HOLLYWOOD PIONEER

Daeida Wilcox Beveridge

By Allan R. Ellenberger 

Daeida Hartell Wilcox Beveridge was born in Hicksville, Ohio and educated in the public schools of Canton, Ohio, and in a Hicksville private school. She married prohibitionist Harvey Henderson Wilcox of Topeka, Kansas and came to California in 1883. Three years later they purchased a fig orchard in the Cahuenga valley and soon bought the remainder of a 120-acre tract. Shortly afterward - depending on who is telling the story -she met a woman while on a train to Hicksville, who described her summer home near Chicago that she called Hollywood. The name appealed to Mrs. Wilcox so on her return she called her Cahuenga valley ranch – ”Hollywood.” 

A marker erected in Daeida’s home town of Hicksville, Ohio. (Doc Wert /flickr). One error - her second marriage was to the son of Governor John L. Beverdige from Illinois and NOT California. (click on image to enlarge)

Mrs. Wilcox was an intergral part in the development of the area, laying out the townsite and the naming the streets. The first pepper trees and flower beds were planted under her personal direction. Among her many gifts was the ground for the Hollywood City Hall, public library, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, of which she was a member; Christian Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was her early dream of beauty that gave fame to Hollywood, making it noted for its wealth of trees and flowers.

Her husband died in 1891 and two years later she married Philo Judson Beveridge, son of Governor John L. Beveridge of Illinois. They had four children, two of whom survived – Marian and Phyllis. Their home was on the northeast corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Wilcox Avenue (6467 Hollywood Blvd.).

In early July of 1914, Mrs. Wilcox took ill. On August 13, she entered Good Samaritan Hospital where she died the following day. Funeral services were held at the Connell undertaking parlor with interment in the family mausoleum at Rosedale Cemetery next to her first husband. Survivors included her second husband, her daughters Marian Pringle and Phyllis Brunson, her mother Anna Hartell, an aunt Sylvia Connell and a niece, Gertrude.

NOTE: When Harvey Wilcox died in 1891, there was no cemetery in Hollywood so he was buried at Rosedale. When Daeida died she was also placed there. In 1937, family members had their bodies moved, along with their two infant children, and Daieda’s mother and second husband, to the Cathedral Mausoleum at Hollywood Memorial Cemetery.

 Daeida Wilcox Beveridge’s crypt (#989) at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

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BREAKING NEWS

Bale reportedly ‘flew off the handle’ at mother

British paper says ‘The Dark Knight’ star angered by comment about wife

LONDON - New details are emerging in the arrest of The Dark Knight star Christian Bale.

The incident that led to the actor’s arrest reportedly occurred following a confrontation between the actor and his mother, Jenny Bale. She allegedly insulted Bale’s wife, Sandra ‘Sibi’ Blazic, according to Britain’s The Daily Mail.

A source close to Bale told the newspaper he “flew off the handle” at his London hotel when Jenny Bale said “some outrageous things” about her son and his wife.

Though The Dark Knight star was arrested and released on bail, the newspaper’s source claims Bale did nothing wrong.

“Christian was stressed, but he didn’t lay a finger on anyone. Instead, he flew off the handle and cussed his mother. He just got very loud because his mother was saying some very outrageous things about him, and his wife,” the source said.

Bale’s lawyers issued a statement Tuesday denying the allegations of assault.

The actor’s sister, Sharon Bale, told Britain’s Telegraph an “incident” had occurred but would not offer up any details surrounding the events that led to her brother’s arrest.

“OK, there was an incident but the police are dealing with it,” she said. “It is an extremely sensitive situation. There is nothing more I can say.”

Jenny Bale was also tight-lipped, but said they did not call the police.

“Yes, I was there, and yes there was a family situation, but the police are handling it and I cannot say anymore at the moment,” Jenny told the Telegraph. “We didn’t call the police to the scene. I can’t say anymore, but we didn’t call the police.”

Bale is expected to attend The Dark Knight premiere in Barcelona, Spain, on Wednesday.

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