Ethel's parents were:
A.G. (Arthur Gardner) Godfrey, b. Dec. 20, 1857 in Green county, WI. and d. Feb. 22, 1944 in L.A., CA. &
Cora M. Dunton Godfrey (Tetlow), b. June 22, 1864 in IA. and d. May 31, 1926 in L.A., CA.
Arthur Godfrey and Cora Dunton were married on August 6, 1883 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
Arthur & Cora Godfrey had two children:
1. Ethel Faith Godfrey, b. Sep. 21, 1885 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. and d. Dec. 24, 1965 in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA.
2. Earl Gardner Godfrey, b. Apr. 2, 1886 in Los Angeles, L.A., CA. and d. Oct. 5, 1959 in Los Angeles, CA.
From 1885 - 1895, Ethel grew up on Bunker Hill in Los Angeles, near Angels' Flight and remembered riding her pony and bike down Main Street.
Ethel's mother, Cora, sent her to business school, but she was more interested in homemaking and gardening. Ethel met her future husband, Edward Floyd Lewis, when she was working as a secretary in Los Angeles. She was a beautiful girl with a fine bosom, which she self-consciously attempted to hide under ruffled blouses.
Cora and her husband, James Tetlow, did not approve of this young man. It may have been that they feared that because he was so thin, he might have tuberculosis, which was common in those days. -But, being thin was a typical characteristic of the Lewis family. Cora and James therefore, spirited Ethel away to San Francisco to separate them, but Floyd was not discouraged and followed them there. Cora and James finally acquiesced to the marriage and they were married there in San Francisco, apparently without a big wedding.
The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA.), Sun., Jul. 5, 1903, P. 42
Married
Lewis-Godfrey – In this city, July 3, 1903, by the Rev. Freeman D. Bovard, E. Floyd Lewis and Ethel F. Godfrey, both of Los Angeles.
Ethel and E. Floyd Lewis were married in San Francisco, California on Thurs., July 03, 1903. Their wedding announcement stated that they would be at home at 319 West 8th Street in Los Angeles, Cal. after July the tenth.
The San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, CA.), Tue., Jul. 7, 1903, P. 7
Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Tetlow of this city announce the marriage of their daughter, Ethel F. Godfrey, to E. Floyd Lewis, which took place Thursday, July 2d. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have gone to Los Angeles and will be at home at 319 West Eighth street after July 10th.
Edward Floyd and Ethel Lewis had 8 children:
1. Floyd Addison Lewis, b. Aug. 9, 1907 in L.A., L.A., CA. and d. Apr. 23, 1984 in L.A., L.A., CA.
2. Thomas Edwin Lewis, b. Feb. 22, 1909 in L.A. co., CA. and d. Aug. 2, 1979 in San Francisco, San Francisco co., CA.
3. James Earl Lewis, b. Apr. 19, 1912 in L.A. co., CA. and d. Aug. 6, 1996 in San Gabriel, L.A., CA.
4. Stanley Jackson Lewis,b. Oct. 17, 1914 in Los Angeles co., CA. and d. Jul. 7, 1978 in San Diego co., CA.
5. Dorothy 'Dodie' Lewis (twin), b. Jan. 19, 1916 in L. A., L.A., CA. and d. Dec. 11, 1990 in Pasadena, L.A., CA.
6. Marjorie Lewis(twin), b. Jan. 19, 1916 in L.A., L.A., CA. and d. Feb. 22, 2007 in Polk County, NC.
7. Ethel Lewis, b. Oct. 24, 1918 at 2:15 a.m. And died the same day at 8:10 a.m. at Angelus hospital in L.A., L.A., CA.
8. Ruth Cora Lewis, b. Oct. 19, 1921 in L.A., CA. and d. in Cardiff by the Sea, San Diego, CA.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 25 yr. old Ethel F. Lewis, b. abt. 1885 in CA., was living at 1536 3rd Av. in Los Angeles Assembly District 70, L.A., CA. with her
29 yr. old husband, Floyd Lewis, a foreman at an iron works, b. in IL.
3 yr. old Floyd G. Lewis, b. in CA.
1 yr. old Thomas Lewis, b. in CA.
Ethel's parents were both b. in NE.
This was a first marriage for Floyd and Ethel. They had been married for 7 years. Ethel was the mother of two children, both alive by this census.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 25 yr. old Ethel F. Lewis, b. abt. 1885 in CA., was living at 1536 3rd Av. in Los Angeles Assembly District 70, L.A., CA. with her
29 yr. old husband, Floyd Lewis, a foreman at an iron works, b. in IL.,
3 yr. old son, Floyd G. Lewis, b. in CA.
1 yr. old son, Thomas Lewis, b. in CA.
Ethel's parents were both b. in NE.
This was a first marriage for Floyd and Ethel. They had been married for 7 years. Ethel was the mother of two children, both alive by this census.
According to her 38 yr. old husband's Sept. 12, 1918 WWI Draft Registration card, Ethel's middle name was Faith. Edward Floyd Lewis was b. May 26, 1880. He was working for the Byron Jackson Iron Works in Los Angeles, CA. He was described as tall, of slender build, with gray eyes and brown hair.
Ethel loved to play the piano and sing, accompanied by her children, almost all of whom played an instrument of some kind. Ethel's mother, Cora, bought her daughter a baby grand piano.
In the 1920 U.S. census, 34 yr. old Ethel F. Lewis, b. abt. 1886 in CA., was living in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA. with her
39 yr. old husband, E. Floyd Lewis, a business manager for a pumps company, b. in IL.
12 yr. old son, Floyd G. Lewis, b. in CA.
10 yr. old son, Thomas E. Lewis, b. in CA.
7 yr. old son, James E. Lewis, b. in CA.
5 yr. old son, Stanley J. Lewis, b. in CA.
4 yr. 11 mth. old twin daughters, Margerie Lewis and Dorothy Lewis, b. in CA.
Ethel's parents were b. in the U.S.
E. Floyd's father was b. in IN. and his mother in IL.
*Note: There were two more daughters born to E. Floyd and Ethel: Baby Ethel, who was stillborn, & Ruth, born in 1921.
Ethel made delicious cornbread and huge bowls of tapioca pudding. One of the neighborhood children, Texas 'Teckie' Schramm, said, 'Please let me know when your Mom is making cornbread so I can come over. My maid doesn't make it like your Mom's."
*Note: Mr. Schramm was, in later life, very successful in business. He was the owner of the Dallas Cowboys and the most powerful general manager in the NFL.
Ethel took the initiative in setting aside funds which were used to purchase the home in San Gabriel, and she did the same thing to buy a beach house on Balboa Island. The family spent many enjoyable summers there, boating, swimming and diving into the canals that were on the edge of the property.
In the late 1920's, Ethel and her children attended services at the Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles, where they spent the entire day, attending three separate services. Dr. Talbot was at that time Pastor of the Church. While in L.A., they almost always stopped to enjoy a meal at Clifton's Cafeteria, which is in business at the same location to this day. The children remember being impressed by the green waterfall.
On May 31, 1926, Ethel's mother, Cora (Dunton) Tetlow died, having been predeceased by her husband, James Tetlow, leaving an estate of a little over $13,000. Ethel (Godfrey) Lewis and her brother, Earl Godfrey, were the only next of kin. Earl was living at the time at the Montalvo Apartments, 682 Kipp St., L.A., CA. According to the will, Ethel was to be the sole inheritor, but in the event of her death, the estate was to be divided equally among Ethel's children.
Cora expressly made no provision for and gave no bequest to her son, Earl, 'for reasons well understood by and explained to him prior to the making of the will', and for the same reason, she made 'no provision or bequest for his adopted child, Jean Godfrey, or any other child or children of his' in the event of his predeceasing Cora.
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Wed., Mar. 23, 1927, P. 7
BALBOA ISLAND
Among the week-end visitors to the island were Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lewis and family of San Gabriel (and 8 other families).
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Apr. 15, 1927, P. 17
Excerpt from: BALBOA ISLAND
Other families spending the Easter vacation here are the B.C. Knickerbockers of Los Angeles, Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lewis of San Gabriel and Dr. Harry White and family of Alhambra.
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Tue., Jul. 12, 1927, P. 12
CHANNEL ISLE
Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lewis and children. Of San Gabriel (among others) were among the week-end visitors here.
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Mon., Aug. 20, 1928, P. 3
25,000 Crowd Beach Cities For Lights Tournament
OVER 115 BOATS IN BEAUTIFUL HARBOR PARADE
A crowd estimated at 25,000 persons witnessed the ninth annual Tournament of Lights, staged in Newport harbor Saturday night, it was reported by Newport Beach officials. Streets in the Newport Beach, Balboa, Balboa island and Corona Del Mar sections of town were packed with automobiles, in many places the cars being parked three deep. The parade of brilliantly lighted boats was the longest and the most elaborate ever held. More than 115 boats were entered in the event, according to J.A. Beek, chairman of the tournament committee, the parade being more than a mile and a half in length.
Thousands thronged the shores of the bay watching the spectacle from every point of vantage. The heights of Corona Del Mar were packed with visitors. The course of the parade was lengthened more than two miles this year to provide accommodation for the thousands of visitors. The start of the tournament was delayed for a short time due to wind and tide conditions. The boats formed in parade in Balboa, in front of the Balboa pavilion.
A total of more than 70 trophies were awarded to the winners of the various events in the parade.
Prizes awarded for the various events consisted of sterling silver loving cups and merchandise.
(In the) Row Boats (category), (among prizes to other people) pearls were awarded to Mrs. E.F. Lewis, design by Floyd Lewis Jr.
On July 3, 1929, the day after their 26th wedding anniversary, E. Floyd left Ethel.
On Sep. 27, 1929, E. Floyd Lewis filed a complaint for divorce from Ethel F. Lewis on the grounds of "extreme cruelty".
In his complaint, E.F. alleged the following:
That there were 7 children in the issue of said marriage, whose names and ages were: Floyd G., 22 years; Thomas, 20 years; James, 16 years; Stanley, 14 years; Dorothy and Marjorie, 13 years; and Ruth, 8 years.
In addition to household furniture, community property consisted of: one 1920 Marmon (7 passenger) automobile, and three pieces of property:
a house and lot at 934 N. Serrano St., L.A., CA., valued at about $25,000; a house and a lot at Balboa Beach, Newport Island, Orange Co., CA., valued at $6,000; and a house and lot at 324 E. Las Tunas Dr. in San Gabriel, L.A., CA., valued at about $25,000.
E.F. Lewis alleged that Ethel, since the marriage, had treated her husband with extreme cruelty, and had thereby inflicted upon him a course of grievous mental suffering, anguish and physical pain; that said acts of extreme cruelty were set forth as following:
a. That Ethel would leave the home several times during the week both in the daytime and in the evenings and stayed out late in the evenings (to attend church). That while being out at said times, she would visit with friends and go to church, thereby neglecting her husband and their minor children, and it would become necessary for her husband to stay home alone or seek other forms of amusements. This course of conduct had continued for a number of years.
b. That Ethel had peculiar eccentric habits related to religious matters which had caused her husband grievous mental suffering and anguish.
c. That during the past several years, Ethel had failed to show any love or affection toward her husband and had also failed to respond to any love and affection shown to her by her husband.
E.F. alleged that the foregoing acts and conduct were only part of the acts and abuses inflicted upon him since the marriage, and that all of said acts and abuses were without just cause and had caused E.F. to suffer great humiliation and mental anguish."
On Nov. 20, 1929, Ethel and E. Floyd Lewis were divorced in Los Angeles, CA. - and almost a week later, on Nov. 26, 1930, E. Floyd Lewis and Elsie Sandford were married in Yuma, AZ.
Elsie knew E.F. before he married Ethel, and even though Elsie married twice (first, from 1902-1907, second, from 1912-1925), she never gave up her pursuit of a warm relationship with him.
In the Apr. 5, 1930 U.S. census, 45 yr. old Ethel Lewis, b. abt. 1885 in CA., was divorced and living alone at 324 Las Tunas in San Gabriel, (now Alhambra), L. A., CA.
Her parents were both b. in WI.
Where were her 7 children? They were not with their father, who was living with his new wife.
They were not living with their maternal grandmother, Cora, who died in 1926 or their uncle, Earl, who was living alone. They were not with their paternal grandmother, who was alive but living alone.
On May 15, 1931, Ethel Godfrey Lewis married, second, Homer M. Harwood in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. They were married by Hugh J. Crawford, a Judge of the Municipal Court in the presence of Rosamond Rice (her cousin by marriage), residing at Los Angeles and Julia Wright, a resident of Alhambra, L. A., CA.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 54 yr. old widow, Ethel Harwood, b. abt. 1886 in CA., was living at 1712 So. Earle Avenue, in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA. with her
83 yr. old widowed father, Arthur Godfrey, b. in WI.
Ethel had attended 8 yrs. of school. Arthur had completed four years of high school.
Ethel's father was b. in WI. and her mother in KS.
Ethel was 19 at the time of her first marriage and she was the mother of 7 children.
Ethel and Homer were married for almost 18 years when he died on Apr. 16, 1949.
In Jul. of 1954, Ethel was receiving a widow's pension of $48 per month, in May of 1960 it was increased to $50.40 and in Feb. of 1961, she was allotted $60. (She was the widow of WWI veteran, Homer Harwood.)
Ethel loved spending most of her time outdoors, tending her garden. Her property was a showplace. Every Saturday, she cut and arranged flowers from her garden to place around the altar at San Gabriel Union Church of Las Tunas near San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel.
She was such an avid gardener, that when she found a plant that she admired as she was driving around the neighborhood, she would stop and ask for a cutting.
Each week, she would drive her car to pick up other ladies to take them to church. In those days, not many women drove.
Ethel had a bit of a 'lead foot'! She got pulled over in Long Beach for speeding, and the officer told her he would let her go if she gave him one of her twin daughters. The daughters didn't realize that he was making a joke and they were greatly concerned.
Ethel's church in San Gabriel had a building program to which she could not afford to contribute. She valued the work of the Lord so much that she took off the large diamond wedding ring that her mother, Cora, had purchased for her and donated that to the church. (By this time, she was divorced from Floyd.)
Every morning, she sat out in the canopied swing sofa on her front lawn under the sycamore trees and read from her Bible, a beautiful way to start the day. Ethel's daughter, Ruth, remembers seeing her on her knees in prayer every night.
Ethel's granddaughter, Brenda, tells about the time that she was living with Ethel on her property in Rosemead while attending college. One night, while sitting with her boyfriend in the car out in front of the house after coming home from a date, Brenda and her date noticed that the porch light was being turned on and off repeatedly, signaling that it was time to come in. When Brenda didn't respond right away, Brenda was startled and embarrassed to see 'Granny' knocking on the window of the car in her long nightgown and with her hair in a long braid down her back, telling her, 'It's time to come in now'.
According to her death certificate, Ethel was born Sep. 21, 1885 and died at the age of 80 on Dec. 24, 1965 at 6:27 a.m.
Her mother was Cora M. Dunton (maiden name), born in CA. (She was actually born in IA.) Her father was Arthur G. Godfrey, born in Wisconsin.
Ethel was listed as widowed. (Her 2nd husband, Homer Harwood, died in 1940.)
Ethel died of arterioscleratic heart disease at the Alderwood Manor Convalescent Hospital, 115 Bridge St. in San Gabriel, CA.
She had suffered from this disease for 5 years prior to her death.
Her physician was Dr. Puttler, 1024 S. Garfield in Alhambra, who attended her from Feb. 1960 to Dec. 23, 1965.
Ethel was cremated on Dec. 28, 1965 at the Rose Hills Crematory, Rose Hills mortuary.
The informant was her daughter, Dorothy L. Crawford, 5102 Beachcomber, Oxnard, Ventura county, CA.
A.G. (Arthur Gardner) Godfrey, b. Dec. 20, 1857 in Green county, WI. and d. Feb. 22, 1944 in L.A., CA. &
Cora M. Dunton Godfrey (Tetlow), b. June 22, 1864 in IA. and d. May 31, 1926 in L.A., CA.
Arthur Godfrey and Cora Dunton were married on August 6, 1883 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
Arthur & Cora Godfrey had two children:
1. Ethel Faith Godfrey, b. Sep. 21, 1885 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. and d. Dec. 24, 1965 in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA.
2. Earl Gardner Godfrey, b. Apr. 2, 1886 in Los Angeles, L.A., CA. and d. Oct. 5, 1959 in Los Angeles, CA.
From 1885 - 1895, Ethel grew up on Bunker Hill in Los Angeles, near Angels' Flight and remembered riding her pony and bike down Main Street.
Ethel's mother, Cora, sent her to business school, but she was more interested in homemaking and gardening. Ethel met her future husband, Edward Floyd Lewis, when she was working as a secretary in Los Angeles. She was a beautiful girl with a fine bosom, which she self-consciously attempted to hide under ruffled blouses.
Cora and her husband, James Tetlow, did not approve of this young man. It may have been that they feared that because he was so thin, he might have tuberculosis, which was common in those days. -But, being thin was a typical characteristic of the Lewis family. Cora and James therefore, spirited Ethel away to San Francisco to separate them, but Floyd was not discouraged and followed them there. Cora and James finally acquiesced to the marriage and they were married there in San Francisco, apparently without a big wedding.
The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA.), Sun., Jul. 5, 1903, P. 42
Married
Lewis-Godfrey – In this city, July 3, 1903, by the Rev. Freeman D. Bovard, E. Floyd Lewis and Ethel F. Godfrey, both of Los Angeles.
Ethel and E. Floyd Lewis were married in San Francisco, California on Thurs., July 03, 1903. Their wedding announcement stated that they would be at home at 319 West 8th Street in Los Angeles, Cal. after July the tenth.
The San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, CA.), Tue., Jul. 7, 1903, P. 7
Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Tetlow of this city announce the marriage of their daughter, Ethel F. Godfrey, to E. Floyd Lewis, which took place Thursday, July 2d. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have gone to Los Angeles and will be at home at 319 West Eighth street after July 10th.
Edward Floyd and Ethel Lewis had 8 children:
1. Floyd Addison Lewis, b. Aug. 9, 1907 in L.A., L.A., CA. and d. Apr. 23, 1984 in L.A., L.A., CA.
2. Thomas Edwin Lewis, b. Feb. 22, 1909 in L.A. co., CA. and d. Aug. 2, 1979 in San Francisco, San Francisco co., CA.
3. James Earl Lewis, b. Apr. 19, 1912 in L.A. co., CA. and d. Aug. 6, 1996 in San Gabriel, L.A., CA.
4. Stanley Jackson Lewis,b. Oct. 17, 1914 in Los Angeles co., CA. and d. Jul. 7, 1978 in San Diego co., CA.
5. Dorothy 'Dodie' Lewis (twin), b. Jan. 19, 1916 in L. A., L.A., CA. and d. Dec. 11, 1990 in Pasadena, L.A., CA.
6. Marjorie Lewis(twin), b. Jan. 19, 1916 in L.A., L.A., CA. and d. Feb. 22, 2007 in Polk County, NC.
7. Ethel Lewis, b. Oct. 24, 1918 at 2:15 a.m. And died the same day at 8:10 a.m. at Angelus hospital in L.A., L.A., CA.
8. Ruth Cora Lewis, b. Oct. 19, 1921 in L.A., CA. and d. in Cardiff by the Sea, San Diego, CA.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 25 yr. old Ethel F. Lewis, b. abt. 1885 in CA., was living at 1536 3rd Av. in Los Angeles Assembly District 70, L.A., CA. with her
29 yr. old husband, Floyd Lewis, a foreman at an iron works, b. in IL.
3 yr. old Floyd G. Lewis, b. in CA.
1 yr. old Thomas Lewis, b. in CA.
Ethel's parents were both b. in NE.
This was a first marriage for Floyd and Ethel. They had been married for 7 years. Ethel was the mother of two children, both alive by this census.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 25 yr. old Ethel F. Lewis, b. abt. 1885 in CA., was living at 1536 3rd Av. in Los Angeles Assembly District 70, L.A., CA. with her
29 yr. old husband, Floyd Lewis, a foreman at an iron works, b. in IL.,
3 yr. old son, Floyd G. Lewis, b. in CA.
1 yr. old son, Thomas Lewis, b. in CA.
Ethel's parents were both b. in NE.
This was a first marriage for Floyd and Ethel. They had been married for 7 years. Ethel was the mother of two children, both alive by this census.
According to her 38 yr. old husband's Sept. 12, 1918 WWI Draft Registration card, Ethel's middle name was Faith. Edward Floyd Lewis was b. May 26, 1880. He was working for the Byron Jackson Iron Works in Los Angeles, CA. He was described as tall, of slender build, with gray eyes and brown hair.
Ethel loved to play the piano and sing, accompanied by her children, almost all of whom played an instrument of some kind. Ethel's mother, Cora, bought her daughter a baby grand piano.
In the 1920 U.S. census, 34 yr. old Ethel F. Lewis, b. abt. 1886 in CA., was living in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA. with her
39 yr. old husband, E. Floyd Lewis, a business manager for a pumps company, b. in IL.
12 yr. old son, Floyd G. Lewis, b. in CA.
10 yr. old son, Thomas E. Lewis, b. in CA.
7 yr. old son, James E. Lewis, b. in CA.
5 yr. old son, Stanley J. Lewis, b. in CA.
4 yr. 11 mth. old twin daughters, Margerie Lewis and Dorothy Lewis, b. in CA.
Ethel's parents were b. in the U.S.
E. Floyd's father was b. in IN. and his mother in IL.
*Note: There were two more daughters born to E. Floyd and Ethel: Baby Ethel, who was stillborn, & Ruth, born in 1921.
Ethel made delicious cornbread and huge bowls of tapioca pudding. One of the neighborhood children, Texas 'Teckie' Schramm, said, 'Please let me know when your Mom is making cornbread so I can come over. My maid doesn't make it like your Mom's."
*Note: Mr. Schramm was, in later life, very successful in business. He was the owner of the Dallas Cowboys and the most powerful general manager in the NFL.
Ethel took the initiative in setting aside funds which were used to purchase the home in San Gabriel, and she did the same thing to buy a beach house on Balboa Island. The family spent many enjoyable summers there, boating, swimming and diving into the canals that were on the edge of the property.
In the late 1920's, Ethel and her children attended services at the Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles, where they spent the entire day, attending three separate services. Dr. Talbot was at that time Pastor of the Church. While in L.A., they almost always stopped to enjoy a meal at Clifton's Cafeteria, which is in business at the same location to this day. The children remember being impressed by the green waterfall.
On May 31, 1926, Ethel's mother, Cora (Dunton) Tetlow died, having been predeceased by her husband, James Tetlow, leaving an estate of a little over $13,000. Ethel (Godfrey) Lewis and her brother, Earl Godfrey, were the only next of kin. Earl was living at the time at the Montalvo Apartments, 682 Kipp St., L.A., CA. According to the will, Ethel was to be the sole inheritor, but in the event of her death, the estate was to be divided equally among Ethel's children.
Cora expressly made no provision for and gave no bequest to her son, Earl, 'for reasons well understood by and explained to him prior to the making of the will', and for the same reason, she made 'no provision or bequest for his adopted child, Jean Godfrey, or any other child or children of his' in the event of his predeceasing Cora.
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Wed., Mar. 23, 1927, P. 7
BALBOA ISLAND
Among the week-end visitors to the island were Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lewis and family of San Gabriel (and 8 other families).
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Apr. 15, 1927, P. 17
Excerpt from: BALBOA ISLAND
Other families spending the Easter vacation here are the B.C. Knickerbockers of Los Angeles, Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lewis of San Gabriel and Dr. Harry White and family of Alhambra.
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Tue., Jul. 12, 1927, P. 12
CHANNEL ISLE
Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lewis and children. Of San Gabriel (among others) were among the week-end visitors here.
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Mon., Aug. 20, 1928, P. 3
25,000 Crowd Beach Cities For Lights Tournament
OVER 115 BOATS IN BEAUTIFUL HARBOR PARADE
A crowd estimated at 25,000 persons witnessed the ninth annual Tournament of Lights, staged in Newport harbor Saturday night, it was reported by Newport Beach officials. Streets in the Newport Beach, Balboa, Balboa island and Corona Del Mar sections of town were packed with automobiles, in many places the cars being parked three deep. The parade of brilliantly lighted boats was the longest and the most elaborate ever held. More than 115 boats were entered in the event, according to J.A. Beek, chairman of the tournament committee, the parade being more than a mile and a half in length.
Thousands thronged the shores of the bay watching the spectacle from every point of vantage. The heights of Corona Del Mar were packed with visitors. The course of the parade was lengthened more than two miles this year to provide accommodation for the thousands of visitors. The start of the tournament was delayed for a short time due to wind and tide conditions. The boats formed in parade in Balboa, in front of the Balboa pavilion.
A total of more than 70 trophies were awarded to the winners of the various events in the parade.
Prizes awarded for the various events consisted of sterling silver loving cups and merchandise.
(In the) Row Boats (category), (among prizes to other people) pearls were awarded to Mrs. E.F. Lewis, design by Floyd Lewis Jr.
On July 3, 1929, the day after their 26th wedding anniversary, E. Floyd left Ethel.
On Sep. 27, 1929, E. Floyd Lewis filed a complaint for divorce from Ethel F. Lewis on the grounds of "extreme cruelty".
In his complaint, E.F. alleged the following:
That there were 7 children in the issue of said marriage, whose names and ages were: Floyd G., 22 years; Thomas, 20 years; James, 16 years; Stanley, 14 years; Dorothy and Marjorie, 13 years; and Ruth, 8 years.
In addition to household furniture, community property consisted of: one 1920 Marmon (7 passenger) automobile, and three pieces of property:
a house and lot at 934 N. Serrano St., L.A., CA., valued at about $25,000; a house and a lot at Balboa Beach, Newport Island, Orange Co., CA., valued at $6,000; and a house and lot at 324 E. Las Tunas Dr. in San Gabriel, L.A., CA., valued at about $25,000.
E.F. Lewis alleged that Ethel, since the marriage, had treated her husband with extreme cruelty, and had thereby inflicted upon him a course of grievous mental suffering, anguish and physical pain; that said acts of extreme cruelty were set forth as following:
a. That Ethel would leave the home several times during the week both in the daytime and in the evenings and stayed out late in the evenings (to attend church). That while being out at said times, she would visit with friends and go to church, thereby neglecting her husband and their minor children, and it would become necessary for her husband to stay home alone or seek other forms of amusements. This course of conduct had continued for a number of years.
b. That Ethel had peculiar eccentric habits related to religious matters which had caused her husband grievous mental suffering and anguish.
c. That during the past several years, Ethel had failed to show any love or affection toward her husband and had also failed to respond to any love and affection shown to her by her husband.
E.F. alleged that the foregoing acts and conduct were only part of the acts and abuses inflicted upon him since the marriage, and that all of said acts and abuses were without just cause and had caused E.F. to suffer great humiliation and mental anguish."
On Nov. 20, 1929, Ethel and E. Floyd Lewis were divorced in Los Angeles, CA. - and almost a week later, on Nov. 26, 1930, E. Floyd Lewis and Elsie Sandford were married in Yuma, AZ.
Elsie knew E.F. before he married Ethel, and even though Elsie married twice (first, from 1902-1907, second, from 1912-1925), she never gave up her pursuit of a warm relationship with him.
In the Apr. 5, 1930 U.S. census, 45 yr. old Ethel Lewis, b. abt. 1885 in CA., was divorced and living alone at 324 Las Tunas in San Gabriel, (now Alhambra), L. A., CA.
Her parents were both b. in WI.
Where were her 7 children? They were not with their father, who was living with his new wife.
They were not living with their maternal grandmother, Cora, who died in 1926 or their uncle, Earl, who was living alone. They were not with their paternal grandmother, who was alive but living alone.
On May 15, 1931, Ethel Godfrey Lewis married, second, Homer M. Harwood in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. They were married by Hugh J. Crawford, a Judge of the Municipal Court in the presence of Rosamond Rice (her cousin by marriage), residing at Los Angeles and Julia Wright, a resident of Alhambra, L. A., CA.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 54 yr. old widow, Ethel Harwood, b. abt. 1886 in CA., was living at 1712 So. Earle Avenue, in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA. with her
83 yr. old widowed father, Arthur Godfrey, b. in WI.
Ethel had attended 8 yrs. of school. Arthur had completed four years of high school.
Ethel's father was b. in WI. and her mother in KS.
Ethel was 19 at the time of her first marriage and she was the mother of 7 children.
Ethel and Homer were married for almost 18 years when he died on Apr. 16, 1949.
In Jul. of 1954, Ethel was receiving a widow's pension of $48 per month, in May of 1960 it was increased to $50.40 and in Feb. of 1961, she was allotted $60. (She was the widow of WWI veteran, Homer Harwood.)
Ethel loved spending most of her time outdoors, tending her garden. Her property was a showplace. Every Saturday, she cut and arranged flowers from her garden to place around the altar at San Gabriel Union Church of Las Tunas near San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel.
She was such an avid gardener, that when she found a plant that she admired as she was driving around the neighborhood, she would stop and ask for a cutting.
Each week, she would drive her car to pick up other ladies to take them to church. In those days, not many women drove.
Ethel had a bit of a 'lead foot'! She got pulled over in Long Beach for speeding, and the officer told her he would let her go if she gave him one of her twin daughters. The daughters didn't realize that he was making a joke and they were greatly concerned.
Ethel's church in San Gabriel had a building program to which she could not afford to contribute. She valued the work of the Lord so much that she took off the large diamond wedding ring that her mother, Cora, had purchased for her and donated that to the church. (By this time, she was divorced from Floyd.)
Every morning, she sat out in the canopied swing sofa on her front lawn under the sycamore trees and read from her Bible, a beautiful way to start the day. Ethel's daughter, Ruth, remembers seeing her on her knees in prayer every night.
Ethel's granddaughter, Brenda, tells about the time that she was living with Ethel on her property in Rosemead while attending college. One night, while sitting with her boyfriend in the car out in front of the house after coming home from a date, Brenda and her date noticed that the porch light was being turned on and off repeatedly, signaling that it was time to come in. When Brenda didn't respond right away, Brenda was startled and embarrassed to see 'Granny' knocking on the window of the car in her long nightgown and with her hair in a long braid down her back, telling her, 'It's time to come in now'.
According to her death certificate, Ethel was born Sep. 21, 1885 and died at the age of 80 on Dec. 24, 1965 at 6:27 a.m.
Her mother was Cora M. Dunton (maiden name), born in CA. (She was actually born in IA.) Her father was Arthur G. Godfrey, born in Wisconsin.
Ethel was listed as widowed. (Her 2nd husband, Homer Harwood, died in 1940.)
Ethel died of arterioscleratic heart disease at the Alderwood Manor Convalescent Hospital, 115 Bridge St. in San Gabriel, CA.
She had suffered from this disease for 5 years prior to her death.
Her physician was Dr. Puttler, 1024 S. Garfield in Alhambra, who attended her from Feb. 1960 to Dec. 23, 1965.
Ethel was cremated on Dec. 28, 1965 at the Rose Hills Crematory, Rose Hills mortuary.
The informant was her daughter, Dorothy L. Crawford, 5102 Beachcomber, Oxnard, Ventura county, CA.
Ethel's parents were:
A.G. (Arthur Gardner) Godfrey, b. Dec. 20, 1857 in Green county, WI. and d. Feb. 22, 1944 in L.A., CA. &
Cora M. Dunton Godfrey (Tetlow), b. June 22, 1864 in IA. and d. May 31, 1926 in L.A., CA.
Arthur Godfrey and Cora Dunton were married on August 6, 1883 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
Arthur & Cora Godfrey had two children:
1. Ethel Faith Godfrey, b. Sep. 21, 1885 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. and d. Dec. 24, 1965 in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA.
2. Earl Gardner Godfrey, b. Apr. 2, 1886 in Los Angeles, L.A., CA. and d. Oct. 5, 1959 in Los Angeles, CA.
From 1885 - 1895, Ethel grew up on Bunker Hill in Los Angeles, near Angels' Flight and remembered riding her pony and bike down Main Street.
Ethel's mother, Cora, sent her to business school, but she was more interested in homemaking and gardening. Ethel met her future husband, Edward Floyd Lewis, when she was working as a secretary in Los Angeles. She was a beautiful girl with a fine bosom, which she self-consciously attempted to hide under ruffled blouses.
Cora and her husband, James Tetlow, did not approve of this young man. It may have been that they feared that because he was so thin, he might have tuberculosis, which was common in those days. -But, being thin was a typical characteristic of the Lewis family. Cora and James therefore, spirited Ethel away to San Francisco to separate them, but Floyd was not discouraged and followed them there. Cora and James finally acquiesced to the marriage and they were married there in San Francisco, apparently without a big wedding.
The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA.), Sun., Jul. 5, 1903, P. 42
Married
Lewis-Godfrey – In this city, July 3, 1903, by the Rev. Freeman D. Bovard, E. Floyd Lewis and Ethel F. Godfrey, both of Los Angeles.
Ethel and E. Floyd Lewis were married in San Francisco, California on Thurs., July 03, 1903. Their wedding announcement stated that they would be at home at 319 West 8th Street in Los Angeles, Cal. after July the tenth.
The San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, CA.), Tue., Jul. 7, 1903, P. 7
Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Tetlow of this city announce the marriage of their daughter, Ethel F. Godfrey, to E. Floyd Lewis, which took place Thursday, July 2d. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have gone to Los Angeles and will be at home at 319 West Eighth street after July 10th.
Edward Floyd and Ethel Lewis had 8 children:
1. Floyd Addison Lewis, b. Aug. 9, 1907 in L.A., L.A., CA. and d. Apr. 23, 1984 in L.A., L.A., CA.
2. Thomas Edwin Lewis, b. Feb. 22, 1909 in L.A. co., CA. and d. Aug. 2, 1979 in San Francisco, San Francisco co., CA.
3. James Earl Lewis, b. Apr. 19, 1912 in L.A. co., CA. and d. Aug. 6, 1996 in San Gabriel, L.A., CA.
4. Stanley Jackson Lewis,b. Oct. 17, 1914 in Los Angeles co., CA. and d. Jul. 7, 1978 in San Diego co., CA.
5. Dorothy 'Dodie' Lewis (twin), b. Jan. 19, 1916 in L. A., L.A., CA. and d. Dec. 11, 1990 in Pasadena, L.A., CA.
6. Marjorie Lewis(twin), b. Jan. 19, 1916 in L.A., L.A., CA. and d. Feb. 22, 2007 in Polk County, NC.
7. Ethel Lewis, b. Oct. 24, 1918 at 2:15 a.m. And died the same day at 8:10 a.m. at Angelus hospital in L.A., L.A., CA.
8. Ruth Cora Lewis, b. Oct. 19, 1921 in L.A., CA. and d. in Cardiff by the Sea, San Diego, CA.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 25 yr. old Ethel F. Lewis, b. abt. 1885 in CA., was living at 1536 3rd Av. in Los Angeles Assembly District 70, L.A., CA. with her
29 yr. old husband, Floyd Lewis, a foreman at an iron works, b. in IL.
3 yr. old Floyd G. Lewis, b. in CA.
1 yr. old Thomas Lewis, b. in CA.
Ethel's parents were both b. in NE.
This was a first marriage for Floyd and Ethel. They had been married for 7 years. Ethel was the mother of two children, both alive by this census.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 25 yr. old Ethel F. Lewis, b. abt. 1885 in CA., was living at 1536 3rd Av. in Los Angeles Assembly District 70, L.A., CA. with her
29 yr. old husband, Floyd Lewis, a foreman at an iron works, b. in IL.,
3 yr. old son, Floyd G. Lewis, b. in CA.
1 yr. old son, Thomas Lewis, b. in CA.
Ethel's parents were both b. in NE.
This was a first marriage for Floyd and Ethel. They had been married for 7 years. Ethel was the mother of two children, both alive by this census.
According to her 38 yr. old husband's Sept. 12, 1918 WWI Draft Registration card, Ethel's middle name was Faith. Edward Floyd Lewis was b. May 26, 1880. He was working for the Byron Jackson Iron Works in Los Angeles, CA. He was described as tall, of slender build, with gray eyes and brown hair.
Ethel loved to play the piano and sing, accompanied by her children, almost all of whom played an instrument of some kind. Ethel's mother, Cora, bought her daughter a baby grand piano.
In the 1920 U.S. census, 34 yr. old Ethel F. Lewis, b. abt. 1886 in CA., was living in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA. with her
39 yr. old husband, E. Floyd Lewis, a business manager for a pumps company, b. in IL.
12 yr. old son, Floyd G. Lewis, b. in CA.
10 yr. old son, Thomas E. Lewis, b. in CA.
7 yr. old son, James E. Lewis, b. in CA.
5 yr. old son, Stanley J. Lewis, b. in CA.
4 yr. 11 mth. old twin daughters, Margerie Lewis and Dorothy Lewis, b. in CA.
Ethel's parents were b. in the U.S.
E. Floyd's father was b. in IN. and his mother in IL.
*Note: There were two more daughters born to E. Floyd and Ethel: Baby Ethel, who was stillborn, & Ruth, born in 1921.
Ethel made delicious cornbread and huge bowls of tapioca pudding. One of the neighborhood children, Texas 'Teckie' Schramm, said, 'Please let me know when your Mom is making cornbread so I can come over. My maid doesn't make it like your Mom's."
*Note: Mr. Schramm was, in later life, very successful in business. He was the owner of the Dallas Cowboys and the most powerful general manager in the NFL.
Ethel took the initiative in setting aside funds which were used to purchase the home in San Gabriel, and she did the same thing to buy a beach house on Balboa Island. The family spent many enjoyable summers there, boating, swimming and diving into the canals that were on the edge of the property.
In the late 1920's, Ethel and her children attended services at the Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles, where they spent the entire day, attending three separate services. Dr. Talbot was at that time Pastor of the Church. While in L.A., they almost always stopped to enjoy a meal at Clifton's Cafeteria, which is in business at the same location to this day. The children remember being impressed by the green waterfall.
On May 31, 1926, Ethel's mother, Cora (Dunton) Tetlow died, having been predeceased by her husband, James Tetlow, leaving an estate of a little over $13,000. Ethel (Godfrey) Lewis and her brother, Earl Godfrey, were the only next of kin. Earl was living at the time at the Montalvo Apartments, 682 Kipp St., L.A., CA. According to the will, Ethel was to be the sole inheritor, but in the event of her death, the estate was to be divided equally among Ethel's children.
Cora expressly made no provision for and gave no bequest to her son, Earl, 'for reasons well understood by and explained to him prior to the making of the will', and for the same reason, she made 'no provision or bequest for his adopted child, Jean Godfrey, or any other child or children of his' in the event of his predeceasing Cora.
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Wed., Mar. 23, 1927, P. 7
BALBOA ISLAND
Among the week-end visitors to the island were Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lewis and family of San Gabriel (and 8 other families).
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Apr. 15, 1927, P. 17
Excerpt from: BALBOA ISLAND
Other families spending the Easter vacation here are the B.C. Knickerbockers of Los Angeles, Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lewis of San Gabriel and Dr. Harry White and family of Alhambra.
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Tue., Jul. 12, 1927, P. 12
CHANNEL ISLE
Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lewis and children. Of San Gabriel (among others) were among the week-end visitors here.
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Mon., Aug. 20, 1928, P. 3
25,000 Crowd Beach Cities For Lights Tournament
OVER 115 BOATS IN BEAUTIFUL HARBOR PARADE
A crowd estimated at 25,000 persons witnessed the ninth annual Tournament of Lights, staged in Newport harbor Saturday night, it was reported by Newport Beach officials. Streets in the Newport Beach, Balboa, Balboa island and Corona Del Mar sections of town were packed with automobiles, in many places the cars being parked three deep. The parade of brilliantly lighted boats was the longest and the most elaborate ever held. More than 115 boats were entered in the event, according to J.A. Beek, chairman of the tournament committee, the parade being more than a mile and a half in length.
Thousands thronged the shores of the bay watching the spectacle from every point of vantage. The heights of Corona Del Mar were packed with visitors. The course of the parade was lengthened more than two miles this year to provide accommodation for the thousands of visitors. The start of the tournament was delayed for a short time due to wind and tide conditions. The boats formed in parade in Balboa, in front of the Balboa pavilion.
A total of more than 70 trophies were awarded to the winners of the various events in the parade.
Prizes awarded for the various events consisted of sterling silver loving cups and merchandise.
(In the) Row Boats (category), (among prizes to other people) pearls were awarded to Mrs. E.F. Lewis, design by Floyd Lewis Jr.
On July 3, 1929, the day after their 26th wedding anniversary, E. Floyd left Ethel.
On Sep. 27, 1929, E. Floyd Lewis filed a complaint for divorce from Ethel F. Lewis on the grounds of "extreme cruelty".
In his complaint, E.F. alleged the following:
That there were 7 children in the issue of said marriage, whose names and ages were: Floyd G., 22 years; Thomas, 20 years; James, 16 years; Stanley, 14 years; Dorothy and Marjorie, 13 years; and Ruth, 8 years.
In addition to household furniture, community property consisted of: one 1920 Marmon (7 passenger) automobile, and three pieces of property:
a house and lot at 934 N. Serrano St., L.A., CA., valued at about $25,000; a house and a lot at Balboa Beach, Newport Island, Orange Co., CA., valued at $6,000; and a house and lot at 324 E. Las Tunas Dr. in San Gabriel, L.A., CA., valued at about $25,000.
E.F. Lewis alleged that Ethel, since the marriage, had treated her husband with extreme cruelty, and had thereby inflicted upon him a course of grievous mental suffering, anguish and physical pain; that said acts of extreme cruelty were set forth as following:
a. That Ethel would leave the home several times during the week both in the daytime and in the evenings and stayed out late in the evenings (to attend church). That while being out at said times, she would visit with friends and go to church, thereby neglecting her husband and their minor children, and it would become necessary for her husband to stay home alone or seek other forms of amusements. This course of conduct had continued for a number of years.
b. That Ethel had peculiar eccentric habits related to religious matters which had caused her husband grievous mental suffering and anguish.
c. That during the past several years, Ethel had failed to show any love or affection toward her husband and had also failed to respond to any love and affection shown to her by her husband.
E.F. alleged that the foregoing acts and conduct were only part of the acts and abuses inflicted upon him since the marriage, and that all of said acts and abuses were without just cause and had caused E.F. to suffer great humiliation and mental anguish."
On Nov. 20, 1929, Ethel and E. Floyd Lewis were divorced in Los Angeles, CA. - and almost a week later, on Nov. 26, 1930, E. Floyd Lewis and Elsie Sandford were married in Yuma, AZ.
Elsie knew E.F. before he married Ethel, and even though Elsie married twice (first, from 1902-1907, second, from 1912-1925), she never gave up her pursuit of a warm relationship with him.
In the Apr. 5, 1930 U.S. census, 45 yr. old Ethel Lewis, b. abt. 1885 in CA., was divorced and living alone at 324 Las Tunas in San Gabriel, (now Alhambra), L. A., CA.
Her parents were both b. in WI.
Where were her 7 children? They were not with their father, who was living with his new wife.
They were not living with their maternal grandmother, Cora, who died in 1926 or their uncle, Earl, who was living alone. They were not with their paternal grandmother, who was alive but living alone.
On May 15, 1931, Ethel Godfrey Lewis married, second, Homer M. Harwood in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. They were married by Hugh J. Crawford, a Judge of the Municipal Court in the presence of Rosamond Rice (her cousin by marriage), residing at Los Angeles and Julia Wright, a resident of Alhambra, L. A., CA.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 54 yr. old widow, Ethel Harwood, b. abt. 1886 in CA., was living at 1712 So. Earle Avenue, in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA. with her
83 yr. old widowed father, Arthur Godfrey, b. in WI.
Ethel had attended 8 yrs. of school. Arthur had completed four years of high school.
Ethel's father was b. in WI. and her mother in KS.
Ethel was 19 at the time of her first marriage and she was the mother of 7 children.
Ethel and Homer were married for almost 18 years when he died on Apr. 16, 1949.
In Jul. of 1954, Ethel was receiving a widow's pension of $48 per month, in May of 1960 it was increased to $50.40 and in Feb. of 1961, she was allotted $60. (She was the widow of WWI veteran, Homer Harwood.)
Ethel loved spending most of her time outdoors, tending her garden. Her property was a showplace. Every Saturday, she cut and arranged flowers from her garden to place around the altar at San Gabriel Union Church of Las Tunas near San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel.
She was such an avid gardener, that when she found a plant that she admired as she was driving around the neighborhood, she would stop and ask for a cutting.
Each week, she would drive her car to pick up other ladies to take them to church. In those days, not many women drove.
Ethel had a bit of a 'lead foot'! She got pulled over in Long Beach for speeding, and the officer told her he would let her go if she gave him one of her twin daughters. The daughters didn't realize that he was making a joke and they were greatly concerned.
Ethel's church in San Gabriel had a building program to which she could not afford to contribute. She valued the work of the Lord so much that she took off the large diamond wedding ring that her mother, Cora, had purchased for her and donated that to the church. (By this time, she was divorced from Floyd.)
Every morning, she sat out in the canopied swing sofa on her front lawn under the sycamore trees and read from her Bible, a beautiful way to start the day. Ethel's daughter, Ruth, remembers seeing her on her knees in prayer every night.
Ethel's granddaughter, Brenda, tells about the time that she was living with Ethel on her property in Rosemead while attending college. One night, while sitting with her boyfriend in the car out in front of the house after coming home from a date, Brenda and her date noticed that the porch light was being turned on and off repeatedly, signaling that it was time to come in. When Brenda didn't respond right away, Brenda was startled and embarrassed to see 'Granny' knocking on the window of the car in her long nightgown and with her hair in a long braid down her back, telling her, 'It's time to come in now'.
According to her death certificate, Ethel was born Sep. 21, 1885 and died at the age of 80 on Dec. 24, 1965 at 6:27 a.m.
Her mother was Cora M. Dunton (maiden name), born in CA. (She was actually born in IA.) Her father was Arthur G. Godfrey, born in Wisconsin.
Ethel was listed as widowed. (Her 2nd husband, Homer Harwood, died in 1940.)
Ethel died of arterioscleratic heart disease at the Alderwood Manor Convalescent Hospital, 115 Bridge St. in San Gabriel, CA.
She had suffered from this disease for 5 years prior to her death.
Her physician was Dr. Puttler, 1024 S. Garfield in Alhambra, who attended her from Feb. 1960 to Dec. 23, 1965.
Ethel was cremated on Dec. 28, 1965 at the Rose Hills Crematory, Rose Hills mortuary.
The informant was her daughter, Dorothy L. Crawford, 5102 Beachcomber, Oxnard, Ventura county, CA.
A.G. (Arthur Gardner) Godfrey, b. Dec. 20, 1857 in Green county, WI. and d. Feb. 22, 1944 in L.A., CA. &
Cora M. Dunton Godfrey (Tetlow), b. June 22, 1864 in IA. and d. May 31, 1926 in L.A., CA.
Arthur Godfrey and Cora Dunton were married on August 6, 1883 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
Arthur & Cora Godfrey had two children:
1. Ethel Faith Godfrey, b. Sep. 21, 1885 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. and d. Dec. 24, 1965 in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA.
2. Earl Gardner Godfrey, b. Apr. 2, 1886 in Los Angeles, L.A., CA. and d. Oct. 5, 1959 in Los Angeles, CA.
From 1885 - 1895, Ethel grew up on Bunker Hill in Los Angeles, near Angels' Flight and remembered riding her pony and bike down Main Street.
Ethel's mother, Cora, sent her to business school, but she was more interested in homemaking and gardening. Ethel met her future husband, Edward Floyd Lewis, when she was working as a secretary in Los Angeles. She was a beautiful girl with a fine bosom, which she self-consciously attempted to hide under ruffled blouses.
Cora and her husband, James Tetlow, did not approve of this young man. It may have been that they feared that because he was so thin, he might have tuberculosis, which was common in those days. -But, being thin was a typical characteristic of the Lewis family. Cora and James therefore, spirited Ethel away to San Francisco to separate them, but Floyd was not discouraged and followed them there. Cora and James finally acquiesced to the marriage and they were married there in San Francisco, apparently without a big wedding.
The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA.), Sun., Jul. 5, 1903, P. 42
Married
Lewis-Godfrey – In this city, July 3, 1903, by the Rev. Freeman D. Bovard, E. Floyd Lewis and Ethel F. Godfrey, both of Los Angeles.
Ethel and E. Floyd Lewis were married in San Francisco, California on Thurs., July 03, 1903. Their wedding announcement stated that they would be at home at 319 West 8th Street in Los Angeles, Cal. after July the tenth.
The San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, CA.), Tue., Jul. 7, 1903, P. 7
Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Tetlow of this city announce the marriage of their daughter, Ethel F. Godfrey, to E. Floyd Lewis, which took place Thursday, July 2d. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have gone to Los Angeles and will be at home at 319 West Eighth street after July 10th.
Edward Floyd and Ethel Lewis had 8 children:
1. Floyd Addison Lewis, b. Aug. 9, 1907 in L.A., L.A., CA. and d. Apr. 23, 1984 in L.A., L.A., CA.
2. Thomas Edwin Lewis, b. Feb. 22, 1909 in L.A. co., CA. and d. Aug. 2, 1979 in San Francisco, San Francisco co., CA.
3. James Earl Lewis, b. Apr. 19, 1912 in L.A. co., CA. and d. Aug. 6, 1996 in San Gabriel, L.A., CA.
4. Stanley Jackson Lewis,b. Oct. 17, 1914 in Los Angeles co., CA. and d. Jul. 7, 1978 in San Diego co., CA.
5. Dorothy 'Dodie' Lewis (twin), b. Jan. 19, 1916 in L. A., L.A., CA. and d. Dec. 11, 1990 in Pasadena, L.A., CA.
6. Marjorie Lewis(twin), b. Jan. 19, 1916 in L.A., L.A., CA. and d. Feb. 22, 2007 in Polk County, NC.
7. Ethel Lewis, b. Oct. 24, 1918 at 2:15 a.m. And died the same day at 8:10 a.m. at Angelus hospital in L.A., L.A., CA.
8. Ruth Cora Lewis, b. Oct. 19, 1921 in L.A., CA. and d. in Cardiff by the Sea, San Diego, CA.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 25 yr. old Ethel F. Lewis, b. abt. 1885 in CA., was living at 1536 3rd Av. in Los Angeles Assembly District 70, L.A., CA. with her
29 yr. old husband, Floyd Lewis, a foreman at an iron works, b. in IL.
3 yr. old Floyd G. Lewis, b. in CA.
1 yr. old Thomas Lewis, b. in CA.
Ethel's parents were both b. in NE.
This was a first marriage for Floyd and Ethel. They had been married for 7 years. Ethel was the mother of two children, both alive by this census.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 25 yr. old Ethel F. Lewis, b. abt. 1885 in CA., was living at 1536 3rd Av. in Los Angeles Assembly District 70, L.A., CA. with her
29 yr. old husband, Floyd Lewis, a foreman at an iron works, b. in IL.,
3 yr. old son, Floyd G. Lewis, b. in CA.
1 yr. old son, Thomas Lewis, b. in CA.
Ethel's parents were both b. in NE.
This was a first marriage for Floyd and Ethel. They had been married for 7 years. Ethel was the mother of two children, both alive by this census.
According to her 38 yr. old husband's Sept. 12, 1918 WWI Draft Registration card, Ethel's middle name was Faith. Edward Floyd Lewis was b. May 26, 1880. He was working for the Byron Jackson Iron Works in Los Angeles, CA. He was described as tall, of slender build, with gray eyes and brown hair.
Ethel loved to play the piano and sing, accompanied by her children, almost all of whom played an instrument of some kind. Ethel's mother, Cora, bought her daughter a baby grand piano.
In the 1920 U.S. census, 34 yr. old Ethel F. Lewis, b. abt. 1886 in CA., was living in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA. with her
39 yr. old husband, E. Floyd Lewis, a business manager for a pumps company, b. in IL.
12 yr. old son, Floyd G. Lewis, b. in CA.
10 yr. old son, Thomas E. Lewis, b. in CA.
7 yr. old son, James E. Lewis, b. in CA.
5 yr. old son, Stanley J. Lewis, b. in CA.
4 yr. 11 mth. old twin daughters, Margerie Lewis and Dorothy Lewis, b. in CA.
Ethel's parents were b. in the U.S.
E. Floyd's father was b. in IN. and his mother in IL.
*Note: There were two more daughters born to E. Floyd and Ethel: Baby Ethel, who was stillborn, & Ruth, born in 1921.
Ethel made delicious cornbread and huge bowls of tapioca pudding. One of the neighborhood children, Texas 'Teckie' Schramm, said, 'Please let me know when your Mom is making cornbread so I can come over. My maid doesn't make it like your Mom's."
*Note: Mr. Schramm was, in later life, very successful in business. He was the owner of the Dallas Cowboys and the most powerful general manager in the NFL.
Ethel took the initiative in setting aside funds which were used to purchase the home in San Gabriel, and she did the same thing to buy a beach house on Balboa Island. The family spent many enjoyable summers there, boating, swimming and diving into the canals that were on the edge of the property.
In the late 1920's, Ethel and her children attended services at the Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles, where they spent the entire day, attending three separate services. Dr. Talbot was at that time Pastor of the Church. While in L.A., they almost always stopped to enjoy a meal at Clifton's Cafeteria, which is in business at the same location to this day. The children remember being impressed by the green waterfall.
On May 31, 1926, Ethel's mother, Cora (Dunton) Tetlow died, having been predeceased by her husband, James Tetlow, leaving an estate of a little over $13,000. Ethel (Godfrey) Lewis and her brother, Earl Godfrey, were the only next of kin. Earl was living at the time at the Montalvo Apartments, 682 Kipp St., L.A., CA. According to the will, Ethel was to be the sole inheritor, but in the event of her death, the estate was to be divided equally among Ethel's children.
Cora expressly made no provision for and gave no bequest to her son, Earl, 'for reasons well understood by and explained to him prior to the making of the will', and for the same reason, she made 'no provision or bequest for his adopted child, Jean Godfrey, or any other child or children of his' in the event of his predeceasing Cora.
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Wed., Mar. 23, 1927, P. 7
BALBOA ISLAND
Among the week-end visitors to the island were Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lewis and family of San Gabriel (and 8 other families).
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Apr. 15, 1927, P. 17
Excerpt from: BALBOA ISLAND
Other families spending the Easter vacation here are the B.C. Knickerbockers of Los Angeles, Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lewis of San Gabriel and Dr. Harry White and family of Alhambra.
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Tue., Jul. 12, 1927, P. 12
CHANNEL ISLE
Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lewis and children. Of San Gabriel (among others) were among the week-end visitors here.
Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, CA.), Mon., Aug. 20, 1928, P. 3
25,000 Crowd Beach Cities For Lights Tournament
OVER 115 BOATS IN BEAUTIFUL HARBOR PARADE
A crowd estimated at 25,000 persons witnessed the ninth annual Tournament of Lights, staged in Newport harbor Saturday night, it was reported by Newport Beach officials. Streets in the Newport Beach, Balboa, Balboa island and Corona Del Mar sections of town were packed with automobiles, in many places the cars being parked three deep. The parade of brilliantly lighted boats was the longest and the most elaborate ever held. More than 115 boats were entered in the event, according to J.A. Beek, chairman of the tournament committee, the parade being more than a mile and a half in length.
Thousands thronged the shores of the bay watching the spectacle from every point of vantage. The heights of Corona Del Mar were packed with visitors. The course of the parade was lengthened more than two miles this year to provide accommodation for the thousands of visitors. The start of the tournament was delayed for a short time due to wind and tide conditions. The boats formed in parade in Balboa, in front of the Balboa pavilion.
A total of more than 70 trophies were awarded to the winners of the various events in the parade.
Prizes awarded for the various events consisted of sterling silver loving cups and merchandise.
(In the) Row Boats (category), (among prizes to other people) pearls were awarded to Mrs. E.F. Lewis, design by Floyd Lewis Jr.
On July 3, 1929, the day after their 26th wedding anniversary, E. Floyd left Ethel.
On Sep. 27, 1929, E. Floyd Lewis filed a complaint for divorce from Ethel F. Lewis on the grounds of "extreme cruelty".
In his complaint, E.F. alleged the following:
That there were 7 children in the issue of said marriage, whose names and ages were: Floyd G., 22 years; Thomas, 20 years; James, 16 years; Stanley, 14 years; Dorothy and Marjorie, 13 years; and Ruth, 8 years.
In addition to household furniture, community property consisted of: one 1920 Marmon (7 passenger) automobile, and three pieces of property:
a house and lot at 934 N. Serrano St., L.A., CA., valued at about $25,000; a house and a lot at Balboa Beach, Newport Island, Orange Co., CA., valued at $6,000; and a house and lot at 324 E. Las Tunas Dr. in San Gabriel, L.A., CA., valued at about $25,000.
E.F. Lewis alleged that Ethel, since the marriage, had treated her husband with extreme cruelty, and had thereby inflicted upon him a course of grievous mental suffering, anguish and physical pain; that said acts of extreme cruelty were set forth as following:
a. That Ethel would leave the home several times during the week both in the daytime and in the evenings and stayed out late in the evenings (to attend church). That while being out at said times, she would visit with friends and go to church, thereby neglecting her husband and their minor children, and it would become necessary for her husband to stay home alone or seek other forms of amusements. This course of conduct had continued for a number of years.
b. That Ethel had peculiar eccentric habits related to religious matters which had caused her husband grievous mental suffering and anguish.
c. That during the past several years, Ethel had failed to show any love or affection toward her husband and had also failed to respond to any love and affection shown to her by her husband.
E.F. alleged that the foregoing acts and conduct were only part of the acts and abuses inflicted upon him since the marriage, and that all of said acts and abuses were without just cause and had caused E.F. to suffer great humiliation and mental anguish."
On Nov. 20, 1929, Ethel and E. Floyd Lewis were divorced in Los Angeles, CA. - and almost a week later, on Nov. 26, 1930, E. Floyd Lewis and Elsie Sandford were married in Yuma, AZ.
Elsie knew E.F. before he married Ethel, and even though Elsie married twice (first, from 1902-1907, second, from 1912-1925), she never gave up her pursuit of a warm relationship with him.
In the Apr. 5, 1930 U.S. census, 45 yr. old Ethel Lewis, b. abt. 1885 in CA., was divorced and living alone at 324 Las Tunas in San Gabriel, (now Alhambra), L. A., CA.
Her parents were both b. in WI.
Where were her 7 children? They were not with their father, who was living with his new wife.
They were not living with their maternal grandmother, Cora, who died in 1926 or their uncle, Earl, who was living alone. They were not with their paternal grandmother, who was alive but living alone.
On May 15, 1931, Ethel Godfrey Lewis married, second, Homer M. Harwood in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. They were married by Hugh J. Crawford, a Judge of the Municipal Court in the presence of Rosamond Rice (her cousin by marriage), residing at Los Angeles and Julia Wright, a resident of Alhambra, L. A., CA.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 54 yr. old widow, Ethel Harwood, b. abt. 1886 in CA., was living at 1712 So. Earle Avenue, in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA. with her
83 yr. old widowed father, Arthur Godfrey, b. in WI.
Ethel had attended 8 yrs. of school. Arthur had completed four years of high school.
Ethel's father was b. in WI. and her mother in KS.
Ethel was 19 at the time of her first marriage and she was the mother of 7 children.
Ethel and Homer were married for almost 18 years when he died on Apr. 16, 1949.
In Jul. of 1954, Ethel was receiving a widow's pension of $48 per month, in May of 1960 it was increased to $50.40 and in Feb. of 1961, she was allotted $60. (She was the widow of WWI veteran, Homer Harwood.)
Ethel loved spending most of her time outdoors, tending her garden. Her property was a showplace. Every Saturday, she cut and arranged flowers from her garden to place around the altar at San Gabriel Union Church of Las Tunas near San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel.
She was such an avid gardener, that when she found a plant that she admired as she was driving around the neighborhood, she would stop and ask for a cutting.
Each week, she would drive her car to pick up other ladies to take them to church. In those days, not many women drove.
Ethel had a bit of a 'lead foot'! She got pulled over in Long Beach for speeding, and the officer told her he would let her go if she gave him one of her twin daughters. The daughters didn't realize that he was making a joke and they were greatly concerned.
Ethel's church in San Gabriel had a building program to which she could not afford to contribute. She valued the work of the Lord so much that she took off the large diamond wedding ring that her mother, Cora, had purchased for her and donated that to the church. (By this time, she was divorced from Floyd.)
Every morning, she sat out in the canopied swing sofa on her front lawn under the sycamore trees and read from her Bible, a beautiful way to start the day. Ethel's daughter, Ruth, remembers seeing her on her knees in prayer every night.
Ethel's granddaughter, Brenda, tells about the time that she was living with Ethel on her property in Rosemead while attending college. One night, while sitting with her boyfriend in the car out in front of the house after coming home from a date, Brenda and her date noticed that the porch light was being turned on and off repeatedly, signaling that it was time to come in. When Brenda didn't respond right away, Brenda was startled and embarrassed to see 'Granny' knocking on the window of the car in her long nightgown and with her hair in a long braid down her back, telling her, 'It's time to come in now'.
According to her death certificate, Ethel was born Sep. 21, 1885 and died at the age of 80 on Dec. 24, 1965 at 6:27 a.m.
Her mother was Cora M. Dunton (maiden name), born in CA. (She was actually born in IA.) Her father was Arthur G. Godfrey, born in Wisconsin.
Ethel was listed as widowed. (Her 2nd husband, Homer Harwood, died in 1940.)
Ethel died of arterioscleratic heart disease at the Alderwood Manor Convalescent Hospital, 115 Bridge St. in San Gabriel, CA.
She had suffered from this disease for 5 years prior to her death.
Her physician was Dr. Puttler, 1024 S. Garfield in Alhambra, who attended her from Feb. 1960 to Dec. 23, 1965.
Ethel was cremated on Dec. 28, 1965 at the Rose Hills Crematory, Rose Hills mortuary.
The informant was her daughter, Dorothy L. Crawford, 5102 Beachcomber, Oxnard, Ventura county, CA.
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