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 96

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 96

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development of that Territory. In 1870 he en- gaged in the wholesale drug business in Nebraska City. In 1872 he was a delegate from Nebraska to the National Convention which nominated General Grant for President, and in 1873 was appointed collector of internal revenue, with headquarters at Omaha; this position he re- tained for five years. He then went to Lincoln, Nebraska. and engaged in manufacturing, but becoming somewhat depleted in health, he de- cided to scek a milder climate, and came to California. Mr. Roberts has been twice mar- rie 1; first, in 1852, August 9, to Miss Mary Barrett, of Morrow County, Ohio, and of this nnion one child was born, Mary, now the wife of Charles Mortley, of Knox County, Ohio. The first wife died December 8, 1853, and June 15, 1854, Mr. Roberts again entered the marriage relation, choosing for his bride Miss Sarah Mc- Kec, of Morrow County, Ohio. To them seven children have been given, six of whom are liv- ing: Charles H .; Sarah E, who marriel George Coffman; Ida Frances, now the wife of Ilenry Christie; Eda Belle and Eva Delle, twins, the former now the wife of Charles W. Fleming, of Riverside; John, deceased in 1872; and Dwight J., now a medical student in Chicago, Illinois. Both Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of the Methodist Church, and Mr. Roberts is affiliated with the Masonic order. In April, 1888, he was chosen chairman of the city council for Long Beach, which office he now holds. Mr. Roberts is recognized by all who know him as a straight- forward, energetic man. His residence is pleas- antly located on Pine street, in the picturesque village of Long Beach.

TEPLIEN A. RENDALL was born in Somersetshire, England, March 6, 1837. He came to the United States in 1846, and to California in 1861, and to Los Angeles in 1866. Here he engaged in photography, in which profession he was a thorough artist. Afterward he acquired interests in Santa Rosa,

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

and he oscillated between that place and Los Angeles from 1870 to 1884, when he perma- nently settled here with his family, building him- selt a beantitul home on Alvarado street. Mr. Rendall brought the first Angora goats to Los Angeles County in 1867, and thus helped to inaugurate an industry, which, from the adapt- ability of the climate, especially in our mount- ainous regions, to this animal, is likely to become very valuable. With others, he engaged somewhat extensively in the importation of Angora goats from Asia Minor. In 1870 Mr. Rendall married Miss Barnes, of Illinois. They have five children.

YLVESTER ROGERS, one of the original settlers of Compton, is a pioneer of 1867. IIe was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in January, 1823, being the son of George and Elizabeth (Nelson) Rogers, natives of New York, and of English origin. They were early pio- neers of Ohio, subsequently moved to Washing- ton County, Illinois, and still later to Iowa. In 1851 they again turned their faces westward, this time coming to the Pacific Coast and settling in the Golden State, where, in 1876, George Rogers died, being in his eightieth year. They reared a family of eleven children, Sylvester be- ing the third. The subject of this sketch was a soltlier in the Mexican war, enlisted in the Second Illinois Volunteers, and was mustered ont at Alton, Illinois, in September, 1848. He then went to Missonri where he was engaged in farming until 1852. At that time he married Martha A. Bice, a native of Tennessee, and daughter of Thomas Bice. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have reared a family of eleven children, nine of whom are still living: Ilenry, George, Sarah, Lottle, William, Minnie, Oliver, Edith and Edwin. Both Mr. Rogers and his wife are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which for a period of thirty-three years he has been honored with the office of steward. During his connection with

the church he has held all the various offices, and is a man loved and respected by all. Polit- ically he affiliates with the Republican party. Ile is one of the stanch farmers of this part of the county. Much of his attention is given to the raising of horses and cattle of good grades, and he also has some fine specimens of fruit, vegetables, etc.

HARLES H. ROBERTS .- Among the well-known and snecessful business men of Monrovia is the subject of this sketch. He is engaged in the drug business on the cor- ner of Lemon and Ivy avenues, opposite the Grand View Hotel. His store is among the representative business houses of Monrovia. It was established by Dr. C. H. Stewart and F. E. Perham, and was one of the pioneer enterprises of the city. Mr. Roberts purchased the inter- ests of the above-named gentlemen in May, 1888, and has >ince enlarged and conducted the business. He is a skilled pharmacist as well as a trained business man. These qualities com- bined with an energetic prosecution of liis bnsi- ness have secured him a well-merited snecess, and rendered his establishment one of the abso- lute needs of his section. Mr. Roberts was born in Morrow County, Ohio, in 1855, and is the son of John and Sarah (MeKee) Roberts. In 1857 his father moved to Nebraska, and located near what is now the city of Lincoln, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits, and kept a stage station upon the great overland stage route. In 1871 he was appointed collector of internal revenue at Omaha, which position he held for many years. In 1880 he came to Cali- fornia and took up his residence at Long Beach, Los Angeles County, where he has since resided, taking an active part in building np that city. At this writing he is the president of the board of trustees of Long Beach, and is well and favor- ably known throughout that section. The sub- ject of this sketch remained with his father until seventeen years of age, and was given the bene-

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

fit of a good education, completing his studies at the Otoe University at Nebraska City. While pursuing his studies and during vacations Mr. Roberts acquired the practical knowledge of a druggist and chemist. In 1872 he started in life for himself, by establishing a drug store at Palmyra, Nebraska. This enterprise he con- ducted for abont a year. He then sold out and located at Monroe, Jasper County, Iowa. There he was engaged as a clerk in a drug store until 1874. Desirons of a more extended experience in his business he went to Omaha and for the next two years was connected with one of the largest drug houses in that city. In 1876 he established a drug store on the corner of Donglas and Fif- teenth streets. This business he conducted un- til 1879, and was then for several months in the northwestern stock ranges, engaged in ship- ping cattle to the Eastern markets. Having closed out his interests in that enterprise, he went to New York City and entered the employ of the well-known drug house of H. W. Atwood, at No. 846 Broadway, as his chief elerk. He also entered upon a thorough course of studies of his profession, and graduated at the New York College of Pharmacy in 1883. Mr. Roberts continued in his profession until early in 1884, and was then the business manager of the Oil, Paint and Drug Publishing Company for six montlis, after which he accepted the position of chief clerk in Caswell, Massey & Co.'s establish- ment. Deciding to enter other business pur- suits he, in 1885, accepted the position of pur- chasing agent of the New York, Rutland & Montreal Railroad. His business qualifications soon gained him promotion and he was ap- pointed assistant manager and finally superin- tendent of the road, which position he held until June, 1887, when he came to California. After spending several months in traveling through Southern and Lower California, he took up his residence in Monrovia, in November of that year. Mr. Roberts is a straightforward business man, respected and esteemed by his associates, a progressive citizen and a willing supporter of any enterprise that will tend to build up his

chosen section. His real-estate interests are mostly at Long Beach. In political matters he is a strong Republican. He is a member of the executive committee of the Republican central committee of Los Angeles County. In 1886 Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Carrie E. Meader, the daughter of William II. and Alferreta (Randall) Meader, of New York. From this marriage there is one child, Roscoc.

JOLOMON RICHARDSON .- Among the earlier residents and well-known citizens of the San Gabriel Valley is the subject of this sketch, whose fine orchard property is located in the Alhambra school district, about one and one-half miles northwest of the mission of San Gabriel. His farm consists of seventy acres of rich and productive land, twenty-three acres of which Captain C. G. Hutchinson has an interest in. A fine orange grove of twenty-five acres is one of the improvements on his place. With the exception of five acres of Washington Na- vels, his trees are seedlings. There are also for acres of deciduous fruits, principally pears and pomegranates, and besides these nearly all varieties of fruit grown in the valley. He has also about three acres of wine grapes of Mission and Blauelba varieties. The rest of his land is devoted to grain and alfalfa. Captain Hutchinson, who has an interest in the farin, was born in An- trim, Hillsboro County, New Hampshire; camne to California in 1852 via Cape Horn. Later he returned East and brought his wife to this place, arriving here in September, 1858. His wife died nine months later. Captain Hutchinson was one of the first to engage in raising straw- berries in Los Angeles. Mr. Richardson was born in Pelham, Hillsboro County, New Hamnp- shire, in 1831. His parents were Solomon and Hannah (Currier) Richardson, both natives of that State. Ile was reared a farmer and lived upon his father's farm until he reached his ma- jority. In. 1853 he left his native State and went to Australia, where he engaged in mining

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

and other occupations. In 1858, while in Aus- tralia, he married Miss Agnes Mellor, a native of England. Mr. Richardson remained in Aus- tralia until 1860, when he came to California. Upon his arrival he located in Alameda County and afterward came to Los Angeles County, settled near San Gabriel, rented land from B. D. Wilson and engaged in farming. He was also interested in mining in Colorado for a short time. In 1867 he purchased a portion of his present farm, which was then in a wild and uncultivated state, and commenced its improve- ment and cultivation. Since that time he has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, and by purchase has increased his acreage to his present holdings. Mr. Richardson's long resi- dence in the San Gabriel Valley has made him well known and gained him the respect and es- teem of a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances. In political matters he is a strong supporter of the Republican party. From the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Richardson there are eight children living, viz .: Mary, Allie, Charles, Andrew, Roy, Ilarry, Rachel and Ralph. Mary married George Campbell, and is now residing in Washington Territory. Allie married Logan Seitzeand, and is living in San Bernardino County. The other children are residing under the parental roof.

ENRY C. ROBERTS .- Among the early settlers and well-known agriculturists and business men of the Azusa Township is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Roberts is a native of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, born in 1833. Ilis father, Ebenezer S. Roberts, was also a native of that county. His mother, nee Eliza Ileis, was of German parentage, and a descendant of an old and wealthy family of Philadelphia. In 1842 Mr. Roberts's father moved to Illinois and located at Rockford, where he was largely engaged in agricultural pursuits, and also in mercantile and banking operations There the subject of this sketch was reared and

given the advantages of a good schooling, but when seventeen years of age his ambitious and energetic disposition prompted him to start ont in life upon his own account, and, in March of 1850 he joined an emigrant train and came across the plains to California. Upon his arrival in the Golden State he located in the mining counties, and for the next four years followed the varying fortunes of a miner. In 1854 be went to San José, and for some months was a clerk in a mercantile house, and in the fall of that year came to Los Angeles County. Ile took up his residence in Los Angeles until the next spring, and then, tired of quiet pursuits, decided to try his fortunes in Arizona. He accordingly located in the Weaver district in that Territory, and engaged in prospecting and mining. The Indians were bitter and hostile in those days. They killed his animals and made war upon his party, and he was compelled to abandon his enterprise and return on foot to California. Upon his return to Los Angeles be established a livery stable, and engaged in stock-raising upon the Santa Anita Ranch, near Los Angeles, where he remained until 1859. In May of that year he came to the Azusa Township, and located upon 160 acres of land near the mouth of the San Gabriel Canon. There he established the first store ever opened in the township. Ile also engaged in mining enter prises in the San Gabriel Cañon, and opened a store in the San Gabriel mines. During this time he was also engaged in a bitter fight with the Azusa grant holders over the ownership of the land he had taken up as a Government claim: This contest lasted for more than twenty years, and Mr. Roberts was among the most prominent and energetic settlers in contesting the grant claims, until it was finally settled in 1883 by the United States Government issuing patents to the settlers. This contest was one of great importance to the Azusa Valley, as it opened up for settlement thousands of acres of the rich and productive lands of the Upper San Gabriel Valley, and made possible the magniti- cent improvements and population of which

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that section now boasts. Mr. Roberts, at this writing (1889), is the owner of 250 acres of' land (including his original claim of 160 acres), located about one mile from the town of Azusa, upon which he is engaged in agricultural and horticultural pursuits. He has twenty acres of citrus fruits and five acres of decidnons fruits. His vineyard is forty acres in extent, and con- tains a variety of the most approved wine grapes in the San Gabriel Valley, among which are the Zinfandel, Burger, Concord, Mission, Hamburg, Flaming Tokay and Black Morocco. His lands are irrigated by water from the San Gabriel River. His location is such that he has the ad- vantages of climate, soil, etc., that are especially adapted for vine culture, and is fast building up one of the representative places of the valley. He has other property interests in the Azusa, among which is a forty-acre tract at Covina, thirty acres of which are devoted to wine grapes of the Burger and Zinfandel varieties. Mr. Roberts is also interested in business and resi- dence property in the city of Azusa, and has been largely interested in building up that place, as the efficient agent of the Azusa Land and Water Company. He also owns eighty acres of mineral land in the San Gabriel Cañon, about twelve miles north of Azusa. Mr. Roberts has been one of the most active business men in his section, and has done much to develop its resources. His mining operations in the San Gabriel Cañon embrace a period of twenty years, and he is a strong believer in the mineral wealth of that canon and the Sierra Madre Mountains. He has been. for many years the president of the board of water commissioners, of the Azusa district, and is also largely interested in developing the water supply in the Sal Se Puda Canon, which is intended for the irrigation of the Vineland district. Asan enterprisingand public- spirited citizen, he is always ready to identity him- self with and liberally support any enterprise that tends to develop the resources and build up the Upper San Gabriel Valley. He is a strong sup- porter of schools, and was one of the first school trustees of his distriet. In political matters he

is a strong Republican, and was a firm Union inan during the dark days of the Rebellion. In 1864 the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Susanna Melendrez, a native of California, and the daughter of Vicente Me- lendrez, a well-known resident of Los Angeles. The following are the names of the children from this marriage: Frederick, Edward, James D., Thomas, Charles, Esculapins, Marietta, Henry C., Henrietta, William and Vicente, all of whom are members of their father's household. Fred- erick married Miss Sorieda Maestran, a native of Los Angeles County. Mr. Roberts's father is now (1889) a resident of Los Angeles, an active and well-preserved gentleman of eighty-four years.

TTO RUF, Los Angeles, is a native of Germany, and was born March 21, 1851. He attended school and served an appren- ticeship, learning his trade there. Upon reach- ing manhood he emigrated to America in 1871, and came to California the same year; worked at his trade in San Francisco several years. In 1877 he came to Los Angeles and was in the employ of Mr. Heinch, on Main street, for seven years, then engaged in business for himself. Being a practical workman in all the details of his trade, he has built up a good business and employs six to eight hands during the bnsy season. Mr. Ruf was married April 3, 1884 to Miss Mary Zernikow, a native of Germany. They have two children: Carl and Otto.

OHN B. REICHARD .- Among the well- knowu citizens and representative farmers of the East San Gabriel Valley is the sub- ject of this sketch. Mr. Reichard, in connection with his brother, Daniel Reichard, of Los An- geles, is the owner of 150 acres of rich and productive land, located in the old Aznsa school district, four miles southwest of Aznsa and a

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

mile and a half east of Vineland. This land was purchased by them in 1974, and in 1876 Mr. Reichard took up his residence upon the place and commenced its improvement and cul- tivation. He conducted general farming opera- tions, and planted fruit trees and vines. Ile has now (1889) thirty-six acres in vineyard, pro- ducing a fine variety of Burger, Black Malvoise, Zinfandel, Tronssean wine grapes, and also a variety of the most approved table and raisin grapes. Ilis lands are well adapted to fruit culture and he has under cultivation a family orchard of citrus and deciduous fruits that is not excelled in his section, embracing all the choice varieties that can be successfully grown in that location. The rest of his land is de- voted to liay, grain and stock purposes. Mr. Reichard is a native of Franklin County, Penn- sylvania, dating his birth in 1842. He is the son of Daniel and Rebecca (Benedict) Reichard, both natives of that State. When abont three years of age his parents moved to Ohio, and lo- cated in Mahoning County, where his father engaged in farming and stock-growing. Mr. Reichard was reared a farmer in that county, re- ceiving the advantages of a good education in the public schools and academy, and also took a course in a commercial college. Upon reach- ing his majority, he went to Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in sinking wells in the oil regions till 1865. In the spring of that year he came to California, and was employed by the oil company at their works in Ventura County. In 1866 he returned to Ohio, where he remained until the next year. IIe then lo- cated in Johnson County, Texas, and spent a year in farming operations upon rented lands. In 1868 he came to Los Angeles County, and took up his residence at San Gabriel. IIc was there employed by Mr. B. D. Wilson and J. De Barth Shorb as the foreman of their orchards, wine cellars, etc. Mr. Reichard held that re- sponsible position the principal part of eight years, or until 1876, when he took up his pres- ent residence. He has a thorough knowledge of agricultural and horticultural pursuits in

Southern California, and with his industrious habits and energetic temperament, his career has been a successful one and he is placing liis farm in the ranks of the leading horticultural industries of his section. His long residence in the San Gabriel Valley has made him well known and gained him a large circle of friends. In political matters he is Democratic, but is very liberal and conservative in his views. In 1876 Mr. Reichard returned to Pennsylvania and while there married Miss Mary E. Logan, the daughter of Daniel and Anna E. Logan, natives of Pennsylvania. Her mother (a sketch of whom appears in this volume) is now (1889) a resident of Los Angeles County. From the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Reichard there is one child, Nellie. Mr. Reichard's brother, Daniel Reichard, is a well-known resident of Los An- geles. He is one of the two proprietors of the California livery stable in that city.

HOMAS S. RUDDOCK. - Among the prominent capitalists of the East who have located in Los Angeles County, seeking its genial climate, etc., as a desirable place of residence, is the above-named gentleman, who is residing at 317 Grand avenue, Los Angeles. Mr. Ruddock is largely interested in real estate in the county and is projecting and carrying out some of the most extensive citrus-fruit planting in the San Gabriel Valley. He is the owner of 1,100 acres of land in the Puente, San Dimas, Glendora and Azusa school districts. Of this choice land 378 acres are located two and a half miles south and west of Glendora and three and a half miles southeast of Aznsa. Mr. Ruddoek is planting the whole of this tract to citrus fruits. IIe is sparing neither time nor money in his improvements, and is destined to build up one of the most magnificent orange groves in the United States. Of the 160 acres planted in 1889, he has the following choice varieties: 800 Jaffa, 1,500 Malta Blood, 500 Sanford's Mediterranean, 1,000 llart's Tardiff, 400 Medi-

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

terranean Blood, a large acreage of Washington Navels, ten acres in lemons, and a variety of other citrus fruits, such as Ruby, Jeffa, etc. He is an entlnisiast in his horticultural pursuits, and gives the matter his personal attention. He is seeking and obtaining the choicest varieties of citrus fruits to be obtained, and is planting many varieties heretofore unknown in that section of the San Gabriel Valley. He is the owner of 730 acres of land two miles west of his fruit lands, which is devoted to general farming. Mr. Ruddock is a successful business man and the founder of his own fortune. He is conducting his large horticultural pursuits upon the same basis that has secured his success in the various business enterprises of his life. He is a strong believer in the future wealth and prosperity that awaits the San Gabriel Valley, and recog- nizes no such word as failure in his enterprise. The brief facts obtained as to Mr. Ruddock's life and business successes are of interest. He is a native of New England, dating his birth in Franklin County, Massachusetts, in February, 1818. In 1831 his father moved to Onondaga County, New York, and was there engaged as a farmer and miller. Mr. Ruddock was reared to farm life, receiving snch educational advan- . tages as were afforded by the common schools. In 1842 he determined to strike out in the great West, and in that year located near Racine, Wisconsin, where he took up Government land and commenced life as a pioneer farmer, after which he located at Berlin, Green Lake County. In 1849 he came to California, and for the next four years was engaged in mining in Placer County and on the middle fork of the American River. Returning to Berlin in 1853 he entered into extensive business operations, conducting a large mercantile establishment and lumber busi- ness. He also built steamboats and established a packet and freight line on the Fox River and portage to the Wisconsin River, thus establish- ing water transportation from the Lakes to the Mississippi River. He extended his operations and established large lumber yards in Milwan- kee and Chicago, and for twenty years was

largely engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Manistee, Michigan, owning a mill and ex- tensive pine lands in that vicinity; was also largely interested in the pioneer railroads of his State and the establishment of banking inter- ests in Berlin. He became one of the most prominent business men in his section, building lake and river steamers, establishing machine shops, foundries, etc. In 1870 he took up his residence in Milwaukee. IIe was one of the first to raise cranberries in Wisconsin. In 1879 moved to Chicago, where he resided until 1888. In that year he took up his residence in Los Angeles. Mr. Ruddock is a man endowed with a strong constitution, and in early life was reared to industrions and energetic habits. With that as his capital he started in life and success has followed. In 1847 Mr. Ruddock married Miss Maria N. Newell, the daughter of Asa and Nancy M. Newell, of Massachu- setts. There are three children living from this marriage, and three are deceased. The son, Charles H., married Miss Sarah Billings; he is now residing in Chicago, and is conducting his business enterprises at that point and in Minne- apolis, Minnesota. The two danghters are May B. and Nellie M. Mr. Ruddock's parents were both natives of Massachusetts. They were Justus and Rhoda (Damon) Ruddock.

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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