El Monte from the Pioneer Days

The Works Progress Administration

Biography of William Shugg of El Monte California

As a prominent and successful walnut grower, William Shugg held rank among the enterprising citizens of the Mountain View District, his finely improved ranch of nineteen acres being located a mile and a half southeast of El Monte. Mr. Shugg was a native Californian, his birth having occurred in San Gabriel, November 26, 1863. His […]

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The Works Progress Administration

Biography of C. B. Shobe of El Monte California

Born April 11, 1859, in the Missouri River Bottoms near St. Louis, Missouri, C. B. Shobe, and early settler of El Monte, Came first to California with his parents when he was but five years of age. His father and mother were “Wash” and Jane (Duncan) Shobe, both natives of Osage County, Missouri. The family

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The Works Progress Administration

Biography of Solomon Shirpser of El Monte California

Solomon Shirpser was one of El Monte’s successful businessmen of the early days and later served as postmaster for a time. He was born in Warsaw, Poland, August 26, 1850, his father being David Shirpser, teamster by trade. When he was five years of age, Solomon Shirpser, with his parents, came to California by way

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The Works Progress Administration

Biography of Ephraim J. Shirpser of El Monte California

A resident of El Monte for nearly fifty years, and esteemed and respected by its citizens, Ephraim J. Shirpser, has contributed much to the City’s improvement and growth. A native of California, born February 12, 1879, he is the son of Solomon Shirpser, a native of Poland, who came to California in 1860, by way

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The Works Progress Administration

Biography of E. W. Selbach of El Monte California

Beginning in 1900, and for over twenty-seven years thereafter, E. W. Selbach was one of El Monte’s successful businessmen, as well as a booster and civic worker for the city. He conducted one of the finest and most up-to date meat markets in the City, and built up a very thriving volume business. From the

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The Works Progress Administration

Biography of Henry Schmidt of El Monte California

Among the early pioneers of El Monte is the name of Henry Schmidt. Being the “Village Smithy”, he was well known and had an important part in the building of the community in its early stages. He was born in 1842, in Luxenburg, France. After practicing his trade as a blacksmith throughout Europe for a

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The Works Progress Administration

Biography of Francis P. Sappington of El Monte California

One of El Monte’s successful and civic minded citizens, is F.P. Sappington, who came to El Monte when the populations was only about two hundred, with no public improvements, such as sidewalks, paved streets, or street lights. Mr. Sappington’s family history is a very colorful one, and one of which he is justly proud. Belonging

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The Works Progress Administration

Biography of David I. Ritter of El Monte California

Another pioneer of El Monte coming to California in 1880 was David I. Ritter. Born in Herman, Missouri, December 19, 1845, he was the son of Florent and Nancy (Dickison) Ritter, farmers, who were of French birth. Mr. Ritter was educated in the local schools of his home community and remained at home with his

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The Works Progress Administration

Biography of Timoteo Repetto of El Monte California

Few early residents of El Monte and vicinity can recall more vividly their experiences or more colorfully describe events and conditions of the pioneer days than can Timoteo Repetto, who was born January 24, 1866, within a stone’s throw of the site of the old original San Gabriel Mission (first known as Mission Vieja) and

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The Works Progress Administration

Biography of George B. Renfro of El Monte California

The first public weighmaster in this district, is George B. Renfro, who for fifty years, has conducted a public weighing service at the same stand on West Valley Boulevard. Mr. Renfro was born on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River, in a log cabin, about fifteen miles from St. Louis, October 9, 1843. He

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