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 77
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About this time a better opening presented itself further east, and, returning to the central states, he became assistant to the general mana- ger of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and acted in that capacity for nearly four years. In April, 1890, he became the general superintendent of the Ohio, Indiana & Western Railroad, and subsequently was suc- cessively superintendent of the Peoria, Indian- apolis and St. Louis divisions of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, with headquarters at Indianapolis. From September, 1893, until October, 1894, he was assistant to the first vice-president of the Santa Fe system, and from the beginning of 1895 until July, 1897, he served as general superintendent of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad. For the past three years lie has officiated as general superintendent of the Santa Fe Pacific and Southern California roads at Los Angeles, and since October, 1899, has also been general superintendent of the San Francisco & San Joaquin Valley Railway. In his work he has won the good-will of everyone with whom he is associated. All the more surely by reason of the comparative slowness of promotion in rail- road circles he has forged to the front, and now stands in an important position in one of the leading industries of the country.
From the time that he received his right of franchise until the national election in 1896 Mr. Wells used his ballot in favor of the Democratic
Mr. Wells was born in Guelph, Outario, No- party, but, possessing the courage of liis convic-
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tions, and having carefully weighed the grave Jackson Tweedy, a native of Virginia, was en- financial problems of the hour, he voted for the Republican presidential nominee, William Mc- Kinley. For several years, while a resident of Albuquerque, he was president of the Commer- cial Club, and wherever he has made his home lie has won hosts of sincere friends. In 1884 he married Miss Gertrude Barnard, of St. Joseph, Mo., and they have two daughters, who are now attending school in Los Angeles.
EV. DERIUS OVERHOLTZER. That this family should have a representative in the ministry of the German Baptist Breth- ren Church (commonly known as Dunkards) is only a natural sequence to their activity and zeal in the denomination. Among the sons of the late esteemed Samuel A. Overholtzer, one was elected by the church to the ministry, and he it is who forms the subject of this sketch. His at tention is largely given to religious work, yet he finds time to superintend his orange orchard in the vicinity of Covina, and his work as a horti- culturist is no less worthy of commendation than that as a minister.
Some years after his parents came from Illinois to California, the subject of this sketch was born, November 30, 1870. His only recollections are of the state of the Golden Gate. After receiving the rudiments of his education in the public schools of San Joaquin county, Cal., lie entered the Azusa valley school, where he continued his studies. His education was completed in Lords- burg College, in the founding of which his father had been an active factor. He was a boy of six- teen when he accompanied his father to Covina, and he has since resided near this place, among whose residents he is known and honored as a young man of bright promise, and an upright, conscientious Christian man and citizen.
AMES J. TWEEDY. On the well-con- ducted and homelike ranch near Downey are many evidences of the enterprise and indus- try of their owner, James J. Tweedy. That he lıas an inherent liking for agriculture and horti- culture is not to be wondered at, for his father,
gaged in agricultural pursuits for the greater part of his useful life. His mother, Eliza ( Hold- field) Tweedy, was born in Alabama. In 1852 these worthy people left their farm in Arkansas in the hope of bettering their prospects and crossed the plains to California. For a short time they lived at Stockton, but not realizing their expec- tations they returned to Arkansas by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Here James J. Tweedy was born in 1854, and the following year his father died, leaving the mother in sole charge of the family. Young James was thus early thrown on his own resources. When eight years of age he accompanied his mother to Texas, where they lived long enough to find out that it held no in- ducements for a protracted residence and then returned to Arkansas.
Until his eleventh year James Tweedy was cared for by his mother, who died in 1865. His grandfather, James Holdfield, was his guardian, and Mr. Tweedy made his home there till he was seventeen years old, when he started for Cali- fornia. He lived in different parts of the state until 1881, when he settled on his present ranch near Downey. He is the possessor of more than fifty-eight acres of land, mostly under oranges and walnuts. In its original state of purchase the land was unimproved, and he has planted all of the trees and made it the improved place that it is to-day.
Mr. Tweedy married Eliza A. Sutton, a native of Texas, and to this couple have been born five children, who are of more than average intelli- gence, and who are bound to make their mark in the world. George A. is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Boston and is employed by the California state mining bureau; Mande, Frances A., James K. and Mau- rice are at home. In politics Mr. Tweedy is a Democrat, but has broad and comprehensively liberal views regarding the politics of the present administration. He is deeply interested in the cause of education, as evinced by the oppor- tunities he has given his children and his work for the general welfare of the county while serv- ing for several years as a school trustee of his district. Fraternally he is associated with the Ancient Order United Workmen at Downey and the order of the Maccabees. With his family he
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is a member of the Baptist Church and a deacon in the same. He is a member of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association.
C HARLES S. SANDERSON has been iden- tified with all of the enterprises instituted for the upbuilding of the community in which he has resided since 1889. As one of the trustees of the Pico school district, as director in the Rincon Irrigating Company, and as commis- sioner of the Banta Ditch Company he has ren- dered conspicnous service.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, December 18, 1857, he is a son of Rev. Norris and Adelia (Jones) Sanderson, natives of Massachusetts. Norris Sanderson was a minister of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and one of the early pioneers of Santa Cruz county, Cal., to which he moved in 1864. His journey to Santa Cruz was via the Nicaragua route and San Francisco, and upon his arrival at his destination he engaged in agri- culture and stock-raising. As occasion demanded or the situation seemed to warrant he engaged also in ministerial work. He died when his son was ten years old, and the youth was left with little save the heritage of a refined early training and the example of a noble, useful life. Practi- cally thrown upon his own resources he improved his time until his sixteenth year by working for the farmers in the vicinity of Santa Cruz, in re- turn for which he received his clothes and was permitted to attend the district schools. Later he was employed in a foundry and machine shop on Bear creek, in the Santa Cruz mountains, for four years, after which he turned his attention to agriculture, renting a farm in Santa Cruz county. His venture was a success, and he then decided to go to San Diego county, Cal., where he home- steaded a claim of one hundred and sixty acres and also took up one hundred and sixty acres of timber land from the government, upon which he lived for seven years. In 1885 Mr. Sander- son came to Los Angeles, and in 1889 settled on the ranch which is now his home. His home ranch embraces twenty acres, and he also owns forty-five acres in the Rincon valley, twenty-five of which are under cultivation.
Mr. Sanderson married Alice E. Hinman, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Ephraim
Himman, a pioneer of California. Ephraim Hin- man crossed the plains in a wagon with his fam- ily in the early '6os, settling in Santa Cruz, where he became prominently identified with the educational and agricultural interests of the pio- neers. As an educator Mr. Hinman was without a peer during his residence in Peoria. His ad- vanced methods of conveying knowledge, his erndition and scholarly attainments, made him a prominent factor in the intellectual life of the middle west. Mr. Hinman is now living in Los Angeles, Cal. To Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson have been born seven children: Chester A., Harl A., Margaret A., Clarence, Hinman, Sophia and Burdette. The last-named child was called after the humorist of that name, Mr. Hinman having been Robert J. Burdette's teacher while living in Peoria.
Though a stanch Republican Mr. Sanderson entertains very liberal views regarding the poli- tics of the administration. He has never had political aspirations, his time being completely taken up with other matters. He is a member of the Los Nietos Valley Pioneer Club. His ranch is devoted mainly to the culture of English walnuts, oranges and alfalfa. He is widely known and appreciated for his many sterling qualities and the generous spirit which impels him to assist those in need, whether in a private or public capacity.
HARLES C. REYNOLDS. The Reynolds family was established in America by an Englishman, who in a very early day crossed the Atlantic and settled in Connecticut, later removing to Pennsylvania, and finally going to New Jersey, where his last days were spent. At Basking Ridge, that state, occurred the birthi of his grandson, John Reynolds, whose son, Hezekiah S. Reynolds, was the father of Charles C. Reynolds. During his early manhood H. S. Reynolds left New Jersey and settled in Middle- field, Mass., where he married Miss Nancy A. Blush, a native of that town and a daughter of Amasa and Anna (Durant) Blush, natives re- spectively of Middlefield and Newton, Mass. Mrs. Anna Blush was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Clark) Durant, the former a Revolu- tionary soldier and a participant in the battle of
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Lexington; he died at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1831. His widow attained the great age of one hundred years and ten months, and until her death was the recipient of a peusion of $40 per month, in recognition of lier husband's services to his country.
For some years H. S. Reynolds engaged in the woolen manufacturing business at Middlefield, but, believing another location might be better for business purposes, he removed to Springfield, Mass., and established woolen mills in that place. These he conducted for a number of years and with fair success. While still in middle life, however, he retired from business and his last days were spent in the enjoyment of the com- petency his industrious efforts had accumulated. While visiting in Jersey City, N. J., he died, at the age of sixty-eight years.
The life which this narrative chronicles began at Springfield, Mass., October 7, 1847. Being the son of parents in moderate circumstances, the boy was spared the privations of the poor and the temptations of the wealthy. Early in life he was trained to habits of industry and perse- verance; and, grasping the truth that his future success depended upon the foundation he laid in his youth, he determined to start aright. When lie was seventeen he left Springfield and went to New York City, where he secured employment as clerk in the hardware store of Thomas Negus & Sons. Through diligence he acquired a thorough knowledge of the business. No detail was too unimportant for him to overlook, but every department was learned thoroughly and well. His honesty and energy commended him to his employers, and when he wished to make a start for himself in the world one of them was ready to back him financially. With S. G. Negus as a silent partner, he opened a hardware store in Lewis, Cass county, Iowa, where for ten years he carried on a profitable and growing business. He became well and favorably known to the people of that village and county, and held a position of prominence in business circles. It had been his intention to spend his entire active life there, but illness in his family caused him to sever his business connections in Iowa and seek the more healthful climate of California.
The fall of 1880 found Mr. Reynolds in Los Angeles, where, in partnership with Robbins
Little, lie purchased the interests of B. F. Coulter and R. F. Moore in the hardware firm of Harper, Moore & Co., at Nos. 152-154 North Main street. The first year was one of prosperity, but at the end of that time a disastrous fire temporarily checked all business activity on the part of the firm. The store was rebuilt at once, and since then the history of the business has been one of constant prosperity and growth. After a time Mr. Little sold his interest to I. B. Newton, and, owing to failing health, retired to Pasadena, where he soon afterward died. The firm of Harper & Reynolds Co., a joint stock company, has continued in business prosperity to the present day, and supplies hardware merchants, as wholesalers, throughout Southern California, Arizona and parts of Mexico and Nevada. For many years S. G. Negus has been identified with the firm as their New York representative and buyer and his connection with the business and his wide business acquaintance throughout the east has given the company an advantage, in point of buying, over their California competitors. It is said that Mr. Reynolds is the most practical hardware man in Los Angeles. His experience in the business covers a period of thirty-five years, in different sections of the country; and, being a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, he has utilized his experience for the benefit of his business interests. Aside from his intimate connection with the hardware interests of Los Angeles he has been identified with other local affairs, commercial and otherwise, and has been an investor in city property, besides own- ing an orange grove of twenty acres in the San Fernando valley.
During his residence in Iowa Mr. Reynolds became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but has not been active in the same since his removal to the west. In national issues and in local matters he maintains an independ- ence of attitude and votes for the man he con- siders best qualified to represent the people. While in Iowa he served his village as a trustee. However, he has preferred to give his entire at- tention to business matters, and has no desire for political or official prominence.
The marriage of Mr. Reynolds took place in Lewis, Iowa, and united him with Miss Mary A. Terry, a member of one of the oldest families of
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Long Island, where she was born. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are: Wilfred T., Miriam and Winnie. The Terrys have been identified with the history of that island ever since the year 1662, when Thomas A. Terry was given a grant to land there by the king of Eng- land, and, removing to his new possessions, founded a town on his property and became a man of influence among his fellow-pioneers. The father of Mrs. Reynolds, W. A. Terry, spent much of his life on Long Island, but later settled on a farm in Iowa, and now takes his home with Mrs. Reynolds. His life has covered much of the nineteenth century, whose wonderful changes he has witnessed with the pride of a public- spirited citizen and progressive man.
ILLIAM J. WASHBURN. In tracing the career of W. J. Washburn, president of the Bank of Commerce, of Los Angeles, one is impressed by the fact that he has risen to his present position among the leading financiers of Southern California solely by his own inherent ability and correct business methods, that he is indebted to no one, nor to any favorable combi- nation of circumstances for his wealth and promi- nence. Industry and concentration of purpose have been his watchwords, and success has been the natural outcome of these essential ideas.
Capt. William Washburn, the father of our subject, was a native of New York state, where for years he was engaged in merchandising. Later he removed to St. Louis and there con- tinued, as formerly, to carry on business until he was well along in years. During the Civil war he manifested his patriotism by enlisting in de- fense of the Union and served long and faithfully. During the latter part of the war he held the rank of captain in a regiment which was in that portion of the forces commanded by General Grant, and he belonged to the division which re- ceived the surrender of General Lee's army. His life work well rounded, he was summoned to his reward November 5, 1898, and is survived by his widow, whose maiden name was Mary R. John- son. She, too, was born in the Empire state, and now is making her home in Los Angeles. One of her two sons, Charles A., is engaged in a general insurance business in Denver.
W. J. Washburn was born in Livingston county, N. Y., September 30, 1852, and in his youth pursued his studies in the public schools and in Lima Seminary. Upon attaining his majority he located in St. Louis, where he gave his attention to merchandising for fifteen years with marked success. In 1888 he came to Los Angeles and soon after was elected president of the Bank of Commerce, which had been founded but two years before under the title of the East Side Bank. The Bank of Commerce, now con- sidered one of the solid financial institutions of this city, is centrally located at the corner of Broadway and First street, and commands a large and growing patronage. Under the supervision and wise direction of its present president it has steadily advanced, a safe and conservative policy being pursued.
That Mr. Washburn's absolute integrity and sagacity are undoubted may be seen by the facts that he was appointed receiver of the City Bank, which failed during the financial panic of 1893, and served in a similar capacity for the Bankers' Alliance. Besides, he is secretary of the Equit- able Loan Society, and is vice-president of the Los Angeles Stoneware Company. Politically he is a stanch Republican. He has served as foreman of the grand jury of this county, and has dis- charged his duty as a patriot and public-spirited citizen. The cause of education finds in him an earnest friend, and at present he is a member of the Los Angeles board of education. Every citi- zen here has reason to be proud of the splendid school system we enjoy, and too much credit cannot be given the umembers of the board, wlio loyally uphold progress and advancement along every line of educational endeavor. The traveler from the north and east is surprised at the beauty and attractiveness of our school buildings, which indeed would do credit to any metropolitan city in the land, and even surpass thousands of schools of the leading cities elsewhere.
The hospitable home of Mr. Washburn, at No. 4000 Pasadena avenne, is presided over by his estimable wife, whose maiden name was Helen E. Rowell. They were married in St. Louis in 1878. Both Mr. and Mrs. Washburn are very popular in local society and have many sincere personal friends. The Ruskin Art Club, one of the large study clubs in California, has had Mrs.
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Washburn as its president for two years. She was educated in the Normal school in Bloon- ington, Il1., which city was her home for many vears.
AVID C. TEAGUE. No resident of San Dimas is better known than Mr. Teague, and this fact is but the natural sequence to his close connection with various important local enterprises and organizations. Since he came here in 1878 he has been a factor in the develop- ment of the rich resources of this region. Besides having served as president of the Indian Hill Citrus Union, he holds the following official po- sitions: President of the San Dimas Citrus Union, president of the North Pomona Deciduous Fruit Association, president of the San Dimas Land and Water Company, and president of the New Deal Land and Water Company. The enumer- ation of these offices alone suffices to prove his close identification with local projects, his high standing as a citizen, and his prominence in the development of local water and fruit interests.
The record of Mr. Teague's father, Crawford P. Teague, of San Dimas, is presented on another page of this volume. The family came to the west when David was a youth, and he therefore is familiar with the progress of the state. He was born in Indiana October 23, 1847. When he was four years of age, in 1851, his parents settled in Davis county, Iowa, and there his boy- hood days were passed. In 1865 he came with them to California, settling in Tehama county, but soon going to Sonoma county. In 1878 he came to Los Angeles county, where he has since made his home. For a number of years he engaged in agriculture here. In 1888 he set out a number of orange trees and also a few prunes. The venture was so successful that he was en- couraged to increase his number of trees, and since then his time has been practically given to horticulture. He has twenty acres of land under oranges and apricots, in addition to which he has thirty acres used for general farm purposes.
In 1875 Mr. Teague married Miss Aunie R1111- you, of Hickory county, Mo. She died in Sep- tember, 1890, leaving five children, viz .: Walter, Hattie M., Edith, Elmer and Russell.
In Masonry Mr. Teague ranks very high. He is a member of Pomona Lodge No. 246, F. & A.
M .; Pomona Chapter No. 76, R. A. M .; and is also a Knight Templar, belonging to Pomona Commandery No. 37, K. T. The Covina Lodge, A. O. U. W., numbers him among its members. In him San Dimas has an unswerving friend, who has always been eager to serve the best ill- terests of the town and generous in his contribu- tions to the general advancement. In social circles he is known and appreciated as a man of liberal views and generous impulses, and whose high character is worthy of the utmost confidence of his associates.
AMUEL A. OVERHOLTZER. The record of the latter half of the life of Mr. Overholtzer is, in some respects, a record of the history of California and the development of its horti- cultural interests. When he crossed the plains il1 1864 it required a toilsome journey of six months, overland, to bring him to his destina- tion. As yet the railroad had not spanned the continent, nor had the telegraph wires brought east and west into instantaneous communication. Then, too, Indians were particularly troublesome, being quick to commit depredations at a time when the government, plunged into a civil strife, could not easily punish the offenders. One who crossed the continent at that time truly took his life in his hand.
As the name indicates, Mr. Overholtzer was of German descent. He was born and reared in Lancaster county, Pa., and married Maria E. Har- nish, who was of German and English extraction. Prior to his marriage he had accompanied his parents to Ogle county, Ill., and from there lie and his wife, shortly after their union, moved to Carroll county, the same state. In 1864 he brought his family to California, traveling with wagon and horses from Carroll county, Il1., to Sacramento county, Cal. In the latter county he located and there he remained until his re- moval, in 1867, to San Joaquin county, this state. In the fall of 1886 he came to Covina, of which he was an early settler. Here he embarked in fruit culture, in which occupation he engaged steadily until his death, April 14, 1900.
Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Overholtzer eleven are now living, namely: Emma C., wife of Jacob Schuldt, of San Joaquin county, Cal .; William H., Michael N. and Isaac S., all of Co-
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vina; Anna L., the wife of John S. Billheimer, of Pasadena, Cal .; Derius and Cecilia G., who live in Covina; Samuel Andrew, who makes his home in South Pasadena; Jesse Irvin and Edwin Clarence, both of Lordsburg; and Carrie E., who resides in Pasadena.
There were a number of enterprises in this dis- trict with which Mr. Overholtzer was intimately identified. He held official positions on two different water boards of Covina, and for a num- ber of years was a director of the Covina Citrus Association, in the organization of which he has been interested. He was also a director of the Covina Valley Bank. In his work as a deacon of the German Baptist Church he ever proved himself faithful to his high trust, interested in the welfare of his church and a sympathizer with all worthy movements of a religious nature. In the founding of Lordsburg College he was deeply in- terested, and that institution in its early days owed much to his zeal and intelligent aid. In all of his personal relations he was kind, generous and whole-souled, and his neighbors felt they could call upon him for help in the hour of need. His disposition was quiet and retiring. In his labors as a horticulturist he showed practical common sense and an ability to work to good advantage. The fine property which he accu- mulated and which he left to his children was secured without aid, and was a creditable show- ing for a man who began in life without influence or capital, indicating well the sturdy nature and unflagging industry of him to whom the success was due.
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