William Paul Loveland: Missing or Murdered?

William Paul Loveland was born 9 June 1890 in Sioux City, IA to William A Loveland (1857-1921) and Effie M Davis(1861-?). He married the 29 May 1914 in Minneapolis, MN, to Ethel Craig Knowles. 

 He was known as Paul

William was a well known architect mostly using the spanish style for most of his creations. 

Here are some interesting newspaper articles:

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34448022/william_paul_loveland/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34446385/william_paul_loveland/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34447308/william_paul_loveland/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34444196/william_paul_loveland/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34447358/william_paul_loveland/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34448079/william_paul_loveland/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34446456/william_paul_loveland/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34450721/william_paul_loveland/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34448850/william_paul_loveland/

I first was curious about his wife, she went to visit him while he was on this fishing trip he dissapeared from. But as I kept finding newspaper articles and seeing the years, I quickly pushed that thought aside. I wonder who was with him on this fishing trip. If it was the wife she would of wanted his body found as to get the life insurance money, she waited until 1934 to file for divorce and then in 1937 to declare him dead. I think he was murdered and hid body was either never found or the Mexican authorities had a John Doe. I tried to find the police record but no corroboration with them. His wife played hostess of many parties after he was gone. He was known to go to the same place all the time to camp and fish.

Long family ties in Wisconsin, Louisiana, California.  

So let's look at this wealthy man's life and who he was.

He built this house in 1923 it is currently for sale see link under next photo.

   
788 S Grand Ave
Pasadena, CA 91105
Located at the edge of the Arroyo Seco, 'The Villetta', designed by Paul Loveland in 1924 as his personal residence and studio, is a magnificently appointed Italian country estate. Built around a sun filled center courtyard this entertainers dream showcases many architectural treasures; wrought iron entry gates and balconies, studded oak doors, carved stone fireplace, walnut beams, soaring cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors and an updated gourmet kitchen. The light filled main floor master suite opens to the private courtyard. The main floor also hosts a gracious guest suite. Two ground floor bedrooms, one with separate entrance is perfect for grown kids or a caretaker. The home has been thoughtfully renovated to include a large family room with fireplace and an office/library with extensive built-ins, exercise studio and refrigerated wine storage. The manicured grounds offer mature landscaping, graceful fountains, accent lighting and the intimate courtyards reminiscent of a proper Mediterranean garden.

His wife lived here until her death.

This is what it looks like today here's the link.

https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-spanish-pasadena-20151218-story.html

Another one of his creations 455 W California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105 this one is also currently for sale.

His wife Ethel Craig Knowles was born 28 Sep 1897 in North Dakota (My beloved home state).

She died 26 May 1959 in Pasadena, CA. They had one son. 

U.S., Merchant Marine Applications for License of Officers, 1914-1949
Name: Paul Craig Loveland
Birth Date: 22 Sep 1916
Application Date: 3 Sep 1946

Residence: Pasadena, California, USA

Paul Craig Knowles Loveland born 22 Sep 1922 in Pasadena, CA and died 2 Aug 1989 Broward, FL. He was married Elizabet Thompson. 

Is he just missing theory:

This was found by a member of my Facebook group.

June 1918 was not the first time that Leonard was listed as a deserter. This is from State Times Advocate, Friday, Jan 11, 1918, Baton Rouge, LA Page: 7:

He also had a Passport:

On his passport application (Aug 1920), Loveland says that he last left the U.S. on 30 Jun 1918 doing missionary work in France and Italy, to the date of that application. He also states that his father, William A. Loveland resides in Baton Rouge LA. I found a lengthy article in the State Times Advocate, Saturday, Mar 16, 1918, Baton Rouge, LA Page: 2, that lists William Paul Loveland of Baker LA as a deserter. There were a LOT of deserters there apparently; the article is so big, I'm not sure I can save it in a readable form to post here.

I checked passenger lists for him and someone with the same birth date at the time he went missing and no records.

This is one of his advertisements before relocating to California.

His father was a engraver  

William had 3 older siblings: 

Jessie E Loveland

1880–

Fay Loveland

1882–

Theron A Loveland

1884–

So what are your thoughts? Missing (Left his wife and son, ran off?) or Murdered ?

Hopefully I can get the police reports if they still even exist, to shed some kind of light on this and what the police thought happened to him.

Make for a very interesting story for someone's tree.