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 87

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

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 87

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In Washington county, Ind., Mr. Teague was born November 6, 1823, a son of John and Mary (Thomas) Teague, natives of North Carolina, the former of Scotch lineage, the latter of German ancestry. Alexander Thomas, the maternal grandfather, was a Revolutionary soldier and served under George Washington. When a boy our subject had few advantages. Hard work was his portion from his earliest recollection. At an early age he depended upon his own efforts for a livelihood. This, instead of being an injury, was positively helpful, as it developed in his charac- ter the necessary self-reliance. While still liv- ing in his native county he established domestic ties, being united in marriage with Miss Amanda R. May, October 8, 1846. They became the parents of nine children, eight of whom survive,

viz .: David C., whose sketch appears in this work; Drusilla, the wife of Theodore Staley, of Orange county, Cal .; Lodema A., wife of Willis Gauldin, of Sonoma county; Harvey T. and Jas- per N., of Pomona; Olive A., wife of S. I. Allen, of Sonoma county; Robert M., the well-known nurseryman of San Dimas; and Flora E., who married Harry Newman, of San Francisco, Cal.

After a happy married life of more than thirty years, Mr. Teague was bereaved by the death of his wife, in the fall of 1881. He is now making his home with his son, Robert M. Though now advanced in years he is as industrious as when a young man and retains his activity, energy and interest in current events. His life has been strictly upright and honorable and in the evening of his days he can look over the past without re- morse and forward to the future without fear.

OHN C. DOTTER, vice-president of the Los Angeles Furniture Company, is a splendid type of a California pioneer and is one of the quiet and progressive citizens of Los Angeles. He was born in the town of Lohr, Bavaria, Ger- many, May 4, 1837, and remained in his native place until about fifteen years of age, when he embarked for America, hoping to increase his opportunities for success in life. After landing in New York he proceeded to New Jersey, where he visited an uncle, F. Niedemeyer. He ap- prenticed himself to learn the hatter's trade, which he readily acquired, and for about five years pursued the trade in New York.

Hearing much of the fabulous wealth in the gold mines of California, Mr. Dotter decided to make the journey to the Pacific coast. Accord- ingly lie made his way to St. Louis, Mo., where he joined a government supply train bound for Fort Leavenworth and Camp Floyd, which latter point lay about twenty miles south of Salt Lake. He spent some time at Salt Lake, where he worked at his trade. In 1859 he saw his oppor- tunity to safely continue his journey westward as far as Mountain Meadows, where he joined a government expedition under the then Major (later General) Carleton, who had come from Los Angeles with about two million dollars to pay off government soldiers and employes at Camp Floyd. With this expedition Mr. Dotter

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completed his journey, arriving in Los Angeles June 20, 1859. The scene of the historic and horrible Mountain Meadows massacre lay on their route and they found it necessary to encamp there about sixteen days. The terrible event had occurred in 1857, about two years previous, and Mr. Dotter well remembers the grewsome sight that met their eyes when they reached the place. The bones and remains of a portion of the one hundred and twenty-five victims, men and women, were scattered about, having been dug from the rough and shallow graves by the ravaging coyotes. Members of the expedition, Mr. Dotter aiding, gathered the bones and in- terred 'them as best they could within a stone en- closure, erecting on the spot a cross, on which they inscribed the words, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord." From the axles of the wagons Mr. Dotter secured some grease and before leaving the spot gave the inscription a coat of black tar.

The journey to Los Angeles was made without particular incident. Here Mr. Dotter found a Spanish village of about three thousand people. He went north as far as San Francisco to explore the country, but returned to Los Angeles in De- cember of the same year (1859). He secured a situation as steward in the old Bella Union hotel and remained there until 1868. From that time until 1871 he engaged in the furniture and up- holstering business with C. R. Rinaldi, and when the latter sold his interest to I. W. Lord, now of Lordsburg, Dotter & Lord continued the busi- ness until 1876. Mr. Lord then sold to C. H. Bradley, and the firm of Dotter & Bradley ex- isted until 1886, when the business was incor- porated under the title of the Los Angeles Furni- ture Company. This is one of the largest and strongest companies of its kind in the state, and is widely known for the reliability, efficiency and energy of its members.

In 1872 Mr. Dotter married Miss Elizabeth Keymı, a native of New Orleans. Her father, H. Keym, came to California in 1852 and engaged in the raising of fruit and owned a vineyard in the Suisun valley, in Solano county. Mr. and Mrs. Dotter have four children: George C .; Cor- nelis, wife of Prof. Milton Carlson, of Los An- geles; Ida and Lottie, who reside with their parents at No. 608 Temple street. The only son,

who is a young man of fine character and ability, enlisted as a member of Captain Steers' Battery D, Heavy Artillery, California State Volunteers, and fought in the Spanish-American war in the Philippines. While at Manila he collected two hundred and fifty photographs and views of that famous place.

Mr. Dotter may be regarded as the founder and father of the well-known corporation of which he is now the vice-president. His success in life is the direct result of his own efforts, liis natural business ability and his intelligence.

2 OBERT D. WADE, county recorder of Los Angeles county, is a representative of an old and honored family of Indiana, whose mem- bers bore an active part in the progress of that state during the early period of its history. His father, Hon. David Wade, M. D., son of Daniel Wade, was born in Winchester, Va., and received excellent advantages, graduating from Jefferson Medical College. Settling in Hendricks county, Ind., he built up a large practice. In 1846-1848 and 1850 he was elected to represent his district in the legislature, and during the three terms of his incumbency he proved himself an efficient lawmaker and legislator. He died in 1853, leav- ing two sons, one of whom, Dr. William L. Wade, is a prominent physician of Los Angeles county. Dr. David Wade married Emily Jessup, who was a member of a Quaker family that settled in North Carolina during colonial days, thence removed to Indiana. Her father, Levi Jessup, was the first county clerk of Hendricks county, Ind., and was expelled from the Friends' Church on account of holding office. Afterward he removed to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and in 1852 was elected from that district to the Iowa legislature.

In Hendricks county, Ind., where he was born September 14, 1848, Robert D. Wade spent his early days, receiving his primary education in local public schools. His education was com- pleted in the Northwestern Christian (now Butler) University, an institution conducted under the auspices of the Christian Church. However, for some time before completing his education he had been making his own way in the world. At fourteen he started out for himself, his first work

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being as clerk in a store at Wadesville, Va., a town named in honor of his ancestors. In 1869 he returned to Indiana and for some years en- gaged in teaching school. The year 1874 found him in California, where he mined in San Luis Obispo county, later in Nevada county. In 1878 he came to Los Angeles, where he engaged in the mercantile business. His connection with public and educational affairs in this city dates from 1884, when he was chosen to serve on the board of education. In 1892 he was elected city tax collector, an office that he filled for two years. Later he was chief deputy county tax collector for four years. Since the fall of 1898 lie has been connty recorder, and in this position, as in all others, he has proved himself to be reliable, honorable, efficient and forceful. To these va- rious offices he has been elected on the Repub- lican ticket, for he is as stanch in his adherence to this party as his father and grandfather were to the Whig party. He is now president of the Union League of Los Angeles. Fraternally heis connected with the Masons, the Knights of Honor and the Order of Maccabees.

The marriage of Mr. Wade took place in 1879 and united him with Miss Carrie B. Reed, a na- tive of Massachusetts. They are the parents of one daughter, Annie Louisa.

ILLIAM S. DEVAN. To this sunny southland have come hosts of the wealthy and cultured from all parts of the Union, and thus the society of Los Angeles includes many citizens who have made their mark in the world and who have been powers in their own community. Among the present residents of this beautiful city is W. S. DeVan, who for nearly a quarter of a century was accounted one of the most energetic business men of New Orleans, and whose financial interests in the Crescent City still are extremely large. He is a fine type of the progressive element of the "new south, " and is a thorough optimist in regard to the future of that wonderful, and, as yet, practically unde- veloped section of the Union.

He is a native of Moulton, Ala., and there spent the happy days of his boyhood. He was early bereft of his father, and from his youth has been dependent upon his own resources. For

a period he attended school at Aberdeen, Miss., and obtained a fair business education. Then, for a number of years, or until the close of the Civil war, he was in the employ of a large cot- ton firm of Mobile, Ala. In 1866 he went to New Orleans, and embarked in the wholesale grocery and confectionery business, in which en- terprise he was successfully engaged for some ten years. From 1876 to 1889 he was chiefly oc- cupied in the banking business, being vice-presi- dent of the New Orleans Stock Exchange. Though he practically retired from active busi- ness more than a decade ago, he has found it no light task to look after his numerous invest- ments, including New Orleans real estate, street railroads and bank stock.

In 1885 Mr. DeVan was advised to seek a change of climate and occupation, and, having heard much of Southern California, he came to Los Angeles, where he spent a few months. De- lighted with the climate, and impressed with the marvelous possibilities of the city and surround- ing country, he arranged his business affairs in New Orleans as speedily as was consistent with policy, and in 1889 took up his permanent abode here. The habits of a lifetime were not easily dropped, and he gradually drifted into the real- estate business, buying, improving and selling property in Los Angeles and locality, and here, as further east, winning the confidence and es- teem of the entire community by his fairness and justice in every transaction.

In 1862 Mr. DeVan married Miss Tillie Todd, of New Orleans, who died, leaving one son. Mr. De Van subsequently married Miss May Winkley, of Newburyport, Mass., and they are the parents of four sons and two daughters. William T. De- Van is in the employ of Harper Brothers of New York City, and Durward S. is connected with the National Bank of California.

In politics Mr. DeVan is a stalwart Republi- can, loyal to the principles of his party and de- sirous of its snccess. Though frequently urged to accept public positions of more or less honor and emolument, he steadfastly refused, preferring to continue in the quiet private career which he had marked out for himself. Unlike many capitalists, he is admired and highly esteemed by all who know him, for in his turn he passed throngh years of struggle and toil, and when

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prosperity crowned his long-continued and inde- fatigable efforts, he kept the memory of his own trials ever before him, and endeavored to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate than him- self.

ON. WALTER VAN DYKE. The Van Dykes are of Dutch descent and carry with them the old-time sturdiness of that race. Walter Van Dyke was born in Tyre, Seneca county, N. Y., October 3, 1823, a son of Martin and Irene (Brockway) Van Dyke, the former of whom was born in New Jersey about 1790, but moved to New York state, where he died in 1837. The son was then less than fourteen years of age. He worked on the farm and attended school until seventeen years of age, when he entered a select school at Earlville, N. Y., and afterward was a student in the Liberal Institute in Clinton, Oneida county. His vacations were spent in teaching in order to supply means for further study. In 1846 he began the study of law with S. B. and F. J. Prentiss, in Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1848 was admitted to the supreme court of Ohio.

In history the discovery of gold in California stands as a star in human events. Walter Van Dyke caught the inspiration of the wonderland and in 1849 crossed the plains and mountains to the land of the afternoon sun. He acted as cor- respondent of some Cleveland journals, and his letters, replete with passing and coming events, were widely read. From Salt Lake to Los An- geles the trip was full of hardships and from Los Angeles he went to San Francisco: thence in the spring of 1850 he went to the mines, where he remained during that summer. Returning to San Francisco that fall he joined a party bound for the Klamath river, at the mouth of which a trading post had just been located for supply- ing the northern mines, but the vessel went to pieces at the mouth of the stream and its occu- pants barely reached dry land.

Settling in Trinidad, Mr. Van Dyke was chosen district attorney for Klamath county, at the or- ganization of that county in 1851, and was chosen to the legislature in 1852 and rendered the state excellent service. He secured the location of Fort Humboldt. The late U. S. Grant was cap- tain of a company located there. In 1853 Mr. Van Dyke took up residence in Humboldt coun-

ty, and the next year was chosen district attor- ney for that county, and also edited with marked success the Humboldt Times. The people had confidence in him and in 1861 sent him to the state senate, where he introduced and advocated Union resolutions. During a heated debate he was asked what party stood behind him. He re- plied, "The Union party." This was the first time the name was known to be used. Soon an organization was effected and he was chosen chairmau. In June, 1862, the Republicans held a convention in Sacramento and he was elected chairman. He was thenceforth recognized as the "father of the Union party of California."

In the fall of 1863 Mr. Van Dyke became a resident of San Francisco, where he soon secured an extensive legal practice. When the ground for the Central Pacific Railroad was broken at Sacramento in 1863 he was one of the speakers. During the period of 1869-72 he was chairman of the Republican state central committee and par- ticipated in the various political campaigns. In 1873 he was honored with the office of United States attorney for the district of California, but resigned in 1876 and became a special attorney for the United States in certain Spanish land grant cases. In 1878 the agitation for a consti- tutional reformation brought him still more prom- inently before the people and he was chosen a member of the constitutional convention, re- ceiving the third largest vote out of thirty-two delegates chosen from the state at large. He served as chairman of the bill of rights commit- tee. His efforts in behalf of justice for all the people were unabating, and he succeeded in plac- ing the university affairs beyond the vicissitude of ever-changing politics.

In 1885 he took up his residence in Los Angeles, purchasing the interests of Judge Brunson in the firm of Brunson, Wells & Lee. He was perse- vering in the effort to secure the Soldiers' Home to be located in that county and saw his earnest efforts crowned with success. In 1888 he was elected to the superior judgeship and in 1894 re-elected by an increased majority. In 1898 he was elected one of the justices of the supreme court by the largest vote of any candidate. Possessing a keen and analytical mind he seeks to impart justice, tempered with generosity and soundness. His career has been characterized by

R.M. League.

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diversity, giving him a wide experience, so that his own growing. His total number of stock in he is not a man of few interests and ideas, but of many. He honors his office and is loved by the people. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a life member of the Society of California Pioneers. 1900 aggregated about thirty thousand trees, while for 1901 lie plans to have a total of seventy- five thousand, and for 1902 two hundred and fifty thousand trees. He is an enthusiast in his oc- cupation, having the greatest faith in its possi- bilities and its commercial importance. He be- lieves that many of the interior valleys and pro- tected foot-hill lands of California possess every is a prosperous horticulturist and nursery- - OBERT M. TEAGUE, proprietor of the San Dimas Nurseries, established in 1890, advantage to its profitable culture, and is of the man. His sales extend all through this section of country and his business is large and constantly growing. Political matters receive little attention from him, for he is too busy to identify himself with public affairs and is independent in his views. In fraternal relations he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Covina. He is married, his wife having formerly been Miss Minnie E. Cowan, of Pomona. opinion that the success which has already been gained by orange-growers is but an index of what the future may bring to the careful and skillful horticulturist. One of the improvements that he has introduced is the Boss tree protector, which affords the trunks of young and compara- tively branchless trees protection from the burn- ing rays of the summer sun. These protectors are made from the wood of the Yucca palm and afford a perfect protection from- rabbits, grass- hoppers, borers and winter frosts, as well as summer suns.

There is probably no one in Southern Califor- nia who is more thoroughly posted concerning citrus fruit culture than is Mr. Teague. Having made a study of horticulture, he is qualified to carry on successfully the propagation of nursery stock. Years of experience in both orchard and nursery have afforded him every opportunity for wide observation and investigation as to the best methods of producing a superior article of fruit, as well as the best nursery tree for orchard plant- ing. In his nursery are all the well-known vari- eties of oranges, including the unsurpassed and unsurpassable Washington Navel, the China Mandarin, Thomson's Improved Navel (origi- nated in 1890 by A. C. Thomson, of Duarte), Dancy's Tangerine, Valencia Late, Ruby Blood, Mediterranean Sweet, Paper Rind St. Michael, Kumquat or Kin-Kan (a native of Japan and a unique member of the citrus family), Malta Blood and Satsuma (which ripens as early as November). Among lemons he has the Eureka, Villa Franca and Lisbon varieties; in grape fruit, the Marsh seedless, Triumph G. F., Imperial G. F., and Improved Pomolo, also the Citrus Medica Cedra, from which citron rind is obtained. The foregoing sorts comprise the standard commercial varieties usually planted in the citrus-growing sections of California, each of which possesses certain peculiar advantages and characteristics. In trees Mr. Teague has a total of forty-five acres, all devoted exclusively to citrus trees of

RED R. DORN. The city of Los Angeles has proved a fruitful field for the exercise of the highest order of talent in the line of modern architecture, and on every hand are to be seen evidences of the skill and talent of the local architects. Indeed, too much cannot be said in their behalf. To them, as much as to any other class of business men, belongs the credit for the prosperity of Los Angeles. They have been guided in their work not by cast-iron rules of their profession, but by a knowledge of the style of architecture best suited to this part of the country. They have happily combined the grace and beauty of southern architecture with the con- veniences especially noticeable in the north, and thus have evolved a style of building that not only enkindles tlie admiration of the visitor, but pleases also those who are the actual occupants thereof, and who are in a position to most critically ex- amine and test its adaptation to the needs of modern living.

Foremost among the men who have striven to make the architecture of Los Angeles ideal in every respect may be mentioned Mr. Dorn, a prominent and successful architect, and a well- known citizen of Los Angeles. Permanent mon- uments of his constructive efforts may be seen in

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every part of the city. Since he came here and began in business he has proved beyond question his skill and taste. He has designed a number of the foremost business blocks in the city, and has also drawn the plans for private residences of every design and variety, including not only the homes of the wealthy, but also many cottages for those in moderate circumstances. Among the church buildings he has designed may be men- tioned the Christian Church, a commodious and substantial building on the corner of Hope and Eleventh streets, which has been admired by rea- son of its convenient arrangement for the work of the Sunday-school, Christian Endeavor Society and various other societies of the church; he also drew the plans for the residence of the pastor, Rev. A. C. Smithers, at No. 1147 South Hope street.

A recently erected building, plans for which were made by Mr. Dorn, is the Yosemite, at No. 11532 South Broadway. Among his other designs are those for the residence and business block of A. F. M. Strong; the Hallett & Pirtle block, on the southwest corner of Fourth and Broadway; the Kaweah block, built by George Hanna, on the northeast corner of Third and Broadway; Baltimore hotel, built by P. A. Gar- vie, on Seventh and Olive streets; the block owned by Owens Brothers, on Broadway between Third and Fourth streets; the Marsh & Gage block, on Third between Spring and Broadway; the building owned by W. H. Bowman, on the corner of Third street and Stevenson avenue, the residence of Dr. George P. Allen and his business block at Nos. 238-240 East First street; the resì- dence of Dr. J. C. Michener and the Gray Gables built by him on the southeast corner of Seventh and Hill streets; Hotel Brunswick, on the corner of Sixth and Hill streets; the residence of W. M. Garland, on Ingraham between Lucas and Wit- mer; the T. W. Phelps home, on the corner of Ninth and Providence; and those of W. H. Routzahn, northwest corner of Grand and Jeffer- son streets; Frank Humphreys, No. 3217 Grand avenue; W. W. Howard, northeast corner of Adams and Hoover streets; T. C. Knapp, No. 1539 West Seventh street; J. M. Tryen, Santee between Eleventh and Twelfth streets; B. Sens, Grand avenue, between Second and Third streets; W. P. Gibson, No. 170 East Twenty-

fifth street; and J. H. Arnold, No. 1111 South Hope street. Others might be enumerated, but this list suffices to show the widely different character of the various designs of Mr. Dorn, as well as his high standing as an architect in a city whose architects are numerous and far above the average in ability, taste and skill.

12 AVID R. BREARLEY, one of the most en- ergetic business men and loyal citizens of Los Angeles, has been directly connected with its development and improvement for the past twelve years. After the collapse of the won- derful real-estate boom in this vicinity he firmly held to the opinion he had advanced all along, that affairs here would soon resume their normal basis, and in that faith he continued to increase his landed possessions and to make improvements on his property. His confidence inspired many with renewed courage, and the result was as he had predicted. The great natural advantages and beauties of this city are beyond dispute; one has but to pass a few weeks or months here to be forever an ardent lover of the place. Nature, in most charming mood and manifestation, is here united with all the privileges of modern city life, aud one, only one sigh is ever heard: "Olı, how happy I'd be if my friends could be here to enjoy it with me!''

A son of Samuel and Martha (Conove) Brear- ley, natives of New York state, our subject was born near Trenton, N. J., May 10, 1834. He at- tended the public schools, and also studied under the director of a private tutor for some time in his youth, ultimately acquiring a liberal educa- tion and training for business life. When lie was thirty-three years old he determined to try his fortune in the great and growing west, and resided for a period in Marshall county, I11. But at that time, as for many years past, Califor- nia was the magnet drawing ambitious young men, and in 1859 Mr. Brearley had the privilege of gazing upon the Golden Gate and San Fran- cisco. For the ensuing two years he was engaged in the milling business there and then returned to Marshall county, Ill., where he operated a flour mill until 1864. His next important business move consisted in his gaining admission to the Chicago Board of Trade, where, for almost a

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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 87

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