USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles county, Volume III > Part 21
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O. A. KIRKELIE is founder and active head of the well known establish- ment at Ocean Park known as O. A. Kirkelie and Company, undertaker and funeral directors. This business was established by Mr. Kirkelie in 1905. His first location was on Main Street and later he moved to the Masonic Building. In October, 1920, he took into partnership A. J. Bernard and Homer D. Peek, since which time the firm has been O. A. Kirkelie and Company. In 1922, at 202 Main Street, Mr. Kirkelie com- pleted the present building, now occupied by the firm, which is a two story building, 48x80 feet, including show room, chapel and every facility of a modern undertaking establishment. All the equipment is motorized and the firm owns a private ambulance.
O. A. Kirkelie was born at Herman, Minnesota, had a public school education and was trained in the embalming profession in Minneapolis. For a time he was in business at Wycoff, Minnesota, and in 1905 came to Ocean Park and established his present business. Mr. Kirkelie is a York Rite Mason and Shriner, a member of the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Chamber of Commerce.
In November, 1890, he married Miss Lavinia Pickett, of Preston, Minnesota. They have one child, Myrtle, wife of Alton J. Bernard. Their two grandchildren are Clophine Bernard and Carolyn Bernard.
Alton J. Bernard, member of the firm of O. A. Kirkelie and Company,
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was born in Santa Barbara, California, was educated in the public schools of Bakersfield, in St. Mary's College at Oakland, and for several years has been actively associated with Mr. Kirkelie. On August 20, 1918, Mr. Bernard married Miss Myrtle Kirkelie, of Ocean Park, California. They have two daughters, Clophine and Carolyn.
Mr. Bernard is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Eagles, Orioles, and the Knights of Columbus, and St. Clement's Catholic Church.
Homer D. Peek, the other member of this firm, is a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, was educated in the public schools of White Cloud, Kansas, and learned his profession under his father, who for many years was an undertaker. He came to Ocean Park in 1917, and in October, 1920, joined O. A. Kirkelie & Company. He is a member of the Masonic Order, the Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Orioles and the Kiwanis Club.
On June 29, 1906, Mr. Peek married Miss Goldie Mae Smith, of Santa Ana, California. They have one son, Arnold.
FRANK A. HELTON. One of the most important departments in a muni- cipality during these modern days and under present conditions is that of the commissioner of finance. At Santa Monica this office is held by Frank A. Helton, a man of much business and general experience, of progressive ideas and of constructive ability. He belongs to the class of capable men of affairs who accept cheerfully the responsibilities of citizenship, and when called upon direct their energies toward the betterment of their community and the proper conduct of its affairs.
Mr. Helton was born at Savannah, Tennessee, July 24, 1875, and is a son of James and Betty (Dickey) Helton, natives of the same state, the former of whom died about 1880 and the latter in 1879. Mr. Helton was left an orphan at a tender age and his early years were ones of struggle, for after he had received a public education he was determined to gain advanced training to fit him for his later years and as he possessed no financial assets or influential friends, was forced to work his way through school. Subsequently he secured a college education through courses at Cumberland University and the University of Tennessee, and after com- pleting his studies there he accepted a clerkship in a general store. During the Spanish-American war he enlisted as a private in Company F, Second Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, and at the close of his service was mustered out with the rank of quartermaster sergeant. With the money that he had saved from his army pay he established a modest general store at Decaturville, Tennessee, and continued to conduct this business until 1902, at that time disposing of his interests therein and coming to Califor- nia. His first location was at Los Angeles, where he became associated with the real estate firm of Strong & Dickinson, and after two or three years with that firm became bookkeeper for H. R. Morton, with whom he remained only a short time. In 1912 Mr. Helton, purchased a fuel and feed business at Santa Monica, and this he conducted with much success for about ten years, selling out in 1922. During this period Mr. Helton came to be known to the people of his adopted community as a business man of sound judgment and constructive ideas, one of thorough integrity, and a citizen with the welfare of the community at heart. The numerous friends whom he had made during his residence here urged him in 1921 to make the race for commissioner of finance, which he finally did and was elected. He took up the duties of his office January 1, 1922, and since then, in order that he might give all his attention to the matters pertaining to his depart- ment, he has disposed of his fuel and feed business. His record in office thus far has justified the faith placed in him by his friends, for he has proven energetic and conscientious and has displayed executive capacity and financial knowledge in handling the details of the office. Mr. Helton is an adherent of republican principles and wields some influence in the ranks of his party. As a fraternalist he is affiliated with the Masons,
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the Woodmen of the World and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in all of which he is popular. He also holds membership in the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.
On August 7, 1900, Mr. Helton was united in marriage with Miss Bertha L. Denison, a daughter of Curry Denison, of Decaturville, Tennessee, where Mrs. Helton was born and educated in the public and high schools. She is a woman of more than ordinary attainments, and is a popular and interested member of the Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club and the local lodge of the Order of the Eastern Star.
EDWARD WILLIAM CLARK, supervising principal of the Senior and Junior High Schools of Venice, is also founder and conductor of "The Clark Tours." For a considerable part of twenty years Mr. Clark has been in foreign travel or residence abroad. The Clark Tours emphasize the edu- cational value of travel, and for this reason they have been accepted by sev- eral leading universities in lieu of post-graduate work done in residence.
Mr. Clark was born at Tallmadge, Ohio, August 8, 1868, son of Horace J. and Elizabeth P. Clark. His father was an educator, and for many years a school superintendent. Edward W. Clark graduated A. B. in 1890 and A. M. in 1893 from Oberlin College, spent two years, 1893-95 as a graduate student in Leipzig University, and also pursued graduate study in the University of Chicago. For one year he was a graduate student in the American School of Classical Studies at Rome. For six years he lived and lectured in Rome as the representative of the Bureau of University Travel, with which he was connected for many years. In addition to this prolonged residence in Rome he has spent about five years traveling throughout Europe, particularly Greece and Italy and also in North Africa, Egypt and the Near East. For several years he was a lecturer for the Archaeological Institute of America, Washington, D. C.
After graduating from college Mr. Clark spent one year as superintend- ent of the Township High School and for two years was a tutor in Oberlin College Academy. For fourteen years he was Professor of Latin and Archaeology in Ripon College of Wisconsin. He has devoted care to the study of art, history and archaeology of Italy, Greece and Egypt, and as a lecturer on these subjects is one of the rare men who combine classical scholarship with a broad interest in modern affairs. Mr. Clark from 1918 to 1921 was principal of the Venice Union Polytechnic High School of Venice, California. Then followed a period of travel around the World, and in September, 1922, he returned to Venice as supervising principal of the Senior and Junior High Schools. Mr. Clark was selected by the travel department of the American Express Company to conduct its first tour around the world.
Mr. Clark married a daughter of Richard Hawley, a prominent business man of Stockton, California, and well known in Grand Army circles. Mr. Clark has two children: Harold J. and Gertrude F., the latter the wife of James E. Dunlap, Professor of Latin in the University of Indiana at Bloomington.
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JEROME S. CRUM. In the quiet pursuits that filled a busy and useful life the late Jerome S. Crum became well and favorably known in Los Angeles County, California, which was his chosen home for more than a quarter of a century. Orphaned when young, his boyhood and youth were periods of strenuous effort on his part, and that practically unaided he overcame obstacles and won his way to financial inde- pendence spoke well for his industry and determination, while the warm esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens at Whittier proved the sturdiness and integrity of his character.
Jerome S. Crum was born in an Illinois village in 1851, and died at his home in Whittier, California, in May, 1918. His father was Solomon Crum, who died when Jerome S. Crum was six months old, and his mother passed away soon afterward. Under the best of cir-
J. J. Grum
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cumstances an orphaned child starts upon the journey of life heavily handicapped. He had public school privileges but was not yet very old when he started to learn the carpenter trade, and as he developed mechanical skill became also a bridge builder. During the Centen- nial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876 he was residing in that city, and served as a guard in the Judges' Hall during the exposition, after- ward following his trade at different points. In 1891 Mr. Crum came to California, and for a number of years afterward was engaged with the Southern Pacific Railway Company as carpenter and bridge builder. After coming to Whittier he worked at carpentering. for a time, but later became interested in farming and gardening, and for nineteen years he was a teacher in the state schools at Whittier.
