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 99

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 99

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AFAYETTE SAUNDERS, a farmer, stock and fruit raiser on farm lots 93 and 106 of the old American Colony traet of the Cer- nitus Raneh, came to Los Angeles County in 1876, and located first at Anaheim, where he lived four years. Ile then purchased forty-five acres of fine land and moved to where he now lives, This place he has put under the highest state of culti- vation. Mr. Saunders was born in Perry County, Illinois, in 1845, and is the son of Thomas and

Jemima Saunders, natives of Virginia and Ten- nessee respectively, and of French and German origin. Lafayette is the youngest of a family of three eliildren, and received a common - sehoo education. In 1870 he chose for his partner through life Miss Sarah Montgomery, a native of the same county and State as himself. She is the daughter of Robert and Savina Mont- gomery, natives of the Bnekeye State, and of Scotch extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Sannders have been blessed with four children: Rosetta, Charles Weston, Albert Wort, and Frances Jennetta. Mr. Saunders volunteered in the service of his country in 1864, in the One Hundred and Thirty- sixth Illinois Volunteers, and served four months. Politieally he is a Republican, and is a man whom his neighbors and all who know him, respect and esteem.

APTAIN HENRY F. SHORTING, of the firm of Herbert & Shorting, proprietors of Boyle Heights Nursery, was born in Suf- folk, England, January 15, 1847. His father was a prominent elergyman in the established church, and his inother's brother is the rector of the ancient and well-known Ross Church, Herefordshire, England. The subject of this sketch was educated at Ton bridge Castle, Kent, and went into the army when very young. Afterward he left the service and engaged in business in London. During the Zulu war he went to South Africa and served with distinction during the campaign of 1878-'79 as Captain and Adjutant of Baker's Horse. He returned to England in 1882, and the following year came to America and settled in Virginia. In 1887 he came to Los Angeles and became in- terested in his present business with Mr. Her- bert, giving his attention to the management of the nursery, making a specialty of raising shade- trees of all descriptions, particularly the euca- lyptus, blue gum, cypress, pepper and palm. Mr. Shorting takes very practical views of the value of shade-trees as an investment, and

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

demonstrated that lots with a cypress fence or with shade trees around them will sell at any time for from $50 to $100 more than if unim- proved. The Boyle Heiglits Nursery is one of the largest growers of gum trees in Southern California.

UDGE ERSKINE MAYO ROSS was born at Belpré, Culpepper County, Virginia, June 30, 1845, he being the fourth of five children-four boys and one girl. Two of his brothers and the one sister are still living in Virginia. One brother was killed in battle near Richmond. Judge Ross's ancestors on his father's side were English, and on his mother's side Scotch. His father's name was William Buckner Ross, and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Mayo Thom. Judge Ross's early days were spent with his parents at their home, which was called Belpre (Beautiful Meadow). The first school he attended was one established by a few neighbors for the benefit of their chil- dren. Subsequently, when about ten years old, he went to a military school at Culpepper Court- house, where he continued most of the time un- til the summer of 1860, when he entered the Virginia Military Institute, an institute modeled after West Point. At the outbreak of the war the corps of cadets of that institution was or- dered to Camp Lee, at Richmond, which they reached the night of the day Virginia seceded. The corps was the first to arrive there, and the cadets, of which Ross was one, were put to drill- ing the raw recruits as they came in. Like most of the others, Ross was too young to be mustered into the army, but he acted as a Lieu- tenant in various commands, and was in several battles on the Confederate side. In 1863 his father insisted that he should return to the institute, which he did. In 1864 the Confed- erates were in such straits that the corps of cadets was again ordered out, and as a body took part in the battle of New Market, sustain- ing a loss of fifty-five killed and wounded out of

a total number of 190. At the close of the war young Ross returned to the institute and grad- nated in 1865. In 1868 he came to Los An- geles County, California, to engage in the study of the law in the office of his uncle, Cameron E. Thom, having but $66.50 remaining of a few hundred dollars he borrowed to come to Califor- nia. On May 7, 1874, he was married to Miss Ynez Hannah Bettis; and March 30, 1875, there was born to them a son, Robert Erskine Ross, who is still living. In politics Judge Ross is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. In 1869 he was admitted to the bar of the District Court of Los Angeles County, and in 1875 to the bar of the Supreme Court of the State. In 1879 he was elected justice of the Supreme Court of the State of California, and having drawn one of the short terms, he was, in 1882, again elected to the Supreme Bench of the State for a term of twelve years. In 1886 Judge Ross resigned his seat on the Supreme Bench, his resignation taking effect October 1 of that year, and resumed the practice of law at Los Angeles. Two months later he was appointed by President Cleveland Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, then lately created, which position he still holds, but for which he was not a candidate when appointed. As a horticulturist Judge Ross has done some- thing, having invested most of the money he made in the practice of his profession and some that he borrowed, in clearing land and planting an orange orchard on the San Rafael Rancho, in Los Angeles County. The place he has estab- lished he calls Rossmoyne; and on it he has now, in vigorous condition, something over seventy acres in orange trees, the oldest of which are about seventeen years old. He has also planted there about eighteen acres in olives, and some lemons, and he contemplates increasing the planting of each. Judge Ross has always stood high as a mnan, as a lawyer, and as a judge. He has that sensitive regard for natural justice which is the crowning glory of the judge, and without which no justice is thoroughly equipped,

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

however learned he may be in the law, or however brilliant he may be intellectually Judge Ross's record on the Supreme Bench of this State was most admirable; and to the people of Southern California. his occupaney of a seat thereon for some seven years was most useful, be- cause of his intimate knowledge of the distinctive economic interests of this part of our great eom- inonwealth, ineluding the vital question of water, or irrigation. His influence with his brother justices in these matters was exceedingly valu- able, and it must be gratifying to him to know that his services were appreciated by our people. The high qualities exhibited by Judge Ross on the Supreme Bench plainly indicated his fitness for the position of United States District Judge, when the Southern District of California was established by Congress; and his appointment by President Cleveland without solicitation was but giving expression to the general voice that he was the man for that place. Judge Ross is still in the prime of life; and he has a pros- pect of a useful and glowing future before him.

C. SEXTON, one of the substantial farm- ers of Compton Township, was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1852. His parents were Richard K. and Ann (Shepard) Sexton, the former a native of the Buckeye State. They came by steamer route to California in 1853, first locating in Amadore County, where Mr. Sexton engaged in farming for ten years. He then continued the same occupation in Sonoma County for four years, after which he moved to Santa Bárbara County, where he died in 1876, . his wife having died there in 1870. Their family consisted of seven children, the subject of this sketch being the youngest. Mr. Sexton engaged in the sheep business in Ventura County, and subsequently in farining. He has been twice married; first in Ventura County, in 1880, to Miss Ellen E. Williams, a native of California and a danghter of Franklin Williams. By her he had one child, May Angusta. Mrs.

Sexton died in 1883, and in 1885 Mr. Sexton was united in marriage with Miss Emma Bis- bee, also a native of the Golden State, and the danghter of Riley Bisbee. Of this last union two children have been born, Grace Ellen and Louis Glenn. The subject of this sketch is the owner of a fine farm of 110 aeres of land two and one-half miles northwest of the city of Compton. This land is very prodnetive and well improved, the principal erops being barley, alfalfa and blue-gum trees; of the latter there are extensive groves, some of the trees at four years of age being ten inches in diameter and from forty to sixty feet high. His residence is nicely located among the evergreens, and in this calin retreat Mr. and Mrs. Sexton are enjoying the comforts of their pleasant home and the confidence and esteem of all who know them.

B. SIIAWG, of San Fernando, was born in Mason County, West Vir- ginia, February 6, 1841. He is a son of Dr. W. II. and Hannah (Sherwood) Shawg, both natives of New York State. The Shawg family eame originally from Germany, and the name was formerly written Chawk. Dr. W. H. Shawg reared a family of sixteen ehildren, nine daughters and seven sons. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and one of his sons was in the Mexican war. The subject of this sketeh served in the late war four years and six months. He enlisted in Company D, Fourth Cavalry Volunteers, and was mustered out at San Francisco. When he came to California in 1860, it was as a driver of an ox team across the plains. He subsequently went back to Van Buren, Iowa, his former home, and remained ten years. During that time he served as deputy sheriff and marshal. In 1872 he was married to Miss Abbie Slaughter, of Van Buren County, Iowa, and together they soon set ont for the Golden State. Miss Abbie Slaughter originated from the Slaughters, of whom there were three brothers who came across in the Mayflower,

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

November 21, 1620, and landed on Plymouth Rock, December 21. He has been in business in San Fernando since 1876, and has been very successful. He owns several lots in the town and some good buildings. Politically Mr. Shawg affiliates with the Republican party, and has been elected to the office of constable and has served as school trustee for five years. Mr. and Mrs. Shawg have four sons: Hurbert S., Robert E., Frank O. and Raymond.

HRISTOPHER C. STEELE .- The subject of this sketch is a resident of Savannah, where he is the owner of fifty acres of rich and productive land which he is devoting to gen- eral farming. He purchased his farm in 1883 and has made all improvements since that date, building cottage residence, barns, etc. Twenty acres of his land produce from ten to twelve tons of alfalfa per acre each year. Ilis grain land is yielding sixty bushels of barley per acre, which shows a high state of cultivation. His improved stock is worthy of notice, comprising Jersey cattle and fine specimens of horses of Ben Wade and Hamiltonian stock. Mr. Steele is a native of Franklin County, Arkansas, dat- ing his birth May 28, 1844. His parents were John and Elizabeth W. (Ray) Steele, natives of Tennessee. - His father was a farmer, and to that calling the subject of this sketch was reared un- til the breaking out of the war in 1861. In June of that year, although less than eighteen years of age, he enlisted in the service of his State and entered the Arkansas Cavalry. Mr. Steele served in the Confederate army through- ont the war, and participated in some of the hardest-fought battles of the Southwest, among which were Oak Hill, Wilson's Creek, Corinth, Farmington, Shiloh, Hatchie Bridge, Vicks- burg, Baker's Creek, Grand Gulf and others. An earnest supporter of what he believed a just cause, he fonght bravely, and he will carry the marks of his valor to his grave, as he was wounded no less than seven times during serv-

ice. At the close of the war he returned to agricultural pursuits in his native State, cheer- fully accepting the result and earnestly aiding in the establishment of peace throughout an undivided country. In 1866 he married Miss Catherine P. Anderson, a native of Arkansas. Iler parents were P. N. and Jane (Stanford) Anderson, also natives of that State. Mr. Steele continued his farming operations in Ar- kansas until 1883, when he came to Los An- geles County, and took up his present residence. He is a desirable acquisition to any community and has the respect of his associates. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Church- Politically he has for years been allied with the Democratic party, but is a strong Prohibitionist in principle and an earnest worker in that cause. The eight living children of Mr. and Mrs. Steele are: James H., Elizabeth J., Mattie L., Robert E., Josephine N., Jessie A., Frederick A. and De Barth. Elizabeth married Edward T. Briggs and is now a resident of Los Angeles.

J. SHRODE, a worthy citizen of Los Angeles County, and a farmer residing on lot No. 75 of the American Colony tract, of the Ceritus Ranch, came to California in 1871 from Hopkins County, Texas. This journey was made overland by the typical mode of travel at that time, the ox team, and in com- pany with his father and eight other families. Mr. Shrode was born in Indiana in 1848, and is the son of D. K. and Malinda Shrode, both natives of the Hoosier State. He is the oldest of a family of seven children, five of whom are still living. His mother departed this life in 1863. The subject of this sketch took for his helpmate and partner through life Mrs. Orpha Rogers, a native of Illinois, and daughter of Peter Teal. This union has been blessed . with five children, viz .: Willis, John, Algie, Mark and Bessie. Mrs. Shrode also had three children by her former marriage. Mr. Shrode is an intelligent and enterprising gentleman.

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

By that keen foresight and good judgment which characterize so many of the early settlers of Cali- fornia, he bas made good investments and has traded successfully in real estate. His first pur- chase here was twenty-five aeres in oranges in 1872. To this he has added until he is the owner of eighty aeres of fine land.

HARLES II. SHOREY .- Among the ear- lier and well-known residents of the Azusa is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Shorey was born in Penobscot County, Maine, in 1844, his parents being Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Hurd) Shorey, both natives of that State. His father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1850 moved his family to Wisconsin, locating in Juneau County, where he engaged in agrieult- ural pursuits. Mr. Shorey was reared upon his father's farm and received his education in the schools of that county. Upon reaching his ma- jority he engaged in the lumber business with his brother, Philip Shorey, upon the Wisconsin River. Their mills were located at Necedalı, Wisconsin, where they also had a general mer- chandise store. Mr. Shorey successfully pur- sned his business enterprises in that State until 1875. In that year he came to Los Angeles County, California, and located at the Azusa, in the East San Gabriel Valley, near the Citrus postoffice, about four miles southwest of the present site of Glendora. There Mr. Shorey purchased 120 acres of land and entered into agricultural pursuits. He also established a grocery store at that point, which he conducted until 1879. Hle then closed out his store and went to Arizona, and for the next two years he was actively engaged in mining enterprises in the Tombstone district. In the fall of 1880 he returned to his farm and resumed his farming . operations, which he conducted upon a large seale, renting some 1,500 or 2,000 acres each year, which he devoted to grain cultivation. Ile also, on his home place, engaged in horti- cultural pursuits, planting citrus fruits, etc. In

1886 Mr. Shorey sold out his land and took np his residence upon the farm of his brother, Philip Shorey, located one mile west of Glen- dora, and has since resided upon that place. His long residence and business operations in the East San Gabriel Valley have made him well and favorably known throughout that seetion of the county, and gained him a large circle of friends. Mr. Shorey is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and still retains his membership in the Zera Lodge of Necedalı, Wisconsin. In political matters he is a straight Republican. He has never married. His comfortable home is presided over by his mother.

HOMAS A. SMITH .- Among the well- known residents of Gladstone is the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Warren- ton, Warren County, Missouri, born April 11, 1853. He is the son of Conrad A. Smith, a native of Germany, who emigrated to the United States in 1834, went to St. Louis, and shortly after settled in Warren County, Missouri, at the place where the thriving eity of Warrenton was afterward built. Mr. Smith was one of the pioneers of that place, early establishing himself in the boot and shoe business, which he con- ducted for more than forty years. He was a prominent man in the eity and county, and was elected mayor of Warrenton for three terms. In politics he was Democratie, but was a strong Union man during the war of the Rebellion. Mr. Smith married in Missouri, Miss Rhoda Davis. She was from a prominent family of Missouri, and the cousin of the late Bishop E. M. Marvin, a celebrated divine of the Southern Methodist Church. She died in 1844, leaving two children, of whom one was sixteen, the other thirty-three years of age at the time of their death respectively. Mr. Smith's second mar- riage was with Miss Polly Chiles, a native of Alabama. She died in 1877, leaving the follow- ing children: Rhoda, who died in infancy; l'hebe M., who is now Mrs. William Roberts,

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

of Aznsa; and Thomas A., the subject of this sketch. Thomas A. Smith was reared in his native city, and given the advantages of a good education, closing his studies at the Central Wesleyan College in Warrenton, after a four years' conrse. After completing his schooling he entered his father's store, and learned the trade of a boot and shoe maker, and then learned the tobacconist's trade and also photography and telegraphy. But he confined his occupation mostly to the boot and shoe trade, and became a thorough workman. He remained in Warren- ton until June, 1878, and then came to California. After a short stay in Los Angeles he located in Downey, where he remained until November of that year, when he purchased five acres of land at the Azusa, and took up his residence about one-half mile north of the present town of Glad- stone, upon Citrus avenne. There he engaged in his calling as a boot and shoe maker, and also occu- pied himself in hortienltural pursuits and in improving his land. In 1881 his father joined him and purchased a ten-acre tract. Mr. Smith is now living upon a pre-emption tract of an acre and a half, located about one-half mile east of Gladstone. This irregularly shaped piece of land was acquired by him from the United States under the pre-emption laws, and is said to be the smallest grant ever made by the Government under the pre-emption laws. He is also the owner of five acres of improved land producing oranges, lemons, apricots, and other deciduons fruits; and two lots in Gladstone, upon which he has a two-story business block, 22 x 36 feet. In this Mr. Smith conducts his business as a boot and shoe maker, being well patronized, and even filling orders for superior custom-work from soine of his patrons who are residents of San Francisco, Los Angeles and Pomona. Mr. Smith is a straightforward man in his business dealings, and is respected by all who know him. He is an elder and recorder of the IIoliness Church at Azusa. Politically he is a strong supporter of the Prohibition movement. He was for many years an active inember of the Good Templars, and in. 1873 was a member of

the Grand Lodge of Missouri. In 1875, at Columbia, Missouri, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Eva I. Smith, the daughter of Rev. L. Adams and Mary (Dickinson) Smith. The fol- lowing are the names of their children: C. Leslie, Delta C., Conwell E., Polley and Guy. Mr. Smith's father, who is seventy-six years of age, is a member of his household.

ELSON SMITH .- Among the business inen of Los Angeles who have selected the beautiful Sierra Madre as their resi- dence is the above-named gentleman. He is the owner of a pleasant home on the south side of Central avenue, just west of Markham avenne. Mr. Smith is a native of Marshall County, Illinois, dating his birth in 1854. IIis parents were Isaac and Almira J. (Smith) Smith. His father was a native of Maine, and his mother of New Hampshire. Ifis father came to Marshall County at an early date and engaged in business as a carpenter and builder, and later in mercantile pursuits. Mr. Smith was reared and schooled in his native county, and was early trained to mercantile life, commencing at ten years of age in his father's store; and at the age of sixteen, started in life on his own account as a clerk in mercantile establishments. In 1876 he came to California, and located at Garden Grove, Orange County, where he purchased a twenty-acre tract and engaged in agricultural and horticultural pursnits. Not being suited with his success in that calling, he returned the next year to Rockford, Illinois, and entered the employ of a dry-goods firm. Soon after he estab- lished a confectionery store and news stand at Belvidere, Illinois, which he conducted until the spring of 1882. He then sold out his busi- ness and came the second time to Los Angeles County, and after spending about six months at Garden Grove, located in Los Angeles, and entered the employ of George T. Hanly, as a commercial agent. In 1884 he established his present business, as the manufacturers' agent of

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

the Los Angeles Soap Company, Los Angeles Cracker Company, and the California Vinegar and Pickle Works. Mr. Smith, by his energy and sound business management, has seenred a success in his business, and obtained the sole agency of these representative companies in Sonthern California. He is well and favorably known throughout Los Angeles and adjoining counties, and his integrity and square dealing have gained him hosts of friends. In political matters, in which he takes a lively interest, he is Republican. He is a member of Rockford Lodge, No. 102, F. & A. M .; of Big Thunder Lodge, 1. O. O. F., of Belvidere, Illinois, and of Gauntlet Lodge, No. 129, K. of P., of Los Angeles. In January, 1877, Mr. Smith wedded Miss Mary M. Brown, the daughter of Henry O. and Miranda (Whipple) Brown. Her father was a pioneer and well-known resident of Rock- ford, Illinois. Mrs. Smith was born at Rockton, Illinois, the early home of her parents. Three bright children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Their names are: Henry N., Florence M. and Ethel G.

ILLIAM D. SMITH .- Among the well- known business men of Pomona is the above-named gentleman, a member of the firm of E. B. Sinith & Co., dealers in agri- cultural implements, earriages, wagons, etc., it being one of the largest establishments in the city of Pomona. Mr. Smith was born in Rich- burg, Allegany County, New York, September 7, 1835. IIis parents were William B. and Cynthia (Tinkham) Sinith, both natives of New York. His father was a blacksmith, and the subject of this sketch learned that trade and worked in his father's shops until the breaking . out of the war in 1861. In that year he went to the army near Washington, as a sntler, and afterward was appointed the sutler of the One Hundred and Twenty-second New York Volun- teers. Ile remained with the Army of the Potomac until the close of the war, and then re-

turned home and resumed his calling as a black- smith, until 1866. In that year he moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1871, when lie located in Lyon County, Kansas. He established a blacksmith shop at Hartford, in that county, and also engaged in farming. In 1875 he re- sumed his westward march and came to Cali- fornia. His first location in that State was at Compton, Los Angeles County, where he estab- lished himself at his trade. In 1879 Mr. Smith went to Arizona and for the next three years was successfully engaged in his calling, having shops at Benson and also at Charleston, in the Tombstone district. IIe was also engaged in mining enterprises. In 1882 he returned to his family at Compton, and in July of that year took up his residence in Pomona. Upon his arrival there he purchased the shop of I. N. MeKay, and soon built up a lucrative trade. He also engaged in other enterprises. In 1883, in partnership with W. J. Ashby, he established a brickyard and manufactured the first brick ever made in Pomona. He also made tools and took contracts in boring artesian wells, a business which he built up and increased until he oper- ated some six sets of tools or implements, run by steam-power. In April, 1887, Mr. Smith, in partnership with his brother, established the firm of E. B. Smith & Co., and has since been actively engaged in the business of that firm. He is also devoting considerable attention to horticulture upon a ten-acre tract on Hamilton avenne, which he has planted in French prunes. This tract he is operating under a ten-years' lease from II. Crampton. He is also part owner (with his brother, E. B. Smith) of 160 acres in Cucamonga, which they are devoting to orchard culture. He and his brother are also engaged in an orange nursery, having 80,000 trees in the nursery. This season they planted 750,000 orange seeds. Mr. Smith has been largely in- terested in the water supply of the San José Valley, and is part owner of a ten-acre tract located on San Antonio avenue, about one mile north of the city, upon which extensive prepa-

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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