Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-28
Wealthy Philanthropist and One of Best Known
Men in Los Angeles Passes Away at His
Home-LOng Illness Ended

factor in the development Of the wealth
or resources of which the southern por-
tion of the state boasts Before having
disposed of his bank in 1885 he had ac-
qu1red the AZuSa ranch, comprising
some $500 acres of choice foothill land.
lying about twentythr miles east of
this city. At about the same time he
purchased the San Jose addition ranch,
adjoining the other property, making
total of 13,600 acres of land, the
market value of which was little appre-
ciated at that time.
Improves Ranch
In 1886, having disposd of a one-11alf
Interest III the Azusa ranch to J. d.
Bicknell. 1. w. Hellman and others, re-
tanning about 500 acres for his own pri-
vate use, he incorporated the balance
under the name of the Azusa Land and
Water company. With characteristic
energy, Mr.. SIausou threw himself into
the task of subdividing and settling up
the famous old ranch. The town of
Azusa was laid out, and the following
year the completion of the Santa Fe
railroad gave an additional impetus to
the work which was being prosecuted
under his direction. The San Jose
addition ranch was disposed of the same
year.
Mr.. Slauson, having relieved himself
VI Tue greater part OF tne work con-
nected with the disposal of the larger
properties, set about to improve the 500
acres which he had retained. Orange
and lemon trees of the choicest budded
varieties were set out from time to
time. Some idea of the amount pro-
duced from this magnificent estate may
be gained from the knowledge that
freight payments on the citrus crop for
the past season exceeded the sum of
$SO,000 To expedite matters in the
management of this princely estate a
consolidation of his interests with that
OF his children was effected and the
company Incorporated under the name
of the Azusa Foothill Citrus company
This is without exception one of the
largest and finest citrus estates in Cali
fornia, state which has a world wide
reputation for the extent of the indus
try and the quality of the fruit
Mr.. Slauson's interests are by no
means confined to the ranch Just de-
Scribed; he is the owner of valuable CITY
property and 800 acres almost adjoining
the city Together with his children, he
owns $50 acre orange grove at On
tario, situated in the same foothill belt
with his Azusa property.
In Many Lines of Advancement
During his residence in this portion of
the state Mr.. Slauson has seen a Won
-,
as we'll as in other lines of advance
ment. When he came to this city there
were but five weak Protestant churches
between San Jose and the Mexican line.
Up to the year 1887 there We're but five
churches in this county that he had
not assisted IN starting, and during the
previous twelve years he had contribu- |
ted $4,000 of his own private fortune to |
assist churches and kindred mstitI- |
tlons to become established in Southern |
California.
A few of the institutions that owe
their origin and success to him are the |
Boys home at Garvanza, established by
the matron, Mrs. Watson. and Mr.. |
Slauson. He helped to establish the Y. |
Nj. c, A, and has been a liberal con-
tributor to that worthy institution The |
orphan asylum owes its origin to Mr.. |
Slauson, who, together with his son-in-
law, Mr.. MacNeil. gave $1,000 apiece and |
We're instrumental in obtaining $4,000 |
toward that end. The Salvation Army
Rescue home was purchased and turned |
over to them free of debt all but $1,000
having been given by Mr., Slauson, who
was generously aided by Gen. Harrison
Gray Otis. To commemorate the men,
ory or those brave soldiers who died for
their country in the Spanish American
war he raised fund for the erection of
the monument that honors their MEM
ories in Central park. Besides those
with which his name has been men
toned, he has furnished the funds for
scores of worthy enterprises.
As president of the chamber Of COM
merce he has taken an active interest
In the affairs of that organization since
1t was organized, and during the cere-
incidental to the laying of the
cornerstone of the new building in 1903
he made the speech In honor of the
event. In his seventy-sixth year he was
as benign and beneficent as thirty years
ago, and was one of the most popular
and effective toastmasters and respond
ers at banquets i'm the city. AS presi-
dent of the Sunset club, social orsani-
cation, he has done much TO advance it's
interests and popularity. During the
Midwinter fair i'm 1898 he acted as one of
the five state commissioners. and
despite the prevailing financial depres-
sion of the time, the fair was a finan-
oial success Los Angeles has no citi-
Ioontlnuea 0n PaEs Twol Il