USA > California > San Diego County > San Diego county, California; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 5
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HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
U. S. Grant building, the bank opened its doors for business with deposits amounting to two hundred and seventy-eight thousand, five hundred and fifteen dollars and twenty-four cents. Within a year the deposits had increased almost three-fold and on the 18th of April, 1912, about four and a half years after the establishment of the bank, the deposits amounted to two million, twenty thousand, nine hundred and nineteen dollars and fifty-one cents, an increase of more than seven times the amount originally in the vaults of the institution. The marvelous growth of the bank is due to the enterprising methods, the carefully formulated plans, the executive ability and the administrative direction of Mr. Davidson, whose previous business experience combined with his later thorough study of every phase of banking has enabled him to so direct the interests of the institution that its business has constantly grown and expanded. The work that he has done has attracted the attention of financiers throughout the state and he is today regarded as one of the eminent representatives of banking interests in southern California.
This by no means indicates the extent of his activities and his resourcefulness, however, for Mr. Davidson has accomplished much in behalf of his adopted city, his efforts resulting in many practical improvements and largely in the promotion of the civic spirit which is today one of the chief characteristics of San Diego. He was elected president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1909 and instituted a public campaign which resulted in a closer reliance of the business men of the city who are now working together with one object in view-the advertisement to the world at large of San Diego's advantages as a commercial center, seaport and place of residence. It was also during the year of his incumbency in office that Mr. Davidson formulated and set forth the plan for holding a world's fair in San Diego. The proposal was most enthusiastically greeted and the city immediately set to work to carry forward the plans to fruition. Mr. Davidson became with other prominent citizens the organizer of the Panama-California Exposition Company now engaged in the erection of exposition buildings and the preparation of grounds, millions of dollars having been raised for this purpose. Mr. Davidson is now the second vice president and the chairman of the executive committee of the company. Wonderful progress has been made in the prelim- inary construction work and when the exposition closes in December, 1915, the fair grounds will revert to the city, thus giving San Diego a beautiful perma- nent park. This was one of the initial ideas of Mr. Davidson's plan when he first made the proposition for holding the exposition. All projects which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride are of deep interest to him and he never withholds his cooperation from any such if it can possibly be given. His own operations in real estate have constituted a factor in the city's betterment and adornment. He has owned and handled much real estate here and is head of the syndicate which in 1910 opened the Kensington Park tract, now one of the most extensive residence districts in San Diego.
Another public project which has had the hearty indorsement and support of Mr. Davidson was that of the erection of a new building for the Young Men's Christian Association and in 1911 he conducted a campaign which resulted in raising one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for that purpose. He is president of the branch of the association in San Diego for he regards this as a most impor- tant element in Christian work. He is also serving on the board of trustees of Vol. II-3
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the First Presbyterian church. His social relations are with the Cuyamaca and San Diego County Clubs, the Order of Panama, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Aero Club and the University Club. Capable of instituting and controlling mammoth business enterprises, he has never allowed his efforts for the accumulation of wealth to o'ertop his patriotism, his public-spirited devotion to the welfare of city and state and his deep and active interest in moral progress.
REV. CHARLES E. SPALDING.
Among the men who are vital forces in the religious development of southern California, in the spread of a broader, deeper and kindlier Chris- tianity throughout the section and in the establishment of higher and better standards of living and thinking the Rev. Charles E. Spalding, pastor of Christ Episcopal church, occupies a prominent and distinguished place. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in Madison, but when five years of age the fam- ily moved to New York city, where Dr. Spalding grew to manhood. He ac- quired his early education in the public schools of that community and in 1890 was graduated from Hobart College of Geneva, New York, with the degree of M. A., having previously taken his A. B. degree from the same institution. He immediately afterward entered the General Theosophical Seminary of New York city and was graduated in 1893, after which he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Cox, of western New York, and priest by Bishop Henry C. Potter, of the same state. He began his active career as assistant at St. Thomas' church in New York and after one year was transferred to the American church in Florence, Italy, where he served for two seasons. He was afterward vicar of Grace Church chapel at West Philadelphia and he remained in that charge until 1899, when he came to Los Angeles as vicar of St. Paul's cathedral in that city. He remained there until 1900 and in June of that year came to Coronado and accepted the pastorate of Christ Episcopal church, a position which he still holds. The Coronado Strand publishes the following history of the development of this church which is one of the most beautiful houses of worship in southern California. "Christ Episcopal church was founded. August 1, 1888, when the Rev. Alfred Brown, who landed in San Diego on July 13, 1888, took formal charge of St. Peter's Mission, as it was then known. The congregation was worshiping in a little frame structure on Orange avenue which had been used as a store. The town grew rapidly and in 1891 Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Hinde decided to build an Episcopal church in memory of their daughter, who died in Evansville, Indiana, on January 26, 1879. Coronado was then in the diocese of California, and Bishop Nichols who was making his annual visit to the parish, noticed a pile of stones lying at the corner of C avenue and Ninth street. He suggested to Mr. Hinde that he use those stones to build a church. This was the beginning of the beautiful church which today is the joy and the pride of those who worship there. The stones had come from the El Cajon quarry. They were purchased from the Coronado Beach Company and with others brought from El Cajon, the church was built. Mr. Charles Nordhoff, who was then a resident of Coronado, wrote concerning the church: 'Christ
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church of Coronado is by general acknowledgment architecturally, and in its lovely stained glass, organ and other interior furnishings, the finest church building in all southern California and one of the most admirable in the state. The history of its erection and growth and most generous and free gift to the parish is so interesting, not merely to church men, but to all Christian people, that it deserves to be put on record as an example and incentive to similar large- minded giving.' On September 3, 1896, the church was formally accepted by the members of the congregation, among whom were many of the oldest resi- dents of Coronado,-D. Casey, James G. Darrington, Herbert Dabney, Charles Nordhoff, Lewis R. Kirby, Walter Jones, Vincent Surr, Walter C. Moody, J. W. Walter, S. A. Burnap, R. Gail Nicholas, E. F. Pierce, J. A. Mathewson, A. J. Gray, Miss Clara J. Jones, Mrs. Laura M. Laycock, Mrs. Emma L. Balch, Mrs. Mary Kirby, Mrs. Jane B. Herreshoff, Miss Estelle Thompson, and Miss Laura B. Watkins. These are among the names of those who formerly signed the resolution of acceptance for the congregation. The inscription on the memorial tablet on the wall of the church reads. 'This church was erected and furnished for the worship of Almighty God, and in loving memory of Camilla Hinde.' In 1902 the parish house and rectory were built, and the buildings are a standing witness of the enduring faith of the church, written in stone. The rectors of the church have been the Rev. F. D. Miller, 1890-1893; the Rev. George M. Deyo, 1893-1896; the Rev. Edward Meany, 1896-1897; the Rev. Douglass F. Forrest, D. D., 1897-1898; the Rev. F. B. Cossitt, 1898-1899. The Rev. Charles E. Spalding has been rector of the church since 1900. The vestry- men and trustees are Messrs. Charles T. Hinde, Reginald Fenton, Anson P. Stevens, Daniel Cleveland, John S. Akerman and Edgar F. Pierce."
Mr. Spalding was married in 1899 at Germantown, Pennsylvania, to Miss Emmie L. Schwartz, a native of the Keystone state, and to their union were born four children, Katherine M., Fitzhugh Preston, Margaret B. and Emmie L. Mr. Spalding is a member of the University Club of San Diego. A man of unusual learning and rare attainments, he has accomplished a useful work in the world and will undoubtedly advance still farther in his chosen field. His life is in accordance with the highest principles, integrity and upright living and conforms at all times to the doctrines in which he believes.
ABRAHAM BLOCHMAN.
That this country of vast resources is truly the Mecca of opportunity and the open sesame to wealth and position is plainly discernible in the career of Abraham Blochman who attained eminence in mercantile life and became promi- nent and prosperous as a financier of high standing, being up to the time of his retirement president of the Blochman Banking Company of San Diego. Of zeal- ous activity and inborn industry, old-fashioned honesty and iron will, he domi- nated adverse circumstances and attained wealth, which is commonly called suc- cess, and, more than that, the esteem, regard and veneration of his fellow men. Although nearing his eightieth birthday Mr. Blochman takes an active and intel- ligent interest in everything that concerns the present generation and, clarified by
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experiences of a long life, he has gained in its retrospect that viewpoint which gives happiness and satisfaction in old age.
Abraham Blochman is one of those who came from foreign lands to seek fortune in the new world. He was born in the province of Alsace, France, Octo- ber 3, 1834, and is a son of Lazare and Caroline Blochman. Until the age of thirteen years he attended private school in his native land and then came with his parents to the United States by way of New Orleans, settling in Helena, Kansas. He obtained his first position in a store there and continued therein until 1851. The lure of the gold fields which had been opened up in California exerted a powerful influence on his mind at this time and as a boy of seventeen he set out for California, which he reached by way of Panama, and settled near Sacramento where he worked in the mines until 1857, when he proceeded to San Luis Obispo, California. If his mining pursuits had not brought him undreamed of wealth they furnished him the means to engage in the general merchandise business in the latter place. As is often the case, he gained better financial returns from this undertaking, as an indirect result of the boom days, than many did in looking for the golden metal, and as profits accumulated he opened additional stores along the coast until at one time he owned eight separate establishments, having his headquarters in San Francisco. He so continued until 1881, when he disposed of his string of stores and came to San Diego, where he bought a general merchan- dise establishment. He improved this enterprise in every possible way, introduc- ing new ideas and methods, and built up an establishment well worthy of any city of metropolitan size. In 1893 he disposed of this concern advantageously and engaged in the less turbulent occupation of private banker, establishing the Bloch- man Banking Company in that year. On account of the reputation for honesty and integrity, which he had built up by his conservative methods in mercantile lines, and his qualities of character the establishment grew rapidly to one of importance and its operations expanded under his able guidance in various directions. He made the business what it is today, one of the great financial institutions of the city, and remained its sole owner until June, 1912, when he disposed of his interests to his son, L. A. Blochman, retiring from active pur- suits at the age of about seventy-eight years. During his entire business career he enjoyed the full confidence of all with whom he came in contact, and his name stands today unassailed as a monument to success, gained in such a man- ner that no phase of his career can not bear the minutest scrutiny. He is also the founder and president of the San Diego Building & Loan Association, which business has naturally grown out of his connection with the Blochman Banking Company. As president of the former organization he was directly instrumental in the upbuilding and growth of the city and has assisted many people of moderate means to found their own homes.
Mr. Blochman was married in San Francisco, California, to Miss Mary M. Sarassin, on the 25th of January, 1864, and to them were born eight children, five of whom are living, namely : Lucian A., the president of the Blochman Bank- ing Company of San Diego; Mrs. Samuel Brust, of the same city ; Mrs. J. Roos, of Los Angeles ; Mrs. L. Summerfield, of San Francisco; and Mrs. A. Layman, of Lompoc, California. Of those deceased two died in infancy and Laura passed away in San Diego, in 1892, at the age of seventeen years.
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Mr. Blochman reserves independence of judgment in regard to political mat- ters and supports such candidates and measures as he considers of the great- est service regardless of party lines. His fraternal associations are with the Masonic order and the B'nai Brith, the basic principles of which organizations have greatly influenced his life. An official honor from a foreign government came to him in his appointment to the post of consular agent of the French Repub- lic, in San Diego, a position which he has filled for twenty years and still holds. He takes an active and helpful interest in the growth of the community and by his life work has contributed in no mean way toward progress and development. As one of the foremost merchants and financiers of the town and as president of the building and loan association he has become universally known in this city and there is no one who can say one word against him-on the contrary he is spoken of in the highest and most praiseworthy terms and wherever his name is men- tioned veneration, due his age and attainments, is freely accorded him.
ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF PEACE.
The history of the growth and expansion of the Roman Catholic church in San Diego would be incomplete without mention of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, an institution which for the last quarter of a century has been one of the most potent forces in the spread of education throughout southern Cali- fornia and in the establishment and development of educational standards.
In the spring of 1882 the late venerable Father Ubach, ever alive to the interests of religion and education, petitioned the superior general of the Sis- ters of St. Joseph to open a school for the children of his parish in San Diego. Accordingly, four sisters came to the city and commenced their labor of love. which though humble in its beginning soon gave evidence of great success. In 1884 the sisters moved into a new convent but in the short space of three years found the accommodations so taxed that the erection of the present academy became a necessity. This beautiful commodious building was commenced in June, 1887, and was completed in December of the same year. The institution affords an opportunity to all classes of children, from small girls to young ladies, to acquire a solid and refined education. Not only are the mental powers cultivated but equal attention is paid to the development of the moral and physi- cal powers, without which no child is fully equipped to meet the world. As the beautiful city of San Diego expanded and developed along all lines, so also the number of children in attendance continued to increase until it became necessary to add class rooms to the academy. This occasioned the erection of the new academy hall in the summer of 1893 and this was opened and dedi- cated on Columbus day of the same year. In this building are the music rooms, studio and auditorium, the last room being capable of accommodating six hundred people. It is considered one of the finest school halls in the San Diego diocese. From its stage have been graduated many of the well known women of the city, whose greatest delight is to meet at the annual alumni reunions and recall pleasant memories of the days passed in their convent home.
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In connection with the academy, but in a separate building, the sisters con- duct the St. Joseph school for boys, in which the pupils remain until the com- pletion of the usual grammar-grade course. The year 1911 marked the silver jubilee year of the academy and elaborate preparations were made for the cele- bration of the event when the death of the esteemed and venerable pastor, Rev. A. D. Ubach, occurred. Out of respect to the memory of one who had been a true friend to the Sisters of St. Joseph the celebration was postponed to November, 1912. It is difficult to estimate the value of the work done by the sisters, who for so many years have managed the affairs and promoted the growth of the Academy of our Lady of Peace. They have not only labored in the cause of educational expansion and influenced the ambitions and aims of the young women of San Diego but have also earnestly sought the promotion of that truer education which results in refinement of mind and in the achieving of standards and ideals.
M. A. LUCE.
M. A. Luce, for forty-five years a practitioner at the bar and since 1873 a representative of the legal profession at San Diego, was born in Adams county, Illinois, May 14, 1842, and is a son of Rev. Christopher S. and Sarah G. (Pottle) Luce, both representatives of old New England families. The father was a min- ister of the Baptist church and in 1837 removed from Maine to Illinois, serving his church during his entire life. When fourteen years of age M. A. Luce became a student in Hillsdale College at Hillsdale, Michigan, where he remained until after the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861. On the 20th of May, of that year, he put aside his text-books and offered his services in support of the Union, enlisting as a private of Company E, Fourth Michigan Infantry, with which he served for three years or until the 20th of June, 1864. His regiment was assigned to duty with the Army of the Potomac and he participated in many important battles in which his command took part, including the engage- ments at Malvern Hill, Manassas, Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Petersburg. He was awarded the congressional medal of honor for bravery displayed at the battle of Spottsylvania and, while yet in his teens at the time of enlistment, his valor and loyalty equalled that of many a veteran of twice his years.
On the expiration of his term of enlistment Judge Luce returned to college in 1864, completed his course and was graduated with the class of 1866. A review of the broad field of business led him to decide upon a professional career and through the following winter he was a student in the Albany Law School at Albany, New York, which President Mckinley was also attending at that time. Judge Luce entered upon the active practice of his profession in Bushnell, Illinois, in 1868 and for three consecutive terms was city attorney at that place. He came to San Diego in 1873 and, opening a law office, soon gave practical demonstration of his ability to successfully cope with the intricate problems of the law. In 1875 he was elected judge of the county court and sat upon that bench until the county court was legislated out of existence by
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the new constitution. He then resumed the private practice of law, in which he still continues. For forty-five years he has followed his profession and his ability has placed him in a foremost position in the ranks of the legal fraternity in southern California. His efforts have not been confined wholly, however, to his professional duties, for other important interests have claimed his atten- tion. In 1880, on the organization of the California Southern Railroad, now a part of the Santa Fe railroad system, he was elected counsel and vice presi- dent of the company. He continued to act in the former capacity for the road until 1888, when, on account of ill health, he resigned and withdrew from the company. In 1890 he resumed the practice of law as senior partner of the firm of Luce, McDonald & Torrance and gave close attention to his profession until 1898, when President Mckinley appointed him postmaster of San Diego for a term of four years. He has also been identified with mining interests, for with others he developed the Shenandoah gold mine at Mesa' Grande in San Diego county. Gold in paying quantities was taken out, but later work in the mine was stopped on account of too much water on the mountains and a lack of railway facilities. This mine, however, is still owned by Judge Luce.
In 1870 occurred the marriage of Judge Luce and Miss Adelaide Mantania, a daughter of James D. and Olive (Head) Mantania, both parents being descendants of old New York families of colonial times. Judge and Mrs. Luce have become parents of three children: Grace, the wife of Wallace Irwin, of New York city; Mary, the wife of John Sinnott, of Philadelphia ; and Edgar A., who is junior member of the firm of Luce & Luce.
Judge Luce is a prominent Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish. Rite. He also holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and was the first com- mander of Heintzelmann Post, G. A. R., of San Diego. From 1878 to the pres- ent Judge Luce has been continuously president of the Unitarian Society of San Diego. His interests have been broad and varied and have at all times been of a character that have contributed to public progress and improvement. He holds to high ideals in his profession and in citizenship and manifests the same spirit of loyalty that characterized him when with the boys in blue he marched to the defense of the stars and stripes.
HENRY H. JONES.
Henry H. Jones is well known for his success in the engineering business in its special branches connected with transporation and power, for he has been following this profession since he received his degree in 1895. For two years he has been in San Diego as vice president and manager of the San Diego Con- solidated Gas & Electric Company and has managed the affairs under his charge so capably that he has won a high place in business circles of the city.
Mr. Jones was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and his education was received in the public schools of that city. He was graduated from the high school in 1890 and afterward spent one year as bookkeeper in the Second National Bank of Reading. At the end of that time, however, he determined
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to pursue his education further and entered Lehigh University and was gradu- ated from the civil engineering department in 1895. Immediately afterward he went to Springfield, Illinois, and there was employed as draftsman and assistant engineer for the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad. After one year he went to Philadelphia and engaged in general engineering work with the Pennsylvania Railroad until 1899, when he went to Chicago and worked as assistant engineer in the interest of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad until 1903. His next position was with the Springfield Railway & Light Company in Springfield, Illinois, and he served as general superintendent of this concern until 1909, thus becoming identified for the first time with traction and power engineering. He has carried this interest forward for a number of years, going first to Sandpoint, Idaho, as manager of the Northern Idaho & Montana Power Company and coming in 1910 to San Diego as vice president and manager of the San Diego Consolidated Gas & Electric Company. In two years he has fully demonstrated by his able and efficient work his fitness for this important office and his special ability in his chosen profession.
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