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Florence E. Wells
Born
Florence E. Chapman

1864
Chebanse, Illinois, US
Died28 April 1966(1966-04-28) (aged 101–102)
Oakland, California, US
OccupationProperty owner
Spouse
Frederick E. Wells
​
​
(m. 1888; died 1894)​

Florence E. Wells (1864 – April 28, 1966),[1][2] was an American property owner who made contributions to the real estate industry in Oakland, California and the Monterey Peninsula. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, she played a role in establishing the Carmel-by-the-Sea, California area as a destination for city dwellers. In 1908, her cousin and architect George W. Reamer built the first house on Carmel Point for Florence, which she named Driftwood Cottage.[3] She was a president of the San Francisco Women's Press Club.[2]

Early life

Florence's mother was Susannah Chapman (-1929).[4] Florence and her family moved from Illinois to Oakland, California in 1880.[5]

By 1882, they had settled at 29th and Grove Streets where Florence made her home. Her father built another home at 19th and Grove Street. At age 24, she married an older Frederick E. Wells of Wisconsin, (1846-1894), age 41, on October 8, 1888 in Oakland.[6] He was an American Civil War veteran who survived the hardship of Confederate Libby Prison to take part in Sherman's March to the Sea.[1] She was the great granddaughter of Sgt. Constant Chapman (1761-1847) of the Revolutioinary Army.[1] At a birthday dinner party for her mother, Susan Chapman, Florence exhibited traditional dresses from various countries that she had collected during her travels abroad.[7]

Career

In 1908, her cousin and architect George W. Reamer built the first house on Carmel Point for Florence, which she named Driftwood Cottage.[3][8] In 1923, Florence later purchased six acres of the beachfront below her house between Scenic Road and the ocean.[9] She rented the house to actress Jean Arthur in 1937 and sold it to her after World War II.[10]

In March 1953, Florence sold 8 acres (3.2 ha) of her beach front to the State Park of California under the Beach Acquisition Program.[11]

Florence continued to be active in the real estate industry well into her later years. A centenary celebration was held in September 1965 in honor of her 100th birthday, hosted by her nieces, nephews, and friends from Oakland and Southern California.[1]

Death

Florence Wells died on April 28, 1966, at the age of 101, at her home in Oakland.[1][12][3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Funeral Rites for Woman, 101". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. May 3, 1966. p. 34. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  2. ^ a b Karman, James (July 15, 2015). The Collected Letters of Robinson Jeffers, with Selected Letters of Una Jeffers. Stanford University Press. p. 361. ISBN 978-0-8047-9477-0. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  3. ^ a b c "Florence Wells". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. 5 May 1966. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
  4. ^ "Chapman". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. January 22, 1929. p. 42. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  5. ^ "Church Worker, Long In Oakland, Dies". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. January 22, 1929. p. 22. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  6. ^ "Licensed To Marry". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. October 10, 1888. p. 5. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  7. ^ "Oakland - Berkeley". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. July 2, 1909. p. 5. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  8. ^ Hudson, Monica (2006). Carmel-By-The-Sea. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 73, 75. ISBN 9780738531229. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  9. ^ "Property Transactions". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. July 14, 1923. p. 6. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  10. ^ Russell Mac Masters (1976). "Architectural Digest: Jean Arthur". archive.architecturaldigest.com. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  11. ^ "Coast Area New Roundup". The Californian. Salinas, California. March 6, 1953. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  12. ^ "Civil War Survivor Dies in Oakland". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. 5 May 1966. p. 63. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
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