History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties

For three generations the Forbes family has been intimately connected with the development of the country including Monterey county and the surrounding territory. J. Alonzo Forbes, the grandfather of Frederick, was a man of large mining and ranching interests in his day and was interested in various projects for the general welfare. Among other public-spirited actions he gave the land on which Santa Clara College now stands and otherwise assisted that institution in its infancy. His son, also named J. Alonzo, was born in Santa Clara, and grew to manhood on his father’s ranch. Sometime in the ’60s he purchased … Read more

Alex Richard Underwood, proprietor of the old Central Hotel in Monterey, now operated as the Underwood Hotel, and one of the best known men in western California, is a native son of California and has been a resident of this state all his life, a continuous resident of Monterey for the past quarter of a century. He was born on the great Chupinos ranch, then owned by his father, in the vicinity of Monterey, February 7, 1862, and is a son of Charles and Catherine (Armstrong) Underwood, the latter of whom was a native of Ireland, and they were married … Read more

La Von E. Gottfried, of the historic mission town of Carmel, is one to whom considerable credit is due for whatever of modern form and spirit now distinguishes the town. He is engaged in the general contracting business and at all times works to improve the appearance of the community as well as advance his own fortunes. He was born on a farm in Ohio, July 12, 1896. His father, Phillip Gottfried, was a farmer, and in the building of a home was ably assisted by his good wife, who, before her marriage was Miss V. B. Ritenour. To the … Read more

Decidedly among the most interesting, as unquestionably among the most honored of citizens of Carmel-by-the-Sea are Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Hand, of Ocean avenue, who have resided here so many years that they may well claim to be a part of the historic art colony. Mr. Hand was born at Lynn, Massachusetts, July 29, 1845, and in the still colorful days of ’61, he came west, and while yet a lad of eighteen, he was a pony express rider on a branch line that ran from Virginia City to Humboldt. He later met his “beloved Mollie,” who was then … Read more