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 115

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 115

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

what is known as "Freeman's Success Dry Pro- cess;" and the good result of this method is fully demonstrated by the large business he has built up and the constantly increasing demand for his machinery. His factory, located on Spring street, is 36 x 85 feet in dimensions. He is now perfecting a "concentrator," for working all kinds of low-grade ore which cannot be treated by water, and has already received or- ders from mining regions in this State, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Montana.

FRI EMBODY, Cashier of the East Side Bank, is one of the bright young business inen of Los Angeles, with a future of rich promise. He was born in Eau Claire, Wiscon- sin, in 1861, and is the second child of a family of three sons and four daughters. After attend- ing the schools of his native town he continued his education in Cazenovia Seminary, New York, and Iowa State AgriculturalCollege, where he took a special course with a view to qualifying him- self for practical business life, and supplemented this with a course in the Minnesota State Uni- versity, finishing in 1883. Having previously spent the years 1873 to 1876 in San Francisco, Mr. Embody had become enamored with the charms of the Golden State, and soon after leav- ing college started for the Pacific Coast, arriv- ing in Los Angeles, September 22, 1883. From childhood his ideal and ambition was to become a business man; and from early youth he took charge of the family expenses and transacted the banking and other business connected therewith. With a view to realizing his ideal, he, with others, organized the East Side Bank in the fall of 1886, and in November of that year its doors were opened for business with Mr. Einbody as cashier, which office he still ably tills. But pre- vious to entering upon the duties of that respon- sible position he spent several months in the Los Angeles National Bank to familiarize him- self with the practical details of banking. Mr. Embody has traveled quite extensively, visiting

737

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

and sojourning for longer or shorter periods in many of the States of the Union. He is a thorough business man both by intuition and training, and an affable social gentleman withal. His father, O. Embody, is a resident of Los Angeles, a retired business man, with a com- petence. Noyes S. Embody, the eldest son of the family, is a graduate of law, and expects to devote himself to the legal profession. He is a man of literary tastes, and is a member of the city board of education.

ON. W. F. FITZGERALD was born at Jackson, Mississippi, on the 7th day of February, 1846. At an early age he was sent to a private school, where he remained until the fall of 1858, when he entered St. Mary's College, Kentucky. On the 27th day of March, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate army, served with marked distinction during the war, and was several times promoted for conspicuous gallantry on the field of battle. The Vicksburg Daily Herald, one of the lead- ing Democratic journals of the South, in its issue of April 24, 1882, published an article on the war, in which he is referred to as the "Dashing Du Gneslin of our Mississippi sol- diery." And again in the same paper, in a similar article on one of the battles of the war, appears the following: " It was under the eye of the gallant Bob Smith, that Fitzgerald, then a beardless stripling of seventeen, charged with his gallant company, the Mississippi Rifles of Jackson, the impregnable Federal works, held by a large body of troops, strongly intrenehed with heavy siege guns, behind quadrilateral earthworks, and fell, sword in hand, pierced through the lungs, at the foot of the murderous parapet. He alone of his entire command suc- ceeded in reaching the works. For his gal- lantry and reckless daring, young Fitzgerald was promoted to a First Lieutenancy on that bloody field of battle." At the close of the war he commenced the study of the law, and on the 47

18th day of February, 1868, was admitted to practice in all the courts of the State of Missis- sippi. Ile was twice elected city attorney of his native city, and afterward served for seven years as district attorney of the Vicksburg and Jackson judicial district, the most important in the State. In July, 1881, he was unanimously nominated by the Republican, Greenback and Independent Democratic State conventions for Attorney-General, and although running more than 5,000 votes ahead of his ticket, was de- feated. On January 6, 1882, he received the caucus nomination of the Republican, Green- back and Independent Democratie members of the Mississippi Legislature, numbering about fifty in all, for United States Senator, in oppo- sition to the Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar, in relation to which the Vicksburg Commercial (Denio- eratic) of January 7, 1882, has the following: "At a caucus of the Republican members of the State Legislature, held in Jackson at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, General W. F. Fitzgerald, of Vicksburg, was unanimously nominated for United States Senator. The General was waited upon by a committee, who escorted him to the hall, where in his usual gifted and happy man- ner he accepted the compliment bestowed upon him. Last night a reception was held at Law- rence's Hotel, which was attended by a very large number of members of both Honses, in- cluding Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Greenbackers and citizens. Addresses were de- livered by Senators Cooper, Jeffords, Gayles, Spears, Representatives Edwards, Gibson, Coates, Lynch, Lewis and Cartwright, and many others. The Jackson Cornet Band discoursed sweet music during the reception. Although the Democrats are in the majority, and will un- doubtedly elect Senator Lamar as his own suc- cessor, the nomination of General Fitzgerald shows in what high esteem he is held by his party, of which he is the acknowledged leader in Mississippi." While attending the National Mississippi River Improvement Convention at Washington, in the month of February, 1883, as one of the two delegates selected by the Cot-

738

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

ton Exchange and Chamber of Commerce of the city of Vicksburg, President Arthur nominated him for Supreme Judge of Arizona, and on the 11th day of March following his nomination was promptly and unanimously confirmed by the Senate of the United States. He at once resigned the office of district attorney, to which he had just been re-elected for another four years' term, and after settling up his business affairs, proceeded with his family to his new field of labor. His judicial career there was such as to command the universal confidence and esteem of the bar and people, and is de- scribed by one of the leading attorneys of that bar as an "oasis in the history of the judiciary in that Territory." His retirement from the bench shortly after the accession of the Demo- cratic party to power in the general Government was made the occasion by the bar and people of one of the most memorable gatherings that ever occurred in the history of Arizona, and many were the eloquent and touching speeches there made by distinguished lawyers, expressive of their deep regret at the loss of a judge who was honored and esteemed as no judge had ever been before in that Territory. Ilis ability, courage and integrity are to-day approvingly referred to and commented on with as much interest and feeling as they were when residing among them five years ago. A leading Arizona attorney re- cently remarked to the writer of this sketch that "Judge Fitzgerald was a judge of inarked abil- ity, and the most impartial and fearless that I ever knew." From Arizona he removed to the city of Los Angeles, California, where he has since resided, and is to-day one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens and attorneys of that city. He is chairman of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce; executive member of the Republican State Cen- tral Committee for Southern California; one of the original projectors and a director in the Cal- ifornia Sewer-l'ipe Company, one of the largest manufacturing industries in Southern California, and was in July last unanimously elected by the Republican County Convention as its president.

The Judge's family consists of his beautiful, accomplished and devoted wife, daughter of the late Dr. C. S. Knapp, of Jackson, Mississippi, and niece of the late Daniel S. Dickinson, who was for twelve years United States Senator from the State of New York, and IIelen, a beautiful little daughter, about nine years of age.

E. FRICK, of the firm of Frick Brothers, contractors and manufacturers of cement

6 pipe, was born in Rock Island, Illinois, February 25, 1857. His parents removed to Minnesota during his early boyhood and he was reared and received his education in that State. Upon reaching manhood he engaged in teach- ing. He came to Los Angeles in 1882 to visit his brother, who was engaged in business here, and was so favorably impressed with the place and the climate that, after going East and re- maining for a year or two, he returned to Los Angeles and engaged in business here, becoming associated with his brother in contracting, manu- facturing and laying cement pipe. Their works in East Los Angeles cover an acre of ground and they employ a large force of men the year round. By their energy, ability and experience they have built up a splendid business. The measure of success they have attained is attested by their investment in well located real estate. Mr. Frick was united in marriage March +, 1879, to Miss Mattie Ilamilton, a native of Iowa. She died March 2, 1885, leaving three children: Harry, Homer and Florence Elmer.

A. FRICK, of the firm of Frick Broth- ers; contractors and manufacturers of ce- 9 ment pipe, Los Angeles, was born at Rock Island, Illinois, October 7, 1855. When he was thirteen years of age, his parents removed to Min- nesota, where he attended the common schools. After reaching manhood he came to California and located at Los Angeles. Ile entered the employ

739

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

of N. W. Stowell, and for some years was super- intendent of his pipe works. He was associated for a time with E. M. Hamilton. In 1885 the firm of Frick Brothers was organized. Their yard and works are located on Water street, East Los Angeles, and is the largest of its kind ou the Pacific Coast, giving employment to fifty hands on an average the year round. They make a specialty of cement, water and sewer pipe, which they inannfacture in all sizes from six to thirty inehes in diameter. They import all of their cement and own the sand-bed which they use. They have built up a large business in Los Angeles and throughout this and the adjoining counties. Mr. Frick has had a large experience in the manufacture of artificial stone and cement pipe. All of their contracts receive his personal super- vision, and he enjoys a high reputation in busi- ness circles for integrity and ability.

II. GWIN is one of the pioneers of the Golden State, and is now in the livery business in Whittier. He hails from the Buckeye State; was born in Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, November 18, 1838. His father, Enos M. Gwin, was a carpenter, and helped to build Kenyon College, located at Gam- bier. He had nine children, all living yet, ex- cept one daughter. He came to California in 1853 and mined at Forest City for six years, after which he moved to Napa County. The subject of this sketch worked at mining and in the livery business for several years at Forest City, and in 1858 went to Napa. Ile was also for a time engaged in freighting at Virginia City. In 1869 he came to Los Angeles County, and for several years was extensively engaged as a farmer near Anaheim. At one time he had control of abont 2,500 acres. Here he continued ten years, and then went to Lake County, re- maining nine years, five of which he spent in teaming. At the expiration of that time he came to Whittier and established the livery business. Mr. Gwin is one of our true pioneers,

and is full of push and energy, always in a good humor and has a pleasant word for every one. Mr. Gwin was married in Napa County, Cali- fornia, in 1868, to Miss Drusilla Evey, daughter of Judge Edward Evey, well known in Napa County. Ile represented Napa and Lake coun- ties before they were divided. Judge Evey now lives in Pasadena. Ile was supervisor of this county, and was one of the framers of the new constitution of California.

G. EMERY, one of the worthy citizens of Los Angeles County and a stanch farmer, residing on a part of the Wilmington tract of the Cerritus Ranch, has been a resident of this county since 1874. Since coming here he has improved two farms besides the one on · which he now lives. This gentleman is a native of Maine, born in July, 1824. Both his father and grandfather were taken prisoners in the war of 1812. Mr. Emery has made several trips across the continent at varions times. He first came to California in 1850, coming by the way of Cape Horn. On this journey he paid a visit to the South American continent. From Cali- fornia he went to Oregon, and from there back to Maine. His next trip was to Wisconsin, from that place moving to Minnesota, where his three oldest children were born. After a sojourn of four years in that State, he again took up the line of inarch, this time having for his objective point Pikes Peak. For four years he inade his home there, after which he returned locating on a farm which he purchased near Peoria, Illinois. However, not being satisfied there, he removed to Kansas, and from the "Sunflower State" went to Missouri. In the latter State he farmed for several years, after which he came to San Francisco, in which city he remained abont a year. He then removed to Los Angeles County, where he has been very successful and where he expects to spend the residue of his days. Mr. Emery has been twice married; first, in 1855, to Aurilla Dodge, by

740

IIISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

whom he had three children :. Arlina, Evelyne and Frauk. His first companion departed this life in 1863, and in 1873 he married Mrs. Sarah Williams, by whom he has four children: Will- iam, Mabel, Nahnm and Sadia. Politically Mr. Emery is identified with the Republican party. He is a man highly esteemed by all who know him, and one of whom the county may well be proud.

ICHARD GARVEY .- The subject of this sketch, one of Los Angeles County's lead- ing agriculturists and stock-growers, as well as one of its well-known business men, dates his birth in Ireland, in September, 1838, of an old Irish family, which, for generations, had been engaged as renters in agricultural pursuits. When quite young, his father died, leaving his mother with a family of children, of whom Richard was the fourth child. The alinost total failure of crops in 1845 and 1846 was fol- lowed by the Irish famine, and for years the people suffered from destitution in a degree never before known to any civilized people. The Garvey family were reduced to extreme poverty, and after becoming unable to pay rent were driven from their old home, by the heart- less agents of an English landlord. The years that followed, before they were able to leave Ireland, none of the family care to recall. Suf- fice it to say, that emigration to America seemed their only relief. With this object in view, through the exertions of all, the subject of this sketch, not then twelve years of age, was en- abled to embark for Savannah, Georgia, where he landed in the winter of 1849-'50, penniless und ragged. Before leaving the ship a kind- hearted custom-house official, a Jew, named Philip Russell, became interested in him. By him young Garvey was taken home and suitably clothed, and later, through him, furnished em- ployment. His remuneration was only $3 per week, but this sum enabled him to save a small amount each week, with the ultimate object of

sending for the rest of his family. Early in 1852 his hope was realized and the family em- barked for New York City, where they were joined by him .. Again was the circle complete. Still, as far as money was concerned, they were as poor as while in Ireland; but, in this land of the free, with its grand opportunities, they were hopeful of the future. Not many months passed before all were in Cleveland, Ohio. There the family home was established, and there some of its members still live. Mr. Garvey has never forgotten the sufferings of himself and family during his youth, through the operations of the English land laws. In fact, his hatred of the system becomes intensified with each passing year. While he never joined any of the many societies, claiming to labor for the relief of Ire- land, he has always contributed liberally in money and has cherished fondly the hope that some international difficulty might lead to a war between England and our country, and thus open a way for him honorably and legally to avenge the wrongs he and his have suffered. To return to the fortunes of the family in Amer- ica, we will say that, as our subject had been their chief reliance in getting to America, le was afterward their chief support. Ile remained with them in Cleveland until his twentieth year, when, having reached man's stature, physically and mentally, he resolved to work his way to the Pacific Coast. With that object in view, he proceeded to Fort Leavenworth, where, in 1857 -'58, General Johnson's expedition against the Mormons was being organized. Under Lieu - tenant W. S. Hancoek, Quartermaster of the Sixth United States Infantry, he hired to drive beef-cattle for the use of the army. At Fort Laramie lie was placed in charge of one of the officers' supply wagons. Upon reaching Fort Bridger it was discovered that, though his wagon lookel all right,-its boxes of canned fruits and meats, its cases of fluids, etc., being apparently unopened and untouched-every box was actn- ally empty. Mr. Garvey, entirely innocent of wrong doing, had at different times accepted in- vitations from young men of reckless nature,

Richard Garay

741

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

looking only to having a good time, to join them in hunting and fishing after encamping. During these short absences, others, by concerted action, had robbed his wagon. Although it was evi- dent to General Jolinson and other officers that he was entirely innocent of any complicity in the taking of the supplies, he was discharged from service. Mr. Garvey walked from Fort Bridger to Salt Lake City, and there bought with the money earned as drover and teamster, a pony, blankets and provisions, and continued his way to Southern California, with others pos- sessed of similar outfits. On the desert the ponies died. When they were able to pack their effects on the wagon of an emigrant, the journey was completed to San Bernardino County on foot. Mr. Garvey continued his walk to Los Angeles, reaching that place early in 1859. Again he was to try life in a new land, and lie found himself in about the satne financial con- dition that he was in when he landed in Sa- vannah nine years before. His relief came also in much the same way, for, a few hours after arriving, he met on the streets the chief clerk of Captain Hancock, Mr. Mix, who had known him on the plains in Johnson's command. He was recognized by him, furnished with a new snit of clothes and a boarding-house, and later taken to the office of Hancock, then a Captain of the Sixth Regiment and general distributing Quartermaster for the posts in Southern Cali- fornia and Western New Mexico (now Arizona), and stationed at Los Angeles. Captain Han- cock placed him in a responsible position, giving him charge of the Government store-house, where supplies were received and shipped to Forts Mojava, Yuma, Tejon and other points. If any were needed, no more complete vindica- tion of himself could have been given by Cap- tain Hancock, to whom, as we shall record, Mr. Garvey was to be still further indebted. The friendship of these two men continued through General Hancock's life. In 1860, through Cap- tain Hancock, he was employed by the United States Government to carry, by pack-mules, the mails from Los Angeles to Forts Mojave, Yuma

and Tejon. This service was attended by great danger and required a man possessed of nerve and coolness. As showing the rapid develop- ment of Southern California Mr. Garvey recalls the fact that, by the route he traveled, but two houses were passed between the vicinity of Los Angeles and Fort Mojave, a distance of 310 miles. The other routes were even more desti- tute of evidences of civilization. It must be remembered that he chose his own routes, not confining himself to emigrant trails. The ad- venturous life led by Mr. Garvey, the few years following, enabled him to form the acquaintance of many men engaged in prospecting and locat- ing mines. He was not long in becoming in- terested in mining; first in Western Utah (now Nevada), later in San Bernardino County, this State, and still later in Arizona and New Mex- ico. For many years after leaving the employ of the United States Government, his leading business was the superintendence of mining in- terests, owned by himself and others. But until 1863 Mr. Garvey gave a large portion of his time to attending to his Inerative and responsi- ble business of supplying the out- posts with the tidings from civilization. He had becoine the protégé of George Hearst, now representing California in the United States Senate, and through him became interested in the develop- ment of the Moss mines as well as other mines in what is now Mojave County, Arizona. Mr. Garvey was one of the locaters of the Moss mines. During his superintendence of the work on one section of the Moss mines he, with four companions, started with a wagon-load of sup- plies for the use of a party of prospectors in the employ of the company, in what was called the Sacramento district, on the Colorado River, some forty miles away. Though vigilant, well knowing the danger of an attack by Indians, the last night, being in sight of the prospecting camp, they neglected to mount guard. In the gray of the morning they found themselves sub- ject to a furious attack from about fifty murder- ous savages. Almost at the beginning Mr. Garvey received a slight wound, crossing the

742

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

point of both shoulder blades, and a crushing shot which, disabling every finger, buried itself in bis left hand. About the same time one of his companions was struck by a shot that en- tirely destroyed one eye, but did not disable hiın from valiant service. Another comrade was more seriously wounded, a shot passing through his hips, completely disabling him and making him a cripple for life. The party fought their way to a position on the summit of a hill 300 yards away. The contest for the possession of the helplessly wounded man was fierce and lasted for hours but he was saved. The team and wagon-load of supplies was of course aban- doned. The red men destroyed the supplies, burned the wagon and butchered the mules. Mr. Garvey, thongh suffering severely, did goud service during the engagement, and being pos- sessed of a sixteen-shooting rifle, which, being the first ever brought into Arizona, it was ered- ited with saving the party. The party, once npon the summit of the hill and able to com- mand all approaches, felt, for the time being, sate, for the Indians after several assaults care- fully kept out of reach of their death- dealing rifle, and seemed to be content to let starvation and thirst do their work for them. As night closed down one of the two unwounded mem- bers of the besieged party started in the darkness for relief, going to an encampment of United States soldiers, forty miles away. Relief came by the following midday. This was undoubtedly one of the most gallant fights ever made against the Indians in Arizona. Through Senator Ilearst, who has ever been the warm, personal friend of the subject of this sketch, he obtained $18,000 for his interest in the Moss mines. This was the first money of any considerable amount that he had ever owned, and, for a young man, was certainly a good " plum." In 1866 Mr. Garvey, as well as all or nearly all miners, had to abandon Arizona on account of Indian atrocities. He recalls the fact that over 150 of his friends and acquaintances had fallen victims to the savages. Later, Mr. Garvey became the owner of mines in Holcomb Valley, San Ber-

nardino County, this State, there owning and operating a quartz mill until 1872, at which time he sold his mill and mines for $200,000 to an English company. Mr. Garvey continued operations in the same district mitil 1876, and yet owns the Green Lead, a noted and valnable mining property. In 1876, after the failure of the Temple & Workman Banking House at Los Angeles, Mr. Garvey was appointed the receiver of their estate. The closing up of the gigantic affairs of that establishment, with its liabilities of over $1,000,000, was the work of two and a half years. In 1879 he purchased an eighth interest in the Potrero Grande Ranch and a one- fourth interest in the Potrero de Felipe Lugo Ranch, nine miles east of Los Angeles, and 2,500 acres of school lands adjoining on the west. This made an estate of 4,400 acres, to which in commemoration of his wife and son, he has given the name of " Tessa-Dick Ranch." There he established his residence in 1880. A beantiful avenne, three-quarters of a mile in length, shaded by three rows of stately eucalyp- tus trees on each side, interspersed with pepper and pine trees, leads east from the highway to his residence. One-half mile north of his home, an avenne leading toward Los Angeles crosses two and a half miles of his land; 1,000 acres of his ranch are devoted to producing barley and wheat; 700 head of cattle, 150 brood mares and colts, and fifty mules (the working force) make the larger portion of the stock usually kept. Mr. Garvey is breeding fine stock which, by in- troducing new blood, he is raising year by year to higher standards. Ile owns valuable prop- erty in Los Angeles, one lot especially so, being located at the intersection of Main and Spring streets with Ninth street, which, in 1889, he commenced to improve preparatory to the erec- tion of a fine brick block. Mr. Garvey wedded, January 13, 1884, Miss Tessa B. Mooney, of Cleveland, Ohio. She died December 18, 1885, leaving to him a bright, sunny little boy, Rich- ard, who was born in November, 1885. Of Mr. Garvey's brothers and sisters we record that his brother, Rev. Father Peter Garvey, is a Catho-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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

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