Los Angeles County
Biographies
CHARLES V. ECCLESTONE
Long identified with transportation affairs, Charles V. Ecclestone is representing the Wabash Railroad in Los Angeles as general agent, for which position he is exceptionally well qualified by reason of his training, experience and ability. He was born at Hamilton, in the province of Ontario, Canada, June 22, 1869, a son of Samuel T. and Sarah (Vollum) Ecclestone, the former also a native of the dominion, while the latter was born in England. Both are now deceased.
Reared in Hamilton, Charles V. Ecclestone attended its public schools until he reached the age of sixteen, when he made the trip to California with his parents, who established their home at Pasadena in 1885, going from Los Angeles in a four-horse stage coach, there being no railroad at that time. Shortly afterward he returned to his native province to complete his education and following his graduation from a leading business college of Toronto secured a situation with the Canadian Pacific Railroad, for which he worked for six years, from 1890 to 1896. On the expiration of that period he again came to California and entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, with which he spent four years. From 1900 to 1905 he was with the Union Pacific System in Los Angeles. In 1905 he went with W. D. Wise & Company, merchandise brokers, but severed his association with the organization in 1907 and went abroad, traveling throughout Europe for a year. Returning to Los Angeles he became connected with the El Paso & Southwestern Railroad Company in 1910, remaining with the road until its offices here were closed in 1918. At that time he associated himself with the Merchants Truck & Transfer Company, for which he worked during the World war period, and continued with them until March, 1920. He then resumed railroad service as traveling freight agent for the Wabash Road and on August 1, 1928, was promoted, becoming their general agent in Los Angeles. With marked ability he has filled the position, securing for the corporation a large amount of business here, and within a period of six years has made the Los Angeles office second to none in their entire system.
On November 18, 1908, Mr. Ecclestone was married in Los Angeles to Miss Rosa Bella Waggoner, a daughter of Dr. William J. and Viola Waggoner, and twin boys, Charles V., Jr., and William W., were born to them September 9, 1909, both of whom are in business in Los Angeles. Mr. Ecclestone worships in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Highland Park and for years has been one of its trustees. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and his civic loyalty prompts his effective efforts as a member of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. He belongs to the Los Angeles Athletic Club and to the Los Angeles Transportation Club. He is one of the foremost representatives of Masonry in California. His affiliation with Los Angeles Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M., dates from 1901 and since 1915 he has been its secretary. In the consistory of the Scottish Rite he attained the thirty-second degree in 1903 and in recognition of his valuable services to the fraternity he was awarded the thirty-third degree in 1913—and honor worthily bestowed.
Transcribed
by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: California
of the South Vol. V, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages
135-136, Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 Joyce Rugeroni.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPIES