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 109

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

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During his early years James Bovard met and married Sarah Young, who was born on a farm now included within the city limits of Cincin- nati, her father, Abner Young, having removed thither from his native Pennsylvania at an early day. Both James Bovard and his wife remained in Indiana from middle age until death and there they reared a large family, whose brilliant mental attainments have made them conspicuous in their various places of residence. Three of their sons are now deceased, but eight still survive, as well as their only daughter, Mrs. Maria J. Griffith, of Abingdon, Ill. Freeman D., who is a graduate of Depauw University at Greencastle, Ind., of- ficiated as vice-president of the University of

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Southern California from 1880 until 1885, and now is editor of the California Christian Advo- cate in San Francisco. Rev. Marion McK. Bo- vard, a graduate of Depauw University, bore an active part in the founding of the University of Southern California, and held the office of presi- dent from that time (1880) until his death ten years later. William, a graduate of the Univer- sity of Southern California in 1888, is now dean of the College of Theology in Grant University, Chattanooga, Tenn. Rev. Melville Y., who com- pleted his education at Moores Hill, Ind., holds the pastorate of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Port Chester, N. Y. Rev. Charles L. Bovard, also a Methodist Episcopal minister, has a pastorate in Butte, Mont. Abner C. is a news- paper man in Kansas City, Mo. Ulysses Grant is engaged in the banking business at Paris, Ind., and Morton Ellsworth is a farmer in Illinois near the town of Abingdon.

While the family were living on their Indiana homestead George Finley Bovard was born August 8, 1856. His education was primarily obtained in country schools and later he attended the State Normal School at Paoli, Orange county, subsequently for three years teaching five months in the autumn and winter and then spending three months in the spring at Depauw Univer- sity, where in that brief period he completed the work of the entire year. The strain of constant study told upon his health and he was obliged to discontinue his untiring application to his books. In 1879 he joined his brothers in Cal- ifornia and shortly afterward was licensed to preach by the quarterly conference at Orange, Cal., his first sermon being delivered at a camp meeting near Compton. During the fall of 1879 he was appointed supply pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church at San Bernardino, and then served for one year as a missionary in Arizona, making his headquarters at Phoenix, which at the time boasted of only one brick building. Under his leadership a congregation of Metli- odists was established and a house of worship erected on the corner of Second and Washington streets, where now stands the Ford hotel. For this site the church paid $300. When he re- turned to Arizona later as superintendent of missions the lot was sold for $15,000 and a tract three times as large was purchased on Second and Monroe streets for $7,000, where the church 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- rving 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 Boyle 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 quadremium 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 pioncer 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

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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- 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 succceded to the executive management of the institution, whose growth and permanent pros- perity he has labored unweariedly to promote.

TELLIE L. THOMPSON. A practical, well educated man of sound judgment and much talent, T. L. Thompson has established an up-to-date livery and feed stable at Oceanside, and in its management is meeting with eminent success. Enterprising and accommodating, he takes especial pains to please his numerous pa- trons and has already built up a large and re- munerative business in this section of the country, and gained an assured position among its lead- ing liverymen. A son of the late Banner Thomp- son. he was born, October 17, 1874, at Ada, Hardin county, Ohio, where he spent his early manhood. A native of Ohio, Banner Thompson

there married Sarah Jaggers, who survives him, and is now living in Redlands, Cal.

Going with the family to Kansas in the early '80's, T. L. Thompson attended the public schools of Douglas, Butler county, for awhile. From there he came, in 1885, to Fallbrook, San Diego county, where he completed his early education. Beginning life for himself at an early age, he obtained work in a livery barn at first, and after- wards was employed for a time as a stage driver. He worked also in a telegraph office for a few months, but did not like the employment well enough to continue it. A young man of great industry and thrift, he resolved to start in busi- ness on his own account, and with this end in view judiciously saved his earnings until he had enough capital on hand to warrant him in so do- ing. Coming to Oceanside August 19, 1903. Mr. Thompson bought his present livery estab- lishment, and has since built up a substantial business, keeping one of the best stocked and finest equipped stables in this locality.

Mr. Thompson married, in 1905, Lillian Crane, who was born in San Diego, where her parents are well known and highly esteemed residents. Politically Mr. Thompson is a stanch Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Eagles.

A. V. BRAS. One of the most delightful as well as fortunate features of Santa Barbara county is the gathering within its borders of the son and daughters of many countries and climes. All bring their contribution of character and ideals, their hopes, ambitions and individual requirements, yet eventually all are harmonized in a common language, a common home-making and fortune ac- quiring incentive, and a common pride and responsibility in the development of their adopted country. Yet the strangely at variance element does not exist for all who cast their lot with this state or county, as is the case with the colonists from the Azores. A certain familiarity greets the arrival of the subjects of King Carlos, for here also are fertile lands, balmy air, vineyards, oranges and cloud- piercing mountains, and the close proximity of these doubtless aids the newcomer in the rap- id achievement of stable and useful citizen- ship. The better qualities of his nationality find expression in A. V. Bras, who owns a ranch of one hundred and sixty-eight acres, and whose father. Joe Bras, also is a rancher in the Santa Maria valley.

Mr. Bras was born on one of the nine islands comprising the Azores group, eight hundred miles west of Portugal, May 6, 1867, next to the youngest of seven children, all of whom are

S. Townsend

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living, and of whom a daughter still lives in the islands. Mr. Bras' mother died when he was eighteen months old, and when he was eighteen years old he came to California, and for two years worked for a farmer in the Santa Maria valley. In the early 'gos he rented the farm upon which he now lives, and of which, in 1899, lie purchased a hundred acres. A lit- tle later he added forty-five acres to his farm, and in 1901 extended his domain by twenty- three acres. The ranch had profited by the industry and expenditure of former owners, and the present proprietor has more than doubled its value and productiveness. With the exception of twenty-four acres under hay, the whole is devoted to beans, a crop which, while insuring reasonable profit, admits of more leisure for the enjoyment of life than does more varied produce.

The public spirit of Mr. Bras has found no more emphatic expression than during his five years' service as a member of the school board. He is a stanch advocate of education, and of all measures and advantages which tend to sturdy, useful citizenship.

Mr. Bras' marriage to Mary A. Gloria, also a native of the Azores, was solemnized No- vember 29, 1888, and of the union there are seven children : Mary, Mariana, Louise, Carrie, Antone, Joe and Ida. Two children died in infancy. The family are members of the Cath- olic Church at Guadaloupe. Mr. Bras is a member of the I. D. E. S., and is otherwise connected with the social life of the commun- ity. He is a high minded, intelligent gentle- man, a popular neighbor, loyal friend, honest business man and successful rancher.

STEPHEN TOWNSEND. Foremost in enterprises which have for their end the up- building of the best interests of the city, Step- hen Townsend is named among the represen- tative citizens of Long Beach, and as such is held in the highest esteem by all who know him. He has been a resident of California since 1876, first locating in Pasadena, where he proved an important factor in the devel- opment and upbuilding of its best interests, securing its first franchise and building its first railway, and later the Altadena and other street car lines: establishing the Pasadena Warehouse and Milling Company and con- ducting the same successfully : and as a mem- ber of the city board of trustees advancing plans which were acceptable to both the con- servative and radical element and were acted upon to the entire satisfaction of the people. In 1895 he became associated with the inter- ests of Long Beach. in which city he fore-

saw a future unsurpassed by any other of the towns of Southern California. His efforts, since locating here, have resulted in the mate- rial upbuilding of the city, as well as a financial gain for himself, and has at the same time built up a place of prominence in the municipal and social life of the city.

