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 71
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Since coming to California Mr. Shouse has es- tablished domestic ties. His marriage took place in Los Angeles August 20, 1891, and united him with Laura J., daughter of John Smith, a pioneer farmer of this county. Mrs. Shouse was born in Texas, but has made her home in California from her earliest recollection, having been brought to
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this state by her parents when she was two years of age. The children born of her marriage to Mr: Shouse are named George Raymond, Owen and Laura.
RYCE GIVEN. While it was during 1891 that Mr. Given purchased his present ranch in the upper San Gabriel valley, it was not ' until some six years later that he resigned his position in Philadelphia and came to establish his home in California. His property comprises twenty acres, mostly under orange culture. Un- der his intelligent supervision the land has been redeemed from it primitive condition and made a valuable tract. Besides the management of his ranch he is actively identified as a director with the A. C. G. Association, and also a director in the San Dimas Irrigation Company.
In Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Given was born April 30, 1854. a son of Robert H. and Marian (Morrow) Given, both of Scotch extraction and natives of the north of Ireland. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Cincinnati and in Kenyon College, at Gambier, Ohio, which he entered at the age of sixteen and in which he conducted his studies for a time. His father was a successful business man of Cincinnati, where he conducted a sash and door manufactory. In 1874 our subject left home and went to Chicago, entering the employ of the Victor Sewing Ma- chine Company and continuing with them for several years in a clerical capacity. Subse- quently he became identified with the American Book Exchange, Chicago branch. His next po- sition was with the Standard Book Company, in which he owned an interest and of which he was secretary. Later he became superintendent for Belford, Clarke & Co., extensive publishers, also of Chicago, in whose shipping department and warehouse he remained for several years. On severing his connection with that company he be- came president and part-proprietor of the West- ern Book and Stationery Company, of Chicago, in which he retained his interest until 1894. From 1895 to 1897 he was manager of the book department in John Wanamaker's mercantile es- tablishment, this being the largest department of its kind in the world. From Philadelphia he came to California.
Fraternally Mr. Given is connected with Co-
vina Lodge, F. & A. M .; Pomona Chapter, R. A. M .; and Southern California Commandery, K. T .; also Al Malaikah Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Los Angeles. He is also a director of the Co- vina Country Club. In the Episcopal Church at Covina he holds the office of vestryman. By his marriage to Miss Alice Hoyt, of LaGrange, Il1., he has two sons, George H. and Allison B.
ESTWOOD H. COLLINS. The firm of Collins Brothers, which is composed of Herbert E. and Westwood H. Collins, owns a finely improved ranch of thirty acres in San José township, San Gabriel valley. The larger part of the property is planted to oranges of a choice variety. Every effort has been made by the owners to introduce modern improvements and avail themselves of every plan that promises to increase the financial returns from their invest- ment. Hence they are properly recognized as men of progressive disposition. One of the brothers, H. E., is the general agent for Califor- nia of the Woodbridge Fertilizer Company, Los Angeles; and the other, Westwood H., acts as local agent for the same company in this valley.
Sussex county, England, was the native county of Westwood H. Collins, and December 4, 1871, the date of his birth. He was reared in the home of his parents, Edward L. and Ada (Mearns) Collins, who were natives of England and Scot- land respectively. The local schools furnished him with good educational advantages, and of these he availed himself during his boyhood. While still a mere lad, in 1888, he left England for America, having resolved to establish his home and seek his fortune in this country. He first settled near Lake Huron, in Ontario, Can- ada, but, not feeling entirely satisfied with the surroundings or prospects, he left there in 1890 and came to California, sojourning for a time in Tulare county and coming to the San Gabriel valley in 1891. Since that time he has lived upon his fruit farm in San José township.
Though having no previous experience in hor- ticulture, Mr. Collins took hold of this occupa- tion with zeal and energy, and displayed good judgment in investments and in the care of trees, etc. Without doubt he has natural ability in the direction of fruit-growing, and has selected the
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occupation for which he is best qualified. He is a director of the Covina Orange Growers' Asso- ciation, a member of the Artesian Belt Water Company and the Charter Oak Water Company, and a director of the Cienega Water Company. Since becoming a citizen of the United States he has affiliated with the Republican party. He is a charter member of the Country Club and a prominent man of his community, being welcomed in the best circles of society.
LANSON DORMAN. Among the . many who have brought an intelligent apprecia- tion to bear upon the abundant and resource- ful possibilities of California, noue has been better fitted than Mr. Dorman, by education and experience, to utilize their opportunities and benefit the community in which their lot is cast.
A native of Ontario county, N. Y., he was born March 30, 1839, and is a son of Alanson and Eleanor (Chapman) Dorman, natives re- spectively of Litchfield, Conn., and Saratoga Springs, N. Y. His early training on the farm in New York was of a thorough and practical nature, aud as he showed an aptitude for agri- culture in all its phases, he soon became of valu- able assistance to his father, who was a prosper- ous and prominent factor in the community in which his lot was cast. The youth also studied diligently at the public schools, and during the subsequent years had considerable business ex- perience, all of which contributed largely to the facility with which he carried on his later enter- prises. He carried on for a time independent farming, and in 1887 left Ontario county, N. Y., and settled on his present ranch at Rivera, Cal. He has fifty-seven acres of land, twenty of which are under· walnuts, and the balance under fruit and alfalfa.
In 1867, in New York, Mr. Dorman married Ella Rippey, of Ontario county, N. Y., and to this couple have been born five children: Mrs. George Cate, of Redondo, Cal .; Mrs. W. T. Tweedy, now living in Mesa, Ariz .; William S., of Mesa; Dudley M., living at Rivera, Cal .; and George C., of Mesa, Ariz.
Mr. Dorman has been prominently identified with many of the institutions that are the out- growth of the peculiar climatic and other condi-
tions of California. In the performance of the various duties along these lines he has given the greatest satisfaction, and is in every way con- sidered an enterprising adherent of all that per- tains to the welfare of the community. For two years prior to, and for years since its incorpora- tion, he has creditably served as president of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' As- sociation, and has been instrumental in bringing the special efficiency of this association to its present prosperous condition. Mr. Dorman was for five years a member of the Chamber of Com- merce of Los Angeles. In politics he is a Prohibi- tionist, but entertains extremely liberal views re- garding the politics of the administration. He is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, and is an ardent upholder of its charities and beliefs, and for several years has been an elder in the church.
Mr. Dorman represents the best type of man and citizen in his locality, and has made a name for himself by reason of his advanced ideas and firm adherence to principle.
HARLES D. GRIFFITHS, the well-known and popular agent for the Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill and Lumber Company, has lived in Azusa since 1892. Of Welsh descent, he is a native of California, and was born in Stockton February 6, 1868. His parents, John D. and Mary (Thomas) Griffiths, were among the early settlers of Stockton, where the former operated a ranch and dairy farm. He was closely identified with the growth of Stockton, and was one of the early workers in the Grangers' Union, which was subsequently merged into the Farmers' Alliance. A stanch and active Republican, he interested himself in state and county politics, his prominence in which was largely augmented by his associations with, and friendship for, Tom Cunningham, for many years sheriff of San Joa- quin county.
When his son, Charles D., was eleven years old, John Griffiths moved into southern Oregon and took up government land, which he utilized for farming and stock-raising. At that early age the boy displayed much common sense and prac- tical determination, and became a valuable aid in
W. C. Patterson
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cultivating the newly acquired land, thus render- ing himself independent and self-supporting. His education in the public schools was followed by a year of training in Ashland College, at Ash- land, Oregon, after which he devoted himself to teaching in the public schools for three years. At the age of twenty-three he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and worked energetically at the same until 1895, when he accepted his pres- ent responsible position. He is also interested in horticulture and has a thriving orange grove of twenty acres.
In 1895 Mr. Griffiths married Olive Pollard, of Los Angeles, Cal., and of this union there is one daughter, Eleane. Mrs. Griffiths is a daugh- ter of L. C. and Ellen Pollard, the former de- ceased and the latter a resident of Los Angeles.
In politics Mr. Griffiths is a Republican. Since the organization of the Mckinley Club in 1896 he has officiated as its president. He has served as a delegate to the county convention of his party. Fraternally he is deputy grand master of District No. 91, I. O. O. F., including Pasadena, Covina, Monrovia and Azusa lodges, and chief patriarch of the encampment; also identified with, and receiver for, the Azusa Lodge, A. O. U. W.
ILSON C. PATTERSON, president of the Los Angeles National Bank, was born in Ross county, Ohio, January 10, 1845. He was one of a large family whose father was a farmer. He grew up under rural influences and attended the local district school, where he ob- tained the rudiments of his education. At the age of about fifteen he commenced a course of study in Salem Academy at South Salem, Ohio. Upon the breaking out of the war between the States he, then a youth of eighteen years, joined the federal army and was mustered into Company A, First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery. He remained in active service from July, 1863, until the close of hostilities. On his return home he resumed his academic studies, but the necessity of earning his own support forced him to leave school a few months later. Soon after leaving the academy he went to Chilli- cothe, the county-seat of his native county, where he secured a clerical position in the office
of the county treasurer. Later, as an accountant, he was employed in the office of M. Boggs & Co., wholesale grocers of Chillicothe. With that firm he remained in positions of trust for upwards of nineteen years, when, owing to impaired health, in 1888 he came to California.
During his residence in Chillicothe Mr. Patter- son was repeatedly offered public positions that would have been tempting to a young man of political ambitions, but all of these he declined, accepting only such responsibilities as seemed to him to lie in the path of duty as a citizen. He served as a member of the board of education in the city of Chillicothe for a period of about twelve years and during five years of that time was president of the board.
Upon coming to Los Angeles he was soon benefited in health, and, becoming socially at- tached to many of its progressive people and being impressed with the city's future, he de- cided to make it his home. In 1890 he was made a director of the Los Angeles Board of Trade and the following year was elected its presi- dent, which position he held for two years. In 1894 he was elected a director of the Chamber of Commerce and likewise of the Merchants' Asso- ciation. In 1895 he was chosen president of the Chamber of Commerce, which position he filled with marked ability for two years. He is still a member of that body and chairman of the com- mittee on commerce.
Mr. Patterson was fortwelve years the head of the house of W. C. Patterson & Co., wholesale produce and commission merchants, and for ten years sole owner. For several years he was a director of the First National Bank of Los An- geles, and in November, 1898, lie was elected president of the Los Angeles National Bank, to succeed the lamented George H. Bonebrake. He is also a director of the Southern California Savings Bank. He takes a warm interest in all matters of practical benevolence and is a director of the Associated Charities. As president of the Land of Sunshine Publishing Company he has been identified with one of the leading publica- tions of the Pacific coast. Fraternally he is con- nected with Stanton Post, G. A. R., and is a thirty second degree Scottish Rite Mason. In 1894 and again in 1896 his name was prominently mentioned in connection with the mayoralty of
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Los Angeles, but he adhered to his resolution of former years to keep out of politics, and there- fore declined the proffered honors.
In February, 1896, Mr. Patterson was delegated a representative of the Free Harbor League to go to Washington, D. C., to appear before the con- gressional committee on rivers and harbors, in the interests of the deep-water harbor at San Pedro. The characteristic faithfulness, energy and success with which he performed this im- portant mission had a pronounced and salutary effect upon the outcome of the San Pedro harbor controversy. His labors in that behalf were cheerfully recognized by the body he so ably represented and by a grateful public. In April of the same year he again went to the national capital on a similar mission as chairman of a delegation of citizens to lay the claims of San Pedro harbor before the committee on commerce of the United States senate, and the splendid work of this delegation is a part of the history of Southern California.
January 8, 1874, at Chillicothe, Ohio, Mr. Patterson married Virginia Monette Moore. They have two daughters, Ada and Hazel. The elder, having married, is now Mrs. Harry Rea Collender.
No state in the Union has given her country more self-made men than has Ohio, and of this class Mr. Patterson is a type. It is noticeable that his rise in the commercial and financial world has been steady, unfaltering and sub- stantial. The ascent, too, has been made on a broad-gauge track, and he is now crossing the mesa that is so alluring to the ambitious youth of our land. It is the story of the lives of such practical and successful men that teaches a lesson to be read with profit by the aspiring youth of succeeding generations.
2 AN REICHARD, a prominent citizen and extensive fruit-grower, and one of the own- ers of the Reichard ranch at Irwindale, was born April 1, 1847, in Mahoning county, Ohio. His parents were Daniel and Rebecca (Benedict) Reichard, natives of Pennsylvania.
Until his twentieth year Dan Reichard was reared on his father's farm in Ohio, assisting in all departments of the work, and having abont
the same educational and other advantages that fall to the lot of the average country-bred boy. Certain it is that he had an inherent fondness for the soil and the things that grow therein, and a desire to test to the utmost its latent powers of production. Thus, when in 1868 he started out in the world to battle with his own fortunes, it was but natural that California, the land of flow- ers, sunshine and adaptive soil, should be the goal of his future endeavor. The journey hence was by way of New York and the Panama route, and consumed in the undertaking twenty-nine days.
In the summer of '68, upon his arrival in Los Angeles, he began a series of diversified employ- ments, which continued for a number of years. In 1874 he and his brother, J. B. Reichard, pur- chased one hundred and fifty acres of land, which had formerly been a part of the old Reed tract. In the spring of 1875 he planted- some orange seeds on the ranch, which marked the beginning of application and tireless industry. In connec- tion with the cultivation of his somewhat wild land he interested himself in the livery business in Los Angeles, entering into partnership with one C. A. Durfey, conducting their affairs under the firm name of Durfey & Reichard. Their place of business was located on the present site of the Orpheus theater. His livery interests were suspended from 1880 until 1886, when he again found a partner in William Ferguson, the firm name beiug Ferguson & Reichard, with head- quarters at No. 373 North Main street. At the expiration of four years Mr. Ferguson sold his interest in the livery to P. K. Austin, the firm name being changed to Austin & Reichard, which amicably continued until 1898, when the firm dissolved business entirely.
Since his retirement from the livery business Mr. Reichard has devoted practically his entire time to his ranch at Irwindale. The land now yields twenty-six acres of grapes and many acres of other fruits; in all, there are fifty-two acres under fruit cultivation. In addition, he has forty-six acres of garden and general farming land.
Mr. Reichard's horticultural and agricultural interests are not allowed to interfere with any service he can render the community in which he lives. One of the oldest pioneers of this section of the country, he has identified himself with the
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increasing responsibilities incident to a growing and litigants interested in these and thousands of and practically exhaustless region. In politics he other cases close pressing upon the notice of the court, this bill and action have been of inestima- ble value. is in favor of the Democratic party. For two terms, during 1884 and 1885, he served as super- visor. He is a director in the Irwindale Land and Water Company and a member of the Los Angeles County Pioneers. Fraternally he is as- sociated with the Maccabees and the Fraternal Brotherhood at Los Angeles.
Mr. Reichard was married in 1878 to Cora Virgin, a native of Maine. Of this union there are two children: DeForest and Anna M.
ON. HENRY T. HAZARD. Probably no citizen of Los Angeles is better or more fa- vorably known than Hon. H. T. Hazard, ex-mayor of this beautiful southern city. He has borne an active part in the improvement and progress of the city, and as a public official his record is one of which he is justly proud. Fidel- ity to every trust reposed in him, thoroughness in the discharge of his duties, and earnest regard for the welfare of the public, characterized all of his official actions, as they have also character- ized his private life.
Born in Evanston, I11., July 31, 1844, he passed nine years of his life in that state, but since 1853 he has looked upon California as his home. Returning to the east to complete his education, he graduated in 1868 from the law department of the University of Michigan, his diploma admitting him to practice in the supreme court of that state, and, upon motion, in any other state. Returning to Los Angeles, he at once em- barked in the practice of his chosen profession, and came into prominence so rapidly that he was elected city attorney in 1881. Four years later he was elected by a handsome majority to repre- sent Los Angeles City in the California legisla- ture. His record as a statesman is what might be expected of a man so able and upright, a citi- zen so loyal and progressive. If he accomplished but one of the many things which he sought to do as an assemblyman, lasting gratitude must be his due. He introduced and saw safely through a bill creating the supreme court commission, by which means the highest judicial body of this state was enabled to despatch its extensive calendar of cases, then four years behind. To the attorneys
Subsequently, in 1889, Mr. Hazard was elected mayor of Los Angeles, at the time of the adop- tion of the new charter. He served for two terms, winning the commendation and high praise of all who were in a position to judge fairly. During this period many important measures and reforms, city litigations and improvements, came up for consideration and action of the local officials, and Mayor Hazard's attitude upon all of these mat- ters deserves creditable mention in the annals of this locality. His thorough knowledge of the law was of special value, and saved the city expense and tedious litigation on more than one occasion.
Upon resuming his practice, which had been so frequently interrupted by his public service, Mr. Hazard gradually became specially devoted to patent litigation, in which line, requiring exceptional legal keenness and ability, he has built up an extensive business. He is now the senior member of the firm of Hazard & Harpham.
For twenty- five years Mr. Hazard was affiliated with the Republican party and active in its suc- cesses, but since 1896 he has been a silver Repub- lican. Heis a politician, but in the best sense of that word. Those who have been intimately as- sociated with him for years, and know whereof they speak, testify that he is superior to bribes and trickery of any kind. He commands the esteem of the people and confidence of his pro- fessional co-laborers.
B RESEE BROTHERS. For a number of years the Bresee Brothers have been ac- counted leading undertakers of Los An- geles, and their handsome offices at the corner of Broadway and Sixth street attract constant no- tice. They carry a large and well-selected stock of everything needed in their line, and one of the secrets of their success is the uniform courtesy which they maintain toward all of their patrons, whether rich or poor.
The father of these enterprising young men is Rev. P. F. Bresee, who for the past seventeen years has been actively engaged in ministerial labors in Southern California, and at present is
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the pastor of the Nazarene Church of Los An- geles. He has devoted his entire mature life to the spreading of Christianity, and is a zealous worker in the Master's vineyard. He occupied the pulpit of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles for three years, and later was at Pasadena for a period of four years, and succeeded in building up that now wealthy and prosperous congregation. His present work in this city, chiefly among the poor and lowly, has been far-reaching and of inestimable value to the community.
Ernest H. Bresee, one of the members of the firm before mentioned, was born in Iowa, and in the public schools of that state received his ele- mentary education. Later this was supplemented by a course at Simpson College, near Des Moines. In 1883 he came to California and for three years or more was employed in the United States mail service at Los Angeles. Then for seven years he engaged in the real-estate business in this city, afterwards becoming identified with Mr. Howry, and they established a large undertaking business. The firm dissolved partnership and our subject entered into partnership with C. E. Kregelo, which connection continued for four years, when he entered into partnership with his brother, P. W. Bresee, and they established the present flourishing business. He has succeeded even beyond his expectations, and has won a name for sterling integrity and genuine worth, of which he may well be proud. His marriage to Miss Emma Reed, of San Francisco, took place six years ago.
Phineas W. Bresee, who is a member of the firm of Bresee Brothers, is a native of Des Moines, Iowa, and passed his youth in that locality. He, too, obtained a liberal education, completing his studies at Simpson College. Like his brother, he possesses good business qualifications, and enjoys the high regard of all who know him. In 1891 he married Miss Ella Hewett, daughter of Major Hewett, who for years was at the head of the affairs of the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany at Los Angeles.
In their political affiliations the Bresee brothers are Republicans. Fraternally they are connected with several of the leading lodges of the city, Ernest H. Bresee being a member of the Odd Fellows order, the Knights of Pythias and the
Independent Order of Foresters, while Phineas W. Bresee is a Mason of the Knight Templar de- gree and is associated with the Knights of the Maccabees and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
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