USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 60
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property now operated by the company, which comprises eight hundred and seventy-eight acres at Mesa Grande. Three openings are now be- ing worked, and at this writing the property is conceded to be the finest gem-producing mine on the Pacific coast. The lapidary is located in Los Angeles and is in charge of H. E. Fulkeson. the secretary of the company, and a noted gem expert. The property of the Ramona Cahuilla Gem Company, of which Mr. Seabert is also president, comprises five hundred and sixty acres of land in Riverside county, a part of which was bought from Ramona, the heroine of the famous story of that name by Helen Hunt Jackson. Mr. Seabert is also president of the Bisbee Quincy Copper Mining Company, the mines being lo- cated in Bisbee, Ariz.
Near Kingston, Pa., Mr. Seabert was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Bird, who was born in New Jersey, a daughter of Elijah Bird. Mr. Bird is a descendant of one of the oldest families in New Jersey, later becoming a farmer in Huntington valley, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Sea- bert have two children, Janette Theresa, at home, and Charles Philip, who is in the employ of the Naco & Cananea Railroad, and resides in Canan- ea, Mexico. Politically Mr. Seabert is a Repub- lican, and he makes his church home in the Presbyterian denomination. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, and socially is identified with the Union League. One of the most treasured souvenirs which Mr. Seabert has in his possession is a facsimile of General Washington's army records. By act of congress one hundred copies were struck off, one of which Mr. Seabert's father obtained, the same now in his son's possession.
HENRY C. BOHRMANN. To the citizens of German birth or blood is owed much in the citizenship of many of our cities and sections of country, and Los Angeles is not lacking in the sturdy Teutons who have made America their home, the stars and stripes their flag, and the in- terests of the western world parallel with their own. Among these is Henry C. Bohrmann, whose birth occurred in Ostrowick, Province of Saxony, in Germany, October 21, 1854. He was the only child of his parents, his father being a
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commission merchant. He received his educa- tion through the medium of the public schools, and at an early age was apprenticed to learn the trade of cabinet-maker. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman in different parts of the country, then engaged in business for himself for a time, and finally, in 1877, came to America. In Louisville, Ky., he followed his trade in a furniture factory, but because of his wife's failing health he came to California. This was in 1882, when Los An- geles had only about fourteen thousand in- habitants. There was very little business at that time in the city, and apparently small opportun- ity to achieve success in any line of work. Noth- ing daunted, however, he rented a place on South Spring street, between Fourth and Fifth streets (which was then considered quite a distance from the heart of the business district), and estab- lished a cabinet shop, doing both manufacturing and repairing, and also engaged at the trade of carpenter. In spite of slow business he per- severed, and later leased a lot on South Spring street and there erected a one-story building, now the site of Ralphs' grocery store. He began the manufacture of mantels and tilings, store fixt- ures, etc., and met with a success which enabled him. later to build on another story and equip his factory with modern methods for carrying on his business. Later he engaged in the hardwood lumber business at No. 721 San Pedro street. In 1894 he sold out the mantel and tile manu- factory, and a year later also disposed of the lumber business, after which he began the im- provement of the property which he had in the meantime accumulated. He has built over a dozen residences in Los Angeles. His home is located on Washington, between Hoover and Daren place, where he owns a plot of ground 165x280 feet. In addition to this city property he also owns a farm in the Winedale district, Los Angeles county.
In Saxony, Germany, Mr. Bohrmann was united in marriage with Miss Mary Koenecke, a native of Hanover ; her death occurred March I, 1906, and she is sleeping in Rosedale cemetery. Both she and her husband were faithful mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. They had three children, namely : Henry W., Annie and Howard W. Mr. Bohrmann is identified fraternally with
the Knights of Pythias, being a charter member and the last one left of Gauntlet Lodge. He is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations, and always votes that ticket. He was a member of the first Chamber of Commerce of Los An- geles, and has always taken a keen interest in the advancement of the city's best interests. He is universally held in high esteem and named among the prominent citizens of this section.
FREDERICK WILLIAM STEIN. In the ef- ficient deputy tax collector of Los Angeles coun- ty the state records one more of the many resi- dents of the Fatherland who have taken up life here and become important factors in the up- building of the commonwealth. Born in the duchy of Baden, Schwarzwald, in the famous Black Forest, Frederick W. Stein is the son of another Frederick, the latter born near Man- heim, on the banks of the river Necker. From his earliest years the father was a diligent stu- dent and made the most of the excellent op- portunities by which he was surrounded in his native land. After graduating from Heidelberg College he took up school teaching, later be- coming superintendent of schools in Steinen. The year 1849, which brought so many new- comers to the New World, found Mr. Stein and his family among those who debarked at New York, but unlike the majority he did not come hither in search of gold, seeking rather a suit- able location in which to rear his growing chil- dren. Going to Steuben county, Ind., he first tried his hand at farming, but as this did not prove to his liking he soon abandoned it and engaged in school teaching in Fort Wayne, that state, later including the teaching of vocal and instrumental music. His earth life came to a close in that city in 1873. The lady whom he married was in maidenhood Christiana Schneider, a native of Schaffhausen, on the Rhine, the daughter of Prof. Frederick Schneider, who was an instructor in the latter city. After the Ref- ormation the Steins as well as the Schneiders became followers of the teachings of Luther, and the latest generations of both families still cling to that faith. The mother died in Iowa after rearing a family of nine children, all of whom are living. One of the sons, Edward H.,
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is secretary of the board of education in Grand Rapids, Mich., having been a member of that body for twenty-five years. Another son, Her- man J., is engaged in the furniture business in Anderson, that state. Both of the latter were stanch defenders of their adopted country dur- ing the Civil war, being assigned to the One Hundred and Forty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Edward H. was wounded in the bat- tle of Nashville.
The eldest son in his parents' large family and the only one in California, Frederick W. Stein was born January 17, 1841, and was therefore about nine years old when the family came to the United States. When he was about twelve years old he was sent to Indianapolis, Ind., to take advantage of the public school privileges there offered, and three years later, in 1856, went to Coldwater, Mich., for the same pur- pose. His first experience in the business world was in Chicago, Il1. From there he returned to Coldwater and learned the carpenter's trade, later following it there and in Fort Wayne until the war cloud cast its blighting shadow over the country. At the first tap of the drum he was among those who responded to his adopted country's call to arms, enlisting April 18, 1861, in the Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany E, and by actual count was the fifth soldier to enlist from Fort Wayne. He was mustered in at Indianapolis. During his three months' service he participated in the battles at Phillipi, Laurel Hill and Carrick's Ford, and at the ex- piration of his term was mustered out at In- dianapolis, July 30, 1861. August 18 follow- ing he re-enlisted in Company C. Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, thereafter serving through- out Kentucky and Tennessee and participating in the battle of Fort Donelson February 15. 1862. During this engagement he was wounded by a minie-ball in the right leg, with the result that he was placed in a hospital until he recovered sufficiently to again join the ranks. Rejoining his regiment the following July he was placed on detached service, acting as scout under Colonel Boone of Kentucky and others. During all of this perilous and trying service, in which he crossed and recrossed the guerrilla lines, he escaped injury or capture, and at the expiration of his enlistment, veteraned until the close of
the war and was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., in November, 1865.
The following December found Mr. Stein once more in Fort Wayne, Ind., where he soon after- ward became associated with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, having charge of the car shops there as foreman until 1883. Removing to Richmond, Ind., in the latter year he once more took up the business which he had laid aside to take up arms in the war, and there carried on contracting and building until locating in Los Angeles in 1887. It was in 1890 that he ac- cepted the position of freight agent on the Los Angeles Terminal Railroad, being the first one to hold that position, the road at that time run- ning only as far as Pasadena, while now its terminus is Salt Lake City. Resigning this po- sition two years later he once more resumed work at his trade, following it with splendid results until 1894, when he laid by private af- fairs to give his time and attention to the du- ties of deputy county assessor, having been ap- pointed to this office during that year for a term of four years. From 1898 until 1902 he again followed contracting and building, but as he was appointed to the office of deputy tax col- lector that year to serve under W. O. Welch, he once more laid aside private affairs, and since January. 1903, has filled the latter position with entire satisfaction.
The family residence at No. 1390 Newton street, which MFr. Stein erected himself, is a commodious structure, in which he has carried out his ideas of what a comfortable home should be. It is presided over hy his wife, who be- fore her marriage was Miss Rosetta D. Scott. who was born in Indiana, their marriage occur- ring in Fort Wayne. The eldest child of this marriage was Mary Elizabeth, who became the wife of J. D. Ruyle, and died in Los Angeles in 1895, leaving a son, Waldo Stein Ruyle, who has been adopted by his grandparents. The sec- ond child born to Mr. and Mrs. Stein was Flora A., who is now the wife of George A. Getchell and resides in this city. Frederick W., Jr., served in the Philippines for four years as an instructor after his graduation from the Los An- geles normal school, and has also served as stt- perintendent of the San Pablo school district. As is natural to expect after his service of four
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years in the Civil war Mr. Stein is interested in all Grand Army affairs, and is now quarter- master of Bartlett-Logan Post No. 6, of which he is past commander. Fraternally he belongs to Pentalpha Lodge No. 202, F. & A. M., and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
JOHANN CARL ZAHN, M. D. Through a period of thirty years, beginning with the date of his arrival in Los Angeles and continuing until his death in 1901, Dr. Zahn was an en- thusiastic exponent of the principles that formed the basis of the city's growth and prosperity. The broad culture resulting from a trained mind, liberal education and extensive travel gave to him the wise judgment and sagacious discern- ment that made his citizenship of inestimable value. With a stanch faith in the country of his adoption, he invested largely in Los Angeles real estate at a period when values were low, and he lived to see his judgment vindicated in the steady increase of valuations from which large financial benefits accrued to him. Although the accumula- tion of large holdings was not his chief ambition, such was his executive and business ability that without apparent effort on his part his posses- sions were enhanced to a gratifying extent.
The early years of Dr. Zahn's life were passed at Halle, Prussia, where he was born November 23, 1822. Following the usual German custom he served for three years in that army and dur- ing that period he rose to be an officer of an artillery regiment. While still a mere lad he had selected medicine as his chosen profession and to its study he gave many of his early years. After having traveled extensively through Europe at the age of twenty-four years he went to Australia and began to practice his profession, in which from the first he met with unusual success. Meanwhile he had become deeply in- terested in religious work and had accomplished much toward relieving the wants of those who reached Australia practically penniless. To further that cause he associated himself with others in the founding of the once famous Hern Huth mission at Victoria, to which he gave all of his possessions and which stood as a monu- ment to the wisdom of its founders.
By engaging in commercial pursuits, investing
in property and practicing his profession, Dr. Zahn eventually accumulated another fortune, and at the time of coming to California he was financially independent. November 14. 1869, he married Miss Frances Sharpe, daughter of John and Mary Sharpe, natives of Nottinghamshire, England. Mrs. Zahn was educated primarily in the public schools of her native place and later attended college in England. While pursu- ing her studies in Lincoln College she became deeply interested in missionary work and was impressed with the conviction that it was her duty to go to Australia as a missionary in the interests of the upbuilding of Christianity. In spite of the protestations of her parents she persisted in urging their consent to such a step, and eventually she gained their consent that she might join an uncle in that far-distant land. The voyage of sixteen thousand miles was made alone, but she soon formed pleasant acquaint- ances on shipboard and agreeable intercourse helped to relieve the tedium of the long voyage. After her arrival she engaged in religions work and at one time traveled a considerable distance to attend a religious convention. There she was introduced to Dr. Zahn, whose admiration of her womanly graces soon ripened into love. They were soon married and, although he was nearly twenty years her senior, the union was one of unusual happiness and mutual affection.
Two years after his marriage Dr. Zahn brought his wife and son to California and settled in San Francisco and Oakland from which latter city two years later he came to Los Angeles. It was not his intention to engage in active professional practice, but sickness among the poor he never refused to treat. The hour was never too late or his personal matters too engrossing to cause him to refuse to minister to the needy and relieve the suffering destitute. No one knew the extent of his helpful ministrations, for he was reluctant to allude to his charities, seeking to follow the precept of the Lord in letting not the left hand know what the right hand doeth. Throughout all of his life lie was an earnest and sincere Christian, zealous in the work of upbuilding the church. On his arrival in Los Angeles he found houses of worship were few, and he built a sub- stantial edifice on Spring street between Fourth and Fifth streets, on the site where later he owned
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the Grand Pacific block. At first the congrega- tion worshipping there was evangelical in doc- trines, but eventually was organized into the First German Methodist Episcopal Church. In that church he preached, not as an orthodox minister, but as a layman. In the same building the Bap- tists, Methodists and Unitarians worshipped, Dr. Zahn preaching in the German language in the morning and evening, while during the afternoon other congregations occupied the house. Through the erection of this house of worship and gen- crous contributions to its maintenance he did much to establish the cause of religion in the growing town. To him the church was ever dear, and in his thought and affection it took the place of all clubs and secret organizations. Faith in God was the guiding principle of his life and when, after a long illness, he passed away October 6, 1901, at his residence, No. 427 South Hope street, he entered eternity with the same deep faith in an all-wise Providence which had been his religion from boyhood. From the church in whose work he had long been prominent and in whose pulpit he had stood to proclaim the love of God for man, his body was borne to its last resting place in Evergreen cemetery.
Surviving Dr. Zahn are his widow and five sons, namely: Oscar Carl; Otto Johann; Os- wald Francis; L. Paul, who was graduated in 1903 from the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College and is now engaged in a general prac- tice in Los Angeles, and Hector Nelson, manager of Rancho Angeleno at Paso Robles. The fam- ily residence is occupied by Mrs. Zahn, who superintends the management of the estate, valued at more than $100,000. Since the doctor's death she has caused to be erected a substantial brick apartment house on the corner of Franklin and Broadway, and also owns other valuable prop- erty in Los Angeles.
Two of the Zahn hrothers, Otto J. and Oswald F., have given much attention to the training of carrier-pigeons. For several years they trained pigcons as a pastime and had in their loft some fine specimens of the Belgian variety; after a time it occurred to them to utilize the birds in a practical way and train them to fly between Catalina and Los Angeles. At that time a steamer landed at Avalon at six o'clock in the evening and left for the main land at seven
o'clock the next morning. No communications were received from the outside world until an- other twenty-four hours had passed. Catalina, being then as now a very popular resort, drew many people to the enjoyment of its climate and fine fishing, and there was a general desire to receive mail with greater frequency. By using the pigeons a message could leave Catalina late one afternoon and appear in the Los Angeles papers the next morning. The message was closely written on the thinnest tissue paper, rolled in a bundle an inch long, and wired to the bird's leg. The experiment proved a success and throughout the season the carrier service was regularly employed from the island for messenger purposes. The service was known as the Catalina Pigeon messenger service. The quickest time made was by Blue Jim, a large and strong bird, that covered the distance of forty- eight miles in fifty minutes. The time of flight was usually one hour, while by steamer and rail the journey requires four and one-half hours. The best record ever made by a carrier-pigeon on the western coast was made in 1896 by Clara WV., a hen one year and thirty-four days old. At the close of the summer season she had been sent to E. R. Scott, of Tucson, Ariz., a pigeon fancier, who missed her January 18. On the afternoon of January 19 she appeared at her old loft on South Hope street, Los Angeles, having made the journey of about four hundred and fifty miles through an unknown territory in about two days. For three or four years the brothers were organizers of several clubs that held competitive races for official records and one of the best official records, never before equalled, was from Sacramento to Los Angeles in ten hours and fifty-four minutes.
