Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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LAWSON M. LA FETRA.
 
         Among the representative farmers and horticulturists of the Azusa 
Township is the above-named gentleman, who is the owner of 160 acres of rich and 
productive land, about one mile south and west of Glendora. Mr. La Fetra took up 
his present residence in 1883, upon this land, which was then wild and 
uncultivated, and by his industry and intelligence has built up one of the most 
pleasant homes in his section. He has a fine orange grove of ten acres in 
extent, about two-thirds of which is in budded fruit. The most of his farm is 
devoted to general farming and stock-raising. Among the stock are some fine 
specimens of Jersey cattle and good American horses. His improvements are 
first-class, consisting of a well-ordered cottage residence and commodious barns 
and out-buildings, the general appearance of which attest the successful farmer. 
His cottage residence is located upon high ground, which affords a magnificent 
view of the Azusa Valley away to the south. It is situated in a natural park of 
live-oak trees, the grounds of which have been transformed into shaded lawns. 
Mr. La Fetra's lands are supplied with water from various mountain ca�ons, which 
he has developed by tunnels, etc., and the system is capable of being increased 
so as to furnish from twenty-five to thirty inches. In addition to his home farm 
of 160 acres, he is the owner, in connection with his brother, M. H. La Fetra, 
of some 300 acres of land adjoining his premises. These lands are beautifully 
located, and among the most desirable for villa residence purposes in the East 
San Gabriel Valley. The erection of the Methodist Female College, under the 
direction and control of the University of Southern California, upon his lands, 
is to be one of the events in the near future. The subject of this sketch is a 
native of Harveysburg, Warren County, Ohio, born in 1844. His father was James 
H. La Fetra, a native of New Jersey, who, early in life, took up his residence 
in Ohio, and there engaged in agricultural and mercantile pursuits. His mother, 
nee Sarah Harmell, was a native of Warren County, Ohio. Mr. La Fetra was reared 
upon his father's farm until about eighteen years of age, receiving a good 
education. He was then for a short time engaged in his father's store, after 
which he completed his education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. 
Upon the completion of his studies at that institution, he returned to his 
native place and was engaged in mercantile and other pursuits with his father, 
until about 1872. At that time he went to Washington, District of Columbia, 
where he was employed as the business manager of the Washington Chronicle. He 
held that responsible position until the summer of 1874, when he came to 
California, and in the spring of the next year located in Los Angeles, where he 
was engaged in mercantile pursuits and other enterprises until he took up his 
present residence in 1883. Mr. La Fetra is a man of culture and trained business 
habits, a desirable acquisition to any community, well meriting the respect and 
esteem accorded him by his friends and associates. He is a member and trustee of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Glendora. In polities he is allied with the 
Republican party, but in principle is a strong Prohibitionist. In 1881. Mr. La 
Fetra was united in marriage with Miss Stella B. Lanterman, the only daughter of 
Dr. J. L. Lanterman, a prominent citizen and principal owner of the famous 
Rancho La Ca�ada, Los Angeles County.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 532
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler