Los Angeles County

Biographies

JOHN ALLIN.

        Among the energetic and progressive men who have been identified with the building up of Pasadena and creating the second city of importance in Los Angeles County, is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Allin is a native of England, dating his birth at Plymouth in 1834. His parents, William amid Mary (Danbury) Allin, were natives of Devonshire County, England, and at the time of his birth were en route to the United States. They settled in Knox County, Ohio, in that year, and engaged in farming occupations until 1849, and then moved to Missouri, residing in Colwell and Davis counties until 1851, and then finally locating in Johnson County Iowa. Mr. Allin was reared to farm life, receiving such an education as was offered by the common schools. He was the oldest of the ten children of the
family, and, as his father was an invalid, much of the care and responsibility of the farm operations devolved upon him. He became a strong, self-reliant man, remaining at home, caring for the family until he reached his majority. He then started in life for himself, teaming and taking contracts for breaking up prairie lands, and finally settling down to farming occupations upon lands of his own in Johnson County. Mr. Allin was one of the representative men of his district, taking a deep interest in all that advanced its welfare. A strong supporter of schools, he served many years as a school trustee and treasurer. He conducted his agricultural operations in Missouri until 1883, and in that year came to Los Angeles County and tool up his residence in Pasadena. He purchased from Mr. Painter ten acres of land on the corner of Fair Oaks and Mountain avenues, upon which he commenced horticultural pursuits. He also purchased a sixty-acre tract of land about two miles east of Pasadena, devoting it to grain-raising. This land he sold in 1886. From the very first Mr. Allin took an interest in building up Pasadena. He was one of the syndicate that developed and perfected the splendid water system of North Pasadena, and has been for many years a director of the Pasadena Lake Vineyard Land and Water Company. He was one of the incorporators of the First National Bank of Pasadena, and has been a director since its organization. He was also among the projectors and incorporators of the Fair Oaks and North Pasadena railroads, and interested in the Pasadena Gas Works. He was the first to establish the street sprinkling system in the city. During the past three or four years he has been engaged in real-estate operations, more as a builder than as a speculator. In 1886 he built stables and established a livery business on Raymond avenue. This he sold out in 1887. He has also been engaged in contract work, piping water, etc. Mr. Allin is a successful man, straightforward and honorable in his dealings. In political matters he is a stanch Republican. He is a member of Pasadena Lodge, No. 151, A. O. U. W. In 1861 Mr. Allin was united in marriage with Miss Jamima Townsend, the daughter of David and Sidney (Maudlin) Townsend. Mrs. Allin is a native of Wayne County, Indiana. Her parents were from Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Allin have three children. The two sons, Thomas D. and Charles A., are now (1889) engaged in their studies at the University of California. The daughter is Rosa L.

An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California –  Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889   Page 699

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

W. S. ARNOLD,

proprietor of the Alta Planing-mill, corner of San Pedro and Seventh streets, is a native of Rhode Island, and was born April 14, 1851; attended school during his boyhood and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. He came to California in 1871, and was in different parts of the State until 1880, when he came to Los Angeles and engaged in contracting and building, and during the past ten years has erected some of the finest residences and business blocks in this city. In January, 1888, he became the proprietor of the Alta Planing-mill, and is engaged in manufacturing sash, blinds and doors and all kinds of mill work, and has a large established trade, which is constantly increasing. In June, 1875, Mr. Arnold was united in marriage with Miss A. E. Horton, a native of California. They have one son, Ray. Mr. Arnold is connected with the order of I. O. O. F., being a member of Lodge No. 35.

An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California –  Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889   Page 700

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

J. C. ALLEN,

contractor, Los Angeles, was born in the city of Montreal, Canada, August 20, 1847, attended school there, and when seventeen years of age went to Rutland, Vermont, where he served an apprenticeship learning his trade. After reaching manhood he went to Chicago and worked at his trade, and was foreman for the contractors in the erection of the Exposition Building on the lake front. He went to Peoria and engaged in building, and for ten years was the leading contractor in that city and did the heaviest building work there, including several of the largest distilleries, the extensive sugar works, the Peoria Storage Warehouse, one of the largest in the country, and many of the largest business blocks. He came to Los Angeles in 1887, and since then has been successfully engaged in contracting here. He has the contract for constructing the large cable houses for the Street Railway Company in Los Angeles. He has had a large practical experience in brick and stone work, and has taken a prominent place in the business here. Mr. Allen married Miss Barrows, of Peoria, February 11, 1883, and they have two children, Olive C. and Hortense.

An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California –  Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889   Page 700

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler