USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 49
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the rude beginning of a frontier town. Instead of seeking the mines he opened a law office in San Francisco and began the practice of his profession. However, this not proving a re- munerative employment he abandoned his prac- tice and was soon located on Mormon Island, on the south branch of the American river, where he engaged in gold mining; during the short time he remained so occupied he acquired con- siderable means. In 1850 he came to Los An- geles and built up for himself a popularity born of the characteristics of his manhood as exhibited in the rude civilization of the west. A Demo- crat in politics, on that ticket he was elected to the state assembly in 1851 and '52, and during the session that followed gave efficient support in the enactment of several bills important in the development of the state. A member of various committees, he gave signal evidence of the ability which had thus early won him recog- uition in his adopted state.
Before and after his public service Major Hancock engaged extensively in surveying in the employ of the government, running and es- tablishing many of the important lines and cor- ners which exist to-day. He sectionized many of the lands of Southern California and sur- veved all of the large ranches of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, through his famil- iarity with the Mexican customs and Spanish language being considered an expert in the set- tlement of their grants. A man was acquainted with Major Hancock but a brief time before he knew the inherent qualities of his character, his absolute integrity in all dealings and his fidel- ity to duty; therefore he was trusted in such settlements, and the prevailing opinion on both sides was always that each had been given a "square deal." He was called upon to subdivide and settle the squatters' claim on the Rancho Chico ranch (near Chico) consisting of thou- sands of acres, and when this matter was cleaned up in 1866 it was with the entire satisfaction of both squatters and Gen. John Bidwell, the owner of the vast property. For many years he served as city surveyor of Los Angeles and many of the lines and corners established by him re- main to the present day. By the knowledge gained through his wide experience in the lands of the state Major Hancock was an expert judge
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in the valuation of property and practiced as a land lawyer from 1865 until his death. He selected for a home an old Spanish grant con- sisting of about four thousand acres, which was known as the Labrea ranch and for many years has been devoted to the raising of sheep and cattle.
Major Hancock married in 1865 the daughter of Col. Augustin Haraszthy, a pioneer of 1849 and a citizen of worth and prominence in the upbuilding of the western statehood. They be- came the parents of two sons, George Allen and Bertram, the latter deceased. The death of Major Hancock, which occurred January 9, 1883. removed from the community a citizen whose place could never be filled. In all the walks of life he proved the worth of his character, his high ideals and the maintenance of principles without which no manhood is consistent. Al- though not a member of any church he believed in a Supreme Being to whom we owe all al- legiance, proving it best in our attitude toward our fellowmen. Always a patriot, he served his country constantly, first in the Mexican war, fol- lowing in the Civil (being stationed as major of the Fourth Regiment California Volunteer Infantry at Benicia Barracks, and later removed to Drum Barracks, at Wilmington, where he re- mained until the close of hostilities, when he was mustered out of service), and for the greater part of his life in California being con- nected with the state militia and being finally commissioned major of his regiment. He also found time to identify himself with the Masonic organization, bringing its principles forcibly to bear upon his daily life. His widow, a woman of strong character both in the qualities of heart and mind, now resides in a beautiful residence of her own design, at No. 683 Carondelet street. Los Angeles, while the interests of her extensive ranch are looked after by one of her brothers.
WILLIAM GEORGE NEVIN, the late general manager of the Santa Fe Railroad west of Aubuquerque, was born in York, Pa., in 1855, the eldest of the five sons of his par- ents, John A. and Catherine Jane (Brown) Nevin. The father was of Scotch-Irish de- scent and a native of Philadelphia, in which
city he engaged as a merchant, and later was similarly occupied in Boston. His civic pur- suits were interrupted by the breaking out of the Civil war, and he at once enlisted in de- fense of the Union, serving as quartermaster throughout the struggle. His death in 1866 removed from the community a citizen of worth and ability and one who had won the respect and esteem of all who had ever had either business or social dealings with him.
A lad of but eleven years when his father died, William G. Nevin was compelled to earn his own livelihood at the age of fourteen years, having previously attended the public schools of Philadelphia, Boston and New York City in pursuit of an education. When about six- teen years old he accompanied his uncle to Colorado, and with him followed ranching for a short time. Returning east he remained for some time in Boston, and then went to Phila- delphia, Pa., where he engaged in the whole- sale coal business until 1879. In that year he went to Wichita, Kan., and entered the em- ploy of the Santa Fe Railroad Company in the capacity of clerk, and the ability he displayed in his work led to his appointment to the posi- tion of material agent in the construction of the Sonora railroad, a portion of the Santa Fe system, and from 1881 to 1883 he was thus occupied, with headquarters at Guaymas. He was next employed with the Mexican Central Railroad Company in a similar capacity, mak- ing his headquarters at El Paso and Mexico City. Finally resigning he returned east and made his home in Philadelphia for a time, then removed to Denver and engaged in the news- paper and real estate business. In 1891 he located in San Diego county, Cal., and for three months acted as superintendent of Ce- dras Island. The following year he again lo- cated in El Paso, where he became prominent in railroad and business circles, and subse- quently became an employe of the San An- tonio & Aransas Pass Railroad, as general material agent, and at the close of a year was made assistant to the general manager of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad. D. B. Robinson, president of the Santa Fe system, then appointed him assistant to the vice-presi- dent of that system, and going to Chicago he
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discharged the duties incumbent upon him for about a year, when he was made general pur- chasing agent for the company. He held this position for two years and then, upon the death of Mr. Wade, he was made general man- ager of the Santa Fe lines west of Albuquer- que, with headquarters in Los Angeles, the western terminus. Death terminated this po- sition, not, however, until he had given of his business ability, energy and judgment to the improvement and upbuilding of this system. It is the consensus of opinion that he made the system what it is to-day in Southern Califor- nia, giving personal attention to every point, going carefully over the entire road, inspect- ing every switch, frog, etc. He was a man of unusual brain power and an unlimited capac- ity for work, being absolutely tireless in the discharge of duty; in his work he naturally encountered great difficulties, but was always able to surmount them and accomplish suc- cess. He was a man of charming personality, could tell a good story and won some very strong friends, those who knew him best lov- ing him most. He was a home man in every sense of the word, and thoroughly believed that every man's home was his castle.
From the time of Mr. Nevin's appointment as general manager in 1897 to the time of his death, January 26, 1902, he made his home in Los Angeles. In 1880 he was united in marriage with Miss Ella R. Wireman, a na- tive of Philadelphia ; her father, Jacob Price Wireman, was a prominent architect and builder, who put up many of the large build- ings of Philadelphia, in which city early an- cestors had established the fortunes of the Wireman family. Her mother was Rebecca Durnell in maidenhood, a descendant of French ancestry. Mrs. Nevin was the fourth in a family of seven children, three sisters and two brothers still making their homes in Phila- delphia. Since her husband's death she has had entire charge of his property interests and by her success has ably demonstrated her ability along business lines. She has two chil- dren, William George, who is engaged in the real estate business in Los Angeles, and Helen Durnell.
geles Mr. Nevin took a deep interest in the growth and progress of the city, and as an evidence of his faith in its future invested largely in real estate. He was a Republican in his political convictions and although too much engrossed in his business affairs to cart for personal recognition at the hands of his party, yet he gave a liberal and hearty support to the advancement of these principles. Fra- ternally he was a Master Mason, and socially affiliated with the California Club and Coun- try Club, being an enthusiastic golf player. which was one of his means of recreation Personally he was respected in his various positions as a man of unusual ability and un erring judgment, held in the highest esteem by those with whom he was associated in busi- ness relations, and withal he was constantly devoted to the performance of his responsible duties, yet never failed to give to everyone ar unfailing courtesy that won him a host of friends. To an unusual degree Mr. Nevin pos sessed those qualities essential to success, both in public and private life, and with their de monstration he left behind him a record worthy of emulation by the youth of the com ing generation.
E. H. DALTON. The name of Dalton is associated with the pioneer history of Los Angeles, for in 1855 George Dalton located here and began the improvement and cultiva tion of a ranch of one hundred and seventy four acres, and though he lived to see remark- able changes on the face of the country, yet did not see the magnificent development which has long since changed his land into city lots with comfortable and substantial homes on them, evidencing the prosperity of the beau tiful City of the Angels. The pioneer was a native of London, England, born there the son of Winnall Travally Dalton, who passed away in the metropolis of the world. The son came to America about 1836, settling first in New York, then in Pennsylvania, and finally in Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio, where he was interested in the manufacture of fan ning mills. He there married Elizabeth Mey
From the time of his location in Los An- ers, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, and
Das & Bal lina
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in 1851 he brought his family to California via the Isthmus of Panama. They located on the Azusa ranch then occupied by his brother, Henry Dalton, and remained there until 1855, when he removed to what is now Los Ange- les, purchasing for $1,000 a tract of one hun- dred and seventy-four acres lying east of what is now Central avenue and south of Sixteenth street. Here he engaged in horticultural pur- suits, setting out orchards and small fruits and continuing so occupied until his death in 1892, when he was eighty-six years old. His wife died in 1884, at the age of seventy-four years.
F. H. Dalton was born in Circleville, Pick- away county, Ohio, May 12, 1848, and was brought to California when three years old. He received his education in the public school of Los Angeles, whose building stood just back of the present site of the Bryson block, the country . between his father's ranch and the school being farm lands with here and there a house occupied by a farmer. When he attained years of maturity he began ranching with his father, raising oranges, apples, other fruits and alfalfa. He became the owner of twenty- seven acres of the old home place and here lie followed horticultural pursuits, but gradually the demand for land induced him to part with different amounts until there were but six acres left on Washington and Twentieth streets and this he laid off as the E. H. Dalton Washington and Twentieth street tract. Here he also has his home, having married in 1873 Hattie Dye, who was born in Louisville, Ky., and came with her parents to California in 1865 or 1866. They became the parents of the following named children: Maud I., wife of George H. Prince of Los Angeles county ; Archibald E., of Los Angeles ; Clarence, of De's Moines, Iowa ; George, of San Diego ; and Les- lie, Ben, Ethel, Helen, Itata and Jeanctte, at home.
Mr. Dalton has always taken the keenest interest in the growth and development of Los Angeles, as a Republican seeking to promote the principles he endorses politically although first of all a loyal citizen. At the age of twen- ty-five years he was made deputy city water overseer, and later accepted the position of city overseer, having charge of all the canals
and ditches for irrigating in Los Angeles for about ten years. It took all of his time in superintending the construction of the canals and apportioning the water to the users, as there had always been more or less trouble connected with this work, but by his evident fairness and well demonstrated intention to see that everyone was treated fairly he won the good will of the people and their confidence in both his ability and integrity. Mr. Dalton has also been interested in another of the pio- neer industries of Los Angeles, that of oil operations, and for a time was superintendent for C. V. Hall.
JAMES VINING BALDWIN was born in Weston, Ohio, a suburb of Toledo, October 25, 1870, the second in a family of three chil- dren born to his parents, Edward and Harriett (Taylor) Baldwin, both of whom were born and reared in the eastern states, the paternal name ranking high in mercantile circles in New York City. In young manhood Edward Baldwin removed to Ohio, and in Weston carried on a merchandise establishment for many years. Not unlike his predecessors he thoroughly understood his calling, and the name of Baldwin soon bore the same stand- ing in business circles in Weston that it had in the east: Having disposed of his store he is now living in Weston at an advanced age.
Exceptional advantages for securing an edu- cation fell to the lot of James V. Baldwin, his realization of this fact spurring him to greater effort as he went from school to col- lege. His graduation from the high school was followed by his matriculation in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, that state. Before graduating from that institution how- ever he discontinued his studies and took a position in his father's mercantile establish- ment in Weston, remaining there for a short time, after which he embarked in business and for five years carried on a very successful and growing enterprise independently. In the meantime he had satisfied himself regarding the chances for a young man in the west and hither he came in 1806. coming directly to Los Angeles. During the ten years of his residence
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here he made a name and place for himself in the business circles of the city, and is es- pecially well known in real-estate circles, his transactions in this line being extensive and numerous. Among the tracts which he has purchased and subdivided into lots may be mentioned Seaside Park, West Adams Heights and Westmoreland Heights, while with others he is interested and has been a leading factor in the Playa Del Rey tract, Westminster Place, Wellington Place, Wilshire Hills and the Fair Oaks Land Company. The present improve- ments on Wilshire boulevard, in the extreme western part of the city, are due to the efforts of Mr. Baldwin, at whose instigation the pres- ent syndicate was formed. His plan was the purchase of hundreds of acres in that locality for the purpose of subdivision and sale as city lots, and the wisdom of his keen forethought is seen in the fine improvements which now grace that boulevard.
Before locating in the west Mr. Baldwin formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Maude L. Munn in Weston, Ohio, she also being a native of that town. After attend- ing the primary schools of Weston she com- pleted her education in the higher schools of Oxford, Ohio. One child, Andrew Edward, has blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bald- win. To say that Mr. Baldwin is a Repub- lican is superfluous when it is stated that his name is on the roster of Teddy's Terrors and the Republican Club. Other social organiza- tions with which he is identified are the Jonathan Club, the California Club, the Country Club and the Ocean Park Country Club. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles. Besides his interests already noted he is identified with various important corporations of this city, be- ing a director of the California Savings Bank, and also of the Union Home Telephone & Telegraph corporation, which has a capital of $10,000,000 and covers Southern California.
ELIJAH H. WORKMAN, known and hon- ored among the business men and upbuilding factors of Los Angeles, is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Howard county, Oc-
tober 20, 1835. His father, David Workman, a saddler and harness-maker by trade, was born in Westmoreland county, England, and at the age of nineteen years emigrated from there to New York City, where he followed his trade a few years. From there he went to Howard coun- ty, Mo., and followed his business in Franklin, where he married Nancy Hook, a native of Virginia. Together they founded a home in Missouri, then the frontier, and patiently en- dured the hardships and troubles which were theirs as factors in a new civilization. During the year 1840 he removed with his family to Boonville and established a freighting business into Mexico, remaining in that country until 1847, then, after the Mexican war, during which he served as suttler, he returned to Missouri. Being attracted by the excitement consequent upon the discovery of gold in California he determined to make a trip to this state and ac- cordingly, in 1850, bringing a small drove of cattle across the plains, he came to California, stopping in Sacramento the ensuing year. Going back to Missouri, he got together another drove of cattle which he brought to this state in 1852, returning the following year to Missouri for his family, with whom he again crossed the plains in 1854, and coming to Southern California, he located in Los Angeles, where he was accident- ally killed some years later. His wife died in this city in 1891.
A common-school education had been obtained by Elijah H. Workman in Missouri, where he also received instruction from a private tutor. He was nineteen years of age when he came to California, in the trip across the plains assist- ing in driving the stock. After various stops in the state the family came on to Los Angeles. He had learned the saddler's trade in his native state and was thus equipped to earn a livelihood in whatever location he found himself. In San Pedro he secured employment at his trade with the firm of Alexander & Banning, with whom he remained for some time; returning to Los An- geles to become salesman for O. W. Childs of this city. In 1856 he was employed by the gov- ernment at Ft. Tejon, but on account of a severe earthquake returned to Los Angeles and again entered the employ of Alexander & Banning. With his accumulated means he engaged in
Andrew Abullen
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business for himself in the fall of 1857, opening a saddlery and harness store in Los Angeles on the present site of the Downey block, where he continued for a period of seven years ; he then purchased the business conducted by Samuel and John Foy, but in 1866 disposed of this enterprise to Samuel Foy and returning to Missouri spent the ensuing year among the scenes of his child- hood. Upon his location in Los Angeles in 1867 with his brother, William H. Workman, he estab- lished a saddlery and harness shop. With but small capital at their command, the two young men prepared to enter the commercial world strictly on the strength of their own business ability. Their experience necessarily had been comparatively limited, and without the shrewd, practical judgment and business acumen which they possessed their progress financially would have been much slower. As it was, they were soon numbered among the business houses of assured standing and with the passing years con- tinued to rise in the csteem of those about them. Until 1886 Mr. Workman gave his attention to this enterprise, during this time making a great many saddles, harness and general outfits re- quired by farmers, ranchers and cowboys, having a profitable trade in Idaho, Montana, Utah and Nevada, and later in Wyoming until the railroad was put through that state.
As his means increased Mr. Workman began to invest in city and county property, firm in his faith of the future of Los Angeles and of South- ern California. He has been one of the large holders of realty in the city, while he also owns a fine farm of fifty acres in Orange county planted to oranges and other fruits, and also a large por- tion of which is devoted to walnut trees. Upon the disposal of his business enterprise in 1886 he retired from active life and is now living at his home at No. 1815 East Second street, this city, in the enjoyment of the fruits of old age which early years of industry have brought him. In Boonville, Mo., in 1862, Mr. Workman was married to Julia Benedict, who died some years later. having become the mother of two children, a son and a daughter, the former dying when fourteen years old, and the latter at the age of three months. Subsequently he married Gilla Maria Corum, who was reared in Missouri, and the issue of this marriage was a son and two
daughters, the son dying when but seven months old. The daughter Gilleta is at home with her father, and Laura, who married Conrad Krebs, resides at Salem, Ore. The third wife was Mrs. Anna King Webb, the widow of a Mr. Webb of New York, who came to California in 1849 by way of Cape Horn, and who died September 15, 1900.
Mr. Workman has always been a liberal-mind- ed and enterprising citizen, interested in every- thing pertaining to the general welfare of the community. During the days when the mem- bers of the city council received no pay for their services he served efficiently in this capacity. Although not a partisan in the smaller sense of the word, he votes the Democratic ticket and gives his efforts to advance the principles he endorses. He has steadily given his efforts toward the pro- motion of all upbuilding enterprises and has proven a developing factor in Boyle Heights, where he has made his home for about twenty years. The sturdy qualities of his manhood, received both through inheritance and training, are such as to have given him both a financial and social success, his efforts in the commercial world building up for him a competence, while at the same time no man occupies a higher posi- tion in the esteem and confidence of the citizens of Los Angeles.
ANDREW MULLEN, one of the early busi- ness men of Los Angeles and an upbuilder of her resources, was born in County Mayo, Ire- land, October 4, 1832, next to the youngest in a family of nine sons. He was three years old when brought to America by his mother, the family locating in Auburn, N. Y. He had but limited educational privileges, the broad fund of information and general knowledge which he came afterward to possess being the result of observation and a thorough under- standing of human nature.
While yet a young man Mr. Mullen began his mercantile career in Milwaukee, Wis., en- gaging in the wholesale woolen business with his brother under the firm name of Mullen Bros. & Co. He was the founder of the con- cern and through his persistent efforts made it a success. Later the business was removed
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to Chicago, where they became large im- porters of woolens. On account of ill health he came to Los Angeles January 1, 1888, and having in the meantime become acquainted with Mr. Bluett in Chicago and found he had engaged in the clothing business in this city, he likewise manifested an interest in this af- fair, and purchasing the largest interest in the firm the name was changed to that of Mullen & Bluett. In 1890 it was incorporated as the Mullen, Bluett Clothing Company, of which he remained president until his death, the business continuing in its location at the corner of First and Spring streets during all these years, and maintaining its leadership in their line of goods throughout the city.
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