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 brother-in-law, and for about eight years they were engaged in the grocery business.
In 1896 he came to King City, where he has since been closely identified with mercantile interests, first as an employee and later as a partner or stockholder in some of the large firms. He was one of the organizers of the Hamilton, Allen & Falkenberg Mercantile Company—commonly referred to as the H. A. F. Mercantile Company,—of which he was the first treasurer and later was vice president. After selling his interest in this concern he bought an interest in the King City Mercantile Company, of which he is now president.
Mr. Falkenberg is prominent in fraternal circles, being a Scottish Rite Mason, a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, an Elk, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Daughters of Rebekah. In civic affairs he has taken an active part ever since coming to King City. For thirteen years he served as a member of the school board, where he was influential in securing a new public school building and the establishment of the King City high school. He has never hesitated to spend his time and money for the advancement of the general welfare of the community.
In 1887 Miss Anne Smith, of Santa Cruz, became Mrs. J. C. Falkenberg. Two sons have been born to this marriage: Ray, a graduate of Heald’s Business College, at one time connected with the First National Bank of King City, and now in the real estate business in Santa Cruz; and Stanley, employed by the Shell Oil Company at King City.
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.