USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 41
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In every state and national campaign since 1884, Mr. Warner has been found on the stump in the northwestern states leading the fight; and no man in the west is more effective or more popular with the masses. Politically he is a Jeffersonian Democrat and thinks Bryan the greatest American since Jefferson ; and demands in his every utterance equal en- forcement as well as equal obedience to law, and says, "Non-enforcement of law is the na- tion's greatest curse, and the cause of most of our ills."
Mr. Warner continues to take an active part in public affairs, writing many able articles, which have appeared in the leading papers of the country relating to inter-state commerce, denouncing the abuses and the impositions of
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the railroads upon the orange growers and pro- ducers of the west ; and with incisive denuncia- tion, characterizes them as filchers of the gen- eral public. He is a strong anti-saloon man and has delivered inany strong speeches against the traffic. His abhorrence for the saloon as an institution is absolutely uncompromising. His influence is rapidly growing in Los Ange- les, men trusting him because of his breadthi of mind, tenacity of purpose and straightfor- ward manliness, with which he faces every question.
Mr. Warner was lately married to a most charming and estimable lady, Miss Bertie Fran- ces Ensign, the daughter of a banker, A. D. Ensign, of New York City, and they have a comfortable home in Los Angeles. Mr. War- ner's law offices and fine library in the Bry- son block are among the finest in the city, and he has already built up a lucrative and sub- stantial practice. He has some valuable min- ing interests in Mexico; is a member of the Presbyterian church ; is an active member and upbuilder of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation ; and takes particular interest in the newsboys: and fraternally affiliates with the Knights of Pythias.
Personally Mr. Warner is a man of strong characteristics, an inheritance from his Hol- land forefathers, sturdy and determined in the face of his desires, independent in the course of his life, and fearless in his convictions ; be- cause of his invincible stand upon certain issues he has made enemies, who still respect him for that very quality ; and because of the firmness of his principles he has won the high- est esteem from the many who call him friend. His success in life is one that can not be meas- ured by financial standards, nor by political or social power ; the influence he wields speaks eloquently of his trend of thought and ambi- tion.
JAMES FORBES. Now retired from the activities which have for so many years en- grossed his attention, James Forbes is rounding out the years of a well-spent life amid the pleas- ant surroundings of his Pasadena home. He is a native of Canada, his birth having occurred
within twelve miles of the Vermont line on the 14th of March, 1832. His father, John Forbes, was a native of Scotland, a shoemaker by trade early in life and later on a prosperous farmer of Canada. He married Helen McFarland, also a native of Scotland, and together they immigrated to Canada and in the green woods cleared and im- proved a farm, enduring many hardships and privations. James Forbes received a very meager education in the common school in the vicinity of his home, but later on attended a private in- stitution which gave him a good knowledge of the common branches. He assisted his father on the home farm until nearly twenty years old, when, in 1850, he went to Ulster county, N. Y., and in the Catskill mountains worked in a tannery, peeling bark in the woods in this employ- ment. After three years he returned to Canada and there married Miss Mary Billings, a daughter of John Billings and a native of Canada. His father having in the meantime died, Mr. Forbes located after his marriage on the old homestead, and there remained until he had settled the estate and sold the farm. In 1856 he located in Chick- asaw county, Iowa, where he secured employ- ment as a millwright in a mill located on the Cedar river. He became interested in the con- cern later and finally became sole owner. This was an old-fashioned burr mill at the time he assumed the ownership and he at once began its improvement along the lines of modern inven- tions, putting in a complete roller system and equipping the mill throughout with new and im- proved machinery. He succeeded in building up a good business and later conducted a saw- mill in connection with it.
It was nearly forty years later that Mr. Forbes came to Southern California, at that time locat- ing in Pasadena, where he worked for a time at the carpenter's trade and in the meantime erected a substantial residence for himself. He finally sold his Iowa property and invested his means in real estate in this city, subdividing some of his property and disposing of it at a good profit. He purchased a second tract which he later on sold for a considerable advance over the purchase price. He has since retired from active business and is enjoying the quiet and contentment of his home. He was deprived of the companionship of his wife April 10, 1902, her death occurring
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on that date. They had three children, William, the eldest, and George W., the youngest, being printers in partnership, and John C. engaging in real estate and insurance. Mr. Forbes is in- terested in several enterprises in Pasadena, among them the First National Bank, of which he is a stockholder, and also the Savings Bank, which is connected with the first-mentioned bank. He is a Republican in politics but has never sought nor held office, preferring his business affairs which require his undivided attention.
FRED L. RYDER. The younger generation of business men of Pasadena include none more energetic, progressive or promising than Fred L. Ryder, who came to the city in 1886, at the age of twenty years, practically penniless, and now, at twice that age, he is the owner of large and valuable property interests and enjoys many of the luxuries of life, among which may be men- tioned a fine touring automobile.
A native of the east, Fred L. Ryder was born in Orrington, Me., July 9, 1866, and is a son of Samuel and Maria (Blaisdell) Ryder, the father heing a representative of a good old New Eng- land family, and also a native of Maine. Through- out the greater part of his life the father rode upon the bosom of the Atlantic as captain of a vessel, but none of his three sons has had any taste or inclination for a seafaring life. With his two brothers, Thomas and Arthur, Fred L. Ryder left the Maine home in 1886 and came direct to Pasadena, reaching their destination with little or no means. They had youth and an abundant supply of push and perseverance, qualities which are never found lacking in the make-up of men of large accomplishments. With these assets they set forth to make their way as best they could, scorning no work that was honor- able. By their combined efforts they were finally able to start in the wholesale and retail fruit busi- ness in a very unpretentious way, increasing their stock and enlarging their quarters as the profits of the buisness warranted. From dealing in a line of general fruits they later concentrated their efforts to handling oranges and lemons exclusive- ly, finally becoming well known to the trade as large shippers of these commodities. Subse- quently they invested their profits in real estate,
from the sale of which they realized largely, and by reason of the careful handling of the fruit business and wise investments in real estate they became quite well-to-do. The partnership formed between the brothers continued amicably and with profit until 1895, when Fred L. withdrew from the firm and also gave up the fruit business en- tirely, and at the same time turned his attention to handling real-estate exclusively, a business which he has followed ever since with excellent results. He derives a good annual rental from a number of business houses on North Fair Oaks avenue, also from the various residences which he erected and still owns.
In 1896 Fred L. Ryder was married to Miss Lillie A. Duncan, a native of Pasadena, who at her death in 1904 left three children, Clark, Lauren and Ruby.
HOLLOWAY I. STUART. Still another of the monetary institutions of Pasadena is the Union Savings Bank, which was organized by H. M. Gabriel and Robert Eason January 3, 1895, and was incorporated under the laws of California with a capital stock of $50,000. Sub- sequently the capital stock was doubled. The first board of directors consisted of such men as Robert Eason, H. M. Gabriel, Dr. Norman Bridge, H. C. Durand and A. R. Metcalf, all well known in financial circles as men of keen busi- ness acumen. For a period of ten years, or from the date of organization until March, 1905, Rob- ert Eason was president of the institution, but on the date last mentioned Mr. Stuart superseded him as president. He is ably assisted by C. W. Smith and W. R. Barnes as vice-presidents, and E. H. Groenendyke, cashier, all of whom are men of long efficient training in financial affairs.
The Union Savings Bank is conveniently lo- cated in the center of the business district of Pasadena, on the north-east corner of Colorado street and Raymond avenue, and is engaged in a general banking business, besides which it has a savings department. Besides the trust, bond and real-estate loan departments, the safety deposit vaults in connection with the bank are a feature appreciated by all patrons. The vaults are of the latest and most approved model as regards safety, and the finishings are tasty and up-to-date.
Form et. ville
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As president of the Union Savings Bank H. I. Stuart is putting into successful practice all the training of previous years, all of which has been along the line of finance. He is a native of Indiana, born in Knightstown August 28, 1865, and he was reared and educated in his native city. After graduating from the public schools he matriculated in Earlham College, an institution at Richmond organized under the di- rection of the Friends or Quakers, and prose- cuted his studies there for three years. It was in 1887 that he left his home in Indiana and came to California, locating in Pasadena. His first position was as messenger in the First Na- tional Bank, where his services were so satisfac- tory to his superiors that he was later honored with the position of cashier in the same institu- tion. His resignation as cashier in March, 1905, was immediately followed by the assumption of the presidency of the Union Savings Bank, in which he is also one of the principal stockholders.
JOHN ALEXANDER WILLS. Remem- bered as an early pioneer of California, a man of erudition and scholarly attainments, and a citizen whose efforts were always given toward the advancement of public interests, John Alex- ander Wills is named among the representa- tive men of the state as well as among the successful lawyers of the nation. A native of Pittsburg, Pa., he was born October 21, 1819, a son of John and Eliza (Hood) Wills, both descendants of Scotch-Irish ancestry; the father was an early merchant of that day, but died in 1822 leaving a widow and three sons. The mother reared her sons to manhood and inculcated in them the strong principles and integrity which were noticeable in their busi- ness and social lives thereafter. John Alex- ander Wills received his early education through the medium of the public schools, after which, in 1833, he entered Washington College, located at Washington, Pa., and grad- uated therefrom with honors in 1837 as the valedictorian of his class. He was then less than eighteen years of age and shortly after his graduation he attended the Constitutional Convention at Harrisburg, Pa., and visited Washington, D. C., that he might gratify his love of forensic eloquence and hear the most
famous speakers of the day, among whom were Clay, Webster, Calhoun and Prentiss.
Early resolving to take up the study of law, he entered the law department of Harvard Col- lege in 1838, and was there taught by the dis- tinguished Judge Story and Professor Green- leaf. He numbered among his classmates such men as William C. Deming, William M. Evarts, Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar, Richard H. Dana, James Russell Lowell, William W. Story, Jordan M. Pugh, Elihu B. Washburn and William Ingersoll Bowditch. After leav- ing Harvard, where he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in July, 1840, he entered the law office of Walter H. Lowrie, of Pittsburg, afterward chief justice of Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the bar in 1841 and following this practiced in the courts of Pittsburg, the Supreme Court of the United States, and the United States District Court until the fall of 1853. In November of the last-named year he left Pittsburg and became a pioneer of Califor- nia, locating in San Francisco, where he prac- ticed law for three years. His decision to re- turn east in the month of May of 1856 led to his appointment as one of the delegates from California to attend the approaching Repub- lican convention to be held in Philadelphia in June of that year, for although he began life a Democrat he early became an aggressive opponent of slavery, joining in 1842 the Liber- ty party, in 1848 the Free Soil party, and in 1852 the Republican party. Thenceforward he took an active part in all the political cam- paigns up to 1872, and also made several speeches in Los Angeles during the campaign of 1888. During the National convention of 1856, having been made chairman of the Cali- fornia delegation, he was placed on the plat- form committee and was assigned the duty of drafting resolutions in favor of the Pacific Rail- road and against slavery in the territories- two subjects of importance to California-Mr. Wills originating the expression which has since become famous in history-"those twin relics of barbarism-polygamy and slavery." There has since risen a discussion as to the origin of this expression and Mr. Wills in a paper upon the subject, written by request for the Historical Society of Southern California,
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says with truth: "If it can be shown that the phrase in question was used in congress or else- where before the 18th day of June, 1856, then others may have some claim to concurrent att- thorship; but if not, then it can only be one of those cases of parallelism in thought and ex- pression which sometimes occur, when the idea of plagiarism cannot reasonably be supposed."
Mr. Wills located in Chicago and began the practice of his profession in that city, where he became connected with the famous Sandbar case vs. Illinois Central Railroad, which he fin- ally argued before the United States supreme court, being associated with Edwin M. Stan- ton in the case. Removing then to Washing- ton, D. C., he was appointed special counsel for the government because of his studies in California of the Spanish and Mexican land laws of this state. This position he held under five successive attorney-generals : Speed, Bates, Stansberry, Hoar and Evarts, which covered the period of consideration of that class of cases which continued from 1862 to 1878. Here he was able to save millions of acres of public land for the nation by defeating the many fraudulent land grants of California and Colorado. In 1870 the honorary degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by his alma mater. In 1862 he became one of the national volunteers to defend the southern border of Pennsylvania from invasion and served as a private soldier in a company formed in Wash- ington, Pa., commanded by Major John H. Ewing. known as the "Silver Grays," which belonged to the Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was recommended by James G. Blaine and others for the United States Su- preme Bench, but Grant, owing to tremendous pressure from Pennsylvania, especially Phila- delphia, appointed Judge Strong.
The failure of Jay Cooke in 1873 swept away a large part of Mr. Wills' fortune, and from that year to 1878 he was fully occupied in the settlement of his financial affairs. In 1880, Mr. Wills, with his wife and daughter, spent a year in European travel, and upon their return he retired from the bar to devote himself to reading. study and the composition of an ex- haustive work on jurisprudence, which he hoped to make the crowning work of his life.
This great project of his later years was to aid in the "invention of some method whereby justice shall, ipso facto, be made law." It was in 1884 that Mr. Wills first came to Southern California, establishing his home on historic Fort Hill, where he spent the remaining years of his life, passing away November 26, 1891. Although a resident of Los Angeles such a comparatively brief time, yet he took an active interest in public affairs here and became one of the helpful citizens. One of his most im- portant works in this city was the part he took in the establishment of the first crematory here, remaining a director in the Cremation Society up to the time of his death, and by his example testifying to his belief in this sanitary reform which is rapidly spreading throughout the civilized world. He was a life-long advo- cate of temperance, liberty of thought and ac- tion, with charity for all, willing to investi- gate all innovations, and showing by his large library, covering all topics, the breadth and scope of his literary attainments. During the years he spent in Washington he became a stu- dent of modern spiritualism and came to be a firm believer in it, which faith continued to the time of his death.
Mr. Wills' wife was in maidenhood Miss Charlotte LeMoyne, eldest daughter of the dis- tinguished physician and surgeon, philanthro- pist and reformer, Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne, of Washington, Pa., who was the originator of cremation and built the first crematory in the United States. Mrs. Wills survives her hus- band and now makes her home at the beautiful residence built by Mr. Wills on Fort Hill. By their marriage, which occurred in 1848, they became the parents of two children, Will- iam LeMoyne Wills, M. D., a practicing phy- sician, and Madeline Frances Wills, both of Los Angeles. Both are following in the foot- steps of their worthy parents and ancestors, doing all they can in philanthropic work and reform movements which tend to purify po- litical and social conditions.
JOHN H. BAKER. Probably the largest purchase of land in one body in Los Angeles county was taken up under the name of the In-
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diana Colony, which had its inception in Indian- apolis, Ind., in 1873. As a member of the colony Mr. Baker came to California in the latter part of the year mentioned, being associated in the enterprise with General Kimbell, D. M. Berry and Albert Ruxton. The purchase included over twenty-five thousand acres of land with all waters arising thereon, and was divided into shares of fifteen acres each, which the members of the company purchased as their means would per- mit. Mr. Baker secured one share, upon a por- tion of which he set out fruit trees, consisting of peaches, oranges, prunes and other small fruit, but some time later he subdivided the property and sold it off in lots. With the proceeds of the latter sale he purchased his present site on West California street, Pasadena, a tract 100x250 feet, upon which he has erected a very comfort- able residence, in which he is now living prac- tically retired.
A native of Indiana, John H. Baker was born in Indianapolis February 10, 1837, a son of Alfred Baker, a native of Pennsylvania and a Quaker in belief, who in the early history of In- diana settled among its pioneers. Tradition has it that John H. was not a lover of his books and that while still quite young he ran away from home and lived among strangers for some time. Reflection, however, taught him the folly of his ways and he decided to settle down and master a trade. Returning to Indianapolis he contracted to learn the trade of making edged tools in four years, and by diligent application he was able to master it in the prescribed time, thereafter traveling as a journeyman throughout the states of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and also through the southern states. The opening of the Civil war made a change in his plans at this time, for upon President Lincoln's call for seventy- five thousand men, he with ten of his companions applied for a position in the army and were hired as blacksmiths. At first they were under com- mand of General Black, but were later trans- ferred to General Rosecran's staff, and it was while under orders to the latter general that Mr. Baker was ordered to Paducah, Ky., in 1863. to take charge of the blacksmith department for the government. The following year he went aboard government transports in the capacity of second engineer, continuing to be thus occupied
until the end of the war. Returning to Indianap- olis he resumed work at the blacksmith's trade, following this until becoming interested in the In- diana Colony and his later removal to California, as previously related.
Soon after the close of the war, in 1866, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Ruth Baker, a native of Dayton, Ohio. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker, all are living and are named in order of birth as follows: John H., his fath- er's namesake, who is a wholesale leather mer- chant on Main street, Los Angeles; Alvin S., who is also in business in that city ; and Ruth E., Anna and Barbara, the three last mentioned students in Throop Polytechnic Institute. Fraternally Mr. Baker is a Mason, having been a member of Pasadena Lodge No. 272, and the chapter, al- though of late he has taken a demit from the lat- ter. From his earliest voting days Mr. Baker has been a Republican, his first vote being cast for John C. Fremont. Every Republican candi- date since that time has also received his support, and he is anxiously awaiting the opportunity to cast his ballot once more for Theodore Roose- velt, of whom he is a great admirer. Not unlike the latter Mr. Baker is very fond of out-door sports, and takes great pleasure with his rod and reel. Personally Mr. Baker is a man of social and optimistic qualities and makes friends with all whom he meets.
JOHN HOWZE was born in Athens, Ga., August 7, 1875, the third among five children in the parental family, four sons and one daughter. He was educated by private tutors who prepared him for college, and in 1892 he entered the University of Alabama, there pur- suing his studies for three years. In 1895 he became a student at the University of Geor- gia, and graduated the following year with the degree of B. A. He is still a member of the D. K. E. fraternity of college days. In the fall of 1896 Mr. Howze began his business ca- reer, being engaged as a cotton classer with a large cotton brokerage company in Birming- ham, and the third year he became a buyer for the firm. In the fall of 1001 he set his face toward the west and made his first stop on the overland trip at Tucson, Ariz., and spent
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several months looking over the country. That location did not quite suit him, however, and he resolved to try Los Angeles. June 27, 1902, he arrived here and has remained ever since, engaged in the real estate business.
Mr. Howze holds membership in several of the most popular clubs in Los Angeles, includ- ing the California Club, Jonathan and Univer- sity Clubs, Los Angeles Country Club, San Gabriel Valley Country Club and the Sierra Club. In his religious belief he is a Presbyte- rian and politically the Democratic party re- ceives his support.
FRANK R. SLAUGHTER. Among the suc- cessful and influential men of University suburb in Los Angeles is numbered Frank R. Slaughter, who came to California in 1859, when a young man of twenty-two years. He was born May 25, 1837, in Jefferson county, N. Y., and there re- ceived his early education in the common schools. His father was a native of Virginia, and after removing to Toledo, Ohio, in 1844, followed the occupation of building sailing vessels for lake traffic. He was a Republican in politics and served in the Civil war under Rosecrans with a Michigan regiment. In 1884 he was brought to California by his son and there remained until the time of his death. His mother, who was Mary Knickerbocker before her marriage, was a native of New York and died there in 1844, leaving a family of five children, Frank R. then being but seven years of age. When sixteen years old he commenced to work for very small wages and had several different employers before deciding to immigrate to this state when twenty- two years old. In 1859 he and two other young men fitted up a wagon and with five yoke of oxen started from DeKalb county, Ill., on the trip across the plains. At Omaha, Neb., they joined a large party and continued the journey in their company. Mr. Slaughter went immediately to the mines on Trinity river and for ten years carried on mining operations for himself, meet- ing with good success.
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