Merced County
Biographies
GUY E. HANSARD
Constituting one of the most remarkable examples of business expansion in the San Joaquin Valley, stands Hansard's Grill, consisting of restaurant, cigar stand, billiard hall and soda fountain, the whole plant being estimated in value at $70,000. Guy E. Hansard, the proprietor, purchased the poolroom in 1917. At that time there was a billiard-room of modest proportions, a cigar stand and small soda fountain, the entire equipment not representing a very large outlay. Mr. Hansard, with the help of one employe, conducted the resort. In 1918, the cigar stand was enlarged, and a year later the agency for United Cigars was obtained, and has been a feature of the cigar stand ever since. In the same year, the lunch counter was trebled in size, and regular meals were offered the public. The most marked change, however, was completed when the large restaurant was added, and the billiard-hall was moved upstairs. This restaurant has a large horseshoe lunch counter and a number of tables. They are examples of Merced handiwork, having been manufactured by the Cross Lumber Company from Philippine mahogany. The entire space occupied downstairs is 50x150 feet, running through from Seventeenth Street to the alley. There is a seating capacity of 120. In the place of one employe in 1917, Mr. Hansard now uses thirty-three employes during the summer season, and twenty-eight in winter. The monthly payroll is in the neighborhood of $3000. The kitchen is all-electric, cooking, dishwashing, and baking being done by electricity. The Hansard Grill bakes all its own breads and pastry.
Mr. Hansard was born in Hepner, Ore., on October 21, 1879, a son of G. B. and Benicia (Bowers) Hansard. The father is still living, but the mother of our subject passed away when he was a small child of four years. Guy E. Hansard received his education in the public schools of Oregon and Washington and was still a young boy when he began to earn his own living by working on farms in eastern Washington for about six years. He came to California in 1900 and resided in Los Angeles for twelve years, three years of this period being spent with an abstract company.
The marriage of Mr. Hansard occurred in Los Angeles, where he was united with Miss Emma Frank, a native daughter of California. Mr. and Mrs. Hansard removed to Merced in 1912 and four years were spent on a farm in the vicinity of this place. In 1916 his present business was purchased, and under his capable management it has grown to its present proportions. That he is confident of Merced's future must be evident when it is realized that no other such business as the Hansard Grill can be found in a city of Merced's size. It is a resort of which a much larger city might well be proud. Mr. Hansard is a public-spirited citizen and is affiliated with the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Red Men, the Woodmen of the World and the Chamber of Commerce.
History of Merced County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 701-702
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
CYRUS STANTON CLARK
Among the educators of high literary attainment is Cyrus Stanton Clark, who since 1910 has occupied the important position of district superintendent of the Merced Union Grammar School. He is not only an able instructor, but is deeply interested in the educational advancement of the locality where he has made his home for the past fifteen years. Born in Nova Scotia, Canada, February 27, 1884, he was a small lad when he accompanied his parents, John A. and Lucy E. (Stanton) Clark, to California, where the father pursued the occupation of a farmer until the time of his death; the mother of our subject is still living.
Cyrus Stanton Clark completed the grammar school course, then entered the Merced High School, from which he was graduated in 1901. He then went to San Francisco and for one year worked in a wholesale house; from there he went to Stockton, where he was in the wholesale business for seven years. His one desire had always been to become an instructor, so with this in view he took first a private course in teaching, then went to San Jose and entered the San Jose Teachers' College, receiving his teacher's diploma in 1906. His first teaching experience was in Colusa County, where he taught for two years. Then for one year he taught at Oakdale and two years in Stockton, receiving the highest commendation for his thorough work. He took up his duties as district superintendent of the Merced Union Grammar School in 1910, and his capabilities have been recognized as exceptional.
The marriage of Mr. Clark united him with Miss Ismay Wilson, a native daughter of Monterey, Cal. They have been blessed with two children, Beverly and Jane. Mr. Clark is a Republican in his political views; fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and he is an active member of the local Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Clark is an enthusiast for all wholesome outdoor sports.
History of Merced County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 702-703
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
WALTER C. CARDWELL
As a pioneer business man of Le Grand, Merced County, Mr. Cardwell has been identified with its growth since the town first came into being, and he has taken an active part in the movements toward the making of a small hamlet a prosperous and still growing business center, surrounded by such fertile valley lands. Born October 23, 1859, Walter C. Cardwell is a native of Fayetteville, Ark., and after his schooling was finished, he clerked in a store at Paris, near Forth Smith, that State. On April 12, 1885, he came to Merced County and at first lived with his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Allen, on their ranch east of Le Grand. He later took a course at the Stockton Normal School, and then went to Plainsburg, where he clerked in the store of Abe Jacobs, and acted as assistant postmaster of Plainsburg, also being proprietor of the Plainsburg Hotel.
Coming to Le Grand in 1897, Mr. Cardwell first clerked in the store of E. C. Dickinson, and was assistant postmaster of Le Grand under postmaster S. W. Dickinson. He next clerked in the Rochdale Store for two years, and in 1906 bought the grocery store which he still owns, conducting it as a general grocery store, with a full and up-to-date stock of goods.
In all his years of residence in the San Joaquin, Mr. Cardwell has been sure of the ultimate prosperity in store for this section of the State, and he has supported the men and measures best calculated to further its real advancement. Fraternally he is active as a member of the Fraternal Aid Union, being past president of that order, and now serving as secretary.
History of Merced County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 703-704
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler