Harrison Gray Otis and the Los Angeles Times

Harrison Gray Otis moved from Massachusetts in 1876 to the Los Angeles area, after working as a printer in several states.. Five years later the Los Angeles Times was founded, and in 1882 he bought a quarter interest in the fledgling paper. He became the editor, and in 1886 also became the sole owner. He headed the newspaper with an iron hand for 31 years.

Otis developed the newspaper into a major force in the area; his was a Republican and ultra conservative voice. The newspaper's militantly anti-union stance led to the bombing of the Times in 1910. He constantly pushed commercial and economic development for the city in a number of directions.

During the Spanish-American War he was a brigadier general and was sent to the Philippines for service, where he served briefly during the summer of 1898. He had previously served as an officer in the Civil War.

He is buried in Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery where there is an impressive monument.

References:

Greenstein, Paul. Bread & Hyacinths: The Rise and Fall of Utopian Los Angeles. Los Angeles: California Classic Books, 1992.
Doheny Book Stacks HX84.H3G74 1992