Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-04-24

In 1849, the count and mis- family,
which now consisted of six children,
set out across the plains via Santa
Fe. for California. Privations which
included narrow escapes from starva-
ton and scalping by the Indians, and
death through the treachery OF sery-
ants did not deter the party, which
eventually arrived at San Diego and
settled. The count became leading
citizen and held many public offices.
Afterward the family moved TO So
mona, and here the count left his inn
press upon the state destiny by inn
porting the first grape-yines grown
in California for industrial purposes.
With a growing fortune the children
were given every crude advantage of
those days. and Ida's education was
finally extended to Paris, where she
went with her mother by the then,
popular Panama route. In 1860 the
accomplished daughter returned TO
grace her fathers home, the pet OF
the country for miles around.
Follow for the moment the career of
hajor Hancock, hale. hearty, cheerful,
but penniless, who came to Los An
geles as young man in 1S49. His
first work In placer mine Melted him
10000, which he Immediately IN
vested in land, buying great Mexican
grants at the abnormally high price
of 81 and SO an acre. He went up
and down the state seeking land, and
he too. proved himself factor In the
development of the country. for today
shout all the surveys used in Mon
terey, San Diego and Los Angeles.
arc the original surveys made by
Hancock.
In 1860 the paths of Ida Heraszthy
and Major Hancock, crossed. aud
shortly afterwards there was a we'd
ding famous in the early annals OF
the country for its magnificence and.
splendor.
The land owned by the Hancochs
Increased IN extent and value, particu-
larry la Brea rancho of some 5000
acres, upon part of which the Los An
geles districts OF Hollywood, Sherman
and CoigrUve are now built. The re-
naming 1000 acres is beside. the city
Of Los Angeles, and is studded with
ell wells. The present income from
the property is between $4,000 and
$4,000 q day.
The lands In those early days, how
ever, gave no trace of oil, and the
kamlet Of Los Angeles was miles
away, across intervening hills
At the zenith of his career Major
Hancock died, leaving heavily en-
numbered estate, young attractive
widow and two sons.
The widow, Z, with her children.
moved to little old ranch house, and
here she lived for years, doing al
kinds of rough work, eking out a bare
existence, trying to educate her chfi.l
iren, and save her lands The hard
work Of those many years developed
he wonderful character which has
,een such an inspiration to other
and gave to: herla victory
lightly earned She claated3 thezmottz
,ages and the lands became fully hers
Her income sgrew until it over |
cached the bounds of all desires, and |
hen, enormously wealthy, and the bit |
ernessSof her experiences having left |
Ter but the sweeter, she began life
IL helpfulness to others. Her chart |
les for years were huge, but unknownl
except to the recipients. She had a |
private bank account for her chari- |
les that none might know definitely
" her work.
Occasionally her work was neces-
arily of public nature, when for in.
tance she gave an entertainment
vice each year to the orphans of Los /
angeles.
She travelled extensively and gath
red wonderful collection of art +