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 116
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have left him, for the spectators saw him suddenly turn and desperately begin fighting with the swift current, as he strove to swim up-stream. In a few seconds he sank and was seen no more until his body was recovered the following spring. Our subject, who was a fine athlete, ran along the bank for about a mile and a-half, through willows and brush, clothed only in his under- garments, a bitter-cold sleety rain beating upon him. At last he caught a glimpse of the perishing ones and heard a heartrending cry-some figures were still clinging to the old wagon-box which had lodged against some obstruction near a tiny island about fifty yards from the shore. Perhaps a dozen men stood upon the high bank looking on, and they regarded the breathless young man with cold curiosity as, without a word or ques- tion, and with deep contempt in his heart for the cowards, as he thought them, he plunged into the icy current and swam boldly to the rescue of the helpless ones. Not all heroes are crowned with laurel and awarded medals of honor, but the heroic struggle which the brave youth made that day to save human lives is worthy of being in- scribed in the annals of his state and country. He reached the unfortunates, and, after consider- able effort, managed to convey them, one by one, to the island. Every one of them was nearly in- sensible with fright and cold, and the first thought of Mr. Green was that a fire must be kindled as soon as possible, but, of course, he had no matches, and was himself so stiff and ex- hausted with the cold and ordeal through which he had passed that he dared not attempt to swim to shore and back again in that condition. He shouted again and again to the "cowards" on shore, hoping that one of them would muster up the courage to make the trip, while holding a package of matches by his teeth or tied on his head to keep it dry. No one responded to his entreaties, and then he implored them to wrap a stone and some matches in a cloth and throw it as far as possible. This was tried, but in vain, as each time the bundle dropped into the flood. Another hero now appeared on the scene-a humble "red-haired Jim"-who came running and at once acted upon our subject's suggestion, and, with the invaluable matches, swam to the island and assisted in making a fire. The poor children were so nearly frozen by this time that
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they singed their hair trying to get warm over the blaze. Only three of them had been saved, for two little boys had been swept by the current past the men standing on the bank and none of them had dared to risk his life in an attempt to save them. When Mr. Green reached the shore he found that some one had stolen his clothes, but his loss was more than made good to him by "Captain" Hooper, the head of the train.
Floods and various obstacles had so delayed the train that provisions were becoming extremely scarce and peril on that score threatened. At the head of the Humboldt river mutiny gained strength in the camp and revolvers were used to intimidate, and one day seventy-five of the men deserted, starting on foot for California, another squad of twenty-five or thirty following their ex- ample the next day. Thus the train was so crippled for men that it was necessary to send to Carson City for others. Mr. Green accompanied a little party and was supplied with three days' provisions only. He had hoped (as did his com- rades) to overtake a train, but failing to do so, was entirely without food for three days and nights, though traveling all the time. When he reached Godhy's train he was so weak and starved that they gave him only a cracker and a little milk at first. After remaining with these kind friends in need for a couple of days he toiled on with his four comrades, and just before cross- ing the fifty-five mile stretch of desert before them they filled their four-quart canteen with water, and this had to last them until they arrived at Ragtown, on the Carson river, on the further side of the desert. Starting at about three o'clock one afternoon they traveled steadily until four o'clock the next morning, when they were so ex- hausted that they lay down to rest on the sand. When they wakened their eyes were rejoiced, for, in the distance they beheld the beautiful river, which meant a renewal of life to them.
The privations and hardships through which young Green had passed had made inroads upon his strength, and the cholera now tried to finish his career. A kind-hearted woman, whose hus- band was engaged in freighting provisions over the mountains, nursed the young man and there- by saved his life. When he had recovered in part her husband offered to furnish a horse or mule and provide all necessaries if Mr. Green
would accompany him and aid in driving the pack mules on a trip towards the west. The proposition was agreed to, and thus the invalid was spared many of the hardships incident to crossing the Sierras on foot. A portion of his journey to Sacramento was made on foot, as his employer did not go the entire distance, and on the Fourth of July, 1853, he entered the city, where he remained about three weeks. He then worked on a levee for $75 a month for some four months, after which he was employed at Mocalama Hill, where a reservoir was being constructed.
It was not until August, 1855, that Mr. Green started for San Francisco, where he soon em- barked on a schooner bound for San Pedro, pay- ing $25 for his passage. He was then conveyed by stage to Los Angeles, the fare being $25. Doubtless he was not highly impressed by the adobe village, for he took only one meal here ere he began making arrangements to leave. Find- ing that the stage fare to San Bernardino was $20, he, with his four companions, decided to walk, and soon after reaching that point he bonght fifteen head of horses and pack mules, paying therefor $150. With his friends and Ed Hope, who carried mail from San Bernardino to Salt Lake City, Mr. Green set out for his parents' home on the old Cottonwood, by way of Bitter Springs, Kingston Springs, Las Vegas, Little Mud- dy, Mountain Meadows (where the massacre sub- sequently took place), thence through Iron coun- ty, Fillmore, Peyson City, Springville, Provo and Lehigh. The parents of Mr. Green were de- lighted to see him again after his long absence, and many other friends welcomed him back again.
August 31, 1856, our subject married Miss Sarah Jane Morris. Their son, A. M. Green, of this city, was born in Utah April 25, 1858. A son, Charles, died in Carson City, Nev. Mary Ellen was born in Brighton, Cal., Angust 4, 1860. Alice C., horn November 20, 1866, died January 13, 1867, and was buried at Fillmore City. Emma Jane and Emma L., twins, were born August 25, 1868. The latter died the same day, but Emma Jane lived until November 4, 1878. A. M. Green enlisted as a member of the California National Guard, in Eagle Corps, June 9, 1880, was promoted to the office of first sergeant June 4, 1884, and was honored with the
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commission of captain and adjutant ou the staff of the commander of the Seventh Regiment, N.G.C., January 3, 1886.
In 1857, the year after Mr. Green's marriage, the Mormon troubles and outrages were at their height. The Mountain Meadow massacre, the martial law proclaimed by Brigham Young, the so-called governor of Utah, and the resistance offered United States troops by the followers of the head of the Mormon Church, made life in that section anything but peaceful or enjoyable. Mr. Green proved himself as brave and loyal a citizen to his country as he has ever been, and in- deed risked his life and property by offering his services to the government in the building of Fort and Camp Floyd. In April, 1859, he started with his family for California, and reached Brighton, Sacramento county, in June. For the next four years he engaged in farming and team- ing, and carried supplies to Gold Hill, Carson City, Silver City, White Pine and many other mining towns and camps. August 30, 1863, he took his dear ones and went to Idaho, spending that winter in Salt Creek. He then bought a load of butter, eggs, bacon and flour and sold his stock in Montana at high prices, bacon and ham bringing $1 a pound, eggs seventy-five cents a dozen and flour $20 per hundred-weight, but just before it had sold for $1 per pound. Gone from home about six weeks he made about $1,200 by his trip. In July of the same year he bought a lot in Paris City, Idaho, and built a house upon the property, and in 1865 he purchased a toll bridge across Thomas' Fork. He also owned three hundred and twenty acres of land situated some seven miles above Montpelier. Buying and selling beef, butter and other necessaries to those crossing the plains, he prospered, but, as his wife was not content to dwell there, he sold out every- thing in 1866. Common earthen-ware plates and knives and forks brought fifty cents apiece, and $150 was paid for a small cook-stove. On their way westward, the family spent a portion of the winter at Deseret, Utah, and early in the spring resumed their journey to Sacramento. There Mr. Green rented a farm, and as freight- ing rates had become so low he decided to buy a threshing-machine, and this plan he carried out successfully.
In 1869 the Green family came to Los Angeles,
and had but $20 after the expenses of their trip had been met. They camped near the corner of Sixth and Pearl streets, and in 1870 Mr. Green took np a tract of government land, some eighty acres, on section 12, township 2 south, range 14 west. In 1876, after six years of residence there, he was put off the property by "Billy" Roland, the sheriff, but after twenty years of law suits he compromised for twenty acres, which he still owns, besides eighty-two acres adjoining town. He then rented the Cottles ranch, two miles south of the city, on Vermont avenue, and in 1881 bought the place at the administrator's sale. He has made of it a beautiful homestead. In 1895 he erected a cottage, in which he expects to spend his declining years in the peace which he richly deserves. Politically he is a Democrat, and for four years, beginning with 1880, he was sent as a delegate from Santinella precinct to the county convention.
OHN A. MUIR. The history of John A. Muir is that of a man who has made the best possible use of his opportunities, and who not only was ready and waiting for such as came to him in due course, but went more than half way to meet them. Poor and unknown a few years ago, he now enjoys the distinction of being one of the leading railroad officials on the Pacific coast, and year by year has added fresh laurels to those he had won ere his business experience had covered a decade of time. His example is worthy of being held up to ambitious young men to-day, and if his industry and strict attention to the wel- fare of his employers were more generally emu- lated there would be comparatively few failures by candidates for commercial success.
As his name indicates, John A. Muir is of Scotch extraction, and doubtless inherited the traits of absolute integrity, courage and tenacity of purpose for which the people of the land of heather are noted the world over. His father, Dr. Samuel Allan Muir, was a gentleman of ex- ceptional ability and learning, and many of his relatives have achieved distinction in scientific and literary circles. Dr. S. A. Muir received his education in Scotland, and for a long period was successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Nova Scotia, where his death took place in
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1876. His wife bore the maiden name of Esther H. Crowe, and of their three surviving sons two are physicians, namely: Dr. D. H. and Dr. W. S. Muir.
The nativity of John A. Muir occurred in the town of Truro, Nova Scotia, September 25, 1850, and there he passed his youth, obtaining a lib- eral education in the common schools, and was ever ready to pick up general information and gained much of his knowledge by his keen powers of observation. Probably from this natural tend- ency he mastered the art of telegraphy in the office of the Western Union in his home village, and in later years this served him in good stead. His father owned a private drug store, and there the youth became familiar with the business, which, when he was about eighteen years of age, he concluded he would try upon the Pacific coast. Taking passage in a steamship bound for the Isthmus of Panama, he proceeded to San Fran- cisco by this roundabout route, and, for a short time after his arrival in that city, he was em- ployed in a drug store owned by another man. He then went to Rocklin, Cal., where he em- barked in the drug business upon his own ac- count, and soon he was made night telegraph operator for the Central Pacific Railroad Com- pany. Having proved his ability and trust- worthiness, he was made agent at Rocklin by the railroad company, and, as time passed, was gradually promoted from one position to another, being yard-master, train-master and division train-master, with headquarters at Sacramento; then assistant to the division superintendent at Sacramento, and division superintendent at Tuc- son, Ariz. While it is certain that not all of the really deserving employes of an extensive rail- road corportion, and perhaps very few in pro- portion to the number employed, can rise to high and important positions, it is beyond question that only those who are especially worthy of pro- motion are thus honored. Therefore, when we next find that Mr. Muir was made assistant su- perintendent of the Los Angeles division of the Southern Pacific in 1886, and that, when Major Hewet resigned, he was promoted to the super- intendency of the lines here in January, 1893, no further comment is needed.
During his long residence in California-about thirty years-he has become thoroughly wedded
to the Pacific coast and has the utmost confidence in its great future, as, indeed, he has had since he landed here a young man with his own way to make as best he might. In political matters he is a Republican, and fraternally he is promi- nent in Masonic circles.
In his domestic relations Mr. Muir has been especially blessed. He married Miss Mary R. Jones in Sacramento in 1872, and of the six fine, manly sons who were born to them two are mar- ried and have children and homes of their own. They are named as follows: Samuel Allan, David William, John Church, Henry Austin, Gerald Fillmore and Frank Sherman.
DWIN R. WYLIE. Before coming to his present ranch near Downey, Mr. Wylie led a somewhat migratory existence, his many ventures in search of permanent location and oc- cupation taking him into several states, and even out of the country. As early as 1867 or 1868 he cast his lot with the early settlers of the vicinity of Downey, and has since been identified with its intelligent growth and development. He has a ranch of thirteen acres, partially under walnuts.
The Wylie family is of Scotch extraction and has been prominent in many ways in their own and adopted country. Edwin R. was born August 15, 1827, in Brook county, Va., and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Brown) Wylie, na- tives of Virginia. The maternal grandfather Brown was a captain and soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. His grandson, Edwin, received his early training on his father's farm, and such lim- ited education as was to be derived from the early subscription schools. Being an observer of more than average intelligence, and having a fond- ness for books, he more than made up in later years for the deficiencies and limitations of his youth.
Following the example of so many in those early days, he joined, in 1850, a train of ambi- tious emigrants who crossed the plains to Cali- fornia. Their means of locomotion was by wagons, drawn alternately by oxen and mules, the journey consuming four months. They started from St. Joseph, Mo., May 22, and landed in what is now Placerville, Cal., but which was
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then called Hangtown. For a time Mr. Wylie engaged in gold mining and also in the mercan- tile business. After four years he started a gen- eral farming venture in Sonoma county, and sub- sequently went to Idaho, where he continued his mining experience. After a short residence in California he migrated to Mexico and farmed for a time and continued the same after his return to Sonoma county, Cal. In 1867 he settled on his present ranch.
Mr. Wylie was first married in Petaluma, So- noma county, Cal., in 1856, to Miss Ann Sea- well, who was born in Tennessee. She died in 1862, leaving two children, Robert H., who lives in New Mexico, and Lucy A., who resides in the city of Los Angeles. In 1875 Mr. Wylie mar- ried Mrs. Louisa J. Corbett, of this county. Of this marriage a son was born, Edwin R., who is now eleven years old. By her first union Mrs. Wylie has two children, Anna and Cora, the for- mer now living in Los Angeles, and the latter with her mother.
In national politics Mr. Wylie is a Democrat, and interested in all of the undertakings of his party. He is broad-minded and progressive and is highly esteemed by all who know of his many excellent traits of character.
ON. R. F. DEL VALLE. This gentle- man needs no introduction to the people of California, as his distinguished public serv- ices, in the ranks of the Democratic party, have made his name familiar in all sections of this wonderful state. Besides, he is a worthy repre- sentative of one of the few remaining native Spanish-American families of Southern Califor- nia, and his birth occurred in Los Angeles, De- cember 15, 1854. He was reared, however, on the veritable "Cumulos" ranch, made forever il- lustrious by the brilliant authoress, Helen Hunt Jackson, in her widely read book, "Ramona," which, in spite of the criticisms on the score of sentimentalism, has been pronounced by eminent critics as "the only distinctive American novel" thus far produced.
Hon. R. F. Del Valle is the son of Ygnacio and Ysabel Varela Del Valle, who stood high in the esteem of their hosts of friends and acquain- tances, as typical exponents of the old-school
gentility. They possessed intelligence and gen- ius, and gave to their children the best educa- tional and social advantages within their power, which was not slight. The father died at his old home in 1880, aged seventy-two years. The mother still resides on the old homestead.
In 1873 R. F. Del Valle was graduated from Santa Clara College, and, as his strong mental bias was toward the law, he then commenced pre- paring himself for his chosen field of labor. In order to have better advantages than he could obtain in the then insignificant town of Los An- geles, he went to San Francisco, where he re- mained until he was admitted to the bar. He has practiced in the supreme court since 1877, and very soon after his admission to the ranks of the legal brotherhood gave promise of the ability which he has abundantly manifested.
From his youth Mr. Del Valle has been actively interested in the Democratic party's success, and recognizing his zeal and general qualifications for exalted public offices, he was brought to the front by his friends, and when only twenty-five was elected to the state legislature, where, though one of the youngest members of the state assem- blies of the Union, he acquitted himself with credit. The following year, 1880, he was fur- ther honored by being chosen as a presidential elector on the Hancock ticket and again was sent to the legislature. While a member of the legis- lature he secured for Los Angeles the State Nor- mal School, which proved ofinestimable value to the city as an educational and social center. At the time (1881) it was considered an almost hopeless task to attempt to secure the establish- ment of the institution, the prevalent opinion be- ing that one State Normal (that at San José) was sufficient for the state. Much praise was bestowed on Mr. Del Valle for his truly noble endeavors and indefatigable labors in the city's behalf. In 1882 he was elected as senator by a handsome ma- jority and in 1883 was chosen president pro tem of the senate. In 1884 he was his party's choice for congressman from the sixth congressional district of the state and four years later presided over the deliberations of the California Demo- cratic convention, which assembled in Los Ange- les. He is naturally modest and retiring in dis- position, but when called to assume positions of responsibility and honor, at once rises to the oc-
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casion and gives evidence of his peculiar fitness by the tact and adroitness which are character- istic of great leaders. His thorough knowledge of parliamentary law and rulings, his keenness of perception and broadness of judgment, especially commend him as a statesman and politician, though his real preference is for the quiet walks of life and the interests of his chosen calling.
12 AVID C. TEAGUE. No resident of San Dimas is better known than Mr. Teague, and this fact is but the natural sequence to his close connection with various important local enterprises and organizations. Since he came here in 1878 he has been a factor in the develop- ment of the rich resources of this region. Besides having served as president of the Indian Hill Citrus Union, he holds the following official po- sitions: President of the San Dimas Citrus Union, president of the North Pomona Deciduous Fruit Association, president of the San Dimas Land and Water Company, and president of the New Deal Land and Water Company. The enumer- ation of these offices alone suffices to prove his close identification with local projects, his high standing as a citizen, and his prominence in the development of local water and fruit interests.
The record of Mr. Teague's father, Crawford P. Teague, of San Dimas, is presented on another page of this volume. The family came to the west when David was a youth, and he therefore is familiar with the progress of the state. He was born in Indiana, October 23, 1847. When he was four years of age, in 1851, his parents settled in Davis county, Iowa, and there his boy- hood days were passed. In 1865 he came with them to California, settling in Tehama county, but soon going to Sonoma county. In 1878 he came to Los Angeles county, where he has since made his home. For a number of years he en- gaged in agriculture here. In 1888 he set out a number of orange trees and also a few prunes. The venture was so successful that he was en- couraged to increase his number of trees, and since then his time has been practically given to horticulture. He has twenty acres of land under oranges and apricots, in addition to which he has thirty acres used for general farm purposes.
In 1875 Mr. Teague married Miss Annie Run-
yon, of Hickory county, Mo. She died in Sep- tember, 1890, leaving five children, viz .: Walter, Hattie M., Edith, Elmer and Russell.
In Masonry Mr. Teague ranks very high. He is a member of Pomona Lodge No. 246, F. & A. M .; Pomona Chapter No. 76, R. A. M .; and is also a Knight Templar, belonging to Southern California Commandery No. 37, K. T., and Al Malaikah Temple, A. A. O., N. M. S. The Covina Lodge, A. O. U. W., numbers him among its members. In him San Dimas has an unswerving friend, who has always been eager to serve the best interests of the town and generous in his contributions to the general advancement. In social circles he is known and appreciated as a man of liberal views and generous impulses, and whose high character is worthy of the ut- most confidence of his associates.
OHN M. KING. Of the multitude who have come out of the east and embellished with their abilities, achievements and honors the charmed history of California, some there are who are no longer within the pale of the enjoy- ment of her prosperity, of her abundant harvests, the singing of her birds, the sighing of her flower- scented air. Henceforward, beyond the call of poor human lips, the touch of clinging hands, a few of the travelers from this fleeting bourne will have the consciousness of having walked the highways and byways in the light that is dimmed only by perverse human nature. Such an one was John M. King, who, though born March 6, 1849, and deceased January 3, 1900, was an old man only when his many excellencies were enumerated, and the extent known of his hold upon the hearts of the people. And it has been given to few to spend such a large portion of their lives in this comparatively new country, or to be identified with its growth from the time when its possibilities were but shadowy outlines in the minds of a few.
A native of Indiana, Mr. King was the son of William and Nancy (Murphy ) King. When but a toddling child his parents took him to Texas, where, in this great wilderness, they bought a farm and were industriously engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. The family soon after sustained a severe loss in the death of the father. After
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