USA > California > Los Angeles County > Ingersoll's century history, Santa Monica Bay cities prefaced with a brief history of the state of California, a condensed history of Los Angeles County, 1542-1908 > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
In those days when thousands of men sought gold with fierce energy. living without homes, without comforts, without the restraints of civilization. it was only strong character and true manhood that withstood the temptations of the environment. Young Jones came of sturdy stock and proved himself a man and a leader, even in these early days. He served as sheriff in the county of Trinity at a time when the office required a stout heart and level head for-to a large extent-the sheriff was the law. From 1863 to 1868 he was a member of the state legislature of California. In the meantime. he had gained much experience in mines and mining propositions. When the great developments of the Comstock lode began to attract attention, he was one of the first on the ground. Later he was made the superintendent of the Crown Point mine.
Thus he became a resident of Nevada and when in 1872, a critical period in the history of the young state approached, he was mentioned as a candidate
158
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
for the United States senate. The contest was a hot one, he being at first opposed by William Sharon; but the " Nevada Commoner," as Jones had come to be known, was regarded as a friend to the miners and in the end, he was elected and took his seat March, 1873.
In 1876, the Monetary Commission of the senate was appointed to inquire into the relative value of gold and silver, the canses thereof and kindred questions, which vitally affected the mining interests and particularly the interests of the state of Nevada-a silver-producing state. Senator Jones was chosen as chairman of this committee and entered upon the study of the ques- tions arising, with keen interest. It is said of the report rendered by the Monetary Commission that, " Nothing so thoroughly exhaustive had ever been presented to Congress, and the view taken was favorable to the interests of Nevada and of the Comstock miners."
Naturally, at the expiration of his term, Senator Jones who had acquitted himself upon so important and vital an occasion with credit and made a strong argument for the silver of his state, was re-elected. For thirty years he con- tinuously served in the United States senate, a record seldom equalled. He became, in his long career, a noted figure and was counted as one of the strongest men on the floor. A writer in Munsey's, some years ago, pays him this tribute :
"Senator John P. Jones, who has just been re-elected to the United States senate for another period of six years, is one of the interesting figures of the upper house of congress. He was a warm personal friend of Senator Conklin and formerly belonged to the stalwart wing of the Republican party. Of recent years, he has been one of the strongest men of the 'silver party ' in the country, and last year he withdrew from the old party and supported Mr. Bryan for the presidency.
" Mr. Jones is a very able man and has probably made more speeches on the financial question than all of the other members of the senate put together. He is a profound scholar and has the ability to marshal an imposing array of facts to support his arguments.
"He was a delegate to the Brussels Monetary Conference which met during the administration of President Harrison. Before that body, he spoke for three days, the printed report of his speech containing over two hundred thousand words. A representative of the Rothschilds made the remark that if there were many men in America with Senator Jones' capacity for speaking, the advocates of the gold standard would do well to surrender at once.
"Senator Jones is exceedingly popular in Washington. When he first entered the senate, he was many times a millionaire. Subsequently he lost most of his wealth, but it is said that in later years he has been fortunate in his investments and is again a very rich man."
159
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
As will be seen, Senator Jones was a man of the people, a practical mining man as well as an expert in handling mines and mining stocks. He has made fortunes-and lost them-with the calm indifference of the true miner. But be- side this, he is a man of great native ability, who, without the training of schools, has made himself an authority on financial questions and created the utmost confidence in his sound judgment and clear perception.
Senator Jones has been intimately associated with the history of Santa Monica since its inception. In 1874, he purchased an interest in the San Vicente rancho and, with Col. R. S. Baker, laid out the townsite of Santa Monica. During the next two or three years, he spent a million dollars in Southern California, in building up Santa Monica and in building and carrying on the I,os Angeles and Independence railway, which was intended to reach his Panamint mines and possibly be the terminus of another great trans- continental line. In 1888, he built his beautiful home, Miramar, here and since that time this has been the residence of his family. Here the senator has himself come for rest and pleasure, when he could escape from his many public duties.
Senator Jones has been twice married, his first wife being the daughter of Judge Conger, the second a daughter of Eugene A. Sullivan and a most accomplished and benevolent woman. The family consists of one son, Roy, and three daughters.
