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 73
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In 1873 he married Mariana Williamson, who remained his helpmate, counselor and devoted companion until his death, working with him in business channels and along artistic lines, and assisting him in the collection of the rarest Span- ish, Mexican and Indian curios ever gathered together in California. This collection was de- signed as a gift to the city of Los Angeles when- ever a suitable building was provided to hold it, but Colonel Coronel died in 1894, before his plans were carried ont. Mrs. Coronel has since deeded the collection to the city of Los Angeles. It has been placed in the Chamber of Commerce until the city can take charge of it. Colonel Cor- onel was essentially a man of the people and for the people, and, having for so many years gen- erously aided in public and private enterprises, Los Angeles owes him much indeed.
RS. MARIANA W. DE CORONEL. From early childhood to the present the subject of this narrative has been a resident of Los Angeles, and during these years she has been active in various movements of a philanthropic nature. She is, therefore, entitled to more than passing mention in this volume. She was born in San Antonio, Tex., September 26, 1851, and inherits the warm temperament and vivacity of
her maternal ancestors, together with the energy and wise judgment that are typical American characteristics. Her father, Nelson Williamson, was of distinguished ancestry, his grandparents being closely related to Admiral Nelson, and having emigrated with him to America. Nelson Williamson was born in Maine, near Augusta, March 16, 1802, and, being the first son in the family, received the family name of Nelson. He moved from the province of Maine to Kentucky and settled in Campbell county, near Newport. From Kentucky he went to New Orleansand be- came second mate on the first steamer running on the Mississippi river and remained until the steamer sunk. He then went to Texas and joined the volunteers for the Mexican war with the United States in 1846, and served in the battles of Vera Cruz, Palo Alto, Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherubusco, Chapultepec, San Pascua and Tobasco. After the war he returned to San Antonio, Tex., and there married Gertrude Roman, who was born at Los Brazos river in 1836, of Mexican parentage.
When Mrs. Coronel was nine years of age the family came to California. She was sent to a convent and later attended the Los Angeles schools. From an early age she has been famil- iar with both the English and Spanish languages, both of which she uses fluently. December 18, 1873, she became the wife of Antonio Franco Coronel, and theirs proved to be an exception- ally happy marriage. Being a keen business woman, she assisted her husband to accumulate his large property, and since his death has had the entire management of the estate. Like Colonel Coronel, she has always been deeply interested in the welfare of the Indians, and her wide ex- perience with them and her knowledge of their tongue led to her acquaintance with Helen Hunt Jackson in 1881. In company with Mrs. Jack- son she visited various reservations and acted as interpreter, thus helping the anthor to gain much information not otherwise available. She is a woman of artistic tastes, and is an exquisite modeler in wax (having taken many prizes) and also possesses great skill in delicate and intricate embroidery.
For some years after the marriage of Colonel and Mrs. Coronel they lived on the old Coronel homestead, but afterward removed to the com-
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modious residence which they built at Seventh street and Central avenue. Mrs. Coronel is a woman of generous impulses and great benevo- lence. She is connected with many organiza- tions, among them being the Indians Rights Association, the Southern California Historical Society, Ladies' Aid Society, Children's Home Society, Pioneer Society, and others which, like these, are for the benefit of the human race. She is still interested in mining and real estate, and expects soon to move to Mexico to carry on her interests, and there she plans to reside for an in- definite period. In her mind she cherishes many noble aims, which she hopes to accomplish before she dies. One of these is the establishment of a home for indigent women, and another is a re- treat for fallen women, it being her plan that each establishment shall be absolutely free to those who desire admission. The accomplish- ment of these hopes would form a fitting climax for an active and useful existence.
ENDALL H. SUTCH. Numbered with the successful business men of Los Angeles is W. H. Sutch, a native of Canton, Ohio, in which city his birth took place March 31, 1862. In his youth he received the advantages of a lib- eral education, his higher studies being com- pleted in Mount Union College, near Alliance, Ohio. He was graduated in the commercial de- partment of that institution, which is one of the old established educational centers of that section of the Buckeye state, and then embarked upon the independent career which he has since pur- sued, with marked success.
His father, Alexander Sutch, was called to his reward when our subject, an only son, was two days old. Thus he never knew the protecting care and watchfulness which a father exercises toward his sons, and, therefore, owes the more to his mother, who lovingly endeavored to per- form the duties of both parents. She bore the maiden name of Ellen Rockhill, and is now the wife of G. W. Lawrence, of Los Angeles.
After his graduation, in 1878, W. H. Sutch started an undertaking and furniture business, at Bourbon, Ind., and built up a good business. In 1884 he came to Los Angeles, and for some time was associated with B. F. Orr in the same line of
business. In 1893 Mr. Sutch went out of the business and turned his attention to the real es- tate and loan business, conducting a remunera- tive trade until the fall of 1898. At that time, in October, the firm of Sutch & Deering was organ- ized and later incorporated. The partners carry a large stock of coffins and funeral supplies. Their parlors and office were located at Nos. 506- 508 South Broadway, but in the spring of 1900 they engaged new quarters at No. 618 South Spring street. The firm commands the respect of the general public and all with whom they have dealings. Uniform courtesy and genuine desire to please their patrons, fair prices and thoroughly competent and suitable service have led to success and high standing in the com- munity.
In the fraternities Mr. Sutch is a member of the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, the Fra- ternal Union and United Modern. In his politi- cal creed he is a Republican of no uncertain stripe, and in all local improvements or matters effecting the prosperity and progress of the city he is actively interested, and ready to do his share as a patriotic citizen.
The pleasant home which Mr. Sutch owns is situated at No. 1236 Ingram street, and is pre- sided over by his estimable wife, formerly Miss Gertrude Wiley, of Canton, Miss. They were married in 1889, in Los Angeles, and two prom- ising children, Flora Eleanor and Arlington R., grace their happy home.
] JOHN J. MCCLELLAND. Through the medium of the various activities to which his life has been devoted, the innumerable evidences of disinterested consideration for friends, associates and the public at large, and the gen - erous impulses that have dictated a ready re- sponse to the demands upon his time, abilities and money, in all of the emergencies incident to the life of an earnest and large-hearted pioneer, Mr. McClelland has won an enviable and abiding esteem from all who come within the range of his optimistic and fine personality.
Of distinguished ancestry, he is of Scotch- Irish descent, and a native of Butler county, Ohio, where he was born October 16, 1826.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
His parents were Jolin G. and Lydia ( Wilson) McClelland, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The McClelland family included among its members some of the most earnest ad- vocates of freedom, who fought with courage and distinction to further the cause of their adopted country. William and George McClelland were soldiers in the Revolutionary war, and John G. McClelland was in the war of 1812. He was a first cousin of the late Gen. George B. Mcclellan. General Mcclellan considered the last letter of his name superfluous and consequently omitted it when signing his name.
When a child of a few years John J. McClelland removed with his parents from Ohio to Carroll county, Ind., where for a number of years they were interested in general farming. They later went to Boone county, Ind., and lived on a farm nineteen miles north of Indianapolis, going thence to Carroll county again, where they took up their residence a few miles from the old Tippecanoe battle ground. Their next place of abode was in Missouri, where they lived on the ground where is now located St. Joseph. When twenty years old John J. was appointed to a posi- tion in the quartermaster's department during the Mexican war, under General Price, their operations extending to New Mexico, and over a period of four years. After this experience he returned in 1850 to St. Joe, Mo., and in 1852 started for California. The long and arduous journey was made by means of wagons and ox- teams, and consumed six months to a day.
Arriving at their destination, Marysville, Cal., Mr. McClelland was for a time interested in gold mining in the vicinity of Grass Valley. In 1853 he went to Sonoma county and took up land, upon which he located in 1855, carrying on extensive agricultural pursuits for over a quarter of a cen- tury. In 1882 he moved to Los Angeles county and settled near Rivera, which has since been his home.
April 17, 1852, Mr. McClelland was married to Mary C. Waymire, a native of Indiana, and an aunt of Judge James Waymire, of San Francisco. The children of this union are: Ault, who is the wife of Thomas Shiugg, and resides near El Monte, Cal .; Buchanan, living at home, and Burr, at Spokane Falls, Waslı.
Mr. McClelland owns a forty-acre ranch,
thirty-two acres of which are under walnuts, in the cultivation of which he has been remarkably successful. In political affiliations he is a Demo- crat, but has never cherished any political aspirations, being content to leave to others the manipulation of the political machinery. Since 1853 he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Santa Rosa. An exten- sive grower of walnuts, he naturally figures con- spicuously in the workings of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association, and he is identified witlı the Los Nietos Valley Pioneer Club.
In spite of the various vicissitudes to which all pioneer life is necessarily subjected, and the many avenues through which his efforts have been directed, Mr. McClelland has enjoyed a particu- larly fortunate and happy existence. For more than half a century himself and wife have shared their joys and sorrows, and the country for miles around knows of no more congenial and devoted couple.
ILLIAM L. SIDWELL came to Southern California in 1869 and in 1880 settled in the Ranchito district, where he has since made his home. He owns about seventy-five acres of land, of which forty-five are under wal- nuts, the remainder being used for general farm purposes. For some years after coming to this locality he followed the blacksmith's trade, which he had learned in boyhood. For a time he also carried on a mercantile business in Ranchito and also acted as deputy postmaster of this postoffice.
The Sidwell family is of English extraction. Mr. Sidwell was born in Morgan county, Ohio, July 7, 1842, a son of Jesse and Hannah (Sutliff ) Sidwell, natives of Ohio. In 1855 the family re- moved from Ohio to Collin county, Tex. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the trade of liis father, who was a blacksmith, and with whom he worked for a number of years. Early in 1862 he enlisted in what was known as the Gano squadron of cavalry, C. S. A., which operated mostly in Tennessee and Kentucky. With them lie participated in a number of skirmishes with Union troops, and also did considerable scouting and general cavalry work. After one year's serv- ice with the squadron lie was honorably dis- charged. Later lie became a member of a troop
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of cavalry in the Trans- Mississippi Army, operated by Gen. Phineas Banning, to Los An- C. S. A., which operated mostly in the Red river vicinity. With this troop he remained for two years, until the surrender of General Lee caused the fall of the Confederacy. The cavalry was then disbanded at Marshall, Tex.
Leaving Texas in 1867 Mr. Sidwell for a time followed his trade in Missouri, and in 1869 came to California, where he followed blacksmithing at San Diego for several years. Next he spent some years in what is now Orange county, and had a shop in the village of Orange. For a short time afterward he followed his trade at Anaheim, and from there came to Ranchito district in 1880. Soon after coming here he embarked in walnut cultivation, in which he has since successfully engaged. He is a member of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association, in- corporated.
By his marriage to Miss Frances B. Gallaspy, of Texas, Mr. Sidwell has three children. The eldest, Estella, is the wife of Henry Judson. The two sons, Lester L. and Chester C., were edu- cated at the Throop Polytechnic Institute at Pasadena.
AMUEL MEYER was one of the early and prominent pioneers of Los Angeles. He was born in Prussia in 1831 and remained at home until eighteen years of age. Being a young man of spirit and ambition, he decided to look beyond the confines of his immediate locality for better opportunities to advance in life and at- tain success. With these ideas uppermost in his mind he came to America, landing in New York City in 1849. He remained there for a week and then started on a general tour of observation to see the country. The year 1851 found him in Louisville, Ky. From there he went to Vicks- burg, Miss., where he remained until 1853. He then went to New Orleans and from there embarked for San Francisco via the Nicaragua route, touching California soil first at a small bay on the coast near the city, coming on the steamer Pampero, which had on board about six · hundred passengers. For a few days he looked about him, undecided what to do. Finally he shipped for San Pedro, paying $55 in gold for his fare between San Francisco and San Pedro. From the latter point he traveled by mule stage,
geles, his fare being $7.50. He reached the Bella Union hotel at about three o'clock in the morning and applied for sleeping accommoda- tions, only to learn that every bed in the house was taken. Oscar Macy was then night clerk of the hotel (his father being the landlord), and he generously offered to share his bed with the stranger; so they camped down on the soft side of a billiard table.
Mr. Meyer had brought some money with him to Los Angeles. This lie invested in the pur- chase of a stock of general merchandise, embark- ing in business on what is now Main street in 1855. Soon thereafter he purchased a store on Los Angeles street, near Commercial, which he owned and operated for eight years, selling out in 1861. As illustrative of trade conditions in Los Angeles in those days, he states that the purchase price of the store was $20,000 or there- abouts, and the contract was a verbal one. Not having the money in hand, he agreed to pay in the near future. The seller concluded to leave town and called in for the money, but was requested to come again a little later. Meantime Mr. Meyer had made a few sales and upon his second call the creditor received his pay in full. While sales were not so frequent in those days they were often very large and at what would now seem fabulous profit; and the transfer of $20,000 was made with less ceremony than would attend the transfer of as many cents in these modern times.
Having become the creditor of a crockery house in Los Angeles for a large sum, in order to secure himself Mr. Meyer purchased the stock and business of the same, and from that date has been engaged in the crockery trade. For many years his store was located on North Main street, which property he owned at the time, but later sold. In November, 1897, he opened his present spacious establishment at No. 347 Soutlı Broadway, where he has since carried on a pros- perous business. He is a member of Los Angeles Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M., of forty-six years' standing, and is a charter member of Los An- geles Chapter No. 33, R. A. M. He is also connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Of the pioneers of Los Angeles now living none
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
is more favorably known by the old settlers than is "Uncle Sam" Meyer, as he is familiarly called. In his younger days there was not a more social man in the city, nor one more ready to engage in legitimate fun and amusement; and some of his anecdotes of early days are very amusing. He was married in Los Angeles in 1861, his wife being a daughter of Gabriel C. Davis, of this city. They are the parents of eight children, namely: Eva, Laura, Mamie, Viola, Stella, Men- dall, Gabriel and Rose.
C OHN BENDER. History has long since established the fact that the men to whom the greatest credit is due are by no means confined to the ranks of those of aristocratic birth or who were surrounded from childhood with every facility for education and culture. Those who override great obstacles are particularly worthy of honor. It may be said of Mr. Bender that he had very few advantages to aid him in gaining success. At an early age he was orphaned by his father's death, which threw him upon his own resources. His educational oppor- tunities were so limited that the knowledge he acquired is the result, less of schooling, than of experience, observation and self-culture. Per- haps it is on account of his own lack of opportu- nities that he is so interested in securing for the children of this generation the best advantages possible for schooling. For several terms he has served as a trustee of the Glendora public schools and for two terms he has been a trustee of the Citrus Union high school, in both of which posi- tions he has rendered able service in local educa- tional interests.
Mr. Bender came to California in May, 1874, and in August of the same year settled on the present site of Glendora. At that time there was no village on this spot and not even a postoffice had been established. He was one of the founders of Glendora and has ever since aided in the development of its resources. He has been especially helpful in opening up new roads and improving old highways, and has served for two terms as road overseer. After settling here, for a number of years he engaged in general farm- ing, but at a later date turned his attention to horticulture and planted fifteen acres to fruits of
different varieties. He also became interested in viticulture and planted a vineyard with fine varieties of grapes. His entire ranch comprises some fifty-nine acres of tillable land.
In Memphis, Tenn., Mr. Bender was born January 31, 1849, a son of John and Dorothy (Weigel) Bender, natives of Germany, who after their marriage emigrated to America and settled in Tennessee, the father engaging there as a butcher and a stock dealer until his death.
At the age of eighteen years John Bender en1- barked in business for himself. He was variously occupied until 1874, when he came to California, and since then he has devoted his attention to agriculture and horticulture. Politically he is a Democrat, and fraternally is connected with the Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Foresters. In May, 1881, he married Harriet Wiggins, who was born in Los Angeles county, Cal., and by whom he has five children, viz .: William B., Flora N., Herbert C. (de- ceased), Elbert C. and Ellen A. Mrs. Bender is a daughter of Thomas J. Wiggins, who settled in California in 1853 and for years engaged in the freighting business, making his headquarters at El Monte, where he and his wife still reside, honored as pioneers and worthy members of society.
OHN CHARLES WEST, who is one of Glendora's pioneers and well-known citizens, was born in Henry county, Iowa, June 25, 1856, a son of the late Senator John P. West. His boyhood years were passed in the county of his birth, and while still quite young he assisted in the cultivation and improvement of the home farm, thus gaining fixed habits of industry and at the same time learning the details of agricul- ture. The rudiments of his education were ob- tained in public schools, after which he was a student in Howe's Academy at Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
In the spring of 1875 he accompanied his parents to California and settled in Compton, but after a short time came to what is now Glendora. In the midst of the brush, which showed the primeval condition of the soil, he settled and began the task of clearing a farm. He took up a claim to one hundred and sixty acres of govern- ment land, of which he still owns twenty-eight
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acres, ten acres of the same being under fruit culture. Looking at his neat and well-improved place, one can scarcely realize that a quarter of a century ago it was a tract primeval. It now shows, in every detail, the oversight of a man of thrift and industry.
By the marriage of Mr. West to Miss Emma Lemon, of Compton, Cal., he has four children, Alta E., Frank H., Jessie C. and Wilma E. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Foresters at Glendora and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Azusa. In ad- dition to the management of his private interests, he has served as a director of the A. C. G. Lemon Association, one of the important organizations of this locality. Side by side with the develop- ment of his land he has witnessed and aided in the progress of Glendora and the extension of its interests, and no one takes greater pride in the town than does he.
G ARRETT LYNCH. Of the many noble and capable lives who cast their fortunes with the early history and development of California, and have gone hence from the scene of their activities, trials and delights, none were more worthy of the particular gratitude bestowed upon their memory by warm friends and an ap- preciative community than was Garrett Lynch. Although there were those who came earlier to the Ranchito district than did Mr. Lynch, in 1871, none faced with greater courage the vicis- situdes of pioneer life or rejoiced more over the subsequent abundance and prosperity of the region.
Ireland has sent many of her most cherished sons over the sea and into the far west to better their fortunes under the bright skies of Califor- nia. A worthy representative, indeed, was Gar- rett Lynch, who was born upon the green glades of county Kerry in 1830, and was a son of Jolin and Catherine (Fitzgerald) Lynch, who were themselves and their ancestors before them born in Ireland.
When sixteen years old Garrett left the little home farm, redolent of the associations of his boyhood days, and undertook to look out for himself in the Channel Islands. Not being con-
tent with the prospects of a long-continued resi- dence on the islands, he set sail for America, and upon his arrival there lived in various states of the Union, including Missouri, Ohio and Minne- sota, and finally returning to New York prelim- inary to going to California. He seems to have had an inherent love for the sea, and the daring and fearlessness of a seasoned salt, for he pre- ferred the long and perilous journey from New York to San Francisco by water, going around Cape Horn and thence northward to the sunny lands of California.
Upon his arrival in the to him new surround- ings, Mr. Lynch engaged for a few years in gold mining, principally in Sierra county, and was fairly successful asa miner. In 1866 he returned to the east to St. Louis, going by way of the Pan- ama route, and while there he was married, April 19, 1868, to Abigail Lynch, also a native of county Kerry, Ireland, and a daughter of John and Margaret (Breen) Lynch, natives of Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Lynch were born seven chil- dren: Catherine, Margaret, Nellie, Mary, John, Abbie and Thomas. Immediately after his mar- riage Mr. Lynch returned to California via the Panama route, arriving at his destination May 23, 1868, the journey from New York to San Francisco having taken three weeks. For a number of months he resided in San Francisco, later going to Los Angeles, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits on a rented farm in the vi- cinity of Rivera, and in 1871 settled on the ranch, where he passed the remainder of his days, in the full enjoyment of all his faculties. He died July 23, 1894. His widow and family still reside upon the homestead, and are among the respected and prominent people of the community. He originally purchased a forty-eight-acre tract, and himself set out forty-four acres of walnut trees. The ranch is in a fine state of development, and is a credit to all who have been connected with it.
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