Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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


A. M. RAWSON, 
 
proprietor of the Cable Grocery, commenced business in Los Angeles in July, 
1885, by purchasing the small stock of groceries in the building on the 
northeast corner of Spring and Second streets, from B. E. De Hart. The location 
was at that time quite out of the business portion of the city, and the Second 
street cable line being then in process of construction, Mr. Rawson named his 
modest store the Cable Grocery, a title which it still retains, and by which it 
is one of the best known houses in the city. Mr. Rawson invested $2,800 in the 
business, including team, delivery wagon, etc., only $1,650 of it being in 
goods, and he has never put a dollar of outside capital into it since. Under his 
experienced and efficient management the business prospered and grew rapidly 
from the start. In September, 1888, he moved into his present larger and more 
commodious store at No. 42 South Spring street, which is crowded to its utmost 
capacity with everything in the way of staple and fancy groceries, comprising 
the comforts and luxuries of the table. He carries a stock averaging over 
$20,000 in value, from which a thousand families in Los Angeles�regular 
customers�are supplied, besides a large number of the leading hotels and 
restaurants. Mr. Rawson makes a specialty of the best grades of goods, which he 
buys almost exclusively for cash, thus enabling him to sell at the lowest 
prices. From eleven to thirteen men are employed to transact the business of the 
establishment. Mr. Rawson's business career in Los Angeles has been one of 
phenomenal success. Starting out with an investment of a few hundred dollars he 
has made the business defray all the expenses of conducting it together with 
those of his family living, and now has $30,000 invested in it, all made from 
the profits of less than four years. Mr. Rawson's experience in the grocery 
trade extends through more than twenty-two years, eighteen of which were with 
the largest wholesale grocery firms in the city of Chicago. With such a thorough 
practical business training it is not surprising that he is a master in his 
calling. He was born in New York State, and was forty-seven years old his last 
birthday. He came to California and to Los Angeles County seven years ago, and 
first engaged in ranching for several years, but did not succeed to his 
satisfaction. Mr. Rawson married Miss Lucy Rosier, in Chicago. She is a native 
of Michigan. Their family consists of four children.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 799
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler