California Genealogy, Author at California Genealogy

Biography of Alfred Pressly Black

On the roll of capable attorneys at the San Francisco bar appears the name of Alfred Pressly Black, and the extent and importance of his clientage is an indication of the confidence reposed in his professional skills and ability. He was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1856, and is a son of James Black, who was likewise a native of the keystone state, born in 1808. The family is of Scotch-Irish descent and was established in America about the middle of the eighteenth century, the grandfather having located in Pennsylvania in 1796. James Black was a farmer by … Read more

Biography of Ebenezer Biggs

Ebenezer Biggs, who is engaged in teaming and contracting at Napa, is a self-made man and all that he has enjoyed or possessed in life has come to him as the direct reward of his own labor. He started out for himself when but eights years of age. He was very young to face the world alone, but as the years have advanced he has progressed and his life has been characterized by industry, perseverance and steadfastness of purpose. He was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1826, and has, therefore, reached the seventy-eighth milestone on life’s journey at this … Read more

Biography of Henry C. Bell

Henry C. Bell, who has been serving as United States internal revenue collector at Sacramento since 1898, has been prominent in the industrial and public life of this state for nearly thirty-five years during which time he has gained a high reputation for business integrity, executive ability and genuine worth of manhood. Since his early achievements as a soldier boy in the Civil war he has been an active worker in every enterprise to which he has put his hand, and among other things to his credit is that of being one of the first to place California fruit culture … Read more

Biography of William Beckman of Sacramento

William Beckman, born in December 1832 in the Mohawk Valley, New York, became a prominent figure in Sacramento, California. He moved to California in 1852 during the mining boom, initially trying his hand at mining before shifting to the hotel business and later farming in Florin. In 1879, Beckman founded the People’s Savings Bank of Sacramento, serving as its president and establishing it as a reliable financial institution. A former county supervisor and railroad commissioner, he also engaged in community and fraternal organizations. Beckman married twice, first to Mary Webber and later to Nellie Sims, contributing significantly to Sacramento’s development.

Biography of Joachim G. Weidemann of Bradley California

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

If long service in one position is a test of merit and trustworthiness, Joachim G. Weidemann has certainly stood the test. As manager of the Southern Pacific Milling Company at Bradley, California, he is, in point of service, the oldest of about thirty managers along the Coast Division, having occupied this place for thirty-six years. He was born in Norway, on April 10, 1857, and is a son of C. F. and Caroline (Tellesen) Weidemann. His father served for a long time in the Norwegian navy, then became an architect and spent the closing years of his life as a … Read more

Biography of John H. Horsnyder of Santa Cruz California

Associated with the historic past as the pioneer druggist of Santa Cruz, John H. Horsnyder knows almost everybody for miles around, and everybody knows, or ought to know him, while all who know him well esteem and honor him for his life and work. A. native of the good old Buckeye state, he was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, January 20, 1857, and as a boy attended the excellent schools of that city. He was graduated from the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy as a member of the Class of ’77, and worked as a prescription clerk and druggist in his native … Read more

Biography of O. B. Petersen of Soledad California

About seven and a half miles southwest of Soledad are the Paraiso Hot Springs, the history of which dates back to 1791. In that year King Carlos of Spain granted to the Mission la Soledad twenty acres of land including these springs. The priests of the mission established a health resort, to which they gave the name of Eternidad Paraiso, which means Eternal Paradise. Thus, for more than two centuries the healing waters of these springs have been used in the treatment of rheumatism, kidney and stomach troubles and other maladies. O. B. Petersen, the present owner and manager of … Read more

Biography of Peter J. Storm of Watsonville California

Peter J. Storm, a member of one of the honored pioneer families of Watsonville, is ably continuing the work begun by his father and ranks with the leading stock raisers of the Pajaro valley. He was born December 4, 1876, on the home ranch, and his parents, Christian F. and Laura (Anderson) Storm, were both natives of Denmark. The father was born in Schleswig-Holstein and was a son of Peter Storm, who came to this section of the state in the late ’50s. The latter engaged in farming near Watsonville and built the first bridge across the slough, at the … Read more

Biography of Frank P. McFadden of Blanco California

Frank P. McFadden, a prominent ranchman near Blanco and supervisor of District No. 2, Monterey county, was born March 17, 1871, a son of Charles and Sophia (Fabry) McFadden. The father was a native of Ireland and the mother a native of Germany. Both came to the United States as young people and were married in this country. Charles McFadden came to California and for some years was engaged in the sawmill business in Santa Cruz. Some time in the ’60s he bought a ranch near Blanco and became one of the substantial citizens, active in local affairs, until his … Read more

Biography of Frederick C. Forbes of King City California

For three generations the Forbes family has been intimately connected with the development of the country including Monterey county and the surrounding territory. J. Alonzo Forbes, the grandfather of Frederick, was a man of large mining and ranching interests in his day and was interested in various projects for the general welfare. Among other public-spirited actions he gave the land on which Santa Clara College now stands and otherwise assisted that institution in its infancy. His son, also named J. Alonzo, was born in Santa Clara, and grew to manhood on his father’s ranch. Sometime in the ’60s he purchased … Read more