California Genealogy, Author at California Genealogy

Biography of George W. Dobyns of El Monte California

George W. Dobyns, revered and respected among El Monte’s early settlers, was born in Illinois, June 13, 1852. When he was only a boy his parents moved to Missouri where they remained until George was past his majority. In about the year 1874, they made the journey overland to California. Mr. Dobyns settled first in the vicinity of El Monte, engaging for several years in farming. In 1886 he moved to Tehachapi and ranched for about five years. A few years following the death of his wife, in 1891, Mr. Dobyns returned to El Monte where, in partnership with E.J. … Read more

Biography of William R. Dodson of El Monte California

William R. Dodson for thirty-six years, proprietor of The Dodson Hotel, was born in Crawford County, Arkansas, in 1839. his father Gainaim M. Dodson, was a native of Halifax County, Virginia, who in 1833 went to Kentucky, where he married Miss Nancy P. Thompson, a native of that state, and later settled in the county in which the subject of this sketch was born. Mr. Dodson was reared upon his father’s farm until 1861, when the Civil War broke out, and early in that year he entered the service of the Confederate States as a private in the Arkansas Cavalry. … Read more

Biography of Rollie F. De Garmo of El Monte California

Rollie Frank De Garmo, a well known rancher of this district came to California in 1894, and after finishing his education in Williams Commercial College, at Pasadena, he engaged in farming near San Gabriel, moving later onto a fifty-three acre tract near El Monte. In 1899 he moved to Long Beach, where he conducted a dairy for four years. He then returned to El Monte and engaged in the dairy business and raised alfalfa. He later installed a pumping plant for irrigation on his ranch, and for a number of years, engaged in vegetable raising, leasing extra land adjoining his … Read more

First-Person Narratives of California’s Early Years, 1849 to 1900

First-Person Narratives of California’s Early Years, 1849 to 1900. The collection covers the dramatic decades between the Gold Rush and the turn of the twentieth century. It captures the pioneer experience; encounters between Anglo-Americans and the diverse peoples who had preceded them; the transformation of the land by mining, ranching, agriculture, and urban development; the often-turbulent growth of communities and cities; and California’s emergence as both a state and a place of uniquely American dreams.

Newspapers in Alameda County California

Alameda County Newspapers compiled from various sources. Shows dates available on microfilm at city, county, and university libraries in Alameda County. The dates are complete ranges for the newspapers known to be available, but not particularly for any single microfilm or library.

Biography of Herbert Alfred Burdick of El Monte California

Herbert Alfred Burdick was born in Cortland, New York, February 18, 1855, the second in a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters. The father, Amos, was also born in that place, as was the grandfather, Joseph, who as a frontiersman, engaged as a hunter and trapper, and in summers, as a farmer. Amos Burdick followed his early training and became a farmer, in young manhood removing to Wisconsin, where he enlisted in Company B., Thirteenth Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, and served in the Civil War for three years and nine months. Returning to civil life, he located in … Read more

Biography of Lester C. Burdick of El Monte California

El Monte has in Lester C. Burdick, a citizen of sterling character, and a most conscientious public official – one who is worth of the high esteem in which he is held for his loyal and courageous service as head of the Police Department. His untiring work in behalf of the city during the years prior to, as well as since its incorporation are also deserving of recognition. A son of Herbert A. Burdick, and El Monte pioneer, who came from sturdy New England frontiersman stock, the subject of this sketch, inherits the courageous, self-reliant traits of his forefathers. Mr. … Read more

Biography of Jacob Mitchell Callan of El Monte California

Settling in El Monte in 1855, Jacob M. Callan became one of the first village blacksmiths. He operated his shop on the lot later occupied by succeeding blacksmiths, J.W. Broaded, and in more recent years, H.A. Burdick, father of the present (1936) Chief of Police, Lester C. Burdick. Jacob M. Callan was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in the year 1832. His parents were of Irish and German descent. He attended the local public schools of his home and later learned the blacksmith trade. About 1850 he embarked on a sailing vessel for California making the long voyage around Cape Horn … Read more

Biography of Fredrick Payson Cave of El Monte California

Highly esteemed as a public benefactor, and active in the early development of El Monte, was Dr. Fredrick P. Cave, who opened the first drug store here and also built up a large practice as a physician. Dr. Cave was born in Montreal, Canada, March 26, 1853. His parents were natives of Ireland, coming to America and settling in Vermont, where they resided for many years. Dr. Cave attended the public schools of his home community, and on completing his academic education, he taught school for a number of terms near his home in Vermont. He later attended, and was … Read more

Biography of Roger L. Choate of El Monte California

Honored and esteemed by El Monte citizens for his fine character, culture and Christian influence in the community, was Roger L. Choate, who in 1886 came to California settling in El Monte three years later, and continued to make his home through the years until the time of his death, January 10, 1937. Mr. Choate was born June 18, 1854, in Nashua, New Hampshire. His parents were Charles and Mary (Cogswell) Choate, farmers, both of whom were also natives of New Hampshire. During his early childhood, Mr. Choate’s parents moved to Derry, New Hampshire, where he received his common school … Read more