USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 55
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responsible position Captain Fredericks (which title has been won in the National Guard) has proven himself a man of strong character and ability-firm for the right in whatever place he has found himself; undaunted by political pre- ference or prejudice; frank and fearless in the discharge of his duties. He has been a firm friend and champion of the best interests of Los Angeles and is held in the highest respect and appreciation by her citizens. His career is only just begun, for he is a young man, with all a young man's energy and ambition, and with the splendid success already achieved bids fair to rank among the foremost men of our state.
In 1896 Captain Fredericks was united in mar- riage with Miss Agnes M. Blakeley, of Los An- geles, a daughter of James O. Blakeley, a promi- nent citizen of Visalia, Cal., and they are now the parents of three children, two daughters and one son. In his political affiliations Captain Fred- ericks is a stanch adherent of Republican prin- ciples. Fraternally he is a Mason of Knight Templar degree and prominent in the order.
JOSEPH HORSFALL JOHNSON, D. D., bishop of the diocese of Los Angeles, is a native of New York state, born June 7, 1847, in the city of Schenectady. The Johnson family of which he is a member came from England, the immigrating ancestor being a member of the New Haven (Conn.), colony, 1630. They remained in Connecticut for several generations, until his grandfather removed to Fulton county, N. Y., where his father, Stephen Hotchkiss Johnson, was born. He became an attorney, practicing in Schenectady, from which place he served as state senator. His wife was Eleanor Horsfall, whose parents came from England to Schenec- tady, N. Y.
Until he was sixteen years old he remained a resident of his native place, attending the public schools in pursuit of a primary education ; later he was sent to boarding school in Albany, N. Y., where he prepared for more advanced work, entering Williams College. He was graduated therefrom in 1870 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In youth he had decided upon his pro- fession and immediately following his gradua- tion he went to New York city and entered the
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General Theological Seminary, where he pursued his ecclesiastical studies until 1873. After his ordination he received an appointment to the pastorate at Highland-on-the-Hudson, remaining in that location for six years. At the expiration of that period he went to Bristol, R. I., and be- came rector of Trinity Church ; thence two years later to St. Peter's Church, Westchester, N. Y. He continued in the latter location for five years, when he decided to take up his work in the middle west and accordingly came to Detroit, Mich., where he was called to the rectorship of Christ Church, and for nine years discharged the duties incumbent upon him in a highly ac- ceptable manner, becoming a prominent man in the affairs of his church and winning a wide commendation for his zeal in the advancement of the cause, his faithfulness in the interests of his church, and the ability which distinguished his efforts. His circle of friends increased and many congratulations were received by him upon his election in 1895 to the Bishopric of Los An- geles, which diocese is composed of the seven counties in Southern California. In 1896 he took charge of his duties, his headquarters being in Los Angeles, from which place he is in close touch with every church in the diocese, and suf- fice it to say that the growth of the church has kept pace with the marvelous growth of this wonderful southland.
Bishop Johnson's marriage occurred June 14, 1881, in Worcester, Mass., uniting him with Isabel Green Davis, the daughter of Hon. Isaac Davis, one of the prominent lawyers of Massa- chusetts. One son has blessed this union, Regi- nald Davis, a graduate of Williams College, class of 1907. In 1895 Nashota College (Wisconsin) conferred on Bishop Johnson the degree of Doc- tor of Divinity. He is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, the Society of Colonial wars, and the University, California, Twilight, Sunset and Sesame clubs.
CHARLES C. BRAGDON, M. A., LL. D. A man of scholarly attainments, active, ambitious and capable, Charles C. Bragdon is carrying on a most successful work as manager and owner of LaSalle Seminary, at Auburndale, Mass., of which he has had charge for many years. He is
eminently qualified for the important work in which he is engaged, in fact the greater part of his life has been given to educational work of one character or another. He was born in Au- burn, N. Y., but during his boyhood he came west with his parents as far as Illinois, locating in Evanston, his father being a pioneer Methodist minister in northern Illinois. Charles C. Brag- don supplemented the training of his earlier years by a course in Northwestern University; it was while he was a student in his senior year that he temporarily laid aside his school books to take up arms in defense of the Union, going to the front as a member of an Illinois regiment. He gave three years to the service and at the end of that time resumed his studies in North- western University. His graduation soon fol- lowed and thereafter he went abroad and for two years was a student in the celebrated Uni- versity of Tübingen. Returning to the United States at the end of this time he followed teach- ing in Aurora, N. Y., for two years, after which he accepted a position as teacher in LaSalle Seminary, at Auburndale, Mass. A later honor was his promotion to principal of the institution, and still later he purchased the seminary and grounds, now having entire charge of the semi- nary. It has an admirable location, in the midst of beautiful grounds, which cover twenty acres. Since Mr. Bragdon assumed control of LaSalle Seminary its attendance has greatly increased, its average attendance now being one hundred and fifty ladies.
The marriage of Charles C. Bragdon united him with Kate Ransom, a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of John Ransom, who at the time of his death was conducting a lumber busi- ness in that state. Two children blessed the marriage of Charles C. and Kate (Ransom) Bragdon: Katherine Belle, the wife of Hiram W. Barlow, of Pasadena, and John Ransom. Mr. Bragdon is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, and from his alma mater he received the degrees of A. B. and Ph. D. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church.
The second child in his parents' family. John Ransom Bragdon was born in Auburndale, Mass., August 31. 1875, and all of his early years were spent in the east, first as a student in Allen's Classical school in West Newton, Mass., and
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later in Williams College, from which latter in- stitution he graduated in 1898 with the degree of A. B. In January of the year following his graduation he came to Pasadena and entered the employ of the Edison Electric Company, filling a position in the treasurer's office. In 1904 he resigned his position to enter into partnership with H. W. Barlow, the firm being known as Barlow & Bragdon, dealers in real estate, be- sides which they handled stocks and bonds. Their first office was located in Los Angeles, but later they established an office in Pasadena. At the dissolution of the partnership in September, 1907, Mr. Bragdon took charge of the Pasadena branch, where he continues the handling of real estate, stocks and bonds, also having charge of considerable rented property. In addition to the activities already mentioned Mr. Bragdon is in- terested in the Hecla Consolidated Mines Com- pany, operating in the Copper mountains near Yuma, Ariz.
In Pasadena John R. Bragdon was united in marriage with Sarah Coleman, a native of Lake county, Cal. As one of the helpful and enter- prising citizens of his home city Mr. Bragdon is a member of the Board of Trade of Pasadena, a member of the Episcopal Church, and politically he is a stanch Republican. His name appears among the members of the Jonathan Club, Cali- fornia Club of Los Angeles, the Overland Club, and the Annondale Golf Club.
WALTER LINDLEY, M. D. Since his loca- tion in Los Angeles, a little more than thirty years ago, Dr. Lindley has been constantly iden- tified with public enterprises, both in the line of his profession and the general growth and development of Southern California, his name to-day standing deservedly prominent among the representative citizens. His ability, however, has far outgrown the confines of his adopted state and he is known and honored as a leading man in the medical fraternity, not only on the Pacific slope, but wherever the progress of science holds a place in the lives of men. His life history, therefore, is not of interest alone to those who have known him personally during his work in the west, but to the many who have hoped for the betterment of humanity and the upbuilding
of conditions which would insure a permanent moral and physical improvement.
Born in Monrovia, Ind., January 13, 1852, Walter Lindley was the son of Milton and Mary E. (Banta) Lindley, natives respectively of North Carolina and Vevay, Ind. The father, born on the 7th of October, 1820, inheriting from early ancestors the pioneer spirit became in early life a resident of Indiana, where he engaged in the mercantile and banking business for some time. Later he engaged in the real-estate business in Minneapolis, Minn., where he remained until 1874, which year marks the date of his arrival in the more remote west. He became the owner of considerable property in Los Angeles and spent a large portion of his time in its improve- ment and management. In the meantime he gradually assumed a place of importance among the citizens of the county and in 1879 was elected to the office of county treasurer, holding the posi- tion with eminent satisfaction to all for three years; and in 1884 was elected one of the county supervisors, in which he held the office of chair- man of the finance committee. His death oc- curred in May, 1895, at his home on West Jef- ferson street, Los Angeles, removing from the community a man and citizen best appreciated by those who knew him well-the highest com- mendation which can be paid to a man. He is survived by his wife, who, although advanced in years, still enjoys good health and the use of her faculties. She was born October 8, 1829, a descendant of a Holland Dutch family, early settlers of Manhattan Island. Later members located in the middle west and southern states, the name being a prominent one in Kentucky and Virginia, where members of the family served as soldiers of the Revolution. The two brothers of Mrs. Lindley's father, Jacob and Andrew Banta, served valiantly in the war of 1812, in the Kentucky Mounted Volunteers under Col. R. M. Johnson, who was afterward vice-presi- dent of the United States. They participated in the battle of the Thames, Canada, October 5, 1813, when the British met with defeat. Her immediate family was represented in the Civil war by four brothers, Quincy, Jephthah, Samuel and William Banta, all of whom became of- ficers and won distinction before the close of the strife. The youngest, William, who responded
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to the first call made by President Lincoln, was promoted from the ranks step by step, until toward the close he was commissioned lieutenant- colonel.
The carly life of Walter Lindley was passed in Indiana and Minnesota, his education being re- ceived through the medium of the schools of the latter place. Desiring to devote his efforts to the successful study of medicine he became a student in Keene's School of Anatomy, in Phil- adelphia, Pa., from which institution he was graduated the following year. Two courses of lectures at Long Island College Hospital, Brook- lyn, N. Y., completed his medical studies for the time, a graduation in 1875 giving him a sec- ond diploma. In the meantime he had been ap- pointed ambulance surgeon by the Brooklyn board of health in 1874, and also served as resi- dent physician in the Eastern District Hospital of Brooklyn until the day of his graduation. Thoroughly equipped for the practice of his pro- fession, Dr. Lindley came to California in 1875 and at once engaged as a practitioner in Los Angeles, which city has ever since been the scene of his labors. Constant association along the lines of his profession has kept him prominently before the public and has also fully demonstrated the unusual ability which he has brought to bear upon his work. In 1879 he became health officer and served until the following year, having pre- pared himself for this position through an as- sociation with the Los Angeles Medical Associa- tion as secretary, while he had also in 1877 or- ganized a free dispensary on Requena street which developed later into the free dispensary of the medical college, which annually treats thou- sands of the poor sick without charge. Never content with the knowledge gained, the doctor continued his studies in 1882 in New York City, and again in 1887, taking special courses in the Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital. To the study of surgery he has devoted a large por- tion of his time and attention, giving every effort toward research and reading and keeping thor- oughly abreast of all discoveries and modern methods. While city health officer Dr. Lindley issued for the first time a health circular of in- formation for the public, and in other ways proved his peculiar fitness for a position of the kind. He takes the keenest interest in the up-
building and promotion of all medical progress, in the California State Medical Society serving as president in 1890, and also being a charter member of the Southern California Medical So- ciety. For several years he served as secretary, and in 1882 was president of the Los Angeles County Medical Society. Many positions of trust and responsibility have been accorded him, among them that of county physician in 1885, at which time no night nurse, no night watchman, nor female nurse were a part of the force. In the University of Southern California he was active in the establishment of the College of Medicine, and from 1885 for several years served as sec- retary of the faculty, and later as professor of obstetrics, and is now occupying the chair of gynecology and has for several years been dean. With twenty of the leading physicians and sur- geons of Los Angeles he was instrumental in the organization of the California Hospital As- sociation in 1897, since which time they have erected the California Hospital, a modern and well-equipped building, representing an invest- ment of over $250,000, in one of the best loca- tions in the city. The doctor was associated with others in the organization of the Los Angeles Humane Society and served as its president in 1895.
In the midst of the busy cares engendered by his large practice, Dr. Lindley has still found time to give some thought to the distribution of ideas through the medium of the pen, establishing as early as 1886 the Southern California Practi- tioner, a medical and climatological monthly magazine, that has never missed an issue and is to-day one of the best known medical journals in the United States. He is still its editor and publisher and through its columns his trench- ant pen has done much toward the suggestion of ideas and methods which have bettered condi- tions in the medical and surgical world. In con- junction with Dr. J. P. Widney, he wrote Califor- nia of the South, a valuable and comprehensive work, giving a general and climatic description of this section of the state. This work is pub- lished by D. Appleton & Co., New York, and has passed through three large editions. He has also contributed medical papers to various jour- nals throughout the United States.
Not the least of the work of Dr. Lindley has
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been his association with movements calculated to better the condition of the youth of our state, his first labor being in the organization of the Los Angeles Orphans' Home, of which he be- came director and attending physician, holding the latter position for nine years and devoting his time faithfully to the needs of the little ones, for which services he received only the reward of duty cheerfully done, as there was of course no remuneration. It was also through the efforts of the doctor that the State Industrial school was established at Whittier, Cal., his first articles on the subject through the public press being be- gun as early as 1880. He finally succeeded in securing legislation for a liberal appropriation for the establishment and maintenance of a school where trades should be taught and where boys should receive a symmetrical education morally, mentally and physically. Dr. Lindley was ap- pointed to supervise the building of the school and from 1890 to 1894 made his home in Whit- tier, giving to the work in hand the attention and thought which resulted in a practical demonstra- tion of his ideas which had only strengthened and broadened with the passage of the ten years in which he had been advocating this movement. Although an active Republican he was appointed by a Democratic governor of California as one of the trustees of the Whittier state school, and is now serving as president of the board. For several years he was vice-president of the Na- tional Conference of Charities and Corrections and still retains an active membership in the same. An honor which fell to him came through the appointment by President Cleveland in 1895 of Pacific coast delegate to the International Prison congress held at Paris. In the same year he was appointed trustee of the Throop Polytechnic Institute, of Pasadena, Cal., and two years later received the appointment to the position of med- ical examiner by the State Commission of Lu- nacy. In 1903 he was elected dean of the Medical College of the University of Southern California, and in the same year received the honor at the hands of his fellow citizens of being made one of a committee of seven to receive President Roosevelt. In 1905 he received the degree of LL. D. from St. Vincent's College. One of his most widely known and most extensively re-
published addresses was one delivered in 1905, entitled "The Evils of Institutional Childhood," which was given before the National Conference of Charities at their meeting in Portland, Ore.
The doctor's association with the establishment of Idyllwild, a beautiful resort under the supervi- sion of the California Health Resort Company, is well known. On a trip through the San Jae- into mountains he came upon this plateau or valley, covered with magnificent pines, and situated at an altitude of fifty-two hundred and fifty feet. Struck with the beauty of the loca- tion as well as its desirability as a health resort, he was instrumental in the organization of the above-named company, with a capital stock of $250,000. The company is composed of forty of the leading medical men of Southern Califor- nia, among whom Dr. Lindley holds a prominent place, and after their purchase of the land they began the erection of cottages, which have turned the silent, shadowed valley into a little hamlet with every convenience at hand, every modern device for comfort and relaxation physically and mentally. The resort has proven a great success, attracting a large number of people each year who go away benefited by a short sojourn in this ideal spot. It is likewise a financial success. He is a director of the Farmers and Merchants Na- tional Bank as well as of several other busi- ness corporations.
Dr. Lindley was first married in 1875 to Miss Lou C. Puett, daughter of Rev. W. W. Puett, and by whom he had two children : Flora Banata, the wife of Philip Kitchin, and Myra Josephine, wife of Samuel F. Bothwell, both re- siding in Los Angeles. Mrs. L. C. Lindley died May 8. 1881. November 22, 1882, the doctor was united in marriage with Miss Lilla Leighton, her death occurring March 4, 1883. July 18, 1894. Dr. Lindley married Mrs. Florence Hardie, daughter of James S. Haynes, and sister of Francis L., John R. and Robert W. Haynes, the well-known Los Angeles physicians. They are the parents of two children, Dorothy and Francis Haynes Lindley. Dr. Lindley's personality is wholesome and kindly, his sympathy genuine, and all in all inspires the attributes which are so largely a part of his doctrine of pervading optimism.
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JAMES B. THRELKELD. One of the prominent and successful real-estate dealers of Los Angeles is James B. Threlkeld, whose home is at No. 2518 Michigan avenue, Boyle Heights. He was born May 19, 1862, at Kansas City, Mo., the son of Edward R. and Maria (Sexton) Threlkeld, and was next to the youngest in a family of five children. His father was a native of Kentucky, a veteran of the Civil war, a Demo- crat in politics, and fraternally a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He resides in Los Angeles at No. 6305 Eagle Rock avenue, and is engaged in the real-estate business with his son, having offices in the Fay building. The mother was an active church worker during her lifetime, her death occurring in Kansas City, Mo., several years ago.
The education of Mr. Threlkeld was received in the grammar and high schools of Kansas City, and after school days were over he com- menced his business career by taking a position with the French Brothers Commission Com- pany, retaining it for one year. The following year he worked for the Hanna Dry Goods Com- pany, beginning in the notion department, but was soon advanced and put in charge of the hosiery floor. His father having settled in Cal- ifornia he decided to follow him here and upon his arrival in Los Angeles they established the Globe Coffee and Spice Company, which was then located where the National Biscuit Com- pany now is. He continued in this business for three years, then sold out and established a prod- uce and commission house on the corner of First and Los Angeles streets and conducted it for a period of two years. Mr. Threlkeld afterwards became secretary of the Porter Land and Water Company of Los Angeles, held the position thirteen years, and then resigned to en- ter the real-estate business, opening offices in the Homer Laughlin building. From there he removed to the Chamber of Commerce building and is now located in the Fay building. He has built up a successful and profitable business and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his asso- ciates and patrons.
Politically Mr. Threlkeld affiliates with the Prohibition party, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Boyle Heights. His wife was before her mar-
riage Lilias Caystile, a native of Eldorado coun ty, Cal. They are the parents of two children, only one of whom is living, James B., Jr., twelve years of age and attending school. Mrs. Threl keld is president of the Ladies' Aid Society and treasurer of the Ladies' Home Missionary So ciety of the church of which she is a member Mr. Threlkeld takes a prominent interest in alt enterprises which tend to develop and build up the city and is considered one of its leading citizens.
GUY COCHRAN, M. D. Among profes sional men in Los Angeles none is more in touch, with the general spirit of progress in the west than Dr. Cochran. A native of the Mississippi valley, he was born in Bloomington, Ill., Sep- tember 4, 1873, a son of W. G. Cochran, M. D. well known in medical circles both in Blooming ton and Los Angeles, to which latter city he came in 1880.
The boyhood and early school days of Guy Cochran were spent in Los Angeles, where he also attended the high school, and after his graduation he continued his studies in the east his name being enrolled among the pupils of the Lawrence school in Lawrenceville. N. J Following his training there he entered upon a course in Stanford University, and upon his grad uation from that institution in 1896 he came to Los Angeles. It is safe to presume that ali through the previous years of continued and persistent study his one object in view had been to finally prepare himself to become a physician a leaning toward this profession no doubt com ing to him as an inheritance from his father. Upon his graduation from the university he at once took up the study of medicine, going to New York City and completing his medical train ing in the College of Physicians and Surgeons affiliated with Columbia College, graduating therefrom in 1900. For two years after his graduation he had the benefit of practical ex- perience as a surgeon in Bellevue Hospital, con tinuing this work abroad in the cities of Vienna Berlin and Paris, and upon his return to the United States spent eighteen months in St Mary's Hospital for children in New York City Thus prepared and fitted for the practice of
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medicine Dr. Cochran came to Los Angeles in 1903. Besides carrying on a general practice he acts in the capacity of assistant chief sur- geon of the Salt Lake Railway Company, whose offices are in this city, a position in which he has proven himself an efficient surgeon.
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