Los Angeles
County
Biographies
HAROLD WILLIAM GILES
A
native Californian, who was a student leader in his school days, has a
distinguished war record, and who carries out this pattern of excellence in his
business career, Harold William Giles was born in San Luis Obispo, on April 3,
1910. He is one of the six children of
Harry Care Giles, a native of England, who was born in the storied town of Penzance, and Carrie Mabell
Peters Giles, who was born in equally colorful Virginia City, Nevada. Both of Harold Giles grandfathers were killed
in mine accidents on the Comstock Lodge.
In 1912 the Giles family moved to Ukiah, California, where the senior
Mr. Giles managed a privately owned gas company.
While
attending Ukiah Elementary School and Ukiah High School, “Hal” Giles
participated in athletics, dramatics, and other school activities. He earned his letter in track and football,
was president of his freshman class, president of the student body in 1928, his
senior year, and valedictorian of his graduating class. He was also the president of the Epworth
League in Ukiah and Master Councilor of De Molay in
the same city. Pursuing his studies at
Marin Junior College for two years and then at the University of California at
Berkeley, he graduated in 1932 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business
administration. In his senior year at
college he was chosen as a typical American student to reside in The
International House on the university campus with students from all over the
world. He was also affiliated with Delta
Psi Epsilon, a national foreign service honor
fraternity.
While
still in college, Mr. Giles worked part-time for the Wear-Ever Aluminum Company
at their west coast warehouse in Oakland, starting as a stock boy. Continuing with the same firm after
graduation, he was promoted to district correspondent for eleven western
states. He then became active in the
sales department, calling on retail stores and supply houses in southern
California.
In
1937 Mr. Giles joined Barker Brothers in Los Angeles as a salesman in their
hotel department, calling on schools and hospitals and government
institutions. After his discharge from
the United States Army in 1946, he returned to Barker Brothers as department
manager of major appliances, and was promoted to sales manager of the hotel
department in 1957. In the change of
ownership of Barker Brothers, this department was changed in concept and Mr.
Giles entered into business for himself in January of 1960 as owner of the
Monterey Park Office Supply Company at 118 East Garvey Avenue.
Harold
Giles enlisted in the United States Army in 1943 as a volunteer officer
candidate. He received his basic
training at Camp Callan, California, then went on to Officers’ Candidate School at Camp Davis in North
Carolina. Upon graduating from
anti-aircraft school he was retained as an instructor. After the American forces obtained air
superiority, he was transferred to the infantry and was assigned to the Third
Army overseas, in the European Theatre. Lieutenant
Giles saw action with the 87th Golden Acorn Division as troop officer
and after hostilities ceased became regimental intelligence officer. He received the Croix de Guerre, the Combat
Infantry Badge, and several campaign ribbons.
The
former Miss Frances Laura Hoffmann, who was born in Montevideo, Minnesota, but
raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was married to Harold William Giles on
December 28, 1938, at Wee Kirk o’ the Heather Church in Forest Lawn, Glendale,
California. Mrs. Giles had taken up
residence in California in 1936. She is
associated with her husband in their business.
Mr.
Giles is a member of the Monterey Park Lions Club, now serving as assistant
Lion Tamer. He is a member of the board
of directors of the Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce and vice-chairman of the
Garvey-Garfield Business Men’s Association.
A past master of the Alexander Hamilton Masonic Lodge Number 535, of Los
Angeles, Mr. Giles is also a member of the Scottish Rite
bodies as well as of the Al Malaikah Shrine.
His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Church.
Both
possessing a lively sense of humor, Han and Fran Giles enjoy life and list
spectator sports, as well as gardening, as their hobbies.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 483-484, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPHIES