Los
Angeles County
Biographies
CHARLES OSCAR BRITTAIN
Charles Oscar Brittain has served as
superintendent of the Los Angeles Bureau of Construction since the department
was created in 1924. He is a worthy
native son of the city of Los Angeles, California, born October 22, 1878, his
parents being William Francis and Esther (Martin) Brittain. William F. Brittain first came to California
by way of the Isthmus of Panama in 1850 and spent some time in the northern
part of the state, sojourning in Grass Valley and Auburn. Subsequently he returned east and was married
at Indianapolis but in 1876 again made his way to the Golden state and settled
in Los Angeles. He passed away in July,
1892, being survived for many years by his wife, whose death occurred in
February, 1930. Their family numbered
four children, all of whom are living.
Charles O. Brittain pursued his
education in the public schools and while working for a livelihood studied the
profession of civil engineering. It was
in 1908 that he entered the employ of the city of Los Angeles, serving as a
superintendent of construction for two and one-half years during the
construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct.
When the Bureau of Construction was created in 1924, Mr. Brittain was
appointed its first superintendent and in this capacity he has continued to the
present time. Many of the public
buildings and other structures in Los Angeles have been designed and erected by
the department of which he is the head.
On June 13, 1912, Mr. Brittain was
united in marriage to Miss Winifred Dean, a native of Wisconsin, and they are
the parents of a son, Charles Dean, who was born November 7, 1915, a student of
the Los Angeles high school class of 1934.
In politics Mr. Brittain is a Republican, while fraternally he is
affiliated with the Masons and the Elks and with Ramona Parlor of the Native
Sons of the Golden West, of which he was president in 1923. His hours of recreation are spent with his
son, who finds in him a delightful companion.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. III, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 145-146, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN
NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPIES