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 43

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 43

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The Snyders settled in North Carolina during the colonial era. Meredith P. was born at old Lexington Court House, in that state, October 22, 1859, his parents being K. D. and Elizabeth (Heiher) Snyder. Through his own efforts he secured the means necessary for a collegiate course and attended college for a time, but did not gradnate. In 1880 he came to Los Angeles, where he has since made his home. After clerk- ing in a furniture store for a time, he accepted a position with the B. F. Coulter Dry Goods Company, and for four years was in charge of the drapery department. He then turned his atten- tion to the real estate business, in which he en- gaged for eight years. Afterward, for a similar period, he wasat the head of the M. P. Snyder Shoe Company, a business that is still successfully carried on, though under different management.

In 1890 lie was elected a member of the police commission, and, at the expiration of his term, was re-elected. Two years later he was elected to represent the second ward in the city council, where he took an active part in movements for the benefit of the town, favoring all measures that would be of undoubted benefit. So high did he stand in the city and such was his prominence in the Democratic party, that its members nom- inated him for the office of mayor in the fall of 1896 aud he was elected by a large majority, tak- ing his seat in January, 1897, and serving efficient- ly for one term, at the close of which he re-entered the real estate business. His record as mayor was an excellent one. While exercising a con- trolling influence in local affairs, this influence was used only for the best purposes and for the good of the municipality. He believes in good government, and in the exercise of his personal power as mayor he never betrayed the best interests of the city, but proved himself cool- headed, courageous, energetic and indefatigable as an official. Beyond question his administra- tion contributed to the progress of the town.

In 1888 Mr. Snyder married Miss Mary Ross, by whom he has a son, Ross Snyder. Mrs. Snyder is a daughter of William W. Ross, who served in the body guard of President Lincoln during the Civil war and later became a promi- nent citizen of Topeka, Kans., where he served as mayor and in other prominent positions. Her uncle, Hon. Edgar G. Ross, was governor of New Mexico and also served as United States senator.

ON. LOUIS GOTTSCHALK. For a

period of almost thirty years Judge Gotts-

- - chalk was prominently associated with the bench and bar of St. Louis, and during his resi- dence in that city he won a constantly increasing reputation for breadth of knowledge and keen- ness of intellectual faculties. In the many posi- tions of honor to which he has been called he has proved himself a man of superior ability, in whose hands large responsibilities may be safely entrusted. During the early part of the period, notable in California for its great accessions to the population of Los Angeles and the striking development of the city's real estate interests, he

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

came to the Pacific coast, and lias since engaged in the practice of law in this city, with the excep- tion of four years spent in Germany as United States consul, under appointment from President Harrison.

As indicated by the name, the Gottschalk fan- ily is of German origin. Judge Gottschalk was born in the city of Ems, which lies in terraced lengths along the Lalın, in Hesse-Nassau. In the home of his parents, Charles and Margaret (Luther) Gottschalk, he was born on New Year's day of 1836. When thirteen years of age he accompanied the family to the United States. For a few years he attended school in New York City, after which he began to read law. In 1856 lie was admitted to the bar of Iowa at Dubuque, where he began the practice of his profession and remained for two years.

The turning point in Judge Gottschalk's career came in 1858, when he removed to St. Louis. He met with success from the first, and soon be- came prominent among the members of the legal fraternity. When the Civil war opened he was stanch in his adherence to the Union, and enlisted in the service. For nearly two years he was captain of Company B, Fifth Missouri Infantry, during which time he shared in many of the cam- paigns and conflicts that are memorable in his- tory. His first official position in St. Louis was that of city attorney, to which he was elected in 1863. Three years later he was chosen to serve in the city council. As his ability became more widely recognized he was offered positions of greater honor and trust. In 1869 he was elected to the state senate of Missouri, and shortly after he began his term of service he was selected to act as president of the senate, in which position his impartiality, tact and quick, cool judgment won for him the respect of both parties. While filling this position he was also acting lieutenant- governor, by reason of the death of the gentle- man elected to that office. At the same time tlie governor, Hon. B. Gratz Brown, was the nomi- nee for vice-president of the United States on the Democratic ticket.

While officiating as a member of the constitu- tioual convention in Missouri, in 1875, the sub- ject of this article was elected a judge of the St. Louis circuit court, which position he held until January, 1879. His mental powers, being of an

unusually vigorous order, he was qualified to fill the position with judgment and dignity. In ad- dition to being well informed, he possessed the added qualifications of wise judgment and an impartial spirit. Comprehensive study of the law had made him thoroughly familiar with its every department. When he was upon the bench he had the respect of all members of the bar, who deferred to his decisions with the highest regard. After his retirement from the bench he resumed his professional practice, establishing a large and important clientelé. In 1886 he removed to Los Angeles, where he now has his office in the Henne building.

During his residence in St. Louis he married Miss Nancy L. Gottschalk, by whom he has four children, namely: Louis F .; Fred C .; Nancy, wife of J. B. Francisco; and Otto, a student oflaw.

ON. N. P. CONREY. Though only in the prime of life, N. P. Conrey, prominent in the ranks of the Los Angeles bar, has won distinction and honors far beyond his years. Frequently he has given the public evidence of his ability and earnest desire to promote the in- terests of the commonwealth and the community in which he dwells, and this led, in 1898 and 1899, to his being elected to represent this dis- trict in the state legislature, where he fulfilled the expectations of his numerous friends and well- wishers.

The birthplace of Mr. Conrey is in the vicinity of Shelbyville, Ind., and the date of the initial event in his history is June 30, 1860. His father, David L. Conrey, also a native of Indiana, has spent his entire life in the neighborhood of the town mentioned, and for two-score years he has been actively engaged in manufacturing enter- prises in the western part of the place. The mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Jame- son, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., where her ancestors had settled at an early period. A brother of our subject, J. A., is a resident of Shel- byville.

After completing his public-school education, N. P. Conrey entered Indiana Asbury University, and was graduated with honors in the class of 1881. Subsequently he pursued the study of

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

law in the University of Michigan, where lie re- ceived his degree in 1883, and afterwards he was admitted to the Indiana bar.

In February, 1884, he established an office and commenced the practice of law in Los Angeles,. and during the years of 1886 and 1887 lie main- tained a branch office at Pasadena. He took part in the organization of that city as a corporation, and was honored by election to the office of city attorney. In connection with the movement in the direction of establishing local option in that city he prepared the prohibition ordinance, which was successfully established in the courts, and hav- ing stood the test of trial in the supreme court of California, set at rest the question then in doubt as to the legality of a city's rights in the matter of local option. Mr. Conrey has always taken anı active part in public movements and has been es- pecially interested in the cause of education. During his service as a member of the Los An- geles school board, in 1897 and 1898, he cast his influence on the side of progress, and contributed toward some needed reforms. His city office is located in the California Bank building, and his clientage includes many of the representative business men and corporations of Southern Cali- fornia. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason.

Ten years ago was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Conrey and Miss Ethelwyn Wells, daughter of the Rev. A. J. Wells, then pastor of the Plymouth Congregational Church of this city. They have a son and a daughter, David Wells and Ethelwyn.

ON. THOMAS E. GIBBON. £ Probably one of the busiest men in Los Angeles is the gentleman whose name appears at the be- ginning of this sketch, and whenever a new enterprise or improvement for the city or vicinity is attempted, he is certain to be one of the first consulted, and, whenever he finds that he can devote any time, attention or means to the further- ance of the project, he can be safely relied upon to do all within his power. His prominence in many of the great undertakings effecting this region, notably that of the improved harbor at San Pedro as a seaport for Los Angeles, has made his name a familiar one to the general

public, and his noble, disinterested services on behalf of the city and state which he loves so sincerely renders him highly esteemed and admired.

