Monterey County

Alex Richard Underwood, proprietor of the old Central Hotel in Monterey, now operated as the Underwood Hotel, and one of the best known men in western California, is a native son of California and has been a resident of this state all his life, a continuous resident of Monterey for the past quarter of a century. He was born on the great Chupinos ranch, then owned by his father, in the vicinity of Monterey, February 7, 1862, and is a son of Charles and Catherine (Armstrong) Underwood, the latter of whom was a native of Ireland, and they were married … Read more

La Von E. Gottfried, of the historic mission town of Carmel, is one to whom considerable credit is due for whatever of modern form and spirit now distinguishes the town. He is engaged in the general contracting business and at all times works to improve the appearance of the community as well as advance his own fortunes. He was born on a farm in Ohio, July 12, 1896. His father, Phillip Gottfried, was a farmer, and in the building of a home was ably assisted by his good wife, who, before her marriage was Miss V. B. Ritenour. To the … Read more

Decidedly among the most interesting, as unquestionably among the most honored of citizens of Carmel-by-the-Sea are Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Hand, of Ocean avenue, who have resided here so many years that they may well claim to be a part of the historic art colony. Mr. Hand was born at Lynn, Massachusetts, July 29, 1845, and in the still colorful days of ’61, he came west, and while yet a lad of eighteen, he was a pony express rider on a branch line that ran from Virginia City to Humboldt. He later met his “beloved Mollie,” who was then … Read more

William T. Kibbler, the efficient and popular mayor of Carmel, living on Eighth street, near Ocean avenue, is a native of Boston, born May 12, 1856. There he attended both the grammar and the high schools, and afterward clerked in a drug store. In 1874 he came to the Pacific coast, settling in San Francisco, where he clerked in the drug store of Judson & Company. Then going to Los Angeles county, he engaged in wheat farming for four years. In 1885 Mr. Kibbler returned to San Francisco and established himself in business by opening a drug store at the … Read more

A few years before the Mexican war Green Prewitt of Mississippi left his home in that state as a young man, to ascertain what the great west might contain. After spending some time in Texas and the present state of Oklahoma, the war with Mexico came to an end and a large tract of country, including California, came into the possession of the United States by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. That same year found Mr. Prewitt in the new territory. The discovery of gold failed to excite him as it did thousands of others. He was in … Read more