San Francisco County CA

Biography of Noyes B. Holbrook

Mr. Holbrook dates his residence in Idaho from 1862, and is therefore one of its pioneer settlers. He has witnessed almost the entire growth and development of the state, and has largely aided in its progress and advancement, neglecting no duty of citizenship and withholding his support and cooperation from no measure for the public good. He is now proprietor of the roller-process flouring mill at Juliaetta, and is an enterprising business man whose honorable methods commend him to the confidence and secure him the patronage of a large portion of the community with which he is connected. Mr. Holbrook … 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

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 Joseph Alexander

There is ever an element of interest in the history of a self-made man, one who starts out in life empty-handed and wrests fortune from an adverse fate. Obstacles and difficulties are encountered, but to the man of resolute purpose these but call for renewed effort and serve as stepping stones to something higher. The life record of Mr. Alexander stands in exemplification of what may be accomplished in this free land of ours, where the man of ambition and determination is unhampered by caste or class. He was born in Adelsheim, in the grand duchy of Baden, Germany, on … Read more

Biography of Michael J. Shields

The life of Michael Joseph Shields affords an illustration of the vicissitudes of business under modern conditions; it emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing at the right time, and it teaches a lesson of patience under difficulties and perseverance against obstacles, a lesson that should not be lost upon all of the many who need it. It is suggestive in another way, too, because it affords an example, in addition to many others that have been given in the past, of the excellent quality of the sturdy Irish-American character. Mr. Shields, who is one of the most enterprising … Read more

Mikkelsen, N. B. – Obituary

N.B. Mike Mikkelsen, 57, of Fort Bragg, Calif., died Dec. 30 in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital after a long illness. He was born in Webster, N.D., Mikkelsen was a graduate of the University of North Dakota where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. A veteran of World War II, Mr. Mikkelsen was formerly sales representative of Northwest Air Lines in San Francisco. His wife, Polly Noyes, was a widely-published travel writer and travel editor of the San Francisco Chronicle. She died last year. Mikkelsen will be buried beside his wife in Little River Cemetery in Mendocino County, … Read more

Biography of Henry Wax

Henry Wax, president of the board of trustees of Grangeville and one of her most enterprising business men, claims California as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in San Francisco, on the 4th of August, 1859. His parents were Jacob and Amelia (Elkles) Wax natives of Germany, who located in California in pioneer days. The year 1852 witnessed their arrival in the Golden state, where the father carried on merchandising in several towns up to the time of his death. He passed away in his forty-fourth year, his estimable wife having been called to the home beyond … 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

Biographical Sketch of Fred A. Cunningham

South San Francisco has a reputation of getting almost everything it goes after for the reason that most of its big men are unselfishly imbued with civic pride and interest, or in the language of the streets are “live ones.” Among these “live ones” is Fred A. Cunningham, real estate dealer and trustee and formerly mayor of South San Francisco. Mr. Cunningham is a worker for South San Francisco and the county at large. He was one of the organizers and is at present a member of the Board of Governors of the San Mateo County Development Association. He was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Arthur J. Belton

Dr. Arthur J. Belton, dentist of Burlingame, stands prominently among the large class of young professional men who have selected San Mateo County for their field of practice. When Dr. Belton took his degree at the University of California in 1910 he was confronted with the most important question of his career, where to locate and establish his practice. A painstaking and thorough investigation, which is characteristic of Dr. Belton, was made before he paid Burlingame the high compliment of deciding that it was the field of greatest opportunity for a young man starting out in a profession. Dr. Belton … Read more

Biography of Ezra Baird

In the year which witnessed the arrival of so many of Idaho’s prominent pioneers. 1862 this gentleman cast in his lot with the early settlers, and through the period which has since elapsed he has been an important factor in the development and progress of the state. He is a native of Schoharie County, New York, born May 11, 1839, and is of Scotch and English descent. His ancestors came to America in colonial days and the maternal great-grandfather of our subject. Major Norton, fought throughout the struggle for independence. Joseph Baird, the father of our subject, was born in … Read more

Flores, Jose C. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Jose C. Flores, 85, a resident of Baker City, died Aug. 26, 2003, at his home. At his request, there will be no service. Arrangements were under the direction of Coles Funeral Home. Jose was born Dec. 8, 1917, in Manzanillo, Mexico. He came to the United States as an infant and lived in San Francisco most of his life. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941 through 1945. He engaged in battle at Papua, New Guinea and received many honors from the Army, including the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Service Medal with two Bronze Battle Stars. … Read more

Biography of J. D. C. Thiessen

One of the best known and most successful sheep-raisers and wool-growers of Idaho is J. D. C. Thiessen, of Lewiston. A native of Holstein, Germany, he was born February 16, 1843, and is of Danish ancestry, although his parents, John D. and Alary (Hanchild) Thiessen, were both natives of Germany. The father was a farmer and trader. In religious faith both he and his wife were Lutherans, and the former lived to be fifty-four years of age, while the mother departed this life in her fifty-sixth year. Mr. Thiessen of this review is the fourth in their family of seven … Read more

Warnecke, Nancylee Nielsen Mrs. – Obituary

Nancylee Warnecke, 76, a resident of Baker City, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. At her request, cremation was held and a family memorial service will be held at a later date. Nancy was born June 7, 1928, in Los Angeles, Calif. She was a daughter of Clinton and Gertrude (Rassmussen) Nielsen. She received her education in the San Francisco Bay area and made her home there. She assisted her parents in operating a large swimming pool, in the Bay Area. In 1999, she moved to Baker City to be closer to her daughter. She enjoyed … Read more

Biography of Frank Zan

Frank Zan, the subject of this sketch, is of Slavonic descent and was born in 1851 in Stavigrard, Dalmatia, while that county was under Austrian rule. After completing his education in the public school of his native town, he was admitted to the Convent of the Dominican Fathers, with the intention of becoming one of their order. After studying theology for nearly two years at that school, he concluded to abandon the idea of devoting his life to ministerial work; and- not wishing to be drafted into military service, to which duty every young man is subject in that country, … 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

Wood, Lord, Adelyn – Obituary

Funeral services for Adelyn W. Lord, 69, 2250 4th Street will be conducted a 11 a. m. Tuesday, April 28, at the Beatty Chapel. The Rev. Merle W. Burres will officiate with internment in Hillcrest Cemetery, at La Grande, Oregon. Mrs. Lord was born July 8, 1896, at Columbus, Nebraska, the daughter of George S. (Sedgewick) and Nancy Ellen (Bunney) Wood, and attended school in Columbus, Missouri. She received her nurses training in California, and practiced nursing in Letterman General Hospital, at the Presidio, in San Francisco, and the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Los Angeles. She had been a resident … Read more

Elbert S. Todd of Los Angeles CA

Elbert S. Todd

Elbert S. Todd8, (Gabriel H.7, John6, John5, John4, John3, John2, Christopher1) born Feb. 9, 1845, in Rome Center, Mich., married: (1) June 11, 1867, Emma N. Shaw, who was born in 1848, in New York; (2) April 20, 1898, Emma Grubitz. Resided in China, and Napa, Cahuenga, San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles California. Children by Emma N. Shaw: 1832. Fred Foster Todd, born Sept. 12, 1868 in Kieu Kiang, China, married Oct. 23, 1895, Fannie Pruitt who was born May 10, 1875, in Crisfield, Maryland. He is now (1919) a Surgeon Dentist in Crisfield, Maryland. where they reside. Children: … Read more

Biography of Relf Bledsoe

The days of chivalry and knighthood in Europe cannot furnish more interesting or romantic tales than our own western history. Into the wild mountain fastnesses of the unexplored west went brave men, whose courage was often called forth in encounters with hostile savages. The land was rich in all natural resources, in gold and silver, in agricultural and commercial possibilities, and awaited the demands of man to yield up its treasures, but its mountain heights were hard to climb, its forests difficult to penetrate, and the magnificent trees, the dense bushes or the jagged rocks often sheltered the skulking foe, … Read more