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 103

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 103

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years afterward he followed trapping and deal- ing in peltries. Making and saving money, he became for those days comparatively wealthy. In New Mexico he wedded, in 1830, Senorita Nicolasa Uriarte, who was born of one of the old Spanish families in New Mexico. Her only dangh- ter is now Mrs. A. M. W. de Temple, the widow of the late F. P. F. Temple. With her Mrs. Workman now lives, aged ninety years, physically and mentally strong considering her advanced age. Her only son, Joseph Workman, is a resident of Los Angeles. Mr. Workman will ever be well and favorably remembered by the pioneers for his many manly qualities.

W. TUNGATE is one of the representa tive farmers of San Gabriel Valley. He is the owner of a fine property in the heart of the valley, two miles and a half north of El Monte, where he established his residence in 1875. Mr. Tungate dates his birth in Osage County, Missouri, Jannary 27, 1832. There he was reared to a farm life and educated in the country schools. Reaching the age of twenty- one years, he became anxious to encounter life in his own behalf. He left the old home, vis- ited an elder brother, H. B. Tungate (now de- ceased), who lived in Texas, and together they came to California, via the Southern route. (This was in the pioneer days of California's history, and Mr. Tungate has ever since been identified with the State.) Placer mining being the principal business in the State at that time, Mr. Tungate devoted nearly ten years to that occupation, principally in Mariposa County and also in Kern County. Though working in no mine for many years, he has been more or less interested in mining until within a few years of the present time. In 1858 he visited the old home, returning in 1859. His first visit to Los Angeles was for the purpose of purchasing supplies, in 1862, while he was operating in Kern County. From August, 1868, to Novem- ber, 1870, Mr. Tungate owned fifty acres adjoin-

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

ing his present home, which is now owned by William Shoddy. Later, while living at Bakers- field, he served two years as under sheriff. In 1875 Mr. Tungate established his present resi- dence. His farmn contains 100 acres of the choicest of alluvial lands; his cottage home is a con- venient, well-ordered country residence, and all the surroundings indicate the property to be the home of a prosperous, contented agriculturist. In 1863 Mr. Tungate wedded Miss Rachel M. Malone, who settled in El Monte in 1859. Mrs. Tungate has resided in this State since she was ten years of age. She is the mother of ten children, all of whom reside with their parents, except the two eldest, Mrs. Eliza Ann Gage, of Santa Ana, and her elder sister, Martha M., who is dead. The names of the other children are: John M., Mary M., George W., Laura Belle, David W., Mark Twain, Charles Grover and Mabel. The first-born, Mrs. Martha M. Gage, died not long after her marriage, her husband being a brother to the husband of Eliza Ann. Mr. Tungate is never uninterested in public good, and is fully up to all the requirements of a good citizen. From his first vote he has been identified with the Democratic party.

S. G. TODD .- Atatime when our country was engaged in the great struggle for the preservation of the Union, the sub- ject of this sketch was born, and named for the man destined to be first in wars. Ulysses S. Grant Todd was born near Pleasant Mount, Maine, January 27, 1863. In 1868 his father, James H. Todd, was elected to the State Senate, and the family moved to Tuscumbia, Missouri, where they resided for twenty years. In 1881 and 1882 Mr. Todd attended the Missouri State University. On returning home he engaged in teaching school for awhile, but soon after en- gaged in mercantile pursuits, in which branch of occupation he has since continued. In 1885 Mr. Todd left Missouri and came to New Mexico, and in 1886 he emigrated to California, settling

in Los Angeles, where he engaged in business. Although young, Mr. Todd has always taken an active part in politics, being at different times delegate to both State and congressional conven - tions. He cast his first vote for James G. Blaine, in 1884, and had the pleasure of casting a ballot for our successful candidates in 1838. In politics Mr. Todd is an uncompromising protectionist. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Christian Church.

MOS G. THROOP, Pasadena, was born in De Ruyter, Madison County, New York, July 22, 1811. The most of his boyhood days were spent in Cortland and Chenango counties, that State. In May, 1832, he left Chenango County, going to Michigan, the then far West, where he arrived without a dollar. He settled in St. Clair County and made that his home for eleven years. In 1838 he returned to his native State, and at Preston was united in marriage with Eliza V. Wait. Soon after that event he returned to Michigan, where he con- tinned to reside until 1843, in which year he removed to Chicago, where he lived until 1880. During the years of his residence in that now busy and wealthy city, Mr. Throop witnessed many changes and held many important trusts and positions. He saw the first locomotive that ever entered Chicago. He was one of the origi- nal organizers of the Chicago Board of Trade, and a member of it for a number of years. He was also a member of the committee of arbitra- tion for the Board of Trade for several years. In 1852 Mr. Throop built the Garden City House, which was at that time the best honse in Chicago. In 1849 he was elected alderman and served four years, and was elected again in 1876 and served four years more. He has been intimately acquainted with every mayor Chicago has had np to the present time. In 1854 and 1855 Mr. Throop was appointed assessor for West Chicago. He served five years as a mem- ber of the board of supervisors of Cook County,

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

In 1855 he was elected city treasurer for a term of two years, and while holding that position he handled over $5,000,000 of the city funds, and for two years was a member of the State Legis- lature of Illinois. In 1880 he came to Califor- nia and located in Los Angeles, where he purchased a ranch on the corner of Main and Jefferson streets, on which was a fine residence and other buildings. In 1886 he removed to Pasadena where he expects to spend the remain- der of his days. He had been in Pasadena only a short time when he was strongly urged to be- come a member of the city council, his services in that capacity in Chicago having become known in his new Western home. Throngh strong solicitation he reluctantly consented and now holds a position in the city council of that place. Mr. Throop has contributed largely to the cause of education, and all through life he has been an earnest advocate of temperance.

OSWELL H. WILSON, the proprietor of the well-known pioneer nursery, of the Duarte, was the pioneer of the nursery industry in his section. He commenced the business upon his father's place in 1876, and in 1879 established a nursery, on his own account, on the San Gabriel avenue, between Buena Vista and Mountain View avennes. That tract of land was ten acres in extent, and in addition to his nursery business, he fully improved it by planting the choicest variety of citrus and de- cidnous fruits. Ile sold that place in 1886, and purchased his present residence, consisting of thirteen acres of land on the corner of San Gabriel and Buena Vista avennes. Taking this land in its comparatively wild state, he is, by his intelligent care and industrions labor, com- bined with a thorough practical knowledge of his business, building up one of the leading nurseries of the county. With the exception of a family orchard, his whole tract will be de- voted to nursery purposes. His greatest atten- tion at this writing (1889) is being devoted to

producing a large and choice variety of decidu- ous fruits, such as his years of experience have shown him are the best adapted to his section and the San Gabriel Valley. Ornamental trees and floral productions also receive his attention, and in the near future his stock in that line cannot be exceeded by any in his section. He is a stockholder in the Duarte Ditch Company, and his irrigation system is one of the most perfect to be found in the district. He is also a mechanic of no mean order, and his noticeably neat and attractive cottage residence is the result of his own skill and labor. Mr. Wilson was born in Chatham, New Jersey, in 1857. He is the son of Joseph Wilson, a native of England, who, early in life, emigrated to the United States and located in New Jersey, following the occupa- tion of a carpenter and joiner. He there mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Sayre, a native of that State. Mr. Wilson was reared in his native place until twelve years of age. His parents then moved to Newark, where they resided until 1874. In that year they came to Los Angeles County, and, after spending a year in Los Angeles, came to the Dnarte and purchased thirty acres of land on San Gabriel avenue. Previous to this date the subject of this sketch had spent the most of his time in school. He was always a lover of horticultural pursuits, and upon his father's occupying this tract of land, he entered heartily into the profession of his choice ; and through study and research became one of the successful hortienlturists of the Duarte district. He is a respected citizen and a strong supporter of such enterprises as will advance the welfare of the community in which he resides. A supporter of schools and churches, he has for years been a consistent member of the Congregational Church. In political matters he is a Republican, and is also a strong supporter of the Prohibition movement. In 1882 Mr. Wilson married Miss Aliee Philbrook, a native of Illinois. She died in 1884. In 1887 he was united in marriage with Miss Florence Campbell, the daughter of Galen and Roxanna (Dunshee) Campbell. Mrs. Wilson was born in Illinois. Her father was a

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

native of Vermont, and her mother, of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have one child, Alice. Mr. Wilson's parents are now residing at their home just west of his place. With them are residing his brother, Leonard W.,and his sister, Gertrude, now Mrs. Parker. His brother, J. Chester Wilson, is a resident of Ventura County, this State; and his sister, Nellie E., now Mrs. Frank Ellis, is living at San Pedro.

LI TAYLOR was born in Alexandria, Vir- ginia, and is the son of Thomas and Sarah (Talbott) Taylor, both natives of Mary- land, and both died when Eli was an infant. He was reared by Eli Talbott, a gentleman from Maryland. Mr. Taylor learned the trade of ear- penter and architeet; served an apprenticeship of five years, first in Washington under John Thomas, and then in Baltimore under J. L. Hayghe. For several years he was in the em- ployment of the Government as an arehiteet. He started from Alexandria, Virginia, in 1850, for California, and came as far as La Grange, Missouri, where he tarried until 1851, when he again took up the line of march for the Golden State, reaching Sacramento Valley after a jour- ney across the plains with ox and mule teams, which took about six months. He worked at his trade in that part of the State for two years, then continued his travels to Portland, Oregon, Washington Territory and British Possessions, after which he moved to Los Angeles and eon- tinued work at his trade. In 1862 Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Martha Hunter, of Los Angeles. She is a daughter of Jesse D. and Keziah Hunter, who were of the first people in Los Angeles. Mr. Hunter was a military man, and well known by nearly all the old settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have seven sons: John H., Eli, Jr., Albert, George W., William H., Edgar C. and Jesse P. Both Mr. Taylor and his wife are members of the Christian church. Socially he is an I. O. O. F., and politically a Demoerat. Mr. Taylor is a man well beloved by his neigh-

bors, and respected by all who know him. Five years ago lie had the misfortune to lose his eye- sight; but he is still the same sociable and agreeable companion that he was before, and his conversation is instructive and entertaining.

ILLIAM F. TURNER, member of the firm of Lambourn & Turner, wholesale and retail groeers, was born in Ohio in 1839, and spent the first eighteen years of his life in the Buckeye State. In 1858 lie eame by way of the Isthmus of Panama to California, and settled in Los Angeles County, of which he has been a resident for thirty-one years. All of his active business life has been employed in mercantile pursuits, fifteen years of it as a partner in the firm before named in this article, and which is now one of the oldest as well as one of the most successful business firms in the "Angel City." Starting in one small room, with no assistants, the business has grown till three store-rooms, in the block they have sinee ereeted on Aliso street, are now required for their wholesale and retail grocery trade, in which several men besides the proprietors are employed In 1870 Mr. Turner and Miss Humphreys, a native of Arkansas, were joined in wedlock 11. Los Angeles County. Their family consists of a daughter and two sons, namely: Mand, fifteen; William Franeis, thirteen, and Cland Sherelift Turner, eleven years of age.

LFRED TODIIUNTER was born on the Isle of Wight, in 1851. His father's name was also Alfred, and he was a naval engineer in the service of the British Govern- ment. Mr. Todhunter received a university education in England, and came to America when he was twenty-one years of age. At present he has charge of St Barnabas Episeo- pal Church, and of missionary fields in the vicinity. For six years he was rector of St.

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

John's Church in San Francisco; was also for a time in St. Mary's Cathedral in Memphis, Ten- nessee. As a public speaker he is eloquent, in- telligent and scholarly. For two years past Mr. Todhunter has been located on the Priory Ostrich Farm near Norwalk. This industry began abont eight years ago, when Dr. Sketch- ley brought the first birds from Africa. The birds were moved to Los Felis, and there have been three importations since-one at Anaheim, owned by a stock company; one in San Diego Connty, owned by Boston capitalists; and the Priory, near Norwalk. These birds were brought from Africa, via Galveston, Texas, by Mr. E. Cawston, two years ago. These men have dem- onstrated that the raising of the ostrich in this country may be made a very profitable industry. They have made a large shipment of birds and chicks to Arizona. Since the last importation by Mr. Cawston, the Government at Cape Town has imposed an import duty of £100 on each bird; but our African neighbors did not begin soon enough to protect their industry. There are now in the United States abont 800 birds. Those on Mr. Todhunter's farm number abont thirty. They are abont eight feet high, and weigh from 250 to 300 pounds each. The eggs sell readily for $15 per dozen, and young chicks sell for $50 apiece. They live to be from eighty to 100 years old. A good, full-grown bird sells for from $250 to $300. In connection with the ostrich business Mr. Todhunter is giving con- siderable attention to the raising of fine horses. Hle has a fine farm of 140 acres, and a very neat residence near Norwalk, and his grounds and yards are very beautifully laid out.

UGUSTUS ULYARD was born in Phila- delphia, February 22, 1816. In 1841 he engaged in the bakery business in St. Louis, continning there until 1848. In 1837 he was a member of the Texas Volunteers who were fighting the Mexicans. In 1846 he married Mary Field, who was born in England. They

have no children of their own, though they have adopted seven, three of whom are now living. He and his wife came across the plains in 1852, and arrived in Los Angeles the last day of that year. They have been residents here ever since, and have seen the small Mexican pueblo of a few thousand inhabitants become a modern American city of 75,000 people. They have ontlived the most of the people who bore sway in Los Angeles at that period, and they have seen a new generation and strangers take the place of the old "poblanos." Mr. Ulyard helped to form the first Republican League in 1856, in a two-story frame house on Main street belong- ing to Captain Alexander Bell, the pioneer, who was a presidential elector in the Frémont cam- paign. Mr. Ulyard's parents came from France.

AMON VALENZUELA, capitalist, 510 East Seventh street, Los Angeles, is prob- ably the oldest native-born citizen residing in Los Angeles at this time. His parents, Gas- par and Mariaynacia (Lopez) Valenzuela, were bothi natives of California. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and November 28, 1840, was united in marriage with Miss Ascension Serano, a native of San Gabriel, the marriage ceremony being performed in the old Mission church. Her parents, Thomas and Nicholaza (Navarra) Serano, were both natives of California and were never outside the limits of Los Angeles County. After his marriage, the subject of this sketchi followed the occupa- tion of his father, and had a little farm on San Pedro street. He sold that place, and in 1846 purchased the land upon which he now resides, which was at that time some distance from the city. For forty years he cultivated the soil, raising grain and fruits. The land becoming very valuable, he subdivided it and sold the greater portion two years ago. The land he still retains he has improved and erected houses thereon. Excepting the three months spent in San Diego, during the war troubles in 1846, he

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

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has never been outside the limits of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Valenzuela have ten children: Manuela, now Mrs. Marchado, living at Bayonne; Jubencio, residing on Eighth street, Los An- geles; Felipa, now Mrs. Rayes, a resident of Los Angeles; Salbadora, the widow of Mr. Ruiz, who is now living with her father; Gaspar, whose home is on the Santonia Ranch; Jose, living on Hewitt street; Crotild, now Mrs. Ybarra, of East Los Angeles; Ramond and As- cension, in Los Angeles City; and Arnmnulfo, living at home. They have lost four children: Esteban, Liobejildo, Consolation and Eduarda. They have thirty-three grandchildren living and twelve deceased; also one great-grandchild living and one deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Valen- zuela have lived a quiet and peaceful life, en- joying the respect of all who know them. Mr. Valenzuela has never had a lawsuit in his life.

ENRY VAN VALKENBURG, harness- maker and saddler in Wilmington, has been a resident of this county since 1861. He is a native of Kinderhook, Columbia County, New York, a Hollander by descent, and a son of Jacob and Hannah (Rose) Van Valkenburg, both of whom were natives of New York. His father moved to McHenry County, Illinois, in 1849, where he engaged in farming and where he lived a useful and exemplary life, dying in 1865 at the ripe old age of ninety-five years. His companion had preceded him to the grave several years, having died in August, 1844, at the age of fifty-one years. Mr. Van Valken- burg was born in 1831, being one of a family of eight children. He left home at the age of fourteen to learn his trade, and afterward went to Dundaff, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, where he was in business for a number of years. He next went to Niles, Michigan, and from that place to Pike's Peak, where he engaged in mining for a time, after which he came overland to California, landing in Los Angeles in 1861, and in Wilmington in 1864. He has been very

successful here, and by his energy and perse- verance has pushed his way to the front ranks among the business men of Wilmington. In 1871 he was nnited in marriage to Mrs. Amelia McBride, nee Amelia Brown, a native of Chicago.

ELSON VAN TASSEL, the popular post- master at El Monte, is one of the Cali- fornia pioneers of 1849. IIe is a native of Onondaga County, New York, dating his birth March 7, 1821. He is a descendant of an old Colonial family, his grandfather having been a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and held as a prisoner in Canada for three years. His father, Cornelius Van Tassel, was a carpenter by trade, and one of the pioneers of Western New York. Ile built the first house ever erected in Syra- euse. His mother was formerly Elizabeth Sager, also a native of New York. Mr. Van Tassel was reared in the county of his birth until thir- teen years of age. His parents then moved to Indiana and located at La Porte, where his father engaged in farming, to which calling the subject of this sketch was reared until he reached his majority. He then entered into mannfact- uring agricultural implements, the old " grape- vine cradle " being one of the most important implements produced in his establishment. He continued his business until the gold fever of 1849 swept over the country. He was a victim of that fever, and decided to seek his fortunes in the El Dorado of the West. In the spring of that year, in company with thirty-two others, he started across the plains for California. The party was well equipped with mnle teams for transportation and made a quick and successful journey. Upon arriving in California he sought the mining regions and located in El Dorado County, at what was afterward ealled Cold Springs. His party were the first to pitch tents and erect buildings at that place. Mr. Van Tas- sel, in company with Dr. John Cutler-now a wealthy resident of Visalia-opened the first store at Cold Springs. They also engaged in

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

mining operations and freighting. They were successful despite several severe losses, one of which was a $10,000 loan to Richard Heath, of Sacramento, and secured by mortgage on a lot ocenpied by the bank of D. (). Wills, on J street, in that city. Through the failure of Heatlı to meet the payment and a defective title they lost the whole amount. In 1853 Dr. Cnt- ler retired from the firm and Mr. Van Tassel condneted the business alone nntil 1857. Ile was then appointed United States Indian Agent at Tehama, which position he held until 1861. The next year he came to Southern California and spent a year in San Diego County, and then went to Arizona and located at Weavers, near Weavers' IIill. There he engaged in mercantile pursuits and also in freighting and packing. Ile was also extensively engaged in mining op- erations in the well-known Wickenberg distriet. The Indian troubles in that territory finally compelled an abandonment of his enterprises. Three of his men were killed and seventy-three of his mules stolen by the Indians. He then took up his residence at Wickenberg, after which he engaged in furnishing supplies to the military post at Fort McDowell and other places. In 1866 Mr. Van Tassel disposed of his inter- ests in Arizona and returned to California and located at San Bernardino, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1870 he went to Mexico and was engaged in silver mining until 1874, when he came to Los Angeles County, and after spending a year at Compton, located near Duarte, where he took up and purchased 500 acres of land and established a bee ranch. He found that life too tame for him, and in 1878 he was off for the mines, locating in the Tomb- stone district in Arizona. There he engaged in contracting and supplying timber and wood to the mills until about 1882. IIe then returned home and in 1884 established a store at El Monte, which he has since conducted. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster, a position which at this writing (1889) he still holds. Mr. Van Tassel retains the 500-acre tract before men- tioned, at Duarte. It is mostly hill land, but

there are sixty acres that are well adapted for fruit culture, there being an abundant supply of water on the place. Mr. Van Tassel is now developing a tin mine that has recently been discovered upon his place, which has thus far proved very promising. The subject of this sketch has spent forty years of his life in active business porsnits on the Pacific Coast. He is well and favorably known, and has a large cir- ele of friends. Politically he is a Democrat, and has always been an active worker in his party. Ile was the first public administrator ever elected in El Dorado County, and held that re- sponsible office for six years. He was also ap- pointed postmaster at Green Valley, El Dorado County, in 1856, but resigned to take the Indian agency. During the war he was a strong Union man, and a supporter of the war policy. In 1851 Mr. Van Tassel married Miss Martha For- see, a native of Indiana. Her father, James Forsee, a native of Virginia, came to California in 1850. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Van Tassel have reared and educated three children who were related to them by mar- riage, viz .: Leonidas Forsee, who married a Miss Shivers, and is now a merchant at Temple, Ari- zona; California Forsee, who died in 1875, aged twenty years; and Katie Forsee, now wife of Felix G. Berry, and now a resident of and post- mistress at Savannah, this State.

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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