A substantial business man who brought with him from the East the valuable experience of nearly two decades, is Americus Benezette Avis, the hardware dealer of Second Street. He was born at Lincoln, Gloucester County, N.J., on February 14, 1856, the son of Paul Avis, who was long prominent in county offices, and Sarah (Benezette) Avis, both of whom are now dead.
The oldest child of seven children born to this union, Americus was educated in the public schools, and when he was ready for a business career, he engaged in the hardware business at Vinland, N.J., where he remained in that line for eighteen years. Despite the fact that the field was not equal to his capacity, he nevertheless laid there the foundation in experiment and experience of his later and larger successes.
In 1903 he came to Pomona and reestablished himself by starting his present business. In January, 1904, he bought his present business property, and there he has since been closely identified with the life of the town. In May, 1919, Mr. Avis incorporated his business as Avis Hardware Company, himself as president and Charles E. Otto, vice-president, and his daughter, Ethyle Avis, secretary and treasurer. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and has served as one of its directors for two terms.
In Vineland, N.J., on April 20, 1886, Mr. Avis was united in marriage with Miss Phoebe Angeline Wilcox, of Philadelphia, Pa., and two children have blessed their union, Ethyle, as above stated, secretary and treasurer of the Avis Hardware Company, and Paul, who served in the United States Army in France, as a sergeant of Company B, One Hundred Sixtieth Regiment of Infantry. The family are members of the First Methodist Church, where they are especially popular, Mr. Avis being chairman of its board of trustees.
Mr. Avis is a Mason and belongs to the Lodge, Chapter and Commandery in Pomona. But fond as he is of fraternal life and his many friends in the orders, he also likes hunting and fishing, and rejoices to find himself in Nature's great outdoors, Southern California.
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 10/07/08, Pages 519-520
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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