Los Angeles County

J. Scott Killian, for years prominent in the agricultural development of El Monte and vicinity, especially in the walnut industry, was born in the State of Georgia, June 3, 1856.  He was the son of L.A. Killian, farmer, and Martha (Lee) Killian, both natives of North Carolina. His education was received in the public schools fo his home community where he remained for a time after becoming of age.  In the early eighties he moved to San Marcos, Texas, where for a time he farmed, following which he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1887, he came to California, stopping first at … Read more

Albert Lee Kerns, a resident farmer located in the vicinity of El Monte, is one of the prominent men of this section, having proven his right to success by his own efforts, which have brought him a competence. He is a native of Paris, Kentucky, born September 6, 1869; his father, Levi Kerns, was a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky.  Levi, became a miller in manhood and plied his trade uninterruptedly until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the Fourth Regiment Kentucky Infantry, known as the Orphaned Brigade, and served to the close of the … Read more

G. H. Kallmeyer, farmer of this district since the eighties until his death in 1909, was born in Montgomery County, Missouri, August 27, 1840.  He was the son of John and Mary Kallmeyer, who were natives of Germany, coming to America in the early days and settling in Missouri. G. H. Kallmeyer, in receiving his early education walked five miles each day to reach the country school of his home community.  Upon reaching his majority, Mr. Kallmeyer engaged in farming until in 1886, when he came to California.  He first stopped in Spadra, where he remained a few months, and … Read more

A successful rancher of this vicinity and for many years prominent as a walnut grower in the Mountain View District, was Edward B. Jones who became a resident of El Monte in 1889. Mr. Jones was born near National, Clayton County, Iowa, September 12, 1859.  He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Francis) Jones, native of Virginia and New Your, respectively, who in the early fifties moved to Iowa and engaged at farming. Educated in the common schools of his home community, Mr. Jones remained with his parents until after his twenty-second birthday, soon after which he decided to move to … Read more

Well known and remembered among El Monte pioneers for his refined dignity, and also for his unusual knowledge of the early history of California, was William James.  While not a long and continuous resident of El Monte, he was widely known throughout the district having lived here at different times during his eventful life. Born in 1844, a native of the state of Arkansas, his father was John M. James, a native of Tennessee and his mother Margaret (Johnson) James of Kentucky, a relative of the oft-mentioned William Johnson, captain of a wagon train coming to El Monte in 1852. When but … Read more

Albert H. Hoyt, one of the California pioneers of 1849 and for more than forty-five years, a resident of El Monte, was closely identified with its marvelous growth and prosperity.  He was a native of New York, dating his birth in Orange County, in 1830.  His parents were Reverend Albert and Gertrude (Lawrence) Hoyt, both natives of New York. In February 1849, Mr. Hoyt embarked on board the bark Clarisa Perkins, for the Golden State.  He was one of a company of 120 men who had chartered that vessel for voyage around cape Horn to San Francisco.  The vessel left New … Read more

Robert Hicks, successful farmer and long-time resident of El Monte, was born in the Ozark, Franklin County, Arkansas, January 12, 1856.  He is the son of Robert and Abigail Hicks, the father being a native of Kentucky and the mother from Alabama.  The parents settled in Arkansas in 1854 where they engaged in farming during their entire lifetime. Mr. Hicks was educated in the public schools of his local community, later attending White Oak Academy, near Ozark.  He remained with his parents until after reaching his majority, following which for a number of years he followed farming in his native county.  … Read more

Successful as a horticulturist and prominent in the early growth and development of El Monte and vicinity, Fernando C. Herbert is also a liberal contributor to the movements of general uplift to the community. Mr. Herbert was born in Hempstead County, Arkansas, October 9, 1862.  His father, educated for a medical doctor but preferring the life of a farmer, which occupation he followed, was F.C. Herbert, Sr., a native of Tennessee.  The mother was in maidenhood Miss Anna Deavenport, also born in Tennessee.  The father died in 1868, leaving the widow and seven children, the subject of this review being the … Read more

A successful farmer, teacher and walnut grower, who pioneered with the early settlers of El Monte, and vicinity, was John Hayes.  Born in Ireland in 1836, Mr. Hayes came to America and California in 1868 from Australia, where for a number of years, he had served the British government as a surveyor.  For a number of years, immediately following his arrival in California, Mr. Hayes was likewise employed by the Southern Pacific Railway as a surveyor. In 1878 he came to El Monte and engaged in teaching – his services being used in the El Monte, Bogdale (now Temple), and … Read more

Charles H. Hartle, an early resident of El Monte, was born November 19, 1827, in Rootstown, Cortage County, Ohio.  His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, where they engaged in farming.  Charles H. was educated in the local public schools, and later upon reaching his majority he went to Peru, Massachusetts.  Soon afterward he settled in Ravenna, Ohio, where he engaged in the hotel business.  In 1864,he moved to Masillon, Ohio, were he followed the general mercantile business. Mr. Hartle came to California in 1885, first stopping at Riverside.  In 1886 he came to El Monte and immediately leased a tract of … Read more