An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day, Part 121

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1038

USA > California > Los Angeles County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 121
USA > California > San Diego County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 121
USA > California > Orange County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 121
USA > California > San Bernardino County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 121

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).

In 1854 Bishop Amat went to Spain in order to obtain assistants in ministerial work here. In response to his appeal at Vich, young Fran- cis offered his services, and, withont waiting to receive priestly orders, accompanied the Bishop across the Atlantic. After remaining in the State of Missouri for a time to familiarize him- self with the English language, he came on to California in 1855, and March 19, 1856, at Santa Barbara, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Amat and placed in charge of the Mon terey parish. Subsequently he was rector of the parishes at San Juan Bautista, Pajaro Vale and San Luis Obispo.

In 1862 the parish of Los Angeles was de prived of its Vicar General by the deatlı of Father Blas Raho, and the next year Father Mora was chosen by Bishop Amat to be the rector of the pro-cathedral of Los Angeles, and July 25, 1866, Vicar-General of the diocese. Afterward, when the Bishop required the serv- ices of a coadjutor, he selected Rev. Mora for the see of Mosynopolis, May 20, 1873.

On the 12th of May, 1878, Dr. Amat died, and Bishop Mora at once succeeded him, as he had been appointed coadjutor with the right of succession. He has followed the steps of his 49

illustrions predecessor, and under his fostering care young Levites have been educated in differ- ent colleges of Europe or in the seminaries of the United States, and brought here to work in Christ's vineyard. At his invitation the Sisters of St. Joseph opened an academy at San Diego, and last year a parochial school in St. Vincent's parish in this city. He invited also last year the Dominican Sisters, who opened a convent at Anaheim. Under his energetic zeal new parishes have been formed here in Los Angeles and throughout the whole diocese. He is a inan that never spares himself, but he is at the service of those who call upon him from morn- ing till night.

Some years ago, as he was going to administer confirmation to the Indians, he met with a painful accident that put his life in great dan- ger, and he felt the effects of it for two years afterward. His voyage to Europe in 1886 en- abled him to recover his forces, so that nowa- days he is in full vigor.

On May 4, 1859, Rev. William E. Boardman formed an organization under the name of " First Protestant Society," with a constitution declar- ing that its members " unite for the purpose of supporting Protestant worship here;" the sign- ers were Isaac S. K. Ogier, William McKee, A. J. King, C. Sims, Charles S. Adams, William S. Morrow, D. McLaren, Thomas Foster, Will- iam H. Shore and N. A. Potter. In 1864 this society built the church located on the corner of Temple and New High streets, and shortly after they reorganized under the title of the Saint Athanasins Episcopal Church, to which associa- tion the edifice was transferred.

Early in 1857, there being no Episcopalian cler- gyman in the vicinity of Los Angeles, the Right Rev. William Ingraham Kip, Bishop of Califor- nia, anthorized and licensed Dr. Matthew Carter to act as " Lay reader " for the district. The first services were held in the rooms of the Mechanics' Institute, Sunday evening, July 19, 1857, Dr. Carter reading the sevices, and Rev. Dr. Smith, at that time president of Princeton College, New

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Jersey, preaching the sermon. The church, organized August 23, 1857, under the name of St. Luke's, for some years held services in a rented building.

Worship was continned in the old building until Christmas day, 1883, when services were begun in the new church on Olive street, the old church having been sold to the county, which still uses it for offices. In 1884 the name of the society was changed to "St. Panl's Church;" it now comprises about 500 communi- cants. The pastors of this church have been: Elias Birdsall, J. J. Talbot, H. H. Messenger, C. F. Loop, J. B. Gray, William H. Hill; and since 1880, Elias Birdsall. In East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights, Episcopal Churches have been established as offshoots of St. Paul's; and at least three missions have been under its supervision. There are the Ellis avenne and Alpine branches of the St. Paul's Sunday-school and the St. Barnabas mission at Vernondale,

The first Methodist sermon in Los Angeles was preached by Rev. J. W. Brier, June, 1850, at the residence cf John G. Nichols, an adobe where the court-house now stands. Mr. Brier had come to California in 1849, by the Salt Lake route. At Death valley, on the desert, he had to put his wife and two children on an ox, and he traveled on foot, thus entering Los Angeles. In 1853 Rev. Adam Bland was sent by the Cal- ifornia Conference to this, the " Southern Cali- fornia Mission." At this time, Mr. Bland and J. W. Potts constituted the entire membership. In those early days the meetings were held in the court-house. The church edifice of this society, when erected on Fort street, cost $18,000, but afterward $14,000 was spent on improve- ments. On account of the rise in real estate, the property, in October, 1888, was valued at $75,000. The membership has varied greatly on account of spasmodic impulses of immigra- tion and the formation of separate churches, but the number at present is about 1,400. The Methodist Episcopal denomination has also vari- ous other congregations in Los Angeles: Grace Church, with some 200 members, and a local

habitation valued at some $25,000; the Main Street Church, organized as a theater in 1885, now owning property worth some $2,000; the University Church, which is more especially for the accommodation of the teachers and students of that institution; Vincent Church, with a seating capacity of about. 800, was or- ganized May, 1889; Bellevne Avenne Church, organized in 1887, which now has property val- ued at $6,500 and some 180 members; the Central Avenue Church, organized in 1888, whose edifice is not yet finished; the Asbury Church in East Los Angeles, which has abont 260 members; Boyle Heights Church, whose membership since four years past, has increased from eighteen to 150; the German Church, which, when organized in 1876, had nine mem- bers, now has 130, with property worth $6,000; the Los Angeles German Methodist Episcopal Mission, with three " appointments;" the Swed- ish Church, organized in 1887 with thirteen members, now comprising forty-seven, and being in such a flourishing condition as to con- template . the speedy erection of a church building. Such are the institutions which have grown ont of the first assemblage of those of this faith in Los Angeles. As early as 1871-'72, ministers of the Methodist Church South, began to preach in Los Angeles and vicinity. At first the meetings were held in private houses and in the old county court-house, and later, in a rented hall on Main street. In 1873 this sect effected a permanent organization, Rev. A. M. Campbell being the first pastor. In 1875 the first church building of this society, the original "Trinity " Church, was erected on Spring street, between First and Second streets. This old church was sold later, and in 1885 was built the present handsome edifice, costing $50,000, while the organ cost $4,000. In the same year the Bellevue Avenue Church was organized from this congregation, and since then three other new churches have been organized from the congregation and under the auspices of Trinity, two of these having been beautiful and commodious houses of worship. The Pasadena

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

congregation worships in a rented hall. Some 325 souls remain as the congregation of the main old society of Trinity, and this nuinber is steadily inereasing.

The German Evangelical Association was organized in 1884; it now contains abont sev- enty-five members, and has a church building, erected in 1885, with a fine parsonage.

An African Methodist Episcopal Church formerly existed in Los Angeles. The colored people of this denomination first held services at the house of Robert Owen (" Uncle Bob") in 1854. In 1869 a church was organized and a building erected. The first meinbers of this congregation were Mrs. Winnie Owen (“ Aunt Winnie "), Mrs. B. Mason and Miss Alice Cole. man. The Wesley Chapel (colored) was orgar - ized August 24, 1888, with twenty three members and eighteen probationers; now there are fifty-six members and seventeen probation- ers. Services are held in a hall on Los Angeles street; Rev. F. H. Tubbs (white) has been the pastor of this body from its beginning.

In November, 1854, the first Presbyterian service was held by Rev. James Woods, in a little carpenter shop on Main street, where the Pico House now stands. The first permanent organization of the First Presbyterian Church was in March, 1855. In the old adobe building on Spring street, Mr. Woods held regular serv- iees for one year; when organized there were just twelve members. Mr. H. D. Barrows furnished music with his finte, and there was singing. This church assisted in the ereetion of the old St. Athanasius Church on Temple and New High streets, and held services therein for somne years, when they were refunded the money contributed for its erection, and the building became the exclusive property of the Episeo- palian congregation. In 1888 this eliureh had some 800 members, of whom about 100 went to form Immanuel Church soon after; but new members are constantly joining. The house of worship is a fine, large edifice on the corner of Fort and Second streets.

The First United Presbyterian Church was

organized April 26, 1883, with fifteen members; now it has about seventy. The house and parsonage are worth about $800.

The Boyle Heights Presbyterian Church was organized May 3, 1885, with eighteen members; it now has 130, and the church edifice, built in that year, cost $3,500, exclusive of the donated lots.

The Second Presbyterian Church in East Los Angeles, was organized some six years since, and it now has some 150 members. It has a building 45 x 50 feet.

Bethany Presbyterian Church has increased from thirty-one to seventy-eight members sinee its organization, December 28, 1887. It has a building with a seating capacity of 250 in the main room, and fifty in the infant-class room.

In April, 1865, when Los Angeles was visited by Rev. J. H. Warren, D. D., from the Ameri- ean Home Missionary Society, there was not in the city a Protestant ininister, Sunday-sehool. nor house of worship. There had been here ministers of all denominations, except Congre. gationalists, but they had all gone away. At the instance of this society, Rev. Alexander Parker began services of the Congregational Church in Los Angeles on July 7, 1866, preach- ing in the court-house. In May, 1867, a lot was bought, and on July 27, 1867, a church was organized with six members. The building, dedi- cated in the same year, was erected on New High street. Several church buildings were success- ively built and sold by this society, until the erection of the present fine edifice, which cost some $72,000, and whose seating capacity is near 1,500.

The Second or Park Congregational Church was organized June, 1884, as a mission Sunday- school, the church proper coming into existence the following October. The first organized congregation was in a tent. In 1886 a building, costing $700, was erected. In 1888 the present building, which is only a wing of the church to be constructed in the future, was occupied. The cost of the main building is to be $10,000.

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

The Third Congregational Church was or- ganized in 1884, after a series of meetings held in the neighborhood for several months. The membership has increased from sixteen to thirty. The building, whose seating capacity is 350, was erected in 1883, at a cost of $3,500, on the corner of Railroad and North Main streets.

The East Los Angeles Congregational Church was organized March 20, 1887, with thirty-two members, the list having grown now to somne 200. The church edifice cost some $10,000; it was dedicated March 11, 1888. Added to it, at a cost of $2,100, is a gymnasium and reading room, in which is the headquarters of the "Phillips Club," an association of young men which is named for the pastor. This is said to be the most flourishing church in that beautiful suburb. The society has no debt, moreover.

The Vernon Congregational Church, south of the city, with a membership of about eighty, has a building which cost some $4,000. This society was first started as a Sunday-school.

The West End Congregational is a small society in the west of the city.

The Baptist denomination was represented in Los Angeles County as early as 1853, the first services being held at El Monte by Rev. Free- man. In Los Angeles, the first services of this church were held in a small building on Spring street. The First Baptist Church was estab; lished in 1874, under the ministration of Rev. William Hobbs, having eleven members. There are now 320, besides a goodly unmber which has gone to form the Parker Chapel. The First Church owns a handsome building which cost $25,000.

The Central Baptist Church was established in 1885 with eighteen members. It now has 340, and an edifice which seats 800 to 900.

In 1886 was established a Sunday-school at Parker Chapel, the which rapidly grew into a congregation, so that in January, 1889, a church was organized, then having fifty members, and now being much stronger. The church build-

ing, 40 x 70 feet, was built in 1887 as a mission chapel.

The East Los Angeles Baptist Church was organized in 1885, and the next year it built a church which will seat 450. There are now 120 members in this society.

The Swedish Baptist Church was organized May 13, 1887, with thirty members, now in- creased to seventy three. The congregation worships in the First Baptist church.

Trinity Church, First German Lutheran, was established in 1882, the congregation having increased from eight families to 240 souls, with 180 communicants. Pending the erection of a handsome new church, the German school-hone is used for service.

A Second Baptist Church (colored) exists in the southern part of East Los Angeles.

The First English Lutheran Church was or- ganized as a mission in 1887, being supported by the Woman's Board of the General Synod. It is now half self-sustaining, and will soon be entirely so. The membership has grown from twenty-three to 125. The cost of the lot and building was $26,000.

There is a Swedish Lutheran Church in Los Angeles.

Religious services of the Christian denomina tion (Disciples of Christ) were first held in Los Angeles in October, 1874, and continued at intervals until February, 1875, when a church organized with twenty-seven members. The roll has now grown to between 500 and 600, including two missions. The house of worship is on Temple street.

The first meetings of Unitarians in Los An- geles were held at the residence of T. E. Sever- ance, in March, 1877. The organization of the church was perfected in May of the same year. Services after this were first held in the Opera Honse and in Armory Hall. In June, 1889, was occupied the new church edifice, on Seventh street, costing between $25,000 and $30,000, being mostly a donation from Dr. Eli Fay, D. D., Ph. D., the minister of this congre- gation since 1885.

AM Hough

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

The German Evangelical Friedenskirche was organized in the summer of 1887. About fifty families now belong to this congregation. The church building is a neat frame structure, erected in 1887.

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church has about eighty members in Los Angeles, and it has also churches at Pasadena, Norwalk and Santa Ana.

The Reorganized Church of Latter-Day Saints was organized in Los Angeles in the autumn of 1882, with about a dozen meinbers; it now has some eighty. Worship is held in a hall rented by the society.

Congregation B'nai B'ritli was organized in 1882, under the pastorate of A. W. Edelman, who continued as Rabbi np to 1886, when the " reformed service " was introduced. The syn- agogue was built in 1873, being dedicated on August 8 of that year. It is a fine brick struct- ure, but the trustees have in contemplation the erection of a handsomer building, on ground already secured for that purpose. The congre- gation has a very large membership, and it is constantly growing. The Sunday-school also has a large attendance. Connected with the congregation is a benevolent society managed by the ladies, as well as one by gentlemen ; also a society of ladies who assist largely in furnish- ing and beautifying the synagogue.

Los Angeles contains forty-four church or- ganizations, of twelve different denominations, besides a few representatives of other faiths, as Spiritualismn, Mohammedanisin, Buddhism, Parseeism Confucianism, etc., and also an or- ganization auxiliary to the National Secular Union.

REV. A. M. HOUGH

was born in Greene County, New York, June 4, 1830. He lived in his native State till 1864. He received his education at the New York Conference Seminary in Schoharie County. He joined the New York Annual Conference, Meth odist Episcopal Church, in 1851. In 1864 Mr. Hongh went to Montana Territory as Superin- tendent of Missions, remaining there four years,

and established the Methodist Episcopal Church in that Territory. In 1868, on account of the failing health of his wife, he came with his family to California, driving his own teamn from Montana to Los Angeles, where he arrived November 22 of that year. He stopped at the Lafayette Hotel, now the St. Elmo. Amongst others, he remembers meeting then, Mr. J. B. DuBois, who was about starting the Repub- lican newspaper; Dr. J. J. Talbot, rector of the Episcopal Church, etc., etc.

The Sunday after his arrival the brick church of the Methodists on Fort street (now Broad- way,'between Third and Fourth), was dedicated. He says the streets in that part of town were scarcely defined at that time, and he took a path that led diagonally from about the corner of First street to the church, which still stands beside the larger church built since by the Methodists, and now occupied by them. He thinks there were 4,000 or 5,000 people in this city then: Rev. Adam Bland was presiding elder, and Rev. Mr. Hendon was pastor of the local church. Dr. Thomas, of the " Methodist Book Concern" on this coast, conducted the dedicatory exercises of the day. Dr. Thomas was afterward killed with General Canby by the Modoc Indians. In June, 1869, the health of the pastor, Rev. Copland, failing, Mr. Hough took charge of the church, and remained in charge two and a half years.

Going to San Francisco, he served two years as pastor of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church of that city, during which time their present beautiful and commodious church edifice was built. He then went to Sacramento and occupied the pulpit as pastor of the Sixth street church of that city for two years, until the California Annual Conference was divided in 1875, when he became a presiding elder in the Southern California Conference. In this capac- ity he served four years. In 1880 he repre- sented his conference in the General Conference, which met at Cincinnati. About five years ago, on account of impaired health and also the delicate health of his wife, Mr. Hough retired

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

from the regular itinerant ministry to the superannated relation, but the demand of his brethren made upon him for pulpit services still exceeds his ability to supply.

Mr. Hough has been closely identitied with the establishment of the University of Southern California and with the denominational school interests of this section from the first. Atter he retired from the regular work of the ministry he engaged in business in Los Angeles and showed such a knowledge of affairs, coupled with tact and business ability, that he has acenmu- lated a competency and is recognized as one of the solid conservative business inen of the city.

In 1854 Mr. Hough married Miss Anna Gould, a native of New York and sister of Jay Gould. They have no children. Mr. Hongh is a man of great intellectual force; of independ- ent and clear-cut views, and yet of kindly, gentle manners, broad charity, pure life and conversation; and as a sequence of the posses- sion of these cardinal qualities he exerts a wide influence for good in the community in which he has so long resided.

FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.

The list of secret societies in Los Angeles is as follows, the Masonic order having the largest number of lodges:

Masonic .- Cœur de Lion Commandery, No. 9, K. T .; Los Angeles Council, No. 11, R. & S. M .; Signet Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M .; Los Angeles Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M .; Pentalpha Lodge, No. 202, F. & A. M .; Sonthern Califor- nia Lodge, No. 278, F. & A. M .; Sunset Lodge, No. 281, F. & A. M .; Acacia Chapter, No. 21, O. E. S .; King Solomon Lodge of Perfection, No. 4, A. & A. S. Rite; Robert Bruce Chapter, Rose Croix, No. 6, A. & A. S. Rite; Hughes de Payens Council Knights Kadosh, No. 3, A. & A. S. Rite. The Masonic Board of Relief dispenses large sums of money in charity. The membership is very large, and an assessment is levied on each member for the relief of distressed brethren and their families.

Odd Fellows .- Golden Rule Lodge, No. 160;

Los Angeles Lodge, No. 35; Good Will Lodge, No. 323; East Side Lodge, No. 325; Orange Grove Encampment, No. 31; Canton Orion, No. 12, Patriarchs Militant; Arbor Vitæ Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 83; Enreka Rebekalı Degree Lodge; South Star Degree Lodge.

Knights of Pythias .- Olive Lodge, No. 26; Tri-color, No. 96; La Fraternite, No. 79; Gauntlet, No. 129; Samson, No. 148; Magnolia Division, No. 21. U. R ; Los Angeles Division, No. 25, U. R .; Castle Guard Division, No. 12, U. R.

A. O. U. W .- Los Angeles Lodge, No. 55; Southern California Lodge, No. 191; East Los Angeles Lodge, No. 230; Fellowship Lodge, No. 294; Select Knights, California Legion, No. 1; Los Angeles Legion, No. 6; Pacific Le- gion, No. 16; Germania Lodge, No. 260; St. Elmo Lodge.

Independent Order of Red Men .- Massasoit Tribe, No. 59.

American Legion of Honor. - Good Will Council, No. 629; Safety Conncil, No. 664.

G. A. R .-- Frank Bartlett Post, No. 6; Stan- ton Post, No. 55; Gelcich Post. No. 106; John A. Logan Post, No. 139.

Sons of Veterans .- Nathaniel Lyon Camp, No. 1; John C. Fremont Camp, No. 14.

O. U. A. M .- Los Angeles Council; Israel Putnam Degree Council; Daughters of Liberty ; Martha Washington Council.

Knights of Honor .- Los Angeles Lodge, No. 2,925.

Native Sons of the Golden West .- Los An- geles Parlor, No. 45; Ramona Parlor, No. 109.

Native Daughters of the Golden West .- La Esperanza, No. 24.

Independent Order of B'nai B'rith .- Semi- Tropical Council, No. 341; Orange, No. 224. Ancient Order of Hibernians.

United Friends of the Pacific .- Orange Coun- cil, No. 26.

Order of Chosen Friends .- Guardian Coun- cil, No. 90.

Order of the Golden Cross.

The Historical Society of Southern California,

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

with headquarters in Los Angeles, has been in existence some six years. The original pro- inoter of this society is Noah Levering, Esq , who in 1883 canvassed among his friends and obtained a list of persons who agreed to become members. At the first meeting there were present only Judge N. Levering, Colonel J. J. Warner, John B. Niles, General John Mans- field, and H. N. Rast, of Pasadena. The con- stitution of this society declares its objects to be: "The collection and preservation of all material which can have any bearing on the history of the Pacific coast in general and South- ern California in particular; the discussion of historical, literary or scientific subjects, and the reading of papers thereon; and the trial of such scientific experiments as shall be determined by the society."

The Illinois Association was organized in October, 1885, being originally composed of former residents of Illinois. After a time its entertainments became so popular that the doors were thrown open to other parties. The organization was incorporated in the spring of 1889. The membership now numbers several hundred. The weekly entertainments comprise musical and literary exercises.

There is also a flourishing Iowa Association. The Young Men's Christian Association has long been doing a practical work among the young men of the city, and its membership and influence have steadily increased. It now has over 400 members, including many prominent business men of the community. During the past year a new building was erected by this society, which is a credit to the organization and an ornament to the city.

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was first organized, as to its Southern California representation, in the spring of 1883, by Miss Frances E. Willard. Five others came into existence that same year, and tlie six were represented at a convention held in 1884 for county organization. These charter unions were at Los Angeles, Pasadena, Orange, Tustin, Po- mona and Westminster. In five years the

number of unions in the county has increased to thirty-six, with an aggregate membership of nearly 1,000. Moreover, there are sixteen chil- dren's organizations, numbering over 1,500 juvenile members. In the county there are at least 1,700 boys under fifteen years of age who are pledged against the use of tobacco in any form. Eight of these unions report no saloon in their community. The organization is well officered, and its executive administration is excellent.

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1038

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1038