History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties Archives - Page 4 of 10

Biography of Michael P. Nirich of Watsonville California

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

Michael P. Nirich, chief of the Watsonville Fire Department, is doing valuable work for his city and displays rare qualities as a public official. He was born at Lead, South Dakota, March 26, 1890, and is a son of Paul P. and Lucille Nirich, natives of Dalmatia. In 1895 the family came to Watsonville, and the father embarked in the fruit-packing business, with which he was connected for many years, gaining a substantial competence which now enables him to live retired, but the mother is deceased. Michael P. Nirich was but five years old when his parents came to Watsonville … Read more

Biography of James M. Mitchell of Monterey California

James M. Mitchell, of Monterey, is an enterprising automobile painter who has established a reputation for expertness and artistic taste that is a valuable asset in his business. He was born in Scotland, September 16, 1887, the son of John and Mary (Munroe) Mitchell, good old-fashioned folk who kept up the cheerful tradition of their native land. The father, who was a contractor and builder, died in October, 1924, but the mother is still living. James M. Mitchell attended the schools of Scotland, and afterward was apprenticed for five years to learn the coach painters’ trade. In 1907, he left … Read more

Biography of Julian Laporte of Watsonville California

Julian Laporte, a well known and substantial dairyman and landowner living off the Beach road in the immediate vicinity of Watsonville, has developed a good piece of property there and is regarded as one of the progressive and dependable citizens of that community. Though not an American by birth he has been a resident of this country since the days of his young manhood and is as much an American in his feelings toward the glory and well being of this country as any can be and has done his part in local development work. In addition to his holdings … Read more

Biography of Warren O. Bowers

Warren O. Bowers, who is known everywhere in Sacramento and pretty well throughout the state as Jo Bowers, is one of the two living pioneer hotel men of this city, where he has been a resident since 1873. He is now proprietor of the Capital Hotel, one of the first-class houses of the city and popular with the traveling public for its fine cuisine and comfortable accommodations. Mr. Bowers, though for so long a citizen of the west and of Sacramento, has had a career of many phases of activity and experience and in various localities of the western world, … Read more

Biography of John C. Black

John C. Black, a representative of the bar of Santa Clara county, living in San Jose, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, a son of James and Nancy A. (Russell) Black. he acquired his early education in the public schools of his native county and afterward attended Alleghany and Westminster colleges. In 1855 he emigrated to California, attracted by the discovery of gold in this state, hoping that he might rapidly acquire a fortune on the Pacific coast. For two years after his arrival he engaged in mining and then turned his attention to teaching school. During his leisure hours … Read more

Biography of Joachim G. Weidemann of Bradley California

If long service in one position is a test of merit and trustworthiness, Joachim G. Weidemann has certainly stood the test. As manager of the Southern Pacific Milling Company at Bradley, California, he is, in point of service, the oldest of about thirty managers along the Coast Division, having occupied this place for thirty-six years. He was born in Norway, on April 10, 1857, and is a son of C. F. and Caroline (Tellesen) Weidemann. His father served for a long time in the Norwegian navy, then became an architect and spent the closing years of his life as a … Read more

Biography of John H. Horsnyder of Santa Cruz California

Associated with the historic past as the pioneer druggist of Santa Cruz, John H. Horsnyder knows almost everybody for miles around, and everybody knows, or ought to know him, while all who know him well esteem and honor him for his life and work. A. native of the good old Buckeye state, he was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, January 20, 1857, and as a boy attended the excellent schools of that city. He was graduated from the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy as a member of the Class of ’77, and worked as a prescription clerk and druggist in his native … Read more

Biography of O. B. Petersen of Soledad California

About seven and a half miles southwest of Soledad are the Paraiso Hot Springs, the history of which dates back to 1791. In that year King Carlos of Spain granted to the Mission la Soledad twenty acres of land including these springs. The priests of the mission established a health resort, to which they gave the name of Eternidad Paraiso, which means Eternal Paradise. Thus, for more than two centuries the healing waters of these springs have been used in the treatment of rheumatism, kidney and stomach troubles and other maladies. O. B. Petersen, the present owner and manager of … Read more

Biography of Peter J. Storm of Watsonville California

Peter J. Storm, a member of one of the honored pioneer families of Watsonville, is ably continuing the work begun by his father and ranks with the leading stock raisers of the Pajaro valley. He was born December 4, 1876, on the home ranch, and his parents, Christian F. and Laura (Anderson) Storm, were both natives of Denmark. The father was born in Schleswig-Holstein and was a son of Peter Storm, who came to this section of the state in the late ’50s. The latter engaged in farming near Watsonville and built the first bridge across the slough, at the … Read more

Biography of Frank P. McFadden of Blanco California

Frank P. McFadden, a prominent ranchman near Blanco and supervisor of District No. 2, Monterey county, was born March 17, 1871, a son of Charles and Sophia (Fabry) McFadden. The father was a native of Ireland and the mother a native of Germany. Both came to the United States as young people and were married in this country. Charles McFadden came to California and for some years was engaged in the sawmill business in Santa Cruz. Some time in the ’60s he bought a ranch near Blanco and became one of the substantial citizens, active in local affairs, until his … Read more