Los
Angeles County
Biographies
LOUIS JOSEPH CHRISTOPHER
A Los Angeles pioneer of 1878, and
one who has done his full share to help in developing southern California to
its present prosperous condition, is Louis J. Christopher, now living
practically retired from active participation in business affairs and enjoying
the fruits of a well-directed career. He
was born in Walscheid, Alsace-Lorraine, October 16, 1855, a son of Andre G.
Christopher, who served twenty years with Napoleon I and in 1869 was awarded
the Legion of Honor. He was present at
St. Helena when Napoleon I died in 1821.
Being too young to bear arms for France in 1870, L. J. Christopher
decided to leave his native country rather than become a German citizen. In 1874 he arrived in San Francisco,
California, and found an opportunity to learn the barber’s trade in a shop in
that city. Before long he opened a shop
of his own and carried on a prosperous business. In 1878 he made a visit to Los Angeles and
bought his first piece of property. In
1882 he was united in marriage with Madeleine Hite, a native of Mulhouse,
Alsace, and in 1887 they made a trip back to their native land. Returning to the Pacific coast they came to
Los Angeles and in 1887 purchased a restaurant at 112 North Spring Street. There he and Mme. Christopher catered to
their growing patronage early and late, supplying the finest edibles obtainable
in the markets. As their trade increased
it was found necessary to use additional space and this brought about a
movement that was, for that period, original and far-sighted. They began a system of expansion and within a
few years had equipped five confectionery establishments with the best of
furnishings and fixtures that were really elaborate and luxurious. It became necessary to have their nieces,
Marie and Sophie Roos (Mme. Requa) come from Alsace
to assist them with their business. They
installed one of the first soda fountains brought to Los Angeles in one of
their cafes and catered to a select trade in meals, candies and fountain
service. The most complete and elaborate
establishment was the one at 741 South Broadway, where they expended more than
eighty-five thousand dollars on equipment, “Christophers”
became a household word for Angelinos designing the best in everything served,
and it was declared that this institution compared favorably with any in the
country. This was later sold to the Paulaise concern and is still in operation. The success of their establishments brought
fortune to Mr. and Mme. Christopher and permitted them to engage in
philanthropic work that was to their liking.
Mr. Christopher, after selling out,
bought the property at Twenty-third and Main streets and embarked in the
manufacture of ice cream, doing a wholesale business. Success crowned his efforts from the
beginning and he extended his operations in many fields and with Mme.
Christopher, engaged in philanthropic work.
On one of their many trips to Europe they endowed six war orphans with
an annual pension. Without sparing their
own health they took part in many charitable undertakings for the relief of the
injured, crippled and distressed in France and Mr. Christopher is still
carrying on that work. He has made
liberal donations to the University of Strasburg, France; he has liberally
contributed to the Cathedral and churches of Metz, Alsace; at Walscheid, Mr.
Christopher founded a hospital for the aged and crippled, and fully equipped a
fire department of forty-five men. He
established a school for dependent children which are under the management of
the Sisters of St. Mary’s. He is a
liberal contributor to the French Hospital in Los Angeles, and in 1931 the
local French colony elected him to the executive committee. The French government awarded him the ribbon
and cross of the Legion of Honor in 1924.
Overwork and strain due to his participation in so many business
activities caused the failure of his eyesight; this condition was aggravated by
the death of his good wife in 1922.
However, through the ministration of an eminent Austrian specialist his
eyesight has been restored.
Mr. Christopher’s activities have
been many and varied and at one time he was a stockholder, officer or director
in twenty-six corporations, all of them prosperous, going concerns. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce,
the Los Angeles Athletic Club and its affiliates; a life member of the
Jonathan, the Commercial and the California Country Clubs; a member of the Surf
and Sand Club, the French lodge of Masons, Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, No. 99, and other clubs and lodges.
He is still a director of the Continental Securities Company and the
Citizens National Bank, and several other corporations, among them the L. J.
Christopher Candy Company, of which he is president. Mr. Christopher has always given his support
to all projects that he considered worthy of support that had for their object
the development of the state, particularly southern California and Los
Angeles. His circle of friends is
coextensive with his acquaintances and he has set an example worthy of emulation
by the youth of future generations.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. IV, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 151-153, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN
NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPIES