Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
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C. O. MONROE 
 
may well be called the pioneer of Monrovia, as he erected the first residence in 
that place, in 1884. This was before the present city was laid out. In that year 
Mr. Monroe purchased thirty acres of wild and uncultivated land and commenced 
clearing the same, entered into horticultural pursuits and also developed and 
piped water on his lands. Later, when the city of Monrovia was projected and 
laid out, he entered heartily into building up the place, and was one of the 
most enterprising of the projectors and builders of that phenomenal city. All of 
the municipal work, street grading, tree planting, developing and piping the 
water from San Pit Ca�on was done by Mr. Monroe, under contract from the town 
projectors and trustees. He was also one of the stockholders of the Rapid 
Transit Railroad, and at this writing, 1889, is the superintendent of the same. 
He is now the owner of thirty acres of land in Monrovia, nearly all highly 
improved and cultivated. Fifteen acres are devoted to Washington Navel oranges 
and about ten acres to deciduous fruits, comprising a fine variety of peaches, 
plums, apricots, pears. etc. The subject of this sketch was born in Scott 
County, Indiana, in 1848. His father, Sanders A. Monroe, was a native of 
Virginia, and a descendant from an old Colonial family. From an early age he was 
reared in Kentucky, and in his young manhood located in Indiana, where he 
married Miss Catherine Monroe and settled down in life as a farmer. In 1851 he 
moved his family to Wapello County, Iowa. The members of the family were Sanders 
A. Monroe and wife, and the following named children: William N., Felix M., 
George W., Eliza L., now Mrs. Charles Hotchkiss; Mattie P., now the wife of Dr. 
D. D. Jay, and the subject of this sketch. Mr. C. O. Monroe was reared to the 
practical life of a farmer, receiving the benefits of a fair education. Upon 
reaching his majority in 1869, he started in life as a railroad contractor, and 
for twenty years was engaged in that work in the various States and Territories. 
In 1876 and 1877 he was in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. 
In 1880 Mr. Monroe located in Iowa, and spent four years in coal mining. In 1884 
he came to California and established his residence in Monrovia. He has 
thoroughly identified himself with the best interests of the place, and has the 
respect of a large circle of friends. He is a strong supporter of schools and 
churches, and is a member and trustee of the Baptist Church of Monrovia. He is a 
charter member of Monrovia Lodge, No. 330, I. O.O. F. In political matters he is 
a strong Republican, taking a deep interest in the affairs of the party and 
serving as a delegate in its county conventions. He is one of the trustees of 
the city of Monrovia, elected in 1889. In 1872 Mr. Monroe married Miss Sarah E. 
Rogers, a native of Illinois, the daughter of William Rogers, a native of 
Virginia. From this marriage there are four children: Birdie M., Minnie L., Edna 
C. and Ethel. The parents of Mr. Monroe are now members of his household. All of 
his brothers and sisters are residents of Monrovia, with the exception of Mrs. 
Jay, who resides in Troy, Iowa.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 778
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler