An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California. Containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day, Part 100

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1092

USA > California > Los Angeles County > An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California. Containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 100

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).

639

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

rations are being made for increasing the water supply of the city, by means of artesian wells. The subject of this sketch has been closely identified with the remarkable growth and pros- perity of the city of Pomona, and by his enter- prise and business undertakings has contributed in no small degree toward developing the re- sources of the San José Valley. He is a pro- gressive and enterprising citizen, ready at all times to aid in advancing the interests of his cliosen city. In political matters he is a Repub- lican. He is a member of the following frater- nal societies of Pomona: Lodge No. 246, F. & A. M .; Lodge No. 246, I. O. O. F .; Etna Lodge, No. 107, K. of P .; Uniform Rank Lodge, No. 4, K. of P .; and a charter member of Lodge No. 225, A. O. U. W. September 24, 1856, Mr. Smith married Miss Ann E. Rowley, the daughter of Seth G. S. and Abigail (Le Seur) Rowley, both natives of New York. From this marriage there are six children living: Charles W., Edwin E., William E., George B., Grace A. and Rowley S. Charles W. married Miss Susie Noonan, and Edwin E. married Miss Delia Fahey. With the exception of William E., who is residing in San Francisco, all of his children are living in Pomona. Mr. Smith's father died in Pomona, March 31, 1884, and his mother is still a resident of that city.

AMES A. SMITH, farmer, etc., postoffice Norwalk, was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, February 12, 1830, a son of John G. and Nancy (Burnside) Smith. His father, born in Seneca County, New York, was married in Sandusky, Ohio, and after living there one year moved to Cuyahoga County and followed farmn- ing until 1865. He then moved to Livingston County, Illinois, and bought a farm there, on which he lived three years, when he bought a farm in Lenawee County, Michigan, on which he followed farming until his death, July 22, 1887. The mother of James A. was a native of Pennsylvania, and first cousin of the cele-

brated General Burnside. Her father, James Burnside, served as fifer in the Revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch, the eldest of their eight children, had the honor of being a schoolmate of President James A. Garfield, in a district school on Mrs. Garfield's farm, in Orange Township. Ile learned the molder's trade at Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga County, and afterward followed it at Mishawaka and South Bend, Indiana, until 1853, when he made a trip by horse team across the plains to this State. He purchased land and followed farming ten years in the Sacramento Valley. In 1864 he returned East and bought 400 acres of land near Pontiac, Illinois, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising for eleven years. In 1874 he came again to California and bought 640 acres of the most beautifully situated and productive land in Los Angeles County, three miles south of Norwalk. He moved on to this land in 1876 and has put out over 2,000 fruit trees of various kinds, and is extensively en- gaged in raising horses of a superior grade. Of course he is recognized as a leading farmer in this part of the county, energetic, enthusiastic and enterprising. Politically he is an intelli- gent Republican. March 27, 1853, is the date of his first marriage, when he wedded Miss Maria, daughter of Edward Hanson, of South Bend, Indiana. By that marriage there were six children, three sons and three daughters; William Henry and James F. only are living. Mrs. Smith died September 22, 1871; and Jan- nary 3, 1875, Mr. Smith married her sister, Mrs. Margaret L. Ferguson, a widow. By this marriage there are two children: Bessie and Jay Guy.

U. SANDERS, 1350 Maple avenne, is a native of Sweden, born March 10, 1826. After reaching manhood he emigrated to America, in 1850; went to Texas, where he spent ten years engaged in mercantile business. He then returned to the old country and spent

640

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

one year in traveling, then returned to America and came to the Pacific Coast in 1861. He went to Salmon River in Oregon and Washing- ton Territory, and engaged in miniug; then went to Virginia City, Nevada, and engaged in con- tracting and building, remaining there fifteen years. While there he took a trip to Sontlı America, after which he engaged in mercantile business. He then spent a year in Oregon and Washington Territory before coming to Califor- nia. After visiting several sections of the State he came to Los Angeles, engaged in contracting and building, and continued in the business successfully until the past year, when he retired. Ile has led an active business life, and has been an extensive traveler. By industry and good man- agement he has secured enough of this world's goods for all of his wants. He owns several houses on Maple avenne, and also other property.

OHIN SCOTT .- Among the successful horti- culturists and representative men of Duarte is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Scott is a native of England, dating his birth in Lan- cashire County, in 1845. His parents, Archi- bald and Mary (Nelson) Scott, were both natives of Scotland. His father was a farmer by occu- pation, and to this calling Mr. Scott was reared, and at the same time given the advantages of a good schooling in the grammar and academical schools of his native county. Upon reaching his majority, Mr. Scott engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1877, when he emigrated to Can- ada and located at Ontario, where he remained until 1882. In that year he came to California, and after visiting various sections, took up his residence at Duarte. There he purchased ninety acres of land, located just east of the town. This land, comprising twenty-five acres of hill land extending to the San Gabriel River, was at that time nearly all in a wild and uncultivated state. Mr. Scott entered actively into the clear- ing and cultivating of his lands, and also erected substantial buildings. Among the latter is his

commodions and well-ordered cottage residence, situated upon high ground among the foot-hills, giving him a magnificent view of the San Gabriel Valley stretching away for miles to the hills at Pnente. Mr. Scott has about thirty acres of his land devoted to fruit cultivation, ten acres of which is in Washington Navel and Mediter- rancan Sweets, and two acres of older growth in seedlings. He has a fine orchard of deciduous fruits, comprising apricots, figs, peaches, prunes, etc. He is also testing the successful culture of the olive upon his land without irrigation, with encouraging results. He is a thorough horti- culturist, combining sound business principles with his careful and intelligent cultivation. He is progressive and public-spirited, and a strong supporter of any enterprise that will develop the resources and build up the section in which he resides. He has been the water commissioner in his district for the past five years, and at this writing (1889) is the president of the Duarte Mutual Irrigation and Canal Company, an office he has held for the past three years. He is well known and much respected in the community in which he resides. In political matters he is Democratic, but is liberal and conservative in his views. He is a member of the Episcopal church. In 1876 Mr. Scott married Miss Sarah Fisher, a native of England. IIer parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Somner) Fisher, also na- tives of England. From this marriage there are for children living, viz .: Elizabeth Mary, Mar- garet Crawford, Archibald, and Alice Marion.

- W. SWANFELDT, manufacturer of tents, awnings, wagon-covers, flags, etc., Los Angeles, was born in Sweden, August 5, 1847, attended school in his native country, served an apprenticeship as a sail-maker four years in Norway, followed the sea for a time, came to America and settled in Galveston, Texas, where he followed his trade several years. Ile was in that city for about twenty years, altogether. Mr. Swanfeldt was engaged at sail-

641

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

making until 1887, when he came to California and established his business in Los Angeles. By his long, practical experience and elose at- tention to business he has built up a good trade. In 1873 Mr. Swanfeldt married Miss Caroline Anderson, a native of Sweden, and they have five children: Alice, Axeline, Andrew, John and Willie.

NDREW SNYDER, proprietor of the Vernon Nurseries, Wilmington avenue, Los Angeles, was born in Ohio, April 8, 1848. The next year the family moved to Win- nebago County, Illinois, upon a farm. In Feb- ruary, 1879, he came to Los Angeles and at once engaged in his present business. His nurs- eries are located in Vernon, four miles from Los Angeles, where he raises all his own stoek, consisting of all kinds of fruit trees, shade and ornamental trees, flowers, roses, ete. IIe has orders from all parts of the State, and even from Arizona and New Mexico. IIis devotion to this fascinating business has earned for him a high reputation.

C. STONE, teacher of mnsie, Los An- geles, is a native of Scranton, Penn- sylvania. He early in life developed a taste for music, and after attending the com- mon schools of his town, he entered the State Normal School at Mansfield, Pennsylvania, taking music in addition to the literary course, going from there to the Osceola Music School at Osceola, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. There he pursued his musical studies for a time, after which he was engaged in teaching for several years in his native State and Wisconsin. He subsequently pursued a course of study at the College of Musie in Cincinnati. In 1883 Mr. Stone eame to California and located in Los Angeles, where he engaged in teaching music, and since then has been aetively identified with 41

the musical interests of this city and connty. Ile is one of the original members of the Seventh Regiment Band, and is also a member of the Seventh Regiment Orchestra.

A. SAUM, contractor, builder and jobber, Los Angeles, was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, April 9, 1856. IIis father, also a native of Ohio, removed to Iowa in 1860, and after the war broke ont enlisted and served nearly two years; was severely injured in unload- ing a ear of powder when the train was on fire. After leaving the service he returned to his native State. The subject of this sketch attended school in Lima, Ohio, six years, and learned the cooper's trade with his father. Not liking that business, he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and followed it for a time, and then en- gaged in building. In April, 1885, he went to Kansas, where he lived until September, 1886, when he came to Los Angeles. Since then he has been engaged in contracting and building. He has a large jobbing trade, amounting the past year to between $15,000 and 820,000, and his success is owing to his energy and close attention to business. In 1886 Mr. Sanı mar- ried Miss Nellie Fender, of the State of Michi- gan. They have one daughter, whose name is Dollie.

ORDAN STONE, dealer in lime, plaster and eement, 239 East Second street, Los Angeles. This business was established in 1887, and the same year Mr. Stone beeame pro- prietor. The lime sold by him is manufactured on the Santa Cruz Monntains. There are four different companies on the Santa Cruz Range, but this is the only ageney of the Cienega Com- pany in Southern California, and is controlled by Mr. Stone. The lime is of a superior qual- ity and commands the highest price in the market, and Mr. Stone has established a large

612

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

trade with an inereasing demand. Mr. Stone was born in Virginia, March 10, 1838, and re- ceived his education in his native State. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion he entered the Confederate service, and was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness and also in the en- gagements around Petersburg. He served with distinction until the close of the war, then removed to North Carolina and engaged in his chosen profession, journalismn. In this he has had an experience of twenty-five years, and most of the time he has been in charge of a daily paper. He established the Raleigh News, and it was conducted by him for many years; and he was for twelve years editor of the Ash- ville Citizen. For two years he held the office of State Printer. On account of ill health from overwork, he came to California and settled in Los Angeles, taking the agency he now holds, and has regained his health in this genial cli- mate. In 1873 he married Miss Martha Welch, of Alabama, and they have four children: Fan- nie .J., Mattie J., Jordan, Jr., and Willie.

ILLIAM M. SNODDY .- Among the representative farm properties in the beautiful San Gabriel Valley is that of the subject of this sketch. This highly culti- vated and productive farm comprises 155 aeres of bottom land located in the Savanna school district, about one and a half miles north and west of the old town of El Monte. Among the noticeable improvements is a fine vineyard of thirty acres, devoted to wine grapes of the Blanelba variety, from which a high grade of white wine is manufactured. The rich sandy loam upon which his grapes are grown seems especially adapted to producing the finest of wine grapes. Little or no irrigation has ever been used on his vineyard, but a thorough and careful eultivation has been adopted, which has given the best of results. Ilis family orchard, of both citrus and deciduous fruits, shows that great profit could be secured should he turn his

attention to that branch of horticulture. Eight aeres of alfalfa, even without irrigation, yield six or seven erops each year, aggregating from ten to twelve tons per acre. The most of Mr. Snoddy's lands are devoted to general farming and stock-raising, yielding bountiful erops of hay and cereals and supporting his stoek. Among the latter are Jersey cattle, and draft and road horses of the Norman and Echo breeds. Mr. Snoddy is a native of Boone County, Mis- sonri, born in 1843. His parents, John W. and Sarah (Beattie) Snoddy, were both natives of that State. His youth was spent on his father's farm, and when only thirteen years of age-at which time the death of his mother occurred, in 1856-he commeneed life upon his own account by engaging as a elerk in a store at St. Joseph, Missouri. He followed that occupation until 1864, and then came overland to California. The first year in the State was spent in Sacra- mento, and in 1865 he located in San José and there engaged in peddling and trading at Alma- den, and on the road from San José to that place. He also engaged in agricultural pursuits, rent- ing the farm of A. Weller, at Milpitas. Mr. Snoddy was snecessful in his enterprises in that county, and in 1869 he closed his business and came to Los Angeles County, and in 1870 pur- chased from the owners of the San Francis Quito Ranch his present lands and residence, since which he has devoted his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. This land was then in a com- paratively wild and uneultivated state, with no improvements except a small house. His years of labor, directed by sound practical sense and business principles, secured lim a well-deserved snceess, placing him among the leading agri- culturists of his section and gaining him tbe respeet and esteem of his associates. He is a member of El Monte Lodge, No. 188, A. O. U. W. In politics he is a liberal and conservative Democrat, allicd with the best elements of that party. In 1873 Mr. Snoddy was united in marriage with Miss Samantha J. Tibbet, the daughter of Jonathan and Phebe Tibbet, for- merly of Ohio, but pioneers and residents of

643

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Los Angeles County. They have three children : John B., Mary E. and Nina I. Mr. Snoddy's father is a pioneer of California, coming to the State in 1849. He is now a resident of Los Angeles County.

HILIP SHOREY .- The subject of this sketch is a native of Maine, dating his birth in Penobscot County, in 1833. IIis father, Nathaniel Shorey, was also a native of that State and a farmer by occupation. His mother, nee Elizabeth Hurd, was a descendant from a well-known family of Maine. Mr. Shorey was early in life inured to the labors attending farm operations in New England. In 1850 his father emigrated to Wisconsin, and located in Juneau County, where he took up Government land and engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Shorey remained with his father until lie reached his majority, and then engaged in bnsi- ness on his own acconnt. He began in the pineries on the Wisconsin River and gradually increased his operations, building steam mills at Necedalı, and also establishing a store at that point. For a portion of the time his brother, Charles H. Shorey, was associated with hint in his enterprise. Mr. Shorey successfully con- ducted his varions enterprises in Wisconsin until 1877. In that year he came to California and located in the Azusa Township, Los Angeles County, where he purchased eighty acres of land about one mile west of the present town of Glendora, and there he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Since that date he has increased his acreage until at the present writing (1889) he is the owner of 212 acres. At the time of his purchase there was only five acres of his land that was cleared; and his land, now producing rich harvests of grain, was then a rank growth of cactus and brush. Mr. Shorey as yet has not devoted much attention to horticulture, but his orange grove of about one acre and a family orchard of decidnous fruits are producing some of the finest fruits grown in the Upper San

Gabriel Valley, and attest the fact that he has one of the finest locations for horticultural pur- suits to be found in his section. Ile has de- veloped a water supply of some four inches in the canons to the north of his lands, which can be increased to twenty inches when required. The most of his land that is cleared is de- voted to hay and grain, and is yielding rich harvests. Mr. Shorey is an intelligent and en- ergetic man, schooled to business habits. These characteristics applied to his present calling are insuring his success and he is destined to build up one of the representative farms of his sec- tion. He is well known and respected in the community in which he resides, and is a strong supporter of any enterprise that will advance the interests of his chosen section. He is a trustee of the Glendora school district, and lib- eral in his support of both schools and churches. In political matters he is a consistent Republi- can. In 1866 Mr. Shorey married Miss Melvina A. Schoff, a native of New York. Her parents were Jesse and Mary (Beman) Schoff, both na- tives of that State. From this marriage there are three children living, viz,: Edith M., now Mrs. Charles Lee, of Florence, Los Angeles County ; Harry G. and Arthur E., who are mem- bers of their father's household. The second child, Alta E., died in 1881, at the age of eleven years.

D. SALE AND J. W. A. OFF are the pro- prietors of the flourishing retail drug busi- ness at No. 268 South Spring street, near Fourth, and are successors to Howard M. Sale, who opened the store in January, 1887, and sold out to the present owners in August of that year. This enterprising young firm keeps in stock a complete line of the purest pharma- centical goods, perfumeries, toilet articles and proprietary medicines. In their extensive pre- scription trade-one of the largest in the city --- they use such standard preparations as Edwin Squibb's drugs and Merck's chemicals, both

044

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

manufacturers of world-wide reputation. Un- til recently Sale & Off was the only firm in Southern California that handled surgical in- struments, in which they have done and are still doing a fine business. Both gentlemen are ex- pert pharmacists who have had a number of years experience in compounding preseriptions and are recognized by leading physicians as among the best, although they are probably the yonngest drug firm in the United States. Mr. Sale learned the business with his father, now retired, in Pueblo, Colorado, beginning seven years ago. He was born near Quincy, Illinois, in 1868. Mr. Off is a native of Iowa, born in 1868. He took one course at the California College of Pharmacy in San Francisco, and was connected for a number of years with a drug house in that city. Coming to Los Angeles in 1886, he was employed one year and a half in the drug store of Theodore Wollweber, one of the oldest druggists in California, now.retired. Mr. Off has had nearly ten years' experience in the drug business.

JARRY F. STAFFORD, County Surveyor of Los Angeles County, was born in So- noma. County, California, in 1864, and had just passed his twenty-fourth birthday when he was elected to the office he now fills, in November, 1888. He was educated at Napa College and the State University, taking a special scientific course in civil engineering in the latter institution, finishing in 1885. After leaving college he spent a year in the Santa Ana postoffice as deputy postmaster, and in 1886 opened a surveyor's office in that city, and carried on the business of topographical engi- neer there' until he was elected to his present position. Ile ran on the Republican ticket and had 3,000 majority over his opponent, being much the youngest candidate on the ticket. Mr. Stafford is master of his business, both in theory nd practice, and makes a very good officer. Ile has a taste for politics and is an active

worker in the Republican party. N. O. Stafford, the father of the subject of this sketch, is a na- tive of Vermont. He came to California in 1849, and after spending some time mining and merchandising he settled in Petaluma, Sonoma County, and there learned the trade of carriage- maker, subsequently becoming joint owner of the Petaluma Buggy Company. He moved to Santa Ana, Los Angeles County, in 1873, where he died five years later. In 1851 he returned East to Missouri, and married Mary N. Pearl, a native of that State. She died when Harry was four years of age, the mother of six chil- dren, four sons and two daughters. One son and one daughter are now deceased. Mr. Stafford married again and had one son by his second wife. All the surviving members of the family reside in Santa Ana.

RLANDO STRESIILY .- Among the well- known citizens of Azusa and pioneers of California is the subject of this sketch, a brief review of whose life is of interest. Mr. Streshly is a native of Virginia, and a descend- ant of the old Colonial families. He was born in Fredericksburg, Spottsylvania County, in 1831. Ilis grandfather, John Streshly, served as a soldier during the Revolutionary war, and sacri- ficed his life in that cause, dying from the effects of the wounds received in battle. His father, James M. Streshly, was also a patriot and served his country in the war of 1812. Mr. Streslily's father was a fariner and planter by occupation, and he was reared to that calling, receiving his education in the schools of his native place. Upon the discovery of gold in California and the consequent excitement throughout the East- ern States, Mr. Streshly was seized with a de- sire to try his fortunes in the new El Dorado, and in 1849 he came via the old English steamer Unicorn, on a voyage round Cape Horn to California. The many discomforts attending that voyage were terminated October 4, 1849, by the arrival of the steamer in San Francisco.

645

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

After a short stay in that city he proceeded to Sacramento, where he spent the winter. Early in the spring of 1850 he located at Foster's Bar, on the North Yuba River, and there en- gaged in mining operations. He conducted his operations with varying successes and failures, and finally formed one of a company that, with the expenditure of much labor and money, turned that river from its channel, in search of the supposed hidden wealth beneatlı. This en- terprise resulted disastrously. No gold was found, and the members of the company were left deeply in debt. Mr. Streshly then decided to abandon the precarious fortunes of a miner, and he accordingly established a freighting and packing line to the mining settlements, and in 1853 established a general merchandise store at Rush Creek, in Plumas County. He conducted that enterprise until 1856, and then located at Quincey and engaged in hotel-keeping. He later engaged in farming and teaming in Lassen County. Mr. Streshly was well known through- ont the mining sections and took a leading part in the establishment of law and order in the early days. In 1871 he was elected sheriff of Lassen County, and took up his residence in Susanville. He made an active and efficient officer and was re-elected, holding the office un- til the close of 1875. He was then elected assessor of the county and served as such until 1879. Upon retiring from office, he returned to agricultural pursnits, and remained in Lassen County until the fall of 1882. He then came to Los Angeles County, and after spending the winter in Los Angeles, located at Aznsa. He purchased thirty-two and a half acres of wild and uncultivated land a mile and a half south of the city of Azusa, and engaged in horticult- ural pursuits, clearing his land and planting grape-vines of the Mission variety and also citrus and deciduous fruits. He took an active and leading part in developing the resources of his section. He was one of the original incor- porators of the Azusa Irrigating Company, and was its first president, holding that office until 1888. In 1885 he was one of the originators

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.

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1092

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1092