Joseph D. Radford -- 1124 West Adams Street

Born in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, Joseph (1857-1918) married childhood sweetheart Mary Pinney (1857-1901) in 1881. Soon after they moved to Bozeman, Montana as Joseph continued his career in banking. In 1887 his only child Ruth was born there. Mary's health was not holding well, so in 1896 the family moved to California in search of better climes.

San Jose News, Nov. 1901

Joseph continued in the banking business in California, finding a position as assistant cashier at the National Bank of California in Los Angeles. He also became a director of the bank, along with another gentleman of mention, Nathan W. Stowell, a local iron pipe manufacturer, whose wife Florence (known as Flora) was active in Los Angeles society.

In 1898 the family moved to San Jose, where Joseph had been promoted to cashier at a bank there. Sadly, in 1901 Mary passed away due to her poor health. The Radfords were so well-known in San Jose that her death made the local paper.

Participating in statewide banking conventions, Joseph became well-known throughout California in the banking community, so it was no surprise when in 1907 he was named as Vice-President of the German-American Bank in Los Angeles. Ruth and Joseph moved back to Los Angeles, where they took up residence on West Adams.

Their new, eleven-room home on West Adams had been purchased in 1906 by investor Charles Pregge, who had paid $16,500, buying it from the estate of Charles & Melissa Clarke, he a retired distiller from back east in "cold" country.

1124 W. Adams in 1909

Joseph engaged himself in many charitable organizations around town, including the YMCA/YWCA, where he may have crossed paths again with Flora Stowell, who was also active with the YWCA. Flora was now divorced, coming off an ugly parting from her  husband. It appears that in 1905, Professor William and Mrs. Wilkinson of Chicago were visiting Los Angeles, where their daughter Evelyn became ill from smallpox. Flora, who was immune, volunteered to care for Evelyn, age 20, as her parents needed to return to Chicago. Staying in the Stowell home, she and 58-year-old Nathan fell in love. Nathan divorced Flora while in El Paso, providing a settlement of $150,000 and a house to Flora as he went to Chicago and married Evelyn despite her parents' disapproval. The disapproval became public with a news article in June, 1905 published in the New York Times, as well as the local L.A. Herald, in which the Wilkinsons disowned their daughter.

In October, 1908 widower Joseph married Flora at the home of Flora's mother, surrounded by a small group of relatives and friends, according to the article. The wedding was officiated by the Reverend Robert J. Burdette, who edited the book from which these blog house photos were taken.

The Banks of Los Angeles in
the Celebration Booklet

By 1910 daughter Ruth had married and moved to the Imperial valley. Joseph continued with banking, leaving the German-American Bank for a position as vice-president at Hibernia Savings Bank.

Joseph in 1913 in
the Celebration Booklet

 In 1913 Joseph led the commission charged with celebrating the new Owens Valley Aqueduct. Along with the celebration ceremony itself, a 50-page booklet was produced by the Commission, which was provided to invitees of the formal celebration. Besides photos of the aqueduct, the booklet extolled the virtues of the chief engineer, William Mulholland, as well as providing self-adulation of population growth, the post office, Exposition Park buildings, and growth of overall business in the area. Interestingly, one of the pages featured banking, and of the five images shown, two were banks that Joseph worked in.

In 1914, doctors advised Joseph to step down from his banking positions, so he retired, but continued in public service as President of the Los Angeles City Board of Playground Commissioners, which he joined in July, 1913. He served as its President for three years, followed by additional service until December, 1917 when he resigned, probably for health reasons. He passed away the next year, and is buried at Forest Lawn, Glendale. In 1919, the Commissioners added a new city-owned camp in the Big Bear Lake area to its holdings, naming it Camp Radford in honor of Joseph.

Flora remained at the house at 1124 West Adams, joined by her niece Ethel Rivers Hopkins in 1920, along with Ethel's son Vance. Flora passed away in 1943 at age 82, and is buried alongside Joseph. Ethel remained in the house, with Vance coming and going. Their last recorded mention of being in the house was in 1954. By 1956 there is no listing for the house, which was purchased by the Sisters of the Company of Mary, who own the house and lot next door at 1100 West Adams.

From aerial photographs, it is apparent that today's apartment building was erected prior to 1972. It is known today as the St. Joseph Residence.  Ethel passed away in San Bernardino in 1960, while Vance died in San Diego in 1968.

Today's 1124 W. Adams

The orientation of the front apartment building aligns with the former house located on the lot.

Additional info:

Joseph Radford photo/bio in 1910

Link Checked 2/2/20

Samuel Evans -- 415 North Orange, Riverside

Born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Samuel C. Evans Jr. (1866 - 1932) came to California in 1874 with his parents from that city, where his father had been successful in banking, railroads, and real estate. He grew up in the Arlington area of Riverside, where his father was considered to be a city founder. Marrying Mary Southworth (1868-1959) in 1893, he started in work with his father, then went to college beginning in his late 20's at the University of the Pacific in San Jose, graduating in 1899. He came back and again worked with his father in real estate and water investments, and when his father died in 1902 (who was said to be Riverside's wealthiest citizen), the estate was estimated at $1 Million, to be divided between Samuel and his brother P.T. Below is a family ad taken from an 1892 book about the virtues of land in Riverside.

1892 advertisement for Evans family land

In 1900 the federal census showed Samuel living in the house at (then) 415 North Orange Street, with his wife Mary, his parents Samuel C. Sr.(1823-1902) and Minerva, and Samuel and Mary's son Errol (b. 1893).

415 N. Orange St. in 1910
Riverside

Samuel was noted in the 1900 census as a "farmer", while his father was listed as "retired", both significant understatements for the day.

1907 was a big year.  Mary gave birth to a second son Samuel S. as the

S.C. Evans, Jr. in 1910

community of Riverside created its city charter. In May Samuel C. was elected the new city's first mayor, and then re-elected in 1909.

In 1912 Samuel ran for Congress.  Running as a Progressive Republican, his fortunes were scuttled by San Diego Chamber of Commerce members. The heavily Republican C of C wanted Evans' rival to win the Republican nomination, so they could lobby for naval facilities in the San Diego area. When that candidate lost to Evans, they swung their support to a conservative Democrat, who promised just that. And history was made.

Samuel rebounded politically by running and winning as State Senator for Riverside/Imperial counties for 1917-1921. He followed this with two more terms as mayor beginning in 1922 and finishing in 1926.

The Evans' left the Orange Street house prior to 1920, settling at 1191 W. 7th Street. The 1930 census finds Samuel, Mary and a housekeeper at the same location, although the address has now changed to 4191 W. 7th. From this home in 1932 Samuel once again ran for, and was elected mayor of Riverside, but died prior to taking office at age 66. He was buried in the Evans family plot at Olivewood Cemetery.

The house on Orange Street was also renumbered by 1930, becoming today's 3415 Orange Street. In 1936 it was being occupied by John & Pauline Davenport.

Today the site for the old house is part of the Riverside Convention Center. It once stood on the southwest corner of Orange and 4th Streets. Interestingly, nearby houses still stand, including the house that is kittycorner across the intersection.

Additional info:
A photo of the Evans family in Yosemite, 1920's
An article about S.C. Evans' passion for cogged stones(from pcas.org)
Short bio from Notables of the West (1913)
More on Samuel Evans, Sr.

Charles H. Windham -- 435 Cedar Ave. Long Beach

It was 1904, and Charles Windham (1871-1932) was looking for a place in California where he could get a good education for his five children.  He decided on Long Beach. On such seemingly small decisions substantial history is sometimes made.

Charles and his family had come to Long Beach from Costa Rica, where Charles had met his wife Angelica (1875- ), and where their first three children had been born. Charles first went to Latin America to work on a Nicaragua-based canal, then shifted to the railway business, where he accumulated enough monies to run coffee and sugar plantations. Success there was such that in Long Beach in 1906 he had a new 6 bedroom, 4,000 square foot house built on Cedar Avenue, just a half block from former mayor Stephen Townsend, who served 1903-1905.  Charles was elected to the city council too, and in 1909 he became mayor, serving two terms. During that time he was very involved in getting the city of Long Beach committed to building a harbor to compete with Los Angeles's next door at San Pedro.

Here's a photo of the house in the 1909 timeframe.

435 Cedar Ave.

The 1910 census recorded as living in the house Charles, wife Angelica, daughters Marta (1894- ), Clara (1896- ), and Marguerite (1904- ), sons Charles A. (1898- ) and James B. (1906- ), one servant, and a visitor from Costa Rica.

Charles believed strongly in a harbor for Long Beach, and was backed by the people of Long Beach, who had committed $245,000 in bonds to purchase land and improve harbor access. Charles even testifying in Congress for the support of the Army Corps of Engineers to help create a deeper, larger harbor and breakwater. His efforts were ultimately successful, helping to achieve the harbor we know today.  Recently the city of Long Beach mentioned that achievement as part of its 100 yr. anniversary (below).

By 1920 Charles and Angelica had moved from 435 Cedar Avenue, residing at 1622 E. 1st St. in 1922, when he was the city postmaster. Dr. Alexander Montgomery had purchased the Cedar Avenue home, running his practice, living there, and renting rooms from the establishment.

C.H. Windham in 1909

Next year Charles was asked to become city manager, after a recall of his predecessor, which he stayed with for two or so years. In 1925 he was offered the city manager job for Hollywood, Florida with a salary of $50,000.  The town was interested in developing a harbor from its shallow bays. He stayed for two years, returning to Long Beach to reside at 33 Hermosa Avenue.

In early 1932 he caught influenza, and passed away April 11, leaving Angelica and his five children. Son Charles had gone on to become chief deputy city attorney, after working in real estate.

In the mid-1980s, the house began a new career, becoming the Lord Mayor's Bed & Breakfast, which continued for over 15 years, with the owners retiring. It has since reverted to a single family house.


And lastly a current photo of the house:

435 Cedar in 2016
(courtesy of the author)

More on 435 Cedar:
Lord Mayor's website (photos of rooms)
Long Beach Historical Landmark

Stephen Townsend -- 504 Cedar Ave., Long Beach

The Stephen Townsend (1848-1920) family first came to Southern California in 1876, consisting of wife Anna (1848-1930), two daughters Frances Maye (1872-1901) and Esther Belle (1875- ), and son Vinton Ray (1881-1929), who went by Ray. The family tried farming first (as indicated in the 1880 census), but Stephen Townsend had bigger ideas, and in 1886, as founder of the Pasadena Street Railroad (with 16 other investors), he had the first streetcar line built in Pasadena. By 1894 the line was suffering from declining revenues (due to "electric" competition), so he sold his share of the business, and relocated to Long Beach. In 1897 he began selling real estate in the small town after purchasing acreage at the east end of Anaheim Road.  How small was Long Beach? The 1900 census reported just 2,252 total residents for the city.

A Buffum's credit card from the 1980's

Besides various real estate development operations, Townsend founded the American National Bank of Long Beach.  This merged with the First National Bank of Long Beach in 1904, where he became vice president. He was probably working there when he was introduced that same year to a newcomer in town, Charles A. Buffum, who wanted to run a general store in Long Beach, as he'd done in Illinois. The store, named The Mercantile Company, started later that year with Charles Buffum as secretary and manager, and Stephen Townsend as vice president.

The store went on to become part of  Buffum's, a well-known Southern California chain of department stores that lasted 87 years. Of course as president of the Long Beach Board of Trustees (the previous title for mayors), Townsend no doubt met many people during his tenure from 1903-1905.

In 1905 he had a new, five bedroom house built on the corner of Cedar Avenue and West 5th Street. It was completed just in time so the Townsends could host a huge reception for their son Ray and his new bride Ada (Campbell). A look at the house around 1909:

Stephen Townsend Residence

Here's a similar image from a postcard of the period...

504 Cedar ca. 1909

Stephen remained very active in the community even after the grand reception.  In 1909 he was drafted to become president of the Iowa Society of Southern California. Part of his duties included that he then preside over the winter picnic and reunion on Feb. 23, 1909, held at "Agricultural Park" in Los Angeles. (We know it today as Exposition Park--back then there was no Coliseum, not even the Natural History Museum). A photo of the group's officers appeared in the next day's paper:

L to R: Stephen Townsend, pres; C.H. Parsons, secy; Charles G. Rogers, vice-pres; and F.H. Nichols, treasurer

So how many former Iowans showed up in 1909?  The L.A. Herald estimated 25,000, with each of the 99 counties of Iowa having a designated "reunion" site. Many reunions over heard a first line of "Howyadoin?" followed quickly by  "I'm glad I'm here and not in Iowa this time of year!"

Stephen Townsend 1910

Stephen and Anna remained in the house for their future years. Stephen passed away in 1920, a year after they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and Anna passed away in 1930, living to the ripe old age of 81. They were  buried in Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles.

The house was sold and in 1932 it is owned by Mrs. Willametta Powers. By 1934 Helen Angier, a nurse, had moved into the house. By 1940 she offered furnished rooms.

The house today appears to be a rooming house. The exterior has been modified, with the 2nd floor railing above the bay window removed, the windows replaced, and stucco applied to replace the shingled upper floor. The river rock fireplace and trim appears to be intact.

504 Cedar Ave. as of April, 2016
(courtesy of the author)

 And a bit more to add regarding Stephen and Anna's son Vinton Ray...

As the house at 504 Cedar went up, so did another just two blocks south, with a "different" look. The house belonged to Jennie Reeve, another pioneer of Long Beach, who among other things was part of the Long Beach Library board. Here's an early image of her house:

302 Cedar Ave. (NE corner with 3rd St.)

(courtesy of The Greene & Greene Archives, University of Southern California
Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens)

V. Ray must have seen it many times when visiting his parents. In 1917 after Mrs. Reeve's death, V. Ray bought the house and moved it a few blocks away. By 1920 V. Ray and his wife had moved to Claremont to live in a house there that had been owned by Mrs. Reeve's daughter, Mary Darling. But V. Ray wanted to live in Long Beach, so he hired the architects who had designed the Long Beach house to provide alterations as necessary for its new home in a new subdivision in Long Beach. The architects, who had designed both houses, took the commission. The house still exists in Long Beach and has been recently restored. It is one of only two extant Greene & Greene houses in Long Beach. Sadly, V. Ray only got to live in the new house for two years, but his wife remained for at least another ten.

And today? The house appears below:

4260 Country Club Drive (courtesy of Wikipedia)

For more info:
Plans for V. Ray Townsend House--Long Beach 
Rare Long Beach Gem for Sale (2004): Greene & Greene

E. H. Lahee -- 1018 South Magnolia

Mr. Lahee ca. 1895

Eugene Horace Lahee (1845-ca.1928), came to the Los Angeles area in 1898 from Chicago, deciding on Covina and purchasing a successful fruit farm. He was originally from Utica, New York, but attended Shurtleff College in Alton, Illinois (now part of the Illinois University system), where he probably met his wife Louise Clawson (1845-ca. 1928), who was born in Alton.  He was an active member in Sons of the American Revolution, where he had the small photo at right taken.

E. H. was elected mayor of Covina for six years, and as the head of the Pacific Electric right-of-way committee, he was critical in convincing landowners to provide right-of-way through El Monte to Covina. (Not everyone was happy though, as indicated by this lawsuit in 1909). As president of the local library association, he led the committee for Covina to procure a Carnegie Library for Covina (which they did), and went on to lead as chairman of the California Library Association.

So what did the Lahees do after all of this Covina success?  They retired to Los Angeles, of course, and settled in this lovely home on Magnolia Street.

1018 S. Magnolia St. in 1910

Odds are good that the Lahees are the ones in the image above. In 1910 the census lists the Lahees, a cousin and one servant in the house.

By 1920 though, retirement must have changed, as the Lahees have moved to 5th Avenue, and then again to 2119 1/2 South 3rd Avenue, where they're both last found in 1928.

And the house? By 1932 four people with different last names are to be found there--indicating it had become a rooming house. The house is found with people through the late 1980's, then the listing disappears from the directories.

Today the lot is the part of the playground for Leo Politi Elementary School, noted for its after-school program.

Today's neighborhood--the green arrow shows the approximate location of the old house.

(courtesy of Google Maps)

Joseph Scott -- 2620 West Eighth Street

Born in England, Joseph Scott (1867-1958) attended school there, then emigrated to America in 1889. One account mentions that because of his Catholic religion, he believed he would have greater opportunity in the U.S. In 1893 he arrived in Los Angeles, and in 1894 passed the bar and became a Los Angeles-based attorney. In 1898 he married Bertha, a California native, and their first son Joseph, Jr. was born the next year.

By 1904 he was well established, and ran for the city Board of Education, a post he would keep through 1915. The family moved often in the 1900's, first living on E. 36th St., then in 1906 moving to Hoover and Eighth Street as his family continued to grow. The house appears below:

Scott Residence - 2620 W. Eighth St.

As a school board member, he had a vested interest in local schools since in 1909, after moving to 984 Elden Ave.,  there were now seven children and three servants living in the house.

In December, 1909 tragedy struck the family as Joseph, Jr. was bitten by a "tramp" dog. Its teeth scratched Joseph's calf, but healed quickly. The children came down with measles in January, which caused a quarantine for the house, and only in mid-February was Joseph then allowed to play outside. Appearing fine on Sunday, late that night the child became "unconscious and in convulsions." By noon Monday he was dead. It was, according to the news, only the second time someone had died of rabies in California. The child's service was held at the house with burial at Calvary Cemetery.

Scott in 1906

In 1911 Scott took on his most famous law case, assisting Clarence Darrow in the defense of the McNamara brothers, who were accused of blowing up the Los Angeles Times building, killing 21 people, in a battle over unions. Advised not to take the case because of the damage it would cause to his reputation, he did anyway. In an interview in the 1950's he mentioned part of his reason was because of the Irish-Catholic heritage of the McNamaras. After the trial, Harrison Otis, publisher of the Times continued to vilify Scott, who collected the articles for future use, and in 1915, after stepping down from the Board of Education, sued Otis for slander, winning a $47,000 judgment upheld by the California Supreme Court. According to an L.A. Times article, Scott kept a copy of the check on his library wall the rest of his life.

Known as "Mr. Los Angeles", Scott lived well into his nineties, passing away in 1958. The funeral services included attendance by the governor of California. He is buried in the mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery, on the upper level, along with wife Bertha.

In 1962 admirers raised money to commission a statue of Scott to be erected in the Los Angeles Civic Center. The original sculptor Carl Romanelli did not do the casting as only $25,000 of the estimated $40,000 needed was provided. A second sculptor stepped in to finish the piece, and made two small alterations from the original clay cast, which upset Romanelli to the point where he would not allow his name to be affiliated with the casting.

And the lot where the house once stood...

courtesy of Google maps

Scott statue moved 2008
A suggestion on where to move the Scott statue 2008

Edward Davis Roberts, San Bernardino

Updated 3/1/17

Born in Wisconsin, E.D. Roberts (1846-1920) arrived in San Bernardino County in 1886, after selling his first successful banking enterprise in Bridgewater, South Dakota. His father John W. Roberts, who was successful in the flour business in Pennsylvania, purchased a half interest in the McCook County Bank that son E.D. and his brother-in-law sold to Boston interests after just two years. The three decided to try banking in California, following the brother-in-law's father, John W. Davis.

With success in Colton, the San Bernardino National Bank was formed, with E.D. becoming President in 1903 upon the death of his father. The family moved from Colton to San Bernardino, where he purchased a large lot and home at 775 West 2nd St.

The E.D. Roberts Residence ca. 1910

Mrs. Maude Roberts, Center

Living in the house in 1910 were E.D., his wife Maude, their two children Louise and Marie, and two servants. With their establishment in San Bernardino, the Roberts were heavily involved in the city's 1910 centennial.

And in 1911, Mr. Roberts' experience in banking was noted with his appointment by the governor to California State Treasurer, to replace W. R. Williams, who was appointed to the post of Superintendent of Banks. After his appointment, the Roberts settled in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles, returning to San Bernardino in 1915 after completing his term. He was asked to be a Vice-President at the Los Angeles National Bank soon after, so he returned to Los Angeles for another four years. He then retired in 1920, but passed away in San Bernardino only a few short months later, in August, 1920. He is believed to be buried in Inglewood Cemetery, Los Angeles, alongside his daughter Marie, with a memorial in place at the Pioneer Cemetery in San Bernardino.

