Henry L. Mead, the dependable and popular transfer agent for the Del Monte Hotel, is a native son, born at Castroville, October 6, 1870, and is a son of Henry Sherman and Juana (Pomber) Mead. The father came to the Golden state at the age of seventeen years, in 1858. He entered the service of the Sargents and for years was the superintendent of the famous Carmel ranch. Later he was with Louis Little in the general merchandise business at Castroville, and there he died. Our subject’s maternal grandmother was also of an old pioneer family. Mrs. Mead passed away in 1907, mourned by many.
Educated in the public schools of Castroville and at the Orphanage of Watsonville, Henry L. Mead started out well equipped to tussle with the world, and early began to acquire and attain. He was with Charles Bardin on his farm for four years and then followed various occupations. For the past thirty years, he has been with the Del Monte Hotel as their reliable transfer man, and for a long time drove their four-in-hand. He became very well known as a breaker and handler of colts and for fourteen years handled the hotel’s baggage by means of wagons and horses, but in 1918 he changed his form of vehicle to the motor truck. In his business he has become known to thousands from all parts of the globe, and it is safe to say that few men could spin more interesting stories about world notables and their valuable and odd sorts of baggage and personal effects.
Mr. Mead married Miss Carmen Del-Latore, who is descended from an old Spanish pioneer family. Her father died at the age of eighty-six years, his entire life being spent in Monterey. Mr. Mead is a republican. In 1907 he joined the volunteer fire department, and later he organized the fire company in Oak Grove. He belongs to the Independent Order of Foresters and is chief ranger, second to none in popularity.
Source: History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California : cradle of California’s history and romance : dating from the planting of the cross of Christendom upon the shores of Monterey Bay by Fr. Junipero Serra, and those intrepid adventurers who accompanied him, down to the present day. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1925.