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 52

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 52

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Though born in Lowden, Iowa, February 4, 1868, John W. A. Off spent his boyhood in Wis- consin and received his education in that state. Subsequent to leaving school he went to Wau- paca, Wis., and there learned the drug business thoroughly. At the age of fifteen years he went to Denver, Colo., where he was occupied in the same calling for two years, and in 1885 he located in San Francisco. Two years later he came to Los Angeles, and here, as formerly, he gave his time and attention to the drug business. During the seven or more years that he was thus em-

ployed in this city he gained the esteem of the general public and the confidence and respect of the business men with whom he came in contact. Some eight years ago he became financially ill- terested in the State Loan and Trust Company of Los Angeles, which later was styled, as at pres- ent, the State Bank and Trust Company. The first-named organization was established in 1887 by Major George H. Bonebrake (then president of the Los Angeles National Bank), John Bryson and H. J. Woollacott, the latter now serving as president of the bank last mentioned. Major Off is actively interested in several more or less im- portant local enterprises, including that of the Title Guarantee and Trust Company, of which lie is a director.

For a number of years Major Off has been prominent in the California National Guard, and while serving with this organization received his military title. He maintains a deep interest in whatever effects the prosperity of the state and country, and as a loyal citizen upholds the law and good government. Politically he is a Re- publican, and fraternally he is a Mason of the thirty-second degree. His marriage to Miss Blanche Bonebrake, daughter of Major George H. Bonebrake, occurred in 1892, and they have one child, Georgia Helena.

TEPHEN C. HUBBELL. More than twell- ty-five years have passed since Mr. Hubbell established a law office in Los Angeles and identified himself with the fortunes of this city. It was then a straggling town of a few thousand, with little commerce and less enterprise. It lay sleeping beneath the bright rays of an unchang- ing sun, waiting, like the sleeping princess, for the touch that was to bring it to life and fame. There was little to attract a young man to it un- less he, with shrewd foresight, grasped its oppor- tunities and perceived, even though but dimly, the brightness of its future. Such was the faith of Mr. Hubbell in the future of the City of the Angels, nor has this hope been left unrealized; indeed, the reality is brighter and better than his most sanguine dreams pictured. In the upbuild- ing of the city he has been an active factor, aid- ing liberally with his time and means, movements for the benefit of the place and the welfare of its

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people. He has been particularly interested in Charles E. W. Afterward Mr. Hubbell was securing good transportation service, and the united in marriage with Miss Laura A. Loomis, of Manchester, Iowa, and they are the parents of two daughters, Mary S. and Laura L. street railway system, which is one of the best in the country, is due not a little to his assistance and ability. Heaided in building the first street railway in the town and was retained as its man- ager for about twelve years, while for many years past he has acted as attorney for the corporation owning the street railroad. His financial ability and tact in the management of important affairs have brought him before the people frequently, and in every responsibility entrusted to him he has promoted the interests of his city. The un- doubted ability which he possesses as a financier was recognized when elected president of the National Bank of California, one of the sound banking institutions of Los Angeles. He is es- pecially qualified to conduct a successful law practice, for he possesses an analytical mind, is a close, clear and logical reasoner, and excels in equity and corporation cases.

Mr. Hubbell was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., May 31, 1841. His education was ac- quired in Randolph Academy, and later, by self- culture, he supplemented the information gained while in school. He studied law in Jamestown, N. Y., and was there admitted to the bar in 1864, after which he continued to practice in the same town for five years. The year 1869 found him one of the pioneers of Southern California, where he settled in San Bernardino and for a year held office as district attorney. Later, going to San Francisco, he practiced for two years. In 1873 he came to Los Angeles, where he has since re- mained, prospering as the city prospered, and striving at all times to fulfill every duty of a pri- vate citizen. The high regard in which he is held by his associates proves that he is a inan of many admirable traits of character. He is the only member of the family who came to Califor- nia, although the family was large, numbering nine children. His father, Eli, was a farmer in New York, spending his last days in Randolph, N. Y., where he died in 1887. He was the son of a Revolutionary soldier, Richard Hubbell, and the latter descended from one of the early settlers of New England.

The first marriage of Mr. Hubbell took place in Jamestown in 1869, his wife being Miss Jen- nie A. Marks, who died in 1869, leaving a son,

For many years Mr. Hubbell has been a mem- ber of Emanuel Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder, and to whose teachings of charity and helpfulness he has always proved true. He . is also a Mason. In his political views he is in accord with the teachings and platform of the Re- publican party, but he has never shown any par- tisan spirit, his interest being that of the citizen and not of the politician.

C RANK D. STEVENS. Not without justice Mr. Stevens is conceded to hold a high place among the business men of Pasadena. Coming to this city in 1885 he has since been the head of the hardware firm that bears his name. During this period he has established his reputa- tion among the business men of his acquaintance and has built up a valuable trade with the public. His store is situated at No. 8 East Colorado street and contains a full line of articles, both hardware and tinware. In addition to the management of his store, he is a director of the Pasadena Lake Vineyard Land and Water Company.

In Huntingdon county, Pa., Mr. Stevens was born March 13, 1841, a son of Benedict and Eva (Ow) Stevens, natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared on his father's farm and received a public- school education in Huntingdon county, supple- menting the knowledge there acquired by his practical business experience in after years. In March, 1862, his name was enrolled in Company I, Twelfth Pennsylvania Reserves, which was as- signed to the army of the Potomac. Among the important battles in which he bore a part were those of Mechanicsville, White Oak Swamp, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Mine Run and Bristow Station. Twice at Fred- ericksburg he was wounded. During the cam- paign in the Wilderness he was captured by Con- federates and for nine months he was confined in various prisons in Georgia and South Carolina, being finally paroled in March, 1865. In April of the same year he was honorably discharged. Enlisting as a private, he was soon promoted to

D. L. Davenfurt

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be sergeant, later was made a second lieutenant and at the time of his discharge was serving as first lieutenant.

Returning to Mount Union at the close of the war, Mr. Stevens began in the hardware busi- ness, which he continued there for seventeen years. He then came to Los Angeles, and a year later to Pasadena, where he is the head of the Stevens Hardware Company. He takes an inter- est in Grand Army matters, and is connected with John F. Godfrey Post No. 95, in which he has been commander. In the First Methodist Epis- copal Church he holds office as a trustee. He has been thrice married, his first wife having been Annie A. Bush, of Huntingdon county, Pa .; his second wife was Anna Hiney, of Mount Union, Pa., who died in Los Angeles in 1886. His pres- ent wife was Dora M. Bucher, of Philadelphia. His five children were born of his first marriage. Four of them are living, namely :. Arthur B., who lives in Pasadena; Claudine D., wife of W. A. Benshoff, of this city; Rev. Frank G. H., who graduated from the University of Southern California, and is now a minister in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church; and Kingsley N., of Pas- adena. A daughter, Ethel F., is deceased.

EWITT L. DAVENPORT. As early as 1630 Ebenezer Davenport came from Eng- land to America and settled at Plymouth, Mass. Subsequent generations were identified with the colonial history of the old Bay state. From him descended Alfred W. Davenport, a na- tive of Colerain, Mass., and a successful agri- culturist, following that occupation for some years in New York state, and later, near Ber- lin, Wis. In connection with the management of his farm near Berlin, he also engaged in rais- ing fruit, and became known in his section as an authority on horticulture. His standing as a citizen was high and he was frequently chosen to occupy local positions of trust.

A son of Alfred W. and Emily H. (Briggs) Davenport, the subject of this article was born at Antwerp, Jefferson county, N. Y., May 3, 1847. When nine years of age he was taken by his parents to Wisconsin. He grew to man- hood on a farm near Berlin. From an early age he was interested in horticulture; indeed, with

the exception of dairying, this has been the sole occupation of his life. His education was re- ceived in the public schools of Waushara county, Wis., and in the county normal school and in- stitute. After leaving school he began to teach in order to secure the means necessary for a start as a land-owner. For ten years previous to his removal to California he made a specialty of the dairy business, in which he met with ex- cellent success. While living in Waushara coun- ty he married Louise M. Rosecrans, daughter of Warren Rosecrans, an early settler of that coun- ty. Their family consists of four children, viz .: Loraine, Louis W., Alfred L. and Milton W.

Since February, 1886, Mr. Davenport has been a resident of Pomona. Arriving here, he bought land and set out an orange grove. The following year his family joined him. During the years that have since passed he has gained a thorough knowledge of the raising of fruit, par- ticularly oranges (his specialty ) and it is said that no one in the entire county is more successful in this industry than he. His first purchase consisted of two tracts of land, one of which is now owned by Alexander Moncrieff, and the other is owned by H. B. Hottel and S. W. Arbuthnot. Later he bought some land at Cucamonga, which he afterward traded for his present property, and another piece of property near by. The latter he gave, as part payment, to Mr. Joy for his Glendora ranch, and this property he sold a year after its purchase to C. C. Warren. In 1892 he bought a sixty-acre ranch in San Diego county, on which he set ont forty acres to olives, peaches and prunes. This property he has since sold. In 1897 he bought from J. C. Callicott a ninę- acre ranch on the Kingsley tract, near his home place. He now owns and cultivates fifty-five acres of orange land, all bearing. The success he has had in orange-growing has made him an authority on the subject in his locality. He be- lieves four watchwords must be observed in rais- ing oranges, "fertilization, cultivation, irriga- tion and fumigation," and without due observ- ance of each of these no one can hope to succeed. It is one of his theories that no pruning should be done, but that the limbs should be allowed to grow naturally, as the tree is kept warmer in winter when the limbs hang over and touch the ground, and a hard wind does less damage to

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fruit and tree, also the top then represents a larger bearing surface (this principle has special reference to the Washington naval orange). Once in three years he fumigates his orchard by the tent and cyanide process. Every detail of the business is given the closest attention, and it is to this fact that his success may be attributed.

For a time Mr. Davenport was secretary of the Kingsley Tract Water Company and he also served as its treasurer. The demands made upon his time by his various interests are so great that he lias never had leisure for participation in pub- lic affairs. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Pomona and a generous contributor to its maintenance. He is not now identified with any secret society, but for years was an active member of the Good Templar Lodge of Wiscon- sin.

YER MENDELSOHN, depot ticket agent of the Santa Fe Railroad at Los Angeles, was born in Paterson, N. J., in 1873, but during his infaucy was brought to Los Angeles by his parents, Goodwin and Flora (Corinski) Mendelsohn, who are still living here. During his active business life his father was in the mer- chant tailoring business and also engaged in mining, but he is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest. He is one of the old pioneers of Los Angeles county. Besides our subject, there are in the family five children, four sons and one daughter, namely: M. S., who is an employe in the office of Mr. Nevins, general man- ager of the Santa Fe Railroad; Ed, who is cashier in the freight department of the same road; Sam- nel E:, a resident of Arizona; and David and Goldie, attending school.

Reared in Los Angeles, our subject is indebted to its public schools for his educational advan- tages. He began his railroad career in 1885, at the age of twelve years, as office boy, and later was clerk in the office of the general agent for about three years. He was clerk in the general freight department for the same length of time; spent one year in the city ticket office as agent: and one in the Downey avenne station as agent. For the past four years he has filled his present responsible position with credit to himself and to

the entire satisfaction of the company as well as the general public. He is widely and favorably known and is one of the most prominent young business men of the city.

ILLIAM D. CAMPBELL. One of the most popular railroad officials of Los An- geles is William D. Campbell, general agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company. Wide awake and energetic, he is con- sidered a valuable employe by his company, and attends strictly to the business entrusted to his care. From Scotch and English ancestors he doubtless inherited many of the traits of character for which he is noted, absolute integrity and l1011- or being foremost in the list.

As he was born June 17, 1859, Mr. Campbell is in the prime of life. He is a native of Ontario, Canada, while his father, George R. Campbell, was born in New Brunswick. The latter in his early life went to New Zealand, where he re- mained for a few years, prospering in his busi- ness enterprises. Returning to his native land he engaged in the lumber business until he retired from active labors and since then has made his home with our subject. He married Catherine Harrison, who was of English extraction, and whose death occurred in 1881. She was the mother of three sons, namely: William D .; C. A., who is now employed by the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company, at Dallas, Oregon; and A. B., who is engaged in railroading.

When he was six years old, William D. Camp- bell removed with his parents to Dallas county, Iowa, where he received a common school educa- tion. He was an apt student, and made such good use of liis rather limited opportunities that he had no difficulty in obtaining a certificate to teach when he applied for that document, and for two years he had charge of schools in Iowa. In the autumn of 1880 he entered upon his life work of railroading, by accepting a position as a tele- graph operator and assistant station agent at a town on the Northwestern Railroad. He has been connected with this corporation ever since, and has continually won new laurels for his system- atic, painstaking work. In the spring of 1891 he was sent to Spokane, Wash., where he repre- sented his company in the capacity of general

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agent for that section and the great northwest. In 1894 he came to Los Angeles, where he has served in the same capacity, that of general agent, for this territory. The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company's offices occupy the entire floor of No. 247 South Spring street. Aside from the fact that the location is extremely central and desirable, the offices are fitted up in a superior manner, redounding greatly to the credit of the company and those associated with the local man- agement of its business.

In 1885 Mr. Campbell married Carrie B. Bridges, of Syracuse, N. Y. . They are the par- ents of five children, and are giving them excel- lent advantages. The home is a pleasant one and everything about the place bespeaks the culture and refinement of the occupants.

In political affairs Mr. Campbell is an ardent Republican in all national issues, while in local matters he reserves the right of absolute freedom to use his franchise as seems best to him, regard- less of party lines. The only fraternal organiza- tion with which he is identified is that of the Knights of Pythias. He is not only popular with the general public, but also with his com- pany and all of his business associates, by his uni- form courtesy readily making friends.

REDERICK T. BICKNELL, M.D. There are many who claim that no city in the United States can vie with Los Angeles in respect to the ability and skill of its physicians and surgeons. Certainly it is true that, asa class, they are unsurpassed in intelligence and broad professional knowledge. In the list of these nien the name of Dr. Bicknell occupies a prominent position. During the long period of his residence in Los Angeles he has established a valuable practice and a reputation for skill in his profes- sion. Not only is he held in high esteem by the permanent residents of the city, but there are fre- quent demands made on his time and professional services by visitors from the east who have sought our genial clime in the hope of regaining health. He is a member of the firm of Bicknell & Moore, physicians and surgeons, with office in the Brad- bury building.

A knowledge of the section of country fromn which a man comes usually furnishes us with

some clue to his attributes and to the influences that give form to his life. Many of the traits noticeable in Dr. Bicknell's character are tracea- ble directly to his New England ancestry. A native of Chittenden county, Vt., he represents a family long resident in the Green Mountain re- gion, and one whose members were, without ex- ception, possessed of high qualities of manhood. Hence, while his parents had no wealth to bestow upon him, they could give him what was far more to be desired-a truly noble birth. In many re- spects he had in youth better advantages than in his day fell to the lot of the children of the mid- dle class. When he was ten years of age his parents moved to Wisconsin, and a few years later sent him to the State University at Madison, where he proved a diligent and ambitious student. While he was still a youth the Civil war broke out, and he at once enlisted for service, going with his regiment to the south and taking part in a number of notable engagements. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged.

From an early age it had been his hope to enter the medical profession. Not long after the close of the war he matriculated in Rush Medical Col- lege, Chicago. There he availed himself of every opportunity for study under some of the most learned physicians of the day. After completing the regular course of study, in 1870, he was given the degree of M. D. In selecting a location for practice, he went to southwestern Missouri, where he remained for three and one-half years. However, he was not satisfied with prospects in that country, and was ambitious for a broader knowledge of the profession and a wider field for its practice. The winter of 1873-74 he spent in post-graduate work at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, and also had the advantage of practical experience in Belle- vue hospital, where he was brought in contact with disease in every forni, and where lie also did considerable surgical work. On leaving the hos- pital he came to California, and for a few months remained in Los Angeles, but soon went to the mining region of Inyo county, where he built up a large practice. During 1881 he returned to Los Angeles, where he now makes his home on North Broadway. From the time of his return until the spring of 1888 he held the chair of gynecolo- gy in the medical college here, but the demand

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upon his time, added to his private practice, of his prime. He died February 24, 1900, at his proved too much of a physical strain, and he re- signed the chair. He has many important pro- fessional interests. As president of the California Hospital Company he is in charge of the largest hospital in Southern California. He is also presi- dent of the California Health Resort Company, located among the big pines and oaks in the San Jacinto mountains, better known as Strawberry valley, five thousand feet above sea level; a sanatorium and cottages of the most modern style for the care and cure of tubercular cases.

As a surgeon, and especially in gynecological surgery, none holds a higher rank in this city than lie. He has been honored by the profession with election as president of the Los Angeles County and the Southern California Medical Societies, and is actively connected with both these or- ganizations; also the American Medical Asso- ciation.

The first marriage of Dr. Bicknell was in Wis- consin, and united him with Miss Etta Cooper, who died in Neosho, Mo., leaving one daughter, Etta F. Bicknell. Afterward he married Miss Carrie E. Fargo, who was born in Wisconsin, and received her education in that state. She is a lady of most pleasing social and domestic quali- ties, and makes her home a perfect haven of rest for all the family.

C LARENCE A. MILLER. Classed among the able members of the Los Angeles bar is Clarence A. Miller, who within a few years has risen to an honorable position in his profes- sion. He possesses the quickness of perception and the logical reasoning powers which, when united to a thorough knowledge of the law, rarely fail of success. Earnestness and zeal in the preparation of all cases entrusted to him are characteristics noted in his work, and while neglecting no opportunity to advance the inter- ests of his clients, he renders loyal obedience to the majesty of the law in its true spirit. Thusto lim has come the high regard of all who have been witnesses of his struggles upward.

Robert Miller, father of Clarence A., was prominent in the legal profession for many years in Ohio. After an exceptionally useful career he retired from professional work, secure in the competence which he acquired during the years

home. He was a loyal citizen and patriot, and when' his country was in peril, in the dark days of the Civil war, he volunteered his services and went forth to fight the battles which have re- sulted in the present peace and prosperity of this now united nation. He held the rank of first lieutenant and was faithful to the trusts reposed in him, making an army record of which he and his posterity have reason to be proud. For a wife he chose Margaret McQuiston, who was a native of Ohio and came of an old pioneer family there. She is a direct descendant of the Gastons, who took a prominent part in the war of the Revolution. Of the three surviving sons of Robert and Margaret Miller, Arthur Miller is a member of the faculty of the University of Ken- tucky, and Marion is editor of the publication Business, in New York City.

Clarence A. Miller was born in the eastern part of Ohio in 1858 and thus is in the full vigor of manhood. Having completed his elementary education in the common schools he attended the University of Wooster, Ohio, from which ex- cellent institution he was graduated in 1881. Sub- sequently he taught school for some time, and in the meantime took up the study of law. In 1884 he came to California, and, locating in San Francisco, was there admitted to the bar. After practicing for a short time in that city he paid Los Angeles a visit, and becoming enamored with this lovely place, decided to become a per- manent resident here. Opening an office, he pro- ceeded to build up a practice which has steadily increased during the thirteen years of his resi- dence here. Like all young lawyers, he had what seemed, at times, almost insuperable ob- stacles to overcome, but, in his contests with older and more experienced men, whose reputa- tion and patronage were already assured, he gained excellent training, and, as he measured his strength with the best, his mind was broad- ened and developed and he acquired that fertility of resource and keenness of judgment which have been essential factors in his success. His hand- some office is located in the Bryson block. His particular branch of the law is in that relating to corporations and estates. In his political faith he is an ardent Democrat, taking quite an active part in local affairs of his party.

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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 52

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