A pioneer of Pomona Valley, and one of the most prominent men of the district during his lifetime, Frank W. Balfour left a record of achievement in public-spirited work for the advancement of the welfare of his city and county which stands for all time in the annals of this section of California. A native of England, with some of its best blood in his veins, Mr. Balfour was born in London, April 30, 1865; his father was a general in the English army, and his mother a lady of title in that country, and Mr. Balfour was related to Sir Arthur J. Balfour. He received his early education at St. Edmund's College, and finished in an institution in France, graduating as a civil engineer. Later he took a course in the Electrical Institute, London.
After finishing his education, the young Englishman sought newer fields in which to begin his career, and his first move was to Canada, where he engaged in the cattle business. Two years later, in 1887, he came to Los Angeles. The "boom" was then in full swing in that city, and he immediately became identified with the civil engineering firm of James T. Taylor & Company, and took part in platting this county and laying out its towns. He had been in Pomona when the town was laid out, and helped in that first development work, and returned to the Valley and spent five years in the orange industry; and also served as assistant postmaster for that length of time. He then became the first district manager of the Southern California Power Company, which was succeeded by the Edison Company, and for fifteen years he held this position, up to the time of his death, which occurred April 24, 1915. He was a veteran district manager of the concern, and was highly regarded by the company.
Mr. Balfour's first business in life being that of an engineer, he naturally took an active interest in all good-roads movements after making his home in the Valley. He took the initiative in most of the public meetings which led up to the concentration of effort on the system of highways which now unites the cities of this and adjoining counties. He was a member of the State Executive Committee of the Tri-State Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, and always attended the meetings of that body. He was at the front of the campaign for the State Highway, which now connects all the citrus cities with the world at large.
In recognition of his public-spirited efforts for the advancement of the welfare of his district, Mr. Balfour was chosen as president of the San Gabriel Valley Associated Chambers of Commerce, in which were represented sixteen towns and cities. Among other public duties, he was chairman of the board of health of Pomona, and reappointed to that office shortly before his death.
The marriage of Frank W. Balfour, which occurred in 1890, united him with Louise E. Maddock, a native Californian, born in Oakland, the daughter of a pioneer who crossed the plains with ox teams in early days and helped lay out the city of Oakland. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Balfour: Lillian, now the wife of Henry Parry, who was in France in the Medical Corps of the United States Army; and Clyde of San Francisco. Mrs. Balfour is prominent in club circles in Pomona, and in church work as well. She is a member of the Ebell Club.
Fraternally, Mr. Balfour was one of the most prominent members of the Knights of Columbus in this end of the state, having served the order as treasurer of the state lodge, and for three terms as district deputy of this, the ninth, district, which office he held at the time of his death; in the Pomona Lodge he had filled every office. He was a charter member of the Elks, and filled all the chairs of that order, being a past exalted ruler and one of the most active of its workers. He was also a member of the Foresters and of the Fraternal Aid Association.
In the death of Mr. Balfour, Pomona lost one of its most valued citizens, and public recognition of his loss was shown by the act of Mayor Vandegrift in ordering all flags on city buildings to be placed at half-mast; to have business brought to a standstill during the funeral service; and his fellow-citizens immediately started a movement to have a suitable engraved bronze tablet placed in the Elks' home in Pomona, in recognition of the valuable services he rendered the lodge. Hundreds of messages of condolence were received by his family from all parts of the country, at the passing of one of Pomona's most honored citizens, and his loss was keenly felt in the community where he had been prominent for so many years.
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 10/05/08, Pages 504-506
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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