William Bradford (Brad) Hellis (12/5/1894-3/9/1975) was born in Denver Colorado. He was the son of George Stedman Hellis Jr. (1863/11/22/1913) and Ada Ellen Bradford Hellis (9/26/1862-12/18/1944). George and Ada were married in Denver, Colorado on 4/8/1890. They spent their honeymoon at the Hollenbeck Hotel in Los Angeles. George Jr worked for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad.
George Jr. was born in England and arrived in New York in steerage with his family (George Sr (1836-1896) and Elizabeth (1836-1918) from Liverpool on June 4, 1873, when he was 10 years old. George Sr. and family were first found in Denver in 1878 where he worked as a carpenter. George Jr. applied for citizenship on 2/18/1885.
George Sr. and Elizabeth had another son, Harry, who remained in Denver. George Sr. and Elizabeth are buried at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver Co. She outlived him by 22 years.
Ada Bradford is the daughter of Erastus Bradford (11/16/1827-1/31/1914) and Abbie Bradford (1828-1894). Erastus and Abbie were divorced, and she preceded him in death.
Ada is a direct descendant of William Bradford who arrived on the Mayflower on November 9, 1620. William Bradford was the Governor of the Massachusetts colony for 31 years. See William Bradford Hellis file for details.
George and Ada moved to San Francisco, California, around 1903, and were found in Pasadena on the 1910 census with their children: Eleanor Gertrude (4/19/1893-10/2/1962) and William Bradford “Brad”. George was employed by the Southern Pacific Company. At that point, there was some connection with the Irvine family. Both families lived in San Francisco at the same time. Gertrude and Kathryn Irvine (9/20/1894-3/2/1920) took an extensive trip and Gertrude spent the summer of 1912 at the Irvine ranch. Brad started working for the Irvine ranch as an errand boy in 1911 then attended the University of Colorado for one year. He graduated from the University of California-Berkley.
Family fortunes changed when George passed away at age 50 of typhoid meningitis in 1913. Ada also started caring for her father, Erastus, who had previously been living with her sister, Mary Petrie, in Denver. Erastus died at age 86 in 1914 and is buried Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena California. Brad returned to California and went to work for the Irvine Company, possibly as assistant Superintendent of the San Joaquin Ranch. Brad, Gertrude and Ada soon moved to the San Joaquin Ranch where they were found in the 1920 census. By 1925 they were living in a home they owned at Pacific and 6th in Tustin. Brad was secretary of the Irvine Company. Ada and Gertrude quickly adapted to the Tustin social life attending functions with Mesdames Joplin, Utt, Bascon, Stevens, Rice and others.
Ada became a member of the Ebell Society and enjoyed the book review section.
In the spring of 1929, Ada spent 7 weeks in Denver visiting her sister and friends. The Petrie’s moved to Orange County where he retired.
Ada was living with Gertrude in their 6th St home when she died at age 82 after a short hospitalization. She is buried in Fairhaven Memorial Cemetery.
Eleanor Gertrude Hellis led a carefree life while living on the San Joaquin Ranch. She attended the best parties, played the organ at church, and could frequently be found in the company of Mrs. James Irvine and Kathryn. In 1916-1917, she went back to Colorado to spend a year with her aunt, Mary Bradford Petrie. She also sang at various functions. In 1920, her dear friend Kathryn Irvine Lillard passed away.
In 1923, she went to work for the County Auditor’s, William Jerome. She was the County Statistician, an appointed position she held for 25 years.
Within a few weeks after her brother’s wedding, Gertrude married Dr. John H. Pullin, a veterinarian. on 7/16/1927. She moved to his home at 1806 North Broadway in Santa Ana. The couple were separated in 9/1929 when Gertrude claimed Dr. Pullin exhibited bazaar and threatening behavior. She was granted a divorce and took back her maiden name.
In 1930, the city directory shows Gertrude living with her mother, Brad and his wife, Mary, at their 6th St home. In 1933, Gertrude and Brad took a trip to Acapulco, Mexico, returning on the SS Talamanca on 11/21/1933.
Gertrude also was active in the community as a member of the YWCA, the Ebell Society, the Santa Ana Assistance League and the PI Chapter of the PEO. She continued to attend card parties and dinners hosted by her many friends. She was a charter member of the Soroptimist of Santa Ana which was formed in 1947 and became its president. In 1955. She became a director of the Orange County Philharmonic Society.
It is unknown how long she lived in the 6th Street home in a news article dated 12/6/1957 she gave her address at 924 W Santa Clara Avenue, Santa Ana. After retirement she remained active in the organizations listed above. In addition, she became President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Santa Ana Community Hospital.
Gertrude died on 10/2/1962 at age 69 and is buried in Fairhaven Memorial Cemetery. A meditation room was established at the Santa Ana Community Hospital in her honor.
William Bradford Hellis was inducted into the Army but was granted a discharge in 1917 based on the dependency of his mother and sister.
Hellis advanced to General Manager of the Irvine Company. He was also involved in private business ventures and kept busy with numerous organizations and social activities described in more detail below.
By 1920 Hellis was leasing land on the San Joaquin Ranch where he raised beans. He was also involved in several Real Estate transactions purchasing lot Y of the Stafford Tustin Tract, purchasing an 11-acre walnut grove from Virgil Deaver for $23,500, building lots from C.E. Utt, the family home on Panorama Heights, property at 17th and Main in Santa Ana that became a filling station
He supported the Community Chest, Red Cross and Salvation Army with generous donations and serving on fund raising committees. He was the secretary and second vice president of the Irvine Valencia Growers Association. He was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Irvine Citrus Association. replacing William Jerome. In 1938, he became President of the Golden West Citrus Association. Hellis became a Board Member of the San Joaquín Lima Bean Association in 1929. He served as a director of the Tustin Farm Center and Orange County Fruit Exchange and was president of the Irvine Walnut Association.
In 1929, Brad and Eugene Thomas applied for a fictitious name for the Irvine Blacksmith Shop. Thomas acquired Hellis’ interest in 1942 and operated the shop for many years. Eugene Thomas is quoted as saying in an interview, “Mr. Brad Hellis is one of my finest friends, one if the finest businessmen I know, I am very fortunate to have been at one time associated with a man like Mr. Hellis”
On 6/25/1927 Hellis married Mary Jordon Stone in Bedford, Virginia. They met when Miss Stone spent a year with her uncle Dr. J. P. Boyd and taught at a school in Fountain Valley. She was educated at Columbia University. Dr. Boyd was a friend of the Irvines and Gertrude Hellis. Upon their return from their honeymoon, Dr. Boyd and his sister Rosa hosted an “A” list reception that included the Naus, Stevens and Browning’s at their home at 801 No Main in Santa Ana.
By 1932. he became a Board member of the Santa Ana Rotary Club (becoming President in 1950). the Orange County Mutual Insurance Exchange, Vice president and 10 years later President of the Santa Ana Valley Hospital, (Santa Ana Community Hospital). He retired as president of the hospital board in 1952 after 21 years of service, He was a Board member of the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Farm Bureau. He was an active member of the Santa Ana Elks and Masonic Lodges.
In 1933 Brad bought the 12 room home formerly owned by Sarah Corbett at auction. The home is located at 12802 Panorama Crest in Panorama Heights.
By 1938, Hellis had to deal with workers walking off the job during an impasse with the CIO. No further information was found regarding the resolution of these labor disputes.
By 1940, Hellis was at the forefront of many agricultural innovations. He served as the Irvine Company spokesman or representative on most issues. Leading up to World War II, Hellis and the Irvine Company were involved in several proposals to establish defense related industries in Orange County such as an experimental Aviation Laboratory, a Maritime Academy and using Newport Harbor as a defense port. He served on the committee to form a complete regiment of the Santa Ana National Guard. He also represented the Irvine Company to review an Orange Coast Association proposal to build a second highway linking Long Beach and San Diego.
In October 1941, He was involved in negotiations to add 160 acres to the existing 140 acres of the Orange County Airport for military use through the purchase or lease of Irvine ranch. This plan was scraped when the military acquired Irvine Ranch land for the El Toro Marine Base and the Navy Lighter than Air (LTA) facility.
As water was always an issue, Hellis was involved in the Orange County Water District. During his career, he served on several committees, representing the Irvine Company, tasked with studying the County’s water supply. Labor shortages also occurred due to the draft of young men and the interment of the Japanese workers. During the 1940’s Hellis also continued to purchase his own citrus growing property.
Hellis was with James Irvine when he passed away at Irvine’s Flying D ranch in Bozeman Montana on 8/27/1947. The ranch gained fame when it was purchased by entertainment mogul Ted Turner some years later. At some point, Hellis became the General Manager and Vice President of the Irvine Company. He became a trustee of the Irvine Foundation in 1950.
In 1947, Hellis, as president of the Board of Directors, led a fundraising campaign to expand the Santa Ana Community Hospital. The Irvine Company made an initial donation of $50,000. When completed in 1950, the Irvine Foundation and Company donated $250,000. The new hospital wing was opened in 5/1950. In 1955, a hospital wing was named after him.
He was also named to the Sanitation Committee of the Associated Chamber of Commerce of Orange County to develop a countywide sewerage disposal plan. In 12/1949 he served as a Director of the Orange County Coastal Association. He was appointed to the Executive Board to the Orange Empire Council of the Boy Scouts.
In 1950, Hellis gave his blessings to the use of land by the Orange County Airport to build a drag strip which became known as the Santa Ana Drags and became a favorite place for hotrodders for miles around. Brad and Mary both worked on the campaign to reelect Governor Earl Warren in 1950 and other politicians over the years.
In 1951, Hellis became a director of the newly formed Orange County Municipal Water District representing Division 5. In 1953, Hellis and Myford Irvine agreed to host the Boy Scout Jamboree. During this period Brad and Mary hosted many events and tours in their home in Panorama Heights or at the beach house in Balboa.
In July 1953, Myford Irvine and Hellis offered the use of Irvine Company Land to host the Boy Scout Jamboree. The event was attended by some 50,000 scouts. Vice President Nixon as well as several Hollywood stars attended the Jamboree. Jamboree Road was named after the event.
In the mid 1950’s The Irvine Company began to develop its land primarily in the south of Santa Ana and coastal areas which Hellis spearheaded. In the late 1950’s he worked closely with the City of Newport Beach for the development of land annexed to the city. He began developing his own property including the construction of a savings and loan building on the 17th and Main property in Santa Ana. He also became a member of the advisory board of the Santa Ana Branch of the Bank of America.
A major accomplishment in 1956 was the groundbreaking of the University of California’s Field Station for agricultural research. The station utilized 200 acres of land donated by the Irvine Company.
Hellis retired from the Irvine Company on 6/16/1958 after 40 years. He was replaced by Allison Honer, a Santa Ana Businessman. He continued his work with the Metropolitan Water District, Orange County Municipal Water Company, various agricultural co-ops and his own business ventures. In addition, he became a director of the newly formed Santa Ana Savings and Loan Association.
In 1/1961, Hellis sold their home in Panorama Heights. He also became Vice President of the new Bank of Santa Ana the same year. In 1962, he had a heart attack from which he recovered. They lived in Corona del Mar at the time while building a new home at 12822 Panorama Crest.
Hellis passed away on 2/9/1975 at age 81. He was buried at Fairhaven Memorial Cemetery.
As a new bride, Mary Hellis quickly adapted to the Tustin social life attending functions with Mrs. Joplin, Utt, Bascon, Stevens, Rice, Tubbs, Artz. Plumb, Spurgeon among others.
Mary became president of the Guild of the Episcopal Church of the Messiah, the Ebell Society, PTA Chapter DI of P.E.O. and YWCA. She served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board. She also served on committees planning the major functions of the time such as the Military Ball and the Presidents Birthday Ball. She participated in the Red Cross membership drive. She also was busy supporting many projects in support of the World War II effort such as the Red Cross War Bond Fund Drive and the Assistance League of Orange County. In the 1950’s she became involved in the Santa ana Assistance League. She also became a board member of the Community Hospital Auxiliary.
They had daughters Rosemary Jordan and Virginia “Ginny” Bradford Hellis, (6/21/1928.
Rosemary graduated from Santa Ana High School in 1946 and attended the University of Colorado. On 7/1/1950 she married Robert Hart Purcell Jr. (2/5/1927-6/8/2013) in the Church of the Messiah in Santa Ana. He attended East High School in Denver, Colorado and they met at the University. Their rehearsal dinner was held at the Balboa Bay Club. They made their home in Richland Washington..
Virginia graduated from High School in 1947. She was a member of the Girl’s Ebell Club. She entered Stephens College in Columbus Missouri where she graduated 6/1949. She then attended USC. In September 1950 her engagement to Robert Collis Luckey of Santa Ana was announced. Robert attended San Jose State College. They were married at the Church of the Messiah on 1/9/1950 with the reception following at Hellis home. They made their home in South Pasadena. They were last located in Brawley California.
Created:3/23/2025. Researched by Vicki Gray
