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 58
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When the Civil war broke out the government did not call for volunteers from the Pacific states to serve in the east, for two reasons: the expense of transportation was so great, and it was thought there might be need of them here, as there was much talk of a "Pacific rebellion." Nevertheless, a California cavalry battalion of five hundred ad- venturons spirits voluntarily organized theni - selves in October, 1862, and offered their services to the government, among the number being Mr. Jenkins. In order to be accepted they had to smuggle themselves into the service as a part of the quota of the state of Massachusetts. They actually paid their own fare from San Francisco
to New York, and Governor Andrews paid it from there to Boston, where they were mustered in for three years, or the war, as the Second Massachu- setts Cavalry, with Col. Charles R. Lowell as commander. This battalion participated in about fifty battles. Mr. Jenkins took part in twenty of these, but at Coyle's Tavern, Va., he was cap- tured and taken to Libby prison, then to Belle Island, and from there to Andersonville. Event- ually he was taken to Savannah and later to Millen, Ga., where he was exchanged after fifteen months' captivity, during which time he suffered a thousand deaths from sickness, cold and starva- tion. Of the one hundred and fifty men captured, only three survived their imprisonment: Mr. Jen- kins, Dr. Dempsey, now a resident of Ventura county, and William Manker, who died soon after his release by over-eating at Parole Camp. Mr. Jenkins finally recovered somewhat from the ef- fects of his prison life; but it was nearly twenty years after the close of the war before he fully recovered. After being exchanged he rejoined his regiment at Winchester in December, 1864; was twenty-six days with Sheridan in his raid, and was present at the final surrender at Appo- mattox. At times he could only do the lightest service, but his comrades relieved him whenever they could, and he remained with his command until mustered out at Fairfax Court House, July 20, 1865. During his service he acted as private, corporal and sergeant. Immediately after his discharge Mr. Jenkins returned to Los Angeles, where he has since made his home.
On the 13th of July, 1869, he was married to Miss Phœbe Sprague. April 1, 1889, he was appointed special aide-de-camp on the staff of the department commander, John E. Gard, of the Grand Army of the Republic, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was "zanjero," or over- seer of water or irrigation of the city of Los An- geles for about seven years. During the big strike he was deputy United States marshal. He took charge of the first three trains which left the city of Los Angeles for the Needles, Santa Barbara and Bakersfield, and safely returned the passen- gers to the city. His loyalty as a citizen and his devotion to the country's interests have ever been among his marked characteristics, and the com- munity is fortunate that numbers him among its citizens.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
B ENJAMIN S. LAUDER. Prominent in the councils of the Republicans of Los Angeles stands Benjamin S. Lauder, who is devoted to the best interests of this beautiful city, and is in favor of progress along all lines of improve- ment and enterprise. He is a native of Canada, in which country his paternal and maternal grandfathers were early and leading settlers. The former, William Lauder, whose ancestors were strong supporters of John Knox, was extent- sively engaged in building and contracting in Montreal for many years during the first half of this century. Robert Waller, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was of English de- scent but was born in northern Ireland, whence lie removed to Canada in 1826, and there made a home at a place subsequently called Aimes' Cor- ners. He was an Episcopalian in his religious belief, and was a strong supporter of that church.
Benjamin S. Lauder, who was born May 15, 1859, some fifty miles from Montreal, Canada, is a son of Andrew and Eliza (Waller) Lauder, the former a native of Montreal and the latter born in the northern part of the Emerald Isle. Andrew Lauder was a carpenter by trade, and, coming to California in 1868, was engaged in railroading for three years, after which he established a wagon manufactory and carried it on successfully until about ten years prior to his death.
During the first fifteen years of his life Benja- min S. Lauder lived at his birthplace, and then came to the Pacific coast, finishing his education in the public schools of Plainsberg, Merced county, Cal. He then learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until a few years ago, having a shop on East Second street, Los An- geles, for some time; this business later passed into the hands of his brother, who is still located there. It was in 1891 that he cast in his lot with the inhabitants of this place, and he never has regretted his decision.
The first presidential vote of Mr. Lauder was cast in favor of James A. Garfield, and since that time he has been actively concerned in the wel- fare of the Republican party. In 1898 he was elected as a member of the Los Angeles city council, where his voice is often heard on behalf of the tax payers, and their interests are defended by him at all times. He is associated with the
Odd Fellows, the Masons and the Woodmen of the World, in all of which organizations he ranks high.
The pleasant and commodious home of Mr. Lauder and his family is located at No. 815 East Sixth street. His wife, whose maiden name was Kate Johnson, and whom he married in 1881, is a daughter of Pleasanton Johnson, who settled in Los Angeles about thirty years ago, and was en- gaged in the truck or dray business. The eldest child of our subject and wife, Archie, a manly and promising lad in his fourteenth year, has passed to the better land. Ethel, Leonard and Freddie are bright children, of whom their parents may well be proud.
OUIS F. VETTER. In the commercial life of Los Angeles Mr. Vetter wields an im- portant influence. His interests are many and important, particularly in the line of in- surance and fidelity bond business. He is also closely identified with the public and political life of the city, taking an interest in the same and holding a leading position among members of the Republican party here. In 1898 he was elected a member of the city council and has since acted in that capacity. In social circles he also stands high and is a member of the leading clubs of the city.
Mr. Vetter was born near Peoria, I11., March 22, 1857. When he was three years of age his father, Anthony, died. He was educated in the public schools and a business college in Peoria. After having served an apprenticeship to the up- holstering business he started out for himself, working at his trade in different cities and being employed as foreman for a time in the large establishment of Dewey & Stone, of Omaha, Neb. From there he went to Denver, Colo., where he was with Kilpatrick & Brown for a few months. After this he worked for Wirts & Scholle, of Chicago, Il1. Next he became con- nected with Barrett Brothers, furniture dealers in Salt Lake City, Utah. There, in 1881, lie e11- tered the employ of R. G. Dun & Co., taking the position of assistant manager of their mercantile agency for Utah, Idaho and Montana. Two years later he came to the coast in the agency's
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interests, in connection with the San Francisco office, and later was at the Portland, Ore., office for three years. In 1886 he assisted in the estab- lishment of a branch office of the agency in Los Angeles. Subsequently he had charge of open- ing offices in Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane, Wash., and at San Diego, Cal. In 1888 he assumed the management of the Los Angeles office, which position he held for three years, and then resigned in order to engage in his present business.
Among the valuable services rendered by Mr. Vetter to his home town may be mentioned that of membership on the board of fire commissioners, which position he held for two years. Later he was reappointed to the office, but, owing to the press of private business affairs, he resigned. His connection with the board was characterized by marked improvements in that important branch of public service. In addition to his service on that board, for four terms he has been a director of the Chamber of Commerce, and in an official way is connected with other useful organizations. In the city with whose progress he has been iden- tified he is recognized as a man of character and ability, possessing the traits that win and retain the regard of business, social and political asso- ciates.
D HARLES G. KEYES. Having for many years held various public positions, both federal and local, Mr. Keyes has become well known throughout Southern California and particularly in Los Angeles county. He was born in Brattleboro, Vt., January 31, 1848. His father, the late George B. Keyes, was a California pio- neer of 1849, who settled with his family in Tuolumne county, where he pursued mining. As the landlord of the leading pioneer hotel of Jack- sonville and later as superior judge of Tuolumne county, he became known throughout his section of the state. He was a man of splendid abilities and on the bench served the people with wisdom and fidelity. Disabilities incident to advancing years demanded for his better health a change of climate and he accordingly removed to Los An- geles county in 1868 and settled at Wilmington, where he engaged in merchandising until his death, in 1876. A man of social and genial na- ture, he was loved by his friends and commanded
the respect of all acquaintances. He made three trips to California, the first being, as before stated, in 1849. This was a tour of inspection for the purpose of seeing the country and he therefore left his wife and son at home, returning for them in 1852. His second journey was via Panama, when he crossed the isthmus with pack mules.
When the family came to California the only child, Charles G., was four years of age. He was consigned to the care of a native in the crossing of the isthmus and by him was carried on his back from ocean to ocean, being absent from his parents from four in the afternoon until ten the following morning. He remembers the halts his Indian transport made at various camps along the route and the rebukes administered to him by the side of the Indian camp fire, when he became uneasy and wanted to continue the journey. The mother suffered much anxiety, fearing that her boy might not be delivered, according to under- standing, at the port of embarkation, but the father reasoned that the native would deliver his freight in order to get his money, which proved to be the case.
In old Tuolumne county our subject grew to manhood, coming to Los Angeles county when about twenty years of age. For a time he worked in his father's store at Wilmington. Soon, how- ever, he received an appointment as deputy col- lector of customs under W. W. Bowers. When John R. Breirly became collector of the district, Mr. Keyes was made boarding officer, which, in consequence of the boom of 1869-77 occasioned by the opening of the Southern Pacific Railroad between Los Angeles and San Francisco, became a somewhat arduous and responsible position. The arrivals in port often numbered as high as fourteen deep water vessels in one day. The hatches of these had to be sealed, manifests ex- amined and cargoes inspected.
In 1876 Mr. Keyes married Mrs. Annis Cole, née Taylor, daughter of John C. Taylor, a Cali- fornia pioneer. Mrs. Keyes is a native of St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and is the mother of two children, Asa and Ethel Keyes. For years the family lived at San Pedro, where Mr. Keyes built the first house in what is now the most at- tractive portion of the town. In 1887 he took up his residence in Los Angeles and was appointed clerk of the superior court of Los Angeles County
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Department 3, under Judge H. K. S. O' Melveney, which position he held continuously, under Judges Wade and York, for eight years. In 1895 he was appointed register clerk and this office he still holds. He is the senior employe in continu- ous service in the court house. As an official lie has had no superior here. His long and varied experience in the public service has given him a thorough knowledge of the affairs of office, which, with his uniform courtesy, has rendered him a valuable and popular official. His resi- dence is at No. 155 North Workman street. He is a member of the Society of Los Angeles Coun- ty Pioneers.
DWIN COMLY HODGMAN. Coming from a long and honorable line of patriotic
2 1 Americans, Edwin Comly Hodgman, of Los Angeles, is true to the principles and tradi- tions of his ancestors and has the interests of his country and fellow-citizens deeply at heart.
One Thomas Hodgeman, having been a de- voted adherent of Cromwell, was forced to leave England at the Restoration and settled in Hol- land. In 1640 he, with his wife and an adopted son, emigrated to New England and located in Mason, N. H., with which place his descendants were long and closely connected. Among these was Joseph Hodgman, great-grandfather of our subject. During the war of the Revolution he enlisted in Captain Mann's company and served as a non-commissioned officer, two other members of his family, Abel and Zaccheus, also being in the ranks of the colonial patriots, and all three were engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill and fought for their country throughout the war. Their names frequently occur in the records of the state-house of New Hampshire. Stephen, son of this Joseph Hodgman, joined the great stream of New Englanders which poured forth into the Ohio valley at the beginning of the present century, and in 1810 took up his abode in Marietta, Ohio, which was the oldest settlement in the state and for many years the home of Gen. Rufus Putnam. Joseph, son of Steplien Hodg- man and father of the subject of this sketch, was not content until he had penetrated further into the great west, and, taking his family first to Cin cinnati, he eventually located in St. Louis. In Marietta he married Mary Ann, daughter of John
C. McCoy, who became well known throughout the state for his connection with the underground railway, by means of which many negro slaves reached freedom. He was a strong Abolitionist, and in consequence made innumerable sincere friends and bitter enemies. In St. Louis Mr. Hodgman was very successful in his business undertakings and amassed a large fortune. He was greatly interested in local enterprises and served long and faithfully on the city board of education.
Edwin Comly Hodgman was born in Marietta, Ohio, August 29, 1838, and was educated in the excellent public schools of St. Louis. In 1859 he received a first class certificate as an engineer from the United States inspectors of steamboats, and in 1862 was appointed captain of the E. O. Stannard, a steamer which was employed in the government transportation service during the Civil war. At the close of the war Mr. Hodg- man engaged in the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds in St. Louis, being a member of the firm of Ferguson & Hodgman, subsequently Hodgman, Duross & Co. Finally, disposing of his interest in this extensive concern, Mr. Hodg- man turned his attention to other enterprises, and in 1883 became a citizen of Los Angeles. Here he has engaged in building and selling houses and real estate and has prospered, as else- where.
November 8, 1860, the marriage of Mr. Hodg- man and Laura, daughter of William B. Fergu- son, of Ferguson, St. Louis county, Mo., was solemnized. Mr. Ferguson's family was from Ohio, and his wife was a direct descendant of John Lewis, the first settler of Augusta county, Va. One of his descendants, Jolın Lewis, mar- ried Bettie, the only sister of Gen. George Washington, and all of the Lewis family were very prominent actors in the early history of the Old Dominion and in the war of the Revolution. Gen. Andrew Lewis, another son of Jolin Lewis, Sr., and a great-uncle of Mrs. Hodgman, was in command of the American forces at the battle of Point Pleasant (now Wheeling, W. Va.), where the noted Indian chief, Cornstalk, was killed.
To the union of our subject and wife four daughters were born, namely: Mrs. Jessie W. Atkinson, of St. Louis, Mo .; Mrs. Josefa A. Tol- hurst, of Los Angeles; Mrs. Laura M. Harnden,
wawhite
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of San Francisco; and Mrs. Marietta E. Staples, formerly the superintendent of the public kinder- gartens of Los Angeles.
Politically Mr. Hodgman has been an ardent advocate of the principles of the Republican party since becoming a voter. He was chosen recorder of Los Angeles county, and discharged his mani- fold duties with zeal and thoroughness, meriting the encomiums which have been freely bestowed upon him. The business of the county was never more carefully conducted than during his admin- istration; and he honored his constituents by his faithfulness. Mrs. Hodgman is a charter mem- ber of the Los Angeles Immanuel Presbyterian Church and is actively interested in church work.
ILLIAM A. WHITE, the city tax col- lector of Los Angeles, is a sterling repre- sentative of a family which has borne a very prominent and patriotic part in the history of this country, materially assisting in over- coming the enormous difficulties under which the colonist labored in New England subsequent to their landing at Plymouth in 1620, and all through the ensuing centuries being noted for loyalty to the land of their love and devotion, and for the high stand they have taken in all matters relating to the rights and freedom of their fellow-men.
William A. White is a direct descendant of the Peregrine White who was born on the first trip of the Mayflower from England to Plymouth, Mass., and who consequently is called the first child (aside from those of the Indian race) born in New England. The history of Colonial days in Massachusetts contains numerous interesting ac- counts of the White family, and in later genera- tions the same spirit of enterprise and integrity, patriotism and justice have been observed in those bearing the name.
Hon. David White, grandfather of our subject, was the editor of the Pittsburg (Pa.) Despatch about half a century ago, and his influence at that stormy period of slavery agitation was incalcula- ble. He was one of the first to take steps towards the organization of the Republican party, strongly urging the need for such a party in the columns of his paper. He helped to form the constitution of the Keystone state, and for a number of years
served as a member of the state legislature, his voice and influence being used for the benefit of the majority. Some of his forefathers were sea captains, but for several generations the family has dwelt in the inland states, and its members have been identified with other callings.
Capt. Ebenezer White, the father of our subject, was born in Portage county, Ohio, and learned the trade of an architect and builder. Going to Illinois about 1854, he pursued his vo- cation until Fort Sumter was fired upon. Re- sponding to the first call of President Lincoln, which was for seventy-five thousand men, good and true, to quell the rebellion, he was elected captain of Company A, Sixteenth Illinois Infan- try, and served faithfully for four years, his life finally being given to his country on the field of battle at Averysboro, N. C. He left two chil- dren, one of whom, Mrs. Emma A. Goodwin, resides in Ohio. The mother, whose maiden name was Ruhania Hall, and whose birthplace was in Pennsylvania, was of Scotch extraction. She died in 1862, and thus, in 1864, her two little children were orphaned, and left to the tender mercies of the world.
The birth of William A. White occurred in Illinois, April 9, 1860, but he early became an inmate of his grandfather White's home in Ohio. His education was obtained in the district schools and at the school for soldiers' orphans at Xenia, Ohio. When he was fifteen years old he appren- ticed himself to the marble business, and, having thoroughly mastered its details, he followed that line of enterprise for the ensuing fourteen years with success. In 1887 he went to Denver, Colo., where he devoted two years to the lumber busi- ness, at the end of which period he came to Los Angeles, and for a couple of years worked at his trade.
He organized and was the manager of the first free labor bureau of this city, conducting the same for two years. He then became deputy to Sheriff Burr, serving as such for some four years, and in 1898 was elected to the office of city tax collector. He has met the responsibilities of his positions in a highly satisfactory manner, and en- joys the commendation of the public.
Politically lie is a stalwart Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the Fraternal Brotherhood, Knights of the Maccabees, Order
2I
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of the United American Mechanics, American Foresters, Independent Foresters, Elks, Sons of Veterans and Masons.
Mr. White has a pretty, attractive home at No. 609 Ceres avenue, Los Angeles, and richly de- serves the success and happiness which he has won. His marriage to Miss Maude Maxwell, of Lima, Ohio, was solemnized in Garden City, Kans., in 1897. They have many sincere friends, both here and in the east, and, needless to say, they have but one regret in regard to making their home in this beautiful locality, this being that so many of their dear old friends and rela- tives are so far away.
SA HALL. As a result of his close identifi- cation with a number of important local industries appertaining to horticulture, Mr. Hall has gained a wide acquaintance among fruit- growers. As the pioneers fifty years ago were led to the coast in the hope of discovering gold, so he came here many years afterward, with the hope of securing from the earth a golden tribute of citrus fruits, and it is needless to state to those who know him that he is meeting with deserved success. He has an orchard of ten acres planted to oranges and lemons, and each year makes large shipments of fruits that for quality are de- clared to be unsurpassed.
In the organization of the Glendora Citrus Association Mr. Hall took an active part and he has the honor of having served as the first secre- tary of the first citrus association in the Azusa valley. The principal offices that he holds at this writing are those of secretary of the Azusa Valley Lemon Curing Company, and vice-presi- dent and a director of the Glendora Citrus Asso- ciation, with which he has been continuously connected from its inception. Botlı of these or- ganizations have received his steadfast aid and encouragement and have been profited by his official connection with them.
The parents of Mr. Hall were Zalmon and Sarah (House) Hall, the former a native of Con- necticut, but for years a resident of Ontario, Canada, and it was there, in Peel county, that . Asa was born, November 6, 1844, and there he received liis education in public schools, later graduating from the provincial normal school in
Toronto, Canada. Immediately after his gradua- tion, in 1863, he turned his attention to teaching, for which his gifts and education qualified him admirably. For a number of years afterward he was employed as a bookkeeper, first in Ontario, but later in Chicago, Ill., to which latter city he had come in the '8os. In 1889 he came to Cali- fornia, and moved to his present ranch in 1892. Since then he has been one of the enterprising horticulturists of the Azusa valley.
While Mr. Hall has not cared to identify him- self with politics, he has not refused to study the problems confronting our country nor endeavored to shirk any duty as a citizen. In fact, he has proved himself decidedly public-spirited and pro- gressive. His political views are in accord with the principles of the Republican party. In relig- ious views he is a Presbyterian, holding member- ship with the congregation at Azusa. By his marriage to Miss Matilda Irwin, of Streetsville, Ontario, he has two sons, Irwin R., of Chicago, 111., and Almon A., who served in the Philippines under General Lawton for more than a year, being a member of the Fourth United States Cavalry.
SAAC N. MOORE, an honored pioneer of Los Angeles, who is now practically living a . retired life, is a native of the town of Water- loo, Monroe county, Ill., and a son of McKen- dree Moore, a Virginian by birth, who was one of the early settlers of southern Illinois and was for many years engaged in merchandising in Waterloo. Our subject received a good common- school education in his native town and on start- ing out in life for himself took up farming as a pursuit. Later he went to Cairo, Ill., where he engaged in merchandising for a short time with indifferent success, and also held a clerkship in the United States postoffice at that place during the exciting days of the Civil war. On leaving Cairo he went to Salem, Ill., the county-seat of Marion county, and served as deputy clerk of the circuit court under his brother, who held the superior office.
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