USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Pomona Valley, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the valley who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 52
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Belonging to the Congregational Church of Claremont, Professor Hitchcock has served as its trustee and deacon. He has also been organist of that church, and, indeed, through his knowledge of the organ, has long been a leader in a field in which Americans in partic- ular have done good work. He is not only an expert, finished per- former on the organ, but is thoroughly familiar with its manufacture and repair. As a result of this valuable experience and knowledge, Professor Hitchcock was sent East to select the organ now in the Mission Inn at Riverside, and one of the chief attractions of that unique hostelry; and he also selected the organ of the Congregational Church at Long Beach, the organ of the Congregational Church at Whittier, and the organ in Bridges Hall, Claremont. This experience goes back to his work as organist at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and as organist in various Baltimore churches, and affords Professor Hitchcock ample oportunity for advancing not only science and mechanics, but art and æsthetics, and increasing the measure of human happiness.
ARTHUR MILLARD LICHTY
The opportunities to be found in Pomona Valley, both in a busi- ness way, socially, and along educational lines, have proven a magnet for men of ability from all over the United States, and as they are like- wise progressive and wide-awake to the possibilities to be found here, their choice has never been regretted. Among these may be mentioned Arthur Millard Lichty, a native of Waterloo, Blackhawk County, Iowa, where he was born September 2, 1878, a son of Hiram J. Lichty, born in Somerset County, Pa., who came to Iowa in pioneer days. He was a farmer, and passed away in May, 1916, after a strenuous and very useful life in that state; the mother, Sarah Ann Miller before her marriage, was also born in Somerset County, Pa., and came to Iowa when a child of seven years and was reared on the frontier. She re- sides in Waterloo.
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The fourth child in a family of six born to his parents, Arthur Millard received his education at public schools, supplemented by a course at Waterloo Academy and School of Commerce. He remained at home on his father's farm until reaching the age of twenty-two, when he began to farm for himself, and continued at that occupation until he left Iowa for the extreme West.
In the fall of 1909 Mr. Lichty came to Pomona. For a while he worked at various undertakings, and came to have a thorough knowledge of Pomona and surrounding territory, and the future possi- bilities of this favored section. In January, 1914, in partnership with Schuyler H. Park, he formed the wholesale flour and feed house of Park & Lichty, and from its beginning it proved a success, building up a large business and keeping pace with the increasing growth of the Valley. Both partners cooperate with the business men of Pomona in all undertakings for the general upbuilding of the community, and are recognized as dependable workers for the best interests of the Valley. This partnership continued till September, 1919, when he sold his in- terest to Mr. Park.
The marriage of Mr. Lichty, which occurred at Waterloo, Iowa, June 19, 1902, united him with Miss Helen J. Bellingham, and two children have blessed their union, Kenneth Bellingham and Forrest Vincent. The family attend the Church of the Brethren. Mr. Lichty is a member of the Pomona Chamber of Commerce.
HARRY W. FREYERMUTH
The enterprising, thrifty and progressive spirit, so typical of the early pioneers of the Golden State, is exemplified in the successful career of H. W. Freyermuth, the pioneer painting contractor of the Pomona Valley. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on September 4, 1866, and when six years of age the family removed to South Bend, Ind. Here he was educated and learned the trade of a painter and decorator, which business he followed in South Bend until 1893.
Believing that California offered better opportunities for enter- prising young men, Mr. Freyermuth came to Pomona, Cal., in 1893, arriving with just forty-two dollars, and after paying the freight on his furniture he had but twenty dollars to begin living in his new surround- ings and to establish himself in business. But he was rich in those in- dispensable adjuncts of large success-self-confidence and a deter- mination to surmount all obstacles-he possessed economical habits and an industrious nature. He started in the contracting, painting and decorating business and successfully followed his trade in the Pomona Valley for eighteen years, employing as many as fifteen men at one time. His business extended throughout the Pomona Valley and in-
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cluded San Dimas, Chino, Uplands, Ontario, La Verne, and besides many fine residences in Pomona he painted and decorated the State Bank building and the Brady block.
As he prospered he saved his money and invested in five acres of land on East Fifth Street, which he improved, planted to oranges, and sold. In 1910 he purchased his present fine orange grove of seventeen acres on West Cucamonga Avenue. At that time the trees were five years old and the place was very much run down, but with Mr. Freyer- muth's excellent care and management the grove has been brought up to a high state of cultivation and is among the best producers of the Valley and is now paying him a handsome profit. Of the 1000 Valen- cia orange trees, 700 are in bearing, and among the lemon trees 160 are now in bearing. From eight acres of Valencia oranges Mr. Freyer- muth received in 1918, $7800.
In addition to his orange grove Mr. Freyermuth is one of the owners of the Golden Terrace pumping plant, which furnishes ten growers in his district with water for irrigating. He packs and ships his oranges through the Indian Hill Citrus Association of North Po- mona.
In August, 1906, Mr. Freyermuth was united in marriage with Eva Mullendore, a native of Richland County, Wis., where her father located in 1854. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows and has passed through all the chairs of the order, and both himself and wife are Rebekahs. By persisting in a course of straightforward deal- ing in all of his business operations, Mr. Freyermuth has gained a gratifying degree of financial success.
JEROME A. LUDDEN
A leading man in the commercial world of Pomona, who has done much to put the important trade in drugs upon a scientific, dignified and economic basis, is Jerome A. Ludden, proprietor of the Ludden Drug Company, at 300 West Second Street,-not only a first-class, complete establishment, but historically of special interest as one of the pioneer drug companies of the city. He was born on May 16, 1881, at Win- dom, Cottonwood County, Minn., the son of Collins A. Ludden, a native of New York, now retired. He married Miss Alice C. Flint, a Kentucky belle, and together they established themselves early among a circle of devoted friends. Collins Ludden was a druggist for many years in Windom before coming to Pomona on June 15, 1895.
For the first few years he followed ranching on North San An- tonio Avenue, but he soon returned to the business to which he had al- ready given much of his life. He bought out the drug store of S. Cald- well, at 410 West Second Street, which had been established in the Valley for many years, and after a few years in that location he moved the business to 300 West Second Street, at the corner of Main, its
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present well-known location. In 1914 he sold out the establishment to his son, Jerome, and retired; and the latter has since then been respon- sible for the progressive policies of the up-to-date house. Collins Ludden has been a Mason in all the branches, including that of the Shriners; and few, if any, members are more welcome in Masonic halls. His children, all honorable and honored, and also all active in their spheres of influence, are Jerome A., Merritt W., Morris E., Amy B., and Hugh C. Ludden.
Jerome A. Ludden received his early education in the home town of Windom, Minn., and was a boy of fifteen when he reached Pomona, since which time he has been identified with the affairs of the town. He attended the Claremont high school, and completed a pharmaceutical course at the University of Southern California, from which he was graduated in 1900. He was associated with his father from the start in the Ludden Drug Company, of which, as has been said, he became sole owner in 1914. Many were the regrets at the announcement of Collins Ludden's proposed retirement, but general satisfaction was ex- pressed at the prospect of so acceptable a successor.
At Long Beach, on the 16th day of September, 1903, Mr. Ludden was married to Miss Minnie Newkirk, a native of Kansas and the daughter of Frank M. and Lilly Newkirk. She was brought to Cali- fornia when a child and reared and educated at Long Beach ; and now she is associate matron of the Eastern Star, with which organization her husband was affiliated for years. One son, Jerome A., Jr., has blessed this fortunate union. Like his father, Jerome Ludden is also a Mason and a Shriner.
ALBERT WILLIAM LYTER
An American veteran who proved his real mettle in the fierce Philippine campaigns of the Spanish-American War, and who thus established a record for such manly prowess that it is logical enough he should today be serving his fellow-men at the head of a department calling for character, common sense and courage, is Albert William Lyter, Chief of Police of Pomona. A native son, he was born at San Jose on April 21, 1880, in the family of John and Julia (Houck ) Lyter. The father was a rancher, and so afforded the lad at least a healthy, outdoor boyhood; and nowadays Chief Lyter is as fond as ever of life in the great open. John Lyter is still living, but his good wife has passed away. She was the mother of three children, all boys, and Albert is the oldest child. John Lyter was a Union soldier in the Civil War and he also took part in the war against the Indians soon after ; and when Albert was only six years old, the family was taken to Denver, where he was educated at the public schools. In 1905 the Lyters came to Los Angeles, and the following year they removed to Chino.
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Good fortune smiled upon Albert in 1910 when he came to Po- mona to live, about midway in an engagement of five years with the Southern Pacific as warehouseman; for he found at last the town that suited him best. In 1912 he joined the police force as a patrolman; and when Chief H. P. Tracy was killed in 1915, he was appointed, to everybody's satisfaction, Chief Tracy's successor. He is a Democrat in matters of paramount politics ; but gladly joins his neighbors in local movements irrespective of party claims.
When the United States was at war with Spain, Mr. Lyter joined Company E of the First Colorado Volunteers, and for a year and a half fought for honor and liberty. Finally, he received his honorable discharge with a record for attested bravery.
On June 26, 1903, Mr. Lyter was married at Denver, Colo., to Miss Clara Lucas; and three children have brought joy to their hearth; they are Donald, Harry and Robert. In fraternal affairs, Mr. Lyter is a member of the Fraternal Brotherhood.
GEORGE C. GRISWOLD
The sound business judgment of George C. Griswold was exem- plified in his selection of Pomona Valley as a section in which to estab- lish his marmalade factory. This Valley is known all over the United States as the center of the abundant production of citrus fruits of lus- cious and superior quality and the wonderful pace at which the industry is growing each year is proof that the newcomers who flock to the Val- ley yearly appreciate its superior qualifications for the propagation of the orange and lemon.
George C. Griswold was born in Milo, Bureau County, Ill., and is the son of A. R. and Mary (Swarthout) Griswold, natives of New York State, who removed to Illinois and engaged in farming in Bureau County. George C. was reared in Illinois and received his primary education in the public schools of his native state, completing the high school course at Princeton, Ill., and courses at Knox College and Cor- nell University, graduating from the latter institution in 1892 with the degree of B.L. After teaching in the University of Washington, at Seattle, for one year, he went abroad and studied three years at the University of Halle and, completing his studies, received the degree of Ph.D. at that university. Returning to his native country, he was superintendent of schools at Mendota, Ill., and Oregon, Ill. During the years he was engaged in educational work, he started a summer re- sort at Ludington, Mich. He subdivided the place, built and sold cot- tages and lots and erected the hotel and store there.
After coming to Claremont in 1909, he would return to Michigan in the summers to look after his affairs there, until he disposed of his holdings in 1912, since which time he has given California business all
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of his attention. He began the manufacture of marmalade in a small way, simply because he was interested in it and wanted something to do. The first year it was prepared over the family cook stove and each year the amount was increased. Introducing the product in the East, his business grew and now he has built a large plant on Foothill Boulevard, equipped with the latest machinery and methods for the preparation, packing and shipping of the goods. He makes a specialty of orange marmalade; he ships a great many packages by express to eastern points, filling orders of tourists to send to their friends, now about 800 packages a year. The capacity of the plant is about one hundred dozen jars of marmalade per day and each year the production is increased.
In Phoenix, Ariz., Mr. Griswold was married to Grace Brooks, a native of Oregon, Ill., and they have two daughters, Mary Louise and Dorothy. In his religious convictions, Mr. Griswold is a Uni- tarian, and in national politics he adheres to the principles of the Re- publican platform; fraternally, he is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta, and was made a Mason in Seattle, Wash., and now is a member of the Claremont Lodge of Masons.
CARL H. LORBEER
A splendid and inspiring illustration of the possibility of one making a success of a business or professional undertaking and at the same time giving much time, thought and faithful attention to a move- ment for the uplift of society, is afforded by Carl H. Lorbeer, wire chief and assistant manager of the Pomona Valley Telephone & Tele- graph Company, who, a native son most proud of his association with the Golden State, was born at Pomona on August 25, 1884. He at- tended the Pomona grammar and high schools, and was graduated from Pomona College in 1906, after making a specialty of biology and general science.
For two years previous to his graduation, Mr. Lorbeer was a collector for the Home Telephone Company, and he has been with them ever since. He started in to learn the business from the lowest round of the ladder, and now he is next to the head in the practical management of the establishment.
On November 19, 1908, at Pomona, Mr. Lorbeer was married to Miss Rose Andersen, born in Pawnee City, Nebr., the daughter of R. C. Andersen, now of Pomona, and by her he has had two children, C. Richard and Mary Louise. He and his family are members of the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Pomona, and he is the teacher of the Baraca class of the Sunday School.
While a student in Pomona College, Mr. Lorbeer belonged to the Lyceum and Debating Club, and as a member of the track team
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he was one of the best track men that the college ever turned out. This experience doubtless had much to do with his active interest in the Boys' Brigade, of which he has been first lieutenant for the past twelve years, and which has proven a large factor in promoting a high standard of young manhood among the boys of this city. The brigade company was organized in the old Pilgrim Congregational Church, when it was located at the corner of Third and Thomas streets, and from a start of twenty-three boys the company has grown rapidly until the membership had to be closed because of the lack of room. The new recruits were largely from the ranks of boys not attending any Sunday school, and the officers of Pilgrim school found it hard to obtain teachers fast enough to take care of the increase.
During the years since its organization, the company has never lost its momentum, and hundreds of boys, between the ages of twelve and eighteen years, have benefited by the splendid training gained in the organization. It has been found necessary each year to limit its membership, although the splendid gymnasium of Pilgrim Church affords much larger quarters and equipment far more efficient and sat- isfactory than did the first home of the brigade, which was in the rented hall of the second floor just west of the First National Bank.
A recent report of the brigade serves to show something of the careful work done by Mr. Lorbeer and the other officers :
"Starting with a small company of boys, it grew in a few weeks to many times its first number. Hundreds of boys have been drawn into the Sunday School as active, earnest scholars, for each boy must keep up a certain efficiency in order to retain his membership. As Sun- day School attendance is the main object of the brigade, the result has been that the average attendance at the weekly drill and Sunday School is over 92 per cent., which means almost a perfect attendance for each drill night, and a large number of boys receive each year splendid medals, many of the boys reaching one hundred per cent., which means a perfect attendance for each drill night and Sunday School.
"Pilgrim School has an almost unmatched record for having more boys in attendance than girls, which is due to the brigade. Teachers in the public schools have many times expressed themselves at the remark- able change enacted in the character and actions of boys who have been thought unmanageable. This, together with the high compliments ex- tended by the superintendent of schools, shows the value of the military training which is carried on in the company.
"Being a military organization and the boys efficiently instructed in military drill, when the government decided to install military drill in our public schools, the superintendent of schools invited the officers of the brigade company to meet him at his office, where he stated that the new system would require experienced boys to officer the new com- panies about to be formed, and he would ask their cooperation, and the cooperation of the boys of the brigade to help make the new system
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quickly efficient. This patriotic preparedness became a large factor in the success of our school military system. During the entire history of the company, the same officers have given unstinted labor to perfect the organization."
IGNACIO O. VEJAR
An experienced, painstaking and successful steward of one of the historic old ranch properties of Southern California is Ignacio O. Vejar, like his good wife -- a descendant of the path-breaking Yorbas -a representative of some of the best pioneer stock in the state. He was born at Spadra, in the Pomona Valley, on April 6, 1879, the son of Ramon Vejar, and the grandson of Ricardo, both of whom are mentioned in more detail in the life story of Ramon Vejar, printed elsewhere in this work. Ricardo came from San Diego, and was a son of that Salvador Vejar, a native of Spain come to Mexico, whom the Mission Fathers obtained to help build the Missions, particularly that at San Gabriel. Ricardo settled in the early days on the San José Rancho, lived in an old adobe and ran two stores; made friends with the Indians, when they were friendly, and fought them when they were not. Ramon, still living and honored of all who know him, his gray hairs evidencing the snows of almost ninety winters, long farmed his share of the estate, and married Teresa Palomares, the daughter of Ignacio Palomares, whose name the town of Palomares bore --- one of the "boom" towns of the late eighties, when town lots were sold to the hungry and thirsty who came for free barbecue, coffee, lemonade, and even (and for that time rather a luxury) ice water, without money and without price. There were twelve children in this flourishing family of Ramon and Teresa Vejar, and Ignacio was the seventh in the order of birth.
