Los Angeles County
Biographies
ACHILLES C. YEARY
was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1839. His parents, Hiram
and Elizabeth (McLaughlin) Yeary, were natives of that State. In 1840 they
emigrated to Missouri and were among the early settlers of Jackson County. Mr.
Yeary was reared upon his father's farm until twelve years of age, and then in
1851 accompanied Mr. Henry
Hawkins on an overland trip to California. Upon his arrival in the State he
lived with Mr. Hawkins in Mokelumne until the next year, and then, although but
a lad of thirteen years of age, started in life by going to the mining
districts, where he spent a year or so, and then, in 1854, came to Los Angeles
County and purchased stock which he drove to the mining counties, after which he
went to Santa Cruz County and there engaged in stock-dealing and stock-raising,
gradually increasing his business until 1857, when he stocked the Paso Robles
Ranch, owned by Blackburn Brothers. He engaged in that business until 1861, when
the mining excitement arose over the reputed discoveries of rich gold mines on
the Colorado River. He closed his business and went to La Paz, and thence to the
mining districts, and for the next two years was engaged in prospecting and
mining with varying success. He was the owner of the Lulu mine, and interested
in others of less note. In 1863 he contracted the sale of his interests, and
started for San Francisco to complete the bargain and receive his purchase
money. He came overland to Wilmington, where he embarked on board the steamer
Ada Hancock, April 23 of that year. This ill-fated steamer was destined never to
complete her voyage, for shortly after leaving the wharf at San Pedro, the
explosion of her boilers rendered her a total wreck, which soon sank, carrying
down a sickening load of dead and wounded passengers and crew. Between sixty and
seventy lives were lost by this accident. Among the killed and wounded were many
well known and remembered by old residents of the county. Thomas Workman, Dr.
Miles, and a son of General Albert Sydney Johnson were among those remembered by
Mr. Yeary. Mrs. J. De Barth Sherb, also William and Joseph Banning, sons of
General Banning, of Los Angeles County, were among those saved. Mr. Yeary's life
was saved, but he was severely injured, having his left leg broken and terribly
bruised by the force of the explosion, which hurled him through the air and
landed him among the wreckage in the water more than 100 feet from the vessel.
He made a vigorous fight for life, and managed by swimming and clinging to
portions of the wreck to sustain himself until rescued and placed in the
Military Hospital at Wilmington for treatment. It was not until nearly a year
had expired that he was able to leave the hospital and proceed to San Francisco,
where he was for months under medical treatment and unable to work. These
misfortunes financially ruined him, and he returned to Los Angeles County and
engaged in work for General Banning at Los Angeles and Wilmington. As he
accumulated means he invested in property in Los Angeles, and, in 1874, opened a
livery and sale stable on Aliso street, which he conducted until 1881. He then
moved to Savannah, where he purchased the Savannah Hotel, which he has since
conducted. He is also the owner of some fine business and residence property in
the city of Los Angeles. Mr. Yeary, though deprived of many opportunities in
securing an education in early life, has, by his well-poised intellect, industry
and strong will, overcome obstacles in life that would thoroughly dishearten
many a more favored man, and has secured a fair share of this world's goods. He
is well and favorably known, and has a large circle of friends in the community
where nearly twenty-five .years of his life have been spent. In political
matters he is a Democrat. He is a consistent temperance man, both in precept and
practice. In theological matters he is liberal, preferring that he be judged by
his actions rather than by any creed. May 9, 1887, Mr. Yeary was united in
marriage with Miss Fidelia Rayland, daughter of Abraham and Percilla (Elam)
Rayland, residents of Los Angeles County. Malcolm L. is their only child.
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California – Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889 Page 696
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
H. H. MESCHENDORF
JOHN SUTCLIFFE
JAMES ASHMAN
THE ATLAS MILLING COMPANY,
corner of San Pedro and Filth streets, Los Angeles, was established in 1879 by Moore & Alexander, and they carried on the business until 1884, when they were succeeded by Meschendorf, Sutcliffe & Ashman. The mill runs largely on merchant work, grinding their own grain for feed, making a specialty of rolled barley. When they succeeded to the business they manufactured only 100 sacks per day, but they have increased this trade until they now have demand for 1,000 sacks per day. They have large local trade, as well as good shipping demand through Southern California and Arizona. The company are adopting the most approved machinery and methods, and that their efforts are appreciated is shown by their constantly increasing trade. The company have their office and warehouse at 205, 207 and 209 South Los Angeles street. H. H. Meschendorf, who has charge of the office and warehouse, is a native of Germany, and was born July 21, 1861. His parents emigrated to this country when he was fourteen years of age, and went to Louisville, Kentucky. The subject of this sketch entered a store as clerk, and afterward engaged in the grocery trade, and remained in that city until 1884, when he came to Los Angeles, and since then has been engaged in the milling business. John Sutcliffe was born in England, October 28, 1841, learned his trade there, and came to the United States in 1871, reaching Boston in November. He held the position of foreman of the machine shops of the Pacific corporation at Lawrence, Massachusetts, for eleven years. In 1882 he came to the Pacific Coast and settled in Los Angeles, and went into the machine shops of the Baker Iron Works, and afterward became a partner in the business until 1884, when he disposed of his interests there, and since then has been successfully identified with the milling business. James Ashman was born in England, March 25, 1848; came to America in 1870; entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad as a locomotive engineer, and remained with that company eleven years holding a good position. He came to Los Angeles in 1884, on account of ill health, and engaged with his present partners in the milling business. He gives his whole attention to the mill, and every detail of the manufacturing is under his practical supervision. He married Miss Lizzie Smith, a native of Liverpool, England, and they have three children: Emma, Lilly and Bartram.
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California – Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889 Page 697
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler