El Monte from the Pioneer Days

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

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