Obed Macy and Oscar Macy facts for kids

Obed Macy (born in 1801) and his son, Oscar Macy (born around 1821), were important pioneers in Los Angeles County, California. They arrived by wagon train shortly after California joined the United States. Both men served on the Los Angeles Common Council, which was the city's governing body. Oscar also became the county sheriff and was on the county Board of Supervisors. They even ran one of Los Angeles's famous hotels. Obed was a doctor, and Oscar was a newspaper publisher, among other things.

Obed Macy: A Pioneer's Journey

Obed's Early Life and Family

Obed Macy was born on December 14, 1801, in New Garden, Guilford County, North Carolina. He married Lucinda Polk in 1824 in Bruceville, Indiana, where he worked as a doctor for many years. In 1850, Obed and his family traveled to California with other settlers from Knox County, Indiana. They made the long journey in a wagon train pulled by oxen.

The Challenging Trip to California

The nine-month journey was very difficult. The Macy family sadly lost one child, Charles, to a cholera outbreak during the trip. They also faced many hardships, like not having enough water or food for their animals, which almost all died. They first arrived in San Francisco. Then, in 1851, they moved to El Monte, California, becoming the first American settlers there. A year later, they settled in Los Angeles.

Obed and Lucinda had thirteen children. One son, also named Obed, became active in Los Angeles business. Another son, Oscar, is mentioned below. Obed Macy passed away on July 19, 1857.

Obed's Work in Los Angeles

Obed Macy was the first doctor in the Los Angeles area. Besides his medical practice, he opened a bathhouse called The Alameda. He also bought the Bella Union Hotel. This hotel was a popular spot for young people and important business leaders. It was one of the few places in Los Angeles with shade trees outside. People would gather there on warm afternoons to wait for the stagecoach from San Pedro, which brought passengers and newspapers from the East.

Obed's Public Service

Obed Macy was elected to the Los Angeles Common Council in a special election on January 5, 1855. He served on the council until May 9 of that same year.

Oscar Macy: A Man of Many Roles

Oscar's Life and Family

Oscar Macy was born on July 28, 1829, in Knox County, Indiana. He passed away at age 81 on November 1, 1910, at his home in Boyle Heights. He left behind four children: Oscar A. Macy, Estelle, Alice, and Irene Macy Whitney. His death was caused by a severe bronchial asthma attack. His wife, Margaret Elizabeth Bell, whom he married in Los Angeles on August 24, 1873, had passed away earlier in 1891.

Oscar's Varied Career

Oscar Macy did not attend formal school but was taught by his father. After arriving in California, Oscar tried his luck in gold mining with his brother-in-law, David W. Chessman, at Condemned Bar, California. This venture was not successful. So, Macy went to Sacramento and worked as a printer for the Alta California newspaper. He then worked for his father at the Bella Union Hotel. In the late 1850s, he was the foreman of the print shop for the Southern Vineyard newspaper.

In the early 1870s, Oscar owned half of a large herd of ten thousand sheep on Catalina Island. At the same time, he worked for the Los Angeles Star newspaper, which was published in both Spanish and English. He left the newspaper while serving as city treasurer but returned in 1888. He continued working as a journalist until he retired in June 1903.

Oscar's Public Service

Oscar Macy represented the 1st Ward on the Los Angeles Common Council from 1871 to 1872. During his time on the council, a new street was opened west of Alameda Street, where the Macys lived. This street, which extended to the Los Angeles River, was named Macy Street after their family.

Macy, a member of the Republican party, was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in November 1884 and began his term on January 3, 1885. While he was on the board, a new county jail was built. He also served as Los Angeles city treasurer from 1886 to 1888. From 1892 to 1894, Sheriff John C. Cline appointed him as the Los Angeles county jailer, a position he later resigned from.

Legacy of the Macy Family

The former Macy Street in Downtown Los Angeles was named to honor the Macy family ranch. In 1920, when the city engineer suggested combining Macy Street and Brooklyn Avenue under one name, a group called the Native Sons of the Golden West protested. Their spokesman, H.O. Lichtenberger, spoke about Obed Macy, saying he was a very brave man. He faced many dangers on his journey to California in 1850, taking care of his wife and nine children. This showed he was a truly strong and courageous pioneer.

Because of this plea, the name Macy Street was kept at that time. However, in May 1993, the City Council decided to change parts of Sunset Boulevard, all of Macy Street, and Brooklyn Avenue to Cesar Chavez Avenue. This was done to honor the famous labor leader. Even so, a road and walking bridge over the Los Angeles River is still often called the "Macy Street Viaduct."