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 127

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 127

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M ATTHEW W. TALBOT, a pioneer of 1852, owns a fine farm of fifty acres near Compton. He has traveled extensively over this State, having done business for several

years in San Francisco, Stockton, San José, and in Tulare County. He also farmed for a period of five years in San Luis Obispo County. Mr. Talbot is a native of Baton Ronge Parish, Louisiana, born in 1836, and is the son of John Inals and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Talbot, natives, respectively, of Tennessee and Alabama. His father was a wealthy farmer in the Palmetto State. In 1873 Mr. Talbot was united in marriage to Irene Wells. This lady is a native of Illinois, but was reared principally in Mis- souri. She is the daughter of Chiester A. and Susan A. (Bell) Wells, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. Her grand- mother was a Hollenbeck, a cousin to the Hollen- becks of Los Angeles. In the town of Comp- ton Mr. Talbot has recently erected a very comfortable residence, where, with his excellent wife and two children, Edward A. and Letitia R., he is enjoying the comforts of home, com- paratively free from the anxieties of active bnsi- ness life. Both he and his wife are highly honored members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and is an active worker for temperance, and favors, by his influence and means, all enterprises which have for their object the upbuilding of the community.

EAN LOUIS SAINSEVAIN was born at Begney, Department of the Gironde, France, in the year 1816. IIe caine to Los Angeles in 1855, where his uncle, Jean Louis Vignes, the earliest of the French pioneers, and his brother, Pedro Sainsevain, had been living many years. After living here some time, the two brothers bonglit out the extensive property of their uncle, and carried on the wine business on a large scale till 1867 or 1868. The broth- ers Sainsevain were the first manufacturers of champagne in California. They were involved in litigation at one time with the Internal Rev- enue Department, and also withi M. Racoulliat, husband of one of the heirs of their uncle, Don

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Louis Vignes. Obtaining a franchise to supply the city of Los Angeles with water for domestic use, Don Louis Sainsevain and D. Marchessault, at one time mayor of the city, laid wooden pipes for that purpose, iron pipes being thought at that period too expensive. In 1868 they sold out to the City Water Company, which secured a lease from the city for thirty years, Mr. Sain- sevain remaining one of the members of the new company, whose lease expires in 1898. The vineyard was sold to Alexander Wiel and others, and was eventually divided up into lots and sold, and it is now occupied by homes and business houses. The immense old " Aliso" (sycamore) tree, around which Don Louis Vignes built liis adobe wine cellars, is now surrounded by the modern brick-built plant of the Philadelphia Brewery, and a street railroad runs along where the dwelling of both Vignes and Sainsevain once stood. In after years Sainsevain planted a vine- yard at Cucamonga, where he lived some time. Latterly, however, and until his death, whichi happened in the early part of this year (Febru- ary 16, 1889), he resided in Los Angeles, where he was well and favorably known as good- hearted, genial " Don Louis " Sainsevain. The street in this city bearing his name was so called in his honor. He had two sons, Michèl and Paul. The former died in this city before his father, leaving a widow and several children. Paul and family live in San Diego. Vital Fer- nando and Jean M. Vignes, for many years residents of Los Angeles, are cousins of the Sainsevains. Pedro Sainsevain, now an old man, who came here when a boy, still lives in San José.

ILLIAM H. SPEAR, of the firm of Norris & Spear, general merchants of Sierra Madre, is one of the young and enterprising business men of that town. The business conducted by Messrs. Norris & Spear comprises one of the best equipped stores in Sierra Madre Colony. The store was first estab

lished in September, 1886, by Andrews Broth- ers, and conducted by them until January, 1888, when Mr. Norris entered the business under the name of Ilart & Norris, and in July of the same year the subject of this sketch purchased the interest of Mr. Hart. Mr. Spear is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, dating his birth in that city in 1859. His parents were William and Sarah (Austin) Spear, natives of England. Mr. Spear was reared and schooled in the city of his birth, bnt early in life, when only twelve years old, he began to serve an apprenticeship to the printer's trade, and spent the next twelve years in that calling. In 1884 he engaged in paper hanging, which business he conducted until coming to California in May, 1888. Upon his arrival in the State he located in San Bernardino County, where he remained until July of that year when he took np his residence in Sierra Madre and engaged in his present business. Mr. Spear is self-educated and possessed of an energetic, industrious nature and acquired business habits that command the esteen of his associates and insnres his success. He is a firm believer in the future growth and prosperity of his chosen sec- tion, and takes an interest in any enterprise that tends to develop its resources. In political matters he is an earnest Republican. In 1888 Mr. Spear married Miss Minnie A. Snfert, a native of Cleveland, Ohio. Her father, William Sufert, is of German descent and a resident of that city. They have one child, W. Howard.

ICHOLAS SMITH .- Among the Califor- nia pioneers of 1849, and the early settlers of Los Angeles County and well-known residents of El Monte Township, is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Smith is a native of Prus- sia, and dates his birth October 18, 1818. IIis parents were Lawrence and Mary (Maxminer) Smith, both natives of the place of his birth. His father was a farmer, to which occupation the sou was reared. At the age of twenty years he entered the Prussian military service, and

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

served four years in the Ninth Regiment of Prussian Hussars. After his discharge from the service lie was employed in agricultural pur- snits until 1847. In that year he emigrated to the United States, and, upon his arrival, went to the Western country and was engaged at farm labor in Wisconsin and Michigan. In 1849 the California gold fever prompted him to seek his fortune in the El Dorado of the Pacific Coast, and in the spring of that year he joined a party of emigrants and started across the plains for California. This journey was made by ox teams, the route taken being through Utali, and thence by the Southern route to California. Late in the year Mr. Smith arrived in San Bernardino County, where he remained until the following spring, and then came to Los Angeles County and located in Los Angeles, where he established a boarding-house, which he conducted until 1851. In that year he came to El Monte and took up a Government elaim for. 160 acres of land, located about one mile east of El Monte. Here he established his residence and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. For nearly forty years Mr. Smith has resided upon his farm, giving years of steady toil to its improve- ment and cultivation. With the exception of planting a small family orchard his operations have been confined to hay, grain and stoek- raising. IIis long residence here has made him well known throughout the San Gabriel Valley, and his straightforward dealings with his fellow- men and his consistent course of life have gained him the respect and esteem of his associates. In political matters he is a sound Republican, and has supported that party since its organiza- tion in 1856. During the late war he was a strong Union man and a firm supporter of the National Government. In 1850 Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Elmira Pieree, a native of New Hampshire, and a cousin of President Franklin Pierce. She died in July, 1887. From this marriage there were two chil- dren born. The first child, Mary, died Angust 27, 1864, aged twelve years. The second child, Nicholas, is now (1889) living upon the old

homestead and engaged in conducting the farm operations. He married Miss Julia Newman in 1888. She is the daughter of John and Ade- lina Newman, residents of El Monte. Of this union one child has been born, Nicholas Erwin.

ILLIAM H. SOUTHER is one of the pioneers of California, and, during the forty years he has resided in the State, has been engaged in some of the most extensive mining and irrigation enterprises that have been projected. He is a native of Oldham County, Kentucky, dating his birth in 1823. His par- ents, Abraham and Catherine (Harding) Sonther, were both natives of that State. In 1837 his father moved to Moultrie County, Illinois, where he was extensively engaged in farming, milling and other enterprises. He was a prominent and leading man in that seetion. The subject of this sketeh was reared and edneated in that county, and in his young manhood engaged with his father in his various enterprises. In 1848 he conducted a drove of cattle to Mineral Point, Wisconsin, in which he was successful. In the spring of 1849 he entered into partnership with John Phillips and started aeross the plains for Cali- fornia. At Salt Lake Mr. Souther left the train and entered this State via the Truekee route- Mr. Phillips endeavored to enter the State through Death's Valley, but met with disaster and lost, the whole outfit. Upon his arrival Mr. Souther located at Auburn, Placer County, and soon be- came engaged in extensive mining operations. He was a man of broad views and conrage to enter into large enterprises. In connection with Messrs. Bowen and Butterfield, he cut the first tunnel turning the middle fork of the American River, at Horseshoe Bend. The bed of the river thus exposed afterward yielded millions of dollars' worth of gold. In 1850 he sold ont and located at Michigan Bluffs and opened mines at that point, many of which in later years proved immensely rich, among which was the noted Grey Eagle Mine, which in 100 days produced

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

$100,000. In 1852 Mr. Sonther returned East, and after a short stay came the second time to California, by the overland route, and located at San Leandro, Alameda County, where he en- gaged in general farmning, and also in stock- raising in the San Joaquin Valley. In 1867 he moved to Gilroy, Santa Clara County, and for the next seven years was farming and stock- growing on the well-known Pacheco Ranch. In 1874 he located at Bakersfield, Kern County, and for several years was engaged in large farın- ing operations in that section. While there he became interested in the large irrigation schemes of that period and was superintendent of the Kern Island Canal and the Buena Vista Canal. These enterprises required over a million dollars of capital, and necessitated the constructing of hundreds of miles of ditches. The duties and responsibilities of Mr. Souther's position soon broke him down and he was compelled to sns- pend his labor and seek a restoration of health. Iu 1878, after a partial recovery, he came to Los Angeles County and located at Newhall. There he engaged in extensive farming and stock grow- ing, occupying about 13,000 acres of land in his operations. Not meeting with the desired suc- cess in these enterprises, in 1881 he sold ont and went to the Mojave and Calico Mines in San Bernardino County and spent the next two years in mining enterprises. In 1883 he returned East, remaining until the next year, when he again came to California. This time he located near Covina and entered into horticultural pur- suits upon a twenty-acre tract of land located in Covina school district, about one-fourth of a mile sonth of the San Bernardino road, and a half mile east of Covina. He has also under his care seventeen acres in orange grove belong- ing to his son. Mr. Souther is making a success in his fruit enlture and is devoting his attention to deciduous as well as citrus fruits. Ile has ten acres in budded orange trees and about eight acres in apricots and French prunes. From three acres of apricot trees, in 1888, he gathered fifteen tons of fine fruit, the trees being but four years old. Mr. Souther is well known through- 52

ont a large section of California, and in whatever section he has resided he has gained many strong friends. He is a consistent Republican in poli- ties and has been prominent in the councils of that party. In Alameda County he was elected justice of the peace, holding the office ten years, and for four years was one of the associate judges of the county. He has been a member of the Christian Church since he was sixteen years old. In 1844 Mr. Sonther married Miss Catherine Bigelow, of New York. She died in 1856, leaving five children, viz .: Angeline, now Mrs. A. E. Sawyer; Meream, now Mrs. Charles Wood; Elizabeth, now Mrs. C. Lathrop, all residents of San Bernadino County; Catherine, now Mrs. C. L. Connor, of Kern County; and William H., who is residing in San Francisco, and at this writing is cashier of the Home Mutual Insurance Company. In 1859 Mr. Souther married Miss Maria IIuff, a native of Michigan. She died in 1879, leaving the following named children: Sarah, Lucien and Cally. Sarah is residing with her father and the others are residents of Kern County.

EORGE W. SELLS .- The subject of this sketch was born in Wyandotte County, Ohio, in 1846, and is the son of John Sells, also a native of Ohio, and nee Mary McKisson, who was born in Pennsylvania. She was related to the famons McCook family of Ohio. Mr. Sells was reared to farın labor, re- ceiving a fair common school education in his youth. Early in life he engaged in railroading, commencing as a brakeman, and rapidly rising to important positions. At eighteen years of age lie was an engineer, and afterward .was in charge of construction work, still later being conductor of passenger trains. In 1868, his health failing, he came to California and first located at Los Angeles, where he was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company as a freight clerk. He also purchased the Sweet Water Ranch in the Colorado Cañon, and for

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

some time devoted himself to stock-growing. Not snited with that, he sold out and went to Sacramento, and in 1870 entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad as a conductor trom Stockton to the Kern River. In 1874 he located at Santa Bárbara and conducted a black- sınith shop until the following year, when he returned to Los Angeles County and rented a farm near Anaheim. Mr. Sells engaged in general farming and stock-growing upon the farm land he purchased near Anaheim Land- ing, until 1878. In that year he returned to railroading and was engaged with the same company in varions positions until 1882. He then took up his . residence upon 160 acres of land at Vineland, and commenced its improve- ment. This land. was then entirely wild and uncultivated, but well adapted to vine-growing. With his characteristic energy he applied him- self to viticulture and planted twenty acres of vines, also clearing his land for general farming. As his success became known other settlers came, and the town of Vineland was laid ont, Mr. Sells devoting twenty acres of his land for the town site. In 1887 he erected a winery of 30,000 gallons capacity, and also a distillery. In these enterprises he was associated with Mr. John R. Opitz, since deceased. In addition to his home farm he also owns twenty acres in the San Gabriel Cañon, which he is devoting to fruit cultivation, mostly cherries, and eighty acres of general farming land on the coast near Anaheim Landing. Mr. Sells is one of the most enterprising and progressive inen of Vineland, and has done mnuch toward the building up and establishment of that place. He takes a lead in any enterprise that will develop the resources of his chosen section. He is a man of practical ideas which he puts into operation in all his enterprises. In the present year (1889) he was elected water commissioner of his district, and is largely interested in the Vineland Irrigation System. He is also a school trustee of the dis- trict. In political matters Mr. Sells is an inde- pendent Democrat. In 1888 he was a delegate to the Democratic County Convention. In 1881

Mr. Sells married Miss Jessie Benton Wills, the daughter of William and Martha C. (Mardsdon) Wills. Mrs. Sells was born in Prescott, Min- nesota, in 1861. Her mother, now Mrs. Martha C. Davis, is a resident of Vineland. From this marriage there are two children: George Will- iam and Cora Edith.

DWIN B. SMITH, of the firm of E. B. Smith & Co., is at the head of one of the leading business establishments of Po- mona. This firm, consisting of himself and brother, W. D. Smith, was established in 1887, and afterward a partnership was forined with Messrs. Montgomery, Grant & Co., of Los An- geles, which continued until 1889. Their ware- house-devoted to agricultural implements, wagons, carriages, etc.,-is located on the corner of Second and Ellen streets. Mr. Smith is a native of Richburg, Allegany Connty, New York, dating his birth January 6, 1843, his parents being William B. and Sarah (Tinkhamn) Sınith, both natives of that State. Mr. Smith was reared and educated in his native place and learned the trade of a wagon-maker. At the breaking out of the civil war in 1861, although less than eighteen years of age, he responded to the call of his country and entered the ariny as a private in Company C, Eighty-fifth Regiment of New York Volunteers. He served in that regiment for the full term of his enlistment of three years, and was a participator in some of the hardest campaigns and severest battles of the war. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and was a part of Paliner's Brigade of Casey's Division at the siege of Yorktown, the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, and the memorable seven days' battle of the Peninsular campaign. After that he was in the Sixth Army Corps, and took part in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Get- tysburg, and Grant's overland campaign through the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor to the siege of Petersburg. At the expiration

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

of his term of service he was honorably dis- charged and returned to his home in New York, after which he engaged in work at his trade in the shops of his father until 1866. He then accompanied his father's family to Wisconsin and located at Ean Claire, where he engaged in farming until 1871. In that year he removed to Lyon County, Kansas, and established him- self in business in Hartford as a wagon-maker. There he remained until 1875 and then returned to his old home in New York. Not suited with the prospects there, he engaged as a traveling agent for a manufacturing company until the next year, when he entered the employ of the Daniel Shaw Lumbering Company at Ean Claire, Wisconsin, and was their superintendent of supply camps, on the Chippewa River, until the mining excitement in the Black Hills, in 1878, induced him to try his fortunes in that direction. That not proving a remunerative occupation, he returned in the fall of that year to Eau Claire, and for the next five years worked at his trade. In 1883 Mr. Smith came to Los Angeles County and located in Pomona. He was first employed in the shops of his brother, W. D. Smith, but soon after established works of his own, and took the agency of well-known man- ufacturers of agricultural implements, wagons, etc. He was also interested in other business enterprises, the most important of which was that of well boring, with his brother. In June, 1887, he established his present business. Mr. Smith is also interested in horticultural pursuits, and is the owner of ten acres located about a mile and a quarter northwest of Pomona, which he has fully improved, planting a large variety of decidnous and citrus fruits. He and his brother, W. D. Smith, are also the owners of 160 acres at Cucamonga, which they are devot- ing to citrus fruits. Mr. Smith is one of the go ahead business men to whom the city of Po- mona is indebted for the rapid growth it has made in the past five years. He is a strong Republican and takes a deep interest in the suc- cess of his party. He is a member of Vicksburg Post, No. 61, G. A. R., of Pomona, and also of

Pomona Lodge, No. 225, A. O. U. W. He re- tains his membership in the IIartford (Kansas) Lodge, No. 61, I. O. O. F. In the Knights of Pythias he is a member of Etna Lodge, No. 107, and Uniform Rank, No. 4, of Pomona, and is First Lieutenant in the last-named order. He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church. September 1, 1862, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Garphelia A. Maxson, the daughter of David and Amanda (Coon) Max- . son, of New York. From this marriage there are eight children: Mary E., Alice E., Cassius M., Arthur S., Austin H., Jessie, William B., and Loy. Mary E. married Charles Woodruff, and is now (1889) residing in Gibbons, Ne- braska. The other children are members of their parents' household.

ARRY E. SMITH dates his birth in Rich- burg, Allegany County, New York, July 12, 1849. His father, William B. Smith, was a native of that State, and was a blacksmith and wagon-maker by occupation. His mother, Cyntha (Tinkham) Smith, was also a native of New York. Mr. Smith was reared in his native place until 1866, when his father moved to Wis- consin and located at Ean Claire, where he en- gaged in farming. To that ocenpation the sub- ject of this sketch was reared, and later engaged in lumbering, and in the mills at Eau Claire. In 1871 he accompanied his father to Lyon County, Kansas, and there engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1874 Mr. Smith married Miss Ida Tubbs, the daughter of Martin and Emma (Fuchfield) Tubbs, the former a native of New England, and the latter of England. After his marriage he continued his residence and farming occupations in Kansas until 1883. In that year he returned to Wisconsin and located in Dunn County, where he engaged in farming, and in the winters followed lumbering in the pineries. Afterward he went to railroading and was in the employ of the Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad, as foreman over buildings and repair

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

work, until 1887. He then came to Los Angeles County, located in Pomona, and was employed as a clerk by his brothers in the firm of E. B. Smith & Co., until the next year. He then en- tered into partnership with John Gould, estab- lished his present business under the firm name of Smith & Gould, dealers in coal, wood, hay etc., and opened his store on Second street be- tween Main and Thomas streets. Mr. Smith is an energetic and industrious citizen and is secur- ing a success in his business. In 1888 he was elected constable of San José Township, which responsible office he holds at the present writ- ing (1889). In politics he is a straightforward Republican, and a worker in the ranks of that party. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: Emina E., Pearl and Myrtle.

A. TEMPLETON .- This gentleman, though not an early settler of South- ? ern California, has thoroughly identi- fied himself with its best interests, and is rec- ognized as one of the rising young men of Los Angeles County. He came to this connty in 1886 and purchased sixty acres of land a mile and three-quarters west of Compton, on which he has a fine vineyard of six acres, and a beau- tiful orchard containing seventy bearing orange trees, besides apples, apricots, peaches, etc. In passing by his farm one is struck with the neat- ness and order of the surroundings. Mr. Tem- pleton is a native of Cole County, Missouri, born in Jefferson City, and is the son of Absa- lom and Louisa (Johnson) Templeton. His father is still living and is a wealthy farmer in Missouri. He had in all thirteen children, five by his first wife and eight by his second, the subject of this sketch being the third of the second family. Mr. Templeton came to the Golden State in 1882, and for a few years success- fully carried on farming operations in Santa Bar- bara County. Ilere he was married in November, 1885, the lady of his choice being Miss Lovilla

Sheffield, a native of Dallas County, Iowa. They have two children : Olive Clare and Jessie Noelie. Mr. Templeton is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity at Compton, Centennial Lodge, No. 247, and his excellent wife is a communicant of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

M. TIBBETTS, contractor, 150 North Workman street, East Los Angeles, is a 0 native of Indiana, and was born Decem- ber 15 1840. He attended school there until twelve years of age, when his parents removed to Iowa, in 1852, and settled in Des Moines County. There he was reared and educated. He learned the trade of carpenter and joiner of his father, who was a builder in the strictest sense of the word, and a prominent contractor. Upon the breaking ont of the Rebellion, the subject of this sketch enlisted in the First Iowa Regiment at the first call for troops, in the three months' service, and was in the battle of Wilson Creek. He enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Iowa Regiment for three years; was with General Sherman in hisattack on Vicksburg,in November, 1862; at the battle of Arkansas Post, Jannary 11, 1863; and at Raymond, where the Captain of his company was taken prisoner. Mr. Tib- betts was promoted to the Second Lientenancy; was at Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, and through the siege of Vicksburg, where he was promoted to First Lientenant. He was in numerous battles and raids, and was taken sick in crossing the country, and sent to the hospital at Padneah for a short time, this being his only sickness during his service. He joined his regi- ment at Chattanooga, and in crossing the river, owing to a break in the pontoon bridge, his regiment was thrown with Hooker, and he served under him at the battle of Lookout Mountain; was in a number of battles and in the siege and capture of Atlanta. After the siege lie was one of the lucky ones to draw a furlongh; was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea, at the capture of Savannalı, in

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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