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 61

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 996

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For a quarter of a century he has served continu- ously as a trustee of the San José district, during all of which time he has been president of the board of trustees. Politically he is a Democrat, with independent proclivities. Under the first administration of President Cleveland he was appointed postmaster at Spadra, and from that time to this he has held the office, being exceed- ingly popular as an official with all classes of people, irrespective of political ties. He was several times a member of the Democratic central committee of Los Angeles county, and took a very active part in the politics of his community. He has at different times been offered positions of trust by his party and friends, but so far has steadfastly refused to accept the emoluments and the burdens incident to official life.

In religious views Mr. Fryer adheres to the Baptist doctrines, in which he was reared and trained. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Pomona, and ever since the congrega- tion was started he has officiated as chairman of the board of trustees. It is said that his father was the first minister ordained in the Baptist Church in California after its admission as a state. He was probably the most influential man of his day in that denomination in Southern California, and did much to give a permanent start to the cause in this region.

The older son of Mr. Fryer is a young man of exceptional ability. He took the complete course of study in the California State University at Berk- eley and graduated from that institution with a high standing. At this writing he is assistant principal of the high school at Oroville, this state.

The public schools of El Monte gave our sub- 12 EXTER SAMSON, who since 1889 has been a resident of Los Angeles, and is highly esteemed by every one who knows him, is an honored veteran of the Civil war, and deserves special mention for the faithful part which he took in the preservation of the Union. Born in Pulaski, N. Y., March 19, 1844, he was but seventeen years of age when he offered hini- self to his country, and for four years, or until the close of the dreadful conflict between the north and the south, he was ever found at his ject such educational advantages as were afforded by the pioneer schools of the day. In 1867 lie began for himself, taking up agriculture as his chosen occupation. After a short time iu El Monte he began to cultivate a farm at Spadra, where he also became interested in horticulture. He is the owner of twenty acres set out to fruit and eighty acres devoted to general farming, his entire farm comprising one hundred acres. He married Belle Arnett, of Spadra, Cal., and they have three children, Roy, Bertha and Norman. post of duty, ready to lay down his life as a

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patroit, if necessary, and doing all within his power to bring about that true peace and union which our beloved land now enjoys.

November 1, 1861, Dexter Samson enlisted in Company K, Eighty-first New York Infantry, as a private. He served through the Potomac campaign, and later, with the Fourth Army Corps, was stationed at Yorktown, Va. Leaving that point at the close of 1862 he was sent to Morehead City, N. C., after which he partici- pated in raids and other operations of the military in the vicinity of Trenton. With his regiment he went on the Foster expedition to Charleston, in command of General Hunt, and later his brigade was stationed at Norfolk, Va. Then he passed through the James river campaign, was next sent to Pittsburg, and finally was present at the fall of Richmond, and with the Twenty- fourth Army Corps did garrison duty there. Re- turning to Williamsburg, he was mustered out of the service, August 30, 1865. Thus briefly and incompletely can be summed up four of the most eventful and anxious years of his life, but only those who shared with him the exposure and privations and dangers of that trying period in our country's history can form the faintest idea of what it really meant. He won the friendship and high regard of his comrades and superior of- ficers, and made a record of which he has reason to be proud.

After spending a few months in recuperating at home Mr. Samson went to Pittsburg, Pa., where he found employment, and in May, 1870, he went to Quincy, Ill., where he was success- fully engaged in business for seven years. In 1877 he disposed of his commercial interests in the east and came to California, for a year mak- ing his home upon a ranch at Healdsburg. He then returned to Burlington, Iowa, where for a year he conducted an undertaking business, after which he was similarly occupied at Pittsburg for about the same length of time. Later he trav- eled for a period and then was connected with a large firm at Burlington, Iowa, after which he was associated with Mills & Lacy, of Grand Rapids, Mich., for six years.

In 1889 Mr. Samson came to Los Angeles, and in partnership with Robert L. Garrett conducted an undertaking business here for five years. Later he became a member of the firm of Sharp

& Samson, and at the end of three years em- barked in business upon his own account. He is well and favorably known as a funeral director, as he thoroughly understands his business and is kind and just in his dealings with rich and poor.

In fraternal circles Mr. Samson is deservedly popular. He retains a warm place in his heart for the boys who wore the blue in the Civil war, and is an honored member of Stanton Post No. 55, G. A. R. He also belongs to Marathon Lodge No. 182, K. of P .; Good Will Lodge No. 323, I. O. O. F .; Enterprise Encampment No. 12, I. O. O. F .; Los Angeles Court No. 422, I. O. F .; the Royal Foresters; and Union Council No. 5, Junior Order of American Mechanics. In politi- cal matters he is a stalwart Republican.

The marriage of Mr. Samson and Miss Susie Howells, of Pittsburg, Pa., was solemnized in 1867, and two children were born to their union. Some time after the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Cora Farrar, a native of the vicinity of Baltimore, Md. She was reared chiefly in the District of Columbia, and received an excellent education and social advantages. Both she and her husband have hosts of friends, both in this city and in the east, and are eminently worthy of respect.

EWIS E. GRIGSBY, of Pomona, prominent as a citizen, horticulturist and president of the Kingsley Tract Water Company, resides on his fine orchard of fourteen acres on Orange street. His land is chiefly devoted to orange culture, and bears every evidence of the owner's progressive spirit and thrift.

Mr. Grigsby, who became a resident of Pomo- na in November, 1898, was born near Winches- ter, Clark county, Ky., June 22, 1867. His parents were Dr. James L. and Louisa (Cravens) Grigsby, his father (now deceased) being a surgeon of note and a graduate of the medical department of the Pennsylvania University. The Grigsby family were of French extraction, while the Cravens family came from England, the great-uncle of Mr. Grigsby's mother being Lord Cravens. Lewis was educated in the public schools of Clark county and at the Winchester high school, and in early manhood began the study of medicine with his father. Subsequent events, however, induced him to devote himself

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to agricultural and horticultural pursuits in his native country. When he settled in Pomona, therefore, in 1898 he was practically equipped for the work in hand, which accounts for his marked success in the culture of oranges.

A marked indication of Mr. Grigsby's stand- ing was given in January, 1900, when he was chosen president of the Kingsley Tract Water Company. This position he now fills with effi- ciency and success. In addition to his property here he owns real estate in San Diego and is also a member of the Claremont Pomological Society. From a business standpoint he is recognized for his enterprise and public spirit. Politically he is a stanch Democrat. He is an influential member of the Christian Church. He has re- tained the confidence and esteem of those with whom he comes in contact, both in business and social circles. His views of life are broad, as is natural to one who is familiar with nearly every state in the Union and who has extended his travels to Mexico and Canada. His wife, née Emma Miller, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a daughter of Ewald and Louise (Palm) Miller, natives of Germany. Mrs. Grigsby was educated in the best schools of America and. Europe, and in the latter country received much of her musical education. She has traveled ex- tensively both in Europe and America.

EV. CHARLES B. SHELDON. No one can bequeath to posterity a richer heritage than the memory of a noble life, devoted, with unselfish affection, to the uplifting of the human race. Such a man will wield an influence that will not cease with his departure from eartlı scenes; nor will death, while it may change, be able to lessen his activities. It is true that the earth life of Charles B. Sheldon has ended. The place that once knew him shall know him no more. But in the deeds of kindness he per- formed, in the self-sacrificing acts of helpless- ness and in the ceaseless ministration to others, his influence still lives. Through his work as a clergyman and in the less conspicuous, but not less useful, routine of his private life he proved himself to be, indeed, one of God's "noblemen."

The life which this narrative sketches began in Massachusetts, December 18, 1821, and closed in

California, September 21, 1895. Between those two dates a lifetime of activity was crowded. For twenty-nine years he was a minister in the Congregational Church, with his home in Excel- sior, Minn., and previous to this, for a number of years, he preached in Republic, Ohio. Posses- sing versatile talents, he gained a knowledge of much not connected with his profession. He was versed in the science of medicine. He was a genius in mathematics and as a surveyor had few superiors. Nothing delighted him more than the study of languages. He acquired a knowledge of several, being a master of the dead languages and also familiar with some that are more modern. He was a student all his life, fond of adding to his repertoire of knowledge by the ac- quisition of important truths in the domains of science, art and literature.

Mr. Sheldon married Miss Mary Prentice, who was born in Connecticut, October 10, 1825. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom the following survive: Henry S., of Los Angeles county, Cal .; Charles H., who lives in Minnewaukon, N. Dak .; Frank S. and Chauncey S., of Los Angeles county; Mrs. G. W. Pitts, of Alton, Iowa; Mrs. E. E. St. Clair, of Los Ange- les county; and Dr. Martha A. Sheldon, who graduated from the Minnesota State University and the medical department of the University of Boston, Mass., and is now a medical missionary in Bhot, North India. The mother of this fam- ily died in February, 1899, having survived her husband but a little more than three years.

In December, 1884, Rev. Mr. Sheldon, accom- panied by his son, Chauncey S., came to the vicinity of Pomona and settled where the latter now resides, about one inile from Lordsburg. This region was at that time almost a wilderness. The most sanguine could not have anticipated its present development. However, he had a firnı faith in its future and this faith he substantiated by the purchase of fifty-six and one- half acres of land, which he proceeded to develop into a fruit ranch. He liad come to Los Angeles the pre- ceding year and had preached for a short time, and it was during that period he became en- raptured with the possibilities of the state as a fruit region. He lived to enjoy the fruition of his hopes and to see the locality where he settled take its place among the finest fruit-growing por-

I. B. Eakins

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tions of the state. He never mingled much in public affairs, cared nothing for official distinc- tion, and voted for principle, favoring the Prohi- bition party during the later years of his life. Since his death his son, Chauncey S., has main- tained the supervision of the ranch and taken up his work in the community, where, like his father, he is respected for his worth of character and his unwavering integrity.

B. EAKINS. One of the most certain sources of wealth for this great southwest is hidden in the depths of its mountain ranges, and, perchance, along some of its river beds, and one of the most significant facts con- nected with the truly marvelous development of this portion of the Union is the vast amount of mineral riches which are annually being con- verted into money here. The northern part of the Pacific slope has so long borne the palm that it has been practically overlooked that Southern California and Arizona possess treasures untold, and that with the same amount of energy and capital invested here that other portions of this continent have received, nature's vast storehouses would yield abundantly.

H. B. Eakins, secretary and general manager of the Wallapai Mining & Development Compa- ny of Los Angeles, is a native of Philadelphia, and his early life was spent in the Quaker city. He gained a liberal education in the schools of his native place, and when he was sixteen years of age he commenced his business career. Evi- dently he made an enviable record for fidelity and aptitude, for he was not eighteen when he was called upon to take charge of the government work connected with the geological and weather bureau at Washington, D. C. At the end of some eighteen months, during which period he gave perfect satisfaction to his superiors, he went to the Black Hills, where he became actively in- terested in mining operations. This was in 1887, and for the following four years he was connected with the Homestake Mining Company there. In 1891 he came to Los Angeles, and for the past nine years has been engaged in mining enter- prises in the southwest. For several years he has been an official in the Wallapai Mining & Development Company, whose mines are located

in Arizona, in what is known as the Chloride dis- trict, about twenty-two miles north of Kingman. Within less than a decade these mines have been developed, until they are worth from a half to three-quarters of a million dollars, and give rich promise for much greater things in the future. Mr. Eakins stands high in the judgment and esteem of all with whom he has dealings, and especially among the railroad men and mining operators, who know him well and who are united in their admiration of his thorough business abil- ity, pluck and energy.

Politically he uses his franchise in favor of the Republican party. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order. His pretty home in Los Angeles is presided over by his charming wife, whose maiden name was Gertrude E. Beemer. She was born in Racine, Wis., and became the wife of Mr. Eakins in the Black Hills, in June, 1892. They have one child, a boy, Walter B. by name.

LI W. KELLER, who resides about two miles north of Lordsburg, is one of the pioneer horticulturists of this locality, hav- ing made his home here since 1883. A native of Erie county, Ohio, he was born December 18, 1858, and is a son of Jacob and Clefa (Green- wald) Keller, natives respectively of Switzerland and France, and both now deceased. Nothing of unusual moment marked the boyhood years of our subject, which were passed in alternating farm work with attendance at the public school and seminary at Milan, Ohio. When he was seventeen years of age he began to learn the trade of the carriage maker in Clyde, Ohio, where for several years he was a member of the firm of Keller Brothers.

Leaving Ohio in search of a more desirable lo- cation, Mr. Keller came to California in 1883 and settled on the land which he still occupies. The place was then in it primitive condition, without any improvements of value. Practically its en- tire development has been made by him. His ranch of fourteen acres is planted to fruit trees, the most of which are deciduous. In addition to managing his fruit farm he is also engaged in well-boring, which he makes a special business. Since he came liere he has seen the development of the region from a wilderness to one of the gar-

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den spots of the world. The progress inade in every industry, and particularly that of horticul- ture, is most gratifying to him and he may well take pride in the fact that he has been one of the men to develop the industry here.

In a quiet way Mr. Keller is interested in poli- tics and public affairs, but his interest is not that of a partisan. Politically he votes with the Re- publicans. Before he came to California he mar- ried Belle Rogers, who was one of his childhood friends in Clyde. Fraternally he is identified with the Fraternal Brotherhood of Pomona, in whose work he takes an interest. Both he and his wife are Roman Catholics and belong to the church of that denomination in Pomona.

TEPHEN WARREN LADOW. A native of Milton, Saratoga county, N. Y., Stephen Warren LaDow was born seventy-six years ago, and, as his surname implies, he was of French extraction on the paternal side, though his mother's people were from England. His grand- father was married twice and had twenty-three children. Daniel and Laura (St. John) LaDow, the parents of S. W. LaDow, were natives of the Empire state, and he was the fifth in order of birth in their family of seven. The mother was a cousin of the world-renowned P. T. Barnum, and one of her brothers, Rev. Taylor St. John, was a widely known and loved minister of the Gospel in New York state. Four of his sons won distinction in educational circles of Albany, N. Y.

In his youth our subject obtained a common school education and laid the foundations of his future practical and successful business career. When he was twenty-two years old he married Margaret McWilliams, of Galway, N. Y., and two sons were born to them, Charles, now a resi- dent of Albany, N. Y., and John, who makes his home in Los Angeles. When the California gold fever raged throughout the land Mr. LaDow became eager to try his fortunes in the far west, and bidding what was destined to be a last fare- well to his devoted wife, he left his family in New York and sailed on one of the steamers crowded with ambitious adventurers, bound for the Isth- mus of Panama and the famed gold fields of the Pacific coast.

Arriving in Los Angeles in May, 1852, Mr.

LaDow stayed in that locality for a short period, and in July learned of the death of his wife. He went to the northern part of California then and engaged in mining and prospecting. In 1860 he was married to Miss Harriett Dorman, a native of Sanford, Me. To them two children were born, one dying in infancy; the other, Hattie M., now Mrs. C. H. Nance, lives in Los Angeles. In 1863 they returned to Los Angeles, which city, without a tithe of its present beauty and at- tractiveness, nevertheless appeared so promising to him that he desired to make it his permanent home. With his hard-won gold he bought twenty-five acres of choice land near the city, and there he dwelt until 1868, when he pre-empted a quarter section of land near the southwestern limits of Los Angeles. He made his home on this property until death, and took just pride in the innumerable improvements which he made upon the place.

In all public enterprises of this locality Mr. LaDow took a leading part. He was a pioneer in the task of piping water to this section for irrigation purposes, and thus set an example which was extensively followed. He gave one acre of land to the public for the cause of educa- tion, and thereon has been erected what is called the LaDow school.

Mr. LaDow departed this life January 6, 1899.

ILLIAM H. HEPNER was during his lifetime a prominent factor in the develop- ment of Covina. Born in the Shenandoah valley in Virginia, July 22, 1847, he there re- ceived his education in the public schools, and laid the foundation for his useful and enterprising life. His father, George W. Hepner, is now a resident of Covina.

When a young man of twenty-one he moved with his parents from Virginia to Tennessee, where he resided for a short time, subsequently returning to his native state, where, believing that he possessed mechanical ability, he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. Later he went to Colorado, from which state he moved in 1887 to his perma- nent home in Covina, where he died April 8, 1900. After taking up his residence in Covina lie en- gaged in the fruit-raising business, cultivating

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his ground and setting out trees on a ten-acre orange lot. In his special line of work he was very successful, seeming to have a particular aptitude for encouraging the growth of these luscious friends of man.

Mr. Hepner was married January 29, 1885, to Mary M. Jones, of Henderson county, N.C., and a daughter of Robert and Martha (Pittillo) Jones, of North Carolina, the former deceased, the lat- ter residing in Covina. Of this union there were five children, four of whoni are now living: Rosa V., Minnie A., Walter R. and Martha M.

Mr. Hepner was an active and helpful member of the German Baptist Brethren Church. He was not particularly interested in politics, nor was he fraternally associated with the different orders represented in his town. His widow and children live on the old homestead orange tract, and mourn with sincere sorrow the loss of more than an or- dinarily kind husband and indulgent father.

Among his fellow residents in the town of his adoption Mr. Hepner is remembered with mingled feelings of respect and admiration for his many sterling qualities of mind and heart. He kept in touch with the various means of progress and enlightenment, and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to the oppressed and unfortunate.

HOMAS J. CUNNINGHAM. Little does it matter in what business or enterprise a citizen of this great republic is engaged so long as he faithfully performs his duties and honestly looks out for the interests of others, considering them to be paramount to his own, for in this case success is certain to be his reward, sooner or later. Animated by these principles, Thomas J. Cunningham, a member of the firm of Cunningham & O'Connor, undertakers, of Los Angeles, has risen to a place of prominence and prosperity, and a review of his past life will prove of interest to his numerous friends.

The energy and business-like methods which characterize Mr. Cunninghanı may be partially accounted for by the fact that he is a New Eng- land Yankee, born at Randolplı, Mass., about fourteen miles from the "Hub," September 28, 1859. He resided in that locality until he reached his majority, receiving a liberal education in the common schools.

In 1880 Mr. Cunningham came west to San Francisco, where for two years he was in the em- ploy of the United Workingmen Boot & Shoe Company. He then returned to his old home for a visit,and in the fall of 1884 went to Tombstone, Ariz., where he engaged in mining and prospect- ing for about four years. The next year he carried on a grocery business in San Francisco and then came to Los Angeles. For the ensuing eight and a half years he conducted an undertak- ing business in partnership with Mr. Cussen, and won an enviable reputation with the general pub- lic and all with whom he had financial dealings: The present firm of Cunningham & O'Connor was formed in 1898, and the partners are pros- pering, it is almost needless to say, for all enter- prises with which our subject is associated are sure to prosper. They are located at Nos. 456- 58 South Main street, near the post-office.

In 1893 Mr. Cunningham married Miss Mary Maloney, whose father, Richard Maloney, was one of the pioneers of California. Her brother is now acting in the capacity of secretary to Bishop Montgomery. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with three children: Vincent R., William C. and Kathleen, whose presence brightens the pleasant home of the family at No. 126 East Eleventh street.

In his political convictions Mr. Cunningham is a Democrat. He takes great interest in na- tional and local affairs, and endeavors to keep posted upon all subjects worthy of engrossing the attention of the public.

B YRON E. STREET, who resides on South Hamilton avenue, Pomona, came to this city in February, 1883, and has since be- come a leading grower of and dealer in alfalfa. He was born in Ohio, August 27, 1853, a son of Charles L. and Emily A. (Walker) Street, the former a native of New York state. When lie was about two years of age his parents moved to Eaton county, Mich., and settled fourteen miles from Lansing, where he passed the years of boy- hood. He was eighteen when the family moved to Franklin county, Kans., and there lie started out for himself as a farmer. For some years he carried on agricultural pursuits.

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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 61

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