USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 36
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The change of location for Mr. Pomeroy, while it was a loss to the city of San Jose, was a distinct gain for Los Angeles, for with his residence he has given a loyalty that could not but make him a helpful citizen. His in- terests have been mainly along the real estate line since his location here, his success being such as to place him prominently among the business men .. He has been associated with many of the most important movements in the development of Southern California, being a member of a syndicate that laid out various tracts, among them the Temecula and San Ja- cinto ranches; the towns of Puente, Gardena, Alhambra and Long Beach; the Iowa tract, San Bernardino; the Burbank and Providencia ranches upon which the town of Burbank stands ; and was also active in the development of Hermosa and Sunset beaches. Although eminently progressive Mr. Pomeroy is also conservative and never allows his enthusiasm to blind his judgment, holding persistently to the line which has been proven successful by years of experience.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. Pomeroy holds various positions of interested not only in the personal upbuilding trust and responsibility, among which is the vice-presidency of the State Mutual Building and Loan Association, to which office he was elected by the board of directors in 1893. This association was organized in 1889 under the laws of California and has since assumed a place of importance in the business life of the city, being managed by men of pronounced ability whose private careers have manifested the fitness of their present appointments. He was also one of the organizers of the Union Savings Bank of Los Angeles and has served as a director and taken an active interest in its advancement.
In 1871, in San Jose, Cal., Mr. Pomeroy was united in marriage with Miss Florence A. Wilcox, a native of Connecticut and their home is now located at No. 217 West Adams street. They have one son, Walter V. Pome- roy. The family are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Pomeroy has served for many years as trustee, while his wife is active in the various ladies' societies and both are uniformly liberal in their support of all charities. In his fraternal rela- tions Mr. Pomeroy is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and socially is a member of the Union League Club and the City Church Federation Club. Educational matters have also claimed a large share of the attention of Mr. Pomeroy and as trustee of the University of Southern California he has taken an active interest in its upbuilding. For three years he served as president of the board of education of Los Angeles and for eight years was one.of the trustees of the state normal school, offi- ciating for a part of that time as president of the board of trustees. Thoroughly in touch with modern methods and thought, Mr. Pome- roy holds a place among the progressive and broadminded men of this city and is always to be found in the rank of citizens seeking the mental, moral and physical welfare of its resi- dents.
P. MAX KUEHNRICH. A high position in the financial life of Los Angeles has been won by Mr. Kuehnrich, one of the most enterprising citizens of this section, and one who is deeply
of his fortune, but in the advancement and wel- fare of his adopted home. Mr. Kuehnrich was born in Erlau, Saxony, Germany, February 29, 1868, a son of Robert and Clara (Lauger) Kuehnrich, honored residents of that section, the father being a successful agriculturist of Saxony. He received an excellent education in the gymnasium and the University of Leipsic. When but nineteen years old he came to the United States and after remaining a short time in New York City went to Milwaukee, Wis., and there engaged in newspaper work. Later he was similarly occupied on the Bellestrictic Journal, of New York City, and several brewer's trade journals, remaining so occupied until 1897, when he came to Southern California, and in Los Angeles organized the Los Angeles Brew- ing Company, of which he has ever since re- mained president and active manager. The plant was completed in 1898 and the manufacture of beer begun at that time; since then the enterprise has been largely increased, and has now a cap- ital stock of $500,000 with $300,000 paid in. They own eleven acres of land on East Main and Moulton streets, three acres being covered with brick buildings of modern architecture, fully equipped for their manufacture, which has been increased to a capacity of six hundred bar- rels per day. They have two ice machines, each with a capacity of seventy-five tons, and have on their property several wells with an abun- dance of water whose excellence aids greatly in the manufacture of a brew of superior quality. This was the first company in California to ship beer to the Orient, the first shipment being made in 1899, since which time they have built up a large trade across the water, and also ship to Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Old Mexico, as well as all over the state of California. Their exhibits won medals at both the St. Louis and Portland expositions. The enterprise is one of the most prominent of Los Angeles and is an active force in the upbuilding of manufacturing interests of this section, and to Mr. Kuehnrich is largely due the credit for the success the com- pany has won. He is a man of undoubted busi- ness ability, shrewd and practical in judgment, and knows and grasps an opportunity for the advancement of his enterprise.
