Natives of the state of Maine have always been noted for their stanch "hewing to the right," no matter in what circumstances they find themselves, and for the sturdy characteristics which go to make successful men of affairs in any walk of life. Among those who have elected to make California their home and who have aided very materially in the advancement of their sections of the Golden State, no biographical history would be complete without mention of the name of James Albert Dole. Born in Bangor, Maine, September 20, 1843, he is the son of Albert and Miriam (McDonald) Dole, the father a cabinet maker and a manufacturer of furniture. The Dole family is traced back to Richard Dole, who came from England to Newburyport, Mass., early in the seventeenth century. James A. received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and entered the high school, expecting to graduate. Circumstances, however, interfered with that desired consummation of his studies, and he left school to learn his father's trade, and from that time on was face to face with the serious business of life.
When a youth of eighteen, the Civil War broke out, and, like a true Yankee, young Dole went to the defense of the Union, enlisting in Company F, Eighteenth Maine Infantry, afterwards the First Maine Heavy Artillery, and was promoted from the ranks to a first lieutenant. He took part in two very serious battles, those of Harris Farm, Va., and Petersburg, and in the first battle his company lost half of their men, while in the second every fighting man left in the company was hit. The regiment, in fact, lost more men than any other in the entire war, which surely speaks well for the courage and endurance of those who, like Mr. Dole, although wounded in both battles, came through safely. After the surrender of Lee, Mr. Dole's resignation was accepted, June 10, 1865, and he returned home. His father had died May 30, 1861, so with an elder brother he took over the father's business, conducting it under the name of Dole Bros., and under that heading they continued business for twenty-five years, becoming well known for the artistic qualities and reliability of their workmanship.
A younger brother, John Henry Dole, came West and established the People's Bank at Pomona, and when the health of William B., the elder brother, failed, they all came to California and settled at Pomona in 1887. William B. became president of the People's Bank, and also invested in orange groves, remaining active in the business life of the Valley until his death, which occurred in 1897. His younger brother, John H. Dole, was cashier of the bank until his death, the following year. Succeeding his brother, James Albert Dole became president of the bank and continued in that position until the institution was sold to the American National Bank, in 1902.
Having early given his attention to the absorbing question of water supply and power, Mr. Dole became president of the San Antonio Light and Power Company, and the importance of the enterprise may be realized when it is learned that this was the first company in the world to successfully transmit electricity a long distance for power purposes so economically that it was demonstrated a commercial success. In 1900 Mr. Dole sold his interest in the water company, and for three years he was president of the gas company. During the early pioneer days, he was active in horticultural development work and with his brothers planted, improved and owned large orange groves. The Pomona Telephone Company was another enterprise to claim Mr. Dole's attention, and for some years he was vice-president of that concern, and in 1918 was elected president of the company, which maintains a high rate of efficiency as a public service corporation.
The marriage of Mr. Dole, which occurred June 2, 1874, at Bangor, Maine, united him with Miss Emma Drummond, a daughter of Manuel S. and Lucinda C. Drummond, and one daughter, Miriam, blessed their union, who distinguished herself during the late war to the satisfaction of her many friends in the community through Y.M.C.A. work for our soldiers in France, and is now establishing a 500-bed hospital in Serbia. The wife and mother passed to her higher reward in Bangor, Maine, November 13, 1917, sincerely mourned by her devoted family and many friends in the community, where she had endeared herself as a faithful coworker with her husband for the welfare of their home section. The family attend the Congregational Church. Fraternally, Mr. Dole is a Knight Templar as well as a member of Al Malaikah Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., Los Angeles. Patriotically, he is a member of the Grand Army and the Loyal Legion. It would be hard to find a man more thoroughly in accord with the spirit of progress for which Pomona Valley is known throughout the country, and who in both public and private life has proven himself a true citizen and representative of the American commonwealth, than James Albert Dole.
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 8/25/08, Pages 269-271
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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