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 77

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 77

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

of his personal popularity and readiness of speech he is always in much demand in conven- tions to make nominating speeches. At the invitation of the State Central Committee he became one of the regular State speakers during the Harrison campaign. Recently he was elected a member of the Public School Board of his city, which position he is now filling. Few men there are of his age who have occupied so many places of public trust and responsibility, yet he is not an office seeker. Recognizing his force and integrity of character, coupled with his push and public spirit, we predict for this self- made man a future far more prominent and useful than has been his past. In early life he prepared himself for the practice of law, but his physical condition would not admit of a steady in-door occupation. His principal business is live-stock and real estate, although he has had considerable experience at mining. His habits are simple and natural. He is as affable and unpretentious as was Abraham Lincoln, indeed that man was his ideal of American manhood. From his sixteenth year he has been an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Past Commander of one of the posts. In time of trouble and danger he is as brave as a lion, yet in the presence of the - weak and suffering always kind and gentle.

OBERT GOLLMER, capitalist, 136 East First street, is a native of Wittenberg, Germany, born April 7, 1838. He at. tended school and served an apprenticeship to the painter's trade in his native country. In 1865 he emigrated to America, landing in New Orleans, where he remained a year and a half, then went to New York and sailed for Califor- nia, by way of the Isthmns. He remained in San Francisco about six months, and in 1867 came to Los Angeles, where he was employed by John Goller, remaining with him four years. He then entered the employ of L. Lichtenberger,

in the carriage painting business, and remained with him for sixteen years. At the expiration of that time he gave his attention to improving his property. In 1871 Mr. Gollmer made a trip to his native land, and on June 8 married Miss Ana Magdalena Schwaigerer. After spending some months there he returned to America with his bride, in November of the same year. His good wife has done her full share in help- ing her husband to secure a competency, and in this, by their industry and good management, they have been successful. They have lived in their present location for seventeen years. Of their seven children, only three survive: Adolph, Amelia and Albert.

J. GARBER, of the firm of Garber & Harrington, contractors, Los Angeles, is a native of Ohio, born October 22, 1854. He attended the common schools and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner in his native State. He went to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1883, remaining there until 1886, at which time he came to California, settled in Los Angeles and engaged in building. He erected the Barker Block and a number of other buildings and private residences. The firm of Garber & Har- rington was organized during the present year, 1889. Among other contracts they have the contract for the residences of M. H. Newmark, on Grand avenne, one of the finest in the city; also the residence of Mr. Jacoby, on Hope street.

RANK ASBURY GIBSON was born in Pittsburg, Iowa, November 23, 1851. He has four sisters, three of whom live here and one in Wyoming. His father, Hugh Gib- son, who was of Scotch descent, was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and died in 1873, in Los Angeles. His mother, who for some years has been an honored resident of this city, was

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

born in the Isle of Man. She is a woman of much influence and of many sterling qualities. The family came to California in 1866, when Frank was in his fifteenth year. The latter re- ceived his education in the common schools of Iowa, and in the University of the Pacific. He lived in San Joaquin and Colnsa counties three years. He came to Los Angeles in 1872, first engaging in surveying and then in the post- office, till 1877, when he went into the abstract business. Ile is now the manager of the "Ab- stract and Title Insurance Company." He was county recorder, first by appointment of the supervisors to fill a vacancy, and then by elec- tion from 1885 to January, 1889. He was a mem- ber of the board of education for the years 1883 -'84-'85, and during the latter portion of the time he was president of the board. In 1871-'72 he was clerk and acting agent of the Round Valley Indian Reservation. In 1881 he married Mary K. Simmons, and they have one boy. Mr. Gibson is a man of high character and enjoys the respect and confidence of the entire com- munity.

RIFFITII JENKINS GRIFFITH was born January 4, 1852, in Glamorganshire, South Wales. In his early childhood he heard of America and the wonderful opportunities it afforded for success, and being ambitions and full of youthful courage, at the age of fourteen years he left his old Welsh home, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Pennsylvania. Here the young lad fell into the good hands of famons old Benjamin Mowry, of Danville, Pennsylvania, who took him and not only gave him a first- class intellectual and moral education, but cared for him with the tenderness of a natural parent, and performed deeds of kindness which it was the happy lot of Mr. Griffith to repay in after years. Ilis education was rounded out at the Fowler Institute in New York City. Then fol- lowed a few years of newspaper work in Pennsyl- vania. In 1872 Mr. Griffith visited his childhood

home in Glamorganshire, and, while enjoying a quiet retreat with his parents, he received infor- ination of the failure of the Odd Fellows Bank of Pittsburg, in which were all his savings, amounting to several thousand dollars. Not disheartened by this piece of unwelcome intel- ligence, he immediately returned to America to seek anew his fortune. This was in 1873, and he came direct to San Francisco. Ilere he re- sumed his first venture in journalism. For several years he was business manager of the Herald Publishing Company, which at one time published in all thirteen different periodicals and newspapers, including the Overland Monthly. This was during the years of the great mining boom. He saw how rapidly fortunes were made in mining, and he employed his spare moments in studying everything he could find of value pertaining to that pursuit. Then he further qualified himself by many visits to the Com- stock lode, and, by practically studying the rocks, was soon an expert. He became the mining correspondent of the San Francisco Alta, a very difficult position, which he held with honor and profit for a number of years. ITis services as a inining expert brought him a very liberal sal- ary of several hundred dollars per month, and lie soon had a little capital to invest himself in mines. His colmillos were speedily cut, and he awoke one day to the fact that he was about $10,000 in debt. Calling his creditors together, who only numbered five, he told them the situ- ation, and instead of taking advantage of the bankrupt act, offered his salary as interest if they would extend his note a year. They not only agreed to do this, but offered him the use of more money. In much less than a year his obligations were all cancelled. He made three fortunes and lost two of them in mining. He dealt extensively in mining properties in Vir- ginia City, White Pine, Pioche, Eureka and Chihuahua. After making something over $1,000,000 in his last deal, he concluded to lay a little by for after years. In 1882 he pur- chased the Los Feliz Ranch, just above Los Angeles City, containing about 6,700 acres.

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

This ranch owned a fraction of the water in the Los Angeles River, and in order to give the city a clear title to the water, abont which there had been litigation for many years, in 1884 Mr. Griffith sold this fraction, amounting to 800 inches per second, to the city for $50,000. The price was very cheap, as it was easily worth four or five times that amount. While on a trip East, Mr. Griffith visited his old home in Danville, Pennsylvania, and enjoyed a large and generous reception at the hands of his old friend Mowry and his old townsmen. Danville was a mining town which had decreased in population from 20,000 to 4,000; times were very hard and homesteads were being sold for taxes. Finding his old friend and benefactor in straitened cir- cumstances, he lifted the obligation, to the astonishment of the authorities, and no words can depict the supreme pleasure that was mut- ually experienced when he handed Mowry, then fourscore and ten years old, a receipt in full of all demands, and turned aside to veil his eyes from the scene when Mowry informed his aged spouse what "their boy" had done for them in their extreme old age and distress, as a small return for the great good they had done him in his yonth. It was Mr. Griffith's privilege still later to visit Danville when East on his wed- ding tour, and erect a handsome monument of polished granite, eighteen feet high, over their graves and to the memory of Benjamin and Jane Mowry, in kind remembrance of the loving deeds they had performned for the once friendless Welsh lad. January 27, 1887, Mr. Griffith mar- ried Miss Cristina Mesmer, a daughter of the well- known Los Angeles capitalist, Louis Mesmer, who brought a handsome fortune and estate of her own. A male heir has blessed this union. During the real-estate boom of 1886-'87 Mr. Griffith parted with nearly $1,000,000 worth of his land at profitable prices, but his work has been more in the line of actual developments of the country's resources. As only one instance which may be here eited, he is having large tunnels driven through the solid granite in the hills, a mile and a quarter northwest from

the city's limits, which have already devel- oped a large stream of water about 500 feet above the city. He is still largely interested in mines in Mexico and elsewhere. In 1884 Mr. Griffith brought his parents over from Wales, and domiciled them, with five brothers and three sisters, on the Los Feliz Ranch. By one act alone, that of conveying to the city the much sued for water, Mr. Griffith prominently identi- fied himself with its history, and by many sub- sequent occurrences has justly obtained the reputation of a public-spirited citizen.

