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 63

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

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JOHN E. SHANNON. One of the best- known citizens of Arroyo Grande is John E. Shannon, a fine gentleman to meet and one who is noted for his sterling qualities of char- acter. He is a firm believer in the growth of San Luis Obispo beach property in value and always stands ready to invest his means in en- terprises which are organized for the promo- tion of this section of the state. He makes his home on a seventeen-acre ranch which he owns and which is devoted to the cultivation of vegetables, strawberries, dew berries, logan berries, etc. Mr. Shannon was born in Pike county, Pa., January 5, 1849, his father, Will- iam Shannon being also a native of Pennsyl- vania, where he died at the age of fifty years. His mother, Betsy Everets before her mar- riage, was born in New Jersey, and was sixty years old at the time of her death. There were nine children in the family of which the subject of this sketch was a member. He received his education through the medium of the public schools of Pike county and when he grew to manhood decided to follow rail- roading as an occupation. In carrying out this decision he worked as a brakeman, fireman, engineer and conductor in the seven years

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which he spent in service on the New York & Erie Railroad. He was then seized with the ambition to go west and take advantage of some of the golden opportunities which the states on this side of the Rocky mountains hold out to industrious, wide awake young men. Arriving at Reno, Nev., when that town was in its infancy, he engaged in the restaurant business, following this for four- teen years. The nature of this business is such that a man who engages in it becomes ac- quainted with a very large circle of people, and there are few of the old timers at Reno, or in fact in the state of Nevada, who do not remem- ber Mr. Shannon and speak well of him. In 1893 he sold out his business at Reno and came further west into California, his objective point being Arroyo Grande, and here he has since been engaged in ranching and the real- estate business, as well as in money lending, for he accumulated a large fortune while at Reno, and being possessed of that rare abil- itv to take care of money as well as to make it, he now has an independent fortune. Be- sides having considerable property at Oceano Beach he also owns town lots and business property at Pismo, upon which he is erecting several cottages and business blocks. His pol- itical belief is represented by the platform of the Republican party, which he gives his hearty support.

The marriage of Mr. Shannon occurred in 1879, uniting him with Miss Catherine Bren- nan, who was born in Canada, and one son was born to them, John. They have also an adopt- ed son, Lester Leivre. Mrs. Shannon is a member of the Catholic Church and Mr. Shan- non's religious affiliations are with the Baptist denomination.

HYPOLITE ESCALLIER. One of the old- est pioneers in Riverside county, Hypolite Es- callier is now located on a forty-acre ranch one mile south of Temecula, where he raises grain and potato crops. He is also well known as the mail carrier between Temecula and Warner's ranch, having held the contract for this route during the past eight years and has just re- newed it for an additional term of four years. He was born January 22, 1855, in Hautes-Alpes, France, the son of Hypolite and Annie Rena Escallier, both natives of that country and now deceased. After securing a common school ed- tication in his native land Mr. Escallier immi- grated to the United States in 1872, arriving at the port of New York and coming from there directly to San Francisco. Spending a few months in the last-named city he came by boat to Los Angeles, where he remained for three

years, later removing to Long Pine, then to Bakersfield, returned to Los Angeles, and in 1876 removed to Temecula. After staying here a short time he went to Old Mexico and re- mained for two years. At the expiration of this time he again took up his residence in Temecula and has since made this his home.

Mr. Escallier's marriage, which occurred in Temecula, in February, 1881, united him with Marie Cabaco, and they have become .the par- ents of six children, namely: Brigela, Ellen, Matilda, Louisa, Hypolite, Jr., and Arthur. They are attendants of the Catholic Church and exert their influence toward the upbuilding of the community in which they reside. By his honest dealings and integrity of character Mr. Escallier has won the highest esteem of all with whom he comes in contact and has a host of friends in Riverside county, where he has resided so many years.

JOHN MAHAN. Few of the men now liv- ing in Camarillo have been identified with the history of California for a longer period than has Mr. Mahan. He was one of the '49ers who cast in their lot with the unknown west at the time of the discovery of gold here, and has since made his home in the state. The wonderful improvements that have brought this state to a foremost position among the great commonwealths of America he has wit- nessed and aided, and he deservedly occupies a position among the public-spirited pioneers to whose self-sacrificing efforts the organiza- tion and development of the state may be at- tributed. Although he was only about twenty- two years old at the time he came to the state he had spent a number of years on the ocean in the employ of trading vessels, and partici- pated in the Mexican war, and the trip across the plains in 1849 was made as an employe of the government, as driver of a team in a train bound for Oregon City. The sailing ves- sel which brought him from Astoria to San Francisco was six weeks in making the voy- age, landing its passengers in the latter city November 16, 1849.

As the name would indicate, Mr. Mahan comes of Irish antecedents. Both of his par- ents, William and Helen (Driscoll) Mahan, were born in the Emerald Isle, but while they were still young they came to the United States, and made settlement in New York state. There they both died. the father at the early age of forty-five. Besides John they had one daughter, Mary, who still makes her home in the Empire state. Born in Madison county. N. Y., July 5, 1827, John Mahan was educated in the temple of learning known as the sub-

Seo Com Deck

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

scription school. Just what his reasons were for leaving home are not stated, but it is known that he went to New York City when thirteen years of age with the intention of going to sea. He first shipped on a whaling vessel bound for New Bedford, Mass., and when the harbor was reached left the crew and went to Providence, R. I. From the lat- ter port he sailed as one of the crew on a small trading sloop, following the sea in all about five years in this capacity. As surf boatman he next was in the employ of the United States during the Mexican war, serv- ing throughout the entire conflict, and receiv- ing his discharge in 1848, at St. Louis, Mo. Immediately thereafter, in 1849, he drove a team across the plains for the government, and upon reaching his destination, Oregon City, made his way to Southern California. From San Francisco he went to the mines in the vicinity of Sacramento, but after three years of rather uncertain and varying success he established a store on Feather river which he ran successfully until 1855. During this time he had noted the success of agriculturists and wished to try his luck as a tiller of the soil. His first experience was in Yuba county on Honcut creek, where he conducted a ranclı for two years, afterward going to Sonoma county and carrying on a ranch for eleven years. His advent into Ventura county dates from the year 1868, at which time he took a patent from the government for eighty acres of land, but as it proved to be a Mexican grant he finally lost the land as well as the improve- ments which he had placed upon it. The one- hundred-acre ranch upon which he now re- sides was purchased in 1882, and the years which have intervened have proven the value of his previous experiences, all of which have tended to make him the all-around agricultur- ist which he is to-day. Aside from eighteen acres devoted to walnuts, the entire ranch is in beans, hay and barley, the harvests from which bring him in handsome returns annu- allv.

In 1853 Mr. Mahan was married to Rebecca Blakeley, who was born in Missouri, and of the eight children born to them we mention the following: W. S., the eldest child, mar- ried Emma Sisson, and they make their home in Santa Paula; George F. married Maggie Johnson, but both are now deceased; Sterling P. is married and makes his home in Los An- geles : Eva, the wife of Horace Crinklaw, also lives in Los Angeles; Henry L. married Miss Nettie Benn, and they reside in the Simi val- ley ; Miles O., a miner, is married and resides in Colorado; and Grace and Rolley, the two youngest, complete the family. In religious

belief the family 'are Baptists, the parents and the children at home attending the church of that denomination at Camarillo. Although nominally a Democrat Mr. Mahan votes ac- cording to his conscience, under all circum- stances voting for the man of highest prin- ciples. He himself is a man of undoubted worth in his community, and as school trustee and a member of the Farmers' Grange has rendered valuable assistance.

GEORGE W. PECK, M. D. One of the most prominent and successful physicians of Saw- telle is Dr. George W. Peck, who although he has been in Sawtelle but two years, has in that time built up a large and lucrative practice. He is a native of Cedarville, N. J., and was born March 8, 1841, His father, Rev. Simon Peck, was born in New Hampshire, being a descendant of those Huguenots who landed on the New England coast in 1636. He received his edu- cation at Princeton College, and spent his en- tire life in the Presbyterian ministry in New York, Ohio and Nebraska, and his death re- moved a faithful and well beloved man. He married Christina Hollinghead, who was born in Princeton, N. J., a direct descendant of Will- iam Wright, who served in the Revolutionary war under George Washington and was one of those who kept up the decoy fires on that mem- orable night when Washington crossed the Dela- ware and made the attack upon the British. His service extended over a period of seven years.

It was in Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio, that Dr. Peck spent his childhood days, and after preliminary school work he entered Rush Medi- cal College at Chicago in 1885, graduating in 1890. After securing his medical degree he went to Omaha and practiced his profession for ten years, and was an influential member of the Medical Society of that city. Seeking a more genial climate he came to California, arriving in Los Angeles on May 21, 1900. After spending two weeks there he went north and located in the San Joaquin valley, practicing medicine be- tween Fresno and Merced for three years. Later he traveled over the greater part of the state in his endeavor to find the most favorable cli- mate, spending a part of one year in Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, all in Sonoma coun- ty; taking all things into consideration he chose Sawtelle as the most desirable place. He arrived here April 21, 1904, and after purchasing prop- erty opened an office for the practice of his pro- fession and rapidly built up a large and lucra- tive practice. He is health officer of Sawtelle, is a member of the California State Medical Society, the Los Angeles County Medical As-

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sociation, and the American Medical Associa- tion.

During the Civil war Dr. Peck served eleven months in Company A, First Nebraska Cavalry. He is an active member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Sawtelle and president of the board of trustees and he stands for all the best and highest interests of society, be they of a social or a financial character. His wife, a native of New York state, is also an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WALTER LOUIS DAVENPORT. Con- spicuous among the energetic and enterprising men who are active assistants in advancing the manufacturing and shipping interests of Los An- geles county is Walter Louis Davenport, of San Pedro, secretary of the Lumber Surveyors' As- sociation of Southern California. A native of California, he was born, October 20, 1867, in Soquel, Santa Cruz county. He comes of sturdy New England ancestry, distinguished alike for their morality, intelligence and industry, his father, J. P. Davenport, having been born and brought up in New Bedford, Mass., a descend- ant of one of the earlier settlers of that part of the country.

At the age of fourteen years, J. P. Daven- port began his career as a sailor, going on a whaling trip. Continuing his chosen occupa- tion, he was promoted from rank to rank, at the age of twenty-three years being master of a ves- sel. Putting in at San Francisco in 1849, when the gold excitement was at its height, he im- mediately engaged in whaling, meeting with such success that he went back to the Atlantic coast for his family, returning with them to Mon- terey in 1852. Soon afterwards he bought the schooner Caroline E. Foot, and for many years was employed in whaling along the Pacific coast. Giving up seafaring pursuits, he built a wharf at Davenport's landing, fifteen miles north of Santa Cruz, where he subsequently set- tled, while living there serving as justice of the peace. His last days were spent in San Fran- cisco, his death occurring in that city when he was seventy-four years of age. His wife, whose maiden name was Ellen Clark Smith, was born at Fairhaven, Mass., and is now a resident of San Francisco. Of the ten children born of their union, five are living.

The sixth child of the parental household, Walter Louis Davenport received a practical ed- ucation in the public schools of Santa Cruz. Beginning life for himself at the age of six- teen, he was for a number of years employed in a sawmill at Aptos. Santa Cruz county. Going from there to San Francisco, he became clerk for Polk & Talbot, of the Pacific Pine Company,

a position that he retained about twelve years. Coming to San Pedro for a visit in 1903, his services were very shortly called into requisi- tion on account of a lack of inspectors in the Lumber Surveyors' Association, which he glad- ly assisted for awhile before beginning his visit. Deciding subsequently to locate permanently in this city, he was made a member of the Lumber Surveyors' Association of Southern California in September, 1903, and in January, 1904, he was elected to his present responsible position as its secretary, and in addition to faithfully per- forming his varied dutes in this capacity he is agent for the association at East San Pedro.

March 26, 1902, at Valle Vista, Riverside county, Mr. Davenport married Maude Saun- ders, who was born in Mendocino county, Cal. Amasa Saunders, her father, who was born and reared in Dedham, Me., came to California in 1852, and for a number of years was engaged in lumbering, first in Mendocino county, and then in Riverside county. Subsequently turning his attention to horticultural pursuits, he pur- chased a large orange grove at Valle Vista, where he was employed in fruit growing until his death. He married Jane Phillips, who came to California in 1858, and now resides in San Pedro, making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Davenport. Mrs. Davenport has inherited a part of the Saunders ranch at Valle Vista, where she has a fine bearing orange grove of forty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport have one child, John Lloyd. Politically Mr. Davenport is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs to Santa Cruz Parlor No. 90, N. S. G. W. He attends the Congregational Church, of which his wife is a member.

THEODORE G. SCHULZE. A wide-awake, active business man, ever ready to take advan- tage of favorable opportunities for advancing his financial interests, T. G. Schulze is promi- nently identified with the important industries of Los Angeles county, being a member of the Long Beach Realty Company. A native of Texas, he was born in April, 1859, in Freestone county, coming from excellent German ancestry. His parents, Hardwick and Caroline Schulze, emigrated from Germany to the United States soon after their marriage and located in Texas, where he followed his trade of butcher for many years. He died of yellow fever, in Houston, Tex., in 1867, at the early age of thirty-two years, and she survives him, being now a resi- dent of Los Angeles, Cal.

Having completed his early education in the common schools of Texas, T. G. Schulze left home when fifteen years old, becoming an ap- prentice at the butcher's trade, which he after-

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wards followed four years. Learning then the blacksmith's trade, he was engaged in black- smithing in Texas until his removal to Cali- fornia. Coming to Los Angeles county in 1887 he located at Whittier on July 9, and there fol- lowed his trade for two years. He was simi- larly employed the succeeding two years in Los Angeles, after which he settled in San Pedro, where he lived eight years, carrying on general blacksmithing, including a good deal of ship work. His health failing, he established himself as a butcher at Oceanside, San Diego county, where he built up a prosperous business. Jan- uary I, 1903, he purchased the interests of the Long Beach Ice Company, at Long Beach, and for nearly three years carried on a substantial business as a dealer in ice, also in ice cream and soda water, his manufacturing plant being lo- cated at No. 121 West First street, and in this branch of industry he met with excellent suc- cess. On November 1, 1905, he disposed of his interests in these various lines of business and assisted in the organization of the Long Beach Realty Company, and in this connection is doing a general real estate business.

On April 10, 1889, in Houston, Tex., Mr. Schulze married Grace Davidson, a daughter of L. P. and Caroline Davidson, of Louisiana. Mr. Davidson died in 1888, at the age of forty- seven years, and Mrs. Davidson now lives in Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Schulze have one child, Laclair Schulze. Politically Mr. Schulze sup- ports the principles of the Democratic party by voice and vote. He takes great interest in pub- lic affairs, and while in San Pedro served for one term as town trustee. Fraternally he belongs to Long Beach Lodge No. 327, F. & A. M .; to San Pedro Lodge No. 348, I. O. O. F .; to Long Beach Lodge No. 888, B. P. O. E .; to San Pedro Lodge No. 126, K. of P .; and to Court Occi- dent No. 467, I. O. F.

ALEXANDER McKIE. Among the active and progressive agriculturists of Los Angeles county is Alexander McKie, who has met with no mean measure of success in his independent calling. His home ranch, lying near Palms, con- tains some fine farming land, and under his in- telligent management has been highly cultivated and improved, rendering it rich and productive. Of thrifty Scotch stock, he was born in Wigton- shire, Scotland, where his parents, James and Janet (Hennay) McKie, spent their entire lives, the father dying in 1885. The parents reared five children, all of whom are residents of Cal- ifornia, namely : Alexander, James, Charles, William and Jane Grace.

Reared by his wise parents to habits of in- dustry, economy and thrift, Alexander McKie

assisted in the various duties connected with the management of the little farm in Wigtonshire during the days of his youth, obtaining a knowl- edge and experience that have since been of value to him. Immigrating to the United States, he came at once from New York City to Cal- ifornia in search of a favorable opening. He located first as a farmer near Santa Monica, and is still in the bottom lands. He has a finely im- proved ranch of sixty-one acres, which is under an excellent state of cultivation and is largely devoted to the raising of alfalfa, although eight acres of it are set out to walnut trees, from which he reaps a satisfactory income annually.

Mr. McKie married, in 1895, Henrietta Burg- witz, and they are the parents of three children, Lena Janet, Alexander Hennay and Grace Jane. Politically Mr. McKie is a steadfast adherent of the Republican party, and religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the German Lutheran.

H. W. ROGERS. Three generations of the Rogers family have lived and labored in South- ern. California, the subject of this review, H. W. Rogers, being the only native son of the state, his birth having occurred in Compton, Los An- geles county, February 26, 1875. His grand- father, Sylvester Rogers, brought his wife, Martha, and their son, Henry, across the plains from Missouri in an early period in the devel- opment of the Pacific coast country and in South- ern California spent the remainder of his life. Henry Rogers married Ellen Watros, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of William S. and Har- riet B. Watros, who crossed the plains with ox- teams in 1861, settling in San Jose, Cal., and shortly afterward locating in Southern Cali- fornia. Mrs. Rogers died in Santa Monica in 1903, at the age of forty-two years, survived by her husband, who still makes his home in Comp- ton.

The only child born to his parents, H. W. Rogers spent the first years of his life in his native town of Compton, where he received some education, which was later supplemented by study in the public schools of Santa Monica. In young manhood he decided to learn the trade of plumber, and accordingly spent some time in the employ of J. S. Wilson, now a retired citizen of Santa Monica. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship he opened a shop for himself in partnership with W. A. Penny, in Ocean Park. In 1904, after three years in the work, he pur- chased the interests of Mr. Penny and has since continued in the business alone. It can truly be said of him that success has accompanied his efforts, for he is widely recognized as one of the best workmen of his class, and enjoys not alone

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the distinction of superior workmanship, but is also held in high esteem for the reliable business traits which he has always displayed. He has done considerable work in the best buildings of the city, among them the Casino, the Hammel building, the Myer and Zobelein building, and others of equal note.

The marriage of Mr. Rogers occurred in Ocean Park and united him with Mrs. Lizzie B. (Mitchell) Marvin, of Ohio, and they have since established a pleasant and comfortable home in this city. Mr. Rogers is identified with the Re- publican party, and although not desirous of official recognition, he takes a deep interest in the affairs of his party. Fraternally he has been a member of the Foresters of America for twelve years and is prominent in the order. He is a substantial and reliable citizen and holds a place among the successful citizens of Ocean Park.

JOSEPH NEWTON COVERT. When Mr. Covert came to Long Beach in 1901 he brought with him an experience of over fourteen years in the restaurant business, this alone explaining the phenomenal success which has come to him along this line during the past five years. Of late, however, he has given less attention to this and concentrated his efforts more closely upon his real-estate business, owning valuable prop- erty in Long Beach, Los Angeles, Newport and Oceantide.

Born in Franklin, Ind., September 13, 1862, Joseph N. Covert is a son of Samuel H. Covert, born near Hopewell, that state, where he carried on farming throughout his entire life, his death resulting from a fall from a tree. His marriage was with Emily McCaslin, also a native of the Hoosier state, and the daughter of Alexander McCaslin. Though born in Kentucky Mr. Mc- Caslin was a descendant of Scotch ancestors, and was one of the early pioneer settlers in Indiana. Mrs. Covert is still living, and makes her home with her only son, Joseph N. Her other child, Mary I., is the wife of B. F. Crutchfield, and resides at Lakeport, Cal. Until he was eighteen years old Joseph N. Covert remained with his parents on the farm in Indiana, in the mcan- time making the most of his opportunities from an educational standpoint. In his home town of Franklin he engaged in the picture business in 1880, the following year transferring his busi- ness to North Vernon, that state, but owing to the failure of his eyesight he was obliged to discontinue this line of work. It was in the year 1884 that he took the initial step into the busi- ness which was to bring him such remarkable success, and from that time until 1898 he fol- lowed the restaurant business. in North Vernon, a period of fourteen years and one week,

As has been previously stated, it was with this experience that Mr. Covert came to Long Beach in October, 1901. For about one year, however, he engaged in the real-estate business, but at the end of this time purchased the Raymond café, Ocean Front, and ran it for nineteen months. In the meantime he had leased the site of the Palace café, which he opened, continuing this until December, 1903, when he enlarged its capacity by the erection of an addition demanded by his large patronage, and at the time he sold out in September, 1906, he controlled the largest restaurant business in Long Beach. Prior to this he had purchased the Pie lunch room and is still interested in it, although his son-in-law, Carl Ransdell, has charge of the details of man- agement. His own time is given almost exclu- sively to his real estate transactions, which are numerous and important, and are confined en- tirely to property which he himself owns, han- dling none for outsiders.

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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 63

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