Los Angeles County Archives - California Genealogy

Biography of Charles Henry Frost of Los Angeles

Charles Henry Frost, born on June 9, 1844, in Ithaca, New York, was a prominent business leader in Los Angeles, California. After moving to Illinois at age fourteen, Frost later advanced his career in Chicago, where he established the city’s first pressed-brick plant. In 1886, he founded the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company, overseeing its growth into one of the largest and most modern brick manufacturing operations in the United States. Frost’s company supplied high-quality brick for numerous significant buildings in Los Angeles. He also had extensive real estate holdings and was active in the olive oil industry.

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.

1883 Pensioners – Los Angeles County, California

List of Pensioners on the Roll January 1, 1883 – Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for Which Pensioned, the Post-Office Address, and the Date of Original Allowance, United States Pension Bureau Senate – Executive Document 84, Parts 1-5. This list is taken from the official Pension Roll of 1883, the major genealogical source for Civil War and War of 1812 pensioners. Pensioners are listed by post office address, and in no apparent order after that. No. ofcertifi-cate. Last nameof pensioner First nameof pensioner Post-officeaddress Cause for which pensioned Monthlyrate Date oforiginalallowance. 220429 Morton Delos Anaheim g.s.w.r.hand $4.00 … Read more

Biography of Carl F. Arnold of Watsonville California

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

Carl F. Arnold, whose talents lie along mechanical lines, has worked for many of the leading automobile manufacturers of the country, constantly broadening his knowledge and augmenting his skill, and is now classed with the most successful dealers of Watsonville, where he also operates a well equipped repair shop. Fortune has not always bestowed her favors upon him, but adversity has spurred him on to renewed effort, and by hard work and perseverance he has conquered every impediment in his course, pressing steadily onward to the goal fixed by his ambition. Mr. Arnold was born June 29, 1879, in Battle … Read more

Biography of William C. Ware of Pacific Grove California

William C. Ware, of 588 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove, has ever kept in touch with the advancement that has been made in twentieth century electrical work. He is a native of Missouri, born at Clinton, September 13, 1886. There he spent his boyhood until he was sixteen years of age, and in 1909 he came to California, settling in Los Angeles. There he took up electrical work having charge of power houses and sub-stations of the Los Angeles Electric Railroad, and after three years there he associated himself with other electrical companies in the state, including the Pacific Gas & … Read more

Biography of Harry Wurzel of New Monterey California

Harry Wurzel is manager of the Peninsula Upholstering & Drapery Company at 730 Lighthouse avenue, New Monterey, and is one of the most progressive merchants of the state, combining with business and executive ability, a rare appreciation of all that is tasteful and artistic in house furnishings and decorations. He was born In Hungary, December 13, 1884, and at thirteen years of age began to learn the trade of upholsterer and decorator. In 1904 Mr. Wurzel crossed the ocean to New York and in the eastern metropolis he worked at his trade with Messrs. Potes & Styrnes, the exclusive interior … Read more

Biography of Harry Johnstone Woods of El Monte California

Harry Johnstone Woods, who for over thirty yeas, has furnished El Monte citizens, a goodly portion of their daily bread, is counted among the substantial business men of the city. He came to California in 1897, bringing with him the sturdy traits of character, which were his by inheritance from Scotch forefathers. His birth occurred in West Burke, Caledonia County, Vermont, March 28, 1872, being next to the oldest in a family of eight children, five of who are living. His father, John M. Woods, was born in Hamilton, New York, while his grandfather, Harry Johnstone Woods, was born in … Read more

Biography of Thomas Mayes Wiggins of El Monte California

Many colorful incidents mark the life history of Thomas M. Wiggins, a native son of El Monte. Mr. Wiggins’ parents were, Thomas J. and Ellen (Vise) Wiggins, both of whom were natives of Missouri, coming to California in 1849, and settling in El Monte in 1852. Mrs. Wiggins was the daughter of Nathaniel Vise, whose family was the first to settle in Visalia, the town being named in their honor. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggins were married in El Monte in 1861, by Reverend Fryer, the well-known parson of pioneer days, whose sketch also is to be found in this volume. … Read more

Biography of Archie N. Wiggins of El Monte California

Born in El Monte, August 19, 1863, Archie N. Wiggins was one of the town’s most loyal and progressive citizens, who spent his entire life in the community and contributed generously in time and means to its advancement. He was the son of Thomas J. and Ellen (Vise) Wiggins who were natives of Kentucky and Missouri respectively, both being of Scotch ancestry. In 1849, Thomas J., then a resident of Texas, joined a covered wagon train born for California. The captain of this train was Nathan Vise, mentioned elsewhere in these pages as one of El Monte’s early settlers, who … Read more

Biography of Annie Frances Vise of El Monte California

Annie Frances Vise, born in 1850, in Houston County, Texas, made the voyage to California by was of Cape Horn, in 1859, with her adopted parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Hopper. Landing in San Pedro in the fall of ’59, Mrs. Vise was brought to Los Angeles, where she lived until in 1865 when the family moved to El Monte. Mrs. Vise was first married in 1867, to John Broaded, who at the time, was employed on the “Lucky” Baldwin ranch as a blacksmith. Mr. Broaded was later elected Los Angeles County Treasurer, in which office he served from 1883 … Read more