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 128

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

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

city and the county, in which capacity he has given general satisfaction. In pursuing the noble calling of medicine he has won laurels for him- self. Through his studies and reading he keeps abreast with modern discoveries in the science and the proper application of the same. The same ability which has given him prominence as a physician is always at the service of the community in which he lives. To the promo- tion of meritorious enterprises he is a contrib- utor. In Masonry he is past master of the Blue Lodge, also past high priest of the Pomona Chapter and past commander of the Southern California Commandery. By his marriage to Eleanor Coffin, a native of Maine, he has two children, namely: Harris, who is a medical stu- dent in Los Angeles; and Eleanor, who is at- tending the Pomona schools.

HENRY X. GOETZ. The fact that Mr. Goetz has made Santa Monica his home since May, 1887, entitles him to a position among its pioneers, for he came here within a very few months after the incorporation of the city. By birth a Canadian, he unites the thrifty traits of his race with the genial characteristics of his Irish ancestry and the persevering industry of his German forefathers. Many years ago his grandfather, Cassius Goetz, came from Ger- many to America and settled on a farm in On- tario, where he died at about eighty years of age. While the family were crossing the At- lantic a son was born, whom they named An- drew. In time this son became a farmer near the old homestead and still continues in the same place, but is now retired from active la- bors. When a young man he married Eliza- beth Berry, who was born in county Wicklow, Ireland, and crossed the ocean to Canada at the age of fourteen years. Born of their union were eight children, all but one of whom still survive. One of the sons, John A., resides in Oxnard, Cal .; another, W. B., is in Los An- geles; and a third, Henry X., the oldest of the children, is a contractor and builder in Santa Monica. He was born on the homestead near Guelph, Ontario, August 7, 1861, and spent his boyhood years in alternating farm work with school studies. Later he learned the carpen- ter's trade at Walkerville, Canada. In April, 1883, he removed to Victoria, British Colum- bia, where he engaged in contracting.

On coming to California Mr. Goetz engaged in the building business at San Francisco. After cleven months there, in October, 1886, he came to Los Angeles, and in May of the following year settled in Santa Monica. Among his con- tracts may be mentioned those for the Bank building, a part of the Steer block, North Beach bathhouse, power house, Presbyterian Church. Santa Monica hotel, Academy of Holy Name (for which he also drew the plans), Lincoln

school, and many elegant residences of Santa Monica, besides a number in Los Angeles, the power house in Santa Barbara, etc. He is a member of the Los Angeles Builders' Ex- change. His marriage took place in Los An- geles and united him with Miss Catherine Gen- evieve Wood, who was born in San Francisco, her parents and grandfathers having been early settlers of that city. The children born of their union are Joseph, Mary and Milton. The Dem- ocratic party has a firm supporter in Mr. Goetz, who has been a member of the county central committee several years and was also a member of the first committee of fifty for the reorganiza- tion of the Democratic party in the county. As a local leader of the party he has done much to promote its welfare and advance its cause. Ac- tive in the work of the Foresters of America, at this writing he is deputy grand chief ranger of the Foresters of his home district, and has done much to awaken an interest in this order among the people of this locality.

W. E. KIMMELL. The great brotherhood of engineers has no more capable addition to its ranks than W. E. Kimmell, chief in charge of the engineering department of the cracker and bis- cuit manufactory of Bishop & Company. Before coming to Los Angeles in 1892 Mr. Kimmell had experienced the varying fortunes of the rancher and business man, and in his chosen oc- cupation had qualified for any position, however responsible. At first he was engineer for the Hughes mill, later was connected in the same capacity with the high school, and in 1895 was appointed to his present important post. He operates an engine with a two hundred pound boiler capacity.

A native of Flushing, Genesee county, Mich., Mr. Kimmell was born December 28, 1853, and is a son of Rev. S. B. Kimmell, born in Penn- sylvania, and member of a family long connected with that state. Rev. Mr. Kimmell, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, carried on his humanitarian work in different parts of Michi- gan, Detroit, Howell, Holly, Flushing and South Saginaw being among his principal charges. After a life of ceaseless activity he came to South- ern California in 1890, and is now living on a ranch at Hemet in comparative retirement from large responsibilities. His wife, formerly Sarah Freeman, was born at Seville, Medina county, Ohio, a daughter of Rev. Rufus Freeman, a local clergyman in the Baptist Church at Seville. He was at one time a large land owner and extensive agriculturist in Medina county, and organized the Ohio Farmers' Insurance Company, with headquarters at Westfield, Ohio, and of which enterprise he was president for many years, and up to the time of his death. Mrs. Kimmell, who is still living, is the mother of four children, of whom W. E. is the oldest.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

The education acquired in the public schools and during a two years' course at the University of Michigan, was utilized by Mr. Kimmell in teaching in different parts of Michigan. Upon removing to South Dakota, he homesteaded land near Castleton, and engaged in ranching and raised stock on a large scale. He also engaged as a stationary engineer for five years, following which he removed to Melrose, Minn., and en- gaged in a general merchandise business for three years. He afterwards built and operated a creamery for two years, or until his removal to Los Angeles in 1892. In Michigan he married Lillie A. Hood, who was born in Shiawassee county, that state, and of this union there is one child, Ernest W.

Mr. Kimmell is not only one of the best engi- neers on the coast, but he possesses a cultivated mind, and is well abreast of current events. His pronounced executive ability has been demon- strated in many ways, not the least important of which is in connection with the presidency of the California Division No. 2, National Association of Stationary Engineers, of which he is at present a member of the educational committee. He is also active in the Epworth League. As a mem- ber of the official board of the Methodist Episco- pal Church he exerts an influence for all-around good, and he is also a teacher in the Sunday- school.

ROBERT McPHERSON. No name is more closely connected with the early growth and de- velopment of Orange county than that of Robert McPherson. Of Scottish descent, he traces his ancestry back through the name of McPherson to the original historic and heroic clan, so con- spicuous in Scottish life. William McPherson, his father, in the early part of the eighteenth cen- tury, moved from Deering, N. H., to New York, where he was a most successful and prosperous farmer, and there reared a family of seven chil- dren.

Robert, the youngest son, was born in Chau- mont, Jefferson county, N. Y., in 1841, and there received his education at the Bellville Academy and Jefferson County Institute. At the age of seventeen he began teaching school in his home state, and in 1860 came to California, where he continued his profession of teaching school for a time, but later associated himself with his broth- er, Stephen McPherson, in mercantile pursuits in the northern part of the state. After years of close observation, and believing in the great pos- sibilities of the fruit industry, he removed to the place which afterwards took the name of Mc- Pherson (named in his honor) then a part of Los Angeles county, but now Orange county. The firm of McPherson Bros., of which Robert Mc- Pherson was the head, secured a large and bean- tiful tract of land, and engaged in the production, packing and shipping raisins and other products

of Southern California, in which they were abun- dantly successful. To facilitate the handling of these products, the largest packing house in the state was built and completely equipped, which became the center of attraction for all who were interested in the future prospects of the great fruit industry. The large shipments attracted. the attention of the officials of the Southern Pa- cific Railroad, who deemed the business worthy a better outlet. Through Mr. McPherson the railroad negotiated the rights-of-way, terms and conditions which resulted in the building of the Tustin Branch of that road.

The name of Robert McPherson is associated with many of the large and important undertak- ings of the Pacific Coast. He is known and hon- ored for his honest dealings and strict integrity, and the success which has rewarded his efforts is justly merited. Mr. McPherson is now a resi- dent of Los Angeles, having moved there to be nearer the interests that now occupy his attention. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and while he has done much for the party, he has never held office, his business being such as to occupy his entire attention.

Mrs. McPherson was Ann Jane Goldsworthy, a daughter of Richard Goldsworthy, an early pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. McPherson became the parents of four children, two daughters, now married, and two sons, the youngest, R. E. Mc- Pherson, now deceased, and A. W. McPherson, who now holds a position with the Southern Pa- cific Railroad at Santa Monica, Cal.

JOSEPH PRETER. The vicinity of Lake Constance, and the village of Watterdingen, Baden, Germany, hold many associations con- nected with the family of Preter, all of whom were trusted and honored members of the com- munity, and identified with the commercial and agricultural life surrounding the lake. Here the paternal grandfather, Basil, was born, reared, and followed his trade of cooper manu- facturer, and here also Mathias Preter, the father of Joseph, and his mother, Jenevive (Kauth) Preter, were born, and spent their lives. The father had a farm near Lake Constance, where he lived until his death at the age of sixty-two years, his wife pre-deceasing him at the age of forty-seven years. Mathias Preter was, like his forefathers, a member of the Cath- olic Church, and he served his country during the revolution of 1848.

Of the six children in his father's family Jo- seph Preter is the only son living and the only child in America. He was born at Lake Con- stance March 4, 1859, was reared on the farm and obtained his education in the public schools. At the age of fourteen he followed the example of the other youth in the neighborhood and was apprenticed to learn a trade, his father's selec- tion for him being that of cabinet-maker. After

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a service of two and one-half years he became a journeyman cabinet-maker, taking his way through Switzerland, France, and different parts of Germany, accumulating the while a large fund of general information by reason of his associ- ation with the various peoples with whom he came in contact. In 1880 he immigrated to America and settled in Hammond, Ind., where he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1881. A later field of endeavor was in St. Paul, Minn., where he worked at his trade until 1887, locating thereafter in Los Angeles, Cal., where, after the expiration of two years, he began contracting and building. Many residences and buildings in the town are attributable to his enterprise and proper understanding of his chosen occupation, and he has himself a pleasant and comfortable residence at No. 1109 East Twentieth street.

The marriage of Mr. Preter and Anna Clara Hutter occurred in St. Paul, Minn., the parents of Mrs. Preter coming originally from Ohio. Four children are the result of this union, Ar- thur Anthony, Marie Lora, Florence Jennie and Joseph Rudolph. Mr. Preter is a member of the Master Builders' Association, and is fra- ternally connected with the Maccabees. In na- tional politics he is independent.

R. J. CRAIG. The residences and public buildings erected in Long Beach by R. J. Craig are not only more numerous than are those at- tributed to other builders in the town, but much of his work has a particular significance, in that it was the very beginning of what has since proved a prosperous and thoroughly delightful community. He is therefore the pioneer archi- tect and builder of the place, and so well has he wrought that his services are in invariable de- mand, and his reputation extends far beyond the boundaries of his adopted city. Preceded by years of practical experience in different parts of the east he came here in the spring of 1886, and for years devoted himself exclusively to the architectural part of his work, but in more re- cent times has combined building with the exe- cution of his architectural plans. To enumer- ate the many structures which have arisen under his guidance and practical assistance were indeed a trying task, but some idea may be gained of his untiring industry by the mention of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the city hall, the pavillion on the beach, the Lowe & Bixby, Al- mind, Campbell and Stafford blocks, the Park View Hotel, the Garvin House, the Stafford resi- dence and the Bellview Lodge.

The youth of Mr. Craig was uneventfully passed in Canada, and he was born in Quebec, April 16, 1848. The paternal great-grandfather Craig came originally from Scotland and set- tled in the North of Ireland to secure more tol- erance in religious belief, and his son, Andrew, the paternal grandfather, was the first American

representative, settling near Quebec on his emi- gration from Ireland. He was a farmer by oc- cupation, and died in the land of his adoption. George F. Craig, the father of R. J., was born in the North of Ireland, and like his father was a farmer in Canada. When his son, R. J., was seven years of age he removed to the vicinity of Guelph, Ontario, and continued to farm, and in 1883 located in Osceola county, Mich., near Reed City, where he farmed and raised stock up to the time of his death. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Eliza Orr, who was born in the North of Ireland and came to the Province of Quebec with her grand- father. Mrs. Craig is the mother of twelve children, ten of whom are living, and although seventy-five years of age is still enjoying the best of health. Of the children, two sons are in Michigan, two in Iowa, one daughter is in Canada, one in New Mexico, one in Calcutta, India, and two in Long Beach.

Mr. Craig was educated in the public schools of Canada, and at the age of nineteen began teaching school in order to make money for his higher education. He entered the Victoria Col- lege and remained for a year, when, owing to impaired health, he was obliged to relinquish for the time being further attempts at study. In orderto make a livelihood he engaged as a book- keeper, and at the same time began the study of architecture in Listowell, Ontario, where he re- mained for five years. In 1878 he removed to Reed City, Mich., and engaged in architectural work and in building, and soon worked up a large trade and did much towards the upbuild- ing of the town. He put up the Methodist Epis- copal Church and many fine residences and pub- lic buildings, and for eight years made a suc- cess of a calling for which he was particularly adapted. In 1886 he located in Ontario, San Bernardino county, Cal., and continued his former success as a builder for a short time, but not being impressed with the prospects of a per- manent residence there came to Long Beach in the spring of the same year. -

In Reed City, Mich., Mr. Craig married Mar- tha Hall, a native of the vicinity of Lansing, Mich., and who died in Ontario, Cal. Of this union there was one child, Arthur, who is at- tending the high-school. Since coming to Long Beach Mr. Craig has married Victoria Ferguson, a native of Ontario, and of Scotch descent. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Craig, Vera, Herbert, Leslie and Gertrude. Mr. Craig is a Republican in national politics but is not radical in his belief. He is connected with the Independent Order of Foresters, and is a mem- ber of the board of trustees and ex-Sunday school superintendent of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. He has won by his admirable citizen- ship and mastery of his chosen occupation, the confidence and esteem of the entire community.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

OWEN McALEER. The McAleer family is one of the oldest in county Tyrone, Ireland, where its members have been influential and prominent as far back as the genealogy can be traced. Owen McAleer, Sr., was born in Innis- killen, county Tyrone, where his father, Nicholas, was a merchant tailor. In early manhood he came to America and settled on a farm in Ontario, Can- ada, later removing to Youngstown, Ohio, where he remained until his death. Mary Miller, who became his wife, was born in Carlisle, England, and now lives at Youngstown, Ohio. Her father, Jacob, was the son of Jacob Miller, Sr., a sol- dier at Waterloo under the Duke of Wellington; he married a Miss Teague, daughter of a Scotch nobleman, and afterward made his home in Car- lisle, England.

The family of Owen McAleer, Sr., comprised six sons and two daughters, of whom five sons are now living. The oldest of the survivors is Owen, Jr., who was born at Liscard, Canada, February 3, 1858. When a boy he had no ad- vantages whatever and his entire attendance at school did not exceed three months, for he was obliged to work early and late in order to help keep the family together. Though he had no opportunities for himself, he was ambitious for the other members of the family, and it was through his efforts that two of his brothers re- ceived collegiate educations. Of his four broth- ers John and Torrence are employed in Youngs- town, Ohio; Thomas is with his brother Owen in the Baker iron works, Los Angeles; and James is proprietor of a gents' furnishing store at Youngstown and manager of the St. Louis base ball team.

When nine years of age Owen McAleer en- tered the boiler shop of W. B. Pollock & Co., where he remained until 1872, and then for three years was employed in a grocery. Returning to the boiler works in 1875, he remained with the same firm until 1884, when he started the Youngs- town boiler works. Two years later he sold out and bought a one-third interest in the boiler and bridge works at Newtonia, Ohio. Selling out there in 1888, he came to California, intending to open a business in Los Angeles, but not finding an available opening he entered the employ of the Baker iron works as a boiler manufacturer. Two months later he went north, but in August Mr. Baker sent for him to return and take charge of the boiler department, since which time he has filled the position of foreman. His long connec- tion with the plant proves his ability and his thorough knowledge of the business; indeed, few are more familiar than he with all the details connected with boiler-making. In the spring of 1901 he accepted an appointment as member of the examining board of stationary engineers, and he is also connected with Los Angeles Division No. 2, National Association of Stationary Engi- neers. In politics he is a firm Republican, a

thorough believer in party principles. If he has any hobby besides that in connection with his special occupation, it is his love for fine horses, and he confesses to a weakness for standard-bred equines, of which he owns a number himself.

The McAleer residence, at No. 236 North ave- nue 23, is presided over by Mrs. McAleer, who was formerly Gertrude Mullally and was born in Covington, Ky., her father, Richard Mullally, being at this writing manager of Fuller's whole- sale salt business.

SAMUEL A. MARCHANT. The propor- tion of English-born residents of Southern Cali- fornia is not large, but their activity and success in horticultural pursuits are everywhere ac- knowledged. Among their number is Mr. Mar- chant, who has made his home in Tustin since 1894 and owns a ranch of seventeen acres, under cultivation to walnuts and apricots. He was born in Brighton, England, September 27, 1835, being a son of William and Elizabeth ( Elphick) Mar- chant, lifelong residents of England. By occupa- tion his father was a miller, while his maternal grandfather, Joseph Elphick, was a merchant tailor.

The next to the youngest among seven children and the only survivor of the entire family, Samuel A. Marchant was reared in Brighton, and re- ceived a fair grammar-school education. From the age of thirteen until eighteen he worked at the printer's trade. On the 4th of July, 1853, he left home for the new world, embarking on the City of Manchester at Liverpool and arriving in Phil- adelphia after a voyage of seventeen days. His point of destination was Ripley, Ohio, where his brother, William, was engaged in the milling bus- iness. He learned the trade under his brother and then proceeded to Georgetown, Ohio, where he operated a mill. Later he was similarly occu- pied near Hillsboro in Highland county. In 1856 he married Miss Harriet Huggins and then settled upon a farm, where he remained a few years. Changing his location to Illinois in 1859, he settled in Vermilion county, near Hoopeston, where he bought a raw tract of prairie land, com- prising one hundred and sixty acres. This he broke and improved and afterward sold at a fair profit. Another tract was then purchased, placed under cultivation and sold. In 1872 he removed to Des Moines county, Iowa, and purchased two hundred and sixty acres near Danville, where lie carried on general farm pursuits, also raised stock, and operated a dairy and cheese factory, making a specialty of the manufacture of full cream cheese. From Iowa he came to California and has since made his home in Tustin.

The first wife of Mr. Marchant was born in Ohio and died in Illinois. Of that union seven children were born, five of whom attained ma- ture years, namely : Mrs. Lizzie Shellenberger, of Santa Ana; Ira Lincoln, a farmer at Tustin;

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

John, who died in Iowa at the age of twenty- two years; Silas, a merchant in Pasadena, and Dora, who died in Iowa. The second marriage of Mr. Marchant was solemnized in Iowa and united him with Sarah Turner, who was born in Indiana. They became the parents of two chil- dren, but only one, Grace D., is now living. Po- litically Mr. Marchant is a believer in Republican principles. He is an active worker in Immanuel Baptist Church of Santa Ana, and officiates as a deacon in the same. All movements for the bene- fit of the county receive his support, especially such as are for the development of the horticul- tural resources or the irrigation facilities on which success so largely depends. The Southern California Walnut Growers' Association numbers him among their members, and he has maintained an interest in the progress of this organization.

FRED MEIER. One of the capable and promising builders of Los Angeles is Fred Meier, whose thorough understanding of his interesting and ever broadening occupation has resulted in lasting benefit to the city of his adoption. If no other illustration of his masterful handling were forthcoming, St. Joseph's Church, now approach- ing completion, one of the truly fine samples of ecclesiastical architecture in Southern California, would stand as a monument to his harmonious conception of unity, appropriateness, and extreme beauty. The parish house connected with the church is also the work of Mr. Meier, and in no way detracts from the composition as a whole.

The youth of Mr. Meier was spent in the town of Marne, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, where he was born May 9, 1865, a son of John and Wepke (Haase) Meier, natives of the same prov- ince. The father was superintendent of public highways in his locality, and filled this responsi- ble position for about twenty years. In 1887 he came to America and settled upon a farm near Glencoe, Minn., where his death eventually oc- curred. There were nine children born to him- self and wife, eight of whom attained maturity, Fred Meier being the fourth, and the only one in America.

When seventeen years of age Mr. Meier came to America with his brother Peter, and upon his arrival in Chicago in 1882, began at once to learn the carpenter's trade. At the end of eighteen months he removed to Will county, Ill., and worked for nine months, and then settled in Glen- coe, Clark county, Minn., and worked at his trade until 1887. A fitting field of activity seemed to present itself in Tacoma, Wash., whither he re- moved from Minnesota in 1887 and remained 1111- til 1893, at which time his fortunes were shifted to Los Angeles, and he worked at his trade and also became foreman for the Mechanic mills. In January of 1901 he began contracting and build- ing, and his successful start argues well for con- tinued appreciation in the future.

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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 128

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