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 67
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REV. ALFRED INWOOD
Among the early pastors who preached in Pomona Valley is Rev. Alfred Inwood, pastor of Trinity Methodist Church at Pomona. He was born in Bedfordshire, England, December 17, 1859, and completed his education at St. Peter's College, Wexford, Ireland, and at St. Peter's Medical College, Dublin, Ireland. In 1886 he received the degree of A.B. from the College of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Wash., and in 1913 received the degree of D.D. from the same col- lege, and came to California in 1887, taking his first charge in Ontario, San Bernardino County, in that year. Since that time he has been actively identified with the Methodist Church in Southern Cali- fornia. For the past thirty-one years he has been associated with the Southern California Conference, fifteen years of that time being regis- trar of the conference. For six years he was superintendent of the San Diego district, and also preached in Long Beach and Los Angeles. He
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was a delegate to the General Conference for two sessions, and he has been trustee of the University of Southern California at Los Angeles for ten years. He was field superintendent of the Methodist Hospital at Los Angeles for two years, resigning the office in October, 1918, to take charge of the Trinity M. E. Church at Pomona. The Trinity Methodist Church at Pomona was organized in 1907, and occupies a fine modern church building on Pearl Street. The church has made a rapid growth, and numbers over 700 members. It is supporting two missionaries, Miss Ethel McClintock in Mexico City and Sidney E. Edwards in San Josè, Costa Rica.
Reverend Inwood was united in marriage with Miss Anna G. Wil- liams, a native of Canada, and their union has been blessed with the birth of six children, four now living: Gertrude A., Pauline M., Alfred E. and Esther.
DANIEL WALTER ANDERSON
Among the successful dairymen of Pomona Valley, Daniel W. Anderson deserves special mention for what he has accomplished by his own unaided efforts. He was born December 25, 1877, in Wayne County, Iowa, and was brought up in Monroe County in that state and, having followed agricultural pursuits all his life, is thoroughly con- versant with all that leads to success in his chosen vocation. His earliest recollections are in connection with his father's farm, where as a boy he followed the plow when he was so small he could barely reach the handles of the implement. He paid a visit to California in 1904, with the usual result-he returned in 1912 to remain.
Mr. Anderson leased land at Compton, Los Angeles County, the first year of his residence in the state, then purchased his present place of four acres at the corner of South Towne and Franklin avenues, Pomona, and began to build up a herd of pure-blood Holsteins. After making the subject a study he considers the Holstein breed the most satisfactory, as they are more rugged and greater milk producers than other breeds. He had a heifer with her first calf which gave seven gallons of milk daily the first year; the second year the same cow with her second calf averaged nine gallons daily for five months. His test of butterfat ran from 3.9 to 4.4 per cent. on the whole herd. The first two years he raised his own feed, but now considers it more economical to purchase it. For eighteen months he shipped his milk to the Cres- cent Creamery at Los Angeles, and in a test for bacteria, including milk from over one hundred dairies, the milk from his dairy was pro- nounced superior to all the others.
He also raises peaches and apricots on his ranch and from a crop from a few trees in 1917 received $476. The gross receipts from his ranch in 1918 were $15,000. This represented the work of himself
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and a helper. He has built up and sold two herds of Holsteins. The first, in 1914, which consisted of twenty-nine head, sold for $3000. In February, 1919, he sold what was considered the best herd in Southern California, consisting of fifty head, which brought $10,500. This is a sample of the increase in values in the past five years. He is now building up another herd from the same stock and already has twenty heifers. His stables and milk houses are up-to-date, modern and sanitary.
On April 6, 1914, Mr. Anderson married Carolyn E. Smith, a native of Los Angeles County, whose father, W. H. Smith, is also a native of Southern California, and whose mother, Sarah Law Smith, was born in Northamptonshire, England. Mrs. Anderson's grand- father, J. A. Smith, known as "Section" Smith, was a Los Angeles County pioneer, with the further distinction of having been a school- mate of President J. A. Garfield, and of being related to General Burnside. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of two children, native Californians, Walter K. and Dale Law. Mr. Anderson is a self-made man, who began life with the assets of strong hands, courage, a willing heart and good judgment. His success is due to persistent effort, and the sagacious use of his natural endowments. He is es- teemed by his many friends in the community in which he resides.
ELMER ELLSWORTH KELLY, M.D.
A distinguished representative of the medical profession of Cali- fornia, who promptly and generously tendered his services to the gov- ernment at the entrance of the United States into the war, is Elmer Ellsworth Kelly, the well-known physician and surgeon of Pomona, who was born in Mills County, Iowa, on September 25, 1861, the son of the Rev. Isaac and Ruth (Smith) Kelly, both of whom gave their lives for ministerial and missionary work in the Methodist Church. Both parents were natives of Ohio.
After having located for a while at Oakland and San Jose, the family came to Pomona in 1898; and here the father died in 1905, while the mother enjoyed life for another five years. She was the mother of twelve children-of whom nine are living-and Elmer Ells- worth was the ninth child and seventh son in the order of birth.
He was educated at the public schools of Iowa and at the Malvern Academy, and in 1885 he graduated from Simpson College with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, later receiving the master's degree. He then studied medicine at Cooper Medical College in San Francisco, from which he was graduated in 1887.
After graduating, Doctor Kelly practiced for twenty-three years in San Francisco, and in 1910 he came to Pomona to live. In 1889-90, he demonstrated anatomy in Cooper Medical College, and from 1896
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to 1901 he was professor of anatomy in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco. In 1907 he was president of the San Fran- cisco Medical Society, and in 1898-99 he was a member of the State Board of Medical Examiners. He belongs to the American Medical Association, the State and County Medical Societies and the Academy of Medicine of San Francisco.
For eighteen years Doctor Kelly has been a member of the State Executive Committee of the Y. M. C. A., and twice he was honored with the presidency of the state convention. He was chief medical examiner of the local exemption board during the war, and took an active interest in all war work, contributing time, effort and money whenever possible.
In 1901 Doctor Kelly was married to Miss Annie G. Phillips, of Boston, daughter of Charles Phillips, an engineer, and by her he has had one child, Phillip Ellsworth Kelly. The family attend the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. Doctor Kelly is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar and a Shriner.
NELSON GRANT McCAIN
A thoroughly-trained, practical builder whose experience alone is a valuable asset both to himself and the community in which he oper- ates, is Nelson Grant McCain, who is very naturally interested in every building movement in the Valley. He was born in Buchanan County, Mo., on April 20, 1863, son of the Rev. Nelson McCain, who was both a Methodist minister and a farmer and acted for four years as chaplain with the Northern Army during the Civil War. He married Mary Ritchie, daughter of John D. Ritchie. Mrs. McCain is still liv- ing at the ripe age of four score, while her husband had attained the more advanced age of eighty-nine, passing away April 7, 1919. There were six girls and four boys in the family, of whom our subject was the fifth child born, but the other three sons are deceased.
Nelson was educated at the common schools of Missouri and the high school of Hamburg, Iowa, finishing his schooling in Kansas, where he remained with his parents until he was twenty years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade.
At the beginning of the great boom period in California, in 1886, Mr. McCain first came to California and located at Pomona; and here he has continued to live, with the exception of three years. Dur- ing this time he has built some of the modern business blocks, among them the State Bank, the Capital Grocery Building and the Home Furniture Block, as well as the old High School, and many of the finest residences in the city. All of his work, where the conditions permitted, has been marked with substantiality and sensible ornamentation.
Mr. McCain, who is a Republican, is commissioner of the Second
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Ward, although never a seeker for public office. His many friends requested him to run and-that meant his election by handsome ma- jorities. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and stands ready to boost Pomona against all competitors in or outside of the Valley.
At McPherson, Kans., on May 3, 1886, Mr. McCain was mar- ried to Miss Minnie Maltby of Kansas, by whom he has had six chil- dren-three boys and three girls-all enjoying an enviable popularity. Mr. McCain belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Elks, and few mem- bers are more popular there.
HUGH S. TEITSWORTH
Thanks to the high-grade character of the service once introduced and ever since maintained by Hugh S. Teitsworth, Pomonans given to motoring have long ago learned that in seeking first-class auto and machine repairing they need go no further than the Studebaker Service Station, at 410 East Second Street, one of the best-equipped shops in all the Valley.
On May 24, 1887, Mr. Teitsworth, the son of Minor C. and Anna (Nelson) Teitsworth, was born in the bustling city of Min- neapolis, where he commenced his schooling under the best of advan- tages, but when he was nine years of age he removed, with his parents, to Los Angeles, and there finished his education under the direction of his father, who was a teacher. Later he took a very comprehensive course in electrical engineering in the Scranton Correspondence School, and after the thorough training there, found no difficulty in getting a first-class engagement at the famous store of the H. Jevne Company, at Broadway and Sixth Street, Los Angeles.
After two years with that firm, he took up the mechanical end of auto repairing and worked as a machinist in the repair shops of the Pacific Aviation and Motor Car Company, the Maxwell Company and the Knox Auto Company, thereby gaining a complete knowledge of the electrical and mechanical features of the automobile. Then, in 1913, he located at Pomona, where he entered the employ of the A. L. Wood Garage on East Monterey Street as a machinist. Later he formed a partnership with Fred Duvall as a partner, under the firm name of Duvall & Teitsworth, and took over the garage and machine shop, conducting the same for two years. They then transferred their business to the Studebaker Garage at 410 East Second Street, where they devote their time to expert repairing.
In October, 1917, Mr. Teitsworth bought out his partner, and now he is the sole owner of the repair department of the establishment described above. He has installed a complete outfit of modern machin- ery, and handles all kinds of work from the heaviest auto truck to the smallest auto, including cylinder boring, battery repairing and many
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other things requiring knowledge and first-class workmanship. He em- ploys a carefully-selected force of six men who are kept constantly busy; and being himself expert, he is able to direct the work to the greatest advantage. As a Studebaker service station, Mr. Teits- worth's establishment is undoubtedly one of the best-equipped in the entire state.
In June, 1913, Mr. Teitsworth was married at Los Angeles to Miss Laura A. Wright of Detroit, the daughter of Z. W. and Mary Wright, by whom he has had one daughter, June. Always popular socially, Mr. and Mrs. Teitsworth are especially so in the fraternal circles of the Knights of Pythias and the Elks, both of Pomona. He also belongs to the Citrus Belt Auto Association.
HERBERT C. KETTELLE, D.D.S.
Born in Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, December 19, 1875, Herbert C. Kettelle, a dentist of Pomona, is the son of William and Eliza J. (Robert) Kettelle, the former a manufacturer of brick and tile in that state. Both parents are now deceased. Herbert C. received his education in the grammar and high schools, graduating from the latter in 1894. He then put in one year at the Iowa University in Iowa City, and two years in the Northwestern University at Chicago, graduating in 1897 with his degree of D.D.S. He practiced his pro- fession at Jefferson, Iowa, for twelve years after leaving college, then came to Pomona in August, 1909, and continued his profession here until 1911. At that time he went to Colorado, but returned to Po- mona in 1915 and has since that time been practicing in this city, with a large clientele to speak for his ability in his profession.
The marriage of Doctor Kettelle on December 31, 1902, at Jef- ferson, Iowa, united him with Miss Mabel Clara Huston, born in Burlington, but residing at that time in Jefferson. Five children have blessed their union : Herbert Russell, Kent William, Clare, who died May 31, 1916, aged four years ; Harold Huston, and Pearl.
Fraternally Mr. Kettelle is a member of the Masons, holding membership in Pomona Lodge, No. 246, F. & A. M. While in Colo- rado he attended the Grand Lodge; he also is a member of the Odd Fellows, belonging to the Grand Lodge and the other branches of the order except the Canton. In business circles he belongs to the Chamber of Commerce. In politics he supports the Republican party. Fond of the mountains and outdoor life, the doctor enjoys for recreation an occasional hunting trip, returning with evidence of his prowess with the huntsman's rifle. A public-spirited man, he has at all times shown a real interest in the advancement of Pomona, both in civic and social matters, and served as local chairman of the Preparedness League of American Dentists, among other public duties.
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HARRY J. LAVARS
In enumerating the men who have contributed to the material welfare of Pomona in the successful culture of citrus fruit, mention is due Harry J. Lavars. He is one of our English cousins who crossed the water in search of a land that would better his financial prospects in life. He was born in Kent, England, July 19, 1858, and is the son of a member of the British Navy who served his country valiantly during the Crimean War.
Educated in the schools of his native country, Henry J. later became a stationary engineer and found employment in the large stone works and brick plants of England. The year 1891 found him in the city of Los Angeles, Cal., and in searching for a good location he chose Pomona, where he purchased a five-acre orange grove on Arroyo Avenue in the Packard Orange Grove Tract. The place had just been planted, and he later added to his acreage by the purchase of an addi- tional four acres just opposite his first piece of property. His orchard is very productive, yielding from 4000 to 5000 boxes of fruit yearly.
His oldest son, Harry M., is living in Alhambra. The second son, William T., lives in San Francisco, and the youngest, Harold, resides in Pomona. Mr. Lavars was married a third time to Mrs. Gertrude Warren, born in Illinois, but residing at La Verne, October 25, 1919. Mr. Lavars is the owner of two modern cottages at Bel- mont Heights, Long Beach, Cal. He takes a deep interest and is a stanch worker in the cause of prohibition. From the beginning he has been a member of Pomona Fruit Growers Exchange, having seen the benefits of cooperative business methods while living in England.
WILLIAM A. KENNEDY
Prominent in banking circles in Southern California, William A. Kennedy is numbered among the most able men in financial matters in the Pomona Valley. His birth occurred July 25, 1871, on a farm in west Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, his parents being Alexander and Maria (Shaffer) Kennedy. The father, a farmer in that state, has since passed on, but the mother is still living. Two children were born to this worthy couple, W .. A. being the youngest.
William A. Kennedy received his education in the public schools of his native state and finished with a course at the Grove City College, after which he found employment with the First National Bank at Grove City, Pa., as assistant cashier, continuing with them eight years. He then bought an interest in the St. Louis Wholesale Paper and Twine Company, and for five years was a member of that firm. Sell- ing out his interests, in 1903 Mr. Kennedy came to California, first locating in Long Beach, where he remained for seven years with the
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First National Bank of that city. In 1909, he came to Pomona, and here continued his banking experience, first as escrow officer for the First National Bank for four years, and since then has been cashier of the institution.
The marriage of Mr. Kennedy, on August 22, 1894, united him with Bessie Bell, a daughter of William Bell, and they have taken their part in the church and social life of the city. A Republican in national politics, Mr. Kennedy in local matters votes for man rather than party. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Chapter and Com- mandery, and in business circles he belongs to the Chamber of Com- merce. From the beginning of his residence here he has shown a deep interest in the upbuilding of the city and Valley and stands ready at all times to back his interest with substantial help. For recreation he indulges in horseback riding, the beautiful roads about Pomona afford- ing an ideal background for that sport. With his wife he attends the Pilgrim Congregational Church.
FRANK WHEELER
The realty of Pomona Valley constitutes one of the greatest attractions for business operations, and Frank Wheeler of Claremont is well known in this connection as a man who has made a success of the real-estate business. Of English ancestry and birth, he was born at Nottingham, England, December 20, 1856, and is the son of Ben- jamin and Mary (Radford) Wheeler. Both parents are now de- ceased. 'The father while living did much government work. In a family of twelve children, nine of whom are living, Frank is the eldest son. He left school at the age of fourteen and was apprenticed to the steamfitting trade, which he afterwards followed.
After traveling extensively and visiting almost every seaport in the world in search of health, Mr. Wheeler came to America in 1882. He spent two years in New York City, where he worked at his trade of steamfitting and where he occupied the position of foreman, then went to Chicago and continued the occupation. He was manager of a steam-fitting business in that city three years, and in 1893 came to Claremont and engaged in the culture of oranges. He has been en- gaged in the real estate business for twelve years.
Mr. Wheeler's marriage united him with Miss Mary J. Cron, and they have two children, Stuart G. and Kathryn F. Politically Mr. Wheeler adheres to the principles advocated in the Republican platform. Fraternally he is a Mason of the York degree and a Shriner. He is president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of San Gabriel Valley and in that connection is well known in California for what he has accomplished. His integrity and worth, as well as his
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deep interest and activity in all that pertains to the betterment and upbuilding of Pomona Valley, has won recognition among his fellow citizens.
H. VERNER BRIGHT
One of the proprietors of the Reynvernel Groves is H. Verner Bright, who was born at Dover, on Lake Erie, near Cleveland, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where he was reared, receiving his educa- tion in the schools of that place and in Cleveland. When he was thirteen years of age he began making his own way, entering the sales department of Bowles & Burdick, wholesale jewelers, where he continued for a period of seven years. Then in order to have out- door work, he accepted a place on the survey corps of the county surveyor of Cuyahoga County, working up from rodman to transit- man and found the experience enjoyable, interesting and also very beneficial to his health. After three years in the county surveyor's office, he resigned and entered into partnership with his brother, Fred, as Bright & Bro., general manufacturers of tools and special- ties. They were the inventors of the Bright turnstile, which has since come into worldwide use.
The first exposition at which the Bright turnstile was used was in the Old Piedmont Exposition Grounds in Cincinnati, in 1884. After- wards the National League and American League took it up and it came into universal use by railroads, large manufacturers and exposi- tions, not only in the United States and Canada, but in South America, Europe and the Orient. He made trips to Europe and South America introducing the turnstile. During the late war the Government made various uses of the Bright turnstile at loading stations, messrooms and munition places, to register employees and soldiers. Among im- provements to the turnstile is the pay-as-you-enter system, as well as a coin control turnstile for fairs and expositions, which was first used at the St. Louis Exposition.
In 1900 the brothers dissolved partnership, Fred Bright taking the work of the manufacture of the typograph, while H. V. con- tinued in the manufacture of tools, novelties and turnstiles, and the small business has grown to very large proportions under the name Bright Turnstile Company. They also manufacture ticket machines, ticket choppers and cancelling machines. With his brother, under the firm name of Hess-Bright, they were manufacturers of ball- bearings in North Philadelphia until they sold their interest in Octo- ber, 1916. He was also interested in the Cleveland Cap Screw Com- pany, now the Steel Products Company, one of the largest producers of welded steel products in the country. He has sold his interest in this business.
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His first trip to California was in 1905. He was prepared to like it because from a boy he was intensely interested in California, and his dream from a youth of ten years was of an orange grove in California. Liking it here he came to California each winter, and in 1912 he purchased his present grove, which was set out in June of that year. He selected this site for his home and no more sightly place can be found; here he built a large, beautiful, modern residence, making of the whole one of the show places of the district, being located on the mesa in San Dimas Canyon.
Associated with Harry Damerel of Covina, he is engaged in raising oranges and lemons. Individually and in partnership they own 215 acres of orange and lemon groves in this region. He is well pleased with the locality, finding on investigation it is second to none in the United States.
The marriage of Mr. Bright occurred in Cleveland, Ohio, when he was united with Miss Lillian Oviatt, also born in Dover, who presides gracefully over her husband's home, assisting him in dis- pensing the true hospitality of which both are very fond.
EMERY ROSCOE YUNDT
In the life of this successful banker of Pomona are illustrated the results of perseverance and energy, coupled with diversified talent and learning. He is a citizen of whom any community might well feel proud, and the people of Pomona Valley, fully appreciating his ability, accord him a place in the foremost ranks of the representative citizens and business men. Identified with the banking interests of Pomona since 1905, he has helped in the development of its commercial and agricultural growth, and has been an important factor in the upbuild- ing of the resources to be found in this fertile section.
Born in Naperville, Ill., December 22, 1869, Emery Roscoe Yundt is the son of Simon and Catherine (Lehman) Yundt, who were farmers by occupation back in the Eastern state, and are now living in Pomona. Of the two children born to his parents, Emery Roscoe was the oldest, and was educated in the public schools and Mt. Morris College, Mt. Morris, Ill., and then entered the University of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1894 with the degree of Ph.B. He then taught school for one year in a boys' school at Racine, Wis., the institution being under the management of the Episcopal Church. In 1897 he came to Los Angeles, Cal., where he was physical director of the Y. M. C. A. for one year. From there he went to Schuyler, Nebr., and was principal of the public schools of that town for one year, and for three years in Nebraska City.
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