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 91

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 91

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free trade, I apply to you privately and confi- dentially for information which shall in turn be treated as entirely secret. Such information would put me at rest myself, and, if favorable to Mr. Cleveland, enable me on my own responsi- bility to assure many of our countrymen that they would do England a service by voting for Mr. Cleveland and against the Republican sys- tem of tariff.

" As I observed, we know not what to do, but look for more light on a mysterious subjeet, which the sooner it comes will better serve true Englishmen in easting their votes.

" Yours very respectfully, "CHARLES F. MURCHISON."

Lord Sackville-West's reply came promptly and was as follows:

" (Private.) (British Arms.) " BEVERLY, MASS., Sept. 13, 1888.

"SIR :- I am in receipt of your letter of the 4th inst., and beg to say that I fully appreciate the difficulty in which you find yourself in cast- ing your vote.

" You are probably aware that any political party which openly favored the Mother Country at the present moment would lose popularity, and that the party in power is fully aware of this fact. That party, however, is, I believe, still desirous of maintaining friendly relations with Great Britain, and is still as desirons of settling all questions with Canada which have been unfortunately re-opened since the rejection of the treaty by the Republican majority in the Senate, and the President's message to which you allude. All allowance must therefore be made for the political situation as regards the Presidential election thius ereated. It is, how- ever plainly impossible to predict the course, which President Cleveland may pursue in the matter of retaliation should he be elected, but there is every reason to believe, that while up- holding the position he has taken, he will mani- fest a spirit of coneiliation in dealing with the question involved in his message.

" I inclose an article from the New York

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Times of the 22d of August, and remain yours faithfully,

" L. S. SACKVILLE-WEST."

Mr. Osgoodby, from the first, realized the full significance of these letters, but he also felt the importance of their not being given to the public, except under circumstances and at a period when they could have their fullest im- portance and significance recognized. For nearly a month after receiving the British Minister's reply, he did not make known to any except one or two of his most trusted friends, the powerful auxiliaries he held in his hands. He then con- sulted with prominent Republicans of Los An- geles County, and members of the Republican State Central Committee, and it was decided that the correspondence be made public, and the let- ters were published in the Los Angeles Times of October 21, 1888, and also telegraphed by the associated press throughout the country and to Europe. There has never been throughont the political history of the United States such a profound sensation created as was caused by the well styled " political bomb-shell " of the "Mur- chison of Pomona." The consternation among the leaders of the Democratic party was only equaled by that in administrative and diplo- matic eireles at Washington. The dismissal of Minister West by our Government and the sev- cred diplomatic relations between England and the United States, never fully resumed by the Cleveland administration, are recorded in our Nation's history; but the wide-spread results affecting the political history of a nation! who can calculate them? It is conceded that one of the most important factors that operated in the overthrow of the Democratie administration in 1888 was the famous " Murchison letters." All this time and while these events were taking place Mr. Osgoodby was unknown, and it was not until months after the election of November 6 that his name was given to the public as the anthor of that famous letter. Never desirous of notoriety, he pursues his course in horticulture upon his five-acre tract, about a mile west of Pomona, and devotes a portion of his time to

his business interests in the city. He is a well- known and respected member of the community in which he resides. IIe is friendly to the cause of religion, and is a supporter of any en- terprise tending to benefit the city of his choice. In 1877 Mr. Osgoodby married Miss Mary E. Rhoades, a native of Illinois, the daughter of Silas C. and Anna (Quincey) Rhoades. Her father was killed on the battle field in the war of the Rebellion, while serving in the United States army. From this marriage there are two children living, viz .: Charles A. and Ethel. The first child, John Logan, died in 1887, at the age of seven years.

M ARTIN OLSEN .- The subject of this sketch is one of the business men of Sierra Madre, and has a boot and shoe store on Central avenue east of Baldwin avenne. Mr. Olsen established this store in November, 1887, and by his straightforward dealing and courteous manner has built up a substantial trade, and is well patronized by the community in which he resides. He is a native of Nor- way, and was born in 1858. His parents are Andrew and Trira Olsen, also natives of Nor- way. His father was a seafaring man. Yonng Olsen was given the benefits of a good school- ing until fifteen years of age, and was then ap- prenticed to the trade of a boot and shoe maker, at which he worked until reaching his majority. Ile then entered upon a seafaring life in a mer- chant's vessel, and spent six years as a sailor. In 1885 he left his vessel in Nova Scotia, where he spent a few months, then coming to the United States and locating in Concord, Massachusetts. There he obtained employment at his trade, and was employed in the boot and shoe stores of . that city until 1887, when he came to California and established himself in business in Sierra Madre. IIe is a self-made man, a thorough me- chanie, and master of his calling. Mr. Olsen is a member of the Congregational Church, and is a supporter of any enterprise that tends to

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

advance the interests of the community in which he resides. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Olsen was married in Norway, in 1882, to Kat- rine Pettersen, by whom he had one son, An- drew. She died in 1883, in Norway. In 1886 Mr. Olsen was married in Concord, to Miss Olive Larsem, also a native of Norway, the daughter of Johanes and Karen Larsen. They have two children: Elida and an infant son.

UDGE H. K. S. O'MELVENY was born in Todd County, Kentucky, March 5, 1823. His father moved with his family a few years later to Monroe Connty, Illinois. Young O'Melveny in his boyhood had access to a fair library of good books, and he received his edu- cation at the log-cabin schools of that period, and at several excellent academies. Having commenced the study of law in his twentieth year with an elder brother, Edward, he was ad- mitted to practice by the Supreme Court in 1846. In 1849 he crossed the plains on horseback, reaching Sacramento, August 4. Soon after he and Murray Morrison (since a district judge of Los Angeles County, and now deceased) formed a law partnership. Afterward, being seriously ill, O'Melveny went to Benicia. Here he prac- ticed before Major Cooper, Judge of the First Instance under the Mexican régime (correspond- ing nearly to our justice of the peace). The exact jurisdiction of the court in that transition period was not defined; nor did either the court or the lawyers understand whether Spanish or American laws were to be administered; if the former, then they were unknown to both lawyers and judge. So the rule adopted was, to administer the laws of the United States in a Spanish or Mexican court. Judge Cooper had been longer in the country than the attorneys; therefore the question of jurisdiction was always left to his decision; and he reasoned: " Every wrong has a remedy; if he had no jurisdiction, no other court had; and of necessity, therefore, he must have juris- diction to try any cause that might come before

him." As a result, he tried felonies, granted divorces, administered on estates, and even in one case acted as a court of admiralty, ordering the condemnation and sale of a libeled ship. Such were some of the anomalies incident to the change of government in California. In 1850 Judge O'Melveny returned East, where he remained till 1869. He continued to practice his profession and was also active in politics, and in intimate relations with Douglas, Lincoln and many other public men. He was elected circuit judge in 1857 and served four years. He came to Los Angeles in 1869, and entered into partnership with Judge Brunson, and after- ward with H. T. Hazard, now mayor of the city. In 1871 he became a member and president of the city council. In 1872 he was elected county judge; and in 1887 he was appointed superior judge. He married, in 1850, Miss A. W. Rose. They have four children: Edward H. and Henry W. O'Melveny, Mrs. Emma R. Safford and Miss Adele O'Melveny, all residing in this city.

AMUEL A. OVERHOLTZER .- Among the representative farm properties in the vicinity of Covina, the most noticeable is that of the above-named gentleman. He is the owner of eighty acres of rich and productive land located three-quarters of a mile west of Citrus avenue, and one-fourth of a mile south of Covina postoffice. Mr. Overholtzer purchased this land in 1885, and in the same year commenced its improvement. At the time of his purchase it was covered with a rank wild growth of sun-flowers. He began at once the clearing and placing under cultivation and the planting of fruit trees and vines. He also erected substantial buildings, among which is a fine two-story residence, supplied with the con- veniences of a well-ordered, modern home, and large and commodious barns and out-buildings. He has a fine orange grove of twenty-five acres in extent, the most of the trees being Wash- ington Navels, and the rest Mediterranean

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Sweets. Seven acres are devoted to deciduous fruits, producing the most improved variety of peaches, apricots, prunes, apples, pears, etc. A vineyard of six acres, producing seven varieties of table grapes, is also one of his improvements. Ile has eight acres in alfalfa, which, by irriga- tion, is producing seven crops a year, averaging in the aggregate from ten to twelve tons per acre. The rest of his land is devoted to general farming. Mr. Overholtzer is a thorough farmer, as is well attested by the success he has attained upon his present farm. IFis systematic and thorough cultivation has produced wonderful results, and placed him among the representa- tive and successful horticulturists of the San Gabriel Valley. The subject of this sketch was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1837. IIis parents were Jacob and Cath- erine (Anglemire) Overholtzer, both natives of Pennsylvania. In his youth his parents located in Ogle County, Illinois, and there engaged in farming. Mr. Overholtzer was reared in that county as a farmer, receiving such an education as was to be obtained in the common schools. Ile remained with his father until he reached his majority, and then, after a year spent in farming operations upon his own account, in Ogle County, he located in Carroll County, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1864. In the spring of that year he came overland to California and located in Yolo County, on the Sacramento River. After two years in that county he moved to San Joaquin County, and was there employed in farming and stock- raising until 1856, when he took up his present residence. Mr. Overholtzer is an intelligent and progressive citizen, and in whatever com- munity he has resided has always been a strong supporter of schools and churches. He was a school trustee of his district in San Joaquin County for fifteen years. He is a consistent member of the Brethren or Dunkard Church, and is a trustee of that church at Covina. He is a stockholder in the Azusa Water Develop- ment and Irrigation Company, and in 1887 and 1888 was a director in the company. In 1858

Mr. Overholtzer was united in marriage with Miss Maria E. Harnish, a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Michael and Ann E. (Graeff) HIarnish, also natives of that State. Of the thir- teen children from this marriage, eleven are now living, viz .: Emma C., now Mrs. Jacob Schultd, of San Joaquin County; William H., who married Miss Mattie N. Finch; Michael N., Anna Louisa, Isaac S., who married Miss Jennie Finch; Jacob D., Cecelia G., Samuel A., Jesse I., Clarence E. and Carrie E. Mr. Overholtzer's father died in 1865, and his mother died in 1880.

EORGE II. PECK is a pioneer of Cali- fornia, and among the well-known repre- sentative men and agriculturists of San Gabriel Valley. The lead he has taken in agri- cultural industries and other interests of that beautiful valley during his twenty years of resi- dence entitles him to more than passing men- tion. Mr. Peck is a native of Burlington, Vermont, and dates his birth March 4, 1819. His father, John Peck, was a native of Con- nectient, who located at Burlington, in Chitten- den County, Vermont, in 1806, and was during his life largely interested in various mercantile, banking and railroad enterprises, and mann- facturing industries in and near Burlington. Mr. Peck's mother was also a native of Con- necticut. She was Alnira Keyes, a descendant from the historical Keyes family of that State, and a daughter of General John Keyes, a veteran of the Revolutionary war, who served in General Putnam's command. The subject of this sketch spent his youth in the schools. hu 1837 he graduated at the University of Vermont at Burlington, and received the second degree, A. M., in 1838. In that year he made a voyage to the northeast coast, going north to latitude 56°, and the Esquimaux settlements, searching for health. The following winter and spring were spent in extended travels by sea and land, through the West India islands and the Southern

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States. In 1841, having studied law under the late Charles Adams and Judge Bennett, of Bur- lington, he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law. Of an energetic disposi- tion, he zealously and very successfully pursued his chosen calling. After a few years, failing health again compelled him to seek relief in travel. This time, however, as he expressed it, he ceased to play gentleman. He had got to recuperate by hard work. This could be done only at sea. So striking a shipping master (for his delicate looks were against him), he was shipped before the mast; and in the course of several voyages, covering a space of two and one-half years, he revisited the different West India islands, and also South America and Europe. Mr. Peck's life has been full of con- trasts. Nothing, he says, ever amused him more than passing out trunks (of travelers, whom as a sailor he had helped to row ashore at Christianstadt, in the island of Santa Cruz) to a colored boy who in former days had been his own servant. In 1846 he entered into mer- cantile and manufacturing pursuits in Vermont, which he continued until 1849. In the latter year he came by way of the Isthmus to Cali- fornia, arriving in San Francisco on steamship Oregon, December 1, 1849. As everything per- taining to the daily history of the Argonaut may be interesting, we deem it not out of place to note a few of the experiences of Mr. Peck, who, except John M. Horner, was the pioneer vege- table and hay merchant of the Pacific Coast. "I landed," he says, "in height a diminutive boy, at the corner of Broadway and Sansome streets, with a small boat-load of my own and the luggage of several professional men who had secured passage from Panama to San Fran- cisco by shipping as stewards, i. e., table waiters, etc. Of course their objective point was the mines, and to hasten the trip they had adopted the usnal method of those days-running away from the ship, leaving their wages. They escaped by sliding down the boat tackle-ropes. All of the crew had been officers, ranging from second mate np to captain. The mines were their ob-

jective point also, and I understood that they left the ship in the same way. Once ashore, I purchased lumber for tent poles, paying there, for at the rate of $600 per 1,000 feet." Shortly after his arrival he went to Santa Clara County, locating near Alviso, where he engaged in vege- table gardening and raising hay for the San Francisco markets. He also entered into busi- ness as a hay and vegetable dealer in San Francisco. It is noted that at that period the following prices ruled: Hay, $200 per ton; clumps of cabbage leaves, called heads, $1.50 each; peas, $1 per pound, in the pod; potatoes, 25 cents per pound, or $500 per ton. He was also connected with other industries in that city until 1851, when he went to mining in the upper counties. Leaving the mines, he located in Yolo County in 1852, and engaged in farm- ing. The lands upon which he confined his operations were subject to overflows, destroying his crops; besides, that scourge of low, marshy lands, fever and ague, claimed him as a victim, and he was compelled to seek other localities and occupations. In 1854 he moved to Sacra- mento, where he was employed as principal of the public schools. He opened the first public school in that city, February 14, 1854, being the first public school opened in the State out- side of San Francisco. In 1856 Mr. Peck located at Dutch Flat and entered upon the practice of law. He engaged in that profession until 1858, when he returned to Vermont. After a few weeks' visit at his old home, he re- turned to California, and opened a commercial school in San Francisco. In May, 1860, he opened the San Francisco Industrial School, the first of its kind on the coast. In May, 1861, he became principal of the Spring Valley Gram- mar School of that city, where he continued nntil 1863, and then entered into business as a coal dealer. He was also principal of the night schools of San Francisco for several years while engaged in his business enterprise. In 1869 Mr. Peck came to Los Angeles County and located about two and a half miles northeast of El Monte, in El Monte Township, where he

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

pureliased 500 acres of land and entered upon agrieultural pursuits, an occupation which he has suceessfully conducted for the past twenty years. Mr. Peck took his land in its wild state, and has by his intelligent care and industry brought it to its present productive condition. HIe believes in diversified farming. While hay and grain are his principal crops, he cultivates decidnous fruits and grapes as well, and has been eminently successful in both. He also has a fine dairy of from forty to fifty milch cows, of Jersey and Short-horn Durham stoek. His horses, in which he takes a suitable pride, are of the celebrated old Morgan stock. As a prae- tical, thorough-going business man, he has ap- plied the same principles to farmning that insure suceess in other occupations of life. He is a progressive citizen, and one that is ever ready to aid any movement that will advance the in- terests of his section. He is a Republiean in politics, taking a great interest in the intelligent success of his party, and has served as a dele- gate in many of its conventions. Ile was a supervisor in Yolo County in 1853 and 1854, and was also superintendent of public schools of Los Angeles County in 1874-'76. He is a man of broad views and liberal education, and for years has been a member of the Southern California Historical Society. For more than thirty years he has been a consistent member of the Episcopal churel. Mr. Peck has been twice married. By his first wife he had two sons: Jolın Il. F., a merchant living in Los Angeles, and George H. Peck, Jr., a banker in San Pedro. By his second marriage, in 1864, he had two daughters: Kate W., now Mrs. Albert Gibbs, who lives at South Pasadena, and Mary Chator, . a member of her father's household.

W. PARKER is one of the pioneers of Eagle Rock Valley. He is a native of · London, England, and came to America in 1860. He first located in Chicago, where, for a period of ten years, he carried on the grocery busi-

ness. His father, Charles Parker, died in 1888, and his mother, Susan Parker, died in 1885. They had eight children, all living and married, the subject of this sketch being the only one of the family who ever came to America. He was married in Chicago in 1868 to Miss Ruth M. Orchard, of Steuben County, New York, the daughter of Thomas Orchard, an Englishman. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker the following children have been born: Alice E., wife of Prof. William Frackelton; Arthur, Etta May, Ruth Susan and Edith. Mr. Parker has a most beautiful tract of fifty-five acres in Eagle Rock Valley, which he has brought to almost a perfeet state of cul- tivation. He has a fine orchard and fruits of all kinds, and makes a specialty of rose culture. He has 1,000 rose trees, representing 100 dif- ferent varieties, all in full bloom, presenting a sight, most beautiful to behold, and has proved it to be a very profitable as well as pleasant in- dustry. From his residence one has a most magnificent view over this beautiful and rapidly improving valley, from the Eagle Rock itself on the east to the ocean on the west. A few more men having the energy and enterprise which Mr. Parker has brought from Chicago will soon make Eagle Rock Valley one of the richest and prettiest places in Los Angeles County.

H. PUTNAM came to California in 1861 from Iowa. He was born in Illinois in September, 1830, a son of Daniel Green Putnam, who was a native of Massachusetts and a direct deseendant of the celebrated General Israel Putnam. Daniel Putnam married Eliza- beth Washborn, also of Massaeliusetts, and to them were born six children, of which the sub- ject of this sketch was the second. All except one, the oldest daughter, are still living. The father died in 1843, aged forty-two years, after which his widow married Morris Martin, and this union was blessed with three children. She died in 1857. Mr. Putnam grew to manliood in Lee County, Iowa, to which place his father

Cymb Perry

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

had moved in 1842. He there married the lady of his choice, Miss Hannah Farley, a native of Iowa, and daughter of Drury Farley, formerly of Virginia. Her mother's maiden name was Pally Tade, also from the Old Dominion, and of German extraction. Of this marriage three children were born: Lonisa, George and Mark. On account of his wife's ill health Mr. Putnam sold his farm of 180 acres in Iowa, and moved to California. She died in 1863, in El Dorado County, at which place Mr. Putnam was engaged in the copper mines. Fifteen years later the subject of this sketch was again united in mar- riage, choosing for his second wife Mrs. Jemima Vandecar, nee Jemima Staff. She had five chil- dren by her previous marriage, and six by her union with Mr. Putnam. Their names are as follows: Howard, Mand, Lillie, Israel, Cleve- land and Mabel. Mr. Putnam has traveled over the State considerably; first farmed in Sonoma Connty; in 1863 went to the copper mines of El Dorado County; subsequently returned to Sonoma County, where he engaged in farming three years; in 1868 went to San Diego County, and in 1872 came to Los Angeles County. He purchased forty acres near Orange and farmed until 1887, when he bought the fifty-five acres where he now lives, one mile south of Whittier. His leading industry in the future will be rais- ing the English walnut, of which fruit he has a fine young orchard.

ILLIAM HIAYES PERRY was born October 17, 1832, near Newark, Ohio, where he spent his boyhood. In 1853, partly on account of his health, he started for California overland with Colonel Hollister, of Santa Bárbara, who crossed the plains that year with stock, sheep, cattle and horses. The party crossed the Missouri River at Bennett's Ferry, south of Council Bluffs. It consisted of abont fifty men and five ladies. On their ronte they were much annoyed by the Indians. The party came into California via Salt Lake City,

thence south via San Bernardino to Los Ange- les, arriving in Los Angeles in February, 1854. Mr. Perry tells an amusing story of his first arrival in Los Angeles. Like so many others, before and since, at the end of his long overland journey he arrived here worn out, dead broke, and very nearly naked. The first thing he did was to try to get a snit of clothes on credit, which would require considerable cheek. He inade his way into a store and told his story to the proprietor, who was an entire stranger, and asked to be trusted until he could earn enough money to pay for the cheapest snit of clothes he had in the store. Notwithstanding his ragged appearance, the proprietor of the store seemed to be favorably impressed, and not only offered to trust him for a plain working suit, but also insisted that he take a second and better snit to wear to church and other places requiring him to dress well, allowing him his own time to pay for them both. Mr. Perry says he felt so grate- ful for this kindness to him, ever since, that he could never fully repay the kindly act of one who befriended him when destitute and " when naked, clothed him." Mr. Perry before leaving the East having finished his apprenticeship in cabinet making and turning, engaged in this business on his arrival in Los Angeles. Although a mere boy he took hold with an ambition and will to accomplish all that industry, economy and perseverance could bring him in that busi- ness, and in less than one year from the time of . his arrival he opened the first furniture store in Los Angeles, and with the articles he mann- factured, and with shipments he made from San Francisco, he kept a full and complete assort- ment, and held the trade solid, and had no com- petitor for four years. In 1846 he took in a partner (Mr. Brady), whom in 1858 Wallace Woodworth bought ont. With the latter he continned in business for twenty-five years, or until Mr. Woodworth's death in 1883, the name of the firm being Perry & Woodworth. In 1873 they changed from the furniture and cabinet business to dealing in lumber, mold- ings, doors, sash, blinds, and building hard-

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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