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 79

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 79

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

splendid new store, built during the season of 1888. Before leaving Europe, in the year 1868, Mr. Heinzeman was joined in marriage with Miss Antonia Preuss, an American lady, born in New Orleans. Three sons and five daughters comprise their family. The two oldest sons, Carl and Edward, are associated with their father in the drug business.

JOHN EDWARD HOLLENBECK was born in Hudson, Summit County, Ohio, June 5, 1829, where his parents lived until 1845, at which time they moved to Winnebago County, Illinois. Previous to their going West, Edward, or Ed as he was familiarly called, attended the district schools; but after the age of fourteen he had the privilege of school in the winter only, the summer being spent in working on the farm. In his boyhood days he was a favorite with young and old, being possessed of a genial dis- position and generous to a fault, both of which traits followed him through life. One little anecdote will serve to show the strength of his will power and endurance. In the vicinity where he lived the crows were very destructive to corn when first planted in the spring. As soon as it made its appearance above the ground the crows would pull it up, root and blade. In order to get rid of them, the boys in the neigh- borhood joined in hunting their nests, destroy- ing them whenever found. Ou one occasion, while Ed with several others was trying to dis- lodge a nest, a pole slipped from the hand of one of his comrades, coming down sharpened end first and passing through Ed's left foot, just back of the toes, pinning him to the ground. Of course the pole had to be pulled out; and the only time lie ever shed a tear was after it com- menced healing, when a large boy stepped on it. At the time of the accident he was between thirteen and fourteen years of age. In the spring of 1846, farming not being to his taste, with his father's permission, and with a dollar and a half in his pocket, he started out to make his own

way in the world. He worked in different places until he made enough money to take him back to the place of his birth. From there he went to Cuyahoga Falls, only eighteen miles distant, where he apprenticed himself to learn the ma- chinist's trade. By faithfulness and industry, he very soon gained the respect and approbation of his master. While learning his trade he received $6 per month with which to pay his board and clothe himself, and yet, from this small amount, lie always had money to spare to help others. By elose application he became master of his trade in three years, at which time his employers offered to take him into the busi- Dess as a partner, but at this time the Califor- nia gold fever was at its height, and he decided to start for the land of gold. He took passage on a sailing vessel, as the expense was less than by steamer, from New Orleans to Aspinwall; but on his arrival there, being too sick to go further, he sold his ticket for California and remained in Aspinwall until he recovered. He then engaged as an engineer on a steamer run- ning up the Chagres River, and afterward ran from Aspinwall and Chiagres to Greytown, Nicaragua, and then for a time up the San Juan River. In 1852 or 1853 he engaged in busi- ness in Greytown, furnishing entertainment to travelers, via Transit route, Nicaragua, to Cali- fornia. At Castillo he also established a gen- eral merchandise store and hotel; and at this time made large contracts with the Transit Company for cutting wood on San Juan River, for use on steamers. In January, 1854, he married Elizabeth Hatsfeldt, who survives him and who was in the strictest sense of the word a help-mate, undergoing all the trials and reverses of fortune while in Central America, with cour- age and fortitude, helping at all times without once faltering, and in the accumulation of their fortune did well her part. About 1856 or 1857 Walker, the filibuster, came into the coun- try, and the Costa Ricans made a raid on Castillo. They, the Costa Ricans, took Mr. Hollenback and his faithful wife as prisoners and carried them np the San Juan River some

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ten or twelve miles and kept them two weeks under a wood-shed. They were then taken by the same party up the river to Lake Nicaragua, where they were kept for two months. During the time they were prisoners their store, honse and goods were burned, and everything they had in the world was gone. Walker was afterward conquered by the Nicaraguans, and they were allowed to return. Finding everything destroyed, they concluded to return to the States and see their little son, who had been with his grand- parents in Illinois during these turbulent times. Descending the river to Greytown, they took steamer to Aspinwall, and from there to New York. On their arrival in New York, they learned that their little boy was dead. After spending a few months with their relatives in Illinois and other States, they again returned to Greytown, and Mr. Hollenbeck engaged as be- fore in general merchandising. While doing business, he bought a river steamer of the Transit Company, which was at this time somewhat embarrassed and about to suspend business. In the fall of 1860 he and his wife returned to Missouri, intending to make their home there, having closed out their business at Greytown. Soon after arriving in Missouri, leaving his wife at a brother's, Mr. Hollenbeck returned to Grey- town to take a steamer, which he had not disposed of, to Carthagenia, to sell. The steamer being built for river service, was not suitable for open sea service, and the experiment of taking her to Carthagenia proved to be a very hazardous and dangerous one; but after many trials and hair- breadth escapes, he made the voyage, sold the vessel and returned to Missouri. During his ab- sence the civil war had broken out, and upon his return he found there was an embargo laid on travel and business; railroads were torn up and soldiers quartered in every town. So, after traveling one or two hundred miles in an old farm wagon, under many difficulties, to his brother's, he concluded to again return with his wife to Greytown, and there he went into busi- ness for the fourth time. During this stay in Greytown he did a very large commission busi-

ness, having been appointed agent for the Royal Mail steamers, and also for an English mining company, shipping large quantities of India rubber, Brazil wood, hides, cedar, rose-wood, coffee, indigo, etc. Abont 1872 the Transit Com- pany again became embarrassed and closed out all its business there; and Mr. Hollenbeck, in con- nection with three other gentlemen, bought all the property owned there by this company, including all the steamers. In 1874 he and his wife visited Los Angeles, California, which was then booming, in expectancy of the Southern Pacific Railroad coming in, and while here he made several purchases of real estate, and de- posited a large sum of money in the Temple & Workman Bank, and returned to Greytown. In 1874, after varied successes with the Transit Company's property, having lost during his stay there several steamers, one of which he had built in Philadelphia, he closed out all his busi- ness and came to California. Prior to his leaving Nicaragua, that Government appointed bin Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States, and on his return he visited Washington, transacting business for that Government in this official capacity. Arriving in Los Angeles early in the spring of 1876, he soon after pur- chased land on the east side of the Los Angeles River, and built what was in those days one of the finest residences in that part of the State, expending many thousands of dollars in im- provements. This was his home until his death, and here his widow still resides. This splendid dwelling stands on Boyle avenue, in the midst of several acres of highly ornamental grounds, upon which neither money nor taste has been spared, the whole comprising one of the most beautiful and elegant homes in Southern Cali- fornia. At the time of leaving Nicaragua, Mr. Hollenbeck's health was somewhat broken from an attack of fever, overwork and long-continued mental strain through a period of years. Some time prior to his arrival in Los Angeles the Temple & Workman Bank had failed, and of the money deposited there some two years before -principal and interest amounting to about

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$25,000-he never received one cent, all being a total loss. In 1878 he became a stockholder in the Commercial Bank of Los Angeles, and was elected its president, which position he held until 1881, when he, with others, organized and established the First National Bank, of which he was chosen president, and held the position until failing health compelled him to resign. Hle and his wife then spent a year or two in visiting every section of the United States and many of the countries of Europe. Before and after his return from Europe he purchased real estate, owning at one time 600 acres situated four miles south of the city limits. This tract he improved with fine buildings, and planted a vineyard of 300 acres. Ile also owned a large tract of land in the San Gabriel Valley, planted with oranges, lemons, and grapes; and 3,500 acres of the La Puente Rancho-a grain and stock ranch. In 1884 he built on the corner of Spring and Second streets, in the city of Los Angeles, the Hollenbeck Block, extending 120 feet on Spring by 240 feet on Second. He at one time was the principal owner of the East Los Angeles and Main and Sixth street horse- car line; and also largely interested in the line to Boyle Heights; but had disposed of them some time prior to his death. For five months before his decease he was too feeble to attend to business, and his mind became somewhat im- paired, but he was able to be up and about the premises, and passed the day and evening of his death quite comfortably. Ile passed away at nine o'clock on the evening of September 2, 1885. Mr. Hollenbeck was a man of strong character, and was noted for his energy and pub- lic spirit and large-hearted generosity, always assisting every worthy enterprise, and ever will- ing to help those who showed a disposition to help themselves. Before his death he made provision ont of his estate for all of his rela- tives. Mrs. Hollenbeck resides at and presides over the Los Angeles mansion; she is a lady possessed of broad intelligence, quiet demeanor and kindly spirit. The name of Mr. ITollen- beck is held in pleasant remembrance in Los

Angeles by all who knew him. He was one of the few men whose character was not marred nor in any way made worse by the possession of wealth. How few there are in this world, when we come to study the matter impartially, who are as thoroughly and disinterestedly good, with riches, as they would have been if they had been poor, or, if, having been poor from the start, they had always remained so. Riches almost invariably corrode, or in some way unfa- vorably influence even the finest and noblest natures. All who knew Mr. Hollenbeck will agree that the harmony and beauty and amiabil- ity of his character were not, apparently, in the least prejudiced by the possession of wealth. Los Angeles is better materially, socially and inorally because he was one of her citizens. Of course this can be said of others of her citizens; would that it could be said of them all; then, ndeed, it would be an ideal city!

W. HELLMAN, the senior partner in the extensive wholesale grocery house of Hell-

O man, Haas & Co., is not only one of the oldest but one of the most prominent business men of this section of the State, his active busi- ness career in Los Angeles County dating from 1859, when he began as a clerk in the forward- ing and commission house of General P. Banning, in Wilmington. Resigning his position there in 1861, Mr. Hellman engaged up to 1870 in the fancy-goods and stationery business, then closed out and spent a year in Europe. On his return to California he formed a partnership with Jacob Haas and opened a wholesale grocery store. Subsequently Abram Ilaas and Jacob Baruch became members of the firm. Under a judicious, independent management the career of the house has been one of continued growth and uninterrupted prosperity, until it now holds a commanding position in the business reahn of Southern California. Their store and office occupy the two-story and basement brick build ing, comprising Nos. 209 to 212 North Los

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Angeles street, each floor being 60x 180 feet in area. The firm carries a very large stock of everything in the line of staple and fancy gro- ceries, tobaccos and cigars, drugs and liquors. They are among the grocery houses one of the largest importers of teas on the Pacific Coast, and are the sole agents for Southern California for the celebrated Blue Point oysters, Highland corn, Imperial pure spices, and Strattan & Strong's brands of cigars. Forty men are em- ployed to transact the business of the establish- ment, which extends over Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and as far as El Paso, Texas. Over $500.000 capital is invested, and the sales amount to millions of dollars a year. Mr. Hellman is a native of Southern Germany, and was born in 1843. At fifteen years of age le came to America, and his entire active busi- ness life has been passed in Los Angeles County.

ICHARD N. LOUCKS, one of the repre- sentative business men of the thriving and progressive city of Pomona, is a dealer in books, stationery, toys, etc., and has one of the best appointed and most complete stocks of goods in his line of business in the city. He came to Pomona in 1882, and was employed as a clerk in the store of E. J. Vanter, located on the corner of Second and Gordon streets, the site now occupied by his present establishment. He was thus employed until early in 1884, and then took the position of assistant book-keeper for the extensive lumber firm of Kerchoff & Cuzner until he entered into business, succeed- ing R. S. Bessett in that year. Mr. Loucks was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1848, and was there reared and educated. At the age of sixteen years he entered the military service of the Confederate States, and gallantly battled for his native State until captured by the Union troops just before the fall of Mobile. This ended his military service, and at the close of the war he returned to his home, where he remained until 1882, when he came to California and made

Pomona his home. He is an enterprising and energetic man, winning his way to success in his business by sound business principles and honorable dealings, and gaining the respect of his associates. He is thoroughly American, and, though a soldier in a lost cause, accepted the results of the war and is now a strong be- liever in and a supporter of an undivided union of the United States. In political matters he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Pomona Board of Trade, and is an active worker in ad- vancing such enterprises as will redound to the benefit of his chosen city. He is also a mem- ber of Etna Lodge, No. 107, Knights of Py- thias, of Pomona. In 1872 Mr. Loucks married Miss Ida B. Roberts, a native of Louisiana. She died in 1880, leaving three children: George Roberts, Frank Henry and Sylvester Day. His second inarriage was in 1885, to Miss Cora Cromer, a native of Indiana. From this union there is one child, Richard Frederick.

