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 89

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

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Six sons and one daughter comprised the family of Moses Bacon, of whom the third son, Elmer, was born at Cortland, Trumbull county, Ohio, May 6, 1838, and received a fair education in common and select schools. While still quite young he left home in order to see something of the world, it being his intention to settle in Iowa. But a disagreement arose with a cousin, in whose company he traveled, and he was led for that rea- son to change his plans and join an expedition to Pike's Peak, then attracting thousands of gold- seekers. When he arrived in Denver there were only a few settlers in the place and prospects for work were so discouraging that he returned to Ohio. where he took up school teaching. When the Civil war began his younger brother enlisted, and as he was a delicate lad. the older brother gave up his school and enlisted in the Fourteenth Ohio Infantry in order to be with the one less

antonio Tamcasini

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sturdy than himself. The two fought side by side and served honorably until the expiration of their time, escaping imprisonment and injury.

At the close of the war Mr. Bacon became in- terested in wholesale and retail milling at Corry, Pa., and from there in 1877 he removed to Streator, Ill., where he engaged in the wholesale and retail flour business for sixteen years. Mean- while both himself and wife began to suffer from poor health and for this reason they made a tour of Southern California, hoping that a temporary change would benefit them so as to permit their return to Illinois. While they found their trip in 1893 proved even more beneficial than they dared to hope, they were so attracted by the charm of the ocean and the climate that they settled in Long Beach, where Mr. Bacon re- mained until his deatlı, in November of 1898. During the latter part of his life he lived retired, taking little part in the activities of the town, but enjoying to the full the tranquil sunshine and the pure ocean air.

While living at Corry, Pa., Mr. Bacon married, in August, 1868, Miss Fannie L. Frisbie, who was born at Madison, Lake county, Ohio, and now resides at No. 446 Pacific avenue, Long Beach. In religion she is identified with the Christian Church and maintains a warm interest in its progress. The only child of her marriage, Lura B., now Mrs. H. W. Wohlgemuth, resides at Glendora, this state. Mrs. Bacon was a daughter of Henry and Eliza ( Astly) Frisbie, na- tives respectively of Connecticut and Ohio, the former of whom migrated to Ohio in young man- hood and settled on a farm near Madison, where he remained until death. While Mr. Bacon never took an active part in politics he kept posted concerning public matters and gave his support to the Republican party. The old war days were kept in memory through his associa- tion with members of the Grand Army of the Republic, while in fraternal affairs he affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

ANTONIO TOMASINI. Few of the na- tive sons of Switzerland have worked out their dreams of agricultural success in California with more patience and perseverance than did Antonio Tomasini. During thirty-three years, from the time of his arrival on the coast at the age of sixteen, to his lamented death near Casmalia, Santa Barbara county, February 2. 1898, he advanced from an unknown lad to one of the prosperous and influential dairy- men of the Santa Maria valley, the possessor of a model and paying property, and the es- teem and good will of all who had ever known him.

Mr. Tomasini came of forefathers long iden-

tified with farming and dairying in Switzer- land, and his birth occurred on a small Alpine farın January 8, 1849. His own existence failed to reflect the longevity enjoyed by his parents, his father surviving until his eighty- fifth year, while his mother, at the same age, gives promise of several more years of use- fulness. There were eleven children in the family, and three still are residents of Cali- fornia. Antonio began to work at the dairy business soon after his arrival in California, and spent about four years in Sonoma county, removing from there to Salinas county, and from there to Guadaloupe, Santa Barbara county, where he conducted a brewery for about eight years. From there he went to Point Sal, where he had a dairy, and after five years located on a ranch near Casmalia, this county, where terminated his useful, well- directed career. He was the personification of industry, and always lived within his means.

