Jonathan Tibbet was born in 1856 near the San Gabriel Mission and considered himself a true Californian. Several indian villages were located on the family rancho and this is where young Jonathan acquired a life-long relationship with Native Americans. This individualist was a shrewd businessman who made numerous enemies. However, he and his wife, Emma, were well-known for their frequent gatherings and warm hospitality. Their home on Prospect Avenue had been developed into a pleasing private garden covering some three acres. During the 1920s, Mission Indian Federation conferences were held on the Tibbet property and surrounding streets, where hundreds of indian families camped for a week twice a year.