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 137

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 brothers were partners in their ranch en- terprises and in their real-estate investments in Los Angeles. On the present site of tlie Grand opera house they owned two acres en- closed by an adobe wall and containing the adobe buildings common to that day and locality. At this place Ygnacio's son, Jose Antonio, was born June 13, 1839. After a time the two-acre home- stead was sold and one hundred acres were pur- chased to be utilized in the raising of berries. All of the later tract is now within the city limits and includes the site of the Arcade depot. In addition to their lands, the brothers owned large herds of cattle and were among the most influential and prosperous of the Spanish-Ameri- can citizens. However, at different times they were forced to face misfortunes. With the accommodating spirit characteristic of him, Ygnacio endorsed a friend's note and later was forced to pay the amount; in order to raise the funds he sold large tracts of his ranch land. Similar experiences befell his son, Jose Antonio, who in later years had to pay $30,000 or more, endorsed for friends and relatives, with the same spirit of practical helpfulness and self-sacrifice characteristic of his father, and with the same forgetfulness of personal needs.

In the city of Los Angeles occurred the death of Augustin Machado at the age of about eighty years. Ygnacio . died on the ranch at the age of eighty-four years and ten months, leaving to his son. Jose Antonio, who had cared for him in his last years, the home place of nine hundred acres, together with seven thousand head of sheep, fifty head of horses and one hundred cattle. There were seven other children in the family, namely : Andres, Maria, Francisco, Rafael, Luisa, Cristobal and Birsabe, to each of whom a ranch was given by their father. The mother, Este- fana Palomares de Machado, was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of a Spaniard who early settled here and became an influential factor

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among others of the same race. All through her life she was a devout Roman Catholic and in that faith she passed from earth at the age of seventy-nine years.

When the family came from Los Angeles to their ranch Jose Antonio, the youngest of the children, was seventeen years of age. The older children established homes of their own, but he remained at home, caring for his parents until they died. In 1880 he was united in mar- riage with Miss Manula Valenzuela, daughter of Ramon Valenzuela of Los Angeles, where she was born and reared. At her death in 1895, when fifty-two years of age, she left six children, three sons and three daughters, named as fol- lows: Antonio, Cristobal, Ygnacio, Manula, Adela and Estefana, all residing with their father on the homestead near Palms. While Mr. Machado always prefers the use of the Spanish language, he understands English, and all of his children have been well educated and have a ready command of both languages. The city of his birth and the county where all of his years have been passed hold a high place in his affection, and no other section of country could long entice him from their charms. His landed possessions have greatly increased in value dur- ing the past decade. Recently he sold one hun- dred acres of the high land for $300 per acre, but he still has six hundred acres in the vicinity of Palms, Venice and Santa Monica. An offer of $1500 per acre for sixty-seven acres adjoining Venice he refused, believing that the land merited an amount double that of the offer. Industrious, resourceful and energetic he abun- dantly merits the high position which he holds among his associates. Though his life has been one of strenuous activity, he is well- preserved mentally and physically, and im- presses a stranger as being scarcely more than fifty years of age. Time has not left its imprints of care upon his brow nor dulled the generous instincts of his heart. Now, as in the years of youth, he has ready response for the worthy ap- peal and a word of encouragement for the toil- ing struggler along life's rough pathway.

M. L. MONTGOMERY. Occupying a con- spicuous position among the foremost business men of Simi is M. L. Montgomery, who is car- rying on a large and substantial mercantile trade, and is also actively identified with the agricult- ural and industrial interests of this section of the state. A man of energy and enterprise, practical and progressive, he is well fitted by birth, education and natural talents for the hon- ored place which he has attained among his fel- low-men, while his faithfulness in all his duties and his excellent good sense in all matters of

business have caused him to be highly respected in this and surrounding towns. A son of Will- iam Montgomery, he was born, January 19, 1854, in Cedar county, Mo.

Born and reared in Tennessee, William Mont- gomery left there in 1844, going to Cedar coun- ty, Mo., where he cleared and improved a home- stead, on which he was profitably employed in general farming, fruit growing and stock-rais- ing until his death, June 11, 1887, at the age of seventy-five years. Public-spirited, capable and influential, he was very active in town and county, serving as county sheriff and tax col- lector for a number of terms, and filling various offices of minor importance. In his earlier life he was a Whig, but later was identified with the Democratic party, and was a stanch Union man, during the Civil war having four sons in the Union army. Three of his sons are now liv- ing in 'California, one being engaged in ranch- ing in the northern part of the state; M. L., the subject of this sketch, residing in Simi; and W. C. Montgomery being employed in the United States mint at San Francisco. The latter as captain of a United States battery during the Civil war took part in many severe engagements, and at Pilot Knob, with but six hundred men under his command, repulsed Price, who with twenty thousand Confederate soldiers left in the night, being pursued for several days. William Montgomery married Elizabeth Mitchell, who was born in Tennessee, and died in Missouri in 1889, aged seventy-seven years. She bore him thirteen children, all but one of whom grew to years of maturity and were married.

Inclined from his earliest years to scholarly pursuits, M. L. Montgomery was given excel- lent advantages, after leaving the public schools attending Morrisville College, in Polk county, and Pritchett's Institute, making a special study of the natural sciences. Subsequently, after taking a post-graduate course in astronomy and the higher mathematics, he entered upon a pro- fessional career. teaching two years in the pub- lic schools of Greene county, six years in Neosho, and two years in Stockton, Mo. Leaving his native state in 1889. he located near Ventura, Cal., on December 6, and immediately embarked in agricultural pursuits, for two years being employed in bean raising and dairying. Moving to Simi in 1891, he bought eighty acres of land, and has since continued his free and indepen- dent occupation, carrying on general farming scientifically and successfully. In addition to managing his own ranch for thirteen years he leased from Senator Bard thirteen hundred acres of land which he devoted to grain-raising, be- sides which he devoted other land to the raising and breeding of stock, a line of industry in which he became especially noted. In 1894 he

Jose Juan Machado

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established himself as a general merchant, car- rying on a large variety store as well as his ranch, and in mercantile pursuits and agricult- ural labors has been equally successful. He has acquired some means and distinction, and is a leading and influential citizen. On December 1, 1904, he opened his present store in Simi, and the management of this in connection with the care of his two hundred and twenty-five acres of grain land, vineyard and orchard, keeps him busily employed. He has likewise other prop- erty of value, owning a nice residence in Los Angeles, on Jefferson street.

June 12, 1883. Mr. Montgomery married Lo- rena V. Lloyd, a native of Nebraska City, Neb., and of their union six children have been born, the eldest of whom died in childhood, while five are living, namely: Eugenia, aged twenty years; Wayne, nineteen years; Lorena, fifteen years old; Laurance, aged ten years; and Ber- enice, eight years old. Politically Mr. Mont- gomery is one of the leading members of the Democratic party, which nominated him for as- semblyman recently. At one time he affiliated with Oxnard Lodge No. 341, F. & A. M. Re- ligiously he is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church South.

JOSE JUAN MACHADO. One of the old and honored Spanish families of Los Angeles county is represented by Jose Juan Machado, who owns and occupies a small ranch near Palms. Mention of the family history appears more fully in the sketch of his brother, Dolores, presented on another page of this volume: also in the sketches of other members of the family repre- sented herein, and to these articles the reader is referred for facts in connection with the early history of the family in California. Suffice it to say in this connection that two brothers, Augustin and Ygnacio Machado, at one time owned fifteen thousand acres embracing what was known as La Ballona grant, and on these broad acres they ranged their stock at will. The children of the former received equal shares of his part of the estate and a small part of the original grant still remains in possession of descendants.

In the city of Los Angeles Jose Juan Machado was born July 24, 1848, and during boyhood he removed with his father, Augustin, to the ranch where the years of his youth were uneventfully passed. On attaining his majority he received from his father a portion of the land and at once began the improvement and cultivation of the property, which remains in his possession to the present day. Included in his holdings may be mentioned his homestead of nine acres of valuable land. also sixty-two and one-half

acres situated two miles from Santa Monica ( the same being valuable property) and thirty- six acres in the vicinity of his home place. Of quiet, unostentatious tastes, he finds his greatest pleasure in his home, for the activities of politi- cal affairs do not appeal to him and, aside from voting the Democratic ticket, he takes no part whatever in politics. January 28, 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss Manwilla Cota, who was born in Los Angeles in 1848 and by whom he has one son, Ernest, now at home. The family are respected wherever known and hold a high position, not only among the repre- sentatives of the Spanish race, but also among the American citizens of the county.

