California Genealogy

Application of Mary Callan to become a Sole Trader

Application of Mary Callan to become a Sole Trader, page 180

The term “sole trader” historically referred to a married woman in some U.S. states who, with court approval, could conduct business independently from her husband, managing her own earnings and property. This designation was crucial before married women’s property acts were enacted. An example is Mary Callan, who sought this status in 1897 due to her husband’s inability to provide support. The court authorized her to operate a farming business using her property, stating her motivation was to support her family, including their four children. This process is documented in court records.

Biography of Mrs. Albert R. Atwood of Santa Cruz

History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California Volume 2 Title Page

Highly esteemed in the community in which she maintains and develops one of her chief interests, Mrs. A. R. Atwood, proprietor and manager of the Mission Hospital, has become an influential leader in Santa Cruz in movements for the welfare of humanity and the extension of the fame of both town and county as among the most desirable of residential districts in California. Mrs. Atwood was born at Sheridan, California, the daughter of George M. and Mary Ann (Fogerty) Adams, both worthy pioneers in the good old Golden state, her father having crossed the Great Plains as a boy, when … Read more

Biography of A. Early Averrett of Soledad

Batalla de Monterey

A. Early Averrett, senior member of the firm of Averrett & Stephens, dealers in general merchandise at Soledad, is a native of the State of Georgia, where he was born on the thirteenth day of November, ’45. At the age of seven years, he moved with his parents to Alabama, where he remained until he was twenty-three years old, when he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San Francisco in June, 1868. He went to Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, and entered the mercantile house of A. Lewis & Co., as salesman, which position he occupied seven … Read more

Biography of Dr. S. M. Archer of Salinas

Dr. S. M. Archer is not only an eminent physician and genial gentleman, but one of the landmarks of Monterey County, having resided here since 1869. He is forty-two years old and came to California in 1868, from Louisville, Kentucky. He comes from a long line of American ancestors, the first of whom were early colonial settlers in Virginia and Maryland. At a later date members of the family participated in the wars of the Revolution and 1812, and in the early Indian wars, many of them filling important positions in the army and Government. Among Dr. Archer’s ancestors is … Read more

Biography of De Witt Appleton of Monterey

History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California Volume 2 Title Page

The present improved condition and appearance of Monterey owes much to such progressive, enterprising designers and builders as De Witt Appleton, a native of San Francisco, born September 28, 1875, the son of David E. and Rachel (Pullen) Appleton, the former a pioneer of 1850. Although hailing from New York city, where he had been associated with his relatives, D. Appleton & Co., world known publishers, he was glad, on landing in San Francisco during the hurly-burly of the early gold rush to drive a dump cart and to work as an employee in leveling off the sand and prepare … Read more

Biography of Peter Pasquale Antonelli of Santa Cruz

History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California Volume 2 Title Page

The late Peter Pasquale Antonelli whose memory is still held sacred by all who knew him, irrespective of race or creed, was born in Italy in May, 1854, and there educated under the excellent system for which Italy is famous. While still a young man he came to America, and fortunately for many besides himself he came direct to California. For a time he worked in the lime kiln at Cowell, but in 1890 began business for himself. At Santa Cruz he opened the Tuscano Hotel, which he conducted, as one of the best hostelries of its kind in this … Read more

Biography of Earl H. Amos of Santa Cruz

History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California Volume 2 Title Page

A manager of experience in the theatrical field, who has done much to give Santa Cruz the best of dramatic advantages, is Earl H. Amos, the wide-awake progressive director of the New Santa Cruz Theater. He was born at Tecumseh, Oklahoma, August 29, 1893, the son of L. J. and Effie (Beams) Amos, who removed to Los Angeles in 1904. Father and son started the Amos News Company there. Both parents are still living, now honored residents of Mountain View, Santa Clara county. Earl H. Amos attended the schools of Los Angeles, studied at home, and took a business course, … Read more

Biography of Edward Allen of Monterey

History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California Volume 2 Title Page

Edward Allen, an enterprising, experienced contractor who has also found time to serve his fellow-townsmen as city trustee, thereby doubly earning the esteem and endorsement of many, was born in Monterey, February 21, 1856, the son of Thomas and Jane Allen-the former an Irishman by birth, the latter of English parentage. Thomas Allen came to California about 1850 and located in Monterey. His home, in which his son Edward was born, was the first frame house in California, a plain structure put together in Australia and shipped ’round the Horn, and long an object of particular interest in Monterey, until … Read more