USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 54
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Mr. Smith was one of the organizers of the Automobile Dealers Association of Southern California, being president of the same for one year, from May, 1906, to May, 1907, and is now vice-president of the organization. In August, 1907. he disposed of his garage business to the Elmore Motor Car Company, giving them the right to do business only in Los Angeles county, and he still has the agency of all the rest of California, besides Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
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Montana, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mex- ico, Arizona, Old Mexico and British Columbia.
In Emporia, Kans., Mr. Smith was married to Miss Anna Lenington, a native of Aurora, Ill., and one child has blessed their marriage, to whom they have given the name of Ruth. The only fraternal order to which Mr. Smith belongs is the Knights of Pythias, and socially he is a member of the Los Angeles Athletic Club and the Los Angeles Automobile Dealers Associa- tion.
VICTOR PONET. The position occupied by Victor Ponet in the civic and social life of Los Angeles has been justly won by him through the demonstration of qualities calculated to place him foremost among the upbuilding citizens of a community. Mr. Ponet is a native of Belgium, his birth having occurred in Lemburg March 9, 1836; his father, Lawrence Ponet, a farmer by occupation, served under the great Napoleon in the wars that changed the history of Europe and was twice wounded in the service. He married Gertrude Awauters, who was likewise descended from one of the old families of Belgium.
Victor Ponet received his education through an attendance of the public schools of Belgium, after which, at the age of seventeen years, he became apprenticed to learn the trade of cabinet maker. Upon the completion of his three years term as an apprentice in this line of work he went to Paris and passed a period of several years. Deciding to try his fortune among the more abundant opportunities of the western world, he came to America in 1865 and in New York City engaged at his trade for two years. In 1867 he first came to the Pacific coast, making the journey via the Isthmus of Panama and arriv- ing in San Francisco, where he passed the ensu- ing two years. Coming to Los Angeles in 1869 he has since indentified himself with the business and an upbuilding interest of this city, which had then a population of but forty-five hundred people. He established himself in business on North Main Street, where the Phillips block now stands, and for about sixteen years continued in that same location. Disposing of his business in- terest in 1885 he passed the ensuing two years in a tour of Europe and a visit to his old home.
Mr. Ponet is largely interested in real estate in Los Angeles, purchased in early days, among which is Fiesta Park, bounded by Pico, Twelfth, Grand and Hope, improved with a handsome apartment house.
Mr. Ponet's home is in Sherman, where he owns a large tract of land, situated in the foot hills, upon which he has built a beautiful country home, surrounded by every comfort and luxury possible. In 1874, in Los Angeles, he married Miss Ellen J. Manning, a native of Ireland. They have a daughter, Gertrude (now the wife of Francis Montgomery, an attorney, and brother of the late Arch-Bishop George Montgomery), and a son, Rev. William P. Ponet, who was educated at Perryville, Mo., (was ordained: a priest, and is now stationed in St. Louis. Charit- able of his means in all lines, Mr. Ponet has been exceedingly so in regard to his church, deeding the land and building the Church of St. Victor's in Sherman, both of which were a gift to the diocese. In the commercial interest of Los Angeles no citizen has proven a stronger in- terest nor yet a more intelligent and helpful one, every movement tending to advance the general welfare receiving a hearty support from him. He was one of the organizers of the German-Amer- ican Savings Bank, serving as a director, and in 1894, he was elected to its presidency, serv- ing in this capacity for three years; he is still a member of its directorate. He was also one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce and served on its board of trustees for some time, giving liberally of both time and means during its first years of existence in his efforts to make it a helpful institution to the city. He is a member of the Municipal League also, and socially affiliates with the Knights of Columbus, Newman and Jonathan Clubs. Mr. Ponet not only stands high among the citizens of his adopted country, but as well occupies a high place in the esteem of the ruler of his native country ; Janu- ary 5. 1894. he was appointed consular agent of Belgium at Los Angeles, and December 31, 1897, was made vice-consul for Belgium for Southern California and Arizona ; while May 20, 1906, he was knighted by King Leopold, who conferred on him Chevalier de L'Ordre de Leopold. Mr. Ponet has been uniformly success- fill in his efforts as a business man, has won a
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prominent place among the citizens of Los An- geles for such, and at the same time has estab- lished the more desirable reputation of a man always actuated by purest motives, with an in- tegrity and honesty of purpose that has never been questioned.
CHARLES GEORGE HADDOCK. Among the men of Los Angeles who through their own efforts have risen to positions of honor and prominence is to be named Charles George Had- dock, who laid down alike the responsibilities and successes of his life May 21, 1905, and passed to a higher judgment. Beyond the advantages of a fine parentage and a long line of ancestry which transmitted those qualities and character- istics essential to greatness, Mr. Haddock relied solely on his own strength to perfect the talents which he felt were his, and through which he rose to an eminent position as a business man of Chicago, having held for many years the pro- found respect and esteem of all who knew him.
Mr. Haddock was born in Canton, Ohio, on the 7th of August, 1835, a descendant of an old eastern family. His father, Charles Clement Haddock, was a practicing physician in Canton, but subsequently removed to Buffalo, N. Y., which city, in 1849, was visited by the dread disease of cholera. Dr. Haddock was the only physician who stood by his post and battled with the terrible disease, which finally, however, at- tacked him and caused his death within a few days. The city of Buffalo, in commemoration of his services, erected a splendid monument to his memory. Charles George Haddock was thus left an orphan at the early age of fourteen years, his mother having died but a short time after his hirth. He had attended the common schools of the city and had graduated from the high school and this constituted the heritage left him by his parents. He was compelled to seek his own live- lihood in the world, and accordingly served as a farm laborer for about two years. Later he followed other pursuits and at the same time continued his studies by his own efforts. He commenced the study of law before attaining his majority, shortly after which event he located in Chicago, where in time he was admitted to the bar. In the meantime he had found it expedient
to pass some time as a clerk in an abstract office, in which work he remained until the great fire of 1871, which destroyed all of the records of Cook county. At the time of this fire there were three abstract offices in the city, each of which lost a portion of its records, and it was only by consolidation that a perfect abstract could be made of all the real estate of Cook county, by bringing the title down from the government to the owners. Having control of the only records of title in the county, these companies so united could charge their own price for abstracts.
A few months after the fire Mr. Haddock, with Edward E. Coxe and Frank H. Vallette, estab- lished an abstract office under the firm name of Haddock, Coxe & Co. With but $2,000 capital they purchased the necessary books and paid $600 to a company (who had started abstract books from the fire) for the use of their books until they could procure copies of them. The success which accompanied the efforts of this company is generally ascribed by his partners to the wise judgment and conservative yet progressive man- agement of Mr. Haddock, who, by many per- sonal characteristics won friends wherever he came in contact with people. The most friendly relations existed between this firm and their employes as well as their patrons. At one time, when property had depreciated greatly in value and but little work found its way to the abstract offices the firm found it necessary either to lay off a part of their employes or reduce their wages twenty per cent. It speaks well for both the men and the firm that a reduction of wages was voted upon by all employes rather than anyone should lose his position. In the ensuing years, when real estates appreciated in value, transfers were frequent and the abstract business became pros- perous ; thereupon the wages of the men were in- creased and raised higher than before. In 1881 Mr. Coxe sold his interest in the firm to George E. Rickcords, who became the manager of the business at that time. Ten years later the firm was incorporated under the laws of Illinois under the style of Haddock, Vallette & Rickcords Com- pany, with a capital stock of $750,000. A con- stantly increasing business compelled an enlarge- ment of the charter in 1895 and a capitalization of $1,500,000; under this amended charter they were authorized to issue guarantees of title and
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to do a general trust business. In 1901 a syn- dicate was formed by which all the large abstract companies of Chicago were consolidated. The stockholders of the Haddock, Vallette & Rick- cords Company received stock in the new or- ganization and in money an amount equal to the value of the company's interest. Mr. Haddock's well-known business standing and the firm basis established for his company by the underlying principles of its managers, were potent factors in the prosperity of the new company.
The home of Mr. Haddock had been located in Los Angeles since 1886, in which year he came to this city on account of impaired health. He kept in close touch with his business in Chicago and made frequent trips to the metropolis to look after his interests. His home was located on South Figueroa street, one of the most beautiful residence sections in Los Angeles. Mr. Haddock was twice married, his first wife being Maria King, a widow, with whom he was united in marriage August 4, 1863. She was the mother of two children by her former husband, and to the care and attention of these little ones Mr. Haddock was always tender and thoughtful. He provided for them and also for the education and maintenance of their children. After the death of his wife, January 21, 1899. he met and mar- ried Cynthia Almira Willett, a native of Pitts- field, Ill. Their union took place in September, 1901, in Cheyenne, Wyom., immediately after which they settled in Mr. Haddock's beautiful home in Los Angeles. That the declining years of Mr. Haddock were equally happy as those of his youth is evidenced by letters to various friends, wherein he speaks especially of the con- geniality which existed between himself and wife, and the perfect faith and affection which indeed made theirs a union in truth. Mrs. Haddock died at her home June 7, 1906.
In personal character Mr. Haddock was en- dowed with many qualities of heart and mind which placed him apart from those about him. Unselfish in spirit, loyal to the cause of country or friend, he was ever found ready to espouse others' interests and make them common cause with his own. At the call of his country for men to serve in the Civil war he enlisted in one of the first companies raised in Chicago, that of Barker's Dragoons. As in this, he was always alive to the
needs of those about him and in a generous, liberal way could be counted upon to support all movements tending toward the public good. He was active in Los Angeles and came to be known by a large circle of friends, who valued him for the qualities of character which could never be hidden. His loss was widely felt and mourned by a large concourse of friends, who paid eloquent tribute to his manhood.
ALFRED BECK CHAPMAN. From the time when he first saw California, in 1858, to the present day, Mr. Chapman has never wavered in his enthusiasm concerning the ultimate prosperity of the state. Many of our pioneers passed away before their fond hopes were realized, but it has been his high privilege to witness the transforma- tion of the country wrought during the passing years. He has lived to see what in days gone by was a wild tract of land covered with brush and mustard and worthless except for stock pasturage, transformed into a prosperous, highly cultivated and beautiful region, whose attractions win un- stinted praise from even the most critical of strangers.
The Chapman family came from England. William S. Chapman, of Virginian birth. grad- uated from the University of North Carolina, of which his father was president, and afterward engaged in the practice of law and the manage- ment of his cotton plantation. Had he been spared to old age, undoubtedly his talents would have brought him success, but he died while still a young man, but thirty-two years of age. Some years before he had married Miss Coziah A. Beck, daughter of Col. Alfred Beck, a militia officer. Their son, Alfred Beck Chapman, was named in honor of his distinguished grandfather, and was born at Greensboro, Ala., September 6, 1829. Graduating from West Point in 1854. he was afterward stationed at Forts Leaven- worth, Benicia, Tejon and Churchill. He held the rank of lieutenant, but resigned his commis- sion and retired from the army to engage in the practice of law. Coming to Los Angeles in 1861, he studied law with his father-in-law. J. R. Scott. After the war he formed a partnership with Andrew Glassell, and three years later another attorney was admitted to the firm, which became
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Glassell, Chapman & Smith. The junior member was Col. George H. Smith, late of the Confeder- ate army. A large practice was built up in the local courts and the supreme courts of the state. For several years Mr. Chapman was city at- torney, later district attorney.
Retiring from the firm in 1879, Mr. Chapman settled upon a portion of the Santa Anita rancho, his original purchase comprising sixteen hun- dred acres. Since then he has sold some of the ranch, now owning seven hundred and fifty acres. Like all horticulturists he has had his reverses, and, like most of them, too, he has had many successes. He has large acreage in citrus trees. In 1905 the Monrovia branch of the Pacific Electric Railroad was built through the southern part of his ranch, and the station Nogal ( Spanish for walnut) is on his place.
In 1859 Mr. Chapman married a daughter of J. R. Scott, and of the children born to them we mention the following : Dr. Richard B. has resigned from the United States army and is now following the medical profession in Los An- geles. William is a practicing physician in Spo- kane, Wash .; Mrs. Lantz is a resident of Chap- man, and Scott is a lemon grower in that same locality. After the death of his first wife Mr. Chapman married a daughter of the late Col. W. H. Stephens. No one is more deeply in- terested in the progress and welfare of his com- munity than Mr. Chapman. While he is a stanch Democrat and a believer in the Episcopal faith, his interests are broader and more comprehensive than those of any party or church, but represent all that is best and truest in mankind. In pro- moting his own success he has advanced the prosperity of the San Gabriel valley, and has been instrumental in attracting hither a highly desir- able class of citizens.
MARCO H. HELLMAN. Among the en- terprising and successful young business men of Los Angeles mention belongs to Marco H. Hell- man, who is at the head of affairs in the manage- ment of the extensive business interests built up by his father, the late Herman W. Hellman. Marco H. Hellman is a native Californian, his birth having occurred in Los Angeles September 14, 1878; he received his early education through
an attendance of the public schools of this city, then entered Belmont School, at Belmont, Cal. He became a student in Leland Stanford Uni- versity, but later put aside his studies to accept the position of assistant cashier of the Farmers & Merchants National Bank of Los Angeles. He held this position until his resignation, when he became assistant cashier of the Merchants Na- tional, in which his father was then president, after the latter's death being elected vice-presi- dent and cashier. He is now occupying this position with marked ability, as well as manag- ing other interests of considerable magnitude, being identified with seventeen different corpora- tions in California in the capacity of director, vice-president or president. Among these is the California Clay Manufacturing Company; the Western Union Oil Company; the Home Tele- phone Company ; Les Flores Land & Oil Com- pany, serving in the capacity of treasurer for the three last named; also president of the First National Bank of Redondo, and director of the Redondo Savings Bank and the First National Bank of Escondido and First National of Azusa, and vice-president of the First National Bank of Covina. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason and a member of Al Malaikah Temple, and be- longs to the Jonathan Club. On national issues he espouses the principles of the Republican party.
WALTER SCOTT BENEDICT. For many years the Benedict family lived and flourished in the Empire state, but in an early day in the history of the commonwealth of Missouri became identified with the farming community of that central state. On his parents' farm in Cooper county, Mo., Walter S. Benedict was born Sep- tember 15, 1840, and in that locality was reared and trained to follow an agricultural life.
During young manhood, in 1863, Mr. Benedict came to California, clerking for M. W. Childs in Los Angeles for about six months, after which he returned to his old home in Missouri. Settling clown once more upon familiar ground he car- ried on farming there for the following nine- teen years, when he' once more returned to the Golden state. His intention this time was to set- tle permanently, his choice of location being in
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Los Angeles county not far from the city of that name which he visited many years before. This consisted of twenty-seven acres of land at the end of Prospect or Sunnyside avenue, in Holly- wood, and was his home and the scene of his labors the remainder of his life, his death occur- ring on the home ranch April 2, 1891. His re- mains were interred in Evergreen Cemetery.
Walter S. Benedict and Aristeen Williams were united in marriage June 20, 1862, in Cooper coun- ty, Mo. Not unlike the Benedict family the Williams family was also well known in Missouri, where its members had been represented for many years. Mrs. Benedict's father, Justinian Williams, was an educator in Missouri but died in Alabama. Mrs. Williams, who before her mar- riage was Miss Margaret Kelly, is still living and makes her home with her children. Of the three children who were born to Mr. and Mrs. Benedict, the eldest, Alice, is the wife of James C. Kays, a well-known banker in Hollywood and Los Angeles, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work. Margaret became the wife of Rev. Wade Hamilton, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Norwalk, California; the youngest child, Walter, resides with his mother ; they are making their home on the old Benedict place at the mouth of Laurel Canon. Mrs. Ben- edict is a member of the Hollywood Methodist Church. Her grandfather, Justinian Williams, was a pioneer Methodist Episcopal minister in Missouri and rode his circuit preaching gratis and farming for a living.
DR. CHARLES G. GARRISON was born in Bridgeboro, N. J., March 11, 1837, the oldest of a family of four children born to Joseph and Eliza (Green) Garrison, both natives of New Jersey and of English descent. Young Garri- son was brought up in Philadelphia, where his father had taken up his residence, and there he was educated in the public and high schools. Subsequently he began the study of medicine in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1865 with the degree of M. D. In 1863 he en- listed in the nine months service in Company E, of the Twenty-fourth New Jersey Regiment
Volunteer Infantry, taking part in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He was mustered out with his regiment at the expiration of his term. After graduation he practiced medi- cine in Philadelphia until he moved to Kansas City and four years later he located in Prairie Grove, Ark., where he practiced successfully for fifteen years. In 1886 he removed to Los An- geles, where he engaged in the practice of his profession, in which he has been very successful, accomplishing much good as a specialist in can- cerous and malignant diseases. He is now located at No. 215 West Sixteenth street.
Dr. Garrison was married in Philadelphia to Miss Annie R. Howe, a native of that city, and they have four children, as follows: James, a resident of San Francisco; Joseph, in San Ber- nardino county ; Belinda, Mrs. Chapman, and Fannie, Mrs. Thompson, both of Los Angeles. Dr. Garrison is a man of much worth and ability, is well read and much experienced in his profes- sion, a man of kindly and liberal nature, ever ready to extend a helping hand to suffering humanity. He has never sought nor accepted office, but is a straight out Republican in his political affiliations.
CAPT. JOHN D. FREDERICKS. That for many generations past the bar has attracted vast numbers of the foremost men of the age is a fact well attested by history, and that from its rank have stepped forth some of the most illus- trious statesmen and leaders of nations no one doubts. At all periods since law became reduced to a science its expounders have taken a promi- nent place in the affairs of their day, and their influence often has survived them for genera- tions. In passing in review the members of the Los Angeles bar the name of Capt. John D. Fredericks shines forth with the brilliancy of the possessor's genius, and the following facts in relation to him will doubtless prove of interest to his hosts of friends here and elsewhere.
A native of Pennsylvania, John D. Fred- ericks was born in Burgettstown, September 10. 1869, a representative of a sturdy family of that state. His father, the Rev. J. T. Fredericks, was a Presbyterian minister, to which calling he de- voted his entire life. He was a man of many
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pleasing qualities and became much beloved by the people to whom he ministered, holding one pastorate all his life. His death occurred in 1886, when well along in years. His wife was formerly Mary Patterson, also a native of Bur- gettstown. John D. Fredericks was one of a family of four children, all of whom were reared to young manhood and womanhood in Burgetts- town. He received his primary education in the common and high schools of that place, after which he entered Washington and Jefferson Col- lege, in Washington, Pa., from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1890. He re- mained in Pennsylvania for one year following his graduation, when he came as far west as Utah and found occupation as a teacher in a school near Ogden. In the same year ( 1891) he came to Los Angeles, Cal., bringing with him no capital other than his courage and indomitable will, without which even ability cannot find suc- cess. He had $35 in money and instead of wait- ing until this was gone he at once sought em- ployment, which he found in the Whittier State school. He remained as teacher in this institut- tion for three years, and in the meantime de- voted his spare time to the reading of law. This intricate study he finally mastered and in 1895 was admitted to the bar before the supreme court of California. Opening an office in Los Angeles he began the practice of his profession and from that time to the present has risen steadily in the ranks of the legal fraternity. He was also in- timately connected with other important move- ments of both local and state interest, being a member of the California National Guard, and in 1898 accompanied the Seventh Volunteer In- fantry to San Francisco, having been made ad- jutant of the battalion. Much to their disappoint- ment the company were never ordered to the front, but remained in San Francisco, where Mr. Fredericks was made judge advocate, holding this position until the return of this company to Los Angeles.
Upon his return to the city and the resump- tion of his legal duties, Mr. Fredericks was appointed to the office of deputy district attorney, in which position he so ably represented the in- terests of the people that in 1903 he was nomi- nated and elected district attorney for a term of four years. Since taking up the duties of this
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