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 62
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From Kansas Mr. Street came to California
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and settled in Pomona, where he first followed the trade of a carpenter and then engaged in the milk business, having a milk route in this city. Next he turned his attention to raising alfalfa, in the sale of which he has since built up a valuable business. He owns some twelve acres of alfalfa land near Spadra, and besides the property that he owns he leases about two hundred and fifty acres, on which he raises alfalfa. He is an energetic, practical man, and conducts his affairs with discretion and ability.
The first wife of Mr. Street, who was Miss Laura Martin, of Pomona, died four months after their marriage. In April, 1894, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary Harding, the widow of Stanley Harding, of Rockford, Il1., who, by her former marriage, became the mother of two daughters, Josephine and Ruth, and by her union with Mr. Street has a daughter, Lillian F. G. She is the owner of fifteen acres of orange land north of Pomona, the same being considered valuable property.
During his residence in Franklin county, Kans., Mr. Street held office as justice of the peace in the Princeton precinct. He is a mem- ber of the Fraternal Brotherhood of Pomona. With his wife and family he holds membership in the Baptist Church of Pomona, and has the official position of deacon in the same. In the work against the liquor traffic no one has been more interested than he. In principle and in precept he is a believer in prohibition, and he has been an active worker in the task of making Pomona a prohibition town.
EVI R. MATTHEWS, who has resided in Pomona since 1890, is the owner of nine acres planted to oranges and twenty-six acres in alfalfa, all of which is located in this city. A native of Vermont, he was born in Windsor county, February 10, 1830, a son of Josiah and Marietta (Waters) Matthews, also natives of Windsor county. His grandfather, William Matthews, was born at Cape Cod, of English descent, and in early life settled in the Green Mountain state. The Waters family is of Scotch extraction.
Accompanied by his family, Josialı Matthews
removed to Tazewell county, Ill., in 1834, and settled on a farm, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. His son, Levi R., was reared in Tazewell county, and from an early age was familiar with farm work, both the raising of cereals and of stock. For years he continued to cultivate the same farm, having chosen agriculture for his life work. As a boy he had attended local schools, which were at that time conducted on the subscription plan. He had also received the advantages derived from attendance at Knox Col- lege, a famous institution of pioneer days, located at Galesburg, Ill. After he took up his life calling of agriculture he devoted himself closely to that work. At the same time he did not neglect the duties of citizenship. He served in various offices in Tremont township, where he was a man of great influence. I11 1886 he retired from farm work and moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., but after a few years, in September, 1890, he came to Pomona, which he has found to be a more enjoyable climate than that of Colorado Springs. For six years after he came here he resided on his ranch, but since then he has made his home at No. 659 North Gordon street.
April 20, 1852, Mr. Matthews married Marie Antoinette Sill, a native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and a daughter of Horace L. and Mary (Pettibone) Sill, natives of New York state, the former being of English extraction. Seven children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, namely: Mary L., wife of Raphael Leonard, of Woodford county, Ill .; Nellie, wife of C. E. Major, also of Woodford county, Ill .; Katie, who married C. S. Stubblefield, of McLean county, Ill .; Anna May, Mrs. C. J. Buckley, of Tazewell county, Ill .; Lee R., who lives in Pomona; Gracie, wife of J. H. Payne, of Denver, Colo .; and Winifred G. The family are con- nected with the Christian Church and Mr. Mat- thews is now officiating as deacon of the con- gregation at Pomona. In politics he is a stanch Republican.
Through a life that has covered three score years and ten Mr. Matthews has maintained a reputation for integrity and lionor. Laborious in his earlier years, he won by determined in- dustry the competency he now enjoys, and at the same time he gained a high standing among the influential farmers of his home township and
Jahre Scherer cheeser
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county in Illinois, where for years lie was identi- fied with movements for the advancement of general farming and stock-raising interests.
OHN SCHEERER. A history of Los An- geles would be sadly incomplete were the record omitted of the late John Scheerer, one of its prominent and highly honored citizens. For more than a decade, the most important period, perhaps, in its marvelous growth, he was actively associated with its upbuilding and im- provement, and his name became well and favor- ably known throughout this section of the state.
There is much in the life annals of John Scheerer that is an inspiration to those who knew him, and the young people of to-day could do no better than emulate his example. Born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 3, 1838, he was bereft of his parents when he was quite young, and early was forced to rely upon himself. Arrived at maturity, he wisely decided to come to America, and in Springfield, Ohio, he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed in that state until about 1858. Then he removed to Platte county, Mo., and established a furniture and undertaking busi- ness, in which venture he met with marked suc- cess. Industrious and diligent, upright and just, he won the esteem, as well as the custom of people throughout that section of the county, and, in the course of time, commenced accumulat- ing a small fortune. He owned a valuable farm in Platte county, and made a specialty of raising bees and selling honey. Various other invest- ments and enterprises were successfully carried on by him, among thein the short-horn cattle business. In everything pertaining to the wel- fare of his town and community he took a patri- otic interest.
When the war of the Rebellion broke out Mr. Scheerer volunteered his services in the defense of Missouri, which was torn with the two factions and was one of the worst battle-grounds of public feeling in the country at that time. He served with the rank of second lieutenant in the Missouri state militia, and aided in preserving order and preventing lawlessness from infringing upon the rights of the law-abiding citizens. He was brave and unflinching at his post of duty, and
participated in numerous skirmishes. Politically he was a loyal Republican, but never was an as- pirant to official distinction.
One of the most important events in the career of Mr. Scheerer was his marriage to Miss Anga Blankenship, in Platte county, Mo., October 20, 1861. She was born in Kentucky and was educated in the schools of Platte county. She, too, liad been orphaned wlien a child, and both she and her husband deeply appreciated even the very humble home in which they began their house-keeping. They had struggled with cir- cumstances and poverty from their early recol- lections, and together they carefully set about the accumulation of a competence. Long years of economy and industry brought their sure reward, and when, in 1882, they sold out their Missouri possessions and located in beautiful Los Angeles, they had a goodly fortune. Wisely investing a portion of their capital in real estate and other enterprises in this locality, they soon were on the highway to wealth. The old Bryson building, one of the finest office buildings in the west, was owned by Mr. Scheerer and is still in the possession of his widow. Her income from various sources is quite large, and she has the satisfaction of knowing that her present wealth is the direct outcome of the wisdom and industry of herself and husband in past years.
Though never blessed with children of his own Mr. Scheerer's heart was warm with love and sympathy toward childhood. Remembering his own lonely youth and that of his wife, without the loving care and watchfulness of kind parents, he delighted to aid orphaned children, and it was one of his cherished plans to erect a comfortable home for helpless little ones, who might thus be preserved from the innumerable dangers and sorrows which beset them, especially in a large city. He was a great worker in the Christian Church, and was a liberal giver to religious enterprises, as well as to the poor and needy. For years he was an official member of the First Christian Church of Los Angeles. Honesty and kindliness were stamped upon his features, and rarely was he appealed to in vain for material assistance in any worthy cause. His earthly career came to a close March 27, 1893, and he was placed to rest in the beautiful mausoleum erected to his memory by his wife, in Evergreen
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Cemetery. For over thirty years their lives had flowed on, happily and peacefully together, and their home was an ideal Christian one, where their numerous friends loved to come.
Mrs. Scheerer became the wife of Jolin J. Orchard, in Kansas City, Mo., September 16, 1896. For many years he had been successfully engaged in merchandising, and enjoyed the good opinion of all who knew him. He was a native of England, but was reared in New York state, chiefly. He was a kind and affectionate husband and possessed the love of a host of friends. He lived only four months after his marriage, his death taking place in this city, and thus, once more, the widow is left alone in her beautiful home. Her residence, a modern one, furnished elegantly and in excellent taste, is located at No. 1403 Santee street. Like Mr. Scheerer, she has been a great worker in the Christian Church, and quietly and unostentatiously lends a helping hand to many a poor and unfortunate one. It is her chief pleasure to carry out the many plans for doing good which they made together, and when she is called upon to render an account of her earthly stewardship there will undoubtedly sound in her ears the welcome verdict, "Well done, good and faithful, enter into the joy of thy Lord."
EORGE W. COOLMAN, the leading con- tractor and builder of Covina, has been closely identified with the fortunes of the town since he took up his residence here in 1895. A native of Allen county, Ind., he was born March 6, 1859, and is a sou of William and Lealı Coolman, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio re- spectively, and of German descent. William Coolman achieved considerable importance as a builder and contractor in and around Fort Wayne, Ind., subsequently meeting his death through injuries contracted by a fall from a building that he was constructing. George W. was at this time three years old. He continued to live in his native county and state, where he received his education in the district schools. About the age of fifteen he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, and he has continued to follow mechanical pursuits to the present time. Previous to coming to Covina in 1895 he gained considerable reputation as a builder and con-
tractor, and a number of the finest buildings of the town of Fort Wayne were constructed by him.
Mr. Coolman married Catherine Colvin, of Allen county, Ind. Of this union there are four children: Lola, Edna, Earl and Ralplı. Mr. Coolman has no political aspirations, nor is he prominently connected with the fraternal societies of his adopted city. He is public spirited and en- terprising, entering with enthusiasm into all the projects for the betterment of the community.
OBERT J. POLLARD, agriculturist and early pioneer of the Azusa valley, was born in Greene county, Ala., May 1, 1842. Of Scotch extraction, he is a son of Richard and Susan E. (Bell) Pollard, of South Carolina and Alabama respectively. Richard Pollard was a farmer, and fought with valor and distinction in the war of 1812. Susan Pollard died when her son Robert was two years old, and the lad was reared in the midst of vicissitudes. When twelve years old he moved with his father and the other members of the family to Caddo parish, La , where they lived for but a short time. Their next dwelling place was in Lamar county, Tex., and here Robert J. outgrew his boyhood and em- barked upon the more responsible activities of life. He had in the meantime learned every de- partment of a farmer's work and availed himself of the opportunities offered by private schools. In addition, he had fitted himself for the future by learning the wagon and repair business.
With the call to arms in 1861 he was one of the first among his associates to respond to the demand for his services, enlisting in Company C, Ninth Texas Infantry, C. S. A., under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. His service was east of the Mississippi river. His war record is an interest- ing one, and includes participation in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Jackson and many minor battles and skirmishes. He was captured below Helena, Ark., on the Missis- sippi river, after the retreat from Jackson, and confined for eight months as a prisoner of war at Alton, Ill.
At the termination of the war Mr. Pollard re- turned to Lamar county, Tex., and engaged in agriculture until 1868, when he came to Downey, Cal., and opened a wagon and repair shop. In
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1874 he discontinued this business and took up good knowledge of the many branches of agricul- his permanent residence in Azusa, purchasing a forty six acre tract from the government. This land would have been a discouraging proposition for a man with less determination and patience, but its owner knew no such word as fail, and the wild, scraggy growths disappeared through his unfailing industry and an orange grove stood re- vealed in its proper time and season. He now owns twenty acres of the finest orange land in the valley.
Mr. Pollard married Susan A. Reynolds, of Downey, Cal., and of this union there are three children: Richard C. and William R., of Covina, Cal., and Mrs. John O'Bert, of Downey, Cal.
Holding liberal views regarding politics, Mr. Pollard is nevertheless inclined toward the Dem- ocratic party. He is an active worker and dea- con of the Christian Church, contributing gener- ously to its support and also serving on its board. Fraternally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Covina. For many years he has been a large stockholder in the Azusa Irrigating Company. He is esteemed for his many admirable and exemplary traits of char- acter, his unfailing good nature and general interest in all that tends to benefit the town of his adoption.
AMBERT L. RATEKIN. The greater number of California's successful men were born and reared east of the Rockies, but have developed their able business qualities in the Pacific states, the salubrious climate and fruitful region of Southern California especially seeming to stimulate and enthuse their every faculty. Noteworthy among these people is Mr. Ratekin, the secretary and manager and a director of the Covina Orange Growers' Associa- tion, of which he was one of the organizers and incorporators in 1899. He was born March 15, 1860, in Warren county, Ill., which was likewise the birthplace of his parents, Joseph and Haney (Lester) Ratekin. His father is still a resident of that county, being a farmer of experience and success, but his mother has passed to the life beyond, her death having occurred in December, 1872.
Mr. Ratekin was brought up on the home farın, in Warren county, where he obtained a
ture, and received excellent educational advan- tages. After leaving the district school he attended Whipple Academy, in Jacksonville, Ill., being there as a pupil when Hon. W. J. Bryan was a member of that institution. He subse- quently spent a year at Galesburg, Ill., as a stu- dent in Lombard University, after which he was for a short time manager for a shingle manufac- turing company in southern Idaho. Returning from there to Warren county, Il1., he established himself in the mercantile business at Swan creek, where he continued two years. He was thereafter engaged in agricultural pursuits in Illinois until the fall of 1893, when he decided to make a complete change of location, and came to California. In 1894 he settled in Covina, where he now owns a well-improved orange ranch of twenty acres, to the care of which he devotes much of his time, although he has many outside interests and duties. Besides his official con- nection with the Covina Orange Growers' Asso- ciation, he is also a director of the A. C. G. Deciduous Association, which he assisted in organizing. Politically he is an active worker for the Democratic party, and does much for further- ing the interests of that party when he considers those interests to be also for the general good of Covina. At present he is a member of the local school board, and its clerk. Fraternally lie is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the Covina lodge.
September 13, 1887, Mr. Ratekin married Clara Dean, of Warren county, I11., and they have one child, Gladys H. Ratekin.
STEPHEN C. HEADLEY is one of the most extensive growers of oranges in the Azusa valley. Of English-Scotch ancestry, he was born in Essex county, N. J., April 12, 1833. His parents, Caleb B. and Mary A. (Wilkinson) Headley, were natives of New Jersey. His paternal grandfather, after migrating from Scot- land, served with courage and fidelity in the war of the Revolution.
Stephen C. Headley grew to man's estate in his native county. The schools of his youth were limited in extent and opportunity, and, having much to occupy his time on his father's farm, his chances for education were confined to the winter
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terms. He was, however, an energetic and faithful student, and, realizing his limitations, adopted a course of general reading, supplemented by various devices for gaining a thorough busi- ness training.
Settling in Dakota county, Minn., he became a stock-raiser and agriculturist, in which he con- tinned for a quarter of a century. In 1887 he came to Los Angeles county, Cal., and settled in the Azusa valley, which has since been his home. His property consists of thirty-five acres, which is highly cultivated, and largely given over to orange growing. His efforts in this particular line have been attended by the most pronounced success, and he is regarded as an authority on the subject.
Mr. Headley married Jennie Wiggins, a native of Maine, who died in 1883. He is prominent in many lines of general activity, including that of director and incorporator of the A. C. G. Decid- uous Association, and the A. C. G. Citrus Association. He is a member of the Masonic order of Hastings, Minn., and was for several years supervisor of Empire township, Dakota county, Minn.
With the most advanced movements of his town and county Mr. Headley has been identified. He is regarded as an enterprising and reliable citizen. In common with the other dwellers of the valley he has witnessed many changes and experienced many hardships and failures, which, turned to good account and followed by success, render him eligible for the high estimation in which he is held.
EUBEN A. MEREDITH. As a pioneer settler of Los Angeles county, and one of its leading horticulturists, Mr. Meredith is worthy of mention in this work. He has been a resident of this section of Southern California for more than thirty years, and has been per- manently located in Covina since 1894. He was born April 30, 1840, in Sumter county, Ala., a son of Reuben A. and Ann E. (Harwood) Mere- dith, both Virginians by birth and breeding. The Harwood family originated in Scotland, whence the founder of the American family of that name emigrated in colonial times, settling in Virginia. On the paternal side Mr. Meredith
is of Welsh ancestry, and of a distinguished family, his grandfather, Dr. Reuben A. Meredith, having been a noted physician, and a soldier in the war of 1812.
Mr. Meredith was reared to manhood in Ala- bama, where he served an apprenticeship of five years at the blacksmith's trade, which he followed a number of years as a journeyman. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Fifth Alabama Infantry, C. S. A., and served under Generals Beauregard, Joseph E. Johnston and Lee, and when Stonewall Jackson was killed in the battle of Chancellorsville, he was under his command. He participated in many engagements, including the battles of Seven Pines, the seven days' fight before Richmond and the battle of Gettysburg. He was in both of the Fredericksburg campaigns, the battles of Cold Harbor, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court-House. He was with Early in the Shenandoah valley, was in the Petersburg campaign and surrendered at Appomattox. At Chancellorsville he was captured in the second days' fight, and for ten days was held a prisoner in Washington, D. C. Entering the army as a private he was promoted to the rank of sergeant soon after, and served in that capacity during the war.
On returning to Alabama Mr. Meredith settled in Gainesville as a blacksmith, in which occupa- tion he continued until 1868. Going from there to Corpus Christi, Tex., he joined a company going westward with a wagon train and a drove of cattle, accompanying the party as far as El Paso, Tex., where the cattle were sold. From there he and three of his companions came on horseback to California, arriving at El Monte, Los Angeles county, six months after leaving Corpus Christi, Tex. He engaged in horti- cultural pursuits as a fruit grower, and in 1894 located near Covina, on his present ranch; here he has twenty acres of land, the larger part being devoted to oranges, with which he has had much success. During his residence here he lias become actively identified with some of the lead- ing interests of this vicinity, being a director of the Covina Valley Orange Growers' Association, of which he was one of the promoters, and a director in the Columbia Land and Water Com- pany. Fraternally he is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Ancient
Manch Jecommung
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Order United Workmen of Covina. Politically he is a consistent member of the Democratic party.
Mr. Meredith's sister, Mrs. Mary K. Harris, resides with him. She, too, is an old settler of Los Angeles county, having come here in Febru- ary, 1884, and since taking up her residence in Covina has won the respect of the community.
RANK LECOUVREUR is a native of Ortels- burg, East Prussia, and was born June 7, 1829. He came to California via Cape Horn in 1851. Possessing clerical ability and a good education, he readily found employment suited to his tastes and his ability. The qualities of mind and heart which he possessed brought him popularity with the people. In public af- fairs he took a warm interest, keeping in touch with movements for the benefit of his community. Under John W. Shore he received an appoint- ment as deputy county clerk and while acting in that capacity, for a period of about three years, he was an efficient officer and rendered valuable services to the county.
Later Mr. Lecouvreur entered the office of Captain Hancock, then county surveyor. Soon he became familiar with every detail connected with that office. In fact his fitness for the posi- tion was so evident that he was elected county surveyor, which office he filled with the greatest efficiency for two terms of two years each. Dur- ing these two terms he made some important surveys for the county. Later he also partitioned the Verdugo rancho of about forty thousand acres into smaller tracts. The office of county surveyor was tendered him for the third term, but he declined the proffered honor, and accepted the position of cashier of the Farmers & Mer- chants' Bank.
June 14, 1877, Mr. Lecouvreur was married in San Francisco, Cal., and after a visit to Europe returned to Los Angeles. About 1888 he suffered a serious sickness and general decline in health, since which time he has lived in re- tirement. He is a man of great patience and fortitude, as well as education and culture. In former years he was a very active and useful citi- zen, doing much to promote the welfare of his
city and county. He is held in the highest es- teem by all of his acquaintances in the town where for so many years he has made his home.
ILLIAM Q. CUSTER, who conducts an undertaking business at Covina, resides one and a quarter miles west of this place, on a finely improved ranch that has been his home since 1893. The property comprises ten acres, of which six acres are under orange culti- vation and the balance in lemons. Mr. Custer was born in Highland county, Ohio, October 31, 1860, a son of Joseph B. and Martha J. (Purdy) Custer, the former a native of Pennsylvania and now deceased; the latter born in Ohio and now re- siding in Latah county, Idaho. The Custer family is said to be of German extraction.
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