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 158

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

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of lumber works and a sash and door mill. After two years he turned his attention to flat- boating on the Mississippi and with a partner ran boats as far south as Memphis, a trip that consumed six weeks. Two years were spent in this business, after which he settled in Memphis as manager of a sash mill, but the opening of the Civil war made his location unpleasant for a man with strong abolition views, so he returned to Massachusetts and resumed work at his spe- cial calling.

During the year 1866 Mr. Child came via Panama to California, and for more than three years engaged in contracting and building at Sacramento, after which he followed the same occupation in Oakland for fifteen years. During his residence in the latter city he had charge of building the Congregational Church, which cost $85,000; also the Alexander residence, at a cost of $20,000, and many substantial business blocks and private houses. From 1886 to 1888 he was manager of the mill at Colton owned by Perry Mott & Co. The two following years were spent as a contractor in Redlands, since which time he has made Los Angeles his busi- ness headquarters, and now resides at No. 1430 Seventeenth street, east of Central avenue. For ten or more years he has been a member of the firm of Child, Hatton & Field, which had the contracts to build the Union Ice Company's plant in Los Angeles, Unity Church in this city, the Northam residence at Hollywood, Mrs. Waldron's home in the same suburb, the Meyer residence in Westlake district, the John- son home in Los Angeles, a number of ware- houses in East Los Angeles, and many other private and public buildings. The office of the firm is in the Builders' Exchange, Los Angeles. From 1897 to 1902 Mr. Child made Santa Mo- nica his home, continuing, however, to have his office in Los Angeles, and in February of the last-named year he returned to this city witlı the intention of becoming a permanent resident. His first wife, who was Miss Lucy A. Stearns. was born in Waltham, Mass., and died there. Afterward he was married to Miss Augusta Costellow, who was born and reared in Bangor, Me

The first identification of Mr. Child with Masonry dates from his residence in St. Cloud. Minn., and he is now a member of the blue lodge of Oakland, Cal. While in Sacramento he was initiated into the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and afterward served as noble grand of Oakland Post, also was a member of the association in that city. From the time of casting his vote he has been stanch in his adher- ence to the Republican party, in whose princi- ples he is a firm believer. He is a member of the Builders' Exchange and in other ways keeps in close touch with movements for the benefit and welfare of contractors and builders.

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THOMAS HARWOOD. That early re- sponsibility is ofttimes the making of men is proved in the life of Mr. Harwood, one of the most substantial and honored of the pioneers of Santa Clara valley. He was born in Gibson county, Ind., November 24, 1835, a son of Thomas Harwood, who was born in New York, and Sarah Harwood, who was born in England. The cradle of the ancestry of the family is in England, and from the shores of his Albion land the grandfather, Ruthland Harwood, took his departure many years ago, and settled in New York. Of the six children born to Thomas Harwood, Sr., and his wife, two only survive. Of these, Thomas W., Jr., lived on his father's farm until 1850, at which time he crossed the plains with an ox-team and drove of cattle, although he was then but fifteen years of age. After landing in Placerville, Cal., he worked out by the month on the surrounding farms for a year, after which he went to Sacramento and purchased a freighting outfit, and for about eighteen months freighted between Sacramento and the gold mines. For the next two years he worked in the gold mines at Laporte, Cal., and in 1855 again took up freighting, this time from Marysville to points in the northern mining dis- trict. This interesting and at times hazardous occupation was continued for nearly sixteen years, and at one time he did such a large busi- ness that to carry his merchandise required three ten-mule teams. His route also extended to Virginia City, and other points in the same state.

In 1866 Mr. Harwood enjoyed the fruits of his incessant labor, and broadened his knowl- edge of the world by travel in Europe, accom- panied by his mother and sister. In their pursuit of interest in the old world they visited England, Switzerland, London, and Paris, their wanderings among the storehouses and wonders of Europe consuming the greater part of two years. After his return in 1868 Mr. Harwood located in Butte county, Cal., where he pur- chased two thousand and four hundred acres of land, and raised thereon sheep and cattle. His average number of head was more than three thousand, the net income being about $3,000. This remunerative venture terminated in 1884, at which time Mr. Harwood sold out and bought one hundred and fifty acres in the Santa Clara valley, which was formerly a portion of the Wilby and Crisman tract. The land was entirely unimproved, but to-day constitutes one of the most valuable investments in the county, being fitted with all modern improvements as far as barns, houses and implements are concerned, the general convenience being increased by a private pumping plant for irrigating, which sup- plies twenty inches of water. The principal products are at present beans and apricots, al- though in the past large quantities of oranges,

lemons, and other citrus fruits have been grown with gratifying results, and are still raised for home consumption.

In all affairs pertaining to the development of the valley Mr. Harwood is a moving force, and his assistance may be counted on wherever the public welfare is at stake. His interests ex- tend into various grooves of activity, and he is a stockholder in the Santa Paula Co-operative Store. He was formerly a stockholder in the Farmers' Ditch Company. A Republican in politics, he is active in the affairs of his town, and has served as a school trustee for several years.

In 1876 Mr. Harwood married Miss E. A. Mastin, who was born November 14, 1859, in Quincy, Plumas county, Cal., of parents who were born respectively in Georgia and South Carolina. Of this union there are five children: Thomas F., born September 26, 1879; Oliver, December 4, 1881; Henry Irvin, October 9, 1883; Frederick W., born in Ventura county, August 21, 1887; and Herbert Walter, born May 25, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Harwood are members of the Congregational Church.

JAMES COOK. This pioneer of California has been engaged in the tannery business in Los Angeles since 1885. He was born in Simsbury, Conn., November 6, 1835, a son of James Cook, of Scotch descent, and who settled in Connecti- cut when a young man. James Cook, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and married Rebecca Middleton, also of Scotch descent, and who died in Connecticut. Of the twelve children in the family, six were sons and six daughters, and two of the sons were soldiers in the Civil war. Alexander, who is now deceased, served in the Fifth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, and had a long and interesting war record. Samuel Cook was a member of the United States navy during the war, and died in Butte, Mont.

The eldest in his father's family, James Cook, Jr., was educated in the public schools of Con- neeticut, and at the age of fifteen began to pad- dle his own canoe, his services for a time being in demand by a horse dealer, who lived on a farm near Bloomfield. In 1856 he thought to brighten his prospects by removal to the west. and aboard the Moses Taylor, that stanch old craft that plied so persistently between New York harbor and the Isthmus in the early days, he succeeded in reaching Aspinwall, and event- ually landed in San Francisco. Like most of the sojourners to the coast in the early '5os he determined, if possible, to wrest a fortune from mother earth, and in furtherance of his desire went to Marysville, where he had a very hard time and a very gloomy outlook for a few months. When the excitement was most in- tense he spent some time at Yankee Hill and Gravel Range, and later turned his attention to

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the less visionary but more sure method of livelihood to be found on a milk ranch. After a year spent in early rising and hard work on the ranch he learned the butcher business in Marys- ville, and for a time had a shop of his own in the town. Not entirely satisfied with the pros- pects in this line of activity he engaged in the manufacture of soap at Marysville, under the firm name of J. Cook & Co. and in partnership with his brother-in-law, T. W. Corder. A large trade rewarded the efforts of the firm and they continued to supply reliable soap to the com- munity for about twelve years. The same firm afterwards located in Oakland, Cal., and en- gaged in wool pulling and the tannery business under the name of Cook & Corder for six years. After severing his business relations with Mr. Corder and after recovering from a severe siege of pneumonia Mr. Cook went into the sheep and butcher business, and in 1884-85 re- turned to the scene of his childhood days in Connecticut, twenty-nine years having elapsed since his departure therefrom.

In 1885 Mr. Cook located in Los Angeles and bought the site of his present factory, which covers half a block on West Main street, by the Kirk street bridge, where he has since engaged in wool pulling and tanning. He has also built a residence on West Lake avenue, and owns a ranch of eight hundred acres in Antelope valley, Los Angeles county, which is devoted to stock- raising and is well equipped with modern im- provements, besides having a fine water supply. Mr. Cook has been prominent in many avenues of activity since coming to California, and here, as elsewhere, he has continually strengthened a reputation for sterling worth and integrity. A Republican of the true-blue order, he has held offices of trust and responsibility, and in Marys- ville was councilman for two terms. Also, while living in Marysville, he was a member of the Home Guard, an organization which had abund- ant opportunity to prove its loyalty to the Union, for there were many strong southern sympathizers in the neighborhood, and the guard just managed to save the state for the government. On more than one occasion Mr. Cook's life was threatened, but he courageously stood by what he thought right in the face of the greatest danger. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined the organization in 1865, a mem- ber of Yuba Lodge No. 5. At present he is a member of Oakland Lodge No. 118, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, No. 55, at Los Angeles. As regards religion, while not associated with any church, his creed is the Golden Rule, and he believes in giving food and shelter and help, wherever it is needed and mer- ited.

In Marysville, Cal., Mr. Cook married Mary M. Corder, who was born in England and canie

with her parents to New York when a child, re- moving with them in 1856 to California via the Panama route. Of the four daughters and one son in her parents' family, all are living, and all are residents of Los Angeles, except the son, William J. Cook, who is in Oakland, Cal.

M. S. CUMMINGS. During the Revolution and the war of 1812 the Cummings family had representatives who fought for the American cause, while later generations were among the brave pioneers who settled on the frontier of Indiana and endured hardships and peril from the hostility of the near-by Indians. W. M. Cummings, who was born at Shelbyville, Ind., settled at Oskaloosa, Iowa, in 1849, and entered large tracts of land, which he developed into valuable farms. At one time he served as cap- tain of the Home Guards. Continuing to make his home in Iowa he died there when seventy- three years of age. His wife, Clarinda (Levi) Cummings, was born in Indiana and died in Iowa. Their ten children attained mature years and all but one are still living, but none has come to California excepting M. S., of Los An- geles. He was the third son and one of twins, born at Oskaloosa, Iowa, May 28, 1854. At an early age he began to be useful in the improv- ing of the farm, and when only nine years old drove seven yoke of oxen to a twenty-seven- inch plow in an effort to remove from the land a thick growth of hazel brush ten feet high.

The first visit of Mr. Cummings to California was in 1879, when he was employed as foreman on the Gum Tree ranch. This position he held from February 17, 1879, until June 18, 1881, and meantime raised the first sugar beets in the United States, having five hundred acres that averaged thirty tons to the acre. On his return to Iowa he resumed farming and threshing. In 1887 he again came to California, since which he has been a general contractor in Los An- geles. Among his contracts have been those for important and large jobs in excavating, the laying of miles of street in Los Angeles and Long Beach, including in the latter city Ameri- can avenue, Sixth street, Magnolia avenue, First and Seventh streets. He also had contracts for Mesa, Twelfth and Beacon streets in San Pedro. His specialty is cement and asphalt paving and the grading of streets, but he has also done other general contracting. including those for a large number of public buildings and private residences.

In Oskaloosa, Iowa, June 21, 1885, Mr. Cum- mings married Miss Maggie A. Griffith, who was born in Scranton, Pa., and received her edu- cation in the Oskaloosa schools. They and their three children, Celia, Glenn and Hazel, have an attractive home at No. 1302 West Twenty-sec- ond street, which has just been erected by Mr.

a Langerlenger

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Cummings. The family attend the Congrega- W. K. COWAN. The pioneer of the bicycle tional Church, and Mrs. Cummings is a member · business in Southern California is W. K. of the same. Since coming to Los Angeles Mr. Cummings has been made a Mason in Hollen- beck Lodge, F. & A. M., and he is also identi- fied with the Woodmen of the World. While in national politics he is a stanch Republican, in local affairs he believes party issues are of less importance than the election of men of honor, uprightness and ability, and he admires the man in office, whatever party he may represent, who is a stanch supporter of the rights of the people and who carries out his convictions of justice to his constituents.

AUGUST LANGENBERGER. During his long and steadfast life in Anaheim August Langenberger impressed his worth and fine per- sonal characteristics upon the community which he strove to improve, and of which he was one of the first settlers, and the pioneer merchant. He was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1824, a son of Dr. Amadeus Langenberger, a prominent physician and surgeon of Stad- hagen.

In his youth Mr. Langenberger was favored with exceptional educational advantages, and in later years not only spoke four languages, but was a man of deep and profound research, and remarkably well informed on current literary and other events. When old enough to assume responsibility he was trained to a mercantile career, and was thus engaged in his native land until his emigration to New Orleans in 1847. To his ambitious and expectant nature the rumors of western gold came as an opportunity not to be ignored, and the following year he set out for California, and for a time engaged in mining with fair success. In 1850 he chose rather the more certain methods of money-mak- ing of his original occupation, and upon settling in San Gabriel engaged in the merchandise business. In 1852 he located upon the Juan Pacifico rancho, and on an extensive scale turned his attention to the raising of cattle, and became one of the largest cattle raisers for miles around, his stock being driven for disposal to the San Francisco market. In 1857 the town of Anaheim was started on a portion of the ranch occupied by Mr. Langenberger, and on the site he erected the first merchandise store and continued its management up to the time of his death, April 3, 1895. For thirty years he was the agent for the Wells-Fargo Express Company, and in innumerable ways promoted the well-being of the city. He was mayor of the town for some time and a member of the city council, and was president and director of the Anaheim Union Water Company. For sev- eral years he was supervisor of Los Angeles county.

Cowan, who has represented the Rambler on the coast since 1890, and is now engaged in the sale of high-grade wheels and automobiles at Nos. 207-9 West Fifth street, Los Angeles. A native of Greenfield, Dade county, Mo., Mr. Cowan was born March 17, 1863; a son of H. G. and grandson of Hon. Alfred Cowan, the latter a native of Virginia, and one of the early set- tlers of Blunt county, Tenn. He became a com- manding figure in Tennessee politics and served as a member of the legislature from his county, in after years removing to Greenfield, south- west Missouri, of which locality he was one of the pioneers.

H. G. Cowan was born in Blunt county, Tenn., and became a farmer near Greenfield, Mo., from which state he went to the Mexican 'war as a member of a Missouri regiment. . All through the Civil war he served as a non-com- missioned officer in a Missouri regiment, and his name is therefore enrolled among the veter- ans of two wars. About 1868 he located near Fort Scott and homesteaded a claim, which was improved and upon which he lived until locating in Douglas, near Lawrence, Kans., in 1876. He later farmed near Baldwin City, Kans., and was still later a resident of Lawrence, and in 1888 came to Los Angeles, which is still his home. In comparative retirement from business and other cares, he is passing his latter days among delightful surroundings, and though seventy- four years of age, is in the possession of those faculties which have placed him in the front ranks of noble and patriotic American citizens. In his youth he married Eliza Garrison, a native of Indiana, and daughter of Mark Alexander Garrison, who was born in the east, cultivated farms in Missouri and Kansas, and died near Olathe, Kans. Mrs. Cowan is the mother of six children, all of whom are living. W. K. being the eldest of the family.

The education of Mr. Cowan was acquired in the public schools of Kansas and in Baker Uni- versity at Baldwin City, which institution he attended for two and a half years. He then en- tered Park College in Missouri and remained for two and a half years, but left during the junior year to learn the jewelry business under William Rowe. After mastering the craft he removed to Los Angeles in 1887 and found employment with Mr. Harris, the jeweler, for a year. He then started up an independent jewelry business on South Spring street, and at the expiration of two years removed to Chi- cago and took a course in the watch-making school. This finishing touch to his already ex- tensive knowledge of the jewelry business made him a peer of the master mechanics in his line. Upon returning to California he located at Riv- crside and engaged in business on Main street

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

until 1892. While at Riverside he became in- terested in the sale of bicycles and was the first . in the town to carry a stock of bicycle goods, his stock being disposed of in 1892 in order to start a similar business in Los Angeles.

Arriving in Los Angeles he opened a shop on the corner of Spring and Fifth streets, and has since sold many high-grade machines, but has carried the Rambler as a leader ever since starting in business. He is the oldest Rambler agent on the coast, and at one time had the agency for entire Southern California and Ari- zona, but since 1896 had taken charge only of Los Angeles and vicinity. At present he is sell- ing a great many Waverly electric antomo- biles, and represents this admirable machine in Southern California. During 1892 and 1894 Mr. Cowan was interested in bicycle racing, and be- came an expert in his line, but he found that the wear and tear hardly compensated him for the necessary falling off of his general business. He therefore gave up racing and has since at- tended strictly to legitimate business and has more than realized his expectations from a financial standpoint.

In Los Angeles Mr. Cowan was united in mar- riage with Mattie Hare, a native of New York City, but who came at an early age to California, where she was reared and educated. To Mr. and Mrs. Cowan has been born one child, June Cowan. Mr. Cowan is fraternally associated with the United Moderns, and has for years been a member of the Los Angeles Wheelmen. He is also a charter member of the Southern California Bicycle Association, and is a director in the same. He is a Republican in national politics, and is a member of the First Presby- terian Church. He enjoys the confidence of the business contingent of Los Angeles and vi- cinity, and has the faculty of making and keep- ing many friends.

CHARLES D. DAGGETT, capitalist, real estate man, and ex-president of the Pasadena Board of Trade, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., in May of 1851, and is a son of Samuel S. and Ruth S. (Bishop) Daggett, natives of Massa- chusetts, the latter born in Attleboro. The family is of English extraction, and the emi- grating ancestor came to America with Gov- ernor Winthrop in 1640 and settled in Massachusetts. Samuel S. Daggett located in Milwaukee about 1843, and there organized the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany, of which he was president up to the time of his death. He was a remarkably successful man, an astute financier, and prominent in the general affairs of the Cream city. It is said that when the first risk of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company fell due the company was not far enough along in premiums

to meet it, and that therefore Mr. Daggett him- self raised it on his individual note.

The only child in his father's family, C. D. Daggett was educated in East Hampton, Mass., where he graduated from the Williston Semin- ary. Afterward he entered upon the study of law with Finches, Lynd & Miller, of Milwau- kee. He was admitted to the Wisconsin bar in 1874, and practiced his profession in Mil- wantkee until his removal to Kansas City, Mo .. in 1878. Upon locating in Pasadena in 1888 he relinquished the practice of law to look after his various investments in California, and has since been in the real estate business, since 1897 in partnership with his cousin, Frank S. Daggett, under the firm name of Daggett & Daggett. Beginning with 1899 Mr. Daggett was for three years president of the Pasadena Board of Trade, and under his able management this important city enterprise attained to a high standard of excellence. For a number of years he has been a member of the board of trustees of Throop Polytechnic Institute, being vice president of the board and a member of the executive commit- tee. He is one of the most conservative, sub- stantial and influential citizens of this city, and known not only in business circles, but among the most exclusive social organizations. For two years he was president of the Valley Hunt Club, and he is a member of the Pasadena Country Club. Mr. Daggett is a Republican in national politics, and an attendant of the Epis- copal Church.

The marriage of Mr. Daggett and Mary Stew- art occurred in Milwaukee, Wis., Mrs. Daggett being a daughter of Rev. John B. Stewart, D. D., a Presbyterian clergyman. To Mr. and Mrs. Daggett have been born four children: Ruth, who is a graduate of the Monticello Seminary ; Helen, who is also a graduate of the Monti- cello Seminary, and is now Mrs. Byron S. Har- vey, of Kansas City; Maud, who is a graduate of the Throop Polytechnic Institute, Pasadena: and John. who was educated at the Leland Stanford University. Mrs. Daggett is an au- thoress of note, who has not only contributed to numerous periodicals in different parts of the country, but whose novels, Maripossilla and Broad Aisle, have been enthusiastically received.

JOHN ERICKSON. Among the very old families of Sweden is that represented by Mr. Erickson, of Pasadena, whose father, Erick An- derson, and mother, Anna Johnson, were iden- tified with the farming community of the town of Hedemora, on the Wester-Dal, and were faithful members of the Lutheran Church. The father died at the homestead when he was sixty- five years of age, leaving five children, of whom John and a daughter are the only representa- tives in America. The oldest son in the family, John was born at Hedemora February 18, 1864.

leo. Rutherford

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and at the age of fourteen years began an ap- prenticeship of three years to the carpenter's trade in Stockholm. Meantime he also attended night school, where he acquired a knowledge of draughting.

It was during the year 1888 that Mr. Erick- son came to America via England to New York, from which point he proceeded to Chicago. One year later he went west to Seattle, Washı., where he worked at liis trade. In 1891 he be- gan to take contracts for the building of houses and continued to do a large business until after the fire. Since 1895 he has made Pasadena his home, and since 1898 has taken contracts for buildings in this city and vicinity, having, among other residences, built those of Messrs. Swan (on East Colorado) and Smith (on West Colorado), also that of R. Eason, with numer- ous other private homes and a number of public buildings, including the Bentz block. His own home, erected by himself, stands at No. 864 North Orange Grove avenue, and is presided over by his wife, formerly Miss Mathilda Nil- son, who was born in Smaland, Sweden. They have one son, James Lester. In religion the family are believers in the Lutheran faith, in which Mr. Erickson was reared. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is a past officer in the Independ- ent Order of Foresters.

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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 158

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