Los Angeles County

Biographies

W. O. BURR,

contractor, corner of St Louis street and Wabash avenue, Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, is a native of Canada, and was born July 12, 1845.  During boyhood he attended school and served an apprenticeship to his trade there. Upon reaching manhood he came to the United States and followed his trade in Illinois, and in
Missouri at Independence and Kansas City.  In 1866 he went to Oskaloosa, Kansas, where he remained until coming to Los Angeles in May, 1874. He was foreman on the Cathedral when it was being built. He afterward engaged in contracting and building. Among the buildings erected by him are the Congregational church, corner of Third and Hill streets; the Baptist church, corner of Sixth and Fort streets; Harper & Reynolds's Block, Captain Thom's Block, Asbury Methodist  Episcopal Church, East Los Angeles; Westminister Hotel, Turn-Verein Hall, county jail, and many others. For the past fifteen years he has been identified with the contracting and building interests of Los Angeles, and is one of the oldest in the business here. Mr. Burr is prominently identified with the Masonic order; is a member of Philadelphia Lodge, Cygnet Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Los Angeles Council, No. 11, and Coeur De Lion Commandery, No. 9; is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., Golden Rule Lodge, No. 160; Orange Grove Encampment, No. 31; Canton Orion, No. 12; Los Angeles Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and is also a member of the Contractors and Builders' Association. In 1868 Mr. Burr married Miss P. H. Strickland, of Ashtabula County, Ohio. They have one daughter, Lillie.

An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California –  Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, Page 387

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

GEORGE BOEHME.

        When the first steamer landed at Santa Monica wharf in 1875, the subject of this sketch stepped ashore, and so strong was his faith in the possibilities of the place that he at once bought $2,000 worth of lots at the first auction. His mature judgment in this, as well as in other matters connected with the city, has proved correct, and he has been an eye-witness to improvements that a casual observer would never have dreamed of. He has seen a few tents, scattered along the beach, give place to a city of over 3,000 souls; and where the wild mustard waved in the ocean breeze, there are now fine residences and happy homes, and paved streets and business blocks. For thirteen years Mr. Boehme has been one of the most active as well as the most successful men in the place, and by his enterprise and industry has added much to the material advancement of the city. He was born in Alsace-Loraine, France, in 1829. He speaks and writes not only the French language, but also the German and English as well. He has a fine library, and his general information proves his familiarity with his books. He came to America in 1850, landing at New Orleans. In 1852 he came to California and was in the mines for a few months, till in 1854 lie established himself in San Francisco as a tinner. In 1855 he went to Sacramento and was in the same business there for twenty years; he assisted at the laying of the corner-stone of the new State capitol building, and finally received the contract for the copper roofing of the same, over all competitors. Then in 1875 he came to Santa Monica, where he carried on his trade and a general hardware business till 1887, when be sold out. In the year 1887 he built the Boehme Block, corner of Second street and Utah avenue. This building would be a credit to any city, being a fine brick structure of light-colored brick, 77 x 43 feet, and two stories high. Mr. Boehme's residence is beautifully located on Ocean Front and Oregon avenue, commanding a magnificent view of the ocean and beach. He owns also a great many lots in different parts of the city. He has been a very successful man, and his name is in every way worthy to be connected with the place he has helped so materially to build up, and to be preserved with the history of the county of his choice and the land he loves so well. He was married in 1860 to a lady who has been a helpmate to him in every sense of that word, and to whom he ascribes whatever success he has had in the battle of life. They have four children living, three sons and one daughter: George Charles, aged twenty-seven; Henry M., aged twenty-two; Eugene W., aged nineteen, and Adelaine, aged sixteen, the latter being at Notre Dame College, San Jose, and the three sons being engaged in business at Santa Monica.

An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California –  Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, Page 387

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

JOSEPH BAYER,

importer and wholesale dealer in wines and liquors, No. 29 Main street, Los Angeles, is a native of Germany, and was born November 1, 1846. He emigrated to America during his early boyhood, and after the war broke out he entered the army; enlisted and served in the Second United States Infantry, being in the service three years. After the war he went to St. Louis and remained there until 1870, at which time he came to California and settled in Los Angeles. Two years later he engaged in business on the corner of Requina and Main streets; and, with the exception of two years spent in Tucson, Arizona, has been successfully engaged in business there for the past eighteen years, dealing in imported and domestic wines and liquors, and California wines and brandies. He has a large established trade and is one of the oldest and best-known dealers in that line in Southern California. In 1875 Mr. Bayer married Miss K. B. Happ, a native of Buffalo, New York. They have one son, Alfred J.

An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California –  Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, Page 388

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler