A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume I, Part 108

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1184

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and Sloat he soon wrested northern California from Mexican rule, and July 4, 1846, was elect- ed governor of California. By the treaty of Cahuenga, on January 13, 1847, he concluded articles of capitulation which left the territory in the possession of the United States. During the memorable year of 1849 he was elected United States senator from California, taking his seat September 10, 1850, the day after the state was admitted into the Union. He and his wife, though southerners, were advocates of a free state and it was largely through his influ- ence that it was admitted as such.

In September, 1853, Mr. Fremont made his fifth expedition across the continent, and three years later became the recognized leader of a new political party whose slogan was "Free soil, free speech, freedom and Fremont." The Republican convention of June, 1856, wit- nessed his nomination for president. Return- ing to California in 1858, a few years later, at the outbreak of the Civil war, he was made major-general of the regular army, command- ing the western department, with headquar- ters in St. Louis. At the hands of President Lincoln in March of 1862 he was given com- mand of the mountain district of Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, and in 1878 was ap- pointed governor of Arizona. Further promo- tion and honor awaited him, for by act of con- gress he was made major-general of the regu- lar army in 1890, and put on the retired list. He was not long spared to enjoy his new hon- ors, however, for death came to him a few months afterward, July 13, 1890, while on a temporary visit in New York City.

In Washington, D. C., October 19, 1841, oc- curred the marriage of john C. Fremont and Jessie Benton, daughter of Thomas H. Ben- ton, United States senator from Missouri. Op- position to the marriage on the part of Mr. Benton proved no bar to the consummation of the plans of the young people, for they were quietly married without his knowledge or blessing. Subsequently Mr. Benton became reconciled to their marriage and in later years he became Mr. Fremont's stanchest friend. Five children blessed the marriage of Mr. and. Mrs. Fremont, but of these two died young. The eldest, Elizabeth McDowell Benton Fre- mont, was born in Washington, D. C., in 1842, and as long as her parents lived continued to inake her home with them. She has been a resident of California since June, 1849, living first in San Francisco, later in Los Angeles, and in 1904 came to Long Beach, although she still retains her home in Los Angeles. The next child, John Charles, named for his illus- trious father, was born in San Francisco in April. 1851, one of the first American children born in the state. As an officer in the United States navy he participated in the Spanish- American war and later was made commander of the U. S. Ship Florida. His marriage was with Sallie Anderson, who is a daughter of Gen. Adna Anderson, who laid out the North- ern Pacific Railroad. Their three children are : John Charles (who is the third of that name and the second to serve in the United States navy) ; Jessie Benton and Julia Van Wyck. Francis Preston Fremont was born in Wash- ington, D. C., in May, 1855, and is a major in the United States Army. His marriage united him with Caroline Townsend, a daughter of John D. Townsend, a prominent attorney of New York City, and they have one son, Ben- ton Fremont.

During the same year in which General Fre- mont died congress granted a special pension to his widow, following which the women of California united in giving her a beautiful res- idence in Los Angeles. She was born in May, 1824, and died at the home just mentioned De- cember 27, 1902. General Fremont's remains were interred on the beautiful banks of the Hudson in New York, and at her death her ashes were taken east and placed beside his re- mains. A woman of many charming traits of character, she was an inspiration to all with whom she came in contact, and though dead she yet speaks, for she was a writer of consid- erable note. Not only are her writings enter- taining, but they claim the greater merit of truth, and are based on her experiences in this western frontier. Notable among the produc- tions from her pen are: "A Year of American

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Travel;" "Souvenirs of My Time;" "A Sketch of Senator Benton ;" "Story of the Guard," and "Will and Way Stories." At the time of her death she was engaged in the preparation of her autobiography.

Colonel Fremont was in Paris with his wife and daughter in 1851 and '52, during which time Napoleon declared himself emperor, and they were honored guests at the last birthday dinner given in honor of the duke of Welling- ton. They were also presented at court. In 1869, General Fremont, wife and daughter again went abroad, this time visiting in Copen- hagen and Denmark particularly. Mrs. Fre- mont owned the first carriage that was ever seen in California, it having been built for her in the east and brought around the Horn. It was so arranged that she could use it as a bed at night, and in this conveyance she and her eldest daughter made many trips throughout the state with Colonel Fremont.

WALTER LINDLEY, M. D. Since his lo- cation 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 de- velopment 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 his- tory, 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 en- gaged 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 be- came the owner of considerable property in Los Angeles and spent a large portion of his time in its improvement and management. In the mean- time 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 position 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 chairman of the finance committee. His death occurred in May. 1895. at his home on West Jefferson street, Los Angeles, remov- ing from the community a man and citizen best appreciated by those who knew him well-the highest commendation 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 fam- ily, early settlers of Manhattan Island. Later members located in the middle west and south- ern 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 president of the United States. They par- ticipated in the battle of the Thames, Canada, October 5, 1813, when the British met with de- feat. Her immediate family was represented in the Civil war by four brothers, Quincy, Jephthah, Samuel and William Banta, all of whom became officers and won distinction before the close of the strife. The youngest, William, who re- sponded to the first call made by President Lin- coln, was promoted from the ranks step by step, until toward the close he was commissioned lieu- tenant-colonel.

The early life of Walter Lindley was passed in Indiana and Minnesota, his education being received 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 Philadelphia, 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 second diploma. In the meantime he had been appointed ambulance surgeon by the Brooklyn board of health in 1874, and also served as resident phy- sician in the Eastern District Hospital of Brook- lyn until the day of his graduation. Thoroughly equipped for the practice of his profession, 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 pro- fession has kept him prominently before the pub- lic 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 prepared

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himself for this position through an association with the Los Angeles Medical Association as secretary, while he had also in 1877 organized a free dispensary on Requena street which de- veloped later into the free dispensary of the medical college, which annually treats thousands of the poor sick without charge. Never con- tent with the knowledge gained, the doctor con- tinued 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 ef- fort toward research and reading and keeping thoroughly 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 secre- tary, and in 1882 was president of the Los Ange- les 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 Califor- nia he was active in the establishment of the College of Medicine, and from 1885 for several years served as secretary of the faculty, and later as professor of obstetrics, and is now oc- cupying the chair of gynecology and has for sev- eral years been dean. With twenty of the lead- ing physicians and surgeons of Los Angeles he was instrumental in the organization of the Cal- ifornia Hospital Association in 1897. since which time they have erected the California Hospital, a modern and well-equipped building, represent- ing an investment of over $250,000, in one of the best locations in the city. The doctor was asso- ciated 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, establish- ing as early as 1886 the Southern California Practitioner, a medical and climatological monthly magazine, that has never missed an is- stie and is today one of the best known medical journals in the United States. He is still its editor and publisher and through its columns his trenchant pen has done much toward the suggestion of ideas and methods which have

bettered conditions in the medical and surgical world. In conjunction with Dr. J. P. Widney, he wrote California of the South, a valuable and comprehensive work, giving a general and climatic description of this section of the state. This work is published by D. Appleton & Co., New York, and has passed through three large editions. He has also contributed medical papers to various journals throughout the United States.

Not the least of the work of Dr. Lindley has 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 ef- forts of the doctor that the State Industrial School was established at Whittier, Cal., his first articles on the subject through the public press being begun as early as 1880. He finally succeeded in securing legislation for a liberal appropriation for the establishment and main- tenance of a school where trades should be taught and where boys should receive a symmetrical education morally, mentally and physically. Dr. Lindley was appointed to supervise the building of the school and from 1890 to 1894 made his home in Whittier, giving to the work in hand the attention and thought which resulted in a practical demonstration of his ideas which had only strengthened and broadened with the pas- sage 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 National Conference of Charities and Corrections and still retains an active membership in the same. An honor which fell to him came through the appointment hy 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 medical examiner by the State Commission of Lunaey. 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 com- mittee 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 republished ad-

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dresses was one delivered in 1905, entitled "The Evils of Institutional Childhood," which was given before the National Conference of Char- ities at their meeting in Portland, Ore.

The doctor's association with the establish- ment of Idyllwild, a beautiful resort under the supervision of the California Health Resort Company, is well known. On a trip through the San Jacinto 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 lo- cation as well as its desirability as a health re- sort, 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- nit, 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 suc- cess, 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 suc- cess. He is a director of the Farmers and Mer- chants National Bank as well as of several other business 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, wife of Philip Kitchin, and Myra Jose- phine, wife of Samnel F. Bothwell, both resid- ing in Los Angeles. Mrs. L. C. Lindley died May 8, 1881. November 22, 1882, the doctor was united in marriage with Miss Lilla Leigh- ton, her death occurring March 4. 1883. July 18. 1894, Dr. Lindley married Mrs. Florence Hardie, daughter of James S. Haynes, and sis- ter 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 person- ality. 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.

HON. ALVAN TYLER CURRIER. For many years the life of Mr. Currier has been inseparably associated with the history of the San Jose valley, of which he was one of the early settlers. He has lived to see what was in years gone by a region of almost unsettled land transformed into a prosperous and beat- tiful country. In the midst of all the chang- ing scenes through which the country has

passed he was ever ready to give assistance to those in need and to promote enterprises for the good of the community, and it is not too great praise to say that no other one citizen has wielded a greater influence in upbuilding meas- ures in the community and in developing its latent resources.

As is true of so many of California's able citizens, Mr. Currier is of eastern birth and parentage. Born in Franklin county, Me., April 30, 1840, he is a son of Alvan and Nancy (Clough) Currier, they too being natives of the same state, and descended respectively from French and English-Scotch progenitors. During his early years Alvan Currier taught school in his home locality, where in later years he wielded a large influence, represent- ing his constituents in governmental affairs both as representative and senator in Maine. During his younger life Alvan Currier was a Whig in his political belief, and when that party was merged into the Republican party he became a firm adherent of the latter. Both himself and wife passed their entire lives in Maine, and at their death were upheld and strengthened by the Christian's hope, having been faithful members of the Baptist Church for many years. Eight children were born to this worthy couple. two of whom, Alvan T. and Samuel Howard, came to California, but the latter, who was a pioneer of 1851, died in this state February 8, 1853. Of this family all are living except Samuel Howard and are lo- cated in the vicinity of Farmington, Me., ex- cept A. T. of this review. The oldest, Lydia Ann. seventy-six years: David E., seventy- two years; Susan E., seventy years: A. T .. sixty-seven : Hannah A., aged sixty-five : George M., sixty-three; and Mittie F., aged fifty-seven years.

