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 71

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 71

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

452

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

lic affairs and in making of its political history. Ilis imperial temper illy brooked opposition, and personal encounters, although perhaps not common with him, still were not rare. Not- withstanding, his many manly qualities were never forgotten, and he won, by straightforward- ness, his fearless disregard of consequences when pursning any line of action by him deemed right, his high regard for his word or pledge once given, hosts of triends. He was an uncompro- mising Democrat. In 1850 he was appointed Receiver of the first land offiee opened at Los Angeles, a position he held until his death. Through his efforts mainly Los Angeles Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M., was established. He was its first Master, and filled the chair during three terms of office. He also established the chap- ter, and was for two terms its High Priest. He became the owner of large estates, upon one of which, his San Gabriel Ranch, he resided. An- other, six miles south of Los Angeles, contained 4,000 acres. His death occurred September 6, 1858. Mrs. Dorsey was married again, her husband being James M. Greenwade, who died at Temescal, San Bernardino County, California, January 1, 1869. She lived some years after- ward, and died at the home of her parents in Spadra, March 6, 1876. She had two children by the second marriage: Jefferson D. Green- wade, now living in Pomona, and Lizzie Green- wade, who died January 1, 1869, the same day on which her father died. William Wiley Ru- bottom, the maternal grandfather of Kewen II. Dorsey, was born December 27, 1809, and was united in marriage, May 16, 1830, with Saralı Ann Edwards, who was born July 20, 1811. He was one of the pioneer gold-seekers of Cali- fornia, coming to the State in 1849. Ile engaged in mining in Trinity County, where he made a fortune; but this he lost in the building of the celebrated Ynba Dam, which when swept away by the floods involved a loss of over $60,000. Disheartened, he returned East. But in 1852 he came again to this State and settled in EI Monte, and started to build up a town nt Wil- low Grove, an enterprise which miscarried.

Later he settled at Cucamonga, where he lived a few years, and then started the town of Spadra, where he located in July, 1866. The place was named in honor of his old home in Arkansas. He opened the Spadra Hotel, which he kept fifteen years. There his wife died, May 29, 1880. The last years of his life were spent at the home of the subject of this sketchı. He outlived his three children, dying October 13, 1885, at the age of seventy-six years. Their children were: Elizabeth Jane, born February 24, 1831, died April 10, 1873; Civility, born March 10, 1840, died March 6, 1876; Jim D., born October 21, 1836, died January 12, 1875. Kewen H. Dorsey, after the death of his father, became a member of his Grandfather Rubot- tom's family. With them he remained until he commeneed life for himself. The care bestowed upon himself early in life was compensated by the kind care he exchanged for his grandfather in his last days. Mr. Dorsey was edueated in the schools of Los Angeles County. His entire life has been devoted to agriculture. May 26, 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary F. Poswell, daughter of Ransom P. and Mary Anu Boswell, who were born, reared and married in Georgia, later becoming residents of Texas, where Mrs. Dorsey was born, October 15, 1858. Her mother died in that State in 1859. Her father and his little family came not long after to this connty, and soon after that event he died. Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey have two interesting children: Lola, born February 16, 1880, and Ernest, born December 31, 1882. Politically Mr. Dorsey is a Democrat, with prohibition tendencies. Socially he is affiliated with Pomona Lodge, No. 246, F. & A. M., and the past seven years he has been one of its offieers. Both himself and wife are consistent members of the Baptist church. "Rosemont," the name of his beautiful home, is approached by an avenue shaded and embowered with roses. Passing a miniature lake filled with the purest spring water and nice fish of several kinds, the visitor reaches the tasteful cottage, with its pretty immediate surroundings. There genuine

Jorge Dalton

453

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

hospitality reigns. The estate of eighty acres lies against the foot-hills on the south of San José Valley. One large spring of pure water from their base is brought by four-inch cement pipe to the house, and more than an ample sup- ply is at command at all times for irrigation, from a large cement reservoir. The improve- inent of the property was commenced Jannary 1, 1880. An orchard of ten acres is planted to Bartlett pears, five acres to apricots, two acres to miscellaneous household fruits, and two acres to choicest of table grapes. Fifteen acres are producing alfalfa. The remainder of the prop- erty is used for general purposes. Only one-fourth of a mile from Spadra Station, " Rosemont," as well as being one of the most attractive, is by its location one of the most desirable rural prop. erties in San José Valley.

EORGE DALTON, SR., was born in Lon- don England, July 10, 1806. Heearly went to sea, and in 1827 he was on this coast in a merchant vessel, and afterward he went to the East Indies and to many other parts of the world. In 1837, on the day that Victoria was proclaimed Queen, he left Liverpool and came to New York. He lived two or three years in Pennsylvania, and then went to Circleville, Ohio. Here he lost his wife, who before her marriage was Miss Mary Ann Sage, and by whom he had three children: George, Jr., Elizabeth M. (now Mrs. W. H. Perry), and Mrs. J. D. Crum, all now living and residents of this city. Afterward Mr. Dalton married his second wife, Mrs. Jenkins, who bore him four children, nainely: Winnall Travelley, Edwin Henry, Mathias Myers, and Josephine S., now Mrs. Charles Victor Hall, all of whom are residents of Los Angeles. After many years' residence in this city Mrs. Dalton died July 4, 1884, respected and beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Dalton brought his family to Los Angeles in 1851. He first went to Azusa where he had a brother, Henry, who came to California from Callao, Pern, where he had been

a merchant for many years. In 1855 George Dalton bought land in this city, on Washington street, and east of what is now Central avenue, where he settled and planted a vineyard and orchard, and where he quietly lived and thrived thirty-three years, or till 1887, when he sold out and moved to his present home on Walnnt ave. nne. Here, at the ripe age of eighty-three years, yet still hale and hearty, with his children and grandchildren near him, he is passing the evening of a long, chequered and useful life, conscious, without undue egotism, in the uni- versal respect of the community in which he has lived so many years, that the world is better for his having lived in it.

HARLES DAWSON (deceased). Among the older settlers and well-known resi- dents of the Azusa, mention must be made of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Daw- son was a native of Dayton, Ohio, dating his birth in 1827. His parents, Ephraim and Ellen (Buckingham) Dawson, were natives of Virginia, and were among the pioneers of Ohio. He was reared in his native place until seven- teen years old, when he went to Illinois, and after spending two years in that State, he located in Columbia County, Wisconsin. He there followed the occupation of a farmer and stock- grower until 1856. In that year he moved to Jasper County, Missouri, and continued his ocenpations as a farmer. He resided in that county, except three years spent during the war at Topeka, Kansas, until 1872. He then came to California and located in Los Angeles County. The next year he purchased a claim of 160 acres of land at the Azusa, about one mile sonth- west of what is now the town of Glendora. This land was among the contested claims, and Mr. Dawson joined with the others in resisting the claim of the Azusa grant holders, and closely identified himself with all enterprises that advanced the interests of his section. In political matters he was Democratic, but liberal

454

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

and conservative in his views; was a strong Union man during the late civil war. He was a man inch respeeted and esteemed by his friends and associates who sincerely mourned his death, which occurred in August, 1884. Mr. Dawson was married three times. His first marriage was with Miss Mary A. Hopkins. She died in 1853, leaving two children: John M., who married Miss Sarah Faulkner, and is now a resident of Santa Ana; and Robert W., a sketch of whom appears in this volume. The second marriage was with Miss Harriet Me- Farland, a native of Tennessee. She died in 1866, leaving three children: Frank, who died in 1888; Mary, and Elma C., now Mrs. N. H. Houser. The third marriage was with Miss Dorcas Stevens, of Tennessee. The three chil- dren from this marriage are: Hattie, Susan and Etta, all of whom are living with their mother on the old homestead.

R. DUNKELBERGER was born in North_ umberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1833. º Ilis ancestors came from Germany in the ship Morehouse, which landed in Philadel- phia, Angust 28, 1824, and settled in Berks County, l'ennsylvania. The subject of this sketch read law with Ilon. J. B. Packer, of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, and the day after being admitted to the bar he joined the Union army and was mustered into the service at Harris- burg, the same State, April 16, 1861. He was appointed First Sergeant of Company E, First Pennsylvania Volunteers; was promoted to Second Lientenant, First United States Cavalry, May 26, 1861; First Lieutenant, June 1, 1861; and was made Captain of Company K, First United States Cavalry, June 7, 1863; was Bre- vet Major, for gallantry at the Wilderness, and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, for gallantry at Cold Ilarbor, Virginia. He was wounded at Tre- vilian Station, Virginia, June 14, 1864. After the war of the Rebellion he served five years in Arizona, when he resigned. Colonel Dunkel-

berger was united in marriage February 26, 1867, with Miss Mary Mallard, of Los Angeles. They have five children living, three sons and two daughters. The subject of this sketch served as postmaster of Los Angeles from March, 1877, to March, 1885.

ENRY DE GARMO, of the firm of De Garmo & Katz, dealers in lime, plaster and cement, No. 251 Upper Main street, Los Angeles. This firm established their present business in 1884, and are the oldest dealers in lime in the city. They handle Santa Cruz and domestic lime. They were engaged in manu- facturing for a time, but gave it up, and now are dealers exclusively, and have built up a good established trade, not only here, but also at other points. Mr. De Garmo, the senior member of the firm, was born in Rochester, New York, Oc- tober 15, 1842. During early boyhood his father came West, and he (Henry) lived in Wisconsin eight years, in Illinois nine years, and also in Michigan and Nebraska. In 1870 he came to the Pacific Coast, spent three years in Oregon, was in San Francisco a short time, and came to Los Angeles in 1874, and worked at the plas- terer's trade until he engaged in his present business. In 1870 Mr. De Garmo married Miss Emma Geiger, of Cleveland, Ohio. They have two sons: Elwood and Curtis.

OBERT W. DAWSON was born in Colum- bia County, Wisconsin, September 12, 1851. Ilis father, Charles Dawson (whose history appears in this volume), was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation, and Mr. Dawson was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving the benefits of a common-school education. Ile remained with his father's family until 1871, and then came to California, locating in the northern part of the State, engaging in farm labor and other occupations for one year. In

455

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

1872, upon the arrival of his father and family in this State, he joined them; located in Los Angeles County, and in 1873 came to the Azusa. Mr. Dawson engaged with his father in agricultural pursuits upon the home farm of 160 acres at the Azusa; and in 1879, when the failing health of his father compelled his retiring from active work, he took the sole charge of the farm. Since the death of his father, in 1884, he has conducted the farmning operations, sup- porting his mother and the children, such as are yet at home. Of the original tract they still retain 1273 acres, which is very rich and productive land. Aside from a family orchard, the lands have been devoted principally to gen- eral farmning and stock-raising. He is now establishing a nursery of 50,000 deciduous fruit trees and 20,000 of citrus, with the intention of devoting most of his land to fruit culture. His irrigation system is complete, with an abundant supply of water from the Azusa Water Develop- ment and Irrigation Company. Mr. Dawson is one of the progressive men of his section and has taken a part in all enterprises that have developed the resources and attracted immigra- tion to the section in which he resides. He was one of the original incorporators and a director of the Azusa Water Development and Irrigation Company, and was also the assistant superintendent of the construction of the fine cement ditch system of that company. In political matters he is a Democrat, taking an intelligent interest in the success of his party. He is a worker in its ranks and has many times been called upon to represent his district in county conventions, etc. He is a member of Lexington Lodge, No. 104, F. & A. M., of El Monte.

INNALL TRAVELLEY DALTON was born August 3, 1845, in Circleville, Ohio. He came to California in 1851 with his father's family, who settled in Los An- geles, where he has since lived. In 1873 he

commenced the fruit business on his own ac- count, engaging in citrus and vine culture. He has abont 14,000 vines and 1,000 bearing orange trees, which, till the advent of the white-scale pest, produced about 3,000 boxes of oranges annually. Mr. Dalton is nnmarried.

LANSON DORMAN .- There is not, per- haps, within the bounds of Los Angeles County a more successful farmer than is he whose name is at the head of this sketch. He is a native of the Empire State, and a son of Alanson Dorinan, Sr., who was a wealthy farmer in Ontario County, New York, till his death, which occurred there in 1865. He had a family of fifteen children, of whom our subject is the youngest. He has always worked on a farm, and as a farmer has been eminently successful. After due consultation with his excellent wife, in 1887 they determined to exchange the rigor- ous winters of New York for the more congenial climate of Southern California. To that end he sold out his various interests in the East, and has since been a citizen of California. He owns a ranch of seventy acres of as fine land as the sun shines on, one-half mile west of Rivera. From the twelve acres of English walnuts (in bearing) he realizes an annual income of about $2,000 per annumı. He has erected an elegant residence on a most beautiful site overlooking the San Gabriel River, and commanding a most magnificent view of the suow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevadas.

C. DAVIDSON, an alfalfa and fruit raiser at Compton, is one of Los Angeles County's most honored and respected citizens, and is a pioneer of 1875. Ile was born in Franklin County, Tennessee, November 12, 1837, and is the son of Samnel and Elizabeth (Mansell) Davidson, natives of Tennessee and Arkansas respectively. Thomas Davidson, the

456

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Samuel Davidson was a pioneer of La Fayette County, Missouri, where he was successfully engaged in farming until 1886. In that year he came to California, where, the following year, he died at the age of seventy-three. They reared a family of eight children, all of whom are yet living except one. Mr. Davidson was married in 1860 to Miss Eliza Goodrich, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Goodrich, both Southern people, and both died when Eliza was very yonng. For fifteen years Mr. Davidson was engaged in farining in La Fayette County, Missouri. For some time after coming to this coast he worked in the mines and prospected. He was also employed at the dairy business, and later purchased the farmn on which he lias since resided. The improvements on this place speak of his energy and thrift as a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have eight children, viz .: Rebecca, wife of Bartimens Aberley; Rosa, wife of John Brinkerhoff; Alice, wife of Asbury Mc- Comas; Martha, James, Annie, Charles and John. Both Mr. Davidson and his wife are esteemed members of the Baptist Church, in which he at present is a trustee, and in which he has held other offices. Politically, he is a Republican, and is a man who is respected and honored by all.

MOS EDDY .- The pages of a work of this character would not be complete withont appropriate inention of him whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He is a pio- neer of the pioneers. To his energies and push the native soil has yielded an abundant harvest, and the wild prairie, covered with mustard fourteen feet high, has given way to a highly cultivated farm, and orchards of Inscions fruits; and a neat and comfortable residence adorns the farin which he has decided to make his home as long as life shall last. This gentleman was born in Herkimer County, New York, February

16, 1832, his parents being Levi and Lainy (Vosbnrghi) Eddy, natives of New York, and of English and German origin respectively. IIis parents removed to Cattarangus County, New York, and in that county the subject of this sketch was principally reared and educated. Levi Eddy was a successful farmer in that place, where he reared a family of six children and spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1877. Amos Eddy was married in his native county to Miss Mary Angel, of the same county. To avoid being drafted into the service during the late war he hired a substitute for $600. · Mr. Eddy has been a Mason, and his wife is a consistent and active member of the Holiness Church.

T. EAST was born in Copiah County, Mississippi, April 15, 1831; is one of a family of twelve children, and a son of Josiah and Nancy (Nicks) East, natives of Maryland and Lonisiana respectively, and of English origin. Josiah East mnoved to Lonisi- ana shortly after his marriage, and later to Mis- sissippi, where he was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1877, at the age of ninety-six years. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native State and was married in Clinton, Louisiana, in 1858, to Miss Mary L. Long. This lady is a native of Clin- ton, Louisiana, and a danghter of G. E. and Mary A. (Hendricks) Long. She comes of the same stock as onr late Vice-President, Thomas A. Hendricks, being a cousin of his. Mrs. East's grandmother was Nancy (Heath) Hen- dricks, wife of Samuel Hendricks. Mr. and Mrs. East have had five children, three of whom are living: G. E .; Edwin T., now a resident of Los Angeles, and was deputy sheriff of the county during the year 1888; Charley, who died in in- fancy; R. L., who died March 18, 1888, aged eighteen years, and Roberta. Mr. East was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Louisiana for sixteen years; the last four years of that time,

457

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

however, were spent in the army. He was in the Louisiana Cavalry, Company A, under Captain Scott, and participated in the battles of Corinth and Baton Rouge under General Price; also at Gainesville, Alabama, under General Forest, and was surrendered to General Canby there in 1865. After his return home at the close of the war, in 1866, he came to California. He went from New Orleans to Cairo by steamer, then by rail on the first train that went from Cairo, Illinois, to Detroit, Michigan, after the Fenian trouble, and across Canada to New York City, where he took steamer for San Francisco, landing there July 5, 1866. His first work on the coast was in San Luis Obispo County, where he farmed for five years. In 1871 he moved to the County of the Angels and pur- chased ninety eight acres of land, which, five years later, he sold, and bought the fifty acres upon which he now resides. The well-kept vineyard and the orehards of oranges, lemons, etc., are proof of the industry and economy of Mr. East as a husbandman. Both his boys are members of the Masonic fraternity, and, with their father, are strong and intelligent support- ers of the principles as tanght by the Demo- cratic party.

ILLIAM Y. EARLE was born in Wind- sor County, Vermont, in 1819. IIis father was a native of the same State, and was descended from an old colonial family of Rhode Island. His mother, nee Amelia Adams, was also a native of Vermont. Soon after the birth of Mr. Earle his father moved to Essex County, New York, and thence to St. Lawrence County, where he engaged in agri- eultural pursuits. The subject of this sketch was reared and received his education in that county until the age of eighteen, when his father moved to Ohio and located in Knox County. There, at the age of nineteen, he commenced teaching in the publie schools dur- ing the winter seasons, and was engaged in

clerking and other pursuits during the vaca- tions. About that time he also learned pho- tography. In 1850 he decided to try his fort- unes in the Golden State, and eame via steamer route to San Francisco. Soon after his arrival he proceeded to the mines at Downieville, on the Yuba River, and for a year or more was engaged in mining, meeting with fair success. In 1851 he returned to his home, and for many years devoted his time to the art of photogra- phy. He built for himself a boat, called the Crystal Palace, which he fitted up as a photo- graph gallery, and in that mnost fascinating em- ployment he passed his time on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. In 1865 he went to Linn County, Missouri, and engaged as a contractor for railroad supplies, after which he devoted his attention to farming in Gentry, De Kalb and other counties in the State until 1882. In that year he returned to California and located at Orange, Los Angeles County. In 1884 he moved to Pomona and settled on the well-known Kingsley tract. He sold his interest in that land in 1887 and then eame to Azusa and pur- chased twenty acres of fruit land, two miles and a half south of Azusa. This land was partially improved, having upon it 250 orange and deciduous fruit trees and a small vineyard. Since that date Mr. Earle has devoted himself to hortieultural pursuits, and has built up one of the representative places of his section. He has put in about 1,000 fruit trees, as follows: 600 apricots, 200 French prunes, 100 figs, and the rest in apples, pears, olives, ete., and also a family vineyard of choice table grapes. A neat cottage residence, surrounded by ornamental trees and floral produets, affords him a pleasant and comfortable home. Politically, Mr. Earle is a Republican, and takes a lively interest in the political questions of the day. He is interested in the growth and prosperity of his chosen section and takes pleasure in showing its horti- cultural productions. It may well be said that he is a desirable acquisition to the community. In 1845 Mr. Earle married Miss Emily Rus- sell, a native of New York. She is the daugh-

458

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

ter of Isaac and Polly (Cleveland) Russell, of that State. They have seven children, viz .: Ethan II., who married Miss Ellen Smart, now living in Pomona; Orrin W., who is married and a resident of Arkansas; Clarence W., who married Miss Etta Grant and is residing at Azusa; George W., a resident of Missouri; Charles F., residing with his parents and con- ducting the farm; Mary, wife of Rev. A. C. Long, a resident of San Diego; Eva II., a resi- dent of Los Angeles; and Ida V., now Mrs. John C. Bressler, of Aznsa.

ARVEY ENO, one of the older and well- known residents of Pomona, is a native of New York, born in 1835, in Cayuga County. His father, Imle Eno, was a native of Conneeti- cut, and his mother, Maria (Winchell) Eno, of New York. Mr. Eno was reared as a farmer, and was employed upon his father's place in New York until 1857. He then accompanied his father and family to Peoria Connty, Illinois, where he engaged in teaching until the breaking out of the civil war in 1861. Upon the first call for troops Mr. Eno entered the military service of his country as a private in Company G, Eighth Regiment of Missouri Infantry. As a soldier, he rose through the successive non- commissioned grades until in February, 1863, when he was commissioned as a Second Lieuten- ant, and in September of the same year was promoted to a First-Lieutenancy, which position he held until his discharge in 1864. Mr. Eno was actively engaged during his three years of service in some of the severest and most im- portant campaigns of the war. Ile served under Generals Grant, Sherman and Logan, and par- ticipated in the hard-fought battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, sieges of Corinthi and Vicksburg, battles of Chickasaw Bluffs, Cham- pion IFills, Arkansas Post, Dallas, Georgia, Chattanooga, and others. At the expiration of his term of service, in 1864, he received an honorable discharge, and in the fall of that year

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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