Louis Galefsky, along with his brother Fitel, immigrated to the US from an area of Prussia that is now Kepno, Poland., in about 1842. They settled in New Orleans and changed their last name to Phillips. He then moved to San Francisco, California in 1849 - caught up in the Gold Rush! Once in California he opted not to mine but instead opened a general store in San Francisco. Moving to Los Angeles a year later. He began investing in Real Estate and owned several buildings on Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles. In 1853 he purchased a vast amount of land near the San Gabriel River, in an area now known as Boyle Heights. In 1862, he was hired to oversee Rancho San Jose, a land grant property of over 20,000 acres. In 1866 he purchased 12,000 acres of the San Jose Ranch for $30,000 and raised cattle and horses. He was considered to be the wealthiest man in Los Angeles County. He was instrumental in starting the town of Spadra, along with "Uncle Billy" Rubittom. He was appointed postmaster of Spadra. He married Esther Blake of Illinois on October 18, 1866. They had four children and adopted another daughter as well. He died from pneumonia following injuries from the crash of the wagon he, Esther and Kate were traveling in, while going from Spadra to their home in what is now Pomona. The family home, Phillips Mansion, is still standing is is a landmark in Pomona.
Louis Galefsky, along with his brother Fitel, immigrated to the US from an area of Prussia that is now Kepno, Poland., in about 1842. They settled in New Orleans and changed their last name to Phillips. He then moved to San Francisco, California in 1849 - caught up in the Gold Rush! Once in California he opted not to mine but instead opened a general store in San Francisco. Moving to Los Angeles a year later. He began investing in Real Estate and owned several buildings on Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles. In 1853 he purchased a vast amount of land near the San Gabriel River, in an area now known as Boyle Heights. In 1862, he was hired to oversee Rancho San Jose, a land grant property of over 20,000 acres. In 1866 he purchased 12,000 acres of the San Jose Ranch for $30,000 and raised cattle and horses. He was considered to be the wealthiest man in Los Angeles County. He was instrumental in starting the town of Spadra, along with "Uncle Billy" Rubittom. He was appointed postmaster of Spadra. He married Esther Blake of Illinois on October 18, 1866. They had four children and adopted another daughter as well. He died from pneumonia following injuries from the crash of the wagon he, Esther and Kate were traveling in, while going from Spadra to their home in what is now Pomona. The family home, Phillips Mansion, is still standing is is a landmark in Pomona.
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