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 80

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 80

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SAIAS WILLIAM HELLMAN is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born October 1, 1842. He came to California in 1859, via the Isthmus. He first engaged in clerking in the dry-goods business, in the Area- dia Block, on Los Angeles street, Los Angeles, which at that period was the central business portion of the town. Afterward the business was moved to Main street, on the site where the Farmers and Merchants' Bank is now located. In July, 1868, in connection with Mr. F. P. F. Temple, also an early pioneer of 1841, and a wealthy ranehero, and Mr. William Workman, Mr. Hellman started the banking house of IIell- man, Temple & Co., of which he became the manager. Three years later, in 1871, the Farmers and Merchants' Bank was incorporated, of which Mr. Hellman was cashier and manager; and, except for a brief period after its first organization, he has been continuously both president and manager. The Farmers and Mer- chants' Bank of Los Angeles is one of the most solid and substantial banking institutions of California, or of the country. Mr. Hellman has, not inaptly, been termed " a born banker." IIe has the trne instincts of a banker and finan- cier. He holds that the money deposited with

him, or with a bank in the management of which he is in any wise responsible, is a sacred trust; and that whenever called for, no matter what happens, it must be forthcoming. In his long and extensive banking experience in Southern California, he has fully lived up to this maxim, and he has had the sagacity to see that this very principle, if strictly lived np to, at whatever cost, ultimately, by an admirable law of com- pensation, redounds to the credit and advantage of him who acts in accordance with it. He intuitively sees that by associating with himself men who have capital, as well as sound business sense; who, as well as himself, have besides large holdings of property, in city and county ; in other words by undertaking banking with sufficient instead of insufficient capital, he there- by takes the first step toward inspiring confi- dence; and then, like the wise mariner who in fair weather never forgets that storms may come, Mr. Hellman holds that the true banker should conduct his business in "good times " in such a way as to be prepared for " bad times " when they come; and then when they do come, as come they must, first or last, as do storms at sea, he will be prepared for them; and being thus prepared he eannot well be taken by sur- prise. Although the National banking law only requires the carrying of a cash reserve of twenty-five per cent. of deposits, Mr. Hellman holds that safe banking requires that the cash reserve should not fall below fifty per cent. ; and then if loans are judiciously made, stockholders and officers of the bank, as well as depositors, can all feel secure that their funds will be safe whether the weather be fair or dark storms lower. Some of the statements of the Farmers and Merchants' Bank are remarkable as showing its financial strength and impregnable attitude under Mr. Hellman's conservative management. The one made December 31, 1888, will serve as a sample: the total cash assets were $2,911,- 810, or counting Government bonds as cash- $182,787-the total assets were $3,094,597. The deposits were $4,300,000, showing a reserve cash fund of nearly seventy-two per cent. of the

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

total deposits, and yet the bank had at the same time loans out for over $2,400,000. A bank that can make such a showing as that ought to be prepared for almost any kind of a financial storm. Mr. Hellman is one of the regents of the State University. At the present time he is absent with his family on a visit in Europe. April 4, 1870, Mr. Hellman married Miss Esther Newgass, of New York, by whom he has three children, one son and two daughters.

W. HAMMERTON was born in England, May 23, 1832. He is a son of William @ and Elizabeth (Cntter) Hammerton. The mother was of English origin and the father of Irish. William Hammerton was born in 1800, had a family of three sons and four daughters, and died in 1880. His wife was educated at a boarding school in England. His father having been a brick-maker by trade, the subject of this sketchi was reared in a brick-yard, and had very poor educational advantages; but by his wide observation and travel he has gained a practical education, and his library is one that many, who have had a higher education, might be proud of. Ile came to America in 1850, landing in New York. The vessel which brought him to this favored land was the Andrew Foster, and the voyage consumed six weeks. He worked on a farm and also at the blacksmith's trade for about a year and a half, then spent one winter in Will County, Illinois, and in 1853 he started for California. After reaching St. Louis, he determined to wait another year. From St. Louis he went to Alton, Illinois, and from there to Brighton, where he was engaged as a brick- layer. He also worked at this trade two years in Sangamon County. In March, 1856, he went to Texas, and in 1857 crossed the plains, with ox teams, to California. He arrived at Fort Buchanan, now Camp Critenden, and drove team for the Government for several months. About the 25th of June, 1858, he arrived in Los Angeles County. In 1860 he went to Tulare

County, and after a year spent there he married Miss Orpah J. McCollough, a native of Texas. She is the daughter of Robert and Isabella (Shelby) McCollough. Her father was born in Alabama, and her mother in Missouri. They lived in Texas sixteen years, and subsequently went to Tulare County, where they have since lived. Mr. Hammerton moved to El Monte, where he resided one year. In 1862 he went to the mountains on Tahunga River, and in 1863-'64 lived just south of where Florence is now located. In November of the latter year he bought sixty-seven acres of land near Downey. He is one of the true pioneers. He erected the first brick house as a residence in this part of the county. His family consists of eleven chil- dren whose names are as follows: Julia, Fran- ces, Charles, Mary, Orpha, John, James, Rosetta (who died in infancy), Sarah, William and Martha. Socially, Mr. Ilammerton is an I. O. O. F., and he at present holds the office of D. D. G. P., of District 28. Mrs. Hammerton is one of the Rebeccas. Politically Mr. MIammerton is a Republican, and is practically a self-made man.

ENRY HAMILTON .- The subject of this sketch has been connected with the news- paper history of Los Angeles City. Mr. Hamilton is a native of Ireland, his birth place being the city of Londonderry. Early in life he was apprenticed as a printer, an occupation which he followed for many years. . In 1848 he emigrated to the United States and engaged in his calling until the next year when the " California fever" induced him to seek his fortunes in the new El Dorado of the Pacific Coast. In March of that year he left New York for the Golden State, coming via New Orleans, thence to Vera Cruz and across Mexico to Ma- zatlan, and from there by vessel to San Fran- cisco. Upon his arrival he proceeded to the mines and for the next year or more was en- gaged in mining on the American River and other places. Not meeting with the desired

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

snecess, he decided to turn his attention to other pursuits, and in 1850 he returned to Sân Francisco. He was there employed in the office of the Public Balance, one of the first papers established in that city. The next year he was a part owner of that paper. In 1851 he located at Mokelumne Hill, and in connection with J. J. Ayers-who at present writing (1889) is the proprietor of the Los Angeles Herald-estab- lished the Calaveras Chronicle. He conducted that paper until 1854, and then returned to San Francisco and for the following year was en- gaged in job printing in the San Francisco Mer- cantile Job Printing Office on Sansome street. In 1855 he made an extended tour through Southern California, and early in the following year purchased the Los Angeles Star. As the sole proprietor and editor Mr. Hamilton de- voted his talents and business principles to his work and the Star soon ranked as the leading paper of Los Angeles County and of Southern California. As a sound Democrat he took a lead in the politics of the country, ever working for the best interests of his party. In 1863 he was elected as the State Senator of his district and served as such in 1863 and 1864. In 1864 Mr. Hamilton suspended the publica- tion of his paper and went to Arizona, where he was engaged in various enterprises until 1866, when he visited the Sandwich Islands, re- turning the next year to Los Angeles. In 1868 he resumed the publication of the Star and con- tinned the same until 1872, when he sold his newspaper interests to Ben. C. Truman, and took up his residence in San Gabriel. There he purchased land and engaged in horticultural pursuits. To this calling Mr. Hamilton has since devoted his attention and has been suc- cessful in his enterprise. He is the owner of a rich tract of land located just southwest of the San Gabriel Mission, which is under a high state of cultivation and improvement. Ten acres are devoted to citrus fruits, producing the tnost approved varieties of seedling and budded oranges and lemons. Of deciduous fruits he has such as are desired for family use. He is

using fifteen acres of his land for vine culture, producing wine grapes of the Mission, Berger and Blanelba varieties. His land is well sup- plied with water for irrigation purposes from the San Gabriel Ditch. Mr. Hamilton has gained a large circle of friends in Los Angeles County and is an esteemed and respected citi- zen. He has for several years served as a jus- tice of the peace in San Gabriel Township. For inany years he was prominent in the Masonic circles of the county.

A. HAMILTON, engineer and repair- man of the pumping department of the Pacific Coast Oil Company, was born in Clinton County, Indiana, in 1843. His father, John Hamilton, was a farmer by occupation, and a native of Ohio. The subject of this brief sketch entered the army at the age of seventeen years. He enlisted in Company E, Fifteenth Indiana Volunteers; subsequently re- cruited a company and was Second Lientenant in Company M, Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, and was afterward promoted to Captain. There is a beautiful romance connected with his mar- riage, which took place on the battle-field of Stone River, in 1862. The lady of his choice was Miss Francelia Bean, and by her he had only one child, W. S. Hamilton, now of Chi- cago, an employé of the Northwestern Rail- road. Mrs. Hamilton died eleven years ago, and Mr. IIamilton has never married again. He is a trusted and respected employé of the Oil Company, and socially is connected with the G. A. R. and the A. O. U. W.

ENRY HASKIN, in connection with his son, E. C. Haskin, is one of the success- ful dairymen of Los Angeles County, and owns a fine tract of 130 acres of land twelve miles south of Los Angeles and two and one-half iniles west of Comptor., on the Telephone road to

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Wilmington. This was all wild land at the time it was purchased by him in 1874. A neat and attractive residence, the orchard, the long rows of evergreen trecs, together with the fields dotted over with cattle, all go to make a pleas- ing picture and to show what has been accom- plished by him in a period of fifteen years. Mr. IIaskin was born in the Empire State, and in 1841 went to Indiana, where he remained till 1862. At that time he went to Chicago and engaged in the salt trade. In 1868 he left the city and turned his face toward the setting sun, stopping for a number of years in Colorado where he engaged in mining and prospecting. Here he continued up to the time of his advent in Los Angeles County. The subject of this sketch was married in Indiana in 1843 to Miss Maria Billings. This lady was a native of New York State, an earnest Christian worker, and a woman beloved by all who knew her. She died in December, 1888. They reared a family of four children: E. C., William H., L. P. and Fanny M. Mr. Haskin is one of the stanchi supporters of the principles of Republicanismn.

M. HAMILTON, proprietor of the East Side Pottery, Wells street, East Los Angeles, was born in Brown County, Illinois, February 22, 1833. When only six- teen years old he went upon the Mississippi River, and when nineteen years of age he started overland to California by ox teams and was between four and five months on the way. He was in Oregon and served under General Joseph Lane during the Rogue River Indian War, and was in San Francisco in 1856, during the "Vigilants" tronbles. Then he returned East, to New York and Minnesota. After the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the First Minnesota Regiment and served two years; was at the surrender of Lee. After the war he returned to Minnesota, and in 1875 came to Los Angeles and established the As- bestine Stone Works; made the first cement 83

pipe that was made in Southern California; also invented the system of sub-irrigation, of the Asbestine and continuous cement pipe machine. He established his present business in 1884. His pottery is located in East Los Angeles, where every convenience is provided to carry on the general operations of trade. Ile drives an extensive business in the manufacture of fire brick, hollow brick, drain tile, sewer and water pipe, jugs, stone-ware, terra cotta, flower pots and ornamental vase work of all kinds. He has doubled the capacity of his works and employs from ten to fifteen hands during the busy season. He owns his clay mines, and his buildings cover about an acre of ground. He has a large practical experience, and gives his personal attention to all the details of his busi- ness. He is a highly respected citizen. IIe owns a valuable property of eight acres where he now resides, on the East Side, and liis resi- dence is the fifth or sixth house built in East Los Angeles. He has served two terms in the Los Angeles city council. Mr. IIamilton was married April 21, 1867, to Miss Harriet Mof- fett, a native of Illinois, and danghter of Judge Moffett, of that State. They have four sous: Fred M., Eugene, Luster, and Truman.

B. HARRIS, a farmer ou part of the Temple and Gibson tract of the San Pe - dro Ranch, is a pioneer of 1881. Ile makes a specialty of fine horses and cattle, and also raises hay and fruit, having a fine orchard, principally of apples and Bartlett pears. This gentleman is one of the farmers of whom Los Angeles County should be proud. He is a native of England, and possesses the push, en- ergy and enterprise so characteristic of the true Englishman. Mr. Harris was born in Corn- wall, England, in 1846, and is the son of Charles Vivian Harris, who was a butcher, wholesale and retail-the wholesale market was in London. Coming to California first in 1866, Mr. Harris worked in the mines at Soulsbyville, and later

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

went to San Joaquin Connty, purchasing land near Lockeford. This he sold soon after and went to his home across the sea, remaining two and one-half years, and again embarking for the "Land of the Free." After landing he worked in a saw-mill at Somersville, California, then went to the mines at Marklee, and later engaged in farming in San Joaquin County, where, for ten years, he raised wheat. He was married at Harmony Grove parsonage in San Joaquin County, to Miss Amie Tetheway, a native, also, of England. By her he has two children: Minnie and Addie. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are both highly esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has at various times held offices of prominence and trust. Politically he votes the Prohibition ticket. Mr. Harris is a loyal, honest, enter- prising man, and enjoys the confidence and re- spect of all who know him.

DWARD M. HASKELL .- The subject of this sketch is the proprietor of the only general merchandise store located at Glad- stone. IIe is also the postmaster at that place. This store was established by him in 1882, and he has since conducted it. His appointment as postmaster was in 1885. Mr. Haskell is a native of New England, dating his birth in Penobscot County, Maine, in 1852. Ilis parents, N. Ben- nett and Hannah (Shorey) Haskell, were both natives of that State and descendants from old families. When abont six years of age liis father moved to Steuben County, New York, where the subject of this sketch was reared until eleven years okl. Ile then returned to Westbrook, Maine, and entered the Westbrook Seminary, devoting the next six years in study at that institution. In 1869 he joined his father in Huron County, Michigan. His father was largely engaged in business pursuits in that eounty-Iumbering, manufacturing salt, and general mercantile business. Mr. Hlaskell was employed as a clerk by his father, and later

attended the Commercial College at Detroit. After graduating there he located in Juneau County, Wisconsin, and for a year or more was en- gaged in teaching school, after which he entered the employ of the Shorey Brothers, and had charge of their lumber goods at Princeton, Iowa. In 1875 he came with his uncle. Charles Storey, to Los Angeles County, California, and was en- ployed by him as a clerk in his store at Glad- stone until 1877. He then purchased land just north of Covina and for the next two years engaged in agricultural pursuits. Not suited with a farmer's life, in 1879 he went to Inyo County, and there engaged in mining, and also clerked in a mercantile establishment, remain- ing until 1882, when he returned to Los Ange- les Connty and established his present business. Mr. Ilaskell has considerable real-estate interests in his section, among which is an eighteen-acre tract of land on the old San Bernardino road, three miles south of Azusa; his business prop- erty in Gladstone, and also a fine cottage resi- dence on Buena Vista avenne, in Glendora. He is a progressive citizen, and a supporter of such enterprises as will aid in the development of his section. He is a member of Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1885 Mr. Has- kell returned East, and while there married Miss Dollie Rowles, the daughter of Captain Nathan Rowles, a veteran of the late civil war, and the mayor of the city of Bellaire, Belmont County, Ohio. Mrs. Haskell is a native of that place. From this marriage there are two children: Charles G. and an infant son.

ONVERS IIOWE .- One of the oldest mercantile establishments in the city of Pomona is that owned by the above-named gentleman. IIis large and well-appointed dry- goods-and furnishing-goods store is on Second street, near the corner of Gordon street. IIis first business venture in Pomona was in 1882, when he entered into the merchandise business with Edward Evey, under the firm name of C.

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Howe & Co. This partnership was continued for less than a year, when Mr. Howe, by the purchase of his partner's interest, became the sole proprietor of the business, which he has since so successfully conducted. As one of Pomona's leading and representative business men, a sketch of Mr. Howe's life is of interest in the history of the county. He is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and dates his birth from 1838. His father, John M. Howe, a native of Vermont, was a man of high in- tellectual attainments and education; was the principal of the McIntire Academy at Zanes- ville, Ohio, for a long time. His mother, Mary E. West, was a native of New York, a descend- ant of one of the oldest families of the Empire State. Mr. Howe was reared and schooled in his native place until 1852. He then started with his mother for California to join his father, who had preceded them to this State in 1849, His mother was destined never to com- plete the voyage. She died at sea between Acapulco and San Francisco, January 1, 1853, a victim of cholera, that terrible scourge of the Isthmus route in the early '50's. Mr. Howe joined his father at Sacramento and commenced life as a clerk in a store. In 1855 he com- inenced teaching in public schools, and was for several years engaged as a teacher in Sacra- mento. At this time, although yet a minor, he took a great interest in politics and was a strong supporter of the principles advocated by the newly formed Republican party. In 1856 he was the sergeant-at-arms of the first Republi- can State Convention ever held in California, and in 1861 he organized the Republican party in Lake County, and was sent as their delegate to the State Convention held at Sacramento. In that same year he was appointed a clerk in the postoffice at Sacramento, which position lie held until the spring of 1864. He then . went East and entered the United States military service as a private in the Fifteenth Regiment of Connecticut Infantry. His regiment was stationed at Newbern, North Carolina. In Oc- tober of that year Mr. Howe was stricken with

yellow fever, and was confined to the hospital for weeks. Upon his recovery he rejoined his command, and in March, while his regiment and other commands were on their way to open communication with General Sherman's army at Raleigh, he was captured by the Confederate forces and sent as a prisioner of war to Libby Prison at Richmond. Just before the Con- federates evacuated that city Mr. Howe was paroled, and after Lee's surrender was ex- changed and ordered to the front. While en route to rejoin his command he was taken sick and placed in the hospital at Fortress Monroe. He was honorably discharged from the service at the close of the war, in June, 1865, and in the fall of that year returned to California, and entered the employ of the Central Pacific Rail- road Company, as their agent at Freeport. From there he went to Sacramento, where he engaged in trucking for the Central Pacific Railroad Company, and finally as a book-keeper for the firm of Hooker & Co. In 1867 Mr. Ilowe resumed his occupation as a teacher, and was engaged in Sacramento County until 1868, when he went to Alameda County, where he was appointed the principal of the San Leandro Grammar School, and afterward of the Alameda Grammar School, until 1872. Then he came to Los Angeles County and located at Westmin- ster, where he purchased eighty acres of land and engaged in farming. He also taught school in that vicinity. In 1877 he established him- self in mercantile pursuits at Garden Grove, and conducted a general merchandise store at that place until 1882, when he moved to Po- mona and established his present business. As a progressive and enterprising citizen Mr. Howe has been identified with the building up of Pomona, and is a supporter of such enter- prises as develop the wonderful resources of the San José Valley. He is an active member of the Pomona Board of Trade, and president of the Pomona Board of Education, taking a deep interest in the school system of the city. A hearty supporter of churches, he is a trustee of the First Presbyterian Church. He is a mem-

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ber and the former Post Commander of Vicks- burg Post, No. 61, G. A. R., of Pomona. In political matters he is a life-long Republican, and has ever taken an active part as a worker in the ranks of that party. With the exception of 1884 he has been a delegate to every Re- publiean county convention held in Los An- geles County since 1872. In 1869 Mr. Howe was nnited in marriage with Miss Union Au- gusta Clawiter, a native of Alameda Connty. Iler father, Edward Clawiter, was a native of Berlin, Germany, who came to California in 1846. Her mother, Mary Gadding, was a na- tive of Hamburg. They have four children: Robert C., Edward C., Walter C. and Lonis P.

ADCLIFFE F. HOUSE, one of the promi- nent and progressive business men of Po- mona, is engaged in the real estate and insurance business on Second street, next to Brewer's Hotel. Mr. House was born in Had- dam Neek, Connectient, in 1848, and is the son of Chauncey B. and Jane (Forbes) House. He was reared in his native place until fourteen years of age, when his restless and roving dis- position prompted him to seek his fortune in the world at large. The opposition of his father (his mother died in 1860) to this project did not restrain him, and he ran away from home and entered upon a seafaring life as a common sailor upon vessels engaged in the Atlantic coasting trade. In 1866, when but eighteen years of a ge, he came by steamer to San Francisco. Soon he scenred employment as a brakeman upon the Central Pacific Railroad, making his resi- dence at Sacramento, Ile soon showed his capabilities in railroading, and after nine months' service as a brakeman was promoted to con- ductor. Mr. House remained in the employ of the railroad until 1876, the latter portion of his service being on the Southern Pacific Road, with headquarters at Los Angeles. In the latter year he purchased land in the San José Valley, in what is now the city of Pomona and the home

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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