LBERT H. HOYT is one of the California pioneers of 1849, and for more than thirty- five years has been a resident of Los An- geles County, closely identified with its marvelous growth and prosperity. He is a native of New York, dating his birth in Orange County, in 1830. His father, Rev. Albert Hoyt, of the Episcopal Church, was also born in New York, and was a descendant of an old family in Con- nectient. His mother, whose inaiden name was Gertrude Lawrence, was from one of the promi- nent families of New York. Mr. Hoyt's father died in 1831, leaving him to the care of his mother, by whom he was reared and educated. He finished his studies at Rutger's College in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He thien engaged in teaching. . The California gold fever of 1848 and 1849 swept over the country and claimed him as a victim. In February, 1849, he em- barked on board the bark Clarisa Perkins, for the Golden State. He was one of a company of 120 men who had chartered that vessel for a

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voyage around Cape Horn to San Francisco. The vessel left New York Harbor February 6, 1849, and it was not until September 16 that they entered the Golden Gate of San Francisco Harbor. Soon after his arrival in that city, Mr. Hoyt sought his fortunes in the mines on the American River, where he remained for abont six months. Not meeting with the de- sired success or reaping a rich harvest from his labors, he returned to Sacramento, and then located in Solano County, where he engaged in farming, continuing there until 1853. In the latter year his mother, coming from the East, joined him at Benicia, and they came to Los Angeles at once. He located in the San Gabriel Valley at El Monte, in 1854, and she remained in Los Angeles, teaching. There he purchased seventy-three acres of land lying just sonth of the village. In addition to condneting agricult- ural pursuits upon his farm he also engaged as a teacher in the school at El Monte, and in the year 1855 taught in Los Angeles. In 1856 his sister, who was also a teacher, joined her mother in Los Angeles, and for many years they were prominently identified with the schools of that city. His mother died in Los Angeles in 1863. As Mr. Hoyt cleared his land and brought his acres under cultivation, he abandoned his calling as a teacher and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. Excepting about two acres, compris- ing a family orchard, he has devoted his land to hay, grain and stock. Alfalfa is grown without irrigation, yielding six or seven crops each year, and averaging ten tons per acre per annum. Mr. HIoyt has some fine specimens of Guernsey cat- tle. The subject of this sketch is well and favor- ably known throughout the San Gabriel Valley and other sections of the county. He was one of those men who, in the earlier days, identified themselves with the best clements and enter- prises of the section, strongly supporting the establishment and maintenance of schools, etc. Ile has a large circle of friends and acquaint- anees by whom he is respected and esteemed. Politically he is an Independent. During the dark days of the Rebellion he was a strong Union

man, and a supporter of the Republican adınin- istration. Mr. Hoyt is unmarried, a hale and hearty man of nearly sixty years. He makes books his companions and solace when not en- gaged in the active pursuits of life. In con- nection with the life-history of this pioneer, it may not be out of place to state that El Monte was the first American settlement in Los Angeles County.

F. HOLBROOK, manufacturer of pipe, No. 43 Vine street, Los Angeles, was born in Adams County, Indiana, July 21, 1846, a son of Nicholas and Mary (Wehfel) Holbrook. During his boyhood he attended school at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and learned his trade at the same place. Then he went to Pittsburg and worked at his trade until 1868, and the follow- ing year came to California, reaching San Fran- cisco in the fall of 1869. He went to San José and was there two years. Returned to San Francisco and resided there until in the spring of 1873, when he came to Los Angeles for Bar- ber & Regan to supervise the manufacture of fourteen miles of iron pipe for Cerro Gordo. During the following year he engaged in busi- ness with Charles E. Miles in the mannfacture of water pipe. They took the contract to mann- facture three miles of pipe for the Indiana Colony, now Pasadena. In 1875 Mr. Holbrook bought out his partner's interest, and since then has been sole proprietor of the business. He is the oldest pipe manufacturer in Southern Cali- fornia. His shops are 70 x 100 feet in ground area, giving employment in the busy season to twenty and twenty-five hands. He also has large shops at Colton, where he employs thirty- five to fifty hands. He has put in seven miles of pipe twenty-four inches in diameter; has manufactured over 150 miles of various sizes since he started in business. In 1883 he organ- ized the Union Iron Works, carried it on for three years, and sold to the present owner. Since then he has devoted his whole attention

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to the development of his business. Mr. Hol- brook was married Jannary 1, 1874, to Miss Lora M. Commons, a native of Jefferson County, Missouri. They have three children: Fred W., Racine and Charles E. They lost one danghter, Jessie.

JAYDEN & LEWIS COMPANY, mann- factmers of and jobbers in saddlery, saddlery hardware, carriage trimmings, harness, shoe leather, etc., 123 and 125 Los An- geles street, Los Angeles. The business of this company, established in 1884, entitles it to con- spienous mention among the commercial and industrial interests of Los Angeles. They do a large wholesale business, their store and offices occupying three floors with a frontage of forty feet, by 100 feet deep. They have eight to ten men connected with the house, and several traveling salesmen represent the interests of the house on the road. The business of the com- pany has grown very rapidly, and the volume of its trade is enormous, the sales aggregating over $1,000,000 annually, and extending over Sonth- ern California, Arizona and New Mexico. It is needless to say, as their goods are received from their own factories, that it gives them nn- surpassed facilities and enables them to offer superior inducements to the trade. The officers of the company are: S. B. Lewis, President and Manager; Palmer Bigelow, Secretary and Treas- urer; and C. H. Allen, Vice-President. Mr. Lewis, the president and manager of the com- pany, is a native of Pennsylvania, born July 30, 1834, and received his education in his native State. After reaching manhood he spent three years in Iowa. In 1860 he went to Chi- cago and entered the employ of Hayden & Kay, the leading saddlery and hardware honse of the Northwest, and remained with this house eleven years. He then engaged in business for himself, and became a member of the firm of Ortmayer, Lewis & Co. This firm carried on an extensive trade for twelve years, when Mr. Lewis with-

diew and established the business of the Hay- den & Lewis Company in Los Angeles. There are few men in the trade who have had such a large practical experience in all the details of the business. Mr. Lewis has been unanimously elected president of the board of trade of Los Angeles. Previous to his election he had served four years on the board of directors. He is . actively identified with all the public industries of the city.

JOHN HANLON, contractor, Los Angeles, came to this city first in 1869, but remained only a short time, and then went to San Diego, where he was engaged in contracting for many years. In 1881 he came to Los Angeles and established his present business, and during this time he has erected some of the best and most substantial blocks and residences in Los Angeles. One of the heaviest contracts he has taken is for building the new City Hall, which is being erected during the present year. He employs thirty to forty hands, and is a practical workman of large experience, and gives his per- sonal attention to every department of the work.

B ENJAMIN HAYMAN, wholesale and re- tail dealer in fine carriages, spring and farm wagons, 8 and 10 North Los An- geles street, Los Angeles, was born in England, November. 5, 1844, and there attended school and served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith trade. Soon after reaching his majority he came to America, in 1869, and on to California the same year. After living in San Francisco two years, he went to Navarro River, Mendocino County, where he remained five years, and then came to Los Angeles in 1876, and engaged in general blacksmithing and wagon mannfacturing on Aliso street. He carried on the business there for ten years, then gave np manufacturing · and began dealing in ready-made work, import-

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ing all kinds of light carriage work, spring and farm wagons, etc. In 1888 he opened his re- pository on Los Angeles street, carrying a stock of fine carriages and wagons of all descriptions, and has large, commodious rooms, with good facilities to accommodate his trade. His long practical experience, and fair, honorable dealing, have secured a good trade. Ile has a large store-house on Aliso street. In 1863 Mr. Hay- man married Miss Rebecca M. Pears, a native of Devenport, England. They have four chil- dren: Benjamin, born in England, and William R., Bessie M. and Harry L., born in California. They lost one danghter, Mary Ann, aged twenty years and eight months, born in Devenport, England.

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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