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 173

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

USA > California > 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 173

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The canning factory in which Mr. Pitzer has been interested was built by Isaac Sanburn in 1888, and the business was established by him in association with others. The original offi- cers of the company were J. H. Mertz, presi- dent; Isaac Sanburn, vice-president; C. C. Moore, secretary; and J. E. Ball, treasurer; Isaac Sanburn acting as manager from the first. The first work of the factory was the canning of peaches and pears, and later they also put on the market apricots, prunes and plums. Sub- sequently they entered into all kinds of canning, and have so continued. To secure adequate amounts for their use they raise their own ber- ries, tomatoes and apples. The original build- ing of brick has been enlarged from year to year. in order to meet the constantly increasing demand for their canned goods. In 1901 the output was over one hundred car loads, and during the season five hundred hands were em- ployed. The output for 1902 promises to be even larger than that of the preceding year. The special brands of peaches are Orange Blossom, Mocking Bird, Chrysanthemum, Searchlight and California Poppy, besides which they have fine brands of apricots, tomatoes, peas, etc .. and dry fruits in addition to canning. So popular have their products become that thev can scarcely supply the demand, which is itself the greatest testimony of their success. About 1895 Grant Pitzer was admitted to the firm as a partner, and three years later Mr. Pit- zer turned his interest over to his other son, Lee, since which time he has been to a large extent retired, although his assistance and ad- vice are ever at the call of his sons, and his long experience makes his counsel particularly

1168

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

valuable. During the Civil war Mr. Pitzer en- listed in the Second Nebraska Volunteer Cav- alry in April, 1863, serving one year, and also took part in the battle of the White Stone Hills in North Dakota against the Indians. He and his wife have a commodious and attractive home at No. 683 Garey avenue. His ranch has ten acres in lemons and a similar tract in navel oranges.

J. L. SANDERSON. Were Mr. Sanderson to narrate his various adventures while con- nected with the stage routes which preceded the building of the railroads across the plains, he might furnish material for some aspiring teller of tales with which to interest the rising gen- eration for years to come. The youth of Mr. Sanderson was spent among the hills of Frank- lin county, Vt., where he was born May 16, 1844. His paternal grandfather, Sanford, was born in Massachusetts and became a farmer in Vermont, and served with courage during the war of 1812. His son, Sanford, the father of J. L., was born in Franklin county, Vt., and he also was a farmer near the town of Highgate, and served for many years as a selectman. In his young manhood he married Jane Diamond, who was born in Vermont, and died there, and was the mother of three boys, two now living. The great-grandfather, Diamond, was born in Massachusetts and became one of the Pioneers of Highgate, and there the grandfather, Moses, was born, and became a farmer and served as an officer in the war of 1812.

J. L. Sanderson was reared on his father's farm, and attended the Highgate high school, and in 1866 went to Kansas City, Mo., where his uncle, J. L. Sanderson, had settled in 1860 and had the mail contract from St. Louis to Kansas City, Mo., during the war. In 1866 the uncle secured the government mail contract between the Missouri river and San Bernardino, Cal., and his nephew was a messenger on the overland stage route from Kansas City to Santa Fe. The stage line was conducted by Barlow & Sanderson, and those were busy times on the plains, especially during the Indian raids in 1867-69. The stage was often chased by the' redskins and its passengers and driver had many narrow escapes from capture, which meant certain death and perhaps torture. From Fort Lyon to Larned the stage had a government escort. When the Santa Fe Rail- road began to be built the firm contracted ahead of the railroad until they arrived in Santa Fe. During this time Mr. Sanderson served chiefly as agent and general assistant to his uncle. When the Leadville mines were dis- covered he ran the stage and mail to the town, and continued in the rather exciting occupation until the coming of the Rio Grande ilroad. In 1880 be ran a stage line from Salida to Gun-

nison, and later extended the line to Ouray, Sil- verton, and Grand Junction, on the frontier all the time. His uncle had four hundred miles of contract in Northern California, including So- noma, Lake, Mendocino, and Humboldt coun- ties, and the younger Sanderson was manager of the route for four years, with headquarters at Cloverdale, Cal.

January 1, 1887, Mr. Sanderson came to Los Angeles and engaged in the livery busi- ness, running the Eureka stables for three years. Since 1890 he has been located at 510 South Broadway, and has barns 51x150 feet in dimensions. The location near the center of the city greatly facilitates trade, and in fact the barns are the largest in the city proper. The enterprise is a livery, feed, and sale stable, and has a fine line of vehicles of all kinds, including tally-hos and outing traps, and horses which are above the average. Mr. Sanderson is a Re- publican in politics, and is a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce. Fraternally he is associated with the Foresters of America and with the Maccabees.

ADELMO SCHROEDER. The junior member of the firm of Schroeder Brothers, dec- orators and frescoers and sign painters, pos- sesses the true western spirit, and knows how to apply his talents to the advantages of the ar- tistic and social community of Los Angeles. Like his brother, Hugo, the senior member of the firm, he was born in Nauvoo, Ill., the old Mormon town, June 28, 1855, a son of John C. Schroeder, for many years identified with the Icarian movement in Illinois and Iowa, and a man of remarkable character and attainments.

The second in his father's family of six sons. Mr. Schroeder was educated in the private schools of Davenport, and when the family re- moved to Icaria, Iowa, in 1871 he began to work for the elder Schroeder, having in boy- hood learned every department of the painting business. The little settlement of Icaria, found- ed by the father, contained mostly frame houses, and these Adelmo painted after the most ap- proved method, and he was similarly employed after removing to Corning, three miles distant. He later went with the family to Creston and still contracted and painted, and December I, 1874, removed to Los Angeles, the rest of the family following him in May of 1875. The father and sons opened a little shop in an adobc house near the corner of First and Main streets. Los Angeles, and which is the present site of the McDonald painting establishment. Work quickly came their way as their versatility and understanding of their business became known. They decorated the houses of Benjamin Tru- man, Mr. Hellman, Governor Downey, and Colonel Howard, which were but a few of their notable commissions. As sign painters the

1169

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

firm gained a truly enviable reputation, but this important branch of city decoration has been abandoned, owing to the demand for their services along purely decorative lines. How- ever, they accomplished all of the fine sign work in the city, and in this have no superiors on the Pacific coast. From the original loca- tion the enterprise was shifted to the corner of First and Spring streets, and later to Temple street, and later still to where Gerson, the jew- eler, is now conducting business. They were afterwards on different parts of Spring street, but since 1897 have conducted their affairs from the headquarters at No. 121 East Second street.

In San Francisco Mr. Schroeder married Au- gusta Breuer, a native of that city, and a daugh- ter of O. S. Breuer, a miner and business man of San Francisco. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder. Adelmo, whose untimely death left a void in the hearts of all who knew him, met with an accident July 4, 1901, and died therefrom four weeks later. He was an unusually promising boy, and during the fifteen years of his life had graduated at the high school, begun to learn the machinist's trade, and developed a very fine singing voice. The other children are Augusta and William. Nineteen years ago Mr. Schroeder bought thirty feet of land at No. 731 South Broadway, which has since been his home. He is vari- ously identified with the organizations in which Los Angeles abounds, and is a member of the Turn Verein, of which he was a trustee for one term. Fraternally he is associated with the Red Men and the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. Mr. Schroeder has always been greatly in- terested in amateur plays, and at one time took a prominent part in this form of entertainment. He is a man of broad culture and exhaustive knowledge of general affairs, and is a citizen whom any community would be proud to have in its midst.

HUGO SCHROEDER. The many sided art of frescoing and decorating as interpreted by the Schroeder Brothers has placed Los An- geles in a position to compete with any city in the country, and to challenge the admiration and criticism of all who appreciate the vast amount of talent necessary for the accomplish- ment of harmonious embellishment. Although compelled by the pressure of general decorat- ing demands to abandon for a few years past the business of sign painting, in this depart- ment alone the firm has inconceivable elevated the standard in the city. And when one reflects to what an extent the character of signs denot- ing different lines of business please with the compliment of harmony or repel with the inso- lence of crudity, and how sweepingly universal is the habit of advertising, this one phase of

city life would seem to be of large and im- portant proportions.

Hugo Schroeder, the elder of the brothers, was born in Nauvoo, Hancock county, Ill., March 28, 1853, a son of John C. and Amelia (Lemme) Schroeder, natives of Hamburg, Ger- many. John C. Schroeder, artist, educator,, hu- manitarian, and scholar, possessed an intellec- tuality above the average, and embellished with his many sided culture whatever seemed to him worthy of consideration. In his native land he started to learn the apothecary business, but owing to his father's death, and the necessity of immediate self support, he adopted a much more congenial means of livelihood and devel- oped an unusual talent for painting. especially landscape. This he continued for some time in Germanv with much success, but an innate love of freedom, and a rebellion against the limita- tions by which he was surrounded, induced him to seek the larger possibilities of America. April 22, 1847, he left Hamburg on a sailer and arrived in New Orleans November 7th of the same year, and in the Louisiana city continued to paint landscapes and also frescoed, with the results achieved in the land of his forefathers. The same spirit of tolerance which had impelled his immigration to the United States inspired his life in New Orleans and caused him to view with abhorrence the evidences of bondage all through the south. In order to get away from the slave and his woes he removed to Nauvoo, Ill., Tuly 2, 1851, and joined the Icarian com- munity in which he became much interested. When a new colony was established in Adams county, Iowa, September 29. 1859, he identified his fortunes with the embrvo undertaking. While the little band was still in its infancy. in 1860. he went to Davenport. Towa, on a fur- lough, and for ten vears worked at his favorite occupation. and became identified with the highest educational and material growth of the city. It was entirely owing to his recognition of its necessity that the first Froehel kinder- garten school of Davenport was started, an en- terprise in which he took much interest, and as- sisted in a practical and lasting way. During the Civil war he served his adopted country by fulfilling the duties of a recruiting officer in Davenport, a position to which he was appoint- ed by the governor of the state. The Iowa city was rendered memorable to him also be- cause of the death in February. 1863. of his wife, whom he had married in New Orleans, and who was in all senses of the word a help- mate and companion. In June of 1870 Mr. Schroeder went to Chicago, Ill .. and remained until the following month, when he again sought his friends in Icaria. Iowa. Though he was a German by birth and education he was by this French colony elected president of the society, a position maintained for two terms.

1170

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

This happened during the Franco-Prussian war, but Mr. Schroeder showed no inclination to return to fight the battles of the Fatherland, but rather continued his peaceful life in Icaria and as a frescoer made rapid strides as one of the most expert in his line. In 1874 hie re- moved to Corning, Iowa, where he had estab- lished a business for the society, and the same year he went to Creston, Iowa, and engaged in sign painting and frescoing with his sons. Owing to a severe attack of rheumatism which nearly incapacitated him he came to California in November of 1874, a fortunate decision, for in time he regained his old strength of mind and body, and his talents shone with even greater brilliancy. He went into business with his sons in Los Angeles and worked up one of the largest sign and fresco trades in Southern Cali- fornia, and was thus employed until his death December 29, 1892. He was an artist of pro- nounced ability, a fine penman, and a writer of force and originality, and he understood the practical forces which go to make up an ideal community. Thus he was one of the founders of the German Benevolent Society, of the Turn Verein, the Germania Society, and the German Dramatic Society, in Davenport. The seventy- two years of his life were fashioned after broad intellectual lines, and his influence wherever he chose to reside redounded to the material, in- tellectual, moral and artistic well-being of his locality. Of the sons who have profited by the example of his life, and who revere his memory and recall with gratitude his efforts in their behalf, William is president of the Cali- fornia Art Glass Works of San Francisco; Adelmo is the partner of his brother, Hugo; Edward died at the age of three years; Fremont is a pointer in San Francisco; and Emil lives in San Francisco and is an architect by profes- sion. Emil Schroeder was adopted by his un- cle, Edward Lemme, who had no children, and has since taken the name of Lemme. He is remarkably successful as an architect, and de- signed and carried out the Sutro Baths and the Cliff House, besides numerous important com- missions in different parts of San Francisco.

Hugo Schroeder removed with his father to Icaria in the fall of 1859, and in the spring of 1860 went to Davenport, where he studied in the public schools until 1867. He then went to Denver, Colo., and apprenticed as a carriage- painter with the Weber Carriage Manufactur- ing Company, with whom he remained for four years. He then returned east and joined the family at Icaria, Iowa, and assisted his father in his business until 1873. After the family re- moval to Creston the sons operated with their father under the firm name of J. C. Schroeder & Sons, and in 1874 located in Los Angeles, where their skill won for them almost immedi- ate recognition. For years headquarters of the

decorating, frescoing and sign painting business were on Spring street, afterwards on Broadway, and since 1897 at No. 121 East Second street. They have an enormous trade, and have been called upon for the most responsible and artis- tic undertakings in the city. The business is conducted under the firm name of Schroeder Brothers.

In Los Angeles Mr. Schroeder married Jen- nie Happ, who was born in Buffalo, N. Y., a daughter of Martin Happ, who early settled in Los Angeles, and was a merchant tailor by oc- cupation. Mr. Happ now lives in retirement in Los Angeles, and is the father of seven daugh- ters, six of whom are living. To Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder have been born three children: Leo A., who is a graduate of the medical depart- ment of the University of California, class of 1902; Laura C., who is attending the high school and Walter H., who is also a student at the high school. Mr. Schroeder is the friend and patron of education, and is a man of liberal tendencies and unquestioned devotion to the public welfare. He is one of the commercially reliable men of the city, and his professional skill and numerous admirable personal charac- teristics have won for him a high standing in the community. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and a member of the Master Painters' As- sociation, of which he is a director.

GEORGE A. SMITH. One to whom the surroundings of Los Angeles have seemed to offer unusual inducements for the conducting of an ideal dairy business, and who has had the perseverance and common sense to carry his ideas to a successful termination, is George A. Smith, one of the most enterprising in luis line in Southern California. From every standpoint Mr. Smith is a self-made man, for in his youth no good genius made the way smooth for future accomplishment. He was born in Macoupin county, Ill., near Bunker Hill, July 14, 1866, and is a son of John E. and Mary (Eddington) Smith. His paternal grandfather was born in St. Louis, Mo., and by occupation was an ar- chitect and builder in that city. Both himself and wife died within a few hours of each other during the first great cholera siege in the south. John E. Smith was born in St. Louis, and after- wards became a farmer in the vicinity of Bun- ker Hill, Ill., from which locality he removed to Los Angeles county, Cal., in 1896, and is at present ranching at Lamanda Park. During the Civil war he served on the Union side in the One Hundred and Fifty-second Illinois Infan- try, and is at present a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife was born in Macoupin county, Ill., a daughter of Joseph Eddington, who, at an early day, came from England and became one of the pioneers of the locality around Bunker Hill, Ill. Mrs. Smith,

1171

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

who died in Illinois in 1892, was the mother of three sons and two daughters, of whom George A. is the oldest. Joseph E. is a rancher in Los Angeles county; Frank T. is agent for the Santa Fe road at Redondo; Hattie P. is now Mrs. Sanders of Litchfield, Ill., and Cora B. is living at home.

On his father's farm Mr. Smith received a practical bringing up, and was educated in the district schools around Bunker Hill and at the academy in the town. In order to secure high- er education he started in at the age of nineteen to teach school in McLean and Woodford counties, having paid his way through the acad- emy by working on the farm during the sum- mer, and he was therefore able to take a three years' course at the Illinois State Normal. In 1891 he came to Los Angeles, and at the time his available assets consisted of $1.40. He soon found a position in the Lynwood dairy as but- ter maker and engineer, and at the end of eigh- teen months resigned to engage independently in the butter and milk business. Then was started the enterprise which has since proved such a satisfactory source of revenue, but which was on a small scale, so small that one horse and wagon could take care of all the delivering. At the end of two years seven wagons were re- quired for the carrying on of the business, and the largest retail butter and milk business in the city rewarded the enterprise of the owner there- of. Good goods and fair prices were the rule of the establishment, and absolutely fair treat- ment was assured to all who desired to profit by the opportunity to get the best the market afforded. In the mean time the men who were driving the wagons were gaining a knowledge of the business, and to them Mr. Smith sold his interests on the installment plan in 1897, and in due time the debt was entirely cancelled.

In May of 1897 Mr. Smith opened the whole- sale creamery business in which he is now en- gaged, and which is located at No. 1235 East Ninth street. It would be difficult to find a more systematically conducted enterprise than what is known as Smith's creamery. The daily capacity is twelve hundred pounds, and the milk is obtained from different parts of the county, viz .: Clearwater, Downey, Long Beach, Bixby, and Cerretos. The most approved and modern machinery is used in the manufactory. A really remarkable increase in volume of business has followed Mr. Smith's ideal methods, for, where- as in 1897 about ten dollars' worth of business was done a day, there is now an average of over $10,000 a month, and a yearly average of $125,- 000. This is constantly increasing, and arrange- ments are always available for an enlarged ca- pacity. The manufactory is equipped with a cold storage plant and the butter manufactured is sold to wholesale trade only. A more than local reputation is accorded the excellent arti-

cle known as Smith's creamery for it is shipped to all surrounding towns and as far north as Ventura and also to Catalina island.

The marriage of Mr. Smith and Nellie M. Raymond was solemnized at Bunker Hill, I11., November 12, 1890, Mrs. Smith being a daugh- ter of Frederick Raymond, who was born in Somersetshire, England. Her paternal grand- father, Joseph, also a native of Somersetshire, brought his family to America when his son, Frederick, was twelve years of age, and became a pioneer farmer of the vicinity of Bunker Hill. Frederick Raymond, who was also a farmer near Bunker Hill, died in 1889. His wife, formerly Annie Jane Culp, was born in Tennessee, a daughter of Amos Culp, who removed from his native Tennessee to Brighton, Ill., where he was a pioneer farmer. There were seven chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond, of whom Mrs. Smith is the fourth, and the only one in California. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but one is living, George A., Jr. Nellie C. died at the age of nine years, and Clarence W. died at the age of two years. Mr. Smith is one of the charter members of the Los Angeles Creamery Board of Trade, of which he is ex-vice president and ex-director. He is also *a charter member of the Dairyman's Associa- tion of Southern California. The success of Mr. Smith is based upon the application of universal principles of fairness and integrity, augmented by an unfailing courtesy and unusual tact.

WILLIAM P. SNYDER. When the work of building up Ocean Park was begun Mr. Sny- der saw a favorable opening in the new town and accordingly began to do business here in his line of contracting painting. At the time of his arrival there were only about seventeen cot- tages, but the growth has been little short of remarkable since that time, and in 1900, the business growing very large, he deemed it ad- visable to move to the town, where he has since made his home. In 1901 he had contracts for about one hundred and twenty-five cottages and during the busy season furnished employment to twenty hands. His headquarters are in a new building he has erected on the corner of Lake and Hill streets.

In Marshall, Mich., William P. Snyder was born September 20, 1869, being the youngest child of Porter and Sarah Jane (Eddy) Sny- der, mention of whom is made in the sketch of George D. Snyder. When fifteen years of age he began to learn the painter's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship in Jackson, Mich. During the four years of his time he learned every department of the trade. Returning to Marshall he worked for a year. In February, 1890, he settled in San Bernardino, Cal., and became foreman of painting in the bridge and building department of the Southern California

1172

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Railroad between Barstow and San Diego. At that time he first beheld the site of the present village of Ocean Park, then called South Santa Monica. Nothing was to be seen but sandhills and the general aspect was unattractive and un- inviting.

At the close of the strike in 1895 Mr. Snyder resigned his position with the road and began contract painting in Los Angeles, where he re- mained until his removal to Ocean Park. Even now he often returns to the city to fill a con- tract for one of his former customers. The careful and painstaking manner in which all of his work is done is recognized by the people and has won for him their confidence and ap- preciation. While in San Bernardino he mar- ried Helen M. Schoch, who was born in Mar- shall, Mich., of Pennsylvania parentage. The three children forming their family are Cath- erine, Paul and Phil. Mr. Snyder is a contrib- utor to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a member. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank, Royal Arcanum and Fraternal Brother- hood of Santa Monica.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 173

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