USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 32
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Mr. Zobelein's time and attention have not been wholly absorbed in the business just men- tioned, but on the other hand he has been inter- ested to a considerable extent in the improve- ment of his real estate in Los Angeles, which
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has become very valuable. His ninety-acre tract, known as the Zobelein tract, on South Jefferson between Figueroa and Main streets, is one of the sightly additions to the city and has proven a source of large profit to all concerned.
Early in life Mr. Zobelein formed domestic ties, marrying Brigida Alvarez, who was born in Sonora, Mexico, and they are the parents of the following children: John G., Edward, George, Philip and Rose, the latter still at home with her parents. In the midst of his busy cares Mr. Zobelein has taken time to interest himself in social and political affairs, and is associated with the Turn-verein of the city; he votes the Demo- cratic ticket ; and as a member of the Chamber of Commerce seeks the advancement of his adopted city. A straightforward, liberal and progres- sive citizen, he possesses traits which have won for him a place in the municipal life of Los An- geles.
STEPHEN W. DORSEY. The interests of a general public have always lain parallel with those of a personal nature in the career of Hon. Stephen W. Dorsey, one of the most substantial and enterprising citizens of Los Angeles, where he is held in the highest es- teem for the characteristics which have dis- tinguished his citizenship. The descendant of French antecedents, he was born February 28, 1844, in Vermont and inherited the sterling qualities of the natives of that section. His boyhood years were passed upon the paternal farm, his home duties alternating with an at- tendance of the public schools, in which he re- ceived a substantial education. To this train- ing he later added by taking a course in the college at Oberlin, Ohio, in which state he answered the call of his country by enlisting as a private in the First Ohio Light Artillery, accompanying his regiment to the front and serving with distinction throughout the entire war. He took part in over twenty of the bloodiest battles, being wounded four times. Step by step he advanced until he had held every rank in his regiment, and as a colonel at twenty-two he returned to civil life. Dur- ing his army service Mr. Dorsey formed the acquaintance of Hon. Thomas A. Scott, one of
the assistant secretaries of war, whose duties were the control of the transportation of troops and supplies, and through his association in this work Mr. Dorsey became interested in the possibilities of a railroad career. Through Mr. Scott, then president of the Pennsylvania Rail- road, he became actively identified with rail- road work in the southwest, assisting in the reorganization and construction of the lines which had been demoralized during the four years of devastating war. Following this he took an active part in the incorporation and construction, as chief engineer, of the Texas and Pacific, Little Rock and Fort Smith, and Arkansas Central Railroads, locating his home in the state in order to more fully devote his time and attention to the work in hand. He was one of the most successful men of the day in this line of work and is widely known among the enterprising railroad men of the country.
Mr. Dorsey's interest in Republican politics had in the mean time made him a well-known figure in the gatherings of the party and as early as 1868 he was made a member of the Republican National Convention. The same honor came to him in the years 1872. 1876, 1880 and 1884, thus proving his ability to take a hand in the important affairs which come before that body. He was also a member of the Republican National Committee during all those years. In 1872 he was made assistant secretary of the Republican National Commit- tee, in 1876 was made vice-chairman and in 1880 was made chairman of that body, conduct- ing the famous Garfield campaign. In the mean time, in 1875, he was elected to the United States senate from Arkansas as a Re- publican, receiving all the votes of the legis- iature, including forty-two votes from Demo- cratic members. While in the senate he was chairman of the District of Columbia Com- mittee, a member of Appropriation and Rail- road Committee and served his constituency well and faithfully, winning a lasting com- mendation from those who had been influen- tial in placing him in this important position. The senate knew Dorsey was there.
In the mean time Mr. Dorsey had become interested in mining, in 1873 acquiring an in-
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terest with the late Senator Chaffee of Colo- rado in the mines at Central City. Five years later they were again associated in the mines at Leadville, Colo., where they met with more than ordinary success. Mr. Dorsey was also interested in the Silver Cliff and Aspen mines, the latter the great Colorado silver camp, and in 1891, at the time of the Cripple Creek discoveries, he acquired property in which he still retains a controlling interest. Becoming in- terested in the mines of the southwest he came to California and began an investment which has resulted in large financial returns. He was first interested in the California King, a prop- erty which has developed with the passing years into one of the best producing in the state. He has since disposed of his interests for a handsome sum and has been acquiring large holdings in various portions of South- ern California, Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, and is expending generous sums in their de- velopment. His interests in Arizona include among other valuable property a connection with the Gold Roads Extension Company, which owns claims on the vein adjoining those now being so successfully operated by the Gold Roads Mines and Exploration Company of this city and the copper mines at Clifton. Mr. Dorsey's identification with the mining interests of this country have materially ad- vanced the welfare of this section, contribut- ing immeasurably to its growth and develop- ment. He holds a position of unexcelled rank among mining men of the southwest, who hon- or him for the business ability, sagacity and judgment displayed throughout his long asso- ciation in this line of work.
Mr. Dorsey's home is located on Figueroa street, one of the most beautiful residence highways of the city of Los Angeles, and is in every way a credit to the taste of its owner, being located in the midst of well-cultivated grounds which speak eloquently of the tropi- cal climate of the section and reflect both in exterior and interior the refinement and cul- ture of the family. Mr. Dorsey is an earnest citizen and contributes to the advancement of the city's government to the best of his abil- ity. Ile has always been a man of power and ability, his personality winning him many
friends, while his business ability has built up for him a place of importance among the financially successful men of Southern Califor- nia.
SAMUEL MCKINLAY, remembered through- out Los Angeles county as one of the early pio- neers of the section, was a native of Ireland, his birth having occurred in County Antrim May 12, 1836. His boyhood years were spent in his native country, and there he received his edu- cation. At the age of nineteen years he immi- grated to the western world, locating in Canada West, where he studied civil engineering and surveying under the instruction of an uncle who had previously settled there. It was in 1863 that he first came to California, making the journey by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He spent one week in San Francisco, thence went to Gold Hill, Nev., and engaged in mining and prospect- ing in the vicinity of Belmont and White Pine. Seven years of the miner's life was sufficient for Mr. Mckinlay and in 1870 he gave it up, going first to Sacramento, where on the 14th of March he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Logan Orr, then together they came to Southern Cali- fornia. Mr. Mckinlay had heard much about the possibilities of this section, its equable cli- mate, etc .. and he decided to make this his per- manent home. Accordingly he purchased a tract of eighty acres, then remote from the city's limits, but now a part of the municipality. The house erected after his purchase is still standing, having been moved ten feet from its original lo- cation because of the putting through of a street. The land was entirely uncultivated and unim- proved and to this effort he gave all his time and attention throughout the remainder of his life. He engaged in raising nursery stock and also carried on general ranching and brought his property to rank with the best improved and most highly cultivated in the community.
The death of Mr. Mckinlay occurred October 20. 1898. He was survived by his wife, who now resides on the home place. She was also born in Ireland, in County Londonderry. She came to Philadelphia, Pa., with her older sister July 31, 1847, lived with friends there until 1866, when she journeyed to California and made
I. E. March
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her home with a brother-in-law in Sacramento until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. McKinlay became the parents of one child, Samuel, Jr., whose death, June 24, 1894, preyed upon the father's mind until his own passing away four years later. He was a young man of much promise, a graduate of the Los Angeles high school in 1889, and at the time of his death a practicing attorney in this city. Mr. Mckinlay was a stanch Republican in his political convic- tions and although never desirous of official rec- ognition personally yet gave his efforts toward advancing the interests of the principles he es- poused. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and helped build the first church of that denomination here. He was a man of much worth and held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, either socially or in a business way.
JOSEPH E. MARSH. Many generations of the Marsh family had lived and died in Eng- land prior to the removal of the immigrating ancestor to the shores of the New World. Locating in New Hampshire, he became an integral factor in all of the stirring events of colonial times, and was known as one of tlie upbuilders of that commonwealth. Subse- quent generations followed in his footsteps, and in that state the grandfather of Joseph E. Marsh, John Marsh by name, became a man of influence and prominence, commercial, so- cial and political matters alike receiving an impetus as a result of his superior knowledge and judgment. Politically he was an old-line Whig. His son, Joseph, was also a native of New Hampshire, born in 1799, and spend- ing his entire life in that state. The mental qualities for which his progenitors were well known were bequeathed to him in a generous degree, and not unlike them also he was very prosperous as a tiller of the soil. He married Rhoda R. Gage, who was also a native of New Hampshire and a daughter of Daniel Gage, an early resident of the state, and a general merchant in the town of Pelham, N. H.
Joseph E. Marsh was born in Pelham, N. H., September 2, 1836, on his father's farm in that locality, and it is needless to say that
he became familiar with the duties connected therewith at a very early age. A great shadow darkened an otherwise happy childhood when he was a child of twelve years, the death of his mother, January 10, 1848, leaving a blank which could never be filled, and though this occurred nearly sixty years ago, so indelibly was it stamped on his young mind that the passing of years has not eradicated it. His at- tendance at the district school was followed by a course in Phillips Academy, in Andover, Mass., there preparing for the higher training in Dartmouth College, which he entered in 1856, graduating therefrom in 1858. Return- ing then to his New Hampshire home he spent two years on the farm, in the meantime mak- ing plans and preparations to engage in a dif- ferent line of endeavor. Leaving the locality which had been the home of so many genera- tions of the family, he went to the Mississippi valley and in Charleston, Coles county, Ill., he worked in a flour mill. Disposing of his interests in Coles county in 1876, he removed to Little Rock, Ark., where he and a partner purchased a flour mill which they remodeled and carried on with excellent results for ten years. This mill was equipped for the old burr process of milling, but before long they had the entire plant overhauled and remod- eled, installing new machinery and a complete roller process. As they had anticipated be- fore making these improvements, the business was soon doubled and trebled, and they be- came recognized as the leading millers in the state.
In 1886, while making his home in Little Rock, Mr. Marsh came to California on a visit, and the result was that he became less satis- fied with his surroundings and prospects in the south. Prompted by his better judgment, he sought to dispose of his holdings in Little Rock and locate in this state, a plan he was enabled to carry out in 1887. Coming direct to Los Angeles he purchased an orange grove of twenty-eight acres not far from this city, and until 1902 was very successful as a horti- culturist. In the year last mentioned, how- ever, he sold his ranch and began dealing in real estate in Los Angeles, being associated in the business with his son. Robert. The
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combined efforts of father and son have re- sulted in the establishment of an immense business, and it is safe to say that even though Los Angeles gives a home to more real estate dealers than to any one other class of trades- men, the office of Robert Marsh & Co., in the Hellman building, shows the largest amount of business done in one office in the city.
In 1862 in Pelham, N. H., Mr. Marsh was united in marriage with Martha J. Atwood, who, like himself, was born in Pelham, N. H. Of the five children born to them, only two are now living: Robert, who is associated with his father in the real estate business under the name of Robert Marsh & Co .; and Florence A., the wife of Col. A. Andrews, who is a prominent coal merchant in New Orleans, La. The political issues of the day form a matter of considerable interest to Mr. Marsh, who is an uncompromising Republican, al- though his interest in the party has never led him to desire public office. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons. He is a member of Emanuel Presbyterian Church, to whose maintenance he contributes generously. Per- haps the most distinguishing characteristic in the make-up of Mr. Marsh is a quiet dignity which one recognizes at a glance as the mark of a true gentleman. In his intercourse with his fellows he is considerate, courteous and kind, and in his home he is everything that a husband and father should be. The family home is a neat substantial residence at No. 672 South Bonnie Brae street.
MELVILLE DOZIER. When the massacre of St. Bartholomew's day forced many Hugue- nots to flee from France and seek refuge in other lands the Dozier family found a haven of safety in America, the opening of the new world to colonization giving them an opportunity to trans- plant their race into a country where toleration of religion might be anticipated. The early emi- grants settled first in Virginia, and later genera- tions established the name in South Carolina, where it flourished for many years. The first member of the family of whom we have any definite knowledge is the great-grandfather, John Dozier, who was born in South Carolina. He
grew to manhood and became well known in that commonwealth as a planter of considerable wealth. As a defender of the young colony he fought gallantly in the Revolutionary war. He spent his cutire life in the south, and among the children born into his family was another John, who was also born in South Carolina. Emulat- ing the example of his father, he, too, became a large cotton planter in that state, where his en- tire life was spent and where he reared his chil- dren, among whom was Anthony White Dozier. He too was a native of Black Mingo, S. C., in which state he also became a large cotton planter, having a plantation of six thousand acres and two hundred and fifty slaves. From the earliest days members of the family had been prominent in the civil life of the community, being repre- sented in the legislature of the state, and other members becoming lawyers and physicians of note. Anthony White Dozier was not an ex- ception to the precedent established by his father and grandfather and he too represented his com- munity in the state legislature and was a mem- ber of the Secession convention. In 1869, four years after the close of the Civil war (in which conflict six of his sons participated) he came to California and located at Rio Vista, Solano county, where he spent the remainder of his life. His marriage united him with Mary Catherine Cuttino, a native of Georgetown, S. C., and the daughter of Peter Cuttino, a prominent merchant of that city. Peter Cuttino's marriage with Martha Gaillard united him with a family equal- ly prominent with his own in France, from which country members of both families fled on ac- count of the persecution which the Huguenots were forced to suffer. Mrs. Mary Dozier passed away in California in 1873, about four years. after the removal of the family to the west, having become the mother of thirteen children, ten of whom were sons, and, as has been pre- viously stated, six of them took part in the Civil war.
The seventh son in this large family was Mel- ville Dozier, born in Georgetown, S. C., May 22, 1846, and reared on his father's large plan- tation. Following his preparatory school train- ing he entered the State Military Academy at Charleston, S. C., and it was while a student there, in the spring of 1864, that the whole school
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entered the Confederate service as a part of General Jenkins' brigade, Mr. Dozier being a non-commissioned officer. With the rest of the battalion of cadets Mr. Dozier served until the close of the war and then resumed his studies, entering Furman University at Greenville, S. C., from which he graduated in 1867 with the de- gree of Ph. B. The following year he came to California by way of Panama and went direct to Solano county, where as a teacher in the grammar schools he began a training which has since developed steadily, until today he is known as one of the most prominent educators in Southern California. In 1874 he became prin- cipal of the Santa Rosa high school, a position which he filled with great credit to himself for ten years, resigning at that time to accept a position in the Los Angeles State Normal, which had been organized just two years previously. He first filled the position of professor of sci- ences and mathematics, but later when the school had increased considerably in size, he assumed the chair of mathematics and filled this position until July 1, 1906, when he resigned, after twen- ty-two years of faithful service in the Normal school; or thirty-eight years of educational work in California. He served as vice-principal of the Normal, being elected to that position after the resignation of Prof. C. J. Flatt. Through- out his life Professor Dozier has been a con- tributor to scientific journals, and both as a teacher and writer has contributed largely to- ward elevating the educational standard of Southern California. Probably no member of the Southern California Academy of Sciences has taken a more interested part in its advance- ment than has Professor Dozier, who became one of its earliest members and for several years was president of the organization. At this writing (1907) he is secretary of the academy. In March of this year he was appointed by the board of public works as auditor of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, and having assumed the duties of the position is now engaged in prose- cuting the work in hand.
On the first of June, 1874, Professor Dozier was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Edwards, their union being celebrated in Green- ville, S. C. She was born in Alabama, of Welsh descent, the daughter of Prof. P. C. Edwards,
instructor of Greek and Latin in Furman Uni- versity. Professor and Mrs. Dozier have one child living, Melville, Jr., who is a graduate of the University of California, from which he re- ceived the degree of B. S. During the building of the Long Beach electric line, the Whittier line and the Glendale line he was constructing engineer in charge of the work, and is now chief engineer in charge of the Vallejo & Northern electric railroad, which is being constructed in the Sacramento Valley. With his wife Professor Dozier is a member of the Baptist Church, in which he has been a deacon for over thirty- three years. Socially he belongs to the Univer- sity Club and the City Chib and is also a mem- ber of the Los Angeles board of education. As an educator probably no one has done more to advance the standard of education in Southern California than Professor Dozier. Personally he is a man of noble impulses and all in all may be counted an acquisition in whatever community he may choose to enter.
HENRY CLAYTON WITMER. The city of Los Angeles has had in Henry Clayton Witmer one of its strongest upbuilders, both in a financial and social line, for parallel with his numerous successful business enterprises has always been his best efforts toward a helpful and loyal citizen- ship. Mr. Witmer is a native of the middle west, his birth having occurred in Rock Grove in the northern part of Illinois, August 25, 1856. His parents were natives of the state of Pennsylvania and his father a descendant of Swiss ancestry. When their son was two years old they removed to Juda, Green county, Wis., in which small town he was reared to manhood, receiving his education in the public school and later taking a five months course in a commercial college in Milwaukee. In beginning his business career Mr. Witmer had several natural advantages, among them inherited traits of character and the system- atic training received throughout the years of his minority. The death of his father in 1876 placed a burden of management upon this youth, not only the care of several farms devolving upon him, but the responsibilities of keeping the books and money and paying the bills of the largest grain and stock dealer in the county. He dis-
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charged the duties with efficiency and at the time of attaining his majority was recognized as a business man of enterprise and ability. He be- came notary public for the village, was elected a member of the school board, and at the same time published a paper called the "Latest News," himself acting as editor, type-setter and printer, and gathering some of his news by means of a wire connected with his office. Later, with his brother, Joseph Witmer, he organized a private bank at Juda, under the name of Witmer Broth- ers. In 1882 they with others established the Citizens Bank at Monroe, Wis., and Henry C. Witmer became vice-president of this institution.
Deciding to locate on the Pacific coast Mr. Witmer came to California in 1884 and locating at once in Los Angeles became interested in the development of the city. With others he took up the project of constructing a cable railroad up Second street over Bunker Hill, which enterprise opened up the western hills to settlement. In connection with Walter S. Newhall and the late Edward A. Hall, Mr. Witmer helped organize the Los Angeles Improvement Company, which exists to-day as one of the upbuilding factors in the city, throughout the years of its continuance in business having given an impetus to numerous enterprises potent in the prosperity of the city. Among such was the organization of the Califor- nia Bank in 1887, in which Mr. Witmer served as president for a number of years. January 1, 1903, this institution was converted into the Amer- ican National Bank, the vice-presidency of which Mr. Witmer resigned in July, 1904. In the man- agement of this enterprise he was always a mov- ing spirit, his interest and enthusiasm continuing unabated in times of stringency as well as finan- cial prosperity, his first thought and effort being for the advancement of those enterprises which represented so large a part of his life. In his bank relation to-day he occupies a place on the directorate of the First National Bank and the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company.
Mr. Witmer was among the first members en- rolled in the Chamber of Commerce and remains to the present time connected with this organiza- tion. During the first three years of its existence he was one of the directors and at times when the funds ran low, paid its bills out of his own pocket. To Mr. Witmer is largely due the credit
for the widening of Broadway, from Second to Ninth, the street in the early days being known at Fort street; this project met with opposition and it was only after a long and hard struggle that it was accomplished. It was a step absolutely necessary at that time in the development of the city, for business had even then outgrown the limitations of Main and Spring streets, where up to this time it had been confined. Mr. Witmer was the chairman of the committee and worked persistently toward the end he had desired. This was done by individual effort, as at that time there was no law for doing the same. He was also associated with the project of cutting a tunnel through to Hope under Bunker Hill, west on Third from Hill street. This great public work has opened up the western hills to the business center of the city and has greatly en- hanced the value of property on Hill street near Third. He has continued to take an interest in all public enterprises, having been appointed a member of the committee (of which he was chairman) to investigate matters relating to the Owens river project and to submit a report, which was favorably passed upon later.
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