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 54
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The nativity of Frank R. Willis occurred August 17, 1855, in the village of North Adams, Mass., and when he was about two years old he was taken by his parents to Linn county, Iowa. There he spent the days of his boyhood in the healthful, invigorating life of the country, lay- ing the foundations of future health and energy. After completing the district school course he went to the Iowa State Normal, where he was graduated in June, 1879. He then took up the study of law and in 1881 received his diploma from the law department of the Iowa State Uni- versity. Admitted to practice in the United States district and circuit courts of Iowa, he opened an office and proceeded to embark upon his professional career. Locating in Aurelia, Cherokee county, Iowa, he won the patronage of a large class of citizens and business men in that locality, and became so thoroughly respected that he was chosen as mayor of the place, in which capacity he served until December, 1883, when he resigned in order to remove to Los An- geles.
Here he soon demonstrated his ability as a law- yer and in 1886 and 1887 served the people of Los Angeles county as attorney for public administra- tor. In 1894 he was elected to his present office as district attorney of this county, and for six years has ably met the requirements of the posi- tion. Forceful and convincing in argument, well posted on whatever subject he has in hand, he carries judge and jury with him in most in- stances and is continually reaping fresh laurels. His standing at the bar is high and deservedly so, for he stoops not to the petty and dishonor- able ways of too many men in his profession, and maintains an elevated standard of ethics.
In municipal affairs, and in everything relating to the prosperity and permanent good of this lo-
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cality, Mr. Willis is actively interested. For three years he was a member of the California National Guard. Politically he is identified with the Republican party and has attended county and state conventions, often serving on important committees. During campaigns he has loyally aided in the success of his party and in 1895, when the city convention assembled in Los An- geles, he distinguished himself by the efficient manner in which he presided as chairman over the meeting. Fraternally he is highly esteemed, belonging to several of the leading lodges of the city. In the Masonic order he is a Knight Templar, and has passed through all the chairs of the blue lodge, and is a member of the chapter and commandery. Of Sunset Lodge No. 290 he is a past master, and, besides this, he has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Nor is he less highly regarded in the orders of the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows' society.
The marriage of Mr. Willis took place in March, 1882, when Miss Letitia G. Allin, of Iowa City, Iowa, became the sharer of his joys and sorrows. They are the parents of two prom- ising sons, William H. and Frank A., who have not yet completed their studies.
ILLIAM C. ORMISTON, whose horti- cultural interests are centered in the Azusa valley and who is a director of the Azusa Irrigating Company, came to this valley from New York City in 1890 and has since been iden- tified with the development of the fruit industry in this locality. The noted Gladstone ranch, of which he is the owner, comprises one hundred and five acres under citrus and deciduous fruits. Besides its management, he is engaged exten- sively in the nursery business and has about twenty-five thousand valencia and navel orange trees just starting. In the organization of the Azusa Valley Bank he bore an active part and has since been one of its directors. He is also a director of the Azusa Citrus Association, the A. C. G. Fruit Exchange and the Azusa Irri- gating Company, of which latter he is also the superintendent.
Rev. William and Clarissa Ormiston. His father, who was a minister in the Dutch Reformed de- nomination, for many years served as pastor of a church in New York City, previous to which he was similarly engaged in Hamilton, Ontario, Can- ada. He is now deceased, and his widow makes her home with their son, William C. The latter was a small child when his parents moved to the metropolis of the United States. His education was begun in the common schools and completed at Columbia College, where he spent three years. In 1890, with his parents, he came to California. Shortly after reaching this state he settled on the ranch he now owns and occupies.
The marriage of Mr. Ormiston took place in 1890 and united him with Sara Metcalfe, who was born in Berlin, Ontario, and is a sister of A. R. Metcalfe, the well-known attorney of Pasadena. Mr. and Mrs. Ormiston have three sons: Wil- liam M., Thomas A. and Kenneth G.
EMAN DYER, city clerk and assessor of Pasadena, and a resident of this city since February, 1886, was born in Manchester, Vt., April 30, 1847, a son of David and Sarah (Benedict) Dyer, natives of Vermont. His fa- ther was a school teacher when a young man and in later years followed agricultural pursuits. His grandfather, Henry Dyer, a native of Rhode Island, served in the American army during the Revolutionary war. It is supposed that the fam- ily originated in England. Our subject received a common-school education and also studied for a short time in a seminary at Manchester. The knowledge thus acquired was supplemented by practical experience in after life. With his par- ents, in 1869 he moved to Rock Falls, Whiteside county, Ill., and, there both his father and mother died. He remained in Illinois until 1886, meantime serving as deputy postmaster of Rock Falls for nine years. During the remainder of the time he was engaged in mercantile and man- ufacturing enterprises.
After his arrival in Pasadena Mr. Dyer con- ducted a real-estate business, being a member of the T. P. Lukens Land Company. In those days the real-estate business was at its height, and all interested in it found their attention
Of Canadian birth, Mr. Ormiston was born in Hamilton, Ontario, February 16, 1865, a son of closely engrossed in the many transfers and sales
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being made. Later he held the position of deputy county assessor for four years. He was first elected to the offices of city clerk and assessor in 1892, since which time he has been regularly re- elected every two years. The fact of his suc- cessive re-elections gives abundant proof of his successful service. In politics he is an en- thusiastic supporter of the Republican party. While he is not a politician, as that word is sometimes used, he nevertheless is deeply inter- ested in public affairs and is always pleased to see his party score a victory.
Fraternally Mr. Dyer is a member of the Order of Maccabees, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Arcanum, all of Pasadena. He is also still connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen in Rock Falls, Ill. In re- ligious belief he is a Congregationalist. By his marriage to Miss Sarah E. Worrell, of Rock Falls, he has one son now living, Kirk W.
ON. WILLIAM P .. FORSYTH. The es- tablishment of a manufacturing enterprise that has proved to be one of the most impor. tant industries of Pasadena was due largely to the energetic efforts of Mr. Forsyth. He assisted in the organization and incorporation of the Pasa- dena Manufacturing Company, and was elected its first president as well as one of the first direc- tors. After a few years he retired from the pres- idency and accepted the office of vice-president, in which, and as a member of the board of direc- tors, he has since served. He makes his home at No. 786 South Marengo avenue, on the corner of Wisconsin street.
A resident of Pasadena since 1886, Mr. Forsyth is of eastern birth and lineage. His father, Ed- mund, was a son of John Forsyth, who enlisted from New York at the time of the Revolutionary war and served faithfully and well during that conflict. Edmund Forsyth was born in New York and became a farmer of Niagara county, that state, where he married Miss Harriet Pardee. Their son, our subject, was born near Lockport, N. Y., August 2, 1827, and grew to manhood on the home farm, receiving his primary education in local schools, after which he spent four years as a student in Oberlin College, in Oberlin, Ohio. Returning to New York he began to teach school,
in which profession he afterward successfully en- gaged in that state and in Ohio and Wisconsin. In 1849 he moved to Elkhorn, Walworth county, Wis., where he made his home for two years, meanwhile teaching school and carrying on a mercantile business. Later he went to Jefferson county, the same state, and engaged in teaching there from 1852 until 1866. At the same time he acquired some valuable agricultural interests, conducted mercantile pursuits, and carried on the manufacture of furniture.
During his residence in Jefferson county Mr. Forsyth was an active participant in public affairs. From the time of the organization of the Republican party he favored its principles and gave his influence to promote its success. It was natural that such a man should be chosen for po- sitions of trust and honor. His fellow-citizens recognized his ability and selected him to repre- sent them in places where tact, intelligence and discrimination were needed. He was chosen to fill the office of postmaster, and his service was so satisfactory that he was retained for fourteen years, during which time the village of Jefferson increased considerably in population and the duties of the office became correspondingly greater. For oue term he was county clerk of Jefferson county, and for one term county treas- urer. He also represented the county in the Wisconsin legislature during the session of 1865. For twelve years he served as a commissioner of public debt in Jefferson township. For ten years he was chairman of the board of supervisors of the county. It will thus be seen that he took an active part in public affairs. Possessing a true public spirit, he labored to promote the welfare of his town and county. While his business duties were many and required the closest atten- tion, he never allowed them to prevent him from participation in enterprises for the general ad- vancemeut of the community. Plans for the de- velopment of the county's resources were always eagerly championed by him. In addition to all his other activities he was for two years cashier of the Jefferson County Bank.
In 1850 Mr. Forsyth married Miss Louisa Denton, of Erie county, Ohio. They became the parents of two daughters, the elder of whom is the wife of Seymour S. Vaughn, of Pasadena, and the younger, Harriet A., is with her parents.
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Disposing of his interests in Jefferson county in 1886, Mr. Forsyth came to Pasadena with the intention of spending the remainder of his life in this city. Although he had ample means to en- able him to retire from business, yet his disposi- tion could not brook idleness, and he soon iden- tified himself with the manufacturing company with which he is still connected and in the secur- ing of whose success he has been an important factor. He has since won and retained the con- fidence of his associates and the business men of the community.
URTIS D. WILBUR. In connection with life in Los Angeles it is worthy of note that there are a large number of young men ac- tive in the professions, in business circles and in public affairs; and certainly the city's rapid growth is due in no small degree to their enter- prise. Among the young attorneys who are building up enviable reputations, mention belongs to Curtis D. Wilbur, the chief deputy district attorney of Los Angeles county. In the position that he holds, much of the responsibility of the district attorney's office falls upon him, and he has proved himself worthy of the trust reposed in him, fully meeting the high expectations of the people, and showing himself to be an in- telligent and able official.
The Wilbur family has been so long identified with American history that the exact time of emigration from England is unknown, nor is the name of the first emigrant preserved in genealogy. The father of Curtis D. was Dwight L. Wilbur, a native of Cumberland, Ohio, and who, at the opening of the Civil war, enlisted in the Eighty- seventh Ohio Infantry, and served until the sur- render to "Stonewall" Jackson. On the expira- tion of his term of service he returned to Ohio and soon began the study of law, which he com- pleted in the University of Michigan. In 1866 he settled in Boonesboro, Iowa, where he en- gaged in practice until 1882. He then went to North Dakota and settled in Jamestown, where he engaged in practice and carried on a real- estate and loan business. In 1887 he came to California, settling at Riverside, where he has since engaged in the real-estate business. In politics he has always been an ardent Republican. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. While in Ohio he married Miss Edna M. Lyman, whose ancestors came to America in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Her mother was a sister of Rev. Franklin W. Fisk, D. D., president of the Chicago Theological Seminary from its or- ganization until 1900.
Curtis D. Wilbur was born at Boonesboro, Iowa, May 10, 1867. He accompanied the family to Jamestown, N. Dak., and attended the high school there for a year. On account of his ex- cellent scholarship he was selected by a committee as appointee to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. At the age of seventeen he entered the academy from which four years later he was graduated with honors, being third in a class that originally numbered ninety - three, thirty-five of whom were successful in com- pleting the course. During his last year he was captain of a company. The third year, usually considered the most difficult, he completed with distinction, entitling him, under the rules of the academy, to wear a gold star on the collar of his uniform.
After graduation he joined his parents at River- side and resigned from the navy. It being his ambition to become a lawyer, he set himself to the study of the law, which he studied at home from eight to ten hours a day for sixteen months. In October, 1893, he was examined before the su- preme court of the state of California, and was admitted to the bar, and has ever since practiced law in Los Angeles. For three years he was in the office of Brunson, Wilson & Lamme. In the fall of 1898 he was tendered the position he now fills. As an attorney he is thoroughly grounded in the principles of the law. With a desire to occupy a high place in his profession, he has utilized his leisure hours in study, and is there- fore a growing man, one whose progress is steady and sure. While he is not a politician in the ordinary usage of that word, he has been active in the Republican party and keeps posted upon all matters bearing upon the party's welfare in the city and county.
For two terms Mr. Wilbur has been a trustee of the First Congregational Church of Los An- geles, and he is now the youngest deacon of that congregation. While at Riverside he was presi- dent of the First Congregational Christian En-
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deavor Society, and president of the San Bernar- dino County Christian Endeavor Union. For several terms he was president of the First Con- gregational Christian Endeavor Society of Los Angeles. As president and later as treasurer of the Los Angeles County Christian Endeavor Union he was very active in perfecting and pro- moting the splendid work of that organization. He has also had the further honor of serving as vice-president of the California Christian En- deavor Union. For two years he was in charge of the Boys' Brigade for Southern California, during which time he organized thirty companies. This is a religious organization of boys utilizing the military drill as a means of attraction and discipline in connection with religious work.
After the death of his first wife, who was a native of Massachusetts, Mr. Wilbur married Miss Olive Doolittle. They have a daughter and a son.
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D HARLES H. LEE. This gentleman is a prominent, public-spirited citizen of Azusa, where he is rendering valuable service as a trustee of the Citrus Union high school, and as superintendent of the well-known Vosburg ranch. He was born January 24, 1855, in Sumner county, Tenn., a son of William J. Lee, and a direct descendant of Richard Henry Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
William J. Lee was born in Virginia, of Eng- lish ancestry, but settled in life as a farmer and stockman in Tennessee, where he owned a large estate. He married Doxy Morton, who was born in North Carolina, and was also of English descent. Of the children that blessed their union two sons, John E. and Alfred J., served under General Forrest in the army of the Confederacy during the Civil war, and at a skirmish in Gun- town, Miss., John E. lost his life.
Charles H. Lee received his early education in the private schools of the neighborhood in which he was reared, this being supplemented by judi- cious reading and business experience. He acquired a good knowledge of the different branches of agriculture while living in his native state, having had charge of his father's farm for several years. In January, 1882, lie came to California, locating in Florence, Los Angeles county, where he was at first assistant superin-
tendent of the Nadeau ranch, and afterwards superintendent of the Slauson ranch for a number of years. He first visited Azusa with a view to making it his home in 1885, but did not locate here permanently until 1890, when he became superin- tendent of the Vosburg ranch (this property con- tains two hundred and fifty acres of land, two hundred of which are devoted to orange culture), a position of trust and responsibility which he has since ably and satisfactorily filled. As a business man he has been quite successful, and has now ten acres of land of his own in Azusa under fruit cultivation, being set mostly to orange trees.
Politically Mr. Lee is a Democrat with inde- pendent proclivities, and is intimately associated with the best interests of the town as a public official. For three years he has been a member of the board of trustees of the Citrus Union high school, and its president for two years; he has likewise been one of the trustees of the Azusa city grammar school for three years. Fraternally he is a Freemason, belonging to Azusa Lodge and Pomona Commandery, and is a member of the Azusa Order of Foresters. He is active in religious circles, being a prominent member of the Baptist Church, in which he is serving as deacon.
In December, 1887, Mr. Lee married Miss Edith Shorey, who was born in Wisconsin, but for several years was a resident of Glendora, Cal. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have two children living, namely: Arligh and Ruth.
ยท S. G. TODD is a prominent and successful business man of Los Angeles, who is ex- tensively interested in mining. He is a young man, comparatively, but has already at- tained to a measure of prosperity that many a one who started out on life's journey before him might well envy. His life demonstrates what may be accomplished through energy, careful management, keen foresight, and the utilization of the powers with which nature has endowed one, and the opportunities with which the times surround him.
Mr. Todd was born in Miller county, Mo., in 1863, a son of James H. and Mary (Richardson) Todd, natives of Indiana and Tennessee respect-
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ively. His maternal grandfather was a captain in the war of 1812, and the son of a captain in the Revolutionary war. Our subject's father was born in 1815 and died in the spring of 1899. He was a very prominent and influential man in his community, and served as probate judge and state senator in Missouri for over thirty-five years.
In the State University of Missouri Mr. Todd received a collegiate education. In 1883 he em- barked in merchandising at Tuscumbia, that state, where he carried on business for two years, and then removed to Silver City, N. M., where he took up some mining claims. Since that time he has been interested in mining. On leaving Silver City, in 1886, he came to Los Angeles, and has been actively engaged in mining, with the exception of nine years, when in business as a commercial traveler. He. opened his present of- fice in the Lankershim block, on West Third street, about five years ago, and has been inter- ested in some of the largest mining deals in the city. He owns shares in several companies, is secretary of the Bay Horse Mining Company, and secretary of two other important companies, with headquarters in Los Angeles, as well as general manager for two other companies. He is a man of broad capabilities, and has been very success- ful in al his undertakings along this line.
In 1889 Mr. Todd married Miss May Holmes, a daughter of Capt. H. T. Holmes, of Jefferson City, Mo. He is a stanch Republican, and is a member of the Masonic order. He has made for himself an honorable record in business, and by his well-directed efforts has acquired a handsome competence.
ENRY GREEN BRAINERD, M. D. No member of the medical profession in South- ern California stands higher than Henry Green Brainerd. Possessing marked natural keenness and executive ability and all the advan- tages of a superior education and years of prac- tical and varied experience in the practice of his chosen calling, he is eminently well qualified to occupy positions of trust and responsibility to which he has frequently been elected by his friends and professional associates.
Dr. Brainerd was born in Londonderry, N. H., May 23, 1852, a son of Rev. Timothy G. and Lucinda R. (Dewey) Brainerd, the former a na-
tive of Troy, N. Y., the latter of Hanover, N. H. Both represented old and honored families of New England, several generations living and dying there. The doctor's paternal grandpar- ents, Joseph S. and Hannah (Green) Brainerd, were born in Connecticut, but removed to Ver- mont, where they resided for many years before they died. His maternal grandparents were Andrew and Mary (Newell) Dewey. The former, born in Hanover, N. H., passed his entire life in that town; his wife, a native of Massachusetts, went to Illinois late in life and died there.
In 1830 Rev. Timothy G. Brainerd graduated from Yale College. Seven years later he com- pleted a course in Andover Theological Semi- nary, after which he entered the ministry. For sixteen years he occupied the pulpit of the Pres- byterian Church at Londonderry, N. H., and for twelve years preached the gospel at Halifax, Mass. In 1868 he removed to Grinnell, Iowa, after which he continued his ministerial labors somewhat intermittently, as he was getting well along in years; but he never ceased to feel a very deep interest in the cause of Christianity and did all in his power to uplift and influence mankind for the better. His wife died in Grinnell when she was in her fifty-second year. At the time of his death he was four months over eighty-six years of age. His general ability and regard for the public welfare led to his receiving many honors, which he bore with unostentatious dignity and absolute rectitude of word and deed. During the last days of the Civil war, in 1864, he was elected to represent the people of his district in the Massachusetts state legislature, and in that body rendered faithful service for two winters.
In reverting to the personal history of Dr. Henry G. Brainerd, it is found that he was reared upon a farm. When he was in his fifteenth year he removed to Iowa with his parents. At the age of eighteen he entered the freshman class of Iowa College, at Grinnell. Later he went to Dartmouth College, where, in 1874, he graduated with the degree of A. B. During the years of his preparation for and actual work in col- lege, lie taught several terms of school in Iowa, Vermont and Massachusetts. In 1874-75 he was principal of the Independence (Iowa) city schools. The following winter he attended lectures in the medical department of the Iowa State University.
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From April, 1876, to April, 1877, he was interne at the state hospital for the insane, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. After having the degree of M. D. bestowed upon him by Rush Medical Col- lege, in Chicago, in 1878, he became assistant to his preceptor, Dr. C. M. Fitch, of that city. In the summer of the same year he was appointed assistant physician in the Iowa hospital for the insane, at Independence, Iowa, and subsequently became assistant superintendent of that well- known institution. He remained there for eight years, rendering valuable aid in the management of the hospital, and in the meantime, in order to further equip himself for his life work, he went to New York City and pursued a post-graduate course in the winter of 1882-83.
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