Sonoma County Archives - California Genealogy

Biography of Hon. Mark. L. McDonald of Santa Rosa

Hon. Mark L. McDonald, a prominent Californian for over forty-five years, significantly impacted the state’s financial and industrial sectors. Born in Kentucky in 1833, he moved to California in 1859, where he became a successful stock broker and a member of the state board of horticulture. He contributed to Santa Rosa’s public welfare through various projects, including the city’s water works and street railroad. Married in 1864, he had five children, including M. L. McDonald Jr., who is also notable in local enterprise.

Biography of James William Jesse, M. D. of Santa Rosa

James William Jesse, M.D., born in Mexico, Missouri, in 1857, was a leading physician and surgeon in Santa Rosa, California. Educated at Columbia College in Missouri and the College of the City of New York, he earned his M.D. and began practicing in Santa Rosa in 1890. Dr. Jesse served as mayor, city health officer, and county physician, and was a surgeon for major railroads and the Red Cross Sanitarium. He was president of the Santa Rosa Medical Society and active in Masonic and Elk fraternities. Dr. Jesse married Mary E. Higgins, and their daughter, Marie, studied at Mills College.

Biography of Earnest Martin Hoen

Ernest Martin Hoen, an accomplished architect, was born in Santa Rosa, California, in 1872. He is the son of Berthold (“Barney”) Hoen, a German immigrant and city founder of Santa Rosa, and Marie Andersen Gade Hoen, a Danish immigrant from a distinguished family. Ernest graduated from Washington University’s Manual Training School in St. Louis in 1889 and established a successful architectural career in San Francisco and Sacramento. In 1899, he married Edna Lewis of Sacramento, and they have a son, Martin Lewis Hoen. Ernest is active in the Masons and the Elks, and is a dedicated Republican.

Biography of W. L. Clark of Forestville, California

The name of Clark is well known throughout Sonoma county, and especially in Forestville, where father and son in their several capacities have become familiar to every household, the former as postmaster of this town for many years, and the latter as a dispenser of meats throughout the town and surrounding country. Not only is W. L. Clark a native of the state, but he is also a native of Sonoma county, his birth occurring in Windsor May 8, 1865, the son of W. S. Clark and his wife, both natives of Illinois. During the period of gold excitement W. … Read more

Biography of Benjamin Clark of Russian River Township, California

An illustrated history of Sonoma County, California

Benjamin Clark, of Russian River Township, is a native of Indiana, born in Perry County, May 4, 1825, his parents being Robert and Nancy (Masterson) Clark, both of whom were Kentuckians by birth. In 1831, the family removed to Illinois, locating in Bureau County, and there Benjamin Clark was reared. In 1853, he joined an Illinois party bound for California. They crossed the Missouri River at Kaneville, and choosing the Salt Lake route, arrived in Shasta County on the 16th of September, having been to that time from the 17th of March in making the journey. After a residence of … Read more

Biography of Edward Power Colgan

Edward Power Colgan, born January 10, 1856, in Santa Rosa, California, served his fourth term as state controller of California and had been in public service since 1887. Colgan, the eldest of six sons, was educated in Santa Rosa and trained as a blacksmith before entering politics. He served as sheriff of Sonoma County and was first elected state controller in 1894. His long tenure reflected his integrity and dedication. Married to Mary E. Smith in 1880, they had four surviving children. Colgan was also active in various fraternal organizations, including the Masons and the Elks.

Biography of Judge John Tyler Campbell

Judge John Tyler Campbell, who took up his residence in Santa Rosa thirty years ago, has from the first stood among the most prominent and public-spirited citizens. His career both previous and subsequent to that time has been marked with highest ability and executive energy, so that not only his immediate community and city but the state and country have felt the power of his influence. His public career has been especially honorable and useful, and California is happy and fortunate to number him among her most noted citizens. The biographer cannot do better in this connection than to quote … Read more