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 199

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 199

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A descendant of old Dutchess county, N. Y., stock, the earlier members of which gloried in the beauties of the historic Hudson, and in- dustriously tilled the productive acres along its picturesque banks, Mrs. Reeve was born in Poughkeepsie, and is a daughter of James II. Allen, and granddaughter of Joseph Allen, who owned a farm one and a half miles south of Poughkeepsie, on the Hudson. The family is of English descent, and the emigrating ancestor is supposed to have settled in New York. James H. Allen was a farmer in earlier life, and later engaged in the hardware business in lough- keepsie. On the maternal side Mrs. Reeve is descended from French-Huguenot exiles. Her mother was formerly Ann Eliza Frere, a native of Poughkeepsie, and whose forefathers were among the first settlers of Ulster county, N. Y. Her father, Jacobus Frere, was born at New Paltz, where he engaged in farming, and where he passed the greater part of his life. Frere is the French for brother. Mrs. Allen, who died in New York, was the mother of six children, one of whom is deceased, Mrs. Reeve being the only one on the coast. One of the sons, Henry C., served in the United States army during the Civil war, and fought at the battle of Mobile

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under Farragut. He is now a resident of New York City.

Mrs. Reeve was educated in Poughkeepsie, and there spent her youth and young woman- hood. June 15, 1859, she married Erastus R. Reeve, who was born near Kingston, N. Y. His father, Benjamin Strong Reeve, was born in Newburgh on the Hudson, October 16, 1824, and was a farmer during his active life. The family is of Welsh descent, and for many years has been identified with the city of New- burgh. The mother of Mr. Reeve was, before her marriage, Mary Van Kleeck, a native of Kingston on Hudson, and of Dutch descent. The youngest in his father's family, Mr. Reeve received a practical education, and at a com- paratively early age embarked in business in Poughkeepsie with Mr. Vassar, under the firm name of Vassar & Co. He died in the surround- ings of his youth and later life, October 17, 1874. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and was a man of leading characteristics and busi- ness ability. But one child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Reeve, Mary Reeve, a graduate of Vassar College, and now the wife of Henry A. Darling, of Long Beach.

Mrs. Reeve first came to California in 1885, and after a trip through the state returned to her former home in the east. In 1893 she re- newed her former delightful experience here, and in 1896 located permanently in Long Beach. Her ability has drawn her into many channels of usefulness and activity, and she is accounted one of the most practical business women in the town. She is interested in the Long Beach Land Improvement Association, of which she is a member of the board of directors, and she was one of the organizers of the First National and the Citizens' Savings Bank. In religion she is a member of the Episcopal Church. Her philanthropic and other interests are, in their extent and usefulness, worthy so cultured and exemplary a member of the community.

ANDREW GLASSELL. Lying in the San Fernando valley and in close proximity to Tropico is the well-appointed home of Andrew Glassell, a member of a pioneer family of Los Angeles county and a son of a prominent lawyer of pioneer days. His property possessions ag- gregate between four and five hundred acres, the major portion of which is devoted to gen- eral farm products, while there are ten acres in deciduous fruits. The land affords excellent facilities for grazing and stock-raising forms one of the industries of the owner. In addition to these various interests he is a director in a gold and copper company which owns and is developing mining property in Providence mountains.

In San Francisco, Cal., Andrew Glassell was born October 20, 1860, being a son of Andrew

and Lucy (Toland) Glassell, natives respectively of Culpeper county, Va., and South Carolina. Extended mention of his father's life and the family ancestry appears elsewhere in this vol- ume; but it may be added here that the father was a man of such remarkable ability that, al- though coming to California without means, his intelligence, keen mental faculties and great energy enabled him to accumulate a large prop- erty, which represented his unaided earnings. At his death he left an estate valued at $760,000, which is now in charge of the executors, preparatory to division among the eight chil- dren. Many of his qualities came as an in- heritance from worthy Scotch progenitors. His father, Andrew, enlisted in the war of 1812 from Virginia, but peace was declared before he had an opportunity to engage in any battles. Dur- ing the Civil war he lost all of his property and about 1867 came to Los Angeles, joining his son and namesake. At that time he was seventy- five years of age, and his death occurred six years later. His grandfather, Andrew, a native of Scotland, born in 1738, founded the family in America, where he settled about 1756 in Vir- ginia. There is a family tradition that his an- cestors had gone from France to Scotland with Mary Queen of Scots.

When the Glassell family came to Los An- geles at the close of the Civil war the subject of this article was five years of age. His educa- tion was received in the city's grammar and high school, after which he read law with his father for a time. However, his time and at- tention have been devoted principally to hor- ticulture, general farming, the assisting in superintending his · father's estate, and a real- 'estate business in Los Angeles. His judgment of the values of properties in his home county is excellent and seldom at fault. While he is not active in politics and cares little for partisan matters, yet he has been prevailed upon by his party (the Democratic) to serve as delegate to county conventions and to aid its affairs by his wise counsel and influence. In Los Angeles he was united in marriage with Miss Rietta M. Ring, who was born in Louisiana, being a daughter of his father's second wife, Mrs. Vir- ginia Micon Ring. Three children have been born of their union, namely: Andrietta and William M., at home; and Virgie, who died at twelve years of age.

G. G. GLOWNER. The first trip that Mr. Glowner made across the plains was during the gold-mining days of 1850, when he braved the perils of the desert and wilderness, and the hos- tility of the Indians, in order to reach the land of promise in the far west. Often now, in these opening years of the twentieth century, as he sits in his comfortable home at Gardena, he contrasts those days with the present, and notes

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with gratification the splendid advance which California has made in every iine of activity.

In Richland county, Ohio, Mr. Glowner was born October 2, 1828, being a son of Godlip and Polly (Barker) Glowner, natives respectively ol Germany and Pennsylvania. His father crossed the ocean at eighteen years of age and settled in Pennsylvania, but soon removed to a farm in Richland county, Ohio, and as early as 1835 traveled westward to Missouri, where he home- steaded one hundred and sixty acres. The transformation of this unimproved tract into a profitable farm occupied the remaining years of his life, and on the old homestead he died when fifty-five years of age. Of his seven children G. G. was next to the oldest. The family being poor, he had no advantages whatever. Indeed, his whole schooling consisted of only two months' attendance at district schools, where the mode of instruction was as crude as the building itself.

When twenty-two years of age Mr. Glowner crossed the plains with an ox-team, making the journey in four months. The journey was not without its dangers, although the Indians com- mitted no further depredations besides the stealing of his horse and one cow. Arriving in California, he sought and secured employ- ment in the mines above Sacramento. Finding ' less profit in the mining industry than he had anticipated, he turned his attention to agricul- ture, and for three years cultivated a farm in Mendocino county. He then went back to Mis- souri, but in 1865 again crossed the plains to the Pacific coast. In 1869 he bought one hun- dred and sixty acres in Ventura county, where he turned his attention to ranching. From there in 1877 he removed to Los Angeles county and bought eighty acres, where he engaged in gen- eral farming for eight years. The year 1885 found him a resident of Los Angeles, where he bought four cottages and rented these, super- intending the same personally. On selling out these houses, in 1898, he came to Gardena and bought ten acres of partially improved land, of which he now has six acres in alfalfa, and the balance in peaches and plums. Since coming here he has rebuilt the house, making it better adapted to the needs and comfort of his family. At no time has he been active in politics, in which, indeed, he takes no part aside from vot- ing the Democratic ticket. In religious views he is a believer in the Baptist faith.

While living in Missouri Mr. Glowner mar- ried Miss Mary Neec, who was born in that state. Her father, George Neec, who was a native of Tennessee, devoted all of his active life to agriculture. For years he operated a farm in Missouri, but about 1859 came to Cali- fornia and settled in Mendocino county, where his death occurred. Four children comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Glowner, namely:

Catherine, who is married and resides in Gar- dena; George; Mary, who married Charles Dunn, of Norwalk; and Lee, at home.

HON. H. H. MARKHAM. During the eighteenth century the family represented by ex-Governor Markham of Pasadena was iden- tified with the growth and development of New England. Brazilla Markham, who was born at Brookfield, Conn., March 2, 1738. became a business man in Pittsford, Vt., but later settled in Essex county, N. Y., where he died in the village of Jay, June 1, 1824. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Whittaker, was born September 1, 1758, and died at Jay in 1804. Among their children was a son, Nathan B., who was born at Pittsford, Vt., April 27, 1796, and during a long and active business career engaged in iron manufacturing at Wilmington, N. Y. While still a mere boy he enlisted in the war of 1812, and among the engagements in which he bore a part was that at Plattsburg. The old musket which he carried is now one of the prized possessions of his son at Pasadena. In an early day he was initiated into Masonry and afterward raised to the Royal Arch degree. During the existence of the Whig party he was true to its principles, and after its disintegra- tion he became a Republican. His death oc- curred at Manitowoc, Wis., January 22, 1882.

The wife of Nathan B. Markham was Susan McLeod, who was born at Sullivan, N. H., Sep- tember 22, 1801, a daughter of Deacon Thomas and Patty (Wilder) MeLeod. natives respec- tively of Boston, Mass., and Sullivan, N. H. Her father, whose birth took place about 1790, became a resident of New Hampshire and from there removed to a farm in Essex county, N. Y. For a long period he served as a deacon in the Presbyterian Church. His wife, who was born in 1794, was a member of a colonial family of New England. At Wilmington, N. Y., Susan McLeod became the wife of N. B. Markham May 10, 1827. Their married life covered a long period of years and was one of mutual hap- piness and helpfulness. Nor were they long separated in death, for she followed him to the grave October 15, 1882, less than a year after his demise.

Ten children comprised the family of N. B. and Susan Markham. The eldest, John D., was born April 23, 1828, and is a resident of Mani- towoc, Wis., where for years he has been a prac- ticing attorney. Alice, born March 30. 1829, married John Killen, and died in Manitowoc, Wis. Byron, born April 26, 1830, is a retired business man of New Lisbon, Wis, Perley. born August 13, 1834, is married and resides in Benzoni, Mich. Elisha Alden, born March 7, 1836, resides at Groton, Mass. Clarissa, born July 17, 1837, married Nelson Darling and died in New Lisbon. Delia, born December 1, 1838,

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died in New York. Henry Harrison, born in Wilmington, Essex county, N. Y., November 16, 1840, is a citizen of Pasadena, Cal. David Earl, born February 21, 1842, became an attor- ney and died in Neenah, Wis. George C., the youngest of the children, was born May 7, 1843; le became an attorney and is also now the third vice-president of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee.

The studies of the public schools were sup- plemented by a course at Wheeler's Academy in Vermont. After graduating, in the spring of 1862, Henry Harrison Markham went to Mani- towoc, Wis. In August of the same year he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-second Wiscon- sin Infantry, and was mustered in as a private at Madison, thence went into camp in Tennes- see. With Sherman he marched through Georgia to the sea, thence north through the Carolinas. At River's Bridge, S. C., February 3, 1865, he was severely wounded. From there he was sent to Beaufort, S. C., and on recover- ing from the wound was sent north and mus- tered out at Milwaukee, July 23, 1865, as sec- ond lieutenant, having heid that rank since the first year of his service. Having decided to take up the study of law, he entered the law office of Waldo, Ody & Van in Milwaukee. In 1867 he was admitted to all the courts of the state and the United States supreme court, and at once began to practice in Milwaukee, where two years later he took his brother, G. C., into partnership.

February 22, 1879, when Pasadena was a vil- lage with about seventy-eight houses, Mr. Mark- ham cast in his fortunes with the infant colony and shortly afterward he purchased twenty-two and one-half acres between Fair Oaks and Cali- fornia avenues, which property has since been his home. In 1887 he erected on Pasadena avenue a residence that architects and builders pronounce the most elegant and conveniently- equipped of any in the city. This charming home is presided over with gracious dignity by Mrs. Markham, formerly Mary A. Dana, who was born in Wyoming, Ill., educated in the Rockford Female Seminary, of which she is a graduate, and married in Chicago. Her father, Giles C. Dana, who was a business man of Waukesha, Wis., traced his ancestry to an old eastern family, connected with Israel Putnam and other colonial statesmen. Four children comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Markham, namely: Marie, who was graduated from Leland Stanford University in 1900; Alice, a student in Throop Institute; Gertrude and Hil- dreth. Another daughter, Genevieve, died in Sacramento in 1891 when seven years old.

The public career of ex-Governor Markham may be said to date from 1884, when he was elected a member of congress to represent the sixth congressional district, including all of the

state from the city of San Diego to the vicinity of San Francisco, and comprising fourteen (now seventeen) counties. It will be readily under- stood that the candidate found himself busy in canvassing his district, and, in fact, though he labored in season and out of season, there were three of the counties which he found it im- possible to visit. However, his campaign work was so well done that he was elected by a majority of five hundred, although his prede- cessor, a Democrat, had received thirty-two hundred majority. At the expiration of his term, not only his own party, the Republican, but the Democrats as well, telegraphed him that the nomination for re-election was his, without opposition. However, he declined the honor. Perhaps the most important feature of his work as congressman was the recognition he re- ceived for Southern California. In those days Northern California was well known through- out the entire country, but little was known of the southern part of the state, and its magnifi- cent possibilities were unappreciated. As a re- sult of his intelligent and arduous labors, he secured the establishment of a United States court in Southern California, started a move- ment in favor of a harbor, won the measure for the founding of a Soldiers' Home, now known as the Pacific Branch of the National Home for Disabled Soldiers, and secured the transfer of the department of Arizona of the regular army to Los Angeles, where it remained until the second administration of Cleveland, meantime bringing into this part of the state about $3,500,- 000 annually. In order to assist old soldiers who desired pensions he employed an assistant, who gave his entire time to these matters, pay- ing him $75 per month out of his own salary. The successful work he had done in connection with the starting of the Soldiers' Home made his selection as a member of its board of man- agers a wise choice, and he continued in that capacity until he was nominated for governor of California, when he resigned. Meantime, finding the appropriation for the home to be insufficient, he went to Washington at his own expense and by his personal efforts secured an appropriation of $187,000 with which to com- plete the home.

As the Republican candidate, in opposition to ex-Mayor Pond of San Francisco (Demo- cratic), he was elected governor in 1890, re- ceiving a majority of about eight thousand. He took the oath of office January 7, 1891, and served in the executive chair until January, 1895, when he retired, not having been a can- didate for re-election. During his term he secured an appropriation of $300,000 for Cali- fornia's exhibit at the World's Fair, which was the largest fund appropriated by any state ex- cept Illinois. Appointing a board whom he had selected with the greatest care, he turned

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the entire management over to them, without recommending any particular policy or any special employes. Every one is familiar with the success of the movement. The exhibit at- tracted thousands, and no state building on the entire grounds won the praise that was on all sides given to California's unique and remark- able collection of products. Not a few who have since become citizens of the state were first attracted hither by a study of the exhibits of fruits and other products at the fair. An- other feat accomplished by Governor Markham was that of compelling the Southern Pacific road to pay back taxes amounting to $1,300,000. Largely due to his efforts was the adoption of the Australian system of voting, which has proved of great benefit to the state, and is now a part of the party platforms. An important pledge made by him was successfully carried out, viz .: that the state tax should not exceed fifty cents on a valuation of a hundred dollars.

Referring more especially to local matters, Governor Markham assisted in the organiza- tion of the First National Bank of Pasadena, and assisted in securing the building of street railroads and the bringing in of the Santa Fe. Indeed, no movement has ever been formulated for the benefit of the city which has failed to receive his support and co-operation. From the first he has been one of those progressive men to whom due credit belongs for the advance made by the city along every line of human ac- tivity. Though no longer in the public service. his interest in all that stands for the welfare of the state remains unchanged. Realizing the necessity of a good harbor, he has never once ceased to interest himself in the harbor bill. and there are probably few who realize all that he has accomplished in its behalf. His family are identified with the Congregational Church and he is a contributor to the same, as well as to other religious movements. His service in the Civil war is borne in mind through his member- ship in the John A. Godfrey Post, G. A. R., and the California Commandery, Loyal Legion. In Masonry he holds membership in Corona Lodge, F. & A. M., Pasadena Chapter. R. A. N., Pasadena Consistory, thirty-second degree, Pasadena Commandery. K. T., and Al Malaikah Temple, N. M. S., of Los Angeles.

PHILIP H. BULLIS. The family . repre- sented by Mr. Bullis of Redondo Beach traces its genealogy to France, where the name was spelled Bollice. Joseph R. Bullis, who was born near Albany, N. Y., January 25, 1800, ha.1 few advantages in youth, and was always hard- working, industrious and energetic. At the time of discovery of gold in California, in 1849. he went to New York City and with nine oth- ers bought a steamboat, in which he sailed around Cape Horn and up to San Francisco.

Impelled by the general excitement of those days, the men abandoned the steamer in the bay and rushed at once to the mines at Hangtown, near Placerville. The success which rewarded his efforts in that locality was not duplicated in his Frazer river experiences in 1852. Later for some years he conducted a wood and coal business in San Francisco. A subsequent ven- ture was the purchase of twenty-six hundred acres of land in Marin county, Cal., where he engaged in the dairy business. Coming to Southern California about 1867, he bought sev- eral thousand acres of the Luigo tract near Lin- wood, where he successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising. On that place his death occurred in July, 1889. In the same lo- cality as himself his wife, Hannah Harder, was born and reared, and her death occurred on their California homestead when she was eighty- three. Both were earnest members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. In their family were seven sons and one daughter. During the early days in California the father was an active mem- ber of the vigilance committee of San Francisco and endeavored to the utmost of his ability to preserve the peace and establish a stable local government.

Near Albany, N. Y., Philip H. Bullis was born April 25, 1840. In 1861 he came to Cali- fornia and for eight years engaged in dairying in Marin county. On coming to Linwood in 1869, his father presented him with a deed for one hundred acres of land, and on this property he conducted farm pursuits. In 1880 he came to Tropico and secured his present tract of land by putting out a vineyard and caring for it for four years. On his thirty-eight acres he planted twenty-two hundred and fifty trees in 1885. About the same time he sold twenty acres and gave to his daughter five acres. The balance of thirteen acres he still owns, and this was planted in 1895 to deciduous fruits. In Febru- ary, 1866, he married Henrietta Payne, of New York. They have five children, namely: Jo- seph; Wesley, a contractor and horticulturist ; Tessa, wife of Jesse Stine, of Tropico; Georgi- ana, who married Frank Francis, and lives at Redondo; and James A., who is with his parents at Redondo.

Aside from voting the Republican ticket, Mr. Bullis has taken no part in politics and has at no time sought office. From 1867 until 1896 he was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, but in the latter year he transferred his membership to the Burbank Holiness Church. in which he is an active worker. At the time of the incorporation of Fairview cemetery, he was chosen vice-president of the company and for five years also served as a director. While great financial success has not come to him, his life bas been a useful, honorable and helpful one. and he has the satisfaction of still retaining his

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strength, so that he can accomplish as much in a day as many men far younger than he. The confidence of his associates is justly merited by his long and honorable career.

CHARLES B. DENISON. As one of those whose interests cluster around Pomona Mr. Denison is especially interested in the develop- ment and prosperity of this portion of South- ern California. He is a member of a pioneer family of this locality. The first to remove to this state was his grandfather Denison, who was born near Somers, Conn., and who in 1874 es- tablished his home at the foot of the mountains north of Pomona. Taking up eighty acres of government land, he set about securing a rev- enue from his property. Settlers being few and conditions favorable for bee culture, he entered upon that occupation, and in time became a suc- cessful apiarist, having about one hundred and forty stands. During his latter years he was the owner of real estate in Pomona, and here his death occurred in 1894, when he was sev- enty-two years of age. His children were John G., of Pomona: Andrew, Ella and Lorenzo J. The last-named was born in Connecticut and at an early age became connected with the busi- ness of buying and selling tobacco. So success- ful was he in this work that no inducements could be made to prevail upon him to relinquish it for the scenic and climatic charms of South- ern California, although he visited the state and was pleased with its attractions.

Near Hartford, Conn., Charles B. Denison was born in 1871. Upon completing his educa- tion in the Hartford high school, he took up the study of music and soon became proficient in the use of the pipe organ. However, he did not limit his attention to this art. Realizing the need of business knowledge, he took a course in bookkeeping and other commercial studies. On account of a lack of robustness in his health, he decided to come to California, and imme- diately after his arrival began to receive more than he had anticipated in renewed health. He dates his residence here from 1892. Shortly after his arrival he bought ninety stands of bees, which amount he increased to six hundred and seventy-five. For some years he was a large shipper of honey, in one year sending twenty- eight tons to the markets. As the seasons be- came constantly more dry, the business proved less profitable, and he then sold many of his stands.

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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 199

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