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

History of Santa Cruz Mission

(Holy Cross). The twelfth Franciscan mission established in California. The proposed site was personally examined by Fr. Lasuen, who found the natives friendly and ready to help. Supplies and native assistants were sent from the neighboring missions, especially Santa Clara, and the mission was formally founded Sept. 25, 1791, at the place where is now situated the town of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara County. At the end of the year there were 84 neophytes. In 1792 there were 224, and the highest number, 523, was reached in 1796. In 1800 there were 492. At this time the mission had 2,354 … 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

Biographical Sketch of Frank S. Towne

The lesson of the opportunities San Mateo County holds for its young men is taught by the life of Frank. K. Towne, assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Redwood City. Twenty-five years ago when Mr. Towne was still in his teens, he went to work for this bank as a clerk. This was on September 1, 1891. He has continued in its employ ever since, his advancement keeping pace with the growth of the institution. Mr. Towne is now assistant cashier and cashier of the San Mateo County Savings Bank. Mr. Towne has played a leading part in … 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 George Harvey Emerson

GEORGE HARVEY EMERSON. – It is ever with peculiar interest that we observe the career of one who has been a soldier of the union. It was noticed that in the England of 1670, if any man was an exceptionally industrious and sober mechanic or man of business, it usually proved that he was an old soldier of Oliver Cromwell. In much the same way the severe discipline and the exercise of elf-devotion in our great war educated the soldier and prepared him for large and difficult enterprises. The subject of this sketch was born in Chester, New Hampshire, in … Read more

Cash, Neva Eliza Simms Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Neva Eliza Cash, 87, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Jan. 9, 2003, at the Keiser Permanente Hospital at Santa Clara, Calif. Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Pastor Lenny Spooner of the First Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Neva was born on June 22, 1915, in Arkansas to Thomas H. and Maud Mills Simms. She attended school at Little Rock, Ark., and graduated in 1933. She married Alvin M. Cash on Sept. … Read more

Biography of Isaac W. Whitaker

Isaac W. Whitaker is the pioneer of Ontario. In January 1883, Mr. Whitaker was a resident of San Francisco, broken in health, and it became a matter of absolute necessity that he seek a mild climate. He decided to try Southern California, and on the 11th day of that month himself and his brave wife pitched their tent upon the land which he has since occupied. The colony lands had been surveyed and work was in progress in grading avenues and piping water, but Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker were the first settlers to occupy the lands. All about them was … 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 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

Biography of Raymond Griffin Barnett

Raymond Griffin Barnett, who had the well earned title of captain of the American army in the World war and who is now engaged in the practice of law in Kansas City, was born at Carthage, Hancock county, Illinois, October 8, 1882, and is a son of Fred P. and Adele (Griffin) Barnett, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Illinois. The father went from this state to Iowa and afterward returned to Kansas City. He is by profession a court reporter and is now the vice president of the Shorthand Reporting Company, with offices in the … 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

McCall, Raymond “Reese” – Obituary

In loving memory of Raymond “Reese” McCall, 67, who died Monday, Jan 24, 2005 at St Elizabeth Health Services in Baker City. An Elks Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 29, 2005 at 2 p.m. at the Baker City Elks Lodge, No. 338, 1896 2nd Street, Baker City. There will be a gathering at the Lodge following the services. Reese was born Jan 23, 1938 in Nampa Idaho. His family moved to Hermiston Oregon in 1942. He graduated from Hermiston High School in 1956. His boyhood days were spent in 4-H and FFA. He raised blue ribbon cattle on … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph J. Bullock

Of the names connected with the San Mateo County Bar few stand out more prominently than Joseph J. Bullock. Mr. Bullock is still practicing at Redwood City and is finishing the twenty-fifth year that he has been before the courts of this county. Mr. Bullock has also played a leading role in the public life of the county. In 1897 he was elected to succeed H. W. Walker as District Attorney. In 1901 he was elected to succeed himself in that office and in 1905 he was returned to that position for a third time. Being for 12 years in … 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

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

Hindman, Anna Serene – Obituary

Durkee, Oregon Anna Serene Hindman, 90, a former longtime resident of Durkee died Nov. 30, 2003 at Los Gatos, California. Rosary for Ms. Hindman will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004 at 11 a.m. at Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel with Deacon Jim Watt of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church officiating. Inurnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Mac Hindman home in Durkee. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice in care of: Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814. Used with permission … 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

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 Sylvester Lyman

Sylvester Lyman deceased. American biography has always been considered to be of the greatest interest, far outranking in this regard the same study in any other country. The cause of this is the large proportion of self-made men in our population, men who have plucked the flowers of success from the thorns of difficulty. Mr. Lyman, the subject of this memoir, illustrates this fact. He was born at Westhampton, Blandford County, Massachusetts, February 26, 1826. At the age of fourteen years his father moved his family to Shiawassee County, Michigan, where Mr. Lyman assisted in the farm work for some … Read more