History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties Archives

Biography of Peter N. Bondesen of Salinas California

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

Among the ranchmen and fruit growers in the region about Salinas, few have been more successful in recent years than Peter N. Bondesen. He was born in Denmark, June 8, 1866, and is a son of Nels and Celia (Smith) Bondesen. His father was a weaver by trade and in his boyhood Peter attended the local schools, where he picked up the rudiments of a practical education. When he was fifteen years of age he came to America alone and went directly to the home of his brother, Hans Bondesen, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. For some time he worked as a … Read more

Biography of George Harper of Monterey California

George Harper, the superintendent and secretary of the Monterey Canning- Company, of Monterey is an experienced, progressive and thoroughly wide-awake executive. He was born in the Shetland islands, off the coast of Scotland, June 7, 1870, the son of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Ellison) Harper, worthy folks now long deceased. Having to make his own way in the world rather earlier than most boys, George Harper was trained for the most part in the school of experience. He was reared on a farm and after the manner of the Shetland Islanders, devoted not a little of his time as a boy … Read more

Biography of George F. Martin of Watsonville California

George F. Martin, manager of the California Pine Box Company of Watsonville, is a native of the Pajaro valley and represents one of its pioneer families. He was born on the home ranch, January 20, 1872, and his parents were Adam and Ella (Cochran) Martin. His father was a native of Germany and followed the tide of immigration to the new world, settling in Santa Cruz county, California, early in the ’60s. He located in the Riverside Road district and was one of the first to glimpse the possibilities of this region as a fruit-growing center. He had two ranches … Read more

Biography of C. J. Giacomazzi of Soledad California

Few men only thirty-four years of age can look back upon a more varied career than can C. J. Giacomazzi, editor and publisher of the Soledad Bee. He was born in Soledad, November 20, 1890, and is the third in order of birth in the family of four children born to Con and Sarah ( Serafina) Giacomazzi, both of whom were born in Switzerland and came to America in 1870. They first located at Watsonville, California, and in 1885 came to Soledad. For many years the father was a rancher on a rather extensive scale but retired in 1910 and … Read more

Biography of Louis C. Scholl of Santa Cruz California

A popular institution for the comfort of the masses is the Seabright Rati-t at Seabright Beach, in Santa Cruz county, owned and managed by Louis C. Scholl. A native son of the most loyal type, always enthusiastic for the Golden state, Mr. Scholl was born at Santa Cruz, on August 7, 1887, the son of Conrad and Alice (Gripenstraw) Scholl, the former from New York city, the latter a native of Illinois. Conrad Scholl was born in the eastern metropolis June 2, 1856; and his father having died when he was only two years old, he was brought out to … Read more

Biography of Frank Hellam of Monterey California

Frank Hellam is a wholesale and retail dealer in candies and tobacco, enjoying a substantial and growing business at 404 Alvarado Street, Monterey. He is a native of Michigan, born at Pontiac, September 13, 1869, the son of John and Fannie (Woodhull) Hellam, the former a brick-mason who came to California in 1881 with his son Frank and settled at Monterey. Later the family removed to Shasta county but after twenty years returned to Monterey, where Mrs. Hellam passed away in 1922. Mr. Hellam, having built many of the fine residences here, at last retired, and is now enjoying a … Read more

Biography of Joseph E. Bentley of Seaside California

Few, if any, business establishments of Monterey county have rendered a greater service to the community in which they have operated than that of Bentley & Son, so ably represented by the senior partner, Joseph E. Bentley, of Seaside. A native of the metropolis, New York city, he was born on the 4th of January, in the centennial year of the Republic, and his parents were Michael O. and Jennie A. (Osborne) Bentley. The mother’s ancestors landed at Plymouth Rock, and one of her forbears bought and fitted out the Mayflower. The father was a physician. He retired early enough … Read more

Biography of Clarence M. Smith of Watsonville California

Clarence M. Smith, a veteran of the World war, is acting as manager of the Hammond Lumber Company at Watsonville, and that he is a thoroughly dependable young man of more than average ability is indicated by his selection for this responsible position. He was born in Leadville, Colorado, January 30, 1893, and there received his early instruction. He also attended schools in England and in Stockton, California, completing his education in the Polytechnic College of Engineering at Oakland. In 1917 he responded to the call of his country and spent twenty-two months overseas, winning the commission of first lieutenant. … Read more

Biography of J. C. Falkenberg of King City California

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 … Read more

People’s Finance & Thrift Company

Eminently deserving of public interest and confidence, and, therefore, most naturally in the enjoyment of substantial prosperity is the People’s Finance & Thrift Company, of Santa Cruz, with headquarters at 3 Locust Street. It is incorporated under the laws of the state of California, and received its charter May 31, 1923. It offers a thoroughly commendable proposition usually netting high returns to farsighted business and professional men who will organize—with sufficient and proper aid,—a company locally owned, locally managed and locally controlled. It operates according to the Wimsett system and has a capital of fully fifty thousand dollars. The story … Read more