He attended the public schools of Pomona, and then took a busi- ness course at Lordsburg College, after which he assisted his father to manage the home place. Later, he spent three years in Guatemala, Central America, as foreman of a large coffee plantation, and while there had an excellent opportunity to witness the evolution of a Central American revolution, and the tactics of the revolutionists. There were many stirring events, and he had not a few narrow escapes. Having returned to California and his home place, he has since been manager of his father's ranch, which is in walnut trees and yields large crops. Under his far-sighted management, this ranch has year by year eclipsed its own record of excellent performance, and is today rather a show place for those making a study of ranch development. Mr. Vejar has six acres of his own set to oranges; and it goes without saying that they constitute a model property.
When Ignacio Vejar married, in Anaheim, March 12, 1905, he allied himself, through Miss Mary Yorba, a native of Orange County,
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with one of the oldest and most illustrious of the Spanish-American pioneers; and with their children, Viola, Leo and Carrie, all of whom still attend school, they add to the number of devout communicants of the Roman Catholic Church. Mrs. Vejar is a daughter of Don Vin- cente and Erolinda (Cota) Yorba. Her grandfather, Bernardo Yorba, was one of the largest landowners in Orange County. Vincente Yorba died on his ranch at Yorba, being survived by his widow. Mrs. Yorba was the third oldest of their six children, and was educated in the public schools and at the Pomona Business College. Mr. Vejar is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
THURMAN J. STEVES
In few things, perhaps, has California been more fortunate, on the average, than in the high order of men to whom has been entrusted the direction of her municipalities; and this has never been better illustrated than in the case of Thurman J. Steves, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of La Verne. He was born in Redwood County, Minn., on January 1, 1879, the son of Jonathan Steves, a native of Montreal, Canada, who came with his parents when a boy to Redwood County, Minn., where he grew up and became a successful farmer, and he is still living, honored of a wide circle of friends. He married Miss Lydia Wiggins, a native of Minnesota, by whom he had four chil- dren, Ray of La Verne ; May, who has become Mrs. Herbert Schisler, living at Pomona ; another daughter, Pearl, now Mrs. J. B. Cleaver, also of Pomona; and Thurman J., the subject of our review, who is the oldest of all.
Twenty-six years ago Jonathan Steves came to La Verne from Minnesota, and bought five acres of raw land on East Third Street, where he planted an orange grove, so that he was one of the pioneers that pointed the way to success in that field. That grove, brought to a good state of perfection, he still owns. He served for four years as a city trustee of La Verne, and is now a director in the Old Baldy Water Company.
Thurman Steves was educated in the local schools, and for four years worked at the old Evergreen Orange Ranch, where he followed the orange industry in the Valley. He now owns an orange grove of five acres, and is half owner with his father in another grove of ten acres of oranges in bearing. He, too, has become an active developer hereabouts of the orange industry, his five-acre ranch, for example, in 1919 having produced 3,000 boxes of Navel oranges valued at $5,000-a fine record. He is secretary and treasurer of the Old Baldy Water Company, which he helped to organize, a fine system that serves no less than thirty-three growers with irrigating water. A believer in cooperation for fruit growers Mr. Steves was a member of
J. Sativus
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North Pomona Exchange until the La Verne Orange Growers Ex- change was started, since which time he has been a member of it. He has been a city trustee for five years, and at present presides over the deliberations of that august town body.
In September, 1904, at La Verne, Mr. Steves was married to Miss Amy Lapp, of Iowa, and a daughter of Jacob and Amy Lapp; and two daughters have blessed the fortunate union-Marion and May. The family are members of the Brethren Church of La Verne, of which Mr. Steves is a trustee and an active worker, being the teacher of the Men's Bible Class. Mayor Steves was active in all Red Cross, war and Liberty Bond drives, and also serves as a trustee of the well- organized and well-conducted La Verne public school.
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