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 51

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 51

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To this now defnnet corporation is to be at- tributed the credit of bringing to early life the now thriving town of Pomona, and, therefore, a reference to its brief career will not be inappro- priate. This association was incorporated De- cember 10, 1874, with a capital stock of $250,- 000, divided into 2,500 shares, at the par value of $100 per share. Its board of directors con- sisted of the following: Thomas A. Garey, President; C. E. White, Vice-President; L. M. IIolt, Secretary; Milton Thomas, Manager; R. M. Town, Assistant Manager; II. G. Crow, Treasurer.

In the early part of 1865, Lonis Phillips con- tracted to sell the Pomona tract to P. C. Ton- ner, Cyrus Burdick and Francisco Palomares, who in turn the sainc year contracted a sale with the Los Angeles Immigration and Co-oper- ative Association. This company through vari- ous negotiations acquired the control of abont 2,700 aeres of land in the rancho San José, the

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Pomona tract being comprised therein. At this time the greater portion of the valley was a sheep and cattle range, and not a dwelling-house was upon the present town site. The first sale made on the town site was in June, 1875, to J. M. Hamilton, who bonght a ten-acre tract near the railroad depot. Previous to this the rail- road terminns was at Spadra, and when the line was completed to Pomona an impetus was given to the sales of property, and the Land Associ- ation directed its energies to speculation in Pomona lots.

The city is now a flourishing place of 5,000 or 6,000 inhabitants. with fine churches, school- houses and all the institutions demanded by a refined community. The city is ont of debt, except to the extent of a portion of the school indebtedness in the Palomares school district.

The city was incorporated December 31, 1887. The first board of trustees of the present cor- poration, elected in 1888, were: Charles French, Chairman; C. E. White, James Harvey, Robert Cuzner and John Johnson; and the officers were: W. S. Carson, Marshal; J. A. Clarke, Recorder; Arza Crabb, Clerk; Stoddard Jess, Treasurer; W. HI. H. Scott, Superintendent of Streets; W. A. Bell, City Attorney.

At the next election (April, 1889,) the present board of trustees was chosen, namely: W. M. Woody, Chairman; S. J. Rolph, R. S. Bassett, George Rohrer and C. C. Johnson. The present officers are: T. N. Short, Marshal; W. A. Bell, City Attorney; Arza Crabb, City Clerk; C. E. Sumner, Recorder; W. W. Soper, Assessor; J. L. Stewart, Superintendent of Streets; Stoddard Jess, Treasurer; O. J. Newman, Night Watch- man.

After this election all saloons were closed by city ordinance.

WATER.

Pomona and vicinity is now one of the best watered sections in California. The water is both pure and abundant, that for irrigation being supplied from the San Antonio Cañon, fifteen miles distant, in "Old Baldy" Mountain,

and that which is used for domestic purposes being supplied by the sixty or seventy fine ar- tesian wells in the neighborhood.

The Pomona Land and Water Company is the oldest on the ground and has large possessions of land. The title to the water from the San Antonio Cañion was in early times indefinite and for a long time involved in litigations and changes of proprietorship too tedious to be re- hearsed in this volume. It is now held by the above company, who supply, through the "city water- works," artesian water for domestic use and mountain water for irrigation purposes. It is said that this company has sold over $2,- 000,000 worth of property, on time, and have not yet foreclosed upon any one who was not able to meet his final payments, or brought snit for the recovery of deferred payments. The presidents of this company have been C. T. Mills, of Mills' Seminary, H. A. Palmer and Dr. B. S. Nichols; and P. C. Tonner has been the attorney from the beginning to the present time.

In May, 1889, an opposition company was formed, consisting of Fred J. Smith, J. B. Smith and Robert Cathcart, who now have a total of thirteen miles of mains and supply the city and vicinity with pure artesian water.

Near Pomoma are sixty or seventy artesian wells, with an average flow of 200,000 gallons in twenty-four hours. San Antonio Canon yields so much water that half the supply is diverted to the Ontario region, furnishing plenty of water for both sections. This canon, by the way, is a favorite resort during the hot season of the year.

RAILROADS AND THE ENVIRONS.

Two trunk lines of railroad pass through Pomona,-the Southern Pacific, and running along parallel with it, at a distance of two to five miles north of it, is the California Central Road, a portion of the great Santa Fé system. The latter was constructed within the past three years, to connect Los Angeles with the Santa Fé's main line at San Bernardino. The road

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

runs along near the foot-hills, and through a very rich section of country, wherein there has already been wonderful growth. Going east- ward from Los Angeles over this road, the traveler soon reaches Santa Anita, the first station in El Monte Township. This is the nearest station to the village of Sierra Madre, and it is also the nearest to the celebrated Santa Anita Ranch, the home of E. J. Baldwin, better known as "Lucky" Baldwin. Here, at Mr. Baldwin's home, fourteen miles from Los Angeles, are many acres of orange groves, linndreds of acres of vineyard, beautiful lawns, an artificial lake and fountains, and a stable of probably the most noted horses in the United States. The several ranches in this vicinity owned by Mr. Baldwin aggregate 46,000 acres. Ile also owns several thousand acres in other portions of the county, and much valuable bnsi- ness property in Los Angeles City.

HOTELS, BANKS, STREET RAILWAYS AND LIBRARY.

Brown's Hotel, a three-story brick structure, is a first-class house, centrally located. The Palomares, north ot the depot, is a modern three-story frame, just completed, with a total frontage of 216 feet and 125 guest rooms, all those on the first floor having a fire-place.

The Pomona Bank was incorporated Septein- ber 13, 1883, and commenced business in August, 1884, in the Palmer Block. H. A. P'ahner, President; R. S. Day, Cashier. The First National Bank was opened in the spring of 1884; changed to First National Bank in 1886. C. Seaver, President; Stoddard Jess, Cashier. The People's Bank began business in October, 1887. William B. Dole, President; John II. Dole, Cashier.

The Orange Grove Street Railway, since its consolidation with the Second Street Railway, has four miles of track, and three cars, which run regularly every thirty minutes, through the main business portion of the city. The Po- mona Heights Company has one line, running about two miles, from the central depot south- westerly to Pomona Heights. The Holt avenne

line is about two miles in length. The Pomona Street Railway Company run a steam car be- tween the depots.

The Pomona Library Association was organ- ized in 1887, Mrs. Bartlett, the president, being prominently active in the enterprise. There are now about a thousand volumes in the library, which is in the magnificent new First National Bank building, but which, it is con- templated, will be turned over to the city ere long. The library is mainly supported by the annual flower festivals, the fees being scarcely sufficient for current expenses. The library, as well as the reading room annexed, is open every day and evening. Soon a building will be erected, into which the library will be removed, and in which there will be a museum, includ- ing the famons statne of the Goddess Pomona, now in the reading room.

REV. CHARLES F. LOOP.

It is to men of intelligence, keen foresight, and sound practical knowledge that Los Angeles County is indebted for the prominence she takes in the agricultural and horticultural world. To the subject of this sketch, more than to any other man, the beautiful San José Valley is indebted for the wonderful and varied produc- tions that her soil produces. Mr. Loop may well be styled the pioneer fruit grower of the valley. Coming here in 1874, when little or no attention had been paid to horticultural or viti- cultural pursuits, he commenced operations upon the Loop and Meserve tract, which con- tains 2,500 acres of the finest fruit lands of the valley. There was at that time only a small orchard upon his place. The intelligent care and attention displayed by Mr. Loop in planting and cultivating a large variety of citrus and deciduous fruits as well as wine, table and raisin grapes, soon produced wonderful results, and proved conclusively that the soil and climate of the comparatively valneless sheep ranges con- tained untold wealth when devoted to horticult- ural and viticultural products. Ilis success, when shown to the world, received well merited

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

attention, and induced settlement and eultiva- tion, until the increase of population and im provements soon transferred the seeming desert lands of the valley into a veritable garden.

A sketch of Mr. Loop's life, although briefly given, is of interest. He was born in St. Law- rence County, New York, June 7, 1825, his par- ents being David and Sarah (Fletcher) Loop, also natives of that State. His father was a physician, and he, too, devoted considerable attention to agricultural pursuits, and was well known in St. Lawrence and Madison conuties, having moved to the latter county when the subject of this sketch was a mere lad. Mr. Loop was reared npon his father's farm, at the same time receiving an academical education at Oneida and Whitesboro. In his young man- hood he spent several years as a teacher, and at the age of twenty-eight years entered upon his theological studies at the St. Paul's College, Palmyra, Missouri. After graduating at that institution he located at St. Lonis, when he was ordained as a minister of the Episcopal Church, in Christ's Church of that city, in 1857, after which he located at Brunswick, Missouri, and was there engaged in ministerial labors in Mis- sonri and Illinois until 1863. In the latter year Mr. Loop was sent by the Episcopal Domes- tie Missionary Board of New York to Califor- nia, and was engaged in mission labors at Santa Cruz, and while there organized the first Epis- copal Church in that town. In 1868 he came to Los Angeles County and for a year or more had charge of the St. Paul's Parish at Los An- geles. In 1869 he commeneed his horticultural and vitieultural pursuits upon 160 acres of land at San Gabriel, which he had purchased in 1868. Upon this land he took up his residence and planted an orehard and vineyard. At the same time he was actively engaged in his missionary work in Los Angeles and San Bernardino connties. He was the pioneer of his church, and officiated at the first Episcopal services ever held in the now prosperous towns of Anaheim, Riverside, Ontario, San Buenaventura, San Ber- nardino, Colton and San Dimas. The first Epis-

copal service held in San José Valley was in 1874 or 1875, at Rev. Mr. Loop's residence, the old Palomares homestead. Mr. Loop has for nearly thirty years been actively engaged in the ministry of his ehosen ehureh. As a conscien- tious, upright and faithful follower of his Master, he has gained the universal respect and esteem of a large cirele of friends and acquaintances throughout Southern California. He is a strong believer in the future prosperity of his section, and a liberal contributor to and supporter of all enterprises that tend to develop the resources of the beautiful San Jose Valley. Foreseeing the profitable cultivation of the olive, that is destined to become one of the leading industries of the valley and State, he has devoted both time and money toward securing the most approved varieties that are adapted to the climate, soil, etc. In 1883 and 1888 Mr. Loop made ex- tended tours through the olive sections of Sontli- ern France and Italy, which have resulted in his importing several varieties of olives from those countries, such as his study and research has convineed him can be profitably enltivated in Los Angeles County. He was a director, and one of the original incorporators of the Orange Growers' Union of Southern California.

At Utica, New York, in 1853, Mr. Loop was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Loomis, the daughter of Thomas and Sophia (De Ferriere) Loomis. From this marriage there are two children living: Charles F. and John Daven- port, both of whom are residing with their par- ents. Mr. Loop has sold all his landed interests in the Loop and Meserve tract except a home- stead of fourteen aeres, which is located about three miles north of Pomona, upon which he is now (1889) ereeting a well ordered and beautiful home.

In 1889 Mr. Loop presented to the city of Pomona a life size marble statne of the Goddess of Pomona, which was made in the studio of Antonio Frilli, of Florence, Italy, and is a fac simile of the famous Antique No. 74, of the Uffizi Gallery, Florence. In the spring of 1888, while visiting Europe, in company with his wife

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

and two sons, he saw the original statue, was impressed with its beanty, and learned that it was of antique origin, unearthed from the ruined palaces of the Mediterranean, where it had been buried for centuries. He accordingly had a copy of it made,-it is said, at an expense of about $9,000,-and brought to his favored city, where it was unveiled July 4, 1889.

THE POMONA REGISTER,

a weekly Democratie newspaper, was established in March, 1889, by the Register Company, John Symes, Editor; W. R. Morton, Local Editor. Three months later Mr. Morton with- drew and assumed the control of the Santa Ana Blade. It is a fonr-column quarto, and, con- sidering the times, has met with very encour- aging success. It is Democratic in politics.

JOHN SYMES, editor of the Pomona Register, considering his years has had a long and favor- ably-known journalistic career. He was born on the Western Reserve, in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1842. His parents, William and Mary (Gifford) Symes, were born, reared and married in England. Fifty-three years ago they erossed the Atlantic and settled in Ohio, where eight children were born to them. In 1853 they be- came pioneers of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, settling on a farmn a few miles south of the present fine eity of La Crosse. There three more children were added to their family. At sixteen years of age the subject of this sketel commenced to learn the printing trade, at which he has ever since been employed, having passed all the grades from " printer's devil," composi- tor, local editor to business manager, to editor. in-chief and proprietor.

Mr. Symes was associated with the somewhat notorious M. M. Pomeroy (Brick Pomeroy) in the publication of the La Crosse Democrat, and a portion of the time Pomeroy's business manager. When Pomeroy went to New York, Mr. Symes and George W. Peek, now widely known as the editor and proprietor of Peck's Sun, pub- lished in Milwaukee, became the owners of the La Crosse Democrat. Later, Mr. Symes was

the sole proprietor, and still later was associated with E. B. Usher in its publication. Mr. Usher became the owner finally, and changing the . name to La Crosse Chronicle, still continues its publication. In 1877 Mr. Symes, in partnership with W. C. Swain, opened a job office in Mil- wankee. Some six years later, being afflicted from a stroke of paralysis, he sold out and came, as soon as able, to California. Mr. Symes has gained each year in health in this State, but the old-time vigor is far from being his.

In 1878 Mr. Symes wedded Miss Allie Alter who was of one of the old La Crosse families. They have had two children, of whom only the youngest, a bright sunny lass of eight years, is living.

JOHN H. BRINKERHOFF, born April 14, 1835, near Tiffin, Ohio, a son of Hezekiah, who was the son of Henry, of Adains County, Pennsylvania, a descendant of Jaris Derickson Brinkerhoff. The latter came from Dreuth, in the Netherlands, in 1638, through his son, Hendrick Jorisen, who married Claare Boomgaert and settled on a farm bought of Ilendrick Epke Banka, between the Hackensack River and Overjeek Creek, in Ber- gen County, New Jersey, in 1665. This place is yet owned by members of the family, where he built a house that was fired and destroyed by sparks from a passing engine, in 1870. On its site, in 1885, was held the 200th anniversary of its purchase, to which over 5,000 of the pur- chaser's descendants were invited, and many hundreds, coming from all parts of the Union, were present. The old heraldry book gives the name as " Brinkerhoffe," and their motto, "Con- stans fides et integritas." The record shows the family were always an honored one in trade and statesmanship.

John II. was bred on a farın, and schooled in a backwoods academy and the printing offices at Republic and Milan, Ohio, serving a good, long four years' apprenticeship. In 1855 lie went to Wisconsin, working in offices at Watertown, Jefferson and Beaver Dam, until the fall of 1857, when he established the Times at Waupun, of which he disposed some ten years later. In

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1861 he was appointed postmaster of Wanpun, which position he held until June, 1885, when he resigned and moved on a farm in Waupaca County. He was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature of 1864-'65, has been an Odd Fel- low ever since his majority, and for two years was a grand officer of the Knights of Honor in Wisconsin.

His first wife was Lucy T. Stoddard, of Laona, New York, by whom he has one living son, James Edwin, with a manufacturing firm at Waupun. His second wife was Jennie H. Gillette, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, who has borne him three daughters, two of whom, Lola J. and Margaret Minton, are living. In 1887 he came to Pomona, engaging in ranch work until the spring of 1889, when, associating him- self with John Symes, he established the Po- mona Register.

TIIE POMONA WINE COMPANY.

This is the largest and most extensive in- dustry in Pomona, located on the corner of El- len and Libbie streets. The principal building is a large brick structure, with double walls, and was erected in the spring and summer of 1887 at a cost of $50,000. The engine is of eighteen horse-power and the boiler forty. The number of gallons of wine manufactured since they began operations is over 3,000,000, and at present they have 100,000 gallons stored in the warehonses. The different qualities mann- factured are the sweet, dry, claret and white wines, and they are now making preparations to manufacture the sherry wine. It is one of the most interesting sights in Pomona to watch, during the wine-making season, the great loads of grapes waiting to be delivered at the eleva- tor. As many as fifty wagons have been counted at one time, standing in line. The wine interests of this section are very great. The Pomona Wine Company is an incorporated in- stitution, and the list of officers comprises the following well and favorably known influential citizens of Pomona: G. W. MeClary, Presi- dent; Fred J. Smith, Secretary; C. Seaver,

Treasurer, and the following Directors: J. A. Packard, Stoddard Jess, C. Seaver, Fred J. Smith and G. W. McClary.

CHURCHIES.

The Catholic Church .- Prior to the erection of the beautiful Catholic Church, which stands on the corner of Ellen and Libbie streets, the Catholics of Pomona worshiped in an adobe building, about a mile from town, in the old Palomares Tract, where it is said the first resi- dence in this fertile valley was erected. As population rapidly increased, the Catholics in 1885 began to raise funds for the erection of a house of worship, and had the building com- pleted by Christmas, under the auspices of a committee consisting of Messrs. O'Connor, Haley, O'Brien, Doyle, Dunn and others.

In the month of April, 1886, Father P. J. Fisher took charge of the parish, and raised money sufficient to pay the debt that was re- maining, and also to furnish the church, build a $2,000 parsonage, and provide a bell costing $200. Total cost of church and furnishings, $4,800. Father Fisher, who is still the rector, has raised altogether about $3,000 for church purposes, all of which has been economically expended. The membership of this church is now about 400.

St Paul's Episcopal Church .- In the fall of 1876 Rev. P. S. Ruth held the first church serv. ices at Pomona, in a room of an old building on the corner of Third and Main streets, where a brick building now stands. From the spring of 1877 to that of 1878 services were held at the residence of Mr. Ruth, near where he now resides. Next, a house which had been a saloon was rented, on Second street, and services were held there five or six months. Then a subscription was started for raising money wherewith to build a small church, and in the meantime the society conducted their worship at the residence of Rev. Mr. Ruth again. The church building was rushed up in one month, -- December 11 to January 11, 1879,-when it was occupied. The rite of confirmation was

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

first administered May 18, 1880, by Bishop Kip. During the foregoing period Rev. Charles F. Loop and wife made many important dona- tions for the support of the church. November 30, 1884, Rev. John D. H. Browne, from IIali- fax, Nova Scotia, took charge of the " mission," as this church is still termed in the ecclesiasti- cal language of that denomination. He imme- diately began raising funds for the building of a good and substantial church edifice, and soon the present fine structure at the southeast eorner of Thomas and Fourth streets was erected, at a cost of about $3,300; but the value of the property is actually about $4,500. During Mr. Browne's ministry the membership increased from seventeen to sixty. He resigned July 1, 1886, and was succeeded by Rev. James Simonds, till the spring of 1887. From Sep- tember 1888, to Easter, 1889, Rev. M. McCosh was the rector; and since July, 1889, Rev. W. B. Burrows, from New York State, has been in charge of this parish.

The number of communicants is now over 100. O. M. Kenyon is Warden, and S. Sorby, Treasurer.

REV. PETER S. RUTH is one of the early set- tlers or pioneers of Pomona. He came to that place in 1876, when it was a hamlet of scarcely a dozen houses, and entered upon his missionary work in serving his Master and establishing an Episcopal church. From that time until 1884 he was earnestly engaged in his ministerial la- bors, and has seen a city spring up as by magic upon the comparatively desert plain. His la- bors have resulted in establishing a large and united congregation, and the building up of a substantial church edifice. He has well merited the approval of his Lord and Master, and to him may well be applied the term of "Good and faithful servant."

Mr. Ruth is a native of Kent County, Dela- ware, born near Dover, in 1812. His father, William Ruth, was a native of Maryland, and his mother, nee Rebecca Stout, was born in Delaware. Her family were among the early settlers of New Jersey. Mr. Ruth's youth was

spent near Dover, receiving a thorough educa- tion, finally graduating at Kenyon College, at Gambier, Knox County, Ohio, A. D. 1836, after which he studied law under Judge Jolin M. Clayton, and was admitted to the bar. After some years in the practice of the law, he lo- cated in Philadelphia, and in 1851 entered npon the study of theology. In 1852 he was or- dained as a minister in the Episcopal Church, and, entering heartily into his work, was as- signed to a parish in Bradford County, Penn- sylvania; thence removed to Schuyler County, New York. In 1860 he located at Worthing. ton, Ohio, and was there the principal of a grammar school until 1862, when he removed to Minnesota, near Rochester. In 1870 he went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he was en- gaged in his labors until 1872, when he removed to Memphis. In 1874 the subject of this sketch came to California and was assigned to a parish in San Luis Obispo. The next year he went to San Diego, thence to San Bernardino, being employed in mission work until July, 1876, when he came to Pomona. Upon his ar- rival there he entered heartily into his work. The first Episcopal service ever held in that city was under the direction of Mr. Ruth, and for many months the small congregation assem - bled at the modest cottage home of their clergy- man, whose earnest efforts finally resulted in the building of a church, and the foundation of a large and earnest congregation and member- ship in the Episcopal Church. As before stated, Mr. Ruth continued his charge of St. Paul's Church of Pomona until 1884. He then re- signed his charge to younger but not more earnest ministrations, and sought the rest that his years of faithful service so well entitled him to receive. Although nearly eighty years of age, Mr. Ruth possesses keen mental faculties, with a mind richly stored with the reminiscences of a well-spent and active life. Ilis comforta- ble cottage home, with two acres of land in block No. 83, on Ellen street, is designed for a pleasant rest for his declining years. He is also the owner of one half of block 86, which is well

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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