Los Angeles
County
Biographies
JOHN F. STEEN
John
F. Steen was born March 1, 1926 in the family home at 2502 Florentina,
Alhambra, California. The son of Frank
W. and Ruth (Hutton) Steen, Mr. Steen’s ancestry has been traced to the
founders of Cooper College in the East, the first college in the United
States. His Grandmother, Katherine
Hutton Foss was very active in early Alhambra civic and cultural development.
Mr.
Steen’s hobbies of auto and motorcycle racing helped develop his business,
Steen’s Incorporated, located at 939 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra. With an early start in the auto racing field,
Mr. Steen began his manufacturing in his garage. He developed a synthetic chemical motor oil,
the only motor oil manufactured in Alhambra, which is used for racing cars,
motorcycles, karts and all two-cycle engines, as well as other types of
motors. Steen-C Chemical Motor Oil is
sold and shipped to all 50 United States and to some foreign countries. Steen-C has received nationwide recognition
as an outstanding product for motor karts and chain saw engines. Steen’s Inc. is also one of the largest
suppliers of parts and accessories for karts and is well known for having the
largest selection and variety of parts and accessories in the Kart and Quarter
Midget field. Steen’s Inc. is mainly a
wholesale distributing business to dealers throughout the United States and
foreign countries. Mr. Steen’s catalog
is used as the standard for all parts and accessories in the industry.
Ruth
M. Greenly became Mrs. John F. Steen on January 23,
1957 in Los Angeles, California. A
native of Minnesota, Mrs. Steen is active in her husband’s business and enjoys
her hobbies of interior decorating, gardening and sewing when time permits.
Serving
as an engineer in the United States Merchant Marine from 1943 to 1952, Mr.
Steen sailed in the South Pacific during World War II, and has also sailed to
the Far East, South America, the Mediterranean, Egypt and many other foreign
ports.
Mr.
Steen’s hobbies include all types of sports, predominantly non-professional
motorcycle racing on cross country dirt tracks.
He also participates in karting and water
skiing.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 520-521, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPHIES