Los Angeles Archives - California Genealogy

Biography of Charles Henry Frost of Los Angeles

Charles Henry Frost, born on June 9, 1844, in Ithaca, New York, was a prominent business leader in Los Angeles, California. After moving to Illinois at age fourteen, Frost later advanced his career in Chicago, where he established the city’s first pressed-brick plant. In 1886, he founded the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company, overseeing its growth into one of the largest and most modern brick manufacturing operations in the United States. Frost’s company supplied high-quality brick for numerous significant buildings in Los Angeles. He also had extensive real estate holdings and was active in the olive oil industry.

Biography of John G. Downey of Los Angeles

John G. Downey, born June 24, 1827, in Castle Sampson, Ireland, was the fourth governor of California. He emigrated to America at age fourteen, initially studying in Maryland before pursuing a career in pharmacy. Downey moved to California in 1849, where he became a successful businessman in Los Angeles. He served in various political roles, including as a legislator and lieutenant governor, before becoming governor in 1860. Downey was known for his integrity, notably vetoing the “Bulkhead” bill to prevent corruption. He died on March 1, 1894, in Los Angeles.

1883 Pensioners – Los Angeles County, California

List of Pensioners on the Roll January 1, 1883 – Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for Which Pensioned, the Post-Office Address, and the Date of Original Allowance, United States Pension Bureau Senate – Executive Document 84, Parts 1-5. This list is taken from the official Pension Roll of 1883, the major genealogical source for Civil War and War of 1812 pensioners. Pensioners are listed by post office address, and in no apparent order after that. No. ofcertifi-cate. Last nameof pensioner First nameof pensioner Post-officeaddress Cause for which pensioned Monthlyrate Date oforiginalallowance. 220429 Morton Delos Anaheim g.s.w.r.hand $4.00 … Read more

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 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 Thomas Alexis Mack of Merced

1925 History of Merced County - title page

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