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 62

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 62

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).

July 16, 1870, Mr. Burke married Ellen M. Murphy, and they had eight children, three now living, namely: Edmund M .; Frank A., a rail- way mail clerk of San Francisco, and Delphina, Mrs. Otis A. Longley, of Fresno.

J. LEE HAGADORN, M. D. In the midst of a community where the medical fraternity has many representatives with an experience of twenty-five years or more, and with reputations extending far beyond the borders of their home city, it is a noteworthy fact that a number of younger physicians have achieved a success that, in view of all the circumstances, is little short of remarkable. In this latter class belongs Dr. Hagadorn, one of the most successful of the modern school of professional activity. His associations are distinctively with the west. A graduate of a California university, a member of various well-known California organizations and a practitioner of Los Angeles, his success is typical of the opportunities which our coast regions offer to young men of ability.

Descended from a Holland-Dutch family of New York state, Dr. Hagadorn was born in Vassar, Mich., March 1, 1872, and was the youngest of three children, the others, William and Nellie, being likewise residents of Los An- geles. He is a son of Rev. Wesley Hagadorn, a native of South Lyon, Mich., of which his father, a New Yorker, was a pioneer farmer. Reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he was given excellent advantages, at- tending the University of Michigan and North- western University (then known as Evanston Divinity School). His first experiences in preaching were gained as a circuit rider in the lumber regions, where he endured all the hard- ships attendant upon such work in pioneer days. Later, for twenty-one years, he was a member ot the Detroit conference, but finally, owing to ill health, retired from the ministry. He came to California in 1887 with the hope that a change of climate might restore his health, which was seriously impaired. However, the hope was not realized, and a year later, in 1888, he died in Pasadena, aged fifty-six years. His wife, who was Adelaide Leseur, was born in

Ann Arbor, Mich., of French descent, and died in 1875.

With such advantages as the grammar and high schools of Lansing, Mich., afford, J. Lee Hagadorn was fitted, on coming to California, to take up the serious pursuits of life, and at the close of three years of study in Professor Parker's school, in 1890 he took up the study of medicine under Dr. Joseph Kurtz of Los An- geles. The same year he matriculated in the medical department, University of Southern California, from which he received the degree of M. D. in 1893, and at the same time accepted an appointment as house surgeon in Los An- geles county hospital. A year later he opened an office in Fullerton, Orange county, but eight- cen months later returned to Los Angeles, and for two years was associated with his former preceptor, Dr. Joseph Kurtz. Since then he has practiced alone, and has his office in the Douglas building. In addition to his private practice he has held the position of associate professor of the principles and practice of medi- cine in the institution of which he is a graduate. The class of 1900 honored him by inviting him to deliver the address in their behalf on gradua- tion day, and his address, which was a plea for the young practitioner, received much favorable mention.

While in Fullerton Dr. Hagadorn met and married Miss Ethyl Priest, who was born in Minnesota and by whom he has a son, Paul. They are connected with the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, in the main- tenance of which Dr. Hagadorn assists. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Uniform Rank, K. of P., and is chancellor commander of Los Angeles Lodge No. 205. Other orders with which he is connected are the D. O. K. K., the Woodmen of the World and Delta Chapter. Phi Rho Sigma, besides which he is examin- ing physician for the Brotherhood of Locomo- tive Firemen. In politics he votes with the Republican party.

There is no phase of the medical profession in which Dr. Hagadorn fails to maintain a keen interest. Every development made in the science of therapeutics receives thoughtful study on his part, and he is eager to adopt in his practice such improvements as are of un- questioned value; at the same time he is con- servative, averse to any decisions which are not formulated upon actual experience. Both in the Los Angeles County and the Southern Cali- fornia Medical Associations he is an active worker, and before both he has read papers hearing upon important professional themes, while he has also been a contributor to the medical literature of the day through the pub- lication of his articles in professional journals. A few years ago he contributed to the Southern California Practitioner a little screed entitled

395

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

"A Bacteriological Tragedy," which has since been copied in some thirty-four medical journals of this country and Europe, and has brought his name into prominence among many to whom he was previously unknown. While his practice is general and his knowledge of every depart- ment of medicine thorough, he has made a spe- cial study of anæsthesia, and in Southern Cali- fornia has gained a reputation as an expert anæsthetist, his experience in and knowledge of this exceedingly important department of the profession being unexcelled among the physi- cians of this part of the state.

EDWARD T. BALCH, M. D. Although as early as 1626 John Balch settled in Massa- chusetts, that branch of the family represented by Dr. Balch of Santa Barbara remained in England until the nineteenth century. The gen- ealogy is traced back to the year 1023 in Eng- land, and there are vaults in Westham Abbey where generations of the family's dead were laid 10 rest. In its original derivation, the name comes from Balkh in Arabia. Thomas Balch, M. D., father of Edward T., was a surgeon in the British navy, but resigned his commission and in 1830 crossed the ocean from England to New York, settling in New York City; however, six years later he returned to his native land, where he later died. His wife, who was born at Salisbury Plains, was a member of the Titford family, of old English extraction; her father lived to be ninety-eight, but she died in middle iife, leaving two children, of whom Edward T. was the only son. Born in London, England, June 27, 1827, he was three years of age when his father crossed the ocean to America. After the return to London, he studied under the tutorship of Thomas Stanton, and later spent three years in Oxford. On leaving the univer- sity, he made a tour of the Holy Land and India, in company with his tutor, remaining abroad from 1846 to 1849. Meantime he became greatly interested in the people of India and their knowledge of theosophy, telepathy and kindred studies. Under a very learned man, he himself made considerable advance in the occult arts, and it was his desire to remain in India for fur- ther investigation, but his tutor, who was an English clergyman, opposed the plan, and in- fluenced the young man to come to America instead.

Crossing the Isthmus of Suez on camel-back and then journeying through the Mediterranean Sca, Dr. Balch finally made his way across the Atlantic to New Orleans, La., landing there in 1849. Some knowledge of medicine he had already gained, and he now entered the Univer- sity of Louisiana, from which he received the degree of M. D. in 1851. He entered upon pro- fessional work in New Orleans, but in 1861 the breaking out of the Civil war and his own open-

ly expressed sympathy with the Union, made the city no longer a safe place of residence, so he went to Weatherford, Tex., where he became interested in the cattle business. However, there lie found surroundings as unsafe as in New Or- leans. Indeed, so strong was sentiment against lıim that a plot was formed to hang him on ac- count of his Union sympathies. However, a little girl revealed the plot to him and he hastily fled, crossing the Red river to an Indian village, where for a time he suffered from fever. On his recovery he returned to Texas for his wife. Next he made his way to Louisiana and on to the vicinity of Vicksburg. Arriving on the battle- field of Corinth, he joined the Federal troops, and for the first time since the spring of 1861 felt that he was out of peril. Soon he proceeded to Philadelphia and there met Captain Young, whom he had known in New Orleans. In the fall of 1862 he was commissioned acting ensign on the Adella, in Admiral Bailey's east and gulf blockading squadron, but later he was trans- ferred to the Sunflower, and finally, owing to ill health, was given sick leave, and in February, 1865, was honorably discharged in New York.

After having practiced his profession in the east for some years, in 1871 Dr. Balch settled in Southbend, Wash., where he remained for twen- ty years, meantime acting as examining physi- cian for the New York Life and Mutual Life Insurance Companies and as health officer of Pacific county. The year 1891 found him in California. For five years he remained in Sum- merland. On the death of his wife, Sarah (Foster) Balch, whom he had married in 1857, he removed to Santa Barbara, and has since engaged in practice here, now having his of- fice in the Hopkins block. Since coming here he has married again, his wife having been Har- riet Noyes, a native of Maine. He has two adopted sons, Edward T. and Byron T. The former, who was educated in the University of Oregon, is a lieutenant in the Thirty-seventh United States Volunteer Regiment, and recently served in the Philippines with Batson's scouts. Byron T. was a member and sergeant of Com- pany M, Forty-fourth United States Regiment.

In 1852, Dr. Balch was made a Mason in New Orleans, of which order he is still an active member. Always interested in matters connect- ed with the temperance cause, he has been iden- tified with the Sons of Temperance, Independ- ent Order of Good Templars and Temple of Honor. Starr King Post numbers him among its active workers and enables him to keep in touch with all Grand Army work. Since be- coming a citizen of the United States, he lias been a stanch Republican and a firm believer in party principles. He is a member of the Southern California Homeopathic Medical So- ciety. In addition to his private practice, he gives considerable attention to the work of the

396

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Santa Barbara Humane Society, of which he is secretary. This society has made prominent the truth that by educating children to a knowl- edge of the importance of a humane treatment of all animals more can be accomplished than by radical means. Prevention rather than pun- ishment is recommended, the latter being re- sorted to only in extreme cases.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS. Many wanderers in foreign lands have traced a likeness between the climate, flora and natural advantages of Italy and California, and have thought to repro- duce on the Pacific coast at least the beauty of situation of some of the renowned places south of the Alps, albeit shorn of that indefinable charm slowly wrought by the enchanting history of the ages. But it remained for one man to practically test the utility of his dream of a simi- larity between the coast effects in a bay of Santa Barbara county, and that unrivalled bay which has shrouded the Naples of the old world in unquenchable fame, with its sheen of sky and air, and its view of distant Capri. It is pos- sible that had Mr. Williams lived to further superintend the fulfillment of his expectations, the plans which are now under way, and which but await the touch of a master hand, would have been accomplished; and it is also more than possible that his appreciation of art and architecture and all that contributes to the beauty and refinement of life would have entered into his calculations, and inspired the erection of buildings and homes, the making of parks, the production of flora, in harmony with his ideas of a modern Naples in the western world.

The early life of this loyal citizen, whose death occurred December 15, 1895, and who left behind him so many unfinished plans, was spent in Madison county, Ohio, where he was born in 1841. He early evinced signs of that finan- cial ability so noticeable in his mature years, and when quite young engaged in business in Wall street, New York City. After several years he went to St. Louis and engaged in the lumber business for twenty years with the firm of Williams & Alford. While in the southern city he married in 1874, Miss Alice Paist, the friend and playmate of his childhood, and who was born in Clark county, Ohio, her husband's birthplace having been on the line between Clark and Madison counties. In 1881 Mr. and Mrs. Williams enjoyed the advantages of travel in Europe, and during their two years' absence from America intelligently observed the conditions to be found under old world rule. L'pon returning to the States Mr. Williams again engaged in the lumber business in St. Louis, and in 1887 permanently located in California, having spent a number of winters here in the past. On one of these trips Mr. Williams had consulted with the Southern Pacific men, and

upon the strength of their representations in re- gard to a future branch to go through his land, he purchased one thousand acres of the Dos Pueblos ranch for a town site. The entire land was laid out in lots and blocks, and although the railroad men did not fulfill their promise in regard to a line, Mr. Williams never for a mo- ment relinquished his intention of creating here on the Pacific swept coast another Naples, and in furtherance of his desire established a post- office, store, hotel and built several cottages on the west side of the town site. As if in response to a tardy appeal, the embryo town is now vis- ited by the passing trains, but the brain which wearied not while waiting its arrival is beyond the worry and struggle which its advent might have brought him. Strangely like the old, is the situation of the new Naples, with its grad- ual slope from the sea to the mountains, some two miles inland. The cañon forming the west- ern boundary of the property is a very deep one, down which flows a stream of the purest water for miles around. On the west of the town site Mr. Williams purchased the eighty acres where he lived until his death, and which is now the home of his wife. The house on the estate was formerly the home of Dr. Den, who settled in Santa Barbara county in 1836. It consists of two parts and is located over the cañon, one-half mile from the sea. The build- ings lay east and west, side by side, one having been built, no doubt, several years before the other, and at a time when the Indians were very troublesome, for there are no windows ex- cept in the roof, and the walls are very thick. The rooms of the other house are large and planned with a view to elegance of furnishings and every possible comfort known at that time, and they are to-day the acme of refinement and a tribute to the artistic appreciation of the owner. In the days of the missions one small room used to be occupied by a priest. The lawns are a perfect forest of flowers, cacti and giant oak trees, and water is piped from Dos Pueblos.

