Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


LOUIS PHILLIPS.
 
        Prominent among the pioneers of Los Angeles County and the early 
settlers of the San Jose Valley is the above-named gentleman, who has for nearly 
two-score years been identified with the industries of the county. Mr. Phillips 
was born in 1831, in Germany, where he was reared and educated until 1848, when 
he emigrated to the United States. Locating in Louisiana, he devoted his 
attention to mercantile pursuits until 1850. In that year he came to California 
and
established himself in business, opening a store on Long Wharf in the City of 
San Francisco. The next year he came to Los Angeles County and entered into 
mercantile pursuits in Los Angeles. In 1853 he purchased a ranch east of that 
city, on the San Gabriel River, and for the next ten years engaged in farming 
and stock-raising in addition to his other enterprises. In 1863 Mr. Phillips 
came to Spadra, and in 1866 purchased the San Jose Ranch, containing 12,000 
acres of some of the best land in San Jose Valley. He then entered largely into 
stock-growing and general farming, which he has since continued. As the 
settlement of the county increased, he sold portions of his estate. At this 
writing (in 1889), he is the owner of a magnificent ranch of 6,000 acres, nearly 
all under a high state of cultivation, producing rich harvests of hay and grain 
and affording pasturage for his herds of horses, cattle and sheep. He was one of 
the first to engage in the breeding of improved stock in the county, and for 
years has devoted much time and money toward placing the raising of line stock 
among the paying industries of the county. The homestead portion of his ranch is 
located at Spadra, and there he has entered into fruit and vine cultivation, 
having forty acres of vineyard devoted to wine grapes, and fifteen acres to 
French prunes. His family orchard is a model, containing a large variety of 
citrus and deciduous fruits. He has forty inches of water available for 
irrigation purposes, which he has utilized for fish culture, having two large 
ponds well stocked with carp and cat fish. The improvements are first-class. His 
two-story brick residence has been fitted and furnished with all the 
conveniences that characterize a well-ordered modern home, while commodious 
barns and out-buildings meet the requirements of his farming operations. The 
whole is surrounded with shade and ornamental trees and well-ordered grounds. 
Mr. Phillips is a large owner of business and residence property in the city of 
Los Angeles, owning three large business blocks. He has been largely identified 
with the wonderful growth and prosperity of that city, as he has also that of 
the neighboring city of Pomona. He is well known throughout the county as an 
energetic and progressive citizen, and a shrewd business man, and it is to those 
qualities, combined with his wonderful foresight, that he owes his success in 
life. Politically he is a Democrat, and, though not an office-seeker, his 
influence is felt in the ranks of his party. In 1866 he was appointed postmaster 
at Spadra, upon the establishment of that office. He is a charter member of 
Pomona Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F. In 1868 Mr. Phillips married Miss Esther 
Blake, a native of Illinois. They have four children living, viz.: Belle, who 
married Frank George, now residing in Northern California; Charles B., Louis and 
George, who are members of their father's household.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 596
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler