Noted as the first mayor of Hollywood, Rich was educated in pioneer schools and ran away from home at sixteen years of age. He later started a butcher shop in Fort Wayne and later moved on to Chicago, Illinois and opend a store there. Returning to Fort Wayne in 1878, Rich built the Rich Hotel and soon relocated to San Jose, California where he managed a meat packing plant. Upon his retirement in 1900 he moved to Los Angeles and built a large home at 6948 Hollywood Boulevard. In 1903 he was elected Hollywood's first mayor, presiding over 1,000 citizens. During his run as mayor he sub-divided several tracts in the area ranging in size from two to sixty acres. In addition, Rich served as chairman of the Hollywood National Bank and Citizens' Savings Bank and was a deacon for the Hollywood Christian Church. Rich died shortly after contracting pneumonia . He is buried next to his first wife, Elizabeth B. Rich, b. January 6, 1837; d. May 25, 1926. It is not known where his second wife, Sarah Miller is interred.

Noted as the first mayor of Hollywood, Rich was educated in pioneer schools and ran away from home at sixteen years of age. He later started a butcher shop in Fort Wayne and later moved on to Chicago, Illinois and opend a store there. Returning to Fort Wayne in 1878, Rich built the Rich Hotel and soon relocated to San Jose, California where he managed a meat packing plant. Upon his retirement in 1900 he moved to Los Angeles and built a large home at 6948 Hollywood Boulevard. In 1903 he was elected Hollywood's first mayor, presiding over 1,000 citizens. During his run as mayor he sub-divided several tracts in the area ranging in size from two to sixty acres. In addition, Rich served as chairman of the Hollywood National Bank and Citizens' Savings Bank and was a deacon for the Hollywood Christian Church. Rich died shortly after contracting pneumonia . He is buried next to his first wife, Elizabeth B. Rich, b. January 6, 1837; d. May 25, 1926. It is not known where his second wife, Sarah Miller is interred.