Tulare County Biographies

OTTO W. LAKE

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 
        Otto W. Lake, proprietor of the Main Garage, located at the corner of 
West Main and West streets, Visalia, California, can recount more varied 
experiences than most men thirty-seven years of age. He was born in Rockford, 
Illinois, September 26, 1887, attended school and learned the blacksmith trade 
in his native state, after which he served for four years in the United States 
navy. Although an iron worker, he was made chief carpenter on the United States 
torpedo destroyers on the China station.
        His first trip to California was in 1905, but at that time he remained 
only a few months. A second trip was made to the Pacific coast in 1910 and a 
little later he worked in a blacksmith shop in Fresno. In 1913 he established a 
shop in Visalia, where he made a specialty of horseshoeing. During the World war 
he was in the government service as chief carpenter's mate aviation and as 
leading instructor in the School of Aviation at North Island, San Diego Harbor, 
California, having previously disposed of his shop in Visalia.
        After the signing of the armistice in November, 1918, Mr. Lake's 
services were no longer needed in the aviation school and for the next three 
years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1922 he purchased the Main 
Garage, the largest of its kind in Tulare county. He has the agency for the 
General Motors trucks and for the Rex automobile top, intended to convert open 
into closed cars. In automobile repair work his experience as a blacksmith often 
helps him to solve problems that otherwise might prove to be difficult of 
solution. The following extract from one of his advertisements will give some 
idea of the general character of his business : "Body building, doors fitted, 
upholstery made and fitted, trunks and trunk racks built, etc. We have the best 
equipped shop in the valley."
        Mr. Lake was married to Miss Myrtle Baker, who was born in Traver, 
Tulare county. They have a son : Earl. Mr. Lake is an active member of the 
Masonic fraternity, being a member of Visalia Lodge No. 128, F. & A. M.; and 
also of the Royal Arch Chapter. He also belongs to Visalia Lodge, No. 1298, B. 
P. O. E.
 
Source:  History of Tulare County and Kings County, California � Kathleen 
Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. II, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1926., p. 474