USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 43
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In 1904 Mr. Hardwick came to Los Angeles and permanently established his home in this city, being now located at No. 1619 Orange street. He has been married three times, the first ceremony being performed at Nogales, Ariz., and uniting him with Bernarda Aguilar, a native of Mexico, and born of this union is a son, Walter L., who is engaged in the real estate business in Los Angeles under the firm name of Hay & Hardwick. His second mar- riage occurred in Phoenix and united him with a sister of his first wife, Esperanza Aguilar, also born in Mexico, and they had three daughters, Dora, Hope and Sadie, all at home. After the death of his second wife he married the third sister, Josephine Aguilar, a native of Sonora, Mexico, and they are the parents of two children, Josephine and Alfred Jeffer- son, also at home. In addition to his mining interests Mr. Hardwick owns real estate in Los Angeles and also in Phoenix, Ariz., in the latter city holding valuable downtown prop- erty. In his fraternal relations Mr. Hardwick is a member of the Benevolent Protective Or- der of Elks, belonging to the lodge in Phoenix, and politically he is an adherent of the prin- ciples advocated in the platform of the Repub- lican party. By his success he has demon- strated his ability along a business line and is justly accorded a place among the successful financiers of the southwest; by his liberality and genuine interest in the progress and de- velopment of his home city he is establishing
for himself a prominent place among the enter- prising and progressive citizens of Los An- geles. He enjoys the confidence of his business associates and through his personal qualities of character has won a wide circle of friends wherever he is known.
WALTER LIPS. As chief of the fire depart- ment of Los Angeles Walter Lips is occupying a position which requires the manifestation of the highest qualities of citizenship, and such he has brought into play since assuming the discharge of these duties. Reared in Los Angeles, he has been constantly in touch with its progress and development, has witnessed its growth in many directions and recognized its needs in others, and as a member of the fire department has demon- strated both his efficiency and interest in this line of work. Born in Los Angeles December I, 1873, he was next to the youngest in a family of five children, his parents being Charles C. and Mary E. (Herr) Lips. The father was a native of Germany, born in Stuttgart, and as a young man he immigrated to America and located in Philadelphia, Pa., becoming head cashier of the Drexel Bank in that city. Coming to Los An- geles in 1866 he engaged in the wholesale liquor business on North Main street, the firm being known as E. Martin & Co. He early assumed a prominent part in the city government and was one of the first members of the city council, and also belonged to Company 38, of the old volun- teer fire department. He was a prominent mem- ber of the Odd Fellows organization in his fra- ternal relations. His death occurred in this city in 1887. He is survived by his wife, who is a native of Harrisburg, Pa., and she still makes her home in Los Angeles.
Walter Lips received his education in the pub- lic schools of Los Angeles, which he attended up to 1891, when he entered the Los Angeles fire department as call man. After two years in this connection he became a fireman on the Southern Pacific Railroad between Los Angeles and Yuma. Eighteen months later he again became con- nected with the fire department as call man, later was foreman of the truck, then tillerman, then driver, and finally engineer, in this capacity being located at different stations for the period of
Mas Geo Sibley
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six years. February 28, 1905, he was appointed chief of the department by the fire commissioners for a term of two years and he served with an efficiency which justified his re-appointment in January, 1907. He has been instrumental in se- curing many improved methods in the discharge of duties connected with his work, and is thor- oughly in touch with all progress along these lines. He is identified with the International Association of Chief Engineers of Fire Depart- ments, and also the Pacific Coast Association of Fire Chiefs. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, his men- bership being in Lodge No. 99 of Los Angeles, and he is also a member of Ramona Parlor, N. S. G. W. Politically he is a stanch advocate of Republican principles, belongs to the Union League Club, and as a member of the Chamber of Commerce seeks the advancement of the city's best interest in whatever avenue his efforts are needed.
MRS. GEORGE W. SIBLEY. Sidney Smith once said, "Whatever you are from nature, keep to it; never desert your own line of talent. Be what nature intended you for and you will succeed; be anything else, and you will be ten thousand times worse than nothing." In her pres- ent active career Mrs. Sibley has shown that she understands fully the thought of this witty divine, for she has measured accurately her own ability, and hewn her way straight to the line thus marked out. A clear-headed, brainy woman previously interested to some extent in realty transactions, she early perceived the great finan- cial possibilities of the future in the develop- ment of Venice and Ocean Park property, and, quick to seize every offered opportunity for en- larging her scope of action, she began dealing in local real estate on a modest scale, and has since established an extensive and lucrative busi- ness, being now at the head of the Citizens' State Bank and the Guarantee Realty Company, the latter one of the most prosperous firms of the kind along the entire length of the beach. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she was born August 25, 1858, a daughter of Alfred and Laura (Foote) Bright, both natives of Ohio, the former dying at an early age, while the latter came to
California in 1902 and has since made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Sibley.
After living in retirement in the east for a few years, Mrs. Taft came, in June, 1891, to Califor- nia being accompanied by her daughter, Irene Taft, who is an own cousin to Secretary William H. Taft, her father, Henry W. Taft, having been uncle to the Secretary. Settling in Los Angeles, she lived quietly for several years, the genial sunshine and balmy breczes of its wonderful climate being of great benefit to her. On De- cember 25, 1891, she married George W. Sib- ley, then engaged in business as a wholesale merchant in Los Angeles. In May, 1900, Mrs. Sibley came to Ocean Park to recuperate and after a season of perfect relaxation and rest, the tonic of the sea breezes and the sea baths re- stored her physical vitality, making her strong and vigorous. Ambitious to find an opportunity for making herself useful, she started in the real estate business in a small way, having about $50 to invest. Opening an office in Ocean Park, business grew steadily, her fair and honest deal- ings and systematic methods meeting the ap- proval of hier customers, and each month saw an increasing patronage, her sex being a help rather than an impediment in the way of enlarging her business opportunities. A woman of superior ability, tact and judgment, living up to the Golden Rule, she has secured a large clientage, and is now one of the foremost real estate dealers in this part of Los Angeles county. While looking after her own interests, she has been of much use in ad- vancing the prosperity of others, including a large circle of personal friends, merchants, me- chanics and professional men. The business which Mrs. Sibley inaugurated in 1901 grew to such large proportions that she found it expe- dient to have it incorporated. Accordingly, March 15, 1905, the Guarantee Realty Company was formed, with the following-named officers : President, Mrs. George W. Sibley: first vice- president, H. V. Bright ; second vice-president, Dr. E. B. Goodwin; secretary, James F. Barr, and treasurer, Charles R. Van Tillburg. This company was first located at No. 140 Pier avenue Ocean Park, but has recently removed to more commodious quarters in the handsome building erected by the company in Venice. In May, 1906, she organized the Citizens' State Bank of
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Venice with a capital stock of $25,000, of which she is president. Mrs. Sibley had one daughter by her first marriage, Irene, now wife of Howard S. Lorenge, living near Ocean Park, and by her second union she has also one daughter, Louella Maria Sibley. Mrs. Sibley is prominent in social circles, being a member of the Country Club, and President of the Ladies' Auxiliary of Ocean Park and Venice.
FRANK PIERCE BOYNTON. But re- cently removed from the community in which he had proven so potent a factor in its upbuilding and development, the influence of Frank P. Boyn- ton is still an active force in Pasadena's public affairs, his residence in this city covering a score of years. Like many others of the prominent citizens of Southern California, he was an active business man in the east before locating on the Pacific coast and when he decided to make Pasa- dena his home he brought with him into the man- agement of common interests a wide fund of experience, information and native executive abil- ity broadened by contact with large affairs, which gave to him at once an unquestioned rank among the upbuilders of the city.
Mr. Boynton's carcer is briefly sketched as follows :
Born in Lowell, Mass., June 18, 1840, he was a son of David and Jane (Smith) Boynton, de- scendants of an old New England family long established on American soil. His inherited qual- ities of character received the best training in and out of school. He attended the public schools in boyhood years, later a select school, and finally completed his studies in Atkinson Seminary in Atkinson, N. H. He grew to man- hood in Massachusetts and was ready to engage in business when, in 1861, the first call to arms caused him to relinquish his plans and instead enlist in Company G, Sixth Regiment Massachu- setts Infantry, April 19 of that year. This was for the first call of three months and was speak- ing evidence of his patriotism. This regiment was the one that went through Baltimore, Md., April 19, 1861, causing the first conflict of the war after Fort Sumter. He was next mustered in for three years at Boston, Mass., May 21, 1861, and arrived at Fortress Monroe, Va., May
25. The company in which he served was trans- ferred to the Seventh Battery Massachusetts Light Artillery. Mr. Boynton served in the com- pany in which he re-enlisted for about a year, and was then detached and served as chief clerk to the provost marshal. From May, 1862, to September, 1863, he was in charge of the mili- tary steamer Frankfort, plying between Frank- fort and Fortress Monroe, when nearly every convalescent, bounty jumper and prisoner of war passed through his hands. At one time in 1862 President Lincoln visited Fortress Monroe and Mr. Boynton was ordered to go and meet him and escort him to the place where the soldiers were testing the Union and Lincoln guns, two big pieces of ordnance. Then the president walked with him arm in arm for nearly a mile, talking minutely of the conditions in the camp. This Mr. Boynton remembered as one of the greatest pleasures of his life.
After his honorable discharge June 15, 1865, Mr. Boynton returned to his home in Massachu- setts, later going to Philadelphia, Pa., and enter- ing upon a business career as a wholesale grain merchant. Fifteen years later he discontinued the business, and going to Lawrence, Mass., en- gaged in the hardware business, remaining so occupied for nearly six years. Thereafter, in 1887, he came to California to live retired. On the 28th of December, 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ellen Thistle, a daugh- ter of Daniel and Prudence (Varnum) Thistle; both parents were of old New England ances- try, her mother being a niece of Major-General Joseph Bradbury Varnum, of Revolutionary fame, speaker of the House in United States Congress and president of the Senate four years. Mrs. Boynton was born in Lowell, Mass., and after receiving a preliminary education in the public schools of her native city, she entered a boarding school and completed the course. Upon leaving school she began teaching in Dracut, Mass., where she continued for the period of eight years.
Although Mr. Boynton never engaged in an active business carcer in this city, yet no citizen was ever more earnest and devoted in his efforts to advance the business conditions of a place. Among the first organizations with which he was identified was the Board of Trade, his election to
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the secretaryship taking place March 24, 1896; he served until April 24, 1899, devoting much of his time and energy to the upbuilding of its in- terests. He was elected president of the organi- zation in 1902 and served two terms. At the time of his death he was serving as treasurer. He was also a member of the Board of Education of Pasadena and president one term, a position which he filled very acceptably. Perhaps the most prominent and honorable positions that he has filled were as delegate of the Pasadena Board of Trade to the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, and the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis, having previously served in the same capacity to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In other enterprises Mr. Boynton was also a prominent factor, having served among the first secretaries of the Merchants' Association, and for the year 1904 held the secretaryship of the Tournament of Roses Association, and , was a director at the time of his death. He was a member of the Congregational Church.
The death of Mr. Boynton occurred January 9, 1907. It is not necessary to pass encomiums upon his life, for he has left behind him that which is infinitely more lasting than words- the record of a clean, honest, upright and manly career; the fearless acts of a man conscious of his own responsibility ; the earnestness and de- votion to the general public of a practical and conscientious citizen. Everyone who knew him bears testimony to his abilities and his unwaver- ing devotion to the best interests of Pasadena, as well as to the personality which won him friendships wherever he was known.
ARTHUR MCKENZIE DODSON. The record of the Dodson family in California is a record of persevering industry and untiring energy. Father and sons unitedly have la- bored to promote their mutual welfare and have counted no labor too difficult when by its successful accomplishment the general pros- perity might be promoted. The history of the family in this country dates back to colonial times, the first representative coming over on the Mayflower and establishing the name in New England, where the Fletchers and Mc- Kenzies, into which families the Dodsons mar-
ried, also became prominent and influential citizens. In this connection it is worthy of note that John Fletcher was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Arthur Mckenzie Dodson was born in Phil- adelphia, Pa., in 1819, remaining in the east until the year previous to the finding of gold in California. The year 1848 found him a miner in this state, but front the fact that he gave up this life two years later and was ever after engaged in commercial pursuits, it is safe to presume that his efforts in this direction were not all that he had anticipated. Coming to the old pueblo of Los Angeles in 1850, he opened one of the first butcher and grocery establish- ments in the place and was the pioneer soap manufacturer here also. A later enterprise was the establishment of a wood and coal yard at what is now the corner of Sixth and Spring streets, in the very heart of the city. This in fact was the nucleus of a little town to which he gave the name of Georgetown, in honor of "round house" George, then a prominent char- acter in that locality. At a later date Mr. Dodson removed to the San Fernando valley and began raising wheat and barley, this be- ing the first attempt at farming in the valley. Still later he became superintendent of the O'Neill ranches in San Diego county, but meeting with an accident there he was com- pelled to give up the management. After re- covering from the injury he went to Tucson, Ariz., and engaged in the cattle business, and it was while there that his death occurred about 1886.
The marriage of Mr. Dodson united him with Reyes Dominguez, a member of one of the oldest families of the state, she being a na- tive of this county and a daughter of Nazario Dominguez, well known to all early residents in this part of the state. He and his brothers, Pedro and Manuel, owned the Rancho San Pedro, which extended from Redondo to Compton and on to Long Beach. Mrs. Dodson died in Los Angeles in 1885, having become the mother of twelve children, only three of whom are now living. James H. and John F. are in partnership in business and reside in San Pedro, and Emma, now Mrs. Thompson, resides in Hobart Mills, Nevada county, Cal.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
JAMES H. DODSON. A native of the state, James H. Dodson was born in Los An- geles February 26, 1861, and in his home coun- ty was reared and educated, attending both public and private schools. A turning point in his career came at an early age, for while still a boy he was taken into the home of George Hinds, a large stockman and butcher of Wil- mington, this county, he also serving as coun- ty supervisor. He was the junior member of the firm of Vickery & Hinds, wholesale butch- ers, who had stores located in all of the prin- cipal towns along the coast, and in the man- agement of these Mr. Dodson assisted for twenty years. In 1883 they established a store in San Pedro, it being the pioneer market in the town, and of this Mr. Dodson had charge until resigning to take charge of a similar busi- ness of his own, carrying this on until 1899.
The year last mentioned was the beginning of an eventful period in the life of Mr. Dodson, and witnessed his removal to Manila, Philip- pine Islands, where as a member of the firm of Simmie, Swanson & Co. he was interested in the first sawmill in the town. In addition to carrying on the mill the firm had the contract for carrying the mail, and later established the first American carriage works in Manila. In 1901 Mr. Dodson began traveling throughout the Philippine Islands, Asia Minor and Arabia. returning by way of the continent and Eng- land, and in so doing had circumnavigated the globe. Locating once more in his native state, in 1902 he leased of George Porter a part of the Old Mission ranch, the seven thousand acres which he rented being devoted entirely to the raising of wheat. Coming to San Pedro the following year, he established a partner- ship with his brother John F. as general con- tractors for grading and cement work, and in the meantime the name and fame of the Dod- son Brothers have become synonyms for all that honest, straightforward dealings would suggest. James H. Dodson was one of the or- ganizers and is manager of the Pacific Manu- facturing and Supply Association, manufac- turers and dealers in ornamental and building brick and builders' supplies.
In 1881, while in Wilmington, Cal., Mr. Dodson was united in marriage with Rude-
cinda Sepulveda, a union which associated him with one of the most prominent families in the state. On the old Palos Verdes rancho Mrs. Dodson was born, the daughter of Jose Diego Sepulveda, he being one of the five owners of this vast estate, which extended along the sea coast from San Pedro to Redondo Beach, and for miles back into the foothills. The land was originally owned by Mrs. Dodson's grand- father, Dolores Sepulveda, who was killed by Indians while he was returning from Monte- rey, where he had gone to obtain a patent to his ranch. Much of the property was handed down to his son, Jose Diego, who was born on the old ranch near San Pedro in 1813. During the war of the United States with Mexico he was loyal to the former, contributing generous- ly of cattle, horses, money and provisions from his own private store, and materially aided in extending the dominion of the United States to the Pacific ocean.
Six children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dodson, those living named in order of birth as follows: Florence, James H., Jr., and Carlos D. All that the term public- spirited implies is found in the make-up of Mr. Dodson, who for eiglit years has been a mem- ber of the city council, serving as its president for one term. He has also served in the ca- pacity of license collector, and for eight years he was on the board of school trustees. His in- fluence in the upbuilding of San Pedro has further been felt through his association with the Chamber of Commerce, where his opinion has great weight and consideration. Frater- nally he is a member of San Pedro Lodge No. 332, F. & A. M., having joined the order in Wilmington, where he became master of his lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Dodson have hosts of friends in San Pedro, not restricted to the up- per classes alone, for they have given gener- ously of their means to sustain those less for- tunate and in fact no helpful beneficence has been denied their support.
JOHN FLETCHER DODSON. As a mem- ber of the firm of Dodson Brothers, John F. Dodson is well known throughout San Pedro and vicinity, having established himself in busi-
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ness here as a contractor for cement and grading work about 1898. For about six years he car- ried on the business alone, during which time he laid some of the best work to be found in the city today. With the growth of the city and the corresponding demand for work in his line his business grew to such proportions that the as- sistance and co-operation of some one with an equal interest in the affairs became essential. This want was supplied in his brother, James H., the two uniting their forces in 1904 under the name of Dodson Brothers, a firm which to- day stands for all that is best and most depend- able in their line in this part of the county.
A native of the state, John F. Dodson was born on the San Pedro ranch near what is now Compton April 8, 1867, a son of Arthur Mc- Kenzie and Reyes (Dominguez) Dodson. (For further details concerning the parental family the reader is referred to the sketch of the father, given elsewhere in this volume.) Up to the age of thirteen years John F. Dodson attended the public schools of Los Angeles, after which he went to make his home with his father's old- time friend, George Hinds, at Wilmington. Mr. Hinds' attachment for the elder Mr. Dodson was strengthened in the fact that the latter had rendered him financial assistance when he came here from the east, a kindness which he never forgot, and one which he has never been able to repay to his own satisfaction. The keen in- terest which he has ever taken in the sons of his benefactor has been of a substantial character and of lasting benefit to the recipients. For ten years Mr. Dodson was superintendent of one of Mr. Hinds' numerous ranches, this being known as the Henrietta Stock Farm, located near Comp- ton, and devoted to breeding and training stand- ard horses. The knowledge and experience which Mr. Dodson gained during this time made him an expert horseman, and in the Southern California circuit he became especially well known, as during all of the time he was with Mr. Hinds he drove in the races on that track.
Although Mr. Dodson became identified with San Pedro in 1893 it was not until about 1898 that he established the nucleus of his present prosperous business. Beginning in a small, un- pretentious way, and with only one outfit, the business grew with steady rapidity from the
very outset, with the result that greater facil- ities for filling contracts became essential. The admission of his brother James H. into the busi- ness in 1904 has enabled him to give his entire time to the superintendence of the outside work, which keeps about sixty-five men and sixty horses busy the greater part of the time. The firm of Dodson Brothers is conceded by those best able to judge to be the most reliable con- tracting firm in their line outside of Los Angeles, and the fact that its work is appreciated as above the average is shown in the volume of business transacted, coming both from old and new cus- tomers. During 1906 the firm added a new de- parture to their business by adding a road oiling outfit and are doing work in that line in North- ern California.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Dodson is bright- ened by the presence of three interesting children, Ynez Reyes, William Savage and John Fletcher, Jr., to whom a successful future may be assured if their parents' training is adhered to and the example of their elders' lives followed as their pattern. Mr. Dodson's marriage occurred in 1898 and united him with Kate Agnes Savage, who was born in San Francisco, a daughter of Hon. W. H. Savage, an account of whose in- teresting life is given elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Dodson belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and he is also identified with the Chamber of Commerce of San Pedro. J. F. Dodson is also interested in the Pacific Manufacturing and Supply Associa- tion.
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