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 145

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

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On coming to California in 1899 Mr. Knight joined his uncle, A. A. Adair, a well-known at- torney of Riverside, and engaged in studying law with the firm of Purington & Adair. In May of 1901 he was admitted to the bar and in October of the same year he came to Long Beach, where he has since conducted a general professional practice. In addition to his private practice, for two years he held the office of city attorney. A number of enterprises calculated to promote the material development of the city have received the impetus of his counsel and encour- agement, among these being the Ocean Heights Investment Company, Incorporated, of which he is the president, and the Long Beach Hotel and Sanitarium Company, upon whose directorate he now serves.

The marriage of Mr. Knight was solemnized June 27, 1905, and united him with Miss Jessie A. Pasmore, who was born in Wisconsin, but has resided in the west since early childhood, having been educated in the Pomona schools. Both are identified with the First Congregational Church and contribute to its maintenance, as well as to uplifting movements of an undenomina- tional nature. On the organization of the Bene- volent Protective Order of Elks Mr. Knight be- came a charter member and officiated as the first Loyal Knight of the lodge. In Masonry he holds membership with the blue lodge, chapter and commandery at Long Beach, and maintains a warm interest in all movements for the up- building of the order. Other organizations with which he holds membership are the Cosmopoli- tan Club, the Long Beach Bar Association and the Knights of Pythias. Political affairs receive his close attention and as a member of the Re- publican party he has been actively associated with local politics and has served as a delegate to conventions, as well as in other capacities connected with the political history of his home city.

HERMON D. WILLIAMS. Through his labors as a business man, and later as editor of an important newspaper, Hermon D. Williams has accomplished much for the upbuilding of Whittier, his home town, where he is known and honored as a citizen solicitous for the highest development of the city, and the greatest pros- perity of its people. The paper of which he was editor for many years, and in the management of which he is still active at this writing, is the Whittier Register. It is conducted with con- spicuous ability and vigor, and is widely recog- nized as one of the leading weekly papers of Southern California. The Register is indepen- dent of politics, has decided convictions on all moral questions, and has been a potent agency in

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moulding public opinion in Whittier, especially on the line of temperance and kindred reforms.

Mr. Williams was born at Richland, Keokuk county, Iowa, October 17, 1842, being a son of James and Angelina (Hunt) Williams, who were married at Annapolis, Ind., and for sev- eral years lived upon a farm near Terre Haute, in that state. After moving to Iowa the father occupied the position of postmaster at Rich- land and later was engaged in contracting and building.

Educated in Iowa schools, Hermon D. Will- iams added to the knowledge acquired from text books the broader education gained in the school of experience, and he may rightly be called a self educated man, the possessor of ripened cult- ure and fine mental attainments. While his home was in Jasper county, Iowa, he was mar- ried to Miss Jennie Hiatt, a native of Indiana, who has always been in close touch with his various lines of work, and who by her timely help and wise counsel has contributed much to his success.

During the early years of manhood Mr. Will- iams taught school, but later became interested in carriage and wagon manufacturing, conduct- ing the business for a number of year. Upon relinquishing these interests he removed to Des Moines, Iowa, and with his brother-in-law, B. F. Arnold, bought the Weekly Iowa Capital, which they conducted as a daily, and which con- tinues to be one of the leading papers in the. state, under the editorship of Hon. Lafe Young. Upon disposing of his interest in the Capital Mr. Williams became traveling representative of the Friends Publishing Association, of Chicago, and represented their interests in Iowa and Ne- braska. Next he was induced to accept the po- sition of field secretary of the Iowa Prisoners' Aid Association, an organization designed to as- sist discharged convicts to employment and pro- mote prison reform. For several years he trav- eled throughout the state in this interest, giv- ing lectures and organizing local associations. Largely through his efforts widespread interest was enlisted in the cause and the work was placed on a permanent basis.

On his removal to California during 1887 Mr. Williams resided for a time at Riverside, but in the following year came to Whittier, where he established a broom manufacturing business in partnership with Addison W. Nay- lor, now president of the First National Bank of Berkeley, and which he conducted success- fully for two years. At the expiration of that time he took a leading part in establishing the Whittier Register, under the auspices of an in- corporated company, and soon after he became the sole owner of the paper and its publishing and job printing business. He has now been

engaged in the business for fifteen years, dur- ing which time his son, Harry A. Williams, who has now succeeded to the editorship, has been associated with him. Mr. Williams has constantly pursued high ideals in this varied public work, and through the medium of his paper, as well as by an energetic personality, he has been a helpful factor in the upbuilding of Whittier, and has efficiently aided in bringing it to a position of prestige and influence among surrounding towns.

JOHN L. SCARLETT. Wide and favorably known throughout the length and breadth of the Santa Clara valley of Southern California as a successful farmer and stock-raiser, John L. Scarlett is engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits and is one of the largest land holders in the vicinity of Oxnard. He is the son of John and Anna (Lyster) Scarlett, whose mar- riage occurred at Dougherty, Alameda county, Cal., September 22, 1864. John Scarlett was a native of Inneskillen, Ireland, and when only an infant lost his father by death. The family be- ing left with limited means their home was desti- tute of many of the comforts of life, a livelihood being earned only by the severest toil. When he had succeeded in saving sufficient money with which to defray his expenses to America, Mr. Scarlett crossed the ocean to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, where he became a dyer in a woolen manufacturing plant. As soon as he had accumulated sufficient means to secure the passage of his mother from Ireland, he sent for her and she joined him in his Phila- delphia home, where she remained until her death, in January, 1865. In the meantime, in 1857, he had become a pioneer of California, settling in San Francisco, where he was em- ployed in a sugar refinery for some time, after- wards making his home in Alameda county for six years, thereafter returning to San Fran- cisco. He eventually established a permanent home in Ventura county near Oxnard, where, in 1875, he brought his family to the ranch on the Colonia which he purchased from W. I. Rice. Here he engaged in general farming and stock- raising, later making a specialty of Lima beans and sugar beets, and this extensive ranch is considered one of the most valuable in the valley. Mr. Scarlett passed away February 14, 1902, and his wife, who survives him, soon afterward removed to Oxnard, where she erected a com- fortable and commodious home in which she still resides with her younger daughter, Anna, the elder daughter, now Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, also residing in Oxnard.

Born on the ranch near Oxnard, December 5, 1877, John L. Scarlett is the only son in a family

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of three children. He was educated in the common schools, taking a final course in college at Ventura, and after leaving college returned home to take charge of the large ranch, well equipped by education and training to make the most of the management of seven hundred acres of fine land which composes the estate. A great portion of the farm is devoted to raising lima beans and sugar beets and the yield of the former averages twenty sacks to the acre. Mr. Scar- lett also devotes much time and attention to rais- ing horses and cattle and is justly proud of his success in that line. A loyal son of California, he naturally looked among the native daughters of the state for a life companion, and choosing Miss Evelyn Kennedy, who was born in San Francisco, his marriage with her was solemnized in June of 1902. Two children have been born of this union, Evelyn and John Richard. Mr. Scarlett adds his support to the charities of the Catholic Church at Oxnard, of which he is a member, and in politics casts his votes for the Republican platform. The only fraternal or- ganization with which he is identified at this writing is Cabrillo Parlor, N. S. G. W., of Ventura. Personally Mr. Scarlett is of a genial, sunny disposition, with a cheery word for all, and considered by his friends a prince of good fellows. Still a young man, he has met with unusual success in his undertakings and holds an enviable position in the social life of his com- munity.

ELLIS T. BYRAM. Since coming to Glen- dale, Los Angeles county, more than twenty years ago, Ellis T. Byram has been an import- ant factor in promoting its growth and improve- ment, and is well entitled to the prominent posi- tion he now holds among its more enterprising and able citizens. In the places in which he has resided, and in the different industries in which he has been interested, he has ever been re- garded as a man of strict integrity and honesty, always ready to give generous aid toward the establishment of any beneficial project. A son of William Byram, he was born, January 8, 1839, in Union county, Ind., coming of Revolu- tionary stock, and being a descendant of John and Priscilla (Mullen) Alden, who came over on the Mayflower in 1620.

William Byram followed the trade of a brick- mason when young, but later in life was success- fully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Union county, Ind. He was prominent in political cir- cles, being an old-line Whig, and for nine years served as treasurer of Union county. He was one of the leading men of his times, and for a long while was associated with Judge Burnside, father of Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, who during

a portion of the Civil war was commander of the Army of the Potomac. He married Abby D. Miller, who died at the age of sixty-seven years. She bore him five children, one of whom, Capt. John C. Byram, died in Los Angeles.

Reared on the home farm, Ellis T. Byram re- ceived a practical education in the common schools of his native town, and during his minor- ity assisted in the care of the parental home- stead. After his marriage he settled as a farmer in Union county, Ind., remaining thus employed until 1881. Going then to Dallas county, Iowa, he established himself in business as a hardware merchant in Perry, where he remained two years. In the fall of 1882, his wife, two sons and one daughter, came to California, and in the spring of 1883 he joined them, settling in Glendale in November of that year. Purchasing land, which is included in the present site of the city of Glendale, he improved it, and engaged in agri- cultural and horticultural pursuits, meeting with success. To this he added other land, which he improved by setting out an orchard, and also continued his former occupation. He has dealt to some extent in real estate, but has devoted the most of his attention to horticulture, and is con- sidered an authority on matters connected with the tilling of the soil.

In local affairs Mr. Byram has exerted great influence, to him the city and county being in- debted for many of its beneficial organizations. With Capt. C. E. Thom, Judge E. M. Ross, H. J. Crow, and B. F. Patterson, he formed the Verdugo Springs Water Company, of which he is the secretary and treasurer; he helped to or- ganize the Bank of Glendale; and he was one of the incorporators of the Glendale .Narrow Gauge Railroad, now owned by the Salt Lake Railway Company. Since its organization he has served as president of the Independent Water Company, which absorbed the Childs Tract and Reservoir Company, the latter organized in 1885.

In Preble county, Ohio, in 1864, Mr. Byram married Huldah Miller, daughter of John D. Miller, who spent the last years of his life in Southern California, dying at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Byram, in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Byram are the parents of five children, namely : Mrs. Eva B. Banker, William D., George E .. Ruth A. and Rolph M., all of Los Angeles county. On account of failing eyesight Mr. By- ram has practically retired from all active busi- ness. Of those who comprised the first settle- ment in this locality in 1883 there are only three now living in the vicinity: J. C. Sherer, B. F. Patterson and Mr. Byram.

Politically Mr. Byram is a stanch Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in September, 1884, assisted in or-

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ganizing the first church of that denomination in Glendale, which he subsequently served as elder many years, being the first elected to the position. Rev. W. S. Young was the first minister to fill its pulpit, and Rev. S. Lawrence Ward is its present pastor.

ANTON K. MARUSCH. Along the coast of California where the fishing industry is of great importance the Union Fish Company of San Pedro is known as one of the largest wholesale dealers in fish in Southern California. The firm consists of Anton K. Marusch, manager of the company, and his brother, Baldo Marusch. From a very small beginning they have built up a large and prosperous business. They buy, sell and ship all kinds of fish and lobster, their trade ex- tending inland as far cast as the Mississippi river.

The Marusch brothers are sons of Matthew and Frances (Marovich) Marusch, the former a native of Austria. The father was for many years a sea-faring man, holding a position as mate of a vessel in the East India trade, which in the early days was of great importance in the commercial world. In that capacity he visited nearly every country within reach of navigable waters, touching at Mediterranean ports and crossing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans many times on his numerous voyages. He was in San Francisco as early as 1845, four years before the discovery of gold made the name of Califor- nia famous throughout the civilized world, and started the tide of emigration toward the Pacific coast. Returning to his native land he settled at the old home place and there married and reared a family of five children. Four of the children are living, Anton K. and Baldo being the only ones in America. Baldo Marusch was born September 27, 1868, in Orebich, Dalmatia, Austria, and remained there until 1891, going in that year to Australia. In 1900 he came to Cali- fornia and since then has lived in San Pedro.

Anton K. Marusch was born in the city of Orebich, Austria, September 27, 1872, and lived in his native town until he was nine years of age. The desire to follow in his father's footsteps and seek his fortune on the ocean must have been strong in the boy, for at that youthful age he left home and went on board ship as a cabin boy and for years followed the eventful life of a sailor, working his way up from a cabin boy to able seaman, engaging almost entirely with Eng- lish sailing vessels and steamers and doing busi- ness along the Mediterranean coast and in Eng- lish waters. In 1886 he shipped on the Sampol of Bath, Me., and came around Cape Horn to San Francisco, where he remained for a time and attended night school. Again he sought

employment on the ocean and made fourteen trips to Honolulu as able seaman on board the barkentine Planter, under command of Captain Jorgensen; and later engaged as seaman on steamers plying along the coast out of San Fran- cisco. Becoming weary of the sea he engaged in the restaurant business in San Francisco; then as salesman for a fish company in San Fran- cisco, remaining in that business for seven years and thoroughly familiarizing himself with the fish trade.

Mr. Marusch has lived an eventful life and a narrative of his numerous ventures and adven- tures would make interesting reading. He has seen the world as the tourist and mere sight- seer can never see it. He has followed the lead to new lands and endured the hardships incident to life in new countries where the necessities of life become the luxuries and men stand or fall according to their strength to endure privation. He was in Seattle in 1896, when the exciting news of the discovery of gold in Alaska started crowds of men to the Klondyke. He was among the first to go, taking passage on board the City of Seattle to Skagway, packed across the famous Chilkoot Pass to White Horse rapids, shooting the rapids and arrived safely at Dawson. He followed the occupation of mining until 1896, then went to Circle City and remained until 1899, when he returned to California. In 1901 he came to San Pedro and purchased the Union Fish Company business of G. O. Taylor and has continued in that business ever since, enlarging, improving and branching out until he has made of it a success and is reaping the reward of his energy, foresight and perseverance.

Mr. Marusch is identified with several organ- izations. He is a member of the Eagles, of the Red Men, and is an ex-president of the Slavon- ian American Benevolent Association. He is also a member of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is a Republican.

GERMAIN GRIMAUD. Known and hon- ored as one of the pioneers of that portion of Los Angeles county now occupied by the village of Hyde Park, the late Germain Grimaud was of French birth and lineage and was born October 25, 1849. After having completed the studies of the country schools and gained an excellent knowledge of the French language, he left home at seventeen years of age and came to the Unit- ed States. During the year 1866 he began to herd sheep near Bakersfield, Cal., and as time passed he acquired a thorough knowledge of the industry, so that he was qualified to engage in it for himself with reasonable hopes of success. At first he raised grade animals, but soon he be- came interested in fine blooded stock, and grad-

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ually gained a reputation as an authority on the subject of sheep. However, being of a kindly, generous nature, he was more than once imposed upon, and lost considerable money through kind- nesses to others who failed to appreciate his gen- erosity or return his loans. About 1878 he came to the present site of Hyde Park and bought three hundred acres, where he engaged in rais- ing sheep and general farm products. On this place he died, February 22, 1896, ere yet age had laid its heavy hand upon him.

The marriage of Mr. Grimaud took place Au- gust 6, 1878, and united him with Miss Antoin- ette Aubert, who was born in France August 6, 1855, and came to the United States in 1878 very shortly before her marriage. Five children were born of their union, all natives of Los An- geles county, viz .: Alice H., who married Gus- tave Escallier and resides at No. 2235 West Fourteenth street, Los Angeles; Emma, who holds a responsible position as chief operator of the Sunset Telephone Company in Los Angeles ; Marie T. and Camilla, who reside with their mother one mile from Hyde Park; and Louise, who died at five years of age. After many years of unwearied devotion to farm and home cares, Mr. and Mrs. Grimaud allowed themselves the pleasure of a visit to France, where they re- mained about three months and renewed the as- sociations of earlier years. At his death Mr. Grimaud left three hundred acres where his widow yet resides, the land being cultivated by tenants. In addition she owns three lots in Hyde Park and since the death of her husband she has purchased a residence at Pico Heights, Los An- geles. Ever since childhood she has been a faith- ful member of the Catholic Church and a con- tributor to its many charities, Mr. Grimaud hav- ing been also identified with the work of that church and a believer in its doctrines.

FRANK HAROLD OTT. Since 1902 Mr. Ott has been manager of the Anderson & Chanslor store in Avalon, a branch of the Los Angeles establishment and in which he is a stockholder. He was born January 18, 1873, in the Shenan- doah valley, Va., the son of D. A. and Susan (Moore) Ott, both of whom were natives of the same locality. At eighteen years of age the father was a member of a Virginia regiment in the Confederate army during the Civil war, losing an arm in the conflict. He was teacher by profession in Virginia and later near Austin, Tex. In 1887 he removed with his family to Los Angeles and soon engaged in horticultural pursuits in Orange county, where he died at the age of fifty years. The death of Mrs. Ott oc- curred in Santa Ana.

Frank Harold Ott was the second of the four

children in the family of his parents, and after securing his education in the public schools of Pasadena he went to Riverside county and pur- chased ten acres of raw land in Corona, set it to lemon trees and otherwise improved it, still own- ing the property, which is in fine condition and bearing good crops. After the death of his father he had charge of the home ranch for one year, and then in 1896 removed to Los Angeles and entered the employ of Anderson & Chanslor, taking charge of the shipping department. In 1900 he was among the number of employes of the firm who bought out their employers and in- corporated the business under the name of the Anderson & Chanslor Company. In 1902 the new firm bought out J. S. Pitman, who was con- ducting one of the oldest established mercantile enterprises on Catalina Island. Mr. Ott secured a quarter interest in the branch and became its manager, ever since filling that position to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.

In Santa Barbara Mr. Ott married Ethel Ennis, a native of Michigan. He is an active member of the Presbyterian Church and is identified with the progressive and elevating influences of the community in which he resides. Politically he is an advocate of the principles embraced in the platform of the Democratic party.

JOHN DOUGLAS McLEAN. A successful contractor and builder and representative citizen of Avalon, John Douglas McLean has been a resident on Catalina Island since 1888. The fam- ily is of Scotch descent and the clan is of the McLeans of Duarte. The grandfather, Neil Mc- Lean, was born on the isle of Skye, Inverness, Scotland, and as a member of the British army for twelve years fought throughout the Peninsular war. Upon the receipt of an honorable discharge he left his native land and settled in Cape Breton Isle, Nova Scotia, where he engaged in farming and died after having attained the remarkable age of ninety-six years. He was a man of strong principles and belonged to the Presbyterian Church, the faith of so many of Scotch birth in the present day. The father, Roderick McLean, was born in Cape Breton Isle, where he was engaged as a ship carpenter and later became a farmer, his death occurring in his sixty-eighth year. His wife, who survives him, was before her marriage Margaret McLennan, a native of Nova Scotia. Her father, Jolin McLennan, was born in Loch Aise. Scotland, and settled on Cape Breton Isle, where he was first a schoolmaster and later followed agricultural pursuits.

Next to the oldest of a family of ten children, eight of whom are now living, John Douglas Mc- Lean was born April 1, 1860, on Cape Breton Isle, Nova Scotia, and attended the district schools in

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his youth. He also learned the carpenter's trade as a boy, in 1882 going to Manitoba, where he followed the occupation for a time, at the same time doing stone cutting. After spending a season in Winnipeg he entered the employ of the Canadian Pacific Railway and assisted in the construction of the rockway along Lake Superior. His residence in California dates from 1887, when he came to Los Angeles and plied his trade for a year, in 1888 removing to Avalon to assist in the erection of the first part of the Metropole' hotel for Shatto. He bought property and built a residence here and has since made this city his home. As a prominent contractor and builder he has erected a large number of residences here, the workmanship on them showing him to be a master of his trade. His property holdings in Avalon include six houses and five tents, from the rent of which he secures a good income. Mr. McLean's marriage, which occurred in Los Angeles, united him with Miss Winnie Morris, born in Tahiti, the daughter of Rev. George Morris, one of the first missionaries on that South Sea island. He was also the first settled minister of the Congregational denomination in Avalon and now resides in Alameda. Mr. and Mrs. McLean are the parents of three children, Margaret, Catherine and Roderick. They' hold membership in the Congregational Church, in which Mr. McLean is a deacon and a member of the board of trustees. Politically he is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Prohibition party. As a successful business man and pro- gressive citizen whose influence is exerted at all times in the elevating and upbuilding of the community he is held in the highest esteem by all.

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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 145

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