Merced-Los Angeles County CA Archives Biographies.....Hansard, Guy E. 1879 - 1923
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 13, 2006, 5:18 am

Author: John Outcalt (1925)

GUY E. HANSARD

   Constituting one of the most remarkable examples of business expansion in the
San Joaquin Valley, stands Hansard's Grill, consisting of restaurant, cigar
stand, billiard hall and soda fountain, the whole plant being estimated in value
at $70,000. Guy E. Hansard, the proprietor, purchased the poolroom in 1917. At
that time there was a billiard-room of modest proportions, a cigar stand and
small soda fountain, the entire equipment not representing a very large outlay.
Mr. Hansard, with the help of one employe, conducted the resort. In 1918, the
cigar stand was enlarged, and a year later the agency for United Cigars was
obtained, and has been a feature of the cigar stand ever since. In the same
year, the lunch counter was trebled in size, and regular meals were offered the
public. The most marked change, however, was completed when the large restaurant
was added, and the billiard-hall was moved upstairs. This restaurant has a large
horseshoe lunch counter and a number of tables. They are examples of Merced
handiwork, having been manufactured by the Cross Lumber Company from Philippine
mahogany. The entire space occupied downstairs is 50x150 feet, running through
from Seventeenth Street to the alley. There is a seating capacity of 120. In the
place of one employe in 1917, Mr. Hansard now uses thirty-three employes during
the summer season, and twenty-eight in winter. The monthly payroll is in the
neighborhood of $3000. The kitchen is all-electric, cooking, dishwashing, and
baking being done by electricity. The Hansard Grill bakes all its own breads and
pastry.

   Mr. Hansard was born in Hepner, Ore., on October 21, 1879, a son of G. B. and
Benicia (Bowers) Hansard. The father is still living, but the mother of our
subject passed away when he was a small child of four years. Guy E. Hansard
received his education in the public schools of Oregon and Washington and was
still a young boy when he began to earn his own living by working on farms in
eastern Washington for about six years. He came to California in 1900 and
resided in Los Angeles for twelve years, three years of this period being spent
with an abstract company.

   The marriage of Mr. Hansard occurred in Los Angeles, where he was united with
Miss Emma Frank, a native daughter of California. Mr. and Mrs. Hansard removed
to Merced in 1912 and four years were spent on a farm in the vicinity of this
place. In 1916 his present business was purchased, and under his capable
management it has grown to its present proportions. That he is confident of
Merced's future must be evident when it is realized that no other such business
as the Hansard Grill can be found in a city of Merced's size. It is a resort of
which a much larger city might well be proud. Mr. Hansard is a public-spirited
citizen and is affiliated with the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Red Men,
the Woodmen of the World and the Chamber of Commerce.



Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF
MERCED COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
WITH A
Biographical Review
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
JOHN OUTCALT

ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1925


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