Los Angeles County
Biographies
JOHN G. BLUMER
was born in Harwich, Essex, England, in 1845. His parents,
George and Clementina (South) Blumer, were representatives of old English
families. George Blumer was an active, energetic business man, who for many
years was engaged in ship-building at Hartlepool, England. He was able to give
his son superior educational advantages, who, after graduating at Edinburgh,
served an apprenticeship in his father's employ, and later, under the firm name
of George Blumer & Son, became his partner. Not long afterward his father's
failing health placed him in charge of the business. The death of the former in
1867 caused him to sell out and change his
occupation. At Darlington he became general agent of extensive coal mines in the
county of Durham, which position of trust Mr. Blumer held until he left England
and came to California. While in Darlington he was engaged in mercantile
business, and also acted as agent for the Diamond Rock Boring Company during
1871, 1872 and 1873, and was agent for Ferens & Love, coal owners, from 1868
until he left England. During his residence in Darlington, notwithstanding his
very active business life, he filled many positions of great responsibility and
honor. He was a director of the Darlington Steel Company, president of the Tees
Bottle Company, a director of the Wingate Limestone Company, and associated with
many of the educational institutions, a member of the Darlington school board,
governor of the Darlington Grammar School, honorable secretary of the Darlington
High School for girls, and also honorable secretary of the Cambridge and Durham
University Extension scheme. In 1871 Mr. Blumer wedded Miss Julia Edith Walford,
daughter of William and Elizabeth (Porter) Walford. Mrs. Blumer was born in
London. The names of their six children are: George, Elsie, Hilda, Edith, Philip
Walford and Frederic Brakspeare. Mrs. Blumer is an authoress. Among the best
known productions from her pen are "Little Content" and the translation of the
"Chevalier Bayard" from the French. She has also compiled "The Words of
Wellington" and the "Table Talk of Napoleon." In 1886 Mr. Blumer, on account of
failing health, decided to leave the land of his birth, and seek restoration in
this sunny land flowers. He never has regretted having chosen the beautiful
Sierra Madre district, with its equable temperature, pure air and water and
delightful scenery, as his future home. His home is on the north side of Grand
View avenue. There he bought eleven and a half acres, which proving more than he
needed for home comforts, he sold seven acres. His residence is commodious and
fitted with all the conveniences of a modern home. Correspondingly good
out-buildings are noted, as well as an orchard planted with nearly every variety
of citrus and deciduous fruit trees. Mr. Blumer also owns property at Long
Beach. In his new home he shows much of the same public spirit which so
prominently marked his life in the old. He is a stockholder and late director of
the Sierra Madre Water Company, and president of the board of trustees of the
Sierra Madre Library. Mr. Blumer has recently commenced the manufacture of fruit
extracts. Over twenty years he has been affiliated with the ancient and
honorable order of Freemasons. He is also identified with other fraternal and
beneficent societies. Few men have been as fortunate in gaining the esteem and
confidence of his neighbors in so short a time as Mr. Blumer. In conclusion we
will add the hope that long may he and his estimable wife enjoy life under their
own vine and fig tree in this glorious land of ours.
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California – Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889 Page 704
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
STANLEY T. BATES
is one of the energetic and progressive horticulturists of
the San Jose Valley. His model place of twenty-two and a half acres in extent is
located about one-half mile west of Spadra, where he .has resided since 1882. He
has seventeen acres in vineyard devoted to choice varieties of wine grapes, such
as the Mission, Malvoisie, Victora, Muscats, etc. No irrigation is done upon his
lands, but the thorough cultivation and care which he exercises give good
results. The yield from his vines in 1888 was an average of about eight tons per
acre. His family orchard of two and a half acres contains a large variety of
citrus and deciduous fruits. A neat cottage residence and commodious barn are
among the improvements upon his place. In addition to the care and cultivation
of his home place, Mr. Bates is also engaged in general farming upon rented
land, cultivating about 125 acres each year. He is also devoting considerable
attention to bee culture, having 200 stands of bees in his apiary, which is
located in the foothills north of his home. He is interested in other sections
of the county, being an owner of property in the cities of Los Angeles and
Pomona. Mr. Bates is a native of Vermont, born in Chittenden County, in that
State, in 1856. His parents, George N. and Marion (Wright) Bates, were both
natives
of that State. He was reared as a farmer, receiving at the same time a good
education in the public schools. In 1876 he determined to seek his fortune in
California, and he came to Los Angeles County and located at Spadra, where he
engaged in farm labor for his uncle until 1882, when he purchased his present
home and commenced its improvement. Mr. Bates is a practical farmer, possessed
of those energetic and industrious characteristics so necessary to a successful
prosecution of his business. He is a desirable acquisition to any community and
is respected and esteemed by his neighbors. In political matters he is a stanch
Republican. Is unmarried, and his father and mother are living with him; also
his brothers, Harry and George, have their home with him, and assist him in his
farming operations.
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California – Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889 Page 705
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler