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 59
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In 1869 Mr. Moore came to California, travel- ing by rail to San Francisco, and from there by steamer to Los Angeles, accompanying the late Judge H. K. S. O'Melveny. For a time our subject engaged in ranching near Compton, and
limp fam
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later embarked in the livery business in Los All- geles. After his retirement from the latter occu- pation he turned his attention to the real-estate business, and in a quiet way transacted for him- self and incidentally for others quite a volume of business. Of late years he has practically lived retired at liis comfortable home in East Los An- geles. The success that he has achieved in life is justly merited, as it is due entirely to his own well-directed and energetic efforts, and his busi- ness interests have been so managed as to win him the confidence of the public and the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.
ON. WILLIAM P. JAMES. A noticeable feature of life in Los Angeles is the number of young men connected with its various activities. They hold responsible positions in its banks and stores; they fill civic offices with dignity and legislate for the welfare of the city. It is to them the municipality owes its rapid progress. As aldermen, they have built our beautiful streets; as architects, they have de- signed the hundreds of attractive residences; as merchants, they have opened great commercial emporiums. It is to this class of stirring, ener- getic and sagacious young men that Judge James belongs. He is well known, especially in legal circles. Both at the bar and on the bench he has shown himself to be the possessor of a wide and varied knowledge of the law and an impartial spirit that seeks to promote the interests of right and justice. By a previous experience as deputy district attorney he was prepared for his present position as township judge of Los Angeles coun- ty, in which he has served wisely and well, show- ing a thorough knowledge of the law governing the cases in hand and at the same time giving his decisions in an impartial manner, unbiased by personal opinions.
years as court reporter. During his leisure hours he engaged in the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1894 and for a time en- gaged in private practice, but in 1895 entered the office of the district attorney, remaining there for a number of years. In the fall of 1898 he was elected township judge for a term of four years. He is a strong Republican, giving his influence to that party, but in an official capacity rises above mere partisanship. His mental pow- ers are of an unusually strong and vigorous order. He received a thorough education and his habits of close and comprehensive reading have enabled him to supplement his collegiate acquirements with a fund of professionally valu- able knowledge, so that he justly occupies a high position in the law fraternity. By merit and through his unaided efforts he has gained a po- sition of which an older man might well be proud, and it may safely be predicted that the future years will bring to him, in an increasing meas- ure, the laurels of success.
In fraternal connections Judge James is a Mason and also belongs to the Orders of Forest- ers and Maccabees. In 1896 he was united in marriage with Miss Ella V. Haas, of Los An- geles, where they have since made their home at No. 1142 South Flower street.
C OHN H. DRAIN, the efficient superintend- ent of streets in Los Angeles, is "the right man in the right place," as he thoroughly understands his business, and is watchful and attentive to the people's interests. His systematic methods, and his genial, approachable manner, make him a general favorite with the public and all with whom he is associated in business, and we take pleasure in presenting to them the following outline of his busy and useful career.
Though born in the Queen's dominions, in Canada, Jolın H. Drain became a resident of Genesee county, N.Y., at an early age, and is a thoroughly patriotic American. He is in the prime of manhood, as his birth took place October 13, 1852. His father, William Drain, was en- gaged in railroading for a number of years, and during the Civil war he volunteered his services
Judge James was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1868, and was three years of age when, in 1871, his parents, David and Jane (Perry) James, settled in Los Angeles. He was an only son and had two sisters. His education was com- inenced in the schools of Los Angeles, where he qualified himself to enter the University of Cali- fornia. He gained his initiatory experience in . to the Union cause and enlisted in the Eighth the business world by an experience of several New York Artillery. He continued to perform
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his duty manfully, until he was so unfortunate as to be taken prisoner by the Confederates, after which he spent some time in Salisbury prison. One of his sons also enlisted in the Union army, and his young life was offered a sacrifice to his devotion to his country. The mother of our sub- ject bore the maiden name of Margaret Hamil- ton, and was a native of New York state, and of Scotch ancestry.
John H. Drain obtained a liberal education in the public schools of the Empire state, and when he reached his sixteenth year he started out to fight the battle of life independently. At first he worked for neighboring farmers, and subsequent- ly he drove a stage for three years. At last he drifted into the oil business, and in 1872, having learned of the promising developments along that line in Ventura county, Cal., he came to this state in the interest of a company of eastern cap- italists, and for several years was actively asso- ciated with this enterprise, which has grown to enormous proportions within the past three dec- ades. Later he was employed by the Wells- Fargo Express Company for thirteen years on the Pacific slope, after which he turned his atten- tion to the business of street-paving. In this line he has been very successful, for he has spared 110 effort to become so, and since 1887 he has made his home in Los Angeles. Few cities have progressed so rapidly, and hundreds of miles of street paving have been done here within a dec- ade. Thus, Mr. Drain has had a large field for his work, and under his supervision many of our best thoroughfares have been placed in their pres- ent fine condition. In 1896 he was elected to the responsible office of superintendent of streets, and gave such satisfaction to the public that they re-elected him to the position in 1898.
In his political standing Mr. Drain is a loyal Republican, and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He richly deserves the prosperity which he now enjoys, for he has made a brave fight against the innumerable obstacles which stand in the path- way of almost every young man who has neither influential friends nor pecuniary assistance when starting out in life. The marriage of Mr. Drain and Lizzie H. Harris was solemnized in San Ben- ito county, Cal., in 1877. She was born and
reared in this state, and by her marriage is the mother of two daughters, namely: Lilian and Florence, who have been afforded excellent edu- cational advantages, and are well worthy of an honored place in society.
ENRY D. ENGELHARDT. There is no region of California in which the business of horticulture has been brought to such a science as in that favored spot where Glendora lies, and among the prosperous fruit-growers of the vicinity mention belongs to Mr. Engelhardt, who came to Glendora in 1883, and has since made this place his home. He is the owner of twenty acres, a large part of which is planted to orauges, although there is also a noticeable num- ber of lemon and apricot trees.
As the name shows, Mr. Engelhardt is of Ger- man stock. He himself is a native of Germany, born near the beautiful river Rhine, in Decem- ber, 1847, a son of Henry D. Engelhardt, Sr. When he was three years of age his mother brought him to America via New Orleans, thence journeying up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Ohio county, Ind., where his father had settled two years before. In that county he grew to manhood. Although his educational advantages where limited, he acquired a broad fund of valua- ble information, for he has always been a man of habits of close observation and keen insight. In Juue, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Eighty- third Indiana Infantry, which was assigned to the Fifteenth Army Corps, Army of the Cumber- land. Among the battles in which he took part were those of Black Bayou, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg and battle of Dallas. Wounded in the last-named engagement, he was taken to a hospital and there obliged to remain for two months. As soon as able to travel he was sent home on a furlough. After three months he re- turned to liis regiment; but, as he proved not strong enough for active duty, he was assigned as a nurse in a hospital of the Fifteenth Army Corps in North Carolina, and thus continued until he was honorably discharged in June, 1865.
On his return to Ohio county Mr. Engelhardt engaged in cultivating a farmı. Later he removed to Platte county, Mo., and conducted a farm there until 1883, when he came to California.
a,c, Proctor,
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While lie was living in Missouri he married Wood and lives near San Francisco; Joseph F., Catherine Kampefhner, of Platte county. Five of Hersey, Mich .; and Benjamin F., of Ionia children were born of their union, four of these county, Mich. now living, namely: Mrs. Allen Storr, of Glen- dora; Mrs. Jean Rickzy, of East Liverpool, Ohio; Nellie M. and Augustus, who reside with their parents. The family are connected with the Christian Church and are respected in the best circles of local society. Mr. Engelhardt is iden- tified with the Fraternal Brotherhood of Glen- dora, in whose work he maintains a constant interest.
LFRED AUGUSTUS PROCTOR, a pioneer of Los Angeles, was born in Westville, Jef- ferson county, N. Y., November 29, 1831. His father, Dan, and grandfather, Joseph Proctor, were blacksmiths by trade. The latter, a native of Lincolnshire, England, became an expert mechanical blacksmith in his native land. In those days the commercial policy of England forebade the emigration of her mechanics to America, with a view to obstructing the tendency in the new world to enter upon and build up competitive manufacturing industries. However, he was determined to seek his fortune in Amer- ica, so left home in 1818 for Nova Scotia, where he took up crown lands, with a view to deceiving the authorities as to his true purposes and plans for the future. After a short time in Nova Scotia he made his way to Boston, thence to New Hampshire. He installed the machinery for two of the first cotton spinning mills in New England. Later he settled at Craftsburg, Orleans county, Vt., where he followed blacksmithing during the remainder of his days. Of his three daughters and two sons, Dan was the second in order of birth. He was born in Manchester, England, in 1807. When thirteen years of age he came to America. Hegrew to manhood in Vermont and there married Augusta,' daughter of Daniel Mason, the first Baptist preacher of Craftsburg. She was a direct descendant of the Masons and Howards, both of whom were Pilgrim families. In the house where she was born her girlhood days were passed and from it she left to go with her husband to their new home. They became the parents of six children, of whom four are liv- ing, namely: Alfred Augustus, who was the second; Cynthia M., who is the wife of William
When our subject was almost seventeen years of age, in 1849, he accompanied the family to Ionia, Mich., where he learned the trade of his father. He married Margaret Chrysler, who bore him three children: Estella, wife of F. Richards, of Los Angeles; Eelon C., of San Jacinto, Cal .; and James B., of Compton, Cal. In 1888 his wife died and later he was united in marriage with Mrs. Nettie Stephenson, of this city.
In 1872 Mr. Proctor brought his family to California. In December of that year he opened the first blacksmith shop at Compton. Later he followed his trade at San Jacinto. In 1886 he came to Los Angeles, where he has since made his home. He is an industrious and respected citizen and a member of the Society of Los An- geles County Pioneers. Politically he was a Dem- ocrat for many years, but is now independent in politics. In religion he is a member of the Broadway Christian Church.
HOMAS PASCOE. Though yet in the prime of life, Thomas Pascoe has had an unusually varied and interesting career, and his history will be perused with pleasure by his hosts of friends. In the first place it is hardly nec- essary to say that he was actively engaged in the hotel business in Los Angeles for sixteen years, so well is he known throughout this section, and so kindly remembered by the hundreds of guests from all parts of the Union who have partaken ot his hospitality and been cheered by his genial, courteous manner.
Forty-eight years ago Thomas Pascoe was born in England and for about eighteen years he lived a quiet life, attending school and learning the lessons of industry and integrity which he has since put into daily practice. He then obtained a position as steward in the British navy and for seven years was the head of his department on some of the largest English men-of-war. In the meantime he visited many of the important ports of the world and had numerous experiences of an extremely interesting nature. During the Fenian troubles in Ireland the vessel on which he was
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employed was stationed at various points along the Irish coast and for some time he cruised in the Mediterranean. In 1870, when the claslı be- tween the monarchical and papal powers in Italy reached a climax, the man-of-war on which he was stationed waited at Naples, ready to extend the protection of the British government to the pope; in case he should decide to seek safety else- where a castle on the island of Malta would liave been placed at his disposal. Mr. Pascoe then went to Athens, Greece, where he witnessed the execution of twelve notorious brigands, and in 1871 he was present when the great Suez canal was opened by no less person than Napoleon III. of France. In the course of his service as chief steward Mr. Pascoe was called upon to cater to many distinguished statesmen, military officials, ambassadors, and frequently royalty itself, and thus his training was exceptional. At the close of seven years spent in her majesty's service he returned to England and embarked upon an in- dependent career.
In company with a brother, George Pascoe, our subject came to the United States when he was twenty-five years of age, and, after passing a short time in New York City, he went to Mon- tana, where he and his brother were appointed deputy marshals and assigned to duty in the penitentiary at Deer Lodge. He resigned this office and in partnership with his brother, George, engaged in the raising of sheep. In 1875 he went to Colorado Springs, where he opened the well-known Pascoe's Hotel and Restaurant, which he conducted successfully for several years, there making the excellent reputation as a hotel keeper that he has since maintained.
In the spring of 1881 Mr. Pascoe came to Cal- ifornia and became the proprietor of the Grand Hotel at Ukiah, and subsequently he managed the Rose Hotel at Pleasanton. In 1884 he com- menced his long and successful career as a hotel man at Los Angeles. The Clifton House, which was built especially for him, was the first family hotel, in the modern sense, of any doing business in this city. At the end of three years Mr. Pas- coe leased the Lincoln, which he carried on to the entire satisfaction of the general public, con- tinuing until he retired from the hotel business, in May, 1900. Meantime he refitted the house, making many notable improvements which his
long experience suggested would be appreciated by his guests. In all his undertakings for the past twenty-three years he has been ably assisted by his wife, formerly Miss Jauie Retallick, also of English birth. The worthy couple have one child, a son, Elmer Rose by name.
As might be expected of so enterprising a busi- ness man and loyal a citizen, Mr. Pascoe takes genuine interest in whatever tends to advance the welfare of his community and adopted coun- try. He has been a member of the police com- mission, a director of the Chamber of Commerce and for the past two years has been president of the Southern California Hotel Association. He uses his franchise in favor of the Republican party.
d OHN F. HOLBROOK. The prosperity of any community depends upon its business activity, and the enterprise manifest in com- mercial circles is the foundation upon which is builded the material welfare of town, state and nation. The most important factors in public life at the present day are therefore the men who are in control of successful business interests, and such a one is Mr. Holbrook, a prominent manu- facturer of Los Angeles.
A native of Indiana, he was born on a farm in Adams county, near Decatur, and is a son of Nicholas Holbrook, a native of Germany and a farmer by occupation. On leaving home at the age of thirteen years our subject apprenticed him- self to the tinner's and sheet iron trade at Fort Wayne, Ind., where he remained until 1865, and then went to Pittsburg, Pa., where he spent three years. The year 1868 was passed in Cleveland, Chicago and Denver, and during a portion of 1869 he was in Colorado prospecting for gold in the Rocky Mountain regions at Central City and Black Hawk.
In the fall of 1869 Mr. Holbrook came to San Francisco, where he found employment at his trade, and manufactured sheet iron piping for hydraulic mining purposes, which at that time was in great demand and the business was con- ducted on an extensive scale. In 1873 he came to Los Angeles and continued in the same line of business, constructing fourteen miles of four-inch pipe for F. P. F. Temple for use in the Cerro Gordo mine in Inyo county. After the comple-
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tion of that work Mr. Holbrook engaged in busi- ness on his own account, and has from that time been a large and successful manufacturer in his line. He also deals in standard water pipe, oil well casing and patent corrugated tanks. He has made from two hundred and fifty to three hundred miles of piping for various men and con- cerns using large quantities, and made the pipe for the Indiana colony to bring the water out of the Arroyo Seco cañon. He is essentially a busi- ness man and has confined himself strictly to his line, in which he excels.
In Los Angeles Mr. Holbrook was married in January, 1874, to Miss Laura M. Commons, a daughter of Dr. George W. Commons, now living in Drummond, Mont. They have two children living, Frederick W. and Bessie. One son, Charles Edwin, died in 1895, at the age of fifteen years.
In the fall of 1884 Mr. Holbrook was elected to represent what was then the old second ward in the city council, and served with ability and credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. The second ward was then quite large, stretching from east to west, and comprising Boyle Heights and the western hills. Mr. Holbrook has never taken a very active part in public affairs, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business interests, but always faithfully discharges his duties of citizenship, and has been found true to every trust reposed in him, whether public or private.
OSEPH H. SMITH. Twenty-seven years ago Joseph H. Smith, the present county surveyor of Los Angeles county, came to this locality, and from that time on he retained his genuine interest in Southern California. He has been associated with various public interests on the Pacific slope, and is a truly patriotic citizen, believing thoroughly in the great future opening before us, and imbued with the spirit of progress, nowhere seen to better advantage than in this state.
From his father, Capt. Christopher Henry Smith, a native of Germany, he inherited many strong, upright traits of character, and a love for country overpowering all other tendencies. The captain emigrated to the United States and settled
in Milwaukee when he was a young man, passing the remainder of his life in that city, where he was very highly esteemed. When the Civil war came on he enlisted for three months in the Thir- ty-fourth Wisconsin Infantry, and later he joined the Thirty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteers for a year's service. When it was found that more troops would be needed to put down the Rebellion, he again offered himself to the land of his adoption, and was chosen as captain of Company E, Forty- fifth Wisconsin Infantry, in which capacity he acted until there was no longer need of his serv- ices, the war having been brought to a close. His patriotism and fidelity to duty during the dreadful days of the war led to his being honored later with numerous public positions, as a recog- nition of his ability. For twenty-three years he was continually in office in Milwaukee, and when death called him to his reward his loss was deemed a public one.
Joseph H. Smithi was born in the Cream City in 1852, and as he lost his mother when he was a mere child, he remembers but little of her. He had three sisters, but, being an only son, his father was quite determined to have him complete his education in Munich, Germany. The youth had pursued a thorough course in the grammar and high schools of Milwaukee, and at that time was anxious to see something of the world and to begin carving out his fortune. He ran away from home before attaining his majority, and, as previously stated, came to Los Angeles in 1873, when the city was a straggling, unpromising town. Taking up surveying as a business he mastered it in all its details, and has given his at- tention to this line of work ever since. For a period he was employed in the state engineer's office, and when the railroad was projected be- tween Needles and Bakersfield, he was retained as civil engineer by the Atlantic & Pacific Rail- road Company. His long and valuable services as a surveyor and civil engineer were taken into account when candidates for the office of surveyor of Los Angeles county were under consideration, and his personal worth and popularity led to his being the fortunate man. He was elected in the fall of 1898, and is discharging his manifold duties in a systematic and thoroughly acceptable manner.
Politically Mr. Smith is an earnest Republican,
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and in his fraternal relations he is a member of ian Phillips took place in Los Angeles June 22, the Order of Foresters and the Knights of the Maccabees. His marriage to Miss Annie Molchin, of Cincinnati, Ohio, took place in 1880, and three daughters bless their happy home, Gladys, Irene and Rhoda.
ILLIAM AUGUSTUS HAMMEL, sheriff of Los Angeles county, is an official of high standing in the estimation of the public, whom he has ably and honorably served for several years. As he is one of the native sons of the city of Los Angeles, his birth having oc- curred here March 13, 1865, he always has taken an especial interest in its wonderful growth and improvement, favoring progress along all lines and doing his full share as a patriotic citizen.
The parents of Sheriff Hammel were Dr. Will- iam A. and Barbara A. Hammel, the former a native of Germany and one of the comparatively early settlers of Los Angeles. He was engaged in the practice of medicine here for a number of years, and was admired and respected by all who knew him. Twelve children were born to him- self and wife, but only three of the number are now living. He was summoned to his reward October 13, 1889, and was survived by his wife, whose death took place in this city September 17, 1899.
William Augustus Hammel passed his boy- hood days in Los Angeles and received his edu- cation in its excellent public schools. Having made a study of the two great political parties in the United States, he determined to cast in his lot with the Republicans, to whose judicious policy he believed this thriving republic owes its pros- perity in large measure. Taking a leading part in the deliberations of local politicians, he became well and favorably known, and at length his nu- merous friends brought forward his name as a candidate for official honors. In the meantime, however, he had proved his ability and general trustworthiness as a public officer during his service as deputy sheriff and deputy county clerk. In 1898 he was elected sheriff of Los Angeles county, and is meeting the responsibilities of the position in a very satisfactory manner. Frater- nally he is associated with the Masons and many other of the leading organizations of the country.
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