History of Los Angeles county, Volume III, Part 16

Author: McGroarty, John Steven, 1862-1944
Publication date: 1923
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 844

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Mr. Snider is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the State and National Board and the Hermosa Realty Board. On May 30, 1906, he married Miss Elenora McAvana, of Brockville, Canada. She died December 21, 1918, the mother of three children: William A. and Robert George ; and Clare Donald, deceased. On September 7, 1921, Mr. Snider married Mrs. Mathilda Cropper of Hermosa Beach. Mrs. Snider is treas- urer of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Woman's Club.

WILLIAM J. SNIDER, one of the partners and founder of the real estate business known as Snider Brothers at Hermosa Beach, engaged in business there in November, 1918, and the firm does a large share of the business

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connected with the handling of property for rentals, loans and general insur- ance in that section. There are five employes of the firm. The partner of W. J. Snider is his brother, A. A. Snider.

Mr. Snider was born at Brockville, Ontario, Canada, October 11, 1879, son of Charles and Sarah (Brown) Snider. His father was a merchant in Canada, and after 1889 continued in similar lines at Detroit, Michigan, where he died in 1891. He was born in 1855. The widowed mother is now living with her son W. J. Snider at Hermosa Beach.

Mr. Snider attended public schools in Ontario, and had an apprentice- ship and became a skilled workman in the printing trade. He followed that as a business for about fifteen years. In 1903 he located at Boston, Massa- chusetts, was connected with printing houses of that city, and in 1910 removed to Chicago for a year. He then returned to Boston, and was in the printing and advertising business seven years.

Mr. Snider came to Los Angeles in October, 1918, and in November opened his real estate office at Hermosa Beach. He has served as secretary two years and is a director of the Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Hermosa Realty Board and the State and National Realty Board, and is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows.

On June 10, 1908, Mr. Snider married Miss Vena E. Steeves, of Boston, Massachusetts. She died February 23, 1921. On April 5, 1922, Mr. Snider married Miss Gladys L. Young, of Hollywood. She was born in Pasadena and was educated in the public schools of that city and Los Angeles. Mrs. Snider is a member of the Woman's Club of Hermosa Beach.

REV. J. J. DEENIHAN is pastor of St. James Catholic Church at Redondo Beach. This parish was established in January, 1892, when the first church, a wooden structure, was dedicated at the southeast corner of Vincent and Elena streets. The first pastor was Rev. R. Fortier, and his was a long and prosperous service of fourteen years. Rev. Ramon Ferier became pastor in 1906, and from 1909 to 1914 Rev. James O'Callaghan was in charge. Father O'Callaghan's pastorate was distinguished by the building of the new church, a brick structure on the northwest corner of the same street, which marked the first real progress of the parish. A new parish house was also constructed by Father O'Callaghan in 1913. Rev. N. Connelly succeeded Father O'Callaghan in August, 1914, and through his efforts the parochial school was established. In November, 1918, Rev. James Deeni- han entered upon his happy duties here.

Father Deenihan has been able to complete the parochial school, begun by his predecessor Rev. N. Connelly, which stands on the site occupied by the original church. The corner stone of the present church was laid July 5, 1914. A convent adjoining the school on Elena Street has just been completed and will house ten Sisters. It is a fine concrete and stucco build- ing of modern construction, with an uninterrupted view of the ocean in the near distance. The school is a four room building with two hundred pupils, and the five teachers are supplied by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The parish contains 1,000 souls.

Rev. James Deenihan was born in County Kerry, Ireland, September 22, 1885. He was educated in parochial schools, in St. Michael's College, St. Patrick's Seminary at Carlow, and is a graduate of the Catholic Univer- sity, Washington, D. C. He was ordained in 1908, and at once was assigned to duties with the American branch of the church and has found a fruitful field of labor and many congenial associations in Southern California.

OLIVER N. TOMLINSON has large and important executive responsibil- ities devolving upon him in his service as superintendent of the Huntington interests at Redondo Beach, these interests being largely represented in the Redondo Improvement Company, the Redondo Water Company and the Huntington Redondo Company.

a. P. Redeout

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Mr. Tomlinson claims the old Buckeye State as the place of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Jefferson County, Ohio, on the 27th of June, 1864. He is a son of the late Comly and Esther (Negus) Tomlinson, who continued their residence in Ohio until the close of their lives, the father having been a prosperous farmer and having for many years been also a buyer and shipper of live stock. The early experiences of Oliver N. Tom- linson were largely those incidental to the activities of the home farm, and his youthful education was acquired in the public schools of his native county. As a youth he entered the employ of the Buckeye Engine Com- pany at Salem, Ohio, and he remained several years with this industrial corporation. After leaving Ohio he passed one year at Denver, Colorado, in the employ of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, and in 1903 he came to California and established his residence at Los Angeles, where for a short period he was in the employ of the California Hardware Company. He then returned to Ohio, and at Salem became associated with the Grove Company, manufacturers of chewing gum. He returned to Denver, Col- orado, and there he was in executive service with the Denver Athletic Club, but in 1905 he responded again to the lure of California, the autumn of that year having recorded his assumption of the position of bookkeeper in the offices of the Redondo Improvement Company, with which he has since continued his connection, his able service having led to his advancement to his present responsible office as superintendent of the affairs of this com- pany and other Huntington interests at Redondo Beach. Mr. Tomlinson is a director of the Chamber of Commerce in his home city, and served for some time as its president. He has in every way commended himself to the confidence and high regard of the community, and from 1912 to 1916 he served as a member of the City Council. During two years of this period he was chairman of the Council.

The year 1890 recorded the marriage of Mr. Tomlinson and Miss Emma L. Hannay, who was born and reared at Salem, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson have three children: Edith is the wife of George C. Shaker, of Fresno, California, and Ruth and Walter remain at the parental home.

ALBERT R. RIDEOUT. When gold was discovered in California in 1848 the whole world bestowed upon it the name of the "Golden State," and in so doing uttered a prophecy. Much of the free gold has been collected from the ground, but a richer treasure remains, and will never be exhausted, for the golden sunshine is perpetual and productive of wealth incalculable. However, in order to develop this source of never-ending opulence it is necessary to utilize the natural resources and develop them to full capacity. With the planting of fruits and nut bearing trees in Southern California has come a period of the greatest prosperity, so far outdistancing the wildest dreams of any seeker after the old-time El Dorado, but this remarkable condition has only come through the patience, skill and unremitting hard work of the pioneers in the industry, one of whom is Albert R. Rideout, of Whittier, the father of the avocado-raising industry in the West.

Albert R. Rideout was born in Kansas, October 5, 1872, a son of J. B. Rideout, a native of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, a minister of the Pres- byterian Church, now deceased. He was of English descent, and his widow, Mrs. Martha Matilda (Hall) Rideout, now a resident of Whittier, is also of English descent. She was born in Maine, of Revolutionary stock. She and her husband were pioneers of Kansas, from whence they went to Marshfield, Oregon, when their son Albert R. was a child.

Growing up at Marshfield, Oregon, Albert R. Rideout attended its schools, and then, following his natural inclination and giving expression to a very decided talent, began writing signs, continuing in this line of work until failing eyesight compelled him to abandon it for an occupation requir- ing less arduous strain on his eyes. In the meanwhile, in 1896, he had come to Whittier, and in 1903 he decided upon a radical change and went into nursery work on Magnolia Avenue, where he purchased five acres. Later he bought ten acres on Citrus Grove Heights, which was higher ground, and

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

about 1912 bought 100 acres in Citrus Heights, above Lemon Street, and gave the tract the name of Rideout Heights. He has sold all but fifteen acres of this tract.

On this fifteen acres Mr. Rideout has a most remarkable collection of avocados. He began growing the avocado as an experiment in 1912, and in spite of the fact that during the "freeze" of the succeeding year he lost 30,000 avocados and 10,000 citrus trees, he was not at all discouraged, for during the short time he has been engaged in this industry he had seen enough to make him feel that this fruit was the one to give the largest yield in this climate of any that could be planted. Therefore he again started his nurseries. Three years ago he sold ten acres for $25,000, and one year later this same land was sold for $55,000. The "freeze" of 1921-22 did not affect him. Mr. Rideout has done more than anyone else to place this industry upon a sound commercial basis, and is never happier than when interesting anyone in it. He is doing everything in his power to encourage the planting of avocados, and the acreage of them has been largely increased through his efforts. Through his experiments the old Lyon brand has been brought back to life after it was erased from the selected list, and he has demonstrated that it is the most valuable one known at the present time. The tree occupies little ground, and bears heavily in large fruit that sells readily for one dollar each, and 600 trees can be readily planted to the acre. Within from three to four years each tree will produce at least forty fruit, thus giving a return of $6,000 per acre, figured at twenty-five cents per fruit. These trees will grow for ten years before they require thinning, and by that time many will be producing 100 fruit to the tree. The Lyon fruit by official government analysis produced 26.89 per cent fat or oil, 4.37 per cent protein and 9.7 per cent seed, by far the most wonderful test ever given any other variety. Mr. Rideout has made many converts to the avocado, both through his clear and forceful arguments and because of the practical dem- onstration constantly afforded by his own wonderful grove on Rideout Heights. He has created the Ambassador brand, second only to the Lyon, and believes that he sees before him in the near future the fulfillment of his dream, the creation of a perfect fruit that will bear his name. Mr. Rideout also has brought forward the only valuable, large, hardshelled avocado which ripens its fruit in October, November and December. This tree, the Prince, is now growing at the home of Edward W. Dickey at Hollywood, and through the kindness of Mr. Dickey Mr. Rideout was permitted to introduce this fruit in the California industry. Mr. Rideout has rechristened this fruit Prince of the Holidays. By the introduction of this valuable fruit the whole calendar is filled, so it is now possible to ship large merchantable avocados every month in the year.

Successful as he has been in the avocado industry, Mr. Rideout has not confined himself to it, for he is also the pioneer in the propagation of the dewberries that have made Gardenia famous. He also put out the first Chase walnuts, one of the best varieties of blight-resisting nuts California has ever had. The famous avocado tree on Magnolia Avenue was set out by him, and this is now nearly as large as a walnut tree, and excites much interest.

On April 8, 1903, Mr. Rideout married at Whittier Miss Myrtle W. Smith, a native of California, and a daughter of Rev. Henry Clay Smith, now deceased, who traced his ancestors back to the Colonial epoch in this country. She is a grand daughter of the late Rev. A. C. Hazzard, who was a pioneer of Whittier and one of the trail blazers of the early day. When he first came, there was no Whittier, only one vast mustard patch, and he had to go to Los Angeles for his mail. Mr. and Mrs. Rideout have five children, namely: Esther, a graduate of the Whittier High School ; Mar- jorie Edna, who is a student of the high school; Jessie, who is a student of the grammar grades ; Albert, who is five years old ; and Elizabeth, who is the baby. Esther will continue the work of her father, and is already an expert orchardist as well as a charming young lady. She is assisting her father in

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

the budding of trees, and is as enthusiastic as he on the subject of the avocado.

Mr. and Mrs. Rideout were the architects of their beautiful home on Rideout Heights, and it is a triumph of their artistic and practical ideas. They possess a view that is unexcelled by any anywhere in the world. The entire floor of the vast valley stretching to the sea lies within their view, with the surrounding mountains, Los Angeles, and other points of interest in the distance, all blending into a scene of rare beauty which defies description. Both Mr. Rideout and his wife are active members of the Plymouth Congregational Church, and for the past ten years have had charge of the Montebello Mission for Japanese, which is under the auspices of the mother church, and in this work seek to give a practical expression of their Christianity, as they are firmly convinced that only through incul- cating the spirit of the true religion in the hearts and minds of these aliens can they be made into desirable additions to the community. They give to this work the same energy and enthusiasm they do to their other pursuits, and are sincere and earnest in it.

CHARLES FREDERICK TURNER. A progressive and flourishing establish- ment which has been built up through the enterprise and spirit of its pro- prietors is the El Segundo Garage, which now caters to a large and repre- sentative patronage. This adjunct to the automobile industry of this section is under the proprietorship of the Turner brothers, of whom Charles Fred- erick Turner was the first to become interested in the venture.

Charles Frederick Turner was born at Chetopa, Kansas, March 9, 1886, and is a son of William and Eliza Turner. He acquired a public school education in his native state, where he resided until sixteen years of age, at that time coming to California. His first location was at Redlands, where he learned the automobile repairing business, a vocation which he followed for a time, but subsequently sought and obtained employment on a ranch. In 1912 he returned to the automobile business, embarking in a venture of his own at Inglewood, where he was proprietor of a garage for one year. He next went to Monterey, California, where he was identified with the Monterey Company water works for three and one-half years, and in 1918 located at El Segundo and bought the El Segundo Garage, with which he has since been associated. This business was started about 1916 by a Mr. Smith, who subsequently sold out to W. S. Stinnett, the latter being its proprietor until selling out to Mr. Turner. Mr. Turner continued in business alone until July, 1922, when he admitted his brothers L. J. and L. S. Turner to partnership. The business has prospered greatly and is now . one of the largely patronized establishments of its kind, having an excel- lent local trade as well as a good tourist business. Four mechanics are given · employment, and general automobile repairing is done, in addition to which the brothers handle Lincoln and Ford cars and the Fordson tractor, and Ford and Lincoln parts and accessories. The establishment con- tains 7,000 square feet of floor space, and is equipped with the latest machinery used in expeditious and competent work of all characters. A service station is maintained, gasoline is handled and a complete stock of tires is constantly on hand. The brothers are both efficient and courteous, and since locating at El Segundo have established a good reputation for business integrity, as well as having made numerous friendships both in business circles and otherwise. Charles F. Turner is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and has several other civic connections. As a fra- ternalist he holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge and Encampment, in both of which he is popular.

On September 20, 1911, Mr. Turner was united in marriage with Miss Lillian A. Koehler, of Redlands, California, who was born at Redlands, and is a graduate of the Los Angeles Normal School. Four children have been born to this union: Lenore and Eleanor, twins, Fred and Marjorie May.

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JAMES LESLIE TURNER and LEE SCOTT TURNER. In automobile circles of El Segundo the name of Turner is one that is associated with business industry and integrity, in connection with the conduct of a first-class enter- prise, the El Segundo Garage. This business is conducted by three Turner brothers, Charles Frederick, James Leslie and Lee Scott Turner, the career of the first-named of whom is given in the preceding sketch of this work. The two younger members of the firm are still included among the newcomers in business circles, but have already demonstrated the posses- sion of qualifications for success which should make their careers ones of commercial usefulness.

James Leslie Turner was born at Chetopa, Kansas, June 2, 1899, a son of William and Eliza Turner. He was still a young child when taken by his parents to Redlands, California, in 1902, and in the schools of that com- munity secured his early education. Later he attended public school at Yucupa, California, and from that point accompanied his parents to their ranch at Drain, Oregon. He remained there until 1916, when he went to San Diego, California, and utilized a natural bent for mechanics by learn- ing the automobile repair business, which he followed until March, 1917. His next location was at San Bernardino, where he was engaged in the same line until October, 1917, at that time returning to the ranch. He resumed his activities in the automobile line in 1919, when he joined his brother Charles Frederick in the El Segundo Garage, and in 1922 was admitted to partnership in the business. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and has several other connections, in addition to having many friends in the city of his adoption.

Lee Scott Turner was born at Chetopa, Kansas, August 19, 1895, a son of William and Eliza Turner. He acquired a public school education at Redlands, California, and then went to his parents' ranch at Drain, Oregon, where he remained until coming to San Bernardino, California in 1917. There he entered the transfer business, but shortly after the United States became embroiled in the great World war he enlisted, in June, 1917, as a private in Company G, 364th Infantry, Ninety-first Division, with which command he served overseas from June 29, 1918, to April, 1920. During much of the time that he was in active service he had the hazardous task of acting as courier, and when he received his honorable discharge it was as first-class dispatch bearer. On his return he engaged in the automobile busi- ness in the garage of his brother at El Segundo, and in 1922 was admitted to partnership in the business. Like his brothers, he is courteous and affable, and has established numerous lasting friendships among the people.

J. D. DUDLEY GLADDING. Among the progressive business men and financiers who have contributed to the advancement and prosperity of the thriving city of El Segundo, few have taken a more active participation in constructive movements than J. D. Dudley Gladding, vice-president and cashier of the First National Bank and of the El Segundo State Bank. An Easterner by birth, since coming to California ten years ago he has assimi- lated the enthusiasm and energy of the Golden State, and has earned the right to be numbered among his community's useful and reliable citizens.

Mr. Gladding was born at Albany, New York, June 3, 1881, and there received his education in the public schools. He received his introduction to banking methods in an institution at Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he remained for fifteen years as an employe of the Traders' National Bank, and in 1912 came to California, first locating at Los Angeles. For two years thereafter he was in the employ of the El Segundo Improvement Company, and for the two succeeding years was identified with the Security Trust and Savings Bank, and in 1917 assumed the duties of his present position as vice-president and cashier of the El Segundo State Bank. This institution was organized in 1912, with E. D. Lewis as cashier, Mr. Glad- ding being Mr. Lewis' successor. The officials and Board of Directors of this institution are: President, J. E. Howell, assistant cashier of the Stand- ard Oil Company; J. D. D. Gladding, vice-president and cashier ; vice-

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president, Dan Murphy, capitalist ; vice-president, F. R. Kellogg, president Richfield Oil Company ; J. F. Faber, superintendent of the Standard Oil Company ; H. C. Hanna, assistant superintendent of the Standard Oil Company ; and M. L. McCray, capitalist. The condensed statement of this bank at the close of business, June 30, 1922, was as follows: Resources- loans and discounts, $115,171.37 ; bonds and securities, $156,251.00; bank- ing house and fixtures, $40,859.41; and cash and due from banks, $68,576.46; liabilities-capital stock, $25,000.00; surplus, $18,000.00; undivided profits, net, $2,040.43; bills payable, $25,000.00; reserve for expenses, $74.29 ; and deposits, about $310,743.52. For the convenience of its customers the institution maintains escrow, insurance and bond departments, and Liberty Loan bonds and other high-grade securities are bought, sold and quoted, or sold on the partial payment plan. The bank has electrically protected safe deposit vaults, and all its vaults are protected by the American Bank Protection Company's system. This institution handles the payroll of the Standard Oil Company's plant located at El Segundo, with 1,750 people in its employ, as well as the payroll of the Gen- eral Chemical Company. Mr. Gladding is also vice-president and cashier of the First National Bank of El Segundo, which opened January 1, 1922.

J. E. Howell is president of this institution, and the directorate includes, in addition to Messrs. Howell and Gladding, H. C. Hanna, J. F. Faber and R. M. Clarke. The condensed statement of the condition of this bank at the close of business June 30, 1922, was as follows : resources-loans and discounts, $4,650.00; U. S. Government bonds, $29,741.53; furniture and fixtures, $7,398.25; Federal Reserve Bank stock, $850.00; cash and due from banks, $82,356.38. Liabilities-capital stock, $25,000.00; surplus, $2,500.00; undivided profits, $1,426.18; and deposits, $96,069.98. Both of these institutions are located at Main and Grand streets and have modern equipment throughout. Six people are given employment, and the banks have established an excellent reputation in banking circles. Mr. Gladding has several other connections, being a director in the El Segundo Home Builders and the El Segundo Land and Improvement Company. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the directorate thereof. Fraternally he is a Mason. He belongs to the First Church of Christ, Scientist, and is president of the Church Board.

On February 22, 1920, Mr. Gladding was united in marriage with Miss Mildred Forbes, of Bonesteel, South Dakota, who was born at Audubon, Iowa, and educated in the public schools there and at All Saints School, Sioux City, Iowa. They have two sons : Dudley Forbes and John Forbes.

FRANK W. WRIGHT has precedence as one of the representative ex- ponents of the real estate business in the vital little City of Whittier, and aside from the progress-promotive work he has done in connection with this business he has figured as one of Whittier's most loyal and public- spirited citizens. He served five and one-half years as its mayor, and gave an administration that inured greatly to the benefit of the community. Within his regime as mayor was effected the initiation of the fine modern water system of the city, representing an expenditure of $400,000, and contracts for much of the street paving were made and well forward within his administration.

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History of Los Angeles county, Volume III, Part 16

Author: McGroarty, John Steven, 1862-1944 Publication date: 1923 Publisher: Number of Pages: 844

Author: McGroarty, John Steven, 1862-1944
Publication date: 1923
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 844