Los Angeles
County
Biographies
RICHARD
R. NEHLS
Richard
R. Nehls, who is referred to as “Mr. Alhambra of the Realtors”, is well known
in and throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
Coming to Alhambra in 1924, Mr. Nehls has been active in the real estate
and insurance business. He is closely
identified with the growth and development of Alhambra and the surrounding
area.
Born
on March 29, 1875, in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Nehls is the son of Louis J. and
Emily Nehls. Educated in private schools
in Chicago, he attended Concordia College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1908 Mr. Nehls was awarded a diploma for
Science of Industrial Success from the Sheldon School of Business in Chicago.
His
first business venture was in the field of real estate in Chicago. His concern purchased an eleven mile
right-of-way for the West Indiana Railroad.
During
the infant years of the motion picture industry, Mr. Nehls was engaged in
importing and exporting foreign and American films to many countries. In 1911 he was one of the organizers and
executives of the American Film Company, which had facilities in Santa Barbara,
California; Chicago, Illinois; and London.
During a period of his career in the film industry, Mr. Nehls was the
general manager of eight separate film corporations.
Mr.
Nehls served as a Trustee of the Monterey Park Hospital for many years. At the conclusion of his Trusteeship in 1928,
this man of action organized a holding corporation, which is now known as the
Garfield Hospital and served as Secretary of this corporation until January 1,
1948, at which time he sold his interest to a physician.
“If
it’s good for Alhambra, we want it no matter where you locate if—if it’s bad
for Alhambra, we don’t want it at any price”, is the philosophy of this
community minded gentleman. Mr. Nehls is
best known for his help in the development of Valley Boulevard and the southern
section of Alhambra. His business is
located at 306 East Valley Boulevard.
Active
for many years in Republican Party circles of San Gabriel Valley, Mr. Nehls at
one time served as secretary and treasurer of the Young Men’s Republican Club
of Alhambra. A member of the Blue Lodge
in Chicago, the Birchwood Lodge No. 1012 A. F. & A. M., and the York Rite
Bodies of Alhambra, Mr. Nehls served three terms as Past Illustrious Master of
the Alhambra Council No. 25 Royal and Selected Masters, Past Senior Warden of
Alhambra Commandery No. 48 Knights Templars and is a past Royal Patron of the
Order of Amaranth. In addition to his
Masonic affiliations, Mr. Nehls holds an Honorary Life Membership in the
Alhambra District Board of Realtors, and is a charter member and director of
the South Alhambra Exchange Club, charter member of the San Gabriel Valley
Multiple, past president of the South-East Alhambra Home Owners Association and
is a member of the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce.
The
title of Mr. Toastmaster of Alhambra was bestowed Mr. Nehls on October 22,
1956. In 1937 continuing to serve his
beloved community, he was chairman of the executive committee of the Story Book
Parade in Alhambra, an event which won national fame.
Mr.
Nehls is a widower. His wife, the former
Miss Louise Reber, passed away in 1956. He is the father of three children; a
daughter, Viola, who passed away in 1960; a son, Milton, and another daughter, Rosabelle. He is
extremely proud of his six grandchildren and his twelve
great-grandchildren.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 677-678, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES
BIOGRAPHIES