Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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C. D. HOWRY, 
 
junior partner and manager of the firm of Howry Brothers, roasters of coffee and 
wholesale dealers in coffees, teas and spices, at No. 113 North Los Angeles
street, is a native of Ohio, born in Warren County in 1855. Mr. Howry's first 
business experience was in the dry-goods trade, in which he engaged until his 
health was so seriously impaired by indoor confinement and close application 
that he was compelled to withdraw from business entirely. Being threatened with 
pulmonary consumption, he sought relief in the dry, bracing climate of Minnesota 
for a time, but grew worse and left there, after suffering from a hemorrhage of 
the lungs, so reduced that his friends feared he would never reach California 
alive. On arriving in Los Angeles he was able to walk only a few blocks. Going 
at once on a ranch in the country, his health and strength improved so rapidly 
that in a short time he could follow a plow all day, and in two years passed a 
satisfactory examination by two medical experts for life insurance. Mr. Howry 
has resided over six years in this land of sunshine and flowers, and his health 
is so thoroughly restored that few business men in Los Angeles do more work than 
he does. In January, 1888, W. E. and C. D. Howry, as the firm of Howry Brothers, 
commenced the coffee and
spice business, in a moderate way, on Banning street. Under Mr. Howry's 
energetic and judicious management it prospered from the start, and soon 
demanded more commodious quarters. In January, 1889, they moved into the ample 
rooms they now occupy, which are fitted up with roasting and grinding machinery 
and other necessary appliances. The business has steadily grown, each month 
showing an increase over the month previous, until the firm now does nine-tenths 
of the roasting for the city's consumption, aggregating 30,000 pounds per month 
for other merchants. The house enjoys a fine jobbing trade in coffees, teas and 
spices, it prepares and puts up under its own labels; and as none but the best 
grades in the market are handled by them, Howry Brothers' goods have attained 
great popularity. The firm are sole agents on the Pacific Coast for Mrs. 
Stewart's liquid bluing, and manufacture large quantities of it for the trade. 
Six men are employed in the business besides Mr. C. D. Howry, who, being the 
only resident member of the firm, has entire charge of the establishment.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 501
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler