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 38

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 38
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 38
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 38
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 38

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).

the San Francisco sea wall. The section built under his supervision is still recognized as the most substantial and well-built portion of that mammoth construction. The work which has gained him recognition in the profession of engineering, and a national reputation as an engineer, was the designing and construction of the Sweetwater dam, completed in April, 1888, the highest masonry dain in the United States. He has since been called in consultation upon numerous similar engineering works, and his services are sought in all the Pacific slope, and as far away as the Sandwich Islands. He was appointed City Engineer of San Diego, Jannary 1, 1889, serving until May of the same year, when he was appointed one of three Commis- sioners of Public Works of San Diego, which position he still occupies.

He was married in July, 1889, to Mary In- galls Tuliper, of Saratoga, New York. In poli- tics Mr. Schuyler is an ardent Republican.

M. GASSAWAY, City Clerk of San Diego, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 7, 1856. His grandfather, George Creain, was united in marriage to Amelia Walker, and resided in Cincinnati for more than sixty years, both having died there in 1872. David Gassaway, the father of the subject of this sketchi, was of Scotch descent, and his mother, Anna L. Creain, of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. W. M. Gassaway received his educa- tion at Chickering Academy, and at the early age of seventeen became connected with one of the largest wholesale dry goods establishments in Cincinnati, where he remained nine years. During the years 1883-'84 he traveled exten- sively in Europe, viewing all of its principal places, and upon his return visited the various States of his native land, finally locating in San Diego. He was manager of the Pacific Beach Company from its incorporation until he was elected City Clerk of San Diego, on May 6, 1889. Much of the great success and prosper-

ity of this enterprise is attributed to the ex- ecutive ability and keen sagacity of its first manager.

Mr. Gassaway was married November 14, 1889, to Miss Josephine Gordon, one of the mnost accomplished and popular young ladies of National City, California. He is a young man of exceptionally good habits, is a rapid and earnest worker in whatever he undertakes, and is thoroughly respected for his genteel and gen- tlemanly bearing and excellent qualities of mind and heart. He possesses the faculty of making friends with all whom he meets, is an accurate judge of human nature, and it is safe to say that he is one of the coming men of southern California.

ANIEL M. HAMMACK was born in Mercer County, Illinois, about 1850. His ancestors, from Kentucky and Virginia, were of Scotch-Irish and Huguenot stock, and had been in America nearly 200 years. He was raised on a farm and educated at Monmouth College, Illinois, graduating with honors. He studied law and was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-one. Soon after he went to Bur- lington, Iowa, and was for two or three years in newspaper work on the Burlington Hawkeye. He afterwards went into the practice of law, and has continued in it ever since. Iu Iowa he was for four years State's Attorney, and was four years a member of the Democratic State Cominittee, and was always in demand as a speaker over that State in political campaigns. He was for some years solicitor for an insurance company, having charge of its legal business in that State, and which position he left when he came to San Diego in 1887. As a member of a leading law firm in San Diego, he has paid exclusive attention to his profession since com- ing here, and stands well as a counselor and ad- vocate. In practice he is fair, obliging and popular with brother attorneys. He is faithful to clients and true and generous to his friend-

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ships. Although a hard working, studions lawyer, he is also a large general reader, and posted in literature, and often enlivens the dull practice with poctry and sentiment. He has one of the best selected private libraries in the city, and book-lovers always find a welcome at his home.

He was married in Illinois to Miss Belle S., daughter of Hon. J. H. Stewart, of Monmouth, who has been for many years on the State bench in that State. His wife is a woman of educa- tion and sense, and their home is a happy one. They have two surviving children, a daughter of thirteen and a son of six years. Although " new-comers," they are enthusiastic Californians and thoroughly identified with the interests of the city and State. In politics Mr. Hammack is a Democrat and an advocate of State division. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and an officer of that church here.

OMAS ALVARADO, one of the best known residents of southern California, was born in Los Angeles, on Main street, December 21, 1841. His father, Ysidro Alva- rado, a native also of California, married Miss Micaela Avíla, who also was born in California. His grandfather, Jabier Alvarado, came to Los Angeles in 1810 from Santa Barbara, was ap- pointed a Sergeant by the Governor-General in Los Angeles, erected a handsome residence and made his permanent home there. His grand- mother was a woman of superior education. In her great benevolence she organized the first school in Los Angeles, taught there herself without remuneration, assisting in many ways to make it popular. She also had a thorough knowledge of medicine, and acted as physician in many cases and had a great store of remedies at hand. She was a woman of many noble qualities, which were recognized and appreciated by many friends. Ysidro Alvarado inherited many of his characters from his noble mother. He was a peaceful man, very unlike his cousin,

Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado, which name recalls the revolution of November, 1836, that finally culminated in a precipitation of Califor- nia into the United States. For an account of this most important history of California, see the preceding pages of this volume. Mr. Alva- rado has devoted his years to stock-raising on his ranch, the Montserralte, where large herds of sleek, well-fed cattle roam at will.

Montserralte has had a long, romantic his- tory. In early days the hacienda was the resort of the señoras, señoritas and grandees. An oc- casion of festivity in those days meant not less than a week of continuons revelry. The night is dedicated to music and the dance, banquets, and portions of the day to siestas, the demure and fascinating ladies occupying the magnifi- cently furnished apartments, while the gay cabaleros found repose in the grateful shade of the broad palm trees.

Don Alvarado is a well-known man through- out California, on account of his excellent qual- ities. He is interested in several important enterprises, including stock-raising on a large scale.

June 4, 1864, he married Mrs. Maria Ygnacia Morena de Soto, a native of California; has had six danghters and one son, of whom five are at present living. His home is at Old San Diego.

W. JORRES, City Auditor and Assessor, is a native of California. He was born in San Francisco and received his educa- tion at St. Augustine's College at Benicia, Cali- fornia. In 1872 he removed to San Diego, where for four years he was employed in the Commercial Bank. In December, 1876, he went to Los Angeles and became connected with the Commercial Bank, now the First Na- tional Bank, of that city. In 1878 he accepted the position of Deputy County Treasurer of San Diego County, which position he held until he returned to Los Angeles, taking a position

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again with the First National Bank. Owing to the death of his brother, business required his attention in San Diego again. In 1885 he was appointed Postmaster of San Diego, under Presi- dent Cleveland's administration. In May, 1889, he was appointed City Auditor and Assessor under the new charter adopted by the city of San Diego in that year.

He was married in 1887 to Miss Luna Dewey, daughter of Richard D. Dewey, of Cleveland, Ohio. They have two children, a son and a daughter.

D. COMPTON was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, August 22, 1820. His father, John A. Compton, was a native of Virginia, of English descent; his mother, Susan (Chumley) Compton, also. There came to this family twelve children, born poor and in a slave State. His father was an overseer on a tobacco plantation and received the meagre return of one-twentieth of the crop produced by each negro he worked. G. D. Compton's education was but meagre, consisting of but six months' schooling when he was six years old. At the age of sixteen he could spell only words of three letters. Afterward a lady at the place where he worked gave him some help and the rest of his education he picked up himself as best he could. He worked in the field with the col- ored men until he was sixteen years of age without any remuneration worth mentioning; then he left home to seek for something better. He traveled until he got hungry, when he stopped and asked for work at the residence of Major Clayborn, who had no work to give himn and advised him to go home, but he declined to do so. Major Clayborn then lent him $5 and told him to go to Elder Stone, who would ad- vise him what to do. He stayed all night with Mr. Stone, who finally persuaded him to go back home and returned with him. It was fin- ally agreed that he would take charge of Mr. Stone's son's place in his absence, which he did

for three months, and for which he received $100. He then had charge of Mr. Stone's place for three years and cleared $3,000. with which he helped his mother and the children. Soon atter he went to Hamilton County, Illinois, and took up a Government claim. Here he became acquainted with Miss Lucy Compton, whom he married. He afterward ascertained that she was his second cousin. After he had paid the justice $2.50 for marrying them he had but $1 left. They lived with a cousin while he cut the logs and built his home. He farined and ito- proved the place for four years, when he sold out and moved to Adains County, Illinois. He remained there until 1847, then removed to Marion County, Iowa. Here times were hard with him: he worked three months for $8 per montli with a Government surveying company. After this lie bought a section of Government land at $1.25 per acre, and in 1849 came to California and made a little money. In 1852 he returned by way of the Isthinus and re- mained the most of the year, when he sold ont and started across the plains with his family and others. In Carson valley his wife was taken ill with cholera and died, and he buried her there. He was left with two little children, only one of whom now lives-Jordana, by whom he has two great-grandchildren. After this he again crossed the plains with cattle. In the fall of 1852, after going back to California, he settled on Mokelumne river.

In 1853 he married his second wife, Miss Emily Flood. She was but thirteen years of age, while he was thirty-two. They have seven children, viz .: Mary, Elizabeth, Eda, Charles G., William Sherman, John Lincoln and An- gelina Emma. In 1867 he sold his farm and removed to Watsonville on account of his wife's health, remaining there one year, during which time she greatly improved in health, and in the fall of 1868 they came to Los Angeles County, where he laid out and started the town of Comp- ton. Five other families of his acquaintance came and helped to make the town. Here he first started in the real-estate business, in which

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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

he has been so successful since. The Land Company made him their agent and gave him a commission, and thus he became a heavy real- estate dealer. In 1881 he sold out at Compton and moved to Los Angeles, where he became interested witlı Mr. Widney in starting the first university. He is one of the trustees of the Endowment Fund and of the Ontario University Fund. He also helped to build Downey and did much in Pomona in its settlement.

In 1883, in connection with Mr. Pomeroy, he bought 18,000 acres of land in San Jacinto valley. They laid ont San Jacinto and sold it to the Land Company, and Mr. Compton and Mr. James Kerr, as partners, sold the whole prop- erty to settlers. Mr. Compton, with three or four others, then bought 4,500 acres of land five miles south of San Jacinto and laid out the nice town of Florida. They have piped water in iron pipes all over the town and have built a brick hotel, a store and about thirty nice, neat new houses. He is now president and superin- tendent of the Florida Company and is superin- tendent and one of the directors of the San Jacinto Company and has charge of the settle- ment of its business. While engaged in those enterprises in 1887 he took charge of the Rialto tract of 30,000 acres of land, laid it ont into streets and twenty-acre lots and made a cut ditch that cost $50,000. He sold $240,000 worth of that property and then he declined to continue the business longer. His has been a very busy business life, and he has had much of frontier experience. He was at Carthage wlien Joseph and Hiram Smith were killed.

Mr. Compton joined the Methodist Church in 1840, to which church his whole family also belong. He has done inuch for the cause in building churches and otherwise. He is one of the men who voted for President Harrison's grandfather, and was for a long time connected with the grand old Republican party, but is now a Prohibitionist. He has been for sixteen years a school trustee. He is a modest, unas- enming man who says of himself: "I never was much, but have held my own pretty well."

He is a fine sample of what a poor boy may be- come in this country.

J. PROUT was born in the city of New York, November 25, 1844. He received a good common-school educa- tion in the public schools, and when old enough learned the ship and steamboat joiner's trade, with the well-known firm of John E. Hoffinire, and then remained with the firm two years as foreman. April 9, 1868, he left New York for Montana, and for nearly six years he worked in the gold mines of Montana and Idaho. He re- turned home to New York in 1873, in conse- quence of a severe accident which befel him while in the mines. Two years later he crossed the continent to California and Oregon. In 1885 he was appointed master mechanic by Colonel Peter French, collector of the ports of Alaska, and held the position until October, 1886, when he sent in his resignation and re- turned to New York; but, not being able to stand the climate, he returned to the Pacific coast in 1887 and settled in San Diego. He now enjoys the pleasure of a beautiful home, which he has built for himself on Golden Hill. His grandfather, Roger Prout, established the first printing ink manufactory in the United States, in the year 1806, and the business was continued by his sons until 1860. He (Roger Pront) was also president of the Fourteenth Ward Democratic Club in New York city, that first named Andrew Jackson for the Presidency, and raised the first hickory pole in Center Market of New York city.

C. FERRIS was born in West Flam- boro, near Hamilton City, Wentworth County, Canada, May 24, 1855. In 1861 the family moved to Owen Sound, Grey County, Canada, and in 1871 came to California. They located in Emigrant Gap, where the sub-

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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

ject of this sketch remained one year, when he went to Sacramento, where he learned the car- penter's trade. The next year he was joined by his parents, and the family remained in Sacra- mento ten years. From there they removed to San Francisco and Oakland. From the latter place Mr. Ferris went to Woodland, in Yolo County, where he engaged in the real estate and insurance business, and remained for two years, when, the business not being satisfactory, he closed it up and traveled down the coast, stopping a short time at several different places, until he reached San Bernardino. Here he remained one year, then went to San Diego and worked at his trade a little over two years. He took up a Government claim of 160 acres in San Clemente valley, on which he has recently proved up. He is now engaged in improving his place, and will soon have forty acres of orchard and vineyard. He will have a choice variety of citrus and deciduous fruits, but makes a specialty of figs. His supply of water will be obtained from a neighboring cañon, across which he is putting a dam. The reservoir thus made will contain 1,500,000 gallons of water.

N. JEFFERY was born in North Lisbon, Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in 1847. ? The early part of his life was spent on a farm, going to school through the winter months, spending all the available odd moments in the study of music, of which he was passionately fond. At the age of twenty he went into the mercantile business at Menominee Falls, and remained in business at that point about ten years, teaching music through the winter months. In 1877 he emigrated to Onaga, Kansas, and was there engaged with Thomas Brothers in the hardware and Inmber business for two years, after which he engaged in the furniture and music business about two years; then traveled through northern Kansas and southern Nebras- ka, holding musical conventions. In the spring of 1883 he came to San Diego, California, and

for about two years was engaged in the mercan- tile business, since which time he has been en- gaged in the real estate business, under the firm name of Arnold, Jeffery & Mouser, at No. 917 Fifth street, San Diego, California. The firm has done a large business, and are now handling Oneonta property, and Escondido and Ramona Seminary lands.

W. HUGHES, of the firm of Conklin & Hughes, attorneys, was born at Strasburg, Virginia, and the early years of his life were spent in his native State. He was edu- cated at Richmond College, Virginia, and the University of Virginia, and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He came to California in July, 1887, and has ever since been associated with Judge N. H. Conklin, in the practice of law at San Diego.

OSES HUGHES was born at Strange- way, Manchester, England, in Novem- ber, 1853. When quite young he went to Wales, where he lived until 1869, when he came to San Francisco and engaged in the foun- dry trade at the Columbia Foundry in that city. He remained there four years. He then spent a year and a half in Virginia City, Nevada; returned to San Francisco, thence went to Mex- ico under engagement to Redo & Co., Mazatlan, for their foundry. After completing his engage- ment, he went to Rosario to superintend the erection and management of a foundry at that place. Mr. Hughes remained in Mexico seven years, two years of the time running the foun- dry at Progresso Mine. Truinfo, Lower Califor nia, the work being almost entirely confined to the manufacture of mining machinery. In 1885 he came to San Diego and entered into partner- ship with Mr. Riffenburg in the Standard Iron Works. Mr. Hughes is an excellent business man, and is thoroughly versed in the casting of

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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

all kinds of brass and iron. He was married

to Miss Lavercia Marlette, of Julian, San Die- go County, in 1888.

ILLIAM GEHRING, the subject of this sketch, was born Angust 9, 1853, in Desseldorf, Germany, where he received his education and spent the early years of his life. After learning his trade, that of machinist, he was five years at Essen with Krupp, the cele- brated gun-maker. In 1880 he left his native country for the new world, remaining about five years in Chicago, where he worked at his trade, and in 1886 arrived in San Diego. Here he sought and obtained employment with the Standard Iron Works, Messrs. Riffenburg & Hughes being the proprietors. In 1887 Mr. Gehring purchased the interest of Mr. Riffen- burg in the business, and the new firm, then composed of Messrs. Hughes, Gehring and Wallace, soon built np a large trade. They now have one of the largest and most complete establishments of its kind in southern Califor- nia. Mr. Gehring was married in 1877 to Miss Lena Peters, of Dusseldorf, Germany, by whom he has three children.

JARRY M. SCHILLER .- One of the most popular young men of San Diego is the above-named gentleman. He was born in San Diego, October 7, 1861. His education was commenced in his native city, but in 1873 he went to San Francisco to attend the High School, from which he graduated in 1879. He afterward entered the employ of the California Southern Railroad Company; was topographer with the first corps of surveyors who went into the field for that company, and remained in their employ nearly three years. He then ac- cepted a situation with Blockman & Smith, as head book-keeper, for two and a half years, and held the same position with Hamilton & Co.,

for the same length of time, which he resigned to accept a position with the International Company, of Mexico, as their Custom-House clerk and purchasing agent, a position of trust and responsibility, for which his thorough knowl- edge of the Spanish and German languages made him well qualified to fill, and which he held until the English syndicate took charge of the affairs of that company. Mr. Schiller has served as Deputy Connty Assessor, Deputy City Clerk, and is now Deputy County Clerk under M. D. Hamilton. He was a charter member of the San Diego City Guard, Company B, joining the independent company in 1881. He held the office of Sergeant for the whole time until he was elected First Lieutenant, in January, 1888, which office he held until his election to the Captaincy, on February 14, 1890. He is the sitting Past Chancellor of San Diego Lodge, No. 28, Knights of Pythias, and also President of San Diego Parlor, No. 108, Native Sons of the Golden West.

He was married in San Francisco, February 11, 1890, to Miss Bertha Gans, a well-known and popular young lady of that city.

OSE MARNIEL SOTO, president of the San Nicholas Gold and Mining Company, was born at Lamballaque, Pern, December 13, 1832. His father was in good circumstances and gave him liberal advantages, so that he re- ceived a thorough education in the best schools. After leaving school at Lamballaque he went to Lima, in that conntry, and devoted himself to study, finishing the course in one year. Being naturally of an active temperament, he came to California during the first gold mining excite- ment in 1849, forming a company of 105 wealthy yonng Peruvians. The leading spirits of this party were Canevaro, Fluear, Largo & Co., who really commanded the expedition, and assumed executive control of their affairs. On arriving at San Francisco, then called Yerba Buena, the anthorities refused to give them permission

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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

to land, as the natural presumption was that they were a band of men from a hostile country. After several conferences the young Peruvians consented to sail over on the vessel called Lady Adams to San Rafael, Marin County, and there they landed withont any further annoyances. After a tender and affectionate farewell they there disbanded, each one to seek his fortunes in a strange land. Don Soto returned to San Francisco, quietly surveyed the chances of en- gaging in business there, opened a commission house, and did an extensive business, making a great deal of money buying and selling pro- visions to Mexicans and Chilians. In 1850 he went to the mines of Stanislans County, where he made considerable money in the bakery bus- iness among the miners. He paid $200 a barrel for flour and on each barrel realized a profit of $100. Returning again to San Francisco he engaged in the dairy business, where he sold ınilk at $3.50 a gallon. He purchased Laguna Onda, now known as Lake Merced, and bought property on Market street and sold it again, for which he cut and sold wood at an extraordin- arily remunerative price. He next engaged in the raising of cattle.

In 1853 he returned to Monterey to bny cat- tle. It was at this place that he formed an ac- qnaintance with and married Miss Maria Perrez. In 1854 he obtained a piece of land and en- gaged in farming. In 1855 he opened a mer- cantile establishment in Santa Rita, Monterey County, investing in and hauling lumber, with profitable results. In this he became well- known and a leading financier. In 1856 he commenced to farm more extensively on his ranch, and he was the first man on Salinas Plains that cnt hay in that county and imported into Monterey. From 1859 to 1861 he was a wholesale butcher in Watsonville, Santa Cruz Connty, and in this business he also prospered; but in 1862 a disastrous flood visited the county, destroying a great deal of his property. He then engaged in raising cattle, sheep, horses, etc., for the local markets nntil 1864, when a withering drought visited California, and he

lost all of his live stock. This terrible misfor- tune compelled him to restrict his attention to farming, and in 1865 he was busy with the plow, and he proudly says that he was the first man that ever engaged in agriculture in Sa- linas valley. After following agricultural pur- suits until 1873 he visited Los Angeles, and bought the San Francisco Rancho, and his business character was soon recognized as the leading spirit of Sonthern California.

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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