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In Chicago, Ill., Mr. Kuehnrich was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Oppenheimer, a native of Nuremberg, Germany, and born of this union are two children, Elsa and Flora. The social organizations of Los Angeles have in Mr. Kuehnrich an active and helpful member, as he is associated with the California, University and Jonathan Clubs, as well as the Turn-Verein and several singing societies, himself being a musician of much ability. Fraternally he is a prominent member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He takes a practical interest in the development of public interests, and as a member of the Chamber of Commerce is a power in its upbuilding. Politically he gives his sup- port to the Republican party, of whose principles he is a stanch advocate.
WILLIAM HARVEY SUMMERS. A re- tired capitalist of Los Angeles, William Har- vey Summers has taken a prominent part in the upbuilding and development of this section of the country, and thus holds a place of im- portance among the representative citizens. He is a native of the middle west, his birth having occurred in Upper Alton, Ill., Decem- ber 16, 1830. He is the descendant of an old Virginia family, whence the paternal grand- father, William Summers, immigrated to Ken- tucky in the days of its early settlement. He reared a family, among whom was a son, Har- vey Simpson, who was born in the Blue Grass state, August 20, 1800, there reared to man- hood and taught the trade of saddler and har- ness-maker. This occupation he followed for some years in his native state, finally removing to Upper Alton, Ill., where he continued in the saddler and harness business. He was elected justice of the peace, which position he held up to about the time of his death, which occurred in his eighty-third year. He married Elizabeth Beam, who was born in Ohio, the daughter of James Beam, a pioneer of that state.
The boyhood of William Harvey Summers was passed in the place of his birth, where he received an education in the common schools. He did not care to follow the trade of his father, but early evinced an aptitude for busi-
ness life which enabled him to retain success- fully his first position as clerk in a general store. In 1852, in the employ of William J. Gage & Co., he went to Greene county, Ill., where he conducted the affairs of the com- pany. In connection with this branch store the company also operated a grist and saw mill, which proved a factor of importance in the upbuilding of this enterprise, as patrons came from many miles in every direction to this mill. Mr. Summers became a part owner in the merchandise business and continued with this firm until the business changed hands, when he returned to his home at Upper Alton, Ill. That winter he read Charles Nord- hoff's book on California which told so many glowing stories of that state and especially of San Diego, that he decided to come to Califor- nia to see the country. Accordingly, in 1870, he made the journey by way of the Central Pacific Railroad to San Francisco and then by boat to San Diego. Preceding his return to Illinois in 1873, he was located for a short time in Los Angeles, and coming back to this state in 1874, he returned to Los Angeles, where he purchased a half interest in a candy business, the firm being known as Penoyer & Summers. Disposing of his interest in this business the following year, he removed to Sonoma county and purchased three hundred and fifty acres of land and engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. Not meeting with the expected success in this undertaking, he re- turned to Los Angeles in 1876 and engaged in buying and selling real estate, his means ac- cumulating until he became owner of valuable property consisting of the Summers block on Spring street, the Cleveland hotel between Grand avenue and Olive on Third street in this city and five hundred and sixty acres of farming land in Greene county, Ill., which brings him in a good income.
Mr. Summers has been four times married, his first wife being Miss Miranda Wheeler, a native of Ohio, who came with him a bride to his western home. His second wife was Miss Lottie De Groot, and the third Miss Emma De Groot, a sister, both of Los Angeles. He was fortunate in having lovely wives, but unfor- tunate in their untimely deaths. May 31, 1900,
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he married Miss Kittie Keating, of Litchfield, 111., his present wife, who was the daughter of a very dear gentleman friend of his early days. Mr. Summers is interested in various charita- ble enterprises, regardless of denomination, to which he liberally gives his support. His home is located at No. 407 South Grand ave- nue, where he is surrounded by the comforts which his early years of industry have made possible. In his political convictions he is a stanch adherent of the principles advocated in the platform of the Republican party and for a time, when he had charge of the Illinois stores, served in the capacity of postmaster. Otherwise his life has been too busy to seek or accept official recognition.
In reviewing the life of Mr. Summers an im- pression is gained not of the opportunities which presented themselves in his career, but rather of the rugged and unswerving charac- ter of the man. He has met with obstacles- perhaps greater than those that fall to the lot of the average man, for through a misfortune in nowise the result of his own mistakes he was compelled twice to begin a career,-but he has allowed nothing to discourage him, nothing to defeat his object which was to gain the competence the world owes every citizen. He has risen steadily to a position of financial success, and at the same time has won the esteem and confidence of all who know him as a recognition of his integrity, his citizenship, and the practical use of the talents which were his both by inheritance and training.
JULIUS A. JACOBS. Preceded by years of conservative commercial experience, Julius A. Jacobs came to Pasadena in 1888, and in the years that intervened between that time and his death, August 29, 1901, he formed an integral part of the business and social life of his home city. As a dealer in fuel and feed he established and maintained a commendable business, and by his upright methods and straightforward dealings won what was of even greater value from a per- sonal standpoint, the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. Since his demise the business has been continued under the management of
Mrs. Jacobs, with the assistance of her elder son, Julius R.
Julius A. Jacobs was a native of the Father- land, born in Freienwalde March 30, 1844. While he was still a young lad he was influenced by some relatives who had visited their home to make his home with them in the new world, and when only thirteen years old he embarked on a vessel which in due time landed its passengers in the port of New Orleans. As may be expected he had some difficulty in adjusting himself to the conditions and customs of his new home, not the least of which was mastering the language, but youth and perseverance bridge over many obstacles, which was the case in Mr. Jacobs' ex- perience. From New Orleans he went to Shreve- port, La., where he secured a clerkship in a gen- eral store. Upon relinquishing this position he was taken into partnership in a general merchan- dise business conducted by his relatives, this be- ing one of the largest and most flourishing stores in the city and one well known throughout the south. Soon afterward Mr. Jacobs established a wholesale and retail fancy dry-goods business which grew to large proportions and which he conducted until his removal to California. He was the first merchant to introduce lady clerks in northern Louisiana and the first to use the penny in change. While in Shreveport he became an important factor in the public life of the city, and during the last year of the Civil war served efficiently as assistant postmaster; prior to this he had been a soldier in a Confederate regiment. Upon disposing of his interests in Shreveport Mr. Jacobs came directly to Pasadena, Cal., and as in the south he entered the commercial life of his adopted home, the change in commodities handled marking the only difference, for the same enterprise which had been the keynote of his suc- cess in the south was visible here also.
In 1871. in Shreveport, La., Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage with Miss Lillian M. Dawes, a daughter of Richard and Rosaline (Yenni) Dawes, her parents being old-time residents of that southern city. Four children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs, named as fol- lows: Maude A., the wife of Thaddeus A. Win- ter, and a resident of Colville, Wash .; Julius R., who also at one time lived in that northern state, but since the death of his father has been a resi-
S. R. Jhorpe,
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dent of Pasadena, where with his mother he is continuing the business established by the senior Mr. Jacobs ; and Aileen and Rodney A., both at home with their mother. Though the victim of a lingering illness, having suffered with Bright's disease for a number of years, the immediate cause of Mr. Jacobs' death was heart trouble. Several months before his death, with his wife and younger son, Rodney, he took a trip north to visit his two eldest children, Maude and Julius R. He spent the summer on the Sound and died at the home of his daughter in Washington, his remains being brought to his home in Pasadena for burial. His funeral was conducted by the Knights Templar, being the first to be held under their auspices in Pasadena. He was an attendant of the First Presbyterian Church, of which Mrs. Jacobs is a member. Fraternally he was a Mason, belonging to blue lodge, chapter and comman- dery, also to the Scottish Rite and Shrine, all of Southern California. One of the influences which led Mr. Jacobs to select Pasadena as his future home was the moral tone of the town. He gave liberally towards its upbuilding, this also being true of all places where he had interests. As did her late husband, Mrs. Jacobs takes a keen interest in all matters affecting the welfare of her home city. She is also a prominent factor in the social life of the city, and is a lady of much culture and refinement. Among other organiza- tions which claim her membership may be men- tioned the Shakespeare Club. In 1904 she erected her present residence at No. 168 North Marengo avenue, a structure which is a model architec- turally, and which in its fittings and appointments reflects great credit upon its owner.
SPENCER ROANE THORPE. The south has given to the Pacific coast many men of culture and broad mental attainments and among them few have excelled the late Spen- cer Roane Thorpe, whose versatility of mind and force of personality impressed every mem- ber of his circle of acquaintances and every locality of his residence. The traits which made him a leader among men came to him as an endowment from a long line of gifted an- cestors both on the paternal and maternal sides. Through his father, Thomas James
Thorpe, he traced his lineage to England and to a long line of barristers and counselors-at- law. Through his mother, who was Sarah Ann Roane, a daughter of Lafayette Roane, he was a descendant in the third generation of Judge Spencer Roane, a Revolutionary hero, who later became one of the jurists of Vir- ginia. The wife of Judge Roane was Ann Henry, daughter of Patrick Henry of Vir- ginia. The statue of Patrick Henry and the portrait of Judge Spencer Roane in the state house at Richmond show the important place these two patriots held in the early history of the Old Dominion. One of the counties in what is now West Virginia received its name from the Thorpe family.
Born in Louisville, Ky., in 1842, Spencer Roane Thorpe received his education prin- cipally in St. Joseph's College at Bardstown, Ky. At the opening of the Civil war. fired with an enthusiastic devotion to the land of his birth and the home of his ancestors, he gave himself to the cause of the south. For one year he served as a member of the Second Regiment of Kentucky Infantry. Upon the disbanding of that regiment he joined Mor- gan's Cavalry, in which he was promoted to be a lieutenant and later commissioned cap- tain. In the battle of Corydon, Ind., he was three times wounded and left on the field for dead. In that way he fell into the hands of Federal troops and was sent to a hospital, but was soon transferred to Johnson Island, where he suffered the fearful hardships of a cold win- ter, insufficient nourishment and other priva- tions. When released from the island he was a physical wreck and never afterward did he fully recover from the effects of that time of suffering.
Going to Louisiana and seeking an opening for the earning of a livelihood, Mr. Thorpe taught school until he was physically and fi- nancially able to take up the study of law, which he pursued under the preceptorship of Judge E. N. Cullom of Marksville, La. After having been admitted to the bar he took up professional practice and continued in the same until he left the south. Meanwhile he devoted much time to the acquisition of a thor- ough knowledge of the French language, with
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which he became thoroughly conversant. In- deed, his command of the language was so per- fect that the United States government re- tained his services as attorney in all the French cases that arose on account of the Civil war, and in all of these cases he was successful. As soon as he had accumulated sufficient money he began to invest in lands and city property and became the owner of a fine plantation. For some time he was a member of the board of trustees of the Louisi- ana State University, and for one term he held the office of district attorney.
During 1877 Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe made their first trip to the Pacific coast and spent six months in California. In 1883 they re- turned as permanent residents, settling in San Francisco, but in 1886 they removed to Ven- tura county and settled three miles east of Ventura, buying lands in the Santa Clara val- ley that have since become famous. The wal- nut grove of one hundred and fifty acres which Mr. Thorpe set out and improved is said to be the finest orchard of the kind in the entire county, and he also owned farms in various parts of the valley on both sides of the river. In 1889 he established his residence in Los Angeles, although afterward he continued to spend considerable time in Ventura county in the supervision of his extensive landed in- terests, and he died on his Moorpark ranch September 1, 1905, at the age of sixty-three years. Of genial and companionable person- ality, he enjoyed intercourse with his fellows and maintained a warm interest in the various organizations of which he was a member, namely : the Masons, the United Confederate Veterans, the Sons of the Revolution and the Society of Colonial Wars.
The marriage of Mr. Thorpe was solemnized at Marksville, La., January 20, 1868, and united him with Miss Helena Barbin, who was horn and reared in that town, and re- ceived an excellent education in private schools supplemented by study in the Convent of Presentation at Marksville. She was one of nine children, five of whom survive, she being the only member of the family in Cali- fornia. Her father, Ludger, the first white child born at Marksville, was the son of an
attorney who was sent to Marksville as the judge of the parish. The first member of the Barbin family in America came from Paris to New Orleans and held a commission from the king of France as a custom-house official. The mother of Mrs. Thorpe was a native of the parish of Avoyelles and bore the maiden name of Virginia Goudeau, her father, Julian, being an extensive planter of that parish and a de- scendant of French ancestors early established in New Orleans. Mrs. Barbin died some years ago, but the father is still living and now makes New Orleans his home.
Mrs. Thorpe is allied with movements for the upbuilding of the race and is also promi- nent in social circles and a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy. Since the death of her husband she has made her home in Santa Paula, but spends a considerable por- tion of each year in Los Angeles. In her fam- ily there are five children, namely: Helena, wife of Dr. Edwin J. Riche, of Marksville; Andrew Roane, attorney-at-law, of Eureka, Cal .; Virginia Roane, wife of Harry L. Duņ- nigan, of Los Angeles; Spencer Guy, teller of the Broadway Bank and Trust Company ; and Carlyle, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Santa Paula. The eldest son received his education in St. Vincent's College and later entered the dental department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, from which he received the degree of D. D. S. However, he did not take up dental practice, but instead turned his attention to the study of law and in due time received admission to the bar in San Francisco, since which time he has engaged in profes- sional work at Eureka, this state, where he ranks among the leading members of the pro- fession.
WILLIAM J. SHERRIFF. Among the citi- zens of Los Angeles who have aided materially in the city's upbuilding and development during the past seven years is William J. Sherriff, a successful business man before locating here and since his removal to the Pacific coast prominent in commercial affairs. Mr. Sherriff first came to California in 1887 from his native city, Pitts- burg, Pa., where he was born February 20, 1841.
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His father, John H. Sherriff, was born in Law- rence county, Pa., where he engaged as a cop- persmith and manufacturer until his death. He was of Scotch descent, the paternal ancestor be- ing one of three brothers who immigrated to this country at the time of the Revolutionary war and participated in that historic struggle for in- dependence, while his son fought gallantly dur- ing the war of 1812. Mr. Sherriff's mother was formerly Sarah McGraw, also a native of Penn- sylvania, and the descendant of another old Scotch family. Of her three sons and three daughters all but one son are now living ; besides William J. two sons, Henry Clay and Charles F., participated in the Civil war.
William J. Sherriff was reared to young man- hood in Pittsburg, where he attended the public schools in pursuit of an education. He learned the trade of coppersmith and plumber, but his civic pursuits were interrupted by his enlistment in 1862 in the One Hundred and Forty-second Pennsylvania Infantry, as a private in Company I. Following his enlistment he served in the Army of the Potomac and participated in the battle of Gettysburg, being in the first army corps that opened the fight. The first day he was wounded three times, twice in the right leg and once in the left; three days later was captured and later was retaken by his own regiment. He received an honorable discharge in June, 1864, being at that time a cripple from the effects of his wounds. He returned to Pittsburg and there looked after his father's wholesale hardware business. In 1865 he succeeded his father in business, an enterprise which had been established in 1820, and following this he engaged in the manufacture of copper, brass and iron goods, managing the foundry, machine shops and the finishing of the articles. While thus occupied Mr. Sherriff patented twenty inventions which proved of invaluable help in the manufacture of his goods. A little later he organized and in- corporated what became known as the J. B. Sher- riff Manufacturing Company, with himself as president, and he and his father the principal stockholders. This enterprise continued under his management until 1896, when they sold out. In the meantime, in 1887, Mr. Sherriff had come to California and becoming interested in the country and its future he decided to make this
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