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 124
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127
W. WOOD, M. D. In tracing the career of the successful physician it is usually . found that he possesses certain marked characteristics, in addition to a thorough knowl- edge of medicine, and good financial ability. There must be a readiness to sympathize and a power of entering into the feelings of others, united to that self-poise and conscious strength which naturally emanate from a strong, self- reliant soul. Dr. Wood is fortunate in being gifted with many of the qualities of the successful physician, and his cheery, helpful optimism is a source of hope and comfort in many a home shad- owed by sickness and suffering.
Dr. Wood was born forty-four years ago in Geneva, N. Y., and continued to dwell there until he was twenty years of age. He received the best educational advantages that the public schools and academies of that locality afforded ambitious students of his day. As he early
manifested a special liking for medical work, he decided to devote his talents to the alleviation of the sufferings of diseased humanity, and in 1879 took up the study of medicine in Geneva.
When he was in his twenty-fourth year Dr. Wood became a resident of South Bend, Ind., where he continued the study of medicine in the office of his preceptor, Dr. S. L. Kilmer, and thence he went to Chicago, where he studied in Rush Medical College for two years. He gradu- ated from the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, of the same city, in 1883, and opened an office in Palestine, Tex. After spending about a year there he went to Juniata, Neb., where he con- tinued to practice until 1887, since which year he has been located in Long Beach. Here he soon built up a large and representative practice, and from that has gone on to yet higher things in the line of his chosen work. He takes a patriotic in- terest in whatever effects the progress of this thriving town, aud served as health officer about eight years, also as a member of the council for two years. Educational matters have always claimed a share of his attention, and for seven years he was an active worker on the school board of Long Beach. In his political faith he is an ardent Republican, and at various times has been sent as a delegate to county and state con- ventions of his party. During the eight years of his service as health officer here he succeeded in getting many needed sanitary measures through, and the general condition of the town has been noticeably improved. Fraternally he isa Knight of the Maccabees, and is head physician of the local lodge of Foresters. He is also the local surgeon for the Southern Pacific Railway Com- pany and surgeon for the Long Beach division of the Terminal Railroad Company, and has won an enviable reputation for skill and sound common sense in his practice. He is the president of the large and successful Chuckawalla Mining, Mill- ing and Water Company, and is a director and stockholder in the Bank of Long Beach.
The parents of Dr. Wood are John M. and Rebecca (Rupert) Wood, natives of New York state. A brother of our subject, Dr. G. A. Wood, who died in Los Angeles some seven years ago, was the proprietor and founder of the oldest and largest drug store established in Long Beach, where he was well and favorably known.
44
912
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In 1884 Dr. J. W. Wood was married, in West Point Military Academy, was the professor Nebraska, to Miss May McDonald, a native of South Bend, Ind., and their two children are named respectively Edith M. and Donald. The family reside in a very attractive home, which is the scene of many a gathering of friends.
D OL. JOHN ABRAM HENDRICKS. The following sketch, with a portrait of Colonel Hendricks, appeared in the Madison Cou- rier, of Madison, Ind., under date of September 18, 1891:
The Courier here presents the features of a noble son of Jefferson county, a brave soldier and a martyr to the cause of the Union. It is well for the younger generations to know something of the worth of the men who fought, suffered and died that this government and free institutions might live.
Col. John Abram Hendricks was born in the old Hendricks home, on High street, in the city of Madison, Iud., on Friday morning, March 7, 1823, and was killed at the battle of Pea Ridge, Ark., on Friday morning, March 7, 1862. His birth and death occurred at very nearly the same hour of the day. He had just completed the full and even tale of years allotted to him, making him thirty-nine years old.
He was the third child and second son of Gov. William Hendricks, one of the earliest residents of this city, who was the first representative of the state of Indiana in congress, the second gov- ernor of the state, and for twelve years repre- sented Indiana in the senate chamber of the United States.
Colonel Hendricks was brought up in this place, and was educated at the private schools of Mr. Beaumont Parks, Mr. Tute and others. There were no public schools at that day, such as we have now. He finished his classical edu- cation at the Indiana University in Bloomington, from which he graduated in the fall of 1843. He spent three years of his college life in Blooming- ton and one year (the sophomore, perhaps) at Hanover College.
While at Bloomington Colonel Hendricks ob- tained a good military education as to the tactics of the drill, etc., of infantry. Prof. Jacob Am- men, formerly in the chair of mathematics in
of mathematics in Bloomington. He was a mili- tary man in his instinct, as well as by education aud long training as a military educator. He established a company from the college students and taught them in tactics, for some time acting as captain and instructor himself. After a time he chose Mr. Hendricks, on account of his apt- ness and proficiency in the drill, as the captain; and from that time until the end of his college course Mr. Hendricks retained the position of captain of the college guards.
This taste for military life took deep hold of him and when the war with Mexico commenced he sought and obtained a position from President Polk's administration, as a captain in one of the ten additional regiments, under the "Ten Regi- ment" bill. He raised his company in this coun- ty and proceeded to join his regiment in Mexico, but on his way to the south he was attacked by that malady so fatal to many of our northern soldiers during that war-gulf fever, and was so prostrated by it that he was forced to leave the army and return home in order to recover his health. He was an invalid for a great while, not recovering his health for some years.
The military feeling again showed itself at the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he went to the front as lieutenant-colonel, com- manding the Twenty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteers, at the head of which he met his death. Previously he had been made colonel of the Ninth Regiment of the Indiana Legion by Gov. O. P. Morton.
Upon his return home from college he entered the law office of Hendricks & Bright (Gov. Will- iam Hendricks, his father, and Hon. Jesse D. Bright comprising the firm), and here he re- mained for about three years, as a student of law, under the tutelage of his father. When he was admitted to the bar he commenced the prac- tice of law at Madison. Afterward he located at Evansville, Ind., where he remained but a short time, coming back to Madison ou account of the failing health of his father, who needed his aid in business affairs. He remained in Madison, engaged in the practice of his profession, until the time of his death, except for three years, when he was in partnership with Charles Pugh and others iu a planing mill.
913
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In politics he was at first an old-time Demo- crat, but at the breaking up of the old parties, of Democrat and Whig, when the Whig party went to pieces and the Democratic party became the pro slavery party, he became one of the founders and leaders of the Republican party, to the prin- ciples of which he remained attached until his death. He was a member of, and an advocate for, the principles of the "Native American" party. He was an anti-slavery man in principle all of the time. He ran on the Democratic ticket for the legislature in this county and also on the Republican ticket for congress in the old district of Jefferson, Floyd, Clark, Jennings and Switzer land counties. He was defeated both times. He was city attorney at the time of the suits against the city of Madison by Isom Ross and others, for damages caused by water, at the time of the great cloudburst which occurred to the north- west of the city, about 1848-49. He was a good lawyer and one of the best advocates that ever belonged to the bar of Jefferson county.
He was a man of an affectionate disposition and great kindness of heart. Gentle and pleasant in manner, he won many warm friends. He al- ways contended for the truth, right and justice.
He was of a fine personal appearance and very handsome countenance; about five feet eleven inches in height, erect and dignified in bearing, of easy and graceful manner, energetic in speech, with a pleasant, clear voice; he was one of the finest orators that ever appeared before an andi- ence in this county, either on the rostrum or at the bar. He was a rapid and attractive speaker, and seemed to say as much with his fine face and keen blue eyes as with his fluent tongue. His voice was soft and pleasant in sound, but full, round and strong in volume, and quite dis- tinct in articulation, and had the property of being plainly heard in any auditorium, and at a great distance in the open air.
On the 20th of January, 1848, he was married to Miss Frances E. Norwood, eldest daughter of Dr. Joseph G. Norwood, a former resident of Madison, Ind., but now living in Columbia, Mo. The result of this union was six children: Lilly, who died an infant; Ida M. and William N., liv- ing in California; Loulie N. and Mildred D., liv- ing in Abilene, Kans .; and John, who died an infant.
The memory of this gallant and talented gen- tleman is cherished by a large circle of friends, among whom his comrades here to-day are pre- eminent in their devotion. Hence this sketch and portrait are presented on this occasion of the triple reunion of the Eighth, Twenty-second and Eighty-second Regiments of Indiana Volun- teers.
ILLIAM N. HENDRICKS, who has been station agent for the Southern California Railroad at Claremont since 1891, and who is also interested in horticulture, was born in Madison, Ind., October 16, 1852, a son of Col. John A. and Fannie (Norwood) Hendricks, na- tives respectively of Indiana and Lexington, Ky. The family is one whose name is recorded in the annals of our country's history. His father was a first cousin of Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks. His grandfather, Hon. William Hendricks, was one of the most influential statesmen Indiana has ever had. In positions of power and prominence he proved himself a man of extraordinary ability and keen foresight. He was the first congress- man elected from Indiana, and was also honored by his state with election to the office of gover- nor, after which he was for twelve years a mem- ber of the United States senate.
Nor were the maternal ancestors of Mr. Hen- dricks less talented than the paternal, although their ability was along the line of literature rather than public affairs and politics. His maternal grandfather, Prof. Joseph G. Norwood, was a man of brilliant attainments. By education and natural talents he was fitted for positions of honor in the educational world. For a number of years he acted as dean of the faculty in the University of Missouri at Columbia, in which office he dis- tinguished himself by his combination of literary talents and executive ability. For years he was a professor of the sciences, geology and chemistry being his specialties.
Educated in Madison's public schools, William N. Hendricks at the age of seventeen began to learn telegraphy at Dupont, Ind., and at the same time he familiarized himself with the duties of railroad agent. Afterward, for four years, he was agent at Dupont. Leaving Indiana he went to Kansas. For two years he was agent at Og- den. He was then transferred to Lawrence,
914
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
where he was first a clerk in the freight office of F. C. Gay. His next appointment was at Abi- lene in the employ of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, where he remained for fourteen years. Coming to California in 1891 he has since been agent at Claremont for the Southern California Railroad, a line of the Santa Fe system. He is also the owner of a fruit ranch of twenty acres, ten of which he has put under cultivation, principally to oranges. He is deeply interested in the wel- fare of his community, and has shown his enter- prise by working in behalf of first-class roads. Coming from a state noted for its excellent roads, it is not strange that he can be satisfied only with the best. Politically he is a Democrat. For four years he held office as postmaster at Clare- mont. As a rule, however, he limits his atten- tion to his business duties, having neither the time nor the inclination to seek political offices. He is married and has four children. His wife was formerly Miss Lota Ferson, of Erie, Il1.
ON. GEORGE JESS. The life which this narrative sketches began in Nova Scotia, October 15, 1819, in the home of John L. P. and Unity (Parker) Jess; the latter was a daugh- ter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Lord) Parker. Both the Jess and Parker families were descended from Englishmen, who, many generations ago, crossed the ocean, landing on Nova Scotia's rugged shores and identifying themselves with the sturdy pioneers of that peninsula. Grand- father Jess was a native of Rhode Island and mar- ried a French lady, Sarah Payzant, who was taken by the Indians when three years old, but ransomed by her parents soon afterward. When he was a boy, George Jess had few school ad- vantages, but he supplemented his schooling by careful reading and practical business experi- ence, in which way he became a man of broad in- formation. His boyhood years were spent on the home farm, for his father, though by occupation a contracting builder, also engaged in farming and owned a tract of land in Cornwallis town- ship, Kings county.
During 1842 Mr. Jess came to the States. His first home was in Walworth county, Wis., But in 1845 he removed to Dodge county, the same
state, where for many subsequent years (with the exception of a short time in California) he con- tinued to reside. His first trip to California was in 1850, at the time of the great excitement caused by the discovery of gold. His first loca- tion was at Placerville. He became interested in buying cattle and selling beef. While making his headquarters at Sacramento he carried on three meat markets in as many different towns. In 1853 he returned to his Dodge county home. During the same year, on the 5th of November, he was married at Fox Lake, Wis., to Miss Maria Theresa Judd, a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., and a daughter of Dr. Stoddard Judd. The latter, a well-known and successful pliysi- cian, engaged in practice in Dutchess county, N. Y., and later at Fox Lake, Wis., where he died March 2, 1873.
For years Mr. Jess was interested in the real- estate and banking business in Wisconsin. As a financier he has always exhibited ability. He is conservative, never investing rashly or recklessly; yet at the same time he has broad views and a progressive spirit. He was instrumental in the establishment of the banking house of George Jess & Co., in Waupun, Wis., of which he was president and a director. After coming to Cali- fornia he was for some years a director in the First National Bank of Pomona.
Not only with the business affairs of Dodge county, but with its public history, Mr. Jess was closely connected. He was a potent factor in local Republican ranks. Among the offices which he held were those of county supervisor and a member of the state legislature. These po- sitions he filled creditably to himself and with satisfaction to his constituents. However, the cares of public life and the anxieties of business at last told upon his physical condition. His health failed to such an extent that a change of climate was declared imperative. Hoping that California might prove as healthful for him as it had for so many other eastern people, he decided to remove to this state, and in 1885 established his home in the city where he still resides, Po- mona. Since then his health has greatly im- proved and he has been able to enjoy the delights of California life to the utmost. Both he and his wife are Unitarians in religious views. They are respected and honored for their worth of charac-
915
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ter and kind hearts. Almost a half century of married life has been granted them, and in the twilight of earth's day they retain the esteem and regard which have always been theirs. Their only child, Stoddard Jess, who was formerly cashier of the First National Bank of Pomona and is one of this city's influential men, married Miss Carrie H. Chenoweth, of Monroe, Wis., and has one son, George B. Jess.
HARLES C. REYNOLDS is a member of the firm of Reynolds & Van Nuys, under- takers and funeral directors of Pasadena. He was born in Richmond, Ind., September 4, 1856, a son of Milton and Nancy (Harris) Rey- nolds, natives of Indiana. On both sides he is descended from Quaker ancestry and is himself an adherent of that society, to which he belongs by birthright. His maternal grandfather, Dr. John Harris, was a pioneer physician of Rich- mond, and had a practice extending for many miles around that city. Milton Reynolds was a railroad contractor and also a supply agent in Richmond for the Pennsylvania Railroad sys- tem at that point. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army, going to the front with the Seventh Indiana Cavalry. During a part of his service he was in the commissary department, while the remainder of the time he fought with the soldiers. He died in 1875.
The education of Charles C. Reynolds was be- gun in common schools and completed in Earl- ham College, Richmond, Ind. The year 1886 found him a resident of Pasadena, which was then gaining a name throughout the United States for beauty of location and great promise for the future. The year after his arrival lie en- gaged in the undertaking business as a member of the firm of Reynolds Brothers. This, in turn, was succeeded by the firm of Reynolds & Van Nuys in 1890, and under these two names the business has been carried forward uninterruptedly to the present. In April, 1900, Mr. Reynolds was elected a trustee of the city of Pasadena, on the Republican ticket. As a private citizen he has been known for broad views, keen fore- sight and great energy, and these qualities will aid him in the work of a trustee; so that it may
be safely predicted that the term upon which lie has recently entered will be creditable to himself and satisfactory to the people. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen, all of Pasadena.
In 1898 the Long Beach, Alaska, Trading and Mining Company was organized and incorpo- rated under the laws of Arizona. He was elected its first president and is still a stockholder. In company with nineteen others he set sail April 6, 1898, on the sailing vessel, Penelope, from San Pedro, Cal., for Alaska, where they arrived after a voyage of fifty-eight days. The object of the expedition was to search for gold prospects in the recently discovered mines of the northwest. The company spent the winter of 1898-99 in the far north. During that winter Mr. Reynolds, with six others, traveled by sleds to Cape Nome. In July the others followed them to the same point, taking their ship through the straits as far as the Cape. The party spent the summer of 1899 in and near Cape Nome, where they pros- pected for gold and located several claims. The majority of the company, including Mr. Reynolds, returned with the vessel, arriving at San Pedro in November, 1899.
Mr. Reynolds married Miss Mary E. McCrack- en, of Richmond, Ind., and by her he has two sons, Delmar M. and Charles H.
ALTER SHAFER has resided on San Antonio avenue, Pomona, since February, 1888. Among the raisers of citrus fruits in this valley he is well known. He is a director in the Claremont Citrus Union and an enterpris- ing horticulturist who, while promoting his per- sonal interests, has also given an impetus to the fruit industry in Southern California. His hold- ings of fruit lands aggregate, altogether, fourteen and one-half acres, divided into two orchards, and planted almost wholly in oranges and prunes. Some years ago he assisted in the organization of the Claremont Citrus Union, which has since been effective as an agency for advancing the in- terests of local horticulturists.
The Shafer family descends from Hollanders. The first of the name to settle in America was Hendrickus Shafer, a pioneer of the Mohawk and
916
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Scholarie valleys in New York. Subsequent generations were identified with the same regions. Walter Shafer was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., January 3, 1855, a son of Jacob L. and Chris- tina Shafer, natives of New York state. His mother died some years ago, but his father is still living (at eighty-six years), and for years has made his home on a farm in Schoharie coun- ty. It was on this homestead farm that our sub- ject grew to man's estate. He was given com- mon-school advantages in boyhood, and also for two terms attended the State Normal School in Albany, N. Y. On completing his education he began to teach school, and for two winters taught in his native county. While living there he mar- ried Rebecca B. Nelson, of the same county. In the fall of 1887 he came to Pomona, since which time he has given his attention to the fruit business. He has witnessed the gradual development of this region as a fruit-growing center, which sends to the markets of the world each year immense shipments of citrus and de- ciduous fruits. He is connected with a number of organizations in Pomona, among them being the Presbyterian Church. His second wife was Miss Mary A. Northrop, of Mason, Mich., a daughter of the late Enos Northrop, of that city. Two children bless their union, Winifred M. and Mildred J.
OHN S. BILLHEIMER has been closely identified with the fortunes of Pasadena since his residence here in 1887. As agent for the Electric Express & Storage Company, he has been associated with the best business enterprises of the city, and has gained prominence because of fine business tact, geniality and conscientious application of honest principles.
Born April 10, 1864, he is a son of Isaac and Saloma (Sherfey) Billheimer, natives of Virginia, and of Pennsylvania-Dutch extraction. Isaac Billheimer was in his younger days a contractor and builder, but since 1872, when he moved from Washington county, Tenn., to Tippecanoe coun- ty, Ind., he has devoted his time and energies to the ministry of the German Baptist Brethren Church. He is now located at Edna Mills, Clin- ton county, Ind. His wife died in 1879.
John S. Billheimer was educated in the Mount
Morris College at Mount Morris, Ill., and subse- quently utilized his excellent training by teach- ing school for some time in Douglas county, Kans., to which state he had moved in 1886. In1 the following year he came to Pasadena, and was employed by J. S. Baldwin in the hay, grain and feed business in the capacity of clerk for several years. He was later in the employ of the Willa- mette Lumber Company at Pasadena, next en- gaging in the express and transfer business be- tween Pasadena and Los Angeles. This latter business was conducted on his own responsibility. He then became identified with the Electric Ex- press & Storage Company, and has since been connected with the same company.
Mr. Billheimer married Anna L. Overholtzer, a daughter of the late Samuel A. Overholtzer, of Covina, Cal. Of this union there are two chil- dren, Glen E. and Vera M.
In politics Mr. Billheimer is a Republican. Himself and wife are members of the Christian Church at Pasadena, of which he is now serving as deacon and treasurer. He is a self-made man, and has risen to prominence because of his many sterling traits of mind and character.
HERMAN WASHBURN. In reviewing the history of any community there are always a few names that stand out pre-eminently, because those who bear them are men of superior ability, wise judgment and progressive spirit. Such names and such men add to the prosperity of a place and increase its commercial impor- tance. In the history of Pasadena the name of Sherman Washburn, a pioneer, stands out con- spicuous. This is not due wholly to the fact that he was a pioneer, but also to his keen intelli- gence, public spirit, shrewd discrimination, tact and enterprise. His influence was helpful in the development of many worthy enterprises in this region. He was treasurer of the San Gabriel Valley Railroad Company, whose road has since been absorbed by the Santa Fe system. For years he was treasurer of the Pasadena Land and Water Company, with which he is still identified as a stockholder. As vice-president and a direc- tor of the San Gabriel Valley Bank he has ex- hibited rare business qualities, and has been a factor in the establishment of the institution upon
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.