USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles county, Volume III > Part 27
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The history of the parish of St. Augustine by the Sea has been one of steady and normal growth and expansion along both spiritual and material lines. The parish now has 505 communicants ; the enrollment in the Sun- day School is 230; and the Young People's Society of the church has fifty members. All other subsidiary organizations of the church and parish are in flourishing condition and give effective service in their respective fields. Under the administration of the present rector the parish house was remodeled, including the installation of a new foundation, and since he assumed charge the parish has freed itself of an indebtedness of $800. Under his administration also have come other noteworthy evidences of temporal growth and prosperity. A new rectory has been supplied ; a new chancel floor provided for the church edifice; a new organ installed, at a cost of $7,000 ; a new altar of beautiful design has been provided, through a generous gift ; and the material property of the parish now represents
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a large valuation. On a lot purchased by the parish at the north of the original property has been erected a modern garage, and all buildings are in the best of condition.
The first services of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Santa Monica were held in October, 1885, in a hall on Third Street, between Santa Monica Boulevard and Oregon Avenue, and at that time only nine families of this "household of faith" were found as residents of this community.
Rev. Wallace Nelson Pierson was born in the City of Syracuse, New York, on the 26th of December, 1882, a son of Frederick Theodore and Caroline (Gardner) Pierson, both likewise natives of the old Empire State, where the father was born at Manlius and the mother at Fayette- ville. Frederick T. Pierson, a skilled assayer, came to California in 1860, and for ten years he was actively identified with mining enterprises in this state. After his retirement he continued his residence at Syracuse, New York, until his death, in 1898, his widow surviving him until 1903.
The public schools of his native city afforded Rev. Wallace N. Pierson his preliminary education, which was there advanced by his attending the Syracuse Classical School and the University of Syracuse, in which latter institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1905 and with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In preparation for holy orders in the Protestant Episcopal Church he entered the Virginia Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1908. From the University of California he received the supplemental degree of Master of Arts December 6, 1921. On the 2d of February, 1908, Mr. Pierson received the orders of the dia- conate, and on the 2d of February of the following year he was ordained to the priesthood. He served thereafter as an assistant in the Cathedral Mission of the Good Shepherd at Washington, D. C., until he was assigned to the position of curate of Trinity Church in the City of Buffalo, New York. One year later he became vicar of All Saints Church at Lockport, New York, and after retaining this post fifteen months he was assigned to the office of vicar of St. James Mission at Kemmerer, Wyoming. During his incumbency of twenty months at this mission there was erected a church edifice, at a cost of $6,000, and a rectory costing $2,000. Upon leaving this charge Mr. Pierson came to California and became vicar of the parochial missions of Grace Church and the Church of the Good Shepherd in the City of Los Angeles. In 1915 he assumed his present position, that of rector of the Church of St. Augustine by the Sea at Santa Monica, where he has continued his effective service with all of consecrated zeal and devo- tion and with much executive and initiative ability. Mr. Pierson is liberal and progressive in his civic attitude, and is influential in civic affairs in his home community. He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Santa Monica, has received the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the Masonic fraternity and is affiliated with the Delta Kappa Epsilon college fraternity.
On the 10th of September, 1913, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Pierson and Miss Ethel Ross, daughter of K. C. and Josephine (Davidson) Ross, of Kemmerer, Wyoming. Mrs. Pierson was born in the State of Kansas, and attended the public schools of that state and also those of Wyoming. She proves an effective helper to her husband in the affairs of his parish, is president of St. Margaret's Guild, and a member of the Altar Society of the church, besides which she holds membership in the Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club. Mr. and Mrs. Person have two children : Elizabeth Ethel, born November 18, 1915, and Wallace Nelson, Jr., born March 13, 1919.
THEODORE D. PLUMER. Prominent among the men of Santa Monica who are contributing to the city's business and civic prestige and develop- ment is found Theodore D. Plumer, president of the Plumer Furniture Company. This is a concern that has been developed through an intelligent recognition and ultilization of conditions, good business management and a policy of progressiveness that has included honorable dealing and fair
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W. W. Filaisig .
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representation. Mr. Plumer is also greatly interested in civic matters, and is president of the Santa Monica City Club, in addition to being connected with other bodies.
Mr. Plumer was born at Chicago, Illinois, January 17, 1882, a son of Charles and Anna (Pope) Plumer. His father, a wholesale thread dealer of Chicago, moved to La Mesa, California, in 1902, and there operated fruit ranches for some years. He is now retired from business affairs, but is serving in the capacity of postmaster at Dulzura, California, where he has lived for several years. Mrs. Plumer died in 1885, when her son Theodore was but three years of age.
Theodore D. Plumer enjoyed the advantages of attendance at the public schools of Chicago, and after graduating from high school secured a position with the great mercantile house of Marshall Field & Company, going from that house to the Western Electric Company, also one of Chicago's great enterprises. He left the latter to learn the business of undertaking and embalming, which he followed for some time at Chicago, but in 1902 accom- panied his father to California and located at La Mesa, where he gained some experience in the business of ranching. This life did not appeal to him and he went to San Diego, where for three years he was in the employ of the Silver Gate Oil Company, his next location being at Ocean Park, where in 1907 he established himself in the grocery business. Disposing of his interests in this line, he next became interested in real estate and for five years was active in this line at Ocean Park. Mr. Plumer next went to Bishop, this state, where he again took up ranching, but after twenty months therein came to Santa Monica and, with Mrs. Anna R. Plumer, his wife, established the Plumer Furniture Company December 12, 1915, to handle furniture, rugs, draperies, phonographs, etc. For two years the business was located at 1456 Third Street, after which it was removed to 204 Santa Monica Boulevard, that being its location for four successful years. The business occupied its present establishment, at 410 Santa Monica Boulevard, October 1, 1921. The business now occupies three floors, with over 15,000 square feet of floor space, and twenty-four people are given employment in handling all kinds of house furnishings. This is one of Santa Monica's up-to-date and thoroughly enterprising business houses, and Mr. Plumer is deserving of great credit for the manner in which it has been developed from modest beginnings. Mr. Plumer is a past president of the Santa Monica City Club, which was formed by young business men of the city and was formerly known as the Young Men's City Club. It was at first organized as a purely social organization, but has since developed into a civic club to aid all movements having for their object the betterment of the city. The membership was limited to fifty active members, but has been increased to seventy-five and at present there is a long waiting list. Two meetings are held each month, one of a business character and the other a social affair, and the organization's work has been prolific of results. Mr. Plumer is also a member of the Santa Monica Merchants Association, the Santa Monica and Ocean Park Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of this city and the Greater Santa Monica Club. He belongs to the First Church of Christ, Scientist.
On June 20, 1906, Mr. Plumer was united in marriage with Miss Anna R. Hicklin, a daughter of Charles Hicklin, now deceased and formerly a resident of San Diego, California. She was born in Iowa, but was educated in the graded and high schools of Webb City, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Plumer have four children: Everett T., Howard L., Melvin C. and Martha C.
COLONEL N. W. FLAISIG is one of the numerous coterie of representa- tive citizens who have established attractive homes for themselves in the beautiful little City of Alhambra, and he is to-day the oldest living repre- sentative of the great guild of traveling commercial salesmen, besides which he won high honors as a soldier and officer in the Civil war. By the time this publication is issued from the press Colonel Flaisig will have celebrated the
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eighty-fifth anniversary of his birth, but he has the mental and physical vitality that belie his years, and, with abundant resources, he is still instant in genuine human helpfulness, with a finely matured sense of personal stewardship.
Colonel Flaisig was born at Delaware, Ohio, on the 31st of December, 1837, his father having been a prosperous merchant and having also owned and operated a farm near Delaware, judicial center of the Ohio County of the same name. When Colonel Flaisig was a lad of eleven years he chanced to be engaged in planting corn on his father's farm. For some cause the father decided to give the boy a whipping, and the son stated that this would be the last whipping the father would administer to him. The sire forth- with whipped the youth most severely and then returned to his store. The chastised but not chastened youth proceeded to leave home in company with a horse buyer and drover who chanced to pass at this critical time, and in the employ of this man the future colonel went South and finally arrived at Charleston, South Carolina. There he applied for and secured a job on a sailing vessel, the captain of which informed him that the vessel was to sail for South Africa for a cargo of ivory. On the African coast the master of the vessel entered a cove and there painted his ship black. His cargo was landed, and he proceeded to trade the same for slaves who had been captured by negroes of another tribe. Colonel Flaisig had not until this time known the true mission of the vessel, and he states that the native captors roasted and ate two of their fat old prisoners, besides killing a young girl, who supplied a feast for the chiefs of the tribe. On the return trip to Charleston the vessel was pursued by a British war vessel, and upon disposing of his cargo the captain paid Colonel Flaisig the amount due him. Soon afterward the Colonel again shipped for Africa, the commander of this vessel likewise having announced himself as a dealer in ivory. While the boat lay at anchor on the African coast Colonel Flaisig and companion managed to escape in a small boat and made their way to a British man- o-war, which transported them to England. The Colonel was at this time a lad of but twelve years, and in England he indentured himself to learn the trade of needle manufacturing in the establishment of Crowley & Sons, the largest concern of this kind in the world. He showed marked mechan- ical skill, won rapid advancement, and finally was made factory manager. Later he became traveling salesman for this great manufacturing house, in the interests of which he made seven trips around the world and repeatedly visited every civilized country except Cuba, which he avoided in consonance with a promise made to his mother after one of her sons had there died of cholera. The Colonel secured a position for his older brother in the employ of Crowley & Sons, and early in the '60s the two brothers were sent to the United States as road salesmen for their house. On their arrival in their native land they found that the Civil war had been initiated. In response to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers Colonel Flaisig tendered his services in defense of the Union, while his brother cast in his lot with the Confederacy. Both gained the rank of colonel, and though they were arrayed on opposite sides in the great conflict their friendship and fraternal solicitude remained unimpaired. Colonel Flaisig enlisted as a private in the Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and that he lived up to the full tension of the great conflict between the North and the South becomes evident when it is stated that he took part in thirty-two battles, including those of Chica- mauga, Stone River, Shiloh, Lookout Mountain and Perrysville, besides many others of historic note. He carries to this day scars from wounds received in battle. In an engagement at Franklin, Tennessee, Colonel Flaisig found his command cut off from the main body of which it was a part, and was fronting the enemy's forces. His first intimation as to who was in command of the Confederate forces came when a note was brought into his lines just before dark, the text of this message being as follows : "Accept the compliments of Colonel E. N. Flaisig, commanding southern forces, who says if you will surrender immediately he will grant the parole of your
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officers and men, officers permitted to retain side arms." Colonel Flaisig sent a note stating that he would make formal reply the following morning. Then ensued for him a night of hideous conflicting emotions, a night of weeping and of earnest prayer. In the morning his strength returned and his loyalty and duty held sway, with the result that he dispatched a note whose text was as follows: "Colonel E. N. Flaisig will please accept com- pliments of his brother Bill, who says that if you take these forces it will be after the damndest fight you ever had." Upon receipt of this communica- tion the Confederate commander opened fire, and the conflict resulted in a decisive victory for the Union forces under the command of him who figures as the subject of this review and who succeeded in the capture of his brother, Colonel E. N. Flaisig, and the latter's forces. After the close of the war the two brothers again traveled together, and for many years their fraternal relations were of the closest order, the gracious ties being severed only by the death of the older brother. In connection with his military career Colonel Flaisig did not escape entirely the disasters of war, for he was captured by the enemy and held in turn in the odiously historic Confederate prisons of Libby and Andersonville, where he endured great hardships, his escape having eventually been effected through the medium of a Confederate guard who was a fellow member of the Masonic fraternity. During the period of the war he was retained on the pay roll of Crowley & Sons, and when opportunity presented he secured for his firm orders in the cities which he was able to visit while in the army. After the war he was made the chief road salesman for this great firm, and for many years he traveled in its interests throughout virtually all parts of the civilized world. He formed the acquaintance of many of the leading foreign monarchs, includ- ing King Alexander and Queen Draga of Servia, to whom he was presented by a leading Belgrade merchant to whom he had for years sold needles. It was soon afterward that these unfortunate monarchs were assassinated. In his long and successful business career Colonel Flaisig came to know many distinguished men in all parts of the world, and he made the remark- able record of continuing in the employ of the one firm for a period of seventy-two years. The Colonel knew in a personal way Abraham Lincoln, General U. S. Grant, General R. E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and Presidents Garfield and Roosevelt. Interesting and significant is even the most casual survey of the life history of a man of so broad and varied experience as that of Colonel Flaisig, but this circumscribed article sets limitations that make it impossible to give further details concerning his signally strong, useful and constructive business career.
Colonel Flaisig has been long and prominently affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Masonic fraternity, and in politics his has been a record of unfaltering allegiance to the democratic party. He is fre- quently mentioned as "the millionaire needle man," and his business ability has, indeed, enabled him to amass a substantial fortune. He has for many years owned land in the vicinity of Tipton, Missouri, and the same has proved of great value in connection with the production of coal and lead. He and his wife have maintained their home at Alhambra for the past twelve years, and the venerable couple have the affectionate regard of this community. Mr. and Mrs. Flaisig have full appreciation of the responsi- bilities which wealth imposes, and have found deep satisfaction in giving generous support to benevolent and philanthropic work, both of general and personal order. They have proved the friends of the friendless, have remembered those who were forgotten, and in an unostentatious way have gone through life doing good.
Colonel Flaisig still continues his active connection as a salesman for Crowley & Sons, a concern whose history covers a period of 300 years and with which he has been associated since December, 1849. Both in years and period of consecutive service he now has the distinction of being the world's oldest traveling commercial salesman, and he finds in work an evi- dent medium of rejuvenation, for in physical and mental alertness he gives
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the impression of being a man of sixty-five instead of eighty-five years. It is most gratifying to offer even this limited tribute to Colonel Flaisig, whose remarkable life-record offers both lesson and inspiration.
HARRY R. BEVIS. The almost universal use of automobiles for busi- ness and recreation purposes has created a demand for the services of expert men to take care of these expensive machines, and to handle the best makes of the cars and their accessories. No community throughout the country is too small to support one or more dealers in automobiles and garagemen, and Van Nuys has its full complement of them. The local trade is greatly stimulated and increased because of the crowds of tourists constantly pass- ing through and visiting Los Angeles County, many of whom depend upon the men in this line at Van Nuys for what they need. One of these repre- sentative and modern business men who combines excellent commercial ability with mechanical dexterity and skill is Harry R. Bevis, dealer in Willys-Knight and Overland cars, all kinds of supplies and accessories, and proprietor of a public garage.
Harry R. Bevis was born at Newton, Illinois, December 15, 1889, a son of George F. and Emma (Lutz) Bevis, natives of Ohio. George F. Bevis was for many years one of the leading restaurant men of Newton, and is still living in that city. After attending the grammar and high schools of his native city Harry R. Bevis entered Northwestern University, and was graduated therefrom in 1912. In 1913 he came West to California, and for eight months was city salesman for the Royal Typewriter Company at San Francisco, but left that metropolis to come to Southern California and, locating at Van Nuys, entered the mercantile field in partnership with a brother, D. A. Bevis, under the firm name of Bevis Brothers, and this association continued until the country entered the World war, at which time, like the other young men of his age, Mr. Bevis went into the army. He enlisted in the radio service, and was trained at the Officers Training Camp, Waco, Texas, and continued in the service until he was honorably discharged December 20, 1918. Returning to Van Nuys, Mr. Bevis estab- lished his present business in January, 1919, as an agent for the Dodge car, but when he took the agency for the Willys-Knight cars he relinquished his former agency. Mr. Bevis is completing plans and arrangements for the erection of a fine new garage, which will be one of the most commodious in this region, and will afford plenty of space for the proper storage and handling of all the cars which may be brought to him. He now employs two people, but will then have need for a number more. Several of the trade organizations have in him a useful member and he belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, the Merchants and Manufacturers Club and the Kiwanis Club. Fraternally he maintains membership with the Masonic Order and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He finds social intercourse and pleasant relaxation as a member of the Hollywood Country Club. Mr. Bevis united with Van Nuys Post Number 172, American Legion, and is its first vice commander.
On June 20, 1917, Mr. Bevis married Miss Arabella Crain, of Van Nuys, and they have one daughter, Barbara Ann. Mrs. Bevis was born at Los Angeles, and was educated at the Hollywood High School. She is an honored member of the Order of Eastern Star and the Van Nuys Woman's Club. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bevis are very popular in the younger social set of their home community, and have many warm personal friends all over the county.
JUDGE M. D. CRAWFORD. In every community there are to be found certain families to which belong the distinction of descent from pioneers who brought into a new region the enthusiasm, energy and vitality which resulted in its expansion and development from a wilderness into a com- munity of comfortable homes and flourishing industrial and commercial concerns. Downey, one of the progressive little cities of Los Angeles County, owes much to the late Judge M. D. Crawford, whose name is per-
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petuated in the nomenclature of one of its main thoroughfares, and whose benefactions resulted in the establishment of railroads, churches, institutions of learning and many business houses. Judge Crawford was born in North Carolina, but in his early youth went to Kemper County, Mississippi, then De Kalb County, and there became an extensive planter and merchant.
The progress and results of the war between the North and the South so disrupted his business that he resolved to go elsewhere and seek, amid different surroundings, a new start in life. Acting upon the advice of his old friend, Dr. Albert Fulton, who declared that California was an earthly Paradise, Judge Crawford left Mississippi in October, 1869, and came to Los Nietos Valley, now named the San Fernando Valley. At that time travel was much harder than it is today. He traveled by boat to Wilmington, was lightered off ship and continued his journey to Los Angeles on the only rail- road then running into the city, or the only one in Southern California. Having had so much experience as a planter, Judge Crawford knew how to pick land, and when he selected Gallatin, proved his good judgment. His first purchase was eighty acres of wild land on the river, on which he built and immediately began improvements. Interesting Mr. Downey, the two bought the remainder of Santa Gertrude's grant, and also island land, about 1,200 acres in all. With characteristic energy Judge Crawford set about the work of interesting outside capital in this region. Having experienced the difficulties and weariness of travel into the valley, he resolved to secure better accommodations for future homeseekers as well as tourists. It was mainly through his efforts that the Southern Pacific Railroad entered Downey. To secure this very desirable result he donated lands and rights of way to the railroad, and also ten acres for the site of the present depot. He and Mr. Downey offered to donate the land to any denomination which would erect a church at Downey. This partner of Judge Crawford had the distinction of being the first American governor of California, and, like the Judge, was a very public-spirited man. Judge Crawford, although so liberal in his donations to other denominations, was a strong supporter and member of the Christian Church, and he donated five acres on which the Downey Christian Church College was erected, which building was later destroyed by fire. Not only did he erect a comfortable residence for himself, but he built a number of homes, selling them to people of small means on easy terms. These terms were not only moderate, but he carried the people through any period of stringency. From the time when he first came to the valley he was enthusiastic about its future, but when he declared, in the early '90s, that the time would come when the lands he was handling would sell for $500, even his most ardent admirers, thought he was too optimistic. However, this same land today is held at $5,000 per acre, so that instead of being too optimistic, his vision was not broad enough, but then no one could foresee the remarkable advance different mechanical inventions have made possible in land values. Judge Crawford died at Downey, which he had helped to found, in 1895, and which he maintained as his country resi- dence. He also owned and maintained a residence at Hill and Temple streets, Los Angeles, which property is still in the family. Judge Crawford was a man high in Masonry. It was truthfully said of him that no one ever appealed to him in vain for assistance, and he was extremely generous to all in need of his assistance. His long life was filled with useful and charitable deeds, and few men were more beloved than he.
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