California

Biographical Sketch of I. L. Scammon

Another Chehalis County pioneer is I. L. Scammon, who was born in Maine in 1822, came to California in 1849-50, making the voyage on the 63-ton schooner Little Traveler. In the autumn of 1850 he took passage for the Columbia River, which was passed by mistake, the vessel making Shoalwater bay. Making his way overland to the Columbia, he went to Salem, Oregon, and to the southern mines, but returning to Washington Territory took a donation claim on the Chehalis River, where the old town of Montesano, now known as Wynoochee, grew up about him. He married Miss Lorinda Hopkins … Read more

California Genealogy at Ancestry

Ancestry is the largest provider of genealogy data online. The billions of records they provide have advanced genealogy online beyond imagination just a decade ago. The following is but a small sample of what they provide for California genealogy at Ancestry. While some of these databases are free, many require a subscription. You can try a 14 day free trial and see if you can find any of your California genealogy at Ancestry! California Genealogy Databases – Subscription May be Required Ancestry Free Trial Statewide Genealogy at Ancestry A Memorial and biographical history of Northern California: containing a history of … Read more

Cahuilla Burial Customs

As soon as a Cahuilla dies, he is washed, dressed, and taken to the ceremonial house, kishumnawat. The members of his clan gather round the body and sing all night. If the deceased was a man, the Creation story is sung, if it was a woman, a song about the Moon is sung, for the Moon was the teacher and best friend of the women. If death has occurred to either man or woman by accident, the Battle song is always sung. They sing for a while and then stop and cry and blow upwards three times. This is all … Read more

Cahuilla Creation Story

With all their geographical proximity to the Yuma and Mohave, the Desert Cahuilla partake essentially of the native civilization of the Shoshonean coastal tribes of southern California. Birth of Mukat and Tamaioit In the beginning, there was no earth or sky or anything or anybody only a dense darkness in space. This darkness seemed alive. Something like lightnings seemed to pass through it and meet each other once in a while. Two substances which looked like the white of an egg came from these lightnings. They lay side by side in the stomach of the darkness, which resembled a spider … Read more

Cahuilla Indians Food

The native belief is that all food was once human and could talk just as we can. Mukat designated certain people in the beginning who were to become plants and be converted into food for our use. The mesquite tree is the main reliance of the Desert Cahuilla for food. It is their staple. The mesquite tree grows to a height of from thirty to forty feet. The wood is very hard, and all of it, even the roots, is used as fuel. The leaves are small and abundant and the branches very spiny. On the desert, in the Coachella … Read more

Cahuilla Girls Adolescence

Until within a few years ago, girls puberty ceremonies were observed among the Cahuilla. These were called Hemelonewin or sometimes Hemelushinum. They were held at the time of a girl’s first menses. The father of the girl informed the people of her condition and called them together for the ceremony, which began the first night of her menstruation. A hole was dug in the ground several feet deep and long enough for the girl to recline in. In this stones were placed and a fire built to heat them. “When the stones became hot they were taken out and the … Read more

The Growth Of Quartz Mining Discoveries

Prospecting early indicated that the future mineral wealth of Idaho would depend upon quartz mining, and accordingly efforts were early made to develop that feature of Idaho’s principal industry. In the autumn of 1863 it was found that thirty-three claims of gold and silver quartz-mines had been made on the south Boise alone, ail of which promised well. The Ida Elmore, near the head of Bear creek, the first and most famous of the south Boise quartz mines in that year, was discovered in June. In an arastra it yielded two hundred and seventy dollars to the ton of rock; … Read more

Idaho, the Gem of the Mountains, Origin of the Name

The Mountains have ever been the bulwarks of freedom. Valor is born there; virtue is cherished there, and these are the seeds of song and story. No land ever yet had a literature to endure that had not these for its theme, these off-springs of the pure, sweet atmosphere and sublime splendor of inspiring Mountains; and the more glorious the Mountains, the more glorious the song and story. What then may we not prophesy for Idaho when her torn and devastated placer fields all are terraced vineyards, as in Savoy, and the peace and rest of the old pastoral days … Read more

The Payette Valley, Its Towns

For the following graphic and ably written article in regard to the attractions of the Payette valley we are indebted to a souvenir edition of the Payette Independent issued in March, 1898: The Payette valley lies in the southwestern part of Idaho, with its upper and narrow end extending far back into pine-clad mountains and its lower flaring into broad, fertile fields, terminating at the banks of the Snake river, just across whose waters rise the mountain peaks of Oregon. Its length is upward of forty miles, its width varying from two miles at the upper point to eight where … Read more

California Indian Honored War Dead

Reginaldo Helms, Mission

The following Honored War Dead, are listed by Name, Tribe and Location of death. The name under the photograph is the person shown.  No additional information was provided in the book. Reginaldo Helms, Mission, (Soboba) Belgium John P. Emeterio, Sacramento, Belgium Otto Hodge, Yurok, Italy Baron D. Risling, Hoopa, U. S. A. Romaldo Natt, Yurok, Germany Joe Blacktooth, Mission (Palo), Japan Augustine Quevas, Mission (Santa Ysabel), Japan Lee M. Angel, Mission (Mesa Grande), Germany Gilbert Cleland, Mission (Mesa Grande), Germany George Estrada, Mission (Mesa Grande), Germany Steve Levi, Mission (Torres-Martinez), Saipan France Gene Pablo, Mission (Santa Ysabel), Pacific Philip Peters, … Read more

Biography of John P. Rounsevel

John P. Rounsevel, formerly a well-known wool buyer of Claremont, was born in Unity, N.H., January 2, 1815, son of Royal and Betsey (Sweat) Rounsevel. Rounseville, the original spelling of the name, was changed to the present form by Joseph Rounsevel about the year 1768. In 1749 Thomas Rounseville wrote from Ottery St. Mary to Philip Rounseville, of England, who afterward came to this country. He settled in Freetown, Mass., and was called by the townspeople King Philip. His son Joseph, who, born January 3, 1737, died in 1827, went to Washington, N.H., between 1768 and 1772, from Middleboro, Mass., … Read more

Biography of Rev. John Vannevar

Rev. John Vannevar, born in South Malden, now Everett, Mass., on June 23, 1857, was the youngest of three children of Aaron B. and Dorothy G. Vannevar, both of whom were born in Amherst, Mass. He lived in the place of his birth until twelve years of age, when the family moved to Summer Street, Malden. He was educated in the public schools, completing the college course in the Malden High School and graduating in 1876. He then entered Tufts College, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1880, and taking a post-graduate course of one year. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. George Borden Yount

Dr. George Borden Yount is one of the few professional men of the county who was born and reared here. Dr. Yount spent the early part of his life and received his preliminary education within a stone’s throw of the office where he now attends to his large and growing practice. Dr. Yount was born on September 28, 1882. After passing his childhood days in Redwood he entered the Redwood grammar school. After graduating he prepared himself for college at the Sequoia Union ‘High School. After more preliminary study Dr. Yount entered the dental department of the College of Physicians … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank Clair Wyckoff

Frank Clair Wyckoff is one of the many newcomers in Burlingame who has been attracted by the splendid opportunities that the rapid development of that town offers. Although Mr. Wyckoff came to Burlingame as a stranger just a year ago, he has risen to a high place in the esteem of his fellow business men and has established one of the most up-to-date undertaking and embalming establishments on the peninsula. Mr. Wyckoff is a native son, having been born in Sierra Valley, near Sierraville, Sierra County on June 1, 1872. After completing his education, he tried rubbing shoulders with the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of E. I. Woodman

Mr. Woodman is one of the leading newspaper men of the county, his sphere of activity being South San Francisco where he is the editor and manager of The Enterprise. He is also secretary of the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, a body that has been instrumental toward the substantial up-building of its city, in which Mr. Woodman in his two-fold capacity as newspaper man and civic booster, has taken no small part. Mr. Woodman has been in the newspaper business for over forty years, coming from Sacramento in June, 1907 where he was also engaged in the newspaper … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Eric Wold

Eric Wold who has been city engineer of Burlingame for the past four years and at present is also acting in the same capacity for the infant municipality of San Bruno, has been engaged in engineering work the greater part of his life. His college training and wide experience has splendidly fitted him for the important work that he is now doing; while Burlingame’s streets, the water system and other municipal improvements well bespeak Mr. Wold’s ability. Anxious to have their municipality profit from the same competent engineering that Burlingame did, the San Bruno citizens retained Mr. Wold. He is … 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 Jurgen Frederick Wienke

Jurgen Frederick Wienke was born in Germany, July 15, 1844, where he was educated. At the age of twenty-five he left his native county to seek his fortune in the States, coming to California in 1869. He is an engineer by profession, serving in this capacity on the ferryboats in Germany. In 1881 he purchased a farm at Moss Beach and opened up a hotel for an investment, under the impression they were to put a railroad through his property within a year. But it was many years after before he saw this in reality, although his land has greatly … 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 Martin H. Walsh

One of San Mateo County’s oldest and most efficient peace officers is Martin Walsh, constable of the third township who preserves law and order in the aristocratic Menlo and Atherton districts. Mr. Walsh came to San Mateo County thirty-six years ago. He took up his residence in Menlo Park soon after his arrival and since then he has been one of Menlo’s most highly respected citizens. During his long residence in the county, Mr. Walsh has also been involved in public affairs. Thirty-two years ago he cast his vote for Judge Buck and P. P. Chamberlain and since then he … Read more