Historical and biographical record of southern California; containing a history of southern California from its earliest settlement to the opening year of the twentieth century, Part 115

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman pub. co.
Number of Pages: 1366

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given credentials which would be of value in any part of the world. Mr. Pollard is now mak- ing arrangements to go to Los Angeles to build the lighthouse.

While living in England, in 1878, Mr. Pollard married Harriet France, and of this union there are six children: Raymond, Florence, Ethel, Bessie, Beatrice and Roland. In addition to his general contracting Mr. Pollard is the owner and manager of an hotel in Naples. He is politically a Republican, and fraternally asso- ciated with the Knights of Pythias in New · Jersey. In the memory of himself and family is the interesting fact that they were among the last American citizens to see the now historic Maine on its way to its doom in Havana harbor. They had left New York on board a steamer which arrived at Norfolk just as the North American Squadron received orders to proceed to Cuban waters, and they watched the departure of the stately fighting machines that later brought so much added glory to thie United States navy, and one of which in its de- struction was destined to be the real impetus of the Spanish-American war.

ANTHONY R. PIERCE. Industry, wise judgment and energy are marked elements in the character of Mr. Pierce and have been the principal factors in the attainment of financial success, which enables him to spend his later years in retirement from business cares and anxieties. Now a resident of Pasadena, where he established his home in 1886, he was born in Randolph county, Ind., March 26, 1833, being a son of Thomas and Lydia (Ward) Pierce, natives respectively of Loudoun county, Va., and Ohio. His maternal grandfather, Thomas Ward, was a Virginian who became a pioneer farmer of Indiana and remained there until death. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Pierce, was a Scotchman who immigrated to the United States at an early age and participated in the Revolutionary war. When a mere boy Thomas Pierce settled among the Indians in what is now Randolph county, Ind., of which he was one of the very first white settlers and in which he entered and improved a homestead of three hun- dred acres. He lived to be sixty-eight years of · age, and his wife survived him, dying at eighty- three years. Their six sons and four daughters attained mature years, and only one preceded the father in death, while eight were still living when the mother passed away.

In the family Anthony R. was fifth in order of birth. When he was a boy schools were few and methods of instruction crude. His en- tire attendance at school only aggregated six months, and this was in a subscription school held in a log building, with slab benches, greased paper for window panes, puncheon floor, etc. It will thus be seen that he had no

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advantages whatever. All that he has and is may be attributed to the patient spirit. which enabled him to rise above obstacles. His first work was that of farm hand at twelve and one- half cents a day, and he continued at these wages until he was twenty. Going to Iowa in 1851, he pre-empted three hundred and twenty acres, but difficulties arose. which forced him to give up the tract. In the same township he en- tered one hundred and twenty acres, and there he made his home from 1855 to 1886, mean- time bringing the farm under a high state of cultivation. From time to time he added to his possessions, and at this writing still owns four hundred and one acres of highly improved land in Iowa. While in that state he laid out and founded the village of St. Anthony, which was named in his honor, and he now owns a busi- ness block there.

The first purchase made by Mr. Pierce in California comprised two acres on Munk Hill, Pasadena, but this he sold within six months, and bought other properties. Adjoining Alta- dena he now owns a ranch of thirty-five acres, with three hundred walnut trees, besides many orange, apricot, peach and prune trees. In common with many citizens of this locality, he owns water interests and has done much to foster the industry so closely allied with horti- culture in California. The North Pasadena Land and Water Company, in which he is a stockholder, is one of the important concerns of the kind in the county. Interested in Masonry, he is connected with the Knights Templar and Shriner organizations. In politics he votes with the Republican party and in re- ligion is a believer in Universalist doctrines.

The first wife of Mr. Pierce was Charlotte Bevins, a native of Illinois. The children born of their union are as follows: McHenry, of Lancaster, Cal .; Thomas J., of Marshall county, Iowa; Addina R., who married H. Beacher Ward, of Nebraska; Clara M., the widow of Frederick L. Plant, of Marshall county, Iowa; William E., of Oregon; Mamie L., Mrs. H. J. Munger, of Pasadena; and John M., who is liv- ing in Story county, Iowa. The present wife of Mr. Pierce, whom he married July 18, 1893, in Chicago, was Mrs. Anna Schultz, of foreign birth and parentage.

C. M. RICHARDSON. A thriving and con- stantly increasing business is carried on at the large livery establishment of C. M. Richardson in Ventura, and at this well conducted place tourist and permanent resident may find all manner of conveyances for a diversity of pur- poses, and may have a delightful ride over the smooth country roads on the only tally-ho coaclı this side of Los Angeles. An unusually large supply of fine appearing horses are at the dis- posal of the public, their speed and general

qualifications being far in advance of those usually found in like places of accommodation.

The youth of Mr. Richardson was spent on the home farm near Cleveland, Ohio, which was also the place of his birth. His father, Harvey Richardson, was born in Connecticut, and went to Ohio when a young man, where for many years he carried on farming and carpenter work. The mother, Susanna (Cook) Richardson, was also a native of Connecticut, but was married in Ohio. C. M. Richardson left Ohio in 1887, and came to Los Angeles, where for several months he worked as a street car conductor. He had previously purchased ten acres of land planted with apricots near Ventura, Cal., and upon this he eventually settled and lived there for seven years. He then sold out and pur- chased eleven acres three miles from the city, and four years ago bought the livery on Cali- fornia avenue near Main street, which is by far the largest barn in town.

In 1891 Mr. Richardson married Anna Fisher, a native of Nova Scotia, and of this union there is one child, Harvey, who is now eight years of age. In politics Mr. Richardson is independent and has no official aspirations. Fraternally he is associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the T. F. B., both of Ventura. With his family he affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is secure in the esteem of the community in which he lives, and his up- to-date and modern livery stable is a source of pride to the city and of convenience to all.

JOHN SCOTT. During the entire period of his residence in California, which dates from 1882, Mr. Scott has made his home at Duarte, where he cleared and improved a valuable ranch and has engaged extensively in the grow- ing of fruits. His parents, Archibald and Mary (Nelson) Scott, were natives of Scotland, but England is his native country, and his birtlı occurred in Lancashire county in 1845. When a boy he attended local schools, receiving a fair academical education. Such time as was not devoted to his studies was spent upon the home farm, where he early gained an excellent knowledge of agriculture. From 1877 until 1882 he made his home in Ontario, Canada, and from there came to Southern California. A visit to various sections convinced him that Duarte offered unexcelled advantages, and ac- cordingly he purchased property at this point.

The twenty-five acres of hill land which Mr. Scott acquired had not been improved, but was still in its primeval wild and uncultivated state. With characteristic activity, he set about its cul- tivation and the erection of necessary buildings. In addition, at the same time he acquired other property, all of which was developed under his capable oversight. His cottage was erected at a point commanding a fine view of the San

W.O. F. Richards

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Gabriel valley stretching away for miles to the hills at Puente. Much of the land is planted in the finest qualities of oranges, and there is also an orchard of deciduous fruits, including apri- cots, figs, peaches and prunes.

For some years, in the capacity of water com- missioner of his district, Mr. Scott rendered excellent service, and he also rendered satis- factory service as president of the Duarte Mutual Irrigation and Canal Company. Has also been county horticultural commissioner for years. So closely has his attention been given to the development of his ranch that he has had no leisure for participation in public affairs, except to vote the Republican ticket in national elections. He was reared in the faith of the Church of England and is now an Episcopalian. In 1876 he married Sarah Fisher, a native of England, and a daughter of Henry and Eliza- beth (Sumner) Fisher. Of this marriage were born four children now living, namely: Eliza- beth Mary, Margaret Crawford, Archibald and Alice Marion.

W. D. F. RICHARDS. The financial and executive ability which has placed Mr. Rich- ards in the front ranks of the promoters of Ventura county, and the perseverance and wisely laid plans for improving the opportunities within reach of his all-around capacity are in no sense overshadowed by his fame as founder of the town of Saticoy. It is his lot to deserve the kindly interest regarding the circumstances which fashioned his success in life, and the methods pursued while treading the uneven path indicated by a moderately indulgent fortune. He was born in Fairfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., March 8, 1838, of an ancestry which settled during the eighteenth century in America, and was represented in the war of the Revolution by the paternal grandfather, Joseph, who was born in Connecticut. The parents of W. D. F. Richards, Benjamin and Hepsey (De Forest) Richards, were born respectively in New York state, June 30, 1800, and in Connecticut June 20, 1800. On the maternal side the ancestry is interestingly interwoven with the sufferings of the French Huguenots, who were forced to foreswear their Prostestantism or flee the country. A relative of the maternal grandfather, Isaac De Forest, whose name was David C. De Forest, sought an asylum of tolerance in Amer- ica, and in gratitude to the country which granted him freedom in action as well as thought, he gave before his death to Yale col- lege an endowment fund for the education of any who bore the name of De Forest. Jesse De Forest by virtue of a charter from the states general of Holland founded the city of New Amsterdam (now New York City) in 1623.

The sixth in a family of nine children, W. D. F. Richards was educated at the public schools, and at Fairfield Academy, one of the earliest in-

stitutions of learning in New York. He came to California in May, 1868, locating soon after in the Santa Clara valley, where he purchased six hundred acres of land on the old Santa Paula y Saticoy tract, and was one of the first in his neighborhood to begin improving the raw land. He soon began the raising of flax and canary seed, and one year he raised three thou- sand bushels of the latter commodity, for which he received from three to five cents a pound. Of later years he has been devoting his land to walnuts and apricots, having about four thou- sand apricot trees, and fifty acres of Santa Bar- bara soft shell walnuts. All needful improve- ments have been instituted on his ranch, and his home is one of the most delightful in the valley.

In 1887 Mr. Richards surveyed and platted a tract of his farm, which eventually evolved into the town of Saticoy, and he was the first to build houses and stores. The town in its pres- ent prosperous and promising condition, its ad- vantages of situation, and fortunate possession of enterprising citizens, is the result of the faith in its ultimate well-being cherished in the mind of its foremost citizen, and practically demon- strated in innumerable lasting ways. In further- ing the interests of the town he has for many years been engaged in general merchandising, and owns the West Saticoy general store with its complete line of general necessities. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Ditch Company, and many other organizations have profited by his intuitive prophecy of their use- fulness in the community. His influence has been materially augmented by his activity in promoting the building of the Presbyterian Church of Saticoy, as well as the Methodist Episcopal Church, for both of which he con- tributed the lots, and subscribed liberally towards the construction. A Republican in politics, he has taken an active part in town and county politics, and has been a delegate to 11timerous conventions. He was one of the commissioners who separated Ventura from Santa Barbara county, and aided in the organ- ization of the county, and in securing the first postoffice for West Saticoy.

October 4, 1877, Mr. Richards was united in marriage with Carrie Leavens, a native of Tren- ton Falls, Oneida county, N. Y., and daughter of Hamilton Leavens, of New York.

JOHN B. RAPP. A residence of twenty- two years or more in the district of Hollywood has brought to Mr. Rapp a wide acquaintance throughout this part of Los Angeles county. where he is engaged in raising greenhouse products and vegetables for the market. Of German parentage, he was born August 11. 1847, in Rüdesheim, on the right bank of the Rhine, opposite the world-famed city of Bingen. At fourteen years of age he left home

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and ever since then he has been self-support- ing. It was his intention to learn the trade of a maker of surgical instruments, and with that object in view he went to Wiesbaden, fifteen miles away, where he paid $175 for the privilege of being apprenticed to a leading man in the art. For three years he served at the trade without pay, and at the expiration of that time became a journeyman, working at his trade through Europe and Asia, and in the northern part of Africa. Returning home at the age of nineteen years, he followed the usual custom among Germans of offering his services to the army, in which he spent the three ensu- ing years. Ten months after he had been hon- orably discharged war broke out between Ger- many and France, and he was at once called into service, re-entering the army and engaging in its campaigns, marches and battles for the next seven months. When the war ended he still continued with the army, remaining about fourteen months altogether.

His travels throughout the old world had in- spired Mr. Rapp with a desire to see America, concerning which he had so frequently heard from his childhood days. During October, 1872, he took passage on the steamer Main, which, after a voyage of eighteen days cast anchor in New York. From there he pro- ceeded to Carlstadt, N. J., and secured employ- ment in a watch case factory. Not entirely satisfied with his prospects, he still sought other fields and a more suitable location. After two years he took passage on a steamship for Aspinwall, where he crossed the isthmus. His original plan of visiting South America was changed and he came to California on the steamer Montana, which arrived in San Fran- cisco in December, 1874. The next ten months were spent at his trade in that city, from which he went to Portland, Ore., and began to manu- facture cutlery and surgical instruments. While the business proved a profitable venture, the climate was so unhealthful that he was obliged to change, and accordingly returned to San Francisco, where he took up a similar line of business.

On coming to Los Angeles, in May, 1877, Mr. Rapp found a small city, whose people had little money and whose outlook for the future contained few encouraging features. However, the climate was so ideal that he decided to re- main, and so opened a small repair and manu- facturing shop. In 1879 he came to Hollywood district and bought a home, after which he con- tinued to ride back and forth between his coun- try place and the city every day on horseback. In the fall of 1881 he sold the business, since which he has given his attention exclusively to his greenhouse and market gardening industry. His first purchase consisted of fifteen acres, to which he added eighteen months later fourteen

acres, all of which is now improved and forms a neat homestead. Since becoming an Ameri- can citizen he has voted with the Democrats in national issues and has served his party as com- mitteeman. Six months after coming to Los Angeles Mr. Rapp married Miss Elizabeth Foerst, who was born in the same part of Ger- many as himself and whom he had known in childhood. They are the parents of seven chil- dren, namely: Elizabeth, Mrs. Otto Harms; Emily and Matilda (twins), Theodore, Otto, Arno and Ernest, all at home except the eldest daughter.

WILLIS H. SMITH, engaged in a lucrative harness and saddlery business in Pasadena, was born in Otisco, Onondaga county, N. Y., in November, 1855, a son of Willis G. and Almira (Whitney) Smith, also natives of New York state. The paternal grandfather, Smith, was a practicing physician of Otisco, N. Y., and his son, Willis G., followed in his professional foot- steps. The latter was also identified with medi- cal and surgical affairs in Otisco for a number of years, but owing to ill health he eventually retired to Savannah, N. Y., where he in time engaged in the mercantile business. About 1887 he came to Pasadena, where he died, leav- ing a wife and five sons, two of whom are in California, Willis H. being the third youngest in the family. Charles A. Smith is with the Columbia Banking Company of San Francisco; and A. P. is in the dry-goods business in Savan- nah, N. Y.

After studying in the public schools of Otisco and Savannah, N. Y., Mr. Smith became inter- ested in his father's mercantile business in the latter city, having learned it in childhood. At the age of eighteen he became a bookkeeper for Mr. Hemingway, of Syracuse, N. Y., but not being able to stand the confinement, en- gaged in the livery business in Auburn, N. Y., with which city he was identified on and off for eight years. He was city treasurer and recorder for several years, and was prominent in gen- eral affairs. In the mean time he had under- taken a stationery business at Rock Rapids, where also he took an active interest in political and social undertakings. In May of 1892 he located in Pasadena as bookkeeper for Ken- nedy & Co., grocers, with whom he remained for about four years, later becoming book- keeper for the Union Savings Bank, of which his brother was cashier. This position he re- signed in the fall of 1896, to engage in the har- ness business, to which he has since devoted his energies, and which has been attended by such gratifying success. His establishment is advan- tageously located in the heart of the city, and the majority of the exclusive and exacting trade has come his way. He has furnished the Ray- mond livery and full outfit of harness manu-

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factured by himself; also the Morgan outfit, as well as that of many other citizens whose turn- outs are characterized by extreme simplicity and elegance.

In Savannah, N. Y., Mr. Smith married Mar- tha Smith, born in Seneca county, N. Y., and daughter of Bela Smith, a hardware merchant of Savannah. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born three children: Gertrude, a gradu- ate of the Pomona College, and of the Univer- sity of California, class of 1902; Elbert, a graduate of the high-school, and bookkeeper for the Pasadena National Bank; and Addison; at- tending the Throop Polytechnic. Mr. Smith is a Republican in political affiliation, a member of the Board of Trade and the Merchants' Pro - tective Association. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

MRS. JEANNIE E. STICKNEY. Far re- moved from the happy scenes of her girlhood, Mrs. Stickney is passing life's tranquil twilight in Monrovia, where she has made her home since 1897. Largely through the distinguished public services of her father, Hon. Amos Ken- dall, the family of which she is a member has been intimately associated with our nation's progress. Descended from Francis Kendall, who crossed the ocean about 1840 from Eng- land to Woburn, Mass., Amos Kendall was born of poor parents, at Dunstable, Mass., August 16, 1789. Neither outward circumstances nor the influence of friends were indicative of the success he was to achieve; but, being early thrown upon his own resources, he developed qualities of self-reliance and perseverance that were of inestimable value in subsequent years. When sixteen years of age he entered Dart -- mouth College, from which he was graduated in 1811 at the head of his class, although he had frequently been out of school in order to earn the necessary funds for college expenses.

After a few years of law study, in 1814 Mr. Kendall settled in Lexington, Ky., where he was tutor in the family of Henry Clay during that great statesman's absence to negotiate the treaty of Ghent. Later he became editor of a paper at Georgetown, Ky., where he was also postmaster. In 1816 he bought an interest in the Argus of Western America, the state jour- nal at Frankfort. Largely through his efforts one-half of the profits of the Bank of the Com- monwealth were set aside for the school fund, by legislative act. In 1829 he was appointed fourth auditor of the treasury. During the fol- lowing years he aided in shaping the president's anti-bank policy, was appointed a special treas- ury agent to negotiate with state banks, and became a distinct power in public affairs. It was at this time that Harriet Martineau wrote of him: "I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of Amos Kendall, one of the most re- markable men in America. He is supposed to

be the moving spring of the administration; the thinker, planner and doer, but it is all in the dark." An additional honor came to him in 1835, when he was appointed postmaster-gen- eral. During his service he freed the depart- ment from debt and introduced many reforms. In 1840 he retired from the cabinet, refusing a foreign mission tendered him by President Polk. For a short time afterward he was at the head of a bi-weekly called Kendall's Expositor, and a weekly the Union Democrat. In 1845 he became associated with Prof. Samuel F. B. Morse in the ownership of his telegraph patents, and his connection with their management, after years of trial and defeat, made him a rich man. The remainder of his life was passed at his coun- try seat, Kendall Green, near Washington, D. C. During the Civil war he supported the Union cause, and his last political address was made for General McClellan at Trenton, N. J., in 1861.

In the midst of all his activities, Mr. Kendall found time to interest himself in worthy char- ities, and no deserving cause appealed in vain to him for help. One of his most notable philan - thropies was the contributing of $100,000 for the building of the Calvary Baptist Church at Washington, D. C., dedicated to his wife, while two mission schools received $25,000 to for- ward their work. He lived to see the develop- inent of his idea of a collegiate department for the classical education of the deaf mutes and made the address at their first commencement. He resigned the presidency in favor of E. M. Gallandet, who is still its president. More than once he gave scholarships to the Columbian College, of whose board of trustees he served as president. With all of his other busy affairs he maintained an interest in literature, kept posted concerning those books that marked epochs in the world of thought, and was himself the author of several productions. He commenced a "Life of Andrew Jackson, Private, Military and Civil," but was unable to complete it be- cause of the failure of a friend to supply him with the necessary material. His death oc- curred at Washington, D. C., November II, 1869.

After having completed her education in a ladies' seminary at Washington, Miss Jeannie E. Kendall in 1852 became the wife of Willianı Stickney, who was born in Bangor, Me., and graduated from Columbian College. He studied law with Judge Lomax, of Virginia, to whosc sons he was tutor. In 1847 he began to prac- tice law in St. Louis, but in 1850 returned to Washington and in 1852 became assistant coun- sel in Prof. Morse's telegraph cases and resided in New York. Subsequently he became private secretary to Amos Kendall, continuing in that position until Mr. Kendall's death. Later he was president of the National Safe Deposit Sav- ings Trust Company of Washington, also acted as a member of the Indian peace commission

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Historical and biographical record of southern California; containing a history of southern California from its earliest settlement to the opening year of the twentieth century, Part 115

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918 Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman pub. co. Number of Pages: 1366

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman pub. co.
Number of Pages: 1366