Sutter-Yuba County Biographies


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




HAROLD C. LAURITZEN
 
            In disposing of the chances that have come his way in life, this 
enterprising native son  of the State has shown both discretion and sound 
business judgment, and has won an enviable place among the upbuilders of his 
community.  Born in Petaluma, Sonoma County, on October 16, 1888, he is the son 
of  Chris and Clara (Dahlman) Lauritzen, the former a native of Denmark and the 
latter of Sonoma County.  Coming to California in 1878, the father engaged in 
the cattle business, and later came to Petaluma and maintained a butcher shop, 
also engaging in the livery business.  These business enterprises he abandoned 
in 1889, and from that time until his death, in 1895, he engaged in ranching.  
The mother survives him, making her home in Petaluma.
            Harold C. Lauritzen is the only son and the eldest child of a family 
of three children, two of whom are living.  He was reared and educated in 
Petaluma, and at the age of fifteen went to work as a clerk in a shoe store.  
Later he was a clerk in the banking house of William Hill & Company in Petaluma. 
 Going to San Francisco, he was with the San Francisco Savings Union; and he 
also pioneered in rice-growing at Biggs, Butte County.  In 1919 he engaged in 
grain-farming in District No. 10, Yuba County; and 1920 marks the date of his 
entry into the business life of Marysville, when he purchased the Marysville 
Steam Laundry, of which he is sole proprietor. This laundry was first started in 
a small way on E Street, some thirty years ago.  It now occupies a modern plant 
at the corner of Fifth and G Streets, maintaining the highest efficiency in 
service in all its departments, with all modern machinery installed, and 
operated by experienced employees, some of whom have been with the laundry over 
twenty years.  They take a personal interest in giving the patrons the best of 
service, and that this fact is appreciated is attested to by the fact that many 
of the customers who patronized the laundry at its opening are still retained on 
its lists.
            Since Mr. Lauritzen took over the laundry its business has increased 
beyond his most sanguine expectations.  He is now doing three times the amount 
of business they had when he took possession.  Each year he has added new 
machinery and increased the capacity until now he has reached the limit of 
expansion possible in the present quarters, which, though large, are not half 
large enough to meet the growing demands.  This handicap is embarrassing him so 
much that he contemplates the erection of a new plant in the near future, with 
more than double the capacity of the present plant.  It will be most modern, and 
up-to-date in every way, built with particular attention to ventilation, 
lighting and sanitation, so as to insure rapidity of work and the comfort of the 
employees.  the new plant will be a model in every way, as modern in equipment 
as any in the State, the largest of its kind north of Sacramento.  It will be a 
big improvement to the City of Marysville, materially adding to the industrial 
importance of the city.  At present there are about thirty on the pay-roll.  
Automobile equipment is being used for delivery; and after January, 1924, they 
will also add the towel cabinet supply to their service for Marysville, Yuba 
City and vicinity.
            Mr. Lauritzen is an enthusiast, is very optimistic and is never 
idle.  His energy seemingly knows no bounds; thus he is able to give the entire 
business his watchful supervision and care, which insures success for the 
enterprise.  He is a member of the Laundry Owners� Association of California and 
the Laundry Owners� National Association.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 549-550