World War 1 Archives - California Genealogy

Biography of C. J. Giacomazzi of Soledad California

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

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 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 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 Michael P. Nirich of Watsonville California

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 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 George W. Baxter

1925 History of Merced County - title page

A particularly well-known grain and cattle raiser of the San Joaquin Valley, George W. Baxter has lived in this section of the State since 1874, and during that long stretch of time has been a part of the growth and development of his district, where he is prominent as an agriculturist and a man of fine business integrity. Born in Colchester County, Nova Scotia, June 5, 1865, he is the eldest of eight children born to his parents, J. C. and Agnes (Miller) Baxter, mentioned elsewhere in this history. George W. received his education in the Appling school, and later, … Read more

Biography of W. H. Osborn of Atwater

As a dealer in real estate and an active member of the Merced County Republican Central Committee and as justice of the peace of Township No. 8, W. H. Osborn of Atwater has been closely identified with all forward movements for the upbuilding of Merced County and of this section of the San Joaquin Valley. A native son, he was born in San Francisco, on February 12, 1856, the eldest of six children (four living) of Henry Augustus Osborn, a pioneer of 1850 in California. He was born in Oxford, Connecticut, on February 13, 1829, grew up there until he … Read more

Biography of Thomas Alexis Mack of Merced

Of southern birth and lineage, Thomas Alexis Mack displays in his character many of the qualities that have distinguished citizens of that section of our country for generations, and have won for himself a popularity and esteem which place him among the influential citizens of Merced County. He has been an active participant in public affairs for the past thirty-five years; for ten years he served as a constable of Merced, then became shotgun messenger for Wells, Fargo Express Company, a position he held for nine years, during the time when gold was transferred from the mountains to the railroad, … Read more

Biography of Joseph Vasche

Numbered among that intrepid band of pioneers who came to California in the stirring times when gold was discovered we find the name of Joseph Vasche, who had come across the plains behind slow-moving oxen to reach the land of opportunity and share in the wealth that seemed to be obtainable here. He and his hardy band met with the usual trouble that the immigrants experienced with Indians, though no record has been made that any of their party were killed or injured. Upon arriving in this state he followed mining for a time, and although a mere boy, he … Read more