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 119

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 119

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HOMAS ROWLAND, son of John Row- land, was born in New Mexico, December 24, 1838. IIe was but four years of age when he was brought by his parents to the La P'nente Ranch. All of his recollections are con- nected with life near his present home. IIe

remained with his father until his marriage, and then, taking a portion of his father's magnifi- cent · estate, he established his present home, which is situated about two miles above the present town of Puente, on the south bank of San José Creek. January 12, 1861, Mr. Row- land wedded Señorita Cenobia Yorba, a lady of Spanish parentage, born in California. Their fine estate consists of 1,412 acres of land, nearly 1,000 acres lying in the Puente Valley, the rest being fine grazing and grain lands in the hills. All the land is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland have eleven children living. The family circle is complete, the children all having their home under the parental roof. Their names in the order of their births are: Bernard F., Samuel P., Thomas L., Fidel, Arnet, David, Alexander, Alexandra, Aurelia, John and Albertena. Mr. Rowland is a thorough, practical man, a kind father, a good neighbor. He is respected as a citizen, and fully alive to the interests of his neighborhood and county. Deeply interested, on account of his children, in the common schools, he has served many years and is now serving as school trustee. In politics he is a conservative Democrat.

ILLIAM RICHARD ROWLAND is a native son of the Golden West. He was born on La Puente Rancho, Los Angeles County, November 10, 1846. IIe is the son of John Rowland, the pioneer, and Doña Incarnacion (Martinez) de Rowland. He received his education in the public schools, at the private school of William Wolfskill and at the College of Santa Clara, where he remained three years, viz .: 1858, '59 and '60. In 1871 he was elected sheriff of Los Angeles County, and acceptably filled that office about five years. July 12, 1871, he married Doña Mannela, daughter of Colonel Isaac Williams, of El Rancho del Chino, and Doña Jesus Villanueva de Williams. To this nnion three children have been born. In 1884

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Mr. Rowland and Mr. Burdette Chandler com- menced boring for oil in the hills on the south- east portion of the Puente Rancho. Several shallow wells were drilled, which yielded crude petroleum, thus demonstrating that it was an vil-bearing district. Later Mr. William Lacy bought out Mr. Chandler's interests, practical oil-borers were brought from the oil regions of Pennsylvania, the work of boring was systema- tized, and at the present time (1889) the com- pany has eleven wells bored, that yield 150 bar- rels of oil per day. This product finds ready sale in Los Angeles at $2.00 per barrel, and with a demand in Southern California alone for an indefinite number of barrels more. Other wells are being drilled, and it is the desire of the owners to keep on boring until the yield reaches 1,000 barrels per day. They hope to build a pipe-line to the city of Los Angeles, so that the product of their wells can be cheaply delivered at that railroad center, from whence it can be distributed throughout this whole dis- trict. The stimulus of an abundance of cheap fuel, in a country where fuel is scarce, to mann- facturing interests of various kinds, will be very great. Further accounts of this and other oil districts of the county can be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. Rowland is held in high esti- mation by all who know him intimately. His thorough honesty, lis genial nature and his practical good sense make him deservedly popu- lar among all classes. Mr. Rowland has a home in Los Angeles where his family resides. He also owns the old John Reed homestead on the Puente Ranch, where he stays much of the time, looking after his extensive landed, stock and oil interests.

LBERT ROWLAND, the youngest son of John Rowland, the well-known pioneer who settled on the Puente Ranch in 1841, was born at the home of his parents, October 15, 1854. His life has been spent on the old ranch, where he has never lived apart from his

mother. His primary education was received in Los Angeles County, and later he attended Santa Clara College in Santa Clara County. Mr. Rowland is thoroughly identified with the agricultural interests of Los Angeles County. His farming operations consist mainly of wheat cultivation and stock-raising. Mr. Rowland was married in 1879 to Miss Abbie Lewis, daughter of David Lewis, deceased, who came to Los Angeles County in 1851. He died at his home near El Monte, January 21, 1885. Mrs. Susan A. Lewis, the mother of Mrs. Row- land, resides at the old home. (A history of the Lewis family appears in this volume). Like her husband, Mrs. Rowland is a native of the Golden State. She is the mother of three chil- dren: Josephine, Frank and Charlie.

W. HUDSON .- The subject of this sketch was born in the city of Oswego, New York, February 18, 1844, son of J. W. Hudson, Sr., and nee Sarah E. Wells. His parents were reared and married in the State of New York. Mr. Hudson was educated in the schools of his native city. In 1860, then six- teen years of age, he left the parental home and started in life for himself, thinking at that time that he would try his fortunes in the grand State of Iowa. He made a temporary home in Allamakee County, but the outbreak of the Re- bellion changed all his previously formed plans. With all the patriotic ardor of youth devoted loyally to the Union, he volunteered for service at the first call of President Lincoln, but before going to the field his enlistment for three months was changed to three years. He entered the service as a member of Company K, Fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Worthington com- manding. After a few months' service in Mis- souri, he joined the Army of the Tennessee. The first general engagement in which the regiment participated was the battle of Iuka. Their loss was heavy, numbering in killed and wounded over one-half their force. He also was in the

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second battle of Corinth, and there, too, the command suffered severely. In McPherson's corps, Mr. Hudson participated in the glorious campaign and siege culminating in the capture of Vieksburg, and later in the capture of Jack son and the campaign for the relief of Chatta- nooga, when siekness, induced by continnous hard service, compelled him to be transferred to Com- pany C, of the Fourth Regiment of Veteran Reserves. Ile was on duty at Rock Island, gnarding prisoners and doing similar services until the end of enlistment, receiving an honor- able discharge at Chicago, July 18, 1864. After a month spent at Peoria, Illinois, he returned to Iowa. Going back to Peoria in the spring of 1865, he joined a party for the overland trip to the Pacific Coast, and drove an ox team via Salt Lake to Virginia City. Ile then engaged in mining, with fair success, later making one of an adventurous party of prospectors to the Big Ilorn Mountains, returning via Salt Lake City. Mr. Hudson then engaged in a venture in Southern Utah. Money was made, and money was lost; but inneh valuable experience was gained. In January, 1867, he came to Los An- geles and spent the remainder of the winter. Several years following this were spent in mining operations on quite an extensive scale, in Mon . tana, Idaho, Utah and Colorado. In fact, Mr. IIudson devoted most of his time until his marriage to that business, usually spending his winters in this county, but never in idleness. In company with A. J. Bowen, he put down one of the first artesian wells in this county. In November, 1879, Mr. Hudson wedded Victoria R. Rowland, the youngest daughter of tlie pioneer, John Rowland, and the only daughter born of his second marriage. On the Puente Ranch, they have ever since lived near the home where Mrs. Iludson was born. Mr. IIndson's estate comprises 1,200 acres of plain and hill lands, as choice as any that can be found in the beautiful Pnente Valley. The ranch is devoted mainly to grazing. Mr. IIudson is still inter- ested in mining, having valuable interests in the Calico mining district, in San Bernardino |

County. Energetic, public-spirited and enter- prising, he is never behind in the active promo- tion of any work tending to advance the interests of his neighborhood, county or State. He has ever been active in seliool interests. The new distriet organized in 1888 was named IIndson district, as a compliment to him. Mr. Hudson is a member of the Masonic mystic fraternity, and is affiliated with Pentalpha Lodge, No. 202, Los Angeles. In politics he is somewhat of a radieal Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson have three children: Rowland, Lilian and Josiah W.

OHN JONES, EsQ., was born in 1800. His early life was spent in London, where he acquired the thorough business habits which aided him so materially in his success in life. In 1847, sailing in his own ship, he left England for Australia; thence he came to Cali- fornia, arriving at Monterey in 1848. Three years after he visited Los Angeles, and seeing the possibilities of the country he decided to remain and settle in business. Despite numer- ous reverses, notably the Laura Bevan, a ves- sel loaded with his goods, uninsured, which was wrecked near the Salt Works, and a total loss, he became one of California's merchant princes. Mr. Jones had an immense trade with great Salt Lake City, sending his goods there by "prairie schooners," so called because of their use in lieu of train or steamer transportation. For many years before the regular institution of banks in Los Angeles, he acted as banker to many great ranchers, storing their gold dust and moneys in his large fire and burglar proof safe. His place of business was in the Arcadia Block, on Los Angeles street, and for twenty years he was one of the most prominent mer- chants in Los Angeles, characterized by absolute and uncompromising integrity. Mr. Jones wns for several terms a member and president of the city council. His careful, shrewd business habits made his services to the city very valu- able. In April, 1873, he was paralyzed and

Jones

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

retired from business. Ile died December 28, 1876, in his seventy-seventh year. In March, 1858, he married Miss Doria Dighton, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, who is still a resident of this city, as are their children: Mark Gordon, who married a daughter of Hon. Donald Mc- Donald, a member of the Canadian Parliament; Caroline Adelaide, wife of James B. Lanker- shim, Esq .; and Constance Doria. Mrs. Jones is numbered among Los Angeles County's largest property owners, and with her youngest daughter, whose education was completed in Europe, is one of society's most charming leaders, under the new as in the old régimé.

UGENE LASSERE, Western avenne, Park Station, was born in the south of France, near the Pyrenees Mountains, No- vember 11, 1852, and reared on a farm. Upon reaching early manhood, he emigrated to this country, and came to California in 1871, settling in Los Angeles. Here he engaged in dairying for seven years, and then planted a grape vine- yard of fifteen acres. He owns twenty acres of excellent land, under a high state of cultivation, and he is successfully engaged in the culture of grain, fruit and vegetables.

RS. E. A. KÖSTER .- To illustrate the ability with which a woman may suc- cessfully carry on an enterprising and profitable business, it would, perhaps, be diffi- cult to select a more fitting example than the lady with whose name we introduce this article. When we see a woman ambitious, energetic and determined to succeed in any special undertak- ing she may have marked out for herself, yet at the same time retiring in disposition and never seeking publicity, she not only excites our ad- miration, but at once commands our respect. Among the enterprising and progressive citi- zens of Wilmington, Los Angeles County, there

is to be found the name of such a woman -- Mrs. E. A. Köster. This lady is the proprietor of a fancy store in which she keeps all kinds of ladies' furnishing goods. By her rare, taste and jndicions discrimination in the selection of goods, by the fitting up and making attractive her store, by her urbanity and desire to please, she has secured the best class of customers in both the town of Wilmington and the surround- ing country, and has a lucrative and constantly increasing business. Mrs. Köster is a native of England, and has been in Los Angeles County since 1882. She is a lady of culture, refinement and intelligence, whom every one honors and respects. Her husband, Methias Köster, is a well-known ship carpenter.

JOHN KENNEDY, a hardware merchant in Wilmington, Los Angeles County, came to this part of the State in 1877. He first en- tered into business on a small scale, opening a tin shop. To this, in 1880, he added a stock of hardware, of which he now carries a full line. By his energy and pluck, and by careful and strict attention to the details of his business, he has succeeded in securing a fair share of patron- age, and is now recognized as one of the leading business men of the town with which he has be- come identified. He has also been employed as an insurance agent, working in the interest of the Liverpool and London and Globe Company, and also for the Ætna, North British and Mer- cantile, and the Union Company of San Fran- cisco. And in this, as in his other undertakings, he has achieved success. Mr. Kennedy is a native of the Keystone State. He was born near Center Hill, in Bucks County, and is a son of William Kennedy, foreman in the granite quar- ries. Socially Mr. Kennedy is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, and is also a Mason, serving at present in the latter fraternity as secretary. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, and, like all who have thoroughly identified themselves with the best interests of the Golden

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State, feels a pardonable pride in its wonderful climate, its varied productions, and has great faith in its future development.

M ARK GORDON JONES, of Los An- geles, was born in San Francisco, De. cember 28, 1859. His early life was chiefly spent in Los Angeles and San Francisco. While quite a lad he attended McClure's Mili- tary College, in Oakland, but on account of ill health, after a few years of hard study, he was obliged to return to Los Angeles, where he pluckily resumed his studies, passing through the High-School course of the public school. In 1875 he went to the Augustine College, at Benicia, and gradnated with a good record in the class of 1879. Mr. Jones then undertook the management of his mother's, Mrs. Doria Jones, estate. In addition to this, during the excite- ment caused by the unprecedented rise of prop- erty in Los Angeles, he dealt very successfully in real estate, being one of those fortunate men of whom it may well be said, that "nothing succeeds like success." In 1884 Mr. Jones inarried Miss Blanche McDonald (of whose fam- ily mention has been made elsewhere, in the biography of his father, John Jones, Esq.), and has one son, Dighton McDonald, who is at their attractive place on West Pico street. He is already being trained in the principles of hon- esty, uprightness and probity, which has been the guiding spirit of the preceding generations.

M. JENIFER is an early pioneer of Cali- fornia, and one of the first settlers in San Fernando Valley. He was born in Han- cock County, Illinois, in 1836, and is a son of John S. Jenifer, a native of Maryland. Ile was a farmer by occupation, and went to Illi sois when a young man. He married Jemima Mase, who was born in Kentucky, but reared in Missouri. They had a family of five sous and

one daughter. Mr. Jenifer drove an ox team across the plains in the year 1855. For five years he followed mining, then, in 1860, bought a ranch in Sutter County, and was engaged in its cultivation until 1868. In that year he went to Ventura County and carried on farming until 1876, when he came to the beautiful valley of San Fernando. He is now conducting the livery and general truck business. and has sev- eral lots in the town and also a neat residence on Johnson street. In February, 1864, he mar- ried Miss Brusilla McKee, a native of Ken- tucky, and the daughter of Thomas McKee, who crossed the plains in 1859. They have reared a family of six children, whose names are: Mary J., wife of George T. Gower, a farmer in Los Angeles County; John, George, Frank, Jim and Nellie. Politically Mr. Jenifer affili- ates with the Democratic party.

ENRY KING, proprietor of King's Shoe- ing Shop, No. 23 Aliso street, Los Ange- les, is a native of Ireland, and was born May 26, 1832. He was reared in St. Louis and served an apprenticeship to his trade there. He came to the Pacific Coast in 1854, and, together with the throng who were seeking their fortunes in the land of gold, he went to the mines in Amador County, where he spent one year, and the following year came to Los Angeles, being one of the early settlers here. He was employed as a journeyman for ten years, after which he engaged in business for himself, on the lot where the old court-house now stands. He re- mained there a year or two and then bought on Aliso street and removed there. After a few years he went to San Francisco, where he re- sided six years, and then returned to Los Ange- les and opened his present shop on Aliso street. For the past twenty years he has carried on the business in the same location and is well and favorably known throughout the city and county. He held the office of chief of police for four years. Mr. King was married September 12,

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

1860, to Miss Helen Costin, of New York State. They have eight children, three sons and five daughters.

R. KING .- If one man is more worthy of mention in a work of this kind than another, it is certainly the man who, by honest toil with his own hands, has made for himself and loved ones a home, surrounded by all the comforts which the word implies. Such is he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He is a native of the Prairie State, and was born in 1852. He is the youngest of the three sons of William and Nancy (Murphy) King, whose sketch appears in connection with James M. King, in this book. He is now the owner of a fine farm near Santa Fe Springs, where he is bringing to bear all the improve- ments of modern husbandry. He was married on Christmas eve, in 1878, to Miss Annie Nich- olson, daughter of William Nicholson, a pioneer of California. To them were born three daugh- ters: Maud, Myrtie and Dell. Mr. King is an intelligent supporter of the Democratic party, and his neighbors have entrusted to him the re- · sponsibilities which devolve npon a district road overseer, in the Los Nietos road district, which . office he has held for two years.

AMES LEGG, residing on a portion of the Temple and Gibson tract of the San Pedro Ranch, dates his advent to the Golden State in May, 1885. He is here engaged in general farming, his principal product being alfalfa. Mr. Legg is a native of Greene County, Illinois, born in 1828, and is the son of John and Anna (Hardcastle) Legg, both natives of Maryland. The father was born in 1802 and the mother in 1794, she being the senior of her husband by eight years. They were both Englishi, and Mr. Legg was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. These worthy people were pioneers of Illinois,

and died in 1878 and 1872 respectively. Mrs. Legg was the widow of Thomas Biscoe, by whom she had three children. She also had three children by Mr. Legg, the subject of this sketch being the oldest. He remained at home until he was thirty-two years of age, then went to Carlton, Illinois, and entered into the mercan- tile business which he followed for eight years. He subsequently went to Iowa, and while there found the partner of his life in the person of Miss Anna Smith, daughter of G. G. Smith, and a native of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Legg have reared a family of five children: Ada, Clara, Walter, Jessie, and Elda. Clara is now the accomplished wife of James Heath, of . Los Angeles County, and Jessie is the wife of Ed- win Robinson, also a Californian. The subject of this sketch is a Republican in politics. His wife is an active member of the Methodist Church. While in Kansas, where Mr. Legg farmed for a number of years, he served as town- ship trustee, three years in Anderson County, and two years in Johnson County.

E. LOSSING .- One of the self-made men of Los Angeles County is the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He is a native of Canada, born near Ni- agara Falls, in 1855, his parents being Edward and Eliza (Beckett) Lossing, both natives of Can- ada, their parents having been born in the State of New York. At the age of fifteen years, Mr. Lossing left home and went to Minnesota, where for some years he was engaged in farming and also worked at his trade of blacksmithing. In 1872 he located in the northeastern part of Iowa, where he was employed at the same occu- pation. He subsequently went to Nebraska, later to Kansas, and from there to California. He is the owner of a fine farm two miles west of Compton, and carries on successfully the blacksmith and wagon business. His grounds are nicely improved and well cultivated, and he will in the future give his attention to the cul-

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

tivation of oranges, a very fine variety of which can be produced in this section, together with strawberries, raspberries, etc. Mr. Lossing was married in Iowa, to Minnie Knoke, a native of Stratford, Ontario. Her father is one of the wealthiest farmers in Winnesheik County, Iowa. This union has been blessed with two children: Julia and Susa. Socially Mr. Lossing is con- nected with the I. O. O. F. lodge at Compton; and politically he is a strong supporter of the Republican party.

B YRON J. LYSTER .- Few countries offer more inducements to persevering and in- dustrions young men than does the de- lightful climate and productive soil of Southern California; and contented, indeed, should be the young man whose lot is cast in this fair land. Among the enterprising young farmers near Long Beach is the subject of this sketch, By- ron J. Lyster. He is the son of Henry Lyster, one of the pioneers of Los Angeles County. For a number of years Henry Lyster was a flat- boatman on the Mississippi River. Later he was engaged in pork-packing at Oskaloosa, Iowa, and still later was interested in the manufacture of linseed-oil, and also in the cabinet business. Mr. Lyster was born in March, 1806, is now a very old man, and makes his home near Long Beach with his son, the gentleman whose name heads this sketch.

LOEW, President of the Capitol Milling Company, Los Angeles, was born in South- ern Germany, June 2, 1847, and was reared and received his education there. Upon reaching manhood, in 1867, he emigrated to America, took a commercial college course in New York City and lived there until the follow- ing year, when he came to the l'acific Coast. After spending a short time in San Francisco and also in San Diego, he came to Los Angeles

and for a number of years was engaged in mer- cantile business until the organization of the Capitol Milling Company in 1882. Since then, as president of the company, he has been the head of its affairs; and it is owing to his able management and his large practical commercial experience that the business of the company has been so successful, and its affairs in such pros- perous condition. Mr. Loew is always courte- ons, enjoys an enviable reputation in commercial and financial circles, and is actively identified with all the progressive interests of the city and county. In August, 1885, Mr. Loew was united in marriage with Miss Emily Newmark, a native of Los Angeles and daughter of H. New- mark, an old and honored resident of this city, and for many years one of the largest and most prominent wholesale merchants in this State. Mr. and Mrs. Loew have one daughter, Rose.

LICHTENBERGER, capitalist, 24 East Fourth street, Los Angeles, is a native of Germany, born in Prussia, Angust 25, 1835. He attended school there and when six- teen years of age emigrated to America and went to Chicago. He served an apprenticeship to the trade of carriage and wagon making there and remained in Chicago until 1860, when he came to the Pacific Coast. He worked at his trade in San Francisco, and in 1864 came to Los Angeles. After being employed at his trade there for a time, he engaged in business for him- self, at Nos. 3 to 13 North Main street, where his block is now located, and he was successfully engaged in the carriage and wagon making trade for over twenty years. He built up a very large trade, making a specialty of California spring- wagons. Ile acquired a high reputation for vehicles of his own mannfacture and gave em- ployment to a large number of men, manufact- uring 300 spring-wagons and carriages in one year, and having a trade which extended throughout Southern California and Arizona. In 1886 he retired from active business, after

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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