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 73

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

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The boyhood days of Mr. Schmidt were spent in New Ulm, where he was educated in the pub- lic schools and after completing the common branches he entered the Shattuck Military School at Faribault, attending that institution four

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years in pursuing a general course. He also graduated from the Curtiss Business College at St. Paul in 1892. Following his graduation he clerked in a store at New Ulm for a time, and later, returning to St. Paul, he secured a posi- tion as bookkeeper for a fire insurance agency, remaining there until 1895, then came to Los Angeles to spend the succeeding winter. Re- turning to Minnesota he took up the study of law and in 1897 went to Chicago, spending a few months with a law firm. In the fall he went to Minneapolis, where he entered the law depart- ment of the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1900 with the degree of LL. B. Immediately afterwards he came to California and was em- ployed for a time in Senator Flint's office, later going into the office of Lawler, Allen & Van Dyke, then the attorneys for the Los Angeles Board of Trade, remaining there until 1903, at the same time practicing to some extent for him- self. In October of 1903 he located in Hemet and engaged in business with V. E. Peterson, and subsequently with R. F. Mckesson. In March, 1906, he became sole proprietor of the merchandising business and has since been con- ducting it. He carries a full line of dry goods, notions, clothing, shoes, etc., and his store is the largest of its kind in Hemet and vicinity.

Fraternally Mr. Schmidt is a member of East Gate Lodge No. 290, F. & A. M., at Los An- geles; of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Hemet; Riverside Lodge No. 643, B. P. O. E .; and also of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Los Angeles. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, but is independent in cast- ing his ballot in local affairs.

JOHN C. MCMILLIN. Among the well- known citizens of Long Beach is John C. McMil- lin, who, as a member of the police force, has been for a number of years in the employ of the city, and in this capacity has been an im- portant factor in enforcing the municipal laws and in maintaining peace and order on the streets and public highways. A son of the late J. B. McMillin, he was born, September 13, 1862, in Overton county, Ky., but was reared and edu- cated in Illinois.

Coming from thrifty Scotch ancestors, J. B. McMillin was born in Kentucky, where he lived until after his marriage with Rebecca Peterson, also a Kentuckian. He learned the carpenter's trade when young, and followed it for a number of years, although he was especially interested in cabinet-making. Moving with his family to Ma- coupin county, Ill., in 1864, he bought land in Girard, and was there prosperously employed in general farming until his death, in 1889, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife survived

him, passing away in May, 1904, at Marion Center, Kans., at the advanced age of ninety-two years.

At the age of nineteen years, having acquired a practical education in the public schools of Girard, Ill., John C. McMillin began an appren- ticeship at the blacksmith's trade, at which he subsequently worked eight years. Going to Pea- body, Kans., in 1889, he was there engaged in the restaurant business for about eight months, but not with sufficient success to continue long. Coming to California in 1890, he located in An- telope Valley, where, on account of his wife's health, he remained for a year and a half. Set- tling then in Los Angeles county, he became a resident of Long Beach, and in 1898 accepted a position on the police force, with which, with the exception of about four years, he has since been connected. A man of strong personality, honest, resolute and determined, he has proved himself very efficient, and has rendered the city most acceptable service in this capacity.

March 24, 1900, Mr. McMillin married, in Santa Ana, Carrie Green, a native of Pennsyl- vania. Politically Mr. McMillin is a zealous adherent of the Republican party, and frater- nally he is a member of Long Beach Lodge No. 390, I. O. O. F., and of Aerie Lodge No. 791, Order of Eagles, of Long Beach.

H. GEORGE COOLEY. The community of Long Beach and vicinity has in H. George Cooley a citizen of worth and ability, and one who has always made his personal effort lie parallel with that for the advancement of the general wel- fare. He is the junior member of the firm of Paine & Cooley, one of the leading real-estate firms in Long Beach. A native of Waverly, N. Y., he was born January 12, 1862, and in the vicinity of his birth remained until the year 1880, attending the public schools in pursuit of a prim- ary education. In the last-named year he became a resident of Illinois, and in Jacksonville en- tered Illinois College, where he continued his studies for some years. Desiring to take up the study of the ministry, he became a student in the Chicago Theological Seminary, from which institution he was graduated in 1891, having worked his way through the course of four years. As a minister of the Congregational Church he accepted a pastorate in Minnesota, where he re- mained for five years, and following this spent a like period in the state of Iowa. On account of his health he was compelled to give up his labors in the states of the middle west and seek a milder climate, and accordingly came to Cali- fornia, reaching the state December 24, 1900.

