Los Angeles County
Biographies
LUCIEN N. BRUNSWIG
BRUNSWIG, LUCIEN N.,
Wholesale and Manufacturing Chemist and Druggist, Los Angeles, California, is a
native of Montmedy, France. He was educated at the
College of Etain, Department of Meuse, France, where
he spent the early part of his life. He was married twice, his first wife
having been Annie Mercer of Independence, Mo., who died in New Orleans in 1892.
His second wife, Marguerite Wogan, is a native of New
Orleans. By his first marriage he has four children–three daughters, now
married, and a son, who is connected with the Brunswig Drug Co. By his second
marriage he has a daughter 11 years of age.
On coming to America Mr. Brunswig made his first
extensive effort in the commercial world by entering the wholesale and retail
drug business. He subsequently established himself prominently in the wholesale
drug world at Fort Worth, Texas, in 1876. In 1882 he accepted a junior
partnership in the firm of Finlay & Brunswig at New Orleans. At the death
of his partner, Mr. Finlay, Mr. Brunswig became sole owner of the
firm, and from that time up to 1903 the house was known as
L. N. Brunswig & Company.
In 1903 Mr. Brunswig disposed of his New Orleans
business, at which time he retired temporarily for a much-needed rest, and
enjoyed a two years’ vacation in Europe.
Mr. Brunswig has always given untiring attention to the
direction of his wholesale drug business, raising it to the first rank in New
Orleans and indeed the entire Southwest. He became known throughout the city as
a progressive business man who participated in all matter for the advancement
of the community. He served four years as Police Commissioner in New Orleans,
and was also vice president of the Athenee Louisianais, a valued member of the Louisiana Historical
Society, president of the French Society and vice president of the Board of
Trade. In 1888 Mr. Brunswig determined to establish a branch of his New
Orleans business in Los Angeles, which city was just beginning to attract
attention as a distributing center. This he did, placing it under the direction
of F. W. Braun, who remained managing partner, the interest of the
latter being ultimately purchased by Mr. Brunswig, who changed the name of
the concern to the Brunswig Drug Company, with branches at San Diego and Guaymas, Mexico. This venture of Mr. Brunswig early in
1888 in establishing a large wholesale drug house in Los Angeles seemed to less
far-sighted men of affairs almost impossible of success. On the contrary, the
judgment of the founder was vindicated from the beginning, and it was by
unusual energy and aggressiveness that the stock and resources of the firm were
constantly maintained at the required standard, in keeping with the rapid
development of Los Angeles and its tributary territory.
The Brunswig Drug Company has developed the largest
wholesale drug business on the Coast, blending with it a complete manufacturing
chemical and pharmaceutical laboratory. From the
modest beginning established as a result of a thorough conception of what the
future contained, its affairs have grown until now its annual business exceeds
by a large margin the most sanguine expectations.
Mr. Brunswig’s residence, 2640 W. Adams street, Los Angeles, is one of the most beautiful places in
the city. It has 180 feet frontage on West Adams street, is 500 feet
deep, laid out in handsome terraces, and the rear facade has 350 feet. The
grounds are among the most attractive in Southern California, the residence
itself being modeled after the style of the French Renaissance chateaux. One of
the most charming features of this place is the Italian gardens, with flora of
every description. Mr. Brunswig is a member of the California Club of Los
Angeles and of the Los Angeles Country Club.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard
16 October 2011.
Source: Press Reference
Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page 711, International News Service,
New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta. 1913.
© 2011 Marie Hassard.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPIES