San Mateo County CA

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Archie Leonard Offield

From years of practice in this county Dr. A. L. Offield of Burlingame is one of its oldest physicians. He gave up a large practice in San Francisco to come to Burlingame nine years ago. At that time Burlingame was one of the smallest towns on the peninsula but its growth bears out the predictions that Dr. Offield made for it at that time. Dr. Offield is a member of the Burlingame Board of Health which has given Burlingame one of the best health departments of any municipality on the peninsula. The activity of the health board is apparent in … Read more

Biography of John William Whalley

Whalley, John William, was born on the 28th of April, 1833. His ancestors on his father’s side had, for a long period, been yoemen residing at Dent in the West Reding of Yorkshire, England, who had migrated there from Norfolk, and belonged to the same family of which Edmund Whalley of the Cromwellian Army was a member. Many of the family held respectable positions, both in the church, the army and at the bar, the elder sons usually owning and managing the small estate of the family, the younger members making their living in some of the learned professions. On … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. P. Kinnison and H. A. Kinnison

J.P. and H.A. KINNISON. – These two brothers, who have united their fortunes through life were born on the Mississippi river about one hundred miles below St. Louis in the years 1838 and 1840, respectively. They received a common-school education, and, developing a riving disposition, crossed the plains in 1853. San Mateo, California, was their first home, and stock-raising their business until 1862, when they came to the Powder river valley, and were the first to break the ground of that beautiful region. They have been engaged in agriculture and stock-raising every since, and consider themselves fairly successful. In 1876 … 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

Biographical Sketch of George E. Seely

George E. Seely, justice of the peace in the third township was elected to office two years ago. This was his first experience in public life and since first taking his oath of office he has by fairness, thoroughness and soundness of his decisions, attracted county-wide attention as a magistrate. Mr. Seely is a machinist by trade and has worked at his profession in Redwood City for nine years. Being an able mechanic and of an inventive turn of mind, Mr. Seely has several patents which in time bid to make him famous. Justice Seely’s modesty has made these almost … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James McCormick

The business enterprises of the little city of Pescadero are largely represented by the interests of James McCormick, who though not a native Californian, has thrown himself heartily into the upbuilding. .of his adopted land, which owes much to his earnest efforts. He was born in Ireland in 1841, the son of Peter and Catherine (Gibeny) McCormick. His parents emigrated when he was seven years of age, settling in Cathage, Jefferson County, N. Y.. In 1863, James McCormick left home, for San Francisco, and arrived in that city January 15, 1864. After about nine months in Santa Cruz, he came … Read more

Biography of James T. Casey

A broad stretch of waste at San Francisco’s door, which was spanned by an almost impassable road and a set of rails twenty years ago, is now one of the most highly developed and thickly populated parts of San Mateo County, a district of homes, boulevards, large industrial plants and towns. This is the first township of San Mateo County. At present the first township is represented on the Board of Supervisors by James T. Casey, a man who was born and raised in this district and who has passed through, with it, all its successive stages of development. Born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Michael F. Healy

Michael F. Healy is a San Mateo County pioneer who has proved his confidence in the county and particularly in South San Francisco by the investment of his fortune in that city. Healy has resided in San Mateo county for 24 years, most of them being spent in South San Francisco where he is now the owner of a large grocery business and many other interests. Since coming to South San Francisco Mr. Healy has engaged in many lines of business. ‘He was best known as a lumber man, his yards supplying lumber and building material to South San Francisco … Read more

Anderson, Viola Long Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. R. P. Anderson Native of County Was Born At Muddy Creek Section in 1878 News was received here Thursday of the death of Viola Ann Anderson, 65, at Burlingame, California where she has spent the past two years with her daughters. Viola Ann Long was born Jan. 7, 1878 on a farm in the Muddy Creek section. She was the daughter of the late Alonzo and Julia Ann Long, pioneer settlers in the valley. She spent her girlhood there and attended the Muddy Creek School. After her marriage to R. P. Anderson, she lived in Haines. Mr. Anderson was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Josiah C. Williamson

Josiah C. Williamson was born February 18, 1851, in Marshfield, Massachusetts, coming to Pescadero, California, December 14, 1869, via the Isthmus of Panama. He lost no time, but immediately engaged in the dairy business. After four years spent at this, he clerked in a store until 1885, when he opened up a general merchandise store, which is still continued by him and is the largest mercantile establishment in Pescadero. On December 14, 1879 he married Harriet Hornsinger. The children born to this union, who are now living, are: Frank, Gladys, and Elmira. Mr. Williamson served as postmaster in Pescadero for eight … 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

Biographical Sketch of Asa Thomas Weeks

Asa Thomas Weeks was born in La Honda on March 1, 1859, where he spent his early boyhood, being educated in the public schools and St. Matthew’s School. In 1881 he decided to leave home and try his hand at mining in Idaho; and while there built the finest house at Sand Point. He then removed to Alaska to engage in mining; and while there served three years as United States Commissioner. In 1904 he came to Pescadero and engaged in the lumber business which he continued for five years. He then decided to try his hand at mining again … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. H. D’Arcy Power

Dr. Power has been a resident of San Mateo county for a period of ten years, and although his professional duties are confined for the most part to San Francisco, he takes an active interest in county affairs, as serving as chairman on the Board of Health of Burlingame signifies. Although a resident of the state for twenty-two years, Dr. Power believes that his choice of Burlingame as his home will be permanent. Dr. Power has risen high in his chosen profession, -medicine- being Dean of Medicine in the San Francisco Polyclinic, Staff Physician of the San Francisco Hospital and … Read more

Emmons, Alton R. – Obituary

Alton R. Emmons Services Held Word was received Friday, September 3, by Mrs. Charles T. Thornburg, Charles D. Emmons and Leonard B. Emmons of the passing of their brother, Alton R. Emmons, in San Francisco where he lived with his daughter, Mrs. Maxine Bindon. Funeral services were held in San Francisco Saturday afternoon, September 4. Mr. Emmons was born January 2, 1879 in Illinois to John W. and Martha Emmons. He came to Wallowa county when a young man and was married at Enterprise on July 4, 1892 to Miss Flora Hawkins. For many years he and his wife had … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ezra Durand

Ezra Durand was born in Seneca Falls, New York, on March 8, 1833, and is the youngest of a family of thirteen sons and daughters of David and Betsey (Crowell), Durand. His father was a farmer and his early boyhood was passed on a farm. His opportunities for gaining an education were limited to a few winters at the district school. At an early age he left home and went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he obtained employment in a musical instrument factory. This was followed by similar work in a factory at Norwich, Connecticut. He seemed to have a natural … 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

Biography of John J. McGrath

San Mateo is fortunate in having so many of San Francisco’s substantial business men listed among its residents. John J. McGrath Is one of them who, although burdened with the responsibilities of an Important position, gives painstaking support to every movement for the good of the city and enables the community to ‘reap the benefit of having men of his type as a resident. Mr McGrath is an expert sales manager, having been in this line for twenty-five years. His first sales position was with Swift & Co., when he had emigrated from Ireland and settled In Chicago. Two years … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank B. Bettencourt

With a record of having shown over 14,000,000 feet of film, Frank B. Bettencourt, operator at Hart’s Peninsula Theatre in San Mateo, lays an easy claim to being the leading moving picture operator in the county. Mr. Bettencourt went into moving picture business when it in its infancy. He began in San Mateo with Charles Hart. In the eight years that he has operated the cameras in Mr. Hart’s theatre, Mr. Bettencourt has projected over 14,000 reels which include all the important pictures that have been manufactured. During his spare time Mr. Bettencourt has conducted extensive investigations and experiments. He … Read more

Bell, Delmer Ivan – Obituary

Haines, Baker County, Oregon Funeral services were held Feb. 3rd at Zacher Mortuary for Delmer Ivan Bell. Mr. Bell was born Oct. 11, 1896 in Stone Hill, Missouri and died January 29th at the Veteran’s Hospital in Palo Alto, California. He was retired as a sawyer from Tite Knot Pine Mill. Redmond Lodge No. 154, A.F. & A.M., officiated with Richard Hoopes of Prineville, assisted by Jack Eberhard. Survivors include his widow, Beulah, step-daughter, Mrs. Patricia Frizzell, Cathlamet, WA.; brothers Earl from Amity, and Herschel from Union, Howard from Philomath, Willard from Richland, and Byron from Riggins; two sisters,Mrs. Beulah … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William H. Toepke

Mr. Toepke has been identified with the profession of architect for the last eighteen years both in San Francisco and in San Mateo County. He drew the plans for the San Mateo Union High School, the San Mateo central fire station, the Elk’s Club,. and numerous residences of Burlingame, San Mateo and Redwood City. Among the many edifices for which Mr. Toepke has drawn plans in San Francisco might be mentioned the Flatiron Building at Market and Sansome Streets, an apartment for the Cuneo Estate and the Doe Estate, the Mission High School and the Maskey Building, where Mr. Toepke … Read more