Before his health failed Mr. Williams was known throughout the country as an exception- ally capable lumber merchant, and in his par- ticular line was without a rival. He was beyond all else a man guided by the highest morality and honesty. He never allowed liquor to be sold on his premises. In politics he was an ardent Republican. A great lover of dogs and horses, he spent a great deal of time in their raising, and appreciated their intelligence and comradeship. He was also a breeder of Shetland ponies, a ready demand being found for their sale, as his breed was a fine one. The ponies still continue to graze in the pastures of this ideal Southern home, and only recently Mrs. Williams shipped a car-load east.

Though in perfect sympathy with her hus-

P. Jane

399

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

band's plaus, it is of course not possible for her to carry them to fruition, although Mrs. Wil- liams is straining every effort to do so. She seems to see a future of prosperity for Naples, as already many people of wealtht and national reputations have purchased lots, among others being the actress, Mrs. Langtry. As a tribute to the memory of her husband, Mrs. Williams is erecting on the town site of Naples a beau- tiful stone church, overlooking the cañon, and a little back from the sea. Here will be a vault to serve as a last resting place for the com- panion of her childhood and of later years. Everything that money can buy to beautify the temple is unstintingly purchased. Emblematical of his tastes and characteristics it is to a marked degree. The corners of belfry are Gargoiles representing mountain lions. The head of a dog is on each side of vault door. The in- scription for the door of the church is as fol- lows: "This church is erected to the glory of God and His Son Jesus Christ, and in memory of the founder of Naples, John H. Williams." Mrs. Williams is a delightful and amiable woman; a good manager and financier, and no one is more honored, or holds a more abiding place in the hearts of friends and associates.

REV. PATRICK HAWE. In the economy of creation no good deed is ever lost, though its fruition may be long delayed. About 1770 Father Junipero Serra, when on his trip north, looking for the bay of Monterey, passed very near the present site of Santa Monica, and, with his men, camped under an old sycamore tree that still stands near the grounds of the Sol- diers' Home. The location was described by him as being about a league from the sea. As these Roman Catholic missionaries beheld the beauty of the location and surroundings they were unconsciously influenced thereby, and two soldiers, dispatched to search for springs, re- turned with the statement that they had found water whose crystal drops resembled Santa Monica's tears. It being the 4th of May (Santa Monica's day), Father Serra gave the place the name of the saint and held services appropriate to the occasion under the old sycamore tree. It may not be inappropriate to mention that the water supply of the city now comes from these same springs. The party of explorers proceeded northward along the ocean beach, but soon found that the tide and rocks impeded further progress, so returned and went through what is now called Santa Monica Cañon, thence into the San Fernando valley and on to Ventura and further north.

The seed that was sown by Father Serra on Santa Monica's day so long ago has borne fruit in the ministry of Father Hawe. Within a ra- dius of a few miles of the old sycamore tree, which is preserved with the greatest care, there

are now four congregations and an academy. Chief among these is Santa Monica's Church, on Third street, of which Father Hawe has been rector since May, 1886. Near by is the Holy Names' Academy, in charge of the Sisters of the Holy Names, and which is one of the philan- thropies most dear to the rector's heart. The first Catholic services at the Soldiers' Home were held by him, and he is now chaplain there. To his efforts is due the erection of a Roman Catholic Church at the Home, the funds for which were provided by the government. In addition, he organized a congregation at The Palms and built St. Augustin's Church, which he named in honor of the son of Santa Monica. The ministering to this congregation, which is seven miles from his home church, forms an- other duty in his busy, useful life. The fourth congregation to which he ministers is at Ocean Park, one mile from Santa Monica, where he recently started a mission church. In his va- rions congregations he has the usual sodalities and societies, to all of which he gives his aid and influence, believing them to be most power- ful auxiliaries in promoting the usefulness of the church.

At the home farm of his parents, John and Bridget (Feehan) Hawe, in county Kilkenny, Ireland, Patrick Hawe was born in 1847, being one of seven children. Another brother, John, is also a priest, and is now in the diocese of Dubuque, Iowa. When sixteen years of age Patrick was sent to the Classical academy of the Carmelites, from which he was graduated three years later. Following this he took a five-years' course in All Hallows' College, at Dublin, Ire- land, where he graduated in 1872 from the department of philosophy and theology. The ordination service consecrating him to the priesthood took place June 24, 1872, at All Hallows', and was in charge of Bishop Whalen, bishop of Bombay, India. . Appointed to the Monterey and Los Angeles diocese, he came at once to California. For two months he assisted in the San Bernardino Church, and for a year was connected with San Buena Ventura Church, also for a similar pe- riod worked in the San Luis Obispo congrega- tion. The nine following years were spent un- der Father Adam, V. G., now of Spain, in the Church of the Holy Cross at Santa Cruz. Af- ter a year as assistant to Father Villa at Santa Barbara he returned to San Bernardino, taking charge of the work for a year during the ab- sence of the rector. From there he was sent to Anaheim as rector of St. Boniface's, and while there he built the parochial residence. In May, 1886, he was appointed rector of Santa Monica's Church, and at once came to this city, then a town of about nine hundred people. No pas- tor had ever ministered to the people here, the work having been sustained by visiting priests.

400

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Under his supervision the parochial residence was built, also the Academy of the Holy Names, the latter having been dedicated February 22, 1901. While his numerous congregations leave Father Hawe little time for other matters, yet he finds leisure for an oversight of the academy, and his interest in its success is intense. Realiz- ing the value of educational work in promoting the welfare of the Roman Catholic Church, he deems no sacrifice too great whereby the pros- perity of the school may be promoted, and he knows no higher ambition than to minister to its success and to advance the spiritual welfare of his parishioners. June 24, 1902, in Santa Mon- ica, he celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of his ordination. This was made an occasion of much moment by his many friends, parishion- ers and visiting priests in Southern California.

WILLIAM HENRY LEWIS, M. D. In an early day in the history of America three brothers bearing the family name of Lewis crossed the ocean from Wales and established their homes in the colony of Massachusetts. From one of them descended James Lewis, a farmer, who during the Revolutionary war com- mnanded a company of patriots as their captain. His son, William C., who for twenty-five years was sheriff of Middlesex county, died in 1861, leaving an only child, William Henry, born of his marriage to Emeline A. Bellows; the latter was a native of Vermont, of an old family there, and died in New Jersey. Their son was born in Groton, Mass., November 30, 1840. When only thirteen years of age he left home to make his own way in the world. Going to New London, Wis., he worked there for two years. On his return to Massachusetts he joined an uncle, who was a physician at Roxbury, and under his pre- ceptorship he gained his primary knowledge of the science of medicine. Later he matriculated in the Harvard Medical College, but soon after- ward went to the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia. During the Civil war he received from the governor of Pennsylvania an appoint- ment as assistant surgeon in George Street hos- pital, where he remained for more than two years, holding meantime the rank of captain in the army. On resigning the position he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1865, with the degree of M. D.

Opening an office in Boston, Dr. Lewis car- ried on a general practice there for eight years. In 1873 he established his office in the Fifth Avenue hotel, where he remained for five years, meantime building up a practice among a wealthy and aristocratic class of citizens, to whom his skill commended him. Finally, owing to failure of health, he gave up his practice and went to Cold Valley, W. Va., where he remained for three years. On regaining his strength, he

established an office in Newton, N. J., where he was city physician, and for fifteen years con- ducted an important practice. After spending three years in Newark, N. J., he spent eight months in Europe, traveling through England and France, and studying the methods employed in the leading clinics of the old world. With the knowledge acquired by contact with the greatest physicians in the world, he returned to the United States to resume the practice of his pro- fession. He visited various cities with a view to locating, and finally established his home in Santa Barbara, which subsequent experience has convinced him possesses the finest elimate in the world. It was with a view to enjoying this climate, as well as the beautiful scenery, that he erected a residence especially adapted for out- door life and for providing shelter yet giving an abundance of light and fresh air. It had not been his intention at first to engage in practice, but gradually he drifted back to the professional work that had formerly engrossed his atten- tion and in June, 1901, he opened an office at No. 1113 State street, his present location.

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 62

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