Beryl Deane Harrell was born on September 23, 1918 in Vancouver, Washington, the family eventually relocated to Los Angeles, California. Hawaiian music was very popular throughout the 1920s, 1930s, and the 1940s-Beryl was taught how to play the steel guitar by Sol Hoʻopiʻi, who was acknowledged to be one of the greatest steel guitarists in history. Hoʻopiʻi taught lessons in Los Angeles which is where he taught Beryl Harrell.
Born the son of German immigrants on February 7, 1855, Henry J. Bohn worked first on the family farm, then as a telegrapher and in a printing office before moving to Chicago in 1876. At age twenty-three, he became foreman in a newspaper office; this initial work in publishing led to a lifetime of work as owner and editor of Hotel World, which he purchased in 1879. For many years, Bohn worked alongside his brother, John J.