Biography of William Monroe, son-in-law to Milton Sanders Hall [husband of Mary Jane Hall}

During the late 1880’s four men who were successful in both banking and railroad , converted what was known as the Mission property of the old Rancho Santa Anita into a community. With only scattered homes and several dirt roads, they managed to build a small town, which was "typical of its time, yet unique in spirit."

With oak trees still standing, the founders of Monrovia cleared 60 acres for the townsite plot located at Myrtle Avenue and Orange. On May 17, 1886, lots were sold for the first time at $100 to $150 each. However, in order to purchase a plot, each owner was required to build at least a $2,000 house within the first six months. This protected the town from land speculators and allowed it to survive during the collapse of the land boom.

The four founders who made up the townsite committee made promises to plant 8,000 pepper trees along the streets, provide free water to the town, and electric street lights. The company’s president was William Monroe, the secretary was John Bicknell, and the treasurer was Edward Spence.

Founding Fathers - William Monroe
William Monroe was not the first settler in the city of Monrovia, however, he was the most important of the four founders. He was born in Scott County, Indiana on June 4, 1841 and attended the University of Ashland. While at college, the Civil War broke out, so Monroe enlisted in the first Cavalry of the Union Army. During his enlistment he married Mary Jane Hall who was a school teacher in Kearney, Nebraska.

Milton Hall, the father of Mary, hired Monroe after the war to help build the Union Pacific Railroad west from Omaha, Nebraska. He would later become superintendent of construction for the Southern Pacific Railroad and after several lines were built, he elected to retire and move his family to California. In 1875 Monroe took his family to Los Angeles. By 1880 he had become a member of the City Council and was very active in the community.

With money earned from selling a train carload of mules and the railroad jobs, Monroe bought a total of 210 acres from E.J. "Lucky" Baldwin. In 1884 he moved his family into a tent until they built a small cottage. Today the address is 255 Monroe Place.

The Monroes lived here until 1889. The family traveled with Monroe during his railroad business and would return to Monrovia often between work trips. At the age of eighty-six Mrs. Monroe passed away and three years later Mr. Monroe died at the age of ninety-four. William Monroe and his family are buried in Live Oak Cemetery on Duarte Road in Monrovia.

William Monroe found success in a variety of careers including school superintendent, banker, hotel manager, mayor, council member, real estate developer, broker, railroad contractor and railroad superintendent. However, we will be remembered for the town he founded.

The following notes have been taken from: http://www.cityofmonrovia.org/index.cfm/0/History.cfm

William N. Monroe first brought his family to California in 1875, after a successful ten year period of building railroads in the Midwest. Monroe, a former school teacher and army officer during the Civil War, had met Charles Crocker of "Big Four" fame, and Crocker had persuaded Monroe to relocate. The family set up headquarters in Los Angeles while Monroe was building railroads throughout the state for the Southern Pacific Railroad.
From 1879 to 1882, Monroe served on the Los Angeles City Council, meeting other leaders who would play an important role in Monrovia's history several years later. In 1882, the Monroes moved to Texas while W.N. was involved in another construction project. At the conclusion of this work in 1884, the Monroes returned to California with a railroad car of mules, a tidy nest egg, and a deep desire for a permanent home. The mules were sold for a nice profit in Los Angeles, with the exception of sixteen which were retained by Monroe and would also play their role in Monrovia's history. Part of the proceeds were invested in a spring wagon and span of ponies with which the Monroes began their search in Southern California for the perfect home site. This was in April of 1884.
In the course of their travels they came to the San Gabriel Valley, where E.J. "Lucky" Baldwin had subdivided the eastern portion of his vast Rancho Santa Anita into thirty acre parcels. With Baldwin as their guide, the Monroes explored the area which would one day become Monrovia. They were deeply impressed by the locale and the native oak trees. Baldwin undoubtedly pointed out the water and natural protection from frost offered by the Santa Anita and Sawpit Canyons to the north. The Monroes were satisfied; this was the place.
As soon as the purchase was arranged, the Monroes moved onto their land, setting up housekeeping in a tent under a spreading oak tree. Construction was begun on a temporary home, and Monroe began clearing the land with his mules and a crew of 80 men. His orders were to clear the land, but to leave the oak trees. By the summer of 1884, the Monroes had moved into their temporary cottage and plans were under way for a permanent home. For its location, the Monroes selected an oak-studded site which had attracted them on their first visit. This home was completed in May of 1885.
The Monroes were gracious hosts who frequently entertained the friends made in Los Angeles during their residence there. By the end of 1885, three of these friends, Judge J.D. Bicknell, J.F. Crank, and E.F. Spence, had also purchased acreage from Baldwin. In the spring of 1886 these men, together with Monroe and J. F. Falvey, the foreman of Baldwin's ranch, decided to establish a town on their combined holdings. In honor of W.N. Monroe, the new town was to be named Monrovia. Two engineers laid out a sixty acre town site with streets named for trees, flowers, and ladies, and lots were first offered for sale on May 17, 1886. Monrovia, Gem City of the Foothills, was born.

1880 - W. N. Monroe and Mary Jane can be found in Los Angeles, California
W.N Monroe 38 Hotel Keepter IN VA VA
Mary Jane 35 MO VA KY
Milton S. 14 NE IN MO
George O. 11 NE IN MO
Myrtle 8 IA IN MO
Jesse L. 5 KS IN MO

1882 - Bexar, Texas
Son Jessee dies

1900 - San Jose, Los Angeles County, California
MONROE, Mable H. is living alone as a border with the Arthur Bissell family. Can't seem to find the parents or Hall grandparents.