the south in her hour of need and engaged in the service, having command of various ships, besides at one time having com- mand of the torpedo defenses. Following the war he engaged in the mercantile marine serv- ice, after which he accepted the chair of mathe- matics in the University of Georgia. Subsequent- ly he gave up that position to take up farming in Fauquier county. Va., where he remained seven years, when he was selected by the South American government to take charge of their torpedo defenses, his fame having preceded him. After spending two years in Argentine he re- turned to Virginia and in Albemarle county re- sumed agricultural operations, following this for about six years.
It was during this time that Mr. Jones' life was saddened by the death of his wife, who was formerly Mary Willis. One son, Pembroke, was born of this marriage; he is now a well-to-do
resident of New York City. After the death of his wife Captain Jones traveled for a time, visit- ing many of the southern countries. The present wife of Captain Jones was formerly Miss Geor- gia Newton, of Norfolk, Va., and together they are spending their declining years amid happy surroundings in Pasadena, having a palatial resi- dence at No. 127 North Madison avenue. Though in his eighty-second year Captain Jones enjoys a fair degree of health and it is the wish of his friends that he may be spared to them for many years. The reputation of the south for hospitali- ty is sustained in his home. Hosts of friends testify to his unfailing cordiality, genial tempera- ment and broadminded fellowship, while temper- ate habits, lofty principles of honor and keen sagacity have united to form a personality of re- markable strength and power. He is next to the oldest graduate of the naval academy, now living.
FRANCIS MARION POTTENGER, A. M., M. D. There are few physicians in Los An- geles county who have enjoyed greater oppor- tunities for medical research, both at home and abroad, than has Dr. Pottenger, and few who have obtained a greater degree of success in the accomplishment of his undertakings, namely, the mastery of a new field of scien- tific investigation and its practical application. Dr. Pottenger's work in the field of tubercu- losis has been that of a pioneer on the western coast. His establishment of the Pottenger Sanatorium for Diseases of the Lungs and Throat conducted on ethical lines, his efforts to arouse interest in the prevention of tuber- culosis throughout the state by organization and teaching, his numerous contributions to various medical journals in the scientific in- terest of this cause, have rendered him well known as a leader in this great work not only on the Pacific coast, but throughout the United States, and his name is not unknown in for- eign countries. His writings on tuberculosis have often been quoted in the continental medical journals, and through his writings and his travels he has become known to and made acquaintance with many of the world's lead- ing men who are interested in tuberculosis.
The records of the Pottenger family show
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it to be of English origin, the first representa- tive on American soil coming over at the time Cecil Calvert made the journey and settling in Maryland. It became one of the substantial families in the vicinity of Baltimore, flourish- ing there for many generations. Later on we find a branch of the Pottenger family among the early pioneers of Hamilton county, Ohio, where they developed large farming interests and started a settlement which they named New Baltimore. Thomas Pottenger, the father of Dr. Pottenger, was born there and in after life engaged in farming near this place. With true patriotic zeal, at the time of his country's need, he abandoned his own interests to serve in the northern army, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. After the war he returned to his former peaceful pursuits and carried on his farm for many years. As on the paternal side, so on the maternal side the doctor is of English lineage, being a descendant of Crom- well. His mother, Hannah Ellen Sater, was also born at New Baltimore, and in honor of her family when the government established a postoffice at New Baltimore, the name of Sater was given to it. The children resulting from this union are all living: two married daughters, Nellie M. Fonts and Elda P. Scheer- ing, residing in Indiana and Ohio respectively ; three sons, Milton Spenser, a graduate of the literary department of Otterbein University (Westerville, Ohio), a practicing attorney in Cincinnati; Francis Marion, the subject of this biography ; and Joseph Elbert, who after graduating from the University of Southern California in both academic and medical de- partments, continued his medical studies abroad, and is now associated with his brother in the Pottenger Sanatorium at Monrovia. Both parents are still living and make their home with their sons at Monrovia.
Dr. Pottenger was born near New Balti- more, Hamilton county, Ohio, September 27, 1869. A farmer's son, his education was be- gun in the district schools of his own neigh- borhood. Later on he attended Otterbein Uni- versity, and graduated from the academic de- partment in 1892 with the degree of Ph. B. In 1894 he graduated from the Cincinnati Col-
lege of Medicine and Surgery, receiving the degree of M. D., and also the gold medal for highest standing in his class. Immediately following his graduation from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery he married Carrie Burtner, whom he first became ac- quainted with while both were students and class-mates at Otterbein University, and ac- companied by her he spent nearly a year in graduate work in Vienna, Berlin, Munich and London. Thereafter he returned to Hamil- ton county, Ohio, taking up the practice of medicine in Norwood, a suburb of Cincinnati. Soon afterward he was appointed assistant to the chair of surgery in his alma mater, the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. Owing to the ill-health of his wife Dr. Pot- tenger came to the west in 1895 in the hope that under the sunny skies of California she might regain her normal strength and vigor. After remaining in Monrovia for eighteen months, however, during which time every- thing possible was done for her recovery, he finally returned with her to Germantown, Ohio, her childhood home, and there her death occurred two years later. During the two years spent in Germantown Dr. Pottenger temporarily gave up the practice of medicine and devoted his time to the care of his wife and the study of tuberculosis. In his spare moments, however, he interested himself in history and political economy, and obtained from Otterbein University by the presenta- tion of a thesis dealing with certain phases of the tariff question, his degree of Master of Philosophy which was later changed to that of Master of Arts (1905). After the death of his wife Dr. Pottenger returned to Monrovia and again took up the practice of medicine, giving special attention to diseases of the nose, throat and chest. For the purpose of more thorough training along these lines he returned east the following year, and for some time did graduate work in New York and other eastern cities. Returning to Monrovia once more he again took up his practice there, and in Octo- ber, 1901, he established an office in Los An- geles, limiting his practice to diseases of the chest, being the first physician on the western coast to limit his practice to this special line.
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At this writing he has an office in the O. T. Johnson building.
On the 29th of August, 1900, Dr. Pottenger married Adelaide Gertrude Babbit, a native of Keeseville, N. Y., a graduate of the State Uni- versity of Vermont, and teacher of Greek and Latin in the Monrovia high school at the time they first met. Two children have been born to them, Francis Marion, Jr., and Robert Thomas.
It was in 1903 that Dr. Pottenger inaugur- ated the plans for his sanatorium for the treat- ment of lungs and throat. The beginning was small, showing accommodation for only eleven patients, but in three short years it has grown to be the largest private sanatorium for tuber- culosis in the United States, far exceeding the founder's most sanguine expectations. It now furnishes accommodations for ninety patients, but even this capacity has been outgrown as is shown by the long waiting list.
The sanatorium is located in a natural park of forty acres which occupies an eminence above the city of Monrovia in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains, and which com- mands an extensive view of the San Gabriel valley with its world-famed orange groves. The buildings are so constructed that the pa- tients' rooms face the south with bay window frontage, and in addition to the main buildings there are numerous tent houses and bungalows for the accommodation of patients. The build- ings are equipped with all modern conven- iences, such as steam heat and electric light, and the kitchen is thoroughly up-to-date, being equipped for steam cooking and sterilizing of dishes. The purest of water is supplied from springs in the near-by mountains. In March, 1905, Dr. Pottenger incorporated the institut- tion under the name of the Pottenger Sanato- rium for Diseases of the Lungs and Throat.
During the year 1905 Dr. Pottenger was sent as a delegate from California to the Inter- national Tuberculosis Congress which met in Paris October 2 to 7. While abroad he con- tinued his studies and investigations along the line of his specialty, visiting for this purpose the leading sanatoria of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, France and England, and
meeting many of the recognized authorities on tuberculosis in the world.
The scientific work which Dr. Pottenger has accomplished, together with his contributions to the literature of tuberculosis, has made him a recognized authority on the subject of dis- eases of the lungs and throat. He also enjoys the honor of being the author of the movement for the prevention of tuberculosis in California, his interest in the subject resulting in the or- ganization of the Southern California Anti- Tuberculosis League in 1903, of which he served as president until 1906. He is chief of the medical staff of the Helping Station of the Southern California Anti-Tuberculosis League, and is professor of clinical medicine in the University of Southern California, delivering a course of lectures on the subject of tubercu- losis. His love of and devotion to his profes- sion are shown by his activity in the various local and national medical societies. He holds membership in the following: American Med- ical Association, American Climatological As- sociation, American Academy of Medicine, American Therapeutic Society, the National Society for the Study and Prevention of Tu- berculosis, Medical Society of the State of California, the Los Angeles County Medical Society, Southern California Medical Society, the Los Angeles Clinical and Pathological So- ciety, and the Los Angeles Academy of Medi- cine, of which he is ex-president. He is also founder and ex-president of the Southern California Anti-Tuberculosis League, and is a corresponding member of the International Central Bureau for the Prevention of Tubercu- losis.
Although deeply interested in medical pur- suits this does not exclude him from other in- terests. He is connected with various busi- ness enterprises, among other things being a director of the American National Bank of Monrovia. In his religious belief Dr. Potten- ger is a Unitarian. The only social club to which he belongs is the University Club of Los Angeles. Politically he is independent. not being an adherent of either of the political parties, although this must not be construed as indicating a lack of interest in the welfare of his nation or municipality. On the other
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hand he takes a keen interest in questions of political, social and historical interest. He holds membership in the American Academy of Political and Social Science, in the Califor- nia State Society for Charities and Correc- tions, also in the Southwest Society, a branch of the Archaeological Society of America. In his own town he has served as city council- man. He can always be counted on to assist any movement for the betterment of the com- munity.
In this review of the life and work of Dr. Pottenger it will be seen that he is a man of deep research and careful investigation and is eminently gifted with the capabilities of mind which are indispensable to the success of a physician. Personally he is a pleasant, genial, kindly man, of high social qualities, and much beloved by his patients and associates, and highly respected by the medical profession and an extensive circle of friends.
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JACOB JEPSEN. The business life of Los Angeles received a vital stimulus when Mr. Jep- sen established the nucleus of the present flour- ishing business now being carried on by his sons. When he came to this city in 1891 he started in business in an unpretentious way, but year by year added to his stock and enlarged his quar- ters until at the time of his death, December 12, 1895, he commanded one of the largest retail and wholesale harness and saddlery establish- ments in the city. Since his death the business has been continued, first under the name of the Jepsen Saddlery Company, and now as the Main- Winchester-Jepsen Company. Throughout its existence the business founded by the elder Mr. Jepsen has been synonymous with square deal- ings and honest goods. The establishment of a prosperous business was but one of the accom- plishments of Mr. Jepsen's life, for in the quiet routine of his daily duties he was unconsciously rearing a monument to his name in the many acts of kindness rendered to the less fortunate, lending encouragement to the discouraged, in fact, impoverishing himself that his fellow-man might not lack creature comforts if it lay in his power to supply them.
Jacob Jepsen was the representative of a fine
old Danish family, and his father, also Jacob Jepsen, was well known in the vicinity of Hoyer, Denmark, as a manufacturer of harness and saddles. Before her marriage the mother was a Miss Mommsen, she being closely related to the noted historian of that name. Of the children born into the parental family three became resi- dents of the United States, Jacob and Fred, the latter formerly a resident of Yonkers, N. Y., now of Santa Monica, Cal., and Marie, Mrs. Adam Miller, who lived for many years in San Francisco and died in 1901. Jacob was born in Hoyer, Denmark, January 25, 1838, and grew up to a sturdy manhood under native skies. As his parents were fairly well-to-do he received good educational advantages. After his school days were over he became an apprentice under his father, learning the saddlery business in all of its details. As a member of the Danish army he served in the Schleswig-Holstein war, where he became known as one of the best shots in the Danish army.
It was about the year 1866 that Mr. Jepsen left the familiar scenes of his native land and embarked for Australia, settling in Brisbane, Queensland. It was not long afterward, in the same year in fact, that he formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Emma A. Goeldner, who though a resident of Australia was a native of Geipsdorf, near Berlin, Germany. She was a daughter of Carl Goeldner, a well-known busi- ness man of Geipsdorf, who became one of the early German settlers of Queensland, whither he went to follow mining at the time of the rush to Ballarat. After continuing at mining for some time he gave it up and settled down to the peaceful life of farmer and cattle-raiser. His marriage united him with Eleanor Arlt, who was born in Geipsdorf, Germany, and who died in that country prior to the removal of the hus- band and children to Australia.
Of the two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Goeldner Mrs. Jepsen was the eldest. She went to Australia with her father and sister in the sailing vessel Diana, going around Cape Horn, and during the six months they were en route they saw England, Ireland and Brazil, putting in at Bahia, where for a time they enjoyed the beautiful tropical climate of that country. The only cloud over the otherwise pleasant visit was
William S. Work
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the sight of slavery, which was still in vogue. of United Workmen, for many years being the On their arrival at Brisbane it was necessary to local head of the latter body. In all of his phil- anthropical work Mr. Jepsen had the cheerful co-operation of his wife, who is loved and re- vered for the noble qualities of her character. travel inland through the camps of the black natives in order to get to the German station or missionary settlement which had been estab- lished by Queen Augusta. The year following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Jepsen with her sister, Auguste (later Mrs. John Menzel) came to San Francisco. On the trip from Sydney to San Francisco they came on the sailing vessel San Juan, landing at their destination after a voyage of three months. This boat went down on the return trip, but fortunately the passengers were all saved. Mr. Jepsen's first impression of San Francisco was not altogether pleasing, in fact more than once he regretted that they had ever left Australia. Mrs. Jepsen distinctly re- calls the family migrations, for at the time she left her native land for Australia she was a child of thirteen years and a half.
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