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 112

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

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The personality of Mr. Rule has been the mo- tive power in winning for him the many posi- tions of honor which have fallen to him during his residence in Los Angeles. Although en- dowed with business attributes of strongest char- acter he has not allowed his nature to become warped to this one line, but throughout his en-

tire career has endeavored to cultivate the best traits of his manhood. His popularity has not been won by catering to public opinion, but by a strict observance of principle, which has giv- en him the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.

CHESTER R. BARTON. One of the suc- cessful and enterprising citizens of Los Angeles county is Chester R. Barton, who is located in El Monte, in the surrounding country operating as an extensive rancher. He is a native Cal- ifornian, his birth having occurred in Solano county, July 16, 1855; his father, John W. Bar- ton, was born in Vermont, the representative of an old New England family located in this coun- try by an English ancestor prior to the Revolu- tion. He married in Vermont and there en- gaged as a farmer, later removing to Battle Creek, Mich., and following a similar occupation. In 1849 he crossed the plains with ox-teams to California, and upon his safe arrival established a general merchandise business in Suisun valley. In 1853 he returned to his old home in Vermont via the Isthmus of Panama and the following year brought his family to California, once more making the journey across the plains, this time with horse-teams, under command of Captain Briggs. During this trip the Indians stole all but two of their horses, and thus made the re- mainder of the journey one of great hardship and trial. Again locating in the state Mr. Bar- ton continued in the general merchandise busi- ness in the same place, and also engaged in farm- ing, and later built what was known as the Bar- ton hotel in Fairfield, which he conducted for many years. He died at the age of fifty-six years, his place as a prominent and helpful citizen left vacant, for in all things he had maintained the best interests of the community and assisted materially in its upbuilding. His wife, formerly Emeroy Williams, was born in Vermont, a daughter of Colonel Williams, who served in the war of 1812, and was a connection of the famous Adams family. He engaged as a farmer in Vermont, his native state, until his death. Mrs. Barton passed away December 19, 1906, when ninety-one years old at the home of her son in El Monte. She was a woman of Christian char- acter, having been a member of the Methodist Church for many years. She was the mother of seven children: Guy W., who died in Los Angeles; Caroline, wife of M. M. Richardson, who died in Stockton: Elizabeth, who died in Solano county : John \V., a resident of El Monte ; Royal M., located in the Puente valley : Isabella. wife of J. C. Carlisle, near El Monte ; and Chester R., of this review.

Reared in Fairfield until he was eleven years

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

old, Chester R. Barton received his education in that place and also Chico, where he was then taken by his parents. His first employment was as a clerk for Carlisle & Hobart, of Chico, with whom he remained for two years, after which, in 1868, he went to San Diego county and with his brother, Royal M., engaged in general farming and stock-raising at Valley de Los Viejas. They continued in this enterprise for many years when Chester R. sold out and located in Tehama county, there engaging in the cat- tle business with his brother Guy. After two years he returned to Chico and established a mercantile enterprise in partnership with his brother, and in 1886 he came to Los Angeles county. He at once engaged in general con- tracting and farming, the latter occupation being carried on in the Puente valley, where he raised wheat and barley. His home is in El Monte, where he owns a fine residence, and also owns a ranch of two hundred acres located three-quar- ters of a mile north of Puente, which he has improved and brought to a high state of culti- vation. For eighteen years he has operated a part of the Baldwin ranch, which land in 1905 was subdivided, when he rented twenty-five hun- dred acres near Fallbrook and engaged entensive- ly in grain-raising, operating with every modern device and equipment for expeditious work. He also owns other residences in El Monte, and in Los Angeles is interested in the Magnet Steam Laundry, in which he is a director, and which has its plant at the corner of Twelfth and Crocker streets.

In Savannah Mr. Barton was united in mar- riage with Miss Alice Shoemaker, who was born in Soledad, and they are the parents of four chil- dren, namely : Charles, Clifford, Gertrude and a son not named. Mr. Barton has taken a prom- inent part in all matters of public import and has shown himself so thoroughly interested in the up- building and improvement of the section in which he makes his home that he has been selected as a citizen worthy to uphold public honor, and as such has received recognition at the hands of those in power. Among his appointments of honor was that in 1898 bv O. W. Langdon, as the road supervisor of the Rowland road district, which position he has ever since retained, dis- charging the duties satisfactorily to all concerned. When he took up the duties of this position there were no oiled or graveled roads in this section and it now contains as good roads as Los Angeles county affords. Mr. Barton owns a fine drove of forty mules, which he uses in this work. In edu- cational affairs he is also prominent, having served for eight years as trustee in the Bassett school district, in the erection of the schoolhouse having proven a potent factor. Politically he is a stanch Republican. Fraternally he was made a

Mason in Lexington Lodge No. 104, of El Monte, where he is still identified, and both himself and wife are members of the Order of Eastern Star. He was one of the organizers and is the president of the El Monte Masonic Temple Association. Personally Mr. Barton is a man of kindly char- acteristics, making and retaining many friends by the force of his kindly nature; courteous to all whom he meets either in a business or social way; enterprising in both public and private af- fairs ; and all in all is recognized as one of the helpful citizens of this section of Los Angeles county.

JOHN FREDERICK PARKER, who es- tablished his home in San Bernardino in 1886, was born at Mount Desert, Hancock county, Me., in 1845. His parents were John How- ard and Sarah Haskel (Powers) Parker, de- scendants of early settlers of New England. After leaving school at the age of eighteen Mr. Parker took up the seafaring profession and entered the employ of Iasigi Goddard & Co. of Boston and later sailed for La Foune & Frothingham and A. B. Perry & Co. to European and Mediterranean ports, also to the West Indies and East African coast. In this line he rose rapidly to the position of cap- tain.

On one of his voyages to Smyrna, Asia Minor, Mr. Parker formed the acquaintance of Giuditta E. Rebecchini, the daughter of Serifino Rebecchini, an Italian professor of music from Ancona, Italy, whom he subse- quently married, at the age of twenty-four at Mitylene, a port in the Grecian archipelago, and brought his bride to the United States in his own ship. Soon after this event Mr. Parker retired from the sea and settled in Bos- ton, engaging in the ship carpenter and join- er business, which he followed there for ten years.

In 1882 Mr. Parker decided to go west and came to National City, Cal., via the Isthmus of Panama, and entered the service of the Cal- ifornia Southern Railroad, the western start- ing of the great Santa Fe Trans-continental System. As developments proceeded he was transferred to San Bernardino in 1886 and ap- pointed general foreman of the bridge and building department of the division, which is now known as the Los Angeles division of the A. T. & S. F. Coast Lines, which respon- sible position he has held to the present time.

Mr. Parker was one of the organizers of the Santa Fe Building and Loan Association, which was incorporated in 1890 with a capi- tal stock of $500.000, at San Bernardino, and since increased to $2,000,000. The large in-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

crease of the capital stock shows the success which has attended this institution which now ranks as one of the most substantial and best financial institution in the state. The board of directors has been composed of Santa Fe Railroad men and substantial business men of San Bernardino, Mr. Parker having been its president since 1898. Mr. Parker has also served the city as a member of its board of trustees and during his long residence has won a position among the substantial and in- fluential men of the city. By careful and prudent management of his own affairs he has accumulated some valuable real estate in the city, including his residence on the cor- ner of H and Second streets, also ranch prop- erty outside.

WILLIAM J. WASHBURN, president of the Equitable Savings Bank, and one of the promi- nent men in financial and educational circles in Los Angeles, was born in Livingston county, N. Y., September 30, 1852. His father, William Washburn, the descendant of an old New York family, engaged for many years in mercantile pursuits in his native state, finally removing to St. Louis, Mo., where he became active in com- mercial affairs. With a competency the result of his undivided efforts, he retired from business life in 1888, and in the same year came to Cali- fornia and established his home in Pasadena, in which city his death occurred November 5, 1898. He was a man of strong integrity of character and a loyal and patriotic citizen ; he enlisted for service in the Civil war and was at once promoted to a captaincy, serving under General Grant and being in the division that received the surrender of General Lee. Through- out his entire life he held a position among the representative men of the section in which he made his home, his name always being found among those who were seeking to further the highest interests of the community at large. He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Mary R. Johnson, a native of New York, whose home is now in Los Angeles. They became the parents of three sons and one daughter, of whom Will- iam J. Washburn is the only survivor. Charles A. was engaged in the insurance business in Denver, Colo .; Frank E. was interested with his brother, W. J., in the banking business in Los Angeles until his death: and Jennie B. died in childhood.

The boyhood of William J. Washburn was passed in his native state, where he received a preliminary education in the public schools. He completed his studies in Lima Seminary, after which he followed his parents to St. Louis. His father having become identified with commercial

affairs in that city, it was but natural that he should follow the same pursuit. Later he was recognized as one of the leading merchants of St. Louis and during the fifteen years of his business life there he built up an extensive pat- ronage and wide custom, which brought him satisfactory financial returns. In 1888 he disposed of his business interests in St. Louis and came to California. For the sake of a location in the west Mr. Washburn sacrificed an established business in a field where he had ably de- monstrated his ability in important affairs, bring- ing with him to the Pacific state the qualities, ripened by years of experience and contact with the world, which had proven winning factors in his career. Shortly after his location in Los Angeles Mr. Washburn was elected president of the Bank of Commerce, which had been founded two years previously under the name of the East Side Bank. Soon after Mr. Wash- burn's connection with the bank it was removed to a more central location at the corner of First Street and Broadway. Under the conservative management of its officers business gradually increased until 1903, when it was consolidated with the American National Bank, one of the strongest financial institutions of Los Angeles, of which he was made vice-president. In the meantime he had served as secretary of the Equitable Loan Society, which was later merged into the Equitable Savings Bank, and upon its organization he became president and has served in that capacity since.

In his identification with the banking institu- tions of Los Angeles Mr. Washburn has developed those qualities possessed only by the ablest finan- cier, and with the passing years has risen to a commanding position among the representative men of this class. He is regarded as a leader in the conservative element of the city, trusted implicitly for his integrity, and withal is pro- gressive and public-spirited. In addition to the positions already mentioned he was appointed re- ceiver for the City Bank, which failed in 1893. and also served in like capacity for the Bankers Alliance, ably discharging the duties devolving upon him. As foreman of the grand jury of Los Angeles county he served with fidelity and impartiality. Throughout his entire residence in this city he has taken a lively interest in edu- cational affairs, and as a member of the board of education for five years and president of the same for three years, he sought to advance the standard of the public schools. Many improve- ments in point of equipment and excellence were added largely through Mr. Washburn's influence. For many years an active member of the Cham- ber of Commerce. he was chosen in 1906 as president of this honorable body, and as in the past will prove a power in the advancement of

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

commercial affairs in Los Angeles. Mr. Wash- burn is identified with the Republican element in politics, but is in no sense a partisan; re- cognized first as a loyal citizen, he is always to be counted upon in the support of the best movements for the material prosperity of the city, county and state. In the midst of his busy affairs he has found time to ally himself with fraternal and social bodies, being a Thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite Mason, and member of the California, University and Sunset Clubs of this city.

In St. Louis, Mo., in 1878, Mr. Washburn was united in marriage with Miss Helen E. Rowell, who for some years had resided in Bloomington, Ill., where she had received a liberal education in the normal school. She is a woman of rare worth of character, inherent qualities of heart and mind, unspoiled even in the midst of her association with the world. She is prom- inent in social circles and has served as presi- dent of the Ruskin Art Club for two years. As a member of the Juvenile Court Commission she is active in a work whose influence is far- reaching, while she is also a member of the Municipal Art Commission.

ASHER HAMBURGER. So closely identi- fied with the commercial growth of Los Angeles has been the name of Asher Hamburger that to old residents it is synonymous with the develop- ment of the city since his location here in 1881. At that time he brought to bear in the mercantile establishment which occupied his time and atten- tion a broad experience made valuable by his business judgment and acumen; later he built up a large custom and won many friends who honored him for the qualities of character so evident in his dealings with all. His death on the 2nd of December, 1897, was a loss to the en- terprising element of the city, although the busi- ness has since been continued successfully by his sons, who have emulated the example of their father in his unswerving integrity and honor, as well as the business ability which placed the family fortunes on a sound basis.

Asher Hamburger was born in a small village near Wurzburg, in Bavaria, in the year 1821. After receiving the rudiments of an education in the village school he was apprenticed to learn the trade of rope-maker. As he grew toward years of maturity his sense of justice and love of freedom became so strong within him that he resolved to break the fetters that linked him to the old world and seek a home and fortune in the far-famed west. He was but eighteen years old when, with his brother, a weaver by trade, he set out for the nearest seaport town on his way to the United States. At Hamburg

they took passage on a Swedish steamer in the steerage, turning their backs upon a country where no patriotism was known and the sub- jects were treated like vassals and serfs. The passage across the Atlantic during those days was full of danger and hardship, and storms and contrary winds lengthened the trip to seven- ty days. Arriving in the United States without a knowledge of the language, without means or friends, but with a heart full of hope and hands willing to work, he immediately secured employ- ment in a tassel factory in New York City, where, by perseverance and energy, he soon be- came one of the first workmen in the establish- ment. His aim, however, was higher than this and as soon as he had saved sufficient money he started out in the more lucrative field of mer- chandising in Pennsylvania, where he became known by the sobriquet of "the honest retailer." In 1843 he was joined by his remaining brother and the three then went to Alabama and established three stores on the Tombigbee river, where they prosecuted a very success- ful business. When the news of the great gold discovery reached the south, Asher Ham- burger wanted to go to California at once, but met with some opposition from his brothers; however, his indomitable spirit could not be subdued and in January, 1850, he wrote to his brother, who was in the north buy- ing merchandise, the following characteristic letter : "If you don't come home immediately you will find our store closed and us ( the re- maining brother and himself) off for California."

Thus, in 1850, by the Isthmus of Panama, Asher Hamburger and his brother started for the Golden West. There was no railroad across the isthmus in those days, so these hardy broth- ers, like many others, crossed on mule-back, hav- ing hired a great many of those trusty animals, on which they loaded their goods. They went at once to Sacramento, then the most important place in California, but in the following year established a wholesale house in San Francisco under the name of Hamburger Brothers. Asher Hamburger was identified with the business in Sacramento and fire and flood on several oc- casions destroyed the labor of years and reduced him to a state of poverty; but his undaunted will and exuberant spirit always rose to the oc- casion, and being ever willing to put his shoulder to the wheel in due time he found again the summit of success. In 1881 his two sons, S. A. and M. A. Hamburger, who were then in busi- ness with him in Sacramento, concluded they wanted larger fields for operation, so they in- duced their father to come to Los Angeles, and in November, 1881, the business that is now A. Hamburger & Sons, Incorporated, and the largest in Southern California, was inaugurated.

I. H. Beckett

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Hamburger took an active interest in busi- ness affairs up to within a year of his death, which occurred on the 2nd of December, 1897, he being then seventy-six years of age. Through his liberality, enterprise and energy he contri- buted towards many of the improvements and monuments that have been erected in Southern California. He had a most pleasant and fatherly disposition, and through his kindness and good- heartedness has assisted many men to positions of affluence in this country.

The sons continue the business of A. Ham- burger & Sons, and out of this has grown the Hamburger Realty and Trust Company, which is now erecting a building in Los Angeles that is to have three hundred feet front on Broad- way, one hundred and sixty feet front on Eighth street, one hundred and twenty-four feet front on Hill street, and one hundred feet high. The building when completed will cost $1,000,000 and will be the largest of its kind west of Chicago and is to be a lasting monument to the memory and genius of their father.

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 II. 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 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-gauged 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

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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 Iowa 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, Wilbur Archer and Francis H., the qualities of manhood which have given to this family their place among the representa- tive citizens of Los Angeles.

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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 112

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