Lester R. Rice-Wray

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Lester R. Rice-Wray (August 1, 1871 – August 4, 1943) was a mathematics professor at the University of Denver who later became a Los Angeles City Council member. He was born in Missouri and became a licensed teacher at 16. During World War I he worked in Washington, D.C. to help fix problems with the American Express Railway Company in the District of Columbia. He moved to Los Angeles in 1920 and led the Greater Slauson-Avenue Improvement Association.

In 1927, Rice-Wray, backed by Mayor George E. Cryer and political boss Kent Parrot, defeated the sitting 6th District council member Edward E. Moore. His time on the council was marked by controversy over a large storm drain project on Slauson Avenue that would tax about 30,000 property owners. In August 1928, he was recalled from office by a vote of 10,168 to 5,872, making him the first Los Angeles City Council member to face a recall under the 1925 city charter. James G. McAllister was elected to succeed him.

After the recall, the 11th District was created along the coast, including Venice and Palms. With no incumbent, Rice-Wray ran for the vacant seat in 1929 but was defeated by J.C. Barthel, 11,410 to 6,647.

Personal life: His first wife, Minerva Chowning (married 1906), died in 1929 at age 53. He later married Nellie Rice-Wray; they divorced in 1935 amid accusations of abuse and neglect.

While on the council, Rice-Wray was fined $25 by Superior Judge Leonard Wilson for sending a letter urging quick action on a lawsuit about removing sanitariums from the Mar Vista area. He apologized, but the judge still held him in contempt.

Lester Rice-Wray died in Los Angeles on August 4, 1943, at age 72.