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 58

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

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They passed "Sweet Bingen" before sunset and spent the night at Weisbaden, then on to Heidelburg with its bursted tower, then to Stras- bourg with its immense cathedral (the spire being 465 feet in height), then through Germany

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and Austria to Lucerne, Switzerland, a beautiful city at the foot of Lake Lucerne, with Mount Pilatus on the west and craggy, precipitous Riga on the south, the summit being nearly six thou- sand feet above sea level, the ascent being made by a car and coach combined, driven by a powerful engine operating a cog drive wheel, with center track to match it. From its giddy heights the lofty snow-covered peaks of the Swiss Alps could be seen on all sides, with Mount Blanc in the distance, and in sight is a niche in the mountains where stands a monu- ment in commemoration of William Tell. Look- ing down from this mountain top can be seen the surrounding lakes, little valleys, towns and cities, a beautiful scene never to be forgotten. The shore portion of the city of Zug dropped into the lake nearly out of sight early in 1887. After visiting the Lion of Lucern some thirty feet in length, chiseled from a solid rock in the mountain side, in commemoration of the eight hundred soldiers that were killed while defend- ing the city, they took a steamer on their way to Interlaken, arriving at dark after crossing the Alps by way of Bruning pass, a long and some- what perilous climb, not knowing what moment an avalanche might crash down upon them, while the rain came down in torrents, the rocky defile trembling from thunder claps, lightning often striking uncomfortably near. This was the most tiresome day of the trip, but after dinner they were greeted by Mrs. J. P. Stearns and daughter Leonora, and a delightful evening was spent. From here can be seen Jungfrau (young wife), carved by nature on a pinnacle of the Alps 13,000 feet in height.

The party went to Lauterbrunnen and Grin- delwald by carriages; in making the ascent his daughter Ella came near losing her life, as the carriage she was in narrowly escaped being thrown hundreds of feet down an almost perpen- dicular rocky cliff. They took cars to Lake Thun. then a steamboat to the foot of lake, then cars to Lausanne at the head of Lake Geneva, then on to Martigny and Chamouni valley, then up to the ice-covered heights of Mount Blanc, the summit rising to 15,870 feet above the sea level; next to the city of Geneva, at the foot of the lake, where a delightful time was had. With reluctance they left the charming old city (that covered for a long distance both banks of the Rhone), and took cars for Paris, the great live city of the world, with its many beautiful boule- vards, diverging from the Triumphal Arch, which was built in 1806 to commemorate French victories in Austria and Prussia. They visited Hotel des Invalides under whose great gilded dome (323 feet in height) are the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte, his field marshals and others of France's illustrious dead: at the front entrance, cut in stone, is this, from Napoleon's will: "I desire that my ashes may rest on the

banks of the Seine in the midst of the French people whom I have loved so well." They then went to the Palace of Justice, built in the thir- teenth century, where was imprisoned Marie Antoinette, just previous to her execution, also Napoleon III. and Prince Pierre Bonaparte; then to the Pantheon, the Temple of Liberty, Notre Dame and scores of other places and objects of interest; thence by carriages to Ver- sailles, with her equestrian fountains and statu- ary of Louis XIV., art galleries, etc .; then took cars to Dieppe, steamer across English channel to Newhaven and cars again to London; tarried a few days, then back to Glasgow. In her beau- tiful plaza is Burns' finest monument, besides Sir Walter Scott's and many others; her manu- facturing establishments are immense; her buildings are uniformly large and imposing and of the most substantial character.

Taking the steamer Devonia at Greennock, they came down the Clyde, landed at Moville, Ireland, where they took carriages for a long drive in the country, stopping at old castles then in ruins, as were many habitations. This being their last landing place, they took to their ship anticipating (but vainly so) a pleasant voyage to New York. Their ship came near being wrecked off the Newfoundland Banks; she was thrown from side to side, immense seas rolling over her, crushing skylights, water pouring into the ship, men and women crying out in despair all through the long night, enacting scenes terri- ble to contemplate, even to this day. The captain after remaining on the bridge seventeen consecu- tive hours, fainted from exhaustion and fell to the deck ; after the storm was over the passengers were overjoyed that they had been spared a watery grave. Mr. Barber brought with him souvenirs from the old countries which he prizes very highly, particularly those from burial places of Sir Walter Scott, Burns, Shakespeare, Na- poleon Bonaparte, as also from many other noted historic places and ancient cities. His mean- derings along rivers, and lakes, over mount- ains and through ancient cities, with their strange people and stranger habits, will ever live in his memory, and will be the subject of his dreams as age with its infirmities creeps upon him. All should be seen to be fully appreciated. It was on this trip, while at Geneva, that his idea of the boulevard at Santa Barbara was first evolved, and he said to his companions, "Some- time in the near future we will have a boulevard along the sea beach at Santa Barbara." The idea was never lost sight of until it was an accomplished fact. Greatly as it is now appre- ciated and enjoyed, there were those who- though well-to-do,-dreaded the necessary tax- ation, and who in strong terms reproved Mr. Barber as the originator of this great public improvement; a few have since apologized for their unkind criticisms.

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After having remained abroad from July to September, he returned to New York, and then took his daughters up the Hudson, on to Niagara Falls, along Lake Erie to Cleve- land, then to his old home in Nelson, Ohio. It had been thirty-five years since he first left home for California. The intervening years had brought many changes ; some of his old friends had removed to other parts, others had departed on that last journey that awaits all; but many were still left to grasp his hand with old time friendship, and extend warm and hearty greet- ings to him and his appreciative daughters. His own family, kindred, too, had passed away, the last one twenty years previous; his loneliness can well be imagined. It was therefore some- what in sorrow that he bade a last farewell to the home that had been the scene of many merry-makings while approaching his majority, as well as in his chidlhood, and turned his face towards the home of his mature years in the far west, passing through Chicago, Omaha, Salt Lake City and Sacramento.

In San Francisco, in 1859, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Barber and Mary J. Wheaton, who was born in New Orleans, La., and came to San Francisco in 1854. Four children now liv- ing were born of their union, namely: Sylvia S., now Mrs. H. A. Rogers, of Santa Barbara ; Ella F., wife of R. M. Wood, and Alice F., wife of W. J. Andrews, all of San Francisco ; and Samuel M., who is with his father.

Since the organization of the Ohio Society of Santa Barbara, Mr. Barber has been its Pres- ident, and on the occasion of President McKin- ley's visit to Santa Barbara, in May, 1901, he invited Mr. Barber to visit him in his private car, where he received a most cordial greeting ; he then presented to the President, from this or- ganization, a souvenir, on one side of which was carved the stars and stripes; with this was an engrossed address, and a roster bearing the names of the members of the Ohio Society of Santa Barbara. In accepting the gift, President Mckinley said, "this I will ever keep." By virtue of his office Mr. Barber was delegated to meet with the parent Ohio Society of California in San Francisco, May 18, and take part with it on the occasion of the launching of the battle- ship Ohio. President Mckinley was in the front rank, and with him were the distinguished offi- cers that accompanied him from the east.

For years Mr. Barber has been a constant member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, having joined Yerba Buena Lodge, No. 15 of San Francisco, in June, 1863, and he is now identified with the Veteran Odd Fel- lows Association of California. He was a charter member of Channel City Lodge No. 232, the name of which was adopted at his suggestion. Formerly he was a member of the Encampment. The degree of Rebekah was conferred on him by

its author, Hon. Schuyler Colfax, and he is still a member. Twice he was elected a delegate to the Grand Lodge; for years he was a trustee of his lodge, and for one term was deputy grand master of District No. 54. He is also associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Ameri- can Legion of Honor.

In his associations with fraternal organiza- tions, he has done all possible for their upbuild- ing, and for the promotion of fraternal brother- hood, beneficence and social enjoyment; he has ever had the courage of his convictions, dared to do right, regardless of consequences of a per- sonal nature. His life race is nearly at an end, and he will go hence with gratitude for honors conferred, and with malice toward none.

CAV. L. SCHIAPPA PIETRA. At the an- cestral home of the Schiappa Pietra family, in Albissola Marina, province of Genova, Italy, Cavalier Leopoldo Schiappa Pietra was born February 3, 1842, and his education was ac- quired in the city of Savona. From 1859 to 1866 he was in the employ of the Italian gov- ernment, with the minister of public works of Italy, but during the year last named he secured a two years' leave of absence in order to visit his brothers, Federico and Antonio, in Califor- nia. These brothers were men of great enter- prise, whose ambitions could not be limited by the boundaries of their native land. In 1849 Federico went to Peru and embarked in the mercantile business at Lima. The favorable re- ports he sent home induced his brother An- tonio to join him the following year, but the prevalence of fever in those equatorial regions rendered prolonged residence inadvisable, and in 1851 Federico came to California, landing at San Francisco, and opened a store at Calaveras; but, being burned out twice, he left that town and settled in San Luis Obispo in 1853. An- tonio came to California in 1853 and joined his brother. About 1855 Federico came to Santa Barbara, where his brother joined him a year later, after a visit to all Southern California to select a permanent place. The two carried on a mercantile business in the city. About 1859 they also established a store in Ventura, and the two establishments were conducted with fair profits. Seeking a further outlet for their ener- gies, Federico and Antonio purchased the Juan Sanchez rancho, named the Santa Clara del Norte. The property was more commonly known as Punta de la Loma (Point near the River) and comprised fourteen thousand acres, which was used as a range for their sheep. In 1866 they were joined by their younger brother, Leopoldo, whose intention to return to Italy after a short visit was changed through the death of Federico in 1867. With the hope that he might eventually induce Antonio to return permanently to Italy, Leopoldo remained in

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California and took up the business interests of his deceased brother. As time passed by he fell under the charm of California climate and de- cided to remain here.

The Santa Barbara store was closed in 1868, after which the brothers gave their attention to the management of the Ventura business until 1877, when they disposed of it also. Thereafter they devoted themselves to the improvement of the ranch, Punta de la Loma, where they were engaged principally in the sheep business, al- though also raising cattle to some extent. About 1890 they began to change from the stock business to general farming, raising most- ly barley and corn, but, finding this less suc- cessful than they had anticipated, they turned their attention to the lima-bean industry, in which product they planted some seven thou- sand acres, mostly all watered by a ditch. Dur- ing the dry season of 1871 they gave the squat- ters permission to work in the opening of this canal, and in this Leopoldo at present owns a controlling interest, being vice-president of the Santa Clara Water and Irrigation Company. A portion of the ranch he has disposed of, and now retains only fifteen hundred acres, with his country residence. Recently nearly seven thou- sand acres were sold at a handsome figure (over one million dollars) to the California Fruit and Farming Company, Limited, of Manchester, England.

For the first time since leaving the old home years before, the brothers returned to Italy in 1894. During the trip Antonio died of the grippe (resulting from a severe cold contracted in California) at San Remo, Italy, February 2, 1895, at the age of sixty-two years. His death left Leopoldo the sole representative of the fam- ily in America and the inheritor of their large and valuable interests in California, but at the same time it gave to him that realization of lone- liness which comes to all who outlive their kin- dred. During a later visit in Italy, in 1899, he was made a Cavalier of the Crown of Italy by King Umberto. Of recent years he has made his home in Los Angeles, where he erected on the corner of Alvarado and Ninth streets a handsome residence, of the Moorish style of architecture.

The lady whom Mr. Schiappa Pietra married was Miss Amparo Arenas, a member of one of the distinguished old Spanish families of Cali- fornia. Her grandfather, Christobal Palomares, came as an officer from Alamos, Mexico, to the presidio of Monterey in the beginning of the nineteenth century and there he married Bene- dicta Sainz, by whom he had twelve children. A native of Spain, he was a member of a patri- cian family of that country, and went with his father from the city of Madrid to Mexico. His son, Don Ygnacio Palomares, was one of the owners of San José rancho, where now stands

Pomona, Lordsburg, Azusa and other towns of the San Gabriel valley. This vast area of twenty- two thousand three hundred and eighty acres was a Mexican grant conferred on Ygnacio Palomares, Ricardo Vejar and Luis Arenas in 1840. Some years ago, when a transfer of prop- erty in Pomona made an abstract of the land necessary, it required the work of six men for ninety days to make the translations of old Spanish deeds into English, and the abstract when completed filled thirty-eight volumes.

The mother of Mrs. Schiappa Pietra was the late Doña Josefa Palomares de Arenas. When she was born, in 1815, the pueblo of Los Angeles was only thirty-four years old. There were no schools, but, being ambitious to learn, she eag- erly seized every scrap of paper or printed mat- ter that came wrapped around merchandise in vessels from Spain. When Governor Alvarado established his residence in Los Angeles she obtained a primary reader from his family, and on completing it was compelled to discontinue her studies, as there were no more books. At the age of fourteen years she married Don José Maria Abila, whose ancestor, Cornelio Abila, came from Mexico in 1769, with Padre Junipero Serra, to establish the missions. He acted as custodian for the sacred vessels, had charge of the olive and grape cuttings for the orchards, and was subsequently major-domo at San Ga- briel. The members of the Abila family were among the largest land owners of their time. They owned Sausal Redondo, Salina, Laguna Seca, Los Cuervos and Piletas, all situated in what is now the county of Los Angeles.

In 1830 Manuel Victoria was appointed gov- ernor of California, but he soon made himself obnoxious to the people by his attempts to over- turn civil authority and substitute military rule. In compliance with his orders, José Maria Abila was imprisoned in the cuartel and Don Abel Stearns and José Antonio Carrillo were exiled. The arrest of Abila was an insult not to be borne by a man of his proud nature, and he vowed vengeance on Victoria. An opportunity was soon offered him in the leading of a small force from San Diego against the governor un- der Pablo de Portilla, comandante of the pre- sidio. Don José Maria Abila joined the insur- gents, of whom he was chosen a captain. When they reached the Buena Vista hills they met Victoria with an armed force. Reckless of dan- ger, Abila rushed forward to meet the enemy, and Captain Pacheco was instantly killed by a shot from his gun. He then attacked and wounded Victoria, but received a fatal bullet in his own body from one of the governor's sol- diers. Victoria was taken to Mission San Gabriel and to the relief of the people he soon fled from the country. The bodies of the two slain sol- diers were taken to the Abila residence, which stood on ground north of the Church of Our

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Lady of Angels of the Plaza, and there the same hands rendered the last sad rites to both men, lying side by side.

The news of the death of his son-in-law proved a fatal shock to Christobal Palomares, who had been a district judge. A demand for valuable papers was made upon him, which pa- pers he delivered, getting up from a sick bed to do so, but dropping dead as he re-entered his home. This left the girl of fifteen years a widow and fatherless on the same day. Six months later she became the mother of Mer- cedes, who married Don José de Arnaz, pro- prietor of the Ventura mission. Four years af- ter the death of Abila his widow was married to Luis Arenas, who was associated with her brother in the ownership of the San José ranch, and also owner of the San Mateo ranch in So- noma county. With him she removed to the northern part of the state, where the three old- est children of that union were born. From there the family went to Ventura, near the mouth of the Ventura river, where her two youngest children were born. She was spared to a great age and died at her home on South Gran'd avenue, Los Angeles, in 1901. Of her second marriage were born a son, Frank (who was governor of Lower California in 1868), and four daughters: Mrs. J. M. Miller, Mrs. Louisa Stanchfield, of Spadra; Mrs. Schiappa Pietra, and Mrs. Aurelia Ross, who died in Los An- geles in 1900. The two sons and two daughters of Mrs. Ross are being reared and educated by Mr. and Mrs. Schiappa Pietra, whose own chil- dren, Lorenzo Luis and Beatrice Josephine, died in infancy.

CHARLES P. DANDY. As supreme presi- dient of the Fraternal Brotherhood, Mr. Dandy has a wide acquaintance in California. Indeed, the remarkable success attending this organiza- tion is due almost wholly to his wise judgment and able oversight. Ability of the highest order is required to place such an institution upon a substantial basis, thoroughly guard its inter- ests, and not only secure present protection for its members, but also provide for their future needs. The establishment of the Fraternal Brotherhood is due to Mr. Dandy's sagacity. While acting in the capacity of state commander for California of the Maccabees, he found that $60,000 was being sent out of Los Angeles to different fraternal orders, and decided a local organization could be successfully started. With the assistance of G. S. Bartholomew (since deceased) he founded the order, which was incorporated February 3, 1896, under the laws of California. The first lodge was organ- ized March 17, same year, and is known as Lodge No. I, of Los Angeles. At this writing (1902) there are eleven lodges in the city, with a membership of twenty-six hundred; and, in

addition, lodges have been organized in many cities of California, also in Oregon, Washing- ton, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. In one hundred and ninety-eight lodges there is a total membership of thirteen thousand, while $80,000 has been paid out to policy-holders.

The policy of the Fraternal Brotherhood is exceedingly liberal. As an instance of this it may be stated that a member who meets with an accident is given a benefit; if totally dis- abled, one-tenth of the policy is paid, the same amount being paid each year until the total amount of the policy has been paid. At the age of seventy years the member receives one- tenth of his policy, and he is entitled to receive the balance of his certificate in nine annual in- stallments. If a member is ill, the lodge carries his dues until he recovers and is able to meet his payments. Through the conservative man- agement of the officers the death rate has been kept lower than that of any order or old-line company in existence of the same age as the Fraternal Brotherhood. The supreme lodge officers, to whose wise supervision and keen judgment the success of the organization is due, are as follows: J. A. Foshay, supreme past president; C. P. Dandy, supreme president; Mrs. Emma R. Neidig, supreme vice-president; E. A. Beck, supreme secretary; William Mead, su- preme treasurer; W. W. Hitchcock, M. D., supreme physician; and Hon. R. N. Bulla, supreme counselor. The offices are on the fourth floor of the Wilcox building, but it is the intention, during 1902, to erect a lodge building in the heart of the city, on the completion of which the offices will be removed thereto.

Glancing at the personal history of the supreme president, C. P. Dandy, we find that the family is of Irish extraction, and the first of the name in this country engaged in the manufacture of shoes, first in New York, later in Cincinnati. Rev. William C. Dandy, a son of this business man, graduated from Augusta College and became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and later became a member of the Rock River conference. For years before retiring he served as presiding elder of the Aurora district in Illinois. His death occurred in Los Angeles, Cal., May 29, 1901, when within two months of eighty years of age. During his long life he had witnessed many changes in our country and had been a firm believer in the gospel of universal freedom, which he preached from the pulpit. During the excitement of slavery days his belief brought him much op- position, and, to be in more congenial surround- ings, he removed north. Long before this he had set all of his slaves free. Fraternally he was a Knight Templar Mason. In early manhood he married Mary A. McClure, who was born in Bourbon county, Ky., of a Virginia family and

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Scotch descent. Like her husband, she was a stanch abolitionist and freed all of her slaves. Like him, too she was an earnest believer in the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her death occurred in Waukegan, Ill., some eighteen years ago. Of her six children, three are now living, namely: William M., of Chicago; Mrs. F. J. Magin, of Evanston, Ill .; and Charles P. The last-named was born in Lexington, Ky., December 25, 1853, and at the age of thirteen left that city for Chicago. His education was carried on in the Northwestern . University, but when ready to enter the junior year he was obliged to leave on account of trouble with his eyes. From 1871 to 1878 he was a traveling salesman in Illinois and Wis- consin, after which he was employed as an ac- countant in Chicago for two years and in Oska- loosa, Iowa, from 1880 until 1887.

Coming to Los Angeles in 1887, Mr. Dandy became interested in mercantile affairs. From 1891 to 1895 he was state commander of the Maccabees, and from 1895 to 1897 served as clerk of the school board, during which time he organized the Fraternal Brotherhood, which order is a member of the National Fra- ternal Congress. The fact that he is deeply in- terested in the welfare of Los Angeles is proved not only by his membership in the Chamber of Commerce, but also by his participation in many of the movements that are giving prestige to the city and prominence to its commercial spirit. However, it is principally through his work in the Fraternal Brotherhood that he is known, and this has made his name a power ar.d influence in many parts of the state. On every liand it is recognized that liis conservative, vet progressive, policy is winning success for the organization, which has already attained a suc- cess remarkable in an institution that has been in existence for less than a decade. The move- ment, in the hands of one less wise and keen, might have met an early Waterloo, but, guided by his judgment and promoted by his sagacity, it has become one of the substantial organiza- tions of the west.

On Christmas day of 1877, in Elgin, Ill., oc- curred the marriage of Mr. Dandy and Miss Carrie E. Goodrich, who was born and educated in Chicago. They have two children, William G. and Herman B. The older son, who is now a student in the high school, served from 1898 until 1901 in the United States navy, on board the Monterey and the Oregon, and was in Manila and China during the wars of that period.

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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 58

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