Charles A. Canfield

Charles A. Canfield
Born	Template:Birth date Springfield, Otsego County, New York, U.S.
Died	August 15, 1913(1913-08-15) (aged 65) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, oilman, real estate developer
Known for	Pioneering oil extraction in California and Mexico; co-founding Beverly Hills and Del Mar, California

Charles Adelbert Canfield (May 15, 1848 – August 15, 1913) was a prominent American entrepreneur in the oil and real estate sectors, recognized for his pioneering efforts in oil extraction throughout California and Mexico. He played a key role in establishing both Beverly Hills and Del Mar, California.

Early life

Originating from Springfield, Otsego County, New York, Canfield ventured westward to explore opportunities in mining.

Career

Following nearly two decades dedicated to silver prospecting across the American Southwest, Canfield discovered silver deposits in Kingston, New Mexico Territory in 1886. The subsequent year, he settled in Los Angeles and launched the Chanslor-Canfield Midway Oil Company.

In collaboration with Edward L. Doheny in 1892, Canfield was responsible for bringing in Los Angeles's inaugural oil gusher located on Crown Hill near the city center, a pivotal event that advanced the local petroleum industry.

By 1900, Canfield joined forces with investors such as Burton E. Green, Max Whittier, and Henry E. Huntington to purchase Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas. After their initial attempts at oil drilling proved unfruitful, they transitioned toward real estate development by creating the Rodeo Land and Water Company, which ultimately gave rise to Beverly Hills as a residential area.

In 1902, Canfield co-established the Mexican Eagle Petroleum Company (which evolved into Pan American Petroleum and is now known as Pemex), significantly contributing to Mexico’s emergence as the world’s second-leading oil producer.

Personal life and death

Canfield was married to Chloe Canfield, who tragically was killed in 1906 by a dismissed former employee accused of mistreating the family’s horses.

The couple had two children: their daughter Daisy divorced her first husband J.M. Danziger in 1921 on grounds of cruelty and subsequently married Antonio Moreno in 1923; they lived at the Canfield-Moreno Estate. Their son, Charles O. Canfield, ended his marriage with Pearl in 1930. Both Charles O. and Pearl served as witnesses at the 1924 wedding of silent film actors Marie Prevost and Kenneth Harlan.

In 1910, Charles A. Canfield took residence in the newly constructed Canfield-Wright House located in Del Mar, California. He passed away at his Los Angeles residence on August 15, 1913, and was interred at Evergreen Cemetery.

Secondary sources

• Nicholas A Curry, The Charles A. Canfield family history: Fellow mining prospector, oilman and business associate of Edward L. Doheny, 1994.