Santa Cruz County CA

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 David Morey

David Morey, one of the pioneers of Redlands, was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, in 1824. His father, Jacob Morey, moved to Delaware County, Ohio, at an early day, and took a farm out of the woods. He died there at the age of ninety years. His mother, Barbara (Jacobs) Morey, is still living, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. The subject of this sketch left home at the age of fourteen to learn the cabinet trade. He worked at this trade in Marysville, and in 1842 went to Indianapolis, where he remained until 1845. He then went to … Read more

Biography of Job Francis Dye

Among the figures who stand prominently forth on the pages of western history is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. His was a marvelous record of long connection with the events which go to make up the annals of the Pacific coast. He was one of those honored pioneers who blazed a path for future cavalcades to follow; who bravely turned their faces from the cities of the east, with all the advantages of wealth and civilization, and cast their fortunes with the western frontier, in all its wildness and primitive modes of life; who, rather than enjoy the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Ford

George W. Ford, proprietor of the Santa Ana Nursery, is one of the first settlers of the valley, arriving here in 1876, with only $10. The previous year he had been working by the day in Santa Cruz County. Two years later he purchased five acres of land within the city limits, for $400, and to this he has since added twenty-five acres more, most of which he has cut up into city lots and sold at good prices. In his nursery may be seen all kinds of deciduous and semi-tropical fruits and ornamental trees and shrubs. He has recently … Read more

Biography of Jackson McCracken

Jackson McCracken, a member of the Walker Party, served in the First Legislative Assembly of Arizona Territory in 1861, as a member of the lower house from Yavapai County. He was born in South Carolina in 1828. After his arrival in the territory with the Walker Party, he spent his time in mining and prospecting. Evidently, he was not very fastidious as to dress or personal appearance, for the following story is told of him: After his election, some of his constituents went to him and told him that he was now a member of the First Legislature of the … Read more

March, Nellie – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Nellie March, 85, of La Grande, died May 10 at a local care home. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Christian Church in La Grande. A complete obituary will be available later. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory is in charge of arrangements. La Grande Observer – Obituaries for the day of May 12, 2008 ___________________________________ Nellie March, 85, of La Grande, died May 10. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Christian Church in La Grande. A viewing will precede from 9 a.m. to … Read more

Taylor, Margaret Catherine Mrs. – Obituary

Margaret Catherine Taylor, 85, of Tacoma, Wash., died June 12, 2002, at Tacoma. There will be no funeral. Mrs. Taylor was born at Santa Cruz, Calif. She lived there for 59 years before moving to Oregon in 1977. She moved to Tacoma in 1998. Mrs. Taylor worked at the John Ingalls Cannery in Santa Cruz for 10 years. She enjoyed crocheting and reading. Survivors include her daughter, Margaret Blackledge of Lakewood, Wash., Judy Abma of Scotts Valley and Peggy Caso of Rainier; a son, George E. Taylor of Baker City; 19 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death … Read more

Biography of John Brodbeck

One of the representative businessmen of Boise, Mr. Brodbeck, is a pioneer of Idaho, having come to this state in 1865. He is a native of Switzerland, where he was born April 4, 1833, and was reared and educated in his native land and there learned the brewing business. His parents were Nicholas and Elizabeth (Hagler) Brodbeck, the former of whom was a miller by trade, and he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and were people of high respectability in the old country. He died in his fifty-third year and his wife survived him until attaining … Read more

Thomas D. Davis – Obituary

Thomas D. Davis, 78, died June 7, 2009, after a battle with cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at St. John’s Catholic Church at Felton, Calif. There will be a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m. Friday at St. John’s Church. Visitations will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at St. John’s Church. Private inurnment will be at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Santa Cruz, Calif. He was born at Boise to Joe and Mary Davis. His siblings were Patrick Davis, Ellen Badley, and Beatrice Plant. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Alexander Moore

The subject of this sketch was born July 19, 1851 on his father’s ranch north east of the village of Pescadero. His father Alexander Moore was one of California’s earliest settlers, coming to California from Jackson County, Missouri, in 1847 and making the trip over the plains with ox teams, arriving at Johnson’s ranch on Bear river, October 2, 1847, where he remained until he removed to Santa Cruz, Nov. 15, 1847. The early life of Moore was spent in farming and stock raising with such success that he has continued to follow this vocation. On April 9, 1883 he … Read more

Dias, Gary Joe – Obituary

Gary Joe Dias, 48, of Larnet, Kan., died Feb. 17, 2002, at his home. His graveside funeral was today at Mount Hope Cemetery. Deacon Jim Watt of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church officiated. Gary was born on Dec. 23, 1953, at Watsonville, Calif. He graduated from Watsonville High School and worked as an EMT at San Jose, Calif., and on several different construction jobs. He served on an atomic submarine in the U.S. Navy and also worked with his dad on a commercial fishing boat at Bristol Bay, Alaska, before falling to a long-term illness. Survivors include his father … Read more

Thomas, Ronald “Ron” – Obituary

Medical Springs, Oregon Ronald “Ron” Thomas, 70, passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, at his home in Medical Springs. At Ron’s request, disposition will take place at Gray’s West Pioneer Crematory. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Ron was born on May 17, 1932, to Clinton M. and Lillie Houseman Thomas at Hebron, Neb. He grew up and graduated from high school at Watsonville, Calif. On May 17, 1953, Ron married Norma Kaufman. The couple had three children, Pamela, Linda and Jim. Ronald lived an adventurous life. … Read more

Fleming, Carl Douglas – Obituary

Carl Douglas Fleming, 40, of Newberg and Halfway, died Aug. 30, 2005, as the result of a motor vehicle accident near Halfway. There will be a gathering of family and friends to celebrate Carl’s life later this month. The date and time will be announced. Carl was born on Feb. 9, 1965, at Santa Cruz, Calif., to Jimmy Dale and Carla Sue Caskey Fleming. He spent most of his growing up years at Santa Cruz, graduating from Monte Vista High School in 1983. He was a gifted athlete and after graduation he played baseball for a year in college. Carl … Read more