La Von E. Gottfried, of the historic mission town of Carmel, is one to whom considerable credit is due for whatever of modern form and spirit now distinguishes the town. He is engaged in the general contracting business and at all times works to improve the appearance of the community as well as advance his own fortunes. He was born on a farm in Ohio, July 12, 1896. His father, Phillip Gottfried, was a farmer, and in the building of a home was ably assisted by his good wife, who, before her marriage was Miss V. B. Ritenour.
To the home influences La Von E. Gottfried ascribes much of his later success in life. He was encouraged to attend not only the grammar but the high school of his locality, and then starting out in the business world, followed various lines in Oregon and Montana, being associated for some time with the Pacific Telephone Company. On June 27, 1917, he enlisted in the United States Army for service in the World war, and for two years, was a valued member of the Signal Corps, a year of this period having been passed, to his great advantage, in France, where he had charge of telephone and telegraph construction. In 1919 he was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant, after which he returned to California and his telephone work.
In the spring of 1920 Mr. Gottfried came to Carmel and engaged in the general contracting business requiring for his wider field a larger equipment and broader experience such as were his. He had learned carpentering and building in early manhood and had followed work of that kind successfully in Oregon and Montana. His experience, skill and reliable methods therefore secured him a liberal patronage when he became a general contractor and builder of Carmel, where he has erected many buildings, including the Theater of the Golden Bough, one of the most unique of all playhouses in California. Doing much of his own designing, Mr. Gottfried has built some of the finer residences in town, including the Kuster and Van Riper homes, on Carmel Point, the Gordon House on San Antonio street and the Ritchie and Kenney houses on Pebble Beach.
Mr. Gottfried was married to Miss Bonnie Hale, a native of Berkeley who had lived in Carmel since 1906, and they now have two children.
Source: History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California : cradle of California’s history and romance : dating from the planting of the cross of Christendom upon the shores of Monterey Bay by Fr. Junipero Serra, and those intrepid adventurers who accompanied him, down to the present day. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1925.