Now in the prime of manhood, Thomas E. Gibbon was born May 28, 1860, in Monroe county, Ark., to which state his father, Dr. W. R. Gibbon, had recently removed from Virginia. The latter, a son of Thomas Gibbon, was a native of the Old Dominion, where, having completed his literary education, he was sent to the Virginia Military Institute. During the Civil war, his sympathies naturally being with his native state, he fought in the Confederate army, and suffered throughout the long struggle which followed. Having obtained a degree as a physician and surgeon, he then commenced the practice of his chosen profession in Arkansas, and, some years subsequently, turned his entire attention to the management of a plantation which he purchased.

Thomas E. Gibbon did not have as excellent advantages in his youth, perhaps, as he would have possessed if a resident of a state nearer the educational centers of the east, but he was a student by nature, and when he was twenty-two years of age he went to Little Rock, where, by application and hard work, he mastered the intricacies of the law, at the same time meeting his own expenses by teaching in the public schools. In 1883 he was associated with W. L. Terry, who has been for several years past a member of congress from Arkansas, and for a period of four years he worked indefatigably to build up his practice and serve the interests of his clients. In the meantime, the young lawyer's rare ability to handle the affairs of the public became known, and in 1884 he was elected to represent Pulaski county in the state legislature of Arkansas, where he enjoyed the honor of being the youngest member of that august body. The double responsibility which rested upon him, of attending to his professional duties and to the interests of his constituents, proved too great a tax upon the young man at that time, for he was not robust, and long years of persistent study and application had made gradual and almost imper- ceptible inroads upon his health. Accordingly, he wisely decided to abandon work and for sev- eral months he traveled, care-free, upon the continent and through England. Then, returning

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home, lie resumed his interrupted labors, only to find that he must seek a permanent change of climate.

After due thought, Mr. Gibbon determined to cast in his lot with the inhabitants of Southern California, and, for more than a year subsequent to his arrival here, July 17, 1888, he spent most of his time in the open air, drinking in health and vigor from nature's reservoir. He opened an office in Los Angeles, and before long had gained the confidence of the local public, and from that time onward he has found little leisure time. He has chiefly been engaged in corpora- tion law, and is past master in everything pertain- ing to the law as applied to business enterprises. That he is looked upon as an authority in this line may be seen from the fact that he has been called upon to serve as the attorney for so many local corporations and organizations. Among others, it may be mentioned that he is thus retained by the Los Angeles Lighting Company, the Los Angeles Electric Company and is not only counsel but also vice-president of the Los Angeles Terminal Railway Company, and vice- president of the Herald Publishing Company.

In his devotion to his professional duties, Mr. Gibbon never neglects his duty as a citizen, and strives to advance the welfare of his community in every manner. He has been a member of the board of police commissioners of this city, whose business it is to look after the proper protection of our citizens and their property, and is one of the directors of the League for Better City Government; is also a director of the Fiesta Asso- ciation.

As a member of the Free Harbor League, he accomplished grand results for the deep-sea har- bor at San Pedro, so long aud earnestly desired by the majority of Southern Californians, and, having been honored by being made chairman of the committee which was to attend to the matter of settling the subject of the new harbor in the proper light before congress, he has gone to Washington seven or eight times, and has nobly battled for the rights of San Pedro and clearly demonstrated to the various committees the urgent need of this great enterprise, which is destined to materially increase the desirability and wealth of this region. He is a member of one of the com- mittees of the Chamber of Commerce, and in the

summer of 1897 he was sent as a delegate from Southern California to the Trans- Mississippi Com- mercial Congress at Salt Lake City, where he urged upon that body, chiefly representing the western states, the necessity and untold impor- tance of their using every possible influence toward the constructing of the San Pedro harbor, so long delayed. In summing up his career, it may be said that few men of twoscore years possess such ripe, keen judgment, such rare sagacity and clear mental grasp of the leading issues of the day.

Mr. Gibbon married Miss Ellen Rose, daughter of Judge U. M. Rose, of Little Rock, Ark., and they have one son, William Rose Gibbon.

ODFREY HOLTERHOFF, JR. A worthy representative of one of the wealthy and in- fluential families of Cincinnati, Godfrey Holterhoff, Jr., was born thirty-nine years ago in the city mentioned, and there spent the days of his boyhood. His father, Godfrey Holterhoff, Sr., has been almost a life-long resident of that metropolis, and for a great many years has been identified with the financial and industrial inter- ests of that locality. A man of sterling integrity and honor, he commands the respect and high regard of all who know him. His wife, the mother of our subject, bore the maiden name of Helena Guysi, and three sons blessed their union, one of whom, Charles R., is an attorney-at-law in Los Angeles.

In the excellent public schools of his native city Godfrey Holterhoff, Jr., acquired a liberal education, completing his studies in the high school. When he was nineteen years of age, his health having become somewhat impaired by close application to his books, he concluded to try the balmy climate of Southern California, which, it may be said in passing, soon effected wonders for him, and to-day he is rugged and equal to great physical exertion. He became deeply attached to this section of the Union, and now considers Los Angeles, which has grown amazingly even during his residence here, as his permanent home. For eight years he dwelt in San Diego, where he is well known.

Twenty years ago, when the Santa Fe Railroad commenced the construction of its western

LOUIS ROEDER.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

branch, Mr. Holterlioff took a position as a clerk in the San Diego office of the company and there gained the practical experience which has since served him so well. Gradually he was pro- moted from one position to another and finally was made cashier and paymaster, in which capa- city he acted until 1893. His ability being thor- oughly recognized by this time by the various business men and railroad corporations with which his duties brought him into relation, he had numerous flattering opportunities to transfer his allegiance to some other organization, and at length accepted the responsible position of secre- tary and treasurer of the Santa Fe Route lines west of Albuquerque, with headquarters in Los Angeles. This was in 1893, and since that time he lias been established in this city. His offices are in the Bradbury building, one of the finest in this section of the state. The Santa Fe has no more faithful or efficient official, and, as his con- nection with it dates back twenty years, he is one of the oldest employes in years of continuous service. Every detail of work coming into his department is under his supervision, and he han- dles the great volume of business transacted by his now extremely popular road with despatch and accuracy. The public finds no reason to complain of the treatment accorded by the splen- did Santa Fe system, which is the shortest and most direct route to the great business cities and markets of the central and eastern states, and much credit is certainly due Mr. Holterhoff, who has displayed remarkable foresight and good judgment in dealing with all of the innumerable difficulties which beset a road when it is entering upon the early years of its existence.

In addition to his regular occupation Mr. Hol- terhoff devotes some time and means to outside enterprises, and holds the offices of secretary and treasurer of the Pacific Land and Improvement Company, a flourishing local organization, which has accomplished a great deal for the city and vicinity. He possesses the confidence of tlie general public, and his acknowledged genius as a financier has led to his being chosen to act as treasurer of several associations here. Politically he uses his franchise in favor of the Republican party.

I11 1889 Mr. Holterhoff married Mrs. Louise Lewis, whose home formerly was in Dayton,

Ohio, and they have one daughter. Their home is very attractive and hospitable, and is at No. 1360 West Adams street, one of the pleas- antest residence locations of this beautiful city.

OUIS ROEDER. This California pioneer

of 1856 is one of the very few of his early day in Los Angeles who survive to witness the marvelous growth and development that the past forty years have wrought in the city of their adoption. Mr. Roeder was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, January 28, 1832. While yet a mere boy he was apprenticed to learn the wagonmaker's trade at his home. This he accomplished in the thorough manner character- istic of the German people. He possessed a deep-seated desire to do something for himself in the world, and, hearing much of the advantages offered to young men in America, he decided to try for his fortune in the new world. Embarking from Antwerp, he arrived in New York City July 2, 1851. For about five years he remained in New York, where he found steady employment at his trade.

The wonderful developments in mining and other industries in California were constant themes of conversation in New York in those days, and a desire to visit the new El Dorado seized young Roeder, as it did thousands of other young men of that age. He shipped at New York for San Francisco via Nicaragua. The voyage was made without incident until they reached the port of San Juan del Norte. Govern- mental matters in Central America at that time were unsettled and dominated by William Walker, the filibuster. The steamship on which the party were to sail for California, the Brother Jonathan, was detained in port for tribute, which had been made on her cargo of coal. Pending the adjustment of the matter a number of the passengers went ashore. Mr. Roeder thus saw San Juan, which he describes as a small, uninteresting Spanish town, with an aimless and listless population. The surrounding country was fertile, produced a natural and heavy growth of vegetation, and was capable of great horticul- tural possibilities.

After having been detained for three days, one night the Brother Jonathan stole out to sea,

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

evading the authorities and payment of duty, and sailing direct for San Francisco. May 10, 1856, the ship entered the Golden Gate. Mr. Roeder remained in San Francisco until the 28th of November, and then came to Los Angeles, where he commenced work at his trade in the shop of Jolin Goller, who was the first, and at that time the only wagon manufacturer in Los Angeles. He was located on Los Angeles street, between Commercial and Laguna streets. For seven years, and until 1863, he remained with this employer. He then leased a lot on Maiu street, adjoining the present German-American Bank on the north, and, making some improvements there- on, he conducted a wagon-making business on the site for five years. From 1865 he had the late Louis Lichtenberger associated with him as a partner. In 1866 they purchased a business lot at No. 128 'South Main street and erected thereon the two-story brick Lichtenberger block, which still stands. Three years later they built the two-story brick block now owned by J. Khurtz, at the northwest corner of Second and Main streets. The partnership with Mr. Lichtenberger continued about three years, when Mr. Roeder retired from the firm, selling his entire inter- est to his partner. Mr. Roeder's next step was the purchase of one hundred feet frontage on Spring street, adjoining the Nadian hotel, where he established himself as a wagon manufacturer. The north fifty feet of the lot he improved, erect- ing thereon a commodious and substantial brick block. Later he built a like structure on the south half of the property. For four years he did business in the first building he erected. The property became valuable for renting purposes and he finally retired from business, since which time he has given his attention to the oversight of his extensive real-estate holdings in the city.

Mr. Roeder has ever kept up with the trend of local affairs. He is a man of quiet and unassun- ing manner. While he lias never sought office, about thirty years ago he served as a member of the city council, and during his service the frail- chise was granted to the Los Angeles City Water Company. His position on all questions of pub- lic expediency lias ever been found tenable, and as councilman he was efficient, business-like and progressive. Then, as now, the water question was an issue of great importance. It was by 110

means easy in those days to find purchasers of the stock of the newly formed water company, when it was looking for investors. He himself declined to buy, although stock was offered himn at exceedingly low prices. As a business propo- sition the enterprise languished for several years, but when it came under judicious management the stock increased in value and the service has since been brought to its present perfect condition. In an interesting talk before the Los Angeles County Pioneer Society, in January, 1899, Mr. Roeder touched upon this question and threw considerable light upon the condition of affairs in Los Angeles before the water company com- menced the distribution to citizens. Among other things, he stated that when he came here in 1856 and stopped at the Bella Union hotel, water was delivered throughout the pueblo in carts. For this service the citizens concluded they were paying extravagant prices and a num- ber of them therefore formed a company, put in wooden pipes to the river at Downey street bridge and there erected a large wheel with which to lift the water to the level of the pipe line. Soon after the completion of this system there came a heavy flood, which tore out the wheel and ren- dered the pipe line useless. The city was then obliged to return to carts and casks for its sup- ply of the precious fluid The city was so poor that it could not pay legitimate bills. Dr. John S. Griffin and Mr. Sansevain made a proposition to bring water into town, which was accepted by the city and a zanja was built, running down First street and through San Pedro street, sup- plying water for irrigation purposes to residents of that portion of the city. Childs & Hoover then proposed to distribute the water in other sections of the town for domestic purposes and they were given land for so doing. However, after the ditches were built the water again failed, although the builders did not fail to secure the land. Referring to city land, Mr. Roeder recalled the fact that the city surveyor, not finding his office profitable, laid out the hill land and sold it to Stephen Mott in a body. For the land on which Westlake Park stands the auctioneer could not get a bid of even twenty-five cents an acre, as, the land being impregnated with alkali, was considered worthless. What is now Boyle Heiglits was disposed of in a similar manner by

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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 43

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