Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


 
W. O. BURR, 
 
contractor, corner of St Louis street and Wabash avenue, Boyle Heights, Los 
Angeles, is a native of Canada, and was born July 12, 1845.  During boyhood he 
attended school and served an apprenticeship to his trade there. Upon reaching 
manhood he came to the United States and followed his trade in Illinois, and in
Missouri at Independence and Kansas City.  In 1866 he went to Oskaloosa, Kansas, 
where he remained until coming to Los Angeles in May, 1874. He was foreman on 
the Cathedral when it was being built. He afterward engaged in contracting and 
building. Among the buildings erected by him are the Congregational church, 
corner of Third and Hill streets; the Baptist church, corner of Sixth and Fort 
streets; Harper & Reynolds's Block, Captain Thom's Block, Asbury Methodist  
Episcopal Church, East Los Angeles; Westminister Hotel, Turn-Verein Hall, county 
jail, and many others. For the past fifteen years he has been identified with 
the contracting and building interests of Los Angeles, and is one of the oldest 
in the business here. Mr. Burr is prominently identified with the Masonic order; 
is a member of Philadelphia Lodge, Cygnet Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Los 
Angeles Council, No. 11, and Coeur De Lion Commandery, No. 9; is a prominent 
member of the I. O. O. F., Golden Rule Lodge, No. 160; Orange Grove Encampment, 
No. 31; Canton Orion, No. 12; Los Angeles Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle, 
and is also a member of the Contractors and Builders' Association. In 1868 Mr. 
Burr married Miss P. H. Strickland, of Ashtabula County, Ohio. They have one 
daughter, Lillie.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, Page 387
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler