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 65

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 65

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the San Francisco Evening Bulletin. Mr. Bar- rows has enjoyed the respect and confidence of his neighbors among whom he has lived so many years. IIe has administered first and last several large estates, including those of William Wolfskill, Captain Alex. Bell, and others. He was appointed by the United States District Court one of the commissioners to run the bound- ary line between the "Providencia Rancho" and that of the "ex-mission of San Fernando." He also, by appointment of the Superior Court, was one of the commissioners that partitioned the "San Pedro Rancho," which contained abont 25,000 acres. Mr. Barrows was for the year 1888 the president of the Historical Society of Southern California, of which he has been an active member since its organization. In the publication of the society for 1887, Mr. Barrows explains the theory of rainfall, or of aqueous precipitation generally, whether in the form of rain, hail or snow, and also explains the canse of California's wet and dry seasons. He has written brief sketches of a considerable number of the early pioneers of Los Angeles, many of whom he knew personally.

ENJAMIN F. BALL, Pasadena, was born in. Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio, De- cember 24, 1837. His early life was spent on a farm in his native State. In 1860 he re- moved to Cedar County, Iowa. He was united in marriage, in 1861, with Miss Mary Stewart. In 1878 Mr. Ball came to the Golden State and settled in Pasadena. In company with Mr. I. H. Painter he purchased 4,000 acres of land, known as the Monk Tract, lying directly north of Pasadena. He spent two years in developing a water system, and during that time laid about twenty-five iniles of water-pipe. As showing the wonderful increase in the value of property, we state the fact that $15 an acre was paid for the 4,000-acre tract, and they sold it for $75 to $500 per acre. It was rapidly built upon and now has about 250 families living on it, and

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

being at present one of the most desirable parts of the city. The first brick house ever built in Pasadena was erected on l'air Oaks avenue by Mr. Ball, and at that time it was the best house in Pasadena. Mr. Ball has just finished and moved into his new residence, which is located on the hill between Orange Grove avenne and Terrace Drive, overlooking the eity and whole country round. It is one of the finest resi- denees in Los Angeles County, and nothing that taste and refinement would suggest or that money could purchase has been omitted to make it complete in all its appointments, it having cost Mr. Ball no less than $55,000. Colonel Stanford, and others who have traveled very extensively over the world, state that the view from Mr. Ball's home is the most magnificent they ever witnessed. The grounds surround- ing the residence comprise two acres, and for beauty of design and variety of plants and flowers, are unsurpassed. . Mr. Ball is very en- thusiastie over California; he thinks it is the finest country on earth and Pasadena the loveli- est spot. He makes this remarkable statement: "I would not go back East to live for all the wealth east of the Rocky Mountains," and gives as his reason that "with the compara- tively small means that I have, I can live com- fortably here, while with all the wealth of the East it would be impossible to do so there." As a worthy and enterprising eitizen, aiding in every way the improvement and development of his chosen country, Mr. Ball occupies a promi- nent place. He is vice-president of the First National Bank, and is also a member of the board of trade of Pasadena.

RTHUR F. CARTER, one of the proprie- tors of the Bellevne Nurseries, corner of Grand avenue and Jefferson streets, Los Angeles, was born in Connectient, Jannary 27, 1854. His parents, Jolin R. and Delia (Stock- well) Carter, were both natives of New England. His father was connected with the mills in

Connecticut and Massachusetts, and upon the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Eighteenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, an 1 near the close of the war was killed in the bat. tle of Piedmont, West Virginia, leaving one son and daughter. Mrs. Carter and her daughter are living in Connectient. The son, Arthur F., the subject of this sketch, received his education in New England. In 1875 he went to Colorado and spent one season in the Halın's Peak mines. The following spring he took land on Box Elder Creek, twenty-five miles from Denver, and en- gaged in sheep and cattle raising, and continued in this business five years. Owing to the very severe winters, he suffered heavy losses of stock. He closed his interests, and in December, 1881, ' came to California. After visiting many parts of the State le located in Los Angeles in the spring of 1882, and entered the employ of Mil- ton Thomas, one of the most prominent nur- serymen in the State. In 1887 he became interested in the business with Mr. Thomas, and since then has had entire charge of their exten- sive nurseries. He has made a study of horti- culture, and makes a practical application of the most intelligent methods in the adaptation of soils in different locations for fruit-raising and the growth of ornamental shade trees, and his efforts have been attended with marked success. Mr. Carter was united in marriage May 12, 1886, with Miss Laura.Thomas, a native of this State, and daughter of Milton Thomas.

AMES W. COOK was born in Cass County, Missouri, in 1846. His father, John B. Cook, was a native of Kentucky, who, in the earlier days, settled in Missouri, engaged in farming and stock growing, and there married Miss Mary Wilson. She died in 1855. In 1857 Mr. Cook, senior, came overland with his family to California and located in Sonoma County, taking up his residence in Bennett Valley, near Santa Rosa. There he purchased land and en- gaged in farming and stock growing. The

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

children in the family were: Andrew W., John H., William Y., Elizabeth, now Mrs. J. E. Bet- terton, of Plumas County; Jesse G., a resident of Santa Ana; James W., the subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of Judge J. A. Barham, of Santa Rosa; Lucinda, now Mrs. Solomon Otis, of Plumas County; and F. Lee, all of whom, with the exception of John and William, are residents of California. The subject of this sketch was reared upon the farm of his father in Sonoma County, and was engaged with his father in farming operations until 1877, in which year his father sold the farm and took up his resi- dence in Santa Rosa. The death of his father occurred in that city the same year. In 1878 Mr. Cook came to Los Angeles County, and spent the winter in Los Angeles. In the spring of 1879 he visited the Azusa section and pur- chased sixty acres of land about three-fourths of a mile southwest of the present town of Glen- dora, where he took up his residence and engaged in general farming and horticultural pursuits. This land he placed under a good state of culti- vation, planting orchards, vineyards, etc. In 1887 he sold his farm and purchased a home place of seven and a half acres just south and east of the city of Azusa. Upon this he has made substantial improvements, erecting a fine two-story residence, well ordered barns and out buildings, and has also planted five acres with Washington Navel oranges, and a family orchard of a choice variety of deciduous fruits. His place is well watered from the ditches of the Azusa Land and Water Company, of which company he is a stockholder. Mr. Cook is well known in the community where he has resided for the past ten years; is an intelligent and progressive citizen, interested in building up his section of the San Gabriel Valley, and is a supporter of such enterprises as will tend to develop its re- sources. In political matters he is Democratic, and has represented his district as a delegate in county conventions, etc. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, being affiliated with the Santa Rosa Lodge. He is a supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In

1869 Mr. Cook married Miss Grace. Millington, the daughter of Seth and Maria (Woodward) Millington. Her father was a prominent and well-known citizen of Sonoma County at the time of his death. Iler mother is still a resi- dent of that county. Mrs. Cook was born in Iowa. From the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cook there are five children living, viz .: James Bailey, Marian, Estella, Grace M. and Seth Williams, all of whom are members of their father's household.

T. CURRIER, proprietor of " Currier's Ranch," three miles south of Spadra, on the lines of the Southern Pacific Railroad, has been actively identified with the work of improving and building up Los Angeles County for the past twenty years. A brief review of the life of Mr. Currier gives the following facts: He was born in Franklin County, Maine, April 30, 1840. The usual life of a strong, robust, New England boy of not wealthy parentage was his. Reared to a farm life, he was early inured to hard labor, with few play-days. The usual opportunities for schooling were afforded him. Of these he made good use. Pursuing his studies with that energy which has characterized his whole life, he became, before reaching his ma- jority, a teacher of others. Not satisfied with the prospects of life in his native State, in the autumn of 1861, in the flush of young manhood, the subject of this sketch left the old home and came to California, via the Panama route. After a winter spent near Placerville, he en- gaged in mining in Shoshone County, Idaho, following that pursuit six years, with fair suc- cess. In the autumn of 1867 he visited the old home in Maine, returning to this State the fol- lowing spring. The year following he was dealing in stock in Northern California and Southern Oregon. In 1869 he disposed of his stock, and at San Francisco prepared himself for a horseback ride through the better portions of the State, for the purpose of selecting a future

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

home, determined to find first a healthy, equa- ble elimate where a good soil, with good water, could be had. In the antuinn, after a summer spent in the northern and middle portions of California, Mr. Currier bought 1,000 acres of the land now making his ranch. He has never regretted his choice. In the fall of 1871 he commenced the improvement of the property. The ranch now eoniprises 2,400 acres, partly in the beautiful San José Valley and partly in the adjoining hills, which are themselves inter- spersed with valleys. In quality of soil it all ranks number one. Crossing the " Currier Ranch " is a perennial stream of water, the San José Creek, which should be mentioned in this connection. It has its fountain head three- quarters of a inile east of Spadra, on the Phil- lips Ranch. In the first three miles of its flow it is entirely emptied of water by ditches six times, reappearing each time with an increased volume. By actual measurement in midsummer Mr. Currier has for his use sixty-eight miners' inches. This wonderfully beneficent little strean sinks after leaving the ranch only to again re- appear and enrich the valley for miles below, before being lost in the San Gabriel River. The " Currier Ranch " is devoted mainly to the pro- duction of hay and grain. About eighty head of horses, 200 hogs and 125 head of cattle, are usually kept. An average of 1,000 tons of hay is sold annually, and 500 tons are fed on the ranch. The grain production annually is pro- portionally large. Mr. Currier, while making no specialty of eitrus fruits, prides himself on having land suitable for their culture, excelled by none in the citrus belt. A small orange or- eliard of only two acres, which came into good bearing in 1884, has, for its first three erops sold to shipping dealers, yielded an average of over $1,000 per year. Mr. Currier owns sixty- six acres of land adjoining the Santa Fé Railroad station grounds on the east and north of Po- mona. This he has commenced to improve, fifteen acres being planted to deciduous fruits and oranges, and twelve acres with raisin grapes. In the near future the rest of this land will be

in orchard. Mr. Currier also owns valuable eity property in Los Angeles and Pomoua. II3 has embarked in many an enterprise, helping to build up the county and its cities. Of the Motor Line between Pomona and North Pomona he is a leading stockholder and director. He is also a stockholder and the president of the Palomares Hotel Company at Pomona. Mr. Currier, by his life, has illustrated the fact that fortune fa- vors those who help themselves. He left his native State possessed of only a pittance earned by teaching district school, before twenty-one years of age. In California, while not always successful, by his ambition, energy and courage, backed by good business qualifications, he has been able to acquire a goodly fortune. In pub- lic affairs he has always been interested. Po- litically, he is identified with the Republican party. In Shoshone Connty, Idaho, he served three years as county treasurer. In 1882, by a vote, flattering to himself, leading the party vote by hundreds, he was elected sheriff of Los Angeles County. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity of Pomona. Mareh 20, 1881, Mr. Currier wedded Mrs. Susan Rubottom, nee Glenn, widow of James Rubottom. Her family were pioneers of El Monte, from Texas.

OHIN W. COOK .- Among the successful business men and horticulturists of Glen- dora mention must be made of the above- named gentleman who has been so elosely identi- fied with the founding and building up of that prosperons village. Mr. Cook came to Glendora in the fall of 1885 and the next season eom- menced the clearing and planting of a tract of land lying just east of Glendora, on what is now Sierra Madre avenne, and also erected a neat and well-ordered home and suitable out-build- ings, carly recognizing the advantages of his section for business and residence. In 1887 he was one of the original incorporators of the Glendora Water Company and the Glendora Land Company. In the latter company he

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placed twenty acres of his land for town-site purposes. He was appointed secretary of both companies, and entered heartily into the enter- prises for which Glendora is indebted for the wonderful growth and prosperity that followed the incorporation and successful management of those companies. Mr. Cook held the position of secretary in these companies until 1889 when his failing health compelled his retirement to quieter walks of life. In addition to his bnsi- ness enterprises he has devoted his attention to horticultural pursuits upon his home place, and has at this writing (1889) fifteen acres of citrus fruits, comprising ten acres of Washington Navel oranges and five acres of lemons, and also a family orchard of decidnous fruits con- taining a large variety of the most approved fruits grown in his section. He has also, in ad- dition to his fifty acres comprising his home- stead, forty acres of land above Sierra Madre avenue, which is devoted to grain cultivation, and thirty aeres just east of Glendora, all of which is fine fruit land and well adapted to citrus fruit. In addition to his operations in develop- ing water as a stockholder and officer of the Glendora Water Company, he is the owner of one half of six inches of water developed by private enterprise. The intelligent care and at- tention that he has devoted to his horticultural pursuits is well shown by the results he has secured in his orange culture, which has placed his grove in the ranks of the most successful and valuable in his section. The subject of this sketch was born in Crawford County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1857. His parents, William II. and Sarah (Whiting) Cook, were both natives of that State. In 1858 his father moved to Knox County, Missouri, and there engaged in farmning and stock-growing. Mr. Cook was reared to that calling, at the same time receiving a good education. Upon reaching his majority lie en- gaged in the warehouse business with his brother, at Edina, Missouri. He was success- fully engaged in that business until 1885 when he came to California and took up his present residence. Mr. Cook is a man of sound business 27

principles and broad views, and has made a suc cess in his undertakings. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and is a prominent member of the Masonie fraternity, being a Royal Arch Mason and Knight Tem- plar. In political matters he is a Republican. In 1885 Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Miss Mary S. Baker, the daughter of Joshua W. and Sarah (Lawrence) Baker. She died in 1888, leaving two children: Dale B. and Incz W., both of whom were born in Glendora.

OBERT CATHCART was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1837. His parents, Robert and Hannah (Lee) Cathcart, were natives of Scotland. His father came to the United States in his youth and located in St. Louis. He was a well-known engineer and business man of that city, and was the builder of the first steain flouring mills ever erected in St. Louis. He was also largely interested in steamboating on the Mississippi River, owning a packet line between St. Louis and New Orleans. The subject of this sketch was reared in St. Louis until about seventeen years of age, re- ceiving a liberal education. In 1853 his father and family came to California and settled in Santa Cruz, where he engaged in farming. Mr. Cathcart was employed in agricultural pursuits with his father until 1861. He then entered into mercantile pursuits and established a gen- eral merchandise store at Santa Cruz, except in the years from 1863 to 1866, when he was engaged in the livery business. He conducted his mer- cantile enterprises in that city until 1876. In that year he sold out and came to Los Angeles County, locating in the San Jose Valley about two miles north of Pomona, upon a 100-acre tract, which he purchased from A. R. Meserve. There he has since resided, and has devoted himself to agricultural and horticultural pur- suits. At a later date Mr. Cathcart sold a por- tion of his land, but his present fifty-acre tract is well worthy of mention. This land was en-

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

tirely wild and uneultivated when he purchased it, but his years of labor and intelligent eulti- vation have made it one of the most productive properties in his section. There are abont twenty aeres devoted to fruit culture, producing the most favorite varieties of oranges, lemons, olives, apples, peaches, pears, etc. He also de- votes considerable attention to small fruits. Nearly three acres are used as a nursery, an in- dustry in which Mr. Cathcart is gaining a well- deserved snecess. His improvements are sub- stantial and well ordered. A neat cottage sit- uated amid a grove of beautiful shade and ornamental trees makes his home of the most attractive and pleasing character. The most notable enterprise npon his lands is the valuable water that has been obtained from artesian wells. When he purchased his land, in 1876, he made his selection with a view of the possi- bilities of procuring water by an artesian system in the future, and located on a line of what seemed a natural water course from San An- tonio Cañon to some well-known springs sit- nated about one-quarter of a mile below his lands. In 1882, when the water supply became an important factor in the future prosperity of the San José Valley, he sank two wells, seeking a water supply for the Kingsley Tract, and at 111 feet strnek a fine flow of water. At the present writing there are ten artesian wells upon his lands, varying in depth from 360 to 600 fect. These wells yield an aggregate water supply of 180 inches, one-half of which is piped to the Chino Ranch, the balance being available for the lands lying south of his traet. IIis land is irrigated by water from the San Antonio Cañon, he having a water right of one inch for every eight aeres. In Mr. Catheart's operations he has been successful. Ile is an enterprising and progressive man, and a strong believer in the future prosperity of the valley, taking an in- terest in and aiding any enterprise that in his opinion will develop its resources. Robert Cath- cart, Fred I. Smith and I. B. Camp formed a company March 1, 1889, under the name of the Citizens Water Company, to pipe water into

Pomona, for which the above-named gentlemen have been granted a franchise by the city council. The work of digging ditehes, laying pipe, etc., will be commenced at once, and will be pushed forward with the utmost dispatch to completion. The pipe is all made and ready for laying, and inside of two months they ex- pect to have all the connections made, and the people of Pomona supplied with an abundance of pure artesian water. Politically Mr. Cathcart is a liberal and conservative Democrat. In 1867 he was nnited in marriage with Miss Augusta Durr, a native of Ohio. They have four children living, viz .: Anna Josephine, John Lee, Charles II. and Robert, all of whom are members of their father's household. They are receiving a liberal education. His daughter Josephine graduated at the Mills Seminary, Alameda County, in the class of 1888.

ILLIAM CAMERON, Superintendent of the shops of the City Railway Com- pany, Los Angeles, is a native of Nova Scotia, and was born November 26, 1847. Ile is a son of William Cameron, a native of Inver- ness, Scotland, and Jane Cameron, a native of Nova Scotia. During his youth he learned the trade of carriage-builder. Upon reaching man- hood he went to Boston, where he was in the employ of J. HIall & Son, the leading carriage- builders of that city, and was afterward foreman under the master mechanic of the Metropolitan Street Railway. He lived there eighteen years. In 1883 he came to California, on account of the ill health of his wife, and entered the ein- ploy of the street railway company, building cars; and being an expert mechanie, he was ap- pointed to his present position. Ile was mar- ried April 11, 1872, to Miss Annie Isabella McMillen, of Nova Scotia. IIer father, Finley McMillen, was a native of Inverness shire, Scot- land, and her grandfather was a soldier in the battle of Waterloo; came to America in 1776 and served in the Forty-second Highland Regi-

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ment; was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and also served in the war of 1812. Mrs. Cameron's mother was Mary McInness, a native of Ar. gyleshire, Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron have two children-Donald K. and Willie.

D. CONNER was born in Chautauqua County, New York, August 8, 1828. Ilis father, Ezra Conner, was a native of Dutchess County, that State, and his mother, Maria (Corell) Conner was born in Pennsylva- nia. His father was a mechanic and Mr. Con- ner was reared and educated as a carpenter. He received his early education at the public schools of his native town. When sixteen years of age his father emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in Kenosha County. In 1852 the subject of this sketch, with his brother and father, came overland to California. This journey was per- formed with ox teamns, and six months was occupied in making the trip. Upon his arrival he located at Hangtown, now Placerville, in Placer County, and engaged in work at his trade and other pursuits in the mining districts until 1856. He then returned by way of Cen- tral America, Cuba and New York, to Minne- sota, and located in Olmsted County, near Rochester, where he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Gifford, daughter of Choel and Rhoda Gifford, on August 24, 1857. The parents of Mrs. Conner are natives of New York State. His next move was to Marshall- town, lowa, where he entered land and engaged in farming until 1863. There he returned to his trade and was employed as a contractor and builder until 1875, when he came the second time to California and located in Los Angeles County. Mr. Conner worked at his trade in Los Angeles until July, and then returned East and brought out his family, and in October of that year took up his residence in Pomona, where he has since resided. As a contractor and builder, Mr. Conner has for years been identified with the building up of Pomona.

His residence was on Second street, at the cor- ner of Garey avenne, until 1882, when he moved to a ten-acre tract on Holt avenne. In 1888 he erected a substantial two-story residence upon this lot. Mr. Conner's lot is well improved and planted with fruit trees, etc. His first fruit culture was in 1876, and he has since taken a deep interest in that industry. Mr. Conner has seen the little hamlet in which he took up his residence in 1875 grow to be a rich, prosperous city, during which time, by his industry and a steady application to his business, he has secured a well-earned competency, and by his straight- forward, manly dealings, gained the respect and esteem of the community in which he resides. In political matters he is a Democrat, and for several years in the earlier history of Pomona held the office of justice of the peace. He is a charter member of Pomona Lodge, No. 246, F. & A. M. Mr. Conner has had five children : Herman G., who was born September 4, 1858, was united in marriage to Miss Emma Clark in 1888, and is now engaged in the restaurant business in Pomona; Clarence A. was born July 17, 1861, and died Jnne 10, 1862; Charles E., born May 12, 1864, is now a practicing physi- cian in Pomona; Benjamin F., born March 20, 1870, and died March 10, 1876; Lyman Earnest, born May 27, 1881, died May 27, 1881.

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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