Monterey County Archives - Page 2 of 8

Biography of George Harper of Monterey California

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

George Harper, the superintendent and secretary of the Monterey Canning- Company, of Monterey is an experienced, progressive and thoroughly wide-awake executive. He was born in the Shetland islands, off the coast of Scotland, June 7, 1870, the son of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Ellison) Harper, worthy folks now long deceased. Having to make his own way in the world rather earlier than most boys, George Harper was trained for the most part in the school of experience. He was reared on a farm and after the manner of the Shetland Islanders, devoted not a little of his time as a boy … Read more

Biography of C. J. Giacomazzi of Soledad California

Few men only thirty-four years of age can look back upon a more varied career than can C. J. Giacomazzi, editor and publisher of the Soledad Bee. He was born in Soledad, November 20, 1890, and is the third in order of birth in the family of four children born to Con and Sarah ( Serafina) Giacomazzi, both of whom were born in Switzerland and came to America in 1870. They first located at Watsonville, California, and in 1885 came to Soledad. For many years the father was a rancher on a rather extensive scale but retired in 1910 and … Read more

Biography of Frank Hellam of Monterey California

Frank Hellam is a wholesale and retail dealer in candies and tobacco, enjoying a substantial and growing business at 404 Alvarado Street, Monterey. He is a native of Michigan, born at Pontiac, September 13, 1869, the son of John and Fannie (Woodhull) Hellam, the former a brick-mason who came to California in 1881 with his son Frank and settled at Monterey. Later the family removed to Shasta county but after twenty years returned to Monterey, where Mrs. Hellam passed away in 1922. Mr. Hellam, having built many of the fine residences here, at last retired, and is now enjoying a … Read more

Biography of Joseph E. Bentley of Seaside California

Few, if any, business establishments of Monterey county have rendered a greater service to the community in which they have operated than that of Bentley & Son, so ably represented by the senior partner, Joseph E. Bentley, of Seaside. A native of the metropolis, New York city, he was born on the 4th of January, in the centennial year of the Republic, and his parents were Michael O. and Jennie A. (Osborne) Bentley. The mother’s ancestors landed at Plymouth Rock, and one of her forbears bought and fitted out the Mayflower. The father was a physician. He retired early enough … Read more

Biography of J. C. Falkenberg of King City California

Few merchants of Monterey county have been longer in the business or have had a more varied experience than J. C. Falkenberg, president of the King City Mercantile Company. He was born in Denmark in 1864, reared on a farm and received a high school education. When about sixteen years of age he decided to seek his fortune in America. Shortly after landing in this country he found his way to Watsonville, California, and obtained a position as clerk in a store. That was the beginning of his mercantile career. Later he formed a partnership with a Mr. Krogh, his … Read more

Biography of O. G. Lannon, D. C. of Monterey California

More to be prized than the lucrative practice with which he has from the start been favored, is the enviable status scientifically of Dr. O. G. Lannon, one of the most progressive representatives of Twentieth Century healing, and in this respect he reflects credit on both the state of his adoption and the city of his birth, Pueblo, Colorado, where he first saw the light on January 9, 1891. He is a son of F. P. and Lucy (Gingell) Lannon, the former a member of the state utility commission of Colorado. Both parents are still living, in the enjoyment of … Read more

Biography of Milton W. Austin of Salinas California

Milton W. Austin is proprietor of the Austin Drug Store of Salinas, his experience, enterprise and desire to please, as well as the fact that he carries a complete stock, have made the place the preferred headquarters for many. Mr. Austin is a native of Salinas, having been born here August 6, 1900, and has grown up in the spirit of the town and county. His parents were Horace W. and Carlotta (Smith) Austin and the paternal grandfather was Amos Austin, a railroad engineer who resided in Salinas and in later years located in Los Angeles, where he engaged in … Read more

Biography of Matt J. McGowan of Watsonville California

Few men in the Watsonville neighborhood have a wider acquaintance than Matt J. McGowan, a substantial rancher in the Trafton district of the Pajaro valley, and few thereabout are held in higher regard, for his good works in the community-have long established him as a real friend to all mankind. Many of the young men in the Watsonville community are proud to look upon Mr. McGowan as a typical “big brother” and his helping hand has been extended in many directions known only to those who have been the immediate beneficiaries of the help thus bestowed. At the time the … Read more

Biography of Frank Bruno of Monterey California

Frank Bruno, who during the past eleven years has been accorded a profitable patronage as a dealer in cigars, and soft drinks in Monterey, has been honored with the presidency of the Americanization Society of the city and is indeed a loyal son of his adopted land. A native of Italy, he was born on the 17th of January, 1883, his parents being Vincento and Jennie Bruno. The father came to the United States and to California about the year 1880, locating first in Pittsburg. This place had been formerly known as Black Diamond and here it was that many … Read more

Biography of Ralph Thomsen of Salinas California

A contractor whose success is the clearest evidence of his ability and worth is Ralph Thomsen, of 330 California street, Salinas, in which city, as well as in other parts of Monterey county, he has established for himself a reputation for dependability. He makes a specialty of interior and exterior decorating, is well-informed as to both the latest art standards and styles and the trade conditions, and he has original ideas that afford pleasure to those wishing for the best and also desiring the charm of the unusual, approved by the most discriminating taste. Mr. Thomsen was born at Salinas, … Read more