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 55
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Both Professor and Mrs. Haugh took post-graduate courses and studied vocal music with Prof. D. A. Clippinger of Chicago, Ill .; additionally he took a course in harmony and ear training as well as a course at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. In 1904 they came to La Verne College as teachers of music and expression. After remaining at the college for three years they returned to Chicago, where Professor Haugh taught piano and voice at the Bethany Bible School and his wife, while teaching expression at Bethany, studied three years at the Bible School and also finished her course at Co- lumbia College of Expression. While in Chicago they were members . of the Madrigal Club, a musical organization which gave regular concerts in the Music Hall and at the University of Chicago. In 1911-1912 they became teachers at McPherson College, their old Alma Mater, where Mr. Haugh was head of the vocal department and Mrs. Haugh of the school of expression. In the fall of 1913 they returned to La Verne College, where they have since held their respective professorships.
Mrs. Haugh received the degree of A. B. from La Verne Col- lege, and preceding this she took a course at the University of Southern California and is still continuing the study of voice at that institution under Professor Cogswell, thus developing her beautiful lyric soprano voice with which she has so often favored Pomona Valley audiences and given so much thorough enjoyment and pleasure. She is a gifted woman of a charming and pleasing personality, being much loved and esteemed by her numerous students who have the good fortune to study under her as a teacher of expression. She also displays much ยท talent as an artist, having taken a three years' course in painting, and her home is beautifully decorated with paintings from her own brush.
The summer of 1915 Mr. and Mrs. Haugh spent at Berkeley, taking special courses at the University of California. Both are inveterate workers and are never idle. Aside from his numerous duties Professor Haugh continues his study and research in music and has almost completed a course for the degree of Bachelor of Music at the University of Southern California. As an author he has composed several hymns and vocal solos; among the latter is "Twi- light by the Sea," and all have met with a favorable reception. Pro- tessor and Mrs. Haugh have a host of admirers, and at their beautiful home on Fourth and E Streets they enjoy dispensing the good old-time hospitality to their many friends, who thoroughly appreciate their comradeship and cheer. As members of the Church of the Brethren
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they have for years been leaders of the chorus and congregational singing, and Mr. Haugh further has been selected as the musical director of the annual general conferences of the church held at Los Angeles, Des Moines, Iowa, and at Winona Lake, Ind. At the Los Angeles Conference, held at the Temple Baptist Auditorium in 1907, he was paid a glowing tribute by the late Robert J. Burdette for the masterful way in which he directed the vast assembly.
Their faithful efforts to develop the technical proficiency of their pupils as well as to cultivate an appreciation of the aesthetic side of the art have borne rich fruitage, and there is no question that in devot- ing their lives to teaching music and expression, Professor Haugh and his accomplished wife are in their proper sphere. In their work at La Verne College they have successfully brought forth "Queen Esther" and "Joseph," dramatic cantatas, and given many other musical entertainments. Mrs. Haugh, in her career as a teacher in various places, has staged a number of difficult plays which have been successfully produced to large, appreciative audiences, repetitions being given by request. Among them are: In His Steps, Lost Para- dise, The Servant in the House, Price of the Prairie, and Rose O' Plymouthtown. During the recent war they were active in Y. M. C. A. work, visited Camp Kearny, sang at hospitals and used their talent in entertaining the soldier boys.
ETHAN G. BANGLE
A prominent real-estate operator of Pomona who has put through many important deals of direct bearing on the future of both the city and the Valley, is Ethan G. Bangle, who is a native son, born near Rivera, in Los Angeles County, on September 26, 1884, the son of John and Mary (Buchanan) Bangle, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. Mary (Buchanan) Bangle comes of promi- nent old American stock on her paternal side, being a second cousin of President James Buchanan ; on the maternal side she is a descendant of the Monroe family and a third cousin of President James Monroe. Mr. and Mrs. Bangle crossed the plains to California in the stirring fifties. He settled at length near Rivera, and became one of the earliest walnut growers of Southern California, engaging in that line for many years. Mr. Bangle experimented with different varieties of walnuts, and in order to secure the best nuts obtainable he brought in walnuts from different countries, and so has the distinction of intro- ducing the soft-shell English walnuts in California, which has become the most popular and profitable variety grown here. In time he came to own the largest walnut orchard in the state, and his exhibit of wal- nuts at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893 brought the first prize, so it is easily seen what a prominent part he took in forwarding the horticultural interests of the state.
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Ethan began with the ordinary school advantages at Rivera, and topped off his studies at the Southern California Business College in Los Angeles. Then he learned the trade of a brick mason, and in partnership with his brother, James A. Bangle, followed brick, cement and concrete contracting in Los Angeles, Pasadena and Sierra Madre. Later, alone, he continued contracting until 1909, when he located in Pomona, and entered on his career in real estate. He has made a specialty of buying and selling alfalfa ranches in the Chino district of the Valley, and has also dealt largely in orange and lemon ranches. In 1912 Ira Neibel became his partner, which was continued until Mr. Neibel's death in 1915, and a year later he entered into a partner- ship with L. M. Mills. Mr. Bangle has been very successful, and during his eleven years' experience he and his partners have a record second to none, and it is the consensus of opinion of those qualified to judge that he has sold more real estate than has any other firm during the same period.
On August 22, 1906, at Los Angeles, Mr. Bangle was married to Gertrude Martin, a native of Illinois, who was educated in Whittier and Los Angeles. Three children have been born to them: Carl Orville, Harold E. and Wilma. Mr. Bangle is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and belongs to the Knights of Pythias of Pomona, in which order he is past chancellor commander, and there is no more welcome member in that flourishing order.
THADDEUS SMART
A man of virile character who has led an active life, full of interest and the vigorous prosecution of his chosen occupation, Thad- deus Smart was born in Marshall County, W. Va., January 20, 1840. He was raised there and received his education in the country schools of that state. In the spring of 1865 he removed to La Salle County, Ill., and bought a 160-acre farm, and the next thirty years of his life were devoted to the development of this acreage. He met with the success which comes to all men of his caliber, and became noted for his business-like and thorough methods of farming, and as a raiser of fine blooded stock, a prominent man in his district.
Mr. Smart maintained a dairy in connection with his farm, and helped build the cheese factory at Dana, Ill., and was a stockholder and director of the company. His Shorthorn and Holstein dairy cows were of the best of their breed, and his Poland-China hogs were of fine blooded stock. He imported a pure-blood Belgian stallion, "Brilliant," which he exhibited at the Wenona, Ill., Union Fair, and received second premium on sweepstakes over sixty head of horses; his brood mares were of Norman stock, and he raised and sold many fine colts in his stables, which were noted throughout that part of the state. During his residence there Mr. Smart served as school trustee
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and as superintendent of roads. When he sold his farm he moved to Storm Lake, Iowa, bought 400 acres of land and farmed it for two years, then decided to come to California and enjoy the remainder of his life in this balmy climate. He had made three previous winter trips to the state, and after looking around, decided that Pomona was the ideal place for a home.
In October, 1905, Mr. Smart settled in Pomona,and purchased a lot and erected a home at 263 East Fourth Street, where he lives retired from active cares and enjoying the fruits of his early industry. He has never regretted his choice of Pomona for his home, and is a firm believer in even greater future prosperity for this section of the state.
The marriage of Mr. Smart, in 1862, united him with Isabelle Cox, a native of West Virginia, and two daughters were born to them : Mrs. I. Kemp of Bloomington, Ill., and Nancy Smart, who keeps house for her father. The wife and mother passed on in January, 1917.
JOSEPH A. FITCH
An enterprising operator on a large scale in Pomona real estate, who has done much, through his unique methods of advertising, to make known to the outside world the advantages and attractions of the homelike city and flourishing Valley, thereby not only showing his own faith in the future through investment in land and other property, but inducing many others to settle here and establish themselves com- fortably, is Joseph A. Fitch, the well-known real estate agent. He was born in Ontario, Canada, the son of the Rev. Heman and Amanda (Corlis) Fitch, both of whom are now deceased.
Joseph A. Fitch was educated at the public schools of Canada, and during an active boyhood and youth laid an excellent foundation for later aggressiveness, despite the fact that he spent all of his time in his home town prior to coming to California. In the middle of the nineties he moved west to Riverside County, and there he lived for five years, getting acquainted with Californian ways.
At the beginning of the century, he came to Pomona, assured of the superior openings here, and for a couple of years was connected with a large department store, having charge of one of the depart- ments. His farsightedness, however, showed him the far greater field in California realty, and especially in lands with their steadily appre- ciating values around Pomona, and giving up general merchandising, he became a broker in real estate. Since he launched his original cam- paign here, it may be truthfully said that no one has done more to advertise this favored region of the Golden State. A very active sup- porter of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Fitch is also influential in the councils of the Republican party.
Schungen N. Paul
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Mr. Fitch married Miss Charlotte A. Montrose of Ontario, Canada ; and one daughter, Rosa P., now deceased, and one son, W. Warren Fitch, now a practicing dentist in Pomona, blessed the union. Mr. Fitch belongs to the Masonic order, holding membership in the lodge, chapter, council and commandery in Pomona, and the Shrine in Los Angeles.
The success attained by this wide-awake and thoroughly progres- sive representative of the best business spirit in Pomona is not surpris- ing, for he has both ventured and invested heavily hereabouts, and so has been able easily to inspire others with faith to "go and do likewise" -excellent advice whenever applicable to Pomona and environs.
SCHUYLER HOWARD PARK
The steady growth Pomona has made attracts the attention of men of affairs who appreciate the fact that it is a rich and ample field for the sagacious use of money, brains and energy. In 1914 the wholesale and retail flour and feed house of Park & Lichty was estab- lished, and from its inception proved a success. On August 15, 1919, Mr. Park purchased his partner's interest in the business and con- tinues alone, and is doing a large business, which has been a valuable aid in the development and upbuilding of Pomona.
Schuyler Howard Park was born at Cranford, N. J., February 5, 1880, and is of English and Scotch extraction. He is the son of Noel Robertson and Edith (Norwood) Park. The father, who con- ducted a grocery and coffee brokerage business in New York City, was a member of the National Guard of New York, and during the Civil War served in the Twenty-second New York Volunteer In- fantry, and was ranking captain when he retired after the close of the war.
In a family of four boys and one girl, Schuyler Howard is the fourth child. He received his education in the public and high schools of his home town and was a student at Princeton University for four years. He afterwards became a salesman for the National Biscuit Company, and during the four years that he was in their employ traveled to California in the interests of his firm. His first trip to Los Angeles was in 1905. It was the old story again repeated. He became enraptured with the land that has caused so many Easterners to forsake their former homes when once they have visited the land by the Western sea, with its vistas of distant mountains, its rich and luxuriant valleys, and its blue skies rivalling those of far-famed Italy. Mr. Park purchased an orange grove north of Pomona, lived on it four years, then disposed of it and in 1914 embarked in his present business.
On July 12, 1906, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Blakeman at Pomona. Two children have been born to them, Noel
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Robertson and Rufus Blakeman by name. In politics Mr. Park favors the Democratic party, but considers the character and qualifications of the candidate, supporting the man best fitted for the office, regard- less of party affiliations. In his religious convictions he is a Presby- terian. He is a member of the Pomona Chamber of Commerce, and finds wholesome recreation in out-of-door life.
DR. FRANCIS HEMAN GEER
A man who by his devotion to the upbuilding and development of Claremont has endeared himself to the citizens of the place is Dr. Francis Heman Geer, a physician and surgeon of high repute, well known in the various sections of the country in which he has resided. He is descended from good old New England stock and is a native of Conneautville, Pa., where he was born December 18, 1848, the son of Heman and Lydia (Williams) Geer, natives respectively of Vermont and Connecticut. Heman Geer was educated at Oberlin College, being graduated from the Theological department and then ordained a minister in the Congregational Church. He preached in Ohio, Mich- igan, Kansas and Iowa, but most of the time was spent in Ohio, al- though he died in Iowa. His widow survived him fourteen years, pass- ing away in Nebraska. During the Civil War Reverend Geer was a member of the Christian Commission and for a time stationed at City Point.
In the family of six children born to this worthy couple, Doctor Geer is the third in order of birth. Reared in Ohio, he received his education primarily in the public schools, then studied at Oberlin Col- lege, working his way through college. He had a talent for singing, and being endowed with a beautiful lyric tenor voice, he studied vocal music. During his college course he spent some time at Olivet College, Michigan, where he had charge of the Conservatory of Music. Re- turning to Oberlin, he was graduated in 1871 with the degree of A.B. After taking up the study of medicine, his first year was at Wooster University, Ohio, and while there sang in the churches in Cleveland, which assisted him towards his degree, as well as teaching school at Chillicothe, Ohio, to make his way through the medical school. He completed his medical course at Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati; where he was graduated in 1877 with the degree of M.D., a self-made man, having earned the money with which he secured his education. He afterwards took post-graduate courses in Chicago and New York. After practicing his profession in Ohio, he removed to Columbus, Platte County, Nebr. There he practiced for some years and then located in Chicago and while there was assistant to Dr. F. H. Martin in the Post-Graduate Medical College for two years, when he again returned to Columbus, Nebr., and resumed the practice of medicine
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and surgery, building up a very large practice and becoming well and favorably known. This continual strain for twenty-one years made inroads on his health and the necessity for change of climate caused him to come to Los Angeles, Cal., in 1904, and in 1905 he came to the Pomona Valley. It was in 1907 that he located in Claremont. In time he became owner of four residences which he afterwards turned over to Claremont College. He was chairman of the board of city trustees for four years and as mayor gave the city a good administration. He has been intensely interested in improving the cemetery, it being a hobby of his, and as superintendent has seen to the improvements and care of it for nine years, until it has became a beautiful garden spot. Doctor Geer is also the city health officer.
Doctor Geer's first marriage, in Ohio, March 24, 1872, united him with Miss Alice Howard, born at Rock Creek, Ashtabula County, Ohio, of whom he was bereaved in Claremont. Two children had been born of the union : Ella, deceased, and Howard, an electrical engineer in Columbus, Nebr. June 24, 1910, Doctor Geer married again, be- ing united with Mrs. Mary Ellis, a native of Vermont. In politics he is a Republican. Doctor Geer was made a Mason in Globe Lodge at Madison, Nebr. He is also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, the Knight Templars, and a member of Tangier Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He feels a warm interest in the future of Pomona Valley and its advancement in all lines and his efforts are unselfishly devoted to the general welfare of the community. A talented man, endowed with a pleasing personality, Doctor Geer is much enjoyed and highly es- teemed by everyone and his example is well worthy of emulation.
PHEBE ESTELLE SPALDING, PH.D.
Marked success has attended the career of Phebe Estelle Spald- ing, Ph.D., teacher, author, lecturer, and professor of English litera- ture at Pomona College, Claremont, Cal., since 1899.
She was born at Westfield, Vt., March 13, 1859, and is the daughter of the Rev. B. P. and Ann ( Folsom) Spalding. Her father, a Methodist divine, was a leading light in his denomination in Ver- mont and New Hampshire, who spent his last years in North Dakota.
In a family of four children, all of whom are living, Phebe Estelle Spalding is the third child in order of birth. She was educated in the district schools of Vermont and New Hampshire and took an academic course at Montpelier, Vt. She became in her early teens a teacher in the district schools of New England, afterwards teaching for a brief period in the public schools of North Dakota. She was principal of a school at Moorhead, Minn., for two years, then entered Carleton College, in Minnesota, as a student, graduating from the literary de- partment of the institution in 1889 with the degree of B.L. From
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Carleton she came direct to Pomona College, at Claremont, Cal., where she became an instructor, and was soon afterwards elected pro- fessor of English literature. She traveled abroad in 1898-99, vis- iting England and the Continent, and during this time obtained material for a thesis on Wordsworth, in recognition of which in 1900 the degree of M.L. was conferred upon her by her alma mater. After several more years spent in teaching, she attended Boston Uni- versity in 1909-10, receiving the degree of Ph.D. from that institution, her work there being a distinctive thesis on the English Chronicle plays of Shakespeare. In the spring of 1914 she went to England and was there at the breaking out of the World War, remaining until October of that year, when she returned to her home. During these years, she has been an occasional lecturer and a contributor to academic periodicals chiefly on interpretative studies in literature and art. Her first book, "Womanhood in Art," was published in 1905. Among other later literary works from her pen is the booklet poem, "The Master Came," published in 1906, and "The Tahquitch Maiden," published in 1911.
Professor Spalding is a member of the Congregational Church, and in club affiliations is an honorary member of the Shakespeare Club, and of the Woman's Club of Pomona; and an active member of the Rembrandt Club, and the Cactus Club, Claremont. She is a member and ex-president of the Phi Beta Kappa Gamma chapter of California and is a member of the Claremont chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
A woman of fine characteristics, genial manner and personal magnetism, she has used her rare mental endowments in furthering the cause of education and for the good of the common weal and among her host of admiring friends her companionship is a pleasure never to be forgotten.
CLINTON BERTRAM AFFLERBAUGH
Prominent in the civic, business and social life of Pomona, Clinton Bertram Afflerbaugh has been a resident of the city since a small lad of eleven years, and has both watched the city grow and has been a part of its growth. Born in Clay County, Nebr., October 11, 1887, he is the son of Thomas J. and Carrie Afflerbaugh, the father a pioneer of Nebraska, where he engaged in ranching. The family came to California in 1898 and the parents now reside in Claremont.
Clinton Bertram Afferbaugh received his education in the public and high schools of Pomona, and was one of the first class that entered the new high school. After graduating from that institution he took a course in pharmacy at the University of Southern California, finish-
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ing in 1906. He then entered the employ of Mr. E. E. Armour at Pomona for one year; then was with the Owl Drug Company at Los Angeles for a year and a half.
After this preliminary business experience Mr. Afflerbaugh opened his new, modern drug-store in Pomona, and the firm has been very successful from its first opening. Progressive in every sense of the word, Mr. Afflerbaugh has carried that characteristic into his business life, and his store ranks equal to the best in its line. Besides his busi- ness interests, Mr. Afflerbaugh takes an active part in the work of the Pomona Chamber of Commerce, was a director in 1916, and always a willing worker for the advancement of community interests. He also interests himself in civic affairs, and was elected, in April, 1919, alderman of the fourth ward, to serve in the city council. Among his other work to bring Pomona to the fore in Southern California, he has taken an active part in the floral pageants, both here and at Pasadena, designing and decorating his own floats, and his float took a prize at one of the Rose Carnivals at the latter city, and first prize in his home town of Pomona, in 1915, and again in 1919, during the Pageant of Progress.
The marriage of Mr. Afflerbaugh, which occurred September 19, 1907, on Pomona, united him with Miss Edna Fich of Pomona, and they have been blessed with one child, Kenneth Jack. Fraternally, Mr. Afflerbaugh is a member of the Pomona Lodge of Elks, and was exalted ruler of the order in 1915. Always athletic and fond of out- door life and fishing, during his high-school days he was well known in football circles and was chosen for the all-star team. In these busy days he still enjoys his outdoor recreation when possible, taking an especial pleasure in plying the fisherman's rod. In political matters he is of the Republican party, and in church affairs the family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Pomona Valley might almost be said to have more than its share of progressive, wide-awake men of this caliber, and to this fact is due the really remarkable growth evidenced here within the last ten years.
LEWIS N. SMITH
We find in writing the history of Pomona Valley, so many men and women who have come here to make their home, from all quarters of the globe, and from occupations totally different, eager to take up a branch of development work as new to them as their surroundings, and to adapt themselves and all work toward the common welfare; a remarkable illustration of what mankind can accomplish when actu- ated by the best of human motives, the good of the many. Among these, we find Lewis N. Smith, a horticulturist in the Claremont section. Born in Wilmington, Vt., October 10, 1840, he is the son of Ruel and Lucinda (Adams) Smith, natives of Ashford, Conn., and
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Wilmington, Vt. His father came to Vermont when four years of age and they were farmers at Wilmington ; the mother having passed away when Lewis N. was but four years old.
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