14. Alexander Baillie² Thoms (Charles Martin¹, John^A Thom)⁽³²⁾ was born in Dundee, Tayside, Scotland 20 Jan 1880.⁽³³⁾ Alexander was born at 6:15am at 185 Princes St., Dundee. Alexander died 3 Jul 1952 in Santa Ana, Orange, CA, at 72 years of age.⁽³⁴⁾ Died from burns suffered when his trailer exploded. He likely was spending the 4th of July holiday in Huntington Beach, having pulled his camper/trailer down there on Wednesday, July 2, and parked at First St. and Ocean Blvd (Pacific Coast Highway). The parade route was only 2 blocks away. His usual residence was at 2813 Bently Ave., Los Angeles, CA - and he had only been in Huntington Beach for one day.

Here's the newspaper article from the Santa Ana Register, July 3, 1952:

"Burns Suffered By Beach Man in Trailer Blaze

Alexander B. Thoms, 72, living in a trailer at First and Ocean Sts. in Huntington Beach suffered third degree burns over his face, arms and legs when his trailer caught fire from an explosion at 5:20 this morning, the Huntington Beach Fire Department reported. Firemen said butane gas had apparently accumulated in the trailer and exploded when Thoms lit a match. He was taken to Santa Ana Community Hospital by ambulance. According to the fire department the trailer was virtually a total loss. Damage was estimated at $1,500."

His body was interred 7 Jul 1952 in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, Valhalla Memorial Park.⁽³⁵⁾ Called the cemetery to get the location and date of interment.

He married Aluesa Watson Watt in Montrose, Tayside, Scotland, 15 May 1906.⁽³⁶⁾ The marriage took place at Aluesa's home at 17 Murray Lane, Montrose, William Taylor, officiating.

Aluesa was born in Drumlithie, Grampian, Scotland 22 May 1885.⁽³⁷⁾ Aluesa was born at 6:00am in Drumlithie, Glenbervie. Aluesa⁽³⁸⁾ was the daughter of James Watson Watt and Catherine Murray.

Aluesa died 20 Sep 1947 in Riverdale, Fresno, CA, at 62 years of age.⁽³⁹⁾ Died of lung cancer, from second-hand smoke. She did not smoke. Her illness lasted for approximately 16 mos.

Her body was interred 24 Sep 1947 in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, Valhalla Memorial Park.⁽⁴⁰⁾ Called the cemetery to get the location and date of interment. Aluesa was born and married in Scotland, immigrated to the U.S. in 1906 and lived for a time in New York City. She was a dressmaker at the time of her marriage in 1906. She then moved with her family to Los Angeles, California between 1916-1920 (although her death certificate shows that she moved to California around 1922 - but she was in the Federal Census in LA in 1920).

I have found several different spellings for her name: Alveisa, Alvesia, Aluesia, Aluisa... I'm still looking for something that she signed herself for confirmation of the correct spelling. The spelling "Aluesa" is from her birth record.

Alexander was a Free Masons of Scotland member in Montrose, Tayside, Scotland, 19 Mar 1906.⁽⁴¹⁾ Alexander was accepted as a Master Mason of the Scotland Free Masons in the Montrose Kelwinning Lodge No. 15. This was given 19 Mar 1906.

He was listed on a passenger list in New York, New York, NY, 31 Mar 1913.⁽⁴²⁾ Born in Scotland, Alexander seems to have come to New York City in the late 1800's (with his father Charles?) and then went back to Scotland, where he married his wife Aluesa. He immigrated permanently to the U.S. in 1906 and lived for a time in New York City. Then moved to Los Angeles, California about 1916-1922. Lived on Broadway St. and was a contruction worker in Los Angeles in 1920. His death certificate shows that he was living at 2813 Bently Ave, Los Angeles, CA at the time of his death; a newspaper article about his death says that he was living in a trailer in Huntington Beach at the time - probably on vacation at Huntington Beach for the 4th of July. His death certificate also shows that his usual occupation was auto mechanic.

Alexander Baillie Thoms and Aluesa Watson Watt had the following children:

15 i. Robert B.³ Thoms⁽⁴³⁾ was born in Scotland about 1908. Bob died 1956/1960 at 49 years of age. I have been told that he died from complications of alcoholism when in his 50's.

He was listed on a passenger list in New York, New York, NY, 31 Mar 1913.⁽⁴⁴⁾ Immigrated into New York City from Scotland in 1913 with parents. His middle name was probably Baillie, after his father.

There is a Robert Thoms in the Social Security death index who was b. 26 Jan 1907 and d. Jun 1969 in San Fernando, CA. SS #562-09-2489. Could this be the same Robert?

16 ii. Charles Alexander Thoms⁽⁴⁵⁾ was born in New York, New York, NY 29 Jul 1913.⁽⁴⁶⁾ Charles died 4 Apr 1937 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, at 23 years of age.⁽⁴⁷⁾ He died at a relatively early age when he fell off of an unfinished bridge while walking home from a movie. The bridge was on Figueroa St. at Riverside Dr. in Los Angeles. His brother Jim always thought that had someone pushed him off. His body was interred 8 Apr 1937 in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, Valhalla Memorial Park.⁽⁴⁸⁾ Called the cemetery to get the location and date of interment. Charles seems to be named after a combination of his grandfather Charles Martin Thoms, and his father Alexander. First of the Thoms family born in America. He was married at the time of his death, but I do not know his wife's name.

+ 17 iii. James Watson Thoms was born 8 Feb 1915.

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