It would be unusual for a residence of this age to still be present--and while there are still Victorians in San Bernardino (including the house for the San Bernardino Historical Society), this one had the bad fortune to be located on what was to become a main street in San Bernardino. Today's view courtesy of Google:





View Larger Map

Stephen Dorsey -- 2619 S. Figueroa

In the early 1890's, before the Automobile Club of Southern California built its stylish headquarters at Figueroa and Adams, the southwest corner lot belonged to Major George H. Bonebrake (1839-1898), noted banker and top-level businessman in the early days of Los Angeles. In a time of horse and carriage, his new home was a pleasant three-mile ride down Figueroa Street from the main downtown district, with the rider ending up in a definite suburban atmosphere.

2619 Figueroa in 1893
(lapl.org)

 The large Queen Anne house with accompanying porte-cochere was located on the southwest corner of South Figueroa and West Adams, then just two quiet streets.

A view of the house looking north up Figueroa Street ca. 1893
(homestead museum-city of industry)

Bright's disease overcame Major Bonebrake, and he passed away in November, 1898. Pallbearers included J. M. Elliott and W. C. Patterson--both of whom have stories to tell in our blog.

In late 1901 the estate sold the house to Stephen W. Dorsey (1842-1916), retired politician and one who seemed to attract scandal throughout his career. The large lot by then was filled with many trees, obscuring the house into which ex-Senator Dorsey moved into in 1902, after his marriage to a new bride, the former Laura Bigelow (1863-1915), in New York and a subsequent honeymoon.

Dorsey Residence ca. 1910

Sen. Dorsey, ca. 1880

Born in Vermont in 1842, Dorsey grew up mostly in Ohio, from where he enlisted in the Civil War, then afterwards moved to Arkansas, where he became a reconstruction Senator, serving one term (1873-1879). While a Senator, he was awarded a STAR mail route for New Mexico, from which approximately $400,000 went missing. STAR routes were awarded by the Postal Service to serve low-population areas not near a railroad or other transportation. The scandal broke wide open in 1881 while Dorsey was living near Raton, New Mexico, in what came to be known as the Dorsey Mansion, having purchased an old land grant (which turned out to be forged). Finally declared innocent of the charges, he and his family (wife Helen and three sons, one named Clayton--the namesake of Clayton, New Mexico) sold most of the ranch and moved to Denver, probably to be closer to his mining interests, his having been involved in mining investments in Leadville and Central City.

He visited California on business multiple times in the 1890's, with L.A. listed among his destinations. While in Los Angeles he devoted his time to real estate, mostly as president of Benson Investments, a land investment/development firm. 

Senator Dorsey in 1910

In February 1915, Sen. Dorsey went in for "serious" surgery, and was reported to be on the mend. Then suddenly in July Laura fell into a coma and died within the week. Her body was returned to her former home in  Washington, D.C. for burial. Dorsey was not to recover. He died Monday evening, March 21st of the following year, and was buried in Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Colorado in a family plot with his first wife Helen, and son Clayton.

In September, 1916, the Kathryn Montreville Cocke School of Music used the house as its business location. Ms. Cocke was a well-known music teacher from the New England Conservatory of Music. 

The lot and house were ultimately sold, and by 1922, the Automobile of Southern California had built there its new headquarters, which still stands today. 

The new Automobile Club Building (courtesy of USC Collections)

By 1951, the headquarters had expanded, taking another house and lot mentioned also in our blog.

More info:
Major Bonebrake funeral 1898

Senator John P. Jones -- Santa Monica

John Percival Jones (1829 - 1912)

Santa Monica had always been a resort town--even when it was just a couple of small hotels close to the beach in Santa Monica Cañon. But in 1874 John Percival Jones purchased a 2/3 interest in the San Vicente Rancho from Col. R. S. Baker, and the duo began the platting of Santa Monica.

Keeping a beautiful location on the bluff for himself, Senator Jones (Nevada 1873 - 1903), in 1887 built a large Queen Anne style home facing the ocean, mainly for his second wife Grace, and his elderly mother. By 1910 with its mature landscaping and 17 bedrooms, it was a sight to behold. Known as Villa Miramar, it took up the entire block that is today's Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows.

 

J. P. Jones Residence 1910

A pioneer of California, Jones arrived in 1850 from Cleveland by way of ship around South America. Not finding gold in California, he got his first taste of politics as sheriff of Trinity County, keeping order in the many mining camps. From there he became a California State Senator. 

His luck improved when in 1867, upon hearing of the Comstock Lode discovery, he relocated to Nevada and subsequently struck his first fortune as superintendent and investor in a large Nevada mine. By 1870, he was worth $10,000 and living in Gold Hill, Nevada, with his wife H.C. and only son Roy, age one year old.

In 1912 Senator Jones, now 83, fell ill and did not recover. He is buried in Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma, California.

William H. Vedder -- 400 N. Madison Ave., Pasadena

Today's beauty was the pride of former mayor and successful Pasadena banker William H. Vedder. 

Married to Hattie Furbeck, both were from New York and came to Pasadena in 1889, after a successful run in the lumber business in Schenectady. Living with daughter Grace and a servant, here's their home as it looked in 1906:

400 North Madison in 1906

After serving as mayor in 1903-1904, William continued in business as Director, First National Bank, President of Pasadena Savings and Trust Co. and Director of the Pasadena Masonic Temple Assn. In most of the 1910's he was on the board of the Throop Polytechnic Institute, known today as Cal Tech. 

In 1903 a book on Pasadena Residences was published; the Vedders lived at the same location but check out the house photo shown below:

(courtesy of Archive.org)

It appears the house was greatly remodeled in the short time they lived there. The Sanborn map of the area for 1903 shows an empty lot. The 1910 version shows the large bay window, which is not there in 1903. But even with the major remodeling they were soon to move. They located at 424 Arroyo Terrace in 1907, probably awaiting the completion of their new house a few blocks away at 500 Prospect Square (now Prospect Blvd.) A contemporary image of the Prospect Blvd. house is below.

500 Prospect Boulevard Today

But by 1920 the Vedders had moved again and were living next door to daughter Marguerite and her husband Stanford Dalrymple, along with their children. In November, 1923 William passed away after taking care of Hattie for over a year as her health deteriorated. Hattie died two months later. They were both age 61.

The Madison house was demolished for twin apartment houses on the double lot.

Old Homes of Los Angeles W. H. Vedder

Russell Judson Waters--900 West Adams Street

Updated 11/20/2016
 
Born in Vermont in 1843, Russell Judson Waters (1843-1911) became a practicing lawyer in Illinois until 1886, when he moved to southern California, founding the city of Redlands. For many years he was city attorney there. In 1894 he moved to Los Angeles, and was elected to Congress in 1898. He was President of Citizens National Bank, and the State Bank of San Jacinto, as well as President of Home Savings Bank. In an article for the Los Angeles Herald in 1910, the Citizens National Bank Board of Directors read like a who's who of West Adams, including J. Ross Clark, E.L. Doheny, J.J. Fay, Jr., and of course R.J. Waters.

In 1910 Waters lived here at 900 W. Adams St.

Waters' photo in the L.A. Herald

In the house with him when the census taker arrived were his second wife, Maude, whom he married in 1905, along with daughters Mable, Florence, and Myrtle. Maude was three years younger than Arthur Waters, L.A. banker, and Russell's only son. It was a first marriage for Maude. By 1911 she was President of the California Federation of Women, and was touring near Placerville when Russell died of a lingering illness on Sept. 25 of that year. He is buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Located next door to the 2nd Church of Christ Scientist at 946 W. Adams, the house was still extant in 1956. Today the church survives, but sadly this mansion did not. Before it was torn down, however, it was featured in the 1940's movie "Curse of the Cat People". 

Here is a view looking towards the front door in the mid 1940's, and an additional earlier photo of the house is posted below--note the large stone step for dismounting from a horse carriage.

The House in 1904 (courtesy of Men of Achievement in the Great Southwest)

Old Homes of Los Angeles