California Genealogy, Author at California Genealogy

Biography of John G. Downey of Los Angeles

John G. Downey, born June 24, 1827, in Castle Sampson, Ireland, was the fourth governor of California. He emigrated to America at age fourteen, initially studying in Maryland before pursuing a career in pharmacy. Downey moved to California in 1849, where he became a successful businessman in Los Angeles. He served in various political roles, including as a legislator and lieutenant governor, before becoming governor in 1860. Downey was known for his integrity, notably vetoing the “Bulkhead” bill to prevent corruption. He died on March 1, 1894, in Los Angeles.

Biography of Warren E. Doan of Sacramento

Warren E. Doan, born March 8, 1862, in Portland, Oregon, was the official court stenographer of Sacramento County, California, from 1897. Son of Riley R. and Sarah Catherine (Butler) Doan, Warren pursued a career as a court reporter after leaving school. He initially worked in Placer County before his long tenure in Sacramento. Warren married Kittie E. Young in 1883 and they had one son, Norman E. Doan. Riley R. Doan, Warren’s father, was an inventor and mechanic who moved westward in 1852 and held various occupations, including sawmill owner and mine foreman, before settling in Elmira, California.

Biography of Charles Forrest Curry

Charles Forrest Curry (1858-1930) played a significant role in shaping California’s public policy as a dedicated public servant. Born in Naperville, Illinois, he was the son of Charles H. M. Curry, a prominent San Francisco jeweler and Republican leader. Charles Forrest Curry moved to California in 1873 and pursued various roles, including county clerk and state assemblyman, before becoming secretary of state in 1894. He married Lillie A. Sieperly in 1892 and had two children. Active in numerous fraternal organizations, Curry’s career was marked by his commitment to public service and community involvement.

Biography of John Samuel Daly of Sacramento

John Samuel Daly, a prominent attorney in Sacramento since 1898, was born on June 5, 1873, on a ranch near Antelope, Sacramento County, California. His father, Judge Elisha Daly, a pioneer who arrived in California in 1850, was a farmer and former district judge from New York. John was educated at Stockton Business College and San Jose State Normal School, graduating in 1896, and later studied law at Stanford University. Admitted to the bar in 1898, he has balanced his legal career with extensive agricultural interests. Daly is active in various fraternal organizations and has been a notable supporter of the Republican party.

Biography of John T. Davis

John T. Davis (b. November 1830), a successful capitalist based in San Francisco, is known for his extensive investments in farming across California. Originally from Illinois, Davis relocated to Texas in 1852 before settling in California in 1854. He initially farmed in Tulare and Stockton, later acquiring significant tracts of land in Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Glenn Counties. By 1872, he leased his properties and focused on overseeing his investments. Married to Mary Marion in 1857, they have one daughter, Josephine Eltinge. A dedicated Democrat, Davis has been a notable figure in California’s development from its early days.

Biography of Michael J. Desmond

Michael J. Desmond, born in Boston in 1861, has served as city clerk of Sacramento since 1896. Son of Irish immigrants William and Ellen Desmond, he moved to Sacramento in 1871. Educated in Boston and Sacramento public schools, Desmond became a skilled boilermaker before transitioning to public service. He first served as clerk of the police court before his long tenure as city clerk. Married to Mary Morley in 1896, they have two children, Gerald and William. A Democrat, Desmond is active in the Elks Lodge and Woodmen of the World, respected for his meticulous and dedicated public service.

Biography of General John H. Dickinson of San Francisco

General John H. Dickinson (b. April 8, 1849) was a prominent figure in San Francisco’s legal history, having started his law practice in 1873. Born in Parkersburg, Virginia, he moved to California as an infant with his father, a merchant and pioneer. Dickinson self-studied law while teaching at St. Augustine’s College in Benicia. He joined the National Guard of California in 1871, rising to major general by 1898. Elected as a state senator in 1879, he also served Marin and Contra Costa counties. Married to Annie Shipman in 1875, he had one son, Reginald. Dickinson was active in Masonic circles and a dedicated Republican.

Biography of Joseph Craig

Joseph Craig, born in 1849 in Clinton County, Missouri, has been a key figure in Woodland, California, since 1852. As president of the Yolo County Consolidated Water Company, founded in 1903, he spearheads one of the state’s largest irrigation projects, crucial for local agriculture. A former successful lawyer, Craig shifted focus to public enterprises, significantly impacting Yolo County’s growth. He and his wife, Kate S. Stephens, own extensive farmland and hold major shares in the Bank of Woodland. Craig’s contributions to the community are marked by his leadership in both financial and agricultural sectors.

Biography of Thomas J. Cox, M. D. of Sacramento County

Dr. Thomas J. Cox, born in Sacramento County in 1871, is a prominent young physician in California’s capital. Son of Irish immigrants Thomas and Mary (Flanigan) Cox, he pursued his education locally, graduating high school in 1891. He earned his medical degree from the University of California, gaining initial experience at the Southern Pacific Railway Hospital and the county hospital. Since entering private practice in Sacramento, Dr. Cox has built a significant patient base. In 1900, he married Alice Sheehan, and they have two children, Margaret and Thomas, Jr. Dr. Cox is active in civic organizations and local politics as a Republican.

Biography of Hon. Frederick Cox of Sacramento

Hon. Frederick Cox, born January 16, 1828, in England, has significantly impacted banking and business in central California. After immigrating to America in 1846 and working in various trades, he co-founded a successful butchering business and later entered the cattle industry. In 1881, he helped establish the California State Bank, serving as its president since 1894. A prominent Democrat, he served in the California State Senate from 1882 to 1886. Cox’s long and respected career is marked by his enduring contributions to the financial and social fabric of Sacramento.