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 92

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 92

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

588

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

ware, and finish of all kinds. They bought and built on the property now occupied by the busi- ness, extending through from Commercial street to Requena, and on the south side of Requena street, building a branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad through the property, so as to avail themselves of railroad facilities in handling lumber, etc. After Mr. Woodworth's death Mr. Perry incorporated his business, and it is now known as the W. II. Perry Lumber and Mill Company. It does an immense business; has been selling from 30,000,000 to 80,000,000 feet of lumber per annum. It has been the ambition of Mr. Perry to take the lumber from the tree in the Northern forests, manufactureit in his own mills in the forest where it grew, ship it on his own vessels over his own wharves, and deliver it to the consumer here in Southern California, thus enabling his company to defy all competi- tors. This ambition has been realized, his company owning their own timber lands, their own sawmills, their own vessels, their own wharves, and their own yards throughout the country for distribution and sale. And as a re- sult, their profits have been very large. Mr. Perry and associates organized the Los Angeles and IHumboldt Lumber Company, at San Pedro, carrying there a stock to supply the Arizona and foreign trade. He organized the Pioneer Lumber and Mill Company at Colton, to supply the territory east of Los Angeles County. He also organized the Los Angeles Storage, Com- mission and Lumber Company. This company, in addition to lumber, carried lime, plaster, cement, fire brick, etc., to supply the market. In 1865 Mr. Perry obtained a franchise from Los Angeles City to light the city with gas. Ile organized the Los Angeles City Gas Com- pany, holding the position of president and manager for five years, and sold the works, at a handsome advance above cost, to its present owners. Mr. Perry bought, set up and run the first steam engine brought to Los Angeles. In 1879 he was elected director, president and manager of the Los Angeles City Water Com- pany, which was heavily involved, and by intro-

ducing system, economy and efficiency, he put it on a dividend-paying basis, and it has ever since been retained in that position by its stock- holders. Mr. Perry is president of the follow- ing corporations: W. H. Perry Lumber and Mill Company, Los Angeles City Water Com- pany, Crystal Springs Land and Water Com- pany, Ventura Valley Water and Improvement Company, Cosmopolis Mill and Trading Com- pany, of Washington Territory, and director and one of the organizers of the Southern Califor- nia Insurance Company, and also director of several other corporations. Mr. Perry, as will be seen from the foregoing, is a very busy man; in fact he is one of the astntest and most enter- prising, far-seeing and successful business men on the Pacific Coast. His keen insight enables him to forecast with surprising accuracy what enterprises will be profitable and what not, and it is a remarkable fact that he has seldom asso- ciated himself with any business that has not been a great financial success. In 1858 Mr. Perry married Miss Elizabeth M. Dalton, of this city. They have three children living, viz .: Mrs. Mamie Perry Davis, Charles Frederic, and Miss Florence. The two daughters are fine musicians. Mrs. Davis, the elder, received hier musical education and graduated from the Con- servatory of Milan, Italy, where she was a special pupil of that celebrated master, San Giovanni, and where she made a most successful debut as a prima donna in an engagement of seventeen successive nights. Mr. Perry has surrounded his family with all the comforts of life. His house is ever open to visiting friends, who are received with great warmth and welcome by himself and family.

OLNEY K. PURDY was born in Greene County, New York, in 1831. He is the son of William and Lucy (Clark) Purdy, both of whom were natives of that State. Mr. Purdy was reared as a farmer, having the ad- vantages of such a schooling as was afforded by

589

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

the common schools of that date. When eight- een years of age he started out in the world to earn his own living, and was for some time en- gaged in farm labor and afterward was employed on the Hudson River upon freighting schooners and other vessels, until 1852. He then went as a passenger on the ship North American, for a voyage around Cape Horn to California. This voyage ended in San Francisco on September 1 of that year. Soon after his arrival in that city he proceeded to the mines, and first located at Auburn, Placer County, and later in Sierra County. He spent the next four years in min- ing occupations in those counties, and then, his health failing, he was compelled to abandon that enterprise, and in 1856 returned to New York. IFaving recovered his health, he came the second time to California in 1858, and located at Peta- luma, Sonoma County. There he engaged in farming and the dairy business, in Marin County. At that time many portions of the county were almost entirely unsettled, and Mr. Purdy states that the Indians were at times very troublesome, so much so that the settlers often banded together and drove them back to the mountains, which was not always accom- plished without some severe fighting. Mr. Purdy remained in that county until 1868, at which time he located in San Francisco. He was a resident of that city for the next six years, and among his various occupations was that of omnibus driver for John McGlynn, and stage driving. In 1871 and 1872 he was sailing master of a yacht in San Francisco Har- bor. In 1874 the subject of this sketch came to Los Angeles County and took np his resi- dence at the Azusa. Locating forty acres of land about three miles south of the present site of Azusa, he successfully contested the grant- holder's claim to this land until he secured a Government title. He was also during that time engaged in mining enterprises in the San Gabriel Cañon. In 1887 he sold twenty acres. The other twenty acres, which he is now devot- ing himself to improving, is located on Azusa avenue. Three acres are in citrus fruits of

the budded varieties; two acres are producing peaches, and the rest of his land is devoted to general farming. Mr. Purdy is well known in the community, where he has resided for the past fifteen years. In political matters he is a strong Republican; was a stanch Union man during the civil war, and a member of the military company enrolled at Petaluma. He is a stock- holder and one of the incorporators of the Aznsa Water Development and Irrigation Company. Mr. Purdy is unmarried.

X-GOVERNOR PIO PICO .- The last Governor of Alta or Upper California under the Spanish or Mexican régime, was born at the Mission of San Gabriel, May 5, 1801. He was the son of Jose M. Pico, Sergeant of the artillery company stationed at the Presidio of San Diego, and Doña Maria Eustaquia Gutie- rrez. Sergeant Pico died at San Gabriel in 1819, and his wife in 1846. Don Pio's recollections of persons and events in California, extending over the period of nearly a century, are very vivid and are of great interest, as he took an active part in public affairs during much of the time. Only the barest skeleton sketch of them are re- corded in these brief notes of his life. He re- members the great earthquake of 1812 that destroyed the unfinished church of San Juan Capistrano, with many lives. He remembers that in 1810 his father was put in prison, be- cause of talk in the company of which he was Sergeant, of Mexican independence, which was then much agitated throughout Mexico. His brother, General Andres Pico, who was also a conspicnons character in California's early his- tory, was born in 1810. The latter acted as General in the defense of the country when in- vaded by the United States, and he signed the peace agreement with General Frémont. Gen- eral Pico and General Frémont were good friends in after years. A sister (Maria) of Don Pio, born in 1804, married Ortega, and was still alive in this city only a short time ago. Two sisters

590

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

married in succession José A. Carrillo, and the second lived to a very old age. Still another sister, Doña Ysadora, married Don Juan Fors- ter. An elder brother, José Antonio Pico, was a soldier at Monterey; he died at Santa Mar- garita some years ago. Don Pio remembers that in 1818 his father was sent to San Gabriel on account of a rising of the Neophytes of the mission; and that the same year he was recalled to San Diego to assist in the defense of that port against some pirates. In 1821 Don Pio was employed by his brother-in-law, José Antonio Carrillo, to take twenty-five barrels of brandy to distribute among the Missionary Fathers of the northern part of the Territory, as a particular present from Carrillo, who was one of the most influential and capable men of that epoch in California. In 1828 Don Pio was appointed secretary of a commission, of which Captain Portilla was the head, which was ordered by Governor Echandia to try some charges against a Mexican citizen, Luis Bringas, in which the question of the precedence of the civil over the military authority came up and was vehemently contested. In 1831 Pico, with others, joined in resisting the aggressive course of General Vic- toria; and on the 30th of November they issned a " Pronunciamento," and they gained the ad- hesion of all the military companies at San Diego. General Echandia placed himself at the head of the revolutionary force. He dispatched fifty men under Captain Portilla to Los Angeles, with orders to imprison the Alcalde Vicente San- ehez and set at liberty several citizens whom he had illegally imprisoned. Captain Portilla, on his arrival in Los Angeles, carried out the or- ders of his superior. The same day that Cap- tain Portilla arrived in the pueblo, General Victoria, on his way south from Monterey, reached the mission of San Fernando, where he stayed over night. The next day an engage- ment took place between the two forces, just west of the city, which resulted partly in favor of Victoria, who, however, was seriously wounded; and also in the lamentable loss of two good citi. zens, viz: José M. Abila and Captain Pacheco.

Victoria retired to San Gabriel, and the next day surrendered to Portilla. Don Pio was Gov- ernor at the time of the change of Government, and did his best to defend the Territory, but the contest was a hopeless one, especially after the capture of the National capital by the Ameri- can army. Both he and Don Andres accepted the inevitable, and became good American citi - zens. General Pico died some years ago; and Governor Pico, now almost the last of his family, is still hale and robust at the age of eighty- eight; and he may be seen on our streets, a striking figure; although his hair and full beard are white, and his appearance is venerable, he seems as vigorous and courtly as a cavalier of twenty-five.

RANCIS PEARCE .- Among the success- ful and energetic farmers of this county none are more deserving of an appropriate mention than is Mr. Pearce. He is a native of England, and brought with him to this country that energy and sterness of character which are characteristic of the English people in general. He was born in Cornwall, December 16, 1844. Ilis father is William Pearce, a very successful farmer in Santa Clara County, this State. Our subject is one of a family of four children- one girl and three boys-who came to America in 1861, and were wrecked on the Great Eastern. They put back to Liverpool and remained five days, after which they continued their westward voyage over the "watery waste," and landed safe at Quebec. From there Mr. Pearce went to Wisconsin, and thence to San Francisco, ar- riving there January 27, 1862. He worked first in the quicksilver mines, fourteen miles from San José, for eleven years. Here he was miner, engineer and mechanic. From the quicksilver mines he went to El Dorado County and was engineer in the mines there for about one year. Then he went to Arizona and opened up the MeCracken mines. Next he went to Mexico, and on his return stopped with relatives in Los

591

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Angeles County, and decided to purchase a farm and make a home. He accordingly bought the forty acres where he now lives. On this tract, with his own hands, he has built a residence which would be a credit to the best professional mechanic. He is a natural genius, and can make almost anything, even to a steam engine. After fitting up his home he began to think it " not good to be alone," and accordingly asked Miss Mary V. Callaway to share his joys and sorrows through life. The lady accepted his modest invitation and November 29, 1877, they were made one. She is the danghter of Daniel C. Callaway, of North Carolina, who came to California when Mary was ten years old. He is one of the successful farmers of Santa Clara County, and is now at the advanced age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce have had five children; three only are living: Emma, Lulu and Mary.

N. PRESTON, senior member of the firm of J. N. Preston & Son, architects, Los Angeles, was born in Wayne County, New York, October 5, 1832. During his early child- hood the family removed to Lansing, the capi- tal of the State of Michigan, where the son grew up and learned his profession. Following this in that city until 1875, he moved thence to Austin, Texas, where he established a leading business in his line, drawing the designs for, and erecting, some of the largest business blocks in that and other cities. His plans were accepted for the three State asylums in Austin, the Insane Asylum at Terrell, and the magnificent Hotel Driskill, the finest in the South. He was one of the commissioners to select the design for the State House, and during its construction he held the position of superintending architect. In May, 1886, he came with his son to Los Angeles, and since then has taken a leading position in his profession in this rapidly growing city. He and his son have drawn plans for some of the finest blocks in the place. They are scientific

artisans. Mr. Preston married Miss Janet Johnson, of Cornwall, Canada. They have one son, S. A. J. (see sketch elsewhere), and two daughters, Sarah R. and Flora C.

EWIS C. POLLARD was born in Clarke County, Alabama, in 1839. His father, Richard Pollard, was a native of Missis- sippi, and a farmer by occupation. His mother, Susan Bell, was born in Alabama. She died when Mr. Pollard was about nine years old. His father then moved to Caddo Parish and there engaged in cotton-planting nntil 1855, when he emigrated to Texas and located in Lamar County, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. The subject of this sketch remained with his father, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1861. In the spring of that year he started overland for California. This jonr- ney was made by ox teams, and it was not until October that his train reached El Monte, in the San Gabriel Valley. After a stop of two months at that place Mr. Pollard went to Merced County and was engaged in mining until the next sum- mer. He then returned to Los Angeles County and was engaged in farming near El Monte until 1868. In that year he took up his resi- dence in Los Nietos Valley, and the next year established a livery stable at Gallatin, and also engaged in farming operations. Mr. Pollard conducted his business at that point until 1873. He then purchased an eighty-acre ranch at the Azusa, in the East San Gabriel Valley, spend- ing two years at farming. In 1875 he moved his livery stable from Gallatin to Downey and took up his residence in that town, where he re- inained until 1887, when he moved to Azusa, which was then rapidly springing into existence. There he established a livery stable and became identified with the building up of the town, and since that time has continued business at that point. At this writing (1889) Mr. Pollard has a well-appointed and equipped establishment, one of the best in that section of the county,

592

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

comprising ten horses and a complete outfit of carriages, etc. He is also devoting considerable attention to horticultural pursuits, and is the owner of twenty aeres of fine fruit land, located a mile and a half south of Azusa, which he is devoting to citrus and deciduous fruits. He has property interests in Azusa, consisting of residence and several town lots, besides his stables, residence and lots at Downey. Mr. Pollard is an enterprising and progressive citi- zen, well known throughout the sections of Los Angeles County, where he has resided for more than a quarter of a century; and his success in life has been secured by industrious habits and straightforward dealings. In political matters he is a consistent Democrat, and one who takes an interest in the success of his party. He is a strong believer in the future success of his sec- tion and is a supporter of such enterprises as will develop its resources. In 1869 Mr. Pollard was united in marriage with Miss Ellen William- son, a native of Texas. Her parents, Nelson and Gertrude Williamson, are now living in Los Angeles County. From the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Pollard there are six children living, viz .: Olive E., Richard, Mary A., Gertrude, Lewis A. and Robert, all of whom are members of their father's household. Mr. Pollard's father is now a resident of Los Angeles County.

A. J. PRESTON, of the firm of J. N. Pres- ton & Son, architects, Nos. 76, 77 and 79 Wilson Block, corner of Spring and First streets, was born in Eaton County, Michigan, on Independence Day, 1858. After completing the High-School course, he assisted his father as an architect for several years. Then he com- pleted a course in the architectural department of the Massachusetts School of Technology, since which time he has been associated with his father in the present relation. They have elaborated designs for many fine structures in this city, since their arrival liere three years ago; indeed, they have taken a leading position in their pro-

fession. November 1, 1884, is the date of Mr. Preston's marriage to Miss Clara May Bloom - burg, of Michigan, and they have one daughter, Janet Maria.

AMES C. PRESTON .- Among the welll known residents of the Upper San Gabrie- Valley is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Preston dates his birth in Washington County, Virginia, November 22, 1831. His parents were Thomas M. and Jane (Orr) Preston, both natives of that State, and descendants of promi- nent families of the Old Dominion. Mr. Preston was reared to farm life, and given the advantages of a good education, until about nineteen years of age. He then engaged in teaching school. In 1855 he engaged in mer- cantile pursuits, which he conducted until 1860. In that year he went to Texas, and from there to Missouri, where he purchased a band of sheep, which he drove to Texas, and located in Hunt Connty. He was there engaged in stock-growing until the breaking out of the civil war. In 1862 he entered the Confederate military service as a Quarterinaster and Com- inissary Sergeant of Major Burnett's well-known battalion of sharp-shooters. He served in the armies east of the Mississippi, at Port Hudson, Jackson and other points, until after the fall of Vicksburg. His command was then ordered back to the trans-Mississippi department, in which he served until the close of the war in 1865. At the cessation of hostilities, Mr. Preston gladly accepted the situation, and re- tired to his home in Hunt County. Resuming his farming operations, he was there engaged until the spring of 1868, when he started by emigrant teams overland for California. It was not until September of that year that his long journey over the deserts and mountains ended by his arrival at San Bernardino. After a short stay there, he located at El Monte, in Los An- geles County, where he remained until the next year. le then went to San Bernardino, and

593

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

the next two years was engaged in farming upon rented lands near that city. In 1871 he re- turned to Los Angeles County, and took up his residence about a mile and a quarter west of the present site of Glendora. There he entered 160 acres of Government land. Years of litigation with the Azusa grant holders over the owner- ship of this land, followed, and it was not until about 1880 that the court decisions gave him his title. This retarded many of his projected improvements, and he confined his operations principally to grain-raising. Since 1885 he has sold his lands, until at this writing (1889) he is the owner of twenty acres which be is putting under a fine state of improvement and cultiva- tion. In 1886 he established a nursery of citrus fruits, an enterprise that he has made successful, and produced some of the finest trees in his section. His land will be devoted to citrus and decidnous fruits, the soil being specially adapted to that branch of horticultural products. Water for irrigation purposes is supplied from the ditches of the Azusa Water Development and Irrigation Company, which pass through his land. Mr. Preston's long residence, and the prominent stand he took in the various land contests affecting the titles in the Upper San Gabriel Valley, has made him well known, and gained him a large circle of friends. IIe has always been a strong supporter of such enter- prises as would develop the resources and encourage the settling up of his section. He is an earnest advocate of the public-school sys- tem, and for many years was a school trustee of his district. In 1871 he was elected constable of the San Jose Township, and in the year 1872 -'73, after his section was embodied in Aznsa Township, served in the same capacity in that township. He was one of the incorporators and is now (1889) the treasurer of the Azusa Water Development Company. In political mat- ters he is a Democrat, but is liberal and con- servative in his views. In 1864 Mr. Preston wedded Miss Mary Dougherty, a native of Virginia. She is the daughter of Charles and Rosamond J. (Hale) Dougherty. Her father was 38

a native of North Carolina, and her mother of Virginia. Mrs. Preston's parents came to Los Angeles County in 1868. Her father died at the Azusa in 1879. Her mother is now a resident of San Bernardino County. From the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Preston there are living the fol- lowing-named children: Charles Thomas, Will- iam T., John L., Mary Myrtle, James L., Carrie V. and Ralph, all of whom are members of their father's household.

L. PALMER, a progressive and enter- prising business man of Pomona, is a native of Stonington, Connecticut, dating his birth in 1852. His parents, Franklin A. and Arabella (Stoddard) Palmer, are both de- scendants of old colonial families of that State. He was reared and schooled in New England, completing his education in Rhode Island. In 1869 he came to California and for several years was employed as an accountant in the United States Surveyor General's office in San Francisco. In 1874 he was appointed secretary of the San Joaquin and Kings River Canal and Irrigation Company, organized by some of the old-time capitalists of San Francisco, J. Mora Moss (president), Isaac Friedlander, William C. Ralston, Nicholas Luning, Charles Lux, John Bensley, and Charles Webb Howard, -- which re- sponsible position he held until 1883. In June of that year he came to Pomona, where he was elected treasurer and agent of the Pomona Land and Water Company. In February, 1887, he was elected as the secretary and treasurer of the company, a position which he has held contin- nously since that date. Mr. Palmer has been one of the most active officers of that company, and much of its success is dne to his enterpris- ing and energetic management. He is also a successful borticulturist, owning twenty acres of land located at North Pomona, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improvement, and is producing a large variety of citrus and deciduous fruits, which are not

594

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

exeelled by any grown in the l'omona Valley. He is decply interested in the future growth and prosperity of the valley, which is destined to become one of the richest fruit-growing sec- tions of the State, and has devoted time and means in showing to the world the wonderful productions of the section in which he resides. He is the vice-president of the Pomona Bank, and is also secretary of the following incor- porated companies doing business in the city of Pomona: Pomona City Water Works, Irrigation Company of Pomona, Palomares Irrigation Company, Del Monte Irrigation Company, and Cañon Irrigation Company. He is also inter- ested in many other enterprises that have been conducive to the growth and prosperity of the city. He is a strong supporter of schools and churches, and is a member and trustee of the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Pomona. In politics he is a stanchi Republican, taking a great interest in the success of his party. He is always fonnd allied with its best elements. In 1879 Mr. Palmer was united in marriage with Miss Martha Belcher, the daughter of F. P. Beleher, of Oakland. The names of the children are: Frank C., Frederick B., Donald Day and Roger Sherman.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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