USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > Historical and biographical record of Los Angeles and vicinity : containing a history of the city from its earliest settlement as a Spanish pueblo to the closing year of the nineteenth century ; also containing biographies of well known citizens of the past and present > Part 110
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By absolute integrity and true merit Mr. Jacoby has won and enjoyed the good will and respect of everyone with whom he has come into
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commercial or social relations, and to his in- fluence San Pedro owes a deep debt of gratitude. That her citizens feel this was manifested in a measure when they indicated to the chief execu- tive of the nation that Mr. Jacoby was their choice in the responsible position of postmaster of the place. Mr. Mckinley appointed him, in accord- ance with this request, and he is now serving his third year in this office, to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Fraternally he is a Mason and has attained the Royal Arch degree.
Thirty years ago Mr. Jacoby married a daugh- ter of Rev. A. W. Edelman, and their union was blessed by the birth of a son and a daughter, named respectively Nathan H. and Etta B.
HOMAS F. GRISWOLD. Covina is one of the most active and enterprising towns of its size to be found in Southern Cali- fornia, its prosperity and growth being due to the energy and ability of its pioneer settlers, who proved to be men of good judgment and wise forethought. Prominent among these pioneers was the gentleman whose name is placed at the head of this sketch, and who is now serving as the postmaster of the town. He has been identi- fied with its highest interests since becoming a resident of the place in 1879, and has witnessed its evolution, practically, from a barley field to its present fine condition.
A native of Franklin county, N. Y., he was born March 14, 1838. His father, Chester Gris- wold, was born and reared in Massachusetts, coming on the paternal side from excellent English stock, being descended from one of three brothers who emigrated from England in early colonial days and settled at Blackhall, Conn. After his marriage to Paulina Clapp, a native of Vermont, he located in Franklin county, N. Y., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1854, when he removed to Peterboro, Ontario, where he resided but a short time, going from there to Waukegan, Ill., as a permanent place of settlement.
he remained several years, being employed by different firms as foreman in saw mills. While living in Wood county he served three years as treasurer of Auburndale township. In April, 1879, he came to Covina, being a pioneer of this section of Los Angeles county, and at once engaging in agricultural pursuits materially assisted in the development of the town. Of more recent years he has confined his attention to horticulture, having an orange ranch con- taining nearly twenty acres of productive land, and in the culture of this fruit he has been exceedingly successful. January 17, 1900, he received his appointment as postmaster of Covina, an office in which he is giving much satisfaction. One of the promoters of the Covina Citrus Asso- ciation, he is now a member of its board of direc- tors, and for two years was its president. Polit- ically he is a steadfast Republican, and an active worker in the interests of that party. Frater- nally he is a member of the Masonic order of Covina.
November 4, 1869, Mr. Griswold married Miss Lavinia S. Davis, of Adams county, Wis. They are the parents of four children, namely: Mrs. J. R. Elliott, of Covina; William M., assistant cashier of the bank at Azusa; Eugene I., of Los Angeles; and Angie, a student of the State Uni- versity of California, at Berkeley.
RS. MARY WHITING, M. D. The his- tory of Dr. Mary Whiting, a practicing physician of Los Angeles, presents much of interest to the public, as well as to those who have the pleasure of her acquaintance. A plain statement of what she has accomplished within the past few years, and that at an age when the majority of women seek only to settle down to the quiet enjoyment of home life, shows the am- bitious spirit and the desire to be of greater use in the world which has animated her and caused her to conquer many almost insurmountable ob- stacles. That she has succeeded in her endeavor to stand in the foremost ranks of her chosen pro- fession cannot be gainsaid, and she is one of those who are ever pressing forward to greater achieve- ments.
Thomas F. Griswold accompanied his parents to Ontario, thence to Waukegan, where he com- pleted his education, being there gradnated from the Waukegan Academy. On attaining his The doctor is a native of Watertown, Jefferson majority he went to Grand Rapids, Wis., where county, N. Y., and there spent the happy years
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of her girlhood while pursuing her education in the public schools. When she was in her twenty- second year she became the wife of T. H. Whit- ing, a native of Philadelphia. He had made a study of the law, but never engaged in its prac- tice, instead teaching school for some years in his early manhood. The young couple located in Iowa soon after their marriage, and in the west Mr. Whiting has been chiefly occupied in railroading and mining enterprises, at present being interested in some Iowa investments.
Of the five children born to T. H. Whiting and wife, the eldest, S. D., a graduate of the Uni- versity of Iowa, is a young man of marked liter- ary ability, and at present he is not only the county superintendent of schools in Johnson county, Iowa, but also editor of the Johnson County Teacher. Nathan D., the next son, was em- ployed as a clerk in Brown's drug store in Los Angeles, and is now attending the academy in Iowa City. Bernice G. is the wife of W. E. Barlow, demonstrator in the chemical laboratory of the Iowa State University. Blanche resides in Los Angeles and Donna Maria is a school teacher in Johnson county, Iowa.
After Dr. Whiting had loyally played the part of a tender and watchful mother, faithful wife and home-maker until her elder children were of sufficient age to be attending college, she entered the medical department of the University of Iowa. After taking the full four years' course she was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1891, and at once established an office in Iowa City. There she soon built up a large and dis- tinctive practice, but, on account of the poor health of her oldest daughter, she came to the Pacific coast with her, and, after remaining in Oregon for a period, located in Southern Cali- fornia about three years ago. For nearly two years she was engaged in practice in Los An- geles, then opened an office at Redondo, where she practiced fifteen months, afterward returning to Los Angeles, and is now located at No. 527 Temple street. She has won her way into the esteem of all who know her, and in social as well as in professional circles is deservedly popular. She is a member of the Maccabees, and is the ex- amining physician for Hive No. 2 at Redondo, as well as assistant examining physician for Los Angeles hives; also for a number of life insur-
ance companies. Her pluck and energy have commended her to the high regard of all with whom her lot has been cast, and it is her am- bition to keep thoroughly abreast of the times in every possible way. She is a lady of broad mind and genuine culture, and her ready sympathy and cheery manner carry a benediction wherever she goes.
OHN STROTHER GRIFFIN, M. D., a pioneer of 1854 in Los Angeles, was identi- fied with the growth of this city from an insignificant Spanish-American town to a pros- perous metropolis, whose beauty of landscape and progressive commercial spirit constantly draw men of enterprise and wealth from the eastern states. He was one of the original stockholders and directors of the Los Angeles City Water Company and the Farmers & Merchants' Bank. In early days he acquired a large tract of land east of the river, where later was established the suburb of East Los Angeles. At the time of his death he was the oldest physician and surgeon in this city.
Dr. Griffin was born in Fincastle, Va., in 1816, a son of John Caswell and Mary (Hancock) Griffin, and a grandson of George and Margaret (Strother) Hancock, all prominent Virginians. His father died in 1823 and his mother about two years later. He was then taken into the home of an uncle, George Hancock, of Louisville, Ky., by whom he was given a classical education. In 1837 he graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, after which he practiced at Louisville until 1840. He then entered the United States army as assistant surgeon, and served in Florida and on the south- west frontier at Fort Gibson. Atthe commence- ment of the Mexican war he was attached to the army of the west, commanded by General Kearny, and was with that army when it entered Santa Fe in August, 1846. He was surgeon of the First Dragoons, ranking as captain. In Sep- tember of the same year General Kearny started for California, arriving at the Colorado river in November, and at San Diego county, December 3. Three days later the battle of San Pasqual was fought with the Mexicans. On the 10th the command arrived at San Diego with its wounded. January 1, 1847, the command of General Kearny
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was united with that of Commodore Stockton, who had arrived in San Diego a short time before. Of these two commands Dr. Griffin was made ranking medical officer. Shortly afterward they marched to Los Angeles. On the 8th of January they met some Mexican troops at San Gabriel river and drove them back. The next day they had another engagement at La Mesa. On the roth they took possession of Los Angeles, a town of some three thousand inhabitants. On the 12th forces under Gen. J. C. Fremont arrived at Los Angeles and General Kearny's command was transferred to San Diego, where Dr. Griffin was placed in command of the gen- eral hospital. In May, 1847, he was ordered to report for duty at Los Angeles, and was on duty there until May, 1849, when he was transferred to the staff of Gen. Persifer Smith as medical officer. From 1850 to 1852 he was stationed at Benicia. He was then ordered to San Diego to accompany Major Heintzelman on an expedition against the Yuma Indians on Colorado river. After the expedition had completed its work he returned to Benicia. In 1853 he was ordered by the war department to report for duty at Wash- ington, D. C. He went east and remained there until 1854, when he resigned his commission in the army and returned to Los Angeles in the capacity of a private citizen, settling in this city and engaging in practice. Two years later he was married in this city to Miss Louisa Hays, a native of Maryland, who died May 2, 1888, at the age of sixty-seven years.
LI TAYLOR. Among the many who have devoted their best energies to the develop- ment of her boundless resources, Southern California has reason to gratefully remember as a benefactor Eli Taylor, who, during the long years of his residence within her boundaries, contributed in no slight degree to her betterment and progress.
Born in Maryland, June 22, 1835, his life on his father's southern farm seems to have held little inducement for a protracted or indefinite existence, and being an industrious lad and full of enthusiasm for the future, he early started out on his own responsibility. His first venture was as an apprentice at the carpenter's trade in
Washington, D. C., and after perfecting himself in the same he utilized it for many years as a means of livelihood. In the early '50s he turned his face towards the far west and came in a train of emigrants across the plains with ox and mule teams and wagons. Arriving in Los Angeles, he engaged in the practice of his trade of carpenter, architect and builder, successfully prosecuting the same for many years.
In 1872 Mr. Taylor settled on the farm where his family now resides, and where his death occurred February 25, 1900. He purchased sev- enty acres of wild and crude land and at once began its cultivation, setting out trees and in other ways preparing the soil to accomplish its utmost under the genial skies and bright sun- shine. From the first days of his residence near Rivera the force and influence of the new comer was apparent. His breadth of ideas, and large, practical fund of common sense, were valuable adjuncts to a growing community. Though having received but a limited education as far as actual school tuition was concerned, he was a keen observer of men and events, and learned much in the school of every-day occurrences. He realized the value of educational advantages, and his interest in promulgating and perfecting those of his immediate vicinity was one of the fine and disinterested traits of nis character. For a number of years he served as trustee of the school board of his district, and in this capacity rendered valuable and lasting service. One of his ambitions was the study of the irrigating and water systems, an important question surely, and one requiring the best from resourceful minds. He was able to practically demonstrate the wisdom of his theories, and was largely instrumental in promoting and developing the methods now in vogue.
July 22, 1862, in Los Angeles, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Martha Hunter, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Capt. Jesse and Keziah (Brown) Hunter, natives respectively of Kentucky and Missouri. When their daughter was an infant in arms, in 1844, they started across the plains in an emigrant train, conveyed hence by ox teams and wagons, and at the end of their journey settled in Los Angeles county, Cal., where they were among the very earliest settlers of the locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor
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were born seven children: John H., who is at home; Eli, who is living in Los Angeles; Albert, of Downey; George W. and William H., who are at home; Edgar C., in Los Angeles, and Jesse P., at home.
On the well-conducted ranch near Rivera Mrs. Taylor now presides over the interests of the home, which is a hospitable center of attraction for the numerous dwellers of the vicinity. Mrs. Taylor's popularity is visibly increased by the presence in her home of an old-time friend, Miss Cooper, whose interesting personality, combined with Mrs. Taylor's charm of manner, makes them much sought after by the devotees of the cheerful and optimistic in life.
During the years of his activity, Mr. Taylor was an active worker and member of the Presby- terian church, and his widow and family are still identified with the interests of the same church. He was a member of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association, and also of the Los Nietos Valley Pioneer Club. Although barred by blindness from the active duties of existence during the last twelve years of his life, he still continued to look after his home business interests until his death. In the memory of those who used to know him, whether as friend or business associate, he is esteemed for traits of' mind and character that would do honor to any community. His integrity was never questioned, and his interest in the general welfare never doubted, and in the cessation of his activity, Los Angeles county has lost a noble and disinterested adherent.
OHN W. MITCHELL. The balmy air and sunny skies of Southern California have at- tracted thousands of the talented sons of other states of the Union, and to-day each pro- fession and calling is represented here by men of rare ability and natural endowment. Among those who rank high in the law is John W. Mitchell, who has been identified with the inter- ests of Los Angeles for a period of twelve or thirteen years, contributing to the prosperity of this locality in numerous material ways. His career at the bar has been one of great credit, and fidelity to the right has characterized his · every action in the field of jurisprudence.
John W. Mitchell is the last surviving repre-
sentative of a family which has been noted in the annals of Virginia for many generations. His par- ents, William H. and Nancy J. (Green) Mitchell, were honored and loved by all who knew them, and when death claimed them, the community in which they dwelt felt that a public loss had been sustained. The father lost his life at the battle of Cedar Creek, while serving as a soldier, fighting for the cause in which he ardently be- lieved. Some of the ancestors of our subject were patriots in the Continental army, and, without exception, all of his relatives have been noted for the strength and fearlessness of their convictions. His only brother, who was an artist of marked ability, came to Los Angeles in 1887, on account of failing health, and later died in this city.
The birth of John W. Mitchell occurred in Lynchburg, Va., November 23, 1861, and in that village he spent the years of his boyhood. He obtained an excellent education in the public and private schools of his native state, and for about five years studied law in the office of John W. Daniel, United States senator from his state. He then pursued a course in Professor Minor's law class in the University of Virginia, and was admitted to the bar in 1881. Opening an office he engaged in the practice of his profession for several years in Virginia, after which he went to Texas, and for some time was engaged in the duties of his calling at Houston and Galveston.
It was in 1887 that Mr. Mitchell decided to come to Los Angeles, largely on account of his brother's illness and the desire to be with him. The years have rolled away rapidly, yet he remains, and has no wish to return to the east, which he formerly supposed was to be his life long home. His office is in the Byrne build- ing, one of the finest office buildings on the Pacific coast. Making a specialty of corporation law, he has gained the business of some of the many extensive corporations and large manu- facturing concerns of this section, and in the multiplicity of his duties finds little leisure time. He possesses accurate knowledge of the law, and is especially well posted in the particular branch to which he gives his attention. In the manage- ment of cases entrusted to him he spares neither time nor labor, and keenly looks into the mat- ter from every possible point of view. His clear,
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logical reasoning and masterly summing up of a case, before judge or jury, carries conviction and rarely fails of procuring a verdict on his behalf.
The great public issues of the day are of deep interest to Mr. Mitchell, as they should be to every patriotic citizen. Like his forefathers he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, and has served as a member of the state committee of that political body. Among his personal friends he numbers many notable persons, and at his beautiful home he has had the pleasure of enter- taining leading members of the bench and bar and state officials. He and his wife take a deep interest in educational matters. The residence of Mr. Mitchell is situated in the western part of the city, and, for architectural beauty, it has rarely been surpassed, even in this region where lovely homes abound. Since his youth he has taken deep interest in educational matters, and for some time has served as a member of the state school board. Possessing marked literary ability, he has contributed articles on timely topics to many of the leading magazines and journals of this country, and, moreover, has composed several plays of merit, besides having acted in the capacity of editor-in-chief of the Houston Chronicle, now known as the Post.
UDGE BENJAMIN S. EATON. Both grandfathers of Judge Eaton were soldiers of the Revolution, and his father, Col. Elkanah C. Eaton, was commander of the garrison at Fort Trumbull, at the mouth of the Thames river, in the war of 1812, at the time the British fleet blockaded the port of New London. It will thus be seen that the subject of our sketch, who was born in Plainfield, Conn., December 20, 1823, descended from men who were prominent in practical patriotism. At eight years of age he was a pupil of Plainfield Academy. At thirteen years he was sent to a private school at New- burg, remaining two years, which ended his school days. After a year with a brother at Nor- wich he associated with a company of civil engi- neers in the employ of the Norwich & Worcester Railway, then building. These men were en- gaged in the construction of a steam engine on a simpler plan than that then in use. This involved the principle of a "center exhaust." Want of
means defeated the enterprise, but the correct- ness of Mr. Eaton's principle is attested in the present construction of stationary engines.
After this he taught school in Southbridge and Oxford, Mass., returning to Newburg to study law with W. C. Hasbrouck, and later with John W. Brockway in Ellington, Conn. In 1845 he entered the law school of Harvard University, re- ceiving his diploma one year later. He then went to St. Louis and entered the office of J. B. Crock- ett, who afterwards was for twelve years on the supreme bench of this state. In 1847 he married Helen Hayes, of Baltimore, and took up his resi- dence in Weston, Mo., where he published the Frontier Journal with success. In 1850 he joined the mighty stream of wealth seekers, westward bound, arriving in Sacramento in August after a tedious overland trip with oxen.
After working on the Times and Transcript he hunted gold in Hopkins' creek, succeeding well, and with his means assisted the late J. J. Ayers in setting up the Calaveras Chronicle. Later he came to Los Angeles, engaging in a brief Indian campaign, and in 1853 was chosen district attor- ney of the county. His family arrived by way of Panama in December, 1854. His daughter, now Mrs. Hancock Johnson, at that time three and a-half years old, was carried across the isthmus on the back of a native. Judge Eaton remained in Los Angeles, filling offices of trust and emolument, until December, 1858, when his brother-in-law, Dr. John S. Griffin, having pur- chased the San Pasqual rancho, he occupied the old hacienda built by Don Manuel Garfias, the original owner of the place. His wife, who re- mained in Los Angeles, lingered in sickness until the following May and then died. This left Mr. Eaton without strong ties to hold him here, and he decided to go east to visit his aged mother. His route was a perilous one, horseback over the great plains. During the winter with his mother he met Alice Layton Clarke, whom he married in February, 1861, and together they came to Los Angeles via Panama and San Fran- cisco. During the following summer the city determined to build waterworks for domestic purposes, to supplant the old antiquated cask- and-barrel method of distribution, and he was appointed engineer of construction. But little money was appropriated, and the works were
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finally superseded by the present company. The next important work was taking the water from the river to the "Woolen Mills," and in 1864 he built a zanja carrying river waters out on what was then an arid plain, on the west side of Main street, now occupied by the finest residences in the city. In 1865 he again took up his residence on the San Pasqual rancho, and shortly after- wards bought the "Fair Oaks" homestead from the widow of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, the same now being occupied by J. F. Crank.
His first labor was to complete a ditch to bring the water out of Eaton's canon. This was a tedi- ous task, for, owing to his limited means, he was obliged to do all the work himself. The Indians from the desert made raids on the valley, at one time stealing all his horses and at another killing two men with their poisoned arrows. Mountain lions killed his stock, and what with the mother and five children, who had to be left at home during the long days, the scanty funds, hanling water in a cask, the hard work, etc., this season was the ordeal of his life, and shows the wonder- ful nerve and pluck with which he faced not only nature's obstacles, but also the advice of his friends, who urged him to give up a task so dif- ficult -- that of bringing a garden out of the desert. A trip to the scene of his troubles will show that his toil was not in vain, for where the sage brush and grease-wood held sway now we see great tracts of orchard and vineyard, each with its beautifully embowered home set beneath the palms, peppers and magnolias.
About 1870 Mr. Eaton was commissioned to sell Dr. Griffin's interest in the San Pasqual rancho, but in this was unsuccessful until 1875, when he took D. N. Berry, a representative of the Indianapolis "California Colony," to look over the place, and negotiations were at once be- gun which finally culminated in a part of the original subscribers forming a company, incor- porating under the name of the San Gabriel Orange Grove Association, and Mr. Eaton, who had become a shareholder to fill up the ranks de- pleted by the great Cook failure, was chosen president. He was not only intrusted with the construction of the water system, but instructed the colonists in the use of the precious fluid in irrigating. He had for a long time hoped to put to a thorough test his pet scheme of sheet iron
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