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 65
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127
The marriage of Mr. Martin united him with Ella Shelton, of Los Angeles, Cal., who died in 1888. Of this union there are four children, of whom only one, Murray Martin, is living.
A typical pioneer of the Covina valley, Mr. Martin has shown unswerving patience and en- terprise in reaching his present position in the community. His original tract of land was wild and unpromising, but under intelligent manage- ment has become a source of pride and gratifica- tion to its owner and a credit to its surroundings.
ON. ROBERT NELSON BULLA. In re- viewing the history of a community there are always a few names that stand out pre- eminently among others because their owners pos- sess superior business, literary or professional abil- ity. Such names and such men increase the im- portance of a city or state and add to its prosperity. Their intelligence is a power for good in local affairs and their keen intellectual faculties pro- mote not only their individual success, but that of their fellow-citizens as well. Among the meis of Los Angeles who have become eminent at the bar and in public affairs, and who are known in the halls of legislature, especial mention belongs to Mr. Bulla. He was born near the city of Richmond, Wayne county, Ind., September 8, 1850, a son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Staley) Bulla. His parents were born in Wayne county, Ind., and now reside in Kansas, near Fort Scott. Hiram Bulla's father moved from North Carolina to Indiana in 1806 and settled in Wayne county. He and his wife lived to be very old, he dying in 1886, and she some years before. They were the parents of eighteen children. Of the other ancestors little is known, except that most of them were of Quaker descent.
After completing common school studies, Rob-
ert N. Bulla entered the National University at Lebanon, Ohio, taking the regular scientific and classical courses and graduating with the first honors of his class. His abilities were recognized by his alma mater, which retained him as a tutor. A year later he entered upon the study of law in Cincinnati. After two years of study, as required by the laws of Ohio, he was admitted to practice and pursued his calling in that city for two years. During his residence in Cincinnati he married Consuelo, daughter of Elias Longley, a well-known author of a system of stenography and a newspaper man connected for many years with the journals of that city. Mrs. Bulla died in 1889, leaving no children. In August, 1890, Mr. Bulla married Evangeline Sutton, a niece of Dr. W. H. Venable, one of Ohio's prominent educators and a poet and author of local note. She is the daughter of C. Z. and Hannah (Venable) Sutton, who were born in Ohio and now reside in Los Angeles. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bulla: Vivian Olive and Loris Evangeline, and two who died in infancy.
In 1882 Mr. Bulla moved from Cincinnati to New York City, but the climate not agreeing with his wife, he came to Southern California, arriving in Los Angeles December 26, 1883. For the next four years he was connected with the offices of Bicknell & White, after which he practiced alone. In the campaign of 1892 he was induced to accept the nomination, by the Republican party, for the assembly in the seventy fifth district, comprising the second and third wards of Los Angeles city. His opponent was Hon. M. P. Snyder, afterward mayor of Los Angeles. Mr. Bulla was elected by a hand- some majority. In the legislature he soon gave evidence of breadth of mind. He took an active part in the session of 1893, although his party was in the minority in that branch of the legisla- ture. It was during this session that he intro- duced an entirely original idea in legislation, a bill which provided for the purchase, by the state, of all land sold for the non-payment o state and county taxes. No other state has ever grappled with this question in this manner. Owing to its novelty it met with strenuous op- position on the part of some of the state officials, but its excellent features commended themselves
446
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
strongly to the members of the two houses and it passed and went to the governor for his signa- ture. Representations were made to Governor Markham that in its operation it would deprive the state of its revenue. He therefore vetoed it, much to the disappointment of its friends.
-
Two years later Mr. Bulla was re-elected to the assembly. He accepted the position chiefly to re-introduce his now famous bill. At this election his opponent was a fusionist, but he won the election by a majority far greater than at his former election. In the session of 1895 he again introduced the delinquent tax bill. It passed the legislature and was approved by Governor Budd. The law has been in force for several years, and has been found a measure wise and beneficent toward those who are unfortunate in having their realty sold for taxes, saving them enormous sums in percentages upon redemption, delivering them from the unjust exaction of purchasers of tax titles. It has also proved to be the means of increased revenue to the state, be- cause it receives the benefit of all the penalties upon redemption. In this wise provision in the interest of the people Mr. Bulla has filled one station in life by raising true principles to the platform of public good.
In 1893 Governor Markham appointed him a member of the commission to inquire into and report to the next legislature the practicability of the so-called Torren's system of land transfers. The majority of the commission reported favora- bly, and Mr. Bulla drew a bill embodying the substantial provisions of the act, modified so às to conform to the constitution of the state. He introduced this bill in 1895, but it failed to pass, owing to the strenuous opposition of the abstract companies of San Francisco and Los Angeles, who thought their business would be injured by the passage of the bill.
During the session of 1895 Mr. Bulla was chair- man of the judiciary committee, discharging his duties in a very satisfactory manner. He was also a member of several other important committees. His position practically made him the leader of the Republicans in the assembly. At the close of the session Governor Budd tendered him the posi- tion of code commissioner, but it was declined on account of ineligibility, as, having been a member of the body that created the office, his
appointment was prohibited by the constitution of the state. In the fall of 1898 he was a candidate for the state senate from the thirty-seventh district, comprising all but three wards of the city of Los Angeles. His popularity was so great that he was nominated by acclamation, and was elected by the largest majority of any Repub- lican on the ticket. Although Bryan carried the city by seven hundred, Mr. Bulla had a majority of about twelve hundred. During the session of 1897 he was chairman of the senate committee on claims and as such passed on all claims against the state which were presented to the legislature. The position was a most difficult one, requiring much courage to resist the pressure and impor- tunities brought to bear in favor of many unjust and unconstitutional claims. He was also a mem- ber of the judiciary committee and the committee on municipal corporations. During this session his bill on Torren's land transfer, which had been defeated in 1895, was passed, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts of a paid lobby to defeat it. At this session he introduced and had passed a bill changing the laws governing the state normal schools, the object being to remove them as far as possible from political influence. He also intro- duced a bill, which became a law, preventing divorced persons from remarrying within a year from the date the decree of separation was passed. This bill has received severe criticism from some, yet it is doing much to free the state of California from the stigma of numerons divorces, which had grown to be an evil of no small dimensions.
At the time of the retirement of Senator White from office, Mr. Bulla was third in the list of aspirants during the contest, which resulted in no election. A special session of legislature was called some months subsequent, which resulted in the election of a United States senator; none of the candidates prominent during the regular session, however, was chosen for the position, the choice falling upon Hon. Thomas R. Bard.
For many years Mr. Bulla has been an advo- cate of good roads, hence has championed the good roads proposition of the last session, and after a severe struggle secured the passage of the measures introduced by the bureau of highways, which, however, were vetoed by the governor. Fourteen other bills were introduced by him and became laws, thus attesting his industry and
447
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ability as a member of the legislature. At the close of the last legislature he was again offered the position of code commissioner by the gov- ernor, the constitutional difficulty having been eliminated. Though at first declining, he was later induced to accept the appointment, and en- gaged in this most important work. The object of the commission is to carry into the codes the numerous statutes enacted since the adoption of the codes in 1873, to conform to the sections of the code in the construction placed upon them by the supreme court; to harmonize their pro- visions and to suggest other amendments as may seem in the interests of justice to all the people.
Mr. Bulla has always been more or less identi- fied with religious work in his community and, with his wife, holds membership in the Unitarian Church. Formerly he was connected with the Congregational Church. He is a member of Pentapha Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the chapter, council, commandery and shrine, being Illustri- ous Potentate of the last-named body. He is also a member of the Independent Order of For- esters, the Maccabees and the Fraternal Brother- hood, being supreme councillor in the latter order. He is also a charter member of the Sun- set Club and the Jonathan Club, also a member of the California Club, the principal literary and social organization of Los Angeles. He oc- cupies an honored position among the literateurs.
AMES BECKET, treasurer and superintend- ent of the Consolidated Water Company of Pomona and a resident of Pomona since 1884, is recognized as one of the most influential men in the city. It was largely due to his efforts that Pomona wasincorporated as a city, and dur- ing the entire period of his residence here he has favored and assisted projects for the benefit of the people and for the development of local resources. Together with Peter Fleming, now deceased, he prospected for water north of Clare- mont, and organized the Consolidated Water Company of Pomona, an incorporated concern, of which A. C. Moorehead, now deceased, was the first president. Mr. Fleming was chosen su- perintendent and served in that capacity until his death, which occurred in February, 1897. July 26, 1896, the business was incorporated. At
the time of the incorporation Mr. Becket was chosen secretary and treasurer, and since the death of Mr. Fleming he has also acted as superintend- ent. It will thus be seen that he is most in- timately associated with the development and growth of this important industry.
Mr. Becket was born in Peterboro county, Ontario, March 25, 1843, a son of James and Agnes Becket, natives of Scotland. His father was seven and his mother five years of age at the time of going to Canada. The former served as a councilman in Asphodell township, Peter- boro county, of which he was a well-known agri- culturist. James Becket, Jr., was reared in his native county on the home farm and received a grammar-school education, which was afterward supplemented by extensive reading and observa- tion. His first business venture was at Hast- ings, Ontario, where he engaged in the mercan- tile business for a short time. Coming to the States he settled at Traer, Tama county, Iowa, where he combined agricultural pursuits with the proprietorship of a mercantile establishment for a period of fourteen years. Later he carried on merchandising at Lake View, Sac county, Iowa, where he spent two years. In December, 1884, he became a resident of Pomona, where he conducted a mercantile business for some years, and since then he has been interested in the water company. He is also engaged in fruit-raising, having a fine orchard of ten acres on Holt ave- nue, Pomona, all of which is planted to oranges. Besides this property he owns a tract of seventy- three acres of water-bearing land, at the head of San Antonio avenue, and at the foot of the mountain. His residence, which is one of the most elegant in Pomona, stands at the corner of Holt and Garey avenues, and is furnished in a manner that indicates the refined tastes of the family. All of this property he has accumulated by his unaided efforts. On starting out for him- self he had no one to assist him, but was forced to depend upon his own resources from the age of thirteen years, when his mother died. Hence his present prosperity is especially creditable to himself. His attention having been engrossed by his various private business interests, he has had no leisure to participate in public affairs and, aside from voting the Republican ticket at all elections, takes no part whatever in politics.
418
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In 1868 Mr. Becket married Miss Christie S. Slater, of Northumberland county, Ontario. Their home is brightened by the presence of two daughters, Edith B. and Beatrice M. His two sons are both deceased; Ethelbert Harold, died aged twenty-six years, and Carl Clifford when eighteen months old.
M ELBOURNE P. DODGE. For nearly a score of years this gentleman has been act- ively connected with the great southwest, its development and gradually increasing pros- perity. He is known far and near, especially among those who are interested in mining opera- tions and property, and has succeeded in mate- rially advancing the mineral enterprises of this section of the United States. A self-made man, he has risen by his own intrinsic worth and ability, and enjoys the esteem of all who know him.
The birth of Mr. Dodge occurred in Nova Sco- tia, and there his early years were passed, his education being such as the common schools af- forded. When he was in his eighteenth year he obtained a position as a clerk in a dry-goods house at Halifax, and during the five years of his employment there he laid the foundations of his future prosperous business career. He then held a similar place with a dry-goods firm in St. Johns, New Brunswick, for two years. Returning then to the old homestead, he gave his attention to agriculture until 1881, when he concluded to try his fortunes in the great southwest.
Going to Tucson, Ariz., Mr. Dodge became an employe of A. D. Otis & Co., lumber merchants of that place, remaining with them for about two years. Later he established a business at the Total Wreck Mining Camp in Arizona, and dealt in general merchandise and supplies, as well as carried on mining operations. At that time he first became genuinely interested in mines and mining and since then has devoted considerable attention to the subject, in which he is now well posted. After prospecting for a period in the mountains he returned to Tucson, where he es- tablished and conducted a grocery for several years. He became deservedly prominent and in- fluential and served as a member of the city coun- cil for years.
In October, 1897, Mr. Dodge came to Los An- geles, where he became connected with the local branch of the Security Mining and Development Company. He is the chief clerk of the company, and as the president and general manager, Dr. Comstock, is necessarily absent from the city much of the time, the burden of responsibility largely rests upon Mr. Dodge, who uses rare good judg- ment in dealing with the extensive interests rest- ing in his hands. He also is the chief clerk of the Prescott Development Syndicate of Glasgow, Scotland, the business of this company being transacted in Los Angeles and Arizona. New railroads are being constructed and a large terri- tory of vast mineral wealth in this section of the Union is being yearly opened, and that American citizens are not fully awake to their opportunities is a fact that must be deplored, when it is seen that even foreign capitalists are readier, in many instances, to invest their wealth, than are our rich men.
In 1877 Mr. Dodge was united in marriage with Miss Christiana Smith, likewise a native of Nova Scotia. She was reared to womanhood in that locality, and received the benefits of a good edu- cation. She has been a true helpmate to her husband in his struggles to make a name and place for himself, and now shares in his prosperity.
ORNELIUS STOUT, proprietor of the Po- mona Planing Mill at No. 215 West Bertie street, Pomona, and a resident of this city since 1887, was born in Fulton county, Ill., September 23, 1849, a son of Michael and Ann M. (Suydamı) Stout, both now deceased. He was reared in De Kalb county and received his education in its common schools, the knowledge there acquired having since been supplemented by practical busi- ness experience and habits of close observation. At the age of sixteen years he began to learn barn building and framing, being trained by his father, who was a practical mechanic. While thus engaged he also assisted his father in the manage- ment of the home farnı.
Leaving Illinois in 1875, Mr. Stout went to Albany, Linn county, Ore., and for a short time followed the carpenter's trade there. He then went to Susanville, Lassen county, Cal., and for some ten years followed the builder's trade. Dur-
451
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ing his residence in that place he married Jessie dency of the bank and continued at its head until E. Soule, who was born in Iowa, and by whom he has one daughter, Frances E.
The year 1886 found Mr. Stout in Los Angeles, where he engaged in building. A year later he came to Pomona, which was then a mere village. At first he followed building, but soon turned his attention to wagon-making. The inception of his present business dates back to 1891, when he put in the first machinery of the planing-mill. From that time he engaged in general jobbing, doing all kinds of woodwork. He is the sole pro- prietor of the business, and employs four hands steadily in his mill.
Fraternally Mr. Stout is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World at Pomona. In politics he votes with the Republican party. From a business standpoint he is recognized as one of Pomona's industrious and intelligent men, hav- ing built up one of the principal industries of the city, and at the same time gained the confidence of the business portion of the population.
ASHINGTON HADLEY. Whoever labors for the advancement of his community, assisting in the development of its financial, commercial, agricultural or educational interests, promoting the welfare of his fellow-citizens and aiding in the progress of the place, is entitled to rank among its public-spirited, progressive citi- zens. Such a man is Mr. Hadley, than whom Whittier has no citizen more prominent or popu- lar. His name has been identified with almost every important measure for the benefit of the town. His help has been relied upon in the de- velopment of material interests. His generosity has stimulated local progress, and his intelligence has enabled him to devise means of enhancing the common good. Since 1887 he has been inti- inately associated with the Pickering Land and Water Company, one of the most valuable agen- cies in the development of this region, and he is now president and also treasurer of the company. This, however, by no means represents the limit of his activities. In 1894 he was the principal factor in the organization of the Bank of Whit- tier and was chosen its first cashier; after a time he was promoted from that position to the presi-
1900. During that year the institution was merged into the First National Bank of Whittier, of which he has since been the president. In common with the majority of the residents of Southern California he is interested in horticul- ture. He has made a specialty of raising En- glish walnuts, and has a large ranch near Rivera, which is under culture to these trees.
The life of a man of such prominence is of special interest to those who are familiar with his name and work. He was born in Guilford county, N. C., December 12, 1817, a son of Jonathan and Ann (Long) Hadley. His paternal ancestors were English Quakers, and were first represented in America during the seventeenth century. Hon. John Long, a maternal uncle of Mr. Had- ley, represented his district in North Carolina as a member of the United States congress, and was a man of wide influence in the south.
When Mr. Hadley was a child of seven years his father died, and in 1831 he accompanied his mother and the other members of the family to Indiana, settling in Morgan county. His educa- tion, although limited, was sufficient to enable him to teach school, which occupation he fol- lowed when less than eighteen years of age. At the age of nineteen he went to Parke county, Ind., and there engaged in a general mercantile business for many years. During his residence there he was for two terms (four years) treasurer of the county. In 1866 he settled in Lawrence, Kans., where he soon became known as a man of superior ability. For a time he was a member of the city council, where his work was so ac- ceptable that he was recognized as a man fitted for the highest office within the gift of the people of Lawrence- that of mayor -- and he was elected and filled that position for four years with the greatest efficiency. It was largely due to his in- fluence that the National Bank of Lawrence was organized, and he was chosen its first president, also, at different times, serving as its cashier and vice-president. Finally, however, he disposed of his interests in the bank in 1889 and three years later came to Whittier, where he has since resided. For many years he has served as an elder in the Friends' Church, and has taken a very active part in the work of that society. While living in Lawrence he was instrumental
452
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in organizing the yearly meeting of Friends at Lawrence. Throughout all of his active life he has been a strong temperance man, a believer in Prohibition principles as applied to intoxicants, and by precept and example he has endeavored to create a sentiment in favor of the same. In politics he was a Whig until that party disinte- grated, since which time he has adhered to Re- publican principles.
- The marriage of Mr. Hadley united him with Miss Naomi, daughter of Micajah Henley, who settled in Wayne county, Ind., in 1866. Of their children seven survive, viz .: Albert, who is cashier of the National Bank of California in Los Angeles; Mrs. Matilda Johnson, of Law- rence, Kans .; Almeda, now Mrs. A. D. Picker- ing, of Detroit, Mich .; Ella, the wife of Charles Monroe, who is an attorney of Los Angeles; Laurie, wife of T. E. Newlin, who at one time served as county clerk of Los Angeles county and is still living in the city of Los Angeles; Flora, wife of George E. Little, cashier of the First National Bank of Whittier; and Emilie V. Hadley.
ALTER LINDLEY, M. D. One of the pioneers in the medical profession in Los Angeles, his work here covering a period of a quarter of a century, Dr. Walter Lindley stands second to none as a physician and public- spirited citizen. During his long residence here he has been a witness of most of its phenomenal growth and prosperity, and few have been more active in the establishment of necessary and use- ful institutions for the care of the sick and unfortunate. His has been a busy and useful career and he is eminently worthy of a represent- ative place in the annals of his country.
The doctor's parents, Milton and Mary E. (Banta) Lindley, were natives of North Carolina and Vevay, Ind., respectively. His father, whose birth occurred October 7, 1820, removed to the Hoosier state in early life, and for several years was engaged iu the mercantile and banking business there. Later he went to Minneapolis, Minn., and there conducted a real-estate business until 1874, which year witnessed his arrival in Los Angeles. He owned considerable property here and devoted much of his time thenceforth to
its improvement. In 1879 he was honored by election to the office of county treasurer of Los Angeles county, a position which he filled with scrupulons integrity and to the entire satisfaction of the public. After he had served for three years in the capacity of county treasurer his many friends desired him to accept other positions of trust. In 1884 he was chosen as one of the coun- ty supervisors, and during his two years in that office he was chairman of the finance committee. He died at his home on West Jefferson street, Los Angeles, in May, 1895. His ancestors were orthodox members of the Society of Friends, and his venerable mother recently died at Whittier, Cal., when ninety-seven years of age.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.