| Life Story
|
Larry Rich worked as a weaver at TKWM in the mid-1930s along with his father Samuel and brother Robert.
Lawrence Abraham Rich was born 3 November 1910 in Salem, OR to Samuel and Augusta [Fleischmann] Rich. He was one of five children born to the couple. He attended Salem public schools and graduated from Salem High School. Following graduation, he obtained a job in the weaving department of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill and took evening classes at the Capital Business College. He was determined not to follow his father into mill work.
On 20 November 1936 he married Elvena D. Oraw at the Alliance Gospel Tabernacle in Salem. They would be the parents of four children: Julia, Linda, John, and Frederick.
Following graduation from Capital Business College he obtained a job as the manager of Holland Furnace Company, then took a position at the State Unemployment Compensation Commission. By November 1938 he was appointed deputy treasurer of Marion County. In February 1940, he was appointed county treasurer after the trial and conviction of his boss, for embezzlement of county funds. In the position, he helped install a new bookkeeping machine in the county office and served as chief bookkeeper. During this period, the family lived at 1370 Market St.
It is of interest to note his personal description as listed on his WW2 draft registration card. He was 5 ft. 9 in. tall and weighed 150 lbs. Both he and his brother took after his father in stature. His eyes were brown and his hair brown. Lawrence was not called up for military service.
In 1942, following his county government service he worked briefly for the Bureau of Internal Revenue Service as a deputy collector. Then was employed by the Wm G. Stacy accounting firm from 1943 – 1946 as an auditor. In October 1946 he opened his own accounting and auditing office in the Masonic Building. The family had a new home built at 301 W. Salem Heights Ave. The home was featured in the Capital Journal as one of Salem’s first contemporary-style homes.
In December 1955 he sold his accounting practice and joined the investment firm of Zilka, Smither & Co. as a sales representative. He worked for this firm for over ten years. The family moved to a larger home on 1440 Beaumont Dr. in West Salem, better suited to his position and the entertainment required. In the mid-1960s, Lawrence moved to the First California Co.
Lawrence and wife Elvena were members of the First Church of the Nazarene. They also enjoyed traveling and golf. Lawrence died 5 October 1995 in Salem, OR, at age 84. He was cremated and ashes placed in the mausoleum at Belcrest Cemetery. Wife Elvena died 11 Aug 2008 and was interred beside him in the mausoleum. |
| Salem City Directories |
1928 Rich, Lawrence, salesman, B.J. Zobel, r 1295 D
1930 Rich, Lawrence A., r 1295 D
1934 Rich, Lawrence A., weaver, TKWM Co r 1910 S. Commercial
1935 Rich, Lawrence A., weaver, TKWM Co r 1910 S. Commercial
1938-39 Rich, Lawrence A., clerk SUCC [State Unemployment Compensation Commission] h 1370 Market
1940-41 Rich, Lawrence A., County Treasurer, Court House, Tel 8575, h 2940 S. Commercial
1942 Rich, Lawrence A. (Elvena D.), deputy collector, Bureau of Internal Revenue Service, h Liberty Rd, RD3 box 527m
1945 Rich, Lawrence A. (Elvena D.), accountant Wm G. Stacey & Co, h Liberty rd. RD3 box 527M
1947 Rich, Lawrence A. (Elvena D.), accountant, 494 State R209 r RD9 bx 657
1949 Rich, Lawrence A. (Elvena D.), accountant, 494 State R323 r301 Salem Hts Ave
1951 Rich, Lawrence A. (Elvena D.), accountant, 494 State R322 h301 W Salem Heights Ave
1953-54 Rich, Lawrence A. (Elvena D.), accountant 322 Oregon bldg. sec Coos Bay Oyster Co-operative h301 W Salem Heights Ave
1956 Rich, Lawrence A. (Elvena D.), rep[resenting] Zilka Smither & Co h301 W Salem Heights Ave
1958 Rich, Lawrence A. (Elvena D.), representing Zilka Smither & Co, 203 Oregon Bldg., 494 State, Tel EMpire 3-4106, h301 Salem Heights Ave S, Tel EMpire 2-1170
1960 Rich, Lawrence A. (Elvena D.), representing Zilka Smither & Co Inc, 203 Oregon Bldg., 494 State, Tel EMpire 3-4103, h1440 Beaumont dr NW, Tel EMpire 2-1170
1962 Rich, Lawrence A. (Elvena D.), representing Zilka Smither & Co Inc, 203 Oregon Bldg. 494 State, Tel 363-4103, h1440 Beaumont dr NW, Tel 362-1170
1964 Rich, Lawrence A. (Elvena D.), representative First California Company Inc, State and Liberty, Tel 363-4103, h1440 Beaumont dr NW, Tel 362-1170
1966 Rich, Lawrence A. (Elvena D.), representative First California Company Inc, Corner State and Liberty, Tel 363-4103, h938 Mistletoe Loop N, Tel 363-1721
1968 Rich, Lawence A. (Elvena D.), representative First California Company Inc, Corner State and Liberty, Tel 363-4103, h938 Mistletoe Loop NE, Tel 362-1170
1971 Rich, Lawrence A (Elvena D), Representative First California Co. Inc, Corner State and Liberty, Tel 363-4101, H 938 Mistletoe Loop., Tel 362-1170
1974 Rich, Lawrence A (Elvena D) v-pres Geo A. Geist Co h1843 Lexington Cir SE
1975 Rich, Lawrence A (Elvena D) v-pres Hinkle Northwest h1843 Lexington Cir SE |
| Federal / County Census Records |
1920 Lawrence A. Rich. Age: 9. Birth Year: abt 1911 in Oregon. Single, son to HOH. Home in 1920: Salem Ward 6, Marion, OR. Additional household members: Samuel Rich, age 40 (father), Augusta Rich, age 33 (mother), Mildred H. Rich, age 12 (sister), Robert D. Rich, age 6 (brother), Louise F. Rich, age 1 (sister).
1930 Lawrence Rich. Age: 19. Birth Year: abt 1911 in Oregon. Single, son to HOH. Home in 1930: 1295 D St. Salem, Marion, OR. Additional household members: Samuel Rich, age 50 (father), Augusta Rich, age 44 (mother), Robert D. Rich, age 16 (brother), Louise F. Rich, age 11 (sister), Mary E. Rich, age 7 (sister).
1940 Lawrence A. Rich. Age: 29. Birth Year: abt 1911 in Oregon. Married, HOH. Home in 1940: 2940 Salem Heights, Marion, OR. Occupation: Accountant. Additional household members: Elvena D. Rich, age 30 (wife), Julia Kay Rich, age 2 (daughter).
1950 Lawrence Rich. Age: 39. Birth Year: abt 1911 in Oregon. Married, HOH. Home in 1950: 301 Salem Heights, Marion, OR. Occupation: Accountant. Additional household members: Elvina D. Rich, age 40 (wife), Julia K. Rich, age 12 (daughter), Linda J. Rich, age 8 (daughter), John L. Rich, age 2 (son), Fredrick L. Rich, age 0 (son). |
