Captain G. Allan Hancock was born in San Francisco, California, on July 26, 1875.[5] He was the son of Major Henry Hancock and Ida Haraszthy Hancock (Ida Hancock Ross). His maternal grandfather was Count Agoston Haraszthy, the "Father of California Viticulture". Hancock received his early education in the primary schools and at Brewer's Military Academy in San Mateo, California, which he attended during 1888 and 1889. In 1890, he enrolled as a student at the Belmont School in Belmont, California. Hancock was eight years old when his father died in 1884. He continued in the management and operation of La Brea ranch until he was 25. Hancock married Genevieve Deane Mullen (1879–1936[6]) in Los Angeles on November 27, 1901. They had two children: Bertram Hancock (1902–1925[6]) and Rosemary Genevieve Hancock (1904–1977[6]).[7]
It was at this period that the early discoveries of petroleum were being made in California. Rancho La Brea was one of the localities in which petroleum was found. In 1900, Ida Hancock granted a 20-year lease to the Salt Lake Oil Company for 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) of Rancho La Brea. Hancock abandoned his agricultural pursuits and turned his attention to petroleum production. In 1907, after spending three years studying the industry, he urged his mother to allow him enough capital to sink a well on a portion of the property that had not already been leased to oil operators. With the assistance of William Orcutt, Hancock drilled 71 wells near the family's ranch house. Every well produced oil and the Rancho La Brea Oil Company was born. The family's finances improved greatly with the beginning of oil pumping. The wells produced millions of barrels annually, resulting in the family becoming very wealthy. With that wealth, Hancock was able to pursue myriad interests and thus began a life of philanthropy.[citation needed]
Hancock died on May 31, 1965, of a heart attack in Santa Maria, California. His bequests continued his long-time support of numerous causes.[8][9]
Hancock donated seven million dollars to the University of Southern California[8] and founded the Allan Hancock Foundation[10] (later the Hancock Institute for Marine Studies) at U.S.C.[11] In 1931 he had the motor vessel Velero III, 193 feet (58.8 m) in length overall, built at Craig Shipbuilding, Long Beach, California, with the intention of using the vessel for both business and research.[12] The vessel was used for private oceanographic research and exploration, making trips to the Galápagos Islands, before being donated to the University of Southern California and later purchased for war use by the Navy on December 15, 1941, and being commissioned as the USS Chalcedony.[13][14][15] On a trip to the Galápagos Captain Hancock would attempt to identify two bodies found on Marchena Island and check on a colony of German "Back to nature" enthusiasts on Floreana Island, then known as Charles Island. He also produced the silent film The Empress of Floreana.[16]
^. Page Museum. Archived from the original on 2010-06-12. Retrieved 2010-06-19. ... A businessman, railroad man, rancher, marine scientist and patron of the arts, G. Allan Hancock donated the 23 acres of Hancock Park to Los Angeles County in 1916 to preserve and exhibit the fossils exhumed from Rancho La Brea. Hancock's parents, Henry and Ida, at one time, lived in a house that was located adjacent to what is today the park's Lake Pit.
^. Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2010-04-23. Retrieved 2010-06-19. Purchased by Henry Hancock, most of it was later subdivided and developed by his surviving son, Captain G. Allen Hancock, into one of the most desirable and affluent residential communities in Los Angeles.
^ abMcGroarty, John Steven. Los Angeles from the Mountains to the Sea, American Historical Society, 1921, p. 83.
^"Captain Hancock". G. A. Hancock Properties Inc. Retrieved 2010-06-19. Captain G. Allan Hancock (1875-1965), truly a Renaissance man, left an indelible mark on the Santa Maria Valley, which he loved. In his 89 years, he was an oil man, developer, banker, aviator, scientist, businessman, farmer, railroad engineer, musician, philanthropist and even a sea captain. As a young man, Captain Hancock worked the family holdings in Los Angeles. The famous La Brea tar pits were among the properties he later turned over to public use. Growth in Southern California sent him to Santa Maria in the 1920s. He bought the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, established Rosemary Farm, and developed Santa Maria Ice and Cold Storage Plant. ...
^"Society". Los Angeles Times. December 3, 1926. Retrieved 2010-06-19. Possibly no announcement this season is of more interest in local social circles than that of this morning made by Mr. and Mrs. George Allan Hancock of the engagement of their charming young daughter. Miss Rosemary Genevieve, to John Stephens Zelser of New York City.
^ ab. Time magazine. June 11, 1965. Archived from the original on October 29, 2008. Retrieved 2010-03-27. George Allen [sic] Hancock, 89, California oilman and philanthropist, who inherited a 3,000-acre ranch in 1883, discovered the famed La Brea tar pits full of prehistoric remains while digging for oil (which he also found), made a fortune from his wells and the sale of property for what is now Los Angeles' Wilshire district, later gave $7,000,000 to the University of Southern California; of a heart attack; in Santa Maria, Calif.
^"Capt. Hancock, La Brea Pit Oil Tycoon, Dies". Los Angeles Times. June 2, 1965. Retrieved 2010-06-19. George Allan Hancock, 89, who survived critical injuries in a 1925 earthquake and went on to become a tycoon and philanthropist whose career read like a legend, is dead. He had been ill for many months. ...
^See Catalog of the Allan Hancock Foundation Publications 2011-05-27 at the Wayback Machine
^Phyllis Grifman and Eric Mankin, Hancock Institute takes interdisciplinary tack under new leadership, USC News, Feb. 13, 1995. Accessed 2012.01.25.
^Newby, G. Bruce (1931). "A New Type Business and Research Cruiser". Pacific Marine Review. San Francisco: J.S. Hines. 28 (December): 361–364, 396. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
^Fraser, Charles McLean (1943). General account of the scientific work of the Velero III in the eastern Pacific, 1931-41. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
^Meredith, De Witt (Dr.) (1939). Voyages of the Velero III. Los Angeles: Bookhaven Press. LCCN 96846856. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
^Naval History And Heritage Command. "Chalcedony". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History And Heritage Command. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
^"An Island Mystery/Sails For South Seas to Solve Mystery Deaths". Chicago Daily Tribune. November 23, 1934. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
Further readingedit
Notables of the West Vol. II. Press Reference Library International News Service, pp. 67, 1915.
External linksedit
December 18, 2023
george, allan, hancock, july, 1875, 1965, owner, rancho, brea, company, inherited, rancho, brea, including, brea, pits, which, donated, angeles, county, also, developed, hancock, park, angeles, vice, president, angeles, hibernian, bank, treasurer, angeles, sym. George Allan Hancock July 26 1875 May 31 1965 was the owner of the Rancho La Brea Oil Company He inherited Rancho La Brea including the La Brea Tar Pits which he donated to Los Angeles County 1 He also developed Hancock Park Los Angeles 2 He was vice president of the Los Angeles Hibernian Bank treasurer of the Los Angeles Symphony Association and president of the Automobile Association of Southern California 3 He owned the Santa Maria Valley Railroad established Rosemary Farm and developed the Santa Maria Ice and Cold Storage Plant 4 George Allan HancockGeorge Allan Hancock s portrait and signature from a book published in 1921Born 1875 07 26 July 26 1875San Francisco California USDiedMay 31 1965 1965 05 31 aged 89 Santa Maria California USSpouseGenevieve Deane Mullen m 1901 1936 wbr dChildren2 Contents 1 Biography 2 Civic life and legacy 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksBiography editCaptain G Allan Hancock was born in San Francisco California on July 26 1875 5 He was the son of Major Henry Hancock and Ida Haraszthy Hancock Ida Hancock Ross His maternal grandfather was Count Agoston Haraszthy the Father of California Viticulture Hancock received his early education in the primary schools and at Brewer s Military Academy in San Mateo California which he attended during 1888 and 1889 In 1890 he enrolled as a student at the Belmont School in Belmont California Hancock was eight years old when his father died in 1884 He continued in the management and operation of La Brea ranch until he was 25 Hancock married Genevieve Deane Mullen 1879 1936 6 in Los Angeles on November 27 1901 They had two children Bertram Hancock 1902 1925 6 and Rosemary Genevieve Hancock 1904 1977 6 7 It was at this period that the early discoveries of petroleum were being made in California Rancho La Brea was one of the localities in which petroleum was found In 1900 Ida Hancock granted a 20 year lease to the Salt Lake Oil Company for 1 000 acres 4 0 km2 of Rancho La Brea Hancock abandoned his agricultural pursuits and turned his attention to petroleum production In 1907 after spending three years studying the industry he urged his mother to allow him enough capital to sink a well on a portion of the property that had not already been leased to oil operators With the assistance of William Orcutt Hancock drilled 71 wells near the family s ranch house Every well produced oil and the Rancho La Brea Oil Company was born The family s finances improved greatly with the beginning of oil pumping The wells produced millions of barrels annually resulting in the family becoming very wealthy With that wealth Hancock was able to pursue myriad interests and thus began a life of philanthropy citation needed Hancock died on May 31 1965 of a heart attack in Santa Maria California His bequests continued his long time support of numerous causes 8 9 Civic life and legacy edit nbsp Hancock from the 1950 USC yearbookHancock was also interested in music and played the cello in the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra Hancock was a member of the Bohemian Club the California Club the Los Angeles Athletic Club the Gamut Club the Uplifters the Knights of Columbus and a number of yacht clubs 3 Hancock donated seven million dollars to the University of Southern California 8 and founded the Allan Hancock Foundation 10 later the Hancock Institute for Marine Studies at U S C 11 In 1931 he had the motor vessel Velero III 193 feet 58 8 m in length overall built at Craig Shipbuilding Long Beach California with the intention of using the vessel for both business and research 12 The vessel was used for private oceanographic research and exploration making trips to the Galapagos Islands before being donated to the University of Southern California and later purchased for war use by the Navy on December 15 1941 and being commissioned as the USS Chalcedony 13 14 15 On a trip to the Galapagos Captain Hancock would attempt to identify two bodies found on Marchena Island and check on a colony of German Back to nature enthusiasts on Floreana Island then known as Charles Island He also produced the silent film The Empress of Floreana 16 The Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria California is named after him as well as the city s airport See also editHancock Park Los Angeles California Santa Maria Public Airport Southern Cross aircraft References edit Who was G Allan Hancock Page Museum Archived from the original on 2010 06 12 Retrieved 2010 06 19 A businessman railroad man rancher marine scientist and patron of the arts G Allan Hancock donated the 23 acres of Hancock Park to Los Angeles County in 1916 to preserve and exhibit the fossils exhumed from Rancho La Brea Hancock s parents Henry and Ida at one time lived in a house that was located adjacent to what is today the park s Lake Pit Rancho La Brea Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society Archived from the original on 2010 04 23 Retrieved 2010 06 19 Purchased by Henry Hancock most of it was later subdivided and developed by his surviving son Captain G Allen Hancock into one of the most desirable and affluent residential communities in Los Angeles a b McGroarty John Steven Los Angeles from the Mountains to the Sea American Historical Society 1921 p 83 Captain Hancock G A Hancock Properties Inc Retrieved 2010 06 19 Captain G Allan Hancock 1875 1965 truly a Renaissance man left an indelible mark on the Santa Maria Valley which he loved In his 89 years he was an oil man developer banker aviator scientist businessman farmer railroad engineer musician philanthropist and even a sea captain As a young man Captain Hancock worked the family holdings in Los Angeles The famous La Brea tar pits were among the properties he later turned over to public use Growth in Southern California sent him to Santa Maria in the 1920s He bought the Santa Maria Valley Railroad established Rosemary Farm and developed Santa Maria Ice and Cold Storage Plant George Allan Hancock in the World War I draft registration Selective Service System a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a Missing or empty url help a b c Genevieve Deane Mullen genealogy com accessed 2013 04 08 Society Los Angeles Times December 3 1926 Retrieved 2010 06 19 Possibly no announcement this season is of more interest in local social circles than that of this morning made by Mr and Mrs George Allan Hancock of the engagement of their charming young daughter Miss Rosemary Genevieve to John Stephens Zelser of New York City a b Obituary Time magazine June 11 1965 Archived from the original on October 29 2008 Retrieved 2010 03 27 George Allen sic Hancock 89 California oilman and philanthropist who inherited a 3 000 acre ranch in 1883 discovered the famed La Brea tar pits full of prehistoric remains while digging for oil which he also found made a fortune from his wells and the sale of property for what is now Los Angeles Wilshire district later gave 7 000 000 to the University of Southern California of a heart attack in Santa Maria Calif Capt Hancock La Brea Pit Oil Tycoon Dies Los Angeles Times June 2 1965 Retrieved 2010 06 19 George Allan Hancock 89 who survived critical injuries in a 1925 earthquake and went on to become a tycoon and philanthropist whose career read like a legend is dead He had been ill for many months See Catalog of the Allan Hancock Foundation Publications Archived 2011 05 27 at the Wayback Machine Phyllis Grifman and Eric Mankin Hancock Institute takes interdisciplinary tack under new leadership USC News Feb 13 1995 Accessed 2012 01 25 Newby G Bruce 1931 A New Type Business and Research Cruiser Pacific Marine Review San Francisco J S Hines 28 December 361 364 396 Retrieved 25 April 2015 Fraser Charles McLean 1943 General account of the scientific work of theVelero IIIin the eastern Pacific 1931 41 Los Angeles University of Southern California Press Retrieved 25 April 2015 Meredith De Witt Dr 1939 Voyages of theVelero III Los Angeles Bookhaven Press LCCN 96846856 Retrieved 25 April 2015 Naval History And Heritage Command Chalcedony Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships Naval History And Heritage Command Retrieved 25 April 2015 An Island Mystery Sails For South Seas to Solve Mystery Deaths Chicago Daily Tribune November 23 1934 Retrieved 25 April 2015 Further reading editNotables of the West Vol II Press Reference Library International News Service pp 67 1915 External links editHancock Memorial Museum Capt G Allan Hancock The College s Namesake Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title George Allan Hancock amp oldid 1185362810, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
