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Belgians in the Civil War

Emigrants arrival

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BELGIANS IN AMERICA:    Biographies of Belgian settlers  

Victor Ponet, a native of Belgium, and once Belgian Consul here, while traveling around the world, landed in California in 1867 and two years later came to Los Angeles. Attracted by the climate and Southern California's possible future, Ponet settled here, engaging first in the pioneer manufacture and importation of mirrors and picture frames; and before his retirement to live in Sherman, he had had experience both as undertaker and banker. Died, February 9th, 1914.

Source : - Sixty years in Southern California, 1853-1913, containing the reminiscences of Harris Newmark. CHAPTER XXVI page 382
 

VICTOR PONET, a pioneer of Los Angeles, is a native of Ulbeck, Belgium, born in the year 1836. He received in his native land a thorough college education, and after completing his studies traveled extensively in Europe and America, visiting nearly all places of note in both countries. During his travels he came to Los Angeles, arriving in 1869. He was impressed with the natural beauty of Southern California, the salubrity of its climate, and foresaw in Los Angeles a growing and prosperous city as its future business center. He therefore decided to make the City of the Angels his future home and accordingly entered business as an importer end manufacturer of mirror and picture frames. He later engaged successfully in the undertaking business, in which be continued until the year 1865, when he retired.
Sine. that time he has devoted his energies to the management of his real estate and other interests. Mr. Ponet has figured prominently in the business affairs of Los Angeles and is one
of the organizers and still a director of the Evergreen Cemetery. He is a man of practical, sound judgment, strong traits of character, an economist in the truest sense, a gentleman of worthy charity and a citizen highly esteemed. Mr. Ponet married in 1873 Miss N. J. Manning, a native of Ireland, and they have a daughter, Gertrude and a son, William.

Source : (collective work) : An Illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California : containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future, with profuse illustrations of its beautiful scenery, full-page portraits of some of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day.; Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1889, 907 pgs.