USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > Los Angeles from the mountains to the sea : with selected biography of actors and witnesses to the period of growth and achievement, Volume II > Part 61
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During the late war Doctor Bridge was called upon by the national government to assume one of the more delicate responsibilities arising out of the conflict. He was made chairman of the National Alien Enemy Relief Committee, and in that capacity spent most of his time in Wash- ington and New York. This committee had to deal with the cases of destitution that resulted from the interning of alien enemies. Many families were thus deprived of means of support. Provision for such cases was made by the German Empire and also the Austrian Empire, and it was the duty of Doctor Bridge's committee to see that funds thus supplied were properly distributed and to bona fide cases, and in such manner that the distribution would not serve to the benefit of the enemy countries. Doctor Bridge thus became chairman of a committee made up of twenty members, three of whom were from the Pacific Coast.
CHARLES RANDOLPH SMURR, chief clerk of the general freight office of the Southern Pacific Lines at Los Angeles under the United States Railroad Administration, has risen to his present duties and re- sponsibilities from a minor clerkship and is the son of a man who was long prominent in railroad circles in this state.
His father, Charles F. Smurr, was born at Nankin, Ohio, in 1849. He was educated in Oberlin Academy, in Ohio, to the age of fourteen, and at that early age became self-supporting. He worked at Cleveland as office boy with the Panhandle Railroad, and later was in Chicago as clerk in the freight department of the Star Union Railroad until 1873. In that year, at the solicitation of J. C. Stubbs, general freight agent, he came West to San Francisco and entered the employment of the Southern Pacific Company as receiving clerk at the docks. Later he was made assistant cashier, then cashier, was sent by the company to Salt Lake City as traveling auditor, and in 1876 came to Los Angeles as freight auditor for the Southern Pacific. In 1881 he was again
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transferred to San Francisco as assistant general freight agent, but in 1888 returned to Los Angeles as first assistant general freight and passenger agent, went back to San Francisco as general freight agent, and on July 1, 1897, became freight traffic manager. Soon after taking hold of that responsible office he died, October 31, 1897. He was widely known among railroad men and business interests up and down the California coast. He was affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the California Council of the National Union. In politics he voted republican. At Los Angeles, in 1876, he married Miss Arcadia Carrillo. Their two children were William and Charles Randolph, the former deceased.
Charles Randolph Smurr was born at Los Angeles September 25, 1878. He spent his boyhood in his native city and at San Francisco, and graduated from the public schools of Oakland in 1894. In 1897, after graduating from the California School of Mechanic Arts at San Fran- cisco, he returned to Los Angeles and became delivery clerk with the Southern Pacific Railroad. A year and a half later he was made clerk in the local freight office, but resigned in January, 1902, and joined the Sperry Flour Company of San Francisco as office and expert man in the cereal department. From 1906 to 1908 Mr. Smurr was in the auto- mobile business at Oakland, and in the latter year resumed his service with the Southern Pacific Company at San Francisco as clerk in the traffic department for one year, and then as special adjustor in the freight claim department until 1912. In the latter year he returned to Los Angeles as contracting freight agent, and since June 18, 1918, when the government took over the railroad, he has been chief clerk of the general freight office.
Mr. Smurr is a republican and a member of the Episcopal Church. At San Francisco, December 12, 1899, he married Miss Florence Sher- wood. Their two children, both attending the Los Angeles High School, are Janice and Charles F.
JOHN D. COLE, who was a captain in the World war, is now prom- inently connected with the Blankenhorn real estate firm of Los Angeles, and is active manager of the Santa Catalina Island properties.
Mr. Cole was born in Derry, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1886, son of Joshua and Nancy (Tomb) Cole, and has had a successful experience in engineering and with several large business corporations. He attended public schools to the age of fifteen, graduated in 1906 from the Indiana Preparatory School, at Indiana, Pennsylvania, and in 1910 graduated from Westminster College, at Wilmington, Pennsylvania. During the following year he was at Monmouth, Illinois, as civil engineer for the Rock Island Southern Railroad, following which for two years he was superintendent of that road. Going to Chicago, he became manager of one of the departments of Sears, Roebuck & Company for two years, and then went East to New York City and was operating manager for the Charles Williams mail order house until October, 1917.
He resigned and enlisted in the United States Ordnance Depart- ment, being commissioned first lieutenant, and in June, 1918, was pro- moted to captain. He was in service nearly a year and a half, receiving his honorable discharge March 31, 1919. Captain Cole then came to Los Angeles and became assistant to President David Blankenhorn of the Santa Catalina Island Company. Captain Cole is a member of the Advertising Club, the California Club, University Club of New York City, and the Great Neck Country Club of New York. He is independent in politics.
Frank Kars
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At Monmouth, Illinois, October 4, 1912, he married Helen Graham. Their two children are John D. Jr., born in 1913, and William Graham, born in 1916.
FRANK KARR, who was admitted to practice in California in 1901, has won a high place in the profession, and now gives all his time to his duties as chief counsel for the Pacific Electric Railway.
Mr. Karr was born at Heyworth, Illinois, February 18, 1875, son of Henry Allen and Martha Elizabeth Karr. He graduated from high school in his native town in 1892, and for two and a half years attended the Illinois State Normal University. Like many successful professional men, he had an experience as a teacher and was connected with the schools of Lytleville, Heyworth and Pekin, Illinois, for three and a half years. On coming to California, in 1898, he enrolled as a special student at Stanford University, and was admitted to the bar in the year 1901. He at once opened an office for practice at San Pedro, and from 1902 to 1906 was city attorney. He continued practice at San Pedro until 1910, and in the meantime in 1907 had also opened an office at Los Angeles. He removed his home to Los Angeles in 1910, and at that date became associated with Judge J. W. Mckinley, chief counsel for the Pacific Electric Railway and attorney for the Southern Pacific. Mr. Karr was assistant to Judge McKinley until March 1, 1914, when he succeeded that well-known jurist and lawyer as chief counsel for the Pacific Electric Railway.
During his residence at San Pedro he served as a member of the School Board until San Pedro was annexed to Los Angeles. Mr. Karr is affiliated with San Pedro Lodge No. 332, A. F. and A. M., San Pedro Chapter No. 89, R. A. M .; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a member of the Los Angeles Athletic Club and the University Club. Politically he is a democrat. October 29, 1903, at Los Angeles, Mr. Karr married Miss Dora VanOrdstrand. They have two children, Frank Randolph, born December 1, 1904, and a student in the grammar schools, and Dorothy, born July 11, 1915.
JOSEPH B. TATLOW, member of the Los Angeles law firm of Burke & Tatlow, practiced law in Southern California for the past five years and came to this state with a reputation of sound achievement as a lawyer in Missouri.
He was born in Marion County, Missouri, January 10, 1871, a son of Joseph B. and Irene (Pittmann) Tatlow. His father was a native of Maryland, where Grandfather Tatlow was a merchant and miller. The family moved in early times to Marion County, Missouri, where the grandfather was in the same business and was succeeded by Joseph B. Tatlow. In 1880 the latter removed to Springfield, Missouri, and was a merchant in that city until 1905, when he retired. He and his wife were married in Marion County, Missouri, January 15, 1863. Of their eight children, one is William D. Tatlow, who for many years has been one of the most distinguished lawyers of the state of Missouri.
Joseph B. Tatlow attended grammar and high school at Springfield, Missouri, from the age of nine to sixteen. He left school to work as clerk in a grocery store for six months, following which he took up the study of law with his brother William. He was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Missouri in 1898. He engaged in private practice until 1901, when, on account of ill health, he retired. He next accepted the appointment of assistant secretary of state under Sam B.
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Cooke, secretary of state of Missouri. He resigned this office January 1, 1905, to resume private practice, opening offices both in St. Louis and Springfield.
Mr. Tatlow had to abandon practice again in 1908 in order to travel in Texas and California for the benefit of the health of his sisters. In 1912 he located at Los Angeles, but did not resume professional work until 1914, when he formed his present partnership with William Burke under the name Burke & Tatlow. Mr. Tatlow is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Chamber of Commerce, is an Elk, a democrat and is affiliated with the Christian Church. He is unmarried.
HENRY A. CULLODEN, secretary and auditor of the Pacific Electric Railway and its many allied corporations, has had a career of experience and service such as few men of his age can equal, and one that has taken him practically all over the United States from Canada to the extreme Southwest.
He was born at Milton, Ontario, Canada, March 15, 1866, son of William George and Sarah (Shaw) Culloden. He lived at home and attended public school to the age of twelve. Thereafter until he was sixteen he lived with an uncle at Lowville, Ontario, and worked in his uncle's general merchandise store. Returning to Milton, he studied telegraphy with the Hamilton Northwestern Railroad Company for a time. He made much progress in learning the art, but was paid no wages. Many experiences followed that in rapid succession: At Chi- cago for two months he was clerk in a men's furnishing goods store; cashier for a tailor at Indianapolis three months; clerk in the loan de- partment of the Aetna Life Insurance Company a year; went out to Helena, Montana, with a topographical party of the Northern Pacific Railroad for six months, and clerked there in the postoffice until De- cember, 1883. Coming to Pasadena, he did some of the hardest labor he ever put in, digging tree holes at a dollar a day and board for four months.
As his present positions indicate, Mr. Culloden is an expert account- ant, and the work that put him in touch with his present profession was begun at Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the auditor's office of the Atlantic & Pacific Railway. He was there four years, for two years was stationed at Colorado City, Colorado, in the storekeeper's office of the Colorado-Midland Railroad, clerked a year and a half in the auditor's office of the Santa Fe Railway at Chicago, and returned from there to Albuquerque as traveling auditor for the Atlantic & Pacific three years. This was followed by eight and a half years' service as auditor for the Sonora Railway at Guaymas, Mexico. Entering the employ of the Southern Pacific system, he was assigned to duty at San Francisco as special accountant three years, and giving up that position, he was public accountant with Klink & Bean Company a year, and on leaving there opened an office of his own as public accountant at Los Angeles a year. For a year and a half he was engaged in mining at Eureka, Nevada, and then accepted another position with the Southern Pacific at San Francisco as special accountant for a year and a half.
From there he returned to Los Angeles to become auditor for the Pacific Electric Railway. In June, 1910, Mr. Culloden was elected secretary and auditor of this company, and also performs similar duties and holds similar offices with the Pacific Electric Land Company, the Visalia Electric Railway Company, the Fresno Traction Company, the Stockton Electric Railway Company, the Peninsular Railway Company, and the San Jose Railroads.
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Mr. Culloden is a member of the Los Angeles Athletic Club. He is a republican. At Eureka, Nevada, November 7, 1897, he married Miss Effie Phillips.
DR. JOHN CRAIG McCOY, 1853-1919. To the Colony of Virginia in 1750 came Thomas McCoy. In his "ain countree" he was "Laird Tam- mas Mckay," a man of position and influence. Like many another of his countrymen, he came to spy out the new land, and, like those others, he cast his lot with the colonists, married, and founded a home. When his first-born, Cornelius by name, was two years old, the father under- took a journey to Scotland to further settle his affairs. This being accomplished, he set sail again for America. But when half the return journey was completed, he died from ship-fever, and was buried in mid- ocean.
Cornelius grew to rugged manhood in the new land, and had the honor to serve as aide to the great Washington during the Revolution. He founded a home in Albermarle County, Virginia, and there was born John, the father of Samuel, the father of Milton, the father of John Craig McCoy, the subject of this sketch.
To these same colonies came in 1737 Rev. John Craig, who was born in Ireland in 1715. He was educated in Edinburgh, and there mar- ried Isabella Helena Russel, a Scotch lady, in 1736. Coming to America, he first established himself in Delaware, but in one year moved to the Colony of Virginia, and settled at Fort Staunton in 1738.
Dr. John Craig became famous in Virginia for his ability as a preacher, his learning and his achievements. In Augusta County he builded both the Old Stone Church, Presbyterian, at Fort Defiance, and Tinkling Spring Church, of the same faith, in the years 1747 and 1748. Dr. John Craig was pastor of the Old Stone Church for forty years, and his grave is in the churchyard there. Time seems to have left no disintegrating trace upon the ivy-grown, gray stone walls of the Old Stone Church, and it is one of Virginia's most cherished landmarks.
Dr. John Craig was the father of George, who was the father of George, who was the father of John, who was the father of Joanna, who was the mother of Dr. John Craig McCoy.
It is a great asset in life to be born of such sturdy stock, and John Craig McCoy honored his ancestry.
Milton McCoy married Joanna T. Craig at Buffalo, Virginia, in 1852, and here, in 1853, John Craig McCoy was born.
The lure of the West, as always, was strong, and Dr. Milton McCoy, his wife and little two-year-old son undertook the hardships of pioneer life in the new state of Missouri. There, first at Tipton, then at Boon- ville, John Craig McCoy spent a happy, adventure filled boyhood, and prepared himself for his after usefulness.
A very important member of the household at Boonville was "Uncle Peter," who, having been a faithful bondman, remained a faithful servant for many years, indeed until age necessitated his retirement upon a plan provided by his beloved "white folks." The deeply religious, kindly old black man and the sensitively organized, rather delicate little boy were the greatest chums; and the boy often helped "Uncle Peter" with his duties, so that the two of them might "go a' fishin'." Through the beau- tiful groves, and on the banks of the streams, the two comrades spent many a summer afternoon, and the old black man not only taught the little boy the mysteries of woodcraft, and the habits of perch or catfish, but instructed him regarding many of the problems of life. Doctor
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McCoy perhaps never had a friend whom he loved and valued more than the "Uncle Peter" of his boyhood, and surely none whose homely philosophy he more often quoted.
Doctor McCoy was educated in Boonville, famous for her fine schools. The man among all his teachers who made the greatest im- pression upon him, and who had the greatest share in moulding his character, was Rev. S. W. Marston, D. D., a man not only of learning, but of fine, strong character, and high ideals. Finding in his pupil the eager mind and receptive heart which appealed so strongly to him, Doctor Marston gave him a love and comradeship which were later to bear such noble fruit in the large work for humanity which was the passion of Doctor McCoy's life.
He took his professional degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery at the Missouri Dental College, now a part of Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1881 he married Miss Mary Hester Rush, daughter of Rev. William M. Rush, D. D., whose illustrious ancestor was Dr. Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and later minister to the Court of St. James. In 1882 Doctor McCoy came to California in search of recreation and health. He was fascinated by the beauty and promise of Southern California, and within two months had bought land in what is now Orange County. Immediately thereafter he caused to be planted an orange grove and a vineyard on this land, together with the ornamental and varied fruit trees which would make a home here the ideal of his dreams.
Arranging for the care of his ranch during his absence, he returned to Missouri, to come again in eighteen months to his land of heart's desire, with his young wife and year-old son, William Milton McCoy.
Never a man enjoyed more all that California can give-mountains and sea, sunshine, fruit and flowers.
He belonged to that coterie of near-pioneers who reclaimed and developed Southern California. There was, of course, the outer circle of men who came when the country was divided into very large grants of land, made during the time when Spain controlled so much of the western continent. But as the fame of the country, its climate, its agri- cultural and horticultural possibilities became known beyond the eastern mountains, another generation, seeing and feeling the opportunity, in- spired with the energy, the hope and determination of young manhood, came from the East and Middle West to do their part in building up the Land of the Setting Sun. Of these was Doctor McCoy.
Turning aside from his profession for a time, Doctor McCoy became an enthusiastic horticulturist. But his energy could not be confined to the limits of growing oranges and grapes. He saw that there would be, following his steps, a multitude to inhabit the valley, and he was zealous for the growing community in which he had made his home. He was active in securing immigration of the right kind, could always be counted on the side of real temperance and morality, and every movement to- ward the upbuilding of the community found in him an eager supporter. Truly he "built his house beside the road to be a friend to man." His was a soul impassioned with a desire to benefit mankind. He sowed be- side all waters.
Life in the open on his ranch soon restored his physical health, and he then resumed the practice of his profession, first in Orange, then in Santa Ana, and in 1896 he responded to the urge of many friends and moved to Los Angeles, to undertake a larger work, both professionally and for civic betterment.
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Doctor McCoy was a man of strong religious convictions. He was a Baptist because he believed in the faith and practice of that denomina- tion, but he was not bigoted. His life was an intense, but not a narrow one. He was a Christian man who did not feel that his duties were exhausted in attending church and paying the minister. His Christian influence radiated not only as a church man, but as a citizen and a philanthropist, interested in everything which concerned both the com- munity and the state. His concern for the young led him to be a con- sistent enthusiast in the Sunday school work, in which he became a leader and an authority. Although engaged in Sunday school work for many years in the different cities where he had lived, the crowning effort of his life, in the opinion of those who knew him best, was the organiza- tion and launching of the Temple Baptist Bible School of Los Angeles. One of the original committee of twenty-five laymen who conceived and carried out the idea which culminated in the organization of the Temple Baptist Church, it was not strange that he should have been chosen to plan and lead the Bible School as its first superintendent. Rev. Robert J. Burdette used to say that "the school was born full grown." It lives today as a monument to Doctor McCoy's genius for organization, his untiring zeal, and, above all, to his character as a Christian gentleman. Always an ardent and fearless advocate of temperance, and a master at illustration, his teaching made a lasting impression upon the minds of those who were privileged to see and hear. Truly, the characteristics of Doctor McCoy's life were devotion to duty, love of mankind, and loyalty to God.
The following editorial, which appeared in the Pacific Dental Gazette for July, 1919, tells the story of his professional career in Southern California :
"To record the loss which dentistry has sustained in the death of Dr. John Craig McCoy is the sorrowful duty which we are called upon to perform. The dental profession in its national aspects, as well as in the field of the immediate activities of this beloved practitioner, has been deprived of the influence of a personality which has left in the annals of dentistry the indelible impress of years of unstinted devotion to the welfare of humanity. To him dentistry meant service; to him dentistry spelled a means of relieving human suffering; to him dentistry was a channel for the wide-spreading of the gospel of good health.
"In his relations toward family, friends, and confrères, he exempli- fied those attributes of character which, besides being admirable, are also rewarded by love and respect. He was the nurturing father, the kind friend, the considerate confrère, but above all, he was the champion of right and justice. Altruistic to a fault, personal considerations counted for naught, if he could see in the issue a possible broadening of the dental horizon, a possible improvement in methods or devices which could help him and others in better serving his fellowmen.
"Already acquainted with some of the fundamental principles of dentistry under the tutelage of his father, Milton McCoy, M. D., D. D. S., he entered upon the collegiate study of dentistry at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated therefrom in 1875. While in college Doctor McCoy had the great advantage of the friendship and interest of Doctor McKellops, who gave to him the benefit of his large experience and up-to-date methods. Such was his record as a student, and such unusual skill did he evidence that upon his graduation he was offered a partnership by Dr. H. L. Judd, whose reputation and ability were second to none. But family ties called Doctor McCoy back to
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his boyhood home, and a partnership with his father. As the study halls were left behind, a high conception of the needs of dentistry to render it a more efficient instrument for good became the enduring passion of his life. He was indefatigable in this self-imposed duty, find- ing his greatest reward in the consciousness of services faithfully rendered.
"A born investigator and an insatiable reader of professional and general literature, no new device or method which promised to assist in the solution of any obscure dental problem was allowed to remain beyond his reach.
"Koller, of Vienna, in 1884 reported his experiments with cocaine in ophthalmic surgery. In 1885 Doctor McCoy was using the drug in his practice in California, and in 1886 reported upon its application in the removal of pulps. This incident is one of many examples in his life which testify to a progressiveness which was in evidence in all of his professional relations up to the very day when he left his office for the last time, only a few weeks ago, cheerful and smiling, even though in the throes of distressing pain.
"He saw in dental organizations the means of approximating his ideal of professional usefulness and dignity, and was the prime mover in the formation of the first dental society in Southern California. This, the Southern California Odontological Society, which he brought into being in 1883, we find today metamorphosed into one of the largest organizations of its kind in the West. It required, at a time when he was a resident of Orange, monthly trips to Los Angeles, to make arrange- ments for the meetings, bring the members together, and often furnish the literary program himself. But all of it-at a sacrifice to himself of time from his practice, to say nothing of the monetary phase of it- was done with a cheerful willingness born of his eagerness to serve his fellowmen through the profession in which he was so potent a factor, and to which he was so ardently devoted. In the parent association, The Southern California Odontological Society, he served as secretary for three consecutive terms, and in 1886 was elected to the presidency. He filled these offices in the efficient manner characteristic of the man. His services to dentistry were officially recognized by the State of Cali- fornia, and having labored so energetically in behalf of dental legislation that would protect the public from professional incompetency, he was elected a member of the Board of Dental Examiners and served for two consecutive terms. He tried to bring order out of the chaotic conditions surrounding dental practice in the state at that time, and while he accom- plished much in barring the unscrupulous charlatans and in the prosecu- tion of the violators of the law, he did so at a cost to himself in time, money and health deserving of the highest commendation and of the lasting gratitude of the profession in California.
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