Los Angeles County

One of the first physicians to cast his lot in El Monte was Dr. T. A. Mayes, who came to El Monte in 1852 and spent the remainder of his life among the people of El Monte to whom he administered aid and counsel in times of need. He was born in South Carolina in 1824. His father and mother were both also, natives of South Carolina, his father being a building contractor and architect. Dr. Mayes was educated in the public schools of his home community, later, taking a course in medicine in the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, … Read more

Benjamin F. Maxson, Jr., a native of California, was born in Tustin, May 15, 1879. His father was Benjamin F. Maxson, Sr., El Monte pioneer, who contributed much to the development of the community, and was especially prominent in the early growth of the walnut industry here. A separate sketch of his life is to be found elsewhere in these pages. Benjamin F. Jr., was educated in the public schools of Tustin and El Monte later attending Pomona College. His college course was broken by the tragic death of his father, in 1899, which necessitated his return home to attend … Read more

An inheritance of sterling traits of character, have made the members of the Maxson family revered and highly esteemed citizens of this section.  New England ancestry gave to their descendents name and character, later members locating in New York, where in Allegheny County, Abel Maxson, father of the subject of this review, a native of Rhode Island, engaged as a farmer.  Following the example of his Revolutionary sires he served in the War of 1812, participating in several important engagements, among them Sacket’s Harbor.  Some time after the Close of the war, he removed to Dane County, Wisconsin, where he … Read more

“Let the world wag as it willI’ll be gay and happy still”— This little jingle for a slogan together with “Don’ Worry,” constituted a rule for longevity as set forth by William T. Martin, better known by the early pioneers of El Monte district as “Tooch” Martin, who until his death in the year of this edition at almost ninety two years of age, was as alert and interested in the activities and events of the times as he ever was.  His knowledge of the early events and his numerous experiences, together with his keen memory, regarding same, materially aided … Read more

William C. Martin was born in what is now Red River County, Texas, January 29, 1824.  His father, Gabriel N. Martin was a native of North Carolina, who went to Texas in 1812.  His mother was formerly Henrietta Wright.  She was born in Alabama.  Mr. Martin’s father was a wealthy farmer and a prominent man in his section.  He was for some years a judge and a leader in political circles.  He also engaged largely as a contractor, furnishing supplies for the Indian agencies of the United States Government.  He was killed by the Indians in 1834.  The subject of … Read more

Prominent and esteemed among the citizens of El Monte and for fifteen years, editor and owner of the El Monte Gazette, Curtis C.M. Maltman served the community conscientiously and well.  In addition to his work of recording local events, and moulding public opinion by his able editorials, Mr. Maltman also served the community for five years in the capacity of the postmaster, which office he held at his death in 1928. Born December 20, 1869, in Jackson Michigan, the son of John Maltman, a native of Canada, Curtis Maltman was educated in the public schools of Jackson, and later completed … Read more

Dr. Obed Macy, born on the Island of Nantucket in Massachusetts, in 1801, was prominent in the history of Los Angeles.  He first settled in El Monte in 1850, following his arrival in California from Indiana.  He spent only a few months in El Monte, moving to Los Angeles where he rented and conducted the Bella Union Hotel, and later, developed the Alameda Baths, located at Main and Macy Streets.  The family was honored in the naming of Macy Street in that city for Dr. Macy. Dr. Macy’s son, Oscar, for a time was a resident of El Monte district.  He … Read more

Mrs. Fannie Lewis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Bunyard, was born in Grayson County, Texas, and with her parents, two sisters, and three brothers, came to California in 1868, in a wagon train.  The caravan was six months on the way, and brought a large number of cattle.  Landing at Puente, the family remained at that point a month, and then came on to El Monte.  Fannie Bunyard, which was her name at that time, was married in 1884, to Ira D. Lewis, a farmer and a native son of California, who died in 1909. Ira D. Lewis … Read more

David Lewis was one of El Monte’s earliest settlers, and by his active, honorable life, won the respect and esteem of the entire community; a law abiding citizen, a liberal in religion, unhampered by creeds, just to all men, kind and charitable to the needy.  His life was so well spent that all who knew him felt bereaved at his death. Mr. Lewis was born and reared in Chemung County, New York, the year of his birth being 1820.  he crossed the plains, deserts and mountains of this state, and located in the vicinity of El Monte in 1851.  He … Read more

Numbered among the progressive citizens of El Monte is Thomas H. Lambert, who as a farmer, horticulturist and, of recent years, sub-divider and realtor, holds a prominent place among the successful men in this section.  He is a native of Franklin County, Arkansas, born April 27, 1870, in the vicinity of Fort Smith; his father Frank M., was born in England and came to the United States in about 1845, settling in Alabama.  Later he moved to Arkansas and engaged in farming in that section, until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he left his farm, shouldered a musket … Read more