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 88

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 88

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

him that he must seek a less rigorous climate than Northern Wisconsin. Ile retired from his business and spent two or three winters in Cali- fornia, in Santa Clara and Sonoma connties, and in 1886 he came to Los Angeles County and located at Los Angeles until August of 1887, when he decided to take up his residence in the Sierra Madre Colony. He therefore purchased a lot upon which he erected a comfortable and well-ordered cottage residence, and also planted orange and deciduous fruit trees, for family use. Of Mr. McGregor's family there are three chil- dren living. Ilis eldest son, Roderick, is a resident of River Falls, Wisconsin; Malcolm M. is a resident of Billings, Montana; Norval is a resident of San José, Santa Clara County.

ISS IDONIA MCLAIN, owner of the St. Nichols Hotel, Union street, Pasa- dena, is the daughter of John McLain, a wealthy and public-spirited planter of Louisi- ana, who, at the commencement of the late war, owned about a hundred slaves. During that national struggle he lost his valuable estate, but by his extraordinary business tact he amassed another fortunc. He served one term in the State Legislature, and was strongly nrged to accept the position for a second term, but his business interests were too extensive to permit him to do so. Miss Mclain graduated with high honors at the female college in Minden, Louisiana. She was strongly devoted to her parents, and since their death she has spent much of her time in educating her younger sisters. She came to California in 1884 to care for her uncle, Captain Thomas Melain, of El Monte, who was an invalid, and who afterward died, leaving her to settle up the estate. In 1886 she located in Pasadena, investing some $15,000 in real estate. By shrewd management she accumulated property, which was at one time worth over $75,000. Iler extensive dealings in real estate have compelled her to devote most of her time to its care, thus depriving her in a great measure

from enjoying the pleasures of her fortune. Miss McLain is a lady of accomplished literary attainments. The New Orleans Times-Democrat published a long and able article which she wrote concerning Southern California, picturing in truly graphic style the society, homes, labor system and climate of this favored land. That article was said to be the best ever published in that city on these subjects; its influence was marked. Of course she has no idea that she could ever be contented to live in Louisiana. Miss McLain is also a portrait and landscape painter of more than ordinary merit, but she has had but little time to devote to this fascinating art. Nevertheless she has taken several valu- able prizes for hier superior oil paintings. She is also skilled in pencilings and in work in India ink. Her brother, Captain L. D. Mclain, is the owner of the largest cotton-seed oil mill in America, located at Monroe, Louisiana. The public finds the St. Nicholas Hotel at Pasadena conducted in a very neat and liberal manner; everything is first-class.

ILLIAM. T. MARTIN .- Among the well-known residents of the city of Pomona is the subject of this sketch. A review of his life, although briefly stated, is of interest. Mr. Martin is a native of Texas. He was born in Red River County, in 1844. In 1853 his father, William C. Martin (whose history is included in this volume), came with his family to California and located near El Monte, in Los Angeles County. There the sub- ject of this sketch was reared and received his education in the public schools. He was brought up as a farmer, but at the age of nineteen years engaged in teaching school. In 1864 he went to lIcaldsburg, Sonoma County, and entercd upon a course of study in the Sotoyome Insti- tute. After a year devoted to study in that in- stitution, he resumed his teaching. Mr. Martin was a skillful penman, and for several years was engaged at various places as teacher of penman-

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ship. In 1865 he was united in marriage with Naney M. Thompson, the daughter of Samuel S. and Margaret (McKamy) Thompson. Her father was a native of Virginia and her mother was born in Tennessee. They settled in Harrison County, Texas, where Mrs. Martin was born, and in 1852 came to California and located in El Monte, Los Angeles County. In 1869 Mr. Martin located at San Dimas Cañon, and there engaged in farming and bee-raising until 1871. In that year he came to the San José Valley and located about four miles northeast of Po- mona, where he took up 160 acres of Govern- ment land, npon which he conducted agricultural pursuits until 1884. At that time he sold out and took up his residence upon a fifteen-aere traet on the corner of Fifth street and Town avenue, block 174, in Pomona, which he improved by planting citrus and decidnous fruits, and erecting a comfortable two-story residence, barns, etc. Since that time he has devoted himself to horticultural pursuits. Mr. Martin is an ener- getic and progressive citizen and closely identi- fied with the building up of the city in which he resides. IIe is a Democrat in polities and has always taken a deep interest in the success of his party. In November, 1884, he was the Dem- oeratie nominee in the Seventy-eighth Assembly District of Los Angeles for the Assembly and was defeated by seventeen votes only. He has been a prominent worker and a delegate in many of the county conventions. In 1886 he was elected supervisor of the first supervisorial district of Los Angeles County, term of office four years. He has also served several years as a justice of the peace and school trustee. He is a promi- nent member of Pomona Lodge, No. 246, F. & A. M., which lodge he organized and was its mas- ter in the years 1877, '78, '80, '81, '82 and '83. He is also a member of Etna Lodge, No. 107, Knights of Pythias, and Knights of Labor of Po- mona. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have seven children living, viz .: John Samuel, who graduated from the grammar department of the public schools in Pomona in June, 1888, and has since graduated from the Woodbury Business College of Los

Angeles City, in May, 1889; Thomas Claibourn, Richard Riley, Floretta Caroline, Hugh Thomp- son, Robert Andrew, who attend the public schools in Pomona, and Margaret Mary, the baby. The first child, Gabriel Matthew, died January 13, 1878, near twelve years of age.

S. MILLS, a prominent business man of Pasadena, was born near Perth, Ontario, Canada, August 11, 1853. His father was a manufacturer of woolen cloth, and the snb- ject of this sketch for several years worked in the factory with his father during the summer seasons and attended school winters. At the age of fifteen years he went to the Marmora gold mines and worked as "all round boy," but by industrions attention to business he soon learned mining in all its branches, when he was given positions of trust and responsibility. After operating in the gold mines he was engaged in the Blairton iron mines, part of the time as engineer. Then, until he was twenty-one years of age, he was a clerk in the general store of Mr. John Petus, in Hastings, Ontario, at a salary of $100 a year and expenses. During the latter period he suffered from congestion of the lungs, and in the spring of 1875 his phy- sieian advised a change of elimate, when he con- cluded to come to California. He first came to Los Angeles, where he was employed by Thomas A. Garey, nurseryman, for $30 a month and expenses. At the expiration of a year and a half he moved to Pasadena and took charge of the orange and lemon grove and vineyards of A. O. Porter. During the fourteen months he was thus engaged he established the present fine orchard on the Swiss Cottage property. By hard work and strict economy he saved some money, with which he has bought seven and a half acres of land, paying one-third cash in ad- vance. By this movement he obtained a sub- stantial start, and was enabled to purchase twenty- five acres on Fair Oaks avenue at $150 an acre, Twenty acres of this is now known as the Mills

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

tract. Subdividing this into building lots, he has sold off abont $50,000 worth and still re- tains about one-third of the tract. He has been an extensive orchard-planter, having set out the Mntual Orchard tract of 210 acres, the mag- nificent place of J. W. Hugos, Esq., containing 200 acres, and many others, aggregating fully one-eighth of all the trees and vines in Pasadena. In 1887, with a partner, Mr. Mills engaged in the produce commission business in Colton, but his partner's mismanagement prevented success. Subsequently Mr. Mills, in partnership with W. S. Arnold, entered the real-estate business, and still later took in another partner, W. L. Woodward, the firm name now being Arnold & Mills Co. Mr. Mills is sole owner of the prop- erty of the Pasadena Brick Company, a director in the Lordsburg Hotel Company and in the Security Title and Abstract Insurance Company of Southern California, located in Los Angeles; and he is one of the largest stockholders in the Pasadena Syndicate at Lordsburg. Mr. Mills has had many varied experiences with Mexican bandits, and many a narrow escape with his life. In June, 1880, he was married to Miss Sarah Letitia Gladney, a daughter of one of the pio- neers of Ontario. Of their two sons only one is living. Mrs. Mills has contributed in many ways to her husband's welfare, and much of his snecess is due to her efforts; and he appreciates it. When he first came to California he had only 85; now he enjoys a comfortable fortune.

EORGE EDWARD LONG was born at Athens, Georgia, January 16, 1819. Mr. Long, when a young man, was a volunteer in the Seminole war in Florida. In 1842 he married Miss L. A. Talbot. They lived two years in Mobile, Alabama, and after that in Louisiana till 1847, when they moved to Texas. Mr. Long came to California in 1849, and re- mained some months, when he went back after his family, who came with him to this State in 1852. Except about eleven years in Tulare

Connty, where he engaged in stock-raising and farming, Mr. Long made his home in Los An- geles County, mostly, till his death, which occurred at his home on Date street in this city, February 22, 1888, he being at the time in his seventieth year. His widow still survives him, together with an only daughter who married William East, now living near Downey, this county, and also several grandchildren. Mr. Long was respected by all who knew him. He was a singularly honest and truthful man. He could not be swerved one iota from his convic- tions of right and duty by any consideration whatever. He left a good name to his family and to his descendants that they must cherish as a precious heritage.

ALEXANDER McLEAN was born in Ver- gennes, Kent County, Michigan, his parents being Hector and Rebecca Mc- Lean, well-to-do farmers and of Scotch extraction. The mother died when he was an infant, and the father when he was nine years of age. Two elder brothers being in the Union army where they lost their lives, he was thus early in life, with three other minor children -- two brothers and a sister -- thrown largely upon his own re- sources. Until he was seventeen years old he worked for farmers in the summer and attended public and private schools in the winter. After that he taught a common school for two terms, then attended the Michigan State Normal School for two years, pursuing the common school and classical courses of study. In 1876 Mr. McLean came to California and located in Lompoc Col- ony, Santa Bárbara County. Obtaining a first- grade State certificate, he taught school for two years, after which he was nominated county superintendent of schools by the Republican party, but was defeated by a very popular can- didate, II. G. Thurmand, who has held that office for the past fourteen years. In 1884 he was nominated assemblyman by the Republican party and elected, being the first Republican

G. G. . Long

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

assemblyman elected from that county for many years. He served in the Legislature two years and was commended by the press of both parties in the county, and gained the reputation of being an honest and capable legislator. Among other services rendered, Mr. McLean has the honor of first introducing and paving the way for its passage at a subsequent session, the bill providing that " all pupils in the public schools of the State shall be instructed in physiology and hygiene with special reference to the effects of narcotics and stimulants on the human sys- tem." He also served on the committees on Municipal Corporations, County and Township Government, and Education. In the way of private business, Mr. McLean has dealt in real estate, was engaged for some time in the cattle and sheep business, and for three years was editor and proprietor of the Lompoc Record Santa Barbara County. He came to Pasadena in 1887, invested in city property, and engaged in the insurance and real-estate business with Knight, McLean & Co., and was made a mem- ber of the city council in February, 1889, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Edison Turner, which position he still retains. Mr. McLean was married in June, 1886, to Mae A. Broughton, an accomplished young lady of Lompoc, Santa Barbara County. They have one child, and constitute a happy family.

JON. THOMAS D. MOTT .- In the history of Los Angeles, as of most other cities that have grown into commercial prominence, there have been times when its future seemed to hinge upon the determination of various public issnes in the wise solution of which breadth of character, keen foresight and moral courage were largely involved. Fortunately the City of the Angels has for years past had among its citizens several men possessing these invaln- able qualities of brain and heart, to whom it chiefly owes its most brilliant achievements as a city, and of those men none have figured more

conspicuously than the subject of this biographi- cal sketch, the IIon. Thomas D. Mott. Mr. Mott is a native of Saratoga County, New York, and was born near Schuylerville on the Hudson, July 31, 1829. IIis boyhood was spent at his native home where he acquired a good common-school education, and at the age of fifteen launched ont into the world full of the hope and vigor which constitutes so important a factor in a successful business career. IIis first practical business experience was gained as a salesman in a general store of his home town. The discov- ery of gold in California, in the year 1849, fired his ambition and he at once, turning his face westward, determined to seek his fortune on the golden slope of the Pacific. After successfully mining for a brief time in the Northern part of the State, he located at Stockton, where he en- tered merchandising. In the spring of 1851 he established ferries on the San Joaquin River. His attention was directed to Southern Califor- nia, her wonderful climate and resources, and the year 1852 marked his first visit to Los An- geles. Without loss of time, he, with character- istic promptitude, seized the first opportunity that in the way of occupation promised success, and engaged in the livery and stock business. His genial nature and excellent social qualities drew around him a large circle of friends, and to his business an extensive and profitable patronage. He evinced a lively interest in local public affairs, and all movements tending to the development and future prosperity of Los All- geles found Thomas D. Mott one of its most hearty and liberal supporters. In 1855 he identified himself with the Democratic party, and since that time he has been regarded as one of the most worthily successful politicians in Southern California. In the year 1863 he was elected to the office of clerk of Los Angeles County, and succeeded himself in the years 1865, 1867 and 1869, at a period when the responsi- bilities of that office were most ardnons, the county clerk then also being ex-officio auditor and recorder: The duties of his several terms of office were discharged with ability and integ-

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rity. Mr. Mott was foremost in a movement to secure the establishment of a branch of the Supreme Court in the city of Los Angeles and was appointed its first resident deputy clerk, filling the position most acceptably until a change of administration brought about a new appoint- ment. In 1871 Mr. Mott was chosen to repre- sent hislegislative district in the State Assembly, and while there and following his return to Los Angeles rendered the public a most eminent service in inaugurating and pushing to a suc- cessful issue a movement which seeured to his city and Southern California railway communi- cation with the outside world. In 1876 he was sent as a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at St. Louis, which nominated the IIon. Samuel J. Tilden for the Presidency. In all matters involving the public weal Mr. Mott has ever shown himself a large-hearted, open- handed and public-spirited citizen, and his life has been an unusually active one, filled with responsibilities both public and private and characterized throughout by the singular energy so typieal a product of the western country. The evidences of Mr. Mott's enterprise and push are shown in his large property holdings in varions scetions of Los Angeles City, not the least of which is the Mott Public Market, a sub- stantial brick structure on South Main street, erected in the year 1886. Mr. Mott has been mnost fortunate in his domestic relations. De- eember 23, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Ascension Sepúlveda, a typical Span- islı lady and a daughter of Don José Sepúlveda, one of the prominent carly-time citizens and large ranch owners of Southern California, and of Doña Francisca Abila, a member of another well-known family of Los Angeles. Don José Sepúlveda was owner of the magnificent San Joaquin Ranch, located near the present city of Santa Ana, in this county, and now owned by the heirs of the late James Irvine. He was an extensive raiser of stock and especially of horses, in which he had great snecess and a commend- able pride. Don Jose Sepulveda died in the year 1875 in the seventy-first year of his age,

leaving a most exemplary record as a citizen and a business man. Don Ygnacio Sepúlveda, now of the city of Mexico and formerly for many years district judge of Los Angeles County, is a son of the late Don José. Mrs. Mott was born September 15, 1844, and is of pure Castillian extraction, a lady of rare intelligence and refine- ment. She is social in her disposition, loving in heart, loyal in her affections, and courageous in her living. She is firm and devont in the Catholic faith, in which she has carefully reared and educated her children, who are five in num- ber, as follows: Georgie, now Mrs. Henry Van der Leck, of Los Angeles; Thomas D. Mott, Jr., John Griffin, Stephen D. and Ygnacio Leon. These constitute the household of one of Los Angeles' brightest and most interesting families. The family residence is located at No. 543 Sonth Main street.

CTAVIUS MORGAN .- Among the rep- resentative substantial business men of Los Angeles perhaps none has done so inch-literally speaking-to transform it from a Mexican adobe village to a modern American city of metropolitan appearance as the gentle- man whose name heads this sketeh. Being the leading member of the oldest and mnost promi- nent firm of architects in the city, he has been connected with the construction of a majority of the principal business blocks and public buildings erected in and about Los Angeles within the past fifteen years. Out of the large number of such structures planned and erected by Keysor & Morgan, the following are worthy of mention: The Catholic Cathedral, the Pico ITouse, the Los Angeles Infirmary, Sisters' Hos pital, St. Vincent's College, the Orphans' Ilome, the Nadean Block, Iloffinan Honse, McDonald Block, Grand Opera House, Los Angeles Na- tional Bank Building, San Gabriel Winery, Naud's Warehouse, Capital Milling Company's buiklings, Turner's Hall, Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, First Baptist Church, Fort

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Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Los An- geles Abstract Building, the elegant dwellings of I. W. Hellman, Jasper Harrell, Frank Sa- bachi, besides many others designed and built by them. This firm is so well and favorably known that they seldom enter into sharp com- petition where plans are advertised for. Their work is chiefly from the oldest, mnost substan- tial and conservative citizens of the city and surrounding country, whose long -continued patronage of this firm is conelusive evidence of their reliability and good standing. An idea of the great magnitude of the business done by this firm will be gathered from the fact that it amounted, in 1886-'87, to $1,687,000, and the aggregate cost of the buildings erected by them in the past five years is nearly $6,000,000. Their business extends as far north as Visalia and over a large area of Sonthern California. Their office was established by E. F. Keysor in 1872. Two years later Mr. Morgan came to Los Angeles and entered his employ as a drafts- man, and in 1876 became a partner. This re- lation continued until 1887, when Mr. Keysor retired, being succeeded by John A. Walls. The name of Keysor being retained, the firmn title became Keysor, Morgan & Walls. Oeta- vins Morgan was born in Canterbury, Kent County, England, in 1850, and was educated for his profession in his native country; came to the United States in 1871, and was two years in Denver, Colorado, before coming to Los An- geles. He spent 1879 and 1880 traveling in the East. In 1884 Mr. Morgan was joined in marriage with the widow of Judge Offenbacher, of Custer County, Colorado. Two children are the fruit of their marriage to date. Mrs. Mor- gan's maiden name was Weller, and she is a native of Ohio. Mr. Morgan is one of the old- est members of the American Institute of Ar- elitects on the Pacific Coast; is one of the charter members of the Southern California Architects' Association, and has been president from its organization; is Noble Grand of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 160, I. O. O. F .; is vice- president of the Temple Street Cable Railway

Company, of which he was one of the organ- izers, and was managing director and secretary during its construction. This popular line was begun in 1884, when the population tributary to it was but 1,400 by actual census. The first cars ran over the line in July, 1885. It is three miles in length, and when the double track is completed sometime during 1889, it will have cost $100,000. The population now tributary to it is about 8,000. This line has carried npward of 5,000,000 passengers to date without an accident, thereby showing the excellence of this road and the care of its man- agement and its employés.

OLONEL W. E. MORFORD, Superintend- ent of Streets, 240 South Hill street, Los Angeles, is a native of Sussex County, New Jersey, born October 23, 1827. At the age of fifteen years he left school and enterel a bank in the city of New York, where he re- inained six years. At that time he started on a tour around the world, for the benefit of his health. Upon reaching California, the genial climate of the Golden State induced him to re- inain for a time. In 1848 he was secretary for Captain Sutter and held that position until he was obliged to resign, in November, 1848, on ac- count of ill health. He returned to the States, via Cape Horn, leaving San Francisco, March 14, 1849, and carried with him the first gold taken from the diggings and mines discovered during the mining excitement of 1848. It was sent by Frank Lemon, of Stevenson's Regi- ment, to his brother, William Lemon, a partner of John Anderson, the famous tobacco mer- chant of New York, and was delivered to him August 22, 1849, and this gold was exhibited in Benedict's jewelry store, No. 7 Wall street, New York, attracting great attention. Colonel Morford was engaged in business in New York until the breaking out of the Rebellion. He enlisted April 19, 1861, and served five years and seven months, on staff duty the most of

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the time. Ile served on the staffs of General Phil Kearny, General George Stoneman, Gen- eral John Newton, General J. Q. A. Gilmore and General Phil Sheridan. After the war he received an appointment in the New York Cus- tom House and remained there during the ad- ministration of Grant. In 1875 he came to the Pacific Coast and engaged in the real-estate business in Los Angeles, and was prominently identified with the business until the present year, when he was elected to the office he now holds by a plurality of 1,789 votes. Colonel Morford married Miss Jane M. Cochran, a native of Sussex County, New Jersey. This estima- ble lady died March 6, 1889, leaving three children: Kate, Hattie E., and William E., Jr.

Q G. MAPPA, 32 Franklin street, is a na- tive of New York, and was born May 16, 1823. Ile received his education in his native State, and entered the engineering corps of the New York and Erie Railroad and after- ward went to Buffalo, New York. In 1851 he came as far west as Wisconsin, and was em- ployed as clerk in the United States Land Office at Stevens' Point. In 1856 he located in Ean Claire, remaining there about eight years. In 1864 he came from Eau Claire direct to Los Angeles City. For a short time he en- gaged in farming and then accepted a position in the public offices. In 1867 was nominated for county judge of Los Angeles County. In 1872 he was appointed Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue and held that office two years. In 1880 he went to San Diego as book-keeper for a firm of contractors on the California South- ern Railroad, remaining there about nine months. With the exception of this short time he has lived here continuously for a quarter of a cent- nry, and during the most of this time has been connected in different capacities with the public offices of the city and county. He has had a large experience in public affairs, and there are few men in the county who have sneh an inti-

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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