The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-08-21

engaged that Indianapolis began
ing the advertisements of the Alakaiko Exposition in
Seattle He read every word of them and the wanderlust
which attacks all young in form another prompted
the successful engineer to make the journey to the North
west and to satisfy dream which had haunted him those
many months
At about that same time another thought was
taking form in the mind of Leon Titus that man
who knew how to make Automobiles should know
better than anyone else how to sell them that
was it. he wanted to be automobile salesman
-. and when Leon Titus wants anything bad enough
10 work for il, he usually acquires it.
To achieve his ambition he found necessary to leave
the Northwest and to accept position selling and servcng
the Rambler in the state of Montana.
Along about 1912 he returned Seattle and Joined the
sales force of the j. W. Leavt company which had the
franchise for the Overland automobile
In March of 1918, Titus formed partnership with Ar
thur ST. John in company which day to be one of
the largest Ford deaershps in the entire country In fact
became large that the partners finally decided TO divide
their interests St John taking all territory south of Che
halls and Titus taking all north of Centraa In due time
the Titus Motor company operated five branches the
Southwest Washington territory.
In those days, to walk into the Ford Mo
tor company office at Dearborn and ask for the
names of the most important Ford dealers in he
tire country, one would have been given list on
which the names of Titus, st. John and Bill Mckay of
Seattle were among the leaders.
Life has way of changing the plans of men but today
find these three Titus St John and Mckay serving
they did for years the interests of Ford in
their several communities.
The foregoing but the brief facts the mere high
lights the life of one of the most coorfu characters in
Northwest transportation industry There much to
the credit of Leon Titus than his contributions the auto
mobile industry assets which he himself would men,
ton but with which your reporter is most familiar.
| have known Leon Tor nearly twenty years. dur
ing which time he has worked ceaseessly for the
advancement of Tacoma and Southwest Washington.
not alone in his chosen field, but in activity
which had its goal the improvement of this city
and the territory ii
True it not always convenient to give the time
aured but Leon has theory about such things
motive if please, which explains his willingness help
wherever he
you can't keep taking it out if you don't put something
In. Tacoma and Southwest Washington have given me
everything have and hope receive unless he
Is also willing to contribute.
That theory for much of the which has
~avored the goings and comings of Leon Titus of
and why the world is beneng by his sOjourn through life
Perhaps can best illustrate his civic interest by
tonng of the activities with which he has the past
and is today aSsociating himself.
He organized and was the first president of the
Centraia Rotary club; served on the board of drec-
tors of the Automobile Club of Washington; was vice
president and a member Of the board of the Wash
ington State Good Roads association president
Of the Washington Automotive Trade association;
pioneered aviation in Tacoma and Southwest Wash
ington and was active in the development and dedca-
ton Of the Narrows bridge.
While his heart has for been with the automobile
he also has been and vitality concerned with the advance
ment of aviation.
In fact it his connections in Detroit that brought
Tacoma It's first and only National Air Tour. accomplish
ment which did much 10 put Tacoma the air map"
One does not have 10 talk long that subject before
Leon mentions the of Nick Manner whom he
sders one OF the best pilots the country has known
better pilot than Lindbergh will be and Titu:
has ridden with both
The Titus home is at 2l0l No. Steele st. where
Mrs. Titus and their twin boys, Paul and Leon H.
plete the family circle The boys though but III years
of age, are even learning the transportation bust
ness Just as their dad learned il from the ground
up They are always 10 be found at the Ford head
quarters on Broadway when there i any spare time
available.
And that's how things are with Leon Titus Tacoma
downtown Ford dealer and top flight II had
all the regular have known the fingers Of
hand would most certainly finger for Tacoma
ambassador of good will and ny friend Leon Titus