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 157

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

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A descendant of Gen. John Templeton, who shouldered his musket during the earlier part of the Revolutionary war, and later directed the muskets of his subordinates, Mr. Chambers was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 23, 1850, a son of James Monroe and Anna (Linton) Cham- bers, natives respectively of Berks county, Pa., and Clermont county, Ohio. James Monroe Chambers was a marine engineer on the Ohio

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and Mississippi rivers, and lived at times in Cin- cinnati, St. Louis and New Orleans. During the Civil war he was engineer on the Federal gunboat at the siege and battle of Vicksburg, and afterward put in the machinery in the mills and manufactories at Naples. On the return trip by boat to St. Louis he disappeared, and it is supposed that he was murdered for his money. His wife died in Centerville, Ohio, in 1897, leaving three children, of whom John Templeton is the second, and the only one 011 the coast.

From earliest youth Mr. Chambers was as- sociated with his father on the river boats, and received his educational training in St. Louis and Ohio. When fifteen years old he went to work as striker or assistant engineer under his father, and ran from Cincinnati to New Or- leans on the Mary Hines. Later he ran on the same boat up the Red river, then on the Lit- minary between St. Louis and New Orleans. Mr. Chambers became identified with the Mem- phis & Cincinnati Packet Company as assistant engineer, and ran between Cincinnati and Mem- phis, Cincinnati and Big Sandy, and up the Cumberland. For three summers he was with the Northern Line Packet Company and ran between St. Louis and St. Paul on the Sucker State, Minneapolis and Rob Roy, and during the winter seasons ran south to New Orleans and to tributaries of the river. In 1868 he crossed the plains to Salt Lake City in the em- ploy of the Wells-Fargo Company, but the fol- lowing year returned to St. Louis, where he took out his last boat (the Richmond) on the Mississippi river.

In 1870 Mr. Chambers went to Dayton, Ohio, and from there to Fairplay, Park county, Colo., where he engaged in prospecting and mining, and became an important factor in the general affairs of the town. He served as deputy post- master under Mr. Stafford, who was also county recorder, and was fairly successful as a miner. 1872 found him in Laramie City, Wyo., as fire- man on the Union Pacific Railroad between Laramie and Rawlings, his promotion to engi- neer following at the end of six months. This was continued until 1878, after which for two years he was engineer of the Armour plant, and for nearly seven years was with the Fowler Brothers Packing Company, in charge of the refrigerating department. This plant had a horse power of five hundred, and Mr. Chambers continued its superintendency until 1887, after which he resigned and located in San Diego county, Cal. At Escondido he superintended the building of the waterworks, and managed the same for seven years, and was one of the substantial and progressive factors in the de- velopment of the city. As the first city treas- urer his administration gave general satisfac- tion for five years, and he also served on the

school board, and sought to elevate the educa- tional standard of the community. In the fall of 1893 he resigned from the waterworks posi- tion to become foreman of the water service of the Santa Fe Railroad in California, with head- quarters at San Bernardino. The following year he came to Los Angeles as assistant engi- neer for the Los Angeles Railway Company on Seventh street and Grand avenue, and was next nightengineer for the Los Angeles Electric Light Company's plant. After erecting the plant and putting in the machinery for the Acme laundry, he continued its management for two years, and in January of 1897 was appointed chief engineer in the city hall. So satisfactory have proved his services that his reappointment followed in 1899 and 1901.

In Madison county, III., Mr. Chambers mai- ried Mary L. Richards, a native of Ohio, and of this union there have been three children. Mamie L., who is now Mrs. Kistler, of Los An- geles: Ida Belle; and Howard. Fraternally Mr. Chambers is associated with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, which organization he joined in Kansas City, and he is a member of the Los Angeles Commercial Lodge and the Veteran Association. As a member of the Na- tional Stationary Engineers he is secretary of the employment committee, and represented the association at the national convention in St. Louis in 1899. He is a Republican in politics, and is a broad-minded, progressive citizen, well abreast of current events, and in sympathy with all intelligent advancement.

J. A. CAMPBELL. As superintendent and manager of the Moneta Cannery Company, Mr. Campbell is connected with a growing and im- portant industry, which furnishes abundant op- portunity for the exercise of wise judgment and keen energy. A native of Iowa, born January 14, 1878, and educated in the schools of that state, he came to California in 1894 and entered the employ of G. H. Waters & Co., of Pomona. with whom he remained for seven years, com- ing from there to Moneta in the capacity of superintendent of the cannery. With him in the cannery is his brother, Kemper, while the third brother, Vernon, formerly manager of the cannery at Moneta, is now in charge of a cannery at Ontario, this state. The three brothers built this cannery in 1900, and now have a plant valued at $10,000, with a capacity of ten thousand cans per day. Fruits and vege- tables of all kinds are turned out, the sale for which is limited only by the capacity of the plant. Connected with the cannery is a pump- ing plant, capacity one hundred and seventy- five inches, a part of this water being used in the cannery, while the larger portion is sold.

The father of Mr. Campbell was S. B. Camp- bell, M. D., who was born in Vernon, Ind., and

I. le Fay.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

received the degree of M. D. from the Univer- sity of Michigan. For twenty-five years he practiced medicine in Iowa, meantime also car- rying on a drug business. During the Civil war he was engaged as assistant surgeon of Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The demands of his practice and various business interests proved too great a tax upon his health, and. hoping that a rest from his labors and a change of climate would prove beneficial, in 1892 he came to California. An immediate benefit was realized and the following year he returned to Iowa, but soon afterward died. During 1874 he had married, in Iowa. Miss Carrie Otterman. who was born in Montgomery county, Md .. a daughter of Joseph and Melissa (Westfall) Ot- terman, natives respectively of Virginia and Ohio. Her maternal grandfather, Cornelius Westfall, was a farmer of Kentucky, from which state he removed to Indiana, and there died. Mr. Otterman followed the occupation of an architect in Indiana, and from there in 1864 removed to Iowa, where he bought and im- proved a farm of four hundred and sixty acres. Some years since he retired from active cares and is now living, retired, in Adel, Iowa. Of his two children, Mrs. Campbell was the oider. Her education was received in grammar and high schools in Iowa, and there in 1874 she became the wife of Dr. Campbell. Born of their union were six children, namely: Vernon. of Ontario, Cal .; Hazel, who is with her brother in Ontario; Joseph A., the subject of this arti- cle; Garnett, Kemper and Gladys, all living with their mother at Moneta. The family are identified with the Christian Church.

SAMUEL CALVERT FOY. As a citizen of Los Angeles Mr. Foy was identified with its history from the very early pioneer days until his death, a period covering almost a half cen- tury. During all of the intervening years he was a witness of its growth and a contributor to its development. It is difficult for the present gen- eration to comprehend the remarkable trans- formation wrought in the aspect of this city and the personnel of its citizens; indeed, little re- mains the same as when he first saw it except the matchless climate and the beautiful scenery. All else is changed, and it was his happy priv- ilege, not only to assist in this transformation, but to enjoy its fruition during his last days.

The Foy family is of Irish descent. The name was originally spelled Fahy, but the pres- ent form has been in use ever since the records began to be preserved by Capt. John Foy. The latter was a native of Cashal, near Castlerea, county of Roscommon, province of Connaught, Ireland, and was the youngest of sixteen children. On coming to America he settled in Kentucky, where he followed civil engineering.

Through the influence of Henry Clay, whosc warm friend he was, employment was secured for him in the Washington botanical gardens and he filled that position with ability and suc- cess. The National Intelligencer of August 25, 1833, states that "For many years, as superin- tendent of the Capitol grounds, he greatly con- tributed by his taste and industry to the embel- lishing and beautifying of the park and making it what it is to-day, one of the finest in the world." He married Mary Calvert, who was born in Kentucky in July, 1800, a daughter of Christopher and Eliza (Cox) Calvert, natives of Virginia, the former descended from John Cecil Calvert of Baltimore.

Three sons and one daughter (the latter de- ceased in infancy) were born in Washington, D. C., to the union of Capt. John and Mary (Cal- vert) Foy. By a later marriage the latter be- came the mother of two children, of whom the survivor is Josephus W. Rich, of Covington, Ky. Samuel Calvert Foy was born September 23, 1830, and received his education in Burling- ton (Ky.) Academy. After learning the har- nessmaker's trade in Cincinnati, Ohio, he fol- lowed the occupation in Natchez, Miss. Stories of the discovery of gold in California aroused in him an ambition to try his fortune in the far west, and in 1852 he arrived in California via Havana and Panama. From San Francisco he proceded to the mines on the Feather river, but soon went to Sacramento and from there to the Calaveras mines. January, 1854, found him in the then Mexican town of Los Angeles, which, though containing only two or three thousand inhabitants and boasting few build- ings except adobes, pleased him so greatly that he determined to remain. His first step was the opening of a harness shop on Main street, ad- joining the present site of the Farmers and Merchants Bank. Later he was joined by his brother, John M., and the two continued to- gether until 1865, when John sold to Samuel his interest and removed to San Bernardino, re- maining there until his death. The oldest of the three brothers, James C., came to California in 1850, and returned to Kentucky in 1854. At the opening of the Civil war he raised Company A, Twenty-third Kentucky Infantry, and was commissioned captain of Company A, but later received a promotion to the rank of colonel, in which capacity he accompanied Sherman on the Georgia campaign. In the battle of Chatta- hoochee, July 9, 1864, when on the north bank of the Chattahoochee river, he was wounded by a shell, from the effects of which he died about ten days later.

For nine years, beginning in 1856, Samuel C. Foy, in addition to his other enterprises, drove cattle to the mines and sold them to the miners, this proving a profitable venture. Having sold the cattle business, in 1865 he returned to Los

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Angeles and devoted himself exclusively to the saddlery and harness business. As a business man he bore the highest reputation. Integrity was his watchword in business. Through his honorable dealings he won the friendship of as- sociates and the respect of acquaintances. Es- pecially was he interested in Masonry, and the lofty doctrines of that noble order found in him an ardent disciple; his connection as past master of Los Angeles Lodge No. 42, F. & A. M., and past high priest of Los Angeles Chapter No. 33, R. A. M., gave him prominence and influ- ence in the fraternity. To his brethren in the order, to his associates in business and to his circle of personal friends, the news of his death, which occurred April 24, 1901, brought with it a realization of deep loss, a feeling of personal bereavement. That fast-lessening circle of pioneers mourned him in death, while more recently established settlers, appreciative of his work in rendering possible the present condi- tions, gave him the tribute of respect which his life merited.

Some years after coming to Los Angeles Mr. Foy established domestic ties. He was married October 7, 1860, to Miss Lucinda Macy, who was born in Knox county, Ind., a daughter of Dr. Obed and Lucinda (Polk) Macy, natives respec- tively of North Carolina and Knox county, Ind. Her maternal grandfather, Charles Polk, was born at Fort Detroit, four months after his mother had been captured by the Indians and carried from Kentucky into Michigan. After the close of the war Captain Polk traveled eight hundred miles through the wilderness in search of his wife, whom he found and brought back to Kentucky. The Polks trace their lineage to Virginia and are of the same family as was ex- President Polk. The Macys are from Nan- tucket, Mass., where Thomas Macy was one of the earliest settlers.

Born in 1801, Dr. Obed Macy was a graduate physician and practiced in southern Indiana. In 1850, accompanied by his wife and nine children, he started for California, making the long journey with ox-teams and spending nine months on the road. One of the children, Charles P., died on the journey. At the time the daughter, Lucinda, was in her sixth year. Though so young the trip made an indelible im- pression on her mind. She recalls the perils of the journey which proved so hard upon the oxen that, to lighten the load, the women and children walked much of the way. On Christ- mas day they looked out upon San Bernardino valley, which on account of the early and abun- dant rains was a charming picture of springtime. Looking around him upon the broad and beau- tiful expanse, the doctor exclaimed to his wife, "Mother, this is Paradise." New Year's day of 1851 they spent at what is now Pomona and proceeded gradually from there to San Gabriel mission. At every ranch they were received

with the greatest hospitality. They settled at El Monte, where the doctor, wishing to re- linquish the practice of medicine, took up farm- ing pursuits. In 1852 they came to Los Angeles, where he became proprietor of the historic Bella Union hotel, now the St. Charles. From the management of this he retired in 1855. He died the following year and his wife passed away in 1872. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom the following at- tained mature years: Mrs. Urania Cheesman, of San Francisco; Oscar, a horticulturist at Al- hambra, Los Angeles county; Mrs. Nancy P. Woodruff, of Nevada county, Cal .; Louisa, Mrs. John M. Foy, who died in Los Angeles in 1896; William, of San Francisco; Obed, of Los Angeles; Lucinda, Mrs. Samuel C. Foy; and Mrs. Mary J. Evans, of Oakland. These eight children arrived in California in December, 1850, with their parents.

On coming to Los Angeles Lucinda Macy was a pupil in the pay schools and later at- tended the first public school established under the American rule. Among her early recollec- tions are those of seeing the first brick kiln built and burned. In the larger growth of the city she has maintained the deepest interest, be- ing keenly alive to its magnificent possibilities, and thoroughly in touch with educational, com- mercial and religious development. Her home still remains at No. 651 South Figueroa street, in the residence which Mr. Foy erected in 1873. Some years ago she was very active in the Order of the Eastern Star, in which she enjoys the distinction of having been a charter inem- ber and matron. Of the ten children born to her marriage six are living, all in Los Angeles, viz .: Mary E .; James Calvert, manager of the wholesale and retail harness business and a member of Ramona Parlor No. 1, Native Sons of the Golden West, of which he is past presi- dent; Cora; Edna; Alma, now Mrs. Thomas Lee Woolwine; and Florence.

DAVID L. BURKE. Since the bicycle first came into popularity David L. Burke has been an unquestioned authority on this particular method of amusement and exercise. Not only has he been able to discourse on gears and pedals, saddles and frames, but he has also more than once heard the thunders of applause that greeted his successful termination of some par- ticularly hard-won race. Now that the wheel has passed its "boom" days and has entered the ranks of necessary commodities, he is still the versatile authority on the best brands of wheels and sells thousands each year.

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Burke was born near Chambersburg, March 15, 1864, a son of Jeremiah and Lucinda (Taylor) Burke, na- tives respectively of Maryland and Pennsyl- vania. His father removed from Maryland to Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming

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until his death. The mother is now living with her son, David L., in Los Angeles. In her fam- ily there are seven children now living. A half- brother, Major Wilson Burke, of Austin, Tex., won his rank as an officer during the Civil war. Another half-brother, Jerome, was at one time United States warden in Washington, D. C. Dr. George Burke, now of Newcastle, Ind., was a surgeon in an Indiana regiment during the Civil war. J. K. Burke, a brother and partner of David L., was reared and educated princi- pally in Illinois and came to California with the brother whose partner he has since remained, his attention having been given especially to the management of the plumbing department. Politically he is a Republican and fraternally a member of the Woodmen of the World and Ben Hur. In the estimation of all who know him he stands high. Three sons have been born of his union with Miss Willetta Pearce, a native of Mendota, Ill., and daughter of Captain Pearce, now of Los Angeles.

When eight years of age David L. Burke was taken by his parents to Illinois and thereafter received his education in the public schools of Sterling, Whiteside county. During his vaca- tions he learned the plumbing business, com- pleting his trade later in Chicago. Coming to Los Angeles with his brother in 1886, the firm of Burke Brothers was organized for the carry- ing on of a plumbing and contracting business, and a store was opened at No. 456 South Spring street, which is still the firm's location. In 1888 he began bicycle racing on the coast. In 1894 a bicycle store was opened in connection with the plumbing business, he giving his attention especially to the former. As a racer he was remarkably successful and took many medals along the coast, also for three years held the Pacific coast championship. He captured a medal at Morrison, Ill., in addition to those in the west. Since 1895 he has not engaged in racing. In his sales he makes a spe- cialty of the Thistle wheel. The firm acts as agents for this justly popular make of machine, having agencies at Oakland, San Diego, River- side, San Bernardino, Pomona and Pasadena. Between three and four thousand of this make have been sold in Los Angeles alone. It is a general favorite, although they carry other styles. In addition he manufactures bicycles, his "Swell Burke" taking a high rank among desirable machines.

Aside from the interests of his bicycle busi- ness, Mr. Burke is the owner of thoroughbred English greyhounds, with Lady Edith at the head. His dogs have taken prizes at many ex- hibits and are among the most valuable of their kind in the city. Politically Mr. Burke is a Republican. Identified with various athletic and social organizations in the town, he is a member of the Cycle Dealers' Association, for-

merly served as president of the East Side Ten- nis Club, and for years was a member of the Los Angeles Athletic Club, in which he main- tained the championship. Throughout Los An- geles he is very popular, as a whole-souled, gen- erous man, in touch with the needs of his friends and associates, and enjoying the confi- dence of a large circle of business and social associates.

STEPHEN FISK CARPENTER. Very early in the history of America three brothers came from England and settled in Massaclint- setts. From one of them descends the branch of the Carpenter family represented by S. F. Carpenter, of Santa Monica. His father, Lor- ing C., a native of Massachusetts, became a mill- wright in Vermont, but in 1855 removed to Preston, Fillmore county, Minn., later return- ing to Vermont and there remaining until death. During the war of 1812 he served in the American army. He married Caroline, daugh- ter of Stephen Fisk, who was a native of Massa- chusetts, of English descent, and during much of his life engaged in farming in Vermont, from which state he enlisted in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Caroline Carpenter was born in Ver- mont and died there. Of her two daughters and two sons, only the youngest survives, Ste- phen Fisk Carpenter, who was born at High- gate, Franklin county, Vt., March 29, 1834. In boyhood he learned millwrighting, and after going to Fillmore county, Minn., in 1855, he devoted seven years to the building of mills. At the same time he entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. When the Sioux war broke out he was a member of a local company of militia and accompanied them to the scene of trouble, where he assisted in quelling the dis- turbances.

During 1863 Mr. Carpenter came to Califor- nia via New York and Panama to San Fran- cisco. For a time he mined and prospected at Gold Hill, Nev., and later was interested in dif- ferent mining companies. The year 1882 found him in Santa Monica, where he followed the carpenter's trade and also took a number of contracts for building houses. In the fall of 1901 the city trustees appointed him superin- tendent of streets, which position he has since filled with marked efficiency, his careful over- sight of the work being apparent in the im- proved condition of the streets of the city. Since 1895 he has been a member of the school board and is now serving his second year as president of the board. During the period of his service the high-school building has been erected and many improvements in other buildings have been made. Besides his labors as superintend- ent of streets and president of the school board lie has been interested in horticulture and has

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improved five acres adjoining Santa Monica on the railroad, where he now has an orchard in bearing lenions and a pumping plant with a well of two hundred and seventy feet.

The home place of Mr. Carpenter, on the corner of Oregon and Fourth streets, was sold in 1902, and on its site was built the City Hall. He now owns a home at No. 334 Fifth street, which is presided over by his wife, Madeline, whom he married in Preston, Minn., in 1862. She was born in Ontario, and at the age of twelve years was taken to Minnesota, where she grew to womanhood. Her father, Henry Webb, a native of England, crossed the ocean to Ontario, and there married Salinda Hall, daughter of Elijah Hall. Accompanied by his family, Mr. Webb removed to Minnesota, and from there came to California, settling at Visa- lia, and thence coming to Santa Monica in 1875, immediately after the first sale of lots had been made. Mrs. Webb died in Santa Monica. Of her ten children six are now living, all being in California. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter is Laura. now Mrs. Albert Hawes, of Santa Monica. She is the mother of one son, Stephen T. Garey, born of a former mar- riage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are inter- ested in the work of the Eastern Star, in which the latter has been an officer. Fraternally he was made a Mason in the Santa Monica Lodge. For more than forty years he has been con- nected with the Odd Fellows, in which he has served officially, and he is also past officer of the Encampment. While living at Gold Hill he became connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and at one time he also affil- iated with the Knights of Pythias. His wife was also formerly active in the Rebekahs and the Independent Order of Good Templars. In his politics he is a Republican and votes for the men and measures advocated by his party.

E. CHILD. Prior to his arrival in California in 1866, Mr. Child had been a resident of New England and the central states. He was born in Lincoln, Middlesex county, Mass., August 23, 1832, a son of Elisha and Elmira (Rice) Child, natives respectively of Sudbury and Way- land, Mass., and both members of very old families of the Bay state. The father was for years a farmer at Lincoln, but finally removed to Waltham, and there spent his last years. In the family of five children all but one are living. the subject of this article being next to the old- est child and the only son. His education was commenced in the Waltham schools and com- pleted in an academy under Prof. Abner Rice. Afterward he learned the sash and door busi- ness at Medford, Mass. Going to Minnesota in 1852, he settled at St. Anthony's Falls, now a part of Minneapolis, and there became manager

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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 157

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