Los
Angeles County
Biographies
ADDISON BLANCHARD DAY
The name of Addison B. Day is
closely associated with this history of the Los Angeles Gas and Electric
Corporation, to which he has devoted the best efforts of his life and through
sheer force of character has advanced from a minor
position to the presidency of this large utility. A native of Illinois, he was born in Chicago,
March 19, 1874, a son of Alphonso C. and Elnora (Blanchard) Day. His education was obtained in the public
schools of Chicago and Los Angeles, the family having come to Southern
California in 1886 and settled in Los Angeles.
The business life of Mr. Day began
February 1, 1895, when he entered the employ of the Los Angeles Lighting
Company, a predecessor of the Los Angeles Gas and Electric Corporation. His entire business career has been spent in
connection with this utility in its successive corporate stages. He was connected with both the Los Angeles
Lighting Company and the Los Angeles Electric Company, the gas and electric
arms of the service, respectively, in their early stages; and continuously
through the ensuing reorganizations as Los Angeles Gas and Electric Company,
and Los Angeles Gas and Electric Corporation.
His first position was that of gas appliance salesman, from which he
progressed in order to the positions of bookkeeper, chief clerk, manager
appliance department, auditor, assistant secretary, manager of operation,
general superintendent, vice president and general manager, executive vice
president and general manager, and on April 1, 1928, he became president and
general manager of Los Angeles Gas and Electric Corporation. Mr. Day is accounted one of the most capable
and successful executives in his line in California.
Mr. Day plays an active part in the
civic and cultural life of the community along with his business
connections. In addition to his official
connection as president, general manager, and director of the Los Angeles Gas
and Electric Corporation and the underlying companies, Los Angeles Gas and
Electric Company and Los Angeles Lighting Company, he is also a director of the
Industrial Fuel Supply Company, treasurer and director of the Ventura Fuel
Company, and director of the Southern Fuel Company. He is interested in the trade associations of
the gas and electric industries being a member and a past president of the
Pacific Coast Electrical Association and the Pacific Coast Gas Association, and
member of the American Gas Association and the Electric Club. His outside connections are with the Union
Bank & Trust Company and the Pacific Indemnity Company, in both of which he
is a director. His civic interests are
expressed through the All-Year Club of Southern California, of which he is
president and a director; the Los Angeles Community Welfare Federation, of
which he is vice president and director; the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
and the Lincoln Club, of which bodies he is a member; and the United States
Society, of which he is a member of the local executive committee.
Addison B. Day was united in
marriage with Mabel C. Godfrey, daughter of Herbert D. and Mary (Kissel) Godfrey, on March 14, 1900. This union resulted in the birth of two
children: Herbert Godfrey and Robert
Addison. The cultural interests of Mr.
Day find outlet through the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, of which he is
a member of the advisory board; the Hollywood Bowl Association, Inc., of which
he is a director and member of the charter board; University of Southern
California, of which he is a trustee; University Associates, University of
California at Los Angeles, of which he is a member; California Institute Associates,
of which he is a member; University of Southern California College of
Engineering, of which he is a member of the advisory council; and the
California Junior Republic, of which he is a trustee. He is also a member of the California Club,
the Jonathan Club and the Beach Club, being vice president and director of the
latter. The family home is at 118 North
June Street, Los Angeles.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. IV, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 77-79, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPIES