Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-04-24
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In 1S49, the count anu MS family.
which now consisted of six children,
set out across the plains via Santa
Fe. for. California. Privations which
included narrow escapes from starya-
ton and scalping by the Indians, and
death through the treachery OF serv-
ants did not deter the party, which
eventually arrived at San Diego and
settled. The count became a leading
citizen and held many public offices
Afterward the family moved to So
mona, and here the count left his I'M
press upon the state destiny by Inn
porting the first grape-yines grown
in California for Industrial purposes.
With 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. Z.
Follow for the moment the career of
Major Hancock, hale, hearty, cheerful,
hut penniless, who came to Los An
geles as young man in 1S49. His
first work in placer mine netted him
$4,000, 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 a 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, and
shortly afterwards there was a we'd
ding famous in the early annals of
the country for its magnificence and
eplendor.
The land owned by the Haneocks
increased in extent and value, particu-
larly la Brea3 rancho of some 5000]
acres, upon part of which the Los An
geles districts of Hollywood, Sherman.
and Colgrove are now built. The re-
naming 1000 acres is beside the city
Of Los Angeles, and is studded with
Gil wells. The present income >froin
the property is between $4,000 and
$4,000 day.
The lands in those early days, how
ever. gave no trace of oil, and the
f.amlet 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, with her children.
moved to little old ranch house. and
there she lived for years, doing alll
kinds of rough work, eking out a bare
existence, trying to educate her chil-
lren. and save her lands. The hard
work of those many years developed
the wonderful character which has
been such an Inspiration to other
and gave to her victory
rightly earned. She cleared the mort |
cages and the lands became fully hers.
Her income grew until it over /
reached the bounds of all desires, and |
then, enormously wealthy, and the bit
erness of her experiences having left
her but the sweeter, she began a life
of helpfulness to others. Her chart |
les for years were huge, but unknown |
except to the recipients. She had a |
private bank account for her chart |
iies that none might know definitely |
If her work.
Occasionally her work was neces-
'arily of a public nature, when for in
stance she gave an ENTERTAINMENT
vice each year to the orphans of Los
Angeles.
She travelled extensively and gath
red wonderful collection of art