USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 44
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HON. WILLIAM H. SAVAGE. A review of the representative citizens of San Pedro and of the men who have played an important part in the history of this city and the state would be deficient without a sketch of the life and work of Hon. W. H. Savage, who is too well known on the Pacific coast to need special introduction to the public. At the bar he has been a brilliant advocate : in the halls of legis- lation a wise and prudent counsellor and able debater; on the rostrum an impressive and convincing speaker : and in every field a con- troller of the minds of men. Fitted by native courage and intellectual ability to direct af-
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fairs and to assume responsibility, he has steadily pursued his way to higher heights of achievement and has long been recognized as a leader in thought and action, a quality which has been the keynote of his success in the state senate, to which he was elected in 1904.
Born in County Limerick, Ireland, July 12, 1840, W. H. Savage is a son of Michael and Ellen (Kelley) Savage, both of whom are now deceased, the mother passing away in Vallejo, this state. The father was reared principally in England, there graduating from a military academy which was the initial step into the later military life which he followed. He was a participant in the Crimean war, taking sides against Russia, and during his many years of service won the title of major. Later he brought his family to the United States, set- tling in Boston, Mass., and it was in that city that his earth life came to a close. Seven chil- dren originally comprised the parental family, but of this number only three are now living.
W. H. Savage was a lad of about five years when he accompanied the family to the United States and settled in Massachusetts. For a number of years he was a pupil in the public schools of that state, and at the time of the breaking out of the Civil war he lacked two months of being nineteen years of age. Filled with the same patriotic spirit which had been such a strong feature in his father's character, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1861, serving on board the sloop Mississippi, under Lieutenant Dewey, who later became the hero of Manila bay. In 1863, while at- tempting to run the batteries of Port Hudson, the Mississippi was grounded, and here she was riddled withi shot and set on fire by the en- emy's batteries, so that officers and crew had to abandon her and make their way as best they could to the other shore before the flames reached her magazine. Here it was that Mr. Savage was captured by the enemy and sent to Libby prison. At the expiration of his term three months later he was exchanged, and without unnecessary loss of time he re-enlisted in Company A, Fourteenth New York Caval- ry, serving in Louisiana until the close of the war, when he was mustered out with the title of sergeant. The need of able-bodied men in
the frontier service caused him to re-enlist once more, this time becoming a member of the Fourteenth United States Infantry, serv- ing as quartermaster-sergeant under Col. Charles S. Lovell throughout his three-year term of enlistment. He was next a member of the Twelfth United States Infantry, and as quartermaster-sergeant under O. B. Wilcox traversed the frontier of Arizona and Califor- nia. At his own request he received his hon- orable discharge from the service in May, 1874, and the same year came to Wilmington, Los Angeles county, Cal., where in January, 1866, he had been stationed at the drum bar- racks while serving in the Fourteenth In- fantry.
For two years, from 1874 to 1876, Mr. Sav- age was in the employ of the Wilmington Transportation Company, engaged in packing lumber, after which he was made foreman of the plant, a position which he held for some time. While in the employ of the latter com- pany he carried on the study of law during his spare moments, and later took up the study in earnest under James G. Howard and H. A. Bartley, both of Los Angeles. Admitted to the bar in 1879, he at once began to practice in Los Angeles, giving this office up the follow- ing year to establish a practice in Tombstone, Ariz. It was while there in 1883 that he was mnade a member of the territorial legislature, and in 1885 he was made district attorney of Cochise county, Ariz. Returning to California in 1887, the same year he came to San Pedro and engaged in the practice of law, also having an office in Los Angeles for about two years. Entering at once into the business life of the young and growing town he became a mem- ber of the board of trustees, and in the capacity of city attorney drew up all of the original city ordinances. His election to the assembly from the seventy-second district occurred in 1902, and in both houses he served as chair- man of the committee on municipal corpora- tions. Two years later he was the Republican candidate for state senator from the thirty- fourth senatorial district, his election following in due time, thus winning a victory over his opponent. His constituents have every reason to feel proud of their selection as a representa-
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tive in the government of the state, and in his hands they feel that their interests will not suffer for lack of attention.
In Westfield, Mass., Hon. W. H. Savage was married to Miss Mary A. White, a native of London, England, seven children resulting from their marriage as follows: Nellie, now Mrs. Martin; Josephine; Kate, the wife of John F. Dodson, of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere; Margaret, the wife of J. F. Dewer; Clara, the wife of George Nicholson ; Frances, and Robert, all of the children being residents of San Pedro. In 1873 Mr. Savage was made a Mason in Inyo county, this state, but has since had his membership transferred to Wilmington and is still identified with the lodge at that place, while he is a member of the chapter at San Pedro. His fraternal con- nections also extend to the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being a charter member of the Wilmington lodge of the latter order, which was organized a quarter of a century ago, and of which he is a past officer, and is now grand master of the order in the state of California. At present he holds the office of grand foreman of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of California. He is also a member of Bartlett & Logan Post, G. A. R., of Los Angeles, of which he has been commander sev- eral times, and is commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy Republican League of Cali- fornia, an organization which has a member- ship of forty thousand. The Chamber of Com- merce of San Pedro also profits by his mem- bership, as do all organizations with which he has to do, his careful and conservative judg- ment having the same weight in the lesser as in the heavier matters of state.
JOSEPH M. HOLDEN, M. D. A large and constantly growing practice is the result of the efforts of Dr. Joseph M. Holden, one of the suc- cessful physicians of Long Beach, and one whose work in the line of his profession has brought him general commendation. He has been a resi- dent of California since November, 1892, spend- ing his first two years in San Francisco, thence coming to Southern California for a few months,
and later returning to Sacramento for one year. Following he located in Pasadena, where he remained until the fall of 1899, and while a resident of that place attended the medical de- partment of the University of Southern Califor- nia, from which he was graduated June 16, 1899. with the degree of M. D. Locating at once in Long Beach he was associated for a few months with Dr. J. W. Wood, but from 1901 practiced independently until August 1, 1906. Upon the latter date he formed a partnership with A. C. Sellery, Ph. B., M. D., a graduate of McGill University, of Montreal, Canada, and they es- tablished offices in the National Bank building in Long Beach.
Born in Accrington, Lancashire, England, April 15, 1874, Dr. Holden was reared to the age of five years in his native land, when he was brought by his parents to the United States. His father, James Holden, was a vocalist of some note, but finally retired from his profession, his home now being in Providence, R. I., where the family located when first coming to this coun- try. His wife, formerly Mary A. Newton, a daughter of a prominent contractor of England and granddaughter of the Rev. John Newton, a clergyman of the Church of England, died in California in 1902. Longevity is a characteristic trait in both paternal and maternal families, nearly all members attaining advanced years. Joseph M. Holden received his preliminary ed- ucation in the public schools of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, but was unable to complete the course on account of illness. Determining at the age of fifteen years to make medicine his study he thenceforth bent every effort to the ac- complishment of his plans. After his location in California this desire was consummated and he at once began the practice of his profession. He has met with success and is now numbered among the prominent physicians of this section, being a member of the Southern California Medic-1 Society, the Los Angeles County Medical Asso- ciation, California State Medical Association and American Medical Association. He was the orig- inator and incorporator of the Long Beach Hospital Association, which has a building of sixty-five rooms. Dr. Holden was its first pres- ident and is now one of its principal stock- holders. He acts as examining physician for
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eight of the old-line insurance companies, and for the Woodmen of the World and Modern Woodmen of America, in both of which he holds membership. He also belongs to Long Beach Lodge No. 327, F. & A. M .; Long Beach Lodge No. 888, B. P. O. E .; Knights of Pythias, a member of the Uniform Rank; and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is very prominent in fraternal circles and holds a high place in the various organizations to which he belongs.
Dr. Holden was married in Long Beach to Lil- lian A. Caswell, a native of Massachusetts, and a woman of culture and refinement. He is iden- tified with the growth and advancement of Long Beach, in whose future he holds a firm belief and has invested his means in various pieces of property. He built the first house on American avenue near the site of the high school, and is now erecting a fine residence, which is in castle architecture and very unique, at No. 915 Amer- ican avenue; the entire building is of cement, and contains eight large rooms and hall, two stories in height. Dr. Holden is a stockholder in the Odd Fellows' Building Association and takes an active interest in the development of the city. He is a man of scholarly tastes and has a select library, while his love for travel has been gratified by three trips to England, the land of his birth, and extensive tours throughout the southern states.
JOHN HARVEY DAVISSON, M. D. To Dr. Davisson belongs the distinction of being one of the oldest medical practitioners in Los An- geles, his identification with this city dating from 1886. The earliest records of the Davisson fam- ily show it to have originated in England, the immigrating ancestor to the New World locating in Virginia, where many succeeding generations have lived and died. In that state the grandfath- er, Nathan Davisson, was born and reared, in later years becoming one of the prosperous farm- ers and land owners of the state. Like himself, his wife, formerly Elizabeth Carper, was a Vir- ginian by birth, her ancestors having originated in Germany. A son of the latter, Austin Davis- son, was born on the parental homestead in Vir- ginia, and as did his father, he, too, spent his entire life in his native state, and in addition to
general farming he carried on stock-raising quite extensively. The lady whom he married was also a native of the state, she being Miss Emily Wood- ford, a daughter of John Howe Woodford.
In Harrison county, Va. (in what is now West Virginia), in the vicinity of Clarksburg, John Harvey Davisson was born July 14, 1849, and on the paternal farm was reared to young manhood. His preliminary education was received through the medium of subscription schools in the vicin- ity of his home, after which, in 1870, he entered the Ohio University at Athens and prepared him- self by a scientific course to take up the study of medicine. Under the direction of Dr. Irwin of Athens, Ohio, who mapped out a course of study, he entered upon this line of work. Subsequently he became a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, Md., where he grad- uated in 1876, carrying off the honors of his class, and receiving both the Cathell gold medal and the first parchment prize for special proficiency in all the departments of medicine.
In the spring of the same year Dr. Davisson located in Warsaw, Ind., and opened an office for the practice of medicine and surgery, and in the ensuing ten years succeeded in establishing an extensive and lucrative practice. While located there he was appointed surgeon for the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, a part of the Pennsylvania system, and was also elected secre- tary of the Surgeons' Association of the Penn- sylvania Railway Company. Always an inde- fatigable student, he kept in close touch with progress in his line of work and his ability won for him a high place in the profession, as was evidenced by his election to the professorship of materia medica and therapeutics in the Fort Wayne Medical College of Fort Wayne, Ind. Resigning from his various positions in 1886 and withdrawing from his practice, he came to Los Angeles and has since remained a resident of this city. Besides building up an extensive gen- eral practice he has devoted a part of his time to sanitary medicines and has exercised a wide influence in shaping the sanitary conditions of Los Angeles and the state of Calfornia, having served for four terms as health commissioner of this city and four years on the state board of health, officiating as president of the same. No man of the profession is more keenly alive to
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present day conditions than Dr. Davisson, nor more closely in touch with progress in this line. and as such he is a recognized authority not only in this state, but is nationally known. He repre- sented the state of California at the World's San- itary Congress at the World's Fair in Chicago, in 1893, and also at the Pan-American Medical Congress held in the city of Mexico in 1896, be- ing at that time president of the board of health of the state of California. He holds membership with the Los Angeles County Medical Society, the State Medical Society, the Southern Califor- nia Medical Society ( which he assisted in organ- izing) and the American Medical Association. He also assisted materially in the organization and incorporation of the California Hospital Asso- ciation and is actively identified with its interests at the present writing.
In Warsaw, Ind., in October, 1879, Dr. Davis- son was united in marriage with Miss Blanche Williams, a native of that place, and a daughter of the Hon. William Williams, a well-known political speaker and old settler of Warsaw, who served four terms in congress from the Fort Wayne district ; was also minister to Uruguay and Paraguay under President Arthur, and in later life spent eight years in California with Dr. Davisson, when he distinguished himself on the Pacific coast in his speeches both for Harrison and Mckinley. He made many friends and was highly esteemed both for his qualities of mind and heart. The doctor and his wife have one son, Carl Woodford Davisson, who is conduct- ing an alfalfa ranch in Antelope valley near Lan- caster, Cal. Notwithstanding his many engross- ing interests Dr. Davisson is affiliated with va- rious social and fraternal organizations, among them the Jonathan, California and Sunset Clubs (in the latter of which he was a charter mem- ber), while fraternally he is a prominent Mason, belonging to Southern California Lodge No. 278, F. & A. M .; Signet Chapter No. 57, R. A. M .; Los Angeles Commandery, No. 9, K. T. ; and Al Malaikah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. A Repub- lican in his political convictions he gives his support to the men and measures of this party, although he never allows politics to interfere in any way in the public positions he has held. While president of the state board of health he intro- duced a bill in the state legislature, for the pur-
chase and free distribution of diphtheria anti- toxine throughout the state, this remedy having been advocated by the board of health and later adopted hy it. He has also been instrumental in furthering other important plans for the advance- ment of his profession, and as a thoroughly up- to-date, progressive man of affairs has acquired large financial returns as well as a place of emi- nence among professional men.
HENRY W. MILLS, M. R. C. S. & L. R. C. P., London. The civilization of the twentieth century places first-class hospital service among the necessities of all progres- sive cities. No era has devoted as much at- tention to the scientific and sanitary care of the sick as has the present age, and in this respect Southern California has not proved remiss in duty, for her hospitals rank with the finest in the United States. Marlborough hospital, which was established at San Ber- nardino in January, 1904, by Dr. Mills, for- merly of England, is one of the recent addi- tion to the hospital equipment of the state, but already holds a position among the most popular and efficient. On the corner of Fourth and F streets stands the building which has been fitted up for a hospital, with per- fect ventilation, sanitary appointments, sub- stantial furnishings and large rooms equipped with everything necessary for the purpose in- tended. Every facility has been supplied for the most intricate and important surgical op- crations, and treatment by asepticism is strict- ly followed.
Dr. Mills is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Herefordshire in 1872; in King Edward VI grammar school he pre- pared for higher training and later availed himself of excellent classical advantages. Hav- ing early resolved to follow the medical pro- fession he took a complete course in the Roy- al College of Physicians and Surgeons of London, graduating therefrom in 1895, and having bestowed upon him by his alma mater the titles of M. R. C. S. and L. R. C. P., of England. After having completed his studies in college Dr. Mills practiced in Gloucester-
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shire in the vicinity of his early home, and there he gradually established an important clientele, rising to a position of local promi- nence as a skilled practitioner, successful diag- nostician and especially as a first-class ab- dominal surgeon. For eight years he re- mained in the same location, but at the expira- tion of that period reports concerning the climate of California led him to seek a home on the Pacific coast, a decision which his pres- ent success leaves him no reason to regret. Since his removal to the new world he has given his attention so closely to professional labors that he has had no leisure for participa- tion in public affairs and fraternal organiza- tions. However, he is keenly alive to the im- portance of promoting measures for the gen- eral welfare and in devotion to his adopted country he is unsurpassed by none. Move- ments for the development of local resources receive his support and no duty devolving up- on a public-spirited citizen is neglected; yet it is as a physician and more especially as a surgeon that he is best known and most hon- ored in Southern California.
Dr. Mills has a large general practice and in the Anderson building has a suite of rooms simply yet elegantly furnished. Here he has his office and during office hours attends to the professional needs of his patients. Much of his time, however, is devoted to the Marl- borough hospital, where he is the dominant factor in the maintenance of the reputation which is already attached to this institution, the success he has achieved placing him in the foremost rank of physicians and surgeons of Southern California and indeed of the entire state. He is identified with several medical societies, among them San Bernardino Medi- cal Society, and the American Medical Asso- ciation. Dr. Mills also holds the chair of genito-urinary and venereal diseases in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Los Angeles, and has an office in the Delta build- ing in that city. Personally the doctor is a man of winning characteristics, genial and kindly in disposition, and hospitable to all who meet him, and by the force of his man- hood, his sterling integrity and conscientious
discharge of duty he has won a high position among the representative citizens of South- ern California.
GEORGE A. DURRELL, secretary of the Pasadena Lake Vineyard Land & Water Com- pany, was born in New Hampshire in 1847, the descendant of an old New England family. His early education was received in the public schools of his native town, and later he attended the seminary in Tilton, N. H. Afterward he filled a clerkship in the office of the Pacific Mills in Lawrence, Mass., and later was elected water registrar of the Lawrence water works, where he acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the business. In 1884 he embarked in the hardware business with the late Frank P. Boynton and continued so occupied until 1886, when he came to California on account of the promising out- look as described by his former partner. He en- gaged in the real-estate business for a time and for two years was assistant postmaster of Pasa- dena. In 1896 he became connected with the enterprise to which he now gives the principal part of his attention, the Pasadena Lake Vine- yard Land & Water Company. This company was organized in 1883 and was first known as the Lake Vineyard Land & Water Association, under which title business was conducted until its incorporation in 1889 under its present title, with a capitalization of $250,000, divided into five thousand shares of $50 each. The present officers are Charles M. Parker, president, which office he has held for fifteen years; George A. Durrell, secretary since 1905; H. S. Miller, as- sistant secretary; and M. H. Salisbury, superin- tendent for the company. The company has three reservoirs, the one on Villa street having a capacity of twenty-one million gallons ; the one on Mountain street three and a half million gal- lons ; and reservoir No. I addition seven million gallons. The main water supply is obtained by gravity from tunnels at Devil's Gate, supple- mented when needed by an air compressor there, and by a pumping plant at Copelin well, which is the best in Southern California. In addition to this engrossing interest Mr. Durrell is con- nected with the Los Angeles County Building & Loan Association of Pasadena, in the capacity
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of director, and is also a member of the Pasa- dena Board of Trade.
In July, 1872, Mr. Durrell was united in mar- riage with Miss Addie M. Woodman, a daugh- ter of John K. Woodman, a prominent citizen of Gilmanton, N. H., and born of this union are two children, Carlton E., a graduate of Stan- ford University and now headmaster of St. Mat- thews school at San Mateo; and Harold W., also a graduate of Stanford University and now engaged in the gold mines at Johannesburg, Africa. Fraternally Mr. Durrell is a charter member of the Royal Arcanum, serving as secre- tary of the local council, and is one of the oldest members of the order in California; socially he is held in high esteem by all who know him, appreciated for the manifestation of sterling traits of character.
QUENTIN J. ROWLEY, M. D. A gentle- man of talent and culture, well educated, and having a large professional experience, Quentin J. Rowley, M. D., of Downey and Los Angeles, is widely and favorably known throughout this section of Los Angeles county as a skillful phy- sician and surgeon, and as one of the leading members of the medical fraternity he enjoys a large and lucrative practice. A native of Wis- consin, he was born, November 21, 1852, in Co- lumbia county, a son of Asa Rowley.
Born and reared in New York state, Asa Row- ley followed the march of civilization westward when young, becoming a pioneer settler of Co- lumbia county, Wis. Taking up a tract of land that was still in its primitive wildness, he clear- ed a homestead on which he resided for many years. A man of strong individuality, he be- came influential in local affairs, and for four terms served as justice of the peace. Moving with his family to Minnesota in 1863, he located near Austin, where he followed general farm- ing for twenty years. In 1883 he came to Los Angeles county and at Monta Vista was success- fully engaged in general ranching at his death, January 9, 1907, leaving a finely improved farm. He married Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Scotland, and died in 1904, on the home ranch.
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