USA > California > A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, Volume II > Part 8
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representative in the Fifty-fourth Congress, and again he was chosen to serve in the Fifty-seventh session. The ability with which he met his duties and the support which he gave to measures for the upbuilding of the coast country deepened the admiration of the people for his sterling qualities and led to his re-election as a member of the Fifty-eighth Congress. At this election he re- ceived nineteen thousand four hundred and seven votes, while the Democratic candidate, Carl Alex- ander Johnson, received eight thousand and seventy-five; the socialist candidate, George H. Hewes, twelve hundred and sixty-one; and the Prohibitionist candidate, Frederick F. Wheeler, eleven hundred and ninety-five.
In 1904 Mr. Mclachlan was elected to the Fifty-ninth Congress by an increased majority ; in 1906 was re-elected to the Sixtieth Congress, and now devotes his attention largely to the dis- charge of his responsible duties as representative of his district in the capital city of our nation. Most conspicuous among his services may be mentioned his efforts to secure the harbor at San Pedro and the million dollar appropriation for a postoffice at Los Angeles. In committee work he has been prominently connected with the river and harbor committee and as a member thereof he has worked in the interests of Southern Califor- nia. In every association of statesmanship his uprightness and sincerity of purpose have never heen questioned, even by those whose opinions hring them into affiliation with other parties than his own.
On the 26th of December, 1887, Mr. McLach- lan was married to Minnie J. Jones of Groton, N. Y., and they came to California on their wedding trip. They had no intention of remaining per- manently, but finally concluded to make Pasa- dena their permanent home. Mr. McLachlan did not return east again until seven years later, when he went to Washington as representative to Con- gress. Mrs. McLachlan died of pneumonia Jan- uary 30, 1907, while Mr. McLachlan was hasten- ing home from Washington to be at her bed- side. Four children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. McLachlan: Anita J., Gladys K., Marjorie J. and Douglas J. The family occupy a comfortable residence in Pasadena set in the midst of a well-kept lawn and attractive sur- roundings.
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J. BOND FRANCISCO. Nowhere on the American continent has Nature so combined and blended her inexhaustible store of attractions as in Southern California, a fact which Edwin For- est, the noted actor, realized when he prophesied that actors, artists and singers, after searching the world over for an ideal spot, would finally locate in Southern California in preference to Southern France or Italy. It is unnecessary to enumerate the numerous instances of the fulfill- ment of this forecast further than to say that the histrionic profession was until recently here represented by the famous Modjeska, while art and music combined are represented by J. Bond Francisco.
It is shown from the early records that the Francisco family is of Spanish origin, although the representative from which Mr. Francisco de- scends subsequently established the family in France. From there its members found refuge in England as a result of the persecutions of the Huguenots, to which sect they belonged, and the first representative in the United States was Henry Francisco. For many years the family was identified with the Empire state in the vicin- ity of Whitehall, but in time became equally well known in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the father of J. Bond Francisco, Andrew W. Francisco, Sr., was born and lived the greater part of his long and useful life. A man of versatile talents and accomplishments, he was well known in newspaper circles as the founder of the Cincin- nati Enquirer, and as editor and proprietor of the Cincinnati Penny Press, the Cincinnati Times and the Ohio State Journal of Columbus, and also the Commercial Telegram of Toledo. While connected with the latter paper he became in- terested in the Los Angeles Times through the influence of his friend General Otis, and in the year 1883 he took up his residence in this city. Always an ardent Republican, his friends of like belief soon recognized his ability and fitness for public office, and the fulfillment of these duties resulted in his retiring from newspaper work al- together. At the time of his death he was serv- ing as the collector for the port of Los Angeles, to which he had been appointed by his old-time friend William Mckinley. Mr. Francisco passed away in Los Angeles in 1897, while his wife, formerly Miss Ella C. Clark, died here in 1893.
Of the six children born to Andrew W. and Ella C. (Clark) Francisco, J. Bond is the fourth in order of birth and was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 14. 1864. Coming to California with his parents during boyhood, he early dis- played a taste for both music and drawing, his first training in the former art being under the direction of Prof. Herman Eckhardt, a noted violinist, who came to this country with Jenny Lind. He further pursued his musical studies abroad with Professor Wirth in Berlin, Benno Walter of Munich, and with the famous Leonard of Paris, during this time appearing frequently as the principal artist at musical gatherings in these three cities. While abroad he also studied painting with Hans Fechner and Franz Lippisch of Berlin, Nauen of Munich, and while in Paris he attended the famous academies Julian and Colarossi, studying under such masters as Bou- guereau, Fleury, Rixens, Coutoir, Dagnan and Blanc. While Mr. Francisco confines himself to no particular line of painting, the fact that he is a great lover of mountain and marine scenery finds these subjects more often depicted than any others, and while in Europe he made many sketches of the natural scenery in Switzerland, Tyrol, France and Germany. Probably none of the many California scenes which have been pro- duced under his brush has attracted the attention and favorable comment bestowed on his "Ma- tilija," which shows a sunset in the mountains. This now hangs in the rooms of the California Club, of Los Angeles, the gift of J. S. Slauson, Sr., who paid $2,000 for it. For several years Mr. Francisco maintained a studio in the Blan- chard building, where he received pupils from all over the United States, lessons being given in charcoal and oil, from cast, still life, heads, costumed figures and the nude.
As is natural to expect Mr. Francisco's home is a "thing of beauty" and that it is a perpetual joy to him is best told in his own words: "The hours in which I may enjoy it are all too few." Here many musicians, artists, actors and numer- ous other persons of note have been hospitably received and entertained. Mr. Francisco's mar- riage was celebrated in Los Angeles and united him with Miss Nanette Gottschalk. They have one daughter living, to whom they have given the name Nanette Louise. Their first born,
I. H. Reckitt
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Yvette, died at the age of three years. Mrs. Francisco comes of a family well known in Los Angeles, she being the daughter of the late Judge Lonis Gottschalk, of St. Louis, Mo., who before coming to the west had served as lieutenant- governor of Missouri and consul to Stuttgart. Socially Mr. Francisco is a member of the Sun- set and University Clubs, and fraternally is a Mason. Mr. Francisco and his wife are honored wherever known, for the talents which have brought him professional prominence are no less conspicuous in private and social life.
WESLEY W. BECKETT, M. D. The medical profession of Los Angeles has in the above named gentleman a skilled and suc- cessful practitioner, who has done no little toward establishing the prestige which the city enjoys in this particular. Dr. Beckett is a native of the Pacific slope and although not born in California has spent all but the first few years of his life in the state. His father, Lemuel D. Beckett, who was born in New Jersey in 1818, became a farmer and merchant upon attaining years of maturity. In his native state he married Miss Sarah S. Chew and to- gether they made the trip across the plains to Oregon in 1852. Their home remained in that state for some years, when they located in California, where Mr. Beckett died April 27, 1885, being survived by his wife until February 22, 1905, when her death occurred at the home of her son, Dr. Beckett. Benjamin Chew, who was for many years Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, was a great uncle of Dr. Beckett.
May 31, 1857, in Forest Grove, Washington county, Ore., occurred the birth of Wesley Wilber Beckett, whose later boyhood years were spent principally in California, whither his parents removed. His elementary educa- tion was received in the public schools of the state, after which he became a student in Cooper Medical College, intent upon following the line of work which he had mapped out for himself. Later he matriculated in the College of Medicine of the University of South- ern California, graduating April 11, 1888. In the meantime he went to New York City and
pursued a complete course of special studies in the New York Post-Graduate School and Hospital, receiving there the practical ex- perience which so ably fitted him to take up the practice of his profession, which he did im- mediately upon his location in Los Angeles in February, 1889, following his graduation. His work as physician and surgeon has won for him merited fame and financial returns and brought him a constantly widening circle of influence and usefulness. As a surgeon he ranks exceptionally high in Southern Califor- nia and has successfully performed many diffi- cult and dangerous operations. In the prime and vigor of progressive manhood, he takes the keenest interest in the advancement of his profession and is accounted one of the most thorough students in his line of work, devot- ing much time to the study of various medi- cal journals which always form a large part of his library. He has also won a position of prominence as a contributor of valuable articles to the Southern California Practitioner and to eastern publications, while as a mem- ber of the State Medical Society, in which he has served as vice-president, the Los Angeles County Medical Association, and the Southern California Medical Association, in both of which he was formerly president, his opinions are highly esteemed.
Not alone for his work as a professional man, however, is Dr. Beckett held in high esteem, but also through his identification with many of the most important movements in public affairs. He is associated as director with various enterprises, among them the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Broadway Bank & Trust Company, the Cali- fornia Hospital Company, and others of equal prominence. He holds the chair of gynecology in the medical department of the University of Southern California, in which institution he is also officiating as trustee, and has also served for one term as a member of the board of health of the city of Los Angeles. He is a member of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. He is specially active along edu- cational lines, his early training, which was that of a school teacher for six years in San Luis Obispo county, Cal., and also as deputy
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superintendent of schools in that county for two years, having served to keep his interest alive to advancement along this line. As a Republican in politics he gives his support to the men and measures of this party, al- though he is broad-ganged in his views and always interested in the maintenance of good municipal government. He is held in high regard by the Masons, of which organization he is a member, while in the work of religious advancement he is just as active. He belongs to the Westlake Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he officiates as trustee, and as has truly been said of him his hand is always giving support and help to those in need about him. His genial nature and genuine sym- pathy have combined to make of him a char- acteristic physician-successful but never de- spoiled of the gentler qualities of manhood; firm but never harsh in the treatment he gives his patients; honest. liberal and optimi- stic in the face of much that might have changed his early views of life.
Dr. Beckett's residence is architecturally one of the most beautiful in Los Angeles. It is on Harvard Boulevard, commanding a magni- ficent view of mountains, valley and city. It is presided over by his wife, formerly Miss lowa Archer, whom he married on New Year's Day in 1882. She is the daughter of William C. and Mary M. Archer, early pioneers of Cali- fornia, who came to the state when their daughter was but four years old, her birth having occurred in Iowa. She is a woman of education and refinement and has impressed upon her sons, Wilber Archer and Francis H., the qualities of manhood which have given to this family their place among the representa- tive citizens of Los Angeles.
RUFUS LANDON HORTON. Noteworthy among the younger generation of influential men in Los Angeles is Rufus L. Horton, one of the leading attorneys and counsellors at law in this city. The record shows the Horton family to be of English origin, the immigrating ancestor to the new world establishing the family name in the beautiful Mohawk valley, N. Y., during the early days of that now prosperous commonwealth. A son of William Horton, the father of our sub-
ject, Richmond Horton, was a native of the Empire state, but the pioneer spirit of his fore- fathers was strong within him and led him to seek a home in the newer surroundings in Mich- igan during his early manhood. He was ac- companied on this removal by his wife, who prior to her marriage was Anna M. Smith, a native of New Jersey. In Berrien county Mr. Horton became well known in commercial circles, having established a large flour and lumber busi- ness there which netted him a good income and placed him among the financially strong men of his community. Throughout his life he was a strong supporter of Masonic principles, and both in Michigan and in California, whither he came in 1887, he took a prominent part in the work of the order, especially in Los Angeles. Here as well as in Michigan he also became an integral part of the business community.
During the residence of his parents in Michi- gan Rufus L. Horton was born in Niles, Sep- tember 2, 1861. He received his common and high school education in Ohio and attended college in Dallas, Tex., where he lived for ten years before he removed to Los Angeles in 1887. As his father was in comfortable circumstances he was free to follow his studies unincumbered by the thought of self-support, a condition which, coupled with the fact that he realized his privi- leges and made the most of his opportunities, re- sulted in his gaining a good education in the public and select schools. A predilection for the study of the law having early manifested itself he took up its mastery in earnest, passing the examinations with honors and being admitted to the bar in 1887. Opening an office for the practice of his profession in this city during the same year, his practice has since had a steady and continuons growth, with the result that today he is classed among the highest legal authorities in Los Angeles. His office is located in the Henne building.
Aside from his profession there is probably no subject in which Mr. Horton takes such a keen interest as in the matter of education, an in- terest which has been practically demonstrated in his service on the school board of this city. While a member of that body he was chairman of the high school course of study and purchasing com- mittee. It is safe to say that the Republican party
outasher
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has few if any more stanch defenders than Mr. Horton, whose campaign speeches ring forth party principles with no uncertain sound, and being an emphatic and convincing speaker nattir- ally, his words have weight not only with those of like faith, but those of the opposite party are also led to adopt his views. Though he is actively interested in both local and state political affairs he is in no sense a politician, as that word is usually interpreted, and aside from his position on the school board has never consented to hold public office. He is a member of the University Club, the Chamber of Commerce and is also affiliated with the Masonic bodies.
MIr. Horton was married July 15, 1890, to Millie Kurtz, the daughter of Dr. Joseph Kurtz, one of the pioneer physicians of Los Angeles. On the Ioth of December, 1893, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Horton, to whom they have given the name of Joseph Kurtz, in honor of his maternal grandfather. The family home is pleasantly located at No. 1633 West Twenty- fifth street.
GEORGE W. LASHER, M.D. There are many who claim that no city in the United States can vie with Los Angeles in respect to the ability and skill of its physicians and sur- geons. Certainly it is true, that as a class, they are unsurpassed in intelligence and broad, professional knowledge. In the list of these men the name of Dr. Lasher occupies a promi- nent position. During the long period of his residence in Los Angeles he has established a valuable practice and a reputation for skill in his profession. Not only is he held in high esteem by permanent residents of the city, but there are frequent demands made on his time and professional services by visitors from the east, who have sought our genial clime in the hope of regaining health.
The doctor is a descendant of an old and honored eastern family. The first American representative probably came from Germany prior to 1710. This was Sebastian Loscher the spelling of the name afterward being changed to its present form : he located in New York state, where he reared his family. Con- rad B., who represented the fifth generation,
married and spent his entire life in that state. He was a participant in the Revolutionary war, serving in the Eleventh New York regi- ment. By occupation he was a farmer, fol- lowing this calling throughout his active years. At the time of his death he had reached the ripe age of ninety years, longevity being a distinguishing characteristic of the family. His son George C. married Catherine Decker, the daughter of German parents. In their family was a son, Robert W., who in young manhood followed his early training and en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in his native state, where he now resides. He married Miss Eva Phillips, who was of Scotch-Irish and German parentage and transmitted the best qualities of these sturdy nations to her de- scendants. Born of this union were eleven children, five sons and six daughters, all of whom attained maturity. Two sons, Madison and Harmon, served in the Civil war, the for- mer being deceased, while the latter is now a resident of Germantown-on-the-Hudson.
Born in Columbia county, N. Y., May 15, 1845. George W. Lasher passed the years of his boyhood on the paternal farm on the banks of the Hudson river. He received the rudi- ments of an education in the nearby district school, while at the same time he was the re- cipient of a practical training which has been no small factor in the success of his years of maturity. His common school course was supplemented by attending Hartwick Semi- nary, Otsego county, N. Y., three miles south of Otsego lake, and in one of the most beauti- ful localities of the state. Grounded in the principles of his studies he finally took up teaching. following this for several terms, after which he read medicine with Dr. J. B. Hamilton, professor of surgery in Rush Medi- cal College, of Chicago, and ex-surgeon-gen- eral of the United States Marine service. In 1872 he completed the course of study in Rush Medical College and was graduated therefrom with honors, when he began the practice of his profession in Carrollton, Ill. For ten years he remained in that location and became widely known throughout Greene county as one of the most successful physicians and sur- geons it afforded. In 1883 he was attracted
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to the west and accordingly came to Los An- geles, Cal., where he has ever since remained. He at once established a practice which with the passing years has grown to remunerative proportions, bringing him large financial re- turns and at the same time extending his circle of acquaintances and friends until he is one of the best known of the medical men of South- ern California. He is identified with various medical societies, among them the American Medical Association, California State Society, District and County Medical Associations, and was one of the founders of the school of medicine of the University of Southern Cali- fornia, in which he has been a professor of surgery since its organization.
The doctor is a courteous gentleman, an up- right and progressive citizen and a man of such firm principles and honorable course of living that he deservedly enjoys the confidence of all who know him, and holds a high place in the citizenship of Los Angeles.
FRANK RALEIGH STRONG. Everywhere throughout the state of California may be found the descendants of the pioneers of 1849 and almost invariably they occupy positions of honor and high esteem among their associates, while in every instance chief among their characteristics is a deep affection for their home state and a lofty pride in its constant progress. None is more loyal to his city and commonwealth than Frank R. Strong, who is a native son of Califor- nia and one of the leading real-estate operators of Los Angeles. Descended from Vermont an- cestry, he is a son of Dr. Daniel Strong, a pioncer of 1849 via Cape Horn to the Pacific coast. In common with the large majority of pioneers he tried his fortune in the mines and, like them too, he gained little save experience from his mining ventures, yet in other lines of activity he met with gratifying success. As early as 1869 he became interested with Thomas Scott in the development of San Diego and there he remained a citizen until his death in 1888, mean- while accomplishing much in the interests of the city's permanent growth. At the time of the building of the Central (now the Southern) Pa- cific Railroad he was interested in the project,
bought stock in the company and served as a member of its board of directors. Other move- ments of like importance received the benefit of his encouraging sympathy and practical aid.
After coming to the west Dr. Strong met and married Miss Mary Cadien of Stockton, a native of Milwaukee, Wis., and in later years a resident of San Diego, where she died two years before his demise. Two daughters and one son were born of their union, namely : Mildred, deceased ; Lottie, wife of Warren F. McGrath of Los An- geles; and Frank R., who was born in San Diego, January 5, 1871. The last-named received his education in the grammar and high schools of San Diego and in a commercial college. On starting out to earn his own livelihood he turned his attention to the real-estate business and se- cured employment with the Easton-Eldridge Com- pany of San Diego, under whom during the four years of his service he gained a thorough knowl- edge of local land values as well as the laws re- garding titles, sales and deeds of sale.
After a brief experience as a real-estate broker in San Diego, under the firm title of Strong & Arms, in 1895 Mr. Strong gave up his office in that city and came to Los Angeles, which with shrewd foresight he believed to be the best open- ing for operators in real estate. For five years he conducted a partnership with F. B. Wilde, one of the originators of the Easton-Eldridge Com- pany and when their relationship was discontinued he formed a partnership with George W. Dickin- son as Strong & Dickinson. In his well-equipped office on Second and Broadway he superintends large interests and negotiates important transfers of property, also engages in the handling and sub- division of large tracts of suburban real estate, and fills the office of president of the Los An- geles Abstract and Title Company. Few men have wider interests than he in real-estate opera- tions, and his name is now on the directors' list of twenty-five different land corporations, which indicates the wide range of his activities and in- terests. Indeed few men have gained greater suc- cess than he in the management of real-estate affairs and while selling and buying for others he has also bought to a large extent for him- self, so that he now owns considerable valuable city property. While living in San Diego in 1892 he married Miss Parl Flagg of that city, by
John DBicknell.
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whom he has one daughter, Mildred. Reared in the Republican faith, he has always allied himself with that party and has been actively identified with its local affairs. The only fraternal or- ganization with which he is identified at this writ- ing is the Ramona Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West, while socially he is a member of the Union League and Los Angeles Country Clubs. Movements for the development of his home city receive his stanch support. Loyal to the city, optimistic regarding its future, keen and dis- criminating as to investments, he finds in his chosen occupation a congenial field for his energies.
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