San Jose California Genealogy

Biography of Marcus A. Means

The successful career of Marcus Asbury Means, of Genesee, is an illustration of the trite saying that brains and perseverance will make their way against all obstacles. Yet it is the multiplication of this illustration in all parts of our country that makes America one of the great powers of the earth. Mr. Means may be said to have been a child of war. He was born at Seabrook, Illinois, October 16, 1862, while his father was fighting for the preservation of the Union on southern battlefields, a service in which he yielded up his life in defense of his … Read more

Biography of Laurits Walse Therkelsen

Laurits Walse Therkelsen was born in Denmark, twelve miles east of Copenhagen, in 1842. He had limited educational advantages and early in life became apprenticed to the carpenter’s trade, at which he worked in his native town until he arrived at the age of eighteen years when he came to America, and, in 1861, landed in San Francisco. Here for the next ten years he followed his trade with the exception of one year at San Jose, when he engaged in contracting. In 1871, he came to Portland and for ten years following was largely engaged in contracting and building … Read more

Sacramento California Police Mug Books 1864-1949

Mug Books of the past have been replaced by computer databases now, but back before the days of computers and databases, they served as an effective method for Police Departments to keep track of past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 Dr. F. Holmes Smith

Dr. F. Holmes Smith is a comparatively young man, yet he has already passed through a most interesting career, one phase of which was a stirring trip up into the frozen north where he faithfully followed the call of medical duty in Alaska, upon the shores of the Behring Sea, as the company doctor for the North American Commercial Company. Upon his return to civilization he took up the less arduous duties of a practicing physician and surgeon at San Bruno in 1909. Dr. Smith was born at Lake City, Minnesota, on October 29, 1879, and received his college education … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ambrose McSweeney

San Mateo County’s officialdom has not a more popular and efficient member than Ambrose McSweeney of South San Francisco who for the past five years has been Tax Collector. Mr. McSweeney is serving his second term of office, being returned to that position at the last county election by a majority that stamped his popularity. The standard of efficiency in the Tax Collector’s office was never higher than during Mr. McSweeney’s regime. He has supplemented his own competency and ability by a staff of high-class deputies. They have put this important function of the county’s government into such a splendid … Read more

Biography of Judge James H. Fee

JUDGE JAMES H. FEE. – The present judge of the circuit court of the sixth judicial district, although having attained an eminent position is still a young man, having been born in Wisconsin in 1858. His early opportunities were of the best character. At the upper Iowa University of Fayetteville, and at Waterloo, Iowa, he laid the foundations of his education. Coming to California in 1873, he completed his course at San Jose’, and began the study of law, enjoying in his preparatory work the instructions of a priest of that city; and in 1880, at Walla Walla, he concluded … Read more

McKim, Elizabeth Hanes Mrs. – Obituary

Elizabeth Hanes McKim, 84, of Baker City, died Aug. 28, 2005, at a Boise hospital. Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, 1995 Fourth St. Arrangements are under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes, Ustick Chapel in Meridian. Elizabeth was born on March 19, 1921, at Saint Mary’s, Pa. She met and married Dr. Menzie McKim Jr. on May 6, 1944. They moved to San Jose, Calif., for Menzie to do surgical training for four years. Elizabeth, with her husband and two children, lived at Okinawa for one year. She enjoyed being a … Read more

Elbert S. Todd of Los Angeles CA

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 Alfred B. Miner

Alfred B. Miner, one of the leading and representative businessmen of Colton, and as the president of the Colton Packing Company is at the head of one of the most important industries of that city. Mr. Miner is a native of Michigan, dating his birth in Genesee County in 1842. His father, Pilo Miner, was reared in Genesee County, New York, and was an early settler in Michigan, and engaged in farming. Mr. Miner was reared to farm life, and given a fair education in the public schools. He was an energetic and thorough worker, but he was never intended … Read more

Reinecke, R. Douglas – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon R. Douglas Reinecke, 75, of Baker City, died Feb. 28, 2004, at his home after a lengthy illness. A memorial Mass to honor Doug’s life will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, 2235 First St. Graveside inurnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family in the praying of the rosary at 7 p.m. Thursday at the cathedral. The Rev. Rob Irwin will officiate. There will be a luncheon after the funeral in the Parish Hall. Doug was born at Seneca, S.D., on Sept. 8, 1928, … Read more

Biography of Edward J. Curtis

Among the eminent men of the northwest whose life records form an integral part of the history of Idaho was numbered Hon. Edward J. Curtis. In his death the state lost one of its most distinguished lawyers, gifted statesmen and loyal citizens. As the day, with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of completed and successful efforts, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this honored man. His career was a long, busy and useful one, marked by the utmost fidelity to the duties of public … Read more

Uebelacker,Geneva Bronson – Obituary

Geneva Bronson, 97, of Yakima, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 1998 in Crescent Convalescent Center. She was born on June 17, 1900 to Frank and Anna (Michels) Uebelacker in Ellensburg, WA where she was raised and educated. She and her husband resided in San Jose, California, where Mrs. Bronson was a first grade teacher at Willow Glen Elementary School for many years. She has resided in Yakima for the past fifteen years. She is survived by two nephews, Don Uebelacker and wife Anna of Yakima and Bill Uebelacker and wife Jean of Milwaukee, Oregon; numerous great nieces and nephews, … Read more

Biography of Auren G. Redway

For thirty-six years Auren G. Redway has been a resident of Boise, and for many years was prominently connected with her banking interests, but is now living retired, enjoying that well earned rest which is the fitting reward of an honorable and active business career. He comes from the far-off east and is a representative of a family that was established in America in colonial days. His grandfather, Preserved Redway, served his country throughout the war of the Revolution, was one of General Washington’s bodyguard, and had the honor of being a corporal of the guard at the time of … Read more

Biography of Presley M. Bruner

A prominent practitioner at the bar of Hailey, and ex-district attorney of Alturas (now Blaine) County, Idaho, Presley Morris Bruner, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio. September 15, 1850. On the paternal side is of German lineage, and on the maternal of Scotch descent. His father, J. A. Bruner, was born in Virginia, a representative of one of the old and prominent families of that state, living in the Blue mountain region. He married Miss Margaret Morris, a daughter of Judge Presley Morris, of Chillicothe, Ohio. Her father was a descendant of the McDonald clan of the highlands of Scotland, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph B. Gordon

Few men owe their success more to their own efforts than Joseph B. Gordon, junior member of the law firm of Kirkbride & Gordon of San Mateo. His path was not strewn with roses. It was one over which only sheer pluck, courage and perseverance can take the traveler. Mr. Gordon had had only a high school education when he aspired to be a lawyer. After preliminary study he became a law clerk with Mr. Charles N. Kirkbride in 1904. While so engaged Mr. Gordon took a four year law course at the San Francisco Law School. Before its completion … Read more

Biography of Alfred A. Wood

Alfred A. Wood, the senior partner of the well-known firm of Wood & Cunningham, proprietors of the leading hardware establishment of Riverside, is a native of California, dating his birth in Sonoma County in September 1859. His father, William B. Wood, came to the State in 1850, and spent many years of his life in Sonoma and Monterey counties, and later, in Riverside, he was a businessman and engaged in mercantile life. The subject of this sketch was reared and schooled in Castroville, Monterey County, and after his attendance in the public schools entered the State Normal School at San … Read more

Biography of William Ranck

WILLIAM RANCK. – This representative citizen of Clarke county was born at East Waterford, Pennsylvania, in 1829. At the age of five years his parents moved to Huntington county in the same state, one and one-half miles from Shade Gap postoffice, where he received the common-school education of that early time which consisted chiefly of the “three R’s.” At the age of seventeen he went to Shirleysburg to learn the trade of a wagon and carriage maker. After some years of employment at Germantown, and at other points in Pennsylvania and Virginia, on the 1st day of April, 1852,he left … Read more

Cole, Horatio W. Mrs. – Obituary

Word reached Floyd Leonard Monday that his aunt, Mrs. Horatio W. Cole, had passed away at her home in San Jose, California, February 23. She had been seriously ill about ten days. Her two daughters and her husband were by her bedside and cared for her throughout her sickness. Had she lived until May 25, she and Mr. Cole would have been married fifty six years, about half of which time was spent in Wallowa county. Besides her aged husband she left to mourn her loss, Mrs. Grace Keifer and family, who live in San Francisco, and another daughter, Miss … Read more

Burby, Ernest “Ernie” – Obituary

Ernest “Ernie” Burby, 80, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Nov. 27, 2005, at Idaho Falls, Idaho. His funeral and interment will be at Idaho Falls. He was born on June 7, 1925, at San Jose, Calif., to Ernest and Phoebe Burby. He attended school at Baker City and was a Baker High School graduate. He loved Baker City and returned often. Survivors include his wife, Joyce, of Idaho Falls; a daughter, Vickie Whitney of St. George, Utah; and his mother, Phoebe Burby, and his brother, Robert Burby, both of Baker City. Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, … Read more

Reuben Wright Genealogy

Oliver Wright 1. Reuben2 Wright, son of Oliver1, was b. in Keene, Apr. 29, 1772, of Oliver and Sarah Wright; d. Houghton, Mich., Aug. 18, 1852; m. Dec. 30 (or 31), Olive Atwood, b. Templeton, Mass., July 5, 1775, d. Washington, N. H., Aug. 15, 1842; dau. of John and Elizabeth (Lawrence) Atwood of Packersfield. Ch.: Roxana3, b. Marlboro, Sept. 8, 1800, m. Dec. 18, 1827, Amos Corey, Jr., of Washington, N. H., b. there, Sept. 19, 1802; d. Antrim, Apr. 6, 1872, son of Amos and Achsah (Townsend) Corey. She d. at Antrim, Sept. 7, 1872. They had moved … Read more