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 113

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 113

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old homestead and engaged with their father in his farming operations. The third child, Hay- den, died in 1878, at the age of twenty years; and the fifth child, Louise Olive, died in 1888, aged twenty-two years.

ROF. J. M. COYNER, Vice-President of the Occidental University, is a native of Virginia, born September 16, 1827. His father, Robert Coyner, was a slaveholder, who, in 1837, gave his slaves their freedom, and re- moved to Ohio; and in that State the subject of this sketch received his early education. . He entered Hanover College, at Hanover, Indiana, and graduated in 1852, after which he engaged in teaching, was Professor of Mathematics at Waveland Collegiate Institute, and was con- nected with that institution of learning for ten years. He then accepted the position of super- intendent of schools at Cambridge City, In- diana, filling that position two years. He was next ealled to Rushville, Illinois, where he held the same position two years. Requiring a change of climate, on account of his health, he was sent to the Indians in Northern Idaho, and was there in the employ of the Government two years. In 1875 he was called to the educational and mission work at Salt Lake City, and for ten years he was the head and front of educational and evangelical work in Utah. Coming in con- tact in his daily work with the opposition and perseention of the Mormon Church, he boldly met every issne with an unflinching purpose not to compromise any principle of his work. He and his brave, noble wife labored successfully in that field for ten years, leaving the work in a most prosperous condition. On account of his wife's health, they came to Los Angeles in May, 1885, seeking a more congenial climate. The Professor was called to Sierra Madre College and remained there until the death of his wife. This estimable lady departed this life in Jan- uary, 1888. in Chillicothe, Ohio. She was, be- fore her marriage, Miss Mary Wilson, of Ross

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County, Ohio. Mrs. Coyner was engaged in teaching with her husband. She received the first commission ever granted by the Board of IIome Missions to a lady, and her commission is No. 1. They had two children, a son and daughter. The latter was the wife of Rev. Josiah Welchi, of Salt Lake City. After the death of his wife, Professor Coyner became identified with Occidental University, and at present holds the position of vice-president of this prosperous institution of learning.

E. COIIN, M. D., was born at Brandenburg, Germany, in 1852, while his parents were there on a visit. His father, Rev. Elkin Cohn, D. D., is a native of Germany, and a graduate of the Berlin University. He has officiated as the Rabbi of the Jewish Temple Immanuel, at San Francisco, for nearly thirty years. Ilis mother, nee Caroline Levaillant, was a native of Switzerland, and was born at Yverdun, Canton de Vaux. She was a niece of the celebrated Parisian chemist of the same name. She died at San Francisco in 1880, at the age of fifty-five years. Rev. Elkin Cohn and his wife were both of Hebrew ancestors. With the exception of time spent in Europe, the Duetor was reared in San Francisco. When fourteen years of age he was sent to Berlin, Prussia, to complete his education, and while there he began the study of medicine. In 1871, returning to America, he entered the Medical College of the Pacific at San Francisco, fromn which he graduated as M. D. in 1881. In that year he received the appointment of superin- tending surgeon of the Northern Pacific Rail- road Company, and in connection with the same was also appointed to a like position by the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company. In 1884 he located in the Central Hospital of the Northern Pacific Railway Company. at Mis- soula, Montana, and directed the company's medical affairs from that point until the latter part of 1885, when, resigning on account of

poor health, he came to Los Angeles and estab- lished himself in medical practice. Dr. Cohn was married in 1879, at Oakland, California, to Miss Effie C. Case, daughter of the late Captain Elijah Case, one of the oldest pioneers of Cali- fornia. She was born at San Francisco, where she was reared and educated. The Doctor is not only a good English scholar, but also speaks the German and French languages fluently. He is now engaged in translating into English " Hyrtle's Topographieal Anatomy." He is the author of several medieal works, viz: " Epitome of the History of Anatomy," "The Influence of Essential Oil Bearing Plants on Malaria," " Rail- road Surgery as a Specialty," " Concussion of the Brain and Spinal Cord in Railroad Accidents," ete. He is the inventor of the emergency cot, now so extensively used in railroad accidents. Dr. Cohn is a prominent Freemason, having attained to the thirty-second degree of that order.

OHN P. COLVER, a farmer and fruit- grower, on lot 70 of the American colony tract of the Cerritos Rauch, eamne to this State seven years ago. He located first at Col- ton, San Bernardino County, where, for a num- ber of years, he was engaged in farming and also worked at the carpenter's trade. Mr. Col- ver was born in the Empire State, Dutchess County, May 6, 1825, his parents being Alanson and Permelia (Fineh) Colver. They were natives of New York State, the former being deseended from Englishi ancestors and the latter from Scotch. They were the parents of five children, John P., however, being the only surviving one. In 1858 Mr. Colver went to Kansas where he worked at his trade until the breaking out of the war. Ilis sympathies were at onee enlisted on the Union side and he entered the armny. After an honorable record of eighteen months' service he was discharged on account of disability. After this he sought employment in a new line of action, and went into the grocery business in Leavenworth, Kansas. Later he engaged as a

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

traveling salesman for Bitinan, Taylor & Co., spending twelve years on the road, doing busi- ness for that firm. Jannary 5, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Julia Kelsey, a native of Connecticut. To them have been born one child, Mary. Politically Mr. Colver is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post at Colton, Cali- fornia. As a citizen he stands high in the com- munity, and is honored and respected by his neighbors and acquaintances.

RNEST A. COXHEAD, California Bank Building, Los Angeles, was born in Sus- sex, England, in 1863; received his pro- fessional education in the Architectural School of the Royal Academy of Arts, London; entered the office of one of the leading architects of that great city, where he became foreman, and left that position in 1886 to come to America. In the spring of that year he came to Los Angeles and since then he has been prosecuting his chosen profession with brilliant success. He has been entrusted with preparing the plans and superintending the erection of some of the finest buildings in the city and surrounding country. He drew the plan of the Young Men's Christian Association Building, one of the finest blocks in Los Angeles; also of the First English Lutheran Church, the All Saints' Episcopal Church, Pas- adena; the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, the Memorial Church (stone) at Gar- vanza, and inany others.

AMES COOK, proprietor of the Los Ange- les Wool Pulling Factory, and manufacturer of tallow and neat's-foot oil, is a native of the State of Connecticut, and was born Novem- ber 6, 1836. He grew up and attended school there, and upon reaching manhood determined to seek his fortune on the Pacific Coast. He sailed from New York, came via the Isthmus

and reached San Francisco in January, 1857, going directly to the mines at Marysville. While there they had, to use a miner's expression, a pretty tough experience. They ran short of provisions, and for three days three of them lived on the head of a grizzly bear. Mr. Cook returned to Marysville and afterward engaged in business and established the Marysville Soap Works. He was $50 in debt when he began, but by industry and practical ability he built up a prosperous business. During the famous floods in Marysville Mr. Cook and his family had a very narrow escape. His house was del- nged with water. From the first story they were driven to the second, and by standing on tables, supported themselves as best they could. The water continning to rise, Mr. Cook cut a large hole in the roof and dragged his family through the hole ont on the roof in the night and then secured some bedding, drenched with water, and lay there until morning. They were finally rescued on a raft, and as they floated through the streets they saw other people on the honse-tops, equally as unfortunate as them- selves. After the flood partially abated, Mr. Cook was prominent in immediately organizing relief committees, and rode day and night with his team for a week, as one of the directors of the committee, carrying provisions and blankets for those who were suffering, giving the grain from his barn and money from his pocket, and using his credit at the stores to assist and re- lieve his less fortunate neighbors, nntil all were made quite comfortable. That is the kind of a whole-sonled, generous man he is. The follow- ing year his house was burned and his family barely escaped with their lives. Mr. Cook was successfully engaged in business and promi- nently identified with the interests of Marysville for almost a quarter of a century. He then went to Oakland, built a tannery and carried on the business of wool-pulling and tallow-refining for six years, after which he sold his interests and went East. After remaining there a time he returned to California and located in Los Angeles. He purchased half a block of land

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

and erected his present large, commodious fac- tory, and is doing a successful and constantly increasing business. In this enterprise he is ably assisted by his son, who inherits the me- chanical genius of his father. Mr. Cook owns a very fine ranch of 900 acres in Antelope Val- ley, besides other property. He owes his suc- cess in life to his own determined energy, his practical ability to master every detail of his business in whatever he undertook, and always made his word his bond. He has ever been open handed and generous, and always ready to do more than his share in behalf of the suffering and unfortunate, and never caring for the popn- lar applause of the world. Mr. Cook was united in marriage February 12, 1863, to Miss Mary Ann Corder, of California. They have five children: Violet Lonise, Daisy, Carry A., Will- jam J. A., and Mary J.

HOMAS COPLEY, capitalist, 22 North Hope street, Los Angeles, is a native of England, and was born March 31, 1831. Ile was reared and learned the trade of cloth- finishing in his native country. After reaching manhood he emigrated to America in 1855, and worked at his trade in Canada for two years. In the spring of 1857 he started overland to California, and drove an ox team from Fort Leavenworth to Salt Lake. There were forty- five wagons in the train, with six yoke of oxen to each wagon, transporting supplies for the troops at Camp Floyd. The stock was stam- peded by Indians, but the wagon-master being a model scout of long experience, they secured possession of their stock. After reaching Salt Lake, Mr. Copley, with seven others, packed four ponies and came on foot all the way, a dis- tance of 800 miles, to San Bernardino. IIe came to Los Angeles and obtained work in a restaurant in a little adobe hut on Main street, where the First National Bank now stands. After a short time he was taken ill and went to the Sisters' Hospital. After his recovery he

was employed for two years at the hospital. He next bought some land and engaged in gar- dening for some time on Alameda street, where the Lankersheim now stands. Mr. Copley after- ward engaged in contracting, excavating, and hauling building material, and making streets, gardens, etc., and for over a quarter of a century successfully carried on the business. He owns valuable property on Fort street, and also on Hope street. Mr. Copley had no capital when he began life, and his success is due to his in- dustry and good management. He married Miss Margaret Grinsell, a native of New York State. Their home on Hope street is one of the most eligible locations in the city.

EORGE CARSON, farmer and stock-raiser, near Dominguez Station, was born in the State of New York, March 3, 1832, son of John and Sophia (Cady) Carson, natives also of that State, who moved, when their son was twelve years of age, to St. Charles, Illinois. In 1846 he enlisted in the Mexican war, in Colonel Newberry's regiment, and served until the close of the contest, being discharged at Santa Fé. After spending some time at the latter place and in Mexico, he came in 1853 to Los Angeles and engaged in the hardware trade on Commer- cial street, in partnership with Mr. Sanford. After about nine years in this business he moved to his present place, where he engaged in stock-raising, to which he has since added general agriculture. The estate comprises 24,- 000 acres, of which he has one-sixth. It bor- ders along the ocean coast near Dominguez Station, is known as the San Pedro Ranch, and is one of the finest estates in Southern Califor- nia. At first Mr. Carson devoted his attention mamly to sheep-raising, but he now has a large stock of horses and cattle as well. Some of these are fine-bred, being of the best strains in California. His home also is one of the finest in Los Angeles County, the large and commodi- ous residence, completed two years ago, occupy-

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ing a most commanding locality-one of the most beautiful and romantic places between Los Angeles and the sea. July 30, 1857, is the date of Mr. Carson's marriage to Miss Victoria Dominguez, daughter of the late Manuel Domin. gnez, an early and honored settler of this county, a sketch of whose lite is given elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Carson have six sons and six daughters.

H. DUNLAP, residing in the Ranchito distriet, a mile and a half north of Riv- era, dates his birth in Bell County Texas, December 23, 1849, son of John and Mary Dunlap, who were among the cmigrants of 1854 from Texas to Los Angeles County. John Dunlap brought some means to this new country, but his capital mainly consisted of an alnost inexhaustible fund of energy and ambi- tion. The two years following their coming were spent by the family on a ranch near El Monte. They then removed to Tulare County. There Mr. Dunlap soon became known far and wide as a successful stock-grower and dealer. Later he became a resident of San Bernardino County, where he continued actively engaged in business many years. After a life of great use- fulness, during which he had won the confi- dence and respect of business and social circles, he died July 6, 1875, aged sixty-four years. His widow, Mrs. Mary Dunlap, survives and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Lanra Egan, at Pomona. The names of her children, besides Mrs. Egan and A. H. Dunlap, whose name heads this sketch, are F. P. Dunlap, Lewis Dunlap, Mrs. Mary Glenn and Mrs. Ella Collins. All are prosperous and well settled in life. A. HI. Dunlap, the subject of this sketch, is as thoroughly identified with the growth and de- velopment of Southern California as a "native son," for his earliest recollections of life are of scenes and incidents in this sunny land. In San Bernardino County, in 1872, he wedded Miss Susan Standefer, daughter of James S.

and Caroline R. Standefer, who were also emni- grants from Texas, where Mrs. Dunlap was born. The home property occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap contains seventy -five acres of choice land in one of the finest districts of the famous San Gabriel Valley. The quality of soil and abundance of water make the ranch especially valuable for the purpose to which it is mainly devoted -frnit-growing. The thrifty orange grove is yielding a revenue of about $400 per acre. One of the noticeable fine improvements is a walnut grove, now from six to ten years old. Mr. Dunlap occupied and commenced the improvement of this property in 1876. In con- nection with the heirs of the M. H. Tyler estate, Mr. Dunlap owns a one-half interest in. 400 acres of land adjoining the town plat of Whit- tier, on the south. Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap have eight children. Their names in order of their birth are: Minnie, Albert, Lena, Louis, William, John, Ross and Lilian. Mrs. Dunlap's father now resides at Pomona with his daughter, Mrs. T. D. Holliday, where her mother died April 20, 1888. One brother who recently (1888) came from Texas, D. T. Standefer, resides in Pomona; another brother, William R. Stande- fer, a Californian of long standing, widely and favorably known, who the latter part of his life was a resident and owner of the Ranchito dis- trict, died April 4, 1879.

AMES D. DURFEE is one of the mnost suc- cessful and representative farmers of La Puente school district. His fine farm is located on the Temple road, about three miles south of El Monte. Mr. Durfee was born in Adams County, Illinois, in 1840. IIis father, James Durfee, was a native of Rhode Island, and his mother, nee Cynthia Soule, was born in New York. The death of his parents occurring when he was quite young left him an orphan, and dependent upon his own exertions for sup- port and education. He remained in the county of his birth until fifteen years of age, and then

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started westward, aiming for the Golden State. Ile crossed the plains to Salt Lake with an emi- grant wagon train, and there took the southern route into California. Upon his arrival in San Bernardino County, in the fall of 1855, he en- gaged in farming and other occupations until 1859, when he came to Los Angeles County and rented land abont fonr miles south of El Monte, upon which he engaged in farming until the next year. He then purchased 125 acres-his present residence-of wild and uncultivated land and commenced its improvement and cultiva- tion. Mr. Durfee has devoted himself to a system of diversified farming, planting a large variety of citrus and decidnous fruits for domes- tic use, and also a fine walnut grove, about his residence. The remainder of his land is pro- dueing hay, grain and vegetables, and support- ing his stock. Among the latter is a dairy of twenty cows of the famons Jersey stock. He has also fine specimens of horses improved by the " Richmond " breed. Among the notice- able features of his place are his English walnut trees, which have reached a remarkable growth. The oldest were planted in 1864, and several are now (1889) from two and a half feet to three feet in diameter. No irrigation has ever been used by Mr. Durfee in raising his citrus or other fruit. A neat cottage residence and commodi- ous barns and out-buildings attest the success that has attended his efforts. A residence of thirty years in the San Gabriel Valley has made Mr. Durfee well known. His straightforward, manly qualities and consistent mode of life have gained him scores of warm friends. Starting in life a poor orphan boy, he has by his industry and perseverance fought his way upward. Un- dannted by many obstacles unknown to his more favored competitors in the race of life, he has seenred a success in his calling. He is an in- telligent and self-educated man. Taking a deep interest in schools, he has for many years served his school district as one of its active trustees. IIe is a life-long Republican, a worker in the ranks of his party, and has represented his dis- triet as a delegate in many of the county con-

ventions. In 1887-'88 he was the assistant assessor, and made the assessment for his town- ship. He is also an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry. In 1856 Mr. Durfee was united in marriage with Miss Diantha Cleminson, a history of whose family is given in a sketch of her brother, James Cleminson, to be found in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Durfee have had two children, Eva and James Ros- well, both of whom are members of their father's household.

EORGE B. DAVIS was born in Concord, Massachusetts, in 1821. His parents, Thomas H. and Maria (Barnes) Davis, were both natives of Massachusetts. Mr. Davis was reared and schooled in his native place. While a young man he lett the farm and learned the trade of boot and shoe maker, and soon after reaching his majority he established himself in the boot and shoe business, and as his trade in- creased he commenced manufacturing upon an extensive scale, in Concord. He conducted his enterprise in that place for nearly forty years, and was one of the representative business men of that section. In addition to other enterprises he was a Inmber dealer, and was also engaged in the real-estate business. In 1884 Mr. Davis decided to retire from the active business pur- suits and seek a more genial climate, and in October of that year he came to California and located in the Sierra Madre Colony, taking up his residence upon a forty-eight-acre tract, which he had purchased in 1881. This land is situated on the east side of Baldwin avenue, northwest of Live Oak avenne. It was then in a wild and uncultivated state. Ile at first planted a vine- yard of thirty-five acres, but later decided to devote his attention to fruit culture, and in 1885 commenced tree-planting. At this writing (1889) he is the owner of forty-five acres of his original tract, eleven acres of which are an orange grove and orchard, producing Washington Na- vel oranges and a large variety of deciduous

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fruits for family use. Twelve acres are in Muscat grapes. The rest of his land is devoted to liay and grain. The substantial improve- ments, consisting of a well-ordered cottage and snitable ont-buildings, denote the successful farmer and horticulturist. Mr. Davis has taken an interest in developing the resources of the colony and advancing its interests. Ile is a di- rector of the Sierra Madre Water Company, and in 1888 was the vice-president of the company. Politically he is a Republican, and though not an office seeker, takes an intelligent interest in the success of his party. He is a consistent member of the Congregational Church of Sierra Madre, and a strong supporter of the same; has been a trustee, and in 1885 and 1886 was one of the deacons of the church. In 1854 Mr. Davis married Miss Sarah A. Cracroft, a native of New York City. They have one child, Alice L., who married Chester A. Andrews, formerly of Connecticut, but now a resident of Sierra Madre.

M RS. MAMIE PERRY DAVIS is a na- tive of the city of Los Angeles, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Perry, from both of whom she inherited her passionate love of music, which she has exhibited from her earliest childhood. She first challenged the attention of the local public by singing, while yet in her 'teens, in a concert wherein she took the leading soprano in the " Lucia " sextet, which she carried through with the precision of a full-fledged prima donna, and by singing in a charming manner one of the brilliant arias of Rigoletto. The local press at the time, chroni- cling her success, was very enthusiastic in proph- esying her future possibilities. In 1880 she went to Italy to study under the best masters, her first teacher being Albites (husband of Mme. Gazzanica), and afterward the eminent maestro, Signor Sangiovani, became her tntor. She re- mained under his instruction till her debut, September 25, 1881, in the title role of Petrella's

opera, "Contessa d'Amalfi," which she sang with great success for seventeen nights. The musical journals of Milan, Florence, Mantua and Bologna spoke in high terms of the fine quality of her voice, especially of her extreme high notes, extending to D and E, and of the excel- lence and purity of her scales, trills, sustained and staccato notes. In the " Farfalla " (Butterfly) cavatina particularly, and in the " Polacca " from the opera of " Puritani," which she sometimes sang as an interlude, she created extraordinary enthusiasm, according to the journals L' Arena, of Verona, and Il Mondo Artistico, of Milan. Her Italian andiences, who knew her as " Maria Perrini," and who knew what good singing was, were very quick to recognize the beauty of her voice, which they classified as a high soprano, and the extraordinary agility of her runs, which, when accompanied by the finte, could not easily be distinguished from the tones of that instru- ment. In Milan she was called the " velvet- voiced Soprano," and it was not surprising that her master, Signor Sangiovani, was very proud of his pupil and of her success; nor that he proph- esied for her a brilliant future if she kept np her studies and adopted the lyric art as a pro- fession, which was her intention when she returned to America; but the charms of social and domestic life have, temporarily at least, diverted her from this intention. In 1883 Miss Perry was married to Mr. Charles W. Davis, of Portsmonth, Ohio, who was also a highly cult- ured musician. He died July 7, 1885. Mrs. Davis has frequently sung in grand concerts, etc., since her return from Italy, and she has ever been ready to sing for charitable and other objects, which she has thus aided in a most efficient manner. In ballad, and in pathetic music, the sympathetic quality of her voice is its mnost striking characteristic. In this class of music it has been said, metaphorically but not inaptly, that " there are tears in her sing- ing." But whether she renders religious, class- ical or operatic music, her cultured auditors at once recognize that she has the instincts of a true musician. She has of late intended to re-

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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