Ozro W. Childs facts for kids

An old picture of Ozro Childs.

Ozro Childs (born 1824, died 1890) was an important person in Los Angeles, California, during the 1800s. He was a gardener who grew plants, a merchant who sold goods, and a banker who handled money. Ozro Childs also helped start the University of Southern California, a well-known university.

Ozro Childs' Early Life

Ozro W. Childs was born in a town called Sutton, Vermont, in 1824. He went to school there when he was young. His father was a farmer, and his grandfather was a minister in their town. Like many young people back then, Ozro decided to move West. He first went to Ohio, where he worked as a schoolteacher. While in Ohio, he also learned how to be a tinsmith, which means he made things out of metal, like pots and pans.

Journey to California

When gold was discovered in California during the California Gold Rush, Ozro decided to try his luck there. He traveled a long way, going down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. From there, he got on a ship heading to Nicaragua. He then had to cross the land in Central America on foot. This part of his journey was very difficult because the ship he was promised to take him to California didn't show up.

After a long wait, he finally found another ship. He arrived in San Francisco in August 1850. He then headed to the gold mines. He didn't know that the coast of Northern California is often foggy, especially in summer and winter. This weather made his asthma worse, a breathing problem that eventually led to his death. Later, Ozro and a man named Hicks took a ship south. They arrived at the San Pedro Bay harbor, near what is now Los Angeles.

Life in Southern California

Ozro Childs and Hicks walked from San Pedro to the small town called Pueblo de Los Angeles. There, they opened a store that sold tin goods and hardware. Another merchant in town sold them all his supplies on credit, meaning they could pay him back later. After a few years, Ozro bought out his partner, Hicks. He eventually left the tinsmith business with a lot of money, about $40,000.

Soon after, Ozro took on a big project. He was hired to build an extension of the Zanja Madre. This was a system of canals that brought water to the farms south of the town. Instead of money, he was paid with land in that area. This land is now part of Downtown Los Angeles, stretching from Sixth Street to Ninth Street, and from Main Street to Figueroa Street.

Growing His Fortune

This land became the start of Ozro Childs' great wealth. He built a large house at 10th and Main Street, which was about half a mile from the town center back then. On his property, he started planting. In his time, Ozro Childs became known as Los Angeles's most important plantsman. He even had a Plant nursery where he grew and sold plants.

Farmers and Merchants Bank

Ozro Childs invested a lot of his money, mostly in land and businesses. He often worked with Isaias W. Hellman, another important businessman. Their most successful and long-lasting project was the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Los Angeles. Many other important people in Los Angeles also invested in this bank. The bank was very careful with its money and how it lent it out. This careful approach helped the bank survive many financial problems and tough economic times. The Farmers and Merchants Bank was later bought by Security Pacific in 1956. After several other mergers, it is now part of Bank of America.

Founding the University of Southern California

Ozro Childs was also involved in helping his community. In the 1870s, a judge named Robert Maclay Widney wanted to create a university in Los Angeles. Ozro Childs was one of the people who helped him. In 1879, Ozro Childs gave a large amount of land to help start the University of Southern California. The university officially opened its doors in 1880.

Ozro Childs passed away at his home on Main Street in Los Angeles in 1890. He had six children who were still alive (out of ten) and his wife, who lived for more than 40 years after him.

Los Angeles Common Council

Ozro Childs was also elected to the Los Angeles Common Council. This was the group that governed the city of Los Angeles. He was elected on December 6, 1869, but he resigned from his position on January 13, 1870.

Images for kids

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  An old picture of Ozro Childs.