To the co-operation and sympathy of a capa- ble wife Mr. Tomasini attributed much of his success in life. He married, July 1, 1878, Vir- ginia Bonetti, who also was born in Switzer- land, and whose mother, Domenica Piezzi. died in that country when fifty-three years old. Her father, Paul Bonetti, immigrated to the United States, and died at the home of his daughter near Casmalia, at the age of sev- enty-one years. Four children came to bright- en the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tomasini: Sil- vio, Ellis, Isadore and Romilda. Two years after the death of her husband Mrs. Tomasini purchased the ranch upon which she since has lived with her children, and which has the reputation of being one of the best equipped dairying plants in the county. It is largely under the management of Mrs. Tomasini, who has mastered every detail of the business, and is possessed of shrewd financial and executive ability. She has about thirty cows, and man- ufactures butter which she sells to the stores. In connection with the dairy, the children of Mrs. Tomasini lease several hundred acres of land and conduct a general farming and stock- raising business. They are all industrious and capable. and inherit the thirft and ambition of Their parents. Mrs. Tomasini is a devout mem- ber of the Catholic Church at Guadaloupe.

SHIRLEY V. BACON. Distinguished as the pioneer photographer of Long Beach and as one of the leading artists of Los Angeles- county. Shirley V. Bacon is justly entitled to mention in a work of this character. By skill and ability in his profession he has built up a fine business in this vicinity, having an excellent patronage and commanding good prices for his work. A son of

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Oliver C. Bacon, he was born August 11, 1878, in Streator, La Salle county, Ill., where he grew to man's estate. A native of Ohio, the father immigrated to Illinois when young, and after the close of the Civil war located in Streator, Ill. From there, in 1895, he came to Los Angeles, Cal., where he resided until his death. He married Emma Kelly, who was born in Virginia, and is now a resident of Long Beach. She bore him three children, two sons and one daughter, of whom Shirley V. is the second-born.

Receiving his education in the public schools of his native town Shirley V. Bacon was gradu- ated from the Streator high school in 1896, and soon after began the study of photography, for which his artistic talent peculiarly. fitted him. Subsequently leaving Streator he followed his profession in many different cities, including Franklin, Marion and Anderson, in Indiana : Augusta, Ga .; Columbus, S. C., and Champaign, Ill. Coming to California in 1900, he located at Long Beach, opening a studio at No. 119 East Ocean avenue, and has since carried on a sub- stantial business. His artistic talent, aided by his many years of experience, has given him a strong hold on the vast possibilities of the future, which every artist is trying to seize, and his work now compares favorably with that done by his profes- sional brethren in the larger cities of the east.

At Long Beach, Cal., May 30, 1903, Mr. Bacon married Grace Mendenhall, a native of Iowa, and their pleasant home, which he erected at the corner of Ninth and Magnolia streets, is ever open to their large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. Politically Mr. Bacon is independ- ent, voting for the best men and measures. Fra- ternally he is a member of Long Beach Lodge, K. of P., of which he was secretary two years, and of Long Beach Lodge, B. P. O. E.

GRANT SIMPSON STONE. The fame of Long Beach and the band which plays there the year around are inseparable and as manager of the first band which began furnishing continuous entertainment to residents of, and visitors to, the city, Grant Simpson Stone has been prominent in contributing this feature to the enterprises which have made Long Beach the thriving city that it is today. This is but one of the ways he has assisted in the upbuilding of Long Beach, however, and besides carrying on a successful real estate business, he is actively interested in various other enterprises. At one time he also set out a forty-acre orange grove at La Habra, Orange county, and otherwise improved the ranch.

July 23. 1862, Mr. Stone was born near Madi- son, in Dane county, Wis., the son of Ethel Sam- uel Stone, who was born in New York, and the

grandson of Dr. Ethel Samuel Stone, during his lifetime an eminent physician of that state. The father removed to Ohio, later to Dane county, Wis., where he became a pioneer farmer, and finally to Grant county, that state, locating on a farm near Bloomington, where his death occur- red. The mother, who was before her marriage, Melvina Boyles, was a native of Athens county, Ohio, and died in Wisconsin. Of the twelve chil- dren in the family all grew to maturity and seven are yet living, Grant Simpson being the youngest. He was five years of age when taken by his parents to Bloomington, where he re- ceived his education through the medium of the public schools. Remaining on the home farm until he was of age, he then married and followed the occupation of farming for one year. Remov- ing to Madison he took up the study of teleg- raphy and nine months later secured the position of agent at Edgerton. From there he went to Pipestone, Minn., and continued in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway until F. D. Underwood was made general manager of the Soo line, when he became agent at Tenney, Minn., and later filled the same position in An- nandale, remaining there two and one-half years, and becoming one of the incorporators of that citv.

In 1889 Mr. Stone came to California and en- tered the employ of the Southern Pacific, which soon sent him to Wilcox, Arizona, as telegraph operator and during the following two years he was employed in the same capacity at different times in Benson and Tucson. Returning to Cal- ifornia he was given the station at Compton and there remained for nine years, after which he was sent by Wells, Fargo & Company to Long Beach to open their first regular city office at that place on Second street, near Pacific. A year later he resigned the position to engage in the real estate business, and being a talented cornetist he at the same time organized the Long Beach band, which later became the Long Beach Marine Band, of which he continued to be manager until May, 1904, when he relinquished the position in order that he might give all of his time to the prosecution of his real estate business, that having grown from a very small beginning to large proportions. He has laid out Lincoln Park tract, comprising eighty-five acres of land located . on the main line of the Pacific Electric Railroad's four-track system, and also on the line of the Southern Pacific. There are three hundred and eighty-five lots well situated and well drained. and the whole tract will be graded, curbed, side- walked and set to ornamental trees before the lots are deeded to buyers. The tract is within the corporate limits of Compton, and the lots have a fifty-foot frontage. He was one of the

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

original incorporators and is now president of the Ornamental Stone and Brick Company, en- gaged in the extensive manufacture of stone ce- ment blocks and brick, and carrying on, as well, a contracting and building business.

The family residence is located on Ocean ave- nute and Esperance street. By his marriage in Middleton, Dane county, Wis., he was united with Miss Jessie Sanford, and they have become the parents of four children, Edna, George, Ray and Harley. Fraternally Mr. Stone is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fra- ternal Aid Society, and he belongs to the First Congregational Church in Long Beach. Politi- cally he is a believer in Republican principles. He is an active member of the Chamber of Com- merce of this city, and every movement tending to forward the development of Long Beach has his enthusiastic support, and as a man of many admirable personal qualities he is highly esteemed by a host of friends and acquaintances.

ABRAHAM T. ORELLI. One of the young business men of Long Beach who is rapidly forg- ing to the front is Abraham T. Orelli, vice-presi- dent of the Orelli-McFadyen Company, which conducts a city livery at No. 127 West First street and is engaged in undertaking at No. 115 East Third street, both branches of the business being in a thriving condition. Augustine Orelli, the father of Abraham T., was born in Canton Ticino, Switzerland, in 1834, and as a young man plied the painter's and plasterer's trade. In 1845 he went to France and in 1858 came to California via the Panama route, locating in Placer county and later in Georgetown, and engaging in mining on the American river at Forest Hill divide. Subsequently he was occupied as a dairy- man for six years, and having met with good success in all of his ventures, returned to Switzer- land and married a daughter of his own native place, Marie Anna Orelli. Bringing his wife to Georgetown he then engaged in the hotel busi- ness until about 1892, when he bought an under- taking establishment which he still owns and which is now under the management of his son, C. A. Of their five children now living Camille A. is a funeral director in Georgetown; Abraham T. and Augustine J., are in business in Long Beach ; while Mary Louise and Rose reside with their parents in the same city. Mr. Orelli is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

The birth of Abraham T. Orelli occurred August 9, 1879, in Georgetown, Cal., and after acquiring an education in the public and high schools of that city he assisted his father in his undertaking business. In 1901 he went to Au-

burn and learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until 1904, when he again took up work with his father, continuing until January. 1906, when he came to Long Beach and engaged in his present business. The company was in- corporated in March with A. J. Orelli president ; A. T. Orelli vice-president ; Edgar McFadyen secretary, and became the successors of W. P. Wilson & Son. Mr. Orelli is a member of Georgetown Parlor No. 91, N. S. G. W .; and of the Woodmen of the World lodge of Long Beach. Politically he is a believer in the prin- ciples of the Republican party. His brother, A. J. Orelli, who is associated in business with him, was also born in Georgetown, and after attend- ing the public and high schools worked at under- taking for a time, then took a professional course in Myers College of Embalming of San Fran- cisco, graduating therefrom in 1903. He is a member of the State Funeral Directors' As- sociation of California and is considered one of the most competent men of the state in his line of work. He also belongs to Georgetown Parlor No 91, N. S. G. W., and fraternally holds mem- bership in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks lodge in Long Beach. Being young men of enterprise and energy and thoroughly trained in every department of their business their con- timied success is fully assured.

RAYMOND E. CHASE, M. D. Prominent in the medical fraternity of Los Angeles county is Raymond E. Chase, M. D., of Glendale. Pos- sessing keen intelligence, ability and good mental attainments he keeps in touch with modern, up- to-date methods in vogue in his profession, and is meeting with flattering results as a general practitioner, having an extensive practice in both Los Angeles and in his home town. Of substan- tial New England ancestry, he was born in New York state. His father, S. Everett Chase, was born and reared among the hills of the Granite state, and grew to manhood on the home estate, inheriting from his colonial ancestors habits of thrift and industry, and developing a strong, inanly character. He worked for several years as a machinist, and then removed with his family to Rochester, N. Y., where he was engaged in business as a shoe manufacturer for a few years. Coming from there to Los Angeles county, Cali- fornia. in 1883, he located in Glendale. Buying twenty acres of land, he improved it, and for awhile was pleasantly and profitably employed in diversified ranching. raising all kinds of decidu- ous fruits, and paving much attention to the culti- vation of oranges. Subsequently selling his ranch he lived retired from active pursuits until his cleatlı. October 28, 1904. During his residence in Glendale he evinced a genuine interest in local

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progress and improvement, heartily indorsing all enterprises calculated to benefit the town or county. For twelve years he was connected with the Childs' Track Pipe and Reservoir Company as its secretary. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic order. Politically he cast his vote for the best men and measures, independent of party restrictions, and for several terms served as road overseer. Mr. Chase married Ella T. Harris, of Rochester, N. Y., and she survives him, living in Glendale. Three children were born of their marriage, namely: W. E. Chase, of Los Angeles; Jennie L., wife of J. D. Robinson, of Los Angeles, and Raymond E.

Coming with his parents to Glendale in 1883 Raymond E. Chase acquired his rudimentary education in the public schools, after which he took the full course at the Los Angeles high school, receiving his diploma. Subsequently en- tering the medical department of the University of Southern California, at Los Angeles, he was graduated from that institution in 1901 with the degree of M. D. Since that.time he has been in active practice of his chosen profession, both in Los Angeles, where he has an office, and in Glen- dale, where, among his neighbors and friends, he has built up a large and lucrative patronage, his professional skill being recognized and appreci- ated.

September 14, 1904, Dr. Chase married May Rogers Pirtle, daughter of John A. Pirtle, well- known in business circles as president of the Bank of Los Angeles. They are parents of one child, Shirley E. The Doctor is prominent in medical circles, belonging to the Los Angeles County Medical Society, and likewise to the State Medical and the American Medical Asso- ciations. Fraternally he is a Mason, holding membership in Unity Lodge 368, F. & A. M., of Glendale, and is a member of Glendale Lodge No. 388, I. O. O. F.

OLIVER McCOY. It is a trite but true say- ing that industry hath its own reward, and this is nowhere better illustrated than in the life of Oliver McCoy. In 1900 he purchased one hun- dred acres of choice land lying five miles north of San Pedro, and during the six years which have since elapsed he has wrought a transforma- tion which the average rancher would have re- quired twice as long to perform. Neither time, money nor effort has been spared in bringing about present conditions, a fact which was dem- onstrated in the erection of his present resi- dence in 1902. It is a modern eight-room house, in which all of the accessories to convenience and comfort have been included.

Coy, of whom a more detailed account will be found in the sketch of Benton McCoy, given else- where in this volume. Until the home was broken up by the death of the father, Oliver McCoy, was a resident of Iowa, in whose public schools he was educated. Coming to California in 1881 he located near Long Beach, where he later bought fifty acres of land upon which he resided for seven years or until his removal to Los An- geles. Three years afterward he came to the vicinity of his present home, renting six hun- dred acres directly north of the ranch he now owns. As previously stated he purchased his present property in 1900.

Whatever of good fortune has fallen to Mr. McCoy has been brought about by the combined efforts of himself and wife, who has been a help- mate to him under all conditions. She was for- merly Mary Ann Matilda Bell, a native of Miss- issippi, and the ceremony which united her with Mr. McCoy was celebrated July 20, 1893. They have four children, Esther, Rena Lemar, Agnes B. and Frances Willard. Mrs. McCoy is a faith- ful member of the Baptist Church, while her husband is identified with the Presbyterian Church. His fraternal connections bring him into membership with Wilmington Lodge No. 130, A. O. U. W. From a material standpoint Mr. McCoy has been very successful, and his per- sonal attributes are in accord with sterling west- ern citizenship.

FRED I. KIMBALL. The long term of years during which Fred I. Kimball has been supervisor of the State Hospital for the Insane located in Highland is sufficient proof of his efficiency in that capacity and the satisfactory service he is rendering. He was born Sep- tember II, 1858, in Orleans county, Vt., the son of Dr. Isaac and Finette S. (Percival) Kimball, both of whom were also natives of Vermont. In 1861, during the Civil war, the mother went to the front as a nurse, and while taking care of the wounded soldiers contracted typhoid fever. Her husband, who attained the rank of a lieutenant and later was appointed to the medical staff, removed her from a tent where she was raving with fever and took her to the nearby home of a Mr. Mason, a Confed- erate sympathizer, and there she died in June, 1861, at the age of thirty-seven years, in Vir- ginia. Mr. Kimball's health became impaired while still serving in the army and he was sent home to act as a recruiting officer until the close of the conflict. He was a successful medical practitioner throughout his life, and lived to be seventy-six years old, his death hav- ing occurred in October, 1903.

Born in Iowa September 1. 1857, Oliver Mc- Coy is a son of John and Marietta (Miller) Mc- After securing a good common school educa-

W cable litter age

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tion in his native county Fred I. Kimball went to Independence, Iowa, and was for ten years engaged as an attendant in the hospital there. Later he became connected with the Elgin (Ill.) hospital as supervisor, retaining the posi- tion for three years. Returning to Indepen- dence he filled a similar position there and at the expiration of eighteen months came to Los Angeles and was steward of the Los Angeles hospital for two and one-half years. It was in June, 1893, that he came to the State Hospital for the Insane at Highland in the capacity of supervisor, and he continued to fill that position until December, 1904, when he resigned, nine months later returning to the position, which he has since filled.

Mr. Kimball became the father of three chil- dren, namely: Blanche, who was engaged in hospital work for four years in the California Hospital at Los Angeles, and is now the wife of Dr. Arthur F. Godin of that city ; Donald F., and Merritt Percival, the latter two being students of the Highland schools. Mrs. Kim- ball. who bore the maiden name of Maren A. Berg. a native of Norway, holds membership in the Congregational Church of Highland and is actively interested in all religious work. Fraternally Mr. Kimball was made a Mason in Independence, Iowa, in 1882, and still belongs to the lodge at that place; joined the Knights of Pythias lodge at Independence in 1887, and is a charter member of the Knights of Korasan of Los Angeles ; and in 1895 was made a mem- ber of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of Redlands.

WILLIAM CALEB LITTLEPAGE. When a young man of twenty years, well qualified by youthful energy for the arduous responsibility of pioneer life, Mr. Littlepage came to California in company with his father and other members of the family, and settled among the pioneers of Ballena district, San Diego county. By inheritance he possesses the chivalrous traits and genial manner char- acteristic of southerners. His parents, Will- iam W. and Mary Ann (Woods) Littlepage, were natives respectively of Virginia and Ken- tucky, and for some years made their home in Missouri, where W. Caleb was born Feb- ruary II, 1848. A few years later the father sought the cheaper lands of Texas and es- tablished a home in the midst of lonely fron- tier environments, where he labored with ceaseless industry but without the gratifica- tion of attaining success. Hearing much con- cerning the prospects offered by California to men of persistent application he determined to seek a home near the Pacific coast, and ac-

cordingly disposed of his Texas interests in 1868, loaded his effects in a wagon and with wife and children journeyed along the south- ern route. After a tedious trip behind an ox- team El Cajon valley was reached and a tem- porary home there established, but soon re- moval was made to the Ballena district . and land was taken up from the government. For many years the father lived on the quarter- section ranch he had pre-empted from the government and on that homestead he died in 1899, at the age of seventy-five years, and the demise of his wife occurred two years before, at sixty-five years of age.

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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 89

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