Los Angeles County

Biographies

ALLEN W. BURKE.

        Among the earlier residents of the San Jose Valley is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Burke is a native of Jackson County, Illinois, dating his birth in 1855. His father, James L. Burke, was born in North Carolina; his mother, Margery Duff, was a native of Tennessee. Mr. Burke was reared upon his father's farm until
twenty years old, receiving a common-school education and securing that practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits which has led to his success in later years. In 1873 the death of his father occurred, and two years later Mr. Burke left his old home and came to California. Upon his arrival here he located in the San Jose Valley, which was then comparatively unsettled. He engaged in farm labor for Captain Hutchinson, which he continued until 1878, when he returned East. While there he married Miss Mary A. Short, a native of Randolph County, Illinois, and the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hardy) Short. Soon after his marriage he returned with his bride to his former home in the San Jose Valley, and in 1879 purchased from Richard Dowerman ten acres of land on the corner of San Antonio and Cucamungo avenues. This land, formerly a part of the Loop and Meserve tract, was partially improved, having a few citrus fruit trees. Mr. Burke took up his residence there and commenced its cultivation, first putting in wine grapes. Not satisfied with the results obtained, he began setting out citrus and deciduous fruits, and at present has eight acres in oranges, mostly of the Washington Navel variety. The rest of his land is devoted to peaches, pears, apricots, prunes and nursery stock. To the latter he is devoting considerable attention and is producing citrus and deciduous trees of the most favorite varieties. Among his improvements are a neat cottage residence, substantial barn, etc. His place is well watered from the San Antonio Cañon. Mr. Burke is an industrious and energetic man. These characteristics, combined with his practical knowledge of horticulture, are securing him the success he so well deserves. He is a member of Pomona Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F. Politically he is Democratic, but is liberal in his views and conservative in action. He has three children—Nellie E., Percy S. and Mary M. His mother is a resident of Pomona, where he has also three brothers and a sister.

An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California –  Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889   Page 708

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

WILLIAM P. BARNES

is the son of Larkin Barnes, one of the early settlers of Los Angeles County. His father was a native of Boone County, Kentucky, and was born in 1803. He was closely related to the historical Daniel Boone. In his young manhood he located in Missouri and engaged in farming in Carroll and Warren counties. While there he
was married, and after the death of that wife he took for his second wife Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, nee Bohannan, the widow of David Jones. In 1847 he located in Tarrant County, Texas, where the subject of this sketch was born in 1857. In 1859 Mr. Barnes' father came with the family to Los Angeles County and located
at El Monte, and engaged in farming operations until 1870. And in that year he located at the Azusa, about a mile and a half southeast of the present city of Azusa, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1885. He was a man well known throughout the section in which he resided, and by his many good qualities and consistent course of life gained the respect and esteem of the community. The subject of this sketch was reared in Los Angeles County, receiving his education in the public schools of El Monte and the Azusa. He remained upon his father's farm until 1881, and then went to Arizona, where he spent about a year in prospecting and mining. Not meeting with the desired success in that occupation he returned to the Azusa and conducted his father's farming operations until 1883. He then established a livery stable and hotel at the Azusa and managed these enterprises until the death of his father, when he returned again to the old homestead and engaged in farming and settling up of the estate. In 1887 Mr. Barnes sold out his farming lands, a portion of the old homestead, and established a real-estate agency in Azusa and at Gladstone, which he has since conducted. He has been prominently connected with the building up of both Azusa and Gladstone, and has taken an active and leading part in such enterprises as would tend to induce the settlement of his section. He is well known throughout the Azusa. Politically he is a Democrat, but is liberal in his views. In 1880 he was elected constable of the township, and in 1883 elected as the overseer of the water supply of the district, both of which positions he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is an energetic and go-ahead citizen, and besides his interest in Azusa and Gladstone, he is an owner of real estate in Alosta. In 1884 Mr. Barnes married Miss Blanche Hudson, the daughter of Henry and Martha Hudson, residents of Azusa. Mrs. Barnes was born in Texas. From this marriage there are two children: Herbert and Lucile. Mr. Barnes's mother died at the Azusa in 1881. The members of his father's family now residing in California are: James C., who married Miss Mary Neel; and Sarah E., now Mrs. Oliver G. Malone, residents of Lompoc, Santa Barbara County; and Cynthia E., now Mrs. M. Wakefield, of Los Angeles County. Of his mother's children from her first marriage there are two, both residents of Los Angeles County: Jonathan C. Jones and Mrs. Mary E. Downs.

An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California –  Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889   Page 708

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler