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 85

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

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Concerning the experiences of the soldiers

at Fort Yuma in those early days Joseph Swy- caffer, an old comrade of Samuel Warnock, has given this statement : "Although the establish- ment of the post at Fort Yuma was a benefit to the emigrant it was a death trap to many a soldier. It was one of the most forbidding and desolate places at that time on the continent of America; there was no rest for the wicked and no peace for the righteous. The red men were always on the alert to surprise the camp and murder the occupants. This was in 1850, and they were then particularly active in their efforts to destroy the camp. The year before they were successful in their raid on the Clanton party near the same place, destroying the entire party of over forty people, not one escaping to tell the tale.

"Thus it was that the soldiers were always on duty and slept on their arms, if sleep they could, with the thermometer ranging any- where from one hundred and twelve to one hundred and thirty-two degrees, with swarms of gnats and flies by day and myriads of mos- quitoes by night. The soldiers' rations were of the poorest kind and no vegetables of any sort whatever-old army stores that perhaps had been lying in warehouses since the com- mencement of the Mexican war, then shipped to California for the troops in service here. The rations were five or six months at sea in a ship's hold before reaching Benicia, thence to San Diego, thence across the mountains and desert to Fort Yuma, about a year in transit. Under such conditions disease broke out and it did not take long to start a grave- yard under the hill at Fort Yuma. It will readily be seen that the available force of the camp was soon greatly reduced and that the lives of all depended entirely upon the bravery and endurance of a few hardy men whom neither climate, red men or other productions of this 'hell hole' (as it was called) could swerve from duty. One of those brave boys was the comrade who has heard and answered the last bugle call. He had the entire confi- dence of his officers and if there was any dan- gerous or confidential duty to be done, Sam- 11el Warnock was always on the detail. He completed his service in 1854. and was honor- ably discharged, with character good."

After leaving the army Mr. Warnock was engaged by the quartermaster's department at Fort Yuma to carry the mail to that point from San Diego. The work was one of ex- ceeding difficulty and taxed the powers of en- durance of even a hardy man, while none but the bravest would attempt the work. It was felt by all that he was the man for the place. Not only was he the possessor of fearless cour- age which no peril could daunt, but in addition

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he had a thorough knowledge of the desert and the mountains and hence could find his way over the trackless stretch of sands and barren wastes. For three years he pursued this haz- ardous undertaking and then resigned in order to take up ranching.

The distinction of having been the first farmer in Ballena valley, San Diego county, belonged to Samuel Warnock. It was he who in 1855 turned the first furrows and sowed the first seed in the rich virgin soil of the valley, and for years afterward he was intimately as- sociated with the agricultural development of the region. As newcomers began to be at- tracted to the district they came to him for ad- vice as to land and from the first he wielded a large influence among his fellow-workers. In all business transactions he was the soul of honor, and never was known to dispute a debt nor to owe a dollar he did not pay. Often strangers came to his door in search of lodging and food, and none was refused shelter and the hospitality of the table, although most of these were unable to make any return for the kindness. He was ever ready to help others, even those who had been unfriendly to him were treated with the same generous spirit shown toward his friends. A citizen of irre- proachable life and kindly heart, he was mourned when death ended his labors, No- vember 9, 1905, and it was felt throughout the entire valley that one of its greatest men was gone from among the people. His marriage united him with Maria Bradley, who was born in the north of Ireland.

The old homestead of four hundred and twenty acres, which forms one of the finest ranches in the valley, is now owned by the family and operated by the three sons of the former owner, all of whom were born in San Diego, the dates of their births being as fol- lows: Robert, February 26, 1876; Samuel H., October 20, 1877; and James B., Christmas day of 1879. The only daughter now living, Elizabeth Ann, was born April 11, 1883. The young men have been life long residents of San Diego county and are familiar with its ag- ricultural conditions. As yet none of the three has married, but they remain together, work- ing in partnership the tract inherited from the estate. At this writing they have two hun -.

dred acres in grain and much of the remain- ing acres are in pasturage, affording facilities for the care of a large number of head of stock. In the management of the land they display energy and wise judgment, and already they rank among the capable agriculturists of the valley.

JAMES L. DOUGHERTY. A pioneer of the state and one of its most successful ranchers and dairymen, James L. Dougherty, of Norwalk, has succeeded in establishing for himself a posi- tion of high esteem among the citizens of this section of Los Angeles county. He is of south- ern birth and lineage, his birth having occurred in Grayson county, Va., June 17, 1847; his parents, Charles and Rosamond ( Hale) Dougher- ty, were natives respectively of North Carolina and Virginia. In 1868 they came to California with their son and located in Los Angeles county, living first at El Monte and then at Azusa, where the death of the father occurred after an active career as a farmer, which pursuit he followed throughout his entire life. His wife survives him and makes her home in Pomona, Cal. Mr. Dougherty was identified with the Odd Fellows fraternally and politically was a stanch advocate of Democratic principles. Both himself and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Of their seven chil- dren, one son is deceased, and the remaining children are living in California.

The family removing to Texas when James L. Dougherty was but four years old, he received his education in the common schools of that state. He was a very youthful recruit when he enlisted in Captain White"s company, Gittings Battalion, under General Ford's command for service in the Civil war, but no more faithful or courageous soldier was found than he during the three years in which he acted in various capacities in the cause he loved. After the close of the war he remained in Texas until 1866, when he set out for California, only reaching San Antonio, however, before he turned back to the old home place and began raising cotton. He finally sold out and with his parents in 1868 made the trip overland with mule-teams to the El Dorado state, from San Bernardino journey- ing to El Monte, where they passed the ensu- ing two years. Mr. Dougherty then engaged in ranching and finally went to Azusa, where he purchased a tract of thirty acres and later set it out in fruit of various kinds. He remained in that section for about fifteen years and during this time was compelled to fight for his land, which was a part of a Spanish grant; he won the suit, however, and retained the property. Disposing of his interests in Azusa he came to the vicinity of Artesia, purchased thirty-five acres, later sold it, and bought his present ranch of one hundred and sixty acres. This is devoted to grain and alfalfa, while much of his time is given over to the management of a dairy, which is supplied by thirty-five cows of fine stock, the product being shipped to Los Angeles. He has improved his property by the erection of a com- fortable residence, barns and outbuilding and

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

all necessary equipment for conducting a suc- cessful ranching enterprise.

In Texas, in 1868, Mr. Dougherty was united in marriage with Miss Lorinda C. Barling, a native of Missouri, and born in McDonald county in 1851. Her father, Henry A. Barling, was born in Baltimore, Md., and reared in Fort Smith, Ark., while the mother, Sarah Price in maidenhood, was a native of Missouri. The mother died when her daughter (who was one of seven children, four of whom are living) was but a small child; later the family removed to Texas, where the father passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty became the parents of the following children: Sybil, who died at the age of three years ; Charles, at home ; and Frank H., who died June 20, 1900, while on a trip to Tahiti Island for his health, and was buried at sea. He left a widow, formerly Esther Lowenstein, and two children, one of whom has since died at the age of five years. Fraternally Mr. Dougherty is a meinber of the Knights of the Maccabees, of Artesia, and politically is a lifelong Democrat. He supports the Methodist Episcopal Church South of which his wife is a member. Mr. Dougherty is highly esteemed throughout this section and merits the position of general respect which he enjoys.

BERNHARD MAIER. So closely allied is the name of Bernhard Maier with that of the Greater Los Angeles Realty Company, that to mention one immediately suggests the other. The company has been in existence since September, 1905, at which time Bernhard Maier, Henry Kahn, Samuel J. Harris and Samuel Waktor united their efforts under the name of the Greater Los Angeles Realty Company and have since carried on an immense business in their line, operating in Los Angeles and the adjoining country, principally, although they also buy and sell improved and unimproved property in other parts of the country.

Bernhard Maier is of German nativity and was born in the town of Reckendorf, Bavaria, April 8, 1869, the son of Hirsch and Fannie (Raiss) Maier, they too being natives of the Fatherland. The public schools of his home town furnished him with the only training he was destined to receive in that line, for when he was scarcely more than a primary student he had formulated plans whereby the remainder of his life was to be associated with the New World. In 1886, when a lad of seventeen years of age, he debarked from the German port of Bremen and nine days later had passed inspection at Castle Garden, New York City. Without loss of time in the east he immediately made his way overland to Los Angeles, Cal., .reaching this city

August 10, 1886. Though unfamiliar with our customs and language he proved so apt a scholar in both that these disadvantages were only tem- porary handicaps. Going to Norwalk, Cal., he secured a clerkship in the general merchandise establishment of Speier & Swigart, a position which he held for eight years, having served his employer well and faithfully during that time. The national characteristic of thrift had been generously bestowed upon him by a long line of German ancestors, as was demonstrated dur- ing the eight years just mentioned. So frugally hrad he saved his earnings and so carefully had he noted and studied the details of the business, that upon leaving his first position he felt him- self qualified to start in business for himself. Going to Rincon, Riverside county, in February, 1894, he established a merchandise business which he managed with good financial results for six years. In the meantime he had been appointed postmaster of the town, serving for four years in this capacity under the presidency of Grover Cleveland, besides which he also acted as agent for the Santa Fe Railroad for about one year. In 1899, after selling his stock and good-will to L. Wells & Son, he went to Benson, Ariz., and again established a general merchandise busi- ness, which he conducted personally for five years and ten months, after which he turned its management over to his brother, L. Maier, and Henry Waktor, although Mr. Maier himself still owns the business. As the stock carried is first-class in every way, and always has been from the time the store was established, an immense and dependable patronage has been the result, goods being handled both in wholesale and retail quantities. In order to carry out a business undertaking which had been under con- sideration for some time Mr. Maier found it. necessary to give the entire management of this large business into the care of others, and since September of 1905, his own time has been given entirely to the new company then organized and known as the Greater Los Angeles Realty Com- pany, with offices in the Huntington building, Los Angeles.

Mr. Maier's home at No. 1610 Union avenue, Los Angeles, is carefully presided over by his wife, to whom he was married in this city May 12, 1895, and who before her marriage was Frieda Fichtelberger, a daughter of Moses and Minnie (Stern) Fichtelberger. Of the two chil- dren born of this marriage Louis, born in Rin- con, Cal., December 5, 1897, is the only one liv- ing. The other child, Norma, born in Benson, Ariz., May 31, 1901, was taken from them by death September 10, 1904. Mr. Maier's busi- ness duties consume the greater part of his time and thought, but not however to the exclusion of his fraternal obligations, which are numerous

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and varied. He was initiated into the Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks in Lodge No. 671 in Bisbee, Ariz., and is now a member of Westgate Lodge No. 335 of Los Angeles. He also belongs to Artesia Tent No. 10, K. O. T. M., of Artesia, Cal .; and Circle City Lodge I. O. F., of Corona, Cal., of which latter lodge he had held the position of financial secretary for three years. His initiation into the order of Foresters occurred in Norwalk, Cal., he being one of the charter members of his lodge. Fraternally Mr. Maier is a believer in Republican principles.

ADOLPH MULLER. The late Adolph Muller is remembered as one of the prominent citizens of San Pedro, where he was located for many years prior to his death, which occurred in June, 1904, at the age of sixty-nine years. He was a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Breton Hebein where his ancestors had been located for generations. He was reared to young manhood in his native country and was apprenticed to learn the trade of ship carpenter, which he mastered. He spent a large portion of his young manhood on the sea and in the course of his travels came to the coast of California. Landing at San Francisco he decided to settle here permanently and engage in building, which occupation he followed for some time. In 1882 he came to Los Angeles in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, thence com- ing to San Pedro and following the same work until his retirement.

Mr. Muller was twice married, his first wife being Annetta Wyllie, who was born in Los Angeles and died in San Pedro. In San Ber- nardino, he was united in marriage with Marie Pico, who was born near San Diego, Cal., a daughter of Jose Antonio Pico, a brother of Governor Pio Pico and of Gen. Andreas Pico, all of whom were sons of Jose Marie Pico. The elder man, an officer under the Mexican govern- ment, located in San Diego, Cal., and later settled in San Gabriel, where his death occurred. Jose Antonio Pico, who was born in San Diego county, became a military man and as a lieutenant served for many years in the army located in various parts of California, from the extreme southern portion to Benicia, Solano county. About the time of the American occupation of the state he was retired, making his home on the Santa Margarita ranch, in San Diego county, of which he was part owner. He married Magdalena Baca, a native of Santa Fe, N. Mex., and a daughter of Manuel Baca, an early settler of Solano county, where he became an extensive land owner. He was a man of fine character, tracing his descent to the Bacas of Castile, Spain. He became a prominent man and citizen in So-

lano county, taking an active part in its develop- ment and upbuilding, the town of Vacaville be- ing named for him. Mrs. Pico died in San Bernardino, Cal., leaving the following children : Francisco, engaged in the cattle business in San Jacinto; Pio, a farmer near Tucson, Ariz .; Jose, located in San Juan Capistrano; Francisca, of San Bernardino; Andreas, a farmer at Ocean- side, Cal .; Manuel, located in San Jacinto ; Marie ; Rudecinda, wife of M. Aguirre, of San Jacinto; and Dolores, Mrs. Huzzalla, of San Bernardino. Marie Pico was reared in San Jacinto, River- side county, Cal., where her father was then en- gaged in stock-raising, their home being known as Casa Lonia, which interpreted means "House on the Hill". She received her education in St. Catherine's Academy and in young womanhood became the wife of Mr. Muller, since whose death she has continued to make her home in San Pedro. She is a devout member of the Catholic Church, in which faith she was reared. Her husband was associated fraternally with the Knights of Pythias, serving as treasurer of the lodge of which he was a member.

SCHUYLER COLE. Since becoming a resi- dent of Colegrove and a promoter of its financial, commercial and landed development, Mr. Cole has accomplished much in behalf of local prog- ress. During the year 1902 he opened a branch of the Bank of Santa Monica at Sawtelle of which he was manager for several years, and still holds the position of assistant cashier in the Bank of Santa Monica. Besides being a close student of the financial world and a discriminating judge of banking affairs, he has an expert knowledge of real estate values in the region lying between Los Angeles and the ocean. As a member of the real estate firm of Loomis & Cole, he was inter- ested in the opening of the Artesian tract of one hundred acres adjoining Sawtelle on the west, which was platted into residence lots and has proved a successful investment for all parties concerned. With the addition of another partner and under the title of Health, Loomis & Cole, the firm carries on a real estate brokerage business at Ocean Park and acts as selling agents for the Santa Monica Land and Water Company.

A son of Senator Cornelius Cole, a native of Lodi, Seneca county, N. Y., and for years a lead- ing man of affairs in California, Schuyler Cole was born in Schuyler county, N. Y., February 4. 1865, and received a fair education in the gram- mar and high schools of San Francisco, preparing for admission to Cornell University, but obliged to forego higher educational advantages on ac- count of poor health. In company with his brother, Seward Cole, in 1880 he came to his father's ranchi at Colegrove, Los Angeles county.

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William Volkmar

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and here engaged in raising wheat and barley on an extensive scale. For a long period he re- mained on the ranch, but in 1898 he left in order to become superintendent and general man- ager of the Gold Bug mine near Grant's Pass in Oregon, a well-known and rich quartz mine with a stamp mill and full equipment. During the four years in which he had charge of the mine he gained a practical knowledge of mining as con- ducted in Oregon and proved successful as a superintendent. On the sale of the mine in 1902 he returned to Colegrove, where he has since made his home. October 1, 1906, he organized the Occident Motor Car Company, of which he is president and manager, and which has the Pa- cific coast agency for the Cartercar.

At Santa Monica in December of 1896, Mr. Cole was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Gorham, who was born in Ohio and is niece of Senator Jones of Santa Monica. Possessing genial companionable traits, an affable manner and uniform courtesy of demeanor, Mr. Cole en- joys a high standing in society and is a prominent member of the Jonathan Club of Los Angeles. Supplementing these traits which contribute to his personal popularity, he possesses keen judg- ment and untiring energy in the prosecution of business affairs, and is therefore able to maintain the highest standing among men of commerce. Though not a partisan in political views, he stanchly advocates the principles of the Republi- can party and invariably gives his support to the party's candidates in national elections.

WILLIAM VOLKMOR. The substantial and well-to-do citizens of Whittier have no better respresentative than William Volkmor, who is actively identified with the industrial interests of this part of the county, and stands high among the keen, progressive business men of the place. A man of strong individuality, possessing excellent executive ability, and an expert mechanic, he served for many years as foreman of the blacksmithing department at the state school, where his personal influ- ence was felt and appreciated. A son of Levi Volkmor, he was born, August 30, 1864, in Massillon, Stark county, Ohio, of German an- cestry.

A native of Germany. Levi Volkmor immi- grated to the United States when a young man, locating in Ohio, where for a few years he ran the tow-boat from Cleveland to Cin- cinnati. Settling then in Massillon, Stark county, he entered the Russell machine shops, where he had charge of the department in which threshing machines were manufactured for twenty-two consecutive years. On retir-

ing from that position he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Stark county, and having made excellent improvements up- on it is now devoting himself to its manage- ment, meeting with good success as an agri- culturist. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Ertle, has resided in Stark county dur- ing her entire life.

Having completed his early education in the public schools, William Volkmor learned the trade of a horse-shoer, serving an apprentice- ship of four years with his uncle, Adam Volk- mor. Coming then with his brother Adam to California, he arrived in Los Angeles in No- vember, 1888, just at the time the great land boom collapsed, and the people were nearly discouraged, the city being in a rather demoral- ized condition. However, he was fortunate enough to secure work on the day of his ar- rival, but three weeks later his brother died. and he returned with his body to their old home in Massillon. Coming back before very long to Los Angeles, Mr. Volkmor worked at his trade for three years, being employed for six months by one man, and working on the east side for another blacksmith for two and one-half years.

Being then appointed foreman of the black- smithing department in the state school at Whittier, Mr. Volkmor retained the position for twelve years, three months and fifteen days. giving good satisfaction. Serving through various administrations, he had boys from twelve to fifteen years of age under his instruction, and as a teacher was very suc- cessful, his moral influence in the schools be- ing good, his pupils becoming expert work- men, and honest, upright citizens. Resigning from the school, Mr. Volkmor opened a shop at the corner of College and Greenleaf streets, Whittier, where he has since been busily em- ploved as a general blacksmith, horse-shoer and horse-clipper, doing an annual business that amounts to from $8,000 to $10,000, keep- ing two or three men to assist him in his work. When he arrived in Los Angeles he had but $40, and that same day he lost his money and everything that he possessed excepting the clothes that he wore. Beginning then at the very foot of the ladder of success, he has steadily mounted, rung by rung, and is well entitled to his present fine position among the self-made men of our dav.

In Whittier, Mr. Volkmor married Sarah King, who was born in Michigan, a daughter of Michael King, and into their household three children have been horn. Hilda Mary, Mildred Barbara and Charles Walter. Mr. Volkmor, true to the religious faith in which he was reared, is a member of the Catholic Church.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

J. R. ABBOT. Associated with agricultural development of Los Angeles county, J. R. Abbot occupies a prominent place among the represen- tative citizens of this section, where he has been located since 1893 and engaged in the cul- tivation of a twenty-five acre ranch. He was born in Lansing, Mich., March 30, 1865, the rep- resentative of an old eastern family established on American soil in the colonial days of our history. His grandfather was a noted lawyer and representative to the legislature which met in Boston, before the separation of Maine from the Boston Bay colony. His father, Theophilis C. Abbot, was a Congregational clergyman who was born in Vassalboro, Me .; he was the first professor of the Ann Arbor high school, which position he retained for about three years, when in 1857 he accepted a call to the Lansing State Agricultural College, and the following year was elected president of the same institution. Thirty years later impaired health compelled his resignation from this position but he still held an important chair until his death, which occurred . in his sixty-sixth year. His devoted zeal and enthusiasm in the upbuilding of this institution won him commendation among those who rec- ognized his endeavors; for with others he en- dured the hardships of maintaining this school as it was the first agricultural college established in the United States and was necessarily forced to combat the prejudice of many who failed to see the need of scientific education along this line. In his political convictions the Rev. Mr. Abbot was always a stanch Republican. In Ann Arbor, Mich., he was married to Miss Sarah Merrylees, who was born in Lerwick, on the Shetland Isles, and she is still surviving and making her home with her son on his California ranch and enjoy- ing good health at the age of seventy-eight years. She had one other child, a daughter, Mary M., who became the wife of C. M. Moore and died in 1902 leaving one daughter, Margaret.

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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 85

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