Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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


DAVID S. SHRODE.
 
        Among the best‑known and respected citizens of the Duarte is the 
above-named gentleman, a sketch of whose life is of interest. Mr. Shrode is a 
native of Warrick County, Indiana, and dates his birth in 1825. His father, 
Francis Shrode, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was one of the pioneers of 
Indiana. His mother, nee Rebecca Hudson, was born in North Carolina. Mr. Shrode 
was reared upon a farm, receiving only such an education as was afforded by the 
pioneer schools, until nineteen years of age. He then entered a four years' 
apprenticeship at wagon-making, blacksmithing and manufacturing edge tools. He 
served his term, after which he worked as a journeyman in Indiana until 1851. In 
that year he emigrated to Texas, and located in Hopkins County, where he 
established blacksmith and wagon shops, and also engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. He continued these pursuits until the breaking out of the war of the 
Rebellion. A strong Union man in principles, he was subjected to many 
persecutions, and, finally, in order to preserve his life and property, was 
compelled to enter the Confederate service. In April, 1862, he entered the Texas 
Cavalry and served for about fifteen months, or until he was taken prisoner by 
the Union forces at the battle of Franklin. He was sent north as a prisoner of 
war, but was soon paroled, and returned to his home in Texas. He was not called 
upon to enter the service again, and soon resumed his occupations. In May, 1870, 
he started with his family overland for California. This journey was made by ox 
teams, arriving in San Diego County in December of that year. He remained in 
that county until February of the next year, and then established his residence 
at Savannah, Los Angeles County, resuming his former occupation of 
blacksmithing. In March, 1874, he purchased twenty-three acres of the Beardslee 
tract of land at the Duarte, and entered into horticultural pursuits, planting 
orchard and vineyard and also erecting a dwelling-house and blacksmith shop. Mr. 
Shrode remained upon that place until June, 1887, when he sold out and 
established his residence in Duarte, on Buena Vista avenue, between Central and 
Falling Leaf avenues. He there purchased two acres of land and erected a 
substantial and attractive cottage residence, also a blacksmith and wagon-repair 
shop. He conducted his business at that place until 1889, when he sold out his 
shop to his son, Francis M. Shrode, and William R. Beardslee. Mr. Shrode is now 
enjoying a modest competency, gained by honest toil and straightforward dealing. 
During his residence at the Duarte he has, been an active supporter of all 
enterprises that have built up and improved that section. He was one of the 
original incorporators of the Beardslee Water Ditch Company, and was president 
of that company from its incorporation until 1887. He has ever been a strong 
supporter of schools and churches. At the age of fifteen years he joined the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and has ever lived a consistent Christian life. In 
1860 he was licensed to preach, and in 1867 was ordained as a minister of that 
church, and is now the superintendent of the Sunday-school in his church at 
Duarte. For over fourteen years he has been a school trustee of his district. 
Politically he is a Prohibitionist, but has for years been a conservative 
Democrat. For the seven years preceding the war he was a justice of the peace in 
Texas, but was removed because he would not take the oath under the Confederate 
Government. At the close of the war he served in the same capacity under the 
Provisional Government. In 1847 Mr. Shrode married Miss Elizabeth Chapman, the 
daughter of William Chapman, a native of South Carolina and a pioneer of 
Indiana. She died in 1858, leaving five children, three of whom are now living, 
viz.: Jacob H., who married Miss Mary S. Patterson; Francis M. and Charles A., 
all residents of Duarte. In 1859 Mr. Shrode married Mrs. Maria C. Moore, nee 
Hargrave. From the latter marriage four children are living: Helen, now Mrs. 
Seth Daniels, of Fullerton; Viola, now Mrs. Emmet Norman, of Duarte; Jennie and 
D. Lee, residing with their parents.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 812
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler