San Mateo County CA

Biographical Sketch of Henry Martens

Mr. Henry Martens has been a resident of California for thirty-five years, during all but five years of which period he has devoted himself to the steel industry in San Mateo County. In 1886, after an exhaustive search for the best location for a foundry, Mr. Henry Martens together with Mr. J. W. Heney, selected South San Francisco and founded the Enterprise Foundry. In 1892 the firm was incorporated. Mr. Martens is one of South City’s strongest boosters. In a recent interview he stated that the Enterprise Foundry of which he is president owes much of its prosperity to its … Read more

Hardesty, Lorne Woodburn – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Lorne Woodburn Hardesty, 67, a Baker City resident, died June 8, 2002, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Visitation will be until 7 o’clock tonight at the funeral home. Pastor Lennie Spooner of the Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Lorne was born Dec. 7, 1934, at San Francisco. He was a son of Ernest A. and Juanita M. Thompson Hardesty. He was raised and educated at in Herlong, Calif. He entered the U.S. Army on March 5, 1957. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Stephen Edward Throwell

Stephen Edward Throwell is one of San Mateo county’s citizens who testifies to his loyalty by having lived here from the time of his birth. Born here 45 years ago Mr. Throwell has turned a deaf ear to flattering offers to leave his native home, and preferred to stake his lot with this community. Mr. Throwell is one of Lomita Park’s energetic residents. When this district was covered with large ranches, and the few residents were the inhabitants of the houses on those large undivided tracts, Mr. Throwell saw a future in the present Lomita Park where the man of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jesse O. Snyder

In charge of the great plant of the Western Meat Company at South San Francisco which employs hundreds of men and turns out thousands of dollars worth of products monthly, is Jesse O. Snyder, a resident of South San Francisco for the past twenty years or more and one of its leading boosters. Mr. Snyder is a native of Pennsylvania and it was in Chicago that he gained his fundamental knowledge of the packing business. Before coming west he was with Swift & Co. He worked himself up to a responsible position with these interests who sent him out to … Read more

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 Dr. Frank S. Dolley

One of the most important institutions in the north end of San Mateo county is the South San Francisco General Hospital owned and Conducted by Dr. Frank S. Dolley. Situated near the great South San Francisco industrial district and close to San Bruno, Daly City and Colma, the residents of these cities are saved the cost and inconvenience of going to San Francisco or San Mateo for treatment. The South San Francisco General Hospital was founded by the late Dr. Harry G. Plymire and on his death it was taken over by Dr Dolley. The institution is modern and up-to-date … Read more

Richins, Holladay Mrs. – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon Mary Holladay Richins, wife of Osburn Richins, died of uremic poisoning at her home in Union Oregon, Saturday, March 12, 1910, at 9:15 p.m. The funeral took place Monday at 2 p.m., from the L.D.S. church which was crowded to the doors, not only with people of the Mormon faith but also with business men and the people generally of the city. The service was opened with music by the L.D.S. choir, led by J.W. Baxter,Jr., the meeting being presided over by Bishop W.D. Hanks. The speakers were: Patriarch James England, of Union, A.S. Geddes, Stake … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Harry H. Putnam

After months of travel in the United States looking for a business opening, Harry H. Putnam, contractor and builder of Redwood City, chose California as the state offering the most to the newcomer. He then spent two years deciding beyond a doubt that the peninsula offered him more opportunities than any other place in the state and that for one in his line, Redwood City was the logical place to locate. Since coming to Redwood City, Mr. Putnam has developed a large contracting and building business. He has erected 10 homes in the Redwood Highlands district alone and his contracts … 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

Biography of Racine McCoy McRoskey

Racine McCoy McRoskey was a native of Oregon, raised and educated in Portland where she passed with credit through the grammar and high schools of that city. In her early womanhood she moved to San Francisco where she lived until after the earthquake of 1906. In 1907 the McRoskeys came to San Mateo where they were living at their home on San Mateo Drive at the time of Mrs. McRoskey’s death in April, 1915. Mrs. McRoskey took an active part in club and social affairs, being a member of the Thursday Club and the Woman’s Club of San Mateo and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. E. F. Brown

Few residents of this county realize that just north of Redwood City is the largest and possibly the most valuable lot of dogs on the Pacific coast. The kennels called the Browndale Kennels and famous in dogdom the world over, are conducted by Mrs. E. F. Brown who has been interested in dogs for many years. Mrs. Brown specializes in collies and the dogs which she owns of this breed are the best in the world. A still greater honor that comes to Mrs. Brown is the fact that the dogs that have defeated all comers in shows in all … 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 Dr. Norman D. Morrison

Because of his extended practice and prominence in public affairs, Dr. Norman D. Morrison is one of San Mateo’s best known physicians. Dr. Morrison came to San Mateo eleven years ago. From the day of his arrival he has been successful as a practicing physician and surgeon and his clientele of patients includes some of the peninsula’s most prominent families. Dr. Morrison has unselfishly devoted his time to civic service. During his years of residence here he has served many terms on the Board of Health and for the splendid sanitary conditions of San Mateo, few men share more in … 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

Biographical Sketch of John F. Davis

John F. Davis, justice of the Peace in the first township and City Attorney of Burlingame, is one of the county’s promising young lawyers. He has practiced for the past eleven years, the last seven of which have been in the courts of this county. As City Attorney of Burlingame Mr. Davis has played an important part in the growth of that city. He has done all the legal work in connection with hundreds of thousands of dollars that Burlingame has spent on sewers, sidewalks and street improvements, the municipal water system and the extension of the city’s boundaries. During … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward Rucker Dixon

One of the most popular young men in the banking circles of San Mateo County is Edward Rucker Dixon, who was born at Merced, California, March 21, 1883. After leaving high school, he secured a position with the bank of Newman, California, where he remained for twelve years, serving faithfully in every branch of the banking business. It is partly due to his efforts that this bank has been developed to one of the most influential banks of the great San Joaquin valley. Mr. Dixon came to the National Bank of San Mateo, January 10, 1916, to fill the position … 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

Biographical Sketch of P. P. Chamberlain

Mr. P. P. Chamberlain came to Redwood City in 1868. He accepted the first position that offered and became grocery clerk for Isaac M. Schlouecker. Soon after this he went into the merchandise business with W. J. Wilcox, and after the withdrawal of his partner, carried the business on alone, under the name of P. P. Chamberlain which firm is still in existence. During early days of the grocery business, Mr. Chamberlain was elected county treasurer which office he has faithfully administered for more than thirty years. Mr. Chamberlain is interested in the Redwood City Building and Loan Association and … Read more

Biography of George A. Wilbur

George A. Wilbur, an enterprising citizen of Chino, is the founder and sole proprietor of the Chino Store, opened to the public in February, 1888, since which time he has conducted one of the most prosperous enterprises in that section. His large and commodious store is well appointed in all respects, and is well stocked with a choice selection of goods. He deals in provisions, groceries, dry goods and everything in the general merchandise line, furnishing goods, boots and shoes, crockery, tin-ware, hardware, cigars, tobacco, etc. He is thoroughly competent in his business, and justly merits the liberal patronage bestowed … 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