After his removal to the west Mr. Cooley took up work at the carpenter's trade, following this

AS Robinson

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for fifteen months at Ontario, Los Angeles county, later in Los Angeles for a year, after which he became a resident of Long Beach, where he has since made his home. For a time he engaged in contracting independently, later becoming associated with Mr. Thompson, under the firm name of Cooley & Thompson, and still later the firm name was changed to Paine & Cooley, its present title. They are meeting with good success in their work and are among the material upbuilders of the city. Mr. Cooley has purchased and sold considerable real-estate in and about the city of Long Beach, his home being located at No. 1357 East Ocean avenue. In 1905 he purchased the Rogers ranch at La- guna, which he intends to subdivide, and besides this owns other valuable property in that vi- cinity.

Mr. Cooley's wife was formerly Margaret A. Thompson, a native of Minnesota and the de- . scendant of Scotch ancestry. He is an active member of Plymouth Congregational Church of Long Beach, and politically casts his ballot for the principles of the Republican party. He takes an active interest in all movements which have for their end the advancement of the best in- terests of the city and community, being a mem- ber of the Board of Trade, and has been a stanch supporter of all benevolent enterprises for the up- building of the city.

NATHANIEL D. ROBINSON. A suc- cessful rancher of Los Angeles county, Na- thaniel D. Robinson is located in the vicinity of Artesia and engaged in the management of his property. He was born in Summit county, Ohio, July 17, 1840, a son of Leonard and Irene (Moody) Robinson, natives of New York. They located in Ohio at an early date and engaged in farming. eventually remov- ing to Wisconsin where the mother died, and thence to Minnesota, where the father died. They were the parents of five children, of whom all but Nathaniel D. are living in the east.

Taken to Wisconsin when only five years old. Nathaniel D. Robinson received his edu- cation in the public schools and Mt. Pleasant College, Henry county, Iowa. His studies were interrupted by the call to arms in the cause of his country, enlisting July 11, 1862, in Company B, Twenty-fifth Regiment Iowa Infantry, and following participated in many important engagements during a service last- ing three years and six days. He was later transferred to the Reserve Corps. In the siege of Vicksburg his company participated for forty-six days. After the close of his serv- ice Mr. Robinson returned to Iowa, remain-

ing until the fall of 1866 when he came to California and in San Joaquin county taught school and later followed a similar occupa- tion in Amador county. After a few years he returned to Iowa via the Isthmus of Panama and New York City and May 26, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Allen, a native of that state, and a daughter of George and Nancy (Neal) Allen, both natives of Pennsylvania. They became pioneers of Iowa in 1846, where her father engaged as a hotel keeper and farmer until his death, which oc- curred at the age of seventy-five years, the mother died at the age of eighty-four. They had four children, of whom one sister is living in Iowa.

After his marriage Mr. Robinson attended Grinnell College about forty miles from Fort Des Moines, graduating therefrom in 1871 in the regular civil engineering and scientific course. Coming to California in 1873 he lo- cated in Los Angeles county in the vicinity of Artesia, where he taught the first school in this vicinity. His hearing being impaired he took up farming and has since continued this occupation, spending five years in Los Ange- les for the sake of educational advantages for his children. He has a family of three chil- dren, namely : George Hershell, who married Emma Stones, and has four children, their home being at Watts: Thomas Shilling, who married Esther Hineman, has one child, and is now living in Oregon; and Lucy Mabel, who married S. T. Arkills, an engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad in Arizona. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Stanton Post, of Los Angeles. Politically he reserves the right to cast his ballot for the candidate he consid- ers best qualified for official position. In re- ligion Mrs. Robinson is a member of the Sev- enth Day Adventists Church. Mr. Robinson is one of the best informed men of this section, taking a keen interest in all contemporary af- fairs, and although in the evening of his days he is ever a student, reading with avidity ev- erything he can obtain in classic and scientific literature, having a fine library in his home. He stands high in the estimation of his fellow citizens, who appreciate the sterling traits of character he has displayed during his long residence in this section.

JOHN MILTON FRAZIER. A prominent horticulturist of Riverside county is John Milton Frazier of Hemet, who has been a resident of California since 1886. He was born December 27. 1864. near Rockville, Ind., the son of Eli and grandson of John Frazier, both of whom

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were natives of North Carolina, the family re- moving later to Parke county, Ind., where they engaged in agricultural pursuits. The father subsequently went still further west and settled at Lawrence, Kans., where he remained until 1886, when he came to El Modena, Cal., where his death occurred the same year. His wife, who was Martha Durham before her marriage, was born in Indiana, of Quaker parents, and she died a few years ago in Whittier. Of their seven children only three are now living. John Milton was next to the oldest and lived until his sixteenth year in Indiana, where he received his education through the medium of the pub- lic schools. In 1880 he went with the family to Kansas and assisted his father on the farm there until the removal of the family to California. After his father's death he took up the car- penter's trade and followed it for three years at El Modena, and at Santa Ana for two years. From the latter place he moved to Redlands and engaged in contracting and building there and at Los Angeles for a time, after which he set- tled at Whittier and continued the same em- ployment for nine years, erecting both business blocks and residences. He next worked a year at Long Beach on the Salt Lake depot, and fol- lowing that went to Pasadena, where he erected buildings and sold them and also did general contract work. In 1905 he came to Hemet, pur- chased a twenty-five acre ranch and has since been engaged in horticultural pursuits. Eigh- teen acres are in peaches, three acres are planted to alfalfa, and the remainder of the ground is given over to the raising of potatoes. He built a new residence upon the place and otherwise improved it and has now one of the most attrac- tive homes in this section of the country.

The marriage of Mr. Frazier took place in Whittier, uniting him with Lena Jackson, who was born in Ohio. The union has been blessed by the birth of three children, Josephine, Alonzo and Leota. Both parents are active members of the Society of Friends and are supporters of all influences tending to elevate the community in which they reside. Fraternally Mr. Frazier is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Whittier and of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica at Pasadena. Politically he is a stanch be- liever in the principles advocated by the Social- ist party. A man of energy, enterprise and liberalty he is held in the highest esteem by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

PIERRE AGOURE. A successful farmer and stockman, Pierre Agoure is named among the representative citizens who have made South- ern California the great section that it is to- day in the state of California. As the name

would indicate he is of French birth and ancestry, Basses-Pyrenees being the scene of his nativity, and there he first saw the light of day May 15. 1853. His parents, Francisco and Marie (Mon- dotte) Agoure, were both born in that section, and there spent their entire lives, the father en- gaged as a prosperous farmer and stockman. They were the parents of the following chil- dren: Pierre, of this review; Jean, who died in Bakersfield, Cal .; J. P., who died in Los Angeles four years ago, leaving a widow who is now the wife of J. Apiou: Joseph, in Wyoming; Fran- cisco, in France ; Anna, wife of Joseph Luquette, of Los Angeles ; and Marie, wife of A. Luquette, also of Los Angeles.

Pierre Agoure was reared on the paternal farm and received his education in the common schools, and was but seventeen years old when he set out for that mecca of all fortune hunters -California. It was in 1871 that he arrived in San Francisco, and two months later he came to Southern California, landing at San Pedro. and thence went to Los Angeles. Here he en- tered the employ of a Mr. Rivierra, who owned a sixty-acre farm on Western avenue. where he conducted a dairy and for assistance in this line of work Mr. Agoure received as compensation $25 per month. Later he herded sheep on the Conejo. In 1873 he began sheep raising on his own account, first owning four hundred head which he herded with the herds belonging to Dr. Griffith on the Newhall ranch, and con- tinuing to add to his own band until he would have from twenty to twenty-five thousand at a time. He purchased twelve thousand head at one time from Bard and Perkins. During the dry vear of 1898 he lost about eight thousand head. He later combined with sheep the raising of cattle. and continued to add to his purchases of land until to-day he owns a fifteen thousand acre ranch at Calabasas, a part of the Simi ranch, well improved, a part being cultivated to grain and hay and the balance devoted to the raising of Herefords and Shorthorns; he also owns a fifteen hundred acre ranch near Moorpark, which he leases ; a sixty acre ranch on Western avenue, this being the first place he worked in Southern California ; and three hundred and eighty acres near Calabasas.

The home of Mr. Agoure is located on a nine- tv foot lot at No. 723 South Olive street, Los Angeles, one of the valuable pieces of property in this section of the city. This is presided over by his wife, whom he married in Los Angeles, January, 1. 1883. She was formerly Miss Kate Smith, a native of California, having been born September 26, 1856, in Coloma, just across the river from Sutter's Mill. Her father. Dr. David Steward Smith, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, educated in the Royal College of Surgeons, in

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Edinburgh. He was one of the pioneer physicians in California, having come to San Francisco in 1848, eating his Christmas dinner that year in the San Francisco harbor. He first practiced his profession in San Francisco, then in Coloma, and later in different parts of California, ac- quiring a wide reputation because of the skill he manifested in his work. He was a man of fine physique, being six feet, one and a half inches tall, and weighing three hundred pounds, and was said to be the largest man in the state. He was a prominent Mason fraternally and in- terested in the workings of the organization. He inherited considerable wealth as he was an only child, owning five schooners that were engaged in East Indian and China trade, which he later disposed of. His death occurred in San Fran- cisco in 1875. His wife was formerly Amelia Crofton, who was born in London, England, an only child of Major Crofton, an officer in the English army. She spent her last days with Mr. Agoure and family, her death occurring in 1891. She was the mother of four children, of whom two are living: Mrs. Amy Foster of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Agoure, being second in order of birth. She received her education in the public schools of California, coming to the south- ern part of the state in 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Agoure are the parents of the following chil- dren : Juliette, wife of Leo DeCelis, of Los An- geles ; Angele; Bijou ; Beatrice; Lester Pierre, and Vivian. Mr. Agoure and his family are members of the Cathedral of Los Angeles and devoted to the support of its charities. Politi- cally he is a true-blue Republican, and although never desirous of personal recognition has never- theless given time and energy to the advance- ment of the principles he endorses. He is a worthy and esteemed citizen in every particular, appreciated for the high qualities of character he has displayed during his long residence in Southern California.

WILLIAM BENJAMIN TRIPP is a na- tive son of California, his birth having oc- curred in San Bernardino February 15. 1861. His education was received through the me- dium of the public schools in San Jacinto and Temecula, where he was reared to young man- hood. He drove the stage from Julian to Col- ton for three years (from 1879 to 1882), run- ning from Julian to Warner's ranch, thence to Oak Grove and Bergman, and on to Teme- cula and San Jacinto, and thence to Colton, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles. Just about this time he took a position in a store at Julian, remaining seventeen months, then took the position occupied by Mrs. Tick- nor as teacher in the Indian schools, discharg-

ing the duties in this capacity until June, 1884. a period of six months. In the meantime, in 1883, he had married Alice M. Hopkins, who was born on a vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, a daughter of F. M. Hopkins, an early settler of Julian, and later a merchant in the country. After giving up mercantile affairs he lived re- tired in Hemet until his death, which occurred in November, 1906.

Following his resignation as teacher Mr. Tripp prepared to establish a home near the Cahuilla Indian village, where he took up seven hundred and twenty acres in partner- ship with his brother, S. A., the property be- coming known as the Tripp valley ranch. Here they engaged in the raising of cattle on a large scale, having several hundred head, for which they had three brands, Mr. Tripp's being a small letter "H" turned back, his brother's the same with a bar above it, and the company's an "O" with a half circle joining it on the top of the letter. In 1886 Mr. Tripp engaged in the meat business with his brother. O. C., but later sold out his interest. and with Mr. Hopkins established a similar enterprise in San Jacinto, which is still a leading busi- ness in that city. He opened a meat market in Hemet in 1902 and conducted it success- fully for a year and seven months, then giving it over to his son, who, after having it in charge for two years, turned it over to the care of his father. In 1905 Mr. Tripp bought out his brother, O. C. Tripp, who was con- ducting a meat market. and with his partner. Mr. Hopkins, established an extensive busi- ness, having a cold storage plant, a slaughter house in the vicinity of San Jacinto and a large refrigerator at each market, with every appurtenance for conducting a successful business. At the same time he has remained actively identified with the raising of cattle. which enterprise is looked after by his oldest son and carried on in the San Jacinto moun- tains. He has met with unusual success in his work, has acquired a competence, and has at the same time built up for himself a place in the esteem and confidence of those who have known him throughout his entire busi- ness career, which has been passed in this section. He is respected for the qualities no- ticeable in both his business and private life and no citizen more deserves the esteem in which he is held.

In 1902 Mr. Tripp established his home in Hemet, where he has built a comfortable house. Twelve children were born to himself and wife and ten are living: Edith R .: Ar- thur, engaged in the cattle business with his father : Rose E .; Rov M .: Alberta D .: Hester A .: Annie L. : Xava : Iris Deveda : and Naomi.

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Mr. Tripp was school trustee in Cahuilla for sixteen years and has held other positions of trust and responsibility, being an ex-member of the county central committee for the Demo- cratic party, of which tenets he is a stanch adherent. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows' Lodge at Hemet and the Rebekahs at San Jacinto; the Knights of the Maccabees of Hemet; and the Fraternal Aid of the same place. He takes a strong interest in all move- ments tending toward the advancement of his home town, but is not narrow in his public interests, supporting state and national issues in a loyal and hearty manner.

W. CLIFFORD SMITH. As a merchant of Long Beach W. Clifford Smith is active in the upbuilding of the place, being located at Nos. 810-822 East Fourth street, where he carries on a feed and fuel business. A native of Clarke. county, Ohio, born July 3, 1873, he is a son of Oliver Smith, the latter a pioneer of Clarke county and a farmer until compelled to seek a milder climate on account of his health, when he came to Long Beach, Cal., and spent the re- mainder of his days. His wife, Margaret B. (Negus) Smith, survives him and is now re- siding in Long Beach at the age of seventy-two years.

W. Clifford Smith was reared in his native state, his preliminary education being received in the public schools of Springfield. . Subse- quently his parents located in Emporia, Kans., where he attended and graduated from the high school. After farming in Kansas for a time, the father located in Denver, Colo., and engaged in the insurance business. In that city W. C. Smith attended and graduated from the Central Business College in 1895, after which the family came to Long Beach, Cal., on account of the father's health. Here he purchased the feed business owned and conducted by John Wilson, located at that time at No. 121 Pine street. As the town grew the business was moved to First and Locust streets, a lot being purchased in that location and the old buildings moved upon it. After three years he came to his present location. For three years he was associated in business with F. N. Lewis, during which time he took a commercial course in the College of Commerce of the State University at Berkeley. His busi- ness has continued to grow in extent and he has recently established a second office and ware- house at Fourth and Alamitos streets. He has taken an active part in the upbuilding of Long Beach, himself putting up two residences, one of which, at No. 344 East Sixth street, he makes his home and the other he rents.

In Springhill, Kans., in 1901, Mr. Smith was

united in marriage with Gladys L. Phillips, and they have one son, W. Clifford, Jr. In his fra- ternal relations Mr. Smith is a prominent Mason, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, Scottish Rite and Shrine, all of Long Beach. Politically he is a Republican and a stanch advocate of the principles of this party, although personally he has never cared for official recognition, and in religion is a birth- right member of the Friends Church. He has been active in the growth of Long Beach, being a stockholder in the new hotel, a member of the Board of Trade, and a member and one of the organizers of the Cosmopolitan Club, to which he gave the name. He was also one of the organizers of the city library, its secretary, and for two years its president, and much is owed to his efforts in this line. He has established a place of prominence for himself in this city and is held in high esteem for the many qualities which have distinguished his citizenship.

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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 73

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