THE VAWTER FAMILY.
WILLIAMSON DUNN VAWTER, late merchant and banker of Santa Monica, was a pioneer settler of Southern California and a leading spirit in the material development and business life of his adopted city. He was a descendant of an old and distinguished family, his parents, William and Frances Vawter, both being natives of Virginia. He was born at Mount Glad, near Madison, Indiana, August 28th, 1815. About 1827 the family removed to Jennings county and located on a farm near the town of Vernon. The father proposed to make a farmer of his son; but the lad had no liking for that vocation and soon after the age of twelve went to live with his uncle, Colonel John Vawter, for whom he had a great affection. His first work was driving an ox team between the towns of Madison and Vernon, freighted with merchandise for his uncle's store. This work, by reason of the difficult roads and occasional danger from savages, suited the daring spirit of the boy. Later he became a clerk in the store of his uncle and then partner in the same store, in company with his cousin, Smith Vawter. Together they carried on business in the old brick building at " Vaw- ter's Corner " in Vernon, for a period of forty years.
Mr. Vawter served as postmaster of the town for a number of years. He was a leader in early temperance work and was treasurer and custodian of the Bible depository of Jennings county, a branch of the American Bible Society,
15
E. J. VAWTER.
161
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
from its organization. He always took a lively interest in municipal politics and in national affairs. He was a Whig during the life of that political party and a member of the Republican party from its birth. He voted for General William Henry Harrison and in 1888 cast his vote for General Benjamin Har- rison.
In 1875 he came to California and was one of the original members of the Indiana colony which was the forerunner of the city of Pasadena. Mr. Vawter purchased a sixty-acre ranch in that colony, which is now occupied by the busi- ness portion of the city. Drawn by report of the great advantages offered by the new settlement of Santa Monica which was to become the commercial metrop- olis of Southern California, he with his sons located here and opened the first general store in the town, in a building on the lots on Fourth street still occupied by the Vawter residence.
As the town commenced to grow he established lumber yards and soon built a planing mill, which proved a boon to home builders. He secured a fran- chise in 1886 and with his sons built the first street railway, which was for some time operated at a loss. They demonstrated their faith in the future, however. by extending the line to the Soldiers' Home, a distance of about five miles, and he lived to see it a paying enterprise. With his sons he organized the First National Bank of Santa Monica and opened the same in the brick building on the southeast corner of Third and Oregon, which they built in 1888.
Mr. Vawter was married, July 15th, 1834, to Mary Charlotte Tilghman Crowder of Baltimore, Maryland. She died September 22nd, 1851. Her chil- dren were Mary Ellen, May, Jane Cravens, William Smith and Edwin James. Mr. Vawter married Charlotte Augusta Knowlton in November, 1852. She was a native of Shrewsbury, Mass. She died in Santa Monica, December 27th, 1893, leaving one daughter, Emma. A son. Charles Knowlton, had died pre- viously.
Mr. Vawter was one of the founders of the Presbyterian church in Santa Monica and was always one of its staunch supporters. He was a man of pure life-both in thought and action. He was pre-eminently just and never inten- tionally did any man a wrong. At the same time, he was not a man of loud or bold pretense and moved along life's journey doing the right thing at the right time: " because it was the natural outlet for energies which were attuned to those harmonies which could only accord with what was best." The memory of his noble life will linger like a restraining benediction to call us up toward a better standard of thought and action.
Mr. Vawter passed away at his home in Santa Monica. July 10th, 1894.
MARY ELLEN VAWTER, the first child of W. D. and Mary C. Vawter, was born at Vernon, Ind .. October 28th, 1836. At the age of eighteen she began teaching school. At twenty-three she married Ward Leavitt of Chatauqua, N. Y. In the spring of 1875, Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt with their daughter, Florence, removed to California. They were stockholders in the Indiana colony, but after
11
162
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
a short residence there located in Santa Monica. In 1880 they returned to Pasa- dena and lived for some years upon their orange ranch. In 1887 they again located in Santa Monica, where Mr. Leavitt died, October 23th, 1896. Mrs. Leavitt and daughter still reside in Santa Monica.
MAY VAWTER was born at Vernon, Ind., March 4th, 1838. She was edu- cated in the schools of her native town and received a special musical training. After teaching school and traveling through the southern and eastern states and Canada. she accompanied her family to California in 1875. In the spring of 1876 she married Switzer S. Harwood, M.D. Dr. and Mrs. Harwood lived at San Pablo and in San Francisco and Yreka. They finally removed to Sydney, Australia, where they made their home. Mrs. Harwood was a self-reliant woman, adventurous from childhood, and she several times made the voyage between Sydney and California.
She early united with the Vernon Presbyterian church and was a charter member of the First Presbyterian church of Santa Monica. She died in Sydney, Australia, March Ist, 1884.
JANE CRAVENS VAWTER is a native of Vernon, Ind. She received her edu- cation in private and public schools of her native town and later studied under Dr. J. C. Burt, following a college course. She also took a special course of reading extending over several years. When very young she was interested in political and national questions and became a staunch abolitionist. She was for several years a teacher in the public schools of Indianapolis.
She united with the Presbyterian church at Vernon, and was the projector and one of the founders of the first Sunday-school in Santa Monica. This was organized and carried on for some weeks in the home of W. D. Vawter. Miss Vawter was a charter member of the First Presbyterian church and served for some time as its Sunday-school superintendent. She was long a teacher in this school, taking children from their tenth year and holding them until they reached majority. She was one of the two solicitors who collected funds for the present beautiful Presbyterian building. She and her sister, Miss Emma, now live to- gether in the fine old homestead on Fourth street, Santa Monica.
ARAMATHA CHARLOTTE VAWTER was born in Vernon, Ind., September 25th. 1841. She was educated at Jennings Academy, Vernon, and at Oxford, Ohio. After teaching for a time, she was married, October 16th, 1866, to Septimus Vater, now a prominent banker of Lafayette, Ind. Mrs. Vater, who has always been an active worker in the Presbyterian church and its auxiliaries, has been ordained a deaconess in her home church and is widely known for her good works in her home city.
WILLIAM S. VAWTER, the eldest son of W. D. and Mary C. Vawter, was born near Vernon, Ind., April Ist, 1845. He passed through the graded schools of the town and graduated from a commercial college in Cincinnati, Ohio. Re- turning to his native place, he was appointed deputy county clerk of Jennings county. Later he became editor and proprietor of the !'ernon Banner, a weekly
163
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
paper, which he conducted with success for a couple of years. He then entered the manufacturing business, which he continued until he came to California in 1875.
After making investments in the Indiana colony, now Pasadena, the Vawters, father and two sons, opened the first general store in Santa Monica and con- ducted an extensive mercantile business for ten years. They remained here dur- ing the long period of depression succeeding the abandonment of the wharf by the Southern Pacific Company and, in spite of the most discouraging conditions, retained their faith in the future of this region. In 1884 the Vawters purchased 100 acres of the Lucas ranch, adjoining the then south boundary of the town. This land was later subdivided and sold in tracts and in lots and forms a large part of the present south end of the city of Santa Monica. During 1887-88 they sold half of this property for more than the whole tract had cost them and W. S. Vawter built a handsome home in South Santa Monica, one of the first residences in that district.
Mr. Vawter has served the city of Santa Monica in many capacities. He was one of the first board of trustees when the town was incorporated and served from 1886 to 1892; in 1903 he was again elected city trustee and served until 1906.
He was interested in the establishment of the Santa Monica street railway system and the Soldiers' Home line, all of which were sold to the Los Angeles Pacific. With his brother, E. J. Vawter, Mr. Vawter organized the Santa Monica Mill and Lumber Company, in 1886; the Santa Monica Commercial Com- pany in 1894; was interested in the First National Bank formed in 1888, and is now vice-president of the Merchants' National Bank of Santa Monica. He was one of the members of the City Water Company incorporated in 1896 to supply Ocean Park with water and has been connected with many other local business ventures. He is still largely interested in real estate and takes an active part in every movement for the advance of the town which he has aided in building up.
Mr. Vawter has always been a loyal Republican in politics and has taken an active part in public affairs. During the administration of President Harri- son, he served as postmaster of Santa Monica, resigning on the election of Pres- ident Cleveland. In the spring of 1908 he was appointed a member of the State Board of Bank Commissioners, and accepted the position, resigning from the presidency of the Santa Monica Savings Bank and from the board of edu- cation to do so.
Mr. Vawter was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah M. McClaskey, a native of Jackson county, Indiana. They have one daughter, Mary C., now the wife of John S. Moore of Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Vawter have a beautiful home on the corner of Second street and Arizona avenue, which is surrounded by stately trees, the growth of years.
164
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
EDWIN JAMES VAWTER was born in Vernon, Ind., November 26th, 1848. After being educated in the public schools, he showed a decided tendency for business and made his first venture as a newspaper man, on the Vernon Banner. He was soon taken into partnership with his father, W. D. Vawter, in his gen- eral merchandise business, at the old "Vawter Corner", in Vernon. On the removal to California in 1875, the partnership between father and son was con- tinued, and he was also one of the stockholders in the Indiana colony. He located in Santa Monica when the family decided upon this as a residence. He has taken a large part in the financial and business affairs of this vicinity and has always been known as an enterprising investor in every effort which prom- ised success. Many of the improvements which Santa Monica has enjoyed and is enjoying today have been inaugurated by the Vawter family and carried forward to completion with perseverance in the face of difficulties. Mr. E. J. Vawter has had a large share in the enterprises which were organized by his father and brother, as well as having originated many other successful ventures himself. He was president of the City Water Company organized in 1896 to supply the district known as Ocean Park with water; he was cashier of the First National Bank of Santa Monica until it was sold to Senator Jones in 1893. In 1899 he began the development of what has proved to be one of the most important of Santa Monica industries-that is the growing of carnations and other flowers for the market. A large tract of land is now under cultivation and the business is steadily increasing in value.
He was the founder of the Santa Monica Commercial Company, organized to carry on real estate, banking, railroading and other transactions. He remains the president and manager of this company, which represents the properties left himself and four sisters by the will of their father. He organized the First National Bank of Ocean Park, in 1905, of which he was president until 1907.
Mr. Vawter has always been closely identified with the public interests; he has served the city as a member of the board of city trustees, and as member of the library board and of the school board. He has also taken part in many of the political conventions of the Republican party and is identified with the Masonic order (being a 32nd degree Mason), Knights of Pythias, and Pioneers of Los Angeles county.
He was married to Miss Laura E. Dixon in Indiana, in 1869. She died in 1886. They were the parents of one son, E. J. Vawter, Jr., who inherits the business ability of the family.
In 1888 Mr. Vawter married Mrs. Isabella L. Nelson. She is gifted with a fine voice, which is often used in the aid of charitable causes. They have a pleasant home, in the midst of flowers, in South Santa Monica.
EMMA KNOWLTON VAWTER Was born in Vernon, Ind., August 21st, 1853. She received her education in the public schools of Vernon, Ind., and in the Western Seminary and Oxford College, where she graduated in 1873. She came to California with her father's family and has since that time been a resi-
165
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
dent of Santa Monica. Having received a good musical education, she acted as organist for the First Presbyterian church from its organization until 1903. She resides with her sister, Jane Cravens, in the old home at Santa Monica.
CHARLES KNOWLTON VAWTER, son of Williamson D. and Charlotte Knowl- ton Vawter, was born in Vernon, September 7th, 1855. He was delicate from birth, having a spinal difficulty which resulted in the complete loss of sight. He died September 29th, 1879.
EDWIN JAMES VAWTER, JR., son of Edwin James and Laura Dixon Vawter, was born in Vernon, Ind., June 10th, 1871. He came to California with his parents and after his mother's death in 1886, lived for a time with his grand- father, W. D. Vawter. At sixteen he entered Purdue University, Indiana. In 1888 he entered the State University at Berkeley, but owing to an attack of typhoid fever did not complete the course.
In 1889 he took a position with the First National Bank of Santa Monica. On the organization of the Commercial Bank of Santa Monica, in 1894, he be- came cashier of the institution. He was cashier of the Main-street Savings Bank of Los Angeles for five years and was connected with the Security Savings Bank. He then became cashier of the United States National Bank of the same city. He is now president of the First National Bank of Ocean Park.
Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and organized a company of the "Uniform Rank " at Santa Monica, which he served for two years as captain. He is also a member of the Masonic order, and has taken the 32nd degree. He united with the Presbyterian church during boyhood and has served several years as trustee of that church.
Mr. Vawter was married March 8th, 1899, to Miss Bessie M. Channell of Arkansas City, Kansas. They have two children, Marjorie Dixon and Helen Edwina.
Santa Monica
J. J. CARRILLO.
CHAPTER III.
FROM TOWN TO CITY. 1880-1890.
T HE opening of the new decade found Santa Monica in the midst of most discouraging circumstances. The population as shown by the United States census was 417, but this included the population of the entire township of La Ballona. Values had greatly depreciated. Three lots and a house on the corner of Oregon avenue and Second street were sold, about this time, for $750. I. T. Fisher sold his place on Third street, now known as the General Sargeant house, two lots, a small house and highly improved grounds, for $300. Three lots on the corner of Utah and Third, with improvements, sold for $1200. As late as 1885 the corner now occupied by the Santa Monica bank building sold at a probate sale for $400. These are but samples of the effect of the " dark days." But Santa Monica was not alone in her depression. The years from 1880 to 1885 were quiescent throughout Southern California. The chief enlivenment came through the operation of the Southern California Railroad which was building branch lines in preparation for the coming of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé line, the completion of which ushered in the " boom" days of the later eighties. Santa Monica looked longingly toward this new line, the ocean terminus of which was not yet determined, north of San Diego. But the Southern Pacific hold on the situation here was too strong to tempt the California Southern this way, until after the failure to make a harbor at Ballona.
Santa Monica still had advantages, however, which were not dependent upon any railroad. She continued to be the favorite summer resort for pleasure seekers from the interior towns of the southern end of the state and she offered many attractions to eastern tourists and health seekers-when they were fortu- nate enough to discover that such a place as Santa Monica existed. During 1883 it became necessary to increase her hotel accommodations and the Santa Monica Hotel was remodeled and increased by the addition of twenty rooms. Several new cottages were built and many tents were grouped each summer on "north beach", while the cañon still was a favorite camping resort also. In 1884 the Vawters showed their solid faith in the future by purchasing 100 acres of the Lucas tract, adjoining the town on the south. paying $40.00 per acre for the land.
The summer of 1885 was an unusually gay one at the beach. Hotels and cottages were all full and more than 200 tents were occupied on North Beach. Sunday excursions brought crowds and the annual encampment of the G. A. R., in August, added to the enrollment. The Catholic church, which had been
168
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
begun in 1884, was completed in 1885. The population of the town had so increased that three teachers were employed and additional school room was necessary. During 1885 a free reading room was established by the ladies of the Women's Christian Temperance Union in August. This effort, which was begun by a few brave, hard-working women, gradually developed into a library and became the foundation of the present public library.
1886.
The completion of the through line of the Atchison & Topeka road in 1885 led to the greatest " rate war " ever known in this country and was the immediate cause of the marvelous influx of population and capital from which the later history of Southern California dates. The quickening of the real estate market, the breaking up of the large ranchos in the vicinity of Santa Monica and the great projects for railroads and harbors which were in the air, revived land values in this place. In January, 1886, it was reported that the Santa Fé, or Atlantic & Pacific road, as it was then called, would build a line to South Santa Monica and there construct a wharf long enough to accommo- date the largest ships. The company was also to build a three-story hotel on its reservation. In view of this rumor and of the purchase of right of way for the road, many improvements were made in that direction and new comers began to secure lands in South Santa Monica. But the hopes of that section were dashed when it was learned in October that the " Ballona Harbor Improve- ment Company " had been incorporated and that the Los Angeles & Santa Monica road, which had been incorporated to connect the A. & P. with Santa Monica, had secured a franchise for a wharf and ship canal on Ballona slough. Work was at once begun at dredging for the harbor, which had been carefully planned by Hugh Crabbe, an engineer of some note. During the next two years extensive operations were carried on and a large sum of money was ex- pended in the effort to create a harbor at Ballona Port.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.