San Francisco California

Biography of Hon. Henry Montague Willis

Hon. Henry Montague Willis, San Bernardino, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, September 21. 1831. His ancestors were among the first English settlers of the colony of Virginia and Maryland prior to the Revolution. His father, Mr. Henry H. Willis, was a captain in the merchant marine, with whom the subject of this memoir made a number of voyages before he was twelve years of age, alternating between school and the sea. At the age of twelve he adopted a seafaring life, and during six years’ sailing the briny deep he visited the ports of the Mediterranean, England, France, Ireland, Rio … Read more

Biography of Andrew Roberts

ANDREW ROBERTS. – Andrew Roberts was born in Dundee, Scotland, August 12, 1822. When one year old he had lost both of his parents. He was then removed to Forfar. As soon as he was of proper age he learned the trade of a tailor, and when he had earned and saved sufficient money he left his native land for the United States. He thus states that venture: “I left my home in 1842, and on foot started to Dundee, distant fourteen miles. I took the steamer from there to Edinburgh, and traveled thence by rail to Glasgow. I then … Read more

Biography of Donald W. McLeod

Donald W. Mcleod is one of the prominent and well-known citizens of Riverside and has been identified with many of the leading public enterprises of the colony for the decade of years preceding 1890. Mr. McLeod is a native of Nova Scotia, born at Scotsburn, Pictou County, November 18, 1841. His parents, Duncan R. and Annie (Fraser) McLeod, were of Scotch descent. Mr. McLeod was reared upon his father’s farm, and early in life became familiar with the practical duties of farm life. He was given the advantages of a good education, and at nineteen years of age graduated at … Read more

Dale, Harry L. – Obituary

Death Of Former Baker Man Told A retired U. S. Army colonel died Nov. 14 at San Francisco, it was reported today. Col. Harry L. Dale, a member of the American Medical Association and Retired officers Association was a native of Baker. Services were scheduled to be held this afternoon at San Francisco with interment to follow at the San Francisco National Cemetery. Contributions to Col. Harry L. Dale Scholarship Fund at the University of Oregon are preferred. The Democrat-Herald; Baker, OR; Wednesday, 18 November 1964.

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Bradford Leavitt

Rev. Leavitt is a minister of the Gospel; he is indeed more than this, for he is the pioneer in a new vocation in which his qualifications as a minister fit him for the perfect administration of his self imposed combined duties of clergyman and funeral director. When Rev. Leavitt entered this new field comparatively recently, opinion was divided as to the wisdom of his decision. Today the many hundreds whom he has served in this double and truly Christian role will testify that he was most certainly right in his decision; as he has proved that he could with … Read more

Biography of Oscar F. Brunzell

Since seven years of age Oscar F. Brunzell has been a resident of Owyhee County and is now residing in Silver City, where he is faithfully discharging the duties of assessor and tax collector. A native of Sweden, he was born January 5. 1864 and is a son of J. M. Brunzell who is now serving as postmaster of Reynolds, Owyhee county. In 1868 the father came to Idaho, and in 1871 sent for his family, who joined him, since which time they have resided continuously in Owyhee county. He is a stock-raiser and proprietor of a hotel and successfully … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Reginald E. Mcdonald, M. D.

Reginald E. Mcdonald, M. D., has been in the active practice of medicine in San Bernardino since 1884. He is a native of the city of Toronto, Canada, born in 1856, and obtained his literary education in Victoria University and Upper Canada College. He spent one year studying for his profession in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Toronto, and three years in the California Medical College at San Francisco, and was graduated at the latter in 1883. Before coming to California, Dr. McDonald spent a year and a half, 1881-’82, on North Georgian Bay, as surgeon for a … Read more

Biography of William M. Higgins, Dr.

Dr. William M. Higgins, pharmacist on Central avenue, Anaheim, was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, June 18, 1826. He was educated at Princeton College, at which he was graduated in 1845, with the degree of A. B. He read medicine for a period of two years, and February 22, 1849, started for California on the bark St. Mary. He remained in Rio Janeiro ten months, then went aboard the ship William Brandt, bound for San Francisco, at which place he arrived in July, 1850, having been ship’s doctor during the voyage. After his arrival in San Francisco he was … Read more

Lehman, Holly Jean – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Holly Jean Lehman, 51, of La Grande died Sept. 1 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Boise. A celebration of life and potluck reception will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday Sept. 9 at the home of her mother, Jean Enderlin, 277 W. Bryan St. in Union. Ms. Lehman was born April 18, 1955, to Ernest and Jean Smith Lehman in San Francisco, Calif. She graduated from high school in Colton, and lived in Berkley, Calif., until 2002 when she moved to La Grande. She enjoyed gardening, crafts, astrology and cats. Survivors include her companion, Dan Nelson of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of F. P. Morrison

F. P. Morrison, President of the First National Bank of Redlands, is a “native son of the Golden West,” being born in the city of San Francisco. His father, A. L. Morrison, came from Ohio in 1854, and was a successful businessman for many years. The subject of this sketch came to Redlands in 1882. He had considerable money, and being pleased with the location, and believing that there was a bright future for the place, he bought forty acres of land and put out 300 orange trees the first year. The improvements he has since made on this place … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Horace W. Amphlett

Brilliant futures are In store for some of San Mateo county’s young men. Among these is H. W. Amphlett, formerly assistant postmaster of San Mateo and amateur playwright. Famed not only for his literary talents but admired for his sterling character, rare personality and keen ability, Horace Amphlett easily takes a place among the best liked young men on the peninsula. After acquiring his early education in the San Francisco schools, Mr. Amphlett continued his studies in San Mateo graduating from the local high school in 1908. He immediately went Into the postoffice and in only two years he worked … Read more

Chandler, Herberta G. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Herberta G. Chandler, 91, of Baker City, died Oct. 25, 2004, at her home in Baker City. Her graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Jack Bynum of the United Methodist Church will officiate. Herberta was born on Jan. 27, 1913, at Baker City to Herbert and Linda Bodmer Chandler. She attended Baker City schools. After completing her college education, she worked as a clinical social worker with a master of social work degree. She pursued her career in the San Francisco Bay area helping many families. Upon retirement she moved … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nathan Brown

The worthy pioneer and capable business man of whom we now have the privilege of speaking is one of the leaders in the business realm of Burns, being senior member of the firm of N. Brown & Sons, general merchants, who have one of the largest stocks in the county and do a mammoth business, being well established and highly esteemed by all. Mr. Brown was born in Germany, in January, 1835, and at the age of thirteen years came to America. In 1852 he came via Cape Horn to San Francisco, and thence to Oregon City, where he engaged … 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

Childers, Wallace – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Wallace Childers, Son of Pioneer Family, Dies Relatives here yesterday received word of the death of Wallace Childers, 61, yard master for Southern Pacific, at Dunsmuir, yesterday in a San Francisco hospital. He is a former La Grande resident, son of a pioneer family, and at one time was a professional baseball player with the Weiser team when Walt Johnson was pitching for the. Childers attended the local schools. Survivors include his wife of Dunsmuir, a daughter in Los Angeles, two sisters, Mrs. Della Wagner and Olive Childers, brigadier in the Salvation Army, and a … Read more

Biography of Walter Allen Jones

This gentleman is the senior member of the law firm of Jones & Morphy, of Wallace, and holds a position of distinctive precedence at the bar of northern Idaho, by reason of his eminent ability as counsel and advocate. He was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1855, and is a son of Joseph D. and Catherine A. (Kaercher) Jones, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and spent their entire lives in that state, as had their ancestors since early colonial days. The father died at the age of forty-five years, and the mother was called to her final … Read more

Biography of Hon. Charles Eisebeis

This wealthy resident of Port of Washington gained his eminence by sturdy industry and sagacious investment during the pioneer days. He is a native of Prussia, was born in 1832, and the fifth in a family of ten children. Of his father he learned the trade of a baker, and was prepared upon his arrival in America in 1856 to earn thereby, in company with his brother, an independent livelihood at Rochester, New York. In 1858 he came via Panama to San Francisco, and in the fall of the same year arrived at Port Townsend. He here opened a shop … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Debenedetti

The life of a successful father, standing before him as an example, Joseph Debenedetti forsook Italy’s sunny skies for the western lands of California. His father, John came to the United States in 1855, and in 1856 removed to the west. He mined for a short period, engaged in the mercantile business in San Francisco, and then went to Santa Clara where he died. Joseph Debenedetti was born in 1849. When only six years old he firmly made up his active mind to follow his father across the sea. In 1867 he set out for San Francisco via’ Central America, … Read more

Kreider, Mary Margaret Trotter Vaughan Mrs. – Obituary

Mary Margaret Trotter Vaughan Kreider, 92, of Gleneden Beach, a former Baker City resident, died March 29, 2006, at Newport. There will be no service. Mary grew up in Baker City. She attended Mills College in San Francisco. She married Robert F. Vaughan in 1935. The couple had three children: Susan, Trotter and John. They lived at Baker City until 1956, when Robert died. She married Charles M. Kreider of Bend in 1963. The couple moved to Bend and then to Portland. Charles died in 1975 and then she moved to Scottsdale, Ariz. She later moved to Newport to be … Read more

Wolfe, J. T. – Obituary

Former Union Resident Dies In California The San Anselmo (California) Herald gives the following account of the death of J. T. Wolfe, who, with his wife and three sons, made their home in South Union some years ago. John Taylor Wolfe, 83, a pioneer and educator of Wyoming, who had been a resident of San Anselmo for 12 years, died Saturday morning in a San Francisco hospital following an illness of two weeks. He had been in failing health since the death of his wife, Mrs. Bessie Wolfe, two years ago. Born in Indiana, Mr. Wolfe, with his parents had … Read more