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 68
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Among the various interests to which Mr. Moss is devoted is the matter of the development of water, which he has studied with satisfactory results to himself and the community in general. He is a member of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association, and of the Los Nietos Pioneers' Association. A Democrat in
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politics, he has no political aspirations, leaving to others the manipulation of the local offices. He married Miss Henrietta Field, a native of Tennessee, who moved with her parents, Har- rington L. and Lucy H. Field, to Texas, where Mr. Moss met and married her. This union is said to have been a particularly harmonious and happy arrangement, Mrs. Moss being a woman of great refinement, and having the rare gift of making and keeping friends. To this couple have been born four children: Harrington, who lives near Rivera; Mary, who is the wife of John Moss, of El Paso, Tex .; Matthew, living near Whittier; and William, a merchant at Ranchito.
To those who are privileged to know him, Mr. Moss is not only a splendid type of the typical "forty-niner," to whose energy and courage and perseverance is due a large share of the wonder- ful development of California, but he is also a man who has shown remarkable ability in many avenues of usefulness and enterprise. After a useful life of more than three score and ten years he is now, in the afternoon of an interesting ex- istence, made happier and better by the host of friends who appreciate to the full his fine and genial personality.
] AMES BARLOW. Since taking up his res- idence in the Ranchito district Mr. Barlow has demonstrated in no slight degree his fit- ness to be numbered among the most enterpris- ing and progressive of the vast army who have looked to California as a Mecca for their efforts and successes. Although not one of the very early settlers, having come from the east in 1880, he has yet experienced great changes and wit- nessed vast improvements in many directions. His own land was, at purchase, prophetic of any- thing but its present state of prosperity and util- ity, being at that time a rough corn field, and re- quiring the most persistent care and cultivation before the trees could be set out or the seed planted. The ranch comprises seventy-six acres, and is mostly used to raise walnuts and oranges, Mr. Barlow having planted every tree himself.
A native of Franklin county, N. Y., Mr. Bar- low was born January 26, 1855, and is a son of Samuel and Martha (McElwain) Barlow, who are now residing in Los Angeles. The ancestry
on the father's side is English; the mother was born in New York. Samuel Barlow was for many years engaged successfully in the mercantile busi- ness at Hogansburg, N. Y., and his son, James, received considerable early training in that direc- tion. He early displayed studions habits, and availed himself to the utmost of the opportunities of the public schools, and later attended for a time the Normal school at Pottsdam, N. Y. In 1876 he started out in the world for himself, and went to Washington territory, where he remained long enough to see the country, and then spent seven months in Oregon. His next destination was Lake county, Cal., where for a time he was engaged in general farming, and in 1880 he set- tled on his present ranch near Rivera.
Mr. Barlow married Miss Fannie Henderson, of Lake county, Cal., a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Carpenter ) Henderson, who were pio- neers of Lake county. In politics Mr. Barlow is a Republican, but has never been an office seeker, leaving to others the manipulation of the various offices within the gift of the people, and content to faithfully perform the duties of his immediate concern. Nevertheless he is an ardent seeker after the public good, and contributes much time and thought to the advancement of the general welfare. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and contributes generously toward its charities and necessities.
M ILTON J. BROOKS. Although compara- tively a new comer to the Los Nietos re- gion, having settled here in 1897, Mr. Brooks has become thoroughly identified with the spirit and undertakings of the locality, and has established himself as one of its respected and necessary citizens. His ranch consists of twenty- three acres planted to walnuts, and is under a high state of cultivation.
Previons to coming to California in 1884 Mr. Brooks led an uneventful life in the main. He was born in Maury county, Tenn., July 31, 1859, and is a son of John S. and Lucy A. (Jordan) - Brooks, natives respectively of Tennessee and Virginia. His maternal grandfather, John F. Jordan, was a prominent agriculturist, and a valiant soldier in the war of 1812. Milton Brooks was reared on his father's farm in his native
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county, and educated in the district schools. He early showed an aptitude for agricultural pur- suits, and diligently assisted his father in his du- ties around the farm. In 1880 he went to Lamar county, Tex., and while there was occupied for several years with various pursuits. In 1884 he came to Southern California, and was for several years employed by A. H. Dunlap, who lived in the vicinity of Whittier, and subsequently leased land in the neighborhood and engaged in general farming and walnut growing.
In keeping with his interest in all that pertains to the advancement of his locality Mr. Brooks takes a vital interest in the institutions that are the outgrowth of the special requirements inci- dent to the peculiar conditions of the soil and cli- mate. He is at present serving as president of the Los Nietos Irrigating Company, and as such has given general satisfaction. He is a director of the Los Nietos school district, and was elected for a term of three years. He is also a member of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association, incorporated; and of the Los Nietos Pioneer Club. In politics he is a Democrat, but entertains liberal views regarding local politics.
Mr. Brooks married Laura Downing, a native of Iowa, and to this couple has been born one daughter, Laura Edna.
HARLES LANE. During the years of his residence near Whittier Mr. Lane was largely instrumental in promoting the various enter- prises for the upbuilding of the locality, and liis departure from the many avenues of usefulness is seriously felt by all who appreciate liis dis- interested faithfulness in the path of duty and his devotion under any and all circumstances to principle.
To Mr. Lane California was not a sought-out opportunity, but the place of his birth. He was born at Sonoma February 22, 1859, and was a son of John J. and Millie (Hancock) Lane, who were very early settlers in Sonoma county. They represented the best and most industrious resi- dents of the county and were justly successful agriculturists. The son naturally imbibed a preference for a life in the fields and an occupation that was near to nature's heart. When seven- teen years old his people decided to change their
location and mode of life and consequently moved to the vicinity of Prescott, Ariz., where they lived for a number of years. Here they were busily engaged in cattle-raising and mining, and here the son had fair opportunities for acquiring an education in the public schools. This nucleus for an education was later supplemented by con- tinual reading and research, which resulted in Mr. Lane's being regarded always as an 1111- usually well-informed and erudite man. His death, which occurred June 24, 1895, was a loss to the community in which he lived.
May 20, 1884, Mr. Lane married Leah J. Nicholson, a native of San Bernardino county, Cal., and a daugliter of James A. and Mary (See) Nicholson, natives respectively of New York and Missouri. At the present time they are residing near Whittier. James Nicholson came to California in 1849 and his wife arrived in 1857. He was a miner in the early days, but later turned his attention to agriculture. To Mr. and Mrs. Lane were born four children, three of whom are now living: James J., Lulu M., Charles N. (deceased), and Harry Raymond.
The ranch formerly occupied by Mr. Lane and now in possession of his widow consists of twenty- four acres, mostly under English walnuts. Mrs. Lane lias demonstrated much business ability in managing her property, and is a member of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Asso- ciation. In religion she is identified with the Methodist Church. She is much esteemed for her enterprise and for her many sterling qualities of mind and lieart.
YLVESTER W. BARTON. Among his acquaintances and associates in the vicinity of Whittier, Mr. Barton is well known for his push and enterprise, his oft-evinced and prac- tical interest in the various enterprises and insti- tutions necessitated by the demands of a con- stantly increasing population, and a rising ap- preciation of the possibilities of her resources.
A native of Wayne county, Ind., where he was born February 5, 1855, Mr. Barton is the son of John and Rachel (Penland) Barton, na . tives respectively of Indiana and Ohio. They were early pioneers of Wayne county, and after long years of usefulness and prominence in the
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community, they are still resident among the scenes of their trials and joys. The paternal grand- father, now dead, was also among the very early dwellers of Wayne county, and in his time was a successful and progressive agriculturist, as well as a man whose influence for good was felt to a large degree.
Sylvester W. Barton was reared on his father's farm, and his training and education conducted after the fashion of many farmers' sons in like positions. After diligently studying at the dis- trict schools, he attended a course at the Normal school at Ada, Ohio, his educational advantages there being purchased at the price of more than ordinary diligence. Being dependent upon his own resources, and under the necessity of paying for his instruction, he earned the required money by acting as tutor to other members of the school.
In 1883 Mr. Barton left Indiana and went to Mahaska county, Iowa, and engaged in general farming aud stock-raising until 1886, in which year he came to Southern California. For two years he resided in Pasadena and then came to Whittier. He finally took up his residence in East Whittier, where he has since resided. His ranch at East Whittier consists of thirteen acres under oranges and walnuts. An added source of revenue also is derived from an active participa - tion in the oil industry, to the discovery of which many are indebted for large fortunes. He was one of the promoters of the Whittier Oil and Development Company, the firm of Barton & Clayton buying two hundred acres of oil land in the Whittier oil fields. He is one of the heaviest stockholders in the company, and is secretary and general manager, as well as a director. In 1895 he bought three thousand acres of unimproved land in the La Habra valley, which he subdivided and sold to colonists. One part was sold to an English colony, that proved a valuable acquisition to our county.
Mr. Barton married Leila Mendenhall, of Oska- loosa, Iowa, and they have one son, Russell J. Mr. Barton is a Republican, and has been promi- nently identified with the undertakings of his party. A number of times he has served as del- egate to the Republican county conventions, and has held several local offices. He is a member of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association. One of the oldest real-estate men
in Whittier, he has been actively engaged with the firm of Barton & Clayton for many years. He is an extensive traveler, having crossed the continent several times and visited the points of interest in many directions.
ILAS B. ROOT. Since taking up his resi- dence near Rivera, in 1888, Mr. Root has made a success of his chosen work in Cali- fornia, and his ten-acre ranch, devoted to the cultivation of oranges, bears testimony to his skill in management, and the enterprise and watchful- ness which have converted a practically worth- less piece of land into a condition of utility and resource.
Mr. Root is a native of Chautauqua county, N. Y., and was born September 11, 1838. Heis a son of Nelson and Maria (Baird) Root, natives of New York state. His paternal grandfather, Silas Root, was a heroic soldier in the war of 1812, and lived to the ripe old age of over ninety years. While living on his father's farm in New York, Silas Root took an active interest in all that pertained to the well-being of the farm and family, and studied diligently at the district schools during the winter terms, and later at the public schools of Ripley, N. Y. As time went on he had opportunity to acquire considerable business knowledge, which he later utilized to good advantage. When about sixteen years of age he moved with his parents and sister to Port- land, Mich., and after a year's residence there he began to learn the tinner's trade, serving a three years' apprenticeship. For a number of years following he saw considerable of the surrounding country in his capacity of journeyman tinner. In 1876, becoming weary of the migratory exist- ence, he settled down to a permanent business in Sylvania, Lucas county, Ohio, where he opened a tin shop and manufactured tinware. When justified by the increasing trade he added to his stock a complete line of hardware and farm in1- plements. In time he had the largest establislı- ment of the kind in the town, his prosperity con- tinning until 1888, when he began to think about a change of occupation and location.
After settling in California Mr. Root became identified with the various interests of his county, and his ability and services have met with the
ععس الانبه
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appreciation of the community in which he lives. He has been president of the Rivera Fruit Ex- change and is a member of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association, incor- porated.
Mr. Root married Mary J. Cone, a native of Ohio. In politics he is independent, and believes in voting for the best man. He invariably votes for principle rather than party. Fraternally he is associated with the Masonic order and active in all of the undertakings of the order.
HARLES HEWITT HANCE, well known to the people of Los Angeles as one of the city's most reliable officials, was born in Montgomery county, Mo., March 11, 1837, a son of John and Catherine (Hewitt) Hance, and a descendant of Revolutionary stock. His paternal grandfather, Adam Hance, was born in Ger- mantown, Pa., May 22, 1748, and enlisted at the beginning of the war with England, serving under General Washington in the battle of Bran- dywine and at Yorktown, where he witnessed the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. His last days were spent at Newbern, Va., where he died July 9, 1826. Hisson, John, was born in Newbern, De- cember 27, 1797, and died in St. Louis county, Mo., October 6, 1856. He married Catherine Hewitt, who was born at Liberty Courthouse, Va., April 10, 1810, and died in Glenwood, Mo., in August, 1874. Her father, Edmund Hewitt, was born in Virginia, July 17, 1783, and was drowned at the age of thirty years. He was of English lineage, his grandfather having come from England late in the seventeenth century and settled in Virginia. The descendants of this pioneer were in turn themselves pioneers in the west and south. The Hance family originated in Germany. The great- grandfather of Charles H. was Adam Hance, a native of Coblenz, on the Rhine; in 1722 he came to America and settled in Germantown, Pa., where he married and reared a large family. From him descended a numerous posterity, now scattered throughout America.
The early and sudden death of Mr. Hewitt left his wife with their four children to provide for. The daughter, Catherine, was given a home with an aunt, Mrs. Jubal Early, with whom she re- mained during girlhood, leaving that home to
enter the one her husband had prepared for her. Meantime, her mother, whose maiden name was Juliet Caffray, had, two years after the death of Edmund Hewitt, become the wife of Peter Hance, a son of Adam Hance. They migrated to Mis- souri, where their remaining years were passed.
Until ten years of age Charles Hewitt Hance retained with the family on the Montgomery county farm, where there were a number of slaves, inherited by his father from the old Vir- ginia estate. He was the second son in the family. His older brother was known as "Colonel," while he was given the title of "Captain," these being endearing names bestowed by a loving father. Colonel and Captain were twelve and ten years of age when the family moved from the farm to St. Louis and the change was a desirable one to them; "Not," as our subject expressed it, "because I object to farm life for a boy, but for the reason that it took us all (seven children) out of the backwoods and placed us in one of the most progressive cities of America, which now, after fifty years, ranks the fifth city in the repub- lic." Here he was placed in school and received a fair education.
After years of struggling and hardships in assisting his widowed mother, Mr. Hance sought the gold fields of Colorado and worked at Cherry creek and Gregory's gulch. However, his ex- perience there was dearly bought and unprofit- able. In 1859 he returned to St. Louis, but dur- ing the same year went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he cast his first presidential vote, supporting Bell and Everett, the Union candidates. This he did after listening to many speeches by Stephen A. Douglas and others, and imbibing the idea that the great principles of our government rested on the teachings of Thomas Jefferson. Early in the '6os, when the sky was dark with the threatened storm of national disruption, he returned to St. Louis. Like many others who had been reared under the influence of slavery ideas, he believed the northern people were the aggressors and his sympathies were with the Confederacy. In July, 1862, he assisted in recruiting a company of cav- alry, which was attached to Captain Frost's Com- pany, Porter's Battalion. He took part in the battle of Moore's Mill, Mo., July 28, 1862, where he lost his right arm. Speaking of this battle he says: "A circumstance upon the field of this
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battle is still fresh in my memory. While lying wounded upon the field, and during a period of consciousness, I was approached by the enemy, given some brandy and ice water and was asked if I wished to be taken off the field. I answered, 'Certainly, but first call an officer.' Captain Rice, of the Red Rovers, a crack company of the Federal forces, was near and lie was summoned. I said, 'Captain,' reaching out for a pocket book that I had hidden under the root of a tree in the ravine where I was lying, 'Here, Captain, is my pocket book and money, which I request you to send to my mother.' The smoke of battle had hardly cleared away, and in his excitement he said, 'Before I promise you, you must promise to return one of our guns if ever in your power to do so.' I replied that my prospects for doing so under the circumstances were not flattering. He, however, wrote down in my note book, taking same, as I supposed, the address given him, but instead he hurriedly wrote, 'Received of Hance to send, etc.', and left me lying prone upon the battlefield, to die, as he thought. A day or two later it was stated in a St. Louis paper that I had been slain and I have no doubt that the meeting between Captain Rice and myself occasioned the notice."
Regarding the battle, Mr. Hance says: "The battle was fought on Monday. My right arm was amputated at the shoulder the following Friday. In nine days I was up again, but hard- ly in fighting trim." It is a curious coincidence that the gentleman who had been the attending physician at his birth was the one who amputated his shattered arm and carefully tended him during the fever and delirium that followed. His mother soon reached him, and by her untiring devotion and careful nursing, as well as the doctor's skill and the unceasing attention of Col. Moses McCue and his charming family, his life was saved and in a few days he was thought to be sufficiently strong to return home. He started, but it was a hazardous trip, as the country was swarming with Northern troops. When he lost his right arm he received an honorable discharge forever. He stopped with a cousin in his native county to rest and recuperate, later arriving home, and there an ovation was tendered him by his friends, who did everything possible to make him feel less the great loss he had suffered. In narrating
his experiences of those days, he says: "When passing down Front street some days after my arrival home, a pay train just pulled ont of the station and after getting away about two hundred yards, I noticed several soldiers rush to the rear and point directly at me. I was much alarmed and feared that my imprudence was going to re- sult in my capture. To my great relief, however, the train sped on its way, and the very next day I received a most charming and compassionate letter from my acquaintance of the battlefield. In this letter he stated that he had received a dangerons wound in another battle and was just convalescing and truly sympathized with me. He stated that he had been chagrined to discover that he did not get my mother's address in such a manner as to be able to carry ont my wishes and to make good his promise to me; adding that it had given him the greatest pleasure to learn, by the merest accident, through Paymaster Flynn, while passing through the station, that I was living and had returned home. It was this act of pointing me out from the train that had oc- casioned me such great alarm. In the kindest manner possible, lie requested me to come down and see him at the post, about thirty miles distant, and get my pocket book with the money it con- tained. As I did not feel quite equal to the trip, I had a friend go there and get the pocket book. The gentleman (Captain Rice) has gone to his long home. He was one of God's noblemen. My sainted mother has also joined the innumera- ble throng."
October 27, 1864, Mr. Hance married Miss Sarah Catherine Henderson. They became the parents of three children: Minne Belle, who was born August 31, 1866; Bowen Forrest, August 7, 1870; and Lucile Elma, who was born January 8, 1877, and died January 1, 1878.
Soon after the war Mr. Hance became inter- ested in a drug business, in which he continned for thirteen years. In 1874 he was elected clerk of the circuit court and recorder of Randolph county, Mo., in which capacity he served until his health failed eight years later. In 1883 he settled in San José. At first he launched out as a pharmacist. After two and one-half years in San José, in 1885 he came to Los Angeles, and purchased the Prness & Pironi drug store at Nos. 177-179 North Spring street, continuing in the
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drug business until 1894, when he disposed of the store. December 7, 1896, he was elected city clerk of Los Angeles, and served with such efficiency that in 1898 he was elected to succeed himself by a large majority, and is now (October 13, 1900) the incumbent and the nominee of lis party for re-election.
ARRY S. PRATT. Probably there are few residents of Southern California whose knowledge of musical instruments exceeds that of Mr. Pratt, who is a dealer in pianos and organs at Pomona. A resident of California since 1887 he was first employed by Bartlett Brothers & Clark, dealers in pianos and organs, of Los Angeles, with whom he remained for three years. The year 1890 found him in Pomona, where he has since made his home. During that year he bought seven acres of orange land, and he has since been interested in horticulture, but makes the sale of musical instruments his principal busi- ness. During the entire time of his residence here he has also engaged in tuning pianos, in which he is considered an expert. In November, 1899, he bought the business of W. B. Ross, dealers in pianos and organs, and of this he has since been the proprietor.
In Cambridge, Mass., Mr. Pratt was born August 22, 1867, a son of Francis L. and Mary A. (Brown) Pratt, natives respectively of Massachu- setts and New Hampshire, and the former of English descent. His boyhood years were passed in the native city of Cambridge. He attended a business college in Boston, Mass., thus fitting himself for the responsibilities of life. In 1887, as stated before, he came to California, where he has since resided. From an early age he has been interested in music, and while still a mere boy acquired a thorough knowledge of the con- struction of pianos and organs. For some years he served as an apprentice to the Ivers & Pond Piano Company, of Boston, and during that time he became familiar with the tuning of pianos.
It is perhaps natural that Mr. Pratt should be an ardent Republican, for he was reared in a home where these principles were a part of the daily life. His father, Francis L. Pratt, who was born in Quincy, Mass., was a stanch Abolitionist and is a zealous Republican, though strictly non-
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