Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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


CYRUS WILLARD, 
 
brick and stone contractor, 37 West Pico street, Los Angeles, was born in New 
Sharon, Maine, June 17, 1830. He attended school there and served an 
apprenticeship to his trade in Boston. At that time the gold excitement of 
California was spreading over the country, and he decided to come to the Pacific 
Coast; came by water, and landed in San Francisco June 17, 1850. He engaged in 
mining for a time, and then went to Humboldt Bay and was interested in the 
lumber business there. In 1861 he returned to San Francisco and engaged in 
building, being employed on Government work. He was foreman in the light-house 
department, and also in the engineer's and quartermaster's departments, for 
twelve or fifteen years. In 1876 he came to Los Angeles and engaged in 
contracting and building, and since then, for the past thirteen years, has been 
actively identified with building interests in this city. He and Mr. Collins are 
the oldest contractors in Los Angeles. One of the first heavy buildings erected 
by him was the old Odd Fellows' Hall. He also built the "Nadeau" for the San 
Francisco estate, the Central Block and two blocks on Court street, Los Angeles 
Gas Works, the Low Gas Company's Works, Childs' Safe Deposit Building, the 
Lechtenberger Block, Shoemaker Block, and many others. He was elected and served 
as a member of the city council of Los Angeles. Mr. Willard is a commissioned 
officer in the State National Guards, being signal officer with the rank of 
Major, and a member of the brigade staff. Major Willard is unmarried. His home 
is presided over by his sister.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 835
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler