History of Los Angeles county, Volume III, Part 74

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

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"Just one year ago today a puny infant was born into the world. It is said that a prophet is due to oblivion in the land of his birth, and for a time it looked as though this journalistic infant was to share a similar fate. Born in a cellar on Atlantic Avenue, without financial backing or prestige- without even the necessary garments to replace its swaddling clothes-but despite these disadvantages this child of destiny asserted its right to live and prosper. A few weeks later, after enduring the gloom of the cellar, this child, which has grown to be quite lusty and self-asserting, commenced to insist on certain rights enjoyed by other members of the newspaper family. The gloom of the basement could no longer enshroud embryonic genius, and new quarters were secured in a roomy garage on the same premises, where it could bask and grow in the sunlight, and step forth into the lime-light for public appraisal. The selection of a name for this hitherto unknown child had been decided upon at its birth. It was 'Live Wire,' and from its birth to the present time those accountable for its being have no cause to regret the selection of the name. From the start the obstacles to be overcome were many, but 'Live Wire' possessed one requisite that spells success for those who possess it, and that is 'pep.' As that fact became known, a constantly growing circle of friends and backers have given the paper such undivided support that today finds it standing on a firm footing -a live, up-to-date newspaper, playing an important part in the destiny of North Long Beach, and of the oil fields of Southern California."

Robert M. Lamoreaux, editor and proprietor of the North Long Beach "Live Wire," has proved himself most resolute and resourceful in its devel- opment and in making it a valuable exponent of the interests of the com- munity, the while he has gained to it membership representation in the Southern California Editorial Association.

Mr. Lamoreaux was born at Angola, Indiana, on the 8th of February, 1865, and is a son of Henry and Martha Lamoreaux. When the subject of this review was about four years old the family removed from the Hoosier State to Allegan County, Michigan, where the father became a prosperous farmer and also developed a fruit orchard. Henry Lamoreaux finally removed to the City of Battle Creek, Michigan, and there both he and his wife passed the closing years of their lives.

In the early '80s Robert M. Lamoreaux was graduated in the public schools of Battle Creek, Michigan, his previous practical experience having been principally in connection with farm activities. In the autumn of 1884 he entered the office of the Battle Creek Daily "Moon," where he learned the printer's trade and finally was made a member of the editorial staff of the paper. His first independent venture in the realm of journalism was made when he purchased the Augusta Chronicle, at Augusta, Michigan. He paid $550 for the newspaper plant and business, and in this connection assumed an indebtedness for $450, he and his father signing notes for

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

security. In one year Mr. Lamoreaux cleared the debt on the property, and he then sold the Chronicle and found a somewhat broader field of enterprise by purchasing the Galesburg Enterprise, at Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, this having been virtually a speculative undertaking and he having later sold the property to advantage. After his marriage, in 1890, Mr. Lamoreaux established his residence in the City of Detroit, Michigan, where for some time he was connected with the Detroit Evening News. He established two suburban newspapers in the Detroit metropolitan dis- trict-the North Side Gazette, in 1898, and the West Side Press, in 1906. In his journalistic career Mr. Lamoreaux has owned nearly a dozen differ- ent newspapers, which he developed to a state of prosperity and then sold.

In 1908 Mr. Lamoreaux came to Long Beach, California, where for eight years he was identified with the Daily Telegram. In 1913 he founded the Owensmouth Gazette, in the San Fernando valley, which was then largely given over to barley farming. The first issue of the Gazette came- forth on the same day that was marked by the arrival of the first electric interurban car in Owensmouth. November 11, 1921, Mr. Lamoreaux founded the North Long Beach "Live Wire," and he now has a modern and splendidly equipped newspaper and job-printing plant, while the paper has proved a most effective medium for advancing local interests and exploiting the affairs of the oil fields in this section of the state.

Strange to say, "Live Wire" is a power against corporations. Its slogan, "Fearless and Truthful for the People's Rights," stands out in bold type on the first page of the newspaper and almost every week it has some crusade against the foes of the people. This alone has brought it wide- spread influence everywhere, known as championing the people's rights in defending the neglected truth. Civic betterment, moral uplift and happier conditions in the home combine in one broad field of endeavor for which "Live Wire" was intended and for what "Live Wire" will always proclaim.

With Mr. Lamoreaux is his estimable wife, who is associate editor, and who, through her great adaptability for the position, has not only demon- strated her worth as a writer, but has complete management over the book- keeping and accountant departments of the business.

The plant of the "Live Wire" is established at 2858 American Avenue, and the family home is in the beautiful Los Cerritos district, Mr. Lamoreaux having erected several houses since establishing his home in Los Angeles County. He is a republican in politics and has been a loyal supporter of prohibition. He and his wife hold membership in the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Long Beach.

September 8, 1890, at Battle Creek, Michigan, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lamoreaux to Miss Clara Belle Wickham, who was born and reared in Calhoun County, of which Battle Creek is the metropolis, and who was graduated in Krug's Business College in that city, she being a specially expert stenographer and bookkeeper and having held several · responsible positions in connection with the profession for which she thus fitted herself. Mrs. Lamoreaux has justifiable pride in having taken the stenographic report of an address delivered at Battle Creek by the martyred President Mckinley. She has exceptional musical talent also, especially as a vocalist. Russell W., the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Lamoreaux, is a resident of Los Angeles. He married Miss Iris O'Toole, of Van Nuys, California, and they have one son, Russell W., Jr.

FRANCIS GIDEON WOOD was a noted business man and merchant of Los Angeles, a city with which his career was identified for nearly thirty years.

He was born at St. Louis, Missouri, April 14, 1854, son of Ephraim B. and Caroline Wood. His uncle Dr. Gideon Boyce Wood was a surgeon in the Union army. The late Mr. Wood was of Revolutionary ancestry. His mother had been educated at an exclusive academy in England, attended by children of the nobility. She and her sister were chosen from the academy to dance at the coronation of Queen Victoria. Mr. Wood's mother was of the Humphrey family.

Financi Gwood

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Francis G. Wood spent his early boyhood at Algiers, Louisiana, near New Orleans. He was a boy when the Civil war broke out, and he received many impressions from war times in Louisiana. He remembered when Ben Butler's troops occupied New Orleans. The Union forces took pos- session of his father's brick kiln and he also recalled when the cotton was burned on the wharf. He completed his education in St. Louis.

As a young man Mr. Wood learned the upholstering business, and for a number of years he was a member of the firm Wood & Gallup Furniture Company, conducting the most exclusive furniture store in the City of Denver. This business failed during the panic of 1893. Mr. Wood was an artist in his line, and possessed a broad knowledge and superlative taste in everything connected with household furnishings and decorations.s

On leaving Denver he came to California in 1894, and started again at the bottom. When he retired he was a man of means and with much valu- able property in Los Angeles and that district. For a time after locating in California, he was associated with the Hulse Bradford Manufacturing Company, and for sixteen years managed the business in Southern Cali- fornia of D. N. and E. Walter and Company, wholesale carpet merchants. When he opened this business for the Walter firm he had only a small room in the annex of the Westminster Hotel. From there he moved to 816 South Broadway, where he conducted the business for a number of years, and in 1911 secured the lease for the building at Eighth and Los Angeles streets where the company still remains. It is a wholesale carpet concern and is now one of the big concerns of the city. After retiring from the management of the carpet house Mr. Wood was for a short time associated with Edwards and Wildey Realty Company in the Black Building, and about 1920 retired from business. For the last two years of his life he was in very poor health, a sufferer from pernicious anemia. He died June 15, 1922.

His real estate investments were in Los Angeles and Long Beach, and he built the first bungalow in the latter city. At the corner of Fourth and Elm streets in Long Beach he owned four flat buildings, a very valuable property, now in the center of the business district, and he purchased it many years ago for a small sum. The beautiful flats in the heart of the Wilshire District where his daughters reside at 807 South Catalina Street are also part of the estate, as well as the beautiful home at Monterey Park occupied by his widow.

Mr. Wood's first wife was Emma M. Brooks of Louisville, Kentucky, a famous belle of that city. She died May 28, 1915. In June, 1916, Mr. Wood married Mrs. Maie C. Peacock of Los Angeles, who survives him. His two surviving daughters by his first marriage are Miss Winifred Emily and Miss Frances Ruth.

The late Mr. Wood was a man of wonderful personality, magnetic, and exemplified the highest ideals in his private and business life. Especially beautiful was his relationship with his two daughters. He and his older daughter Winnie were inseparable companions, and their relationship was ideal. Miss Winnifred received most of her schooling in Denver, Colorado, and Frances Ruth attended the University of Southern California and has been a student of dramatics in New York City with Theodora U. Irvine.

The mother of these daughters was born in Louisville, Kentucky, Febru- ary 12, 1855, daughter of William and Susan Brooks. She was educated there. Her picture, exhibited at the Louisville exhibition, was awarded the first prize for beauty. The Brooks family came to America before the Revolutionary war. The late Mr. Wood was a member of the Masonic Order, being affiliated with Southern California Lodge No. 278, Free and Accepted Masons ; Commandery No. 9, and the Scottish Rite, and he was buried with Masonic services.

E. R. DIETRICH. The Dietrich Realty Company, established January 15, 1923, by Mrs. E. R. Dietrich on South Brand Boulevard at Glendale, is an organization that presents a powerful and intensive service in all branches of real estate and also handles insurance, loans, exchanges and

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investments. The company maintains a building and construction depart- ment, and employs six salesmen. The company is now handling a sub- division of five acres at LaCrescenta.

The company is incorporated for $15,000, E. R. Dietrich being presi- dent and Calvin Russell, vice president and secretary. Mrs. Dietrich had a very successful record before coming to California. She was formerly vice president and general manager of "Dietrich Limited" of Montreal, Canada. In the spring of 1915 she came to California and located at Porterville and engaged in cattle ranching there. In August, 1922, she located at Glendale and in forty-five days had sold $160,000 worth of Glen- dale real estate. Mrs. Dietrich has some valuable investments of her own in Southern California property.

Ethel R. Dietrich was born at Montreal, was educated in the schools of Ontario, and on August 29, 1898, was married to W. N: Dietrich of Perth, Ontario, Canada. They have six children: Howard, Norma and Elwood, twins, Donald, Dorothy and Ruth. Mrs. Dietrich is a member of the Realty Board of Glendale, the California Real Estate Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the Sunset Canyon Country Club and the Tuesday Afternoon Club of Glendale. On June 15, 1923, Mrs. Dietrich married Perry E. Gaskill, a native of Missouri and recently of Ogden, Utah, a retired capitalist of that city.

FREDERICK THOMPSON BICKNELL, M. D. It is not possible in a brief sketch to describe all the good and helpful influences that emanated from the life and character of the late Doctor Frederick Thompson Bicknell and entered into the life of the community of Los Angeles, where he was one of the pioneer physicians and surgeons.

He was descended from the ancient Pavilly family of France, one of whose notable figures was Sir. Amalbert de Pavilly, founder of a mon-' astery at Pavilly in Normandy in 664 A. D. The family line is traced thence to the marriage in Sommersetshire, England, of Robert de Pavilly, the English spelling of whose name was Pavely, and Johanne de l'Estra, who brought the estate of Bykenhulle to him as her dower. Prior to his death in 1281 John, son of Robert and Johanne, had exchanged his French baronial name of Paveley for the name of the manor, in accord with the usual custom to adopt the name of the castle or manor wherein one lived, and was known as John de Bykenhulle. He thus became the first ancestor of the Bicknell name.

Among the passengers who sailed into Massachusetts Bay on May 6, 1635, were Zachary Bicknell, his wife, Agnes, and their son, John, who settled at Weymouth, Massachusetts, and from that family the Bicknells spread over America.

Nathan, sixth in line from Zachary and Agnes Bicknell, was born at Ashford, Connecticut, in 1736. He married Mrs. Beulah (Dana) Metcalf and moved to Enfield, New Hampshire, where he was one of the first settlers. Their son, Nathaniel, was born in Enfield, in 1768, and married Betsey Dustin, direct lineal descendant of Thomas and Mrs. Hannah (Webster) Emerson Dustin.

Their son Nathaniel, father of the late Doctor Bicknell, was born in Enfield, New Hampshire, July 31, 1796, and when twelve years old moved with his parents to Underhill, Vermont, and settled on a farm. On Feb- ruary 2, 1833, he married Fanny Thompson, youngest daughter of Josiah and Lucy (Haskins) Thompson. They were the parents of three children : Mary Ellen, who married James Entwistle in 1857, and came to Los' Angeles in 1873; John Dustin, who married Mrs. Nancy (Christian) Dobbins and came to Los Angeles in 1872; and Frederick Thompson.

Frederick Thompson Bicknell was born at Jericho, Vermont, April 20, 1842. In May, 1853, the family moved to Wisconsin and settled on a farm near Lake Mills in Jefferson County. In that pioneer community he learned the lessons of honest toil and economy, worked on the farm in summers, attended district school during the winter until he was seventeen, and in 1859 entered Albion Academy, where he pursued his studies during

7.7. Bielweek,

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the fall and spring terms and taught district school during the winter to earn money with which to continue his education.

At the outbreak of the Civil war he was among the first to volunteer, enlisting August 15, 1862, in Company A of the Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was in service until mustered out at Mobile, Alabama, July 4, 1865. He was in the Department of the Mississippi under General Grant during the Vicksburg campaign, through the Red River campaign under General Banks and General A. J. Smith, and the Mobile campaign under General Canby. He was a soldier in the ranks, was never off duty a single day, and though in many battles and skirmishes he came out unscathed.

Following his war service he spent about two years in the University of Wisconsin, at Madison, and in 1867 took up the study of medicine in the office of Doctor John Faville at Madison. In 1870 he graduated from Rush Medical College at Chicago, and in the fall of that year began practice at Neosho, Missouri, in partnership with Doctor Lewis Wills. In June, 1872, he married Henrietta Cooper, daughter of Lucius and Phoebe (Salts) Cooper, of Lake Mills, Wisconsin. She died a year later, leaving an infant daughter, now Mrs. Etta Bicknell Zombro, of Los Angeles.

After closing his practice at Neosho he and his former preceptor, Doctor John Faville, of Madison, Wisconsin, spent the following winter in New York City, pursuing post-graduate studies at Bellevue College and also attending lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the New York Medical College and the clinics of the Woman's Hospital.

Doctor Bicknell came to Los Angeles in April, 1874. He practiced in the little city during that summer, and in the fall removed to Panamint, California, as physician and surgeon of the Panamint Mining and Milling Company, owned by Senators Jones and Stewart of Nevada. When that camp closed he continued in a similar capacity at the Caso Mine at Darwin, California, and then practiced at Independence in Inyo County, where he had charge of the County Hospital. He also practiced at Bishop, a larger town in the valley. In 1881 Doctor Bicknell journeyed back to Lake Mills, Wisconsin, for his little daughter Etta, who had been cared for by her mother's people. Returning to Los Angeles in November of the same year, he opened an office in the City of Paris Building on North Spring Street, and settled down to the effective work which continued for more than a third of a century.

December 6, 1882, Doctor Bicknell married Carrie E. Fargo, daughter of Lorenzo Dow and Sarah (Rich) Fargo, of Lake Mills, Wisconsin. They established a home on the old historic Fort Hill in Los Angeles.

Up to the day of his death, on July 6, 1915, the time, energy and knowledge of Doctor Bicknell were given to the upbuilding of his pro- fession and the relief of suffering humanity. With courage inborn in his heart, he never counted the performance of duty in the light of sac- rifice. Wherever and whenever his professional services were needed he gladly went, without considering weariness of body or mind or heart. His profession was his mission, and his heart and soul were in his work. In the early years of his practice the only street car line was on South Main Street to Washington Gardens. He therefore walked miles in the darkness, in the rain and mud, and the call of the sick or dying was ever a sacred summons to which he never turned a deaf ear. Rich or poor, and the most of them were poor then, high or low, known or unknown, he treated all with the same kindly consideration and gave to them of his best.

Frequent trips to the great centers of medical and surgical knowledge kept him in close touch with wonderful and rapid development and advancement of medicine and surgery. He gave freely of his knowledge to the young physicians, to the students and his co-workers. He helped organize the Medical College which was established in Los Angeles in 1884. He served as president of the Southern California Medical Society, was one of the charter members and president of the Los Angeles County Medical Society, and one of the founders and president for the first ten

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years of the California Hospital in Los Angeles. For many years he was a member of the State Medical Society of California and the American Medical Association. Other organizations that enjoyed his membership were the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Masonic Lodge No. 278, F. and A. M., Stanton Post of the G. A. R., of which he was a charter member, and the Los Angeles University Club.

His strict attention to his profession and his retiring disposition pre- vented him from occupying public positions. Neither for financial gain nor for public honors did he toil and sacrifice, but for the honor and upbuilding of his profession and the relief of suffering humanity there was no limit to his gift of time, strength and skill. The profession called him the "Father of Surgery," not only because he was the pioneer of surgery in Los Angeles, but because he was free and generous with his knowledge to those who sought it. By the students and young practi- tioners he was affectionately called "Dad Bicknell" and "Chief." He died in the fulfillment of his oft expressed wish that the summons might come quickly and when he was still in the harness. His last act before succumbing to his fatal illness was to perform a pan-hysterectomy opera- tion at the California Hospital, the first time that operation had been performed in Los Angeles or in the West. The patient made a complete recovery ; but the strenuous exertion hastened his own death.

His only sister, bereft of all near relatives, made her home with Mrs. Bicknell until her death four years later. From the ranks of a quiet home maker to those of an active club worker is quite a step. But sorrow is a great teacher and some there are who yield only to its unrelenting pressure. Having inherited a love of nature, Mrs. Bicknell turned instinctively to it for absorption and consolation, concentrating her energies to the upbuild- ing of the Los Angeles Audubon Society and its principles of wild life protection. Workers in all lines recognize workers. Thus it came about that Mrs. Bicknell found herself again. She has occupied various posi- tions in Club life, from that of chairman of birds and wild life of Los Angeles district C. F. W. C. to treasurer and auditor of the same district ; but always the conservation of wild life and the protection of our forests are her hobbies. Elected in June, 1922, to serve her seventh term as president of the Los Angeles Audubon Society, her ardor and interest become stronger as she visions the future and sets the standard of this club's attainments higher. To keep her beloved husband's memory as an inspiration to the young grandson, Frederick Bicknell Zombro, only child of Etta Bicknell and Sumpter F. Zombro of Los Angeles, is her earnest desire and one of the chief objects of her endeavor.

CLIFTON DWIGHT TUCKER, who has been prominently identified with banking enterprise at San Fernando and who built and owns the local garage which is occupied by the San Fernando representatives of the Ford Auto- mobile Company, claims ths old Buckeye State as the place of his nativity, he having been born in Huron County, Ohio, March 19, 1878, and having there profited fully by the advantages of the public schools, as shown by the fact that he there made a record of two years of successful service as a teacher in district schools. Thereafter he took a course in the Sandusky Business College, and during the ensuing two years he was in the employ of the Forest City Electric Company, of Cleveland, Ohio. There he was for the next three years connected with the Garford Automobile Company, and in 1908 he came to California and took a position with the Earl C. Anthony Automobile Company in the City of Los Angeles. After continuing this alliance two years he there became identified with the branch of the Ford Motor Company, and in 1916 he purchased the Ford agency at San Fer- nando. He successfully conducted this agency until April, 1922, when he became an executive of the San Fernando branch of the Pacific South- western Bank, he having been a director of this bank from the time of its purchase in 1918 until January 1, 1922, when he resigned. Mr. Tucker is one of the loyal and progressive citizens of San Fernando, is an active

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member of the local Chamber of Commerce, and has served since 1919 as a member of the City Council. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity . and holds membership in the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

June 15, 1905, recorded the marriage of Mr. Tucker to Miss Mary Iva Ransom, who was born and reared at Hartland, Ohio, and whose death occurred December 18, 1921, she being survived by two sons, Ransom and Charles, who remain at the paternal home.

DIEDRICH KRUSE. The career of Diedrich Kruse, now one of the prosperous walnut growers and substantial citizens of El Monte, is a record of the hardest kind of work, under many discouragements, and the final overcoming of obstacles and the attainment of success. He has had no outside financial assistance, nor aid, but has brought to bear upon his work good common sense, and has always practiced the strictest of economy. Today, as a result of his industry, thrift and good management, he owns a fine property and holds the esteem of his neighbors and associates.

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History of Los Angeles county, Volume III, Part 74

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