JAMES N. ANGEL. Continued residence of more than one-quarter of a century in the same locality gives to a man a thorough knowl- edge of its possibilities from an agricultural standpoint ; hence, as would be expected, Mr. Angel during his long identification with the ranching interests of San Diego county has ac- quired a complete and accurate idea of its pos- sibilities, and especially is he well informed in regard to the land adjacent to Mesa Grande. Near this village he has his ranch comprising one thousand acres, the larger portion of which is grazing land, adapted for the stock business, and the latter industry he makes his specialty. Few men in the locality are better posted than he concerning the values of stock and the partic- ular methods to be employed in securing the greatest profits from their care.

In Jasper county, Mo., James N. Angel was born February 1. 1841, being a son of Wood- son and Jane ( Stites) Angel, natives respectively of Kentucky and Ohio, and for years residents of Missouri. During 1847 the family crossed the plains with wagons and oxen and settled in Santa Clara county, Cal., the father operating a mill in San Jose. Two years later he took up a tract of wild land near Santa Clara, but in 1855 he sold the property and removed to the vicinity of Gilroy, there securing another large tract. For some years he devoted his attention to the cultivation of the land, but in 1875 he disposed of the place and removed to Texas. Soon, how- ever, he returned to California, this time settling in Los Angeles, where he made his home for three years. From there he came to Mesa Grande in 1880 and bought land, which he im- proved with the necessary buildings. Here he passed away July 6, 1893, at the age of seventy- seven ; many years before (in 1872) his wife had died at Gilroy.

Accompanying his parents in their various re- movals, James N. Angel gradually became the manager of their affairs, for as the father grew

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

older he depended more and more upon the son, and the latter cared for both parents until they were taken from the home by death. On Christ- mas day of 1869 Mr. Angel was united in mar- riage with Miss Henrietta Haun, whose parents came from Missouri in 1849 and settled near Gilroy at a time when that section of California contained but few American residents. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Angel consists of the following-named children : Mariamme, whose husband, George Pringle, is a member of the San Diego police force; Colonel H., who is en- gaged in farming near Mesa Grande; Vance \., now superintending a mine near his father's ranch ; Mandeville V. at home ; Frederick M., who lives on a ranch near the old homestead; Fannie H., wife of Herbert Hill, of San Diego; Philip, Henry N., Lester A., and Jesse R., who are with their parents on the ranch; and Marcus P., who died July 13, 1890, at the age of twelve years.

Possessing deep religious convictions, Mr. Angel for years has given earnest support to the Christian Church and has been identified with its missionary and charitable organizations. As in religion so in education he is deeply interested and the free-school system finds in him one of its most stanch supporters, his service for several terms as school trustee having been conducive to the development of the educational interests of his district. All of his life he has supported the Democratic party and the passing years have not changed his convictions concerning politi- cal problems. Not only measures for the growth of the stock industry, but all movements for the good of his district and county, find in him a warm champion and wise advocate.

THOMAS LEONARD WORKS. The fam- ily of which Thomas Leonard Works is a member belonged to the pioneer settlers of Indiana, and left an indelible imprint upon the history of that section of our country, the grandfather, James A. Works, a native Kentuckian, having been a practicing attorney in Vevay throughout his life. He married Phoebe Downey, of Scotch descent, a native of Ohio county, and the daughter of Jolin Downey, a farmer and justice of the peace in Rising Sun. The death of both Mr. and Mrs. Works occurred in Vevay. Of their family of seven children four are now living, one son, Lewis F., who was a member of an Indiana regiment during the Civil war, residing in Rising Sun. Another son, Judge John Downey Works, the father of Thomas Leonard, was born March 29, 1847, in Ohio county, and reared on a farm near Vevav, acquiring an education in the public schools. In 1863, when just past sixteen, he patriotically offered his services to his country

and enlisted as a member of Company D, Tenth regiment of Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, which was mustered into service the following Septem- ber, at Columbus, Ind. Their first engagement was at Pulaski, Tenn., and the regiment remained in that state until after the battle of Nashua, when it was sent south to New Orleans and as- sisted in the taking of Mobile, Spanish Fort, Blakely, etc. They then rode back to Memphis and were finally mustered out of service in In- dianapolis.

Returning to Vevay in 1865 Judge Works en- tered the high school there, at the same time taking up special studies under a private teacher, later studying law under Judge Alexander C. Downey, who was for many years on the su- preme bench and judge of the circuit court, being also dean of the law school at Asbury, now De- pauw. After his admission to the bar in 1868 he began the practice of his profession with his father in Vevay, continuing there until April, 1883, when he came to San Diego. He had at- tained much prominence in Indiana during those years and was elected to the state legislature in 1879, serving one term. He engaged in the prac- tice of law in this city until 1886, when he was elected judge of the superior court of San Diego, but after serving one year, resigned to resume private practice, forming a partnership with Mr. Wellborn. A year later he was appointed jus- tice of the supreme court of California, to fill a vacancy, the position requiring his residence in San Francisco. He declined to be a candidate for re-election, and returning to San Diego again took up legal work, for a time connecting himself with the firm of Works, Gibson & Titus. Later he withdrew from this firm and entered into part- nership with his son. In 1896 he located in Los Angeles, carrying on the practice of law with Mr. Lee, under the firm name of Works & Lee. Subsequently Mr. Works' eldest son joined the firm, which became Works, Lee & Works, who handle many cases of water litigation and civil law. Judge Works is president of the Magnetic Traction Company and has acquired considerable property of various kinds. His marriage in Vevay, Ind., united him with Miss Alice Banta. a native of that city, and they are the parents of six children : Lewis R., is the attorney in the firm with his father; Thomas Leonard is engaged in ranching in this county ; Ida E., became Mrs. H. S. Darling and lives in Los Angeles : Laura, married Charles P. Ensign, of Los Angeles ; Ethel. became Mrs. Griffing Bancroft, of this city, and Isabelle is Mrs. Richard H. Burrit, of Los Angeles. Both Judge and Mrs. Works are members of the Second Christian Science Church of Los Angeles, the former having been the first reader there. He is a member of Stanton Post. G. A. R., in Los Angeles, and belongs to the

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State Bar Association, holding membership as well in the Chamber of Commerce. Politically he is prominent in Republican circles, and while in Indiana was a member of the state central com- mittee.

Thomas Leonard Works was born November 21, 1871, in Vevay, Ind., and in 1882 came to San Diego, where he received a preliminary ed- ucation in the public schools, later graduating from the San Diego Business College. After finishing his studies he began ranching on the place he now occupies, which is known as "The Briers"; comprising twenty-one acres, it com- mands one of the finest views in San Diego. For a time Mr. Works was engaged in dairying, but now devotes his time principally to teaming, and is also in the employ of the Ralston Realty Com- pany. In January, 1906, he platted his land into one hundred and sixty lots, forming the Thomas Works Addition to University Heights.

Mr. Works was married in San Diego to Miss Lottie J. Levi, a native of Toledo, Ohio, and the union has been blessed by the birth of five children : Roderick L., Leonard T. (deceased), John D., Jr., Clara and Alice. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and politically is an advocate of the prin- ciples embraced in the platform of the Republi- can party.

VICTOR M. MAGEE. The rich and fertile section of country in the San Luis Rey valley is being rapidly developed by some of the most energetic and stirring men of this enter- prising country and age, no spot on the globe having been more quickly transformed from its native condition into a magnificent agri- cultural and horticultural region than South- ern California. One of the leading spirits in this notable work is V. M. Magee, a young man of high ambitions, quick decisions and sound judgment. He is extensively engaged in general ranching and dairying, at the pres- ent time renting over five thousand acres of land, a part of which he owned until recently, when he sold it to a syndicate, which owns much of the land in this locality. He is dis- tinguished as a native-born son, his birth hav- ing occurred, September 13. 1866, at San Ja- cinto, which was then a part of San Diego county, but is now included within the limits of Riverside county.

Henry Magee, the father of V. M. Magee, was born and reared in New York state, and died, in 1896, in California. Joining the army when a young man, he was made lieutenant of his company, and. under the command of Gen. John C. Fremont, came in 1848 to Cali- fornia, where he was first stationed at Mon-

terey. He was subsequently promoted to the office of paymaster, with headquarters at the Yuma fortifications, and in this capacity made many trips across the desert to San Diego to draw the pay for the soldiers, which amounted to sums ranging from $25,000 to $40,000. He had a wonderful memory, and until the close of his life could minutely describe the trials of army life and the tribulations and priva- tions of the early pioneers. He married Vic- toria Pederino, who was born in San Diego, and died in this county in 1886. Her father, Mignel Pederino, was one of the earliest set- tlers of Southern California and a very large landholder, at one time owning over four hundred thousand acres, a vast tract, the last of which was sold for twelve and one-half cents an acre in 1884. She bore her husband nine children, all of whom are living, and are residents of this state.

Having finished the course of study in the common schools, Victor M. Magee completed his early education at a military school in Benicia. Turning his attention then to agri- culture, he was for five years engaged in ranching at Condor's Nest, on the north end of Smith Mountain. From there he went to Las Flores, on the O'Neil ranch, and in 1889 located in the San Luis Rey valley, where he continued general farming and dairying until 1894. Going then to Fallbrook, he was there successfully employed in tilling the soil for a few seasons, and then located on his present ranch, of which he was at that time a part owner. He has recently disposed of his in- terests in this land to the syndicate which has purchased so heavily of real estate in this sec- tion of the state, and from its present owners has leased not only this ranch. which contains twenty-seven hundred and thirty acres, but also an adjoining ranch of twenty-eight hun- dred acres. In the management of this im- mense tract of land he is meeting with great success. In addition to general farming, he now milks about one hundred cows, and in- tends very soon to have three hundred milch cows in his dairy, which is one of the largest and best in San Diego county. This ranch is equipped with the best pumping plant in the state, and in fact, here may be found every- thing in the line of modern machinery and ap- pliances for successfully carrying on the va- rious branches of agriculture in a scientific manner. To Mr. Magee the credit is due for developing water in this section.

In 1899 Mfr. Magee married Ora Tomlins, who was born in Kansas, and they have one child, Donald Magee. Mrs. Magee's father is deceased. but her mother is living and makes her home in California. Politically Mr. Ma-

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gee is identified with the Democratic party, and fraternally he is a member of Olive Lodge, F. & A. M., of Los Angeles.

GUDMUND JOHNSON. In a business way Gudmund Johnson is known as an expert builder and cabinet-maker, while his many years resi- dence in San Bernardino has proven him to be a man of high principles and sterling worth who does well his duty as a citizen. He is of Swedish birth, and first saw the light of day October 27, 1854, in Unnaryd, Sweden, being the son of John Nelson and Karin ( Bengtsen) Johnson, both of whom were born in that country. His father was an ingenious mechanic and could fashion almost anything he chose to make in wood or iron, and it was from him that the son inherited his ability with tools. The elder Johnson was also a farmer and the owner of two sawmills and one flour mill. all run by water power, these properties making him a well-to-do man in Sweden. His death oc- curred in that country at the age of seventy- eight years, Mrs. Johnson, whose father served in the war, living to be eighty-two. They were members of the Lutheran Church and people of strong moral principles, their influence in the community in which they resided having been an elevating one. There were five children born in the family, four of whom are now living. Gud- mund, who was the youngest, being the only member of the family in America.

Trained as a farmer and mechanic, Mr. John- son was employed as a blacksmith, in sawmills and at cabinct work until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Johannesburg and entered the agricultural school, having obtained his pre- liminary education in the common schools of his home community. After three years he passed the examinations for agricultural inspector, ac- cepting and retaining a position in that capacity in Orraryd for one year. after which he followed farming at Rysby for two years. At that time he resolved to immigrate to America. and on July 16, 1884, arrived at Worcester, Mass., where he was employed for a time as a machinist, but becoming convinced that the carpenter's trade would prove more remunerative he turned his attention to that line of endeavor.

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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 137

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