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 128

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 128

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

the march across South Carolina, and being on the skirmish line, his regiment was the first to enter Columbia. After the surrender of that city, Lieutenant Tibbetts was placed in command of the arsenal. He was at the battle of Benton- ville, the last battle of the war; then to Raleigh, Richmond, and Washington, receiving his pre liminary discharge at the latter place, June 6, 1865. After the war he returned to Iowa, and engaged in farming until 1871. He then became interested in building. In 1873 he came to California, reaching Marysville, October 1. He engaged in building there and in Butte County. In 1881 he came to Los Angeles, and since then has been identified with the contracting and building interests here. Mr. Tibbetts was nnited in marriage, September 19, 1862, to Miss Jo- anna McNeal, a native of Adams County, Ohio. They have had three children, only one of whom survives, Nannie L., now Mrs. Frank J. Cooper, residing on Downey avenue, East Los Angeles.

TEPHEN TOWNSEND, one of the chief business men of Pasadena, moved from Hamilton County, Indiana, his birthplace, to Iowa, when very young, and lived on a farm near Iowa City until he arrived at the age of legal majority. On coming to California, in 1867, he entered the fruit business; but about seven years ago he began taking contracts for street and railroad work, and has had some of the largest contracts in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, handling over $250,000 cash. He secured the first franchise for a street railway in Pasadena, organized the Pasadena Street Railway Company, and built the road; also built nearly all the street railroads in the city, as also the Alhambra and Altadena Street Railroad. He is now president of the company named, and is sole proprietor of the mills of the Pasadena Milling Company, which do a pros- perous business. At present he has some large contracts for street grading in the city of Los Angeles. He is a member of the city council.

In short, Mr. Townsend is one of the most active business men in the county. In 1869 he married Annie Carroll, and his family consists of two daughters and a son.

TIBBET, farmer, near Santa Monica, was born in Medina County, Ohio, December 18, 1822, and is a son of Jonathan and Huldah (Root) Tibbet. His father was born in New York State, and his mother in Vermont, and they trace their ancestry back to the Ger- mans. They had a very large family, fourteen children in all, of whom the subject of this sketch is the sixth. He spent his early life like inost other boys, and at the age of twenty-two years was married. He chose for the partner of his life Miss Phoebe Paint, of Akron, Ohio, but formerly from New York State. Her parents' names were Stephen and Eleanor (Scofield) Paint. Her father was a pioneer of Ohio and a well-to-do farmer. In 1840 Mr. Tibbet with his family started for California, across the plains. Leaving the Missouri River, July 4, 1849, he arrived in Los Angeles, February 17, 1850. He at once went to the mines in EI Do- rado County, where he was very successful. On one particular day he took out $8,580 worth. After this he went back to Ohio and remained until 1853, when he again set his face toward the setting sun, bringing with him a drove of cattle and sheep. He came by the old Spanish trail, or Southern route, and was among the first to venture on its perilous way. After arriving at El Monte he farmed successfully for several years, when he moved to Compton, and subse- quently bought 100 acres of land where he now lives, four miles northeast of Santa Monica. This farin he has improved, and to-day he is running a dairy of nearly a hundred cows, being one of the leading dairymen in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbet have reared three children, all now married and doing well. They are: Sa- mantha, wife of William M. Snody, of El Monte; Jonathan F., of San Luis Obispo

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

County, and Phobe J., wife of P. N. Arnold, of .San Diego County. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbet have been among the very first to enter the wild wastes of what has since become, as it were, the garden of the world. They have bravely met and faced the hardships and privations of pio- neer life, and have toiled together, hand in hand, to make a home, in which they have been suc- cessful; and they are now living at ease and comfort, having contributed their share to the material advancement of the interests of the county they love so well:

