This article written and copyright 2012 by Will Johnson, wjhonson@aol.com, Professional Genealogist
Was he the "Claude D Bronner" pharmacist living in Detroit in 1895? Who by 1900,still in Detroit, became a travel agent? I find him listed in the US Federal Census of 1900 as "Chas D Bronner", born Mar 1871 Michigan, a commercial traveler.
In 1906 I find "Claude D Bronner" of the firm Bronner and Thornton, a resident at 209 10th in Portland, Oregon. Bronner and Thornton is listed as a restaurant firm operating at 386 Morrison and 567 Washington, with partner Burt T Thornton. And in 1907 he also has a restaurant at 503 Main just across the Columbia river in Vancouver, Washington. In 1909 he is residing at the 386 Morrison address. In 1910 he is residing at 384 1/2 Morrison, which sounds like a carve-out, and the 386 address is now called the Euclid Hotel restaurant. While the entry for the Euclid Hotel states "Bronner & Thornton proprs 573 Washington" In 1912 they are no longer listed as the Euclid Hotel, but now have a delicatessen at 442 Washington and Claude is residing at 451 1/2 Washington, evidently across the street from it. In 1913 his occupation is not listed, but now he and Burt are listed living together.
In the US Federal Census of 1910, he is living in Portland, Oregon, age 39, born in Michigan. He is the head of his household, living with him is a nephew Groor (?), and four lodgers. He is the again the Proprietor of a Cafe, and one of his lodgers is his Cook.
His time in Portland, evidently came to a startling ending when he was arrested in Nov 1912, as part of a "citywide crackdown on gay men of the middle classes". His mugshot is overwritten "C D Bronner" perhaps I can find more on him under that name. This most likely would explain his move by 1916 to Laguna Beach.
In the US Federal Census of 1920, I find Claude D Bronner living on Riverside Avenue in Laguna Beach, as the head of the household. He is 49, Single, owns his home. He was born in Michigan, and is the Proprietor of a Restaurant. Clemence his brother age 69 (!) lives with him and helps at the restaurant. He also has two other single men, and a single woman, living with him, who all work at the restaurant.
In 1918 he became the original owner of the White House Cafe in Laguna Beach, which he sold in 1926 to Richard Bird. With the cash from that sale, he in 1927, built the house at 758 Manzanita, Laguna Beach, Orange County, California (Source) The article there, written in 1981 claims that upon his death it was sold and used as a monastery for a few years. However we will see, that he did not die then.
They are either incorrect that the White House started in 1918, or Claude owned something before that, because I find his Voter Registration entry for 1914-16 where his occupation is listed as Restaurant and his address as Laguna Beach. In the 1918-20 one, it's the same, but now he is joined by Clarence M Bronner, Restaurant, Laguna Beach. In 1930 through 1934 he is listed as Retired, Laguna Beach.
In the US Federal Census of 1930, he is living at 700 Virginia Park in Laguna Beach as the head of the house, which he owns and it's worth $50,000. With him are two adopted sons, Ned 18 and George 14, both boys born in California. Claude is 60, born in Michigan and has no occupation. Did he move from his 758 Manzanita home, was it still being built not yet ready for occupation? Whatever the case, in an L A Times article dated 1934, the home was prospectively to become the center of George Adamski's Royal Order of Tibet. Since the supposed renovations required to make it a useful home for the Order were to cost $1.5 million, George must have had a substantial following. Was Claude one of his followers?
In the US Federal Census of 1940, he is still living in Laguna Beach, age 70, born in Michigan. With him is his son George age 24 who is a salesman in a camera shop.
In 1944, we get an address for him from the Voter Registrations : "Claude D Bronner, 360 Second St, Laguna Beach, Retired", which repeats for 1948, and 1950. We then find him at 12030 1/2 Guerin Street in Los Angeles. Then in 1952, he picks up a "Mrs Catherine M Bronner" and they are living together at 2135 N Lamar Street. The 1952 City Directory clarifies, that all living at 2135 N Lamar are Claude D, and George E and his wife Catherine, George is a teacher at Art Center.
And the CADI tells us that one of this name, born 20 Mar 1870, died in Los Angeles County on 11 Jul 1955.