California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

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


ALFRED JAMES AVERY. Possessing great mechanical ability and excellent business judgment 
and tact, Alfred James Avery is numbered among the leading contractors and builders of Santa 
Barbara, and has acquired far more than a local reputation for skilful and durable work, having 
been employed in his chosen vocation in various parts of the Union, embracing many cities and 
large towns lying between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He was born at Southampton, 
England, February 3, 1851, a son of Joseph and Sarah ( Saunders) Avery.
Educated in his native land, Alfred James Avery remained beneath the parental roof-tree until 
seventeen years of age when he immigrated to this country, crossing the ocean in a sailing 
vessel. Landing in New York City, he served an apprenticeship of three or more years at the 
carpenter's trade. Becoming proficient at his work, Mr. Avery sought newer fields of action in 
the West, and for four years followed his trade at Atchison, Kansas, after which he spent two 
years in San Francisco as a builder and contractor. Returning then to the Missouri River 
country, he filled several contracts, living there until 1889, when he went to Seattle, 
Washington Territory, where a large part of the city had been destroyed by fire. During the four 
years that he remained there Mr. Avery did an extensive business as a contractor and builder. 
Going back to Missouri once more, Mr. Avery accepted the contract for erecting the Tootle 
Theatre in St. Joseph, and for eight years had charge of the Tootle estate building affairs. 
Completing his work in that locality, he located in Santa Barbara, California, which has since 
been his home. Mr. Avery has filled many important contracts in the county, having built the 
Country Play House at Montecito; Doctor Poor's fine residence ; and many others of note, all of 
them bearing evidence of his mechanical skill and genius. He has specialized in theatre 
building, having erected many of the finest in Southern California, as well as in other places.
Mr. Avery is a republican in politics, but is too busy with his business affairs to take an active 
part in public matters. He married, November 21, 1911, Nellie Ruth Belt, a daughter of John 
and Nelly Belt, of Monrovia, Kansas.