USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 24
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JUDGE JOSEPH F. CHAMBERS. The official life of Los Angeles has in Judge Cham- bers a practical and efficient citizen, whose best efforts are given toward the advancement of law and order in his capacity of justice of the peace
I Sawvis Baulow
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of the city. He is a native of Clinton county, Ill., born April 3., 1862, the elder of two chil- dren in the family of his parents, Samuel and Lucy (Dodge) Chambers. His father was born in Genesee, N. Y., a son of James, who removed to Macon county, Mich., and engaged in farm- ing. Samuel Chambers removed to Clinton county, Ill., and engaged in farming for a time, then returned to Michigan and located in Lowell, where he is now residing. His wife, who was born in New York and reared in Michigan, died while they were residents of Illinois.
Joseph F. Chambers attended the public schools of his native state in pursuit of a pre- liminary education, after which he entered the state normal at Ypsilanti, Mich. After two years he returned to Illinois and made that place his home for a time, and then again returned to Ypsilanti and studied law in the office of Capt. E. P. Allen, but gave it up to go to Trinidad, Colo .. thence removing to Deming, N. Mex., and from there to Roseburg, Ore., where he spent one year. In 1884 he came to Los Angeles and entered the law offices of Canfield & Dameron. George Holton was then serving as district at- torney and soon after his arrival here Mr. Cham- bers was appointed clerk in Judge Austin's court ; he continued the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1890. He continued as clerk in Judge Austin's court until he opened a law office in Los Angeles and began the practice of his profession. Appointed to the office of deputy district attorney he discharged the duties of that position until he received an appointment to the office of deputy city attorney, his duty then being the prosecution of all city cases. Later he became prosecuting attorney for the police court, which position he held until the fall of 1902, when he was elected city justice of the peace and in January, 1903, took the oath of office. He was re-elected in the fall of 1906, and is now discharging the duties of this office in Department I of the city court. He is a widely informed lawyer, in touch with all progress and advancement, and in the position he is now occu- pying capable of doing much for the betterment of humanity.
In Los Angeles Judge Chambers was united in marriage with Miss Euphemie Moffet, a na- tive of Iowa, and they are the parents of two
children, Rofena and Josephine. In his frater- nal relations Judge Chambers is a Mason, having been made a member of the organization in Palestine Lodge No. 351, F. & A. M., of Los Angeles, and also belongs to the Modern Wood- men of America and the Knights of Honor, in the latter being past director. Politically he is a stanch adherent of the principles advocated in the platform of the Republican party, and be- longs to the Union League Club and the County Republican League.
WALTER JARVIS BARLOW, M. D. Among the names of distinguished physicians holding prominent place in the medical pro- fession is that of Dr. W. J. Barlow. Though born of a long line of eastern ancestry, the west has claimed him and welcomed him, as the west always welcomes the brain and the strength of the sons of the east and is proud to enroll them as her own. The homely but oft- heard expression that "blood tells" has be- come axiomatic, and if the saying is as true as believed to be the Barlow family may just- ly lay claim to whatever distinction lies in be- ing well descended. The American branch of the Barlow family, from which Dr. Barlow is descended, dates from colonial days when Samuel Barlow, the founder of the family in America, was among the early colonists who emigrated from England in 1620 and settled in Massachusetts. Those were days of trial and tribulation and the men who unflinch- ingly faced them were worthy progenitors of a race to be that should point with pride to the line from whence they sprang. Among the numerous descendants of Samuel Barlow was Joel Barlow, the distinguished author and philanthropist, and also of the immediate family of which Dr. Barlow is a member.
Dr. Barlow's great-great-grandfather, John Barlow, was a native of Fairfield, Conn., and a merchant by trade. He married Sarah Whit- ney, of the well known New England family. Their son John married Larana Scott, and the son of the latter, also John, married Julia Ann Jarvis, whose family name is prominent in the history of Connecticut. Though of English descent they were true American patriots, her
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grandfather being a soldier in the Revolution. She was also a niece of Bishop Jarvis, the first bishop consecrated in America, and the sec- ond bishop of Connecticut.
Dr. Barlow's father was William H. Bar- low. He was born in Connecticut, afterwards removing to Ossining, N. Y., where he en- gaged in business as a hardware merchant. He was a man of sterling qualities, a devout member of the Episcopal Church, and a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. He married Miss Catherine Stratton Leut, also a native of Connecticut, a daughter of Robert and Catherine (Stratton) Leut. Her mother was a Van Weber, descendant of Aneka Jans of New York City, whose vast estate was the subject of litigation for many years, and be- came a cause celebre in the annals of the New York State bar. The Leut family were orig- inally from Holland. The proper name, Van Leut, became in time shortened to Leut. Catherine Stratton Barlow, who died in 1891, became the mother of nine children.
Dr. Walter Jarvis Barlow was born at Os- sining, Westchester county, N. Y., January 22, 1868, and his early boyhood years were passed at his home on the banks of the pictur- esque Hudson. Graduating from Mt. Pleas- ant Military Academy in 1885. he entered Co- lumbia University and received his degree of B. A. in 1889. In 1892 he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons and re- ceived his degree of M. D., which was fol- lowed by three years as interne in a New York City hospital. Too close attention to study had somewhat undermined his health and he sought to regain it through traveling and a year's sojourn in the mountains of Southern California. As soon as his health was restored he located in Los Angeles and engaged in the practice of his profession. His specialty is in- ternal medicine.
In 1898 Dr. Barlow married Miss Marion Brooks Patterson, of Los Angeles, and a na- tive of Dunkirk, N. Y. They have three children, Walter Jarvis, Jr., Catherine Leut and Ella Brooks.
Dr. Barlow has achieved an enviable posi- tion in his chosen profession, and is held in high esteem among the fraternity of which he
is an honored member. His culture, refine- ment and worth are well established and uni- versally recognized in the community. He holds the chair of clinical medicine in the Medi- cal College of Southern California; is a member of the American Medical Association ; member of the Clinicalogical Association ; member of the Chamber of Commerce; and vice president and director of the Merchants' Trust and Savings Bank. In 1902 he founded and incorporated the Barlow Sanitarium for the poor consumptives of Los Angeles county, which has proven more than a success.
CHARLES SILENT. The city of Los An- geles, while surrounded by the advantages with which a prodigal nature has endowed this sec- tion, owes the greater part of its growth and prosperity to the indomitable will and tenacity of the far-seeing and persevering men of business and finance who have made their personal inter- ests one with the advancement and development of the resources of Southern California. Promi- nent among this class of citizens is Charles Silent. one of the pioneers of the early '50s, and a man whose life has been marked by the hardships and privations characteristic of the first days of state- hood. Undaunted by all such obstacles, cour- ageous in the face of all difficulties, he steadily rose to a position of affluence and influence and is to-day numbered among the representative men of Los Angeles.
From German ancestry Judge Silent inherited the traits of character which laid the foundation for his success. He was born in Baden, Ger- many, in the year 1843, and five years later was brought to America by his parents, who estab- lished their home in Columbus, Ohio. In that section he spent the following eight years of his life and there accepted the responsibilities of life when only twelve years old, being forced by necessity to take up the burden of self-support. In 1856 he left home and started for California alone, the journey being made by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He was but thirteen years old when he landed in San Francisco, but, un- daunted by the prospect of holding his own in the new country which was attracting men of all classes and conditions, he went at once to the
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mines of Amador county and began the struggle for a foothold.
Although but scant scholastic training had been the portion of this lad, yet he had early deter- mined to make his success in the line of profes- sional work, and during these years of struggle and adversities he kept this aim constantly in view. At the age of seventeen years he success- fully passed the teacher's examination and se- cured a certificate which gave him the right to conduct a school and for the following three years he was so occupied. At the same time he continued his studies with a view to entering col- lege before completing his law work, which he had some time before taken np, and in 1862 he became a student in the University of the Pa- cific, at Santa Clara, Cal. Following his com- pletion of the course he became principal of the Santa Clara public schools, which position he held until 1866, discharging the duties with an efficiency which won for him the commendation of pupils and parents. In the meantime he had been devoting all his spare time to the study of law and upon the termination of his work in Santa Clara he entered the law office of S. F. & J. Reynolds, of San Francisco, as a student. Upon his return to Santa Clara he was appointed one of the deputy county clerks, in which position he familiarized himself with pleading and practice and with the public records of the county. Being admitted to the bar in 1868, he immediately be- came a member of the law firm of Moore & Laine, one of the leading firms of the legal fra- ternity of San Jose. For ten years he remained a resident of San Jose and engaged in a highly successful and remunerative practice. About this time he went to Arizona, where he had just been appointed a judge of the supreme court, and for two years he continued to perform the duties of this position. At the expiration of that time he resigned to establish a general practice in Tucson, Ariz., which in the three years of his residence there grew to remunerative proportions. On account of impaired health he was forced to re- linquish his law practice in 1883, following which he spent about two years in rest and travel. De- ciding to locate in Los Angeles, he came to this city in 1885 and has ever since made it his home, building up a general practice in his profession, to which he returned with renewed energy and
vigor with returning health. He has won for himself a place of importance and prominence at the Los Angeles bar and is one of the best-known and most successful lawyers of Southern Cali- fornia.
In addition to his professional interests Judge Silent has always identified himself with move- ments calculated to advance the general welfare of the community in which he has made his home. While a resident of San Jose he was instrumental in the building of the railroad between San Jose and Santa Clara, which was one of the first rail- roads constructed south of San Francisco. In educational affairs he was equally active and was one of the foremost men in the establishment and construction of the State Normal School, the first in the state, while he gave much time and atten- tion toward the promotion of movements to im- prove and beautify all public school buildings as well as the city itself. He devised the plan and secured the passage of a law by which the city of San Jose constructed a beautiful drive a distance of six miles to its great public park. He was the head of a corporation which, under his supervision, constructed a railroad from Santa Cruz along the San Lorenzo river to the town of Felton, and is now a part of the railroad running from Santa Cruz across the mountains to Oakland. It was through his far-seeing judg- ment that the Santa Cruz mammoth trees, which lie along this road, were saved from the sawmill and were preserved as a pleasure resort.
In Los Angeles the judge has been equally public spirited and has been identified with inntt- merable enterprises which have given to the city its prestige among other attractions of South- ern California. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce he has taken a keen and active interest in all movements of that organization. It was through his efforts largely that the army of unemployed men in 1897 were set to work in the improvement of Elysian Park, and in recognition of his services in this direction the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Association made him an hon- orary life member. One of the residence show places of Los Angeles also owes its existence to Judge Silent, that of Chester Place, where he has his home, a stately old mansion reflecting the cul- ture and taste of by-gone days. With numerous other enterprises his identification has also been
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such as to influence largely the trend of advance- ment, and to no one man is more credit due for the progress and upbuilding of the city. He is held in the highest esteem by all who have known him during the years of his residence in Cali- fornia, honored alike for the qualities of mind and heart which have distinguished his profes- sional and business career.
In his political preference Judge Silent is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Repub- lican party, and although eminently broad minded and liberal in his views, has conscientiously sought to advance the interests he endorses. He has always taken a prominent part in public affairs and would have been chosen to high places of re- sponsibility if his consent could have been gained by those desirous of so honoring him. By the life he has led, however, he has wielded a wider influ- ence and a more lasting one, for he has shown himself to be a liberal and earnest citizen, looking toward the advancement of the general welfare first and always without thought of personal re- ward; a sincere and helpful friend; and an im- partial and discriminating judge. He merits the position he holds as a representative citizen of Los Angeles.
WILLIAM LACY. One of the pioneer busi- ness men of Southern California who left his imprint upon the community was William Lacy, a native of England, born in London, June II, 1835, and there he was reared to years of ma- turity. In young manhood he decided to seek his fortune among the larger opportunities of the western world, and accordingly located in Illinois, and near the city of Chicago met and married Isabella Rigg, also a native of England, born and reared in Northumberland. It was in 1864 that they first became numbered among the pioneer citizens of California, in that year mak- ing the journey to the Pacific coast via the Isth- mus of Panama, and locating in Marin county, where in Bolinas Mr. Lacy established a general merchandise business. Four years later he dis- posed of these interests and going to San Diego became interested in the upbuilding and develop- ment of that place as one of its pioneer resi- dents. Opportunities presenting themselves in Los Angeles, he came to this city in 1874, and
until the time of his death, August 7, 1897, at the age of sixty-two years, was foremost in the advancement of all projects which had for their end the upbuilding and development of the best interests of the general community. He was first and for some years engaged as cashier of the Commercial, now the First National Bank, dis- charging the duties of this office in an efficient manner, while he at the same time gave thought and enterprise to other lines. Chief among these was the organization of the Puente Oil Company, in which he was the prime mover, and after the completion of the enterprise they at once began prospecting and developing wells in the great Puente oil field, the second oil field to be de- veloped in Southern California. The responsibil- ities of the presidency of this company proving too engrossing with his other interests, he finally resigned the cashiership in order to devote his time and attention to the other project and to the close of his career remained actively identified with the oil interests of this section. Later he also became interested in the real estate of the city and in the passing years laid out several additions to East Los Angeles, which have ma- terially extended the corporate limits. In the municipal advancement of the city he was always active and no citizen took a keener interest in the upbuilding of the general welfare.
In his political affiliations Mr. Lacy was a stanch adherent of the principles advocated in the platform of the Democratic party, and al- though never desirous of personal recognition always gave his aid in the advancement of these interests. His wife survived him some years, passing away in Los Angeles in February, 1905. They were the parents of six children, namely : William, Jr., president of the Lacy Manufactur- ing Company; Richard H., secretary and treas- urer of the Lacy Manufacturing Company; Ed- ward, engaged in the mines of Old Mexico; Fred G., who died at the age of twenty-eight years; Sophia and Isabelle, of Los Angeles.
RICHARD H. LACY, a native Californian and one of the successful manufacturers of Los An- geles, was born in Marin county, August 14, 1866, a son of William Lacy. During his youth Richard H. Lacy was educated in the public and
Jack. Graham.
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high schools of Los Angeles, after which he took a commercial course in one of the business col- leges of the city. He was only a young man when he became interested with his father in the organization of the Puente Oil Company, in which he became a director and is still occupy- ing that position. It was in 1885 that the exten- sive manufactory owned by the Lacy brothers was established, the plant being located on Al- pine street and consisting only of an equipment for the manufacture of oil tanks and water pipes. During the next twelve years, or up to the time of their incorporation as the Lacy Manufacturing Company, they constantly increased the business capacity and at the present writing own a plant on Main and Date streets which covers an entire block, and where they turn out everything in plate and sheet steel work. This is one of the most extensive manufactories of the city and has added no little to the business upbuilding of the place through the employment of a large force of men and a constant output of product. Will- iam Lacy acts as president of the company, while Richard H. is secretary and treasurer. They have demonstrated their ability among the business men of Southern California, have built up a luc- rative business, and have added to the general prosperity of the section.
The marriage of Mr. Lacy occurred in Los Angeles and united him with Miss Maude Sul- livan. As did his father, Mr. Lacy takes an active interest in all matters of public import and can always be counted upon to further any movement advanced for the general welfare of the community. He is active in financial affairs, being a director in the United States National Bank of Los Angeles, and also belongs to the Merchants & Manufacturers Association, in the advancement of whose interests he takes an active part. Personally he is esteemed by all who know him, and is universally placed among the representative citizens of Los Angeles and of Southern California.
JAMES D. GRAHAM. The greatest pos- sible good to the community of which he is a resident comes through the efforts and abil- ities of James D. Graham, a well-known and
popular educator of Southern California, who for seventeen years was connected with the schools of Pasadena, first as principal, then as supervising principal, and for five years as superintendent. Preceded by many years of valuable experience in the educational field he took up the work in Pasadena with a full understanding of the duties which lay before him, and that he made a complete success of the undertaking may be readily seen by a re- sumé of his career. From the ten public schools of the city about fifty-five hundred pupils came under his special care and train- ing, and with the support and assistance of the one hundred and fifty teachers under his charge a permanent and ennobling work was accom- plished, gratifying in the extreme to those immediately involved, but no less so to par- ents and citizens. In June, 1907, Mr. Graham was elected superintendent of the schools of Long Beach, and resigning his position in Pasadena he assumed his new duties in the September following. Here he has the assist- ance and co-operation of one hundred teach- ers in the training of the four thousand pupils under their care.
A descendant of Scotch ancestors, James D. Graham was born in Peterborough, Ontario, November 22, 1858, and until he was six years of age was reared in his birthplace. Even at this early age he had been initiated into the school room, and upon the removal of the fam- ily to Lakefield in 1864 he continued his studies. Afterward he prepared for college at the Peter- borough Collegiate Institute, earning the wherewithal for this course by teaching for three and a half years. Subsequently he en- tered the literary department of Toronto Uni- versity, studying there for three years, when he accepted a position as principal of the Lake- field public school, later returning to the uni- versity and finishing his course. In 1888 he graduated with the degree of A. B., and three years later the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by his alma mater. It was with the above training that Professor Graham came to California in 1888 and entered into educational work in a field that was waiting for a man of his breadth of knowledge and executive abil- ity. During his first year in the west he be-
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came an instructor in the department of science and mathematics at the University of Southern California. For eighteen months he acted as private tutor in the family of Daniel Freeman. It was in the latter part of 1890 that he went to Pasadena and accepted the po- sition of principal of the high school, and so satisfactory were his services that at the end of two years he was elected supervising prin- cipal of the school system, a position for which he had special qualifications. During the long period of his association with educational work there the standard of the curriculum was ele- vated, new methods of instruction were intro- duced and the whole tone of the school work raised to a point which has made the schools of Pasadena rank second to none in the state. In addition to his duties as principal Professor Graham served a term of two years as a mem- ber of the Los Angeles county board of educa- tion, and for one year was president of that body.
After locating in California Professor Gra- ham formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Elizabeth E. Rust, a daughter of Horatio N. Rust, a well-known resident of South Pasadena. Five children have blessed their marriage, Donald R., Katherine M., James D., Jr., Robert H. and Malcolm E. While in Pasadena the family had a pleasant home at No. 500 Ellis street, and since coming to Long Beach they have resided at No. 1123 Cedar avenue, which Mr. Graham owns. Every project which tends to broaden or strengthen educational facilities has in Professor Graham a stanch supporter. He was a member of the board of freeholders who prepared the charter adopted by Pasadena, being especially inter- ested in the educational department. In 1905 he was elected president of the Southern Cali- fornia Teachers Association, serving one term. Politically he is a Republican, and fraternally he is a member of Pasadena Lodge No. 272, F. & A. M., and Pasadena Consistory No. 4. From the date of its organization he was a member of the Board of Trade of Pasadena. Socially he belongs to the Twilight Club and is also a member of the Cosmopolitan Club of Long Beach. For many years he has been ac- tively identified with the National Educational
Association and is also a member of the State Teachers Association. In his religions affilia- tions he is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Long Beach and for many years he was superintendent of the Sunday school with which he was associated in Pasadena. Pro- fessor Graham's father, Robert Graham, is a well-known citizen of Lakefield, Ontario, where he has been engaged in a general mer- cantile business since 1864. Before her mar- riage his wife was Miss Jessie Menzies, a na- tive of Perthshire, Scotland, which was also the birthplace of Mr. Graham. The mother passed away September 3, 1906. Four sons and one daughter were born to these worthy parents, and three sons are in business with their father.
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