USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles county, Volume III > Part 25
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ROBERT COLLINS JORDAN, a man of distinctive technical ability and superabundant energy and initiative, gained high reputation in connection with building and general construction work of important order and became a prominent representative of his profession in Southern California. He was one of the honored and representative citizens of Alhambra at the time of his death, and his character and achievements were such as to make most consistent the tribute paid to him in this publication.
Mr. Jordan was born in the City of London, England, in the year 1852, one of the four children of Robert Collins Jordan, Sr., and Lady Amelia (Hampton) Jordan, the latter having been a daughter of Sir William Hampton. Robert C. Jordan, Sr., was educated in Oxford University, and gained a reputation in his profession, that of building engineer. He was a contractor in many public works of important order, including the docks at St. Catherine, London, a construction work that required ten years to complete. The Jordan family was for generations identified with the hotel or inn business in England, but Robert C. Jordan, Sr., made for himself a place of distinction as a contractor and construction engineer, the later years of his service having been in Canada. His first wife died when her son, Robert C., of this memoir, was fourteen years of age, and after establishing his residence at Ottawa, Canada, he contracted a second marriage.
He whose name initiates this sketch manifested in his earlier youth a disinclination for consecutive study and school attendance, and he left home to avoid school. Later he reversed his ideas relative to educational work, and by intense application to study, in connection with coincidental experience of practical order, he advanced himself and gained foremost prestige in his chosen profession. He was twenty-one years of age when he came to America, and after being for a short time associated with his father's contracting operations in Canada he individually engaged in con- struction work in that dominion, where he gained success and high repute. After coming to the United States he was for ten years employed by the Federal Government in construction work, including building of forts or military posts, principally in the Dakotas, Minnesota and Montana. He was deeply interested in Indian affairs, especially those of the Sioux, and he was able to do much toward securing just treatment of the Indians by the Government. While a resident of Duluth, Minnesota, he was engaged in railroad construction work, and in the meanwhile he erected the first roller skating rink in that state. Mr. Jordan as a contractor built many bridges and handled other large construction work on the Northern Pacific and other railroad lines through the Northwest. His was a restless and aggressive nature, and in his ventures he at times encountered financial reverses, but he smiled and faced the problem with characteristic fortitude, and brought his splendid powers to bear in retrieving his losses.
While in Canada the late Mr. Jordan was extensively interested in the lumber industry. While living at Seattle, Washington, he owned a large area of the tide flats on the water front and as a contractor he erected many buildings there. From Seattle he removed to Portland, Oregon, and later came to Los Angeles.
Upon coming to Southern California Mr. Jordan found the best of opportunities for constructive work in the line of his profession, and he had much to do with the construction of many of the large and modern
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buildings in the City of Los Angeles. His contract enterprise in this line became one of major importance, and details concerning the same are too numerous to be outlined in this brief review. It may be noted, however, that he was the contractor in the building of the magnificent Protestant Episcopal Church on Figueroa Street, Los Angeles ; both the old and new buildings of the Los Angeles Examiner ; the Great Title Insurance & Trust Building; and the Alexandria and Alexandria Annex Hotels. In certain ones of these heavy contracts he was successful in overcoming great obstacles by his superior skill in engineering construction.
Financial success attended the work of Mr. Jordan in Southern Cali- fornia. Here he remodeled the Kendis Apartment Building and the interior of the Los Angeles Athletic Club. He acquired large property interests both in Los Angeles and Alhambra. At the time of his death he held the contract for the erection of the Carnegie Library Building in Boyle Heights, and under the direction of his widow, who was made executrix of his estate, the important contract was successfully completed.
Mr. Jordan was president of the San Gabriel Inter-City Commission, and was specially influential in the solving of problems concerning the various cities of the San Gabriel Valley. He was a man of remarkable initiative and executive ability, and he gave earnestly and loyally of his powers in furthering the civic and material advancement of his home city of Alhambra, where he was foremost in securing the construction of the fine city hall and public library buildings. He was actively affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of the Maccabees, and was a valued member of the Alhambra City Commission. The death of Mr. Jordan, which occurred in the Alhambra Hospital March 31, 1916, was the direct result of an automobile accident two days previously, and, as has been consistently said, there thus passed away "a generous, patriotic and loyal citizen who was admired and loved by all with whom he came in contact in the varied relations of life."
On the 14th of September, 1905, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Jordan and Miss Augusta Rhodes Walters, who was born at Washington- ville, Ohio, September 4, 1889, a daughter of William and Elizabeth G. (Chain) Walters, both likewise natives of the old Buckeye State, whence they came to California and established their home in Los Angeles in the year 1902. Mrs. Jordan, a woman of gracious presence and much culture, is a talented pianist and was a student of music and English in the Uni- versity of Southern California at the time of her marriage. She remains in her comfortable home at 1520 South Campbell Street, Alhambra, and devotes her time to her family and the business connected with the estate. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan were the parents of five children, who remain with their widowed mother and whose names and respective birth-dates are here recorded : Elizabeth Eleanor, October 12, 1906; Robert Collins III, April 3, 1908; Bonnie Mary, December 23, 1911; Niland Augusta, March 30, 1914 ; and Nancy Roberta, May 26, 1915.
JAMES C. CRAWFORD, one of the leading realtors of Burbank, and president of the Rotary Club, of which he was one of the organizers, is a man who has taken a very determining part in the development of Burbank, and is proud of the fact that he has been associated in its growth. He was born at Graysville, Ohio, June 12, 1884, and received his educa- tional training in the public schools of his native city and in the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. For a short time thereafter he was engaged in teaching school, but finding that occupation too confining, went into the newspaper business and was editorial writer at Marietta, Ohio, until 1910. In that year he began his connection with California, locating first at Los Angeles, where he went into the real estate business, specializing on handling apartment houses. A far-sighted man, he soon saw that the smaller communities of Los Angeles County had a magnificent future, and decided to cast his lot with one of them. Choosing Burbank, he located permanently here, and has made himself so popular and necessary to the
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welfare of the city that in April, 1922, he was honored by election to the office of mayor, and his handling of the city's affairs is on a par with his work in other directions.
Mr. Crawford established his present business in 1919, Don G. Fergu- son being associated with him, and the two carry on a regular real estate business, handling city and suburban property, and specializing on farm properties. They also handle rentals, make exchanges and sell insurance. Mr. Crawford recently developed a fine residential subdivision, and Mr. Ferguson has specialized on city property. The offices are conveniently located at 130' West Second Street, Burbank. Employment is given to three persons.
The Burbank Rotary Club, which is in a very flourishing condition, began its existence with eighteen charter members, to which a number have since been added. Meetings are held each week at Tuesday noon. The officers are: J. C. Crawford, president ; J. N. Van Meter, vice president ; W. S. Sanderson, secretary ; and J. J. King, treasurer. Mr. Crawford also belongs to the Burbank Realty Board, to the California Realty Board and to the National Realty Board, to the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, and is interested in all of these organizations. He is a Mason. The Presby- terian Church holds his membership. In politics he is a republican.
On June 20, 1907, Mr. Crawford was united in marriage with Miss Lura E. Palmer, a resident of Marietta, Ohio, and they have three children : Virgil R., James Vaile and Nelia Marilyn. Mrs. Crawford was born at Stanleyville, Ohio, March 31, 1884, and was educated in the public schools of that city and those of Marietta, Ohio. Both she and Mayor Crawford are very popular socially, and they are noted for their hospitality.
ABEL EARL DUFUR, assistant manager of the Burbank branch of the Security Trust and Savings Bank of Los Angeles, is one of the dependable business men of Los Angeles County, whose abilities are receiving just recognition. He was born at Murray, Iowa, October 7, 1883, a son of Abel and Clara (Day) Dufur, the former of whom was a farmer of Iowa, who came to California in 1896 and located at Burbank, where he is now living in comfortable retirement.
Completing his education in the public schools of Burbank, Abel Earl Dufur became a telegraph operator for the San Joaquin Division, and con- tinued as such and as agent until 1911, in which year he entered the bank- ing business as assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Burbank, being promoted to his present position when the Burbank branch of the Los Angeles institution was established. Having spent so many years in his present line at Burbank, he knows the people, their resources and possibilities, and is very valuable to his bank. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Through his connections with the Commercial Club and the Chamber of Commerce, both of Burbank, Mr. Dufur keeps in active touch with the different civic movements, and gives to all measures promulgated by these bodies the attention he deems best, supporting the ones which are worthy and urging the 'dropping of the ones which in his judgment will not be for the best interests of the majority.
On November 9, 1909, Mr. Dufur was united in marriage with Miss Minnie C. Schelling, a daughter of Alexander and Ursula Schelling, promi- nent residents of Burbank. The only child, James Arthur Dufur, is de- ceased. Mrs. Dufur was born at Los Angeles, and she attended its public schools. She is a lady of many attainments, and uses these for the benefit of her community, working through the medium of the Woman's Club of Burbank and the Ladies Aid Society of her church. She is a member of the Eastern Star. Both she and Mr. Dufur are deservedly popular, and they enjoy meeting their many friends, whom they oftentimes entertain at their beautiful home at Burbank.
GEORGE B. SCOTT. When this country was engaged in warfare during the World war the Government bought vast supplies of goods, particu-
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larly those which would be needed for the soldiers and sailors provided the war was a protracted one. Having the choice of the very finest goods in all lines, none but the best articles were bought, the quality far surpassing those within the purse of the average man. With the signing of the armis- tice, the cessation of war, and the consequent return of the majority of the soldiers and sailors to private life, ceased the unusual demand for these goods, and the Government had left on its hands these mammoth stocks of fine goods. While all of these articles were in prime condition, and in time would be utilized for the regular army and navy, it was decided expedient in order to release the immense amount of money tied up in these stocks to dispose of them to private business men and concerns at a figure low enough to permit their being offered to the public at greatly reduced prices. This decision resulted in the establishment and opening of army and navy stores all over the country, at which men could supply their needs, in this way securing a splendid quality at a price within their means. The store of this kind at Van Nuys is a typical one, and it is owned and operated by the Van Nuys Army & Navy Department Store Company, Incorporated, of which George B. Scott is president; Nels Christensen is vice president ; and J. S. McPherson is secretary and treasurer. The com- pany is incorporated at $25,000, and is in a flourishing condition. It was established November 8, 1922, by Messrs. Scott and Christensen, and the store is located at 223 and 225 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, where a floor space of 2,160 square feet is occupied. A general stock of goods for men's wear in army and navy goods for men is carried, and employment is given to five persons !! 1
George B. Scott was born at Lamoille, Illinois, April 14, 1864, and he was educated in the public schools of his native town. His activities were confined to farm work until he was eighteen years old, and in that environ- ment he learned lessons of industry and thrift of great value to him in his after life. Going as far west as Nebraska, he was engaged in the mer- cantile business at Beatrice until 1888, when he moved to Omaha, Nebraska. For two years he was in the hotel business in the latter city, and then, from 1890 to 1911, he was on the road as a salesman, representing several reli- able concerns. Upon retiring from the road in 1911 he once more em- barked in the mercantile business, this time at Los Angeles, and successfully conducted it until 1918, in that year coming to the San Fernando Valley and buying a five-acre ranch of deciduous fruits, which he still owns. After he had this ranch in prime condition he resumed his mercantile activities hy organizing his present company.
Mr. Scott is a Knight of Pythias, and is on the brigadier's staff of the Uniformed Rank of that order. He belongs to the Van Nuys Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants and Manufacturers Association, and is active in. both bodies.
CHARLES K. HEARD. It has oftentimes been said that the character of the people may be correctly gauged by the kind of business men they support. If these men are reliable, honorable and trustworthy, the same characteristics may be found in the citizens. If this is a statement worthy of credence, as without doubt it is, then the residents of Van Nuys are exceptionally fine in every respect, for they are patronizing men of unusu- ally high character, and especially is this true of the realtors. Owing to the remarkable development of this flourishing little city of Los Angeles County the need has arisen for the services of men trained in handling high-class properties, and it has been supplied with some of the best types in the profession. Charles K. Heard, of the dependable realty firm of Todd & Heard, belongs to the above-mentioned type, and in his work is not reaping a just material reward, but is also rendering to his community a public service of real value.
Charles K. Heard was born at Crosswell, Michigan, December 27, 1890. After attending the public schools of Detroit, Michigan, to which city his parents moved when he was a boy, he took the regular course at
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Cass Technical Institute of Detroit, and was graduated therefrom in 1916, with the degree of Mechanical Engineer. Immediately thereafter he be- came draughtsman for the Hudson Motor Car Company, and later held the same position with the Ford Motor Company. Finally, leaving Detroit, he went to Oklahoma, and was there engaged in the automobile business for a year. In 1920 he came to Los Angeles County, and spent a few months at Los Angeles, where he was engaged in the realty business, but then came to Van Nuys, and here has found the field suited to his capabili- ties. The firm of Todd & Heard was organized May 1, 1922, when he and W. W. Todd formed their present partnership to handle all kinds of real estate. The firm employs four people, and the place of business is at 260 Sherman Way. Mr. Heard belongs to the Van Nuys Realty Board, which body has played so important a part in the development of this region during the past couple of years, among other things securing the twenty miles of street paving and the signatures to the petition for twenty additional miles ; and he also belongs to the California State Realty Board and the National Realty Board. Since coming to Van Nuys he has united with its Chamber of Commerce, and is active in that association, working through it for the best interests of the community. A Mason, Mr. Heard belongs to the Blue Lodge and to Penn Chapter, R. A. M., of Detroit. A young man, he brings to his work the enthusiasm and alertness of his age, and yet handles his various problems with the trained judgment of a man double his years. He knows values and the proper percentage of profit so as to yield a commensurate income to the owner, without working hard- ship upon the tenant. He is also an expert on insurance, and is prepared to protect his clients against loss through adequate insurance in one or other of the old-line companies. Both Mr. Heard and Mr. Todd are a credit to their calling and their community, and their rapidly expanding business shows that their efforts receive due appreciation from their fellow citizens.
HON. A. BURLINGAME JOHNSON, of 622 South Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, has for many years been a conspicuous figure in the industrial and public life of the Pacific Coast. The interests and activities that have made him one of the outstanding men of the state are briefly outlined in a petition signed by many of Pasadena's most prominent men and women, and he was elected without opposition in 1922 as state senator from the Thirty-sixth Senatorial District. The wording of that petition may be used here as a brief and simple biography of his career.
He was for many years a newspaper man, both as owner, writer and editor. His specialty in life has been to study the public problems, both economic and governmental. He was United States consul in China for many years, and was special commissioner of the United States in settling the difficulties arising from the Boxer rebellion, and for his friendly serv- ices was decorated with one of the highest decorations ever given by the Chinese imperial government to a foreigner. He later went to the Philip- pines, and at the request of Governor General Taft made an investigation and economic report on the Philippines at the time Congress was drafting the enabling act under which the Philippines are governed.
At Governor General Taft's request, and to prevent its falling into the hands of foreigners, he took up the project for Manila street railways and suburban lines, for which he raised $6,000,000 capital in the United States, and carried the same to a successful and prosperous conclusion.
He raised a million capital here for a timber and milling proposition in the Philippines for the manufacturing and shipping of mahogany lumber, of which he was managing director for eight years.
He founded in 1898 and is still a patron of an Anglo-Chinese College in China, now the largest non-sectarian college in the empire. For the last eight years since his return from the Orient he has been engaged in manu- facturing lumber in Northern California.
He was elected to the California Legislature in 1917, and at this writing
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(1922) is senator elect from the Thirty-sixth District, having been elected without opposition. No public problem has come up in Pasadena since Mr. Johnson's return home from the Orient that his advice and counsel have not been sought and relied upon. He is one of our most public-spirited citizens, and has always been a contributor to all our public enterprises. He is a member of Pasadena Lodge, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He married in 1883, at Denver, Colorado, Miss Mary E. Craig. They have two children, Emma, wife of Dr. E. B. Merchant of Pasadena, and Earl.
Senator Johnson is an art student and an authority on Chinese porce- lains. While in China, and during the last thirty years, he has made a collection of bronzes and ancient lost art porcelain that is today the finest in the United States. A large portion of this collection is now on exhibition in the Los Angeles Museum of History and Art at Exposition Pass. The collection is valued at more than a quarter of a million dollars. Senator Johnson spends much of his leisure time in lecturing on the subjects of Chinese art and Oriental diplomacy.
GEORGE H. TAYLOR has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Lankershim since 1919, and among his most important opera- tions have been those in connection with the development of the Hartsook subdivision of forty-one acres. In the early part of the year 1922 he admitted to partnership in his substantial business a valued coadjutor, Lyman H. Parks, but recently has conducted business under his own name.
Mr. Taylor claims the old Hoosier State as the place of his nativity, his birth having occurred at Lima (now known as Howe), Indiana, on the 31st of May, 1868, he being a son of Henry E. and Martha (Guy) Taylor. The father, an expert iron moulder, was for many years engaged in the work of his trade at Springfield, Ohio, and was a resident of Chicago, Illinois, at the time of his death, his widow now residing in the home of her son, George H., subject of this review.
George H. Taylor attended the public schools of Springfield, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois, and after leaving school he found employment in a leading paint manufactory in Chicago. Later he gave three years of effective service as traveling salesman for Vilas Brothers of Chicago, and thereafter he was identified with the hotel business in that great metropolis until 1910, when he came to California and purchased an orange ranch near Fullerton, Orange County. To the supervision of this property he con- tinued to give his personal attention until 1918, when he established his residence at Lankershim, where in the following year he founded his present prosperous real estate business. At present he is engaged in the subdivision of his own ranch on Lankershim Boulevard. He is a member of the Lankershim Realty Board, the California State Realty Board and the National Realty Board. He is affiliated with the Masonic Blue Lodge and Chapter at Hollywood, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, besides which he is a member of the Hollywood Masonic Club and of the Lankershim Chamber of Commerce. He is the owner of a well improved fruit and agricultural ranch in the Lankershim District.
On the 4th of April, 1901, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Taylor and Miss Anna Laura Sharp, who was born and reared at Paris, Illinois, a daughter of James and Mary Ellen (Varvel) Sharp, her father having been a gallant soldier of the Union in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have no children.
CHARLES B. CANBY, M. D. From the earliest period of recorded his- tory the beginning of civilized effort was marked by the presence of the skilled medical man, who not only ministered to the ills of humanity but sought through the exertion of his influence to direct the people to improve their condition both mentally and physically, and consequently morally. Today the most potent force for real advancement in each community is the man of healing, whose long and thorough training has so developed his
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faculties that he is able to direct and advise. Usually these physicians and surgeons assume public responsibilities with relation to the caring for the health and well being of their localities, and seldom indeed do they refuse to discharge the obligations laid upon them. Prominently numbered among these efficient men and desirable citizens of Los Angeles County, noted for the superior excellence of its medical fraternity, Dr. Charles B. Canby is carrying on a large general practice at Van Nuys and serving as assistant health commissioner of the City of Los Angeles.
Doctor Canby was born at Washington, District of Columbia, Novem- ber 17, 1873, and there he acquired his preliminary educational training through attendance at its public schools. Deciding to enter the medical profession, he began his preparation for it by entering the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, Maryland, from which he was graduated in 1897, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He further qualified himself by serving as an interne at the Baltimore Maternity Hospital for a year, and gained a most helpful and varied experience as a member of the City Health Department of Baltimore for two years. Enriched by all these years of study and public service, he entered upon the practice of his profession in Baltimore and continued it there until 1904, when he accepted the position of surgeon for the Old Dominion Mining Company at Globe, Arizona, and held it until 1909, when, to the regret of his company, he decided to sever these relations to accept a similar position with the Union Base Mining Company of Golconda, Ari- zona, which duties occupied him until 1917. In that year he came to Los Angeles County, and after a year of practice at Los Angeles, estab- lished himself at Van Nuys, where he is fast becoming one of the most highly esteemed residents. Fully recognizing the value of professional organization, he is a member of the Local, State and National Medical asso- ciations, and of the American Public Health Association. He maintains membership with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Kiwanis Club. The Episcopal Church holds his membership, and he is senior warden of the Van Nuys parish.
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