El Monte from the Pioneer Days

California is rich in the possession of men of ability and enterprise who have given their best efforts toward the material growth and progress of the state.   Among these prominent mention may be made of two native sons, the Mills brothers, Francis E. and Edward T., who in 1875, located in the vicinity of El […]

For over fifty years a resident of El Monte, George Metcalf, a native son of California, has seen many changes in the growth and development of El Monte and vicinity.  Mr. Metcalf was born in San Jose, March 24, 1877.  He is the son of Martin Metcalf, and early pioneer of California in 186, locating

Prominent in the early walnut raising industry of the Mountain View district, and at present, active as a realtor and subdivider of his properties, is Thomas R. McMichael, who came to California in the early nineties and settled in the vicinity of El Monte a short time later. Born November 14, 1868, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, Mr.

A Justice of the Peace in the early days of El Monte and a citizen of the community since the early eighties, John A. McGirk, has been one of the city’s outstanding residents throughout the years of its steady growth and development. Born of Missouri parentage and nativity, Mr. McGirk is the son of Mathias McGirk,

One of the first physicians to cast his lot in El Monte was Dr. T. A. Mayes, who came to El Monte in 1852 and spent the remainder of his life among the people of El Monte to whom he administered aid and counsel in times of need. He was born in South Carolina in

Benjamin F. Maxson, Jr., a native of California, was born in Tustin, May 15, 1879. His father was Benjamin F. Maxson, Sr., El Monte pioneer, who contributed much to the development of the community, and was especially prominent in the early growth of the walnut industry here. A separate sketch of his life is to

An inheritance of sterling traits of character, have made the members of the Maxson family revered and highly esteemed citizens of this section.  New England ancestry gave to their descendents name and character, later members locating in New York, where in Allegheny County, Abel Maxson, father of the subject of this review, a native of

“Let the world wag as it willI’ll be gay and happy still”— This little jingle for a slogan together with “Don’ Worry,” constituted a rule for longevity as set forth by William T. Martin, better known by the early pioneers of El Monte district as “Tooch” Martin, who until his death in the year of

William C. Martin was born in what is now Red River County, Texas, January 29, 1824.  His father, Gabriel N. Martin was a native of North Carolina, who went to Texas in 1812.  His mother was formerly Henrietta Wright.  She was born in Alabama.  Mr. Martin’s father was a wealthy farmer and a prominent man

Prominent and esteemed among the citizens of El Monte and for fifteen years, editor and owner of the El Monte Gazette, Curtis C.M. Maltman served the community conscientiously and well.  In addition to his work of recording local events, and moulding public opinion by his able editorials, Mr. Maltman also served the community for five