History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties Archives

Biography of Mrs. Albert R. Atwood of Santa Cruz

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

Highly esteemed in the community in which she maintains and develops one of her chief interests, Mrs. A. R. Atwood, proprietor and manager of the Mission Hospital, has become an influential leader in Santa Cruz in movements for the welfare of humanity and the extension of the fame of both town and county as among the most desirable of residential districts in California. Mrs. Atwood was born at Sheridan, California, the daughter of George M. and Mary Ann (Fogerty) Adams, both worthy pioneers in the good old Golden state, her father having crossed the Great Plains as a boy, when … Read more

Biography of De Witt Appleton of Monterey

The present improved condition and appearance of Monterey owes much to such progressive, enterprising designers and builders as De Witt Appleton, a native of San Francisco, born September 28, 1875, the son of David E. and Rachel (Pullen) Appleton, the former a pioneer of 1850. Although hailing from New York city, where he had been associated with his relatives, D. Appleton & Co., world known publishers, he was glad, on landing in San Francisco during the hurly-burly of the early gold rush to drive a dump cart and to work as an employee in leveling off the sand and prepare … Read more

Biography of Peter Pasquale Antonelli of Santa Cruz

The late Peter Pasquale Antonelli whose memory is still held sacred by all who knew him, irrespective of race or creed, was born in Italy in May, 1854, and there educated under the excellent system for which Italy is famous. While still a young man he came to America, and fortunately for many besides himself he came direct to California. For a time he worked in the lime kiln at Cowell, but in 1890 began business for himself. At Santa Cruz he opened the Tuscano Hotel, which he conducted, as one of the best hostelries of its kind in this … Read more

Biography of Earl H. Amos of Santa Cruz

A manager of experience in the theatrical field, who has done much to give Santa Cruz the best of dramatic advantages, is Earl H. Amos, the wide-awake progressive director of the New Santa Cruz Theater. He was born at Tecumseh, Oklahoma, August 29, 1893, the son of L. J. and Effie (Beams) Amos, who removed to Los Angeles in 1904. Father and son started the Amos News Company there. Both parents are still living, now honored residents of Mountain View, Santa Clara county. Earl H. Amos attended the schools of Los Angeles, studied at home, and took a business course, … Read more

Biography of Edward Allen of Monterey

Edward Allen, an enterprising, experienced contractor who has also found time to serve his fellow-townsmen as city trustee, thereby doubly earning the esteem and endorsement of many, was born in Monterey, February 21, 1856, the son of Thomas and Jane Allen-the former an Irishman by birth, the latter of English parentage. Thomas Allen came to California about 1850 and located in Monterey. His home, in which his son Edward was born, was the first frame house in California, a plain structure put together in Australia and shipped ’round the Horn, and long an object of particular interest in Monterey, until … Read more

Biography of Alexander M. Allen of Monterey County

A captain of industry who well merits the laurels bestowed upon him for his contribution to the expansion of local trade, is Alexander M. Allan, president of the Monterey Canning Company, Point Lobos, Monterey. He was born at Scranton, Pennsylvania, the son of Charles M. and Margaret Allan, the former a miner who had the misfortune to be killed at Nevada City, California. He was a hard-working, honest man, who gave his life, as have so many, in the pursuit of his occupation. Mrs. Allan died in 1924, and will long be pleasantly remembered by many who knew her and … Read more

Biography of Nicholas N. Alaga of Watsonville

An extensive shipper of apples, who is also his own grower and packer, is Nicholas N. Alaga, of 114 Maple avenue, Watsonville. Like many others in this locality, he was born in Dalmatia, February 18, 1874, his parents being Nicholas and Mary Lettunich. The mother is still living but the father, who was a hardworking farmer, is now dead. Nicholas N. Alaga had rather a hard time acquiring his education after he had gone through the lower grades of the home schools, but has gained a good knowledge of affairs since coming to the United States at the age of … Read more

Biography of Francis A. Abbott of Salinas

Prominent among the public officials in Monterey county, is Francis A. Abbott, city treasurer and tax collector of Salinas. He is influential in commercial and financial circles, and may be credited with contributing effectively in a sound and permanent way toward the rapid and steady development of this promising section of the great Golden state. A native son always proud of his association with the California commonwealth, Frank Abbott was born at Point Reyes, Marin county, March 16, 1862, the son of Carlisle S. and Alice Elizabeth (Merriman) Abbott, both natives of Ontario, and now deceased. Twice the father made … Read more

Biography of Peter N. Bondesen of Salinas California

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