Mr. Currier's early years were associated with his birthplace, Farmington, Me., where he attended the public schools and later was a pupil in Farmington Academy. For a time after his own school days were over he en- gaged in teaching, and later, or until reaching his majority. he carried on farming in Maine. It was in the year 1861 that he bade farewell to family and friends and started for California by way of the isthmus. He was not greatly attracted to the country at that time evidently, for we learn that he soon left San Francisco for Idaho, remaining as a gold and silver miner there for six years. In 1865 his brother. George M., came to Idaho and in 1867 returned to Maine, where he is still living. In the year 1867 Mr. Currier came back to California but soon started east to visit his parents in Maine. then returned to California in 1868 and deter- mined to settle down as a rancher in this state.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and for the purpose of securing choice cattle with which to stock his ranch he went to Ore- gon. The following year he drove his cattle to Northern California, where he sold them and with the proceeds came to Los Angeles county and purchased the ranch of twenty- five hundred acres in the San Jose valley, which has been the scene of his labors dur- ing the years which have intervened. His farming is devoted to fruit, the raising of cat- tle and draft horses, besides which he harvests large crops of hay and grain. In connection with his ranch he has an orchard of eighty acres, set out to oranges and walnuts. The ranch is very favorably situated about three miles west of Pomona, not far from the sta- tions of Spadra and Lemon, on the Southern Pacific Railroad, and is copiously watered from several artesian wells. At this writing Mr. Currier is contemplating subdividing his ranch into ten-acre tracts and selling as homesteads to settlers. In addition to this valuable prop- erty he is also the owner of considerable prop- erty in Los Angeles.

As yet no mention has been made of Mr. Currier's public life, though it was in this ca- reer that he wielded the greatest influence and was best known. As a candidate of the Re- publican party he was nominated and elected sheriff of Los Angeles county in 1882, an of- fice which he filled creditably for two years. Later honors came to him in 1898, when he was elected to the state senate from the Thirty- eighth California district, representing his constituents in that body for four years with the greatest satisfaction to those who had been responsible for his election, and with great credit to himself. During his life in the state he has shared in its successes and reverses, and no matter how depressing the conditions may have been his hope for the final supremacy of the state in the working out and establish- ment of resources has never been dimmed. It is the possession of this faith alone that has been the prime factor in his success, a faith which others have imbibed from him, thus spreading a wholesome influence throughout his community. Besides other positions which he has held in his community he is a director in the First National Bank of Pomona, a director in the San Antonio Fruit Exchange, is presi- dent of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Los Angeles, president of the San Antonio Cañon Water Company, president of the Wal- nut Fruit Growers' Asociation, of Walnut, and president of the Odd Fellows' Hall Asso- ciation, of Pomona, member of Union League Club and Los Angeles County Pioneers So- ciety.

Mr. Currier's marriage. March 20, 1881,

united him with Mrs. Susan (Glenn) Rubot- tom, and both are active members of the Bap- tist Church of Pomona. Mr. Currier belongs to but one fraternal organization, the Odd Fel- lows, with which he has been identified for the past twenty-five years. The personality of Mr. Currier is pleasing, his open-hearted, sub; stantial manner making him a welcome acqui- sition to any society or gathering.

GEORGE FINLEY BOVARD, D. D. When the persecution of the Huguenots in France cul- minated in the massacre of St. Bartholomew and the members of that sect were forced to flee for their lives, the Bovard family sought refuge in the north of Ireland and thus by accident be- came planted upon Irish soil. From the Emerald Isle George Bovard, the grandfather of the sub- ject of this article, came to America a stalwart young pioneer, well qualified for the arduous task of hewing a home out of the primeval wilderness. The family assisted in the agri- cultural development of the vicinity of Steuben- ville and there James, a son of George, was born, reared and educated. While still very young he removed to Indiana and settled near the hamlet of Alpha, Scott county, where he labored for years to transform a dense forest into an im- proved farm. On the organization of the Re- publican party he became one of its upholders and when the Civil war began he was enthusias- tic in his defense of Union principles. During 1862 he was accepted as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana In- fantry, assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps, and sent to the south, where he partici- pated in various engagements and the march to the sea. On the expiration of the war he re- turned to his home and resumed the cultivation of his farm and the discharge of the duties fall- ing upon him as a private citizen. From early youth until the close of life he was an earnest believer in Methodist doctrines and a generous supporter of the church.

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A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume I, Part 108

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company Number of Pages: 1184

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1184