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 III > Part 53
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Miss Kingston is a typical English girl, delightfully appreciative of all that is beautiful in nature, and says she has learned to love the
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beautiful California hills quite the same as those of her own country. She truly loves America and has her mother living with her at Los Angeles, and more recently has brought her sister, Gertrude, to make her home here. Gertrude Kingston is a very talented girl with a remarkable voice, who has appeared in a number of semi-professional productions and who plans to follow a professional career on the stage. She has received the highest praise from Sir Arthur Mackenzie as to the quality of her voice. During the period of the war she was forced to remain in England, de- spite the superhuman efforts of her mother and sister to secure her release from that country to come to America, where she arrived in the spring of 1919.
While waiting she busied herself in war work, in which she wit- nessed many dreadful tragedies which greatly unnerved her, but is now engrossing her mind with study, in which she hopes to obliterate the horrors of war. Recently she appeared as a "French Baby" in a demon- stration of the Young Women's Christian Association pupils at the gym- nasium of that organization at Los Angeles.
The intense affection existing between the mother and sisters brought about many anxious moments for all during the war, when they were separated, and eventually they requested in a letter that Gertrude go to a phonographic record house and have a record of her voice made for them. Miss Winifred, in turn, induced her mother to be incorporated in some of the scenes of a moving picture. Thus, while the one daughter was in London, the mother and her sister could sit by their fireside and with the aid of the record on the phonograph hear her sing; while the daughter abroad could see her mother and sister on the film.
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ARLYN T. VANCE, Doctor of Osteopathy, who has enjoyed great success in his work at Los Angeles during the past four years, is a young man of versatile gifts and accomplishments and experience.
He was born at New Douglas, Illinois, October 5, 1882, son of Thomas and Melvina (Elam) Vance. His father spent his active life as a minister of the Christian Church. The son undoubtedly inherited some of his father's martial spirit. His father entered the Union army at the time of the Civil war when only fifteen years of age. For a 1:umber of years the Vance family lived at Indianapolis, where the father was engaged in his pastoral duties. Arlyn T. Vance attended grammar and high school in that city. He was not yet sixteen years of age when the Spanish-American war broke out. Running away from high school he joined the 161st Indiana Volunteers, and was fortunate in being sent to Cuba. He was in the service nearly a year and then resumed his high school studies. About that time he heard of the transport Sumner, said to be the finest troop ship afloat. The proposed trip of this trans- port was through the Suez Canal around the world to the Philippines and return by way of Japan and San Francisco. Dr. Vance could not resist 'the temptation to ride as an enlisted soldier on this wonderful boat. He again ran away from school and the Sumner carried him over the seas to the Philippines. For two years he was fighting the Filipino rebels under Aguinaldo, and was in a number of skirmishes. At that time he had two great desires, one to be a soldier, which he had already realized, and the other a musician. When he sailed on the Sumner he was made trumpeter. In two weeks after arriving in the Philippines he responded to the request of the chief musician of the regiment that anyone wanting
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to study music should report to him. After four months of diligent study and training, young Vance was made a member of the regimental band. He kept up the study all the three years he was in the army and acquired an exceptional degree of proficiency. He came back from the Philippines by way of San Francisco, and his first impressions of Cali- fornia led him eventually to making the state his permanent home. For a time he was a musician on the vaudeville stage and with several min- strel companies. One of these companies ended the season in Havana, Cuba, at which place Mr. Vance lived for a number of months, em- ployed as manager of an American Hotel. In order to have a more settled vocation he went to Kirksville, Missouri, and entered the parent school of osteopathy, and completed the course. While in college he paid his expenses by teaching music and directing the Kirksville band. Dr. Vance in fact has been self supporting since he was fourteen years of age.
After his graduation he came west to California and practiced at Orange, and in 1916 removed to Los Angeles, where his services as an osteopath have been retained by many prominent people.
Dr. Vance married Miss Adna Winifred Widney, a very accom- plished musician, composer and singer. She is a daughter of Samuel A. and Anna E. Widney, one of the pioneer families of Los Angeles.
Dr. Vance is a member of the Gamut Club of Los Angeles and is independent in politics. Besides his distinctions as a soldier, musician and physician, he might justly claim to be known as an inventor. He has already been granted patents on a hot water bottle, and also an automatic stabilizer for aeroplanes. Aside from this he is actively interested in aeronautics, being a member of the Board of Directors of a Los Angeles aeroplane corporation.
H. J. WHITLEY. While there is a generous and widespread appre- ciation of the magnificent results achieved in developing many of the beautiful districts around Los Angeles, it is not generally understood how much of the credit is due the guiding genius and inspiration of a few far-sighted and public spirited individuals. Some of the best examples of this development, notably at Hollywood, have not proceeded from the haphazard and undirected enterprise of a community and its inhabitants, but from a powerful concentration of effort originating largely in a single man or organization.
Those intimately informed as to the history of progress and develop- ment in the wonderful section of Los Angeles north of the city proper, including Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley, are aware that the results achieved are due largely to the silent workings, plans and energies of H. J. Whitley. Mr. Whitley exemplifies in an eminent degree that broadly constructive spirit and genius for development which makes communities and cities. Mr. Whitley's forte has not only consisted in town development, the usual scope of his enterprise having extended over a much greater area than that prescribed in any single town site.
Mr. Whitley was born at Toronto, Canada, October 7, 1859. He is a descendant on his paternal side of a prominent English family and on his maternal side from a well known Scotch family. Most of his early boyhood was spent at Flint, Michigan, where he received his early education, and he attended the Toronto Commercial College.
Long before he came to Los Angeles his development work had
COUNTRY HOME OF H. J. WHITLEY, VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA.
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expanded to a large scale in the middle west, northwest and southwest. For a number of years his headquarters were in Kansas City and Minne- apolis, where he became interested in banking and large land develop- ments. While the Northern Pacific Railway was building through to the coast he became associated with some of its leading officials, managing and developing large acreage of lands and towns along the line and was also an officer and organizer of a chain of banks on the route of the Northern Pacific. During that period of his career he organized and managed the H. J. Whitley Land Mortgage Company, which is still his principal business and which for many years has performed a large and extensive service in the middle states.
Mr. Whitley was one of the first capitalists and men of enterprise on the ground at the opening of the original Oklahoma Territory. He was in Guthrie the day of the opening, and soon afterward built and owned the first brick block in the territory, housing the Guthrie National Bank. He built numerous brick and stone business blocks in that city, also in Oklahoma City, El Reno, Chickasha, Enid, Medford and in numer- ous other towns on the Rock Island railroad.
He organized and was leading officer in a number of banks and was appointed trustee and treasurer of various Indian allotments in Oklahoma, and managed these lands both for the Indians and the Rock Island Railroad Company. He had a large interest in and entire charge of the development work along the Rock Island road from Kansas to Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Whitley in that capacity platted a number of towns, including the now important cities of Chickasha, Medford, Enid, El Reno and about twenty others. Before the organization of the territory of Oklahoma he was sent as a non-official representative by both republicans and democrats to assist at Washington in the framing of the first laws of the territory. It was due entirely to his influence and efforts that the first territorial capital was located at Guthrie. His first large school development work was in Oklahoma and included the building of the State Normal School and the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees.
His heavy responsibilities and the continuous strain of business effort brought about a breakdown in health, and on the advice of his physicians Mr. Whitley came to California in 1893. He was soon after- ward employing his talents and means in local constructive enterprises, although his interests elsewhere have always continued large. His greatest task and the scene of his best work has been in the district of Hollywood and the contiguous territory of the San Fernando Valley. From an open country he developed the modern Hollywood, having as his associates some of the most prominent business men of Los Angeles. Individually, however, he owned the principal interests and had the chief burdens of management. He was the first to conceive the idea of making Hollywood a suburb of Los Angeles. Largely through his efforts water was distributed throughout the Hollywood hills. He donated five tracts of lands, two reservoir sites and other grounds which today are valued by the water company at nearly two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He also gave nearly the entire site for the Hollywood Hotel and the First National Bank property and organized the bank. He was a large stockholder in these and other institutions which developed Hollywood. He put in the first electric light and telephone systems. It was his influence that attracted the assistance of E. P. Clark and Gen. M. H.
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Sherman in their building the electric line through Hollywood. The splendid boulevards, Sunset and Hollywood, were conceived in his original plan for the development of Hollywood. Up to that time suburban development around Los Angeles had encountered baffling obstacles, and it was the sheer will, force and able management of Mr. Whitley that brought about the first real suburban success.
With present results and the possibilities of the future in mind, doubtless the greatest achievement of Mr. Whitley in Southern Cali- fornia has been the transformation of the San Fernando Valley from an immense grain field to a high class suburban property. It was about 1900 that he conceived the idea of developing the valley empire and adding it to the growing suburbs of Los Angeles. Finally, in September, 1909, he and his four associates completed the negotiation for the pur- chase of forty-seven thousand acres for the sum of two million five hundred thousand dollars and spending about three millions for develop- ment work. The men actively associated with Mr. Whitley were General H. G. Otis, O. F. Brant and General M. H. Sherman and Harry Chandler, each having a fifth interest. All were attracted to the project as much by the benefits it would bring to the city as by prospective profits. Later they divided their interests with their associates, employes and others whom they wished to benefit. In all the Whitley enterprises there has been no promoter's stock or secret profits or commissions to him. Mr. Whitley accepted the management of the project and planned, executed and managed the entire business from both a financial and development standpoint, having at all times the able and hearty co-operation of his fellow members on the board. He planned and caused to be built a double asphalt boulevard sixteen miles long, lined with roses and rare shrubbery, which was named "Sherman Way" in honor of his friend General M. H. Sherman. He also established towns and caused the erection of school buildings and churches, in line with his previous enter- prise at Hollywood, where he had been instrumental in erecting three fine school buildings, adding five more in San Fernando Valley. Perhaps even more important, from the standpoint of affording a livelihood to the inhabitants of the valley, was the introduction of orchards, bean and sugar beet raising, banks, poultry industry, alfalfa ranches, stock, vege- tables and several manufacturing institutions. Mr. Whitley and his associates recognized and acted upon the fundamental principle in the handling of such projects, that a vast amount of capital must be expended upon improvement and development and that the benefits must in a large degree be shared with the individual purchasers and the realiza- tion of profits be deferred through a long period of years even through the most stringent financial times. Actual settlers have never been pressed for payments. The outstanding fact is that today approximately a hundred twenty thousand acres in the San Fernando Valley have been annexed to Los Angeles and are an enormous asset in wealth and power to the larger city. Mr. Whitley regards his work in the San Fernando Valley as the culmination of a lifetime replete with success. The keynote of his operations has always been development --- the building of fine boulevards, schools, churches, railways and houses, and the establishment of banks and industries to give a livelihood to settlers.
Another earlier enterprise was the purchase with associates of nearly forty thousand acres in Kings and Tulare counties and the establishment of the town of Corcoran, the financing of which enterprise fell largely
1
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on Mr. Whitley personally and largely through him the district has developed into one of the finest and largest dairy sections in California.
1 It is appropriate to speak of Mr. Whitley as the father of Holly- wood and many other places which exemplify his modern methods and capable management and are among the best town and suburban com- munities in the United States.
It should also be noted that a few years ago, in order to close up affairs, Mr. Whitley took over the balance of unsold lands and assets of the Suburban Homes Company, taking over a large amount of land and other assets, supplying the capital and making it possible to wind up the affairs of the company. This was another of his generous acts, in line with his desire to insure that his policy of giving the land buyer who improves his holding proper accommodation and support should be continued.
In 1887 Mr. Whitley married Miss Margaret Virginia Ross, daughter of William M. Ross. Mrs. Whitley is a member of one of the oldest and best known families of Philadelphia. She has greatly aided her husband in the upbuilding of churches, schools and worthy social develop- ment work.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitley have two children, a son and a daughter. The daughter, Grace Virginia, was married in 1915 and has two beautiful children. The son, Ross Emmett Whitley, is well known in Los Angeles business and banking circles, and his training and character well fit him to carry on the extensive enterprises of his father.
BESSIE BARRISCALE. To the growing fame of Hollywood as an artist colony probably not one has contributed more of real achievement and greater dignity than Miss Bessie Barriscale. While her name has been well known to lovers of the legitimate and the movie stage for a number of years, it is appropriate to tell in brief the story of her life for this publication.
She was born in New York City, her father being an English actor and her mother an Irish girl. Her parents were married in London and came to America with the original English company which produced "Lights o' London" in New York and made a tour of the country.
Bessie's introduction to the stage was with James A. Hearne in "Shore Acres" when she was five years old. She was with Mr. Hearne for several years in child parts and has played all the famous child char- acters from Little Eva to Little Lord Fauntleroy. She was associated with Russ Whytal and played a number of parts with him, but the en- gagement which Miss Barriscale says made her an actress was with Louis James, who was fond of her and who saw that she was trained to be an artist. With James she played some good parts and under- studied Katherin Kidder in several leading Shakespearean roles.
Miss Barriscale has been associated with the best stock companies in the country and has played with many highly esteemed artists. She played Lovey Mary in New York for a season, and went with the company to London, playing ten months there.
At San Francisco and Los Angeles she became associated with two parts which she says have been her favorites: Juanita in "The Rose of the Rancho" and Luana in "The Bird of Paradise," the play which Richard Walton Tully wrote for her.
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Her last big stage success was "We Are Seven," by Eleanor Gates, in which she played in New York. After a summer season in San Fran- cisco, she joined the Lasky Company to play the lead in "The Rose of the Rancho."
Jesse L. Lasky is responsible for her first appearance in the pictures, and she made a successful screen debut in "The Rose of the Rancho." The good judge of stars, Thomas H. Ince, then offered her an engage- ment, and after joining the New York Motion Picture forces she was starred in many fine pictures.
In the fall of 1918 Miss Barriscale organized her own company, which is known in the motion picture industry as B. B. Features, her husband, Howard Hickman, being president ; J. L. Frothingham, general manager. At the organization of her company Miss Barriscale was awarded the largest contract for single features ever made by any star. This con- tract was with Robertson-Cole of New York, who engaged Miss Barri- scale to make sixteen feature pictures before January 1, 1921.
Up to the time of this writing Miss Barriscale has produced for B. B. Features, "All of the Sudden Norma," "Tangled Threads," "Hearts Asleep," "A Trick of Fate," "Josselyn's Wife," "The Woman Michael Married," "Her Purchase Price" and "Kitty Kelley, M. D."
All of these features are being produced at Brunton Studios, which will be the professional home of Miss Barriscale until her contract is completed.
In private life Miss Barriscale is Mrs. Howard Hickman. Mr. Hickman has demonstrated that he is not only a good director but a good husband. All of Miss Barriscale's pictures, save "The Woman Michael Married" have been directed by Mr. Hickman. Miss Barriscale and her husband were in vaudeville together for several years before going into pictures, Mr. Hickman himself being an unusually finte actor.
The Hickman home in Hollywood is an extraordinarily attractive place, made more so by the liberal hospitality dispensed by its charming mistress. Miss Barriscale is an honorably member of several clubs, but she has so little time apart from her professional work that she has no opportunity to actively engage in club work.
So far as known she is the only motion picture star ever mentioned for gubernatorial honors. Some time ago Miss Barriscale raised her voice against the growing tendency of landlords to bar children from hotels and apartment houses and bungalow courts, and her defense of the children so interested a San Francisco club woman she suggested Miss Barriscale as desirable timber for Governor of the Commonwealth. Miss Barriscale is also one of the little mothers of the screen. She has a little son, and those familiar with the home life of the Hickmans say that there is no better little mother in the world.
