California

Biography of Henry Weinhard

Henry Weinhard, the leading and oldest brewer of Portland, was born in Lindenbroun, Wurtemberg, Germany, February 18, 1830. After serving a regular apprenticeship and working at the trade of a brewer in Stutgart and other places in Germany he came to the United States in 1851. He first secured employment at his trade in Philadelphia where he remained a year. He then went to Cincinnati and at the end of two years removed to St. Louis, where he remained until 1856, when he came to California and for a short time was located at Sacramento City. In March, 1857, he … Read more

Biography of W. S. Ladd

It is seldom throughout the incipient stages of growth, down to a period covering many years in the development of a progressive commonwealth, that to any one man is accorded a foremost place by general consent. New countries, in these latter days of steam and electricity, develop often with rapidity; new issues are met by new leaders, while those who laid the foundation of society rarely retain their hold on affairs for any extended period of time. In this, however, Oregon has been an exception to the rule, and the career of William Sargent Ladd is a conspicuous example of … Read more

Biography of Earl C. Bronaugh

Bronaugh, Earl C., one of the most prominent attorneys of the State, was born in Abingdon, Virginia, March 4, 1831. He secured his educational advantages in his native town prior to reaching the age of twelve years, when with his parents he moved to Shelby County, Tennessee. They founded a new home in the woods and endured all the privations of pioneer life at that early day. Here Mr. Bronaugh spent six years of his life, assisting his father in the support of the family, after which becoming imbued with the desire to read law he entered the office of … Read more

Biography of Dr. J. C. Hawthorne

For many years the subject of this sketch held a prominent place among the most distinguished medical men of the Pacific Coast. His high professional attainments were matched by a life of conspicuous rectitude and of great public usefulness. He was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1819, and was a son of James and Mary (Donald) Hawthorne, who were of English and Welsh descent. His father was a farmer, but a man of literary attainments and a graduate of Washington College, Pennsylvania. The early life of young Hawthorne was spent in Mercer County, where his elementary education was … Read more

Biography of Thomas J. Holmes

Well remembered by all of the older citizens of Portland and prominently identified with the earlier political and commercial history of the city was Thomas J. Holmes. He was born in Diss, county of Norfolk, England, March 3, 1819, and was a son of William and Mary A. Holmes. His father was a mechanic, who, with the hope of improving his fortunes, migrated to the United States with his family in 1830, and settled in New York City. At this time, Thomas, a bright, robust lad of eleven years, began life’s battle for himself. He secured a position with a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alfred F. Green

Alfred F. Green was one of San Mateo County’s most loyal citizens, spending the greater part of his life within its limits, until his recent death in December 1909. He was a native of Vermont, coming to California as early as 1853, settling first in San Francisco where in 1855 he was married to Mary C. Tilton. In 1858 he moved to San Bruno where he went into the dairy business, remaining there until 1865, when he removed to Millbrae, and established himself there in the same business. At Millbrae he joined with D. O. Mills and was with him … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Guadaloupe Valencia

One of the names that comes to us from the earliest historical records of the county Is that of “Valencia”. The Valencias were large landholders during the early pioneer days of the county and still retain a small portion of these large early holdings in the vicinity of San Bruno, where Mrs. Valencia and some of her daughters are still living in the family home, bordering on the State Highway. Mr. Valencia came from a large family, his brothers being Leonard, Frank, Eustaquio and Antone. His father’s name was Juan Sotelo Valencia. Mrs. Valencia was married fiftytwo years ago at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Daniel Hedge

The name of James Daniel Hedge has been only comparatively recently inscribed upon the scroll of names which includes some of the brainiest men of the countyits newspaper proprietors and editors. Although Mr. Hedge was born in Redwood City, he has been permitted by circumstances only recently to throw in his lot permanently with that city, where he is now the Managing Editor of the Redwood City Democrat. Mr. Hedge received his early education in the Redwood City grammar school and Sequoia Union High School, from which he went to Stanford University, finally fitting himself for a business career by … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel P. Flynn

Daniel P. Flynn was born and raised in San Mateo County, and has spent his busy and useful life in activities which have had the county of his birth for a setting. His recent appointment, on February 7, 1916 to fill the unexpired term of C. D. Hayward (deceased), the former County Assessor, was a signal mark of recognition of the ability which has characterized all his business career. Mr. Flynn was born in Redwood City on November 23, 1875. He attended the public schools of this city, and later embarked in a business career, in which he has successfully … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hugo Pinkney Frear

Mr. Hugo Pinkney Frear, after about thirty years of residence in various parts of California, finally decided, eleven years ago, to go to Burlingame, then a little village. He was one of the first to build here; and so well pleased that he is still residing in this place. Mr. Frear’s profession is that of Naval Architect at the Union Iron Works where he has been associated with Mr. Geo. Dickie in the building of some of the greatest battleships and cruisers of the American Navy. He is a graduate of Oahu College, Honolulu and Worcester Polytechnic Institute at Worcester, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Clarence Decatur Hayward

Mr. Clarence Decatur Hayward was serving his sixth term as Assessor of San Mateo County when his sudden and entirely unexpected death on January 21, 1916, deprived the county of one of its most trusted and highly respected servants. Mr. Hayward was born in 1863, and spent the early part of his life at the home of his parents in Pescadero, San Mateo County. Part of his youth was spent working in his father’s lumber mill where he acquired a knowledge of the lumber business. He was elected Assessor of San Mateo County In 1894, and has held that office … Read more

Biography of Timothy Guy Phelps

Foremost among San Mateo County’s greatest men and best loved pioneer, stands the name of Timothy Guy Phelps, statesman and farmer. Big hearted, strong and lovable, his accomplishments are written large upon the scroll of the county’s greatest achievements, as well as those of the state. Many times a State Assemblyman and Senator, once United States Congressman during Lincoln’s administration, twice Collector of the Port of San Francisco, Regent of the University of California for 21 years and Chairman of the Lick Observatory during that time -these were some of the posts of trust held by Timothy Guy Phelps. Timothy … Read more

Biography of Robert Sheldon Thornton

The life history of Mr. Robert Sheldon Thornton reads more like a narration based on fiction, than the actual events of a most useful and instructive career of one of San Mateo county’s leading citizens. Mr. Thornton was one of the earliest settlers in the county and took an active and unselfish part in the upbuilding of the community, assuming the role of democratic leader for a considerable period. When 33 years old he reached San Francisco, in the year 1852. He did not take the long route around the Horn but came by way of Panama. He crossed the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward Rucker Dixon

One of the most popular young men in the banking circles of San Mateo County is Edward Rucker Dixon, who was born at Merced, California, March 21, 1883. After leaving high school, he secured a position with the bank of Newman, California, where he remained for twelve years, serving faithfully in every branch of the banking business. It is partly due to his efforts that this bank has been developed to one of the most influential banks of the great San Joaquin valley. Mr. Dixon came to the National Bank of San Mateo, January 10, 1916, to fill the position … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward T. McGettigan

About five months ago a new Chamber of Commerce sprang into existence in Redwood City that has already done as much for the advancement of its chosen field, as any similar promotion organization in the entire State. The creator and moving force of this association is Mr. Ed. T. McGettigan who has made community building, trade-development and trade-protection a life study. Mr. McGettigan was born in Vallejo, California, March 3, 1875. Early in life he attended the “College of Hard Knocks,” obtaining his education in a life of practical experience, including in his curriculum, salesmanship, government clerkship; and finally taking … Read more

Biography of John J. McGrath

San Mateo is fortunate in having so many of San Francisco’s substantial business men listed among its residents. John J. McGrath Is one of them who, although burdened with the responsibilities of an Important position, gives painstaking support to every movement for the good of the city and enables the community to ‘reap the benefit of having men of his type as a resident. Mr McGrath is an expert sales manager, having been in this line for twenty-five years. His first sales position was with Swift & Co., when he had emigrated from Ireland and settled In Chicago. Two years … Read more

Pierce, Nathan – Obituary

A message to relatives received in Milton Wednesday, states that Nathan Pierce died in San Francisco, Wednesday, the 26th inst., of heart disease. Mr. Pierce left his home about two weeks ago, going to San Francisco for his health. His son Henry was in San Francisco and was in attendance on his father. The remains will be brought from San Francisco and the funeral will probably take place Sunday at Milton, as the body is expected on today’s train. Nathan Pierce was for many years a prominent figure in politics of Umatilla county and the state of Oregon. In 1892 … Read more

Biography of Lilburn H. Murray

Mr. Murray is the son of John and Sarah (Luttree) Murray, and was born in Crawford county, Missouri, September, 1834. His parents came to Greene county, Mo., and settled seven miles northwest of Springfield, where they lived one year and then moved to Grand Prairie, where L. H. was reared and educated. At the age of twenty-one, he went to California, where he was engaged in the stock and mercantile business for about ten years. He returned to Springfield, Mo., in September, 1866, and soon went into the hardware business. The firm was McGregor & Murray for some five years, … Read more