Leonard Caleb Cardwell (1895 - 1954)

Born 19 Mar 1895 in Jefferson, Marion, Oregon, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Nona Viola (Dunn) Cardwell — married about 1923 (to 20 Apr 1954) in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California

Died 20 Apr 1954 at age 59 in Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada, United States

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Biography

Leonard Caleb Cardwell was born 19 Mar 1895, in Jefferson, Marion County, Oregon. He is a son of James Cardwell and Anna May Cornelius. ^{[1] [2]}

He went by Leo C. Cardwell his entire life, although many close family, mostly his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren called him Big Dad and/or Big Daddy. ^[1]

In 1900, Leo was age 5. He was living with his parents and brother Jose, in North Salem, Marion County, Oregon. ^[3] In 1910, he was 14 years old, in Chemana, Marion County, Oregon with his parents and siblings Jay, Rodney and May. ^[4]

On 05 Jun 1917, Leo was 21 years old, living in Fresno, Fresno County, California. He was employed as a Cement Finisher, with Kauffield & Tompkins. He registered for the World War I Draft, on this day. ^[5]

Leo married Nona Dunn Kester, about 1923. They did not have their own children, but he raised Nona's children Virgil and Erma as his own. He was a great Grandpa, to their children and grandchildren. ^[1]

In 1929, Leo started his own business, Leo Cardwell Construction Company. He was owner and operator. The company was located in Santa Cruz, California. ^[1]

In 1930, He and Nona lived at 16 Manor Avenue West, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California. His step-children, Virgil and Erma lived with them. ^[6] They later moved down the street to 110 Manor Avenue West. ^[1]

Over the years, both Virgil Kester Sr. and Virgil Kester Jr. had become employed with Leo Cardwell Construction Company, and Leo trained them in all areas of the business. Over all the years the company was in operation, besides building and paving most of the roadways in Santa Cruz City and many throughout Santa Cruz County. Leo built most of the bridges that are still in use today (2016), none were taken down by the 1989 earthquake, but have been given current day earthquake retrofits. Just some of the bridges are Highway One (SR Hwy 1) over Aptos Creek, Capitola, Aptos, Felton, Boulder Creek and the Zayante Bridges. In 1952, Leo did a new partnership for Leo Cardwell Construction Company, which was himself, Virgil Kester Sr., David Tallman and C.M. Croughan. ^[1]

He sold Leo Cardwell Construction Company in Jan 1954, to Granite Construction Company. Granite was based in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, California. ^[1]

Later in 1954, Leo headed off on a vacation, to have some fun and see releatives. He became ill when he was in Las Vegas, and was hospitalized. He passed away 20 Apr 1954, in Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada. Funeral services were held in Santa Cruz. Funeral services were held 24 Apr 1954. He was cremated and is interned in the Santa Cruz Memorial Park, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California. ^{[1] [7]}

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7} Interviews with Virgil M. Kester Sr., my Grand Father, Virgil "Pete" M. Kester Jr., my Father, and Marlene Packer Kester, my Mother. By Virgil "Don" M. Kester III.
2. ↑ World War I Draft Registration, Fresno County, California. Dated 05 Jun 1917; Leo Caleb Cardwell, 19 Mar 1895, Jefferson, Marion, Oregon; Lived in Fresno, Fresno, California; Cement Finisher, with Kauffield & Tompkins, Sanger, Fresno, California.
3. ↑ 1900 Census; 1900 United States Census, North Salem, Marion, Oregon. Head: James Cardwell, 34, Wife: Annie Cardwell, 27, Son: Jose Cardwell, 6, Son: Leo Cardwell, 5.
4. ↑ 1910 Census. 1910 United States Census, Chemana, Marion, Oregon; Head: James Cardwell, Wife: Anna, Son: Jay, Son: Leonard, Son: Rodney and Daughter: May.
5. ↑ World War I Draft Registration, Fresno County, California. Dated 05 Jun 1917; Leo Caleb Cardwell, 19 Mar 1895, Jefferson, Marion, Oregon; Lived in Fresno, Fresno, California; Cement Finisher, with Kauffield & Tompkins, Sanger, Fresno, California.
6. ↑ 1930 United States Census; United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration publication T626, 2,667 rolls; NARA Publication: T626; NARA Roll: 215; Enum. District: 11; Sheet: 14-B; Page: 484; Line: 83; Head: Leo C. Cardwell, Wife: Nona V. Cardwell, Step-Son: Virgil Kester and Step-Daughter: Erma Kester.
7. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #164976120, database and images (accessed 01 June 2019), memorial page for Leonard Caleb “Leo” Cardwell (19 Mar 1895–20 Apr 1954), citing Santa Cruz Memorial Park, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California, USA; Maintained by contributor 48822667.