Biography of Loren Coburn

Although a resident of Pescadero, the active years of Mr. Coburn’s life have been spent in the mining regions of California and the growing cities of Oakland and San Francisco. Loren Coburn was born in Berlin, Orange County, Vermont, January 11, 1826, with New England blood, a promise of future success. When ten years of age, his home was changed to Massachusetts, where he remained until he started for California in 1851. He shipped from New York on the steamer Falcon, bound for Cuba. After passing over the Isthmus of Panama he took passage on the ship Panama, arriving in … 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

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

Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe

Shoalwater Reserve, Nisqually Agency

The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe is located in southwestern Washington State, primarily in Pacific County. Their reservation is situated near the shores of Willapa Bay, a significant estuarine bay on the Pacific Ocean. The closest towns include Tokeland and Raymond. This area is characterized by its coastal environment, including beaches, wetlands, and dense forests, providing a rich natural habitat that has supported the tribe for generations. The Shoalwater Reservation was first established by Presidential Executive Order on September 22, 1866. A 355-acre piece of land was set aside by President Johnson for “miscellaneous Indian purposes.” Includes those Shoalwater Bay tribe members included in both the 1900 census and 1919 unenrolled schedule of Washington Indians.

Bathurst, Angus J. ‘Slim’ – Obituary

Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Chapel of the Brusie Funeral Home for A. J. “Slim” Bathurst, 74, of McKinleyville, Humboldt County. Bathurst died Tuesday [November 16, 1976] in McKinleyville. Born in Oakland Nov. 10, 1902, he moved to Cohasset with his parents as a small child. He was educated in the Cohasset and Chico schools. As a young man, he worked in the woods and as a construction worker. He was employed for many years at Richardson Springs when it operated as a hotel. He then purchased the White Elephant Saloon on Second Street and … Read more

Biography of G. A. Sprecher, M. D.

G. A. Sprecher, M. D., formerly a practicing physician of Cincinnati, Ohio, and now the proprietor of the well-known “Colton Pharmacy,” which is located in the center of the city, has been a resident of Colton since 1884. The Doctor has found time to identify himself with and aid in the business and public enterprises which wrought the wonderful change in the city of Colton during the five years antedating 1889. His drug store, the Colton Pharmacy, is one of the most complete in the city, and a credit to any community, for Dr. Sprecher is a thorough master of … Read more

Biography of Edwin Caldwell

Edwin Caldwell, of Riverside, was born in Putnam County, New York, September 13, 1824. His father, Absalom Caldwell, was a native of that State, and a farmer by occupation. Mr. Caldwell was reared upon his father’s farm, and educated in the public schools. In 1846, deciding to seek his home in the great west, he went to Wisconsin, and located in Washington County, establishing his residence in the town of West Bend. There, in partnership with his brother, he built saw and flour mills, and was prominent in building up the pioneer industries of that section. The California gold fever … 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

DeHart, Betty Rosa Evans Mrs. – Obituary

Richland, Oregon Betty Rosa DeHart was born in Richland to Alvin and Rosa Evans in April 16, 1926. She passed away peacefully at her current residence Quail Hollow, on Sept. 28, 2004. Memorial services were held Monday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m. at Northwest United Protestant Church. Interment followed in sunset Memorial Gardens. She graduated from Eagle Valley High School and moved to Portland to work as a telegraph operator. She then moved to Oakland, Calif., where she met her future husband. She married Lloyd DeHart on Sept. 3, 1946. They moved to Richland, Wash., in 1947. She was employed by … Read more

Ruckman, Virgil Audmer – Obituary

Imbler, Union County, Oregon Virgil Ruckman, age 74, former resident of Imbler, died Tuesday, Feb 25, at Oakland, Calif.. Ruckman was born on April 27, 1900, at Alicel, the son of Samuel and Lillian Ruckman. On June 10, 1922, he was married to Bessie Kasinger of Imbler. After farming in the Imbler area for a year they moved to Oakland,Calif. Survivors include his daughters, Mrs. William [Betty Gene] Graybeal and Mrs.. George [Audrea] Seitz, both of Oakland; sister, Mrs. Dale [Lucretia] Brookshire, Imbler, brother, Clark Ruckman, La Grande; stepbrother, Walter Phillips, Salem: two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and other relatives and … 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

Biographical Sketch of William H. Brown

No person is more responsible for San Mateo County’s highway system than William H. Brown, Supervisor from the Second Township. The scenic boulevards which lure thousands of autoists into the county every day is a realization of Brown’s dream of years ago. The second township shows Brown’s good roads mania. Practically all its paved roads and boulevards have been built during his term of office. At a cost of $10,000 he has just completed the resurfacing of the road from Beresford to Redwood City. As a member of the Board of Supervisors and chairman for one term, Brown has worked … Read more

Ruckman, Bessie G. – Obituary

Former Imbler resident Bessie G. Ruckman died May 3 in Oakland, Calif. She was 81. Mrs. Ruckman was born Nov 4, 1903, in Jackson, Mo., to Thomas and Sophronia Kasinger. She and her family moved to Imbler in 1912. She married Virgil Audmer Ruckman of Alicel on June 10, 1922. In 1924, the couple moved to Oakland. Mrs. Ruckman was an employee of the Pacific Telephone Co., until she retired in 1957. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1975. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Betty Gene Graybeal of Oakland, and Mrs. Audrea C. Carero of Castro Valley, … Read more

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

Biography of Edgar J. Webster

EDGAR J. WEBSTER. – Mr. Webster not only has a claim upon our interests as a citizen of Washington Territory, but also as a veteran of the war. Born in Michigan in 1847, he was of an age, at the commencement of hostilities, to enter the army, whither his father and three brothers had already gone. At the battle of Cold Harbor, he was shot through both legs, and after a year’s confinement in the hospital returned home and pursued the legal and special literary course at the State University. During the last year of his course, he was appointed … Read more

Sacramento California Police Mug Books 1864-1949

Mug Book cropped

Mug Books of the past have been replaced by computer databases now, but back before the days of computers and databases, they served as an effective method for Police Departments to keep track of past criminals and wanted people. The Sacramento Police Department has generously provided these scanned images to archive.org for free access to everyone. If you are not aware if one of your ancestors may have been arrested for a crime, then I suggest you first search the newspaper records available online for free of Sacramento California, so that you have a year span to choose from. Unless you’re like me and just like perusing the old mug shots…

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

Biographical Sketch of Arthur Douglas Baldwin

Baldwin, Arthur Douglas; lawyer; born, Hawaiian Islands, Apr. 8, 1876; son of Henry P. and Emily Alexander Baldwin; educated, Oakland, Cal., High School; Hotchkiss School, Conn.; Yale, B. A.; Harvard Law School, LL. B.; married, Cleveland, June 17, 1902, Reba Louise Williams: 5 children, Henry, Louise, Fred, Alexander and Sarah; with Judge Daniel Babat of Crestline served on commission to codify Ohio Children’s Law, 191142; candidate on Progressive ticket for State representation in 1912 (unsuccessful); member Brathenal School Board 1910-13; member troop A, O. N. G., 1901-3; organized law firm of Crowell & Baldwin in 1908; this firm dissolved in … 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.

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