Formal affair in Los Angeles, 1940s

Item Overview

Title

Formal affair in Los Angeles, 1940s

Date Created

[1940s?]

Date

1940/1949

Language

No linguistic content

Collection

Walter L. Gordon, Jr./William C. Beverly, Jr. Collection

Notes

Summary

Norman O. Houston helped William Nickerson, Jr. to found the Golden State Mutual Life Insruance Company in1925, and became president in 1945. At one point, Golden State Mutual Life Insurance was the largest black-owned business west of the Mississippi. He expanded the activities of the company over the next 25 years. In 1970 his two sons, Norman B. Houston and Ivan J. Houston, took over active management of the company. He was also first African American to be appointed to the California State Athletic Commission and later served as chairman.
"Jay" Fairchild was the wife of Wesley J. Fairchild, who operated the Fairchild Realty Co. after running a laundry.
Wesley J. Fairchild operated the Fairchild Realty Co. after running a laundry.
Lillian Tyler was a teacher, was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and was active in social affairs and civic organizations including the 20-13 Club. She was married to attorney Willis O. Tyler.
Luther M. Hudson was a funeral director and one of the original founders of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Mrs. Damon Lee was the assistant to the Somervilles of the Somerville Hotel (later the Dunbar Hotel).

Description

All information concerning the content and description of the image was provided by Walter Gordon.
Standing, from L: Lillian Tyler (2nd, dress with lace sleeves), Eddie Atkinson, Sr. (3rd), Norman O. Houston (5th), Mrs. Damon Lee (6th, white dress and glasses), H. Leonard Richardson (11th, just R of chandelier). Standing , from R: Luther M. Hudson (7th), Dr. W. E. Bailey (4th), Wesley Fairchild ( 2nd). Seated, from L: "Jay" Fairchild (1st, in print dress), Vada Somerville (2nd), Edith Banks (Pruett?) (6th).

Physical Description

Extent

1 photograph : b&w

Keywords

Genre

Black-and-white photographs

Names

Robinson, Louis George, 1876-
Tyler, Lillian M., 1895-1968
Lee, Damon, Mrs.
Banks, Edith
Atkinson, Eddie, 1912-1988
Fairchild, Jay
Bailey, W. E., Dr.
Richardson, H. Leonard, 1891-1965
Somerville, Vada, 1885-1972
Hudson, Luther M., 1882-1972
Houston, Norman O., 1893-1981
Fairchild, Wesley J., d. 1973.

Location

California--Los Angeles

Resource type

still image

Subjects

Lifestyle
Culture