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 122

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

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Indiana is well represented in the citizenship of Long Beach, and Mr. Cox is one of those who from that state have sought the wider oppor- tunities of California. Born near Rockville, May 25, 1860, he passed the years of boyhood as a farmer's son, helping with the many duties connected with the care of a large tract of land and attending the country schools in the winter seasons. After having completed the studies of the common schools he had the privilege of at- tending the Indiana State Normal School, where he availed himself of the opportunities for study offered him. On leaving school he established himself in the mercantile business at Coloma, Parke county, and conducted a general store in that village. For sixteen years he also held the office of postmaster, having the office in his store, and superintending it with the same fidel- ity characteristic of him in other duties.

On coming to Southern California in Novem- ber, 1899, Mr. Cox settled at Long Beach and later erected his present residence at No. 535 East Third street. The first business in which he engaged was that of merchandising, which he conducted in a brick block purchased by him for that purpose. However, the life of a merchant proved too confining and in a year he disposed of the stock of goods and the building at a fair advance. Gradually he drifted into the real- estate business through the buying of lots and improving of the same, and he still continues in the business, which as yet has been limited to his home city. In the future of the beach towns he has the greatest confidence. With their un- rivaled climate and beauties of scenery he be- lieves they will attract a constantly increasing number of guests, and the present rapid growth of Long Beach justifies his faith in its prosper- ity. Charities and churches receive his support, and his influence is given to all movements for the upbuilding of the city along lines of perma- nent advancement. He is a member of the Friends Church of Long Beach, which he has served in the capacity of trustee for the past four years, and was also treasurer of the Pasa- dena quarterly meeting. While living in the east he married Miss Sallie Lindley, of Illinois, and they have had two daughters, one of whom died at four years of age and the other, Mary Esther, is now the chief joy of their cozy home.

HON. FREDERIC W. GREGG. The lin- eage of the family represented by this influen- tial attorney of San Bernardino and popular citi- zen of Redlands is traced back to the north of Ireland and to Scotland, but from an early period in American colonial history the family has been associated with the development of New England. The genealogy shows that Alex-

ander M. Gregg was a native of Medford, Mass., and established the family in New Hamp- shire, where, to his marriage with a Miss Clark, there was born, January 21, 1823, a son, Robert M. During early manhood he met and married Eliza M. Buxton, whose ancestors came from England to America during the colonial era and settled in New England. When the second war began with England, her father, William Bux- ton, who was a stanch defender of American rights, enlisted in the service on board a priva- teer which captured many valuable British ships. His father was also a sailor in the American navy and served during the Revolutionary war.

Among the children of Robert M. Gregg there was a son, Frederic W., who was born in Ver- mont on Christmas day of 1856. It was his privilege to receive better advantages than fell to many of his day and locality, and of these privileges he availed himself to the utmost. On the completion of the studies of the common schools he matriculated in Dartmouth College. where he took the classical course of study and was graduated with the class of 1878. Immed- iately after leaving college he began the study of law in the office of Hon. Frank Plumley, United States district attorney for Vermont. La- ter he pursued his law studies in the Columbia Law School. On being admitted to the bar he sought a field of practice in the west and in June 1881, opened an office at Tucson, Ariz., where he soon acquired prominence through his high mental attainments and broad knowledge of the law.

Less than one year after he had established his office in Tucson Mr. Gregg was appointed United States commissioner for the first judic- ial district of Arizona, which position he filled for three years. In November of 1882 he was elected a member of the board of school trustees of Tucson. As the nominee of the Republican party in 1884 he was a candidate for district at- torney, but was defeated by a few votes. Upon the petition of the bar of the county in March, 1885, he was appointed county judge of Pima county. At the expiration of the term of two years he was elected to the office as his own successor, being honored with a larger vote than any other candidate on the Republican county ticket.

On leaving Tucson in the summer of 1887 Judge Gregg removed to California and opened an office at San Bernardino, where he formed a partnership with William A. Harris under the firm title of Harris & Gregg. Since coming to this city he has acquired a large practice in all of the courts, and has won local distinction through high attainments and attractive personal qualities. After coming to California he re- mained a bachelor for some years, but July 31,

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1901, he establishted domestic ties through his marriage to Miss Agnes Wilson, an accom- plished and cultured young lady residing in Los Angeles, of which her father, Peter Wilson, was an early settler. Her death, which occurred April 30, 1906, was a bereavement not only to Judge Gregg and members of her father's fam- ily, but also to the large circle of warm personal friends to whom she had become endeared through the possession of refinement of manner, gentleness of temperament and a cultured mind.

CODY J. FREDERICK. A short distance north of Venice lies the homestead of Mr. Fred- erick, embracing a small tract which cost him only $47 an acre at the time of its purchase. Owing to the proximity of the markets, the place afforded ideal conditions for a dairy, and this industry has engaged the owner's attention. Al- falfa can be raised exceptionally well, hence hay is provided for the milch cows of excellent qual- ity and in large quantities. On the building of the Short Line electric railroad, the track crossed one corner of the farm, giving fine facilities for reaching the city as well as other suburbs. Re- cently Mr. Frederick sold eight acres for $950 an acre, reserving for himself five acres on the car line, just outside of the city limits of Venice. The five acres are estimated to be worth $2,000 an acre, and he has erected thereon a comfort- able residence, besides making other improve- ments of value.

The birth of Cody J. Frederick occurred in Branch county, Mich., February 5, 1854, his parents being Alexander and Emeline (Cody) Frederick, natives of New York. The paternal grandfather was born in Germany and the ma- ternal grandfather, John Cody, was of Holland- Dutch extraction, while the maternal grand- mother, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Hubbs, was of Scotch lineage. While Michigan was still a new country, on whose broad acres few furrows had been turned. Alexander Fred- erick sought its opportunities and identified him- self with its pioneers, clearing a farm where for years he made his home. For a time he also engaged in teaming and in addition he carried on a hotel situated on the main thoroughfare be- tween Clinton and Detroit. His death occurred when he was fifty-six years of age, and his wife survived him some time, passing away on the Michigan homestead at the age of sixty-five years.

When eleven years of age Cody J. Frederick was orphaned by the death of his father, and two years later he began to earn his own livelihood. To an exceptional degree, therefore, whatever. of success he has attained may be attributed to his unaided exertions begun at a period when

most boys are enjoying the advantages of men: training in school. For six years he worked out on farms for neighboring farmers and then he rented the old homestead, which he operated until the place was sold in 1893. During the lat- ter year he came to California and settled at Santa Monica, where he was employed in team- ing and sundry other occupations such as pre- sented themselves for the obtaining of a liveli- hood. After six years in that town he came to his present location and purchased fourteen acres, a part of which forms his present home- stead. While living in Michigan he married Sarah L. Purdy, who was born and reared in that state, and whom he had known from early child- hood. They became the parents of three chil- dren, but two died young and only one survives, Alma, wife of William Lowe, who operates a large dairy at Palms. In politics Mr. Frederick always votes with the Republican party, while in fraternal relations he holds membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Fra- ternal Brotherhood.

CLAUDIUS LEE EMERSON, cashier of the First National Bank of San Jacinto, River- side county, is one of the foremost business men of this section, having risen to the position of esteem in which he is universally held by the demonstration of superior business ability. The institution with which he is connected was first organized as a state bank in 1886 and from a modest beginning acquired a financial standing, which in January, 1906, led to its establishment as a national bank, A. W. Wright being presi- dent ; John Shaver, vice-president ; C. L. Emer- son, cashier ; and J. C. Wright, assistant .cashier. Mr. Emerson is a native of California, his birth having occurred in Fresno county in 1872; his parents, J. H. and Nellie (Neal) Emerson, na- tives of Missouri (the gateway for the vast tide of emigration which swept toward the Pacific coast in historic '49), crossed the plains with ox-teams, and after a six months' trip located in Grass valley, where, following the example of the majority who came west in that year, the father engaged in mining. This occupation he followed until injured by the caving in of a mine ; at that period he located in Fresno county and made that place his home until 1886, when he came to Riverside county, and in San Jacinto engaged in business. Failing health induced his practical retirement from business activity some time previous to his death, which occurred in 1897, at the age of sixty-one years. He is sur- vived by his wife, who is now seventy-one years of age, her home remaining in San Jacinto.

In the public schools of San Jacinto C. L. Emerson received a good education, after which,

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD).

in young manhood, he engaged as a clerk in a general merchandise store of this place. In 1900 he went into business for himself, purchas- ing a grocery store which he operated for three years, when he was chosen assistant cashier of the First National Bank, which was then, how- ever, the State Bank of San Jacinto. Upon its being made a national bank Mr. Emerson be- came its cashier and this position he is filling at the present writing. At the same time he has retained an interest in the agricultural life of the community, owning and operating a ranch in the vicinity of San Jacinto.

In San Jacinto Mr. Emerson was united in marriage with Miss Zelma Shultz, and born of this union are two children, Marjorie and Nellie. Mr. Emerson is identified with several fraternal organizations, being a member of San Jacinto Lodge No. 383, I. O. O. F .; Independent Order of Foresters; and San Jacinto Camp No. 100, W. O. W. He is also a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, being associated with the San Jacinto Parlor. He takes a deep in- terest in the general welfare of the community, and gives his best efforts toward all forward movements, being particularly associated with the educational affairs as trustee of the public and high schools. He is in no sense a partisan, but seeks to advance the interest of the entire section in which he makes his home.

ALBERT JOHNSON. It has been a matter of frequent comment among the people of Ca !- ifornia that the young men who have come hither from Germany and who have learned their trades in the old country are unusually skilled in their special craft or occupation; as workmen they have few superiors, and their knowledge of their trades is both thorough and extensive. Such in general may be stated of Mr. Johnson, whose proficiency in the building business has brought him into prominence in Ventura county and given him a goodly proportion of such business in his home town of Oxnard. Of German birth, he had the advantage of serving an apprenticeship of three years at the carpenter's trade in his home land, begining to serve at the age of four- teen and remaining under a master carpenter until he was seventeen and thoroughly grounded in the occupation.

Oldenburg is Mr. Johnson's native place, and April 19, 1860, the date of his birth, his parents being John and Helen (Torhorst) Johnson, who were likewise natives of Germany and lifelong residents of that country, the father being a farmer in Oldenburg. Six children comprised their family and all but one are still living, Al- bert being next to the youngest and the only one in the United States. It was his good for-

tune to receive an excellent education in the German language in the schools of Oldenburg, and immediately after leaving school he was ap- prenticed to the carpenter's trade. In 1878 he crossed the ocean to try his fortune in America. Proceeding west to Nebraska, he secured em- ployment on a farm in Webster county, and re- mained in that postion for fifteen months. At the expiration of that time he began to work at carpentering at Guiderock, Webster county, and later was similarly employed in Milwaukee, Wis., from which city he came to the Pacific coast, ar- riving in Los Angeles February 6, 1885, and se- curing employment as a carpenter in that city.

Upon his removal to Hueneme in 1888 Mr. Johnson entered the employ of a contractor, with whom he remained for three years, mean- while acquiring a valuable insight into the con- tracting business with its multitudinous details. After leaving his employer, Mr. Wilson, he be- gan to take contracts to erect buildings and suc- ceeded so well that he was encouraged to con- tinue. At the time of the founding of Oxnard, in 1898, he came to the new town and com- menced to build on contract. Since then he has erected scores of residences, some among them 'being as elegant and substantial as any to be found in Ventura county. In 1903 he brought his family to Oxnard, where he owns and oc- cupies a neat residence near the corner of A and Third streets. In Ventura county he mar- ried Mrs. Freda (Bulla) Engle, who was born in Saxony, Germany, and is a lady of fair educa- tion and the highest refinement, an earnest mem- ber of the Lutheran Church and a contributor in missionary and charitable movements. Reared in the Lutheran faith, Mr. Johnson always has been identified with that denomination and gives his support to its doctrines. Well informed con- cerning the national government of the United States and the policy of each administration, he casts his ballot for Republican principles at all elections. Fraternally he hold membership with the Sons of Herman, and has been honored with the office of president, which he now holds.

RICHARD W. SERVICE: Associated with the real estate firm known as Service Brothers, of Los Angeles, with a branch office in El Monte, Richard W. Service is active in business affairs of the county and as a man of sagacious judg- ment and executive ability has proven a factor in the upbuilding and development of this enter- prise. Mr. Service came to California in 1900 from his birthplace in Ontario, where he was born April 24, 1869, a son of Rev. Richard Service, of English and Scotch ancestry, the paternal grandfather, David, having emigrated from England and located in the province of

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Ontario. Richard Service became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, attending the Niagara conference and later the London con- ference. His death occurred in Ontario. His wife, formerly Julia Bristol, was born near Tonawanda, N. Y., a daughter of Rev. Emerson Bristol also a native of New York and a lumber- man in the northern part of the state on the Erie canal. Later in life he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, preached in his native state and later went to Ontario, where he served as presiding elder for thirty years. Mrs. Service still survives and makes her home in El Monte. She has three sons: Emerson, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, located in Howard Lake, Minn .; Richard W., of this review; and William E., in partnership with his brother in the real estate business.

Richard W. Service was reared in St. Mary's, Ontario, and received his education in the pub- lic and high schools. With his brother he en- gaged in a real estate enterprise in their native city, the two remaining there until 1900, when they came to California and in Los Angeles es- tablished a similar business, at the same time opening an office in El Monte, the first of its character in the place. In Los Angeles they are located at No. 302 Frost building, where they make a specialty of handling farm lands, being the exclusive selling agents for the E. J. (Lucky) Baldwin ranches. They have met with success in their enterprise, and have laid out Baldwin's addition to El Monte, also the Brock- way tract.

In Los Angeles Richard W. Service was united in marriage with Miss Venie Ruland, a native of Colorado, who was reared in Califor- nia, a graduate of the State Normal School in Los Angeles, where she engaged in educational work. Mr. Service is a Methodist, and political- ly votes the Republican ticket. In all matters of public import he takes an active interest and seeks in every possible way to advance the gen- eral welfare. He is a leading citizen in El Monte, and holds a high place in the regard of his fellow citizens.

JOHN G. FRENCH. A man of advanced ideas, practical and progressive, possessing men- tal vigor and business aptitude, John G. French occupies a fine position among the representa- tive citizens of Venice, Los Angeles county, and is among the foremost to forward all enterprises conducive to the best interests of the place. A native of Ohio, he was born, October 22, 1855, in Miami county, a son of Asa D. French.

Having spent his earlier life in Ohio, Asa D. French subsequently moved to White county, Ind., buying land, and being extensively engaged

in farming and stock-raising for many years. In 1880 he migrated to Oregon, locating in Morrow county, where he continued in agricult- ural pursuits for several years. On July 13, 1891, he died at his home in Oregon, where his widow, whose maiden name was Ruth E. Glancy, now lives, her home being in Heppner.

Brought up on the home farm, John G. French early became acquainted with the various branches of farming, including grain and stock- raising. He received excellent educational ad- vantages, and after his graduation, in 1872, from the Brookston Academy, in White county, Ind., he taught school in that locality for three years. Going then to Kansas, he taught school for a year, and was afterwards engaged in the cattle business for awhile, shipping stock to different points. In 1877, in Halstead, Kans., he built the first steam elevator on the Santa Fe Rail- road, and after operating it successfully for three years went to McPherson, Kans., where he built the first steam elevator on the line of the Union Pacific Railway. Selling out of the grain-re- ceiving business in 1881, he located in Atchison, Kans., becoming buyer for the Atchison Eleva- tor Company. Three years later, in 1884, he closed out his interest in the grain trade and embarked in the wholesale grocery business with W. F. Dolan & Co., having his western head- quarters in Newton, Kans., and while thus en- gaged invested in Kansas property. Retiring from this business in 1887 he was for two years in the retail dry-goods business in Newton. Dis- posing of his stock in 1889, he opened a retail hardware and implement house in Pratt, Kans., where he was located two years. Selling out in 1891, he came to the Pacific coast as agent for manufacturing companies, his territory' extend- ing the length of the coast, with headquarters in San Francisco and Los Angeles. In 1898 he organized the wholesale department of the Will- iam H. Hoegee & Co. firm in Los Angeles, with which he was connected for five years. Sever- ing his relations with this firm in 1904, he re- sumed his former position with the manufactur- er's agency, and soon after was made general manager of the Abbot Kinney Company in the building of Venice, remaining as such from Janu- ary, 1905, until July, 1905, when he assumed the management of the land department, with headquarters at Venice. On January I. 1906, he organized the Venice of America Land Com- pany, a corporation, paid-up capital $50,000, of which he is vice-president and general manager. and promoting along with other Venetian inter- ests, East Venice of America, a beautiful resi- cence suburb of Venice.

