Résumé

Draftsman, Augustus Laver, Architect, San Francisco, CA, 1887-1889. (See Langley's San Francisco Directory,1887, p. 724 and Langley's San Francisco Directory,1888, p. 719.)

Partner, [Augustus] Laver, [Patrick] Mullany and Laver, Architects, San Francisco, CA, 1890-1891. This firm had its office in Room #93 of the Flood Building in 1891. (See Langley's San Francisco City Directory, 1891, p. 1016.)

Partner, Cox and Laver Saloon, Alameda, CA, c. 1903. Laver owned this saloon at the corner of High Street and Encinal Avenue, with W.A. Cox. (See Oakland, California, City Directory, 1903, p. 478.)

Relocation

Charles James Fox Laver was born c. 06/1868 in Albany, NY.

Charles Laver worked for his father between at least 1887 and 1889 and lived at home with his parents at 2323 Howard Street in San Francisco. (See Langley's San Francisco Directory,1887, p. 724 and Langley's San Francisco Directory,1888, p. 719.)

He resided at 1348 High Street, between Central and Briggs Streets, in Alameda in 1898. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 6; FHL Roll Number: 976452, accessed 05/08/2024.)

In 1900, Charles Laver had divorced and lived at home in his parents' house at 1348 High Street. He worked as a draftsman at this time, likely for an East Bay architect. At this time, the household included his mother Elizabeth, her sister Katherine Fox (born c. 08/1837 in England), Elizabeth's sons, Frank G. Laver (born c. 03/1867 in NY) and Charles and a household worker, John Green (born c. 08/1835 in Ireland.) (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: Alameda Precinct 1, Alameda, California; Roll: 81; Page: 11; Enumeration District: 0309, accessed 05/08/2024.)

After remarrying Anna George in 1902, Charles and Anna lived at 1331 High Street in Alameda, CA, nearby to his mother's house. (See Oakland, California, City Directory, 1903, p. 504.)

According to the California Death Index, Charles passed away on 06/02/1906 in Alameda County, CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. California, U.S., Death Index, 1905-1939 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013, accessed 05/08/2024.)

Parents

Charles Lavers's parents were Augustus Laver (born 08/20/1834 in England-d. 03/05/1898 in San Francisco, CA), a notable San Francisco architect, and Elizabeth Laver (d. 02/18/1901 in Alameda, CA).

Elizabeth Laver's obituary was short on details about her life, save for some salient facts about the career of her husband: “Mrs. Elizabeth Laver, widow of Augustus Laver, the well known architect of the San Francisco city hall and the Canadian Parliament buildings, died last evening at her residence on High street, near Central avenue, Alameda. She had been ailing for some time and her death was not unexpected. Deceased was a native of England and was 65 years of age. She leaves two sons, Frank G. And Charles J. Laver.” (See “Mrs. Elizabeth Laver,” Oakland Enquirer, 02/20/1901, p. 3. ) Another brief obituary indicated that Elizabeth "...only a few days ago was taken home from a sanitarium." (See "Mrs. E. Laver Passes Away," Alameda Daily Argus, 02/19/1901, p. 1.)

Charles had one brother Francis George Fox "Frank" Laver (born c. 03/1867 in Albany, NY-d. c. 1910), who worked as a carpenter in Alameda.

Charles became executor of their estate in 1901, as noted in an Oakland Enquirer newspaper notice: “Robert Harrison has been appointed executor of the will of Elizabeth Laver. Charles J.F. Laver has been appointed as administrator of the estate of Augustus Laver, vice Elizabeth Laver, deceased.” (See “Probate Matters,” Oakland Enquirer, 03/19/1901, p. 1)

According to a newspaper report of 11/11/1902, Augustus's and Elizabeth's estate had a value of $6,746.87, of which $4,000 was bequeathed to Charles's daughter, Ruth Victoria Laver, when she reached adulthood. Katherine Fox, Elizabeth’s sister, would receive $1,000, and the remainder would be split between Francis G.F. Laver and Charles, save for $1,500 claimed by a lender on a mortgage. If this lender was paid, this meant that Charles and his brother would split about $246.(See "Laver Estate Distributed," Oakland Enquirer, 11/11/1902. p. 5.)

Spouse

He married Anna Josephine George (born 07/12/1868 in San Francisco, CA-d. 11/14/1928).

She obtained a divorce on the grounds of neglect in 08/1895. (See "The Divorce Court," San Francisco Chronicle, 08/03/1895, p. 8.)

Charles remarried to Anna J. Laver on 08/12/1902 in Alameda County, CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. California, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1850-1941 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014, accessed 05/08/2024..)

Children

He and Anna had at least one child: Ruth Victoria Laver (born 07/23/1891 in CA-d. 05/08/1942 in San Francisco, CA). Another child, Lawrence George Laver, has also been listed in one document, but no evidence

Biographical Notes

An 1898 Alameda County voter register described Charles J.F. Laver as being Caucasian with light complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. He stood 5-feet, 7-and-1/2-inches tall. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 6; FHL Roll Number: 976452, accessed 05/08/2024.)