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 98

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

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In Knox county, Kentucky, November 23, 1876, Mr. Hargis was united in marriage with Sarah C. Ingram, a native of that state, and born of this union were two children : Lydia, deceased, and George W., city elerk of Long Beach. In his fraternal relations Mr. Hargis is identified with Long Beach Lodge No. 327, F. & A. M., and the Fraternal Brotherhood. He is a member of the Christian Church, in which he has offici- ated for many years as elder, both here and in Kentucky. He is also Bible teacher in the Sun- day school of the First Christian Church. In na- tional politics he is a Republican, while in mu- nicipal affairs he is a stanch advocate of the prin- ciples of the Prohibition party. During his resi- dence in Kentucky he served as deputy assessor of Bell county and was twice elected to the city council of Pineville.

RUSSELL P. WAITE. Among the repre- sentative citizens of Fernando is Russell P. Waite, a man of pronounced ability and worth, who, as manager of the Fernando Improve- ment Company, is carrying on a substantial business. He was born January 31, 1852, in Wisconsin, and was there reared and educated, completing his studies at the Lawrence Uni- versity, in Appleton, which he attended two years.

On leaving school Russell P. Waite learned the printer's trade, and was subsequently em- ployed on the Appleton Post for two years. His health failing, he spent a year in south- ern Wisconsin, but not deriving much physi- cal benefit in that time. in January, 1876. he came to Riverside. Cal., where for twelve months he lived with his brother, L. C. Waite. Removing then to Arlington, a suburb of Riv- erside, he bought a tract of wild land, which he set out to oranges and small fruits, be- coming the pioneer fruit grower of that sec- tion of the country. Meeting with good suc- cess with his own orange grove, he engaged in work of that kind, and, by contract work, set out over five hundred acres of oranges.

Disposing of his property in Riverside coun- ty in the fall of 1886, he was for a year and a half engaged in the real-estate business in Los Angeles, being head of the firm of Waite & Phillips. The partnership being dissolved in 1888, Mr. Waite came to Fernando, where he had previously purchased land, and immedi- ately began the culture of fruit, setting out fifty-eight acres of oranges and olives, from which he is now reaping a handsome annual income. He is also the owner of fourteen more acres of land, which is highly improved, and has a fine residence in a pleasant part of the town. In April, 1903, as junior member of the firm of Powell & Waite, Mr. Waite em- barked in the lumber business in Fernando, continuing until the following January, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Waite con- tinning the business as the Fernando Im- provement Company. He has since built up a fine business of his own, carrying a full line of lumber, lath, sash, doors, all kinds of build- ing material, distillate, gasoline, lime and ce- ment, in fact everything demanded by the trade. He also deals to some extent in real estate : was one of the organizers and is an official member of the Fernando Building As- sociation ; is a director of the Board of Trade of Fernando; is a director of the Fernando Valley Bank, of which he was one of the orig- inal stockholders, and was one of the organ- izers and is one of the directors of the Fer- nando Fruit Growers' Association.

In 1879 Mr. Waite married Jessie E. Berry. a daughter of D. M. Berry, of Pasadena, and into their household nine children have been born, namely: Helen, Mabel, Rosebud (who died aged one year). Clarence. Lillian, Wini- fred, Marcia. William and Theodore. Polit- ically Mr. Waite is a straighforward Republi- can, and religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, which he has served in an official capacity for many years. He was a charter member of Fernando Lodge No. 365. I. O. O. F., but does not now belong to that organization.

MERTON L. KENYON. a promoter and real estate dealer of Long Beach. Los Angeles county, was born in Utica, N. Y., April 18, 1853. and in that section was reared to young manhood. His education was received through an attend- ance of the common school in the vicinity of his home, after which he was trained to the practi- cal duties of a farmer. His first independent venture in manhood was along these lines, locat- ing on a farm near Brookfield, N. Y., where he remained engaged in agricultural pursuits for a period of twelve years. At the expiration of this

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period he entered the employ of the United States Express Company at Binghamton, same state, and remained there for another twelve years, when he went to Michigan and in St. Johns opened up an agricultural implement establis!i- ment. This business proved profitable and he built up an extensive trade throughout the states of the northwest. After ten years he came to California with the intention of looking over the ground and being favorably impressed with the climatic conditions and business prospects he sold out his interests in Michigan and located per- manently in Long Beach, where he has since made his home. He engaged in the real estate business, forming a partnership with two others, the firm name being Gary, Paul & Kenyon. In 1907 Mr. Kenyon organized the Long Beach Opera House Company. He has been success- ful and is numbered among the upbuilding fac- tors of the city.

Mr. Kenyon has been twice married, his first wife being Ellen Burdick, to whom he was united in Binghamton, N. Y. She died in New York state, leaving one son, Norman H., who is in business in that state. Mr. Kenyon later mar- ried Myra Burdick, and they have one daughter, Laura C., who is now a student in the Shorb Convent. Mr. Kenyon bought a lot and erected a handsome home at No. 642 Cedar avenue. He is a stockholder in the new hotel and is a mem- ber of the Board of Trade, taking an active in- terest in the progress of the city, whose future he believes to be unsurpassed throughout this section of the country. He supports all church and charitable movements, and in his political convictions gives his support to the advancement of Republican principles, having always been active in his endorsement of this party.

JOSEPH H. WHITWORTH. Prominent among the pioneer settlers of Los Angeles county was the late Joseph H. Whitworth, who during the forty or more years that he resided near Sher- man was actively identified with the development and growth of the place, whether relating to its agricultural, financial or social progress. A keen-sighted, practical man, possessing great business tact and judgment, he was exceptionally fortunate in his agricultural operations, becom- ing owner of various tracts of valuable land, and acquiring a valuable property. A native of Eng- land, he was born February 25. 1847, a son of James and Mary Ann (Hilton) Whitworth, who joined the Mormons in their native land, and sub- sequently immigrated with their family to the United States, settling first with the Mormons in Utah, from there coming to California in 1857. A more extended history of the parents may be found elsewhere in this volume, in connection

with the sketch of James H. Whitworth, another son.

Coming with his parents to this country when six years of age, Joseph H. Whitworth lived at Nephi, Utah, three years or more, and then came with the family to California, settling first in San Bernardino county, from there coming in 1862 to Los Angeles county. He assisted his father in clearing and improving the land which he bought, lying near Sherman, doing his full share of the pioneer labor incidental to life in a new country. With his brother James and his father, he carried on general farming on the home ranch until his father retired from active work. Assuming then the charge of the home- stead estate, a large part of which he bought, he continued ranching for a number of years, be- coming one of the leading farmers and stockmen of this vicinity. He accumulated considerable wealth, obtaining title to one hundred and ninety- five acres formerly included in the parental ranch and of six hundred and fifty acres of land located two and one-half miles above Santa Monica, on the coast. He also acquired valuable property in Santa Monica, becoming owner of the Whitworth block, and of five lots and three houses. In 1899 he turned the care of his ranch over to his three sons, Robert Gray, Joseph William and Alfred Henry, and thereafter lived retired from act- ive pursuits until his death, November 18, 1904. He was a man of sterling character, an active member of the Republican party, and a strong advocate of temperance.

On April 19, 1871, Mr. Whitworth married Elizabeth Cunningham, who was born in Eng- land, September 16, 1841, came to the United States in July, 1870, settling in Los Angeles county, her family here renewing their acquaint- ance with the Whitworth family, which they knew in England. Seven sons blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Whitworth, one of whom died in infancy, while six are living, namely : James Cunningham, Robert Gray, Arthur, Joseph Will- iam, Alfred Henry and Walter. All of the sons are living with their widowed mother on the home ranch, in the management of which they assist, adding each year to the substantial im- provements already inaugurated.

Mr. and Mrs. Whitworth were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years.

HOMER LAUGHLIN. The name of Homer Laughlin is synonymous with all that has stood for the highest development in the city of Los Angeles during the last decade, and to those who know him it speaks eloquently of the worth and works of the man. A true cosmopolitan, he is equally at home in the city of his adoption or the state of his birth, his loyalty to the one in no wise

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detracting from his loyalty to the other; his friends ot the west, although of more recent ac- quisition, holding the same place in his regard as his friends of the east. Los Angeles is proud to claim him as a representative citizen and place his name in the list of those who have done most for the promotion of enterprises calculated to de- velop the resources of the city.

Scotch-Irish ancestors have given to Mr. Laughlin the salient points of his character, the name being to-day a prominent one in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. James Laugh- lin, the grandfather of Homer Laughlin, was born in Maryland, where he spent his young manhood, eventually removing to Pennsylvania, where his death occurred when past middle life. He was survived by his wife, formerly Nancy Johnson, a native of Pennsylvania, and who died in Ohio. In their family was a son, Matthew, who was born in Beaver county, Pa., March 31, 1799, and in the vicinity of his birthplace was reared to years of maturity. Inheriting the instinct which brought to American shores the first emigrating ancestor, he became a pioneer of Ohio in the days when the middle west was as unknown as the Pacific coast at the time of the discovery of gold in California. He was a man of strong business ability, high principles and the qualities which make the best type of citizen, and although he never enjoyed the advantages which belonged to the era of his children, yet he acquired a broad fund of information and a financial success in life. He was known for the period of forty-five years as postmaster, miller and merchant at Little Beaver, Columbiana county, Ohio, and finally he removed to East Liverpool, where his death occurred in 1876. His wife, formerly Maria Moore, was a native of Columbiana coun- ty, Ohio, her birth occurring in 1814. She sur- vived her husband and later went to Pittsburg, Pa., where she died June 19, 1888. Her father, Thomas Moore, was born in the vicinity of Bel- fast, Ireland, where he received an excellent edu- cation. Of an enterprising disposition he de- cided to seek a fortune in the western world and accordingly came to the United States. In the employ of the government as a civil engineer he was sent to Ohio when it formed a part of the Northwestern Territory. He continued to make that section his home until his death, which oc- curred in Columbiana county at the age of sixty- six years. He married in America Nancy Lyon, who was born in Beaver county, Pa., and died in Ohio at an advanced age.

Homer Laughlin was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, March 23, 1843, and in the vicin- ity of his home received a primary education in the common schools. Later his studies in the Neville Institute were interrupted by the call to arms for the maintenance of the Union. On the

12th of July, 1802, he offered his services, en- listing in Company A, One Hundred and Fif- teenth Ohio Infantry, under Capt. H. R. Hill, and immediately accompanied his regiment to the front, remaining actively engaged until the close of the war. In Murfreesboro, Tenn., he was mustered out of service and received his · final discharge in Cleveland, Ohio, July 7, 1865, after which he returned to his home and as- sumed once more the duties of civic life. Dur- ing the years which he had spent in the army he had passed from boyhood into inanhood and thus his outlook upon life and its responsibilities had perceptibly changed. Following his dis- charge from the army he engaged in the oil regions of Pennsylvania in the boring of wells, putting down twelve in a little more than a year. Deciding then to take up active business life he went to New York City and together with a brother began the importation of china from England, which was disposed of here through a wholesale and retail trade. After three years he returned to Ohio and still in partnership with his brother built the first white-ware pottery es- tablished in East Liverpool, Ohio, and together the two conducted their interests until 1877. He then purchased the entire business interests and since that time has carried on a constantly in- creasing trade under the name The Homer Laughlin China Company. The demand for this ware has called for constant improvement in method and equipment and is now numbered among the important enterprises not alone in the city where it is located, but of the United States, in that the product is shipped to every state in the Union. In 1876 he received the highest prize at the Centennial Exposition and in 1879 his work was recognized at the Cincin- nati Exposition by the presentation of a gold medal, and in 1893 he was awarded three dip- lomas and a medal at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, Ill., for both plain and decorated ware.

The business experience of Mr. Laughlin has well fitted him to pass judgment upon the op- portunities presented by any section of the coun- try, and when in 1894 he purchased property in Los Angeles it might well be considered a move- ment after thoughtful and mature deliberation. Subsequently events have proven the wisdom of his choice and have brought to him large financial returns for the money invested in realty in this city. Three years later he estab- lished his home in Los Angeles and at that time organized a corporation known as the Homer Laughlin China Company to carry on that busi- ness in East Liverpool, Ohio. In 1897 and 1898 he erected the magnificent structure known as the Homer Laughlin building, located on Broad- way between Third and Fourth streets, which

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was the first fireproof building in Southern Cali- fornia and is equipped with all modern con- veniences. U'p to 1905 the building was ade- quate for the demands made upon that location, but in that year he built a re-inforced concrete fireproof annex, which continues his building from Broadway through to Hill street, and giv- ing him a depth of three hundred and twenty- seven feet and a frontage of one hundred and twenty-one feet, both on Broadway and Hill street. This was the first building of its kind ever erected in Los Angeles and indeed on the Pacific coast, being entirely of re-inforced con- crete, faced with white enamel terra cotta, and absolutely fireproof. In addition to his building operations he has taken a prominent part in other enterprises, serving as director in the American National Bank and various organiza- tions. He served as a member of a committee of three to select and purchase a lot for the new Chamber of Commerce building, and this pur- pose accomplished he became a member of the building committee which erected the magnifi- cent structure now occupied by this department of the city's activities.

The home of Mr. Laughlin is presided over by his wife, formerly Miss Cornelia Battenberg, a woman of gracious presence, cultured and refined, and a welcome addition to the social life of Los Angeles. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Homer, Jr., a chemical engineer and a graduate of Stanford university, and Gwendolen Virginia. His home and inter- ests in this city, Mr. Laughlin has given per- sonal time and attention to the duties which he considered of vital importance in citizenship. Politically he upholds the principles of the Re- publican party and has always been a stanch sup- porter of this platform. He is known and held in the highest esteem by a large majority of the former and present day leaders of the party, dur- ing his long residence in Ohio numbering among his warmest friends the late William McKinley. an attachment which continued unabated up to the time of the latter's death. Mr. Laughlin was chairman of the reception committee when the late President Mckinley, with his wife and cabi- net, visited Los Angeles, and while here were the guests of Mr. Laughlin. For several years he held the presidency of the United States Potters' Association and for twelve years served as chair- man of the executive committee. In his fra- ternal relations Mr. Laughlin has been associated for many years with the Masonic organization, as a member of the Allegheny Commandery of Knights Templar visiting Europe in 1871 with a . partly of forty representatives, known as the First Crusaders.

In summing un the life of Mr. Langhlin it would be impossible to close without brief men-

tion of some of his personal characteristics, for it is through their exercise that he has won his high position financially and socially. A man of strong intelligence and mental power, he has still not allowed this to be the dominant force of his life, but with its cultivation has also developed a kindly personality, a ready and stanch friendship, and a citizenship whose influence for good is felt wherever his name is known.

JOHN WILDASIN. When Mr. Wildasin came to his present location little less than a quarter of a century ago the land was a vast barley field, holding forth small inducement, but as he was a man of indomitable spirit he lost no time in beginning its improvement. The original tract comprised forty acres, for which he paid $125 per acre, some of which has since been sold either in acre tracts or in city lots, a sale of ten acres recently bringing $1,000 per acre. He has reserved twenty-one acres for his own use, and what is not planted to garden produce is devoted to raising alfalfa. The ranch is located just three-quarters of a mile southwest of the city limits, and is bound- ed by Slauson and Normandy avenues, he hav- ing laid out Wildasin street through the tract.

Born in Muscatine county, Iowa, October 12, 1850, John Wildasin is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Menche) Wildasin, the former a native of Pennsylvania, where until 1850 he had spent his life. In 1851 he settled on gov- ernment land in Muscatine county, Iowa, which he improved and cultivated for many years, during which time he became known as one of the wealthiest men in that locality. Subsequently he went to Wilton, that state, there opening a bank of which he himself was president, a position which he was filling at the time of his death in 1884, when he was seventy years of age. He left an estate valued at between $50,000 and $60,000, all of which accumulation was the result of his own efforts, for he started out to make his own way empty- handed. The ancestry on the paternal side can be traced back in direct line to Revolu- tionary times, and was of Dutch origin. On the maternal side the family is of German ex- traction. and it is thought that the earliest emigrant settled in Maryland, for the family flourished there for many generations. Mrs. Wildasin was born and reared in Maryland, but soon after her marriage removed to Iowa, in which state her death occurred when she was in her eighty-seventh year. Both herself and husband were members of the Reformed Church.

Until reaching his majority John Wildasin remained at home and gave his services to his

Francisco Rio

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

father, and when he was twenty-six inherited from the latter two hundred acres of the home- stead. There he conducted quite an exten- sive business in the raising of horses and cat- tle for about eight years, when, in 1884, after disposing of his interests in Iowa, he came to California and purchased his present property.

October 12, 1878, John Wildasin and Mag- dalena Crusius were united in marriage in Illi- nois. Mrs. Wildasin was born in Bavaria, Germany, where her father, George Crusius, was a farmer, his death occurring there when he was sixty-two years old. His wife, Louisa Guth in maidenhood, was also a native of Bavaria, and some time after his death brought her family to the United States, in 1863, set- tling in Pennsylvania. Two years later she died in Ohio, when in her forty-fifth year. After her mother's death Mrs. Wildasin was reared in Illinois, and in 1884 came to Cali- fornia with her husband. Three children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wilda- sin : Louesa, Florence Nightingale and Mag- dalena May, all of whom are at home with their parents. Although Mr. Wildasin ap- proves of Republican principles he is not an active participant in party affairs, and the only fraternal order to which he belongs is the In- dependent Order of Foresters. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, assisting in its upbuilding both by personal work and by generous donations of their means.

FRANCISCO PICO. The name of Pico is inseparably connected with the history of Cali- fornia since the very earliest days when the country was still under the jurisdiction of the Mexican government. and Governor Pico held office under that country's rule. One of the most prominent and best known representa- tives of this illustrious family in the present day is Francisco Pico, who is now engaged as a ranchman on a very large scale in the San Ja- cinto valley, his three thousand acres of highly improved land being known as Casa Loma rancho, and is located four and one-half miles northwest of the town of San Jacinto. Mr. Pico raises some very fine stock of the Black Polled breed and in addition to the land which he owns rents four thousand acres from J. W. Wolfskill.

The birth of Mr. Pico occurred February 16, 1844, in Sonoma county, Cal .. he being the son of José Antonia and Magdaline (Baca) Pico, the father having been born in 1707 at San Gabriel Mission, Cal., and the mother being a native of New Mexico. The elder Pico, who was a brother of Governor Pico, became a lieu-

tenant in the Mexican army, in which he served until 1849, when he removed to the San Margaretta rancho near Oceanside and en- gaged in stock-raising there until his death in 1872, at the age of seventy-five years. The mother died when sixty-three years of age, in 1891. Francisco Pico received a very fine edu- cation, having been sent first to a private Cath- olic school at San Diego and later entered a private school in Los Angeles. All of his edu- cation was in the Spanish language, which was then universally used in California.

After his education was completed he as- sisted his father in the management of the San Margaretta ranch until 1868. when he pur- chased the land which he now owns. It was then entirely unimproved and had only an old adobe house on it. Mr. Pico built modern and commodious buildings thereon and purchased all necessary machinery for the cultivation and harvesting of crops. In 1874 he removed his residence to Los Angeles and established the first wholesale butchering business carried on in that city. It was located on the Downey road at first, but he afterwards purchased what was known as the five-mile house. where Mr. Myer's slaughter house is now located. In 1888 Mr. Pico disposed of the business and went to San Diego, where he engaged in the wholesale hay and grain business for two years. He is also the owner of a large tract of real estate located near San Diego. Among his other property interests is stock in the San Jacinto National Bank.

The marriage of Mr. Pico occurred in San Diego. November 8. 1884. when Dolores Aguirre. a native of that city, became his wife. They became the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters. Clarence, Albert. Ger- trude and Ruth. The family adhere to the re- ligious faith of their fathers, being devoted communicants of the Catholic Church. Mr. Pico is a fine old gentleman, well known all over Southern California. and admired for his business ability and estimable personal quali- ties.

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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 98

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