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 76

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 76

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estate. IIe has speculated considerably in real estate with marked success. IIe spent one win- ter in Florida, and can now positively testify that Southern California is far ahead of that State, in respect both to the productiveness of the soil and perfection of climate, and the intel- ligence and spirit of enterprise of the people. Mr. Gillmore has always taken an active part in politics. During the Presidential campaign last year he was chairman of the Los Angeles County Republican Committee, and was an efficient worker. - The Republican majority was abont 3,700, a most surprising and highly grat- ifying result, as it entitled the county to the honor of being the banner Republican county of the State. The Republicans of Alameda Connty, the former banner county, have since presented to the Los Angeles County committee a beautiful flag as a token of the honor so justly earned. This flag is in charge of Mr. Gillmore, to whose efforts the grand victory is mostly due. Ile is a gentleman of rare intelligence and affable manner. The characteristics of his pleas- ant nature are so impressive that they cannot be forgotten.

D GERMAIN, importer of and dealer in wines and liquors, 122 South Spring street, Los Angeles, is a native of Switzerland, and was born October 8, 1856. He grew up and attended school in his native country. After reaching manhood he came to America, and arrived in Los Angeles, December 13, 1877, where he entered the employ of his brother, Eugene Germain, who was established then in the grocery business here. IIe made the first sales of California oranges in the East, outside of Chicago and New York, in 1883; sold $60,- 000 worth inside of sixty days. He was en- gaged in business in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas during the building of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and remained there five years. In 1885 he engaged in business with Henry Baer and continued with him two years, then bought

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

his partner's interest and succeeded to the busi- ness. He deals in all kinds of imported and domestic liquors, making a specialty of Califor- nia wines and brandies for the Eastern market, and has built up a large trade. Mr. Germain married Miss Emily Kremer, a native of Los Angeles, and a daughter of M. Kremer, one of the early settlers here. They have two children: Rose and Frankie.

NGUS GRAHAM, contractor for brick and stone work, Los Angeles, is a native of Canada, and was born in 1852. He attended the common schools, and served an apprenticeship at brick and stonework with D. B. Campbell, contractor, Strathroy, Ontario. He came to the United States and followed his trade in Michigan at Detroit, St. Clair, Sagi- naw and Bay City. He next went to Chicago and worked at his trade there and in St. Paul. From the latter place he went to Helena, Mon- tana, in 1885, and after being there a short time located in Spokane. He built the county jail, the Sisters' Hospital and other fine buildings. He came to Los Angeles in 1887, and the fol- lowing year engaged in contracting. He erected McLain & Lehman's Block, on Main street, and Alameda Block, on Alameda street. While liv- ing in Spokane he made judicious investments in real estate. He married Miss Emma Ecker, of Stratford, Canada, December 24, 1880. They have two children: Angus, Jr., and Edna Lillian.

EORGE GREMINGER is a native of Ohio. His father's name also was George, and hc was of German descent. Mr. Greminger learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, which he followed the greater partof his life. For about eighteen years he engaged in the oil bnsi- ness in Pennsylvania, and subsequently came to California. Abont four years ago he and his two sons, George E. and Henry, bought the land

upon which they now reside, about six miles north of Newhall, in East Canon. They have nearly 500 acres of the most productive land, and in the short period of four years they have made wonderful improvements. At a depth of 138 feet they struck an immense flow of the clearest and purest water. His well cultivated orchards of apricots, pears, cherries, grapes and peaches prove what this valley is capable of pro- ducing. And Mr. Greminger should be remem- bered as the first man who made the sage brush and the wild briar give place to golden fields of grain and orchards of delicious fruits. He was married in Ohio to Miss Theresa Richards, also of German origin. Their children are: Lizzie, wife of William Essner, of Pennsylvania; George E., Henry, Lewis, David and Frank. The two older sons are mechanics, and own 160 acres of land adjoining their father's farm, and the energy and enterprise displayed on their part in making a fruitful farin ont of what looked like a desert is worthy to be imitated by other young men who desire to make a home.

