Los Angeles
County
Biographies
GROVER C. BROWN, JR.
“Like
our democratic government, the ‘American Agency’ system’s emphasis is on the
premise that the individual is supreme.”
This view, defending the personal approach rather than company
domination, expressed by Grover C. Brown, Jr., on the occasion of his election
as president of the Alhambra Association of Insurance Agents, reveals his
feeling about the dignity of the individual, not only in the sphere of business,
but in all human relationships. His
outstanding war record proves his willingness to defend the rights of all
individuals. As a pilot in the United
States Army Air Corps during World War II, Grover C. Brown flew B-25’s from
North Africa on bombing missions over northern Italy and southern France. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross,
the Air Medal, nineteen times, and two Presidential Citations, and was among
the first ninety-five pilots discharged on the basis of medals and missions.
Now
the vice president and secretary of the Kruse Insurance Agency in Alhambra and
vice president and secretary of the Alhambra Bond Company, Mr. Brown is a
director of both these companies and a director of the First Federal Savings
and Loan Association.
Born
on March 25, 1922, in Yuma, Arizona, Mr. Brown is the son of the late Grover C.
Brown, Sr., and Ethel W. (Bills) Brown, of Texas, who is now living in
Montebello. His sister, the wife of Otto
Schroeder, a stockbroker, lives in El Monte.
His father was born in Michigan, was a graduate of the University of
Michigan, and an engineer; he was an All-American football player in
college. Grover Brown, Jr.’s grandfather was from England.
Attending
elementary school in Los Angeles, and Montebello High School, Mr. Brown enjoyed
sports and played a great deal of tennis
with Jack Kramer. After one and one-half
years at the University of Southern California studying engineering Mr. Brown
transferred to civilian pilot training at Death Valley. He then attended Pasadena City College, and
after his discharge from the service returned to the University of Southern
California for two years.
From
1946 until coming to Alhambra in 1958, Mr. Brown was employed by the Superior
Tank and Construction Company where he became vice president and general
manager. He is the co-inventor of
several smog devices which are still used quite extensively. Upon coming to Alhambra Mr. Brown became
associated with Kruse Insurance Agency and the Alhambra Bond Company and is a
stockholder in both.
A
past president of the San Gabriel Young Republicans, Mr. Brown was active in
the Pat Hillings campaigns and in all Richard Nixon
campaigns. While in college he was
affiliated with Sigma Alpha Epsilon and is a director of the fraternity house
on campus. He attends St. Luke’s
Episcopal Church in Monrovia.
On
May 8, 1947, Grover C. Brown, Jr. married the former Miss Jane Kruse in the
Episcopal Church of Our Savior in San Gabriel.
Mrs. Brown, a native of Alhambra, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur
Kruse. She is active in the Children’s
Home Society and the Assistance League of Arcadia. The Brown’s are the parents of three
children, Grover Scott Brown and twins Stephen Arthur Brown and Robert Donald
Brown. All three boys attend Highland
Oaks School in Arcadia.
An
active sportsman, Mr. Brown is a member of the San Gabriel Country Club. He has played amateur tennis all over the
country, enjoys swimming, and in golf has shot a hole in one.
In
1961 Mr. and Mrs. Brown toured the South Pacific.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 548-549, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPHIES