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 153

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

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During the years 1876-77 Mr. Chapman en- gaged in canvassing in the interest of a local historical work in his native county, and in 1878 inaugurated this business for himself at Gales- burg, Ill. He was soon joined by his brother,

Frank M., but for a few years the firm name re- mained C. C. Chapman, when it was changed to Chapman Brothers. They engaged extensively in publishing local historical and biographical works. The company was subsequently merged into the Chapman Publishing Company.

In 1880 Chapman Brothers moved their office to Chicago, where for a dozen years the firm en- joyed prosperity, enlarging its business until it had an extensive printing and publishing plant. Several large buildings were also erected dur- ing this period. Among them were those at Nos. 87-93 South Jefferson street, 71-73 West Monroe street, and 75-77 of the same street; the Kenmore apartment building at Loomis and Plum streets; and the Vendome hotel building at Oglesby avenue and Sixty-second street, all in Chicago. Besides, there were over twenty dwellings. During the World's Fair, in 1893, Chapman Brothers engaged quite extensively in the hotel business. Owing, however, to the financial panic which swept the country, crip- pling the attendance at the great Fair, these enterprises caused heavy losses to the firm.

Early in January, 1894, Mr. Chapman went to Texas in order that his wife, who was suffering from pulmonary trouble, might have the benefit of the climate. In June of the same year he landed in California, taking up his residence in Los Angeles. Here, on the morning of Sep- tember 19, 1894, while residing at the corner of Figueroa and Adams streets, Mrs. Chapman passed away. Her remains were laid at rest in Rosedale cemetery. Mrs. Chapman, formerly Miss Lizzie Pearson, daughter of Dr. C. S. and Nancy (Wallace) Pearson, was born near Gales- burg, Ill., September 13, 1861. They were mar- ried at Austin, Tex., October 23, 1884. To them were born two children, Ethel Marguerite, born June 10, 1886, and Charles Stanley, January 7, I889. Mrs. Chapman was a member of the Christian Church.

September 3, 1898, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage with Miss Clara Irvin, daughter of S. M. and Lucy A. Irvin, and a native of Iowa. She is a member of the Christian Church.

Mr. Chapman has been a member of the Christian Church since he was seventeen. He has served as superintendent of the Sunday school, deacon and elder for many years. For years he was a member of the Cook County Sunday-school Board, a member of the general board of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion of Chicago, and the board of managers of the West Side department. He was one of the organizers of the board of city missions of the Christian Churches of Chicago.

Mr. Chapman is identified with many of the local movements in the interest of the commu- nity, and has held the office of president of the Anaheim Union Water Company. Upon com- ing to California he engaged in the fruit busi-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ness, growing and shipping oranges and wal- nuts. He has made of the, Santa Isabel rancho, in Orange county, one of the finest orange prop- erties in California, and the brand under which the fruit is packed, the "Old Mission Brand," has a reputation second to none in the state.

W. W. SEAMAN. The responsible position of chief engineer of Hotel Green at Pasadena has been filled by Mr. Seaman since the first part of 1896, prior to which, since the fall of 1895, he had been employed in the capacity of second engineer. Under his supervision a new engine house has been erected and new ma- chinery put in, the supervision of which work and the subsequent operation of the plant have been under his efficient management. He is connected with Los Angeles Local No. 2, Na- tional Association of Stationary Engineers, and maintains a keen interest in everything per- taining to advance and development along en- gineering lines.

The Seaman family was founded in America by George W., a native of Prussia, and the sole representative of his people in this country. His son, Charles S., was born at Milan, Ohio, where the father engaged in the manufacture of furni- ture for years, dying there when sixty-three. In religion he was a Lutheran. He married Mar- garet Meyers, who was born in Prussia and is now.living in Milan, at eighty-four years of age (1902). Six sons and one daughter were born of their union, two of whom, Charles S. and William B., were soldiers in the Fifty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and the latter, who ranked as sergeant, fell in the battle of Bentonville. Charles S. Sea- man was born November 6, 1846, and was only fifteen years of age when he volunteered in Company C, Fifty-fifth Ohio Infantry, which was mustered into service November 9, 1861. Among the battles in which he participated were those of Cross Keys, Va., second Bull Run, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He was wounded May 3 and fell into the hands of the enemy, by whom he was taken to Libby prison. About seventeen days later he was paroled at College Green Hospital, Annapolis. On his re- turn to the army he fought at Missionary Ridge and accompanied Sherman through Georgia to Atlanta, taking part in the many engagements of this campaign. At the expiration of his time he was honorably discharged November II, 1864.

After his return home Charles S. Seaman learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in Ohio, Iowa and Kansas. In 1887 he came to Pasadena, Cal., where he worked at his trade until 1896, since which time he has had charge of the carpentering department of Hotel Green. In Boone county, Iowa, he married Hallie Corbin, who was born in Illinois. Her father, James Corbin, a native of Ohio, became a miller

in Boone county, Iowa, and later made Summer county, Kans., his home, dying there when sixty-four years of age. The children of Charles S. Seaman are W. W., of Pasadena, and Mrs. Lena West, of Los Angeles. The son was born near Winfield, Sumner county, Kans., Novem- ber 12, 1871, and in his infancy was taken by his parents to Toledo, Ohio, in 1878 accompanying them to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he attended the public schools. In 1887 he accompanied the family to Pasadena, where he completed his studies. On the completion of his apprentice- ship to the trades of plumber, steamfitter and engineer, he entered the employ of the Hotel Green Company, and has since remained with them. He was married in Pasadena to Miss Mary Lewis, who was born in Boston, Mass. Fraternally he is connected with the Maccabees.

WILLIAM H. WILEY, formerly of Pasa- dena, but now deceased, deserves recognition among our earliest pioneers. He made the overland journey with a younger brother, Joseph, crossing the Missouri river April 26, 1852, with a spring wagon drawn by four mules, and finally landing in California after three months and nine days on the plains. Mr. Wiley was born in Harrison county, Ohio, April 15, 1836, a son of Joseph and Ann (Roberts) Wiley, the former of Scotch ancestry, the latter of Welsh descent. His father, who was born in Westmoreland, Pa., was a member of one of the pioneer families of western Pennsylvania. Re- moving to Ohio, he followed farm pursuits and also devoted considerable attention to inventing, among other things inventing a fulling mill and cylinder thresher. After settling in Harrison county he married Miss Roberts, who was also of Pennsylvania parentage. They became the parents of six sons and six daughters, but only three are now living. Two sons, James and Wheeler, came to California during the excit- ing days of '49, two others, John and Thomas, followed in 1850, while William H. and Joseph came two years later. The survivors are John and Joseph.

When only three years of age William H. Wiley lost his mother, and six years later he was wholly orphaned by his father's death. When a boy he was employed on Illinois and Mississippi river boats for three years, also acted as steward of a boat (belonging to his brother- in-law) that sailed up these rivers and the Mis- souri and Ohio. On coming to California he engaged in the dairy business in Calaveras (now Amador) county; also engaged in mining and had a quartz mill at Sutter. In 1861, at the time of the Salmon river excitement in Idaho, he went there and was among the pioneers in the Boise Basin. During 1866 he prospected and mined in Old Mexico and Arizona, travel- ing over the country on horseback. Buying

W. C. Patterson

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

horses at Visalia, he took them to Nevada, then went to San Diego, Cal., and from there to New Mexico where he held a government position, also had a contract for carrying the mail. In 1870 he started a livery business at Anaheim, Cal., but soon went back to Idaho, from there went to Washington, and in 1878 returned to California. In the capacity of foreman for French & Drew he was engaged in building grades at San Diego and also graded the depot grounds at National City. His next location was Downey, where he carried on a livery busi- ness. In 1883 he came to Pasadena and started a livery business, soon after which he bought the site at No. 64 Colorado street. When he came there were only a few buildings in the business part of the city. In addition to the management of his livery barn, he owned and superintended an orange ranch. His death oc- curred August 1, 1902.

September 18, 1872, in Anaheim, Mr. Wiley married Mary Grace Evey, who was born in Illinois and in 1870 settled in Anaheim with her father, Judge Edward Evey, who later filled the position of supervisor, judge, county clerk and. member of the constitutional convention. Mrs. Wiley is a member of the Christian Church. Her only living child is Mrs. Laura Kimball, of Fresno county, Cal. A son, Francis, died at one year of age. While at Mokelumne Hill, Cal., Mr. Wiley was initiated into Masonry, and later was connected with Pasadena Lodge No. 72, F. & A. M. He was a member of the Pasa- dena Board of Trade and in politics was a stanch Republican. Could all of his experiences dur- ing pioneer days be written out in full, it would form an interesting and large volume, and many hours could be passed entertainingly in his com- pany, when, in a reminiscent mood, he turned back to the past, and narrated his experiences in taking out the first gold from quartz in Idaho, or in traveling up Snake and Columbia rivers in a skiff, driving a herd of hogs from Oregon to Idaho, or any of the other many events that made thrilling and interesting the pioneer days.

WILSON C. PATTERSON. Wilson C. Patterson, the president of the Los Angeles Na- tional Bank, was born in Ross county, Ohio, January 10, 1845. He was one of a large family whose father was a farmer. He grew up under rural influences and attended the local district school, where he obtained the rudiments of his education. At the age of about fifteen he com- menced a course of study in Salem Academy at South Salem, Ohio. Upon the breaking out of the war between the states he, then a youth of eighteen years, joined the federal army and was mustered into Company A, First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery. He remained in active service from July, 1863, until the close of hostilities. On his return home he resumed

his academic studies, but the necessity of earn- ing his own support forced him to leave school a few months later. Soon after leaving the academy he went to Chillicothe, the county seat of his native county, where he secured a clerical position in the office of the county treasurer. Later, as an accountant, he was employed in the office of M. Boggs & Co., wholesale grocers of Chillicothe. With that firm he remained in positions of trust for upwards of nineteen years, when, owing to impaired health, in 1888 he came to California.

He was soon benefited in health, and, becom- ing socially attached to many of the city's pro- gressive people, he decided to make it his home. In 1890 he was made a director of the Los Angeles Board of Trade and the following year was elected its president, which position he held for two years. In 1894 he was elected a director of the Chamber of Commerce and likewise of the Merchants' Association. In 1895 he was chosen president of the Chamber of Commerce, which position he filled with marked ability for two years. He is still a member of that body and chairman of the committee on commerce.

Mr. Patterson was for twelve years the head of the house of W. C. Patterson & Co., whole- sale produce and commission merchants, and for ten years sole owner. For several years he was a director of the First National Bank of Los Angeles, and in November, 1898, he was elected president of the Los Angeles National Bank, to succeed George H. Bonebrake. He is also a director of the Southern California Sav- ings Bank. He takes a warm interest in all matters of practical benevolence and is a di- rector of the Associated Charities. As president of the Land of Sunshine Publishing Company he has been identified with one of the leading publications of the Pacific coast. Fraternally he is connected with Stanton Post, G. A. R., and is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Ma- son. In 1894 and again in 1896 his name was prominently mentioned in connection with the mayoralty of Los Angeles, but he adhered to his resolution of former years to keep out of politics, and therefore declined the proffered honors.

In February, 1896, Mr. Patterson was dele- gated a representative of the Free Harbor League to go to Washington, D. C., to appear before the congressional committee on rivers and harbors, in the interests of the deep-water harbor at San Pedro. The characteristic faith- fulness, energy and success with which he per- formed this important mission had a pro- nounced and salutary effect upon the outcome of the San Pedro harbor controversy. His labors in that behalf were cheerfully recognized by the body he so ably represented and by a grateful public. In April of the same year he again went to the national capital on a similar

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

mission as chairman of a delegation of citizens to lay the claims of San Pedro harbor before the committee on commerce of the United States senate, and the splendid work of this delegation is a part of the history of Southern California.

CHARLES E. FRENCH was born in Ath- ens, Somerset county, Me., June 3, 1841, and was educated in the public schools and semi- naries of that state. When about sixteen years of age he entered a business house in Boston where he was rapidly advancing in positions of trust. On the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the Ninth Regiment of Maine Vol- unteers and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, being afterwards transferred to Com- modore Dupont's naval expedition which bom- barded and captured the forts at Port Royal, S. C., in November, 1861. Continuing in the service until failure of his health necessitated his retirement from the army, he came to Califor- nia via Panama route in 1864 and located in Yreka, Siskiyou county, where he engaged in mining and general merchandising. After spending a few years on this coast he returned cast and in November, 1868, married Miss Emma L. Waugh of Boston.

Resuming business in Maine, Mr. French be- came a member of a boot and shoe manufactur- ing firm and was also appointed assistant as- sessor of internal revenue by President Grant. Finding it impossible to endure the rigors of eastern winters, he resigned his office, sold out his business in 1870 and returned to San Fran- cisco where he expected to permanently reside, but being advised by his physicians to seek a more genial climate, he came to Southern Cali- fornia in April, 1871, and assumed the general management of the extensive land and stock business of Irvine, Flint & Co., whose holdings then comprised the Ranchos San Joaquin, Lomas de Santiago and part of the Santiago de Santa Ana, upon which latter ranch the city of Santa Ana is now located. At that time there were very few white inhabitants residing in the country southeast of Anaheim, between the Santa Ana river and San Diego. The entire country from the foothills to the sea was one vast cattle and sheep range. Mr. French had over one hundred thousand acres of land under his control and at times during his administra- tion there were over fifty thousand head of sheep grazing upon the broad sweep of the San Joaquin, where to-day is heard the busy hum of modern machinery, harvesting thousands of acres of waving grain grown upon these fertile lands.

In 1876 Mr. French removed the ranch head- quarters to the present location east of Tustin and erected the commodious ranch house now occupied by the owner, James Irvine and family.

Two years later, in 1878, he relinquished the management of the company's business and re- moved to Santa Ana where he had previously made investments. He engaged in the land business and at once took an active interest in the upbuilding of the town. In 1886 he erected the brick block adjoining the Bristol and Row- ley block on the east and in 1899 he built the Grand opera house block, the largest in the city. He served as postmaster at Santa Ana, holding office under Hayes, Garfield, Arthur and Cleve- land. He took an active part in securing the main line of the Santa Fe Railway through Santa Ana, to which undertaking he freely de- voted much time and means and was twice elected a director of the California lines of that system, which has been such an important factor in the growth of Southern California.

Mr. French devotes his time largely to his banking interests and real-estate holdings. He is president of the Orange County Savings Bank and a director of the First National Bank of Santa Ana. When the first street railway for Santa Ana was projected, Mr. French took an active part in establishing it and served as its secretary for several years. The road has now become a part of the interurban railway. He was also one of the promoters and incorpor- ators of the Los Angeles & Ocean Railway Company and held the office of vice-president of the same until the road merged into the Los Angeles Terminal, now the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railway.

JAMES GORDON BAIRD, M. D., was one of ten brothers and sisters. Born October 20, 1846, near Ottawa, Carlton county, Ontario, he received his higher education in Ottawa Col- legiate Institute and after a four years' course in the medical department of McGill University, at Montreal, was graduated in 1870 with the de- gree of Doctor of Medicine. The same year he commenced practice in the Montreal General Hospital, spending six months there profitably. Then, during the ensuing period of eighteen years, he was established at Pakenham, Canada, after which he went to London, England, for the purpose of taking some post-graduate work and special branches. Fourteen months were spent abroad, a portion of the time being passed in Paris and Edinburgh, and the hospital experi- ence he thus acquired has been of great value to him. In the autumn of 1889 he returned to Canada, and in the following February came to Riverside. In 1900 he took a post-graduate course in Chicago. Making a specialty of dis- eases of the nose, throat and lungs, and carry- ing on a large general family practice in med- icine and surgery, he is justly classed among the leading members of his profession in Southern California.

As previously mentioned, Dr. Baird gives

FL Spaulding

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

considerable attention to horticulture, and now owns two flourishing orange orchards in this city, one of eight acres, located on Indiana avenue, and the other, a tract of ten acres, being situated on Kansas avenue. In 1899 he built a handsome modern residence over which pre- sides his estimable wife, formerly Miss Marion Lett, of Canada. They are identified with the Episcopal Church of Riverside and move in the best social circles of the city. One daughter blessed this union, F. Agnes Baird. The Doctor was initiated into Masonry in Pakenham, Can- ada, and also is a Knight of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican.

Hill fought a man as brave as that illustrious . had the contracts for more than thirty churches.

FRANK LEVERETT SPAULDING. By the side of Dr. Warren in the battle of Bunker general, but who by the fortunes of war is less known to fame. This soldier, Capt. Jolın Spaulding, saw his general fall in battle and himself suffered severe wounds, but no disaster lessened his valor, and he remained a true patriot until finally the British arms were de- feated, after a struggle of seven years. Little is known of his life, save that he was born in Nashua, N. H., and spent his entire life in that state. His son, Joseph, a native of Rumney, N. H., followed contracting and building, as did also the next in line of descent, Hon. J. Lyman Spaulding, a native and lifelong resident of Rumney, and a man of prominence in his state. Several times he was elected selectman, for one term served as sheriff of Grafton county, and also received from his party (the Republican) election as a member of the state legislature, where his service was an honor to the man and to his constituents. Fraternally he was a Knight Templar Mason.

The marriage of J. Lyman Spaulding united him with Mary Ordway, who was born in Utica, N. Y., and now resides in Boston, Mass. Her father, Joseph Ordway, a native of New York, was a member of a colonial family of New Hampshire. The five children of J. Lyman and Mary Spaulding are living, one son, Quincy, be- ing a contractor and builder in Los Angeles, as is also the third child, Frank L. The latter was born at Rumney, N. H., October 27, 1858, and attended the grammar and high schools of his native town, later graduating from Newhampton Seminary and Commercial College. From boy- hood he has been familiar with the building business. In 1880 he went to Massachusetts to act as superintendent for Mead, Mason & Co., one of the largest firms of contractors in New England, and later he was connected with Nor- cross Brothers, a well-known firm in the same line.

A vacation trip to Los Angeles in 1888 gave Mr. Spaulding such a delightful impression of the country that he determined to remain. Un-

til the La Verne Land Company closed out its business he had charge of its building opera- tions. Since 1890 he has engaged in contracting for himself, meantime having the contracts for the California Health Resort's buildings at Strawberry Valley, Rivera Hotel at Long Beach, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Riverside, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Los Angeles, Bonner & Puck block, First Baptist Church, Westlake Methodist Episcopal and German Baptist Churches of Los Angeles, the Long Beach Presbyterian Church, Long Beach grammar school, Gephard block in Los Angeles, etc. Much of his work has been in the building of church edifices and his success in this specialty has brought him into notice throughout Southern California, where he has In addition to contract work, he has done some building for himself, including the erection of his residence at No. 737 East Twenty-seventh street. He is a director in the Rivera Hotel Company of Long Beach. In the Builders' Ex- change he is a member of the board of directors, while he is a charter member of the Master Builders' Association. Two sons, William Ly- man and Leverett Tileston, have been born of his union with May J. Lyman, who was born in Montana, but grew to womanhood in Cali- fornia. In politics he is a loyal Republican, while fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Maccabees.

JOHN L. ADAMS, the chief engineer of the Distilled Ice and Cold Storage Company of Los Angeles, was born in Newburgh, N. Y., Feb- ruary 20, 1866. His father, William Adams, was born near Belfast, Ireland, and when a child came with his parents to America and located in Newburgh. Possessed of business ability and high character, he soon became identified with the substantial commercial interests of the city, and as a partner of Stephen Mckinstry ran a large tannery up to the time of his retirement. He is a Republican in national politics, and is connected with the Presbyterian Church. His wife, formerly Susan Lowrey, was born in the north of Ireland, and when a babe in arms came with her parents to America. Mrs. Adams was the mother of two sons and one daughter, of whom John L. is the only survivor.

When eight years of age John L. Adams lost his mother by death, and he continued to live with his father at Newburgh on the Hudson, where he was educated in the public schools and graduated from the high school. When eighteen years of age he began to serve an apprentice- ship of four years as a machinist with Ward, Stanton & Co., the well-known shipbuilders of Newburgh, following which he worked at his trade in New York City with the firm of Dele-

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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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 153

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