George W. Hoover

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George W. Hoover was a pioneer Hollywood, California, land developer. [1]

Contents

Hoover was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, [2] and, when grown, he went to Nebraska and took up farming on a government land claim. He then moved to York, Pennsylvania, where he opened a soap factory at College Avenue and Newberry Street. In the flood of 1889, the building was destroyed and Hoover became almost penniless. He then began a carriage business on North George Street, the site of the former York Railway freight station, [3] where he "made his fortune." [4]

In York, he lived at 119 North George Street. His shop was at 15-17 East Philadelphia Street, later occupied by the Dispatch Publishing Company. [3]

Hollywood

Hoover moved to Hollywood, California, in 1899, 1900, or 1901 and purchased a 6.5-acre ranch on Hollywood Boulevard between Vine Street and Ivar Street [2] [5] "for a consideration of a little over $7,000." [6] His home address became 6307 Hollywood Boulevard, [1] on the northwest corner of Hollywood and Vine. [3]

In 1903 he was vice president of the Santa Ana Tin Mining Co. [7] [8] By 1904 he had become president of the Bank of Hollywood. [9]

In 1904 he joined with others to form a company called Hotel Hollywood, to enlarge an existing building "and refurnish it throughout." [10] In that same year he became a member of the first jury ever to be impaneled in the city of Hollywood when a man named J.W. Jeals was tried for selling liquor in violation of a city ordinance, Hollywood being a "dry" jurisdiction at the time. The jury could not decide, and the defendant was held over for another trial. [11]

He was elected Hollywood's first city treasurer before the city was merged with Los Angeles [1] [12] in 1910.

Death

Hoover died on January 28, 1924, in his home. He was survived by his wife, Mary C.; two daughters, Mrs. Harry E. Rodenhaus of Pasadena, California, and Mary (Mrs. George or John S.) Walker of Hollywood, and two sons, George W. Jr. and Frank K., both of Hollywood. [1] [2] [3] [13]

A funeral service was conducted on February 2, 1924, in the Strother and Dayton chapel, 6240 Hollywood Boulevard, with the Rev. S.T. Westhaven officiating. Interment followed in the Hollywood Cemetery mausoleum. [2] [14]

His estate was divided equally among his widow and children, the state inheritance tax being a "large" one of $16,319. [15] His property at Hollywood and Vine was sold to Carl Laemmle for $325,000. [16]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Hollywood Pioneer to Be Buried," Los Angeles Times, January 29, 1924, image 44
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Early Resident of City Is Dead," Hollywood Daily Citizen, January 28, 1924, image 2
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Former York Carriage Builder Dies in West," The York Dispatch, January 29, 1924, image 16
  4. ↑ "Tin Mine Capital Stock Two Million Dollars," The Los Angeles Record, January 22, 1903, image 4
  5. ↑ "Friends Pay Respect to Mrs. Mary Hoover," Hollywood Citizen-News, March 16, 1935, image 1
  6. ↑ Hollywood Daily Citizen, reprinted in "Former York Man Prospers in the West," The York Dispatch, November 15, 1921, image 3
  7. ↑ "Tin Mine Capital Stock Two Million Dollars," The Los Angeles Record, January 22, 1903, image 4
  8. ↑ Santa Ana Evening Blade, February 2, 1903, cited in "Only Tin Mines of America Located in California Bitterly Fought by Tin Trust," The Los Angeles Record, February 6, 1903, image 2
  9. ↑ "Hollywood: Sites for High Schools," Los Angeles Times, May 11, 1904, image 21
  10. ↑ "Hollywood: Hotel to Be Enlarged," Los Angeles Times, April 14, 1904, image 19[
  11. ↑ "Hollywood: One Vote Against Bonds," Los Angeles Times, April 19, 1904, image 19
  12. ↑ "Obituary," Illustrated Daily News, March 15, 1935, image 21
  13. ↑ "Obituary: George S. Hoover," Los Angeles Times, June 27, 1956, image 60
  14. ↑ "Deaths," Los Angeles Times, January 31, 1924, image 18
  15. ↑ "Hoover Estate Tax Large," Los Angeles Times, July 18, 1924, image 35
  16. ↑ "Church Makes Large Turnover in Realty Deal," Los Angeles Times, May 13, 1928, image 80
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