WILLARD PRESTON ROUSE

Sacramento County

Biographies

WILLARD PRESTON ROUSE

WILLARD PRESTON ROUSE.--Another expert in the automobile field who has enthusiastically supported every forward movement, not only in the development of those things making for the welfare of the motorist, but also in the advancement of the Golden State as the greatest center of motordom, is Willard Preston Rouse, agent for Willys-Knight and Overland auotmobiles, whose place of business is located at 1301 K Street, Sacramento. He first saw light at Saline, Washtenaw County, Mich., where he was born on January 3, 1891, the son of Preston Rouse, who had married Miss Minnie Forbes, a charming lady who never failed to make friends, and who, now that she has closed her earthly career, is pleasantly remembered by many. Preston Rouse is still living, and is also identified with the above-named firm.

Willard P. Rouse went to the public schools at Ann Arbor, enjoying also the advantages of the high school there, and then he put in a year with the Weston Motor Company at Flint, Mich., and later a year at Adrian College. After that, he joined the Ford Motor Company at Detroit, with whom he remained for three years, and then he accepted a place with the Arizona Copper Company, in Morenci, Ariz. Later he was tendered a position with the Los Angeles branch of the Ford Motor Company, which he accepted, and when he had satisfactorily concluded an engagement in 1916, and with his partners, H. F. Goodrich and M. J. Ballard, also experienced Ford men, established the concern which did so much to advance the Ford interests in this section. As Goodrich, Ballard & Rouse, the company made a decided success. In November, 1922, Mr. Rouse sold his interest in the firm; and after taking a much needed rest, during which time he traveled extensively over the state, imbibing new business ideas and becoming still better satisfied with Sacramento as a commercial center, he purchased the local branch of the Willys- Overland Pacific Company in the capital city. This branch covers the retail trade for Sacramento City and County for the above cars. Centrally located at the corner of Thirteenth and K Streets, he occupies a three-story brick building 80 by 160 feet, with the most elaborate and beautiful show-rooms as well as a well-equipped and complete repair department; and it is the consensus of opinion that the volume of his business in the sale of automobiles is among the largest in the city. The cars he represents are so well-known and so popular that they need no special recommendation; and by well-directed energy Mr. Rouse has built up one of the best automobile-merchandising organizations in this city. As a rule he has about thirty employees on his staff, and his business bids fair to require an early increase.

When our country entered the World War, Mr. Rouse joined the United States Army. Enlisting in the month of August, 1917, he trained at Camp Lewis and served in the 363rd United States Infantry, 91st Division, being in the first contingent sent overseas. He took part in the St. Mihiel offensive; in the Meuse-Argonne, where he went over the top; and then on the Belgian front, where again, with his comrades, he went over the top. He was in Europe twenty-months, and was still serving there when the armistice was signed. He remained in France till May, 1919, when he returned and was mustered out in Battle Creek, Mich., the same month. Then, after visiting his family, he returned to Sacramento and took up civil life, again entering his former business. He received from Congress the Victory Service Medal.

At Sacramento, in the year 1919, Mr. Rouse was married to Miss Ruth Garrison, a native daughter of that city, and they are now the parents of a son, Allan Preston. Mr. Rouse belongs to Sacramento Camp, No. 61, American Legion. Fraternally, he was made a Mason in Union Lodge, No. 58, F. & A. M., Sacramento, and is a member of Sacramento Lodge, No. 6, B. P. O. Elks. He is a member of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, and of the Lions Club, the Sutter Club, and the Auto Dealers' Association of Sacramento, and is also affiliated with the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He is a real baseball fan, and is fond of outdoor life and sports generally.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 780-783. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.