Person:Ernest Bresee (1)

Page 272 of Dr Carl Bangs book on Phineas F. Bresee, E.H. Bresee remained in Iowa when the family came to Los Angeles in 1883, to finish work on his degree at Simpson Centenary College. Upon his arrival in Los Angeles and for three years after, he was employed by the United States mail service. Then for seven years he engaged in the real-estate business in the city, afterwards becoming identified with Mr. Howry, establishing an undertaking business. That partnership dissolved and he entered into another partnership with C.E. Kregelo for four years including the year 1897. Then he entered into a partnership with his brother, P.W. Bresee, to form the Bresee Brothers Mortuary. (Also from "Historical and Biographical Record of Los Angles and Vicinity" at LAFHC 979.493 H2g.)

1928 per the death certificate dated that year for his wife, Grace, the family was living at 434 Avenue 66, Los Angeles at the time.

1920 census shows him as age 57 (born 1863) living on Lake St., Los Angeles, CA, with his wife, Grace J. age 42, daughter Rebecca age 19, son Phineas J. age 12 and daughter Ruth J. age 6.

1910 census shows him as age 47 (born 1863) living with his wife, Grace age 33, son Phineas age 3, and servant Martha Rose age 34. Their home was at 1006 S. Lake St. (west of downtown), Los Angeles. Census shows he was born in Iowa.

1905 marriage certificate (film 1033243) for E.H. Bresee, age 44 born Iowa, and Grace Johnson, age 28 born Vermont. The certificate was dated 26 Dec 1905 shows they were married in Los Angeles by P.F. Bresee, Minister of the Gospel. Present were Mrs. M.E. Bresee, his mother (aka Maria E. Hebbard) and P.W. Bresee (his brother and business partner). Their home was at 1006 Lake Street, near Olympic Blvd. and west of downtown.

1904 his first marriage to Elma Reed ended in divorce per Dr. Bangs' book on Rev. P.F. Bresee in 1904.

1900 census for Los Angeles, CA shows him age 38, born in Iowa, an undertaker, married 6 years living with wife, Elma, born Dec. 1873, age 26, born in Calif., her parents both born in Ohio.

1893 first marriage was to Elma Reed. Married by the Rev. P.F. Bresee, per the Marriage Index Los Angeles 1876-1899 (film 2073849 book 34 page 143).

1892 on 3 April 1892 the Bresee Mortuary was started in Los Angeles at 550 S. Broadway.

1892 Los Angeles voter registration shows him as E.H. Bresee living at 1109 Downey Ave. (now North Broadway), Lincoln Heights, with a business address of 550 S. Broadway.

1887 involved in Los Angeles real estate business for about seven years.

1883 came to Los Angeles and for three years or more he was a U.S. Postal carrier.