USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 3
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Through his activities as president of the Maclay Rancho and Water Company, Mr. Rindge was instrumental in opening up for settlement thousands of acres in the San Fer- nando valley, while in the central portions of the state he also conducted several large af- fairs, including both arid lands and those sus- ceptible of cultivation. As president of the Middle River Navigation and Canal Company and the Rindge Land and Navigation Com- pany he was instrumental in starting enter- prises which will reclaim thousand of acres of peat and tule lands near Stockton. Over twen- ty-five thousand acres have already been re- claimed. Mr. Rindge was also identified with other corporations of similar nature, giving to all the same ability, energy and enthusiasm which insured the success of all enterprises fostered by him.
The spiritual life of Mr. Rindge was one of power and influence. He lived in close touch with high ideals and made his everyday life conform to them. He was for many years a member of the Westlake Methodist Episcopal Church, with whose interests he was largely identified, contributing to all charities and the various building enterprises which have dis- tinguished this denomination in Los Angeles. At the sessions of the general conference, which were held in this city, he took a promi- nent part, and was the leader of a laymen's evangelistic movement which was far-reaching in its effect. While a resident of Santa Mon- ica he built the First Methodist Episcopal Church of that city on the site of the old building. A man of pronounced prohibition views, a few years ago, when Santa Monica abolished the saloons, he agreed to pay from his personal funds any deficit which might be caused in the city treasury from the lack of saloon license money. As president of the Young Men's Christian Association Mr. Rindge was most active in the support and upbuilding of this institution, a power in both its spiritual and material existence, and was one of the most enthusiastic supporters for the new building which the association contem- plates putting up.
One of the most beautiful homes of Los An- geles, reflecting without and within the cult-
ured and refined tastes of its owner, was oc- cupied by Mr. Rindge and his family, the lat- ter consisting of his widow, two sons and one daughter : Samuel, agcd seventeen years; Fred- erick, aged fifteen years; and Rhoda, aged twelve years.
In closing this brief review of the life of one of Los Angeles' great men it is only fitting to recall the tributes paid to his memory by those who knew him best. His inheritance was much, for coming of the best New Eng- land stock there was much in his character to remind one of the beautiful simplicity, the sturdy independence, the rugged, unpreten- tions honesty and unswerving integrity in all things which went to make up the good Ameri- can citizen of fifty years ago. Engaged at all times in forwarding great movements and in a notable manner a man of affairs, he still realized that business was not all of life, but that the amenities between man and man were as great a matter as the transaction in hand. Every man, of high or low estate, felt his kind- liness of heart and responded impulsively to the hand of hospitality held out to them. His manhood stood out as something unquestioned, as something always understood, for as has been said of him the strong, forceful qualities of his character were inherent and were always prominent in his dealings with men. Such a man cannot die nor can never pass from the memory of man. His visible presence is lost for a little while, but the atmosphere created by his nobility of soul, his honesty of purpose and his honorable manhood will still be felt as a power toward better and higher things.
HON. OSCAR LAWLER was born in Mar- shalltown, Iowa, April 2, 1875, a son of William T. and Margaret (O'Conner) Lawler. The father served in the Civil war in a New York regiment for three years and was wounded in battle. After the close of hostilities he removed from Dunkirk, N. Y., to Iowa and located in Marshalltown, thence in 1886 came to Los An- geles, where he now resides with his wife.
Mr. Lawler attended the public schools of Marshalltown until he came to Los Angeles in 1888. In 1891 he became secretary to United
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States Circuit (then District ) Judge Erskine MI. base to the summit of Mount Lowe, in the Sierra Ross, and while acting in that capacity studied law, being admitted to the bar in April, 1896. He at once began the practice of his profession and has continued thus occupied to the present writing, the firm now being known as that of Lawler, Allen, Van Dyke & Jutten, with offices in the Equitable Savings Bank building. This firm has an extensive practice and is one of the strongest and most influential law firms of the city. In December, 1905, Mr. Lawler was ap- pointed by President Roosevelt to the office of United States attorney for the Southern District of California, entering at once upon the discharge of his duties, which have since occupied a large part of his attention. He takes a broad interest in all public affairs, is a Republican in politics and has taken an active part in the affairs of the party in Southern California. In 1904 he was chosen as delegate to the Republican National Convention held in Chicago, which nominated Theodore Roosevelt for president.
The marriage of Mr. Lawler occurred in Los Angeles and united him with Miss Hilda Brode, a native daughter of this city, and they are now the parents of two children, Charles B. and Helen Jane. In his fraternal relations Mr. Lawler is as- sociated with the Masonic organization, belonging to East Gate Lodge No. 290, F. & A. M., of which he is past master : Signet Chapter No. 57. R. A. M. : Los Angeles Commandery No. 9, K. T .; and Al Malaikah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. In Octo- ber, 1906, in San Francisco he was chosen junior grand warden of the Grand Lodge of Califor- nia. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Los Angeles Bar Association, the Municipal League, and socially is prominent in the Jonathan and Concordia Clubs.
THADDEUS LOWE. A name which will continue to live in the history of California as long as the state itself has been made memor- able through the achievements of Thaddeus S. C. Lowe, the father of our subject. . His achieve- ments in the scientific and engineering world have been as extensive as they have been import- ant, but without doubt the crowning effort of his life was the building of the railroad from the
Madre mountains, and which was so named in his honor. He was born in Jefferson, N. H., August 20, 1832, and in the subscription schools of that place he laid the foundation for the wide knowledge which he possesses today. As a child he was an inveterate reader, and his great- est happiness consisted in delving into the hid- den deeps of scientific problems. When he was still a young man his genins was recognized, and was put to practical service during the Civil war through his invention of a system of signalling, and valuable instruments for atmospheric inves- tigation. While chief of the aeronauticorps during the war he constructed and operated the largest aerostat ever built. He was also the in- ventor of the first artificial ice manufactured in the United States, which dates back to the year 1865, and two years later he refrigerated the first steamship (the William Taber of New York) for the transportation of meats and food, a system which has transformed the whole phase of transporting perishable goods. Since 1888 he has been a resident of Pasadena, Cal.
A son of this distinguished resident of Pasa- dena is Thaddeus Lowe, vice-president and gen- eral manager of the California Coke and Gas Company, also holding these positions in the branch company known as the Valley Gas and Fuel Company. The business was organized in 1902 and incorporated the same year with a cap- ital stock of $1,000,000. The present officers of the company are Horace M. Dobbins, president ; Thaddeus Lowe, vice-president and general man- ager ; D. J. Macpherson, secretary ; and Caroline W. Dobbins, treasurer, all of the officers being residents of Pasadena and vicinity. The Valley Gas and Fuel Company, which is an off-shoot of the parent company. are sellers and distributers of gas to the city of Pasadena, South Pasadena and Alhambra, while the Long Beach Gas Company, still another branch, furnishes gas to the city of Long Beach and vicinity.
Thaddeus Lowe is a native of New Jersey, horn February 18. 1870, and was educated prin- cipally in West Newton, Mass. In the year 1890 he came to California and for several years was superintendent of the Pasadena Gas and Elec- tric Company. In addition to supplying gas to Pasadena and the surrounding towns and vil-
Armer-Laughlin
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lages the California Coke and Gas Company, with its branches, also manufacture and handle gas meters, gas ranges, gas heaters, regulators and all fixtures necessary to heating plants. The gas- generating plant of the company is located at Dolgeville. Mr. Lowe's wide experience along the line in which he is engaged has made him conversant with all of its various departments, and it is but natural that he has experienced a phenomenal success.
HOMER LAUGHLIN. The name of Homer Laughlin is synonymous with all that has stood for the highest development in the city of Los Angeles during the last decade, and to those who know him it speaks eloquently of the worth and works of the man. A true cosmopolitan, he is equally at home in the city of his adoption or the state of his birth, his loyalty to the one in no wise detracting from his loyalty to the other; his friends of the west, although of more recent ac- quisition, holding the same place in his regard as his friends of the east. Los Angeles is proud to claim him as a representative citizen and place his name in the list of those who have done most for the promotion of enterprises calculated to de- velop the resources of the city.
Scotch-Irish ancestors have given to Mr. Laughlin the salient points of his character, the name being to-day a prominent one in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. James Laugh- lin, the grandfather of Homer Laughlin, was born in Maryland, where he spent his young manhood, eventually removing to Pennsylvania, where his death occurred when past middle life. He was survived by his wife, formerly Nancy Johnson, a native of Pennsylvania, and who died in Ohio. In their family was a son, Matthew, who was born in Beaver county, Pa., March 31, 1799, and in the vicinity of his birthplace was reared to years of maturity. Inheriting the instinct which brought to American shores the first emigrating ancestor, he became a pioneer of Ohio in the days when the middle west was as unknown as the Pacific coast at the time of the discovery of gold in California. He was a man of strong business ability, high principles and the qualities which make the best type of citizen, and although he never enjoyed the advantages which belonged to
the era of his children, yet he acquired a broad fund of information and a financial success in life. He was known for the period of forty-five years as postmaster, miller and merchant at Little Beaver, Columbiana county, Ohio, and finally he removed to East Liverpool, where his death occurred in 1876. His wife, formerly Maria Moore, was a native of Columbiana coun- ty, Ohio, her birth occurring in 1814. She sur- vived her husband and later went to Pittsburg, Pa., where she died June 19, 1888. Her father, Thomas Moore, was born in the vicinity of Bel- fast, Ireland, where he received an excellent edu- cation. Of an enterprising disposition he de- cided to seek a fortune in the western world and accordingly came to the United States. In the employ of the government as a civil engineer he was sent to Ohio when it formed a part of the Northwestern Territory. He continued to make that section his home until his death, which oc- curred in Columbiana county at the age of sixty- six years. He married in America Nancy Lyon, who was born in Beaver county, Pa., and died in Ohio at an advanced age.
Homer Laughlin was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, March 23, 1843, and in the vicin- ity of his home received a primary education in the common schools. Later his studies in the Neville Institute were interrupted by the call to arms for the maintenance of the Union. On the 12th of July, 1862, he offered his services, en- listing in Company A, One Hundred and Fif- teenth Ohio Infantry, under Capt. H. R. Hill, and immediately accompanied his regiment to the front, remaining actively engaged until the close of the war. In Murfreesboro, Tenn., he was mustered out of service and received his final discharge in Cleveland, Ohio, July 7, 1865, after which he returned to his home and as- sumed once more the duties of civic life. Dur- ing the years which he had spent in the army he had passed from boyhood into manhood and thus his outlook upon life and its responsibilities had perceptibly changed. Following his dis- charge from the army he engaged in the oil regions of Pennsylvania in the boring of wells, putting down twelve in a little more than a year. Deciding then to take up active business life he went to New York City and together with a brother began the importation of china from
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England, which was disposed of here through a wholesale and retail trade. After three years he returned to Ohio and still in partnership with his brother built the first white-ware pottery es- tablished in East Liverpool, Ohio, and together the two conducted their interests until 1877. He then purchased the entire business interests and since that time has carried on a constantly in- creasing trade under the name of the Homer Laughlin China Company. The demand for this ware has called for constant improvement in method and equipment and is now numbered among the important enterprises not alone in the city where it is located, but of the United States, in that the product is shipped to every state in the Union. In 1876 he received the highest prize at the Centennial Exposition and in 1879 his work was recognized at the Cinein- nati Exposition by the presentation of a gold medal, and in 1893 he was awarded three dip- lomas and a medal at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, Il1., for both plain and decorated ware.
The business experience of Mr. Laughlin has well fitted him to pass judgment upon the op- portunities presented by any section of the coun- try, and when in 1894 he purchased property in Los Angeles it might well be considered a move- ment after thoughtful and mature deliberation. Subsequently events have proven the wisdom of his choice and have brought to him large financial returns for the money invested in realty in this city. Three years later he estab- lished his home in Los Angeles and at that time organized a corporation known as the Homer Laughlin China Company to carry on that busi- ness in East Liverpool, Ohio. In 1897 and 1898 he erected the magnificent structure known as the Homer Laughlin building, located on Broad- way between Third and Fourth streets, which was the first fireproof building in Southern Cali- fornia and is equipped with all modern con- veniences. U'p to 1905 the building was ade- quate for the demands made upon that location, but in that year he built a reinforced concrete fireproof annex, which continues his building from Broadway through to Hill street, and giv- ing him a depth of three hundred and twenty- seven feet and a frontage of one hundred and twenty-one feet, both on Broadway and Hill
street. This was the first building of its kind ever erected in Los Angeles and indeed on the Pacific coast, being entirely of re-inforced con- crete, faced with white enamel terra cotta, and absolutely fireproof. In addition to his building operations he has taken a prominent part in other enterprises, serving as director in the American National Bank and various organiza- tions. He served as a member of a committee of three to select and purchase a lot for the new Chamber of Commerce building, and this pur- pose accomplished he became a member of the building committee which erected the magnifi- cent structure now occupied by this department of the city's activities.
Until her death the home of Mr. Laughlin was presided over by his wife, formerly Miss Cornelia Battenberg, a woman of gracious presence, cul- tured and refined, and a welcome addition to the social life of Los Angeles. Their union was blessed by the birth of two children, Homer, Jr., a chemical engineer and a graduate of Stanford University, and Guendolen Virginia. His home and interests in this city, Mr. Laughlin has given personal time and attention to the duties which he considered of vital importance in citizenship. Politically he upholds the principles of the Re- publican party and has always been a stanch sup- porter of this platform. He is known and held in the highest esteem by a large majority of the former and present day leaders of the party, dur- ing his long residence in Ohio numbering among his warmest friends the late William McKinley, an attachment which continued unabated up to the time of the latter's death. Mr. Laughlin was chairman of the reception committee when the late President MeKinley, with his wife and cabi- net, visited Los Angeles, and while here were the guests of Mr. Laughlin. For several years he held the presidency of the United States Potters' Association and for twelve years served as chair- man of the executive committee. In his fra- ternal relations Mr. Laughlin has been associated for many years with the Masonic organization, as a member of the Allegheny Commandery of Knights Templar visiting Europe in 1871 with a partly of forty representatives, known as the First Crusaders.
In summing up the life of Mr. Laughlin it would be impossible to close without brief men-
. C. Chic
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tion of some of his personal characteristics, for it is through their exercise that he has won his high position financially and socially. A man of strong intelligence and mental power, he has still not allowed this to be the dominant force of his life, but with its cultivation has also developed a kindly personality, a ready and stanch friendship, and a citizenship whose influence for good is felt wherever his name is known.
JOHN C. CLINE. One of the prominent citizens of Los Angeles and Southern Cali- fornia is John C. Cline, who has been identi- fied with the material growth and progress of this section since his first venture in young manhood. He is the descendant of an old Maryland family, his paternal grandfather, Casper Cline, being a native of that state and a large farmer and land-owner; he was a cit- izen of worth and ability, holding a position in his home community by virtue of his many sterling traits of character. He served as cap- tain in the war of 1812 and otherwise partici- pated in public affairs to the benefit of the gen- eral community. He married Catherine, daughter of Col. Robert Evans, from whom our "Fighting Bob" is descended. This fam- ily came originally from Wales and were lo- cated for years on the Howard Woods tract of Baltimore, which is now embraced in the Druid Hill Park. Of the family of Casper Cline a son, George T., became a successful lumber manufacturer and millionaire landown- er of Chicago, where he died in 1906. Another son, John A., was born in Frederick, Md., an inheritance of his being the pioneer spirit which induced his Scotch-Irish ancestor to seek a home in America in an early day, for in 1848 lie set out to seek his fortune in newer lands. He went first to Australia and in Bal- larat engaged in mining for a time, then went to Melbourne and became proprietor of the Spreadeagle hotel, the largest concern of its kind in that city, and at the same time con- ducted a hotel in Ballarat, between which cities he ran the stage line. After quite a number of years spent in Australia, during which time he met with much success in his efforts, he re- turned to Maryland and thence, with his broth-
er, George T. Cline, went to a point on Lake Michigan and engaged in the lumber business. He remained connected with this enterprise until 1869, when he placed his interests in his brother's hands and with his family came to Southern California with the intention of mak- ing the City of the Angels his permanent home. Here he lived in retirement until his death, which occurred in July, 1896. He was promi- nent in fraternal orders, being a member of the Odd Fellows organization and also the Knights of Pythias, while politically he was always a stanch advocate of Republican principles. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was liberal in his support of all charitable movements. His wife was former- ly Agnes Neven, a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and a daughter of William Neven, a large landed proprietor of Scotland, who was an extensive traveler both in the United States and Australia, it being in Melbourne of the lat- ter country that Mr. Cline met and married the daughter. She is now making her home in Los Angeles. They became the parents of the following children: John C., of this review : William H., George T. and Casper W., all three merchants of Los Angeles.
John C. Cline was born in Ballarat, Austra- lia, May 2, 1860, and shortly afterward was brought to America by his parents, who again located at their old home in Frederick, Md. From that place he accompanied them to the middle west, passed a brief time there, and then in 1869 came to Los Angeles, Cal., where he has ever since remained. He received a pre- liminary education through the medium of the public schools, and after graduating from the high school completed a course at La Fetras Business College. His first work was on a railroad survey corps under Chalmer Scott for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company be- tween Yuma and Port Ysabel, Mexico, and up- on his return from this trip he was appointed deputy by city surveyor Hansen. Later he served as deputy county assessor, and in 1883 was elected township constable, and at the close of this term was appointed deputy sher- iff under Sheriff Kays, a position which he held for six years. In 1892 he was elected sheriff of Los Angeles county by a large majority and
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against the concentrated Democratic forces. This office he held from January, 1893, to Jan- uary, 1895, discharging the duties devolving upon him with credit to himself and to his constituents.
Having always been identified with the Re- publican party from the time when Republicans were in a hopeless minority, Mr. Cline was the original MeKinley organizer in the state, be- ginning his work in the Sixth and Seventh congressional districts a year and a half before the general campaign was begun. In 1896 he was sent as a delegate to the state convention, where he did effective work for the party's in- terests. In 1899 he received the appointment of collector of customs for the district of Los Angeles, which contains three ports of entry, Port Los Angeles, San Pedro and Santa Bar- bara, which means a large and important bus- iness to look after. The thorough knowledge of the territory embraced in the district as well as the excellent business training which Mr. Cline was able to bring to bear in his new oc- cupation proved of invaluable service to him and gave him the success in this line which had attended all his other efforts. His re-ap- pointment four years later by President Roose- velt was heartily endorsed by both business and political men of Southern California, who had come to appreciate highly the ability of Mr. Cline, and his thoroughness and painstak- ing care demonstrated in his business. At the close of his second term Mr. Cline retired from the office.
Mr. Cline has always been much interested in the growth and development of Los Angeles, and has aided materially in its upbuilding. He owns valuable property here, which he has improved. In this city, October 12, 1885, he married Miss Margaret Terry, a native of La- fayette, Ind., and they are the parents of two children. J. Banning and Harry W. Mrs. Cline is a daughter of George and Louisa (Stout) Terry, the father a descendant of the Terry and Mills families of New Orleans, La., who later became early settlers of Indiana. George Terry's grandfather had a factory run by water power for the manufacture of large "grandfather" cabinet clocks, made with wood- en wheels, of which he was the inventor and
the first builder in this country. The Stout family were originally from New Jersey, and they too became early settlers in Indiana.
In the midst of his busy career Mr. Cline has still found time to ally himself with frater- nal organizations, being a member of Los An- geles Lodge No. 42, F. & A. M., Los Angeles Consistory, and Al Malaikah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. It was Mr. Cline who added to the success of the annual Fiesta by his organiza- tion of the first club of Cabaleros, which is now a feature of the parade each year. At the time of President MeKinley's visit to Los Angeles in 1901 he acted as grand marshal of the Fiesta parade, was grand marshal of the Free Harbor Jubilee, and also of the Fiesta parade at the time of President Roosevelt's visit in 1903. He was a leader in the organization known as "Teddy's Terrors," a political club, and remains an active member of the same, while he is oth- erwise active in political movements. He is a citizen who justly merits the high esteem in which he is held, whose personal efforts have always been for the upbuilding of the place, and whose public and private life have con- tributed to the best in American citizenship.
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