History of Los Angeles county, Volume III, Part 48

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

USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles county, Volume III > Part 48

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1864 Mr. Monroe married Miss Mary J. Hall, who was born in La Grange, Marion County, Missouri, in 1846, daughter of Milton S. and Vianna (Tolle) Hall. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Monroe. The oldest, Milton S., a native of Omaha, Nebraska, was killed in a railway accident in Pomona, California, in 1900, leaving a ·wife and two children. George Monroe, also born at Omaha, is clerk of court at Los Angeles, and a resident of Monrovia. He married Miss Etta Evans, of Monrovia. They have one son, Merton K. Mrs. Monroe is a member of and secretary of the Monrovia School Board. Myrtle M. is the wife of Bruce Bailey, a consulting engineer of the Santa Fe Railway, with headquarters in Los Angeles, but with home in Monrovia. Myrtle Avenue in Monrovia was named in honor of this daughter. Jessie Lee Monroe, who was born at Lawrence, Kansas, died at the age of seven years in San Antonio, Texas. Mabel H., the youngest child, was born at San Antonio and is the wife of Bruce Dyer, a broker living at Inglewood, California. They have one son, Hector Monroe Dyer, who graduated from the grammar school at the age of thirteen and is now a student in the high school.

ALBERT O. ECKMAN. To a number of people throughout the country the name of Los Angeles is so connected with the motion-picture business that they overlook the fact that this section of the state can lay claim to celebrity along many lines outside of this one great industry. In fact had motion pictures never proven the success they have, and the matchless climatic conditions here not decided the producers to establish their studios here, Los Angeles would still be famous.

The city and county of the name have attracted to them men of sterling character and creative impulses who, seeking a location where they can establish themselves, give free rein to their ideas for making their work count for something. In this wonderful region are to be found representa- tives of all professions, trades and callings. Every industry is well and successfully represented, and because of the large and constantly growing population the demand for produce of all kinds is increasing in a most remarkable manner. It is therefore of paramount importance that first- class foodstuffs be raised convenient to the local markets, and some of the most aggressive of the county's citizens are now employed in producing food of one kind or another, and one of them, whose efforts are meeting with a merited success, is Albert O. Eckman, whose fine poultry ranch is located north of Lankershim.

Albert O. Eckman was born at Paris, Kentucky, August 16, 1882, a son of John Henry Eckman, for many years a well-known figure in the fine-horse-raising industry of the Blue Grass State. Albert O. Eckman was reared in Kentucky, and educated in its public schools. Until 1920 he was associated with his father in his stock business, but in that year came to Los Angeles County, and, buying forty acres of land north of Lankershim,

292

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

began raising poultry. From the start this ranch has been a paying one, and his product is sold at top notch prices in the local markets.

In 1920 Mr. Eckman married Miss Gretchen Brooks, of Oklahoma. Mr. Eckman belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a democrat. While one of the newcomers to Los Angeles County, he is a most enthusiastic booster for it, and is deeply interested in whatever pertains to its further advancement or improvement.

KEITH & WHITE. The firm of Keith & White, funeral directors, 5221 Lankershim Boulevard, Lankershim, was established in January, 1923, and although this is one of the latest additions to the profession, this concern has already won a place in the confidence of the public, for the partners are men of recognized reliability and thoroughly qualified to render a digni- fied and satisfactory service in the time of great bereavement. The mem- bers of the firm are Donald H. Keith and Glade L. White. They have a thoroughly equipped plant, modern in every respect, including show room, chapel, office, work room, morgue, family room and slumber room, and their equipment is motorized. They employ a woman assistant, and as there are two apartments connected with their establishment they are able to give a day and night service. The show room is dust proof. The partners are licensed embalmers, and they carry a full line of caskets, shrouds, dresses and similar articles.

Donald H. Keith was born at Kalamazoo, Michigan, April 17, 1895, a son of John Herbert and Belle (Struble) Keith, the former of whom was born in Van Buren County, Michigan, and the latter at Galesburg, Mich- igan. The father is in the insurance business at Charlotte, Michigan.

Growing up at Charlotte, Michigan, Donald H. Keith attended its public schools through the high-school course, and later was a student of the Tri- State Normal School at Angola, Indiana, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Enlisting in Troop A, Seventh United States Cavalry, he participated in the border campaign of 1916, and was with General Pershing's expedition into Mexico. During the World war he was commissioned a second lieutenant, was sent overseas with the Second Division, and was abroad for twenty-six months, during which time he was promoted to first lieutenant, and received his honorable discharge May 5, 1919. Upon his return home Mr. Keith entered the Worsharn Embalm- ing School at Chicago, Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1920, following which he did trade embalming at Chicago for about a year. In 1921 he came to California, and until he and Mr. White formed their present partnership he was with the well-known undertaking firm of E. E. Overholtzer Sons Company of Los Angeles. Mr. Keith belongs to the Kiwanis Club and to the Chamber of Commerce. He is a Knights Templar and Shriner Mason.

On September 4, 1922, Mr. Keith married Miss Anette Marie Shafer, of Los Angeles, who was born and educated at Chicago.

Glade L. White, member of the firm of Keith & White, was born at Forest City, Illinois, June 28, 1893, a son of Elbert and Anna (Scott) White, natives of Wheeling, West Virginia, and Illinois, respectively. Elbert White was for some years a substantial business man of Springfield, Illinois, but is now living in comfortable retirement at Los Angeles.

After completing his studies in the public schools of Springfield, Illinois, Mr. White took a course at the Barnes School of Anatomy & Science, Chicago, Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1911. For the subse- quent three years he worked as an embalmer at Chicago, and in 1914 came to Los Angeles, where he continued work as an embalmer for four years, and then for a year was with the Forest Lawn Cemetery Association. For the following two years he traveled for the Pacific Casket Company, and for the next two years represented the American Casket Company on the road, and then, in January, 1923, he and Mr. Keith went into their present business. A Mason, Mr. White belongs to South Gate Lodge Number 320, A. F. and A. M.

ـد.بايد

Estella Laufe,

James Powell Surfer.

293

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

On July 13, 1918, Mr. White married Miss Mae Blackburn, of Los Angeles. Mrs. White was born in Missouri, but, taken to Los Angeles, received her educational training in that city, and is a graduate of the Manual Arts High School.

BAREND J. ALBERS. No matter where they are to be found in this country, whether they have selected the North or the South, the East or the West, the sons of the Netherlands display the same sturdy character- istics which make them such desirable citizens. They are hard-working and thrifty, industriously toiling when others would loaf, carefully saving every penny, and as soon as a sufficient amount has been hoarded, investing it in such a way as to put it to work to earn a fair interest. It is small wonder that they rise to positions of affluance and prominence, for they earn ad- vancement and are entitled to it at the hands of their associates.

California affords magnificent opportunities to such citizens, and one of them who has profited by them is Barend J. Albers of Lankershim, who was born at Zutphen in the Netherlands, September 24, 1874, a son of parents of the same place of birth. He was there educated, and from there he came to the United States in 1893, proceeding at once to California, his first place of residence being at Bakersfield, where he worked on a ranch, and in that connection gained a practical knowledge of conditions and requirements, so that when he bought his ranch of ten acres at Lank- ershim he knew just how to handle it profitably. Here he has since resided, adding to his holdings until he now has a large ranch in fruit, all finely cultivated, and many times enhanced in value since he bought the land. He is also the owner of considerable other ranch and city property in the county. Since coming to Lankershim he has taken an intelligent interest in its progress and development, and has for some time been an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, and he also belongs to the Local Fruit Growers Association, which has been an important factor in the handling of the problems of the fruitgrowers of this region.

On December 10, 1913, Mr. Albers was united in marriage with Miss Henriette C. Haak, who was also born at Zutphen, and there educated. She came to the United States the same year as her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Albers have one son, Barend J., Junior. Both Mr. and Mrs. Albers have many friends, not only at Lankershim but throughout Los Angeles County, and by all are held in high esteem.

JAMES DEVINE DURFEE, who was one of the earliest pioneers of the El Monte District, as well as one of the most representative citizens of Los Angeles County, did more, perhaps, than any other one man to encourage the development of the ranches in this region and the improvement of the county in every way. He was born in Adams County, Illinois, October 8, 1840, a son of James and Cynthia (Soule) Durfee, natives of New York and Rock Island, Illinois, respectively, he having been born May 16, 1793, a son of Perry and Annie (Suls- bury) Durfee, of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and Broadalbin, New York, respectively. The Durfee family was founded in this country by James Durfee, who came here from England in 1643, and settled at Portsmouth, Rhode Island. James Durfee, father of James Devine Durfee, died at Lima, Illinois, July 16, 1844, his widow surviving him until February 16, 1847, when she passed away at Council Bluffs, Iowa. They were the parents of nineteen children, and James Devine Durfee was the sixteenth in order of birth.

Left an orphan in early childhood, James Devine Durfee was reared by his elder brothers and sisters, and in his youth attended school in a typical pioneer log schoolhouse. At the age of fifteen years he set out for himself, in company with his brother George, as a member of a party of emigrants for California. The party left Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 10, 1855. There were sixty-five wagons, and he drove one

294

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

drawn by four yoke of oxen. Their route was by way of Salt Lake City, Utah, thence south to San Bernardino, California, then a Mormon settlement. During this long and perilous trip the lad, only weighing eighty pounds, did a man's work, and inspired his associates with con- fidence in his ability and trustworthiness.

After a stay of some two years in San Bernardino Mr. Durfee went to Sacramento, and thence to El Dorado County, where for a time he was employed on a farm. Later he was employed in similar work in the vicinity of San Pablo in Contra Costa County, and in spite of his youth was thrifty and saved his money. Some of his relatives had settled in Southern California, and, coming here to visit them, he was so well pleased with conditions that he decided to remain and invest here his hard-earned money.

On December 19, 1858, he married Miss Dianthe B. Cleminson, a native of Missouri, and established a home on Lytle Creek, San Ber- nardino County. Although his supply of ready money was small, he had some stock, and he knew how to work and manage, and was from the start successful in whatever he undertook. In 1859 he came to Los Angeles County, and for a time lived on land near El Monte, and the following year located on what is still known as the Durfee ranch, with the privilege of buying the property within two years. At the expiration of this time, he, with his brother George Durfee and James Cleminson, bought the ranch and began farming and stockraising. Subsequently he bought the interest of Mr. Cleminson, and in 1882 the brothers divided their business, Mr. Durfee taking 124 acres, chiefly in walnuts, which grove was started in 1868. From then on he con- centrated on walnut growing, adding to his grove, which is now one of the finest in the entire state, one of the trees having produced 500 pounds in one year. The ground is well adapted for walnut growing, as it is moist, and no irrigation is necessary, but originally it was swamp land, covered with a willow growth, and much work was necessary to clear and drain it. By intelligent work and good manage- ment this land has been developed into the finest in the world, and Mr. Durfee's work is being admirably carried on by his son, James Roswell Durfee, a sketch of whom is to be found elsewhere in this work.

While he was best-known as a walnut grower, Mr. Durfee was also prominent because of his stock, for he for years raised horses, cattle and hogs of pedigreed stock, and the Durfee Jersey cows became famous all over Southern California.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Durfee. Eva L. married Alva Slack, January 12, 1890, and has four children, Howard Albert, Perry D., Marjorie Dianthe and James Roswell. Mrs. Durfee's father, John Cleminson, came to Missouri from England in 1812, and married Miss Lydia Lightner, born at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, July 12, 1800. She died at El Monte, August 11, 1873, and he died there November 28, 1879.

Mr. Durfee was a strong republican, but not an office seeker. He was prominent in the organization of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers Incorporation, which he served for three years as a director, and then resigned. Later he assisted in organizing the Los Angeles County Pioneers, and enjoyed attending the meetings of this association. Coming to California in boyhood, at a time when condi- tions were hard and difficult, Mr. Durfee not only achieved a remark- able success, but also built up a strong and self-reliant character, and won and retained a reputation for the utmost integrity and depend- ability, and, dying after a long and useful life, left behind him a host of warm personal friends who treasure the memory of him and his kindly deeds.

JAMES ROSWELL DURFEE. The native sons of California take, many of them, not only a deep pride in the state of their nativity, but also in

Mark Grimes.

295

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

what their fathers, the pioneers and empire-builders, accomplished, and in their own work strive to live up to the standards raised by the older generation. One of these men of Southern California is James Roswell Durfee, one of the most successful walnut growers in this region, whose magnificent grove at El Monte is admitted to be one of the finest in the state.

James Roswell Durfee was born on the celebrated Durfee ranch, Lexington Road, El Monte, January 22, 1874, and he is a son of the pioneer and honored citizen, James Devine Durfee, now deceased, a sketch of whom appears in the preceding sketch. The educational training of James Roswell Durfee was obtained in the Temple Gram- mar School in his neighborhood. He took up his father's work on the ranch, and following his example and adopting his methods of doing business, has kept this pioneer estate up to the most exacting require- ments of modern conditions, and his success has been almost phenomenal.

In 1894 James Roswell Durfee married Miss Estella L. Cain, a native of Iowa, and they became the parents of nine children, namely : Dianthe R., who married, June 27, 1917, Esta Wyne, and they have two children, J. Roswell Wyne and Glenn Merle Wyne; Miles, who mar- ried Miss Esta Beck; and James, Hillard, Mildred, Olen, Eva, Glenn and Alla May, all of whom are at home.

Mr. Durfee is locally prominent and takes an active part in all movements for civic betterment. A republican, while not seeking office he keeps abreast of public matters, is one of the progressive men of his day, as was his father before him, and meets the world's prob- lems as did the elder man, with resolute courage and far-sighted initiative. Proud of his name, and honoring it in thought and deed, and of his family, he finds his greatest happiness in his home circle. He and his wife are rearing their children in an atmosphere of intelli- gent pleasure and development, and the young people show the benefi- cent effects of this loving and watchful care in every way, and are destined to carry on the name and traditions of this old pioneer family, and add laurels to those already gained.

MARK E. GRIMES. The influence upon a community by its Chamber of Commerce is stronger than is generally appreciated by those who, while they benefit by the actions of the men composing such a body, do not fully understand its objects. It is the purpose of such an organization of mer- chants, traders and public-spirited men to promote not only the interests of their own members, but of the city to which the society belongs, and of the community generally, in so far as these have reference to trade and merchandise. This body works along different channels, sometimes repre- · senting and urging on the legislature the views of their members in mer- cantile affairs ; again by aiding in the preparation of legislative measures having reference to trade; by collecting statistics bearing upon the staple trade of the city; by attaining by combinations advantages in trade which might be beyond the reach of individual enterprise, and in other ways along these lines. The men who are elected to serve as the executive heads of such organizations must of necessity possess unusual characteristics in order to cope with the various problems of such an office, and the Van Nuys Chamber of Commerce is fortunate in its present president, Mark E. Grimes, who is also president of the firm of Mark E. Grimes & Company, carload dealers, and one of the most desirable citizens of the Van Nuys District, where he owns and operates a large ranch.

Mark E. Grimes was born at Castroville, California, September 12, 1887, a son of John W. Grimes, a native of Iowa, who came overland to California with an ox team in 1854. Locating in the Sacramento Valley, he was there engaged in mining, but later moved to Monterey County, still later to San Diego County, and finally settled at Los Angeles, where he was engaged in the real estate business until he came to Van Nuys, and here he has developed important connections as a realtor.

Vol. III-15

296

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Mark E. Grimes attended the public schools of San Jose, California, and Leland Stanford University, from which he was graduated in 1912. For a short period Mr. Grimes was in the real estate business at San Jose, after which he was engaged in fruit ranching in Santa Clara County, where he organized the California Berry Growers Association, and was its man- ager for three years. In 1917 he came to Van Nuys, bought 100 acres in this district and is now engaged in ranching. He also organized the Mark Grimes & Company's carload house, which ships on an average of 1,500 carloads of fruits and vegetables annually. In addition to his connection with the Chamber of Commerce Mr. Grimes maintains membership with the Kiwanis Club, the Merchants Association and the California Commis- sion of Agricultural Education, and is on the agricultural committee of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. He is a director of the Bank of Van Nuys. Fraternally he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the college order Delta Chi. He also belongs to the Native Sons organization of California.

On July 14, 1914, Mr. Grimes married Miss Myrtle Seurynck, of San Jose, California, and they have three children, May Ellen, Vivian Belle and Mark E., Junior. Mrs. Grimes was born in Iowa, but was educated in the public schools of San Jose and the State Normal School. She is one of the active members of the Van Nuys Woman's Club, and is much interested in civic affairs.

JOHN B. MORELAND is assistant to the factory superintendent of the Moreland Truck Company, an important industrial concern at Burbank, of which specific mention is made in the following sketch. He was born in Henry County, Indiana, September 5, 1856, and there received the ad- vantages of the public schools. As a youth he was for some time associated with farm enterprise in his native state, and thereafter he was engaged in the hardware and implement business at Yorktown, Indiana, two years. He next devoted four years to the contracting and building enterprise in the City of Muncie, that state, and the next two years he was a designer in the establishment of the Muncie Casket Company. He served four years as a member of the City Council of Muncie, and thereafter he held the dual office of police judge and justice of the peace for seven years. He resigned this office in 1903 and came to California. He passed two and one-half years at Riverside, thereafter was associated for a time with J. Neider & Company in the City of Los Angeles, and the ensuing three years found him a representative of ranch industry in the vicinity of Fresno. In 1910 he sold his ranch property, and after passing a year in Los Angeles he became identified with the Moreland Truck Company, with which he has since continued his executive service.

Mr. Moreland is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Fraternal Brotherhood, is a member of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, and he and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

May 14, 1878, recorded the marriage of Mr. Moreland and Miss Aletha A. Grice, who was born and reared in Delaware County, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Moreland have four children: Watt L. is vice president and general manager of the Moreland Truck Company, and he and his wife maintain their home in Los Angeles, their children being Harriet, Margaret and Watt L., Jr .; Mary Belle is the wife of William Evans, of Burbank, and they have six children, Reba, John, Annabelle, Paul, Elizabeth and Mark; Laura Edith is the wife of Homer Jones, of Burbank, and they have two children, Helen and Rachel; and Miss Margaret A. remains at the parental home.

THE MORELAND TRUCK COMPANY stands prominently forth as one of the leading industrial concerns in the thriving little City of Burbank. It was organized in 1911, by Watt L. Moreland and R. H. Raphael, and was

297

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000. Mr. Raphael became presi- dent of the company ; Morris Cohn, vice president ; J. L. Armer, treasurer ; and C. W. Creighton, secretary and comptroller. The original headquarters of the company were on North Main Street in the City of Los Angeles, and in 1920 the plant was constructed at Burbank, where the company has a tract of twenty-seven and one-half acres of ground, and has erected a large plant of modern equipment and facilities, with an aggregate floor space of 220,180 square feet. In this great factory is retained a force of 400 em- ployes, and here are manufactured five sizes of the high-grade Moreland automobile trucks, equipped with worm drive and with a device that per- mits the use of gasoline distillate. The two-story administration building of brick construction faces San Fernando Boulevard, and the entire factory is built on the unit system. The output capacity of the plant is about 125 trucks a month, and the products are shipped to all parts of the world. The present officers of this progressive and successful corporation are as here designated : C. J. Kumbach, president; Watt L. Moreland, vice president and general manager ; Morris Cohn, second vice president; C. W. Creigh- ton, secretary and comptroller ; and J. L. Armer, treasurer. Operations are now based on a capital stock of $2,500,000, and the company is one of the large and important industrial concerns of California. John B. More- land, father of the general manager, is assistant to the general superintend- ent and is individually mentioned in the preceding sketch. Claude Bottsford is superintendent of factory production.

HARRY W. BARLOW has the active management of the Hermosa Thea- tre, in the ownership of which he is associated with his father, and in the presenting of the best films of the various motion-picture concerns this fine little theater at Hermosa Beach has high rank among similar places of amusement and entertainment in Los Angeles County. The theater build- ing, 30 by 95 feet in dimensions, was erected about 1912, by Charles D. Barlow, and is of the best type of fire-proof construction, with a seating capacity for 282 persons. This popular house is situated on Pier Avenue, and the property is owned by Charles D. and Harry W. Barlow. The equipment of the theater is of the best modern standard and includes a nitro-silver screen.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Los Angeles county, Volume III, Part 48

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