1908a (1907) (1908) (1908b) (1908c) (1908d) (1908e) (1909) (1900-1910) (1910-1920) Table of Contents
Sources
Luther A. Ingersoll Ingersoll's Century History Santa Monica Bay Cities (Being Book Number Two of Ingersoll's Century Series of California Local History Annals) Prefaced with A Brief History of the State of California A Condensed History of Los Angeles County 1542 to 1908 Supplemented with An Encyclopedia of Local Biography and Embellished with Views of Historic Landmarks and Portraits of Representative People. Luther A. Ingersoll: Los Angeles, 1908, 512 pp., Biographies, Cast, Photographs, Prefaces, 1920, 1912, 1908, 1908a, 1908b, 1908c, 1908d, 1908e, 1907, 1906, 1905, 1904, 1903, 1902, 1901, 1900, 1900s, 1899, 1898, 1897, 1896, 1895, 1894, 1893, 1892, 1891, 1890, 1890s, 1889, 1888, 1887, 1886, 1885, 1884, 1882, 1881, 1880, 1880s, 1879, 1878, 1877, 1876, 1875, 1874, 1873, 1872, 1870s, 1860s, 1850s, 1839, 1828, 1827, 1850-1800, 1769, pre-1769, 1542, Foreword, Intro,
Frontispiece: Luther A. Ingersoll, 1908b
Preface, p. ii
Contents
- Brief History of California, p. 3
Chapter I. Discovery. p. 3
Chapter II. Colonization, p. 8
Presidios and Pueblos, p. 10
Chapter III. The Mission Establishments, p. 14
- Junipero Serra. [1713-1784], p. 15
- San Diego de Alcala, p. 15
- San Carlos Borremeo de Monterey, p. 17
- San Antonio de Padua, p. 19
- San Gabriel Arcangel, p. 20
- San Luis Obispo de Toloso, p, 26
- San Francisco de Asis, p. 27
- San Juan Capistrano, p. 28
- Santa Clara, p. 29
- San Buenaventura, p. 31
- Santa Barbara, p. 32
- La Purisima Concepcion, p. 34
- Santa Cruz,p. 34
- La Soledad, p. 36
- San Jose, p. 36
- San Juan Bautista, p. 37
- San Miguel Arcangel, p. 39
- San Fernando Rey de Espana, p. 40
- San Luis Rey de Francia, p. 42
- Santa Ynez, Virgin y Martyr, p. 44
- San Rafael, p. 45
- San Francisco de Solano, p. 45
Chapter IV.Friom Monarchy to Republicanism, p. 46
Chapter V. Revolution and Secularization. p. 49
Chapter VI The Free State of Alta California, p, 53
Chapter VII. Closing Years of Mexican Era, p. 58
Chapter VIII. The Conquest of California, p. 66
Chapter IX. Transition from Conquered Territory to a Free State. p. 77
Chapter X. Vigilance Committees. Growth and Prosperity, p. 82
Governors of California, p. 91
Spanish and Mexican Land Grants in Los Angeles County, p. 92
Condensed History of Los Angeles County, p. 95
- Chapter I. Organization, p. 95
Hon. Pio Pico, 1908, p. 100, 1908a, 1908b
Chapter II. Stock Raising and Agriculture,p. 101
Chapter III. Mining and Manufacturing., p. 104
Chapter IV. Transportation and Commerce, p. 107
Chapter V. The Day of the Trolley, p. 112
Chapter VI. Cities and Towns, p. 114
History of Santa Monica Bay Cities, p. 121
- Chapter I. Santa Monica Bay Region, p. 121
Discovery and Exploration,p. 122
The Name, p 123
Settlement, p. 124
Topanga Malibu, p. 125
Tiburcio Tapia [ -1845], p. 125
Don Mateo Keller, p. 128
Frederick Hastings Rindge [1857-1905], p. 128
Mrs. Rhoda May Knight Rindge, p. 130
San Vicente Y Santa Monica, p. 132
- Don Francisco Sepulveda, p. 137
Boca de Santa Monica, p. 136
- Reyes/Marquez Families
La Ballona, p. 137
- Machado Families
Chapter II. Laying the Foundations. 1870-1880. p. 141
- Mrs. Arcadia Bandini de Stearns de Baker, p. 142
- Col. Robert S. Baker [ -1894], p. 142
- Hon. John Percival Jones [1829- ], p. 157
- The Vawter Family, p. 159
- Williamson Dunn Vawter [1815-1894 ], p. 159
- Mary Ellen Vawter, [1836- ], p. 161
- May Vawter [1838-1884], p. 162
- Jane Cravens Vawter [ -]. p. 162
- Aramatha Charlotte Vawter [1841- ], p. 162
- William S. Vawter [1845- ], p. 162
- Edwin James Vawter [1848- ], p. 164
- Emma Knowlton Vawter [1853- ], p. 164
- Charles Knowlton Vawter [1855-1879 ], p. 164
- Edwin Jackson Vawter, Jr. [1871- ], p. 165
Chapter III. From Town to City. 1880-1890, p. 167
- 1886, p. 168
- 1887 p. 169
- 1888, p. 173
- 1889. p. 175
- The Wharf Fight, p. 177
- John J. Carrillo [1842- ], p. 180
Chapter IV. Growth. 1890-1900.p. 185
- 1891, p. 187
- 1892, p. 187
- 1893, p. 188
- 1894, p. 189
- 1895, p. 190
- 1896, p. 193
- 1897, p. 194
- 1898, p. 195
- 1899, p. 197
- Port Los Angeles, p. 198
- The Harbor Question, p. 201
Chapter V. Expansion. 1900-1908, p. 211
- 1901, p. 216
- 1902, p. 220
- 1903, p. 224
- 1904, p. 226
- 1905, p. 229
- 1906, p. 240
- 1907, p. 241
- The Visit of the Atlantic Squadron, p. 243
- Annual Assessment of City of Santa Monica, 1887-1907, p. 243
Chapter VI. South Santa Monica and Ocean Park, p. 244
- Ocean Park District, p. 252
- 1899., p. 253
- 1900, p. 254
- 1901, p. 255
- 1902, p. 257
- 1903,p. 259
- South Santa Monica 1904-07,p. 261
- 1904
- 1905
Chapter VII. Public Institutions, p. 265
- Schools, p. 265
- School Trustees of Santa Monica, p. 269
- Supervising Principals of Santa Monica Schools, p. 270
- School Enrollment and Attendance, p. 270
- Public Library, p. 271
- Library Circulation, p. 276
- Santa Monica Library Site Cash Contributors,p. 276
- Santa Monica Fire Department,p. 278
- Newspapers, p. 279
- PostOffice, p. 282
- Board of Trade-Chamber of Commerce, p. 283
- City Officials, p. 286
- Populations of Santa Monica, p. 287
Chapter VIII. Churches and Societies, p. 288
- Methodist Church, p. 288
- First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica, p. 290
- Catholic Church, p. 292
- Episcopal Church-Saint Augustine-By-The-Sea, p. 295
- Baptist Church, p. 297
- Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene, p. 299
- Women's Christian Temperance Union, p. 299
- Women's Club of Santa Monica, p. 300
- Santa Monica Lodge No. 906, B.P.O.E., p. 301
- Grand Army of the Republic, p. 303
Chapter IX. Miscellaneous, p. 305
- Outdoor Pastimes, p. 305
- Transportation, p. 308
- State Forestry Station, p. 311
- Reminiscences, p. 312
Chapter X. The City of Ocean Park, p. 317
Chapter XI. Venice of America and Its Founder, p. 327
- Abbot Kinney [1850- ], p. 327
- Venice of America, p. 330
- Playa Del Rey, p. 334
Chapter XII Pacific Branch National Home for Disabled Veterans, p. 338
Chapter XIII Sawtelle, p. 345
Biographical [Sketches and Items] p. 357
- Daniel Alton [1843- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 397
- Alvin N. Archer* [1844- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 399; Portrait: Alvin N. Archer, p. 399, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Richmond W. (R.W.) Armstrong [1848- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 481; Portrait, Santa Monica City Council 1906, Second Ward, 1908a, p. 210. 1908b
- Nicholas Gabriel Baida* [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 462
- Mrs. Arcadia Bandini de Stearns de Baker*[ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 142
- Major E.H. Baker [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 480
- Col. Robert S. Baker [ -1894], Bio., 1908a, p. 142
- José M. Bandini [ -], Bio., 1908a, p. 463
- Juan Bandini [- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 463
- Ralph Bane [1879- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 441; Portrait, Ralph Bane, p. 238, 1908a, 1908b,
- Henry Dwight Barrows [1825- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 391; Portrait: Henry D. Barrows, p. 391, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Pedro M. Badillo [1868- ], 1908a, p. 509
- Samuel L. Berkley [1864- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 408
- Bartlett R. Bishop [1879- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 481
- J.D. Blanchard* [1862- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 412; Portrait, Santa Monica City School District Board of Education, 1907, p. 264, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
- George Boehme [1829- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 402
- George C. Boehme [1860- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 455
- Edward F, Bontty [1877- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 441
- Charles Aley Bouck [1856- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 432
- James L. Brice* [1863- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 428
- Mr. and Mrs. John Brickner [1835-, 1859- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 462
- Francis Wycoff Brooks [1821-1885], Bio., 1908a, p. 442
- The Rev. John D.H. Browne [ -], Bio., 1908a, p. 434; Portrait: Rev. J.D.H. Browne, p. 296, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- Antoine Busier [1862- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 382
- Frank E. Bundy [1871- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 383
- Nathan Bundy [1846- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 431
- The California Military Academy, Inst., 1908a, p. 480
- Almon H. Calkins [1841- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 419
- Stephen Carpenter [1834- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 477; Portrait, Stephen Carpenter, p. 477, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- John J. Carrillo [1842- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 180 ff; Portrait: John J. Carrillo, p. 166, 1908b
- L.H. Case, M.D. [1877- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 437
- Col. E.K. Chapin [1839-1891], Bio., 1908a, p. 495
- William R. Chapman [1841- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 472; Portrait, p. 472, William R. Chapman, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- C.C. Cheney [ - ], Bio., 1908, 1908a, p. 512
- Joseph H. Clark [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 359; Portrait, Joseph H. Clark, p. 274, 1908b
- H.L. Coffman, p. 210, Portrait, Santa Monica City Council, 1906, Fifth Ward; 1908a, 1908b
- Mrs. Catherine Collins [ -1894], Bio., 1908a, p. 461
- T.J. Connelly [1861- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 454
- George W. Corey, M.D. [1833- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 465; Portrait, G.W. Corey, M.D., p. 465. 1908, 1908a, 1908c
- H.M. Crane [1861- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 489
- Charles S. Dales [1853- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 453
- Edward V. Dales [1877- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 470; Portrait, Santa Monica City School District Board of Education, 1907, p. 264, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
- John B. Dales [1880- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 454
- Joseph Jefferson Davis [1869- ], Bio., 1908a, p 450
- Orin Davis, M.D., [1823- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 395; Portrait, Orin Davis, M.D., p. 395, 1908, 1908a, 1908c, p. 395
- Walter E. Devore [1856- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 471
- Edwin W. Dike [1820- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 357; Portrait Edwin W. Dike, p. 356, 1908c
- J.H. Dobbings [1864- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 453; Portrait, J.H. Dobbings, p. 452, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Robert Crawford Dobson [1836- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 460
- Major Robert Dollard [1842- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 417; Portrait Maj. Robert Dollard, p. 302, 1908b
- Roscoe H. Dow [1873- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 429; Portrait, Santa Monica City Council 1906, Seventh Ward, 1908a, p. 210, 1908b
- Hon. Thomas Horace Dudley* [1867- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 427
- Hon. H.B. Eakins*[1865- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 430; Portrait, Pres.H.B. Eakins*, Ocean Park Board of Trustees, p. 316, 1908b]
- Cyrus L. Edinger [1874- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 491
- Fred J. Finch [1881- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 492
- George W. Foster* [1840- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 448; Portrait, C.W. Foster*, Ocean Park Board of Trustees, p. 316, 1908b
- William T. Gillis [- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 381; Portrait, William T. Gillis, p. 234, 1908b,
- Edward C. Gird [1863- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 421; Portrait, E.C. Gird, p. 420 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Henry X. Goetz [1861- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 401; Portrait, Henry X. Goetz, p. 234, 1908b,
- L.B, Goodrich [1851- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 403
- Elijah Griffith [ -], p. 423, 1908a; Portrait, E. Griffith, Ocean Park Board of Trustees, p. 316, 1908b.
- Hester Tuttle Griffith* [1854- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 423; Portrait, Hester Tuttle Griffith*, p. 423,1908, 1908a, 1908c
- James H. Grigsby [1851- ], Bio., 1908a,, p. 475
- Robert R. Grimes [1848- ], Bio., 1908a,, p. 413
- August M. Guidinger [1863- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 471
- John Guntrup [1854- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 455
- N.H. Hamilton, M.D. [1852- ], Bio., 1908a, p.369; Portrait, N.H. Hamlton, M.D., p. 218, 1908b,
- H.N. Hammond [1876- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 421
- A.K. Hancock [1853- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 473
- Rev. Patrick Hawe [1847-], Bio., 1908a, p. 362; Portrait, Rev. Patrick Hawe, p. 294, 1908b
- John Charles Hemingway [1858- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 394
- James O. Hodgson, [1838- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 418
- H.C. Hollwedel [1875- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 490
- D.G. Holt [1861- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 479; Portrait: D.G. Holt, p. 280, 1908, 1908a, 1908b; Portrait, President, Santa Monica City School District Board of Education, 1907, p. 264, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
- Martin L. Hudson [ 1855- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 425
- William I. Hull [1859- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 367; Portrait, William I. Hull, p. 172, 1908b,
- J.S . Hunt, M.D. [1865- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 476
- Benjamin Stickney Hunter [1879- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 416
- H.E. Huston [1876- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 467
- George H. Hutton [1870- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 361; Portrait, George H. Hutton, p. 214, 1908b
- Emiline Baker Ingersoll [1823 -1906], Bio., 1908a, p. 446
- Legrand G. Ingersoll [1845- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 468
- L.A, Ingersoll [1851- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 446; Portrait, Luther A. Ingersoll, 1908, 1908a, 1908b, Frontispiece
- Arthur E. Jackson [1870- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 459
- Stephen Jackson [1845?-1898], Bio., 1908a, p. 459
- William Jackson [1852- ],Bio., 1908a, p. 365
- Judge O.W. Jewett [1844-1907], Bio., 1908a, p. 386; Portrait, O.W. Jewett, p. 354. 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Archie F. Johnston [1863-1908], Bio., 1908a, p. 360; Portrait, Archie F. Johnston, p. 242, 1908b,
- Hon. John Percival Jones [1829- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 157; Portrait, Hon. John Percival Jones, p.120, 1908b,
- James P. Keener [1854- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 487
- Don Mateo Keller, Bio., 1908a, p. 128; Portrait, Don Mateo Keller, p. 128, 1908b,
- W.M. Kendall, M.D. [1869- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 510
- Jas. W. Kennedy [1869- ], 1908a, p. 510
- Myron H. Kimball [1827- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 371; Portrait, Myron H. Kimball, p. 371, 1908, 1908a, 1908c
- Abbot Kinney [1850- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 327; Portrait, Abbot Kinney, p. 128, 1908b,
- O.A, Kirkelie [1867- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 490
- Frank C. Langdon [1856- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 389
- Frank Lawton [1860- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 435
- Charles C. LeBas [1859- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 375
- J. Lindt [1840- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 478
- Col. James A. Loudon [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 486
- Thomas R. Lowe [1841- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 435
- Jose De La Luz Machado [1856- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 494; Portrait. J.D. Machado, p. 494, 1908, 1908a, 1908c.
- H.C. Mayer [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 469
- R.F. McClellan [1859- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 409
- Daniel Meloy [1833- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 400
- H.T. Meloy [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 461
- John Metcalf [1842- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 403
- Rev. Elam C. Miles [1832-1900], Bio., 1908a, p. 438
- J. Euclid Miles [1851- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 374; Portrait, p. 210, Santa Monica City Council, Sixth Ward; 1908a, 1908b
- H.L. Mitchell [1871- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 488; Portrait, H.L. Mitchell, p. 488, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- A.M. Montgomery [1870- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 381
- Alf Morris [ - ], Portrait, Santa Monica City Council, 1906, Fourth Ward, Council President, p. 210, 1908a, 1908b
- Walter Mundell, P.M. [1842- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 449
- Clarence J. Nellis [1866- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 431; Portrait, Clarence J. Nellis, p. 431, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Rev. James A. O'Callaghan [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 456
- S.W. Odell [1864- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 381; Portrait, R.W. Odell, p. 381, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- W.M. Palmer [1870- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 447; Portrait, W.M. Palmer, p. 447, 1908, 1908a,1908c,
- Isaac E. Parrish [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 143
- William F. Parrish [1873- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 410
- Adolph Petsch [1852- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 457; Portrait, Adolf Petsch, p. 457, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- John J. Peveler [1859- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 428
- Robert Alexander Phillips [1860- ], p. 511
- Grace Adele Pierce [ ], Bio., 1908a, p. 439; Portrait, Grace Adele Pierce, p. 439, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- E.A. Preuss [1850- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 443
- John B. Procter [1861- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 483
- Roy G. Putnam [1886- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 482; Portrait, R.G. Putnam, p. 482, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Bernard Quinn [1837- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 407; Portrait, Bernard Quinn, p. 407, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- H.M. Rebok [ - ], Portrait, Superintendent of Schools, Santa Monica School District, 1907, p. 264, 1908a, 1908b
- Abe S. Reel [ - ], Portrait, Santa Monica City Council, 1906, Third Ward, p. 210, 1908a, 1908b
- Harry Frantz Rile [1860- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 443; Portrait, H.F. Rile, p. 443, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Frederick Hastings Rindge[1857-1905], Bio., 1908a, p. 128 ff; Portrait, Frederick Hastings Rindge, p. 128, 129, 1908b,
- Mrs. Rhoda May Knight Rindge [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 130
- Claude W. Rogers [1867- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 445
- W.E. Sawtelle [1850- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 364
- Henry Schultz [1872- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 488
- John Schumacher [1816-1885], Bio., 1908a, p. 444
- Gustav W. Schutte [1866- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 464
- Don Francisco Sepulveda [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 137
- Mrs. Jose Dolores Sepulveda [1840- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 512
- Father Junipero Serra. [1713-1784], Bio., 1908a, p. 15; Portrait, Junipero Serra., p. 15, 1908d
- John J. Seymour [1852- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 387
- Daniel Shively [1846-1907], Bio., 1908a, p. 414; Portrait, Daniel Shively, p. 414, 1908c,
- Mrs. Sarah Luccelia Shively, p. 414; Portrait, Mrs. Sarah Lucelia (Waiples)(Booth) Shively, p. 415, 1908c,
- Mrs. George Sibley [1858- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 474
- James D. Simpson [1860- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 458
- J.B.E. Smale [1858- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 456
- John L. Smith [ 1887- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 466
- Noah R. Smith, D.D.S. [1874- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 433; Portrait, N.R. Smith, D.D.S., p. 433, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- P.H. Smith [1862- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 495; Portrait, P.H. Smith , p. 495, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- W.S. Smth, [M.D.] [1879- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 511
- George D. Snyder [1859- ], Bio., 1908a, p.366; Portrait, Santa Monica City Council, First Ward, 1906, p. 210, 1908a, 1908b
- William P. Snyder [1869- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 467
- Peter H. Sonnesyn [1869- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 485
- John A. Stanwood [1856- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 377
- K.B. Summerfield [1864- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 390
- Fred H. Taft [1857- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 376; Portrait, Fred H. Taft, 1908, p. 376, 1908a, 1908c,
- Stephen Harris Taft [1825- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 496; Portrait, Stephen Taft, p. 344, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- James Stephen Talkington [1844- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 406
- Simon N. Talkington [1846- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 438
- Richard R. Tanner [1858- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 373; Portrait, Richard R. Tanner, p. 230. 1908b,
- Tiburcio Tapia [ -1845], Bio., 1908a, p. 125
- Rev. George Taylor [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 411; Portraits, Rev. and Mrs. George Taylor, p. 411, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Wendell B.B. Taylor [ 1875- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 405; Portrait, W.B.B. Taylor, p. 404, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- J.W. Todd [1874- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 388
- Charles C. Towner [1870- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 493
- Charles E. Towner [1849- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 363; Portrait, Charles E. Towner, p. 155, 1908b,
- O.G. Tullis [1864- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 385; Portrait, O.G. Tullis, p. 383, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Daniel Turner [1806- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 492
- Adolf Vache [1835- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 475
- Jose Valenzuela [1851- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 478
- Benjamin F. Van Tress [1836- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 422
- The Vawter Family, Bio., 1908a, p. 159
- Aramatha Charlotte Vawter [1841- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 162
- Charles Knowlton Vawter [1855-1879 ], Bio., 1908a, p. 164
- Edwin James Vawter [1848- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 164; Portrait, Edwin James Vawter, p. 160, 1908b,
- Edwin Jackson Vawter, Jr. [1871- ], Bio, 1908a, p. 164; Portrait, Edwin Jackson Vawter Jr., p.262, 1908b,
- Emma Knowlton Vawter [1853- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 164
- Jane Cravens Vawter [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 162
- Mary Ellen Vawter, [1836- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 161
- May Vawter [1838-1884], Bio., 1908a, p. 162
- William S. Vawter [1845- ], Bio, 1908a, p. 162; Portrait,William S. Vawter, p. 184, 1908b,
- Williamson Dunn Vawter [1815-1894 ], Bio., 1908a, p. 159; Portrait, Williamson D. Vawter, p. 140, 1908b
- Luther C. Watkeys, [1854- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 482
- Hon. Guilford Wiley Wells [1840- ], Bio, 1908a, p. 378 ; Portrait, Hon. G. Wiley Wells,1908b, p. 134
- Oliver S. Westover [1832- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 484
- Henry Peachey Wilber, D.D. [ - ], Bio., 1908a, p. 485
- William Wallace Woodruff [1844- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 476
- Andrew Henry Wyant [1839- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 426
Pictures, Photographs, Illustrations, Maps, 1908b, 1908c, 1908e
- Celebration of Admission of California into the Union. Corner of Clay and Kearney Streets, San Francisco-1850. p. 82, 1908a, 1908e
- Alvin N. Archer*, p. 399, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Arch Rock, Disintegrated and fell, p. 122, 1906, 1908a, 1908b,
- R.W. Armstrong, Second Ward,Santa Monica City Council 1906, 1908a, p. 210, 1908b
- Ralph Bane, p. 238, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- Gen, Phineas Banning, p. 107, 1908a, 1908e
- Henry D. Barrows, p. 391, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Santa Monica City School District Board of Education, 1907, p. 264, 1908a, 1908b
- J.D. Blanchard*, Santa Monica City School District Board of Education, 1907, p. 264, 1908a, 1908b
- Brice Mansion, Ocean Park, p. 320. 1908, 1908a, 1908b
- Rev. J.D.H. Browne, p. 296, 1908a, 1908b,
- Hon. Peter H. Burnett, p. 81, 1908a, 1908e
- California State Capitol, Benicia, p. 86, 1908a, 1908e
- California State Capitol, Sacramento, p. 87, 1908a, 1908e
- Stephen Carpenter, p. 477, 1908a, 1908c,
- José Antonio Carrillo, p. 54, 1908a, 1908e
- J.J. Carrillo, p. 166, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
- William R. Chapman, p. 472, 1908a, 1908c,
- J.H. Clark, p. 274, 1908a, 1908b
- H.L. Coffman, Fifth Ward,Santa Monica City Council 1906, 1908a, p. 210, 1908b
- Colton Hall, Monterey, p. 79, 1908a, 1908e
- G.W. Corey, M.D., p. 465. 1908a, 1908c,
- Antonio F. Coronel, p. 99, 1908a, 1908e
- Rev. J.D. Crum, p. 148, 1908a, 1908b,
- E.V. Dales*, Santa Monica City School District Board of Education, 1907, p. 264, 1908a, 1908b
- Orin Davis, M.D., p. 395, 1908a, 1908c,
- Edwin W. Dike, p. 356, 1908a, 1908c
- J.H. Dobbings, p. 452, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Maj. Robert Dollard, p. 302, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
- Roscoe H. Dow, Seventh Ward, Santa Monica City Council 1906, 1908a, p. 210, 1908b
- Hon. John G. Downey, p. 97, 1908a, 1908e
- Pres.H.B. Eakins*, Ocean Park Board of Trustees, p. 316, 1908b
- H.J. Engelbreacht, Santa Monica City School District Board of Education, 1907, p. 264, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
- C.W. Foster, Ocean Park Board of Trustees, p. 316, 1908b
- John C. Fremont, p. 2, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- Lieut. John C. Fremont, p. 62, 1908a, 1908e
- W.T. Gillis, p. 234. 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- E.C. Gird, p. 420.1908, 1908a, 1908c
- H.X. Goetz, p. 225,1908, 1908a, 1908b
- E. Griffith*, Ocean Park Trustees, p. 316, 1908b
- Hester Tuttle Griffith, p. 423,1908, 1908a, 1908c
- Hon. W, Gwin, p. 88, 1908a, 1908e
- Rev. Patrick Hawe, p. 294. 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- N.H. Hamilton, M.D., p. 218, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- J.G. Hemingway, p. 222, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- D.G. Holt, p. 280, 1908, 1908a, 1908b; President, Santa Monica City School District Board of Education, 1907, p. 264, 1908a, 1908b
- W.I. Hull, p. 172, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- Geo. H. Hutton, p. 214, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- Luther A. Ingersoll, Frontispiece, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- O.W. Jewett, p. 354. 1908, 1908a,, 1908c,
- A.F. Johnston, p. 242, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- Hon. John Percival Jones, p. 120, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- Don Mateo Keller, p. 128,1908. 1908a, 1908b
- Myron H. Kimball, p. 371, 1908, 1908a, 1908c
- Abbot Kinney, p. 326, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
- Lake of Venice, p. 333, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
- Hon, Thomas O. Larkin, p. 71, 1908a, 1908e
- Frank Lawton, p. 304, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
- "Old" Los Angeles County Court House, p. 98, 1908a, 1908e
- J.D. Machado, p. 494, 1908, 1908a, 1908c
- J.D. MacKinnon, Ocean Park Trustees, p. 316, 1908a, 1908b
- H.C. Mayer*, Ocean Park Trustees, p. 316. 1908a, 1908b
- J. Euclid Miles, Sixth Ward, Santa Monica City Council 1906, 1908a, p. 210, 1908b
- R.M. Miller, Secretary, Santa Monica City School District Board of Education, 1907, p. 264,1908a, 1908b
- Missions (See below)
- H.L. Mitchell, p. 488, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
- Mexican Custom House, Monterey, p. 53, 1908a, 1908e
- Alf Morris, Fourth Ward, Council President, Santa Monica City Council 1906, 1908a, p. 210, 1908b
- Clarence J. Nellis, p. 431, 1908, 1908a, 1908c
- Ocean Park Trustees, p. 316, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
Hon. H.B. Eakins*[1865- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 430; Portrait, Pres. H.B. Eakins*, Ocean Park Board of Trustees, p. 316, 1908b
George W. Foster* [1840- ], Bio., 1908a, p. 448; Portrait, C.W. Foster*, Ocean Park Board of Trustees, p. 316, 1908b
Elijah Griffith* [ - ], p. 423, 1908a; Portrait, E. Griffith*, Ocean Park Board of Trustees, p. 316, 1908b
J.D. MacKinnon*, Ocean Park Board of Trustees, p. 316, 1908a, 1908b
H.C. Mayer*, Ocean Park Board of Trustees, p. 316. 1908a, 1908b
R.W. Odell, p. 381, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
Original Church of Our Lady of the Angeles, 1822, p. 95, 1908a, 1908e
W.M. Palmer, p. 447, 1908, 1908a,1908c,
Adolf Petsch, p. 457, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
Gen. Andres Pico, p. 75, 1908a, 1908e
Military Saddle of Don Andres Pico, p. 108, 1908a, 1908e
Hon. Pio Pico, p. 100, 1908a, 1908b,
Grace Adele Pierce, p. 439, 1908a, 1908c,
Public Library, Santa Monica, p. 271, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
R.G. Putnam, p. 482, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
Bernard Quinn, p. 407, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
H.M. Rebok, Superintendent of Schools, Santa Monica School District, 1907, p. 264, 1908a, 1908b
Abe S. Reel, Third Ward, Santa Monica City Council 1906, 1908a, p. 210, 1908b
H.F. Rile, p. 443, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
Frederick H. Rindge, p. 128, 1908a, 1908b
Santa Monica Beach, 1878, p. 143. 1908a, 1908b
Santa Monica First Church, First M.E. Church, p. 151, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
Santa Monica First Methodist Church, Santa Monica, p. 288, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
Santa Monica City Council 1906, 1908a, p. 210, 1908b
- R.W. Armstrong, Second Ward; H.L. Coffman, Fifth Ward; Roscoe H. Dow, Seventh Ward; J. Euclid Miles, Sixth Ward; Alf Morris, Fourth Ward, Council President; Abe S. Reel, Third Ward; Geo. D. Snyder, First Ward, 1906, p. 210, 1908a, 1908b
Santa Monica. City Hall, 1908, 1908a, 1908b, p. 217
Santa Monica Fire House, Dept. No. 1, p. 278, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
Santa Monica Hotel, 1908, 1908a, 1908b, p. 176
Santa Monica Public Library, p. 271, 1908, 1908a, 1908b
Santa Monica City School District Board of Education, 1907, p. 264, 1908a, 1908b
- H.M. Rebok, Superintendent of Schools; D.G. Holt, President; J.D. Blanchard*; E.V. Dales*; H.J. Engelbreacht; W.R. Snyder; R.M. Miller, Secretary of the Board.
Santa Monica Sixth Street School, p. 128, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
Sawtelle House, First One Erected in Sawtelle, 1897, p. 346, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
Sawtelle Public School, p. 348, 1908. 1909a, 1908c
José Dolores Sepulveda, p. 132, 1908. 1908a, 1908b
Junipero Serra, p. 15, 1908a, 1908d
Daniel Shively, p. 414,1908, 1908a, 1908c,
Mrs. Sarah Lucelia (Waiples)(Booth) Shively, p. 415, 1908, 1908a, 1908c
Commodore Jno. D. Sloat, p. 65, 1908a, 1908e
N.R. Smith, D.D.S., p. 433, 1908, 1908a, 1908c
P.H. Smith , p. 495, 1908, 1908a, 1908c
Geo. D. Snyder, First Ward,Santa Monica City Council 1906, 1908a, p. 210, 1908b
W.R. Snyder, Santa Monica City School District Board of Education, 1907, p. 264, 1908a, 1908b
Soldiers' Home, p. 342, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
Don Abel Stearns, 1908a, 1908e, p. 106
Commodore R.F. Stockton, p. 67, 1908a, 1908e
Fred H. Taft, 1908, p. 376, 1908a, 1908c,
Stephen Taft, p. 344, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
R.R. Tanner, p. 230, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
Rev. and Mrs. George Taylor, p. 411, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
W.B.B. Taylor, p. 404, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
Timm's Landing, p. 118, 1908a, 1908e
Topanga, p. 126, 1908, 1908a. 1908b,
Charles E. Towner, p. 154, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
O.G. Tullis, p. 383, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
Gen. M.G. Vallejo, p. 58, 1908a, 1908e
E.J. Vawter, p. 160,1908, 1908a, 1908b,
E.J. Vawter, Jr., p. 262, 1908, 1908a, 1908b,
W.D. Vawter, p. 140,1908, 1908a, 1908b,
W.S. Vawter, p. 184,1908, 1908a, 1908b,
Venice Construction, p. 330,1908, 1908a, 1908b
Hon. G. Wiley Wells, p. 134,1908, 1908a, 1908b,
A.H. Wyant, p. 351, 1908, 1908a, 1908c,
General Index, see List
Index to Views.See List of Views
Index to Portraits. See List of Portraits
Index to Biographies.See List of Biographies
Glossary.See Alphabetic Spanish-English Glossary
Documents
Frontispiece: Luther A. Ingersoll, 1908b
Ingersoll's Century History Santa Monica Bay Cities (Being Book Number Two of Ingersoll's Century Series of California Local History Annals) Prefaced with A Brief History of the State of California A Condensed History of Los Angeles County 1542 to 1908 Supplemented with An Encyclopedia of Local Biography and Embellished with Views of Historic Landmarks and Portraits of Representative People. Luther A. Ingersoll Los Angeles 1908, 512 pp.
"To the memory of the late Williamson D. Vawter, Foremost pioneer citizen in promoting the civic, industrial and moral welfare of Santa Monica, and whose life was an inspiration to noble deeds, this volume of local history is dedicated by The Author."
[page ii] Preface
The publication of this book is in no degree an accident, but rather the partial fulfullment of a long-cherished plan to sometimes put in permanent and fitting form the annals of some of the more historic and romantic cities and towns of Southern California. This ambition dates back to the winter season of 1888-9, when the writer arrived in the "Golden State," became impressed with the transcendent richness of its past history and its abundant promise of future growth and history making. What might have been regarded, at the time, a fancy, or inspiration, has, with the rapid passing of two decades, developed into a vivid reality. Obscure hamlets have become prosperous cities; where then were open stock ranges and broad fields of grain, have sprung up marts of trade and commerce, environed by progressive and prosperous communities. Enough time has elapsed for these cities and communities to have acquired a history, still not enough for any considerable portion of that history to be lost. A few years hence, conditions in this latter respect will have entirely changed.
The region of country of which this story treats lies within the original confines of four Spanish-Mexican land grants bordering the bay of Santa Monica and has hitherto received scant attention from historical writers. When the good works of Hubert Howe Bancroft and Judge Theodore H. Hittell were written the wonderful developments of the past twenty years had not transpired and the work of more recent writers has been of so superficial a nature as not to be of special historical value.
The writing of history is not the thought or work of a day, but rather the diligent pursuance of a fixed and determined purpose. The writer of fiction may work from an inspiration based upon a fertile imagination; the newspaper writer is the chronicler of current events; the descriptive writer of travel pictures that which he then and there observes; but the historian makes a truthful record of the past, stating only that which has actually transpired. He indulges in no ideals, must be keen in discrimination, never self-opinionated or self-assertive, must be untiring in research, a faithful, patient, plodding gleaner of facts and an inherent lover of the truth. Lacking these virtues he is without his calling.
The brief history of California and Los Angeles county is herewith given as a preface to the local history in order that the reader may have a connected story from the date of the discovery of the country. The state chapters are, with the exception of some changes and additions, reprinted from my Century Annals of San Bernardino County, California (1904.) The sketches of each of the twenty-one Franciscan missions of Alta California are adapted from [p. iii] Missions and Landmarks, a meritorious booklet written and in 1903 published by Mrs. Armitage S.C. Forbes, a zealous student and authoritative writer upon California missions and kindred subjects.
The information utilized in the production of the history of Los Angeles county and the Santa Monica Bay Cities has been gleaned from numerous sources, prolific of what have been the works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Theodore H. Hittell, History of Los Angeles County, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, Resources of California by the lamented Charles Nordhoff; Reminiscences of A Ranger, by Major Horace Bell; California Blue Books, old maps and numerous old legal documents. Acknowledgments are due Editor D.G. Holt for the loan of the complete files of his Santa Monica Outlook. Old files of the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Herald and the Evening Express have all reflected light upon scenes and events of ealier days. Archives of the city of Santa Monica, of the city and the county of Los Angeles, have been freely drawn upon. Files of old legal documents and old court records have been a great aid in shaping and verifying the histories of the land grants.
Uniform courtesy and kindness have been accorded me by many people in my quest for historical data, for which I am under special and lasting obligations to Judge J.J. Carrillo, E.J. Vawter, Hon. John P. Jones, W.S. Vawter, R.R. Tanner, Esq., Judge Geo. H. Hutton, Abbot Kinney, Robert F. Jones, L.T. Fisher, Miss Jennie C. Vawter, Miss Emma Vawter, Dr. John A. Stanwood, Miss Elfie Mosse, Col, G. Wiley Wells, Mrs. E.K. Chapin, Rev. J.D.H. Browne, Mrs. Laura E. Hubbell, W.I. Hull, Mrs. May K. Rindge, J.B. Proctor, S,W. Odell, Rev. Stephen H. Taft, Mrs. Sarah L. Shively and W.B.B. Taylor. It affords me pleasure to here make due acknowledgment of the valuable literary service rendered me almost form the inception of this work by Miss Rose L. Ellerbe. Her mental training and already wide experience in the field of letters have eminently qualified her for historical labors and I deem it fortunate that, in this work, I have been able to command her splendid abilities.
The biographical matter with which the general historical chapters are supplemented will prove a valuable feature of this work. It permanently records so much of the personal experience of those who haver contributed to the development of this country and have borne an honorable part in the direction of its public affairs as to constitute a fairly comprehensive encyclopedia of local biographical references. Much careful labor has been bestowed upon the compiling of these sketches. The information has been gathered from published books, magazines, and newspapers, by personal interviews with the subjects thereof, and relatives of those who have passed away.
A somewhat rigid system of submitting these articles to persons from whom original information was obtained, has been pursued, for the purpose of assuring accuracy. In doing this, use was made of the U.S. mail. In some instances these sketches have not been returned to me corrected and in such cases errors may appear, for which I must disclaim responsibility. The printing of these [page iv] sketches had not in any instance been made contingent upon the payment of money or in any form, the support of my enterprise. Neither have they been written for the purpose of gratifying a desire of any person to appear conspicuously in print. I have studiously refrained from writing eulogies upon the lives of living people. Such forms of alleged biography invades the field of commercialism to such an extent as to render it worthless as history. The histories of churches and fraternal organizations is by no means as complete as I desire, because the necessary data was not obtainable. It would have been impossible to illustrate this volume so liberally only for the public spirit of people who have in many instances shared with me the burden of expense. The labor and money expended in the production of this book has been a secondary consideration, and to place in the hands of a reading public a reliable and dignified historical story has been paramount in the author's mind.
--Luther A. Ingersoll, Santa Monica, California, Dec. 1st, 1908
(Back to Sources)
General Index.
Academy of the Holy Names, 1908a, p. 219
[Activities, 1908a, 134, 135, 305, 307]
Cricket, 1908a, p. 307;
Horse Racing, 1908a, pp. 134, 135;
Lawn Tennis, 1908a, p. 305
Outdoor pastimes, 1908a, p. 305
Polo Club, 1908a, p. 307
Admission of California, 1908a, pp. 81, 82
[Agriculture, 1908a, pp, 88, 101, 102, 103, 104, 106. 233]
Alfalfa, 1908a, p. 104
Bean Culture, 1908a, p. 233
Cattle Raising, 1908a,
California, 1908a, p. 88
Flour Mills, 1908a, p. 106
Los Angeles, 1908a, p. 101
Horticultural production, Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 104
Irrigation systems, Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 102
Orange growing, 1908a, p. 103
Sugar beets, 1908a, p. 104
Wheat raising, Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 102
Wine making, 1908a, pp. 102, 128
Alarcon, Hernando de, 1908a, p. 4
Alfalfa, 1908a, p. 104
Alvarado, Pedro de, 1908a, p. 5
Alvarado, Juan B., 1908a, pp. 53, 55, 56, 57
Anaheim, settled, 1908a, p. 102
Anzu's route to California, 1908a, p. 10, 11
Arcadia Hotel, 1908a, p. 168
Arguello, Luis A., governor, 1908a, p. 46
Artesian Water Co., 1908a, pp. 226, 228
A. & P. Ry., 1908a, pp. 89, 110, 187, 223
[Athletics, Sport, 1908a, pp. 305, 306, 307]
Cricket Club, 1908a, p. 307
Lawn Tennis Club, 108a, p. 305
Outdoor pastimes, 1908a, p. 305
Polo Club, 1908a, p. 307
Tennis Tournaments, 1908a, p. 306
Atlantic squadron, 1908a, p. 243
Annual Assessments Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 243
Ballona, Military Camps,,1908a, p. 139
Ballona Junction, 1908a, p. 310
Ballona Port, 1908a, p. 168
Ballona Harbor Co., 1908a, pp. 335, 336
Ballona & S.M. Ry., 1908a, p . 171
Baker, Robert S., 1908a, p. 142
Bandini, Juan, 1908a, p. 101
Bank, First National of Santa Monica, 1908a, 173, 175, 188
[Banks, 1908a, pp. 173, 175, 188]
First National Bank of Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 173, 175, 188
Banning, Phineas, 1908a, 107, 109, 118
[Baptists, 1908a], pp. 297, 353
Baptist Church, 1908a, p. 297
First Baptist Church, Sawtelle, 1908a, p. 353
Baptist Church, 1908a, p. 297
Barrett Villa, 1908a, p. 347
[Bath Houses, 1908a, pp. 190, 210]
North Beach Bath House, 1908a, pp. 190, 210
[Battle of Dominguez rancho, 1908a, p. 69]
[Battle of El Paso de Bartola, 1908a, p. 73]
[Battle of Plains, 1908a, p. 74]
[Battle of San Juan, 1908a, p. 71]
[Battle of San Pasqual, 1908a, p. 72]
Battles, 1908a, pp. 69, 71, 72, 73, 74
Battle of Dominguez rancho, 1908a, p. 69
Battle of El Paso de Bartola, 1908a, p. 73
Battle of Plains, 1908a, p. 74
Battle of San Juan, 1908a, p. 71
Battle of San Pasqual, 1908a, p. 72
[Beaches, 1908a, p. 152, 190, 210]
Beach Front Dispute, 1908a, p. 152
North Beach, 1908a, pp. 190, 210
Beach Front Dispute, 1908a, p. 152
Beach Land Co., 1908a, pp. 336, 337
Bean Culture, 1908a, p. 233
"Bear Flag", 1908a, pp. 64, 66
Board of Trade, 1908a, pp. 175, 202, 283, [284, 285, 286]
Boca de Santa Monica, grant, 1908a, 136, 170
Bonds, 1908a, pp. 189, 192, 195, 196, 221, 235, 236, 241
Sewer bonds, 1908a, pp. 189, 192, 195, 196, 221, 235, 236, 241
Boom, 1908a, pp. 110, 111, 169. 246
Bouchard, privateer, 1908a, p., 13
Brentwood Park, 1908a, p. 240
B.P.O.E. (Elks)
Santa Monica Lodge No. 906, B.P.O.E., 1908a, p. 303
The Bulletin, S.F., 1908a, p. 83
Cable line, 1908a, p. 112
Cabrillo, Juan Roderiguez, 1908a, pp. 5, 6, 122
Cahuenga, treaty of, 1908a, pp. 61, 75
[California, 1908a, pp. 10, 11, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 75, 81, 82, 88]
Admission of California, 1908a, pp. 81, 82
Anzu's route to California, 1908a, p. 10, 11
"Bear Flag," 1908a, pp. 64, 66
Cahuenga, treaty of, 1908a, pp. 61, 75
California, name, 1908a, p. 4
Cattle Raising, 1980a, p. 88
Education in California, 1908a, p. 89
Fremont entry into California, 1908a, pp. 62, 63
(See Governors, 1908a)
Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 98
Mining, In California, 1908a, p. 88
Clay Products in Los Angeles County, 1908a, pp. 105, 106
Gold, discovery, 1908a, 77, 78, 97
In Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 104
Railroads, in California, 1908a, pp. 88, 89
Seal, California, state, 1908a, p. 80
Territorial Government, 1908a, pp. 78, 79
California, name, 1908a, p. 4
Capitals, state, 1908a, pp. 86, 87
Carrillo, A. Carlos, 1908a, pp. 55, 56, 181
Carrillo, José A., 1908a, pp. 54, 61, 62
Carrillo, Juan J., 1908a, pp. 174, 180, 186, 191
Carrillo, Pedro C., 1908a, p. 181
Carriage, first in California, 1908a, p. 106
Casino, 1908a, p. 306
Castro, General, 1908a, pp. 54, 56, 59, 61, 62, 65, 67, 68
Catalina Island, 1908a, pp. 5, 7
Catholic Church, 1908a, p. 292
[Catholicism, 1908a], pp. 7, 18, 19, 21, 24, 27, 42, 43, 219, 292
Academy of the Holy Names, 1908a, p. 219
Catholic Church, 1908a, p. 292
Crespi, Father Juan, 1908a, p. 18
Franciscan order, 1908a, p. 7
Hawe, Father Patrick,, 1908a, pp. 292
Jayme, Father Luis, 1908a, p. 16
Jesuits, 1908a, p. 8
Lasuen, Father Francisco, 1908a, p. 19
Martinez, Father Luis, 1908a, p. 27
Peyri, Father, 1908a, pp. 42, 43
Sanchez, Padre José B., 1908a, p. 24
Serria, Father Vicente de, 1908a, p. 47
Sisters of Holy Name, 1908a, pp. 198, 219
Zalvidea, Father José M., 1908a, p. 21
Cattle Raising, 1908a, pp. 88, 101
In California, 1908a, p. 88
In Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 101
[Celebrations, holidays, Parades, 1908a], 291
Floral Festival, 1908a, p. 291
Census, 1908a, pp. 98, 99 , 287
(See [U.S. Census]]
Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 98, 99
Ocean Park census, 1908a, p. 318
Santa Monica Census, 1908a, p. 287
Chamber of Commerce, 1908a, pp. 283, 334, 355
Palms, 1908a, p. 355
Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 283,
Venice, 1908a, p. 334
Chapman, Joseph, 1908a, pp. 13, 47
Charter, Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 216, 220, 238, 239
Chico, Mariano, governor, 1908a, pp. 52, 53
Chinese massacre, 1908a, p. 99
[Churches, 1908a], pp. 205, 290, 292, 297, 288, 353
[See Missions]
Baptist Church, 1908a, p. 297
Catholic Church, 1908a, p. 292
Episcopal Church, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 205
First Baptist Church, Sawtelle, 1908a, p. 353
Methodist Church, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 288
Pentacostal Church of Nazarene, 1908a, p. 299
Presbyterian Church, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 290
[Cities, hamlets, pueblos, towns, villages, 1908a, pp. 11, 12, 57, 61, 68, 83, 101, 102, 107, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 123, 124, 145, 146, 149, 169, 171, 173, 175, 176, 185, 188, 194, 197, 243, 309, 318, 334, 350, 352, 353, 355]
(See Incorporated towns, 1908a, pp. 115, 119)
Anaheim, settled, 1908a, p. 102
Barrett Villa, 1908a, p. 347
Brentwood Park, 1908a, p. 240
Dolgeville, 1908a, p. 107
Downey, settled, 1908a, p. 101
El Monte, settled, 1908a, p. 101
Long Beach, 1908a, p. 116
[Los Angeles, 1908a, pp. 11, 12, 61, 68]
Monrovia, 1908a, pp. 117
Monterey, capture of, 1908a, p. 57
Ocean Park, 1908a, p. 318, 319
Palms, 1908a, pp. 171, 352, 355
Pasadena, 1908a, p. 115
Pomona, 1908a, pp. 101, 103, 116
Redondo, 1908a, p. 119
[San Francisco, 1908a, p. 83]
San José, pueblo, 1908a, p. 11
San Pedro, 1908a, pp. 5, 7, 107, 108, 118
Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 123, 124, 145, 146, 149, 171, 176, 185, 194, 197, 309,
[Santa Monica, 1908a, pp., 168, 169, 173, 175, 188, 219, 243, 283]
Sawtelle, 1908a, pp., 350, 353
Sonoma, 1908a, pp. 64, 65
Venice, 1908a, pp., 229, [334]
Venice of America, 1908a, pp. 330, 331, 332, 334,
Whittier, 1908a, p. 117
Wilmington, 1908a, pp. 107, 118
City Hall, Santa Monica, 1908a, 215, 217, 219, 225
City Officials, Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 286, 287
City Water Co., 1908a, p. 251
[Civic, Fraternal, Sororal, Mutual Assistance, Clubs, 1908a]
B.P.O.E. (Elks)
Santa Monica Lodge No. 906, B.P.O.E., 1908a, p. 303
Grand Army of Republic, 1908a,
Civil War in California, 1908a, p.
Clay Products in Los Angeles County, 1908a, pp. 105, 106
Colton Hall, 1908a, p. 79
[Communications, 1908a] p. 63, 108
Dispatches, 1908a, p. 63
Mails, in Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 108
[Companies, 1908a, pp., 89, 110, 171, 187, 194, 223, 226, 228, 319, 335, 336, 337]
Artesian Water Co., 1908a, pp. 226, 228
A. & P. Ry., 1908a, pp. 89, 110, 187, 223
Ballona Harbor Co., 1908a, pp. 335, 336
Ballona & S.M. Ry., 1908a, p . 171
Beach Land Co., 1908a, pp. 336, 337
City Water Co., 1908a, p. 251
L.A. Co. Ry., 1908a, pp. 174, 175, 187, 307
Los Angeles & Independence Ry., 1908a, pp. 144, 151, 153, 308
L.A.-P. Ry., 1908a, pp. 113, 114, 192, 193, 194, 197, 221, 255
Ocean Park Improvement Co., 1908a, p. 319
Pacific Electric, 1908a, p. 113, 114
Santa Monica Water Co., 1908a, p. 194
Santa Monica Wharf & Ry. Terminal Co., 1908a, pp. 179, 180
Soc. Pac. Ry., 1908a, pp. 88, 89, 109, 144, 154, 187, 197, 203, 309
Traction Co., 1908a, p. 223
Wells Fargo, 1908a, p. 108
Constitutional Convention, 1908a, pp. 79, 80
Coronado, 1908a, pp. 4, 5
Coronel, Antonio, 1908a, pp. 96, 98
Cortes, 1908a, pp. 3, 4
[Counties, 1908a]
Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 101
Orange County, 1908a, p. 96
San Bernardino County, 1908a, p. 96, 110
[Countries, Foreign Shores, 1908a]
Philippines, trade with, 1908a, pp. 5, 7
Russians, in California, 1908a, p. 47
Court House, Los Angeles, 1908a, p. 98
Crespi, Father Juan, 1908a, p. 18
Cricket Club, 1908a, p. 307
[Disasters, catastropes, 1908a, pp. 29, 33, 101
Droughts, 1908a, 101
Earthquakes, 1908a, pp. 29, 33
Discovery and Exploration, Santa Monica region, 1908a, p. 122
Division of town, Santa Monica, 1908a, 213, 227, 255
Dolgeville, 1908a, p. 107
Downey, John G., 1908a, pp. 96, 101, 118
Downey, settled, 1908a, p. 101
Drake, Sir Francis, 1908a, p.6
Droughts, 1908a, pp. 101
1857 Drought, 1908a, p. 101
1862-1863 Drought, 1908a, p. 101
Dudley, T.H., 1908a, pp. 253, 257
[Duties, grants, incorporations, laws, obligations, rights, settlements, treaties, zones, 1908a, pp., 61, 175]
[See Land, 1908a]
Boca de Santa Monica, grant, 1908a, pp 136, 170
Charter, Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 216, 220, 238, 239
Incorporated towns, 1908a, pp. 115, 119
Incorporation, 1908a, pp. 169, 318, 350
Ocean Park, 1908a, p. 318
Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 169
Sawtelle, 108a, p. 350
Treaty of Cahuenga, 1908a, pp. 61, 75
Earthquake, 1812, 1908a, pp. 29, 33
Echandia, J.M., governor, 1908a, pp. 49, 50, 132
Eckert, (Bob.) 1908a, p. 216
[Economic Cycles, Swings, 1908a, pp. 110, 111, 169. 246]
Boom, 1908a, pp. 110, 111, 169. 246
Education, 1908a. pp. 89, 9
In California, 1908a, p. 89
In Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 98
Elections, 1908a, pp. 80, 96, 319
First California elections, 1908a, p. 80
First Los Angeles county, 1908a, p. 98
Ocean Park election, 1908a, p. 319
Sewer bonds, 1908a, pp. 189, 192, 195, 196, 221, 235, 236, 241
Electric Lines, 1908a, pp. 113, 114
Elks Clubs, 1908a
(See B.P.O.E.}
El Monte, settled, 1908a, p. 101
Episcopal Church, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 205
[Ethnicities, 1908a, pp. 47, 54, 56, 62, 99, 121, 123, 125]
Chinese massacre, 1908a, p. 99
Foreigners, 1908a, pp. 47, 48, 54, 56, 62
Indians, 1908a, pp. 122, 123, 125
Russians, 1908a, p. 47
Expeditions, 1908a, pp. 8, 9, 10, 11
Anzu's route to California, 1908a, p. 10, 11
First to California, 1908a. pp. 8, 9
Ferrelo, Bartolome, 1908a, pp. 6,7
Filibustering, 1908a, p. 85
Figueroa, José, 1908a, pp, 50,
Death, 1908a, p. 52
[Financial Institutions, 1908a, pp. 173, 175, 188, 232]
First National Bank of Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 173, 175, 188
[The Santa Monica Investment Co., 1908a, p. 232]
First Baptist Church, Sawtelle, 1908a, p. 353
First National Bank of Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 173, 175, 188
First N.Y. Infantry, 1908a, p. 76
Fisher, L.T., 1908a, 169, 201, 281, 315
Floral Festival, 1908a, p. 291
Flour Mills, 1908a, p. 106
[Food Industry, Provisioning, Preparation, 1908a]
[See Agriculture, 1908a]
Flour Mills, 1908a, p. 106
Wine making, 1908a, pp. 102, 128
Foreigners, 1908a, pp. 47, 48, 54, 56, 62
Arrival, 1908a, pp. 47, 48
Fighting, 1908a, pp. 54
Exiled, 1908a, pp. 56
Residents, 1908a, pp. 62
Franciscan order, 1908a, p. 7
Freighting, 1908a, p. 109
Fremont, John C. 1908a, pp. 62, 63, 64, 65, 66. 67, 71, 74, 75, 76
Entry into California, 1908a, pp. 62, 63
Dispatches, 1908a, p. 63
At Sonoma, 1908a, pp. 64, 65
Raises Flag, 1908a, p., 66
Major, 1908a, p. 67
Lieutenant-colonel, 1908a, p. 71
In South, pp. 71, 75
Governor, p. 76
Galvez, José, 1908a, p. 8
Garey, T.A., 1908a, pp. 103, 116
Gillispie, Captain,, 1908a, pp. 68, 69
Gilroy, John, 1908a, p. 47
Gold, discovery, 1908a, 77, 78, 97
Good Government League, 1908a, pp. 216, 220
Government, territorial, 1908a, pp. 78. 79
Governors, 1908a, pp. 9, 10, 46, 49, 50, 52, 53, 60, 61, 67, 68, 94, 97, 117, 123, 132
List of, 1908a, p. 94
From Southern California, 1908a, 97
Arguello, Luis A., governor, 1908a, p. 46
Chico, Mariano, governor, 1908a, pp. 52, 53
Echandia, J.M., governor, 1908a, pp. 49, 50, 132
Fremont, John C. 1908a, pp. 62, 63, 64, 65, 66. 67, 71, 74, 75, 76
Mason, Gov., 1908a, p. 78
Pico, Pio, governor, 1908a, pp. 60, 61, 67, 68, 117
Portala, Gaspar de, first governor of California, 1908a, pp. 9, 10, 123
Sola, Governor, 1908a, p. 46
Victoria, Manuel, governor, 1908a, p. 49
Grand Army of Republic, 1908a, 302
[Guadalupe, Treaty of, 1908a, p. 76]
Gulf of California, 1908a, pp. 4, 5, 8
Gwin, Wm.M., 1908a, pp. 79, 80
Harbor questions, 1908a, pp. 100, 201
Hartnell, W.E.P., 1908a, pp. 48, 79
Hawe, Father Patrick,, 1908a, pp. 292
Herald, S.F., 1908a, p. 83
[Hidalgo, Treaty of, 1908a, p. 76]
Hijar and Padres party, 1908a, pp. 50, 51
Holt, D.G., 1908a, p. 282
"Hook" franchise, 1908a, 223, 224
Horse Racing, 1908a, 134, 135
Horticultural production, Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 104
[See Orange raising]
[Hospitality, Tourism], 1908a
Arcadia Hotel, 1908a, p. 165
[Hotels, 1908a, p. 168]
[Tourist Attractions, 1908a]
[Transportation, 1908a]
Hotchkiss, A.B., 1908a, p. 245
[Hotels, 1908a, p. 115, 168, 175]
Arcadia Hotel, 1908a, p. 168
Raymond Hotel, 1908a, p. 115
The Santa Monica Hotel, 1908a, p. 175
{Housing, Acciomodations, Apartments, Cottages, Hotels, Houses, Tents,1908a]
[ See Hotels, 1908a, p. 168]
Soldiers" Home, 1908a, p. 171
Hull, W.I., 1908a, p. 225
[Inappropriate (or appropriate) Behaviors, 1908a]
[Crimes against Codes of Conduct, Expected Actions and Accepted Practice, 1908a]
[Crimes against Humanity, 1908a, p. 85]
Chinese massacre, 1908a, p. 99
Filibustering, 1908a, p. 85
[Crimes against the Person, 1908a]
[Crimes against the Law, 1908a]
[Crimes against Religious Law, stricture; Sins and Heresy, 1908a]
{Crimes against the State, 1908a]
[Crimes against Zoning, 1908a]
[Violations of Community Standards, Parental Expectation; Spoousal and Familial [and clan, party, state, country expectations, 1908a]
Incorporated towns, 1908a, pp. 115, 119
Incorporation, 1908a, pp. 169, 318, 350
Ocean Park, 1908a, p. 318
Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 169
Sawtelle, 108a, p. 350
Indians, 1908a, pp. 122, 123, 125
[Infrastructure, 1908a, pp. 102, 240]
Irrigation systems, Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 102
Oiled Streets, 1908a, p. 240
Irrigation systems, Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 102
Investment Co., Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 232
See The Santa Monica Investment Co., 1908a, p. 232]
[Investment Co., 1908a, pp. 232]
[See Companies, 1908a]
[See Financial Institutions, 1908a]
Jayme, Father Luis, 1908a, p. 16
Jimenez, Fortuna, 1908a, pp. 3, 4
Jesuits, 1908a, p. 8
Jones, J.P., 1908a, 144, 152, 157, 173, 175,
Jnez de Campo, 1908a, p. 96
Kearney, Stephen W., 1908a, pp. 72, 73, 75, 76
Keller, Mathew, 1908a, pp. 102, 128
Kinney, A., 1908a, pp. 170, 173, 197, 248, 257, 259, 273, 327,
King, James, 1908a, p. 83
La Ballona, grant, 1908a, pp. 137, 139
[Land, Commons, Grants, Usage, Law, Political Entities, Property, Ownership, Obligation Rights, 1908a, 152, 223, 224, 243]
Agriculture, 1908a, p. 104, 233
Annual Assessments Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 243
Beach Front Dispute, 1908a, p. 152
Boca de Santa Monica, grant, 1908a, 136, 170
[See California, 1908a]
[See Cities, 1908a]
"Hook" franchise, 1908a, 223, 224
La Ballona, grant, 1908a, pp. 137, 139
[See Land Grants, 1908a]
[See Los Angeles County, 1908a]
Malibu rancho, 1908a, pp. 124, 129, 130
Palisades tract, 1908a, p. 231
Playa del Rey, 1908a, p. 334
Santa Monica region, 1908a, p. 122
[Land Cos., 1908a, pp. 336, 337]
[See Real Estate Co.]
Beach Land Co., 1908a, pp. 336, 337
Land Grants, list of, 1908a, pp. 92, 93
Land grants, Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 96
[Landmarks, locations, places, reference points, 1908a, 139, 152, 336, 337]
Military Camps, Ballona, 1908a, p. 139
Ballona Junction, 1908a, p. 310
Beaches, 1908a, pp. 152, 336, 337
Catalina Island, 1908a, pp. 5, 7
[See Cities, 1908a]
Gulf of California, 1908a, pp. 4, 5, 8
Mendocino, Cape, 1908a, p. 6
Monterey Bay, 1908a, pp. 5,6,7, 9
Point Dumé, 1908a, p. 121
Presidio, description, 1908a, , p. 10
Larkin, Thomas O., 1908a, p. 71
Lasuen, Father Francisco, 1908a, p. 19
Lawn Tennis Club, 1908a, p. 305
Library, 1908a, pp. 186, 271
Library Site Fund, Contributors to, 1908a, p. 276
Long Beach, 1908a, p. 116
[Los Angeles, 1908a, pp. 11, 12, 53, 61, 68]
Los Angeles, the capital, 1908a, p. 61
Los Angeles capture, 1908a, p. 68
Los Angeles, pueblo, 1908a, pp. 11, 12
Viglantes, 1908a, 53,
Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 96, 98, 99, 101, 102, 104, 105, 108, 122
Boundaries, 1908a, p. 96
Cattle Raising, 1908a, p. 101
[See Cities]
Clay Products in Los Angeles County, 1908a, pp. 105, 106
Created, 1908a, p. 96
Los Angeles County, Census, 1908a, pp. 98, 99
Education in Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 98
Irrigation systems, Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 102
Mails, in Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 108
Mining, [Extractions], 1908a, 77, 78, 88, 97, 104, 105, 106],
Clay Products in Los Angeles County, 1908a, pp. 105, 106
Gold, discovery, 1908a, 77, 78, 97
In Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 104
Petroleum in Los Angeles County, 1908a, pp. 104, 105
Petroleum in Los Angeles County, 1908a, pp. 104, 105
Santa Monica region, 1908a, p. 122
Soldiers in Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 99
Wheat raising, Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 102
Los Angeles, pueblo,, 1908a, pp. 11, 12
Los Angeles, the capital, 1908a, p. 61
Los Angeles capture, 1908a, p. 68
L.A. Co. Ry., 1908a, pp. 174, 175, 187, 307
Los Angeles & Independence Ry., 1908a, pp. 144, 151, 153, 308
Built, 1908a, p. 151
History, 1908a, p. 308
Organized, 1908a, p. 144
Sold, 1908a, p. 153
L.A.-P. Ry., 1908a, pp. 113, 114, 192, 193, 194, 197, 221, 255
Lucas, Nancy A., 1908a, pp. 244, 248
Machado, Antonio, 1908a, p. 138, 139
Machado, Augustin, 1908a, p. 137
Machado, Ygnacio, 1908a, p. 137, 138
[Magazines, Newspapers, Journals, Publications, 1908a, pp. 83, 147. 280]
Newspapers, 1908a, p. 270
[San Francisco Bulletin, 1908a, p. 83]
[San Francisco Herald, 1908a, p. 83
[Santa Monica Outlook, 1908a, pp. 147, 280]
Mails, in Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 108
Malibu rancho, 1908a, pp. 124, 129, 130
Manufactured products, Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 107
Clay Products in Los Angeles County, 1908a, pp. 105, 106
[Manufacturing, 1908a, 105, 106. 107]
Marquez, Francisco, 1908a, 132, 136, 137
Martinez, Father Luis, 1908a, p. 27
Mason, Gov., 1908a, p. 78
Mendocino, Cape, 1908a, p. 6
Methodist Church, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 288
[Military Actions, Armies, Battles, Wars, 1908a]
Atlantic squadron, 1908a, p. 243
[See Battles, 1908a, pp. 69, 71, 72, 73, 74]
First N.Y. Infantry, 1908a, p. 76
Civil War in California, 1908a, p. 87
Military Camps, Ballona, 1908a, p. 139
Military Camps, Wilmington, 1908a, p. 118
Militia Company, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 196
National Home for Disabled Veterans, Pacific Branch, 1908a, p. 338
Soldiers in Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 99
Military Camps, Ballona, 1908a, p. 139
Military Camps, Wilmington, 1908a, p. 118
Militia Company, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 196
Mining, [Extractions], 1908a, 77, 78, 88, 97, 104, 105, 106],
In California, 1908a, p. 88
Clay Products in Los Angeles County, 1908a, pp. 105, 106
Gold, discovery, 1908a, 77, 78, 97
In Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 104
Mission establishments, descriptions, 1908a, pp., 9, 14, 15, 17, 31, 34, 36, 45, 61
Purisima Concepcion, mission, 1908a, p. 34
San Buenaventura, mission, 1908a, p. 31
San Carlos, mission, 1908a, pp. 9, 17
[San Carlos Borremeo de Monterey, p.18, 1908d]
San Diego, mission, 1908a, pp. 9, 15
[San Diego de Alcala, Mision of, p. 16,1908d]
San José, mission, 1908a, p. 36
[San Luis Obispo, de Toledo, 1908a, p. 26]
San Rafael, mission, 1908a, p. 45
Santa Barbara, presidio and mission, 1908a, pp. 11, 12, 32
[Santa Clara, Mission of, 1908d]
San Francisco de Asis, p. 27, 1908a, 1908d
Soledad, mission, p. 36
Moncada, Rivera y, 1908a, pp. 9, 10
Monrovia, 1908a, pp. 117
Monterey Bay, 1908a, pp. 5,6,7, 9
Monterey, capture of, 1908a, p. 57
Morman Battalion, 1908a, p. 70
Mooney Mansion, 1908a, p. 244
National Home for Disabled Veterans, Pacific Branch, 1908a, p. 338
Neve, Felipe de, 1908a. pp. 10, 11, 12
Newspapers, 1908a, p. 270
[See Magazines, newspapers et al.]
North Beach Bath House, 1908a, pp. 190, 210
Ocean Park, 1908a, pp. 168, 170, 173, 197, 244, 245, 248, 254, 257, 259, 273, 292, 318, 327
[See Santa Monica; South Santa Monica; Ocean Park District; Oceanpark; Ocean Park; Ocean Park; Venice]
Arcadia Hotel, 1908a, p. 168
Dudley*, T.H., 1908a, pp. 253, 257
Hawe*, Father Patrick,, 1908a, pp. 292
Hotchkiss*, A.B., 1908a, p. 245
Incorporated, 1908a, p. 318
Kinney*, A., 1908a, pp. 170, 173, 197, 248, 257, 259, 273, 327,
Lucas*, Nancy A., 1908a, pp. 244, 248
Mooney Mansion, 1908a, p. 244
Ostrich Farm, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 246
Ocean Park District, 1908a, 1898, p. 252; 1899, p. 253; 1900, p. 254; 1901, p. 255; 1902. p. 257; 1903, 259
Ocean Park, 1908a, 227, 236, 249, 250, 252, 317,
Ocean Park, 1908a, Incorporation, p. 318; census, p. 318; election, 319; Improvement Co., p. 319; Growth, , 321; sewage, p. 321; licences, p. 322; values, p. 323; bonds, p. 324; postoffice, 324; City Hall, p. 325
Oiled Streets, 1908a, p. 240
Orange County, 1908a, p. 96
Orange growing, 1908a, p. 103
Ostrich Farm, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 246
Outdoor pastimes, 1908a, p. 305
Outlook, Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 147, 280
Pacific Branch National Home for Disabled Veterans, 1908a, p. 338
Pacific Electric, 1908a, p. 113, 114
Electric Lines, 1908a, pp. 113, 114
Palisades tract, 1908a, p. 231
Palms, 1908a, pp. 171, 352, 355
Chamber of Commerce, 1908a, p. 355
Pasadena, 1908a, p. 115
[Paths, Right-of-ways, Routes, Streets, Trails, 1908a, pp. 10, 11, 240]
Anzu's route to California, 1908a, p. 10, 11
[Beaches, 1908a, pp. 152, 336, 337]
Oiled Streets, 1908a, p. 240
Pentacostal Church of Nazarene, 1908a, p. 299
Peyri, Father, 1908a, pp. 42, 43
[Petroleum, 1908a, pp. 104, 105]
Petroleum in Los Angeles County, 1908a, pp. 104, 105
Petroleum Production, 1908a, p. 105
Petroleum in Los Angeles County, 1908a, pp. 104, 105
Petroleum Production, 1908a, p. 105
Philippines, trade with, 1908a, pp. 5, 7
Pico, Andrés, 1908a, pp. 72, 75, 135
Pico, Pio, governor, 1908a, pp. 60, 61, 67, 68, 117
Pious Fund, 1908a, p. 51
Playa del Rey, 1908a, p. 334
Point Dumé, 1908a, p. 121
Police Department, 1908a, p. 193
Polo Club, 1908a, p. 307
Pomona, 1908a, pp. 101, 103, 116
Population, 1908a, pp. 82, 83, 112, 114, 115, 167, 185, 220, 287, 318
[See Census]
California (state), 1908a, pp. 82, 83
Los Angeles City, 1908a, p. 115
Los Angeles County, 1908a, pp. 112, 114
Ocean Park,1908a, p. 318
Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 167, 185, 220, 287
Portala, Gaspar de, first governor of California, 1908a, pp. 9, 10, 123
Port Los Angeles, 1908a, p. 198
[Ports, 1908a, p. 168]
Ballona Port, 1908a, p. 168
Port Los Angeles, 1908a, p. 198
Postoffices, 1908a, pp. 186, 263, 282, 324
Ocean Park Post Office, 1908a, pp. 263, 282, 324
Presbyterian Church, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 290
Presidio, description, 1908a, , p. 10
[Priests, 1908a, pp. 16, 18, 19, 292]
Crespi, Father Juan, 1908a, p. 18
Hawe, Father Patrick,, 1908a, pp. 292
Jayme, Father Luis, 1908a, p. 16
Lasuen, Father Francisco, 1908a, p. 19
Martinez, Father Luis, 1908a, p. 27
Peyri, Father, 1908a, pp. 42, 43
Sanchez, Padre José B., 1908a, p. 24
Serria, Father Vicente de, 1908a, p. 47
Zalvidea, Father José M., 1908a, p. 21
[[Property, Ownership, Obligations, Rights, 1908a, 79. 80, 81, 152, 243 ]
Annual Assessments Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 243
Beach Front Dispute, 1908a, p. 152
Incorporated towns, 1908a, pp. 115, 119
Incorporation, 1908a, pp. 169, 318, 350
Slavery in California, 1908a, pp. 79, 80, 81
Prudhomme, Leon V. 1908a, pp. 126, 127
Pueblo, Spanish, 1908a, pp. 10, 11
Purisima Concepcion, mission, 1908a, p. 34
Quivera, 1908a, p. 5
[Railroads, Railways, 1908a, pp. 88, 89, 113, 114, 109, 110, 144, 151, 153, 154, 171, 187, 192, 193, 194, 197, 203, 209. 221, 223, 255. 308]
A. & P. Ry., 1908a, pp. 89, 110, 187, 223
Ballona & S.M. Ry., 1908a, p . 171
L.A. Co. Ry., 1908a, pp. 174, 175, 187, 307
Los Angeles & Independence Ry., 1908a, pp. 144, 151, 153, 308]
L.A.-P. Ry., 1908a, pp. 113, 114, 192, 193, 194, 197, 221, 255
Railroads, in California, 1908a, pp. 88, 89
Soc. Pac. Ry., 1908a, pp. 88, 89, 109, 144, 154, 187, 197, 203, 309
Railroads, in California, 1908a, pp. 88, 89
[Rate War, 1908a, p. 110, 168, 169, 170]
Rate War, 1908a, p. 110, 168, 169, 170
Raymond Hotel, 1908a, p. 115
Redondo, 1908a, p. 119
[Religions, Religious Facilities, Institutions, 1908a, pp. 70, 219, 292, 297]
[See Missions]
Baptist Church, 1908a, p. 297
Catholic Church, 1908a, p. 292
Catholicism, 1908a,
Academy of the Holy Names, 1908a, p. 219
Catholic Church, 1908a, p. 292
Crespi, Father Juan, 1908a, p. 18
Hawe, Father Patrick,, 1908a, pp. 292
Franciscan order, 1908a, p. 7
Jesuits, 1908a, p. 8
Episcopal Church, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 205
Methodist Church, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 288
Morman Battalion, 1908a, p. 70
Pentacostal Church of Nazarene, 1908a, p. 299
Presbyterian Church, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 290
Reminiscences, 1908a, p. 312
Reyes, Ysidro, 1908a, pp. 132, 136, 137
Rindge, F.H., 1908a, pp. 128, 211, 216, 231
Rowland, Col. J.G., 1908a, pp. 341
Rose, L.J., 1908a, 102, 103, 115
Russians, in California, 1908a, p. 47
Ryan, Frances G. 1908a, pp. 248, 253
Salt Lake line, 1908a, p. 111
Saloon question, 1908a, pp. 195, 211, 216
San Antonio de Padua, 1908a, p. 19
San Bernardino County, 1908a, p. 96, 110
Settlement, 1908a, p. 110
San Buenaventura, mission, 1908a, p. 31
San Carlos, mission, 1908a, pp., 9, 17
Sanchez, Padre José B., 1908a, p. 24
San Diego Bay, 1908a, pp. 5, 7, 9
San Diego, mission, 1908a, pp. 9, 15
San Fernando Rey de Espana, 1908a, p. 40
San Francisco, 1908a, pp. 11, 82, 83, 84, 85
Presidio, 1908a, p. 11
Viglantes, 1908a, 82, 83, 84, 85
San Francisco Bay, 1908a, p. 9
San Francisco de Asis, 1908a, p. 27
San Francisco de Solano, 1908a, p. 45
San Gabbriel Arcangel, 1908a, p. 20
San José, mission, 1908a, p. 36
San José, pueblo, 1908a, p. 11
San Juan Bautista, 1908a, p. 37
San Miguel Arcangel, 1908a, p. 39
San Luis Obispo de Toloso, 1908a, p. 26
San Luis Rey de Francis, 1908a, p. 42
San Pedro, 1908a, pp. 5, 7, 107, 108, 118
Bay, 1908a, pp. 5, 7
Port, 1908a, pp. 107, 108
Town, 1908a, p. 118
San Rafael, mission, 1908a, p. 45
San Vicente y Santa Monica, grant, 1908a, p. 132
Sale, 1908a, p. 142
Santa Barbara, presidio and mission, 1908a, pp. 11, 12, 32
Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 123, 124, 145, 146, 149, 171, 176, 185, 194, 197, 309,
Legend, 1908a, p. 123
Name, 1908a, p. 123
Settlement, 1908a, p. 124
Street Cars, 1908a, pp. 171, 176, 185, 194, 197, 309
Townsite, 1908a, pp. 145, 146, 149
First Building, 1908a, p. 146
First Sale, 1908a, 145, 146
First Train, 1908a, 149
[Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 152, 168, 169, 173, 175, 188, 196, 213, 219, 227, 243, 255, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287]
(See Santa Monica, 1908a)
Academy of the Holy Names, 1908a, p. 219
Annual Assessments Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 243
Arcadia Hotel, 1908a, p. 168
[Banks, 1908a, pp. 173, 175, 188]
Beach Front Dispute, 1908a, p. 152
Board of Trade, 1908a, pp. 175, 202, 283, [284, 285, 286]
Census, 1908a, p. 287
Chamber of Commerce, 1908a, 283, 284, 285, 286
Charter, Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 216, 220, 238, 239
City Hall, Santa Monica, 1908a, 215, 217, 219, 225
City Officials, [Santa Monica], 1908a, pp. 286, 287
Division of town, Santa Monica, 1908a, 213, 227, 255
Santa Monica Fire Department, 1908a, p. 278
First National Bank of Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 173, 175, 188
Incorporation, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 169
Library, 1908a, pp. 186, 271
Methodist Church, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 288
Militia Company, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 196
North Beach Bath House, 1908a, pp. 190, 210
Ostrich Farm, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 246
Presbyterian Church, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 290
[See Santa Monica History, 1908a]
Santa Monica Lodge No. 906, B.P.O.E., 1908a, p. 303
Santa Monica Outlook, 1908a, pp. 147, 280
Santa Monica Region, 1908a, p. 121
Topography, Santa Monica Region, 1908a, p. 121
(See) Santa Monica Schools, 1908a, pp. 219, 237. 265, 269, 270,
Sewer bonds, 1908a, pp. 189, 192, 195, 196, 221, 235, 236, 241
(See South Santa Monica, 1908a)
Values, Santa Monica, 1908a, 167, 185, 228, 234, 239, 258
1880, 1908a, p. 167
1890, 1908a, pp. 185, 228, 234, 239, 258
Women's Club, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 301
Santa Monica Bay, 1908a, p. 121
Santa Monica Canyon, 1908a, pp. 141, 142
Santa Monica Fire Department, 1908a, p. 278
Santa Monica, History, 1908a: 1885, p. 167; 1886, p. 168; 1887, p. 169; 1888, p. 173; 1889, p. 175; 1890, p. 185; 1891, p. 187; 1892, p. 187; 1893, p. 188; 1894, p. 189; 1895, p. 190; 1896, p, 193; 1897, p. 194; 1898, p. 195; 1899, p. 197; 1900, p. 211; 1901, p. 216; 1902, p. 230; 1903, p. 224; 1904, p. 226; 1905, p. 229; 1906, p. 240; 1907, p. 241
The Santa Monica Hotel, 1908a, p. 175
Santa Monica Incorporation, 1908a, p. 169
[The Santa Monica Investment Co., 1908a, p. 232]
Santa Monica Lodge No. 906, B.P.O.E., 1908a, p. 303
Santa Monica Region, 1908a, p. 121
Topography, Santa Monica Region, 1908a, p. 121
Santa Monica Schools, 1908a, pp. 219, 237. 247, 265, 269, 270,
Bonds, 1908a, p. 237
Enrollment, 1908a, p. 270
History, 1908a, p. 265
Principals, 1908a, p. 270
Private Schools, 1908a, pp. 219
Academy of the Holy Names, 1908a, p. 219
South Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 247
Trustees, 1908a, p 269
Santa Monica Water Co., 1908a, p. 194
Santa Monica Wharf & Ry. Terminal Co., 1908a, pp. 179, 180
Santa Ynez, Virgin y Martyr, 1908a, p. 44
Sawtelle, W.E., 1908a, p. 349
Sawtelle, 1908a, pp. 345, 350, 352
First Baptist Church, 1908a, p. 352
History, 1908a, p. 345
Incorporation, Sawtelle, 1908a, p. 350
School(s), 1908a, pp. 90. 98, 219, 237, 247, 265, 269, 270, 322, 346, 348
First in California (state), 1908a, p. 90
First in Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 98
Ocean Park, 1908a, p. 322
Sawtelle, 1908a, pp. 346, 348
(See)Santa Monica Schools, 1908a, pp. 237. 265, 269, 270,
South Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 247
[Schools, Academies, 1908a, p. 219]
Academy of the Holy Names, 1908a, p. 219
Seal, California, state, 1908a, p. 80
Secularization, 1908a, pp. 51, 52, 61
Decree, 1908a, p. 51
Plan, 1908a, p. 51, 52
Result, 1908a, p. 61
Sepulveda, Fernando, 1908a, p. 135
Sepulveda, Francisco, 1908a, p. 132
Sepulveda, José,. 1908a, p. 133
Serra, Junipero, 1908a, pp. 8, 15
Serra Vista, 1908a, p. 231
Serria, Father Vicente de, 1908a, p. 47
Sewer bonds, 1908a, pp. 189, 192, 195, 196, 221, 235, 236, 241
Sewers, 1908a, pp. 189, 192, 195, 196, 221, 235, 236, 241
Sewer bonds, 1908a, pp. 189, 192, 195, 196, 221, 235, 236, 241
Sisters of Holy Name, 1908a, pp. 198, 219
Slavery in California, 1908a, pp. 79, 80, 81
Sloat, John D., raises flag, 1908a, pp. 65,66
Smuggling, 1908a, p. 127
Sola, Governor, 1908a, p. 46
Soldiers in Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 99
Soldiers" Home, 1908a, p. 171
Soledad, mission, p. 36
[Sonoma, 1908a, pp. 64, 65]
South Santa Monica, 1908a, pp. 219, 245
South Santa Monica history, 1908a, 1874 , p. 244; 1875, 245; 1876, p. 245; 1877-8, p. 246; 1889, p. 247; 1890,p. 248; 1892, p. 248; 1893, p. 249; 1895, p. 250; 1896, p. 250; 1897, p. 251; 1904-7, p. 261
Soc. Pac. Ry., 1908a, pp. 88, 89, 109, 144, 154, 187, 197, 203, 309
Stage routes, 1908a, pp. 108, 109
State division, 1908a, pp. 97
State Forestry Station, 1908a, p. 311
[States, Terr., 1908a, pp. 86, 87]
[See California, 1908a]
Capitals, state, 1908a, pp. 86, 87
Territorial Government, 1908a, pp. 78, 79
Steamer, first, 1908a, p. 107
Stearns, Abel, 1908a, p. 96
Stockton, R.F., 1908a, pp. 67, 70, 74, 75
Arrives, 1908a, p. 67
At San Pedro, 1908a, p. 70
San Diego, 1908a, p. 70
Battle of Plains, 1908a, p. 74
Superseded, 1908a, p.75
Street car line, first in Los Angeles, 1908a, p. 112
Streets, 1908a, p. 240
Oiled Streets, 1908a, p. 240
Sugar beets, 1908a, p. 104
Sutter, John A., 1908a, pp. 60, 61
Taft, Rev. S.H., 1908a, p. 345
Tapia, José B., 1908a, p. 126
Tapia, Tiburcio, 1908a, pp. 126, 127, 128
Tell's Lookout, 1908a, p. 334
Tennis Tournaments, 1908a, p. 306
Territorial Government, 1908a, pp. 78, 79
Terry, David S., 1908a, pp. 84, 85
Topana Malibu, 1908a, p. 125
Topography, Santa Monica Region, 1908a, p. 121
Trade, 1908a, pp. 5, 7, 48
With Boston, p. 48
With the Philippines, pp. 5, 7
Traction Co., 1908a, p. 223
Transportation, 1908a, p. 308
[Transportation, 1908a, pp. 108, 109, 106, 112, 240, 243, 308]
Cable line, 1908a, p. 112
Carriage, first in California, 1908a, p. 106
Freighting, 1908a, p. 109
[See Railways, 1908a]
[Ships, 1908a, p. 243]
Steamer, first, 1908a, p. 107
Oiled Streets, 1908a, p. 240
Soc. Pac. Ry., 1908a, pp. 88, 89, 109, 144, 154, 187, 197, 203, 309
Street car line, first in Los Angeles, 1908a, p. 112
Stage routes, 1908a, pp. 108, 109
Streets, 1908a, p. 240
Transportation, 1908a, p. 308
Wells Fargo, 1908a, p. 108
Treaty(s), 1908a, pp. 61, 75, 76
Treaty of Cahuenga, 1908a, pp. 61, 75
Treaty of Guadalupe, 1908a, p. 76
Treaty of Hidalgo, 1908a, p. 76
Treichel, Col. Charles, 1908a, p. 339
Truxton "scheme", 1908a, p. 143
Ulloa, Francisco de, 1908a, p. 4
[United States, 1908a, pp. 97, 243, 338]
(Federal) Departments, 1908a,
[Department of War, 1908a]
[See Military]
United States Navy, 1908a, p. 243]
Atlantic squadron, 1908a, p. 243
[Veteran's Affairs]
National Home for Disabled Veterans, Pacific Branch, 1908a, p. 338
[United States Congress, 1908a, p. 97]
[United States Navy, 1908a, p. 243]
Atlantic squadron, 1908a, p. 243
[United States Senate, 1908a, p. 97]
United States Senators, 1908a, p. 97
Upham, Major F.K., 1908a, p. 342
Vallejo, M.G., 1908a, p. 58
Values, Santa Monica, 1908a, 167, 185, 228, 234, 239, 258
1880, 1908a, p. 167
1890, 1908a, pp. 185, 228, 234, 239, 258
Vawter family, 1908a, pp. 146, 159, 245
Vawter, Edwin James, 1908a, pp. 164, 250, 254
Vawter, Williamson Dunn, 1908a, pp. 159, 188, 292
Vawter, William S., 1908a, pp. 162, 188, 221, 250
[Venice, 1908a, p. 334]
[Chamber of Commerce, 1908a, p. 334]
Venice, 1908a, p. 229, [334]
Venice of America, 1908a, pp. 330, 331, 332, 334,
Assembly, 1908a, p. 332
Breakwater, 1908a, p. 332
Chamber of Commerce, 1908a, p. 334
Growth, 1908a, p. 332
Plans, 1908a, p. 331
Victoria, Manuel, governor, 1908a, p. 49
Viglantes, 1908a, 53, 82, 83, 84, 85
Los Angeles, 1908a, p. 53
San Francisco, 1908a, 82, 83, 84, 85
Viscaino, Sebastian, 1908a, pp. 7, 123
Warner, J.J., 1908a, pp. 96, 97
Water Co., Sawtelle, 1908a, p. 349
[Water, 1908a, pp. 102, 226, 228]
Irrigation systems, Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 102
[See [Water Cos., 1908a, pp. 226, 228]
[Water Cos., 1908a, pp. 226, 228]
Artesian Water Co., 1908a, pp. 226, 228
City Water Co., 1908a, p. 251
Santa Monica Water Co., 1908a, p. 194
Sawtelle Water Co., 1908a, p. 349
Wells Fargo, 1908a, p. 108
Westgate, 1908a, p. 229
Wharf (s), 1908a, 145, 155, 156, 177, 196, 248
Abandoned, 1908a, p. 155
Bernard, 1908a, p. 156
Fight, 1908a, 177, 196, 248
First, 1908a, p. 145
Wheat raising, Los Angeles County, 1908a, p. 102
Whittier, 1908a, p. 117
Wilson, B.D., 1908a, pp. 96, 102, 103, 115, 118, 119
Wilmington, 1908a, pp. 107, 118
Wine making, 1908a, pp. 102, 128
Wolfskill, William, 1908a, p. 103
[Women's Christian Temperance Union] W.C.T. U., 1908a, pp. 186, 243, 272, 299
Women's Club, Santa Monica, 1908a, p. 301
[Work, 1908a, pp. 13]
Agriculture (Farming,) 1908a; Military General, 1908a, p. 54; Governor, 1908a, p. 46; Police, 1908a; Priest, 1908a, pp. 292; Privateer, 1908a, p. 13;
[Young Men's Christian Association] Y,M.C.A. of Southern California, 1908a, p. 249
Zalvidea, Father José M., 1908a, p. 21
(Back to Sources)
Index to Views.
Admission of California into Union, 1908e, p. 82
Arch Rock, 1908b, p. 122
Brentwood, 1908z, p. 232
Brentwood Park, 1908z, p. 240
Brice, J.L., Residence, 1908c, p. 320
Church of Our Lady of the Angeles, 1908e, p. 93
City Hall, Ocean Park, 1908c, p. 323
City Hall, Santa Monica, 1908b, p. 217
Creating Venice, 1908b, p. 330
Colton Hall, Monterey, First State Capitol, 1908e, p. 79
Court House, Los Angeles Co., 1908z, p. 94
First Methodist Church, 1908b, p. 288
Fire House, Dept. No. 1, 1908b, p. 278
Hotel, Santa Monica, 1908b, p. 176
La Purisima Concepcion, Mission of, p. 34, 1908a, 1908d
La Soledad, Mission of, p. 36, 1908a, 1908d
Library, Carnegie Public, 1908b, p. 271
Mexican Custom House, Monterey, p. 53, 1908a, 1908e
North Third Street, Santa Monica, 1908b, p. 188
"Old" Court House, Los Angeles County, 1908e, p. 98
Port Los Angele, 1908b, p. 207
Saddle, military, Don Andres Pico, 1908e, p. 108
San Antonio de Padua, Mission of, p. 19, 1908a, 1908d
San Buenaventura, Mission of, p. 31, 1908a, 1908d
San Carlos Borremeo de Monterey, Mission of, p. 18, 1908d
San Diego de Alcala, Mision of, p. 16,1908d
San Fernando Rey de Espana, Mission of, p. 41, 1908a, 1908d
San Francisco de Asis, Mission of, p. 28, 1908d
San Francisco de Solano, Mission of, p. 45, 1908a, 1908d
San Gabriel Arcangel, Mission of, p. 21, 1908d
San Jose, Mission of, p. 36, 1908a, 1908d
San Juan Bautista, Mission of, p. 37 1908a, 1908d
San Juan Capistrano, Mission of, p. 29, 1908d
San Luis Obisopo de Toloso, Mission of, p. 27, 1908d
San Luis Rey de Francia, Mission of, p. 43, 1908a, 1908d
San Miguel Arcangel, Mission of, p. 40, 1908a, 1908d
San Rafael, Mission of, p. 45, 1908a, 1908d
San Vicente Ranch Housing, 1908z, p. 133
Santa Barbara, Mission of, p. 32, 1908a, 1908d
Santa Clara, Mission of, p. 30, 1908a, 1908d
Santa Cruz, Mission of, p. 35, 1908a, 1908d
Santa Monica Beach, 1878, 1908b, p. 143
Santa Monica, First Church, 1908b, p. 151
Santa Monica First House, 1908b, p. 136
Santa Ynez, Virgin y Martyr, Mission of, p. 44, 108a, 1908d
Sawtelle, First House, 1908c, p. 346
Sawtelle, Public School, 1908c, p. 348
Sixth Street School, 1908b, p. 268
Soldiers' Home, 1908b, p. 342
State Capitol, Benicia, 1908e, p. 86
State Capitol, Sacramento, 1908e, p. 87
Timm's Landing, 1908e, p. 118
Topanga Canyon, 1908b, p. 126
Venice Lake, 1908b, p. 333
(Back to Sources)
Index to Portraits.
Armstrong, R.W., 1908b, p. 210
Archer*, A.N., 1908c, p. 399
Bane, Ralph, 1908b, p. 238
Banning, Gen. Phineas, 1908e, p. 107
Barrows, Henry D., 1908c, p. 391
Blanchard*, J.D., 1908b, p. 264
Browne, J.D.H., 1908b, p. 296
Burnett, Peter, H. 1908e, p. 81
Carpenter, Stephen, 1908c, p. 477
José Antonio Carrillo, p. 54, 1908e, p. 54
Carrillo, J.J., 1908b, p. 166
Chapman, W.R., 1908c, p. 472
Clark, J.H., 1908b, p. 274
Coffman, H.L., 1908b, p. 210
Corey M.D., G.W., 1908c, p. 465
Coronel, Antonio F., 1908e, p. 99
Council, Santa Monica City, 1908b, p. 210
Crum, Rev. J.D., 1908b, p. 148
Dales*, E.V., 1908b, p. 264
Davis, Orin, 1908c, p. 395
Dike, E.W., 1908c, p. 356
Dobbings, J.H., 1908c, p. 452
Dollard, Robert, 1908b, p. 302
Dow, Roscoe H., 1908b, p. 210
Downey, John G., 1908e, p. 97
Eakins, H.B., 1908b, p. 316
Engelbrecht, H.J., 1908b, p. 264
Foster, G.W., 1908b, p. 316
Fremont, John C., 1908b, pp. 2, 1908e, p. 62
Gillis, W.T., 1908b, p. 234
Gird, E.C., 1908c, p. 420
Goetz, H.X. , 1908b, p. 225
Griffith, Hester T., 1908c, p. 423
Griffith, E., 1908b, p. 316
Gwin, Wm.M., 1908e, p. 80
Hamilton, M.D., N.H., 1908b, p. 218
Hawe, Rev. Patrick, 1908b, p. 294
Hemingway, J.C., 1908b, p. 222
Holt, D.G., 1908b, pp. 264, 280
Hull, W.I., 1908b, p. 172
Hutton, Geo. H., 1908b, p. 214
Ingersoll, L.A., 1908b, Frontispiece
Jewett, O.W., 1908b, p. 354
Johnston, A.F., 1908b, p. 242
Jones, Hon. John P., 1908b, p. 242
Keller, Don Mateo, 1908b, p. 128
Kimball, Myron H., 1908c, p. 371
Kinney, Abbot, 1908b, p. 326
Larkin, Thomas O., 1908z, p. 71
Lawton, Frank D., 1908b, p. 304
Machado, J.D., 1908c, p. 494
Mackinnon, J.D., 1908b, p. 316
Mayer, H.C., 1908b, p. 316
Miles, J. Euclid, 1908b, p. 210
Miller, R.M., 1908b, p. 264
Mitchell, H.L., 1908c, p. 488
Morris, Alf, 1908b, p. 210
Nellis, Clarence J., 1908c, p. 431
Odell, S.W., 1908c, p. 381
Palmer, W.M., 1908c, p. 447
Petsch, Adolph, 1908c, p. 457
Pico, Andréas, 1908e, p. 75
Pico, Pio, 1908b. p. 100
Pierce, Grace Adele, 1908c, p. 430
Putnam, R.G., 1908c, p. 482
Quinn, Bernard, 1908c, p. 407
Rebok, H.M., 1908b, p. 264
Reel, Abe S., 1908b, p. 210
Rile, H.F., 1908c, p. 443
Rindge, Frederick H., 1908b, p. 120
Sepulveda, José Dolores, 1908b, p. 132
Serra, Junipero, 1908d, p. 15
Shively, Daniel, 1908c, p. 414
Shively, Sarah L., 1908c, p. 415
Sloat, John D., 1908e, p. 65
Smith D.D.S., N.R., 1908c, p. 433
Smith, P.H., 1908c, p. 495
Snyder, Geo.D., 1908b, p. 210
Snyder, W.P., 1908b, p. 264
Stearns, Don Abel, 1908e, p. 106
Commodore (Robert) R.F. Stockton, 1908e, p. 67
Taft, Fred H., 1908c, p. 376
Taft, Stephen H., 1908b, p. 344
Tanner, R.R., 1908b, p. 230
Taylor, Rev. and Mrs. George, 1908c, p. 411
Taylor, W.B.B., 1908c, p. 404
Towner, Charles E., 1908b, p. 154
Trustees, City of Ocean Park, 1908b, p. 316
Tullis, O.G., 1908c, p. 385
Turner, Daniel, 1908c, p. 402
Gen. M.G. Vallejo, p. 58, 1908e
Vawter, E.J., 1908b, p. 160
Vawter, Jr., E.J., 1908b, p. 262
Vawter, W.D., 1908b, p. 140
Vawter, W.S., 1908b, p. 184
Wells, G. Wiley, 1908b, p. 134
Wyant, A.H., 1908b, p. 351
(Back to Sources)
Index to Biographies.
Alton, Daniel, 1908a, p. 307
Archer, A.N., 1908a, p. 309
Armstrong, R.W., 1908a, p. 481
Badillo, P.M., 1908a, p. 509
Baida, N.G., 1908a, p. 462
Baker, Robert S., 1908a, p. 142
Baker, E.H., 1908a, p. 481
Bandini, Juan, 1908a, p. 463
Bane, Ralph, 1908a, p. 441
Barrows, H.D., 1908a, p. 391
Berkley, S.L., 1908a, p. 408
Bishop, B.R., 1908a, p. 481
Blanchard, J.D., 1908a, p. 412
Boehme, Geo., 1908a, 402
Boehme, Geo.C., 1908a, p. 455
Bontty, E.F., 1908a, p. 441
Bonck, C.A., 1908a, p. 432
Brice, J.L., 1908a, p. 428
Brickner, John, 1908a, p. 462
Brooks, F.W., 1908a, p. 442
Browne, J.D.H., 1908a, p. 434
Bundy, F.E., 1908a, p. 434
Bundy, Nathan, 1908a, p. 431
Busier, A., 1908a, p. 382
Calkins, A.H., 1908a, p. 419
Carrillo, J.J., 1908a, p. 180
Carpenter, Stephen, 1908a, p. 477
Case, M.D., L.H., 1908a, p. 437
Chapin, E.K., 1908a, p. 495
Chapman, W.R., 1908a, p. 472
Cheney, C.C., 1908a, p. 512
Clark, Joseph H., 1908a, p. 359
Collins, Mrs. Catharine, 1908a, p. 461
Connelly, T.J., 1908a, p. 454
Corey M.D,, Geo. W., 1908a, p. 465
Crane, H.M., 1908a, p. 489
Dales, C.S., 1908a, p. 453
Dales, E.V. , 1908a, p. 470
Davis, M.D., Orin, 1908a, p. 395
Devore, W.E., 1908a, p. 471
Dike, E.W., 1908a, p. 357
Dobbings, J.H., 1908a, p. 453
Dobson, R.C., 1908a, p. 460
Dollard, Robert, 1908a, p. 417
Dow, R.H., 1908a, p. 429
Dudley, T.H., 1908a, p. 427
Eakins, H.B., 1908a, p. 430
Edinger, C.L., 1908a, p. 491
Finch, F.J., 1908a, p. 492
Foster, G.W., 1908a, p. 448
French, J.G., 1908a, p. 509
Gillis, W.T., 1908a, p. 381
Gird, E.C., 1908a, p. 421
Griffith, Elijah, 1908a, p. 423
Griffith, Hester, 1908a, p. 423
Grigsby, Jas. H., 1908a, p. 473
Grimes, R.R., 1908a, p. 413
Goodrich, L.B., 1908a, p. 475
Goetz, H.X., 1908a, p. 401
Guidinger, A.M., 1908a, p. 471
Guntrup, John, 1908a, p. 455
Hamilton, M.D., N.H., 1908a, p. 369
Hammond, H.N., 1908a, p. 421
Hancock, A.K., 1908a, p. 473
Hawe, Rev. P., 1908a, p. 362
Hemingway, J.C., 1908a, p. 394
Hodgson, J.O., 1908a, p. 418
Hollwedel, H.C., 1908a, p. 490
Holt, D.G., 1908a, p. 479
Hudson, M.L., 1908a, p. 425
Hull, W.I., 1908a, p. 367
Hunter, Benj.S., 1908a, p. 416
Houston, H.E., 1908a, p. 467
Ingersoll, L.G., 1908a, p. 468
Ingersoll, L.A., 1908a, p. 446
Jackson, Arthur E., 1908a, p. 459
Jackson, William, 1908a, p. 365
Jewett, O.W., 1908a, p. 385
Jones, John Percival, 1908a, p. 157
Johnston, A.F., 1908a, p. 360
Keener, J.P., 1908a, p. 487
Kendall, M.D., W.M., 1908a, p. 510
Kenndey, J.W., 1908a, p. 510
Kimball, Myron H., 1908a, p. 371
Kinney, Abbott, 1908a, p. 327
Kirkelie, O.A., 1908a, p. 490
Langdon, F.C., 1908a, p. 389
Lawton, Frank, 1908a, p. 435
Le Bas, Charles, 1908a, p. 375
Lindt, J., 1908a, p. 478
Loudon, J.A., 1908a, p. 486
Lowe, Thomas R., 1908a, p. 435
Machado, J.D., 1908a, p. 491
Mayer, H.C., 1908a, p. 469
McClellan, R.F., 1908a, p. 409
Meloy, Daniel, 1908a, p. 400
Meloy, H.T., 1908a, p. 461
Metcalf, John, 1908a, p. 403
Miles, Elam C., 1908a, p. 438
Miles, J. Euclid, 1908a, p. 474
Mitchell, H.L., 1908a, p. 488
Montgomery, A.M., 1908a, p. 384
Morris, Alf, 1908a, p. 451
Mundell, Walter, 1908a, p. 449
Nellis, C.J., 1908a, p. 431
O'Callaghan, Rev. J.A., 1908a, p. 456
Odell, S.W., 1908a, p. 381
Palmer, W.M., 1908a, p. 447
Parrish, I.E., 1908a, p. 413
Parrish, W.F., 1908a, p. 410
Petsch, Adolph, 1908a, p. 457
Peveler, J.J., 1908a, p. 511
Phillips, R.A., 1908a, p. 511
Pierce, Grace A., 1908a, p. 439
Proctor, J.B., 1908a, p. 438
Pruess, E.A., 1908a, p. 443
Putnam, R.G., 1908a, p. 482
Quinn, Bernard, 1908a, p. 407
Rile, H.F., 1908a, p. 443
Rindge, Frederick Hastings, 1908a, p. 128
Rogers, C.W., 1908a, p. 445
Sawtelle, W.E., 1908a, p. 364
Sepulveda, José Dolores, 1908a, p. 512
Seymour, J.J., 1908a, p. 387
Schofield, Tom, 1908a, p. 440
Schultz, Henry, 1908a, p. 488
Schutte, G.W., 1908a, p. 464
Sibley, Mrs. Geo., 1908a, p. 474
Simpson, J.D., 1908a, p. 458
Shiveley, Daniel, 1908a, p. 414
Smale, J.B.E., 1908a, p. 456
Smith, M.D., W.S., 1908a, p. 511
Smith, J.L., 1908a, p. 466
Smith, D.D.S., N.R., 1908a, p. 433
Smith, P.H., 1908a, p. 495
Snyder, Geo.D., 1908a, p. 366
Snyder, W.P., 1908a, p. 467
Sonnesyn, P.H., 1908a, p. 485
Stanwood, John A., 1908a, p. 377
Summerfield, K.B., 1908a, p. 390
Taft, Fred H., 1908a, p. 376
Taft, S.H., 1908a, p. 496
Talkington, J.S., 1908a, p. 438
Talkington, J.S., 1908a, p. 406
Tanner, R.R., 1908a, p. 373
Taylor, Rev. George, 1908a, p. 411
Taylor, W.B.B., 1908a, p. 405
Todd, J.W., 1908a, p. 388
Towner, C.C., 1908a, p. 493
Tullis, O.G., 1908a, p. 385
Turner, Daniel, 1908a, p. 492
Vaché, A., 1908a, p. 475
Valenzuela, José, 1908a, p. 478
Van Tress, B.F., 1908a, p. 422
Vawter, Aramatha Charlotte, 1908a, p. 162
Vawter, Charles Knowlton, 1908a, p. 165
Vawter, Edwin James, 1908a, p. 164
Vawter Jr., Edwin James, 1908a, p. 165
Vawter, Emma Knowlton, 1908a, p. 164
Vawter, Jane Craven, 1908a, p. 162
Vawter, Mary Ellen, 1908a, p. 161
Vawter, May, 1908a, p. 162
Vawter, Williamson Dunn, 1908a, p. 169
Vawter, William S., 1908a, p. 162
Watkeys, L.C., 1908a, p. 482
Wells, G. Wiley, 1908a, p. 378
Westover, O.S., 1908a, p. 484
Wilber, H.P., 1908a, p. 485
Woodruff, W.W., 1908a, p. 476
Wyant, A.H., 1908a, p. 426
(Back to Sources)
Glossary.
Abadesa. Abbess.
Abajeños, Inhabitants of Southern California.
Acequia. Ditch, canal.
A.'Dois. Good bye, (God be with you.)
Adobe. Black adhesive soil.
Adobes. Sundried bricks of adobe.
Agua. Water.
Aguardiente. Brandy.
Alameda. Walk under trees.
Alabado. Hymn in praise of the sacrament.
A;calde mayor. Magistrate of a district.
Aliso. Alder tree.
Alta. Upper, above.
A,p. Master, owner.
Arroyo. A small stream.
Ayuntamiento. Municipal council.
Bahai. Bay.
Bando. Edict.
Baja. Below, lower.
Bodarka. Skin boat.
Bienes. Property.
Blanco. White.
Boca. Mouth.
Bonita. Pretty.
Brazo de mar. Arm of the sea.
Brea. Pitch.
Bronco. Unbroken horse.
Bueno. Good.
Buenos dias. Good morning.
Caballo. Horse.
Cabo. Cape.
Cajon. Box, chest.
Calle. Street.
Camino. Way.
Campana. Bell.
Campanilla. Small bell.
Campo. Field.
Cañada. Glen or dale between mountains.
Campo santo. Graveyard.
Cañon. A tube, deep ravine.
Capilla. Chapel.
Carréta. Cart.
Carta. Letter, chart.
Casa Grande. Large house.
Castillo. Castle, fort.
Catalina. Catherine.
Cienega. A marsh.
Cigarritos. Cigarets.
Ciudad. City.
Comandante, Commander.
Compadre. Friend, comrade, godfather.
Comisario. Commisary, a treasury official.
Concepcion. Conception.
Coyote. A small California wolf.
Corbata. Cravat.
Corral. A pen for live stock or for poultry.
Cuero. Hide of cattle or horses.
Dehesas. Pasture lands.
Dias. Days.
Diablo. Devil.
Dinero. Money.
Diego. James.
Diputacion. Deputy, committee.
Dolores. Sorrows.
Don. Mr.
Doña. Mistriss.
Embarcadero. Place of embarkation.
Enchiladas. Cornmeal cakes in chili sauce.
Enfermo. Sick.
Encino. Oak.
Engano. Deceit, mistake, fraud.
Ensenada. Creek, small bay.
Español. Spanish.
Entrada. Entrance, invasion, incursion.
Escoltas. Mission guard.
Escondido. Hidden.
Escrito. Writing or written.
Estado. State.
Fandango. Dance.
Fierro. Branding iron.
Fiesta. Feast Day.
Frey. Father of a religious order.
Frijoles. Beans.
Fuego. Fire.
Fumos. Smoky.
Galeria. Gallery.
Ganado. Live stock, cattle.
Gefepolitico. Political chief.
Gemte de Razon. Spaniards and Mexicans-distinguished from Indians.
Gobenador. Governor.
Gracias. Favors, thanks, graces.
Hacienda. Country home.
Hambre. Hunger.
Hermano. Brother.
Hermoso. Handsome.
Herrar. To brand
Hidalgo. Of gentle birth.
Hija. Daughter.
Hijos del pais. Native sons. Sons of the country.
Hombre. Man.
Isla. Isle.
Juez del campo. Judge of the plains.
Jugador. Gambler.
Junta. Assembly.
Juramento. Oath.
Laguna. Small lake.
Legua. League.
Libros. Books.
Llano. Plain.
Llavero. Keeper of the keys. In the missions, the store keeper.
Lomeras. Ridge of hills, or mountains.
Madre. Mother.
Maestro. Master.
Mal. Evil. compliant/
Mañana. Morning, tomorrow.
Manteca. Tallow.
Mantilla. Head cover for women.
Mariposa. Butterfly.
Maromeros. Rope dancers.
Matanza. Slaughter-yard.
Major-domo. Steward, overseer.
Mecate. Mexican for rope.
Medio real. Half a real, or 6 1/4 cents.
Memorias. Memoranda.
Metate. A curved grinding stone.
Mejicano. Mexican.
Mezcal. A liquor made from the maguey plant.
Molino. Mill.
Morro. Steep cliff.
Mesa. Table land.
Milpas. Indian corn-fields.
Muchacho. Boy.
Negro. Black.
Neofita. A converted Indian.
Noche. Night.
Nuestra Señor. Our Lord.
Nuestra Señora. Our Lady.
Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles. Our Lady of the Angeles.
Nuevo. New.
Ojo, Eye.
Oleo. The sacred oil.
Olla. A round earthen pot.
Orden. Order, command.
Ordenanza. Ordinances.
Orejano. Wild.
Oso. Bear.
Oro. Gold.
Padre. Father.
Pais. Country.
Palacio. Palace.
Pasajes. Valleys.
Patio. Court.
Peon. A game at dice.
Pinole. Drink of cornmeal, water and sugar.
Playa. Sea beach.
Plaza. Square, market place.
Pobladores. Settlers,. founders of a town.
Poco. Little.
Pozole. Beans boiled with corn or wheat.
Potrero. Pasture.
Pozo. Spring.
Presididio. Garrison.
Primo. First.
Pronunciamento, Proclamation.
Propriedad. Proprietorship,etc.
Pueblo. City.
Publica. Public.
Puerto. Port, harbor.
Ramada. A bush house, or shed.
Rancheria. An Indian village.
Ranchita. Small ranch.
Rancho. Farm, range.
Realistas. Royalists.
Real. Spanish coin worth 12 1/2 cents.
Realengo. Royal, kingly.
Reata. A rope of rawhide for lassoing cattle.
Rebosa. Shawl. Worn over the head.
Regidor. Alderman, director.
Reglemento. Regulation.
Res orejano de fierro. Cattle marked on the ears.
Revolucionario. Revolutionist.
Rio. River.
Roble. Oak tree.
Rodeo. Rounding up of cattle.
Salinas. Salt marshes.
Seco. Dry.
Seguridad. Safety, securely.
Sierra. Ridge of mountains.
Sierra Nevada. Ridge of mountains covered with snow.
Silla. Chair, or saddle.
Silla vaquera. Saddle used by vaquero.
Sitio. Small stock range.
Soberano. Sovereign, supreme.
Sobranite. Residue, left over.
Soldado. Soldier.
Sombrero. Hat.
Suertes. Fields.
Sireños. Southerners.
Tamale. Indian meal dumpling stuffed with minced meat, chicken, etc.
Tasajo. Jerked beef.
Tecolero. Master of ceremonies at a ball.
Tecolote. Species of owl.
Temblor. Shake.
Temblor de tierra. Earthquake.
Terreno. Ground.
Testigo. Witness.
Tonto. Stupid, foolish.
Tortillas. Little cakes, pancakes.
Trabajadores. Laborers.
Tule. Reed, native grown.
Tuna. Cactus plant.
Vaquero. Cow herder.
Vara. Rod, staff, yard measure.
Venta. Sale mark of cattle.
Violincito. A small fiddle.
Viñero. One who cares for vines.
Vocal. voting member of a corporation.
Vino. Wine.
Visitador. Visiter, surveyor.
Yerba. Herb.
Zanja. Irrigating ditch.
Zanjero. One in charge of a zanja.
(Back to Sources)
[p. 2, John C. Fremont, 1908, 1908a, 1908b]
[p. 35 Santa Cruz, Mission of, p. 35, 1908a, 1908d]
[p. 45, San Rafael, 1908d ]
[[p. 45, San Francisco de Solano, 1908d ]
[p.54, José Antonio Carrillo, p. 54, 1908a, 1908e,]
[p. 91] Governors of California
Under Spanish Rule.
Gaspar de Portala . . . 1767-1771
Felipe de Barri . . . 1771-1774
Felipe de Neve . . . 1774-1782
Pedro Fages . . . 1782-1790
José Antonio Romeu . . . 1790-1792
José Joaquin de Arillaga . . . 1792-1794
Diego de Borica . . . 1794-1800
José Joaquin de Arrillaga . . . 1800-1815
Joseé Dario Arguello . . . 1814-1815
Pablo Vicente de Sola . . . 1815-1822
Under Mexican Rule.
Luis Antonio Arguello . . . 1822-1825
José Maria de Echandia . . . 1825-1831
Manuel Victoria . . . 1831-1832
Pio Pico . . . 1832-1833
José Figueroa . . . 1833-1835
José Castro . . . 1835-1836
Nicolas Guiterrez . . . 1836
Juan Bautista Alvarado . . . 1836-1842
Manuel Micheltorena . . . 1842-1845
Pio Pico . . . 1845-1846
Under American Military Rule.
Commodore Robert F. Stockton . . . Aug. 17, 1846-Jan. 16, 1847
Captain John C. Fremont . . . Jan. 16-March 1, 1847
General Stephen W. Kearney . . . March 1-May 31, 1847
Colonel Richard B. Mason . . . May 31, 1847-April 13, 1849
General Bennett Riley . . . April 13, 1849-Nov. 13, 1849
Governors of State
Peter H. Burnett . . . 1849-1851
John McDougal . . . 1851-1852
John Bigler . . . 1852-1855
J. Neely Johnson . . . 1855-1858
John B. Weller . . .1858-1860
Milton S. Latham . . . 1860
John G, Downey . . . 1860-1862
Leland Stanford . . . 1862-1863
Frederick F. Low . . . 1863-1867
Henry H. Haight . . . 1867-1871
Newton Booth . . . 1871-1875
Romualdo Pacheco . . . 1875
William Irwin . . . 1875-1880
George C. Perkins . . . 1880-1883
George Stoneman . . . 1883-1887
Washington Bartlett . . . 1887
Robert W. Waterman . . . 1887-1891
Henry H. Markham . . . 1891-1895
James H. Budd . . . 1895-1899
Henry T. Gage . . . 1899-1903
George C. Pardee . . . 1903-1907
J.N. Gillett . . . 1907
[p. 92] Spanish and Mexican Land Grants in Los Angeles County.
Grant . . . Confirmee . . . Acres . . . Date
Aguaje de la Centinela . . . B. Abila . . . 2,219 . . . Aug. 23, 1872
Los Alamitos . . . A. Stearns . . . 28,027 . . . Aug. 29, 1874
Azusa . . . A. Duarte . . . 6,505 . . . June 6, 1878
Azusa . . . Henry Dalton . . . 4,431 . . . May 29, 1876
La Ballona . . . A. Machado et al. . . . 13,919 . . . Dec. 8, 1873
Boca de Santa Monica . . . Ysidro Reyes et al. . . . 6,656 . . . July 21, 1882
Boca de la Playa . . . E. Vejar . . . 6,607 . . . Mar. 1, 1879
La Brea . . . A. Rocha et al. . . . 4,439 . . . April 15, 1873
Las Bolsas . . . R. Yorba and M.C. Nieto . . . 33,460 . . . June 19, 1874
Cahuenga . . . D.W. Alexander et al. . . . 388 . . . Aug. 2, 1872
La Cañada . . . J.R. Scott et al. . . . 5,862 . . . Aug. 1, 1866
Cañada de los Alisos . . . J. Serrano . . . 10,668 . . . June 27, 1871
Cañada de los Nogales . . . J.M. Aguilar . . . 1,199 . . . May 4, 1882
Los Cerritos . . . Juan Temple . . . 27,054 . . . Dec. 7, 1867
Paso de la Tijera . . . T, Sanchez et al. . . . 4,219 . . . May 22, 1873
Las Cienegas . . . J. Abila et al. . . . 4,439 . . . June 15, 1871`
El Conejo . . . J. de la G. y Noriega . . . 48,571 . . . Jan. 8, 1873
Los Coyotes . . . Andreas Pico et al. . . . 48,806 . . . Mar. 9, 1875
El Encino . . . V. de la Osa et al. . . . 4,460 . . . Jan. 8, 1873
El Escorpion . . . Urbano et al. . . . 1,109 . . . Dec. 11, 1883
Los Feliz . . . M.Y. Verdugo . . . 6,647 . . . April 18, 1871
Lomas de Santiago . . . T. Yorba . . . 47,226 . . . Feb. 1, 1868
La Habra . . . Andreas Pico et al. . . . 6,698 . . . Dec. 4, 1882
Huerta de Cuati . . . V. Reid . . . 128 . . . June 30, 1859
Island de S. Catalina . . . J.M. Covarrubias . . . 45,820 . . . April 20, 1867
La Liebre . . . J.M. Flores . . . 48,799 . . . June 21, 1879
Los Angeles City lands . . . City of Los Angeles . . . 17,172 . . . Aug. 9, 1866, Aug. 4, 1875
La Merced . . . F.P.F. Temple . . . 2,363 . . . Feb. 13, 1872
Mission San Gabriel, lot . . . J.S. Alemany . . . 55 . . . Dec. 4, 1875
Mission San Fernando, lot . . . Bp. J.S. Alemany . . . 79 . . . May 31, 1864
Mission San Gabriel, lot . . . Bp. J.S. Alemany . . . 190 . . . Nov. 19, 1859
Mission Vieja . . . Juan Foster . . . 46,432 . . . Aug. 6, 1866
Ex-mission San Fernando . . . F. de Celis . . . 116, 858 . . .Jan. 8, 1873
Los Nogales . . . Maria de J. Garcia et al. . . . 1,003 . . . June 29, 1882
El Niguil . . . Juan Abila . . . 13,316 . . . April 5, 1873
Los Palos Verdes . . . J.L. Sepulveda et al. . . . 31,629 . . . June 23, 1880
Paso de Bartolo, part . . . B. Guirado . . . 876 . . . Sept. 27, 1867
Paso de Bartolo, part . . . Joaquin Sepulveda . . . 207. . . Mar. 17, 1881
[p. 93] Paso de Batolo, part . . . Pio Pico . . . 8,991 . . . Aug. 6, 1881
Potrero de Felipe Lugo . . . Morilla & Romero . . . 2,042 . . . June 15, 1871
Potrero Grande . . . J.M. Sanchez . . . 4,431 . . . July 19, 1859
Prospero tract . . . R. Valenzuela et al. . . . 23 . . . Dec. 4, 1875
Providentia . . . D.W. Alexander et al. . . . 4,064 . . . Aug. 6, 1872
La Puente . . . Workman and Roland . . . 48,790 . . . April 19, 1867
Rincon de ls Brea . . . G. Ybarra . . . 4,452 . . . Nov. 14, 1864
Rincon de los Bueyes . . . F. Higuera et al. . . . 3,127 . . . Aug. 27, 1872
San Antonio . . . A.M. Lugo . . . 29,513 . . . July 20, 1866
Rodeo de las Aguas . . . M.R. Valdez . . . 4,419 . . . June 27, 1871
San Francisco . . . Jacobo Feliz et al. . . . 48,611 . . . Feb. 12, 1875
Tracts near San Gabriel . . . Juan Silva . . . 50 . . .
Tracts near San Gabriel . . . H.P, Dorsey . . . 50 . . .
Tracts near San Gabriel . . . Michael White . . . 78 . . . Aug. 26, 1871
Tracts near San Gabriel . . . José Ledesma . . . 22 . . . June 17, 1871
Tracts near San Gabriel . . . Daniel Sexton . . . 227 . . . May 16, 1871
Tracts near San Cabriel . . . J.P. de Courtney . . . 49 . . . Jan. 20, 1871
Tracts near San Gabriel . . . Francisco Sales . . . 19 . . . June 20, 1871
Tracts near San Gabriel . . . José Domingo . . . 22 . . . Aug. 23, 1871
San Francisquito . . . Henry Dalton . . . 8,893 . . . May 30, 1867
San Joaquin . . . José Sepulveda . . . 48,893 . . . Sept. 19, 1867
San José . . . Dalton, Palomares & Vejar . . . 22,340 . . . Jan. 20, 1875
San José de Buenos Ayres . . . B.D. Wilson . . . 4,438 . . . July 5, 1866
San Juan Cajon de Sta. Ana. . . . J.P. Ontiveras . . .35,970 . . . May 21, 1877
San José, addition to . . . Dalton, Palomares & Vejar . . . 4,430 . . . Dec. 4, 1875
San Pasqual . . . B.D. Wilson . . . 708 . . . Feb. 12, 1881
San Pasqual . . . Manual Garfias . . . 13,693 . . . April 3, 1863
San Pasqual . . . Juan Gallardo . . . 700 . . .
San Pedro . . . M. Dominguez et al. . . . 43,119 . . . Dec. 18, 1858
San Rafael . . . Julio Verdugo et al. . . . 36,403 . . . Jan. 28, 1882
San Vicente y Santa Monica . . . R. Sepulveda . . . 30,259 . . . July 23, 1881
Santa Anita . . . Henry Dalton . . . 13,319 . . . Aug. 9, 1866
Santa Gertrudes . . . T.S. Colima . . . 3,696 . . . July 17, 1877
Santa Gertrudes . . . Mcfarland & Downey . . . 17,602 . . . Aug. 19, 1870
Santiago de Santa Ana . . . B. Yorba et al. . . . . 78,941 . . . Dec. 21, 1883
Sausal Redondo . . . A.L. Abila . . . 22,458 . . . Mar. 22, 1875
Simi . . . J. de la G. y. Noriega . . . 113,009 . . . June 29, 1865
Tajauta . . . E. Abila . . . 3,559 . . . Jan. 8, 1873
Temescal . . . E. de la Cuesta . . . 13,339 . . . Sept. 13, 1871
Topanga Malibu Sequit . . . M. Keller . . . 13,315 . . . Aug. 29, 1872
Tejunga . . . D.W. Alexander et al. . . . 16,609 . . . Oct. 19, 1874
Las Virgenes . . . M.A. Machado . . . 8,885 . . . Sept. 5, 1883
[p. 184 W.S. Vawter, 1908b]
[p. 185] Chapter IV. Growth. 1890-1900.
Naturally, Santa Monica shared in the reaction which followed the too rapid expansion of 1887-88; but she did not suffer the collapse which followed in many sections of Southern California. She was in no sense a "boom" town and aside from some speculation in South Santa Monica property and some rather previous railway schemes, her growth had been a natural result of her advantages and it continued during the new decade with a steady forward movement which gave a solid basis for the marvelous prosperity of her later history.
The population of the town as shown by the census of 1890 was 1580, an increase of over 400 percent above the population of 1880. The assessed valuation of the town which under the inflated values of 1887 had been swelled to $2,405,048, dropped back to $1,565,773 in 1891. Since that date, however, the annual assesments have shown a remarkably even and healthy increase up to the present time.
One of the most inportant events in the year 1890 was the completion of the street car line to the Soldiers' Home. This line ran out Nevada street and was formally opened to the public April 3rd, with a special trip followed by a banquet at the Hotel Arcadia, where many complimentary things were said of W.D. Vawter, whose enterprise had provided the town with a street car service extending from the southern limits of the city to the Soldiers' Home. The route from the railroad bridge was along Ocean avenue to Utah, on Utah to Third, thence on Third to Nevada aveneue, which leads in a direct line to the Soldiers' Home, a distance of three miles. This boulevard had already been improved and adorned with handsome shade trees. All 'old timers" retain many recollections of this line which, for a numbe of years, was the only means of communication with the home and which was only superceded by the present electric line in 1905.
There was a strong feeling that Santa Monica was now sufficiently urban to support an electric light system and applications for franchises for this purpose were made by two different parties; one was granted to Messrs. H.M. Russell and H.A. Winslow, but they were apparently not able to "make good" at this time.
In February, W.S. Vawter was appointed postmaster to succeed Miss Maggie Finn, who had held the office during the past four years. Many people yet [p. 186] recall their astonishment when, on going for their mail on the morning of April 1st, 1890, to the old location on Second street, where the postoffice had been for years, they found no postoffice there. During the previous night the change of administration had unexpectedly taken place and the postoffice had been moved to its new quarters in the bank building on Third street. The new offices were fitted up temporarily, but within a few weeks wer supplied with the latest style of boxes and conveniences and was then counted as being one of the best equipped postoffices in the country. It was presided over at this time by "Johnny" Summerfiedl, who made a genial deputy postmaster.
In April, 1890, the new board of trustees, after the election of Messrs. John Steere, and J.L. Allen, was made up of these two with J.J. Carrillo, who was elected president of the board, a position which he ably filled for seven years, T.L. Lewis and E.J. Vawter. E.K. Chapin was re-elected treasurer, M.K. Barretto was marshal and H.E. Pollard town clerk. The mattter of licenses aroused a great deal of discussion this year, as many objected to the plan of licensing business houses at all, and others thought the licenses altogether more than the traffic could bear. But, in spite of much pressure, the new board made few changes and continued the liquor license at $300 per year, only making an effort to limit the number of saloons to ten.
Messrs. Jones and Baker this year deeded the bluff and the city park to the town, on condition that they be kept up as public parks. A large numver of streets were graded, graveled and sidewalked. The question of providing for some disposition of the sewage was also agitated and a solution was thought to be offered to that and the wharf problem which so troubled the town. But after much talk, legal advice was sought and, in view of the later developments, the following extracts may be of interest: "In order that there might be no uncertainty in the matter, the town attorney was instructed to employ assistant counsel. This waa done and two opinions were read before the board and a number of citizens on Moniday night, one from R.F.H. Variel, the other from Messrs. Edgerton & Blades. Shorn of all unnecessary verbiage, the opinions were based upon the proposition, can the town authorities of Santa Monica legally submit to the voters, at an election called for that purpose, the proposition of voting $40,000 in bonds for the ostensible purpose of constructing a sewer system, having its outlet in the ocean, but really for the purpose of aiding a private corporation in building a wharf? This proposition was ably argued by the gentlement and they very properly came to the conclusion that the city's funds could not be legally expended in that way."
In November the ladies of the W.C.T.U., who had maintained a public reading room and library since 1886, offered to turn their library of 800 volumes over to the city, provided the city would maintain it as a public library. The proposition was accepted and the Santa Monica public library was thus established.
[p. 187] 1891
This is a memorable year in Santa Monica annals for many reasons. It developed that the Southen Pacific has secured the right of way along the beach to the cañon and purchased the Santa Monica Heights tract. In the fall surveyors began work and the company secured a franchise from the city to build a line under the bluff and to build a wharf, within one year, under a $5000 forfeit. At the same time the Santa Monica Wharf and Railway Terminal Company was applying for a franchise to build a wharf at South Santa Monica and offered to put up a tract of thirteen acres of land as indemnity. This offer was received with a good deal of derision at the time, as the land was supposed to be utterly useless "sand dunes." The Los Angees and Pacific road had been revived-to a certain extent-and was also endeavoring to secure a francise to build a wharf; but the $5000 forfeit demanded by the board of trustees seemed to put a damper upon their wharf ambitions. With so many propositions coming before it, the board of trustees had some very lively sessions, especially as there wer strong objecitons to everything proposed and much "kicking" at the meeting and through the papers. The harbor question also demanded more or less attention and the board of trustees and board of trade were prompt to act whenever an opportunity presented itself.
In October H.M. Russell and H.A. Winslow, two enterprising citizens of Santa Monica, again applied for a franchise for an electric light plant, which was at once granted them. They took steps to carry out their plans and made a beginning toward this important improvement.
Among the business buildings of the year was the Bryson block on the corner of Utah avenue and Second street, which was erected at a cost of some $15,000. Other buildings were the handsome home of Dr. Elliott, a Minneapolis capitalist, on the corner of Nevada and Fifth and the homes of Dr. Place and J.L. Allen. In January, 1891, Mr. Frederick Rindge visited Santa Monica and was so pleased with the place that he purchased two lots on Ocean avenue and soon thereafterward began the erectio of a residence which cost some $12,000 and was occupied for a number of years by his family as a home. At the same time he began making other investments in this locality, and in 1892 purchased the Malibu ranch of H.W. Keller and at once built a handsome residence and made substantial improvements on this fine property.
[p.187] 1892
The year of 1892 was a prosperous one. The reaction after the depression of the past two or threee years had set in here, although this was generally a season of depression in the state. The Southern Pacific pushed its improvements and work was well under way on the long wharf befrore the close of the year. It is estimated that their expenditures in the vicinity of Santa Monica for the year were not less than $200,000.The Santa Fé also came in during [p. 188] the year and spent considerable money in making improvements in South Santa Monica. A large amount of money was also expended at the Soldiers' Home in putting up new buildings and improving the water service. These large sums put into circulation, of course, meant much to the merchants and the working men of Santa Monica. The Keller block on the corner of Third and Utah was planned and partially built, at a cost of $25,000. The Windemere and the Paradise, both intended as first-class family hotels, were built during the year.
[p. 188, North Third Street]
During the summer there were no vacant houses and tennis, polo and cricket games and tournaments were attractions which drew many visitors. On June 18th, the Santa Fé trains reached Santa Monica and the event was duly celebrated. The road at once put on seven trains daily and made a round-trip fare of seventy-five cents. TheOutlook estimates that in July fully 5000 people came to Santa Monica on one Sunday. In September the fare to Santa Monica was dropped to fifty cents, the result of competition. The Los Angeles and Pacific road was not yet dead and many rumors were rife about it during the season. It had now passed into the hands of the Terminal Company and great things were promised from it.
[p. 188] 1893
In 1893 Messers. W.D., W.S. and E.J. Vawter sold their interest in "The First National Bank of Santa Monica" to Senator Jones and the bank passed under the new administration, with Robert F. Jones president and cashier. It was soon afterward made a state bank under the name of the "Bank of Santa Monica." During the panic of July, 1893, this bank was undisturbed and it has since that time enjoyed the favor of Santa Monicans. The Keller block when completed was one of the largest and handsomest structures in Santa Monica. The upper stories were opened as a first-class hotel, while J.B. Folsom and W.T. Gillis occupied the large storerooms below. The Vawter block on Third street was completed in September. This was a one-story block, hand [p. 189] somely finished, to be used as the office of the Santa Monica Commercial Company, the Santa Monica Mill and Lumber Company and the Santa Monica and Soldiers' Home Company, all of which were Vawter interests. The Santa Moica soda plant was a new establishment of this year, under the management of Carl F. Schader and Jesse Yoakum. One of the most substantial improvements was the erection of the handsome residence on the corner of Ocean avenue and Arizona by Mrs. Doria Jones, now the Elks' club house. The North Beach Bath House Company was incorporated in December by the Jones interests to build the North Beach bath house and pavilion. This establishment when finished was one of the most complete in equipment in the country. July 1st the Arcadia was opened under new management, having been closed for a year or more. Before opening it was thoroughly renovated and refitted , some $10,000 being spent in bringing it up to date.
A special election was called for March 21st to vote upon the question of bonding the town to the amount of $40,000 for the construction of a sewer system. The campaign elicited a good deal of discussion and considerable feeling, if we can judge by this letter which the Outlook published, with a dignified reply:
"Messers. Fisher & Woodworth: There is an understanding on the streets that if you publish to malign any oine who votes againt bonds, your press will be taken and throwed into the sea and your papers, public and private, will be taken for a bonfire."
Notwithstanding the talk the vote cast was light and stood 148 against and only 84 for, thus disposing of the sewer question for the time being. But the "sewer question" is one which wll not down for long in Santa Monica, and it continued to be a subject of interest-and contention. In June, J.J. Davis of Los Angeles applied for a franchise for electric light plants, agreeing to pay therefor $25,000 annually for fifty years. September 10th electric lights were turned on the streets for the first time, twelve incandescent lights being furnished.
The year was prolific in "gala" days. July 4th was celebrated with unusual vigor, speeches, bands and amusement of every kind being provided and the largest crowds every known in the history of Santa Monica being present, estimated at from ten to fifteen thousand. The visit of Vice-President Stevenson was duly noted. In October the new restaurant on the big "long wharf" was opened with an elaborate banquet.
[p. 189] 1894
This was a comparatively quiet year. The great strikes and the general depression in the east caused a cessation of large investments and no railroad extensions of account were made. After a very exciting contest Messrs. Robert F. Jones and Norman A. Roth were elected trustee, while Mssers. Carrillo, Vawter and Lewis held over. Mr. Robert F. Jones served continuously as [p. 190] trustee from this time until 1902 and after 1896 was president of the board and acting mayor of the town,
The most important improvement of the year was the North Beach bath house, which was opened to the public in the spring. This building was 450 by 100 feet and was provided with a large plunge, elegantly furnished parlor ballroom, hot and cold salt water bath, two dining rooms, roof garden, etc.; the whole structure represented an outlay of $50,000 and was at the time the most complete establishment of the kind on the Pacific coast. The electric light plant was completed during the year and was considered one of the best in the country, furnishing satisfactory service at very reasonable rates. The water company expended some $15,000 in improving its service and the Outlook estimates that about two hundred thousand dollars represented the cost of improvements which included a large number of residences.
[p. 190] 1895
The year 1895 opened with a flurry of excitement over the treatment the harbor question and Santa Monica were receiving from the Los Angeles Herald. This paper had at first been an able advocate of the Santa Monica side of the harbor question; but during 1894 it passed under new management and at once changed front and began making most unjustifiable attacks upon this town, Port Los Angeles and the Southern Pacific Company. On Wednesday evening, January 23rd, one of the most exciting meetings ever held in Santa Monica took place under the auspices of the board of trade. The resolutions passed will show the bitterness which had been engendered by the "harbor fight."
"Whereas, on numerous occasions, a morning paper published in the city of Los Angeles, has taken occasion to publish in its columns, as true, many false and misleading statement respecting the unfitness-as it falsely alleges -of Port Los Angeles for improvement by the general government as a deep-water harbor for the city of Los Angeles, and in support of its alleged unfitness has published communications containing false and defamatory statements in relation to the effect of storms in and upon the bay of Santa Monica, the wharf therein, the principal projector thereof, and the landing, loading and unloading of vessels thereat; and has been endeavoring by fraud to induce Congress, without further examination or evidence, to make large appropriations and have them expended in what we believe to be useless attempts to make of the bay of San Pedro a safe, useful and valuable deep-water harbor. And whereas, it is falsely, maliciously and fraudulently asserted that 'the legisltive delegation from Southern California are (is) a unit for a deep-water harbor at San Pedro,' and 'only those who are controlled by the influences which emanate from the councils and cabals fo C.P. Huntington ever attempt to combat the plain expression of public opinion'-and 'only occult and venal influences can defeat the object of the present agitation.' And whereas, the said newspaper has recently published a [p. 191] communication on the harbor question (purporting to be by a Santa Monican) which is grossly false (as has been incontrovertibly shown.)
"Therefore, be it resolved, that the aforesaid editorials and communications which have from time to time appeared in the aforesaid paper are malicious libels of the bona fide residents of Santa Monica and others who advocate the superior fitness and claims of Santa Monica harbor as a site for a deep-water harbor and the people of Santa Monica are advised that the paper is unworthy of the support of the citizens of Santa Monica and the surrounding country."
These resolutions were enforced by ringing and heated speeches from many citizens and were adopted with much applause. About this time occurred the famous episode of the "fake" list of Santa Monicans sent into this same paper which was getting up a memorial signed by citizens. The initials of the "faked" names, which were published in good faith by the paper in question spelled an acrostic-"The Fool Herald." It was this same petition in favor of San Pedro which, according to the Times, was made up after "much consultation from directories, compilations of acrostics and waste of editorial perspirations, and was lost and even the office cat could give any idea of its whereabouts." The Herald claimed that it had been stolen, presumably by advocates of the Santa Monica side, and offered a reward; later the document mysteriously reappeared; but the amount of influence it carried with it when finally delivered to the legislators probably did not seriously injure the Santa Monica side of the question.
In March, the board of trade, which had done most efficient service in protecting and promoting the interests of Santa Monica, took steps to incorporate as a chamber of commerce. The officers chosen under the new form were: President, Robert F. Jones; secretary, J.J. Carrillo, who had continuously served as secretary for the board of trade for seven years without compensation; treasurer, W.T. Gillis. Numerous committees were named and action was at once taken to securre the encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic for the coming summer and to arrange for representation at the Los Angeles fiesta. The labors of the latter committee resulted in a beautiful floral float in the floral day parade of La Fiesta.
In April the articles of incorporation of the Los Angeles and Santa Monica Electric Railway Company were filed. The Outlook says: "This proposed line is separate and apart from the bicycle line road promoted by Maj. Barrett, which it is understood will be backed by abundant eastern capital. This rather unique style of road is to be operated upon a single rail with guard rail above. A similar line is now in operation on Long Island. It has a speed possiblity far exceeding a mile a minute. The service is quick, safe and economical for both passengers and freight. Maj. Barrett claims that the company organization is complete and the right-of-way agents will be in the field within thirty days." There was considerable talk about this "bicycle railway" and some people really had hopes of speeding a mile a minute between Los Angeles and [p. 192] Santa Monica. In June a petition was received from Gen. Sherman of the Pasadena and Pacific road asking for a franchise. But the trustees, having had a long and troublesome experience with the Los Angeles and Pacific road, were wary of promises and denied this franchise; but in an amended form it was granted later and active work on the line began. Some alarm was felt among merchants and dealers of the town lest the coming of the electric road should do them harm; but the majority was largely in favor of the improvements. This year steps were taken to construct a wagon road across the mountains to the wilds of Calabasas and a good deal of talk was indulged in as to a bicycle path from Los Angeles to Santa Monica, which should develop into a "boulevard." Cyclomania was at its head during this period and for two or three summers the greatest event of the season was the annual road race on July fourth from the city to Santa Monica. A bicycle race track was completed by the Southern Pacific with a grand stand which is described ths: "It lifts itself into the air and spreadeth itself over a great area. It vaunteth itself as greater by far than anything within 'steen yards, and it attracts as much attention as a bloomer club upon parade. It is in very fact a thing to be proud of and carries the prophecy of great races on the track and great crowds to see them and much comfort to many people." In order to induce the "great crowds" the Southern Pacific resorted to what were known as "postage stamp" tickets, entitling the holder to passage both ways and admission to the bicycle track for the regular price of he ticket. This created feelings on the part of the Santa Fé people and the S.P. responded that they had expended some $12,000 in building the track and if the Santa Fé people would bear half the expense, their tickets would be honored also. The Santa Fé chose a less expensive way of retaliation. They dropped the round-trip fare between Los Angeles and Santa Monica to twenty-five cents and on Saturday and Sunday, October 19th and 20th, 1895, the Santa Fé sold round-trip tickets for five cents. Certainly Santa Monicans had "reasonable rates" for once.
The question of sewer bonds were again submitted to the people this year and after some vigorous work on the part of the more progressive on September 3rd the $40,000 bonds were voted by a majority of seven to one, and thus the first steps in creating a sewer system were at last taken.
Among other improvements of the year was the building of a new pavilion on the beach by Eckert and Hopf, the gentlemen who had probably banqueted nore distinguished people than any other firm in Southern California; the building of the Prohibition Congregational church and the plans for a Methodist church to be built by F.H. Rindge. On the South Side, the Santa Fé Company were constructing their iron pipe wharf; the Young Men's Christian Association erected a pavilion and a number of cottages; and a number of other cottages and buildings were erected.
[p. 193] 1896
The completion of the electric line to Santa Monica was heralded as another "Sherman's March to the Sea." The initial trip was made on Wednesday, April 1st, 1896, but it was no April fool this time-at last Santa Monica had a real sure enough transportation line. Over five hundred guests were entertained by Santa Monica in honor of the day. The power house was decorated, the schools dismissed at noon and the population turned out en mass. The first car to arrive over the line was No, 65, with Pete Reed as motorneer, which appeared at 3:40 in the afternoon, bringing city and county officials and prominent citizens and followed by a car loaded with tourists from Minneapolis. Guns were fired and bands played and General M.H. Sherman, E.P. Clark and W.D. Larrabee, to whose enterprise and progressive spirit the city of Santa Monica and the entire communty owe one of the most completely equipped and satisfactory trolley systems in the United States.
The municipal campaign this year was a lively one, several tickets being in the field. As usual the question of licenses was the disturbing element. The election resulted in the following officials: Trustees Moses Hostetter, Robert C. Gillis and J.J. Carrillo; library trustees, Dr. P.S. Lindsey, Fred H. Taft, J.Walter Gray, T.H. Wells and Willian Stevenson; clerk Charles S. Dales; treasurer, E.W. Boehme; marshal, George B. Dexter. This board took up the continued story of the sewer troubles. A contract has been let to Frank H. Mohr to construct the mains, and he put up a certified check for $1000 as security. He failed to make good on his contract and the check was retained by the city. The history of this check and the amount of legislation and law expened upon the matter would fill a good-sized volume in itself. In the end, after a decision by the Superior court, in 1897, the check was finally returned to the assigns of the contractor. It was discovered that the sewer bonds were illegal anyway after the contract had been forfeited, and during the fall work was begun on the construction of a main sewer under the Vrooman act, which is the beginning of a new chapter in sewer matters.
In May the police department was created and Messrs. George F. See and A.I. Frosyth were appointed policemen. Arrangements were completed this year for sprinkling the streets with salt water. Owing to the long continued dry season the supply of water for sprinkling had become diminished and economy waas necessary here as elsewhere throughout Southern Calfirornia.
This was one of the gayest seasons ever known here. Tournaments, tennis, polo races, croquet, bicycle meets, horse races and swimming contests furnished amusment fot the "smart set" and the Sunday crowds alike. Trolley parties were a new entertainment which found favor and were frequent. In April, [p. 194] Hotel Men's Mutual Association, with representatives from all parts of the Uniied States were entertained with a banquet and a day of sports, including a barbeque, a battle of flowers and a "ring" tournament. The Southern California Editorial Association was banqueted at the pavilion of Eckert and Hopf. The Kniights of Pythias held their annual encampment in City Park and the district camp meeting of the Methodist church was held on the ocean front, a large tent having been put up there for their use. The Citrus Wheelmen of Los Angeles opened a club house on Utah avenue. At South Santa Monica there were many campers and cottagers, and band concerts and lectures provided entertainment.
Notwithstanding the hard times of a dry season, considerable buiding was done during the year and a good deal of street work was put through.
[p. 194] 1897
In February, 1897, the Santa Monica Water Company incorporated , with a capital stock of $1,000,000, all subscribed, Senator Jones holding 7845 shares of the 10,000 shares issued. The board of directors were Juan Bandini, Charles H. Forbes, Roy Jones, E.J. Gorham, and A.C. Hamilton. The objects of the corporation, "to deal in real estate and water rights, to erect buildings, construct reservoirs and pipe lines for the purposes of saving and distributing water for domestic purposes or irrigation and to furnish water to any town or city. "
The local Third-street electric line was opened in May and July 1st the "short line" via Sixteenth street was first put in use and at once proved popular. It was double tracked and two miles shorter than the old route via Sherman. The entire line was double tracked this year and new cars added and this most important factor in the evolution of the city became at once so popular that the Southern Paciifc and Santa Fé steam lines were compelled to take off their trains because of the lack of patronage.
On account of the proximity of the Soldiers' Home, Memorial day has always been an occasion of particularly interesing and memorable services in Santa Monica. While the exercises at the home are always largely attended and most interesting, a large number of the veterans usually join in the celebration at Santa Monica. Fort Fisher Post, G.A.R. , and the Women's Relief Corps, with the children of the public schools have taken the lead in these exercises and many orators of note have spoken at them. General Horace Sargeant Binney, who was for a number of years a resident of Santa Monica, delivered some of the most notable addresses on these occasions. Maj. J.A. Donnell was another favorite speaker.
On June 22nd the Queen's diamond jubilee was celebrated, one of the gala days in the memory of Santa Monicans. The affair was under the auspices of the British residents of Southern California, but was participated in by representatives of every nation and land. A day of sports had been arranged and many prizes offered and the fun was fast and furious.
[p. 195] The revival meetings of the Rev. Dr. Munhall held during June were somewhat novel in the annals of Santa Monica, as they attracted the attention and interest of large audiences and of many who were not in the habit of attending such services. The annual encampment of the Seventh Regiment was one of the memorable events of this summer, over five hundred members, partiicipating and giving Santa Monica a taste of military life with their cavalry men, naval reserves, drills and evolutions, to say nothing of the sports and grand ball. In June four hundred members of the Los Angeles chamber of commerce banqueted at Eckert & Hopf's pavilion. These gentlemen for many years sustained the reputation of serving the best fish dinner to be found in California and their restaurant and pavilion was the scene of many festal occasions. The Arcadia was this year sold by Simon Reinhart to the Pacific Improvement Company, otherwise the Southern Pacific and passed under new management.
The board of trustees spent much brain matter and nerve force in wrestling with the sewer problem. There was all sorts of trouble over rights of way for the proposed sewer and the citizens protested strongly against the plans to be carried out under the Vrooman act. Steps had already been taken to build the main sewer and the lines for it laid out, to be carried to the south city limits and fifteen hundred feet into the ocean for discharge. But, after a public meeing, it was decided to again call a bond election and on August 4th the third election to vote sewer bonds took place and the proposition carried. A few weeks later these bonds were sold at a premium of $3355-nearly to the paralysis of the board and the town. This seems to have been a good year for bonds for the school board, $15.000 vote on September 4th, were also sold at a large premium. They bore interest at seven per cent, however. After long and persistent effort on the part of J.J. Carrillo, the sum of $800 was finally raised for the wagon road to the Calabasas district. The county added fifteen hundred and this road was finally built; also Ocean avenue was opened to the cañon to connect with the new road. A systemic attempt to improve the bluff, which had been named Linda Vista Park, was undertaken this year.
[p. 195] 1898
The year 1898 opened with a vigorous stirring up of the saloon question and the revoking of two licences by the board of trustees, for violation of the ordinance regulating the business. This was the occasion of much rejoicing on the part of the better element and was the forerunner of better things, the retail liquor license being raised in April to $500. A couple of weeks later five saloon keepers in Santa Monica cañon were arrested for violating the county ordinances.
The "news from Manila" and the probable war was the absorbing interest of this year. There was much talk of the inadequacy of Pacific coast protection and timid souls feared to find a foreign war vessel swooping into Santa Monica [p. 196] harbor at almost any hour. In order to aid in protecting our country, a company of home guards was organized in Santa Monica, May 3rd; J.B. Proctor, who was a past master of military tactics, being chosen captain, George Williams, who had seen twelve years of service in the regular army, was first lieutenant; Victor Hopf, second lieutenant. This company enrolled 75 members, many of them being prominent citizens of Santa Monica and a large number of them being native Californians. At the Soldiers' Home a company of five hundred veterans was already organized and had offered itself for service at the call of the government. With such an example at hand, it is no wonder that the younger generation in the vicinity was enthusiastic. The Santa Monica company was made Co. H of the Eighth regiment of National Guards. On the resignation of Mr. E.J. Vawter, Jr., who had succeeded Captain Proctor, C.M. O'Dell was chosen captain of the organization. It soon became apparent that the chances for the Eigthth regiment to be called into service were slight and such of the members as were anxious to get into the field sought out opportunities to enlist.
In March the Santa Monica Beach Improvement Company was organized, with a capital stock of $100,000, and with a strong directorate, consisting of F.A. Miller, then proprietor of the Hotel Aracadia; M.H. Sherman, president of the Pasadena and Pacific electric line; E.P. Clark of the same company; W.D. Larrabee, superintendent of the electrric road; F.W. Richardson, Jacob Kurtz, Robert F. Jones, Charles H. Forbes, W. H. Perry, Roy Jones and R.C. Gillis. The company proposed to secure a lease of the beach front, build a pleasure wharf, erect neat cottages and other buildings on the beach and maintain and operate boats for fishing and pleasure.
The year opened with prospects of two new wharves-which ought to have satisfied the most exacting. After infinite difficulties, bids were called for the outfall sewer and the wharf to carry it; but when they were submitted, there were so many and strong protests that all were rejected. T.C. Elliott also applied for a franchise to build a wharf at the foot of Railroad street. This proposition was looked upon favorably; but the Souther Pacific blocked it by claiming a previous franchis to this location. On Wednesday, April 14th, 1898, the contract for the outfall sewer was finally let to Thomas Thompson for the sum of $11,720, the deeds to the right of way having at last been secured. In June Kinney and Ryan applied for the use of the piles for the outfall sewer for wharf purposes and were granted the privilege. The same month it was announced that the new pleasure wharf would be built between Railroad avenue and the North Beach bath house and the contract was let for the same. Both of these structures wer completed during the summer and added much to the beach attractions, as they furnished every convenience for boating and fishing.
The Lincoln school building was completed in June and was dedicated by the graduating exercises of the high school class of that year. In September [p. 197] Santa Monica entertained three conventions at the same time, the Democratic, which met in a large tent on Ocean avenue; the Silver Republican, which held forth at the Arcadia, and the People's party, which met in Odd Fellow's hall. This was the year of fusions and a great deal of 'fusing" was done during these sessions with small results, as appeared in November.
[p. 197] 1899.
January, 1899, was marked by the launching of the Santa Monica Improvement Club, an organization which had long been discussed and from which much was hoped. J.J. Davis was elected president, E.B. McComas vice-president, F.H. Taft secretary, Dr. S.P. Lindsey, treasurer. Sub-committees on finance, licenses, streets, pavilion, transportation, health and veterans' association were appointed and a vigorous campaign for lower fares; for higher license fees for saloons; to secure the erection of a suitable pavilion for public meetings; and to capture the annual encampment of the veterans' association was begun. But like many other good things in Santa Monica, the Improvement Club seems to have exhausted its energy in getting started and it soon disappeared from the scene, having accomplished only one very substantial change. Largely through its efforts the liquor license was this year raised from $300 to $500. A lively contest between the saloon men and the druggists followed this action. It was claimed that the druggists were regularly selling liquor without paying any license, and after considerable sparring, a suit was begun against a druggist. The druggists, however, pleaded unintentional violation of ordinance and the suit was dropped.
During this year the electric line on Ocean avenue to Montana was built and the first car was run on December 28th. In October the Southern Pacific reduced its train service to one train a day, instead of three. As they had the contract for carrying the mails, this aroused great indignation and caused much inconvenience to the business men of the town. Vigorous protests were made and resulted in a mail service over the electric road. In August it was announced that a new electric line was proposed between Santa Monica and Redondo. Mr. Abbot Kinney was the originator of the scheme and was confident that the project wold be carried out, thus opening up a section of beach territory that had not yet been utilized and establishing a new and strong attraction for the tourist as well as a new and rapid transit line. This plan did not materialize at the time, but it has since been carried out in the Playa de Rey and Redondo line. Another ambitious scheme which was ahead of the time was the formation of the San Pedro and Santa Monica Excursion Company, which put the little steamer, J.C. Elliott, on to make daily trips between the two points, landing at the Kinney and Ryan wharf. Some very enjoyable trips were thus made, but the venture did not prove profitable and was dropped.
Among new building of this year were an addition to the Bank of Santa Monica, the Collins building, corner of Utah and Second; the Tappener block on Third street, and the new power house of the Santa Monica Electric Company on the beach. This was a substantial improvement costing some $25,000. The gas plant was also built this year, including the largest gas tank in the state, the entire expenditiure, being over $40,000. Gas was turned into the mains December 14th and was a much appreciated improvement. In July, Mr. R,C. Gillis purchased 1,000 feet of beach front, north of the North Beach Bathhouse, put in a walk and erected several well constructed cottages. The Sisters of the Holy Name selected Santa Mnica as a site for their convent this year and opened their school on Fourth street during the construciton of their handsome building on the corner of Third and Arizona. December 27th saw the destruction by fire of the Casino, which was built by the Santa Monica Improvement Company in 1888 and which had beeen the summer home of tennis in Southern Califoria for many years and had seen many brilliant social affairs. The fire was evidently the work of an incendiary and caused a heavy loss as the insurance was small.
[p. 198] Port Los Angeles-From the time of the abandonment of the Santa Monica wharf by the Southern Pacific Company, in 1878, until the building of the "Long Wharf" in 1892-3, the people of this city hoped and worked for a new commercial wharf, which they firmly believed was all that was necessary to make their town an important center of commerce. During the later eighties and 1890-91, the agitation for securing a wharf was constant and sometimes became acrimonious.
About this time it became certain that the Santa Fe would build into Santa Monica. It also became evident that the new wharf completed in 1888 at Redondo was seriously encroaching on the business of San Pedro Harbor and diverting freight from the Southern Pacific to the Santa Fe road. On Sunday, May 20, 1890, C,P. Huntington, Col. Crocker and other Southern Pacific officials, visited Santa Monica and made a careful examination of the town and surroundings. Mr. Huntington listened attentively to the arguments which various citizens presented as to the expediency of building a wharf at Santa Monica, and the great railroad magnate assured them that Santa Monica ought to have a wharf. After this, other S.P. men visited the town and the citizens of Santa Monica appointed a committee to visit San Francisco and confer with the officials of the Southern Pacific and make propositions looking to the building of a wharf,-even proposing to raise a subsidy to secure the prize. . The community was kept in uncertainty as to the intention of the railroad people until 1890 when the Southern Pacific applied for a wharf franchise and put up a $500,000 bond if the work were not begun within the special time.
In August, 1891, a corps of S.P. surveyors arrived, and made camp in the canyon, and began to make surveys. It was then learned that the S.P. Company had secured title through Abbot Robinson to the Santa Monica Heights [p. 199] property, owned by Abbot Kinney, 247 acres on the north side of the canyon, with several hundred feet of beach frontage. It was also learned that right of way on the beach had been secured from Railroad street to the property of the compnay. By January, 1892, it was understood that the wharf was to be built north of the canyon and was to be the "longest wharf of its kind in the world." The people of Santa Monica were at first disappointed at the location of the new structure but when they learned of the elaborate plans to be carried out, they were satisfied to have the finest wharf in California-no matter where it was located.
March 6, 1892, the tunnel from the Railroad street to the beach was completed so that the first train sent through it. July 25th the first pile was driven. The work was under the supervision of the Thomson Bridge Company, of San Francisco, and was pushed as rapidly as men and money could carry it. In November, J.M. Crawley General Manager of the S.P. brought down an excursion of 200 merchants and members of the Chamber of Commerce from Los Angeles to inspect the new structure which was then 2100 feet long; and a little later H.E. Huntington, J.C. Stubbs and others of the S.P. officials inspected the work and fully concurred in the decision that the best possible location for the wharf has been selected.
The first steamer landed on May 13th and the Outlook, under the heading "The Dawn of Prosperity" discourse thus: "Thursday, May 11th, 1893, will long be remembered as a day fraught with deep significance to Santa Monica. It was the forerunner of an era of prosperity which shall grow into a permanent benefit, with results reaching into far ages. The important event was the landing of the first deep sea-vessel at the mammoth wharf, now nearly completed. The steamer Sant Mateo, of Comax, B.C., with a cargo of 4300 tons of coal consigned to the Southern Pacific. (Captain Edward Parks) enjoyed the honor of being the maiden vessel to touch at Port Los Angeles.
The citizens turned out in force to welcome the steamer, and fully 1000 people were present on the occasion, laden with flowers, the bright hues of which transformed the big collier into a "bower of beauty." Some of the citizens of Santa Monica had prepared speeches for the happy occasion, but evidently the floweres were enough for the old salt who commanded the San Mateo. The speeches were cut out. The editor of the Outlook had the advantage of the rest, however,-he published his remarks in the next issue. Among them we find this statement: "The full significance of the opening of the deep sea-port, where rail and ship come together in this particular portion of the southwest, is not yet apparent, It is a link in a grand commercial chain that will eventually belt the globe with the shortest and quickest commercial transit."
It was confidently believed at this time that the completion of this wharf would have an important bearing upon the "harbor question" and might ultimately result in making Santa Monica Bay the deep-sea harbor of this coast. In [p. 200] the light of present developments, the importance attached to the building of the wharf seems rather exaggerated; but it was generally thought at this time that only facilities for shipping were needed to secure the trade of the Orient. The fact that trade necessitates reciprocity seems to have been overlooked.
The wharf constructed at Port Los Angeles was certainly a structure worhy of attention and admiration. The last spike was driven by Vice-president Stevenson, who happened to be visiting in Santa Monica at the time, on July 14, 1893. The structure is 4,700 feet from the shore. The Long Beach wharf completed in May, of the same year, is 1600 feet; the Redondo wharf was 800 feet, and the Outlook chronicles the San Pedro wharf as "o" feet in length. In August the new pier was carefully inspected by the Board of Examiners representing the various Marine Insurance companies and shipowners and merchants. They stated: "A careful examination of the structure showed that in design and execution every precaution had been taken for strength, and due regard for safety while at same."-"In view of the foregoing facts and with the experience gained by many year;s use of other outside ports in that vicinity that are similarly situated, we are of the opinion that Port Los Angeles is a suitable port of discharge and loading for steamers and sailing vessels."
In October the depot at the end of the wharf was completed and the dining room opened with a banquet to the wharf builders and several Santa Monica people. The wharf was at this time placed under the charge of A.M. Jamison, agent, who still retains the position; T.M. Polhemus, chief clerk; F.H. Oswald and W.T Maher, clerks; and Captain F.E. Dronfield, who had general supervision of the wharf and charge of the tug Collis.
The approach of the wharf proper is 3120 feet long and 26 feet wide. On the south side is a walkway eight feet wide with railing on both sides. The mateial used in the approach were 1500 piles, 975,000 feet of lumber and 37 tons of bolts and spikes. The main wharf widens out to 130 feet and is over 1500 feet in length. On the north side are coal bunkers and on the south side the depot, warehouses and everry convenience for passengers and shippers. The piles, of Oregon pine, were creosoted and set in such a manner as to make the wharf practically immovable. It is known as one of the most substantially built wharfs in the world and has stood the test of fifteen years without strain.
As soon as completed the passenger business between Los Angeles and San Francisco practically ceased at other ports, as so much time was gained by landing at Port Los Angeles. Los Angeles was made a Port of Entry in 1893, with Port Los Angeles, Redondo and San Pedro as sub-ports. Deep-sea vessels, which could not enter the inner harbor at San Pedro, but must unload by the [p. 201] aid of lighters, came to Port Los Angele and nearly all deep-sea vessels reaching this coast since the completion of this pier unload here. In the earler years of its construction, Port Los Angeles was the point of entry for the coal used in the Southern Califoria system, and this item alone created a large business. Very large shipments of railroad ties were also delivered here. With the adoption of oil as a fuel on the railroads, shipments of coal have fallen off and, with the improvemtent of San Pedro inner harbor so tht coastwise vessels can land, lumber shipments have decreased. But the bulk of the deep sea tonnage is received at Port Los Angeles, and is constantly increasing. Some statistics may be of interest: In 1903, 283 vessesls entered at Port Los Angeles and 302 sailed; 18,733 passengers entered and 15,676 sailed. The import duties were $309,826.48; in 1905-6 duties and tonnage amounted to $513,939.96
[p. 201] The Harbor Question
The question of the location of a deep-sea harbor to be constructed by the government of the United States upon the coast of Southern California was, for ten years, 1889-1899, the most vital interest of Santa Monica. It is true that the contest was waged for the most part in Los Angeles and Washington and between forces which gave little consideration to the interests of the town of Santa Monica. It became, indeed, a national question in which individual interest was supposed to have little bearing; yet it directly affected every citizen of Santa Monica and made the name of this place a familar one in the political and commercial world.
From the time of the building of the first wharf at Santa Monica in 1875, the possiblity of a breakwater and improvements which would make of this a safe harbor of refuge and of commerce had been discussed. As the commercial importance of Southern California increased, it became evident that in time the government must assist in creating a harbor on this coast. Since 1871 efforts had been made toward making an inner harbor at San Pedro and up to 1892 one million dollars had been expended upon operations there. After the great expansion of business of the later eighties, the question of what was to be done toward creating a deep-sea harbor was pressed at Washington and in response to it, a number of distinguished men, members of the Committee of Commerce of the United States Senate, visited California.
During all the years of his editorship of the Outlook, L.T. Fisher had made a careful study of the conditions here. He was also thoroughly familiar with affairs at Wilmington. He has been assured b Captain H.C. Taylor, who in 1874-5 conducted the coast survey on this coast and made a chart of this bay, that the conditions here were favorable to a deep-sea harbor, and he had consistently and effectively proclaimed the advantage of Santa Monica as a sea port.
October 13th, 1889, the Outlook publishes a "challenge" as follows: "We [p. 202] challenge Colonel Mendell, Dr. Widney, General Brierly, and all others who favor San Pedro as the best place for a harbor for deep-sea vessels to successfully disprove the following propositions:
"1st. Santa Monica is nearer by at least eight miles, to Los Angeles, the commercial and railroad center of Southern California, than San Pedro.
"2nd. Santa Monica Bay, by virtue of its shape, depth of water and general topography, is a more suitable place for a deep-sea harbor than San Pedro.
"3rd. Santa Monica Harbor, when enclosed by a breakwater, will remain unchanged for all time to come, while a similiar enclosure at San Pedro will rapidly shoal and become worthless in less than a quarter of a century.
"4th. Santa Monica is within a few miles of the material for a breakwater, which can be obtained at less than two-thirds of the expense required at San Pedro.
"5th. Santa Monica having these advantages, it is neither the part of wisdom nor of economy, for the general government to expend a large sum of money upon a less favored community."
October 26th, 1889, Senator Frye, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, with Senators Dawe of Massachusetts; Platt, of Connecticut; Davis, of Minnesota; Morgan of Alabama and Turpie of Indiana, visited San Pedro and was shown the proposed deep water harbor by Dr. Widney, Col. Mendell and others interested. On this occasion, after listening to their eloquent explanations, Senator Frye remarked: "Well, as near as I can make out, you propose to ask the Government to create a harbor for you out of the whole cloth. The Lord ha not given you much to start with, that is certain." A day or so later, the same party visited Santa Monica, spending a couple of days here as the guests of Senator Jones. That they were favorably impressed is shown by their remarks quoted in the following issue of theOutlook. One of them, after taking a view from the bluff, said, "Why, this is a better place for a harbor than San Pedro." Another declared, "more can be done here with $2000 than can be accomplihsed at San Pedro with $10,000. A third pointed to the mouth of Santa Monica canyon and declared that nature certainly intended that spot for a dock for repairing and building vessels. All of this, it must be remembered, was before there was any question of railroad control. It was considering the harbor proposition from a purely unbiased standpoint, by men who had no interest , except to secure the best returns for the money expended by the United States government.
In January, 1890, the Santa Monca Board of Trade sent a strong resolution to General Vandever, then representing this district in Congress, asking him to call attention to the commercial need of a deep sea harbor and presented the claims of Santa Monica Bay for the consideration of the government. As a result of the agitation for a deep-sea harbor located on the shores of Southern California, $5000 was appropriated to pay the expense of preparing [p. 203] a project for a deep-sea harbor, to be located between Points Dumé and Capistrano. A Board of Engineers of the War Department, consisting of Col. G.H. Mendell, Lieut.-Col. G.L. Gillispie and Lieut.-Col. W.H.H. Benyaurd was then in charge of the work being done at that point. Naturally it was objected that they could not be expected to give an impartial judgement. November 8th, 1890 these gentlemen visited Santa Moncia and were driven about the town and taken out to the canyon to inspect the supply of stone in Cold Water canyon. They spent two days in this vicinity, made an examination of Ballona, Redondo and of other points and then went to San Francisco. December 19th, 1891 the report of this committee was submitted to Congress. Its conclusios were: "In view of the fact that San Pedro Bay in its natural condition affords better protection both from prevailing winds and from dangerous storms than Santa Monica Bay;
"That protection can be secured at a less cost for equal development of breakwater at the former than at the latter:
"That a larger area of protected anchorage from the prevailing westerly swells can be secured, the severe storms from the southwest being infrequent;
"And there is already and interior harbor that will be a valuable addition to the outer harbor;
"The Board considers San Pedro Bay as the better location for the deep-water harbor provided for by the act."
Of course, the advocates of Santa Monica questioned whether any one of these conclusions were borne out by an unbiased examination of the facts.
The Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles had already taken a prominent part in urging the necessity of a deep-water harbor in the vicinity of Los Angeles. It now took decided action to secure an appropriation for San Pedro. A committee consisting of H.Z. Osborne, Collector of Port; Henry T. Hazard, W.H. Workman, Hervey Lindley and James Cuzner, drew up a memorial to Congress and Gen. Lionel A. Sheldon was sent to Washington as the representative of the Chamber of Commerce, to assist Mr. Bowers, then representing this district.
It was by this time generally known that the Southern Pacific had decided to abandon its wharf, upon which it had already expended a very large sum, at San Pedro and build the wharf at Port Los Angeles. This put a new face upon the situation. When it was known that oneof the longest and most substantial wharves in the world was to be put in at this point, it was felt that a new and powerful argument had been added to those already presented in favor of Santa Monica. And when it became evident that Collis P. Huntington had decided that Santa Monica was the place for a deep-water harbor it was felt that victory was almost certain. And yet, the very fact of Mr. Huntington's advocacy and [p. 204] influence, was probably the fatal cause of San Pedro's final selection as the point for the harbor. Another new factor in the situation was the Terminal railway which in 1891, built from Los Angeles to San Pedro and secured large holdings at San Pedro in anticipation of harbor facilities.
When the matter of an appropriation for San Pedro was brought up in Congress the item was thrown out and a clause was inserted authorizing a board of five engineers, officers of the United States Army, to make a careful and critical examination for a proposed deep-wate harbor at San Pedro or Santa Monica Bays and to report "which is a more eligible location for such a harbor in depth, width and capacity to accomodate the largest ocean-going vessels, and the commercial and naval necessities of the country, together with an estimate for the cost of the same."
In the summer of 1892, this new board, consisting of Colonel Wm. P. Craighill, Lieut.-Col. Henry M. Robert, Lieut.-Col. Peter C. Hains, Major C.W. Raymond and Major Thomas H. Handbury, all of the United States corps of engineers was appointed and in September they arrived on the coast and announced a public meeting at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles. The Santa Monica side of the case was presented by Judge Carpenter, the San Pedro case was handled by J. de Barth Shorb, with Mr. Hood of the S.P and Mr. Gibbon of the Terminal, as their respective assistants. This board submitted an elaborate and technical report which the editor of the Outlook reviews in a thorough manner. He says: "The engineers of this board appear to be handicapped also by the circumstances. They were appointed by the Secretary of War, who is a large stockholder in a railroad terminating in San Pedro.
Then again, the preceding corps of engineers are government officers and it is difficult to get these army people to decide one against another, except there be some glaring necessity for it. That Board should never have consisted wholly of army engineers, however well they may have been selected. No such body of men is capable of giving the best decision. Two of the men should have been competent engineers, one a citizen and the other a government engineer: another should have been a broad-gauge commercial man, another a reputable navigator and another a well-known and capable railroad man. Such a committee would have represented every phase of the question in the most competent manner.
We have before us a copy of the report of the Board which contains 120 pages, 26 of which constitute the report proper. A large share of the volume is irrelevant matter. One of the appendices consists of 18 pages of shipping statistics of Redondo. Turning to the report proper, there is a great deal of rubbish to be cleared away in order to get at the real, competing facts. When we come to the claims of San Pedro and Santa Monica as Harbor sites, which is the real question, it will be observed that these engineers draw largely on the report of their predecessors, whose work they were sent out here to revise and [p. 205] supplement. Another fact that crops out throughout the report is the effort made to lessen the objections to San Pedro and exaggerate those of Santa Monica. Nior are the comparisons at all times fair. The important features of the discussions are literally buried under a mountain of verbosity and consideration of irrelevant topics which makes the report exceedingly confusing to the general reader.
In noticing the shore line of Santa Monica Bay the report mentions the rocky places in front of which it is not proposed to place a breakwater and neglects the real point from the S.P. Wharf, southward, wheere there are no rocks and a good bottom for pile driving and anchorage. Again on San Pedro Bay, from Point Fermin to Timm's Point, all of which will form apart of the shore line in the harbor, it is very rocky. This fact is not noticed, but mention is specially made of the shore line further south where there are no rocks, and which will be within the limits of the harbor. It is claimed that the bottom is irregular in the bay of Santa Monica, deepening toward Point Dumé and towards Point Vincent. This is correct. But the bottom is regular and the water deepens gradually, at the point where it is proposed to locate the harbor. The area of San Pedro Bay is said to be a plateau, with the five fathom line half a mile from shore and with a rocky bottom in the present anchorage, as is shown by the presence of kelp. The facts show that the water is deep enough at either place, with rocks at San Pedro and none at Santa Monica. Then where does the superiority of San Pedro come in?
It is admitted that Santa Monica Bay is protected to the southward by the highlands and at the proposed harbor site it is protected from the northwest-the exposure being mainly on the southwest. Catalina Island, it is admitted, also adds in some degree as a shelter. Santa Pedro Bay is protected from a northwester, and to some extent by Catalina, but entirely exposed to a southeaster. It quotes from the report of 1890 and admits, "The aggregate angle of the exposure of the two bays is the same." Then, we ask again, what advantage has San Pedro over Santa Monca? in the way of protection?
Santa Monica bay has also the advantage of being nearer Los Angeles, but the matter is slurred over with the remark that the cost of transportation depends upon grades and curves, and that the distance was so small that it was thought unnecessary to give them any important weight in selecting a site. Wtih all deference to these learned gentlemen, we say that it is important. Fourteen miles in the round trip for a hundred cars a day (which is not a large day's run) would be 1400 miles on one car-nearly half the distance to New York.
Upon the cost of construction, the engineers differ. The report contends that rock could be transported by the scow load from Catalina Island, twenty-one miles distant, to San Pedro cheaper than the same amount of material could be brought from Coldwater canyon, eleven miles don grade by rail to Santa Monica. Equally competent engineers deny this propostion.
[p. 206] As we have before said, a harbor is an improvement whose utility extends indefinitely into the future. It is therefore of the first importance that a site should be selected where the status of the harbor is least likely to be distrurbed. It is a well-known fact that the offing at San Pedro, which will be included in the breakwater, has been shoaling for years, and that it would only be a question of time when the harbor would lose its usefulness, or else have to be kept open by expensive dredging. Even Col. Mendel admitted this point to the writer. Then why not, if necessary, expend a larger amount for a permanent harbor at Santa Monica?"
After the making of this report, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce sent Gen. Charles Forman as a special delegate to Congress, accompanied by T.E. Gibbon. They were the bearer of numerous petitions and resolution from various individuals and organizations of Southern California, urging an immediate appropriation for the San Pedro harbor. But is was a "short session" and it was stated that appropriations would not be large, and, in fact, none was made. It was now claimed that the Southern Pacific was exercising undue influence to prevent the appropriation for San Pedro and the slogan of the "free harbor" was taken up. The Los Angeles Times threw itselt into the fight with al its vigor and the Chamber of Commerce took a decided stand in favor of San Pedro. But the completion of the long wharf and the advantages thus given to Los Angeles merchants led many to begin to look upon the possibility that, after all, Santa Monca, might not be so far off in her claims. A petition signed by eighty-three merchants of Los Angeles representing over ten millions of business capital was drawn up and the Chamber of Commerce was asked to endorse it, which asked for an apropriation for "the construction of a breakwater and creation of a harbor at Santa Monica, independent of any appropriation which may be needed to maintain in good condition what is known as the inner harbor of San Pedro and Wilmington."
A compromise resolution, asking an appropriation for a deep-water harbor at Santa Monica and also to dredge out and improve the inner harbor at San Pedro, wad proposed, and a vigorous protest against both these resolutions was made. Mr. C.D. Willard, in his Free Harbor Contest, says: "The sessions of the board were supposed to be executive, but a reporter of the Express managed to smuggle himself into the room as an assistant clerk and remained there through the whole session. The next day the members of the Chamber became aware, through the publication of the debate, that the board was anything bu unanimous on the subject of the harbor site and the discussion was taken up in earnest all over the city. Henry T. Hazard, who was at the time mayor of the city, led the debate on the San Pedro side, seconded by Mr. Patterson and Gen. Foremen; and the principal Santa Monica advocate were Mr. James B. Lankershim and Mr. L.N. Breed. On three different occasions, when the matter was about to come to a vote, an adjournment was secured. In the course [p. 207] of the long debate, Santa Monica gained and San Pedro lost. At first it was the Santa Monica men that dared not come to a vote, but in the end the conditions were reversed and it was clear that if a decision were reached in the board, it must be against San Pedro."
"As a result of this situation, when it became evident that, if the board took action-and it could not be longer postponed-the result would be a change of front for the Chamber, a ballot of the members of the organizaiton was called for.
"The weeks' campaign that followed was the most remarkable that ever occurred in the history of Los Angeles. The Times used every means in its power and the srongest language it could command to enforce the San Pedro side of the contest. The Terminal railway was equally active. The Santa Fe also took sides for San Pedro. April 7th, 1894 the members of the Chamber of Commerce balloted, the results being 328 for San Pedro and 131 for Santa Monica, which, with the influences at work, was a foregone conclusion.
"In June the matter was brought up in Congress and after a hearing of several weeks, which attracted wide attention, because it was now made a fight for a 'free harbor' as against a harbor control led by a 'monopoly,' a motion was passed deferring the decision to permit the members of the Committee of Commerce to visit the two harbors and form an opinion themselves.
"During the winter of 1894-95 the matter of the deep-water harbor was not brought up in Congress. The Chamber of Commerce continued its efforts in behalf of San Pedro however, and the 'Free Harbor League' was organizd in February, 1896, Col. H.G. Otis, Mr. W. G. Kerckhoff, Mr. W. C. Patterson and Mr. W.D. Woolwine, were elected a special delegation to go to Washington and lay the San Pedro case befoe the River and Harbor Committee of the House. Nowwithstanding their able representation, the River and Harbor bill contained, when it was made up, two items:: San Pedro, $392,000 and Santa Monica $3,098,000."
The effect of this information upon the San Pedro advocates in Washington and upon the public of Los Angeles, and, indeed all Southern California, was electrifying. The Chamber of Commerce and League, of course, at once took steps to re-affirm their position. Public mass meetings were held for each side. The city council and the Republican convention passed resolutions for both appropriations. Petitions for and against the proposed "double Harbor" scheme were circulated. Santa Monica people, took an active part in shaping the sentiment in favor of the Santa Monica appropriation and, naturally, were jubilant at the prospect of seeing their long hoped for dream fulfilled beyond the wildest hopes of even L.T. Fisher. The Santa Monica delegation in Washington was made up of Mr. J.S. Slauson, Col. J.B. Lankershim, Mr. John W. Mitchell and ex-Senator Cornelius Cole. On April 23rd, Robert F. Jones, President of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, received the telegram [p,208] from Mr. Mitchell. "Committee just voted Santa Monica Harbor one hundred thousand dollars immediately available, continuing contract system, which will permit contract for two million, eight hundred thousand to complete work. San Pedro inner harbor now being considered. Hard fight and close decision but think can be held in bill."
Senator White and the advocates of San Pedro bitterly opposed the passage of this bill and finally, as a compromise, a bill was passed which carried the full appropriation for a deep sea harbor to be located by a commission consisting of an officer of the navy, to be named by the Secretary of the Navy; an officer of the Coast Survey, named by the Superintendent; and three civil engineers to be appointed by the president. "They are to make a close personal examination and report to the Secretary of War, whereupon he is to let the contract." This last "commission" was the result of one of the strongest contests ever made over a provision for appropriation in congress. Senators White and Perkins, Berry and Vest spoke on one side, while Senator Frye made the speech for the Santa Monica harbor.
In October the new board was announced; Rear Admiral John G. Walker, from the Navy; Augustus F. Rodgers, of the coast survey; Wm. H. Burr, George S. Morrison and Richard P. Morgan, appointed by President Cleveland. In December the members of this board arrived and after looking over the ground, conducted a most exhaustive examination at the Chamber of Commerce rooms in Los Angeles. This was felt to be the last chance and both sides gathered all their evidence and put forth all their efforts. Santa Monica harbor was ably represented by Wm. H. Hood, E.L. Corthell, A.M. Jamison, J.S. Slauson, Cornelius Cole, John Cross, Captains Jackson, Pillsbury and Salmond. ?The San Pedro case was under the mangagement of Robert Moore and H. Hawgood. The hearing lasted for seven days. The report was filed March 1st, 1897 and was a large volume, containing many maps, charts, and much matter not belonging strictly to the question in hand.
The decision was in favor of San Pedro, largely because of the work already done there and the inadvisability of the government maintaining two separate harbors. They said: "It is the judgement of this Board that the best public policy, both in the interest of economy and for the attainment of a deep-water harbor for commerce and refuge demands the concentration of expenditure at one point, with the corresponding cumulative excellence of results, rather than a dispersion and weakening of results by a divided expenditure at the two locations. This conclusion gains considerable force through the fact that the selection of the San Pedro site will, for the reasons stated, undoubtedly involve materially less ultimate total expenditure than is certain to be incurred by the inevitable construction and maintenance of the two harbor, if Port Los Angeles were to be selected. The preponderance of physical advantages, therefore, which leads to the selection of the San Pedro site, is in line with the best re- [p. 209] quirements of the best public policy as to the matter entrusted to the decision of this Board." This report was signed by four members of the Board. Mr. Morgan submitted a minority report in favor of Port Los Angeles.
This decision was regarded as final and Santa Monica citizens acceptd it as such. However, it was not until April 6th, 1899, that the contract was awarded and the actual work on the harbor began. The event was celebrated by a "Jubilee" which had lost somewhat of spontaneity by its long delay. Since that time work has gone on at San Pedro, but the deep-water harbor is yet in the future.
[p. 209 Sketch "Port of Los Angeles"]
[p. 210 Santa Monica City Council 1906, 1908b]
[p. 211] Chapter V. Expansion. 1900-1908.
The year 1900 was an epoch-making one for Santa Monica since it brought with it many events which were far-reaching in their influence and which were important factos in the era of unprecedented prosperity and growth which has marked the first years of the new century.
A radical change in the history of the town now brought about by the passage of the ordinance which made it a "no-saloon" town. Santa Monica had always been a "wide-open" town and while its citizens were just as respectable and law-abiding as those of any other beach town, the place had undoubtedly always been the favorite resort of the sporting element of Los Angeles. The proximity of the Soldiers' Home had also made it the scene of the "old boy's" license, when pension money was plenty. Every effort was made to suppress the disorderly element and as good order was maintained here, as a rule, as elsewhere, yet the town had long borne the reputation of being a "tough" place.
With the opening of 1900 a determined effort was made to secure a better order of things. One of the leaders in this attempt, was the late F[r]ederick H. Rindge, a man of great wealth, sincere religous zeal and large philanthropy. He devoted his time, energy and money to this fight for the good standing of Santa Monica, which was then his home city. The campaign opened with an all day Sunday service devoted to temperance and local option. As a result of the meeting of this day a committee of citizens, consisting of J.F. Kiggens, E.J. Vawter, J.H. Clark, D.J. Twichell, J.S. Knesel, M.H. Kimball, W.I. Hull, Dr. N.H. Hamilton, C.I.D. Moore, J.O. Jennings, Dr. C.T. Wilson, T.H. James, H.P. Wilber, D.G. Holt. Dr. Glen McWilliams and J.F. Dunham, with F.H. Rindge, as chairman, was appointed to confer with the Board of Trustees and secure the passage of an ordinance submitting the question of saloons or no saloons to the people at the coming election. As a consequence of the action of these genttlemen, the requisite ordinance was passed.
A vigorous, well organized, educational anti-saloon crusade followed. A series of public meetings was held on both the North and South sides at which such speakers as Bishop Montgomery, Dr. Chapman, Dr. Hugh Walker, J.F. Slauson, F.H. Rindge, the pastors of the city churches, particularly Dr. Glen McWilliams of the Christian church and Dr. Wilson of the Methodist church; and such business men as Roy Jones, W.S. and E.J. Vawter, D.G. [p. 212] Holt, and others took part. The churches of all sects; the anti-saloon forces of the county; the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the Good Templars, and a large number of the property owners and business men of the town, worked together heartily to secure the passage of the "no-saloon" ordinance. The Santa Monica Outlook took a vigorous share in the effort and many who looked at the proposition simply from a business standpoint ranged themselves on the anti-saloon side.
Naturally the saloon element, and a good many citizens who honestly believed that the closing of the saloons would result in a financial loss to the town, put up a strong fight. Money was spent freely on both sides and the feeling was very strong; F.H. Rindge, in a public meeting promised to indemnify the town for the loss sustained by refusing licenses to saloons, and after the election, April 9th, which resulted in a vote of 305 to 218, a majority of 87 votes for "no license," he presented his check for $2,500 to the Board of Trustees. The trustees chosen at the election, J.C. Morgan, C.H. Sammis and T.H. Dudley had pledged themselves prior to election to carry out the expressed wishes of the citizens. It had been agreed that three restaurant licenses, permitting the sale of liquors with bona fide meals, costing 25 cents, exclusive of liquors; and one wholesale liquor license, under certain restrictions, should be granted. The ordinance passed by the new board was not exactly what the anti-saloon people had expected, as it permitted the sale of liquors at all hours and allowed this wholesale house to sell its original packages at its place of business, instead of simply delivering orders.
It was to be expected that there would be violations of the regulations under this ordinance, which was certainly a great step in advance, although not all that had been hoped for by the movers in the "no license" fight. On August 6th, E. Gamberi of the Pacific Gardens was arrested for selling liquors without meals and was convicted and fined $175.00, while his license was revoked. Rudolph Hopf was also arrested for violation of the ordinance, but prior to his trial he became insolvent and was acquitted. This marked the downfall of the old firm of Eckert and Hopf, which had been in business in Santa Monica since the seventies.
In 1901, the Board of Trustees modified the restaurant license so that it merely reqjuired "something to eat," with the liquor. This, of course, led to the service of the timeworn cracker and, it is claimed, that the cracker box alone was considered sufficient in many cases. In 1902 the wholesale license was raised to $1,200 and in 1903 the wholesale license was raised to $3,000, this amount having been offered by Alexander Gunn.
In the spring of 1903 the temperance people were so aroused by the changes made, which practically restored saloons to the town, that they made a strong campaign before the annual election to secure candidates for trustees who would support the law and take steps to carry out the provisions of the original ordin- [p. 213] ance-which had been adopted to carry out the wish of the voters. Dr. Chapman again took a vigorous, and as many thought, a not very wise, part in the campaign, working for the election of men who had pledged themselves to vote against issuing new licenses and removals of restrictions. After the city elections, another special election to again submit the question of prohibition, by adopting what was known as the Long Beach ordinance, was called for. A brief campaign was made by Dr. Chapman and the question was submitted on June 10th, resulting in a vote of 831; 287 for, 544 against. This result, so different from the previous one when this question was voted upon, was brought about by many causes; chiefly the dissension of the temperance forces and the bitterness and in the eyes of many, the unfairness of the methods adopted by the prohibition workers. As a consequence of this result, the Board of Trustees passed an ordinance, granting restaurant licenses, with no restriction as to the meals; buffet licenses, which were practically saloon licenses; and the wholesale license. While there are no open saloons in Santa Monica, and the business is much restricted as compared with the old days when there were twelve to fourteen saloons running "wide open," there is ample opportunity for those who wish it to procure liquor and the town derives a considerable income from its various liquor licenses.
Another important question which came up for discussion and action this year was that of the separation of the portion of the town lying south of Railroad street from the "North side" or as the Outlook puts it, the "legal separation of Miss South Side from Mr. North Side, on the grounds of failure to provide." The citizens of the southern end of town felt that they had not received due consideration from the town trustees and that they had no representative on the board. There had long been a rivalry in growth, street improvements and attractions. A committee consisting of Col. A.B. Hotchkiss, a long-time resident of the South Side, Joseph Bontty and Captain Malim, were active in urging this action, stating that the new town would remain a town, governed by the Board of Supervisors, and would save the expenses of a city government while improving her own streets and providing her own water, and light supply. The active discussion of plans for building a city hall had a bearing on the question no doubt, and many other matters were connected with it. A petition with sufficient signatures was presented and the question was submitted to a vote of the people at the election of November 13th. A vigorous campaign was made against the division by the North Side and many citizens of the South Side also, and the election showed a very decided majority, the vote being 400 to 59, against the legal partition of the town.
[p. 214, Geo. H. Hutton, 1908b]
One of the movers in this attempt at disruption, Captain George D. Malim, frankly announced in the Outlook, after stating that others who had promised aid had deserted the cause, "I have been at a loss of both time and money, fought alone and single-handed against nearly the whole town and got licked, [p. 215] but have one great satisfaction, that is, that I believe I have stirred people up to argue questions, consider propositions, and stand up for the work done by myself." It was generally agreed that the discussion of the question had brought about a better feeling between the two factions and would result in a clearer understanding of the common interests of the whole city.
Another topic which engaged a good deal of attention and gave rise to a great variety of opinion, was that of providing a suitable city hall. It was generally believed, also, that the town could not prosper without having some sort of public auditorium for large meetings. It was proposed to combine a city hall and auditorium building. This met with opposition and an effort was made to secure an auditorium as a private business ventrure. Bonds for the city hall were proposed; but at last it became evident that the city affairs could be handled more effectively under a new form of government and the subject of adopting a city charter and becoming a city of the fifth class was taken up. Public meetings to discuss the advisability of this step and the results following it were held and a committee consisting of Frederick H. Rindge, George H. Hutton, A.W. McPherson, W.S. Vawter and Fred H. Taft was appointed to formulate plans for re-organization. It was agreed that the town should be divided into five wards, as equally proportioned as to voters as possible, each to extend from the ocean back to the east line of the town and the committee also stood pledged to a general city convention to nominate officers, irrespective of party lines. But when the matter came to the test of the polls, January 16th, 1901, it was found that the interest was small compared with its importance, 353 votes being cast, of which 171 were for and 178 against, the re-organization plan being lost by seven votes.
Among the improvements of the year was the putting on of the mail car on the electric line which made three trips a day, taking in Colegrove, Sherman, Sawtelle and Soldiers' Home, Santa Moncia and Ocean Park and which also carried express matter. The Hollywood line was opened for service in February thus giving Santa Monica three routes to Los Angeles and still further increasing her transportation facilities. The Southern Pacific and Santa Fe roads, in a desparate attempt to recover their traffic, issued a ten trip ticket for $1.50, good for one month. But the electric line met this with a ten ride ticket, good until used, and transferable, for $2.00. The railroads gained little but the people who traveled between the city and the beach were decided gainers. The United Electric, Gas and Power Company was incorporated this year and took over the Santa Monica Electric Light and Power plant, the directors being the same, F. H. Rindge, Alfred Steadman, H.V. Carter, G.I. Cochran and J.J. Davis. This company also secured control of the light and gas company of Redondo, Long Beach, San Pedro, and other towns.
"Sunset" beach, lying norh of the North Beach Bath House, was improved [p. 216] with walk, gas, electric light and sewer service and divided into lots to be leased to tenants for five and ten years. The owners were R.C. Gilis and E.P. Clark and after these improvements were carried out a number of commodious and attracctive cottages were built on the tract.
The death of "Bob" Eckert, April 27, 1900, removed one of the best known characters of Santa Monica, or indeed, of Southern California. Mr. Eckert was born in the Fatherland. He came to Los Angeles in 1872 and soon acquired a reputation there as a caterer, a politician and a teacher of gymnastics in the Turn Verein. His connection with the Turners made him known among the Germans of Southern California, and his genial, kindly nature won him many lasting friendships, not only among his own people, but with all with whom he came in contact. He opened a restaurant in Santa Monica in the later seventies and his fish dinners soon gained renown. For many years a feed at Eckert and Hopf's Pavilion was the best treat one good fellow could offer another. He catered to many distinguished guests and for many notable banquets, and was acknowledged as a past master in the art of serving a dinner. With his death and the canceling of saloon licenses, the Eckert and Hopf Pavilion which had been known from Alaska to Mexico, was closed.
[p. 216] 1901
The more progressive citizens of Santa Monica wer not satisfied to allow the matter of re-organizing the city government drop. They felt that the best interests of the city demanded that the town be divided into wards which would allow each district to select its own representative in the council. The new charter would also permit the organization of a board of education which could exercise powers not vested in the trustees of the district. A new petition for an election was prepared and presented to the Board of Trustees February 4th, with a guarantee from the signers that the expenses of the election would be met by private subscription. The trustees, after due deliberation and examination of the legal aspects of the case, refused to grant the petition. The movers for a new charter were not discourageed however. They continued the agitation and in April organized a Good Government League, to look to municipal matters, with F.H. Rindge, president; N.H. Hamilton, 1st vice-president; W.S. Vawter, 2nd vice-president; Fred H. Taft, 3rd vice-president; C.I.D. Moore, secretary and J.C. Steele, treasurer. Mr. Rindge, who despite his many interests spared neither time nor energy in forwarding any movement for the public good, took an active part in this organization, which kept a sharp eye upon the restaurant liquor licenses, that had been granted, as well as carrying on an educational campaign among the citizens on the subject of public improvements. A petition asking for a re-submission of the question of saloons or no saloons was received by the trustees in March; but was not acted upon and although, there was a good deal of discussion of the subject, the trustees seemed [p. 217] to feel that the restaurant license permittig the sale of liquor with meals-which had rapidly degenerated to empty cracker boxes, was the most satisfactory arrangement to be made.
[p. 217 City Hall, Santa Monica., 1908b]
The matter of voting bonds for a city hall continued to be discussed. There was also great need of a new bridge on Ocean Avenue in place of Bridge No. 1, as it was known. This had become imperative as this street was the main thoroughfare between the North and South ends of town. Storm drains were also greatly needed, and after one or two mass meetings, in which matters were fully discussed and it was shown that the large tax payers of the city were all in favor of these improvements, an election was called for November 19th to vote on the question of issuing bonds in the sum of $25.000 for Bridge No. 1; $10,000 for Bridge No. 2; $29,000 for storm drains, and $35,000 for City Hall and Jail. At this election the bonds for town hall and bridge No. 1 were carried, the others defeated.
The Board of Trustees at once called for bids for a site for the public building and was flooded with offers. They spent some very strenuous hours before finally determining on the lots at the corner of Oregon and Fourth. The South Side felt that since it must pay taxes for this improvement, it should at least be as near them as possible. The question of town division was still a live one. The marvelous growth made during the year 1901 at Ocean Park was putting the division of Santa Monica in the front rank in importance and the old rivalry between the two sections was enhanced in many minds by the [p. 219] growing wealth and many improvements of the "sand hills." The South Side had voted almost solidly against all improvements, because of the desire to have its own town organization.
[p. 218, N.H. Hamilton, M.D., 1908b]
[p. 219] A strong effort was made to secure the city hall for the corner of Third and Utah street, where a site was offered by Roy Jones for $12,000. The businessmen of the place generally endorsed this site and offered to guarantee that it should cost the city but $7,000. The matter was hotly contested by the citizens and the trustees seemed to be hopelessly divided in opinion-or interests. In February 1902 Roy Jones withdrew his offer of sites and thus removed the corner at Third and Utah from consideration. Still the board could come to no decision and a straw vote was called for to decide what site would best please the voters. Condemnation proceedings to secure the property at Third and Utah were talked of and the fight waxed hotter than ever. A majority of 68 out of 441 votes cast was for Lots V. W. and X., of Block 196, being the southeast corner of Third and Utah at the price of $6,500. At the next meeting of the Board of Trustees, it was reported that the chosen site could not be secured at any price, except by condemnation proceedings, which meant long and expensive litigation, therefore the Board by a vote of three to two, selected the site of Fourth and Oregon, offered by J.C. Crosier for $4,800. Although there was much dissatisfaction over the result, it was final and steps were taken at once to proceed with the building, the bonds having already been sold to the Oakland Bank of Savings at a premium of $3,000.
Among the more important improvements of the year on the North Side was the building of the long looked for Auditorium, in connection with the North Beach Bath house. The cost was about $7,000 and it gave a large room for public meetings. It was opened by an entertainment given by the newly organized Y.M.C.A. and was then taken possession of by a Vaudeville troop which made a brilliant failure and soon vanished. The people of Santa Monica seem always to have been able to provide their own entertainments and an outside attraction must be very unusual indeed to draw any large number of Santa Monicans from their own homes and amusements.
The Academy of the Holy Names, established by the "Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary," was completed and dedicated February 22nd. It was a handsome two and a half story building, beautifully finished and furnished and was dedicated with elaborate ceremonies, including a public parade and testimonials from the city officials and citizens generally of Santa Monica.
At South Santa Monica, or Ocean Park, the Los Angeles Times estimates that the improvements for the year amounted to $232,555, including the new power house of the electric line, costing $25,000; the Holborow Hotel, $10,000, the Casino, $10,000, waterworks and other improvements of Kinney and Dudley, $18,500 and 207 other building.
Among the notable events of this year was the visit of President McKinley [p. 220] to the Soldiers' Home, at which time the citizens of Santa Monica aided in the reception which was there given him. And on September 20th, 1901 the people of this city held Memorial services in honor of the president whom they had so warmly welcomed. All business was suspended and the mourning was general. One of the incidents of this occasion was the services of the newly formed Spanish Society, which had arrangeed for an elaborate celebration on September 16th, the Mexican Fourth of July, but changed their program to a Memorial service, after which they burned the murderer in effigy.
[p. 220] 1902
The history of 1902 was largely municipal. As has been seen, the difficult task of settling on a site for the city hall was carrried over into this year. But before it was decided the still more important matter of re-organization came up. The new election was called for January 28th. In the meantime, the Board of Trustees ordered a census of the town to be taken. The call for re-organization of the city was based upon the United States census of 1890, which gave Santa Monica a population of 3057. Cities must have a pupulation of 3,000 at least, in order to be raised to the rank of fifth class. Opponents of the change had insisted that the town did not now have the requisite three thousand and the census of the Board resulted in but 2,717 names. The promotors of the movement, however, asserted that this census did not count, as by law, the population would be taken from the United States census. At the same time the Good Government League claimed that the census taken by the Board was defective and set men to work to re-take the census. After a long and very thorough canvas, in which, we are certain every nose was counted , the result was reported as 3,260.
The election resulted in a decided victory for the Good Government Leaugue and the progressive citizens generally, the vote standing 231 for and 118 against, giving a majority of 118 as against the majority of seven the other way at the previous election. But votes do not settle the question voted upon in Santa Monica. At the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees when it was in order to officially canvas the vote, that long suffering body was served with a writ of injunction, sworn by H.X, Goetz, enjoining them from canvassing the votes and declaring that the election to have been illegal. When the Board had recovered from the shock of this attack, they engaged counsel to defend them in this case and in another action, brought by Attorny Fred H. Taft, demanding that the city fathers count those votes, or show cause why. The courts decided that the election was all right and on February 10th, the last act in this long drawn-out drama took place, and the returns of the election were duly declared although the new city government could not, by the terms of the law, go into effect until the year 1903.
The voters of Santa Monica certainly had ample opportunity to exercise [p. 221] their free and sovereign right during the years of 1910-2. Besides the regular state election in November, 1901 and the municipal election the next spring, five special elections gave them a chance to express their opinions. In view of the important matters under the control of the Board this year, a good deal of interest was taken in the annual town election. Mr. W.S. Vawter was nominated as the representative of the Ocean Park district by an enthussiastic pubic meeting. There were numerous other candidates for the trusteeship and for all the other city offices. The question of a special tax for the repair of the outfall sewer and the wharf at Pier Avenue was also submitted and voted on favorably. Messrs. Vawter and J.C. Steele were elected trustees, J.C. Hemingway, clerk; E.W. Boehme, treasurer and M.K. Barretto, marshal. In the re-orgaanization of the board, T.H. Dudley was elected president and F.H. Taft was chosen as attorney. One of the first acts of the new board was to raise the wholesale liquor license to $1,200 per year.
During the summer of 1902 especial attention was called to the safety of Santa Monica Beach as compared with other beaches. It was shown that very few accidents, due to undertow , had ever occurred on this beach and that every precaution to prevent accidents was taken, a guard being maintained on the beach at all times, life boats being at hand in case of need. The Los Angeles Times stated: "It is safe to say that since this little city was laid out, nearly a million people have bathed in the surf there; and while there have been a number of fatalities due to suicide, heat failure, and apoplexy or cramp, there has not been one authenticated instance of any person being overcome by a treacherous current or tide, or any person having been lost who was bathing from any public bath house."
Among the conventions entetained this year were the Women's Auxillary of the Episcopal church and also the Summer Institute of Sunday Schools of the Episcopal diocese; the annual convention of Christian churches of Southern California, lasted eleven days and brought a large number of visitors to attend its sessions. In October, the grand Lodge of the Good Templars, a state organization, held its annual session here.
The "short line" of the Los Angeles-Pacific was opened in August, thus giving a new and considerably shorter route to Los Angeles. An important land deal of the year was the sale by the Pacific Land Company to the Erkenbrecher syndicate, of a tract, of 390 acres of land, lying just east of the then town limits and including 38 acres within the town limits. A portion of this was divided into town lots and the rest was made into five and ten acre tracts. Another very decided improvement was the paving of Oregon and Utah streets which had long been discussed but, as usual, with a variety of opinions. The Columbia building near the corner of Third and Oregon was built by Bishop Montgomery on ground adjoining the Catholic church. This was a three story brick with [p. 223] two large storerooms on the ground floor and a pleasant hall for public purposes upon the second floor.
[p. 222, J.G. Hemingway, 1908b]
Another matter which the city fathers were called upon to meet this year was the question of allowing the Santa Fe road to abandon its line from Inglewood into Santa Monica. The road had petitioned the State Railroad commission to be allowed to do so, on the ground that it was operating the line at a loss. There was considerable opposition to permitting this action on the part of the donors of the right of way, and at the same time a petition from many other citizens of Santa Monica prayed that the abandonment be allowed. It was generally believed that this would result in a competing electric line comiong into Santa Monica, and rumors that the Traction Company were looking this way were frequent during the summer. In August Abbot Kinney made application for a franchise for a steam or electric line through the town to be operated by the Redondo and Santa Monica Beach line, of which he was the chief incorporator. After some investigation this franchise was refused. In July it was announced that the right of way had been secured for a line direct from the city to the Ocean Park district, through La Ballona and Palms. The promotors were a company of whom Frederick H. Rindge was the chief.
In September the Traction Company made an offer of $3,500 for a franchise in Santa Monica. The Board of Trustees, being hard up for cash as usual, were disposed to look favorably upon this proposition; but it was recalled that Mr. Hook had offered $5,000 for a similar privilege in Long Beach and it was also ponted out by interested citizens that, according to law, any franchise must be sold to the highest bidder. Lawyers differed as to this point and the discussion waxed warm. A franchise was drawn up, granting the company all that was asked, for a consideration of $2,500 and an electric current sufficient to supply 12 arc lights of 2000 candle power. While the discussion was going on, Captain John Cross, of the Terminal road appeared and offered $5,000 for a franchise; but the Board of Trustees passed the Hook franchise without considering this offer and despite strong opposition on the part of many citizens.
A day or two later John C. Morgan, one of the trustees, and a man who was always ready to fight for his convictions, brought suit against the Board of Trustees to restrain them from making the proposed "Hook" franchise a law. Meanwhile the first payment was made on the franchise and the Traction road began making preparations for entering Santa Monica. The Los Angeles-Pacific also began to move, removing the poles which had long been a bone of contention, on Oregon street; double tracking and otherwise improving their service-in anticipation of competition. In February, 1903, Col. A.B. Hotchkiss took steps to test the validity of the Hook franchise, since it was granted without competitive bids. When it appeared that the Traction Company had secured their rights of way through Santa Monica and Ocean Park, the Los Angeles-Pacific railway, alarmed for its supremacy, also began suits to contest [p. 224] the right of way, and in retaliation, the Los Angeles, Ocean Park and Santa Monica Company, which had been incorporated to handle the Santa Monica end of the Traction Company, began suit to condemn certain tracts in Ocean Park, needed for the Traction right of way. The officers of this company were W.S. Hook, Abbot Kinney, T.J. Hook, C.A. Sumner and E. E. Miliken, and it was generally known as "Abbot Kinney's Company."
The Hook franchise was sustained by the attorney-general and the contest between the two trolley line companies became a bitter one. The annual election of city officials was approaching and the attitude of the trustees toward the railroad question became the vital question. The Herald announces: "The railroad election battle is on and that it promoses to be hotly contested is evidenced by the fact that each of the rival companies has established boarding camps within the city limits and is registering every available man in their employ. Three registrars have been working for the last thirty days and on March 4th the city registration shows an advance of 343 votes over the registration of last November. Since March 4th fifty additional names have been added and before the registration closes it is conservatively estimated that over 400 increase will be shown."
The campaign that followed was one of the most strenuous ever known in Santa Monica. George D. Snyder, H.X. Goetz, A.F. Johnstone and J.C. Morgan were candidates for the trusteeship and were pledged "not to put any impediments in the way of the Traction Company's building and operating a line in Santa Monica, according to the terms of the franchise recently granted them." W.S. Vawter, T.H. Dudley and J.C. Steele were candidates for re-election. The saloon question was again involved and much type was used by the press and much talk was poured out on the streets and in public meetings over the situatio. Messrs. Dudley, Vawter, Goetz, Johnstone and Steele were elected, and as at least three of them were pledged to the anit-saloon party, there was rejoicing in the temperance ranks. It soon developed that the railroad stiuation had already been taken out of the hands of the city officials by the sale of the Traction road and its interests to Clark and Harriman, who having no use for a competing line, were not expected to push the road to Santa Monica. Abbot Kinney, however, still retained the franchise granted to Ocean Park, Santa Monica and Los Angeles road and made an attempt, which was promptly put a stop to by the city trustees, to occupy them. But in 1904 he sold his railroad interests to the Los Angeles Pacific road, thus putting an end to the hope, still maintained by Santa Monica, of a competing line.
[p. 224] 1903
The year 1903 was marked by an unprecedented growth. With the new city government and the occupation of the beautiful new city building, came an expansion in every direction that approached dangerously near to the fated [p. 225] word "boom." The new city hall, a substantial structure whose simple lines and graceful curves are dignified and beautiful, was complete in its fitness and space for the needs of the city affairs and were regarded by all-those who had opposed the bond, the plans and the location, as well as those who had workde hard to settle all difficulties and secure the building-with pride. On the evening of its dedication, March 19th, 1903, the people of Santa Monica and many visitors from Los Angeles inspected the building with approval and listened to the exercises with pleasure. A program was rendered and Mr. W.I. Hull gave a resume of the history of the building, in which he humorously recalled the various agitations which had led up to this happy finale. He closed by hoping that "those who take possession of it next month will keep it clean-clean inside and out. Let every record made here be as white as the paper on which it is written. Let those who are elected to office fulfill their duty as a public trust and not as a private snap. Municipal government is the weak spot in our American system. Selfish and corporate interests seek to control elections that they may enrich themselves at the expense of the people. If we are careful that such conditions do not occur in Santa Monca, we shall the more quickly realize the grand destiny that awaits us-the Queen Seaside City of Southern California." Beside the municipal offices, the public library was provided with pleasant quarters, which were greatly appreciated by the public. The city hall was built by H.X. Goetz, the contractor, and with its site, cost about $38,000.
[p. 225, H.X. Goetz, 1908b]
The city government under the new form required an election of new city officials throughout. The railroad and saloon questions had already become important factors in this municipal election. The many affairs of importance which the new board of trustees would be required to handle made their selection more than ever of the deepest importance to the town. Yet it must be feared that a large number of the voters were swayed by self-interest and personal feeling, rather than by the "greatest good to the greatest number." The ticket chosen was as follows: Trustees, T.H. Dudley, H.X. Goetz, A.F. Johnson, J.C. Steele and W.S. Vawter; school board, W.E. Devore, J.H. Hassinger, [p. 226] Dr. J.S. Hunt, J.H. Jackson and S.F. Carpenter, clerk, J.C. Hemingway, re-elected; assessor, C.S. Dales; treasurer, Frank W. Vogel; recorder, A.M. Guidinger; marshal, M.K. Barretto, who had served in the same office since 1898; for city attorney, there was a sharp contest between F.H. Taft, the incumbent and Benjamin S. Hunter, who it was claimed was a non-resident of the city. Mr. Taft was elected, but the position was contested in the courts by Mr. Hunter, without avail.
With the organization of the new board of trustees on April 20th, the history of Santa Monica as a city of the fifth class began. T.H. Dudley was chosen president of the board; the salaries to be paid city officials were, after some discussion, fixed: City clerk, $1020.00 per annum; attorney, $600.00; assessor, $520.00; marshal, $1200,00; treasurer, $400.00; recorder, $300.00; chief of fire department, $120.00 per annum.
The disastrous anti-saloon campaign which followed the inauguration of the new government has already been described. In view of the talk of incorporating the section south of Santa Monica into a town, a petition was prepared by some of the property owners in the strip of territory between Marine avenue, the southern line of the city limits, and Rose avenue, asking that this territory be annexed to the city. At the same time a largely signed petition from citizens of Santa Monica making the same request was presented. Acting upon these a special election was called for December 14th, which resulted in a vote of 30 in the proposed territory-19 against annexation. This results had been anticipated as a strong fight had been made by the "incorporationists" against the measure.
[p. 226] 1904
The rapid growth of the town had made the old water system entirely inadequate to the demands upon it, particularly in the case of fire, and for a year or two ther had been more or less talk of municipal ownership of the plant. The dissatisfaction with the conditions was so general that February 5th a mass meeting was called to discuss the situation and the possibilities of the city acquiring a water system of its own. At this meeting a communication from Mr. Rindge, president of the Artesian Water Company, then supplying the city water, was read, in which he stated that his compnany would guarantee the city an adequate supply and would at once enlarge their facilities for supplying water. After considerable discussion it was decided to suspend further action by the citizens until it was seen whether the water company fulfilled its promises. During the next two years the Artesian Company laid a 16-inch main down Nevada street and distributed a large amount of new pipe, replacing the old system and extending it to new districts. Nevertheless, it was still felt that the water supply was not equal to the demands of the rapidly growing city and the board of trade appointed a committee, who after a thorough examination into the matter, reported favorably upon the proposition to bond the city for a [p. 227] sum sufficient to secure its own water system. The city engineer prepared a careful estimate of the cost and reported that he thought a complete plant could be provided for $240,250. At the request of the requisite number of voters, the council ordered an election to vote upon the proposition of bonding the city for $250,000. But many citizens felt that this was moving too rapidly, as the city was already heavily bonded and was now considering the adoption of a new charter, consequently the date of this election, January 16th, 1906 was recalled and the matter was permitted to drop for the time being. The feeling is still strong that Santa Monica must soon have a more adequate supply of water, owned by the municipality; but the building of school houses and the disposition of sewage must first be completed.
After the incorporation of the town of Ocean Park, including the settled territory south of the Santa Monica city limits, there was still much talk of town division. Many of the people residing in the section which had first been known as "Ocean Park," felt that they had built up that portion of the "sand hills' into a prosperous business and residential district with very little aid from the "old town" of Santa Monica. The rapid growth of the last two or three years had brought in a new element who knew little of the past history of the town and did not realize that the question of town division had already been thoroughly canvassed and, it was hoped, settled by the decisive vote of November 13th, 1901. Ocean Park had already secured a portion of Santa Monica school district and it was now proposed to divide the city at Front street. It was the common belief that this section, if cut off from Santa Monica, would join the new Ocean Park municipality, although there were those who talked of a third corporation which should go it alone. Some of the older residents of the territory, who had already paid taxes for street improvements, schools, city hall, and sewers in Santa Monica, did not care to repeat the payments for the same purposes in the new town. The new corporation of Ocean Park was already voting bonds with a free hand; there were dissensions among business interests-the causes were various but the result was-death to the division proposition. The petition was circulated but was never presented and the election did not take place. The Outlook of January 21st, 1905, pays its tribute to the division question thus:
"Poor little thing dead. The last sad rites performed over fatherless and motherless babe. There is crepe on the door of a suite of upstairs rooms on Pier avenue. The fight to divide Santa Monica is ended. The 'executive ommittee' for the division of Santa Monica has passed in its checks. The last meeting of this august body was held on Wednesday, when it was decided that the idea of dividing this city was a forlorn hope and the committee adjourned 'sine die.' While the meeting was secret, it is learned that hte executive committee positively decided to abandon the project."
And from this date a more solid faith in "greater Santa Monica" has [p. 228] grown up in both sections of the town and it is only a matter of a few years before the memory of "north" and "south" feuds will have faded and Santa Monica will present an undivided front to the world.
This year was marked by the breaking up of large tracts and the opening to settlement of many fiine pieces of land hitherto unoccupied. In April it was announced that the Jones and Baker lands, including the San Vicente rancho, Boca y Santa Monica and Santa Monica rancho, over 30,000 acres in all, had been transferred to a consolidated company formed of the Artesian Water Company, the Santa Monica and Sawtelle Water Companies, Frederick H. Rindge, Gen. M.H. Sherman, E.P. Clark, G. I. Cochran, R.C. Gillis and others. The purpose of hte new water company was to supply water to the Ballona country, between Western avenue in Los Angeles and the sea coast, and to supply domestic water to Santa Monica and the entire coast southward to Playa del Rey. It was stated that the lands coming into possession of the new company would be subdivided and put upon the market at once and soon afterward a sale of 1000 acres of the San Vicente rancho was made to R.C. Gillis. This tract extended from Fourteenth street to Sawtelle between Oregon avenue and the Southern Pacific right of way, and was at once cut up into lots of from two to forty acres and offered for sale. The Santa Monica Land and Water Company also subdivided 450 acres between the Soldiers' Home lands and Twenty-sixth street.
A number of other tracts and additions were put on the market this year also, among them the Irwin Heights tract east of the city, which was improved by Irwin and Towner; the Artesian tract continued to attract buyers and the Oregon avenue tract between Thirteenth and Sixteenth streets was opened, streets paved and many lots sold and houses built during the year. Six new houses, costing about $15,000 were put up in Washington Place. This portion of the town, east of Tenth street and north of Oregon, became, indeed, a new city within a very short period. The land east and north of the city limits had also become desirable residence property and many homes had been established on "villa" lots, or small ranches. The talk of annexation of this district grew and was brought to a head finally by the attempt on the part of Ocean Park to secure a division of the town of Santa Monica at Front street, and by the necessity of supplying school accommodations for the many new residents.
It was estimated that during the year from April, 1904, to April, 1905, two hundred building permits were issued for the city of Santa Monica, the expenditure reaching $300,000. During the same period, four miles of streets were graded and several miles oiled; 260,000 square feet of cement walk were laid, 40,000 lineal feet of concrete curbing were put in, 30,000 square feet of cross-walks, 12,000 feet of sewer pipe laid, 22,000 feet of gutter and 40,000 square feet of paving put down. This was done by the city and it is probable that the work done by private contract in the various new subdivisions almost equalled this record.
[p. 229] 1905
This is the banner year in the existence of the Santa Monica bay cities. It was a year of wonderful growth and unprecedented development in every direction. The "old" town of Santa Monica passed forever from the ranks of "country" towns and became a city in fact as well as form during this year. The southern part of the town, commonly known as "Ocean Park," which was already an important business center as well as a popular summer resort, with the completion of the bath house and the Decatur Hotel, the building of the Masonic block and many other business blocks on Pier avenue, Marine street and the ocean front began to put on a metropolitan aspect; while the creation of Venice-the "Dream City" of Abbot Kinney's fancy, made the new town of Ocean Park the center of attraction for the entire state.
Another remarkable feature was the continued opening up of subdivisions which found rapid sale as suburban homes. Much of the San Vicente and Ballona ranches which had been barley fields, or, later, bean patches, was now platted, graded and improved to be sold as lots or in small tracts. Westgate and Westgate Acres, Irwin Heights, Towner Terracce, the Artesian tract, Serra Vista, Palisades, Brentwood Park and Green Acres, to the north and east of Santa Monica; Ocean Park Heights, East Ocean Park, Venice Park tract, Vineland, Clarkdale and many other subdivisions between Ocean Park and Los Angeles were put on the market. Most of these subdivisions were on or near the line of the trolley cars. In the case of Westgate, the promotors, in conjunction with the Los Angeles and Pacific, built a branch line from Sawtelle through the tract and along the edge of Santa Monica cañon and Ocean avenue to connect with the Montana-avenue branch, thus giving the public the most picturesque trolley ride to be found in Los Angeles county. The line was completed and opened for use August 9th, 1906. This company also constructed San Vicente boulevard from the Soliders' Home to the city limits of Santa Monica, a distance of several miles, one of the finest stretches of roadway in the country.
All of these tracts along the base of the Santa Monica sierras command magnificient views of ocean, mountains and valleys. They are improved with graded and oiled streets, cement walks, parks, trees, shrubbery and offer every modern conveniences-water, electricity, car service, as well as the unequalled location, the air, the space, the quiet and seclusion of country life. Building restrictions were placed upon all these tracts so that only desirable homes might be built and the rapidity with which magnificent country places, as well as artistic bungalow and cottage homes have sprung up proves that there was a demand for just such a residence section. The amount of money spent in improving these lands and putting them on the market would probably reach a half-million dollars and the expenditure in buildings and improvements by purchasers would perhaps reach the same figure.
[p. 230 R.R. Tanner, 1908b]
[p. 231] In the spring of 1905 it was announced that Frederick H. Rindge would build a wagon road through the Malibu ranch and there was a general feeling of satisfaction that at last communication north along the coast would be opened up. But it soon developed that his wagon road was not for the public, and rumors that it was to be a railroad or a trolley line were rife before the death of Mr. Rindge in August. In October, the Outlook rejoices greatly in the fact that the "Hueneme, Malibu & Port Los Angeles" electric line will be a great acquisition to Santa Monica. Mr. H.W. Lemcke of Santa Monica was appointed general manager, and for some months the papers were kept busy asserting and denying facts about this new road which was-and remains-an enigma to the public. The new passenger depot of the Los Angeles-Pacific located in Linda Vista park was a substantial improvement which was greatl appreciated. Many improvements in the electric line service were made during the year, not the least of which was the completion of the Playa del Rey-Redondo line and the establishment of a five-cent fare between Santa Monica and Playa del Rey.
One of the most important real estate transactions of the year was the formation of a syndicate by F.E. Bundy which was made up largely of Ocean Park capitatlists, including E.S. Tomblin, R.W. Armstrong, A.E. Robinson, H.L. Miller & Co., Robert F. Jones, A.W. McPherson, E.A. Wilson, Dana Burks, J.W. Tomblin, Smith Realty Co., I.E. Warfield & Co., and F,E. Bundy. This later took the name of the "United Land & Water Company" and marked a community of interests between the two factions of the Santa Monica bay region. The company purchased a tract of land south of the Oregon-avenue line between Twenty-sixth street and Sawtelle. They planned to make this a model village site and spent a large sum in improvements. The tract was put on the market as the "Serra Vista" and many sales were made. It became a part of the city when the new territory was taken in and is a valuable addition to the city's wealth. The Irwin Heights tract continued to settle up and many improvements were made in this vicinity. A large sum was expended by the Irwin Heights Company in developing water and an excellent system was provided for this district.
Another important real estate move was the opening up of the original Palisades tract, lying between Ocean avenue and Seventh street, north of Montana avenue. This was improved by a company compsed of H.D. Lombard, R.A. Rowan, W.S. Vawter, T.H. Dudley, W.T. Gillis and H.W. Keller. They spent $100,000 in improvements, grading and oiling streets, sewering, cement sidewalks and in planting trees, etc. Linda Vista park was also improved at a very large expense, thus placing this, the most desirable beach property on Santa Monica bay, on the market. The large amount of money expended by private parties in public improvements in the Palisades, [p. 232] as well as the high order of buildings and improvements made by purchasers, added largely to the aggregate expenditures for the year. The Towner Terracce tract lying between Eighth and Fourteenth streets, Front and Colorado, was another addition with the city limits which added to the popuation and wealth of the place.
[p. 232 Brentwood]
The building of the White Star pier, now known as Bristol pier, was completed in July and its attractions were added to those of the other points of interest on the beach. A good band was installed here and a number of "amusements" provided, but there were now so many rival attractions that it was not a paying investment during its first season. A number of new business blocks were added to the business center during the year. The Odd Fellow hall, a substantial two-story brick; the Guidinger block, on Third, north of Oregon; the Bundy block, a three-story brick; the Johnston block on Third, beside two or three new business buildings on Oregon avenue were constructed.
The organization of the Santa Monica Investment Company on February 27th was an important step in the development which was marking the north side. The company was made up of leading business men and capitalists who proposed to buy, build, sell, lease and otherwise handle real estate. Its stockholders included J.Euclid Miles, who was made manager of the enterprise; W.T. Gillis, W.E. Sawtelle, T.Horace Dudley, E.H. Sweetser, George Boehme, E.W. Dike, N.R. Folsom, F. Neimann, R.R. Tanner, W.H.Dosing, J.P. Jones, Dr. N.H. Hamilton, Dr. J.S. Hunt, Frederick H. Rindge, B.A. Nebeker, H.X. Goetz, Roy Jones, Robert F. Jones, R.M. Miller, Sherman & Clark, George H. Hutton. The company at once purchased a tract on Fourth street, north of California, which they improved and built a block of six cottages upon. During the year they built a dozen pretty, modern cottages north of California street thus providing what had long been needed, modern homes at reasonable rates for newcomers. During the year much property changed hands at a good figure and many handsome residences were erected. The Carnegie library was well under way on Oregon and the property on the corner of ?Third and Oregon had been purchased and the handsome three-story brick block for the Merchants' National Bank had been planned. This new bank was organized in May with T.H. Dudley, president; W.S. Vawter, vice-president; George F. Doby, cashier; Carl F. Schader, Louis Blenkenhorn, W.C. Durgin, R.R. Tanner, [p. 233] and William Mead, directors. It opened for business in the newly completed Columbia block about August 1st.
The Pacific Land Company placed on sale a tract of 400 acres lying between Sawtelle and Twenty-sixth street and the W.T. Gillis Company reported sales during the year of over thirty pieces of property, ranging from a single lot to twenty-two acres and valued at $45,000. The establishment of a large brick and tile manufacturing plant added a solid factor to the resources of Santa Monica. A company formed by R.F. Jones, W.T. Gillis, J.H. Spires, C.H. Sweet and R.M. Miller. They secured a tract of twenty-two acres of land and began putting up an extensive plant, known at the "Sunset Tile and Brick Company." This later passed into the hands of the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company, one of the most extensive manufacturers of clay products in the state. The clays of Santa Monica had long been known to be superior; but it is now fully demonstrated that they are of the finest grade for the best class of pressed and vitrified brick and that they are also susceptible of being used for a fine grade of pottery, under proper handling.
The consolidation of the United Electric, Gas and Power Company with the Edison Company this year put the lighting and heating of Santa Monica upon a more metropolitan basis and marked the end of any local interest in the company. An important industry inaugurated this year was the organization of a stock company, known as the Plant and Floral Company, to carry on a nursery business and deal in plants and cut flowers. Ten acres of land were secured near Oregon and Twenty-first streets, which were later increased to twenty acres, so successful was the enterprise, now known as the Goldern State Plant Co.
Another new industry, which has brought much wealth into the community was the culture of the Lima bean. It had been supposed until this year that Ventura county was the banner bean county and need fear no rival. But in 1902, R.C. Gillis made some experiments with bean culture on lands near the Soldiers' Home, which resulted in a net income of $40.00 per acre. As a consequence, Mr. Gillis leased 1500 acres of land to be put into beans in 1903, and it was estimated that nearly 8000 acres of beans were planted on lands lying between Los Angeles and the Santa Monica bay region. The yield was not so large as was expected, on account of the season being unfavorable; yet the profits were large enough to justify a still larger acreage in 1904. The bean raising industry is now firmly established in this district and is one of the most important sources of revenue. The acreage of 1904 was estimated as 10,000 acres and the yield was valued at $400,000. As the cultivation and harvesting is all done by machinery, the percentage of profit is large and Los Angeles county is now closely ranking Ventura in the matter of bean culture.
Street improvements were the order of the day during this year, over $72,000 having been spent and contracts let for $40,000 more, according to the estimate of theTimes, exclusive of the work done by private contract: 184 building permits were granted, covering an expenditure of $265,000. The Dudley building [p. 235] was in the process of erection. The Santa Monica Bank was improving its building at a cost of over $12,000. The Carnegie library building was completed and occupied in July. The Hollister-avenue pleasure pier was under way, to extend 900 feet from shore and to cost about $25,000.
[p. 234 W.T. Gillis, 1908b]
In the Pier-avenue district, much street work had been done and many improvements were made. The Hammel building, a three-story brick, cost about $20,000; the Hanniman and Volk blocks each cost about $5000; the Powell building, the Wisconsin and Metropole, and the Maier & Zobelein buildings were all substantial structures. There were talk of a hundred thousand dollar hotel between Navy and Marine avenues, which would place part of the building in Ocean Park and part in Santa Monica. This proposition was merely talk, hoowever, until 1905, when the Hotel Decatur was finally built, thus giving this section a hostelry suited to its demands. After several attempts to secure a franchise, the Home Telephone Company began work in July under a permit, and a franchise was granted later int the year.
The Municipal League had been revived and during the spring held a number of meetings in which needed municipal improvements were discussed. Largely through the action of the league a bond issue was called for, to secure funds to build two fire engine houses, additional fire apparatus and a fire alarm system. The cost was estimated at $14,500. Included with this was a proposal for bonds to fill in around bridges No. 1 and 2 and build retaining walls a a cost of $14,250; to repair and extend the sewer system, and build septic tanks, $21,000; to improve Linda Vista, Seventh street and South Side parks, $20,250, and to construct water works and secure its own water plant, $150,000. After a short and not very enthusiastic campaign, the entire bond proposition was defeated on August 16th. It was, of course solidly opposed by the district which it was proposed to include in Ocean Park, and this election gave a hint of the relative strength of the divisionists and the advocates of a "greater Santa Monica."
The question of repairing the outfall sewer was now forced upon Santa Monica. There had been much discussion of possible sewage disposition during the year. Ocean Park was still using the Santa Monica outfall, although the council had demanded that their sewer be cut off the first of August. In the meantime the new town was making desparate efforts to solve the problem. At one time it was proposed that a main trunk line be constructed along the beach to connect with the Los Angeles outfall. But this was blocked by the Playa del Rey interests and found impracticable, although Los Angeles was willing-for a considertion. The sewage farm method was also considered, but proved impracticable. So Ocean Park continued to depend upon Santa Monica for sewage disposal under the old agreement between the city and Kinney & Ryan, made December 28th, 1897, which permitted those land owners to connect with the Santa Monica outfall sewer. The singular reversal of conditions which has later made Santa Monica dependent upon Ocean Park for sewage [p. 236] outfall is one of the many anomalies arising from the peculiar relations of the mother town and its offshoot. But Santa Monica maintained that old agreement with Messrs. Kinney & Ryan and not with the town of Ocean Park, and in November, 1904, demanded a rental of $50.00 per month for the use of their outfall. As the rental was not forthcoming the city finally took steps to sue to collect the money. But the great storm of March, 1905, which almost destroyed the sewer wharf (at Pier avenue) and caused a break near shore in the sewer pipe, changed the aspect of matters. The Ocean Park bath house was newly completed and the discharge of sewage at Pier avenue proved dangerous to its success. The city trustees ordered the city engineer to temporarily repair the breaks; but the complete restoration of the outfall required a sum which could only be obtained by a bond election and the bond electionfor that purpose having been defeated the previous August, another election for such bonds could be called within the year. In February, Fraser and Jones had entered into a twenty-year contract with the city for the use of the Pier-avenue wharf as the foundation for a pleasure wharf, they had to keep the same in repair. But on the destruction of the wharf, Messrs. Fraser and Jones declined to keep the contract and there was apparent propsect of the wharf being again rebuilt, unless the city was able to do it.
The newly incorporated town of Ocean Park had already voted bonds for a septic tank and sewer system and in order to save the situation at Pier avenue, the trustees of the town now offered Santa Monica the use of their new septic tank for six months, or until the older city could make some arrangements for caring for her sewage. After some discussion the Santa Monica trustees decided, June 27th, 1905, to accept this proposition. The new septic tank was not completed as soon as was expected and rather than have the sewage turned into the sea at Pier avenue, it was turned into the Ocean Park mains and discharged on their dump-thus creating a nuisance which caused complaint from the people of South Ocean Park and Playa del Rey.
In the meantime the matter of voting bonds for the repair and completion of the sewer system was again agitated in Santa Monica. The necessity of better fire protection was also urgent and October 31st, 1905, the city voted bonds to the amount of $100,000 to be expended-$37,500 for sewer system and septic tank; $6500 for repairing bridge No. 4 and for retaining walls for bridge No. 1; $17,500 for two fire engine houses, fire alarm system and apparatus; $10,000 for garbage incinerator. It was supposed that this would settle the sewer question and soon result in relief for Ocean Park. But, after a careful consideration of the situation, it was found to be impossible to provide a septic tank and outfall sewer for the sum provided. As the residents of Pier-avenue region were strongly opposed to the further use of the old outfall sewer, Santa Monica trustees continued to use the Ocean Park septic tank, now completed, and put in a pumping plant at Pier avenue to raise the sewage into the Ocean Park mains. But the new septic tank failed to deodorize the sewage, as was expected, and [p. 237] although a wharf and outfall extending into the sea was built at Center street, there was still complaint of oderiferous breezes and other things, which finally culminated in a bitter factional fight in the city of Ocean Park, leading to the attempt to disincorporate the municipality, and which placed the city of Santa Monica in a most unpleasant predicament, as she was ordered by the courts to cease using the Ocean Park mains, while she had still no provision for caring for her own sewage.
During 1906 the garbage incinerator was completed for Santa Monica and various mains were constructed in preparation for the erection of a septic tank. But a suitable location for the septic tank and outfall system could not be found. The entire community was canvassed; innumerable suggestions were made by the citizens, the council and by outsiders; but no solution of the matter that promised to satisfy all was reached util September, 1907 when the board of trade presented a plan, which was adopted by the council and which promises to be a complete success. This was, in brief, the building of a substantial pier at the foot of Colorado street; the location of a septic tank and pumping plant at the shore end of the wharf and the discharge of the outfall at the extremity, 1700 feet from the shore. This plan met with approval all around and was ratified by the voting of $160,000 bonds for carrying it out September 30th, 1907. Bids have been called for and the work will be pushed on the completion of the system as rapidly as possible.
It was natural that when Santa Monica found herself surrounded by a thickly settled district which was demanding school facilities, she should begin to think of expansion. The demand for school buildings to accomodate the children of Irwin Heights settlement and of the district east of Seventeenth street, led to the proposition to annex these districts to the city before attempting to vote bonds for school purposes. April 14th, 1905, a mass meeting of citizens decided that at least two new school buildings must be provided, and that an election should be called to vote $60,000 bonds for that purpose. The board of trade immediately afterward proposed that the boundaries be extended from Eighth and Marine streets to Twenty-seventh and Montana avenue. A petition for annexation was presented by the people of the district and on August 29th, 1905, an election was held which resulted in an addition which nearly doubled the size of the corporation.
On September 12th the bond election was held and $60,000 was voted for schools. But after consideration, it was decided that it would be economy to construct the new buildings of brick and that at least three buildings were needed. December 9th, $15,000 additional was voted to complete the three buildings. But expansion in population and territory is not enough. It was felt by many citizens and by the board of trade that an expansion in the form of city government would give greater advantages to the municipality. It would require the division of the city into equitable wards, give the people a chance to govern themselves according to their own special needs, instead of under [p. 239] state laws and give the municipality powers which it would not have under the incorporation as a city of the fifth class. In order to secure such a charter, a city must have a population of 3500 and to determine the present population of Santa Monica, the trustees ordered a special census. May 15th this census was completed and a total of 7208 inhabitants reported. The charter must be prepared by a board of fifteen freeholders, each of whom must have resided in the city and voted here consecutively. They are to be elected by the people at a general or special elecetion. A committee of the board of trade submitted the following list of freeholders as candidates for elelction: T.H. Dudley, C.A. Stilson, George D. Snyder, R.R. Tanner, George H. Hutton, H.X. Goetz, W.I. Hull, A.M. Jamison, W.S. Vawter, Robert E. Jones, D.G. Holt, B.A. Nebeker, E.J. Vawter, Roy Jones, A.N. Archer. This was known as a non-partisan ticket. A "citizena'" ticket was also put up, but seven of the nominees declined to serve and three of those left were in the non-partisan ticket, which was elected by a large majority at a special election held October 18th, 1905.
[p. 238 Ralph Bane, 1908b]
November 3rd the board organized for duty, C.A. Stilson was made president and committees on law, boundaries, offices, public utilities, taxation and election, education and libraries, were announced. After serveral weeks of strenuous work on the part of the board of freeholders, the proposed charter was submitted to the consideration of the people in January, 1906. There was some opposition to certain of its terms-it was held that it too greatly centralized power; but it was felt that generally its provisions were wise and that it was adopted by a vote of 376 for to 183 against. At the same time the uninhabited territory known as the "Palisades" was annexed to the city and the uniform shade-tree act was adopted.
Santa Monica, with her new charter, with an area of eleven square miles; with an assessment which increased from $3,830,677.00 in 1905 to $6,523,186.00 in 1906; with her rapidly growing population; with ample school facilities, the best streets in the country and as fine public buildings as are to be found in any city of the same size, was now fairly on its way to become the ideal city of homes.
The building of a new brick manufacturing plant by an eastern corporation, the Simmons Brick Co., added largely to the clay manufacturing possibilites. A large sum was expended in improved machinery and in buildings. To this company and to the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company plant were awarded the contracts for furnishing 18,000,000 brick required for the Los Angeles outfall sewer. Another company was also formed this year to utilize the Santa Monica clays in making pottery, but this industry is not yet established. It is only a question of proper handling, however, as it has been demonstrated that Santa Monica clays have no superior for fine work, in the hands of experienced workers.
Among the incidents of the year may be mentioned the visits of the Knights [p. 240] of Columbus, a national Catholic organization, the members of whom were royally entertained by Santa Monicans and carried away golden memories of theis city by the sea. One of the worst fires on record in the city took place September 9th when Budy's livery stable on Third near Utah, was burned and six horses lost their lives, while a large quantity of hay was destroyed. On June 4th the city was startled by the news that their postoffice had been robbed of more than $3000 worth of cash, stamps and registered mail matter. This was one of a series of exceedingly bold postoffice robberies which occured during this summer.
[p. 240. Brentwood Park]
[p. 240] 1906
During this year a determined effect was made to improve the streets of Santa Monica by the latest methods of oiling and surfacing. In pursuance of this object about 12,000 barrels of oil were used and many streets which had hitherto been dusty in summer and muddy in winter became practically as hard and clean as paved streets. The Santa Monica system of oil-paved streets became widely known and was rated as having an important bearing on the problem of road construction. This method was used in improving San Viecente road, the new boulevard from the Soldiers' Home to Ocean avenue. This street was 130 feet wide, with the trolley lines in the center, was curbed and lined with trees and when completed made one of the finest drives in the country. It was proposed to extend Sunset boulevard and improve it to connect with this new road. There was also much talk during the year of a finely improved boulevard from Washington street, Los Angeles to Ocean Park to join the Del Rey speedway. A scheme for a boulevard to extend southward along the coast to Redondo and thence to San Pedro was also proposed and discussed, but has not yet materialized. Much talk of the Gould line which was supposed to be coming down the coast via the Malibu road which was in course of construction, and which would give Santa Monca a new "transcontinental" line, was indulged in. There was also much talk of Huntington purchasing everything in sight and building a new trolley line to Los Angeles-all of which served to fill the papers.
One of the most beautiful suburbs of Santa Monica, located just to the north and within view of the ocean, is Brentwood Park. This is a tract of several hundred acres which have been highly improved. Streets have been graded and oiled, curbs, and gravel walks laid and many hundreds of trees and shrubs [p. 241] planted out. Water is piped to every lot and electric lights have been installed. A number of handsome homes have been built here.
In January the Odd Fellows dedicated their handsome new building on Third street and January 31st the Merchants' National Bank moved into its own quarters in the Dudley block, a structure that would bo credit to any city. The Kensington apartments, an attractive apartment house containing all the latest devices for comfort, was built on the ocean front south of the Arcadia, at a cost of $15,000. Several new blocks were put up on Pier Avenue. The building permits from January to June reached the sum of $194,277, aside from the three new school buildings, which were to cost $75,000 amd the $50,000 pavilion at Pier avenue. Two new fire engine houses were also constructed and the garbage incinerator completed. One of the most notable improvements of the year was the Santa Monica hospital building, which was begun, afer long planning, and was completed in the spring of 1907. This is a handsome two-story brick structure, standing on a commanding eminence on South Fourth street. It is completely equipped in the most modern style and is fast taking rank as one of the leading hospitals of the south coast. The handsome two-story brick building which took the placce of the old Sixth-street school house was completed and occupied in the spring of 1907, as was also the Roosevelt school building on the Palisades.
[p. 241] 1907.
The most important advance of the year has been the final action in the matter of sewage disposal. After long agitation a plan which seemed to the majority to be feasible and desirable was suggested and on September 30th bonds to the amount of $150,000 were voted for the building of a 1700-foot pier at the foot of Colorado avenue which will carry the outfall sewer pipe from the septic tank at the foot of Colorado avenue. A number of other improvements will follow the completion of this wharf. During the year building permits to the amount of $250,000 were granted. These included the $10,000 addition to the M.E. Church; a new garbage incinerator, the new postoffice building and many private residences. The Santa Monica Development Company is engaged in the construction of a large reservoir, for impounding additional water for the city supply, in Sepulveday cañon. It will have a capacity of about two million gallons and will cost $75,000. An independent gas company has been organized and promises to become a factor in the situation. The demand for real estate, while not so active as during the previous years, has been steady and property in "old Santa Monica" continues steadily to increase in desirability.
The city of Santa Monica, after passing through many stages of development, is now a clean, well ordered, and most attractive place of residence. At present it has no hotel, no first-class restaurant and offers few attractions to the transient, or the crowd; but it draws a constantly increasing number of perma- [p. 243] ment residents of the better class; while attractive cottages and apartments are filled by the people who wish to pass a restful season at the beach.
[p. 242 A.F. Johnston., 1908b]
[p. 243] The Visit of the Atlantic Squadron
The visit of a fleet of sixteen first-class war vessels of the United States navy, in April, 1908, was one of the greatest events in the history of the coast. Elaborate preparations for the reception and entertainment of the guests were made and Santa Monica and Ocean Park took an active part in the occasion. An executive committee consisting of David Evans, chairman; Abbot Kinney, R.A. Phillips, W.T. Wheatley, Mayor T.H. Dudley, R.W. Armstrong and H.B. Eakin, was appointed. It was largely through the efforts of this body that the arrangement was made to divide the fleet and station it at different points. As a result of this plan the third division, consisting of the Maine, Ohio, Missouri and Minnesota, anchored off these shores for a week.
The citizens of the Bay region, under the direction of various committees, elaborately decorated streets and buildings; planned entertainments for men and officers and were hosts to thousands of visitors. Balls for enlisted men were given in the pavilions and a most elaborate ball was arranged for the officers, at the country club. The W.C.T.U., under Mrs. Hesther T. Griffith, maintained headquarters at Venice for the sailors and the ladies of the Bay cities welcomed the guests with masses of flowers and many courtesies. Friday, April 23rd, was observed as a legal holiday and was given up to entertaining the guests.
On Saturday, April 24th, the entire squadron, in the presence of the largest crowd ever assembled on Santa Monica Bay shores, maneuvered and then sailed silently away to the north.
[p. 243] Annual Assessment of City of Santa Monica, 1887-1907
1887 $2,405,048.00
1888 2,351,108.00
1889 1,807,228.00
1890 1,771,332.00
1891 1,565,773.00
1892 1,648,846.00
1893 1,654,274.00
1894 1,705,467.00
1895 1,830,503.00
1896 1,799,545.00
1897 1,869,132.00
1898 1,871,588.00
1899 1,896,844.00
1900 1,910,158.00
1901 1,991,310.00
1902 1,220, 431.00
1903 2,887,574.00
1904 3,472,124.00
1905 3,830,677.00
1906 6,523,086.00
1907 7,886,310.00
[p. 244] Chapter VI South Santa Monica and Ocean Park
When the town site of Santa Monica was laid out it was surrounded by a very large area of unbroken and unoccupied territory. The great San Vicente ranch was mostly devoted to sheep pasturage. A few native Californians cultivated small tracts on the Boca de Santa Monica; but that tract was also largely devoted to sheep grazing. On La Ballona, Anderson Rose and one or two others had begun to farm and the Machados raised some grain, but the greater portion of the tract was uncultivated.
In 1874 Mrs. Nancy A. Lucas, a wealthy widow, with three sons, purchased a tract of 861 acres from the Machados. This joined the San Vicente on the north and extended as far south as the present city limits of the city of Santa Monica, the line having followed the lines of the Lucas tract. The price paid was $14.00 per acre. Mrs. Lucas at once began to improve her property and in 1875 she erected a house on the highest point of her ranch-the hill between what is now Strand and Hill streets and Third and Fourth. The house was an ambitious two-story affair, costing some $12,000, and was for years the finest residence in the vicinity of Santa Monica and a landmark of note until its destruction by fire in December, 1904.
Her sons farmed on a large scale, raising fine crops of barley on the place. Two of them opened a lumber yard in Santa Monica and they were prominently connected with affairs in the early days of the community. In 1881, Mrs. Lucas, who was rather eccentric and lived on the place much of the time alone except for her Chinese cook, died suddenly under circumstances which gave rise to suspicion and much comment. She was said to have died from the effects of strychnine poisoning, supposedly used for killing rats. The property passed into the hands of her heirs and was soon broken up. The house, with three acres of land, was sold to Miss Mary Green, in her day known as one of the most beautiful women in California. She soon afterward married Dan Mooney, a well-known character of early days. He had been a miner in Arizona and had acquired considerable fortune. They took up their residence in the Lucas house which was thereafter known as the "Mooney Mansion."
August 17th, 1885, Mr. and Mrs. Mooney started to drive to Los Angeles. While on the way, Mr. Mooney's pistol fell from his pocket and inflicted a mortal wound in his back. Later Mrs. Mooney married Col. A.B. Hotchkiss [ -1905], [p. 245] a well-known and brilliant attorney, who was for many years a Southern Pacific representative. He was also the editor of a magazine, Public Resources, which did some effective work in advertising the country. He died April 3rd, 1905. Col. and Mrs. Hotchkiss owned and, at times, occupied the Mooney Mansion until its destruction. Many romantic tales have been set afloat upon the hill overlooking the ocean for so many years. Its burning was also mysterious-so mysterious that the insurance companies refused to pay up without a lawsuit.
In 1875 Mrs. Lucas sold a fifty-acre tract, adjoining the new town and fronting the ocean, to Ivar A. Weid, a well-known Los Angeles capitalist. He at once advertised, "South Santa Monica-Five minutes' walk from the new Wharf. Block No. 4, with Ocean Frontage of 370 feet." Later he changed his ad to "SOUTH SANTA MONICA, Lots 60 x 150 feet. Villa Sites purchased by Judges Bicknell and Glassell, Captain Thom, and others." In March, 1876, the Outlook announces that Captain Thom had sent down a carload of shrubbery to be planted on his place at South Santa Monica. March 22nd, 1876, this item appears in the Outlook: "Improvements are progressing rapidly over at South Santa Monica. Major Mitchell, Captain Thom and Judges Bicknell and Glassell are all building and planting trees. We understand that General Stoneman and Major Hancock will begin building within a few days. A well has been sunk and a windmill and tank erected which is the common property of several lot owners. C.H. Edwards & Co., of Los Angeles, are planting the shrubbery and making an excellent job of it." This little settlement, which seems to have had rather a military flavor, remained for some years the most exclusive and fashionable beach resort in the vicinity of Los Angeles. Some of these old cottages still remain on the bluff and are surrounded by fine trees. The Thom place with its luxuriant growth of trees and shrubbery is still kept up.
Another early settlement in South Santa Monica was the Central tract, laid out by J.W. Scott in 1876. A number of giant eucalyptus still remain of the trees planted by him at this time.
A portion of the Lucas ranch was divided into twenty-acre blocks by E.H. Lucas, one of the sons. A number of these were sold in the early eighties to various parties, including several Englishmen. The land was fertile and water was easily obtained by putting down wells and some prosperous little ranches were established here. Among these early settlers were Walter H. Wrenn, Nathan Bundy, Thomas Carlisle, Joseph and John Bontty [sic]. In 1884 the Vawters purchased 100 acres of the Lucas lands, lying south of Hollister avenue and east of the electric tracks. They paid $40.00 per acre for it, and in 1887 disposed of about half of it for a large sum. In 1886, the Crippens, a[p. 246] real estate firm of Los Angeles, bought 350 acres, extending from Eighth street east and to the San Vicente ranch line. In December this was put upon the market as East Santa Monica, villa lots of two and one-half acres being offered for $500.00, although the land had been sold the previous year for $40.00 an acre.
The boom struck this portion of Santa Monica with considerable force. The Vawters sold the Santa Fe tract of 53 acres to R.R. Tanner and Thomas A. Lewis, who put down a well, subdivided into lots, put in sidewalks and advertised an auction sale to take place August 10th, 1887. The highest price paid for one of these lots was $725.00. Houses were built on the tract by T.A. Lewis, Messrs. Tanner, W.S. Vawter and others. In March, the Wave Crest tract was put on sale with an auction, and the newspapers report sales to [the] amount of $52,490.00 for 90 lots. H.L. Jones subdivided a tract to which he gave the name of Ocean Spray, 120 lots, which met with ready sale. The Arcadia, Ocean View, Commercial Company's tract and others were opened up during this period and a large number of improvements were made. George Kintz built the Crystal Springs bath house and plunge during the latter part of '87, and the Ballona and Santa Monica road was incorporated, to build a standard gauge road from the Port of Ballona to Santa Monica, a distance of seven miles. M.L. Wicks, J. Bernard, Jr., and James Campbell were among the incorporators. Work was at this time being pushed on what was fondly hoped to be the terminus of the Santa Fe road at Ballona, and Santa Monica was strong in the hope of a new "transcontinental" line.
But after the sudden rise in values in 1887 and 1888, came a depression when progress was at a standstill; many of the town lots lapsed into acreage property and there was little sale for acreage even, although the drop in prices was not so noticeable here as in many localities. South Santa Monica, although included as far east as Eighth street in the city boundaries, as adopted in 1886, was still a rural community with scattered residences and dusty roads. The street car line had been extended from Santa Monica to the city limits in 1887, but the service was infrequent and slow.
In the spring of 1889 the Ostrich Farm was established at South Santa Monica. A tract of seven acres, known as the "Santa Monica Tract," was fenced in and thirty-four birds, with the nucleus of what was intended to be a menagerie, were brought here from Kenilworth, in the Cahuenga valley, where they had been located. In 1882, Dr. Charles S. Sketchley, an Englishman who had been engaged in ostrich farming in South Africa, came to California and selected a site near Anaheim as the best location he could find in California for an ostrich farm. His attempt here was so successful that about 1885 a syndicate was formed and Dr. Sketchley was sent again to Africa to secure new birds. He [p. 247] returned with thirty-four fine birds which were placed on the Los Feliz rancho in the Cahuenga foothills. A park and menagerie were planned and it was hoped to make this one of the leading attractions of Los Angeles. In 1887 the Ostrich Farm railway was built to Burbank and Kenilworth as the station at the Ostrich Farm was named; but this location proved too out of the way and the venture was not a financial success. Then South Santa Monica was chosen as a more accessible spot, offering other attractions as well.
About thirty birds were brought here under the management of Mr. Henry Beauchamp, also English. But the Outlook states that Mr. Beauchamp was a "Moody and Sankey convert" and refused to keep his place open on Sundays," which is good religion but poor business." After a couple of years the ostriches were removed to a new location near the Southern Pacific depot and under the management of Mr. Harold Perry, the place was made very attractive. Later Mr. Frank Ellis became manager, and in 1893 sold six birds to Sells circus, which were declared by the circus people to be the finest ostriches they had ever seen. Many old residents will remember the chase which followed the escape of a full grown African bird from the enclosure. The frantic creature, after being driven over the hills in the vicinity of the Soldier's Home was finally headed homeward, only to dash past the farm, into the ocean-to its death. About 1895 the remaining birds were removed to Anaheim and this attraction ceased to be counted among the charms of South Santa Monica.
Up to 1890 this section had no school facilities and the children were obliged to attend the Sixth street school in Santa Monica-a long and difficult journey. After a good deal of discussion and several petitions for relief, the school trustees finally decided , February, 1890, to establish a school in South Santa Monica.
February 25th, 1888, the board of school trustees voted to purchase two lots, 12 and 13 of the Santa Fe tract, at $1,000.00 each. Nothing further in reference to providing a school for the south side appears until February 10th, 1890, when the minutes state that a proposition was received from E. Emerson, to build a house at South Santa Monica suitable for school purposes and to rent the same to the district for six months at a rental of $50.00 per month. This proposition was accepted by the board and February 28th they elected Miss Ellen L. Huie as teacher, at a salary of $60.00 per month. What happened in the interim does not appear but on the records under date of March 4th, all the "above action" is rescinded, and Miss Huie was allowed $7.50 to reimburse her for her expenses in coming to Santa Monica. At a special meeting of the board held August 21st, 1890, Miss Huie was again employed to teach "the south side" school at a salary of $50.00 per month, the "school to be discontinued at the pleasure of the board."
[p. 248] A small school house was built on the school lots, probably during the summer of 1890. In August, 1895, a special tax of $1,500 was voted to build a school house on the "south side" and a one-room building was put up and in the fall was occupied, with Miss Alice M. Frazier as teacher.
Early in the seventies an Englishman, Col. Hutchinson, loaned money to the Machados, taking mortgages upon various pieces of land as security. One of these was a narrow strip of beach frontage extending from Strand street to the southern limits of La Ballona grant. This strip of sand was supposed to be worthless for any purpose, unless a wharf for commercial purposes could be built upon it. Apparently the belief was general that the only thing needed to make a commercial city of Santa Monica was a wharf where vessels might land. After the abandonment of the "old wharf," in 1878, five acres of land were donated by Mrs. Lucas and others and Juan Bernard began the construction of a wharf which is was fondly hoped might restore Santa Monica to the shipping lists of the Pacific coast. But the structure was never completed and no boat ever landed there. In 1888, Messrs. Lewis and Van Every proposed to build a wharf from the foot of Bicknell avenue and in 1891 the proposition of the Terminal Wharf Company came up, various grants and concessions being made in consequence: but no wharf was built.
In 1892 the Santa Fe and Santa Monica railroad was incorporated and proceeded to secure a right of way from Inglewood to Santa Monica. A concession of twelve acres of land was made them by the Terminal Wharf Company and Kinney and Ryan, on condition that the company expend at least $15,000 in improvements, including a wharf and a pavilion. Considerable difficulty was met with in obtaining the right of way, condemnation proceedings being necessary in some cases; but a strip 130 feet wide was finally secured from the city limits to the Southern Pacific reservation. A depot was located near the Ostrich Farm and on June 18th, 1892, the Santa Fe brought in its first train, with a widely advertised excursion to the "Coney Island of the Pacific." Later a building known as "the pavilion" was erected on Hill street and a cement sidewalk laid to the ocean front.
A group of trees on land near this depot was then known as Vawter Park: with the Ostrich Farm, the new pavilion, and the many beach improvements being made by Messrs. Abbot Kinney and F.G. Ryan, who had lately secured title to the Hutchinson property on the ocean front, South Santa Monica began to count itself as a "resort."
The Outlook for May 6th, 1893, says: "It is quite lively on the South Side. Three new cottages have just been completed on the Santa Monica tract, to be given away with the lots distributed on the first of June. A number of summer residences are either completed or in course of construction. The land[p. 249] company is now putting down a plank walk from the tract across the sand hills to the sea, and it is on the programme to begin the construction of a bath house at an early date. Altogether we can safely say that the 'South Side' will be in the swim this summer."The houses alluded to were built by Messrs. Kinney and Ryan on their Santa Monica tract and were given away with lots sold by distribution. Prices were $100.00 per lot, on easy terms.
In the spring of 1893 the Young Men's Christian Association of Southern California, after considerable discussion and looking about, decided to accept the proposition of Messrs. Kinney and Ryan to donate them a strip of land between the Santa Fe tract and ocean, 250 feet on ocean front and extending back to the Santa Fe right of way, about five acres included. June 21st, the Young Men's Christian Association Ocean Park Company was duly organized with a capital stock of $10,000, and the following incorporators: J.C. Salisbury, M.H. Merriman, F.H. Rindge, A.D. Childress, S.H. Wheeler, A.A. Adair, of Riverside; Charles E. Day, president; R.G. Lunt, vice-president; George W. Parsons, secretary; F.M. Potter, treasurer; O.T. Johnson, J.H. Brawly, W.F. Bosbyshell, C.C. Reynolds, Lyman Stewart, and other prominent men of Southern California. In announcing its decision, the incorporators give as reasons for their selection: "The land is about three-fourths of a mile south of Arcadia Hotel, is close to the railroad station of the great Santa Fe route, which reaches nearly every hamlet and village in Southern California. It has a fine, clean, sandy beach, of gentle slope, making a safe and delightful place for bathing. Near this land is a fine 70 by 1000 feet grove, with pavilion erected therein, making a pleasant place for a picnic and the only accessible place where a grove and the beach are so close together. A fine wharf will be constructed close to this land in the near future, when the coast steamers will connect with the Santa Fe route for all points on their line. It will be one of the most popular lines between Los Angeles and Catalina Island." Which shows that the Y.M.C.A. people were no better at prophesying future results than the sanguine "wharf boomers" of Santa Monica.
In consideration of the donations by Messrs. Kinney and Ryan and Messrs. Vawter, the "Ocean Park Company," named from the eucalyptus grove of the Vawters, was to build a commodious bath house and an auditorium, which it was expected would be the scene of many religious conventions and assemblies. The bath house was built during the summer and many new cottages were put up. In July an auction sale of lots took place, 80 lots, 25 by 100 feet, being sold at about $45.00 apiece.
During this summer St. David's Mission, Episcopalian, held services in [p. 250] the school house and the South Santa Monica Baptist Mission was organized by Rev. H.S. Baker, and in 1894 the Baptist chapel was erected.
In May, 1895, Kinney and Ryan named their settlement "Ocean Park" and the Santa Fé giving this name to their station, the existence of the district of Ocean Park may be said to date from this year. The Y.M.C.A. people put up some new buildings this summer and Kinney and Ryan put in a half mile of beach sidewalk, the first on the beach and a greatly appreciated improvement. In September, the Santa Fe, fulfilled its promise of a wharf by putting in a new type in such structures, using iron pipe for piles. It was located about 300 feet south of Hill street and was only 500 feet in length, and thus the connection with the great world, which had been hoped for, was again delayed.
The Y.M.C.A. and the summer visitors were favored by many pleasant entertainments, concerts and lectures during this season and Ocean Park began to be regarded as a most desirable location for those who wished a quiet and inexpensive summer outing. Many lots were leased or purchased and many modest cottages were put up as summer homes. These first beach cottages were very simple affairs-a long box of upright boards, with a couple of partitions, being the usual pattern. At this time there were few buildings south of Hill street and the "hills" were still the favorite place of residence. A cluster of small business buildings had grown up about the street car terminus and the Santa Fe station.
Ocean Park, although within the corporate limits of Santa Monica, had not been supplied with water by the municipality. Messrs. Kinney and Ryan had their own water supply piped to the beach; but the people on other tracts began to discuss the advisability of having a water system and in December, 1895, the "City Water Company" was formed with a capital stock of $20,000 and with J.H. Claudius, E.J. Vawter, D.M. Clark, G.R. Green and E.J. Vawter, Jr., as incorporators. Its object was to supply South Santa Monica with water and to secure this wells were put down on the Vawter tract and pipes laid through the district. This company was later succeeded by the Ocean Park Water Company.
On June 30th, 1896, the first electric car made its initial trip through South Santa Monica, after a day of strenuous labor on the part of the employees and officials of the Los Angeles and Pacific electric line. Their subsidy of $5,000, given by W.S. and E.J. Vawter, for what was known as the "loop line," expired at midnight of June 30th, and the work had been delayed to the last possible moment. At 9:55 p.m., the first car left the corner of Ocean and Oregon avenues and, after crossing the bridge, ran down Second street to Hill street, thence eastward to Fourth and returned to Ocean avenue. The car and its occupants were given an informal but none the less hearty welcome by the [p.251] South Siders, who felt that at last they were to be brought into touch with the world (North Beach). The coming of the electric line was, indeed, a great advance for this settlement which had been so long hampered by poor transportation facilities. This year Santa Monica began to talk seriously of the sewage problem and proposed to locate its outfall at a point south of the city limits. From this time on date the sewer troubles of the beach.
In July, an old-time auction sale with all its accompaniments, took place, H.L. Jones reviving his "Ocean Spray" tract which had been first exploited in 1887 and going one better on the methods of boom days by offering "one lot free for the lucky holder of a thirty round-trip ticket." At this time the Santa Fe was giving transportation at very reasonable rates to prospective purchasers of Ocean Park property. Ben E. Ward, now of lamented memory, was the auctioneer and eighty-eight lots were disposed of by his beguiling words-and the very real attraction of the location.
May 3rd, 1897 witnessed a serious loss to Ocean Park in the burning of the Y.M.C.A. auditorium, a large two-story building, which had cost about $3,000 when erected in 1893. This was a misfortune as plans had already been made for the most elaborate exercises yet held by the Y.M.C.A. assembly during the coming season. The loss was complete as there was no water to save the property, after the fire, which was evidently incendiary, was discovered. There was no insurance; but Mr. Day, president of the Ocean Park Company, was equal to the occasion. He at once set about securing new quarters and in August the University Assembly, with a full program of excellent speakers and music was successfully carried out. Among the speakers were Bishop Fallows, of New York, and Professor Syle, of the State University. Miss Ida Benfey gave a number of dramatic readings and a series of brilliant . . . concerts were presented . . . their summer guests appeared to find the attractions of the surf and the military encampment, the tennis court and polo races greater than such a feast of reason and culture and the assembly was not a financial success.
In May the new City Water Company turned the water into a mile and a half of mains, the water coming from two wells and being stored in a 50,000 gallon tank. Thus, at last, the South Side hills had an adequate water supply and a chance at fire protection. The electric light sytem was also extended to Ocean Park this year and added to the metropolitan claims of the new resort. Many new buildings, including several stores, a ten-room house erected by Mrs. Bernard, forty or more beach cottages were added this year.
Ocean Park had now become ambitious. She had grown so rapidly and attained such distinction that the citizens felt themselves entitled to every advantage enjoyed by the "other side." The South Santa Monica Municipal[p. 252] League was organized to "promote all measures that will benefit the city; to encourage all improvements, both public and private, to oppose saloons and direputable places in South Santa Monica," etc. A Ladies' Mutual Benefit Association was also organized, its main object being to build a hall for public meetings and use, a lot having been donated by Kinney and Ryan for this purpose. All of these efforts added to the natural advantages offered and the spirit of enterprise which had been shown in developing what had seemed an almost worthless territory, brought about a development that became one of the phenomena of the times.
[p. 252] Ocean Park District
The settlement known as Ocean Park was separated from Santa Monica by the arroyo and the wide unimproved tract belonging to the Southern Pacific reservation. This was unfortunate, as it made communication between the two points difficult. The Santa Fe service was irregular; the horse car line and its successor, the electric line, gave infrequent service; the drive over dusty, ungraded roads, and rickety bridges was not tempting, and the walking through a mile of sand or dust was certainly not attractive. The settlement about the Santa Fe depot and the Y.M.C.A. holdings was largely made up of transient visitors from the interior, who rented cottages, or built upon leased lands. They seldom visited Santa Monica and scarcely realized that they were within that municipality. It was natural that they should object to the long journey to the postoffice and begin to express a desire for a postoffice of their own. During 1898 the subject was agitated and promises secured, although the office did not open for business until July, 1899.
This year Kinney and Ryan opened the Ocean Park race track and golf links, which were improved by grading and planting a large number of trees. One of the first golf tournaments held in California took place on these links when they were opened to the public, in July, 1898. The same gentlemen had contracted with the city trustees to build a wharf on the pilings used to carry the outfall sewer. This wharf was located at what was known as Pier avenue and was completed by August. It was 1,250 feet in length and afforded a fine opportunity to fishermen and pleasure seekers. The proprietors invited the public to a free barbecue and clambake on the evening of Monday, August 29th, which was attended by a big crowd who enjoyed the feast, music, speeches and dancing.
By coincidence, the old Santa Fe wharf was condemned by the city trustees on the day the new wharf was opened and a few days later the old wharf was practically destroyed by a storm. The completion of the new wharf stimulated the building of the long proposed beach walk connecting the Kinney and Ryan walk with Santa Monica. The Southern Pacific began by constructing a board walk, [p. 253 ] 16 feet wide, in front of its property from Railroad avenue to the Crystal plunge, and the North Beach Company followed with a walk connecting this and the bath house. The city and citizens later built walks and thus about 1902 easy communication was at last established between the "north side" and the "south side."
The "Ocean View," an eighteen-room hotel, was built by G.H. Strong, and was opened July 10th, with a spread: but only a few days later the new hotel was destroyed by fire. Ocean Park suffered much during its early history from fires which seemed to be, in many cases, incendiary and which were very destructive on account of the lack of fire-fighting appliances and water. A few weeks later the store of Chambers & Co. was burned with its stock of groceries. There was a long dispute over the insurance in this case and a good deal of feeling was aroused by the circumstances.
The Methodist church began holding services in the Santa Fe depot in October, with Rev. Robert S. Fisher as pastor; in August, 1899, the church was organized as the South Santa Monica M.E. church; the old Methodist chapel was donated to them by the North Side church and removed to its present location on Lake street.
[p. 253]1899.
The untimely death of Francis G. Ryan, of the firm of Kinney & Ryan, who had practically created Ocean Park, led to a change and in 1899 T.H. Dudley married Mrs. Ryan and became interested with Mr. Kinney in the development of the now promising beach resort. Aggressive advances were made in the spring of this year. TheOutlook of March 10th says: "All told there are now 200 cottages on this property, a great many of which were erected last year. There are now some ten or twelve in process of erection and contracts for new ones are being made every week. These cottages are not mere shacks, but will be neat and commodious, costing all the way from $350 to $1000. They are being put up by first-class tenants, mostly professional and business men from Los Angeles. Water is supplied from the city water works and electric lights are being put into the more pretentious structures. Beach lots are rented at about $15 per year to those who will put up neat and substantial cottages. No land is sold outright, but long leases are given."
Messrs. Kinney and Dudley purchased the old Y.M.C.A, bath house this year, moved it a block south and refitted it. In July, Pier avenue was opened. Kinney and Dudley giving a deed to the necessary land to the city. The first building put up was a bowling alley, situated near the beach and carried on by Mr. J.G. Holborow. July 28th the post office of "Oceanpark" was opened for business. This office had been secured after a long and hard contest by Mr. Kinney, it being the only instance of two separate post offices [p. 254] established within a single municipality. Mr. L.B. Osborne was the first postmaster and the office was located in his grocery store on Second Street.
This year Mr. E.J. Vawter began the development of the carnation beds which have become one of Santa Monica's best-known industries. He devoted fifteen acres of land on South Fourth street to the culture of flowers, mostly carnations and roses. A 5,000-gallon tank stored water for irrigation of the tract. The soil and conditions proved to be favorable for the production of the finest varieties and the venture proved most successful. Large green houses and increased acreage are now devoted to the propagation of flowers which are marketed in Los Angeles and shipped to distant points. Many street improvements were made during this year and Kinney and Dudley planted out nearly twenty acres to trees, using 10,000 eucalyptus trees alone, in the vicinity of the race track.
[p. 254]1900.
Early in the season improvements began to multiply in "Oceanpark" as the growing settlement was now officially known, although it was in reality a part of the city of Santa Monica and more properly "South Santa Monica." The Santa Fe company astonished its tenants, who had erected cottages on leased lots, by ordering them to vacate at once; the unfortunate cottage owners had to hustle to find new locations for their buildings. The company leveled the ground and made some improvements; but in August it was announced that the entire South Santa Monica holdings of the Santa Fe company had been purchased by Messrs. Hart and Fraser, of Los Angeles. The new proprietors named the tract "Central Beach" and immediately began grading and putting streets through it. The first street opened through and paved between the beach and the railroad tracks was India, now Hill St. In a short time lots on the ocean front were selling for $1,000, and lots on the side streets at from $300 up. Building restrictions were put on the property, which included 185 lots 25 by 100 feet in size, extending from Hart avenue on the north to Grand on the south and between the beach and the railway tracks.
In February, the Oceanpark Fire Company was organized with A.N. Archer, president; J.H. Hassinger, secretary and treasurer; William Menzies, foreman; C.J. Marvin and J. Rudisill, assistants. A "bucket brigade" was organized, later a hose cart and hose was procured. In 1902, Mr. William Martin, owner of the Martin block, on the corner of Ash and Second streets, gave the use of a part of a lot for a fire house and the board of city trustees provided the lumber for a small building, and bought a fire bell.
Oceanpark now had her own water systems, fire company, school, churches and business houses. Many of its residents were newcomers who knew little about the past history of the place or about the "north side." It was quite[p. 255] natural that they should think that they might better manage their own affairs and pay their taxes for the improvements in their own section. As a consequence, it was not surprising that a movement for the division of the territory south of Front street from "old" Santa Monica should arise. Petitions for the division were duly drawn up and presented and then the people on both sides began to discuss the question in all of its bearings. When the election came on November 12th, 1900, to the surprise of the principal movers in the action who, by the way, were all old settlers and were actuated perhaps more by personal feeling in the matter than by any serious consideration for the good of the community at large, the proposition was snowed under. The vote stood 341 against division and only 59 for it. Even the warmest advocates of division were compelled to admit that they had been mistaken in the sentiment of the people of South Santa Monica; and the possibility of creating two towns out of Santa Monica was forever settled by this decision.
[p. 255] 1901.
The growth of "Ocean Park" as the district extending from Azure street, now Hollister avenue, along the beach to the south beyond the city limits of Santa Monica, had progressed by leaps and bounds since 1898. But the development of 1901 and the two or three succeeding years threw all previous records of beach development into the shade. Ocean Park, started as a gathering place for the Y.M.C.A. and kindred societies; a quiet colony of summer homes, occupied by people of moderate means, for the most part, suddenly became the most popular and fashionable beach resort in Southern California. And with equally surprising suddenness it developed into a bustling business town, having stores, hotels, banks and newspapers and all the necessary commercial facilities for a community of several thousand inhabitants.
The extension of the electric line south of Hill street and the erection of a power house south of the city limits were indications of the soutward trend of improvements. The pushing forward of this work, of course, was followed by rapid settling up of the territory thus opened up. The electric line was completed to a poiint one mile south of Second and Hill streets on April 30th. In August it became known that the Los Angeles-Pacific had acquired a new and more direct right of way between Los Angeles and Ocean Park. They had purchased the old right of way abandoned by the Santa Fe Railroad company, and begun the construction of a double track via Palms. This, with the new cut-off by way of Rosedale cemetery, would considerably shorten the time between the city and this beach.
Messrs. Kinney and Dudley had already extended their beach walk some distance south of Pier avenue and had provided electric lights, water and sewer [p. 256] system for this new district. The beautiful beach, the opportunity to build almost within reach of the ocean spray, the convenient trolley service, and the fine class of people who had already located here; as well as the fishing, bathing and amusements offered, attracted residents and visitors. While the rapid increase in the value of property attracted investors, both little and big. Many people who had leased or bought merely for a beach home during the summer found themselves unexpectedly enriched by the changed conditions, and immediately re-invested their gains. Many capitalists were also attracted by the chance to make quick money. By the first of March more than fifty lots in the new Short Line Beach tract had been sold and a number of buildings were under way.
One of the most important improvements of this year was the Club House built just north of the golf links, laid out the year before. This building, 50 by 80 feet, with a ten-foot veranda below and a roof veranda was put up by Messrs. Kinney and Dudley. Some $15,000 was spent on the building and the improvements in the tennis courts, golf links and race course and the place was made an ideal home for a country club. The Ocean Park Country Club was organized by Messrs. Kinney, Dudley and H.M. Grindley as directors. They at once planned a week's sports for August and in that month a successful tennis tournament, and polo races and golf tournament attracted a large number of visitors and participants.
In April, Messrs. Hart and Fraser reported that only three lots of the Central Beach tract, put on the market in the fall, were left, and that $85,000 had been expended in buildings erected on this tract. Among those locating here were Mr. G.A. Hart, Mr. A,R, Fraser, Judge R,B, Stevens, W,D, Winston, J.R. Newberry, A. Lichtenberger, William Hammel, and other business men of Los Angeles, many of whom built permanent houses here.
The Ocean Wave tract, south of Central Beach, was offered for sale in March by Messrs. Kinney and Dudley and was all sold out in less than a month. South Second street was paved and sidewalked during the year and several new business blocks put up on Second street-this still being the business center of Ocean Park. Pier avenue was surveyed and graded from the railroad tracks to the ocean front and the lots offered for sale. In October a two-story frame building, with two store rooms below, was put up, the second building on this street. About July 1st, it was announced that Abner Ross, a Los Angeles capitalist, would build a seventy-room hotel on Pier avenue. This substantial two-story building, which was long the principal hotel of Ocean Park, was erected in just twenty-four days from the time work began. Early in August it was opened to the public under the management of J.G. Holborow and wife, who furnished it and gave it the name. This building was later known as the Metropole and is now the Hotel Savoy. It was estimated that over 200 cottages were built[p. 257] on the sand during the year, the building expenditures reaching $118,691, excluding the hotel and the Casino; $18,500 was expended in improving the water system, and at least $25,000 was paid out for improvements by the L.A.-P. railway.
[p. 257]1902.
But, as rapid as was the pace set in 1901, the advance made in 1902 excelled it. A change took place at the beginning of the year, which meant much in the history of this section. This was the sale announced February 12th, of Mr. Dudley's interests in the Kinney and Dudley property to Messrs. A.R. Fraser, H.R, Gage and G.M. Jones; Abbot Kinney retaining his half interest. This sale included the beach from Azure street, now Fraser avenue, to a point 700 feet below the Country Club house, now Horizon avenue, and the club house and grounds.
If such a thing were possible, new energy was given to the developments along the ocean front by the new management. It was announced that the wharf would be rebuilt, a bath house and pavilion built at Pier avenue, and the old plank walk on the ocean front rebuilt. The entire tract was to be sewered and the alley between the front and the tracks, now Speedway, would be improved. But the most important move was the change of policy with regard to leasing lots. It was announced that no more lots would be leased and that leasers would be given until May 1st to purchase their lots or vacate. Hereafter lots would only be sold with building restrictions which would put an end to the building of cheap "beach cottages." Many of the lease holders purchased their lots and removed the old buildings to put up modern cottages which would yield an income on the increased valuation of the property. Many of those who did this realized handsomely on the investment. To many, however, the prices charged for lots and the building restrictions seemed prohibitive and the cottages were removed to cheaper property. During 1902-03, it was a common sight to find a cottage on wheels moving back from the ocean front to the hills, under the escort of William Menzies.
In March, 1902, the Ocean Park bank was organized with T.H. Dudley, Abbot Kinney, Martin Dudley and Plez James as stockholders It opened for business April 8th in a building on Second street; but work was soon begun on a brick and steel building on Pier avenue and before the end of the year the new bank was occupying handsomely fitted quarters and had added a savings department.
The previous year the old school house had proved inadequate and the Baptist church was rented for the higher grades. The rapidly increasing school population made a new building for the Ocean Park school imperative, and after an enthusiastic public meeting on the South Side, followed by another public[p.258] discussion of the question on the North Side, the school trustees called for a bond election to vote $12,000 for a suitable school house for Ocean Park. The bonds were carried, practically without opposition; the two old buildings were disposed of and the handsome eight-room structure, now known as the Washington school house, was built on the old location, the corner of Ash and Fourth streets. Two additional lots were purchased for the grounds and the entire building and grounds cost over $16,000.
The election of W.S. Vawter as city trustee to represent the South Side, and the fact that T.H. Dudley was president of the board of city trustees, assured this section of full representation in civic affairs and still further obliterated the old feeling of estrangement between the two sections of the city. The building boom continued. June 12th, the Los Angeles Saturday Post writes thus of the beach:
"There are seven hundred cottages at Ocean Park. They are all tasteful and many of them are pretentious. Ocean Park is not a place with a stiff, ceremonious air. There is a hospitable individuality, a generous atmosphere, in their architecture that shows as much as anything else that the good people of Ocean Park are not divided into social cliques or factions."
During this year Pier avenue became the leading business street. Among the business blocks of the year were the Rice and Kellogg block, of three stores, with housekeeping rooms above; a two-story building put up by Gillett & Co.; the new bank building, occupying four lots and costing $10,000; a two-story block erected by Abbot Kinney. The rapid rise in values is well represented by Pier avenue property. In 1900, lots on this street sold for a few dollars; in 1901, $500 would have been considered a high price for a lot; in 1902, twenty-five -foot lots sold for $40 per front foot; in 1903, a lot which had been purchased for $30 per front foot, was sold for $85 per foot. In 1904, C.J. Wilson sold a block on Pier avenue with a two-story frame building and a lot of 54 feet frontage for $21,000, and it is stated that the property was then yielding 10 per cent, on the investment.
The company spent several thousand dollars this year in improving the sewer service. Twelve miles of new sidewalks were laid by the city and private parties and many streets were graded. It is estimated that street improvements reached about $20,000. On Saturday, November 15th, 1902, appeared the first issue of the Ocean ParkReview, with A. Bert Bynon as editor.
On August 2nd, the new line of the trolley road by way of Palms, was opened, the event being celebrated by an excursion of the Jonathan Club of Los Angeles, and distinguished citizens, who were entertained with a fish dinner at the country club. The Ocean Park Country Club sent out elaborate [p. 259] invitations, announcing a polo match, tea, dinner, and reception, with speeches and dancing, in honor of the occasion. The invitation read:
"The Los Angeles-Pacific Railway company will open its Short Line cut-off from Los Angeles to Ocean Park, tomorrow, Saturday, August 2nd, 1902. And in honor of this event the Los Angeles Country Club has arranged for a demonstration that will mark the epoch as the most important in the history of Ocean Park up to this date.
"The opening of this line of railway communication is recognized as of such importance to the future welfare and prosperity of Ocean Park that the head moulders of the present and future greatness of that noted beach resort appreciate the necessity of this great proposed demonstration.
"And these head moulders of the present and future greatness are Messrs. Fraser, Jones, Kinney and Gage, the proprietors of the Country Club, and it is these gentlemen who extend a cordial invitation to participate in the exercises and the recepton of the Jonathan Club of Los Angeles and the other guests."
[p. 259]1903.
The new year showed no diminishment in building or in general improvement in the "sand district." Work was begun early in the year on the pavilion at the foot of Pier avenue, which was to be the most complex pleasure resort on the beach. When it was opened to the public in the spring, it at once attracted the Sunday crowds. The question of granting a restaurant liquor license for the pavilion greatly harassed many of the older residents of Ocean Park, who had prided themselves upon the high moral tone of their community. The matter was discussed warmly and was made an issue in the spring election which was hotly contested, the liquor question and the Traction franchises being the mooted points. The result of the election was not satisfactory to the "no-license" element who forced a special election, at which they lost heavily in votes. And the liquor license was granted for the pavilion-the first ever granted in Ocean Park district.
The Traction matter was quite as important in its bearing on Ocean Park affairs. The company had been interested in a project to build a line to Santa Monica Bay by Abbot Kinney, who was its representative in its negotiations here. A right of way had been secured; after a long fight which developed much opposition, the necessary franchises were granted by the city of Santa Monica and work was actively begun on a competing electric line which held out hopes of a twenty-five cent fare. The new road was well under way when the sale by Messrs. Fraser and Jones, of the Ocean Park right of way-the old Santa Fe right of way-to Sherman and Clark of the Los Angeles-Pacific,[p. 260] and the later sale to the Harriman interests, put an end to this prospect of competition; as the new road thus lost its terminals.
Several new tracts were opened up for settlement during the year. The Ocean Villa Tract, east of the electric road and opposite the Country Club was sold in half acre lots which were quickly subdivided and a new resident district grew up. In September, Ocean Park Villa Tract No. 2, 60 acres extending from Ballona avenue to Eighth street was put on the market and made a record as a quick seller. These ventures were so successful that E.J. Vawter offered 60 lots for sale on the hill in the vicinity of Hill and Fourth streets, all of which were soon disposed of. Pier avenue continued to hold its own as the principal business street. A three-story brick block was erected by Maier and Zobelin, and a new block designed especially to accomodate the postoffice was built. July 23rd the postoffice was moved from Second street to its new home and several of the business houses on Second street followed it to the new location. Lots on the ocean front, near Pier avenue, sold this summer for $2,300 to $2,600. Marine avenue was opened up, paved and sidewalked this year and Hart and Fraser avenues were "parked." The placing of the sidewalks in the middle of a street, with gardens bordering it on either side was an innovation which has proved very attractive in the beach districts, and has now been adopted in many places, although Ocean Park claims it as original wih her.
The beautiful home built for J.M. Davies, a ten-room house, complete in every detail of artistic finish, and an equally handsome home for Thomas Fitzgerald, now owned by Nat Goodwin, marked a new era in beach residences. The selection of Ocean Park as a permanent home by such men as Frank Wiggins, W.T, Gibbon, and many other prominent business men of Los Angeles, made the place a suburban as well as resort town.
The rapid growth of South Santa Monica and of the territory south of the city limits naturally gave rise to much discussion as to the future government of this prosperous young city. The attempt to divide the city of Santa Monica had proved so impracticable that it was now proposed to incorporate a new town to the south, with the hope that when the new town was fairly organized, the Ocean Park district of Santa Monica might experience a change of sentiment and cast its fortunes with the new corporation. The matter was fully discussed in all of its bearings and in the fall the necessary steps were taken and the election called for February, 1904. On that date, the new town began its existence and the name "Ocean Park" became the property of a district which had been in existence less than eighteen months, leaving the postoffice of "Ocean Park" within the bounds of Santa Monica, and creating endless confusion as to the location and meaning of the name "Ocean Park."
[p. 261]South Santa Monica 1904-07
1904
The dissolution of the Ocean Park Improvement Company, which had been the controlling element in Ocean Park affairs, was announced February 3rd, 1904, and was an event of importance in South Santa Monica. By this arrangement, Mr. Kinney, who had owned a one-half interest in the company, sold to his partners all of his interest in the property of the company, both lands and buildings, between Navy and Kinney streets in Santa Monica, thus giving Fraser, Jones and Gage the entire control of the Santa Monica holdings, including the Pier avenue improvements. Mr. Kinney received in exchange all title to the holdings of the company south of Navy street. As a result of this move, Mr. Kinney planned Venice, while Messrs. Fraser and Jones devoted themselves to the development of their Pier avenue interests. Another result was the raising of prices for all lots belonging to the Improvement Company from $45 per front foot to $60.
It had already been announced that the Los Angeles-Pacific had purchased Mr. Kinney's interests in the proposed electric line that was to have been built through Ocean Park. They had also previously purchased the right of way owned by Fraser, Jones and Gage, thus giving them additional lands and right of way. The railroad company at once began making improvements which were greatly appreciated by the residents of this district. The building of the plank walk between the tracks was a great boon to the people who had been compelled to wade through deep sand to reach the cars. The erection of stations and improvements of the trolley way gave this town a new street and the company also graded and improved a tract east of the line and put it on the market.
In 1901 Captain Donahue brought a gasoline launch to Santa Monica which was operated from the wharf at Pier avenue, carrying fishermen and pleasure seekers on trips up and down the coast. This little craft had been the source of much pleasure to beach residents and visitors and it was with great regret that they learned of her total wreck which occurred March 23, 1904, off the Short Line beach.
June 30th the new Holborow, located in the handsome three-story brick put up by Maier and Zobelin, was opened to the public. This was then the finest hotel south of the Arcadia and was very popular.
1905
In February, 1905, occurred one of the heaviest storms ever known on the Santa Monica bay coast. This washed out a large section of the Pier avenue wharf and later in the month another storm completed the wrecking of the pier.
[p. 262 E.J. Vawter, Jr. 1908b]
[p.263] As a consequence, the outfall sewer of Santa Monica was badly wrecked and the beginning of sewer troubles followed. Another storm in March carried away 700 feet of the wharf and destroyed a mile of the beach walk. According to the terms of the agreement made between the city and the company who built the pier on the piles intended for carrying the outfall, Messrs, Kinney and Ryan were to keep the pier in repair for twenty years. The interests of Messrs. Kinney and Ryan had now passed into the hands of the Ocean Park Improvement Company. A dispute as to who should stand the expense of the repair resulted in the sewer matter remaining unsettled. In the meantime a company was formed to build a new pier and it was proposed also to build another pier from the foot of Marine avenue. a permit for the Marine avenue pier was let to M.R. King. and later the idea of the horseshoe pier developed. A seaside theater was opened for the first time in the Pavilion at Pier avenue.
The First National Bank of Ocean Park was organized in April, with J.M. Elliott, W.D. Longyear, E,J. Vawter, Jr., J.W. Lincoln, A. Fraser, C.H. Mullen and E.J. Vawter, Sr., as directors. E.J. Vawter, Sr., was president. J.M. Elliott, vice-president; Thomas Meldrum, cashier. June 1st, the Commercial State Bank opened for business, with Lon A. Pratt, president; Warren Gillelen, vice-president; J.W. Lawrence, cashier.
Considerable feeling was aroused by an attempt to remove the postoffice from Pier avenue to Marine street and then make it the official office of the new town. A postoffice inspector was called in to straighten out postoffice matters; but after a conference with all parties interested, it was finally decided that the Ocean Park postoffice be left as it was and the new postoffice be named Venice. On the completion of the Masonic Temple, a handsome three-story brick building, located on Marine aveneue, the postoffice was again changed, despite a vigorous protest, to a handsomely fitted up room in this building. But this was still within the limits of Santa Monica.
[p; 264, Santa Monica City School District Board of Education, 1907, 1908b]
[J.R. Blanchard; E.V. Dales; H.J. Engelbreacht; D.J. Holt, President; R.M. Miller, Secretary of the Board; H.M. Rebok, Supervisor]
[p. 265] Chapter VII Public Institutions
[p. 265] Schools
As in every other American community , one of the first interests of the new settlement of Santa Monica, in 1875, was to provide school advantages. The first shack to house the men working on the wharf was put on the ground in April , 1875; the first lots in the new town site were sold in July. On November 3rd, the citizens of the town held a meeting in the dining-room of the Hotel Santa Monica to discuss school matters and take steps to secure the formation of a school district. As a result of this effort,. the Santa Monica School District was formed by the board of supervisors. It included within its limits the San Vicente, Santa Monica and Malibur ranchos, the tract of land belonging to Mrs. Lucas, and a portion of the Ballona grant-a somewhat extensive domain.
On December 3rd the first school election was held and John Freeman, L.T. Fisher and J.W. Scott were chosen as trustees; at the same time it was reported that there were seventy-two children in the new district. An election was called in February, 1876, to vote a tax for school purposes; but owing to some irregularity of form it was postponed until March 11th, when a special tax of $5,000 was voted for a school-house, and Loren Heath was appointed as assessor and collector of the same. The firest assessment of the district shows a valuation of $1,035,580. Jones and Baker had already donated two lots on Sixth street as a site and during the summer a neat frame building, containing two school-rooms below and a large room above was erected and ready for use in the fall.
In the meantime, the children had not lacked for educational opportunities. November 8th, 1875, the "Santa Monica Academy," D.G.C. Baker, principal, opened for its first term of twelve weeks, prepared to give courses "in all branches, including the Fourth Reader and Hebrew," and "with accommodations for a very few young ladies to board and lodge at reasonable rates." Mrs. M.J.D. Baker was instructor in elocution and Miss Ida M. Atkinson taught music and drawing. Thus every need of a full school curriculum was supplied . The first school exhibition given in Santa Monica was presented by the pupils of this school in the Presbyterian chapel, February 9th, 1876. The Outlook also announces that the second term of Mrs. Frink's private school would commence on February 7th. March 4th, 1876, the first session of the public school opened in the Presbyterian church, located on the corner of Third and Arizona, the building still standing in the rear of the present church. Among the pupils of this school were a number who have since been well known residents of Santa[p.266] Monica-George, Henry and Eugene Boehme, Julia, May and George Suits, Mary Collins and Claude Sheckles. H.P. McCusick was the teacher and before the end of the second month he had an enrollment of 77 pupils. The next fall when school opened in the new schoolhouse, September 10th, Mr. McCusick was assisted by Miss Lucy Whiten and the two lower rooms were used, while the "big" room was useful as an assembly room and a meeting place for public occasions. Many happy memories are associated with this room in the minds of older residents of Santa Monica. One memorable occasion was an entertainment and dance held on the evening of December 31st, 1881, the proceeds to be used for the purchase of an organ for the school-house. The Los Angeles papers announce that the affair was a great success and that the tableaux would hve been creditable to a first-class theater. It should certainly have been a well rehearsed affair, for in a dispute over one of the rehearsals, the teacher, W.H.P. Williams, an impetuous southerner, shot and seriously wounded one McDonald whom he thought to be interfering with his plans. Naturally the young professor was requested to resign, but the entertainment was carried out by his successor, W.W. Seaman, who later became a well known state official. The minutes of the school board for December30th, 1881, state, "A Wilcox and White organ was presented to the public school of Santa Monica, the money for same having been raised by a series of public entertainments gotten up through the instrumentality of Mr. M.R. Gaddy and others."
In 1877 the district showed an enrollment of 157 children, Mr. A.C. Shafer was the principal and was assisted by Miss Yda Addis, whose name and brilliant though erratic career are known to all older residents of Southern California. February 14th, 1878, a special tax for school purposes was voted. The school continued with two teachers until 1884, when the upper room was furnished and three teachers employed. In August, 1887, more room for the schools had become imperative and $5,000 bonds were voted and four rooms added to the school building. Four teachers were now employed, with Elmer P. Rowell as principal. Mr. Rowell was connected with the schools of Santa Monica for four years and many advances were made under his able leadership. In 1888 the rapid increase in population made even the new accomodations inadequate and a tax of $2,500 was voted to still further enlarge the school building, after which six teachers were required.
In 1889 , after a good deal of agitation, steps were taken to provide the south side with a school. This was opened in a private house; but in 1888 lots had been secured at the corner of Ash and Fourth streets and in 1890 a small building erected. In 1891 another small building was put up in Garapatos canyon. This section of the district has since been cut off from the Santa Monica district. In 1894 a neat building was provided for the pupils resident in Santa Monica canyon.
[p.267] In May, 1885, the first class graduated from the grammar grade department, under the county laws governing grammar grades. The Santa Monica schools were counted as of the grammar grade until 1891, when the high school was established, under a new state law, and opened its first year of work in September, with Prof. Leroy D. Brown as principal. Prof. Brown was an able educator and made a strong mark upon the character of the city schools. He was later principal of the Los Angeles schools and his untimely death was a sorrow to many who had enjoyed his instruction. The high school was opened in the Sixth street building and the first class of five members, Roy Arthur Sulliger, Florence Corle Rubicam, George G. Bundy, Hilda H. Hasse and Delia Sweetser, graduated in 1894.
For several years. beginning with 1889, Professor E.P. Rowell, Dr. A,W, Plummer, Professor Brown and others conducted a very successful summer institute in Santa Monica for teachers and others desiring special instruction. These institutes provided interesting and profitable classses and lectures, concerts and instruction in music and many enjoyable social affairs grew out of them. For several years they attracted a number of teachers and would-be teachers to this place for the summer courses.
In 1893, two more rooms were added to the Sixth street building, and in 1895, another room was added to the south side school. September 5th, 1897, bonds to the amount of $15,000 were voted for a high school building, although in April of the same year a proposition to vote $12,000 for the same purpose was lost, chiefly because it was felt that the sum was not enough to build a suitable building on the lots already secured at Tenth and Oregon. The contract for the building was let to H.X. Goetz and in June, 1898, the building was completed and dedicated by holding the graduating exercise for the year in it.
In 1902 $12,000 bonds were voted for a new building on the south side and the next year an eight-room building, costing when complete about $16,000 was ready for occupancy. The city was now growing so rapidly, both by annexation and from within, that the school accommodations were felt to be entirely inadequate. In 1905, $60,000 bonds were voted and plans were made for three school houses, an eight-room building at Seventh and Michigan, now known as the Garfield building; a four-room school at Irwin avenue and Twenty-second-the Grant , and a four-room building on Twentieth between Oregon and Arizona. It was decided to construct all of these buildings of brick and to make them complete in equipment. But the growth of the school population was still beyond the capacity of the accommodations and in 1906 it was decided to replace the old Sixth street school, which had been added to until little of the original building could be found, with a modern building.
[p. 268, Sixth Street School, 1908b]
In consequence the people were again called upon to bond themselves for school purposes and the sum of $15,000 to complete the three buildings already under way, was voted December 9th, 1905, and of $60,000 for the Sixthee street school and a four-room building in the new Palisade tract. The Sixth street school was first occupied in the spring of 1907 and is the equal of any school building in the country.
The Santa Monica schools are now fully equipped for effective service. Fifty teachers are employed and the attendance for 1907-8 will surpass all previous years. The number of children of school age in May, 1907, was 2,499. Departments of music and drawing, with supervising instructors are maintained. Full courses in manual training and domestic science are given. The school district now has nine buildings: The Lincoln-the High School-located at Oregon and Tenth; Jefferson, the old Sixth street school; Washington, Fourth street and Ashland avenue; Garfield, Seventh street and Michigan avenue; Grant, Irwin avenue and Twenty-second street; McKinley, Twentieth street between Idaho and Montana; Roosevelt, Sixth street between Idaho and Montana; Westgate and Canyon. The entire valuation of school property is $194,000.
[p.269] Beside the public schools, the Academy of the Holy Names, under the care of the Sisters, was established in 1899. The beautiful building occupied by this school was dedicated February 22, 1901.
In 1906 the California Military Academy was established in Santa Monica, in response to the desire of parents who wished to place their sons in a genuine military academy. Its sessions were held in tents located in the park until December 9th, when the school was transferred to the Arcadia Hotel building and the hotel ceased to exist after serving the public for twenty years. The school had a boarding and day department and prepares its pupils for college. Certainly no more delightful and healthful location for such a school could be found.
[p. 269] School Trustees of Santa Monica
1876-77: John Freeman, L.T. Fisher, J.W. Scott (clerk).
1877-78: M.D. Johnson, J.W. Scott, George Boehme (clerk).
1878-79: Loren Heath, J.W. Scott, George Boehme (clerk).
1879-80: Loren Heath, George Boehme, W.S. Vawter (clerk).
1880-81: M.D. Johnson, Loren Heath, W.S. Vawter (clerk).
1881-82: George Giroux, W.R. Gaddy, W.S. Vawter (clerk).
1882-83: Mrs. L.B. Huie, J.W. Scott, M.R. Gaddy (clerk).
1983-84: Mrs. E.E. McLeoud, Mrs. Geo. B, Dexter, E.K. Chapin (clerk).
1884-85: Mrs. Geo. B, Dexter, Mrs. E,E, McLeoud, E.K. Chapin (clerk).
1885-86: Mrs. Geo. B, Dexter, Mrs. E.E. McLeoud, E.K. Chapin (clerk).
1886-87: F.H. Howard, E.J. Vawter, E.K. Chapin (clerk).
1887-88: W.O. Baxter, Geo. D. Pendleton, E.J. Vawter (clerk).
1888-89: W.O. Baxter, Geo. D. Pendleton, W.S. Vawter (clerk).
1889-90: Geo. D. Pendleton, John C. Morgan, W.S, Vawter (clerk).
1890-91: John C. Morgan, Dr. H.G. Cates, N.A, Roth (Clerk).
1891-92: John C. Morgan, W.S. Vinyard, Dr. J.J. Place (Clerk).
1892-93: John C. Morgan, R.R, Tanner, Dr. J.J. Place (Clerk).
1893-94: Dr. J.J. Place, R.R, Tanner, Nathan Bundy (Clerk).
1894-95: R.R. Tanner, R.P. Elliott, Nathan Bundy (Clerk).
1895-96: R.P. Elliot, Dr. J.J. Place, Nathan Bundy (Clerk).
1896-97: R.P. Elliot, S.F. Carpenter, Fred H. Taft (Clerk).
1897-98: R.P. Elliot, S.F. Carpenter, F.H. Taft (Clerk).
1898-99: R.P. Elliot, S.F. Carpenter, F.H. Taft (Clerk).
1899-00; R.P. Elliot, S.F. Carpenter, D.G. Holt (Clerk).
1900-01: S.F. Carpenter, F.K, Rindge, D.G. Holt (Clerk)
1901-02: S.F. Carpenter, F.K. Rindge, D.G. Holt (Clerk).
1902-03: S.F. Carpenter, F.K. Rindge, D.G. Holt (Clerk).
1903-04: The change was made from a board of trustees to a city
[p. 270] board of education, the first board under the re-organization being: S.F. Carpenter, J.H. Hassinger, W.E, Devore, Dr. J.S. Hunt, J.H. Jackson. This board held until 1906 when the present board W.E, Devore, A.B. Clapp, E.V. Dales, D.G. Holt, and W.S. Vawter was elected.
[p. 270] Supervising Principals of Santa Monica Schools:
1876-77: H.P. McCusick.
1877: A.C. Shafter.
1878: A. McPherson.
1878-79: Chas. H. Hall.
1879-80: Mis Blanche L. Downs.
1880-81: Florella King.
1881: W.H.P. Williams.
1882-86: W.W. Seaman.
1886-90: E.P. Rowell.
1890-92: Leroy D. Brown.
1893-00: N.F. Smith.
1900-02: C.I.D. Moore.
1902-07: D.A. Eckert (superintendent).
1907- : Horace Rebok (superintendent).
[p. 270] School Enrollment and Attendance
The following table shows the increase in school enrollment and attendance in the Santa Monica school district since the year 1876:
Year Total Enrollment Av. Daily Attendance
1876 103 66
1876-1877 145 64
1877-1878 149 80
1878-1879 122 65
1879-1880 98 60
1880-1881 103 54
1881-1882 108 49
1882-1883 136 72
1883-1884 179 87
1884-1885 176 114
1885-1886 198 118
1886-1887 264 129
1887-1888 332 187
1888-1889 354 220
1889-1890 344 212
1890-1891 355 222
1891-1892 392 246
1892-1893 496 278
1893-1894 544 320
1894-1895 614 371
1895-1896 669 402
1896-1897 739 467
1897-1898 682 444
1899-1900 668 441
1900-1901 660 401
1901-1902 755 482
1902-1903 973 581
1903-1904 1321 815
1904-1905 1352 855
1905-1906 1604 1035
1906-1907 1641 1121
[p. 271]Public Library
The people who settled the town of Santa Monica were of the intelligent and progressive class. They at once took steps to provide themselves with schools and churches, and on March 1st, 1876, the Outlook announces: "A Library Association is about to be formed in Santa Monica. All those interested in this movement are requested to meet at the home of Mrs. Devere, on Sixth street, on Thursday evening, when the plans will be explained."
The association was formed and met once a week on Saturday evenings, when discussions were held and papers read. Books and periodicals were contributed for the use of the members. At a meeting of the association held April 19th, 1876, Dr. J.S. Elliott was chosen president; George Boehme, treasurer; and M.C, Olmstead, secretary and librarian. The initiation fees of the society were $1.00 and the membership $2.00 annually, the money to be devoted to the purchase of books. There were twenty-five members, and June 19th, 1876, the first installment of books for the Santa Monica Library was received , the list including a number of standard works. This was certainly a good start toward a library. How long this society existed, or what became of the books purchased for it, is not known.
[p. 271, Public Library, Santa Monica,1908b ]
The next movement for a library and a free reading room was made about 1884 by somme of the ladies of the town, who felt that the young people needed such opportunities. Mrs Asenath Lorimer, Miss Ella G. Dow, the Misses Vawter, Miss Niles, and others were interested. A subscription list was started, Col. R.S. Baker being the first contributor. Entertainments were given for the fund and a room in the rear of Dr. Fred C. McKinnie's drug store was secured for a reading room. The work was carrried on for some time by the women interested; but after the organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the reading room was turned over to their charge. It was then removed to the building still occupied by the organization, being located in the down-stairs room. Of their work, the Outlook notes:
{p. 272] "A few unselfish ladies of the W.C.T.U. have been engaged for some time in establishing a library and free reading room in Santa Monica. They have labored faithfully and already there is gratifying evidence that their work has not been in vain. Their fee reading room is handsomely fitted up and is one of the specially inviting places in Santa Monica. For a time they rented a room but they finally concluded to purchase a lot and building and take the chances of paying for it. In accordance with this plan they bought a 25-foot lot and a two-story building on Third street for $2,500. Mr. John Steere, of wom they made the purchase, has given the ladies their own time to pay for the property, only exacting the interest. By renting a portion of the building, they have reduced the rent to a small amount per month. On their shelves there are about 400 volumes of well selected books and the tables of the pleasant reading room are supplied with many popular magazines and papers. The only charge is two bits a month for books taken from the room, while all are allowed free use of everything within the library. The officers are Mrs. Jane Austin, president; Mrs. D.B. Hubbell, vice-president, and Miss E.A. Dow, secretary. A number of other ladies are taking an active interest in the institution which deserves a most liberal support from our own residents, and it is to be hoped that some benevolent visitor will come along some day and determine to help this worthy undertaking.-Outlook, July 18, '88.
The ladies of Santa Monica did, indeed, labor hard to aid this work. They gave dinners and suppers, socials and fairs, and worked harder to earn money for this purpose than they would have dreamed of working to earn money for themselves. One instance is told of an auction sale on the South Side, where the W.C.T.U. ladies furnished the dinner. One of the owners of the tract, Mr. Tom Lewis, offered to give a commission of $100 to the ladies if they would sell the house and lot on the tract offered. After dinner, one of the ladies, Mrs. D.B. Hubbell, heard of the offer, rounded up a purchaser for the property and made a sale. In course of time the $100 was paid over to her and she asserts that the day on which she spent a hundred dollars all at once for books for the Santa Monica library, was a red letter day in her life.
In 1888, the ladies of Santa Monica, under the direction of Mrs. Chapin, Mrs. W.S. Vawter, and others, and with the aid of Mr. Tyler, prepared a floral exhibit for the second Floral Festival held in the old Hazard Pavilion, in Los Angeles. A full-rigged ship was seen floating on the ocean, the wharf and the bluff were represented-all in the most exquisite of flowers. The Santa Monica booth was unanimously declared the most beautiful among many elaborate exhibits and received the first prize, $200. This after deducting expenses the ladies turned over to the reading room fund.
But the purchase of the building and the maintenance of the reading room and library proved too heavy a burden for the women to carry indefinitely. In [p. 273] 1889, Mr. Steere very generously returned the money which had been paid on the building and cancelled the sale. But upon his death, in 1892, he left this building to the Women's Christian Temperance Union on condition that a free reading room be maintained in it.
In 1890 the ladies who were interested in the library proposed to turn it over to the city, provided the city would carry it on. The proposal of the ladies who had gathered together a well selected library of 800 volumes was as follows:
"It appearing to the members of this society that said society is unable to pay the current expenses of the library belonging to them, and believing it will be for its best interest to donate the siad library to the town of Santa Monica, a municipal organization duly incorporated and existing under the laws of this state, to be carried on by the said town in accordance with the laws of this state regulating public libraiesm, it is therefor
"Resolved, that this society does hereby give, donate and bequeath to said town of Santa Monca all its said library, together with all appurtenances belonging thereto, for the purpose of maintaining a public library in connection with a free reading room.
"We, the undersigned members of the foregoing society, do hereby consent to the disposition opf the library.
"Signed by Laura E. Hubbell, president; J.A. Austin, secretary; Rebecca B. Guilberson, I.D. Richmond (per Mrs. Richmond, his wife), Trustees, Mamie E. Guilberson, Mrs. I.D. Richmond, Mrs. J.A, Dexter. November 14th, 1890."
The town trustees accepted the gift and appointed W.W. Webster, E.H. Sweetser. H.A. Fisher, Abbot Kinney and L.T. Fisher as library trustees. Two rooms were engaged in the bank building and December, 1890, Miss Elfie Mosse was appointed librarian.
The first monthly report of the library after it was turned over to the city, December, 1890, reads:
"Report of Santa Monica Public Library, commencing December 5th. The book list names 808 books; the records show fifteen books taken that have been out for several months. The list of subscribers during month is twenty-eight-sixteen of them new on the list. Receipts for the month $7.25. Donations of a year's subscription of the following magazines by Mr. Abbot Kinney: Scribner's, Popular Science Monthly, The Forum, Harperr's Monthly, Puck and Judge. Mr. H.A. Winslow donatedAmerican Encyclopedia, 10 volumes; Mr. T.A. Lewis, Memoirs of W.T. Sherman, 2 volumes, Elfie Mosse, librarian."
A subscription of twenty-five cents a month was still required and still at the end of the first year the library was badly in need of funds. If it was to be
[p. 274 J.H. Clark, 1908b]
[p. 275] carried on, something must be done and a subscription of $200 was made up among citizens to help it out.
March 1st, 1893, the library was made free to the public, the occasion being celebrated by an evening gathering, speeches etc. The library now had 1,800 volumes on its shelves. The growth was steadily maintained. In 1898 it became necessary to secure an additional room. On the completion of the new city hall, it was removed March 21st , 1903, to the room now occupied by the council, which gave more commodious quarters.
But it had alread been suggested that Santa Monica might possibly be able to secure a Carnegie library, as so many other towns in Southern California had done. Early in 1903 Mrs. J.H. Clark wrote to Mr. Carnegie, setting forth the needs of Santa Monica and making a plea for consideration for this city. After some correspondence she received the following letter:
Andrew Carnegie
2 East 91st St.
New York
13th April, 1903
Mrs. J.H. Clark,
Santa Monica, Cal.
Madam-Responding to your communication on behalf of Santa Monica. If the city agree by resolution of Councils to maintain a Free Public Library at cost of not less than Twelve Hundred and Fifty Dollars a year, and provide a suitable site for the building, Mr. Carnegie will be pleased to furnish Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars to erect a Free Public Library Building for Santa Monica.
Respectfully yours, Jas. Bertram, P. Secretary
The city was already raising more than the required amount annually for the support of the library. It only remained to secure the site. A subscription was started and in a few weeks the sum of $3,982.50 had been raised. The site on the corner of Oregon avenue and Fifth street was purchased. Janurary 1st, 1904, work on the new library was begun. July 23rd of the same year saw the building completed and on the evening of August 11th the library was opened with a reception to the public.
The architecture of the building is Romanesque, with a handsome facade and entrance. Within an octagonal delivery room is the central feature, all the rooms being built around it and opening from it, in such a way that supervision can be had over the whole from the central desk. A juvenile room with suitable chairs and tables and a ladies' rest room add to the conveniences for patrons.
In the regulations governing the library and in the library work, modern methods have been adopted and improvements are constantly in progress. At the present date the library contains 8,300 volumes and the home issue for the year just ended was 39,738. Three days in the week there is a book exchange from Pier avenue, the station being in the drug store of Clapp Brothers.
[p. 276] In the reading and reference rooms are currently received ninety-five periodicals. Special work in the children's rooms, such as posters, stereoscope systems of views, etc., and also meeting the demand for books in connection with the public school work, is made a feature of much interest.
The success of this library has been greatly due to the faithful and efficient librarian, Miss Elfie Mosse, who has had it in charge since 1890. For fourteen years she was entirely without assistance except during the summer months. Alone and unaided she has striven zealously to keep the Santa Monica library in the front rank and to keep pace with the growth of the city. All the latest methods and improvements have been adopted through her efforts, and at the National Librarians' Convention, which she attended, her work received high commendation.
In August 1902, Miss Grace Baxter was made asssistant librarian and a student's class was inaugurated.
[p. 276 Library Circulation]
The following table, giving the home use of books since the library came under "city government," will be of interest:
January, 1891 to 1892 5,304
January, 1892 to 1893 7,508
January, 1893 to 1894 9,941
January, 1894 to 1895 15,106
Janurary, 1895 to 1896 19,183
January, 1896 to 1897 18,905
January, 1897 to 1898 26,397
January, 1898 to 1899 25,029
January , 1899 to 1900 27,281
January, 1900 to 1901 21,533
January, 1901 to 1902 17,550
January, 1902 to 1903 21,260
January, 1903 to 1904 22,670
From January to June, 1904 (6 mo.) 11,134
June 30, 1904 to June 30, 1905 26,575
June 30, 1905 to June 30, 1906 35,641
June 30, 1906 to June 30, 1907 39,738
[p. 276] Santa Monica Library Site Cash Contributors
Abbott & Elliott $5.00
H.C. Aiken 25.00
Artesian Company 300.00
Don Juan Bandina 100.00
Bassett and Nebeker 100.00
A.B,. Benson 5.00
Wm.G. Bradshaw 25.00
L.C, Brand (Guarantee Title) 40.00
Miss Brooks 25.00
Frank Bundy 25.00
Guy Bundy 10.00
A. Busier 25.00
[p. 277]
S.F. Carpenter 25.00
W.H. Chambers 25.00
Chris Charles 25.00
J.H. Clark 100.00
J.C.W. Conaway 10.00
G.W. Cook 5.00
J.C. Crosier 5.00
Dales Bros. 25.00
F.B. Daley 50.00
Mrs. E.W. Dike 25.00
Miss Ellen Dow 25.00
T.H. Dudley 50.00
Mrs. T.H. Dudley 100.00
E. Duncan 2.50
H.G. Dunston 10.00
Mrs. A. Duryea 10.00
Fred Eaton 50.00
Edison Electric 100.00
Geo.W. Edmond 25.00
M.D. Feather 5.00
Ed Freeman 5.00
Mrs. M.W. Gardner 25.00
W.T. Gillis 25.00
Gilman and Dorner 25.00
R.R. Grimes 5.00
A.M. Guidinger 25.00
Dr. N.H. Hamilton 50.00
J.C. Hemingway 5.00
D.G. Holt 25.00
Mrs. L.E. Hubbell 25.00
W.I. Hull 25.00
Dr. J.S. Hunt 25.00
Geo. H. Hutton 50.00
T.H. James 5.00
Rob Jenkins 5.00
Roy Jones 500.00
H.W. Keller 25.00
John Kennedy 25.00
J.S. Knesel 25.00
J. La Berge 5.00
Carl Leonardt 20.00
C.M. Lindsey 10.00
Mrs, M.C. Lindsey 25.00
Miss E. Martin 25.00
H. Michel 15,00
J. Euclid Miles 10.00
R.M. Miller 25.00
A,M. Montgomery 25.00
T.A. Moody 25.00
Alf. Morris 10.00
Miss E. Mosse 10.00
Nieman & Co. 25.00
F.H. Rindge 500,00
J.B. Robie 100.00
W.E. Sawtelle 25.00
W.H. Saxman 5.00
Carl Schrader 25.00
Sherman and Clark 300.00
E.H. Sweetser 25.00
F.H. Taft 25.00
R.R. Tanner 50.00
Chas. Tegner 5.00
O.G. Tullis 25.00
E,J. Vawter 20.00
Misses Vawter 10.00
W.S. Vawter 25.00
M.F. Volkman 10.00
Mrs. Caroline Walkley 100.00
Webb and Vogel 25.00
E.A. Wilson 10.00
J.S. Wilson 10.00
83 Subscribers $3,782.50
[p. 278 Fire House, Dept. No. 1., 1908b]
[p. 278] Santa Monica Fire Department
The first fire company in Santa Monica was the Crawford Hook and Ladder Company, organized October 27th, 1875, with J.C. Morgan, president; S.B. Adams, secretary; W. Beach, treasurer; Harry DuPuy, foreman; John Mott, first assistant; Johnny Doyle, second assistant. Their outfitting was very simple, being buckets and axes, but they were enthusiastic and on occasions made a brave fight with their buckets. One of the most serious fires with which they had to contend occurred on July 19th, 1876, when the "Club House" was set on fire by an incendiary for the purpose of robbery, the thieves getting away with $850 from the bar during the excitement. This fire company was an important factor in the social life during the early days, as they had their annual balls and benefits of various sorts. The organization died out, however, and for some years the town was without a regular fire department of any sort. Everybody grabbed a bucket and ran when an alarm was given.
No other fire company wa organized here until March 22nd, 1889, when Santa Monica Hose, Hook and Ladder Company was formed with forty -six members, many of whom were leading business men of the city. "Bob" Eckert, who had been a pioneer fireman in Los Angeles, was the first foreman. The first equipment of this time consisted of a four-wheel hose cart and 1,000 feet of hose, with ladders, axes, etc. Hydrants had been provided and the old engine hosue, back of the bank building on Oregon avenue, had been built in 1888. The first officers of the company were Robert Eckert, foreman; William Jackson, first assistant foreman; George B. Dexter, second assistant foreman; Fred C. McKinney, secretary, and A.G. Smith, treasurer. In 1890, George B. Dexter was made foreman, a position which he held continuously until 1903 when the department was organized under the the new city administration.
In 1890 a two-wheel car and a hook and ladder wagon were added to the equipment. The two carts with 2,000 feet of hose made it a very heavy task for the firemen to pull the apparatus to a fire, especially when they had to plough through a mile or two of sand or dust to reach South Santa Monica. Yet for [p. 279] ten years the firemen were obliged to meet these conditions, added to which was often, perhaps usually, an inadequate supply of water, or a pressure too weak to be effectual. This company was volunteer and received no compenstation for their services , except such funds as were raised in various ways through the efforts of the firemen or by contribution.
During that time the fire department had to cope with many exciting blazes. One of the most serious was the Santa Monica Hotel which was burned in 1889. Another, which many will remember, was the burning of the large livery stable belonging to William Flores when several horses and a large amount of hay was lost. The destruction of the old Neptune Gardens in 1893, was a picturesque fire; in 1895, the burning of the St. James Hotel caused a heavy loss and some narrow escapes; the fire department by good work saved the adjoining buildings, although they were too late to save even the furnishings of the hotel. In 1899, the Casino building on Third street was destroyed by fire.
In 1900 the board of trustees after careful consideration purchased a new combination hose wagon and chemical engine and also a team of horses. Mr. A.J. Myers was installed as driver. The engine house was rebuilt, a new fire bell had been put in place and an electrical fire alarm system had been installed in 1896. Mr. W.I. Hull served as president of the company for fifteen years, 1892 to 1907. The board of fire commissioners is made up of Mayor Dudley, president; A.N. Archer and H.G. Dunston.
In 1906 steps were taken to provide the fire department with suitable quarters, the old fire house having become entirely unsuited to its needs. At a bond election held in 1906, bonds were voted for building two fire houses, one on city property rear of the city hall, one on Surf and Lake streets. These handsome buildings, fitted with all modern conveniences, were turned over to the city in the spring of 1907.
A volunteer fire department was organized in Ocean Park February 3rd, 1900, with an enrollment of eighteen members, its officers being A.N. Archer, president; Wm. H. Menzies, foreman; C.J. Marvin, assistant foreman; J.H. Hassinger, secretary and treasurer; E, Rudisill, second assistant foreman. The city trustees turned over to this company the old four-wheeled cart and 600 feet of hose, and furnished lumber to put up a small building which was erected on private property by voluntary labor and subscription. This company was increased to thirty members and did efficient service many times, although much hampered by lack of water pressure. The present fire house is fully equipped.
[p. 279] Newspapers
The newspaper history of Santa Monica is practically the history of the Santa Monica Outlook. The first number of this paper was issued October
[p.280, D.G.Holt, 1908b]
[p. 281] 13th, 1875, with L.T, Fisher as editor. Outside of the Los Angeles Express, started in 1871, and the Herald, first published in 1873, it is the oldest newspaper in the county and one of the oldest papers in Southern California.
The editior had published a paper at San Pedro before locating in the then embryo city of Santa Monica. His first number was a -four-page, seven-column sheet, well filled with news and advertisements. The office of the Outlook at this time was on Third street between Arizona and Nevada, the property now known as the General Sargeant place. The editor rejoices, in his early numbers, in the fact that he-for the first time in his life-owns his own home, and in the rapid growth of his trees and shrubbery. The magnificient trees on this place will bear mute testimoy to Mr. Fisher's energy.
The Outlook boosted Santa Monica manfully during those early years of existence. The editor was convinced that the progress of Santa Monica, the completion of the Los Angeles and Independence road and the supremacy of Santa Moica as a commercial port, were the most important subjects to himself and his readers and he wrote editorials on these which were masterpieces in their way. April 5th, 1876, he published the first "special edition" of the Outlook, reviewing the advance made during the six month's existence of the paper.
When the shadow of coming disaster began to loom up, Mr. Fisher fought the "Southern Pacific monopoly" bravely, until the sale of the Independence road to the Southern Pacific company was finally confirmed. Then he yielded as bravely as he had fought and announced: "We should accept the situation as we find it and make the best of it. If we can't stem the current, the next best thing is to float as gracefully as possible with it." During 1877, H.A. Downer brought an interest in the paper, but soon retired and Mr. Fisher continued the paper until after the abandonment of the wharf by the S.P. December 19th, 1878, he announces that the next issue will be omitted, as the week is a holiday. The next issue did not appear until January 5th, 1887.
During 1886, after the wave of activity and prosperity had again struck Santa Monica, E.A. Fay, started a weekly paper known as The Wave. When L.T. Fisher returned and began the publication of the Outlook again, The Wave soon vanished from the field and the Outlook remained the newspaper of the town. In all the rapid advancement of that boom period, the Outlook led the procession. Mr. Fisher put up a strong fight for the new wharf, which he believed would make Santa Monica a shipping port; for sewers and municipal improvements; for the location of the harbor at Santa Monica, and for small farms, good roads and tree planting. His paper was always strictly non-partisan, except for one number in September, 1888, when it was proposed to start a new newspaper in Santa Monica, the Review, to be Republican in policy. Then the Outlook announces that it will support the Democratic[p. 282] ticket-Cleveland and Thurman. But the new paper tried to materialize and the Outlookcontinued to follow its old policy which is outlined as: "The Outlook is doing its best-and is doing it in its own way. Our chief desire is to advance Santa Monica in the line which will exemplify the good old democratic doctrine, "The greatest good to the greatest number.'"
In March, 1891, Mr. Fisher sold the Outlook to W.S. Rogers and Eugene Day; but in September of the same year Mr. Day retired and Mr. Fisher again assumed editorial control of the paper. Mr. Fisher retained his interest in the paper until October, 1894, when he sold out to E.B. Woodworth. But before his final retirement he saw his long desired dream of a commercial wharf realized and during 1893 he published very full and exultant accounts of the building and business of the long wharf and Port Los Angeles, making predicitons of future commercial importance for Santa Monica, which time has not yet verified.
Mr. Woodworth remained sole proprietor of the paper until October, 1895, when Robert C. Gillis purchased half interest in the paper. In February, 1896, Mr. Gillis became sole proprietor of the Outlook; in April, D. G. Holt joined Mr. Gillis in the publication of the Outlook. Since that date Mr. Holt has continued as editor and publisher of the paper.
On Monday, June 8th, 1896, appeared the first number of the Santa Monica Evening Outlooks, a four-page, five-column daily. It continued in this form until November, 1891, when it was enlarged to six columns. June 14th, 1902, the paper was doubled in size, becoming eight pages.
The Santa Monica Outlook has always been a clean, clear-cut exponent of the interests of its home city. This is the object of its existence although the interests of the county and the state are not neglected. In 1896 Messrs. Woodworth and Barrackman began the publication of the Southern Signal, which later became the Signal, a weekly and daily paper. In 1897, Eugene Day was editor and proprietor. The paper continued to exist until May, 1898, when it passed out of existence finally.
[p. 282] PostOffice
The first postoffice in Santa Monica was located in a building still standing on the east side of Second street, near Colorado. The first postmaster was W.H. Williams, who held the office until his death in January, 1877. He was succeeded by J.M. Rogers. During September, 1877, the office was made a money-order office. In 1880, M.B. Boyce was appointed postmaster and held office until 1886, when he was succeeded by Miss Maggie Finn. the building between the Giroux and Rapp buildings on Second street was then used as the office. In February, 1890, W.S. Vawter received the appointment, and assumed the office April 1st, 1890. He removed it to the new bank building[p.283] on Third street and established it in handsomely fitted up quarters, with J.S. Summerfield as acting deputy. In 1893 Mr. Vawter resigned to be succeeded by J.C. Steele. During his administration the office was located in the Cates block. In May, 1898, George B. Dexter was appointed, to be succeeded in April, 1902, by the present incumbent, K.B. Summerfield.
In July 1988, the office was raised to the third class. In 1899 the Ocean Park postoffice was established, with L.B. Osborne as postmaster, this office being in Santa Monica also. February 19th, 1900, the electric postal service was inaugurated, which gave much better service than had before been enjoyed. The steady growth of the postal business in both postoffices has long since entitled the city to postal delivery; but the fact of there being two separate offices has stood in the way of the completion of arrangements, although free delivery has been promised for some time. The increased business of the Santa Monica office led to a demand for increased room and facilities and in 1907 a building was erected especially to accomodate the postoffice and has been equipped with every conveniencce for the postoffice force and for the public.
[p. 283] Board of Trade-Chamber of Commerce
December 6th, 1888, the citizens of Santa Moica, after some preliminary discussion, organized a Board of Trade, selecting Mr. M.R. Gaddy as president and J.J. Carrillo as secretary. After a general discussion as to the needs of the community and what could be done to aid in building up the place, a committee of six was appointed to take up the matter of securing a wharf-that being regarded as the most important improvement that could be made at this time. During the year the Board met rather irregularly and discussed many plans for the wharf, for a boulevard to Los Angeles and for various possible advance moves. In 1889, E,,J. Vawter was elected president., J.J. Carrillo retaining the secretaryship. In 1890, M.R. Gaddy was again president. In February, 1890, the Board of Trade passed a resolution declaring that Santa Monica was the most advantageous location for a harbor and requesting Representative Vandever to use his influence towards securing an appropriation for that purpose. This Board of Trade continued to exist and to hold semi-occasional meetings until March, 1895, when it became a Chamber of Commerce, duly incorporated for the sum of $10,000. The incorporators were: R.F. Jones, F.L. Simons, T.H. Wells, M.H. Kimball, Walter G, Schee, J.J. Carrillo, Roy Jones, E.B. Woodworth, N.A. Roth, W.T. Gillis, H.W. Keller.
The old members of the Board of Trade were eligible to membership and a campaign for new membership was made. The meeting at which the re-organization was effected passed resolutions thanking Hon. J.J. Carillo for "faithful and efficient official service during the seven years last past, all of which time he has been Secretary of the Board." The president of the new Chamber of Commerce was Robert F. Jones; first vice-president, F.L. Simons; second-vice-[p. 284] president, H.W. Keller; treasurer, M.H. Kimball. The new organization laid out a broad scheme of work; twelve different committees were appointed to deal with municipal improvements and affairs. One of the first matters taken up was the planning of a float for La Fiesta. Another topic which absorbed much attention and was exhaustively handled by a committee consisting of Roy Jones and H.W. Keller, was that of securing a sewer system.
They engaged an engineer and had careful estimates and plans made, which were later adopted by the city council. When the Chamber of Commerce asked the Board of Trustees to call an election to vote on sewer bonds, the Board declined, fearing that the issue would not carry. The Chamber of Commerce then held a "straw election," which was carried out with all the completeness of a genuine election and the bonds were carried by a handsome majority. As a result a bond election was called by the city and $40,000 bonds were voted for sewers.
A road to Calabasas was another subject which received attention and which was successfully carried out, largely owing to the work of Mr. J.J. Carrillo. Of course, the Chamber of Commerce took every opportunity to advance Santa Monica's interests in the harbor fight, then on, and some very interesting meetings were held in connection with this matter. The Chamber of Commerce raised a fund to send Mr. John W. Mitchell to Washington as their representative.
The enthusiasm of the Chamber of Commerce seems to have worn itself out in 1898. At any rate in December of that year it was proposed to organize an "Improvement Club" which it was believed would eventually make the town doubly a paradise. Frank A,. Miller, then mine [sic] host of the Arcadia, was one of the moving spirits in this organization and it started out with energetic-talk. J.J. Davis was president; F.B. McComas, vice-president; F.H. Taft, secretary; Dr. P.S. Lindsey, treasurer. The executive committee included F.A. Miller, W.S, Vawter, N.A. Roth, Roy Jones, Abbot Kinney, A. Mooser, A.W. McPherson, E.P, Clark, T.H. Dudley, F.H. Rindge, L.B. Osborne. The Club made a vigorous, although unsuccessful campaign to secure lower fares to Los Angeles. It also took up the matter of liquor licenses, recommending that only six saloon licenses be issued and that the license be raised to $600. The Improvement Club did some efficient work in arousing public opinion of the saloon situation, and for three or four months, the Outlook contains long reports of its meetings-then apparently the Improvement Club went the way of the Board of Trade and Chamber of Commerce.
The Outlook of September 6th, 1901, announces: "Santa Monica is well on the road looking to be an efficient organization of business men and other representative citizens. The ball was started rolling last evening when a largely attended meeting was held in the town hall for the purpose of organizing a [p.285] Board of Trade." The organization was completed on September 24th when A. Mooser was elected president; W.I. Hull, vice-president; Fred H. Taft, secretary; W. Lee Chambers, treasurer; O.G. Tullis, J.H. Jackson, B. Sues, George D. Snyder and A. Montgomery, were the executive committee. The question of bonds on civic improvement; of a sanitarium, and various subjects of public interest were brought before the public by the efforts of the Board of Trade; but it seems soon to have lost its grip.
July 9th, 1903, the ever hopeful scribe of the Outlook writes: "It would seem that the business men of Santa Monica have at last awakened to the necessity of doing something in the way of raising the standard of the amusements, improvements, etc., of this town, and that they mean to stay awake." A large and "enthusiastic" meeting of the business men was held to discuss the situation and it was agreed by all that something must be done at once, or Santa Monica would lose her prestige as a summer resort entirely. As many of thos present had been members of the old Chamber of Commerce, it was decided to revive that organization. The officers of this renewed Chamber of Commerce were: Robert F. Jones, president; W.I. Hull, first vice-president; R. Fogel, second vice-president; Frank W. Vogel, treasurer. A committee to secure amusements and music for the summer season was appointed and secured funds for band concerts during the season. It was also arranged for dances and various attractions on the beach, but this seems to have been the extent of their efforts and nothing more is heard of the organization.
The next organization to "improve" the city of Santa Monica was the Municipal League. This was formed May 18th, 1904, with Robert F. Jones as presiding officer; Dr. Rathbone, vice-president; D.G. Holt, secretary; A. Mooser, treasurer. It proposed among other things, to prepare a pamphlet setting forth the advantages of Santa Monica, for distribution; also to prepare an exhibit for the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, but the only real accomplishment seems to have been a Fourth of July celebration and the securing of a band to play during the summer season.
June 1st, 1905, the Santa Monica Municipal League changed its name to become the Santa Monica Board of Trade, with W.I,Hull, president; R. Fogel, vice-president; J. Addison Smith, secretary, and A. Mooser, treasurer. This organization has proved vital and has been an important factor in the rapid progress of the past two years. Among some of its achievements of the first year's real work were the issuing of 20,000 copies of a neat booklet advertising Santa Monica; the publishing of an advertisement of Santa Monica in the Pacific Monthly for six months; efficient aid in the securing of annexation of territory to the city, and in securing better lighting and other improvements for the municipality. At the seond annual meeting, August 10th, 1906, W.I. [p.286] Hull was again elected president, and J. Addison Smith, secretary; C.D, Middlekauff was treasurer, and R. Fogel, vice-president.
Much valuable work for the good of Santa Monica was accomplished during the new year of 1906-07. One of the most important moves was the effort made to secure free mail delivery and the promise finally secured that such delivery would be provided for as soon as arrangements could be completed. Attention of the department was also drawn to the inadequate accomodations furnished the Santa Monica postoffice and the result has been the securing of new and ample quarters. Another important step was the actioon of the board, in recommending that Santa Monica merchants withdraw their business from the L.A.P. road until that company granted a five-cent are within the city limits. Largely through the action of this body, the fine system of lighting Ocean avenue was adopted. But the most important work of the organization was in connection with the sewer problem. It secured and presented the plan of disposal which has finally been adopted and which it is confidently believed will settle for all time this troublesome subject which has disturbed the peace of mind of the community for many years. At the third annual meeting held in October, 1907, Mr. Hull declined to be re-elected , and J.J. Seymour was chosen as president, R. Fogel was elected vice-president, and W.K. Cowan, treasurer.
[p. 286] City Officials.
1886.-Board of Trustees, J.W. Scott, W.S, Vawter, A,E. Ladd, John Steere, Dr. E.C. Folsom; clerk, Fred C. McKinnie; John Steere president; treasurer, Col, E.K. Chapin; marshal, Hamilton Bagg, succeeded by Michael Noon.
1888.-Board of Trustees, T.A. Lewis, J.J. Carrillo, Thomas Rhodes were elected, Dr. E.C, Folsom and W.S, Vawter held over, Dr. Folsom was president of the board. Rhodes soon resigned and E.J. Vawter took his place. Fred McKinnie, clerk; Col. E.K. Chapin, treasurer; attorney, J.C. Morgan.
1890.-J.L. Allen, John Steere, J.J. Carrillo, T.A, Lewis and E.J. Vawter were trustees, with J.J. Carillo president of the board; Emmet Pollard, Clerk; Col. Chapin, treasurer; M.K. Barretto, marshal; attorney, J.C. Morgan.
1892.-J.J. Carrillo, E.J. Vawter, R.R. Harris, T.A. Lewis, H.C. Beville, J.J. Carrillo being president of the board; clerk, C.S. Dales; treasurer, George Boehme; marshal, M.K. Baretto; city attorney, R.R. Tanner.
1894.-Robert F. Jones, N.A. Roth, J.J. Carrillo, T.L. Lewis and E.J. Vawter were trustees, J.J. Carrillo being president of the board; clerk, C.S, Dales; treasurer, George Boehme; marshal, M.K. Barretto; attorney, R.R. Tanner; library trustees, H.A. Winslow, O.G. Tullis, H.S. DeVan, D.L. Bancroft, H.C. Weyse.
1896.-Board of trustees, Robert F. Jones, J.J. Carrillo, R.C. Gillis, Moses Hostetter, N.A. Roth, Jones being president; clerk, C.S. Dales; treasurer, E.W. Boehme; marshal, George B. Dexter; attorney, R.R. Tanner; library trustees, Dr. P.S. Lindsey, Fred H. Taft, J.Walter Gray, T.H. Wells, William Stevenson.
1898,-Board of trustees, Robert F. Jones, N.A. Roth, J.J. Carrillo, Moses Hostetter, R.C. Gillis, R.F. Jones was president; clerk, J.C. Steele; treasurer, E.W. Boehme; marshal, M.K. Barretto; library trustees, S.D. Belt, J. Walter Gray, P.S. Lindsey, Fred H. Taft, T.H. Wells.
1900.-Board of trustees, Robert F. Jones, C.H. Sammis, J.C. Morgan, T.H. Dudley, N.R. Folsom; clerk, John B. Proctor; treasurer, E.W. Boehme; marshal, M.K. Barretto; library trustees, J.C. Hemingway, P.S. Lindsey, C.I.D. Moore, Fred H. Taft, T.H. Wells.
1902.-Board of trustees, T.H. Dudley, W.S. Vawter, J.C. Steele, C.H. Sammis, J.C. Morgan, T.H. Dudley serving as president; clerk, J.C. Hemingway; treasurer, E.W. Boehme; marshal, M.K. Barretto; attorney, Fred H, Taft.
1903.-First election under charter. Council, T.H. Dudley, H.X. Goetz, A.F. Johnston, J.C. Steele, W.S, Vawter; clerk, J.C. Hemingway; treasurer, Frank W. Vogel; assessor, C.S. Dales; recorder, A.M. Guidinger; marshal, M.K. Barretto; school board, W.E. Devore, J.H. Hassinger, Dr. J.S. Hunt, J.S. H. Jackson, S.F. Carpenter.
1906.-Mayor, T.H. Dudley. Members of city council-First ward, G.D. Snyder; Second ward, W.A. Armstrong; Third Ward, Abe S. Reel; Fourth ward, Alf Morris; Fifth ward, H.L. Coffman; Sixth ward, J.Euclid Miles; Seventh ward, Roscoe H. Dow. President of Council, Alf Morris; city clerk, J.C. Hemingway; treasurer and tax collector, Ralph Bane; assessor, C.S. Dales; attorney, S.W. Odell; engineer, Thomas H. James; street superintendent, H.L. Johnson; building superintendent, H.L. Mitchell; police judge, J.J. Carrillo; chief of police, M.K. Barretto; chief of fire department, C.J. Marvin; health officer, Dr. W. H. Parker; superintendent of schools, Horace M. Rebok. Board of education, W.E. Devore, president; A.B. Clapp, E.V. Dales, D.G. Holt, W.S. Vawter; board of library trustees, G.A. Lonsberry, president; Lewis E. Bradt, A.M. Jamison, C.M. Lindsey, John Morton.
[p. 287] Populations of Santa Monica.
United States census 1880 417
United States census 1890 1,580
United States census 1900 3,057
Census taken by city 1905 7,028
[p. 288, First Methodist Church, 1908b]
[p. 288]Chapter VIII Churches and Societies
Methodist Church
The oldest record of the Methodist church of Santa Monica reads: "Minutes of the First Quarterly Conference for Santa Monica, held October 26th, 1875, at the residence of D.G.C. Baker. The presiding elder, A.M. Hough, in the chair. The session was opened with a prayer by the presiding elder. On motion Rev. J.D. Crum was appointed secretary. Organization: The following named persons, members of the Methodist Episcopal church, being present, proceeded to organize a society: J.D.D. Crum, pastor; O.A. Snow, local preacher; D.G.C. Baker, A. Dutton, M.J.D. Baker, Eliza Corey, Ida May Atkinson, Margaret Atkinson, Minnie Atkinson and Mary A. Crum. Abner Dutton was appointed class leader. Stewards: D.G.C. Baker, O.A. Snow and Margaret Atkinson. D.G.C. Baker, recording secretary. Trustees: O.A, Snow, R.M. Widney, Samuel Atkinson, D.G. C. Baker and J.D. Crum. [p. 289] It was resolved that the trustees be instructed to incorporate and secure lots from the Santa Monica Land Company and erect a church building thereon, Margaret Atkinson and Mrs. M.J.D. Baker were appointed a committee to secure subscriptions to aid in the erection of a church."
The Reverand Crum preached for the first time in Santa Monica, October 15th, 1875, in an upper room of the building, then occupied as a hardware store, on the corner of Oregon and Fifth street. On October 29th, Rev. Hough preached. The society continued to use this room until January 13th, 1876, when the pastor gave notice that there wold be no service on the next Sabbath, but that he hoped they would worship in a building of their own on the second Sunday. And this was done. The Santa Monica Land Company donated two lots for the use of the church on the corner of Sixth street and Arizona avenue; the people of the little town, still largely a tent city, donated money and labor. Rev. A.M. Hough and R.M. Widney of Los Angeles subscribed liberally, and the pastor, being of a long line of Methodist elders who were able to work with hands as well as with brains and heart, himself labored with carpenter's tools. The church when completed, represented a value, including the lots of $1,361.66. This building, after being removed to the corner of Fourth and Arizona, enlarged several times, was finally removed to South Santa Monica to house the new M,E. church there.
This building was dedicated, free from debt, on February 3rd, 1876. Rev. Crum was pastor of the church most of the time until 1878-79. He came of a family of ministers, his grandfather having been one of the founders of the United Brethern church and having had nine grandsons who entered the Methodist ministry. He had spent fifteen years in the Southern Illinois conference before coming to this state, where his first charge was the Santa Monica church, whidh he so ably led under many discouragements. It is of record that for his first year of labor here he received $230, and his salary in the subsequent years was pitifully inadequate.
Rev. Crum was succeeded by Rev. S.S. Russell, who only remained a year, and then for three years the church was pastorless and practically disorganized. A pastor was sent here in 1883-4, Rev. J.B. Howard, who found but three resident members of the church. He nevertheless succeeded in gathering a number of new members and strengthened the church by changing the location. The lots on Sixth street were sold and the present location on Fourth street and Arizona avenue were purchased and the building removed.
The church continued to gain slowly under pastors until 1890, when a serious disagreement occurred between the pastor, the official board and the membership, and as a result thiry-one of the fifty-three members withdrew and formed the Prohibition Congregational church. The blow was a severe one and the church did not recover its strength for two or three years.
[p. 290] In 1892 Mr. and Mrs. F.H. Rindge became members of the church and rendered much assistance to it. Rev. Wm. Stevenson was pastor, and under his ministrations the church doubled in membership and began an advance move which has since continued. The Epworth League was formed this year. Dr Stevenson remained as pastor of the church until 1897 and was then given a farewell reception which expressed somewhat the honor and love which he had inspired, not only in the church, but among the citizens of the town generally.
In June, 1895, it was announced that Frederick H. Rindge proposed to build a new church building, free of all cost to the church provided it would agree to meet the pastor's salary and all incidental expenses. In consequence on August 13th, 1895, ground was broken for this building and on the first Sabbath in 1896, the most beautiful Methodist church building in Southern California was dedicated.
In 1897-98 Rev. R.C. Wuestenberg was pastor and the membership was increased to 150, while the Sunday school numbered from 250-270. In July, 1898, it was voted to remove the old church to South Santa Monica, where a mission was holding service in the old Santa Fe depot. But after some agitation the action was not taken. In August, 1899, a church was organized, then known as South Santa Monica M.E. church, wtih Rev. F.G.H. Stevens as pastor, the mission having been served by Rev. Robert Fisher. In December, the old church was donated to the new organization and was moved to Ocean Park. A new parsonage was erected on the site of the old parsonage.
Rev. C.T. Wilson and Rev. T.H. Woodward served as pastors and Rev. J.C. Healy served during 1901 to 1903. During his term the parsonage was completed, a neat cottage which was a decided addition to the advantages of the church. In 1903 came Rev. F.G.H. Stevens, who still remains-one of the ablest and best beloved of the many good men who have served this church.
Now, in 1907, the church has a membership of 240, while the Sunday school reaches 350. So rapid has been the growth of the church and congregation that the church of ten years ago is inadequate and an addition which will more than double the seating capacity of the structure is in course of erection.
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica
The history of the Presbyterian church of Santa Monica dates back to September 12th, 1875, when a Sunday school was organized at the house of W.D. Vawter, on Fourth street, in the present home of the Misses Vawter. Later this school met in a hall on the corner of Fifth and Oregon, generously offered to them by Mr. J.O. Brady.
On September 24th, a petition signed by twelve persons, was sent to the [p. 291] Rev. Dr. White, chairman of the committee of the Presbytery, asking him to come to Santa Monica and organize a Presbyterian church. On Tuesday, September 28th, Dr. White met with the petitioners and organized them in accordance with their request into the "First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica." The names of the petitioners were as follows: Mr. R.S. Bassett, Mrs. E. Bassett, Miss Rose Bassett, Mr. T.H. Clark, Mrs. E. Mountain, Misses Mattie A. Mountain, Mr. L.M. Perkins, Mrs. S.P. Perkins, Mrs. C.A. Vawter, Miss May Vawter, Miss Jennie Vawter, Miss Emma Vawter. The trustees of the new organization were: Y.S. Grinshaw, E.J. Vawter, G.W. Brady, W.S. Vawter.
The new society proceeded at once to provide themselves with a permanent place of worship. Messrs. Jones and Baker presented the church with two lots at the corner of Third and Arizona, and on these were erected the chapel which for eleven years was used, and was then moved to the rear of the lots, enlarged, and used for infant classes, mid-week meetings and socials. The Presbyterian Board of Church Erection assisted in building the first church, work on which was commenced January 17th, 1876, and which was dedicated March 12th.
On Sunday, July 19th, 1887, a move was made for building a more commodious place of worship. On that day Col. Elliott F. Shepherd, proprietor of the New YorkMail and Express, and an elder in the Fifth Aveneue Presbyterian church of New York City, happened to be present and hearing that the church intended to build, started the list with a subscription of $230. Encouraged by this beginning, a committee consisting of Mrs. Mary E. Treadwell and Miss Jennie Vawter was soon appointed to canvas the congregation and community. By their energetic efforts sufficient funds were soon subscribed to erect and enclose the new church building. The success of the Santa Monica ladies in taking the first prize at the Floral Festival in Los Angeles, suggested the idea of a Floral Festival at home. In 1889, a "Feast of Flowers" was held in the new church building, then unfinished, which was arranged by the ladies of the town under the auspices of the Presbyterian ladies and which was acknowledged as one of the most beautiful floral exhibits ever made in Southern California. The succeeding year a Kalendar Kirmess was given, lasting three days, the booths representing the months and the whole conception most artistically designed and carried out. In 1891, another "Spring Festival" was held which was an equally rich display of Santa Monica's floral wealth. These affairs were participated in by the [p. 292] people of Santa Monica generally and attracted many visitors from Los Angeles and other places. Much of their success was due to the energy and executive ability of the committee of which Miss Jennie Vawter was chairman.
The new church is of the Queen Anne style, ceiled and wainscoted within with cedar, lighted with stained glass windows and electrical chandeliers, and with a seating capacity of 250. The total cost was about $7,000, of which over $1,000 was contributed by Mr. W.D. Vawter, to whose encouragement at the outset and liberal contributions, the success of the undertaking was largely due. It was built under the supervision of a committee consisting of Messrs. W.S. Vawter, Patrick Robertson and E.H. Sweetser.
In the summer of 1907 a fine pipe organ was placed in the church as a memorial gift from Mr. Joseph H. Clark to the memory of his son, Edward H. Clark. It was built by the Estey Company and was installed at a cost of $2,600.
The following ministers have served the church since 1875 as pastors, or as stated supplies: I.M. Condit, H.V. Noyes, John W. Ellis, H. Mackay, Thos. F. Fotheringham, Williel O. Thompson, J.W. Healy, Richmond Logan, James White, Samuel H. Weller, Enos P. Baker, J.B. Stewart, William R. Henderson, O.F. Wisner, Amos A. Randall, Henry P. Wilber. The following have served as ruling elders: G.H. Clark, J.C. Olmstead, Geo.A. Armstrong, William E. Case, H.H. Dow, George D. Rowan, Andrew J. Viele, John M. Coyner, James E. Wardm, C.S. Dales, Clarkson N, Guyer, T.H. Wells, H,J. White, T.E, Cramer.
[p. 292] Catholic Church
July 28th, 1877, the Outlook states, saw the celebration of mass, for the first time in the new town of Santa Monica. The service was held in the house of Judge Morgan, Reverand Father Verdaguer, the beloved "Father Peter" of the Plaza church, Los Angeles, presiding. Services were probably held at irregular intervals thereafter until May 4th, 1884, when the Catholic church was opened for use, although it was not completed until the following year. On August 18th, 1885, the bell of the church was blessed and the church was dedicated.
In May, 1886, came Father Patrick Hawe as pastor of the church, and since that date Father Hawe has been the mainspring of the parish and the church work in this vicinity. Under his supervision was built the parochial house adjoining the church and the addition to the original church building which was dedicated August 19th, 1888, by Bishop Mora. In 1887 the statue of Santa Monica was presented to the church by Mrs. Victor Ponet, of Los Angeles. Also this year was built the Catholic church at Ballona, now Palms, [p. 293] St. Augustine's-named for the son of Saint Monica very fittingly, since this mission was an offshoot of Saint Monica's church.
In 1899, July 16th, a small band of Sisters of the Holy Name, came to Santa Monica to establish an academy. They rented a private house on Fourth street, and September 4th, opened their school with nineteen pupils. The year closed with fifty-two children under the charge of the Sisters.
September 26th, 1890, the ground was broken for the building of the Academy of Holy Names on the corner of Third and Arizona streets. February 22, 1901, witnessed the dedication of the new buiding. This was an impressive ceremony and the occasion is one that will long live in the memory of the participants and witnesses. The civic services were the finest ever held in Santa Monica. Under the management of the grand marshal, J.J. Carrillo and his fifty aides, richly caprisoned as Spanish cabelleros, the parade was viewed in front of the academy. It consisted of a number of old soldiers from the Soldier's Home; a float representing all the states and territories; two brass bands; nine societies from Los Angeles; Santa Monica Board of Trustees and fire department, and the children from the academy, the Ballona, Santa Monica and Canyon Sunday schools. As General La Grange, and the city officials, escorting the clergy, left their carriages the home band played "patriotic songs and the cannon of the Soldier's Home boomed, while the flag unfurled and spilled the fragrant roses hidden within its folds." The mayor of Los Angeles welcomed the guests; Right Reverend Bishop Montgomery delivered the oration. Thus was the school inaugurated in its beautiful home.
On May 5th, 1903, the academy was honored by a visit from Rev. Archbishop Diomede Falconi, representative in this country of the Pope, Leo XIII. The occasion was made a festival day and the distinguished guest was paid every honor, not only by the clergy and laity of the Catholic church, but by the city officials and citizens generally. July 10th, 1903, was a day long remembered in the annals of Santa Monica. It was given up to the entertainment of the Knights of Columbia, who had that year held their annual session in Los Angeles. The streets and buildings were brilliantly decorated and the population turned out to welcome the guests who, in turn, gazed with admiration upon the charms of fair Santa Monica. The day was still further marked by the inauguration of a council of the Knights of Columbus in this city, a council which has flourished and is now a powerful ally of the church.
In 1904, under the auspices of Bishop Conaty, now head of this diocese, the Catholic Teacher's Institute was held in this city, and since that date these institutes have been an annual feature of the life of the Sisters who are engaged in teaching. As guests of the Academy of the Holy Name they spend two
[p. 294, Rev. Patrick Hawe, 1908b]
[p. 295] weeks each summer in listening to the instructions and lectures of distinguished teachers.
But perhaps the most glorious of all gala days in the annals of Saint Monica's was the celebration of May 8th, 1904. This was a triple festival, for it marked the twentieth anniversary of the founding of the Church of Saint Monica's, the eighteenth year of Father Hawe's service to this parish and the dedication of the church of St. Clement, of Ocean Park. This church had been started by Father Hawe ten years before as a mission. The corner-stone for the handsome building was laid on August 24th, 1903, and the church was finally dedicated August 20th, 1905. The Reverend Michael Hennessy is the rector of this church.
The chapel at the Soldier's Home is also included in Father Hawe's parish, he having held the first services on the grounds of the Home, soon after it was instituted in 1889. A beautiful building has been erected by the government, containing two chapels-one for the use of the Protestant churches and one for Catholic services. The churches now included in the parish of Saint Monica are four besides the academy. The entire number of communicants is large.
January 15th, 1903, Reverand James A. O'Callaghan came to Santa Monica to relieve the head of the parish and assist him in his labors. Father O'Callaghan is a man of fine education and of superior qualities and has been of the greatest value to the parish. In 1906 Father Hawe visited the home of his birth and also visited the venerable Father Adam, of beloved memory throughout California. During his stay in Europe, Father Hawe also visited Rome and received the blessing of the Pope. He is again welcomed to his own field where he guides the many affairs co-incident with so large and important a parish.
Plans are already made for greatly enlarging the work of the Catholic church in Santa Monica. It is hoped soon to begin work upon a catherdral which shall be a magnificent expression of worship, to be located at the corner of California avenue and Fourth street. The Christian Brothers, a Catholic organization, has recently secured a site of eleven acres between California and Nevada avenues, Ninth and Eleventh streets. Here a large college for boys will be established.
[p. 295] Episcopal Church-Saint Augustine-By-The-Sea
The first Episcopalian service held in this city was an Easter service in Roger's Hall, April 15, 1876. The hall was suitably decorated for the occasion and the Rev. J.B. Gray officiated. After this there was talk of forming an Episcopal society here and a number expressed themselves willing to contribute to a building fund for such a church; but it was not until November, 1885, that services were regularly held and a Sunday school organized. At
[p. 296, Rev. J.D.H. Browne, 1908b ]
that time the Rev. Henry Scott Jefferys, of Los Angeles, was appointed by Bishop Kip as a missionary in charge of the work and at once proceeded to secure land and money for the erection of an Episcopal church. Senator Jones and Mrs. Baker donated two lots on Fourth street and an active building committee, consisting of Rev. Jefferys, Messrs. Baxter and Tomkinson, set to work to get the needed subscriptions. At the end of the first year of Mr. Jeffery's labors sixteen adults and twenty-two children were connected with the mission.
The corner-stone for a chapel to cost $3,000 was laid with much ceremony on June 10th, 1887. Bishop Wingfield acted for the Bishop of California and there were present beside the Bishop, the Rev. Elias Birdsell, rector of St. Paul's church, Los Angeles; the Rev. A.G.C. Trew, of San Gabriel; the Rev. J.D.H. Browne, rector of All Saints' church, Pasadena; the Rev. J.B. Britton, a retired missionary and the missionary in charge. In 1888, throught the successful labors of Mr. Jefferys and the people the new church was opened for divine worship and a large congregation assembled, the preacher being the rector of Pasadena.
Mr. Jefferys resigned in the early part of 1889 and the Rev. Orrin Judd, of North Carolina, succeeded him. Mr. Judd had come to California broken down in health; but he was a most eloquent preacher, which gift led to his resignation of this charge a year later to accept the new church of St. John on West Adams street, Los Angeles, which had been built in order to find a place for him in the city. During Mr. Judd's incumbency the work prospered and considerable additions were made to the membership of the church.
The Rev. P.S. Ruth, of Pomona, officiated temporarily until September, 1891, when the Rev. I.M.M. Jones became rector. Mr. Jones remained in charge for nearly six years and during that period the Parish Hall was built and in many ways the church made progress. On the resignation of Mr. Jones, [p. 297] the Rev. Edward Meany officiated temporarily and, at a critical time in the history of the congregation, maintained the regular services of the church and did much to arouse the people. When, in May, 1900, Mr. Meany's school duties in Los Angeles compelled him to resign, he was succeeded by the present rector, the Rev. John D.H. Browne, who had been for sixteen years in Southern California and who had just resigned St. John's church, San Bernardino.
During the nearly eight years that have intervened since Mr. Browne assumed the work, there have been steady growth. The chuch building has been enlarged at a cost of $3,000 and has also been beautified by many costly memorials. The parish hall has been enlarged and finished within, and a $600 piano provided with many other improvements made. The roll of communicants have increased from 27 to 201. The contributions for the parish and for the missionary funds of the diocese and the foreign field have multiplied many-fold. The baptisms have been over 100 and the confirmations 75. The Sunday school has grown very much and under the care of Mr. Percy J. Dudley, as superintendent, is accomplishing a good work especially among the boys. The Parish Guild, the Women's Auxiliary, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, the Daughters of the King, the Junior Auxiliary are all in active life and meeting the needs of old and young.
The Parish of St. Augustine-by-the-Sea has come to occupy the seventh place among the parishes of the diocese and bids fair to continue to grow in importance and increase in influence for good in the life of this city. The present officers of the parish and members of the vestry are: Rev. John D.H. Browne, rector; Hon. T.H. Dudley, senior warden; Mr. C.S. Raynor, junior warden; Mr. J.B. Proctor, vestry clerk; Mr. Percy J. Dudley, treasurer; Mr. J.F. Ordway, Mr. E.L. Young. Mr. H.J. Blake and Mr. C.C. Melville.
Baptist Church
In April, 1889, Mrs. Drane living on South Third street, near Sand street, gathered together a number of the children in that neighborhood and started a union Sunday school in her home. Sunday, January 12th, 1890, a call having been made by G.B. Studd and J.O. Mathewson for a Sunday school in South Santa Monica, about forty-two persons gathered at the home of Mr. Mathewson, at the corner of Bay and South Sixth streets. A school was organized and Mr. Andrew Mills was chosen as superintendent, a position which he filled for six years. For a time the school was held in the old school house and then in the house of Captain Clark, Fourth and Strand. This rough cottage was adapted for Sunday services as far as possible and neighboring pastors were frequently invited to preach here.
From February 1st, 1890, until November 3rd, 1892, Rev. A.P. Brown, [p. 298] pastor of the Baptist church at Palms, preached on alternative Sunday afternoons at Ocean Park. Three pupils wer baptized from the Ocean Park school into the membership of the Palms church. In 1891, Rev. W.W. Tinker, became district secretary of the American Baptist Home Missionary society. He proposed to erect a chapel in commemoration of J.O. Mathewson, who had passed away the previous year. September 5th, 1892, this was dedicated as the "Baptist Mission," a branch of the Palms church. It cost $700, was furnished with 100 chairs, a pulpit and a baby organ. Dr. Danel Read, of Los Angeles, preached the dedicatory sermon. During 1893-4, Rev. H.S. Baker, pastor of Palms church, preached regularly in the chapel, assisted by Mr. Charles Baird as singer.
In 1895, Rev. Mr. Thomason, pastor at Palms, preached regularly. In June the church was encouraged by a visit from Rev. E.G. Wheeler and the chapel car "Emmanuel." The same month the annual convention of Southern California Baptists was held in the Y.M.C.A. Pavilion at Ocean Park. In 1896 the church at Palms ceased to exist and the interest fell off very materially at Ocean Park. July 26th, Rev. Mr. French, who had located in Ocean Park for his health, began to hold services in the chapel and organized a new Sunday school. He also organized a Baptist church of sixteen members. In September, 1896, Rev. T.F. Tooker took charge of the little church and conducted the services and Sunday school for some time. In 1898, Rev. Chas. Pelley, a graduate of Charles Spurgeon's college, in London, located in Santa Monica and acted as pastor of the church until the spring of 1899, After his departure the work languished and the Sunday school died out. The Methodists were granted the use of the building for their services until 1900 when they secured their own church.
In January, 1902, Prof. C.S. Taylor, vice-principal of the Santa Monica High School, and Mr. F.C. Marvin came to Santa Monica to reside. They interested themselves in looking up the Baptists of the community and in December, 1902, Rev. George Taylor, of Sawtelle, preached in the Baptist chapel, and again organized a Santa Monica Baptist church, fourteen members. This church was brought into connection with the Southern California Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Home Mission society. It was served by various preachers until February 15th, 1903, when Rev. L.A. Gould was called as pastor and took up his residence here. September 7th, 1903, the church was admitted into full membership with the Baptist Convention and recognition services were held, many guests being present and the charge being delivered by Rev. Robert Burdette. Rev. Gould remained as pastor until he was succeeded by Rev. M.M. Mason.
[p. 299]Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene
This church, whose articles of faith are identical with those of the Weselyan Methodist society, was organized in 1906 as a result of neighborhood meetings held in the home of J.E. Pearsall, corner of Michigan avenue and Twentieth street. The new church was incorporated the same year with Rev. Thom. Fisher, pastor of the church, Chas. Allsman and J.E. Pearsall, as trustees. Messrs. Towner and Irwin donated a lot on the corner of Michigan avenue and Nineteeth street and a neat building, costing about $2,000, was erected. The membership is now twenty-six and the Sunday school has sixty members.
[p. 299] Women's Christian Temperance Union
In the summer of 1885 a few earnest women, among whom was Mrs. Jane Austin, Miss Niles, Miss E.A. Dow, Mrs. I.D. Richmond, and others organized a W.C.T,U. in Santa Monica. These women felt that there was much need of their labors here as at that time there were a dozen saloons in the place. They took over the reading room which had been previously started in the hope of interesting the boys and the young people, and at once set about an earnest effort to support the reading room and library and to improve the moral tone of their beautiful town. They rented the lower room in the two-story frame building now owned by them on Third street. By means of soliciting subscriptions, giving suppers and dinners, socials and teas, and in many other ways which demanded the strength and time of the faithful workers, they managed to keep the reading room open and to add many books to those already collected. The early efforts that were made to keep the library and reading room up have been told in the history of the Santa Monica Public Library, of which this library was the foundation.
In 1887, the ladies determined to purchase the building which they were occupying and the owner, Mr. John Steere, made them a very reasonable rate, for boom times, putting the price at $2,500 and giving them their own time to pay in, provided the interest was kept up. The women, Mrs. Austin, then president, Mrs. D.B. Hubbell, vice-president and in charge of the library, and Mrs. Richmond, secretary, worked very hard to maintain the undertaking; but when dull times came in 1889, they found the burden too much and Mr. Steere took back the building and returned the money, $350, which they had paid on it. They continued to occupy the same room as their reading room, however, and on Mr. Steere's death, in 1892, he willed this building to the W.C.T.U. of Santa Monica, on condition that they maintain a perpetual free reading room.
This the organization has done. The large upper room is pleasantly fitted up and a supply of reading matter and books are kept on hand for circulation and for use in the room. A large amount of literature has been distributed by this society, also, to ships, camps of laboring men, canyons and school districts.
[p. 300] For eight years, Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes, of Sawtelle, was president of the organization and much efficient work was done under her direction. Mrs. T. Hughes Lodge has acted as president or vice-president of the union and has the supervision of the reading room. The present officers are Mrs. Mattie Barrett, president; Mrs. T, Hughes Lodge, vice-president; Mrs. Ada Schutte, secretary; Mrs. Clara Odell, corresponding secretary; Miss Sarah Much, treasurer.
[p. 300] Women's Club of Santa Monica
In September, 1904, a lecture class in history was organized by Miss Elizabeth McLaughlin, with Miss M.E. Abbott as lecturer. The first class was held at the home of Miss McLaughlin, after which the sessions were held in a cottage, on Nevada avenue until the class outgrew this and was removed to Columbia Hall. On December 8th, 1904, the members of this class formed an organization, with Mrs. D.G. Stephens as president and Miss McLaughlin as secretary and treasurer. this was in reality the organization of the Woman's Club, although the name "club" was not taken at this time. During the spring, Miss Abbott resigned her place as lecturer and other ladies were secured, the subjects not being confined to history.
December 11th, 1905, the first annual meeting of the organization was held at which time the by-laws were amended, a regular corps of officers elected and the name changed to Woman's Club. Miss Daniel G. Stephens, who is only second to Madam Severance, as a club mother in Southern California, was made honorary president; Mrs. A.M. Jamison was elected president; Mrs. J.S. Hunt and Mrs. E.H. Hutton, vice-presidents; Miss Elizabeth McLaughlin, secretary and Mrs. Jessica Clark, treasurer. In recognition of Miss McLaughlin's service to the club as secretary and organizer, she was made a life associate member, with all the privileges of active membership. The first meetings of this year were held in Columbia Hall, Mrs. M.R. King generously paying the rent. Lectures and musical programs were given and the club increased in interest and membership. During this year a civic committee was appointed of which Mr. J.P. Jones was the first chairman, succeedeed by Mrs. Arthur Noble. This committee did most effective service, having secured the preservation of trees and the improvement of Nevada avenue, presented a petition to the school board, pointing out the necessity of a new school building to replace the Sixth street school house, which was a patchwork made up of additions to the original structure erected in 1876. The town had just voted the sum of $56,000 for building three new school houses, and it was thought impossible to carry another bond election for school purposes at this time. But the ladies circulated a petition and received such encouragement that the election was held and the money for the beautiful Jefferson building voted. [p.301] The Women's Club has also aided in preventing the issuance of new liquor licenses. During 1907 they voted a scholarship fund to be used in keeping a bright girl who otherwise must have given up school, in the high school of Santa Monica. Surely a more practical and beautiful service could not be found. As will be seen this club has done most effective work in benefitting the community, as well as furnishing its members with much intellectual and social pleasure and development.
The third annual meeting of the club was held December 11, 1906, in the Royal Arcanum Hall, the use of which was donated by Mr. Robert F. Jones. At this meeting the former officers were re-elected and a new constitution and by-laws adopted. During the year of 1906-7 the club entertained the Women's Parliament of Southern California, of which their Honorary President, Mrs. Stephens, was the founder. Many interesting programs and social affairs were offered the members and their friends.
At the annual meeting of 1907, Mrs. A.M. Jamison, who had served most efficiently as president for two years, declined a re-election and Miss Charlena Welch was chosen as president.
[p. 301] Santa Monica Lodge No. 906, B.P.O.E.
On April 12th, 1907, the Santa Monica Lodge of Elks was organized as Santa Monica Lodge No. 906, B.P.O.E., the Los Angeles Lodge to the number of 300 coming down to initiate the new lodge. After the ceremonies of initiation 400 Elks sat down to a banquet in the old Pavilion, which was one of the most memorable affairs of the many that took place in the old building. The first officers of the lodge were: First Exalted Ruler, Brother W.T. Gillis; Esteemed Leading Knight, Robert F. Jones; Esteemed Loyal Knight, T.H. Dudley; Esteemed Lecturing Knight, G.F. Doty; treasurer, J. Euclid Miles; secretary, J.B. Proctor; tyler, H.I. Pritchard; trustees, H.G. Englebrecht, C.M. Linder, E.S. Tomblin.
The first lodge rooms of the Elks were located over the Santa Monica bank. Later they removed their rooms to the Columbia building where they are at present located. Soon after the organization of the lodge it acquired the property on the corner of Ocean and Arizona avenues, formerly the home of Mrs. Doria Jones, of Los Angeles, one of the most commodious family residences in Santa Monica. This was altered and refitted as a club house for the use of the members of the Elks Lodge and is one of the pleasantest and cosiest club houses in the country.
At the Elk's reunion, held on the top of Mt. Wilson, May 27th, 28th and 29th, 1904, the newly formed Santa Monica lodge-a 'Baby Lodge," as it was known-won a very handsome grandfather clock for the best average attendence reported. On June 5th, 1905, this lodge went to San Pedro in a body to assist in the initiation of San Pedro Lodge, No. 966, and thus is ceased to be
[p. 302, Maj. Robert Dollard,1908b]
[p. 303] the "Baby Lodge." On September 8th, 9th and 10th, 1905, the Santa Monica lodge assisted in entertaining a reunion of the Elks of Southern California in Santa Monica canyon. One of the features of this occasion was a genuine old-fashioned barbeque. Each Christmas since its organization the lodge has prepared a Christmas tree for the youngsters of the town, at which those who have little promise of Christmas cheer are especially remembered.
The Past Exalted Rulers of the lodge since its organization are: W.T. Gillis, J.C. Hemingway, P.S. Lindsey, W.G. Miller, who is the present occupant of the chair; J.B. Proctor remained secretary since the formation of the lodge. The present membership is about 215, and the lodge is in a most flourishing condition.
[p. 303] Grand Army of the Republic
Fort Fisher Post G.A.R., No. 137, Department of California and Nevada, was organized in 1885. J.J. Mohen, H.M. Russell, J.W. Keith, G.T. Holford, J.L. Allen, R.P. Elliot, C.B. Fuller, Guy C. Manville, F.A. Westover, George Young, W.R. Waldron and Henry Gardner were the charter members of this post. In June, 1887, Fort Fisher Relief Corps was installed with Mrs. Josephine Baxter, president; Mrs. E. Gaddy and Mrs. Sadie Bennett, vice-presidents; Miss Mary Elliott, secretary; Mrs. Alice Mosse, treasurer, and Mrs. Rebecca Gulberson, chaplain.
In February, 1887, John A. Logan Post was organized in Santa Monica, with H.M. Russell as president, J. Mohen, secretary, and with twelve members. This was later merged with John A. Martin Post, Soldiers' Home.
Fort Fisher Post flourished until about 1901, when the enthusiasm died out and the organization was disbanded. The old soldiers and the Relief Corps had always taken a prominent part on public occasions and especially on Memorial day, and were much missed from the civic organizations.
On May 20th, 1907, a number of old soldiers met and resolved to form a new post, to be known as the Stephen Jackson Post, No. 191. The post commander of this organization is Robert Dollard; senior vice-commander, A.N. Archer; junior vice-commander, David Johnson; chaplain, T.B. Fisher; quartermaster, S.D. Hayes; officer of the day, J.W. Bowlden; officer of the guard, J.N. Lewis; adjutant, H.C. Towner. Chartered members, George Young, J.L. Ferguson, Thomas Gilroy, W.W.R. Mattox, A.G. Ford, S.A. Wheeler, C.L. Wells, James P. Rutledge, L.M. Pence, M.D. Gage, C.W. Loving, D.W. Collis, J.M. McGlinch, Loyal L. Case, I.J. Lucas, Ed. Forbes, J. Teach, J.O. Hodgson, Peter Mardy (deceased), J.A. Greenslaw, G.W. Heimer, R. P. Elliott, A. Lockridge, E.R. Kennedy, W.W. Woodruff, A. Felix Gandy, George Pulham, James Stone.
Ladies' Grand Army Circle was organized as Fremont Circle, No. 37, Department of California and Nevada, 1904. Mrs. Mamie Young, president; Mrs. S.A. Wheeler, vice-president; Mrs. Zoe Phyfer, treasurer.
[p. 304 Frank Lawton, 1908b]
[p. 305] Chapter IX Miscellaneous
Outdoor Pastimes.
For many years Santa Monica was the center of out-door sports in Southern California. The tennis tournaments held on the Casino courts and the polo races of the Santa Monica Polo club were events which annually drew the "swell" crowd of Los Angeles and Southern California and sometimes attracted visitors from San Francisco and the north. While the surf bathing, salt water fishing, swimming and bicycle races, baseball and Spanish sports drew everybody who cared for any kind of sport to this city.
One of the first organizations completed in the village of Santa Monica was that of a baseball club known as "The Bonitas," formed in October, 1875, with T. Cronan, as president; J.J. Mason, vice-president; S.B. Adams, secretary, and T.H. DuPuy, treasurer. There is no record of the games they played, but no doubt they won victories, over somebody and were duly beaten in turn. One of the earliest and most popular of the long list of amusements whicch have proved "attractions" were the "Ring Tournaments" ridden by gallant knights, which were an exciting display of horsemanship. On June 13th, 1876, one of these occurred in which B.F. Reid was costumed as the "Knight of Fairfax," L.L. Hope appeared as "Fleur de Lis," H.M. Mitchell was "Old Dominion," and Miss Carrie Heath was "Queen of Beauty and Love." Other contests were between teams made up of Native Californians, led by J.J. Carrillo, and Americans led by B.F. Reid. These "ring tournament" drew such Sunday crowds that the facilities of the L.A. & I. were taxed to haul them all. Prize pigeon shooting contests were another favorite pastime of early days and some very skilful marksmen were recorded as taking part in them.
In July, 1887, a lawn tennis club was formed in Santa Monica and soon afterward a lawn tennis association was incorporated under the name of the Santa Monica Improvement Club with Abbot Kinney, Col. Baker, Senator Jones, Hon. James Bettner, W.J. Broderick, I.W. Hellman, Judge W.P. Gardiner, J. Downey Harvey, J.E. Plater, H.G. Wilshire, A. Campbell Johnston, H.B. Lockwood, Patrick Robertson, Judge W.S. Van Dyke and Hugh Vail as directors. They at once secured the grounds on North Third street and soon had a fund of $10,000 in hand for the erection of a club house. The Casino courts were at once gotten into shape, and August 31st a tournament of the Southern California Association "beginners" was held, at which representatives [p. 306] from Pasadena, San Gabriel, Pomona, Los Angeles, Riverside and Santa Monica took part. The play lasted four days and ended with a grand ball in Steere's opera house, then just completed. The first annual tournament of the Southern California Association was held this year at Riverside, and the Santa Monica club took part. In 1888 the Casino had been completed and the courts put in fine shape and from that time on the annual tournaments of the Southern California Association were held here. On these courts many close games and fine plays have been made and Santa Monica is justly proud of the fact that two ladies who have won worldwide distinction as players, won their first laurels on the Casino courts-Miss Marion Jones, who in 1897 won the championship of the Pacific coast and in 1900 the national championship at Philadelphia; and Miss May Sutton who has now won the international championship.
For years the annual tennis tournament and the polo races at Santa Monica were the great events of the year. Here gathered the prettiest girls, the dressiest dames and the handsomest and most athletic of the college men. The tennis teas, the parties and the balls that accompanied them were the gayest of social affairs and during the tennis week, Mirimar was alive with guests and the Hotel Arcadia was as gay as a Saratoga Springs hostelry "in the season." In those days the Hugh Tevises of San Francisco and the Bradburys of Los Angeles appeared in their drags and addedd color to the gatherings. In 1891, the tennis season was especially gay. Among the players who won honors in these earlier years were the Chase brothers of Riverside, Theodore Coulter, Art Bumiller, the Carters, Miss Tufts and Miss Shoemaker.
In 1900 a new Casino was built to take the place of the old club house which had been burned down the year before. The presence of the Sutton sisters at the tournament this year made the occasion memorable, especially as this season marked the first victories of May Sutton, she winning the Southern California championship at this time. In 1904 the same brilliant player won the American championship and in 1905 she secured the title of "Champion of All England," repeating English triumph again in 1907. An English paper thus describes Miss Sutton:
"Magnificently muscular, she appears to care nothing for the minor graces, nor even the little tricks and dodges in which her male compatriots indulge. She is all for the rigor of the game. There is no tripping after the ball with her, no showing off of her figure at the net. She just stands near the base line for the most part and sends the ball over the net in terrific drives. Yet, with it all, there is nothing offensively masculine about her. She gives one the impression of being just a fine, healthy, athletic, American girl. She is, at any rate, a kind of tennis player that will take a deal of beating." -Leisester Chronicle (English).
[p. 307] Of late years the School Tennis meets have been a feature of the tennis courts and here Santa Monica has developed a new set of champions. In 1903 Miss Elizabeth Ryan, step-daughter of Mayor Dudley, won the championship in ladies' singles in the Interscholastic League play and since then Miss Ryan and her sister have won many honors both at home and on other courts. Miss Elizabeth had this year won a championship in British Columbia.
A polo club was organized in Santa Monica in 1877, but it did not find either members or ponies enough to make up a satisfactory game. In 1878, the club played a game with Manuel Marquez and four other Mexicans from the canyon-and was beaten. Apparently it did not survive the shock. In 1889, the Southern California Polo Club was formed at Santa Monica, grounds were donated to them by Messrs. Jones and Baker, and they began to play in earnest. The club was largely made up of Englishmen, of whom there were a number then resident in the vicinity. Mr. R.P. Carter, who later was known on the stage, playing for a time with Modjeska's company, was one of the enthusiasts. Dr. J.A. Edmonds, G.I. Waring, W.H. Young, J.B. Proctor, J. Machell and a number of other gentlemen were members of this organization. Many sportsmen in Southern California will remember some of the fast and knowing ponies who were trained in these games. One of the first essays of the Polo Club was a public exhibition of polo in Los Angeles. This resulted in a disastrous financial failure and the club would have "gone broke" had it not been for a benefit performance gotten up by Mr. R.P. Carter and given in Santa Monica, which saved them. For fifteen years the polo club held race meetings every year at Santa Monica. In 1897 a match game was played here with the Burlingham team, from the north. In 1902, the annual races were held at Ocean Park. The chief supporter of this club has been Mr. G,L, Waring, who has labored with never-dying enthusiasm to keep the sport alive-amid many discouragements.
In 1892 a cricket club was organized and for several years cricket was played by its votaries and cricket tournaments were added to the attractions of Santa Monica. Among the best-known players were A. Balch, J.A. Lester, C.L. Waring, who is a typical English sportsman, Edward Cawston, R.H. H. Chapman, and others.
Of course with the coming of golf into favor, golf links were laid out in Santa Monica and became a favorite game. In 1898 links wer laid out on the North Side and also at Ocean Park, and since then the Country Club Golf Links of Ocean Park have seen some notable games, and have been the center of much social gayety. Tennis courts were also laid out here and the club house has been a gathering place for those who enjoy outdoor life.
During the rage of the cycling fever the annual road race on July Fourth was the leading event of the year to bicycle racers. On those days Santa Monica [p. 308] was crowded with dusty, sweating, red-faced youths, in the most abbreviated of clothes and with the most enthusiastic of yells, greeting each man as he pedaled into view. A bicylce path to Los Angeles was constructed, bicycle clubs and a club house flourished, and the Southern Pacific spent thousands of dollars on a bicycle race track and grand stand which was probably the poorest investment that the S.P. railway ever made, for almost before it was completed the bicycle craze died out as suddenly and as completlely as the various spells of roller skating, which sweep over the country and vanish into space. The "Athletic Park," as it was christened, was used for several years for ball games and sports of various kinds, but it has now become a thing of the past.
Swimming contests, water polo, bowling, ping-pong and various other amusements have had their day and passed on. In 1905-06 roller skating was the thing, and large rinks were put in service at all the beaches, but already they are desolate, or turned into dancing floors.
Perhaps the amusement which never loses interest is dancing. The variouas pavilions at the beaches have always been popular and are so still, and yet the crowds of today dance in a desultory, incidental sort of way that was unknown in the old days when the weekly dance was looked forward to as an event from which every possible drop of joy was to be drawn.
Transportation
In January, 1875, the Los Angeles and Independence road was incorporated by F.P.F, Temple, the first banker of Los Angeles; John P. Jones, Robert S. Baker, Thomas W. Park, James A. Pritchard, and J.S. Slauson, with a paid up captial stock of $502,500. Work was at once begun on the road between Los Angeles and Santa Monca under the supervision of Col. J.U. Crawford, who was superintendent, engineer and general manager. The road, 16 1/2 miles in length was completed so that the first train ran over it by December 1st, 1875. Two trains a day were put on between Santa Monica and Los Angeles and the fare was fixed at $1.00 per trip, freight at $1.00 per ton. At the same time work on the wharf was pushed and the steamer, the Orizaba, of the Goodall & Perkins line, made her first regular stop at this port on September 5th, after which steamer service was continued until September 9th, 1878, when steamer service to Santa Monica was discontinued.
It was expected that the Los Angeles and Independence road would be continued from Los Angeles to Independence, Inyo county, and thence into Nevada and possibly Utah; but the failure of the Panamint district to yield as rich ore as was anticipated and to become a bonanza mining district, led to the abandonment of the original plans, and ultimately to the sale of the "Independence" road to the Southern Pacific. This sale was consummated and the formal tansfer was made on June 4th, 1877, when the railway, wharf, two [p. 309] depots, rolling stock and other property was turned over to the S.P. company. The Southern Pacific abandoned the Santa Monica wharf in the fall of 1878 and finally destroyed the greater part of it. A stump of this same wharf, however, is still to be seen near the foot of Colorado street.
The Southern Pacific was the only means of transportation to the outer world from this time until January, 1889, when the first passenger train of the Los Angeles and Pacific railway came into Santa Monica. This road had originally been proposed by local capitalists at the Los Angeles County road to run through the foothills and the Soldiers' Home grounds and to terminate on the bluff opposite the Arcadia Hotel. Later it became the Los Angeles and Pacific road, with E.E. Hall, president; R.E. Shaw, superintendent, and W.T. Spillman, contractor. S.W. Luitweiler, Cornelius Cole, M.L. Wicks, J.M. Hale and Arthur Gaylord were among the directors. The road started near the Sisters' Hospital in Los Angeles, and passed through Burbank, the Ostrich Farm at Kenilworth, Prospect Park, Colegrove, Hollywood, Cahuenga, Morocco, Sunset and the Soldiers' Home, the entire line about twenty-seven miles in length. The locomotives for this road were built by the Baker Iron Works of Los Angeles and were the first locomotives ever turned out in that city. The regular service on this road began January 29th, 1889, and on September 1st, of the same year, the unfortunate enterprise went into the hands of a receiver, the contractor who had built the line. The train service was reduced to one train each way per day, which ran intermittently. "Jack" Henry of Santa Monica was the conductor, and it is said that his cry was, "Show your passes," when he got ready to take the tickets. After a few months, service on the road was abandoned altogether and though there was much talk of repairing and the franchise was sold to the Terminal people, nothing was ever done to revive it and the city of Santa Monica finally revoked the franchise granted it.
The first franchise for a street car line in Santa Monica was granted February 23rd, 1887 to W.D. Vawter. On June 19, 1887, the first car ran over the Ocean avenue line and the same fall the line was completed on Utah avenue and Third streets up Arizona to Seventh, and on Seventh to Nevada. In July, 1889, the line had been extended from the south limits of the town up Nevada to Seventeenth street, making a road four and one-half miles in length. The motive power in those days was mules, or horses, and the little "bob tail" cars of the past are now only memories. The Santa Monica and Soldiers' Home street railway was opened, November, 1890. A survey for an electric road between Los Angeles and Santa Monica was made in 1893, bu t it was not until April, 1895, that articles of incorporation for the Los Angeles and Santa Monica electric road were filed. In June, 1895, an ordinance was passed permitting the building of an electric road by the Pasadena and Pacific railway company, of which General Sherman was president. On April 1st, [p.310] 1896, the first electric car reached Santa Monica over the Santa Monica branch of the Pasadena and Pacific road. This was a memorable day in the history of the town. In May, 1897, the electric service was extended to South Santa Monica by the electricizing of the horse car line on the south loop, and the Third steet line was also electricised. The first route to Santa Monica was by way of Bellevue, now Sunset, avenue and Sherman; July 1st, 1897, the "short line" by way of Sixteenth street, was completed and this line was soon made a double track. In 1898 the Los Angeles-Pacific Railway company was organized, with a capital stock of $1,000,000 to take over all lines between Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Soldiers'Home, etc. In 1899, the north loop in Santa Monica was electricised and the Hollywood line built, being opened to the public in February 21st, 1900; also the entire system between Los Angeles and Santa Monica was double tracked and many improvements in roadbed, bridges, etc., were made. The "cut-off" by way of Palms, was completed in August, 1902, and gave the most direct route to the city.
In January, 1904, the Los Angeles-Pacific acquired all the railway interests of the Traction line and at once began making many improvements, especially improving the Trolleyway; and building the station in Linda Vista Park, Santa Monca, which was opened August 9th, 1905. On the same date the Westgate branch of the road was completed.
In 1887, the Ballona and Santa Monica Railway company was organized to build a line from Ballona to Santa Monica; the Santa Fe having completed a line to "Port Ballona" September 15th, 1887. But the Ballona line was not built and in 1892 the Santa Fe and Santa Monica company was formed to build a line from Ballona Junction to Santa Monica, a distance of twelve miles. The Santa Fe railway brought its first passenger train into Santa Monica June 18th, 1892, and the new service was hailed as bringing assured prosperity to the town. The company built a depot on Hill street and another on Front street; put up a pavilion and the "iron pipe" wharf in South Santa Monica and expended a large sum in its various improvements. After the coming of the trolley lines, however, it practically ceased to operate and in 1900 sold the land which had been donated to it, and in 1901 obtained permission to abandon its right of way from Inglewood to its Santa Monica terminus. Eventually it sold this right of way to the Traction company and it was later purchased by the Huntington lines.
In 1905 it became known that Mr. Rindge was building a road that was at first supposed to be merely a driveway through his Malibu territory. Later developments made it appear that this was rather a roadbed, whether for an electric line or a steam railway line was unrevealed. During 1907 a railroad has been constructed upon this roadbed. The purpose for which this road is intended to serve still remains unrevealed, although the belief is widespread [p. 311] that it is the entering wedge of a transcontinental line-what line still remains a mystery. It is popularly supposed to be a link in the Gould system which is reaching toward the Pacific coast; but as yet the plans of the railway magnates have not been divulged. But to whatever system it may belong, the completion of a line down the coast to Santa Monica would mean much for this city and section of country.
[p. 311] State Forestry Station
The location of an experimental station in Santa Monica Canyon by the State Board of Forestry was determined upon in July, 1887. Mr. Abbot Kinney, who was chairman of the first State Board of Forestry, offered for this purpose a tract of land on Santa Monica Heights. This was accepted and an appropriation fo $5,000 was made to begin the work. Mr. H. Rowland Lee, of the State University, was selected to take charge as head forester of the Santa Monica station in connection with the Hesperian station in San Bernardino county and the San Jacinto station in Riverside county. Up to 1890 $3,000 was expended in buildings and a large number of trees and plants were set out. The work of this station was largely devoted to the study of the comparative value of trees for the interior and along the coast; the economic use of trees, costs and profits; possible ranges of soil and climate; fitness for any purposes and conditions. An especial study of euclypti were made. Small collections of trees and plants wer distributed to a large number of persons who had filed on timber claims, or who wished to carry on experiments under the direction of the forestry station.
In 1889 Messrs. Jones and Baker donated twenty acres of land along the eastern edge of Rustic canyon to the station. This tract is thus described by Inpector of Stations:
"The greatest and deepest barranca in the Santa Monica plain is that known as Santa Monica canyon. It is not really a canyon in the strict interpretation of the Spanish word, which refers to mountain ravines, bu more nearly conforms to the Spanish idea of a barranca-a wide cleft across the plains from the mountains to the sea. In realty [sic] there are two large barrancas, running in a direction somewhat parallel for several miles, although they are sometimes wide apart. The narrow tongue of land between them extends to within an eighth of a mile of the ocean. Here, on the sides and summit of this narrow central plateau, between two deep gorges and extending down to the bottom of one of them the Santa Monica Forestry station is situated. It is greatly sheltered from storms and yet the view is wonderfully extensive. The twenty acres belonging to the station, a little arboretum tract, extends from the bottom of the northern canyon, called Rustic canyon, up slopes and across levels to the very top of the mesa, on the same plane as the town of Santa Monica, and looks [p. 312] down from thence to the bottom of the south canyon. There are thus three distinct levels and two half-levels, with their connecting slopes for the most part not too abrupt for planting. Such is the charming topography of the station lands.
"Work on the station includes first of all, the care and cultivation of the existing plantations. Then observations of these have to be made from time to time and records kept of the rate of growth of each tree, of its time of blossoming and maturing of seed, behavior under different conditions, etc."
In 1889, J.M. Sheckles was in charge of the forestry station. In 1893, the State Board of Forestry ceased to exist and the work was placed under the direction of the Agricultural Department of the State University. Later, in 1897, the work was enlarged by connection with the Forestry Department of the United States Department of Agriculture, experimental stations in thirty or more states of the Union working in co-operation. This plan has been of great benefit to the Santa Monica station individually and to the general results of Forestry and Agricultural experimental work. The Department of Forestry has now become one of the most important branches of the government service. Out of a very small beginning has grown the great system of forest reserves and of re-forestration together with the collection of invaluable data and practical aid to many industries.
In 1897, Mr. J.H. Barber, later foreman of the South Coast Range, was appointed to take charge of the Santa Monica station. This year the appropriation for 1897-8 was made $8,000 and much needed buildings and improvements were made. In 1899, Mr. C.A. Colmore was in charge. He was succeeded by William Shutt who remained in charge for four years. During his incumbency considerable additional water was developed and the station made a steady advance, although hampered by a lack of funds. In October, 1904, disastrous mountain fires swept through Santa Monica canyon and all the buildings of the Forestry station were destroyed. Only the windmill and tower were left standing. Considerable damage was done to the growth, also, a large number of seedling stock being killed and shrubbery and trees more or less injured.
For some time it was a questioin whether the buildings would be replaced, but in the latter part of 1905 an appropriation became available and the necessary buildings were put up. Mr. J.P. Barber was appointed to take charge of the station. Since that time, the damage done by the fire has been largely overcome and the station continues to do valuable work in connection with the state and United States Agricultural Experimental schools.
[p. 312] Reminiscences
An early comer, who is still a residdent of Santa Monica, furnishes some very entertaining glimpses of the early days of the town and its life. Those [p. 313] who drove from Los Angeles to the Santa Monica ranch to attend the first sale of lots in July, 1875, were greeted with a magnificient view, as they crossed the "divide." Before them lay the ocean, forming a blue crescent between the jutting points of Point Dume and Point Vincent. From Point Dume swept the Santa Monica range, merging into the San Gabriel range and the San Bernardino mountains. Following the circle, hills and mountains led the eye around to Point Vincent on the south, forming a vast amphitheater. As we drove over the ranch we saw a lone live oak, standing on the bluff about the cañon, about half way between ocean front and Seventh street. Here the one road leading to the cañon went down the grade. Near it was an old adobe, which was one of the landmarks of the time. A clump of trees stood near the springs which later supplied the town with water, and a group of great sycamores rose near the present site of Sawtelle. One of these, an immense tree, shading a large expanse, is supposed to have sheltered Father Serra on one of his journeys through the country. A line of sycamores marked the barranca, which led out towards the Soldiers' Home way. Here and there were to be seen a few small ranch houses, surrounded by fig and other fruit trees. Many bands of sheep were passed, and an occasional ruin of some adobe buidling.
One landmark that can never be forgotten was the "Half-way House," a store and saloon, located about half way between the end of Washington street, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica. Here a watering trough was provided, and every traveler over the long, dusty road, stopped to water man and beast.
In the early days the cañons, Santa Monica, Rustic and Manville, were the delight of the townspeople and the hotel guests. Every day saw driving and riding parties, camping and picnic parties visiting, some one or other of these beautiful retreats. Arch Rock, four miles up the coast, was always an object of interest. Camping out just beyond the salt works (near the present site of Redondo) and at Portuguese Bend, was also a favorite diversion. Gunning in the mountains, duck shooting on Ballona laguna and boating on the laguna were popular pastimes. The boats on the laguna were known as the Pollywog and the Mud Hen. Spanish games took place in the spring, when a channel waas cut from the laguna to allow the overflow water to escape into the ocean, at the point now known as Playa del Rey. Ring tournaments and other Spanish games were also played for some months on Ocean avenue; but were discontinued on the protest of a number of families who feared the influence on the best life of the then growing town.
During the days of the first wharf, one of the great events of town life was the coming and going of the coast steamers. When a Panama steamship came in and tied up at the wharf, everybody in town visited it, for the strange fruits, birds and plants which it brought were always interesting. The fishing on the wharf was always good and furnished constant sport for men, women and children.
The fiest residents of Santa Monica were a cosmopolitan lot. Some were [p. 314] the drifting class always attracted by any new opening or excitement, and soon passed on. Others were drawn here by the incomparabble climate, which was ideal for a home, especially in old age. Many then believed in a great business future for the new port. There were a number of young men, fresh from college, who had drifted to California for a start. Most of these were down on their luck and glad to take anything that offered, as for instance, the young Harvard graduate, who whitewashed the plaza fence-because his brains were not needed here. A Bostonian, also a college man, ran the engine on the first railroad between Santa Monica and Los Angeles, while the first conductor on this road was a young Virginian. One of the first clergymen of the place was a north of Ireland man, educated in Dublin and Edinburg, who preached sermons which would have honored any pulpit. One of the first physicians had also been educated in London and Edinburg and had traveled around the world. On his journey he happened to stop in Santa Monica and was so delighted with the location and climate that he stayed here for about a year. Another physician located here about the same time; but he, too, moved on. The place was too healthy to be a promising field for a young doctor and for several years there was no resident practicing physcian at all-and little need for one.
The lives of the residents of the neighboring cañons were closely linked with the towns, for here they came for their mail and supplies and they furnished the butter, eggs and vegetables for the town dwellers. There were many bee ranches hidden away among the cañons. The living of the apiarists depended, of course, upon the honey yield, which often failed because of dry or unfavorable seasons. Sometimes careless picnickers or hunters would be the cause of a mountain fire which sweeping over hills and through cañons, mowed down the brush and growing plants, and sometimes destroyed bees and homes. During a terrible fire raging in Manville cañon, one old man only escaped from the flames by lowering himself into a well until the flames, traveling by leaps and jumps, had passed on. Another man, further up the cañon, was compelled to lie down in a small stream, where he found himself in company wih snakes and other small creatures which had taken refuge in the water. Many of these early settlers had located on what they supposed was government land, only to find, after years perhaps of hard work in improving their homes, that they could not secure title. They were compelled to leave with only the memory of their labor to carry with them. Many odd characters were among these pioneers and many of them were brave hearted, true men,who were rich in everything but worldly goods.
The social life of the new town was, for the most part, simple and delightfully free from formal constraint. The few more congenial families were drawn into close relations. Almost every evening found them gathered for a time in one home or another, for those were the days of truly hospitable home life. The first real party, of any pretensions, was given by Mrs. M.S. Baker in her new home-the first two-story rustic house in Santa Monica. It [p. 315] is safe to say that the company there gathered were as cultured as would grace any city party. During the early days of the town a literary and social club, called the "Baker's Dozen," was formed among the young unmarried people. After a year it was enlarged to take in the married people as well and was known simply as "The Club." Among the members were doctors, lawyers, scientists, clergymen and teachers, as well as others who had no titles. After a program, usually of original papers furnished by the members, social diversions followed and were as much enjoyed by the men of letters as the rest. This club lasted about five years.
There were occasional concerts or lectures which were of the highest merit. It must be remembered that many cultured people visited us at various times, in search of health, or rest, and often our struggling little churches were given benefits which any city audience might have gladly heard. It frequently happened that some city clergyman visiting this coast because of ill health of himself or some member of his family, filled our pulpits and gave us of their best. A touching incident occurred about 1876. A teamster lost his only son, a boy of fourteen, and wished to give him a fitting funeral at the church. There was no resident pastor in the place at that time, so one of the members of the Presbyterian church agreed to read a burial service. The fact was mentioned at the Santa Monica Hotel and came to the ears of a New York City minister who was touring the west with his wife. He at once offered to conduct the service and did so to the consolation of the father. Then he offered to preach on the Sabbath, if it would be of any assistance, and for several weeks we listened to able sermons, for which the gentleman would accept no pay.
One person who was closely associated with the early history of the town was L.T, Fisher, editor of the Santa Monica Outlook. He wrought early and well for the good of the town and gave it a bright, clean paper. But the glowing future he so well painted, did not make him any richer than he was when he came, so he moved on.
After the destruction of the wharf, there was very little business here, barely enough to supply very modest demands of living. Everything seemed to come to a standstill and everyone who could get away did so, except the few who were satisfied to live on climate. Yet life for those who remained was not altogether stale. With so many diversions provided by nature, a daily dip in the ocean, an afternoon drive on beach, plain or in mountain cañons, and with happy home evenings, the days passed away swiftly and we were content.
[p. 316, Ocean Park Trustees, 1908b]
[p. 317] Chapter X. The City of Ocean Park
The history of the town of Ocean Park with Venice of America, both now less than three years old, is a modern business romance-a romance of fair dreams and marvelous fulfillments; of great ambitions and of saddening failures; of wonderful growth in wealth and population and of bitter contests of strong men with strong men. Many of the events in this brief history partake of the comedy nature; there are elements of tragedy in the story, too-of fortunes made and lost, of high hopes disappointed. There are signs of promise also, a city built upon sand-and yet planted upon a solid foundation of prosperity and steady growth.
It scarcely seems credible, even to those who have seen the tranformation going on before their eyes, that the ground now occupied by beautiful homes and handsome building blocks was, less than six years ago, a barren waste, looked upon as practically useless for building or for any other purpose. The energy, the large conceptions and the large investment which have broght about the changes have rarely been equalled-even in this land of commericial wonders. A rise in values within five years from a few dollars an acre to $15,000 for a twenty -foot lot is not often recorded even in California.
Much of the earlier history of this section has already been given. A part of the present city of Ocean Park was included in the original Kinney and Ryan holdings. All of this land was originally a part of La Ballona grant and had been owned by the Machados, or their successors. The "Short Line Beach" tract had been opened up for settlement in 1902. In 1903 the Ocean Park Villa tracts were put on the market and an addition made to the Short Line Beach, giving it an ocean frontage of 4150 feet. The rapid settlement of this new territory soon created a district which must be provided with government, either by incorporation or annexation to Santa Monica. Early in the spring the talk of incorporating a new town began to take form and definite plans were made. Steps were taken during the summer to arrange for a primary school in the district, a lot being donated for the purpose. The rapidity with which the Short Line Beach lots were sold and occupied by dwellings: the opening up of Marine street by Messrs. Vawter and Steele; the occupation of the hills east of the electric line, added to the desirability of the new corporation. It was generally agreed that the lines of the new town should extend from the Santa Monica city [p. 318] limits south to the south line of the Short Line Beach and along Lake street as the east boundary. At a public meeting held October 8th, the question of incorporation, or of joining Santa Monica, was thoroughly discussed. At this meeting the old firm of land owners offered to lend the new municipality money to conduct its business until its own funds became available. It was estimated that the cost of carrying on the new city for one year would be $4,100, that the assessment value of the district was $80,800 which, at a tax rate of 75 cents would yield an income of $6,100, giving a surplus of the end of the year of $2,000. It was also stated that insurance rates would be reduced one-third.
A vote of the sense of the meeting stood 52 for incorporation and 1 against. The objector, Mr. J.M. Roberts, then changed his vote and it was made unaminous. A committee of five, Messrs. Henry Lavayea, W.T. Gibbon, A. Ed. Robinson, Dana Burks and A.R. Fraser, were appointed a committee to circulate petitions for signatures. The active spirits in this movement proposed to show to the world a model city. Dana Burks in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, September 9th, 1903, said: "We propose to make Ocean Park the best lighted city in the United States. When the lighting system is installed, steamers passing miles out at sea will have ocular proof of the exact location of Ocean Park. Pure food regulation will be enforced strictly. Every milkman will have to "show us" and obtain permit before he can deliver milk in Ocean Park. A chemist will be regularly employed and regularly paid to make continued inspection of food products offered for sale in the city. City officials will serve without pay, and character, ability and proved public-spiritedness will be the three requisites for election. Politics will be barred absolutely from the municipal conduct; and with the elimination of spoils, purity of government will be easier to launch and to maintain. Attempted dishonesty will mean dismissal and dismissal will entail social ostracism."
Mr. Plez James was appointed registration clerk and a systematic census of the proposed incorporated distrct was taken. It was found that there were 300 houses and 750 inhabitants. Sixty-seven voters were registered. The petitions received the requisite number of signatures and on November 9th were presented to the board of supervisors. In the meantime a petition had been presented to the board of trustees of Santa Monica from property owners residing between Marine and Rose avenues asking for annexations to the city, and also a petition favoring such annexation from citizens of Santa Monica. The city limits of Santa Monica, following the old lines of the Lucas tract, cut northeasterly through the block between Marine and Navy streets, thus leaving a portion of each lot in the city and a portion in the county. In accordance with these petitions, the city of Santa Monica called an election to vote on the question of annexation on December 14th. The battle over the disputed territory[p. 319] was a warm one. When the matter came up before the board of supervisors, petitions for annexation and for incorporation were presented and action was delayed until November 23rd. On November 12th a protest, signed by 27 residents of the disputed territory was presented to the board of trustees, requesting that the election for annexation be not held. The city attorney decided, however, that neither petition nor protest legally affected the matter so long as 20 per cent of the voters of the city called for the election, which was therefore held, and resulted in a vote of 19 against annexation in the district in question and 11 for, thus settling the question. Other petitions and protests against being included in the proposed incorporation, made by residents of the Short Line tract and by the L. A.-P. railway, were placed before the board of supervisors and another adjournment was necessary in order to give all parties a hearing. On December 28th the decision was finally reached and the petition for incorporation granted, the election being set for February 12th, 1904.
A change which meant much to the proposed new city took place in January, 1904. This was the dissolution of the Ocean Park Improvement Company by the division of their property. The company had been composed of Messrs. Kinney, Fraser, Gage and Jones; Mr. Kinney owning a half interest, Mr. Fraser a two-fifths interest of the other half, with Messrs. Jones and Gage holding the balance. By the terms of the division, Mr. Kinney received complete control of all unplatted lands of the company south of Navy street, including about 100 lots between Short Line Beach and Zephyr avenue; also 90 acres of land lying to the east and south of the clubhouse. This action, together with the sale of the righrt of way owned by the Improvement Company through South Santa Monica and of Mr. Kinney's railroad interests to the L. A.-P. Railway Co., considerably changed the aspect of affairs for the future city. It put an end to the hope for a competing line; but as a partial compensation the electric company began building the plank walk and stations, and otherwise improving Trolleyway, thus giving the district a new street.
As was expected but a single ticket was put in the field for the election. This named for trustees, A. Ed. Robinson, Dana Burks, Force Parker, G.M. Jones, W.T. Gibbon; treasurer, H. Blagge; clerk, T.G. Smith; marshal, W.H. Slack. Dana Burks was slated for mayor; 56 votes were cast, 52 for incorporation and 2 against, 2 voting for officers but not for incorporation.
Thus, at last came into existence the city of Ocean Park, which did not include the territory that had been known as "Ocean Park" since 1894, but was made up of lands settled within the past eighteen months. It was certainly a misfortune that the name which distinctly belonged to the old section in South Santa Monica should have been applied to the new city. The new town, however, continued to grow rapidly. The undoubted healthfulness of the sands, as[p.320, Brice Mansion, 1908b][p.321] a place of residence; the easy and rapid transit to Los Angeles brought many business men and women to the place; the rapid advance in prices brought many investors, both small and large; above all the development of Venice, which became a reality during the year, brought many newcomers. But there were factors which, naturally enough, brought about dissension and misunderstanding. The fact that so large a portion of the territory was owned by a single man; that Venice soon became a city within a city; that the business interests of the new town were either centered on Pier avenue in Santa Monica, or on Windward avenue in Venice; that the postoffice, "Ocean Park" was located in South Santa Monica, while the postoffice of the town of Ocean Park was eventually located in Venice and given the name of Venice-all of these, and other complications, led to confusion and conflicting interests.
At a meeting held on February 23, in the Country Club House, the use of which was donated by Mr. Kinney, the new board organized with Dana Burks as chairman and elected W.H. Anderson city attorney and W.T. Robinson, recorder. At this meeting the Ocean Park Improvement Company presented the new city with the ocean frontage form Navy street to Horizon avenue, a distance of 4,600 feet, a gift estimated to be worth $220,000. Messrs. Jones, Fraser and Gage also presented the new corporation with their interest in the fire system already established within the district. The new city was furnished quarters for its officers and public business free of rent, and was financed without interest, by Mr. Kinney. On April 11th, the city election was held and the same officers were re-elected, with the exception of the marshal, H.E. Lavayea taking the place of W.H. Slack.
One of the first topics which engaged the attention of the town trustees was the matter of sewage disposal. The part of the town already sewered was connected with the Santa Monica outfall, by the old contract with Kinney and Ryan. But it was understood that the city of Santa Monica would demand some other arrangement, and in fact, notice was received by the Ocean Park trustees that their sewer connections would be cut off August 1st. Many plans were discussed and investigated. A sewer farm was proposed, but after study of conditions was found impracticable; then it was suggested that the sewage of the entire beach might be carried south to a connection with the Los Angeles outfall; eventually the septic plant was decided upon and January 30th, 1905, a special election was called to vote $20,000 bonds for a sewer system and $5,000 for fire apparatus. April 4th, another special election was held to vote $15,000 additional for sewer system. Still another election was called October 17th, 1906, to vote $20,000 for the completion of the sewer system. At the same time bonds were voted-$10,000 for engine house and fire-fighting apparatus; $5,000 for city hall and jail and $5,000 for sites for these buildings, and $10,000 for a garbage incinerator, all of which were carried.
[p. 322] The necessary mains and the septic tank, with an outfall at Center street was constructed, and later the outfall was carried out on piling into the ocean. The destruction of the Santa Monica outfall by the storms of April and May, 1905, resulted in a change in the situation. The Ocean Park sewage was turned into its own system and the trustees invited Santa Monica to use their new septic tank, rather than have the sewage discharged into the ocean at Pier avenue, to the detriment of that locality. Santa Monica, in spite of complaints and court orders, continues to use the Ocean Park mains, pending the completion of her own septic tank. The situation thus created, because of the large amount of sewage handled and the defective action of the septic tank has been productive of much trouble and ill feeling.
The question of liquor licenses also has been a critical one in the brief annals of Ocean Park. On June 21st, 1904, a high license ordinance was passed and for some time the only license granted was for a wholesale house. Later licences were granted for various restaurants and bars. The opening of the various concessions at Venice and especially on "the Midway" in 1906, gave rise to much discussion and uncertainty as to the business licenses and this too has proved a difficult subject for the city to handle.
In August, 1904, the city of Ocean Park voted $10,000 for school purposes. A school district had already been formed, and the county superintendent appointed as a temporary board, Mrs. M. de Luna, Mrs. Frank A. Werner and A.R. French. The school census of the spring showed 207 children. The first school was opened in the fall in two tent-houses on the Country Club grounds. Considerable difficulty was found by the first regular school board in securing a suitable location for the school-house. Values were now so high in Ocean Park that any desirable site was beyond the means of the board. Land was finally obtained from Mr. Kinney and in September, a contract was let for a two-story, seven-room building. It is a handsome, modern structure completely equipped for grade work. In the spring of 1907 a tract of five acres of land adjoining the school grounds, was donated for the use of the school and the children were encouraged to engage in gardening. A skilled gardener was engaged by Mr. Kinney to instruct them and the school gardens thus established promise to become an important part of the school curriculum. Prizes are given the children for the best results and much interest has been aroused in the subject of gardening among the children and their parents as well,
One of the most important improvements of 1904 was the building of the Ocean Park Bath House. A stock company was formed by T.H. Dudley, G.M. Jones, J.F. Mullen, A. Ed. Robinson and Force Parker, with stock of[p.323] $150,000. A site between Marine and Navy was first selected, but later the location was moved south to the block between Navy and Ozone, thus bringing the building entirely within Ocean Park. The structure was of concrete and was, when completed in 1905, the finest bath house on the Pacific coast.
In May, Messrs. Fraser and Jones purchased from the Recreation Gun Club a tract of land with 4,200 feet of ocean frontage and extending back of 1,200 feet from the shore. Through it ran an extension of the Playa del Rey lagoon. The price paid for the property was $135,000. This tide land, when purchased by the Gun Club, was considered utterly [p. 323, Ocean Park City Hall, 1908b]worthless and had continued to be considered a bad investment until the time of the sale. In June, 1905, the Guaranty Realty Company purchased this tract, paying for it somewhere in the neighborhood of $300,000, it was reported. The tract was platted and in a single day, Monday, June 19th, $308,000 worth of property was sold, making a record-breaking pace in this summer of wonder developments. As an example of the phenomenal rise in values caused by the creation of Venice, the Venice Gateway tract may be cited. In 1893 John Metcalf purchased 55 acres of marsh, lying to the east of the tract on which Venice was located for $3,000. During the summer of 1905 this land was platted and put on the market as the Venice Gateway tract. In a few weeks 175 lots were sold for $200,000, while the value of the entire tract was estimated at half a million.
[p.324]Among the improvements of the year, aside from the city of Venice, were the Horseshoe pier at Marine and Pier avenues, the new seaside theatre and the Masonic Temple on Marine avenue. In July it was estimated that the assessed valuation of property in the new town would reach one million. The Times says: "There arer altogether, at this writing, 1,200 homes in Ocean Park and many others are being built. The original buildings are being constantly replaced by fine modern houses of the most approved type, and many of them are occupied the year round by business men of Los Angeles, as Ocean Park is one of the nearest beaches to the city, lying less than fifteen miles from town and reached in forty minutes by electric car."
By the annexation of various subdivisions during the year of 1905 Ocean Park nearly doubled its area and its assessment roll, in January, 1906, was figured at $4,000,000. Up to this time $85,000 in bonds had been voted for school and sewers. A bond issue voted October 17th included funds for city hall, jail and fire house also. The Speedway had been paved with asphaltum for more than a mile, at a cost of about $30,000, and many other street improvements had been made. The lagoon had been completed from Venice to Playa del Rey, thus giving a waterway between the two resorts.
The year of 1906 was not marked by such precipitate and unprecedented advances; but it showed a solid growth and a strengthening of the lines all along the beach. One of the first matters given attention was the protection of the shore along the Short Line Beach. An election was called to vote bonds for bulkheads, but the bonds did not carry and eventually Mr. Kinney advanced money to build a temporary protection for the property menaced. About $10,000 was expended in building a bulkhead south of Venice, and then to protect this a system of jetties was put in. A sand pump was also used to fill in back of the bulkhead and still further protect the beach. About 3,000 feet of bulkhead was built altogether.
In January the Ocean Park postoffice was removed to the new Masonic builiding on Marine avenue, after a strong protest had been made by citizens of South Santa Monica. It was still in the municipality of Santa Monica, however, and the necessity of some other arrangement for Ocean Park led to the establishment of a postoffice on Windward avenue, with the name of Venice. Robert M. Granger was the first postmaster. During the year the agitation for free delivery was continued. The postoffice inspector at one time recommended that the Ocean Park office be made the main office with sub-stations at Venice and Santa Monica, and free delivery for the entire bay district. This plan met with strong opposition both in Santa Monica and Venice and was not carried out. In December it was announced that C.E. Lovelace, editor of the Ocean [p. 325] Park Journal, had been appointed as postmaster for Ocean Park in place of Meigs, the incumbent.
The sewage questions continued to disturb the peace of mind of both Santa Monica and Ocean Park citizens, while the failure of the septic tank to deodorize the sewage disturbed the nostrils-and the minds-of many Ocean Park citizens. Suits were begun by the Ocean Park trustees against the Santa Monica trustees to compel them to disconnect their mains; suit was begun by citizens of Ocean Park against their own trustees for permitting such a nuisance. The result was, of course, bad feeling and hard words.
The location of the city hall and public buidlings was another topic which led to discord. After the bonds had been voted for this purpose, Abbot Kinney offered a site on Windward avenue. Another site, containing several lots, was offered free of cost on the Venice Gateway tract, at a considerable distance from the business section of the town. The latter site was finally accepted and the trustees put the entire bond issue into the construction of a public building here, although many citizens objected strenuously on account of the inconvenience of the location. Other differences of opinion arose between the city trustees and the Venice interests owned by the Abbot Kinnney Company and finally the breach was so widened that it was proposed to disincoporate the town of Ocean Park and make a fresh start. After a hotly waged contest, in which every resource of each side was taxed to its utmost, a disincorporation election was finally called for September 30th, 1907. At that election the vote stood 202 for disincorporation to 176 against, lacking 60 votes for the requisite two-thirds majority. As a result of this election and the fight preceding it, many damage suits for libel were filed and promises of future disincorporation were freely made. It was suggested that Venice might ultimately become an annex of Los Angeles. There was talk, too, of a greater Santa Monica, which should be made up of Santa Monica, Ocean Park and Venice united as a happy family in one corporation. But such an iridescent dream was received with smiles by most residents of the beach.
[p. 326, Abbot Kinney, 1908b]
[p. 327] Chapter XI Venice of America and Its Founder
Abbot Kinney [1850- ] was born in Brookside, N.J., November 16, 1850, his parents being Franklin Sherwood and Mary Cogswell Kinney, both descendents of old colonial families. His boyhood was mostly passed in Washington where his uncle, James Dixon, represented the state of Connecticut in the United States Senate. Here the young man had advantages of education and of contact with many of the prominent men of that time and thus retains memories of the men who made the history of that period. To complete his education, he went to Europe and studied at Heidelberg, Germany, and in France and Switzerland, perfecting himself in foreign languages and making a special study of political, economic and social problems.
On returning to Washington, he became interested in the tobacco business and after a couple of years practical experience, he decided to go to Turkey and make a personal study of their methods of manufacturing cigarettes. In 1877, he started on a three years' tour of the world, one year of which was passed in Egypt. His keen powers of observation and active intellect were devoted during these years to the study of the conditions as he found them in various countries, and the conclusions thus acquired have since been applied in many ways to the problems presented in our own country.
He reached San Francisco, on his return voyage, in the winter of 1880, and finding himself unable to proceed directly east on account of heavy snow blockades in the Sierras, he came to Southern California. Here, afte a few weeks spent in the old Sierra Madre Villa, he felt that he had found the climate for which he had sought the world over. He secured a large tract of unimproved land in the vicinity of Sierra Madre and at once set about creating a beautiful and profit-yielding home out of what had been a waste. He planted out a large citrus orchard and turned his mind to the solution of the many difficulties which seemed almost insurmountable to the pioneer horticulturists of this region. As a result, "Kinneola" became a fine example of the possibilities of citrus culture and is known as one of the most beautiful country homes in California.
Broad-minded and public-spirited, he devoted the knowledge gained through investigation and costly experiments to the public use and became one of the projectors of the Southern California Pomological Society and served as its president.
[p. 328] In 1883, he was appointed a commissioner to serve with Helen Hunt Jackson in an investigation into the conditions of the Mission Indians of Southern California. After several months of travel and personal examination of the various reservations and their people, Mr. Kinney prepared a report to the government, advising the breaking up of the reservation system and the use of common-sense methods in the treatment of these miserable and helpless remmnants of the first occupants of our country. It was during this period that Mrs. Jackson gathered much of the material used in the construction of Ramona and in her articles on the Missions and the Mission Indians.
In 1884, Mr. Kinney was married to Miss Margaret, the daughter of Judge James D. Thornton, justice of the Supreme Court of California.
In 1885 he was appointed chairman of the newly created board of forestry. Since that time Mr. Kinney has devoted much research and practical experimenting to the subject of forestry, particularly in its relation to the welfare of Southern California. In 1887, a tract of twenty acres, located on Santa Monica Heights, was donated to the state as a site for a Forestry Experimental Station in this section of the state. The board at once set apart a fund to be devoted to this purpose. Mr. Kinney took a keen interest in the experiments and practical working of this station and made an especially exhaustive study of Eucalypti, the results of which he later published. He was also instrumental in securing the initiation of National Forestry on a practical basis and in procuring the legislation which set aside the forest reserves in California and in establishing the School of Forestry in connection with the University of Southern California. This school gave special attention to the subject of forestry in relation to water-sheds and preservation of forests, with lectures by such men as Abbot Kinney, A.H. Koebig, Henry Hawgood, J.B. Lippincott, T.S . Van Dyke and T.P. Lukens.
Mr. Kinney is an unusual combination-the practical man of affairs, looking personally to his large interests-and at the same time the student and thinker. He has been an investigator along with many lines of thought and has published several books as the results of his study. In 1893, he issued, The Conquest of Death, dealing with a sociological subject, and Tasks by Twilight, which sets forth some original theories as to the training of the young. As the author is the parent of five sons, he had practical data to deal with. He devoted much study to the workings of the Australian ballot system and published a pamphlet on this subject and earnestly advocated its adoption in this country. He has also published a strong argument on the tariff question; made a study of climatology, particularly with reference to Santa Monca, and written many valuable lectures and monographs upon various topics. In all of his writing his use of English is direct and forcible and his course of reasoning clear and logical.
[p. 329] He has served as president of the Southern California Academy of Science and of the Southern California Forest and Water Association; and as vice president of the American Forestry Association of California. In 1897 he was appointed by Governor Budd as one of the Yosemite Park Commission, which made sweeping reforms in the conditions which had nearly destroyed the pleasure of a visit to this wonder of the world. In all of his public work, Mr. Kinney has shown a broad public spirit and devotion to the general good.
After a few years residence at "Kinneloa," Mr. Kinney found that the seaside air was better suited to his health than the foothills, and, in the early eighties, he purchased a home on Ocean avenue, Santa Monica. Since that time he has been closely associated with the development of the Santa Monica bay cities. In 1886 he formed a syndicate to purchase a large parcel of land on the north side of Santa Monica Canyon. Here, he proposed to make an ideal residence tract, with unsurpassed views of ocean, mountain and valley. Trees were planted, streets were laid out and a railroad planned. Later this tract was transferred to the Southern Pacific Company and furnished the site for the "long wharf."
In 1888, Mr. Kinney was one of the organizers of the Santa Monica Improvement Company which built the Casino on North Third street and laid out the grounds and tennis courts above it. This was the forerunner of "Country Clubs" and was for years the center of tennis interests in Southern California. About this time he was appointed road commissioner in the districet of Santa Monica and devoted much time and engergy to the opening up and improvement of the roads of the vicinity. The boulevard to the Soldiers' Home was laid out under his supervision and during his administration he set out some nine miles of trees along the public roads and started them growing-a Herculean task in this country of sheep, squirrels, and other hungry varmints-to say nothing of the lack of water.
Mr. Kinney was a member of the first library board of Santa Monica and was also instrumental in establishing the public library at Pasadena and in providing a free library at the Soldiers' Home.
About 1891 Mr. Kinney acquired an interest in a strip of ocean frontage, extending from the south boundary of the Lucas tract to the southern boundary of Ballona grant. This strip of sand was then considered worthless for any purpose whatever. But Mr. Kinney has imagination and foresight. In the face of many discouragements, he and his partner, F.G. Ryan, began putting up cottages and leasing lots in what was then known as South Santa Monica, because such lots on the sand could not be sold until their advantages were demonstrated. Through their effort the Y.M.C,A. was induced to to locate its summer home on this beach and the "Ocean Park" Association was formed. [p. 330, Creating Venice], 1908b] Messrs. Kinney and Ryan planted out trees, planted parks and pavilions, wharfs and sidewalks, and slowly, they developed what became for a time at least, the most popular resort of the beach-the old Ocean Park district.
But there was still a stretch of sand to the south of the settled area which was apparently hopeless, as it was little more than a salt marsh. Drainage suggested canals to Mr. Kinney, and he had a vision of a city that should equal in beauty and picturesqueness the Venice of his youthful enthusiasm. With the unfettered confidence of the progressive Armerican to the power of mind and money over material obstacles, he began the creation of an ideal city upon his salt marsh. The courage and persistance with which he has met the many unforeseen obstacles, the misunderstanding, and the opposition of a small but bitter faction, makes the history of Venice of America the crowning achievement of Mr. Kinney's long and active career in California . While the plans and the hopes of her projector have not all been fulfilled, Venice is already the most beautiful and the most unique pleasure resort on the Pacific coast.
Venice of America
In January, 1904, the Ocean Park Improvement Company was dissolved and Mr. Kinney took over the unimproved and apparently worthless tract of land lying to the south of the Club House Tract and the Short Line Beach. When he began to talk of his plans for a city which should have canals for streets and [p. 331] which should recall the most picuturesque and romantic city of Europe in its features, the public was distinctly skeptical. "Kinney's dream" was a phrase heard from all sides, while the plans were taking form and the scheme was still in the paper stage. Still, as the plans were outlined, rumors of the new rival to "Atlantic City" excited interest, although the doubters were in the ascendency. The first decided move was made when the Board of Supervisors were petitioned for the vacation and abandonment of that portion of the Ballona-Santa Monica road passing through the proposed city of Venice. On May 10th, 1904, Mr. Kinney presented to the board of city trustees of Ocean Park a plat of Venice View tract, lying to the east and north of the Club House and containing 67 lots.
Soon afterwad Mr. F.V. Dunham was sent east to visit resorts, study plans and obtain ideas which might be of value in making the new city beautiful and attractive. June 21st the first contract was let, that for the excavation of the grand canal which was to be 70 feet wide, 4 feet deep and half a mile long. Other canals were to extend from this canal and form a net work. These canals were to be lined with concrete. The first spadeful of earth on the canal system was turned August 15th and thereafter an army of men and teams were employed in removing the tons of sand and earth necessary to make these waterways. The system was completed by the extension of a canal through from the Venice tract to the lagoon at Playa del Rey, the work being done by the property owners.
June 27th the contract for the ship-hotel was let. This idea of a ship-hotel was regarded as chimerical, at first, by the public. But as the piers were set and the outlines became evident, interest was aroused and real estate men began to drop in to see what was going on. In July the contract for the electric lighting and power plant was let and soon afterward work began in preparation for building the pier. This was planned to be 1700 feet in length and thirty feet wide. The first timber was set September 5th and thereafter work was pushed as rapidly as men and material could be procured.
December 5th ground was broken for the first building on Windward avenue-St. Mark's Hotel. Already contracts for $300,000 worth of building had been let. By this time the newspapers and the public were fully alive to the fact that something was doing in Venice of America, and the interest increased as the greatness of the plans and the lavish expenditure of the projector became evident. It was reported that the sales in fourteen days during November amounted to $386,000 and lots were now rapidly changing hands.
With 1905 developments moved even more rapdily. Plans for an Auditorium on the pier, which was to be the finest building of the kind on the coast, began to take shape. It was announced that a Summer Assembly would be held here which should represent the best of modern thought and art. Speakers and artists and teachers, the best afforded by our country, were to be heard and the [p. 332] summer was to be one long intellectual feast. Work on the pier and buildings was rushed at even greater speed, for there was none too much time to complete the preparations. And then, during February and March, came the heaviest seas known on the Pacific coast for a generation. The Venice pier was wrecked, the pavilion and other buildings were badly damaged. At a low estimate the losses reached $50,000 and the public declared that the buildings over the water, as planned, would never be safe.
But Mr. Kinney was not daunted. He immediately secured permission from the government to erect a breakwater at his own expense to protect his property. This-the only private breakwater in the United States-was constructed as soon as it was possible to do the work. It was made of rock, 500 feet in length, circular in form and extending 60 feet from the shore at a cost of about $100,000. It forms a safe refuge for small craft and for swimming. The rebuilding of the pier and the wrecked buildings was carried on at top speed. The present Auditorium, a beautiful building, perfect in its adaptation for public uses, with all the fittings of a modern theatre and a seating capacity of 3600, was ready for use on the date announced for the opening of the Assembly, July 2nd. It had been constructed in 28 days. No better example of the conquest of apprently unsurmountable difficulities has been shown in our business world.
On June 30th, the water was turned into the canals and as the waterways and lagoon were filled for the first time, the magnificence of the design dawned upon the onlookers. On the evening of July 2nd the electric lights for illumination were turned on, 17,000 lamps being used. The effect was magical. During the day the great pipe organ in the Auditorium was dedicated by Clarence Eddy. On July 3rd, the day was given over to the workmen who had aided in creating Venice and July Fourth witnessed the greatest celebration of the day ever known in this part of the state. It was estimated that 40,000 people visited Venice during the day. There was music and speeches in the Assembly hall; music, swimming contests and fire works on the lagoon.
The Venice Assembly under the direction of B. Fay Mills, held regular sessions during July and August. It was attended by large numbers of people and furnished a fine program of speakers, such as Joaquin Miller, Dr. Josiah Strong, N.O. Nelson and many others, beside furnishing instruction in many branches. To accomodate the people who attended it, the tent city was built along the canals and proved one of the most popular features of Venice life. It was Mr. Kinney's hope to make this a center of education and culture and in pursuance of that purpose, for the winter season of 1905-6 Ellery's Band was engaged to furnish daily music; a large part of the foreign exhibits at the Portland fair were brought to Venice and every effort was made to furnish high class entertainments. Sports of every kind were also provided for yacht races, tennis tournaments, swimming; bath houses and boat houses were built. To further attract the publc arrangements were made to open the [p. 333] Midway Plaisance and in November the contract was let for eleven buildings to accomodate this feature. It was opened to the public in January, 1906 and attracted a good deal of attention; but was not a financial success. In May, 1906 Sarah Bernhardt, who would not submit to the demands of the American Theater Trust, played for three days in the Venice Auditorium and declared herself delighted wtih all the fervor of her ardent nature, with this playhouse over the waves.
[p. 333, Lake of Venice, 1908b
Venice was provided with the best of fire protection, a system of salt water under high pressure which is always on. It is only necessary to open the fire-hydrants in order to obtain an unlimited amount of water which can be put anywhere desired. The tower is also well supplied with fresh water for domestic use. During 1906 the bath house on the lagoon and the dance Pavilion on the pier were built; both of them beautiful buildings, complete in every detail. Twelve concrete bridges were built across the canals and lagoons and many street improvements were made. The streets and alley ways of Venice were dedicated to the city by its owner; but this city within a city has its own fire protection and water system and -to a large extent-its own police protection and street cleaning service. Much thought has been given to the beautifying of the streets and gardens of Venice. Suitable trees and plants have been placed along the borders of the canals and ornamental parks are a part of the scheme in its full treatment. A harbor for commerce and for a military base is also part of the plan.
[p. 334] A special feature of Venice attractions is the social life of the community. The Country Club has always been a favorite resort for those who cared for sports. The tennis courts have been the scene of some brilliant social affairs. The afternoon teas of the ladies of the club are pleasant affairs.
The Five Hundred Club is an organization of ladies which meets Monday afternoons at the Cabrillo for a social card game. The Sunshine Club, of which Mrs. J.M. White is president, meets once in two weeks to work for charitable purposes. The members of this unique little club are doing a good work and hold most enjoyable meetings.
The society dances on Tuesday evenings at the pavilion have become a popular feature of Venice society and are attended by many outsiders. The children's dances, the swimming parties at the bath houses, the boating, are all features that add to the enjoyment of life.
In January, 1907 the Venice Chamber of Commerce was organized with Dr. John Stanwood as president; J.G. French first vice-president; David Evans, second vice-president; Lewis Bradt, secretary and R.A. Dullugge, treasurer. The directors were Abbot Kinney, J.D. Simpson, Dr. J.B. Sands, H.C. Mayes, F.E. Reid, R.A. Phillips, Henry Wildey. This organization has since its formation taken an active part in everything pertaining to the welfare of Venice. It has been especially concerned in furthering Mr. Kinney's plans for a deep-sea harbor. The Venice harbor will be the nearest to Los Angeles, the least costly to build, the easiest to enter and to leave, and the safest from storm of any on the Pacific Coast. The plans have been approved by the government and it is expected that they will be carried out in the near future. The Chamber of Commerce took a leading part in the effor for disincorporation; in securing the Polytechnic High School, and in many other ways it has worked for the advancement of the community. At its second annual meeting, the officers chosen were Dr. J.A. Stanwood, president; J.G. French, first vice-president; H.P. Eakins, second vice-president; W.A. Rennie, secretary; R.A. Dullugge, treasurer. The executive committee consists of Abbot Kinney, H. Wickizer, H.C. Mayes, Dr. J.M. White, T.R. Taylor, C.A. Stavenow.
Playa Del Rey
The ocean frontage of La Ballona Rancho was known in early days as Ballona Slough. It consisted of marshy fields, broken by sand dunes, ponds and lagoons of salt water, which were considered to be utterly worthless except as a home for ducks and other game birds. About 1870, Will Tell, a German of convivial propensities build a shack almost on the spot now occupied by the Del Rey Hotel, which he called "Tell's Lookout." For several years he kept up the establishment, advertising himself as agent for "Don Deller's native wines and brandies," and furnishing boats, guns, and fishing tackle for his patrons. His place was a favorite resort for Los Angeles sportsmen and many a party of distinguished guests partook of his native products and hunted ducks in his boats. The locality was generally known as "Will Tell's" in those days.
In 1877 Michael Duffy, another royal host who will be remembered by many old timers, opened "Hunter's Cottage" in Tell's old location and was "prepared to furnish sportsmen with board and lodging for man and beast; guns, ammunition, boats and everything complete for hunter's outfit. Good fishing and bathing in the vicinity. Come and enjoy a few days sport and I will use every means to make it pleasant for you."
The flats of Ballona were looked upon as of value only to sportsmen until about 1885. The approach of the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe railway, and the first rumblings of the approaching boom, brought many hitherto undreamed of projects to the surface. One of these was the scheme of creating a harbor out of the lagoon of La Ballona slough. In the spring of 1886 the Ballona Harbor and Improvement Company was organized by capitalists of Los Angeles, M.L. Wicks being the leading spirit in the enterprise at that time. Among the directors were James Campbell, F,. Sabichi, H.W. Mills, E.H. Boyd, and Dr. Lotspeich.
The capital stock of the company was $300,000. Hugh Crabbe, an engineer of national reputation, was engaged to plan the work. It was proposed to excavate a channel 200 feet long by 300 wide which would let the tide into the lagoon at the point where Ballona creek entered the ocean. This, with dredging, would create an inner harbor two miles long and from 300 to 600 feet wide, with a depth of six to twenty feet. It was declared that this harbor would float the fleets of the world. This harbor was to be the terminus of the Santa Fe, or Atlantic and Pacific, as it was then known, and was declared to be the nearest point to the Gulf of Mexico possible for an ocean port and 800 miles nearer to the Hawaian [sic] Islands than San Francisco. A franchise was granted to the Los Angeles and Santa Monica Railway, an offshoot of the Santa Fe, although organized by the members of the Ballona Harbor Company, to construct a wharf and ship canal at Ballona and work was begun during the year. The Los Angeles Express comments on the work being done in December, 1886, and says, "The hills aroumd the harbor afford splendid sites for residences and will doubtless be rapidly covered with house," -a prediction which proved to be rather previous.
Monday, August 21, 1887, the railroad line was completed and the first train brought an excursion party of about 300 people to inspect the harbor improvements and make speeches on the "great future" of this Port Ballona. A large amount of dredging was done and a large amount of money-nearly $300,000 was spent during the three years in which work was carried on more or less spasmodically upon the proposed harbor. The directorate of the company changed. M.L. Wicks dropping out and Lous Mesmer, Juan Bernard and others [p. 336] coming in. By July 4th, 1888, work had come to a standstill and only a watchman to guard the dredger and other property of the company was left on the ground. The Outlook in December, 1889, states that "The father of the Ballona Harbor scheme has been working on his pet project again. He is having the place cleaned up and getting ready to begin dredging again." But soon afterward a storm carried away the greater portion of the wharf and deposited it along the shore at Santa Monica-where it was welcomed as firewood.
The dredger and barges were then taken away and Port Ballona became a thing of the past. Many causes operated to make the scheme impracticable, the blue clay formation underneath the sand, the currents, which brought sand back faster thatn it could be dredged out, and the failure of the Santa Fe system to co-operate with the projectors.
A last echo of the Ballona Habor Company was heard in 1892, when they entered a vigorous protest against the abandonment of the railroad right of way to Ballona and the removal of the rails from that branch by the Southern California Railway Company. But the protest availed nothing-the road to Ballona was taken up and a new line to Santa Monica took its place.
For fifteen years after the abandonment of work upon the Port of Ballona, the lagoons and sand dunes remained a sportsman's paradise. The Recreation Gun Club purchased a large tract of the ocean frontage and the lagoons were only disturbed by the dipping of paddles and th echo of shot guns. Then came a new era of life for Ballona Slough.
In June, 1902, it was announced that a company of capitalists had incorporated as the "Beach Land Company" and had purchased a thousand acres of land, including two and one-half miles of beach frontage from the Mesmer estate. This included the old Ballona Harbor. Among the incorporators were F.H. Rindge, M.H. Sherman, E.P. Clark, E.T. Earle, R.C. Gillis and a number of other prominent Southern California men. Henry P. Barbour was president of the company; M.H. Sherman and Arthur H. Fleming, vice-president; A.I. Smith, secretary; P.M. Green, treasurer.
The plans of this company were most elaborate. The new resort was to be named "Playa de Rey," The King's Beach, or the King's Playground, as it was later translated. The Los Angeles-Pacific Company would at once build to the harbor, which was to be improved. A $200,000 hotel was proposed. Plans were made and plats completed under the direction of a landscape gardener.
The company advertised their intentions liberally and the first sale of lots, July 16, was a large one, many well known citizens being among the purchasers. Work was at once begun on grading and improvements. October 19th the electric road had cars running to Playa del Rey and a large number of excursionists visited the "King's Beach." Work continued steadily on the improvements during the next year. The lagoon, two miles long, of still water [p. 337] for bathing and boating proved itself a popular feature-even before its completion. Forty boats and gasoline launches were provided for the accomodation of patrons.
During the year the Redondo line was completed thus opening up a new district, and providing railway facilities for residents of the beach south of the harbor. In December, 1903, it was announced that an automobile speedway from Los Angeles to Playa del Rey would be constructed under the auspices of the Southern California Automobile club. This boulevard would be eighteen miles in length, thirty feet wide and would be made the finest automobile road in the country.
With the opening of 1904 the rush of improvements at Playa del Rey increased. Plans were made for the pavilion, which was to be three stories in height(h) with restaurant and dining rooms, bowling alleys and dancing floor and ample provisions for picnic and banquets. Work on this structure was rushed and it was opened to the public with a grand celebration of the occasion, boat races, dancing, etc., on November 25th. The hotel Del Rey, a handsome structure containing fifty rooms was built this year by George A. Cook, a capitalist of Redlands who had become largely interested in Playa del Rey. Boat houses and bandstand were completed. A two story bank building had been erected and many handsome cottages had been completed along the lagoon and on the bluff. In June 1904 a post office was established at Playa del Rey, with Frank Lawton, lessee of the pavilion as postmaster. The electric line to Santa Monica was completed, thus giving a much improved car service, as the fare to Santa Monca was made five cents.
It is estimated that the Beach Land Company and the Los Angeles-Pacific Company spent at least $200,000 on the foundation work for this resort. Six-hundred acres of sand beach, rolling dunes and lofty bluffs were graded and prepared for building permanent residences. In leveling lands and excavating for the lagoon, more than 700,000 cubic yards of sand were used for filling in purposes. Sidewalks were constructed along the beach and the lagoon; a sewer system; water system and electric lights provided. An unusually high class of buildings were put up and the expectation of the projectors were largely realized, yet much still remained to make the resort all that was hoped for. During 1905, two suspension bridges wer thrown across the lagoon and an incline railway contructed to the top of Mount Ballona, as the bluff is known. In April, through the efforts largely of Joseph Mesmer, Playa del Rey school district was organized with 26 children.
p. 338]Chapter XII Pacific Branch National Home for Disabled Veterans
The United States has made liberal provision for the support and care of her volunteer soldiers. After allowing them pensions and land bounties, it became evident as early as 1865 that a large class of disabled and elderly veterans required care and attention which could only be given in an institution especially adapted to the purpose. In consequence of this demand, Congress passed an act establishing a National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, in 1865. Later branches of this home were established in various parts of the United States. These establishments were governed by a Board of Managers, subject to the supervision of the War Department. There are now ten Homes in the United States.
In March, 1887, an act authorizing the establishment of the Pacific Coast branch was passed by Congress and in November of that year a commission of which Gen. William B. Franklin, president of the National Board of Managers; Col. William Blanding, of San Francisco; Col. E. P. Brown, Gen. James S. Nelgley and six other members of the National Board, were members, met in San Francisco to consider the several propositions which had been made for sites for the new branch. A large number of propositions were submitted from every section of the state. Many of these were generous in providing free land and other inducements to secure the Home; but only two offers were made of a free site and also a cash bonus.
The commissioners after a careful consideration of the proposals, visited the various localities, selected as worthy of serious consideration. A number of offers had been made from Southern Califorinia localities. One which presented many favorable points was near San Diego. Another very generous offer was that of the Inglewood-Centinella people. The choice in Southern California however, soon narrowed down to two proposals,-that of the Hesperia Land and Water Co., of San Bernardino county, offering 500 acres of land, with water, and $250,000 cash; and that of Messrs. Jones, Baker, and Wolfskill, offering 300 acres of land, a supply of water equal to 120,000 gallons per day, and $100,000 in cash-to be expended in improving the grounds.
The commissioners, after going carefully over the lands, investigating the sources of water supply and the conditions generally, were banqueted at the hotel Aracadia and left for the north. They left California without announcing a decision; but before reaching Washington, they decidecd by a vote of eight to two to accept the Santa Monica proposition. In December, 1887, Col. Charles [ p. 339] Treichel, of Philadelphia, wa apponted governor of the new branch and in January, 1888, he arrived on the grond and took charge of the preparations for the establishment of the institution.
The branches are all under the management of the National Board of Managers, with a local manager and a corps of officers. The officials are always men who have served with honor as officers of the United States Army. Colonel Treichel, the first governor of the Pacific Branch, made a brilliant record with the Army of the Potomac. He was several times wounded, and the end of the war found him Major of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry and Brevet Colonel of the U.S. Volunteers. Under his direction work was begun to supply the grounds selected as the site of the buildings with a sufficient amount of water from temporary wells, while the survey for a pipe line and reservoirs was made under the supervision of Col. Mendell, of the U.S. Survey force. By July 4th, the first building on the grounds, "Junipero cottage" was nearly ready for use by the governor and the flag pole was in place for the raising of the flag which marked the occupancy of the grounds by the U.S. government.
The location of this branch has proved to be almost ideal. Owing to the failure of "boom" laid plans, the cash bonus was not paid to the government by the Wolfskill ranch owners, but in lieu of this they placed at the disposal of the Home a tract of 330 acres, thus giving the government over 600 acres of land a large part of which was tillable. The site chosen for the buildings was a gently sloping elevation, commanding a fine view, sheltered from winds of the north by mountains and open to the ocean breezes. It was planned to distribute the buildings in the form of a crescent, facing the south, and this general plan has been followed. The early appropriations were not large and at first the buildings were very simple in design and structure. The first barracks were completed in December, 1888, and were at once filled, a number of old soldiers having collected about the Home and been accomodated in camps until the buildings were ready. The dining hall and hospital were also built this year.
Up to the present, eleven barracks have been put up. Each is two stories, surrounded on three sides by verandas and equipped with all modern conveniences. From 150 to 200 men are accomodated in each, under the government of one of their own number who is known as "Captain," who is responsible for the conduct and order of his building.
The dining hall and kitchen have been several times enlarged. The kitchen is provided with every convenience for facilitating the work of preparing three meals a day for from 1,000 to 1,500 people. The dining hall will now seat nearly a thousand men at a time. As the appropriations have come in from year to year, new buildings which provide for comfort and happiness of the old soldiers have been erected. For many years the library was [p. 340] located in the Headquarters building; but in 1906 Markham Hall, a handsome structure was erected. On the lower floor is a beautiful and well appointed library and reading room. Above is an assembly room for the use of various societies and public meetings. In 1900 the chapel was erected. This is a pretty building, unique in that under one roof is a Protestant and a Catholic church-separated by a thick wall. The organ in the Protestant chapel waa presented by T.H. Hatch, a member of the home-a musician and composer. The new hospital, built in 1904, is most complete. Here the old veterans receive every attention that can be given in the best equipped of private hospitals. A corps of nurses is employed. Ward Memorial Hall, built in 1898, provides a fully equipped stage and a pleasant gathering place for amusements, concerts, and so on.
The buildings are all surrounded by carefully kept grounds, which are adorned with trees and flowers. This is one of the most beautifully arrangeed and kept parks in the country, and the climate gives perpetual bloom and greeness, making it a perennial garden of beauty. The many trees which have been set out on the Home grounds have now attained a fine growth and some of the long avenues through the reservation are delightful and enticing drives and walks.
A large amount of hay and grain are raised on the place each year, beside all the vegetables and most of the fruit required for the table. Now the citrus fruit orchards are coming into bearing and considerable shipments of fruit are made besides supplying the Home. Fine stock-cattle, horses and hogs, are kept and thus the Home is in part self-supporting. In 1903-4 the farm is reported netting $25,069 to the institution.
The postoffice at the Home was established October 1st, 1889, with Henry T. Lenty as postmaster. In 1895 it was made a money order office with all the facilities of a city office. A large amount of business is transacted yearly through this office, the money order department especially handling an unusual volume of business as many of the members send a portion, at least, of their pension funds to families.
The Home is abundantly supplied with water for domestic use and for irrigation. The first arrangement was a series of reservoirs in Rustic canyon with a pipe line to the grounds. During the dry season of 1898-1900 this source of water supply proved insufficient and wells were put down. Later arrangements were made with the West Los Angeles Water Company to supply water and in 1905 the government made an appropriation for a storage reservoir to hold a million gallons of water. This is located on the Home grounds. An electric light and power plant was erected on the grounds and [p. 341] furnished the needed "juice" for the Home until 1902 when contracts were made with the Edison company to supply the service.
Since the establishment of the Pacific Branch about $800,000 has been expended by the government in permanent improvements. The annual expenditures of the institution average about $350,000. Between $200,000 and $300,000 is paid annually as pensions to the members of the Home. It will be seen that this means a large amount of money which is annually expended largely in Southern California and much of which is turned into local channels. Besides this, the beautiful grounds and the whole institution is a great attraction and one in which the people of Southern California and particularly of the Santa Monica Bay Region take great pride.
The first governor of the Pacific Branch, Col. Treichel, died March 28th, 1894, having always suffered from the effect of the wounds received during the war. He had shown himself an able man and had brought the institution safely through the most critical years of its existence and created a beautiful and orderly home, well managed and popular among the veterans of the west, for whose benefit it was intended. Col. Treichel had contended with many difficulties and obstacles in laying the foundations of so large an establishment; but he had given himself to the work with great devotion.
Governor Treichel was succeeded by Col. J.G. Rowland, who remained in charge of the Pacific Branch until April, 1897, when he was tranferred to the Leavenworth Branch and Col. A.G. Smith, of the Leavenworth Home, was brought here. Governor Smith was a strict disciplinarian and made many new rules and regulatiions which were intended for the general good; but which some of the veterans felt were infringements of their personal liberty. The feeling against him was strong among a few of the members, although the majority believed that he had only the best good of the institution in view. On September 26th, 1898, Albert Bradley, who had previously shown symptoms of insanity, shot Governor Smith as he was passing through the grounds. It was feared at first that the wound would prove fatal; but no vital point had been touched and Governor Smith recovered although never entirely restored to health again. After this unfortunate affair, he resigned and retired January 1st, 1899. He was succeeded by the present incumbent, General O.H. La Grange.
October 20th, 1899, another tragedy startled and saddened Home circles. Major F.K. Upham had served as quartermaster and treasurer of the Pacific Branch since April 20th, 1895. He was genial, kind and lovable and most popular with the officers and the members. On this morning as he was preparing to go to the railroad station for money to pay the employees, he accidentally struck one of his pistols in such a manner as to discharge the contents [p. 342] into his body and cause instant death. Great sorrow was felt by members of the Home, by officials and the public generally at this untimely loss. Major T.J. Chchran was appointed to fill the vacant place and still remains in the position.
[p. 342, Soldiers' Home, 1908b]
One of the best-known officers of the House was Major H.G. Hasse, who for eighteen years filled the office of chief surgeon of the Home. In 1905 he resigned and his place was filled by the appointment of Dr. O.C. McNary, formerly of the Leavenworth Home.
The first member admitted to the Pacific Branch was George Davis, late of Company B, 14th N.Y. Cavalry. He was transferred from the Dayton, Ohio, Home and came with Col. Treichel as his clerk. In December, 1888, a number of veterans who had gathered on the grounds in anticipation of the opening of the Home, were received into the barracks. In March, 1889, one hundred members of the Yountville, Cal., Home were brought to the new Home. The Yountville Home had been established in 1883 by private contributions from the G.A.R. and Mexican Veterans' societies. The next year the state adopted it, allowing $150 for each veteran cared for by the institution. Later it passed under control of the United States government, and is still maintained as a home for members of the G.A.R.
Applications for quarters in the Pacific Branch are always far in advance of the room, for the advantagess of climate and favorable location attract many of the "old boys" from other parts of the United States. There are at present 3,619 members, of whom 2,088 are present. The death rate among these old [p. 343] men is, of course, large, yet it is small in this Home, when the age of the men is considered and also the fact that a large proportion of them have been in some manner disabled. At first the National Home was intended only for those veterans who had been so disabled that they were unable to earn a living, and who were dependent. The rules for admission have been gradually broadened until now any veteran who can show an honorable discharge can be received into the Home. Many avail themselves of the privilege temporarily or for only part of the time, thus receiving the benefits of hospital treatment and care when ill.
Everything is done to make the institutions as homelike as possible and to interfere with the personal liberty of the members as little as possible. Only such discipline as is absolutely necessary to obtain order in a large body of men is enforced. Members of the Home receive pensions, when entitled to them; and as many are able or desire it, receive employment about the Home, being paid for their services. A number of them have homes at Sawtelle and reside with their families, while receiving the benefits of membership in the Home.
Two Grand Army Posts are maintained, the John A. Martin Post and the Uncle Sam Post. A Masonic society and various other organizations are sustainded by the members. Frequent entertainments are given for their benefit in the theater, assembly hall and churches, and the men entertain themselves with tales of their fighting and active days as they sit about the parks and the verandas of their barracks. An abundance of reading matter is supplied by the library and the members are many of them regular subscribers for magazines and daily papers.
In 1898, during the Spanish war excitement, a company of 500 was organized by the old soldiers and volunteered its services in case of need. Had this company of veterans been called into the field, it would have undoubtedly acquitted itself with credit beside younger men.
After "pension day" a large number usually go out on furlough, and some of them spend their money foolishly. Every effort is made to protect them by the Home management and by the city and county officials, yet "blind pigs" and disreputable places exist and the soldiers find them. The arrest of veterans are made much of by the newspapers and the public, yet the proportion of disorder is small and crimes are seldom committed by members of the Home.
The passing of the veterans of the civil war is only a question of a comparatively few years now, and it is only just that every effort should be made by the government and the citizens of the United States to make these remaining years pleasant -at least to provide all possible comforts and care, when necessary, for these heroes of the past.
[p. 344 Stephen Taft, 1908c]
[p. 345] Chapter XIII Sawtelle
The lands now included in the thriving town of Sawtelle were originally a part of the San Vicente grant. Traces of the old adobe homes of the Sepulvedas; the two springs because of which the names of Santa Monica was bestowed, and of the old burial ground of San Vicente rancho are found here. When in 1896, Messrs, Sherman and Clark acquired the old Los Angeles and Pacific right of way and proposed to build an electric line to the beach, they asked the citizens of Santa Monica and the Jones and Baker interests for a cash subsidy to aid them in their work. In response to this request, Messrs. Jones and Baker donated to the company a tract of 225 acres, now included in the townsite of Sawtelle. Mr. Sherman soon offered to sell the land for cash as he said he couldn't build a railroad with land. Messrs. R.F. Jones and R.C. Gillis purchased this tract, which lay just south of the Soldiers' Home. Up to that time there had been no settlers on this land, the only building being a shack at the railroad crossing which was known as Castle Garden. Messrs. Jones and Gillis considered the possibility of selling this land in small tracts to old soldiers and finally secured from the management of the Home permission for members to build houses and reside outside the reservation without losing their membership in the Home.
In 1896, Rev. S.H. Taft, who had had past experience in building up a town, having been the original proprietor of the beautiful town of Humbolt, Iowa and the founder and first president of the College of Humbolt, located in that town, was invited to inspect the land of the Pacific Land Company. He gave it as his opinion that it would be quite possible to develop a thriving community here, provided water could be obtained. The company was alreaqdy putting down wells and was successful in obtaining a fine flow of water from two wells. They put up a 50,000 gallon tank and began to lay pipes and grade streets. In February, 1897, the company asked Mr. Taft to take charge of the new enterprise upon a commission basis. Mr. Taft consented to do so upon three conditions,-1st, That the company should fix a maximum and minimum price upon all lots and acreage in the plat surveyed; and leave him at liberty to sell within the limits named. 2nd, That he should have absolute control of all sales and that no other parties should be given authority ot make sales; in case of the company selling lands he to receive his commission on same. 3rd, That his control of the enterprise should continue for five years.
Under the agreement Mr. Taft assumed charge and at once began the [p. 346] erection of a cottage and office and the transformation of a barley field into a town. The original plat embraced between two and three hundred acres, unbroken by any road except the electric line. The first work was to make a crossing at Fourth street and a little later to secure the co-operation of Governor Smith at the Soldiers' Home in opening up Fourth street from the Home buildings through the town plat and also the consent of the San Vicente grant owners to continue the road to the public road from Santa Monica to Los Angeles, thus givning a new and better road than had previously been available to the Home grounds. Trees wer set out along Fourth street and other streets were graded and planted with ornamental trees.
[p. 346 First House Erected in Sawtelle, 1897, 1908c]
The office of the company was opened in "Lawn cottage," May 1st, 1897 and almost immediately Mr. Laird completed a building on the block purchased by him at the corner of Oregon and Fourth, the first lots sold on the new town site. Mr. Laird opened here the first grocery store in the settlement.
Mr. Taft at once took steps to secure a school district. He found in the fall of '97 that there were thirteen children of school age, but the law required fifteen before a district could be formed. Matters came to a standstill until Mr. Taft accidently learned of a bee keeper who had a ranch about two miles north of the Soldiers' Home. He at once drove up to the bee ranch and to his delight found that the bee man had four children of the necessary age. The next day Mr. Taft went before the supervisors with his petition and early in 1898 a new school district was set aside and named Barrett district, after Gen. A.W. Barrett, for many years local manager of the Home and an old friend of Mr. R.C. Gillis. A site was selected for a school house and an acre of ground for school purposes was purchased of the company for $150.00. During the summer a school house, 10 by 12 feet in size was erected on the east side of Fourth street and in September, 1898, the first school was opened, with Miss Goldsmith as teacher and with five pupils. Mr. Taft had also begun correspond- [p. 347] ence to secure a post office for the new town. The postal authorities expressed a willingness to establish the post office but objected to the name "Barrett" on account of its similarity to Bassett. Mr. W.E. Sawtelle had lately become interested in the town and his name was suggested; he consented to its use and it was sent on to the authorities who accepted it. This led to the change of name of the school district and town to Sawtelle.
May 25th, 1899, the editor of the Outlook, after a visit to Barrett Villa, writes:
"Barrett is yet an infant in age, it being but twelve months since its lots were placed on the market. But it is a stalwart youth in development and strength. It has several miles of neatly graded streets lined with young palms and other varieties of beautiful trees. It has a church, a model school house, a town hall, a nobby little depot and many beautiful cottages surrounding by well kept grounds.
"Barrett is on the electric car lines fifteen miles from Los Angeles and about three miles from Santa Monica. A spur of of the Southern Pacific system extending to the Home, touches its eastern limits.
"It lies three miles from The Palms and five miles from Ballona. Broad and fertile fields lie around it in all directions and a few miles away is the Sierra Madre range of mountains with its towering cliffs, its rugged gulches and its beautiful canyons. Invigorating ocean breezes tempered by a sweep over the land, give it an irreproachable all the year climate. A broad extent of ocean is visible in one direction, and the city of Los Angeles is in view on the opposite side. Underlying strata at a depth of about 70 feet furnish an inexhaustible supply of pure soft water. The surface soil is perfectly adapted to the growth of lemon and the deciduous fruits, all ornamental trees that adorn Southern California, small fruits, flowering shrubs and plants of every variety, lawns, and garden vegetables.
"Barrett's many advantages are easily set forth. They are:
"Its beautiful location; its accessibility and low rates of fare, either from city or seashore; it[s] pure water supply; its adaptibility to vegetable growth of every character; its school and church priviledges.
"The moderate price asked for building sites and acreage and the liberal terms of payment granted; its peculiar and unequaled climatic advantages; its proximity to one of the most interesting National institutions-the Veteran's Home, with its 2000 members. Several prominent citizens both of Los Angeles and Santa Monica have already purchased lots here and will at once begin improvements upon them. Among these is Mr. Sawtelle of the latter place, who has already beautified a block on one of the principal streets."
The Pacific Land Company had fixed the prices for land at from $80 to $100 for inside lots; $150 to $200 for corner lots and acreage from $150 to $200. A considerable number of old soldiers availed themselves of these prices [p. 348] to obtain lots or acreage, many of them buying on the installment plan and paying as their pension money came in. It was noticeable that some men who had hitherto squandered their money on dissipation now purchased land and became valuable citizens. Many families of veterans and widows also secured little homes here. Mr. Taft wrote a series of articles for the press setting forth the opportunities offered in the new settlement for obtaining homes and also sent out many circulars which attracted attention. As the town has grown and increased in population, values have also increased very rapidly. Many of the original settlers have now disappeared, having sold out to advantage, or lost their holdings. The town was within the mile and a half limit for saloons imposed by the government for the Soldiers' Home, therefore no saloons could be legally maintained within it. This was also an inducement to early settlers.
[p. 348 Sawtelle Public School, Sawtelle, 1908c]
During 1899 a school house was built on the land purchased for the school at a cost of $600. This original building is included in the present building which has been erected at different times as the room was required. July 4th, 1899, the name of the town was formally changed to Sawtelle. At the same time a flag was raised on a sixty foot pole, erected in the park, which was given the name of Gillis park. A school bell which had been purchased by the contributions of the Pacific Land Company and many citizens and soldiers, was put in place and rung for the first time.
[p. 349] The electric people had erected a neat depot and the Holiness church had secured a building on lots at the corner of Second street and Indiana avenue; a number of cottages had been erected and several stores had been opened; among the first merchants were Mr. Shull of the Shull Hardware store; F. B. McComas; Farley Brothers and Wyant, who built Wyant hall.
During 1899, Mr. W.E. Sawtelle became interested in the Pacific Land Company and in 1900 he superseded Mr. Taft as manager of the company and has since been the chief spirit in the various improvements and the steady advance made by the town of Sawtelle.
At the begining of 1901 about one hundred faimilies had located within the limits of the new town and ten new houses were then in course of construction. Two churches, the Holiness and the Free Methodist had been organized and the Holiness people had secured lots and erected a chapel. The town had a full complement of business houses and the volume of business was surprisingly large. During the year several new blocks were laid out and many sidewalks were laid, streets graded and other improvements made. In February, 1901, the Pacific Veteran-Enterprise, was founded by Mr. A.A. Bynon, who later sold the plant to Mr. Fitzgerald. In April, 1902, Miss Susie Pierson Miller became the editor, a position which she still fills.
The fact that water could be obtained almost anywhere in the vicinity of the town by putting down a well and that the soil was fertile and easily worked, made it possible for purchasers of acreage, or even of lots, to raise garden stuff, potatoes, small fruits, and so on, to advantage; while every house is surrounded by flowers and shrubbery. The raising of beans has proved most profitable. Almost every property owner in the vicinity of Sawtelle finds it posible to make a living at least, off from a very small tract of land. This has been the chief reason for the rapid settlement of this locality. The Lindsey tract of 100 acres, the Pacific Farms tract and later the Artesian tract have been added to the original town site of Sawtelle, thus largely increasing its acreage. In 1902 the population was estimated at 500 and more school room became necessary. Bonds to the amount of #4,500 were voted for an addition to the building.
In 1903 The Pacific Land Company built a two story brick building, which contained several stores. In March, the Santa Monica Bank opened its Sawtelle branch in one of these rooms under the management of Mr. Schuyler Cole. The Sawtelle Water Company was incorporated this year with W.E. Sawtelle, W.T. Gillis, J.E. Miles, B.A. Nebeker and A.M. Jameson as directors.
1904 opened with a sensational bank robbery and a destructive fire which, on January 27th swept away several buildings on Fourth street. This year C. B. Irvine started the Sawtelle Sentinel, an enterprising weekly, which is now published by Henry Schultz. The town was now well equipped with religious organizations, the Baptists, Methodists, Christian, and Seventh Day Adventists having formed churches. A Women's Christian Temperance Union, and a [p. 350] number of Lodges and Orders had organizations also. The town had now acquired such a population and importance that its citizens began to discuss the propriety of incorporation. Fire protection was needed and some better method of controlling the influx of gamblers and "blind pigs" which had followed Santa Monica's house cleaning efforts. The matter was discussed for more than a year before any decisive action was taken. The Sawtelle Improvement Association was formed during the year and took an active part in the effort to secure incorporation. At a mass meeting held January 6th, 1905, W.B.B. Taylor, S.H. Taft, O.W. Jewett, Henry Schulz and others urged the matter. The question came to a vote on August 15th, 1905 and was lost by a vote of 79 for to 130 against. A good deal of feeling and excitement arose over the result. It was proposed that Sawtelle seek annexation with Santa Monica, since she would not establish an adequate government of her own. Petitions to this effect were circulated and the idea was discussed by the Improvement Association; but nothing further came of the proposition.
In 1906 the question of incorporation was again opened. Sawtelle now had a population of 1500 and the necessity for a better form of government was pressing. After a public meeting where the pros and cons were fully discussed, officiers for the new town were nominated and on November 16th, 1906 another vote was taken which resulted 241 votes for incorporation and 58 against it. The trustees chosen were C.J. Nellis, chairman; E.E. Mudge, F.C. Langdon, J.E. Osburne and A.J. Stoner; clerk, Leroy Fallis; treasurer, George W. Wiseman; marshal, J.P. Keener; W.B.B. Taylor was appointed city attorney and O.W. Jewett was appointed city recorder. The incorporation included a territory a mile square and extending to the town limits of Santa Monica on the west. The new government has not been able to entirely satisfy all and there has been talk among the dis-satisfied of dis-incorporation; but this is merely talk and the town will continue to advance-not retrograde.
During 1906 Mr. F.E. Bundy erected a handsome two-story brick building on Oregon avenue and several other business blocks were added. The Citizens State Bank was established in 1906, its officers being R.F. McClellan, president; W.E. Sawtelle, vice-president; H.W. Crane, cashier; directors, R.F. McClellan, L.D. Loomis, J.L Brady, D.L. Allen. Many pretty residences were built and the town made rapid advance. The opening up of the Westgate section and the building of the Westgate branch of the electric line brought rapid development in that direction.
Naturally the location of Sawtelle in close proximity to the Soldiers' Home has been an important factor in its subsequent growth. As the nearest business point a portion of large sums annually distributed as pensions is spent among its business houses, and the traffic and trade of the veterans and their friends has formed a solid basis for the prosperity of the town, which now numbers about 2,000 inhabitants.
[p. 351 A.H. Wyant, 1908c]
[p. 352] First Baptist Church
November 5th, 1901 a meeting was held in Wyant's hall for the purpose of organizing a Baptist church in Sawtelle. After prayer by Rev. E.K. Cooper, a veteran A.A. Bynon was elected chairman and T.R. Gabel, clerk. Sixteen persons then enrolled their names as members. Arrangements were at once made for the first service, which was held in Wyant's hall, Sunday morning, November 10th, Rev. George Taylor of Pasadena, officiating, and preaching to an interested congregation. The following Sunday the first converts, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Cox were baptized, this being the first time the ordinance was administered. On December 1st permanent organization was effected and Rev. George Taylor became pastor in charge. A.H. Wyant and S.S. Sprague were the first deacons and A.A. Bynon, J.W. Cox, F. Peaslee, W.E. Haskins, J.B. Goff wer the first trustees. The first church clerk, T.R. Gabel, was then postmaster and station agent of the Los Angeles-Pacific road. His efficient services in the early history of the church were of great value. His promotion to the position of general manager of the electric road, removed a valuable member from this church. May 8th, 1902, the organization was incorporated and immediately purchased lots on the corner of Sixth street and Oregon avenue. On July 4th, 1902, Pastor Taylor hauled the first load of brick for the foundation from Inglewood in his buggy. Work was at once begun upon the structure which was completed and dedicated during the years.
[p. 352] Palms
Palms is located five miles east of Santa Monica on land formerly a part of La Balllona grant. In early days this section was used as grazing land for sheep and cattle by the Machados. After the building of the Los Angeles and Independence railway a section house was located here which was known as "Grasshopper station." In the seventies the store of Saenz & Higuera was established at what is now First and Washington streets, Palms, and was known as the "Half-way house." Here a postoffice known as Machado was located for many years. This was the first business and is now the oldest business establishment of Palms. Mr. Saenz purchased a considerable tract of land in the vicinity and was one of the first ranchers of the neighborhood. Other ranchers who located here in the later seventies or early eighties were Isaac Beyer, and George Rose, son of Anderson Rose, who was the first American settler on La Ballona and was, for many years, an extensive rancher, carrying on a large dairy farm and raising blooded stock. Enoch Griffin, George Charnock, Mrs. Eliza Hoke, Gilbert Kidson, Professor J.M. Coyner [p. 353] and other farmers located in this vicinity in the eighties. With the approach of the boom other lands were sold to newcomers and in 1887 Messrs. E.H. Sweetser and Joseph Curtis bought a tract of 560 acres and at once laid out the townsite of "Palms." They began making improvements and a local paper describes the situaton thus:
"The local of this paper the other day had a look at the 'Palms,' an incipient town on the line of the S.P. road, some five miles from Santa Monica. It is no longer a misnomer as the proprietors have planted two large palms near the depot and some 160 plants on the various driveways. A force is grading the streets and we are told that it is the intention to plant all the avenues with shade trees of various kinds. The large reservoir which holds 150,000 gallons, is completed and a prospect hold has been sunk to test the water supply beneath the ground. A large quantitiy of water has been found and a well 6 by 10 feet will be dug, so as to place the pump near the water. A large steam pump will make it easy to lift the water up to the reservoir, which is placed on an elevation, from which there will be good pressure over the entire township. Quite a lot of property has been sold, and six houses, including a store room, have been built. "
A very lively real estate campaign followed. The Woman's Ballona Company was organized in May, 1889, to buy, improve and sell lands of the Palms district, the directors being Mrs. Ella L. Baxter, Miss Florence Dunham, Florencne A. Barnes, Mrs. Jane Pascoe and Mrs. Isabel Cook, all of Los Angeles. They had a capital stock of $14,400, but nothing is said of the amount actually paid in. Another womena's organization which was ambitious for those days was the "Women's Palms Syndicate," which proposed to acquire, improve and sell certain lands in Palms and which numbered among its directors some well-known Los Angeles women of the time.
Messrs. Sweetzer and Curtis were more successful in their promotion than many of the boomers of that day. They struck an abundant supply of water and the soil of the lands included in the townsite was responsive to water and labor. Mr. Curtis erected a handsome house which was soon surrounded by beautiful grounds. A school district was formed and a $10,000 school house was put up. A neat hotel, known as Palms Villa was built. This building is now the residence of Mr. E.M. Kimball. St. Augustin's, a pretty Castholic chapel, had been put up in 1887 to accommodate the people of Ballona; a Congregational church was built anbd the United Brethren erected a neat little church. The Southern Pacific added a neat depot for the thriving little settlement. Although the collapse of the boom retarded the growth of Palms, it did not cease to exist, like many other communities.
In 1895 considerable improvement was made in the quiet little town by [p. 355] the erection of several new residences and an influx of new residents. About this time a rural delivery route was started out from Palms. One of the first agents was Mrs. George Lyons, who worked up a fine route. She was succeeded by A.F. Bryant who extended the delivery system until it covered a route of twenty-five miles with list of 800 patrons. The extension of Los Angeles city boundaries has materially affected the territory of the Palms postoffice, however.
[p. 354 O.W. Jewett, 1908c]
The building of a branch of the Los Angeles-Pacific road through Palms in 1902 gave new life to the town. Within a short time twenty new families had moved in and since that date progress has been rapid. The Palms Light and Water Company was incorporated with W.R. Wheat, C.N. Gare, M.R. King, A.J. Forbel, F.B. Clark, Jr., J.B. Valla, E.S. Shanks, as directors, and purchased a tract of 379 acres to furnish a water supply for domestic purposes and for irrigation. During 1901, F.E. Schueddig had begun on a small scale the manufacture of eucalyptus oil and produced a triple distilled article which was unequalled on the market. In 1906 he put up a new building for his manufactory, which is now shipping eucalyptus products to all parts of the United States.
The year 1907 has been marked by a strong advance, a re-awakening, as it were, of the quiet village. Early in January a Chamber of Commerce was organized with C.N. Cary, president; S.C. Perrine, secretary; Arthur J. Stinton, teasurer. January 22nd was a memorable day because of the banquet tendered the new organization by C.N. Gary, at the Ship hotel, Cabrillo, Venice. One hundred and seventy-two men sat down to the feast and listened to stirring talk on the furture development of Palms. The Palms News, a neatly printed and lively sheet, sent out its frist number December 22, 1906, S.C. Perrie and W.G. Rennie, proprietors. The paper is now printed in the establishment of King, Geach & Co., which is doing a large job printing business. A neat one-story brick building has been erected for this company and is now occupied by them as a printing plant In August a branch of the Citizens State Bank of Sawtelle was opened in Palms, located first in the office of I.C. Butler, but, on the completion of a handsome two-story brick building by the Woodmen of the World, the bank movied into a corner room especially arranged for its use. The building contains a fraternal hall and two store rooms besides a number of offices upstairs. Several other business buildings and a number of residences have been erected since the beginning of 1906.
[p. 356, Edwin W. Dike, 1908c]
Biographies p. 357
[p. 357] Edwin W. Dike, retired, a highly esteemed citizen of Santa Monica, is a native of Vermont, born in the town of Chittenden, Rutland County, February, 10th, 1820. He is the son of Dan Dike, a native of the same town and a farmer by occupation, living there the greater portion of his life, subsequently removing to St. Lawrence County, N.Y., where he died at the age of about eighty-three years. The father of Dan Dike, Jonathan Alexander Dike, was a native of Tolland, Conn. and his father was a Revolutionary soldier. Mr. Dike's maternal grandfather was Thomas Mitchell, who lived in Taunton, Mass., then a suburb but now a part of the city of Boston. Mr. Dike's maternal great grandfather was a Howard by birth, a Scotchman, but by choice and instinct an American patriot. He was an active member of the historic "Boston Tea Party" that indignantly threw overboard quantities of tea from a merchant vessel into the waters of Boston harbor in 1774 because of the arbitrary and unjust taxation of the English government.
Edwin W. Dike was reared on the home farm, received an excellent education in local publc schools and finished at Burr Seminary, Manchester, Vt. From the farm he went into a general store in Brandon, Vt., where he spent four years and acquired a practical knowledge of business methods. Later he took up mechanics, became a wood and iron worker and held a responsible position in the shops of the Rutland & Burlington Ry. Co. for six years, later became assistant master mechanic of the Burlington division of the same road for four years. He then purchased an interest in the Cove Machine Company, at Providence, R. I., and assumed management of the same, making a speciality of the manufacture of calico printing and bleaching machinery. By reason of failing health he disposed of his interests and in 1857 came west to Faribault, Rice County , Minn., where, with the accumulation of past years of enterprise and industry, he embarked in the money loaning business. He also acted as purchasing agent for a Baltimore house, extensive exporters of ginsing to China and for them did a large business. The country was then new and infested with bands of hostile and warlike Sioux Indians. During the historic Indian uprisings throughout west and northwest Minnesota, in 1863-in which upwards of seven hundred white men, women and children were massacred-Mr. Dike took an active part in the defense of the settlers and in the final punishment of the murderous savages. After the battle of Wood Lake, about four hundred of these Indians were taken as prisoners to Mankato and there tried by court martial. Two [p. 358] hundred of them were convicted and condemned to death. After a careful and deliberate review of the case by President Lincoln, he decided that forty of them should be hung. By reason of extenuating circumstances two of the forty were finally reprieved, and Mr. Dike was appointed one of the citizen marshals to execute these thirty-eight Sioux warriors at Mankato. This unpleasant duty was promptly performed according to law. They were all hanged until dead at one and the same time from one gallows.
Later, for a time, Mr. Dike assumed management of a flour mill, the property of a cousin, Major W.H. Dike-Major of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He was a pioneer mill owner of the great west, and among the first to ship flour to the eastern markets from the State of Minnesota. In 1873 Mr. Dike was appointed Treasurer of the State of Minnesota by Governor Horace Austin to take the place of a defaulting treasurer, and removed to St. Paul, the state capital. Upon assuming charge of the state treasury, Mr. Dike evolved and put into use an entirely new system of bookkeeping, by which he was enabled to determine the nominal condition of the state finances at the close of each day's business and make technically accurate balances of all his accounts at the end of every month. These reports were published in the leading newspapers of the state. He was the first state treasurer to deposit the state's funds in national banks, receiving interest on daily balances, a new source of revenue to the state which, during his administration, amounted to about $9.000.
At the time of the historic Jay Cook failure, which precipitated a financial panic thoughout the country, Mr. Dike assured his bankers that the state's funds-upwards of three quarters of a million dollars-would remain with them on deposit. This declaration effectually restored confidence and safely held the impending crisis in check at St. Paul, the then financial center of the great Northwest.
During the term of one year's incumbency by appointment, Mr. Dike inaugurated other salutary reforms and discharged the duties of the office with such marked ability and fidelity at to demand by the people, his election to succeed himself. At the solicitation of his friends he ran as an independent reform ticket and the following editorial paragraph that appeared in the St. Paul Daily Pioneer Press, published prior to holding the Republican convention, expresses the sentiments published in many other leading newspapers throughout the state:
"There seems to be a universal sentiment favoring Mr. E.W. Dike, the present incumbent for treasurer. He took possession of the office when its affairs were in a most disorganized condition, and when he was hampered by newly passed, untried and seemingly contradictory laws, and in a very short time brought order out of chaos. His sole desire seems to be to do his duty as he interprets this duty in the interests of the state and not to meet the exigencies of a speculative relationship. The trreasury needs the guidance of (what Mr. Dike is) an honest man. He has to a wonderful degree the confidence of the people and [p.359] we shall be greatly disappointed in the wisdom and good sense of the Convention if it fails to nominate him by acclamation. No name could add more strength to the ticket."
Mr. Dike's friends loyally supported him, purely by the reason of the enviable record he had made as a faithful and able public servant, for his strict integrity and his splendid personality. After one of the most momentous and memorable campaigns in the history of the state, he was elected over his Republican opponent by a majority of four thousand votes while the balance of the Republican ticket was elected by a majority of eight thousand. This was a great personal triumph for Mr.Dike. He served under the administration of three governors of Minnesota-Horace Austin, Cushman K. Davis and John S. Pillsbury.
During his incumbency as state treasurer, Mr. Dike married Mrs. Julia C. Smith, nee Robinson, of Woodstock, Ill., a daughter of David W. Robinson, a prominent citizen of that city. She is a lady of charming social attainments and foremost in all worthy charitable work. They resided in Woodstock from 1876 to 1899. In 1883 Mr. Dike was appointed by President Arthur one of three United States Commissioners to inspect the western one hundred and fifty miles of the Santa Fe Railroad, then terminating at Needles, California. After performing this duty, he traveled somewhat in the state, visiting Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and other cities. He returned to Woodstock and there remained until 1899 and in 1900 he permanently came to Santa Monica, where he has made substantial investments. He is a stockholder in the Santa Monica Investmeent Co., one of the strong financial institutions of the city and is (1908) its vice president.
Mr. Dike is a man of high ideals and strong personality inherited from a sturdy ancestry that dates back to the early history of this country, and rounded out by a long and eventful career of individual endeavor. He is one of Santa Monica's most substantial and loyal citizens. Hale and hearty at the age of eighty-eight, he has retired from active business and enjoys the personal confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends. Mrs. Dike is active in social and club circles and lends her influence to all worhty charitable movements. Their home, Violet Cottage, is one of the many pretty residences of Santa Monica, and is located at No. 1138 Third Street.
[p. 359] Joseph H. Clark wa born in Corning, N.Y., and there grew to vigorous young manhood, forming the foundaiton of what was destinted to be a brilliant business career. Feeling that his native town did not offer sufficient inducements to a young man starting out in life, Mr. Clark sought a broader field for his labors, and removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, which place has been the scene of his acitve business career. Beginning with less than two hundred dollars in cash, Mr. Clark, through unremitting industy, rare good judgement and in [p.360] sight into affairs of a business nature, amassed a considerable fortune in a comparatively short period of time. He ecame closely connected with several of the banks, also the great milling corporations of the city. He was one of the organizers of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce and retained his membership in this institution until his removal from Minneapolis.
Mr. Clark retired from active business life in 1892 and became a resident of Santa Monica in 1894 where he and his family have since resided, having built a home on the corner of Fifth Street and Nevada Avenue.
He has always taken a strong interest in the welfare of Santa Monica. It was through his, and Mrs. Clark's efforts, that the Carnegie Free Public Library were secured and located on the corner of Fifth Street and Oregon Avenue in 1903. Mr. Clark placed a fine Esty pipe organ in the First Presbyterian Church, corner of Third Street and Arizona Avenue, in 1907, in memory of his son. He is one of the stockholders and directors of the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Los Angeles.
[p.360] Archie F. Johnston, late a prominent and successful merchant, Santa Monica, was a native of Pittsburg, Pa., born January 12th, 1863, a son of John M. Johnston, a farmer by occupation, now retired from active business. His mother was Mary A. Forrister, a daughter of Archibald Forrister, of Edinburgh, Scotland. He was a shipbuilder by trade in Pittsburg, Pa., with a home at Bakerstown, then a suburb, where the subject of this sketch was born. About 1873, the famitly moved to Peoria, Ill., and near the city owned and lived on what was known as the Hickory Grove Farm. They came to California in April, 1886 and located in Santa Monica. Here, Mr. Johnston found employment as salesman for H.A. Winslow, who then engaged in the grocery business. Later he became manager for Mrs. M.E. Chapin who was, for several years, a leading merchant in Santa Monica. He occupied this position for seven years and then, associated with Mr. George Baum, purchased the business. The business was conducted for two years under the firm name of Johnston & Baum. In 1900 Mr. Johnston became sole ownerr and as such build up an extensive and profitable business. In September, 1906, the concern was incoorporated as the A.P. Johnston Company, of which Mr. Johnston was president, C.W. Rogers, vice president, Harry Cowles, secretary. The firm removed to the Johnston Building, Mr. Johnston's personal property, in January, 1906.
By reason of impaired health, incident to many years of close attention to business, Mr. Johnston at this time practically retired from active management of the company's affaris and indulged in a needed rest. In March, 1908, he left home to make a trip into Josephine Country, Oregon, to look after some acquired mining interests. While nearing his journey's end, in crossing the rapids of the Illinois River, the boat became unmanageable, capsized and he met an untimely death by drowning. The sad intelligence of this catastrophe reached the family the following day and greatly shocked the entire communtiy [p. 361] where he was so widely and popularly known. After a most diligent search for just a month the body was recovered, but in such a condition as to render burial at home impossible. In the death of Archie F. Johnston, Santa Monica sustained a loss of one of her most substantial, popular and useful citizens-a loss which, at the time, seemed irreparable.
In 1890 Mr. Johnston married Miss Katherine I., a daughter of Thomas Elliott, one of Santa Monica's best known and highly respected pioneers. Mr. Johnston assiduously devoted himself to the building up of a very substantial business and a comfortable estate. His social temperament, courteous manner, and keen sense of honor made his friends legion and extended his popularity as a merchant and citizen. For four years, from 1903 to 1907, inclusive, he served on the Santa Monica City Board of Trustees and proved a most energetic, faithful and progressive servant of the people, his policy and efforts meeting the unqualified and heart endorsement of the public. Mr. Johnston was a charter member of the B.P.O.E. and of the K. of P. Santa Monica lodges. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Fraternal Brotherhood and Maccabees. He was also an active and influential membe of the Santa Monica Board of Trade.
[p. 361] George H. Hutton [1870- ], Judge of the Superior Court of the State of California in and for Los Angeles County, elected in November, 1906, is a product of the frigid north where his childhood was spent as a ward of his uncle, Reverend George H. Bridgman, President of Hamline University, St. Paul Minnesota, at which institution he received his academic education. At the State University of Minnesota he received his legal education and was from there admitted to practice in 1893 and the same year became the assistant attorney or general trial lawyer for the Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad, which position he held until his removal to California in 1897, when he located and engaged in the practice of his profession in Santa Monica. He had, up to the time of his elevation to the bench, been actively engaged in his profession and had attained more than ordinary success as a lawyer, being widely known in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California. He was for several years the general attorney for the vast and varied interests of Ex-Senator John P. Jones, and attorney and trustee under the will of the late Andrew J.W. Keating, who left a fortune which during Judge Hutton's trusteeship has increased in bulk from less than a quarter million to nearly two million dollars.
He has been an extensive traveler and knows the American continent better than most men and is at home evrywhere from Alaska, where he caught trout, to Washington, D.C., where he has appeared as attorney before the United States Supreme Court.
He believes in the great west, its present and future and has contributed to various well known western magazines and other publications-to Out West, [p. 362] The West Coast, Pacific Monthly-his favorite themes being "California Missions," "Early Religions," "Education" and "Agriculture." He is a public speaker of note and his oration at the funeral of Senator Patton, at Ocean Park, in December of 1906, was a classic in all that the word implies.
He is a prominent member of the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks; of religious and public spirit, ever ready to give his energetic support to any movement tending to the betterment of [sic] improvement of the religous, moral and municipal conditions of the community.
Judge Hutton possesses ability, dignity, firmness and courage, and is clear and direct in his statements; his decisions are well considered and he has by these qualities and his uniform courtesy and patience earned the good will and confidence of the members of the Los Angeles bar; while on the bench he is quiet and reserved and conducts his court with dignity. In chambers he is genial, cordial and approachable and in private life social and friendly. He will be thirty-seven years old August 5th of this year (1907).
In 1897 he was united in marriage to Dolores Egleston, a daughter of S.J. Egleston, one of the founders of the City of Spencer, Clay County, Iowa. They have one son, George Robert Egleston Hutton, eight years old, the pride of his parents and the central attraction of a home that Judge Hutton finds to be the brightest spot on earth and where he spends his leisure hours to the exclusion of society or politics. He is a man of stern and strict habits whose life is dominated by two leading desires-first, to enjoy his home and family and second, to succeed in his profession. He is possessed of a most unusual memory and rarely forgets the doctrine of any case he has once studied. Since his elevation to the bench he has impressed the bar and the public with his persistent and untiring diligence, with his keen analysis of facts, his clear perception of the truth and his tireless search for every possible legal principle that might aid him in reaching a correct and accurate conclusion.
[p. 362] Rev. Patrick Hawe [1847-]. parish priest of Santa Monica, was born at the home farm of John and Bridget (Feehan) Hawe, County Kilkenny, Ireland, in the year 1847, one of seven children. At sixteen years of age he was sent to the Classical Academy of the Carmelites, from which he graduated three years later. He then took a five years' course of study in All Hallows College, Dublin, Ireland, and graduated from the Department of Philosophy and Theology in the year 1872. The ordination service consecrating him to the priesthood took place June 24th, 1872, at All Hallows and was presided over by Bishop Whalen, Bishopof Bombay, India. He came at once to California and was appointed to the dioceses of Monterey and Los Angeles. For two months he assisted in the San Bernardino parish and for a year following was stationed at San Buena Ventura, followed by one year in the parish of San Luis Obispo. Subsequently, he spent nine years under the late lamented Father Joaquin Adam, V.G., at the Church of the Holy Cross, Santa Cruz. After a year as assistant to Father Villa, at Santa Barbara, he returned to San Bernardino for a similar period. From there he was stationed at St. Boniface parish, Anaheim, and while here erected the parochial residence. In May, 1886, he was appointed rector at Santa Monca church. Santa Monica was, at that time, a small town of about nine hundred people and the church had never had a resident priest., the work having been sustained by itinerant priests. Under Father Hawe's ministrations the parish has become one of thrift and importance. He has made material improvements in the church ediface, and he built the present parochial residence. The splendid Academy of the Holy Names was built in 1900 and dedicated February 22nd, 1901. In 1886, the parish at the Palms was organized and the present church edifice was erected by Father Hawe. He attended to the neeeds of the congregation until 1904, when it was made a mission church of the new parish of Ocean Park, for which Rev. M.L. Hennesy is rector. Father Hawe also held sevices at the Soldiers' Home in the early days of that institution, meeting in the old Assembly Hall. Later he effected a church organization there and erected a church edifice with funds supplied by the government. In the summer of 1902, Father Hawe held the first Catholic services at Ocean Park. Having no church edifice his people convened in the then Kinney Hall. In 1904 he built the present spacious and imposing church, and upon its completion placed it under the control of Rev. M.L. Hennesy, who organized the parish. Thus Father Hawe has devoted the best thirty-six years of his life to the spiritual uplifting and well being of his people in and about Santa Monica where he has drawn about himself a wide circle of friends.
[p. 363] Charles E. Towner [1849- ], one of the active, well-kown and successful pioneers of Santa Monica, is a native of Michigan, born at Homer, December 2nd, 1849. His father was John M. Towner, a native of North Adams, Berkshire County, Mass., and his mother was Emily D. Robinson, born and reared in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Towner raised a family of five children-Henry C., born at Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, N.Y., May 2nd, 1842; entered United States army in 1862 from Manhattan, Kansas, served in Trans-Mississippi Department, came to California in 1883 and is now a resident of Towner Heights. William E., born at Ballston Spa, N.Y., November 28th, 1843, entered U.S. Army in 1862, served in Trans-Mississippi Department; died in Kansas City in 1897; Mary E., born in Homer, Michigan, January 19th, 1846, died, single, at Santa Monica, in 1898. H.D., born at Batavia, Kane County, Ill., August 8th, 1852, now residing in Oklahoma.
Charlie E. Towner, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth of the family. He was born at Homer, Michigan, December 2nd, 1849. From 1851 to 1860 the family lived at Batavia, Ill., and then came west to Kansas where they lived in Manhattan until 1878 when they removed to Colorado, locating on the Platte [p. 364] River at Buffalo Station-about forty miles west of Denver on the Rio Grande Railway. Here they lived until 1883 and then came to Santa Monica. Mr. Towner bought twenty acres of land of Judge Lucas which he improved and sold. Later he purchased twenty-four acres in the same vicinity at $300.00 an acre, which was regarded at that time as a fair price. In 1903 he, in company with W.A. Erwin, purchased three hundred acres of land comprising what is now known as Erwin Heights, promoted the Erwin Heights Land & Water Company, developed water in abundance, laid about twelve miles of water pipe and platted Erwin Heights. Mr. Towner also platted and piped water for the Towner Terrace Tract, of about one hundred acres, and made other substantial improvements. Mr. Towner was the first settler in this now delightful terrace country and has ever been in the lead in the matter of local improvements. This country was originally open and devoid of trees and foliage of any kind, whereas the broad avenues are all lined on either side with tall and stately shade trees, the result of Mr. Towner's personal energy and artistic thrift, which makes Towner Terrace one of the most attractive and homelike residence tracts on the coast. Of the Towner Terrace, about one-half is sold off, and a large amont of money has been expended on streets and water system. Mr. Towner has associated with him other men of large capital and experience in the development of the enterprise.
The present Mrs. Towner was Mary E., a daughter of Robert Dobson, a California pioneer and resident of Towner Terrace. Mr. and Mrs. Towner have one son, Charles E., Jr. Mr. Towner has two children by a former marriage C.C. Towner, District Attorney at Abilene, Kansas, and Mrs. Daisy B, Stroup, of Santa Monica, California.
General William E. Towner, the progenitor of this branch of the Towners, was born in Massachusetts in 1758. He studied for a physician and served as assistant sugeon and surgeon in Washington's army in the Revolution. He afterwards settled in North Adams, Mass., and married Lurana Chadwick, mother to Charles E. Towner's father. He was successively Justice of the Peace, physician, Brigadier General of Massachusets Militia, and, in 1812, was appointed Major General of Massachusetts troops. He would hve taken the field in 1813 but was taken sick and died at Pownall, Vermont, January 12th, 1813.
[p. 364] W.E. Sawtelle [1850- ], a quiet and genial citizen of the city that, by reason of his unique personality and popularity took unto itself his name, is a native of the town of Norridgewock, Maine, and was born August, 1850. His ancestors were Hueguenots who fled from France upon the revocation of the Edict of Nantes and sought refuge in England. Later generations came to America and became pioneers of Massachusetts. Richard Sawtelle was a native of Groton, Mass. Closely following the American Revolution he settled in Norridgewock, Someset County, Maine, when that county was a virgin forest dominated by Indians. [p. 365] George Sawtelle was a son of Richard, and was born and grew up at Norridgewock. He became a merchant and man of affairs in his native town where he was for about twenty years postmaster, having received his appointment of President Lincoln in 1861. He there married Sarah Peet, who was also a native of Norridgewock. She was a daught of Re. Josiah Peet, a minister of the Congregational Church. George and Sarah Sawtelle had three sons and a daughter. One son Dr. F.G. Sawtelle, is a prominent physician of Providence, R.I. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War as a member of the Third Maine Battery. F.J. Sawtelle is an architect and lives at Providence, R.I. The daughter is Mr. M.S. Hopkins, who lives in the old homestead at Norridgewock, Maine.
W.E. Sawtelle grew up in Norridgewock and at nineteen years of age went to Worcester, Mass., and became a member of the mercantile firm of The Sanford-Sawtelle Company, dealers in books and manufacturers of blank books, the business having been founded in 1835. It was one of the oldest established houses of that wealthy old city. He was associated with this concern for a period of about twenty-seven years.
Mr. Sawtelle married Miss Mary Wheeler and they have two daughters, Katherine and Barbara. In 1896 Mr. Sawtelle, with his family, came to California. In 1899 Mr. Sawtelle became part owner and an officer of the Pacific Land Company, the promoters of the then embryo town of Barrett Villa. Mr. Sawtelle assumed the business management of the new enterprise and by reason of his splendid qualities of mind and heart became exceedingly poupular with the people. He was soon elected president of his company. He organized and was made president of the Sawtelle Water Company, and in fine was ever alert for the promotion of any and all enterprise looking to the betterment of his city.
In the year 1900 application to the United States postal authorities was made for the establishment of a postoffice at Barrett. The name being so similar to that of Bassett P.O. in this state, the department wished another name, and the wishes of its people centered on their chief citizen as a fitting evidence of the high esteem in which he was held.
[p. 365] William Jackson [1852- ], one of th early pioneers of Santa Monica, was born in Yorkshire, England, September 27th, 1852. He was a son of Richard Jackson, a tailor by trade and occupation. He came to America in the year 1855 and located about forty miles northeast of Toronto, Canada, in the town of Peel. Later the family went to Detroit, Michigan, where the father died leaving the widow and two sons of whom William was the youngest. They soon thereafter went to Oil City, Penna., where Mrs. Jackson married John A. Donald, a Scotchman who in 1875 with the family came to Santa Monica. At the auction sale of lots in the then new townsite, young Jackson purchased Lot S., Block 194, now No. 134 North Fifth Street (old number) and still owns the same. He also owns five acres of the Old Lucas Tract on Front, now Fremont Street, opposite [p. 366] Twelfth, which is his present home, one of the most sightly and pleasant family homes in the city.
John A. Donald became a well known and useful citizen of Santa Monca. From 1877 to 1883 he was the efficient local agent for the Jones & Baker interests. He died in 1886, highly respected and lamented by a wide circle of friends and business acquaintances. Mrs, Donald survived until 1899,
Mr. Jackson married in Santa Monica in 1891, Miss Amy, a daughter of R.D. Saunders, now of the Los Angels Times editorial staff, and they have one daughter, Dorothy S., an efficient teacher in the Santa Monica public schools and two sons, Lawrence R. and Leland W. Mr. Jackson took an active part in local affairs of the new town of Santa Monica. He may be regarded as one of the founders of the first fire department of the town, since he and the late Robert Eckert agitated the subject for nearly two years and finally induced the city trustees to provide a hose cart and a hook and ladder truck. The first fire company was duly organized with twenty-two volunteers who served without pay. Mr. Jackson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
[p.366] George D. Snyder [1959- ]. The history of the Santa Monica Bay cities would not be regarded as complete without including a brief sketch at least of the life of George D. Snyder, who for more than two decades has been one of the most enterprising and successful citizens of the Bay Coast country.
Mr. Snyder is a descendent of Holland Dutch ancestors who emigrated to America antedating the Revolutionary War, settled in New Jersey, and later removed to Seneca County, New York. The head of this family was George W. Snyder. During the war with England he served as a scout under General Washington and endured many hardships.
Porter Snyder, a son of George W. Snyder, was born in Seneca County, New York, was there engaged in farming and while still a young man, moved to Calhoun, Michigan, located new land, which he improved, and also engaged in the building businesses at Marshall. He also served one term as sherff of Calhoun County. At the time of his death he was sixty-two years of age. After the death of his first wife (by whom he had two sons now living) he married Sarah Jane Eddy, a native of Calhoun County, Michigan, still living in Marshall. In the family of Porter and Sarah Jane Snyder were three sons and one daughter. Two of the sons-George D., the subject of this sketch, and W.P. are contractors at Ocean Park, California.
George D. Snyder was born near Marshall, Michigan, April 12th, 1859. In boyhood he learned the carpenter's trade in the shops of the Michigan Central Railroad. Later he followed mill-wrighting until 1886, when he came to California and entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Ry. Co. as foreman in their building department, having charge of repair work and erections of buildings. Later he was made storekeeper for the track, bridge and building departments with headquarters in San Bernardino.
{p. 367] After the great strike of 1894 he resigned his position and reomoved to Los Angeles to take up general contracting and building. In 1899 he located at Ocean Park, then known as South Santa Monica, and entered actively into building and became associated with various public movements for the development and building up of tha now beautiful section of Santa Monica city. He has erected upwards of four hundred and twenty-five cottages, residences and other buildings, forty-five of which were built in 1901. During that year he also erected the Hotel Savoy, then the Holborrow Hotel at a cost of $10,000, closing the work in twenty-four days, with forty-eight men on the job the last week. The rapidity and thoroughness of the work elicited general comment as a "record breaker." His efficiency and thoroughness has bought to him an extensive business. Frequently he is called to Los Angeles and other cities to erect houses and public buildings. Mr. Snyder is gifted with a true mechanical genius and masters the various complicated problems of his work without difficulty. He is his own architect, a fact which enables him to give his work a character and individuality that puts it, in a measure, in a class by itself.
Mr. Snyder was married in Jackson, Michigan, to Miss Jennie C. Keeler, July 11th, 1883, a native of Racine, Wis., and they have two children, Alma and Clyde. Although his father was a Democrat, Mr. Snyder has from earliest manhood, affiliated with the Republican party, his first ballot being in support of Republican men and measures. This seems natural since his first vote was cast within a stone's throw of the old oak at Jackson, Michigan, under the wide-spreading boughs of which the Republican party was organized. Mr. Snyder's interest in public affairs has manifested itself in every community where he has made his home, having served on local political committees and as a delegate to various political conventions and has done much to advance the interests of his pary. He was made a candidate for the office of Trustee of Santa Monica city by an aggressive constituency and failed of election by a margin of four votes. In 1907 he was nominated for councilman of the First Ward under the new Freeholder's Charter, and was elected by a good majority.
His varied and practical experience in local public affairs is appreciated by his official colleagues and he is serving on the Council Committees of Railroads, Wharves and Bridges, Judiciary and Ordinances, and Buildings.
Mr. Snyder is a member of the I.O.O.F.A.O.U.W., Maccabees, K. of P., Elks, Pythian Sisters. He is a member of the Santa Monica Board of Trade, and one of the Executive Committee.
[p.367] William I. Hull [1859- ], who is one of the most active and influential citizens of Santa Monica, is a native of Lynn County, Oregon, born December 4th, 1859. His father, Nathan Hull, was a public school teacher by profession, upwards of thirty years of his life being given to the work. He was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, August 2nd, 1823. He came to California as early as 1852 [p. 368] and mined in the placer gold diggings of the central part of the state and likewise in the bed of the American River, in which he was moderately successful. In 1853 he emigrated to Oregon, locating in Lynn County, where he pursued his profession, held the office of County Superintendet of Schools and also engaged in farming. He then married Miss Nancy Stillwell, who was a native of Indiana; she came west at eighteen years of age, an orphan, to live with a sister. In 1876 the family moved to Inyo County, California, purchased a farm, and located near the town of Bishop. There Mr. Hull founded and served as president of the first corporation organized to take water out of the Owens River for irrigating purposes, which enterprise has developed into the most successful system in the Owens River Valley. He owned a transit and made his own surveys. In 1884 he removed to Los Angeles where he purchased a ranch on Alameda Street, adjoining the city limits to the south; there he died in 1891 at sixty-eight years of age. He was a man of great energy; while possessing strong religious convictions he was not a member of any church. He had ten children, of whom William I. is the fourth and oldest living.
Up to sixteen years of age William I. lived in Oregon and enjoyed the advantages of good schooling. In 1882 he came to Los Angeles where he found employment with Northcraft & Clark, furniture dealers. In 1884 he came to Santa Monca and embarked in business for himself, furnishing tents and camp supplies. This business he pursued about two years. In 1886 he built a bath house on the ocean front at the foot of Colorado Avenue, known as Central Bath, which he sold a year later. During the real estate boom of 1887 he bought and sold real estate, handling only his own property. In 1891 he purchased of J.L. Allen what was the nucleus to his present extensive furniture business. It was a small store on Third Street, between Utah and Arizona Avenues, having about 1500 feet of floor space. Mr. Hull has been continuously in the business from that date and now has a veritable emporium in the two story W.C.T.U. Building. 1429 Third Street, with over 8000 feet of floor space and 15,000 feet of floor space in buildings of his situated at 1517-1521 Third Street, embracing an extensive stock of house furnishing goods of nearly all descriptions,
In 1888, Mr. Hull married Mary A., a daughter of Thomas H. Elliott, one of Santa Monica's esteemed pioneers. (See Index.) Mr. and Mrs. Hull have two sons, Francis E. and Walter I. An only daughter, Grace, died in 1903 at five years of age.
It is safe to say that no citizen of Santa Monica has been more intimately in touch with the civic, business and social development of the city than has Mr. Hull. He has always taken a personal interest in municipal affairs and has ever been found on the side of clean government. By instinct and training a temperance man, he has stood for principles advance by the National Prohibition Party and has opposed the saloon on general principles as a menace to good society and public morals and has, thereforre, worked in harmony with all move- [p. 369] ments to regulate the local liquor traffic. When Mr. Hull came to Santa Monica it was a small town of about 300 people, supporting twelve saloons. It is for the citizens of the beautiful city of today to say whether or not organized opposition to saloons and rigid regulations of the same by fostering a strong public temperance sentiment is a good thing for a growing community.
When called by his party to stand for public office, Mr. Hull has accepted the role that he deems the duty of every American citizen, and was made the candidate for his party for the State Assembly in 1902 and the State Senate in 1904. Mr. Hull was one of the organizers of the first city fire department in 1889 and seved as president of the organization about fifteen years. He retired from active membership of the department in the spring of 1907, tendering the fire boys a banquet as a fitting recognition of long terms of faithful service. Mr. Hull has seved five years as a member of the City Library Board of Trustees and was president of the Board from 1903 to 1907.
He is one of the organizers of the Santa Monica Board of Trade, which is an alliance of citizens representing the leading business and commercial interests of the city, having at heart the public weal, civic and otherwise, and has been president of the reorganized board for two years. Mr. Hull has never been a seeker for public office, preferring as a rule to work in the ranks. In response to what seemed a call of duty, he became a candidate for mayor of Santa Monica under the Freeholders Charter of 1907, and was loyally supported by a large constituency. With two other candidates in the field, he failed of election by 107 votes. His campaign for the office was made upon a platform which clearly and frankly defined his position upon questions of public expediency that were made issues of the campaign, which was dignified and noticeably free from the average political bickerings and invidious personalities.
Mr. Hull is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters and has served one term as Chief Ranger and a like period of time as High Auditor of the State. He is a Good Templar of thirty-six years of standing and has been an active supporter of the local lodge. He is very active in the Grand Lodge of the State, and Chairman of the Finance Committee for many years. No citizen of Santa Monica entertains higher ideals of true American citizenship and more nearly succeeds in living up to those ideals than W.I. Hull. He is essentially a man of action and during his twenty-four years residence in Santa Monica has been identified with every public movement in the city's upbuilding and growth.
[p. 369] N.H. Hamilton, M.D. [1852- ], one of Santa Monica's leading citizens, at the head of his profession, is a native of Michigan and was born at Ann Arbor, February 17th, 1852. His parents, in 1854, removed to Winona, Minnesota, and did here the child grow to manhood. He there passed through the grammar and high schools and returned to the place of his birth and passed through the Medical College of the Michigan University. He subsequently took a thorough course of study at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, now the Medical Department of Chicago [p.370] University, from which institution he graduated in 1877 and almost immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Grafton-a new settlement in North Dakota. The country rapidly increased in population and wealth, and Grafton became a populous and very prosperous young city and Dr. Hamilton there built up an extensive practice. He remained at Grafton until 1893 and became thoroughly identified with the civic, industrial and political interests of its community. He was for fourteen years President of the United State Board of Examining Surgeons for soldiers' pensions and for a similar period held the office of County Physician. For two years he served his County as Coroner, for four years he was a member of the examining board for the insane, and nine years was secretary and superintendent of the County Board of Health. He was the first Vice President of the North Dakota State Medical Society, and served as District Surgeon for the Northern Pacific and Great Northern Railway Companies. The multiplicities of his duties and demands of his profession, coupled with the rigors of that northern climate, made such inroads upon his health that he found it necessary to make a change of locationn and accordingly came to Califoria and located at Santa Monica in September, 1893.
Dr. Hamilton's name in his adopted city stands for all that is good, progressive and right at all times and under all conditions. Aside from the duties of an extensive medical practice, he is District Surgeon of the Southern Pacitic Railway Co., medical examiner for all the old line insurance companies in Southern California, and acts in the same capacity for the fraternal insurance organizations. He is one of the organizers of the Santa Monica Bay Hospital Company, and is president of the company; a history of which splendid enterprise may be found elsewhere in this work.
Dr. Hamilton is a member of long standing of the American Medical Association, the largest association of prominent physicians in the world. He is also a member of the California State Medical Society and the Los Angeles County Medical Association. Despite his engrossing professional and business cares he has also actively identified himself with some of the leading fraternities. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Commandery and the Mystic Shrine and affiliated with Santa Monica Lodge, No. 307, F. and A.M., Chapter and Commandery, and Al Malaikah Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of Los Angeles. He is also member of the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Foresters of Santa Monica. He is a director in the Western Masons Mutual Life Association of Los Angeles and maintains a deep interest in its welfare. Dr. Hamillton is an almost life long Republican, an active and influential member of the Presbyterian church.
Dr. Hamilton was married October 21st, 1887, to Miss Bertha R. Crookston, a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and they have three daughters-Helen, Clara and Esther.
The family residence, No. 522 North Fifth Street, is one of the finest of many beautiful homes in Santa Monica City.
[P. 371, Myron H. Kimball,1908c, p. 371]
[p. 371] Myron H. Kimball [1827- ], well known in Santa Monica and Los Angeles as a substantial and staid pioneer, was one of the earliest denizens of the Angel City to discover the beauties and desirability of Santa Monica by the sea as a place for retirement, in which to spend the declining years of a business life.
He is a native of Oneida County, N.Y., born in the town of Verona, September 13, 1827, His father David Kimball, was a native of New Hampshire, a contractor and builder. He came west in 1837, and located in Monroe County, Michigan, and for many years was in the employ of the Michigan Southern Ry., as a bridge builder. He later retired to his farm near Adrian, Michigan, where he spent many active years of his life, and finally returned to Oneida, N.Y. where he died at seventy-three years of age. Young Myron, early in youth, acquired a burning desire to see the world and lead a free and independent life and accordingly at ten years of age left home and obtained a situation in a grocery store at Toledo, Ohio, which was then a small town of about fifteen hundred people. He remained there about seven years and in 1844 went to Lafayette, Ind., where he clerked in a general store. His employer's father, Captain Brayton, was owner of a steamboat that navigated the Wabash River between Layfayette and Terre Haute, and young Kimball, then seventeen years old, was offered , and accepted, a position as clerk on the steamer and at times was its commander. He then went to Cincinnati and traveled from that city as a salesman for a wholesale tea and tobacco house. He made his way east to New York city, via Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis. He spent about five years in and out of the city of Cincinnati. The art of making Daguerreotype pictures had just been perfected, the beauty and utility of which appealed to young Kimball as at once a most attractive and practical means of making money and he placed himself under a thorough course of training and mastered the art. The year 1853 found him again in New York City as World's Fair correspondent of the Philadelphia Enquirer. This was the first World's Fair that took place on the American continent and was held in the famous Crystal Palace, erected for the purpose on ground now occupied by a public square at Sixth Avenue and Forty-first and Forty-second Streets. Mr. Kimball spent six months at the Crystal Palace and his descriptive articles so widely portrayed the wonders of the great fair as to bring to the Enquirer an extended reputation and wide popularity, for which he was liberally compensated.
While a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Kimball took a course of instruction in the new art of Daguerreotype pictures taking from E.C. Hawkins, a pupil of Samuel F. Morse, the inventor of telegraphy. Mr. Morse had obtained a knowledge of the art from Daguerre himself while on a visit to exhibit his own wonderful invention. After relinquishing his duties as correspondent to the Enquirer, Mr. Kimball opened a picture gallery in New York City., on Broadway near Canal Street, where he promptly built up a profitable business. The Daguerreotype proved, however, to be only the forerunner of something better, as Mr. Mr. Kimball and others wer quietly experimenting along lines that eventually produced a superior picture, known as the Ambrotype and superceded its predecessor. About this time the photographic picture process made its appearance and Mr. Kimball was one of the first to adopt and introduce it in New York. He sold his gallery and opened on a much more extended scale as No. 477 Broadway, near Broome Street, which was then in the heart of the uptown business center of the city. He did business there about five years.
The Civil War had broken out in 1860. In 1863 Mr. Kimball was employed as a government photographer at Port Royal, South Carolina, and Jones Island in front of Charleston. He spent upwards of six months at the seat of war when he returned to his business in New York. In 1864 he was appointed official photographer for Princeton College, the work of which amounted to thousands of dollars and he acted in the same capacity for the Freedman's Bureau. He spent in all about twenty-five years in New York City and owned a fine country seat on Long Island. He also at one time owned and conducted a wholesale and retail confectionary business in Fulton Street, Brooklyn.
In 1874 he closed out alll his interests and started for California, via the Isthmus of Panama, and arrived in San Francisco February 25th, of that year. He soon embarked for San Pedro and Los Angeles. Los Angeles was then a small city of about nine thousand people. It had no railway connection with the outside world save the local line to Wilmington and the first street railway, a mule car line, was that year constructed. ?The city was inadequately supplied with hotels, the Pico House being the leading public stopping place and that was over crowded. The St. Charles (old Bella Union) and the Lafayette (now St. Elmo) were also full to their limit. Mr. K imball in quest for an opening for business decided to erect a first class family hotel and accordingly purchased property on New High Street, north of Temple Street, and erected what was for years the leading hostelry of its class in the city, known as the Kimball Mansion. It became the home of many of the leading people of Los Angeles and prominent tourists from the east and abroad. Helen Hunt Jackson made it her home while in Southern California, and it was there that she did much of the literary work on her [p. 373] famous story, Ramona. He relates many interesting reminiscences of his acquaintance with this delightful guest. Mr. Kimball's residence of nine years in Los Angeles was crowded with business activities. Besides building the Kimball Mansion he made other investments in realty. He took an active interest in the progress of Los Angeles and Southern California, and became superintendent of the Southern California Horticultural and Agricultural Societies and it was under his direction and management that the joint exposition of 1878 and also 1879 were held. The Board of Directors accorded him full credit for the phenomenal success of an enterpise entered upon with misgivings as to its feasibility and outcome.
Mr. Kimball was married at the old Episcopal parsonage in Hudson Street, New York City, by Rev. Mr. Tuttle, June 26th, 1857, to Miss Eliza, a daughter of William Robb, a Scotchman. He was a capitalist, and a member of Rob Roy clan, famous in sixteenth century history of Scotland, and the hero of one of Sir Walter Scott's novels. Mrs. Kimball was a lady of exceptional social attainments, amiable temperament and domestic tastes. She became widely known and popular during their residence in Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Kimball purchased a fine residence in Santa Monica in 1882 at No. 225 North Second Street. She died in the seventy-fifth year of her age, April 18th, 1903. Mr. Kimball is a man of great kindness of heart and popularity as one of the best known Los Angeles pioneers. He is a life-long Democrat, of the old Andrew Jackson school, a thorough adherent to the doctrines and precepts of American government that made the old party the bulwark of our nation's greatness. He has lived to see his party side-step many times to its lasting discredit and chagrin of its oldest adherents. Mr. Kimball is an almost life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was Mrs. Kimball. He was very active in the old Central Methodist Episcopal Church, in Los Angeles, and has for years been one of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Santa Monica. He is a Free Mason of over fifty years standing.
[p. 373] Richard R. Tanner [1858- ], the pioneer lawyer of Santa Moica, is a native of the "Goldern Sate," born at the San Juan, in what is now San Benito County, then Monterey County, California, March 30, 1858. His father, Albert Miles Tanner, was a California pioneer of 1847, who came overland to the Pacific Coast, a member of the famous Mormon Battalion under Lieutenant-Colonel Philip St. George Cook, to aid in establishing United States Government authority in Californiia. He was born in the town of Bolton, Warren County, N.Y., in 1824, and there grew up. In early life he drifted to the then far west and was thrown in contacct with the Mormons, who were pioneering Central and Southern Illinois. While he never affiliated with the Mormon Church, he for several years sustained intimate business relations with them, joined the battalion upon its organization in Iowa and shared its fortunes and misfortunes of war [p. 374] until mustered out of service at San Diego, March 14th, 1848. He then went north to Sacramento, from which point he engaged in freighting with the famous pioneer, Sam Brannon, on Mormon Island. As a result of the disastrous floods of 1849 and 1850 he lost his property and in 1853 came south to San Bernardino. There he married Lovina Bickmore, removed to San Juan, Moterey County, and engaged in stock raising. Finally, late in 1871, he removed to Santa Paula, in Ventura County. He died in his Ventura home in 1881, at fifty-six years of age. He was a Douglas Democrat, later a Lincoln Republican, a man of strong individuality and well grounded opinions. The widow and mother is still living in Santa Paula. In Ventura County young Richard obtained his schooling and grew to manhood. He served as assistant postmaster of Ventura from 1877 to 1883. He then took up the study of law in the office of prominent attorneys of Ventura, was admitted to the bar in 1884 and located in Santa Monica the same year. He was for thirteen years, 1888 to 1901, City Attorney of Santa Monica and his long continuance in office is a sufficient evidence of his popularity and a due appreciation of a well rendered public service.
He served as Deputy District Attorney of Los Angeles County form 1892 to 1894. Mr. Tanner has devoted special attention to land law practice and is a recognized authority upon all matters pertaining to land titles in this section of the state. The firm, of which he is senior member, are attorneys for the Title Guarantee & Trust Company, of Los Angeles. He is senior member of the well known law firm of Tanner, Taft & Odell, with offices in the Dudley Building, Santa Monica and the Coulter Block, No. 213 South Broadway, Los Angeles. Mr. Tanner is a stockholder and director of the Merchants National Bank of Santa Monca and Vice-president of the Santa Monica Savings Bank. He is a prominent Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Forester, a member of the Royal Arcanum, of the Native Sons of the Golden West and Elks. Mr. Tanner has been twice married-in 1883 to Miss Elizabeth J., a daughter of Judge Henry Robinson, of Ventura, by this union having one daughter, Mrs. Nora Ormsby. His second marriage was to Miss Sebaldina M. Bontty, of Santa Monica. The Tanner family residence, located on North Fourth Street, No. 144, is one of the many that have made Santa Monica famous as a city of beautiful seaside homes.
[p. 374] J. Euclid Miles [1851- ], councilman, an enterprising and representative citizen is a native of Mount Gilead. Morrow County, Ohio, at which place he was born September 7, 1851. His father, Enos Miles, was a pioneer of Morrow County and was the first sheriff of that county. He was by occupation a druggist, having a store at Mt. Gilead. He also owned farming land in the vicinity.
Mr. Miles is the third of a family of seven children. He was educated in the public schools of Mount Gilead and Notre Dame, Ind., college, one of the most thorough educational institutions of its class in the country. After leaving college he entered a banking house in New York City, , until 1873, when he re- [p. 375] turned to Ohio and entered the motive power department of the C.C.C. & I.R. Ry., learned mechanics and became a first class locomotive engineer. For nearly sixteen years he followed this strenuous calling.
In 1889 he gave up his position of the railroad at Pueblo, Colorado. Here he engaged in the loaning, real estate and insurance business. For a period of about twenty-two years he remained in Pueblo. He prospered in business and was recognized as one of the most energetic and influential citizens of the place. The Pueblo Star-Journal, of July 15th, 1906, has this to say of Mr. Miles, who was on a business trip to his former home city:
"J. Euclid Miles, a well known real estate man of Santa Monica, Cal., leaves for his home on the Pacific Slope today at noon. Mr. Miles was a resident of Pueblo for twenty years, leaving for California about four years ago on account of Mr. Miles health. During a large share of the time he resided in our city, he was engaged in the real estate business and bore the reputation of being one of the most energetic hustlers in the business."
Mr. Miles acquired valuable property interests in Pueblo which he still holds. He came to Santa Monica in July, 1902, and soon thereafter organized the Santa Monica Investment Company, a business enterprise that has been most active and successful in the work of building and developing homes in this region of the country. Mr. Miles is the general manager of this company.
In August, 1905, Mr. Miles organized the real estate firm of Miles & Tegner, which became the heaviest purchaser and owner of first class realty in the City of Santa Monica.
Mr. Miles promptly became identified with the substantial growth and development fho is adopted city and active in the promotion of its civil welfare. He was elected to the City Council from the Sixth Ward, under the new Freeholders Charter of 1906, and placed at the head of the Committee on Finance and made a member of other committees of less importance. His policy in directing the financial affairs of the city proved one of wise economy and judicious expenditure.
On May 26th, 1872, Mr. Miles married in New York City to Miss Mary Ann Moore, a native of Queens County, Ireland, and the daughter of John Moore.
Mr. Miles is a prominent and active member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks, Independent Order of Foresters and National Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
[p. 375] Charles C. LeBas [1859- ]. is a native of London, England, born April 30th, 1859, a son of Henry V. LeBas, who is the preacher of the Charter House, London, England.
Mr. LeBas was educated by private tutors. At twenty-one years of age he went to Algiers for some time and returned home. Later he spent some time at Singapore, Southeast Asia, chiefly in pursuit of health. He then returned to London and engaged extensively in the publishing business as a member of the [p.376] house of Sonnenschein & LeBas, publlishers of school, text and story books and also high class story magazines. He subsequently retired from the business and went to Australia. In 1893 he returned to London, after which he spent several years coffee planting in Java, and there remained until he came to Southern California in 1896, living in Los Angeles, Covina and San Bernardino. Since 1896 he has liveed in retirement in Santa Monica, owning a modern home on Oregon Avenue.
Mt. LeBas married, in 1896, Miss Marion Gene Eckford, a native of the beautiful Isle of Jersey. They have one son, Harry LeBas, a native of California.
Mr. LeBas has made investments in California realty and is interested in mining properties.
[p. 376, Fred H. Taft, 1908c, p. 376]
[p. 376] Fred H. Taft [1857- ], lawyer of Santa Monica, was born at Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson County, New York, April 4th, 1857. He is a son of Reverend Stephen H. Taft, now resident of Sawtelle. A comprehensive sketch of the life of the father appears elsewhere in this work (see index), which throws some light upon the earlier surroundings and influences under which the subject of this brief notice was reared. He was about six years of age when the familty located as pioneers in Iowa. He was educated at Humboldt College, Humboldt, Iowa, graduating from that institution in 1878. From 1874 to 1882 he edited and published the Humboldt Kosmos. In 1883 he was one of the founders of the Hardin County Citizen at Iowa Falls, Iowa. For four years, beginning in 1884, he was associated in the conduct of the Fort Dodge (Iowa) Messenger. Thereafter he followed semi-newpaper work and commercial lines in Sioux City, Iowa, in the meantime reading law. He was admitted to the bar while at Sioux City, and practiced there until the close of 1892. January 1st, 1893, he arrived in California, and the following year formed a law partnership with Richard R. Tanner, the firm now being Tanner, Taft & Odell, with offices in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. From 1902 to his resignation at the end of 1907, he served Santa Monica satisfactorily as City Attorney. In his religious preferences Mr. Taft is a Unitarian, and his lodge affiliations are confined to the International Order of Good Templars, of which he is an active member. Mr. Taft married at Humboldt, Iowa, in 1881, Miss Frances W. Welch, and they have two children living-Muriel and Harris, graduates of Stanford University. The family home is El Shacketo, at the corner of Oregon Avenue and Sixth Street.
[p. 377] John A. Stanwood [1856- ], of Santa Monica, is a native of Newburyport, Mass., and was born March 3rd, 1856. His father, John Rogers Stanwood, was a hat manufacturer, organizer and promoter of the Newburyport Hat Company and a successful man of affairs.
The history of the Stanwood family is closely associated with that of early New England dating as far back as 1652 to Philip Stanwood who was one of the pioneers of the Old Colony of Massachusetts, the annals of which record many of the names as preachers, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, statesmen and authors. The mother of John Rogers Stanwood was Sara Rogers whose ancestors lived at Gloucester, Mass.; were among the pilgrims who founded that town and were lineal descendants of John Rogers, the martyr.
John A. Stanwood passed his boyhood and youth in Newburyport, Mass., passed through the public schools and later pursued a course of study in Berton. He then engaged in the drug business in that city for a period of four years. In March, 1882, he came to California and spent about a year on a stock ranch in the San Luis Rey Valley, the San Diego County. In 1883 he located at San Bernardino where he took active part in local affairs, aiding in the incorporation of the City of San Bernardino.He later removed to Redlands where he was likewise active and influential in securing the final location of the Santa Fe Railway through Redlands and donated valuable lands for railway purposes, being one of the original parties who insisted on its present location.
Mr. Stanwood came to Santa Monica, soon conceived the idea of developing the sand dunes bordering the Ocean Front south of Santa Monica into a residential summer resort and in furtherance of his plans associated with himself Dr. Ellwood Chaffee, Arthur Gayford, E.E. Hall and James Campbell who purchased and secured title to the land now comprising the southern portion of the City of Santa Monica and the City of Ocean Park, which includes Venice.
This land was purchased from Captain Arthur Hutchenson-consideration, $25,000. They then organized the Santa Monica Terminal and Wharf Company, secured the franchise for the Santa Fe Railway into Santa Monica over what was then Lucas Avenue, which franchise finally passed to the Pacific Electric Railway Co. and is now used by that company. He negotiated the sale of the Short Line Beach Tract to Mr. Frank Strong. He likewise negotiated the sale of the Irwin Heights Tract to the Erkenbrecker Syndicate, of Los Angeles. He organized a syndicate and promoted Ocean Park Heights and the east Ocean Park Heights Addition to Ocean Park. He is president of the Venice Chamber [p. 378] of Commerce which, under his administration, is accomplishing much for the material prosperity of the Canal City. With some associates he is at present engaged in the development of the oil territory in the Santa Monica mountains.
Mr. Stanwood is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Woodmen of the World.
[p.378] Hon. Guilford Wiley Wells [1840- ], soldier, lawyer, statesman and diplomat was born at Conesus Center, New York, February 14th, 1840, and is the youngest of three children of Issac Tichenor Wells and Charity Kenyon, who were joined in marriage in Granville, New York, February 4th, 1830. Isaac Tichenor Wells was born at Fairfax, Vermont, August 11th, 1807, and died in Conesus Center, November 2nd, 1868. The Wells family tace their genealogy back to the time of William the Conqueror in England, and to the latter part of the sixteenth century in America and number among their ancestors in direct line many illustrious personages on both sides of the Atlantic. Guilford Wiley Wells was educated at Genesee Weslayan Seminary and College, Lima, New York. Upon the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion (while he was in college) Mr. Wells enlisted on the first call of volunteers, as a member of the First New York Dragoons, and gave nearly four years of valiant service to the preservation of the Union and the defense of the "Old Flag." He fought under that intrepid hero of Winchester, General P.H. Sheridan; participated in thirty-seven battles, and rose by successive promotions for gallant services performed to the rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel; was twice wounded, the last time in February, 1865, so seriously as to permanently disable his left arm, and was discharged from the service on account of his wound February 14th, 1865. Retiring from the army Colonel Wells resumed his studies and 1867 graduated in law at the Columbian College at Washington, D.C. In December, 1869, he moved to Holly Springs, Mississippi to practice his profession. In June, 1870, he was appoiinted by President Grant, United States District Attorney for the northern district of that state. The Reconstruction Act being passed by Congress about this time, the demoralizing effects of the war began to be manifest in the organized lawlessness which prevailed, especially in Northern Mississippi, in the terrorism of the Ku Klux Klan. Laws had been enacted for the punishment of these crimes but they remained a dead letter on the statutes for the want of prosecuting officers with sufficient courage, tact and ability to enforce them. The ablest men in the Mississippi bar-which was one of the strongest in any state in the Union-were employed to defend these defiers of the law. Comprehending the situation, Colonel Wells determined to do his duty and prepared as best he could to wage battle with those giants of the bar. He drew the first indictment under the reconstruction act and secured the first decision rendered in the south against Ku Klux in District Judge R.A. Hill's court, thus winning the first legal fight and establishing a precedent which was adopted in other states and finally re- [p. 379] sulted in the complete destruction of that organization. The Ku Klux were hunted down and their secret hiding places invaded, their murderous secrets were revealed and the perpetrators of crimes punished according to their deserts [sic]. Mississippi was thus transformed from one of the most lawless to one of the most orderly states in the Union. This herculean task was performed at a great expenditure of labor and energy and at great peril of life but in performing it Colonel Wells won the esteem f the best elements of society. Though having no desire to enter the arena of politics by the prominence of his official position and his contact with public men, Colonel Wells was forced to assume a leading position in his party and was chiefly instrumental in securing the nomination and election of General Ames (then United States Senator) to the governship of Mississippi in 1873. The legislature chosen at the same time elected a United States Senator, and yielding to the importunity of his friends Colonel Wells consented to become a candidate. For some unaccountable reason, Ames, the man he had befriended, and who had hitherto professed a warm personal friendship for him, turned against his benefactor, and by a strenuous effort and the use of his official power prevented Colonel Well's [sic] election to the United States Senate. Not content with this success against his old friend Governor Ames exerted himself to defeat Colonel Well's [sic] re-appointment to the United States District Attorney's office, but his faithfulness and efficiency in that capacity had been too well demonstrated, and at the expiration of his first term in 1874 he was reappointed by President Grant and his appointment was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. In 1876 Colonel Wells received the nomination for Congress in the Second Mississippi District in opposition to A.R. Howe, the Ames candidate, over whom he was elected by 7,000 majority, receiving the full vote of his own party (Republican) and the support of the best element of the Democratic party. During his term in Congress Representative Wells served on several important committees and though in the minority politically, by his energy and fertility of resource he was recognized as one of the most influential working members of the House. Recognizing in Colonel Wells the qualities adapting him for an important governmental position, President Hayes tendered him in June, 1877, the office of consul general to Shanghai, China, which he accepted, and sailed from San Francisco to his post of duty August 8th of that year. Previous to embarking he had received orders to investigate charges which had been preferred by his predecessor, General Myers, against O.B. Bradford, Vice Counsul at Shanghai . Myers had been suspended by Minister George H. Seward, and the latter's friend Bradford placed in charge of the consulate, before the charges against Bradford could be investigated. Arriving in China and assumig charge of the Shanghai consulate September 13th, 1877, Colonel Wells proceeded to examine the accusations against Bradford. He found him guilty, not only as charged by Myers, but of numerous other grave offenses, such as robbing the United States mails, embezzlement of government fees, violation of treaty rights with China, extortions from American citizens, mutila- [p. 380] tion of records, conspiring with Seward to remove official records and papers from the Consul General's office etc. Mr. Wells being convinced of Bradford's fraudulent and criminal proceedings, had him arrested and placed in jail, reporting at once by telegraph and by letter to the State Department at Washington the result of his invesigations and asking for further instructions. After inexcusable delays in replying to his comunications, and other matters transpiring to convince Consul General Wells that an effort was being madee by officials in high authority to shield Bradford and Seward in their fraudulent proceedings, he tendered his resignation, turned over the affairs of his office in Shanghai, and sailed for home January 10th, 1878. A committee subsequently created by the House of Representatives to investigate the Bradford charges returned a unanimous report that the charges were sustained, and filed articles of impeachment against Bradford. The investigation culminated in the retirement of both Seward and Bradford to private life. Colonel Wells twice refused the tender of Consul to Hong Kong, deciding to resume the practice of his profession. Colonel and Mrs. Wells having come by way of Southern California on their return trip from China were delighted with the climate and decided to make it their future home. Accordingly, they settled in Los Angelees in 1879 and have resided here ever since. Forming a law partnership with Judge Anson Brunson, the firm of Brunson & Wells at once attained a leading position in the bar of Southern California. This relation continued until Judge Brunson was elected to the Superior Bench and that partnership was dissolved. Up to the time of his final retirement from active practice, Colonel Wells stood at the head of the following law firms-Wells, Vandyke & Lee, Wells, Guthrie & Lee, Wells, Munroe & Lee, Wells & Lee and Wells, Works & Lee. The private law library of Colonel Wells, one of the most extensive in the state, is now in the office of Works & Lee, the latt, Bradner W. Lee, being Colonel Wells' nephew.
In Avoca, N.Y., December 22nd, 1864, Colonel Wells married Miss Katy C. Fox, who was born in that town, a daughter of Matthias and Margaret Fox. They became the parents of a son, Charles F., who was born in Washington, D.C., November 9th, 1869, and died at Holly Springs, Miss., December 24th, 1872. The second marriage of Colonel Wells took place in Lousiville, Kentucky, December 31st , 1891, and united him with Mrs. Lena (McClelland) Juny, a daughter of Frank and Marion (Watts) McClelland, of Kentucky. Mrs. Wells was born in Paducah that state and is related to some distinguished southern families. She is Regent of the Santa Monica Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution since its organization, and an influential member of the Santa Monca Women's Club. She is a cultured, sweet-spirited woman and takes a personal interest in local charities.
[p.381, S.W. Odell, 1908c]
[p. 381] S.W. Odell [1864- ], City Attorney of Santa Monica, is a native of Illinois and was born in the town of Hampton, Rock Island County, that state, November 4th, 1864. His father's ancestors were from Yorkshire, England, and in the early days of the country, settled in the State of New York; later moving on to the western frontier in Ohio. His father, John P. Odell, left Ohio and located in Illinois about the year 1850. Mr. Odell's ancestry on his mother's side was partially of Scotch origin. The subject of our sketch received his education in the common schools of Illinois and Iowa, later attending Port Byron Academy, at Port Byron, Illinois, and the Bloomington Law School of the Illinois Wesleyan University, from which he holds a Bachelor's Degree. He was admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois in 1887 and practiced in the courts of that state until the summer of 1903, with the exception of the year 1908, spent at Santa Cruz, California. He maintained an office at Moline, Illinois, for a period of fifteen years and was, for a portion of that time, City Attorney. He came to California in 1903. After some months spent in Los Angeles, he opened an office in Santa Monica in the spring of 1904 becoming soon thereafter a member of the law firm of Tanner, Taft & Odell. He was appointed City Attorney of Santa Monica in April 1907 and his professional services to the new city government have proven invaluable. Mr. Odell married at Port Byron, Illinois, Miss Clara J.W. Morgan, in the year 1888, and they have two sons and one daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Odell are active members of the First M.E. Church of Santa Monica. The family residence is at No. 1034 Second Street.
[p. 381G] William T. Gillis[ ], comes of the sturdy stock of Nova Scotia, being born in that province, the son of Robert Gillis, a successful shipbuilder in the United States. He passed his youth at the place of his birth and received his eduacation in Pictou, Nova Scotia, graduating from the Pictou Academy. He then fitted himself for the occupation of a druggist and became the owner of a drug store in Pictou.
In 1887, drawn by the magic tales of California, he came to this state and located in Santa Monica, where he soon opened a drug store, which he carried on for a number of years, successfully engaged in the drug business. He returned to Santa Monica in 1901 since which time he has been a resident of this city.
He at once became identified with the remarkable real estate transactions which have marked the vicinity of Santa Monica, and have changed the entire aspect of the country within the past few years. As vice president and manager of the Pacific Land Company, he was one of the promotors of Sawtelle and the adjacent lands, which opened up a large acreage for settlement on such terms that the old soldiers, their families and the laboring people were able to secure homes. As a result of the policy pursued here, a thrifty community has grown up which is a valuable addition to the weath and population of this district.
Later Mr. Gillis, with other prominent real estate men, organized the Palisades Investment Company and also the Santa Monica Investment Company, which secured fifty acres of land known now as the Palisades, one of the most beautiful residence sites in California or, indeed, in the world. The company spent a large sum in improvements and it met with a large sale at most advantageous figures.
Mr. Gillis was one of the organizers of the Sunset Brick and Tile Company which began the erection of the extensive plant now owned by the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company, into which the first company was merged, its projectors retaining an interest in the present company. He is also interested in the Southwest Warehouse Company, which owns a large warehouse, located on the tracks of the Southern Pacific and Los Angeles-Pacific Railways. He is a stockholder and director of the Bank of Santa Monica and of the Santa Monica Savings Bank and president of the Santa Monica Water Company.
But Mr. Gillis is not only interested in financial affairs. He takes an active interest in public affairs, being a stalwart Republican in politics. He is also a prominent Mason, being a member and Past Master of Santa Monica Lodge, F. and A.M.; a member of the Los Angeles Commandery, K.T.; and a member of Al Malaikah Temple, of Los Angeles. He holds the rank of past exalted ruler in the Santa Monica Lodge, B.P.O.E., which recently presented him with a handsome jewel in appreciation of his services to the organization.
Mr. Gillis owns and occupies a beautiful home in the Palisades district.
[p. 382] Antoine Busier [1862- ], a succesful merchant, is a native of Hinesburg, Chittenden County, Vermont, born July 29th, 1862. His father's name was Antoine Busier, Sr., a native of Canada. Mr. Busier came to California in 1886. He is a tinner by trade, and is a mechanical genius. Whem a boy he worked in a woolen mill as a loom operator because of his fondness for machinery. Upon coming to Los Angles in 1886, he worked in the old Baker Iron Works established by the late M.S. [p. 383] Baker at the corner of Second and Main Streets. When he came to Santa Monica he took up the plumbing and tinning business until 1887. Later he worked in the grocery of E.C. Sessions. He was a driver, for a time, on the first street car which ran to the Soldier's Home. He opened the first fruit store in the town in August, 1887, with Victor Hathaway. He soon sold out to Hathaway Brothers and, in 1888, opened a stationary store at 217 Third Street in a building erected for him by W.D. Vawter. There he conducted his business for fourteen years when he removed to his present location in February, 1903. He carrieds an extensive and well selected stock of books, stationary, periodical literature, toys, etc. He has for fifteen years been a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, and its financial secretary for seven year.
In 1906 he married Miss M.J. Peters, of Los Angelee. At present the family reside at No. 1524 North Fourth Street.
[p. 383] Frank E. Bundy [1871- ], an influential citizen, property owner and capitalist of Santa Monica, whose name is synonymous with the history and the business growth of the place, is a native of Iowa, having been born in the town of Ames, August 4th, 1871, the son of Nathan and Harriet (Smith) Bundy, who were among the first settlers of Santa Monica.
Mr. Bundy wa a boy of five years of age when the family left Iowa, came to California and located in the then embryo City of Santa Monica. He attended the first schools as they were organized, passed through the grades and graduated from the Santa Monica High School.
After leaving school he perfected himself in the trade of jeweler and watch maker and opened a store in this place which he carried on successfully until close application to business and indoor work so impaired his health that his physicians insisted upon a change which would give him employment in the open air. He then embarked in the wholesale and retail oil business and he pushed the trade with such energy and good management that within a period of about four years he found himself the possessior of some of the best real estate holdings in Santa Monica, all purchased with profits of his business. He then closed out the oil business and with renewed force and enthusiasm, inaugurated a series of land deals, the successful prosecution of which have place him in the front ronk of real estate promotors. He took an active interest in the platting and sale of the East Ocean Park tract. "Sierra Vista," the success and fame of which are by no means local, as Mr. Bundy's individual enterprise and his fondest hopes for a substantial and picturesque additon to Santa Monca are here being realized in full.
In 1905 Mr. Bundy erected, at 253-255 North Third Street, the F.E. Bundy Block, one of the most substantial and architecturally perfect brick buildings in the city. It has a frontage of fifty feet on the street, is one hundred and fifty feet deep and three stories in heighth. The first floor is occupied by the Mont- [p. p.381] gomery Dry Goods House; the second is devoted to offices, single and ensuite, and the third is occupied by modern apartments, known as the Adelaide Apartments.
In 1906, Mr. Bundy put up the F.E, Bundy building No. 2, in Sawtelle. This, in size and architectural finish is fully up to the standard of his Santa Monica building. It occupies the corner of Oregon and Fourth Street and is an office building. In 1904, Mr. Bundy built for his family residence one of the most spacious and beautiful bungalow houses in Santa Monica. He has also (1907) just completed a fine residence in Los Angeles, located at the corner of 16th and Arlington streets.
[p. 381] A.M. Montgomery [1870- ], leading dry goods merchant of this city, is a native of California, and was born at Jamestown, Toulumne County, April 4th, 1870. His father is a California pioneer of the early sixties, and a sketch of his life appears on another page of this book.
Mr. Montgomery was but six years of age when the family removed to Santa Monica from the central part of the state. Santa Monica was then but a hamlet of two year's existence, composed of a few hundred courageous and hopeful people and the youthful life of our subject may be said to have started with the material growth of the new city. He attended the first schools opened in the town, passed through the grades as they were established, and graduated at the High School, after which he managed the business of the old North Beach Bath House, later known as the Arcadia Bath House. He held the position for two years. He then took a position as accountant and salesman for H.A. Winslow, grocers, of Santa Monica, and was with the concern about five years. In 1896 he opened a Men's Furnishing Goods Store with F.B. McComas as partner, under the firm name of Montgomery & McComas. In 1899, Mr. Montgomery, purchased the partner's interest and soon thereafter bought the dry goods and furnishing goods stock of N.A. Roth, and opened for business in a modest store at No. 223 Third Street, where he remained until December 1st, 1905, when he removed to his present location in the Bundy Block, Nos. 1408-1410 North Third Street. Montgomery's is the most extensive dry goods emporium in Los Angeles County outside of the City of Los Anggeles. It has a frontage on Third Street of fifty feet, and a lateral depth of one hundred feet. Its interior equipment is in all respects modern and complete, including a cash and package carrying system. The sales [p. 385] rooms are airy and light and the entire establishment is admirably arranged for the handling of their extensive business.
In 1903, Mr. Montgomery opened a store at Pier Avenue, Ocean Park, of the same size, carrying the same line of goods, which in size and arrangement is now a duplicate of his splendid Santa Monicca house.
Mr. Montgomery was married January 10th, 1898, to Mrs. Isabella Mallory, and they have one son, Albert Irving, born March 11th, 1902. The family home is one of the many attractive residences of the city, No. 827 Second Street.
Mr. Montgomery is a member of the Santa Monica lodge of Elks, Foresters of America, Native Sons of the Golden West and Santa Monica Board of Trade.
[p. 385 O.G. Tullis, 1908c ]
[p. 385] O.G. Tullis [1864- ], a resident of Santa Monica, a native of Bloomington, Ill., was born October 16th, 1864, spent his youth and received his early education in his native town. He came with his parents to Los Angeles in 1875. His father was Andrew F. Tullis, a photographer, who for a time owned the old Sunbeam Gallery, for many years one of the leading picture making establishments of old Los Angeles. He finally retired to his ranch in Coldwater Canyon, where he died i 1877. A son, W.L. Tullis, now lives on the home place. Mrs. Tullis was, before marriage, Matilda Bush, daughter of Michael Bush, a German. She was a sister of the late venerable Charles Bush, one of the best known pioneers of Los Angeles. She is living at the hometead in Coldwater Canyon. Mr. Tullis attended the early schools of Los Angeles, first at Eighth and Fort Streets, now Broadway, later in the old building that stood on the present site of the County Court House.
He learned the manufacturing jeweler's trade of his uncle, the late Charles Bush and his brother, Woodford B. Tullis, deceased, 1897. He was a prosperous jeweler of Los Angeles, whose store was located at the corner of Fourth and Spring Streets. Mr. Tullis came to Santa Monica and opened his shop in March, 1885, at 1426 Third Street, in the front room of the postoffice, when the late Judge Boyce was postmaster, and is still doing business at the old stand.
Mr. Tullis married in Los Angeles Miss Anna C. Berdini and they have one daughter, Olive.
Mr. Tullis is a Mason, Elk, Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias, Forester and Maccabee. He is one of the substantial merchants of Santa Monica.
[p. 386] The late Judge O.W. Jewett [1844-1907], of Sawtelle, was a native of New York, born in the town of Portland, Chatauqua County, August 7th, 1844.
His father, Oris Jewett, was a mechanic, and for many years was identified with extensive machine works at Lowell, Indiana, where the family moved and located when the son was about six years of age. He there grew up and acquired a good common school education.
In 1861, being at the time only seventeen years of age, he volunteered to defend the cause of the Union and was mustered into the 20th Indiana Infantry and served three years, the term of his enlistment. He then re-enlisted in the First Rhode Island Battery and served until the fall of Richmond and the close of the war, rounding out a continuous service of four years and three months, chiefly in the Army of the Potomac, during which time he participated in some of the bloodiest engagements of the sanguinary conflict-notably Fredericksburg, Spottsylvania Court House, Mire Run, Chancellorsville, Gettyburg and many other minor engagements.
After the war he went into the mining regions of Utah and Montana and followed the occupation of an engineer. By reason of impaired health he relinquished this business and in 1880 located at Sturgis, then a new town on the frontier of South Dakota, where he thoroughly identified himself with the professional and business interests of his adopted city and county. There he held the office of Justice of the Peace from 1882 until 1890 and became a student of the law. He was there admitted to the bar of Mead County in 1890 and was almost immediately elected County Judge, and as a jurist he was held in such high esteem that he was elected without serious opposition for a second term in 1892. He thereafter practiced law at Sturgis, having a large clientage.
In 1903 he came to California and located at Sawtelle where he formed a partnership with Mr. John Farley and engaged in the real estate business, meantime practicing his profession. He served as attorney for the Sawtelle Building & Loan Association. He was also president of the Board of Trustees of the Sawtelle City School District, in which position he did much for the advancement of the cause of education and perfection of a sound local school system, not only devoting his best personal energies, but contributing at times money to defray expenses that could not otherwises be provided for. He was public spirited and always ready with his best energies and wise counsel to forward worthy movements for the public good. He was a man of the more refined social instincts, a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic.
In politics, Judge Jewett was a consistent Republican, not blindly partisan, bu stood for what he deemed wise party measures and a clean administration of public affairs.
Judge Jewett was married at Lowell, Indiana, to Miss Delila Drake. She died at Stugis, S.D., in 1887, leaving two children-Fred, now deceased, and Hattie, wife of Edward Galvin, of Stugis, S.D. Mr. and Mrs. Galvin have one daughter, Madge. February 4th, 1889, Judge Jewett married Mrs. Annie, widow of Rev. Francis C. Haney, Assistant Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Montreal, Canada, by which union there is one son, Oris Francis, born at Sturgis, S.D., November 22nd, 1891. Mrs. Jewett is a daughter of James Soutar, a native of Forfarshire, Scotland, a blacksmith by trade, who came to America in 1853 and located at Lachute, Quebec, Canada, about forty miles north of Montreal, where he lived until 1865. He then removed to Black Hills, S.D., where he pursued his trade and incidentally engaged in mining, passing through the great excitement of his home state mining days. He also engaged in farming and lived on the first located land in all that region of country. He finally retired to Sawtelle where with Mrs. Jewett he spent his declining days. He died April 14th, 1908.
Mrs. Jewett spent her girlhood and early married life in the City of Montreal, Canada. Following the death of her first husband she sought the home and protection of her father at Black Hills. Young and ambitious she caught the spirit of enterprise that pervaded the new and prosperous country and acquired by pre-emption and also by purchase valuable tracts of government land which she improved and stocked with cattle. These enterprises she so astutely managed as to make them profitable. Upon coming to California she disposed of her personal holdings.
Mrs. Jewett is a lady of social refinement and domestic culture. She is sweet spirited and vitally interested in local charities. She is an active member of the Church of Saint Augustine by the Sea, Episcopal, of Santa Monica, is a member and officer of the Order of the Eastern Star, of Sawtelle.
Judge Jewett died October, 24th, 1907, and was buried under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, at Woodlawn Cemetary, Santa Monica.
[p. 387] John J. Seymour [1852- ] is a native of Ohio, born near Washington, C.H. Fayette County, February 16th, 1852. When a child his parents moved to Illinois. He obtained an elementary education in the schools of that state and later entered the State University, graduating with the class of 1877 as a civil engineer.
After graduation he was employed some time in the government service making surveys on the Mississippi River, then in various railroad construction corps in Indiana, Dakota, and later in Colorado with the Denver & Rio Grand R.R. during its palmy construction era. He afterward engaged in mining engineering and was a U.S. Deputy Mineral Surveyor in the San Juan silver mines [p. 388] in Colorado. In 1886 he came to California and was for some time engaged in railroad construction in Plumas County and later in a general engineering business in Santa Clara County. In 1890 he located in Fresno where he became general manager and part owner of the Fresno City Water Works. He early became interested in the development of electric water power and assisted in the formation of a company organized to bring electric power from the San Joaquin River in the Sierra Mountains to the City of Fresno. He was president and general manager. This company was one of the pioneers in electric transmission line (35 miles and later 69 miles) in existence, and of opertaing its water wheels under the highest head of water, 1400 feet.
His health failing he was obliged to dispose of his business interests in and about Fresno and in 1903 he removed to Santa Monica which he has since made his home, making substantial investment in real estate in this vicinity. Mr. Seymour is recognized as one of Santa Monica's most substantial citizens. He takes a lively personal interest in public affairs, is one of the charter members of the Santa Monica Board of Trade and its president-elect. Mr. Seymour was married in 1885 to Corinne, a daughter of Dr. Joseph Howells, of Richmond, Indiana, and a cousin of the famous author, William Dean Howells.
[p. 388] J.W. Todd [1874- ], junior member of the undertaking firm of Bresee Brothers and Todd, Santa Monica, is a native of Missouri, was born at Pleasant Hill, in Cass County, that state, November 3rd, 1874. His father, Charles F. Todd, for many years having successfully engaged in business in Missouri, has for eight years lived in retirement in Los Angeles. Mr. Todd received an academic schooling at Wichita, Kansas, and later at Garfield University, same city. He came with the family to California in 1899 and soon thereafter took a position with Bresee Brothers, leading undertakers of Los Angeles, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of undertaking in all its branches. In 1906 he organized the firm of Bresee Brothers & Todd, purchased the undertaking business of A.M. Guidinger, holding a one-third interest in the same and assumed entire management of the same. The building owned and occupied by the company is one of the most spacious and architectural in Santa Monica. The furnishings and equipment are modern and complete in all respects.
Mr. Todd is a member of the B.P.O.E.., I.O.O.F., Modern Woodmen, Fraternal Brotherhood and of the Christian Church. Mrs. Todd is prominently identified with the Order of the Eastern Star and is an active member of the Crescent Bay Women's Club, Ocean Park, and the Santa Monica Women's Club,
[p. 389] Frank C. Langdon [1856- ], a pioneer and representative citizen of Sawtelle, is a native of Spencertown, Columbia County, New York, where he was born the 17th day of March, 1856. His father, Lyman W. Langdon, was of New England parentage and ancestry and was born in New Hampshire in 1802, where his boyhood was spent. When a young man he owned boats on the Hudson River, which he navigated to points north of New York City. He married Miss Zulina Hull, who bore him five sons and six daughters, ten of whom grew to maturity[.] In 1857 the family moved to New York and located on a farm in Columbia County. In 1857 they emigrated to Illinois and settled near Galena, in Daviess County. From here three sons, Henry, Eugene and Edgar, volunteered in the Federal Army to fight for preservation of the Union. Henry lost an arm in the Battle of Corinth, Eugene was wounded at Lookout Mountain, and Edgar lost four fingers of his right hand while on picket duty.
The family in 1866 moved again westward and located on the open prairie in Lyon County, Minnesota, and for several years there lived with Sioux Indians as their principal neighbors.
Returning to Ilinois they lived for a time at Cleveland, McHenry County. In 1880 they removed to Brainerd, Minnesota, where the father died in 1882.
Mr. Langdon married in 1879 at Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota, Miss Nellie E., daughter of Colonel Stephen J. Russell, a farmer by occupation, a veteran of the civil war, for several years sheriff of Douglass County, Minnesota. He was a native of London, England. He came to California in 1892 and lived for a time at Inglewood. He died at Sawtelle, July 8th, 1905, at seventy-three years of age. In the winter of 1885-6, Mr. Langdon went to Sims, Morton County, Dakota and engaged in stock raising.
In March, 1888, he went to Montana to prospect for gold. He commenced operations in Lewis and Clark County about eighteen miles northeast of Helena and for a time had indifferent success. In the month of July, while drifting into the side of a bluff at French Bar on the Upper Missouri River, he undearthed a vein of quartz that proved to be a veritable mine of sapphires, rubies and diamonds of almost fabulous wealth. One, a rose diamond, of twelve karats, value $30.000 was put on exhibition at the Paris Exposition by Prof. Kunz, of Tiffany & Company, New York. This is the first and only vein of sapphire and ruby quartz ever discovered and created a sensation through the mineral world-diamonds in Africa having been found in alluvial washings. Mr. Langdon and a brother, Edgar Langdon, who was associated with him in mining operations, sold their claim for $50,000 cash and the property later passed into the hands of the Rothschilds Brothers of Londoon, England, who paid $500,000 for it, who developed it and it has since been sold for $20,000,000. Mr. Langdon still owns a quantity of these beautiful gems as souvenirs of his mining exploits. After disposing of his mine interests in Montana, Mr. Langdon returned to Hart River, forty miles west of Bismark, and engaged again in stock raising until 1899 when he came to California.
[p. 390] The following year Mr. Langdon settled with his family in Sawtelle and cast his fortune with the then small hamlet, made up of seven buildings and occupants thereof, and from that time has been one of its most active and enterprising citizens.
He has invested heavily in city realty and now owns eighteen cottages, which he leases, besides other business and residence property. He built the Langdon Hotel in 1903, which for a time was operated upon the American plan but is now upon the European plan.
He has been somewhat active and influential in city politics and was one of the original movers for the incorporation of the city, the history of which movement may be found elsewhere in this volume. The second election for incoporation, held November 26th, 1906, carried about three to one, and Mr. Langdon was elected to the Board of Trustees and subsequently chosen chairman of the board, which position he later resigned in favor of the present incumbent. Mr. Langdon's services as a public official have proven eminently satisfactory to his fellow townsmen. His attitude upon all questions affecting the public weal has always been consistently in favor of a clear government and healthy condition of public morals. A man of the strictest integrity and high ideals of citizenship, the people hwave implicit faith in him as a true and faithful public servant.
Mr. and Mrs. Langdon have two sons and two charming daughters. Nellie is a wife of Frederick Pardee, of Los Angeles; Cassie, a graduate of the Dobinson School of Expression, Los Angeles, is now Mrs. Harry Keys, of Bisbee, Arizona. The older son is Frank Clifford Langdon, of Modesto, Cal., and the youngest of the family is Tedd Russell Langdon, at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Langdon are leading members of the Church of Seventh Day Adventists, of Sawtelle, and are ready workers in all movements favoring the moral and spiritual upliftment of their home city.
[p. 390] K.B. Summerfield [1864- ], of Santa Monica, is a native of Vernon, Indiana, born May 15th, 1864. His father, John W. Summerfield, was a lawyer and for many years practised his profession at Vernon, the country seat of Jennings County. Later in life, he held for two successive terms the office of County Clerk of Jennings County. He married Katerine McClaskey. The Summerfields descended from Dutch ancestors and the McClaskeys were Scotch. Mr. Summerfield passed the days of his youth in his native town and was educated in the public schools of that place. He came to California in 1883. For eight years he was in the employ of W.D., W.S. and E.J. Vawter, acting as an accountant, and for four years he served the Bassett & Nebeker Lumber Company in the same capacity. Later he held the position for two years as local manager of the Sunset Lumber Company. He received the appointment of U.S. Postmaster for Santa Monica, April 6ht, 1902 and was reappointed in 1906. He is an efficient and popular public servant.
[p. 391 Henry D. Barrows, 1908c]
[p. 391] Henry Dwight Barrows [1825- ] was born in Mansfield, Conn., February 23rd, 1825, a son of Joshua Palmer and Polly (Bingham) Barrows. His paternal grandparents, Joshua and Anna (Turner) Barrows, were like his parents, natives of Mansfield. The Barrows family came to America from England and settled at Plymouth, Mass. Thence, in the latter part of the seventeenth century, two brothers moved to Mansfield, Conn., where eventually their name became more numerous than any other family name in town. In 1845 the subject of this sketch counted more than thirty families of the name in that place.
The maternal grandfather of Mr. Barrows, Oliver Bingham, was known and venerated as "Uncle Oliver Bingham, the miller of Mansfield Hollow." He is remembered by his grandson as a large, well-proportioned man, resembling in appearance the pictures of George Washington. He had a brother, a miller on the Willimantic River, known widely as "Uncle Roger Bingham, of the old town of Windham."
Joshua Palmer Barrows was born in 1794 and died in Mansfield in 1887; his wife was born in 1790 aqnd died in 1864. They had three children viz.: Mrs. Franklin S. Hovey, who died in Beverly, N.J., in 1890; Henry D. and James A., who for many years have been residents of Los Angeles.
The early years of the subject of this sketch was spent on a farm. He received his education, first, in the public school, and later in the high school at South Coventry, Conn. Afterward he spent several terms in the academy at Ellington, Conn. Commencing when he was seventeen, he taught school for four winters. During this time he devoted considerable time to music, joining the local band, of which he became the leader, and taking lessons on the organ under a skillful English teacher at Hartford. In the village where Mr. Barrows was reared (South Mansfield, or Mansfield Center as it was known) books were scarce, but he read all he could get. "Dick's Christian Philosopher" delighted him, and he still regards it as one of the best works extant to widen one's ideas of the world around him.
His first business experience was clerking in New York in 1849. The next year he went to Boston, where, as entry clerk and then as bookkeeper, he worked [p. 392] in the large dry goods jobbing house of J.W. Blodgett & Co. for over two years acquiring a business experience that was very valuable to him in after years. He greatly enjoyed the superior advantages in the way of books, lectures, music, etc., which a great city affords over a country town. He also heard with delight the early operas of Verdi, as well as those of Donizetti, Bellini, etc., as presented by Benedetti, Truffi, and other artists of that period, under the leadership of Max Maretzic.
April 26th, 1852, Mr. Barrows sailed from New York on the steamer Illinois for California. The passage of the isthmus at that time was full of hardships, the connecting steamer on this side was the Golden Gate. Soon after arrival in San Francisco, Mr. Barrows went to the northern mines, going as far as Shasta; but, as the dry season had set in, he returned down the valley, working at haying at $100 a month on Thomas Creek, near Tehama. He reached San Francisco, July 31st, full of chills and fever, which the cold, harsh summer climate of that city, in contrast with the extreme heat of the Sacremento [sic] valley, only aggravated. He then went to San Jose, where he raised a crop of wheat and barley. At that time (1852-53) flour was very high, retailing at twenty-five cents a pound.
In the fall of 1853 Mr. Barrows went to the southern mines, working at placer gold mining near Jamestown. Later he obtained an engagement as teacher of music in the Collegiate Institute in Benicia, remaining there until October, 1854, when the late William Wolfskill, the pioneer, engaged him to teach a private school in his family at Los Angeles, from December, 1854, until the latter part of 1858. Among his pupils, besides the sons and daughters of Mr. Wolfskill, were John and Joseph C. Wolfskill, sons of his brother, Mathew; William R. and Robert Rowland; the children of Lemuel Carpenter, J.E. Pleasants, etc. In 1859-60 he cultivated a vineyard on the east side of the river. He was appointed United States Marshall for the southern district of California by President Lincoln in 1861, holding the office four years. In 1864 he engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued about fifteen years.
Mr. Barrows was married November 14th, 1860, to Juanita Wolfskill, who was born November 14th, 1841, and died January 31st, 1863, leaving a daughter, Alice Wolfskill Barrows, who was born July 16th, 1862, and who became the wife of Henry Guenther Weyse, October 2nd, 1888. Mrs. Juanita Barrows was a daughter of William and Magdalena (Lugo) Wolfskill. Mr. Wolfskill was born in Kentucky in 1798, of German and Irish parentage, and was one of the very earliest American pioneers of Los Angeles, having arrived here in February, 1831. He died in this city October 3rd, 1866. His wife was born in Santa Barbara, California, the daughter of José Ygnacio Lugo and Dona Rafaela Romero de Lugo, Don José Ygnacio Lugo being the brother of Antonio Maria Lugo and of Dona Maria Antonia Lugo de Vallejo, who was the wife of Sergeant Vallego and the mother of General M.G. Vallejo. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfskill were married at Santa Barbara in January, 1841; she died July 6th, 1862. There were born to them six children, viz.: Juanita Francisca, born in 1843 and be-[p. 393] came the wife of Charles J. Shepherd; Joseph W., born in 1844, married Elena Pedrorena; Magdalena, born in 1846, married Frank Sabichi; Lewis, born in 1848, married Louisa Dalton, daughter of Henry Dalton, the pioneer; and Rafaelita, who died in childhood.
August 14th, 1864, Mr. Barrows married Mary Alice Workman, daughter of John D. Woodworth, and the widow of Thomas H. Workman, who was killed by the explosion of the steamer Ada Hancock in the bay of San Pedro April 23rd, 1863. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and died in Los Angeles March 9th, 1868, leaving two daughters: Ada Frances, who was born May 21st, 1865, and was marriedc October 25th, 1890, to Rudolph G. Weyse (by whom she has three children); and Mary Washington, who was born February 22nd, 1868, and died in infancy. The present wife of Mr. Barrows was Bessie A. Greene, a native of Utica, N.Y. They were married November 28, 1868, and have one son, Harry Prosper Barrows; the latter born December 14th, 1869, and married August 19th, 1893, to Bessie D. Bell, a native of Michigan. They have three children.
Until the formation of the Republican party Mr. Barrows was a Whig. He voted for Fremont in 1856, and has voted for every Republican candidate for president since till 1900, when he voted for William J. Bryan. He belives that that great party, in its earlier years, made a glorious record as a champion of the rights of man and of constitutional liberty. But he has found occasion, in common with many other original and sincere Republicans, to lament the departure of the party from its earlier simplicity and singleness of purpose in behalf of universal freedom, being dedicated wholly, as it was, "to the happiness of free and equal men." For many years prior to the '80s he took an active part in public education. For much of the time during fifteen years he served as a member of the school board of this city. In 1867 he was elected city superintendent, and in 1868, county superintendent. He has written much on many subjects for the local press, and especially on financial questions, including resumption of specie payment, bimetallism, etc. He contributed one of the thirty-nine essays to the competitive contest invited in 1889 by M. Henri Cernuschi on International Bimetallism. He also wrote philosophical essay, in 1904, entitled: "Cosmos or Chaos? Theism or Atheism?" From 1856, for nearly ten years, he was the regular paid Los Angeles correspondent of the San Francisco Bulletin, then one of the most influential newspapers of the Pacific Coast.
Mr. Barrows has administered a number of large estates, including those of William Wolfskill, Captain Alexander Bell, Thomas C. Rhodes, and others. He was appointed by the United States district court one of the commissioners to run the boundary line between Prodidencia Rancho and that of the ex-Mission of San Fernando. Also, by appointment of the superior court, he was one of the commissioners who partitioned the San Pedro Rancho, which contained about twenty-five thousand acres. In 1868 he was president of the Historical Society of Southern California, of which he was one of the founders, [p. 394] and to the records of which he has contributed many valuable papers of reminiscences. He is also one of the charter members of the founders of the Society of Los Angeles Pioneers. He wrote about one hundred sketches of early pioneers of Los Angeles, most of whom he knew personally, for the Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, issued in 1889 by the Lewis Publishing Co., of Chicago. He also wrote the text of the Illustrated History of Central California, published by the same company in 1893. Copies of both works may be found in the Los Angeles Public Library.
Mr. Barrow has a strong conviction that every man and every woman should be a fully developed citizen; and that while all men and women should be guaranteed their natural equal rights and equal priviledges in order that they may be enabled as nearly as may be, to fight the battle of life on an equal footing so far, at least, as the state can guarantee such natural rights and privileges to all its citizens. He holds that every citizen also owes manifold obligations to the state and to the community in which he lives-obligations which, though they cannot be legally enforced, he is, morally at least, not entitled to shirk. "Who," says Mr. Barrows, "can imagine the beauty of that state in which every person, however humble his lot, enjoys, not only theoretically, but practically, all the natural rights and privileges that every other person enjoys, and in which at the same time every person volutarily and freely renders, proportionately to his ability and opportunity, to the state and to the community, all the varied obligations pertaining to his personal and particular sphere that the best citizens perform. There are myriad ways of doing good in the world open to every person, and there are myriad obligations which every person owes the community which, if every person freely and faithfully performed according to his or her several abilities, this world would speedily become what it was intended to be, an earthly paradise." Loyalty to these principles and loyalty to the moral government of the universe and to the Great Being who upholds and rules that universe, Mr. Barrow adds, constitutes his creed, his religion. In his opinion they are broad enough and true enough to serve as the basis of a universal religion, of a creed which all men can subscribe to, and live by, and die by!
[p. 394] John Charles Hemingway [1858- ], Clerk of Santa Monica, was born in the City of Chelsea, Suffolk County, Mass., October 19th, 1858, the son of John Hemingway, a farmer. He spent his boyhood in the city of Boston. He attended Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. After leaving school he engaged in newspaper work as a reporter for the local press. Later, for a period of about ten years, he worked as a reporter on the leading daily papers of Chicago. In 1883 he came to Los Angeles and accepted a position in the same capacity on the Los Angeles Daily Herald. He followed journalism in the capacity of news correspondent until April, 1902, when he was elected City Clerk of Santa Monica. He was re-elected to the same office April, 1907, under the Freeholders Charter.
[p.395] November 10th, 1889, Mr. Hemingway married Miss Emma J. Hayden, a native of Portland, but from childhood a resident of East Los Angeles. They have one daughter, E. Mearle.
Mr. Hemingway is a member of the F. and A. M., I.O.O.F. and B.P.O.E., of which latter organization he is Exalted Ruler. Mr. and Mrs. Hemingway are members of Saint Augustine Epicopal Church of this city.
Samta Monica has no more popular citizen than J.C. Hemingway and his record as a public official is beyond reproach.
[p. 395 Orin Davis, M.D.][1823- ], 1908c]
(At my request, Dr. Orin Davis, a venerable and beloved citizen of Sawtelle, has favored me with the following autobiographical review of some of the incidents of a long, useful and exemplary life.-The Author.)
In the township of York, Livingston County, N.Y., in 1823, forests covered the landscape with their leafy drapery excepting here and there an open clearing made by an early settler, and upon one of these there stood a long house with a clay-stick chimney and from within the curling smoke rolled up from an ample fireplace whose broad, uneven hearth-stone was quarried from the earth near by.
From this chimney place hung the iron crane, embellished by several swivel jointed hooks and trammels of variable lengths, equipped for culinary service; doors on wooden hinges and fastened by wooden latches; in one corner a rudely constructed ladder, with holes and round sticks made to fit by the jackknife, led to chambers aloft, which were divided by calico curtains and white sheets; below, in the opposite corner, a caseless clock, from whose motor weights were suspended by cords communicating with hands that pointed to figures on the dial and whose bell strikingly announced the passing of golden hours. On the uppermost border of the plate was the smiling image of the moon just rising from invisible depths. Such wer some of the environments on June 26th, when the helpless, half animate, new-born child of Asa and Sallie Clarke Davis was forced into this mysterious earth of ours to encounter the hazards of life's alluring temptations and bitter sufferings-the subject of this brief sketch.
[p. 396] My father was not only a farmer by occupation, but also a nurseryman, and I had training in raising for sale the better kind of grafted fruit trees. As years rolled on, the old log house was supplanted by a large frame one, the colts grew to be horses and were harnessed to useful undertakings, loads of fruit trees brought cash, and with this constant unfolding of animal and vegetable life, the subject of this sketch also advanced and resolved that his future should be further unfolded in the study and practice of medicine.
Early I became interested in the remedial properties of the then little known, indigenous materia medica, comprising many of those important domestic agents that had gainded no standard remedial reputation in the dispensaries. Three years were devoted to the study of the regular text books in medicine prepatory to attdendance upon two full courses of lectures in a regularly chartered college. I finally passed the quiz successfully and was honored with the Degree of Doctor of Medicine, in June, 1846. Immediately I entered upon the arduous duties of active practice and January, 1847, was elected to edit a monthly journal, the Eclectic Medical Reformer, published at Dansville, New York. In the following June I co-operated with two medical graduates and two professors from Cincinnati College in a preparatory two months' course of instruction for medical students who later intended to be better equipped for the college curriculum. Obstetricy and diseases of women and children were the department assigned to me for their instruciton.
On the following and during succeeding years, classes of students attended four months' courses of medical instruction in Central Medical College at Rochester, N.Y., where liberal principles of medicine were advocated by our faculty and the Eclectic Medical and Sugical Journal, until the college and its educational interests were transferred to New York City were a new charter was obtained. There it still continues to flourish, a successful exponent of medical progress, reflecting honor upon the cause of American medicine.
In 1854 I established a Health Institute at Attica, New York,, and for fifty years continued as its proprietor, treating chronic diseases of both sexes, making pelvic ailments of women a specialty. These remedial efforts were successful so that previous to the Spanish War, which greatly enlarged our domain, my patrons were living in every state and territory of the Union, with the single exception of Alaska. In the meantime my contributions to the medical literature embraced a wide range of topics some of which were published by the state legislature of New York, also in various medical journals and thus obtained a wide circulation. One family work on popular medicine which I wrote is reported in numbers of copies published to exceed the two million mark.
In 1874 I was elected president of the New York State Eclectic Medical Society and, among, other timely topics, presented the idea originating high license as a means of reducing and ultimately destroying profitable traffic in alcoholic stimulants. Not only at the time of my inaugural address, but ever [p. 397] since then it has engaged attention of temperance reformers and has continued to be a live issue and contending factor in discussions in temperance organizations.
For more than thirty-five years I have been a Master Mason, a conscientious believer in the enduring truths and upright principles inculcated by this worthy order, and have been a living witness of its benign influence and of the incalculable good resulting not only to its faithful followers, but upon society at large.
I have ever taken a deep interest in church music. In religious organizations its salutary, uplifting influence upon the community is second only to the gospel ministry of truth. Poetry wedded to music renders most expressively the yearning of the emotive faculties which hopefully and confidingly bring us in close spiritual relation with our Heavely Father. While the grand truths of science and religion are celebrated in song, yet it is such faculties as sympathy, joy, hope, confidence, love, and devotion when blended by music, that raise the thoughts to a heavenly sphere-to the spiritual verities that ennobles the soul, giving increasing breadth and basis to universal charity. In matters of faith and spiritual knowledge I believe in continual advancement, daily demonstrating in spirit the quality of life's purposes; by self-denial, repressing selfishness and perfect confidence in the Love that will finally be all in all.
I attribute much of my success throughout life to the inspiring presence and genius of my beloved wife, who in 1843, for better for worse , joined her life and fortune with my own. Through all succeeding events, her counsel, timely assistance, punctuality, order and regularity in her every day duties, accompanied with evenness of spirit, made opportunities possible for the better devotion of my time and talents to the arduous duties of my profession.
One daughter and two sons are living and one son passed away in early childhood. Many are the sweet remembrances that crowd upon the memory of a long and eventful life-of professional friendships an social endearments that are consciously reproduced and cheer us while passing the evening of our days in the quiet of our semi-tropic home in Southern California.
[p. 397] Daniel Alton [1843- ], a substantial citizen of Sawtelle, is a native of the State of New York. He was born in Jefferson County, February 20, 1843. His father, Christopher Alton, was a prosperous farmer and a native of County Limerick, Ireland, who came to America about the year 1828 at thirteen years of age and located in Canada where he spent his youth. At Kingston, Canada, he married Miss Ann Montgomery, a native of County Mayo. They came to New York and located on a farm near Watertown, the county seat of Jefferson County. They raised a family of four sons and one daughter, the oldest of whom was Adam, who married and located In Waudena County, Minn., and there died at about the age of fifty-nine years. Elizabeth married Charles Bloss and lived in Munroe County, Wisconsin. She is now deceeased. Daniel, the subject [p. 398] of this sketch is the third born. Michael, the fourth born, is now (1908) is resident of Clark County , Wisconsin, and lives near Neelsvile. Joseph, the youngest, lives at Watertown, Muroe County, Wisconsin.
Mr. Alton left home when a lad and went to Hartford, Washington County, Wisconsin. Later he lived in Janeau County. There he enlisted in the Union Army to fight the rebellion, June 21st, 1861, went forthwith to the front, engaged in the second Battle of Bull Run where he received a severe wound in the right thigh. From the battlefield he was conveyed to the Military Hospital at West Philadelphia where he was confined until April 14th, 1863, whereupon he was honorably discharged from the army by reason of his disability and returned to Wisconsin. In 1865 he went to Minnesota and located in the town of Tenhaussen, Martin County, where for thirty-two years he engaged successfully in general agriculture.
On March 22nd, 1866, Mr. Alton married Miss Mary E. Dennett and they raised and educated a family of six children all born on the old Minnesota homestead. Lorenzo, the eldest, was born February 11th, 1867 and died in December, 1871. Carrie, born October 29th, 1869, is now Mrs. Fred Howland, of Serra Vista, Santa Monica, Alfred D., born April 13th, 1871, lives on the old homestead. Josephine, born February 25th, 1874, is now Mrs. Abraham Kyle, of Tenhaussen, Minnesota. Herbert D., born Mary 22nd, 1883, now resident of Spokane, Washington,and Lester Lee, born August 26th, 1889, lives at Serra Vista, Santa Monica. The family was reared under the best of social influences and all received a thorough High School or college education.
Mr. Alton has been twice married. The present Mrs. Alton was America Weaver Lee, a member of a branch of the famous Lee family of Virginia. Mr. Aton's life has been one of great industry and business activity. Leaving the parental roof when a mere lad to make his own way in the world, he soon thereafter promptly responded to the country's call to arms in defense and preservation of the Union, and with shattered constitution returned to the responsibilities of active civil citizenship. With meagre means he engaged in farming in a new and frontier country, and by diligent endeavor, aggressive yet conservative enterprise he became one of the most successful and influential farmers in his county. He also as a matter of civic duty, took an active part in shaping the policies and conducting the public affairs of his county and was for seventeen years Supervisor of Tenhaussen Township and chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Martin County. Nothwithstanding his manifold private responsibilities and his public duties, Mr. Alton tound time for extensive travels, having visited nearly every state in the Union making, meantime, thirteen trips from the Mississippi River to California, thoroughly prospecting the country for the most desirable home location. Sawtelle may be congratulated upon the fact that Mr. Alton, after so much deliberaion, has finally taken up his home in its midst, where he has invested many thousands of dollars in city realty and income property.
[p. 399 Alvin N. Archer, 1908c]
[p. 399] Alvin N. Archer [1844- ], a well known pioneer citizen of Ocean Park, Santa Monica, is a native of the State of Maine, born in the town of Charlotte, Washington County, October 23rd, 1844. His father, John N. Archer, a shoemaker by trade and occupation, a native of the same state, married Abigal Hughes and they raised a family of four sons and four daughters of whom Alvin N. was the fifth. Abigal Hughes was the daughter of John Hughes, a native of Wales, G.B. He was a man of great physical strength and a professiona athlete. Young Archer left home at eighteen years of age and in 1862 entered the Union Army for the Civil War. He was mustered into the service at the town of Lincoln, Penobscot County; First Main Artillery, Battery I., which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. His regiment was held in the defense of Washington until April, 1864, and was then sent to the front under the command of General W.S. Hancock. They participated in all the bloody fighting involved in the Siege of Petersburg and it is a matter of public record that the First Maine Artillery sustained a larger per cent of losses than any other in the Federal Army. In one instance, when assaulting the breastworks, Mr. Archer's battery came out with only seven out of a total of sity men who made the charge. Mr. Archer received two wounds during the war and still carries a musket ball under his shoulder blade. He mustered out in July, 1865, at Philadelphia, Pa., and soon thereafter returned home. For a time he followed lumbering and in 1877 went to Michigan, located at Midland and worked for the Flint & Pere Marquette Ry. Co. In 1879 he removed to Madison, South Dakota, and worked on a bonanza farm. In 1891 he came west to Oregon and in 1892 to Southern California. He was in poor health and located at Santa Monica. For the Y.M.C.A. he erected the first building in South Santa Monica in 1894. For four years he was the local agent of the Santa Fe Ry. Company. Later he held the office of deputy constable and was also the first uniformed policeman of the new town. He was the prime factor in organizing fire company No, 2, and for years was its president. He was elected and served as a member of the board of Freeholders that draughted the present city charter [p. 400] of Santa Monica. He is at present member of the City Fire Commission having in charge all matters relating to the present efficient fire department.
Mr. Archer married at Ocean Park, in 1892, Miss Luetta Litch, a native of Fredonia, N.Y., and a daughter of Joseph Litch, a one time extensive farmer and land owner of Chautauqua County, N.Y. He, however, met with financial reverses and died in middle life. The mother soon passed away leaving the daughter in the guardianship of her present husband. Mr. and Mrs. Archer have four children-Bula June, the first child born of American parents in South Santa Monica; Reed M.; Glen E.; Altha, F. The Archer home is No. 245 Hill Street. Mr. Archer is one of the influential and progressive pioneers of Ocean Park, Santa Monica, and takes a lively interest in the public welfare of his adopted city.
[p. 400] Daniel Meloy [1833- ] was born at Harrisburg, Pa., September 15th, 1833, the son of John Meloy, a farmer who settled on the western frontier in Ohio at what is now the City of Wooster, in 1834. In 1836 he removed to Mercer County, Ohio, and settled on wild land in a dense wilderness. There he developed a good farm. In 1841 he went to Whitney County Ind., and located near the county seat, Columbia, and developed an eighty acre farm. Later he made a new location in Kosciusko County, Ind., which became the permanent family home.
He married Mary Smith at Harrisburg, Pa., and they raised a family of thirteen children. He died on the old homestead in 1891 at eighty-five years of age.
Daniel lived at home until twenty-one years of age. He then spent two years in Illinois and two years in Iowa. Iowa then had no railroads and corm was worth but eight cents per bushel. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted in the Federal army, Co. B, 52nd. Ind. Vol. Inf., and went to the front. He was about nineteen months in the Fifteenth Army Corps, under General Thomas, did some lively fighting at the batttles of Gettysburg, was in the fight at Shanondoah, Winchester and at Harpers Ferry. He remained in the army until the war was over. He had two brothers, Seth and Andrew, who responded to the first call for volunteers. The latter lost his life at Corinth, Miss.
After the war, Mr. Meloy emigrated to Kansas and located near Senaca, the county seat of Numah County, and purchased one hundred sixty acres of land. Later he lived for fifteen years at Fort Scott, Kansas. In 1877 he came to California and lived a short time at Pasadena. In 1878 he located near Santa Monica, at what is now Twentieth Street, near Colorado Avenue, where he owns eight good residence lots.
Mr. Meloy married in Kosciosko County, Ind., Miss Amarylis F. Thomas, a daughter of George Thomas by whom he has four children living-Tryphosa F., Horace T. Meloy, a well known and successful business man of Santa Monica; Rosetta H. and David C. Mrs. Meloy died August 3rd, at sixty-four years of age.
[p. 401] Henry X. Goetz [1861- ], for nearly a quarter of a century a resident of California, and since 1888 an active and influential citizen of Santa Monica, is a native of the Province of Ontario, Canada, where he was born August 7th, 1861. His father, Andrew Goetz, was of German parentage, and spent his entire life in Ontario. He was a thrifty farmer, whose parents emigrated from Strasburg, Germany, about the time of his birth and were pioneers in the early settlemnt of the country. Henry Goetz lived on the home farm until 1881, when he started out single handed and alone to carve his own future in the business world. He went first to the town of Walkerville, Ontario, and entered the employ of Hiram Walker & Sons, founders of the town. His services were so valuable to his employers tha, although but a youth, they placed him in charge of a crew of men. He remained with Hiram Walker & Sons two years and acquired valuable knowledge and experience in various departments of the building and mechanical business. The years 1883 and 1884 he spent in Victoria, British Columbia. In November, 1885, he came to California, spending eleeven months in San Francisco. The following year (1886) he came to Southern California and spent one year in Los Angeles, after which he located permanently in Santa Monica.
Mr. Goetz found Santa Monica just awakening from a protracted period of lethargy, the result of a miscarriage of ambitious plans for building here a harbor city. The completion of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R.R. into Los Angeles this year resulted in the influx of armies of people overland from the east, the spontaneous advances in realty and the greatest land boom the country has ever witnessed. Santa Monica began to expand and Mr. Goetz became actively interested in her civic, political and business development. He has erected a large number of Santa Monica's finest business blocks, public buildings and residences. He built the Santa Monica Bank building in 1888, and later the Academy of Holy Names, corner of Third Street and Arizona Avenue. He has built several of Santa Monica's finest school buildings, notably the Lincoln High School and the Washington Buildings. He also built the North Beach Bath House, the Santa Monica City Hall, the Public Library, the Bundy Block and the Ocean Park City Hall and Fire House. The Dudley Building, corner of Third Street and Oregon Avenue, is evidence of the thoroughly architectural and substantial manner in which Mr. Goetz pursues his business, both as a designer and builder. In the building of Venice, Mr. Goetz took an active part. He built the Venice Bath House, the lake and grand canal system, in thirty days time, under rush orders; also, at the same time, the St. Marks Hotel, together with a number of other buildings, a phenomenal feat in view of all the circumstances.
Few citizens of Santa Monica have been more active and influential in public affairs than Mr. Goetz. He served four years, 1893 to 1897, on the Board of City Trustees and was Chairman of the Judiciary and Ordinance Committee, likewise Chairman of the Committee on Streets and Parks, in this latter capacity [p. 402] introducing and testing the present splendid system of petrolithic oil paving for streets and roads now adopted throughout Southern California. To this work he devoted much time and serious attention and the results must stand as a monument to his energy and wisdom as an officer and public servant. Mr. Goetz, in July, 1908, was elected president of the Santa Monica Board of Trade to succeed Mr. J.J. Seymour. Mr. Goetz was married in 1887, in Los Angeles, to Miss Catherine G. Woods, a native of San Francisco. They have three children-Joseph H., Mary and Milton. He is a member of the local lodge of Foresters of America, the Knights of Columbus and the B.P.O.E. For many years a consistent Democrat in politics, he is not radically partisan but stands rather for good men for office and good public measures, not party expediences. The Goetz family residence, one of the most substantial and artistic in the city is on North Third Street, No. 1043.
[p. 402] George Boehme [1829- ], pioneer of Santa Monica, is a native of Alsace-Lorraine, then a province of France, and was born in the year 1829. He came to America in 1850, landing at New Orleans. In 1852 he came to California and spent several months in the mines. In 1854 he established himself in the tinning and plumbing business, in San Francisco. In 1855, he removed to Sacramento, and engaged there in the same line of business for a period of twenty years. He then assisted in laying the corner stone of the present State Capitol building, and later was assigned the contract for the copper roofing of the same.
In 185 was appointed lieutenant in the Sacramento Hussars, Fourth Brigade, National Guards.
In 1875 he came to Santa Monica and disembarked from the first vessel that touched at the first Santa Monica wharf. He immediately invested in about $2,000 worth of city lots, purchasing the same at the first auction held. From that date he took an active part in the material advancement of his chosen hoome city. In 1887, he built the Boehme Block, on Second Street, near Utah Avenue, which was at that time the most pretentious business block in the city. For many years he carried on a successful hardware and plumbing business and became a large holder of real estate, both business and residential.
He held the office of City Treasurer from 1892 to 1895, and was succeeded by Eugene W. Boehme, his son, who held the office four terms. During recent years he has led a retired, quiet life.
Mr. Boehme married in 1860 Miss Mary Kalgarif, a native of Ireland, who came to New Orleans, at eighteen years of age, and in 1855, with a brother, to California, and lived at Sacramento. They have three sons, and a daughter, George C., Henry M. , Eugene W., well known business men of Santa Monica, and Adaline.
Mr. Boehme has been an active and successful business man, and commands the respect and esteem of all who know him.
[p. 403] John Metcalf [1842- ], capitalist and retired citizen of Venice, has been an important factor in the upbuilding and commercial development of the Canal City. He is a native of Yorkshire, England and was born February 9th, 1842. His father, Thomas Metcalf, was a lead miner by occupation and was reared to his calling in the mining region of Yorkshire. He came to America in 1849, bringing his family with him, and located at Dubuque, Iowa, his destination. He soon, however, located almost opposite Dubuque across the Mississippi River in Southwestern Wisconsin in the town of Benton, La Fayette County, where he purchased a farm upon which he lived until his death in 1855. He was about forty-three years of age.
Young Metcalf grew up at Benton and commenced the battle of life at the tender age of thirteen years. He first worked in the lead mines of the Galena district near his home, for fifty cents per day, and by studied industry and frugal habits coupled with his intelligent economy, he gradually improved his financial condition. In 1864, he joined the Union Army and went to Texas. He was in the service one year when the war came to a close and, returning home, he turned his "sword into a plough share" and went to farming. He raised and bought cattle and engaged in the butchering business. In order to better his field for operation he sold his property in La Fayette County and removed to Hardin County, Iowa, and later to Sioux City, buying and selling real estate. He finally became interest[sic] in property in Olbrien Country, northeast of Sioux City and located at Paullina, then a small town in a new but promising country. He engaged in the real estate business and also became heavily interested in grain and stock farms. In 1883, he established the present Bank of Paullina of which he has since been the owner. Later, in 1902, he purchased the Bank of Merrill in Plymouth County, Iowa, of which he is still the owner. Mr. Metcalf has always pursued a liberal yet intelligently conservative business policy and he makes and values money for the good it can be made to accomplish for mankind at large. By judicious investment in worthy enterprises he makes it the force that opens up new industries and developes the country.
Mr. Metcalf first came to Califoria in the winter of 1893-4 and visited various sections of the State. He finally purchased fifty-four acres of land of Antonio Machado, it being a portion of the La Ballona Grant. He bought it for its value for alfalfa land, as an investment. The building of the Los Angeles Pacific Short Line R.R., and the development of the beautiful city of Venice brought this land into demand for other purposes and in 1905 it was platted as the Venice Gateway Tract into three hundred and fifty residence lots of the usual size. The major portion of the tract has been sold to home builders and to others as investments. The streets are sixty feet wide beside twenty feet on each side is devoted to sidewalk and parking purposes. The Ocean Park City Hall is located at Venice Gateway, the land for which was donated to the city.
[p. 404 W.B.B. Taylor, 1908c]
Mr. Metcalf is one of the incorporators and a stock holder in the Venice Shoe Manufacturing Company, Inc., and a director of the corporation. He erected [p. 405] at an expense of about $12,000, the beautiful and substantial factory building which he leases to the new industry at a nominal rental price.
In 1869 Mr. Metcalf married Miss Mary A. Simpson of Dubuque, Iowa. She died at Paullina, Iowa, in 1892. In 1894 he married Mrs. Bell R. Carpenter. They maintain their old house at Paullina, Iowa, and have a beautiful modern California house at Venice Gateway.
[p. 405] Wendell B.B. Taylor [ 1875- ], pioneer attorney of Sawtelle, was born at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, May 4th, 1875. He is the son of Rev. George Taylor, pastor of the Baptist Church of Sawtelle. On the maternal side he is a son of the Revolution. At the age of seven years, with his parents, he moved to Maine, where he lived three years, when the family determined to come to California, arriving here in December, 1885. After residing nine months in Los Angeles the family moved to Pasadena, where over fifteen years of Mr. Taylor's life was spent. There he received his education. After being graduated from the Pasadena High School in the Class of 1897, and spending one year at Pomona College, Claremont, he took a thorough course of bookkeeping and stenography and entered upon the study of law at the law offices of Hahn & Hahn, the leading attorneys of Pasadena, spending five years in hard study and office work, receiving a thorough training in both theory and practice. He was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the State of California on the 20th day of October, 1903, at which time he enjoyed a good practice, which has since grown. His practice includes all phases of the law, both civil and criminal, but he is making a speciality of corporation and probate law and conveyancing. Since coming to Sawtelle he incorporated all the established churches of the place, the Sawtelle Water Company, the Sawtelle Cemetary Association, besides other corporations, while his probate matters carry him frequently into the courts. These, together with his office practice, make him a busy man.
He came to Sawtelle about the middle of April, 1902, and commenced work for Mr. W.E. Sawtelle, then manager of the Pacific Land Company, and remained with him until they formed the real estate co-partnership of Sawtelle & Company, which did a good business for a number of years. Mr. Sawtelle then became associated with the Citizens State Bank and Mr. Taylor became the first City Attorney of the City of Sawtelle and turned his attention solely to the practice of law and to fire insurance.
Mr. Taylor has served as Clerk of the Sawtelle School District and Sawtelle City School District Boards for about six years; has been two terms Chief Templar of the Sawtelle Good Templars Lodge; is serving his fourth term as Clerk of the Baptist Church of Sawtelle; served one term as Noble Grand of the Sawtelle Lodge, No. 128, I.O.O.F., and is serving his sixth year as Secretary of the Sunday School Convention of the Los Angeles Baptist Association.
[p. 406] On the 8th day of June, 1904, Miss Carrie Adelia Hoyt and Mr. Taylor were united in marriage at the home of the bride's uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. O.E. Goodale at Los Angles. Mr. Goodale was for fifteen years the efficient chief civil engineer at the Pacific Branch, N.H.D.V.S. , which position he resigned to take up architectural work. During this period Mrs. Taylor was a member of Mr. Goodale's family. She was a hard worker in the Protestant Chapel of the Home, as choir leader and organist and her activity in religious and patriotic circles of the institution made her acquaintancces an extensive one. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor reside at Pine Knoll, No. 654 West Oregon Avenue. They have two small children.
Mr. Taylor has two brothers both married. Mr. Hawley O. Taylor is proficient as a civil and mining engineer, and is now a student at Cornell University. Mr. Almos R. Taylor, with his family, reside at present at Sawtelle. He is chief artist for the Neuner Company, Los Angeles.
In the long struggle for the incorporation of the City of Sawtelle, Mr. Taylor was a hard worker for the cause of incorporation which finally triumphed. After the incorporation of the city and election of the first board of trustees and officers, the disincorporationists petitioned for an election to disincorporate under the law provided for that purpose. Mr. Taylor, as the first city attorney, rendered an opinion that the board of trustees were without jurisdiction to entertain the petition or call the election on the ground that there were no method of ascertaining the sufficiency of the petition as to the requisite number of qualified electors signing the same, as there had as yet been no municipal election in the City of Sawtelle within the meaning of the disincorporation act, the election to incorporate the city being a special election and not a municipal election. The act provided that the petition must be signed by qualified voters electors of the city equal in number to one-half the vote cast at the last municipal election heled therein. The matter was carried into the courts and the opinion of Mr. Taylor was sustained.
[p. 406] James Stephen Talkington [1844- ] is a retired resident of this city, a native of Crawford County, Ark., born at Cedar Creek, twelve miles north of Van Buren, the county seat, September 20th, 1844. His father was Allen A. Talkington, a farmer, a native of Todd County, Ky., who pioneered on the western frontier in Arkansas, raising a family of six children. He came to Californira in 1869, lived and died at Orange, Orange County, his decease taking place in 1903, when he was ninety-three years of age. The mother of the subject of this sketch was Elizabeth Nichols, also a native of Kentucky. She died in 1884, at seventy-four years of age, at her home in Orange, Cal. Mr. Talkington has a brother, Simeon N., of No. 323 Tenth Street, Santa Monica. Three sisters are living: Mrs. Margaret Marshall, widow, No. 231 West Sixty-second St., Los Angeles; Mrs. Ethelinga Yarnell, widow, of Orange, Cal., and Mrs. James V. Sutton, of Orange.
[p. 407]Mr. Talkington, at nineteen years of age, May 10th, 1864, joined the Confederate Army. It was, however, under a misconception of the true condition of affairs, and he soon made a trip into Mexico through Southwest Texas, and took a hand in the revolution then in progress in that country, encountering much hardship and adventure. He returned home in August, 1865. The family soon thereafter came overland with ox teams and covered wagons. Mr. Talkington driving a team of four yoke of oxen, with a "Prairie Schooner," the entire distance. They located and lived three years in the mountains of San Diego county. In 1869 they removed to Orange county, where the parents died and a portion of the family still reside. Mr. Talkington later lived at Tropico, and also later in Los Angeles. In 1893, he located in Santa Monica, and now lives on 216 Arizona Avenue, between Second and Third Streets.
[p. 407 Bernard Quinn, 1908c]
[p. 407] There are few cities on the Pacific Coast that have attached to their citizenship a larger percentage of well-to-do and the wealthy men of the country than has Santa Monica. Bernard Quinn [1837- ] is one of the recent acquisitions to this most thrifty colony. Mr. Quinn is a native of Ireland, having been born in County Armagh in 1837. His father, Michael Quinn, died in Ireland and the widow, with seven children came to America, locating in Allegheny County, Pa., about twenty-one miles above the city of Pittsburg. Here the mother died at the age of about fifty years. Young Quinn grew to manhood in Allegheny County and when ten years of age learned the business of operating a stationary engine, pursuing that calling for several years. In the year 1856, at the age of nineteen, he came west to the territory of Nebraska. Here he did a freighting business with teams and wagons for the United States Government, transporting supplies to the troops garrisoned at Fort Benton.
In 1864 he, with a brother Charles, came still further westward to Montana. The transportation was made with a train of twenty-five emigrant wagons, each drawn by five yokes of oxen, young Quinn driving the lead team. The Quinn brothers owned six of these outfits. They located about one hundred miles north of what is now the city of Helena and engaged in mining with very indiffer- [p. 408] ent success. In 1867 they went to Salt Lake City, where they purchased of the Mormons one hundred and sixty cows and calves. This stock they drove north into Montana and for about fifteen years engaged in stock raising in that state. Their range covered a stretch of country nine miles square, one of the richest and best watered in the region and they made the business profitable. In 1888 they disposed of all their stock interests and went to Butte City where they invested heavily in city propery. The brother died in Butte City in May, 1897, at 78 years of age,
Mr. Quinn prospered in business and acquired some of the best realty holdings in the city of Butte. By reasons of physical disabilities, the results of exposure in the vigorous climate of Montana, Mr. Quinn, after extensive traveling, came to California and in 1908 purchased a delightful home, retiring from active busines life. In 1894 Mr. Quinn married Miss Bell Curnan, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and a daughter of Charles Durnan, a boatman on the Erie Canal. Mr. and Mrs Quinn have one son, Victor John Quinn, born in Butte City, Montana, January 23rd, 1897. The family home is at Ninth and Arizona Avenue.
While residents of Nebraska the Quinn brothers took a prominent part in the warfare against the Indians of the Platte River Valley. They were typical and enterprising pioneers and brought the first harvesting machine into that country. When they finally went to Montana they took with them two Champion mowing and harvesting machines, the first ever seen in that country. These machines were an innovation, and the enterprising Quinns had more work than they could do cutting hay at $35.00 per day. Mr. Quinn is a member of the Society of Montana Pioneers and a devout member of the Catholic Church.
[p. 408] Samuel L. Berkley [1864- ], successful druggist of Santa Monica, was born in the town of Lowell, Muskingum County, Ohio, March 30th, 1864. His father, Thomas J. Berkley, was a native of Frederick County, Va., and there spent his boyhood and youth. He left home when a young man and located at Lowell, Ohio, where he engaged somewhat extensively in the milling business until 1871. He there married Nancy De Long, and there six daughters and three sons were born. In 1871 the family removed to Virginia and lived at Winchester, Frederick County, until 1875, when they came west to Harrison County, Iowa. Samuel L. Berkley is the sixth child of the family. He was seven years old when the family left Ohio to live in Virginia and eleven years old when they located in Iowa. He attended the public schools of Winchester, Va., and finished in the Missouri Valley High School. He learned the drug business at Woodbine, Ia., and there spent about twenty years in the business. He married at Woodbine, in 1888, Miss Ruby A. Kling, daughter of Jacob R., and Emily Bliss Kling, of Troy Center, Walworth County, Wisconsin, and they have three sons, Hugh Kling, Laurence Jay and Robet De Long.
Mr. and Mrs. Berkley are members of the Baptist Church. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World.
[p. 409] R.F. McClellan [1859- ], capitalist and influential citizen of Sawtelle, a native of the State of Maine, was born in the town of Brownsville, Piscataque County, April 21st, 1859. His father , John McClellan, was the son of Scottish parents who were pioneers of the "Pine Tree State," located in Piscataque County where they took an active part in the early development s of that far famed pine timber country.
John McClellan grew up in the vicinity of Brownville and became thoroughtly identified with its business growth and there married Miss Emily A, Mayo and with their six children came west to the timbered regions of Northern Minnesota in the year 1867. They located in the town of Princeton, where the family of five sons and two daughters grew up. In 1868, the father, while on a prospecting trip into the timbered wilderness of the Upper Mississippi River Valley, died under circumstances never fully ascertained by the family.
At thirteen years of age young Reuben F. McClellan commenced work in the lumber woods, doing whatever work came to hand. He acquired a thorough knowledge of the logging and lumber business. At the age of nineteen he embarked in the business on his own account, getting out timber by contract on Rum river tributary to the Upper Mississippi, and was thus engaged for several years. Later he dealt extensively in timber lands with offices at Princeton.
Mr. McClellan had devoted much time and thought to a somewhat critical investigation of mining developments in Alaska-that new field of mineral developments-and had selected a place of destination, shown on the maps as the head of the Copper River. The party left Princeton in the month of April, 1898, and via Seattle (where they outfitted) proceeded by steamer to a point about 600 miles northwest of Sitka, where they disembarked on a bleak and forbidding shore, in six feet of snow, where, as yet no human foot had trod, but where now stand the new and thrifty town of Valdez, having a population of about 6,000 people. From this point they crossed the Valdez Glacier, a mountain of ice and snow some thirty miles in length, each man making his way independent of others, drawing a sled freighted wtih 1,400 pounds of provisions and camping equipment, and by relaying succeeded in getting into the field with about 1,400 pounds each. They towed their boats up the main channel, making at best only an average of about one mile a day.
It was May first when they struck a tributary to the Copper River about one hundred miles above its outlet and the same distance from its source. Here they tarried long enough to construct boats from spruce timber that grew along the stream, whip-sawing the lumber therefrom, and they then ascended the main [p. 410] valley of the Copper River to its head waters. Two hundred miles into the interior they opened camp in the month of July and commenced prospecting. Gold was found but not in paying quantities.
The party then divided and Mr. McClellan, with four of his comrades, crossed the country a distance of five hundred miles onto the Yukon River, making their own trail through a barren and forbidding country. They were the first white men to pass over the route. They arrived at Dawson August 24th, returning that fall to the Copper River Valley, finally discovering and locating what is known to be the most extensive and valuable copper deposit in the world.
Mr. McClellan soon thereafter went to New York, made known his discoveries to heavy eastern capitalists, who at great expense inspected the property, the result of which is the capitalization of a company that has set aside twenty-five million dollars for the construction of a railroad from tidewater to the copper beds and equipment of a line of vessels to connect therewith for the purpose of transporting the ore of the Great Bonanza Copper Mine to the world's market. In this stupendous enterprise are enlisted the Guggenheims, the New York copper kings; the Havermaiers, and other capitalists of almost limitless means. Mr. McClellan realized a large sum of money on this deal and still retains a valuable interest in that country. This deal was consummated in 1901, following which Mr. McClellan spent his winters in California and, in 1905, located with his family at Sawtelle where he has made liberal investments in city realty.
In 1906, he, with W.E. Sawtelle and others, organized the Citizens State Bank of Sawtelle, of which Mr. McClellan is president, W.E. Sawtelle, vice president, and H.M. Crane, cashier. The bank has established a branch at The Palms.
Mr. McClellan married at Wall Holllow, North Dakota, Miss Grace G. Loring, a daughter of George D. Loring, formerly of Princeton, Minn. Mr. McClellan is a Blue Lodge Mason, member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Artic Brotherhood, a fraternal secret order of Alaska. Mr. and Mrs. McClellan have one son, Neil D. McClellan.
Mr. McClellan is one of Sawtelle's most public spirited and popular citizens and his influence is always found favorably aligned with all movements looking to the progress and development of his home city.
[p. 410] William F. Parrish [1873- ] is a native of Pocohontas County, Iowa, born near Pomeroy, February 1st, 1873. He is the son of Isaac E. Parrish, a carpenter, a native of Kentucky. His mother waa Helen Phiipps, a native of New York. The family came to California in October, 1887. Mr. Parrish is an expert horseshoer, one of the best on the Coast, and a blacksmith, and has followed the trade for seventeen years. He opened his first shop at No. 1644 Temple Street, Los Angeles. In November, 1903, he located in Santa Monica and did an extensive business. He sold out June 1st, 1906. He owns a comfortable home at Towner [p. 411] Ave. and 18th Street, and was one of the first to locate in Fairview Heights-that thrifty suburb to Santa Monica. He also owns valuable property on Twentieth Street, between Michigan and Towner Avenues. Mr. Parrish has been twice married. His first wife was Ethel Grashauser. She died at Nordhoff, in Ventura County, in 1887. For a second wife he married Miss Martha T. Sluthour, a native of Missouri, born near Zodiac, Vernon County. They have three children, Gladys A., Helen A. and Martha L. Fred, an only son, died December 30th, 1907, three years and nine months of age.
[p. 411 Rev. and Mrs. George Taylor, 1908c]
[p. 411] Rev. George Taylor [ ], of Sawtelle, is of Scotch descent. He came to Southern California in 1885 and located in Pasadena. In early life he studied sculpturing and designing and, for years, in eastern cities, successfully pursued the same as a profession, doing statue and relief work on public buildings. He also designed and carved several soldiers' monuments. In Pasadena Mr. and Mrs. Taylor became interested in religion and reform work and important factors in the reorganization of the First Baptist Church, of that city and he was, for nine years, the church clerk. He was, meantime, licensed to preach and was for two years pastor of the First Baptist Church, of El Monte. He was there ordained as a minister of the gospel, April 9th, 1896. In July, 1897, he was called to the pastorate of the Memorial Baptist Church, of South Pasadena, and during his pastorate, freed the church from a budensome debt, made additions to the church ediface and left the organization in a prosperous spiritual and financial condition. For twelve years he has been clerk of the Los Angeles Baptist Association, and the Southern California Baptist Convention. Mr. Taylor had, for several years, been active in the practical work of the Young Men's Christian Association which experience proved a most valuable aid in his church work.
Mrs. Taylor is a native of Frederickton, New Brunswick. When a child, her parents removed to Hartford, Conn. Her ancestors were from France, England and Scotland, and five generations ago came to America and settled in South Carolina. Her greatgrandfather was a soldier of the American Revolution and fought for independence. She is a relative, by marriage, on her father's [p. 412] side of the family to William Lloyd Garrison, journalist, orator and reformer of anti-slavery fame. Mrs. Taylor comes from a musical and literary family. She is a graduate of two musical academies and has been a professional music teacher for many years. She has also been a tireless student of the Bible, which accomplishments have fitter her for the duties of a pastor's wiife.
Mr. Taylor commenced his religious work in Sawtelle, November 5th, 1901, and, as a leader of a band of sixteen charter members, organized the present Baptist Church in that city, mention of which is made on another page of the work. December 1st, following, the organization was perfected and Mr. Taylor became duly installed pastor and both himself and Mrs. Taylor have bent their energies to the successful building up of an influential and prosperous church and society. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are: W.B.B. Taylor, attorney at law and first city attorney of Sawtelle; Hawley O. Taylor, Instructor in Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, in the Department of Physics and Science; Almo R. Taylor, artist, manager of the art department, Out West Co., Los Angeles. The three sons are married and there are four grandchildren.
[p. 412] J.D. Blanchard* [1862- ], Santa Monica, was born at Newton, Mass., January 10, 1862. His father, John B. Blanchard, in early life, was a seafaring man, as were his ancestors for generations past. Mr. Blanchard's mother, Nancy Lyon, was a native of Boston, Mass., a daughter of Dr. Henry Lyon. John B. Blanchard for many years sailed the open seas; later he engaged in the sugar and shook business at Matanzas in Cuba as a member of the firm of Alphonzo & Blanchard. He died in 1874 at sixty-two years of age, leaving the widow with a family of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest and only one living. Mr. Blanchard's early life was spent in Boston, where he attended the public schools and became a salesman in a "small-wears" store for five years. Later he held a position for five years with the Boston Rubber Shoe Company. Later he came to California and located on a ranch in Orange county, and subsequently spent three years at Beaumont, after which he came to Los Angeles and engaged in the dairy and creamery business. In 1902 he located at Santa Monica, and with others incorporated the Imperial Ice Company, of which he is the general manager. Mr. Blanchard married September 10, 1889, Miss Jamessetta Crockett, native of Massachusetts and daughter of Rev. James Crockett of Los Angeles, a clergyman of the Freewill Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard have one son, Howard. Mr. Blanchard is a member of the Santa Monica Board of Education. He is a member of the B.P.O.E., the Woodmen and Order of Red Men.
[p. 413] Robert R. Grimes [1848- ], twenty-two years a resident of California, is a native of Missouri and was born at Macon City, that state, June 10th, 1848. His father, James Grimes, was a California pioneer of 1850. His mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Bast, died when he was eighteen months old and from that time his life was one of hardships and uncertainties. During childhood, until he was six years of age, he lived with an aunt at New London, Mo., later spending some time with a neighbor, Robert Briggs. From 1856 to 1860 he lived with Professor Hugh Dunlop, which makes the sum total of his school days. He then worked out on farms. In 1868 he married Miss Ann T. Carter near Perry, Rolls County, Missouri and they located at Hannibal, Mo., where he worked in the shops of the Hannibal & Saint Jo Ry. Co. In 1870 he went to Dallas, Texas. In 1875 he returned to Missouri, and engaged in farming. Later he purchased a broom factory and for nine years he raised broom corn and manufactured brooms. In 1883 he sold this propety and bought lands in Texas County, southeast Missouri. Later he purchased the Smalley Hotel at Licking, Mo.
By reason of poor health he, in 1888, came to Santa Monica unable to walk without crutches. He was soon able to work and obtained his first employment of Stephen Jackson. He later spent one year at the U.S. Government Forestry Station and later was gardener for Senator John P. Jones for two years. He is well known in Santa Monica as an expert florist and scientific gardener. For his second wife, Mr. Grimes married Miss Annie Wilson, a native of County Monaghan, Ireland. Mr. Grimes is father of six children by his former marriage. Mrs. M.A. Paley and Mrs. Dominquez, of Los Angeles; Mrs. Clark Burnham, of Pasadena; William, of Orcout, California; Robert and John, of Los Angeles.
[p. 413] Isaac E. Parrish [ ] is a native of Spencer County, Kentucky, born about twenty miles from Louisville. He is the son of Edward N. and Francis Eldridge Parrish, both natives of Virginia. He is a carpenter by trade, and a contractor and builder by occupation. He raised six boys and four girls. The subject of this sketch is the second son and only one in California. He learned the carpenters' trade. Leaving home at twenty years of age, he went to Michigan, spent a brief time at Lansing, and then went to Wood County, Ohio. At Miltonville he married Helen Miller, April 2nd, 1865. He went to Terre Haute, Ind., the following fall. Coming west to Des Moines, Ia., he there spent about thirty-eight years actively engaged in building operations. He came to California in 1887 and located in Los Angeles. Mrs. Parrish died July 24th, 1899, leaving six children, two by a former marriage.
For a second wife, Mr. Parrish married Emily C. Bedwell Potts, widow of the late James W. Potts, one of Los Angeles' best known pioneers.
Mr. and Mrs. Parrish live near Twentieth and Oregon Avenues, Santa Monica. They are members of the Church of the Nazarene, Los Angeles.
[p. 414 Daniel Shively, 1908c]
[p. 414] The names of Daniel Shively [1846-1907] with that of his most estimable widow, are intimately associated with the history of the City of Sawtelle. Mr. Shively was a native of Ohio and was born in Hardin County, October 24th, 1846. At the age of nine years he was compelled to assume responsibilities to aid in support of the family that usually come to men only. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted in the 136th Indiana Infantry and served in the ranks for a period of three years, participating in many of the bloodiest battles of the conflict. He was twice wounded, an injury to his head causing him pain up to the day of his death. After mustering out of the army, Mr. Shively followed contracting in brick work near Lima, Ohio.
[p. 414] In 1876 he married at Fort Wayne, Indiana, Miss Sarah Luccelia Booth, a daughter of Sidney Smith and Mary Jane (Whaiples) Booth of Mentor, Ohio. Mr. Booth was of English parentage, a son of Sir John Booth, Earl of Booth Ford, North of England, a landlord of wealth and high social standing. He came to America and located at Mentor. Sidney Smith Booth latterly located with his family at Paynesville, Ohio, and it was here that Mrs. Shively spent her girlhood. She was educated in a private school under the care of a governess. Mrs. Mary Jane Whaiples Booth was a direct descendent of William Whaiples, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Immediately after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Shively came west to Peru, Kansas, where he engaged in farming and she, meantime, taught school. Later they lived at Dedan, Chanute and finally at Chard, Kansas, where they engaged extensively in merchandising and where he held the office of postmaster. Here they suffered severe loss by fire-the store with a valuable stock of merchandise all going up in smoke. Mr. and Mrs. Shively then went to Coffeyville, Kansas, and she engaged in the restaurant business, while he conducted a photograph gallery. In 1888 they came to California and for a time lived on Spring Street, Los Angeles.
In 1901 they located at Sawtelle when the now thrifty little city was in its infancy. They invested in town property and became a factor in its industrial social and civic advancement.
[p. 415 Mrs. Shively]
[p. 415] Mr. Shively was in every way a most exemplary and useful citizen. He was a devout member of the religious order of Dundards, was broad in his piety and tolerant of the religious beliefs of others. He was an honored member of Burnside Post, No. 188, G.A.R., of Sawtelle, and the following to his memory is quoted from a Memorial Address of the Post published in the Sawtelle Sentinel:
"In the death of Daniel Shively, another name is stricken from the ever lessening list of the G.A.R. He was a man of generous impulses and never forgot the hospitable ways of the pioneer. The stranger and the beggar never failed to find food and shelter at his hands. He was often at the bedside of the sick, and he delighted in the performance of all kinds of neighborly offices. He was a man of sound sense and strong convictions. He was candid and outspoken in his convictions. He lived nobly and died peacefully. "
Mr. Shively died June 26th, 1907, the result of a stroke of paralysis about six months previous thereto. The funeral obsequies took place at the Baptist Church, the Rev. George Taylor preaching the sermon which was followed by the service of the G.A.R. and the W.R.C. Interment was at Sunset Cemetery, at which a choir rendered his favorite hymn, Only Remembered By What I Have Done.
Mrs. Shively is one of the most widely and favorably known of the women of Sawtelle. Upon arrival there she plunged into local work for the social, spiritual and civic upbuilding of the communtiy. She worked diligently for the establishment of the first day school in Sawtelle, and was one of the prime movers for the first Sunday School, contributing the necessary funds to establish the same at Wyant's Hall on Fourth Street. She is prominent in the work of the W.R.C. and has served three terms as its patriotic instructor. The following resolution of respect will indicate the esteem in which she is held by the corps:
"Whereas, That while we recognize that the present success and prosperity of this Corps is due to the earnest efforts of all its members, we would at this time especially honor our Patriotic Instructor, Sarah L. Shively, the organizer of this Corps, who has by her generosity and consant efforts for the betterment of the Corps, won our highest esteem and deepest gratitude. Therefore be it
[p. 416] Resolved, That Sarah L. Shively be recognized and honored as the Mother of Burnside W.R.C. , No. 105, G.A.R.; that the proper record be made on our minutes and a copy of this resolution properly attested be given to Mrs. Shively, and that our Post be duly notified of our action." Elmira J. Stewart, C.P., Seville A. Gray, Secretary"
She is a leading "Rebecca" and has served two terms as Chaplain in the local lodge. In 1904 she organized and uniformed the Sawtelle Guards, made up of twelve of Sawtelle's brightest boys, which became a feature of the social life of the new town. She was the leading spirit in the organization of the Sawtelle Cemetery Association, of which she is now secretary and treasurer.
Mrs. Shively has been a leading spirit in all communities fortunate enough to claim her as a member. Los Angeles was comparatively a small city when, in 1888, Mr. and Mrs. Shively came from the east and located there. Mrs. Shively was soon discovered and enlisted in the work of the Chamber of Commerce, then just organized and located in Mott Market, and served as one of the active members of its directing committee. Later they lived near Tropico and were instrumental in securing the betterment of highways between Tropico and Los Angeles, notably the building of the old Walnut Street bridge, crossing the Arroyo Seco at Twentieth Avenue-a result of her individual effort. While a resident near Tropico and the Southern Pacific Ry. track she, one dark night, in 1890, hearing unusual sounds of distress and though ill, ventured out to learn its source, and discovered that a team of horses had run away onto the railway right of way and fallen into a cattle guard, breaking their legs and obstructing the track. She rushed to the house, lighted a lamp and returned barely in time to flag an oncoming passenger train by frantically swinging her light across the track. Such heroism is certainly worthy of marked recognition, yet Mrs. Shively relates it as the performance of an act of duty simply.
Mrs. Shively, while a practical, discerning and alert woman of action, is at once inherently retiring and unobtrusive. She is nevertheless found wide awake when occasion demands and duty calls.
[p. 416] Benjamin Stickney Hunter [1879- ], of Santa Monica, is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was born November 10th, 1879. He is the son of a manufacturer of linseed oil. Mr. Hunter passed his early years and was educated in the City of Milwaukee. He studied law and was admitted to the bar. He married Miss Mabel Genn, October 30th, 1905. In July, 1896, he came to California, located in Los Angeles and entered a law office as clerk. He was admitted to practice 1901. Later he took up his residence in Santa Monica and commenced the practice of law. In 1907 he was appointed City Attorney of Santa Monica to succeed F.H, Taft, Esq., resigned. He served until January 1st, 1908. Mr. Hunter is a member of the B.P.O.E.
[p. 417] Major Robert Dollard [1842- ], a recent acquisition to Santa Monica, with his wife came here to make their home early in the winter of 1907. The Major was born at Fall River, Mass., in sight of Mount Hope, on Mount Hope Bay, where the famous Indian chief, King Phillip, fell, and in view of the mouth of Taunton River, which empties into that bay where Thor Fin, the sea-roving Norseman, wintered in the eleventh century with one hundred and fifty men, four hundred years before Columbus discovered America.
Major Dollard was born on March 14th, 1842; was educated in the public schools of Massachusetts, entered the Union army at the outbreak of the war and served in the field with credit and distinction until its close. He rose from the ranks to major and the command of his regiment and was one of the youngest regimental commanders in General Grant's army in the campaign before Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865. During that campaign, in a battle before Richmond, where sixty percent of the men engaged were killed or wounded, he was promoted on the field by order of the commanding general of the Army of the James, the substance of which was:
"Captain Robert Dollard, acting as field officer, and in command of the skirmish line at New Market Heights, inspired his command by his great personal bravery, coolness and ability, until he fell severely wounded near the enemy's main line is hereby promoted to major."
Major Dollard went with his regiment to the Mexican frontier at the close of the war to join an army assembled along the Rio Grande to give the Emperor Maximillian and the French Emperor, who was backing him, a hint that the United States, having settled its family difficulties, was now ready to test the virtue of the Monroe doctrine, but the withdrawal of the French army from Mexico and the failing fortunes of Maximillian settled the question without hostilities and the troops thus assembled were mustered out early in 1866.
Shortly after this Major Dollard located at Galesburg, Illinois, studied law and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of that state in 1870.
He married Miss Carrie E. Dunn, of Yates City, Illinois, in 1875. They have no children. He continued in the general practice of the law in Knox, Peoria and Fulton Counties, Illinois, after his admission, until 1879, when he located in Douglas County, Dakota Territory, a frontier county, in which he was the first settler. During the early settlement of this county a band of adventurers secured its organization and attempted to plunder it of about two hundred thousand dollars by the issue of fraudulent warrants on its treasury but were met by the honest settlers with Major Dollard at their head and, in a contest in and out of court, lasting ten years, in which was engaged some of the best legal talent in the Northwest, and the effective services of a vigilance committee, the conspirators were routed, driven from the country and the people saved from their fraudulent schemes.
The major was a leading member of the Constitutional Conventions of South Dakota in 1883 and 1885, in the movement to create a state out of the south half [p. 418] of Dakota Territory, the last of which framed the constitution of the present State of South Dakota, and the work of which conventions practically resulted in the admission into the Union of the States of both South and North Dakota.
He was elected District Attorney in 1885, Attorney-General of the Provisional State Government for South Dakota in the same year, a member of the Territorial Senate in 1888, in which he was Chairman of the Joint Committeee of both Houses on the reform of the school law; was elected the first Attorney-General of the State of South Dakota and served two terms during which he framed legislation that lifted the state from a condition of bankruptcy and has continued it on a cash basis ever since. He was subsequently a leading member of the House of the State Legislature and later of the Senate in which he was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He was still later successively an anti-machine candidate for Governor and for Congress in a revolt that several years struggle crowned with success.
[p. 418] James O. Hodgson, [1838- ], retired, of Santa Monica, is of the many permanent residents of the city, attracted to Sunny California to spend his declining years in quietude after having spent the active years of his life in the East and Middle West. He is a native of Onandaga County, N.Y., born in the township of Manlus, August 14th, 1838. His father, James Hodgson, was a native of the Empire State. Both paternal and maternal grandparents were from Manchester, England and came to the United States and located in 1801 near Auburn, N.Y.
James Hodgson, with his family, located upon the then western frontier in the town of Elba, Lapeer County, Michigan, and took up government land when Michigan was a territory. They had five sons of whom James O. is the only one living. He attended school there and grew to manhood. It was a sparsely settled country, principally inhabited by Indians, and he was one of four white pupils who attended their district school, the others being Indian children, eighty in number, belonging to the Nypsing tribe, that inhabited the Flint River Valley.
Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, a young Hodgson, on the 16th day of October, 1862, responded to the first call for 300,000 men and joined the Tenth Michigan Infantry, went to the front and participated in some of the hardest fought battles of the war, notably those of Pittsburgh Landing, Shilo and Corinth. He was an expert rifle shot and was at times detailed for duty as a sharpshooter. He served the full time of his enlistment and was mustered out August 19th, 1865, at Ross Villa, Ga., and immediately re-enlisted and joined the Atlanta campaign, during which seige he was one hundred four days under continuous fire. During his army career he participated in upwards of thirty engagements and was continuously with his regiment. He was mustered out of service at Louisville, Ky., the 19th of August, 1865, and returned to the peaceful pursuits of farm life.
He was married May 1st, 1866, to Miss Alma Campbell at the old home. [p. 419] She was the daughter of Chas. L. Campbell, a pioneer of Lapeer County, Michigan, town of Hadley. She was born in the town of Davidson, Gennessee County, Michigan, where her father engaged in farminig, lumbering, kept a hotel and was an active and successful man of local affairs.
Mr. Hodgson located in Flint City and engaged in the lumber busines from 1872 to 1879. In 1882 he filed a Soldier's Claim on a quarter section of land in Esmond Township, Kingsbury County, Dakota, which he improved as a farm. He also kept a hotel at Esmond Valley and finally retired to DeSmit City, South Dakota, where they lived until finally coming to Santa Monica in April, 1907. They own one of the many beautiful homes of the Crescent Bay City, No. 437 North Fourth Street. They have an adopted son, W.K. Hodgson, a prosperous merchant of Del Mar, Iowa.
[p. 419] Almon H. Calkins [1841- ] is a native of Oswego, N.Y., born January 1st, 1841. His father was Almon Calkins, a native of Connecticut, a Methodist clergyman of the Genesee, N.Y. Conference. He is of Welch ancestry. The mother of Mr. Calkins, Susan Alma, was a Quakeress, a native of New York. The family came west in 1850 andd located at Janesville, Wisconsin, where young Calkins grew up and passed through the public schools. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted for the conflict under Professor Cass, who organized Company A, 40th Wisconsin Infantry and was elected its captain. This company was largely made up of Captain Cass's former pupils of the Janesville High School. They went to the front under the ninety days call of 1864, and were stationed at Memphis, Tennessee, where he suffered a sunstroke while under a forced march which permanently incapacitated him for further military duty. He was honorably discharged from the service and returned home with his regiment.
He then turned his attention to the development and production of a new device for burning fuel oil, of his own invention, upon which he was granted a series of letters patent by the United States Government, and which was also patented in foreign countries. He also, in company with brothers, acquired ownership of several patents on barbed wire for fencing purposes, which they for years controlled in this country, the revenues from which made the brothers wealthy. The financial crisis of 1873 proved a disastrous occurrence for this and hundreds of other well-established business enterprises, which was followed by the death of the brothers and loss of health by the subject of this sketch. He came to California and Santa Monica in 1879 which has since been his home.
Mr. Calkins has two sisters, residents of Santa Monica-Juliete, widow of the late Judge Boyce, and Jennie M., widow of M. Boyce, a prominent attorney of Illinois and a half brother of Judge Boyce.
Mr. Calkins leads a quiet life and attributes the prolongation of his life to the health-giving climate of Southern California.
[p. 420 E,C. Gird, 1908c]
[p. 421] H.N. Hammond [1876- ], capitalist and well known citizen of Santa Monica, is a native of Oakland County, Michigan, having been born in the town of Waterford, April 25th, 1876. His father, Eli Hammond, also a native of Michigan, was a merchant of Waterford. His mother, before marriage, was Miss Nettie Fifield. In 1882 the family removed to Benton, Montana, where they remained about four years, afterward returning to Michigan and locating at Decatur. At this place, Mr. Hammond engaged in the mail order business for a period of about eight years. He married at Decatur, August 24th, 1897, Miss Edith McOmber, a daugher of George McOmber, a merchant of that city. In 1898 Mr. Hammond removed to Bay City, Michigan, where he continued in the mail order business, wholesale and retail. In 1904 Mr. Hammond and his wife came to Califonia and lived for one year at Ocean Park. The following year he made a purchase of a lot on the now magnificent Palisades tract. They erected the first costly and architectural residence thereon which is today one of the most spacious homes in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond have two children-Harriet Janetta and John D.
[p. 421] Edward C. Gird [1863- ], a California pioneer and well known citizen of Los Angeles and Sawtelle, is a native of Illinois, born in the town of Trenton, Clinton County, March 12th, 1863. His father was Edward Kinsley Gird, a native of Louisiana, whose father was a military instructor at the United States Military School at West Point. Later in life he went south and established a military academy in Louisiana. Edward K. Gird [1834-1900], with a brother, Henry H. Gird, made the trip overland to California with ox teams, from Illinois in 1853 and remained here about five years. In 1858 they returned home. In 1868 Mr. Gird located in Bates County, Missouri, wher he lived until he came to Los Angeles in 1883, bringing his family, which included Edward C., the subject of this sketch, then twenty years of age. They purchased eighty acres of land near the city of Los Angeles for which they paid $85.00 an acre, and embarked in the dairy business, which they conducted for about eight years. Los Angeles was then a city of about 20,000 people and their farm was considered quite in the country. With the marvelous growth of Los Angeles, this property was taken into the Wilshire Boulevard Tract and a portion into the Norwood Terrace Tract and now sells at the rate of about $15,000 an acre. Here the father died in 1900 at sixty-six years of age. Mrs. Gird, the mother of our subject still occupies a portion of the old homestead and enjoys good health at seventy-one years of age.
In 1896, Mr. Gird organized a newspaper route for the Los Angeles Daily Times, taking in the Soldiers' Home and contiguous country. Upon the founding of the town of Sawtelle, he opened there a news stand in which he carried a stock of books and stationary. This was the first store of its line in the town and he operated it about two years. Mr. Gird also became interested in real estate and bought and sold town property with a reasonable degree of profit. In 1907 he subdivided what was known as the Gird Tract of one hundred and ten [p. 422] residence lots, lying to the southeast and adjoining the city of Sawtelle, which is so favorably situated as to promise a substantial addition thereto. Mr. Gird owns and conducts a souvenir store at the Soldiers' Home, which he established about 1895, and has built up a good business. He has published a number of valuable souvenir books relating to the home life of the old veterans. His kindly spirit and uniform courtesy has made him exceedingly popular with the "old soldiers" of the Home, as with all others who know him.
Mr. Gird married, in 1888, Miss Frances C. Walbridge, of Appleton City, Mo. She is a daughter of W.D. and Anna Van Meter Walbridge. Mr. and Mrs. Gird have two children-Mabel A., and Anna Lucile. Mr. Gird was a charter member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, of Los Angeles. The family are now members of the M.E,. Church of Hollywood. The family home is at South Hollywood where the Girds own valuable property.
[p. 422] Benjamin F. Van Tress [1836- ] is one of the early day pioneers of Los Angeles. He came to California in 1859. He is a native of Clinton County, Ohio, and was born near Wilmington, the county seat, December 26th, 1836.
His father, William, was a carpenter by trade, a farmer by occupation, of Dutch descent. His mother, Melissa Hollister, and his father were both natives of New York and lived in the Mohawk Valley. The father was twice married. The subject of this sketch being one of two sons by first marriage. The other son, Charles, came to California in 1897, and went to Alaska where he died.
Benjamin lived in his native county until 1854 and with the family removed to Warren County, Indiana, where he took up carpenter work. He later joined the gold rush to Pikes Peak, proceeded west to Nebraska City, Nebraska, and abandoned the trip. He there joined an overland party bound for California, and drove a four horse team via north Platte to Salt Lake, thence via southern route to San Bernardino wih Joseph Meeks, and arrived at his destination in 1859. He spent two weeks there and then came to Los Angeles. Here he followed his trade for about seven years, doing a large amount of work for Bishop Mora. He worked on the building of the present Catholic Cathedral; was one of the workmen who remodeled the Church of Our Lady of the Angeles, fronting the old Plaza. He personally laid out the work for the present "hip roof" and designed the old belfry that in 1904 gave place to the present mission arches. He describes the original building as having a flat roof with a slightly receding pitch to the rear, which was covered with asphaltum and soil mixed. He states that the bells were originally in small adobe arches so near the ground that a person of average height could reach the clappers and ring them. There waa one bell hung in an arch, which surmounted the front wall of the building over the main front entrance.
Later Mr. Van Tress kept a meat market opposite the norhwest corner of the old plaza.
[p. 423] He married in 1863, Falipe Mendes, a daughter of Pedro Mendes, a manufacturer of Spanish saddles, bridles, bits and spurs. He was an expert in his line of work. Mr. and Mrs. Van Trees have seven living children-Elizabeth, Mrs. Frederick Bickerdike; Ida, Mrs. J.R. Kull Franklin; Clara, Mrs. George Hall; William; Alice, Mrs. Allen Orr, and Charles.
The family home is Twentieth Street, near Pennsylvania Avenue, Santa Monica.
[p. 423 Hester Tuttle Griffith., 1908c]
[p. 423] Hester Tuttle Griffith [1854- ]. The past decade had witnessed in Southern California phenomenal progress in civic, political and social reform. The best thought and energy of the best people in nearly all walks of life have combined to bring about in the most direct and practical manner possible, these most salutary results. Especially is this true in the work of Temperance and Social Purity reform in which many of our most able and accomplished women of independent thought and achievement have borne a conspicuous part, prominent among whom is Mrs. Hester Tuttle Griffith, of Coeur d'Alene Place, Ocean Park. Her mental endowments, her home life and her educational training seem to have specially fitted her for charitable and reformatory work.
Mrs. Griffith is a native of Minnesota, born at St. Anthony Falls, where the city of Minneapolis now stands, September 22nd, 1854. Her father, Calvin Tuttle, was one of the frontier settlers of the Upper Mississippi and Saint Croix River valley. He, with his bride, crossed Lake Pepin and sailed up the Mississippi, thence up the Saint Croix in a small boat, to Saint Croix Falls where, in 1837, he built the first saw mill erected on that stream and where for a long time they were the only white settlers. Ten years later they removed to Saint Anthony Falls, the head of navigation on the Mississippi, and were among the founders of the ambitious city of Minneapolis. Here a son, Wilmot Garfield Tuttle, was born, the first white male child born in the then [p. 424] small town of Minneapolis. When, in 1849, the territorry of Minnesota was established, Mr. Tuttle was appointed Territorial Treasurer, and held the office until the territory was made a state, May 11th, 1858. He was a typical northwest frontiersman of broad intelligence, sterling character and resolute purpose. He acquired large land holdings at Saint Anthony Falls, a portion of which he donated to the state for educational uses and which is now occupied by the Minnesota State University. Later in life he built saw mills at Lake Minnetonka. He also became heavily interested in the development of the water power and town of Little Falls, Minn., and owned large tracts of land in the vicinity. He traveled over unexplored regions of country looking to final development of the state by building of railroads and other enterprises. He suffered business reverses by reason of the financial crash of 1857. Up to that time he had been very active in milling and in the promotion of milling enterprises at St. Anthony Falls. He was also instrumental in bridging the river below the falls, the first bridge that spanned the "father of waters" at this point. He then went to Two Rivers, Minnesota, and built up extensive water power and lumber mills and there remained until he came to California. He married Charlotte M. Minkler, at Upper Alton, Illinois, in 1840. She was a native of Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York, born July 31st, 1819. They had three sons and four daughters, the latter are (1908) all living. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle came to Pasadena in 1888 to make their home with Mrs. Griffith and, notwithstanding their love for and loyalty to their old home state, became thoroughly wedded to Southern California and Pasadena, where he died November 17th, 1900, at nearly ninety years of age. Mrs. Tuttle also died at Pasadena in 1892.
Mrs. Griffith spent her childhood at Minnetonka Mills, Minn., and her girlhood at Two Rivers. At fourteen years of age she entered the Minnesota State Normal School at St. Cloud and graduated therefrom at sixteen in June, 1871. After graduation she taught school at Melrose, Stearns County, Minn., and later at Little Falls. She then went to Minneapolis where, for five years, she taught in the public schools, three years of which time she was primary principal. February 4th, 1877, she married Mr. Elijah Griffith, a prosperous young contractor of Minneapolis.
Mrs. Griffith was converted to Christianity at the age of fifteen under the temperance evangelist, Rev. W.W. Satterlee, and has steadily grown in the faith, towering in strength and influence until she is known throughout the land as one of the most effective advocates of temperance and pure living engaged in the holy cause. Never having been accorded the blessings of motherhood, she has been thrown all the energies of a strong, most lovable and spiritual character into what she regards as her life work. Soon after coming to Pasadena she joined the Women's Christian Temperance Union and entered seriously into the work. This was followed by rescue and prison work in Salt Lake, Utah, for four years. The year 1892 she served as local president, territorial president and treasurer. This year she also went as territorial delegate to the national [p. 425] W.C.T.U. convention in Denver. Returning to Pasadena she was made president of the Central Union for two years. Moving to Los Angeles, she held the office of Federation President for eight years, of County Vice President five years and is now State Superintendent of Prison Work and National Evangelist under this department, also National Lecturer for the department of Soldiers and Sailors. In 1906 she was elected by unanimous vote, President of the Los Angeles County Union and re-elected in 1907. This is the largest County W.C.T.U. in the United States. At the Santa Ana convention (1908) she was unanimously chosen State President.
[p. 425] Martin L. Hudson [ 1855- ] is one of the thrifty, successful pioneers in the Irwin Heights Addition to Santa Monica. He is a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Charfield County, in the town of Charfield, June 1st, 1855, a son of Kalita Polk Hudson, a blood relative of James K. Polk, eleventh President of the United States, a bridge builder by trade and likewise a farmer and a man of local affairs. He married Miss Kezia Thompson, a daughter of Isaac Thompson. The family came west in 1865 and located in Floyd County, Iowa, on a farm. There the father died in 1881, at fifty-seven years of age, the mother and seven children surviving.
Martin L. is the oldest of the family. He remained on the home farm until twenty-one years of age. Meantime he acquired the merchant's trade, having inherited from his father the mechanical instinct and a genius for handling tools.
In 1883 he left Iowa and spent about five years in Dakota. In 1888 he went to the town of Everett, on Puget Sound, Washington, where he engaged in building and house moving, where he acquired and still owns property. During his residence there he made four trips to Alaska. In 1896 he went to Cook's Inlet. In 1898 he went to Klondike where he had passing success mining. He returned home in the fall of 1899 and made the trip a fourth time in 1900 over the ice and was forty days alone on the way. He there engaged in building, "going" wages being $1.50 per hour. He finally returned home, via Saint Michaels, suffering shipwreck and extreme exposure.
In 1902 he located at Santa Monica and followed his trade for a time. He meantime purchased five acres of land, one of the most fertile and sightly parcels of land in the Irwin Heights tract, a portion of which he still owns. Here he has developed a pretty home, the location being between Virginia and Delaware Avenues, on Twenty-second Street. He purposes [sic] selling a portion of this tract to desirable purchasers. He also owns valuable property in Ocean Park.
Mr. Hudson married in 1891 Miss Hattie Maxfield, of Tacoma, Washington. She is a native of Illinois-a lady of social and domestic accomplishments. They have one son, Fred M. Mr. Hudson is a member of the Woodmen of the World and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
[p. 426] Andrew Henry Wyant [1839- ], one of the first settlers and an esteemed citizen of Sawtelle, is a native of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, born December 24th, 1839. His father was Adam Wyant, a native of Burks County, Pa. He was of German descent and by occupation a successful farmer. His mother, by maiden name Sarah Yerty, likewise of German ancestry, descended from that sturdy stock of Pennsylvania Dutch which made up the pioneer settlers and developed the material resources of the Keysone State. Adam Wyant suffered the loss by death of the thrifty wife who had borne him seven children and remarried, his wife being Sophia Bowser, who became the mother of ten children. The mother of A.H. Wyant died when he was six years of age and he lived much of the time thereafter with relatives. At twenty-one years of age he was among the first from his state to enlist for the defense of the Union, joining the Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, October 1st, 1861. This regiment was recruited at Philadelphia, Lancaster Center, Northhampton, Berks, Tioga and in Armstrong County. Company M, Mr. Wyants's company, was made up chiefly in Armstrong County. Mr. Wyant put in three years and eleven months of active and most strenuous service, as may be seen by the following battles and other engagements in which he participated: Cedar Mountain, second battle of Bull Run, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Richmond Fortification, Meadow Bridge, Hawes' Shop, Hanover Court House, Cold Harbor, Trevillian Station, Jerusalem Plank Road, Malvern Hill, Deep Bottom, White Oak Swamps, Beane's Station, Poplar Springs, Wyatt's Farm, Strong Creek Station, Boydton Road, Hatches Run, Appomatox and others. Although almost continuously on duty and at long and numerous intervals under fire, he was singularly fortunate in escaping serious injury. He, however, sustained a flesh wound in the left arm in front of Richmond at White Oak Swamps, August 16th, 1864. He mustered out of service at Cloud's Mill, Va., July 13th, 1865, after which he returned to his native state. There he attended school at Rudsburg for two years and at Chester for one year. He then engaged in the oil business at Parker's Landing with moderate success. In 1871 he married Miss Frances Lydia Harding in Armstrong County, Pa., and moved to Ohio where he located on a farm in Morrow County near the town of Galion. Here he pursued farming and conducted a meat market. About 1882 he came west to Paola, Kansas, where he remained until 1886. He then removed to Arizona and engaged in mining about seventy-five miles south of Tucson. In 1892 he came to California and became a member of the Soldiers' Home. Upon the laying out of the town of Barrett Villa, which later took the name of Sawtelle, Mr. Wyant was one of the first to invest in local realty. In 1895 he erected Wyant's Hall which was the fifth building in the town, and soon became the popular meeting place for all public functions. It was there that the first religious meetings and Sunday schools were held and it was used as a public hall until December 15th, 1905. The owner then changed it into a furniture store which is one of the most com- [p. 427] plete establishments of its kind in Los Angeles County outside of the city. In this business, Mr. Wyant has associated with him an only son, Charles H. Wyant.
Mr. Wyant for years was a consistent member of the Baptist Church. He is now one of the ardent and loyal supporters of the Union Mission, Sawtelle. He is a man of exemplary habits and strictest integrity and is held in highest esteem by all of the citizens of Sawtelle. He has been enterprising and alert, encouraging and liberally supporting all movements for the upbuilding and bettterment of his home city. His influence is alwys favorable to the promotion of a healthy condition of public and private morals. He is a Prohibitionist in politics but not radically partisan.
[p. 427] Hon. Thomas Horace Dudley [1867- ], mayor of Santa Monica, and by reason of his position, leading citizen, is a native of Liecestershire, England, and was born October 2nd, 1867. His father, Thomas M.S. Dudley, M.D., was a son of Rev. William Mason Dudley, A.M., vicar of Whitchurch and rector of Laverstroke.
Dr. Dudley married Emily Frances Draycott, daughter of Thomas Draycott, a farmer of Liecestershire, who bore him three daughters and a son of whom Thiomas. was next to the eldest. He was accorded the advantages of good schooling and passed through the Queen Elizabeth Grammar Schools. While yet a youth, the knowledge he acquired of American life and customs inspired him with a desire to try his fortunes in the new world. He came to the United States and located at Bakersfield, California, in 1889, and there engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In 1896 he removed to Santa Monica and engaged in the real estate and insurance business under the firm name of Proctor & Dudley. In February, 1899, he married Mrs. Matilda Brooks Ryan, of Santa Monica, widow of the late Francis G. Ryan; a lady of wealth, refinement and social prominence, and a daughter of Francis Wykoff Brooks (deceased) a California pioneer (see index). Soon thereafter the real estate firm of Kinney & Ryan, owners and promotors of the Ocean Park Beach Tract, was succeeded by the firm of Kinney & Dudley and under Mr. Dudley's personal management this, then, new and comparatively undeveloped seaside resort was made a phenomenal success as time has duly determined. Mr, Dudley also became a factor in other successful business enterprises. In 1902 he was one of the organizers of the Ocean Park Bank and has since been its president. In 1903 the Merchants National Bank was incorporated and he served as president thereof until early in 1908, when he was succeeded by James H. Grigsby. In 1905 the Bank of Venice was incorporated and Mr. Dudley was chosen, and still serves, as its president. In 1900 Mr. Dudley was elected a member of the Santa Monica City Board of Trustees, serving as chairman of the Board until 1907. Upon the reorganization of the city government under a Freeholders Charter in 1907, Mr. Dudley was elected mayor and is now (1908) the incumbent. He is a member of the B,P.O.E,, and a leading member and officer of the St, Augustine Episcopal Church of Santa Monica.
[p. 428] John J. Peveler [1859- ], resident of California since 1882, a native of Illinois, was born in the City of Chicago at No. 252 Van Buren St., January 12th, 1859. His father, George W. Peveler, was by occupation a farmer. He joined the United States Army as a volunteer in the War of the Rebellion, went to the front and was killed at the Battle of Antietam, September 17th, 1862, leaving a widow and an only child, the subject of this sketch. Young Peveler spent his youth in Chicago, attended public schools and learned the carpenter trade and later the cement contracting business. In 1896 Mr. Peveler went to Alaska whre he spent five years and passed through all the excitement and experienced the hardships of the gold seekers of Nome and Dawson. He returned to California in 1901 and for several years had charge of numerous jobs of construction cenent work for the Los Angeles Pacific Railway Company. Mr. Peveler married in 1904, Miss Theresa H. O'Laughlin, a native of Litchfield, Minnesota, and they have one daughter, Virginia C. The family residence is at the corner of Ninth Street and Nevada Avenue, Santa Monica.
[p. 428] James L. Brice [1863- ], of Venice, a native of Hancock County, Ohio, was born May 24th, 1863. His father, Joseph Brice was a native of Pennsylvania and a son of Henry Brice, a member of one of the pioneer families of Maryland. He was a thrifty farmer and lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania, when he entered for service in the War of 1812, following the example of his father who was a commissioned officer in the Revolutionary War. Joseph Brice was a sailor and navigated Lake Erie. He finally located to Lima, Ohio, where both himself and wife passes away. Mrs. Brice's maiden name was Lucinda Wolf. She was a native of Ohio.
James L. Brice received his education in the public schools of Allen County, Ohio. He graduated from the HIgh School of Lima, Ohio, and embarked in life as a public school teacher. In 1886 he came west to Denver, Colorado, and latrer to Lyons, same state, where he engaged in the mercantile business, a member of the firm of Scanlon & Brice. In 1889, during the rush to Cripple Creek, Mr. Brice removed thence to open a general merchandise store. Soon, however, he turned his attention to mining, in which occupation he has been eminently successful in various sections of the state. In 1894, he went to Leadville and in 1899 came farther west to Idaho and operated in the Couer de Alene country. He gained a technical knowledge of mining and became a practical mining engineer. In 1905 he became editor of the mining department of the Idaho State Tribune. In 1906 he established and edited the Idaho Mines and Metals, which property he sold in 1907, since which time he has been associated with various mining enterprises throughout the west. He is president and manager of the Snowsorm Extension Copper Mining Company, of which he is one of the developers, and in a similar capacity is identified with the Idaho Lead and Silver Mining Company and the [p. 429] Whipple Mountain Gold and Copper Company, of San Bernardino County, California.
In the year of 1897 Mr. Brice married Miss Josephine M. Van Hausen, daughter of Hon. John C. Van Hausen, a wealthy farmer and pioneer of Schuyler, Nebraska. He located at Schuyler about 1869 or 1870, and there married Miss Catherine Mohr. Of their five living children, Mrs. Brice is the oldest. Mrs. Jessie Bradford, widowed, is the youngest and is at home with Mrs. Brice. They were both born on the old homestead at Schuyler. John C. Van Hausen was a man of affairs, business and political. He has been honored with elections to the Nebraska State Assembly and likewise to the State Senate, as a Democrat. He was a son of Isaac C. Van Hausen, a native of Schoharie County, New York, and of Holland Dutch parents who were among the earliest pioneers of the Empiere State.
In 1907 Mr. Brice purchased valuable real estate on the Coeur de Alene tract near Venice of America upon which he has erected, without exception, the finest residence to be found in the Santa Monica bay cities. Mr. Brice is accounted one of the substantial citizens of the state, takes a broad view of life and a personal interest in the prosperity of his adopted home city. Mr. and Mrs. Brice have one daughter, Beatrice M. Brice.
[p. 429] Roscoe H. Dow [1873- ], councilman from the seventh ward of the city of Santa Monica, was born in Booth Bay, Lincoln County, Maine, January 26, 1873, and lived there until twelve years of age. The family then removed to Bay City, Michigan, and there young Dow grew to manhood. He received his education in the public schools of his native town and Bay City and finally attended Olivet College, Olivet, Michigan. While in Michigan he was more or less identified with Republican politics, holding various elective and appointive positions. At one time he had the distinction of being the youngest judge in the state, having been elected Justice of the Peace in Bay County, Michigan, immediately after attaining his majority. Mr. Dow is a son of John Wesley and Hattie (Tibbets) Dow, who were married in New York in 1867. John Wesley Dow was a native of Maine and was born in 1835, belonged to the Dows of English descent and bears relationship to the late Honorable Neal Dow, of reform and prohibition fame. The major portion of his life has been spent as a mariner, having followed the sea from early boyhood until a time well into the eighties. Hattie Tibbets Dow was also of old New England stock and her ancestors were sea-faring people. Besides Roscoe H., there are two children-Frank H. and Mary G.
Mr. R.H. Dow came to California in 1903 and located in Santa Monica and soon thereafter assumed management of the business of the Southwest Warehouse Company. He married in the year of 1903, Miss Nellie K. Gillard, of Bay City, Michigan, a daughter of Henry B. and Jennie (Evans) Gillard. They were natives of London, England, were married in 1866, and came to this country, locating at Port Huron, Michigan, in 1870. There he engaged success- [p. 430] fully in the lumber business, and later in farming and is now retired from active business pursuits. He reared a family of ten children.
Mr. Dow was elected to represent the seventh ward of the city of Santa Monica in the common council at the election in April, 1907, and is an efficient and conscientious officer. He is a member of committees on Finance and Supplies, Streets and Cemetery, and is Chairman of the Committtee on Buildings. He is a member of the B.P.O.E., No. 88, of Bay City, Michigan, and Santa Monica Lodge, No.307, F. and A. M.
[p. 430] Hon. H.B. Eakins [1865- ], Mayor of Ocean Park, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in the city of Philadelphia, September 15th, 1865. He there spent his youth, attended the public schools and later passed through the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, Va., from which institution he graduated in 1880. He returned home and served an apprenitceship to the trade of watchmaking, which he later followed in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. At Washington, he also held a position for about three years in the weather bureau under the U.S. Government. In 1887 he came west and spent two years in the Black Hills, South Dakota. There he followed his trade and also became interested in mining, being connected with the Home Stake Mining Company. He was also guard for the Wells Fargo Express Company during the period of extensive shipments of gold bullion from that district. Mr. Eakins also became interested, somewhat, in affairs of state and active in issues involving the location of the state capitol, making a systematic canvass of the country in the interests of the city of Pierre. At that time, William Jennings Bryan was canvassing North Dakota for the Farmers' Alliance and, as a matter of expediency, they joined issues, traveled together and spoke from the same platform, Mr. Eakins usually following Mr. Bryan in the presentation of his cause. He thus became intimately acquainted with the now great "commoner" and candidate for the presidency.
In 1891 he came to Los Angeles. Here he became interested in mining properties in Arizona and also acquired an interest in and held a position with the jewelry firm of Montgomery Brothers, which interest he still retains. While with this house he personally installed the extensive time service of the Santa Fe Railway Co. in Southern California. In 1904, he organized the Commercial Warehouse Company (Incoporated), and is president thereof.
He took up his place of residence in Ocean Park, No. 28 Club House Avenue, in 1903. In April, 1908, Mr. Eakins was elected member of the Board of Trustees of the city of Ocean Park and chosen President of the Board, by virtue of which position he is the executive head of the city government.
Mr. Eakins, in 1890, married at Black Hills, S.D., Miss Gertrude E. Deemer, a native of Racine, Wis., and they have a son, Walter, and a daughter, Margaret. Mr. Eakins is a member of the Southern California Lodge, No. 278, F. and A.M.
[p. 431 Clarence J. Nellis, 1908c]
[p. 431] Clarence J. Nellis [1866- ], leading merchant and representative citizen of Sawtelle, is a native of Livingston County, Mo. He was born October 3rd, 1866, only son of James J. Nellis, by profession a school teacher, now a resident of Sawtelle.
Mr. Nellis spent his boyhood and attended the public schools in his native town. At eighteen years of age he attended Park College, Parkville, Mo., near Kansas City. He commenced his business career as a grocery salesman at Chillicothe, Mo., remaining there seven years. He then went to Tacoma, Wash., and worked in the same capacity for Fulton & Catheart until they retired from business. He remained in Tacoma until the spring of 1889, when he went to Alaska and engaged in mining on Forty Mile River. He located and worked claims in Franklin Gulch and Napoleon Creek, both tributary thereto. His expedition was on the whole a financial success. Mr. Nellis, coming to California in 1902, located in Sawtelle, engaged in the grocery business and has built up an extensive trade with one of the finest equipped stores in the Santa Monica Bay region. Mr. Nellis is one of Sawtelle's most enterprising and progressive citizens and has energetically worked for the advancement of the civic, business and social interests of his city. Upon the resignation of F.C. Langdon from the Board of City Trustees of Sawtelle, Mr. Nellis was appointed to fill the office and was promptly chosen chairman of the board. As the executive head of the city government he has made an enviable record, standing squarely for the enactment of statutory and efficient code of practical working ordinances and a faithful execution of the same.
[p. 431] Nathan Bundy [1846- ], one of the earliest residents of Santa Monica, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, December 16th, 1846, his father having died three months before his birth. He grew up on the farm and acquired a public school education. He learned the trade of house and sign painter which he followed in Iowa and to some extent afer coming to California and locating in Santa Monica, April 30th, 1876. Santa Monica was then a small but growing village, and Mr. Bundy [p. 432] did a successful business at his trade. Later he made judicious investments in real estate which proved profitable. He lived in Santa Monica upwards of twenty years and in 1898 retired to Los Angeles, where he remained until 1907. At that time he built and located at Westgate.
Mr. Bundy married Miss Harriet Smith and they have one daughter and five sons, the latter all highly esteemed and successful business men of Santa Monica and Los Angeles-F.E. Bundy, G.G. Bundy, C.L. Bundy, Nathan P. Bundy and Thomas C. Bundy. The daughter, Sarah E. Bundy, is still at home.
[p. 432] Charles Aley Bouck [1856- ], of Venice, is a native of Green County, Ohio, where he was born in the township of Beaver Creek, July 11th, 1856. His grandfather, Henry Bouck, ws a Pennsylvanian as was also his maternal grandfather, John Aley, and both were of Holland Dutch parentage. John Aley was an early-day pioneer of Green County, owned valuable farm lands and a steam saw mill at "Aley's Mills," in Beaver Creek Township. The family had a large membership which, with its connections, constituted by far the larger portion of the thrifty and prosperous communtiy; Sarah Aley Bouck was the fourth daughter of this family. Mr. and Mrs. Bouck had three sons-Orrin L., who became a wealthy manufacturer of Dayton Ohio, died September 27th, 1906; William Lincoln who died in infancy, and Charles A., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Bouck grew up on his father's farm and about the mills in which his father also was interested. At sixteen years of age he went to Dayton and attended the public schools about two yearts. He then followed the trade of carpentry about three years in Springfield, Ohio. Later he was with the Mast-Foos Co., manufacturers until 1881. In 1881 he married Miss Cora D. Harnish, a daughter of Christian Harnish, a wholesale and retail grocery merchant of Springfield. In 1882 Mr. and Mrs Bouck came to Los Angeles and were guests of the family of Ex-mayor Henry T. Hazzard, whose residence was where the Grand Theater on North Main Street now stands. They were among the early comers to the Boca de Santa Monica Canyon. They returned east in 1884 and came again to California in 1890. In 1891 Mr. Bouck went to Colton and was one of the first purchasers of unimproved land in the now rich and beautiful Colton Terrace tract, where he erected buildings and made other improvements. The same year, by the wreaking of a farm building during a severe storm, December 11, 1891, Mr. Bouck received injuries which permanently disabled him for active business, but no degree affected his mind. From the spring of 1897 to 1903 the family lived at Hollister Avenue and Ocean Front. In 1904 they were among the first to build at Short Line Beach, Venice, and have since been identified with the marvelous beach developments. Mr. Bouck takes a lively interest in all that transpires and, through his extensive reading, keeps in touch with the outside world. He is much interested in the development of his adopted city of Venice and has great faith in its future. Mrs. Bouck is a lady of splendid [p. 433] social and business attainments and lends her time and influence in forwarding the social and civic interests of Venice, and she has entire management of the Venetian Villa City.
Mr. and Mrs. Bouck have one son, C. Harnish Bouck, born at New Carlisle, Ohio, February 25th, 1886. He married at Venice, December 12th, 1907, Miss Nettie Lillis Robinson, of Stockton, California. He may properly go on record as one of the active promotors of Venice, since in 1904 he aided in erecting the first building in the city having a roof, for the Abbot Kinney Company, and soon thereafter opened the first store, which was located near the Ocean Front on the eaat side of Center Street. He is now chief engineer at the power house of the Abbot Kinney Company, Venice.
[p. 433 N.R. Smith, D.D.S., 1908c]
[p. 433] Noah R. Smith, D.D.S. [1874- ], Santa Monica, is a native of Missouri and was born in the town of Clarksville, Pike County, February 11th, 1874. His father, John R. Smith, was a farmer by occupation and was born in the same county in 1841, there grew up and married Catherine, a daughter of Noah Griffith, who came from Bourbon County, Ky., and pioneered in Missouri. John R. Smith's parents were Virginians and pioneered in Pike County, Missouri, as early as 1840, bringing with them considerable property which included a number of slaves. The father was a typical Southern man, a democrat of the pronouced type and a firm believer in the divine institution of slavery, the doctrine of the State's rights and secession. John R. Smith spent his entire life on his farm in Pike County, and there raised a family of four children. While on a visit to Dr. Smith at Santa Monica, he died, in 1901, and his remains were taken to Clarksville and laid beside his wife in the old family plot of the Clarksville Cemetery. Dr. Smith is the third child of his parents. He attended the public schools of Clarksville, and later graduated from La Grange College, La Grange, Lewis County, Mo., in the class of 1891. He then attended the Western Dental College, Kansas City, Mo., graduating therefrom in 1896. He commenced practicing his profession at New Franklin, Howard County, Mo., and remained [p. 434] there about five years. At New Franklin, he met and married Miss Roberta M., a daughter of H.M. and May (Hanson) Todd, now of Ocean Park, California.
By reason of failing health a change of climate was necessitated and they came to California, locating at Santa Monica in 1901. Mrs. Todd's mother, the grandmother of Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Sarah L. Hanson, is a resident of Beverly Hills. She is a charming and sweet-spirited woman of eighty-two years and is a native of Virginia. Her father was Colonel Peter Pierce who, during the period antedating the Civil War, was a foremost property owner and slave holder of Virginia. His ancestors and all the interests of the family were intimately associated with the history of that state.
Dr. Smith has become a fixture, both as a successful dentist and an esteemed citizen of Santa Monica. He and Mrs. Smith are members of the Baptist Church. They have four children-Nelson R., John Robert., Roberta Elizabeth and J. Fred. The family home is No. 1417 Yale Street.
[p. 434] The Rev. John D.H. Browne [ ] was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and educated at the grammar school, and by private tutors, and at Dalhousie College, Halifax, and King's College, Windsor, Nova Scotia. He was ordained deacon in 1873, having been the gospeler of a class of six, and priest in the following year, by Bishop Binney of Nova Scotia, and entered at once upon the duties of the active ministry.
In 1880 Mr. Browne, having been the rector of the important parish of Dorchester, New Brunswick, was elected clerical secretary of the Diocese of Nova Scotia, and was also editor and publisher of Church Work, a very largely circulated monthly, and of The Church Guardian, published weekly, which son became the most largely circulated Church paper in Canada.
Ill health forced Mr. Browne to give up his important positions in the East, dispose of his papers, and remove to the Pacific Coast, in May, 1884, since which time he has been in active service in Southern California, where he had been successful in building a number of Churches, and in developing strong centers of Church work and life in several places.
Mr. Browne built the beautiful Church at Pomona in 1885; a Church and rectory at Pasadena, in 1888; the Church at Corvina in 1890; the Church in San Bernardino in 1898; and has greatly enlarged and beautified the Church at Santa Monica, where he now resides, and of which Parish he has been the Rector for nearly nine years.
Mr. Browne is a member of, and secretary to, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Los Angeles. He is also chairman of the Convention's Committee on Church Charities, chariman of the Committee on the Episcopate Endowment Fund, chairman of the Press Committee and chairman of the Committee on Work Among Seamen.
[p. 435] In 1898 a Church paper for the Diocese was started and Mr. Browne was elected by convention its editor, since which time the Los Angeles Churchman has been continued under his editorial management. This paper is now owned as well as edited and published by him, and is successfully covering the field of Church Journalism in Southern California.
The Parish of St. Augustine-by-the-Sea, Santa Monica, when Mr. Browne took charge of it, reported twenty-seven communicants, while now it is in a very flourishing condition, having grown to 203 communicants and having become the seventh of all the Parishes and Missions of the Diocese.
Mr. Browne finds time from his official duties to lend his aid to every public matter having to do with the moral and material welfare of the city, and in the Board of Trade and elsewhere has been a useful and enthusiastic citizen, and a willing worker in advancing the general interess of the community.
[p. 435] Thomas R. Lowe [1841- ] is a California pioneer, coming to the state from Girard, Erie County, Pa. He is a native of England, and was born at Durham in 1841. Coming to Canada with his parents in 1848, he located at Queenbrush, north of Toronto, in the Township of Wallace. In 1863 he came to Pennsylvania and in 1867 to San Francisco, where he engaged in farming and a brief time at lumbering in the redwood forests of Mendocino County, near Eureka. In 1875 he went to Lincoln County, Nevada, where he engaged in farming on the Rio Muddy. From 1881 to 1883 he operated a ferry across the Colorado River at the junction with the Rio Virgin in Lincoln County, Nevada. In December, 1888, he came to Santa Monica, and for sixteen years was in charge of the property of the Santa Monica Land & Water Company, as overseer of the water plant, and one of their trusted employees. He has made investments in Santa Monica property from time to time and now owns some of the best located residence property in the city. He is widely known and highly esteemed for his sterling traits of character. He has retired from active life.
[p. 435] Frank Lawton [1860- ], well known throughout this region of Southern California for his enterprise and business activity, is a native of Springfield, Hampden County, Mass., born August 12th, 1860. His father, Michael Lawton, was a civil engineer by profession and occupation and as such, was in the employ of the United States Government and, during the Civil War, served throughout the conflict as a member of the Engineering Corps. He was a native of County Cork, Ireland. He came to America when a young man, and married Elizabeth O'Reilly. They were thrifty, prosperous people and almost lifelong residents of Hampden County. They both died advanced in years at Chicopee Falls.
[p. 436] In response to a burning desire for adventure and an ambition to see the world, Frank Lawton, at about eleven years of age, left home without even the formal consent of his parents, went to sea and for many years sailed the open seas, rounding Cape Horm and the Cape of Good Hope, visiting all the principal foreign seaports and San Francisco. After making a final voyage to Japan he returned to San Francisco and came south and located at Monrovia. This was in 1885 before the building of the Santa Fe Railway east of Los Angeles, when Monrovia was simply a "four corners" hamlet. Mr. Lawton here made his first business venture by opening the first hotel at Monrovia; later he opened the first restaurant in the town. He there met and married Miss Emily Kallmeyer, in 1886, a daughter of Garret Kallmeyer, a wealthy farmer of El Monte. This was the first wedding to take place in the new city. Mr. Lawton remained at Monrovia two years, then went to Santa Fe Springs, a new and promising health resort about twelve miles east of Los Angeles on the Santa Fe Railway, and opened a hotel. In 1889 he came to Santa Monica, opened a hotel of twenty-five rooms, and a restaurant on Long Wharf at Port Los Angeles and operated the same about four years. About this time the town of Sawtelle was exploited and Mr. Lawton was promptly on the spot with the first stock of general mechandise. This store he conducted for a time, sold out to C.J. Nellis and went to the new town of Sherman where he built a thirty-six room hotel, the Larramond. He did a successful business there for about three years, simultaneously having in charge the purchase adn handling of all the commissary supplies of the L.A. P. Ry. Co. After the taking over of the property at old Ballona Harbor by the Beach Land Co., and completion of the improvements there, Mr. Lawton made a lease of the entire property and operated the pavilion dining rooms, skating rink and dance hall, two hotels, launches and row boats on the lagoon, etc., etc., making it an immensely popular resort for pleasure seekers until he sold out to C,M. Pierce, the present owner. In 1905 he took a lease on and opened the new ship hotel, Cabrillo, the auditorium and the Hotel St. Marks, at Venice. In this connection he brought to Venice the famous Ellery Band of fifty-four instruments which gave the new Venetian city a prestige and popularity that was the envy of all other resorts on the coast. In September, 1907, Mr. Lawton disposed of all his interests at Venice. Upon the retirement of Dana Burks from the Ocean Park Board of City Trustees, Mr. Lawton was chosen to succeed him and served until April, 1908. This is the only political office he ever held and it came to him entirely unsought.
In the spring of 1908, Mr. Lawton negotiated leases on large tracts of the most picturesque portions of Santa Monica Canyon and also Rustic Canyon, tributary thereto, and is spending large amounts of money converting it into a first class pleasure resort. Famed for its natural scenic beauties, its towering bluffs, its grand spreading old sycamore trees, affording ample shade and ideal camping grounds , its abundant supply of cool spring water, its grateful breeze direct from the ocean, with direct transportation via L.A. P. Ry. from Los [p. 437] Angeles and all beach resorts on Santa Monica Bay to the canyon , surely Mr. Lawton's new enterprise cannot fail to prove a source of delight to all lovers of out of door life and rational recreation. It will be seen by the foregoing narration of facts that Mr. Lawton is thoroughly possessed of the true spirit of the pioneer, having from the time he first came to Southern California been the first on the ground in undeveloped localities and new enterprises, alive to the demands of the present and the possibilities of the future and has ever "made good" in the accomplishment of his purposes.
Mr. Lawton is the principal stockholder and president of the Montezuma Rubber Company of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, extensive shippers and exporters of crude rubber, supplying some of the heaviest manufacturers of pneumatic and solid rubber tire manufacturers in this and foreign countries and employing from 350 to 400 men. Mr. Lawton owns a fine ranch and country home at El Monte and a seaside villa at No. 9 Club House Avenue, Venice. Mr. and Mrs. Lawton have two sons-David Edward, who is interpreter of Spanish for the Montezuma Rubber Co., in Mexico, and Homer Alfred, a student at Harvard Military School, Los Angeles.
[p. 437] L.H. Case, M.D. [1877- ], Santa Monica, is a successful physician and is a native of New York. He was born in Watertown, Jefferson County, June 22nd, 1877, a son of Samuel Case, a respected and well known citizen of Santa Monica. Dr. Case was a boy of ten years when the family came to California. He received his schooling principally in the public schools of Los Angeles and Santa Monica. He studied medicine with the late Dr. J.J. Place, who, for about ten years, was a popular practitioner in Santa Monica. Dr. Case later took a course in medicine at the Hahnemann Pacific Medical College, San Francisco, from which institution he graduated in the year 1900, receiving the degree of M.D. He then returned to Santa Monica and commenced the practice of his profession. He is a member of the California State, and also, the Southern California Medical Societies.
In December, 1901, he married Miss Catharyn Miles, a daughter of the lamented Rev. Elam C. Miles, a pioneer of Southern California and Santa Monica, a brief biography of whom appears on another page of this book. Mrs. Case is a native daughter of Santa Monica where she has passed the greater portion of her life. Dr. Case is a member of the F. and A.M. and the B.P.O.E., of Santa Monica. Mrs. Case is an active and popular member of the O.E.S., of Santa Monica and is Past Matron of the Santa Monica Lodge. She is also an active and effective workeer in the Santa Monica Woman's Club, and one of its most popular members. In July, 1908, she was, by acclamation, chosen the club's president. She is charming in her personality, possesses good executive ability and makes an able presiding officer.
[p. 438] Rev. Elam C. Miles [1832-1900] (deceased) was born in Litchfield County, Conn., in 1832, a son of Stephen and Delia M. (Hawley) Miles. They were staid and highly respected New England people by birth and ancestry. He was a successful farmer. The son grew up on the old homestead, was passionately fond of good books and studiously devoted his spare moments to systemized reading and study; thus becoming in a liberal degree, self educated. He became an expert mathematician and held the professorship of higher mathematics in Jefferson County Institute, St. Louis, Mo., when only twenty years of age. In 1861 he married Miss Elizabeth C. Massey in the town of Morris, Grundy County, Ill. Her father, Sylranus P. Massey, was of English and Irish extraction. He was a merchant by occupation and a native of Salem, Mass., where he grew to manhood. He married Hannah Shedd, of Tewksbury, Mass., and there their two children, Elizabeth and Sylranus, Jr., were born, she being the eldest. She was born in the same house and rocked in the same cradle as was her father. About 1855 when this daughter was twelve years of age the family came on to the then western frontier and located in Illinois near the town of Manlins, La Salle County. Later the father became a prosperous merchant in the town of Lostant, in the same county. He there died at about seventy-five years of age. By a second marriage he left a son, Solon P. Massey, of Lake Mills, Iowa. Elam Miles joined the ministry and upon coming to California occupied the pulpit of the Unitarian Church at Pomona. He came to Santa Monica in 1878 when it was a small village. Here he held the office of Justice of the Peace and was an efficient officer. He soon thereafter located on a ranch in Blakes Canyon, a mountain resort back of the Malibu Grant. Here for a time he engaged in bee culture. Returned to Santa Monica and later went to Florida where he spent several years. Returning to Porterville he there died in the year 1900 at about seventy-six years of age. He was a scholarly man and left a very large and valuable library. Besides Mrs. L.H. Case there are, of his children living-Waldo P. Miles, of Corona; George C. Miles, of Los Angeles; G. Bennett Miles, of Riverside; Bessie, wife of Peter Ting, of Porterville, California; Clara, Mrs. Clarence W. Preston, of Exeter, California, and Mabel, Mrs. Charles W. Smith, of Scioto, Ill.
[p. 438] Simon N. Talkington [1846- ], for upwards of forty years a resident of California, was born in Crawford County, Arkansas, May 15th, 1846. He is the son of Allen A. Talkington, a native of Todd County, Kentucky, and by occupation a farmer. Later he pioneered with his family on the western frontier of Arkansas, Of the wife and children mention is made in the sketch of James S. Talkington, in this work. In 1864 Mr. Talkington and an older brother, James S., were induced to join the southern army. Mr. Talkington was a youth of eighteen years and, in fact, knew little of the issues involved in the great civil conflict and the actual status of affairs. The two brothers, in time, made a journey across Southwestern Texas into Mexico and joined in the revolution then in [p. 439] progress in that country, enduring great hardships and passing through many thrilling experiences. They finally, however, arrived home in good health. In 1868, he preceeded the family to California and located at Campo, in San Diego County, there engaging in stock raising. The family, including his parents soon joined him. In 1869 they all moved to Orange, then Los Angeles County, and in 1885 he removed to Los Angeles and in 1891 to Compton, thence to Tropico. In 1903 he located in Santa Monica and on July 12, 1905, he married Miss Olive Watenpaugh, of Santa Monica. He has invested in Santa Monica residence property. Mr. and Mrs. Talkington are members of the First Methodist Church, of Santa Monica.
[p. 439 Grace Adele Pierce, 1908c]
[p. 439] Grace Adele Pierce [ ], a literary woman and lecturer, for six years a resident of Santa Monica, is the daughter of John C. and Marron A. (Pingrey) Pierce, and was born in New York State. She was educated in her native State and in Boston, where she trained for literary work and public speaking. She is an author known on both continents, for her poetical works being represented with honor in the Bibliotheque National, Paris. She is the author of two books, The Silver Cord and The Golden Bowl-a volume of poems-and Child Study of the Classics, used in the schools of Boston and introduced as a text-book throughout the state of Massachusetts. Of her book of poems, Dr, Richard Burton says:
"This book contains genuine poetry. The work is artistic, refined, pure and high in quality, and inspired by worthy ideals. The work should be encouraged by all earnest lovers of literature, because its ethical influence is strong and the reader, while enjoying a poem aesthetically, is made better for its message."
Mary Holland Kinkaid, the novelist, in writing of Miss Pierce, says: "Two poems in Miss Pierce's volume have enjoyed wide fame. They are the sonnets on Queen Victoria and on Browning's "Saul." The sonnet on Queen Victoria attained a wide vogue in Great Britain. Miss Pierce's later poems fulfilled the promise given by these two remarkable sonnets. While the author has the poetic gift she has such versatility that she finds little time for verse. Her short stories are likely to make her name in a field where few achieve supremacy. No one [p. 440] in California better understands the technique of the short story and no one can handle a dramatic incident more artistically. This fact has been so well recognized by eastern editors that Miss Pierce has been kept busy filling her numerous commissions. As a platform speaker Miss Pierce is not less brilliant than as a writer. She has a talent for oratory; she has something to say and she knows how to say it, for in all her activities she is an artist."
Miss Pierce is a contributor to many of the leading magazines and journals of the East and is writing largely for the western press. She is associated with many of the organizations for the betterment of humanity and is deeply interested in the wage-earning woman's problems. She is on the Advisory Board Committee of One Hundred, the National Health League, New Haven, Conn., and is on the Board of Directors, the Ladies' Auxiliary, R.C.P.A., Denver, Colorado. Miss Pierce is also a member of the International League of American Pen Women, Washington, D.C., and is associated with the Southern California Women's Press Club. Before coming to California Miss Pierce was connected with Chautauqua publications, having been classed among, "The Makers of Chautauqua Literature." Bishop John H. Vincent, Chancellor of his great educational institution, said of her work:
"Miss Pierce's work is worthy in every way. She has genius. The book reveals it. It yields the pleasant aroma of a human heart that has companion with Nature, felt the spell of Art, experienced the joys and sorrows of Life, and found rest in God. The book does credit to her intellect and sympathies."
Miss Pierce has an adopted sister-Miss Caroline M. Simmons-who has close companionship with her in her life and work.
[p. 440] Tom Schofield [18 . . - ] is a native of England, born in Wales, March 21st, 18 . . . In 1879 the family moved to Yorkshire, England, and there lived until 1889 and then emigrated to the United States, locating in Edmunds County, South Dakota where they pursued farming. There Tom attended the local public school, learned the trade of blacksmith and became a horseshoer. There the father, John Schofield, died, and the widow, with four sons and one daughter, came to California in 1902 and located in Los Angeles. These children were Ernest and William, who are residents of Los Angeles, and Herbert in Mexico.
Mr. Schofield married in Santa Monica, Miss Mary A., daughter of Thomas Lawson. Mr. Schofield purchased the business of Rober Nairn in Santa Monica in January, 1907. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of the World, Lodge No. 2719. Mr. Schofield's mother and sister live in Los Angeles.
Mr. Schofield is a thorough mechanic in his line and turns out only the best class of work. He has recently distinguished himself by building at his shop on Second Street, the first automobile built in Santa Monica.
[p. 441] Edward F, Bontty [1877- ] is a native of Oregon, born at Portland, February 7th, 1877. His father, Joseph Bontty, is a Bohemian by birth, was born in Austria and came to America at twenty-five years of age and located at Portland, where he engaged in the building business. He lived in Santa Monica from 1885 to 1905 and engaged in the grocery business; he also became interested in some successful real estate deals. He then removed to San Diego, where he is now engaged in the grocery business. He has two sons and one daughter. One son, Joseph, is a conductor in the employ of the Los Angeles Pacific Electric Ry. Co. The daughter, Sebaldeni, is Mrs. R.R. Tanner, of Santa Monica. Mr. Bontty came to Santa Monica with his family in 1883. Here he attended the public schools, was for several years salesman in his father's grocery, the first store opened at what was originally known as South Santa Monica. This covered the years 1898 to 1905. Mr. Bontty was a conductor four years for the Los Angeles-Pacific Ry. Co., which position he resigned and in April, 1906, opened his present store-fish, poultry and game-on Utah Avenue between Second and Third Streets.
Mr. Bontty married September 4th, 1903, Miss Alice Novetny, of Chicago. They have one son, Richard Robert Bontty. Mr. Bontty is a member of the Masonic fraternity and an Eagle.
[p. 441] Ralph Bane [1879- ]. A sketch of Santa Monica's first Treasurer, under the Freeholders Charter may be read with interest by those not intimately acquainted with him, because of the responsible public position he holds and by any who may have misgivings as to what a young man of metal and earnest endeavor can accomplish in our sun-kissed land of material promise.
Mr. Bane was a native of Ohio and was born at Newark, February 22, 1879. His father, Frank Bane, a merchant tailor of Newark, died in 1886, when his only son was but seven years of age. Mr. Bane, at the very tender age of two years, suffered the irreparable loss of his mother in 1881, when he was practically adopted by his great aunt, Mrs. C.B. Buckingham, of Newark, a noble woman of great benevolence and christian fortitude, he being the last and youngest of her fourteen adopted children. She passed to her final reward at her life-long home in Newark on July 1st, 1907, at eighty-three years of age.
Young Bane grew up under the tender care of his foster mother, passed through the excellent graded public schools and took a course of study at the Newark High School. From his seventeenth to his twenty-first years he engaged in various local business ventures in which he succeeded. In the year 1900 he went to Zanesville, Ohio, and with J.H. Stephen embarked in general merchandising. The new enterprise suffered unforseen business reverses and closed out. In 1902, Mr. Bane, somewhat impaired in health, came to California and soon after reaching Los Angeles, came to Santa Monica. He soon obtained employment as conductor for the Los Angeles-Pacific Ry. and remained with the company two years.
[p. 442] He resigned his position and for a period of about nine months acted as inspector of street work for the City of Santa Monica. He then went to Sacramento and acted as clerk of the legislative committee on public buildings and grounds, Thirty-sixth Session of the California Legislature, 1905. Upon returning, he accepted the position as Deputy County Tax Collector under W.O. Welch and served until March 1st, 1907. This position he resigned and became a candidate for the office he now holds under the Freeholder Charter. In the performance of the duties of the positions he has held, Mr. Bane made a wide circle of friends and acquaintances and his fitness for office of City Treasurer was not questioned, but became a factor in according him victory.
Mr. Bane married, in 1899, Miss Edith, a daughter of Elkanah T. Perry, and a niece of the late lamented W.H. Perry, a widely known and eminently successful pioneer of Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Mrs. Bane is a native of Newark, Ohio, and they were youth-day acquaintances. They have one daughter, Ethel Lilian, born in Newark. Mr. Bane is a Republican in politics, and a charter member of the B.P.O.E. of Santa Monica and a member of the Woodment of America, Los Angeles.
Mr. Bane is a courteous and unassuming gentleman, an ideal public official who is thoroughly wedded to a faithful performance of the manifold duties of his office.
[p. 442] Francis Wycoff Brooks [1821-1885], was a California pioneer of 1850, a native of Boston, Mass., where he was born March 14th, 1821. He was educated at Walpole Academy, Walpole, N.H. Later he went to New York City and, with a brother, engaged in the wholesale paper business. When the reports of the discovery of gold in California became current in the east, he joined the rush to the new El Dorado. After some experience in the mines he, with his two brothers, Horace and George Brooks, engaged in the wholesale paper business on Sansome street, San Francisco. He was a vigilante and did much for the establishment of law and order in San Francisco in the early days. The firm did a prosperous business for about twenty years, their field of operation extending throughout the state. The brothers, individually, acquired large property interests in the city.
Francis W. Brooks married Miss Matilda Smith, daughter of Floyd Smith, a leading business man and prominent lay churchman in New York City, where she was born, reared and educated. The marriage took place June 20th, 1855, and they came direct to California via the Panama route. Of their children two are still residents of this city, viz.-Matilda, now wife of Mayor T.H. Dudley, and Alice Brooks, who lives at the old home. Another daughter, Mrs. J. Erwin Hoy, lives in Paris, France. Mr. Brooks died in Battleboro, Vt., in 1885. In 1890, the family located in Santa Monica at the corner of Third and Washington Streets, where Mrs. Brooks died in 1897.
[p. 443, H.F. Rile, 1908c]
[p. 443] Harry Frantz Rile [1860- ], a well known photographer of this city, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., December 1st, 1860. His father was John C. Rile, a carpenter of English parentage, and his mother, Sarah Frantz, was of Dutch descent, born near Norristown, Pa. Mr. Rile spent his youth at his native home and at about eighteen years of age he took up photography in Philadelphia and by degrees worked his way to California, via Chicago, Kansas City, and Portland to San Francisco and thence to Los Angeles. On December 20th, 1887 he reached the latter city and almost immediately opened a studio on North Beach in Santa Monica. For twenty years he has been continuously in the photographic business at this beach. Mr. Rile married, in 1889, Miss Georgetta May Heimer, a daughter of George Heimer, of Galesburg, Ill. She was born in the city of Galesburg. Mr. and Mrs. Rile have two daughters, Maud Frances and Caroline Inez. Mr. Rile is a member of the Royal Arcanum and Woodmen of the World. The family residence is at the corner of Eighth Street and Oregon Avenue.
[p. 443] E.A. Preuss [1850- ], for forty years a resident of Los Angeles, is a native of New Orleans, La., and was born June 7th, 1850. When yet a child the family removed to Kentucky and located in the city of Louisville, where he attended the public schools and business college. In 1861, he entered the employ of a drug store in Louisville as an apprentice to the business which, after several years, he thoroughly mastered. In 1868 he came to California, and, following a brief stay in San Francisco, he came to Los Angeles and embarked in the drug business. In 1875, he associated in business with the late John Schumacher, one of the best known of the early pioneers of the city. Some years later, C.B. Pironi succeeded to the interests of Mr. Schumacher and the business continued until September, 1885, when Mr. Preuss permanently retired. In June, 1887, Mr. Preuss received the appointment of postmaster of Los Angeles by the lamented President, Grover Cleveland, which office he acceptably filled to February 14th, 1890, until the appointment of his successor. His encumbency cov- [p. 444] ered four years of the most phenomenal growth that Los Angeles has ever had, known as the boom of 1887 to 1889, and it may safely be stated that probably no postmaster in any city of the country ever held his office under more strenuous conditions. By reason of the great and sudden influx of people from all parts of the country, the postoffice, not any too well equipped for handling the business of a city of 12,000 people, was required, before Mr. Preuss' term of office closed, to meet the demands of 50,000 inhabitants, and this through one office, there being no branch stations. The office was then located on North Main street near Republic, opposite the Baker Block. As the boom crowds increased the clamor for mail at the windows became so great that two long lines of men and women extended up and down Main street waiting their turn. Mr. Preuss promptly petitioned the government for an increased allowance for the employment of additional help, and for a branch office in East Los Angeles, but relief, because of the exact and deliberate routine of the department business at Washington, was meager and slow in coming. The total cash handled during the year 1887 was $1,838,000.00, being an increase of more than $700,000.00 over 1886. Stamp sales alone exceeded $120,000.00 for the year 1887, when the office handled the mail for over 200,000 transients. Mr. Preuss retired from the office with a splendid record as a man of executive ability and ready resource for emergencies. During those days, Mr. Preuss was wide awake and ready to take a hand in forwarding the best interests of Los Angeles, and was also identified with the social life of the city.
He was one of the charter members of the Turn Verein, organized in 1870. He was one of the prime movers in the organization of Los Angeles' first athletic club, in 1883. In 1877 he married Miss Mary A., eldest daughter of the lamented [p. 444] John Schumacher [1816-1885], one of the most prominent and highly esteemed pioneers of Los Angeles, of 1847. Mr. Schumacher was a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and was born January 23rd, 1816. In 1832, being then an orphan, he left his native town and went to Paris, soon thereafter coming to America. He lived in New York until 1846, when he enlisted for the Mexican War in the First Regiment New York Volunteers,under Col. John D. Stevenson, and was mustered into Company G. On September 26th of that year he sailed for San Francisco on the ship Thomas H. Perkins, arriving at destination in the month of March 1847. The following May they shipped for San Pedro and reached Los Angeles on the 9th of that month, there remaining until mustered out of service, September 18th, 1848. He almost immediately set out for the newly discovered placer gold diggings on Sutter's Creek, El Dorado county, where he unearthed a gold nugget for which he realized $800.00. He continued in the mines for several months, having fair success, then returned to Los Angeles and embarked in merchandizing in a store near the northwest corner of Spring and First streets, which property he very soon acquired, together with all the land bounded by Spring, First, Fort, (now Broadway), and Franklin streets, for which, it is said, he paid $700.00. He also later owned a tract of land at what is now Temple street and Belmont avenue, which, in company with Jacob Bell, he used as a sheep range. He was a man of energy and enterprise and experimented wtih the raising of grapes without irrigation on land he owned between Los Angeles and the sea-being a portion of the old Brea grant. He acquired other lands in the city which ultimately became very valuable. John Schumacher was a popular citizen, having a host of friends. He served on City Council two terms. He spoke the German, French and the Spanish languages, was everybody's friend and was specially useful to the Spanish and non-English speaking people in adjusting their business affairs, as all had unbounded faith in his unerring judgement and integrity. In 1880 he built the Schumacher block on his property, First, and Spring streets, then regarded as one of the most substantial and architectural business blocks in the city. It stands today as a fitting monument to his enterprise and stability. He also built what was for years known as the White House, a pretentious and very substantial business block at the corner of Commercial and Los Angeles streets. He died from the effects of a stroke of apoplexy, March 2nd, 1885, leaving a valuable estate and an untarnished name as an inheritance to his six children, These children, besides Mrs. Preuss, are Carrie, who is the widow of Professor Paul Schumacher (no kin)-John H., Frank G., Percy F., and Arthur W. Mr. and Mrs. Preuss are old-time summer residents of Santa Monica. They have one son, Kenneth.
[p. 445] Claude W. Rogers [1867- ], well-known and successful merchant of Santa Monica, was born at Shawneetown, Johnson County, Kansas, July 31st, 1897 sic [1867?]. His father, Walton Rogers, a native of Kentucky, born in Gallatin County, was a Doctor of Medicine. He emigrated with hs wife to Kansas in 1864. In 1869 they returned to Carrol County, Kentucky, and located in the town of Ghent, where young Rogers grew up. At sixteen years of age he went to Denver, Colorado, and worked for various commercial establishments as an accountant. He came to California and to San Francisco in 1893, where he spent three years. In 1896 he came to Santa Monica, taking a position with A.F. Johnston, merchant. Later, for two years, he became manager of the business. In 1906 the A.F. Johnston Company was incorporated and Mr. Rogers became a director thereof. Upon the untimely death of Mr. Johnston, Mr. Rogers succeeded to the presidency of the corporation.
The A.F. Johnston Company is extensively engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business, being the most progressive and prosperous in its line in the city of Santa Monica.
Mr. Rogers married in the city of Santa Monica in the year 1900, Miss Grace, daughter of the venerable Thomas H. Elliott, a most highly respected pioneer of Santa Monica. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have one daughter, Arta. Mr. Rogers is a member of the F. and A.M. and the B.P.O.E. The family home is 928 Fourth Street.
[p. 446] L.A, Ingersoll [1851- ], of Santa Monica, was born in the village of Delta, Eaton county, Michigan, August 7, 1851, a son of Alexander and Emeline Baker Ingersoll. Alexander Ingersoll was a son of Erasmus Ingersoll, who with a family of thirteen children located large tracts of heavily timbered land on Grand river in the interior of the lower peninsula of MIchigan, in 1836, when that State was a Territory. He obtained a charter from the U.S. Government to build a dam across the river, erected a sawmill and a grist mill, which formed the nucleus of a growing and prosperous community. Upon the death of Erasmus Ingersoll a large landed estate came into the possession of members of the family and Alexander Ingersoll became owner of the water power and mills. He also owned timber and agricultural lands. He improved the milling property, built up an extensive business and was a moving spirit in the community. He served several years as a member of the County Board of Supervisors and was also for a long period director of schools, deacon in the church and superintendent of the Sunday-school. Besides his interests in Delta he became interested largely in the milling interests of Lansing. In later years he closed out his interests in Michigan, located at Saint Croix Falls, Wis., where he died in 1890.
Emiline Baker Ingersoll [1823 -1906] was a native of the town of Stafford, Gennesee county, N.Y., a daughter of Captain Remember Baker, who was a grandson of Captain Remember Baker, a brother-in-law of Colonel Ethan Allen of Revolutionary fame. Captain Baker commanded a company of Green Mountain boys, and was Colonel Allen's second in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in the name of "The Great Jehovah and Continental Congress." Baker immediately thereafter took possession of Crown Point, was betrayed by Indians, and beheaded. His name is recorded in history as the first officer killed in the American Revolution. Captain Remember Baker, the maternal grandfather of L.A. Ingersoll, early in life went to sea, became master of a ship and navigated North river, He was a pilot of the Robert Fulton on its first voyage up the Hudson river. He was a soldier of the War of 1812 and under General Brown held a captain's roving commission and did his country great service as a scout. He located on Grand river near Delta, Michigan, in 1836, later settled at Portland, thirty miles distant, where he died in 1846. Emeline Baker Ingersoll, his daughter, in early life taught school and later married at Delta. She was a woman of splendid domestic attainments and great kindness of heart. During her many years of active life she was tireless in church, Sunday-school and charitable work. She died at her home at Saint Croix Falls, Wis., February, 1906, at 83 years of age.
L.A. Ingersoll grew up in the village of Delta, attended Olivet College, Olivet, Michigan, spent seven years in the dry goods house of an uncle, Harley Ingersoll, at Lansing, Mich., spent two years seeking health in the northwest, was from 1879 to 1886 engaged in compiling local history in Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, New York and the New England States. In 1886 he established and for two years published the Saint Croix Valley Standard newspaper at Saint [p. 447] Croix Falls, Wisconsin. In 1888 he came to California and has devoted about twenty years to collating, writing and publishing California history. In 1904 he published Ingersoll's Century Annals of San Bernardino County. Ingersoll's Century History of Santa Monica Bay Cities, 1908, is the second book of a series of local histories he has in various stages of development. He married October 5th at Ypsilanti, Michigan, Miss Mary Elizabeth Otto, a daughter of George and Rose Otto, pioneers of Southern Michigan, and there is one daughter, Grace.
[p. 447 W.M. Palmer, 1908c]
[p. 447] W.M. Palmer [1870- ] was born near Iowa Falls, Iowa, on October 23rd, 1870. His parents were New England Quakers of Scotch, Irish, French and English lineage and pioneers in the settlement of Iowa, having emigrated from the eastern states while Iowa was a wilderness.
His grandfather, John Caldwell, was the first Justice of the Peace in Hardin, Hardin County, Iowa, at a time when Indians and land claim jumpers were the chief subjects of judicial inquiry and legal enactment. The family continued to reside in that locality for more than fifty years. The subject of this sketch was graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1888, after which a three-year course of study was pursued in Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
Always, from inclination, associating with youth, Palmer naturally became a teacher in the public schools of Iowa, though his first efforts as a pedagogue were put forth in Albany County, Territory of Wyoming. In this field of usefulness his predilection for athletic sports made him a favorite among the younger residents of the community in which he taught. Owing to the support of this element, while principal of the schools at Webb, Iowa, Palmer was elected mayor of the town and continued to hold that office until he took up the study of law, though the principal duties of the mayor of that town were to declare small pox quarantines and to act as police judge.
In 1902 the study of law was taken up by Mr. Palmer, his preliminary study being directed by the law firm of Bryson & Bryson and by the Honorable S,M, Weaver, since and now a member of the Supreme Bench of the State of Iowa. In 1904 Mr. Palmer became a resident of the city of Santa Monica, where [p. 448] he has since resided, continuing his law studies in the office of Judge George H. Hutton. He was admitted to the bar of California in 1905.
In 1894 Mr. Palmer was married to Miss Myrtle B. Mosely who had been his schoolmate from the primary grade. To them have been born four children.
Mr. Palmer has, since 1886, been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and occupied a number of official positions therein. He is an enthusiastic believer in the brotherhood of man and advocated strongly fellowship and sympathy as a means of aiding mankind. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
[p. 448] George W. Foster [1840- ], well known citizen and trustee of Ocean Park, is a native of Sangamon County, Ill., born February 2nd, 1840. His father, Col. John D. Foster, was a lawyer by profession, and a native of Clark County, Ky. He was a pioneer of Sangamon County, lived near Springfield and practiced law throughout that region of country contemporaneously with Abraham Lincoln, not unfrequently opposing him in court. Mr. Foster's mother was Eunice Miller, also a native of Clark County, Ky. Mr. Foster was the eldest of seven children and spent his boyhood in Sangamon County. In 1853 the family removed to Missouri and settled at Kirksville, the county seat of Adair County. At the breaking out of the Civil War he recruited the 22nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry and commanded the same during the conflict. He was a brave and fearless officer and led his men in bloody charges against the enemy's breastworks at the seige [sic] of Corinth and in many other hard fought battles. Notwithstanding his youth, young George W. joined his father's regiment and was at his side during and to the close of the war. He held a commission as Quartermaster-Sergeant. He participated in the hottest of the fight at Corinth and many other battles. He served three years, luckily escaping bodily injury, and was mustered out of service at St. Louis in February, 1865. After the war he returned to Sangamon County, Ill., and pursued farming until 1878, when he removed to Kirksville, Mo. There he left his family and went to Leadville, Colorado, to engage in mining. He followed mining in all of its phases until 1902, when he came to Ocean Park, bought a home and settled down. Leisure proved not a luxury to him, however, and he took up his trade, that of a carpenter, and is the efficient foreman of the carpenter department of the Abbot Kinney Company at Venice.
Mr. Foster married, at Kirkvillle, Mo., Miss Margaret Scott, a native of Boone County, Ky., born 1845, who was sixteen years of age at the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have four children living-Emma, wife of E.D. Wheeler, of Ocean Park; W.F. Foster, of Denver, Colorado; Abbie A., Mrs. F.C. McArthur, of Los Angeles, and Dora Bell, wife of Fred Olds, of Milwaukee, Wis. John D. Foster met accidental death in a mine in Colorado in 1902, and George E. died at the age of twelve years in Denverr.
Mr. Foster is an active and popular citizen and takes an interest in local public affairs. In April, 1908, he was elected a member of the Ocean Park Board of City Trustees and is a member of the following important committees: Finance, Lighting, Building and Lands. He is a charter member G.A.R., Farragut Post Dunn, is enrolled at the Soldier's Home and is pensioned at $12.00 a month.
[p. 449] Walter Mundell, P.M. [1842- ] of Sawtelle, is a native of Scotland and was born in Ross-shire, within three miles of Lands End, September 4th, 1842. His father was Robert Mundell, a sheperd by occupation and a son of David Mundell, who was by trade a cabinet maker. He was a prominent Free Mason and received his third degree in that order from Robert Burns, the great Scotch poet, who was then master of Kelwinning Lodge No. 1. David Mundell and Robert Burns were strong personal friends. There is now in possession of David Mundell, an older son, the first copy of the first edition of Robert Burns' works, presented to David Mundell by the author. David Mundell at the time lived in Dunfriesshire, where Burns was government excise officer. Walter Mundell was about fourteen years of age when the family left their native heath and came to America. They located in Pickaway county, Ohio, on a farm where the parents lived until the close of their earthly career. Besides Walter, there are two sons living, David and James, the former at the old home and the latter in Wilson county, Kansas. In August, 1862, Mr. Mundell, with his brother, James, enlisted in the Civil War and were mustered into Company A, 114th Ohio Infantry, under Captain John Lynch. They served under Grant at the siege of Vicksburg, where the subject of this sketch was wounded in both arms and taken to the army hospital at New Orleans. While there he was nursed by Mrs. Lizzie Southworth. A warm friendship ripened into mutual love, and when he had sufficiently recovered from his wounds, they were married September 20th, 1864. They made a wedding journey to the Ohio home, where the wife remained while the husband returned to his regiment at the front to complete his term of enlistment.
Mrs. Mundell is a daughter of James Ince and was born in England, Chorley, Lancashire. Her father was a wholesale merchant. She grew up at her native home and there married George Southworth, who was by trade a painter and glazier. They came to America in the year 1859 and located at Lancaster, Dallas county, Texas. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Southworth was conscrpted into the Confederate army. He determined not to fight against the Union and crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico, where he was taken sick and died in the vicinity of Monterey. The stricken widow and only son, John, took the remains to Monterey, where the interment took place and she proceeded to return to England. Upon reaching Brownsville, she met General Herron, who induced her to take up army nursing. The battle of Brownsville [p. 450] soon took place and she accepted the offered position of nurse. She went down the Rio Grande river, crossed the gulf as nurse in charge of the hospital boat and landed at New Orleans, where she continued her work.
The Mundell brothers both filled out their terms of enlistment and were mustered out of service in August, 1865, having served three years. Mr. Mundell, after the war, returned home and followed his trade, which was that of a millwright, and also that of stationary engineer. He came with his family to California and in 1887 located in Los Angeles, purchased a home and for a time lived in retirement. Later he was for about eight years in the employ of the street department and latterly four and a half years the park commissioner of the city. He located in Sawtelle in the fall of 1904, and in 1906 was appointed postmaster of that city by President Roosevelt. Mr. and Mrs. Mundell have one son, Robert, who is engaged in the lumber business at Oberlin, Kansas, and a daughter, Myrtle, who is assistant postmaster at Sawtelle. Mrs. Mundell has, by her former marriage, one son, John Southworth, who is proprietor of the Southworth apartments on Kinney street, Ocean Park. Mr. Mundell has always been an acitve republican and, while never seeking office, has repeatedly attended the party conventions as delegate from his home district or precinct. He is a member of the F. and A.M.
[p. 450] Joseph Jefferson Davis [1869- ], widely known as a successful man of affairs, as head of the Santa Monica Land & Water Company and identified with other extensive business enterprises, is a native of Ottawa, Canada, born August 8th, 1869. His father, Jefferson Davis, was a capitalist and land owner, a native of Lancaster, England, and his mother, Mary Proctor, was of Sussex, England. The family came to the United States and located at Milwaukee, Wis., about 1862, there the father died, the mother surviving until 1903, when she passed away at Santa Monica at seventy-five years of age. Mr. Davis came to California in 1890. In 1895 he entered actively into the organization of the United Electric Gas & Power Company, for the purpose of supplying light, fuel and power to the city of Santa Monica and vicinity. Mr. Davis was vice president and general manager with offices at Santa Monica. In 1900 this company's stock and plant was sold to the Edison Electric Company and Mr. Davis, in 1905, associated with R.C. Gillis, purchased the San Vicente y Santa Monica Grants and interested others with them, which resulted in the development of that section of the country known as Westgate, Brentwood Park and Carlos Heights along the foothills.
In 1903 Mr. Davis formed a company and took over all of the interests of the Santa Monica Land & Water Company. He also purchased the unsold lands of the San Vicente and the Boca Santa Monica Grants (see index, Westgate) and has spent an almost fabulous amount of money in improvements thereon. Mr. Davis, vice president of the Santa Monica Land & Water Company, [p. 451] is a stockholder and director in the Broadway Bank in Los Angeles and has other extensive financial and property interests.
Mr, Davis married in 1896, Miss Emma Volkman, a daughter of Martin Volkman, of Santa Monica. They have three sons, Herbert Leslie, Robert Carlyle, and Joseph Jefferson. The family residence is one of the finest modern country seats at Westgate.
[p. 451] Alf Morris [1852- ], popular citizen of Santa Monica and president of the Coty Council, is a native of England, now fifty-six years of age. He received his education in a private grammar school and at the age of sixteen years entered the counting house of one of the largest foreign shippers as an accountant. He spent several years in this employ and acquired a thorough knowledge of the business. Subsequently he took a position as an employee of the Great Western R.R. Company, acting as chief clerk in a branch office. He arrived in New York City nearly thirty years ago and spent two years traveling in the states. He then engaged in the hotel business in the city of Chicago and met with a liberal degree of success. He came to California and located at Santa Monica in 1894, successfully conducting a restaurant business. In October, 1898, he purchased the Santa Monica Steam Laurndry, operating the same until October, 1905. He built up an extensive and profitable business in this line, later disposing of it. He then bent his energies to the building of the Kensington Apartments. These have proven to be, not only an innovation in the line of family residential apartments, but with their convenient location to the quick transportation to and from Los Angeles, their close proximity to the sea beach and surf bathing and with their grand views of the ocean, they compose one of the most valuable property holdings of the kind extant. Meantime, Mr. Morris has made several profitable real estate deals and has, withal, become one of Santa Monica's most substantial property owners.
Mr. Morris has always been enterprising and alive to the best interests of his adopted city, and has borne his part in the promotion of its civic and political welfare. He was elected to the first city council under the Freeholders Charter from the fourth ward and took his seat April 15th, 1907. He was chosen presiding officer of this body. As president of the council his services have proven valuable, having brought honor and dignity to the position by the pursuance of a broad, impartial and judicious policy. His genial personality, uniform kindness and courteous bearing must have had much to do with his prosperity and success in life.
Mr. Morris' mother died when he was yet a youth. His father, was, for many years, a manager for some of the largest mercantile houses in England. He died greatly respected in the year 1891. Mr. Morris married Miss Annette Olsen in the city of New York, January 20th, 1890. She is a daughter of Prof. O. Olsen, of Chicago, a native of Norway, and one of the finest scenic and landscape painters in the country.
[p. 452 J.H. Dobbings, 1908c]
[p. 453] J.H. Dobbings [1864- ], native of Middleboro, Yorkshire, England, was born April 13th, 1864, the son of John and Sarah (Bell) Dobbings. John Dobbings was born in Elstow, Bedfordshire, England, and his wife at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England John Dobbings was by occupation a mining superintendent and for a period of twenty-six years was thus employed in his native land. He came to the United States in 1888 and is since a resident of Pasadena. Both his father, J.G. Dobbings, and his grandfather, John T., have to their credit long terms of service in the British navy-J.G. Dobbings being an officer thereof and retired at sixty-four years of age. Mr. Dobbings' maternal grandfather, George Bell, was an experienced railroad man and division manager of the North Eastern Ry., in England. J.H. Dobbings attended the local public schools of his native town. In 1878, being then a youth of fourteen years, he entered the employ of Blockow-Vaughn & Company of Middleboro, as an apprentice to learn marine engineering and served seven years. In September, 1885, he embarked for the United States and, upon arrival, located at Des Moines, Iowa, where he worked at his trade. In the spring of 1886, he came to California and worked for the Risdon Iron Works at San Francisco, until October, 1887.He then came to Pasadena and engaged in the retail oil busines. In 1889, he went to San Diego and, until 1893, was chief engineer of the Fourth Street Cable Ry. Company. He then came to Santa Monica and was appointed first assistant engineer at the Soldiers' Home. In January, 1887, he married Miss Mattie A. Evans, a native of Concord, N.H., and a daughter of George Allen Evans (see index.) Mr. Dobbings became a naturalized citizen and enthusiastic American. He is one of the prominent Masons of Southern California. He is the past master of the Santa Monca Blue Lodge, member of the Perfection Lodge No. 3 of Los Angeles, and Rose Croix Chapter, A.A. S. R. Temple of Los Angeles. He is past master of Veteran Lodge 373, Sawtelle, and a life member of the Masonic Veteran's Association of the Pacific Coast. He is a member of the Uniform Rank of the K. of P., Santa Monica, and a member of the National Association of Stationary Engineers. He is an influential republican and a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Dobbing have one son, Olney J., and a daughter, Dorothy Bell.
[p. 453] Charles S. Dales [1853- ], for years a well-known citizen of Santa Monica, was born in the State of New York, September 20, 1853. For some years as a young man he followed railroad telegraphy. He married at Middleport, White county, Illinois, Miss Dora, a daughte of D.W. Galloway, a successful farmer. She died, leaving two sons, E.V. and John B. Dales, prosperous grocery mer- [p. 454] chants of Santa Monica, doing business under the firm name of Dales Brothers, brief sketches of whom appear elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Dales came to California in 1886 and spent one year in Santa Cruz. In 1887 he came to Santa Monica and for a time clerked in the clothing store of C.B. Van Every. He was later elected City Clerk of Santa Monica and subsequently served as Constable. He is (1908) serving his second term as City Assessor of Santa Monica. The present Mrs. Dales was Miss Anna Felts of Bellville, Ill. She has one daughter, Marion.
[p. 454] John B. Dales [1880- ], successful grocery merchant and junior member of the firm of Dales Brothers, Santa Monica, was born in the town of Roland. White county, Illinois, September 23, 1880, a son of Charles S. and Dora Galloway Dales. (See biographical mention of Charles S. Dales elsewhere in this volume.)
In 1886 the family located in Santa Monica and here Mr. Dales attended the public schools, graduating from the Santa Monica High School in the class of 1898. In 1902 he entered the present business firm of Dales Brothers. For two years he was in charge of the Dales Brothers' branch grocery house at Ocean Park, until the consolidation of both stores at Santa Monica.
Mr. Dales married in 1903 Miss Leah Johnson, a daughter of C.C. Johnson of St. Louis, Mo. The have one son, Leighton. His home is 1014 Fourth street.
Mr. Dales is Past Master of Ocean Park Lodge F. and A.M. and member of the B.P.O.E., Santa Monica.
[p. 454] T.J. Connelly [1861- ], is a native son of the Golden West, born in Amador County, California, August 9th, 1861. His father, Jeremiah Connelly, was a miner and lost his life by accident in the mines. Young Connelly went to Nevada where he learned the trade of blacksmith. He spent several years in mining camps, a portion of this time as an engineer in the Calico Mining District. He came to Santa Monica in 1892 where he has successfully engaged in general blacksmithing and horse shoeing.
He married Miss Mary E. Collins, daughter of Mrs. Kate Collins, decearsed, one of the pioneers of California and Santa Monica; they have three sons and three daughters-Miss Winnie, John T., Jr.; Agnes, Ellen, Lawrence and Howard, all residing at 1313 Third Street, Santa Monica.
[p. 455] George C. Boehme [1860- ] is a native Californian, born at Sacramento, November 29th, 1860. He is the oldest son of George Boehme, a well known pioneer of Santa Monica. He was schooled in Sacramento, and afterward learned the trade of a tinner and plumber. Leaving home at eighteen years of age, he pursued his trade in San Francisco. He spent the years from 1882 to 1884 in Los Angeles, managing and extensive tinning an plumbing business of Harper, Reynolds & Company. The years 1885 and 1886 were spent at San Bernardino. Locating at Santa Monica in 1887 he embarked in the hardware and plumbing business at which he has been continuously engaged until the present year, 1907, but is now closing out.
Mr. Boehme was married in 1884 at San Bernardino to Miss Addie Oliver, a native of Calaveras County, California. They have four children, Henry I., Howard E., Margaret M., and Herbert L. Boehme. Mrs, Boehme died.
He has been uniformly successful; was one of the original organizers of the Santa Monica Fire Company No. 1, has always taken an acitive interest in the success and upbuilding and is its present President. He owns an attractive residence on Sixth Street, and other valuable property in the city.
[p. 455] John Guntrup [1854- ], secretary of the Golden State Plant and Floral Co. (Incorporated), of Santa Monica, is a native of England and was born in Wolverton, in 1854, a son of Thomas Guntrup, who for fifteen years was a locomotive engineer for the London and Northwestern Ry. Co,, running from Rugby to London. The British Government then sent him to India and he ran out of Bombay for about two and one half years. He then returned to England and in 1866 came to America, located at Corning, N.Y., and was with the Erie Ry. Co. for several years. He lived at Corning until he came to California with his son in the year 1885. He died at Santa Monica July 5th, 1908. The wife was, by maiden name, Mary White. She died at Corning, N.Y., in 1879. She was mother of ten children, of whom four are living in New York.
The subject of this sketch spent thirty-five years as a mechanic in Preston & Heerman's Foundry and Machine Shop at Corning, N.Y., a portion of his young manhood, commencing as an apprentice at sixteen years of age. He married at Corning, Miss Emma L. Quandt, a native of Rochester, N.Y., and they have two sons and two daughters-Mrs. E.B. Dequine, of Los Angeles; Mrs. F.J. Allington, of Corning, N.Y.; Arthur J., of Corning, and William T., auditor for the Armour Packing Co., at Richmond, Va. Mr. Guntrup was a member of the I.O.O.F. and was a Maccabee. The Golden State Plant & Floral Co. (Inc.), of which Mr. Guntrup was secretary, is one of the most extensive enterprises of its kind on the Pacific Coast. It was incorporated April 28th, 1903, with a capital stock of $25,000; T.H. Dudley, president; Victor E. Hathaway, vice president and general manager. They occupy five acres of land, propagating a full line of general nursery stock and making a speciality of palms and all varieties of ornamental trees and shrubbery.
[p. 456] J.B.E. Smale [1858-], dry goods merchant of this ciy, is a native of Scotland, having been born in Perthshire, Town of Stirling, July 24th, 1858. His father, Wiliam John Smale, was an excise officer of the Government Custom Office. Young Smale lived at home until he reached his twenty-first year and then went to London. In this city he held for five years a responsible position in the mercantile house of William Whitley, who is known upon the eastern continent as "The Great Universal Provider." This house is, without question, the largest establishment in its line in the world. Mr. Smale was a salesman in the gents' furnishing goods department. He came to America in 1883 and located at Providence, R.I., where he became identified with the Scotch Syndicate Store in that city. In 1887 he went to Ashland, Wisconsin, and engaged in the general drygoods business. The winters of this locality proved too severe for his health and he removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where he became buyer in the dress goods departmen for the N.B. Falconer Co., the largest of its kind in that city. In 1892 he came still further west to Leadville, Colorado, and for twelve years engaged in the drygoods business as a member of the Blakely-Smale Drygoods Company. The altitude was, however, too high for good health and Mr. Smale sold his interest in the business and came to Southern California. He traveled for one year until he had gained a fair knowledge of the country and then, on March 3rd, 1905, opened his present store. This place of business, which has become one of the popular trading places of Santa Monica, is situated at 1456 Third Street. In the year 1892, at Omaha, Nebraska, Mr. Smale was married to Miss Alice Maud Morse, of Bath, Maine. Miss Morse was a daughter of Reuben Morse, a wealthy lumber and timber merchant of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Smale have three children-a son, Kenneth, and two daughters, Dorothy and Pauline.
Mr. Smale is one of Santa Monica's most highly esteemed citizens and, as a merchant, is in the No. 1 class. He takes a becoming interest in all matters of public concern and supports liberally all worthy local enterprises. He is a charter member of the Santa Monica Board of Trade and a member of the executive committee of that body.
[p. 456] Rev. James A. O'Callaghan [ ], the present assistant parish priest of Santa Monica, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in the year 1880. At the age of thirteen he began his study of the classics at St. Brandon's Seminary, Killarney, whence he graduated four years afterward and entered he historic halls of St. Patrick's College, Carlow, to pursue the study of philosophy, theology and scripture, and in other respects fit himself for the sacred office of the priesthood.
Leaving Carlow College in 1902 he came to the United States and entered St. Bernard's Seminary, Rochester, New York, fom whence he was ordained priest at the hands of Right Reverend Bishop McQuaide, on June 6th, 1903, after which a brief visit was made to his home in Ireland. On his return Father O'Callaghan was appointed assitant pastor to Father Hawe, at Santa Monica, where both have since labored for the glory of God and uplifting of humanity.
[p. 457 Adolph Petsch. 1908c]
[p. 457] Adolph Petsch [1852- ], retired, Santa Monica, was born in the city of Frankfurt-on-the-Main, Germany, August 12th, 1852. He was educated in the Frankfurt public schools and pursued a course of study in a business college. When, in 1866, the free city of Frankfurt lost its independence and was annexed by the kingdom of Prussia, young Petsch, although a lad of only fourteen years, believed that government without the consent of the governed was a mistake to which he could not submit. In 1869, rather than submit to the newly imposed degradation of military service, he left, as a political exile, the home in which his family had been prominent for a period of six hundred years. In October, 1869, he landed in New York and went directly to St. Louis, where two uncles, also political exiles, had settled in 1831. After a short stay he returned to Europe intending to locate in Southern France, but the Franco-Prussian War drove him to Switzerland. He also visited Metz in Lorraine and there the Prussian government found and exiled him in 1872. He then went to Belgium where he remained about five years in the city of Veviers, engaged in the banking business, but being without citizenship, and Belgium, like Switzerland, accepting no foreigners, he was led to seek a new home. He again came to America and to St. Louis, Mo.
On April 11th, 1877, the Southern Hotel in that city was destroyed by fire and Mr. Petsch only saved his life by escape from a fifth story window by means of a rope made from sheets from the bed. Injuries sustained in this fire made him an invalid for two years, which fact brought him to Southern California, after a short stay in San Francisco. He was naturalized in 1882 and has since left the state only to pay two short visits to parents and the old home in Europe. In Pasadena, in the early part of the year 1878, he obtained his first ideas of horticulture and viticulture. At this period the Pasadena colony was short of water and Mr. Petsch began to look around for an abundant irrigation supply. During the summer of 1880 he spent, in company with Judge Benjamin S. Eaton, the pioneer of Pasadena, several months in traveling over the southern counties. In one of these trips he bought an interest in the Day Canyon Water Company and also made filings under the desert land act on some government land. Soon [p. 458] after he sold this to the Chaffey Brothers, and upon it they founded what is now a portion of the beautiful Etiwanda. Mr. Petsch then purchased one hundred and sixty acres pre-emption claim of Henry Reed, together with available water rights in nearby canyons, and the first steps to the founding of what became the Hermosa Colony were taken. He added some four hundred acres to his original purchase, organized a water company, platted his holdings into lots of convenient size for small farms, bordered the streets with ornamental shade trees, and eventually disposed of the entire tract to homeseekers. The enterprise was beset with some difficulties, but none so formidable as to deter the indomitable Petsch from the execution of his plans. Wild jack rabbits raided his orchards and girdled his trees and Mr. Petsch made a characteristic move against them by building a solid stone and cement wall with iron gates around the tract to shut them out. While this was, in a measure, a failure as a rabbit tight fence, it was so talked and written about as to make Hermosa famous, and proved to be valuable advertising. The phenomenal success of Hermosa led, in 1883, to the establishment of the Iowa colony on adjoining lands. The two names were finally blended into that of "Ioamosa," an occurrence for which Mr. Petsch disclaims any responsibility. In 1884 Mr. Petsch married a native daughter of California, whose father, John L. Frese, was a pioneer of Oakland.
In 1892 he retired from Hermosa to Los Angeles and there became popularly known as the tireless promotor of La Fiesta de Los Angeles. His great energy and enthusiasm fired all Los Angeles with the Fiesta spirit from year to year, and costly floats, were the direct outcome of his own designs and personal oversight in construction. For several years the family home was at Figueroa and Twenty-first Street, until they made a trip to Europe in 1894. Upon their return, they purchased property, built a home and settled in Santa Monica. Mr. Petsch is an active member of the Santa Monica Board of Trade, and the novel, original and strikingly appropriate interior decorations and furnishings of the Board of Trade rooms are due to his genius. Mr. and Mrs. Petsch have one son, Carl.
[p. 458] James D. Simpson [1860- ], Venice, is a native of Iowa, born in the city of Dubuque, October 22nd, 1860. His father, John Simpson and mother, Martha (Lobley) Simpson; were both of English birth and natives of Yorkshire. John Simpson was interested in lead mining in England. He came to America about the year 1840 and was one of the pioneer settlers of Dubuque, Iowa. He there engaged in mining and became successfully identified with other business enterprises. He died in Dubuque in 1890 at about eighty years of age, his estimable wife having preceded him in 1888 at the age of seventy-eight years. James D. was the youngest of their six children and grew up in the city of Dubuque, passing through the graded schools and closing his studies at Cornell University. In [p. 459] 1882 he went to Paullina, O'Brien County, Iowa, and for twelve years was cashier of the bank of that place. In 1893 he became sole owner in the establishment of the Bank of Merrill at Merrill, Iowa, and at Le Mars, Iowa. In 1905 he came to Venice to assume charge of the interests of Mr. John Metcalf, and proved to be the moving influence in the laying out and development of the Venice Gateway. He was also one of the organizers of the Venice Shoe Manufacturing Company (Inc.) and is a director and vice president of the company. Mr, Simpson married at Paullina, Iowa, in 1890, Miss Evelyn Micklett, a daughter of Hudson Micklett, owner of the Paullin Ranch. They have two children-Elizabeth Paulilin Simpson and Evelyn Marie Simpson. The family residence at Venice Gateway is one of the many attractive modern homes of that thrifty suburb.
Mr. Simpson is one of the most active and enthusiastic citizens of Venice, being an influential member of the Venice Chamber of Commerce and an ardent supporter of good government. He has limitless faith in the stable future of his adopted city. He is a charter member of the orders B.P.O.E., at Le Mars, Iowa, and I.O.O.P. and K. of P., of Paullina, Iowa.
[p. 459] Arthur E. Jackson [1870- ], for about twenty-two years a resident of Santa Monica and well known as an active and successful business man, is a native of Kankakee, Illinois, born April 1st, 1870. His father, Stephen Jackson [1845?-1898], was a native of Sheffield, England, and came to this country with his parents, Edmund and Anna Jackson, and was raised on a farm near Kankakee. The family consisted of seven sons and one daughter. Here young Stephen grew up and at the age of fifteen, upon the breaking out of the Civil War, entered as a volunteer in the United States Army. His father was so bitterly opposed to the move that, by reason of his age, he demanded and secured his release and return home. The spirit of adventure and brief taste of army life had so fired the zeal of the boy that he clandestinely left home and re-entered the army. He was an expert rifleman and was mustered into what was known in military circles as Yates Sharp Shooters and during his term of service was almost continuously on active duty. He was in the battle of Lookout Mountain, where men fell at both his right and left in line of battle, and was also in many other fierce and bloody engagements. Later he made the famous march through Alabama and Georgia to the sea with Sherman.
Upon his return to civil life he married Miss Eliza Hammer at Kankakee, a native of London, England. He entered the employ of the Chicago & Rock Island R.R. Company as a track man and became a civil engineer, finally doing heavy contract work for the Fort Scott & Gulf, the Texas Pacific and Union Pacific Railway Companies. He came to California in 1883 and to Southern California in 1885, locating in Santa Monica in February, 1886. He built the Santa Monica and Soldiers' Home horse car line for the W.D. Vawter Company. He owned the old North Beach Hotel and laid the first sidewalk on Third Street, [p. 460] in front of what was then the F.D. Suits meat market, now Kennedy's Buffalo Market. He made the first street grade in Santa Monica, which was on Second Street from Utah to Nevada Avenues. He did the contract work for the U.S. Government at the National Soldiers' Home. He at one time owned the Santa Monica Hotel, now the North Beach Hotel, which he sold to J.M. Orr. He took an active part in local civic affairs and was highly esteemed for his sterling merits as a citizen and a business man. As a veteran of the Civil War he was very popular in the Grand Army of the Republic and when the G.A.R. post was organized at Santa Monica it was given the name of Stephen Jackson post. He died April 18th, 1898.
Arthur Jackson was a lad of sixteen years when the family located in Santa Monica.. He passed through the local schools and entered the employ of his father as timekeeper and accountant. In 1893 he opened a cigar and tobacco store on Third Street; finally disposing of this stock he replaced it with books, stationary, toys and school supplies, later adding a stock of pianos. He conducts the Los Angele Daily Times and the Los Angeles Examiner newspaper routes which constitutes a feature of his business.
In 1894 Mr. Jackson married Miss Mary H. Lawrence, a native of San Diego, California, the daughter of Mr. Frank Lawrence, who was the first representative of the Wells Fargo Express Co. in that city. They have two sons-Lawrence A., and Kenneth A. Mr. Jackson is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the I.O.O.F. and the B.P.O.E. Mrs. Jackson is Past Matron and Grand Organist of the O.E.S. The family residence is at No. 1117 Fifth Street.
[p. 460] Robert Crawford Dobson [1836- ] is a typical California pioneer. He came overland to California in 1850 via the northern route; that is, along the north fork of the Platte River from Platte County, Mo. He was born in Greyson County, Va., June 26th, 1836. His father, Robert Dobson, was a potter by trade, who raised two sons and seven daughters. Robert Crawford left home when a boy and lived with a sister. At thirteen years of age he joined the rush to California, a result of the discovery of gold. He mined gold in the placer diggings at Hangtown, later at Agua Trio, in Mariposa County. He came south to Los Angeles in 1860 and was appoined jailer of Los Angeles County by Sheriff Thomas Sanchez, who was in office at the time of the unofficial hanging of Laschenes and the occurence of the Chinese riot. He served eight years in this capacity and was later on the city police force several years under William Warrens, who as marshal, was Chief of Police. He left Los Angeles about 1887 and has for some years past lived at Santa Monica. His present and permanent home is at Irwin Heights.
Mr. Dobson married Miss Marcalie Melindrus, a native of Los Angeles County, and they have two living children-Mary, who is Mrs. C.E. Towner, and Virginia,
[p. 461] Mrs. Catherine Collins [ -1894], a widow, then resident of San Francisco, selected from a map on file in a real estate agency in her city two lots located on the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Utah Avenue in the new townsite of Santa Monica. She was an invalid, almost helpless with rheumatism, and hoping to benefit by a change of climate, she immediately embarked by steamer for her new, but as yet unseen, home. She brought with her three of her four children, two daughters and a son. The older son, James D. Collins, had preceded her and had erected a dwelling. She landed at the Santa Monica wharf in December, 1875. She steadily improved in health, and in 1878 bought two lots at the notheast corner of Utah Avenue and Second Street, and soon thereafter moved the residence to this new purchase, converted it into a rooming house and did a profitable business by taking the "overflow" patronage from the Santa Monica Hotel. She became well known throughout Santa Monica and by the tourists who became her guests, as a good woman of sterling traits of character, earnest endeavor and business ability. She conducted the Collins House for many years, until her death in 1894. She was a native of Ireland, born in County Caven, came to America with her father, Andrew Clark, who located at Dubuque, Iowa. There she grew up and married Daniel Collins, a native of Oswego, N.Y., son of Irish parents. They came to Sacramento, California, about 1862. He, preceding the family, engaged in the teaming and transfer business. The family soon followed him, coming via the Isthmus of Panama. They there had three children, one little daughter, Rosanna, died of black measles on the journey, which consumed four months and entailed many hardships.
Mrs. Collins raised six children-William Collins, the oldest, now lives at Fort Pierre, S.D. James D., well known in Santa Monica, died here in 1906, at fifty years of age, leaving a widow and three children in Arizona. Mary E. is the wife of T.J. Connelly, one of Santa Monica's respected and successful business men. Agnes is the wife of C.H. Comstock, a successful merchant of Tien-tsin, China. By a second marriage to E.J. Corbett, Mrs. Collins had two daughters, twins, Lucy and Elizabeth Corbett Collins.
[p. 461] H.T. Meloy [ ] is one of the well known and successful business men of Santa Monica. He is a son of Daniel Meloy, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Meloy has been a resident of Santa Monica for many years and early in the history of the city worked for Jones and Baker, developing water. Later he was engaged on the Malibu Grant in the same capacity for Frederick H. Rindge. About 1890 he commenced sinking wells on contracts, as a business, and has acquired a thorough knowledge of water lands, the trend of underground water courses, which has brought him an extensive and profitable business. Mr. Meloy has a fortune invested in extensive apparatus or well-boring outfits. He owns valuable property in Santa Monica and a ranch up the coast.
[p. 462] Nicholas Gabriel Baida [ ]. The brief story of Mr. Baida's career is a forcible illustration of what well-directed energy, industry and enterprise can be made to accomplish in this free country of opportunities for the poor man. He was born in the year 1869 in the ancient city of Beyrout, Syria, Turkey, which is one of the most flourishing seaport towns on the Mediterranean Sea, and about fifty-seven miles from Damascus. His father, Gabriel Baida, was a stone cutter by trade; an industrious man and a devout member of the Greek orthodox church, haivng faith in Christ as their Savior, adherents to which faith were rigidly circumscribed and ofttimes persecuted by the dominant church of that country. Being an ardent Christian, he raised his family in the faith. Nicholas Gabriel was the oldest of the family of five sons and two daughters, and recognizing the difficulties that hampered the ambitious youth of his country to make for themselves a prosperous future, he decided to avail himself of the privileges of a free government and in 1890 came to America, landing at Castle Garden, New York City.
He came almost immediately to California and opened a small store for the sale of oriental rugs and drapery on North Main Street, Los Angeles, where he prospered in business. In 1905 he opened a branch store on Pier Avenue, Ocean Park, which he continued for about two years. Besides his present establishment at No, 414 South Main Street, Los Angeles, he has a store at No. 1662 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, which is doing a prosperous business.
In 1897 Baida married in Los Angeles, Miss Saiedia Safady, a native of Syria, a lady of rare intelligence and feminine graces of the Oriental type. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baida speak the English with a remarkable degree of accuracy. They have five children-Gabriel, Zeimoztaney, Adella, Stossel and Isabella. The Baida Moorish palace at the corner of South Third Street and Bicknell Avenue, Santa Monica, is one of the most imposing and strikingly unique private residences in the Crescent Bay City. Its elevation commands a sweeping view of the ocean, Santa Monica, Ocean Park, Playa del Rey, Redondo and Santa Catalina Island. It is purely Oriental in its architecture and interior arrangement and equipped with all modern conveniences.
[p. 462] Mr. and Mrs. John Brickner [1835-, 1859- ] are among the best known of the first settlers of Santa Monica, and have seen it grow from a four-corner hamlet to the present thrifty proportions of a thriving and promising city. Mr. Brickner is a native of Germany and was born near Berlin, January 3rd, 1835. He there spent the earlier years of his life and in 1875 married Miss Augusta Court, a maiden of sixteen years. They almost immediately came to America, landing in New York and made their way westward to San Francisco, thence to Los Angeles, where they remained one month. On September 16th, 1875 they came to Santa Monica and cast their fortunes with the then new and wholly undeveloped seaside city, where they have made some substantail investments, which, with the [p, 463] somewhat sudden rise and subsequent fall of the town finally terminated in heavy losses. Later they opened the first store for the sale of curios in Santa Monica, which is said to have been the first store in this line in Southern California.
Mr. Bricker relates interesting stories of his hunting expeditions, notably duck hunting on the lagoons of what is now Playa del Rey, and likewise where the canal city of Venice now stands. This he pursued in a business-like manner and made it quite a source of revenue, finding ready market for his game in Los Angeles. Mrs. Brickner took up the curing of the plumage of the many fine specimens of these birds and became a somewhat expert taxidermist. The work was placed on exhibition with the Agricultural Association of Southern California, then the leading institution of its kind in Southern California, and received diplomas and cash premiums for superior excellence. They have been continuously in businesss in Santa Monica since they arrived here and were for eighteen years on Utah Avenue, between Second and Third Streets. In March, 1907, they moved their store to No. 210 Third Street, where they have one of the most complete stock of curios, notions and furnishing goods in the city.
Mr. and Mrs. Brickner are widely known and highly esteemed for their splendid traits of character and strict integrity in all matters.
[p. 463] Juan Bandini [ ], a member of one of the earliest and most prominent families of California, is a son of Don Jose Marie Bandini, a venerable citizen of Santa Monica and grandson of Don Juan Bandini, who, during his lifetime, was one of California's most distinguished and exemplary citizens. He was a native of Peru and came to California in 1821 when it was Mexican territory. He lived for several years at San Diego and there married a daughter of Juan Estudillo. By this marriage his children were Arcadia, who became the wife of Don Abel Stearns, after his death marrying Col. Robert S. Baker; Josepha, who married Pedro Carrillo; Ysidora, who married Cave J. Coutts; José Marie and Juan. Of these children, Mrs. Baker and José Marie still survive and are residents of Santa Monica. Later Senor Bandini married Senorita Refugio Arguello, and of this marriage Dolores, widow of the late Charles E. Johnson; Margurite, Mrs. J.B. Winston, and Don Arturo still survives. Senor Bandini spent the last years of his life in Los Angeles. He owned large tracts of land in Southern California, among others, the Jurupa Grant, lying mostly in what is now Riverside County, where he for a time resided with his family. This land was granted to him in 1838 by the Mexican Government. In 1843 he established the little town of Agua Mansa (Gentle Water) upon the bank of the Santa Ana River which runs through the grant. He donated building sites to the settlers and aided them in the erection of a church. It became a pretty and romantic village and the business and social center for the surrounding country. He also owned extensive tracts of land in San Diego County, upon a portion of which is now located the city of San Diego. He was a man of broad information, an eloquent [p. 463] public speaker, whose counsel and opinion had much to do in shaping public affairs. He held various positions of public trust under the Mexican government of California and was one of its most able and stalwart supporters. He died in Los Angeles in 1859. His daughters were all beautiful women of the most intelligent and charming California type and were social leaders of their day. Reference to Mrs. Arcadia B. de Baker and to her only surviving sister, Mrs. C.E. Johnson, is made elsewhere in this work.
[p. 463] José M. Bandini lived, for the most part of his active business life, on his ranch of 4,500 acres near Tia Juana, just over the Mexican line in Lower California. He retired and has lived at Santa Monica since 1894. The wife died in Los Angeles, October 18th, 1878. Besides Juan Bandini, the third of this name, there survive of her children, Mrs. Sarah B. Freeman, of Santa Monica, and Josefa, wife of James Thomas, of London, England. Juan Bandini, the third, married Miss Ida, daughter of William Frost, now of Florence, Colorado. The ceremony took place in San Pedro, January 18th, 1897. They have one son, Juan Bandini, Jr. The Bandini home is at 1127 Second Street, Santa Monica.
[p. 464] Gustav W. Schutte [1866- ] has been a resident of California since 1874. He came to Los Angeles at nine years of age. His father, August Schutte, a cabinet maker by trade, worked many years for Dotter & Bradley. Young Schutte attended school in the old building that stood at the corner of Spring and Second Streets, where now stands the Bryson Block. His teacher was Miss Bengaugh. He also attended Miss Parker's school on Eighth Street, between Broadway and Hill Streets. He attended the old high school then on the present site of the Los Angeles County Court House. He was born in Berlin, Germany, August 1st, 1866, baptized in St. Stephen's Church. The family came to America in 1868 and lived for a time at Allegheny City, Pa., Later they came overland to San Francisco. Mr. Schutte learned cabinet making and was an expert in the business, but by reason of poor health was compelled to abandon the same, and took up the study of music, perfected himself as a cornetist and violinist under Cerman masters, notably Prof. J.H. Ohllwedal, a graduate of Leipsig [sic] Conservatory. Mr. Schutte pursued music as a profession for six years as a member of the original orchestra with Lillian Russell, later in Nellis Boyd's "All Gold Instrument Band Dramatic Company," two seasons, in which he was known as the boy band leader. He was six yeares in the band of the Pacific Branch of the National Home for Disabled Veteran Soldiers. He was compelled to abandon music because of loss of health and eyesight, and took up his residence at Santa Monica. He organized an orchestra of string instruments in his home city and is its leader.
Mr. Schutte married Miss Sarah Wright, a native of Hillsdale, Michigan. She grew up and received her schooling at Washington, D.C. They have four children, Bertrand; Raymond; Varney and Jessie, a daughter.
[p. 465 G.W. Corey, M.D., 1908c]
[p. 465] George W. Corey, M.D. [1833- ], for about fifteen years a resident of California and for nine years a citizen of Sawtelle, is a native of Edgar county, Ill., and was born in the town of Grand View, January 10th, 1833. His father, Jonathan Corey, was a thrifty farmer, and incidently a preacher in the M.E. Church. His mother, by maiden name, Diademia Griffith, was a daughter of John Griffith, a farmer and brick manufacturer. Both the Coreys and the Griffiths were full-fledged Scotchmen from Dumfriesshire. They were both ambitious men and left the old estate in Scotland to seek their fortunes in a country of greater opportunities. Jonathan Corey, upon his arrival in this country, went to Olean, Cattaraugus county, Southern New York, where he married. There, he and John Griffith jointly built a flat boat and with their families sailed down the Allegheny river to Pittsburgh; thence down the Ohio river to Cincinnati, where they landed. They were among the early pioneers of that now large and wealthy city. Here John Griffith burned the first bricks and erected the first building of Miami College. He afterwards removed to Rock county, Wis., and practically retired from business at Evansville, where he died about 1858. Mr. Corey went on westward and settled in Illinois, about thirty miles west of Terre Haute, in Edgar county. There he lived until about 1836, when he moved to Rock Grove, in Stevenson county, the same state on the Wisconsin state line. In 1850 he went to Monroe, Green county, Wis., where he lived until his death in 1859. The mother came west and spent her declining years with a daughter, Isabel Moses, at Leavenworth, Kansas. She died at the age of eighty-six years, and was the mother of sixteen children, fourteen of whom she raised to maturity.
Dr. Corey, the subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood at Rock Grove, Stevenson county, Ill. When yet a youth he purchased a scholarship in the Lawrence University at Appleton, Wis., where he took a two years' course of study. He then took up the study of medicine at Rockford, Ill., and later graduated from the Rush Medical College, Chicago, February 16th, 1859. He commenced the practice of medicine at Cherry Valley, seven miles east of Rockford, [p. 466] where, on March 25th, 1861, he married Miss Margaret Ann Brantingham, a daughter of Robert M. Brantingham, a wealthy capitalist and man of affairs of New York City. Dr. Corey was an aggressive and wide-awake republican and was chairman of the township republican committee, a member of Winnebago county central committee and captain of the local Wide-Awakes, the political club of the first Lincoln campaign. He rendered valued service to the party, making stump speeches throughout his section of the country.
October 22, 1861, he volunteered as a private in the Federal army and was mustered into the 12th Illinois Cavalry. Soon thereafter he was appointed acting assistant surgeon and later made surgeon of the 12th Missouri Cavalry. After Lee's surrender and the close of the Civil War he was detailed to fight the Indians on the western plains of Nebraska, and passed through a most strenuous and exciting campaign. He served in the army about four and one half years. As a surgeon he held the rank of major, and, by an act of congress of August 1st, 1865, he was, for meritorious services as an officer, brevetted lieutenant-colonel.
At the close of his military career he went to Rockford and settled up the lareg estate of his father-in-law, who meantime had died. In 1866 he located in Cheyenne City, Wyoming, where he practiced medicine successfully for about twenty-one years. There in 1876, his wife died and for several years he traveled in various sections of this country. In 1893 he came to California and spent six years in Sacramento. In 1899 he came to Sawtelle, where he is practicing his profession.
Dr. Corey is a member of the Volunteers Retired List Association, an organization composed of about six thousand retired army officers. It will be seen that he has led a most active, eventful and useful life. He is a man of broad information, quiet demeanor and is eminently successful in his profession.
[p. 466] John L. Smith [ 1887- ], well -known druggist and pharmaceutist of Sawtelle, is a native of Michigan and was born in the city of Saginaw, March 14, 1887. He is a son of George H. Smith, now of Sawtelle. He passed through the excellent graded schools of Saginaw and came with his parents to California in 1901. He spent two years in the Santa Monica High School. Later he took a course of study at the University of Southern California and graduated from the department of pharmacy in the year 1907. In 1908 he assumed management of the business of the Laing Drug Company of Sawtelle, which owns the leading drug store of that city. Mr. Smith is a member of the F. and A.M. and also a member of the Commercial Club, a social organization made up of the leading business and professional men of Sawtelle. Of these Mr. Smnith is deservedly one of the most popular.
[p. 467] H.E. Huston [1876- ] is a native of Missouri, born at Independence, July 14th, 1876. His father, Milton L. Huston, was born in the same town where he grew up and became a contracting builder. He was a pioneer of Kansas City in his line of work. He came to California in 1888 and located in Los Angeles, where he now lives. H.E. Huston, when a boy of ten years, commenced work in a meat market on Washington Street, Los Angeles, for Ryder & Taylor, and in 1898 commenced business on his own account. In 1904 he came to Santa Monica and opened his pioneer market which promptly grew into a profitable business. In 1906 he purchased a business lot on Third Street and erected thereon an architectural and substantial brick building twenty-five feet front by ninety feet, two stories in height, on the ground floor of which is the new Pioneer Market, having a modern equipment, including a cold storage plant. The second floor is occupied as his residence.
Mr. Huston married in 1900, Miss Lola, daughter of Alvin Fay, Esq., of Los Angeles, a California pioneer, many years District Attorney of Kern County and head of the Kern County bar. Mr. and Mrs. Huston have one son, Alvin. Mrs. Huston is a native daughter, having been born at Kernville, Kern County, January 14, 1880.
[p. 467] William P. Snyder [1869- ], well-known citizen of Santa Monica, is a native of the state of Michigan and was born in the town of Marshall, Calhoun county, September 20th, 1869. His father, Porter Snyder, was one of the pioneers of Calhoun county and located at the then new town of Marshall, on timbered land which he improved, and also engaged in the building business. He was an enterprising and successful man of affairs, and served for a time as sheriff of Calhoun county. He was a son of George W. Snyder, a native of Holland, who with his parents came to America and settled in New Jersey, and soon thereafter removed to New York and located on wild land in Seneca county. During the war of 1812 with England, he served as a scout. It may be said that he was a soldier of fortune since he was three times captured by the Indians and once barely escaped burning at the stake. After the war he returned home, where he lived until his death at ninety-four years of age.
Porter Snyder, by a second marriage, to Sarah J. Eddy, had three sons and one daughter. Two of thse sons, George D. and William P., the subject of this sketch, are leading citizens of Santa Monica. When about fifteen years of age William P. Snyder went to Jackson, Mich., and served an apprenticeship at painting. In February, 1890, he came to California and located in San Bernardino, wherer he served the Santa Fé Railway Company as foreman of painting in the bridge and building department, having charge of all work on the lines between Barstow and San Diego. In 1895 he resigned his position and began to contract painting in Los Angeles. In 1900 he was one of the first to locate in Santa Monica and engage in the business during the earliest days of [p. 468] its phenomenal growth. He took an active part in the building and civic development of the embryo city. In the year 1901 he executed contracts in his line on about one hundred and twenty-five cottages, employing a small army of men.
In 1904 he retired from the business and has since then held a responsible position with the mercantile house of Devore & Pettis, Santa Monica. In 1892 he married Miss Helen M. Schoch of Marshall, Mich., and a native of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have four children, Catharine, Paul, Philip and Zada. Mr. Snyder in 1908 was appointed a member of the Santa Monica City Board of Education, vice A.B. Clapp, resigned, and is a most efficient and affable officer.
[p. 468] Legrand G. Ingersoll [1845- ], born in Elmira, N.Y., June 9th, 1845, son of Platt Carl Ingersoll, a graduate of Yale College and a native of Stanford, Conn., later studied medicine at Stanford; became one of the principal owners of the Grafenburg Medicine Company. He was gifted with mechanical genius and later turned his attention to mechanical pursuits.
He met and married Miss Betsy Mariah Miller, a daughter of Abraham Miller, a successful grain farmer and distiller of spiritous liquors of South Port, Chemung county, New York, where she was born. The circumstances of his marriage proved to change, somewhat, the course of his life, and he settled down at Elmira and engaged in the milling business, an occupation more nearly in harmony with his tastes and natural bend of mind. He owned a steam sawmill, and incidently became interested in a drygoods, likewise a drug store, at Wellsburg, a near-by town. About the year 1855 he invented and patented Ingersoll's cotton press, which he maunufactured on a large scale at Brooklyn, N.Y. They came into popular use throughout the cotton-producing states and were, in essential respects, the most perfect machines of the kind of their day.
He made several other mechanical inventions which proved practical, notably a coffee hulling machine, which he manufactured in large quantities at Green's Point, Long Island. He was a son of Alexander Ingersoll, who was a farmer and lived near Greenwich, Fairfield county, Conn. Besides Platt C., Alexander Ingersoll had a son, Simon Ingersoll, who was the inventor of Ingersoll's rock drill, which effectually revolutionized the business of rock drilling, quarrying, quartz mining, etc., and is in general use for such purposes all over the world. After a busy and successful life, Platt C. Ingersoll died at his home in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1870, at about sixty-three years of age and his remains were interred in Greenwood cemetery.
Legrand G. Ingersoll is the only living of three sons of Platt C. Ingersoll. There is one dauther living, Georgiana, Mrs. Geo. H. Hughes, of Brooklyn, N,Y. His boyhood and youth were spent at Wellsburg and in Brooklyn, in which latter city he learned the mechanic's trade and worked in his father's factories. He attended the public schools of Brooklyn and pursued a special [p. 469] course of study of mechanics in the night schools of Cooper Union, New York City. In 1865 he married Miss Augusta Wells, a daughter of Calvin Wells, an old-time citizen and manufacturer of Wellsburg, Chemung county, N.Y.
For a time Mr. Ingersoll traveled and was identified with the promotion of various successful business enterprises in the East and Middle West. He lived for about sixteen years in the city of Pittsburg, Pa., where he developed Kenwood Park, one of the most popular amusement resorts in the city. There in 1896 his wife died as the result of a railway accident. In the year 1900 he commenced his development on a large scale of two amusement-resort enterprises in the city of Detroit, Michigan, which he carried to a most successful completion, operating the same for a time at a handsome profit. He came to California and to Los Angeles somewhat broken in health, in 1903. In 1904 he built the roller coaster at Ocean Park, which promptly became an amusement feature of that city. This he operated for a time and sold, retiring from active business pursuits He lives in Ocean Park. Mr. Ingersoll married for a second time, January 3rd, 1898, Miss Eleanor, a daughter of John Burke, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a railroad official. By the former marriage there were seven children of whom four are living-Le Forest and Frederick of Pittsburg, Audley and Louis of Spokane, Washington. They are all operating large amusement enterprises originally inaugurated by the father. Mr. Ingersoll's business career has been one of large and successful achievements. Besides the extensive business enterprises that Mr. Ingersoll has built up and controlled he has made several successful inventions. He invented the first slot weighing machine that ever came into practical and popular use and for several years manufactured them on a large scale in Chicago. He also invented a slot lung tester which proved a phenomenal success. He is a man of positve temperament and indepedent thought and action These characteristics he has inherited from a line of ancestry that dates back to the early settlement of the New England colonies and includes judges, preachers, lawyers, nusicians and mechanics. They are all men of sterling worth who made themselves useful and memorable in their time.
[p. 469] H.C. Mayer [ ], merchant and member of the Board of Trustees of Ocean Park, is a native of Henderson, the county seat of Henderson County, Kentucky. His father, Jacob F. Mayer, was a successful farmer. His grandfather, George A. Meyer, settled in Kentucky as early as 1831, and was an expert gunsmith, which business he acquired from his father, who made guns for the continental army during the Revolutionary War. Jacob F. Mayer married Lucy Bond, whose ancestors were patriots of the Revolutionary days and associates of the family of George Washington. She died in Kentucky at about forty years of age, survived by the husband and four children.
[p. 470] Mr. Mayer received his education in a private school and later graduated from the Henderson Public High School, and subsequently pursued a special course of study at the University of Chicago. He then entered the employ of the well known hardware house of Hibbard, Spencer & Company, Chicago. He worked in all departments of the business and finally became traveling salesman, covering the field in Oregon and Washington. He later resigned his position and located in Los Angeles, entered business on his own account, and did a successful business at 537 South Broadway. In February, 1905, Mr. Mayer disposed of this business, removed to Venice and has since been identified with the commercial and civic growth of that city.
At the city elections of 1908, Mr. Mayer was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of Ocean Park, and is a member of the Committee on Public Works. Fire and Police, Lighting and the Legal committee. He is secretary and treasurer of the Venice Shoe Mfg. Co., and one of the founders of this enterprise which is the first of its kind on the southern coast.
Mr. Mayer married, at Henderson, Kentucky, Miss Sarah Bradshaw, a member of an old Kentucky family, and they have one child, a daughter, Sarah Louise.
[p. 470] Edward V. Dales [1877- ], senior member of the grocery house of Dales Brothers, Santa Monica, is a native of Ilinois. He was born in the town of Middlepoint, White Country, September 10th, 1877, a son of Charles S. Dales. The familey came to Southern California and located at Santa Monica in 1886 when young Edward was but nine years of age. His youth was spent, therefore, in Santa Monica where he passed through the graded schools and finished in the Santa Monica High School as a graduate of the class of 1895. He then worked for Land & Middlekauff, hardware merchants, as salesmen for two years. In 1898 he embarked in the grocery business under the firm name of Gray & Dales, on Third Street. In 1899 he purchased his partner's interest and conducted the business alone until 1902, when his brother John became interested and the present firm of Dales Brothers was organized. Besides their store on Third Street, Santa Monica, Dales Brothers operated a store on Pier Avenue and Ocean Park, Ocean Park, but in 1906 the two stores were merged at Santa Monica.
Mr. Dales married Miss Florence Wright, of Santa Monica, February 20th, 1900. She is a daughter of Mr. P.B. Wright, now of Imperial, California. They have two sons, Verner and Lowell. Mr. Dales is a prominent Mason, having twice served as Master of Santa Monica Lodge, F. and A.M. He is also a member of the B.P.O.E., of Santa Monica. He was elected a member of the first city Board of Education under the Freeholders Charter and is now doing important committee work.
[p. 471] Walter E. Devore [1856- ], leading merchant and influential citizen of Ocean Park, in Santa Monica, is a native of Clay City, Ill., and was born January 15th, 1856. His father, Jerre Devore, was a well to do farmer. Mr. Devore lived on the farm until about twenty-five years of age, then went to Springfield, Mo., where, for five years, he held a position as salesman in a furniture store, and acquired a thorough knowledge of the business. From Springfield, he went to Denver, Colo., where he remained seven years and was manager for the firm of Lunt & Company, Furniture. In 1896 he became a resident of Santa Monica and held responsible positions with the mercantile house of G. Knesel and later with the old house of Jackson Brothers. In 1902 he associated himself with Chauncey B. Petis, under the firm name of Devore & Petis, and opened a store on Main Street. In 1904 they moved to their present quarters on Pier Avenue, in Ocean Park, Santa Monica, and they have built up an extensive business in furniture, hardware and general household equipment, having the most complete stock in their line in this section of the state, outside of Los Angeles. In 1908 the furniture stock was segregated from the hardware stock, materially enlarged, and installed in spacious double store quarters opposite the original store on Pier Avenue.
Mr. Devore married in his native town, Miss Ivan Nicholson. She was born, reared and educated in Clay County, Ill., where they were youthful friends. Mr. and Mrs. Devore have one child, a daughter, Burnsie E., born in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Devore has for five years been a member of the Santa Monica City Board of Education, is now first president of the Board under the Freeholders Charter and makes a most efficient presiding officer. He is counted among Santa Monica's most substantial citizens.
[p. 471] August M. Guidinger [1863- ], for a quarter of a century, a resident of California and widely known in Los Angeles country, is a native of Manitowock, Wisconsin, and was born July 31st, 1863. His father, John B. Guidinger, was a native of Germany. Mr. Guidinger was nineteen years of age when he left home, coming to California and almost directly to Los Angeles, where he attended the State Normal School. This was in 1883 and the school was in the second year of its existence. Mr. Guidinger completed a thorough course of study and graduated in the class of of 1886. He then went to Santa Paula and was principal of the Santa Paula high school from 1887 to 1890. He then returned to Los Angeles and with Howry & Peck gained a thorough knowledge of the undertaking business. In 1894, he opened this business for himself in Santa Monica and continued it for about thirteen years. He meantime served the city of Santa Monica about ten years as magistrate, a portion of this time as police judge and otherwise as justice of the peace.
In 1906 he erected the splendid Guidinger building at 1334 Third street, [p. 472] which is designed especially for the undertaking business, being fitted with all modern conveniences. It is of the mission style of architecture and the most artistic building in the city. Mr. Guidinger in 1907 disposed of the business to Brezee Brothers & Todd, retaining ownership, however, of the building. He has valuable real estate holdings in Hollywood, which is at present his home. He also has business interests in Sawtelle. Mr. Guidinger married at Santa Paula, Miss Emma F. Hall, a daughter of R.R. Hall, deceased. They have one son, Theodore, born in Santa Monica, August 1st, 1905.
[p. 472 William R. Chapman, 1908c]
[p. 472] William R. Chapman [1841- ], retired citizen of Sawtelle, one of the early settlers of the town, is a native of Erie County, New York, and was born in the city of Buffalo in 1841. His father, James Chapman, was a merchant in Buffalo and in 1850 came west via the Great Lakes on the steamboat Mayflower to Racine, Wisconsin, where he purchased land and engaged in farming. He died there in 1856 leaving a widow and four children. Young William R., while yet a mere lad, secured employment on the steamers plying on Lake Michigan and became a cook. Later he apprenticed himself to learn ship carpentry in Chicago. The Civil War broke out and because of his irresistible love of adventure he left his work and in May, 1860, enlisted in the U.S. Regular Army and was mustered into Company G, First U.S. Dragoons, which was the U.S. First Cavalry, at Carlisle, Pa., He served in the Dragoons for three years. On July 1st, 1863, he was transferred to Battery A., 3rd U.S. Artillery, in which he served one year. On the 25th of July, 1864, he was honorably discharged and the same day re-enlisted for three years in response to the call of President Lincoln for 300,000 more men. He served the full term of enlistment and was discharged from the service in July, 1867, having served his country continuously for over seven years.
About this time Mr. Chapman married Miss Mariah Wheaton, at Chelsea, Mass., and located in Washington County, Illinois. In 1878 he came west to Colorado and mined gold at Central City, Gunnison and Black Hawk. In 1895 he started for California, driving a team from Denver to Phoenix, Arizona and from that point came by rail to Santa Monica and entered the Soldiers' Home. He later made a trip on a U.S. Government transport, conveying five hundred horses to Manila, P.I., and was in service under General Funston about fifteen months when he returned to Sawtelle, purchased a residence and retired form active life. Mr. Chapman has been twice married. In 1905 he married Mrs. Amanda Sheperd, of Sawtelle. The family home is at 503 Colorado Street, Sawtelle.
[p. 473] A.K. Hancock [1853- ], of Santa Monica, California, is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, he having been born in that city on the 26th day of February, 1853, where he continued to reside until he removed with his family to Santa Monica.
His father, Captain A.S. Hancock, was one of the pioneer wholesale merchants of Memphis, having come to Memphis in its early history and he also owned and operated a line of steamboats between Memphis and New Orleans. His family history includes many names of distinguished men, both soldiers and statesmen.
Albert K. Hancock received his education in the common schools of his native city, finishing at Saulsbury College, Saulsbury, Tennessee-at that time one of the leading educational institutions of Tennessee-after which he engaged extensively in cotton planting, cultivating large tracts of land in the Mississippi Valley.
In 1875 he married Miss Corinne Duke, only daughter of Judge George W. Duke, a distinguished lawyer and Judge of the Probate Court in Crittenden County, Arkansas and who was also a large cotton planter. Mrs. Hancock received her education at Ward's Seminary, at Nashville, Tennessee, the leading Seminary for young ladies in the state.
In 1882 Mr. Hancock commenced the practice of law in his native city and state and soon took position amoung the most successful members of his profession, he having in a short time gained an enviable reputation as a prosecutor in damage actions and in the defense of criminal cases.
Mr. Hancock was elected to the Senate from his home district in 1903 and, while so representing that district, he rendered signal service to his constituency in many vital issues touching the life, growth and prosperity of Memphis and his native state generally.
During the early part of 1906, Mr. Hancock settled up his business affairs at his old home (Memphis) and removed with his family to Santa Monica, where he has purchased an elegant home fronting the Ocean, he having invested also in Hollywood and elsewhere, with a view of making California his permanent home, and has established his office in Los Angeles where he is enjoying a very lucrative and satisfactory law practice.
Mr. and Mrs. Hancock have four children, Sara, the wife of Colonel James A. Loudon, a retired capitalist of Santa Monica; Lulu, wife of John D. Jordan, a tobacco merchant of New Orleans, La., and a young son and daughter, Hadys [p. 474] and Corinne, aged respectively 12 and 10 years, all of whom reside in Santa Monca except Mr. and Mrs. Jordan, who are expected to join their mother and father within the near future and become permanent residents of beautiful Santa Monica by the Sea.
[p. 474] Mrs. George Sibley [1858- ] is one of the essential factors in the business, social and civic life of Venice, a woman of exceptional abilities and charming personality. She is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, where she was born August 28th, 1858, a daughter of Alfred and Laura (Foot) Bright, both natives of the same state. Her father died when a comparatively young man. Mrs. Sibley spent her girlhood in Cleveland and, at eighteen years of age, married Mr. Henry W. Taft, an own cousin of Hon. William H. Taft, ex-Secretary of War and at the present time (September, 1908), republican candidate for the Presidency. Mr. Taft died in 1882 and the widow, with an only daughter, Irene, lived in retirement in Cleveland for a period of about ten years. In 1891 she came to California and located at Los Angeles. December 25th of the same year she married Mr. George Sibley, then a wholesale merchant of Los Angeles. In May, 1900, Mrs. Sibley came to the coast in quest of better health. After a season of relaxation and rest, she caught the spirit of enterprise and business promise that marked the founding and spontaneous growth of the embryo city of Ocean Park as a seaside resort, and in her characteristically quiet way commence the sale of real estate. Her practical restoration to health and her great faith in the future of the new town made her one of the most effective advocates of and successful promoters on the beach and she soon laid the foundation for the extensive business interests she today controls. In 1901 she opened offices on Pier avenue and there continued in business until 1905. Meantime she incorporated the Guarantee Realty Company and has continuously held the office of president thereof. They purchased property in the then new city of Venice of America, at the northeast corner of Windward avenue and Trolleyway and there erected the Guarantee building, one of the most substantial business blocks in the now famous city. In 1906 the business was removed thereto.
Mrs. Sibley is always found ready to forward any movement for the betterment of Venice. She is an active worker in the Venice Chamber of Commerce, she is president of the Pick and Shovel Club, an aggressive civic organization that has done much for the civic and social growth of the city. She was one of the organizers of the Ocean Park Country Club and first president of the Ladies' Auxiliary.
By her former marriage, Mrs. Sibley has one daughter, Mrs. Irene Taft Loring, wife of Howard S. Loring of Venice, and by her present marriage, she has one daughter, Louella Marie Sibley. The family home in Walgrove is one of the most spacious and substantial of that pretty Venice suburb. Mrs. Sibley, by reason of her inherent honesty and business acumen, has accumulated a comfortable fortune and is accorded a high place in the commercial world.
[p. 475] Adolf Vache [1835- ] is a California pioneer of 1855. He is a native of France, born near La Rochelle in 1835. His father and grandfather were bakers by trade and pursued the business as a life occupation. His father was also a vineyardist and wine maker, and Adolf acquired a thorough knowledge of both trades. He became an expert bread maker. He was nineteen years of age when he came to San Francisco. He there followed his trade as baker, went to San Juan, in then Monterey, now San Benito County, and for eighteen years conducted a bakery and meat market. The building of the Southern Pacific Ry. through San Benito County opened up the new city of Hollister and business at San Juan declined, when Mr. Vache went to San Bernardino and joned his brother E. Vache, in grape culture, at Brookside, near the present city of Redlands. Later Mr. Vache raised grapes on an extensive scale on leased land of the Barton Ranch, at old San Bernardino. In 1887 he came to Santa Monica and purchased two lots at the corner of Oregon Avenue and Fourth Street, where he built a dwelling and bakery and conducted business for many years. His bread became famous for its excellent quality and his patronage extended to Los Angeles and surrounding towns. Some people who spent the summer season at Santa Monica ordered their bread from him after their return home.
Mr. Vache married in 1875, Miss Francisca Pellissier, in Watsonville, California. She died in this city in 1891 leaving a family of seven children, namely: Emily, Mrs. Jesse Yokum, of Arizona; Adolf, of San Jose; Joseph, of Santa Monica; Zoe, who is Mrs. Joseph Hall, of Los Angeles; Marcelina, Mrs. M. Biene, of Brookside, California; Miss Madaline, single, and Ernest, in Arizona.
Mr. Vache is one of Santa Monica's most reliable and respected pioneers. He has retired from business.
[p. 475] James H. Grigsby [1851- ] was born in McDonough County, Ill., January 7th, 1851, where he lived until he moved to California. His father, William Grigsby, settled in McDonough County, Ill., in 1829 and accumulated over four thousand acres of land in the country which is worth today $200 per acre. Father and son were engaged in the general merchandise and milling business for a number of years when they started the Grigsby Bank, May 1st, 1882 and continued in the business until 1900 when William Grigsby turned his interest over to James H. Grigsby and he conducted the business until July 22nd, 1907, when he sold the Bank to the Huston Banking Company. William Grigsby died July 25th, 1907. James H. Grigsby and family moved to California, November 19th, 1907, and settled in Santa Monica where he is again engaged in the banking business as president of the Merchants National Bank.
He was also engaged in the horse importing business for a number of years with J.C Huston and also in the Canadian land business with his son, E. Grigsby, for three years.
[p. 476] William Wallace Woodruff [1844- ], retired, of Santa Monica, is a native of Fluteville, in the town of Litchfield, Conn. and was born May 20th, 1844. His father, Isaac B. Woodruff, descended from the earliest colonists of that name in Connecticut, and became a successful manufacturer of fifes at Fifeville. Later he, with W.L. Gilbert, founded the W.L. Gilbert Clock Company at Winstead, Litchfield county, Conn., which is one of the most extensive institutions of its kind on the western continent. He was, for fifty years, until the time of his death, a moving spirit in the development of the business. Mr. Woodruff grew up at Winstead and, at eighteen years of age, entered the Federal army, was soon detailed as a musician and served as a fifer in Company G, Nineteenth Connecticut Infantry. He served from 1862 to September 15th, 1865, during which time he played a solid silver instrument, the production of his father's factory at Fifeville. Upon the close of the war he returned home, entered the employ of the Gilbert Clock Company and became thoroughly familiar with all the intricacies of clock making, developing an instinctive mechanical genius that became invaluable to him in his business. By reason of impaired health, he came to Californa in 1903 and is one of Santa Monica's esteemed citizens. He is a member of the G.A.R. and one of the founders of the Stephen Jackson Post of Santa Monica. Mr. Woodruff is prolific in vivvid reminiscences of the Civil War and plays with as much life and relish the popular airs and war songs as when a lad leading the boy in blue to battle, nearly half a century ago.
Mr. Woodruff married at Litchfield, Conn., in 1887, Miss Eleanor Loraine Smith who, during their five years' residence in Santa Monca, has gained many steadfast friends.
[p. 476] J.S. Hunt, M.D. [1865- ], Santa Monica, is a native of Newark, Licking County, Ohio, born June 7th, 1865. He is the son of John Bingham Hunt, M.D., and Angeline (Patterson) Hunt. Dr. John B. Hunt was a successful physician and, for many years, practiced medicine at Newark and Columbus, Ohio, and later at Indianapolis, Ind. Dr. J.S. Hunt spent his boyhood and youth in the latter named cities, receiving his schooling at the Ohio Weslyan University and later pursued a course of study at Pulte Medical College,Cincinnati, from which institution he graduated in 1891. He commenced practicing his profession at Athens, Ohio, and there remained until he came to California, locating in Santa Monica in the year 1900. In this city he has built up an extensive practice. Dr. Hunt married, June 11th, 1890, Miss Adelaide Junipher, a daughter of Mr. A.A. Junipher, a successful farmer of Greendale, Hocking County, Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Hunt have one daughter, Henrietta. They are members of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Hunt has extensive realty interests in Santa Monica and Venice and is one of the promotors of and a stockholder in the Santa Monica Bay Hospital and is treasurer of that institution.
[p. 477 Stephen Carpenter, 1908c]
[p. 477] Stephen Carpenter [1834- ], for nearly half a century a citizen of California, and more than a quarter century resident of Santa Monica, is a native of Vermont. He was born in the town of Highgate, Franklin county, March 29th, 1834. His father, Loren C. Carpenter, was a native of the town of Barre, Washington county, and was by occupation a millwright, owning a foundry and machine shop at Highgate. He was a man of affairs and was a soldier of the War of 1812. He married Caroline Fisk, a daughter of Stephen Fisk, who served in the Revolutionary War, entering the army, a youth of seventeen, as a drummer and serving until the war closed. He then repaired to the timbered forests of Vermont, where he cleared up a farm and lived during the remainder of his life. Mr. Carpenter, when a small boy of four years, suffered the loss of his mother by death, which event broke up the home. He was taken in charge by an aunt at Bethel, with whom he lived for about five years.He lived with other relatives until he was seventeen, when he learned the millwright's trade of his father. Later, for seven years, he followed his trade in Fillmore county, Minnesota. In 1863 he came to California vis the Isthmus of Panama. He proceeded to the then new development of the mines of the Comstock lode and worked at his trade and timbering shafts as a superintendent for several years. He came to Santa Monica in 1875 and returned north. In 1882 he practically retired from acitve business pursuits. For nineteen years his home stood on the property now occupied by the Santa Monica City Hall. He served nine years as a member of the Santa Monica City School Board and was for several years its chairman. Mr. Carpenter married in 1862 in Minnesota, Miss Madaline Webb, a daughter of H.H. Webb (deceased) and sister of H.H. Webb, a well-known business man and pioneer of Santa Monica. Mrs. Carpenter died in Santa Monica October 3rd, 1904, leaving one daughter, Laura E., wife of Albert D. Hawes of Santa Monica. Theirs was the first wedding ceremony performed in Santa Monica. By a former marriage, Mrs. Hawes has one son. Stephen T. Garey, of Santa Monica, who, September 8th, 1906, married Miss Alvira Harrison of Santa Monica.
[p. 478] J. Lindt [1840- ], for many years a resident of Santa Monica, was born in the southern part of Germany, on the Rhine, February 8th, 1840. His father, Peter Lindt, was an art wood worker and glazier. He worked out designs and made cathedral windows, doors, etc. Young Lindt served an apprenticeship, passed three examinations in different departments of the work, adding the art of painting and decorating. He travelled for about two years in the Valley of the Rhine in pursuit of his trade. In 1859 he came to America, landing in New York and there followed his trade for about thirty years. In 1890 he came to California and in 1902 he located at Santa Monica. He has executed some of the best work in his line on the coast and has done the interior decorating of many of the best residences in this section of the state.
Mr. Lindt married Miss Mary Granger, of Baden, Germany, in 1844, and they have four children-Frances, Annie, Emma and Christina. They are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Lindt is a thrifty and energetic man of means and owns a comfortable house near Twentieth Street and Oregon Avenue, Santa Monica.
[p. 478] Jose Valenzuela [1851- ], of 1824 Fifth street, Santa Monica, is a member of one of the oldest Spanish California families, a native of Los Angeles, and was born March 18th, 1851. His father, Ramon Valenzuela, was one of the best-known native-born citizens of Los Angeles, and was a son of Jasper and (Maria Y. Ygnacio Lopez) Valenzuela, also native Californians. Ramon Valenzuela was reared on a cattle ranch in San Diego and November 28th, 1840, married Señorita Ascension Serrano of San Gabriel Mission. Her parents, Thomas and Nicholaza (Navarra) Serrano , were both born in, and during their lifetime never left the confines of Los Angeles county. After his marriage Señor Valenzuela followed, for years, the occupation of fruit raiser on a small ranch at San Pedro and Sixth streets, Los Angeles. This place he sold in 1846, purchasing a tract of land at what is now the corner of Seventh and Gladys streets. This land becoming too valuable for farming purposes, he subdivided and upon a portion thereof built houses to rent. He sold the property in 1889. He died in Los Angeles in 1889 at the advanced age of eighty-four years, leaving ten children-Eduardo, who married Francisco Aguirre, now both deceased-Manela, deceased, who married José Antonio Machado-Jubencio, Felipe, Mrs. Elario Rayes, Salbadora, widow of Dolores Ruiz-Jasper-José-Crotilda, Mrs Elario Ybarre-Raymond, died 1906-Ascension and Armulfo. There are fortyt-two grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
José Valenzuela grew up in the city of Los Angeles, living the free open life of the cattle ranges, also being at times employed at various other occupations. April 17th, 1871, he married Sarah, daughter of Nathan Pettey, who was a well-known pioneer of California. He crossed the plains, mountains and rivers for California in 1849, coming from South Carolina and locating in Mar- [p. 479] iposa county, where he became well known and prominent in political affairs. He served as sheriff at Mariposa county nine years and was a conspicuous figure in the pursuit of the famous bandit, Joaquin Murietta, and during his public service was known as a terror to evil-doers. He married Elizabeth Holland, also of southern birth and parentage. Her grandfather and great-grandfather were Revolutionary soldiers and lost their lives in the cause of American independence. Mrs. Valenzuela and one son, Albert Pettey of Fresno, are the only surviving children.
Mr. and Mrs. Valenzuela located on their present property November 14th, 1905, where they own a comfortable home, No. 1824 Fifth street, and adjacent income property. They have one son, Roy Valenzuela. Mr. Valenzuela is a man of independent thought and action. He is, in politics, a democrat, and has uniformly voted his party ticket.
[p. 479] D.G. Holt [1861- ], editor and owner of the Daily Outlook, Santa Monica, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., October 6th, 1861. He lived in the East until about six years of age, when he went to make his home with an uncle in Wisconsin. Two years later his father, Sidney A. Holt, his mother and two younger brothers were lost at sea. Mr. Holt grew up in Wisconsin and was educated in the public schools of that state. In 1873 he joined the "rush" to Northwestern Minnesota and Dakota, and there followed newpaper work for several years, latterly at Pine City, where he was connected with the Pine County Pioneer. In the fall of 1886 he left Pine City and started for California, making San Francisco his destination. He chose the Canadian Pacific railroad route and, after spending a few months in Winnipeg, proceeded westward. The winter was a severe one and he was snow-bound for a week at Medicine Hat, N.W.T. While thus delayed he was engaged to take charge of the local paper, the joint property of local merchants, which had supended publication for about three months. Mr. Holt put the paper on a good business footing and conducted the same for a period of about two years. He then resumed his journey westward to San Francisco arriving there in the spring of 1889. In the spring of 1890 he founded theRiver News at Rio Vista, Solano county, California, and conducted the same for five years. In the spring of 1896 he came to Santa Monica and assumed charge of theSanta Monica Outlook, then a weekly publication. He transformed it into a daily in 1896, and has made it one of the most influential news journals of Southern Californa.
Mr. Holt married at Medicine Hat, Canada, Sept. 30,1891, Miss Laura Preston of Niagra Falls, Ontario, Canada, and they have one son, Sidney, born at Rio Vista, Solano county, Cal., Sept. 18, 1892
Mr. Holt has been prominent in the political life of California and is a loyal supporter of the republican party. For many years he held the position of min- [p. 480] ute clerk of the California State Senate and was one of the most efficient and popular attaches of that body. He has ever evinced a becoming interest in local public affairs and for six years was a member of the executive committee of the Republican County Central Committee. For many years he served the city of Santa Monica as a trustee of the public library. He was elected a member of the Board of School Trustees in 1897 and served until 1901. Upon the reincorporation of the city under the Freeholders' Charter in 1907, he was elected a member of the Board of Education and is now president of the board.
[p. 480] The California Military Academy [1908?], truly a Santa Monica institution in the sense that it is located in Santa Monica, is incorporated by Santa Monca men and is backed by Santa Monica capital. It was opened in response to the urgent demands of a large number of parents who desired to place their boys in a genuine military academy, near Los Angeles, differing in several important respects from any school then existing in the vicinity of that city.
The Academy occupies the premises formerly famous as the Arcadia Hotel. The institution is organized as a military post under command of the Superintendent, the members of the Faculty being assigned to perform such military duties as circumstances may require. The Corps of Cadets is organized similarly to that of the United States Military Academy, except that it is organized as a cavalry command, and is governed in accordance with military customs.
This intitution possesses unexcelled facilities for ocean bathing on its own beach, which is one of the best and the safest on the bay. The salt water plunge at Ocean Park, is within easy walking distance. Three regular courses of study, each leading to graduation with the Academy Diploma, are open to Cadets, as follows:
I. The Classical Course, fitting for college.
II. The Scientific Course, fitting for Scientific or Technical Institutions.
III. The English Course, for boys who are not to enter college. Effort is made also to secure instructors who have had military experience, especially as cadets in school or college.
The School year begins on the Wednesday nearest the 25th of September and ends on the Wednesday nearest the 10th of June. The usual vacations at Christmas and Easter are observed, also such legal holidays as may be advisable, and it is not in session during the summer but its situation and command of facilities for out of door sports and recreation, render it a most enjoyable place in which to spend the summer if a boy must be away from home.
[p. 480] Major E.H. Baker [ ], the Superintendent, a native of Maine, was educated in Chicago and New York. His military training was acquired in the National Guard and in military schools. He has had twenty-three years experience as [p. 481] Commandant and Superintendent of military boarding schools in New England, the Middle States, the Mississippi Valley and California. He came to Los Angeles in the spring of 1905 with the intention of opening a military academy similar to the best schools in the east. Having thoroughly canvassed the vicinity of that city, he selected Santa Monica as offering the most and greatest advantages for a boy's boarding school. He secured a lease of the well known Hotel Arcadia property for a term and opened the Academy in a military camp September 1906. Acting as Superintendent he has conducted the affairs of the institution since that date. With the co-operation of Professor Bishop and Mr. Roy Jones, he organized the Academy Corporation, which has a fifty year charter and an authorized capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars. This insures the permananence and high quality of the institution.
[p. 481] Bartlett R. Bishop [1879- ] was born in December 25th, 1879, at Ashland, Hanover County, Virginia. He was reared in the States of Missouri and Virginia, entering William Jewell College (Liberty, Missouri) in the fall of 1896, at the age of sixteen years. He specialized in science, graduating from William Jewell College, June 13th, 1900. He has received the degree of A.B. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and in Old Mexico. He has wide acquaintance throughout the states, particularly on the Atlantic and Pacific Slopes. For some time he occupied the position of solicitor for the Snoqualmie Falls Power Company, being one of the four members of the board which established the power and light rating of Seattle. He was also statistician for the Hallidie Machinery Company of the same city, and was connected with various other mercantile establishments. He has an extensive experience in the law departments and scientific work and has taught for three years in military academies. In the fall of 1906 he returned to Los Angeles to co-operate with Major Baker in the launching of the California Military Academy. He is now secretary of the Board of Directors and Principal (Head of Scholastics) of this institution.
[p. 481] Richmond W. Armstrong [1848- ], well known citizen of Santa Monica, is a native of New Haven, Conn., and was born July 27th, 1848. His father, Lorenzo Armstrong, was senior member of the commercial house of L.W. and P. Armstrong Company, West India importers. Their principal offices were in New York City. Mr. Armstrong was a member of this house for about thirty years, but retired therefrom and came to California in 1896. He located at Ocean Park, Santa Monica in 1900, where he owns a fine residence at 135 Fraser Avenue.
Mr. Armstrong was elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 1907 from the Second Ward and is one of the hard working members of that efficient body. He married in the year 1872, Miss M.C. Mead, a daughter of Rev. A.H. Mead, a Methodist clergyman of New York City. They have a son, Dr. M.M. Armstrong, of Los Angeles. Mr. Armstrong is a Royal Arch Mason, Scottish Rites and a Kniight Templar.
[p. 482 R.G. Putnam, 1908c]
[p. 482] Roy G. Putnam [1886- ], City Clerk and well-known business man of Sawtelle, is a native of Berlin, Green Lake county, Wisconsin, where he was born May 27, 1886, a son of Horace Putnam, a native of Massachusetts,and Vera (Smith) Putnam, a native of New York. Horace Putnam was the inventor and an extensive manufacturer of what is known as the Snow Pack or Snow Shoe, which has become an indispensible article of footwear throughout all snowy countries during winter season. In 1894 he practically retired from active business pursuits, came to California and purchased an orange ranch and there lived until his death, which occurred in February, 1904, the widow surviving until the following December. They had two sons. Horace died in 1903, at nineteen years of age. Left alone, Mr. Putnam, upon the death of the parent, settled up the estate and came direct to Sawtelle and located, where he has dealt in real estate and has become a factor in the civic and business development of the city. He is a member of the real estate firm of Putnam & Crane. At the city election in 1908, Mr. Putnam was elected City Clerk and is a most competent and popular officer. He is a Royal Arch Mason, affiliating with the lodge in Santa Monica. He is also Secretary of the Blue Lodge at Sawtelle. He is an active member and Secretary of the Sawtelle Commercial Club, an organization composed of the leading business men of Sawtelle. Mr. Putnam's popularity is due to his unobtusive and pleasing personality, his temperate habits of life and his recognized business ability.
[p. 482] Luther C. Watkeys, [1854- ], the Santa Monica Superintendent of the Land and Water Company, was born in Rochester, New York, September 18th, 1854. His father, Henry Watkeys, was superintendent of motive power for the New York Central Railroad Company, holding this office for a period of thirty-three years. He is a native of Nova Scotia. The major portion of his life, barring ten years from 1885 to 1895 in Indiana, was spent in New York. He was, by pro- [p. 483] fession, mechanical engineer and an expert in his line. He had the personal confidence of William H. Vanderbilt and was frequently called to consult with him upon business matters. Mr. Watkeys had an older brother who was thirty-five years an engineer with the N.Y.C. Ry. Company and died without warning while on duty in his engine cab. Mr. Watkeys' mother was Miss Zerriah T. Colman, a native of Newburyport, Mass., and a daughter of Luther Colman. Young Watkeys left home in 1875, at the age of twenty-one years, and became a civil engineer. Later he entered the employ of the N.Y.C. Ry. Company and for eleven years served as passenger conductor, running between New York and Rochester. He came West to Indiana in 1887, and to Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1892. In 1895 he came to California and engaged in orange culture at Covina. In 1904, he assumed his present position and is known to the citizens of Santa Monica as a most competent and popular manager of the important interests he represents.
Mr. Watkeys married in 1892, Miss May Florence Pickard of Kalamazoo, Mich., a daughter of J.H. Pickard, a California pioneer of 1849, who spent several years in the state as a successful miner, and returned to Kalamazoo, Mich., where he died about 1892.
[p. 483] John B. Procter [1861- ], Santa Monica, was born September 12th, 1863, and was the third son of the Rev. Gilbert Procter of Penny Bridge, near Ulverston, Lancashire, England, who was vicar of the parish of Egton. Mr. Proctor came to the United States in the spring of 1883, and located at Larchwood, Lyon county, Iowa, where for four years he was a member of the English colony established there. Returning to England in 1887, he married the only daughter of Thomas M. Machell, Esq., of Newby Bridge, Lancashire, and towards the end of the same year he came to California, settling in Santa Monica, where he has resided continuously for the last twnety-one years. In 1900 he was elected to the office of City Clerk and Assessor, for the term of two years, and in 1904 he was again appointed City Assessor, continuing in office for two years more, proving an efficient and popular public servant. Besides being a Mason, he is a Forester of America, and a prominent and influential Elk, holding the office of Secretary since the organization of the lodge five years ago. For a number of years he has acted as Clerk of the Vestry for the Parish of St. Augustine-by-the-Sea. He has two sons, James Machell and Gilbert, both "Native Sons." Mr. Procter is an enthusiastic sportsman and was one of the first to introduce the game of polo in California. For many years he was engaged in the real estate and insurance business, and is now manager of the extensive property interests of Mrs. Arcadia B. de Baker at Santa Monica.
[p. 484] Oliver S. Westover [1832- ], a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of Santa Monica, is a native of Indiana , having been born in Fayette county, near Cornersville, October 11th, 1832. He is the son of Hiram Westover, a farmer of Holland Dutch descent, his ancestors having come to America before the War of the Revolution. There were three brothers who were active participants in the war, one, a loyalist, removed to Canada, one located in New York and one in Virginia.
Hiram Westover, the father of the subject of our sketch, was born in Central New York, on the shores of Cayuga Lake, was a farmer, and married Minerva Campbell, a grand-niece of Alexander Campbell, the founder of the Campbellite Church. About 1820 the family came West and located in Fayette county, Ind. Later they removed to the northern part of the state and located in Huntington county. In this county, Hiram Westover donated land and laid out a town, naming the place Clayville in honor of Henry Clay, fo whom he had great admiration. The first brick house in Clayville was his spacious and substantial home, which as withstood the ravages of a vigorous climate for over fifty years and is still in good condition. He raised a family of seven children, of whom Oliver S. is the third.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood on the farm, attended the local schools and, at twenty-two years of age, taught the district school at Clayville and the adjoining county. In 1852, he married Miss Lucinda Lewis, by whom he has one daughter. In 1859, Mr. and Mrs. Westover located in Union county, Iowa, near the town of Afton, at that time the county seat. They were among the first settlers of that frontier county. The daughter, Cinthia, wife of John Alden of Brooklyn, New York, is known throughout the world as Cinthia Westover Alden, the founder and President-General of the International Sunshine Society. She is a woman of brilliant attainment and pleasing personality and is devoting her entire time to the work of her organization.
Mrs. Westover died in 1862. In 1863, he was again married to Miss Isabel Cornelius, a daughter of James Cornelius, a Kentuckian, owner of valuable lands near Ashland in Fayette county, the heart of the famous "blue-grass region." Mrs. Westover's ancestry is in direct line from the famous MacClouds of Scotland, her father's mother having borne that illustrious name.
At this time Mr. Westover held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Township Supervisor and Assessor. They lived at Afton about four years and then joined the gold rush for Pike's Peak, which resulted in their locating at Denver, Colo., then a small frontier mining town. Here Mr. Westover spent four years miniing and prospecting in Gilpin county. It was during this time that Mrs. Westover became interested in mineralology and geology, gaining a practical and comprehensive knowledge of the same. She interested her husband in these subjects and for some years they carried on a business of preparing collections of mineralogical specimens for educatinal and other public institutions. The Westovers [p. 485] were proprietors in Denver of a large store, mineral and geological, carrying on an extensive business.
On account of the high altitude, they left Denver in 1887, coming to Los Angeles, where with W.D. Campbell, they engaged in the curio business. They also owned a store in Pasadena. In 1893, they came to Santa Monica. They have two children, Walter R. of Denver, an expert on Indian blankets and basketry, and Grace, the wife of John B. Fraser of Sacramento.
[p. 485] Peter H. Sonnesyn [1869- ], successful and popular merchant of Sawtelle, was born of well-to-do parents near the town of Bergen, Norway, in the year 1868, He received a good high school education and, at nineteen years of age, left his native land and embarked for America. Upon his arrival in the United States he went directly to Mankato, Minn. There he clerked in a wholesale and retail drygoods store for W.W.P. McConnell for a period of about nine years. In 1896 he went to Spokane, Washington, and engaged in the retail fruit business for three years, his place being at the corner of Sprague and Lincoln streets. In 1899 he came to California and engaged in the clothing business, remaining until 1901, when he came to Sawtelle and opened a drygoods and men's furnishing goods store. He did business for about four years on Fourth street and in 1906 moved to more spacious quaarters on Oregon avenue. Mr. Sonnesyn has acquired a wide and favorable acquaintance and has built up a profitable business. He married at Spokane, Washington, in 1898, Miss Anna Sederberg, a young woman of Danish parentage and birth. The Sonnesyn residence, the finest in the city of Sawtelle, is at the corner of Third street and Indiana avenue.
[p. 485] Henry Peachey Wilber, D.D., of Santa Monica, is a native of Ohio and was born in the town of Elyria, Lorain county. His father, Francis Augustus Wilbur, Ph.D., was born in Vermont, a descendant of Captain Church of King Philip's War fame. His grandfather saw service in the Revolutionary War and his father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Dr. Wilber's mother, Favelle Peachey Wilber, was born in London, England, and came to this country in childhood. She grew to womanhod in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, graduated from Mrs. Ryland's School for young ladies and became a teacher in the Cincinnati public schools before her marriage. The Rev. Francis A. Wilber was a Presbyterian minister at Elyria, Ohio, for a period of about thirteen years. Later he conducted classical academies in Ohio and Indiana. Dr. Wilber was prepard for college at his father's academy in Wabash, Indiana, and graduated from the classical department of Wooster Univeristy, Wooster, Ohio, in 1887. He studied theology at Princeton and at Union Seminaries. Before coming to [p. 486] California he was professor of Latin in Pierre University at Pierre, South Dakota, and subsequently was pastor of Presbyterian Churches at St. Lawrence and at Rapid City, South Dakota. In January, 1893, he came to California and was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Fernando from 1893 to 1898. From 1898 to 1899 he was professor of Latin in Occidental College, Los Angeles. In the year 1900 he assumed the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church at Santa Monica, which he relinquished in 1907. Dr. Wilber received the honorary degree of D.D. from his Alma Mater, the University of Wooster, Ohio.
[p. 486] Col. James A. Loudon [ ]. Santa Monica by the sea, with its superb scenic situation and surroundings, its delightful climate and splendid public institutions, has drawn permanently to its confines many people of culture, refinement and wealth, seeking retirement from the strenuous life of a business world. These people have purchased its choicest residence property, own its most luxurious homes and have became a most important factor in making it one of the wealthiest and most attractive seaside home cities of the Pacific Coast. Colonel Loudon is one of its recently most welcome citizens. Colonel Loudon is a native of Tennessee and grew up in the city of Memphis. His paternal ancestors were Scotch and are directly descended from Lord Loudan, who was the owner of Loudon's Bonny Hills, Woods and Braes, on of the most beautiful feudal estates in the lowlands of Scotland. Col. Loudon is a son of John Loudon, father of eleven children, all of whom, save three, the subject of this sketch, a brother, Hopkins Loudon, and Miss Debbie Loudon, died before the demise of the father. Col. Loudon grew up in the city of Memphis amid the busy scenes of a most delightful social influence and broad hospitality of southern life. When the calamities of civil war overtook his home city he, even though a youth of fifteen years, volunteered in the Confederate army and served with distinction throughout the entire conflict from 1861 to the final ending in 1865, in defense of his country's cause. He entered the cavalry service as a private soldier and at times was in the hottest of the fray. He was three times captured by the enemy and twice escaped. (See Harvey Mathew's History of the Old Guards in Gray and also Historical Biography of Eminent Americans.) Col. Loudon, at the close of the war, in 1865, was paroled as a Confederate officer from the military prison at Little Rock, Arkansas, and returned to his native state. For many years he has been intimately associated with the business, civic and political growth of the city of Memphis. Essentially a man of affairs, his activities have been along business lines and his rewards amply the result of successful enterprise.
Col. Loudon, January 13, 1870, married Miss Virginia Lewis Shanks. She died leaving a son, Lewis S. Loudon. September 7, 1904, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Hon. Albert K. Hancock, then a prominent lawyer of the Memphis bar and a member of the Tennessee State Senate, now a resident of [p. 487] Santa Monica and practicing his profession in Los Angeles. Mrs. Loudon is a lady of charming personality and social refinement. They have two daughters, Lou Lou Ann, aged three years, and Arlington, a native daughter of California, aged one year. Col. Loudon, in January, 1906, with a view of retiring from active business pursuits, came to California and to Los Angeles and purchased a home in Ingraham street, where the family lived for a period of about eight months.The following November he purchased an orange grove at San Gabriel and there lived for a time. The following August 1907 he purchased Gray Gables of the W.H. Perry estate on Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, which they regard as their permanent family home. Col. Loudon declares to the writer that "Santa Monica has, in my opinion, the finest climate on earth and here hopes to exceed the age of his lamented mother's father, David Trowbridge, who lived to the age of one hundred and one years, "'and here, where the sunset turns the coean's blue to gold' may I be buried, if it is God's will."
[p. 487] James P. Keener [1854- ], well-known citizen of Sawtelle, is a native of the state of Iowa and was born in the city of Des Moines, April 29th, 1854. His father, George W. Keener, was a farmer and was interested in woolen mills which manufactrured cashmeres, flannels and other woolen fabrics. He was a native of Holland and came to this country when a child, the family locating in Tennessee. He married Miss Amanda Langford, who bore him nine children, of whom James P. is the second born. He grew up in Des Moines, worked in a machine shop, where he learned the millwright trade in Centerville, Iowa. In 1875 he came to California, reaching San Francisco April 22nd of that year, and for a time worked in the Hendee Iron Works. From San Francisco he went into the mines and erected quartz mills, having a seeming monopoly of the business in Plumas, Lassen and Sierra counties. He also built mills at Tombstone, Arizona, and one on Frazer river, British Columbia, on the Carribou mine. In 1904 he came to Southern California and located at Sawtelle. For a time he engaged in the grocery business, which he finally disposed of. He has acceptably filled the office of City Marshal of Sawtelle during the years 1906 and 1907. He is now engaged in the cigar and tobacco business. Mr. Keener married at Crescent Mills, Plumas county, California, Miss Nancy, a daughter of William E. Taylor, a grandson of General Zachary Taylor, twelfth President of the United States. Mrs. Keener died at Susanville, Lassen county, California, in 1897, leaving three children-Elsie, who is now Mrs. G.W. Walker of Modoc county, California; Viola, Mrs. George Odette of Susanville, and Howard, who is gunner's mate in the U.S. Navy on the Cruiser Milwaukee. Mr. Keener again married, in the year 1900, Miss Ella Moore, at Johnsville, Plumas county, California. The family residence is No. 234 South Seventh street, Sawtelle.
[p. 488 H.L. Mitchell, 1908c]
[p. 488] H.L. Mitchell [1871- ], for many years a well-known citizen of Santa Monica and now (1908) holding the office of City Superintendent of Buildings, Electrician and Plumbing Inspector, is a native of Hudson, Lenawee county, Michigan, where he was born May 10th, 1871. His father, Eli Mitchell, was, by trade, a millwright and gunsmith. He was a native of New York and one of the pioneers of Lenawee county. In 1875 he located on government land in Custer county, Nebraska, when it was a new and comparatively undeveloped country and civic and social conditions very much unsettled. In 1879, during the exciting times in that State involving differences between homestead settlers and stockmen, Mr. Mitchell and a fellow pioneer were murdered in cold blood at Plumb Creek, Nebraska. The widow and family of eight children removed to the eastern part of the State and located at Weeping Water, where she married Mr. John C. Marvin in 1882. In 1884 the family removed to San Antonio, Texas, where they lived until 1895 and removed to California, locating at Santa Monica. At San Antonio Mr. Mitchell learned the carpenter's trade and followed the same as an occupation, at times carrying on a contracting business. Soon after arrival in Santa Monica in 1895 he married Miss Emily Catharine Loeffler, a native of San Antonio, Texas. The year 1897 Mr. Mitchell held the office of Township Constable. He served as Deputy City Marshall under M.K. Barretto for a period of about seven years, from 1898 to 1906. In 1907 he was appointed to the position he now holds, one of responsibility which he fills with marked credit to himself and entire satisfaction to the people of his city.
[p. 488] Henry Schultz [1872- ], owner and editor of the Sawtelle Sentinel, was born in Brownsville, Texas, December 19th, 1872. His father, Gustav Schultz, was a native of Hamburg, Germany. He came to America in 1861, and joined the Union army as a member of the First Wisconsin Cavalry, under General, then Colonel O.H. La Grange. In 1864, he returned to his native home and almost immediately joined the French army, where he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel and, under Maximillian, took part in the French invasion of Mexico.
Later he returned to the life of a civilian and kept a hotel at Brownsville, [p. 489] Texas. He there met and married Miss Frances Frazer, a native of Dublin, Ireland. He lived at Brownsville until his death in 1892. Henry Schultz spent his boyhood at Brownsville and later entered the employ of Clark & Cowts, lithographers and printers of San Antonio, Texas, as an apprentice. He remained with this firm for a period of five years and thoroughly mastered the trade. In 1899, he came to Los Angeles and was employed on the Los Angeles Herald. Later in the same year he came to Santa Monica, and, until 1904, he worked as the foreman of the printing office of the Santa Monica Daily Outlook. In August, 1904, he purchased the business of the Sawtelle Sentinel of C.B. Irvine which he has ably conducted, materially improving the publication and the plant until it is one of the most complete in equipment in the Santa Monica Bay district. March 30th, 1907, Mr. Schultz married Miss Alice A., a daughter of the late Arthur Clarence Alger, of Sawtelle. Mr. Alger was a highly esteemed citizen of Sawtelle, a native of Afton, Wisconsin, where he grew up. He married in Nebraska and engaged in business. By reason of failing health he came to California in 1903 from Lincoln, Neb., located in Sawtelle and engaged in the furniture business. He was a nephew of the lamented General Russel A. Alger, late U.S. Senator from Michigan and Secretary of War in the Cabinet of President William McKinley. He was a popular citizen, a member of the F. and A.M. and the M.W, of A. He died August 1st, 1906, leaving a widow and daughter. Mrs. Alger was, by maiden name, Mary Woodman, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Woodman of Ohio. She was born in Waushara, Wisconsin. She descends from Puritan stock, her earliest ancestors having come to America in the Mayflower. Mrs. Schultz is a woman of literary accomplishments, and is a constant contributor to the Scientific American, writing upon scientific subjects. She is also on the literary staff of the Los Angeles Examiner. Mr. and Mrs, Schultz have one son, Arthur Clarence, born February 14th, 1908.
[p. 489] H.M. Crane [1861- ], Sawtelle, was born in Bridgeport, Fairfield county, Conn., July 11, 1861. His father, Charles S. Crane, a farmer, and his mother, Imogine J. (Morris) Crane, are both natives of the "Nutmeg" state. In 1866 they came West to Michigan and located at Marshall, in Calhoun county. Here Mr. Crane engaged in the milling and grain business. In 1876 he removed to Caldwell county, Missouri, and located near the town of Breckenridge, where he engaged in farming.
The subject of this sketch passed through the public schools of Marshall, Michigan, and Breckenridge, Missouri. In 1886, he married Miss Flora, a daughter of James J. Nellis, now a well-known citizen of Sawtelle. In 1905 they came to California, and located at Sawtelle, where, for a time, he engaged in banking and held the position of cashier of the Citizens' State Bank. Mr. [p. 490] Crane has made liberal property investments in Sawtelle and, since retiring from the bank, is engaged in the real estate and insurance business as a member of the firm of Putnam & Crane. The family home, one of the most attractive in the city, is 2015 Oregon avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Crane have two daughers, Letha F. and Imogene.
[p. 490] O.A, Kirkelie [1867- ], an active and well-known business man of Ocean Park, Santa Monica, was born in the town of Harmony, Fillmore county, S.E, Minnesota, April 6th, 1867, a son of Arne Kirkelie, a native of Norway, a land owner, an itinerant Lutheran preacher and a man of influence. Mr. Kirkelie grew up in his native town, passed through the public schools, and pursued a course of study at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., Decorah Institute, Decorah, Iowa. In 1888, being then twenty-one years of age, he held the office of Deputy County Recorder of his native county. About this time he married Miss Levina, a daughter of Joseph Pickett, she being born and reared in Fillmore county and in the town of Harmony. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkelie almost immediately came to California on a pleasure trip. Returning home, he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Wykoff, Filmore county, Minn., until April, 1905, when he disposed of his business and came again to California. Mr. Kirkelie is a successful business man and has built up a substantial undertaking business. He is a member of the B.P.O.E., I.O.O.F., D. of R., K. of K. and Modern Woodmen. He is an active and effective worker in the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkelie have one daughter, Myrtle.
[p. 490] H.C. Hollwedel [1875- ], well-known citizen of Santa Monica, is a native of New York City, where he was born January 21st, 1875. His father, Carsten Hollwedel, a native of Germany, was a successful contracting builder in New York for many years. Mr. Hollwedel grew up in the city, passed through the New York public schools taking, also, instruction from a private tutor and latterly special courses in building construction and architecture. He then embarked in business as an architect and took up as a specialty heavy steel construction work. During the fifteen years of active experience, he erected several of the large business structrures in modern New York, involving a most thorough and technical knowledge of the vast detail involved in heavy construction work of a most exacting and complicated nature. One of these buildings, which stands as lasting evidence of Mr. Hollwedel's skill, is 116 feet by 180 feet, two stories below the ground surface and the foundation embedded thirty feet in solid rock, while it stands sixteen stories above the street. Another building at the corner of Broadway and 50th street, also one at Broadway and 62nd street, are of similar dimensions and construction. Mr. Hollwedel also designed and built for wealthy New [p. 491] Yorkers country seats on Long Island. Some of the most elegant and expensive bronze show windows in New York are of Mr. Hollwedel's design. He further had entire charge of and control of all construction work of one of the large and wealthy estates in New York City which involved great variety. By reason of over-work and ill health, Mr. Hollwedel was compelled to relinquish business. He came to California and located at Santa Monica in September, 1906, purchasing property at Fourth and Washington street, where he has erected one of the finest modern residences in the city. He has also made liberal investments in other Santa Monica property.
Mr. Hollwedel has taken an active part in the civic and commercial betterment of Santa Monica. He is a material factor in the successful promotion and work of the Santa Monica Board of Trade and is its Vice-President. He is at present City Inspector of Construction on the new city ocean pier now in course of construction at the foot of Colorado street, which pier is of reinforced concrete and the first of its kind on the Pacific Coast. He is a deservedly popular citizen.
[p. 491] Cyrus L. Edinger [1874- ], for nearly a quarter century resident of California and a well-known citizen of Sawtelle, is a native of White Haven, Luzerne county, Pa., where he was born January 2, 1874. His father, Aaron Edinger, and his mother, Sarah (Granger) Edinger, were born in Luzerne county and were of German descent. The family came to California in 1885 and for several years lived in Los Angeles. There are seven sons and two daughters. The father died in Ocean Park, February, 1908, at the age of fifty-nine years. The widow still survives.
Mr. Edinger received his earliest schooling in his native town and, in later boyhood and youth, attended the public schools of Los Angeles. He then took up and mastered the carpenter's trade and engaged in the contract building business. In 1897 he went to the town of Needles, California, and engaged in the business. Needles was then in the infancy of its growth, and during his residence there of about eight years, he erected quite all of the principal buildings in the city. October 10, 1898, he there married Miss Etheline Keys, a native daughter of Illinois. In 1905 he took up his residence at Sawtelle and continued in the building business. In February, 1907, in company with William Haas, he purchased the planing mill and building business of Snyder & Werlenbaker, which business is now conducted under the firm name of Haas & Edinger. Mr. Edinger is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Fraternal Brotherhood of the I.O.O.F., Eastern Star and the Rebeccas. He works and votes in the Republican party and was a delegate to the County Convention of 1908. He is a member of the Sawtelle City Board of Trustees. Mr. and Mrs. Edinger have four children-Harold, Claire, Edith and an infant unnamed. The family home is No. 114 Eighth street.
[p. 492 Daniel Turner, 1908c]
[p. 492] Daniel Turner [1806- ], Ocean Park, Santa Monica, if statements are correct, is the pioneer of pioneers. He is a native of Georgia and was born on our national birthday in 1806 and is, therefore, at this writing, (April, 1908) one hundred and two years of age. His father was a half breed Cherokee Indian and his mother a half breed Creek. When a small boy the family lived at Louisiana and his father took part in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Although very young, Daniel clearly remembers seeing his father behind breastworks of cottton bales giving battle with his musket to the enemy. Early in life he left the south and found employment with the Hudson Bay Fur Company in the Northwest Territory as a hunter and trapper. This strenuous life he followed for many years. Later he joined a fur huntng expedition for the Arctic regions. They encountered unexpected difficulties and an unusually cold and prolonged winter, for which the company was inadequately equipped, and only one hundred and fifteen of the party lived to return to civilization. By stages Mr. Turner made his way westward through a trackless wilderness to Astoria, Oregon. Later he enlisted in the U.S. Light Artillery and was stationed at Fort Point near San Francisco. He served one year, was discharged and re-enlisted in Battery H, Second California Heavy Artillery under Captain Homestead and served about five years. He is now a pensioner of the U.S,. Government and draws $24.00 per month. Notwithstanding his extreme age, Mr. Turner is as active and healthy as many men who consider themselves well at fifty. He reads the daily papers, keeps in touch with current events and progress of the country and discusses issues of the day with great interest and sound logic. He has always been termperate in his habits of living. He has never married.
[p. 492] Fred J. Finch [1881- ], well-known business man of Sawtelle, is a native of the city of New Albany, Floyd county, Indiana, and was born September 10, 1881. His father, O.J. Finch, formerly a wholesale grocer of Trinidad, Colorado, is now Chief of Detectives of the city of New Albany. His mother, whose maiden [p. 493] name was Emma Flint, is a daughter of Mrs, Elvira Flint, of Ireland, Duboise county, Indiana. Mr. Flint grew up and attended the public schools of his native city meantime, living at intervals with an uncle, Lawrence J. Finch, known as the "Sheep King" of Colorado, and lives at Mount Rose, that State. In the year 1900 Mr. Finch came to California and to Santa Monica and took a position with A.M. Guidinger, for many years in the undertaking business in that city. Mr. Finch held this position for about six years and thoroughly mastered the business. In July, 1907, he engaged in business in Sawtelle on his own account and opened the Sawtelle Funeral Parlors. In August, 1908, he formed a partnership with Mr. Guidinger and purchased the D.L. Allen Livery, Feed and Fuel business, which they now operate. Mr. Finch married December 14, 1905, Miss Pearl Cody, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T.B. Cody of 1220 Lake street, Ocean Park.
Mr. Finch is an active Republican. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of The Palms and the Fraternal Brotherhood in Sawtelle.
[p. 493] Charles C. Towner [1870- ], lawyer of Santa Monica, is a native of Randolph-Riley county, Kan., and was born November 15, 1870, a son of Charles E. Towner, well-known pioneer of Santa Monica. Mr. Towner was educated in the public schools of Riley county, passed through the Kansas State Normal School at Emporia, taught school six years, was Superintendent of City Schools of Mankato, Kan., entered Kansas State University and graduated therefrom in 1898. He then located at Abilene, the county seat of Dickison county, Kan., where he practiced law ten years. He served as City Attorney of Abilene two years and Prosecuting Attorney of Dickison county four years. Mr. Towner has a wife, a son, Charles, and daughter, Bertina. He came to California and located at Santa Monica in 1908, where as a member of the law firm of Hunter & Towner he is practicing his profession.
[p. 493] L.B, Goodrich [1851- ], retired, Santa Monica, is a native of Iowa, where he was born December 10, 1851. In 1870 he went to State Center, Marshall county, Iowa, and engaged in the grocery business. In 1876 he purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the town of State Center and engaged successfully in farming, increasing his acreage until his holdings comprise about one thousand acres. September 30, 1875, he married Laura Smith. He became active in local and State political affairs and served as member of the Common Council of State Center and subsequently was elected and served as Mayor of State Center, and as such was active in promoting the industrial interests of his city. He also became interested in the Dobbin & Whitson State Bank of State Center, served [p. 494] on the directorate and as vice-president for a period of about fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich have two daughters, Nellie M., born at State Center 1877, and in 1900 married Charles H. Ross, president of the H.W. Ross Lumber Company of Minneapolis, Minn.; Bertha M., wife of Arthur Reynolds, president of the Des Moines National Bank of Des Moines, Iowa. He is one of the leading bankers of the country. He is chairman of the National Legislative Commmittee and member of the Currency Commission of the American Bankers' Association and is a recognized authority upon the national currency question. Mr. and Mrs Goodrich came to Santa Monica in 1904. The family home is at Second street and Nevada avenue.
[p. 494 J.D. Machado, 1908c]
[p. 494] Jose De La Luz Machado [1856- ] is a worthy representative of one of the wealthy and influential families of early-day Southern California and a lineal descendant of Manual Machado, a native Spaniard, who was a pioneer of early times at Santa Barbara and who, for military duty, was by the Spanish government granted a tract of land, a portion of which lies within the present confines of the city of Los Angeles. Augustine and Ygnacio were ambitious sons of Manual Machado, who became the owners of La Ballona grant, an extensive and valuable tract of land upon a portion of which is now located the towns of Playa del Rey, Venice, Ocean Park and Palms. This land was acquired under circumstances recited on page 137 in this work, and which will give the reader many facts concerning this interesting California family.
José De la Luz Machado is a son of Augustine Machado. His mother was, by maiden name, Ramona, a daughter of Don Francisco Sepulveda, a Spanish soldier, who for his devotion and loyalty as a soldier to the Spanish crown, was granted the San Vicente Rancho of several thousand acres of land (see page 132 in this book). The city of Santa Monica and a large portion of the Soldiers' Home and the city of Sawtelle are on land originally embraced [p. 495] in this grant. The holdings of Augustine Machado in the Ballona grant have been shared by the children, eleven in number, and of whom José De la Luz is the youngest. He was born December 17, 1856, in Los Angeles on South Main street, corner of Winston street. He attended Santa Clara College at Santa Clara, Cal., and graduated therefrom in the class of 1876, taking the degree of Bachelor of Science. He then returned home and has followed agriculture on a portion of the old Ballona grant that came to him by inheritance. He has never married and the family household comprises himself, a brother, Bernardino, and a younger sister.
[p. 495] Col. E.K. Chapin [1839-1891], deceased. The late Ephriam K. Chapin was one of the well-known pioneers of Santa Monica and was a factor in the business growth and development of the town. He was a native of Connecticut and was born January 29, 1839. He was, from 1866 to 1874, engaged in the mercantile business at Coventry, Conn. In 1867 he married Mary Morgan, a daughter of James S. Morgan, a silk thread manufacturer of Coventry, her native city, and where her father still lives at an advanced age. At Coventry, Conn., Chapin commanded a regiment of National Guards and was otherwise active in local public affairs. Mr. Chapin in 1873 came to California and spent a brief time at Bakersfield, after which, the following year, he came to Santa Monica, which was then in the very infancy of its growth. Mrs. Chapin came in 1878. Mr. Chapin with faith and energy engaged with the pioneers in the development of a city and was very active in all movements looking to its business and political welfare. For many years he was a leading local grocery merchant. He was continuously serving the people of Santa Monica in some public capacity. He was Treasurer from the date of the organization of the city to the date of his death, which occurred July 6, 1891. Mrs. Chapin survives and has ever been prominent in the social and civic life of Santa Monica. She has one daughter, Mary M., wife of A.M. Jameson, prominent in the society and club life of the city and past president of the Santa Monica Woman's Club.
There is one grand-daughter, Mary Muir Jameson, native of Santa Monica.
[p. 495 P.H. Smith, 1908c]
[p. 495] P.H. Smith [1862- ], capitalist and banker of Santa Monica, is a native of Iowa and was born at Mount Pleasant, May 18th, 1862. His father, Simon Smith, by trade and occupation a cabinet maker, was a man of thrift and successful in his business. He was a veteran of the Civil War and served throughout the conflict in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry. He married Miss Jane Kelly, a young woman of Irish parentage, and of their two dauaghters and three sons, the subject of this sketch is the youngest. He grew up in his native town, passed through the local public schools, graduating from High School. He completed a [p. 496] course of study at Howe's Academy, and finished at the Iowa Wesleyan University, Mount Pleasant. While in college he became an active member of the Phia [sic] Delta Theta fraternity. He also took great interest in outdoor pastimes and became a trained athlete. Upon leaving college Mr. Smith took up civil engineering and became attached to the civil-engineering department of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway Company. While following his profession he detected an error in the government surveys of land in Northeastern Minnesota on the Masaba range, which left unrecorded a tract of land designated in land parlance as no-man's-land. This land Mr. Smith carefully explored, decided it to be valuable for its mineral deposits, and filed his claim thereon. His rights were vigorously contested in the federal courts by contending interests for a period of sixteen years, and finally title was confirmed to him. The case was found to involve many technicalities and complicaions of the law relating to government lands and has gone on record as one of the most famous in the history of land litigation. The land, which has proven rich in high-grade iron ore, the deposits being almost limitless, is being rapidly developed and is already a source of princely income to its worthy owner. Mr, Smith also owns a large interest in, and is vice-president of, the Mendota Coal and Coke Company of Centralia, Wash. He also has large and valuable timber holdings in that region of the country.
Mr. Smith came to California and located at Santa Monica in 1908. With James H. Grigsby and others he acquired the stock of the Merchants' National Bank of Santa Monica, which institution they have thoroughly reorganized and put upon sound financial basis, identifying with them some of the most widely-known financiers on the coast, with officers and directors as follows: James H. Grigsby, President; P.H. Smith, Vice-President; Ehrman Grigsby, Cashier; F.J. Townsend, Assistant Cashier; Roy Grigsby, Receiving Teller. The Board of Directors are: James H. Grigby, Roy Grigsby, P.H. Smith, Marco Hellman, W.H. Holliday, P.R, Stahl, M. Hamburger and Ehrman Grigsby. Mr. Smith is a man of broad culture and striking personality. He is possessed of a highly artistic nature and owns one of the choicest collections of oil paintings on the coast. He is a splendid type of the self-made American citizen, having fought all of his own battles in life unaided and alone, save the sustaining loyalty of a wise and helpful wife. Mr. Smith married December 14th, 1898, Miss Gertrude, a daughter of John Griffin, retired, of Grand Forks, North Dakota. She is a lady of social refinement and domestic culture. They have a daughter, Seville, and a son, P.H. Smith, Jr.
[p. 496] Stephen Harris Taft [1825- ]. The genealogy of the Taft family in America is traced back to a period between 1670 and 1680, when Robert Taft crossed the ocean from England and became a pioneer in Massachusetts. From the Indians he purchased a large tract of land in the township of Mendon, which title was afterwards recognized as valid by the Colonial government. On the Blackstone River, near Uxbridge, he built the first grist mill on that stream, or in that part of the colony, in return for which service he was exempted from taxation for a number of years. Of his large family, five were sons, viz: Robert, Thomas, Daniel, Joseph and Benjamin, the last named being the progenitor of Stephen Harris Taft.
The Ohio Tafts are descended from the same ancestry, their most distinguished representative in the present generation being Hon. William H. Taft, member of President Roosevelt's cabinet and formerly identified with the American occupancy of the Philippines. He is the son of Judge Alphonso Taft, who was secretary of war and minister to Russia under President Grant's administration.
In August, 1874, the Taft family celebrated the two hundredth anniversary of the coming of their great ancestor to America. Many hundred Tafts and descendents of Tafts from all parts of the United States met in Uxbridge, Mass., where Judge Alphonzo Taft gave the genealogical address in the largest church of the town, after which a free dinner was served in a spacious tent.
Nathaniel Taft, the grandfather of Mr. Taft, of the third generation from Robert and a descendant of Benjamin, youngest of the five sons, moved from Massachusetts to New Hampshire and settled in Richmond. Benjamin and his descendents were all Quakers, Nathaniel belonging the the [sic] Unitarian branch of that denomination, holding the same theological views as those later held by the poet, Whittier.
Among the children of Nathaniel Taft was a son, Stephen, born and reared at Richmond, New Hampshire, and throughout active life, a farmer. During the early twenties he removed to New York State, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1861 at the age of seventy years. Six years later Mr. Taft's mother died at the home of her eldest daughter, Mrs. Sanuel Hart, at Fulton, New York. Mrs. Taft's maiden name was Vienna Harris, her mother being a sister of Hosea Ballou, the distinguished scholar and Universalist divine of Massachusetts. Mrs. Taft's mother and President Garfield's mother were cousins. Of Mr. Taft's family, four daughters and three sons attained the age of maturity-Maranda, deceased; Elizabeth, residing in Oswego County, New York; Vienna and Susanna, both deceased; Stephen Harris; Lorenzo P., deceased, for many years a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Jerome B., who was a Unitarian miniister, now deceased.
Not far from the city of Oswego, New York, on the 14th of September, 1825, occurred the birth of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. As a boy he attended the common schools and later was a student in an anti-slavery Baptist institution, known as New York Central College.
Mr. Taft's marriage, in 1853, united him with Mary A. Burnham, who was born and reared in Madison County, New York, and died in 1897 at Santa Monica, California. Mrs. Taft was a woman of superior ability, whose influence for good was felt by all with whom she came in contact. She was always an inspiration [p. 498] to her husband in his work. Six children were born of the union, namely-George, deceased; William J., who is serving his fourth term as District Attorney of Humboldt County, Iowa; Fred H., for several years City Attorney of Santa Monica; Sydney A., residing in Minneapolis, Minn; Mary V., and Elwin S., both deceased.
Mr. Taft entered the ministry in early life, his last field of labor before leaving New York for his western home being in Martinsbury, Lewis County. In 1862 he moved to the state of Iowa where he purchased ten sections of land in the Upper Des Moines valley, and in the spring of 1863 brought from Lewis County, New York, a colony of twelve families, to the head of each of whom he conveyed eighty acres of land at a dollar and a half an acre. The same year he laid out the town of Springvale, now Humboldt, organized the Christian Union church, now known as Unity church, and commenced the building of a dam on the Des Moines River, preparatory to the erection of a saw and grist mill. Mr. Taft named the streets of the town after distinguished statesmen, scholars and generals of that day. He laid out and deeded to the town, two parks, John Brown Park, embracing one block and Taft's Park, embracing four blocks, setting hundreds of trees upon the latter, which is located in the center of the town. He gave two lots for the school house and a lot to each of the churches first organized, which were Christian Union and Congregational.
At the time the town was laid out a majority of the supervisors of the county were so dominated by the influence of Dakota City (a rival town located near by) that he could get no public road laid out to his mills so he personally took the matter in hand, building a culvert in the low lands near the eastern end of Sumner Avenue, and grading the same. He then employed the county surveyor and staked out a road leading ten miles north to Lots Creek, called the air line and also another road to the Lizard River, eighteen miles southwest. Three persons owning land along the line of road leading north, taking advantage of Mr. Taft's necessity, demanded $100.00 each before giving their consent to the opening of the road, which passed along their section line. This Mr. Taft paid to avoid the delay which would otherwise have been involved.
Mr. Taft proceeded with the erection of the mills, which involved much labor and expense, as all the lumber and machinery had to be transported a long distance over almost impassable roads. When completed the event was celebrated by an oyster supper, at which hundreds of biscuits, made from the new ground flour, were consumed. Although the mills were indispensable to the building of the town and the success of the colony enterprise, Mr. Taft found them an expensive luxury, as the spring floods and attendent ice successively carried away three dams. Following the loss of the first, in 1867, he excavated a canal from the mills to a bend in the river a half mile above the first dam. This required an outlay of many thousand dollars which, while a heavy burden to Mr. Taft, proved a great blessing to many families residing in Humboldt and neighboring counties, as the work made necessary provided labor for the pioneer settlers.
Of the food conditions then obtaining and incidents attending the bringing [p. 499] in of the last load of flour before recovering control of the water, Mr. Taft says:
"At this time there were almost no settlers on the vast prairies in Northwestern Iowa. The pioneers who had come in had selected homesteads along the streams where they could obtain fuel and material for building their cabins and shed for their stock. No surplus food supplies had been accumulated, so the people lived from hand to mouth. They had been accustomed to bring what corn and wheat and buckwheat they had raised to my mill, so the loss of the dam was of serious import to them to say nothing of the new arrival of settlers who were wholly dependent upon others for their bread. The continued rains of that season had rendered the roads almost impassable, yet all supplies had to be brough by teams from the railroad station, which was a hundred miles away. The workmen, who had thus far been furnished with flour and meal to take home to their families on Saturday, knowing how difficult it was for me to obtain the necessary food supplies, began to express solicitude regarding the future. Such progress had been made in the construction of the new dam and the digging of the canal that two weeks more with the force I was then employing would so far complete the work that the mill could be set to grinding. The crucial question with me was how to obtain provisions to supply my workmen for two weeks. On a Saturday morning, late in November, I went to Fort Dodge. On reaching town I found the price of flour to be five dollars a hundred, cash down. I tried to negotiate for the purchase of a ton on ninety days'time, but could obtain no flour without the money. A hundred dollars would buy the ton of flour so much needed and win the victory so essential to all concerned, but I had not had five dollars in my pocket for weeks. Learning that Hon. George Bassett had Agricultural College funds to loan, I called upon him and learned that a responsible name with my own upon a note would secure me the money. I went to Hon. B.F. Gue, Lieutenant-Governor of Iowa, stated the conditions surrounding me, upon which he at once signed the note and obtaining the money, I purchased a ton of flour, which was soon loaded and the team was on its way to Springvale while I remained to transact some other business. In about an hour it occurred to me that if the flour reached home before I did, none of it would find its way to my bin, and I had the largest family of all. I immediately started for home driving rapidly. While not able to overtake the load I came in sight of it as the teamster was driving up to my residence. That it was seen by the workmen at the lower end of the canal was evident and they passed the word along the line to the men working on the dam. Spades, crowbars and scrapers were abandoned and the majority of the workmen moved rapidly toward the load. Each man on reaching the wagon took a sack of flour. Had I been a few seconds later I should not have secured a single sack. As it was, I possessed myself of two of the forty sacks. The scene was never to be forgotten by any of those who participated in it. Some were shedding tears of gladness and devoutedly thanking God. Others were laughing and telling me they would stick by the work to the end, while a son of the Emerald Isle, with his sack of flour in his arms, called out: "Bully for the boss! We knew he wouldn't let us starve."
[p. 500] "About two weeks later the waste gate of the dam was closed and the head gates of the canal were opened. I had given notice in the town paper a few days prior that on Saturday afternoon the water would be let into the canal, so people came from all parts of the county and some from adjoining counties to celebrate the important event. The Springvale Brass Band was present and enlivened the occasion with music, and short addresses were made. As the gates were being hoisted, a Mr. George McCauley called for three cheers for the builder of the new dam, wheh were given most heartily."
"A skiff having been provided and placed below the gates, Mr. Taft stepped into it and rode the advancing stream as it made its course toward the mill while the company, headed by the band, and marched down the road on the bank of the canal.
In the autumn of 1869, Mr. Taft visited the east for the purpose of soliciting funds with which to establish a college. He laid his plans before leading business men and scholars. Among those who approved and gave him aid were Garrett Smith, Peter Cooper, George W. Bungay, Dr. Bellows, George W. Curtis, William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Dr. Hale, Dr. James Freeman Clark, Dr. Manning, Dr. Dio Lewis, O.O. Woolent, Mrs. Anna Richmond and Caroline Richmond, with many others. His success in obtaining funds was such that on returning home he erected a beautiful, substantial building, costing over $40,000, located on the bluff at the head of Garrett Smith Avenue. The building was completed and opened for the reception of students in September, 1872. The purpose and character of the institution is set forth in the following terms:
"We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, recognizing the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man, associate ourselves for the purpose of encouraging liberal education by the establishment and maintainance at Springvale, Humboldt County, Iowa, of an institution for the education of youth in literature, science, and enlightened Christian morality, without regard to sex, race or religious sect. The fundamental object of this association is to establish and maintain an educational institution which shall be forever free from sectarian control."
The original officers of the association were Stephen H. Taft, president; Ira L. Welch, vice president; John Dickey, treasurer, and J.N. Prouty, secretary.
Of the institution, Wendell Phillips once wrote: "I take a deep interest in Humboldt College, believing that it sustains an important relation to the political, moral and religious welfare of a large section of our common country.: And Rev. Edward Everett Hale said in a letter to Dr. Furness of Philadelphia, introducing Mr. Taft: "I thoroughly endorse the educational enterprise represented by my friend, Rev. S.H. Taft, of Iowa."
For three years students were admitted to all the privileges of the school without tuition, which enabled a large number to attend who were altogether incapable of paying tuition. On the occasion of the laying of the corner stone the principal address was delivered by Hon. C.C. Cole, Chief Justice of Iowa. Many years after this, when Mr. Taft was about to leave Iowa, to make his home [p. 501] in California, President Peterson asked him for a life-sized portrait for the college. When this presentation was made, President Peterson asked him to write beneath the picture some motto or sentiment, which Mr. Taft at first declined to do but, finally yielding to the request, wrote underneath the likeness: "I would be remembered for the good I sought to do." This portrait hangs in the college library.
Mr. Taft has been constantly engaged in reformatory work since retiring from the ministerial field and is, at the present time, by speech, pen and money, seeking to advance the cause of righteous civil government. His views on the power of the ballot for good or evil are fitly expressed in his address delivered before the graduating class of Humboldt College, July 13th, 1906, from which we quote as follows:
"There is today no other work half so important to the welfare of our country or of mankind, as the redemption of our government from the control of the representatives of commercial brigandage and murderous greed and bringing it back into harmony with the purpose for which it was founded, to-wit: to establish justice, promote the public welfate and secure the blessing of liberty to all. The present dangerous state of moral confusion, commercial and political corruption, could never have obtained but for the thoughtless and corrupt use of the ballot; and by no other instrumentality can this nation be saved from certain destruction but by the ballot thoughtfully, conscientiously cast. And in this work of saving the nation with the ballot, we need women's help, and but for the malign influence of the saloon she would have been enfranchised long ago. The ballot is the one distinguishing insignia of American citizenship, giving added value to all other privileges. It is the palladium of American liberty. It is the x in the equation, equalling the sum of all other forces, making for righteous civil government and safe-guarding human rights. The intelligent, conscientious ballot is to the state what the holy spirit is to the church, its cementing, energizing power; while the ignorant, vicious ballot is to the state what a contentious selfish spirit is to a church-a disintegrating, destructive force. Washington said that if the Republic ever perished it would be at the hands of its own citizens. "If our nation goes down to destruction the contemporaneous historian will probably say that its ruin was wrought by avarice, drunkenness and licentiousness, but the late historian looking from a higher vantage ground of observation will say that the great American republic was overthrown by ignorant and vicious ballots by which were created environments fostering avarice, drunkenness and licentiousness, so that social order and justice were overborne by injustice and anarchy.
""We very properly honor the soldier who defends the country with his gun, but the gun is a negative force. It can kill the enemy but cannot build up the state, while the ballot is a positive, constructive force. By it the foundations of the state were laid and by it the Temple of Liberty is builded and must be defended. The thoughtless, vicious citizen, with his ballot, is a hundred fold more dangerous to the country than a thoughtless, vicious soldier with his gun; [p. 502] for the worst the latter can do is to slay some of his comrades, but the traitorous voter undermines the foundation of the state and despoils the Temple of Liberty.""
Mr. Taft took an active part in the discussion of political and moral questions claiming public attention preceding and during the War of the Rebellion. Several of his addresses were published. One of them, entitled "The Crisis," awakened deep interest. This address was given before the Proclamation of Freedom was issued, at a time when fugitive slaves seeking freedom in our military camps were driven back to bondage by command of many of our generals. This address concluded with the following appeal to President Lincoln to end the Rebellion by removing its cause-by overthrowing slavery:
"If a voice of one as humble as I could reach the ear of President Lincoln, I would remind him that the destinies of an empire more collossal in proportions than Alexander or Caesar ever dreamed of are committed to his keeping; that he holds in his hand the helm of the grandest ship of state that ever set sail on the billows of time and that it rests with him (under God) whether it shall founder and go down before the wild storm of treason and rebellion which has burst upon it, or sail gloriously on through the ages. I would remind him that the destinies for weal or woe of millions living and hundreds of millions yet to come, hand trembling in the scale which he holds in his hand-that he is about to call down upon himself the blessings or curses of generations yet unborn. I would remind him that there is given to him opportunity and power to serve the cause of liberty and humanity, such as is given to mortals but once in the lapse of ages. I would tell him of the Angel of Justice (which commisioned from God's right hand) is now bending over Columbia's fair land, who holds in one hand a pen dipped in the Stygian pool and in the other a golden crown; and I would tell him that if smothering the just and generous impulsses of his great soul, he shall falter and prove unworthy of the sacred trust committed to his keeping, then with tears (while the heavens shall be clothed in sack-cloth) shall the Angel write upon his brow in characters of burning shame: "Mene, mene tekel, upharsin,"the ages and the race, then shall the Angel, stooping low, place upon his brow Liberty's crown of unfading glory while Earth and Heaven shall resound with praise. My friends, let us pray for President Lincoln."
Among Mr. Taft's public addresses, his sermon on the character and death of John Brown, delivered immediately afrter his execution in December, 1859, ranks among the most important. It was delivered before his church in Martinsburg, New York, to a congregation that filled it to its utmost capacity. In compliance with the wishes of a very few radical abolitionists, the discourse was published in pamphlet form. It received favorable notice in the New York Independent and some other anti-slavery journals. Hon. Garrett Smith and Rev. Dr. Cheever wrote to the author expressing hearty approval of the same. During the war many applications were made by letter for the sermon, so that the edition was exhausted. Rev. Dr. Morrison of Boston, when visiting at Mr. Taft's, on reading the sermon requested him to send a copy of it to Mr. John Forbes, of Boston, an old time friend of John Brown. When told by Mr. Taft that it was his last copy, he requested that it be sent to him, to be returned after he had read it. Mr. Taft sent the discourse and when returned by Mr. Forbes there came with it a check for a thousand dollars for his college work. Mr. John M. Williams, of New York, also had the copy to read and on returning it sent the following letter:
Metropolitan National Bank
New York, February 12th, 1872
Rev. S.H. Taft:
My Dear Sir:-
I send herewith the John Brown sermon. Accept our thanks for the privilege of seeing what you said in those troublous times of the Civil War, of the scenes of deep interest then transpiring. A friend, seeing it on my desk, wished it to send abroad to a friend of Lord Byron. I told him it was your last copy, and he said his friend residing in England had a portrait of John Brown, was a great admirer of his, for which reason he wished to send him this sermon. He has given me a check for a hundred dollars (which I enclose) and in return wish a copy of the sermon if it can be obtained.
{Signed) J.E. Williams
Mr. Taft also received the following letter from Rev. Dr. Morrison, by whose request he had sent the sermon to Mr. Forbes:
Milton, Mass., March 18th, 1872
Rev. S.H. Taft:
My Dear Sir:-
I am glad that you are to have a new edition of your John Brown sermon published. I can easily understand the feelings of the New York gentleman who sent you one hundred dollars for the last copy you had of the old editon. It seems to me, considering the time and circumstances under which it was delivered, a remarkable production; one of those mysterious, prophetic utterances made under the impulse of a higher spirit than man's, which preceded the downfall of slavery. The way in which John Brown's name and acts apparently so insignificant in themselves, connected themselves with the uprising of a great nation against a terrible wrong, his soul marching on, the animating spirit of more than a million armed men, would be thought fabulous and incredible, if such an event had been narrated as belonging to the early history of Palestine or Rome. I thank you for doing something to refresh our memories by bringing before us again so vividly the image of one whose name has been identified with the greatest movement of our age.
(Signed) John H. Morrison.
The following was Mr. Taft's text for the sermon. He said:
"My text, my friends, today is John Brown. You will find it recorded in all the public journals of the land and it will yet be inscribed in bold characters on the record of the world's history."
The conclusion of the discourse was as follows:
[p. 503] "The once noble form of the departed hero and Christian patriot sleeps sweetly in the silent tomb. But his soul has gone to that land where the bondman is free from the master and where the voice of lamentation gives place to the song of praise. Aye, he has gone where the outgoing of his great and loving heart brings not peril but increased joy; where every generous and loving impulse finds a response in the bosom of all, who tread with him the fields of everlasting life and immortal beauty. Let us rejoice not only that "man cannot imprison or chain or hang the soul," but that he cannot blot from the record of history the testimony of the brave and good against wrong; for then would the death of John Brown be an irreparable loss to humanity. But now shall his speech before the court, his letters written in prison, and the record of his heroic, his sublime death, be handed down as a choice legacy to our children,. He shall indeed be a favorite of history, aye more, poets shall perform pilgrimages to the place of his tragic death to catch the inspiration which breathes anew on the banks of the Potomac, that they may tune to sweeter and loftier strains of the lyre of liberty. But we may not on the present occasion longer hold converse with Freedom's chosen martyr. Ere we bid him adieu, let us in the presence of the great and imperial Father of all breathe the solemn vow that whatever may betide us, we will remember those in bonds as bound with them," remembering that
Whether on the scaffold high
Or in the battle's van
The fittest place for man to die
Is where he dies for man."
In August, 1874, the Taft family, many hundred in number, celebrated the two hundreth anniversary of the coming to America of their great progenitor, Robert Taft. The meeting was held at Uxbridge, Massachusetts, and representatives of the family were present from many states of the Union. The morning service was held in the Congregatioal church and the genealogical address given by Judge Alphonso Taft, of Cincinnati, Ohio, after which all marched to the music of the American Brass Band to a spacious tent where dinner was served, music discoursed, and toasts given and responded to. Hymns written by Rev. E. Staples and Judge Chapin, whose mothers were Tafts, were sung on the occasion. Judge Chapin read a biographical historic poem, after which the presiding officer proposed the several toasts. Of those responding to the toasts were Lieutenant-Governor Taft of Vermont; Dr. Jonathan Taft, of Cincinnati; Rev. Dr. Hatfield, and many others. The subject ot this sketch being called upon responded to the following toast: "The educators of our country are entitled to the front rank in the march of progress and it is with commendable pride that we introduce as one of our best, Prof. S.H. Taft, President of Humboldt College, Iowa." Mr. Taft said:
"Mr. Chairman and Kindred: It is not difficult to conceive of circumstances where it would be both profitable and pleasant in responding to the [p. 505] sentiments just read, to speak at length of the high mission and measureless influence of the true educator of our lands. But this is not such an occasion and I accept the sentiment with which my name is so pleasantly associated by the Master of Ceremonies as being present in this connection simply to introduce me to the large family of Tafts as one among many others, whose chief attention is being devoted to the cause of Christian education. Agreeing therefore, with our distinguished representative, Judge Taft, of Cincinnati, that you would rather hear of our family affairs today than of other subjects, I will speak as seems to me fitting on this interesting occasion. We have been drawn together not by the bonds of old time friendship-for we are met for the first time-but by those of relationship. This is not so much a reunion as a first union of those of kindred blood coming from different directions, and some from great distances to meet and commune where lived and died our ancestors, generations ago. While there may be too much account made of birth and blood and name, there may be also too little account made of it. the ties of consanguinity are of nature's giving, of God's appointment, and were designed not only to yield innocent enjoyment but also to conduce to helpful social progress and moral growth. There are stages of development (or states of moral debauchery rather) in the history of society where such a gathering as this might prove a curse instead of a blessing by being so used as to dim the moral and spiritual vision of its members. But such will not be the fruits gathered from this meeting, for I am sure that we shall each desire to give and receive of our best in thought and character. Thus doing we shall part upon a higher plane than we met upon and so shed upon each others' future pathway the light of a virtuous friendship. Not only shall we make acquaintance with each other, but we shall learn of our ancestry what many of us could not have known by any other means and, per chance, aid our distinguished relative, of Ohio, Judge Alphonso Taft, to round out and further develop our family tree. In reporting to this meeting regarding the Tafts of whom I have knowledge, I have to say that they are industrious, frugal, worthy citizens and were all loyal to the government during our late Civil War. In religion they are Protestants of the Protestants, not only denying the religious authority of the councils or the Pope, but also denying the authority of any ecclesiastical body to legislate for the individual in matters of belief, faith or conscience.
"My gemealogical report will be very brief for the reason that my knowledge of the ancestral line is limited. I remember that Nasby once commenced a lecture in Boston by gravely saying: 'Ladies and Gentlemen: We are all descended from--we are all descended from--grandparentsl' Well, I had learned that much, and was quite certain that the line extended much further back. If I had heretofore entertained any doubts on that point, what I see and enjoy today would altogether remove them. My grandfather, Nathaniel Taft settled in New Hampshire in the latter part of the eighteenth century, where he resided until his death. He had a number of children. Among the names they bore were David, Daniel, Nathaniel, Rufus and Stephen, th last named being my father. His mother was grandfather's second wife. My father and the brother David left New Hampshire in the early part of the present century and settled in Richfield, Otsego County, New York, whence my father soon moved a hundred miles further west into Oswego County. Uncle David had a number of sons, two of whom, Ferdinand and Nathaniel, also moved into Oswego County.
"My father married Miss Vienna Harris, whose father, Stephen Harris, lived and died in Richmond, New Hampshire. My parents had seven children who lived to years of maturity, four girls and three boys, all but one of whom are still living. One of my brothers, Jerome B. Taft, who took an active part in protecting Kansas from the curse of slavery, died in the autumn of 1863.
"In 1853 I married Miss Mary A. Burnham, of Madison County, New York, and in the spring of 1863 went west with a colony of over forty persons and settled on a tract of land in the Des Moines Valley, which I purchased of the State of Iowa. Here I have since been at work, building up a town and establishing an institution of learning. We have six children, five of whom are still living, namely, four sons and one daughter. My brother, Lorenzo P. Taft, has a family of four daughters and one son, and the brother who died left one son, Wendell Phillips Taft. My four sisters are married and all have families.
"I trust I shall be pardoned if, in this connection, I speak of some incidents in my own history which, under ordinary circumstances, would hardly be appropriate, but which the present occasion would warrant. We learn from the admirable historic address to which we have listened this morning that our great progenitor, Robert Taft, was an active participant in a colony enterprise, in connection with which he bought and sold much land, built bridges, made roads and bore other burdens incident to a pioneer life. It seems that all unbeknown to myself I have in the same order of divine providence been repeating the history of our family in the line of colony work for, as already remarked, I took with me to the distant west a company of friends, bought a large tract of wild land and entered upon the work of building up society, in the course of which it fell to my lot to open up roads, build bridges and mills and dispose of numerous pieces of real estate. The county records show that I have sold over eighty farms and many hundred pieces of town property since commencing this colony enterprise. This work has not been all sunshine and prosperity; but instead, want of means with which to do, loss by floods, sickness, severe trials and exposure, have dimmed the light of many a day, but at no time have I been bereft of that hope and strength which comes of an assurance tha I was dong the work to which I had been appointed by God. The burden would have been lighter had I known as I now do that like and severer experiences had been the lot of our great progenitor, whose memory we so sacredly cherish today. The family history which I have given, taken in connection with the numerous descendents of Robert Taft here assembled, who represent a still larger number not here, warrants us in congratulating ourselves that our family does not belong to the number which are running out because of self-imposed sterility. That this is true of many families is painfully [p. 507] evident. On this subject an able scholar and careful observer, Dr. Nathan Allen, of Lowell, said in an address delivered in June last, before the Massachusetts Medical Society: "It is safe, we believe to state that the average number of children in each marriage has diminished nearly one-half since the present century commenced." And he further adds, "If this decrease is continued another hundred years in the same proportion as in the past it will, in all probability, remove the old New England stock from the stage. Their record will exist only in history. In this quiet, gradual decline of population is one of the greatest problems of the age."
"Well, Mr. Chairman, that impeachment does not apply to the Taft family, and I am glad of it. I am told that little or no credit is due to the male line in which the name descends, since the mothers generally bore other names than Taft. And then I submit to you, Mr. Chairman, whether it is not creditable to our side of the house, that we have been able to select and possess ourselves of such good and noble wives.
"I will add but a few words more. The growth of our family tree has been hopefully vigorous and promises well for the future. We need not concern ourselves to try to settle the question as to whether we originally ascended from the lower forms of animal life or have descended from a state of angelic perfection; for, if from the former, then have we made noble progress upward, and if from the latter, the evidence warrants us in believing that we are making our way home again. Let us remember that there is given to mankind a surplus of vital force beyond what is necessary for the performance of the ordinary functions of life and that the use made of this surplusage determines the destiny of individuals, families and nations. If devoted to self discipline, in knowledge and virture, so as to find expression in noble, helpful acts and high aims, then does its possessor walk the pathway of the just which grows brighter and brighter unto the perfect day; but if devoted to selfish ends and merely animal passions, then does it lead down to moral corruption and spiritual death. May it be ours to come into such harmony with the divine order and such virtuous relationship with each other that the spiritual breezes of heaven as they move through the branches of the family tree may make still sweeter music in the future than in the past, thus making glad the hearts of men and angels. I offer in conclusion the following sentimen:
""Our Family Tree-Removed from Old England two hundred years ago and planted at no great distance from Plymouth Rock. May it continue to gather strength and beauty from each succeeding century and yield such fruits of vigourous, virtuous man and womanhood that the approbation of the good and the flavor of Heaven may ever rest upon it, causing it to extend its roots and multiply its branches through all coming time. ""
In 1879, on the resignation of Rev. Julius Stevens as pastor of the Christian Union Church of Humboldt, Mr. Taft was asked to resume his pastoral relations with the church, which he resigned when entering upon his educational work. Up to this time the society had held it meetings in the school house. Mr. Taft [p. 508] agreed to serve the church for a year on condition that steps be at once taken to build a house of worship, toward the expense of which he would contribute the salary he received for the year and donate a lot for the church. With this understanding he resumed the pastorate. While the attendance at the meetings and Sunday School was altogether satisfactory but partial progress was made toward building. The coarse lumber was bought and placed on the ground, as also most of the stone for the foundation. As Mr. Taft believed that a house of worship was indispensible to the welfare and future growth of the church, he agreed to labor another year, donating his salary as before. The coursing stone for the foundation having been dressed and mechanics' labor being difficult to obtain, and money scarce, Mr. Taft, with his son, William, as mason tender, took in hand the building of the foundation walls, which were completed before cold weather in autumn. The secretary of the church, J.M. Prouty, had procured plans and specifications for the building from a Chicago architect and, with these before him, Mr. Taft proceeded to lay out the frame work of the building and superintend its erection. The church was completed and dedicated as had been planned and Mr. Taft says: "The day on which the house was dedicated and christened Unity Church, and Miss Mary A. Safford was installed pastor, as his successor, was one of the happiest days of his life."
Mr. Taft's work as an abolitionist and a prohibitionist and a founder of an institution of learning, has given him the personal acquaintance of many of the distinguished men and women of the past and present century; among them were Garrison, Phillips, Sumner, Longfellow, James Freeman Clark, Edward Everett Hale, Dr. Manning, Senator Wilson, Joshua R. Giddings, A. Bronson Alcott, Fred Douglass, Garrett Smith, George W. Curtis, Mrs. Lucy Stone, Blackwell, Antoinette L. Brown, Mary Livermore, Dorothy Dix, Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony and Julia Ward Howe. Of the above he has entertained as guests at his home, A. Bronson Alcott, Garrett Smith, Fred Douglass, Mrs, Livermore, Lucy Stone Blackwell, Antoinette L. Brown, Julia Ward Howe and Susan B. Anthony.
Mr. Taft regards the establishment of righteous civil government as indispensible to the preservation of our nation from destruction, holding that the licensed poison drink traffic, so far from being a legitimate business, is a system of legalized robbery and murder and that the political parties, which for a money consideration give legislative sanction to the saloon, betray their sacred trust as administrators of the government, violate the national constitution by bargaining away the public health and the public morals, and that by such alliance with the criminal class, make the government the despoiler instead of the protector of its citizens, thereby not only discrowning the government of all moral power but making it a potential teacher of immorality and graft. And that the corrupt financial, political and social conditions everywhere obtaining where this traffic of death is licensed, are but the legitimate harvest from the seed sown by these rum-ruled parties and that the preservation of Christian civilization demands the triumph of a political party pledged to righteous civil govenment.
[p. 509] Mr. Taft is a total abstainer from the use of intoxicants, eats very little meat, drinks neither tea nor coffee, reads without glasses, never uses a cane when walking. He is an early riser, writes more easily in the morning than at any other time, is always busy either in his office, library or garden, and takes as deep an interest as ever in social, political and religious questions.
[p. 509] John G. French [1855- ], one of the active men in the upbuilding of Venice, was born in Miami county, Ohio, October 22, 1855, son of Asa D. and Ruth E. French. The family moved to White county, Indiana, where he grew up on a farm devoted to stockraising. At the age of 17 years he became a school teacher. His health becoming impaired, he left home in the fall of 1875 for Harvey county, Kansas, and after teaching a year, engaged in the stock and grain shipping business. In 1882 he associated himself with the wholesale grain and commission business at Atchison, Kansas; later he engaged in the wholesale grocery business, and while thus engaged became largely interested in real estate in Central Kansas. Retiring from the grocery trade 1888, he engaged in real estate and general mercantile business in Harvey and Pratt counties, Kansas. In 1891 he moved with his family to California, where he became a manufacturers' agent, with offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles. In 1898 he became associated with the Wm. H. Hoegee Co. of Los Angeles, founding their wholesale business, which he managed. In January, 1905, he became the manager of the Abbot Kinney Co. in the selling of Venice property and overseeing the building of Venice of America. Many of the unique, special features of the famous place are the result of his efforts. Upon the organization of the Ocean Park city school district, in 1904, he was elected a member of the Board, which position he still retains as president and clerk. Being active and energetic in the school work as well as having advanced ideas, he has been a factor in making the school one of the best in the country. He has been an advocate of the unification of the Santa Monica Bay interests, and had his ideas prevailed much more would have been accomplished. Politically, Mr. French has been a lifelong Republican, fraternally a Knight of Pythias.
[p. 509] Pedro M. Badillo [1868- ], a member of one of the early California families, is a son of Pedro P. Badillo, born in Los Angeles, February 24th, 1868. Pedro P. Badillo was a son of Francisco, a native of Madrid, who came to California in 1812 and was granted a large tract of land as a reward for valuable military services rendered the Spanish government. He lived at Santa Barbara, where he married Peralta Garcia, a native of that place. They had two children-a son, Pedro P., and a daughter, Tomasa, who for many years lived in Los Angeles, where she died in 1874. After the father's death the son came into pos- [p. 510] session of valuable lands in Santa Barbara county and of other holdings in Lower California. He married Miss Jane Courtney, a native of California, daughter of Andrew Courtney, and granddaughter of Michael White, one of the best-known American pioneers.
Pedro Badillo grew up in Los Angeles, and in 1892 married Delfina Enriqu [ez.] Since 1893 he has been in the secret service of the United States customs department of Southern California. In 1894 he distinguished himself by the detection and capture of three Americans, who were expert smugglers, and seventy-four pounds of opium smuggled into this country on the Malibu coast. The men were tried, convicted and sent to the penitentiary. Mr. Badillo is widely known and highly esteemed for his kindness of heart and strict integrity. He has two sons, Louis and Pedro. The family home is in Santa Monica Cañon.
[p. 510] Jas. W. Kennedy [1869- ], one of the prosperous and substantial merchants of Santa Monica, was born in Cleveland, O., December 17th, 1869, son of James Kennedy, a native of Canada. The family lived in the vicinity of Cleveland until 1884, when they came to Santa Monica. Here he clerked in the general store of M.E. Chapin about seven years. He later went to White River, Ariz., where, under the firm name of Schuster & Kennedy, he did a profitable business for six years. He returned to Santa Monica in 1905 and in 1906 purchased the business of A. Mooser, corner Third and Utah. The stock comprises a complete line of clothing and furnishing goods.
[p. 510] W.M. Kendall, M.D. [1869- ], was born in Leavenworth, Crawford county, Indiana, December 25th, 1869. His father, William H. Kendall, was a druggist of that city and a native of the same State. The Kendall family are of English ancestry, many members of which have attained prominence in the dramatic world as actors in this country and in Europe.
The father died in 1882 and the widow and three children removed to Cincinnati, Ohio. Here Dr. Kendall took a high-school course and a course in medicine at Pulte Medical College, Cincinnati, graduating in 1892. Later he took a special course in surgery and post-graduate course in orificial surgery at Chicago Homeopathic Medical College. Dr. Kendall commenced his practice of his profession in Cincinnati. He remained there three years, then removed to Dayton, Ohio. In August, 1905, he came to California and located at Ocean Park, where he has acquired an extensive practice. He is a member of the California State Homeopathic Medical Society and the Los Angeles County Medical Society; local surgeon for the L.A. & P. Ry., and health officer of the city of Ocean Park. He is a Mason, and member of the B.P.O.E. At the school election, 1908, he was, without opposition, elected a member of the Board of School Trus [p. 511] tees. Dr. Kendall married, November 22nd, 1892, Miss Jessie Todhunter, daughter of W.H. Todhunter, a prominent attorney of Middleton, Ohio. They have two children, Marcus T. and Marion G. Dr. Kendall's home and office is at No. 207-2071/2 Ocean Front, Ocean Park.
[p. 511] John J. Peveler 1859- ], resident of California since 1882, is a native of Illinois, born in the city of Chicago, January 12th, 1859. His father, George W. Peveler, was a farmer. He joined the United States Army as a volunteer in [the] Rebellion, went to the front and was killed at the battle of Antietam, September 17th, 1862, leaving a widow and an only child, the subject of this sketch. Young Peveler spent his youth in Chicago, attended the public schools and learned the carpenter trade, and later, the cement contracting business. In 1896 Mr. Peveler went to Alaska where he spent five years and passed through all the excitement and experienced the hardships of the gold seekers of Nome and Dawson. He returned to California in 1901, and for several years had charge of numerous jobs of construction cement work for the Los Angeles-Pacific Railway Company. Mr. Peveler married, in 1904, Miss Theresa Langan, a native of Litchfield, Minnesota. They have one daughter, Virginia C. The famity residence is at the corner of Ninth street and Nevada avenue, Santa Monica.
[p. 511] W.S. Smth, [M.D.] [1879- ] was born in San Antonio, Texas, March 11, 1879, son of John A. Smith, by birth a Pennsylvanian. In 1884 the family removed to Arizona, and later to San Diego, and finally to San Fernando. Dr. Smith here spent his youth, passed through the San Fernando High School, graduating in 1895. He took a course of study at the University of Southern California, graduating from the department of medicine in 1902. He was two years assistant physician at the Los Angeles County Hospital under Dr. Bryant. He then practiced medicine at Phoenix, Arizona. He held the office of County Physician of Yavapi county, was member of the Territorial Board of Examiners of the Insane, and two years Superintendent of the County Hospital .
He was one of the organizers of the Yavapi County Medical Society and its first president. He came to Santa Monica in 1905, and has a wide circle of friends and lucrative practice, being a member of the medical staff of the Santa Monica Bay Hospital. He married, June 15th, 1903, Mabel, daughter of J.S. Wilson, a pioneer and retired merchant of Santa Monica.
[p. 511] Robert Alexander Phillips [1860- ], foremost citizen and merchant of Venice, is a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, born July 7th, 1860, son of Robert Phillips, a thrifty farmer, and Eliza Mackay Phillips, both natives of Belfast, Ireland, who came to America in childhood. Mr. Phillips grew up on the home [p. 512] farm. He passed through public schools, and the Western University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1879. From 1882 to 1900 he engaged in the produce commission business in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He made a tour of the West and California in 1902, and in 1905 was one of the early investors in Venice. With Dr. Sands he founded the Venice Drug Co. (Inc.). He married, in 1882, Ella [ ], a daughter of John Burgess, a retired merchant of Pittsburg, and they have three children-Aileen, Lillian and Floyd. He is a leading member of the Chamber of Commerce, and active in the promotion of the best interests of Venice.
[p. 512] C.C. Cheney [ ], pioneer, crossed the plains as a boy with his father's family, driving an ox team. They located in Lake county, engaged in stock raising, later removed to San Luis Obispo county, and finally settled at Downey, in Los Angeles county, where he spent his youth and studied veterinary surgery, becoming an expert practitioner. He went to Arizona and engaged in mining. In 1890 he located in the Garapatos, Malibu mountains, where he has developed a valuable ranch property, which as a summer resort is very popular with the people of Santa Monica, Los Angeles and surrounding country. Mr. Cheney married, in 1885, Miss Lucy J., daughter of J.H. Stewart, one of the first settlers of the city of Downey. She was born in Salem, Oregon. Mr. Cheney is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen and a member of the Elks' lodge at Santa Monica.
[p. 512] Mrs. Jose Dolores Sepulveda [1840- ], widow of the late Don José Dolores Sepulveda, was born in Los Angeles in 1840, and is the only surviving daughter of Johann Gronigen, a native of Holland, who came to America as a ship carpenter on the brig Danube, which was wrecked off the coast of San Pedro in 1829, he being one of the few survivors. He settled in Los Angeles and by reason of his arrival in town on Sunday and the difficult prononciation of his German name, the natives called him Juan Domingo, the English of which is John Sunday, and he abandoned thereafter the use of his family name. He became a man of property and influence, with a fine home at the corner of Aliso and Alameda streets, where he lived until his death, December 18th, 1858, leaving a large family and a comfortable estate. He married Ramona Teleliz, a member of one of the influential and wealthy families of Southern California. José Dolores Sepulveda was born in Los Angeles April 2nd, 1827, a son of Don Francisco Sepulveda, mention of whom is made on page 132 in this work. There are eight children of Don José Dolores and Louise Domingo Sepulveda living, all in Los Angeles, viz., W.O. Sepulveda; Ascencion, who is Mrs. Frank Bernal; Miguel; Louise, who is Mrs. Reyes; Plutarch; Angelina, Mrs. Mark Burns; Victoria, Mrs. George Farrington, and Griselda, Mrs. Charles Earley. There are thirteen grand-children.
Bibliography:
Hubert Howe Bancroft, The general statistics of the Mission of San Gabriel for the whole period of its existence of sixty-three years (from 1771 to 1834); the introduction of carriages
Major Horace Bell, Reminiscences of A Ranger,
"Quaint Chonicler" The voyage of Sir Francis Drake
Mrs. Armitage S.C. Forbes, Missions and Landmarks, 1903.
Mrs. Forbes, Updated Mission Reports, 1904
Benjamin Hayes on Los Angeles stage lines in 1868
Theodore H. Hittell, History of Los Angeles County, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890,
Ingersonll's Century Annals of San Bernardino County, California. 1904.
Ingersoll's Century History Santa Monica Bay Cities (Being Book Number Two of Ingersoll's Century Series of California Local History Annals) Prefaced with A Brief History of the State of California A Condensed History of Los Angeles County 1542 to 1908 Supplemented with An Encyclopedia of Local Biography and Embellished with Views of Historic Landmarks and Portraits of Representative People. Luther A. Ingersoll Los Angeles 1908, 512 pp.
Montalvo, Sergas de Esplandian.
Father Lasuen, A report on the condition of San Diego Mission, 1783
Charles Nordhoff Resources of California
Hugo Reid, cited on San Gabriel Archangel
Frederick H. Rindge Happy Days in Southern California Frederick H. Rindge: Cambridge, Mass. and Los Angeles, Calif., 1898, 200pp. Printed at the Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass.
A. Robinson, p. 126, on Don Tiburchio Tapia
Vancouver, cited on San Francisco Misson goods
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