History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties Archives - Page 3 of 10

Biography of Peter Sager of Watsonville California

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

Among the citizens of foreign nationality whose enterprise, ability and public spirit are essential to Watsonville’s progress and prosperity is numbered Peter Sager, who has served for several years on the board of aldermen and is also a successful business man. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, under the Danish flag, on the 23d of July, 1864, and in Glucksberg learned the blacksmith’s trade. He served for three years in the German army as a member of a company of field artillery and in 1892, when twenty-eight years of age, arrived in San Francisco, California. From May to September of … Read more

Biography of Milton W. Austin of Salinas California

Milton W. Austin is proprietor of the Austin Drug Store of Salinas, his experience, enterprise and desire to please, as well as the fact that he carries a complete stock, have made the place the preferred headquarters for many. Mr. Austin is a native of Salinas, having been born here August 6, 1900, and has grown up in the spirit of the town and county. His parents were Horace W. and Carlotta (Smith) Austin and the paternal grandfather was Amos Austin, a railroad engineer who resided in Salinas and in later years located in Los Angeles, where he engaged in … Read more

Biography of Matt J. McGowan of Watsonville California

Few men in the Watsonville neighborhood have a wider acquaintance than Matt J. McGowan, a substantial rancher in the Trafton district of the Pajaro valley, and few thereabout are held in higher regard, for his good works in the community-have long established him as a real friend to all mankind. Many of the young men in the Watsonville community are proud to look upon Mr. McGowan as a typical “big brother” and his helping hand has been extended in many directions known only to those who have been the immediate beneficiaries of the help thus bestowed. At the time the … Read more

Biography of Frank Bruno of Monterey California

Frank Bruno, who during the past eleven years has been accorded a profitable patronage as a dealer in cigars, and soft drinks in Monterey, has been honored with the presidency of the Americanization Society of the city and is indeed a loyal son of his adopted land. A native of Italy, he was born on the 17th of January, 1883, his parents being Vincento and Jennie Bruno. The father came to the United States and to California about the year 1880, locating first in Pittsburg. This place had been formerly known as Black Diamond and here it was that many … Read more

Biography of Hugh J. Leonard of Santa Cruz California

A progressive man of valuable, practical experience and inspiring optimism is Hugh J. Leonard, the affable and popular secretary and manager of the People’s Finance & Thrift Company of Santa Cruz. A native of Ireland, he was born October 21, 1885, and as early as 1898, made his first trip to America. Remaining only a year, however, he went back to Erin, to work there as a farmer. He also crossed over to Scotland, and for a while worked for wages in Glasgow. Coming to the United States for the second time in 1906, he was for eighteen months in … Read more

Biography of Ralph Thomsen of Salinas California

A contractor whose success is the clearest evidence of his ability and worth is Ralph Thomsen, of 330 California street, Salinas, in which city, as well as in other parts of Monterey county, he has established for himself a reputation for dependability. He makes a specialty of interior and exterior decorating, is well-informed as to both the latest art standards and styles and the trade conditions, and he has original ideas that afford pleasure to those wishing for the best and also desiring the charm of the unusual, approved by the most discriminating taste. Mr. Thomsen was born at Salinas, … Read more

Biography of Charles O. Goold of Carmel California

Among the most progressive leaders in the city council of Carmel-by-the-Sea and always interesting as a pioneer of the sort who contributed something definite in assisting California to emerge from her pioneer state, is Charles O. Goold, well-known banker, who was born on a farm in Henry county, Illinois, November 28, 1871, the son of Horace and Hannah (Gard) Goold, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio. Six children of their family are still living: Charles O.; J. R. of Morgan Hill, California; Ed O. of San Luis Obispo; Frank H. of Stockton and Mrs. Leo … Read more

Biography of Ed. J. Torres of Watsonville California

Many of the most important positions in business circles of Watsonville are filled by young men, and their enterprise, sagacity and loyalty promise well for the future of the city. In this classification belongs Ed. J. Torres, who is manager of the Union Ice Company, and his success has resulted from hard work, devotion to duty and the ability to meet and master situations. He was born October 8, 1897, in Monterey, in the county of that name, and is a scion of one of the oldest families of California. He is a son of Joseph and Mary (Diez) Torres, … Read more

Biography of Peter Ferrante of Monterey California

Peter Ferrante, wholesale dealer in fish, at 325 Van Buren street, Monterey, meeting with well deserved success, is a native of sunny Italy. He was born August 4, 1867, the son of Arisimo and Susan Ferrante, the former also a dealer in fish. Both parents are now deceased. Because of financial conditions at home Peter Ferrante had to go to work at the extremely early age of four years, being apprenticed to the fish trade, which he has followed ever since. When twenty-two years of age, he crossed the Atlantic and ultimately reached California, although according to the custom of … Read more

Biography of John A. Mcgarry, M. D. C. of Santa Cruz California

An experienced veterinarian who has distinguished himself by his original and successful methods is Dr. John A. McGarry of 158 Front street, Santa Cruz. He is a native of Wisconsin, and was born at Milwaukee on February 7, 1876. He attended the public schools of that locality and then entered upon collegiate work, being graduated from the Chicago University as a member of the class of ’96, when he received the coveted degree, M. D. C. While attending the University, he was a pitcher on the college baseball team and later, during 1896-97, was pitcher on the Pittsburg national baseball … Read more