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 84

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

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The girlhood years of Mrs. Howes were passed in Maine, with the exception of four years during President Buchanan's administra- tion, when her father was connected with the Boston custom house. The family then resided at Charlestown, a suburb, and she attended the high school of that town. About 1865 she went to Hastings, Minn., where she married the following year. In religion she is a Congrega- tionalist, which was the religious faith of many of her New England ancestors. Wherever she has made her home her influence has been given to movements tending to advance educational, religious and benevolent interests. Her chil- dren have been the objects of her ministering care, and two of them survive to make happy the afternoon of her life, these being Mrs. Flora Howes Farwell and Miss Clara Frances Howes. The former, who is a graduate of the Los Angeles high school and state normal, is the wife of Lyman Farwell, an architect in this city. Two other daughters have been taken by death, the second, Carrie, dying in childhood; while "the oldest, Marie, wife of Dr. Merritt Hitt, died at Cayucas, Cal., in 1892.

A. A. ALLEN. Few men on the Pacific coast are better equipped for the manipulation of large insurance interests than is A. A. Allen, attorney-at-law, and special Southern California agent and manager for the Northwestern Na- tional Insurance Company of Milwaukee, Wis. Preceded by years of practical experience as a

lawyer, politician and insurance man in a thriv- ing town of North Dakota, Mr. Allen came to Los Angeles in 1889, and has since been an in- tegral part of the prosperity of the city. A native of Clyde, Wayne county, N. Y., he was born Jan- uary II, 1855, and is the youngest in a family of five children born to Ovid and Sarah (Smith) Allen, for many years residents of Wayne coun- ty. Latter-day members of the family recall with pride the life of the paternal great-grand- father, who was born in France, and served with Lafayette in the Revolutionary war. Ovid Allen was a contractor and builder in Wayne county, but eventually carried on his chosen occupation in Coldwater, Mich., where terminated his well- directed life.

After completing his preliminary education in the public schools of Coldwater, Mich., Mr. Allen entered the law department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, and at the expiration of a year went into the office of Jonas H. McGowan, member of congress, and a prominent lawyer of Coldwater. In 1879, the year after being ad- mitted to practice at the Michigan bar, he re- moved to Jamestown, N. D., and entered upon a practice destined to assume gratifying propor- tions. There he was district attorney for several years, justice of the peace, mayor of the town, county superintendent of schools, and member of the board of education. In connection with his law practice he carried on a successful in- surance business, and yet found time to as- sume innumerable social and general obliga- tions, the fulfillment of which brought a de- served popularity and high personal regard.

After locating in Los Angeles in 1889 Mr. Allen engaged principally in the insurance busi- ness, and has worked up a large patronage in fire insurance. Since 1897 he has been the spe- cial agent and adjuster for the Northwestern National Insurance Company of Milwaukee, He has been admitted to practice in the su- preme court of California. He is a director in the loan and real-estate enterprise of R. W. Poindexter, and a stockholder in the West Coast Land and Water Company. His political suc- cesses experienced in Jamestown, have found a counterpart in Los Angeles, where he has a rec- ognized Republican influence. In December of 1900 he was honored by being elected from the sixth ward to the council by a majority of one hundred and twenty-five, in a Democratic ward of four hundred majority, and he was the first Republican elected to that position in eight ycars. In January of 1901 he took the oath of office, and has since served as chairman of the finance committee, as member of the board of public works, member of the gas and light cont- mittee, and the supply and building committee. He has also been a member of the special water committee appointed to organize a plan for con- ducting the new city water plant. He is a mem-

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ber of the Union League Republican Club, and of the county central committee. Fraternally he was made a Mason in Jamestown, later took the degrees of Royal Arch and Knights Temp- lar; and is a member of South Gate Lodge in Los Angeles. The Woodmen of the World, Fraternal Brotherhood and Independent Order of Foresters also claim him as a member. In religious associations he attends the Immanuel Presbyterian Church.

In Jamestown, Mr. Allen was united in mar- riage with Miss Claire E. Winslow, who was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of R. M. Winslow, formerly a lumberman in Wiscon- sin. Mr. Allen has an enviable standing in Los Angeles, and his optimistic personality and so- cial tact have won for him a host of friends. In liis special line of work he has few equals in Southern California, and as a councilman he has shown himself intelligently alive to the best interests of the community.

ISAAC MILLER. The farm of Isaac Miller in Santa Barbara county originally comprised a portion of tlie site upon which Santa Maria is now built, but at the time of his first occupancy of the land the idea of the future settlement had hardly taken shape, and it is doubtful if its pres- ent standing in the county was deemed even a probability. From his youth Mr. Miller has fol- lowed the occupation of farming, and his ances- tors for many years were successful tillers of the soil. He was born in Scott county, Va., in 1828, and lived in that state until 1844. Isaac Miller, Sr., was born in Virginia, as was also lıis wife, Rebecca (Barker) Miller. In their fam- ily were seven children, of whom Isaac, Jr., was sixth. Parents and children removed to Mis- souri in 1844, where they lived until 1850, at which time father and son crossed the plains to California, by means of ox-teams, their journey lasting five months from the time they started from the county seat of Miller county, Mo., on May 5th. In 1853 the mother, oldest brother and two oldest sisters also crossed the plains and joined the previous travelers, and together they went to the Russian river, Sonoma county, where for eight or ten years they lived on a ranch. The youngest son in the family came west in 1857.

After Isaac Miller, Jr., began to make his own way in the world, for nearly twenty years he mined in different parts of Nevada and Cali- fornia. He was eleven years in Nevada, where he was the founder of Star City, in Humboldt county. There he built a hotel and was easily recognized as one of the leading and represen- tative citizens. He was district recorder of the Star City district and also conducted an assay- er's office for several years, but finally sold out and came to Santa Barbara county. In 1872 he came to where Santa Maria is now located and

bought a quarter section of land, upon a part of which the first store of the embryo town was constructed, which store, now used for a bakery, has been removed from its original site, and a large general store constructed in its place. In all Mr. Miller sold about twenty acres in town lots, the grammar school being upon one of the lots. Upon his own place he has the most ad- vanced improvements, and farms on a large scale, the orchard, which for years bore pro- lifically of various kinds of fruits, being now util- ized for the purpose of raising beans and beets. In connection with his other work he has dealt considerably in real estate, and is recognized as an excellent business man. He is a Democrat in politics, and has been a Mason for twenty years, being at present a Master Mason of the Santa Maria Lodge No. 262.

The marriage of Mr. Miller and Anna Roberts occurred in 1866, and of this union were born the following-named children: Ida, deceased; Isaac, who is clerking in a dry-goods store; James H .; Minnie, who is now Mrs. Thomas Barrett, of San Luis Obispo; George, and Wil- liam.

GEORGE ALEXANDER. The business and social traits which have procured for Mr. Alexander an enviable prominence in whatso- ever part of the country he has elected to reside, have conspired to render him also a valuable ac- quisition to Los Angeles, of which he has been a resident since 1887, and in which he is appre- ciated for his commercial acumen. A résumé of his life were most incomplete without due mention of his courageous and meritorious ca- reer as a soldier during the Civil war, his many hazardous experiences at that time qualifying him to interestingly divert the listeners at many camp-fire reunions.

Of sturdy Scotch ancestry and birth, Mr. Alex- ander claims Glasgow as his natal city, and was born in 1839, his father, William, being also a native of Scotland, and a farmer by occupation. The family immigrated to America in 1850 and settled in Chicago, Ill., removing in 1856 to near Toledo, Iowa, where the father took up government land sixty miles from the railroad. He continued to live here for many years, and eventually died while on a visit to Chicago, Ill. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and an up- right, successful farmer. His son, George, was the oldest in a family of four children, and was ten years of age when brought to Chicago. His education was acquired principally in the public schools of Chicago and he afterwards en- gaged in independent farming in Iowa. In Au- gust of 1862 he enlisted at Muscatine, in Com- pany E, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infan- try, his regiment being remembered as a fight- ing regiment, with a splendid record, and known also as the Temperance and Methodist regi-

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ment. He was sent to different camps in Ar- kansas, and in 1863 participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Point Gibson, Jackson, and Champion Hill. The latter was one of the most terrible of the battles of the Vicksburg campaign, and of the four hundred and seven- teen who entered the fight one hundred and ninety-five were killed or wounded or captured, thirteen meeting the last named fate. After the surrender of Vicksburg Mr. Alexander was taken ill and sent north, after which he rejoined his regiment at New Orleans, and in 1864 took part in the Banks expedition up the Red River. From New Orleans they went by transport to Washington, and under General Sheridan were at the fore in the battles of Winchester, Fisher Hill, Cedar Creek, and many skirmishes, later going to the relief of Sherman's army at Savan- nah, which town they succeeded in holding for two months. They then went north to Golds- boro, N. C., and after several skirmishes re- turned to Savannah, and were sent inland one hundred and forty miles to protect government property and capture Jefferson Davis, who had fallen into the hands of the Unionists two days before. After two months the regiment was mustered out at Savannah in July of 1865, and were honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, in August of the same year, having served in all about three years.

After the war Mr. Alexander settled in Belle Plaine, Iowa, and engaged in the grain business with Twogood Brothers, now of Riverside, af- terwards successfully conducting an independ- ent grain business until 1874. He then con- tinued the same line of business in Toledo, Iowa, for a year, and next removed to Dysart, Iowa, where he was also interested in grain until Jan- uary of 1887. In Iowa he was prominently con- nected with the political undertakings of the Republican party, and held a number of im- portant and responsible positions. In 1887 he located in Los Angeles, and was interested in a feed mill for two years, and in 1892 was ap- pointed deputy street superintendent for two years. During that time he built three houses, and greatly improved his lots and property. In 1895 he was appointed deputy county recorder for four years, under E. C. Hodgman, and in 1899 was re-appointed deputy street superin- tendent, a position which he creditably filled un- til his nomination as supervisor. In the fall of 1900, Mr. Alexander was nominated supervisor of the second district on the Republican ticket, and elected by a majority of ten hundred and fifty-two over a popular Democratic candidate. The oath of office was administered in January of 1901, his term of office to be four years. As a supervisor his services are giving satisfaction, and he is intelligently in touch with the require- ments of the office. He is an ex-member of the city and county central committees, and had

been a delegate to many conventions. Frater- nally he is associated with the Masons, having joined that organization at Belle Plaine, Iowa. He is a charter member of South Gate Lodge No. 320, and was raised to the Royal Arch Ma- sons in Vinton, Iowa, and is now a member of the Signet Chapter No. 57 in this city, and also Los Angeles Commandery. As a member of the Grand Army of the Republic he is connected with the Bartlett Logan Post. In religion he is a member and trustee of the Central Metho- dist Episcopal Church. While living in Iowa, in 1862, Mr. Alexander married Annie Yeiser, a native of Ohio, and whose family were among the pioneers of Iowa. Of this union there are two children, Lydia, who is living at home, and Frank, who is a business man in Los Angeles.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER. Preceded by years of conservative commercial experience, 'William Alexander came to California in 1883, and has since been an integral part of the busi- ness and social life of Santa Barbara. The sense of strength felt in speaking his name is in no wise contradicted by the attainments of the man himself, who, before all else, is a Scotchman, to whose inherited sagacity have been added that breadth of mind and liberality of thought to be found only in those who have seen much, thought more, and observed from all standpoints. A great reader, of ready versatility, and a suc- cessful man, it is not surprising that he has many friends, and that his standing in the community of this and his native land is an enviable one. A native of Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland, Mr. Alexander was born September 26, 1826. His father, Samuel, was born near Montrose, and was a linen manufacturer by occupation, importing his flax from Riga and Arch- angel. The paternal grandfather, William Alexander, was a preacher, and married a Miss Murray. The mother of William Alexander, Margaret (Dickson) Alexander, was born in Kincardine-Shire, a daughter of John Dickson, a representative of a family for many years devoted to agriculture. Mr. Alexander was educated at Montrose Academy, the regular course of which institution he had finished when fifteen years of age, after which he attended higher classes at the same place. The business experience, to the rigor of which he attributes the foundation of his success in life, was acquired in the Bank of Scotland. His apprenticeship and later service meant strict attention to business and hard work with little diversion, serving in several of that bank's agencies.

After seventeen years of service in the Bank of Scotland, Mr. Alexander received an appoint- ment in the Bank of British North America, and eventually embarked in business, under the name and style of Blaikie & Alexander in Toronto,

Wit Spring He. A. Spring.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

representing clients in both England and Scot- land, and doing a successful business.

When the Toronto Stock Exchange was or- ganized, Mr. Alexander was one of the charter members and was elected the first president, but declined the honor of serving because of busi- ness reasons. On account of impaired health lie decided upon a trip to California, having learned from Meteorological statistics that liere was to be found a most equable climate. After three months' investigation of prevailing conditions he made arrangements to dispose of his interests in Toronto, and telegraphed his family to join him in his new found home. Since then he has been prominent particularly in building circles, having spent many thousands of dollars in erect- ing houses and other buildings, among the lat- ter being the Alexander block.

At St. Andrews, Scotland, Mr. Alexander mar- ried Jessie B. Todd, who was born in Fifeshire, a daughter of George Todd, one of the most prominent farmers of the locality. Of this union there are eight children, and one of the sons, W. Murray, is a business man of Toronto, Can- ada. Mr. Alexander is a member of the Cham- ber of Commerce, and is conservative in politics. He is a member and worker in the First Presby- terian Church and has been a ruling elder in that denomination ever since a young man.

WILLIAM F. SPRING. For the long period of about twenty-nine years Mr. Spring was identified with the rise of Montecito valley to its present place among the most beautiful and fertile parts of Southern California. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, July 22, 1837, his father, George Spring, being pre- sumably a native of Pennsylvania, and remov- ing, when a young man, with a colony of Penn- sylvania Germans to Muskingum county, Ohio, all the settlers being unable to speak any lan- guage but their native tongue. George Spring married Susan Story, and together they reared their family and improved their land in Ohio, and were among the respected and enterprising members of the community.

Left fatherless at the age of twelve, Mr. Spring continued to live on the homestead in Muskingum county, and as opportunity offered attended the little log school house in the neighborhood. In 1855 he removed to La Salle county, Ill., and worked by the month until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted in Company C, Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until shortly before the close of the war. His regiment was a part of the army of the Cumberland, and took part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Mo., in 1862, the siege of Corinth, and Stone River, at which last named encounter he received a wound in the leg and was confined in the hospital at Albany, Ohio, for five months. Upon recovering he

joined the central service, and was duly dis- charged at the expiration of his term. He then re-enlisted as a veteran in the same regiment, became sergeant, and was wounded in the first battle of Resaca, which forced him to spend a time in a hospital at Chicago, and then was hon- orably discharged in the spring of 1865.

Upon returning to his home Mr. Spring con- ducted a drug store, express office and post office in La Salle county. In 1866 he married Mary E. Abbott, a native of New York state, and whose father, Orren Abbott, was a soldier in the war of 1812. The paternal grandfather was a Revolutionary hero, having been witlı Washington at Valley Forge. A brotlier of Mrs. Spring, O. L. Abbott, came to California in 1867, and for years was a prominent lawyer in Santa Barbara. In 1873 Mr. Spring came west with his family and located in Montecito, and the next year bought a ranch at the foot of the hills, and engaged in the apiary business. This proved a successful and profitable venture, and he usually had as many as two hundred colonies of the Italian variety of bees. He also raised small fruits on his farm, and in 1893 sold out his property and bought the Blaisdell farnı which has since been his home. Many improve- ments have been made on the new possession, and the land is chiefly devoted to lemon and berry culture. The Spring family were one of about twelve of those who originally settled in the valley, and who have materially aided in the general improvement. Much of his success Mr. Spring attributed to the sympathy and assist- ance of his wife, whose good judgment and sound common sense have tided over many a difficulty, and suggested a bright and hopeful rather than a discouraging state of affairs.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Spring are: Arthur L., at home; Charles M., in Santa Barbara county; Roland F., who is living at Montecito; and Cora L., who is the wife of W. A. Phillips. In politics Mr. Spring was an in- telligent and conservative socialist. He was a Mason for many years, and soon after coming here became associated with the Starr King Post, G. A. R., in which latter organization he was very active. He served as trustee of the Montecito school district, and was in favor of all possible educational advantages. Mr. Spring was well and favorably known among the pio- neers of the valley, and contributed his share towards the burdens and enduring the hardships of pioneer life.

The death of Mr. Spring occurred suddenly August 25, 1902, heart failure being the im- mediate cause. His death was a loss to the com- munity of which he was a leading citizen and pioneer. In every movement for the develop- ment of this region he was always a working participant, especially in the organization of agricultural and horticultural societies for the

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dissemination of knowledge to promote fruit cul- ture of all kinds, as well as movements to build up the farming interests of the locality. In be- lief he was a liberal Spiritualist, a large, kind- hearted man, possessing sound judgment and sterling integrity, and honored and respected by all. For three weeks before his demise his home had been the scene of a reunion of the brothers and sisters of his wife. Although very feeble, he entered most enthusiastically into the spirit of the occasion. One after another had taken their leave and the last of the guests was about to depart when suddenly that always un- expected guest, Death, entered the home and Mr. Spring peacefully passed into eternity.

JAMES V. AKEY. Especially in that part of Los Angeles formerly known as Vernondale and later as South Los Angeles is the name of J. V. Akey, well known and influential. Coming to Vernon district in 1887, later he established the first general mercantile establishment on Central and Vernon avenues. At that time Ver- nondale postoffice was one-half mile east. It was superseded by the South Los Angeles postoffice, the station for which was in his store. At a still later date this postoffice was annexed to Los Angeles as Station K and as such con- tinues to the present. From the spring of 1888 until 1894 he carried a line of merchandise, hard- ware and drugs in a building on the northwest corner of Central and Vernon, but during the latter year disposed of his stock, excepting the drugs, to N. W. Woods, after which he devoted himself to the management of his pharmacy in a store near by. In 1897 he planned and built the first brick block this side of Seventh street, it being a two-story structure, 45x88, with base- ment. The first floor is utilized for a pharmacy, as is also the basement, while the second floor is a hall adapted to lodge and society use. In addition, he built frame stores adjoining, so that he has erected altogether a frontage of eighty- five feet on Central avenue. Besides his drug business, he is interested, with C. B. Bennett, in the Vernon grocery, one of the largest on the avenue.

Mr. Akey represents the third generation of an English family in America. His father, James B., a native of Pennsylvania, learned the mer- chant tailor's trade in that state, but after go- ing to Defiance, Ohio, on account of ill health, he turned his attention to farming. In 1864 he removed to Michigan and settled near Burroak, St. Joseph county, where he engaged in farin- ing until he died. He had married Mary E. Yates, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in Michigan June 25, 1901, at the age of seventy- nine years. Her father, William Yates, was born in Pennsylvania, of Scotch Irish descent, and became a merchant of Bryan, Ohio. In the fam- ily of James B. Akey there were four children,

namely: W. B., who came to Los Angeles in 1882 and was instrumental in getting Central avenue through and extending Vernon ave- nue; Robert, who occupies the homestead in Michigan; James V .; and Alice, who remains at the old Michigan home.

In Defiance county, Ohio, James V. Akey was born November 15, 1853. When the family moved to Michigan lie was about eleven years of age. While still a mere boy he entered his brother's store at Colon, Mich., and remained there eight years, meantime learning the trades of pharmacist, jeweler and undertaker, for this was one of those country stores wherein are kept different varieties of stock and various in- dustries are conducted under one roof. Finally he bought out his brother, after which he con- tinued alone for five years. During his resi- dence in Colon he was township treasurer for two terms, township clerk three terms, and at the time of his removal was filling the office of justice of the peace. In the fall of 1887 he dis- posed of his interests in Michigan and came to California, where for a few months he was em- ployed in his brother's real estate office, after which he entered business for himself. Besides his various store buildings, he owns a home on Central avenue and other residence property, all representing his accumulations since coming west. As a business man he is keen, energetic and vigorous in action, and while recognizing the rights of others, he expects from them the same courteous recognition of his rights. Jus- tice is with him the motive power of action and has ruled his life. He is a member of the State Pharmaceutical Association and in other ways has kept in touch with general activities in his special line of business. In the Republican par- ty he has been a worker on local committees, while fraternally he is connected with the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, the Order of Pendo and the Masonic Order, having been initiated into the blue lodge and chapter in Colon, Mich., and the Commandery of Sturgis, Mich., of which he is still a member. By his marriage to Miss Lillie E. Hollinshead, of Colon, Mich., and who was born in Indiana, he has one daughter, Mary Vernon.

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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 84

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