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 120
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HARLES E. GROESBECK, an enterpris- ing horticulturist of Pasadena, was born in Napa county, Cal., September 17, 1873, and is a son of Dr. James R. and Elizabeth Groesbeck, natives respectively of New York City and Illi- nois. His father, who was a man of superior ability and a talented physician, practiced for a time in Chicago, Ill., and on establishing his home in California opened an office at St. Helena, Napa county. Had he been spared to old age he would undoubtedly have attained more than or- dinary success, but he died in 1876, while he was still in the prime of manhood. His widow is now making her home with her son Charles. They have two other sons, James R. and D. Sayre.
At five years of age our subject was orphaned by his father's death. When he was twelve his mother took the three boys to San Diego, Cal., but they remained there only a short time, coming to Pasadena in 1886. He has since made his home in or near this city, and has given his attention to horticulture. In 1897 he settled on liis orange and lemon ranch at North Pasadena,
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where he owns twenty acres of land planted to oranges and ten planted to lemons. He seems peculiarly fitted by nature for the business in which he engages, and hence it may safely be predicted that he will in time become one of the most successful fruit-growers of this region. He is giving his time wholly to this work, although he graduated as a civil engineer at Throop Poly- technic Institute in Pasadena.
The marriage of Mr. Groesbeck took place Oc- tober 28, 1898, and united him with Miss Cather- ine Blocki, daughter of W. F. Blocki, who is a member of the well-known drug manufacturing firm of Gale & Blocki, in Chicago, Il1.
While thus far in life Mr. Groesbeck has not identified himself with politics, yet he is thor- oughly informed concerning the problems our nation must solve, and, as he favors protection of our home industries and products, as well as the expansion of our territorial interests and the re- tention of a sound money standard, he finds his political home in the Republican party.
AMES LEE BURTON, now ranked among the leading architects of Los Angeles, is a self-made man, in the truest sense of the word. Beginning his career empty-handed, he persisted in the undertakings he attempted, and by hard and earnest struggling won a place for himself in the business world and in the regard of all who know him.
A native of Sussex county, Del., born May 26, 1844, he was reared upon a farm, and for years, in the rigorous customs of that commun- ity, was obliged to rise every morning at three o'clock, and work until long after dark, every day. He enlisted in the defense of the Union in August, 1862, as a member of Company B, First Delaware Cavalry, and served gallantly until the close of the war, receiving an honorable dis- charge June 7, 1865. Though he had partici- pated in some of the hardest campaigns and numerous engagements, he was never wounded, but at one time was confined to the hospital for about three months.
In 1866 Mr. Burton went to Philadelphia to make a start toward independence and success. Finding that he must, indeed, begin at the bot- tom round of the ladder, and "not despising the
day of small things," he accepted a position as a laborer with a bridge-building company, and for two years worked at whatever was assigned him to do. He was employed at various points in Virginia and the south, and learned many prac- tical lessons about the business. Returning to the Quaker City he commenced serving an ap- prenticeship to Frank Stewart, a prominent architect and builder, and after a year's diligent labor he went to Paterson, N. J., where he found employment at his trade. He spent a year or two in that state and in New York state, engaged in business, after which he went to Galveston, Tex., and for fifteen and a-half years carried on a large and remunerative trade.
On the Ist of January, 1888, J. L. Burton came to California, and opened an office in Los Angeles, where he remained for three and one- half years. During that time he erected such buildings as the Los Angeles Theatre, which to- day is a land mark in the city. In 1891 he re- moved to Redlands, where he was engaged in profitable business. He erected hundreds of the substantial buildings in that city and vicinity, where he was regarded as the leading architect. Since September, 1894, he has been located at his present place of business in the Stowell block, on South Spring street, Los Angeles. He occupies a justly won position among those of his profession. In order to keep thoroughly in touch with the latest ideas of his colleagues, he has long been connected with the architects' as- sociations of the several localities in which he has dwelt. Many of the beautiful and expensive residences and public buildings which have been erected in this city of late years have been con- structed according to his designs, and specimens of his original and practical ideas are to be seen in different parts of this city and vicinity.
For many years Mr. Burton has been a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in Los Angeles held the office of commander of the John A. Logan Post up to the time of leav- ing for Redlands. There he helped to organize Bear Valley Post No. 162, and was its com- mander for two years. He also served in a like capacity in Hancock Post, at Galveston, Tex. For a quarter of a century he has been a leading Mason, and formerly belonged to Harmony Lodge No. 6, F. & A. M., of Galveston, and
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at present is identified with Redlands Chapter, R. A. M., of Redlands, and Los Angeles Com- mandery No. 9, K. T. Politically he has been a stanch Republican during his entire mature life and cast his first presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln. Religiously he, with his family, is an Episcopalian, and takes great interest in the work of the church and various charitable organizations. He is respected by everyone, and is entitled to much credit for the noble manner in which he has met the trials and obstacles in his pathway.
He was married in Galveston, Tex., to Mrs. Sarah Gray, a native of New York City, where she was educated and grew to womanhood. They have one daugliter, Eva Gray Burton.
R. JACOB L. LANTERMAN was one of the earliest settlers in La Canada valley, having come to this locality in 1875 and settled at "Homewood," the ranch he still owns. A native of Blairstown, Warren county, N. J., born April 8, 1827, he was a son of Peter and Rachel (Diltz) Lanterman, natives of New Jer- sey. He descends directly from Jacob Lanter- man, who was born in Germany and founded the Lanterman family in America, settling near Blairstown, N. J.
On a farm owned by his father near Blairs- town, the subject of this article passed the years of youth. Meantime he attended the common schools of Blairstown and also the Blairstown Presbyterian Academy, a well-known educa- tional institution of that day. On completing his education he began to teach school, follow- ing this occupation in the winter, and working on the home farm during the summer. It was in this way he secured a start. With the money he saved he attended for a time the Baltimore Dental College, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of dental surgery. He then went to Michigan and opened an office at Lansing. As he became known his practice increased, and he continued in that city for twenty years.
The marriage of Dr. Lanterman, in Romeo, Mich., united him with Miss Ammoretta J. Crisman, of that town. They became the par- ents of four children, all but one of whom are still living. The only daughter, Stella B., is
the wife of L. M. LeFetra, of Glendora, Cal. Frank D., a civil engineer, is engaged in his profession in Los Angeles. Roy Stanley grad- uated from a medical school in Baltimore and is now engaged in practicing the medical profes- sion at La Canada.
In 1875 Dr. Lanterman closed his dental office in Lansing and moved to California, settling in this then undeveloped region, which he has seen grow from a wilderness to a land of beauty. He has been busily and contentedly carrying forward the duties of his calling here, and at the same time has gained and retained the esteem of those with whom business or social duties have thrown him in contact. He is an honorable, upright man, and commands the respect to which his high qualities entitle him. Dr. Lanterman has one hundred acres of choice land, of which fifty acres are planted to fruit trees. The homestead is an ideal California home, embowered with shade and fruit trees.
SIGMUND BROSSMER, a well-known busi- ness man of Los Angeles, is a native of Germany, and was born at Baden, March 31, 1845. When about twenty-two years of age le came to America. He was well fitted for the battle of life, having served an apprenticeship at a trade in Baden from 1861 until 1867, thus ac- quiring the knowledge of an occupation so necessary to success. Though the son of well-to- do parents, he was not reared in idleness, but was early taught to be industrious and energetic. His father, Michael, was a shoe merchant at Et- tenheim, Germany, but spent his last years in retirement and died in 1898, when eighty-two years of age.
Soon after completing his apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade our subject came to the United States, landing in New York City in 1867. Soon afterward he went to St. Louis, where he spent three weeks, and then accom- panied an expedition to Montana and engaged in mining near Helena. However, he met with in- different success in the mines and so began to work at his trade, remaining in the territory for a year. Journeying across the plains to Salt Lake, he proceeded from there to California, following the southern route to San Bernardino and Los Angeles, where he arrived November
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28, 1868. In this city he commenced to work at his trade, taking contracts for the erection of houses and business blocks. With the excep- tion of portions of the years of 1879 and 1880, which time he spent in Tucson, Ariz., he has continuously pursued the contracting business in Los Angeles, and in this work has met with a success which he richly merits.
In this city Mr. Brossmer married Miss Caro- line Büche, a daughter of Ignace Büche, and a · Hilton, of Norridgewock, Me., a daughter of native of Baden, Germany. They have a com- James Hilton, who at one time owned the noted Oxbow farm on the Kennebec river. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have three children living, Walter L., Ethel M. and Charles H., Jr. fortable home at No. 129 Wilmington street and are held in high esteem by their circle of ac- quaintances. In their family are six children, Sophie, William F., Caroline A., Theresa E., Gustave A. and Adele B. Fraternally Mr. Brossmer is connected with Pentalpha Lodge No. 202, F. & A. M., of which he is an active member.
HARLES H. RICHARDSON. Among the residents of Southern California Mr. Rich- ardson is known for his excellent judgment in all matters pertaining to horticulture. His opinion is frequently sought by those fruit- growers whose experience is less than his own and who appeal to his decision in matters of doubt. Indeed, it was for this very reason that he was chosen to fill his present office as in- spector of horticulture for the Pasadena district. He owns and occupies a homestead at No. 435 South Moline avenue, in a locality of which he was an early settler and to the improvement of which he has been a constant contributor.
Mr. Richardson was born in Cambridgeport, Mass., September 16, 1842, a son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Stone) Richardson, natives of Maine. When about eighteen years of age he went to Boston, but soon afterward secured employment at Waltham, Mass. For four years he was in partnership with his brother, Edward M. Rich- ardson, under the firm title of Richardson Broth- ers, and during that time he was engaged in the hardware business, and the sale of paints and oils, doors, sash and blinds. At a time when the business was prospering and he had every prospect of attaining a fortune, ill health forced him to retire from the firm. He then came to California and embarked in the nursery bnsi- ness in Los Angeles in the fall of 1875, being a
member of the firm of Fisher, Richardson & Co. After having carried on a nursery business in Los Angeles for some years, in 1880 he came to Pasadena and purchased land on South Moline avenne. Here he set ont different varieties of fruits and has since carried on a successful fruit business. For eight years he has been serving as fruit tree inspector of Los Angeles county.
In 1871 Mr. Richardson married Miss Mary B.
In the sense in which the word is commonly used, Mr. Richardson has never been a politician. Yet he has kept intelligently posted concerning the great problems our nation has been called upon to solve, and his opinions on these subjects are formed only after careful thought and thor- ough study of every phase of the problem. He is a Republican, supporting the party in its views concerning the tariff, currency and expansion. While living in Waltham he became a Mason and has since held his membership in the blue lodge at that point. At one time he was a director in the Pasadena National Bank. Besides his home- stead in Pasadena he also owns the Richardson building, which is rented for business purposes.
OHN S. WINE, one of the well known early settlers and successful horticulturists of the Covina valley, has lived here since 1885, with the exception of two years spent in Idaho. Born in the historic Shenandoah valley of Vir- ginia, August 21, 1853, he was a son of Jacob and Margaret (Niswander) Wine, natives of Virginia. The paternal ancestors of the Wine family were Germans, the great-grandfather of John S. migrating to America in the early part of the century.
John S. Wine spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in his native state, industriously qualifying himself for every department of farm work. At the same time he availed himself of the educational opportunities offered in the pub- lic schools, and, recognizing their limitations, directed his best efforts to acquiring additional knowledge through the medium of books and
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periodicals. He also paid considerable attention spirited citizen, it is learned that he hails from the "old sonth" and that his ancestors were early settlers of the Old Dominion. . His father, Gain- aim M. Dodson, was a native of Halifax county, Va., and passed his boyhood and youth there. In 1833 he removed to Kentucky, where he met and married Nancy P. Thompson, who had spent her life in that section of the south. The young couple soon went to Crawford county, Ark., to the study of music in his native state, after- wards attending the Baxter University of Music at Friendship, Allegany county, N. Y. With the idea of bettering his condition and broadening his opportunities, he went to Greeley, Colo., in 1880, and for about three years engaged in agri- culture and stock-raising. He was subsequently employed by the government as an issue clerk on the San Carlos reservation, Ariz., his duties be- . where their son, William R., was born in 1839. ing the issuing of rations to the Apache Indians. In this capacity he worked for something over one year. Later he spent a short time in Colo- rado, and, in 1885, took up his permanent resi- dence in Covina.
Mr. Wine married Hattie Deeter, a native of Iowa, who for a time lived in Kansas, thence went to Longmont, Colo., where she was mar- ried December 24, 1886. Of this union there is one son, Homer Wellington, born Jannary 7, 1888.
In political affiliations Mr. Wine is a Democrat, although he has few aspirations as to political office. He represents the home element to a marked degree, particularly noticeable when, as a lad of tender years, he lost his father, and as- sumed the care of the farm, providing for his mother until her death, in 1877.
Mr. Wine has made his influence felt in the community in which he lives, and he enjoys, to a marked degree, the good will and confidence of his friends and associates.
ILLIAM R. DODSON, the popular pro- prietor of the El Monte hotel, has been numbered among the leading citizens of El Monte for more than a score of years, and has used his means and influence in innumerable ways for the advancement of this immediate lo- cality during his long residence here. He is looked up to as one of the pioneers of this region and has borne an active and honorable part in its upbuilding and phenomenal progress. Rarely has he been appealed to in vain by anyone desir- ing to start a new local industry or laudable enter- prise, while, upon the other hand, he has himself originated many plans and organizations whereby the entire community has been benefited.
In tracing the history of this truly public-
The early years of our subject were passed in the uneventful routine of farm life, but he learned lessons of industry and thrift which have been important factors in his subsequent career. The clouds of Civil war were gathering and when the great issue was fairly upon the people of the land he waited only a short time ere he volunteered his services to the Confederacy, in whose rights he firmly believed. Though he entered the ranks of a regiment of cavalry as a private soldier, he was promoted for gallantry and courage to the captaincy of his company and in 1864 he sus- tained severe wounds in the left arm at the battle of Fayetteville, Ark.
At the close of the war Mr. Dodson went to Nevara county, Tex., where he embarked in the business of stock-raising and general farm- ing and met with the success which he deserved, for he has always been systematic, persevering and industrious in all of his business undertak- ings. Much was being said of the beauties and possibilities of the Pacific coast at that time, and at last he decided to try his fortune in the far west, where so many men were becoming wealthy. Proceeding toward the setting sun by the tedious old overland route, he reached Downey, Cal., in October, 1868, and after prospecting considerably in the southern part of this state he purchased sev- enty-three acres of land situated south of the coun- ty road, near El Monte, and at once began the task of improving the same. In addition to this he built a blacksmith shop and for several years had all that he could attend to in that line of work.
In 1878 Mr. Dodson rented the El Monte hotel and commenced his new enterprise as a hotel- keeper. Like most of his ventures it was a suc- cess and at the end of two years he became the owner of the hotel, which has since been con- ducted by him. From time to time he has made
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substantial improvements upon the house and grounds and by due attention to the needs and wishes of the public has made warm friends and kept a fine class of guests. In 1882 he opened a livery stable in connection with his hotel, and from that time until the present has been able to furnish good accommodations to the public in this line as well. In 1887 he erected Dodson hall, and many other enterprises here have re- ceived his support. He has retained his old-time interest in agriculture and the raising of fine cat- tie, and upon his valuable farm there may be found many excellent specimens of Jersey, Short- horn and Durham breeds, as well as thorough- bred horses.
January 2, 1866, Mr. Dodson married Miss Clairmond Jones, a daughter of William L. and Malvina F. Jones. The father was a native of Tennessee; and the mother was from Georgia. The death of William L. Jones took place in 1874, and his wife departed this life in November, 1897. To the union of our subject and wife six children were born, namely: J. W. B., who wed- ded Nellie Wixon and now makes his home in San Bernardino county; May, who is the wife of B. B. Mings, and lives in Texas; Clayborne B., Elbert, William L. and Foster A. Dodson. C. B. Dodson married Ana M. Mayes, and E. J. Dod- son wedded Addie N. Newman. Both reside in El Monte.
In his political faith Mr. Dodson is a Democrat of the old school. Fraternally he is a member of El Monte Lodge No. 188, A. O. U. W. He always has had great faith in the future of Southern California and has seen many of his sanguine dreams in regard to this section of the Union realized.
OHN H. HOMMELL. There are few of the fruit-growers of the Azusa valley whose length of residence in this favored spot ex- ceeds that of Mr. Hommell, the well-known pioneer. When he came to this locality, in 1874, it presented a singularly unattractive appearance. No greater contrast could well be imagined to its present cultivated and improved appearance, crowned, as it is, with the green and yellow of citrus fruitage, interspersed with the vivid hues of the deciduous harvests. It is difficult
to believe that when Mr. Hommell came here he found only a broad tract, barren of all vegeta- tion save the omnipresent cacti, some of them low and stunted, and others rearing their slender trunks aloft to be seen from afar. It was such a tract as this that he homesteaded in 1874, and the development from this land of his present valuable ranch has occupied his attention ever since. Of the one hundred and forty-two acres comprising his ranch fifty acres are in oranges and the balance of the property is used for alfalfa. In addition to the management of this property, he has served as a director of the Covina Irriga- tion Company and is now similarly connected with the Contract Water Company.
In Monroe county, Ind., Mr. Hommell was born April 12, 1842, a son of Henry and Eliza- beth Hommell, natives respectively of Pennsyl- vania and Indiana, the former of German descent and the latter of English extraction. During the war of 1812 Henry Hommell and two brothers served in the American army, taking part in the battle of New Orleans. Later he settled in Mon- roe county, Ind., where he carried on farming and also operated a grist inill that was run by water power. He died in 1857. When our sub- ject was about eight years of age he accompanied his parents to Jasper county, Mo., and there he grew to manhood on a farm. He also resided in Henry and Cooper counties, the same state, for a short time. His education was received in the pioneer subscription schools of Missouri. During the Civil war he served in the Forty-fourth Regiment of Missouri Home Guard, his duty consisting principally in hunting bushwhackers and acting as guard, and after a service of six months he was honorably discharged and re- turned to Jasper county.
Coming to California in 1874, Mr. Hommell, after a short sojourn in Stockton, proceeded to the Azusa valley and settled on the land he still owns, the same being now one of the best fruit farms in the neighborhood. Its high grade of improvements are due to his tireless energy and persistence, and he deserves great credit for bringing the land to such a state of cultivation. At the same time he has aided in local enter- prises and has proved himself to be a public- spirited citizen, interested in the welfare of his community.
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OHN R. MOLES. Through his identifica- tion with various important interests Mr. Moles wields a large influence in his locality. He is well known both in the southeastern part of Los Angeles county and the southwestern part of San Bernardino county, with whose horticul- tural and business interests he is closely identi- fied. Since he came to California in 1887 his residence has been in the vicinity of his present home, and he has been associated with a number of enterprises for the development of the horti- cultural resources of his neighborhood. For a number of years he resided in Pomona, where he was a member of the firm of Sanders & Moles, civil engineers and surveyors. After a period of about two years he became interested in horti- cultural pursuits in San Bernardino county, lo- cating, in 1891, on a ranch one and three-quar- ter miles southeast of Claremont, where he still makes his home and where he has an orchard of ten acres under citrus and deciduous fruits. He is also interested in another ten-acre orchard in the same neighborhood. From 1896 to 1898 he was manager of the Pomona Fruit Exchange, and under his supervision the packing house at Pomona was erected. Under his direct control, in 1898 the Claremont Citrus Union was organ- ized, and of this he has since acted as president and manager. This organization has a large packing house at Claremont, and in 1900 did a business of $175,000; in 1901 its business will be increased to $225,000. Besides his other inter- ests he is a member of the mercantile firm of Poston, Moles & Co., which own and conduct stores at Pomona, Claremont and San Dimas.
In Marshall county, Ill., Mr. Moles was born April 12, 1859, a son of William S. and Margaret (Runnells) Moles, natives respectively of Eng- land and Indiana. The first fifteen years of his life were passed in Henry, Ill., and during that time his mother died. He then, with his father and the other children, moved to Alexandria, Minn., where he completed his education in the high school. Afterward he turned his attention to the study of civil engineering and surveying, in the practice of which he spent almost ten years. Four years lie held a position as assistant post- master at Alexandria under the Republican ad- ministration, he being a stanch Republican in political views. At the same time he was also
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