USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 51
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EDUCATIONAL.
In response to our inquiries regarding the Wilson College, at Wilmington, the President, Rev. A. M. Campbell, furnishes us the following :-
" Wilson College was founded by Colonel B. D. Wilson, of San Gabriel Mission, in this county, in 1873. The property consisted of ten acres of land, the college building, a large two-story edifice containing fourteen rooms, and a large twelve- room boarding house, both costing about thirty thousand dollars. "Rev. A. M. Campbell, A. M., was President during 1874-5-6; L. D. Palmer, 1877-8; A. M. Campbell during 1879-80. The school is for both male and female students. The object of the institution was and is to open up to students facilities for obtaining a thorough classical and practical education.
" The college has generally enjoyed a good degree of pros- parity. It has every advantage of healthful climate, case of access, freedom from those temptations so ruinous to the young. pleasant surroundings, etc., etc.
" The present Board of Trustees, who are also owners of the property, consists of Mr. Moses Wicks, Sr., Mr. Moses Wicks, Jr., Mr. F. M. Bustex, and Mr .- Smith. The prospects of the school are good."
In addition to the college there is a graded school (two vacher, having an average attendance of one hundred and
ten pupils. The school-house was created in 18Gt, and cost four thousand dollars.
CHI'RCILES.
There are two churches-Catholic and Presbyterian. The Catholic Church was built in 1866 and cost about one thousand five hundred dollars. There is no resident pastor, but the pul- pit is supplied twice a month from Los Angeles. There is His a Sabbath-school.
The Presbyterian Church was built in 1870 and cost about one thousand five hundred dollars. The first minister was Rev. -- - , and he was succeeded by Rev. Robert Boag. who left in 1878. There is at present no resident minister, and the pulpit is seblom filled. A Sabbath-school is conducted by this denomination also.
SOCIETIES.
ROHLEN LODGE, NO. 138, 1. 0. 0. F.
In the Los Angeles News of August 2, 1867, we find the following :--
1. 0. 0. F .- Bohen Lodge, No. 138, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, will be instituted, dedicated, and its officers installed by D. D. G. M. Ileury Wartenburg at Wilmington on Tuesday, August 6th. The ceremonies will take place at 2 p. m. Members of the frater- nity throughout the country are invited to attend.
And August 16th following, in the same paper :--
After the Bohen Lodge, I. O. O. F., was duly instituted at Wilming- ton, August 6th, its members elected the following officers for the ensu- ing term:
Brother Simon Benjamin, Nobte Grand. J. M. Cass. Vice Graud.
F. R. Morton, Recording Secretary. H. C. Lewis, Treasurer.
The charter members were : S Benjamin, H. Jacoby, H. C. Lewis, J. R. Wilson, J. J. Reynolds, F. R. Horton, J. Al. Pass, T. B. Hayes, M. Levy, D. W. Eakins. Of these the following are still active members: H. Jacoby and T. B. Hayes. The present officers are: W. W. Barce, Noble Grand; H. Jacoby, Viee Grand; Perry Wildman, Recording Secretary; Jas. L. Eddy, Treasurer. The greatest number of members at any one time has been thirty-five. Number of members at present, twenty-six. The property of the lodge consists of loans and real estate, regalia, etc. ; vale, three thousand dollars. Its financial condition is said to be excellent. About two thousand five hundred dollars have been disbursed in benefits, char- ities, etc.
WILMINGTON LODGE, NO. 198, F. AND A. MI.,
Was organized October 10, 1869. The first officers were: E. E. Hewitt, W. M .; Henry M. Bruning. S. W. ; and Edward N. AleDonald, J. W. The charter members were A. W. Elelman, H. A. Bruning. E. N. McDonald, H. Jacoby, E. E. Hewitt, G
Elnery, Gro. Hinds, L. A. Loring, C. Lamonte, U. S. Allanson, Nathan Jacoby. Of the same the following are still active members: Il A Bruning, Geo, Hinds. E. N. McDonald, 11. Jacoby. E E Hewitt, N Jacoby The present officers are Geo. Hinds, W. Al .: T. B. Hayes, T W .; Martin Wetzel, J. W .: E. N McDonald, Treas; R. B. Warren, See ; A A. Pollamus, & D .; F. Schurzu, 1 D ; J. McNaughton, Tyler. The greatest number of members at any one time has been thirty- two. At present the membership is thirty two. The property of the lodge consists of lodge furniture, and its financial condition is said to be sound. The lodge meets on the Tuesday of or before the full moon in each month.
WILMINGTON LODGE, SO. 30, A. O. C. W.,
W'us organized September 20, 1879. The first officers Were . W. H. Savage, S. Winans, D. W Gage, P. C. Peterson, N. De Jnuserand, M. Mahar, A V Sylva, Il Oliver, E. Anderson, Joseph Johnson. The charter members were: P. C. Peterson, N. De lansserund. W. Il. Savage, W. W Baree. D W Gnge. I. V. Sylva, A. V Sylva, S. Winans, Jos. Johnson, E. Ander- son, Ml Mahar, G. C. Brooks, HI Oliver, Of the same the fol- lowing are still active members. P. 6. Peterson, N. De dans- serand. W. Il. Savage, W. W. Baree. D. W. Gage, I. V. Sylvu, A. V. Sylva, Jos. Johnson, E. Anderson, M Mahar, J. (. Brooks, Il Oliver. The present officers are: W. W. Barer, W. Il. Ormsby, W. J. Maxwell, I Oliver, I. F. C. Johnson, 1. V. Sylva, I. Morrison, T. C. Peterson, E. Anderson, los. lol. son. The greatest number of members at any one time has been nineteen. The present membership is cighteen. The financial condition of the lodge is said to be good. About two hundred and sixteen dollars have been disbursed in benefits, charities, etc. The lodge meets at Odd Fellows' Hall every Saturday night.
GOOD TEMPLARS.
A Good Templars' Lodge of fourteen charter members was organized at Wilmington by State Deputy H. T. Payne, in January, 1869. It is not now in existence.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
A volunteer Fire Department with hook and ladder, nin- bering thirty five members, was organized in 1870. The present C'aptain is W. H. Ormsby : Secretary, James Torney. The company has a small hall.
146
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
CHAPTER XL.
LOS NIETOS TOWNSHIP.
Organization of the Township Ranches Therein-Topography-Early His. tory-Governor Downey's Liberality -Geographical l'osition of the Town. ship-A Curious Phenomenon-The Township in 1872-1n 1876-In 1880 -Water-Crops-Fruit-Live Stock-A Noted Sheep Rauch-Mills -- Downey City-Gallatin - College Settlement-Oldl Los Nietos-Pico's Ranchito-Fulton Wells-Artesia-Norwalk.
.
The township of Los Nietos was erected ont of El Monte township, November 4, 1857, and contained (in whole or in part) the following ranchos :--
NAME.
APRES.
TO WHOM CONFIRMED.
Rancho Paso De Bartolo.
8,901 22-100
Pio Pico
..
=
875 99-100
Bernadino Guirado.
Santa Gertrudes
3,696 23-100
Toma Sanchez Colima.
17,602 1-100
James F. McFarland and Jno. G. Downey.
48,806 17.100
Andres Pico, et al.
Los Coyotes. Los Cerritos.
27,054 36-100
'Inan Temple.
The township has an extreme length from north-east to south- west of ahont twenty-one miles, with an average width of say eight miles from north-west to south-rast. About one-half of this area is in cultivation, the remainder being used principally for sheep pasturage. With the exception of the Pico hills on the north-east, and the Cerritos hills on the south-west, nearly the whole township is valley land, generally fit for small grains.
This township was merely a cattle range and sheep-walk up to 1865, and has but little history until after Governor John G. Downey came into possession of the Santa Gertrudes Rancho.