At San Jose, California, on December 10, 1889, Mr. Crum married Miss Anna B. Kelsey, who was born in Indiana and is a daughter of James Kelsey, who was a farmer in that state. Four sons and two daughters were born to this marriage. James Kelsey Crum, the eldest, a printer by trade, is now engaged in the oil fields. He married Miss Agnes Greeley, of Pasadena, and they have four daughters : Frances, Anna Louise, Carol and Jane. For some nine years James K. Crum was a lieutenant in the National Guard, and when the United States entered the World war he accompanied the American Expe- ditionary Force overseas, and in the Officers' School in France was commissioned captain, and later was with the Army of Occupation in Germany. Forrest R. Crum was a hero of the great war just as entirely as if he had lost his life on a foreign battlefield. He volun- teered and died at Camp Dix from pneumonia. Roland R. Crum is superintendent for the Standard Oil Company machine shop on the Cayote & Murphy lease. He married Miss Mildred Matthews, of Whittier, and they have a daughter, Margaret. Otis P. Crum is in the employ of the Standard Oil Company. He married Miss Mary White, of Pasadena. Alice Virginia married Arthur Smith, a rancher of Montebello, and Ida Mckinley Crum, the youngest, resides with her mother. She is a graduate of Whittier College, is proficient in French and Spanish and in vocal music. Mrs. Crum is a member of the Christian Church, and has been treasurer of the Fraternal Brother- hood for many years.
THOMAS ALFRED GOULD is president of the Redondo Home Telephone Company, which gives the best of service to its substantial list of subscribers at Redondo Beach and throughout its extended and thoroughly modern system. This company was organized in 1905, with a capital of $40,000.00 and with offices at 117 Commercial Street, Redondo Beach. C. P. Plant was the first president of the company and C. F. Guthrie, its first secretary and treasurer. The executive officers of the corporation in 1923 are as here noted : Thomas A. Gould, president; J. H. Cavanah, vice-president ; E. M. Gould, secretary ; and W. L. Harper, treasurer, and the above with A. Wardman are directors. The company now has 1,370 subscribers, and its operative system covers Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and other localities in this part of Los Angeles County. In 1914 Mr. Gould purchased the controlling stock in this company, and in 1919, purchased the local plant and business of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company, the two systems then being consolidated and the title of the Redondo Home Telephone Company being retained. Under the progressive administration of Mr. Gould the system of the telephone company has been brought up to the best modern standard, and the list of subscribers has increased from 298 in 1914 to the present significant number, 1,370, which gives evidence of the high popular estimate placed upon the corporation and its service.
Thomas Alfred Gould was born at Mt. Sterling, Illinois, on the 11th of November, 1872, and is a son of Thomas and Catherine (Healy) Gould, the former of whom was born in Illinois, of Irish parentage, and the latter
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in County Limerick, Ireland. Thomas Gould was reared and educated in his native state and there became a prosperous farmer, his connection with the great basic industry of agriculture having continued until the time of his death. His wife survives him and now resides at Balmorhea, Texas, both having been reared in the faith and having become earnest communi- cants of the Catholic Church.
Thomas A. Gould acquired his youthful education principally in the parochial schools at Mt. Sterling, and after leaving that place he was for a time a resident of Peoria, Illinois. Later he became identified with gas operations at Paducah, Kentucky, and his business activities thereafter were continued in the same line at Xenia, Ohio. In 1903, for the Western Gas & Investment Company of Chicago, which was operating plants in the Mid- dle West, he went to Rochester and Stillwater, Minnesota ; Baraboo, Wis- consin ; and Madison, Indiana. He was finally appointed superintendent of the company's plant at Xenia, Ohio, and in 1904 he severed his connection with the gas business and became identified with the telephone business. Two years later he went to Texas and assumed charge of telephone proper- ties there maintained by Ohio capitalists. He then had his headquarters at Ennis, and he continued his residence in the Lone Star State until 1912, when he came to California and located in the City of Los Angeles. In 1914 he removed to Redondo Beach and purchased a controlling interest in the telephone company of which he has since been the president. He is one of the liberal and progressive citizens and representative business men of the fine little city in which he has his home and in which his interests are centered. He is a valued member of the local Chamber of Commerce, and has served as a director of the same. He is actively identified with the Independent Telephone Association of California, of which he was secre- tary three years and treasurer five years. Mr. Gould is aligned loyally in the ranks of the democratic party, and he and his wife are zealous com- municants of the Catholic Church.
Mr. Gould is prominently identified with the Knights of Columbus, and is vice chairman of the educational committee of its State Council in Cali- fornia. Upon the organization of the Local Council of the Knights of Columbus at Redondo Beach, July 20, 1919, Mr. Gould was chosen its first grand knight, and at this writing, 1923, is advocate. His council had forty- five charter members and now has 130 members. Its affairs are in most flourishing condition.
On the 28th of June, 1904, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gould and Miss Elizabeth Mohan, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Lyon) Mohan, of Peducah, Kentucky, in which city she was born and reared. Her early education was acquired in the parochial schools, and after her graduation from the Paducah High Schools she completed her studies in the celebrated Peabody Institute of Nashville, Tennessee, of which she is a graduate. Mrs. Gould is affiliated with the United Daughters of the Confederacy and is, in 1923, president of the Woman's Club of Redondo Beach, serving her third term as such officer. Mr. and Mrs. Gould have no children.
IT.
LOUIS H. FREEDMAN, M. D. It is impossible for the conscientious physician to arrive at a state of mind where he is satisfied with what he has accomplished, no matter how much it may be, for with an understanding of what is awaiting the man of science, the many doors yet unopened which will lead to new realms in the amelioration of the ills of mankind, and the constant yearning to add to his store of knowledge, he, of necessity, keeps on striving for perfection as long as life remains. It is true that in no other profession or calling is so much constantly demanded of its members as that of medicine, and those who have adopted it for their life work often find but little leisure and are frequently kept in active service both day and night. One of the men who has earned a reputation for skillful resource- fulness and dependable fidelity at great personal sacrifice is Dr. Louis H. Freedman of Sawtelle.
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Doctor Freedman is a native of that much persecuted country, Poland, which has produced some of the most remarkable men of genius the world has ever known, for he was born at Warsaw, January 11, 1864. His educational training, however, was gained at London, England, and he fitted himself for work as a designer, and worked as such in many places. In 1880 he went to Australia, and resided at Melbourne, Sidney and in New Zealand, and then came to the United States, arriving at New York City March 16, 1892.
While he was successful in the work for which he had trained himself, the brilliant young man was not satisfied to remain at a standstill, and resolved upon a professional career. Therefore, in 1898 he matriculated at Bennett Medical College of Chicago, having gone to that city in the course of his work, and was graduated from that institution, now Loyola Uni- versity, in 1907, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Immediately thereafter Doctor Freedman began the practice of his profession at Chi- cago, but subsequently left that city for Fort Worth, Texas, where he remained until 1913, and in that year came to California. For four years thereafter he was engaged in practice at Los Angeles, but in 1918 located permanently at Sawtelle, where he has built up a large lucrative general practice, and is now recognized as one of the skilled and conscientious physicians and surgeons of Los Angeles County. He is a member of Los Angeles Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and Jinnistan Grotto of that city. Keeping in touch with all recent work of his profession by reading and his membership with the District Medical Association, Doctor Freed- man's sound judgment and wide experience enable him to decide upon what is valuable and that which is unessential in his practice. He maintains his office at 322 Santa Monica Boulevard, Sawtelle. Through the Sawtelle Chamber of Commerce, to which he belongs, Doctor Freedman renders a valuable service as a public-spirited citizen. Holding to high ideals in his professional service, his work has always been characterized by a devotion to duty and by an appreciation of the responsibilities resting upon him. He is a man of broad information, and in his profession he ranks among the leaders. Interested as he is in all that pertains to modern progress and improvements along material, intellectual and moral lines, he takes part in different movements as he sees fit, and his charities assist many worthy enterprises.
JOHN A. PARKS, D. C., PH. C. In the active and varied career of John A. Parks, D. C., Ph. C., of Santa Monica, there have been experiences in numerous lands and a number of callings, all of which have broadened his outlook upon human nature and given him a keen insight into the minds of his fellow-men. While his ventures have been successful almost with- out exception, it was not until he entered his present field of effort that he achieved a full measure of success. As a chiropractor he has given evidence of possessing qualities which fit him fully and even pecul- iarly for this line of professional effort.
Doctor Parks was born at Rensselaer, Indiana, September 28, 1881, and is a son of Claybourne L. Parks. His early educational training was limited to attendance at the public schools of his native place, and when he was seventeen years of age he left the parental roof and began to see the great country lying to the West. His first experiences were in the Dakotas, whence he went to Washington State, and there took ship for the Sandwich Islands, eventually locating at Hilo, Hawaii. For a time Mr. Parks worked as a plumber, a business of which he had gained some knowledge, but eventually he became restless again and became a sailor, a vocation which he followed for four years. His later wanderings took him through China, Japan and India for a year, but in 1903 he returned to the land of his birth and took up a homestead in the vicinity of Yuma, Arizona, where he farmed, raised stock and improved his land until 1910. He next entered the field of mechanical engineering, and was engaged therein until 1917, when he decided upon a professional career. Accord-
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ingly, after some study and deep consideration of the matter, he entered the Eclectic College of Chiropractic at Los Angeles, where he pursued a full course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1921, receiving the degrees of D. C. and Ph. C. At that time he began practice at Santa Monica, where he has since maintained well-appointed offices on Third Street. His practice has grown in a gratifying manner, and he now has patients not only at Santa Monica but at Los Angeles and in other parts of Los Angeles County. He is possessed of a strong personality, a warm- hearted sympathy and a thorough knowledge of his calling, and these have combined to make him a leader in his calling. Doctor Parks is a member of the California State Society of Chiropractic and the Universal Chiropractic Association. As a fraternalist he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He is not a politician nor an office seeker, but takes a good citizen's interest in public affairs.
In December, 1906, Doctor Parks was united in marriage with Miss Verna F. Kleckner, of Los Angeles, who was born in Kansas and edu- cated in the public schools there and at Los Angeles. She died October 11, 1919, leaving one daughter, Florence Alice, who resides with her father and is attending the public schools of Santa Monica.
SAUNDERS BROTHERS. One of the old and reliable business firms of Whittier, California, that for almost twenty years has contributed to the town's commercial stability is that of Saunders Brothers, pioneers here in the automobile business and concerned also, to some extent, as civil engi- neers. The firm is made up of Charles and Gordon Saunders, brothers, who came to Los Angeles County in early manhood.
Charles Saunders was born at Portland, Oregon, May 5, 1882, and Gordon Saunders was born in the same city March 15, 1885. Their parents were Arthur and Elizabeth (Browne) Saunders, the latter of whom resides at Whittier. Both parents were born in England. The father was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, and the mother in the Episco- palian faith. For a number of years prior to his death the father was engaged in the real estate business at Portland. The brothers attended the public schools and a business college in their native city. Since coming to California they have been continuously associated in business. Prior to that Charles Saunders was connected for a time with the D. N. Averill Company of Portland, afterward for several years was assistant secretary of the Oregon State Prohibition Society, and subsequently was bookkeeper for the firm of Morgan Brothers, one of the Morgans at this time being president of the Northern Life Insurance Company of Seattle. In the meanwhile Gordon Saunders had shown a preference for mechanics. He has taken two courses in electrical engineering, and as a member of the firm of Saunders Brothers has charge of all engineering work, which has become a very important feature.
In 1903 Charles and Gordon Saunders came to Los Angeles County with the object of selecting a promising business location, and their choice fell on Whittier. In 1905 the brothers opened a bicycle and machine shop, at which time they took the agency for the Jackson automobile, which they continued to handle until 1910, when they substituted the agency for the Studebaker and also took the agency for the Chalmers, and, additionally, for the Ford, but dropped the last named two years later. They continued to handle both the Studebaker and the Chalmers cars until 1918, but since then have given their attention to the Studebaker alone. In addition to their activities in the automobile line they have sold machinery for water develop- ment work, Mr. Gordon Saunders taking care of this part of the business, including putting in up-to-date water systems, drilling wells, installing pumping plants and laying pipe.
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