It's a bear!
City Directory Information for F. E. Olds and Family
City directories were the predecessors of telephone books. Fortunately for us, many listings included a person's occupation and employer. Some of these directories are available online from the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL); all others were provided by Robb Stewart (RS).
This page includes information on Olds and the Olds family here; I have another page with information of some other people of interest to Olds collectors.
1886RS
Olds, F. E., electro-plating with H. T. Hazard, res 115 Commercial
As of 1886, Frank Olds is already involved in the electroplating venture with Henry Hazard (then City Attorney). We know from Frank's obituary that he came to Los Angeles in 1885, so his employment as a plater so soon thereafter might indicate that he had some prior experience in the field. That obituary also says that "his first venture was a bicycle factory, which was the only one here" and that "later he established the first electroplating plant on the Coast." Since the modern bicycle was only just appearing in the mid-1880's, I think it most likely that the sequence of events in the obituary is incorrect and the the plating enterprise preceded the bicycle business. Cycling did explode in Los Angeles at the end of the 19th century - to such a degree that a special elevated path (the California Cycleway) was constructed between Los Angeles and Pasadena.
1887RS
Olds, Frank E., silverplater Los Angeles Tool Works, Res 263 South Spring
Although the listing slightly different, it's likely this was the same position as in 1886. Henry Hazard was a principal (possibly the principal) in the LA Tool Works. We do, however, have a new address for Frank.
1900RS
Olds, Frank E., mfr agt, r. 206 W. 24th
Frank is now a "manufacturer's agent"; possibly representing multiple companies. He (along with Daisy and the infant Reg) are now living in the 206 W. 24th Street house.
1901RS
Olds, Frank E, mach Locomobile Company of the Pacific, h 206 W 24th
The Locomobilie Company was founded in 1899 to build steam-powered automobilies. There are a few references online that mention Frank Olds in connection with Locomobile at this time. Those references would seem to imply that Frank wasn't just a machinist, but was actively marketing Locomobiles.
1909LAPL
Olds, Frank E h 206 W 24th
No indication of occupation or business.
1910RS
Olds Frank E instrument repr h 206 W 24th
At this point in time, Frank has entered the musical instrument business in earnest, most likely working out of the building behind the house at 206 W. 24th.
1912RS
Olds Frank E mfr band instruments 206 W 24th
Two years later and Frank is now listed as a manufacturer.
1915LAPL
Olds Frank E band instruments 206 W 24th
1916RS
Olds Frank E band instrumentmkr 206 W 24th
Essentially no change from 1912 through 1916.
1920RS
Olds Frank E repr band instruments rear 206 W 24th h2266 same
Olds Reginald B student r2266 W 24th
Olds F E 206 W 24th (Business Section listing under "Music and Music Merchandise)
This is the first appearance of Reg, and the first reference to the house at 2266 W 24th. Reg is still listed as a student (he would have been attending the University of Southern California at this time).
1923LAPL
Olds Frank E (F E Olds & Sons) h2266 W 24th
OLDS F E & SON (F E & R B) Manufacturers of Band Instruments, 1914-1918 Raymond av
Olds Reginald B (F E Olds & Son) r2266 W 24th
The company has now become F. E. Olds and Son (note the "& Sons" typo) and has relocated to the 1914 Raymond Avenue address.
1924RS
Olds Frank E (F E Olds & Son) h2266 W 24th
OLDS F E & SON (F E & R B) Manufacturers of Band Instruments, 1914-1918 Raymond av Tel Beacon 3642
Olds Reginald B (F E Olds & Son) r2266 W 24th
The only changes from 1923 are the addition of a telephone number for the factory and the correction of the "& Sons" typo.
1926LAPL
OLDS F E & SON INCORPORATED (F E and R B Olds) Manufacturers of Band Instruments. 1914-1920 Raymond av, Phone Beacon 3642
Olds Frank E (F E Olds and Son Inc) r2266 W. 24th
Olds Reginald B (F E Olds and Son Inc) h2266 W. 24th
Little change from 1924; the Raymond Avenue address has changed from 1914-1918 to 1914-1920, which may indicate an expansion of the business.
1927LAPL
OLDS F E & SON INCORPORATED (F E and R B Olds) Manufacturers of Band Instruments. 1914-1920 Raymond av, Phone Beacon 3642
Olds Frank E (F E Olds and Son Inc) r2266 W. 24th
Olds Reginald B (F E Olds and Son Inc) h2266 W. 24th
Olds F E & Son 1914 Raymond av (Business Section listing under "Musical Instrument Manufacturers")
The company is now listed in the Business section (this would have been a paid listing).
1929LAPL
OLDS F E & SON INCORPORATED (F E and R B Olds) Manufacturers of Band Instruments. 1914-1920 Raymond av, Phone Beacon 3642
Olds Frank E (Daisy) (F E Olds and Son Inc) h2266 W. 24th
Olds Reginald B (Marion) (F E Olds and Son Inc) r2266 W. 24th
Olds F E & Son 1914 Raymond av (Business Section listing under "Musical Instrument Manufacturers")
No change from 1927 other than the inclusion of Daisy and Marion, which seems to have been the result of a policy change by the directory publisher. The inclusion of Frank Olds (who died in October of 1928) might be an indication that information for these listings was submitted some time prior to October of the previous year.
1932LAPL
Olds Daisy B (wid F E) r2266 W 24th
OLDS F E & SON INC, R B Olds Mgr, Manufacturers of Band Instruments, 1914 Raymond Av, Tel Republic 5906
Olds Reginald B (Marion V) mgr F E Olds & Son Inc h2266 W 24th
Olds F E & Son Inc 1914 Raymond av (Business Section listing under "Musical Instrument Manufacturers")
We now see Daisy listed by herself, with Reg listed as the manager under both his own (with Marion) listing and the one for the company.
1936LAPL
Olds Daisy Mrs r2266 W 24th
Olds F E & Son Inc R B Olds pres musical instr mfrs 1914 Raymond av
Olds R B v-consul Estonia r1914 Raymond av
Olds Reginald B (Marion) pres F E Olds & Son Inc h2266 W 24th
Olds F E & Son 1914 Raymond av (Business Section listing under "Musical Instrument Manufacturers")
Daisy is listed "Mrs. Daisy Olds"; Reg is now president. There is also a separate listing for Reg as the vice consul of Estonia (note that the Raymond Street address is used)
1938LAPL
Olds Daisy (wid F E) r2266 W 24th
Olds F E & Son Inc R B Olds pres musical instrument mfrs 1914 Raymond av
Olds Reginald B (Marion) pres F E Olds & Son Inc and vice consul Estonia h2266 W 24th
Olds F E & Son 1914 Raymond av (Business Section listing under "Musical Instrument Manufacturers")
Daisy is once again listed as the widow of Frank. The listing for vice consul has now been combined with Reg and Marion's personal entry.
1939LAPL
Olds Daisy (wid F E) r2266 W 24th
Olds F E & Son Inc R B Olds pres musical instrs mfrs 1914 Raymond av
Olds Reginald B (Marion) pres F E Olds & Son Inc and v-consul Estonia h2266 W 24th
Olds F E & Son 1914 S Raymond av (Business Section listing under "Musical Instrument Manufacturers")
Essentially unchanged from 1938.
1940RS
Olds F E & Son Inc R B Olds pres Mrs. D. B. Olds v-pres musical instr mfrs 1914 Raymond av
Olds Reginald B (Marion V) pres F E Olds & Son Inc h2266 W 24th
Olds F E & Son 1914 Raymond av (Business Section listing under "Musical Instrument Manufacturers")
Sadly, we don't a personal entry for Daisy (the page scan is cut off). She is now listed as vice-president of the company. The reference to Reg's consular position has been dropped (though we know from other sources that he continued to hold the post).
1941RS
Olds Daisy B Mrs. v-pres F E Olds & Son r 2266 W 24th
Olds F E & Son Inc R B Olds pres Mrs. D. B. Olds v-pres musical instr mfrs 1914 Raymond av
Olds Marion B Mrs. sec-treas F E Olds and Son r2266 W 24th
Olds Reginald B (Marion V) pres F E Olds & Son Inc h2266 W 24th
Olds F E & Son 1914 Raymond av (Business Section listing under "Musical Instrument Manufacturers")
It's now a true "family businsess", with Marion as Secretary-Treasurer. She has her own personal entry in the directory, in addition to appearing alongside Reg.
1942LAPL
Olds Daisy B (wid Frank) v-pres F E Olds & Son r 2266 W 24th
Olds F E & Son Inc R B Olds pres Mrs. D. B. Olds v-pres mfrs musical instruments 1914 Raymond av
Olds Reginald B (Marion V) pres F E Olds & Son Inc h2266 W 24th
Olds F E & Son 1914 Raymond av (Business Section listing under "Musical Instrument Manufacturers")
Marion no longer has her own listing; this may be an indication that she no longer held a post with the company, though that would require other confirmation.