USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles county, Volume III > Part 55
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
Mr. Schader was born at Little Rock, Arkansas, March 23, 1870, and is a son of Joseph Conrad and Sophia (Geyer) Schader, the former a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and the latter of Ausch Bohemia, Austria. His father came to the United States at the age of eleven years, in 1840, settling with his parents at New Orleans, where he completed his education in the Catholic parochial schools. As a young man he moved to Arkansas, where he engaged in farming and cattle raising, was land and colonizing agent of the Little Rock-Ft. Smith Railroad and later turned his attention to the business of wholesale merchandising at Little Rock, that state, where he died at the age of seventy-two years. Mrs. Schader came to America in the great Carl Schultz movement of Germans to America in 1848, sur- vived her husband for quite a period and was seventy-nine years of age at the time of her demise. Mr. Joseph Schader was a Roman Catholic. Mrs. Shader was a devout member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, likewise her children, and they were the parents of the following children: Emma, Ernestine and Fred, who are residents of Little Rock, Arkansas; Carl, of this review ; and Henry C., Josephine, John, Herbert and Walter, who are all deceased.
After attending the Lutheran parochial school and the public schools of Little Rock, Arkansas, Carl Schader graduated from Aaron Bale's Little Rock College in 1886. In 1887 he came to Los Angeles, identifying himself with the engineering corps of the California Southern Railway, and serv- ing under engineers Fred Perris and M. B. Terrass. His first work was surveying on the road from Los Angeles to Anaheim, then from Perris to Elsinore, Perris to San Jacinto, San Diego to El Cajon, Inglewood to Redondo and Ballona, now Del Rey, this State. Following this he became assistant U. S. Government engineer to P. J. Flynn. In this capacity he surveyed the site of the National Soldiers' Home at Sawtelle, Los Angeles County, and the Santa Monica Mountains water shed for the United States Government for the purpose of water supply for the Soldiers' Home, after which he spent a year engineering in Arizona.
In 1891 he engaged in merchandising at Santa Monica, but in 1896 disposed of his interest in that enterprise, returned to the engineering field,
CarlySchade
335
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
taking up mining engineering as general manager of the Peacock Copper Mines for four years, and of the Keystone, Lincoln County, Nevada and Johnnie Mines, Nye County, Nevada, for the following four years. Mr. Schader was one of the first mine operators and built the first wagon road from Needles to. Oatman, and hauled the first hoist into the Oatman mining district, Mohave County, Arizona, and became one of the owners of the Gold Road, Tom Reed and Tom Reed, Jr., in which district he is still financially interested. When he opened the Johnnie Camp, Nye County, Nevada, 1900-1907, he hauled all supplies one hundred and twenty miles by twenty mule teams via Manse and Pahrump Valleys. He was also one of the originators of the Southwestern Portland Cement Company of El Paso, Texas, and the Portland Cement Company of Portland, Ore- gon.
During this time, recognizing that the community of Santa Monica, his home town, had a brilliant and prosperous future, Mr. Schader em- barked in the land and townsite business. One of his first acts was the laying out and developing of the Golden State and Boehme-Crozier Tracts on Santa Monica Boulevard. Latterly, in 1909, he organized the Carl F. Schader Seaside Terrace, a California corporation, and has been its one and only president. He also organized Kensington Terrace and Vincente Terrace on Santa Monica's ocean front from Pico to Colorado Avenue. He gave the City of Santa Monica Seaside Terrace and Ocean Front Park, which now is worth $250,000, and was the originator of the present City Hall site, being responsible for its purchase, which he helped pay for and for the success of the bond issue used in building it. He likewise originated the Municipal Auditorium, Ocean Park, and the magnificent high school on Pico Boulevard and successfully organized the bond campaigns which gave these civic monuments to the city. Following this came a seven year fight, in which Mr. Schader emerged victorious, in having Pico Boulevard opened from Los Angeles to the Ocean, and other good work was also ac- complished by him in his capacity as chairman of the City Park Commis- sion under Mayor Roscoe Dow. He was one of the donators of the B. P. O. E. Club site on Ocean Avenue, and the originator of the idea which resulted in its building, for which service he was made an honorary life member of Santa Monica Lodge No. 906, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was one-half owner of and built the town of Calipatria in the Imperial Valley, where for five years he was general manager of the Imperial Valley Farm Lands Association, colonizing 50,000 acres of farm land. He dedicated an entire city block for school park and another entire city block for City Hall Park. He deeded the site for the Congregational and Roman Catholic churches, being an advocate of all churches and schools. One of Mr. Schader's big achievements was the sale to the Van- derlip interests of the Palo Verde Rancho, with its fourteen miles of ocean front from Pt. Firmin to Clifton-by-the-Sea for $1,800,000 in 1913.
Politically Mr. Schader is a democrat, and his religious belief is that of a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. He belongs to Santa Monica Lodge No. 307, Free and Accepted Masons, of California, is a life member of Los Angeles Consistory, thirty-second degree Scottish Rite, an honorary life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a life member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, a life mem- ber of the American Mining Congress, a member of the Geological Society of America and of the Santa Monica-Ocean Park Chamber of Commerce, of which he is president for the year 1923, and Venice Chamber of Com- merce. He is a member of the Rocky Mountain Club, New York, member of Ocatilla Club of Arizona, a member of Southern California Auto Club. He was for many years vice-president and chairman of the finance commit- tee of the Ocean Park Bank, director of the Merchants National Bank, now the First National Bank of Santa Monica, is also associated with the Merchants National and Hellman Commercial Trust and Savings Bank and the Commonwealth Trust Company of Los Angeles. He organized the Golden State Plant and Floral Company in 1910, and is its president.
336
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
On October 17, 1891, Mr. Schader was united in marriage with Miss Nellie May Elliott, daughter of Robert P. and Caroline (Williams) Elliott, of Santa Monica. Mrs. Schader was born at Lone Tree, Kansas, and was educated there and at Santa Monica, to which city she was brought by her parents in 1884. She is well known in the social circles of the city and is a leading and popular member of the Ebell Club of Los Angeles and a member of the Santa Monica's Woman's Club and also a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schader. Carl J., born June 26, 1892, was educated at Santa Monica, Harvard Military Academy of Los Angeles, Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana. He died December 4, 1916, leaving three children, Carl F., Nella and Helen. Fred Porter, born February 24, 1894, graduated from the new high school (which his father's vision gave to Santa Monica) with the first graduat- ing class, attended the University of California, and is now a senior student in dentistry at the University of Southern California. He is a member of the University Club of Los Angeles, the Phi Gamma Delta, and Santa Monica Lodge, A. F. and A. M., No. 307, of California and the Trowel Club of Los Angeles. He is married and has one daughter, Mary Elizabeth.
Although a busy man, Mr. Schader has always been to the fore in public service and developed as an orator known throughout the entire West. His address on the American Flag and the Trinity of Masonry are classics and were published in Masonic and Elk journals. He is a prolific writer on civic and philosophical subjects, and papers generally ac- cept his articles. This is the work he loves to do most of all. He is pre- paring to write a book on the Trinity or Godhood of Man, his trinity basis being physical, intellectual, spiritual man, a message he hopes to leave for the spiritual uplift and moral benefit of mankind.
GEORGE E. BOWSMAN, whose home is a mile south of Whittier, on rural route No. 2, is a rancher and fruit grower here and for many years was a prosperous farmer and stock man in Nebraska.
Mr. Bowsman was born in Linn County, Iowa, September 2, 1873, son of Jacob and Mary Bowsman. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Iowa. His grandfather Bowsman was born in Germany and married a woman of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Jacob and Mary Bowsman left Iowa and became pioneers of Nebraska, where they took up and improved a homestead. They were the parents of nine children, George E. being the second in age.
George E. Bowsman lived in Nebraska when it was a real frontier dis- trict. All the early settlers suffered many privations, and toil and self denial were the lot of all. George E. Bowsman walked three miles to attend school, and before he had completed a common school education he went to work on a farm. Farming has constituted his life work.
As a boy Mr. Bowsman became interested in geology, and while he rever studied the subject, he has been a close observer of everything on land and sea, and is a self developed naturalist of no mean ability. This experience and his habit of observation led him into a line of experiments which after ten years produced a device that is regarded as unique and wonderful. It has on numerous tests accurately directed the search for underground oil deposits, and on the strength of its indications he has invested in numerous oil interests that have brought steady and reliable returns.
Back in Nebraska Mr. Bowsman was a hog and corn farmer. He bought and still owns ninety-one acres in Furnas County, that state, and made a fine farm of it. Mr. and Mrs. Bowsman have lived on their place near Whittier since March 1, 1910.
He married Miss Lillie G. Hawkins. She was born in Putnam County, Indiana, June 28, 1875, daughter of J. H. and Nancy Ann (Stephens) Hawkins. She is one of a family of three daughters and one son, and she and her brother of Los Angeles are the only survivors. Her parents were
@ W Frango
337
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
also numbered among the early pioneers of Nebraska, going there in 1875. They took up a homestead and they took a claim, proved up, and in spite of many trials and adversities, including drouth, grasshoppers, lack of transportation facilities and markets, they finally achieved prosperity. Mrs. Bowsman had to attend some primitive country schools, and finally attended school at Beaver City, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Bowsman were married March 6, 1901. As a girl she went to school three miles across a prairie, frequently wading through the snow in winter and the mud in summer. Mr. and Mrs. Bowsman are members of the Woodman Order and the Presbyterian Church.
-
DUANE WASHINGTON FARGO. The individual who embarks upon a new industry in a new country must of necessity be possessed of courage and determination, but these qualities are not all-sufficient for the acquirement of success. Combined with them must be the ability to plan and accomplish, to make the most of opportunity and to advance with the progress of the times. It was the possession of all of these characteristics that made the late Duane Washington Fargo, of San Gabriel, a leading figure in the orange industry of San Gabriel for many years, and equally well as the proprietor of Bonita Vista ranch remembered for his open-handed generosity and hospitality.
Mr. Fargo was born at Batavia, New York, December 15, 1836, and was reared and educated in his native city, where he made his home for many years. After completing a public school education he embarked in the gro- cery business, and was engaged therein until 1882, when he disposed of his interests and came to California. He was determined to make a change, and his request for assistance in finding a location was complied with by the Fargo brothers of San Francisco, his brothers, who selected for him a property of sixty-five acres located at San Gabriel, on the North Mission Drive. This land was largely wild, although it possessed a few seedling oranges and a small vineyard. With characteristic energy Mr. Fargo set about to improve his property, and within a comparatively short time had developed a large vineyard. At a point when success in this venture seemed certain the vineyard became diseased, and Mr. Fargo had it removed. He then turned his attention to orange growing, a subject of which he had only the slightest knowledge. Realizing his limitations, he studiously devoted his time and energy to an accumulation of knowledge. He investigated, experimented, read and spent much time in research, and in time not only was able to handle his own business in a thoroughly capable manner, but became an authority to whom others looked for counsel, and a man to whom the credit for many of the improvements in the business is due. His oranges were raised in his own nursery beds, the varieties being Valencias and Washington Navels, and for many years Bonita Vista ranch has been noted for the excellence of its fruit. To the original sixty-five acres he added thirty acres by purchases, but later twenty acres of this property was sold off for subdivision purposes. Mr. Fargo generously improved his property in many ways, making it one of the most attractive, as well as one of the most productive, in the valley. The magnificent elms which line the Mission Drive are trees that he imported from New York and set in their present places.
While Mr. Fargo was of an exceptionally retiring disposition, he was fond of the companionship of his fellows, and possessed numerous friends. In young manhood he joined the Masons at Batavia, New York, and rose to the Knight Templar degree. Personally he was generous and hospitable, welcoming all to his home and giving freely of his means to worthy move- ments. His death, which occurred January 28, 1907, removed from his community a man who was universally esteemed.
At Batavia, New York, in 1870, Mr. Fargo was united in marriage with Miss Olive Squier, of Batavia, who survives him and makes her home on Bonita Vista ranch, of which she has complete charge. A woman of excep- tional business ability, with a comprehensive knowledge of all the details
338
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
of orange planting, growing and shipping, she has maintained the high standard of the ranch, and at the same time has been a thoughtful and con- siderate employer of labor. She is accomplished also in other ways, and is a general favorite in circles where refinement and culture are appreciated.
CHARLES H. GREENWELL, D. C. In the ranks of the chiropractic practi- tioner of Los Angeles County, one who has made rapid strides in his pro- fession during a comparatively short period devoted to it is Charles H. Greenwell, D. C., of Ocean Park. Doctor Greenwell had a long and thorough training ere he ventured upon the active practice of his calling, and the confidence and esteem in which he is held are but the natural result of the accomplishments which his thorough preparation made possible.
A native of Utah, Doctor Greenwell was born in the City of Ogden, August 20, 1881, his parents being Charles H. and Margaret A. (Telford) Greenwell. His father was for many years one of the well-known stockmen of his state, where he carried on extensive operations and occupied a leading position in business circles. Charles H. Greenwell, the younger, was given his early educational training in the public schools of Ogden, and after leav- ing them was for a time associated with his father in the business of stock- raising. However, this business did not appeal to him, and he secured employment with the Wells Fargo Express Company, a concern with which he was identified for three and one-half years, then again becoming identified with his father. With the experience he had thus gained he secured a position as manager for a large livestock company at Ogden, but resigned from that capacity to come to Los Angeles and take a course in the Los Angeles Chiropractic College, from which he was graduated in 1920, with the degrees of D. C., Ph. C. and M. D. For a time after his gradua- tion Doctor Greenwell was placed in charge of the clinic at the college and also acted in the capacity of assistant to the president. He continued to be thus occupied until March, 1921, when he engaged in practice on his own account at Los Angeles, where he remained until October 15th of the same year, at that time coming to Ocean Park, where he now maintains well- appointed offices in the Fraser Building. Doctor Greenwell is now in the possession of a large and representative practice, in which are included some of the leading people of Ocean Park. He has been very successful in his treatment of numerous cases which had defied the efforts of practitioners of other schools of healing, and a kindly sympathy has had much to do with winning the confidence and friendship of his patients. He holds member- ship in the Universal Chiropractic Association and the State of California Chiropractic Association, in both of which he is popular with his fellow practitioners. He likewise has several fraternal affiliations, and as a good citizen lends his aid to civic bodies which are making efforts to better con- ditions in general.
Doctor Greenwell married Miss Ella Maude Anderson, of Ogden, Utah, who was born in that city and educated in the public schools. They have two children: Jack Porter and Helen Ruth. Mrs. Greenwell is a popular and active member of the Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club.
LEMUEL WRIGHT SERRELL. One of the features of the business life of the San Fernando Valley is the association of men into different co- operative companies for the purpose of handling the products of this fertile region, by means of which much more desirable results are obtained than could be secured in any other manner. One of these which is proving of paramount importance to the poultry men and grain growers is the Poultry- men's Grain & Supply Company, successor to the Van Nuys Feed & Fuel Company, which was established July 9, 1920, by Lemuel Wright Serrell, of Van Nuys, one of the aggressive young business men of Los Angeles County. Mr. Serrell opened his business for the purpose of handling all kinds of feed and poultry supplies, coal and wood, and continued to operate it successfully until June 16, 1922, when the business was incorporated un-
1
339
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
der the present name, and capitalized at $50,000, with Lemuel Wright Serrell as president, and Bertha Serrell as secretary and treasurer. The office and warerooms have a floor space of 7,500 square feet. Employment is given to eight experienced salespeople. Under the present incorporation this company is a co-operative concern, with the poultrymen of the neigh- borhood owning the stock, and the business is that of handling poultry supplies, seeds, grain and eggs.
Lemuel Wright Serrell was born at Denver, Colorado, September 15, 1890, a son of George and Susan (Malsi) Serrell. For a number of years George Serrell was engaged in ranching, and he was also engaged in busi- ness as a stock and bond broker, but is now living retired from active responsibility at Los Angeles. His wife is deceased.
Having been given the advantages of attendance at the excellent schools of Saint Louis, Missouri, Lemuel Wright Serrell needed but a course at the Los Angeles Business College, following his arrival at Los Angeles, June 23, 1907, to fit him for active participation in business life. His first connection with it was as an employe of Cohn & Goldsvater, as house salesman, and he remained with this firm for a period of two years, leaving it to engage wiith the Home Telephone Company. After nine years of faithful service with the latter he entered the banking field, first with the Security Savings Bank, and later with the Guarantee Trust & Savings Bank. Leaving the latter after a year in its employ, he came to the San Fernando Valley, bought a ranch, which he still owns, and while getting it into paying condition, worked in the First National Bank of Van Nuys for two years. He then established the Van Nuys Feed & Fuel Company, as above stated, and now is fully occupied with its manifold responsibilities. Always interested in local matters, he works for the civic betterment of Van Nuys and the Valley through the medium of his membership with the Van Nuys Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants and Manufacturers Association, of which he was a treasurer for two years. He is a stock- holder of the Bank of Van Nuys. Fraternally he maintains membership with Van Nuys Lodge, K. of P., and the Dramatic Order of Knights of Khorassan.
On February 25, 1911, Mr. Serrell married Miss Bertha Walter, who was born, reared and educated at Los Angeles. She belongs to the Pythian Sisters and the Nomads. Mr. and Mrs. Serrell have two children, Ethel Betty and Alice Jeanette. Mr. Serrell's progress has been certain from the start, although there has been nothing spectacular about it. Always working hard, saving his surplus and carefully investing it, he has ad- vanced step by step until today he ranks with the sound and dependable business men of his home community, and stands high in public esteem.
ALBERT L. SHIPLEY. The well educated, vigorous, enterprising young business man of today has banished the idea that in long years and exper- ience alone repose the qualities that insure success. In every community this appears evident and speaks well for the stability of the younger genera- tion. One of the prominent business men of Los Angeles County, who has by no means reached even middle age, is Albert L. Shipley, president of the First National Bank of Venice, and identified with other business enterprises.
Mr. Shipley was born at Marinette, Wisconsin, August 12, 1888, and is a son of Peter Shipley, a well known resident. His early education was received in the public schools, and later he entered the University of Minne- sota, from which he was graduated with the class of 1911, with the degree of LL. D. It is a matter of considerable importance for a young man to make choice of a future career, but undoubtedly Mr. Shipley made no mistake when he decided to follow the bent of his inclination and entered business life. For some years he was connected with the First National Bank of Virginia, Minnesota, and from there in 1919 came to Venice, California, to become president of the First National Bank of Venice.
1
340
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
The First National Bank of Venice, California, was established in 1905, as the Bank of Venice. In 1912 the First National Bank was organ- ized and the Bank of Venice became the Venice Savings Bank and was consolidated with the First National, the capital stock of both banks being $75,000. In 1907 the handsome bank building was erected on the corner of Trolleyway and Windward streets, a substantial structure with all modern conveniences and bank equipments, including safety devices and burglar alarms. The bank is in a most prosperous condition and employ- ment is given ten competent clerks. The officers of the First National Bank are: Albert L. Shipley, president; R. A. Phillips, vice president ; W. D. Newcomb, second vice president ; A. E. Drake, cashier.
Mr. Shipley is connected with other business organizations of large commercial importance. He is a member of the Shipley, Herrel, Trapp Company, is vice president of the Bay Cities Building & Loan Association, and is president of the First National Loan & Discount Company of Los Angeles. He is a member of the Venice Chamber of Commerce, and is serving on the city Library Board.
Mr. Shipley married, August 19, 1911, Miss Adele Race, who was born at Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was educated there and in the Winona Normal School. They have two children, Albert L. and Marguerite. Mrs. Shipley is well known in social circles and is a member of the Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club. Mr. Shipley has never been particularly active in political life, but belongs to representative business bodies and is a member of the Order of Elks.
CLINTON GORDON PARKHURST. An interested visitor to the beautiful little California city of Venice will not fail to note the enterprise shown by young business men here, many of whom are at the forefront of large and. prospering enterprises. In the handling of real estate perhaps no one has been more successful in the last few years than Clinton Gordon Parkhurst, realtor, who is identified with much development work in the Santa Monica Bay District.
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.