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 90

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 90

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I SAAC S. SMITH, a prominent and influential citizen of Los Angeles, was born in Middle- bury, N. Y., October 9, 1831, but in the spring of 1833 was taken by his parents to Michi- gan, where he was educated in the public schools. On the 3d of July, 1854, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah Elizabeth Havens. To them were born two children, a son and daughter, namely: Du Ray, and Emma S., now the widow of Rev. S. G. Blanchard, of Buena Park, Orange county, Cal.

Mr. Smith continued his residence in Michigan until the 14th of March, 1859, when he started for California by way of Panama, and on the 17th of April he landed in San Francisco. Some months later he embarked in merchandising in Linden, San Joaquin county, and while engaged in business at that place he served as postmaster for about eight years. Late in the year 1869 he and his family returned to Michigan on a visit and remained there a little more than a year, but in March, 1871, they again came to California, and in the following November located in Los Angeles, where they have since made their homes.

Company, established by the Patrons of Hus- bandry, and for a time was secretary of the Southern California Mutual Aid Association. He was elected state secretary of the Junior Order of American Mechanics in 1874, and the following year waselected state council secretary ofthe Order of United American Mechanics. He was manager of the free labor bureau of Los Angeles and Los An- geles county, and has taken an active and promi- nent part in fraternal organizations. He is also an ·honored member of the Masonic order, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias, and is a charter member of the So- ciety of Los Angeles County Pioneers. For several years he was connected with the Daily Commercial, of Los Angeles, a radical Republican paper, and later was part owner of the Journal, published at Oceanside. On selling out his in- terest in that paper he became connected with the Daily Sun, at San Diego, and subsequently was connected with the Informant. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Ep- worth League, and gives his support to every worthy enterprise which he believes calculated to advance the moral and material welfare of the community in which he lives.

C AMES M. KING. There are very few men ·who have been identified with the agricul- tural development of Los Angeles county for a longer period than Mr. King. It was during 1858 that he, a boy of eleven years, came with his mother and step-father to California, and from that time to the presest he has made his home in this county. When he started out in the world for himself, in 1867, he settled on a ranch near the present site of Whittier and here he still resides, having meantime witnessed the growth of this community and the extension of its interests. He has himself been a contributor to the development of its material resources, and has just reason to be proud of his long and hon- orable connection with local affairs. Heis a char- ter member of the Los Nietos Valley Pioneer Club and has a wide acquaintance among the early set- tlers connected with this and other pioneer so- cieties.

In 1873 Mr. Smith was chosen assistant man- In Knox county, Ind., Mr. King was born ager and secretary of the Grange Co-operative January 7, 1847, a son of William and Nancy

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(Murphy) King, natives of Indiana and descend- ants of pioneers of that state. In infancy he was taken to Illinois by his parents and a few years later to Plano, Tex., where his father died. With his mother and step-father, Joseph Haynes, in 1858 he crossed the southern plains to California and settled in El Monte. His educational ad- vantages were limited; in fact, he has had little education except such as he has secured for him- self, by dint of careful reading and habits of close observation. In early manhood he spent a short time near Downey, this county, from which place he came to his present ranch, purchasing thirty acres which then comprised a stock range. This property he planted to English walnuts and fruits, and the farm has, by careful cultivation, become a valuable tract and the source of a fair revenue each year to its owner.

Not being a man with an inclination toward politics or public affairs, Mr. King has never sought official positions, and the only office he has held, that of school trustee, was of an educa- tional and not a political nature. He filled it for several years and with credit to himself. In re- ligion he is a member of the Seventh Day Advent Church. In 1865 he married Mrs. Jane Burke, née Nicholson, who was born in Texas. They are the parents of three sons, of whom William lives in Whittier, Henry near this place and Charles at the homestead. By her former mar- riage Mrs. King has two children: James M. Burke and Mrs. Catharine Van Dusen. The family is not only one of the oldest in the vicinity, but one of the best known and most honored as well, and its members have the respect and es- teem of their circle of acquaintances.

D RS. JULIA SPRAGUE BARNUM. Dur- ing the almost twenty years of her resi- dence in Los Angeles, Mrs. Barnum has formed a numerous acquaintance in this city, and has also become the owner of interests here that are important and valuable. She is identified with business affairs of more than ordinary magnitude. She also possesses keen discrimina- tion, excellent judgment and wise foresight- qualities which enabled her to assist constantly

in the varied enterprises, and which have also helped her to personally manage her important interests.

Mrs. Barnum divides her time between her husband's home in New York and her Los An- geles home, known as Edgemont, retaining al- ways her affection for the "Land of Sunshine."

OMER W. JUDSON, a successful horticul- turist and walnut grower, and president of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Grow- ers' Association, is a native of Bristol, Elkhart county, Ind., where he was born May 2, 1848. His parents, Lemon and Philena (Bacon) Jud- son, were natives of Vermont. In 1856 the fam- ily moved from Indiana to California and cast their lot with the very early settlers of Sonoma county, and engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing. Here Homer W. was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the public schools of the county. In the fall of 1875 he left Northern California for what is now called Orange county, and settled at Tustin City, where he lived until 1887, busily engaged in growing oranges and apricots. He soon after moved to Los Angeles county, on the ranch which is at present his home. Of the one hundred and forty acres, about one hundred acres are under English wal- nuts. Mr. Judson takes great pride in his well- developed ranch, and is entitled to vast credit for the perfection of its management.

Mr. Judson married Martha Stanley, of Sonoma county, Cal., and of this union there were seven children, six of whom are living: Leamon H., Henry H., Carl E., Howard W., Alice P. and Edna. Frank is deceased. In political matters Mr. Judson is a Republican, and has been identi- fied with many of the enterprises for the improve- ment of his town and county. Greatly interested in education he has served for several terms as a member of the school board and as trustee of the Pico school district. He is also a director of the Los Nietos Irrigating Company, and is secretary and treasurer as well as director of the Rincon Irrigation Company. Mr. Judson is a promi- nent member of the Los Nietos Valley Pioneer Club.

Mr. Judson takes first rank as a progressive,

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wide-awake member of the community, and is esteemed for the generosity that impels him to devote time and attention to the bettering of the conditions by which he is surrounded.

RACY ABBOTT. Though not a native of California, Mr. Abbott has been a resident of this state from his earliest recollection, and hence he is thoroughly and typically Cali- fornian in his tastes. Fond of horticulture, he gives much of his time to the management of his fruit farm near Rivera, which he purchased in 1880 and on which he has made his home since 1890. The property comprises fifteen and one- half acres, the most of which is under walnuts, although there are also some orange trees on the land. For years he has acted as agent for various fruit companies of Southern California, and has bought, packed and shipped fruit in their in- terests. For fifteen years he has represented several fruit firms in Riverside, and at this writing acts as agent for A. Gregory, a fruit dealer and shipper of Redlands.

In Illinois Mr. Abbott was born October 7, 1857, a son of Capt. William A. and Harriet C. (Clark) Abbott, natives of Maine, the former of English extraction, the latter of Scotch descent. In 1859 the family left Bangor, Me., on a sailing vessel, of which the father was captain. They sailed round Cape Horn and finally landed in San Francisco, where they established their liome and remained for some years. Meantime the captain followed a seafaring life, being commander of both sailing vessels and steam ships. For more than forty years he followed the sea. He took the first vessel into the harbor of Newport, Orange county, and was one of the earliest skip- pers of the Pacific coast. His death occurred in Riverside in 1878.

From the age of two years until ten Tracy Ab- hott lived in San Francisco, where his primary education was acquired. He accompanied the family from that city to San Diego, Cal., and soon went with them to Santa Ana, thence to River- side, where his parents died. His education was completed in a private college in San Diego, where he had excellent advantages under in- structors of a high grade. After having been a resident of Riverside for eighteen years, al-

together, he came to Rivera, his present home. He and his wife (formerly Miss Linnie H. Jones, and a native of New England) are the parents of two children, Bessie M. and Willie T.

The Republican party receives the stanch sup- port of Mr. Abbott, who is a firm believer in the wisdom of its principles and platform. He is associated with the Modern Woodmen of America at Rivera and the Royal Neighbors at Los An- geles. Few men in this section are better acquainted with the fruit industry than he, and it is a matter of pride with him that his knowl- edge of the business is thorough, detailed and complete. As agent for companies he has shown himself to be a man of sagacity, enterprise and prudence, which qualities, together with his in- timate knowledge of every detail of the in- dustry, make his opinion valuable on all questions of markets, prices and shipments.

12 ON MANUEL DOMINGUEZ was born in San Diego January 26, 1803, a son of Doñ Cristobal Dominguez, an officer under the Spanish government at the time California came into the possession of the United States. A brother of Doñ Cristobal, Juan José, received from the king of Spain a concession of ten and one-half leagues of land, comprising the rancho de San Pedro, in Los Angeles county. On the death of Doñ Juan José, in 1822, Governor Pablo de Sola gave the rancho to Cristobal, from whom it descended to Doñ Manuel, and the latter made it his home until death.

In 1827 Don Manuel married Doña Maria Engracia Cota, daughter of Doñ Guillermo Cota, commissioner under the Mexican government. Eight daughters and two sons were born to them, of whom six daughters are living, the youngest of the daughters being the wife of John F. Francis, of Los Angeles.

The Dominguez name is closely associated with the history of this locality. In 1828 the don was elected a member of the Illustrious Ayuntamiento of the city of Los Angeles. In 1829 he was a delegate to nominate representa- tives to the Mexican congress. In 1832 he was first alcalde and judge of the first instance for Los Angeles. In 1833 he was elected territorial representative for Los Angeles county to the

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assembly at Monterey. In 1834 he was called to a conference at Monterey for the secularization of the missions. In 1839 he was chosen second alcalde for Los Angeles; in 1842 was elected first alcalde and judge of the first instance; in 1843 was pre- fect of the second district of California; in 1849 was a delegate to the first constitutional convention, which formulated the constitution of the state; in 1854 was made supervisor of the county, and he was also offered high positions under the United States government, but these he invariably re- fused. He retained his portion of the ranch, amounting to twenty-five thousand acres, until his death, which occurred October 11, 1882. In 1884 all of the land, except the island and several thousand acres near the mouth of the San Gabriel river, was divided among his six daughters, and they still own the property, preserving in good repair the adobe house in which their parents lived for fifty-five years. Mrs. Dominguez did not long survive her husband, dying at the home- stead March 16, 1883.

OHN S. BAKER. Comparatively few of the business men of Los Angeles county have been lifelong residents of this state, the ma- jority, as is well known, having come from the east in youth or early manhood. However, Mr. Baker can pride himself on being a native-born son of the county, where he was born December 6, 1855, and where he still makes his home. For some years he has been engaged in the manufac- ture of wine at Santa Fe Springs, where he makes his home. He has witnessed the trans- formation of this locality from a dreary waste, ilk- habited only by thousands of squirrels, into a prosperous and cultivated region, the home of an intelligent and successful people.

The parents of Mr. Baker are Samuel G. and Elizabeth Baker, who were natives of England, but emigrated to America in 1853, settling first in Riverside, Cal., but soon removing to Nor- walk, this state, where for more than thirty years the father carried on agriculture and cattle-rais- ing. Some years since they established their home in Los Angeles, where they now reside, both quite active and robust, in spite of their more than seventy-five busy years of existence. The father, though starting out without means,

accumulated a competency, assisted by the economy and prudence of his wife. In politics he has been a Republican ever since becoming a citizen of the United States.

Little of special moment characterized the youthful years of John S. Baker. Attendance at school alternated with the care of his father's cattle and the tilling of the farm-land. When he reached his majority he began for himself, and for some years engaged in farming, but later drifted into the manufacture of various of the leading brands of wines, which he has since suc- cessfully continued. He is a member of the Los Nietos Club and takes an interest in its welfare. Local movements of unquestioned value find in him a stanch supporter. He is public-spirited to an unusual degree. Politically he votes the Re- publican ticket, both in local and national elec- tions. In fraternal relations he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. While his entire life has been passed as a resident of California his travels have been extensive, and he has thus gained a cosmo- politan knowledge that renders him a useful citizen. During 1900 he went abroad and visited points of interest in Europe, especially the Paris exposition, which was in progress at the time.

Mr. Baker married Miss Julia Mekeel, who was born in Iowa. They are the parents of four children, Hazel, Everett J., Leona and Bessie.

AMUEL A. OVERHOLTZER, a promi- nent citizen, and a member of the firm of Billheimer & Overholtzer, grocers of South Pasadena, was born in San Joaquin county, Cal., July 13, 1874. He is a son of Samuel A. and Maria E. (Harnish) Overholtzer, now deceased. They were early settlers of Covina, Cal. Further mention of the Overholtzer family is made else- where in this volume.

Samuel Overholtzer was reared in San Joaquin county until 1886, in which year he moved with his parents to Covina, Cal., and there acquired his preliminary education in the public schools. He subsequently studied at Lordsburg College, and is a graduate of the Los Angeles Business College. He has always been interested in the cause of education, aud has, for about six years, been principal of the commercial department of Lordsburg College. For a time, also, he served

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with credit as secretary of the board of trustees of this same institution of learning. In June, 1900, Mr. Overholtzer became a member of the mercantile firm of Billheimer & Overholtzer, in which capacity he still continues.

Mr. Overholtzer married Mareta B. Hoff, of Pomona, Cal .; of this union there is one son, Charles E.

A public-spirited, enterprising man, Mr. Over- holtzer is willing to devote his time, atten- tion and money to the furthering of the public welfare. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he has strong Prohibition tendencies. As a member of the German Baptist Brethren Church, and as deacon in the same he is a generous contributor and an earnest worker.

LIVER PERRY PASSONS. Not all men given to charity have desired that their gen- erosity should be heralded forth to the world, in order that the praise of men might reward their deeds of mercy; but many have preferred to live "golden lives among the lowly," and have been content with the reward of an approving con- science and the satisfaction of having made some weary heart glad and some fireside more cheerful. Such, in the main, was Oliver Perry Passons, to whose kind heart there are many to testify. He was so unostentatious in his helpful acts that the entire extent of his charities will never be known, but sufficient is known to indicate his generous nature and kindly heart.

In 1824, on the 4th of July, a day made mem- orable by the noble deeds of our Revolutionary ancestors, Oliver P. Passons was born in White county, Tenn. He spent the years of boy hood on his father's farm. In 1847 he went to Texas, and for a time worked on the overland service as an employe of the United States government. In 1849 he started for the gold fields of California via Mexico. On the way he was captured by the Apache Indians, who deprived him of all he had, even taking the clothes he wore. After shooting the load out of his rifle they handed it to him, and he lost no time in covering the ten miles that lay between him and the nearest settlement. He returned to El Paso and entered the government overland service between that city and Mexico.

With a large party, in 1850, Mr. Passons again

started for California. With one companion he walked the entire distance from Fort Yuma to Los Angeles, at the same time carrying provisions and water. He followed the carpenter's trade at first and assisted in building the government warehouse at Wilmington. Later he settled on the Barton ranch and built the first frame house in the Los Nietos valley.

After keeping "old bachelor's hall" until 1853 he was married on the 23d of September, that year, to Mrs. Nancy Graham, who survives him. Two children were born to them: Jane and Mon- roe. In 1855 he bought one hundred acres, con- prising the ranch where the balance of his life was passed. Being always interested in the de- velopment of the county, he began to experiment with English walnuts, and planted the first wal- nut orchard in this locality. Some few trees had been planted in other places, but his was the first orchard ever planted here. He was prudent, economical and thrifty, and soon accumulated a sufficient amount of this world's goods to "take life easy," as far as manual labor was concerned. He was not a church member, but supported lib- erally the churches of the valley. As before in- timated, he gave liberally for philanthropic move- ments and charity. In fact, his kindness of heart was sometimes taken advantage of by designing persons; but by every good and true citizen he was held in the highest esteem. As a friend and neighbor he had no superior. He died February 25, 1895, and his funeral was the largest ever held in the valley up to that time, there being about one hundred and fifty vehicles in the funeral procession. The pall-bearers were old neighbors and friends, viz .: George Cole, S. G. Reynolds, William Moss, J. W. Burke, H. L. Montgomery and E. L. Parish.

At a meeting of the directors of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association (which was organized by Mr. Passons), held March 18, 1895, the following resolutions were passed:

" WHEREAS, The All-wise Ruler has seen fit to remove from our midst O. P. Passons, a pioneer of the Los Nietos valley, and the organizer of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Asso- ciation; therefore, be it

" Resolved, That in the death of O. P. Passons the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers'

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Association has lost a valuable and esteemed member and an able counselor, the community an upright and honored citizen;

"That the sympathy of this Association be extended to the bereaved family, and that they be furnished a copy of these resolutions;

" That these resolutions be placed on the min- utes of this Association and be sent to the press for publication."

(Signed),

J. A. MONTGOMERY, Secretary.

ILLIAM CARUTHERS. Since taking up his residence near Downey, Mr. Caruthers has substantially impressed his merit upon the community, and as one of the oldest settlers in this part of the state he has naturally witnessed many changes, and has contributed in no slight degree to the advancement and well being of his surroundings.

A native of Louisiana, William Caruthers was born January 22, 1830, and is a son of John and Francis (Murphy) Caruthers, the former a native of Missouri. The Caruthers family is of Scotch descent. When an infant in arms William Ca- ruthers was taken by his parents to southeastern Texas, where he was reared on his father's farm and instructed in the various duties of an enter- prising and thrifty agriculturist. His opportu- nities for acquiring an education were of the meagre sort, and would illy compare with those enjoyed by the youth of to-day. The instruction of the early subscription schools left much to be desired, and the pupils necessarily resorted later on to the various ways of increasing their fund of information. William Caruthers was no ex- ception to the rule, and as time went on he had considerable opportunity for acquiring a knowi- edge of business methods.

While living in Texas Mr. Caruthers married Amarado Perry, a native of Tennessee. To this couple were born eight children, seven of whom are living, namely: Mrs. L. M. Grider, of Los Angeles; William; Jefferson D .; Mrs. J. T. Ste- vens, living at Needles, Cal .; Mrs. Marion Mc- Clure, of Missouri; Hugh; and John P.

In 1859, accompanied by his family, Mr. Ca- ruthers left Texas for California, and joined a train of emigrants in crossing the plains. They traveled in the usual way in those early days,

with wagons and ox-teams, and arrived at their destination in San Luis Obispo county, after a trying and dangerous journey covering many months. He lived in San Luis Obispo county until 1865, when he removed to his present ranch near Downey. The land was in practically a wild condition, and he at once commenced its cultivation, with the result that it is to-day a fine and remunerative venture.

Mr. Caruthers is a public-spirited and enter- prising man, and has won the confidence of his associates in California. Heis greatly interested in the cause of education, and has served several terms on the school board. He is a believer in the principles of the Democratic party, and is interested in all of the undertakings of the same. He is also a member of the Los Nietos and Ranch- ito Walnut Growers' Association, incorporated. Fraternally he is associated with the Masonic order at Downey.

ILLIAM L. WITHEROW. The ranch owned and occupied by Mr. Witherow lies in the Ranchito district, near Rivera, and contains nineteen acres, mostly under walnuts. Since 1894 Mr. Witherow has given his attention to the cultivation of the place. The products of the ranch are disposed of principally through the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Asso- ciation, of which he is a member. The father of our subject, Hon. John Witherow, was born in Pennsylvania, and in boyhood moved to Hen- dricks county, Ind., where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. His talents brought him into public notice, and he was elected to a number of positions of honor and trust, the most important of these being the office of state sen- ator, in which he served with distinction and credit. On account of his wife's ill health he decided to seek a more genial climate, and ac- cordingly, in 1869, came to California, where she was soon restored to strength. For some years Mr. Witherow taught school in Shasta county. In 1874 he brought the family to Los Angeles county. The confinement of educational work, in which he first engaged, seriously affected his health and he was obliged to seek an occupation permitting more outdoor exercise. He therefore settled on a farm a short distance west of Los Angeles, and there he remained until his death,

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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 90

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