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 101

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 101

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and incorporators of the Azusa Wine and Fruit Company, and was the first president of that com- pany, and the general manager in constructing the winery. He is still a stock-holder, and now (1889) has general charge of the winery. Although comparatively a late-comer to the Azusa, Mr. Streshly has so identified himself with the lead ing enterprises tending to build up his section that he is well known and has secured a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He is an energetic and progressive citizen. In political matters he is Democratic, taking an earnest in- terest in the local affairs of the party. He is a member of the Lassen Lodge, F. & A. M., of Susanville. In 1856 Mr. Streshly married Miss Margaret Todd, the daughter of James and Mary Ann (Gray) Todd, both of whom were natives of Ireland, but of Scotch descent. He: parents came to the United States and located in Philadelphia. Mrs. Streshly came to Cali- fornia in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Streshly have living the following namel children: Mary, Helena, Eliza, Atawa, James M., William O., Tucker, Channing, Frank D., George and Harry H. Mary, now Mrs. George B. Long; Helena, now Mrs. D. C. Hyer; Atawa, now Mrs. Noble F. Mckenzie, and James M. are residents of Lassen County. Eliza, who married William H. McArthur, is a resident of Los Angeles County. William O. lives in Santa Bárbara. The remaining children are members of their father's household.

JOHN SCHNEIDER, 429 East First street, Los Angeles, was born in France, August 1, 1818. He attended school during boy- hood and was book-keeper in a large establish- ment in his native country. On account of the Revolution he emigrated to the United States, in 1852, and is the only member of his family who ever came to this country. After reaching America he settled in Rochester, New York, and remained there six years. In 1858 he en- listed as a musician in the Fifth United States

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Cavalry of the Regular Army, for five years. At the expiration of that term he re-enlisted for five years, and again re-enlisted for five years, a part of the time serving as Sergeant. After being in the military service fifteen years he was mnstered ont and honorably discharged at Fort MeDowell, Arizona, in 1873. Mr. Schneider came to Los Angeles and since then has resided here. He held the position of ac- countant for six years, but was compelled to give up the business on account of his failing eye-sight. He went to San Francisco where he had an operation performed which was success- ful and the sight was restored. He resides on his valuable property on East First street. Mr. Schneider belongs to the G. A. R., and is also a member of Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M. He was married July 31, 1844, to Miss Theresa Meyer, a native of the Grand Dukedom of Baden. They have five children: Charles, Mary, now Mrs. Sittel, residing in Los Angeles; Adol- phins, a resident of Anaheim; Julia, now Mrs. Wetzel, of Los Angeles; and Rosa, now Mrs. Fred Meyer, of San Francisco. The last named was born in Washington, D. C., and the others were born in Baden.

ANIEL SCHIECK, capitalist, No. 26 Franklin street, Los Angeles, was born in Germany, October 1, 1820. Ile attended school and served an apprenticeship to the weaver's trade in his native country. After reaching manhood he emigrated to America and landed in New York in 1845. He went to Newark, New Jersey, where his brother resided, and remained there two years, after which he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and five years later he determined to come to the Pacific Coast. In April, 1852, he went to Independence, Missouri, to fit himself out for the journey, leaving that place May 1, with ox teams, the train being a large one. At Sweetwater, about half way across the plains, Mr. Schieck was taken seriously ill, and as he could not ride, was left under a tree

though he had paid $100 for his passage. IIe offered a man his horse to take care of him. A part of the proposition was accepted. The man refused to take care of him, but did take his horse and rode off with it, leaving him alone. After resting for a time he got stronger, and, as he had some money with him, as soon as he was able to travel, he purchased another horse, at a Mormon trading post, and continued his journey across the plains. Continuing to get stronger as he proceeded and having a good horse, he overtook his comrades at Hangtown, greatly to their surprise, as they never expected to see him again. He exacted an immediate settlement and they gave him a yoke of oxen. He took them and his horse with him to Sacramento where he engaged in market gardening. He was in Sac- ramento during the flood, having gone there for provisions. He had to get his supplies from the second story window of a store. The following spring he went np to the mines and was at Marysville at the time of the flood there. After spending a few months in the mines, he returned to Sacramento; soon after went to San Francisco, and from there to San José. In the latter place he worked on a farm and continued to reside there two years. In 1855 he came to Los An- geles and after working for a time he, in com- pany with Paul Kern, purchased a water- cart and dray. He soon after bought the interest of Mr. Kern and continned the business alone un- til 1861. At that time he sold the water busi- ness and continued draying and hanling until 1875, when he sold ont and retired from active business. He bought his property on Spring street, 70 x 264 feet in dimensions, in 1859 and 1861, and it has become very valuable, being one of the best locations in the city. In 1861 Mr. Schieck married Miss Catharine Froehling, a native of Germany. She died in 1874, leav- ing one son, John D., who is now married and residing in Los Angeles. In 1882 Mr. Schieck married Mrs. Lonise Ernzen, a native of Ger- many. She was first married in New York, in 1857 to John Ernzen, a native of Germany. They came to California in 1867. Ile died in

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1872, leaving three children: Louise, now Mrs. C. E. Pittman, of Los Angeles; and Emma and Annie. Mr. and Mrs. Schieck are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HOMAS A. SAXON .- The subject of this sketch was born near Brandon, Mis- sissippi, in 1840. His father, Dr. James II. Saxon, of Huguenot stock, was a native of South Carolina, who early in life settled in Mis- sissippi and engaged in the practice of his pro- fession, and later located in New Orleans, where he was engaged in his profession until his death, in 1850. He was a man of prominence in the medical circles in both Mississippi and Lonisi- ana. Mr. Saxon's mother was Elizabeth (Yan- cey) Saxon, a native of Georgia, and a descendant of one of the prominent families of that State. Mr. Saxon was reared in the city of New Or- leans, receiving a good education. He was also engaged in his youth as a clerk and druggist. His academical education was completed at Bardstown, Kentucky. In 1861, at the break. ing out of the civil war, he entered the cavalry service of the Confederate army, and actively engaged under General Morgan and General Buckner, and afterward served with General Albert Sydney Johnson at Shiloh. He was also engaged as a scont under General Hardie, was inade a Captain, and while sconting in 1862 was captured by the Federal troops, and held as a prisoner of war until exchanged in 1863. IIe then entered into the service of the Western army, under General Bragg, as signal officer, where he remained nntil again captured in 1864. Soon after his capture he was paroled, throughi the influence of Captain Christopher O'Brien' brother of the late William O'Brien, of Bonanza fame, but before he could return South, while in Cincinnati, he was prostrated by sickness, which lasted for months. In the winter of 1864 he had partially recovered, and upon the admoni- tion of his physician and friends that only a com-

plete change of climate could possibly insure his return to healthı, he came to California and located in San Francisco. In 1865, when able to work, he entered into the employ of Voizin Ris & Co., who were engaged in the wholesale anction and commission business in that city. In 1867 he was appointed steward and assistant superintendent of the San Francisco County Hospital. He held that position for two years, when he resigned and shortly after engaged in teaching, continning in that employment until 1871. In that year he came to Los Angeles County and located at Ballona, between Los An- geles and Santa Monica, where he taught in tlie public schools. In 1873 he was appointed principal of the Bath Street School in Los Angeles, which office he held for two years, re- signing to fill the office of county school super- intendent of Los Angeles. Mr. Saxon located in San Gabriel Valley in 1879, first teaching in El Monte and later in San Gabriel. In 1881 Mr. Saxon purchased forty-five acres of land in the Savannah school district, about two miles west of Savannah, upon which he commenced the planting of vines and trees, also erecting a cottage home. In addition to his occupation as a teacher he devoted considerable attention to horticultural and viticultural pursuits, planting twelve acres in wine grapes and two acres in citrus and deciduous fruits. In 1887 Mr. Saxon sold forty acres of his land, retaining his five- acre home, on the corner of Saxon avenue and San Gabriel boulevard. Mr. Saxon is well known in Los Angeles County, and has for many years been prominently connected with the educational interests of the county, having been elected by a most flattering majority to the office of county school superintendent in 1875, declining a re- nomination in 1877. He has for nearly four- teen years been almost continuously a member of the county board of education, and is now (1889) the president of the board. Ile is a pro- gressive and enterprising citizen, and lends a hearty support to any enterprise that in his opinion will advance the welfare and interests of the community in which he resides. lu 1877

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Miss Josephine Antoinette Fuller, of Oregon, a very beautiful and accomplished young lady and recent graduate of the Academy of the Sacred Ileart, of Salem, Oregon, visited her parents, who were then living in Tustin City, Los Angeles County. During one of her many pleasant walks with favored friends, Miss Josephine crossed the lucky path of the subject of our sketch, was introduced, and, after the usual pre- liminaries and necessary delays, was wooed and won by him, and is now, after twelve years of matrimonial bliss, the loving mother of four splendid children: Josephine A., Alfred E., James Henry and Mary Y. May her happiness be as great as hier children are beautiful and promising.

OLUMBUS CECIL STEPHENS was born December 29, 1840, in Hardin, Shelby County, Ohio, and with his parents removed to Trenton, Grundy County, Missouri, in 1855. In 1857 he came to California from Missouri overland with ox teams, being six months on the trip, with his father's family, from St. Josephi, Missouri. In 1859 he returned East and entered college, and remained till the spring of 1861; then started to drive an ox team from Nebraska City to Pike's Peak, but grew tired of the job, and started afoot for California, and walked the entire distance-over 1,200 miles-in a few days over three months. Ile then taught school, and soon entered the Uni- versity of the Pacific at Santa Clara, California, from which he graduated in 1865. Then he read law, and was admitted to practice in 1867. Ile married Miss Flora B. Williams in Pine Grove, Esmeralda County, Nevada, in Decem- ber, 1867. Ile practiced law in San José, Cali- fornia, till the spring of 1881, when he removed to Theson, Arizona, his wife dying shortly afterward, leaving him four children. In Feb- ruary, 1883, he married at Theson Miss Mary E. Pearson. In the fall of 1884 he was elected joint councilman from the Southern district of

Arizona to the Upper Ilouse of the Territorial Legislature. In that Legislature he introduced and carried through an aet abolishing the com. mon law doctrine of riparian rights, a bill found- ing and establishing the University of Arizona, a complete judicial system for the Territory, an insolvent act, a mechanies' lien aet, an act for the repression of the Mormon element, and much other important legislation. From 1882- '87 he was the attorney of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in Arizona. In 1887 he re- moved to Los Angeles, where he has since re- sided, engaged in the practice of his profession.

OIIN SCHIUMACHIER, the pioneer, was a native of Würtemberg, Germany, where he was born January 23, 1816. When thirteen years of age, his parents both being dead, he went to Switzerland and from thenee to Paris. From there he came to New York, where he lived several years. In 1846 he en- listed in Company G of Stevenson's Regiment of United States Volunteers; and on the 26th day of September of that year, be set sail with his comrades in the ship Thomas H. Perkins for San Francisco, where he arrived in the month of March, 1847. On the 3d of April his eom- pany sailed on the United States storeship Lexington for Monterey. On the 5th of May they re-embarked on the same ship for San Pedro, arriving in Los Angeles on the 9th, which post was made the headquarters of the regiment. The company remained here until discharged from the service on the 18th of September, 1848. In 1882 Francis D. Clark, who had been a private of Company D, published in New York a very interesting history of Stevenson's Regiment, which was known in the Mexican war as the First Regiment of New York Volunteers. After his discharge Mr. Schumacher went, as every body did, to the newly discovered gold mines. Whilst working in the diggings on Sutter's Creek, he found a nugget which he afterward sold for $800 in

John Schumacher

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money, although he had been offered for it large tracts of land in San Francisco, which to- day are worth millions of dollars. After work- ing at mining awhile, he returned to Los An- geles and settled permanently. In 1855 he married Mary Uhrie, also a native of Germany, by whom he had six children, two daughters and four sons. The eldest daughter, Mary A., is the wife of Edward A. Preuss, the present postmaster of Los Angeles. Mr. Preuss was born in New Orleans in 1850, and came to Los Angeles in 1868, having lived in early life at Louisville, Kentucky, where he learned his pro- fession of druggist, which he also followed here till 1886. Mr. Schumacher's second daughter, Carrie, married Prof. Paul Schumacher, of the Smithsonian Institute, who died in Mexico in 1883. She is still a resident of this city. The four sons are: John H., Frank G., Percy F. and Arthur W. All reside in Los Angeles and all are nnmarried. Frank and Percy are traveling during the present summer of 1889 in Europe, and expect to make the tour of the world. Soon after Mr. Schumacher settled in Los Angeles, he opened a store on Spring street, near First, which he kept till about 1870; and almost from the first he commenced to own land. He bought nearly the whole block bounded by Spring, First, Fort and Franklin for $700. He was the owner of hill lands where the Ellis College now stands. He used them as a sheep-range; his partner in this business was Jacob Bell, who was afterward killed by Lachenais, for which the latter was hung by the people. Mr. Schn- macher owned at one time a vineyard opposite the present City Gardens; and also a farm on the Brea Rancho, where shortly before his death he started a small vineyard as an experiment, to see if vines would grow without irrigation. Mr. Schumacher bought one of the first pianos that were brought to Los Angeles; and when "car- retas " were about the only vehicles here, he had a covered spring-wagon made by John Goller. He was twice a city councilman. He spoke fluently German, English, French and Spanish, and often he assisted Spanish people

who did not understand English or American laws and customs in the management of their business affairs; and as he was as honest as the day, they had unlimited confidence in him. IIe built his block on the site of his old store in 1880 -'81. Mr. Schumacher was a very kind-hearted, genial man, whom everybody here in the olden times knew and respected; he probably did not have an enemy in the world. His friendly, cordial manner toward all made him univer- sally popular. Mr. Schumacher died of apo- plexy, March 2, 1885, in the seventieth year of his age.

MONROE THURMAN, of Pomona, is a representative of one of the early American families who settled in the San Gabriel Valley. He was born in Bledsoe County, Tennessee, July 22, 1840, son of John and Lettie Jane Thurman, who emigrated fromn there to Johnson County, Arkansas, in 1848, where he tilled the soil until February, 1852. Then they formed a portion of a party of abont sixty- five families who crossed the plains, deserts and mountains to this sunny, golden land. The fam- ily was destined not to reach the promised land without the greatest of bereavements, for, at the copper mines in Arizona, the mother, who had hoped so much from the journey and toiled so hard in preparation for it, and so well cared for the children through so many trials, died. Sadly and tenderly was she buried, and tearfully the family turned westward and pursued their way, now so lonely, which ended in the San Gabriel Valley, near where El Monte now is, in September, 1852. The father went to Tuolumne County and there for a time engaged in mining. Returning to this county in 1853 he located one and a half miles south of El Monte, in the neighborhood of the Temple Ranch. There he engaged in farming until 1855, when he bought land between Savannah and El Monte, just west of the New San Gabriel River, remaining there until 1867. He then moved to the " Willow Grove,"

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or Thompson Hotel, where he owned sixty acres of valuable land, and followed agriculture the rest of his active life. Ilis death occurred July 6, 1876, at the age of sixty-eight years. The names of the eight children of the ten born to him, who lived to come to California with him, are: Nellie, now wife of John Hicks, an early comer to this county, but now a resident of Fresno; Frank, still a resident of San Gabriel Valley; Ephraim, who died in the mining districts of Tuolumne County; Margaret, the deceased wife of Thomas C. Swagard, of this county; R. Monroe, whose name heads this sketch ; Stephen D., who resides near El Monte, and whose his- tory is in this work; Alexander, who resides upon a portion of the Willow Grove property; his sketch also appears in this connection; and John S., a resident of Los Angeles. John Thurman was a strong man physically and inentally, well known and favorably remembered by early men. He was an active promoter of religion and of all good work. His life was so well spent that he won the respect of all who knew him. R. Monroe Thurman remained at his father's home until 1868, when he wedded Miss Dora Belle Fuqua, daughter of Isham and Joanna (Hathway) Fuqua. Her father was born in the State of Virginia, camne to Califor- nia, and after a time spent in San Diego County, located in that county, near El Monte, in 1854. Mr. Thurman, after his marriage, engaged in farming just west of Savannah, where he lived until 1887, and where he owned originally a property consisting of 120 acres, seventy-eight of which he sold to L. J. Rose, of Los Angeles. In 1887 Mr. Thurman located in the beautiful, thriving city of Pomona, where he now lives, having his home on Crow avenue, between Garey and Gibbs streets, in a neat cottage. Ile is interested in horticulture, having an orchard of five acres in apricots, apples, peaches and prunes. Mr. Thurman also owns a lot and two cottages on Thomas and Fourth streets. Ile makes a business of grading and general street improving by contract. A thorough practical man, he is winning hie way to independence by

steps sure not to be retraced. Mrs. Thurman's parents are now residents of Pomona. She is the mother of eight children: Nellie, wife of William Willis, of Pomona; R. Monroe, Jr., Joanna, Alice, Williamn B., Allen La Verne, Robert De Long and Bert. Mr. Thurman is a member of Pomona Lodge, No. 225, A. O. U. W. In political action he is a strong, conserv- ative Democrat.

TEPHEN D. THURMAN, a representa- tive of one of the early American families who settled near El Monte, dates his birth in Bledsoe County, Tennessee, Christmas day, 1843, son of John and Lettie Jane Thurman. When in his first year the family removed to Johnson County, Arkansas, where his father was a farmer the following eight years. In 1852 the family started with ox teams, in a long train made up by some sixty-five families, on the over- land trip to Los Angeles County, reaching the vicinity of El Monte in September of that year. The history of the journey, the death of the mother and her burial in the wilds of Arizona, the father's occupation and changes of residence, his death and burial, the names of his eight children who accompanied him to California, the whereabouts of the living, etc., have been given in the biography of one of the older sons, R. Monroe Thurman, of Pomona. Stephen D. Thur- man, whose name heads this sketch, from his ninth year has been identified with and a resi- dent of the immediate neighborhood of his present home. A thoroughly practical man, strictly attentive to his business, honorable and just to all men, his standing is high in the com- munity. ITis home, one mile sonth of El Monte, though containing but forty acres, is sufficient for an ample support for himself and family. It is devoted to the raising of alfalfa, from which he raises annually from $75 to $100 worth per acre. He remained with his father until his marriage to Miss Nancy N. Beck, which occurred January 7, 1866. Her father, John Beck, how

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owns the "Willow Grove" property. Mrs. Thurman was born in Texas, but was reared in California from 1854, the year her family came to the State. She is the mother of nine chil- dren, all of whom are yet under the home roof. Their names are: John, Allie, Ephraim, Jeffer- son, Annie, Lettie, Neal F., Stephen D. and Willie. Mr. Thurman is a liberal Democrat, and was classed during the civil war as a war Democrat. He has served several years, and is now serving, as a school director. He is a lead- ing member of the order of United Workinen, and has passed the chairs of El Monte Lodge, No. 188.

LEXANDER L. THURMAN, another member of the Thurman family who be- came identified with San Gabriel Valley in the year of 1852, has ever since resided near where his father established his first home, and now resides upon a portion of the estate occupied by his father at his death-the old "Willow Grove" property, just east of El Monte. For a full history of the family, of the overland jour- ney, the death of the mother on the plains of Arizona, the location in San Gabriel Valley in September, 1852, the occupation and changes of residence of the father, his death, the where- abouts of the living members, etc., the reader is referred to the biographical sketch of R. Mon- roe Thurman, of Pomona, just given. Alex- ander L. Thurman, the subject of this sketch, was born in Bledsoe County, Tennessee, April 9, 1846, son of John and Lettie Jane Thurman- He was but two years of age when the family emigrated to Jolinson County, Arkansas, and only in his sixth year when the overland jour- ney commenced, bound for Los Angeles County. Many of the incidents connected with the long, weary journey, particularly the death of his mother, are indelibly impressed upon his memory. His boyhood days were all spent near his present home, and his education was obtained in the schools of his neighborhood.

His manhood life, with the exception of a few months in Montana in 1879, has all been spent in the San Gabriel Valley, and all devoted to agricultural pursuits. He has seen the country pass from an almost chaotic condition to its present commanding position, and in much of the work of transformation has had a part, although he has not become rich. He has always lived np to his obligations, and acted the part of the manly, worthy citizen; and if but little besides the record of an honorable life be left as a legacy to his children, they still will not be poor. February 11, 1880, Mr. Thurman wedded Miss Anna Prouty, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Prouty. Mrs. Thurman was born in Amador County, California, February 19, 1862. She is the mother of three children: Joseph C., Hugh C. and Enos E. The home of Mrs. Thurman's parents is now near El Monte Station. In politics Mr. Thurman acts with the Democratic party. He is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is the financier of El Monte Lodge, No. 188. The old " Willow Grove" property, where his father spent his last years, and, as stated, where he owns a portion of the same, is near El Monte, a little east.

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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