Mr. Townsend is the descendant of English ancestry, the first members of both paternal and maternal families 'having located in this country during its colonial period. Descend- ants drifted into the middle west, and in the state of Ohio, David, the father of Stephen Townsend, was born and reared to manhood as a farmer's son. He married Sidney Mada- lin, also a native of Ohio, and until 1855 they remained residents of that state and Indiana. In the last-named year they immigrated to Iowa and in Cedar county, near Iowa City, en- gaged in general farming and stock-raising. He continued in that location until the year 1876, when he brought his family to California and became a member of the Indiana Colony, now Pasadena, where he engaged in horti- culture up to the time of his death. He was survived twenty years by his wife, who passed away in 1903, at the age of eighty-three years. Of their thirteen children four are now liv- ing, the oldest son, Stephen Townsend, having been born in Hamilton county, Ind., October 19. 1848. He was but seven years old when the family located in Iowa, hence the greater part of his education was received in that state, first attending the public schools, and later the Iowa State University. Upon leav- ing school he began to farm on his own re- sponsibility upon land purchased in Franklin county, where he made his home for three years. Following this he was similarly occu- pied in Cedar county for two years, when, in 1876, he accompanied the family to California. The west appealed to him with its broader op- portunities and responsibilities and he readily became one of the most prominent men of the place, developing his latent power of manage- ment and executive ability. Prior to his lo- cation in Long Beach he purchased twenty acres of land on the Anaheim road, adjoining the city limits and one mile from the beach. The vear following his location here he engaged in the real-estate business, laying out various subdivisions, blocks one. ten. fourteen and twenty-four and twenty-five as well as the Tutt tract of fifteen acres: Heller & Hays tract of fifteen acres: Harbor View of forty acres : Sunny Slope of thirty acres ; and is in- terested in the subdivision of Ocean Pier tract : West : Riverside tract : and the Mooreland tract of fifty acres, also Huntington Beach. Since his location here he has been associated

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with various real-estate men, the firm first be- ing known as Bailey & Townsend; a few months later as Townsend & Campbell, and after two years he engaged with his brother, W. H. Townsend. Following this he was alone until 1901, when he became associated with what was known as the Townsend-Robin- son Investment Company, now Townsend- Dayman Investment Company, in which con- nection he has since remained. This is an in- corporated company, with capital stock of $50,- 000; they opened a subdivision to the city of Long Beach of forty acres, this being one of the largest additions to the city. Mr. Town- send is one of the organizers and directors of the Orange County Improvement Association of Newport, of which he acts as president, serving in the same capacity for the La Habra Land & Water Company, and is ex-president of the The Sunset Beach Land Company.

In addition to the foregoing Mr. Townsend is vice-president of the First National Bank of Long Beach and president of the First Na- tional Bank of Huntington Beach. He or- ganized and is president of the Land & Navi- gation Company that purchased eight hundred acres of the Seaside Water Company, where is now being dredged the harbor for Long Beach. He also carries stock in many other com- panies and takes an active interest in all move- ments tending to promote the welfare of this section of Southern California. The real-es- tate firm which he organized is one of the most substantial of its kind in this part of Cali- fornia and carries on an extensive business, the high character of ability enlisted in the work making it one of the most successful en- terprises of Long Beach. In addition to his engrossing real-estate interests he has been active in the municipal life of Long Beach, in 1903 being elected president of the board of trustees, which office he filled with efficiency. In Iowa, October 19. 1869. Mr. Townsend was united in marriage with Anna M. Carroll, a native of Indiana. They became the parents of five children. two of whom died in early childhood and Frances Mave died in 1901, aged twenty-eight years: in 1894 she graduated from the College of Music of Southern Cali- fornia University. Ester Belle is the wife of Dr. A. T. Covert, of Long Beach, and is a graduate of the Los Angeles State Normal, class of 1893. Vinton Ray, who graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1903, is now a junior in the medical depart- ment of Southern California University; in 1005 he married Ada Campbell, the daughter of W. L. Campbell.

Mr. Townsend is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, in which he officiates as

a member of the board of trustees and super- intendent of the Sunday-school, and is serving on the building committee of the new Long Beach Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a director of the Young Men's Christian As- sociation and at the present writing is serving as president of the Long Beach Hospital As- sociation, of which he was one of its organ- izers, and is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Townsend is a prominent and earnest worker in the Methodist Episco- pal Church and president of the Ladies Social Circle, is associated with the Young Men's Christian Association, and is a member of the Ebell Club. It can truly be said of Mr. Town- send that he is representative of the best in American citizenship, living up to a high standard in public and private life, making his influence felt throughout the community for its betterment and moral uplift.

GEORGE ALBERT BLEWETT. The earliest records obtainable concerning the his- tory of the Blewett family trace it back to the mother country, the grandfather of George A. Blewett, Richard Blewett by name, having been born in England. By trade he was a wheelwright, having learned and followed the same in his native country up to the time he located in the new world with his family. In Oswego, N. Y., where he first settled, he again took up work at his trade, continuing it also in Ontario, where he later moved, and there his death occurred. His son Thomas was young at the time the family immigrated to the Unit- ed States, so the greater part of his life was spent on this side of the Atlantic. In the carlier part of his business career he followed the blacksmith's trade at Napanee, Ontario, which is a noted port of entry in that part of the country. This being the case Mr. Blewett had an excellent opportunity to make obser- vations regarding water transportation, and thus it happened that he finally became owner of a vessel of which he himself was captain. Starting from New York, he plied the waters of the St. Lawrence river, doing an extensive shipping business between different points. Both himself and wife died in Ontario. The latter was before her marriage Pauline Din- geau, who was born in Montreal, Canada, of French descent.

Of the ten children orignally included in the parental family. all grew to years of ma- turity, but only seven of the number are now living. George Albert Blewett was a twin and the fourth in order of birth, and was born at Napanee, Ontario, December 29, 1856. Up to the time he was fourteen years of age he

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had attended the common schools of Nap- anee with considerable regularity, so that when he reached his fifteenth year he felt qualified to start out in the world independently. Suit- ing the action to the word he left his Can- adian home and went to Oswego, N. Y., where he secured work as driver on the canal, fol- lowing this for about two and a half years. Going from there to Michigan, he first became interested in lumbering in Bay City, later in Saginaw, and finally included blacksmithing with his lumber interests. His first introduc- tion to the west was in 1876, at which time he went to Nevada, and was so well pleased with the prospects there that he established a blacksmith shop at Gold Hill, an undertak- ing that proved very satisfactory during the eighteen years that he remained there. Cross- ing over into the adjoining state of California in 1894 he came direct to Los Angeles, and there with the proceeds of the sale of his Nevada interests he established himself in the blacksmith business, later adding ranching to his other interests, both of which he followed with a fair degree of success.

In Anaheim, Orange county, Cal., October 28, 1894. was celebrated a marriage which united the destinies of George A. Blewett and Mrs. Sophia L. ( Morris) Cary. Mrs. Blewett was born in Los Angeles of Irish descent. Grandfather Morris, who was born in Ireland, became a pioneer settler in Australia, and there it was that his son George Frederick was born. The latter came to California during the great influx of 1849, but instead of going into the mines as did the majority he engaged in the raising of sheep in the southern part of the state. During his entire life in the west he made his home in Los Angeles, passing away in this city at the age of fifty-two. His wife, formerly Mary Smith, was a native of the Emerald Isle, and her death occurred in Red- ondo, this state. Of their six children who reached maturity five are now living, Mrs. Blewett being next to the youngest. Her first marriage with Thomas Carey, resulted in the birth of one child. Thomas S. Carey. Of her marriage with Mr. Blewett six children have been born. as follows: George A., Jr., James J., John H .. Richard E., William F. and Frances E. In his political affiliations Mr. Blewett subscribes to Democratic principles, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.

P. J. DUDLEY. Among the active, ener- getic and public-spirited residents of Ocean Park, P. J. Dudley holds a noteworthy posi- tion. He possesses excellent business tact and

judgment, and as cashier of the Ocean Park Bank is performing the duties connected with his office in a most satisfactory manner, be- ing well fitted for his work by courtesy as well as capability. A native of Hampshire, England, he was born November 20, 1868, a son of William Mason and Ann Vernon Dud- ley.

Having acquired a practical education in his native land, P. J. Dudley immigrated to the United States in 1888, settling first in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was subsequently en- gaged in various pursuits, among others be- ing that of a grain buyer. Going from there to Chicago, Ill., he was connected with the firm of Mueller & Young, extensive grain deal- ers, for several years, being office manager for them from 1897 to 1905. Coming in that year to Los Angeles county, he at once as- sumed his present position as cashier of the Ocean Park Bank, and has since performed the many duties devolving upon him with praise-worthy fidelity.

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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 109

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