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 95

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

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Always interested in fraternal organiza- tions, Mr. Brown was active in a number of these during his residence in Minneapolis, and was especially interested in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows as a member of the lodge, encampment and kindred order of Re- bekahs. In 1888 he was chosen a delegate to the grand lodge and also represented at vari- ous times ,his local lodge at the Grand En- campment. In the work of organizing the Northern Light Lodge No. 121, of Minneap- olis, he was a leading factor and became one of its charter members, as also he was of Hen- nepin Encampment at Minneapolis. The Iola Lodge of Rebekahs in Minneapolis also owed its establishment largely to his energetic ef- forts and constant interest, and he was among its charter members. Though not a partisan in politics, he supports Republican candidates and believes thoroughly in the principles for which that party stands.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

J. DANIEL GARD. Prominent among the men of Long Beach, is J. Daniel Gard, who has been a resident of this city since 1901 and a con- stant contributor to its growth and progress. He was born on a farm in Warren county, Ohio, August 13, 1836 a son of John Gard, a Virginian by birth and a pioneer of Ohio in the year 1820. The elder man engaged as a farmer throughout the years of his manhood, dying on the family homestead at an advanced age. He inherited from English ancestors the sturdy qualities which distinguished his citizenship, acquiring a position of both affluence and influence in the section of country where he made his home. His wife, formerly Hannah Hisey, was a native of Virginia, but she received her education in War- ren County, Ohio.

The youth of J. Daniel Gard was passed upon his father's farm, receiving a practical training along business lines while he attended the public schools. In young manhood he followed the ex- ample of his father and engaged actively in farm- ing and stock-raising in Ohio, buying and selling stock. He traveled all over the state of Ohio in the course of his business, but preferred to make his home in Warren County, where he owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of fine land. This property he cultivated actively until 1887, in which year he was impelled to seek a milder cli- mate on account of impaired health ; coming to the Pacific slope, he spent an enjoyable seven months in Southern California. He returned home and for five years continued in his former pursuits. Once more lie sought the temperate climate of California, where he passed one year, returning at the end of that period entirely cured of his bronchial trouble. A few more years passed in his native state were all that Mr. Gard desired, and in 1901 he closed out his business in Ohio and came to California with the intention of mak- ing this place his permanent home. He located in Long Beach and has since been engaged in an extensive handling of real estate, buying and sell- ing lots. With his brother, William Gard, he now owns one hundred and eleven lots at Oceanside, in addition to much other valuable property. In May, 1905, he built a comfortable residence at No. 635 Pine avenue, which is presided over by his wife. She was formerly Miss Mary J. Walter, a native of Ohio, in which state their union occurred. They have had three children, all of whom are deceased, two dying in infancy. and Walter meeting his death accidentally in 1886.

Mr. Gard has met with success in all his vent- itres and particularly since coming to California. Previous to this move he had given all of his time and attention to agriculture, which occupa- tion had been followed by his ancestors for gen- erations. The outdoor life and healthful occu-

tion of mind and body bred in the mem- bers of the family the best qualities of man- hood, health, strength and vigor, with the best possible use of the talents with which nature has endowed them being their chief character- istics. Mr. Gard is a man of energetic tempera- ment, strong and forceful in character, and has brought to bear in his operations in California all of these qualities. He has a firm belief in the future of this section and supports it enthusias- tically, financially and otherwise. He is conserv- ative and yet progressive, the possession of good judgment enabling him to act upon opportunity. He takes an active part in the promotion of all worthy movements for the growth and develop- ment of Long Beach, being particularly active in educational affairs, in Ohio having served on the school board for many years. In his political af- filiations he is a stanch Republican and firmly grounded in the principles he endorses. He is liberal by nature, generous to a fault and can always be depended upon to contribute freely to charitable movements and public enterprises. He has won a position of exceptional prominence among the citizens of Long Beach, where he is held in the highest esteem for the character and quality of his manhood.

S. A. SANDERSON. While yet a young man, S. A. Sanderson, manager for the United States Trust Company at Long Beach has ·achieved an enviable degree of success in the business world, and his success in life is due principally to his own efforts. He can be prop- erly styled a self-made man, for he has won his position entirely through his own talents, energy and the desire to succeed. The stories of men who have overcome obstacles and risen in the line of their endeavor are always an inspiration to other men. They give to the disheartened and discouraged new impetus to push forward, and success will follow persistent effort, for am- bition, accompanied by untiring industry, is the kev to success.

Mr. Sanderson was born in Mayfield, Graves county. Kv .. on the 18th of October. 1873. Like the majority of boys he received his first in- struction in the public schools of his native state. Early in life he was thrown on his own resources, and at the age of fifteen years was teaching a school consisting of eighty-five pupils, being dis- tinguished as the youngest teacher in the public schools of the south. His ambition was to enter college to better prepare himself for the larger duties of the world. Through his own unaided efforts he paved the way, and by teaching and other work accumulated sufficient money to en- able him to matriculate at the University of Ken- tucky, graduating therefrom in 1892. Desiring

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further instruction along special lines he entered the University for a post-graduate course of two years. In 1894 he resumed teaching and during six years following taught in the public schools of Mayfield, Ky., and at West Kentucky Col- lege. He then removed to Arkansas and there engaged for a time as teacher in the State Uni- versity at Fayetteville.

While teaching at Fayetteville Mr. Sanderson married Miss Lucy Dickson, a native of Georgia, and they have one son, Clyde, born in Arkansas. Having confined himself too closely to his work Mr. Sanderson suffered the usual result, a breaking-down in health, and found it necessary to give up his work as teacher and return to his native state. As his health did not improve he concluded that an entire change of location and of occupation would be beneficial. Following this resolve he came to California in April, 1902, locating at Long Beach, and engaged as travel- ing salesman for a large clothing establish- .ment. He traveled throughout the state for one year, meeting with excellent success in his new line of work. At the end of the year, when he severed his connection with the firm, he became head salesman and had the satisfaction of win- ning the premiums offered by the company to the employe selling the largest amount of goods for the firm. Having visited nearly every town and city in the state he was in a position to judge for himself as to the desirability of a location for establishing himself in business which would combine church, social and educational advan- tages for the benefit of his young son. Long Beach seemed to offer exceptional opportunities, and the family made the city their home, and now reside at No. 729 Cedar avenue.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson are members of the Christian Church. They are deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the church and charities connected with church work. Both are members of the church choir, and Mr. San- derson is the youngest elder in the church. He gives all of his spare time to the furtherance of church interests. In 1902, when he came to Long Beach, the church numbered forty mem- bers, with property valuation of $1,500. To-day they have a membership of six hundred and property valuation of $35,000. He is Vice-Pres- ident of the Christian Endeavor State Union, and is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, being chairman of membership committee, and an energetic temperance advo- cate and worker. Quite naturally he takes great interest in the public schools and in · maintaining a perfect school system is in full sympathy with the demands . of the day, requiring educational facilities to be of the highest order. Mr. San- derson is identified with fraternal organizations,

being a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellow, and Knights of Pythias lodges.

In business he has the full confidence of the community. His motto is the Golden Rule and his business is carried on with that divine in- junction 'in view. Not only has he the manage- ment of the Long Beach office for the company he represents, but in addition, carries on an ex- tensive business of his own, handling high-class bonds, investments and insurance. He has shown his confidence in the future of Long Beach property as an investor in real estate holdings, buying, improving and selling real es- tate, and has met with gratifying success in his real estate transactions. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the city of Long Beach, and is a notary public, his commission issued by Governor Pardee bearing date of April 10, 1905.

WALTER B. JOY. As a.pioneer in his busi- ness, which is that of cornice, sheet metal work- er and plumber, Walter B. Joy, located in Long Beach, in the spring of 1896 and leased land at the corner of Pine and Second streets, where he erected a building adequate for the needs of his business. This business has since grown to proportions in keeping with the advancement of the city itself and the passing of years has brought to Mr. Joy financial returns, as well as making him a factor in the industrial life of Long Beach. Born December 24, 1857, in Mus- catine, Iowa, Mr. Joy was a son of W. H. Joy, a pioneer of Iowa in 1856, being agent for the United States Express Company in that section for thirty years. His death occurred in that locality after attaining advanced years. In the public schools of Muscatine Walter B. Joy re- ceived an education, after which he served an apprenticeship as metal worker in that city. Fol- lowing his mastery of the trade he worked in various places throughout Iowa and Dakota as journeyman. Induced to come to California through representations made by relatives who had located here, he came to the state in 1885 and in Pasadena, Los Angeles county, found employment at his trade. He remained in that city for a number of years. when, in the spring of 1896, he located permanently in Long Beach. whose future possibilities he believed to be unsurpassed. His own success and the growth of the city have justi- fied his faith. He began on a small scale and has increased several hundred fold. employing at the present time about nine men, his specialty being furnace work. His second location was on the present site of the Masonic Temple, but with the growth of the city he removed to his pres-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ent location, where he is carrying on a success- ful business.

Mr. Joy was married in Iowa, in 1886, to Lot- tie Burlingame, whose death occurred in Cali- fornia November 6, 1903. She left one daughter, Edith W., who is now attending the University of California. Fraternally Mr. Joy is identified with the Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias, (in which he is past chancellor), Wood- men of the World and Order of Pendo. He belongs to the Master Plumbers Association and is active in the same. In religion he is a member of the Congregational Church, in which he offi- ciates as trustee, and politically is a staunch Re- publican. Mr. Joy has ably demonstrated his ability in the line of his work and has also made for himself a place among the enterprising and helpful citizens of Long Beach.

A. M. CASWELL. A descendant of good old Puritan stock that traces back to the earliest settlement of New England, no one has more reason to be proud of his lineage than A. M. Caswell. His father, Isaac Caswell, a native of Greene, Me., was descended from the Massachu- setts Caswells, who came from Holland with the first settlers of Plymouth. Isaac Caswell, a farm- er by occupation and a Quaker in his relig- ious views, was a man of stern integrity of char- acter, loved and esteemed by his fellow-citizens, by whom he was honored with many offices of trust in the community. He died on the old homestead overlooking the blue waters of Penob- scot bay, after a long and useful life.

On the maternal side, A. M. Caswell comes of pioneer New England stock; his mother, Mary Spring, native of Maine, was a descendant of the Daggett family, early settlers of Mar- tha's Vineyard, Mass. Her father, William Spring, and his son, William, were soldiers in the war of 1812. For her day and generation --- the day of the slow-moving stage coach and limited advantages-Mary Spring Caswell was possessed of unusual mental ability. having been a teacher for several years previous to her mar- riage. She was the mother of ten children, six of whom are living, and of these the subject of this sketch is the youngest. Mrs. Caswell was noted for her noble qualities of mind and heart. She died at the old homestead, aged ninety-eight years, in the faith of the Baptist teachings in which she had lived.

A. M. Caswell attended the public schools of his native town until he was sixteen years old, when he learned the trade of trunk-making. In 1861 he sailed from New York on the steamer Champion via Panama for California : from Panama he was a passenger on the old side-wheel steamer Constitution, which arrived

in San Francisco shortly before Christmas, the entire trip having been made in twenty-four days.

Mr. Caswell followed his trade in San Fran- cisco for a year and then went to San José, where he was an orchardist and engaged in the fruit commission business about the same length of time.

Some eight or nine years were passed as a successful merchant in San Francisco, when the rapid growth and boom in real estate values in San Diego attracted him to that city. Five years and a half were passed as a merchant there. when Mr. Caswell decided to invest his money in Santa Monica property and has since made some valuable improvements in that place. He was also, for fourteen years, Southern California agent for the Westervelt National Vinegar Works, with headquarters in Los Angeles.

Mr. Caswell is a substantial and highly es- teemed citizen of Santa Monica and while he is Republican in political affiliations. he is not a . strict adherent to party lines. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

GEORGE B. STETTER, of the firm of George B. Stetter & Co., of Long Beach, was born in Tipton, Moniteau county, Mo., January 14, 1875. His father, George Stetter, was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, his birth hav- ing occurred in the vicinity of Stuttgart. Left an orphan at an early age he was thrown upon his own resources and in young manhood came to America, his industry and energy bringing him success in his undertakings. He finally lo- cated in Missouri, where he engaged as a broker and land dealer until his death, in 1882. He was loyal to the country of his adoption and served in the Union army. He married Saralı M. Snorgrass, a native of Tipton, Mo., and a daughter of Isaac Snorgrass, also a native of that state, a farmer by occupation and the descendant of an old Kentucky family. Some time after the death of her husband, Mrs. Stetter became the wife of C. G. Ely, of Long Beach, who served during the Civil war in the Fourth Ohio Cavalry. By her first marriage she had three children, of whom George B. Stetter is the youngest and only son. By her second marriage she had one son, Roscoe C. Ely, who is a member of the real-estate firm previously mentioned.

The preliminary education of George B. Stetter was received in the public schools near his home, after which he attended Robinson's Business College at Sedalia, Mo. After graduation from this institution, he accepted a position as book- keeper in Sedalia, and later he located in Webster Grove, Mo., and engaged in the. drug

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

business. Shortly afterward he located in Kan- sas City, where he engaged as commercial traveler for the Robert-Wicks Company of New York, in the interest of whom he traveled throughout the mountain and coast states. In 1897 he made his first trip to California and in 1899 he came to Los Angeles and followed the drug business a short time. The following year ( 1900) he engaged in the real-estate business and two years later came to Long Beach, where with his half-brother, Roscoe C. Ely, he established the George B. Stetter & Co., real estate enterprise. They are especially interested in handling busi- ness property and are themselves holders of valuable real estate in the business district of this city. Their faith in the permanency of con- ditions here have led them to invest largely, their erection of the apartment house at Nos. 219-221 Locust avenue resulting in large financial re- turns for them.

Mr. Stetter was married in Long Beach to Miss Margaret Johnson, a native of Story City, Iowa. Socially Mr. Stetter is a member of the Cosmopolitan Club.

G. W. E. GRIFFITH, of Los Angeles, Cal., was born in Tippecanoe county, Ind., Decem- ber 22, 1833, a son of Rev. James and Nancy (Hunt) Griffith, both natives of New York, who early removed to Indiana and there re- sided until their deaths at advanced ages. Mr. Griffith was one of a family of eight children and lived with his father on the farm until his education in the common branches was com- pleted, when he went to live with his brother, who was at that time president of Mount Pleasant College at Mount Pleasant, Pa. He was married there and in 1855 removed to Franklin county, Kans., where he filed on a government claim of one hundred and sixty acres. While residing there he took a promi- nent part in public life and was elected at dif- ferent times to the offices of county commis- sioner, county clerk and recorder and county treasurer, and also served in the state legisla- ture. After a number of years he removed with his family to Lawrence, Kans., and es- tablished a hardware and mercantile business, which he conducted until the time of the fam- ous Quantrell raid at Lawrence, when he lost all of his property and was left with nothing but a linen coat and a pair of slippers. This was discouraging, but did not dishearten Mr. Griffith, who immediately borrowed money and re-established the same business, which was carried on for a number of years under the firm name of Griffith, Duncan & Co. and became one of the largest business houses in the state.

Mr. Griffith sold out of the mercantile busi- ness to accept the position of cashier of the Second National Bank of Lawrence, Kans., of which he was one of the promoters. Having sold his interest in this bank, he acted as agent for eastern investors for several years, and was instrumental in introducing a great deal of capital in Kansas at reduced rates of inter- est. While thus engaged he was selected by the creditors to liquidate the State Bank, which had failed, and all the assets and business was turned over to his control. It was not expect- ed that over fifty per cent would be realized by the depositors in the then depressed condition of affairs, but under the able and economical management the depositors were paid one hundred per cent.

Soon after this business was so satisfactor- ily settled Mr. Griffith organized the Mer- chants' National Bank, with $100,000 paid 11p capital at Lawrence, Kans., and became its president and manager. This bank was a suc- cess from the start, and paid a dividend of eight per cent the first year, which it has con- tinued to do to this day. In 1888 he resigned his position as president of the Merchants' National Bank to accept a position as manager of the Western Farm Mortgage Trust Company and removed to Denver, Col. After two years he foresaw that unfortunate results were likely to be the result of the management of the company, and a meeting of the board of directors was called to consider the subject, which was represented by capitalists from New York, Philadelphia and Boston. The board of directors refused to go into liquida- tion or change the policy being pursued. whereupon Mr. Griffith resigned and severed his connection with the company. Thereafter in about one year the company failed, and Mr. Griffith was appointed receiver in February, 1892, by the court in Denver to wind up the business of the company, which had sold throughout the eastern states some $5,000,000 guaranteed securities. The winding up of such a business was one of great responsibil- ity, which was accomplished, and all accounts approved by the court, in 1896.

About the years 1800 and '91 Mr. Griffith organized and established the United States National Bank of Portland, Ore., and the Seattle National Bank of Seattle, Wash., with $250.000 capital each. The stock of the latter bank is worth at this time $300 and has a de- posit of around $5,000,000, Mr. Griffith re- moved to this state in 1900. In 1904 he organ- ized the South Pasadena Bank, and after- wards, in 1906. the Bank of Highland Park was established, the latter with a capital of $100,000, one-third of which is paid up, and

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Griffith fills the office of president of this institution. He occupies a prominent position in financial circles and is held in high esteem by his associates.

Politically Mr. Griffith affiliates with the Republican party and takes an active interest in all affairs of civic interest. His wife, who was Facita A., daughter of Abraham Horbach, a farmer of Pennsylvania, is a native of West- moreland county, Pa., and they have had four children : Charles E. died in Panama, where he was stricken with yellow fever; Mary G. Osborn resides with her father and is promi- nent in club circles, being president of the Ebell Club at Highland Park; George W. is a broker at No. 25 Pine street, New York City ; and Mrs. Elida G. Van Pelt resides at No. 1206 West Lake avenue, Los Angeles.

LEWIS FILLMORE CRAM. Numbered among the pioneers of San Bernardino county, whither he came as early as 1851 after a tedious overland trip from Illinois through New Mex- ico and Arizona into California, Mr. Cram holds an honored position among those who assisted in the development of this region from the primeval conditon of nature into one of the most beautiful sections of the state. As a re- sult of wise management and judicious labors he has attained a competency and has been able to assist his children in acquiring a sub- stantial start in the world of activity. Though his life has been filled with indefatigable labors and though he has now passed his three score years and ten, he retains his mental activity and to some extent the physical vigor of younger days ; however, through an abscess in the head, the left side of his face became para- lized and the hearing of the left ear was lost, but with that exception he retains excellent health.

Essex county, N. Y., is Mr. Cram's native place, and April 19, 1834, the date of his birth. When about eighteen months old he was taken to Michigan by his parents, who settled near Detroit on a farm. At the age of seven years he accompanied the family to Ohio and for a time lived near Akron, also sojourned tempo- rarily in other places. Two years later he went to Illinois with the family and settled in Schuy- ler county, where he remained for eight years, meanwhile attending the country schools. On leaving Illinois in May, 1851, he came with the family to California and during the long jour- ney suffered a bereavement in the death of his mother. On account of sickness in the com- pany, whose numbers were small, this latter fact making them easy prey to the hostile In- dians who beset their pathway, they halted in

New Mexico and Arizona to await recruits for the train, and it was not until May of 1852 that they finally arrived in Los Angeles. Going to Redlands in 1854 Mr. Cram made his first home in the state at that place. During 1858 he and his brother Henry each took up one hundred and sixty acres of land near Highland, and on this tract they still live, meanwhile having de- veloped the land into one of the finest ranches in the entire county. Some of his original property has been sold, but he still owns eighty acres, representing a very important investment at present valuations. The substantial resi- dence, erected in 1886, superseded the two orig- inal dwellings built in the early days and fur- nishes an excellent example of the growing prosperity of the country.

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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 95

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