Merced-Santa Clara-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Lounsbury, Charles Edward 1884 - 1923
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Author: John Outcalt (1925)

CHARLES EDWARD LOUNSBURY

   In the history of Merced County the name of Charles Edward Lounsbury stood
for energy, industry and progressiveness, and when he suddenly passed away the
city of Merced lost one of it most popular and capable business men. He was born
in Ft. Collins, Colo., on April 19, 1884, a son of Rufus and Emma (Rowley)
Lounsbury. In 1892 the family located in Nevada, where they remained for six
years, when they removed to San Jose, Cal. There the father passed away. The
mother died in Merced on December 13, 1924.

   Charles Edward Lounsbury received his schooling in Nevada and in San Jose,
Cal. He helped his father on the home ranch near San Jose until he went to San
Francisco, where he became apprenticed as a machinist with the Union Iron Works.
He remained in San Francisco for ten years, most of the time being spent in the
automobile business, having charge of several large shops. In 1910 he removed to
Merced to take charge of the Barcroft Garage, and after nine months he purchased
the business with C. Jones as a partner; after one year R. Shaffer bought the
interest of Mr. Jones and the business was conducted under the firm name of
Lounsbury & Shaffer until March 1, 1923, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr.
Shaffer taking over the Ford automobile agency. Mr. Lounsbury continued at the
old place of business, having the agency for the Buick and Cadillac automobiles.
The Lounsbury Garage & Machine Works is the largest of its kind between San
Francisco and Los Angeles; the business has grown until additional room 50x150
feet is contemplated on a lot purchased for that purpose. Thirty people are
employed in the different departments of the business. The mechanical department
is equipped with lathes, cylinder grinders, drill presses, with a 250-ton
hydraulic press; the electrical department is equipped with all testing and
charging devices; battery department is equipped with charging machine. The
company maintains a large accessory department with a $15,000 stock, and a $5000
stock of tires. The company has a large stock of parts for all makes of cars as
well as a large stock of electrical parts; a paint shop is also conducted, as
well as a repairing department, vulcanizing department, greasing and oiling
department, garage and storage for 150 cars.

   By his first marriage, Mr. Lounsbury had two children, Earl and Gladys. His
second marriage united him with Miss Blanche McCrary, a native of Nebraska; and
they had two children, William Miller and Harold Edward. Mr. Lounsbury was
democratic in his politics and fraternally was identified with the Masonic and
Sciots lodges, and locally was a member of the Chamber of Commerce. His death on
December 7, 1923 removed one of Merced's most progressive and esteemed citizens.



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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