She entered with whole-souled enthusiasm and with ardent pa- triotism into every feature of war work. She was a participant in the various Liberty Loan and other drives, and not only appeared in person but took the megaphone and actually sold bonds, and was one of the popular entertainers at the soldiers' and sailors' camps.
Miss Barriscale is a patron of literature, art and music, being es- pecially interested in music and an accomplished musician herself, but her heart and soul are in dramatic work and before she was sixteen years old she had earned an enviable place on the American stage. Miss Barriscale holds a unique place in motion pictures, and her name has come to be a guarantee of dramatic excellence.
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SARAH REBECCA SLAUSON, who died at her home in Los Angeles February 20, 1920, was distinguished not only by long residence in the city but by rare personal charms and accomplishments. She was an ex- ceptional linguist, a fine musician, and even in old age retained much of the distinguished beauty of her youth.
She was born in New York City December 11, 1836, daughter of Abram and Catharine (De Cantillon) Blum. Her mother lived at the Old Chelsea landmark on Twenty-ninth street between Ninth and Tenth avenues in New York City. Under the name of "London Terrace" this landmark has stood for three-quarters of a century. Mrs. Slauson's mother was of the Irish family of De Cantillon of Ballyheigue, Traler, County Kerry. The family seat was Ballyheigue Castle, and it is a matter of history that one of the De Cantillons espoused the fortunes of James II and after the flight of the king to France followed him thither. One was distinguished in battles in France and raised to the title of Baron de Ballyheigue. One of the daughters of the De Cantillon family married a French captain, and one of her descendants was "Chef de Battilon de Cantillon."
Sarah Rebecca Slauson graduated from Rutgers Female Institute of New York in 1852 and on July 22, 1858, became the wife of Jonathan Sayre Slauson. They lived in New York City for several years, while Mr. Slauson practiced his profession as a lawyer. Their daughters, Kate Vosburg and Louise Macneil, were born in New York City, at London Terrace between Ninth and Tenth avenues.
During the early sixties the Slausons moved out to Nevada, making their home at White Pine for four years. Mr. Slauson besides practicing his profession was also engaged in mining operations. Their son James Slauson was born at Austin, Nevada. From Nevada they removed to California about 1872, and lived five or six years in San Francisco before making their permanent home at Los Angeles. During all her years in Los Angeles Mrs. Slauson took an active and helpful part in charitable and social enterprises.
EDWARD A. HOWARD, one of the sons of the late Frederick P. Howard, has achieved special distinction as an authority on tropical plant life, and is a well known horticultural expert. He was born at Los Angeles December 25, 1875. His early education was acquired in the old Eighth Street and Spring Street public schools, and also in St. Vincent's College. Since early youth he has been employed in horticul- tural lines. In 1907 he went on an expeditionary trip for E. L. Doheney. He traveled through Old Mexico, Guatemala and Cuba, making eighteen different trips and side trips into the wildest parts of the jungle. by foot, accompanied by native guides and porters. The purpose of all this extensive tropical journeying was to make a collection of palms, and a close study and investigation of the environment and methods of propa- gating and cultivating them. Mr. Howard as a result of his work shipped fifty-three carloads of palms into Los Angeles for Mr. Doheney. The Doheney collection, as is well known, is considered the finest in the world under glass. Mr. Howard returned to Los Angeles in 1915, and since then has been manager of the nursery of his brother Paul J. at Los Nietos. This nursery, which covers twenty acres of ground, has furnished many commercial as well as rare specimens for the gardens of Southern California.
Mr. Howard is a republican in politics. He married at San Ber- nardino, October 16, 1916, Caroline Tommeraas of Norway.
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DR. FRANK SLATER DAGGETT was a successful business man with a dominating passion for natural history. The work which will cause Los Angeles County to appreciate and esteem his memory in all the years to come was the enthusiastic, disinterested and inspired service he rendered for a number of years as director of the Museum of History, Science and Art at Exposition Park.
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