Imperial County CA Archives Biographies.....De Blois, Edward Arthur 1873 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 22, 2006, 9:49 pm Author: F. C. Farr (editor, 1918) EDWARD ARTHUR DE BLOIS.—In the Brawley district of the beautiful and productive Imperial Valley there has been none more prominently and influentially concerned with civic, industrial and general business development and progress than the name which heads this review. Mr. De Blois has shown distinctive enterprise and progressiveness, has taken the initiative in many important ventures which have conserved the social and material advancement of the community. He has shown unwavering confidence in the magnificent future in store for this locality. Edward Arthur De Blois was born November 22, 1864, at Wethersfield, Connecticut, son of William B. and Martha De Blois. His father was a native of Rhode Island and his mother was born in Connecticut. Mr. De Blois is a descendant of a family whose name has been worthily and prominently linked with the annals of American history from the early Colonial epoch, and representatives of the name on both sides of the house were found numbered as soldiers in the various Colonial wars, including that of the Revolutionary war. Mr. De Blois' mother is of Huguenot descent. On his father's side the family dates back to William the Conqueror, and Stephen De Blois, the fourth king of England. Among the founders of the De Blois family in America were three brothers who settled on the St. Lawrence River. One of the brothers journeyed to Rhode Island, where he established a fleet of sailing boats which were later destroyed by the French during the war of 1812. Mr. De Blois' father fought all through the Civil war and took part in many important battles. He enlisted first from Rhode Island and was attached to the First Rhode Island Regulars. He later was attached to the 12th Connecticut Regulars. He was later assigned and had charge of prison work in Rhode Island and Connecticut. His death occurred in 1913. Mr. De Blois' mother is still living and makes her home with her daughter in Syracuse, New York. Edward Arthur De Blois received his education in the grammar and high schools of his native town. He accepted a position with the Pope Manufacturing Company and was identified with that corporation for seventeen years, traveling extensively establishing agencies. During this time and for several years he was a member of the Columbia racing team and won many valuable prizes and bicycle championships. He severed his connection with this firm and established the firm of Burdick & De Blois Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Connecticut. Mr. De Blois was identified with this organization for three years, manufacturing cash registers. He controlled one half of the stock, serving as treasurer and general manager. Disposing of his interests, Mr. De Blois came to California and spent the winter of 1903-04. The following March he came to Imperial Valley and purchased 320 acres of ranch property, which he disposed of before improvements were made. He also invested extensively in city property. Mr. De Blois bought an interest in the Imperial Light, Water and Power Company, and served as secretary of that organization, making his home in Imperial. In 1905 he disposed of his interest in the Imperial light, Water and Power Company, and removed to Brawley, where he became a member of the Brawley Land Co. He is now a member of the firm of Best, De Blois & Covington, extensively identified with the real estate interests of Brawley and vicinity. He was united in marriage August 20, 1908, with Dr. Edna Myrtle Wellcome, a native of Minnesota and daughter of George T. and Cevilla Wellcome. Her mother is deceased and her father is a resident of Los Angeles. To Mr. and Mrs. De Blois have been born four daughters— Cevilla, Edna, Marion and Ethelyn. Fraternally Mr. De Blois is a Knight Templar, a member of the Mystic Shrine, and is a 32nd degree Mason. Mrs. De Blois is a member and past matron of the Eastern Star of Brawley. She served as resident physician of the Pacific Hospital of Los Angeles, California, at the time of her marriage. Mr. De Blois is a thorough business man and public-spirited citizen. He retains the confidence and esteem of his fellow men, and the family have a large circle of friends in Imperial County. Additional Comments: From: THE HISTORY OF IMPERIAL COUNTY CALIFORNIA EDITED BY F. C. FARR IN ONE VOLUME ILLUSTRATED Published by ELMS AND FRANKS BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 1918 Printed by Taylor & Taylor, San Francisco File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/imperial/bios/deblois847nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb