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 125

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 125

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AMES M. ROGERS .- The subject of this sketch is one of the well-known residents of the Duarte. He first came to this place in 1868, and took up his residence on Mountain avenue, occupying rented lands, upon which he engaged in general farming. In 1873 he pur- chased eighteen and three-fourths acres of the 51

land he had previously rented. This tract is located on Mountain avenue, about two miles southeast of Duarte, and the same distance southwest of Monrovia, in the Duarte school district. He continned his farming operations in the Duarte district until 1875, and then moved to Ventura County, where he engaged in stock-raising. Mr. Rogers spent two years in that county, and then came south with his stock and located on the Chino Ranch, in San Ber- nardino County. In 1878 he returned to his home place, where he has since resided. His land is rich and productive, and well adapted to fruit cultivation, as is well attested by the choice varieties of citrus and deciduons fruit trees that comprise his family orchard of 125 trees. The inost of his land is devoted to general farming, giving a large yield of grain, corn, potatoes, etc., and also with his system of irrigation from the Beardslee Water Ditch Company, large yields of alfalfa. In addition to conducting his home farm, Mr. Rogers is each year cultivating con- siderable acreage of rented lands and contracting in cutting hay, grain, etc. Mr. Rogers is a na- tive of Conway County, Arkansas, dating his birth in 1846. His father, Andrew Rogers, was a native of North Carolina, who settled in Ar- kansas, and there married Miss Harriet Holla- field, a native of Alabama. The death of his father occurred in 1848, and his motlier after- ward married John Guess, a well-known resident and pioneer of Los Angeles County (a sketch of whom appears in this volume). In 1852 Mr. Rogers came with his step-father to Los Angeles County, locating near El Monte. He was reared as a farmer and stock-grower, receiving his edu- cation in the public schools at El Monte. He remained with his step-father until 1868, when he took up his residence at Duarte. Nearly his whole life has been spent in Los Angeles County, and he is well and favorably known throughout El Monte Township. His consistent and straight- forward course of life has secured him hosts of friends. He and his family are members of the Baptist Church. In political matters he is Democratic. In 1868 Mr. Rogers wedded Miss

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Jane Beardslee, the daughter of Dr. Nehemiah and Elvira (Anderson) Beardslee. Her father was a well-known pioneer of the Duarte, and the owner of the Beardslee tract. She died in 1873, leaving three children: John, Mary and Alice. In 1875 Mr. Rogers married Miss Mary Mc- Crary, daughter of Alexander and Martha (Sta- ter) McCrary. Her father is a native of Ohio, in which State Mrs. Rogers was born. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. McCrary are residents of Riverside, San Bernar- dino County. From the second marriage of Mr. Rogers there are five children, whose names are as follows: William H., James, Louie C., Mat- tie and Grover.

ILLIAM H. ROBINSON is the pioneer merchant of Sierre Madre, and has heen closely identified with the remarkable growth and prosperity of the colony for many years. A sketch of his life will be found of interest. Mr. Robinson is a native of Lowell, Massachusetts, and dates his birth December 1, 1856. His parents were William and Ann (Spencer) Robinson, both of whom were born in England. His father was a machinist by occu- pation, and came in early manliood to the United States, and settled in Lowell, where he established himself in business and married. The subject of this sketch was reared in the city of Lowell, having the advantages of a good schooling until fourteen years of age, when he went into his father's machine shops to learn the trade of a machinist. He worked at that trade until abont 1881, when ill health com- pelled lim to seek some other occupation, and he engaged in the milk business. and con- dneted the same until 1883, when he came to Los Angeles County. Hle spent about a month in the city of Los Angeles, and in the fall of that year came to Sierra Madre. The winter was passed as a member of the family of Mr. N. C. Carter, and he was engaged in carrying the mail from San Gabriel to Sierra Madre. In the

spring of 1884 the family of Mr. Robinson joined him, and he took up his residence upon a lot of abont two acres in extent, on the west side of Baldwin avenne, north of Central avenue. In the fall of 1884 he opened the first store ever established in the Sierra Madre Colony. His stock of goods, which at first was limited, was placed in his dwelling-house. His close atten- tion to his business and obliging disposition, coupled with a straightforward manner of deal- ing, secured him a fair trade, and as the colony increased in population, the need of larger store accommodations became manifest. In June, 1887, he took possession of his fine store on the corner of Baldwin and Central avenues. This store is in the Town Hall building. Mr. Robinson was one of the promoters and original incorporators of the Town Hall Company that erected this fine block, and is at this writing one of the largest shareholders and a director in the company. Upon his occupying his present quarters, Mr .. Robinson fitted up his store with a complete stock of groceries, crockery, drugs and medicines, and also dealt in hay, grain, etc., gaining an in- creased patronage that was well merited. He has been an active promoter and supporter of the many enterprises and projects that have tended to build up the Sierra Madre Colony, and his straightforward and consistent course of life has gained him a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. In politics he lias ever been a stanch Republican. Mr. Robinson was married in 1875, to Miss Sarah A. Boyd, a native of Lowell, Massachusetts. Her parents, Joseph and Ann (Hawthorne) Boyd, were natives of Canada. The two children from this marriage are Mabel Eva and Albion L.

M. STRATTON, contractor, 366 North Pearl street, Los Angeles, is a native of the State of Kentucky, born February 23, 1862. His parents, John Stratton and Sarah (Lansdowne) Stratton, were both natives of Kentucky. They removed to Iowa in 1865, re-

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mained there six years, and in 1871 located in Kansas. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated and began learning his trade in the latter State. Upon reaching manhood, he came to the Pacific Coast in 1881 and remained two years. He then returned to Lawrence, Kansas, and was engaged in building several years. In 1886 he decided to come to Los Angeles and locate per- manently. Since then he has been success- fully engaged in contracting and building here. Among other buildings erected by him is the Beaudry Block on Buena Vista street. Mr. Stratton is a brother of W. A. Stratton, the well- known contractor, and now president of the Union Lumber and Supply Company. The sub- ject of this sketch was married September 7, 1885, to Miss T. Wooton, a native of Lawrence, Kansas. They have two children, Mand Edith and Myrtle Ivy.

OUIS J. STENGEL, East Los Angeles, pro- prietor of Stengel's Nurseries and Exotic Gardens, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, April 13, 1843; attended school until fourteen years of age and then emigrated to the United States, in 1857, coming alone; worked on a farm at $4 per month, two years of which time was iu Dedham, Massachusetts. He learned the nursery and gardening business of Taylor Broth- ers, who were prominent nurserymen of Dor- chester, that State, and remained with them five years. In 1865 he came to the Pacific Coast, working first in a seed store. He went all over the State to secure a good location, and selected San Diego, where he engaged in the nursery business for three years, then came to Los An- geles and established his present business on Los Angeles street, between First and Third streets, where the cathedral now stands. It was out of town then, an uncultivated field. He re- mained there eight years. Then, to meet the demands of his trade, he was obliged to have more ground, and came over to East Los Angeles, bought ten acres and removed his nursery. He

grows ornamental shade trees and all kinds of fruit trees, and, making a specialty of culti- vating palms, he is the largest grower of and dealer in palms in Southern California. He has a leading business in fruit and ornamental stock. IIis large practical experience combined with strict attention to business has gained him a well- deserved success. In 1873 Mr. Stengel married Miss Mary Reidy, of Placerville, who died in 1880, leaving one son, Louis. In 1885 he mar- ried Miss Mary Brandes, of this city, and they have one daughter. Mr. Stengel is a member of the Masonic order, the Union League, and Temperance Society.

HOMASJ. STEPHENS, plumber and gas- fitter, corner of Boyd and Pine streets, Los Angeles, was born in Portland, Oregon, March 8, 1867. His father, Peter Stephens, was one of the pioneers of the Pacific Coast, en- gaged in mining, and died in the mines at White Pine. His mother, Elizabeth Stephens, is living at Ontario in this county. Thomas J. attended school in his native town and in Cali- fornia, and lived in Oregon and Northern Cali- fornia until he came to Los Angeles, in 1882. He learned his trade as an apprentice to the Lacy Verick Hardware Company. After work- ing at his trade two years, he engaged in busi- ness for himself. He does all kinds of plumbing and gas-fitting, giving special attention to sani- tary plumbing; and by industry and application to the interests of his business, and being a practical workman, he is building up a good trade. He employs five to ten men, and owns the property he occupies.

¿LEXANDER O. SPENCER is a native of New York State and was born March 9, 1827. His father was also a native of New York; he died in 1859. His mother, Mary (Norton) Spencer, was a descendant of the old

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Knickerbocker family, and died at the residence of her son in Milwaukee, in 1887, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-six years. The subject of this sketch was reared and received his educa- tion in his native State. After reaching man- hood he came to California, via the Isthmus, and arrived in San Francisco in January, 1852. Ile was engaged in steamboating on the Sacra- mento River for some years; then ran on the coast between San Francisco and San Diego for five years; and was connected with the Oregon Company ten years, running up north on the coast to Victoria, Alaska and other ports. Since 1887 he has been connected with the California ('entral Railroad, at Los Angeles. Mr. Spencer is a brother of J. C. Spencer, of the Milwaukee & Northern Railroad, one of the most promni- nent railroad magnates of this country.

HOMAS A. STOMBS, manufacturer of cans and galvanized iron tanks, Los An- geles, was born in Salem County, New Jersey, September 20, 1826. His parents re- mnoved to Ohio during his early childhood, and he learned his trade in Cincinnati. Early in 1850, during the height of the California gold excitement, he determined to emigrate to the new El Dorado. On the 1st of May, in a train of ninety-six persons, he left the Missouri River. They had a regular military organization, for protection while passing through a hostile coun- try. They were not molested until they were passing through the Washoe country, when they were attacked by Indians, who, after a pro- longed skirmish, were driven off. The train arrived at Georgetown, El Dorado County, September 3, 1850, only six days before the State was admitted into the Union. Mr. Stombs went to the mines for a short time, then went to Sacramento and began working at his trade, for $16 a day. Afterward, as a member of the firin of Shepherd, Stombs & Co., he engaged in the tin and hardware trade and in ininers' sup- plies at Marysville. He established the first

foundry north of Sacramento. From 1856 to 1860 he was in business in San Francisco, then likewise in Stockton, where he was elected a member of the city council. This position he resigned to enlist in the service of his country, being elected Captain of the First California Cavalry. Served on the Rio Grande; was com- mander of the post twenty miles below Franklin; afterward served in the Department of the Mis- sonri; was at Fort Summer when the war closed; was promoted to the rank of Major; and finally brought the remainder of his regiment to San Francisco, where it was mustered out. Mr. Stombs was for the ensuing twelve years super- intendent of the manufacturing department of Montague & Co., and since 1884 he has been in his present business here, and has built up a good trade. May 3, 1846, Major Stombs mar- ried Miss Esther E. Taylor, who came from Pennsylvania to California in 1862. They have two sons living: Thomas A. and William H. They lost one son, Richard T. by name.

A. STRATTON, President of the Union Lumber and Supply Company, was born in Kentucky, July 23, 1854. Ile is a son of John and Sarah (Lansdowne) Stratton, both natives of Kentucky. In 1865, when he was eleven years of age, they removed to Iowa and located in Muscatine County, where he attended school and began learning his trade. In 1871 they went to Lawrence, Kansas, and re- mained there ten years. Mr. Stratton came to the Pacific Coast in 1881 and spent one year in San Diego, in the employ of the Southern Rail- road Company. The following year he came to Los Angeles and engaged in contracting, and since that time he has been prominently identi- fied with the contracting, building and lumber interests here. Among the prominent buildings erected by him are the following: The Crystal Palace, the Orphans' Home, Dorr Jones Building, Bryson HIall, the Lan-Franco Block, Crocker Building and many others. For ability, in-

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tegrity and responsibility as a contractor and business man, Mr. Stratton is taking a leading position, and no less enjoys an enviable repu- tation as a citizen. In February, 1888, the Union Lumber and Supply Company was or- ganized for the purpose of doing a general lumber business, and furnishing bills of lumber and all kinds of material for outside and inside work, and finishing complete and ready for oc- cupancy, thereby securing a better grade of material at a more reasonable expense, and also saving the trouble of running around to different points to secure the materials required. W. A. Stratton, as before stated, is the President of the company, and H. F. Gordon, Secretary, the office of the company being at 107 West Second street, in the Bryson and Bonebrake Block. Mr. Strat- ton was married December 5, 1882, to Miss Min- nie Tollman, of San Francisco, daughter of Rufns Tollman, one of the early pioneers of the Pacific Coast. For the past seventeen years Mr. Tollman has been in the office of Wells, Fargo & Co., in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Stratton have three children: Frankie, Charlie and Gracie.

HOMAS STOVELL .- To illustrate what may be accomplished in California with- out capital, and with only that pluck and energy, united with judicious discrimination in business transactions, which characterize so inany of the successful men, not only of this time but also of the past, few better examples could be given than the name with which we introduce this sketch. Mr. Stovell came from London, England, to San Francisco, the direct object of his coming being the improvement of Mrs. Stovell's health. From that city he came to Los Angeles, and here entered into the plan- ing-mill business, at the outset having in his pocket only $84. He leased the Spring street mill, and with his characteristic energy suc- cessfully conducted the enterprise until he was enabled to purchase the establishment and build anew. In the meantime he also became inter-

ested in land speculation, his investments being carefully made and yielding him handsome re- turns. Now, having accumulated an independ- ent fortune, he has practically retired from an active business life, and has erected a most mag- nificent residence in the north part of Long Beach, where, surrounded by his family, he is living a quiet and happy life, free from the dis- appointments and strain of business.

EORGE SCHNEIDER, proprietor of the Western Vinegar and Pickle Factory, 30 South Los Angeles street, Los Angeles, was born on the Rhine, in Germany, February 20, 1851. His father was an extensive wine-maker, and the son George became skilled in the making of wine and vinegar. The subject of this sketch served in the army, and after the Franco-Prus- sian war came to America, in 1872. He came to New Orleans, and then to Mobile, where he had an uncle who was elected mayor of that city in 1871. Mr. Schneider remained there four years, and then came to Los Angeles, arriving February 26, 1876. IIe established his present business in 1887. He has had a large practical experience, and the goods prepared and manu - factured by him have an excellent reputation, and he has a good trade which is constantly in- creasing and extending throughout Southern Cal- ifornia and Arizona. In 1878 Mr. Schneider married Miss Louise Wetterhoner, a native of Baden, Germany. They have one son, George, and their nephew, Andrew, is living with them.

NDREW A. LEWIS, a farmer and stock- raiser on farm lot 95 of the American Col- ony tract of the Cerritus Ranch, is a pioneer of 1878. His first stop in this State was at Wilmington, and, after buying and im- proving and selling several pieces of land, he purchased and has greatly enhanced the value of the property where he now lives, one of the

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most beautiful sites in Southern California. Ile is a native of Missouri, born in Saline County, August 1, 1842, and is the son of William H. and Elizabeth Lewis, natives of the Old Domin- ion, and of Scotch origin. His father departed this life in 1857. The subject of this sketch is the ninth and one of thirteen children, five of whom are yet living. Mr. Lewis, with his brothers and sisters, received the advantages of a common-school education, and just as he was beginning to be interested in a higher course of studies, the war came on and his plans were changed. In 1869 he married Miss Belle Gar- rison, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of John G. and Polly (McDowel) Garrison, also natives of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have been born five children: Thomas H., Eliza- beth, John, Andrew and George. Both he and his wife are earnest workers in and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

W. STOWELL, proprietor of the Stowell Cement Pipe Company, Los Angeles, is a native. of Claremont, New Hampshire, and was born December 15, 1851. He received his education in New England. After reaching manhood he came to California in 1874, and located in Los Angeles a few years later. In 1878 the bneiness of the Stowell Cement Pipe Company was established, and is now one of the oldest in its line in Southern California. In 1879 the company laid about four miles of pipe in San Diego and San Dimas, and in 1881 the Orange, Pasadena and Verdngo lines followed. In 1882-'83 the extensive systems of Hermosa, Etiwanda and Ontario were laid, and are now probably the most approved irrigating systems in existence. The company have ample facili- ties for manufacturing their pipe, giving em- ployment during the busy season to from forty to fifty hands. They also have branch factories in this and San Bernardino counties. Their extended business of the last few years includes a line four miles long in San Bernardino County

ten miles at Cucamonga, Ontario twenty-six miles, South Riverside nine miles of thirty-inch pipe, Rialto ten miles; and in addition to this smaller lines have been laid at Gardena, Ver- dugo, Sycamore Cañion, and over ten miles in this city. Mr. Stowell has had a large experi- ence in the business. He is actively identified with all the progressive interests of the city and is esteemed in business circles as a gentleman of the highest integrity and commercial standing.

C. STOLL, of the Los Angeles Soda-water Works, No. 107 Sansevain street, was born in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, November 10, 1853. He attended school dnr- ing his boyhood until sixteen years of age, then came to California, his brother having preceded him several years. Upon arriving here he went into the factory in the employ of his brother and continued with him until 1880, when he beeame a partner in the business. The firm of Stoll Brothers has the most extensive works and the best equipped factory on the Pacific Coast. The machinery is of the latest improved style, being furnished by Messrs. Tuft, of Boston. They have capacity for turning ont 5,000 dozen daily. The factory is the oldest and leading one in the State. They also have a large factory at Pasadena, and have established an excellent trade, doing an extensive shipping business throughont Southern California.

HOMAS SIKES, contractor, 22 Clay street, Los Angeles, is a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, born March 11, 1836. He attended school and served an apprenticeship to his trade in his native State. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted, April 14, 1861, in the First Ohio Regiment for three months' serv- ice. Ilis company was said to be the first to go into the service from the State of Ohio. At the expiration of the three months he enlisted

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

in the Thirty-third Ohio Regiment, this time for three years. He was in the first battle of Bull Run, and in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, aud many others; was wounded near Huntsville, Alabama, by a shell. He served four years and three months. After the war Mr. Sikes re- turned to Ohio and engaged in building for many years. In 1887 he came to Los Angeles and engaged in contracting. He built. the Niles Block, corner of Main and Upper Main streets; the Woohead Block, corner of Main and College streets; University of Southern California, In- glewood; Newhall Block, East First street, and others. In 1886 Mr. Sikes married Miss Mi- nerva Williams, a native of Portsmouth, Ohio. They have seven children, four sons and three daughters.

OSEPH HENRY STEWART was born in Kennebec County, Maine, in 1825. He is a son of William and Mary (Stoddard) Stew- art, natives of Maine and England respectively. His father's ancestors were originally from Scot- land. William Stewart was a lumberman by occupation, and was killed by a falling limb of a tree in 1841. He had four children, of which the subject of this sketch was the eldest. He received the ordinary common-school education, and in 1850 was married to Miss Rhoda P. Trask, who was reared in the same State. She is the daughter of Moses and Caroline (Austin) Trask. The Trasks were pioneers of Ohio, and very wealthy people. Her father was pressed into the British army in 1776. After his mar- riage Mr. Stewart engaged in the lumber busi- ness in Maine for four years, and later followed the trade of blacksmith. In 1856 he moved to Clinton County, Iowa, where he was in the mercantile business for four years. In 1859 Mr. Stewart started on the journey across the plains, bringing livery stock, and being four months in making the trip. After his arrival in the Golden State he started a blacksmith

shop at Alvarado; then went to Mud Springs, where he followed his trade for a year and a half; next moved to Santa Clara County, lived there three years, working at his trade in Gil- roy; from there went to Oregon, and after re- maining in Lane County a year and a half, he came, in 1859, to Los Angeles County, where he established the first blacksmith shop between San Gabriel and New Rivers. Here he pur- chased thirty-two and a half acres of land and improved it, and here he lives at the present time. In addition to this he also owns other valuable property, and has 216 shares of stock in the Odd-fellows Building Association at Downey. Mr. Stewart has been eminently suc- cessful, and is progressive, prosperous and en- terprising. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have been blessed with four children: James Allen, Lucy, wife of C. C. Cheney; Katie May and Mary Etta. Mrs. Stewart and her daughters are ment- bers of the Christian Church. Mr. Stewart is affiliated with Los Nietos Lodge, No. 197, I. O. O. F.

ARCUS G. SETTLE, a farmer, residing two miles west of Norwalk, came to California in October, 1871. He was born in Tennessee, in 1845, and is a son of Rev. Marcus G. Settle, Sr., and Irena (Moore) Settle, the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of Georgia. They were married in Texas, but subsequently moved to Tennessee, where four of their children were born. He taught school in Texas, and also farmed several years. The sub- ject of this notice was about a year and a half old when his father moved back to Texas. In April, 1870, they started for California, bring- ing with them a large herd of cattle. Upon their arrival in San Diego County their stock was so poor they were compelled to stop and let them graze, and nine months later sold the cat- tle and came to Los Angeles County. He pur- chased forty acres of land between Downey and Norwalk, which he afterward sold and bought

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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