History of Los Angeles county, Volume II, Part 6

Author: McGroarty, John Steven, 1862-1944
Publication date: 1923
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 840

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IHISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

service. In this and other mediums of service Dr. Viney gave evidence of his intense patriotism, which he counts as an ancestral heritage. The Doctor is a republican in political adherency, his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian Church, he has been a member of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce from the time of its organization, is a member of the Overland Club, and in the Masonic fraternity he has received the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, is a noble of the Mystic Shrine and is a mem- ber of the local Chapter of the Eastern Star and the Pasadena Commanderv of Knights Templar. He is a past master of Corona Lodge No. 324, F. and A. M., and was the first master of San Pasqual Lodge No. 452, F. and A. M., at Pasadena, in 1913.

In 1904 Dr. Viney wedded Miss Louise Galt, of St. Louis, Missouri, a daughter of Elijah Lamb Galt and Mary Louise (Bergen) Galt, formerly of Petersburg, Illinois. Their names and respective ages, in 1922, of the three children of this union are here recorded : Alvin Galt Viney, seventeen years ; Lewis King Viney, fourteen years ; and Emily Eloise Viney, twelve years. Dr. Viney resides at the Overland Club.

WILLIAM W. CHRISTIE. The United States is the home of the self- made man. Here the poor boy stands as good a chance as his rich associate to advance to the high places, and his character is developed by the struggle that he has to make. In the older countries birth and the accidents of for- tune play a more important part than here, and yet due credit is always given to those who are able to rise above their surroundings and of their own accord make a place in the world for themselves. The records of this country show that in a large number of cases the really worth-while men are those who have had to fight for their places, who have had to work and struggle step by step, for it is a recognized fact that what has to be gained through substantial and sustained effort is appreciated. William W. Christie, proprietor of the Akron Vulvanizing Works of Pasadena, is one of those who has fought his own way to position. His earlier years were filled with struggles, but he possessed the necessary determination, ambition and industry, and with these, and inherent ability, has gained a recognized place among the prosperous business men of his adopted community.

Mr. Christie was born at Arbroath, County Forfar, Scotland, on the North Sea, a son of John and Emily (Waddell) Christie, who passed their entire lives in Scotland. Of their two sons and three daughters William W. was the youngest and the only one to come to the United States. He received his education in the public schools of his native place, where he was first a clerk in a grocery store and later a postal clerk and telegraph operator at Arbroath. When he was eighteen years of age he immigrated to the United States and located at Philadelphia, but shortly thereafter moved on to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he remained for ten years in the office of the chief engineer of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. From Milwaukee Mr. Christie went to Chicago, Illinois, and the "Windy City" was his home for twenty years and the scene of his first big business success. After residing there for some time he became one of the main factors in the organization of the firm of Bates & Rogers Construction Company, railroad and bridge builders, of which he was vice president and treasurer. He assisted in making this firm widely known and very suc- cessful financially, but in 1910 disposed of his interests and came to Cali- fornia, locating at Pasadena April 12. For years Mr. Christie had labored without cessation, and the opportunity was at hand to take a vacation, well- earned and advisable. Accordingly, during the next several years he did not attempt active participation in business affairs, but in 1915 again entered business life when he organized the Akron Vulcanizing Company, of which he is still the owner. He handles all kinds of high grade tires and automo- bile parts and accessories, and a special department of the business consists of tire vulcanizing. His place of business is modern in every respect and is located at 86 West Colorado Street. Mr. Christie is a republican polit- ically, but takes only a good citizen's interest in public and political affairs.

Matthew Slavie

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

He belongs to the Overland Club of Pasadena, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants Association of Pasadena.

On June 15, 1890, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mr. Christie was united in marriage with Miss Eliza J. Mahoney, who was born and educated in Milwaukee, and to this union there have been born two children: Arthur James, who was born at Chicago, where he was educated in the public schools, is now associated in business with his father. He married Miss Ella J. Wood, of Pasadena. Dorothy Mary, born in Chicago, was educated in the public schools of that city and Pasadena and the University of Southern California. The family home is at 1230 North Marengo Avenue, Pasadena.

MATTHEW SLAVIN. The building interests of Southern California for nearly thirty years recognized in Matthew Slavin a strong and resourceful leader and master, one of the most successful contractors, with a record of performance including some of the largest as well as the finest structures in Pasadena and vicinity. In personal character and public spirit he proved himself no less prominent.

The late Mr. Slavin was born in Saratoga County, New York, January 6, 1853. The environment of his youth was his father's farm. He made the best possible use of the limited facilities of the country schools in that local- ity, and at the age of fourteen began a three years' apprenticeship under George Ostrander, a carpenter at Burnt Hills, New York. Natural mechan- ical skill and all his inclinations sponsored him to make the most of this period of apprenticeship, and at the end of three years he was a proficient carpenter. Then followed four years of journey work at various localities in New York State. In 1879 Mr. Slavin moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, and became draftsman and superintendent of construction for a prominent firm of builders, Shover & Christian. He remained with them nine years, and acted as overseer for many large contracts handled by the firm.

On November 8, 1887, Mr. Slavin married Miss Martha Jane Foster. Their honeymoon trip was to California, and the state exercised such a confirmation over them that they were not long in determining to remain here. Mr. Slavin was sensible not only of the natural attractions of Pasa- dena, but of the wonderful business opportunities opened to a man of initia- tive and energy in this then new part of the West. Pasadena was at that time a little village among the foothills north of Los Angeles, and during the next thirty years Mr. Slavin had some share in nearly every constructive work, civic or material, by which Pasadena has come to greatness as a municipality and community. He soon won the reputation of being not only a skillful but a reliable builder. To note only a few of the large con- tracts handled by Mr. Slavin mention may be made of the Hotel Green, which became one of Pasadena's most notable hostelries, Hotel Potter at Santa Barbara, the Masonic Temple, the First Presbyterian Church, one of the finest religious edifices in Southern California, the Pasadena Furni- ture Building, the Central Building, which upon its completion was reputed to be the finest office structitre in Pasadena, and many others in this vicinity. A master of all the technical details entering into building construction, a thoroughly systematic business man, Mr. Slavin added to these qualifica- tions those of the old time master workman who knew thoroughly well and by natural instinct understood the art of handling his employes so as to earn and enlist their complete confidence and hearty co-operation.

The late Mr. Slavin took a great deal of pride in Pasadena's roads in material proportions and in civic duty and as a home of wealth and culture. In the small town days of Pasadena he was a member of its Board of Trustees, and was one of the first councilmen elected under a new city charter and for a time was president of the Board of Councilmen. He accepted office not as a partisan politician, but completely for the sake of promoting good clean government and the welfare of the community. Mr. Slavin had complete confidence in Pasadena's prosperity and wonderful future, this being manifested in the erection of the Slavin Building, where

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

he established his own business headquarters. The First National Bank of the city leased the lower floor of this building.

Mr. Slavin was a Knight Templar and thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of Al Malaikah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Los Angeles, and was also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, Altadena Country Club, the Music and Art Association of Pasadena, and was a member of the old Board of Trade, now the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.

With a citizen so vitally interested in his work and welfare of Pasadena, and still in the prime of his powers, his sudden death on February 8, 1915, was thought of as a calamity. He had been superintending the erection of a home for his daughter, soon to be married, and died of heart failure while still engaged in this labor of love. He was laid to rest by his brother Masons with the dignity and high honors becoming his rank and character.

Mr. Slavin is survived by Mrs. Slavin and three children. The children are Matthew, Jr., who after leaving the University of California at Berkeley joined his father in the building business, and continued it after his father's death. The daughters are Mrs. Sara Childs, of Pasadena, and Edith, wife of Arthur Lawrence Bobrick, of Garden City, Long Island.

Mrs. Slavin rounded out thirty-five years of continuous residence in Pasadena on November 15, 1922. She occupies the fine old home built by Mr. Slavin on North Marengo Avenue. This home is built on beautiful grounds comprising two and one-half acres.

WILLIAM FRANK BURBANK. Prominently identified with the business interests of Pasadena is William Frank Burbank, who is well and favorably known in the field of automobile accessories as a member of the Kay & Burbank Company. He is a native of Detroit, Michigan, and was born June 17, 1880, being a son of George William and Mary (Eastwood) Bur- bank, the former of whom died at Detroit in 1918 and the latter at Pasadena in 1911. George William Burbank was a carpenter by trade, a vocation which he followed in Michigan for many years. The family came to Cali- fornia in June, 1900, and located at Pasadena. Of the two daughters, one, Mrs. Whitehead, died at this city in 1912; but both sons survive, Mr. Burbank's brother, Harry, being manager for the Vogan Automobile Works of Pasadena.

William Frank Burbank was educated in the public schools of Detroit, and as a youth secured employment with the fruit and vegetable company of F. P. Reynolds & Company of Detroit. He remained with this concern for ten years and four months, being an inside salesman for four years and shipping clerk for two years, and during the remainder of the time being a representative on the road, traveling all over Michigan and into Canada, buying potatoes, apples, etc. In 1901 Mr. Burbank followed the family to California and accepted a position with the Pacific Electric Company, as foreman in the car barns. While there he became thoroughly familiar with the working principles of electric batteries, and in 1907 took a position with the California Electric Garage Company, being at that time one of the only two men at Pasadena who had any knowledge of electric cars. This garage was situated at 155-171 Fair Oaks, and April 1, 1909, when Mr. Burbank and Harry H. Kay embarked in business as the Kay & Burbank Company, they occcupied the same location, where they have been situated ever since. At that time Messrs. Kay and Burbank began handling Detroit, Arnel and Baker electric cars, and continued in the same line of endeavor for five years, when they gave up this class of business to devote themselves exclusively to the recharging of electric cars and doing repair work. On March 15, 1922, they disposed of the Electric Garage, and since then have done repair work for gasoline cars of all makes, in addition to which they are distributors of the Exide battery for Southern California and Arizona. This battery they have handled for seven years. The company was incorpo- rated April 1, 1910, with Mr. Burbank as vice president. In addition to the matter mentioned above, the company handles Delco, Klaxon, Remy and

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Wagner starting and lighting systems, and maintains an authorized factory service station. Mr. Burbank is also vice president of the Kay Motor Sup- ply Company of Los Angeles, with a retail place of business at Eleventh and Figueroa streets, Los Angeles, under the firm style of Kay & Burbank Company. The company also has a retail branch at 210 South Main Street, Santa Ana, and another at Fourth and Locust streets, Long Beach. Mr. Burbank is one of the live and progressive business citizens of his city, where he bears an excellent reputation for integrity and honorable dealing. In politics he is an adherent of democratic principles, but has taken no active part himself in public or political matters. He holds membership in the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, the Pasadena Auto Dealers Asso- ciation, the Pasadena Merchants Association, the Auto Trade Association and the Automobile Club of Southern California.

On May 28, 1915, at Pasadena, Mr. Burbank was united in marriage with Miss Florence Connor, who was born and educated at Akron, Ohio. Their pleasant and attractive home is situated at 634 East California Street.

HENRY FRANK BLISS is the executive head and sole owner of the pros- perous business conducted in the City of Pasadena under the title of the Bliss Paint & Paper Company, at 109 North Fair Oaks Avenue, and in the City of Los Angeles he is vice president of the Sunset Paint Company. His large and representative business at Pasadena includes the handling of paints and wall paper and the contracting for painting and decorating.

Mr. Bliss was born at Cambria, Wisconsin, February 7, 1880, and is a son of Peter and Christine (Kemp) Bliss, both of whom died at Wausau, that state. The parents were born in the State of New York, where their marriage was solemnized, and in his earlier career the father followed a seafaring life, he having been employed on old- time sailing vessels and having visited many of the leading ports of the world. About the year 1875 Peter Bliss retired from the sea and established his residence in Wisconsin, where he became associated with farm industry. In the Civil war he served in the United States Navy, under Admiral Farragut, and for this service he received a Government pension. Both he and his wife died in the year 1902, when venerable in years. They are survived by four sons and three daughters, of whom only the subject of this sketch and his sister, Mrs. John A. Sutter of Pasadena, are residents of California. Martin A. and Harry W. are residents of Idaho and each is engaged in the paint and paper business. Charles is a resident of Milwaukee, Wis- consin, and Mrs. Carl Echman and Mrs. H. Majestis reside at Madison, the capital city of that state.

The public schools of Wausau, Wisconsin, afforded Henry F. Bliss his early education, and there also he gained his initial experience in the painting and interior decorating business. With this line of enter- prise he there continued to be identified until 1902, in November of which year he arrived in Pasadena, California. For several years thereafter he was here in the employ of Charles Ward, and in 1910 he engaged independently in the painting and decorating business, as a member of the firm of Adams & Bliss. After the dissolution of this partnership with Charles Adams he became senior member of the firm of Bliss & Schwenzfeier. Under this title the business was continued until July, 1921, when he purchased the interest of his partner, Paul Schwenzfeier, and assumed full control of the substantial and pros- perous enterprise, which is now conducted under the title of the Bliss Paint & Paper Company.

Mr. Bliss is aligned in the ranks of the republican party, and he and his wife are active members of the First Congregational Church of Pasadena. He is a member of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and the local Merchants Association, and holds membership in the

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Young Men's Christian Association. In the Masonic fraternity his basic affiliation is with Pasadena Lodge No. 272, F. and A. M., and in the Scottish Rite of the great fraternity he has received the thirty- second degree. Both he and his wife are members of Southland Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is a member of Crown City Lodge, I. O. O. F.

February 20, 1909, recorded the marriage of Mr. Bliss and Miss Ethel L. Insley, who was born at Santa Ana, California, where she was reared and educated, a daughter of George and Barbara R. (Palmer) Insley, the former of whom died at San Diego in 1897, and the latter of whom now resides in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Bliss. Mr. and Mrs. Bliss have four children: George Insley, Ethel Gale, Robert Edward and Melvin. The family home is at 1704 Las Lunas.

JOSEPH WELSH. In California the disciples of Izaak Walton find an enthusiastic leader in the person of a Pasadena citizen and representa- tive business man who is widely known in piscatorial circles as "Joe" Welsh. He is not only an importer of anglers' supplies, with agency in the United States and Canada for the celebrated Telarna Nova leaders, but he is also president and general manager of the Pasadena Hardware Company, which conducts one of the leading hardware establishments in Los Angeles County.

Mr. Welsh was born at Newton Stewart, Scotland, on the 15th of October, 1864, and is a son of Joseph and Eliza (Erskine) Welsh, the father having been a talented artist, as a landscape and animal painter, and having gained high reputation and marked success in his art. The Welsh family in the south of Scotland dates back to the time of Robert Bruce King of Scotland. When Bruce and Wallace divided the lands in the south of Scotland known as Kirkudbrightshire, Dum- frieshire and Wigtonshire among their victorious leaders in the con- flict with the Anglo-Saxons, they discovered that the Romans in their invasion had taken out of the lawther or lead hills quantities of lead ore. The new landholders in the districts mentioned sent to Wales for miners to develop the lead deposits. The Welsh miners and their families who thus came into Scotland spoke only the Cambric language, while the Gaelic-speaking Scotsmen, unfamiliar with the tongue of the new residents from Wales, simply called and referred to them as the Welshes, the result being that Welsh became a family surname. It is from this sturdy stock that the subject of this review is descended, and in the connection it is interesting to note that the great historian, Thomas Carlyle, who was born at Craigenputtock, Scotland, married Jean Welsh, a first cousin of Joseph Welsh, grandfather of him whose name introduces this sketch. All of the male Welshes of the immediate family are now in Pasadena, California, none being left in Scotland to represent there this ancient family.

In his native place Mr. Welsh continued his studies in the public schools until he had duly profited by the advantages of the Ewart High School, and thereafter he served a practical apprenticeship of five years in the hardware and sporting-goods business, in the estab- lishment of John Lawson, at Newton Stewart. In 1886 he came to the United States, and forthwith made his way to California, where he obtained employment with the Pasadena Hardware Company, at a stipend of ten dollars a week. With this enterprise, now grown to large proportions, he has continued his close alliance during the long intervening years, and the large part he has played in the upbuilding of the business needs no further evidence than his incumbency of the dual office of president and manager of the company.

As a loyal and public-spirited citizen Mr. Welsh has shown lively interest in all things touching the welfare and advancement of his home city and state, and while he has had no desire to enter the arena

Chas Quitahing

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

of practical politics he gives unqualified allegiance to the republican party. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and as a thorough- going and enthusiastic sportsman he is a member of the Tuna Club at Catalina Island; the Los Angeles Fly and Bait Casting Club; the American Anglers League; the Saamae Duck Club, of which he is president in 1922; and the Overland Club of Pasadena. He is also president of the Winchester Club of Southern California. He and his wife hold membership in the United Presbyterian Church. In con- nection with angling his name is applied to many of the finest types of fishing devices, including the Joe Welsh leader, concerning which the following statements appeared in the National Sportsman: "Joe Welsh never said half enough in favor of these leaders; they are great stuff, and not a knot in the entire length; they are colorless and practically invisible in water. I have one trout leader that I have used two seasons, and I feel safe in using it this season."

Mr. Welsh married Flora J. Nay, daughter of Oscar T. and Flora Nay, and the three children of this union are Donald Stewart, Joseph Erskine and Edward Earl. Donald S. Welsh married Miss Pearl Brownfield, and Joseph E. Welsh married Miss Margaret Davis. The youngest son, thirteen years of age, in 1922, is attending the public schools of Pasadena.

COLONEL CHARLES F. HUTCHINS, who was colonel of the 160th United States Infantry in France, has a distinguished military record, beginning in the Spanish-American war period, continuing for many years as all officer in the California National Guard, and then as an officer in the National Army during the World war. Colonel Hutchins is a lawyer by profession, and since leaving the Government service has been a federal tax attorney and is manager of the Pasadena office of Claude I. Parker, federal tax attorney, specializing in all matters affecting the application and interpretation of the federal tax laws. .

Colonel Hutchins was born July 9, 1878, in a sod house on the prairie in Rooks County, Kansas. His parents, Samuel Shotwell and Mary (Vercoe) Hutchins, were Kansas farmers, later came to Southern Cali- fornia, and are now living retired at Haywards, this state. Colonel Hutchins is third in a family of four sons, his brother, William E., an engineer for the Santa Fe Railroad Company, living at Needles, California ; James V., field superintendent of the Standard Oil Company, with head- quarters at Taft, California; and Arthur Garfield, also an employe of the Standard Oil Company of Taft.

Charles F. Hutchins was reared in San Diego County, attended the public schools there, and finished his high school course in Santa Paula in 1900. He paid all his own expenses while in his university career. Subse- quently he took the law course at the University of Southern California, graduating L.L. B. in 1915, and was admitted to the bar in July of that year, and also qualified for practice before the Federal Courts. He practiced for one year in Los Angeles, until he was called to duty on the Mexican border. Three months after his return he entered the National Army for the World war. Colonel Hutchins returned to the United States in April, 1919, and was released to the Reserves in May. For six months he devoted his time to the worthy cause of securing jobs for ex-service men in Los Angeles. He then returned to Washington, D. C., and had three months of special training in the federal income tax law, signing a contract in return for the privilege of this schooling to act as auditor and attorney for the Government for two years. He carried out that agreement, his contract expiring March 1, 1922, at which date he opened his office in Pasadena.

The dates and other facts involved in his military record may be appro- priately combined in one paragraph. He enlisted in Troop M of the Fourth United States Cavalry, June 1, 1898, while the Spanish-American war was in progress. He was appointed corporal August 15, 1898, and received his honorable discharge March 28, 1899. His National Guard Service began

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

with his enlistment in Troop D of the First California Cavalry, January 12, 1900; he was discharged for removal May 4, 1901. March 12, 1906, he was commissioned first lieutenant of the Seventh California Infantry, and served in the capacity of camp quartermaster at San Francisco following the fire during April and May. June 18, 1906, he was commissioned captain of the Seventh California Infantry, and commanded Company I of that regiment for six years. January 28, 1912, he was commissioned major of the same regiment, and was recommissioned major January 28, 1916, and mustered into the United States service at Sacramento on June 29, as major of infantry. His service on the Mexican border continued until Novem- ber 11, 1916, when he was mustered out at Los Angeles. February 25, 1917, he was commissioned colonel of the Seventh California Infantry, and mustered into the United States service at Arcadia March 26, 1917. He established the original military camp at the old race track at Arcadia, which is now occupied and owned by the U. S. Army Balloon School. In September, 1917, he moved his command to Camp Kearney, one of his battalions opening up that camp. Here the One Hundredth Sixtieth United States Infantry was formed from the old Seventh California and a part of the old Second California Infantry. Colonel Hutchins was in command of the One Hundred Sixtieth all through the war except for two months when he commanded the Eightieth Infantry Brigade under Par. 2, Spec. Orders No. 41, Hq. Camp Kearney, 40th Division, dated October 9, 1917. He successfully passed the war department examination for colonel of infantry in July, 1917. Colonel Hutchins sailed for France via England in command of the One Hundred Sixtieth Infantry in July, 1918, and was assigned to the First American Army during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in October and November, 1918. Returning to the United States from France in April, 1919, he was retired to the reserve, with the rank of colonel of infantry, on May 7, 1919.

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History of Los Angeles county, Volume II, Part 6

Author: McGroarty, John Steven, 1862-1944 Publication date: 1923 Publisher: Number of Pages: 840

Author: McGroarty, John Steven, 1862-1944
Publication date: 1923
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 840