USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 39
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ment, and in the conduct of his business he uses the first floor and the basement. The stock which he carries is large, varied and well select- ed. and consists of pictures and relics, records, bronze statues and an exquisite assortment of silks from the Orient.
A native of the Empire state, John C. Bentz was born in Erie county, near Buffalo, in 1868, a son of Rev. Henry Bentz, who owned a farm in that vicinity. In connection with its manage- ment he also filled the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church in that vicinity, and as soon as his sons were old enough to take charge of the farm he relinquished farming and gave his time exclu- sively to his ministerial duties, devoting the best years of his life to this vocation. John C. Bentz was primarily educated in the schools in the vicinity of his home and also attended and grad- uated from the high school. This served as an excellent preparation for his future college train- ing, and thereafter he matriculated as a student in the college at Hastings, Neb. With the close of his college life in 1892 he came to California, and for two years was variously engaged. As has been previously stated, it was in 1895 that in company with his brother he opened a curio shop in Pasadena from which the present busi- ness owned by John C. Bentz has been evolved. His success may be attributed to the careful study which he makes of the demands of his patrons, who appreciate the dependable, high- class goods which he carries, to secure which he makes annual trips to Japan and China. Fra- ternally Mr. Bentz belongs to the Woodmen of the World, and in his political sentiments is a Republican, although at no time has he ever had any desire for public recognition. Besides the fine residence occupied by Mr. Bentz's family he also owns other valuable property in Pasadena, the fact of his large investments proving unde- niably his faith in the supremacy of the west in general, and of Pasadena in particular.
A. JOSEPH RICHARDSON was born in Bramton, Canada, in 1854. a son of Andrew and Catherine (Knox) Richardson, the father a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and the mother of Cumberland, England. Andrew Richardson was engaged in the hotel business
on the Grand Trunk Railroad, but later lo- cated on a farm twenty miles from Guelph, Ontario, where he cleared the timber from the lands, built a home, and began the cultivation of the soil. He remained in this location throughout the remainder of his life with the exception of the last five years, when he re- moved to Tacoma, Wash., where both himself and wife died. He was a man of sterling traits of character, of unswerving integrity and hon- esty of purpose, and wherever he made his home was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, either socially or in a business way.
Brought up on the paternal farm in On- tario. A. Joseph Richardson received his edu- cation through the medium of the public schools, whose sessions were held in log houses in what was then a new country. He remained at home as was the custom in those days until attaining his majority, when he went to work on adjoining farms and thus continued for the ensuing four years. By 1879 he had saved up $500 and with this as his capital he purchased his father's farm and implements, agreeing to pay the balance of $4,000 in the next few years. After two years he discovered that he could make only enough to pay the interest on the debt, so he sold out and in 1881 came to the Pacific coast, and having previously learned the framing of buildings he secured employ- ment with the Pacific Bridge Company, whose headquarters were in Portland. He was asso- ciated with this company in Oregon for the ensuing three years, acting as foreman of their work, and at the end of that time he had accu- mulated $3.500. With this he engaged in a general contracting business and met with a gratifying success, working from fifty to one hundred men and in the ten years he was thus occupied clearing $50,000. The panic which occurred about this time swept away his for- tune, and for the next four years he steadily lost the foothold he had gained. At the end of that time he sold his outfit. paid his liabili- ties, and with $45 as his total assets again started out in the business world. He went up the Columbia river to Cascade Locks and as he alighted from the train he was accosted by a man who asked him for two bits with which
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to buy a meal. Mr. Richardson invited him to come and dine with him, and during the meal the man,-Mr. Giles by name, and a miner by occupation-told him his experiences and that he was going back to the Cœur d'Alene mines, where he had received good wages the year before. Mr. Richardson became interested and wanted to know if there was any likelihood of his being able to secure work as a builder, and upon being assured that he could earn $1 a day more than a miner he decided to try his fortunes in that section of the northwest. Mr. Giles was without money and had intended to ride the trucks to the mines, but Mr. Richard- son bought a ticket for him also and the two made the trip together. The day following his arrival at Wallace Mr. Richardson secured employment as a carpenter on the Masonic Temple at $4 per day. When he had saved $100 he bought one thousand shares of the Mammoth Mining Company's stock and in sixty days sold it for $1,000. This gave him the capital he needed and he at once began mining and continued uninterruptedly at this occupation for the ensuing ten years, develop- ing and operating various mines. Among these was the Snowstorm, which advanced from fifteen cents to $4; the Tamorac ; Chesa- peake; Snowstorm Extension; Benton and others too numerous to mention.
In 1901 Mr. Richardson located in Los An- geles, since which time he has continued ac- tively engaged in the developing and operating of mines. He maintains a suite of offices at No. 610, 611 and 612 Chamber of Commerce building, and here with others he incorporated the Whipple Mountain Gold & Copper Min- ing Company, of which he is vice-president and secretary, and they are now actively en- gaged in the development of the mines which are located in San Bernardino county. He was also active in the organization of the Idaho Lead Silver Mining Company, of which he is vice-president and the principal pro- moter. He is one of the best-posted mining men in this section of the country and keeps thoroughly in touch with all progress and ad- vancement along these lines. After his first winter in Southern California Mr. Richardson was so pleased with climatic conditions that
he determined to make this his permanent home. With John Flink he purchased forty- five acres of land near Venice and this has since become known as Cœur d'Alene Place- laid out in large lots with $5,000 building re- strictions,-and is now largely built up with fine residences which are the homes of many mining men. Mr. Richardson has erected a beautiful home in which he takes his rest and comfort, enjoying the sea breezes which reach his home.
Mrs. Richardson was born in Portland, Ore., and presides with grace over her beautiful home, where the family entertain their many friends. Mr. Richardson was made a Mason in Southern California Lodge No. 279. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. He takes a keen interest in busi- ness affairs of the city, being a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and gives his aid lib- erally toward its support and advancement. Politically he is a stanch adherent of Republi- can principles and supports the candidates of this party. Personally he is held in high es- teem by all who know him, honored for his sterling traits of character demonstrated in both public and private life. He has made a success in his business career, surpassing his ambition as a younger man which was to ac- cumulate a competency of $50,000 by the time he had reached the half century mark in years; he had made it and lost it some years before reaching that age, and since that time has again accumulated a fortune. His influence is far- reaching along the lines in which he has been occupied during the past years and also in other lines of business, where his judgment is valued.
CAVE J. COUTTS, for many years one of the leading men of San Diego county, was a native of Tennessee. He was a graduate of West Point in the famous class of '43, which gave us Grant, Hancock, Hill, and many other notable and gallant men. Between Mr. Coutts and his distinguished classmates there was maintained a warm friendship. He was also a close friend of President James K. Polk.
Lieutenant Coutts entered California in An-
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gust, 1848, coming from Mexico by the way of Chihuahua and Tucson, in command of Com- pany A, First Dragoons, his superior officer be- ing Maj. L. P. Graham. Although arriving too late to take part in the hostilities attending the American occupation, Lieutenant Coutts' com- pany was detailed to escort the boundary com- missioners in their difficult investigations.
In 1851, Lieutenant Coutts having decided to become a citizen of California, he resigned his commission in the army and married Isadora, third daughter of Don Juan Bandini. The lovely senorita received as a wedding present from her brother-in-law. Don Abel Stearns, the Guajane rancho in San Diego county. Here Mr. Coutts erected the famous Guajane ranch house, which was unsurpassed by any residence from Monte- rey to San Diego. It was built of adobe, sur- rounding three courts, the outer, the interme- diate and the inner or family court. It contained twenty-three rooms and a beautiful family chapel.
Guajane was for many years distinguished for its profuse hospitality, which was of the old southern type. Its memory lives in legend and story, still those who made it what it was would certainly prefer it should be remembered simply for the ideal home life which was its chief charm, casting a spell on all who were privileged to share in it.
Mr. Coutts died in 1875, leaving a widow, the Dona Isadora, since deceased, and eight children, of whom the daughters are Mrs. Chalmers Scott, Mrs. Elena Dear, Mrs. George E. Fuller and Mrs. John B. Winston ; and the sons, Cave J. (owner of Guajane), Robert, William and John.
JOSEPH MAIER. In naming the promi- hent business men and upbuilding factors of Southern California in general and of Los An- geles in particular, mention belongs to Joseph Maier, who came here as early as 1875, and from that time until his death, July 11, 1905. was deeply interested in its welfare. Born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1851, he grew to a sturdy young manhood under native skies, and at the age of twenty. in company with his brother, Simon, he came to the United States to make his future home. After reaching our shores he resided for a time in the eastern states, but
finally began to work his way toward the west and settled in Leavenworth, Kan., there taking up work at the brewer's trade, the details of which he thoroughly mastered before coming to this country. He soon won for himself an excellent reputation on account of his expert knowledge of the business, in consequence of which his services were in great demand. Com- ing still further west in 1875, he settled for a time in San Francisco, but during the same year he came to Los Angeles and entered the employ of the New York brewery, located on Third street, between Main and Spring. A desire to enter the business on his own ac- count led him to purchase Mr. Malmstedt's interest in the old Philadelphia brewery, and he at once assumed the management of the plant. Being thoroughly in touch with all departments of the brewery business, he soon liad the plant in excellent running order, build- ing it up from a small, insignificant business until it was second to none on the Pacific coast.
Another advance in Mr. Maier's business plans occurred in 1893, when the copartnership firm of Maier & Zobelein was incorporated as the Maier & Zobelein brewery and continued as such until May 16, 1907, when the Maier estate purchased the entire plant and incor- porated it anew as the Maier Brewing Com- pany, with a capital stock of $1,000,000. The eldest son, J. F. Maier, is president of the new company : Edward R. Maier is secretary and treasurer, while the directors are Simon Maier, Philip Forve, and L. J. Christopher. The brewery occupies more than a block of build- ings, thus bearing slight resemblance to the small plant with which the father started a number of years ago. The large cold storage plant and stock houses are equipped with three large ice machines, having a combined capac- ity of three hundred tons, while the boiler ca- pacity of the plant is fifteen hundred horse and engine capacity. From this is generated the electricity used for lighting and motive power throughout the plant, which is equipped in all departments with the most modern and im- proved brewery apparatus and bottling ma- chinery. Probably no one in Los Angeles has made the signal success in the brewery busi- ness that fell to the lot of Mr. Maier, but at
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the same time no one took a keener interest in the welfare and upbuilding of the city than he, giving both of his time and means to further projects for the well-being of the com- munity. As president of the Los Angeles County Improvement Company he planned and laid out Chutes Park, one of the recreation stops of the city, this being but one of the ac- complishments recorded during his incum- bency of the office, a position which he filled acceptably up to the time of his death.
In 1875. while residing in Leavenworth, Kan., Mr. Maier was united in marriage with Miss Mary Schmidt, and the two sons born of their marriage are now carrying on the brew- ery business established by their father. Fra- ternally Mr. Maier was a Mason, having joined the order in Los Angeles Lodge, No. 42, and was also a member of the Consistory and of Al Malaikahı Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belonged to the Benevolent and Protec- live Order of Elks, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while socially he belonged to the Recreation Gun Club, the Turnverein and the Germania Club. He also belonged to the National Association of Stationary Engi- neers, being a member of Los Angeles Local, No. 2. Personally he was a man much be- loved for his generous impulses, and many in less fortunate circumstances have had reason to bless his memory for the innumerable acts of kindness shown them. During the last ten years of his life he and his family resided at their beautiful residence on the southwest corner of Sixteenth and Figueroa streets. Dur- ing the year 1903 he took a respite from the cares of business, and with his family made a seven-months' tour in Europe.
Following in the footsteps of their honored father, the sons are giving the best of their energies to the prosecution of the business left them by the father, and both individually and collectively, they bear an important part in the business life of Los Angeles. The eldest son, J. F. Maier, learned the brewer's trade from his father, after which he took a course in the Wahl & Henius Brewery Academy of Chicago, a training which makes him thor- oughly competent to fill the position of presi- dent of the Maier Brewery Company. Fra-
ternally he is a Mason, belonging to Los An- geles Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M., and in 1902 was master of his lodge. He also belongs to the Consistory, K. T., Al Malaikah Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S., and socially belongs to the Jonathan Club and the Chico Gun Club. Ed- ward R. Maier is secretary and treasurer of the company, a position which he is well qualified to fill through his previous years of training under his father. The only fraternal order of which he is a member is the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while socially he be- longs to the Jonathan Club, California Club, Recreation Gun Club and the Chico Gun Club.
HARRINGTON BROWN. With a lineage of which he may well be proud, Harrington Brown of Los Angeles is a representative of a family old and prominent in the history of the country since the establishment of its indepen- dence. Mr. Brown was born January 1, 1856. in Washington, D. C., this also being the native home of his father. The grandfather, Rev. Oba- diah Bruen Brown, a native of Newark, N. J., was prominent not only in church work, but was a generous philanthropist and filled important official positions at the national capital. He es- tablishcd the First Baptist Church of Washing- ton and in addition to giving his services as pastor free, contributed large sums of money to the support of benevolent and charitable lines of work carried on by that denomination. He was an eloquent speaker and considered one of the finest entertainers in the brilliant coterie re- siding in Washington at that time. He was an intimate friend of Andrew Jackson, who ap- pointed him as postmaster-general during his ad- ministration, and it was while filling this office that Rev. Obadiah Brown inaugurated the Star mail route and gave to the southern states their first regular mail service. His wife was also a great church worker and she it was who founded the Protestant Orphans Home at Washington and when she laid down her work it was succes- sively taken up by a daughter and a grand- daughter-in-law.
The father of Harrington Brown was Dr. William Van Horn Brown, who was also promi- nent in official life at Washington, at one time
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filling a position as chief clerk of the land de- partment and later connected with the patent de- partment. When a young man he spent a few years in Missouri, but returned to Washington, and lived there until the time of his death. In politics he was independent in his opinions on public questions and voted for the men whom he considered the best for the positions. His wife was Adelaide Harrington in maidenhood, a native of Troy, N. Y. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are now living. One son, Thomas B., was a pioneer in Los An- geles, where he filled a prominent place in busi- ness and professional life and was one of the most benevolent men in the state. When his death occurred in this city in 1892, every business house closed its doors until after the funeral and every member of the community mourned the loss of a friend. He was a partner in the law firm of Hutton & Smith and served as district attorney of Los Angeles county for two terms.
The education of Harrington Brown was re- ceived first at Emerson Institute, and then at Princeton College, from which he graduated be- fore taking a law course at the Columbia College, now called George Washington University, lo- cated in Washington City. In 1878 he came to Los Angeles and bought one hundred and thirty acres of land on Vermont avenue, which ex- tended to Normandie and Forty-seventh streets and on into the country. This he subdivided and improved, and with his own hands set out all of the fine shade trees which now beautify that sec- tion of the city. Since the time of his arrival here he has also been interested in the oil business, which has occupied the greater part of his time, and is now president of the Southern Refining Company. Yet he has found opportunity to take a leading part in the general development of the country and is prominent in all enterprises tend- ing to its npbuilding.
In 1883 Mr. Brown was married to Minnie Glassell, whose mother was the daughter of a very distinguished surgeon, Dr. Toland, founder of Toland Medical College. For one year fol- lowing the wedding Mr. and Mrs. Brown trav- eled all over the eastern states and Canada be- fore settling in Los Angeles, where they now have a beautiful home at No. 4875 Vermont avenue. There are six children in the family :
Adelaide J., Lucy T. and Eleanor G., all gradu- ates of Marlborough College, and Harrington, Jr., and A. Glassell, who are still in the public schools. Mr. Brown is a member of the Baptist Church and the daughters belong to the Episcopal denomination. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. He enjoys a very large ac- quaintance in this part of the state and is highly esteemed by all who know him.
JAMES McADAM. Among the successful business men of Pasadena mention may be made of James McAdam, who has been a resident of this city since 1894 and during the intervening time he has improved a fine orange ranch and several lots in the business district. Mr. Mc- Adam is a native of Ireland, his birth having occurred in County Mayo, March 17, 1849; his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth ( Henderson ) McAdam, immigrated to America in 1856 and, locating in Canada West, followed farming until the father's death, which occurred in Louisiana while on a business trip. His wife died in early life.
Reared in Canada West, in Huron county, James McAdam received a common school edu- cation, after which he learned the trade of car- penter and followed the same for several years. Finally coming to the United States he located in North Dakota and there purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and began its improve- ment and cultivation ; eventually he purchased an- other hundred and sixty acres adjoining, making in all a half section, which he devoted principally to the raising of wheat. He remained a resident of Pembina county for about ten years, when. in 1894, he sold his farm and stock, and coming to Southern California purchased twenty acres in East Pasadena for the sum of $6,000 and at once set it out in oranges. He continued its in- provement and development until 1900, making his home upon the property in the meantime, and then disposed of it for $27,000, having trans- formed the land into one of the model orange groves of this section. In 1903 he purchased a number of lots on East Colorado street, upon which he has erected fine brick store buildings, which are now rented at a good figure. This property was purchased for $24 per front foot
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and has rapidly increased in value, the land now being worth from $125 to $150 per front foot. Mr. McAdam is still busy improving his prop- erty and is generally conceded to be one of the most earnest promoters of business interests along East Colorado street. He is otherwise inter- ested in Pasadena business affairs, being a stock- holder in the Crown City Bank, a promising in- stitution of Pasadena.
In 1873 Mr. McAdam was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Musgrove, a native of Canada West and daughter of Thomas Mus- grove, a respected and prosperous citizen of that place, and born of this union is one child, Pearl, a student in the Pasadena schools. Politically Mr. McAdam is a stanch advocate of Democratic principles and gives his influence to bring out the best men for official positions. Fraternally he is a member of Pasadena Lodge No. 272, F. & A. M. Besides being active in the business affairs of the city, Mr. McAdam possesses social qual- ities which have won him many friends.
GEORGE F. THOMPSON. As years are counted Mr. Thompson may be called a com- paratively new comer to California, but in point of accomplishments he may be called an old set- tler, for so thoroughly has he entered into west- ern life and western interests that only those who are acquainted with the facts would believe that his present large business interests could have been made possible in six short years. In part- nership with his brother, Charles W. Thompson, under the firm name of George F. Thompson & Company, Mr. Thompson is at the head of one of the largest and most flourishing real-estate en- terprises in the city of Pasadena. In addition to this he is also one of the stockholders in the William R. Staats Company, who are similarly engaged, although in addition to buying and sell- ing real-estate they also deal in bonds and write fire insurance.
During pioneer days in the history of the middle west George W. and Katherine Jane Thompson were among those who took up life in what was then considered the frontier. It was while living in Indianapolis, Ind., that their son and the father's namesake was born Febru- ary 27, 1865. He recalls nothing of his birthplace,
however, for when he was less than a year old his parents moved still further into the frontier. settling in Minneapolis, Minn. The removal was a decided advantage to the father from a business standpoint, for he was a cooper by trade, and there in the timber he added the manufacture of lumber to a trade which in itself brought in a good income. Whatever he entered into seemed to thrive and prosper, so that in his later years he was enabled to retire from active business life. His last years were spent in the Land of Sunshine and Flowers, his earth life coming to a close in Pasadena April 7, 1906. His wife had preceded him many years, dying July 12, 1872, when in her thirty-sixth year.
The schools of Howard Lake, Wright county, Minn., furnished Mr. Thompson's education. He assisted his father in the lumber and hardware business for a few years and then formed an association with his brother, C. W. Thompson, the two carrying on farming for a number of years with very good success. Later our subject took a position with the Great Northern Rail- way, and during the twelve years he was with the company held various positions, being ad- vanced from time to time. Subsequently he be- came an employe in the Bigstone County Bank at Graceville, Minn., filling the position of book- keeper for two years. With the knowledge and experience which his business life had furnished him thus far he felt competent to open and man- age a bank on his own account, and going to Chokio, Minn., he incorporated a private banking institution under the laws of that state, which he operated very successfully for three years. It was during this time that he also added farming to the management of his banking interests, stock- ing his land with horses, hogs and cattle. In 1900 Mr. Thompson disposed of his entire hold- ings in that state and in the same year came to California, locating in Pasadena, which has ever since been his home.
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