"Norman Oliver Houston" (October 16,1893-October 20,1981)

Was a prominent Los Angeles-based businessman and president of Golden State Mutual Life Company,which at time was the largest black-owned business west of the Mississippi.He was born in San Jose,California the son of Oliver Houston,a railroad worker and his wife former Lillian L.Jackson.His parents divorced when he was 12.He was raised by his mother and stepfather in Fruitland,California,just outside of Oakland.After graduating from high school,he attended the University of California,Berkeley for two years where studied business administration.He then worked for approximately a year as a clerk for the board of insurance underwriters in California,before returning to UC Berkeley.His studies were interrupted this time by World War 1.Norman was drafted by the U.S. Army,where he served as the regiment personnel adjutant with the 32nd Division --the only African-American to hold that position in the entire army.Upon his discharge,he once again returned to UC Berkeley to attend summer school,but left the following fall to become and agent with the National Life Insurance Company in Los Angeles.Norman sold insurance to black waiters and cooks at the Railroad commissary.In the early 1920s,when William Nickerson,Jr.arrived in Los Angeles to establish a branch of the Texas-Based American Mutual Benefits Association,he needed someone with local contracts who had some knowledge of the insurance business.As a result,he hired Norman as his first employee.Norman served as superintendent of agents for the new branch.In 1923,feeling he could make more money at a locally-based company than one based one out of state,he informed William that he signed a contract with Liberty Building and Loaning Association.Norman was replaced by George A.Beavers,Jr.,a George-Born businessman who was one of the first salesman hired at the branch.Louis M.Blodgett was the principal figure behind Liberty,who would later start Angelus Funeral Home in Los Angeles in 1925.Norman work there as a field manager with the difficult task of selling bonds to economically strapped African Americans.He did not stay long with Liberty in the wake of an appealing business opportunity from his employee.In 1925,when William Nickerson Jr,decided to form Golden State Guarantee Fund Insurance Company in Los Angeles he convinced Norman to join him in the new venture.William asked Norman,who had previous worked with the insurance commission,to meet with them to determine the requirements to form an insurance company in California.They decided to establish the firm under Chapter 6 of the insurance code which required that five hundered life insurance policies be obtained and paid for in advance,and that a fund of $15,000 be deposited with the Department of insurance.Norman,with his financial contacts,was given the responsibility to raise the $15,000 through the sale of fifty dollar certificates.Golden State was granted their license on July 23,1925.At this time it was very difficult for the approximately 40,000 blacks in California  to obtain insurance from white-own companies at reasonable rates.Starting in a small,one-room office on 1435 South Central Avenue,the initial officers were William (President),George (vice president) and Norman as secretary/treasurer.In less than three months,the company had already outgrown their cramped offices and moved to a large storeroom on 3512 Central Avenue.Under Norman's leadership Golden State Mutual prospered.The following year were a period growth and expansion.By 1928,the company had grown to 100 employees and built a new headquarters at 4261 Central Avenue.That same year Golden State joined the National Negro Insurance Association.In 1931,the name was changed to Golden State Mutal Life Insurance Company.The firm opened its first office outside of California in 1938 when a branch was established in Chicago.Also in 1938,the officers asked the insurance commission to allow them to convert from assessment to legal reserve status.This required a $ 250,000 fund to be deposited with the state,which was completed by 1941.In 1944,Golden state opened an office in William home state of Texas.When he died in 1945,Norman assumed leadership of the company.At that time,Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company was the seventh largest black insurance firm in the United States and the largest black-owned business west of the Mississippi.With him,at the helm, Golden State Mutual continued its growth and expansion.In 1946,they set up their Funeral Services Division.Three years later,the company opened a new building on the corner of Adams Boulevard and Western Avenue in Los Angeles that was designed by prominent architect PaulRevere Williams.During the 1950s,Golden State expand operations into Oregon,Washington,and Arizona.They also installed electronic data processing systems and began offering mortgage insurance and group insurance.Norman served as president and chief executive officer of Golden State until January 1967,when he became chairman of the board and chief executive officer.In 1970,his two sons,Norman B.Houston and Ivan J. Houston took over active management of the company.The younger Norman,replaced his father his father as a chairman of the executive committee.Ivan would replace the retiring Edgar J.Johnson as president.The elder Norman would still serve various capacities at Golden State Mutual until his retirement in 1977,after which he was named honorary and chairman emeritus.Norman also continued to be involved in other business activities.In 1947,he was one of the organizers of Broadway Federal Savings and Loan (later Broadway Federal Bank),served as its chairman of the board for many years.He also was briefly involved organization of the National Bank of Los Angles in 1949,which was the brainchild of H.A. Howard,manager of Broadway Federal.Norman died in Los Angeles just four days after 88th birthday.In addition to his sons,he was survived by his widow,Edythe and a daughter,Elizabeth Jean.