an active part in local and state politics since attaining his majority, having frequently served as a delegate to the county conventions. His social relations and memberships are with the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Fraternal Eagles and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Kell is well known in the city where his birth occurred and where his entire life has been passed, and here he has gained the warm regard which is ever given in recognition of sterling worth and admirable personal traits of character.

CHARLES HENRY FROST.

Enterprise and determination are strong elements in prosperity, and they are found among the salient characteristics of Charles Henry Frost, the president and manager of the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company and one of the city's most progressive and capable business men. His advancement in the industrial world has been through his own efforts, and to-day he is enjoying a richly merited success, while the future is bright with promise.

Mr. Frost is a native of the state of New York, his birth occurring in the historic Ithaca, June 9, 1844, a son of George P. and Eliza (Benjamin) Frost. When he was fourteen years of age the family removed to the newer country of Illinois, and there the son Charles was reared and educated. On attaining to years of responsibility he went to Chicago, which at that time, in 1861, was a city of less than two hundred and fifty thousand population, and to him belongs the distinction of having erected and operated the only pressed-brick plant ever conducted up to that time in that city. After a business career there of twenty years, in which he met with gratifying success, he was attracted by the splendid opportunities for investment in Los Angeles, and in 1886 came to this city. Shortly after his arrival he organized the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company, and has since been its president and manager. The product was no sooner placed on the market than it created a demand, and it soon became evident that the plant would have to be materially enlarged to fill advance orders. This has been done as the business demanded it, and to-day the establishment is one of the largest and most complete in the United States, with two plants, one in Los Angeles, the other near Santa Monica. The plants cover twelve acres at the one and fifty-seven acres at the other. Both plants possess exceptionally good shipping facilities, with spurs from both the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific Railroads entering the yards. The buildings are modern and the equipment of the latest type, all brick being fired by heat generated from oil, and from one hundred and fifty to two hundred men are furnished constant employment, over two thousand dollars a week being distributed in wages by the company. They also own sixteen hundred acres of land in an adjoining county, which they have uncovered and are mining a superior grade of non-plastic flint clay. There is a vein over three thousand feet in length and forty feet in width upon the property, and assays of the clay show it to possess those elements which are so essential for the manufacture of a superior grade of fire-brick. This flint clay mine is one of less than a