Résumé

Partner, [Albert Raymond] Walker and Vawter, Architects, Los Angeles, CA, c. 1913-10/1916. The Walker and Vawter firm dissolved in 1916. In 10/1917, Vawter joined the military to serve during World War I.

Captain/Major, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), Civil Engineer (CE). The book, City of San Diego and San Diego County: The Birthplace of California,described his military service: "He received his early training at Camp Lee, later was assigned to duty with the Engineering Corps in the Merchants Fleet Corporation, and received a commission as major in the Engineers. He was released from army duty in May 1919, and then came to San Diego where he has been in practice." (See Clarence Alan McGrew, City of San Diego and San Diego County: The Birthplace of California, Volume 2, [Chicago and New York: American Historical Society, 1922], p. 420.)

Teaching

Instructor, University of Illinois, School of Architecture, Champaign-Urbana, IL, c. 1904-1907. The biographical volume, City of San Diego and San Diego County: The Birthplace of California,stated of Vawter's teaching experience at the University of Illinois:"His proficiency during his under graduate work and his marked talents attracted attention and for four years he remained at the University of Illinois as an instructor in the technical school." (See Clarence Alan McGrew, City of San Diego and San Diego County: The Birthplace of California, Volume 2, [Chicago and New York: American Historical Society, 1922], p. 420.)

Chair, Los Angeles Architectural Club (LAAC), Educational Committee, Los Angeles, CA, 1915. (See "With the Architects and Engineers,"Architect and Engineer of California, vol. XLI, no. 1, 04/1915, p. 106.)

Professional Activities

Architect, State of CA, Southern District.

Member, San Diego Art Guild, San Diego, CA.

Member, American Water Color Society.

Exhibitor, Architectural Club of Los Angeles, 1911.

Exhibitor, Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz, CA, 1938.

Exhibitor, California Watercolor Society, 1944. (For his artistic activities see Edan Milton Hughes, Artists in California, 1786-1940.)

College

Coursework in civil engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, c. 1901-1902.

B.S., Architecture, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL, 1904.

Coursework, Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, France, 1907-1909. Vawter pursued study with the Umbenstock Atelier.

Relocation

Vawter was born in Vernon, IN, and attended school in Champaign-Urbana, IL, West Lafayette, IN, and Paris, France. He lived with his parents in Turkey Creek, IN, in 1910 and also a rented room in Wabash, IN, according to the US Census of that year. He lived on 7th Street in Los Angeles, CA, by 1913, and at 1110 Ingraham Street, Los Angeles, in 1914;

By 1920, Vawter had relocated to San Diego, CA; the city directory of that year listed an address (probably an office location) of 1025 4th Avenue, Rm 401.

In 1930, he and his family returned to Los Angeles to live. and died in Los Angeles County, CA, at the age of 77.

Parents

His father was Smith Kendricks Vawter (born 10/11/1849 in IN-died 1901 in IN). His mother was Mary A. Brown Vawter (born either 05/1848 or 1849 in IN-died 1923). Of his father, a biographical dictionary of San Diegans of the period stated: "Some of his mechanical ability he undoubtedly inherits from his father who was a skilled mechanic in Indiana where he spent his life." (See Clarence Alan McGrew, City of San Diego and San Diego County: The Birthplace of California, Volume 2, [Chicago and New York: American Historical Society, 1922], p. 429.)

He had two sisters, Edna Vawter Hess (born 07/1873 in IN) and Louise Vawter Green (born 04/1883 in IN).

Spouse

John T. Vawter married Marie A. Gianelli (born 12/25/1895 in MO-died 04/24/1966 in San Diego, CA).

Children

He and Marie had two sons: John Gianelli Vawter and Pierre Kendrick Vawter.

Biographical Notes

The California Death Index (CDI) has some incorrect data for John Terrell Vawter, and the previous PCAD record relied on this index. CDI and PCAD stated that he was born on 09/20/1880, when his real birth date was 09/30/1879. PCAD also erroneously stated that John Terrell Vawter (1830-1916) was his father; Smith K. Vawter, a half-brother of the elder John Terrell Vawter, was his father. The younger John T. Vawter was named in honor of his half-uncle, a successful real estate developer, hotelier and banker in Johnson County, IN. The 1900 US Census, as reported by Ancestry.com, called him "John T Vawter Jr," which is not correct. Thank you to Brad Collins, a cousin of Vawter's, who emailed the corrections to the author on 04/13/2012.

• Vernon, IN (Architect's Birth)
  Vernon, IN

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