OHN GILLESPIE, deceased, was born near Steubenville, Ohio, in 1828, and was the son of Hugh and Martha (Kimble) Gilles- pie. His paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland, and came to America in time to serve in the Revolutionary war. He had three sons: Hugh, William and James. Hugh had four sons and four daughters, the subject of this sketch being the second son, but fourth child. He re- ceived a good common-school education in Ash- land County, Ohio, and was married there March 3, 1856, to Miss Charity M. Close, also a native of Ashland County, and a danghter of Alanson and Jerusha (Mathews) Close. The Close family was well known in Ashland County. Alanson Close was a successful farmer and died in 1843, having reared a family of five children. On March 4, 1856, the day after his marriage, Mr. Gillespie and his bride started westward to make a home and to find a fortune. They lo-

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

cated at Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, where for eighteen years he was a successful tiller of the soil. He afterward moved to Page County, Iowa, and there farmed about nine years. Then he moved to Los Angeles County, and bought a farm just south of Artesia, which he afterward sold, and bought fifty acres north of Artesia. For some time previous to this Mr. Gillespie had been in declining health, and on August 11, 1885, he died, leaving a large cirele of friends and his faithful wife and six children, whose names are as follows: Ella, wife of David Stan- bangh, of Shenadoah, lowa; James W., who is a farmer in Kansas; Frank C., a mechanic in Los Angeles, who owns the farm on which the family live; Edwin G., John W. and Effie M. Mr. Gillespie was a second cousin to the IIon. James G. Blaine, the Gillespie family on both sides being from the same stock. He was a very successful business man, and a highly respected citizen. Mrs. Gillespie and the two younger sons are carrying on the farm interests, and are regarded as one of the most successful families in the beautiful Artesia country.

OIIN GUESS .- Among the pioneers of Los Angeles County is the subject of this sketch, who is now one of the representa- tive farmers and successful men of the San Gabriel Valley, where he has resided for nearly thirty-five years. Mr. Guess is a native of In- dependence County, Arkansas, dating his birth March 28, 1828. His father, Joseph Guess, was a native of Tennessee, who early in life settled in Arkansas. His mother, nee Lottie Minyard, was also born in Tennessee. When John was about eight years of age the death of his father left the family dependent upon the mother for support, and she moved the family to Conway County, where the subject of this sketch was reared and schooled to the labors and privations attending pioneer farming. In 1852 Mr. Guess married Mrs. Harriet (Ilollafield) Rogers, who was the widow of Andrew Rogers, and who was

born in Alabama in 1824, the daughter of James and Nancy (Owens) Hollafield. Her father was a native of North Carolina, and her mother was from South Carolina. On the 7th of April of that year Mr. Guess, with his bride, started across the plains for California. This journey was performed with ox teams, and after months of weary travel across plain, desert and mount- ain, they reached the Golden State. Entering by the Southern route, they arrived at El Monte in October, 1852. After a short stop here they located about twelve miles south of that place, at what is now Florence, where Mr. Guess en- gaged in farming and stock-growing. In 1855 he returned to El Monte and settled at his present place of residence, which is about one mile west of El Monte, at what is now Savannah. There he entered 133 acres of land, and devoted lıim- self to building up a home and tilling the soil. In this he has been successful, and is now the owner of a rich and productive farmn of 174 acres. His attention has been devoted princi- pally to general farming-hay, grain and stock- raising. He has thirty acres of alfalfa, which produces seven crops annually, yielding from ten to twelve tons of hay per acre. A family orchard, containing a variety of deciduous fruits, is among his improvements. A substantial and convenient two-story residence long sinee took the place of his humble cottage of early days. Commodions barns and well-ordered ont-build- ings attest the successful farmer. Although deprived in his youth of the opportunities of gaining an education, Mr. Guess acquired those industrious and energetic habits which, com- bined with his natural intelligence and sterling qualities, liave secured his success in life and placed him in the ranks of the esteemed citizens and solid men of his section. IIe has ever been a strong supporter of schools and churches, and has served his distriet as an able school trustee for many years. In politics he is a consistent Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Guess have five chil- dren living, all born in Los Angeles County. The first child, Henry, was born January 14, 1863, and is believed to have been the first

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

American white child born in the county. Sarah A. was born January 4, 1857; Emma, Decem- · ber 29, 1859; Charles Richard, December 22, 1865, and Hattie, May 19, 1870. The second child, Lonis, born January 14, 1855, died in 1861; the fifth child, Alice, born January 22, 1861, died in August, 1862; the sixth child, Fannie, born March 28, 1863, died in 1878. Henry married Miss Mary' Arburn, and is a resident of San Diego County; Sarah A. mar- ried William Slock, and is living at San Ga- briel; Emma married William Parker, now a resident of El Monte; Richard and Hattie are inmates of their father's household. Mr. Guess's mother is now a resident of Los Ange- les County, a hale and hearty woman, fast ap- proaching the eighty-third year of her well-spent life. There is one child by Mrs. Guess's former marriage, James Rogers, who married Miss Jane Beardsley, and after her death married Miss Mary McCrary, and now lives near Monrovia.

EORGE E. GARD .- Among the promi- nent and well-known citizens of Los An- geles County is the subject of this sketch, who is now a resident of Gladstone. Mr. Gard has been a resident of the county for more than twenty years, and has been prominently identi- fied with its civic and political history. He is a native of Warren County, Ohio, dating his birth in 1843. His father, Dr. William V. H. Gard, was a native of Ohio, and prominent in the medical circles of that State. Dr. Gard was the younger brother of Dr. I. N. Gard, of Green- ville, Darke County, Ohio, who served several terms in the Senate of that State; was first cousin to the Hon. Tom Corwin, of Ohio. In 1840 he took up his residence in Lebanon, Warren County. His death occurred there in the year 1849. Mr. Gard's mother was Lucretia Williamson, a native of Ohio; was highly edu- cated, and for a time taught private school at Middletown, Ohio. She died when the subject of this sketch was but three years old. After

the death of his father, Mr. Gard became a mein- ber of his grandfather's family (Garret William- son, then located at IIamilton, Butler County, Ohio), where he was reared and schooled, receiving his education in the public schools and graduating at the Hamilton High School. In 1859 he came overland to California, ac- companying his uncle, Henry Williamson, who brought with him a band of thoroughbred horses and cattle. He remained with his uncle until the next year; resided in San José two years and then located in Mariposa County; there en- gaged in mining, and was soon afterward the superintendent of Lovejoy & Gard's saw-mills, and later assistant superintendent of the Mari- posa Mining Company's Mills. In 1864 Mr. Gard entered the United States military service as First Sergeant of Company H, Seventh Cali- fornia Volunteer Infantry, and was with that command in Arizona and New Mexico until March, 1866, at which time his company was mustered out of service. After his discharge from the service Mr. Gard took up his residence at Wilmington, and there engaged in business until 1868. He then located in Los Angeles and established the Los Angeles Ice Company, and was the first to enter into that business in Southern California. This business was con- ducted by him until 1871, when he was appointed deputy county clerk, holding that position one year. He then spent three years as a member of the detective police force of the city, after which he accepted the position of deputy county recorder, and from 1875 to 1879 was the chief deputy recorder of the county. In 1881 he was appointed chief of police of the city; in 1883 he was appointed deputy sheriff. In 1884 he was elected on the Republican ticket as the sheriff of the county and served as such during the years of 1885 and 1886. In 1886 Mr. Gard purchased forty acres of land at Gladstone and the next year a tract of land at Alosta. Soon after his purchase he commenced active oper- ations in subdividing his lands and inviting the settlement of that section. Early in 1887, in connection with F. M. Underwood and S. Wash-

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buine, he incorporated the Alosta Land and Water Company. Mr. Gard was the president and general manager of the company, and he developed water in the Little Dalton Cañon and piped the same to that tract at an expense of abont $25,000. The lands of the company found ready sale. He also sold a portion of his property at Gladstone, and was one of the promi- nent leaders in opening up the section in which he resided. In addition to his real-estate oper- ations he devoted himself to horticultural pur- suits. Ilis present home is located about one-half mile east of Gladstone, where he is establishing one of the representative fruit in- dustries of his section, having now (1889) fifteen acres of Washington Navel oranges and a large variety of decidnons fruits on his eighty-acre tract at that point. In addition to his home place he has a tract of 107 acres of hill and val ley land, one-fourth of a mile south of Alosta, upon which there is a five-acre orange grove and a two-acre orchard of deciduous fruits. He also has lands on Citrus and Broadway avenues in the Gladstone tract, which is well improved and producing decidnous and citrus fruits, besides business and residence property in Alosta, in- cluding wood and coal yard, cottages, etc. Mr. Gard is an energetic and go-ahead citizen, taking a leading part in developing the resources of his section and placing them before the public. He is sanguine as to the future prosperity of the section in which he resides, knowing it to be one of the most desirable of the East San Gabriel Valley. In political matters Mr. Gard is a stauch Republican, and has for years taken a prominent part as a worker in the ranks of that party, representing his district as a delegate in the State and county conventions, serving in 1880 as the secretary of the county central com- mittee, and in the campaign of 1888 as chairman of the Sixth Congressional District Republican Committee. Ile is also one of the most prominent men in G. A. R. circles in Southern California. IIe is a charter member of Bartlett Post, No. 6, G. A. R., of Los Angeles, and has filled the various offices of that post and of the depart-

ment. In 1888 he was elected a member of the national council of adn inistration, and in 1889 was chosen as the Department Commander of the G. A. R., Department of California, which places him at the head of the organization on the Pacific Coast. He is a member of Olive Lodge, No. 26, K. of P., of Los Angeles, and also of Los Angeles Lodge, No. 55, A. O. U. W. In 1869 Mr. Gard married Miss Kate A. Hanı- mel, the daughter of Dr. William Hammel, formerly a prominent physician of Washington, District of Columbia, where Mrs. Gard was born. The Doctor was well known in Los Angeles Connty, having taken up his residence there in 1856. Mrs. Gard's mother was nee Barbara Von Deleaur. Both her parents were born in Germany. From the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gard there are two children living: William Brant and Georgetta Miles.

OSEPH R. GARTHSIDE .- Among the fine residence properties of Holt avenne is that owned by Mr. Garthside. In 1877 he purchased five acres in block 152, npon which he erected a modest cottage, and this he occu- pied with his family. While pursning his call- ing as a carpenter and builder, he also com- menced his horticultural pursuits by planting his acres with oranges and other trees. In 1880 he purchased the five acres adjoining him on the east. The rapid growth of the city of Po- mona caused his locality to be eagerly sought for residence purposes, and in 1886 he sold one- half of his land. In 1888 he erected for him- self a substantial residence upon the remaining five acres. Mr. Garthside is a native of Utica, New York, and dates his birth April 20, 1846. Ilis father, Richard Garthside, was a native of Lancashire, England, who emigrated to the United States in 1840 and located at Utica, where he followed the occupation of carpenter. His mother, Isabella (Relton) Garthside, was also a native of Lancashire, England. Ile was reared and schooled in his native place, and at

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

the age of seventeen years commenced work at the trade of his father. In 1869 he married Miss Mary E. Lewis, the daughter of Rees and Jane (Jones) Lewis, both of whom are natives of Wales, but came to the United States in childhood. In 1873' the subject of this sketch left New York and located in the Western States, where he followed his trade as carpenter and builder until he camne to Los Angeles County in 1877. Since that time he has made Pomona his home, and has been actively identi- fied with its growth and prosperity. In his profession as a carpenter and builder he has been engaged in the erection of many of its most substantial buildings. He is a represent- ative and progressive citizen, and well and favorably known in the community in which he has so long resided. He is a strong supporter of church and school, and a consistent member of the Episcopal church, and also a member of Pomona Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F .; Pomona Lodge, No. 246, F. & A. M., and Pomona Lodge, No. 225, A. O. U. W. In political matters he is a Democrat, but is liberal and conservative in his views. He has one child, Harry by name.

IELDING W. GIBSON .-- There is no man more widely known by the early settlers of the San Gabriel Valley, in the days of the '50's, than the subject of this sketch. The brief facts given in relation to his early history and association with Los Angeles County are of in- terest. Mr. Gibson was born near Natchez, Mississippi, in 1809. His father, David Gib- son, was a native of South Carolina, and was among the pioneer settlers of that section of Mississippi. His mother was formerly Frances McKinley, a native of Pennsylvania, and a de- seendant of an old family of that State. Mr. Gibson was reared as a farmer, well schooled in the hardships and labor attending pioneer farm- ing, but was deprived almost entirely of any educational or schooling facilities. Upon ar- riving at man's, estate lie engaged in farming

occupations in his native State and in Louisiana. He was also a large dealer and speculator in lands. In 1851 he started from New Orleans and traveled through Mexico to Mazatlan, and thence by steamer to San Francisco. After a short stay in that city he went to Sacramento and immediately sought the mines, remaining for two months. He again returned to the mines, remaining five months, and during that time made $7,000. Cattle being high in that county, he concluded there was a speculation in that business. Procuring a suitable outfit at San Gabriel Mission, he hired Mexican herders aud proceeded to Sonora, Mexico, where he pur- chased 550 head of cattle, which he intended driving into the northern counties of California. The Mexicans in his employ, combining with others, commeneed a systematic stealing of his stoek as soon as the herd was en route for the North, and so successfully did they conduct their stealing that upon his arrival in the San Gabriel Valley he had but eighty-two head left. While recruiting his stoek, Mr. Gibson de- termined to settle in the valley. He therefore purchased from Mr. Dalton 250 acres of land, located about one-half mile west of El Monte. This land was wild and uncultivated, but of a rich, deep soil. He took up his residence upon this purchase and devoted himself to its cultiva- tion and improvement. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and soon had one of the representative farmns of the valley. He was also engaged in dealing in land in other sec- tions. His long business experience, keen fore- sight and practical knowledge rendered himn uniformly successful in his operations, and secured him a fair competency. Mr. Gibson is at this writing (1889) in his eightieth year, with all his faculties seemingly unimpaired; but de- sirons of relieving himself from the cares and labors of agricultural pursuits, and at the same time make a sure provision for his children, he has deeded to each of them fifty acres of the old homestead. Mr. Gibson's long residence and identification with various interests throughout the valley and county, combined with his honor-

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

able dealings and manly qualities, have gained him the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. In political matters lie is a consistent Democrat. In 1861-'62-'63 he served as county supervisor from his district. In 1853 Mr. Gibson married Miss Betsey Aldrich, a native of Vermont. She was the daughter of Hazen Aldrich, also of that State. From this marriage there are five children living, viz .: Edward, who married Miss Alma Jaqua, now living in Los Angeles; Fielding, Brace S., who married Miss Luty Renfro (she died March 24, 1888); Blanche, wife of James S. Chapman, residing in Arizona; and Gadi S. Fielding is a resident of San José. Brace and Gadi are residing on the old homestead, and are engaged in its cultivation, giving their attention to general farming. Mr. Gibson has given all his children the benefit of a good education.

ON. J. J. GOSPER is a native of Knox County, Ohio, where he first saw the light of this world on the 8th day of April, 1841. About the year 1845 the Gosper family moved into the far West and located on a farm near Geneva, in Kane County, Illinois. When John was about nine years of age his father died leaving a widow and five helpless children. John was the oldest. Because of his very strong will and restless spirit his mother was unable to properly control him, consequently he was bound out to a farmer to serve with him until he reached his twenty-first year. To avoid the cruel treatment constantly inflicted upon him he ran away from his heartless home after three years of service. IIis legal lord placing a high value on his labor caused him to be arrested by the sheriff of the county and returned like a run- away criminal. Two more years of cruel serv- ice equal to human slavery, and again the brave spirit of our young hero revolted and declared he would not submit to the demands of his merciless master. This bold and unexpected declaration aronsed the wrath of his would-be

owner, and the next instant John was lying prostrate and senseless at the feet of a human monster, whose clenched fist had well nigh de- prived this friendless boy of his very life. With no eye to pity and no hand to help he went thence ont into the strange world alone. Seed- time and harvest, summer and winter, found him laboring with his hands until the war of the Rebellion, in 1861, called him into the serv- ice of his country. In his twentieth year he entered the army of the Union as a private in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry. Four long years did he thus act as a sentinel to national safety. The last part of his service was with the Twenty- ninth United States colored troops, as a com- missioned officer. His services were gallant and heroic. One of his legs was left upon the battlefield and he now wears a wooden one in lieu thereof. About this time the star of his human destiny came out from the darkness and its light has shone with unusual brilliancy ever since. For two years he was the duly elected tax collector for Geneva Township in Kane County, Illinois. About two years later, in 1869, he located his home in Lincoln, Nebraska. Two years he served in the city council and was president of the same. Two years later he served the public as Secretary of State. He was nominated to these offices by the Republican party, of which he has always been a useful and active member. In the management of local and State politics he became a strong power. One of the new counties of the State of Nebraska was given his name in recognition of his accept- able public service. In April, 1877, President Hayes appointed him Secretary of the Territory of Arizona. This position he occupied a period of five years and most of that time was the aet- ing Governor of the Territory. About four years ago he became a citizen of Los Angeles, California. Ilere, as it has been elsewhere, his neighbors and friends have singled him out to hold places of trust and responsibility. Ile has been selected as a delegate to nearly every city, county and State convention of his party held since he became a citizen of California. Because

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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