California Genealogy, Author at California Genealogy

Biography of Rosa M. Feliz of King City California

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

Probably no woman in Monterey county is better known for her unselfish labor in caring for the afflicted, the old and infirm, and fatherless children than Rosa M. Feliz, of King City. She is a daughter of Don Jose Maria and Maria (Vallejo) Gil, her family being a link between the old Spanish regime and modern California. A sketch of her father appears elsewhere in this volume. Rosa M. Feliz, better known as Rosita, was reared on her father’s farm near Jolon. As a girl she was charitable, kind to all, always ready and willing to lend a helping hand … Read more

Early Times in New California

Sutter's Fort from Gleason's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion

Habits and amusements of the native Californians of early times–Americans before the conquest–Character of the early trappers and path-finders–Captain John A. Sutter and his achievements–The coming of Fremont–Ethics of the conquest, and other thoughts.

Glimpses of Early California History

Glimpses of Early California History – Though the plan of this work deals with today rather than with the struggles of yesterday, there is an irresistible temptation to delve into the past sufficiently to get a clear idea of the “beginnings of things” historical. And when one looks backwards in California history he is carried to the stirring times of the old Spanish freebooters. The Genoese mariner had scarcely made his great discovery known to the world when bold adventurers began to quarrel over unknown lands and to partition the distant parts of the earth among themselves.

Northern California’s Climate

Mt Shasta, 14,442 Feet, From the Scott Mountains, Shasta Co., California

It is the purpose of this chapter to present some of the vital truths about northern California, its climate, soil, resources, and general characteristics. The truth is more remarkable than any Aladdin-like tales that might be woven from the author’s imagination. This is perhaps the reason that the early legends that reached Spain attributed supernatural powers to the women of this land, which was supposed to be a living Eden, a sort of fulfillment of Shakespeare’s picture of fairyland, as portrayed in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The truth was added to by the early navigators until none could say where fiction and fact were blended.

California’s Gift to Civilization

By President David Starr Jordan, of Stanford University California is still very young and has most of her ahead of her. What in time she will do for civilization will make a great volume when its story is written. What she has already done, if adequately treated, will demand more knowledge than any one man can possess, and more space than this volume can give. All that can be attempted here is to give some slight analysis of the elements of which California’s past contribution consists. First we may consider those contributions independent of man made by sheer virtue of … Read more

Biography of Alexander M. Allan of Monterey California

A captain of industry who well merits the laurels bestowed upon him for his contribution to the expansion of local trade, is Alexander M. Allan, president of the Monterey Canning Company, Point Lobos, Monterey. He was born at Scranton, Pennsylvania, the son of Charles M. and Margaret Allan, the former a miner who had the misfortune to be killed at Nevada City, California. He was a hard-working, honest man, who gave his life, as have so many, in the pursuit of his occupation. Mrs. Allan died in 1924, and will long be Pleasantly remembered by many who knew her and … Read more

Biography of Robert R. Diaz of King City California

Few men have been more intimately associated with the great cattle interests of California than Robert R. Diaz. He was born in the city of San Francisco, October 3, 1857, of Spanish parents. His father, Thomas Diaz, was born at Santiago, Chili, and his mother, whose maiden name was Maria Torres, was also a Chilean, having been born in the city of Valparaiso. They were married in their native land and came to California in the early ’50s. Locating in San Francisco, then a straggling village of only a few thousand inhabitants, the father engaged in business as a cattle … Read more

Biography of S. Peter Anderson of Salinas California

S. Peter Anderson was born February 24, 1867, near Helsingborg, Sweden, a son of Thoed and Christine ( Sorenson) Anderson. He was reared on a farm, attended the common schools,and at the age of eighteen years came to the United States, and direct to San Francisco. Not finding employment to his liking in that city, he went on to Salinas, where he joined his cousin, John Ober, who had come to California from Sweden some fifteen years before. He remained with his cousin for about a year, after which he was employed for some time as a farm hand. Learning … Read more

Biography of Eugene Rianda of King City California

Eugene Rianda is a native of Monterey county, having been born at Soledad on February 12, 1895. His parents, John and Rosa (Bianchini) Rianda, were both born in Switzerland and came to California in 1872. They first settled at Watsonville, where they resided for about twenty years, when they removed to Soledad. For many years after coming to California the father followed the business of grain farmer. He is now living at Soledad, retired from active labor. Eugene Rianda received his elementary education in the common schools of Soledad, supplementing this by studying in the high schools of Soledad and … Read more

Biography of Samuel J. Miller of Carmel California

What extraordinary progress has been made in both the designing and building of superior houses in Monterey county is pleasantly evidenced in the broad, progressive and very enterprising operations of Samuel J. Miller, of Twelfth street, Carmel. He was born in the state of Washington, February 6, 1888, and learned the trade of a carpenter in San Francisco, where he was afterward for seven years foreman of construction for L. H. Sly, one of the leading contractors of the Bay City. He added to his experience rapidly, and during that time superintended the construction of ten large apartment houses in … Read more