,In the upbuilding of Venice Mr. French has taken an active part, lending his aid and influ- ence toward the establishment of beneficial proj-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ects. He is a firm believer in the advanced ideas of education and was one of the first board of trustces, and the first president, of the Ocean Park school board, a position that he still re- tains. Many of the new ideas used in erecting, equipping and furnishing the first grammar school building in Venice were his, and have proved useful and practical, and of great benefit to teachers and pupils.

In 1879, in Kansas, Mr. French married Birdie L. Pence, of Leavenworth, Kans., a grand- daughter of Louis Burns, a prominent citizen of Kansas, and of their union three children have been born, namely: Ruth E., Elma P. and Dorothy G. Politically Mr. French is a Repub- lican, and fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias.

JOSEPH L. COLEMAN. Two and a half miles northeast of El Monte is located the ranch owned by Joseph L. Coleman, one of the pro- gressive and enterprising citizens of this section of Los Angeles county. The family of which Mr. Coleman is the California representative is of English origin, the grandfather, Steven, hav- ing emigrated from England and located in Vir- ginia, where he engaged as a farmer until his death. The father, Richard D., was born in Tazewell county, Va., there reared to manhood, when he followed a mercantile enterprise until the breaking out of the Civil war. He enlisted in the Union army in Company H, Thirty-ninth Regiment Kentucky Infantry, as first lieutenant and was killed at the battle of Round Bottom, in Kentucky, in 1863. He was survived by his wife, formerly Nancy King, a native of Ken- tucky, and daughter of Louis King, also a native of that state, who engaged in farming until the breaking out of the Civil war. He participated as a soldier in Company H, Thirty-ninth Regi- ment Kentucky Infantry, after which he removed to Minnesota. Still later he removed to Arling- ton, Tex., where his death eventually occurred. Mrs. Coleman died in Minnesota, leaving a fam- ily of eight children, of whom five are now liv- ing

Next to the oldest child in a large family, Jo- seph L. Coleman was born in Tazewell county, Va., July 9, 1852, and passed the first ten years of his life in Virginia, the family removing to Kentucky in 1862. After his service in the Civil war the father located in Hutchinson, Minn., with his family and there carried on farming un- til the death of the mother in 1864. Little more than a child in years, Joseph L. was forced to take up the burden of self-support, the only work at liand being on a farm or steamboating on the Mississippi river, both of which he did. In 1869 he went to Montana and near Helena worked on a stock range. Up to the time he was eighteen

years old he had never had any educational ad- vantages, but the desire for knowledge was strong within him, and when opportunity pre- sented he attended the district school for about seven months, working on a farm during the summer. In 1875 he went to Northern Califor- nia and near Yreka engaged in the stock busi- ness. Four years later he bought a ranch in Lake county and engaged in the sheep and horse business in which he was uniformly successful. In 1901 he sold his stock, leased his lands and came to Southern California, locating in Mon- rovia. In 1903 be purchased sixty-five acres of the Peck tract and Chicago Park, considered waste land with deep ditches through it, but un- daunted by its uninviting appearance, he spent time and energy upon it and has turned it into a profitable walnut grove and alfalfa farmı. He installed a pumping plant, the largest outside of the city of Los Angeles, and has one engine of sixty horse power.

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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 122

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