Aimesley Jordan, Genealogy Detective

Ethel Daisy Deane Tanner's Interrogatory Verification

2009-07-19T18:50:00.018-07:00

On page 6, the last page of the Interrogatory (Request for further information) Paperwork for Ethel Daisy Deane Tanner regarding Wm D Taylor's estate and in order to prove she was Taylor's heir she had to answer several questions. For #10 she had to give the names and addresses of two or more persons who could verify the previous statements she made in the Interrogatory. She signed the paperwork on 1 May 1922 while in the village of Mamaroneck, NY and she listed:
1.) Mrs. Ethel K Freeman- Shippins Point, Stamford, CT
2) Miss Marion Graham-1111 Pine Street, San Francisco, CA

This is where the research gets very interesting. According to the following articles, Marion Graham was questioned by police but was never publicly considered her a suspect in Taylor's murder.
26 Feb 1922: LA Times "Trace Taylor Death Wire- Detectives Question Woman who Announced Murder of Film Director by Telegram" . . . Deputy Sheriffs Fox and Nolan said last night that they had located and questioned this woman who was the one that sent a telegram giving the fact that Taylor was dead only a few hours after the slain director's body was found. The facts about the telegram made public by the officers yesterday were as follows. 2 February at 10:08am, a little more that two hours after Henry Peavey found his body. . . The following telegram was filed in a Hollywood telegraph office.
"Mrs. George A Freeman, Shippins Point, Stamford, CT. Pete Tanner fatally shot behind right ear in his apartment this morning. Ask Ethel Daisy if I can do anything. Should I send flowers in Daisy's name. Consternation among movie colony. No details available yet. Signed "MARION"
The deputies located the sender of the telegram at the Lasky Studios, in conversation with an official of that organization. In the presence of this official the woman, who gave the name of Marion Graham, advertising manager for a Hollywood publication, denied she ever made a statement that she knew Taylor's real name and something from his past.
The officers the day of the director's funeral questioned Mrs. Graham again. At this time she admitted she made such a remark and that she sent the telegram. She said she knew Taylor under the name of Tanner when Ethel, his daughter, was a year old. The Tanners lived near some friends of Mrs. Graham at Larchmont, near the yacht club there in NY. She said she knew of Tanner's disappearance and later when she met him in Hollywood she recognized the man and told him who he was. Taylor at first denied his identity but later admitted it, she said. It was then that she communicated with the family.

The following is in an article dated 27 Feb 1922 in the LA Times "Explains Mystery of that 'Wire'" (exclusive dispatch) from Stamford, CT on Feb 26. "Miss Marion Graham of New York, questioned by the Los Angeles police in their effort to solve the mystery of the murder of William Desmond Taylor. Knew Taylor when he lived in New York under the name of Tanner. She was drawn into the case through a telegram sent East almost immediately after the director was found dead. It read.
"Pete Tanner has been killed. Shot in the back. Great commotion here."
The telegram was address to a woman friend of Miss Graham who lives on Long Island Sound, near Stamford. Today this woman told why Miss Graham sent the message.
"Miss Graham and I both new Mr. and Mrs. Tanner (the latter is now Mrs ELC Robbins of Mamaroneck, NY) when they lived in New York. At the time Mr. Tanner was a member of a yacht club here and we moved in the same circles.
"Miss Graham and her mother board in New York City. Early in the fall she went to California for the winter. Five days before Taylor was killed Miss Graham called on him at the Lasky studios where he was directing a picture. It was a casual call, made only to renew an old acquaintance.
"When Mr. Taylor was murdered Miss Graham wanted to communicate the news to his former wife, the present Mrs. Robins, but did not know her address. She knows I am a friend of Mrs. Robins, so she sent the telegram to me, knowing I could telephone the news to Mrs. Robins, which I did. "Miss Graham used the name 'Pete' because Tanner was so known to his friends here in the old days."

Marion Graham was born on 25 April 1887 in New York City. She was the daughter of J Franklin & Josephine Graham.
1880: 455 W 43rd, Manhattan, NY- Graham: Franklin (age 28 b. NY Ribbon Manufacturer); Josephine (age 26 b. NY); Franklin (son b. May 1880 NY)
25 April 1887:1 W 119th St, NYC- Marion's place of birth
1880-1922: Still searching for Marion. . .
23 August 1922: Marion applied for a passport. She listed her address at 1111 Pine Street, San Francisco.

Ethel Hayward Knapp (Freeman) was born in September 1877 to Charles H & Minna Knapp. She married George Albree Freeman. George graduated from MIT in 1877.
1880: West 25th St, NY- Freeman: George (age 55 b. MA, banker); Kate (age 50 b. MA); George A (age 25 b. NY)
1886: George A Freeman married Beatrice Paulding in NY
1900: 1103 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA: Knapp: Charles E (age 47 b. NY, Mine dealer); Minna (age 47 b. NY); Ethel H (b. Sept 1877 NY, Clerk- Mine dealer); Marie S (b. Dec 1884 CA); Charles E Jr. (age 14 b. CA)
1900: 126 E 22nd, Manhattan, NY- Freeman: George A (b. May 1859 NY Architect); Beatrice P (b. March 1859 no children)
1905: George A's wife, Beatrice Paulding Freeman died at Garden City.
5 Nov 1908: Miss Ethel Haywood Knapp married George Albree Freeman at St. Stephen's Church on West 69th Street.
12 April 1910: 113th, Manhattan, NY (Knapp, Charles E (age 57 Mine Manager); Minna A (age 56); Marie S (age 25)
20 April 1910: 135 E. 71st St, Manhattan, NY- Freeman: George A (age 52 architect); Ethel H (age 32);
1920: Stamford, CT- Freeman: George A (age 61 Building architect); Ethel H (age 42); Albree (daughter age 7 b. NY); Knapp: Minnie H (mother-in-law age 65 widowed)
1 May 1922: Shippins Point, Stamford, CT- Mrs. Ethel Freeman
1930: Sarasota, Florida- Freeman: George A (age 70 Architect); Ethel H (age 50 NY)
1934: George A Freeman died in Sarasota, FL.

Paul Mahlon Powell

2009-07-19T10:40:00.010-07:00

On Tuesday January 31, 1922 Wm D. Taylor was at Mr. Lowe for the upcoming film "The Ordeal" where Higham (p19) said Taylor had undertaken an hour-long, snow swept streetcar ride up the mountain in order to scout locations for the film. On Wednesday February 1, 1922 Taylor went to the Lasky studio and saw Barrett Kiesling, the publicity director, and the talked about Taylor's upcoming film "The Ordeal". Taylor left the studio at 4:30pm. Filming for the movie "The Ordeal" was to begin on Monday February 6, 1922.

This movie was W Somerset Maugham's first original story for the screen. Paul M Powell assumed the director role for the movie.

Paul Mahlon Powell was born on 6 September 1881 in Peoria, Illinois to Charles & Anna C Von Schoenheider Powell.
1900: Peoria, IL- Powell: Charles H (age 46 married 19 yrs b. IL editor of newspaper); Anna C (wife age 40 had 7 children & all still living b. NY parents born in Germany); Paul MF (son b. Sept 1881 IL newspaper reporter): Anna L (daughter age 15); Barbara F (daughter age 13); Charles HB (son age 10); Margaret R (daughter age 7); William R (son age 3); Harold F (son age 9 months);
1903: Paul Powell married Valerie McDonald (b.30 Aug 1876 Peoria, IL & d. 1 Dec 1949 Pasadena, CA)
Abt 1904: Paul was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and broke a story on the business practices of gangsters in Chicago. After the story came out, Paul was put into hiding for a month and soon left Chicago for the safety of Pasadena.
Abt 1905: Paul became a reporter for the Los Angeles Express.
16 Jan 1907: Daughter Janice was born in Pasadena.
1910:1955 Milan Ave, Los Angeles- Powell: Paul M (age 28 m6 years Newspaper Reporter); Valarie (wife age 28 born in IL & parents were born in Ireland); Janice M (daughter age 3 b. CA & parents were born in Illinois); Anna C (age 50 widowed); Anna L (age 25 hair dresser); Charles S (age 20 solicitor for newspaper); Marguerite R (age 17); Wm R (age 13); (Harold L 10) 1910: Paul quit his job at the LA Express and looked for work in the film industry.
1911: Paul became assistant to Wilbert Melville at Lubin Company.
1914: DW Griffith hired Paul as the director general for the Mutual Film Corporation.
1915: Paul made nine films starring Dorothy Gish.
1916: Paul was asked to be one of the directors at Griffith's Triangle-Fine Arts Film Corporation.
1920: 1957 Leman St, Pasadena, CA- Powell: Paul (age 39 director of moving pictures);Valerie (age 38);Janice(age 13)
1920: Lasky hired Paul by Famous-Players Lasky and Lasky sent Paul and his family to London to establish a British division of the studio. It has been said that Lasky ordered Powell to return home because Paul had been spending too much money on films. Paul's daughter Janice was quoted as saying that her father never saved the studio's any money but rather he spent it whenever he had the chance.

July 1921: Paul Powell and Mary O'Connor were on location in England while Wm D Taylor was also there.
Aug 1921: 1957 Leman St, Pasadena, CA- Powell: Paul M, Valerie,and Janice when they returned home from Europe.
24 Aug 1921: Paul Powell, director with Famous Players-Lasky British Corporation, gave an interview to the LA Times saying that he was in favor of Hollywood and that Europe scenery could be reproduced better in the US than the original of Europe ("Films. Boost Hollywood. Director says Europe has too many handicaps").
1929 Voter Registration: 1955 Milan Ave, Pasadena- Powell, Paul (director); Mrs. Valerie (housewife); Miss Janice (actress)
2 July 1944: Paul Powell died in Pasadena

Bateman - Cleveland Marriage Record

2009-07-18T15:00:00.021-07:00

In 1909/1910, Wm D Taylor was in an acting company which also included George A. Cleveland and Victory Bateman (Rocky Mountain News 1 May 1910). A week after Taylor's death, George Cleveland told the same newspaper that Taylor was the best man at his wedding to Victory Bateman in Washington State in 1909.
Here is a copy of the marriage record filed in Washington State and on Line 28 No. 1 WD Taylor is listed as a witness. The wedding was 4 February 1910 in Bellingham, Washington.

George Alan Cleveland was born on 17 September 1885 in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was the son of Frederick H and Laviniet "Vina" McKay Cleveland.

1881: North, Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia- Cleveland: Fredrick (English origin) age 25 b. New Brunswick, telephone operator, Baptist religion; Laviniet (Scottish origin) age 22 b. Nova Scotia, Presbyterian religion.

1899: San Francisco- George's career started when he traveled all over the world as a vaudeville entertainer & appeared in numerous Broadway plays.

30 Sept 1918: George's WW1 Registration for Canada. The first page is a bit difficult to read
Questions:
1. What is your surname? Cleveland

2. What are your Christian names? George Alan
3. What is your present address? Wilkes Theatre in Seattle, Washington
4. Township of birth: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
5. Next of Kin? Mrs. Victory Cleveland
6. Relationship of next-of-kin? Wife
7. Date of birth? 17 Sept 1883
8. Trade or Calling? Machinist
9. Married? Yes
10. Willing to be vaccinated? Yes
11. Belong to the Active Militia? No
12. Ever served in the Military? No
13. Do you understand the nature & terms of our engagement? Yes
14. Willing to go overseas? Yes
15. Ever offered to serve in any Branch of His Magesty's Forces & been rejected? Yes
16. What is the reason? Heart, Piles, and Teeth

1954: George married Dorothy and they lived at Mission Bay, San Diego.

1954-1957: George played George "Gramps" Miller on the tv series "Lassie".

15 July 1957: George died in Burbank, California of a heart attack.

Victory Bateman in 1919
Victory Cruse (aka Bateman) was born on 6 April 1865 in Philadelphia to actors Thomas and Elizabeth Perry Crease.
1870: Philadelphia, PA- Crease: Thomas (age 30), Elizabeth (age 28) and Victory (age 5)
1880: 215 S 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA (Bradshaw, AR (age 33 Treasurer for theatre); Bradshaw, Fanny (wife of AR); Crease Lizzie (age 33 born in Ireland & an actress); Crease, Victory (age 15 born in PA & listed her parents being born in Ireland)
Aug 1893: Elizabeth Crease was referred to as Mrs. Burke of 152 West 91st Street, New York
5 Sept 1893: Victory left for Chicago to join Rose Coghlan's Company.
Before December 1893: Victory married Wilfred Clarke, a son of actor John Sleeper Clarke (John married Asia Booth who was the sister of John Wilkes Booth) and secured a separted from him before 1898.
1894ish: Victory claimed she spent a year in London.
1899ish: Victory was the leading woman in Hopkin's Imperial Theatre in St. Louis.
1900: Victory announced her intended marriage to Henry Mestayer, the son of Charles Mestayer of the well known theatrical family.
3 June 1905: Henry "Harry" Mestayer of the Majestic & Liberty stock Company, was granted a divorce by Judge Troutt on the grounds of intemperance and extreme cruelty. He claimed Vicotry was addicted to drink. Victory presented no defense.
4 Feb 1910: Victory married George Cleveland in Bellingham, Washington.
28 June 1919: Victory Bateman's application for a passport.

1922 Voter Registration: 420 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA- Bateman, Victory (actress)
March 3, 1926: Victory Bateman died in Los Angeles

Life
by Victory Bateman
Life is so full of laughter,
Of joy and sorrow and tears-
Of meetings and partings- that after
All, a play it appears-
Tragedy- comedy- pathos,
Entrances, exits, and strife;
Charity, sentiment, pathos,
Shifting scenes- quick curtain- life.

Assistant US Attorney Thomas F. Green

2009-07-18T05:26:00.010-07:00

In Ed C King's recap of the Taylor case "I Know Who Killed Desmond Taylor", King claimed that Taylor had been fighting a narcotic ring. Some support for that claim came when Assistant US Attorney Tom F Green himself made various statements to Hearst newspapers indicating that Wm Taylor had appealed to him for help in 1920 to fight a 'dope ring' which was supplying narcotics to a certain actress (i.e. Mabel Normand). The interviews were given after the death of Wm D Taylor so Green's statements could be disputed.
Thomas F. Green was born in October 1869 in Colorado. His parents were Frank (b.1833) & Maggie Green (b.1840).
1880: Sterling, Kansas- Green: Frank (age 47), Maggie (age 40), Charles A (age 12), Thomas F (age 11), Mattie A (age 8 months)
Bet 1883-1886: Carrie (Green) (b. 1 Jan 1874 Ireland & d. 11 July 1968 LA County, CA) arrived from Ireland and married Thomas Green prior to 1900.
1900: Purcell, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory- Green: Thomas (age 30) Clerk for the US Court; Carrie (age 27).
Before 1920: Thomas Green worked as a bank teller in Los Angeles while studying law; became secretary to US District Judge Bledsoe; clerk in the US Court; then US Attorney;
1920: 15 Paloma Ave, Venice, CA- Green: Thomas F (age 49) Government Attorney; Carrie C (age 46), Immigrated in 1883 & naturalized in 1892.
1921 LA directory: Venice, Green: Thomas F, Assistant US Attorney.
1922: Thomas Green had his first stroke.
1923: Thomas Green had his second stroke
4 Dec 1824: Thomas F. Green, (allegedly) committed suicide in his office in the Bank of Italy Building at the corner of Temple & Spring Streets. The LA Times ("Ex-Prosecutor Takes Own Life" December 5) reported that Green had been brooding for many months over his crippled physical condition caused by two paralytic strokes and he feared he might become a burden to his wife & that he preferred to die. His "friends" also told the newspaper that he had $2.50 in his bank account. Green left 2 notes- one to his wife and the other to attorney Claude I Parker. The article also referred to several men: WW Bixby (partner); CC Samuels (friend); Wm Truesdell (last client); AO Kriete (Federal tax attorney); Albert "Al" Sittel (US Marshal & close friend); Atty JR O'Connor (Green served under him); US Atty Burke (Green served under him); US District Judge Bledsoe (close friend); US Clerk Williams (close friend); Ivon D Parker (intimate friend);
1930: 945 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles- Carrie Green (widowed age 57) was working as a companion;

Speculation: There is little evidence (except for Ed C King's recap & Green's own statements to Hearst reporters) to support the claim that Green was primarily fighting just a "narcotic ring". This researcher wonders where Green's investigations had taken him over those few years. Perhaps Green's hunt included a state-wide booze ring like the one Judge Bledsoe was trying to bust (Dec 1921 investigation included former & present prohibition enforcement officials). Or perhaps Green was working with the IRS (many of his close friends were tax attorneys) and his investigating had something to do with taxes (remember JM Berger went to Federal Prison for tax issues).

Captain W. A. Robertson

2009-07-17T11:17:00.006-07:00

Captain W. A. Robertson was one of the most difficult genealogical finds. Mostly because he was only referred to by his two first initials and that he lived at one time at the LA Athletic Club and was a good friend of Wm Taylor.
Captain William Ardis Robertson (b. 18 March 1887 Calhoun, Georgia & d. 13 October 1942 Tulare County, CA). He was the son of realtor Matthew and Margaret Ardis Robertson.
1900: 1210 Westlake Ave, Los Angeles- Ardis was living with his parents.
1910: 1027 Burlington Ave, Los Angeles- Ardis W age 23 single & an attorney
27 May 1917: 2316 W 10th Los Angeles- Robertson, Wm Ardis b. 18 March 1887 Calhoun, GA

7 Jan 1920: 2316 W. 1oth, Los Angeles- Wm Ardis was still single, a lawyer, and living with his parents.
1922 LA City Directory: 202 S. Van Ness- WA Robertson was an attorney
1923-1924: 202 Van Ness, Los Angeles- Robertson, Mr. Matthew S. & Captain Wm Ardis Robertson.
1926: 431 W 7th St, Los Angeles- Robertson, Ardis- attorney & Matt S- real estate
1928: 407 S Kenmore Ave, Los Angeles- Ardis Robertson, lawyer & Mrs. Patricia, housewife)
1929: 431 W 7th, Los Angeles- Robertson, Wm A, lawyer @ 610 S Broadway Room 313 & Math S Robertson, real estate
1930: 431 W 7th, Los Angeles- Robertson, Matthew real estate
12 April 1930: 328 S Camden, Beverly Hills- Robertson, Ardis 43 married for 2 years b. GA Attorney & Velma P (wife) age 28 b. Arkansas

Payne Dancing Academy

2009-07-17T06:46:00.007-07:00

On Wednesday February 1, 1922 William D. Taylor left on foot for a dance lesson at the Payne Dancing Academy at 2018 Orange Street at 5:00pm. Between 5:00pm and 6:00pm he had a dancing lesson from his regular teacher, Mrs. Lenore Waybright. After the lesson, Taylor walked home.

Background: The Payne Academy was located at the corner of Orange and Alvarado Streets. It's important to note that this section of Orange Street bordering Westlake Park (now McArthur Park) was renamed Wilshire in the 1930s. The Payne Academy started in 1913 at 2018 Orange St. by Lillian Payne and was 1/4 mile from Wm Taylor's apartment. An interesting find was that Frank L Shaffer (who was living at 410B S. Alvarado in 1922) made an arrangement with Henry Laub in April 1920 for a 50 year lease of the property at the SE corner of Alvarado and Orange Street (126 ft on Alvarado & 176 ft on Orange) where Shaffer planned to build a 4 story building. There were rumors that the lease included the Payne Academy but Lillian Payne adamantly said her building wasn't included in the planned lease.
The Owner: Lillian M Gaubatz (Payne, Casaretto, Campbell, Truitt) (b. 28 April 1886 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin & d. 16 Jan 1975 Los Angeles County, CA). Lillian was 5'5" in stature with brown eyes and brown hair. She had an olive complexion with a strait mouth and a round chin. Lillian married Leroy Payne and had one daughter Lenore Payne (b. 2 August 1908 Los Angeles County, CA). On August 13, 1923 Lillian married Louis Casaretto (b. Turkey). Lillian Payne Casaretto & her daughter Lenore Payne in 1923

The Instructor: Wm Taylor's regular teacher was Lenore I. Whitmore Waybright (b. 28 June 1882 Minnesota & d. 25 Jan 1963 Orange Co, CA).
1882: Lenore was the daughter of Canadian born John R Whitmore & his wife, Mary.
1900: Santa Cruz, CA- Lenore "Lottie" age 18 was living with her parents & older sister Olivia.
1906: Lenore married salesman/realtor John Samuel Waybright (b. 4 Sept 1871 VA & d. 23 Oct 1957 Orange Co, CA)
1910: 1293 35th St, Los Angeles- Lenore was living with her husband John, a real estate broker.
1915 LA City Directory: 2826 1/2 W 9th- John was a manager at the American Bank Building
9 Jan 1920: 2737 1st St, Los Angeles- Lenore was living with her husband John, a salesman, and her widowed mother, Mary.
1922-1926: 2521 1/2 W 3rd St, Los Angeles- Lenore was living with her husband John, a real estate broker

Donald Forbes Osborn(e) & Rose Putnam

2009-06-20T01:41:00.010-07:00

Donald Forbes Osborn(e) was born 16 October 1895 in California & d. 16 May 1950 in Los Angeles County, CA, He was an actor with the Triangle Film Motion Picture Company. According to and article found in the LA Times 3 Nov 1923, Lucien Wheeler of the Department of Justice, said that Margaret Gibson/Patricia Palmer was connected with Don Osborne & Rose Putnam, convicted blackmailers who pleaded guilty days before in Cincinnati of extorting $10,000 from John L. Bushnell, Ohio banker.

Donald's Father was William Osborn (b. 30 Oct 1835 in Chenango County, NY). William was considered one of the noteworthy pioneers of Los Angeles. William first ventured to California in 1855 for the gold rush & began working in mines then came to Los Angeles and was involving in freighting. He opened a livery and engaged in the harness makig industury & saddlery. He eventually settled on the corner of Fifth & Hill Streets.

In 1868, William married Miss Rosetta Baldwin, born 10 April 1853 in San Bernardino. The year before her birth, her parents Robert & Rosetta Baldwin crossed the plains and settled in San Bernardino, entering 165 acres in teh stock business, making a specialty of hogs.

William & Rosetta Osborn's children were: Rosetta "Rose" (Mrs. FW) Putnam of Vermont; Maude, who died in infancy; William, who died at age 7; George, a farmer near Riverside; Arthur, and Donald.

Rosetta "Rose" Osborn Putnam (b. 5 March 1869 in California & d. 23 Nov 1952 in Los Angeles County, Ca. Rose's husband was Fred Watson Putnam (b. 24 Jan 1859 NH & d. 9 Jan 1948 in Los Angeles. Fred owned Fred W. Putnam Insurance since 1875. He had a brother name Arthur Putnam. Rose & Fred's' children were: Rose O Putnam (Wilcox), Harry, Philip, & Helen.

Rose O. Putnam Wilcox AKA Cooly, Cooley (b. 2 Oct 1888 CA & d. 8 Aug 1961 Riverside, CA) Rose was sentenced to serve 6 months in a Miami, Ohio jail for attempting to blackmail John Bushnell.

1900: 1345 Valencia, LA, CA- Osborn: Wm M age 65 liveryman, Rosetta M 47 CA, Arthur M. 10 CA, & Donald F. b. 1895 CA)
1900: Brattleboro, Windham, VT- Putnam: Fred age 41 NH Insurance Agent, Rose b. 1869 CA, Rose O. b. Oct 1888 CA, Harry L b. 1889 CA, Philip b. Oct 1896 Vt.
1910: A Street, Forest Grove, Oregon- Osborne: Rosetta M 57 widowed (6 children, 4 living) b. CA; Arthur M 20 CA; Donald F. 15 CA.
1910: Brattleboro,Windham, VT- Putnam: Fred W 50 Inaurance agent; Rose 40, Rose 21, Philip 13, Helen 4 VT
WW1: 1344 S. Flower, LA, CA- Arthur M.Osborn
WW1: 1344 S. Flower, LA, CA- Osborne, Don F.

1920: 525 Hermosa St. Pasadena- Osborn, Arthur M, used carsaleman; Mrs. Louisa M, & Mrs. Rosetta M.
1920: 1122 Peoria ST, LA, CA Osborne, Don F age 25 b. CA
1920: Brattleboro, Windham, VT- Putnam: Fred W age 60 insurance agent; Rose 50, Mary 13; Cooley, Rose Putnam age 30 divorced;
1922: 525 Hermosa St, Pasadena- Osborn: Mrs. Rosetta M & Don F actor
1926: 1062 American Ave, Los Angeles- Putnam: Fred W & Rose O
1930: 603 1/2 Tularosa Dr. Los Angeles- Osborne: Rosetta M 77 widowed & Don F. 35 divorced b. CA Organizer- labor unions
1934: 518 N. Alexandria Dr, Los Angeles: Osborn, Mrs. Rosetta M & Donald
1942-1944: 2848 11th Ave: Osborn, Don F, salesman)

Ella Margaret Gibson

2009-06-19T07:36:00.005-07:00

Ella Margaret Gibson (Arce, Lewis) AKA Patricia "Patsy" Palmer, Ella Margaret "Margie" Arce, Pat Lewis; Ella Margaret was born 14 September 1894 in Colorado

1 Feb 1887: Franklin County, Kansas- Celia Ella Fisher married Elsberry J Gibson, a musician; Celia was born 5 Nov 1860 in Missouri to John Fisher & Maxey Howard (Fisher); Elsberry was born 14 June 1858 Iowa to Milton Gibson & Edna (Ordess) Gibson;
1895: Toledo, Chase, Kansas- Gibson: JE age 28, Carry M. 22, CF 3 (the brother's name was Forrest T. Gibson)
1902: 121 W. Rio Grande, Colorado Springs, CO- Gibson: Elsberry, carpenter & Mrs. Celia Ella
1905: Ottawa, Franklin, KS (Gibson: EJ, Celia E, Forest, Ella M. age 10
Aug 1908: Forrest Gibson married Nellie Kersha, both of Colorado Springs;
7 May 1909: Colorado Springs, CO "Mrs. Ella Gibson & daughter, Margaret, have gone to Los Angeles, California. Miss Margaret will continue her studies in preparation for the stage."
8 Feb 1910: Celia E Gibson & Elsberry J Gibson divorced in El Paso, County, Colorado (book 2 page 52)
1910: Rio Grande Street, Colorado Springs, CO- Gibson: Ella C age 49 divorced (3 children, 2 living), Ella M 15 single b. CO clerk in a store;
1910: Margaret worked as a stage performer in Denver at a vaudeville theatre owned by Pantages.
August 1917: Margaret Gibson was arrested on a charge of lewdness. She was granted bail & scheduled for a trial
1918: Margaret changed her name to Patricia Palmer
1920: 120 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles- Gibson: Ella C. 58 divorced, Ella M 24 single b.CO
1922: LA City Directory- 120 S. Grand (Palmer, Patricia actor) & 142 E. 27th (Gibson, Ella)
November 1923: Margaret Gibson was arraigned on a charge of violating Section 145 of the Federal Criminal Code; case was dismissed;
1923-1929: 2324 N Beechwood, LA, CA (Mrs. Ella Gibson)
1930: Gramercy Place, Los Angeles (Patricia McGuinness 31 married 7 years b. CO & Actress motion pictures living w/ mother Celia E Gibson widowed b. MO;
1930: Ludlow, San Bernardino, CA- Elsberry Gibson age 71 divorced b. IA;
1935: Margaret went to Asia
1936: 603 Orange Ave, Azusa, Los Angeles- Gibson, Elsberry James carpenter
28 Jan 1940: Elsberry Gibson dies in Los Angeles County
1944-1948: 1456 N. Gordon St, Los Angeles- Mrs. Ella M. Arce
1946: Celia Ella Fisher dies in Los Angeles County
1950-1954: 6125 Glen Oak St, Los Angeles- Mrs. Ella M. Arce
21 Oct 1964: Ella Margert Gibson dies in Los Angeles County

The Wings and the Taylors

2009-06-16T04:21:00.011-07:00

There was Lester Wing, the former chauffeur. Does anyone know if Lester Wing was his real name or if he was really Chinese?

And then actress Anne Cornwall's 2nd husband Ellis Wing Taylor (1887-1951), who attended Columbia University and graduated from the University of California in construction engineering. was an architect & structural engineer born in Chicago and raised in Los Angeles. Ellis' father was Frank Wing Taylor who was the son of Tracy Taylor & Ella M Wing. Frank & his wife Minnie moved to Los Angeles in 1894 and their first home was at 2110 Grand Ave. A year later they bought property at the corner of Adams and Grand. Ellis' oldest sibling Edward Cray Taylor was an architect. His brother Frank "Howard" Taylor was a physician specializing in x-rays. His other siblings included Barbara, a gifted harpist.

Familiar to the Taylor case is the William "Bill" Everett Wing family. Bill was a newspaper & scenario writer. Bill wrote the story for "The Love of Tokiwa" (1914) in which Ulysses Davis directed, Patricia Palmer (aka Margaret Gibson) and William D Taylor starred in. Bill Wing was born in Maine and moved to Los Angeles in 1897 and was working as an oil broker in the 1900 census and by 1910 was a writer for a newspaper. Bill's father was Kimball Winthrop Wing (1837-1908). Bill married Antoinette "Marie" Freeman (1874-1946) and they had 3 daughters:
1.) Mabel Wing (Edson, Fowks) (1896-1984)
2.) Marianne Wing (Dockey) (1903-1971)
3.) Ruth Wing (Taylor, Harrison) (b. 1898) Ruth became involved in the Taylor case by allegedly saying that she was told by some psychics that an assassin hired by a motion picture leader (insinuated it involved Mabel & Mack Sennett) who was a member of an alleged "dope ring" killed Wm D Taylor. Ruth's husband was Theodore Pierre "Ted" Taylor (1896-1963), the publicity agent for Wm D Taylor. Ted was born on 5 Sept 1896 in Oak, IL and his father was accountant Louis "LD" Taylor who departed for Vancouver, British Columbia shortly after Ted's birth. Ted & his mother, Annie Louisa Pierre (Taylor), the daughter of a prominent architect Osborne J. Pierce, joined LD in Vancouver in 1899. A recent biography suggests LD fled Chicago to Vancouver was because of a fraud investigation from a former bank job. In 1906, LD sent Annie, Ted, and son Kenneth O Taylor to live with Annie's parents in Los Angeles. LD was elected Mayor of Vancouver and he served 8 terms as mayor during a 3 decade span of time. In 1920, Ted was a publicity writer for motion pictures. By 1924, Ted was a newspaperman & his brother Kenneth was an editor at the LA Times. LD, who was still in Vancouver serving his lengthy role as a populist mayor, became quite involved in the newspaper business. In 1928, an exhaustive inquiry in Vancouver should that there were associations with well know vice operators in the city and the police department & city hall. Even though LD was cleared of any wrondoing, he is to have said that police resources should be spent on "major crimes" and not "victimless vice crimes".
Passport Ted Taylor June 1925:

A few more Wings:
Daisy Canfield's niece, Faith Whitney married Morgan Wing.

Elbert Wing, son of Dr. Horace Benjamin Wing, married Edith J Taylor, lived in both Los Angeles and Three Rivers in Tulare County, CA. Three Rivers, has quite a few connections to the Taylor Case. . .

Recap of 3089 W. 7th Street

2009-06-14T20:21:00.005-07:00

At the corner of Vermont & 7th Street was a duplex (rather than an apartment building) owned by Anna T. Durkee Gillon. Anna's daughter was Hazel Durkee Foster (aka Gillon) Dignowity who, according to Adela Rogers St. Johns, saw a person leave Taylor's home after the shot was fired. Hazel married Ralf Dignowity and they during the month of June 1917, lived at 404B S. Alvarado Street and moved to 3089 W. 7th Street upon Taylor's return to Hollywood in 1919. In the 1920 Census (21 January), the tenants of 3089 W. 7th St. included actresses Minnie & Edith Story; Mabel Normand & Mary J. Brent (nurse); John (lawyer/judge) & Sarah Street; actor Sydney Chaplin & his unnamed wife. In August 1922, Anne Cornwall said she & her husband Charles Maigne lived at 3089 W. 7th St. Also during 1922, Claudia Reddick, who lived at 410B S. Alvarado, had plans to marry businessman, John H Bonnell, who also lived at 3089 W. 7th.

Charles Minnegrode Maigne

2009-06-14T18:51:00.010-07:00

Charles Minnegrode Maigne (b. 11 Nov 1881 Richmond, VA & d 28 Nov 1929 San Francisco, CA) was the grandson of the Rev. Charles Minnegrode, a friend & spiritual advisor to Jefferson Davis.
1900: Charles Maigne enlisted in the US army, joining Captain Reilly's battery in the Philippines. He also served in the Peking campaign.
1901: Charles was commissioned and joined the 7th Cavalry in Cuba.
25 April 1905: Charles married Florence English Davidson, the youngest daughter of Mr. FJ Davidson, at St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church. Florence was described in the Washington Post as "a blond of exquisite beauty and grace."
1907: Charles was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas
1910: Charles was forced to retired from the US Army due to a physical examination. Upon his retirement, Charles & Florence lived in Washington, DC with their daughter Marianne M age 3.
1911: Charles was a professor at Oklahoma University Prep School & then at Georgia Military College.
1914: Charles was a war correspondent.
1920: 2033 Argyle, Los Angeles, CA- Charles Maigne age 36 single b. Virginia and Director- Motion Pictures; Faxon Dean (lodger) age 35 married b. NY and Cameraman- Motion Pictures; Anne Cornwall (lodger) age 23 single b. NY and Actress- Motion Pictures

August 1922: Article in the LA Times- "DIRECTOR'S SALARY IS HELD BACK" An accident three years ago finds echo in court restraining order"- the NY supreme court ordered $600 a week granted to Michael Bell (at 297 E 151st NY) for $2500 in damages against Maigne for 3 year old Rosina Bell, who was run over and killed by Maigne's automobile on 22 November 1919 in New York. At the time of the court decision, Charles Maigne was in Wyoming directing "The Cowboy and the Lady" according to his wife (Anne Cornwall) who was living at 3089 West Seventh Street (Los Angeles).

Note: Higham referred to Charles Maigne as Wm D Taylor's neighbor. However, there were indications such as the mention in the previous article (Aug 1922) of Charles & Anne's address of 3089 W. 7th Street. It is reasonable to assume that Charles was in fact Mabel's neighbor and not Taylor's. This could help explain how Mabel's maid notified Charles at 7:30am after Edna Purviance called Mabel.

29 Nov 1929: Charles Maigne died at the Letterman General Hospital in the Presidio, San Francisco, with his wife, Anne Cornwall at his bedside. Charles was buried in the Presidio with full military honors.

Thomas Danforth Dixon

2009-06-14T06:25:00.011-07:00

Thomas Danforth Dixon was once considered a suspect in the murder of Wm. D Taylor. He was a graduate of Yale & a captain in the Aviation Corps during WW1. It was claimed that he was the heir of Dixon pencils and linked romantically to Mary Miles Minter.

Thomas Dixon was born in Pueblo, Colorado to John Roman Dixon, a lawyer and judge and Clara McCoy (Dixon), a music teacher from McLean County, Illinois. Thomas' paternal grandmother was Mrs. Virginia William White (Dixon, Duer) of Baltimore, MD. She the mother of 11 children & known for her philanthropy.

Connection to the pencil company? The beginnings of the pencil company occurred when Joseph Dixon made his 1st pencil in 1812 & established his pencil business, The Dixon Crucible Company at Salem, MA in 1827. He married Hannah Martin (daughter of a cabinet maker) on 28 July 1822. In 1847, Dixon moved his company to Jersey City, NJ in 1847 where he died 17 June 1869. When Dixon died his son-in-law Samuel D Tillman (husband of Frances) took control.
Dixon Pencil Line
Frances Dixon (Tillman) (b. 1825 MA)
Joseph M Dixon (founder) (b. 1799 in MA & d. June 1869)
Joseph Dixon (b. 1769 MA)
Thos' Paternal Line
Thomas Danforth Dixon
John Roman Dixon (b. 1856 in MD)
George Corbin Dixon (b. 1823 in MD)
Nathaniel Dixon (b. abt 1780 in MD)
Nathaniel Dixon
Ambrose Dixon
Conclusion: There has yet to be seen even a remote connection to Thomas Dixon and the Dixon Pencil Company.

Thomas Dixon Findings:
1900: Pueblo, CO- Called Danforth, he lived with his parents and uncle, N. Walter Dixon (lawyer)
1910: Denver, CO- Thomas at age 15 lived with his parents and his maternal grandmother, Lydia McCoy.
23 Feb 1914: Thomas' father, John Roman Dixon was mentioned in his mother's obituary as living in Riverside, California.
1917: Thomas claimed to have met Mary Miles Minter in NY.
WW1 Draft Registration (5 June 1917):

6 Jan 1920: Lafayette Street in Denver, CO- The census listed Thomas as a bookkeeper with a Trust Company, living with his parents.
1920: The year Thomas Dixon claimed to have a secret engagement with Mary Miles Minter.
Dec 1921: Thomas arrived in Los Angeles as a guest at the Ambassador Hotel. It was in December Thomas & Mary's engagement was called off.
Jan 1922: Thomas visited Mary at the studio
Wed 1 Feb 1922: Thomas checked out of his hotel
Thursday 2 Feb 1922: Thomas departed Los Angeles
1930: 1049 Park Ave, Manhattan, NY- Thomas, a stock broker, lived with his widowed mother Clara.

Thomas Dixon's Obituary (1943):

Chester Withey

2009-06-10T17:51:00.007-07:00

Chester Withey appeared in a movie directed by Wm D. Taylor in 1913 called "The Step Brothers".

In 1900, Chester (age 12) lived in Park City, Utah with his father Chester, a quartz mill miner from Michigan, and mother Mary (Kelso) from Missouri, and his 10 year old sister Margaret.
In 1910, Chester (age 22) was a clerk at a box factory and lived at 624 W. 10th St, Los Angeles with his parents Chester & Mary.
1917: WW1 Draft Registration

On 28 Jan 1920, Chester age 32 and motion picture director and his 28 year old actress wife Virginia (Philley), and his widowed mother Mary lived at 31 Bleeker Ave in Mamaroneck, Westchester County, New York. The next listing in the census (neighbors) was Ralph M. Robins. Also in the same town was Ralph's brother, Edward Robins, the guy who married Wm. D Taylor's ex-wife, Ethel.

Ed C. King

2009-06-10T15:48:00.005-07:00

Edgar "Ed" Culver King was a special investigator on the case of Wm D. Taylor and wrote a recap of the murder called "I Know Who Killed Desmond Taylor" in 1930.

Ed King was born on 12 March 1876 to upholsterer Culver & Vashti King of Jefferson County, Indiana. Ed married his wife Jeanette "Jennie" in 1897 and had 2 children, Ethel & Richard. The King family moved to Los Angeles before 1910 and Ed, Jennie, & kids lived at S. Normandie & 45th Street.

Ed's WW1 Draft Registration:

Marshall "Mickey" Ambrose Neilan

2009-05-30T06:40:00.006-07:00

Marshall "Mickey" Ambrose Neilan (b. 11 April 1891 in San Bernardino, CA & d. 27 October 1958 in Los Angeles County, CA) Marshall was a director & "friend" of Wm D. Taylor. It is rumored the Neilan was a possible suspect in Taylor's murder because of his connection to Mary Miles Minter. Neilan has been described as handsome,witty, and arrogant.

Marshall's Mother: Blanche Brown (Neilan) was born in 1870 in Michigan & died 13 September 1929 in Los Angeles County, CA.
Marshall's Father: Michael Neilan was born in 1855 in Canada and died 19 May 1895 in San Bernardino County, CA.

Here is a timeline on the Neilan Family:
1880: When Blanche Brown was 10, her parents John & Francis Brown kept a boarding house in Ludington, Michigan.
1890: Blanche M. Neilan age 30, Marshal age 9, and Francis A. Brown lived in Los Angeles, CA.
About 1902: Marshall left school and became a messenger for the California Fruit Grower's Association; He also became an office boy for the Santa Fe Railroad as well as a blacksmith's helper.
1905: Marshall played bit parts in the Barney Bernard Stock Company in San Francisco with DW Griffith.
About 1908: Marshall became a chauffeur driver for Oliver Morosco.
1909-1910: Marshall was the chauffeur for DW Griffith.
1910: 900 E. Pico Street, LA lived Blanche M. Neilan age 40 & Francis A. Brown and at 1546 N. Andrews Place, LA lived Marshall A. Neilan (hired man & chauffeur for private family (Marshall was living with Isaac M. Peyton age 69)
1911: Marshall worked at Kalem Studios.
1913: Marshall married NY born actress Gertrude Bambrick (Did she idolize Mabel Normand?)
October 1915: Marshall went to work for Selig.
1916: Marshall & Gertrude's son, Marshall Neilan Jr. was born
5 June 1917: In his WW1 Draft Registration, Marshall Ambrose Neilan lived at 1020 W. Pico Street i n Los Angeles.

10 Jan 1920: 1020 W. Pico Street, LA lived Blanche Neilan age 50
1921: Marshall & Gertrude divorced.
1922: In the LA City Directory, Marshall's residence was 248 S. Western Ave & his studio was at 6642 Santa Monica Blvd. His mother, Blanche lived at 853 W. 7th Street in Los Angeles.
In March of 1922: Marshall applied for his 1st passport. He planned a trip to Europe leaving NY on 25 April 1922 for motion pictures & business.
8 June 1922: Marshall married Sarah "Blanche" Sweet.
1929: Marshall & Sarah "Blanche" divorced.
1958: Marshall died of throat cancer at the Motion Picture County Home & Hospital.

JM Berger, the Tax Accountant

2009-05-21T05:53:00.011-07:00

Julia Marjorie Berger was the income tax accountant for William D. Taylor and Mrs. Shelby. She supposedly met with Taylor on the day he was killed preparing his taxes. JM Berger, according to Census records, was born during August 1879 in Illinois and not in 1893 as she claimed multiple times later. Why would she lie about her age? The California death Index (1940 to 1997) has a listing for Marjorie Berger as b. 1 Aug 1898 & d. 5 Jan 1954 in Los Angeles County.

Here is the JM Berger timeline:
10 July 1868: In Quaker City, NY Solomon Epstein (JM's father) was a merchant born in Bohemia.
10 June 1870: Solomon Epstein lived at the Rowling House in Chicago.
4 Apr 1875: Solomon Epstein married Rosa Berger in Chicago.
1879: Solomon Berger worked in a saloon in at 89 Fink St. Chicago.
3 June 1880:, 95 Fink Street,Chicago- Solomon age 52 and a liquor dealer, Rose age 26 (JM's mom), Irene age 4 (JM's sis), and Julia age 1 b. IL

16 Oct 1883: Solomon Epstein died in Chicago at age 52)
1888: Julia Berger Epstein married Charles Berger who was born in Germany and an architect.
8 June 1900: 3314 Forest Ave, Chicago- Charles Berger age 50, Rosa age 44; Epstein, Irene R b. May 1876 and a stenographer & Julia M b. Aug 1879 age 20 and a bookkeeper.
15 June 1909: Charles Berger (JM's stepdad) died in Chicago.
1910: 5106 Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL (Berger, Rose age 46 widowed, Juliet M. age 24 and a bookkeeper for a Building Material Company.
1920: 944 S. New Hampshire, Los Angeles- Rose Berger age 59 widowed and Juliet M. age 27 born in Chicago & income tax specialist with own buisness.
1922: 354 S. Spring, Los Angles- JM Income & Federal Tax Specialist.
1922: residence 1832 1/2 N.Van Ness Ave JM & Mrs. Rosa L. Berger
5 Dec 1922: Marjorie Berger, age 28 b. 1 Aug 1894 in Chicago and single returned to San Francisco from Honolulu on the SS Maui.

31 May 1924: JM's mother Rosa M. Berger died. Along with JM, she left a daughter, Mrs. Samuel Danzinger of Wilmette, Illinois
10 Oct 1929: Eleanor Boardman Vidor (wife of King 1926-1931) testified in J. Marjorie Berger's trial. Eleanor admitted her tax returns for 1925, 1926, and 1927 were being investigated by the government and that she was under indictment

1929 LA City Directory: Berger, J Marjorie. Income Tax Counsellor and Accountant Specializing in Federal Taxation, Suite 701-702-703 Hollywood First National Bldg, 6777 Hollywood Blvd, Phone Gladstone 3057, r Beverly Hills.
6 Nov 1929: In Los Angeles in Federal court a jury deliberated for 10 minutes and Miss J. Marjorie Berger, Hollywood income tax counselor who included moving picture stars among her clients, was convicted of advising a client to falsify a tax return. The conviction rested on 2 counts charging Miss Berger with manipulating the return made by Dorothy Mackaill, a motion picture actress, in 1926. Other counts involving notables in the Hollywood film colony were dropped by the government, but 1 case concerning Tom Mix and Miss Berger has been set for trial 18 Feb 1930. Supposedly JM advised her clients to list deductions for chauffeurs and secretaries who had none.

Was JM 36 or 50 years old in this picture?
7 April 1930: Marjorie Berger, age 35 and single, was at Federal Industrial Institution, Talcott, Summers County, West Virginia (JM Berger was sentenced to a 2 year & 6 month term in Federal prison for a conviction of defrauding the Government by having aidedin the making of a false and fraudulent income-tax return for Dorothy Mackaill. At the time JM went to jail, there were 6 other indictments pending against her which were not set for trial).
1946-1950: Listing for Mrs. J Marjorie Berger at 1044 Tiverton Ave, LA, CA
1952-1954: Listing for Mrs. Marjorie Berger at 140 Lasky Drive, Beverly Hills, CA
5 Jan 1954: JM died in Los Angeles County.

The Zemansky Family

2009-05-18T05:55:00.016-07:00

The suppositions:
4 Dec 1921: Sands burglarized Wm D Taylor's apartment & stole jewelry and left.
12 Dec 1921: A man identified as Sands signed his name William Dean Tanner & pawned some of Taylor's jewelry for $20.00 at the Capitol Jewelry & Loan Company on 1817 Mariposa Street in Fresno.
24 Dec 1921: More of Taylor's jewelry were pawned for $10.00 at the Zemansky Loan & Jewelry Company in Sacramento; supposedly the man pawning the jewelry was identified as Sands & the name of William Deanne Tanner was on the pawn picket.

Interesting Findings:
Nathan & Adele Zemansky immigrated to the US from Europe. The Zemanskys were one of the earliest Jewish families in California. They settled in Sacramento where they raised their 10 children. Several of their sons were entrepreneurs, including the following:

1.) Son Jacob "Jake" (1870-1937) was a pawn broker & jewelry merchant in Sacramento. He was also a diamond importer. In 1898, Jake was the proprietor of an establishment called "The Palm" at 225 K Street in Sacramento and in 1910 he owned the Majestic Theatre at 310 K Street in Sacramento. He was a leader in the Jewish community and was known for his philanthropies in Northern & Southern California.

2.) Son Ellis (1875-1955) started The Ellis Mercantile & Ellis Props and Graphics which began as a pawn shop in and later specialized in renting props to the film & television studios. Ellis was truly a pioneer in the prop supply business. He also created engraved movie prop paper money.

3.) Son Joseph (1877-1953) owned a chain of jewelry stores in California. He also discovered Jack Johnson, the former world's heavyweight champion prize fighter and managed him for several years. In 1927, he was a member of the group that built and operated the Agua Caliente result just below the Mexican border. Jack and his wife moved to Reno in the 1930's and owned the Club Fortune, at one time a popular night club in western Nevada. Joseph & Sadie Zemansky

4-6.) Sons Sol (1889-1952), Abe (1885-1878), and David (b.1884-1958) were Los Angeles pawnbrokers. They operated the Provident Loan Association, one of the largest businesses of its kind in the west, and the State Loan Office. In 1939, the brothers claimed to be broke and filed for bankruptcy. They listed creditors in a 23 page document including the following:
*M. Albori (aka Albert Marco) a once reputed proprietor of brothels and gaming places, who spent time in San Quentin Prison and then went back to Italy.
*Police officer WJ Jolin or Mrs. Jackie Jolin, $10,000.
*Teddy Crawford, nephew of Charles Crawford, who was shot and killed years before, $10,000.
*The estate of Herman Cline, former captain of police detectives $14,000.
*WH Caddel, police officer $1,500.
*Robert J. Gans, reputed head of the slot machine business on the Pacific Coast $26,144.46.
*Frank Carroll, former police detective, who left the Police Department for the real estate business $50,000.
*The Citizens National Trust & Savings Bank $10,928.29
The Zemansky assets included:
Along with the Provident Loan Association and the State Loan Office, they owned 1/3 interest in a card parlor at El Cerrito, California and an interest in a tango game at Butte, Montana.

Edward Fitzgerald Snyder

2009-05-18T05:11:00.012-07:00

The following is Edward Snyder's (Henry F Sands) WW1 Draft Registration Card:

Edward Snyder of Marion, Ohio

2009-05-17T09:27:00.012-07:00

Edward Snyder (alias Henry F. Sands, Edward Fitzwilliam Strathmore) was born and raised in Marion, Marion, Ohio and lived on Silver Street just 1.5 miles from President Harding's Victorian home on Mt. Vernon Street. Edward was the son of Murray Snyder and Margaret Fitzgerald Snyder. Margaret Synder's parents, who both died in Marion, Ohio, had immigrated from Ireland. Murray & Margaret were married on 26 August 1891 in Marion and Warren & Florence Harding were married on 8 July 1891 in Marion. The Snyders were Catholic and the Hardings were Baptist. Murray Snyder worked and managed Marion's Telegraph Office while Warren Harding owned the Marion Daily Star Newspaper. Margaret & Murray had 10 children and Edward was the 2nd oldest.

Warren Harding of Marion, Ohio

2009-05-16T16:02:00.010-07:00

President Warren Gamaliel Harding was born 2 Nov 1865 near Marion, Marion County, Ohio (now Blooming Grove) the eldest of eight children to Dr. George Tyron Harding, Sr. and Phoebe Elizabeth (Dickerson) Harding. After Warren graduated from college, he purchased the Marion Daily Star. In 1891, Warren married Marion native Florence "Flossie" Mabel Kling, the only daughter of Amos Kling (the rival of Warren) and former wife of Henry De Wolfe. Florence had a son from her first marriage, Marshall Eugene De Wolfe.

In 1899, Harding was elected to the Ohio State Senate and served until he was elected Lt. Governor of Ohio and served from 1903 to 1905. Harding was elected to the US Senate in 1914 and served until his inauguration as President on 4 March 1921. During Harding's bid for the 1920 Presidency, he captivated the country with his "front porch campaign" where at his Victorian home at 380 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Marion, Ohio. The campaign was heavily covered by the press and it received widespread newsreel coverage, using Hollywood and Broadway stars & business icons like Henry Ford, who traveled to the Harding's front porch. Harding's campaign manager for the 1920 election was William Harrison Hays, who was later appointed by Harding as Postmaster General. After one year in office, Hays resigned to become the first president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of American (MPPDA).

While President, Harding appointed many to his cabinet who provided all sorts of scandals, resulting in a great amount of distrust among the Americans. Harding's Secretary of the Interior Albert B Fall, rented government lands to oil companies in return for personal loans, referred to as the "Teapot Dome Scandal" (see connections later, including one to Vern Dumas)

A Henry Peavey Connection

2009-05-15T07:15:00.005-07:00

Henry Peavey was William D. Taylor's cook & valet at the time of the murder. It's assumed that he discovered Taylor's body on the morning of 2 February 1922. The first significant finding for Peavey is the WW1 Draft Registration Card belonging to Henry Peavey. Henry Peavey lists Mrs. EG Garden as "friend" as the Nearest Relative in the Registration. Mrs. Garden was Edith, the wife of Edward "Ned" Gordon Garden. Ned was a Canadian born archtect who relocated to the San Francisco area in 1911 from St. Louis. In the 1920 census, Ned & Edith lived at 2917 Garber Street in Berkeley and Ned was an architect for Standard Oil.

The LAPD in 1922

2009-05-11T12:01:00.012-07:00

According the the 1922 Los Angeles Phone Directory & the LAPD online, the following notes about the police department were included:
Location of the central station: 318-322 West 1st Street
Police Chief: Charles A. Jones

(Charles A. Jones was chief from 5 Jul 1921 to Jan 3, 1922)

(Jas W Everington was chief 4 Jan 1922 to Apr 21, 1922)

(Louis D Oaks was chief 22 Apr 1922 to 1 Aug 1923)

Captain of Detectives: Charles R Moffat (on Jan 11, David L Adams went from commanding the Central Division to became the Detective Bureau and Moffat was to become the 2nd in command after Adams)

Captains of Police: James McDowell, RS Haupt, David L Adams, RL Heath, WL Spellman (on Jan 11, Spellman was appointed to command Central Division) Charles R Moffat, Herman W Kriege, AW Murray

Police Juvenile Bureau: Lt. HI Nicholson
City Mothers: Mrs. A Gilbert & Mrs. Deane Harris

The LAPD Consisted of:
1 Chief
1 Captain of Detectives
8 Captains
18 Lieutenants
52 Sergeants
49 Detectives
544 Policemen
21 Motorcycle officers
Captain of Chain Gang Guards

On 11 January 1922, Assistant Chief Murray announced the personnel of the new Wilshire Police Division, which was to begin operations on 16 January 1922. Announced was 100 police officers (8 sergeants) assigned to the Wilshire Division under the command of Captain Lee Heath and 2nd in command, Lieutenant Richard Hilf.

Manley Earl Tiffany, the Former Chauffeur

2009-05-08T13:05:00.013-07:00

Manley "Earl" Tiffany was the former chauffeur of William D. Taylor. Tiffany and Taylor parted ways in August of 1921 after Taylor's trip to Europe (Tiffany either was fired or quit) possibly due to a connection between Tiffany and Henry F. Sands. Tiffany testified in the Taylor case on 17 Feb 1922, just a week before Tiffany died of pneumonia.

1 March 1922: (AP) Los Angeles. . . "While officers declared the day's developments were encouraging, they suffered one misfortune in the report of the death two days ago from pneumonia of Earl Tiffany, former chauffeur to Taylor, and declared to have been of the upmost importance as a source of information concerning Edward F. Sands, missing former butler-secretary to the film director." Sheboygan Press

Obit in the 27 Feb 1922 LA Times: "TIFFANY, Feb 26, at 124 W. 83rd, Manley E. Tiffany, beloved husband of Mrs. Cathryn Tiffany, son of Mrs. Emma Davis and a brother of Mrs. Nina Tiffany; Funeral services will be held Wednesday March 1 at 1pm from Pierce Brothers Chapel, 810 Flower St."

Some notes about Earl Tiffany:
1895: Union County, Iowa- Manley (age 2 born IA) lived with Emma (mother), Nelitta May (sister)
1900: Union County, Iowa- Manley (age 7 born IA) lived with Emma (divorced, mother) & Nina (sister age 12)
1910: Westminster, Orange, CA- Mother and Step-dad, Lawrence Davis (I'm still looking for Earl & his sister in 1910; their father, Fred, remarried in 1898 and moved to Drammen, Minnesota)
World War 1 Draft Registration: 1115 S. Hill, LA, CA- Manley E. Tiffany b. 10 Aug 1892 in Afton, Iowa; employed as a mechanic for Isaac Milbank of Long Beach; married with a child; tall, slender, brown eyes, black hair.
7 Jan 1920: 111 13th St, Huntington Beach, CA- Mom, Step-dad, & sister
17 Jan 1920: 1302 S. Figueroa, LA, CA- Manley E. Tiffany was 30 years old, born in Iowa, and a unemployed mechanic.
Feb 1921: Earl Tiffany was hired by Taylor to assist Sands at the apartment and to replace Harry Fellows.
July 1921: After Taylor returned from Europe, Earl Tiffany either quit or was fired.
1922: 124 W. 83rd St, LA- Mom, step-dad, and sister

The Father of the Fellows Brothers

2009-05-07T06:25:00.010-07:00

Passport photo of Max Behlke
1 November 1921

On 5 November 1921, Max Behlke (the father of Harry & Howard Fellows) intended to leave New York on the Olympic planning to see relatives in Belgium (he had crossed off Germany) and to travel to Switzerland, Holland, Argentina, British Isles, and France. His occupation was that of a barber in Fairbanks, Alaska Territory. He claimed this passport to be his 1st one ever issued.

Some notes about Max's passport:

Passport #: 94863
Name: Max Behlke

Birth date: 14 June 1870 Danzing (Danzig), Germany
Father: August Behlke (born in Germany, deceased before Nov 1921)
Emigration: June 1886 from Antwerp
Residence: Resided in the US for 35 years (from 1886-1921) in Chicago, Montana, and Fairbanks, Alaska.
Naturalization: Boulder, Jefferson County, Montana (no date given but passport verified the naturalization paperwork was seen)
Age: 51
Stature: 5'7"
Forehead: high
Eyes: brown
Nose: prominent
Mouth: medium
Chin: round
Hair: Grey
Complexion: Dark
Face: Oval
Witness as to identification: Cecil H. Clegg, attorney in Fairbanks, testified he knew Max personally for 13 years.
Return: Max Behlke arrived 21 July 1922 in New York, New York on the Resolute from Hamburg, age 52; Passport #94863 Issued 1 Nov 1921; headed to his own home in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The Fellows Brothers

2009-05-06T10:23:00.008-07:00

On 8 August 1898, Grace Wilson married Max Behlke in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Max was a barber from Germany who had immigrated to the US in 1886. Max & Grace lived in Evanston, Illinois and had 3 sons: Harry A. born May 1899 IL; George W. born May 1900 IL, and Howard born 12 May 1903 IL. At some point before 1910, Grace & Max divorced. Max ended up barbering in Fairbanks, Alaska and Grace & the boys moved to California. Grace married Illinois born farmer, James Fellows. The three boys changed their last names to Fellows. They were:

1.) Henry "Harry" A. Milton (Behlke) Fellows: (b. 10 April 1899 IL & d. 23 April 1963 CA); Harry was Wm D. Taylor's assistant director at the time of the murder; he was previously Taylor's chauffeur; he was at the scene the morning of the murder; Harry married Lola "Loa" Reynolds (sister of actress Vera Reynolds) and they had a son, Jack B. Fellows born 8 January 1922.
Some notes about Harry:
WW1 draft registration: Lived at 218 N. Kenwood, Glendale, CA with his mother, Grace A. Fellows. Description: Medium height, medium build, brown eyes, blond hair.

1920: Lived at 406 Lake Street, Los Angeles, with wife Loa, brother George W., grandmother, Mary Jane Wilson, and 15 year old cousin, Iris Dean.
1922: Lived at 763 Gramercy Place, Los Angeles and work as an assistant director.
November 1922: Lived at 1032 N. Serrano, Hollywood, with wife Loa.
1923: Lived at 1032 N. Serrano, Los Angeles, and was an assistant director for Lasky Studios.
1930: Lived at 1001 Stanley Avenue, Los Angeles with Loa & Jack B (son) and worked as a real estate salesman for a subdivision company;

2.) George W. (Behlke) Fellows: (b. May 1900 IL)
Some notes about George:
1920: George W. lived with his brother & sister-in-law, Harry & Loa, & his widowed maternal grandmother, Mary Jane Wilson & cousin, Iris Dean.
1923: George W. Fellows, a draftsman for So Cal Edison Company lived with his mother, Grace A. Fellows and brother, Howard,
1930: George W. Fellows, an inmate at Lincoln Heights Jail in Los Angeles.

3.) Howard Oscar (Behlke) Fellows: (b.12 May 1903 IL & d. 13 July 1959 CA); Howard was the chauffeur at the time of Wm D. Taylor's murder; he gave some questionable statements regarding Taylor & the events around the time of the murder. Howard married Thelma Dunlap in 1923(ish).
Some notes about Howard:
8 January 1920: Lived in the Main Barracks of the Naval Training Station on Goat Island in San Francisco, CA. He was enlisted age 17 single born in Illinois; he was a app seaman in the US Navy;
12 January 1920: Was at Vallejo Twp, Solano, CA Naval Hospital on the Main Island. He was listed as a patient, age 17 born in Illinois, App Seaman for the US Navy;
5 January 1921: Howard was discharged from the US Navy as a Seaman 1st Class;
February 1922: Lived at 1622 Shatto Place, Los Angeles, CA
1929: Howard worked as a chauffeur for CC Cunningham who was a prospector for a mining corporation;
1930: Lived at 3166 32nd Ave, Los Angeles with wife Thelma, Sister-in-laws Irene Dunalp age 17 & Agnes age 15. Howard worked as a recorder for the motion pictures.

More about Julia Crawford Ivers

2009-04-29T22:15:00.018-07:00

Julia Crawford Ivers was a free-lance writer of originals, adaptations, and scenarios. She was close to William D. Taylor as his screenwriter. She visited the murder scene on the morning Taylor's body was found. Evidently, Julia sped off with her son, James Crawford Van Trees and Taylor's "bootleg liquor".

Julia was born on 3 October 1869 in Boonville, Missouri (per her passport) to James Crawford the dentist, and Laura Benedict Crawford. The family moved out to Los Angeles shortly after Julia's birth as they were listed as residing in LA on 16 August 1870. Julia's mother died before 1880 & she was raised by her father & maternal grandmother, Maria Benedict, formerly of New York.

Julia first married James Van Trees and in 1890 had a son named James Crawford Van Trees Jr, who became a successful cinematographer.

On 6 June 1900, Julia married a Michigan native & lawyer named Oliver Ivers, who had amassed a fortune in the oil industry over a period of 14 years until his death in February 1902. Oliver Ivers had large oil holings in Ventura County (see Abilene Petroleum Company later). Ivers was the sole owner & president of Sespe Oil Company & the principal member of the Iverrs-Bardsdale Crude Oil Company.

Oliver Ivers was also a partner of Frank A. Garbutt (more later). In the 1910's, Julia entered the film business writing scenarios for Frank Garbutt's Pallas pictures, where she met Wm D. Taylor. In 1916, she lived at the same address (321 S. Alvarado St.) as the Frank Garbutt family.

Interesting connections to Julia Crawford Ivers:
Verna J. Aldrich (secretary, scenario writer); Verna lived with Elizabeth Kenney (1920 census) and was the secretary for Julia Crawford Ivers in 1922; Verna accompanied Julia on a trip to Hawaii in April of 1922.

Elizabeth Kenney (the 2nd woman in California admitted to the bar); described as "quite tall, elegantly proportioned, of the intellectual blonde type"; Elizabeth was a leader in legislation for women's suffrage; practiced law in Los Angeles for 50 years and was a State inheritance tax appraiser for 25 years (including 1922);

From Julia's Passport dated April 1921:

From Elizabeth's Passport date November 1923:

Picture of Julia Crawford Ivers

2009-04-29T06:40:00.013-07:00

This picture of Julia Crawford Ivers was taken from her 2nd passport application dated 27 December 1923. Julia planned to travel leaving January 1924. Her description:
Age: 54 years
Stature: 5'5"
Forehead: high
Eyes: blue
Nose: straight
Mouth: straight
Chin: round
Hair: brown
Complexion: fair
Face: oval

The following is Julia's description from the first passport dated 15 April 1921 for the trip she planned to take leaving on 14 May 1921.
Age: 51 years
Stature: 5'5"
Forehead: high
Eyes: blue
Nose: straight
Distinguishing marks: none
Mouth: straight
Chin: round
Hair: brown grey
Complexion: fair
Face: oval

Regarding King Vidor

2009-04-28T13:33:00.001-07:00

Charles L ”King Wallis” Vidor (b. 8 Feb 1894 Galveston, TX & d. 1 Nov 1982 San Luis Obispo, CA)
King Vidor was and acclaimed Hungarian-American film director, whose career spanned 8 decades; His father, Charles Vidor was a lumber producer & merchant with the Miller-Vidor Company; King Vidor's wife was Florence Arto (b. 23 July 1895 Houston, TX & d. 3 Nov 1977 Pacific Palisades). King Vidor & Florence were childhood sweethearts. They married in 1915 & divorced in 1924. Florence was the daughter of JP Arto, a successful real estate agent & developer. This gets interesting:
Florence's half-brother, George Franklin Arto (AKA Henry Britt, Frank Brett, Edward F. Arto). George Arto has served (10 June 1917 enlisted) as a corporal in the US Marine Corps in WW1. According to accounts, George Arto (motion picture writer, accountant), on the evening of the murder, started to walk from his home at 220 South Bonnie Brae Street. George claimed to have seen Peavey talking to someone on the night of the murder. He was either going to the home of some relatives or to visit a young lady near the Taylor apartment. There were some further accounts of what Arto witnesses. More later.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 414 B

2009-04-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

Henry John Cox & his wife, Irene lived in 414 B.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 414 A

2009-04-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

Myrtle Pratt, widow of E.D. resided in 414 A. The previous tenants were the sisters, Agnes & Muriel Valentine. At some point before the murder, the sisters moved to 404 A.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 412 A

2009-04-28T12:23:00.001-07:00

Mary Cressy Fuller Stone was a witness the night of the murder. According to her, she was babysitting for her daughter at 412 A for the evening. When she was on her way to her's daughter's house to babysit, she saw a stranger standing at the corner, apparently waiting for a streetcar. He didn't board the streetcar and she became frightened. Mrs. Stone waited at the lighted corner before she crossed the street & watched as the man turned on Alvarado & into Maryland, walking toward her daughter's place. When she was putting her granddaughter (Lynette Thompson, age 9) to bed, she heard what sounded like a pistol shot. After she put the little one to bed, she looked down into the courtyard & saw a weird pattern of light and shadows. Apparently, she wasn't interviewed by the police.
Mary Cressy Fuller Stone was the 1st wife of Elmer Stone. Elmer, a physician & surgeon, was formerly the medical superintendant for the California State Hospital for the Insane in Napa. Elmer & Mary had two children, Cressy Lynette & Elmer E. Stone Jr.
Mary & Elmer divorced & he married Bertie Elsie Estes Joy. Elsie had a son, Melvin M. Joy who left Walla Walla, Washington & went with her to Los Angeles.
Elmer & Mary's daughter, Cressy Stone married Arthur W. Watcher, who claimed to have seen Mabel & Wm D Taylor together on the night before the murder. Arthur's father was the president of the Empire Construction Company & a long time resident of Los Angeles.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 412 B

2009-04-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

Samue Gordon "S.G." Buckner was the neighbor who reportedly telephoned the police after hearing Henry Peavey yelling that William D. Taylor was dead.
Samuel Bucker was the son of Joseph C. Buckner of Kentucky and Mary Trice Buckner. There is a the Annie Trice House in Hopkinsville, Kentucky which was built by her banker father in hopes of inducing her to stay home and not elope with a jockey. Samuel was a Los Angeles sales manager for Farmers Insurance Group Group. His wife was Vashti Hoover Buckner, daughter of of Harvey Edgar Hoover, who was and attorney, ranch owner, and businessman.
Apartment 412 B was previously occupied by Albert C. Fisher of New York and his wife Martha, and daughter, Bertha Rose.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 410 B

2009-04-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

Jacob Schaffer, a saloon keeper, and his wife Mary had several children including theatre proprietors, Frank and Ralph. Frank in 1922 was involved in real estate and married Marie, who was born in Washington State.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 410 A

2009-04-28T11:12:00.001-07:00

Claudia McPherson Reddick

1916

Directly across from William D. Taylor was unit 410 B. Claudia Frances McPherson Reddick lived there. Claudia was born on 18 Nov 1882 in Gold Hill, Nevada to Daniel and Katherine Murphy McPherson. Daniel died when Claudia was 11, making Katherine twice widowed. Claudia grew up with a brother, Archie McPherson, who studied as an electrician. Kate, Claudia, and Archie moved frequently and had the misfortune of being in San Francisco during the Earthquake in 1906. The family headed for Vancouver, BC where Claudia married Ferdinand Reddick and they all moved back to San Francisco by 1910. In 1915, Claudia was granted a divorce from Ferdinand from Judge Stoddard in Reno, Nevada. Claudia was of average height, fair complexion, dark hair, and blue eyes and after her divorce, moved to Los Angeles and lived on 7th Street near Figueroa. Claudia, her mother, and brother, lived in the same building at the same time as Marie Prevost and Will Mae Carson. In August of that year, Katherine McPherson died and Claudia soon after moved to 410 B Alvarado.
In 1922, Claudia made plans to marry wealthy businessman from John H. Bonnell from Ohio, who coincidently lived in the same Los Angeles apartment building owned by Anna Gillon with tenants such as Mabel Normand at 3089 W. Seventh St. Claudia’s plot, according to Bonnell, was to trap John Bonnell into marriage using subterfuge. Claudia, knowing about Bonnell’s planned trip to Chicago, she insisted on accompanying him and he agreed due to his poor health. Bonnell thought it strange while on the trip, Claudia received at telegram from a man in Los Angeles demanding the return of certain jewelry she had in her possession, threatening her arrest. She left the train there at Dodge City, Kansas and by way of Oklahoma, met up with Bonnell in Chicago. While there, Claudia’s plan was to trap him inside a hotel room and blackmail him into marrying her by sending two police officers to enter the room. Bonnell quickly agreed to marriage in order to avoid unwanted publicity. The wedding occurred on 16 August 1922 and John and Claudia lived together until 3 Oct 1923.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 408 A

2009-04-28T11:07:00.002-07:00

408 A belonged to Vern Josiah Dumas, his wife Verna, daughter, Hazel, and friend, Neil Harrington. Vern, his wife, and daughter were all Texas born, moving to Northern California in the early 1900’s. Verne was a prominent agent in the San Francisco Bay area for the Western States Life Insurance Company. Vern, a few years later, traded the life insurance business for the oil industry. He became the business manager for the Volunteer Oil Company of Fredonia, Kansas, settling his family in Los Angeles & eventually at 408 S. Alvarado. Vern later became the president and general manager of the Apex Petroleum Company in Long Beach. He was also associated with the Empire Petroleum Company, the Tal-Me Oil and Refining, and the Pan-Mex Petroleum Company. He also had associations with the Red Hill Petroleum and the Greater Amarillo Oil companies. Vern was one of the developers of the Santa Fe and Signal Hill oil fields. Vern was considered a pioneer South California oilman when he divorced his wife Verna in 1931 so he could marry Vashti Marshall of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. There was a connection between Dumas and Elks Hills that I will add later. Vern’s daughter, Hazel in Van Alstyne, Texas on 3 August 1897 married Michigan born lawyer, Frank Rouse.
Neil Harrington was living with the Dumas Family when William Taylor was murder. Neil was previously referred to as an oil operator, but the Kansas born son of a preacher worked for Hass, Baruch, and Company, wholesale grocers at the Corner of 2nd and Alameda, specializing in coffee roasters, spice grinders, tobacco and Cigars.
The previous tenants in 408 A were Ohio born Herbert Irving Skillman and his mother Ida. Herbert passed away on 13 August 1920 in Los Angeles. Before Herbert’s death, a Nebraska born actor named Charles Spear (Spere) was living in the apartment with the Skillmans.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 408 B

2009-04-28T10:11:00.001-07:00

The front door of Unit 408 faced west and the apartment had three windows with which someone may have witnessed what occurred at William Taylor’s place.
Philip Forve and his bride, Frances Van Tilburg Forve moved into their bungalow right after their wedding in the summer of 1921. Philip grew up in a house at the corner of Westlake and Maryland, which is directly to the south of Alvarado Court. Philip was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and spent his childhood living with his parents, Phillip Sr. and Louise Stegmaier Forve, and his maternal grandfather, Charles Stegmaier. Philip's grandfather Charles, born during 1821 in Germany was the founder of a brewery in Wilkes-Barre bearing his name. The Stegmaier Gold Medal brewery was quite successful that at one point it was one of the largest in Pennsylvania. When Charles died in Los Angeles during the summer of 1906, his estate was estimated to be worth $4 million.
Philip worked as a salesman and later a vice-president of his father, Philip Sr.’s gas and electric supply company on the 2nd floor of the Pettebone Building at 5th and Broadway. Philip married Frances Van Tilburg. The daughter of an oil company president.
Philip assumed the 408 B apartment after Fred Fischback, his wife Ethel and mother-in-law Mary Lindsey, left for Hobart Avenue. Fred was a Romanian born movie director who was involved in the huge star Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle/Virginia Rappe case. Fatty was tried three times for the murder of model and actress Virginia with the first two trials finishing in hung juries. The third trial resulted in Fatty’s acquittal with a written apology from the jury. The case was quite sensational and Fatty’s career was effectively destroyed by the sensationalism brought forth by the effort of newspapers to crucify him in the press. Virginia Rappe was a troubled actress who had been invited to the party in San Francisco, where she died, by Fred Fischback, at the suggestion of Ira Fortlouis, a dress salesman.
Fred Fischback married Ethel Lindsay in 1919. Ethel started her career as an actress in 1915 with the stage name of Ethel Lynn(e). She was born in Texas and remained by Fred’s side until his death in 1925.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 406 A

2009-04-28T10:04:00.001-07:00

The proprietor of Alvarado Court was also the designer, builder, and current manager. His name is Emile Charles Jessurun, born 13 January 1875 in San Francisco. Emile’s mother, Emma Cerf died just one week after Emile’s birth and his Jamaican born father, Isaac Jessurun was a compositor, commonly referred to as a typesetter. Isaac’s parents were of English descent. Isaac died in 1910 at the age of 64.
Emile’s maternal grandfather was French. Emile’s father remarried six years after Emma’s death to Melanie Wormser, and together they had two daughters, Stella and Florence.
Emile married Olive Tuttle on 16 November 1896 in Chicago, Illinois. Olive’s maternal grandfather, Benjamin Van Buren was born in Kinderhook, New York. After Emile and Olive married, there daughter, Estelle May was born in June 1897 in Illinois. From there, the young Jessurun family, along with Olive’s mother, moved to Manhattan where Emile operated a photography business.
By November 1916, Emile and his family had moved to Los Angeles finished construction of the bungalow complex known as Alvarado Court. The Jessurun family moved into apartment # 400 A, with one side facing Alvarado Street and the back towards Maryland. Shortly before the Taylor’s murder, they moved three buildings down to 406 A, the home vacated by comedian, Charles McLean and his wife Faith, when they moved next door to 406 B.
After Taylor’s murder, Emile, Olive, & Estelle moved to Big Bear, California. Emile owned 107 acres of Big Bear property on which he built a large hot water plunge and was financing the construction of a sanatorium when he died of a heart attack in August 1926.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 406 B

2009-04-28T09:54:00.001-07:00

In 406 B lived Douglas MacLean and his wife, Faith Cole McLean, shared a common wall in a duplex with Emile, Olive, and daughter Estelle Jessurun in the 406 Building. The MacLean’s lived on the left and the Jessurun’s on the right.
When the MacLean’s moved from the left side of the duplex to the right, they replaced a widow and her daughter, Caroline Wheat Gary and her daughter, Ava Grace. Caroline and Ava moved to Monrovia (near Pasadena) before William Taylor’s murder. Caroline’s daughter, Dora “Bernice” Gary married attorney Alfred Barstow, and their daughter, Mary Rhodes Barstow married Norman Rockwell.
Charles Douglas MacLean was born 10 Jan 1890 in Philadelphia to renowned Methodist preacher Charles Clothier MacLean and his wife Ada Manderson. Douglas was educated in Illinois and New York, having graduated from Union College and married Faith Cole, the only daughter of lawyer and former NY Speaker of the Assembly, Fremont Cole, on 8 Apr 1914 at the Cole mansion in Little Neck, Long Island, New York. Douglas’ father performed the ceremony. Douglas and Faith were fellow students at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and both were quite taken with golfing.
Douglas, with his slender build and brown hair and eyes, took to acting, especially as a comedian and later as a motion picture producer, even with his own production company. Douglas and Faith lived in Alvarado Court as early as 1920 while Douglas’ parents moved just 4 miles away from him. In 1922, while he was still acting for Thomas H Ince Productions, Bogart Rogers was his business manager. Bogart was the brother of Adela Rogers St. Johns and the son of famed lawyer, Earl Rogers. Over the next several years, Douglas moved to producing, still employing Bogart as his secretary and treasurer.
The MacLeans divorced in 1930 and both remarried the following year. Faith married Lieutenant Joseph E Moody, a decorated Marine, in Shanghai. Joseph’s brother, Frederick S Moody married a poetry loving actress and sensational tennis star, Helen Willis.
Faith had a maid who was working for her during the evening of the murder named Christine Jewett. Christine’s husband, Raymond Jewett was a taxidermist and furrier who owned a fine fur business at the corner of Pico and Alvarado.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 404 B

2009-04-28T09:47:00.001-07:00

William Desmond Taylor resided in 404 B, taking the apartment fully furnished after Ralf and Hazel Gillon Dignowity moved to 3089 W. Seventh St. More information about the apartment will be added later.
Click hear to read more about Ralf & Hazel Dignowity.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 404 A

2009-04-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

The sisters who lived in 404 A and who shared a common wall with William Taylor were Muriel Valentine and Agnes Valentine Graves. The sisters had previously lived in 414 A, bordering Alvarado Street and directly across from the Lawrence family. Muriel, born 15 June 1884 and Agnes on 22 May 1887 were born in New York to Richard Valentine and Julia Lowry. Muriel was an auburn haired and blue eyed physician who earned the French de guerre award by General Petain for her services in World War 1. During the war, she commanded an ambulance unit, some 16 machines, with great efficiency capturing the notice of the French Command.
Agnes Valentine married Robert “Bob” Graves III born 22 October 1888 to Robert Graves and Charlotte de Grasse. Bob’s parents divorced when he was 12 and his father remarried the widow of Henry Bradley Plant, railroad tycoon, bringing quite a fortune to Bob’s life. Bob Graves and Agnes married in 1908 in Connecticut and eventually divorced and Agnes moved to Los Angeles. Bob was a tall blue eyed actor who appeared on stage in New York and later moved to Hollywood and built a successful career in acting.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 402 B

2009-04-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

In 402 B was Arvilla Pearl Smuin and her mother and step-father, Martha and Arthur W. Cooley. Arvilla was born 17 April 1901 in Ogden, Utah and worked as a receptionist. Two years after Wm D. Taylor's murder, Arvilla met her future husband at a dance in Santa Monica. He was Goodwin “Goodie” Jess Knight, the 31st Governor of California. Arvilla’s step-father, Arthur, was a chemical expert, a department manager for Dearborn Chemical Company.
When Arvilla was interviewed by the LA Examiner after the murder, she said that she and Arthur were sitting in their living room reading almost the entire evening and they didn’t hear a sound. Their blinds were drawn and had no reason to look outside and hence, they saw no one. She also told the paper, "When I think that such a kind, fine man as Mr. Taylor is said to have been, was right here helpless, at the mercy of a fiendish murderer when some of us might have gone to his aid and saved him, and we only known what was going on. It seems that we all live too much to ourselves and that there ought to be some better mode of communication between us all.

Before Arvilla, Martha, and Arthur moved into 402 B, the apartment was occupied by Irene McNeal Swasey and her son, McNeal. Irene was a socialite belle from Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of Judge Albert McNeal, and the great-granddaughter of President James K. Polk. Irene married Australian born architect, William Albert Swasey in 1890. William was a distinguished theatre architect. He designed several classic movie theatres including the 44th Street Theatre, Princess Theatre, the Winter Garden Theatre, and Nazimova’s 39th Street Theatre, Nora Byers Theatre, the 48th Street Theatre in New York. McNeal Swasey followed in his dad’s footsteps as an architect, well known as the “master” of period revival style of homes in the early 1920s.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 402A

2009-04-28T08:57:00.001-07:00

The third visit was to 402 A, which belonged to actress Olga Edna Purviance. Edna had said she knew William Taylor only very slightly and that she had never worked with him and had only met him formally. She described him to be rather interesting, likable, and smart with great manners. She had also heard him referred to as honest, kind, and generous. She said she saw him infrequently and knew nothing of his private life. She knew Taylor and Mabel Normand were close but couldn’t tell if they relationship was more than friends.
Supposedly, Charlie Chaplin paid the rent on 402. Charlie's brother, Sydney Chaplin, was at one time Edna's agent. During January 1920, Syney lived at 307 W. 7th St, along with Mabel Normand, in apartments owned by Anna Gillon, mother of Hazel Gillon Dignowity, who lived in 404 S. Alvarado before Wm D. Taylor.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 400 B

2009-04-28T08:39:00.001-07:00

The second apartment to visit is 400 B. The occupants were Detroit native Charles P. Ensign and his wife, Ida Rohrer Ensign. Charles was a passenger agent for a railroad company and Ida was a milliner. His previous wife, Laura Works, was the daughter of judge and senator John Downey Works.

The previous tenants were Louis Richard Lautterstein, his wife Dora, and their daughter, Ruth. They had moved to Adams Street prior to Taylor’s murder. Louis’ father, Henry was an optician in Chicago, having emigrated from Europe in 1872. Louis was a tall builder of sorts who moved with Dora to San Francisco and then Los Angeles. Their only child, Ruth Lautterstein married theatre owner, Ralph Grunauer, whose sister Fay Grunauer was married to theatre owner and Academy Award winning film producer, Sol Lesser.

The Alvarado Neighbors: 400 A

2009-04-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

The first apartment to visit is 400 A, with its side to Alvarado Street and its back to Maryland. The residents were a broker named William B. Lawrence and his wife, Adeline and their 17 year old son, Thomas. The Lawrence family had moved from 6th & Bixel to Alvarado Court to the home vacated by the Jessurun family when they moved down the court to 406 B.

William and Adeline told a story to the LA Examiner after the murder. The family was downstairs during the evening of the murder until about 8:30pm when Adeline went upstairs to the bedroom. William heard a short conversation coming from outside which including a woman laughing, a man saying goodbye, and a car driving away. Adeline also said that several days prior to the murder, a man came to their home inquiring for Taylor. William said the man looked enough like Taylor to be his twin.

as published in LA Examiner on 4 Feb 1922:

(JK) Lawrence:
"There are so many automobiles passing here all of the time and their
back-fire explosions are so similar to a pistol shot that we have gotten so
we pay no attention to them whatever. I have no recollection of hearing
anything that sounded like a shot at any particular time during the evening
in which the shooting occurred, but I might have heard a dozen such sounds without feeling the slightest alarm. I think every occupant of the court should try to recollect anything he or she saw which might in any way throw light on the event."

Regarding Mabel Normand

2009-04-28T06:59:00.000-07:00

Mabel Ethelreid Normand (b. 9 November 1892 & d. 23 Feb 1930) Mabel was a silent film comedienne and actress. She was very close to William Desmond Taylor.

The following is an account of Mabel's day before Taylor's untimely death:
Mabel’s boss, Mack Sennett, had given her the day off on Wednesday. She woke up at noon, dressed quickly, and had her chauffeur, William Davis load the car with packages of jewelry she had received at Christmastime. Mabel’s plan was to spend the afternoon at her favorite jewelers, Brocks’ and Feagans’ at 5th & Broadway. She wanted to return some duplicate jewelry, exchange others, and have some engraved.

On Wednesday, around 6:00pm, Mabel went to the Hellman’s Commercial Trust & Savings Bank at the corner of 6th & Main. According to her friend Mack Sennett, Mabel got her cancelled checks, left her checkbook to be balanced, talked to several persons in the safety deposit vault when she placed some of her personal jewelry in her personal box. She asked permission to use the phone to call her maid, Mamie Owen with Mabel’s plans to dine downtown and go see Harry Lloyd’s new movie. When Mamie answered, she told Mabel of Mack Sennett’s order for Mabel to be ready to go on location for filming her movie at 7:00am with her makeup on. Mamie also told her that Taylor had called her 3 or 4 times and had sent a book over from CC Parker’s Bookstore and that he had stopped and had another book she wanted and could she pick them up at Taylor’s or should he bring them over? Mabel informed her maid she would stop at Taylor’s house before she arrived home.

After leaving the bank, Mabel had her chauffeur, William Davis drive her down Main Street, stopping when she saw a peanut man with a pushcart outside the Pacific Electric. Mabel got out of the car and skipped across the street and purchased 2 bags of peanuts worth 50¢. She had only $10 and the peanut man had no change so Mabel went inside the drugstore and the girl at the drugstore smiled when she recognized Mabel. She then stopped at 7th & Broadway and bought several magazines including the Police Gazette. She told Davis to take her straight to see Taylor’s at 404 B South Alvarado Street.

When Davis arrived at Taylor’s home close to 7:00pm, Mabel asked Davis to sweep peanut shells out of the car, while she still had a bag in her hand intending it as a thank-you gift for Taylor for the books he bought her. Henry Peavey, the house helper, opened the door. Peavey told Mabel that Taylor was on the phone and she could hear him talking loudly on the phone in the little room under the stairs. Mabel said she waited outside among the flower beds and eventually when she heard Taylor say, “Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye,” she rang the doorbell. Taylor went outside to see Mabel and Peavey went to the kitchen. In addition to the bag of peanuts, Mabel had in her hand the black bag she kept things like cancelled checks in. Taylor and Mabel went inside. They chatted as Taylor said he’d just finished dinner and offered for Peavey to make dinner for her. She explained that Mamie had dinner prepared for her and the early morning she anticipated.

Mabel agreed to have a cocktail with Taylor and she presented him with her creative thank you gift, of which he laughed and put the bag on top of the piano. Mabel first sat on the piano stool and the Taylor suggested she move to the rocking chair. Mabel saw the desk was open and Taylor called her over and showed her his desk in which the top of the table was covered with papers including cancelled checks. As Mabel sat on the arm of his chair, he pointed out that most of the checks were forged and even he had a difficult time telling which bore his signature. Taylor appeared to be at his wits end from trying to make sense of his financial mess. He had his suspicions of the identity of the guilty party but doubtful he would ever see justice.

Henry entered the room with a silver tray carrying two cocktails. He bowed in his peculiar way. He inquired as to Mabel’s well-being in his shrill voice and hoped she was well. Taylor asked Peavey to clean up and then sent him home assuring him that he should be able to fix up the problem with the courts on Thursday. With that, Henry was dismissed to go home and return at 7:00 on Thursday morning.

It’s unclear whether Mabel and Taylor had an intimate relationship or if they were dear companions who shared a love for movies, philosophy, and intellectual books. It’s been learned that both the two had a shared great affection for Ethel M Dell, a British writer of popular romance novels. The talked freely about the books, their work, and of other topics of interest to them. Taylor offered to call her later that evening, but Mabel informed him that Mamie wouldn’t disturb her after 9:00pm.

Taylor walked Mabel outside, closing the screen door behind them. Mabel suggested they visit her friend, Edna Purviance, who lived three doors down. Mabel noticed Arthur Cooley, chemical expert, sitting near the window under a light reading newspaper. The Cooley’s shared a common wall with Edna Purviance in the 402 duplex. Taylor walked Mabel to the car and helped her in while Davis was waiting for her amidst the scattered peanut shells. Taylor and Mabel said their goodbyes and blew kisses from their hands to each other as long she could see him standing on the sidewalk.

As Davis drove Mabel to her apartment at 3089 West Seventh Street, on the corner of 7th & Vermont, approximately 1.25 miles from Taylor’s home, she was thinking of Taylor and the big day of work on the morrow. Once at home, Mabel ate dinner alone. She waited for Taylor to call on her at her home that night, but when 9:00 came around and no sign of Taylor, she went to bed.

Mabel’s apartment building was owned by Mrs. Anna T. Gillon, who bought it years before for $100,000. Anna T. Durkee Gillon was born on 8 January 1860 at Jerseyville, Illinois to John and Ellen Johnson. Anna was of average height with grey eyes, auburn hair, fair complexion, and a round face. She married her 2nd husband, Charles Edwin Gillon in 1896. Charles was a fire insurance agent. Anna’s daughter Hazel Durkee was born in 1887 during her 1st marriage.

On 10 May 1917, Hazel Durkee Foster married Ralf P. Dignowity, the 2nd time at the altar for both of them. Ralf was born into a prominent family in San Antonio and educated in Switzerland and in elite schools in the East, including the Highland Military Academy in Worcester, Mass. Ralf’s father, Charles, was at one time a representative of one of the largest mining companies of New York. It was in 1906 that Charles, sons Ralf and Frederic left society to the Reno, Nevada area for the purpose of investing in mining properties. Charles’ wife, Ella stayed in the East. Charles became a formidable presence in the mining industry, promoting mines particularly in Nevada and Colorado. Eventually, Charles’ mining venture went bankrupt and he joined Charles in Los Angeles.

Ralf became accomplished, by 1912, at his job with the Los Angeles Playgrounds Association and was hired as a physical education director of the public schools in Pomona. Ralf quickly left the Phys Ed department for the automobile. He began with a small auto repairs shop on the corner of Grand & 10th (now Olympic) of which he prided himself on keeping one of the finest and cleanest repair shops in the city. By 1917, Ralf’s mother joined his father in Los Angeles. When Charles was injured in a streetcar mishap, he was left disabled, forcing him and Ella to depend on Ralf for financial support.

Ralf was one of 24 million men in the United States who completed a draft registration card during World War 1. On June 5, 1917, Ralf gave the information that he was born on Christmas day 1888 in San Antonio, Texas, that he was married, supported his parents, was a proprietor of an auto repair shop, was tall, slender, with green eyes, and brown hair. In 1918, Ralf was investigated by the FBI after a tip that he wasn’t supporting his parents and that his wife had a separate income. The investigation showed Hazel indeed had a separate income from her stock in the Silver Bowl Vineyard Company but had several properties of which the taxes were of a far greater amount than her income. Before she married Ralf, Hazel had gone to the extent of borrowing over $1200 from the AB Cohn Company at the corner of 3rd & Main when she pawned some jewelry. Ralf worked hard in the auto business and in November of 1920 was awarded the rights to sell Los Angeles Briscoe automobiles franchised.

Frederic “Fred” Dignowity was also investigated by the FBI in the fall of 1918, but for an entirely different matter. Fred was a mechanical engineer who had been fired by the Air Nitrate Corporation “ANC” of Buffalo, New York. It was during World War 1 that the ANC built their nitrate plants in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, approved by President Woodrow Wilson for the use of the much needed nitrates for ammunition and explosives. The ANC had substantial war time contracts with the US Government and it was believed Fred was in stolen possession of plans and processes belonging to the company. Fred had been kicked out of his residence at the Hotel Somerset in Buffalo after incurring a large bill while representing himself as a government employee. Fred’s last check from ANC, dated 1 June 1918, was sent to him in care of the American Cyanamid Company of Niagara Falls, Ontario. When Fred left the hotel, his trunk with possessions was left behind. When a locksmith had opened it, he found no trace of ANC’s missing papers. It was assumed by the FBI that Fred was headed to Washington DC, but they found no trace of him. Fred, however, showed up in Los Angeles some time later.

My first discovery of Ralf Dignowity and his family came when I read the mention of a witness in the neighborhood of the evening of William Taylor’s murder. Adela Rogers St. John, a Hollywood journalist for Wm Randolph Hearst’s newspaper, the LA Examiner, described Hazel Gillon as a witness. Did Adela interview Anna Gillon or her daughter, Hazel Dignowity? During June of 1917, Hazel and her husband Ralf lived at 404 B South Alvarado Street, the exact same apartment where William Desmond Taylor was murdered. When Taylor returned to Hollywood in May 1919, he went to live in the home vacated by the Dignowity couple. They went and moved into an apartment in Hazel’s mother’s building 3089 West 7th Street. They became neighbors in the building to Mabel Normand, her nurse, Mary Brent, secretary Edith Geiger, and maid Mamie Owens.

Obit- Dr. John Pomeroy

2009-04-28T04:52:00.000-07:00

As published in the LA Times on 25 March 1941
Dr. Pomeroy, County Health Officer, Dies
Wife at Bedside as End Comes to Pioneer in Public Medicine
Dr. John Larrabee Pomeroy, 57, who served as Los Angeles County Health Officer since that office was created in 1915, died yesterday in a California Hospital after a brief illness.
Throughout the county flags flew at half-staff in respect to the man who in 1925 pioneered the development of district health centers for the indigent.

Wife at Bedside- His wife, Mrs. Lecile Jones Pomeroy, was at the bedside. Dr. Pomeroy entered the hospital two weeks ago but went on sick leave, from the county health office last December.

The autopsy indicated that death was caused by a kidney ailment, the attending physician Dr. Charles Bennett, reported.

Born in Louisville, KY, Dr. Pomeroy was graduated from the Hospital College of Medicine there and furthered his professional studies at Bellevue College in New York. He served his internship at Charity Hospital in New York City and became a resident physician at the New York State Hospital in 1905.

Married in 1907- In 1907 he married Lillian Brennan, of New York City, who died in 1930. They had one child, Stanley Norris Pregnancy of San Marino.

Dr. Pomeroy joined the United States Army Medical Corps in 1908 as assistant surgeon in Spokane, Wash. After four years in private practice, he came to Southern California as resident physican in a private sanitarium and part-time health officer of the city of Monrovia. In 1915 he assumed his present post and for many years was the only full-time County Health Officer in the West.

Cited as Leader- During his administration, Los Angeles County archieved a reputation as one of the nation's most healthful areasand was frequently city by the United States Chamber of Commerce as a leaderin rural health conservation.

In the World War, Dr. Pomeroy returned to duty as a captain in the Medical Corps at Fr. Riely, Kansas.

Dr. Pomeroy married Miss Lecile Jones, executive secretary of the Los Angeles County Tuberculosis and Health Association and formerly a social worker in his department. In August, 1930. they have one child, Joan, 9. the Pomeroy home is at 401 Tigertail Road, Brentwood Heights.

He was credited with having drafted and sponsored passage of the first metropolitan sewage of the first metropolitan sewage disposal bill and pioneered public supervision of eating places. He was the author of several books and numerous papers on public health matters, a member of the State and County Medical Associations, the American Public Health Association and helped to found the Southern California Public Health Association.

Dr. Pomeroy was a Presbyterian and a Mason.

Funeral Thursday- Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the Wee Kirk o' the Heather, Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Dr. William Wirth will officiate and private interment will follow. The physician's body will lie in state at Forest Lawn today and tomorrow.

Acting on a motion presented the Supervisor John Anson Ford, the Board of Supervisors ordered a letter of condolence sent to the family of Dr. Pomeroy on behalf of the board and the county government.

Board Grieved- "The passing of Dr. Pomeroy removes the public service one of teh ablest and most highly esteemed public figures in California. Not only has he earned and held the special regard of his fellow medical men, but he has been recognized as an outstanding pioneer in the relatively new field of public health.

"Coming to Los Angeles 25 years ago as a lone representative of public health, he rendered a steadily expanding service, the value of which won recognition and support in all communities with which he came in contact.

One of the First- "Dr. Pomeroy had been trained in New York in one of America's first public health offices. Time and again in his quarter of a century of administration in this country, national and international medical and health agencies formally attested to the high regard in which he and his work have been held.

"The general health and the general sanitary conditions in this country have shown steady improvement. In various crises, notably when the bubonic plague broke out in one congested section, Dr. Pomeroy's courageous and immediate action saved Los Angeles from widespread epidemics and great loss of life.

Growth of Department- "Dr. Pomeroy initially was the lone Health Department employee when he came here in 1915. Today his department has nearly 500 employees. We now serve an estimated population of 993,202 in the area served by the County Health Department. This included 30 cities of the 44 in the country."

Roger W. Jessup, chairman of the board, declared:

"In the passing of Dr. J.L. Pomeroy, the citizens of Los Angeles County have suffered a loss of a public official whose ambitions during his 25 years in public office have been one of service.

Temporary Successor- "His tireless efforts had raised the Federal rating of the Health Department of the County of Los Angeles to a point equal to any county in the United States."

Under the law the Supervisors are compelled to immediately appoint an acting county health officer to fill the vacancy left by the dath of Dr. Pomeroy, such appointment to be for 60 days at which time a county civil service examination will be held to select an officer for a permanent appointment.

Rev. Roy Gilbert, who since March 13, 1939 has been assistant to Dr. Pomeroy, was selected for the temporary appintment. Dr. Gilbert entered teh County Health Departemnt service in September 1930, as a district health officer in the San Fernando district. When made assistant to Dr. Pomeroy he was place in charge of the East Los Angeles health Center of the County Heatlth Department, also serving the district health officr for the East Los Angeles and Whittier districts.

Dr. Gilbert came to California in 1924 after graduating from the Medical School of teh University of Michigan and began private practice in Long Beach where he continued until he entered county service. When his wife and daughter, 14, he resides at 15113 Encanto Drive, Sherman Oaks.

Obit for Mrs. Alice Lillian Brennan (Pomeroy)

2009-04-28T04:23:00.000-07:00

As published in the LA Times on 3 Jan 1030:
Mrs. Pomeroy's Rites Set
Funeral Services for County Health Officer's Wife to be Conducted Tomorrow at Monrovia
"Funeral services for Mrs. Lillian Brennan Pomeroy, wife of Dr. John L. Pomeroy, Los Angeles county health officer, will be conducted tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Episcopal Church at Monrovia. Interment will be at the Monrovia Mausoleum. The body will lie in state all day today in the chapel of the Taylor & Renaker funeral parlors. Monrovia.
Mrs. Pomeroy died early Wednesday morning at the Monrovia Hospital after a week's illness. Her husband and son, Stanley Pomeroy, were at the bedside when she died. She was the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. George Marsden Brennan of New York City, where she was born in 1888. She was married to Dr. Pomeroy, then a young medical officer in the Army, in 1907, and went with him to his post at Fort Wright, Spokane, Washington. Later, she resided for a short time in Louisville, KY and in 1910 came with him to Los Angeles where in 1914, he was selected for the post of the first full-time county health officer. The family residence is at 260 South Mariposa avenue. In addition to her husband and son, Mrs. Pomeroy leaves two sisters, Mrs. Ada Deane Tanner of Monrovia and Mrs. Hugh Hollenbeck of New York City.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Ralph Burns, Dr. J.M. Downs, Dr. Charles L. Bennett, Dr. DE Smallhorst, Dr. William F. Reasner, Dr. Henry Smiley, Dr. Frank Estes, Dr. JC Crandall, Dr. Eugene Fountaine, Dr. Frank Wilmot, Dr. R.V. Stone, Supervisor Shaw, Hertbert A. Payne, France Nance, A.R. Clifton, Harold A. Young, Dr. Howard Slaughter, Dr. Francis L. Pottenger, Dr. Frank Dettling, Dr. George Kress, Dr. Percy Magan, Dr. Alfred F. Gallant, Dr. N.N. Wood, William F. Holland, Dr. L.N. Wheeler, Johnathan S. Dodge, Jack H. Down, Dr. F.C.F. Mattison, Dr. Charles W. Decker, Captain Alfred Slaten and J. Clark Sellers.
Active pallbearers will be Dr. Charles Roth, Dr. A.S. Baker, Dr. E.M. Burns, Dr. Fred Furstman, Dr. Warren Fox, Dr. Samuel Stewart.

Subject's Brother, Denis Gage Deane-Tanner

2009-04-28T03:37:00.001-07:00

Wm's Brother: Denis “D” Gage Deane-Tanner (b. 14 Sept 1876 Ireland)
Background: Manager of antique shop; Lieut. In the English Army during the Boer War; Member of the NY Athletic Club; Worked for A.S. Vernay @ 12 E. 45th St. NY as an interior decorator; Description: (1907) 5’9”, broken nose, lean, lanky. (1912) 5/8” blue/gray eyes, thick light brown hair, smooth shaven, broken nose, “addicted to stammering” w/ slight Irish accent. 2nd Lieutenant 2nd Battalion, King’s own Regiment;

Denis' Spouse: Ada Charlton Brennan (Deane-Tanner) (b. 1 Dec 1872 NY & d. 26 April 1959 LA, CA)
1880: 148 E. 30th St., Manhattan, NY. (Brennan: George M. 50 b. Can (Can, Can) Physician; Caroline K. 40 b. NY (NY, NY); George M. Jr. (son) 11 (attending school) b. NY (Can, NY); Ada C. 6 (dau) b. NY (Can, NY); Caroline C. 4 (dau) NY (Can, NY); Alice L. 2 (dau) NY (Can, NY); Kate 4/12 (dau) NY (Can, NY)
1881: h148 E 30th, Manhattan, NY (Brennan, George M, physician)
1900: 202 W 79th St, Manhattan, NY (Brennan: Caroline K (head) b. Apr 1849 age 51 widowed m1 (6, 4) NY (NY, NY); Ada C (dau) b. Dec 1873 age 26 single b. NY (Canada, NY); Hallenbeck, Maud C (dau) b. June 1876 age 23 m1 (0, 0) NY (Canada, NY); Hugh M (son-in-law) b. Feb 1875 age 25 m1 b. NY (NY, NY) Clerk- Real Estate Office; Brennan, A Lillian (dau) b. Oct 1878 age 21 single b. NY (Canada, NY)
1900: NY Directory h202 W 79th, NY (Brennan, Caroline K, widow George)
23 May 1903: Arrived at Black Rock, NY: Dennis D Tanner (border crossing to NY) age 27 single, labor, could read & write; Irish- Dublin, Ireland; last residence: Toronto; Final destination: Buffalo, NY; had ticket to Buffalo, passage paid by himself; $20; never been to the US; no relative in Buffalo; examined on 22 June 1903; 1903: Denis immigrated to the US
1905: 101 W 85th, NY, NY (Brennan, CK Widow)
1909: “Deane-Tanner- Aug. 26, Kearnes, infant son of Denis & Ada Brennan Deane-Tanner. English papers please copy.” NY Times.
1910: (Renault Apartments) 207 W. 110th St., Manhattan (Denis J. Ada, Muriel, & mom, Caroline 60 Widowed)
22 Dec 1910: 247 W. 104th St., NY.
24 Aug 1912: Disappeared from home (247 W. 104th St, NY)
Sept 1912: 247 West 104th St, NY.
Sept 1912: Caroline, Ada, & girls went to Los Angeles to the home of her parents.
1913: Mother, Caroline, died of heart failure in Monrovia.
1913-1914: Went to stay w/ sister, Mrs. Pomeroy in Monrovia.
1916: 240 E. Palm, Monrovia, CA (Deane-Tanner, Mrs. Ada, housewife, Progressive)
1920: 240 E. Palm, Monrovia, CA (Emil Ostby 31 MN engineer, Mabel 28 MN; Ada (owned) div, & girls)
1924: 426 E. Lemon Ave, Monrovia (Deane-Tanner, Mrs. Ada, housewife, Republican)
1926: 426 E. Lemon Ave, Monrovia (Deane-Tanner, Mrs. Ada, housewife, Republican)
1930: 426 E. Lemon Ave, Monrovia (Tanner, Mrs. Ada Deane, housewife, Republican)
1930: 426 Lemon St., Monrovia, CA (Ada div, Muriel- newspaper steno., Alice D. 19 clerk-health center)
1932: 426 E. Lemon St, Monrovia, CA (Dean-Tanner, Mrs. Ada, Republican)
1932: 506 King St, Monrovia, CA (Grogan, Robert A., Republican, & Mrs. Alice E., Republican)
1938: 426 E. Lemon Ave, Monrovia, CA (Deane-Tanner, Mrs. Ada, housekeeper, Republican)
1938: 1133 E. Palmer Ave, Glendale, CA (Egger, Edward, millman, Democrat, & Mrs. Muriel, housewife, declined to state)
1942: 426 E. Lemon Ave, Monrovia, CA (Deane-Tanner, Mrs. Ada, housekeeper, Republican)
1942: 1133 E. Palmer Ave, Glendale, CA (Egger, Edward, millman, Democrat, & Mrs. Muriel, housewife, declined to state)
1944: 426 E. Lemon Ave, Monrovia, CA (Deane-Tanner, Mrs. Ada, housekeeper, Republican)
1946: 426 E. Lemon Ave, Monrovia, CA (Deane-Tanner, Mrs. Ada, housekeeper, Republican)
1946: 1118 E. Palmer Ave, Glendale, CA (Egger, Mrs. Muriel, & Mr. Gottleib, & Mrs. May)
1948: 1118 E. Palmer Ave, Glendale, CA (Egger, Mrs. Muriel & Mr. Edward) 1954: 426 E. Lemon Ave, Monrovia, CA (Deane-Tanner, Mrs. Ada, housekeeper, Republican)
1954: 1345 Allen Ave, Glendale, CA (Egger, Mrs. Muriel, Republican & Edward, democrat)

Children of Denis & Ada:
1.) Muriel Deane-Tanner (Egger) (b. 1908 NY & d. 1998 Glendale, CA)
Spouse: Edward Egger (m.1933)
Children: Patricia Diane Egger (b.1942 LA)
2.) Alice Eleanor Deane-Tanner (Grogan) (b.22 Dec 1910 NY & d. 1994 LA, CA)
Spouse: Robert Grogan (m.1931)
Children: Barbara Mary (b. Oct 1935 CA m. Lawrence Cenotto)
Robert Albert (b. 10 Nov 1948 CA)

Ada's Father: Dr. George M. Brennan
Adas' Mother: Caroline Ketchum (Brennan) (b. 1850 NY & d. 15 Sept 1913 Monrovia, CA) Obit: Brennan- At Monrovia, CA on 15 Sept 1913, suddenly of heart failure, Caroline Ketchum Brennan, wife of the late George M. Brennan, MD. Funeral services and temporary interment at Monrovia; I found her reportedly under the name of Brown when Dennis disappeared 24 Aug 1912 (hmmm);

Ada's Siblings:
A. Brother: Dr. Geo. Marsden Brennan (b.1869)
Possible Spouse: Carrie M. Baush m. 1889 Manhattan, NY

B. Sister: Maud Caroline Brennan (b. 26 June 1876 NY & d. 6 Feb 1958 LA, CA) Known as Mrs. Hugh Hallenbeck of NY (1930)
Spouse: Hugh Hollenbeck. Hugh’s Mother- Amy Frances Atkens Hallenbeck; 1922 Obit: wife of the late John J Hallenbeck and mother of Mrs. Leon Dargin @ 305 West End Ave, Mr. Franklyn and Mr. Hugh Hallenbeck; Funeral services at the Church of the Intercession, corner 155th St & Broadway, Tuesday evening @ 8 o’clock, Interment @ Rural Cemetery, Albany, NY; Albany papers please copy;
Caroline’s daughter: Caroline Maud Hallenbeck (Enright) (b. 14 Dec 1905 NY & d. 28 July 1987 LA, CA)
1900: 202 W 79th St, Manhattan, NY (Brennan: Caroline K (head) b. Apr 1849 age 51 widowed m1 (6, 4) NY (NY, NY); Ada C (dau) b. Dec 1873 age 26 single b. NY (Canada, NY); Hallenbeck, Maud C (dau) b. June 1876 age 23 m1 (0, 0) NY (Canada, NY); Hugh M (son-in-law) b. Feb 1875 age 25 m1 b. NY (NY, NY) Clerk- Real Estate Office; Brennan, A Lillian (dau) b. Oct 1878 age 21 single b. NY (Canada, NY)
1910: 202 W 69th St, Manhattan, NY (Hallenbeck, Hugh M 35 m1 for 10yrs NY (NY, NY) Real Estate Worker- Real Estate; Carolina M 33 m1 for 10yrs NY (NY, NY); Georgiana K (dau) 9 NY; John K 7 NY; Carolina M 4 NY; Marian L 2 NY; Wm J 1/12 NY)
1930: 239 W 70th St, Manhattan, NY (Hallenbeck, Hugh M (lodger) 56 widowed 1st m@24 NY (NY, NY) Operator- Real Estate)

C. Sister: Alice Lillian Brennan (Pomeroy) (b. Oct 1878 & d. 1935)
Married Dr. John Larrabee Pomeroy (b. 19 Dec 1883 Louisville, KY & d. 24 March 1941 LA, CA); had been the chief officer of Los Angeles County for 25 years; Replace Dr. EO Sawyer as County Health Officer in April 1915;
1900: Louisville, KY (John was living w/ mother) Note: received med education in Louisville, KY
Abt. 1905: Res. Physician of a state hosp in NYC. Trained under Dr. Herman Biggs, a national leader in public health;
At some point, he opened his own practice.
16 March 1907: Lillian A. Brennan & John Pomeroy in Manhattan, NY (Cert #9255)
1910: Monrovia, CA. Physician- Examination @ Pottenger’s Sanitarium.
1912-1915: Became Monrovia’s health officer
1915: Took post as health officer in Los Angeles County. The dept grew from a 1 man operation to an agency staffed by 600 employees overseeing 36 cities.
WW1: Served in the US Army in Spokane, WA. Res: 6th & Burlington, LA, CA.
Also served in the Medical Corps @ Ft. Riley, KS
1920: 1785 W. 6th St. LA, CA (w/ wife, Alice L, and son Stanley Norris Pomeroy); 1922: 3863 ½ W. 8th (Pomeroy, John L, physician, Republican & Mrs. Lillian B, housewife, Republican)
1922: h3863 ½ W. 8th (Pomeroy, John L.- LA County Health Office @ 201 New High 5th floor)
1924: 510 ½ S. Western Ave, LA, CA (Pomeroy, John L, health officer)
1924: 521 S. Serrano St, LA, CA (Pomeroy, Mrs. Lillian, housewife, Republican)
Apr 1929: 260 S. Mariposa, LA, CA (Alice & son, Stanley)
1930: 3715 W. 1st St., LA, CA (John- officer- Public health & son, Stanley)
1930: 154 N. New Hampshire, LA, CA (Pomeroy, John L., physician, Republican)
1930: 144 N. New Hampshire, LA, CA (Pomeroy, Miss I, comptmtr oprtr, Republican)
1930: 2715 W. 1st St, LA, CA (Pomeroy, Stanley N., asst mngr, Republican)
1930+: 2nd wife- Miss Lucile Jones, the executive sec of the LA County Tuberculosis & Health Assoc.
John & Lucile had 1 daughter, Joan.
1930: 1343 S. Curson Ave. LA, CA (Ione, 23 div. Forrester, 4 and Barbara Jean, 3) D. Kate Brennan (b.1880)
1932: 8303 Fountain Ave, LA, CA (Pomeroy, Stanley N. & Mrs. Lecile J. & John L.)
Dr. John & Alice's Son: Stanley Norris Pomeroy (b.1908 WA & d. 1944 LA, CA)
Stanley's Spouse: Ione Forrester (b.1906 & d. 1962 LA, CA)
Parents: Fred W. Forrester (Real estate developer)
Ione (Step-mom: Gwendolyn Edwards, dau of lawyer, Thos E. Edwards)
Children: Stanley Norris Pomeroy/Roy F. Bagg (b.1925 & d. 1988 CA)
Barbara Jean Pomeroy (Heath) b. 1926 CA & d. 1992 LA, CA)

Subject: William Desmond Taylor

2009-04-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

William Desmond Taylor was an Irishman who graced Hollywood with his handsome looks, charming voice, and suave disposition. His peers considered him a great actor and even better director. He had ladies of all ages swooning at the mere thought of him. He was always poised, polished, and seemed fittingly well rehearsed. He seemed like the embodiment of perfection.

He was, in truth, not quite the man everyone thought him to be. The “real” name of Taylor was William Cunningham Deane-Tanner of Carlow, County Cork, Ireland. His birth certificate lists the date as 26 April 1972 and his father was Kearns Deane-Tanner, a pro-English career military man. The “Deane” part of the name comes from Kearns’ mother, Elizabeth Deane, who was the daughter of Sir Thomas Deane, an Irish architect and Mayor of Cork. Elizabeth’s brother, Thomas Deane, was also an architect. The “Tanner” surname is from Kearns’ father, Dr. William Kearns Tanner, a notable surgeon. Kearns had two brothers, Dr. Lombard John Tanner, a physician, and Dr. Charles Deane Tanner, a pro-Irish politician.

William’s mother was Jane O’Brien, born in County Tipperrary, Ireland. William had two sisters and one brother. His sister Elizabeth “Lizzie” Mary Deane-Tanner was nicknamed Daisy, and she died at the age of 25. The sister, Ellen “Nell or Nellie” Dean-Tanner, married Henry Faudel-Phillips in Chelsea, England during the fall of 1905. William’s brother, Denis Gage Deane-Tanner was born 14 Sept 1876 in Ireland.