Nathan Russell Vail

Nathan Randolph Vail, known as Nathan R. Vail or N.R. Vail, (1825–1888)[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.

Personal

Vail was born in New Jersey about 1826.[2] He was married to Anna W. 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. Not to be confused with Nathan Randolph Vail, born 1883.
  2. "Drowned at Redondo," March 7, 1888, page 2
  3. Clare Wallace, Los Angeles Public Library reference file, March 17, 1938
  4. "Events in Society," Los Angeles Times, June 17, 1900, page III-2
  5. "The Inquest: On the Body of Mr. Nathan R. Vail," Los Angeles Herald, March 7, 1888, page 5
  6. "A Bad Accident: N.R. Vail Drowned at the Salt Works," Los Angeles Herald, March 6, 1888, page 5
  7. " 'It's a Total Wreck' ": An Arizona Mine That Completely Belies Its Name," Los Angeles Times, November 3, 1882, page 1
  8. "Episcopal Church Corporation," Los Angeles Times, March 26, 1887, page 2
  9. "A $400,000 Deal: The Splendid Dominguez Property Purchased by a Syndicate," Los Angeles Times, August 7, 1887, page 2
  10. "New Cases: Complaints Filed With the County Clerk," Los Angeles Times, December 30, 1888, page 2
  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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