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 42

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 996

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 42

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In 1877 Mr. Wood married Georgeanna, daughter of James Newlin, of Chester county, Pa. They have a son, Clifford H., now a stu- dent in the state university of California at Berkeley.

LLIOTT HINMAN. As president of the board of trustees of Pomona, Mr. Hinman · occupies a position affording especial oppor- tunities for a man of broad views and progressive spirit. That he has availed himself of these op- portunities is known to every citizen of his town. In April, 1896, he was elected a member of the board for four years, and in January, 1899, be- came president, which position he has since filled with characteristic ability. Though he has for some years been active and potent in political affairs, he has never sought office for himself, and his election to his present position was a tribute to his recognized ability.

It is thought that the Hinman family originated in England. Mr. Hinman was born in Henry county, Il1., August 31, 1853, a son of R. N. and Elizabeth (Miller) Hinman, natives of Connec- ticut. His father settled in Illinois in early man- hood and engaged in farming in Henry county, where for a number of years he served as super- visor of Osco township and secretary of the Henry County Agricultural Society. He is now living retired in Cambridge, that state. The schools of Cambridge afforded our subject fair advantages, and the information there acquired was supplemented by practical experience in after years. On reaching his majority he became in- terested in a retail lumber business at Cambridge. Beginning on a small scale, he gradually in- creased the business and enlarged his trade until lie was one of the most substantial business men of the town. For twenty years he carried on a lumber business, and during the last four years of the time he also engaged in buying and ship- ping grain. While in Cambridge he was a meni- ber of the board of village trustees for some years, and a stockliolder and director in the First Na- tional and the Farmers' National Bank, in both of which he is still a stockliolder.

In 1878 Mr. Hinman married Miss Nora A.

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Nolind, of Muscatine, Iowa. Their family con- District Republican League, and as its vice- sists of three children: Fannie E., Susie S. and Harry H.

The responsibilities connected with the man- agement of a large business and the injurious ef- fects of a changeable climate finally began to tell on Mr. Hinman's health. Feeling the imperative necessity of a radical change, he decided to dis- pose of his business interests in Illinois and settle in California. It was in this way that he became a resident of Pomona in 1893. His decision in making the change of location he has never had cause to regret. Subsequent events have proved the wisdom of his course. In March, 1899, he embarked in the feed and fuel business, which he has since conducted. He is connected with the Masonic Order in Pomona, the Odd Fellows' lodge in Cambridge, Ill., and the Eastern Star and Rebekahs of Pomona. Mrs. Hinman has taken an active interest in the Eastern Star and Rebekah lodges in Pomona, and has served as worthy matron of the former and noble grand in the latter organization.

ALTER F. HAAS. Occupying a note- worthy position among the many able attorneys now resident in Los Angeles is the gentleman whose name introduces this arti- cle, and who is the incumbent of the city attor- ney's office. During the years of his active pro- fessional career he has made a reputation for himself as a man thoroughly familiar with the intricacies of the law, and able, by his keen, in- tellectual faculties, to trace legal processes in logical sequence from cause to effect. In the position he now holds he has had considerable professional work of a most important character, and to his credit it may be stated that every duty connected with the office has been discharged promptly, efficiently and intelligently. His con- nection with the local leaders of the Republican party has been intimate and his devotion to the party principles unquestioned. Early trained by his father, an ardent Republican, to a familiar knowledge of the party's platform and doctrines, lie has from an early age been well grounded in his knowledge of politics, and has at the same time been unwavering in his zealous advocacy of liis chosen organization. As president of the Sixtlı

president for Southern California, he has formed a wide acquaintance among his party co-laborers in this section of the state. At the time of the Republican city convention of 1898 it was felt that his nomination as city attorney was but a de- served compliment to his labors in the party's behalf. He accepted the nomination, and threw all his energies into the campaign. Although his opponent was one of the strongest Democrats in the city, Hon. C. C. Wright, he had the satis- faction, by his personal efforts, and the influence of his known character for honor and ability, to gain the election by a majority of fourteen hun- dred and fifty-six votes.

As indicated by the name, the Haas family is of German origin. The father of our subject, John B. Haas, came to this country from Germany in 1845 and engaged in mercantile pursuits in St. Louis for some years. In 1853 he traveled by ox-team across the plains, via Salt Lake City, to Eldorado county, Cal., where he began mining and merchandising. During the following years he met with his share of success and adversity, of luck and disaster. In 1868 he returned to St. Louis via the Isthmus of Panama. On his return he married Miss Lena Bruere, of St. Charles, Mo., and they settled in California, Mo., where their son, Walter F., was born in 1869. Mr. Haas carried on a large and prosperous mercan- tile business in that town for some years. He also became prominent in public affairs, and served efficiently as a member of the Missouri Legislature during the governorship of Hon. Gratz Brown. In 1884 he brought his family to California, the journey this time being made in a very different style from his trip twenty years be- fore. Much of the time since his settlement in this state he has been interested in the evaporating of fruit. He has also been a regular correspondent for eastern newspapers. His home is in Los An- geles, where he takes an active interest in the city's affairs, and is a member, fraternally, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

At the time of coming to California Walter F. Haas was fifteen years of age. He attended the high school in Los Angeles, completing the course in 1889. He then began the study of law in the office of Houghton, Silent & Campbell, and continued his readings until he was admitted

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to practice before the supreme court of the state in 1891. From that time he has been engaged in a general practice. He has always been a close student of his profession, not ceasing to study when he was admitted to the bar, but striving continually to increase his store of professional knowledge, in order that he may attain the high place among his fellow-attorneys to which his talents entitle him.

ERMAN W. HELLMAN. The beautiful city of Los Angeles is distinguished not

- only for her superb climate, picturesque location, extensive horticultural and agricultural resources and her mineral wealth, but also for her resolute and aggressive men of business, whose broad intelligence and enterprise have developed these forces. It matters very little to what extent a city may be so endowed; she must also be reinforced by a financial system, a monetary organism, so intelligently and vigor- ously managed as to withstand the vicissitudes that are inevitable in the development of new American cities of such phenomenal growth as Los Angeles has experienced. In this particular Los Angeles has been especially favored. Her pioneers averaged a very large percentage of wise, frugal, sagacious men. The boom came and went, but the far-sighted and self-poised pioneer pursued the even tenor of his way and was found here, doing business the same as be- fore, after the boomer had folded his tent and de- parted. A majority of these pioneers have passed to the great beyond. Among those still iu active life, mention belongs to Herman W. Hellman, the vice-president and manager of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Los Angeles.

Mr. Hellman came to Los Angeles May 14, 1859. He was at the time about fifteen years of age and Los Angeles was a town approaching three thousand inhabitants. He brought little with him besides a good public-school education, backed with good health, temperate habits and a resolute purpose to do something and do it thor- oughly and successfully. The following June he entered the employ of Geu. Phineas Bauning, of Wilmington, as freight clerk in the forwarding and commission business. In December, 1861,

he `resigned the position to join a cousin in the stationery business in Los Angeles. After sev- eral years he embarked in the fancy goods and stationery business on hisown account, and con- tinued therein until March, 1870, when he dis- posed of his business and spent a year and a-half in Europe. Upou his return, in November, 1871, he and Jacob Haas (an old schoolmate of Mr. Hellman) founded the house of Hellman, Haas & Co., which under Mr. Hellman's general direction carried on an extensive and successful wholesale grocery business for nineteen years, extending their trade throughout Southern Cali- fornia, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The life and energy of this aggressive business house have become a material feature of the splendid con- mercial history of Los Angeles.

From time to time Mr. Hellman made large and judicious investments in Los Angeles realty and substantial business enterprises, among which may be mentioned the purchase of stock in the Farmers & Merchants Bank, of which he was elected a director. In 1890 he retired from the firm of Hellman, Haas & Co., and accepted the position of vice-president and local manager of the Farmers & Merchants Bank, since which time he has given to the direction of its extensive business his best energies and close personal at- tention. The financial panic of 1893 brought out strikingly the wisdom of the policy which has been elemental in the building up of this bank. Never were the times more stressful for a bank and never did a bank meet the issue more proudly or more gloriously than did the Farmers & Mer- chants Bank. Several financial institutions of Los Angeles closed their doors, one permanently; but the bank founded by I. W. Hellman, and then, as now, under the management of Herman W. Hellman, was not of the number. Like the rock of Gibraltar, it stood majestically serene while the elements of financial disaster made wrecks of other institutions. The deposits mounted higher as fear grew on the populace, for it became a haven for the doubtful and dis- trustful. While people stood in long lines await- ing their chance to draw money from the other banks, they only stood in line at the Farmers & Merchants Bank for the opportunity of depositing it there. No more splendid tribute could be paid

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flawless honesty and financial skill. To other banks this institution was able to, and did, ex- tend at this crisis ready and effectnal assistance, thus obviating further suspensions and saving thousand of people from loss and inconvenience that otherwise would have been inevitable.

Other financial institutions claim a share of Mr. Hellman's time and thought. He is vice- president of the Los Angeles Savings Bank, a director of the Main Street Savings Bank, a di- rector of the Security Savings Bank (all of this city) and a director in several banking institu- tions in the various towns and cities of Southern California. He is chairman of the Los Angeles clearing house committee, and director and treas- urer of various business corporations of Los An- geles and its vicinity. Possessing the instincts of a wise and prudent financier, his council on the multiplex questions of expediency incident to heavy financial undertakings is sought and recognized as authority. From the day of his arrival in this then little Spanish town, he has evinced an abiding faith in the future of Southern California and its metropolis. As the country has grown the city has expanded and he has grown in fortune until he is one of the city's largest individual taxpayers.

Mr. Hellman is a native of Bavaria, Germany, ard was born in the town of Reckendorf, Septem- ber 25, 1843. His father, Wolf Hellman, a 11a- tive of the same place, was a weaver by trade and also followed mercantile pursuits. He died there at the age of about seventy-two years. He had married Sarah Fleischmann, who spent her entire life in that town, dying when sixty-seven years of age. They were the parents of thirteen chil- dren, five of whom are living. Her father was a farmer and cattle-trader. Wolf Hellman's father was a prominent merchant and capitalist. Some of the ancestors of Mrs. Hellman filled important positions, such as quartermasters during the revolution of Napoleon I.

Herman W. Hellman was educated in the schools of southern Germany. When fifteen years of age he accompanied his brother, Isaias W. Hellman, to this country, arriving in Los Angeles May 14, 1859. He was married in Italy, July 26, 1874, to Miss Ida Heimann, a lady of Christian character and social accomplishments. She was born at Treviso, near Venice, a daughter

of Moritz and Fannie Heimann, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Triest, Austria. They became the parents of six children, four of whom are living, two daughters, Frida and Amy, and two sons, Marco and Irving. Mr. and Mrs. Hellman are prominent members of the Reformed Jewish Congregation B'nai B'rith, Los Angeles, of which he has been president since 1886; under his administration the elegant temple on the cor- ner of Hope and Ninth streets waserected. The family are liberal supporters to the religious and charitable movements of the city, county and state.

A Mason of high degree, Mr. Hellman was initiated and entered apprentice Mason Septem- ber 20, 1869, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft March 21, 1870, was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason June 14, 1870, in Pentalpha Lodge No. 202, of which he is still a member. July 10 he was advanced to the honorary degree of Mark Master; inducted and presided in the Oriental chair as past master July 17, received and acknowledged Most Excellent Master Au- gust 8, and exalted to the sublime degree of Royal Arch Mason August 14, 1883, in Signet Chapter No. 57, of which he is still a member in good standing.

As a loyal citizen and a business man of ex- tensive interests, Mr. Hellman has a personal concern in all matters pertaining to the public welfare. However, he has no taste for politics. He votes not as a partisan, but for capable and honest men for public positions. Plain and temperate in his habits of life, ever pleasant and courteous in manner, his bearing is that of a cultured gentleman whom to know is to admire.

- ON. SAMUEL N. ANDROUS. He who has contributed to the progress of a com- munity and promoted its welfare is entitled to a place in the ranks of its public-spirited citi- zens. Viewed from this standpoint, Mr. Androus justly deserves the high regard in which he is held by the people of Pomona. He has done much to aid in the development of this city and the surrounding country. Enterprises of a pro- gressive character have received his encourage-

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ment and active co-operation, both during the period of his public service and in the capacity of a private citizen.

A resident of Pomona since 1887, Mr. Androus was born in Lyons, N. Y., Marclı 15, 1840, a son of Samuel and Lois Androus, natives respectively of Maine and Massachusetts. While he was still an infant his parents moved to Michigan and settled in Ann Arbor. A number of years later they removed to Battle Creek, in the same state. After a time they returned to Lyons, N. Y., but the year 1855 found them again in Michigan, they settling this time in Coldwater. When the war broke out between the states Mr. Androus was a young man, strong, hearty, enthusiastic and patriotic. No sooner had war been declared than he resolved to enlist in his country's serv- ice. On the 24th of April, 1861, his name was enrolled as a member of Company C, First Michigan Infantry. His regiment was assigned to the army of the Potomac, with which he fought in the first battle of Bull Run. His term of service was for three months, at the expira- tion of which time he was honorably discharged. Returning home on the 9th of August, three days later he again entered the army. On the 13th he was commissioned second lieutenant of Company B, of the Northwestern Rifle Regi- ment, afterwards known as the Forty-fourth Illi- nois Infantry. During the subsequent period of his service he took part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh and Murfrees- boro, besides some engagements of minor import. He was three times wounded, but at no time seriously. In recognition of his meritorious serv- ice he was promoted, by successive steps, to the rank of major, and continued as such until the war ended.

With a war record which might well be a source of just pride, Major Androus returned home to resume the pursuits of civic life. For these, as for military affairs, he soon evinced a talent. He engaged in business in Flint and in Detriot, Mich., until 1886, when he came to California and began the life of a horticulturist in Pomona. He is the owner of an orange orchard comprising thirty acres, north of Pomona. The oranges on this place are of a fine variety. The trees were planted by him and he had per- sonally superintended their care and develop-

ment. The place attracts the attention of visitors, and its well-kept appearance indicates the thrift of its owner. The house is of the Spanish type of architecture that is so admirably adapted to this section of the country.

Besides the management of his horticultural interests, Mr. Androus has other important in- terests. For several years he was vice-president of the People's Bank of Pomona. Interested in everything pertaining to education, his service of four years as a member of the Pomona board of education has been helpful to the public-school interests. The Republican party receives his stanch support and its candidates his vote. He has been honored by his party in election to po- sitions of trust and responsibility. In 1892 he was elected to represent his district in the state assembly and his service was so satisfactory that two years later, on the expiration of his term, he was chosen to serve in the state senate. Believ- ing a public office to be a public trust, during his incumbency of these positions he devoted his at- tention to the faithful discharge of his duties. His keen intuition, sound judgment and broad knowledge made him a power in the halls of legislature. His record was that of an able legislator, and during his term of service he gained the confidence of the people to an extent seldom surpassed. After his retirement from the senate he filled no political office until July, 1899, when he was appointed postmaster of Pomona for a period of four years. In this posi- tion, as in all others, he has been distinguished by his close attention to every duty, his wise judgment and keen discriminative powers of mind.

In March, 1897, Mr. Androus was chosen president of the Pacific Coast Jockey Club of San Francisco, to fill an unexpired term, at the expiration of which he was duly elected to the office and has since served in that capacity. In 1899 he was appointed by the regents of the State University of California as patron of the experimental station at Pomona. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights Templar and other branches of the Masonic Order. In religion he is an Episcopalian. Like all old soldiers, he never forgets the days of the war, and one of his greatest pleasures is meeting a former comrade in arms and recounting with him the thrilling

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experiences at the front. He is a Grand Army man and holds membership in Vicksburg Post No. 61, G. A. R., and also is connected with the Loyal Legion of the United States of America.

By his marriage to Miss Alice Brown, of Grand Rapids, Mich., Mr. Androus has three sons, Lewis S., Horatio D. and Harold N.

W ILLIAM S. BARTLETT. There are few names more intimately associated with the banking interests of California than that of W. S. Bartlett, who is now president of the Union Bank of Savings in Los Angeles and vice-presi- dent and general manager of the Security Loan & Trust Company, to which two corporations he devotes his entire time. Mr. Bartlett was born in South Bend, Ind., in 1843, and received his edu- cation in the public schools of his native town. When a young man he embarked in the mercan- tile business in that place, but after a few years decided to come west and cast in his fortunes with the people of California. In 1869 he temporarily located at San Leandro, which was at that time the county seat of Alameda county. The fol- lowing year, however, he left there and went to San Francisco, where he engaged in the broker- age business for a time. Later he was given a responsible position with the California Trust Company, and remained with it under its subse- quent change of title to the National Gold Bank & Trust Company, one of the largest institutions of the kind in San Francisco. For years he was cashier of this bank, with which he remained until, and after, it went into voluntary liquida- tion.

The year 1881 found Mr. Bartlett in Southern California. After less than a year in Los Ange- les he went to Santa Ana, Orange county, and there organized the Commercial Bank, of which he was the cashier and manager for a number of years, and in which he is still a director. In 1883 he organized the Bank of Orange; and also the Bank of Tustin, in the latter of which he is yet a director. Besides assisting in the organi- zation of these institutions named, lie was con- nected with the founding of the Orange County Abstract Company, the Santa Ana Improvement Company, the Santa Ana Gas & Electric Light Company, the Santa Ana Development Company,

the Santa Ana Street Railway Company, the Main Street Investment Company of Los Ange- les, etc., etc. He also acts as local representa- tive for the Bank of California (San Francisco), and for many non-resident capitalists and prop- erty owners, and as acting executor of the Van- derlip estate, in Orange county. Under special appointment, during 1893-94, he acted as agent for the stockholders in the final liquidation of the affairs of the Southern California Insurance Com- pany of Los Angeles. He also liquidated the af- fairs of the Bank of Anaheim, as the representa- tive of the state board of bank commissioners.

On his removal to Los Angeles, in 1898, Mr. Bartlett became identified with the Union Bank of Savings as its president; and with the Security Loan & Trust Company as its vice-president and general manager; while at the same time he con- tinnes to have charge of large landed interests in Orange and San Diego counties, this state; in Coconino county, Ariz., and in Nye county, Nev. He has also long been connected with the Olive Milling Company, Orange county; and is local director in Los Angeles of the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland (Baltimore, Md.).

By nature the excitement and conflict of political life is distasteful to Mr. Bartlett, while attention to his private business interests have engrossed his time and formed a more congenial pursuit. However, he is well versed in our political his- tory as a nation, and is an adherent of Republi- can principles. In religion he is of the Presby- terian faith. While engaged in business in San Francisco he served as an elder of the First Pres- byterian Church in Oakland. Later he became an organizer and charter member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana; and on coming to Los Angeles in 1898 lie identified him- self with the First Presbyterian Church here. In 1878 he married Miss Franklina C. Gray, of Vir- ginia, by whom he lias three children, Lanier, Mathilde and Gordon.

While accumulating ample means, Mr. Bartlett has done so through the steady prosecution of the banking business, and not by any Incky turn in Fortune's wheel, nor through speculativeschemes. He has always carefully guarded the interests of the banks, companies and individuals he has rep- resented, and has been guided in his investments by wise, conservative judgment, which has

MQ Snyder

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caused him to keep aloof from enterprises of doubtful results. His views upon matters per- taining to finances are often songht as possessing undoubted valne.

ON. MEREDITH P. SNYDER. In pre- senting to the readers of this volume the life record of Mr. Snyder, we are perpetuat- ing the name of one of the most influential men of Los Angeles and one who has occupied the highest position within the gift of his fellow-citi- zens. An account of the life and character of Mr. Snyder, rising from an humble position by his own efforts to a place of honor among men, presents a lesson worthy of emulation by young men of the present generation and adds another striking illustration of the power of determined purpose and perseverance. In his youth he had few advantages, for his parents died when he was small and the estate was rendered worthless by the devastating effects of the Civil war. Had he been a member of a wealthy family, with the privilege of acquiring a thorough education, he would probably have become a successful attorney and counselor, as the bent of his mind is in that direction; but fate and destiny turned his steps along another path, in which he has wielded an influence undreamt in youth. He stands as one of the leading citizens of Los Angeles and his service as mayor, in 1897-'98, has made his name a household word throughout the city.

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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 42

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918 Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 996

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 996