The Pomona Solution

From 1922 to 1923 the best source of information on the Sandford and Swan families is grandfather Joe Sandford’s diary, two dozen typewritten pages in a notebook formerly used by grandmother Margaret during her studies at the University of California at Berkeley. The diary was found by cousin Robert in the crevices of Joe’s old roll-top desk.

After getting married, Joe and Margaret lived in the home at 507 North Vine Ave, next door to Margaret’s parents, Henry and Mabel Swan at the house at 501 homestead. The two families were very close, even taking extended trips together.

The months following the death of Joe’s father Edward in October, 1922 were eventful. By year-end, Joe and Margaret were expecting their first child, our future uncle Ned. Joes’s older sister Saada and her husband Earl Beck had plans to move from Ontario to Santa Barbara. Joe’s younger sister Helen was engaged to a bank teller named Jimmie Holland, although this relationship would come to an end early the next year.

Not long into 1923 we begin to see signs of problems emerging with Joe’s job at the Ontario National Bank. At this time, Joe is Vice President, still working for George McCrae, the man who convinced Joe to return to work for him after World War I. That the elder McCrae was insecure in his position as bank president, excessively dependent on Joe to maintain his stature was predictable, given the content and tone of his 1919 letter to Joe in France.

Ned’s birth on April 30 brought happiness to all, and temporary distraction from Joe’s problems at work.

That summer, Joe, Margaret and Ned vacationed in Santa Barbara with Saada’s family. Henry and Mabel Swan spent a month in the Hawaiian Islands.

We also see that Joe has been looking around for job opportunities and getting offers. His unhappiness working for George McCrae continues to grow. It also appears that McCrae views Joe’s relationship to Henry, one of the most powerful bankers in Ontario, as an unfair advantage, adding to the friction.

This last sentence is illuminating. Like his father, Joe was, by nature, not a fighter. It is an enduring image, Reverend Edward Sandford (or banker Joe) walking around the block to let off steam.

By September, 1923 we see a plan emerging between Joe and his father-in-law Henry Swan to take over the Savings Bank of Pomona. The plan includes Joe and Margaret leaving Ontario and building a new home in Pomona.

By the end of 1923 the plan has changed to reality–Joe and Henry have purchased the Pomona bank. Joe and Margaret have sold their home at 507 and moved in next door with Henry and Mable, everyone in good spirits and preparing for major changes at work and at home. The process of building a new home in Pomona is underway.

Joe and Henry would be partners in the new Pomona banking enterprise. Having solved their biggest problem, Joe and Margaret entered the new year filled with optimism and eager anticipation for what 1924 would bring. We will soon see that they could not have been more wrong.