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 146

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

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When Mr. Lallich arrived in this state April 15, 1888, he came at once to Gardena, where he has since made his home. His first purchase was large, embracing two hundred acres, but subsequent years of drought led him to sell much of the property, and his possessions are now limited to twenty acres. The land is under cultivation to barley and small fruits, princi- pally strawberries, and is further improved by two wells. In connection with his other enter- prises, he conducts a dairy on the farm, and is building up an excellent trade in this line. In religion he adheres to the Roman Catholic faith, in which he was reared. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of For- esters and the Ancient Order of United Work- men. After coming to Los Angeles county he established domestic ties, his marriage in Wil- mington uniting him with Miss Frances Ra- gusa, daughter of G. B. Ragusa, a native Cali- fornian. They are the parents of four children, Mary, Louise, George and John, all at home.

JOHN H. C. VON DER LOHE. Rosedale, which has a reputation as the most ideally beau- tiful city of the dead in Southern California, has, in the demand created by its vast possi- bilities, inspired a most loyal and fine devotion in its present superintendent, Mr. Von Der Lohe. A native of Germany, whence have come the greatest masters of landscape gardening in the world, he was born in Soltau, Hanover, October 27, 1865, and is descended from a titled family of ancient lineage, an authentic record of which has been kept for at least six hundred years. His father, Henry J., and his mother, Magdalene (Brooks) Von Der Lohe, were also natives of Soltau, and the former was a farmer up to the time of his death in 1870, his wife surviving him until 1880. There were five sons in the family, viz .: Henry, who is a farmer near Bertrand, Neb .; William, who is also a farmer in Nebraska; J. H. C., our sub- ject; H. P. D., who was a cement contractor in Los Angeles, but who returned to Johannes- burg, South Africa, where he was formerly em- ployed by Oom Paul Kruger in building the Boer fortifications; and Frederick, who is em- ployed by his brother, J. H. C.

In his native city of Soltau Mr. Von Der Lohe received a practical education in the pub- lic schools, and in 1881 came to America where, in Otoe county, Neb., he found employment 011 a farm until 1883. In the fall of the same year

he came to Los Angeles in the employ of the Stengel Nursery Company, with which he re- mained until the opening of Rosedale in 1884. He then became assistant superintendent of the new enterprise, his uncle, John Vorwerk, being superintendent. The selection of Mr. Vorwerk for the laying out of the grounds and the gen- eral development of Rosedale was a happily conceived idea on the part of the-management, for no more capable appreciator of the art of landscape gardening ever came to the west. He was a horticulturist, agriculturist, and floricul- turist, and a graduate of that famous institu- tion, the Heidelberg Agricultural College. Under the guidance of this experienced teacher Mr. Von Der Lohe worked unceasingly for the improvement of Rosedale, and upon the death of his uncle in 1894 he naturally assumed the responsible position maintained with so much dignity and satisfaction by the older man.

The ground upon which Rosedale is located was homesteaded in 1875 and laid out, but nothing definite was accomplished towards mak- ing it a practical enterprise before 1884. The management then bought seventy acres of land for $25,000, and added to this by a later pur- chase of nine acres, for which they paid $9,000. Of the eighty acres one-half is laid out and all is enclosed, and the wealth of flora, enchanting drives, shadowy nooks, and the highest art of the sculptor, are interwoven in one harmonious whole. In 1898 the management bought one hundred and forty acres of land three miles west of Rosedale, which also has been im- proved, and in time will equal if not rival its predecessor. To the care of both cemeteries Mr. Von Der Lohe devotes his entire time, and his interest is increased from the fact that he owns stock in both places. He is also inter- ested in mining to some extent, and is the owner of a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres at Beaumont.

In Los Angeles Mr. Von Der Lohe married Amanda G. H. Warncke, who died January I, 1896, and who also was a native of Germany, and born in Elmson, Holstein. Of this union there were three children, William, Alma, and Arnold. The second marriage of Mr. Von Der Lohe also occurred in Los Angeles, and was with Bertha G. D. Warncke, also a native of Holstein, Germany. Mr. Von Der Lolie is popular and widely known fraternally, and is associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World, the Fraternal Brotherhood, the Modern Woodmen, and the Maccabees. A Republican in national politics, he has actively supported the best in- terests of his chosen party, and has held posi- tions of trust and responsibility. He is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of the board of directors. Mr. Von Der Lohe has a large acquaintance

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Los Angeles and vicinity, and his valuable services in behalf of that portion of the city's welfare which is especially under his supervision, has met with appreciation from all classes.

NEWEL HARRIS MITCHELL. A pio- neer of 1863 in California, Mr. Mitchell was born in Columbus, Ohio, December 10, 1843, and is a son of James L. and Harriet Newel (Harris) Mitchell. His paternal grandfather, Sylvanus Mitchell, who was of Scotch descent, served during the war of 1812 and later became a pioneer farmer of Granville, Ohio. The founder of the family in this country was his father, who crossed the ocean to Massachusetts and afterward served his adopted country dur- ing the trying period of the Revolution. From this ancestor later generations inherited the Scotch thrift, uprightness and high principles of honor. For many years James L. Mitchell conducted a store in Columbus and built up a wholesale trade that extended far into the south. It was the custom in those days to sell on credit far more than is done to-day, and when the Civil. war disrupted the nation and overwhelmed the southerners with financial misfortunes his losses proved so heavy that he practically lost the accumulations of a lifetime of toil. The lat- ter years of his life were passed in Granville; his wife died in the same town April 27, 1898, at the age of eighty-two years. She was a daughter of Rev. Timothy Harris: who was born in Williamstown, Mass., March 15, 1781. and received a collegiate education, afterward being ordained to the Congregational ministry. Removing to Ohio in 1808 he engaged in home missionary work there, building up congrega- tions and preaching the Gospel in remote fron- tier settlements. A helpful Christian life passed into the grave when he entered into rest March 28, 1822, while still in the prime of man- hood.

In a family of three sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and two daughters are liv- ing, Newel Harris Mitchell was the third child, and he alone of all the children came to the western coast. His primary education was ob- tained in Columbus schools, after which he studied in Denison University at Granville, Ohio, among his classmates in that institution being Judge Harmon. Leaving college in 1863, he started across the plains for California, start- ing from Granville March 22 and arriving in San Francisco July 31, via the Platte, Salt Lake, Reese river, Wellington Station, Virginia City and South Pass. Prospects were not very en- couraging for the young fortune-seeker, who arrived in the far western port without even a penny. However, youth and energy form a valuable capital, and both of these he possessed, hence his penniless condition did not discourage him in the least. On a sheep ranch in Alameda

county owned by his cousin, William Knox, he first secured employment, after which he was employed in a livery at San Leandro.

During 1868 Mr. Mitchell came to Southern California. After a year as a farmer and stock- raiser he built a barn on Center street, Ana- heim, and opened the first livery business in Orange county. In 1870 he was elected the first city assessor on the incorporation of the town. During his business life he has met with several heavy losses through fire. In 1901 his livery barn was burned to the ground. He also lost by fire the Planters' Hotel in Anaheim, which he built, and of which he was proprietor. After its destruction he leased the Del Campo and conducted it for three years. In 1894 he bought the Balmoral of Pasadena, a three-story build- ing, 75x120 feet, which he has since conducted under the name of Hotel Mitchell. During his residence in Anaheim he was one of its leading citizens and aided in the organization of various important local enterprises. He was interested in starting the Orange county fair and in laying out the fair grounds at Santa Ana. Some of the horses that he raised received premiums at these fairs;indeed, he was known all throughthe county for the high grade of his stock. As a committee worker he did much to advance Re- publican interests in Orange county, and he was also active in the lodge of Odd Fellows at Anaheim. His marriage in San Bernardino united him with Harriet Melsheimer, member of a prominent family of Berlin, Germany. They have two children, Willis S. and Blanche, both of whom are talented musicians. The son was a member of the Seventh California Infantry dur- ing the Spanish-American war and is now a practicing attorney of San Francisco.

Patriotism is one of Mr. Mitchell's prominent traits of character and the same love of action and desire to serve his country which led his son to offer his services at the time of the war with Spain impelled him to enlist in the Union army when President Lincoln issued his first call for volunteers. He became a member of Company I, Twenty-first Ohio Infantry, and served during the summer of 1861, being hon- orably discharged with his regiment at the ex- piration of his time. This spirit of patriotism has made him a loyal citizen of California. Indeed, no one is more interested than he in the state's progress. The old days of the '6os he recalls with pleasure, contrasting the appearance of California at that time with the improvements of the present day, and he revives old memories when associated with the members of the Los Angeles Society of Pioneers and the Southern California Historical Society, to both of which he belongs. In an early day he founded the Anaheim and Wilmington stage line, and Proi. J. M. Guinn was one of the men who arrived in Los Angeles on his stage. With the

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building of the railroad from Los Angeles to Anaheim in 1875 it was no longer profitable to run the stage, which was therefore discontin- ued. One of his recollections of other days is that of conveying Helen Hunt Jackson over parts of Southern California when she was here in order to secure material for Ramona, and the carriage in which she rode at that time was to be seen January I, 1902, covered with roses, and one of the chief attractions of the Pasadena tournament of roses.

LEONARD PERRIN. In the list of bank- ing institutions whose conservative records have given prestige to the financial standing of Southern California due mention belongs to the Pasadena National Bank. At the time of its establishment, in 1886, Pasadena had but one bank, hence its organization filled a need on the part of business men. During the years that have since elapsed it has maintained a record for careful investments, safe loans and the greatest precaution to conserve the financial welfare of depositors. In 1900 Mr. Perrin be- came president of the bank, which under his leadership has retained its high position in the confidence of the public.

The name of Perrin indicates that the an- cestry is French. However, several generations have been residents of America, the grandfather of Mr. Perrin of Pasadena having been a citizen of Rochester, N. Y., where the father, Leonard, Sr., was born and reared. Removing to Lon- don, Canada, the latter there reared his family of eight children, all of whom are still living. Leonard, who was third in order of birth, was born in London, Canada, August 24, 1828, and in boyhood learned the occupation of a phar- macist, later was employed in a grain business. In 1864 he came to the United States, where his first home was in Waupaca, Wis., and in that town he acquired important and remunerative lumber interests. Subsequently he became in- terested in the banking business in New Lon- don, Wis. In 1894 he came from Oshkosh, Wis., to Pasadena, Cal., intending to spend the afternoon of life in leisure, but, after a few years of recreation, his fondness for commer- cial and financial activities reasserted itself, and he allied himself with one of the foremost banks of Pasadena. In this bank his only son, Leon- ard, is a clerk.

During his active business career Mr. Perrin has had little leisure for participation in public affairs, even had his tastes inclined him toward politics. Besides voting for Republican candi- dates he takes no part in municipal matters. His connection with Masonry began during his resi- dence in New London, Wis., where he was initiated in the blue lodge. At this writing he is a member of Pasadena Lodge No. 272, F. & A. M., also the chapter, commandery and coun-

cil in Pasadena and Al Malakiah Temple, N. M. S., of Los Angeles.

EATON T. SAMS. No member of the com- munity of Pasadena is more unselfishly devoted to the promotion of all that is high in character and attainment than Eaton T. Sams, general secretary of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation; nor does any reach so large a number of people from so admirable a vantage ground. With a splendidly vital energy he enters heart and soul into the lives of the members of this organization in Pasadena, which, from a com- paratively small branch, has now reached a membership of nearly four hundred. The gen- eral equipments are of a superior order, the gymnasium and baths being excellent features. Those who have allied themselves with this noble work have every advantage accorded members in older and larger centers of activity.

To the prosecution of the duties of his pres- ent position Mr. Sams brings a wide business experience and a keen knowledge of men and affairs. His example is therefore not that of a visionary, but of a capable, enterprising and practical man, in touch with the temptations and possibilities of average human nature. He comes of rugged English ancestry, and was born at Hillsboro, Ohio, September 2, 1863. His grandfather, Professor Isaac Sams, one of the foremost educators of his time in the east, was born in Bath, England, in 1788. He brought his family to America in the early part of the nineteenth century and in 1824 founded Rock Hill Academy at Elliott Mills (now Elliott City), Md., of which he was president for many years. In 1835 he sold his school interests in Maryland for a large farm near Hillsboro, High- land county, Ohio, which he improved, and upon which he lived up to the time of his deatlı in 1880, at the age of ninety-one. Neverthe- less, while ostensibly an agriculturist, he did not relinquish educational work until after his seventy-fifth year, and during his long career as an educator had under his tuition many of the boys afterward the most noted in the United States. His last charge was a private school at Hillsboro, maintained in connection with the management of his farm. Politically he was an abolitionist and Republican. He was the founder of an Episcopal church at Hillsboro, of which he was senior warden for twenty- five years. His name is enrolled among the most superior trainers of intellect of his day and generation, his methods being in advance of many of his contemporaries.

The father of Eaton T. Sams was for forty years a pharmacist, having at the age of four- teen entered the drug store of Rushton & As- pinwall in New York City. So well did he suc- ceed in his chosen occupation that at the age of twenty-two years he became a partner in the

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concern, and was thus interested until failing health enacted a change of occupation and sur- roundings. He therefore removed to Hillsboro, Ohio, in 1838 and while living on the paternal farm became prominent in general affairs of his locality. During the Civil war he became internal revenue collector of Ohio, his term of service extending from 1864 until 1868. Dur- ing the latter year he removed to Tiffin, Ohio, and engaged in the drug business, which was disposed of in 1875, Mr. Sams thereafter living a retired life until his death in 1893 at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a Republican in politics, and, like his father, a member of the Episcopal Church. In 1849 he married Mar- ianne Stuart, a native of Greenwich, England, and daughter of James Brown Stuart, a coun- try gentleman who traced his descent to Prince Charles Henry Stuart. Mrs. Sams was a woman of broad culture and among other accomplish- ments spoke four languages. Her death oc- curred in Tiffin, Ohio. She was the mother of eight children, seven attaining maturity, and six are living, Eaton T. being the youngest.

From his seventh year Mr. Sams was reared in Tiffin and his education was due solely to the training of his gifted mother. While still a student he engaged as a clerk at the age of sixteen in a queensware store, and in time had charge of the tea and coffee department. When twenty-four years of age he became a member of the grocery firm of Unger & Sams at Tiffin, and in connection therewith filled the positions of bookkeeper and manager of the tea and cof- fee department. From 1886 until 1892 the firm maintained a large business in Tiffin and Mr. Sams was especially successful also as a raiser of fine poultry. He had a very pleasant home upon fifteen acres of land, and beginning with 1881 worked up a large and profitable business as a breeder of first-class fowls. He had from three hundred to five hundred of the finest stock on the market, and took prizes in all the prin- cipal towns of the state. He also shipped stock and eggs west to Denver and east to the Atlan- tic, and had all manner of appliances, including incubators and brooders, for the successful car- rying on of his business. He disposed of his grocery business in 1892, and his chicken busi- ness in 1895, at which time his health was much impaired and a change seemed an imperative necessity.

Upon removing to the west in 1895 Mr. Sams lived for nine months at Riverside and located in Pasadena September 15, 1896. In December of the same year he engaged in the real estate business on East Colorado street, removing his headquarters later to South Raymond avenue. As in Ohio, his business energy and ability found ready recognition and he soon had a large real estate and insurance patronage. This enterprise was disposed of to McNally & Son

in the fall of 1901. While yet a youth he became interested in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association in Ohio, and upon com- ing to Pasadena his enthusiasm was by no means diminished. So keenly did he make his influence for good felt that in 1897 he was ap- pointed one of the board of trustees, and in 1899 became president of the board. November 1, 1901, he was made general secretary of the Pasadena Association. Mr. Sams is a member of the Pasadena Board of Trade, of which he was for two years a director, and he is in political affiliation a Republican, having maintained a lively interest in the new city charter fight. As a member of the Episcopal Church he has held every office in that denomination, and while in Ohio was for years superintendent of the Sun- day School. He enjoys the universal respect and good will of the community, and no one more than he has promoted the moral growth of the city.

GEORGE DANIEL SNYDER. The gen- ealogy of the Snyder family in America is traced to George W. Snyder, a native of Holland, who accompanied his parents to America shortly be- fore the Revolution and settled with them in New Jersey, later, however, removing to Sen- eca county, N. Y. During the war with Eng- land he served as a scout under General Wash- ington and experienced many hardships and dangers. Three times he was captured by the Indians, but fortunately each time was res- cued or made his escape. Once the soldiers opportunely arrived just as he had been tied to a stake at which a fire was being kindled. When the exciting experiences of war were over, he resumed the quiet life of a farmer, and the remainder of his ninety-four years of life was happily and peacefully passed in the midst of the scenes of his boyhood in Seneca county.

Porter Snyder, son of George W. Snyder, was born in Seneca county and there engaged in farming, but while still young removed to Calhoun county, Mich., and improved farms out of raw land, also engaged in the building busi- ness at Marshall. For one term he was sheriff of Calhoun county. At the time of his death he was sixty-two years of age. After the death of his first wife (by whom he had two sons now living) he married Sarah Jane Eddy, who was born in Calhoun county, Mich., and is still living at Marshall. Her father, Daniel Eddy, went from New York to Michigan and became one of the very earliest settlers of Calhoun county, where he acquired extensive farm lands. In the family of Porter and Sarah Jane Snyder there were three sons and one daughter. Two of the sons, George Daniel and W. P., are contractors in Ocean Park, Cal.

Near Marshall, Mich., George D. Snyder was born April 12, 1859. In boyhood he learned

Ges. E Plats.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the carpenter's trade, and after 1879 learned the machinist's trade in the Michigan Central Rail- road shops at Jackson, Mich. Later he fol- lowed millwrighting until 1886, when he came to California. Entering the employ of the Southern California road as foreman of their building department, he took charge of repair work and the erection of buildings. Later he was made storekeeper for the track, bridge and building department, with headquarters in San Bernardino. However, much of his time was spent on the road between Barstow and San Diego. After the strike in 1894 he resigned and removed to Los Angeles to take up general contracting. From there in 1899 he came to Ocean Park (South Santa Monica), where he has since engaged in contracting and building. He has erected over one hundred cottages here, forty-five of these having been built in 1901. During that year he also erected, in twenty-four days, the Holborow hotel, a $10,000 job, clos- ing the work with forty-eight men under him the last week. The rapidity with which the work was completed attracted general com- ment, and it is said the record he made at that time has not been surpassed, for a building of the same size. He owns three houses on Hill street and has other property interests in Ocean Park. The fact that he is not only a competent builder, but also a practical machinist and mill- wright makes his presence in a community of value, and his skill in these various lines is be- ing constantly utilized. Frequently he is called to Los Angeles and other places to put up houses and public buildings, and many of these are from plans of his own drawing, for he is an architect in addition to a contractor and builder. While in San Bernardino at one time he met with a very serious accident and, indeed, was left for dead, but his excellent constitution enabled him to withstand the effects of the ac- cident, although a sufferer for ten weeks.

In Jackson, Mich., Mr. Snyder married Jennie C. Keeler, who was born in Racine, Wis. They have two children, Alma and Clyde. Mrs. Sny- der is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the family attend its various serv- ices. Fraternally Mr. Snyder is connected with the Maccabees, the Mystic Circle, Ancient Or- der of United Workmen and Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows. In the Santa Monica Board of Trade he is a member of the execu- tive committee. Although his father was a Democrat, he imbibed Republican principles in his youth and his first ballot was in support of Republican men and measures. This seems natural, when it is known that his first vote was cast within a stone's throw of the old oak at Jackson, Mich., under whose wide-spreading boughs the Republican party was organized. His interest in politics has been manifest in every community where he has made his home

and at Ocean Park, his home town, he has served as a member of the city central commit- tee, and as a delegate to various conventions.

GEORGE E. PLATT. That a scientifically conducted grade dairy is not only a congenial source of occupation but is as well a paying investment, has been practically demonstrated by George E. Platt, the representative dairyman of Los Angeles, and the possessor of what is generally conceded to be one of the finest dairies in the world.

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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 146

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