Nathan Randolph Vail

Nathan Randolph Vail (1825 – March 5, 1888)[1] was a mine operator in Arizona Territory, and a landowner in 19th century Los Angeles, California. He was a member of the Los Angeles Common Council, the legislative body of the city.

Nathan Randolph Vail
Member of the Los Angeles Common Council from the 5th ward
In office
December 5, 1878 – December 5, 1879
Preceded byDistrict established
Succeeded byJohn P. Moran
Personal details
Born1825 (1825)
New Jersey
DiedMarch 5, 1888(1888-03-05) (aged 62–63)
Los Angeles, California
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseAnna Walker Vail
Children4

Personal

Vail was born in New Jersey about 1825.[2] He was married to Anna Walker Vail of Nova Scotia, and they had four children, Hugh W., John R., Lizzie H. (Mrs. Walter Irving Allen) and Frederick H.[3][4]

His drowning death on March 5, 1888 resulted from an inspection trip he was making of his property at Redondo Beach, California, where he was a director of the Redondo Beach (development) Company: A coroner's jury heard testimony on March 6 that he had been warned against making the short passage aboard a flat-bottomed skiff in a rough surf from the shore to a vessel lying at anchor off the coast, but he replied that he was "an old sea captain" and insisted upon the crossing. A huge wave pitched him and three sailors into the sea: He was wearing a heavy coat and drowned; the lightly clad crew survived.[2][5][6]

Professional

Vail's investments included "large holdings in land and water properties, and cattle and ranching interests both in California and Arizona."[3] He also owned a business in Total Wreck, Arizona.[7]

In 1887 Vail was elected treasurer of a nonprofit corporation "to secure and hold" property of the Episcopal Church in Southern California.[8]

That same year Vail, along with Judge Charles Silent and D. McFarland, bought a 1,400-acre plot of Rancho San Pedro, an area known as the Dominguez Property and Salt Works, including a 1-1/2-mile frontage along the beach, back a half mile to an elevation of 600 feet. "The surface is thus beautifully diversified and rolling, thus affording a view of surpassing loveliness and grandeur for miles in all directions, including Los Angeles, Ballona and the whole valley." A first-class hotel, new streets and other improvements were planned.[9]

After Vail's death, his estate was sued by L. J. Rose, who claimed that he had bought half of Vail's shares in the '49 Mining Company of Arizona for $4,000, but the shares were neither delivered nor the money refunded.[10]

Common Council

Vail represented the 5th Ward on the Los Angeles Common Council, the legislative branch of city government, during 1878–79.[11]

References
  • Access to the Los Angeles Times links may require the use of a library card.
  1. The Los Angeles Public Library, Local History Collection, Biography
  2. ""Drowned at Redondo," page 2". ProQuest. Los Angeles Times. March 7, 1888. ProQuest 163394663.
  3. http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/15/468293.pdf
  4. "Clare Wallace, Los Angeles Public Library reference file". ProQuest. March 17, 1938. ProQuest 164046584.
  5. "The Inquest: On the Body of Mr. Nathan R. Vail". Los Angeles Times. March 7, 1888. p. 5.
  6. "A Bad Accident: N.R. Vail Drowned at the Salt Works". Los Angeles Times. March 6, 1888. p. 5.
  7. "'It's a Total Wreck': An Arizona Mine That Completely Belies Its Name". ProQuest. Los Angeles Times. November 3, 1882. ProQuest 161216927.
  8. "Episcopal Church Corporation". ProQuest. Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 163393808.
  9. "A $400,000 Deal: The Splendid Dominguez Property Purchased by a Syndicate". ProQuest. Los Angeles Times. August 7, 1887. ProQuest 163446968.
  10. "New Cases: Complaints Filed With the County Clerk". ProQuest. Los Angeles Times. December 30, 1888. ProQuest 163528168.
  11. Chronological Record of Los Angeles City Officials,1850-1938, compiled under direction of Municipal Reference Library, City Hall, Los Angeles (March 1938, reprinted 1966). "Prepared ... as a report on Project No. SA 3123-5703-6077-8121-9900 conducted under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration."
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