RANK GOODALL .- Of those in this county who have made their own way in the world, none are more worthy of a place in a work of this character than is he whose name is at the head of this notice. Left an or- phan when less than four years of age, he was reared by Solomon Graves. After he reached young manhood he made his home with Eli Graves, with whom he afterward formed a bnsi- ness partnership. Mr. Goodall was born in Buchanan County, Missouri, in 1856. He came to California in 1875, farmed in Santa Clara County till 1879, then went to San Diego County and engaged in the same occupation until 1882, in which year he came to this county and purchased sixty-five acres of land. On this place he has built a commodions residence, and has planted out a fine orchard of apple, peach, apricot and orange trees. He is also devoting some attention to the raising of fine horses, and is doing a prosperous business in general. Mr. Goodall was united in marriage November 30, 1887, with Miss Sue Adams, a native of Missis- sippi. This excellent lady is the daughter of the Rev. Samuel M. Adams, well known in this and other counties of the State, where he served different charges as pastor in the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church. He now sustains a superaunnated relation to the church, and lives in Downey. Mr. and Mrs. Goodall are both active members of the church, in which he has

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been honored by his brethren with some of the most responsible offices. As host and hostess they have a cordial welcome for all, and the writer of this biographical sketch will not soon forget the true Southern courtesy extended to him, nor their hospitality which he shared.

HARRINGTON, of the firm of Harring- ton & Garber, contractors, Los Angeles, is a native of England, and was born September 2, 1848. He attended school and served an apprenticeship to his trade there, and after reaching manhood he came to America in 1868. He spent three years in Chicago, and then went to Kansas City, where he remained two years. From there he came to California in 1880, and spent several years in the inining district in the northern part of the State. In 1882 he came to Los Angeles, and engaged in building, and since then, for the past seven years, has been identified with the business here. Although a young man, he has, by his ability and good judgment in his investments, secured a competency. In 1883 Mr. Harrington married Miss Mattie Alderfer, of Ohio. They have one son, Roy Harrington.

W. GILLETTE, of Huguenot descent and son of a Baptist clergyman, was born in Elmira, New York. Ile was on the Kan- sas border from 1856 to 1858, and came, the latter year, with a supply train for Harney's expedition against the Mormons, to Camp Floyd; thence to the Sacramento Valley. Lung trouble and a business opportunity brought him in May, 1862, to Southern California and ultimate health. He has lived in Los Angeles since March, 1867. Was deputy county clerk, etc., till May, 1873; county recorder and auditor from March, 1874, to March, 1876. Was one of the founders (in 1867) of Merrill Lodge, Good Templars, which recently gave the Woman's Christian Temperance Union

the lot whereon is their beautiful temple; also of the Brooklyn Tract Company; of the first street railroad on Aliso street; of the abstract and title firm of Gillette & Gibson, and lastly of the Arrowhead Hot Springs Company, in which he is extensively interested and secretary. He married Miss Emma Serrot, of our suburb, Florence; both are members of Fort Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and have since June, 1875, resided on Temple street, near Fort. He was a Republican till the Presidential election of 1884 when he joined the Prohibition party. Mr.Gillette is thoroughly respected by the community in which he has lived so many years, and which he has served in various public and official capacities so well. He is a man of high principle, and thorough integrity and pure life.

D. GRISWOLD, contractor, corner of Wells street and Columbus avenue, is a native of New York State, born May 28, 1839. He attended school during boyhood and served an apprenticeship to the trade of car- penter and joiner. After reaching his majority, upon the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in May, 1861, in the Ninth New York Cavalry Regiment and served in the Army of the Po- tomac, and was with Sheridan's command in the Shenandoah Valley; also served under other cavalry leaders, General Kilpatrick and General Pleasanton. He was wounded and taken pris- oner at Brandy Station, Louden Valley, during the cavalry charge on General Mead's retreat; was taken to Richmond where he was a prisoner six months. After serving three years, he re- turned to New York State, and then went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, in`the employ of the Government, where he was engaged in rebuild- ing. From there he went to New Mexico, and two years later removed to Colorado, remaining there ten years, engaged in building. He after- ward spent five years in Texas and two years in Mexico. Mr. Griswold came to Los Angeles in January, 1885, and since then has been engaged

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

in contracting and building. In 1881 he mar- ried Miss Anna Sleyster, in Texas. They have an elegant home on the corner of Wells street and Columbus avenue, with large grounds and fruit orchard, all finely improved. It is one of the most attractive homes in East Los Angeles.

W ILLIAM S. HURLBUT, builder, 226 South Main street, Los Angeles, is a native of the State of Vermont, born April 26, 1837. His father was Rev. Elias Hurlbut, also a native of Vermont, and his mother, Lucinda (Stewart) Hurlbut, was a native of New York State. Mr. Hurlbut was reared and served an apprenticeship to his trade as a builder in his native State. He went to Man- hattan, Kansas, in 1857, and was one of the pioneers of that State during the tronblous times of the free State movement. He enlisted the 13th of April, 1864, in the Signal Corps, U. S. A., and served in the department of the Gulf. He participated in the siege of Mobile and at the battles of Forts Morgan and Gaines; was act- ing signal officer for the army on the United States sloop of war Ossipee. After a terrific fight with the Rebel ram Tennessee, the latter was obliged to surrender to the Ossipee. When the war closed Mr. Hurlbut returned to Kan- sas, and on the 12th of April, 1866, was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Limbocker, daugh- ter of the Rev. H. S. Limbocker, of the State of Michigan. They have two children: Grace Irene and Harry Stewart. Mr. and Mrs. Hurl- but are both members of the Baptist Church of Los Angeles.

OHN WESLEY GAINES, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing two and one-half miles east of the village of Compton, is one of the first settlers of this part of the county of Los Angeles, he having come here in Angust, 1871, and located where he has since lived. During

that time he has improved a fine farin of sixty acres. Being a native of Kentucky, Mr. Gaines possesses in large measure that hospitality so characteristic of the Southerners. He was born in Madison County, and is a son of John W. and Sarah (White) Gaines, natives of the Old Do- minion and of Irish descent. Nathan White, Mr. Gaines's maternal grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The father of the subject of this sketch emigrated with his family to Missouri at an carly day, where he was a respected and honored tiller of the soil until his death. Mr. Gaines crossed the plains to Cali- fornia with ox teams in 1850, being on the way three months, this being the quickest time made in crossing over in those days. He landed in the mining districts near Nevada City, and there engaged in mining for two years, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade for awhile. About this time he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Clamp, a native of New York. Her parents emigrated to California when she was a small child. This union has been blessed withı twelve children, all of whom are living: Will- iam A., Wesley Gaines, Edith, Sophie Lee, Ed- ward F., Lillie Belle, Louisa, Robert E., Nathan, Margaret, Clara and Laura G. Willian A. married Miss Lizzie Lord, and Edith is now the wife of L. P. Abbott, of Los Angeles.

HARLES I. GOUCHER, Superintendent of the Long Beach Development Company, has been a citizen of this place for two years. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Easton, in 1859, and is the son of William and Mary (Robinson) Goncher, natives of Connecti- ent and England respectively. The mother came to America at the age of six years. The father was engaged in the mercantile business in Phila- delphia until his death, which occurred in 1884. William Goucher had a family of seven children: William H., who is president of the Long Beach Improvement Company; Emily, Thomas R., Minnie, Jennie, Charles I. (the subject of this

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sketch), and Ulysses Grant. Mr. Goucher was educated at the public schools of Philadelphia, learned civil engineering by a six years' course in the Public Survey Department of that city, and served three years with the Norfolk & Western Road. He was married in 1886 to Miss Mary E. Ellis, of Cayuga County, New York, and daughter of Jotham and Catherine Ellis. Mr. and Mrs. Goucher are members of the Episcopalian Church, and politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He has a pleasant residence on the corner of second and Daisy streets. Mr. Goucher is an enterprising young man, and by his pluck and energy is win- ning his way to the front ranks among the busi- ness men of Southern California.

EORGE HINDS, Collector of Customs, Wilmington, is a native of Ireland, and was born in 1834. He was reared in his native country, and at the age of seventeen years emigrated to America, in 1851, and lived in Pennsylvania until 1861. When the war broke ont he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, served all through the Peninsular campaign, and participated in many severe engagements; was in the siege of Fort Wagner, and in Florida a portion of the time, and on James Island, serv- ing three years. He was appointed hospital steward in the United States army, and remained in the eniployment of the Government until 1868. He left the service at Wilinington, be- came associated with his present partner, Mr. Vickery, and engaged in the live-stock and butchering business. The firm of Vickery & Ilinds is one of the oldest and most prominent in the business in Sonthern California. They have markets in Los Angeles, Wilmington, San Pedro and Long Beach, and have a large estab- lished trade and enjoy an enviable reputation. Mr. Ilinds has been twice elected a member of the board of supervisors of this connty, and served during the years 1874, 1875 and 1876,

and during these years was president of the board. He was again elected a member of the board for four years, and resigned that office to accept the appointment by President Cleveland of collector of customs for the District of Wil- mington, Angst 23, 1886. Mr. Hinds was married March 1, 1865, to Miss Mary Kennedy, of Pennsylvania. They have no children.

M AJOR HENRY HANCOCK was born at Bath, New Hampshire, February 22, 1822. He was in the Mexican war, and came to California via Cape Horn in 1849, and to Los Angeles in 1852. He was both an at- torney and a surveyor, and he surveyed many private ranchos in different parts of California. He was also a United States surveyor for many years. He made the second official survey of the city of Los Angeles, Captain Ord, of the United States army, having made the first. Major Hancock represented Los Angeles County in the Legislature once or twice. He married a danghter of Colonel Harasthy, who still sur- vives him. John, a brother of Major Hancock, came to California with him, and is a resident of Los Angeles. Major Hancock died several years ago.

G. HATHERN is one of the first settlers in Compton. He is a native of Somer- set County, Maine, and was born in the town of Athens, August 28, 1823. His father, Jacob Hathern, was born September 13, 1790, at Bowdoinham, Maine, and his mother, Lydia C. Whittier, was born in Nottingham, New Hampshire, August 18, 1784. They had a family of six children whose names are as fol- lows: Rodney R., Hannah A., Clarinda, J. G., Philena D. and Roena M. The subject of this sketch was married May 6, 1856, to Miss Martha F. Durrell, a native of Solon, Maine, and the daughter of Daniel M. and Jane (French) Dur-

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

rell. Jane French was the daughter of Captain Josiah French, who had five wives: First, Mol- lie Buswell; second, Hannah Gill, widow of John Gill; third, Jane Eaton; fourth, Temper- ance Durrell; fifth, Elizabeth Jackman. Cap- tain French ontlived all his wives. He was a pioneer of Solon, Maine, having moved from Old Salisbury, Massachusetts, to Solon in 1805, where he died at the advanced age of ninety years. On the 27th of February, 1811, he re- signed his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Fourth Regiment of Infantry, Second Brigade, Eighth Division of the militia of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Daniel and Jane Durrell had four children, viz .: Josiah F., Jane, Martha F. and Rachel M. The mother of these children died, and Mr. Durrell married Elizabeth Somes, by whom he had six children: Naomi S., Mary S., Daniel M., Olive D., Caro- line D. and Edgar J. Daniel Durrell was a native of Nottingham, New Hampshire, and his sec- ond wife was born in Mt. Desert, Maine. Mr. Hathiern and his wife, with their two children, Jennie C. and Daniel M., left their home in Athens, Maine, December 21, 1868, for Califor- nia. They reached New York the day before Christmas and took steamer, via the Isthmus of Panama, which they crossed January 1. They then took the steamner Constitution to San Fran- cisco, where they landed after a voyage of six- teen days. From that city they went by steamer to Sacramento, and then by rail to Marysville. J. F. Durrell and his wife had been their com- panions all the way from Maine, and he and Mr. Hathern left their wives with his brother-in- law, R. B. Russell, at Marysville, while they took steamer to Petaluma, and on horseback ex- plored the Russian River territory. They snb- sequently returned to their families at Marys- ville, and went thence by steamer to San Pedro, looking for a home. They had heard of Comp- ton, and, going there, met the gentleman they desired to see-A. M. Peck, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. They first pur- chased 200 acres of land in partnership near where Florence now stands. Mr. Hathern sub-

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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