In addition to their pigeon specialty the Zahn brothers were to some extent engaged in the breeding and training of race horses, their aim being to own none but the best. Centinela, a fine animal in the Zahn stables, has made records in San Francisco and New Orleans, and on two separate occasions broke the Los Angeles track record. An- other splendid animal, Angeleno, is a brother of Toluca, that broke the track record at Sara- toga in 1900. All of these animals have won prizes at expositions and races, as have also
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Black Orphan, Altara, Frank Mayo, Marie Corelli, and others from their barns. The broth- ers have interested themselves in movements for the introduction into California of horses of the finest breeds and greatest perfection, and have accomplished much toward awakening a lively interest in such affairs. Hector N. is the owner of Taranto, by St. Blaze, a Derby winner, said to be the best bred horse ever brought to the coast. L. Paul, next to the youngest of the brothers, possesses professional talent rather than business tastes and has devoted himself almost wholly to the attainment of a wide knowledge of materia medica, in which science he ranks among the rising young men of Los Angeles.
IVORY B. NOBLE. Prominent among the public officers of Los Angeles county is I. B. Noble, who occupies a high position in the line of his work, which is that of county surveyor. Mr. Noble is a New Englander by birth, having been born in Boston, Mass., June 23, 1866, a son of William Oscar and Ellen P. Noble. The father was a native of Maine, and thence located as a builder in Massachusetts, where he remained until 1888, when he came to Los Angeles and here lived retired until his death in 1902. He was the descendant of a prominent Maine family, identified with the early history of that state. He is survived by his wife, formerly Ellen P. Bates, a native of Vermont and also the representative of an old New England family, and she now makes her home in Los Angeles. Besides Ivory B., she has a son, George O., engaged with the Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing Company.
I. B. Noble was reared in his native city and educated in its public and high schools, and when about twenty years old, in 1886, came to Los Angeles. He liked the country so well that he decided to remain, and the following year entered the employ of the city engineer, Fred Eaton, acting as an assistant in the field. He continued under Mr. Lambie, Mr. Eaton's successor, until 1891, in which year he went north to work as engineer on the Northern Pacific Railroad, and later became a member of an engineering corps, doing work in the cities of Seattle and Port Townsend. After an absence of three years he returned to Los Angeles and again became a
member of the engineering force of the city of Los Angeles. Two years later he entered the employ of the Los Angeles Pacific Railway as their engineer of construction, continuing with them until 1899, when he accepted a position in the county surveyor's office under J. H. Smith. A year later he was made chief deputy county surveyor, which position he retained under Leo V. Youngworth, whose resignation to accept the appointment to the office of United States mar- shal left the position open. In July, 1906, Mr. Noble was appointed by the county board of su- pervisors to fill the vacancy, and in the following fall was nominated on the Republican ticket. Later he was endorsed by the Democratic party, was duly elected to the office, and in January, 1907, he took the oath of office for a term of four years. He has ably demonstrated his ability in the line of his work and has the confidence of the people in his present position.
Mr. Noble is associated fraternally with the Odd Fellows, being a member of Goodwill Lodge No. 323, of Los Angeles, in which he was first made a member of the organization, and is also a Mason, having been made a member in South Gate Lodge No. 320, F. & A. M. Politically he is a stanch Republican on all national issues ; locally he is a loyal and patriotic citizen and in- tent upon the advancement of the general wel- fare.
ROBERT H. GAYLORD. The business in- terests of Southern California have in Robert H. Gaylord a faithful advocate. He is a native of Connecticut, born in Groton March 9, 1876, a son of Dr. Charles H. and Mary S. (Stafford) Gaylord, both natives of the same state. The father received a preliminary education through the medium of the public schools, after which he studied medicine, graduated and began a practice in his chosen profession which lasted until his death, which occurred in early manhood. Robert H. Gaylord was educated in his native city until 1890, when he came to Pasadena and shortly afterward entered Throop Polytechnic Institute, where he pursued his studies for a time.
Upon leaving school Mr. Gaylord began his business career and was variously engaged for a time, finally becoming interested in electrical en-
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