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 86

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 86

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

ness steadily increased and more hielp and facili- ties were added; another, and later another, room was occupied; gradually a jobbing department was developed; and now the bulk of the goods handled is sold by wholesale, though the firm does a flourishing business in the retail depart- ment. Their jobbing trade extends along the lines of railroad to points throughout Sonthern California and as far east as New Mexico and Western Texas. Mr. Lambourn has had some experience in politics, having been elected on the Democratic ticket to the General Assembly of California, in which he served in 1875 and 1876, with satisfaction to his constituents. Since coming to Los Angeles, Mr. Lambourn married Miss Georgia Morrison, a Texas lady. They have two sons: Frederick Francis, aged nine years, and William Walter, seven years old.

ILLIAM LITTLEBOY was born in Par- kersburg, Virginia, in April, 1840. On the breaking out of the civil war he en- listed in the Union army, and rose to the rank of staff officer. On June 5, 1864, he was appointed Captain of Commissary, in the Army of the Po- tomac, by President Lincoln, and served till about the close of the war. Soon after return- ing from the army, he located in Philadelphia, where he engaged in the drug business and soon built up a fine trade. But owing to ill health, he was compelled to seek a milder climate. After spending a winter or two in Florida, he decided to move to California, believing it to be a better State for business than the Peninsular State; he came from Philadelphia to Los Angeles in 1874, bringing with him, by steamer, a stock of drugs and store fixtures with which he fitted up and stocked the drug store now owned by his widow, Mrs. A. E. Littleboy, at Nos. 56 and 58 North Main street. During the ten years following he carried on a growing and prosperons business, which, at the time of his death, in 1884, was one of the best retail drug stores in the city. Since her husband's decease Mrs. Littleboy has

continued the business with equal success under the efficient management of Mr. Edward B. Rives, a practical pharmacist of some ten years' experience. The fine store is kept fully stocked with the purest drugs and chemicals, and choicest toilet goods. The business requires the services of two clerks besides the manager.

RANK LECOUVREUR is a native of Ortelsburg, East Prussia. He was born June 7, 1830. He came to California by way of Cape Horn in 1851. Mr. Lecouvreur, who is a very accomplished civil engineer, was county surveyor four years; but most of his work in his profession has been done for private parties, in surveying ranches, etc., in this and other counties in Southern California. He was also engaged in the county clerk's office for a number of years. In June, 1877, he married Josephine Rosana Smith, a lady of Irish origin who had been for several years a resident of Los Angeles. They have no children. Mr. Le- couvreur, on account of ill health, has lived a retired life latterly, at his pleasant home on Main street. He is a man of great learning, and in former years he lived a very active and useful life; and he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

IEUTENANT-COLONEL M. MUDGE is one of the later pioneers of Compton, and one of Los Angeles County's most honored and popular men. He was born in Monroe County, New York, November 21, 1833, his parents being Ebenezer and Lucretia (Heaton) Mudge, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Vermont, and both of English de- scent. The original families settled in Plymouth and Boston in 1638. In 1838 Ebenezer Mudge moved to Lenawee County, Michigan, and sub- sequently to Branch County, where he still lives, at Quincy. IIe was born in 1804, was a mason

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

by trade, and some of the fine buildings in Buf- falo, New York, stand as a monument to his architectural skill. The mother died in 1886, aged seventy-nine years. They had a family of four children, three still living. In the service of their country in the late war, few men are deserving of more praise than is Lieutenant- Colonel M. Mudge. Ile raised a company in 1861, in Branch County, Michigan, for the three months' service, and was mustered in August 24, in the Eleventh Michigan Volunteer In- fantry. December 9 his command moved to Louisville, Kentucky, was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and remained with that army till Atlanta was taken. January 7, 1863, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel of the same regiment, which rank he held till mustered out near the close of the war. At the battle of Chickamauga he received a severe wound in the left arm. While convalescing he was assigned to conrt-martial duty, and was president of Gen- eral Thomas's court. After his recovery he asked and obtained leave to join his regiment at the front at Atlanta, and commanded a regular brigade till the fall of Atlanta, At Sydney, Ohio, his regiment captured a cannon which the citizens of that place were firing as a salute to Vallandigham and Pendleton, who were enter- ing their city as guests. Colonel Mudge's regi- ment took this cannon into their car and carried it with them to Sturgis, Michigan, where it still remains as a relic, and is known as Vallan- digham's cannon. He was mustered out of the service at Sturgis, Michigan, September 30, 1864. In 1873 the subject of this sketch went to Chicago and worked on the Evening Post, and was traveling correspondent for the Inter Ocean, and established agencies in different parts of the country. Hle was subsequently one of the editors of the Northwest Lumberman, then a monthly paper. Later on he was con- nected with two papers in South Chicago. Pre- vious to going to Chicago he had for six years been a general agent for the Security Life In- surance Company of New York, for the State of Michigan. In 1877 he came from Chicago

to Los Angeles County, California, and located near Florence, remaining there two years. Then he was partner with A. M. Hongh, in the hog business, for three years. Later he purchased fifty-two acres of land where he now lives, within the corporate limits of the city of Comp- ton. Colonel Mudge is now a member of the city council of Compton, and deputy assessor of Los Angeles County. In 1884, with sixteen others, he established Shiloh Post of the G. A. R., at Compton, and served as Commander five years. The subject of this sketch was Com- mander, during the year 1889, of the Seventh Inspection District Encampment of Southern California. Socially, he is a Mason. He was nominated by the Republican party in 1882 for assemblyman for Los Angeles County, but was defeated. In 1884 he was nominated for super- visor of the Fourth Supervisorial District, and was again defeated. During these years the Democratic party was largely in the majority, he having received his party vote in both in- stances. The Colonel was married in Quincy, Michigan, in 1865, to Miss Sarah Ashley, who is the daughter of George and Jane (Wheat) Ashley. She was born in Canandaigua, Michi- gan, November 19, 1842. Her mother was a native of Orleans, New York, and her father of Massachusetts. He was a student in Yale Col- lege, and a schoolmate of our late Chief Justice Waite.

ESUS F. MORENO, manufacturer and dealer in saddles, harness and saddleware, No. 136 Los Angeles street, Los Angeles, is a native of Mexico. He was born in Sonora in 1840, and during his boyhood he attended school and learned his trade there. After reach- ing manhood, in 1863 he came to Los Angeles, and began working at his trade and continued until 1875, when he established his present business on Los Angeles street; afterward he removed to Aliso street, and thence to his present location. Hle employs from three to six hands,

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

as his trade requires, and by fair dealing and close attention to his business he has secured for himself a good patronage. In 1866 Mr. Moreno married Miss Susanna Montano, of So- nora, Mexico, and they have ten children -- seven sons and three daugliters.

EV. WILLIAM MOORES .- A more worthy name is not to be found in the his- tory of Los Angeles than the one at the head of this sketch. He is a native of Middle Tennessee, born January 26, 1808. His father, Josiah Moores, was a local preacher and died in Arkansas. Mr. Moores received a liberal com- mon-school education, or rather, as it was known in those days, a boarding-school education. In 1834 he was licensed to preach by Rev. Joshua Butcher, who was then presiding elder of the district .. In the fall of that same year, 1835, he took work in the Tennessee Conference, and traveled three years. In 1840 he transferred to Ash Conference. Later he transferred to the Alabama Conference, for which he traveled seven years. Within this time he was married to Miss Juliet S. Hardwick, who lived only seven months after they were married. Two years later he chose for his second companion Miss E. Mariah Greening, of Alabama. She is the daughter of Eldridge Greening, a prominent lawyer in Ala- bama. After his second marriage Mr. Moores moved to Arkansas, and joined the Arkansas Conference, in the bounds of which he traveled twenty-four years. During the greater part of the time he was presiding elder. In 1870 he again transferred, this time to the Pacific Con- ference, and when the Los Angeles Conference was organized he chose that for his future home, where he has been actively engaged in the Mas- ter's service for eighteen years. Since joining this conference he has been presiding elder of the district of Los Angeles, and also of the San Luis Obispo district. He served thie congre- gation at Downey most acceptably as pastor several different times. It should be further

stated that he helped to organize the conference which he joined in 1870. He has purchased forty acres of land near Downey, upon which he resides. There he is quietly spending tlie even- ing of life, and waiting the summons of the Master. Mr. Moores and his excellent wife have reared a large family, in all eleven children: Julia, now the wife of George E. Butler; Olin G., Charles W., Faunie G., now the wife of Thomas J. Kearns; Josiah B., Lucia, wife of J. C. C. Harris; Glorvenia, wife of L. V. Glass- cock; Mariah, wife of James O. Butler; William, Orlanda and Edna. Their children are all on the coast. Charles W. is a lawyer, but is now teaching in the city schools in San Francisco.

N. McDONALD, capitalist, Wilmington, is one of the earliest pioneers of Lower California who are still engaged in act- ive business. He was born in Oswego County, New York, May 9, 1832, a son of Colon and Jane (Winslow) McDonald, the former a native of Scotland. and the latter of Ireland. They had eleven children, ouly two of whom are now liv- ing: John, in Canada, and Edward, the subject of this sketch. The family moved to Canada when Edward was twelve years of age, and took possession of a tract of land. After four years' labor on the farm, the lad returned to New York and served an apprenticeship to the black- smith's trade. September 20, 1853, in company with two cousins, he left New York on the steamship Illinois, and arrived at San Francisco October 17, following. The very next day he engaged to come to San Pedro for Alexander & Banning, and worked for this firm and for Gen- eral Banning for a number of years; then, in partnership with Horace Wheeler, now in Japan, he followed the mercantile trade in Los Angeles, and also dealt in live-stock; and for fourteen years he followed sheep-raising. In all his busi- ness ventures thus far he had been signally suc- cessful. In 1876 he built McDonald's Block, on Main street, Los Angeles. Of his large es-

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tate he has disposed of 5,000 acres, and yet has several thousand left, which is valuable. He is an honest but shrewd manager of business af- fairs, and in all of his dealings his word is his bond. October 19, 1865, Mr. McDonald mar- ried Miss Mary Winslow, a native of Argyle, Washington County, New York. They have had two sons: Winford Savage, who was born March 1, 1871, and Ranson Walton, who was born October 27, 1873, and died November 27, 1886.

ILLIAM MARSHALL .- One of the most successful horticulturists of the San Gabriel Township is the subject of this sketch. Ilis fifteen-acre orange grove is located in the Alhambra School District, about one-fourth of a mile west of the San Gabriel Mission. He purchased this land from B. D. Wilson in 1875, and in 1876 commenced its in, provement and cultivation. Nearly fifteen acres are devoted to seedling oranges, 1,000 trecs of the Tahite and Sandwich Islands varieties, and about five acres to bndded trecs. He has also 140 decidnous fruit trees, comprising the most ap- proved varieties of peaches, apricots, plums, ap- ples, etc. Mr. Marshall has kept his place under a high state of cultivation and is liberal in the use of fertilizers, and though having an abundant supply of water has not used any for irrigation purposes for the past four or five years. ITis seedling trees are in full bearing, and their yield is noticeable. Individual trees have yielded twelve or thirteen boxes, and the average yield in 1888 from about ten acres of trees was nearly nine boxes per tree. Ilis improvements com- prise a neat cottage and substantial out-build- ings. Mr. Marshall is a native of Ireland, dating his birth in Limerick in 1835, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Griffin) Marshall, natives of that country. When twenty years of age he came to the United States and engaged as an apprentice at cabinet-making in New York for about eighteen months. His failing health then

compelled him to seek an out-door and more active occupation, and he engaged in teaming. In 1857 he located in Bloomington, Illinois, and for the next two years was employed in the nurs- eries at that place. In May, 1859, he entered the United States army as a private in Light Battery E, Second United States Artillery. Ile served in that battery until honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment, May 3, 1864. His record during the war of the Re- bellion is worthy of mention. He participated in some of the severest campaigns and hardest- fought battles and sieges of that memorable struggle, commencing at Bull Run in 1861. He was through the Peninsular and Maryland cam- paigns of 1862, and at the sieges of Vicksburg and Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1863. His record embraces fourteen of the historic battles of the war, beside the exposures of skirmishes, sieges, etc. After his discharge he was employed in the Commissary and Quartermaster's Depart- ment at Washington until the close of the war. For the next three years he was engaged in va- rious occupations in New York, and in 1868 came to California, locating at San Diego until the fall of that year when he took up his resi- dence in Los Angeles. There he engaged in nursery labor until he took up his present resi- dence. Mr. Marshall is a practical horticultur- ist, industrious and energetic in his labors. IIe has. made a success of his operations and gained a comfortable competency. He is a consistent member and strong supporter of the Catholic Church. In politics he is Democratic. In 1877 Mr. Marshall was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Isabella O'Donovan, a native of Limer- iek County, Ireland. No children have blessed this union.

McGARVIN, real-estate dealer, 120} South Spring street, Los Angeles, is a 6 native of Canada, and was born June 2, 1841. During boyhood he attended the com- mon schools and served an apprenticeship to the

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

carriage and wagon making trade. After reach- ing manhood he worked at his trade in Michi- gan and Ohio. Then he engaged in the oil business in West Virginia for two years, after which he went to Southern Kansas, remaining there eight years. Mr. McGarvin came to Cali- fornia in 1875 and located at Los Angeles. The following year he engaged in carriage and wagon making on South Spring street, be- tween Second and Third streets, on the site of his new block. He built up a large estab- lished trade and carried on the business suc- cessfully a number of years, until two years ago, when he retired from active business. After his retirement he improved his property by erecting the present substantial business block. Mr. McGarvin is a member of the Board of Trade and is identified with all the progress and development of the city. In 1869 he was mar- ried to Miss A. B. Woolsey, in Kansas. They have one son, D. C. McGarvin.

ICHARD MOLONY, wagon and carriage manufacturer, Aliso street, Los Angeles, is a native of New York State, and was born in the city of Syracuse, February 25, 1839. In early childhood his parents went to Dubuque, Iowa, and he grew up and learned his trade there. After reaching manhood, he determined to come to California. Landing in San Fran- cisco, he went to Sonoma County, and remained there ten years. In 1872 he came to Los An- geles and established his business on Aliso street. Being a practical workman in all' branches of his business, he soon built up a good trade. In 1888 he built his present large and commodious factory, 140 x 80 feet, three stories in height, which when running to its full ca- pacity gives employment to from twenty-five to thirty hands. He manufactures all of his own work, heavy and light, importing all of his material,-steel springs, iron bolts, wood and trimmings, and warrants everything he turns out of his shops. By good management and

close attention to the details of his factory he has been successful in establishing the leading business in his line, and is the oldest inannfact- urer in the business. Mr. Molony has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Ellen Mnlcahey, of County Limerick, Ireland, who died in 1875, leaving three children: Mary, Mark and Clement. His present wife was Miss Kate Fennesy, of County Cork, Ireland. They have four children: William, Margaret, Frances and Johanna.

G. McGARVIN, carriage and wagon maker, No. 235 East Second street, Los Angeles, was born May 7, 1848, in Chatham, Canada. His parents, John and Susan (Houstin) McGarvin, are both living. He at- tended the common schools in his native town and learned his trade there. He remained in Canada until 1883, when he came to Los An- geles. Here he worked at his trade until 1886, when he engaged in business for himself. He employs four hands. His work is mostly on orders, and he has built up a good local trade. Mr. McGarvin has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Cottier, of Canada, who died in 1882, leaving two children: Frank and Maggie. His present wife was Mrs. Ollie Bel- lew, of Granby, Missouri. She has one son, Thomas.

M ONTGOMERY, GRANT & CO., 233 North Los Angeles street, Los Angeles, importers and dealers in agricultural implements, wagons and carriages. This busi- ness was established in 1886, and the following year the Bull & Grant Company was organized, who carried on the business until the past year, when Mr. Grant withdrew and the territory was divided, Mr. Bull taking the northern part of the State and Mr. Grant succeeding to the business here. The firm is now Montgomery,

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Grant & Co. This company represents some of the best-known agricultural implement makers in the United States for wagons, plows, mowers, reapers, rakes, buggies and traction and port- able engines. They carry a full and complete stock of agricultural machinery, wagons, car- riages, etc., at their establishment, No. 233 North Los Angeles street. They have a branch house at San Bernardino and also one at Pomona. E. Glencross Grant, the manager here, is a na- tive of England, who came to California in 1884 and was connected with the agricultural imple- ment business in San Francisco until he camne to Los Angeles in 1886. He understands the business in all its details, and is an energetic, practical business man.

ANIEL M. McGARRY was born in County Antrim, Ireland, January 20, 1842. He came to Philadelphia and from there to Chicago, in 1866, where he was in business until 1881, at which time he came to Los Angeles. Hle settled in his present home, at the corner of Eighth and Alameda streets, soon after his arrival, and engaged in the vineyard and wine business. IIe married Margaret McCaughan in 1871, and they have six children. Mr. Mc- Garry was a member of the city council from 1883 to 1885. He is a man of many sterling qualities and is respected by all who know him.

SCAR MACY was born in Liberty, Union County, Indiana, July 28, 1829. IIis father, Dr. Obed Macy, a pioneer of Los Angeles, was of New England stock and was born on the Island of Nantucket in 1801. Ile moved West with his family when a young man and practiced medicine for years in Southern Indiana. He crossed the plains with his wife and nine children, one of whom died of cholera on the way, arriving in Los Angeles in Decem- ber, 1850. He settled first in El Monte, but

afterward rented and conducted the Bella Union Hotel (now the St. Charles) in this city two years, when he disposed of the same to W. G. Ross, who was, some years after, killed by C. P. Duane in San Francisco. Dr. Macy started the Alameda Baths, on the site of the three-story brick building on the corner of Main and Macy streets, recently erected by his son Oscar. Dr. Macy died July 9, 1857. His eight children are still living in California. Oscar, the subject of this sketch, worked awhile in 1851, as a printer, in San Francisco, but could not resist the temptation of a miner's life, and left his position to rough it in the mines, where he worked with varying success for two years. Re- turning to Los Angeles, he took np a claim in El Monte, which he afterward sold to the father of Judge A. J. King, of this city. He then took up his residence in Los- Angeles, working most of the time at the printer's trade. During these times the Republican party was in a chrysalis state; and when General J. C. Frémont was nominated for the Presidency he became an en- tlousiastic advocate of his election and of the success of that young national political organiza- tion from whose principles he has never swerved. . On the election of Abraham Lincoln to the Pres- idency, he received the appointment of collector of customs at San Pedro, which position he held until the port was reduced to an inspector- ship, when, at the solicitation of the depar .- ment, he accepted the position of inspector. Ať- ter some time lie resigned in favor of George C. Alexander, who was appointed in his place. In addition to the above Mr. Macy has filled va- rions places of public trust in the city and county. Ile was a councilman for several terms, city treasurer for two years, and chairman of the board of supervisors for four years, occupying the latter office from January, 1885, to Jannary, 1889, during which time the present site of the new county court-house was purchased, that substantial structure, the county jail, was erected, and also plans of the court-house adopted. This magnificent temple of justice, when completed, will do credit to the people of

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Los Angeles County, whose wealth and liberal- ity have made it possible to ereet a publie build- ing unsurpassed by any county on the Pacific Coast, excepting San Francisco County. Mr. Macy has been largely engaged with others in the sheep industry on San Clemente Island, some fifty miles off the coast, where the sheep run wild and thrive with very little care; and where, twice a year, the owners go over and stay several weeks to supervise their shearing and the packing and shipment of their wool, or to look after the sending to market of the inutton sheep. From 8,000 to 10,000 sheep range over the island and the business is understood to be profitable. Mr. Macy married Miss Margaret E. Bell in 1873, and has five children.

W. MORGAN was born in Theresa, Jef- ferson County, New York, April 30, 1831. He lived upon a farm and attended the neighboring schools, which were held in primitive log school-houses with high pine benches for seats, until fourteen years of age; and during the intervals when his time was not devoted to his studies, he did his share of plowing and hoeing, as many of our prominent men have done whose boyhood days spent on a farm gave that vigor which enabled them to battle successfully for eminency in after years. His family then emigrated to Wisconsin, and he remained with them for nine years. About 1855 he removed to Oberlin, Ohio, where he lived for seven years, during a portion of which time he attended the Oberlin College. Ilis intention had been to complete a college course, but being troubled with bronchial affections, on the advice of a physician he prepared to emi- grate to California. After a short visit to his parents in Wisconsin, he went to New York City and took passage via Panama, and after an uneventful voyage he arrived in San Francisco a day or two before Christmas, 1862. On his way out he contracted a severe cold, and his ill health kept him in San Francisco for about eight

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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