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 91

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

USA > California > 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 91

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HON. HENRY H. MARKHAM. The Markham family, represented in California by Hon. Henry H. Markham, former congress- man and governor of the state, was established in America during the colonial period of our history. In Connecticut the name flourished for many generations, a motive power in polit- ical, professional and business life of New England. In Brookfield, Conn., March 2, 1738, occurred the birth of Brazilla Markham, to whom manhood brought the responsibilities of business life. He settled in Pittsford, Vt., and later in Essex county, N. Y., his death occurring in the latter state, in the town of Wilmington, June 1, 1824. His wife, formerly Ann Whittaker, was born September 1, 1758, and died in Wilmington in 1804. In their family was a son, Nathan B., who was born in Pittsford, Vt., April 27, 1796, and who in manhood followed the training of his youth and engaged in a business career. For many years he was located in Wilmington, N. Y., as an iron manufacturer. Later in life he re- moved to Manitowoc, Wis., where his death occurred January 22, 1882. He was a man of strong integrity and honor and became one of the most prominent citizens in the com- munity he made his home. Fraternally he was a Royal Arch Mason ; politically he was a Whig during the existence of that party, and afterward became a stanch Republican. He was early taught the principles of patriot- ism, and as a lad of eighteen years served as a minute man in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of Plattsburg, in 1814. The mus- ket he carried is now in the possession of his son, Hon. H. H. Markham, who values it highly. The fortunes of Nathan B. Markham were allied by marriage witt those of an oid Scotch family long established on American soil. Susan McLeod, to whom he was united in Wilmington, New York, May 10, 1827, was born in Sullivan, N. H., September 22, 1801. a daughter of Deacon Thomas and Patty (Wilder) McLeod, natives respectively of Boston, Mass., and Sullivan, N. H. In 1790 Mr. Mel.eod located in Sullivan, where he re-

mained for some years, later removing to Essex county, N. Y., where he engaged in farming until his death. He was an influential man in the county and held a prominent place in the Presbyterian Church. His wife, born in 1794, was the representative of an old co- lonial family of New England. On October 15, 1882, less than a year after her husband's death Mrs. Markham passed away. She was the mother of ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to manhood and womanhood. Four of the sons became law- vers and were prominent in their profession. J. D. is a practicing attorney in Manitowoc, Wis .; Alice married John Killen and died in Manitowoc, Wis .; Byron, deceased, was a business man of New Lisbon, Wis .; Perley resides in Benzonia, Wis .; Elisha Alden re- sides in Groton, Mass .; Clarissa became the wife of Nelson Darling and died in New Lis- bon ; Delia died in New York; Henry H. is the subject of this review; Earl died in Nee- nah, Wis .; and George C. is an attorney and first vice-president of the Northwestern Mu- tual Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee.

Henry H. Markham was born in Wilming- ton, N. Y., November 16, 1840, and was there reared to young manhood. A common school education was supplemented by a course in Wheeler's Academy, Vermont, from which in- stitution he was graduated in the spring of J862. Removing to Manitowoc about this time, in the same year he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-second Wisconsin Infantry, for service in the Civil war, and from Madison was ordered into camp in Tennessee. His services following were those of hardship and danger, but were borne with the courage and fortitude which were a part of his inheritance. He marched with Sherman to the sea, and thence started north through the Carolinas, receiving a wound at River's Bridges, Salt Kahatcha river, S. C., February 3, 1865, which incapacitated him. He was sent to Beaufort, S. C., whence apon his recovery he went north and was mustered out of service in Milwaukee July 23, 1865, with the rank of second lieuten- ant.

Immediately following his return to civic life Mr. Markham entered the law office of Waldo, Ody & Van, of Milwaukee, and pur- stied his studies with such persistence that he was admitted to the bar of the state and the United States supreme court in 1867. He at once began the practice of his profession in Milwaukee and two years later took into part- nership his brother. George C. Markham. They were successful in building up a large and constantly increasing clientele, whose de- mands upon the time and attention of Mr.

562

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Markham told seriously upon his health. Much against his desire he was compelled to relinquish his practice in 1879 and on the 22d of February of that year he came to Pasadena, Cal., where he hoped to recover his strength and vigor. Shortly after his arrival he pur- chased twenty-two and a half acres between Fair Oaks and Orange Grove avenues. In 1887 he erected a magnificent residence on Pasadena avenue, and has since then beauti- fied the grounds and surroundings until he has made of his home one of the most delight- ful and attractive places in Southern Cali- fornia.

It was almost impossible for Mr. Markham to do otherwise than take a prominent part in political affairs of his community, as he was peculiarly equipped by education and expe- rience to become a leader among men. In 1884. chosen by his party as a candidate for congress from the Sixth District (which in- cluded the counties from San Mateo to San Diego, fourteen in all), he threw himself act- ively into the canvass and visited all but three of the counties. He was elected by a majority of five hundred votes, his predecessor, a Dem- ocrat, having received thirty-two hundred plu- rality. Significant of his success was the fact that upon the expiration of his term his own party held the convention open two days wait- ing for his acceptance and the Democrats tele- graphed him that they would put no one in nomination and the election would be his with- out opposition. He declined the honor, how- ever, and returned to his California home. Al- though as a congressman Mr. Markham ac- complished much for his district the greatest feature of his work was the recognition he secured for Southern California, which up to that time had scarcely been regarded as a community of any size or power. Through his efforts a United States court was estab- lished in Southern California. and also as a member of the committee on rivers and har- bors he was instrumental of starting a move- ment in favor of a harbor here. Loyal to the cause of the soldiers who served with him in the Civil war he was active in securing the establishment of one of the National homes in Santa Monica, which has since become known as the Pacific Branch of the National Home for Disabled Soldiers, and he was afterward elected by congress as a manager of these homes and devoted much time to their direc- tion, exercising supervision of the one at Santa Monica. Upon being elected governor he re- signed his office as manager. Through Mr. Markham was secured the transfer of the head- quarters of the regular army from Arizona to Los Angeles, and in this city they remained

until the second administration of Cleveland. which meant the bringing into the state of about $3,500,000 annually. In order to assist the old soldiers in securing pensions he hired an assistant and paid him $75 per month out of his own pocket. In the meantime, finding the appropriation for the Home to be insuffi- cient, he went to Washington, D. C., at his own expense and secured an appropriation of $187,000 for its completion.

He became candidate at the earnest de- mands of the citizens of Southern California, and in opposition to ex-Mayor Pond, of San Francisco (Democratic)., he was elected gov- ernor in 1890, receiving a majority of eight thousand votes, and on the 7th of January of the following year took the oath of office. In January, 1895, his term of service completed, he retired once more to private life. During his administration occurred the Columbian Exposition at Chicago and for this he secured an appropriation of $300,000, which was the largest raised by any state, with the exception of Illinois, and selected a board of commis- sioners, to whom he gave entire charge. This exhibit was a motive power in the attraction of thousands to the state of California. Among other important movements he secured the adoption of the Australian ballot system in the state, which is now a part of every party platform. He compelled the Southern Pacific Railroad to pay back-taxes amounting to $1,- 300,000, and in countless ways gave to the upbuilding of the state and the development of its best interests. One important pledge made by him in the executive position was carried out-that the state tax should not ex- ceed fifty cents on the vahiation of $100.

In Chicago, Il1., Governor Markham was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Dana, who was born in Wyoming, Il1., and educated in Rockford Female Seminary, from which institution she was graduated. Her father, Giles C. Dana, a business man of Waukesha. Wis., traced his ancestry to an old eastern family, among other colonial men of power and prominence claiming relationship with Is- rael Putnam, Mr. and Mrs. Markham became the parents of the following children: Marie, a graduate of Leland Stanford University in the class of 1900; Alice A., educated at Throop Institute : Gertrude ; Hildreth ; and Genevieve. who died in Sacramento in 1891, at the age of seven years. In his fraternal relations Mr. Markham is identified with the Masonic or- ganization, being a member of Corona Lodge, F. & A. M .; Pasadena Chapter, R. A. M .; Pasadena Consistory, Pasadena Commandery. K. T .: and Al Malaikah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .. of Los Angeles. In memory of his

Des cart

565

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

"days and nights on the battlefield" he is a member of John F. Godfrey Post, G. A. R., and the California Commandery Loyal Le- gion. In local affairs no citizen has taken greater interest in the upbuilding of the city of Pasadena and the general welfare of South- ern California. He was instrumental in or- ganizing the First National Bank of Pasa- dena, in which he served as a director, while he was also identified with the movement which resulted in securing the street railways for Pasadena, and the building of the Santa Fé Railroad. He was most active in his ef- forts to secure a harbor for Southern Califor- nia, realizing keenly the need of one, and in this connection it is impossible to estimate the value of his labors. In April, 1904, he was again elected by congress as manager of the National Home for the period of six years.

It is not necessary to eulogize on the life of Governor Markhanı, for wherever his name is known it is honored. His life has been one of prominence, and through it all he has main- tained the high standard of excellence which has made it possible for him to stand fear- lessly in the light of public scrutiny. He seemed endowed by nature with those quali- ties essential to leadership-a keen, forceful, logical mind, an unusual executive ability, and added to this an unswerving integrity and honor which have given him a wide and last- ing influence. No public man of California has retired to private life with more of honor or esteem by his fellow citizens, whether of his party or another; so strong has heen the impression made by him that his-deepest in- terest lay in an advancement of the state's welfare rather than his own.

ELI P. CLARK. One of the most impor- tant movements contributory to the growth and development of Los Angeles has been that fostered by Eli P. Clark, whose association with the promotion of railroad enterprises in this city for the past fifteen years has given to him a prominent place among the repre- sentative men of Southern California. A ré- sumé of his life is in brief a history of the progress of the city, for the enterprise with which he has been connected is one of the strongest factors in its upbuilding, and as such is interesting to read by those who know either the man or the city.

The Clark family were among the pioneers of Iowa, where, in Iowa City. on the 25th of November, 1847, Eli P. Clark was born. When he was eight years old his parents removed to Grinnell, Iowa, then but the beginning of

a city, and there he attended the public schools and later Iowa College, which was established there. His first experience in the battle of life was teaching one term of school in his eight- eenth year, and in this work he acquired the discipline and self-control which have marked his success in other lines. About 1867 the family removed to southwestern Missouri to escape the rigors of Iowa winters, and follow- ing this Mr. Clark remained at home engaged in farming with his father during the sum- mers, while he taught school in the winter months. Becoming interested in the possibili- ties held out to the man of courage and hardi- hood by the newer sections of the southwest he decided to locate in Arizona for a time, and accordingly, in the spring of 1875, became one of a party to cross the plains for that terri- tory. This experience was one which required courage in as great measure as in the earlier days of the country, because travel was fraught not only with danger from the Indians, but as well from lawless white bands. They came through safely, however, and after a three months' journey, made by way of the old Santa Fé and Fort Wingate trail, arrived at Prescott.

The associations Mr. Clark formed in that city proved the foundation for his operations later in Los Angeles, as one of his first ac- quaintances was his present partner, M. H. Sherman, who was then principal of the Pres- cott high school, the first public school or- ganized in the territory. He met with suc- cess, also, in his ventures in that city, follow- ing mercantile enterprises for a short time, and also serving as postmaster for nearly a year. In the winter of 1877. under the firm name of. Clark & Adams, he began the manu- facture of lumber, operating three sawmills and selling his product extensively throughout the territory. The prominence of Mr. Clark was not only a commercial one, for he quickly rose to a position of importance in political affairs, as a stanch Republican being chosen territorial auditor in 1877, succeeding himself four terms and serving for ten years. It was during these years that he formed the ac- quaintance of General Fremont. while he was governor of Arizona, and counts the friend- ship which grew out of their official relations as one of the most pleasant in his life. Through his association with the interests of the territory as ex officio state assessor (made so by territorial enactment) he was instru- mental in bringing ahout many improve- ments which are now the law of the land. It was in that city also, on the 8th of April. 1880, that he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Sherman, a sister of his friend,

566

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

M. H. Sherman, and there he made his home until January, 1891.

In the month and year just mentioned he joined General Sherman in Los Angeles, in answer to the latter's oft-repeated requests that he do so, and became the vice-president and manager of the newly organized Los An- geles Consolidated Electric Railway Company. Mr. Clark had already established prestige for himself in the matter of promoting railroad facilities for Arizona, having been active in procuring favorable legislation to encourage the building of a road from Prescott to Mari- copa, and afterward was instrumental in hav- ing a bill passed in the legislature of 1885, granting a subsidy of $4,000 per mile for a road to be built from Prescott to connect with the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. He helped to organize the first company and became its first treasurer and secretary, and finally turned over the organization to Thomas S. Bullock, who financed and built the Prescott & Arizona Central Railroad, which afterward gave way to the Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix Railroad, one of the best railroad properties in the west. After locating in Los Angeles Mr. Clark co- operated with General Sherman in the build- ing of the present street railway system, known as the Los Angeles Railway, their sale of a half interest in their property to the bond- holders having taken place in 1895, after its successful financial establishment. To them is due much credit for this enterprise, because at the time of the foundation of the work Los Angeles was only a small city and to all in- tents and purposes gave no evidence of a fu- ture which could make this venture a safe investment. In face of hostile opposition and discouraging obstacles they carried the enter- prise to completion and but a little later were justified in their gigantic undertaking. In the year 1895 Mr. Clark conceived the idea which has resulted in the famous "Balloon Route," his first step being the purchase of the old steam road known as the Los Angeles & Pa- cific Railroad, and following this with the con- struction of the Santa Monica, Ocean Park, Playa del Rey, Hermosa. and Redondo lines, via the beautiful city of Hollywood, compris- ing a system of nearly two hundred miles which traverse one of the finest, if not the finest, section of Southern California. With the completion of further improvements now in prospect the Los Angeles Railway will be known as the finest electric road system on the Pacific coast. The dominant character- istics of Mr. Clark are in a large measure re- sponsible for the success of this enterprise, which has probably meant more to Los An- geles as an attraction for tourists than any

other one feature of the section. Mr. Clark well merits the position he holds among the prominent men of Southern California, all pro- moters and financiers instinctively looking to him and others of his class for an upholding of the prestige which has made Los Angeles famous wherever the name is known.

REV. CHARLES PEASE. The cultured ele- ment of Long Beach society has a distinct ac- quisition in the presence of Rev. Charles Pease, for some years the pastor of the First Congrega- tional Church. Though by reason of his pro- fessional affiliations, his time and thought are devoted largely to the upbuilding of his denomi- nation, yet his mind has never been tinged by narrowness of views. With a broad outlook upon mankind and the destiny of the human race, he aims within his chosen sphere of re- ligious and intellectual activity to make the world better for his presence therein. The edu- cational advantages which he received were of a superior order and, with a naturally receptive mind and keen intelligence, they became broad- ened and deepened under the influence of his forceful personality. To him religion is the harmonious rounding out of the soul, the per- fect indwelling of the spirit of love and truth, the unconscious imitation of Christ in daily acts and solitary thoughts. Both music and art breathe to him of the spirit of religion; their history he has studied with the devotion of a scholar and their possibilities are a source of enthusiasm to him. To such as he the ministry of the Gospel is a priceless privilege.

Many generations ago, as early as the year 1630, a family bearing the name of Pease immi- grated to America and founded a town in Con- necticut that then and now hears the name of Enfield. In that little village many of that name lived the quiet lives of farmers; there they were born and there eventually they were laid to rest in the family burying ground. Myron Pease, who was born in that town and traced his lineage to England through a long line of American pa- triots, married Sarah M. Morritter, who de- scended from French and English pioneers of Nova Scotia. During much of his life Myron Pease has followed agricultural pursuits and he still makes Enfield his home, though for the past twenty-five years he has been interested in the Phelps Publishing Company of Springfield, Mass. In the grammar school of Enfield Charles Pease received his primary education. That is his na- tive town, July 20, 1865, being the date of his birth. For four years he was a student in Cor- nell University, entering as a special student and later taking up ministerial studies in Hartford

567

HISTORICAL, AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Theological Seminary, from which he was grad- uated in 1896. Meanwhile, two years before, he had entered upon active ministerial work as pastor of the Third Congregational Church of Chicopee, Mass., and continued successfully in discharge of the duties of the position for some years. During the summer of 1899, while at Old Orchard Beach, he attempted the rescue of a drowning man and the shock with the subse- quent collapse proved too much for his system. Ill health followed and induced him to resign his eastern pastorate and seek the more salubriotts air of the western coast. For one year he rested from preaching and spent his time in the Sierra Madre mountains, after which, in 1900, he came to Long Beach and assumed the charge now under his oversight. Since January, 1905. he has served as president of the board of trustees of the Long Beach public library, and from its organization until this date served as its seere- tary. In June, 1906, he was elected a member of the Long Beach board of education and ttpon organization was chosen its president. He has been greatly interested in the public life of Long Beach since becoming a resident of the city. In this city, February 12, 1901, he mar- ried Miss Sallie S., daughter of Henry Rowan, of Norwalk. this state, and of their union two children have been born, Margaret and Rowan.

GEORGE H. PECK. The opportunities af- forded for investment in San Pedro were early appreciated by Mr. Peck, whose name is in- dissolubly associated with the development of the town. During the year 1882 he began his real-estate operations in the then small village. at which time he platted a sub-division known by his name, and in the years since intervening he has laid out Grand View, Harlem Heights, Barton Hill, Caroline, Rudieinda and Harbor View traets, also a second addition to the Grand View traet comprising one hundred and fifty acres, and in addition he has laid out Terminal Island, where he inaugurated the building industry. In all he has laid out and platted three-fourths of San Pedro and has erected about two hundred and fifty cottages, also a number of business blocks on Main Street, including both the old and the new bank buildings, the postoffice building and the Peck block, a three-story structure oceupied by business and professional firms.

By no means limiting his real-estate holdings to his home city of San Pedro, Mr. Peck for years has handled Los Angeles property and has been a successful buyer and seller of the same Another enterprise of magnitude receiving much of his attention is the North Manhattan Beach, where in 1897 he purchased three miles of ocean frontage, fifteen miles from Los Angeles and five

miles north of Redondo, with the Catalina island on the west, Point Vicente on the south, and Point Dine on the north. About the same time he purchased twelve hundred acres of the Palo Verdes grant north of San Pedro, which he laid out in farms of fifty acres each and sold on easy terms to home-seekers. The depression of prop- erty during the first years of his large holdings left him with twenty-two hundred acres of land which he was forced to hold awaiting better times; when conditions improved the lands sold readily and at fair prices, making the investment a profitable one for the owner.

Soon after his arrival in San Pedro Mr. Peck realized the need of banking facilities. Others were interested in the matter and during 1888 he opened the Bank of San Pedro, of which for some years he officiated as vice-president and is now president as well as manager. Under his capable supervision the bank has received a con- stantly increasing share of the business of the publie and has won its way into the confidence of all. The rapid increase of the business has rendered advisable the doubling of the original capital, which is now $50,000 paid in ; the stock- holders are assured of conservative management and wise investments of the funds, and the bank has an assured position as one of the sound financial institutions of Los Angeles county. Its manager, by reason of long identification with the locality, possesses the experience necessary for sagacious investments and at all times safeguards the interests of depositors and the capital of the stockholders. Though enterprising and progres- sive, he yet possesses the cautious temperament of the successful financier and seeks no invest- ments attended by risks to the people's funds.

Since the memorable year of 1849 the Peck family has been identified with the history of California, and it is interesting to listen to Mr. Peck's recital of the early experiences of his father, George H., Sr., in the west at the time of the great gold furore. The father was a young man when he came to the coast and later married Mary W. Chader, by whom he had two sons and two daughters. The younger of the sons, George H., Jr., was born in San Francisco in 1856, and at the age of twelve years came with his parents to a ranch of five hundred aeres at El Monte, Los Angeles county. Of the struggles of the ensuing years little need be said except that they were similar to those of all pioneers. unremitting toil, frugal economy and constant hardships, with no returns save a meagre liveli- hood. When he reached the age of nineteen years he decided that he would seek a source of support more remunerative than ranching, and accordingly he went to Oregon, where he ob- tained work in a cannery at Astoria. After two years in the same factory he returned to Southern

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 91

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