Ralston, Dulcie Mae Ross Mrs. – Obituary

Dulcie Ralston, 92, of Baker City, died March 7, 2005, at her home. Her memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Jack Bynum of the United Methodist Church will officiate. Dulcie Mae Ross Ralston was born Dec. 24, 1912, at Mandan, N.D., to Edgar Ross and Daisy Eileen Wheeler Ross. When she was 6 she moved with her family to Oregon City. When she was 13 the family moved to Boulder Creek, Calif., where she met Rollie Ralston. They were married on July 15, 1932. Their daughter, Barbara, was born June … Read more

Biography of George Carl Plump

George Carl Plump is one of Redwood City’s citizens who can really say that he grew up with the town. Born in Redwood City 45 years ago when Redwood City was a scant settlement, Mr. Plump has watched a full-fledged city gradually unfold and cover the green fields and pastures that he used to romp over as a boy. Mr. Plump never wavered from his belief that the town of his birth was destined to become a thriving commercial city. After receiving his education in Redwood schools, Mr. Plump’s business activities over several years finally focused on Plump’s Grocery store, … Read more

Beery, Donald Vernon – Obituary

Memorial services for Don V. Beery, 81, of 2944 NW 29th St., are planned at 11 a.m. Wednesday at DeMoss-Durdan Garden Chapel. Members of the Masonic Lodge A.F.&A.M., No. 14, will conduct Masonic rites. Mr. Beery died Sunday [February 7, 1982] at the Corvallis Manor. Private cremation will take place at the DeMoss-Durban Crematory. He was born March 9, 1900 to A. A. Beery and Minerva Douthitt Beery in Lebanon, Mo. From 1917 until 1919 he served with the military in England and France during World War I. In 1920 he and Emily Smith were married. She died in 1931. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. William Ansyl Brooke

Dr. Brooke was born 52 years ago at Dranion Springs, a little town near Placerville in El Dorado County. He studied medicine at Cooper Medical College in San Francisco, and practiced first in Sacramento, as intern in the City and County Hospital, later moving to Alameda. He came to Halfmoon Bay, eleven years ago, and has resided there ever since. He is a member of the San Mateo Medical Society, State Medical Society and American Medical Association. He was appointed Coroner and Public Administrator on April 7, 1915, which term he is now serving. His personal popularity and professional ability … Read more

Cowden, Robert – Obituary

Joseph, Oregon Robert “Bob” Cowden of Joseph died May 10, 2006, at his son’s home in Davis, Calif. He was 74. Mr. Cowden was born Oct. 8, 1931, in Oakland, Calif., to Earl and Margaret Cowden. He spent vacations as a child with his grandparents on their coffee plantation in Managua, Nicaragua. He graduated from Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif., in 1950. He then enrolled at the University of California at Davis, but his education was put on hold because of the Korean War. After completing a tour in the Navy he returned to the university. It was there … Read more

History of Piedmont California, 1853-1953

Queen of the Hills: The Story of Piedmont, A California City

“Queen of the Hills” is a historical account that explores the rich and detailed history of Piedmont, a picturesque city located in Alameda County, California. Authored by Evelyn Craig Pattiani, this book delves into the city’s development from its early days through various significant periods, providing a chronicle of its growth and transformation.

Biographical Sketch of Kenneth Milton Green

Kenneth M. Green, one of the County’s most promising and successful young attorneys, maintains his offices at San Mateo, in which City, he enjoys a large and growing practice. Mr. Green is essentially a local product, having come with his parents to San Mateo County at an early age. He is a graduate of the San Mateo Grammar School and a member of the first graduating class from the San Mateo Union High School, and is, at present writing, President of the Alumni Association of the latter institution. After attending Stanford University, he studied law. in one of the leading … Read more

Ames, Maggie P. Mrs. – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon Died, in Oakland, California, January 7, 1925, Mrs. Maggie P. Ames, age 89 years. Maggie Pelham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrenus Peham, was born at Malone, Clinton county, Iowa. In 1861 she was married to George W. Ames and started as a bride across the plains in a prairie schooner. They landed in the Grande Ronde Valley in 1862. It is said they were the first white folks to cross the river to where Cove now stands. They purchased a tract of land that suited them, and today Union is built on a considerable portion … Read more

Biography of L. J. F. Jaeger

The following biographical sketch of L. J. F. Jaeger was furnished me by his son, now living at Tucson: “My father, L. J. F. Jaeger, was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He worked as a mechanic in the Baldwin shops, Philadelphia. Later was appointed mechanic in the arsenal at Washington, D. C. In the latter part of 1848, he took the first sailing vessel out of Philadelphia bound for San Francisco, the ‘Mason. ‘ On reaching San Francisco he worked for a while as a carpenter. At that time the Bay extended to Montgomery Street. He was then employed as … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. C. Tuchsen

It is probably true that the real estate operator has the opportunity as well as the responsibility of doing more actual good ‘for the county that he represents than any other profession. He brings settlers and home seekers and builds up the county in more ways than one. This is particularly true of Mr. Tuchsen whose election to serve as President of the Redwood City Board of Trade and San Mateo County Development Association as well as City Trustee of Redwood City, amply testifies. Mr. Tuchsen was born on February 11, 1864 in Germany. He came to America when comparatively … Read more

Biography of Keith Earl Sprague

Keith Earl Sprague. Among the men whose ability and high personal character have lent strength and solidity to the financial institutions of Wilson County, Keith Earl Sprague occupies a recognized place. A man of broad experience in various fields of business life, since 1913 he had been identified with the Benedict State Bank in the capacity of president, and through his shrewd and careful direction of its affairs had made this institution one of the substantial banking houses of the county. Mr. Sprague was born in Wilson County, Kansas, November 26, 1881, and is a son of C. A. and … Read more

Cracraft, Douglas L. – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Douglas L. “Doug” Cracraft died July 25, 2006, at his home. He was 72. Mr. Cracraft was born Sept. 23, 1933 in Hillsborough, Kan to Orrin and Viola Orpin Cracraft. After his schooling, he joined the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. He was with the Mountaineer Division. He served for seven years in the regular army and ten years in the reserves. He attended college for four years studying forestry and fire science. Mr. Cracraft became a fireman in Pleasanton, Calif. where he retired as a Captain after serving the department for 20 years. On April … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. H. Weis

Weis, S. H.; architect; born, New York City, September, 1888; educated in the grammar and High Schools of Cleveland, and University of California; married in Cleveland in 1911; pres. and treas. Esplanade Realty Co.; member Chamber of Commerce.

Tierney, Lucy E. – Obituary

Lucy E. Tierney Enterprise, Oregon T.C. Bunnell, received word last week of the death of his daughter, Mrs. E.W. Tierney at Richmond, California. Mrs. Tierney has been in failing health for some time, and went to California last fall in hopes of benefit to her health. Her mother, Mrs. T.C. Bunnell of this place, was with her at the time of her death having gone there just one week previous in response to a telegram telling of her daughter’s serious condition. Wallowa County Reporter Thursday June 26, 1919 Lucy E. Tierney, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. T.C. Bunnell was born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Arthur M. Blackman

ARTHUR M. BLACKMAN. – This young gentleman, a flourishing grocer of Snohomish, is a native of Penobscot county, Maine, and was born in 1865. While he was but a boy his parents went to Michigan, living at Bay City, and four years later brought him with them to California, making their residence at Oakland, and giving their son the benefit of the excellent educational advantages of that city. In 1885 he began to seek business of his own, and found employment with Blackman Brothers, at Snohomish. He made such good use of his earnings thus acquired as to be able, … Read more

Baxter, B. Irene Abercrombie Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon B. Irene Baxter, 82, of Baker City, died Nov. 12, 2005, at her home. There will be a celebration of her life at 2 p.m. Thursday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Jon Privett of the First Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Private burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for food and fellowship afterward in the Blue Mountain Room of the Sunridge Inn, 1 Sunridge Lane. Irene was born at Oakland, Calif., in 1923 to Dave and Ella Abercrombie. She spent … Read more

Ormsby, Morris A. – Obituary

Suddenly, in Oakland, November 1, 1961, beloved husband of Irene A. Ormsby; loving father of Duane M. Ormsby; grandfather of Debbie and Duane Ormsby; brother of Grace O. Taylor of Santa Clara. A native of Oroville; aged 64 years. A member of Encinal Lodge No. 164, IOOF of Alameda and Sunset Encampment No. 25. Friends are respectfully invited to attend funeral services Friday, November 3, at 2 p.m. at the Fruitvale Chapel of the Clarence N. Cooper Mortuaries, 1580 Fruitvale Avenue. Entombment, Mountain View Mausoleum, Oakland. Oakland Tribune, November 2, 1961 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Biography of Peter Goyette

PETER GOYETTE.- Energetic and enterprising, the subject of this sketch has passed a life of marked activity in the various places where he has migrated, having been in Union county for one-third of a century in which time he has been one of the most successful of its army of agriculturists and stockmen. Mr. Goyette is possessed of all the fervor of the Gallic nature with its vividness and practical powers of accomplishment, and although not native born, has like so many of that noted race, made a most commendable record for patriotism and stability in stanch support of the … Read more

Monroe, Harold R. “Hal” – Obituary

Harold R. “Hal” Monroe, 88, who with his wife founded the McEwen Bible Fellowship in the 1950s, died June 6, 2005, surrounded by family and his faithful dog, Ginger. His memorial service was June 17 at the Roseburg Christian Fellowship. He was born on July 28, 1916, at Orland, Calif. He was raised on a nursery in California and loved fruit. He worked for Douglas Aircraft for 26 years, retiring on June 6, 1976, as branch manager of telemetry and radio communications. He developed seven patented inventions while working for Douglas, including the air/sea rescue unit still being used by … Read more

History of Alameda County California

Early Day Surveyor Scene

Leslie J. Freeman’s “Alameda County: Past and Present” is a historical account of the development of Alameda County in California. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the native Indian tribes who inhabited the area to the Spanish Dons who claimed vast ranchos, and the early American settlers who established cities like Oakland and San Leandro. Freeman details the founding of missions, the development of transportation and industry, the evolution of social life, and the establishment of government institutions. The text also provides biographies of key figures in the county’s history, including William Heath Davis, Jose Joaquin Estudillo, and Anthony Chabot. Freeman emphasizes the importance of the Spanish Missions in the early development of California and describes the evolution of the county from a sparsely populated, agricultural area to a major center of industry and commerce.