USA > California > A history of the new California, its resources and people; Vol I > Part 42
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
407
HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
many friends. He belongs to John A. Dix Post No. 42, G. A. R., and he gives his political support to the Republican party. Deeply interested in public progress and improvement and in the social and economic questions which bear upon the welfare of the country, he keeps informed on all such subjects, and as a citizen does his part in community affairs, putting forth effective efforts and earnest co-operation for the advancement of San Jose along lines of modern improvement. He is a member of the board of trus- tees of Stanford University, and in 1903 was appointed vice president with Mrs. Jane L. Stanford as president. He has won the respect of his pro- fessional associates and the confidence of the public by the able discharge of his official duties. During a residence of more than thirty-three years in San Jose he has become recognized as one of its most prominent and dis- tinguished citizens and one to whom uniform esteem is given as a recogni- tion of his personal worth and ability.
BERNARD EUGENE KELL.
Bernard Eugene Kell, who is efficiently filling the office of coroner and public administrator in Santa Clara county, is a native son of San Jose and one of the enterprising young men of the city deeply interested in public affairs and a co-operant factor in many measures for the general good. He was born here on the 3d of May, 1876, and is a son of Martin D. and Mary A. (Ward) Kell. His father was a native of Canada, and prior to the dis- covery of gold in this state he came to California, arriving in the year 1846. He took up his abode in Santa Clara county, where for many years he followed farming. He was also prominent in public life in his community, occupying the position of road master and also that of supervisor of the fourth district. He was likewise deputy sheriff for many years under Sheriffs Branham and Bollinger, and in all the positions in which he has been called to serve he has been found most loyal to the trust reposed in him. In 1898 he was elected coroner and filled the office up to the time of his death, which oc- curred on the 14th of June, 1902. His wife was a native of Lewis county, New York, and came to California in 1862. In the family were five sons and two daughters.
Bernard E. Kell, whose name introduces this record, is indebted to the public schools of his native city for the early educational privileges he en- joyed, and he afterward attended St. Joseph College of San Jose, pursuing a commercial course in that institution and being graduated with the class of 1894. Subsequently he worked upon his father's ranch for a short time, and then became assistant to his father in performing the duties of the office of coroner and public administrator. In 1902 he was elected to fill the posi- tion and has held it up to the present time, having been elected for a term of four years. He had become familiar with the duties of the office during his father's administration, and being a young man of strong principles and earnest purpose as well as possessing loyality in citizenship, he is filling the office in the most capable manner and with entire satisfaction to the general public. He gives his political allegiance to the Democracy and has taken
408
HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
an active part in local and state politics since attaining his majority, having frequently served as a delegate to the county conventions. His social rela- tions and memberships are with the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Fraternal Eagles and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Kell is well known in the city where his birth occurred and where his entire life has been passed, and here he has gained the warm regard which is ever given in recognition of sterling worth and admirable personal traits of character.
CHARLES HENRY FROST.
Enterprise and determination are strong elements in prosperity, and they are found among the salient characteristics of Charles Henry Frost, the president and manager of the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company and one of the city's most progressive and capable business men. His advance- ment in the industrial world has been through his own efforts, and to-day he is enjoying a richly merited success, while the future is bright with promise.
Mr. Frost is a native of the state of New York, his birth occurring in the historic Ithaca, June 9, 1844, a son of George P. and Eliza (Benjamin) Frost. When he was fourteen years of age the family removed to the new- er country of Illinois, and there the son Charles was reared and educated. On attaining to years of responsibility he went to Chicago, which at that time, in 1861, was a city of less than two hundred and fifty thousand popu- lation, and to him belongs the distinction of having erected and operated the only pressed-brick plant ever conducted up to that time in that city. After a business career there of twenty years, in which he met with gratify- ing success, he was attracted by the splendid opportunities for investment in Los Angeles, and in 1886 came to this city. Shortly after his arrival he organized the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company, and has since been its president and manager. The product was no sooner placed on the market than it created a demand, and it soon became evident that the plant would have to be materially enlarged to fill advance orders. This has been done as the business demanded it, and to-day the establishment is one of the larg- est and most complete in the United States, with two plants, one in Los Angeles, the other near Santa Monica. The plants cover twelve acres at the one and fifty-seven acres at the other. Both plants possess exception- ally good shipping facilities, with spurs from both the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific Railroads entering the yards. The buildings are modern and the equipment of the latest type, all brick being fired by heat generated from oil, and from one hundred and fifty to two hundred men are furnished constant employment, over two thousand dollars a week being distributed in wages by the company. They also own sixteen hundred acres of land in an adjoining county, which they have uncovered and are mining a superior grade of non-plastic flint clay. There is a vein over three thousand feet in length and forty feet in width upon the property, and assays of the clay show it to possess those elements which are so essential for the manufacture of a superior grade of fire-brick. This flint clay mine is one of less than a
LESSA
MGOL
SIG WOR
SOLTRWESTERN MATICAAL FARM
SOUTHRESTERA NATIONAL BANK
2
FROST BUILDING, LOS ANGELES, CAL.
-
-
-
409
HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
dozen known to exist in this country. The product of the plant finds a ready sale as far south as Tucson, Arizona, and east as far as Ogden, on the Union Pacific Railroad. The pressed brick made by this company is not surpassed in the United States, and is in great demand among the leading architects, contractors and builders of this city. Its popularity is based upon the two-fold consideration of quality and economy, for the company meets all competitors in both these respects. Among the prominent build- ings in Los Angeles into the construction of which this firm's product has entered are the new ten-story Huntington Building, which is the largest erected west of St. Louis, and the twelve-story Trust Building, corner of Fourth and Spring streets. In fact this firm supplies the pressed brick for practically every large building in this city.
Mr. Frost capitalized the company for three hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars, and has associated with him in its management such well known financiers as W. C. Patterson, president of the Los Angeles Nation- al Bank; I. N. Van Nuys, the multi-millionaire, owner of the famous hos- telry of that name; Dr. Henry West Hughes, a wealthy physician of this city, together with James Irvine, owner of the San Joaquin one hundred and six thousand-acre ranch, the largest in southern California. All are men of substantial character and resources, and with the other stockhold- ers, among whom may be mentioned Frederick H. Rindge and H. E. Hunt- ington, present one of the strongest associations of business talent in the city. Mr. Frost's entire business career has been one of marked success. He has manifested a discriminating judgment in the selection of real estate and associates, and his holdings in this city and Pasadena number some of the most desirable residence and business properties in those cities. In 1898 he erected the Frost Building which, with the ground, is worth two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, one of the most imposing business blocks in this city. He is also the owner of a handsome olive grove of one hun- dred and fifteen acres situated near El Toro, in Orange county, and he has been prominent in the organization of the American Olive Company, through which the growers of large orchards hope to market their crops, both in the form of olive oil and canned or pickled olives, for which there is such a ready market, both locally and in the east. Mr. Frost is popular in busi- ness and financial circles, taking an abiding interest in all matters affecting the welfare of his community, and has in many ways demonstrated the fact that he possesses true public spirit. When a young man he was elected alderman of Davenport, Iowa, by unanimous vote, and no citizen of this section is more honored or highly respected.
CAPTAIN RICHARD M. GARRATT.
Captain Richard M. Garratt, an honored veteran of the Civil war, who is now capably filling the position of superintendent of the almshouse of Mil- pitas, was born at Worcester, England, on the 3d of March, 1840. His parents, Richard and Jane (Staples) Garratt, were also natives of that country and belonged to old English families. They conducted a large mil-
410
HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
linery establishment in England and were prominent manufacturers of that country. The father died in 1898, while the mother's death occurred in 1897. They were the parents of three sons and one daughter, namely : Richard M., Jane, Walter and Frank.
In his early boyhood days Captain Garratt was sent as a student to a private school and afterward entered Oxford College in 1858. He had spent a year as a student there, when, becoming dissatisfied with his condi- tions and wishing to see America, he ran away and took passage on a west- ward-bound sailing vessel, which brought him to the United States. He had been in this country for but a brief period when the Civil war was inaugu- rated. His study of the questions of the day had enlisted his sympathy for the Union cause, and in 1861 he offered his services in its defense, becoming a member of the Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, of which he was later made first sergeant. Subsequently he became a first lieutenant in the Fourteenth Regiment of the United States Colored Infantry and afterward was promoted to the rank of captain of the Forty-fourth Colored United States Infantry. He continued with the army until after the close of hostili- ties, when, in 1866, he resigned. He took part in many important engage- ments, and his record for loyalty and valor compared favorably with that of any native-born son of America.
After leaving the army Captain Garratt came to California, locating first in Sacramento, where he entered the employ of the Central Pacific Railroad Company as a freight clerk. When the station was opened at San Jose he was transferred to the latter place, being the first agent there. He filled that position for ten years and was then promoted to general freight agent of the northern division of the road. Subsequently he resigned in order to accept the position of general manager of the Santa Cruz and Felton Railroad Company and the San Lorenzo Flume and Transportation Company. When this railroad became a part of the South Pacific Coast Railway system he was made general freight and passenger agent for the company and acted in that capacity until he resigned in order to accept an appointment as state superintendent of construction for the Agnew Asylum. On the comple- tion of his work there he went to Ukiah to superintend a similar work in Mendocino county. In 1897, attracted by the discovery of gold in Alaska and the development of the rich mineral fields there, he went to the north- west, but after spending two years he returned to San Jose, and was ap- pointed city superintendent of streets, filling the position for two years. In March, 1902, he received the appointment of superintendent of the alms- house of Milpitas and has since acted in that capacity.
Captain Garratt was married in 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss Abbie Farmer, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Life Farmer, one of the early settlers of Kankakee county, that state. Six children, three sons and three daughters, have been born to the Captain and his wife, namely : Richard, now deceased: Walter: Clifford; Grace; Florence: and Maude. Mrs. Garratt died October IIth. 1881, and September 29, 1882, the Captain was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Thomas Mann, a widow.
In his political affiliations Captain Garratt has always been a stanch Re-
411
HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
publican, unswerving in his loyalty to the party and its principles, and he has taken an active interest in local and state politics. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias fraternity and to the Masonic fraternity, and in the last named he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. His life has been one marked by eventful and varied experiences. Reared in England, coming to America as a young man with no capital, he has been dependent upon his own resources, and not only has he achieved success, but has been identified with labors resulting in the material upbuilding and improvement of his adopted state.
DAVID TAYLOR BATEMAN.
David Taylor Bateman, county superintendent of schools of Santa Clara county, has been identified with educational interests in this part of the state for twenty-one years and his labors have been effective in raising the stand- ard of the schools until the educational system is one of which every citizen of the locality has reason to be proud.
A native of Ohio, he was born at Hillsboro in Highland county on the 18th of December, 1845, his parents being Daniel S. and Mary L. (King) Bateman. Both were natives of New Jersey and were representatives of old American families that were established in New England when this country was still a part of the colonial possessions of Great Britain. The father was an educator and in connection with school teaching followed farming in Ohio for a number of years. He was born in 1802 and died in 1882 at the advanced age of fourscore years. In the family were two sons and two daughters and the surviving brother of Professor Bateman is John M. K. Bateman, a farmer and teacher of Lompoc, Santa Barbara county, California.
Professor Bateman, following the acquirement of a knowledge of the preliminary branches of English learning, continued his education in the high school of Hillsboro, Ohio, and then entered the Lebanon Normal School in Warren county, Ohio, in which he was graduated in the class of 1876. He displayed special aptitude in his studies, and good books have always been a matter of deep interest to him. A natural predilection for the pro- fession probably inclined him toward the work to which he has devoted his time and energies throughout his entire career. He engaged in teaching in the public schools of Germantown and Dayton, Ohio, until 1882, when he came to California, locating in Santa Clara county. He was first employed as teacher of the public schools at Mountain View for five years, and on the expiration of that period removed to San Jose, where for fourteen years he occupied the responsible position of principal of the public grammar schools. In November, 1902, he was elected superintendent of public instruction in Santa Clara county for a term of four years, and is now filling that office in a most acceptable manner.
In December, 1886, occurred the marriage of Professor Bateman and Miss Josephine A. Gairand, a native of Santa Clara county and a daughter
412
HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
of Louis A. and Ellen (Barry) Gairand, who were pioneer residents of the Santa Clara valley, coming from France to California in the early '6os. Mrs. Bateman is a graduate of the San Jose State Normal school and was a student in the Mountain View public school for several years. She is now acting as assistant superintendent to her husband, and her strong men- tality and liberal mental culture well qualify her for this important work.
Socially Professor Bateman is a Mason and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. He was for many years a member of the county board of education and also a member of the city board of examiners. He has been actively engaged in educational work since his arrival in the state, more than twenty-one years ago. At this point it would be almost tautological to enter into any series of statements as showing the professor to be a man of broad intelligence and genuine public spirit, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Strong in his indi- viduality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions, but there are, as dominating elements in this individuality, a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity, which, as taken in connection with the sterling integrity and honor of his character, having naturally gained to him the respect and confidence of men.
COLONEL GEORGE W. WALTS.
Colonel George Washington Walts, commandant of the Veterans' Home at Yountville, is himself one of the honored old veterans of the great rebel- lion and has had a most successful business career during the thirty odd years that he has been identified with California and the Pacific coast. He has been honored with a number of positions of varied responsibilities and duties, and since the days of his early manhood when he offered his services to his country he has always been found loyal to trusts of whatever nature reposed in him and to country, city and home.
Colonel Walts was born in Ohio, February 21, 1840, being a son of Jacob and Isabinda (Drake) Walts. His father was a native of Maryland and followed the occupation of farmer, and his mother was born in Virginia.
From teaching in the public schools of Vinton county, Ohio, where he was reared, young Walts at the age of twenty-one entered the Eighteenth Ohio Infantry for three months' service, and upon the regiment's reorgan- ization he re-enlisted for three years, and was appointed principal musician with the pay of lieutenant. He had charge of the regimental band from the time of his first enlistment until regimental bands were abolished. When the band was mustered out of service he volunteered in the same regiment and was made sergeant major, in which capacity he remained in the army until failing health compelled his retirement, after which he was a special agent of the quartermaster's department until the close of the war. His last field service was during the siege, and at the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, where he served as major of the Sixth Regiment in General Donaldson's division.
After the war hie engaged in the wholesale merchandise business at
413
HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
Louisville, Kentucky, until 1872, but failing health again required a change of plans, and he disposed of his enterprises in the east and came out to Cali- fornia. His first venture here was the reclamation of the tide lands of the state. After two years of hard work he had succeeded in getting a splendid crop of grain well started on about two thousand acres of this reclaimed land, but in June, before harvesting commenced, the flood destroyed it all, sweep- ing away levees as well as crops. He next turned his attention to railroad- ing, being employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad until 1883. In that year he entered the service of the Union Pacific as general freight agent of the Pacific coast with office at I Montgomery street, San Francisco. Four years later he was chosen arbitrator for the various roads centering at San Francisco, and continued in that office till it was legislated out of existence. In 1891 he was appointed state labor commissioner, which office he held for four years. He had been connected with the Veteran's Home at Yountville as director and treasurer since 1884, and in 1896 he entered upon his present office of commandant of the Home. He is a man of broad and generous mind, and his fine executive ability has well fitted him for the positions he has held during his career, and makes him especially suitable as the incum- bent of his present important office. He is a member of the George H. Thomas Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was its commander in 1885.
CHARLES EDWARD GRAHAM.
Charles Edward Graham, an honored veteran of the Civil war now living in Yountville, where he is filling the position of adjutant of the Yount- ville Veterans' Home of Napa county, was born in Cornwall, England, on the 29th of September, 1838. His father was the Rev. Elliott Graham, of Ludgvan, England, and his mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Leeds. She was a daughter of Sir Joseph Leeds, of Croxton Park, Cam- bridgeshire, England.
The early boyhood days of Mr. Graham were spent in his native coun- try, and his preliminary education was acquired in the common schools there. Completing his studies in Eton College, after leaving school he made a four years' trip around the world, visiting many points of interest on the face of the globe and gained a comprehensive knowledge of different coun- tries, their customs and their peoples through his extensive travel. He came to the United States in 1863 and established his home in New York. In America he was employed as a traveling salesman by various business houses of New York city, and in 1880 he came to California, where he continued in the same line of business as the representative of different commercial enterprises of San Francisco. Later he accepted a position as assistant weigher in the custom house at San Francisco, serving in that capacity for three years, when he again went upon the road as a traveling salesman and was thus employed until 1893, when he came to Yountville, Napa county, to accept the position of adjutant in the Yountville Veterans' Home. He has since remained here and has displayed capable management in his de- partment.
414
HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Graham offered liis services to his adopted country, enlisting in March, 1864. He became a lieutenant of the Fifth New York Heavy Artillery, and was afterward promoted to the rank of adjutant in the same regiment. With his command he participated in a number of important engagements, and his bravery and loyalty were dis- played on a number of southern battlefields. Following the close of hostil- ities he was mustered out at Harts Island on the 25th of July, 1865. He now maintains pleasant relationships with his old army comrades through his membership in George H. Thomas Post, G. A. R. His fraternal rela- tions connect him with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Mr. Graham was married in New York in 1865 to Miss Frances Taver- ner, a daughter of a well known English educator, Professor J. W. Tav- erner. The children born of this union are: Charles E., who is financial agent for H. E. Huntington of New York; Maude E., at home; Frances, who attained fame as a singer and is now the wife of W. F. Brougham, of England, who is now in Vancouver.
HON. FREDERICK COX.
Hon, Frederick Cox occupies an enviable position in banking circles in central California, being now the president of the California State Bank. He has long since passed the Psalmist's span of threescore years and ten, but in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. Old age is not necessarily a synonym of weakness nor does it needs suggest inactivity or want of occupa- tion. There is an old age which grows stronger and better intellectually and morally as the years advance and gives out of its rich stores of learning and experience for the benefit of others. Such has been the career of Mr. Cox, a man honored in every class of society and most of all among those by whom he is best known.
A native of England, Mr. Cox was born on the 16th of January, 1828, his parents being John and Thomazin (Luxton) Cox, both of whom are natives of the same country and represent old families of that land. The father was a farmer and stockman who sold his stock to the London mar- ket. He died when his son Frederick was but seven years of age.
The boy pursued his education in private schools in Somersetshire near the town of Bridgewater, England, and continued his studies until seven- teen years of age, when he determined to try his fortune in America, and in the fall of 1846 crossed the Atlantic. He made his way directly to Wiscon- sin, where he secured employment in a butchering establishment at Killburn- town, now a part of Milwaukee. He not only assisted in waiting on the cus- tomers in that establishment but also acted as bookkeeper, and was there em- ployed until the spring of 1850, when, hearing very favorable reports con- cerning the great west and especially of the opportunities to be found on the Pacific coast, he crossed the plains to California with a horse team, arriving in this state on the 17th of July, 1850. He located first at Ringgold in Eldorado county, where he secured employment in a grocery store and. butcher shop, being thus employed for eight months. He then purchased
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.