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 72

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 72

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established himself in the grocery business in Elinwood, which business he conducted until 1866. He then moved to Warren County, Iowa, where he entered into farming, fruit-growing and the nursery business. In 1875 he came to California and established his residence at Po- mona, in Los Angeles County. Upon his ar- rival there, he purchased a five-acre tract on the corner of Holt avenue and Palomares street, and commenced the cultivation of fruit. He after- ward increased his possessions to ten and a half acres. IIe has five acres of oranges of the Washington Navel and Mediterranean Sweet va- rieties, and five acres of olives and French prunes. He is also a part owner, with Mr. Burritt, of a sixteen-acre tract, devoted to de- cidnous fruits. In 1888 Mr. Eno was engaged in the real-estate business, under the firm name of Eno, Burritt & Co. He is a member, and one of the board of stewards, of the Methodist Church of Pomona; also a member of Pomona Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F., and of Vicksburg Post, No. 61, G. A. R., both of Pomona. In political matters he has been a member of the Republican party since its organization in 1856, but at the present writing is a strong supporter of the Prohibition movement. He is straight- forward and manly in his dealings, a good citi- zen, and receives the esteem and respect of his neighbors. In 1864 he married Miss Carrie N. Kellogg, a native of New England. Her par- ents, Philo and Nancy (Riley) Kellogg, were natives of New York. They have three children : Frank H., Bert W., and Imle L.

HARLES A. ERHARDT, manufacturer of galvanized cornices, corner of South Los Angeles and Mayo streets, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, July 8, 1848, learned the tin trade as he grew up, and in 1870 emigrated to the land of "golden " opportunities. Work- ing at his trade in Chicago until 1873, he then came to the coast, and continued at his trade in San Francisco and in the mining region. In

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ILISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

1882 he came to Los Angeles, and established his present business on Upper Main street. In 1886 he moved to his present location. His factory is 30 x 60 feet in dimensions, and with it is connected a large yard for the storage of stock. He has also a foundry and stamp-mill, doing all his own stamping. He is well equipped for fulfilling large contracts. Thoroughly skilled in his trade, he gives personal attention to the details of his business. During the busy season he employs twenty to thirty men. Mr. Erhardt married Miss Anna Scrillinger, a native of Ger- many. They have two children: Arthur and Frida.

0 S. EWING, artist, Los Angeles, is a native of Ohio, and was born December 20,

1843. His boyhood was spent in Mary- land. He attended school there and in Washing- ton, and studied his profession in Washington, D. C. During the war he entered the army, and was on detached service most of the time. Ile was taken prisoner in the battle of Stone River, was taken to Mobile and from there to Libby Prison, where he caught the small-pox, and was released and sent to Annapolis, Mary- land. After his recovery he served in the War Department until his term of enlistment ex- pired. He received an appointment in the Ohio State Military Agency at Washington, being recommended and confirmed by the State Senate of Ohio. Hle has letters from senators and others in high official position, testifying to his ability and fidelity. He resigned this position to take up the practice of his profession in Washington, that being more to his taste. From Washington he went to Chicago and opened a studio, and executed a great many commissions in that city and other cities and towns through- out the United States, and has earned a national reputation as an artist of highest merit in por- traiture. In 1888 he came to Los Angeles to secure the benefit of this climate. His studio, on the corner of Main and Winston streets, is

fitted up with great taste, being the finest in . Los Angeles. Among other commissions now in his hands are orders for portraits of Presi- dent Lincoln and General Grant, for the sons of these distinguished men.

X. EBERLE, capitalist, 1100 San Pedro street, Los Angeles, is a native of Ger- 6 many, and was born March 8, 1839. When reaching early manhood, in 1858, he emigrated to America, lived in New York one year, and then, like all new-comers, was affected by the gold fever, came to California and went into the mines; was engaged in mining there ten years, after which he went to Nevada and engaged in inining there and in California until 1874, when he came to Los Angeles. He bought the City Gardens, on the corner of San Pedro and Eighth streets, containing six and a half acres, and fitted them up with bowling alleys, swings, windmill, and in other ways improved and made it the most popular pleasure resort in the city. Mr. Eberle owns a fine home on San Pedro street, comprising six and a half acres of land, and also owns other valuable city property. He is what might be termed a self-made man. Beginning life with no capital whatever, what he has acquired has been the result of his own industry. In 1869 he married Miss Marsetes Bute, a native of South America. They have two children: Robert and Herman.

M. EDELMAN, architect, North Main street, Los Angeles, is a son of Rev. A.

O W. Edelman, the Jewish rabbi, an old and honored resident of this city. The subject of this sketch was born in this city, August 19, 1862; attended the public school during his boyhood, and is a graduate of the Los Angeles High School. Having decided upon his pro- fession, he entered the office of a leading archi- tect of San Francisco, where he remained several

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

years; then went East and pursued his studies in New York, and traveled over the United States, visiting all the large cities. In 1884 he established his present business, and has de- signed many fine buildings in this city, among them the Spring street public school, also other schools, and the county jail, business blocks and fine residences, and is taking a prominent place in the profession.

UGUSTE. ENGELHARDT .- Among the successful business men of Glendora, mention must be made of Dr. Engelhardt. His place of business is in the postoffice build- ing, of which he is the owner. This two-story building is located on the corner of Vista Bonito and Whitcomb avenues. The lower story is used by the Doctor for his store, and also for postoffice purposes. He is dealing in drugs, groceries, crockery, fancy goods and jewelry, and has one of the best appointed and most complete establishments in his section of the county. The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio County, Indiana, August 28, 1856. Ilis parents, Henry D. and Anna Mary (Deal) Engelhardt, were natives of Bavaria, who, in 1847, emigrated to the United States, and located in the county above mentioned. In 1868 his father took up his residence in Trimble County, Kentucky, where he resided until 1873. Hle then moved to Platte County, Missouri. Dr. Engelhardt was reared as a farmer, receiving a good education, and in 1876 he entered upon a course of study at the Lane University at Le- compton, Kansas. He graduated at that insti- tution in 1878, and then entered the Commer- cial College at Leavenworth. After completing his studies in Leavenworth he returned to his home in Platte County, Missouri, and engaged in teaching in the public schools. IIe was also engaged for one term in teaching in Kansas. Deciding to enter the medical profession, he placed himself under the tutorship of Dr. Ferrel, a well-known medical practitioner of

Platte County, and in 1882 entered npon a medical course of studies at the Physio-Medical Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, and received a diploma from that well-known college upon his graduation in 1884. While in Cincinnati the Doctor also studied under Drs. W. W. and W. H. Cook, well-known physicians of that city. Upon the completion of his medical studies in Cincinnati, Dr. Engelhardt returned to Platte County and located at Farley and for some time was successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. He afterward moved to Wal- dron, Missouri, continuing his practice there till May, 1887, when he ca ne to California and took up his residence in Glendora, since which time he has devoted himself to mercantile pur- suits. He built the first business house in Glendora, and started the first store under the name of Dr. Engelhardt & Bro., his brother, J. P. Engelhardt, being associated with him. They still continue under the name of Engel- hardt Bros., carrying a stock of drugs, groceries, crockery, flour, feed, paints, oils, fancy goods and jewelry. The Doctor is an intelligent and educated gentleman, well versed in the medical profession, and designs in the near future to begin practice in Glendora. In July, 1887, he was appointed deputy postmaster, and in March, 1888, received the appointment of postmaster, an office he still holds. In 1887 the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Rosa Clardy, a native of Missouri. Carroll Clayton is the name of the only child born from this union.

OSEPIIUES P. ECKLER .- The subject of this sketch is one of the best known and successful horticulturists and nurserymen of Azusa Township. IIe came to Los Angeles County in 1877 and purchased from James Baldridge a Government claim to forty acres of land. Mr. Eckler's only capital at that time was energetic and industrious habits, sound sense and good business principles; and with

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these he started in his horticultural pursuits. Ile was successful from the start and soon had one of the representative places of his section. In 1883 he engaged in the nursery business and soon had thousands of the choicest and most approved citrus and deciduous fruit trees that found ready sale at remunerative prices in tlie San Gabriel Valley. In 1888 he sold his or- chards and orange groves at a price that gave him a modest competency. He then purchased his present residence, which consists of a ten-acre tract located three miles and a half south of Azusa and one mile north of Covina. Upon this he has re-established his nursery business, and is planting his land with lemon trees. Among his improvements are ont-buildings, barns and a well-ordered residence. Mr. Eck- ler's success is an illustration of what can be done by a man with his characteristics, on the rich and fertile lands of the East San Gabriel Valley. A sketch of his life, though briefly stated, is of interest. He was born in Ver- million County, Illinois, in 1830. His parents were Jacob and Cassandra (Perrin) Eckler, natives of Kentucky. His father was one of the pioneers of Vermillion County, and Mr. Eckler was reared to the lot and labors that were inseparable from pioneer farming. His schooling facilities were limited to the common schools of that date. He remained on his father's farm until he reached his majority, and then his pioneer instincts, inherited from his

parents, prompted him to seek a home in the far West. He crossed the plains in 1852, and at first located at Bedwell Bar, in Northern California, and engaged in mining; but failing health compelled him to abandon that calling, and in 1853 he went to Oregon and Washing- ton Territory, where he engaged in farmning and lumbering. In 1855 and 1856 he enlisted in the Oregon troops and served through the Indian war, after which he returned to his agricultural pursuits, which he continued until 1859. In that year he returned to his old home in Illinois, where he remained until 1862, when he returned to Oregon and made that State and

Washington Territory his home until 1877, when he came to Los Angeles County. He is a straightforward and honorable man in his dealings, and has gained a large circle of friends in the community in which he resides. In political matters he is a stanch Republican. In 1872 Mr. Eckler married Miss Orpha S. Bald- ridge, the daughter of John and Agnns (Barr) Baldridge, of New York. Her brothers, Michael and James Baldridge, are well-known residents of the Azusa.

EORGE C. EGAN, one of the best known men of Pomona, may be styled the pioneer of mercantile pursuits in that prosperous city. The first general merchandise store ever established in Pomona was opened by Mr. Egan in 1875, which he conducted for the next three years. The following brief sketch of his life and connection with the various business in- dustries of Pomona and Los Angeles County is of interest: Mr. Egan dates his birth in Ran- dolph County, Missouri, in 1844. His parents, Thomas and Nancy (Trimble) Egan, were natives of Virginia who emigrated to Kentucky, and, therefore, were among the early settlers of the county of his birth. Mr. Egan was reared as a farmer, receiving such an education as was afforded by the common schools. In 1859 his parents moved to Texas and were engaged in farming and stock-growing. In 1862 the sub- ject of this sketch entered the military service of the Confederate States and served in a Texas cavalry regiment until 1864. He then aban- doned that service and came overland to Cali- fornia, locating at Wilmington, Los Angeles Connty. There he worked at blacksmithing until 1866, and then located in Kern County, working in the lumber business, after which he was engaged for a year or more in a prospecting tour through Arizona. This proving unsuc- cessful, he, in 1886, returned to Los Angeles County, took up his residence at Spadra and entered into mercantile pursuits as a clerk in

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the store of Charles Blake. IIis strict attention to business and genial manner secured him the confidence of his employer, and he was taken into the business as a partner, nuder the firm name of Egan & Blake. Some time later Mr. Blake retired from business and Mr. Egan con- ducted the enterprise alone. While engaged in business in Spadra, he established a general merchandise store in Pomona, in 1875, which he placed under the immediate charge of his brother, James H. Egan. He was engaged in mercantile ventures until 1867, when he sold out and purchased the Pomona Hotel, which he moved from Garey and Fifth streets to the corner of First and Main streets, and there fitted it up and furnished it as a first-elass hotel, with bill- iard room, bar, ete. A fire in the same year destroyed his hotel, etc .; and, as he had all his · capital embarked in the enterprise, he was financially ruined. Undaunted, Mr. Egan started anew in life, first establishing a store at Ranchito, about six miles from Downey. In that he was moderately successful, but finally hard times came, he closed the business and moved to Los Angeles, where he engaged in various pursuits until 1882. Ile then established a store at Ban- ning, San Bernardino County, which he con- ducted until 1884. In that year he purchased 800 acres of land from the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, located where the town of Beaumont now stands. He also pre-empted 160 acres of Government land, and commenced farm- ing. The building of the town of Beaumont was largely due to Mr. Egan, he having erected the first house and store ever built at that place. Ilis ventures were successful, and he secured a competency by his industry and sound business qualities. In 1887 he returned to the county of his choice and began residence in Pomona. Ile purchased fifteen acres of land at the corner of Fifth and Monrovia avenues, upon which he has erected one of the finest residences in Po- mona, at the same time improving his place by the planting of citrus and decidnous fruit-trees. Ile also established himself in business as an insurance agent for some of the most reliable

companies in the country. Mr. Egan has still large interests in San Bernardino County, but above all other places for a residence he prefers the beautiful Pomona Valley, among a com- munity where he is well known and respected and has a large circle of friends. In politics he is a conservative Democrat, allied with the best elements of his party. He is a charter member and was the first secretary of Pomona Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F .; also a charter member of Pomo a Lodge, No. 246, F. & A. M. In 1875 Mr. Egan married Miss Laura Dunlap, the daughter of John and Mary (Houston) Dunlap. Mrs. Egan is a native of California, her parents being among the early settlers of the State. They have three children: Ida Grace, George Clifford and Leila Rae.

REDRICK EATON, City Engineer of Los Angeles, one of the most competent civil engineers on the Pacific Coast, is a worthy representative of California's native sons. IIe was born in 1856 in the city he is now officially serving, and with whose future sanitary history his name will be prominently interwoven. His parents, Benjamin S. and Helen (Hayes) Eaton, were pioneers of 1850 in Los Angeles County, of which his father-a lawyer by profession- was one of the first district attorneys, He was also one of the founders of the Pasadena Colony, and president of it for several years. Having a taste for horticulture, he, many years ago, planted a vineyard on what is now the J. F. Crank place, above Pasadena, and was the first to dem- onstrate the success of vine culture in Sonthern California without artificial irrigation; and his experiment was of great value to this portion of the State. He is now retired and resides in Pasadena. Fredrick Enton never attended school but little, preferring to shape his educational course himself and pursue in private such studies as were congenial to his taste, and would best fit him to achieve success in the vocation of his choice. At fifteen years of age he started

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to acquire a practical knowledge of engineering with the Los Angeles City Water Company, and so diligently did he apply himself to study and so rapidly did he advance, that at twenty he was superintending engineer for the company, and filled that position for abont nine years. In 1886 he was elected city engineer and served two years. During this term of office he con- ceived and designed the great sewer system for the city of Los Angeles, which has since been adopted, after the most careful examination by and unqualified approval of the most distin- guished sanitary engineers of America, among them Prof. Rudolph Herring, Consulting Sani- tary Engineer of New York City, and who was appointed and sent by the United States Gov- ernment to study and report upon the sewage sys- tem of the great cities of Europe. He came to Los Angeles County, by engagement of the city council, to examine Engineer Eaton's proposed sewage system for the city, and after doing so heartily endorsed it as one of the most perfect in this country. The system contemplates the construction of 200 miles of sewers, including an outlet to the ocean and a plan to use the sewage for irrigating purposes on a sewage farm, and involves in its completion abont $2,500,- 000. It will be what is denominated a separate and combined system, designed to take care of the house waste only on the lower levels. The storm water will be combined with the house waste in the elevated portions of the city, and intercepted by large storm sewers leading to the Los Angeles River. At the city election held in January, 1880, Mr. Eaton was again elected city engineer by a handsome majority, thus giving him another term of two years in which to inangurate and get well under way the great work which is of such incalculable importance to the 80,000 inhabitants of this growing city of Los Angeles, and the completion of which will be the most notable epoch in the history of California's southern metropolis. Mr. Eaton's parents are natives of the Atlantic States-his father of Connecticut and his mother of Maryland. The subject of this sketch was married before

his twentieth birthday to Miss Burdick, of Los Angeles. She and her mother are the owners of the New Burdick Block, on the corner of Spring and Second streets, for which Mr. Eaton dictated the design, and which, when finished, will cost $140,000, and will be, from an archi- tectural standpoint, the finest business block in the city.

EV. RICHARD C. FRYER, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Los Angeles County, who for more than thirty-five years was connected with its history and development. The brief facts gathered in regard to his life are of interest. Mr. Fryer was a native of Dal- las County, Alabama, dating his birth Jannary 31, 1821. He was reared in that State until about eighteen years of age, when he went to Arkansas and located in Conway County, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1839 he married Miss Caroline Veazey, daugh- ter of Deacon John Veazey, a native of Alabama. He continued his residence and occupation in Arkansas until 1852, and then came overland to California. Entering the State by the soutlı- ern route, he came to Los Angeles County and located at El Monte. Upon his arrival he pur- chased land and resumed farming. For many years Mr. Fryer had been a devoted and earnest Christian, and had made theology a study, and in 1854, believing himself called upon to enter into the active service of his Lord and Master, he was ordained as a minister in the Baptist Church. He was the first minister ever or- dained in that church in Southern California. Immediately after his ordination he commenced his work in the missionary fields of Southern California, preaching the gospel in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Ana and other places. He was an earnest advocate of his religion, and the work he did in supporting the early churches and schools is well remembered and will ever remain a part of the history of the county. In 1867 Mr. Fryer purchased 250 acres of land

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from Louis Phillips, a portion of the San José Ranch, located at Spadra, and upon this took up his residence. There he spent nearly twenty years of his life, cultivating and improving his lands, while earnestly engaged in his ministerial labors, ever taking the deepest interest in the welfare and prosperity of the community in which he resided. In political matters he was a consistent Democrat, was always to be found allied with the best elements of his party, and ex- erting his influence for what he considered to be for its best interests. He was besought to accept positions of trust and honor in the service of the people, and in 1870 was elected a member of the Assembly from his district. In the early history of the county he was also a member of the board of supervisors; and during the early part of his residence in Spadra he was one of the most active and prominent school trustees. In 1879 Mrs. Fryer died. She had been his faithful wife, companion, and sharer of his labors for forty years. She was the mother of eleven children, nine of whom are at this writing (1889) living, viz. : John W., James W., Jeremiah, Little- ton M., Henry, Frances, Louise, Dixie and Mary. Mr. Fryer afterward married Mrs. Martha J. Maston, and in 1887 moved to Los Angeles, where he resided until his death, which occurred December 7, 1888. Ile was one of the most respected and honored citizens of the county, where the greater portion of his life was spent, an honest, upright man, ever seeking the right path through life. IIis consistent course of life gained him a large circle of friends, who remem- ber his many virtues and sincerely mourn his death.

F. FOSMIRE, President of the Fosmire Iron Works, Los Angeles, is a native of New York. On reaching manhood he was engaged in business in Michigan for many years, and in 1882 came to the Pacific Coast, locating in Los Angeles. Ilere, on Spring street, in 1886, he established his present business, as

a member of the firm of Bath & Fosmire. Re- quiring more room for their increasing business, they removed to their present location. In February, 1889, the present company was or- ganized. The shop covers a quarter of a block, having 220 feet frontage and being 120 feet deep, and is very commodious. The company employ thirty to forty hands, and are fully equipped for doing all kinds of work in their line. Mr. Fosmire is a man of large experience as an iron manufacturer, and gives his personal attention to the management of the works. IIe married Miss Mary J. Webster, a native of New York, and they have two sons, Stephen and Will.

AMES M. FRYER was born in Conway County, Arkansas, June 25, 1847. IIis father, the Rev. Richard C. Fryer (a sketch of whom appears in this volume), emigrated to California in 1852 and took up his residence at El Monte. There the subject of this sketch re- ceived his education and was tanght the practi- cal details of agricultural occupations upon his father's farm. In 1867 he accompanied his father to Spadra, where, with the exception of trading and dealing in stock, he has devoted himself to agricultural and horticultural pur- suits. He is now (in 1889) the owner of eighty acres of rich and productive bottom land, located at Spadra. This land he is devoting to general farming and stock-raising. A fine vineyard of eight acres is producing wine grapes of the Zin- fandel and Muscat varieties. A family orchard, in which he has a large variety of citrus and deciduous fruits, is one of the noticable features of his farm. The remainder of his land is de- voted to alfalfa, grain and stock. Among the latter mention is made of his fine specimens of Belmont horses, Jersey cattle and Poland Magay hogs. A neat cottage residence, sub- stantial barns, etc., are the results of his labor, and show the prosperous farmer. He is energetic and industrious, and is well known and respected throughout the community in which he resides,

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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