Los Angeles County

Biographies

 

 

 

 

ABRAM EHLE POMEROY

 

 

      POMEROY, ABRAM EHLE, Real Estate Operator and Investments, Los Angeles, California, although born in Athens, Michigan, October 2, 1838, is a typical California, having moved to that State in January, 1853.  His father was Charles W. Pomeroy and his mother Permelia (Valentine) Pomeroy.  On December 6, 1871, he married Florence A. Wilcox at San Jose, California, and they have one son, Walter V. Pomeroy.

     Mr. Pomeroy was educated in the grammar schools of California, and after concluding his preparatory schooling entered the University of the Pacific at San Jose, California, where he received the degrees A. B. and A. M., graduating in 1864.    

     Shortly after leaving his Alma Mater he was appointed Deputy County Clerk of Santa Clara County, which position he held with such credit that on the completion of his services as Deputy he was elected County Clerk.  For eight years he held these two position, and it is with pleasure that he looks at those early offices at a time when he was a young man just out of college.

     Mr. Pomeroy lived in those days in the central and northern portions of the State—San Jose, San Francisco and Sacramento.  His father was a significant force in the building of the little Sacramento and Shingle Springs Railroad.  Associated with him in this project of empire and railroad building was the noted engineer, Theodore P. Judah.  The latter was a personal friend of the Crockers of San Francisco and played an important part as chief engineer in the construction of the overland roads.

     Railroad building in the early days of California was far different from what it is today.  The steel for the rails had to come across the Isthmus or around the Horn, and had to be driven inland by means of ox teams or equally slow transportation.  The obstacles were in time overcome, and what Mr. Pomeroy and his associates originally started as the Sacramento and Shingle Springs line eventually was merged into the Central Pacific, the system which forced its mighty steam monsters across the mountains, bringing thousands of Western colonists to populate the fertile California valleys and form cities.

     In 1881 Mr. Pomeroy severed his connections with all interests in Northern California and in that year settled in Los Angeles.  From that date up to the present writing he has been identified with the business, educational and political movements in Southern California to such an extent that he is recognized as one of the progressive and representative men of Southern California.

     During his career in Los Angeles his administrative traits were recognized by his appointment as Trustee of the State Normal School at Los Angeles, where he assisted in the advance of that institution to a remarkable degree during his nine years of service.  His work as Chairman of the Los Angeles City Board of Education, during three years, was productive of the most valuable results, his business faculties enabling him to meet and overcome the constantly arising embarrassment of overcrowded school buildings.

     During his long residence in Los Angeles he has followed the real estate business and left his imprint on the geography of the country.  He has been a town site promoter of unusual activity.  Mr. Pomeroy and assistants promoted the city of Long Beach and the following towns and subdivisions: The Rancho and town of Temecula, the Rancho and town of San Jacinto, the town of Alhambra, of Gardena, of Hermosa Beach, the Providencia Rancho, the town of Burbank, the Grant Tract, the Los Berros Tract in San Luis Obispo, and many tracts and subdivisions in Glendale, Pomona and neighboring Southern California cities.  All of these sections are now well populated and are among the most thriving in the southern part of California.

     Other organizations in which he is interested are the A. E. Pomeroy Company, real estate; manager of the Grant building and vice president of the State Mutual Building and Loan Association.  He has been a Trustee of the University of the Pacific and is now Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the University of Southern California.

     In these latter positions he has instituted many improvements and his influence has been as strong as he exerted in connection with public education.

     He has attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry, is a charter member of the California Club and a member of the University, Union League and Federation Clubs, and a charter member of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.

 

 

Transcribed 7-28-08 Marilyn R. Pankey.

Source: Press Reference Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I,  Page 122, International News Service, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta.  1913.

© 2008 Marilyn R. Pankey.

 

 

 

 

 

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