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 II, Part 118

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1234

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1900

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Miss Amada Garcia, a native of Los Angeles and a member of an old Spanish family. Ten children were born of their union, but five died at an early age. Those now living are Amadita, Manuel E., Teresa, Andrea, and Bernardo, all of whom are yet at home. Mr. Saenz is a mem- ber of Court Columbus, Foresters of America, and the auxiliary. In national politics he is a Republican, casting his first vote for A. Lincoln, but in local matters selects men best qualified for the office.

IV. PATTON WILSON. During a pros- pecting tour in Southern California made in the fall of 1893 Mr. Wilson was so attracted by the possibilities of the coast region that he pur- chased ten acres on Signal Hill and planted the tract to lemon trees, since which time increase in land values has made the investment remarkably profitable. Determined to settle in this locality he brought his family to the west in April, 1894, and after a year on Signal Hill removed into Long Beach, where he became interested in a drug business and also carried on a carriage and wagon manufacturing plant and repair shop. After having disposed of these enterprises, in 1899 he embarked in the undertaking business and until November, 1905, conducted a modern and well-equipped establishment at No. 115 East Third street. In addition to the industries named he has been active in many other enter- prises vitally important to the permanent devel- opment of Long Beach. At the time the Citi- zens' Water Company was established he be- came one of the first stockholders in the con- cern and he was active in the starting of the Oceanside Development Company, in which he officiates as a member of the board of directors. As a director and original stockholder in the United Improvement Company he was inter- ested in the establishment of a gas plant for the city of Long Beach. The building business also has attracted his attention and besides erecting dwelling houses he built the Wilson block, a modern two-story brick structure on the corner of Third and Pine streets.

Mr. Wilson was born at Crawfordsville, Ind., May 2, 1851, and is a son of Hugh B. and Nancy Ann (Patton) Wilson, natives respectively of Hamilton, Ohio, and Dayton, Ohio. His father, who was born in March of 1810, learned the tanner's trade in youth and after settling in In- diana conducted a small tannerv, but later moved to Crawfordsville, and in 1854 embarked in the grocery business at Cincinnati, Ohio, where misfortune followed his arduous efforts. In 1856 he returned to Indiana and opened a grocery at Anderson, but reverses overtook him and he closed out at a heavy loss. In 1864 he

went to Greenfield, Ind., and while carrying on a tannery there he saved enough to pay his debts. For ten years he served as postmaster at Green- field, and after resigning from that position he led a retired life. Both he and his wife, who was two years his junior, died at the age of eighty-seven.

In a family of five sons and six daughters W. Patton Wilson was ninth in order of birth and is the only survivor among the sons. Primarily educated in the common schools of Anderson and Greenfield, he was later privileged to at- tend Wabash College at Crawfordsville for two years, but on account of his father's ill-health and financial reverses he gave up a scholarship tendered him by the county of Hancock and took up work more immediately remunerative. At eighteen years of age he began to learn the cabinet-maker's trade. From 1875 to 1878 he was employed as clerk in a drug store at Green- field. . Resigning that position in 1878, he went to Colorado and secured employment as a cab- inet-maker at Colorado Springs. After a few months he removed to a stock ranch, hoping the change would benefit his wife's health, and for eight years he remained a rancher in Colorado. At the expiration of that time he spent six months in Kansas and then returned to Green- field, Ind., purchasing the furniture and under- taking establishment in which he had learned his trade. The business had become demoral- ized and it required constant application to bring it to a profitable basis, but he was successful in the attempt, and continued in charge of the store for seven years. From there he went back to Colorado and bought fifty acres adjoining Colo- rado Springs, but not being satisfied with the country he came to California on a tour of in- spection and was so attracted by the country that he became a permanent resident.

While living at Greenfield, Ind., Mr. Wilson married Ella M. Crawford, a native of that state. They are the parents of three children, namely : Hugh C., formerly engaged in the undertaking business with his father ; Annie and Bessie, who are with their parents. The family are com- municants of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Wilson officiates as an elder, in which office his father and grandfather likewise served. Fra- ternally he is connected with the lodge and chapter of Masonry at Long Beach and in poli- tics casts his vote with the Republican party.

AUGUST SEDERLUND. The name of this gentleman is well and favorably known through- out San Pedro, where he is carrying on a large and lucrative mercantile business, dealing in gro- ceries, feed and grain. He is a man of great business capacity, possesses keen judgment, is

1901

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

enterprising and progressive, and by industry, given where, as in the case of Mr. Blood, the hardships and exposures of army life and the wounds received on the battlefield so injured diligence and wise investments has acquired a fine property. A native of Sweden, he was born January 3, 1860, in Skaraborg Læn, where his . them that they were permanently disabled and father, Lars Anderson, was engaged in agricul- tural pursuits until his death. His mother, a life-long resident of Sweden, died on the home farm in 1866, leaving three daughters and one son.

The youngest child of the parental household, August Sederlund immigrated to America soon after becoming of age, at Gothenburg, where he embarked, taking the name of Sederlund, on ac- count of difficulty in getting mail by the Ander- son name. Arriving in New York in 1882, he went directly to the Northwest Territory, where he worked on the Canadian Pacific Railroad for a number of months. Coming from there to Cali- fornia, he located in San Pedro February 10, 1884, and has since resided .here. For about ten years he was in the employ of different lumber companies, including the San Pedro, K. C. M. & L. Co., and the Perry companies. The ensu- ing three years he was engaged in the teaming and transfer business on his own account, meet- ing with good success while thus employed. Opening then a store in San Pedro, he started in the grocery business on a small scale, and as his increasing trade demanded more commodious quarters he changed his location to Beacon street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, where he re- mained until 1904, when he returned to his orig- inal site. As a merchant he has been very pros- perous, and in the spring of 1906, he completed the Sederlund block, which is a fine two-story building, 28x54 feet, with pressed brick front, and has ample accommodations for his entire stock of groceries. Mr. Sederlund was one of the original stockholders of the First National Bank of San Pedro, which he assisted in organ- izing, and of which he was one of the directors until he sold his stock therein. He also owns valuable real estate, and is proprietor of the Se- derlund hotel, a large and commodious building, on the corner of Second and Palos Verdes streets.

In San Pedro Mr. Sederlund married Anna Sophia Jacobson, who was born in Finland, and they have two children, Rudolph Augustine and Jacob Hjalmar. Mr. Sederlund is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and in his political affiliations is a Republican. Religiously he be- longs to the Lutheran Church.

HARRISON J. BLOOD. The highest hon- ors belong to those brave men who responded to the appeal of their country in her hour of need and offered their services to aid in the defense of the Union ; and especially should due praise be

prevented thereby from gaining success in com- mercial activities. Shortly after the opening of the Civil war Mr. Blood enlisted in the Union army and from that time until peace again reigned throughout the land he was a soldier at the front. Many were the perils he braved and many the hardships he endured ; more than once his life was in danger, but he bore the gallant front of a brave soldier. When in later years he suffered from the effects of his army service he came to California in the hope that the genial climate of the coast might rebuild his strength, but the hope proved futile and his last days were passed in Inglewood.

A native of Vermont, Mr. Blood was born January 20, 1835, and he remained at home until sixteen years of age, when, having secured a common-school education, he started out in the world to earn his own livelihood. Going to Wis- consin, he worked in the lumber woods and later found similar employment in Minnesota. De- cember 24, 1861, he enlisted as a private under Capt. William Clayton in the First Minnesota Regiment of Light Artillery. At the expiration of his time he was honorably discharged at Vicksburg November 30, 1863, and the follow- ing day re-enlisted in the same company and regi- ment, remaining with the same command until July 1, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at St. Paul, Minn. During the battle of Shiloh he was wounded by a gunshot in the spine. The bullet was removed by an operation, but the in- jury caused him much suffering in later years. After the siege of Vicksburg he remained in the south and later accompanied Sherman on the famous march to the sea.

On the close of the war Mr. Blood settled in Iowa and engaged in farming near Sumner, Fay- ette county. After a number of years he sold his farm there and moved into the town of Sum- ner, where he engaged in buving and selling 'stock. In 1897 he came to California and bought an acre of ground at Ingelwood, where he erect- ed a residence. However, it was not his privi- lege to long enjoy the climate of the coast, for death came to him November 1, 1898, and brought him release from his sufferings. While living in Iowa he had met and married Mrs. Mary (Treloar) Kilby, who was born in Eng- land March 19. 1845, and at the age of three years was brought to the United States by her parents, growing to womanhood in Wisconsin and Iowa. Her father was successful in his labors and accumulated a competency, a portion of which she inherited at his death. Her first marriage was solemnized in Wisconsin and unit-

1902

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ed her with Alfred S. Kilby, a native of that state. At his death he left his widow with one child, William C., now a merchant of Perth, Okla. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Blood was blessed with a daughter, Edith M., who is now the wife of J. W. Benn and resides in Ingle- wood. In politics Mr. Blood supported the Re- publican party and was a firm believer in its principles, while in religion he was of the Pres- byterian faith and Mrs. Blood also holds mem- bership with that denomination. A lady of at- tractive manner and kindly disposition, she has won many friends since coming to the coast and has a high position in Inglewood social circles.

ALEXANDER SCHELLING. The wealth and prosperity of Southern California are whol- ly due to the men whose judgment singled it out as an eligible point for business, being in the midst of a country possessing vast resources ready for development by master hands and minds. Prominent among these men is Alex- ander Schelling, who has for many years been actively identified with the horticultural and business interests of Los Angeles county, and is now one of the leading horticulturists of Bur- bank, where he has a most pleasant and attrac- tive home. He was born, October 10, 1841, in Switzerland, where he grew to man's estate, liv- ing there for a number of years after his mar- riage. For some time he was engaged as a teacher, also held a prominent state office for several years.

In 1885 Mr. Schelling came to America to see the country of which he had heard so much, and for the benefit of his health. Being espe- cially impressed with the wonderful climate and the rich resources of California, he returned af- ter a few months to his native country for his family, bringing them to Los Angeles Septem- ber 17, 1886. Very soon after his arrival he bought forty acres of land in the San Gabriel valley, ten acres of which was a vineyard, which he operated for a short time. Selling out, he purchased a half (and later on the whole) in- terest in the California Vinegar and Pickle Works, with which he was connected until 1895, when he sold out. Embarking then in business as a real-estate agent and notary public, he rent- ed an office at No. 139 North Spring street, where he was located a few months. In 1887 he had purchased the corner of Fifty-first and South Main streets, making his home there until Jan- mary, 1902, during which time he engaged in hor- ticultural pursuits on a small scale. In the month and year just mentioned he sold the prop- erty, although he continued his residence there for two years longer. In February, 1904, he removed to Burbank, where in 1894 he had

purchased twelve acres. This he improved by erecting his beautiful residence and also set out vines and trees and has since made this village his home. In addition to caring for his vine- yard and walnuts, he also has a valuable apiary, and as a bee raiser is meeting with excellent success.

In Switzerland, May, 1875, Mr. Schelling mar- ried Ursula Muller, and of their union five chil- dren have been born, of whom we mention the following: Oscar, educated in Switzerland and at the Los Angeles high school, is now fore- man in the electric department of the Los An- geles City Electric Railway Company; Armin, also educated in his native country and at the Los Angeles high school, is bookkeeper in the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, at Los Angeles ; Eugene, educated in Los Angeles, is now a street grading contractor in Los Angeles; and Minnie and Lucy are living at home. In poli- tics Mr. Schelling is Independent, voting for the best men and measures. By a former mar- riage in Switzerland Mr. Schelling was united with Katherine Muller, who died in 1874, and by the union one son, Gottfried, was born. He received his preliminary education in his native country, and obtained his degree of M. D. in Los Angeles, where he was successfully em- ployed as a physician until his death, in April, 1894. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schelling are con- sistent members of the German Evangelical Church of Los Angeles.

JOHN E. LOGAN. In 1887 John E. Logan came to California, and in the same year located in San Pedro, Los Angeles county, remaining in this locality for one year, after which he removed to Los Angeles and made that city his home until 1901, when he returned to San Pedro. Mr. Logan is a native of Newport, Vt., his birth oc- curring on his father's farm, December 25. 1865. His father, Martin C. Logan, engaged in farm- ing in the Green Mountain state until his death, which occurred when his son was about nine years old. His wife, Mary A. (Golden) Logan, survives him and now makes her home in San Pedro. Of the seven daughters and one son born to her, all but one daughter are now living.

Until attaining the age of nineteen years John E. Logan remained on the paternal farm, receiv- ing his education in the public and high school of Newport. He then engaged as brakeman on the Boston & Maine Railroad, being located at Lowell. Mass., from which position he was pro- moted to that of conductor after one year. He performed the duties of this position for two years, when he came to California, in San Pedro engaging with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company for one year. Locating in Los Angeles

1903

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he became a switchman and later engine fore- man. Step by step he advanced to higher posi- tions, becoming assistant yard-master and fol- lowing this as night yard-master. His fidelity to duty and his loyalty to the interests of the company he was serving continued to bring him reward and in 1901 he was transferred to San Pedro, where he became master of the yard which was just at that time established, as up to that time all work had been done by the road crew. The business has continued to grow, the number of switch engines being increased from one to four in the four years in which the yard has been established.

In addition to his railroad interests Mr. Logan has also become identified with real estate oper- ations in this city, now owning a home on Ninth street, near Palos Verdes, presided over by his wife, formerly Lena Schlenker, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, whom he married in Los An- geles. They are the parents of two children, Helen M. and Jack. Fraternally Mr. Logan is a charter member of the Elks Lodge of this place; was made a Mason in San Pedro Lodge No. 332, F. & A. M., and belongs to Los An- geles Division No. III, O. R. C., and Los An- geles Lodge No. 2, K. O. T. M. Politically he is a stanch adherent of the principles advocated in the platform of the Republican party.

VICTOR MOLLE. Since coming to Califor- nia Victor Molle has acquired a success which has made him look upon this as the land of opportunities, and his adopted city, San Pedro, the place for a man to develop his native talent in many lines of business. He is a native of France, his birth having occurred in Haute- Garonne, near Toulouse, September 30, 1867. His father, Louis Molle, was also born in that locality, the son of Frank, the representative of an old and honored family. Both were black- smiths by trade, which occupation they followed throughout their entire lives in that section. Louis Molle married Pugo Pujo, also a native of that locality, who survives her husband, being the mother of six children, of whom Victor Molle is the fourth in order of birth.

Reared in France Mr. Molle learned the black- smith's trade under the instruction of his father, after which he traveled as a journeyman throughout various portions of his native coun- try. Deciding to emigrate he came to America in 1889, locating at once in Los Angeles, Cal., where he engaged at his trade for the ensuing three years. In Tehachapi, Kern county, he was next engaged as a blacksmith until 1897, in which year he came to San Pedro, where he has since made his home. He began at the bottom in his work, renting a shop, and taking up the

business in an energetic manner. With the pass- ing of time he has built up a profitable trade, and has also become interested in the real estate of the city, building a residence for himself on Sixteenth street, between Mesa and Pacific.

In Tehachapi Mr. Molle married Mary Mari- tinto, a native of France, and they have one child. Euphrosia. Fraternally Mr. Molle is a member of the Knights of David, and in his political affiliations adhieres to the principles of the Republican party.

GAWN JACKSON LINDSAY. As a ma- chinist Gawn Jackson Lindsay has developed his native talent and is considered a man of excep- tional ability in his line, his position now being superintendent of the E. K. Wood Planing mill at San Pedro. He is a native of Ireland, his birth having occurred in Belfast, April 25, 1862, the seventh in a family of nine children, of whom eight attained maturity and are now residents of the Pacific coast country. His father, George Mathews Lindsay, was born in County Down, of Scotch descent, and engaged as a farmer until his death. He was a member of the Presbyte- rian Church, in which faith he had been reared. He was survived by his wife, Alice, also a native of County Down, but of English descent, whose death occurred in San Francisco in December, 1903.

Reared on the farm in County Down until he was thirteen years old, Gawn Jackson Lindsay received his preliminary education in the public school in the vicinity of his home. He was then sent to London, England, where he was appren- ticed to learn the trade of carpenter and builder. He remained in that city until 1880, when he came to California in Pasadena, Los Angeles county, engaging at his trade with two brothers, George and Charles, under the firm name of Lindsay Brothers. They then built a shop and three years later a planing mill, in which business they engaged for two and a half years, when it was destroyed by fire. In 1889, with his brother George he went to Redondo and built the first planing mill in that place, there carrying on business for five years. The death of his brother at this time left him alone in the work, when he built a feed mill and an electric light plant, fur- nishing light and power for Redondo for five years. He then sold out to the A. B. Steel & United Gas & Electric Light Company, after which he engaged in the foundry and machine business in Pomona, same county, in partner- ship with a Mr. Addison, under the firm name of Lindsay & Addison. They built up a fine business, which Mr. Lindsay managed success- fully for two years. In April, 1904, he sold out and in Los Angeles accepted a position with the

1904

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

E. K. Wood Lumber Company, serving first as superintendent of the mill in Los Angeles, and in January of the following year assuming the same position at San Pedro, where they then began the construction of the mill, which was opened in April of the same year.

Mr. Lindsay's home, which is in Los Angeles, is presided over by his wife, formerly Nellie Leonard, a native of England, whom he married in Pasadena. They are the parents of four chil- dren: Genevieve, Cecelia, George Mathews and Charles. Fraternally Mr. Lindsay was made a Mason in Redondo Lodge No. 328, on the 29th of November, 1900, and in religion is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

ALEXANDER OLSEN. An old citizen of San Pedro, Los Angeles county, and a man of liberality and enterprise, Alexander Olsen has assisted in the growth and upbuilding of this western country. Like many of the citizens whose best years have been spent in this section he is not a native of this country, but has brought with him to his western home the qualities which distinguish the best nations of the European countries. He was born in Carlstadlæn, Sweden, near Arvika, on the Byelven, June 1, 1850, the youngest of a family of five children and the only one in America of the four who are now living. His father, Ole Olsen, was born on the farm where he spent the ninety-one years of his life, while his mother, Annie (Person) Olsen, also a native of Sweden, died at the age of sixty-nine years.

Alexander Olsen was reared on the paternal farm and received an education in the common school in the vicinity of his home. He learned the bricklayer's trade under the instruction of an older brother, a contractor, with whom he worked until the spring of 1871, when he came to America. Landing in New York City, he continued west to Nevada, where he began work in the mines, and finally drifted north into the mines of Idaho, being located in Silver City. After one year he returned to Nevada and en- gaged in clerking and farming, improving three different farms in Star vallev. He built irri- gation ditches under great difficulties, but this proved a source of revenue to him. A sheep- man, who owned two sections of land in that locality, offered him half of the property if he would bring water to it. He succeeded in the enterprise, after which he sold his property and bought land farther out. He built the ditch to this third piece of land and continued to im- prove it until February, 1882, when he sold out once more. These farms are still operated and are under the ditch irrigation which Mr. Olsen built. Following his last sale he went to So-

corro, N. Mex., but after the brief stay of two months came on to California, passing through San Diego and coming on to Wilmington, Los Angeles county, in the spring of 1882. On the Ioth of September he located in San Pedro, just about the time the town was laid out, and here entered the employ of John Swan. The follow- ing year he was able to purchase Mr. Swan's in- terest in the business, which he continued suc- cessfully for ten years. At the same time he purchased business and residence property and assisted materially in the development and up- building of the city. He is now one of the com- mercial factors of the place, being engaged with his son in the hardware business.

In Nevada Mr. Olsen married Emma McAr- thur, a native of Kansas, and a daughter of Dan- iel McArthur, who crossed the plains from Mon- roe county, Mich., and died at Humboldt, Nev. Mr. and Mrs. Olsen became the parents of the following children: C. Henry, proprietor of the Olsen Hardware Company, of San Pedro, lo- cated on Beacon street and pronounced one of the finest and most complete establishments of its kind in the city : Annie, wife of W. W. Speckler, of San Pedro; Roxie; Arthur and William, at home. Mr. Olsen is a Lutheran in religion, as were his parents, and fraternally is a charter member of San Pedro Lodge No. 126, K. P., in which he served as treasurer for four years. He has taken an interest in the affairs of the city, having served as a member of the board of trus- tees for one term.

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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 II, Part 118

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company Number of Pages: 1234

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1234