To have lived in Southern California for the last thirty-five years and watched the really phenomenal changes wrought here in that comparatively short length of time, and in addition to have helped in this progress and building up of a struggling section, has been the privilege of Emmo C. Bichowsky, one of the leading factors in Pomona's development, and a man of broad insight and keen business acumen. He has made his impress felt in the growing community, and a record of its achievements without mention of his part in them would be incomplete.
Emmo C. Bichowsky was born in Terre Haute, Ind., February 29, 1856, and educated in the public schools of his early environment. His first business position was as cashier for Hulman & Cox, of Terre Haute; next he was a teller in the bank of McKeen & Company, of Terre Haute, and in 1884 he located in San Gabriel as deputy county tax collector for Los Angeles County. In 1886 he became general manager for L. J. Rose & Company, Limited, San Gabriel, owners of a large winery, the "Sunny Slope Vineyard" being their property. In 1897 Mr. Bichowsky became manager for the California Green and Dried Fruit Company of Los Angeles.
Mr. Bichowsky had previously bought an interest in the implement business of Philip Stein & Company of Pomona, and in August, 1899, he came here to live, acquired a majority of the stock in that concern, and changed the name to the Pomona Implement Company, of which he is president, and which at that time was the largest concern of its kind in the Valley. Besides his business interests Mr. Bichowsky engaged in the citrus industry and is the owner of a twenty-five-acre orange grove in San Marino, his trees averaging sixty years old, and are heavy producers of the seedling variety.
The marriage of Mr. Bichowsky, in Boston, Mass., April 10, 1883, united him with Ella M. Mason of that city, and four sons have blessed their union: Karl died at eight years of age; Foord, a graduate of Pomona College and the University of California, and a mechanical engineer by profession; Francis, also a graduate of these two institutions, and professor of Geographical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution at Washington, D. C., and James, of Los Angeles. Francis Bichowsky was recently honored by being one of thirteen men to receive appointment to National Research Fellowships in physics and chemistry by the National Research Council. This Council was formed during the war under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences, to place at the disposal of the Government the scientific knowledge and resources of America, and has since been reorganized on a peace-time basis. Each fellowship carries a stipend of $1,500 or more.
As a public-spirited and influential citizen, Mr. Bichowsky has taken an active part in many important movements in the advancement of Pomona's best interests; he was one of the organizers of the Pomona Board of Trade and president of that body for seven years; he was the organizer of the Pomona Valley Hospital and its president for the first five years; he was secretary of the Pomona Securities Company, which developed ninety acres south of Ganesha Park, subdivided and sold the property, which is a part of the fine residence district of the city; with others, he was instrumental in the building of the Pacific Electric lines into Pomona, and a member of the committee on that project; he is vice-president and director of the San Gabriel Cemetery Association. In politics he is a stand-pat Republican and has twice been foreman of the grand jury in Los Angeles County.
Mr. Bichowsky erected the brick block on the corner of Third Street and Garey Avenue, which building he now owns and occupies a part of it for his business establishment. Prominent in church affairs for the past ten years he has been on the board of trustees of the Unitarian Church here. Fraternally he is a charter member of Pomona Lodge No. 789, B. P. O. Elks.
It is to such men as this that Pomona owes her place as one of the leading cities of Southern California, and all honor is due the unselfish work they have done to advance their home community to its present substantial position in the state.
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 11/19/08, Pages 721-723
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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