A professional and business man of Pomona, whose successful career ought to inspire the ambitious youth of this and other California communities, was the late Elmer Eugene Armour, who died at his home in Pomona on May 1, 1912. A native of Ohio, he was born at Chagrin Falls, September 25, 1861, the son of John Armour, a merchant tailor who lived to be ninety-three years of age. His mother was in maidenhood Polly Ward, and she was the second wife of John Armour and she proved the ablest of helpmates.
Elmer Eugene received his schooling at the public schools in Chagrin Falls and early took up the study of pharmacy. At the age of seven years he met with an accident that injured his leg and he was thus handicapped from joining with his mates in their more exciting and strenuous games. After becoming a full-fledged pharmacist he continued at his calling at Chagrin Falls until the fall of 1887, when he came to California and settled in Pomona. He began here at the close of the first wild inflation in real estate, with slender financial resources but with an ambition to succeed in business by following in the paths of honor and rectitude. He entered the employ of E.T. Palmer, and old-timers recall the marvelous industry, the perennial cheerfulness and the everlasting persistency of Mr. Armour in those days, thirty-two years ago. He won the respect of everyone about him and came to be recognized as a young man of sterling merit.
About 1890, Mr. Armour bought the little drug business of the late William C. Hamner, who had a small wooden building for his business where the George & Harris hardware store now stands. From the day Mr. Armour took control, he prospered; for early and late he was at his business, he put his whole thought and zeal into his enterprise, he knew no weariness, and he was always genial and courteous. About two years later he moved into the new Union Block, for his business had gone forward by leaps and bounds, and there he was in business for over twenty years. He was always successful, for a man of his character and temperament could not help advancing and prospering in any field. He was wrapped up in Pomona, her interests were his interests and he gave liberally of his time and means to further every project that had for its object the advancement of the business, social and educational growth of the entire Valley. He was one of the organizers of the Home Builders Loan Association of Pomona, was elected its first president and continued in office until he died. He was a prominent Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias and held membership in several other fraternal orders. In the passing of E.E. Armour, therefore, Pomona lost a citizen of peculiar and undeniable worth. "He was," as the Pomona Review said of him "honest, upright, prudent, loyal and wise. He has been in every movement for the betterment of his town and State. He has been a liberal and charitable giver, a man of good deeds and steadfast purpose. He was a true friend, quiet and domestic in his tastes, of strict integrity and strong patriotism." In politics he was a Republican.
On December 11, 1881, E.E. Armour was united in marriage with Miss Cora Myers, daughter of Henry and Louisa (Boardman) Myers, and they had two children born to them: Harry Willard, born at Chagrin Falls, Ohio, who attended Pomona College and graduated from the University of California, Department of Pharmacy, where he also did post-graduate work later. He continues the business established by his father in Pomona; he married Sue Wheelock and they have a son Richard Willard Armour. The second son, John Lester, was born in Pomona, attended Pomona College, went to Pennsylvania, where he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania as an architect, and also received his Bachelor of Science degree. When war was declared against Germany he enlisted in June, 1917, having spent three months--from April until June--under government direction studying in the ordnance department, in which he later was commissioned first lieutenant and served one year in France with the United States forces.
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 8/31/08, Pages 314-317
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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