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 152

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

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W. B. VAIL. Before the Southern Califor- nia boom had reached its climax, bringing with it a motley throng of settlers and followed by the years of depression and discouragement. Mr. Vail came to this state and identified himself with the promising city of Pasadena, where he has since made his home. At once after com- ing here he took up the business of contract painting, which he had previously followed in Kansas. Besides this special work, in which he has executed some of the most important con- tracts in the city, he also does considerable land- scape painting.

In Perry county, Ohio, Mr. Vail was born June 1, 1850, a son of Sanford A. and Maria Ann (Rogers) Vail. His father, whose native place was Orange county, N. Y., cleared and improved a frontier farm, situated in Perry county, Ohio. After many active and busy

MRS. MARIANA W. DE CORONEL

ANTONIO FRANCO CORONEL

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years in that locality he removed still further westward, settling in Piatt county, Ill., in 1859, where he again found himself surrounded by pioneer environments. Once again, in 1870, he followed the march of civilization toward the west, establishing his home in Emporia, Kans. His death occurred in Topeka, that state. His wife was born near Pittsburg, Pa., and died in Emporia. They were the parents of nine chil- dren. One son, Stephen, now of Kansas, was a member of Company D, Seventy-third Illinois Infantry, during the Civil war and while fighting in the ranks at Perryville received a severe wound. Another son, Jackson, now living in Missouri, served in the same company and regiment. The sixth among the children was W. B., of Pasadena. He accompanied his par- ents to Illinois when nine years of age and to Kansas at the age of twenty. Hence his youth was spent principally amid the surroundings of the frontier and he had no special advantages for the acquirement of a finished education. In youth he learned the painter's trade, which he has since followed faithfully and well, winning approbation by reason of painstaking care with all contracts.

While living in Emporia, Kans., Mr. Vail mar- ried Miss Hattie L. Hart, of that city, by whom he has one son, Clarence E. The family are connected with the First Christian Church of Pasadena. Though not a partisan, Mr. Vail has opinions of his own concerning matters that af- fect the welfare of the nation, and gives his sup- port to the Democratic party and its principles. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank.

DON ANTONIO FRANCO CORONEL. The ancestry of the Coronel family is traced back to the old world, where, according to tra- dition, the king of Spain was rescued from an otherwise fatal accident during a hunting ex- pedition and the gallant hero of the occasion took the monarch to his home, where he nursed him back to health. In recognition of the deed, the king called him to the throne and knighted him, conferring upon him the name of Franco- Coronel. Later generations accompanied Cortez to Mexico, where the family still has numerous representatives. Don José Ygnacio Franco Coronel was a distinguished lawyer, and an of- ficer under General Yturbide. On the breaking out of the Mexican war for independence, the tyranny which the people suffered led him to ally himself with the revolutionary cause. With him in this movement went the other members of the viceroy's royal guard. Private meetings were held in his house and the guard was equipped from his private purse, while his father, a man of large estate, furnished horses and saddles for all. For thirteen years he was an officer in the army. When Mexico had

gained its freedom, he once more sought private life, and, exhausted by the hardships of many a severe campaign, he sought the recreation of a sea voyage, coming with the first colony to Cali- fornia. He was appointed to establish a sem- inary in Sonoma, but, the people not appreciat- ing the opportunities thus . afforded, he decided to return to Mexico. However, on reaching Los Angeles, he was prevailed upon to remain. Under his supervision was established the first school in this city and this he conducted under the Lancastrian system. The. schoolbooks used in this pioneer school have been carefully pre- served and are among the prized possessions of Mrs. Mariana Coronel. In this city his family ' joined him, and here he made his home until his death in 1862.

At the time the family came to California Antonio Franco Coronel was a youth of seven- teen years. He had studied for the priesthood in Mexico, but before the completion of .his course, as his mind matured and his tastes be- came more pronounced, he realized that he was less fitted for this profession than for others. In this decision he was influenced somewhat by his desire to remain with his mother and minister to her comfort. He was ever a dutiful son, worthy of the affection of his mother, who was in many respects a remarkable woman. That she possessed unusual ability is proved by the fact that, during her husband's absence in the army and when necessity thrust upon her the support of the family, she learned the tailor's trade and established a large business. When her husband returned home he found the busi- ness so large that twenty-five men were required to conduct it. During the war she twice went into the enemy's camp, and on one occasion rescued her two young brothers by disguising them in women's clothes and sending them away, while she remained in their place, thereby narrowly escaping execution.

In 1836 Don Antonio Franco Coronel en- tered a tract of land from the Mexican govern- ment. This large property was situated in Los Angeles and formed the family homestead. He also became the owner of several ranches in Los Angeles and Orange counties. In many ways he proved himself a helpful, public-spirited citizen. He assisted the mission priests in com- piling their annual reports to be sent to Spain and Mexico, and thus became acquainted with the native Indians, whose cause he warmly es- poused. In securing data for "Ramona" Helen Hunt Jackson was greatly aided by himself and wife, and he furnished the data for the account of Father Junipero, the founder of California missions. Throughout all of his active life he was interested in movements for the develop- ment of local resources and the prosperity of the state. Manv offices of importance were held by him. In 1838 he was appointed assistant

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secretary of tribunals for Los Angeles, in 1843 was made judge of first instance (justice of the peace), in 1844 was appointed inspector of southern missions, in 1846 was a captain and sergeant-at-arms in the Mexican army during the war with the United States, in 1847 and 1848 was a member of the body of magistrates, in 1850 and 1851 served as county assessor, in 1853 was elected mayor of Los Angeles, for thirteen years was a member of the city council, for some years efficiently filled the position of school director, and from 1866 to 1870 was honored with the office of state treasurer. A stanch believer in Democratic principles, he aided his party through his active and intelli- gent service as a member of county and state committees, and in other ways labored to win victory for its principles. At one time he was president of the Spanish-American Benevolent Society, while in the State Horticultural So- ciety and in the Southern California Historical Society he was well known and highly honored. His father was a member of the first Masonic lodge organized in the City of Mexico, but he himself never became active in fraternal organ- izations, finding greater pleasure in the cultiva- tion of his literary tastes. One of the delights of his later years was the collection of curios, Spanishı, Indian and Mexican, and after his death Mrs. Coronel presented the collection to the city of Los Angeles. Since then it has been on exhibition in the Chamber of Commerce.

Not only was the name of Don Antonio Franco Coronel a power among the Spanish residents of California, but his influence was also great among the American residents. Born and reared in the city of Mexico, he had in youth acquired the polished and courtly man- ners characteristic of the sons of that southern city. Added to these he had the broad mind which education alone can give and the wide knowledge which indicates cosmopolitan tastes. Like his father, his sympathies were always with the people, and, though himself of a most aristocratic family in which pride of ancestry blended with pride of personal honor, he was essentially a man of the people, kind in his in- tercourse with all and charitable toward those in need. After seventy-seven active years, he died April 17, 1894, at his home on Seventh street and Central avenue, Los Angeles, and thus passed from among us one of the greatest and most honored representatives of the Spanish régimé in California, as well as one of the most loyal supporters of our government under the subsequent American rule.

MRS. MARIANA W. DE CORONEL. Equal in many respects to the prominence which Don Antonio Franco Coronel attained among the citizens of Los Angeles was that gained by his talented wife, whose intimate con-

nection with many charitable institutions and whose philanthropic spirit and recognized abil- ity easily place her among the leading women of the city where for so many years she has made her home. On every hand are to be found evidences of her wise benevolence. Yet, numerous as are the enterprises in which she is interested, they are surpassed in number by the helpful charities which she has planned and the realization of which she hopes to consummate in future years. Ever active in promoting the welfare of others, for years she was the devoted counselor and companion of her husband, and since his death has given herself to carrying for- ward those movements with which he was in sympathy and toward which he was a liberal contributor.

The family of which Mrs. Coronel is a mem- ber traces its ancestry to the days of William the Conqueror, and the first of the name ac- companied their cousin, Admiral Nelson, to America. Her grandfather, Rev. John William- son, was a Methodist Episcopal minister, who in 1806 removed from Maine to Olio and set- tled near the Harrison family, of national fame. Later they removed to the vicinity of Newport, in Campbell county, Ky. Her father, Nelson Williamson, was born in Wiscasset, Me., March 16, 1802, and was the oldest son in the family. When thirteen years of age, with a boy's eagerness for adventure, he left home and went to New Orleans, where he secured a position as second mate on a Mississippi river steamer. By a miracle, he escaped during a shipwreck in which the vessel sank. He then went to Texas and joined the volunteers under Gen. Winfield Scott, serving in the battles of Vera Cruz, Palo Alto, Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherubusco, Chapultepec, San Pascua and Tobasco. After the war he settled in San Antonio, Tex., where he engaged in contracting and building and also hield the office of judge.

The discovery of gold in California turned the tide in the life of Mr. Williamson. As soon thereafter as his affairs could be adjusted he sought a home on the Pacific coast. While his party were proceeding through Eagle Pass, they were attacked by Comanches and all but three were killed. Fortunately, he escaped with only a slight wound in the knee. With this ex- perience to discourage him, he returned to Texas, but found that a cyclone had destroyed his old home. The following year (1853) he again started west, and this time no catastrophe impeded his progress. Coming to Los Angeles, he bought property near San Gabriel mission. On securing a contract to erect the reservation buildings at Fort Tejon, he went there, but was informed by the quartermaster that lumber would not be ready for three weeks. To fill in the interim, he decided to go to the Kern river mining region, but while there was accidentally

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

shot by a friend, who took him for a bear. The friend fled and it would have fared ill with the wounded man had not another friend ,happened along that way. With the aid of this man, he was taken to the stage and started back to Los Angeles, but it was three years before he had recovered from the injury and was able to re- sume work. Meantime his partner had sold all the property and left the country. Six years after he left for Texas he returned to San An- tonio and brought his family to California, traveling via New Orleans and the Tehauntepec route and thence up the ocean to San Fran- cisco. Arriving in Los Angeles in the latter part of 1859, he turned his attention to the real- èstate and mercantile business, in which he con- tinued until his death in 1893.

The marriage of Nelson Williamson united him with Gertrude Roman, daughter of Mariano and Francisca (Montollas) Roman. Her father was a large freighter in Texas and died of yel- low fever when returning home from a freight- ing expedition to Galveston. During the revolu- tion in San Antonio, when Santa Ana ordered all of the residents to leave, Mr. and Mrs. Roman were among those who were forced to abandon their homes. Shortly after they had left the city, in their cart, their daughter, Gertrude, was born. They settled in New Mex- ico, and some of the family were afterward mas- sacred by the Comanche Indians there. The Montollas family had been massacred by the Taguacanos and Comanche Indians in New Mexico. Mrs. Gertrude Romana de Williamson (lied in San Antonio in June, 1894, in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, to which she had always been a faithful adherent. Of her marriage four daughters and two sons were born, namely: Mariana, Mrs. Coronel; Elena, wife of L. C. Pollard, of Los Angeles; Roberto Owens, who died in 1890; Antoina Jefferson, who died young; Louisa, who married Dr. R. N. Hutchinson, of Santa Paula, and Gertrude, the wife of Charles F. Earl, of Azusa, who is engaged in the banking business in Chiapas, Mexico.

Only eight years of Mrs. Coronel's life were passed in Texas, and ever since then she has made Los Angeles her home. December 18, 1873, she was united in marriage with Don Antonio Franco Coronel, and during the twenty-one years of their happy married life she gave herself to promoting his happiness and ministering to his comfort. Since his death she has superintended the estate, which includes valuable property in Los Angeles and a ranch of six hundred and fifty acres at Whittier, be- sides important mining interests in Aliso Canon and Oaxaca, Mexico. Possessing a mind that is keen and active, the management of her prop- erty does not represent the limit of her energy. Among the numerous organizations with which

she is actively connected may be mentioned the Indians Rights Association, the Southern Cali- fornia Historical Society, Ladies' Aid Society, Children's Home Society, Society of Los Angeles Pioneers, and others which are similar to the above in their purposes. In many a suf- fering home the rigors of want have been soft- ened by her kindness. To homeless children and women her heart has ever gone out with the largest sympathy, and many have reason to re- member with deepest gratitude her helpful as- sistance.

WELCOME SMITH. Originality of char- acter and devotion to the cause of religion have been dominant traits in the personality of Mr. Smith. While still a mere lad he began to preach and in this labor he continued for about a half century, only ceasing from the work when the infirmities of age began to render his efforts too fatiguing for mind and body. In March of 1895 he came to California and settled in Redondo, where he owns three cottages on the beach and also three lots northeast of the plan- ing mill. In spite of his seventy-seven years, he is quite robust and active, and is now at the head of a contracting business, employing others, however, to do the manual work con- nected with the same. In addition, he holds the offices of city recorder and justice of the peace.

From Rhode Island Stephen Smith went to Pennsylvania and later bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he afterward engaged in farming. His death occurred there when he was eighty-two years of age. After going to Pennsylvania he married Lovina Tewksbury, who was born in that state and died there at eighty-five years. Her father, Thomas Tewksbury, was a native of Connecticut and a farmer by occupation; he lived to be eighty- three years of age, his wife dying at the age of ninety-three years. Welcome Smith received a common-school and academic education, mak- ing his boyhood home near Brooklyn, Pa., where he was born May 12, 1825. When eighteen and one-half years of age he began to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, although so young, he was said to rank with preachers many years his senior. Believing that he had been called to preach, he en- deavored to do his duty in every respect, and made his chief ambition in life the conversion of men and women to Christianity. In 1855 he was ordained to the ministry at Binghamton. N. Y., by Bishop Morris, and two years later he was ordained an elder by Bishop Baker. For forty years he preached as an itinerant minister, traveling through northern Pennsylvania, southern New York and central Nebraska.

Perhaps no labor in which Mr. Smith engaged was more self-sacrificing in its nature or more gratifying in its results than that among the

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Onondaga Indians in New York, with whom he labored as a missionary for seven years. At the same time his present wife was the teacher of the mission school, and the two accomplished much in the way of civilizing the Indians and bringing them under the uplifting influences of Christianity. They organized the first lodge of Good Templars among the Indians and in- culcated among them principles of temperance and sobriety. Indeed, along every line of up- lifting work, they proved themselves true friends to the red men. Like all truly helpful influences, their work was done quietly and unostenta- tiously, and the extent of the good they did can- not be measured or estimated.

In Abington, Pa., Mr. Smith married Miss Teressa A. Sutton, who was born in Spring- ville, Pa., and died in that state. The following children were born of this union: Ransom Wes- ley, Edmund Olin, Evaline, S. S., Stephen H., deceased, Ida E. and Sanford Stephen. The second marriage of Mr. Smith was solemnized in 1863 and united him with Hannah Vander- voort, who was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., being the daughter of Cornelius Vandervoort, a native of Pennsylvania and of Holland-Dutch ancestry. The four children born of this union are as follows: Elanora, wife of F. L. Whitney, of Lincoln, Neb .; Mamie, wife of F. H. Baillie, of San Bernardino, Cal .; Isabel, who is in San Bernardino; and Roy W., who remains with his parents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are still deeply interested in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, she being a teacher in the Sunday-school as well as superintendent of the Junior League. The Eastern Star numbers her among its most influential workers, and at the time of the convention in San Francisco she was appointed a delegate, besides which she has filled various offices. Thirty-two years ago Mr. Smith was made a Mason in New York, and he is now a member of the blue lodge in Redondo. Although he was reared in the Democratic faith, he has voted with the Republicans ever since that party was organized, and during na- tional campaigns his eloquence as a "stump" speaker brought many into a stanch advocacy of party principles, while at the time of the war (denied admission himself on account of poor health) he was instrumental in enlisting many volunteers to aid in preserving the Union.

N. S. SOUTHMAYD. As might be ex- pected of one who has made his home in Cali- fornia much of the time since 1876, Mr. South- mayd is thoroughly in touch with the progress made by the state and is deeply interested in its welfare and growth. He was born in New York July 19, 1853, and is a son of Stephen and Lucinda (Winch) Southmayd, natives of Essex county, N. Y., the former of English descent, and the latter of Welsh ancestry. During mid-

dle life Stephen Southmayd removed to Wis- consin and settled upon a farm. Later he went to Iowa and still later established his home in Meade county, S. D., where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land. Of his thirteen children all but one attained ma- ture years, N. S. being the fourth among these. He received such advantages as the country schools near his home rendered possible. At the age of thirteen he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, where he assisted in the develop- ment and improvement of a farm. Later he worked on a farm in Blue Earth county, Minn .. whence after three years he removed to Cali- fornia.

During the first two years of his life in the far west Mr. Southmayd engaged in farming near Sacramento, after which he spent four months in Portland, Ore., and next worked in the state of Washington for two years. Returning to Portland, he spent two years on a farm there. From there he came to Los Angeles, and after- ward for five years was employed by the State Forestry board at Santa Monica. A later loca- tion was at Coldwater Canon, where he bought a farm of forty acres. On selling that place, he came to Gardena and purchased eighteen acres of partly improved land. Here he has built a house and barn, also has a well one hundred and sixty-six feet deep, and also another of ten inches. The greater part of his land is in barley and alfalfa, besides which there is a thriving orchard, and excellent pasturage for his ten cows. His income is increased by the sale of milk from his dairy. Though not active in politics he is a stanch Republican. In re- ligion he is identified with the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

The marriage of Mr. Southmayd took place in Los Angeles in 1889 and united him with Miss Hattie Louise Barton, who was born in Maine and was the youngest in a family of ten chil- dren. Her father, Joseph Barton, was an ex- tensive and successful farmer in Maine, where his death occurred about 1899.

A. T. ARMSTRONG was reared in Augusta. Va., where he was born March 4, 1844. On the old ancestral homestead, inherited by his father, Archibald, he learned to be a model farmer, and received such education as was im- parted at the public schools of his neighbor- hood. When twenty years of age he enlisted in the Civil war, and during the whole of his ser- vice was under the famous cavalry commander, Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. After the war Mr. Arm- strong returned to the old Virginia homestead which he inherited at his father's death and farmed the same until 1868, when it passed by right of sale into other hands. He then re- moved to Rockbridge county, near Lexington. and purchased four hundred acres, which was

8.8. Chapman

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sold after three years. From there he came to the vicinity of Santa Ana, Orange county, which has since been his home, and purchased the one hundred and ten acres comprising his ranch. He has come to be regarded as an authority on matters pertaining to scientific and modern farming in his neighborhood, and is the reporter of the agricultural department of Orange county, Cal., for the United States government.

CHARLES C. CHAPMAN, the owner of Santa Isabel rancho in Orange county, was born in Macomb, McDonough county, Ill., July 2, 1853. His father, Sidney Smith Chapman, was a native of Ohio, having been born in Ashta- bula county in 1826. He was a descendant of one of three brothers who came from England to Massachusetts about 1650.

Sidney S. Chapman went to Macomb when about eighteen, and two years later was united in marriage with Rebecca Jane Clarke, eldest daughter of David and Eliza (Russell) Clarke, both natives of Kentucky, where the daughter was also born. 'To Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Chap- man were born ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity and six of whom are still liv- ing, as follows: Frank M., of Covina; Charles C .; Christopher C .; Dolla, wife of W. C. Harris, of Los Angeles; Samuel James; and Luella, wife of J. Charles Thamer, of Chicago. Emma E., who became the wife of L. W. B. Johnson, died in 1888, leaving two children. The mother of Charles C. passed away at the family resi- dence, No. 263 Walnut street, Chicago, Jan- uary 2, 1874. The father died in October, 1893. He had led an active business life and was highly esteemed wherever known. Both were members of the Christian Church and charter members of the West Side Church of Chicago.

Charles C. Chapman received his education in the common schools of his native town and early began to make his way in the world. He was messenger boy in 1865, and remembers well carrying the message announcing the death of President Lincoln. For a time he was employed as clerk in a store. In 1868 the family moved to the village of Vermont, Ill., where Charles went early the following year. Under the instruction of his father, who was engaged in the building business, he learned the bricklayer's trade. De- cember 19, 1871, he went to Chicago, where for a time he followed his trade. In that city, when only twenty, he superintended the construction of several buildings. In connection with his father and brother, Frank M., he followed mer- cantile life for a time, and subsequently alone for a year.

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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 152

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