OIIN M. THOMAS .- Among the well- known men of Los Angeles County is the above named gentleman. Mr. Thomas was born in Randolph County, Indiana, February 14, 1836. Ilis parents were Benjamin and Eliza (Morris) Thomas, the former a native of South Carolina, and the latter of North Caro- lina. They both came to Indiana when chil- dren, and were reared in that State. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farın, and when but fourteen years of age the death of his father threw upon him the care and responsibility of the farm and family; and he was thus early in life not only inured to hard labor, but was taught to bear the burden and responsibilities of manhood. He continued npon the old homestead in Indiana until 1856, when he moved to Nebraska and commenced pioneer farmning in that new country. In 1859 he continued his westward march and came across the plains to California, arriving in Plu- mas County in August, 1859. There he en- gaged in mining and logging until the next January, when he moved to Nevada and located in Thomas's Canon, near Washoe Valley. There he engaged in the lumber business, owning mills and carrying on an extensive business for years. During that time he was also engaged more or less in mining enterprises. In 1868 Mr. Thomas closed out his business in Nevada and returned to California, locating in Los An-

geles Connty, at El Monte, where he engaged in farming until the fall of 1871. He then turned his attention to sheep-raising, and spent the next two years in San Bernardino County. In 1873 he returned to Los Angeles County, and had his herds in various locations until 1877. In that year he rented the Town Raneh and other lands where the town of Whittier now stands. From nearly his first ocenpation of those lands he eomineneed their purchase. In his sheep-raising and general farming he was successful, and was soon the owner of a large tract of land. In 1886 he sold ont his inter- ests at Whittier to Birch & Bohl, and established his residence in Los Angeles. In January, 1887, Mr. Thomas became interested in Monrovia, purchasing 160 acres, known as the Beal Ranch, located on the north side of Banana avenue. Upon this he has made many improvements in tree-planting, and he has also developed three inches of water in the Clam-Shell Cañon. At this writing Mr. Thomas is the owner of ninety acres of his original purchase, mostly hill and eañon land. He has nine acres planted with fruit trees, three acres in oranges, and the bal- ance in deciduous fruits, comprising apples, apricots, plums, peaches, etc. He is an ener- getic and enterprising man, and is destined to have one of the finest places in Monrovia. He is a believer in the future possibilities of Mon- rovia, and is a strong supporter of any enter- prise that tends to build up that city and Los Angeles County. He is one of the incorpora- tors and a director of the Granite Bank of Mon- rovia. In political matters Mr. Thomas is a stanch Republican, and is well known as a worker in the ranks of his party. He has sev- eral times been a member of county and State conventions, and is also a member of the State Central Committee. For over twenty five years he has been a member of the Odd-fellows order, and is now affiliated with Los Angeles Lodge, No. 35. Mr. Thomas is a successful man in life's pursuits, and may well be styled a self- made man. Ilis sterling qualities and con- sistent mode of life liave gained him hosts of

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

friends in whatever community he has resided. Although he has many interests in Monrovia, he still retains his residence in East Los Ange- les. In 1866 Mr. Thomas married Miss Jane Champion, the daughter of James Champion, of New York. There is bnt one child from this marriage, Mary Nevada, now the wife of Milton S. Monroe, of Monrovia.

LBERT T. TAYLOR is one of the well- known residents and horticulturists of the old Duarte section. In Jannary, 1881, he purchased twenty-five acres of partially im- proved land on what is now California avenne, in the Monrovia school district, abont one mile sonth of the city of Monrovia. He cleared this land and entered into horticultural pursuits and now, 1889, has one of the representative places of his section. His improvements are first-class, comprising a cheap cottage residence. He has seventeen acres in fruit trees, nearly all in good bearing, among which are 250 seedling and bndded orange trees and seventy English walnut trees. The rest comprises a large variety of deciduous fruits such as apricots, peaches, apples, pears, French prunes, plums, nectarines, quinces, figs, etc. All of the present improvements liave been made by him. Mr. Taylor is a pioneer of California, and a review of his life will be found of interest. He is the son of James and Mary (Pickard) Taylor, and dates his birth in Penob- scot Connty, Maine, September 18, 1822. His parents were both natives of that State and de- scendants of old colonial families. Mr. Taylor was reared to the life of a New England farmer, receiving snch an education as conld be obtained in the common schools. Of these advantages he availed himself so well that at the age of nine- teen years he becaine a teacher of others, and continned in the occupation of teaching and clerking until 1844. He then moved to Boston, Massachusetts, and engaged in mercantile pur- suits as a clerk until the gold fever of 1849 swept over the country and determined him to

try his fortunes in the new El Dorado. In the spring of 1849 he joined a company of forty- nine persons, called the Sagamore and Sacramento Manufacturing and Mining Company. This party left Boston in March of that year, proceeding to Booneville, Missouri, where they fitted out for a trip across the plains. Many dissensions arose in the company, and upon their arrival at the Platte River, they disbanded and formed themselves into five companies, each company making their own way toward California. The company of which Mr. Taylor was a member took the Sontli Pass ronte, and came into the State via Sublett's Cut-off. They were subjected to many hardships from loss of animals, etc., and Mr. Taylor made over 300 miles of the journey on foot. His first location was on the Sacramento River, abont thirteen miles from what is now the town of Colusa. There he re- mained until June, 1850, when he located at Placerville. He engaged in mining enterprises with varying success, and was one of the pio- neers in slnice mining in the El Dorado Connty. He also engaged in mercantile pursnits, estab- lishing and conducting two general merchandise stores. Mr. Taylor followed liis various enter- prises until the discovery of silver mines in Ne- vada, in 1859, when he went to that State and located at Carson City. He was one of the pio- neers of that place. After selling dry-goods and clothing for two years he entered upon market gardening, supplying Carson City and the sur- rounding country. In this he continued nntil 1867. In 1868 he returned to California and established his residence at Santa Cruz, where he continued his gardening operations and also engaged in general farming. In Jannary, 1875, Mr. Taylor came to Los Angeles County and located at Westminister and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until he came to his present residence. During his forty years of residence npon the Pacific Coast, Mr. Taylor has devoted most of liis attention to agricultural and horti- cultural pursnits. He raised the first peaches ever grown in El Dorado County, in 1856. He states that he sold sixty peaches for $45. Mr.

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Taylor has taken a great interest in the improve- ment and development of Duarte. He was one of the original incorporators and directors of the Beardslee Water Ditch Company, and was the first secretary of the company. He has ever been an earnest advocate and supporter of schools and churches. He is a member and deacon of the Congregational Church at Monrovia, and has been a consistent member of churches of differ- ent denominations for more than fifty years. He is a member of San Lorenzo Lodge, No. 147, I. O. O. F., of Santa Cruz, and in 1859 was admitted to the Grand Lodge and Grand En- eampment of California, and was Deputy Grand Master of the El Dorado district from May, 1859, to May, 1860. In political matters Mr. Taylor is a supporter of the Prohibition party, but was a Republican from the formation of that party until 1884. Mr. Taylor has by his straight- forward dealing and consistent mode of life gained the respect and esteem of whatever com- munity he has resided in. Mareh 2, 1853, he married Miss Mary L. Towle, the daughter of Josiah and Lucinda (Morrison) Towle, of Maine. There are seven children living from this mar- riage, viz .: Albert L., who married Miss Eliza Decker, residing at Pomona; Edward Frank, who married Miss Sarah J. Ball, now of San José; Marion T., a resident of Enreka, Hum- boldt County; Charles E., a school-teacher at La Verne, Los Angeles County; and Frederick W., residing in San Francisco (the two last men- tioned are graduates of the Normal School at Los Angeles); William A., a resident of Po- mona; and Ilarriet E., who is a member of her father's household.

OHN VILLINGER is the owner of one of the most complete nurseries to be found in the San Gabriel Valley. His ten-acre tract of land is located about four miles south of Azusa, in the Azusa school distriet. Mr. Vil- linger purchased this land and started his nnrs- cry in May, 1887, and his success is best shown

by stating that at this writing (April, 1889), he has 40,000 Washington Navel orange trees and 80,000 seedlings which are ready for budding. The most of his attention has been devoted to citrus fruits, but he is now entering into the production of ornamental trees and floral prod- nets. Ile gives a personal attention to his nursery, and is constantly studying to gain the best results to be obtained. His improvements consist of a substantial cottage residence and well-ordered out-buildings, etc., besides two cot- tages for his employés. Mr. Villinger is a na- tive of California, dating his birth at Stoekton, May 16, 1852, the son of Leo and Mary Villin- ger. His father was a native of Germany, who in early manhood emigrated to the United States, and followed the occupation of a jeweler in varions cities in the East until 1849, when he eame to California and located in Stockton, where he established himself in business. After some five years there he took up his residence ten miles from Stockton and engaged in farmning, which he continued until his death, which oc- curred in 1874. The subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer, upon his father's farm, until he reached his majority. He then went to Butte County and located at Briggs Station, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1878. In that year he returned to San Joaquin County, and took up his residence at Lodi, engaging in trading, real-estate business, etc. In 1883 Mr. Villinger located at San Jacinto, San Diego County, and opened a real-estate business which he condueted until March, 1887, when he came to Los Angeles County and located about two miles south of Azusa. The next two months were spent in seeking a desirable place in which to establish his nursery, and finally selecting his present location, he entered heartily into earry- ing out his design of establishing a really rep- resentative nursery of Southern California. It is not a large amount of trees that he is seek- ing to produce but an approved variety of a thrifty and hardy growth that shall be free from disease or scale. Mr. Villinger is a strong be- liever in his section as one of the finest and

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

most productive fruit-growing sections in Los Angeles County, and is ready to aid any enter- prise that will develop its resources and invite a desirable class of settlers. He is a stockholder in the Azusa Water Development and Irrigation Company, which company supplies his land with water. In political matters he is an ardent Republican. He is a member of Lodi Lodge, No. 259, I. O. O. F. In 1879 Mr. Villinger married Miss Belle Lewis, a native of Wash- ington Territory. Her parents, Gabriel and Lonise (Carroll) Lewis, were from Indiana, but were among the pioneers of Washington Terri- tory. There is but one child born from this marriage, Arthur Delay. Mr. Villinger's mother is now residing in Santa Ana. His sister, Mrs. Catherine Goodwin, and his brother Leo are also residents of that place. His brother Asa is in his employ and living upon the nursery farm. His other brother, Lucien, is a resident of Hollister, California.

UDGE J. W. VENABLE .- By virtue of his long residence here and the useful life he has led, few are more deserving of hon- orable mention in the history of this great and famous connty than is Judge J. W. Venable, who, having come to the Golden State in the days of 1849, has passed through the varied ex- periences incident to pioneer life, and is now enjoying a well-deserved prosperity. He was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, in 1831, and is a son of Samnel and Louisa (Allen) Venable. His ancestors were originally from Prince Ed- ward County, Virginia. The paternal grand- father was a pioneer in Kentucky with Daniel Boone, and was of Scotch origin. At the age of sixteen years the subject of this sketch en- tered the Mexican war, where he served three months. When he was seventeen he came to California and at once engaged in mining in Placer County. He was also interested in farın- ing and stock-raising, and has followed the latter two occupations for thirty years. In 1852 he

was married in Placer County, the lady of his choice being Miss Angelina Garrett. This union was blessed with one child, Elizabeth Louisa, now the wife of Joseph Albright. Mrs. Venable died in 1860, and in 1861 Mr. Venable again married, choosing for his second wife Miss Ann Elizabeth Tate, of Contra Costa County. From this marriage there are thirteen children: Samnel Pierce, Caroline, Nellie, Mat- tie, John A., Villa Marsh, Joseph W., Charlie Bush, Mary H., Lulu Enbanks, Aggie, Andrew and George. In 1869 the subject of this sketch moved to Los Angeles County, and purchased fifty acres of land one mile south of Downey. At present he is the owner of 200 acres of fine land, all under a high state of cultivation. Judge Venable has served the public in numerous and responsible positions. He was elected on the Democratic ticket and served in the Assembly one year, 1873-'74; for three years he was assessor of Los Angeles County, 1881 to 1883; was supervisor two and a half years, 1886 to 1888; and while in Contra Costa County he served as justice of the peace and associate jus- tice. Socially he is a Mason, and member of the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W.

HE UNION IRON WORKS, Nos. 306, 308, 310 and 312 East First street, Los An- geles. This business, which holds a lead- ing position among the manufacturing concerns of this city engaged in making boilers, steam derricks and machinery, was established in 1884. The works occupy a frontage of 250 x 150 feet, and are fitted up with improved machinery adapted for the business, giving employment to from forty to fifty lands when running to their full capacity. The lines of manufacture include electric dynamos, boilers, oil and water-tanks, steam-pumps, beams, girders and plates, steam derricks, agricultural iron works, iron and brass castings and finishings, etc. They have a foundry in connection with their machine and iron works, and do all kinds of foundry and ma-

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chine work. The business of the Union Iron Works is very large, with a heavy patronage in the city and all parts of California. Albert Thomas, the proprietor of the Union Iron Works, is a native of Swansea, South Wales. After reaching manhood he went to Australia, engaged in mining, and remained there nine years. Thenee he went to New Zealand, and from there came to America. After reaching San Fran- cisco, he went through the different mining camps to Salt Lake City, and through the Little Cottonwood district, and was at Alta City during the Emma Mine excitement. He came to this eity in 1886, and since then has been at the head of the Union Iron Works, one of the most ex- tensive manufacturing industries in Los Angeles. Isaac Thomas, brother of the preceding, has charge of the office and financial department of the business just described, and he is also a native of South Wales, England. He came to the United States in 1867, engaged in mining interests, and went through the mining camps of the West-Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. He was in Salt Lake City from 1871 to 1874; eamne from Denver, Colorado, in 1886, and since then has held his present position in the man- agement of the Union Iron Works.

AMES VELSIR, capitalist, 422 Buena Vista street, was born in New York City, October 4, 1836. Ilis parents removed to Stoek- port during his early boyhood, where he attended school. In 1855 he went to Norwalk, Ohio, and served an apprenticeship to the trade of a machinist. He next went to Chicago and worked at his trade there and at Galesburg in the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad, and also in the railroad shops at Milwaukee and Janesville. In April, 1871, he came to the Pacific Coast and was connected with the rail- road shops at Sacramento. Mr. Velsir was ap- pointed master mechanic of the Truckee Division of the Central Pacific at Wadsworth, Nevada, and held that position six years. In April,

1877, he came to Los Angeles as master me- chanic of the shops of the Sonthern Pacific Railroad, and held that position ten years. He was elected a member of the city council and served acceptably in that eapaeity two years.

ILLIAM H. WORKMAN was born at Booneville, Missouri, in 1839. His father's name was David Workman, and his mother's maiden name was Nancy Hook. The family moved to California in 1854, where the father had a brother, William Workman, who had come here years before, and was theu living on the rancho of La Puente, in this county. David Workman, who died in 1854, had three sons: Thomas H., who married Mary Alice Woodworth, and was killed by the ex- plosion of the Ada Hancock steamer in the Wilmington Harbor, April 27, 1863; Elijah H. still living on Boyle Heights; and William H., the subject of this sketch. The latter learned the printer's trade before he left Booneville, and he followed that business after his arrival in Los Angeles, working on the. Southern Califor- nia. Afterward, and for about twenty years, he was connected with his brother in the sad- dlery and harness business. In 1867 he mar- ried Miss Maria E. Boyle, daughter of Mr. A. A. Boyle, from whom the bluffs on the other side of the river (where the latter, an early pioneer, lived) was named. Mr. Boyle had planted au orchard and vineyard on the bottomns between the river and the bluffs, and had built a wine eellar and was engaged, in a modest way, in the wine business. Mr. Workman, the son-in-law, has greatly enlarged the business by planting on the uplands, east of the old Boyle homestead, over 100,000 vines, mostly of the best foreign varieties. He has shown mueh enlightened public spirit in improving that beautiful suburb, Boyle Heights, by actively aiding in the intro- duction of water, street car lines, etc. Mr. Workman has served the city as a councilman many terms; also as a member of the board of

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

education. He filled the office of mayor for the years 1887-'88. Being thoroughly ac- quainted with the affairs of the municipality, and being a man of high probity, his public services have been very valuable. No one has ever charged him with being connected with jobbery of any kind. The better class of citi- zens, without distinction of party, especially ap- preciate his efforts as mayor to secure clean, honest and effcient government for the city. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Workman was a stanchi Union man; before and since he has been a Democrat, nevertheless he has not hesitated to antagonize the lower and corrupt wing of that party. It may be said with per- fect truth that he has made a record as a citizen and an official that he and his children may always be proud of. He has six children, two sons and four daughters.

ILLIAM H. WINSTON, deceased, was one of the prominent and representa- tive agriculturists of the San Gabriel Valley, and was for twenty years identified with its interests. He was a native of Huntsville, Alabama, born in 1813, and was a descendant of one of the most prominent families of that State. He was reared as a farmer and cotton- planter, and while in that State devoted the most of his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1868 he came to California and located at San Gabriel; where he purchased 180 acres of land from B. D. Wilson. This land was then in an uncultivated state, but of deep, rich soil, varied in its character. Mr. Winston at once commenced its cultivation and improvement, planting orchards and vineyards, erecting a comfortable cottage home and suitable ont-build- ings. He was successful in his enterprise, aud soon built up one of the most productive farins in the valley. At the present writing (1889) this fine farm comprises 160 acres, forty of which are in oranges. There is also a large variety of decidnous fruits for family nsc. Con-

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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