Biography of Alexander M. Allan of Monterey California

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

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 Robert R. Diaz of King City California

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

Few men have been more intimately associated with the great cattle interests of California than Robert R. Diaz. He was born in the city of San Francisco, October 3, 1857, of Spanish parents. His father, Thomas Diaz, was born at Santiago, Chili, and his mother, whose maiden name was Maria Torres, was also a Chilean, having been born in the city of Valparaiso. They were married in their native land and came to California in the early ’50s. Locating in San Francisco, then a straggling village of only a few thousand inhabitants, the father engaged in business as a cattle … Read more

Biography of S. Peter Anderson of Salinas California

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

S. Peter Anderson was born February 24, 1867, near Helsingborg, Sweden, a son of Thoed and Christine ( Sorenson) Anderson. He was reared on a farm, attended the common schools,and at the age of eighteen years came to the United States, and direct to San Francisco. Not finding employment to his liking in that city, he went on to Salinas, where he joined his cousin, John Ober, who had come to California from Sweden some fifteen years before. He remained with his cousin for about a year, after which he was employed for some time as a farm hand. Learning … Read more

Biography of Eugene Rianda of King City California

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

Eugene Rianda is a native of Monterey county, having been born at Soledad on February 12, 1895. His parents, John and Rosa (Bianchini) Rianda, were both born in Switzerland and came to California in 1872. They first settled at Watsonville, where they resided for about twenty years, when they removed to Soledad. For many years after coming to California the father followed the business of grain farmer. He is now living at Soledad, retired from active labor. Eugene Rianda received his elementary education in the common schools of Soledad, supplementing this by studying in the high schools of Soledad and … Read more

Biography of Samuel J. Miller of Carmel California

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

What extraordinary progress has been made in both the designing and building of superior houses in Monterey county is pleasantly evidenced in the broad, progressive and very enterprising operations of Samuel J. Miller, of Twelfth street, Carmel. He was born in the state of Washington, February 6, 1888, and learned the trade of a carpenter in San Francisco, where he was afterward for seven years foreman of construction for L. H. Sly, one of the leading contractors of the Bay City. He added to his experience rapidly, and during that time superintended the construction of ten large apartment houses in … Read more

Biography of Barnet J. Segal of Carmel California

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

Barnet J. Segal of Carmel, the affable and progressive cashier of the Bank of Carmel, was born in New York city, January 31, 1898, and was reared and educated in the state of New Jersey. He attended and graduated from the Bayonne high school, and then became a student in the New York University; while later he benefited by the excellent courses in the Pace Institute of New York city, pursuing an accounting training. Following that experience, he was associated with various banks in New York and New Jersey. At the call for service during the World war he went … Read more

Biography of W. F. Nichols of King City California

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

W. F. Nichols, manager and part owner of the King City Mercantile Company, was born at Aptos, Santa Cruz county; California, February 10, 1884. His father, Benjamin C. Nichols, came to that county in 1852, when the state of California was but two years old. He built and operated one of the first sawmills in the county and later followed agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Margaret Ward and the subject of this sketch is one of the children born to this union. After receiving a common school education W. F. Nichols learned telegraphy. While still in his teens he was … Read more

Biography of William C. Ware of Pacific Grove California

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

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 Lorenz Lorentzen of Gonzales California

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

Lorenz Lorentzen was born in Schleswig, Denmark, December 2, 1882, and is a son of Ole and Helen Mary (Ahrenkiel) Lorentzen. The father was engaged in the feed business in that country for many years, or until 1921, when he came to California, where he is still living. In his boyhood and youth Lorenz Lorentzen attended the local schools, completing his education by a course in a business college. Before coming to California in 1904, he was engaged in mercantile pursuits and the printing business in his native land. His first year in California was spent in Salinas, and the … Read more

Biography of Harry Wurzel of New Monterey California

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

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