USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 66
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built its present substantial and handsome edi- fice.
On his return to Los Angeles in 1881 Mr. Bovard joined his brothers in university instruc- tion and took charge of the English and history classes, teaching five hours per day, besides car- rying on his regular college studies and preach- ing every Sunday in Los Angeles county. In 1884 he was graduated with the degree of A. B., later receiving the degree of A. M., and in 1896 Willamette University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. After his gradua- tion he was called to the pastorate of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at Orange, where he re- mained three years, the limit of pastoral tenure. At the expiration of that time he was appointed presiding elder of the Pasadena district and was ordained an elder the Sunday prior to the ap- pointment. After two years of service in the of- fice he was appointed pastor of the Bovle Heights Church, where he remained one year and was called for a second year, but within a week after his re-appointment he was assigned by Bishop Goodsell as superintendent of Methodist Epis- copal missions in Arizona, with headquarters in Phoenix. In order to attend to the work it was necessary for him to travel by stage much of the time. Railroads were few and the distances between congregations great. All in all, the task was one imposing great hardship and constant privations upon him, but he remained for seven years faithfully discharging every duty, building up new congregations, assisting struggling churches and establishing the work upon a firm basis in the territory. From Arizona he was transferred to Los Angeles district, Southern California conference, of which he was appointed presiding elder by Bishop John P. Newman, and for six years, the limit of office, he served faith- fully and with rare tact and zeal. On the oc- casion of the general conference of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church held in Chicago in 1900 he was present as a delegate, and was elected a member of the book committee to represent the fourteenth general conference district. While acting in that capacity he did much to promote the interests of Los Angeles as the seat of the general conference of 1904, in which ambition he met with success. This convention he also attended as a member and was elected to repre-
sent the fourteenth general conference district for the ensuing quadrennium in the University Senate.
The marriage of Dr. Bovard took place in Los Angeles October 1, 1884, and united him with Miss Emma J. Bradley, daughter of Cyrus H. Bradley, an honored pioneer of Los Angeles and a furniture dealer here during the early days. Mrs. Bovard was liberally educated in the University of Southern California and is a lady of culture. Born of their union are three chil- dren, Warren B., Edna G. and Gladys F. In politics Dr. Bovard favors Republican principles. In the work of organizing the Archeological In- stitute of the Southwest he was a leading par- ticipant and now holds the office of vice-presi- dent. Other organizations with which he is identified include the Los Angeles Academy of Science, the American Academy of Political and Social Science, and the International Geographi- cal Association.
The University of Southern California, of which Dr. Bovard has been the president since 1903, includes eight colleges and a preparatory school. The College of Liberal Arts occupies a ten-acre tract at Thirty-sixth and Wesley ave- nues, Los Angeles, convenient to the street rail- ways. Organized in 1880 with Rev. M. M. Bo- vard as president, it has since maintained a steady growth. In 1884 a four-story building was erected with suitable class-rooms. During the spring of 1905 two wings were added to the main Liberal Arts building, more than doubling its capacity, at an expense of $60,000. The equipment is modern and the laboratories are furnished with the very latest improvements. The medical department of the university was founded in 1885 by Dr. J. P. Widney and event- ually was removed from a rented hall to a build- ing of its own on Buena Vista street. The theological department was founded at San Fer- nando in 1885 by Charles Maclay, who donated land valued at $150,000 and erected the building originally used for school purposes. However, the college was eventually closed at San Fer- nando and in 1894 was opened in Los Angeles in connection with Liberal Arts. Besides the departments of liberal arts, medicine, pharmacy and theology. there are those of dentistry, law, music and oratory, and the preparatory and in-
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termediate departments, in all of which there is a large corps of instructors, thoroughly qualified to advance the interests of the students and train their minds for life's activities. Indissolubly associated with the history of the institution is the name of Bovard, for its inception was largely due to the untiring efforts of Rev. M. M. and Freeman D. Bovard, and the former presided over its early destinies, while more recently the younger brother, Dr. George Finley Bovard, has succeeded to the executive management of the institution, whose growth and permanent pros- perity he has labored unweariedly to promote.
RUSSELL JUDSON WATERS. Abun- dantly significant of the ability of Mr. Waters is the record of his rise to prominence, notwith- standing the necessity of overcoming obstacles more than ordinarily discouraging. Taking up the trials and hardships of life at the age of eight years, when most iads are enjoying the splendid advantages offered by our public school system, he has never faltered in his persistent efforts to establish for himself a place of honor among the representative men of our fair country, many times battling against the loss of health and many times winning a victory that enabled him to con- tinne his work of personal progress and devel- opment.
Mr. Waters had the advantage of inheriting many of the qualities which have proven such potent factors in his career, being the descendant of an old New England family. Born in Ver- mont June 6, 1843, he was one of the youngest in a family of thirteen children, left fatherless when he was only four years old. Shortly after the death of the father, the mother removed to Colerain, Franklin county, Mass., where, four years later, young Russell found employment in a cotton mill to assist in the support of the fam- ily. He remained in this occupation for two years, receiving as compensation $1.25 per week, but was finally compelled to give up the work on account of declining health. He was then sent to Deerfield, Mass., where on a farm he re- covered the youth and strength so nearly lost. During the two years which he passed there he attended the public school for a short time, which taste of knowledge gave him so keen a desire to
progress further that he allowed nothing after- ward to come between him and the accomplish- ment of this desire. Thereafter his efforts for a livelihood were always divided with study, every year finding him nearer the goal until his final graduation from Franklin Institute. This was ac- complished by strenuous self-denial and con- stant economy. After his return to the city from the farm at Deerfield, he entered the cut- lery factory, working for two years as operator on one of the machines, when the family having in the meantime located in Richville, N. Y., he also located there. While in that part of the state he found employment on a farm at fifty cents a day and in the winter worked at chopping cord wood at fifty cents a cord. The open air and out- door life gave to him the underlying strength which enabled him to devote himself so persist- ently to study later on. In Massachusetts, to which state he returned, he learned the trade of machinist and by prosecution of this work and the teaching of two terms of school he secured means with which to complete his studies at Franklin Institute. Though only twenty-four years old, he was offered and accepted a position as professor of Latin and mathematics in his alma mater, in which work he remained for one year.
In 1868 Mr. Waters became a resident of Chi- cago, Ill., where he took up the study of law, which he mastered after two years, being then admitted to the bar of the state and the United States. The same application and energy which had distinguished him as a student entered largely into the practice of his profession and it was not long before lie became recognized as one of the rising young attorneys of Chicago. However, his health began to suffer under the strain of intense application and constant duty which cov- ered a period of more than sixteen years, and in 1886 he found it necessary to relinquish his ex- tensive clientele. At the same time he sought a milder climate and in Southern California es- tablished his home and interests-both of which have meant so much in the development of this section. He became associated with the Califor- nia-Chicago Colonization Association as chair- man and commissioner, in which capacity he pur- chased what has since become one of the most beautiful tracts of land in Southern California, where the widely famed city of Redlands is now
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situated. Mr. Waters has been called the "fa- ther of Redlands" and it is but a just tribute to the man whose efforts, more than any others, have meant so much to the progress of that city, and in truth it has been said that no enterprise calculated to promote its interests have ever been considered complete without his name and influ- ence. He promoted the building of the city in the first place and served for one year as its attorney. Through his efforts the Santa Fé Railroad Com- pany extended its lines from San Bernardino to Redlands, comprising what is now known as the "kite-shaped track," one of the attractive features of Southern California to tourists. At various times he was a director of the Union bank, the First National Bank, the Crafton Water Com- pany, the East Redlands Water Company and the Redlands Hotel Company, which built the Windsor hotel. He built and operated the Red- lands Street Railway Company, of which he was president. He was also closely identified with the Bear Valley Irrigation Company, as its manager bringing to hear his strong business traits which effectually changed the status of the company, its stock being almost doubled in value, its indebted- ness reduced to a minimum and its credit practi- cally unlimited. His splendid ability and far- sighted judgment are nowhere more apparent than in his identification with this company.
In 1894 Mr. Waters located in Los Angeles, where he has ever since made his home. Need- less to say he has proven as important a factor in its growth and progress as in Redlands and has taken as keen an interest in its upbuilding. A number of banking institutions, among them the Citizens' National Bank and Columbia Sav- ings Bank, and the State Bank of San Jacinto, receive the support of his counsel and director- ship, while he has served with distinction as a member of the Los Angeles Chamber of Com- merce and president of the Los Angeles Directory Company. As a member of the board of park commissioners he served efficiently, being forced, however, to resign on account of the many de- mands made upon him through his business as- sociations. Innumerable outside enterprises have from time to time made demands upon his time and attention, among them the Pasadena Con- solidated Gas Company, of which he was presi- dent ; president and principal owner of the San
Jacinto Valley Water Company, which is now constructing sixteen miles of cement ditches to distribute the water to the fruit growers and dairymen of that beautiful valley, the future prosperity of that section depending largely upon this water system; president of the Columbia Commercial Company, whose operations and property are in Orange county ; president of the California Cattle Company, whose holdings are principally in Riverside county; and a director of the American Savings Bank of Los Angeles.
At the same time that Mr. Waters had been acquiring a personal success, resulting in financial returns and a high position of respect among his fellow citizens, he had also risen prominently before the public as one who could safely be en- trusted with public honor. At the earnest solici- tation of friends he allowed his name to be used as a candidate for congress from the sixth district in the year 1898, and scored a victory which was unprecedented in the district. At the congres- sional convention in Sacramento he was nom- inated by acclamation with no dissenting votes. The nomination speech was made by his old-time friend, ex-Governor John L. Beveridge, of Illi- nois, and was the subject of much favorable com- ment at the time. Mr. Waters carried his district after a vigorous campaign, by thirty-five hundred and forty-two votes. His record in the halls of congress from 1899 to 1903 was distinctively a history of the progress of Southern California for that time, as his undivided efforts were given to advance the measures supported by his constit- uency. It has been repeatedly said of him that his methods were very unlike those of the average politician, the explanation lying in the fact that he was not a politician, but rather a practical, business man whose work in congress could only have been accomplished by that type of man. He took an active part in the introduction of cer- tain measures approved by the Southern Cali- fornia Forestry Commission, thereby making it a criminal offense to leave camp fires burning and thus endangering the forests. He introduced a. bill appropriating over half a million dollars for improvements in San Pedro Harbor, and was especially active in defending the Nicaragua Canal bill, a project that is of the utmost im- portance to Southern Californians. Among the orders of greatest importance obtained by Mr.
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Waters was that of commissioner general of the land office, Hon. Binger Hermann, suspending the filing of lien scrip upon land until after a full and complete investigation by special agents of the department. This and a bill introduced by Mr. Waters to authorize the entry and patenting of lands containing petroleum and other mineral oils under placer mining laws in the United States were of material value to oil men of Southern California. To Mr. Waters is also due much credit for the establishment of rural routes in the sixth district, while eleven post- offices have been added during his term of serv- ice. Perhaps no stronger feeling exists as to the value of Mr. Waters' service than that given him by the supporters of the pensions for the old war veterans and their widows, in which work he was very active and met with gratifying success.
The home of Mr. Waters is located on Adams street, Los Angeles, where he is surrounded by every evidence of comfort and refinement. With all his busy outside interests he is devoted to his home and family and finds his greatest con- tentment in their midst. Since his return from Washington he has continued, however, his for- mer engrossing pursuits, his wide experience and sound business principles inducing his asso- ciates in various enterprises to offer him many responsible offices. In 1903 he was elected pres- ident of the Citizens' National Bank, and the fol- lowing year of the Home Savings Bank. He is president of the State Bank of San Jacinto, di- rector in the First National Bank of San Jacinto, president of the San Jacinto Water Company, president of the Citizens' Security Company, treasurer of the Equitable Security Company, treasurer of the Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad. director of the Citizens' National Bank of Red- lands, treasurer of the Continental Life Insurance Company of Salt Lake City, and president of the Bay Island Club of Newport.
The personal character of Mr. Waters is such as to give him a place among not only the repre- sentative business men of Los Angeles and Southern California, but also among the citizens whose worth has been proven by their works. Al- though possessing rare business ability, if the other requisites had been wanting he would prob- ably have missed the position he has attained, for energy, perseverance and an abounding courage
in the face of all difficulties are worth more to the possessor and are harder to possess, because they are largely a matter of training. Mr. Waters possesses these characteristics and has justly won the honor to which he is entitled. Neither his struggle nor his success, however, has had an ill effect upon his nature; in cheerfulness of spirit he has retained youth and made each year one of pleasure in his life. He has delighted in all that has led up to outward and inner refine- ment, music being especially held as one of the highest arts. He possesses strong musical talent which he developed by thorough training and still leads his family orchestra of eight pieces. His busy cares of later years have not prevented him occasionally contributing articles of fact and fic- tion to the magazines of the day. Many of his poems have been published in the past three years and he is now working on "An Epic Poem" and other verses which will be published in the near future.
JOHN METCALF. Though a native of Yorkshire, England, John Metcalf has lived in the United States since his early childhood, hav- ing come with his parents to this country in 1849, when he was six years of age. Upon locating in America, his parents, Thomas and Mary (Harker) Metcalf, settled in southwestern Wis- consin, purchasing a farm not far from the town of Galena, Ill., where the father met with an accident in the lead mines . which resulted in his death. Jolin Metcalf was then but twelve years old and being the oldest of six children the burden of the support of the family fell largely upon his young shoulders; but with a brave heart he set to work to help his mother rear and educate the other children, continuing faithfully at his post until they were all grown and mar- ried. Remaining on the farm with his mother until after he reached his majority, he then en- listed in the Union army and served his adopted county efficiently and well in Company A, Ninety- sixth Illinois Infantry, during the last year of the Civil war. After the war closed he returned home, and soon afterwards went to northwest- ern Iowa. where he took up some government land and purchasing other land near it. became a factor in the development of that portion of
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the country. As his means accumulated he abandoned the farm life and going to Paullina, Iowa, engaged in the grain and real estate busi- ness, shortly after his location there assuming an active place in business offices, and assisting materially in the development of that section. In 1883 he organized the Bank of Paullina, of which he became president and is still acting in that capacity, while he is also president of the Bank of Merrill, Iowa, and is the principal stock- holder in both these institutions.
Twelve years ago Mr. Metcalf came to South- ern California and demonstrated his faith in the future of this portion of the state by investing extensively in real estate near where Venice of America now stands, the land being known as the Gateway tract. A portion of his interest in this property was sold to M. J. Nolan of Los An- geles, when they established the business firm known as Nolan, Metcalf & Simpson. This tract is platted and improved and is very valuable property, the portion which has been sold by the firm having brought satisfactory returns. Aside from his property interests near Venice, Mr. Metcalf is promoting and developing other im- portant business enterprises in real estate and other property in various towns of Southern California, notably Long Beach and Pasadena, all of his efforts in this direction proving very successful.
In Dubuque, Iowa, Mr. Metcalf was united in marriage with Mary A. Simpson, who at her death in 1892 left three children. Some time afterward he married Mrs. Belle Raw Carpen- ter, also of Iowa, and she is the mother of two children. In his fraternal relations Mr. Metcalf is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and politically he is a Republican. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters, and while in Iowa served on the school board of his district and as chairman of the finance committee of Morningside College of Sioux City. Mr. Metcalf is a broad-minded and progressive citizen, his work demonstrating his belief that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well, and he has thus won for himself not only a competence, but also the lasting regard of his fellow-citizens.
DANA BURKS. Very early in the settle- ment of Virginia the Burks family came from Berkshire, England, and identified themselves with the newly established colony, the progenitor of American descendants bearing the name of John Burks. Members of the family participated in the memorable struggle for independence and shortly after the close of the Revolution they crossed the mountains into the wilds of Kentucky, where they still have representatives prominent in political affairs and in society. Five genera- tions bore an active part in the affairs of the state, but eventually a branch of the family be- came transplanted into Tennessee. Jesse H. Burks, who was born and educated in Kentucky and received an excellent medical education in that state, was for a time a resident of Ten- nessee, where he married Sabina Dismukes, daughter of Marcus L. Dismukes, a prominent planter of Bedford county. Three children were born to them in that county, namely: Jesse D., Paul and Dana, the latter having been born July 21, 1871. The family removed to California in 1876 and settled in Los Angeles, where for a time Dr. Burks followed professional practice. Later he gave up medicine in order to enter the field of financial activity and became associated with the banking and industrial interests of Los Angeles, where he founded the second trust company to be incorporated in the entire state, this being the Los Angeles Safe Deposit and Trust Company. He was during his lifetime one of the leaders in affairs and in the upbuilding of the community. While still a man of large influence and business prominence, he was acci- dentally killed in Chicago during a visit to the World's Fair. Since his death his widow has removed to Ocean Park, where now she makes her home.
Dana Burks, the subject of this sketch, was primarily educated in public schools and finished his education in the Los Angeles high school. By training he was fitted for the responsibilities of an active business career. On leaving school he became an assistant in the banking business to his father, whom he succeeded in the manage- ment of the Los Angeles Safe Deposit and Trust Company. For a time he was identified with the Citizens Bank of Los Angeles and later be- came proprietor of the Los Angeles City Di-
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rectory Company, and also of a general publish- ing and printing company, and a real-estate and building business, all of which he still maintains. Immediately after removing to Ocean Park in December of 1901 he became closely identified with the building up of the town. Not only did he promote the incorporation of the place, but he served as the first president of the board of city trustees and has continued in the position to the present time. Varied, indeed, have been the enterprises attracting his attention in this section of Southern California. When the Bank of Venice was organized he took a foremost part in promoting the new institution and was elected as its vice-president. Aside from the many other movements which demand his attention he acts as president and general manager of the Dana Burks Investment Company, the largest concern of its kind at Ocean Park, and having offices both at Venice and Los Angeles. Nor does this last represent the limit of his activities. An- other important industry commands a portion of his time and thought, this being the Los Angeles Dock and Terminal Company, in which he holds office as president and general manager. The company is engaged in the development of harbor frontage at Long Beach, where it owns eight hundred acres of tide land tributary to San Pedro harbor and adjacent to Long Beach.
A resumé of the activities engaging the atten- tion of Mr. Burks is sufficient to give even a stranger some knowledge of his versatility of mind and variety of business connections. To his home town, to his county and to the state lie has proved a helpful citizen, progressive in spirit, ardent in championing all projects for the up- lifting of the race. Naturally such a man main- tains a keen interest in politics, and we find him supporting Republican principles and acting as a member of the county central committee. On the incorporation of his home town he was elected mayor and still fills the office, discharging its duties with efficiency and fidelity. Though prom- inent in public life, he has been fortunate in in- curring few enmities and in retaining the con- fidence of a host of warm friends throughout all of Southern California. Fond of social amenities, he finds diversion and recreation through his membership in the Jonathan, Union League and other prominent clubs, also in the
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