This land he divided up into small parcels, which he sold upon the installment plan at low prices to actual settlers, thereby affording many poor men an opportunity to secure homesteads. He is very highly spoken of by the settlers in this neighborhood. In the words of a prominent rancher, here resident, to whom we applied for information: " Governor Downey has, throughout his whole career, proven himself the friend of the poor man, and has helped many to procure good homes on easy terms." His first deed was executed April 22, 1865, to J. H. Burke. Under date February 19, 1867, we find the following in the News :-
The township of Los Nietos is situated in the valley of the San Ga- briel river, and is supplied with water for irrigating and domestic pur- poses by that stream. The principal settlement is upou the Los Nietos or Santa Gertrudes Rancho, about twelve miles from Los Angeles, and fourteen miles from the l'ort of San Pedro, with the best of natural roads leading hoth to Los Angeles and the port. The soil is composed of deep sandy loam, mixed slightly with clay, and produces corn equal to any of the best lunds in the valley of the Mississippi; more than one hundred bushels per acre being a common yield-hemp, tobacco, cas- tor-oil beans, hops and a great variety of other products are not equaled ia productiveness in any other portion of the State-while finer samples of oranges aud walnuts cannot be found in the tropics than are to he found in the valley. The large body of fine land owned hy Hon. Jno.
G. Downey, offers superior facilities for persons wishing to purchase and improve homesteads ; and during the past year several hundred persons have availed themselves of the opportunity to purchase fue lands upon reasonable terms, and Los Nietos presents to-day the appear- ance of a settlement several years old. We oh-erved a number of neat, well-built farm cottages, and large and well-filled barns, long rows of live willow fencing, and well and conveniently constructed water canals or zanjas for the purposes of irrigation. We noticed also a uum- ber of young orchards and vineyards, The land is well cultivated, and the whole valley shows signs of that prosperity that is born of thrift and industry. A finer body of land, with equal facilities for irrigation than Los Nietos township cannot be found in the State, and we expect in a very few years to see the valley filled with a population that will number thousands instead of hundreds, the products of their vineyard] adding another million gallons of wine to the exports of the county, and that the orange, lume, lemon, and other orchards of tropical fruits will vie with those of Los Angeles.
In September, 1870, it was estimated that Los Nietos town- ship contained within its borders five hundred families.
A curious phenomenon which occurred in the summer of 1869 seems worthy of notice here. We copy from the Los Angeles News of August 3, 1869 :--
Mr. Parker, an old and respected citizen of Los Nietos township, exbibited to us yesterday, a number of pieces of meat that fell on the farm of .1. Hudson. Esq., in that township at 12 o'clock M. on Sunday last. From what we can learn, it was a sbower of meat and blood sim- ilar to that reported in Santa Clara county a few months ago, covering an area of about two neres of ground. Some ten or more persons were at the house of Mr. Hudson, preparing for the funeral of a child, and were startled by the fall of meat aud blood, that lasted fully three min- ntex, covering the blades of corn and leaving them red. The blood that lodged upon the corn hlades and gruss was mixed with a short, fiue hair, resembling the outer coating of furred animals. The meat which was found over the entire two acres, was in pieces ranging from particles to strips of six and eight incbes in length, and had the appearance of being freshly from some animal or animals. Mr. Parker exhibited to us several pieces of the meat, varying from one to six iuches in length, one of which appeared to be a piece of the lights of some animal; another was liver, and another picked up hy a gentle- mau preseut, was a lower part of a heart, in perfect shape and form, nnd about one and a half inches long. A large quantity of the meat was gathered up and preserved by different parties.
The day was perfectly clear, and the sun was shining brightly, and although the shower of meat and blood appeared to come from the coast, therew as uo perceptible breeze at the time. The occurrence naturally created considerable excitement among those present, and the hope is freely indulged that science will offer some reason for this very singu- lar phenomenon.
October 2, 1872, we find the condition of the township stated in the News as follows :-
Los Nietos extends over an area of fifteen miles by about three miles in breadth, having the old San Gabriel on one side and the New San Gabriel river on the other. The land is exceedingly rich and peculiarly adapted to corn. Gallatin is the principal town in the district. It is situated on the left bank of the Old San Gabriel river, at a distance of about one mile from the stream, and fourteen miles from Los Angeles. It contains a population of about two hundred. All its houses are modern in character, iu style of architecture, and are constructed entirely of wood, there heing none of the unattractive adobe buildings. The village of Los Nietos aud the settlement kuown as The College are also within the district. The latter was selected by the Methodist Church South, as the site of a college for the education of their chil- dren, the surrounding country being populated principally by farmers of that religious creed. About four years ago, a section of about twenty acres was purchased by the denomination for educational pur- poses and the present college building-capable of conveniently seating two hundred persons-erected thereoa. The settlers in Los Nietos dis-
trict are almost altogether originally from Texas. The number of voters within the district is a little over five hundred.
The " Herakl Pamphlet " of 1876 contains the following :- DOWNEY AND LOS NIETOS.
Commencing near El Monte and extending along the San Gabriel river in a sonth-westerly direction for thirteen miles, hies the Los Nietos country, which may be truly denominated the garden spot of Los Angeles valley. The land lays beautifully, sloping gently toward the sea. making irrigation an easy tusk with the waters of the San Gabriel. The low portion of this district, however, particularly around Downey City, is naturally 30 moist that no irrigation is required. The soil is a rich sandy loam, susceptible of a high state of cultivation. This fertile nud attractive belt has been long settled, and the oldest ranches in it seem ns prolific as those just opened. There are truets that have not lain idle for a century, and there is no perceptible dimi- untion in the yield of the crops upon them. Corn, barley, rye, and potatoes nre the staples, while fruit-growing is making good prog- re-s. The yield of corn is from seventy-five to one hinudred' and twenty-five bushels to the acre, the outside figures not being by any means exceptional. Oata also cluim some attention and uttuin the height of seven feet, yielding well. The preference given to burley for feed, however, has tended to discourage the growth of oats. The yield of barley is often as bigh as seventy-five bushels per acre. Castor-beans are extensively cultivated and the yield is very large. 'Tobacco is also now grown, the product the past year being about forty thousand pounds. The soil and climate are peculiarly adapted to this plant, and as soon as the curing of it is properly understood, it will become a source of grent wealth. As much as three thousand pounds have been out from a single acre, and two good crops per annum are Assured. The average yield is probably two thousand pounds. While this section is so well adapted for farming, it is also fitted for the various fruits of both the temperate and torrid zones. At either extremity are magnificent orange groves, and the young orchards planted throughout the district are thriving. Peaches, apples, apri- cots, and pears have been grown for many years. Lands so productive have, of course, been in great demand, and prices have advanced pro- portionately with other foenlities, from sixty to one hundred and fifty dollars per acre being the current rates, with very little for sale. Last year we called attention to the low prices at which good land could be had there, -thirty dollars, - but these opportunities are now a thiag of the past. The new-comers, who have witnessed the wonderful fertility of these lands, have purchased about all that was vacant, and values are consequently enhanced. Some fifty new farms were opened the past year. The season just closed, despite the fact that it was dry, was a very prosperons one in Los Nietos-full crops being harvested.
Downey City, located on the Anaheim branch of the Southera Pacific Railroad, twelve miles from Los Angeles, is the shipping point of a large portion of this district, and shows a degree of prosperity conunensurate with that of the surrounding country. The extension of the railroad to Anaheim has in no manner retarded her progress, but on the contrary, her population has gone on increasing and her business is in excess of last season. ller shipments of grain now nearly reach one hundred and fifty thousand bushels annually, Several new buildings have been erected during the year, including the Baptist Church. There are two public schools in the district, and the Insti- tute near Downey is proving an efficient element in the work of educa- tion. All the elements of prosperity are united in Los Nietos and its business center, and they must continue to progress in the future as rapidly as in the past.
The following items, illustrative of the present condition of the township, are taken from the Downey Courier of the dates indicated. We might say here that a constant dispute exists between the respective sections of Los Nietos and Santa Ana, as to the relative merits of the two localities. In this war we take no part, but state facts only, or what we suppose to be such, giving our sources of information) :-
RESIDENCE AND ORANGE GROVE OF W.B. HUNT, ORANGE, LOS ANGELES . C.) CAL.
165
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
TUSTIN CITY.
Crossing the line from San Juan township into Santa Ana township by the main county-road, we first come to Tustin City.
This place was established by Mr. C. Tustin in 1869, upon a tract of land bought by him some two years previously from Bacon & Johnson, who had purchased two thousand acres from the heirs of the Yorba estate. Upou the division of the ranch in 1868, Mr. Tustin and his partner, N. O. Stafford, had one thousand three hundred and fifty-nine acres apportioned to them.
The town site as surveyed, contains about one hundred acres, in blocks three hundred feet square, divided into town lots fifty by one hundred and fifty feet.
There are now resident here, about fifty families. There are two schools and school-honses, with an average aggregate attend- ance of about eighty pupils.
There is a post-office with mail twice a day-C. Tustin, post- master.
There is a public hall over the post-office, and store builling twenty-four by sixty, owned by C. Tustin, in which the Meth- odists, Baptists, Adventists, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians hold regular meetings. There is no regular preacher of any of the denominations resident here.
There are no secret societies.
There is a hotel, one store, blacksmith and wagon-shop.
The principal crops are corn and barley. Of fruits-oranges, lemons, limes, walnuts and grapes, flourish. All kinds of vegetables. Tobacco for home consumption only, is raised.
The Santa Ana Valley Irrigation Company supplies the town with water for irrigation purposes.
Very little live stock is owned, save for domestic use.
Grapes are used for raisins only. No wine has yet been manufactured.
The settlers here, for the most part, own their own land- principally small tracts -- five to twenty acres. The buildings are all of frame.
Bananas do well here, but so far are regarded only as an experiment.
TOWN OF SANTA ANA.
For the following information we are indebted to the cour- tesy of Mr. Win. H. Spurgeon, the founder of the town :-
The Santiago de Santo Ine Rancho was an old grant made by Spain about 1810 to -- Yorba. This grant extended almost entirely across the township and contained about sixty-two thousand acres. It remained in Yorba's family until his death and was then partitioned to his heirs by order of Court.
The laud now occupied by the town site of Santa Ana fell to the share of Zenobia Yorba, one of the heirs, and Wm. H. Spur-
geon hought from her. From Mr Spurgeon all the present hollers of town property take title.
The town site was surveyed and laid off in town lots, in October, 1869, under the direction of Mr. Spurgeon. It is not incorporated and there are no town officers. The town has a population of from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred souls. This election preciuet cast four hundred and thirty votes at the last election.
Mr. Spurgeon has an artesian well three hundred and fifty feet deep, from which he pumps aud distributes water over the whole town for domestic purposes, by means of a hot-air cugine with a forcing capacity of four thousand gallons per hour. The water is first-class in quality and free from mineral taste.
The town of Santa Ana has two newspapers See chapter on "Journalism"), three hotels, a school-house, three church buildings (Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian), two public balls, one society hall, and a large number of business houses. There are also seven ministers, seven doctors, six lawyers and a number of music and other teachers. Also a public library.
CHURCHES.
THE M. E. CHURCH SOUTH
Was organized in Santa Ana at the residence of W. H. Titch- enal, December, 1869. The church was built in 1876, and dedicated by Bishop Marvin in October of that year. It is of wood and cost two thousand dollars; parsonage, five hundred dollars. The ministers in their order have been : A. Grover (one year), D. M. Price (one year), J. E. Miller two years), L. A. Smith (one year), H. W. Featherston (two years), K R. Curtis (one year). G. E. Butler is the present pastor. The number of members is forty. There are two other outlying congregations under charge of this pastor, making an aggregate of seventy-five members.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH1
At Santa Ana was organized March, 1871. The pastors in the order of time have been; Rev. R. C. Fryer (two years), 1. Hick- ley (two years), J. A. Freeman (two years), A. S. Worrell, D. D. (one year). H. I. Parker, D. D., is the present pastor. The church was dedicated in September, 1878. It cost four thou- sand dollars. Present membership, fifty-four.
THE M. E CHURCH NORTHI
At Santa Ana was organized in 1874. There is no church building as yet. The membership is about forty.
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Sends us the following information regarding its history: " Our congregation was organized June 22, 1876. The build- ing (frame) was erected in August of 1877, and cost two thousand eight hundred dollars. The congregation was first
organized by Rev. D. S MeHenry, who acted as stated supply until elose of March, 1578, when he resigned. The present pastor T. J C. Webster was installed June 6, 1879. Number of members, thirty- three. The church with which the congre- gation is connected is composed principally of Scotch, and Scotch-Irish and their descendants ; is Presbyterian in doctrine and government. Four olders are associated with the pastor in the governing of the church composing the session James She- Fadden, W B. Hall, A. R Finley und + P. Thompson."
In mohlition In the above, the Christian Church has a branch here, and holdls occasional services
SOCIETIES.
MASONS.
Santa Ana Lodge, No. 2H. F. & A. M. was organized Deto- ber 1. 1975. The first officers were: A. W. Birch, W. M. ; H. II. Harmon, S. W. ; George W. Vance, JJ. W .; W. II. Fitch- onal, Treasurer; C. W. Humphreys, Secretary. The charter members were: J. N. Burtoett, James H. Fruit, 4. 11. Gregg, Isaac Harding, W. C. Hablourd, Isane Hickey, J W. Layman, S. B. MeTarnahan, A. MeKom, D. H. Samis, D. K. Shrode, W. L. Wilhite. Of the same the Following are still active members: J. H Gregg, Isnac Harding, J. W. Lnymmn, S. B. MeTarmhan, D K. Shrode, W JA. Wilhite. The present officers are : M. J. Bundy, W. M .; L. J. Lockhart, S. W .; S. C. Shale, J. W .; C. W. Wilcox, Treasurer; R. F. Chilton, Secretary ; JJ. B. Callaway, Chaplain; J. W. bayumn, S. D .; H. O. Parton, J. D .; C. P' Schneider, Tyler The greatest number of members at nny one time has been forty ; members at present thirty-eight. The present value of lodge fixtures, two hundred and fifty dollars. The Inmueial condi tion is said to be good. Amount, disbursed in charity, two hundred dollars. The lodge inects in the Child Fellows and Masons' Hall over the post-oflice, Friday evening on or before the full moon in every month.
ODD FELLOWS.
Santa Ana Lodge, No. 236, 1. O. O. F., was organized Oeto- ber 30, 1875. The first officers were: W. S. Ritchey, N. G .; M. S. Jones, V G .; G. Spurgeon, Recording Secretary ; G W. Freeman, Permanent Secretary ; J. H. Moesser, Treasurer. The charter members were: W. S. Ritchey, M. S. Jones, A. D Stine, G. Spurgeon, G. W. Freeman, J. 11. Moesser, H. II. Harmon, J. H. Campbell, J. W. Swanson, F. M. Smith, J. E. Hodges, H. W. Sharpe, R. Freeman, A. F. Freisencker, E. M. Salter, C. R. Stine. Of the saine the following are still active members : W. S. Ritchey, G. Spurgeon, G. W. Freeman, J. H. Moesser, J. H. Campbell, J. W. Swanson, F. M. Smith, R. Freeman. The present officers are: A. C. Bowers, N. G .; Henry Jessen, V. G .: A. Johnston, Secretary; G. Spurgeon,
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