FRED E. BRITTAIN - article out of Long Beach & Vicinity

Fred E. Brittain, treasurer of the Modoc Oil Company, with offices at 109
1/2 Ocean avenue, has had a busy career, his activities taking him into most
of the states of the Union, but he has wisely decided that Long Beach offers
the greatest attractions as a place of permanent residence, and is now
numbered among the successful business men of this locality. He was born in
Los Angeles, California, on the 24th of March, 1877, and is a son of William
F.
and Esther (Martin) Brittain. His father first came to California in 1854,
but later returned east and was married there. On again coming to this state
he located at Los Angeles, where he engaged in the meat business. Later he
turned his attention to the contracting business and erected many of the
substantial buildings in Los Angeles and vicinity. He died in that city
about thirty-five years ago, and his widow is still living there.
Fred E. Brittain was educated in the public schools of Los Angeles and at
the age of fifteen years began to learn the trade of granite cutting. He
followed that trade for many years, working in all parts of the country
until 1913, when he returned to California and settled in Long Beach. Here
he was engaged in business for himself for about twelve years, his first
plant being on Fifth street, and later near the cemetery. He then quit the
monument business and turned his attention to the oil business, with which
he has since remained identified. . He is now treasurer of the Modoc Oil
Company, which was first organized as the Keck Syndicate but four years
later was reorganized under its present name. With a keen vision of the
future growth of the city, he acquired several pieces of city property,
which have since greatly increased in value.

Mr. Brittain was united in marriage to Miss Mary Herron, of Modoc county,
California, and they have two children, May and Grace. Mr. Brittain has been
a lifelong republican in his political views and is a member of the Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the
Loyal Order of Moose, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, the Modern Woodmen
of America, the Exchange Club and the Native Sons of the Golden West. He is
a man of marked business capacity, energetic and up-to-date in his methods,
and in the business circles in which he moves is very highly regarded, while
in the sphere of private citizenship he has performed his obligations to the
community in a manner that has won him the respect of his fellowmen.