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 108

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 108

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White married Mrs. Rebecca A. Holship, a native of Missouri. They have three children living, viz .: Helen M., who married Thomas Caystile, formerly editor of the Los Angeles Times (now deceased); she is living at Los Angeles; Nannie C., who married Charles L. Northcraft, also liv- ing at Los Angeles; and Harry R., who is a member of his father's household.

E. WOOD, contractor, 70 Chavez street, Los Angeles, is a native of Nova Scotia, born Angust 16, 1826. He attended school during his boyhood and began learning his trade. When seventeen years of age the family removed to Ontario, Canada, where he completed his apprenticeship and worked at his trade there, in Michigan, and in Buffalo, New York. Then he went East and followed his trade in New York City and in Washington in the navy yard, after which he returned to On- tario and remained there a number of years, un- til 1875, when he came to the Pacific Coast. He first located at Oakland, engaged in contracting, and carried on the business there until 1882, when he came to Los Angeles, and since then has been successfully engaged in contracting and building. Among the buildings he has erected in Los Angeles is Six Brothers' Block, Jacobo's Block, Brown & Foster's hardware building, on Spring street; the handsome residence of Mr. Dodsworth, corner of Sixth and Main streets; the block on the corner of Smith and Spring streets; the residence of Mr. Forrester, Seventh street, near Pearl street, and a great number of others. He has had a large experience in contracting and building and enjoys a high reputation for his ability and responsibility. While living in Bothwell, Canada, he was a member of the city council for six years and a member of the school board for a number of years; was also justice of the peace. In 1859 Mr. Wood was married to Miss Matilda McNeil, a native of Prince Edward Island. They have three chil- dren: Minnic and Annie, both married and

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living in Oakland, California; and one son John Howard. He married his present wife, Miss Marion Smith, at Chatham, Ontario, on the 12th of April, 1869.

E. WHITE, carriage and wagon mann- facturer, No. 12 South Los Angeles street, Los Angeles, is a native of Canada, born December 7, 1845. Ile attended the com- mon schools and learned his trade in London, Canada; then went to Michigan and remained there three years, and from there came to Kan- sas, where he resided four years. He came to California in 1875, located in Los Angeles and worked for Page & Gravel two and a half years. Next he entered into partnership with Mr. R. McGarvin, on Spring street, and they carried on the business together eight years, after which they dissolved, and Mr. White established his present trade at his present location. His shop is 30 x 120 feet in size and two stories in height. He manufactures all kinds of wagon and carriage work to order, but mostly light work. He has machinery for doing his wood-work, and during the busy seasons employs from fifteen to twenty hands. By good management and close atten- tion to business he has built up a good trade. Hle had nothing when he began, and his success in life is owing to his own efforts. In 1874 Mr. White married Miss Jennie Hyberger, of the State of Iowa. They have three children: Agnes, Alma and Hazel, and have lost one son, Clay Leslie.

AUL WACK, proprietor of the Hill-Side Winery, Los Angeles, is a native of Ger- many and was born April 4, 1851. His father is in the wine business and an extensive vineyardist on the Rhine, and he was reared in the business from childhood. He was a travel- ing salesman for his father in this country and superintendent of the business. He visited

America during his early childhood, but came again to reside permanently in 1878, being on the road in the interest of his business. He lived in St. Lonis four years, and came to Los Angeles in 1885 and established his present winery. He also started a winery at Azusa, and bnys a large amount of grapes. Ile has a good home trade and also ships the product of his winery to Eastern markets. His premises have 390 feet front by 180 feet deep, and he has built up a successful business. Mr. Waek married Miss Constanze Steinecke, of St. Louis, Mis- souri. They have two children: Richard Peter and Arnold Panl.

OSEPH WEAVER, of the firm of Weaver Bros., proprietors of the Highland View Nursery, Los Angeles, was born in the State of Ohio, December 23, 1843, and during his early childhood his parents moved with him to Illinois, where he grew up, attending school and learning his business. In 1875 he emi- grated to the coast, locating in the northern part of the State. Next, he was engaged in business in Tulare County several years, then three years in Arizona, and finally, in 1883, came to Los Angeles, and afterward became en- gaged in his present business in partnership with his brother. They are building up a fine trade, shipping their stock north, east and south.

M RS. BRIDGET WILSON, corner of San Pedro street and Brooklyn avenue, Los Angeles, whose maiden name was John- son, is a native of Ireland, being born in County Lowth, near Dublin, and emigrated to this country in 1849. She came to California in 1853, landing at San Diego, and in a few days came to Los Angeles. During the same year, in August, she married John La Rue, a native of France, who cmigrated to the United States in 1849, and came to San Francisco, and joined

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

the throng going to the mountains to engage in mining. In the latter he did well. He then went to Mazatlan, Mexico, and while there was robbed twice by the Mexicans and barely es- caped with his life. In 1853 he came to Los Angeles and opened a restaurant and was mar- ried the same year. He afterward bought thirty-five acres of land, where Mrs. Wilson now lives, and set out a vineyard and an orchard of oranges and other fruit, and made other improve- ments. He carried on the restaurant business until his death, which ocenrred in February, 1858. He went to a fire on Main street and took a severe cold, which caused his death. He was an estimable citizen. He left an estate, which has become very valuable, his widow be- ing the only beir. In 1862 Mrs. La Rue mar- ried Jolin Wilson, of this city, who is a native of Ireland and came to Los Angeles in 1858, engaging in blacksmithing. He has carried on the business here for twenty-two years, and by good management and shrewd judgment in in- vesting, he has accumulated a large amount of property.

J. WOOLLACOTT, wholesale dealer in pure California wines and brandies, 26 and 28 North Spring street, Los Angeles. There is probably not a business house in South- ern California that has reached a higher standard in the character and magnitude of its trade than the one which constitutes the subject of this sketch. Mr. Woollacott is a native of Salt Lake City, born August 21, 1858. Ile attended school during his boyhood and entered the great mercantile house of Walker Brothers of that city, where he remained six years, and in 1876 came to Southern California and located at Los Angeles. After clerking in a store for several years, he established his present business at the above-named place. Since that, time it has steadily grown and prospered until it extends to all parts of the United States. Mr. Woolla- cott makes a specialty of pure California wines

and brandies, consisting of the following varie- ties: Port, Angelica, Sherry, Muscatel, Zin- fandel, Burger, Blanelba, Dry Muscat, Riesling, Madeira, etc. These are put up with great care for shipment to all parts of this country and Europe. Mr. Woollacott has had an experience of eighteen years and enjoys an enviable reputa- tion in dealing in pure California wines and brandies of the highest standard, and carries a large stock to supply the demands of his con- stantly increasing trade. He is prominently identified with all the progressive interests of the city; is a director in the State Loan and Trust Company, of Los Angeles. Mr. Woolla- cott was married December 25, 1880, to Miss Mary D. Yates, a native of Los Angeles. They have two children: Albert Henry and Margaret Elizabeth.

EORGE D. WEBSTER, contractor, Ma- rengo avenue, Pasadena, was born in Jersey County, Illinois, September 25, 1844; at- tended school during his boyhood, and, serving an apprenticeship, learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. After working at his trade until 1882, he came to California and located at Los Angeles, and engaged in building here four years. In 1886 he moved to Pasadena and en- gaged in contracting, and carried on a large business. Among the prominent buildings erected by him are the First National Bank, Carleton IIotel, the San Gabriel Valley Bank, Ward Block, Mills Block, Wood & Painter Block, Eldridge Block, Fish Block, Wood & Branbury Block, Brockway Block, Worcester Block, Morgan Block, Webster Hotel, the Monk Ifill School, the residence of Colonel Markham, E. C. Webster's All Saints' Rectory, residence of De Bath Shorts, and Mr. Langford's, and many others, making a grand total in value of $1,115,000. Mr. Webster has been actively identified with all the best interests of Pasadena, and is an active supporter of every progressive movement to build up and beautify that city.

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Ile has the greatest confidence in its future. Mr. Webster has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Jennie Crabtree, of Illinois, who died in 1871, leaving one daughter, Anna E. In 1876 he married Mrs. Aura Cockrell, for- merly Miss Aura Brown, of Missouri. She has one daughter, Ella. Mr. and Mrs. Webster have a beautiful home on Marengo avenue.

EORGE S. WEINSHANK, nurseryman and florist, corner of Winton and Wall streets, Los Angeles, was born in this city, September 23, 1866. His parents, Andrew and Regina Weinshank, settled liere ten years pre- viously. His father is deceased, but his mother is still living in this city. One of the school- houses in which young Weinshank used to at- tend school was located where the court-house now stands, and another was on the corner now occupied by the Bryson & Bonebrake Block. After quitting school Mr. Weinshank was em- ployed in a drug store two years; then on account of the state of his health he went out upon a ranch for a year; next for a year or two he was collector for a book publishing house, and since 1886 he has been successfully engaged in his present occupation. At first he was in partnership, the firm name being Ward & Wein- shank; in June, 1888, Mr. Weinshank bought his partner's interest. He makes a specialty of roses, ornamental trees, shrubbery, flowers, etc., etc. By close application to the interests of his trade he is building up a very good business.

M. STRATTON, carpenter and contractor, 319 North Pearl street, Los Angeles, is a native of the State of Kentucky, and was born July 2, 1864. His parents went to the State of Iowa the same year, remained there until 1870, and then removed to Kansas. The subject of this sketch served an apprenticeship to his trade in the latter State, remaining there

until 1884, when he came to Los Angeles. Ile was employed as a journeyman for several years, after which he engaged in contracting and build- ing. Among other contracts he has erected two four-story frame buildings on Buena Vista street, and a large business block on Los Angeles street. He is a thorough, practical workman, and justly deserves his reputation as a competent builder. He was married May 1, 1887, to Miss Lucy Conn, of Kansas. They have one son, Henry Irving.

OBERT WACKENHUTH, proprietor of the Fulton Market, 124 East Fifth street, is a native of Newark, New Jersey, and was born March 12, 1864. He was reared and attended school in his native State, after whichi he went to New York, where he remained until 1883. He then went to Arizona and engaged in business in Prescott for several years. Mr. Wackenhuth came to Los Angeles in 1886, and engaged in the meat business; had a market on the corner of San Pedro and First streets, and removed to his present location in 1889. He does a general trade in fresh and salted meats, and by careful attention to business is building up a fine trade.

HE LOS ANGELES CRACKER COM- PANY, corner of Aliso street and Aliso , road, was organized in April, 1883, by L. Winter, K. T. Hanke and H. Weber. From the beginning the business has been a success, and is constantly increasing. During the past year their factory was entirely destroyed by fire, but with characteristic enterprise was immedi- ately rebuilt on a larger and more substantial scale Their premises comprise a large three and two story brick building, covering an area of 30x130 feet. It is well supplied with the latest and most approved machinery, and their manufactory is one of the best equipped on the Pacific Coast, to meet the demands of their ex-

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tensive trade. The firm now consists of Messrs. Winter and Weber, both experienced in all the details of the business. Mr. Winter is a native of Baden, Germany, born November 12, 1841. After attending school and serving three years in the army, he emigrated to America in 1865, and came to California the same year. Having an uncle in the northern part of the State, at Oroville, running a bakery, he went there, entered his employ and soon succeeded to the business, and in 1866 he began making craekers, carrying on the business five years. In 1869 he went to San Diego and engaged in merchan- dising. In 1875, in company with his brother Joseph, he started a cracker bakery there, and carried on the business until 1883, when he came to Los Angeles, and since then lias de- voted his entire time to the interests of their large trade. Mr. Winter is a prominent mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., the Turner Society, and the A. O. U. W. In 1869 he married Miss Annie Hoffinan, a native of Baden, Germany. They have three children: Annie, Willie and Flora May.

OLONEL JOHN OZIAS WHEELER .--- This gentleman has been a resident of and identified with the best interests of Los Angeles for the last forty years. His Puritan ancestors were among the carly settlers of New England-the names of two are engraven upon the granite shaft erected in memory of those who fell in defense of Fort Griswold. Born and reared in New London, Connecticut, at the age of twenty he married and removed to Flor- ida. In February, 1849, Colonel Wheeler started for California, involving a land journey to Vicks- burg, thence by steamer up the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers to Fort Smith; thence to New Mexico, down the Gila River, reaching the Chino Rancho on the 12th of August of that year. In conjunction with Colonel Isaac Will- iams, the then proprietor of the Chino, Colonel Wheeler went back to the confines of the Col-

orado Desert with a train of merchandise and supplies, with headquarters at Agua Caliente, followed a few months afterward by a trading expedition across the Colorado Desert to the present site of Fort Yuma. In the summer of 1850 Colonel Wheeler, in company with his brother who had come to the coast via the Isth- mus, started a general merchandise business in Los Angeles, in connection with a forwarding and commission house at San Pedro. Passen- gers and merchandise were crudely handled in those days. On the arrival of vessels, the former were mounted on half-broken horses and headed for town. Some rode through, others came in later and on foot. Hanling was done with oxen and Mexican carts, or "caretas." The firm did a very extensive business, largely in Mexican goods, which came up the coast from the Pacific ports of Mexico. What was known as the First and Second Utah Expeditions were entirely armed and equipped, mounted and sup- plied while in the field by the firm, relying upon the credit of the State. In 1854 Colonel Wheeler and William Butts started a weekly newspaper, the Southern Californian, which was published in English and Spanish. While this pioneer journal, a file of which Colonel Wheeler has lately presented to the Historical Society of Southern California, was not osten- sibly a funny paper, it nevertheless contained a great deal of fun. Indeed, it was both lively and enterprising. On one occasion, and an ex- citing one at that, namely, the hanging of Dave Brown, the gambler murderer, by the people, the paper published a very full, and, the old settlers say, a very correct and graphic account of the affair before the hanging actually took place, in order, as the steamer left for the North that day, that the account might go up on that steamer and not have to wait for the next, two weeks later. The people who lived here in those days had determination and " back- bone," and knew what they wanted, and pro- ceeded to go for it without cirenmloention; and when they had fairly made up their minds, as they had that day, editors and reporters could

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forecast what their actions would be with inch more certainty than they can in these degenerate, indeterminate days, when the Goddess of Justice so often lets herself be hoodwinked and balked. Those who know Colonel Wheeler will not be surprised to be told that he made a capital editor. In 1858 and 1859 he was in the county clerk's office, and in December, 1860, he was appointed clerk of the United States Court for the Southern District of California, the sessions of which were held alternately in Los Angeles and Monterey. He moved to Mont- erey soon after and filled this office till the death of Judge Fletcher M. Haight in 1866, when the Southern and Northern judicial districts were consolidated. Mr. Wheeler then moved to San Francisco, where, as chief deputy of George C. Gorham, he conducted the office of clerk of the consolidated district until the close of the can vass made by that gentleman for Governor in 1867. During the years 1870-'71-'72 and part of 1873 he was chief clerk of the Indian Department of California. In 1874 he returned to Los An- geles as deputy collector of internal revenues for the district comprising Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. From 1880 to 1883 inclusive he was deputy clerk of the Supreme Court of California, in charge of the office at Los Angeles. In 1853 Colonel Wheeler organized the first military company in Los Angeles under the State laws. He was on the staff of Brigadier General Andres Pico along in the last of the "50's." He later raised and commanded a cavalry company in Monterey. He became secretary and manager of the Main Street Railroad in 1877. In 1883 he was en- trusted with a like position in the Olive Street Railway. His connection with both roads con- tinned till 1886; when, for the first time, ac- companied by Mrs. Wheeler, he revisited his old home, being absent in the East a little over a year. In early life Colonel Wheeler was a large land owner and fortunately held on to a reinnant, which in these later years has become valuable. He has retired virtually from active business, though he is president of the l'or-

phyry Paving Company. Colonel Wheeler has passed the meridian, but an iron constitution supplemented by uniform good health has pre- served his health, and his erect figure and elastic step give but little token of the years that have fled. Much of the social and business success of the Colonel is due to his amiable wife. Ar- riving in Los Angeles in 1851, she adapted herself to the novel conditions, secured and maintained the esteem and confidence of those with whom she cared to entertain social re- lations, and has ever been an efficient worker in all charitable movements. Colonel Wheeler has three daughters: Mrs. William Pridham, of Los Angeles; Mrs. Clay M. Green, of New York; and Mrs .F. II. McCormick, of Alameda. His only brother, H. Z. Wheeler, has been for some years past and at present Appraiser General in the Imperial Custom House at Yokohama.

D. WESTERVELT is a native of Michi- gan City, Indiana, and was born August 21, 1844. His father, James Westervelt, then a prosperous dry-goods merchant, was a native of New York, and one of the pioneers of Indiana. He died in 1847 at Niles, Michigan. J. D. Westervelt is the youngest of his family of six children, and prior to the time of coming to Los Angeles had lived at Niles, Elkhart and Muskegon. Thirty-two years he has assidu- ously devoted to the art of photography, in which he excels. He married Miss Emma C. Conklin at Niles, Michigan, on December 6, 1865.

ANDREW YOUNG, Superintendent of the mnotive power of the machine shops and docks at Wilmington and San Pedro, is a native of Laprairie near Montreal, Canada, where he was born October 24, 1849. He served an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade at Sherbrook, Province of Quebec, and

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

then went to Bay City, Michigan, where he re- inained several years. IIe came to California in 1875, went up the coast, and was with the Seattle Coal and Transportation Company three years on the sound; then he returned to San Francisco and was in the employ of the Fulton Iron Works until 1880, when he came to Wil- mington as engineer on one of the steamers, and entered the employ of General Banning, having the supervision of the motive power on the boats of the company and on the doeks and in the shops, and since then, for the past nine years, has held that position. Mr. Young was married December 30, 1874, to Miss Carrie Kent, a native of Sherbrook, Province of Quebec, and they have four children: Mabel, George A., Phineas B. and Fenton K.

CHILLES C. YEARY was born in Rich- mond, Virginia, in 1839. His parents, Hiram and Elizabeth (Mclaughlin) Yeary, were natives of that State. In 1840 they emi- grated to Missouri and were among the early settlers of Jackson County. Mr. Yeary was reared upon his father's farm until twelve years of age, and then in 1851 accompanied Mr. Henry Hawkins on an overland trip to California. Upon his arrival in the State he lived with Mr. Hawkins in Mokelumne until the next year, and then, although but a lad of thirteen years of age, started in life by going to the mining dis- tricts, where he spent a year or so, and then, in 1854, came to Los Angeles County and pur- chased stock which he drove to the mining counties, after which he went to Santa Cruz County and there engaged in stock-dealing and stock-raising, gradually increasing his business until 1857, when he stocked the Paso Robles Ranch, owned by Blackburn Brothers. He en- gaged in that business until 1861, when the mining excitement arose over the reputed dis- coveries of rich gold mines on the Colorado River. He closed his business and went to La Paz, and thence to the mining districts, and for

the next two years was engaged in prospecting and mining with varying success. He was the owner of the Lulu mine, and interested in others of less note. In 1863 he contracted the sale of his interests, and started for San Francisco to complete the bargain and receive his purchase money. He came overland to Wilmington, where he embarked on board the steamer Ada Hancock, April 23 of that year. This ill-fated steamer was destined never to complete her voyage, for shortly after leaving the wharf at San Pedro, the explosion of her boilers rendered her a total wreck, which soon sank, carrying down a sickening load of dead and wounded passengers and crew. Between sixty and seventy lives were lost by this accident. Among the killed and wonnded were many well known and remembered by old residents of the county. Thomas Workman, Dr. Miles, and a son of General Albert Sydney Johnson were among those remembered by Mr. Yeary. Mrs. J. De Barth Sherb, also William and Joseph Banning, sons of General Banning, of Los Angeles County, were among those saved. Mr. Yearly's life was saved, but he was severely injured, having his left leg broken and terribly bruised by the force of the explosion, which hurled him through the air and landed him among the wreckage in the water more than 100 feet from the vessel. He made a vigorous fight for life, and managed by swimming and clinging to portions of the wreck to sustain himself until resened and placed in the Military Hospital at Wilmington for treatment. It was not until nearly a year had expired that he was able to leave the hospital and proceed to San Francisco, where he was for months under medical treatment and unable to work. These misfortunes financially ruined him, and he returned to Los Angeles County and engaged in work for General Banning at Los Angeles and Wilmington. As he accumu- lated means he invested in property in Los An- geles, and, in 1874, opened a livery and sale stable on Aliso street, which he conducted until 1881. He then moved to Savannah, where he purchased the Savannah Hotel, which he has

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since conducted. Ile is also the owner of some fine business and residence property in the city of Los Angeles. Mr. Yeary, though deprived of many opportunities in securing an education in early life, has, by his well-poised intellect, industry and strong will, overcome obstacles in life that would thoroughly dishearten many a more favored man, and has secured a fair share of this world's goods. He is well and favorably known, and has a large circle of friends in the community where nearly twenty-five years of his life have been spent. In political matters he is a Democrat. He is a consistent temper- ance man, both in precept and practice. In theological matters he is liberal, preferring that he be judged by his actions rather than by any creed. May 9, 1887, Mr. Yeary was united in marriage with Miss Fidelia Rayland, daughter of Abraham and Percilla (Elamn) Rayland, resi- dents of Los Angeles County. Malcolm L. is their only child.

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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