Los Angeles County
Biographies
Harry Blackman
Harry Blackman, F. R. S. and F. R. A., architect, 11 West First street, Los Angeles, was born in Poland during the revolutionary times, educated in a Berlin (Germany) High School and articled to an architect for some years; worked at the bench as a carpenter two or three years, according to the prevailing custom on the Continent; then was a ship carpenter on the sea four years, visiting England, Holland, Russia, East Indias, America and Australia, where he left the ship and followed the feverish, nervous multitude to the gold diggings. There he had the good fortune to save a few thousand dollars. Returning to Berlin, he attended the lectures of the Royal Architectural Academy for two years, -- 1864-66, -- obtaining the gold, silver and bronze medals for proficiency. Sailing again for Australia, he worked as a draftsman for several architects, and after some years was engaged by the chief architect for the Colonial Government of Victoria as District Supervising Architect. While in this department he designed and carried out the plans of scores of public buildings. Seven years afterward he was engaged by the New South Wales Government at Sydney to design and superintend the International Exposition building of 1879, called the Garden Palace. Then he started in business for himself as an architect and met with pronounced success, designing and supervising some of the largest structures in Australia, among which we may mention those of the Mutual Benevolent Society of Australia, $210,000 and $230,000, at Adelaide and Brisbane; Mutual Life Association of Australia, $160,000 and $40,000, at Sydney and Brisbane; head office building of the Australian Joint-Stock Bank, $480,000, and the fifteen branch offices for the same in the country, $300,000; store, warehouse, block of buildings and residence of Hon. John Frazer, M. L. C., at Sydney, total $283,000, besides the Exposition Building just mentioned, $1,300,000, and many others, ranging in value from $18,000 up to the figures above given. In 1886 he sold his office and business and left for Europe with the intention of retiring, on account of failing health caused by over-work; but, recovering, he started again for Australia. Stopping, however, here in Los Angeles, and finding this a more equable climate, he decided to make this his permanent home. But before settling here he visited Egypt, France, Poland, Austria, Germany, Holland, Belgium, England, Canada, and all the principal cities of the United States, taking architectural notes and sketches. He is now superintending the erection of a fine block on Main street, from his own designs. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1880, and Fellow of the Royal Academy in 1882.
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889 Page 384
Transcribed by Pat Houser, April 27, 2006
John Bloeser, furniture manufacturer and upholsterer, Los Angeles, was born October 20, 1852, in Erie Pennsylvania. He grew up and attended school in his native town, and also learned his trade there. Upon reaching manhood in 1873, he came to California, and the following year to Los Angeles. Here he was employed by the Los Angeles Furniture Company as foreman of the upholstery department. At the expiration of three years in this position, he was engaged by Robert Sharp in the furniture, upholstery and carpet trade. Five years afterward Mr. Bloeser dissolved this relation and started the Los Angeles Upholstering and Mattress Factory, in which he has done and is doing a large and profitable business, employing forty hands day and night. He owns the property occupied by his factory, 60-330 feet on Pearl street, running through to Flower street, and also other city property. All this accumulation of wealth is the result of his own industry and good management. In 1882 Mr. Bloeser married Miss Dell Condit, of Texas, and they have one son, named John.
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889 Page 385
Transcribed by Pat Houser, June 6, 2006