Monterey County Archives - California Genealogy

Biography of A. Early Averrett of Soledad

A. Early Averrett, senior member of the firm of Averrett & Stephens, dealers in general merchandise at Soledad, is a native of the State of Georgia, where he was born on the thirteenth day of November, ’45. At the age of seven years, he moved with his parents to Alabama, where he remained until he was twenty-three years old, when he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San Francisco in June, 1868. He went to Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, and entered the mercantile house of A. Lewis & Co., as salesman, which position he occupied seven … Read more

Biography of Dr. S. M. Archer of Salinas

Dr. S. M. Archer is not only an eminent physician and genial gentleman, but one of the landmarks of Monterey County, having resided here since 1869. He is forty-two years old and came to California in 1868, from Louisville, Kentucky. He comes from a long line of American ancestors, the first of whom were early colonial settlers in Virginia and Maryland. At a later date members of the family participated in the wars of the Revolution and 1812, and in the early Indian wars, many of them filling important positions in the army and Government. Among Dr. Archer’s ancestors is … Read more

Biography of De Witt Appleton of Monterey

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

The present improved condition and appearance of Monterey owes much to such progressive, enterprising designers and builders as De Witt Appleton, a native of San Francisco, born September 28, 1875, the son of David E. and Rachel (Pullen) Appleton, the former a pioneer of 1850. Although hailing from New York city, where he had been associated with his relatives, D. Appleton & Co., world known publishers, he was glad, on landing in San Francisco during the hurly-burly of the early gold rush to drive a dump cart and to work as an employee in leveling off the sand and prepare … Read more

Biographies of Monterey County, California

These biographies are extracted from a variety of sources and cover the men and women in Monterey County California’s history.

Biography of Edward Allen of Monterey

Edward Allen, an enterprising, experienced contractor who has also found time to serve his fellow-townsmen as city trustee, thereby doubly earning the esteem and endorsement of many, was born in Monterey, February 21, 1856, the son of Thomas and Jane Allen-the former an Irishman by birth, the latter of English parentage. Thomas Allen came to California about 1850 and located in Monterey. His home, in which his son Edward was born, was the first frame house in California, a plain structure put together in Australia and shipped ’round the Horn, and long an object of particular interest in Monterey, until … Read more

Biography of Alexander M. Allen of Monterey County

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 John K. Alexander of Salinas

Judge John K. Alexander, born in 1839 in Mississippi and later brought to California, exemplified the ideal jurist, valuing impartiality, integrity, and a serious commitment to law. After studying law, he began his practice in 1862 and formed significant partnerships, including with his mentor, Geo. R. Moore. Elected District Attorney, he later became Superior Judge in 1879 at the request of a diverse group of citizens. Renowned for few reversals of his judgments, his legal writings were praised for clarity. Married in 1865, he had two sons and stayed engaged in community and Masonic activities, receiving an LL.D. in 1888.

Biography of Francis A. Abbott of Salinas

Prominent among the public officials in Monterey county, is Francis A. Abbott, city treasurer and tax collector of Salinas. He is influential in commercial and financial circles, and may be credited with contributing effectively in a sound and permanent way toward the rapid and steady development of this promising section of the great Golden state. A native son always proud of his association with the California commonwealth, Frank Abbott was born at Point Reyes, Marin county, March 16, 1862, the son of Carlisle S. and Alice Elizabeth (Merriman) Abbott, both natives of Ontario, and now deceased. Twice the father made … Read more

1883 Pensioners – Monterey 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. 3847 Doud Francis Monterey g.s.w.tibia $8.00 … Read more

Biography of Peter N. Bondesen of Salinas California

Among the ranchmen and fruit growers in the region about Salinas, few have been more successful in recent years than Peter N. Bondesen. He was born in Denmark, June 8, 1866, and is a son of Nels and Celia (Smith) Bondesen. His father was a weaver by trade and in his boyhood Peter attended the local schools, where he picked up the rudiments of a practical education. When he was fifteen years of age he came to America alone and went directly to the home of his brother, Hans Bondesen, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. For some time he worked as a … Read more