davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call., 1892-01-03
WILLIAM III. JORDAN.
A Successful Attorney who Has Worked

A Successful Attorney Who Has Worked
His Own Way to the Front.
Few of the younger generation Of the legal
profession enjoy more enYiable position
at the bar or are more highly respected bv
the public than William H. Jordan. Born
in the city of Cincinnati. Ohio, on tbs Sd
day of September, 1S49. he crossed the
plains in an OK team with his father in 1850,
bound to the Golden State, so that he can
be called a pioneer in the truest sense of
the word, and almost native son. After
various vicisstudes they reached this State,
and he has resided here ever since. Being
determined to hew his own way to success,
he soon tired Of farming, and, being of
studious turn of mind. determined to labor
for an education. To the ordinary man the
difficulties which he met with would have
been unsurmountable. but his push and de-
termination were eventually successful,
and, after passing through the schools
here. he went to Yale College aud
The morning call., 1892-01-03
JUSTICE c. n. FOX.
A Man Who Attains the Highest HonorS
by His Own Efforts.

A Man Who Attains the Highest hohorS
by His Own Efforts.
Charles n Fox was born IN heuIoIu'
Wayne County. Mich, in the spring OF Io-S.
Not being possessed Of wealth and having
n depcnd entirely on his own exertions as
bow. his early education was comparatively
neg1ected. Having a strong love for books
and being Of a literary turn of mind Oh
learning of the establishment OF Ann Aroor
University he determined 10 work DIS way
through. As the classical course was the
only one open he was forced to abandon the
idea and sought employment in a printing
Office. He subsequently, became known as
a country editor. and after period Of &C &C
tiyitv in politics took up the study. Oh me
jau, and was admitted 10 practice in 1896
In the following year he came T. California
and settled in san Mateo. He became Ill, "a
80. I'M, slecfino him District Attorney OF
th9t G unity. which Office he held for I'VE
wears. Frequently after that judicial ana
The morning call., 1892-01-03

active practice. and the daily contact with
some of the brightest minds in the country,
assisted materially in fitting the Colonel fer
the high walks of life which he has since so
honoFably filed.
In 1869 Colonel jackson came to Cali
fornia and became actively engaged in rail-
road building, becoming President of the
California Pacific Railway and the North
Pacific Railway. He then went to Stockton,
and with his indOmtable pluck and energy
The morning call., 1892-01-03

This house transacts the largest steamship,
shipping. banking and general commercial
business on the Coast
General DIm0nd is an officer of the
National Guard of California, and in 1887
Governor Waterman appointed him Major
General Of the vision. He is a prominent
member Of the G. A r. In 1856 he was a
candidate for nomination as Governor on
the Republican ticket. President Harrison
appointed him Superintendent of the United
States Mint in this city. In his business.
social, official and political associations,
General Dmond is distinguished for bis
unYarying cOrdiality.
The morning call., 1892-01-03
c. f, BAssETT.
The Well-Known President of the Board
of Harbor Commissioner

The Well Known President of the Board
of Harbor Commissioner.
Mr.. Bassett can with justice be elassed
among our pioneers. He arrived here be-
fore California was admitted to statehood.
When we consider he was in his teens then
he is certainly a well-preseryed man. He
always lived careful life. however, and as /.
a consequence of this is to-day in the me-
ridian of his power mentally and physically.
He was born in Vermont BE attended school
in Massachusetts, getting sound training.
The gold fever in California fred his am
bition and he resolved to come here. ship
ping in the bark Orion from Boston in the
fall Of 40. He arrived here in the spring
of 1885, after an uueyentful trip around the
Horn. On arriving here he decided not to
be carried away by the gold excitement, but
TO devote himself TO business, as prospects
were good. Some thirty years ago he
entered the grain commission business ana
has since been engaged in il. About six
years ago the house of Bassett s. Bunker
was established and its enviable position is
so well known all over the State that words
The morning call., 1892-01-03

himself so nobly in the naval annals of
the American Revolution. Mr.. Lawrence is
justly proud Of the records of his family
history, tracing it back to the time of Henry
Lawrence, who was President of Crom-
wells Council. His early education and
training was received in the public schools,
and subsequently he went to a private
academy. Even while at school he de-
veloped those talents for sterling worth
which have always made him esteemed and
respected. He first devoted his business ca
reer 10 mercantile pursuits at Penn Y on and
in 1913 went to New York City. Learning
of the gold discoveries he decided to seek
his fortune III the promising West, and
started for California on the 1st of Febru-
airy, 1S49. lie came to Panama on the
steamer Falcon, and from there the rest of
the trip was made in the bark Equator, ar
irving in this city on the 10th of June. 1S49.
Like all the early pioneers he went TO the
mines, and met with varying success. He
was appointed by Governor John Bigler as
delegate to the first Worlds Fair in New
York City. Returning to this city for time
he went TO Napa, and in the following spring
started the first store where the business por-
ton of the town now is. In 1850 the conf
dence of his fellow-eitizeDs was extended
TO him and he was elected County Clerk of
Napa County at the first election. In 1853
Mr.. Lawrence went East and was married
to Sarah A. Mack. whose father was
proprietor and editor of a weekly news
paper in Ithaca, N. Y, returning in the
same fall. In April 1854, the mint was
opened, and he was appointed con-
ductor and was afterward placed in a po-
sition in the laboratory of the assay depart
ment, and subsequently was appointed AS
sistant Assayer under d. f. Martin, also I'M
der o. ID. Munson. On July !, 1889, President
Harrison appointed MIR. Lawrence to his
present Office of Chief Assayer. His appoint
ment to this important Office was hailed
with delight by all those having business
with the Mint, as during his long career Mr..
Lawrence has gained the esteem and re-
Spect of all who have come in contact with
The morning call., 1892-01-03

scientific pharmacy, which prepared and
fitted him all the more for the medical edu-
cation which he ultimately received, and
from which he graduated.
DIR. LeTourneuX arrived in San Francisco
in 1874, and subsequently entered upon the
practice of his profession, the success of
which has merited the confidence and graft
tude of a large. lucrative and enviable
patronage. He was for several years one of
the medical staff of st. Mary's Hospital in
this city. He is a member of the State and
local medical societies, in all of which he has
been h0nOred from time to time with official
positions of honor and trust. He is member
of the State Board of Medical Examiners.
and has served as its President He is also
enrolled in the membership of the Geo.
graphical Society, and is an active member of
the Union League Club. In 1887 Governor
Waterman appointed him on the Board of
Health, and he has proven its most energetic
and ablest member in the performance of
its responsibilities. Conscientious and
earnest in his undertakings, he naturally
chamDioned the best interests Of the city,
being the so-caIed father aud promoter of
many important and practical present eX-
isting sanitary laws, which are now rigidly
enforced. In political matters, DR.. LeTOuT-
neuX has always been a consistent and
loyal Republican, and has often been men,
toned as desirable candidate for Offices of
nuhlp truSt
The morning call., 1892-01-03
Ii. CLAY MILLER.
The Popular Auditor of Customs at This
Port.

The Popular Auditor OF Customs at This
Port.
blr. Miller was born at South Bend, Ind,
in 1874. He received his preliminary educa-
ton in the public schools and completed his
course Of studies at the Northern Indiana
College at South Bend and the well-known
university at Ann Arbor, Mich. In 1867
Mr. Miller turned his face to the West, and
decided to come to California. Shortly
after his arrival here he entered the Gov
eminent service as Cashier of Customs at
this port. He filed this responsible posi-
ton for sixteen years with honor to himself
and credit to this country. On the incoming
Of the Democratic party he rendered his
resignation to Collector Hagar when that
gentleman assumed office as collector.
When the present Administration returned
to power Mr.. Milers long and faithful ser
vice was at once recognized, and Mr.. Phelps,
The morning call., 1892-01-03

reader not familiar with the opposition and
desire for delay encountered. The con-
viction of Thielman for using the mails ille-
gally in connection with the insurance soeie-
ties was accomplished br Mr.. Garter, and
crushed out growing evil. His success in
dealing with counterfeiting cases has been
phenomenal He has saved thousands OF
dollars to the Government during his regime.
No delays in trials have been countenanced
that could be avoided lie has invariably
acted i'm accord with the departmental in
strnctions. and his action has, therefore, met
with due approval. so that his relations with
the Department at Washington are very
harmonious. His ability as a lawyer is con-
coded, as he is well read in the law, and has
had years of practice. and how quickly he
The morning call., 1892-01-03

now occupies. This body represents so the
wealth and intellect Of our Hebrew clI'zei lS,
and his election gives ample evidence Of his his
integrity and standing In politics dra, and 9d Is
!" res1satsd member of the California State
b NOR aud Iroquois Club. He was
,le ec'te School Director four years ago by
iattering vote: was elected a delegate 70
tGe democratic Convention at san Jose, ana
by that body TO the Democratic State Cen
The morning call., 1892-01-03

cation in the public schools, and as boy
developed those traits of character and good
Judgment by which he has won his way to
the front ranks in this city. On the conf
pletion of his education he began his bust
ness career in the old Center Market ami
afterward he entered the wholesale drug
house of j. J. Mack 81 Co., where he
remained for FIVE years, during which period
he gained the esteem and confidence not
alone Of his employers but of all those with
whom he came in contact. He resigned his
position there in order to engage in bust
ness for himself, and established a coffee,
tea and spice stare, which he conducted sue
eessfully. In 1884 he retired from business
and accepted the responsible position OF
chief book-keeper in the office of Mr.. Rug
giles, the then Superintendent of Streets.
which office he retained under Mr.. Patter-
son. For some time Mr. Lee did expert
accounting, and subsequently accepted a
position of trust with the Spring Valley
Water Company.
When the selection of a successor to Mr..
0'Brlen as License Collector became neceS-
sary Mr.. Lees claims and fitness for the
Office were at once recognized, and n0twith-
standing that there were number of applI-
cants he was universally the choice of the
people. He has fully justified the confidence
reposed in him, as his Office has BEEN con-
Quoted in a more expeditions and efficient
manner than under the regime OF any other
officer. Mr.. Lee Is a man of advanced and
progressive ideas who has the welfare az
the city thoroughly at heart, and a bright
future is in store for this young and popular
official
The morning call., 1892-01-03

of the Bonanza period, which time ne
wildly recalls and the incidents connected
Herewith, He was admitted to the practice
of his profession there and soon gained an
enviahle reputation for the accuracy and
care with which he prepared all of his cases.
In fact, he has made 1t rule OF his eX-
tended professional career TO be always
we'll prepared and thorough in his knOwl-
edge Of all details Of any case he brings into
court. 1t is owing no doubt 10 this fact as
much as to his ability in examination and
argument that Ne has been so successful.
Most of his cases have been in the Federal
courts CT before the departments at WASH
ingtOn. He was first associated in this city
with Judge Whitman, and subsequently
was alone for some time until Mr.. X. b.
Mitchell Joined him. His name has become
very familiar through his connection with
Chinese cases. having been counsel for the
Chinese companies in many cases OF great
Importance. He has worked faithfully
and has been rewarded with success.
In mining law be is an acknowl-
edged authority, and IS counsel for
many leading conn anies. He has a sound
legal mind. and argues his eases with care
and GOODNESS, and as a cToSS-eXaminer
stands in the front rank. He is quiet and
gentlemanly in manner and readily makes
friends, and his record is an honorable and
industrious one.
The morning call., 1892-01-03
DIR. JOSEPH PEsCIA.

A Prominent Physician md Widely
Known Politician.
1t is a difficult matter for a professional
man TO take an active part in political af-
fairs and still preserve his professional
standing. This. however, is what DIR. Pes
cha has succeeded in doing. No man stands
better in this community to-day either as
leading physician or a citizen having the
best interests of this city and State at heart.
At an early age he came to this country
The morning call., 1892-01-03

tain land entries alleged to have been
fraudulently made in the interest of Scotch
syndicate, involving some $4,000 acres of
redwood timber lands located in Humboldt
County, the estimated value of which was
some S20,000,000. He applied himself with
care and vigor to the discharge of his rublic
trust and after the mnutest investigation
trial was held as TO the validity of the en-
tries. The best of legal talent was arrayed
against Mr. Bergen at the trial, but he
prosecuted the Governments case single
handed and obtained a verdict in its favor
before the Registrar and Receiver of
the District Land Office and before the
Commissioner of the General Land Office.
The case is still pending, having been
appealed by the syndicate. Great praise
was given Mr.. Bergen for the able and
manly manner in which he conducted
this great case. On the expiring of his
commission he decided TO locate in San
Francisco and practice his profession. He
has done so with signal success. having been
retained in some of the most important cases
throughout the State. Mr. Bergen resides
in Berkeley and is member of the Board
of Education of that city and President of
the South Berkeley Improvement Club.
He is sound reaSoner, an aStute lawyer
and popular citizen.
The morning call., 1892-01-03
DIR. T. j. LErOURNEUx, MD.
a Leading Physician OF standin of Sal
Francisco.

n Leading Physician of Standing of San
Francisco.
Dr. LeTourneux was born near Montreal,
Canada, September "a, 1917. His ancestors
hailed from France. but for several genera
lions past his people have lived in Canada.
His father, an eminent physician removed
to Illinois in 1913. where he attained an
enyiabIe and lucrative position in the
practice of his profession. In 1886 he died,
deeply lamented by the community in which
lie lived. The subject of this sketch having
received an academic and collegiate educa-
ton, he early resolved to follow in the foot
steps of his distinguished father in the
choice of his profession. beginning first
with q thorough training in practical and
The morning call., 1892-01-03

tinued to devote himself to its careful study.
He spent about a year travelling In the
Western States gaining information, and
returned to Philadelphia, intending to COM
plete his course aad begin the practice OF
the law in Chicago The gold fever changed
all this, and he came to California. lie
sailed from Philadelphia with some forty
others, and the hardshipS and trials which
these early builders of this State under
went would fill a book and inStili pluck
and courage into the minds OF the youth oil
to-day. He proceeded from here to Sacra-
mento and then TO the American River TO
the mining regions. His energy brought
him success, and on returning to Sacramento
he started general merchandise business.
which he abandoned after the great flood OF
1850 In 1851 he removed To CalaVeras
County. and was admitted to the bar. lie
practiced there for eleven years, and his
uprightness, ability and sterling integrity
gained him the complete confidence OF the
people. He was elected superintendent oil
Schools and Justice Of the Peace several
terms From 1868 TO 1867 he .practiced IN
Alpine County, and then removed to tins
city, where lie has resided ever since ana
been actively engaged in his profession.
He started in the front rank as lawyer,
and while his practice is a general one, he
has made speciality of bankruptcy cases IN
the United States courts. lie is strong
temperance advocate. and by his speeches
and blameless life has done much TO amel-
iorate the condition Of his fell0w-man. lie
was Grand Chief TemDlar Of the Order OF
Good TemplaIs and is respected and non
ored by the whole community.
The morning call., 1892-01-03

built a railroad from Stockton to Milton.
and established the town OF Oakdale. His
attention was next devoted to newspaper
work, and he owned and edited at different
times the Daily Exchange, Wasp and Post.
The best evidence Of the high esteem in
which he is held was his appointment to his
present Office, which is second in Importance
10 that of New York only. As a public
orator he 5 widely known, and his opinion
on subjects affecting the welfare of the State
are always respected.
The morning call., 1892-01-03

him. He is courteous and kind gentle
man, and it certainly is a priv eg to know
him. He and has had a large family. con-
sisting of i've boys and four girls. four of
whom are married, and have presented him
with eight grandchildren. He lives i'll Oak
Ian
The morning call., 1892-01-03
GEORGE w. LEE.

A Popular and Prominent Young or
fetal.
There is perhaps no official in San Fran
cisco to-day that is more deservedly popular
in all walks Of society than Mr.. George w.
Lee the present License Collector. He
might almost be called native of this State
as be came here from Philadelphia when a
mere child, and has resided here continu-
ously ever since. He received a sound edu-
The morning call., 1892-01-03

When the gantlet of waiting clients is sue
cesSfully run he is discovered to be one of
the most urbane and approachable Of men.
Mr.. Benson certainly does a " land Office
business in the popular acceptation of the
term, and his beautiful new quarters in the
handsome building on the southeast corner
of keaTny and California arc thr0nged
daily. John A. Benson was born in Jeffer-
sen County, New York, in 1916, and re-
ceived his preliminary education in the pub
lie schools. Subsequently he went to War
rem Collegiate institute, Warren, ILL.,, and
on completing his course with hOnOrs at this
institution began the serious business of life.
The bent of his mind was toward civil
engineering and he decided to make it his
vocation. While at college he had thor
oughly prepared himself for his profession,
and in his twenty-tirst year lie was elected
County Surveyor of Keokuk County, Iowa.
and served for five years in this capacity.
He at once gained reputation for the ac-
curacy and sOundneSs of his Judgment, and
it was with sorrow that hosts of friends
learned Of his determination TO come to San
Francisco He came TO this city in 1871 and
has since prarticed his profession in this
city. He at once set to work by diligence
and industry to build up practice, and the
magnificent clientage which he has to-day is
the reward of his labor. No man is better
or more favOrably known, and his ability
as an engineer is fully recognized. Mr.. Ben
son is a prominent and sound Republican,
and was delegate TO the National C0nven-
ton which n0min ated Garfield in 1880.
He has a complete set of records, which
are the result of many years of careful
labor and show every transaction connected
with State lands. These records are cor
rected every day by reports from the various
land offices, so that with a complete sys-
tenn Of indexes and plat books he is enabled
to tell at a glance the condition of any piece
of land in the State. He says the land bust
ness is easy enough Tor any one who has
suitable data at hand and who knows when
m ntili1a
The morning call., 1892-01-03
III. III. LAWRENCE.

A Pioneer of IS49 Who Is a Prominent
and Esteemed Official.
Few of the early pioneers have withStood
the tests Of time and the hardshps Of the
early days as has Fl. II. Lawrence, the
present esteemed Assayer of the United
States Mint in this city. He was born In
Yates County, \. Y, in 1925, and is men,
Der of one Of the most prominent families in
New England. His grandfather was a
Quaker from New Bedford and near rela-
tive Of James Lawrence, who disting uished
The morning call., 1892-01-03
CHARLES S. LAUMEIsTER.

A Sheriff who Conducts His Office on
Business Principles.
Charles S. Laumeister, the present Sheriff
of the city and county of San Francisco, is
q man of thorough business principles, and
owes his present success in political life to
that fact. After assuming the reins of Of
The morning call., 1892-01-03

a country school three and a half miles
distant, walking there mornings and back
evenings through the woods, in path cut
out by themselves for that purpose. Dill
gent application in study and reading at
home outside Of working hours was, how
ever, made to supply the place of schools.
In 1861 the first call for volunteers was re-
spOnded to by William. the second son, who
Joined Grants regiment, the Old Twenty
first Illinois, and served through the war.
BY diligent study at home. between the
hours Of work and sleep. the subject OF this
sketch prepared himself to teach school,
ana afterward taught in the winter mouths
The same school tbove referred TO that he
had attended three and a half miles distant,
walking back and forth As before, his
younger brothers attending the school as
pupils. By this means he obtained money
10 attend an Indiana College where be spent
three years, thence proceeding TO the Ohio
Wesleyan University where he remained
year. After an interval during which he
taught school to defray expenses, and read
law privately, he went TO the University OF
Michigan, at Ann ArbOT, where be COM
pleted his legal studies. Meanwhile he was
admitted to practice in the courts of Illinois.
Upon receiving his diploma from the Mlchl-
gan University in the spring Of 1869, he
came at once to California and began the
practice of his profession in Sonnma
County In 1876 he removed to this city.
and has established himself in the confidence
Of the public in his profession. and has
lucrative business. He served one term in
the Assembly. In 18S4-S5 from this city.
Mr.. Firebaugh was married in 1870 and has
five children
The morning call., 1892-01-03

legislative h0nors were offered him, Dnt
win tie execution of a nomination on the
legislative ticket in 1879 he declined them.
In july. 1852. he was appointed to the Su..
irene Bench to FL the unexpired term OF
Justice Temple He was an honor to the
bench and is a citizen of whom ali should be
14rof- :
The morning call., 1892-01-03
III. G. FIREBAUGB.

An Example of Surprising Diligence anu
Perseverance.
III. C. Firebaugh was born in Ohio in 1913.
lie was the fourth in family of nine chill
dren. In 1928 his parents, with the fam
iIv. removed TO Illinois, where settlement
was made TO open new farm and operate
a sawmill. During the following TN years
all were employed in this work, Dut during
ono winter in this period the subject of thi s
sketch. with two of the other boys, attendeh