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 131

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

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HENRY F. KAISER. The pioneer builder and contractor of Colton is Henry F. Kaiser, who has been engaged in this business here for nineteen years. His work has always been of a first-class order, giving perfect satisfaction to his patrons, and this fact is what has made his long continued success possible. Mr. Kaiser is a native of Belgium and was born January 27,

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1857, the son of John and Anna G. (Jacques) Kaiser, both of whom were born in Belgium and spent their entire lives there, the father dying at the age of fifty-eight years, and the mother at seventy-nine. All of the eight brothers and sis- ters of Henry F. Kaiser are now living in their native country, he being the only member of the family in America.

Mr. Kaiser was fortunate in receiving the ad- vantages of a fine education in Belgium, where he completed a general course in college before learning a trade, without which the education of no man of that country is considered complete. Selecting the carpenter's trade as most congenial to his tastes he mastered all of its details, and with this equipment came to America in his twenty-seventh year. Locating in Topeka, Kans., he secured his first employment with the Santa Fe Railway Company, being occupied at cabinet work in their shops for about two years. He then came to California and spent a short time in San Bernardino, in 1887 permanently settling in Colton, which place has since been his home. He began to ply his trade immediately upon his arrival and was not. long in making himself known as a master workman, and secured all the work he could do.

Mr. Kaiser was happily married to Miss Arnold Lambotte and three children have blessed this union, namely: Anna, Harry and Lilian. Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser are members of the Catholic Church and their children of the Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Kaiser is an adherent of Republican principles, and fra- ternally is a member of Colton Lodge No. 326, I. O. O. F., and the Fraternal Brotherhood Lodge at the same place.

JAMES C. CLEWETT. As one of the large number of men who have found business oppor- tunities in Los Angeles county, and in turn have endeavored to promote the commercial develop- ment of this portion of California, mention be- longs to James C. Clewett, who as a member of the firm of Clewett Brothers, proprietors of the Long Beach Steam Laundry, is known as one of the most successful business men in this section and as a prime factor in many of the most important movements leading up to the general welfare of the community. Like many of the men who have found success in western fields he is not a native of the state in which he now resides, but was born in Adams county, Neb., November 8, 1877. Prior to the birth of James C. the family had resided in Wiscon- sin, but upon locating in Nebraska the father, C. C. Clewett, settled upon a farm which he operated until coming to California in 1893, com- ing to Long Beach that year on account of the

climate. With his wife, who before her mar- riage was Hattie Sanford, he is living retired from the cares and worries of business, being pleasantly located in Long Beach. During the Civil war Mr. Clewett was a participant in the ranks of the Union army, rendering valiant serv- ice in his country's cause.

The early life of James C. Clewett was asso- ciated with his father's farm in Adams county, Neb., and when he was sixteen years old he re- moved with the family to the west. While in Nebraska he had attended school to some ex- tent, and this training was followed by a course in the Long Beach grammar school, from which he received his diploma of graduation. Thus far his education had been of a general char- acter, and in order to obtain a specific business training he entered a business college in Los Angeles, a course which qualified him in every way for the life which he was about to enter. His first venture in business was in the Long Beach Laundry, wherein he was associated with L. B. Morgan. In January, 1900, he became in- terested in the business financially, his associa- tion with Mr. Morgan in this way lasting about a year, or until March, 1901, when J. F. Clew- ett became a partner, the firm name becoming Clewett Brothers. The equipment of the Long Beach Steam Laundry leaves nothing to be de- sired for the proper handling of all fabrics, no matter how fine in texture they may be. Modern machinery of the most approved design has been installed throughout the plant, not the least im- portant of which are the electric irons, which are vast improvements over the irons heated by either coal or gas. In all, fifty hands are em- ployed in the laundry, the majority of whom are experts in their particular line of work. No better idea of the popularity of the Long Beach Steam Laundry could be given than to mention the territory from which it draws its custom. Besides handling the local trade in Long Beach it has the patronage of Terminal and Wilming- ton, in addition to other surrounding towns, which keeps four wagons in constant service. The details of the inside management devolve upon J. F. Clewett, while the outside matters ale under the supervision of J. C. Clewett, the two working together harmoniously and with results in a business way that might do credit to men many years their senior.

James C. Clewett and his wife, formerly Lulu B. Coughran, have become the parents of two children, Wiley D. and Bvrl, and have a pleas- ant family residence at No. 1127 East Seventhi street. Politically Mr. Clewett is a Republican, and in his fraternal relations he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In view' of the fact that his father served in the Civil war he is eligible to the Sons of Veterans, and

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is a member of Henry W. Lawton Camp No. 10. The family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Clewett is a member.

The elder of the firm of Clewett Brothers, J. F. Clewett, was born in Dane county, Wis., in 1872, and was therefore a small boy when his parents settled in Adams county, Neb., in 1875. The education which he acquired in the common schools of his native county was fol- lowed by a course in the high school in Pipe- stone, Minn., and after his graduation he lost no time in putting his knowledge to use in the business world. Coming to the west with his parents he soon found employment at Oceanside, where for eight years he held the position of superintendent in the water works. Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Clewett, the latter formerly Ruth Martin, have a commodious home at No. 426 Lime street, and their marriage has been blessed with one son, Chester M. Like his brother he is a Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is identified with the Fraternal Brotherhood. In both public and private capacities Messrs. Clewett have won the respect and good will of their associates, and though they have been established in business in Long Beach but a short time comparatively, their names have become well known among the high-minded and successful men of Los Angeles county.

SAMUEL P. ROWLAND. The Rowland family is pre-eminently a part of the pioneer ele- ment of Southern California, the first of the name to locate here being John Rowland, who was born in Maryland, the descendant of an old eastern family. He became a pioneer in an early day, locating in New Mexico and follow- ing mining occupations for some time, thence in 1841, in company with William Workman, his partner, locating in California, where he re- mained for but a short time. Returning to Taos, N. Mex., they remained there only long enough to settle their affairs, and then with their fami- lies they came again to the Pacific state, this time being accompanied by B. D. Wilson, D. W. Alexander, John Reed, William Perdue and Samuel Carpenter, all of whom became residents of Los Angeles county. In partnership with Mr. Workman, Mr. Rowland secured a grant of the Puente ranch, comprising forty-eight thousand acres, and there settled and spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Rowland was twice married, his first wife being Dona Incar- nacion Martinez, by whom he had the following children : John, Jr., : Thomas ; Robert ; Nieves, wife of John Reed; Lucinda, wife of James R. Barton, and William R. In 1869 Mr. Rowland

divided his property among his children, giving to each about three thousand acres and one thou- sand head of cattle.

Thomas Rowland married Zenobia Yorba, the daughter of an old Spanish family, and born to them was a son, Samuel P. Rowland, a native of Puente, where he was born April 28, 1865. He received his education in his home and the common schools of the section, after which he entered St. Vincent's College, which he attended for two years. He was later employed in a drug store and subsequently established a store for himself, this being the first of its kind on Boyle Heights, in Los Angeles. He conducted it suc- cessfully for six years, when he sold out to Dr. Campbell and returned home to the manage- ment and improvement of the property given him by his father, while he also owns an interest in a fine pumping plant with a capacity of one hundred and fifty inches. He also owns a cot- tage at Ivanhoe, which property is well im- proved. He is now engaged in raising stock and meeting with success in his efforts. In 1889 Mr. Rowland was united in marriage with Miss Maggie A. Temple, a daughter of F. P. F. Tem- ple, and they have five children, namely, Rowena C., Theresa, Samuel, Jr., Margarette and Evan- geline. Mr. Rowland is a Republican in poli- tics and has served as deputy sheriff of the county and justice of the peace of Rowland town- ship, and school trustee for seventeen years. He is a member of the Catholic Church at San Gabriel, and is a charter member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, and charter member of the Foresters lodge here. Mr. Rowland is a man of broad liberality and progressive spirit, and takes a most active and helpful interest in the general upbuilding of the community. He is specially active in educational affairs, having been largely instrumental in securing first class buildings for school purposes in Puente. He in- herits the courtesy inherent in his Spanish fore- fathers, the manly dignity which distinguished the career of his paternal grandfather, and with have won him a large circle of friends.

HORACE B. GARRISON. One of the best- patronized business places in Palms is the blacksmith establishment owned and managed by Horace B. Garrison, who is well-known for his comprehensive knowledge of the trade, which he applies in the best and most skillful manner, and it is through his reliable work alone that he has come to enjoy the confidence of the people and receive their patronage.

Born in Minnesota in 1874 Horace B. Garri- son is a son of Herman S. Garrison, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1852, remaining in his

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native state until he was eighteen years of age. Up to this time he alternated attendance at school with farm work, and when he was obliged to strike out in the world he felt no hesitancy as to his future occupation. The newer states of the west held more attraction for him than his native state, however, and following his inclinations he located in Minnesota about 1870. For a number of years he was very suc- cessful with the farming enterprise which he had established there, but once more he was seized with the desire to go further west, and in 1889 he carried out his plans, reaching San Diego county in October of that year. There he became interested in raising olives, and is to- day one of the successful orchardists in the southern part of the state, having two ranches aggregating seven hundred and fifty acres, eighty acres being in olives and the balance devoted to grain and as range for stock. His marriage united him with Miss Susan Annetta Marcy, who, like himself, was born in Pennsyl- vania, and their three children are as follows: Horace B., whose name heads this article; Katherine, who became the wife of George B. Charnock, Jr., and John, who makes his home in Palms.

Horace B. Garrison was about eighteen years of age, when, with his parents, he came to California, all of his school days having been spent in Minnesota, for as soon as he came west he began to fit himself to become a professional blacksmith. His perseverance and determina- tion were large factors in enabling him in a short time to open his present shop in Palms, which is now known as one of the busy and thriving centers of activity in town. He is a member of Palms Camp, No. 567, W. O. W. As is his father also Mr. Garrison is a Repub- lican in his political preferences. He was mar- ried September 14, 1906, to Lulu B. Goldsmith, who is a native of Massachusetts, but since 1890 a resident of Los Angeles.

JAMES VOLNEY BARTOW. Recognized as a man of business ability and one whose wide experience in the commercial life of the country has given him keenness of judgment and de- cision of character, James V. Bartow is an im- portant factor in the progress and development of Long Beach, where he was among the first men to take advantage of the unusual opportuni- ties presented. Since 1896 he has been a resi- dent of California, being located principally in Long Beach, where he began an investment which has brought him large financial returns, while he has also given to the city his best efforts in the promotion of all movements calculated to advance the general welfare.

Mr. Bartow was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., November 15, 1842, and until he was ten years old received his education in the common school in the vicinity of his home. In 1852 his parents located in Wisconsin, where he com- pleted his education and also assisted his father on the home farm. He grew to manhood and in 1864 enlisted in Company G, Thirty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Second Army Corps, and served until the close of the war, participating in several battles, and without in- jury. Returning home to Wisconsin he engaged in farming until the spring of 1871, when he dis- posed of his interests in that section and went to Nobles county, Minn., there taking up gov- ernment land and improving a farm from the undeveloped country. In the course of time he became a speculator in the lands of the north- west, improving the lands and disposing of them at a fair profit. Deciding to engage in the com- mercial life of the country he went to Ells- worth, Minn., and purchased a warehouse, em- barking in the implement and general merchan- dise business. He met with success in his new enterprise and continued so occupied until 1886, when, on account of impaired health through overwork, he was compelled to dispose of his interests and seek a rest. For ten years he re- mained retired from active business and about the end of that time he made a trip to California. Attracted by the multifold opportunities pre- sented to the energetic business man, he immedi- ately located in the west, and later disposed of his entire property in the Mississippi valley and invested his means in property on the coast. He has become largely interested in property on American avenue, on the corner of Ocean Park and American avenues erecting a forty-five room house known as the Del Mar hotel, strictly mod- ern and up-to-date in all its appointments. On the corner of American avenue and First street he built a three-story brick building, the lower floor to be used for stores, second floor for of- fices, and the third for the Long Beach Business College. He also owns considerable other prop- erty in Long Beach and is interested in keeping it in fine condition, thus enhancing its value and adding prestige to the city. He is intensely in- terested in the promotion of all movements tend- ing toward the betterment of the city, and is al- ways among the citizens who give practical as- sistance in such measures.

Mr. Bartow has been twice married, his first wife being Adelaide Freeburn, a native of Wis- consin, by whom he has two children, Wallace, the manager of the Del Mar hotel, and Mrs. Mary Reeves, of Fargo, N. Dak. Subsequently he married Jennie Williams, also of Wisconsin, and they are the parents of the following chil- dren: Elvia, wife of C. C. Stanesifer, of Long

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Beach ; Gertrude, wife of H. A. Mosier, of Los Angeles; Blanche, wife of H. G. Ravenscroft, of Long Beach; and Roy O., clerk in the First National Bank of Long Beach. Mr. Bartow has been an adherent of Republican prin- ciples all his life, and although interested in the movements of his party would never allow his name to be used in connection with public office. He is a member of Long Beach Post, G. A. R., and is well known socially throughout this section. He is a man held in high esteem by all who know him, either socially or in a business connection, and is justly named among the representative citizens of Long Beach.

JOSEPH E. COURTNEY came to Califor- nia in 1873 and during the intervening years has proven himself a citizen of worth and ability, lending his aid in the advancement of the best interests of his community and giving freely of both time and means in the promotion of up- building enterprises. His sterling traits of char- acter are an inheritance from southern lineage, his birth having occurred near Fredericksburg, Va., July 19, 1844; his parents were John and Mary (Butler) Courtney, both natives of Vir- ginia, where they passed their entire lives, the father dying at the age of seventy years, and the mother at eighty-two. They were the parents of seven sons and three daughters; six of the sons participating in the Civil war, John serving in the Union army and the others in the Confed- erate. One son, Calvin, died in Johnston Island ; Maywood was in the Black Horse cavalry ; Lem- uel L. belonged to Stafford's cavalry ; David was in Company G, of the Rough and Ready Rifle- men; and Joseph E. Courtney enlisted in Com- pany I, Eleventh Virginia Infantry, of the First Virginia Brigade, in Picket's division of Long- street's corps. He participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Petersburg and oth- er important battles, serving three years and thirteen days, and was wounded in the battles of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg.

Following the close of the struggle Joseph E. Courtney went to Missouri in 1866, and there rented seven hundred acres of land and engaged in grain and stock-raising. He made that section his home for six years, then returned to Virginia for one year, and thence in 1873 came to Califor- nia, for a time engaging in wheat-raising in Napa county. In 1874 he brought the first stock for Van Nuys to start his San Fernando ranch. In 1875 he located on his present ranch near Ar- tesia. This comprises ninety-one acres, of which twelve acres are devoted to a vineyard, the bal- ance being in corn, alfalfa, barley and general farm products. He has been very successful in his work and has accumulated a competence. Au-

gust 29, 1877, he married Miss Mary F. Den- man, a native of California and a daughter of Zenas Denman and born to them were the fol- lowing children: Edward E., in 1880; Minnie, in 1882; Jean, September 23, 1884; and David Leland, in 1886, the last-named dying at the age of seven years. Mr. Courtney is prominent fra- ternally, his membership in Artesia Lodge No. 377, F. & A. M., dating from 1872; has been a member of Downey Lodge No. 197, I. O. O. F., since 1871 and he joined the Foresters in 1891, now being associated with Norwalk Court; and is also identified with the Fraternal Aid, the Re- bekahs and Order of Eastern Star. Politically he is a stanch Democrat and has served in the interests of this party as road overseer, having received the appointment twice and held the posi- tion for twelve years. In 1903 he made a visit to the old home in Virginia, where his boyhood and young manhood were spent.

JOHN METCALF. Though a native of Yorkshire, England, John Metcalf has lived in the United States since his early childhood, hav- ing come with his parents to this country in 1849, when he was six years of age. Upon locating in America, his parents, Thomas and Mary (Harker) Metcalf, settled in southwestern Wis- consin, purchasing a farm not far from the town of Galena, Ill., where the father met with an accident in the lead mines which resulted in his death. John Metcalf was then but twelve years old and being the oldest of six children the burden of the support of the family fell largely upon his young shoulders; but with a brave heart he set to work to help his mother rear and educate the other children, continuing faithfully at his post until they were all grown and mar- ried. Remaining on the farm with his mother until after he reached his majority, he then en- listed in the Union army and served his adopted county efficiently and well in Company A, Ninety- sixth Illinois Infantry, during the last year of the Civil war. After the war closed he returned home, and soon afterwards went to northwest- ern Iowa, where he took up some government land and purchasing other land near it, became a factor in the development of that portion of the country. As his means accumulated he bandoned the farm life and going to Paullina, Iowa, engaged in the grain and real estate busi- ness, shortly after his location there assuming an active place in business offices, and assisting materially in the development of that section. In 1883 he organized the Bank of Paullina, of which he became president and is still acting in that capacity, while he is also president of the Bank of Merrill, Iowa, and is the principal stock- holder in both these institutions.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Twelve years ago Mr. Metcalf came to South- ern California and demonstrated his faith in the future of this portion of the state by investing extensively in real estate near where Venice of America now stands, the land being known as the Gateway tract. A portion of his interest in this property was sold to M. J. Nolan of Los An- geles, when they established the business firm known as Nolan, Metcalf & Simpson. This tract is platted and improved and is very valuable property, the portion which has been sold by the firm having brought satisfactory returns. Aside from his property interests near Venice, Mr. Metcalf is promoting and developing other im- portant business enterprises in real estate and other property in various towns of Southern California, notably Long Beach and Pasadena, all of his efforts in this direction proving very successful.

In Dubuque, Iowa, Mr. Metcalf was united in marriage with Mary A. Simpson, who at her death in 1892 left three children. Some time afterward he married Mrs. Belle Raw Carpenter, also of Iowa, and she is the mother of two children. In his fraternal relations Mr. Metcalf is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and politically he is a Republican. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters, and while in Iowa served on the school board of his district and as chairman of the finance com- mittee of Morningside College of Sioux City. Mr. Metcalf is a broad-minded and progressive citizen, his work demonstrating his belief that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well, and he has thus won for himself not only a competence, but also the lasting regard of his fellow-citizens.

ALBERT ROUCHLEAU. Far removed from his old Canadian home and from the birth- place of his ancestors in France, Mr. Rouchleau finds in Southern California a climate surpassing that familiar to his childhood years and he finds as well an opportunity to earn a comfortable livelihood for his family in the midst of an at- tractive environment. The property which he owns and occupies is situated three miles north- east of Redondo and comprises eleven acres un- der cultivation to vegetables, strawberries. blackberries and a small orchard. The value of the place is enhanced by the fact that the Re- dondo & Los Angeles electric car line runs in close proximity, thus bringing the residents of the farm into close touch with the city as well as with their postoffice town of Redondo. At the time of the building of the road Mr. Rouchleau sold the company the right of way across one corner of his place and in addition he sold seven

and one-half acres, so that his original purchase of twenty acres has been reduced to the present dimensions. A neat house has been built on the homestead and forms a comfortable abode for the family.

As his name indicates, Mr. Rouchleau belongs to a French family. Indeed, French has been the favorite language of the home and, although using English in business intercourse, he still retains for domestic use the language familiar to his childhood. Born in Canada, January 15, 1854, he was three years of age when the family removed to Michigan and settled at Hancock, where he passed the years of boyhood. When about sixteen years old he began to work as a farm hand. For several years he worked on farms in the summer near Duluth and spent the winters in the lumber woods. On leaving the north he spent eight months in Arizona and from there came to California, securing employ- ment at Riverside, but left there in 1902 to set- tle upon the fruit ranch he now owns. With his wife (a native of France and formerly Miss Dedie Mull) and their two children, Amelia and Lonis, he has a pleasant home, which represents the efforts of a busy life. There was no one to aid him in getting a start in the world, and his present standing may be attributed to his own energy, perseverance and wise judgment.

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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 131

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