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 69

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

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partisan in local affairs; he has the confidence of the citizens of Cambridge to a marked degree, as is shown by his continnous appointment to a city office for a quarter of a century. He was a sol- dier of our Civil war and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Heis well known in New England towns as a singer of more than ordinary ability, having a fine bass voice, which has given pleasure to many large audiences.

Harry S. Pratt was married in Pomona, Cal., May 5, 1892, to Miss Alice M. Clark, of Walthanı, Mass. They have one son, Lowell Clark Pratt.

EORGE A. MURPHY. As a genial and interesting acquisition to the colony of hor- ticulturists and walnut growers who have staked their best endeavors on the chances with which California is full to overflowing, and more especially Rivera and vicinity, Mr. Murphy has successfully conducted his affairs, and has reaped all the rewards due him for his enterprise and good-fellowship. To be proficient in many things argues substantial characteristics, and these Mr. Murphy may be said to possess. Before associa- ting himself with matters pertaining to the soil and the things that grow therein, he was a typi- cal salesman of the persuasive, reliable and per- severing kind, and was associated with many responsible firms throughout the east. While thus thrown with divers kinds of humanity in various parts of the country he acquired much valuable information, which a happy optimisni has transformed and converted to later account.

Many Canadians have been drawn from their bleak winters to the clear skies, fragrant air and sun-kissed lands of California, and mingled their strength and sterling worth with the more poetic and romantic element still extant and lingering behind the retreating footsteps of Spanish pride. A native of Quebec province, Canada, Mr. Mur- phy was born August 16, 1863, and is a son of Joseph J. and Mary (Woods) Murphy, born re- spectively in Ireland and Quebec. The latter died in 1891, and the former is now residing in Lowell, Mass. While living in his native prov- ince, George A. Murphy received the home train- ing of the average Canadian youth, and good educational advantages were at his disposal in the public schools. When seventeen years of

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age his independent spirit asserted itself, and as an outlet for youthful ambition he began clerking in a general merchandise store in Coaticooke, Quebec province, which position he filled for one year. His next venture was in the States, and in Connecticut he was employed in Forestville for about a year and a half as a boxmaker with the Bristol Brass & Clock Company. Subsequently, upon removing to Lowell, Mass., he engaged with the Lawrence Manufacturing Company, and at the same time was employed as night salesman in a clothing store. The next three years were devoted to the interests of Sheldon & Pearson, retail meats and groceries, of Lowell, Mass., and later he traveled for E. W. Hoyt & Co., a cologne and dentifrice concern, with whom he was con- nected two and a-half years.

In 1892 Mr. Murphy came to California and settled on the ranch which has since been the object of his care and solicitude. He married Susie A. Hutchins, who was born in Maine. Of this union there are three children: May F., Glaynes E. and J. Harold. Mr. Murphy is a Republican, but independent in local affairs. He is a member of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association, incorporated. In the estimation of those who know him best lie is esteemed for his many excellent traits and his willingness to aid whenever his services or help are required.

ROF. N. G. FELKER. The success which Prof. N. G. Felker (who is president of the Woodbury Business College, one of the long established institutions of Los Angeles) has acquired, is the legitimate result of years of sys- tematic, energetic endeavor along the lines of his chosen calling. He has proved himself to be es- pecially qualified, both by nature and experience, as a teacher and instructor of the young, and his judicious methods as a business man and patriot- ic citizen are above reproach. A review of his life-history and the grand work he is carrying on in this beautiful southern city will be perused with unfeigned interest by his numerous friends and well-wishers, here and elsewhere.

Just in the prime of life, as he was born thirty- six years ago, Prof. Felker claims Louisville, Ky., as his native place, but his boyhood was chiefly passed in Indiana, where he obtained an

excellent education, being graduated in the Jef- fersonville high school and the Normal school of Hope, Ind., and for some time pursuing a course of study in the Lebanon (Ohio) Normal School. He engaged in teaching school in Clark county, Ind., for a few terms. During a period of six years he gave considerable attention to a mercan- tile business in Jeffersonville, and, by the prac- tical experience gained in business methods, laid the foundation of his future success. Going to Louisville, Ky., in 1886, he was offered a posi- tion in Bryant & Stratton's Business College, and retained that place for four years, or until he saw fit to resign it, in order to come to the west.

It was just a decade ago that Prof. Felker be- came identified with Woodbury Business College, of Los Angeles, and, after serving as a member of its faculty for about a year, he purchased an interest in the concern and was made vice-presi- dent. In that capacity he continued until 1898, when he succeeded to the entire business as pres- ident. The college was established in 1884, by Prof. F. C. Woodbury, who was the sole propri- etor for the ensuing seven years. For two years the college was located at No. 245 South Spring street, but from there it was removed to its pres- ent quarters, in the fine, modern five-story stone building, known as the Stowell block, at No. 226 South Spring street. It occupies the major por- tion of the upper floor, a floor space of about ninety-five hundred square feet, which is more than that occupied by any other commercial school south of San Francisco. The rooms and offices are light, clean and well ventilated, equipped with attractive modern school furniture and educational appliances, and large electric ele- vators afford ready means of reaching the college from the street. Nearly all of the numerous elec- tric street railroad lines pass the door, and no lo- cation could be more central to the business heart of the city. John W. Hood, vice-president of the college, and J. W. Lackey, secretary, are teachers of long and varied experience, and un- der their able management the special depart- ments entrusted to them are important factors in the success of the institution. The entire faculty has been chosen with great care from a host of widely known eastern educators who have sought, from time to time, to become associated with this

Photo by Marceau.

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flourishing institution, whose name is a house- hold word throughout Southern California, and whose graduates, by the thousands, are now fill- ing remunerative and highly responsible posi- tions in most of the large business houses of this city and section of the country. The most ap- proved modern systems of teaching are to be found in every department, and no pains nor means are spared in qualifying students for the great business career which may be in store for each. Recently one hundred and eighteen stu- dents were graduated and went forth to take their places in the commercial activities of this region, many of them at once entering positions which had been obtained for them by the recommenda- tion of the faculty, which comprises, in addition to the gentlemen already mentioned, D. A. Chap- lin, R. E. Hood, Susie Shoemaker, Mrs. M. A. Biddell and Mrs. Anna G. Stuart.

The marriage of Prof. N. G. Felker and Miss Mary L. Stuart took place in 1889. They have three children: Anna Mary, George S. and Edna S. Socially our subject is a member of the Masonic order. He is genial and popular with every one, and is sincerely respected and liked by his students and associates.

E. HATCH. To the superior financial and executive ability of P. E. Hatch, cashier of . the Bank of Long Beach and one of the foremost spirits in its organization, must be at- tributed a generous share of the commercial pros- perity which has blessed this beautiful seaside resort for the past few years, because, as it is universally conceded, a banking institution of stability and paying well is a bulwark of strength to any community, and is an inducement to the public to continue investing in local property and other enterprises. Mr. Hatch possesses just the qualities of mind and disposition which induce people to place confidence in his judgment and integrity, and which makes him extremely popu- lar with all who know him.

Like thousands of men prominently associated with the annals of our fair land, Mr. Hatch hails from a New Euglaud farm, his father having been an enterprising agriculturist of Connecticut, owning large estates and doing farming upon an extensive and paying scale. The mother, whose

maiden name was Diana Canfield, also was a na- tive of Connecticut. The birth of our subject oc- curred July 15, 1861, just at the time when our land was beginning to realize that a deadly civil strife had been entered upon which might require the blood of countless thousands and years of ter- rible battling ere peace again should spread its pinions over the States. The lad grew to man- hood upon the old homestead near New Haven, Conn., and there he obtained a good education, completing his studies with a course in the busi- ness department of Yale College.

Having prepared himself for his commercial career, young Hatch became the bookkeeper for the widely known house of Sargent & Co., hard- ware manufacturers, at that time the largest concern in its line of business in the United States. There he was made thoroughly conver- sant with modern methods of transacting busi- ness, and subsequently he accepted a little bet- ter position with the flourishing firm of H. B. Armstrong & Co., dealers in carpets, wholesale and retail. During the five years that he re- mained with that company Mr. Hatch, in his capacity of cashier, became intimately acquainted with the subject of finance, and, as he handled such immense amounts of money constantly, gained the confidence and keen judgment which does not come in a day nor a year.

The growing attractions of the great west at last appealed so strongly to Mr. Hatch, that when an excellent opportunity presented itself to him, whereby he believed he would rise in the business world, he resigned his position as cashier of H. B. Armstrong & Co. and removed to Kenesaw, Neb., where he was installed as cashier of the Kenesaw Exchange Bank, and in that capacity he served for seven years, in the meantime building up a truly enviable reputa- tion as a financier.

In 1894 Mr. Hatch came to California and soon set about the organization of the Bank of Long Beach, which, in June, 1896, was duly in- corporated. Three clerks, besides the cashier, are now necessary to carry on the business, which has reached a gratifying point of prosper- ity, six and a fourth per cent. being paid to stockholders.

In political matters Mr. Hatch always has been independent of party lines, as he prefers to use

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his franchise just as he deems best, regardless of party ties. He has been a director of the school board at Long Beach, having previously served in the same capacity at Kenesaw, Neb., for five years. He had the honor of being the first chan- cellor commander of the Long Beach Lodge of the Knights of Pythias.

Thirteen years ago the marriage of Mr. Hatch and Miss Elouise C. Norton was solemnized in New Haven, Conn. Mrs. Hatch is a native of that state, hier birth having occurred in the town of Guilford. Their pretty home at No. 13 At- lantic avenne is brightened by their little son and daughter, who are named, respectively, John Ellsworth and Marion Gertrude.

TIS WITHAM. An active and highly esteemed citizen of Covina, and a resident of California for more than forty years, Mr. Witham has contributed his full share toward advancing the industrial interests of his adopted state, and has been a valued factor in forwarding enterprises conducive to its progress and pros- perity. He was boru April 23, 1831, in Hancock county, Me., a son of Ira and Betsey ( Hinkley) Witham, both natives of Maine.

In the days of his boyhood and youth he at- tended the district schools of his native town, afterward completing his early education in Blue Hill Academy, at Blue Hill, Me. At the age of fifteen years he commenced learning the black- smith's trade, which he followed continuously until 1888. Leaving the parental home in 1859, he started for the Pacific coast, going first to New York City, where he took a steamer for the Isthmus of Panama, which he crossed by rail, from there completing the journey by steamer, and arrived in San Francisco twenty-one days after leaving New York. Opening a shop in Bostwicks Barr, in Calaveras county, he was there engaged in blacksmithing a few months, when he transferred his residence and his business to San Joaquin county, locating in the town of Farmington, where he was busily occupied for fourteen years. Removing from there to Garden Grove, in what is now Orange county, he there followed his trade in connection with general agriculture until 1888, when he settled perma- nently in the San Gabriel valley.

Near Covina Mr. Witham bought an orange ranch of ten acres, and in its improvement and cultivation he has been eminently successful. His knowledge of agriculture, his business ability and his public spirit render him a desirable mem- ber of local organizations, and he is now serving as one of the board of directors of the Covina Citrus Association. For a long time he has been connected with the A. C. G. Southern California Fruit Exchange, of which he was president one year. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Covina, which he is serving as steward. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order United Workmen of Covina, and has done much to promote the good of the order in this part of the state. Politically he has always faith- fully supported the principles of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for official favors.

In November, 1858, Mr. Witham married Miss Maria Clough, a New England girl, born in Blue Hill, Me. Of their union one child was born, Mary E., who is now the wife of Arthur Harris, of Pomona, Cal.

AMUEL FESLER. During the year 1891 Mr. Fesler came to Covina, where he has since made his home, engaging during the intervening years in horticultural pursuits, and also serving as a director in the Covina Citrus Association. He is the owner of a ten-acre place, all of which but one acre has been planted to oranges. To the care of this orchard his attention is closely given, and it is due to his close and painstaking supervision that the property presents an appearance so neat and attractive.

Descended from German ancestry, Mr. Fesler was born in Rockingham county, Va., April 24, 1834, being a son of Peter and Saralı ( Hoover) Fesler, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. In company with his parents, in 1840 he went from Virginia to Indiana, settling in Madison county, of which the family were pio- neers. He grew to manhood upon a farm there, and early familiarized himself with the pioneer tasks of clearing, grubbing, improving and culti- vating. For many years he followed the quiet occupation of an agriculturist in that county, but in 1882 he moved to Colorado, settling in Long- mont, where, in partnership with a brother,

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George, under the title of Fesler Brothers, he car- ried on a hay and grain business, and also sold farm implements. From that place he removed to California and settled in Covina.

Personally Mr. Fesler is an industrious, pains- taking man, whose aim is to do well whatever he undertakes. His education was not thorough; he lacked the advantages offered to the youth to-day; in fact, he is largely self-educated, but this, instead of detracting from his success, has made him more earnest than otherwise in his efforts to broaden his fund of information and his store of knowledge. The German Baptist Church of Covina numbers Mr. and Mrs. Fesler among its members, and they have been regular con- tributors to its maintenance.

In Indiana Mr. Fesler married Maria Shaw- ver, by whom he had three children: Mrs. Henry Larcher, of Madison county, Ind .; Martin, of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Mrs. William Davis, of Delaware county, Ind. His second marriage also took place in Indiana, uniting him with Louise Charman, by whom he had two children, Charles R. and Nellie M. His present wife was Miss Nettie E. Brubaker, of Colorado. By this union four children were born, three of whom are now living, namely: Dean A., Belle A. and Alta S.

ILLIAM K. GREEN. Situate on one of the most desirable and prominent garden spots of Whittier, and commanding a splendid view of the beautiful outlying valley, is the commodious, comfortable and homelike abode of William K. Green, than whom there is no more high-minded, enterprising or es- teemed gentleman.

Mr. Green first came to California from Lena- wee county, Mich., May 4, 1891, and previous to permanently locating in Whittier, resided for a time at Redlands. He is a native of Cattar- augus county, N. Y., and was born January 21, 1831. His parents, Nelson and Melisse (West) Green, were also natives of New York, as were many of their ancestors. Until his sixteenth year lie was reared on his father's farm in New York, and there received a substantial and prac- tical home training. The family then moved to Lenaweecounty, Mich., where he completed the education begun in the district schools of his na-

tive state. This preliminary study was supple- mented by attainments acquired by later appli- cation, and inspired by a fondness for reading and research in the various avenues for obtaining in- formation. Mr. Green early displayed a special aptitude for agricultural pursuits, and most of his life has been spent in connection with the most intelligent and advanced phases of the work.

Mr. Green has been twice married. His first wife was Edna Comstock, of Lenawee county, Mich., and their son, William P., is living at Redlands. For eight years Mr. and Mrs. Green were identified with the Raisin Valley Seminary in Lenawee county, Mich., of which institution Mr. Green was general superintendent and finan- cial manager, and Mrs. Green presided success- fully as matron. Mr. Green's second wife was Ruth Trueblood, a native of Indiana.

The ranch which Mr. Green owns is located two miles southeast of Whittier, and comprises twenty acres under walnuts and oranges, and is highly cultivated.

In politics Mr. Green affiliates with the Prohi- bition party, and has held some prominent polit- cal offices. While in Lenawee county, Mich., he served as township clerk for several years. He is a devoted member of the Friends' Church, and interested in all that pertains to the well-being of the same. Among his friends and associates, and in the opinion of the public at large, he is deemed the highest type of a self-made man, who has clearly seen the surrounding opportunities, and turned them to the good account of himself, his friends and the general public. He is enterpris- ing and progressive, and enjoys the confidence of all who come within the range of his kindly and sympathetic nature.

AJOR GEORGE F. ROBINSON. The Civil war, that changed the destinies of so many men, was the turning point in the career of Major Robinson. Had it never been declared he might have remained in his native state of Maine, contentedly following farm pur- suits, or perhaps engaged in the lumbering busi- ness. But the call for soldiers to defend the Union could not be slighted by one of such patri- otic spirit. His record as a soldier is one of which he might well be proud. In the annals

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of our country his name may be written as that of one who proved himself equal to every emer- gency.

In Hartford, Me., the subject of this article was born August 13, 1832, a son of Isaac W. and Deborah (Thomas) Robinson, also natives of Maine. The ancestry of the Thomas and Robin- son families is traced back to Mayflower immi- grants, and some of both names participated in the Revolutionary war. Two brothers of Isaac Robinson were officers in the United States navy. It will thus be seen that patriotism, courage and honor are engrafted in the stock. The boyhood days of our subject were passed on his father's farm. At eighteen years of age he moved to Aroostook county. His education was received principally in the high school of Phillips and the academy at Patten, Me. After leaving school he devoted the winter months to lumbering, and during the summer engaged in farming.

As a member of Company B, Eighth Maine Infantry, Mr. Robinson enlisted in the Union army in August, 1863. He was ordered to South Carolina, where he served under General Gil- more. Later his regiment was assigned to the army of the James. He fought in seven battles, including those at Drury's Bluff, Bermuda Hun- dred and the first attack on Petersburg. During Beauregard's attack on General Butler's works at Bermuda Hundred, May 20, 1864, he was seri- ously wounded in the right leg. He was taken first to the hospital at Point Lookout and later was sent to Douglas hospital, in Washington, D. C. Before he had fully regained his strength he was detailed, by order of the secretary of war, as one of two nurses to assist in caring for Hon. William H. Seward, the then secretary of state, who was quite ill, having been seriously injured in a runaway in Washington, D. C. While he was filling this place, April 14, 1865, between nine and ten o'clock at night, an attack was made on the life of Mr. Seward by Lewis Payne, who had gained admission to the house under pretense of having a prescription of medicine for Mr. Sew- ard. The would be assassin, in his attempt to reach his victim's side, in the hallway cut Fred- erick Seward, a son of the secretary, with the knife he carried in his hand, striking him with the knife in the forehead and felling him to the floor; then, jumping over his prostrate body, he

rushed toward the bed and began desperately to attack Mr. Seward. He had already succeeded in cutting his face and neck and had his knife up- raised for a final and (as it would probably have been) fatal attack, when his arm was caught by Mr. Robinson; the knife was diverted and the sec- retary's life saved. With fiend-like desperation the murderer turned on Mr. Robinson, cutting him four times with the knife, and to this day the scars of these wounds may be seen. Payne, find- ing himself foiled, broke away, rushed from the house, jumped on his horse and fled. However, he was captured a week later and executed with other conspirators. The attack on the life of Mr. Seward created the greatest excitement, com- ing, as it did, at the time that Abraham Lincoln was so fonlly assassinated, and proving the ex- istence of a plot to destroy the government of the United States. The man whose courage and quickness in action had saved the life of the sec- retary was lauded as a hero. His name was carried, through press notices, all over the land, and everywhere people united in praising him for saving the life of the secretary of state at the risk of his own.

In June, 1865, Major Robinson was honorably discharged from the army. Soon after he en- tered the office of the third auditor of the United States in the treasury department, where he re- mained for two years. He then spent a year in Maine. On his return to Washington he was given a clerkship in the office of the quarter- master general, which position he held for eleven years. He was then appointed a paymaster, with the rank of major, in the regular army, in which capacity he served with efficiency for eighteen years. On reaching the age limit in 1896 he was retired, since which time he has made his home on his orange and lemon ranch at Pomona. While he superintends the management of his orchard of twenty acres he is to a large degree free from the cares of active life, and is able to enjoy the twilight of his busy existence in ease and contentment. In politics he has always been a firm believer in Republican principles. He is interested in the Grand Army of the Re- public and was one of the committee chosen to formulate the ritual of the organization. He is a member of the military order of the Loyal Legion. He is also connected with the Masonic fraternity.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In religion he is of the Universalist belief. By his marriage with Miss Aurora Clark, of Spring- field, Me., he has two sons, George P. and Ed- mund C., both residents of California. George P. is connected with the San Antonio Fruit Ex- change and Edmund C. is managing his father's ranches.

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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 69

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