Stories of California Azorean Immigrants

        1. Joseph C. Alves

Joseph was born in the Azores Islands on September 4, 1866 and is the son of Joseph and Anna (Catane) Alves. He came to the United States in 1880 and came to Hayward, California shortly after arriving. He went to Concord and to Mentron, and also to Eureka, but returned to Hayward where he was employed on a ranch for four years. Joseph moved then to Santa Clara County where he leased farmland for seven years. In 1900, he again returned to Hayward where he rented a 12 1/2 acre apricot farm for a year and then bought it. It was said that the apricot trees had been planted by Indians and Mexicans, seventy-five years prior. Joseph added cherry trees to the orchard and leased other land nearby. He operated a fruit drying plant for a period of time which employed several workers.

He married Mary Alves, the daughter of Manuel Alves, who was an early settler of Redwood Canyon. Joseph and Mary had three children of their own: Anna, Agnes, and Joseph. Mary died at the age of thirty-two in 1898. Joseph married Mary Zembele as his second wife, who was the daughter of Frank and Mary Zembele. She was born in Germany and came to the United States at the age of ten with her parents. They settled first in Pennsylvania and later moved to Salinas, California. Joseph and his second wife had eight children: Walter, who became a Highway Patrolman; Frank; Mary; Katherine; Soda, who died at age twelve; Victor; Evelyn; and Blanche.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 

        2. Joseph P. Alves

Joseph was born in the Azores Islands in 1829 and emigrated to the United States in 1856. He boarded a whaling ship, and after two years of whaling, he landed in San Francisco in April 1858. He worked on farms for awhile in San Leandro, Hayward, Centerville, and also Porterville, Tulare County. In 1869, he came to Monterey county and settled near Metz where he acquired a half section of land which was put into orchards and the raising of hay. He had pasture for livestock and raised hogs as well.

Joseph married Rosie Deserpa, an Azorean native, and they had one son, John. Father and son worked together on the ranch. Joseph served two years as a Metz School District trustee.

Source: History and Biographical Record of Monterey and San Benito Counties. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1910.
 
 

        3. Joseph V. Alves

Joseph was born on December 25, 1882 on the island of Flores. His parents were Antone R. and Mary (Alves) Vieira who were farmers.
He left the Azores in 1897 on a two-masted schooner arriving at New London forty-one days later. He then set out directly for California. He first worked on ranches near Fresno for $15 a month. Soon he found a job for $30 a month on a ranch near Bloss which was near Atwater. He changed his name from Vieira to Alves, his mother's maiden name, because the Vieira name was too common causing problems with mail service.

In 1916, he became part owner of the Broadway Cash Store in Atwater which became the Martha Washington Store in 1921. He owned the store building, a residence, and some rental property in Atwater. Joseph became a naturalized citizen in 1905 and married Mary C. Vincent, a native of Oakland, and daughter of Fred Vincent of Atwater. They had two sons: Arthur and Charles. The latter married and had a daughter. Joseph served as secretary of U.P.E.C. for four years and was a member of the Buhach Council No. 32, I.D.E.S. He saw Atwater grow from 100 residents to 1,000.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Company, 1925.
 
 

        4. Antone Amarante

Antone was born on May 4, 1876 on the island of Sao Jorge, Azores Islands to Manuel and Mary (Clarry) Amarante. His father died in 1910. In 1896, Antone came to California and settled in Watsonville where he worked on Frank Sullivan's dairy for three years. Then he found employment on Traft's dairy for five years and saved up his money.

Antone was able to lease 120 acres near Castroville where he started a dairy and raised grain and alfalfa as well. His dairy grew to forty head, and after fourteen years, he moved them to a 91-acre ranch four miles southeast of Newman, Stanislaus County. He continued in the dairy business and raised alfalfa. His herd grew and in 1917, he purchased 43 acres three miles southeast of Newman where he made his residence.

Antone married Anna Garcia on November 23, 1910 at Elmhurst, California. Anna was born in Faial and was the daughter of Manuel and Mary Garcia, farmers on the island. Anna came to Oakland in 1904. She and Antone had two children: Edwin and Madeline. Antone was a member of I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C., and Anna belonged to U.P.P.E.C. and to S.P.R.S.I., serving once, in the latter, as president.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with  Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

        5. George M. Avila

George was born on December 9, 1890 near San Juan Bautista, San Benito County to Joseph M. and Isabel (Nunes) Avila. His father came to California in 1865 and became known as an important breeder of cattle and horses. He later moved to San Jose. Joseph and Isabel had thirteen children: Daniel who was a dairyman in Crow Landing; Antone who died at thirty-one; Mary who married John Borba of Newman; Joseph who was a cattle buyer in Crows Landing; Manuel who was a dairyman in San Jose; Frank who was a breeder of Holsteins; John who was a cattle buyer in Newman; Isabel who lived in San Jose; William who died at infancy; Anna who was employed at the Gustine Bank; Rose who lived in San Jose; and William Joseph who with his brother Manuel had a dairy in San Jose. These children were raised on their father's 1,250-acre tract where grain was grown and cattle was raised. In 1900, Joseph, Sr. leased the ranch and bought 123 acres one mile east of Crows Landing where he built a house, barns, and outbuildings. He had between 80 to 100 head of milk cows and retired in 1912 leaving the dairy to his son Joseph to manage until July 1, 1918 when his other son George M. Avila took charge.

George was educated in San Juan Bautista schools attending night school at one time. He left home at the age of fourteen and was a horseman for four years employed by William Best of Pleasanton where he rode horses on a racetrack. He moved to Portland, Oregon for six years where he worked for Ruby & Bowers again as a horseman. He returned to Crows Landing and then moved to Newman, and finally to Gustine on July 1, 1918 where he was engaged in various occupations.

On December 4, 1811, George married Ethel Pettit in Merced. She had been born on the Kerr farm south of Gustine and was the daughter of Jerry and Julia (Woodworth) Pettit. Her mother was from California and her father from Montreal, Canada. Moving to Gustine, Jerry Pettit had a dairy.

Ethel went to Enterprise District School. Her sister Iva married Claude Wright of Patterson; brother Elmer and Fred lived in Gustine; her brother Joshua died at an early age; and brothers John, Charles, Waldo, and Leslie all lived in Gustine.

George and Ethel had three children of their own: Ethelrose, Gerald Milton, and Annabelle.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

        6. Joseph M. Avila

Joseph was born on December 25, 1852 on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge to parents Joseph and Anna Francisca Avila who were farmers.
Joseph came to the United States at the age of thirteen and found employment on a farm near Boston for three months at a pay of $5 per month. He then was a seaman sailing out of New Bedford, Massachusetts for over three and a half years, traveling to Alaska and California around Cape Horn visiting South American ports along the way. He returned to New Bedford where he worked in a factory for a year.

Joseph then traveled to California through Panama coming to San Francisco in 1870. He went to San Felipe and worked for James Dan  who was a large cheese manufacturer. He moved to San Juan Bautista and began farming by leasing land. He eventually purchased a 1,200-acre ranch in the same area here he raised cattle. In 1900, he leased 120 acres from Mr. Crow in western Stanislaus County where he was engaged in dairying for five years. In 1913, he retired to San Jose. He was a stockholder of the Bank of Newman.

Joseph married Isabel Nunes on February 14, 1881. She was from Pico and came to California in 1879. They had twelve children: Daniel who was a rancher in Stanislaus County; Antonio died at twenty-eight in 1912 in San Jose; Mary married John Borba of Newman; Joseph was in the wholesale stock business and lived in Crows Landing; Manuel had a dairy in Santa Clara; Frank lived in San Juan Bautista; John was a partner with Joseph in the stock business and lived in Newman. He had served two years in the army and was based with Siberian forces during World War I; George managed his father's ranch in Crows Landing; William had a dairy in Santa Clara;
Anna E. was a cashier at a bank in Gustine; Rose M.; and Belle. All of the children were born in San Juan Bautista and were christened by Rev. Father Close who also originally married Joseph M. and Isabel. The children all went to public schools in San Benito and Stanislaus Counties. Joseph M. was a member of I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

        7. Dr. John A. Azevedo

Dr. Azevedo was born in Sacramento, June 2, 1894 to Joaquin and Rosalia Azevedo who were natives of the Azores Islands and had been married there. Joaquin came to the gold fields of northern California in 1853. He then worked in the vegetable business for awhile. Returning to the Azores, he married Rosalia and was occupied briefly in the real estate business. They then came to California where they bought farmland near Freeport. Joaquin went into partnership with a cousin establishing Eagle Winery at Sacramento. After thirty-five years of operation, Joaquin died at the age of ninety-one.

John Azevedo lived in Sacramento until 1911 and then attended Brothers College and enrolled at St. Mary's College in Oakland from which he graduated in 1913.  He attended Stanford University Medical School where he received an A.B. degree in 1918. In the meantime, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in 1917 being stationed at Base Hospital 47 in Fremont, California. He was transferred to Allentown, Pennsylvania and was sent to France in June 1918. He served eight months at the army hospital at Beune, Cote d'or. In May 1919, he was discharged from the army and completed his medical training graduating with an M.D. degree in 1923. He was an intern at San Francisco General Hospital for one year. In 1925, he became the Alameda County health officer.

Dr. Azevedo married Pearl S. Schell of Blue Canyon, Placer County, California in January 1920. Pearl was the daughter of early county settlers, Perry and Margaret (Logan) Schell. Dr. Azevedo and Pearl had two children John, Jr. and Robert. Dr. Azevedo was a member of a number of civic organizations: Elks, Knights of Columbus, Woodmen of the World, Lions Club, American Legion, and I.D.E.S. He served as the supreme medical examiner of I.D.E.S.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 

        8. John V. Azevedo

John was born on March 14, 1868 on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge to Viresimo Jose and Anna (Candida) Azevedo. His father remained on the island as a farm laborer and died at seventy years of age. His mother came to California where she lived with a son. Viresimo and Anna had eight children: Manuel; no name for second child, died at infancy; John V; Mary; first Jose V., died early; second Jose V. lived in Patterson, CA; Rose; and Antone.

John was nineteen when he emigrated stopping first in Boston and then came to California choosing Monterey as his first residence. He worked on a dairy for four years. Then he and his brother Manuel rented 400 acres near San Juan Bautista for five years where they had a dairy of 50 cows. Then the brothers divided the dairy cows with John coming to Crows Landing. John went into partnership for two years with his brother Joseph and cousin John Borba. In 1901, John V. bought 155 acres near Gustine where he had a dairy for six years. He was one of the early pioneering Azoreans of the area. He purchased two lots in the township of Gustine when the town was first laid out. He built a merchandise store with the name of
West Side Store where he sold groceries, dry goods, shoes, hardware, grain and mill feed, farm machinery, and household furniture. He continued to buy more property in Gustine as the town grew.

John married Ida Victorina Azevedo on February 11, 1898 at Salinas. She was born in Sausalito and was the daughter of Manuel V. and Mary (Cunha) Azevedo who were from Sao Jorge. Her father was fourteen when he sailed to California on a whaling ship. He settled in Sausalito and worked in the dairy industry and also was a carpenter. He and his wife eventually moved to Newman. They had nine children: Angeline, Manuel, Mary, Ida, Ellen, Anna, Marianna and Rosa (twins), and the ninth child died at infancy.

John and Ida had four children: Manuel; Mamie who married Antone S.
Balthzer; Anna; and John. Manuel married Leonora Cardoza having one son that died at infancy. Mamie had a daughter, Geraldine.

John V. was the first president of I.D.E.S. of Gustine and a member of U.P.E.C.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 

        9. Joseph F. Azevedo

Joseph was born on March 6, 1886 on the island of Terceira, Azores Islands to parents Manuel J. and Maria (Pexioto) Azevedo. His father came to California in 1854 and mined for awhile. He then became involved in vegetable farming and the freighting business where he shipped to Virginia City, Nevada. He went back to Terceira, but returned to Sacramento in 1887. He was a rancher at Freeport and then got involved in the Eagle Winery at 1517 Eighteenth St., Sacramento until his death in 1909.

Joseph came to the United States at the age of two. He attended public schools in California graduating from St. Mary's College in Oakland in 1905. He immediately worked at Fort Sutter Bank and became a cashier. On May 15, 1911, he took an assistant cashier position with the Sacramento Valley Bank and Trust Co.

On August 28, 1909, Joseph married Ida Nuttall whose father, Levi Nuttall had worked for Southern Pacific Railroad Company for years in the repair department in Sacramento. Joseph was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Source: Willis, William L. History of Sacramento County, California with Biographical
  Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1913.
 
 

        10. Manuel A. Azevedo

Manuel was born in the village of Calita on the Azorean island of Pico on February 19, 1890 to parents Manuel and Mary Azevedo. Manuel A. helped his father on his farm, and at the age of thirteen, he left the islands and came to the United States. He worked six years on a farm near Fall River, Massachusetts, and then he was employed in the retail milk business for two years. He had gone from earning $8 a month when he first arrived in Massachusetts to $20 a month six years later.

At the age of twenty-one, he came to California finding work at the Morris dairy in Kings County. He moved to Patterson, Stanislaus County and worked on a dairy for a year. He purchased a haybaler, and for two years, he baled hay in the Patterson area. He then went into partnership with his brother, who came to California in 1914. They bought 50 acres of alfalfa on Lemon Avenue in Patterson. His brother bought Manuel's share of the partnership for $7,000. This enabled Manuel to purchase 46 acres on Sycamore Avenue for $5,000. Soon he purchased another ranch which had 60 acres and which was at Sycamore and Magnolia avenues. He sold it in three days for a sizeable profit.

Manuel then bought 173 acres on Sycamore Avenue, north of Magnolia and placed 250 head of stock on it. This was through a partnership with three others. His part of the ranch faced Fruit Avenue where he had 45 head of Holsteins. One of his partners was Estacio J. Oliveria who was born on the island of Pico on March 8, 1890 to parents Estacio and Maria Azevedo. Estacio's father came to Sacramento when he was twenty-one and worked on a dairy there. He next worked for seven years on the dairy of W. McCloud and J.L. Lean and also found employment at an orchard near Hollister. In 1918, he went to Patterson and bought an interest in the Azevedo dairy.

Manuel concentrated on developing a prize herd of Holsteins. He received awards for his stock at the Sacramento and San Joaquin fairs.
 

Manuel married Mary Ferry on February 1907 at Fall River. She was from the island of Terceira and the daughter of Joaquin and Mary (Viera) Ferry. Manuel and Mary had six children: Manuel, Alice, Joaquin, George, Serfina, and John. Manuel was a member of U.P.E.C.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

        11. Manuel G. Azevedo

Manuel was born on February 13, 1877 on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge to John and Isabel Azevedo. In 1891, he traveled to live with his aunt, Barbara Albert in Delano, Kern County. He stayed there two years attending school and learning the English language. He moved to Marin County and then to San Francisco finishing his education at Lincoln School. After eight years, he worked in Oakland as a barber. In 1903, he opened his own barbershop at the First National Bank Building. From 1903 to 1921, he sold insurance too, and in 1921, he
became an agent for New York Life Insurance.

Manuel married Emily Renas on November 26, 1900, and they had two children: Henry, who was a barber, and Maria. Manuel was very active in U.P.E.C. serving as State President in 1916. He too belonged to the Elks, Red Men, and East Contra Costa Chamber of Commerce. He served as an Antioch town trustee for four years.

Source: History of Contra Costa County, California with Biographical Sketches. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1926.
 
 

        12. Antonio Bettencourt

Antonio was born on April 19, 1893 at Beira, Sao Jorge, Azores Islands to parents Frank and Mary Bettencourt. He worked on his parent's farm, and at the age of eighteen, he traveled to Dixon, California where he spent three years as a farm laborer. He then settled at Crows Landing, Stanislaus County. Shortly, he rented 178 acres of alfalfa along the San Joaquin River, south of Orestimba Creek, and began dairy farming where his herd grew rapidly to 120 head.

Antonio joined the army on November 3, 1917 and trained for two months at Camp Lewis with the Ninety-first Division. He continued his military training  at Camp Kearney, California. He was shipped to France on August 11, 1918 and returned on May 3, 1919.

Antonio's brothers, Frank and Joaquin, and sister, Mary, came to California from Sao Jorge. Antonio married Olipia Enos, a native of the Azores, in January 1921.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 

13. Manuel S. Bettencourt

Manuel was born March 15, 1872 on his parent's Centerville farm. His parents were Manuel and Rosa (Veiria) Bettencourt of Faial, Azores islands. His father came to the United States on a whaling ship and soon was involved in mining. He then bought ten acres of land in Centerville. He returned to the Azores and married Rosa bringing her to California. He next bought other land which he farmed until he died in 1906 at the age of seventy-four. Rosa died ten years later.

Manuel S. Bettencourt lived on his parent's farm as a youth attending Alviso School. He then worked on various ranches and lumber camps in northern California. He was given twelve acres in Centerville by his father where he farmed orchards of apricots and cherries. He later owned a half interest the Centerville Ford garage.

Manuel married Lena Roderick on July 4, 1903. She was the daughter of Frank S. and Lena Claudina Roderick of Centerville where she was born and raised. Her father was born in the Azores and her mother in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Manuel and Lena had two children: Herman and Eugene. Manuel was a member of U.P.E.C.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 

        14. Sam Bettencourt

Sam was born on March 22, 1873 on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge. His father was Antone Bettencourt who did extensive farming and stock-raising on the island. He also had an importation business where he imported coffee from Brazil.

Sam came to California in 1889 and hired an English tutor so he could learn to speak, read, and write the English language. He first worked on a dairy in San Mateo County for six years. He saved his money and was able to lease ranches where he milked 150 to 200 cows. He then went to Santa Clara County where he accumulated a herd of 100 milk cows. In September 1914, he came to Humboldt County where he rented Dr. Felt's ranch of 193 acres. The ranch was along Freshwater Creek which provided feed for his 125 Jerseys. It was said that he had the best Jersey herd in the state at the time. He maintained a retail milk route in Eureka where his milk was delivered daily.

Sam married Cora Borges who was born in Virginia City, Nevada. They had three children: Manuel, Mariana, and Adelina. He was a member of I.D.E.S.

Source: Irvine, Leigh H. History of Humboldt County, California with Biographical
  Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1915.
 
 

        15. John Borba

John was born on January 11, 1877 at Norte Grande, Sao Jorge, Azores Islands to parents Manuel and Barbara Borba. He worked on his parent's farm, and then at the age of seventeen, he traveled to California settling at San Juan Bautista, San Benito County where he was employed on a ranch for five years.

In 1899, John moved to Stanislaus County, where he leased the Tom Crow ranch near Crows Landing for two years. He was in partnership with John V. Azevedo in dairying. He leased Mrs. Crow's ranch, east of Crows Landing for seven years where he was operated a dairy.
In 1908, John purchased 55 acres near Crows Landing, and then not long after, he bought an additional 50 acres. On this land he had alfalfa and 50-60 milk cows. In February 1920, he sold his cows and rented his land. He then bought 10 acres north of Newman for his residence.

John married Mary M. Avila on October 19, 1903. She was born in San Juan Bautista and was the daughter of Joseph and Isabell Avila. Her father was a farmer. John and Mary had five children: Mamie, Frank, Florence, John, and Elizabeth. John was a member of the Foresters, U.P.E.C. and I.D.E.S. and served as president of the latter two. Mary was a member of U.P.P.E.C. and S.P.R.S.I.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

    16. John T. Borba, Jr.

John was born on February 16, 1895 at Pescadero, San Mateo County, California to parents John T. and Maggie K. (Marshall) Borba who were early pioneers in the Pescadero area. John T., Sr. came from Sao Jorge, Azores Islands in 1888 at the age of seventeen. He worked a number of years in San Francisco and had four sons: John T., Jr., Frank P., Henry, and Gilbert.

John T., Jr. went to public schools and graduated from Newman High School. He studied for a time at St. Mary's College in Oakland. When he was fifteen, his family moved to Crows Landing, Stanislaus County. In 1910, he worked with his father on his 50-acre ranch near Orestimba Creek. It was under irrigation, and they grew alfalfa and built up a dairy of thirty cows. On August 1, 1920, father and son, sold the cows and established a meat business with delivery wagons
going to Volta, Patterson, and Stevenson Colony. They butchered beef, hogs, and sheep.

John T., Jr.'s wife was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Marshall of San Mateo County and came from the island Sao Jorge. John T., Jr. and his wife had one child: Frank who enlisted in army on September 21, 1917. He was a member of the Three Hundred Sixty-Third Infantry of the Ninety-first Division and trained at Camp Lewis. He was a corporal when he left the military on January 16, 1919.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

           17. Antonio S. Bordges

Born in the Azores, Antonio came to the United States at the age of sixteen. He landed at Boston and stayed in the New England area for eighteen months and then came to California arriving at Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County where he worked at a dairy. He then moved to San Jose and then to Gilroy, Santa Clara County where he again was employed on a dairy. After three years, he purchased his own ranch near Salinas of 125 acres which was used for sheep-raising and general farming. He operated a thresher in a partnership with his brother, Manuel S. Bordges.

Antonio married Annie Phillips in 1889 and had five daughters: Mary,
Constantia, Rosie, Adaline, and Annie. They also had four sons: Nellie, Mathew, Antonio, and Edward. Annie Phillips lived in Pajaro Valley and was the daughter of Joseph Phillips of Castroville, Monterey County.

Source: History and Biographical Record of Monterey and San Benito Counties. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1910.
 
 

    18. Frank Borges, Jr.

Frank was born on March 16, 1889 at Elmira, Solano County to parents Frank and Mary Borges both from the Azorean island of Sao Jorge where they had a farm. His father came to Solano County when he was sixteen and worked and saved so he could buy land. He purchased ten acres near Elmira, and in 1898, the family moved to Concord in Contra Costa County where Frank, Jr. attended Oak Grove School. Frank, Sr. was a successful stockman whose operations were extensive.

In 1910, Frank, Jr. leased 640 acres near Concord and was involved in dry farming for three years. In 1913, he moved to Patterson, Stanislaus County where he purchased 40 acres on Eucalyptus Avenue, east of Sycamore Avenue, which he put in alfalfa. His father was a silent partner helping Frank Jr. build a residence and farm buildings.

On November 22, 1917, Frank Jr. married Virginia Souza at Patterson. She was born on the Azorean island of Terceira to John and Mary Souza. Her father came to Patterson where he was a dairyman and then sent for his family to live with him.  Frank Jr. and Virginia had one daughter: Virginia. Frank Jr. was a member of U.P.E.C. and I.D.E.S. and had attended conventions representing those organizations.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historical Record Co., 1921.
 
 

    19. Joseph A. Borges

Joseph was born on November 30, 1877 at Hayward, California to parents, Joseph S. and Mary (Cordoza) Borges. His father came from the Azores where he served as a sailor for ten years before coming to the mines in California. He then farmed near Hayward until his death in 1905 at the age of seventy-two. Mary died in 1912 at the age of seventy-six.

Joseph A. Borges attended school in Hayward and went into farming. He inherited his parents' farm of fourteen acres of apricots and pears. He married Nora Smith in 1900. She was the daughter of John G. and Mary (Mills) Smith, both came from the Azores. Joseph and Mary had three children: Helen, Arthur, and James. He was a member of I.D.E.S.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 

         20. John Brazil

John was born on June 15, 1866 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to parents Joe Enos and Mary Brazil. He was the second of seven children. His father was born on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge but had a business in Brazil. He eventually returned to the island where he was a very successful farmer. He died in 1914 and his wife, Mary, the next year.

John remembered his early years in Brazil and also his years on Sao Jorge farming with his father. In 1883, John went to Massachusetts and found employment in the cotton mills in Lawrence. He also worked on farms in the area. He stayed in Massachusetts for five years and then migrated to Humboldt County, California in 1888. He worked as a dairy hand and also as a woodsman. In 1897, he leased a ranch on Kneeland Prairie, but lost everything. He returned to the woods to earn and save more money. After several years, he rented 400 acres near Fields Landing where he operated a dairy of 40 head for six years. In March 1913, he leased the Henry Devoy ranch of 312 acres, on Freshwater Marsh, where with the help of his sons milked 135 cows. He shipped his milk to Central Creameries Company in Eureka.

John married Mary Mendoza, who was from the Azores, in Lawrence, Massachusetts. They had eleven children: John, Abel, Ida, Enos, Fred, Louis, Frank, Joseph, Sadge, and George. They were members of St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

Source: Irvine, Leigh H. History of Humboldt County, California with Biographical   Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1913.
 
 

       21. Manuel Brazil

Manuel was born on October 13, 1882 on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge to parents Manuel and Rosa Brazil who had a farm. He came to the United States at the age of seventeen coming directly to California where found work on a dairy at Point Reyes. He worked there for three years and then worked at odd jobs for awhile in Marin County. In 1906, he rented 1,000 acres near Point Reyes where he had a dairy of thirty cows. In the spring of 1915, he moved and bought 40 acres at Patterson, Stanislaus County, on Eucalyptus Avenue, east of Sycamore Avenue, where he grew alfalfa and had a dairy of thirty cows.

In March 1903, he married Mary Doras in San Francisco. She was born at Sao Jorge to parents Joe F. and Rita Doras. Her father died in 1918. Manuel and Mary had four children: Mamie, Nellie, Zomers, and Manuel. He was a member of U.P.E.C. and I.D.E.S.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

       22. Manvel Brazil

Manvel was born on August 8, 1882 at Topo, Sao Jorge, Azores Islands. His father was Antone Brazil who was a farmer. In 1900, he set out to live with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Manvel Faustino, who resided in Humboldt County. He was employed on his Uncle's dairy at Petrolia. The dairy was moved to Elk River and the young immigrant followed and worked another year for his uncle. He then worked for Harry Marks on his dairy for two years and then for George Walker at Walker's Point for thirteen months. After this, he managed the creamery at the Freshwater Company for three years.

He now had enough saved to start a dairy of his own. In 1907, he leased the Zane ranch of 270 acres on Elks River where he had 60 cows. He stayed there seven years. In 1914, he moved to the Bayside district where he leased 270 acres and had a herd of 72 milk cows. This ranch was on the Arcata Road about eight miles from Eureka.

Manvel married Annie Wagner, a native of Humboldt County, on June 20, 1912. Annie was born in Freshwater and was the daughter of John and Rose Wagner who were early settlers in the county and engaged in farming and dairying. Annie and Manvel had one child: Manvel, Jr.

Source: Irvine, Leigh H. History of Humboldt County, California with Biographical   Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1915.
 
 

    23. Frank A. Cardoza

Frank was born on November 5, 1881 at La Grange, Stanislaus County to parents Antone J. and Mary A. (Morton) Cardoza. His father was born on the island of Flores, Azores Islands, leaving as a young man becoming a sailor. His ship was at berth in New York when word of Abraham Lincoln's assassination came. In the late 1860s, Antone came to California and was a placer miner at Sonora, Tuolumne County. He then went to La Grange, Stanislaus County where he became involved in sheep-raising. He was a sheep-herder and then entered a partnership with Patrick Delany forming Delany & Cardoza. Soon, Antone and his brother John bought out Delany and formed their own partnership known as the Cardoza Bros. Another partnership was formed with a Mr. Gonzaulas, which became Cardoza & Gonzaulas. Antone bought out Gonzaulus becoming one of the largest sheepmen in the area owning 10,000 head and 5,300 acres of land.

Antone married at La Grange to Mary A. Morton who was one of the first girls born in Columbia, Tuolumne County and a sister of John and Thomas Merton both of La Grange. Her sisters were Mrs. Ella J. Cardoza of Redwood City and Mrs. Jennie J. Cardoza of Modesto. Mary was from Irish extract. Her father, Bernard Morton was a miner in La Grange.

Antone died in 1913 at sixty-five and left his ranch, which was owned and operated by a partnership, with his son Frank managing it. The partners were his widow, Mary, and children William J., Frank, and Bessie. Antone and Mary had eight children: Mary who died at infancy; John who married Daisy M. Bowman and died at thirty-nine and was the father of one child; William J.; Frank A.; Charles B. who died in 1907; George who died at infancy; Joseph who died at infancy; and Bessie.

William J. Cardoza was born on July 4, 1880 on his father's ranch near La Grange. He attended local public schools and went to San Francisco to the Ayres Busines College graduating in April 1901. He helped his father on the ranch until his death and then became a machinist for the Smith Manufacturing Company of San Jose which later became the Anderson-Bongraver Company. He next worked as a machinist for the California Cooperative Canneries until fall 1921 when he returned to the Cardoza family's La Grange ranch. He married Beulah Bowman in San Jose and had two children: Kenneth and Esther. He was a member of the Yeomen.

Frank A. Cardoza grew up on the Cardoza ranch and went to public school at the LaFayette district. He was a student at Ayres Business College in San Francisco with his brother William, and they graduated together in April 1901. When their father died, Frank managed the ranch from that time onward. The ranch was located three miles southeast of La Grange and used well-water to furnish water for hay, grain, sheep, cattle, and hogs. It was one the oldest and most prosperous ranches in the area.

Frank married Matilda Plassental on April 19, 1921 at Modesto, Stanislaus County. She was born in Ohio and was a graduate nurse who was an accomplished woman. Frank was a member of the Foresters and Knights of Columbus.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

     24. John S. Cardoza

John was born on October 12, 1859 on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge to Antone and Anna (Silvieira) Cardoza. He was their second child. They were a poor farmers, and when Anna died in 1869, John had to become self-supporting. As a youth, he did man's work to exist. In 1873, at the age of fourteen, he arrived in New York. He was able to find work on a Rhode Island farm and saved his money for eighteen months. He bought passage to California and was left with just 25 cents when he arrived.

Along the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley, there were numerous Azoreans. It was here that John first worked. He saved his money and in 1881 was able to lease 1,000 acres of land where he grew grain. He continued to add to the acreage finally having 2,500 acres under cultivation. He was very successful in marketing his crops, and before long, he and Charles Nye purchased 160 acres of the Page tract where they planted alfalfa and sold for good profits. John then purchased a ranch for himself in western Merced County of 150 acres where he developed a fine dairy business. He served as a director of the Bank of Newman.

John married Mary Munyan in Centerville, CA. She was the daughter of Frank Munyan who was a forty-niner, coming overland in 1849 and mined for awhile. He bought land near Centerville and became a successful rancher. John and Mary had six children: Charles; Lena who married Frank Dias, had two children (Frances and John), and resided in Merced; Geneva who married Tracy Barrett lived in Berkeley; Carrie who married Ralph Reed lived in Stockton; Lunas; and Stuart. John S. was a member of Knights of Phythias, Woodmen of the World, United Portuguese Union.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

     25. Joseph Cardoza

Joseph was born on December 27, 1888 on the island of Terceira to Antone and Jane (Lawrence) Cardoza. He had a brother, Manuel, and a
sister, Mary. Their mother died at the youthful age of twenty-five. In
1907, Joseph traveled to Boston and then to Sacramento where he was employed on a dairy near Freeport along the Sacramento River. After one year, he settled in Los Banos, Merced County still being employed in the dairy industry. Shortly, he leased land and bought dairy cows of his own. In 1918, he and his brother bought the 225-acre M.M. Wood ranch and ran a dairy of 130 cows. With F.S. Pacheo, he and his brother bought another ranch of 140 near Los Banos and again established a dairy there as well.

Joseph married Mary Augustino on June 6, 1922 in San Francisco. She was born in New Bedford, MA and was the daughter of Joseph and
Margaret Augustino from Flores. Joseph served as a director of the Mercantile Trust Company of California at Los Banos. He was vice-president of the local chapter of I.D.E.S., a member of U.P.E.C., and the Eagles.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

    26. John Rose Coelho

John was born on the Azorean island of Pico, to Matthias Rose and Mary Joaquin (Peters) Coelho where they had a small farm. John's brothers Manuel, Joe, and Alexander were the first to come to the United States followed in 1873 by their parents, and three other brothers (which included John), and two sisters. They first settled on a farm in San Lorenzo, California, living there one year. They moved to Milpitas in Santa Clara County where they lived for six years. They then bought a farm which was about two miles southeast of San Leandro, but still rented 275 acres a mile north of Milpitas. They grew grain, hay, and peas.

John's father died at the age of sixty-eight and his mother at ninety-nine. John never attended school but worked on the Coelho farms learning to drive teams of two, four, and six horses. After his father's death, John managed the farms. In 1926, he sold fifty-two acres of his San Lorenzo land for $104,000 to Pelton & Faustina for subdivision which became Junction City. He then purchased two other farms of 170 acres north of Milpitas, and 131 acres at Warm Springs. The latter farm he planted prunes. He still owned 28 acres on East 14th Street in Junction City which was his residence.

John married Annie Pementel of San Pablo, Contra Costa County, the daughter of Joaquin and Mary Pementel, on September 22, 1902. Annie was born on the island of Pico. Her brother was an ordained minister who served in the mission field in Brazil. Her mother died in Pico, and her father died in 1912 at the age of ninety-seven. John and Annie had six children: John, Ralph, Cosmos, Matthew, Annie, and Mamie. Having not attended school, John made sure his children did. All members of the family finished high school and some went to college.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 

    27. Thomas R. Coelho

Thomas was the brother of John R. Coelho (See above for further details of his family). He was born on the Azorean island of Pico, on February 10, 1865, the son of Matthias Rose and Mary Joaquin (Peters) Coelho. He came to America in 1873 with his parents and family. They came to California settling at San Lorenzo first and then Milpitas. He was only able to attend school through the third grade because of farm work. As an adult, he stayed in farming, growing rhubarb. He served as the director of the Rhubarb Growers Association. He owned six different farms totaling 137 acres.

He married Annie L. Peters who was a native Californian. She died on June 1, 1918 leaving her husband with their four children: Anthony, Thomas Joseph, William Reginald and Carlos. Thomas R. was member of U.P.E.C.

Source: History of Contra Costa County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 
 

    28. Rev. Manuel Cordeiro

Father Cordeiro was born on May 13, 1879 in Fenaes da Luz, Azores Islands to parents Anthony and Mary da Encarnacao Mello. His father died two years later and his mother raised Manuel by herself. Manuel went to school and was a student at Angra Seminary where he studied the classics, theology and philosophy. On December 23, 1905, he was became an ordained priest.

Father Cordeiro served at many churches during the next few years. He was first called to serve in San Francisco diocese under Archbishop Riordan. He then was assistant pastor at Centerville, CA for two years. He was called to the Massachusetts and served at these churches for a total of two years: St. Michael's and Santo Christo in Fall River; Our Lady of Lourdes at Staunton; and at St. John's in New Bedford.

He then returned to California and was assistant pastor for four years at the Santa Maria parish. He then became senior pastor for four years at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Guadalupe, Santa Barbara County. During World War I, Father Cordeiro was a chaplain at Balboa Park, San Diego for eight months working with the Knights of Columbus. He then was given the assignment of as assistant pastor at a church in Riverside, CA while serving simultaneously as a chaplain at Marshfield Camp.

Father Cordeiro was granted a leave for one year which he spent with his mother in the Azores. He then was assigned to a church and school in Bakersfield and then appointed to Our Lady of Victory at Compton, CA. Then in 1922, he became the pastor of St. Anthony's and the Immaculate Conception at Buhach near Merced. His parish served the towns of Livingston, Winton, Delhi, Hilmar, Amsterdam, and Cressey. His parishioners were primarily Azoreans. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
 Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

       29. Joe D. Correia

Joe was born at Castello, Branco Parish, Faial, Azores Islands to Jose Dutra and Maria (Ramos) Correia. He worked on his father's small farm and at times was hired out by neighbors from twenty to twenty-five cents a day for manual labor. This meager income helped his family to make ends meet.

On June 18, 1890, Joe left Faial and after a difficult voyage where provisions ran low, he landed at New Bedford, Massachusetts on July 18. Four days later, he began his train trip to California. On the night of July 27, the train on which he was riding was involved in a serious wreck where many of the passengers were killed or injured. He reached Carmel, Monterey County, California on August 21 and went to work on a dairy near Salinas making $15 a month and working there for thirteen months. He returned to Carmel where he made $25 a month on a dairy and remained there for three years.

In 1896, Joe joined in partnership with his brother-in-law, Joe Victorino, in a dairy in Monterey County which proved to be unprofitable. In 1900, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States and returned to Castello, Faial for a visit. On August 24, he came back to California moving to Gracey, Stanislaus County in 1901. He brought his cows from Monterey County but a terrible epidemic struck where he lost most of his stock. In 1902, he moved to Crows Landing buying 66 acres on September 4, 1905, and then on February 14, 1910, he bought an adjoining 42 acres.

Joe continued to purchase more land. In 1912, he bought 65 acres and in 1920 twenty more until he had 193 acres. He married Mary Alvernas in Oakland on June 24, 1906. She was the daughter of F.A. and M.A. Alvernas. Joe, Mary, and their infant visited the Azores in March 1910. They returned to California the next year on March 14th. Joe and Mary eventually had four children: Joe Jr., Evelyn, Earl, and Elizabeth.

Source:  Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

        30. Joseph Francis Correia

Joseph was born on June 1, 1879 in Hayward. His parents were Manuel and Alnora (Secada) Correia both from Faial, Azores Islands. In 1855 they came to California and settled in Centerville where Manuel grew grain and raised cattle. He moved to San Lorenzo and died in 1924 at the age of seventy-four. Alnora died in 1926 at the age of sixty-three. The couple had nine children: Frank; George; Charles and Fred who both lived San Francisco; Mary and Carrie who both lived in San Leandro; Lenora lived in Oakland; Manuel; and Joseph.

Joseph grew up in Hayward and lived with his uncle Joe Francis Correia who raised and educated him. He concentrated on raising and drying fruit, and soon was given some small acreage by his uncle. He built a house and farm buildings and then bought five acres across the street. His was a fruit broker owning six trucks which transported fruit from the orchards.

Joseph married Anna Pereria in 1901 who was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Pereria. They had four children: Linus, Norbert, Hortense, and Violet. Joseph was a member of the Knights of Columbus and U.P.E.C.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
  1928.
 

     31. Manuel T. Cunha

Manuel was born on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge on December 25, 1872 to Manuel and Anna (Bettencourt) Cunha. His father was a clerk in a store on the island. In the fall of 1875, they came to San Rafael, Marin County where his father was involved in farming and dairying.
Anna died at the age of twenty-four when Manuel T. was just four. His father too died young, at the age of thirty-three, when Manuel T. was eleven. He had a brother.

Manuel T. attended school until his father died. Then he had to work to care for himself. He found a position at a Millbrae farm where he worked for three years. He then worked in the dry goods business for ten years in San Rafael. Selling his interest, he moved to Gustine, Merced County in 1910 and was a manager of the dry goods department at the Miller and Lux store in Gustine. In 1916, he accepted employment as manager of the Gustine Creamery, where he remained for two years. In 1919, he went into the insurance business, first being an agent for New York Life Insurance Company and six months later for Reliance Life Insurance Company of Pittsburgh. He bought 27 acres of alfalfa.

Manuel married Frances (Rose) Fernandes in September 1911. She was a widow of Manuel Fernandes, and they had a daughter, Anna. Frances was born in San Rafael to Manuel and Isabella Rose. Her father was born in the Azores and worked in California in dairy and also in brickmaking. Manuel T. and Frances had four children of their own: Nathalie, Margaret, Frances, and Milton.  Manuel served as a director of the Bank of Gustine and corporation secretary of the Gustine Creamery.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

      32. Manuel Silver Desavedo

Manuel was born in the Azores Islands and came to Boston in 1872. He traveled to San Francisco to see his brother and stayed there for one year. He traveled to Yreka, Siskiyou County and then to Utah and back to Yreka. He worked as a miner and also was employed on ranches until 1889 when he got a land grant. He married Rosa Miller the next year and they had five children: Jo, Rosa, Max, George, and Caroline.

Rosa's sisters lived in the same area. They were: Mary Silva, Ann Burch Burgess Brazila, and Maude Franklin. The families used the telephone to keep in touch because a personal visit met traveling by horse over rough terrain.

Manuel brought his younger brother Joe to California in 1906, and he too was granted a homestead which was next to Manuel's. Joe sold out after awhile to Manuel. When Manuel's health began failing in 1923, they moved to Medford, Oregon. He died at the age of 79 in 1939. Rosa died at 94 in 1963.

Source: Hayes, Bette (Rose). Siskiyou Pioneer.
 
 

         33. Frank C. Dias

Frank was born on February 23, 1876 on the Azorean island of Flores to Manuel and Anna Dias who were prominent farmers near the village Eliza. At seventeen, Frank came to the United States landing in Boston on April 2, 1893. Shortly, he came to California locating in Centerville, Alameda County where he spent three as a laborer in this dairy region. For two years he was a miner in Siskiyou County.

Frank returned to Centerville where he and his brother Manuel operated a store until 1905. During the fall of 1905, Frank bought 40 acres near Turlock which he leased out. He bought 18 acres next to Tegner School where he built his residence and was involved in dairying. Frank married Mary Goncalves on the island of Faial while Frank visited his aging father in 1904. They had nine children: Anna, Louise, Joe, twins Avelina and Agnes, Mary, Caroline, Clariss, and Frances. They attended the Catholic Church in Turlock. Frank belonged to the Farm Bureau.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

            34. John P. Domingues

John was born on November 10, 1882 on the Azorean island of Pico to parents Frank P. and Mary Domingues. His father was a blacksmith who died on the island. His mother on the other hand came to California. John's brother Manuel P. came first to the United States and sent for him.

His brother worked in New Bedford, Massachusetts for awhile and then came to California. John arrived in California in the fall of 1899. He worked fifteen months on the Jesus Maria Rancho. He then was employed as a blacksmith and tool dresser in the Santa Maria oil fields. He too set up several blacksmith shops for the Pinal-Dome and Los Alamos Oil & Developing Company.

John saved his money and was able to rent part of the Catano J. Souza ranch. He farmed 175 acres of beans and still kept a blacksmith shop. In 1916, he became a partner with his brother, Joseph, and Julius Garcia purchasing 160 acres of the Sweeny ranch near Lompoc.

John married Maria G. Souza who was the daughter of Catano J. and Mary Dorothy Souza. They had three children: Catano, Albert, and John P. Jr.

John P. , Sr. was a member of U.P.E.C. and became a naturalized citizen.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Hayden. History of San Luis Obispo County and
  Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 
 

        35. Antone Enos

Antone was born in the village of Manadas on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge on September 27, 1877 to parents Antone and Maria (Ceu) Enos. His father was a farmer and stockman, and Antone helped him until he was twenty years old when he came to Humboldt County, California. He first was employed by Frank Peters on his dairy at Capetown on Bear River. He worked for other dairies in the Ferndale area as well, and in 1904, he had saved up enough to lease the C.O. Morrow ranch of 35 acres for his twenty cows. He stayed there three years, and then rented the Hicks place which was 116 acres and Antone milked 60 cows. In the meantime he purchased 31 acres on the Island, three miles from Ferndale where he built a house, barns, and other improvements. On this property he had twenty Guernseys and shipped his milk to the Valley Flower Creamery Company of which he was one of the organizers and served as an officer.

Antone married Wilhelmina Peters at Ferndale and had two children: Cedric and Frank. Wilhelmina was from Sao Jorge too and her father Frank Peters was an early Humboldt pioneer. Antone was a member of the Woodmen of the World and U.P.E.C.

Source: Irvine, Leigh H. History of Humboldt County, California with Biographical   Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1915.
 
 

        36. Antonio Enos

Antonio was born on December 27, 1864 at the village of Topo, Sao Jorge, Azores Islands to parents Antonio and Gustina (Conda) Enos. He was the fourth child of ten children and worked on the family farm until he was seventeen. He came to the United States landing in Boston where he stayed for six months. He then traveled to California in 1882 working for Manuel Joaquin Soares on his grain ranch in Livermore for two years. He then was employed by J.D. Smith on his ranch for nine years. Saving his money, Antonio bought 160 acres of grain land near Livermore.

After seven years of grain farming, he sold his acreage and for a short time he was in the baling business. He then bought 80 acres in 1906 three miles northwest of Hughson, Stanislaus County. Three years later, he bought an additional 40 acres where he planted alfalfa and had a dairy. In 1916, he leased the two ranches, and purchased 36 acres, one mile north of Hughson where he had another dairy.

Antonio married Mary Lopes-Silva on May 10, 1896 at Pleasanton near Livermore. She was born in Virginia City, Nevada where her father was a miner. His name was Frank Lopes-Silva and was born in Sao Jorge and went to sea at the age of twelve traveling to many ports of the world. After a trip around Cape Horn, he came to San Francisco in the early 1850s. He mined for awhile and then bought property at Pleasanton where he lived until his death in March 1906. He married Rita Menzes who was second oldest child of eight and attended school in Pleasanton. She died in 1904.

Antonio and Mary had nine children: Mary who married Antone Costa of Hickman; Antone who graduated from Modesto Business College and farmed in Ceres, Stanislaus County; Joseph; Lena who married  Manuel Costa and had a farm near Salida, Stanislaus County; Rosa; Frank; Emily; Eva; and Grace. Antonio belonged to the Milk Producers' Association. He also was a member I.D.E.S. He was the first president and founder of the Modesto chapter of U.P.E.C. Mary was a member of S.P.R.S.I. and U.P.P.E.C. Both she and her husband were active in Portuguese community activities. (Antonio and Mary Enos were this author's grandparents.)

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

        37. Emanuel Edward Enos

Emanuel was born on December 2, 1892 near Clayton, Contra Costa County, California to parents Joseph and Mary Ann (Nunes) Enos. His father was born on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge and his mother on the island of Corvo. Joseph Enos left Sao Jorge at fifteen  and arrived in California in 1876 where he was engaged in farming especially cattle-raising. He retired in 1904 at Livermore, California. Mary Enos came to Pleasanton, California at the age of eighteen. She met Joseph and were married having ten children of which Emanuel was the second oldest. Mary died in 1910.

Emanuel attended public schools in Contra Costa County and was a student at Heald's Business College. After graduation, he helped his father on his farm, but then he secured a position as clerk at the Farmers and Merchants Bank. He left the bank to become a real estate agent of rural property.

Emanuel married Jennie Adaline Jesseman on December 17, 1917 in Oakland. She was born at Meldin on the Hudson, the daughter of Charles and Mary E. (Minard) Jesseman. Her father was from New Hampshire and her mother from Nova Scotia. In 1906, her family came to Modesto where her father worked as a carpenter. Jennie was one of their three daughters. Emanuel Enos was a member of U.P.E.C.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

      38. William L. Enos

William was born on September 14, 1883 in San Luis Obispo, California to parents Louis and Mary G. (Lawrence) Enos both from the Azores Islands. His father went to sea at the age of twelve and arrived in California in 1849. He mined in Sierra and Napa counties from 1850-1853 and also was a silver miner in Mexico for several years. Once he married, he became a rancher and died at the age of eighty-seven. They had four children: Archie C. who became an attorney; William L.; and George A. who lived in Colusa County.

William attended public schools in San Luis Obispo and became especially talented in athletics. He was prominent in the Southern
California Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association, 1900-1903, and held the record for the mile of five minutes. He also played football.

He found work as a locomotive fireman for Southern Pacific and worked later in the machine shops in San Luis Obispo. He was employed in 1911 as a fireman for Union Oil Company and in 1912 at Avila refinery. He then worked as an engineer for the gas-treatment plant of the Union Oil Company on the Hartnell lease in the Santa Maria oil field.

William was also an amateur musician. He played a violin in the Enos Orchestra which had six pieces and played for dances and social functions. He married Flo B. Chapin on October 24, 1908 at San Luis Obispo. She was a native of Parson, Kansas. They had five children:
Richard, Lucile, Marjorie, Elena, and Miriam. William and Flo were popular in social circles. He belonged to the Moose lodge.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and
  Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

    39. Antone Feliciano

Antone was born in 1850 on the Azorean island of Faial to parents
Joseph and Mary Ethel Feliciano. His father remained a seaman all of his life retiring at the age of seventy. He died on the same island on which he was born, Faial. Antone left the island on an American vessel when he was fifteen and a year later was in California. He was a laborer on ships that carried cargo from San Francisco to Monterey.

When he was thirty, he married Mary Netto who was from Boston and had come to California when she was a child. Antone was the first settler on the Oso Flaco in San Luis Obispo County where he bought 120 acres. He retired from the sea at forty-five and was able to work his acreage which was planted in beans and grain. In 1916, he built a bungalow house. In January of the next year, he moved to Santa Maria where he paid $10,000 for the Porter home on South Broadway.

Antone and his wife had fifteen children: Tony; Joe who married Myrtle Fesler of Santa Maria and had one child; Arthur; Mary who married S.D. Martin, a rancher east of Sant Maria; Frank married Vernie Fesler; Rose who lived in Oakland and was a milliner; Belle; Gussie; Ethel; Jack; Peter; Henry; Freddie; and Clarence.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and   Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

                 40. Joseph F. Fernandes

Joseph was born on April 12, 1846 on the Azorean island of Flores and was the eldest son of Manuel F. and Mary (Piver) Fernandes. Having a large family, Manuel not only operated his farm but worked outside too. At the age of twenty-five, Joseph came to the United States. He took the third train that came over the intercontinental railroad to California. He began mining in Osborne, Placer County and gave up after three years. He mined for awhile near Folsom, Sacramento County.

Joseph then came to the San Joaquin Valley in 1875 and was engaged in sheep-raising on the West Side for eighteen years where he had 6,000 head. He quit the sheep business and tried dairying at Fruitvale, Alameda County where he also had a retail milk business. In 1902, he lived in Melrose where the Lukins Powder Plant exploded and destroyed his property forcing him to move to Elmhurst where he  stayed until 1913. At that time, he moved to the Tegner district which was three miles southwest of Turlock, Stanislaus County. Here he owned a 79-acre ranch employing several men.

Joseph married Mary L.A. Piver on June 28, 1886. She was born in Providence, R.I. on October 18, 1871. She came to Alameda County with her parents, John and Margaret (Hart) Piver when she was five years old. Her father was a sailor from Flores, Azores Islands and served in the American Civil War as a sailor. Her mother was from Liverpool, England. They both died in Alameda County in 1876. Mary was raised in Alameda County attending schools in the area. She was a member of the Ysabel Portuguese Society. Joseph became a naturalized citizen in 1881. They had six children: Maguerite who married Frank M. Leanhares of Turlock having one child, William; Amalia; Josephine Marie who worked at the Tegner library; Mable M.; and Ferdinand Joseph.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

        41. Manuel Lewis Fortado

Manuel was born on June 8, 1886 at Concord, California to parents Lorain E. and Gillimina (Ignacia) Fortado. His father came from the Azores Islands to California at eighteen years of age and worked as a laborer. Gillimina too left the Azores at eighteen and married Lorain in Concord. Their children were Frank who lived in Berkeley; Anthony who lived in San Francisco; Lucy who became Mrs. L.J. Arrighi and lived in Concord; and Manuel who lived in Crockett.

Manuel attended the local public schools and worked in the fruit during the summer. At fifteen, he worked at the Selby smelter for a year at the blast furnace. He then was employed at H. Ivey's stable for two years. At the age of eighteen, he married Gladys Pauline Jones on October 19, 1904. Her uncle was a former assistant county surveyor, and her grandfather was Nathaniel Jones one of the early pioneers of Walnut Creek. Her parents were Wallace Lee Jones and Barbara Crow Jones who both died when Gladys was very young. Her grandparents Jones raised her. Her grandmother died in 1908 at the age of eighty-three.

Manuel and Gladys had one child, Richard, who married Helen Suchowaski and had a child, Richard L., Jr. Manuel worked at a mercantile store in Walnut Creek and then had his own business. He then worked for the California Wine Association. At Selby, he was employed at the cartridge factory from 1906-1911 where he became an inspector. He then found work at the sugar refinery as a tallyman and then as a weigher.

Manuel married his second wife, Pauline Myra Suchowaski, on October 19, 1921 in Crockett. She was from Pueblo, Colorado, but at the time of her marriage, she was living in Rodeo with her parents Stephen and Anna (Orynicz) Suchowaski. Her father was a watchman at the Selby smelter.

Manuel was a member of the Eagles and the Red Men. He was a volunteer fireman and was a baseball umpire for ten years. He and Pauline enjoyed the outdoors and were active in sports and camping.

Source: History of Contra Costa County, California with Biographical Sketches. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1926.
 
 

     42. Manuel J. Frago

Manuel was born on March 6, 1877 on the Azorean island of Flores to Jose and Mary C. Frago. He was a sheepherder on his father's farm. At twenty-two, Manuel came to Montana where he worked six years in the cattle industry mostly as a laborer. He learned much about the business and returned to the Azores for a visit.

In 1905, he settled in Turlock, Stanislaus County where he bought 40 acres of untilled land which he worked hard to improve agriculturally. He married Maria J. Gloria in 1898 while he was on a visit there. They had four children: Maria who married Joseph Vasconcellos; Joseph; Adelina; and Zelda. Manuel was a member of U.P.E.C.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

    43. Edmund de Freitas

Edmund was born in San Francisco on September 2, 1892 to parents Frank L. and Rose Crabb de Freitas. (See biography of Frank L. for more information) He moved to Oakland in 1904 and attended local public schools, graduating from Franklin Grammar School in 1912 and Oakland High School in 1916. He then became a student at the University of California, Berkeley graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1920. He then entered law school at University of California, Berkeley earning the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1922. After graduation, he began his law practice at his father's law firm in the Easton Building in Oakland.

Edmund was a veteran of World War I, having served in the army. He was a commissioned second lieutenant attached to the 73 Company of the 6th Group Machine Gun Training Center where he was an instructor from June 1918 to June 1919.

Edmund married Alice Jane Nielsen of Piedmont, the daughter of Captain and Mrs. E.H. Nielsen, on October 15, 1924. Captain Nielson was prominent in the canning and packing business in Piedmont.
Edmund was a member of Woodmen of the World, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Phi Alpha Delta, the latter two being college fraternities.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke, 1928.
 

    44. Frank L. de Freitas

Frank L. was born on the Azorean island of Flores on February 28, 1860 to Frank J. and Mary E. de Freitas. When the family came to the United States they settled in Alameda County. His parents both died at the age eighty-five. Frank attended some school on Flores, but he went to public schools in Oakland and graduated from Heald's Business College in San Francisco in June 1884. He worked as a bookkeeper in a cigar factory for two years moving to San Diego where he did similar work for twenty-two years. During this period of time, he studied law and passed the bar examination in 1904. He returned to Oakland and established a very successful law practice. His law offices were at the Easton Building in Oakland.

Frank L. married Rose Crabb and had two children:  a daughter, Mabel, who married O.L. Brillhart, the manager of Merchants Credit Association Oakland, and a son, Edmund (See his biography above). Frank L. was a member of the Woodmen of America, U.P.E.C., and the State Bar Association.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke, 1928.
 
 

    45. George H. Freitas

George was born on March 11, 1868 at Shaw's Flat, Tuolumne County, California. His father was A.J. Freitas who was a sailor and had traveled throughout the world having rounded both the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn. In the 1850s, he arrived in San Francisco and became caught up in the mining frenzy. He mined in Tuolumne County for a number of years. He married Virginia Salvador who came to California through Panama. A.J. Freitas quit mining and became a farmer. He then lived in San Francisco from 1883-1885 and relocated thereafter in Modesto, Stanislaus County. He died in 1887 leaving his wife with two children.

George went to Tuolumne County schools until he was fifteen. He found work at a sawmill in San Francisco and later at Port Blakely, Washington. At one time he was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad to work on the Cascade Tunnel. George returned to San Francisco for a while, but then left in January 1889 to operate a barbering business in Modesto, Stanislaus County.

George was a lieutenant in Company D, Sixth California Infantry Regiment, National Guard. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, his company volunteered for duty. It served at Fort Point from May to November 1898. He became the battalion adjutant of the second battalion.

George next worked for Modesto Irrigation District (M.I.D.) assisting in the construction of its main canals. He studied civil engineering, and after two years with M.I.D., he established a private civil engineering business in Modesto. In 1907, he was appointed city engineer of Modesto and was reappointed each term thereafter. In November 1919, the city engineer and water superintendent offices were combined, with George having to manage both. To keep current, he took an international correspondence course in civil engineering. He was a member of the American Society of Municipal Engineers. In the meantime, George purchased a farm near Turlock where he grew alfalfa.

When Congress declared war on Germany in 1917, George tried to volunteer for service, but the War Department courteously declined the offer. He was active in community events and a member of the Elks, Knights of Pythias, and I.O.R.M.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 

     46. Geraldo Freitas

Geraldo was born on November 1, 1862 in the Azores and emigrated to California in his late teens. In 1880, he settled in Fresno being involved in the sheep industry. Within twenty years, he had 6,000 head of sheep which he sold to enter into the wholesale liquor business in Fresno. His wife died and left him with one daughter, Margaret who married a Mello. Geraldo belonged to I.D.E.S., U.P.E.C. and the Eagles.

Source: History of Fresno County, California With Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles:
  Historic Record Co., 1919.
 

         47. John Freitas
 
John was born on May 13, 1871 on the Azores Islands and came to the United States with his parents at an early age. They first stopped at Boston and then traveled to California which they had been told was the land of opportunity. His father worked in Carmel Valley as a farmer and stock-raiser, and when John was old enough, he helped his father. In 1898, John left the homestead and  rented 140 acres near Spreckels which was put into sugar beets to supply the local Spreckels sugar factory. He liked horses so he purchased a Percheron stallion which was valued at $3,600 and was imported from France.

John married Lottie Machado of Carmel Valley and had four children:
Louise, Grace, Roy, and Inez. He was a member of U.P.E.C.

Source: History and Biographical Record of Monterey and San Benito Counties. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1910.
 
 

      48. John E. Freitas

John was born on July 29, 1891 in New Bedford, Massachusetts to parents Lewis and Ida (Correia) Frietas. His father was a merchant at New Bedford. John attended the local schools, and in 1908, at the age of seventeen, he came to California.

He first settled in Hollister, San Benito County, and worked on farms for eight years. In 1916, he was employed as a grocery store clerk.
He listed in the army in June 1918 leaving his wife and a two month old child in the care of his brother. John was trained at Camp Lewis for three weeks in Company B, Thirty-seventh Infantry of the Seventh Division. He went to Camp Fremont briefly before being sent to Long Island, New York.

He embarked for Brussels, and when his regiment arrived, they went into action at St. Mihiel, the Argonne and other offenses. John was wounded by shrapnel and a bayonet. He became an excellent marksman and was assigned as a sniper. While performing his duty, an enemy came from behind him, thrust his bayonet at him damaging John's leg. He got the better of his attacker after a struggle. Another time, three enemy soldiers came at him. He was able to catch a thrusted bayonet, and he and a comrade struggled to defeat the enemy in a skirmish. In February 1918, John was discharged from the army. Upon his return to California, he went into farming, growing sweet potatoes and melons, on a twenty-acre ranch two miles south of Hughson, Stanislaus County.

On January 10, 1917, John married Mamie Macedo who was born in New Bedford to parents Tony and Amelia Macedo. Her parents came out to California and settled in Turlock.

John and Mamie had two children: Ernest L. and Loraine. John was a member of U.P.E.C. and the Farm Bureau while Mamie had membership in U.P.P.E.C.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

      49. Jose F. Freitas

Jose was born on April 11, 1862 in the village of Faja Grande on the Azorean island of Flores to parents Francisco J. and Violante (Freitas) Freitas. Francisco served as a surgeon in the Portuguese army from 1832 to 1833 being wounded severely during one battle. After military service, he returned to farming. Violante died at the age of seventy-seven.

Jose attended located schools on the island and worked on the his parents' farm. He was in correspondence with his two brothers, A.J. and John, who lived and worked in the mines near Folsom, California. (A.J. came to the United States in 1864 and John in 1867.) Seeing that his brothers were doing well, Jose, at the age of nineteen boarded the barque Sarah and after twenty-eight days arrived in Boston on June 17, 1882. After a long journey west, he ultimately settled in Mariposa County, California, meeting his brothers and working as sheepherder. He soon bought an interest in sheep business and lived in Indian Gulch making his summer camp in Tuolumne.

In 1893, he sold his interest and moved to Merced County buying land there. In 1898, he went into sweet potato farming in Buchach Colony, Merced County. In 1913, he bought forty acres in the Ash Tract which he devoted to general farming.

Jose married Lucinda Z. (Souza) Bispo in Merced in May 1901. She was a widow with two sons. She and Jose had four children of their own: Violet, Joseph, Mary, and Frank. Lucinda belonged to
S.P.R.I.S.I. and was very much involved in charity work.

Jose served a term as president of the local U.P.E.C. and also was a member of the Woodmen of the World. He became a citizen of the United States on December 28, 1888. Jose was instrumental in organizing the Buchach school district where he served as a trustee for eight years. In 1910 he donated an acre of land to the Buchach Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Association.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Company, 1925.
 
 

      50. Joseph Freitas

Joseph was born on October 15, 1869 on the Azorean island of Flores to Frank and Anna J. (Machada) Freitas. He came to the United States with his parents at the age of nine. They stopped at New Bedford for a few months and then traveled to Half Moon Bay, California, arriving
in May 1879. After a year, they moved to Oakley Precinct near Iron House school district and then in 1883 to Live Oak district. Frank had to clear the land of chaparral and live oak in order to plant fruit and nut trees, and vines. Joseph's mother died in 1924 at eighty-two and his father on January 31, 1926 at eighty-eight.

At the age of fourteen, Joseph began working for wages. He spent sixteen years employed at a hay press and saved his money to buy a 20-acre ranch on which he planted fifteen acres of grapes and five acres of almonds. Joseph also helped organized the Bridgeport Shipping Corporation where he was the director.

Joseph married Frances Minta who was born in California, and they had five daughters: Rosaline; Frances; Evelyn who became Mrs. Thomas De Maggio; Minnie who became Mrs. Joseph McCurrio; and Marie. Joseph Freitas served on the Live Oak school board for twenty years. He belonged to I.D.E.S.

Source: History of Contra Costa County, California with Biographical Sketches. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1926.
 
 

    51. Joseph A. Freitas

Joseph A. was born on October 16, 1889 in Oakland, California to Joseph R. and Marie A. (King) Freitas who were from the Azores Islands. Joseph R. came to California at the age of fifteen in 1857, and Marie arrived at the age of six. They were married when adults and farmed in the Monroe Valley, Alameda County and back of Lake Merritt in Oakland. Joseph R. died in 1914.

Joseph A. attended school at Olinda, Redwood Canyon, and at Garfield School. He was a plumber's apprentice for four years and then bought the shop from his employer's widow at the age of twenty. It was located on Fruitvale Boulevard but soon he had to relocate because of he ran out of space. He built a 25  by 200 foot facility at 2815 East Tenth Street. He then bought modern equipment and before long became the top contracting plumber in Oakland having sales of $150,000 a year. He held contracts for plumbing service with Amora Hospital, the armory at 24th and Broadway streets, St. Cyril's School, Lakeview School, and several large apartment complexes.

Joseph A. married Florence King who was a native Californian, and they had one daughter, Laverne. Joseph belonged to many organizations: Knights of the Maccabees, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Loyal Order of Moose, Druids, Portuguese Lusatan, Native Sons of the Golden West, I.D.E.S., U.P.E.C., Kiwanis, Young Men's Institute, Merchants Exchange, Builders Exchange, Chamber of Commerce, and National Plumbers Association. He served as Supreme President of U.P.E.C. and broke records for drawing new membership. He also was president of the Portuguese Colon, the largest Portuguese newspaper in California.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Company,   1928)
 
 

         52. Joseph M. de Freitas

Joseph was born on November 25, 1849 on the island of Flores, Azores Islands to the parents of Frank and Mary (Freitas) Freitas. His parents came to the United States in 1890 twenty years after Joseph did. Joseph arrived in San Francisco on September 12, 1870 and lived with his uncle Joe de Freitas in Sunol. From there he worked for Mr. Bowman at Bay Farm Island, later traveling to Gold Hill and Dayton, Nevada being employed as a lumberman for Southern Pacific Railroad where he drove teams of horses. He left Nevada and stayed for awhile in Santa Clara County but returned to Southern Pacific Railroad in Livermore again working with lumber for J.C. Rose.

Much traveled, Joseph went to the San Joaquin Valley being employed as a sheepherder by C.C. Smith. From there he went to Salinas, Castroville, and then to Watsonville where he farmed during the dry years of 1876-1877. His endeavor failed sending him to Collinsville in Solano County where he farmed for E.I. Upham for seven years. He then farmed for himself for twelve years in Contra Costa County later buying seventy acres of land which he farmed for fourteen years. He sold his land to the Spring Valley Water Company of San Francisco in 1911. He retired and lived at 554 First Street in Hayward.

Joseph married Mary J. de Freitas, who was born in the Azorean island of Flores. Joseph and Mary had four children, of which two died at infancy. Their son Joseph M. Jr. resided on Mt. Eden Road, one mile from Hayward and had two children of his own, Albert and Joe. Joseph Sr. and his wife Mary had a daughter, Mary F., who married J.C. Henriques and had two children, Helario and Victor. Joseph Sr. was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and U.P.E.C.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928)
 
 

       53. Antone (Tony) Furtado

Tony was born on October 4, 1900, in El Nido, Merced County to parents John F. and Margaret (Silva) Furtado who were both from the Azores Islands. Tony was the eighth of nine children and attended Russell district school as a youth. He became fully involved in grain farming with his parents and brothers which was on a vast scale in the El Nido area. When his father died he was given a portion of the farmland. He too in 1920, bought twenty acres which was devoted to alfalfa and dairy.

Tony married Bessie A. King on September 6, 1920. She was born in Le Grand on June 8, 1902 to parents Joseph and Marie King, pioneers of Merced County who were also from the Azores. Tony and Bessie had two children: Carmel M. who was born on April 29, 1922; and A. Merlin who was born on January 24, 1925. Bessie inherited property on 21st St. in Merced from her father who died on August 5, 1912.
Tony was a member of I.D.E.S. and the Knights of Columbus.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Company, 1925.
 
 

      54. Manuel Furtado

Manuel was born on March 8, 1876 near the Azorean village of Villa on the island of Sao Jorge to parents Joseph and Maria Furtado. His father was a cabinetmaker and finisher who died when Manuel was fifteen. In 1891, Maria came to the United States followed by her children a year later.

Manuel found work at dairies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties for twelve years, first earning $8 month. In 1910, he moved to Turlock, Stanislaus County and soon was one of the dairy leaders of the area. He had extensive dairy holdings in both Stanislaus and Merced counties. He had 120 acres on his home ranch plus 30 acres across the road. He owned 160 acres in Merced County.
 
Manuel was an influential member of the Farm Bureau, the Central California Milk Producers Association, and the Board of Trade. He held stock and served as a director of T.M. and G., Inc. which was formed in Turlock in 1915.

Manuel married Isabel Silva on May 20, 1898 in Oakland. She was the daughter of Frank and Andresa Silva. Manuel and Isabel had three children: Mary, Isabel, and Edward. He was a member of U.P.E.C., I.D.E.S., Rebekahs, and Odd Fellows while Isabel belonged to S.P.R.S.I and U.P.P.E.C.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

           55. Francisco S. Garcia

Francisco was born on October 31, 1885 in the Azores coming to the United States at the age of ten. He settled at Newport, RI, where he received his education. At the age of twenty-five, he and his brother, A.C. Garcia, came to California. He rented land and was involved in the dairy industry for four years before coming to Los Banos, Merced County. Francisco leased 186 acres of land and continued in dairying. Soon he bought land of his own and then began leasing his land to others. It is recorded that he paid $1,000 for a high grade Holstein bull which was a great sum of money at that time. When he decided to retire from dairying, he had a herd of 200 head.

In 1918, Francisco and others founded the Portuguese Bank in Los Banos. He served as vice-president and then president. In 1921, he resigned from the bank to devote time to real estate and insurance.
He married Anna Gomez who too was from the Azores. They had four children: David, Minnie, Francisco, and Mary. He was a member of I.D.E.S., Eagles, and the Knights of Columbus.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

       56. Manuel Garcia

Manuel was born on the Azorean island of Pico on August 26, 1875 to parents Jose and Mary Garcia. He came to Alameda County, California in 1893 where he worked as a laborer for five years. In May 1899, Manuel was employed at a dairy on shares and saved his money. He purchased forty acres, near Keyes, Stanislaus County in May 1906, and then twenty more acres northwest of Turlock. He also leased land.

Manuel married Mary Enos in 1899 at Santa Clara who was born on September 2, 1883 in Alameda County. The couple had ten children:
Augusta Josephine was the wife of A.A. Ramos and had one child; Florence V. who married A.R. Gorge and had one child; Manuel C. who was a rancher; John E. who was also a rancher; Marie E.; Frank; Joe; William; Alice; and Floyd.

Manuel became a naturalized citizen in 1913 and belonged to U.P.E.C., I.D.E.S., and Woodmen of the World. Mary was a member of S.P.R.S.I. and U.P.P.E.C.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

      57. Frank J. Gomes

Frank J. was born on October 23, 1855 on the island of Flores, Azores Islands. His father, Frank Gomes, was a successful farmer on the island owning valuable lands. Frank J. left home at eighteen serving as a seaman aboard a whaling schooner. He traveled to the Arctic on a two-year voyage landing at San Francisco, but the crew was not allowed off the ship because of fear of desertions. The food aboard ship was poor being both stale and salty with no vegetables. The ship then moved south to Baja California where it sailed for the next two years. Frank worked at a sugar camp in Santa Susana. When he was discharged from the ship, he received $100 in silver which was a handsome amount in those days.

Frank came to San Francisco in 1877 working in San Jose as a laborer. He then settled at Knights Ferry employed as a clerk at a general merchandise store owned by a Mr. Clifford. He moved to Modesto and was a clerk in various stores for two years. He next ran a hotel but became interested in the cattle and sheep business. He did well until free trade administration of President Grover Cleveland ruined sheepmen.

Frank then moved to Golconda, Nevada where he and John Selbers were in the stock business for six years. He returned to Stanislaus County and in 1899 bought thirty acres from C.N. Whitmore of Ceres where he paid $30 an acre. He established a dairy and grew alfalfa. Soon he had 70 acres near Hughson.

In 1884, Frank visited Flores and married Mary Rosa Gonsalves. They had eight children who were all born in Stanislaus County: Mary who married J.N. Martins of Ceres and had seven children; Lawrence had a son and lived in Hughson; Clara who married Knute Jorgensen and lived in Berkeley and had one child; the twins Minnie and Louise; Tony who went to Polytechnic high school in Oakland; Emily; and Joe.

Frank and Mary were both very active in their community. He belonged to I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C. while Mary was a member of S.P.R.S.I.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

      58. Frank P. Gomes

Frank was born on April 9, 1855 on the Azorean island of Flores to Frank J. and Maria R. Gomes. When he was eighteen, he came to San Francisco and only had ten dollars in his pocket. He found work at Hollister as a sheepherder. In 1875, he moved to Fresno where he stayed briefly moving then to Stanislaus County in 1876. Frank continued his interest in sheep-raising and in September 1880, he formed a partnership with John Lesta in a sheep business. After three years, he bought out Lesta and had a flock of 5,000 head.

In 1884, he purchased some land eight miles southwest of Crows Landing at Crow's Creek. He also built a house on Sixth Street in Modesto which he traded for a 160 acres five miles east of Modesto. He ran sheep on the property having 3,500 head of Merino sheep at one time. He too was involved in buying and selling sheep. He increased his acreage in Crows Landing to 1,960 acres where he raised stock. When he retired, he moved to 1207 Fourteenth Street in Modesto.

Frank married Anna F. Philip in 1882. She was also born on the island of Flores. They had five children: Charles who was a rancher five miles west of Modesto, married Frances Silva, and had a child, Dorothy; Mamie who married Frank Monese who was a stockman in Modesto. They had two children, Elvera and Nadine; Anna who married
William E. Osborne who was rancher and lived at the Gomes ranch east of Modesto; Clara who married Henry I Ducoty who was a carpenter and builder. They lived in Modesto and had a child, Maxine; and Frank P. who was the cashier at the First National Bank of Newman. He married Inez Van Sickle and had one child, Gwendolyn.

Frank was a member of Odd Fellows, Encampment, I.D.E.S., and U.P.E.C.
He served on the school board for Garner School District for sixteen years and also the election board.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with     Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

          59. Louis Gonsalves, Jr.

Louis was born in Mendocino County on June 18, 1884 to Louis and Anna Gonsalves. His father came to the United States in 1863 and was employed in the lumber business in northern California dying in 1915. His wife Anna came to the United States and died in 1907.

Louis graduated from public schools and in 1905 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University. He continued through Stanford's law school graduating with a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1906. He began his law practice in Fort Bragg, California staying there three years before establishing a permanent practice in Oakland. His law business grew, and he became known as a fine trial lawyer.

Louis married Leora Kingsbury of Lassen County and raised a son, Donald, by a previous marriage. Louis was a member of the Masons, Elks, and Moose.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 

       60. J.J. Gonzales

J.J. was born on May 1, 1873 at Bear Valley, Mariposa County. He was the oldest child of parents Manuel and Mary (Silva) Gonsalves. Manuel was born on the island of Pico, Azores Islands and came to San Francisco in the early 1860s and shortly settling in Mariposa County.
At the age of thirty, he married Mary Silva. He died in 1923, and she moved to Atwater.

J.J. attended schools in Mariposa County. He learned mining and carpentry. In 1906, he moved to Atwater where he was involved in ranching and carpentry. In 1913, he quit ranching and went into the contracting and the building business fulltime in Atwater and surrounding communities.

In 1905, he married Anne DeNeves who was from Bear Valley and the daughter of Mathew and Mary DeNeves. Mathew died in April 1925 at the age of seventy-seven. J.J. and Anne had four children: William, Elmer, Franklin, and Thelma who were all born in Merced County.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

      61. John S. Gularte

John was born in 1862 in the Azores Islands, and at the age of eighteen, he came to the United States and worked near New Bedford, Massachusetts for three years. He came to California in 1884, being employed as a farmhand on ranches around Cayucos and San Luis Obispo. He saved his money and was able to work on shares at a large dairy of 150 cows and 1,800 acres.

John next operated a dairy at Chorro for a year and the following year at Morro doing the same. In 1905, he settled in Arroyo Grande for awhile and then moved to Tar Springs district where he leased 1,000 acres of the Steele ranch and 3,000 acres of the Biddle ranch. He had a dairy of 100 cows and ran a cattle business. He subleased the land to tenants who he contracted on shares.

John married Isabel R. Alves on February 25, 1895 in Madera County. She was from the Azores too. They had four children: Mary, Nora, Violet, and Manuel. John was a member of I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and   Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

    62. Manuel S. Gularte

Manuel was born in 1855 on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge. His father, Silva Gularte was a farmer who taught Manuel stock-raising.
He left the island at the age of eighteen and worked in Providence, R.I. for two years. He arrived in San Luis Obispo County in 1875 and was employed as a sheepherder in the Paso Robles district, on the Carrisa Plains, and also at Simmler.

After years of saving, Manuel was able to buy his own flock of five hundred ewes. Eventually, he had a flock of 2,000 head on 320 acres. Later he purchased 250 acres four and a half miles north of San Luis Obispo where he had a dairy. He also bought160 acres two miles south of his ranch which he rented.

Manuel married Marianna Azevedo in San Luis Obispo. She was born in  Sao Jorge too, and they had seven children: Amelia who married a Silva and lived near her parents; Manuel; Mary who married a Silvera of Sisquoc; Rose; Anthony; and John.

Manuel was a member of the board of trustees for Cuesta School District. He also belonged to U.P.E.C. and I.D.E.S. His family attended church at the Mission Catholic Church of San Luis Obispo.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and   Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

   63. Francisco Ignacio de Lemos

Francisco was born on the island of Terceira, Azores Islands on March 10, 1865 to Jose and Francisca Ignacia (de Menezes) de Lemos. He entered the priesthood at the seminary in Angra and completed his religious training in 1888. He decided not to enter the priesthood but instead went to the United States arriving at New Bedford, Massachusetts on September 20, 1888. He borrowed $100 from a friend for transportation to Mission San Jose, California. He found a job at a Portuguese newspaper. He moved to San Leandro and then to Hayward where he worked for Attorney G.S. Langan. Langan wanted to learn Portuguese, and Francisco wanted to learn English. Francisco passed the bar examine on April 25, 1895 and became partners with Langan staying for ten years as a legal counselor and trial lawyer. He was also on the board of directors for the Bank of Hayward.

In 1898, Francisco returned to his native Terceira and married Adelaide Cotta, daughter of Jose Martins and D. Maria (Ignacia) Cotta. The newlyweds made their home in Alameda County returning for a visit to the Azores in 1906. They had one son, Frank Clemente, who was born on November 23, 1900 and was killed in an automobile accident on February 16, 1919. Francisco served on the school board for nine years and was member of the Elks, Eagles, Foresters of America, Knights of Columbus, A.P.P.B., U.P.E.C. and I.D.E.S. serving as chairman of the board for the latter.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 
 

      64. August Louie

August was born on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge on January 16, 1837. He came to San Francisco by ship around Cape Horn. He first went to Callahan, Siskiyou County and then traveled to Yreka in the winter of 1860 or 1861 by sled. He found employment for awhile as a miner in the Yreka-Hawkinsville area. He then teamed up with Joseph (Joe) Francis Rose, also from the Azores, building rock and rail fences for 25 cents a rod. They averaged four rods a day.

The two young men then teamed up and leased the Hurd ranch for three or four years where they raised vegetables and grain which they hauled to Yreka or Hawkinsville by wagon. They heard from an Indian that there was good farming land with a good water supply about eight to ten miles away. One Sunday they went to investigate and ended up paying $100 each for "squatters' rights" to the land.

August and Joe soon had 160 acres each given to them by the U.S. government to homestead. In 1876, August married Mary Vargas who was the first cousin of Mary Ann Rose, the wife of his partner Joe Rose. They had seven children with one son dying when he was thirteen after a year's illness. The two dissolved their partnership and did truck gardening on their own separate 160 acres. Besides Yreka and Hawkinsville, they also sold their produce to the towns of Sisson and Butteville, and also to railroad crews.

The two men also raised cattle, primarily Red Durhams, but lost most of their stock during some tough winters. Also, they grew hay which was used for their stock and selling some to other cattle ranchers. They went from truck gardening to cattle raising full-time because of abundance of truck gardeners in their region. By 1906, they were completely involved in raising prize stock, and also growing alfalfa and improving the local irrigation systems.

Joe died in 1899 at the age of 62 and his wife in 1906. The Louie family bought the Rose family property.

Source: Broderick, Freda. Siskiyou Pioneer.
 
 

         65. Manuel Luiz

Manuel was born on the island of Sao Miguel, Azores Islands, to Domingo Antone Noya and Anna Margarida da Conceicao. Domingo was born in the village Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, and at the age of fifteen sailed around the world, landed in California, acquired a small fortune, and returned to Sao Miguel. He married Margarida and farmed until his death at sixty-two. They had three daughters and a son, Manuel.

Manuel was raised on the Ponta Delgada farm attending public schools to acquire an education. His father told him of the fortunes to be made in California. At seventeen,  Manuel left aboard the three-masted ship, Sarah, and twenty-four days later landed at Boston. Within in two days, he set out for California and arrived there within ten days via New Orleans.

He first found work in California harvesting cherries at $1.25 a day. He then worked on another ranch for $24 a month and stayed until 1898. In that year, Manuel returned to the Azores for a visit. Shortly, he came back to California and located near Atwater,  Merced County, where he worked for Al Owens. It was during this same period of time that he bought thirty acres of land in the Mitchell Colony, outside of Atwater. He worked too at the Bloss ranch for nine years as a foreman of a crew that planted peach and apricot trees.

Manuel became a naturalized citizen in San Francisco in 1896 changing his last name from Noya to Luiz. On November 18, 1909, at Stockton, he married Mary Josephine Vieira who had been born in Swansea, Massachusetts. Mary was the second of five children born to Manuel V. and Mary (Soares) Vieira. Her father was from Flores and her mother from Pico. Manuel Vieira was born in 1859 and attended local schools. He learned English and was used as a translator at times. He came to Boston at the age of seventeen. The crossing took thirty days because the ship ran out of food and had to resupply at Bermuda. There was a near mutiny. He worked in the textile industry in Massachusetts as a weaver for five years. Manuel Vieira paid a visit to Flores and then traveled to California spending some time in Modesto as a barber around the year 1883. He then married Mary Soares in Oakland and the two settled in Swansea, Massachusetts where their children Alfred J. and Mary J. were born. The family visited the Azores and then returned to California settling in Sebastopol where two more children were born: Palmyra Tahoe, who became Mrs. H.L. Wrheman; and Ernest. When Mary (Soares) Vieira died, Manuel V. moved to Oakland where he operated a grocery store for seventeen years. He was also was on the State Harbor Commission. Upon retirement, he moved to Atwater to live with his daughter, Mary Luiz.

Manuel and Mary Luiz had four children: Mary C. who was born on February 17, 1913; Anna Aileen who was born on December 23, 1915; Ernest who was born April 29, 1917; and Elaine M. who was born on
July 8, 1918. Mary was a reader and very much interested in education. She served as vice-president of Atwater PTA and also was treasurer of the local U.P.P.E.C. Manuel too was involved in community organizations. He was a member of the local U.P.E.C. serving as secretary for a term. He helped established the Atwater Pentacost Club Association serving as president. They both were stockholders of the California Peach and Apricot Association having thirty acres of peaches.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 

          66.. Christiano Machado

Christiano was born in Carmel, California, on February 5, 1877. He went to public schools in the area and worked on his parents' farm. He went to South Dakota at nineteen to work on his sister's ranch. He returned to Carmel Valley a year later and began to farm on the Gregg ranch. After a while, he moved to Salinas and grew sugar beets for the Spreckels Sugar Company. He became partners with his brother-in-law, John Freitas, dissolving their partnership in 1905. Christiano then worked 110 acres of the J. Olsen ranch which he eventually bought. One year later he added 70 more adjoining acres for a total of 180 acres.

Christiano married Christina Olsen from Monterey County, a daughter of John Olsen. They had three children: Mildred, Melvin, and Chris.

Source: History and Biographical Record of Monterey and San Benito Counties. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1910.
 

   67. Christiano Leonard Machado

Christiano was born in 1841 on the Azorean island of Sao Miguel. He left the island in 1855 and served as a seaman until 1867 when he arrived in California. At Point Lobos, Monterey County, he worked ten years for the Portuguese Whaling Company. He then moved to Carmel Valley where he rented nine acres of Carmel Mission land.

At this time he also became the caretaker of the mission which was in dismal condition. The roof of the sanctuary had caved in. Christiano mounted a drive to secure money for its restoration, and by this action, he is credited with saving a chief California landmark. During the restoration process, Father Junipeiro Serra's remains were discovered and reinterred.

Not satisfied with the restoration of the mission, Christiano then established a school at Carmel which was the first such institution in Monterey County.

In 1867, the year he arrived in California, he returned to his home island to marry Mary Souza and brought her back to live with him in Carmel. They had ten children: Antone who lived in Monterey; Christiano who lived in Salinas; Manuel who lived in Spence, near Blanco; Jessie who became Mrs. Dicauli and lived in Monterey; Katie who became Mrs. M.F. Martan and lived in Salinas; Lottie who became Mrs. John Freitas and lived in Salinas; Mary Ann who became Mrs. Gould and lived in Carmel-by-the-Sea; and Emilie.

The oldest daughter, Mary, at the age of sixteen served as the first gatekeeper of the mission where she met many worldwide travelers.
She married Maurico Souza Almeida who was a native of the Azores. Maurico had a business in Nevada from which he made a considerable amount of money. He then moved and bought a ranch near Salinas in the Graves district. Maurico died on January 6, 1889. Mary and Maurico had three children. Antone became a veterinarian having graduated from the State Veterinary College of San Francisco.

Mary Almeida remarried in 1894 to Franklin Luis, a native of the Azores, who came to California at an early age and became a miner. He died on October 26, 1894 at the age of only forty-three leaving a son, Franklin Alfred who attended Stanford and became an engineer.
Mary's second husband Franklin Luis died shortly and she again remarried, this time to John Suckow of South Dakota and they moved to that state. Later they returned to California and bought an eighty-acre ranch near Salinas.

Source: History and Biographical Record of Monterey and San Benito Counties. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1910.
 
 

    68. Manuel D. Machado

Manuel was born on May 8, 1880 on the Azorean island of Sao Miguel to Tony and Mary Machado. His parents had a farm where he worked until he was eighteen which was when he came to the United States. He arrived at Boston where he did odd jobs for two years. In 1900, he crossed the continent and settled eventually near Newman, Stanislaus County.

Manuel worked at various ranches until he had saved enough money to buy 31 acres, four miles southwest of Newman on which he grew alfalfa and operated a dairy of sixteen cows. He married Delphina Vincent on February 4, 1914. She was born at San Leandro, Alameda County and was the daughter of Joe and Isabell (Munyan) Vincent. When was just an infant of one year, her parents moved to Newman, and where she attended Canal School. He father was from Flores, and he came to California in the early days this state's history while her mother was from San Leandro.

Manuel and Delphina had five children: James, Manuel, Dell, Cecelia, and Frances.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with     Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

           69. Manuel M. Martinez

Manuel was born in the Santa Maria valley. His father was A.C. Martinez who was born in the Azores Islands and became a farmer in the valley. He ultimately owned four ranches, two on the Oso Flaco and two at Edna, six miles from San Luis Obispo. A. C. Martinez's sister and brothers were: Mary R. who married M.D. Martin and was a resident of Santa Maria; A. Martinez managed one of the family's Oso Flaco ranches; and J. C. Martinez.

Manuel attended public schools and graduated from San Luis Obispo College with a degree in bookkeeping. He worked at the profession for several companies until his health forced him to change his occupation. He then managed one of his father's ranches at Edna for six years. He left and became the manager of 107 acres of the Red Tank Farm which was three miles west of Santa Maria.

Manuel married Julia I. Heyd and had two children: Arthur L. and Julia M. Manuel belonged to I.D.E.S.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and
  Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

    70. John G. Mattos, Jr.

John was born on August 1, 1864 in Horta, Faial, Azores Islands. He attended school there and came with his family to Centerville, California at the age of fifteen. On July 31, 1886 he became a United States citizen and was elected in 1888 as road overseer of the Centerville district.

In 1900 he was elected as an State Assemblyman from the 46th District which consisted of the townships of Washington, Eden, and Murray or the portion of Alameda County south of San Leandro Creek. He was reelected in 1902. In the Assembly, he was a member of the Code Commission, chairman of the Roads and Highways Committee and a member of the Education Committee. He served from 1901-1906 as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Children in Berkeley being appointed by Governor Gage.

In 1904, John was elected to the State Senate, unopposed, serving the 13th District. He served as chairman of the Education, and Roads and Highway Committee. In 1907 he was appointed by President Roosevelt as appraiser of merchandise at the port of San Francisco where he served for seven years. Governor Stephens appointed him to the Board of Prison Directors which he served from 1918 to 1926.

He passed the bar exam in August 1897 working out of offices in San Francisco and Centerville. He specialized in probate law where he was known as an expert. He helped franchised the Bank of Centerville and served as president until it was sold to the Bank of Italy in 1919. He then served at the new bank as vice president and director.
He was elected to the school board of Centerville in 1893 and continued to be reelected for thirty-five years. He held high positions in U.P.E.C. such as supreme president in 1894-1895. He also served later as supreme director and supreme treasurer. He was the justice of the peace for Washington township for eight years.

Source: History of Alameda County, California . Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 
 

    71. Jesse Mendonza

Jesse was born in 1888 in Santa Cruz, Azores Islands to parents Manuel and Mary Mendonza. There were eight children in the family who lived on the small island farm. Jesse arrived at  New York on Mary 15, 1909. He soon learned English and worked on the docks loading and unloading cargo from ships. He tried farming as well.

He came to Fresno, California in 1913 where he was employed on dairies for four years. In 1917, he bought 20 acres near Modesto, Stanislaus County and operated a dairy. He added 10 acres in 1919 and had seventeen cows and a registered Holstein bull. He built a silo that held 75 tons of silage.

In 1913, Jesse married Anna Vincent of Fowler and had two children: Pauline and John.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

      72. Joe P. Mendosa

Joe was born on February 23, 1887 at Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County to parents Manuel P. and Frances Gomes. They both were born in the Azores and met one another in Honolulu where they were married. They came to Santa Clara County were he was farmer.

Joe grew up in Santa Clara County and worked on the family farm while also being employed elsewhere. This was to bring home money to help his family. At twenty-three, he moved to Tulare where he
was in partnership on a dairy for four years. In 1913, he came to Stanislaus County and bought 50 acres two miles southeast of Ceres on the highway.

Joe married Mary C. Enos at Santa Clara. Her father was J. C. Enos and was from Portugal. Joe and Mary had seven children: Lawrence, Mabel, Elverta, Arthur, Eva, Erma, and Ernest.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with     Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

       73. Joseph Minta

Joseph was born on November 12, 1876 in Contra Costa County to Manuel and Philomena (Joseph) Minta. His father came to California from the Azores Islands in 1852 and was a farmer. He and his wife had three sons and three daughters.

Joseph had a farm in Contra Costa County of 32 acres where he grew grapes and asparagus. He also planted five acres in trees. He married Rose Jacinta who was born in Alameda County and died in 1909 leaving three children of her own: Ethel who married George Livira, a mechanic; Loretta; and a child that died at nine years old.

Joseph was a member of I.D.E.S., Odd Fellows, and the Eagles. He served for many years as a trustee of the Iron House School District and for three years as director of the Knightsen Irrigation District.

Source: History of Contra Costa County, California with Biographical Sketches. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1926.
 
 
 

    74. Antonio A. Oliveira

Antonio was born on August 1, 1864 on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge to parents John and Rosie Oliveira. At the age of seventeen, he came to the United States stopping at Vermont for year to work at a sawmill. In 1882, he came to California and did ranch work near San Mateo. He went to Point Reyes, Marin County and was employed at a dairy for two and a half years.

Saving his money, he invested in a partnership of 650 acres and 50 cows in San Rafael. He stayed for eight years and sold his interest and went into the butter-making business for three and a half years on a farm near San Geronimo. He left that position and once again bought an interest in a dairy at Tocaloma near Point Reyes. After a year, he sold out and operated a dairy near Nicasio, Marin County where he had 80 cows. He sold out after a year and moved on to Tomales where he had a dairy for two years. Again, he sold and operated a dairy for five years near Valley Ford, Sonoma County. He returned to Tomales where he had a dairy of 80 cows and spent six years there.

In 1912, Antonio came to Crows Landing, Stanislaus County and purchase 48 acres three miles east of the town where he planted alfalfa. Two years later he constructed a house and farm buildings on the property.

Antonio married Rosie Areia on October 30, 1897. She had been born near her husband's birthplace on Sao Jorge. When Rosie was twelve, her parents came to San Rafael, California. In their later years, they bought a home near Salida, Stanislaus County. Rosie died on February 9, 1920. She and her husband had seven children: Mary E., Rosie, Antone, Manuel, Lena, Joseph, and John. Antonio belonged to I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

    75. Joseph Oliveira

Joseph was born on July 2, 1875 on the island of Sao Jorge, Azores Islands to parents Joseph A. and Mary (Bontello) Oliveira. His parents were both born on Sao Jorge. His father came to California as a young man in 1855 and worked for pioneer J.D. Patterson in the west side of Stanislaus County. He married Mary at Mission San Jose where they had one child. They then returned to the Azores where their other four children were born: Manuel A.; Josephine who became Mrs. Frank Lopes; Joseph A.; and Antone A. who eventually became manager of the Jersey Milk Butter Company of Oakland, California.
After Joseph A. Oliveira, Sr. died on the Azores, Mary moved to Hayward, where she died at the age of seventy-two.

Joseph A. Oliveira, Jr., left the Azores at the age of seventeen and settled in Rhode Island working there for eleven years. He then traveled to Oakland, California where he was employed in a paint shop for six months. He relocated at Dutton Landing along the Sacramento River involving himself in the dairy industry. He developed a successful dairy which was destroyed in the flood of 1906. He moved to Newman and borrowed money to begin dairying once again. At the end of seven months, he was able to buy the dairy and ranch of John Azevedo which he operated for five years.

He continued in his effort to accumulate land, he purchased 40 acres of land six miles southwest of Gustine which too was in dairying and had 130 cows. He sold half of his interest and decided to try San Jose as a possible site of a new dairy venture. After nineteen months, he determined that Gustine was a better choice and moved back. He began dairying again by first renting 137 acres which he did for four years. He became involved in shipping cattle to San Francisco markets.

Joseph went into partnership with Frank Carbello in a grocery and meat business in Gustine. He sold out his grocery business to concentrate on the meat enterprise where he employed a crew of four. He stilled carried on his dairy interest. He bought the old Kruger place which was three miles southwest of Gustine. Under the corporate name Oliveira and Mello, he had a second dairy at the Isabel Bunker place of fifty-seven acres. Also he and John Mattos had a dairy on the William Bunker place of 137 acres.

Joseph married Mary Avala at Fall River, Massachusetts in 1904. She was born in Little Compton, Rhode Island to Manuel and Rosie (Bettencourt) Avala both who were from Sao Jorge. They had five children: Joseph A., George, Frank, Dorothy, and Henry. Joseph, Sr. was a member the Gustine I.D.E.S.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 

     76. Manuel Oliveira

Manuel was born in Centerville, California on September 3, 1875 to Antone and Marie (Lewis) Oliveira who were natives of the Azores Islands. Antone and Marie were married in Boston and traveled to California by train. He worked as a farm hand for awhile and shortly purchased some land to grow apricots and cherries. He remained in farming until his death at seventy-four in 1926.

Manuel attended Centerville public schools and then worked in the nursery business for twenty years, the last seven years as a foreman. He then bought 56 acres of land putting it into orchards. Manuel also worked for Rosenberg Brothers and Company for twenty-eight years buying and drying fruit. He too bought fruit for F.E. Booth Canning Company of Centerville.

Manuel married Rita Furtado of Centerville, daughter of Joaquin and Rita Furtado who too farmed in the area. Manuel and Rita had ten children: Matilda, Carrie, Erma, Rachael, Marie, Emily, Otilla, Agnes, Clareman, and Vincent. They lived on Main Street. Manuel served as constable for a year and a half and for sixteen years on the school board. He was a member of the Druids and U.P.E.C.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 

     77. Frank E. Pereria

Frank was born in Hayward, California on January 1, 1876 to Antone and Maria (Nevis) Pereria who were both from the Azores Islands.
Antone came to America at an early age and then joined the rush to California in 1849 coming across the continent by ox team and wagon. He mined for awhile in Nevada and northern California. He then went into farming and cattle raising in Pinole, California. Soon he bought a tract of land putting it into fruit orchards and vegetables. He farmed until he died at eighty-seven years of age. He married Maria Nevis at Sola Rando, California.

Frank attended public schools in Hayward and was involved in the cattle business while attending night school. He was employed by J.H. Woods of Hayward for two years as a clerk at the Hayward Steam Laundry where he was a dispatcher. He then went into the mercantile business in Hayward, building up a successful trade and employing several workers some who stayed with him for many years.

Frank married Emma Silva on June 8, 1900 and was the daughter of Joseph and Rose (Andrade) Silva. Joseph was from the Azores Islands and Rose was from Connecticut. Joseph came to California around Cape Horn and worked in the sheep industry in the San Joaquin Valley and then later at Danville in Contra Costa County. He retired in Hayward. Frank and Emma had one child, Elloid. Frank belonged to the Woodmen of the World, Knights of Columbus, Native Sons of the Golden West, Rotary Club, U.P.E.C., and Foresters.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 
 

          78. August C. Pimentel

August was born on March 12, 1883 on the island of Pico, Azores Islands. At the age of twenty, he left the port of Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel arriving in Boston eight days later on August 3, 1903. He
quickly found his way to California working first in Fresno for three months as a sheepherder. August had some cousins and a brother, Joe, living in California. His brother persuaded him to move to Guadalupe which was where he lived from then on.

August worked for a year for his brother. He then spent a year employed by the Union Sugar Co. He moved on to the Oso Flaco and worked for M.D. Martin followed by employment with Frank Nunez. He married the latter's only daughter. They had one child, Elva, but his young wife died thirteen months after their marriage.

August rented a farm on the Oso Flaco for four years and engaged in farming. In 1913, he leased the Salisbury ranch. In 1916, he had 190 acres in beans. He remarried on January 19, 1910 to Mary Silva who was from the island of Pico. She was the daughter of Jacinto and Isabel (Nunez) Silva who came to the United States with her parents at nine years old. They settled at Harris Station, Santa Barbara County. August and Isabel had two children: Isabel and August, Jr.

August made a trip to Pico to visit with his parents and returned two months later to California. He rented 300 acres of the old Guadalupe ranch and also had a lease of three years for the M.D. Tognazzini ranch. He had sixteen work horses and numerous workers. He was active in I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C. Isabel was a member of S.P.R.S.I.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and
  Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

    79. John I. Pimentel

John was born in the Azores Islands on June 17, 1863, the son of John Pimentel, who had come to California around Cape Horn, and was in whaling and then gold mining for eight years. His father then returned to the Azores.

At the age of sixteen, John L. came to America settling first in Boston where he was a book binder. He then moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts and bought thirty acres of land near South Dartmouth where he was a truck farmer. He then returned to Boston for a year working as a porter at the Foote & French's Bank on State Street. He then worked for T.C. Severance as his valet and traveled to California with him in 1887. They transversed the state and John L.
stayed in California and was employed driving a horse car for the city of Los Angeles for three years.

He came to Fresno in 1881 and worked for his brother. He then went into the turkey industry on 160 acres near Friant, Fresno County. He had on hand at one time 2,500 turkeys which were bringing seven cents a pound. He then went back east and worked for the Oriental Coffee Company in Boston, but was taken sick and he returned to California.

He rented 30 acres west of Fresno and planted alfalfa which sold for four dollars a ton. Tiring of farm labor, he found employment in the clothing store of Alexander and Goodman on the corner of Mariposa and "I" streets in Fresno. In 1910, he opened a grocery store on the east side of Tulare Street near First. It was called the Sunset Grocery. John L. then began to buy city houses and property which before long he owned several.

He married Maria Brazil of the Azores, and they had three children:
George B., Lena, and Daniel. He was a member of the Eagles, Owls, I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C.

Source: History of Fresno County, California With Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles:
  Historic Record Co., 1919.
 
 

          80. Joseph C. Pimentel

Joseph was born on January 10, 1877 on the Azorean island of Pico to parents Manuel C. and Isabel C. (Bettencourt) Pimentel. His father was a farmer and died at eighty-seven. His wife died at seventy-four. They had eight children: Manuel who was a baker; Tony who was a merchant in Rio de Janeiro; Maria who married Manuel Gudarte; Joseph C.; John who was a restauranteur of Rio; August who had a ranch near Guadalupe, California; Antonazi; and Adelida of Rio.

Joseph left Pico at seventeen on the steamer Vega arriving in the United States on June 15, 1893. Nine days later he was in California.
He first found work in Marin County as a milker. In late 1894, he moved to Arroyo Grande and was employed as a milker at $15 a month for three years. In 1897, he rented some acreage but the drought caused him to lose everything. But not discouraged, he rented the William Adams ranch on shares where he farmed beans and beets. He then leased 170 acres of the Guadalupe ranch for six years.

He married Maria Mendoso on July 31, 1902. Her father, Anton P. Mendoso, and her mother were from the Azores but they lived in Providence, R.I. Joseph and Maria had four children: Carlos who died at four years old; Virginia; Adelaide; and Joseph M.

Joseph C. was a member of the Odd Fellows, Druids, U.P.E.C. and I.D.E.S. He was involved in a farm accident where a 2,240 pound land roller ran over him when the horses were spooked. He made a complete recovery.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and
  Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

    81. Manuel Quadros

Manuel was born on April 16, 1834 on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge. He and other young men left the island when they were sixteen to avoid army service. Manuel was at sea for sixteen years. When the ship anchored in San Francisco Bay, they heard about gold in the Sierra. He and a shipmate, Joe Lewis, left for the mines. They traveled to Siskiyou County through Redding, Callahan, Scott Valley, and Yreka.

Manuel mined for about two years at Hawkinsville and then returned to Sao Jorge to find himself a wife. Joe Lewis went with him. They didn't cross the plains because they were afraid of the Indians. Instead, they traveled through Mexico and caught a ship to Boston. Manuel didn't have to go to his native island because he met Mary Constant Deas in Boston and married her on November 19, 1866. She was born on April 4, 1835, and she and Manuel had nine children: Mary, Manuel, King, Joe, Isabel, Annie, John, Mary Ann, and Lena. They lived in New Bedford for two years and then came back to California by ship. Joe Lewis had returned to Hawkinsville which is where Manuel and Mary lived until they were able to find a house of their own.

Manuel stopped mining and bought a ranch from Indian Tom near the mouth of Bogus Creek. They lived there a few years raising their growing family. In April 1891, they bought another ranch a few miles up the creek. Manuel died on October 1, 1899, and his wife,
Mary, on August 10, 1910.

Source: Quadros, Mary Ann. Siskiyou Pioneer.
 
 

        82. Manuel Quilla

Manuel was born in 1872 in the Azores Islands and came to San Mateo County, California at the age of fourteen to join his father and sister who proceeded him. He was hired at a dairy in the county which had one hundred cows and the milk was manufactured into cheese on the property. The owner subdivided and sold the property, and Manuel moved to Salinas where he rented 1,400 acres and soon had a dairy of 170 cows. He hired five ranch hands and manufactured cheese, producing three tons a month. His cheese became known for its excellent quality.

He married Yole J. Perelli, a native of Italy, and they had five children: Louisa, Virgillia, Clara Belle, Mary Agnes and Madalena B. and all were born in San Mateo County. Manuel was a member of the Foresters of America and U.P.E.C.

Source: History and Biographical Record of Monterey and San Benito Counties. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1910.
 
 

    83. Joseph C. Ramos

Joseph was born on September 24, 1879 on the island of Flores, Azores Islands to parents Antone and Annie Ramos. His father was a farmer and dairyman. Joseph was the tenth child of eleven. His brother Frank came to California in 1893, and in September 1899, Joseph decided to do so too.

After arriving in Humboldt County, he worked for Will Turner on his ranch at the mouth of the Mad River. Joseph then rented the ranch from Turner which was 280 acres of bottom land for eighteen months. He operated a dairy of 78 cows. He then leased the ranch to his brother Frank, and he in turn leased the Clark ranch of 120 acres at Alliance for nine years. He had 50 cows. At the same time, in partnership with his brother, he leased the Rosso ranch of John P. Silva at Bald Mountain which had 1,040 acres. He operated a dairy and raised stock. He sold his interest to his brother after two years and bought the Menefee place of 30 acres south of Alliance. His house burned, and he built a large new residence and also barns.

Joseph married Annie Noia in Flores on October 18, 1898. They had three children: Antonio, Mary, and Annie. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World.

Source: Irvine, Leigh H. History of Humboldt County, California with Biographical
  Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1915.
 
 

          84. P.D. Ramos

P.D. Ramos was born on October 22, 1882 at Santa Cruz, California to parents Alex Delorm and Nellie Ramos. His father was a fisherman at Capitola. P.D. Ramos went to local public schools, and he worked as a butcher for seven years. He went into the painting and contracting business in 1900 in Hollister. He continued in this occupation in Modesto and then at Newman, Stanislaus County.

He married Rosie Ferreira on July 22, 1916 in Hollister. She was born on the Azorean island of Faial and attended school there. When she came to the United States, she settled at Hollister. She operated a restaurant in Hollister while her husband worked as a painting contractor.

In 1918, P.D. Ramos built a home which he sold, buying another home on Main Street in Newman.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with    Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

         85. Antonio D. Rezendes

Antonio was born on August 25, 1870 on the Azorean island of Santa Maria to parents Victor and Anna Rezendes. His father was a stonemason who he helped before coming to California in 1887. Antonio worked at a dairy for seven years at Tomales, Marin County.
He leased 666 acres which had pasture and hay crops for his 100 cows. He too operated a chicken business having 3,500 laying hens. In 1906, he let his lease expire and rented 412 acres in the same area where he had 2,000 laying hens. Antonio too was buying and selling cattle. He had about 75 cows at the time.

In 1908, he sold everything and moved to Fallon, Nevada where he bought a 320 acre ranch at which he had a small dairy of 30 cows and 2,5000 laying hens. He sold out again, and moved to Crows Landing, Stanislaus County in 1915. He bought 48 acres of alfalfa east of Crows Landing and had a dairy of 40 head. He sold this ranch in 1918 and bought 83 acres at Patterson on the corner of Sycamore and Pomegranate avenues. Here he had alfalfa and 63 milk cows, and built a bungalow-styled house, a large barn, and other farm structures.

Antonio married Anna Gasson on June 21, 1896. She was from Tomales, and they had three children: Antone, Angelina, Dora, and Frank. Antonio remarried on January 17, 1911 to Anna Moura who had been born at the same village as her husband on the island of Santa Maria. Her parents were Joseph and Umbelena Moura who had a farm.
Anna Moura came to the United States at the age of twenty and had one child: Daniel.

Antonio became a naturalized citizen in 1895. He took a trip to his place of birth in 1899 and brought back his mother and brother, Joaquin. His mother didn't stay long returning to her native island of Santa Maria. She then brought her daughter, Mary, back with her in 1903. Two years later, 1905, Antonio visited his homeland for two months.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with     Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

           86. Francisco Ribeiro

Francisco was born in the Azores Islands on November 14, 1880 being the oldest of five children. His father was Juse Ribeiro who was a farmer. Francisco came to Arcata in the fall of 1904 and found employment on a dairy at Blue Lake where he remained for three years. He worked on another dairy near Arcata and saved his money to by his own dairy. His father and mother died, and Francisco brought his brothers and sisters to join him in Arcata.

In November 1910, he leased the Mel P. Roberts ranch of 230 acres where he raised hay, corn, and green feed. His dairy had 90 cows besides other cattle he was raising. He was a member of I.D.E.S. and the Woodmen of the World.

Source: Irvine, Leigh H. History of Humboldt County, California with Biographical
  Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1915.
 
 

         87. Edward Leal Da Roza

Edward was born on October 27, 1891 in Elk Grove, California to parents E.L. and Amelia (Vierra) Da Roza. His father was born on the island of Sao Jorge, Azores Islands and came to New Bedford, Massachusetts at the age of seventeen. In 1881, he traveled to Sacramento and found work at the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. After five years, he became the employee of John Nevis of Elk Grove at his winery. By 1895, he had become an expert at the plant and bought out Nevis. He managed his plant until 1909 when he died. He and Amelia had seven children: Mabel, Ida, Edward, John, Joseph, Frank, and Clarence. She died in 1894.

Edward attended schools both in San Francisco and in Elk Grove graduating from high school in 1908. He became a bookkeeper in his father's winery business, and when his father died the next year, he became the manager. Under his employ were eighteen workers who produced a million gallon of wine annually. The winery had two large stills and a crusher that could handle thirty-five tons of grapes an hour. Also, Edward managed a ranch of 180 acres with 100 being in vines. He had to buy additional grapes from other vineyards to fill out his projected wine volume per year. His business doubled quickly, and he had a branch outlets in New York City and Hawaii. He was a member of the Foresters of America.

Source: Willis, William. History of Sacramento County, California with Biographical
  Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1913.
 
 

    88. Manuel J. Santos

Manuel was born on the Azorean island of Pico on April 28, 1870 to parents Manuel Joaquin and Egnacia (Josepha) Santos. He was the only son, but there were five daughters who stayed on the island.
Manuel's father migrated to Brazil and was involved in business but returned to Pico.

At seventeen, Manuel left the island on April 8, 1887, landed in Boston, but was in California on May 26 of that year. He found work for a few months in San Francisco and moved along to Arroyo Grande where he was employed for two and a half years. He saved his money and leased land on the Oso Flaco. He then purchase acreage in 1898 and made improvements moving to the site in 1910. He built a nice bungalow-style home and leased his acreage for the raising of beans. The property was located one and a half miles west of Santa Maria and was 80 acres. In 1904, he purchased 923 acres on the Los Osos Road which he leased. In 1909, he purchased 200 acres from the Suey ranch. In the early days of growing beans, they were pulled by hand and threshed by the tramping of horses.

Manuel married Laura Soares on April 26, 1911. She was from the Azores and came to California when she was eighteen. Manuel and Laura had one daughter, Cecelia.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County
  and Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

      89. Antonio Joseph Semas

Antonio was born in the Azores Islands in 1842 and came to the United States at the age of nineteen. He landed in Boston and then lived in Fall River, Massachusetts for five months before traveling to San Benito County, California. He was engaged in sheep raising for five years and then moved to Watsonville in Santa Cruz County working on a ranch for two years. He returned to San Benito County and raised cattle for seven years. Soon, he relocated near Salinas on the DeSerpa Ranch where he grew grain. He moved once again to a new location, and this time it was Centerville, Alameda County where he was engaged in dairying and other types of farming for four years. He then became interested in sugar beet farming and moved to Monterey County, near the Spreckels sugar factory and took to raising sugar beets for nine years. He purchased 79 acres from Manuel S. Bordges in the vicinity of Salinas and lived there until his death on April 4, 1906.

Antonio was married twice. He had seven children from his first wife: Frank; Mary; Tony, who was a sailor for years in the navy and later a resident of Watsonville; Manuel who became a rancher near Blanco; Jack; Virginia; and William. His second wife was Agnes Zloria and had five children: Harry, Carrie, Katie, Louis, and Marguerite.

Source: History and Biographical Record of Monterey and San Benito Counties. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1910.
 
 

   90. Antone George Sequeira

Antone was born on January 5, 1856 on the Azorean island of Pico. He arrived in Boston on May 10, 1872 and found work on a farm ten miles from Providence, Rhode Island. He left on a steamer out of New York City on October 17, 1874 bound for San Francisco via Panama.
He arrived in San Francisco on December 22, 1874 and went to Borden in Fresno County and worked in the sheep industry. He was employed by J.R. Jones who raised sheep and cattle on his ranch along the San Joaquin River near Millerton. Antone worked for awhile on building the flume for the Madera Flume and Lumber Company. In 1880, he purchased 1,370 sheep from a Mr. Blasingame and went into partnership with a Mr. Vanderlip west of Fresno. Shortly, he had his own sheep business, having up to 6,200 head.

Antone invested in real estate in Fresno and also bought 160 acres of land at Wildflower in 1903. He raised sheep, cattle, and hogs, and also grew alfalfa. He continued to purchase city property and was a member of the Fresno city police. In 1918, he bought 160 acres near Hanford, Kings County.

Antone returned to Pico twice in his lifetime, 1890 and 1914. He married twice having three children by his first wife: Manuel G.; Josephine who married Robert G. Prather of Fresno; and Mercy who married Bert Stroud of Fresno. With his second wife, the former Rosie Martinez, a native of the Azores Islands, he had three children: Anna, who married J.J. Brum of Selma; Mamie, who married S.J. Brum of Scandinavian Colony; and Eva. Antone was a member of
I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C.

Source: History of Fresno County, California With Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles:
  Historic Record Co., 1919.
 

       91. Louis George Sequeira

Louis was born on September 27, 1865 in the Azores Islands. He arrived in Boston in 1882 and traveled to Fresno County where he found employment at the William Allen ranch located in Helm Colony where he learned the sheep industry. He then owned his own sheep for awhile and worked for Sanger Lumber Company of Sanger for three years. He then put his money into buying property. He bought several ranches, one which was of 40 acres about three miles east of Caruthers. It had grapes, peaches, and alfalfa. He also purchased city property in Fresno. For sixteen years he owned and operated a grocery store on E and Tuolumne streets. He then bought Murray Cabinet and Show Case Company on E Street where he employed seven men. It was considered at one time to be the largest manufacturer of showcases and store fixtures outside of Los Angeles and San Francisco. He purchased further property in Van Nuys, Los Angeles County.

Louis married Rosa Calderia of Alvarado, Alameda County, on February 13, 1893 and had five children: Josephine, who married Frank Manfredo; Mary, who worked for Santa Fe Railway; Louis, who managed the cabinet and showcase shop; Antone, who received a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley; and Rosie. He was a charter member and president of the Fresno lodge of I.D.E.S. He also belonged to U.P.E.C. and the Fresno Merchants Association.

Source: History of Fresno County, California With Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles:   Historic Record Company, 1919.
 
 
 

        92. Ben R. Serpa

Ben was born on December 11, 1881 on the island of Pico, Azores Islands. His father, Joseph R. Serpa, was a bricklayer. Ben came to California in 1908 and settled in Turlock, Stanislaus County where he worked in farming until 1914. He then moved to Crockett and was employed at the C & H refinery for nine years.

In 1923, Ben took a position at the Crockett Creamery working for Tony Pacheco, and on April 1, 1926, he became a partner in the business. The company delivered its products to Crockett, Valona, and Port Costa.

Ben married Clara Avellar on October 12, 1918 at Crockett. She was the daughter of John J. and Mary Gloria (Machado) Avellar. Her father was from the Azores and her mother was born in California. Ben and Clara lived in Valona where Ben was a member of I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C.
He served as a secretary and president for I.D.E.S. and president for U.P.E.C.

Source: History of Contra Costa County with Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic   Record Co., 1926.
 
 

    93. Manuel R. Serpa

Manuel was born on December 25, 1885 in the Azores Islands and came to Massachusetts in 1904. He paid a visit to his sister who lived in Glouster and then traveled to California arriving in Kings County in April. He settled in Turlock, Stanislaus County for awhile working on ranches and also was a painter. He came to Crockett in the latter part of 1915 and was a contract painter. He then spent two years in San Francisco in the same trade. In 1919, he was employed at the C & H Sugar Refinery. He was a member of I.D.E.S., U.P.E.C., and the Druids.

Manuel married Mary Avellar on February 23, 1914. She had been born in Martinez, California. Her father, John J. Avellar was born in the Azores on April 7, 1870 coming to Lafayette, California in 1891 where he remained for nine years. John's father died when he was four. He married Mary Gloria Machado of San Pablo on October 14, 1896, and they first settled and farmed in Briones Valley moving to Elmhurst and then to Tormey where they lived for eight years. In 1905, they settled in Valona where they raised their three children:
Mary who became Mrs. Manuel Serpa; Clara who also married a Serpa; and Elsie. John worked at the Selby Smelter in the "silver room" a position he held for twenty-eight years. He was a member of I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C.

Source: History of Contra Costa County, California with Biographical Sketches. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1926.
 
 

      94. Andrew F. Silva

Andrew F. was born on August 4, 1885 in San Lorenzo, California to Andrew Silva and Mary (Cardoza) D'Souza who both were from Faial, Azores Islands. They came to the United States at a young age and were married in Boston. In 1871, they traveled to California and settled in San Lorenzo where Andrew, Sr. worked for wages on farms until 1903. At that time, they bought 66 acres near Gustine and became involved in dairy farming. He died at the age of fifty-three.
Andrew and Mary had eight children: John, Rose, Mary, Alice, Anna,
Manuel, Joseph, and Andrew F.

Andrew F. attended Alameda County public schools and then worked on his father's dairy in Gustine, Merced County. After his father died, he bought the home place, which was three-quarters of a mile from Gustine, and practiced dairying for several years. He then sold his cows and rented the land. He bought a six and half acre ranch southwest of Gustine where he built a substantial residence. He became an agent of the Western States Life Insurance Company of San Francisco.

Andrew F. married Mary Rodrigues Silva on December 12, 1909 at Oakland, California. She had been born on the island of Faial and was the daughter of Antone Silva, a pioneer gold miner of California. He returned to Faial once he tired of mining. Andrew and Mary had three children: Manuel, Antone, and Mary.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Company, 1925.
 
 

     95. Charles F. Silva

Charles was born on December 14, 1867 in the Azores Islands to John and Annie (Posash) Silva. At the age of eleven he left with his brother for Boston which took them three weeks by vessel. They immediately found their way to Sacramento, and Charles found work in Vernon, Sutter County for two years. He saved some money and in 1880 operated a cheese manufacturing plant. After two years he sold his interest and rented a farm in Yolo County where he purchased his own cows and again established a cheese plant. Also at this time, he  began shipping wood.

He left both enterprises in 1900, and operated a coal and wood business. He employed two boats that carried his cargo from Sacramento to Butte City. In 1911, Charles went into partnership with a Mr. Brown in the Silva-Brown Company which was a wholesaler of coal, wood, and feed. Charles also owned 7,000 acres of land in Sutter County which was devoted to alfalfa, grain, and stock-raising. He too had four meat markets in Sacramento: Ninth and N streets; Sixteenth and M; Fourth and M; and Seventh and J streets. He was at this time considered to be the largest individual cattle dealer in the state. He imported massive amounts of stock from Mexico, such as 3,000 in 1911. He managed and directed the Sacramento River Farms Company which had 10,400 acres in grain.

Charles too was a breeder of fine horses. His Teddy Bear ran a record
2:05 at the State Fair in 1911. He was a member of the California Driving Club of San Francisco and Sacramento Driving Club.

He married Terese Kennedy on August 15, 1899, in Sacramento. She was born in Oakland and was the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Hurley) Kennedy. Her father was from Ireland and her mother from New Orleans. Charles and Terese had eight children: Claire M., Charles C.,
Ralph C., Fred C., Alice C., Merrill C., Raymund C., and Bertram C.

Source: Willis, William L. History of Sacramento County, California with Biographical
  Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1913.
 
 

         96. Frank Silva
            (Fresno County)

Frank was born on March 9, 1862, on the Azorean island of Flores and was raised on a farm. In 1879, he came to Fresno, California because a half-brother told him of the opportunities there. He worked for Alexander Gordon in his sheep business. In 1887, Frank bought his own sheep which grew to four thousand head in sixteen years. He then went into grain farming and leased land in the Houghton tract. He planted some of the first crops on the land, but the prices were low and it took awhile for him to realize a profit. He then bought 80 acres of the Barstow Colony and purchased another 40 acres. He continued to buy land until he had 145 acres of which 65 were in Thompson seedless grapes and the rest in alfalfa. He built a house which is one of the oldest in the area.

Frank married Mary Brickley of Liberty, Fresno County, and the couple had three children: Maggie who married Fred Kaiser; Mamie who married George E. Kaiser; and Benjamin Franklin. Mary's father John was born in New York and served in the Civil War. Her mother named was Dorah and was born in Ireland. They came to Fresno in the late 1860s being one the early settlers.

Source: History of Fresno County, California With Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles:
  Historic Record Co., 1919.
 

       97. Frank Silva
         (Merced County)

Frank was born on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge in 1871 to parents John Silveira and Mariana Silva. His father was a farmer on the island his entire life. Their children were: John, Antone, Joseph, George, Fostino, Manuel, Joaquin, Mary, Mariana, Katherine, Frank, and Peter.

Frank helped on the farm but came to the United States as a youth staying in the Boston area until 1886. He left New England and located in Marin County, California where he milked cows for two years for his board. He then was put on the payroll earning $10 per month. He moved along working in San Rafael, Point Reyes, and Spanish Town. He found employment as a delivery boy for a retail milk company in San Francisco. He saved his money and bought an interest in a dairy at Redwood City. It was during the panic of 1897 that he and his partners sold their dairy, whereby Frank could pay his bills.

He began again working as a milker on a dairy in San Mateo. He drove a milk wagon later at San Bruno where again he saved his money. He invested in cattle which he bought and sold until 1906 when poor conditions in the San Francisco area made him move into the San Joaquin Valley. He shipped his cattle to the valley where he sold them.

He then purchased 95 dairy cows and rented 170 acres of land southwest of Gustine. He continued to buy and sell cattle finally moving to a neighboring farm of 300 acres with 250 head of cattle.
He built a residence and farm buildings. He also planted alfalfa.
He too managed three other ranches in the same area: 173 acres, 116 1/2 acres, and 240 acres. All were in dairy and alfalfa. His entire dairy herd numbered about 700 head.

In 1901, Frank married Mary Cabral in San Rafael. She had been born in Bolinas and raised in Arcata, California and was the daughter of
Joseph and Mary Cabral both coming from the island of Sao Jorge. Her mother died in 1919 and her father returned to the Azores. Frank and Mary had three children: Frank, Jr. , Angie, and Howard. She died in an automobile accident at Dublin on September 30, 1924 and was buried in San Rafael. Frank was a member of U.P.E.C., I.D.E.S. and the Eagles, all of San Rafael.
 
Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
                       Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

 98. Frank C. Silva

Frank was born on June 12, 1877 on the Azorean island of Flores to Joseph and Anna Silva. He was the seventh child of ten and worked on his father's farm until he left for the United States. He arrived in New Bedford, Massachusetts on April 3, 1894 and worked as a farm hand at Little Compton, R.I. for three years. He then found employment in a shoe factory at Marlborough, Massachusetts where he worked for four years.

In 1901, Frank became a naturalized citizen and returned home to visit his mother, his father dying earlier. On July 5, 1902, he sailed to New York City and from there took the Southern Pacific to Cornwall station which later became Pittsburg, California. He first worked for his brother, William, who was farming 800 acres of the C.A. Hooper estate near Pittsburg.

Frank decided to go into business for himself and did so by growing asparagus near Oakley. He ran into some misfortune when the San Joaquin River flooded and destroyed his crop. He then found work with the Redwood Manufacturers Company as a laborer and soon became a foreman. In 1916, Frank accepted employment at the F.E. Booth Cannery Company in Pittsburg which was one of the largest canneries in the West which processed asparagus, pears, peaches, apricots, plums, and fish. Frank was a fireman and then a cooker where he was in charge of generating the steam so necessary for the proper canning of the food.

Source: History of Contra Costa County with Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic
                       Record Co., 1926.
 
 

                     99. Frank J. Silva

Frank was born in Contra Costa County on November 25, 1879 at the site of the yet unbuilt Antioch bridge to Joseph and Annie Silva. His father was an early rancher in the district. Frank grew up on the ranch and attended public schools. At fifteen, he worked in a general merchandise store run by J. Ross. He then was employed for two years at the Antioch Hardware Company; employed for a time at Paraffine Companies in administration; and then for L. Meyer and Company who was a pioneer merchant of Antioch.

Frank next was a partner in the hardware business of Silva & O'Meara in Oakley from 1905 to 1911. In 1920, he and C.W. Hornbeck became partners in a food delivery business with the name Silva & Hornbeck which was located on the corner of Third and G Streets in Antioch. The business outgrew its space and it moved and changed its name to Community Market. They sold merchandise for cash, kept no account books, and gave prompt delivery.

Frank never married, but his mother lived with him for many years in Oakley. He became the director of the Contra Costa Country Retail Grocers' Association and was one of the organizers of the East Contra Costa County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of several civic organizations: Native Sons where he served once as president; Red Men, the Young Men's Institute; U.P.E.C.; and Moose. He also was the director of the Antioch Development Company.

Source: History of Contra Costa County, California with Biographical Sketches. Los
                       Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1926.
 
 
 
       100. John M. Silva

John was born on June 7, 1886 on the Azorean Island of Sao Jorge to
parents Joseph M. and Barbara Silva. He was the second of six children who were: Germania, John M., Rosa, Antonio, Joseph, and Manuel. He came to the United States in 1904 stopping for a time at Boston and moving on to San Luis Obispo, California where he worked as a milker for four years. He saved his earnings and went into partnership with J.M. Diaz where they had 100 cows and a ranch of 700 acres about five miles from San Luis Obispo. After five years, he sold his interest, bringing with him 50 cows settling on the Henry Pfitzer place which was five miles southwest of Gustine. He had 63 acres in alfalfa and bought out his partner's interest.

John married Mary Azevedo on September 9, 1914 in San Luis Obispo.
She was born to Manuel and Minnie (Perry) Azevedo in San Luis Obispo. Her mother came from Faial and her father from Pico. Manuel came to California in 1889 and married Minnie in San Luis Obispo. They had six children: Mary, Ida, Manuel, William, Louis, and Mabel.
Minnie attended school in Los Osos and Santa Fe districts which were both in San Luis Obispo County. She was a member of S.P.R.S.I. and U.P.P.E.C. John was a member of U.P.E.C., I.D.E.S., Foresters, and Knights of Columbus.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Company, 1925.
 
 

      101. John P. Silva

John was born on February 25, 1855 in the village of Topo on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge to parents Joseph F. and Mary (San Jose) Silva who were farmers. He was the youngest of nine children. John came to the United States in 1873 staying in Massachusetts for five years working in a variety of occupations. He was an employee at the brickyards in Taunton, worked in the cotton factories of New Bedford, and worked on a farm near Taunton. He went back to Sao Jorge where in May 1880 he married Henrietta C. Machado who had been born at Calheta, Sao Jorge. Her parents were Antone and Firmina (Olivera) Machado.

Her father was a seaman having traveled the world by vessel and reached the rank of master in the whaling industry. He brought the first shipment of lumber from New England, around Cape Horn, to San Francisco at the beginning of the gold rush. This lumber was used to build the first wooden house in San Francisco. Antone stayed in California and mined for awhile and was successful. He returned to Sao Jorge making several trips in his ship with his wife and daughter (Mary) from then Azores to New Bedford. Antone grew ill and stayed in the Azores dying there. Firmina came to California with her daughter, now Mrs. John P. Silva, and lived with her in Arcata until her death at seventy-four in 1911.

John was a miner for awhile on Cherokee Flats, and in 1881, he came to Humboldt County where he worked on farms and dairies. By 1887, he had saved up enough money to enter into business himself. He leased 800 acres on Bear River ridge and had a stock of 60 cows. His butter was taken to Scotia which was sold to the Pacific Lumber Company's stores. He did this for a year, and then he leased a  dairy
at Rio Dell where he had 40 cows and sold his milk and butter to Scotia. After a year, he went to Walker's Point where he operated a dairy for a year. He left and settled at Lake Prairie where he ran a dairy of 35 cows and raised hogs and cattle.

Henrietta and her child went to the Azores to sell what property she had there. While she was absent, John leased a ranch at Bald Mountain of 1,100 acres where he had a dairy. After a year, he became involved in building a creamery at Bayside where he was manager for three years. He purchased the Rosson ranch of 1,200 acres at Bald Mountain where he remained for seven years raising stock and running a dairy. He then moved to Arcata where with Mr. Olivera, he operated a small dairy of 50 cows.

John and Henrietta had ten children with several dying at a young age: Helena who became Mrs. McKinzie of Arcata; Firmina; Leo; Mary who died at sixteen years; Henry who died at three months; Antonio who died at six years; Arthur who died at four years; and Joseph who died at three years.

John was a member of I.D.E.S., and Henrietta belonged to S.P.R.S.I. where she served as president at the Arcata local chapter.

Source: Irvine, Leigh H. History of Humboldt County, California with Biographical   Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1915.
 
 

    102. Joseph A. Silva

Joseph was born in Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County, California on October 26, 1875 and was brought to Alameda County by his parents when he was three years old. He attended Irvington and Decoto public schools, and at the age of nineteen he was employed by the California Nursery Company at Niles, California. He worked there for six and a half years and then for the next few years entered into several different occupations: barber, liquor retail, real estate, insurance, and farmer. His specialty was real estate where he developed property in Niles. He divided and sold a 97 acre orchard into small farms. He constructed the first concrete building in the area. He was a board member for the Bank of Alameda County and a director of the Citizens Water Company of Niles. He also was the director of the fire department.

Joseph married Emily Ribeiro, a native of Milpitas, Santa Clara County. He was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West and U.P.E.C.

Source: The History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing, Co.,   1928.
 
 

         103. Joseph C. Silva, Jr.

Joseph was born on November 15, 1888 at Arroyo Grande, California to parents Joseph and Evangeline M. (Rodrigues) Silva. He was the first of six children and attended public schools. He began working on his father's farm at the age of twelve, and when of age, he rented 152 acres of the Bonita ranch northwest of Santa Maria where he grew beans. He bought a Holt Catepillar Tractor for $5,000 which took the place of thirty-eight head of plow horses.

Joseph married Mary G. Silva, daughter of Antone Silva of Casmalia. They had two children: Louis and Lucille. He was a member of U.P.E.C.
and she a member of S.P.R.S.I.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and
  Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

    104. Joseph F. Silva

Joseph was born in the Azores and married Annie A. Canadas there. They came to California when Joseph was thirty years old. They settled along the Oso Flaco where they bought large acreages: home place of 114 acres; two ranches in Santa Maria of 161 and 120 acres; and 6 acres in Guadalupe. Joseph was a popular man in the community. He died at the age of sixty-two in 1912.

Joseph and Annie had six children: Joe married Mary Costa and lived on one of the Santa Maria ranches; Antone married Mary Silva and had one child, Edwin; Frank married Mary Ermona and lived on one of the Santa Maria ranches; John; Mary; and Marie who married Matthew Medosa and lived near Guadalupe.

Joseph and Annie's son Antone was born on December 15, 1888 and attended local public schools. At the age of twelve he was already driving teams of horses and soon handling the plow. He went into partnership with his brother John where together they farmed 400 acres. From their mother they rented 114 acres, and from Peter Pezzoni, they leased over 250 more.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and
  Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

       105. Louis J. Silva

Louis was born at Moraga, Contra Costa County, California on August 25, 1885 to Frank and Frances (Moraga) Silva. Frank was born on the island of Pico, Azores Islands and came to the United States by a sailing ship and then traveled to California settling in Moraga. He raised Hereford cattle on a tract of government land in the Spring Valley area. Frances was a descendent of Lieutenant Moraga, who founded the San Francisco Presidio, and she was the first female born in Moraga. Frank and Frances Silva lived at 1389 C Street in Hayward. Frank died in 1908 at the age of fifty-eight.

Louis was raised in Hayward and worked on his father's farm. He was employed as a night watchman, and after seven years, in 1927, he was appointed chief of police. In December 1925, he married Mary Garcia, who was born in Centerville and was the daughter of August Garcia, an early settler. Louis and Mary had one son, Richard.

In 1917 Louis enlisted into the Army and joined the Ninety-First Division on the fightline in France. He fought at Argonne, Metz, Lyss, and the Meuse and received the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery at the Argonne. He a member of the Eagles and the American Legion.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 
 

         106. M. L. Silva

M.L. Silva was born on September 16, 1881 in Alameda County to parents Frank and Rita (Mendes) Silva. His parents were from the Azores Islands. His father spent time on a whaling ship and came to California in the early 1860s. He herded cows where the residential section of San Francisco is now located. Frank was a miner in Virginia City, Nevada and stayed at the boardinghouse where Mackie and Fair lived who became millionaires. He purchased a ranch in the Livermore Valley, Alameda County where he lived until his death.

M.L. Silva attended public schools near his home and graduated from business college. He was a private businessman for ten years and then served as a deputy in the Alameda County tax collector's office in Oakland. He then worked for the Bank of Italy and became the assistant cashier at the Livermore branch. He then became the cashier at the Los Banos branch of the Mercantile Trust Company of California which was formerly the Portuguese-American Bank of San Francisco.

M.L. Silva married Anna Frances McCleud on September 4, 1908. She was the daughter of pioneer A.J. McCleud and was born in Alameda County. M.L. and Anna had a son Andrew Francis. He was president of the Las Positas Parlor, No. 96, N.S.G.W., a member of the Woodmen of the World, and Knights of Columbus.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 

 
    107. Manuel M. Silva

Manuel was born on December 22, 1883 in Watsonville, California to Manuel and Mary (Smith) Silva. His father came from Sao Jorge, Azores Islands as a young man and was engaged in the sheep business. He married Mary Smith, who was one of the first Americans born in Santa Cruz. Manuel, Sr. herded sheep in the San Joaquin Valley taking the flock to the Sierra Nevada for pasture when the valley grass was dry. He saved enough money to buy a dairy which he operated until his death at about fifty. He and his wife Mary had nine children: Manuel M., Mary, George, Eugenia, Margaret, Jack, Frank, Louis, and Walter.

Manuel M. Silva attended Watsonville Grammar School and business college. He began working in a grocery store as a clerk at eighteen. He moved to Newman and worked in a general store owned by Antone Souza. He moved to Newman, a short distance away, in 1910. He built a general merchandise store.

Manuel M. married Ella Johnson on November 26, 1906. She was born in Santa Cruz, California to Hans and Marie (Scheuter) Johnson both from Denmark. Her father remained a farmer in the area. Manuel and Ella had two children: Mildred and Anna. Manuel was a school board member in Gustine and a member of the Elks, Foresters of America, and U.P.E.C. He served as secretary for a time in the latter organization.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

          108. Dr. Manuel S. Silva

Dr. Silva was born on June 19, 1868 on the island of Pico, Azores Islands to parents Manuel L. and Rosa Silva. His father came to California in the1850s and worked as a gold miner. He stayed for awhile in Yolo County in ranching. He then went to Portugal where he engaged in general merchandise shipping from the mainland to the Azores Islands. He remained in this occupation from 1868 to 1882 until he returned to California. Manuel L. retained his interests in shipping but also farmed on a ranch near Freeport, Sacramento County. But again, his business interests in shipping called him back thereby he returned to mainland Portugal.

Dr. Silva completed high school on his home island of Pico, but continued his education at Christian Brothers College and a year at St. Mary's College in Oakland in 1886. Even though his family had gone back to Portugal, he remained to finish his schooling and to work in California. He received his bachelor's degree from Santa Clara College, and in 1897, a medical degree from the California Medical College at San Francisco. He completed post-graduate work at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco which he received an advanced degree in 1901. Dr. Silva then began his practice in Sacramento where he stayed.

Dr. Silva married Mary Vieira in October 1892 at Santa Clara. They had three children: Manuel, Joe, and Agnes. Dr. Silva was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Druids, Eagles, and Fraternal Brotherhood.

Source: Willis, William L. History of Sacramento County, California with Biographical
  Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1913.
 
 

          109. Anton Silveira, Jr.

Anton was born on January 10, 1873 in the Azores Islands. His father was Anton Silveira, Sr. who came to California in 1875 and became a prosperous farmer in Arroyo Grande valley. Anton's mother was a teacher who taught her children at home. She never left the islands.
Anton worked at a Faial harbor loading and unloading ships. He met English, French, and German sailors which allowed him to learn several languages.

Anton, Jr. came to California at the age of fifteen looking for his father who was in Arroyo Grande valley. His father had a very sizeable bean ranch at which Anton, Jr. was employed. In 1893, he married Mary Ann Medeiros and had nine children: Joaquin, Joseph, Anton, Jr., Frank, Mary, Lena, Matilda, John, and Henrietta.

Anton Jr. was a trustee of the Bonita School District and a member of several lodges: Elks, Odd Fellows, Santa Maria Encampment, Moose, Eagles, and the San Luis Obispo Canton.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and   Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

          110. Antone F. Silveira

Antone was born on April 21, 1891 in the Azores Islands to parents
M.F. and Agada Silveira. His father made several trips to California, the first one in 1860, spending the greater part of his life in the state.

Antone came to Hanford, California in 1908 where his father was living. He first milked cows for work and did other ranch labor. The following three years he had a variety of jobs such as a livery stable laborer in Hanford and a delivery boy for the grocery department at the Hanford Mercantile Company. After four years, Antone was the manager of the grocery department. For awhile, he sold insurance and then entered a partnership with M.N. Faria owning the Hanford Produce Company which lasted twelve years. In 1923, Antone and his brother began the Farmers Hardware & Implement Company which sold hardware, implements, tractors, household appliances, and feed.
Antone was also a partner in the Silveira Cattle Company and part owner of the Tulare Food Company.

Antone married Aeldean Simas who had two children by a previous marriage. He was a member of I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C.

Source: Brown, Robert R. History of Kings County. Hanford, CA: A.H. Cawston, 1940.
 
 

         111. Antonio P. Silveira

Antonio was born on January 15, 1863 in the Azores Islands to parents Anton P. and Annie (Vieira) Silveira. His parents never left the island. His mother died in 1900 and his father in 1916. The children in the family were: Mary who was unmarried and stayed in the Azores; Anna married Joe Mello and lived in Providence, R.I.; Manuel died at twenty-one; Catherina married and lived in Oakland, California; Mary Ann married Joe Bento of Garey; Mary Josephine married Anton J. Bello of Oso Flaco; Isabel died at twenty; John died in Reno, Nevada and left a child; Frank lived in Idaho; and Mary Rosalie lived in Oakland.

Antonio came to California at the age of seventeen in 1880. He worked for his uncle who had a farm in Salinas, Monterey County for three years. In 1883, he moved to the Santa Maria valley and leased land and farmed grain and beans for six years. In 1901, he purchased 183 acres about six and a half miles west of Santa Maria. Disaster struck when their house burned, but they built a new bungalow-style home after.

On November 25, 1889, he married Francesca Medeiras in San Francisco. She was from the Azores but came to Petaluma with her parents. Her father, Joaquin J. Medeiras, came first to California and then sent for his wife, Leo Poldina (Vieira) Medeiras and children in 1884. Francesca was fifteen at the time, and she had three sisters.

Antonio and Francesca had thirteen children with three dying at infancy: Mary Lucile married Antonio Gomes and lived in Orcutt where he worked for Pinal-Dome Oil Co.; Manuel married Carrie Bras and lived in Betteravia; Anton married Mary Nunes and lived in the Santa Maria valley and had one son, Edward; Joaquin was a surveyor;
Al was an engineer and machinist; Frances; Frank; Deolinda; David; and Louis.

In the spring of 1915, Antonio took a trip to the Azores. While traveling on the White Star steamer, Canopio, they learned of the fate of the Lusitania just after it had sunk.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County
  and Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

          112. Joseph J. Silveira

Joseph was born on the Azorean Island of Flores on February 2, 1869 and came to Fresno County in 1888. His father, John, came to California three times before staying with his wife Marie. They lived in Merced in their final years. Joseph arrived in Stockton in the fall of 1888, where he worked for two months in the sheep industry. He moved with his boss to Madera, which then was in Fresno County, and continued with him for three years. His employer then sold out and Joseph bought sheep and was in the business for many years.

In February 1900, he bought a ranch at Herndon which became his headquarters. At one time, he leased thousands of acres to raise grain. He operated five teams of horses and threshers. His specialty was in the development of mules of which he had many prized specimens. He owned 318 acres in Tranquility and 160 acres on Madera Avenue near Kerman which he had in vines and alfalfa. He built a warehouse in Herndon. He was the organizer and director of the Growers National Bank of Fresno.

Joseph married Marie Quiller of Oakland who left him with five children when she died: Marie, Jack, Joe, Mabel, and David. His second wife was Anna Armas of San Rafael, and they had four children: Maria, Fred, Louis, and Elsie. Antone was a member of I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C.

Source: History of Fresno County, California With Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles:   Historic Record Co., 1919.
 
 

         113. Joseph R. Silveira

Joseph was born in the Azores Islands in 1856 and worked on his father's farm before coming to the United States in 1873 at the age of seventeen. He came directly to California and found employment near Fresno in sheep-raising where sheep where open pasturing was allowed. Soon though as more population moved into the area, sheep grazing became more restricted eventually damaging the industry so much that by 1889 most sheep-ranchers were out of business. Joseph rented what property he had to Miller & Lux and moved to Blanco, Monterey County. He bought 140 acres of land which he planted in barley.

In 1889, Joseph married Miss Vierra, who was born in Monterey County. They had two children, William and Mamie who became a nun.

Source: History and Biographical Record of Monterey and San Benito Counties. Los   Angeles: Historica Record Co., 1910.
 
 

         114. Richard F. Silveira

Richard was born on November 8, 1897 in the Azores Islands to M.F. and Agada Silveira. His father came to California in 1860 and spent most of his life in the state.

Richard came to Kings County when he was thirteen where his brother, A.F. Silveira, lived. He learned the English language and attended public schools. He found work on ranches and dairies. He worked for a year in a store in Lemoore. In 1917, he joined the army and was assigned to Coast Artillery. He saw duty in France and after seventeen months of service he was given an honorable discharge.

Richard then worked for his brother at his Hanford Produce Company.
He married Rose Louis of San Luis Obispo, and they had one daughter,
Beatrice. He was a member of U.P.E.C., I.D.E.S., A.P.P.B., Portuguese Civic Club, American Legion, Kiwanis, and the Eagles.

Source: Brown, Robert R. History of Kings County. Hanford, CA: A.H. Cawston, 1940.
 
 

           115. Joseph C. Soares

Joseph was born on February 16, 1882 in the Azores Islands to parents Joseph and Isabel Jeffa Soares. His father was a farmer, but he died and was buried at sea. Joseph was the sixth child of seven.

He came to the Santa Maria Valley in California in 1902. He worked for wages and saved enough to lease a ranch which he planted in beans. His older brother Manuel also lived in the same area. Joseph was part of a partnership that operated 400 acres of the Bonita ranch which was owned by the LeRoy brothers of San Francisco. The land was eight miles northwest from Santa Maria. He was in a partnership with his father-on-law, Anton V. Bras. Anton was born on May 6, 1867 in the Azores Islands leaving when he was eighteen. He was encouraged by an uncle who lived in San Luis Obispo to come to California. He arrived on July 17, 1885.

Joseph married Maria Bras, daughter of Anton V. Bras, and they had one child, Lena. He was a member of I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and
  Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

   114. Joseph Machado Soares

Joseph was born on December 21, 1888 on the Azorean island of Pico. His parents were J.M. and Rosa (Azevedo) Soares. His father was a farmer and a mechanic. He and his wife had nine children: Manuel, Joseph M., John, Frank, Mary, Julia, Angelina, Seraphim, and Rose.

At eighteen years of age, Joseph left Pico and stopped first at Boston and then came to Napa Valley, California. He worked as a dairy hand for five years starting at $25 a month. He then moved to Newman in Stanislaus County where in the summer he bailed hay near Pleasanton and in the winter he worked on diaries in Stanislaus County. He saved his money and entered a partnership with his brother, John, and M.S. Machado. They had 160 cows and was located on the Crittenden ranch for nine years. Joseph sold out and then bought 68 acres in the Romero school district which was part of the Menzel ranch. He built a house, farm buildings, and grew alfalfa.

On October 8, 1917, Joseph married Theresa A. Luiz in Gustine. She was born in San Rafael, Marin County and was the daughter of Frank and Mary (Bernard) Luiz. Frank was born on the island of Sao Jorge and came to California in the 1860s on a whaling vessel commanded by his uncle. He was a dairy farmer in Marin and Colusa Counties and died at sixty-nine. Mary, his wife, was from Faial. Frank and Mary had fifteen children: Antone, Mary, Frank, Emily, John, Joseph, Belle, Madaline, Mildred, George, Henry, Theresa, Rose, Olivia, and Catherine.

Joseph and Theresa Soares had five children: Joseph, John, Edwin, Alice, and Erwin. Joseph was a member of U.P.E.C., I.D.E.S. and E.S.E.S.
Theresa belonged to S.P.R.S.I.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

            115. Manuel B. Soares

Manuel B. was born on July 25, 1890 in San Rafael, Marin County to parents Manuel P. and Rosalinda Soares. At the age of twenty his father came to California in 1863 from the Azorean island of Sao Jorge. Manuel P. was a dairyman in San Rafael and then later in Watsonville in 1897 where be bought 363 acres and operated a dairy.
He sold cream to M.T. Freitas of Watsonville. The ranch was near Big Rocks at San Juan, and he sold it in 1911 to Ralph Bryan. In the meantime, Manuel P. purchased 153 acres and a half mile south of Newman where he planted alfalfa.

Manuel B. attended Watsonville grammar school. When his father moved to Newman, he attended the Canal School. He was the oldest of six  children and became the manager and had shares in the "home place" of 48 dairy cows. In 1914, he accompanied his father on a visit to the Azores. When he returned, he went into partnership with his father, a brother-in-law, and W.W. Giddings in a dairy of 100 cows at the Jasper Parnell ranch in Ingomar. This lasted three and a half years, and then he returned to the home ranch and purchased the dairy business from a Mr. Martin.

Manuel B. owned 40 acres of the ranch which was known as the Gill Mill Ranch. The other 150 acres were managed by Mary Parkes and John B. Soares, his brother and sister.

Manuel B. married Mary B. Santos on January 10, 1914 on her native island of Sao Jorge. They had two daughters, Rosie B. and Margaret Soares.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with     Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

      116. Rev. Alfred de Sousa

Alfred was born on October 22, 1872 on the Azorean island of  Flores. He attended public schools and graduated from Angra City College and was ordained into priesthood in 1896. He came to the United States in 1899 being assigned as Assistant Pastor at Mission San Jose. He was then given an appointment in Atwater, California where he built a new church and parish house. He then went to Petaluma and Cotati serving there until 1913. He received another assignment at the Church of the Holy Ghost in Centerville, California. Here he erected a new church of Roman architectural style and built a new parish house and hall.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 
 

    117. Alvaro M. Souza

Antonio was born on November 22, 1886 on the Azorean Island of Sao Jorge to parents Manuel M. and Mary M. Souza. His parents were born on another island, Sao Miguel. Antonio came to San Francisco at the age of seventeen seeking his brother who lived in the city. He learned English and took a business course during his stay. He then moved to Monterey County where he was employed on dairies. Next, he traveled to Los Banos, Merced County where he was engaged in the grocery business for three years. He spent some time in Imperial and then returned to Merced County and dairying.

Antonio married Rose Silveira in November 1909 who was born on Sao Jorge. They had three children: Mary, Alvaro M., and Jorge. Antonio became a naturalized citizen in 1916 and belonged to I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C. Rose was a member of S.P.R.S.I.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with     Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

           118. Antone A. Souza

Antone A. Souza was born on March 13, 1882 in Watsonville, California to parents Antone L. and Mary (Day) Souza. Mary was from Flores and her husband from Sao Jorge. Antone L. came to California in the early 1870s and worked on ranches. He was a foreman at the Logan Ranch while also owning 50 acres five miles from Watsonville where he died at the age of sixty-eight. Antone L. and Mary had five children all who were born in Watsonville: Antone, who died at infancy; Antone A.; Mary who became Mrs. Amarante of Gustine; Joseph, who died; and Joseph.

Antone A. went to Watsonville grammar school and business college. He worked first as a ranch hand, and then in 1904, he came to Los Banos where he rented James Sweeney's ranch and had a dairy there of fifty cows for about one year. He returned to Watsonville for year working on a hay press. He saved his money and bought a quarter interest in a 100-cow dairy in the Cottonwood district, Merced County. He sold out after four months and worked for wages for a year. He got involved in a dairy near Los Banos for a year and a half and then managed a dairy at the Noble March place for four months and another near Dos Palos for nine months. He then purchased 40 acres in the Cottonwood district.

Antone A. sold out and went to Colusa County and was partners with John Westfall on a dairy for a year and a half. From there he rented 2,000 acres seven miles below Knight's Landing in Yolo County along the Sacramento River.  A bypass was made across the land causing him to raise hogs and cattle only of which he had about 400 head each. He went to another ranch for four years.

Antone A. returned to the Cottonwood district of Merced County leasing 648 acres on which he ran 375 head of cattle and 30 head of horses. This land was six miles south of Gustine. He then leased the Jameson ranch of 166 acres which had alfalfa. He also leased the McCabe ranch of 320 acres, the Johnson ranch of 160 acres of which 100 acres were in alfalfa, and the Maude Wood's ranch of 345 acres of which 150 acres were in alfalfa. At the time, his rent ran $21,000 a year, but he also subleased some of the acreages for dairies. His herd of dairy cattle ran 450 head. He then purchased the J.D. McCarthy ranch of 160 acres. He also did some grain farming four miles from Los Banos.

Antone A. married Helen Mellow on September 6, 1904 in Los Banos.
She was born in Watsonville and was the daughter of Frank and Lucy Mellow who were both from the Azores. Frank in particular was from Sao Miguel where he was a dairyman. Frank and Lucy were pioneers of Monterey County who had nine children: Mary, Frank, Helen, Antone, Manuel, Joseph, Anna, and John. Helen went to school in Pajaro Valley. Frank and Helen had no natural children but raised the following seven children who were from the Watsonville orphanage: Robert Pompey, Clifford Jones, Martin Heath, Antone Espinosa, Clifford Marshall, Louis Jensen, and Victor Lawrence. Antone A. was a member of U.P.E.C. and the Eagles both of Los Banos.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

    119. Antonio J. Souza

Antonio was born on June 10, 1862 on the Azorean island of Flores to parents Manuel J. and Mary (Urcela) Souza. His father died at the age of seventy-two and his mother when he was five years old. Antonio came to California when he was seventeen. After working as a farmhand near Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County for seven or eight years, he bought 270 acres, but before long, he had
350 acres which contained pasture, beans, hay, and corn.

Antonio married Maria Concicao on November 29, 1888 who was from the Azores. They had nine children: Mary married Frank L. Novo who was a blacksmith in Santa Maria and had one child, Angelo; Joseph E. married Pearl Reel and had two children, Harriet and Albert and live on part of the Souza's home ranch; Manuel E. married Edith Tracy and they too lived on the Souza ranch; Annie married George Sargenti, who was rancher and had six children: Amy; Isabella; Idla; Anton; Angelo; and Ruth who died as a youth.

Antonio was very active in lodges. He belonged to the Masons; Odd Fellows; Rebekahs; Knights of Pythias; and I.D.E.S. where he served as an officer. He was a member of the school board for fifteen years serving as secretary for one term.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and    Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 
 

           120. Antonio M. Souza

Antonio was born on February 17, 1867 on the island of Faial, Azores Islands to parents Joseph and Rose Souza who were farmers. At the age of fifteen, he came to Boston where he stayed for eleven months. He then traveled to Watsonville, California in 1883 where he worked in a store for four years. He next worked for Ryder's lumber mills for three years followed by four years again in a store.

Antonio formed a partnership with F.J. Bettencourt in the grocery and fruit business in Watsonville named Bettencourt & Souza. This lasted for two years. He sold his interest and opened his own grocery store. On July 16, 1904, he sold his business and moved to Newman, Stanislaus County where he opened a general merchandise store which was a success. He also acted as a local agent for the steamship lines of White Star and Fabre Lines. He too was a director of the Bank of Newman.

On October 10, 1893, Antonio married Catherine Smith who was born in Santa Cruz, California to Frank and Margarette Smith. Antonio and Catherine had three children: Antonio who worked at the Modesto Bank; Alvena who was the bookkeeper for her father; and Cecilie who attended Mills College. The family had their home on five acres in Newman. Antonio was a member of I.D.E.S., U.P.E.C., and the Newman Chamber of Commerce.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with     Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

      121. Catano Joseph Souza

Catano was born on the Azorean island of Flores on September 24, 1863 to parents Manuel J. and Mary Souza. Both parents were born and died on the island. In 1880, Catano, after being a sailor for two years, he finally settled in Santa Maria valley, San Luis Obispo County.

After two years he purchased 90 acres on the Oso Flaco going into debt of $2,000. In three years he had it paid for, and at the of fourteen years, the land was worth $9,000. He bought 270 acres and went into debt for $36,000. In December 1909, after twenty years, he traded this land for another owned by the Union Sugar Co. which was known as the Sherman ranch on Guadalupe Road near Santa Maria. He farmed beans. When he died he had accumulated 800 acres.

Catano married Maria Dorothy who was from the Azores and the daughter of Joseph Brass. At the age of eighteen she was the first one of the family to come to California. She married Catano in 1886, and they had eight children: Mary who married John P. Domingues, a rancher in the Santa Maria valley; Annie who died at eighteen; Frank C. who married Julia Lewis and was a rancher; John P. married Ancilla Zanetti and was rancher; Catano who died when he was fifteen; Manuel C. who was a rancher in partnership with John P. Souza; Isabella who died on March 23, 1917 at the age of seventeen; and Blanche. Catano was a member of the Elks, I.D.E.S., and U.P.E.C.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and
  Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

    122. Edward J. Souza

Edward was born in Marin County on November 12, 1895, the son of Henry and Lucy (Garcia) Souza who were both natives of the Azores Islands. Henry was born in 1863 on the island of Sao Miguel, and was twelve, when he went to sea. He spent three years on whaling ships and then went to Providence, R.I. where he joined an American whaling company as a cook. At twenty years old, he returned to the islands and married Lucy Garcia of Sao Jorge. They moved to Boston and then to New Bedford where they established their home. Henry enlisted in the U.S. Navy and received training on the ship Chisel.

Marie became very ill forcing them to move to California in 1889. They first lived in San Pablo and then moved to Sausalito where he worked in the Duncan Mill Company for seven years. They then traveled to Fresno County, first to Hanford, Selma, and then to Academy where Henry became engaged in wheat farming. He rented 160 acres from John Rorden, and in 1912, he bought a dairy on 40 acres near Conejo. He operated it for a year and then purchased 40 acres near Burrel. They were the parents of seven children: Joseph, who was born in Sao Jorge and assisted his brother Edward in operating the ranch; George, who was a river and bay captain and the owner of several tow boats. He fought in World War I (26th Army Division) and was wounded in France. He spent four months recovering only to be sent back to the front where he was gassed. After that recovery, he was made a cook. He and Edward were engaged in farming for four years in Tehama County; May, who became the wife of Joe Bettencourt and lived on a ranch four miles west of Monmouth; Lena, who was the wife of Dan Sorrano and lived in France; Edward; and Alfred, who was wounded and gassed in France.

Before World War I, Edward and his brother Henry rented a dairy ranch owned by Frank Helm near Herndon. They milked 175 cows, but soon, they went to Tehama County and were engaged in the cattle business but suffered a loss. Edward then helped his brother George for three years with his tow boat service in Sacramento. In 1918, he rented a ranch with his brother Joseph and they planted it into peaches and vines.

Source: History of Fresno County California With Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles:
  Historic Record Co., 1919.
 
 

    123. Faustino J. Silva

Faustino was born on February 6, 1862 on the Azorean island of Pico and grew up on his parents' farm. He came to San Luis Obispo, California in October 1883 and was employed by the California Central Co. for eleven years. In 1894, he moved to Santa Margarita where he leased 400 acres from Polk Murphy for six years and put it into grain. He then leased the Estrada ranch at Templeton for six years, and moved back to Murphy's ranch where his stepson, John M. Costa, became his partner on 500 acres planted to grain. Faustino was a progressive farmer buying the latest machinery.

He married Maria Costa in San Luis Obispo. She was from Pico and died in 1899 leaving her four year old son by a former marriage.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and    Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

    124. Frank C. Souza

Frank was born on the Oso Flaco, San Luis Obispo County on December
27, 1890 to parents Catano J. and Mary Dorothy Souza from the Azores. Being the oldest son, Frank helped his father on his bean farm before going on his own. Soon he was operating a farm of 285 acres in beans and barley.

He married Julia Lewis in 1910 and had two children: Isadore and Dorothy. They built a bungalow-style home in 1915. He belonged to U.P.E.C.

His father and mother were well-known throughout the Santa Maria valley. Their children were: Maria G who married John P. Domingues; Frank C.; John P.; Manuel C.; Blanche; and six children who died in infancy.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County and
  Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

     125. Frank F. Souza

Frank was born on September 21, 1869 at Caveira on the Azorean island of Flores. He was the only son of nine children, to Juan F. and Catherina (Souza) Mendonza. His father died at the age of eighty-three in September 1925 and his mother at the age of eighty in 1922. They were successful and somewhat wealthy farmers on the island.

Frank left Flores on the three-mast vessel, Sarah, and arrived at Boston on May 22, 1886 after a twenty-one day trip. He had just $7.50 in his pocket and found a job at New London, Connecticut working on fishing boats. He worked for a year and a half at $20 a month which he saved to travel to California.

In 1888, he arrived in California and worked in the Chowchilla area.
Later, he was a foreman of the Joe King ranch in Merced. At this point, he changed his surname from Mendoza to Souza because there were so many Mendozas which caused confusion in mail delivery. He saved his money and made several minor investments which were successful. He purchased twenty acres in the Buhach Colony, Merced County, and farmed sweet potatoes. His first shipment was 240 sacks sent to J.D. Martinez in San Francisco which brought him $105. He continued in the sweet potato business becoming the heaviest shipper. Most of his loading was done at Keyes and Fergus, and was both fruit and sweet potatoes. His brand name, "Frank Souza" was well-known and respected. In 1915, he received a gold medal for his sweet potatoes at the P.P.I.E. in San Francisco.

Frank owned 130 acres of choice farming land in Buhach Colony. He also was involved in the real estate business in Atwater. He was a stockholder in Merced Security Savings Bank, and a member of Odd Fellows, U.P.E.C. and I.D.E.S., serving as president in the two latter
organizations. He was a trustee in the Buhach school district and  a member of the Buhach Catholic Church. He donated 1/2 acre of land to the Immaculate Conception Church.

Frank married Mary Freitas on June 1, 1896 at Martinez, Contra Costa County. She was born at Alamo, California to Joseph Freitas, an early gold miner. Frank and Mary had six children: Catherine, Rosa who became Mrs. Arthur Brill, John, Frank, Joseph, and Antone.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

       126. Joe J. Souza

Joe was born on March 12, 1881 on the Oso Flaco, San Luis Obispo County to parents Manuel J. and Mary Lawrence Bello Souza. Joe worked on his father's farm which was about four miles west of Santa Maria. He attended public schools.

Joe worked on his father's farm and then rented 150 acres of it for farming. He married Annie Bello whose father was Victor J. Bello of Pismo. They had two children: Gladys and Albert.

He was a member of U.P.E.C. and I.D.E.S. serving as vice president for the latter. He was on the board of trustees for the Bonita School District.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County
  and Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

    127. Joseph M. Souza

Joseph was born in the Azores Islands on February 7, 1877. At the age of fifteen he set out to find his brother who lived in Merced County. He borrowed $200 to make the journey arriving first in New York and was then in California eight days later by train. He didn't speak any English and his only comfort were the sheep herds he would see from the train's window. He had been raised in sheep country on the islands.

He arrived in Merced on May 11, 1892 and worked as a sheepherder for his brother, A.M. Souza, for two and a half years. Then for eight years, he was a partner with his brother in the sheep business.
He sold his interest and then worked for F.I. Freitas as a sheepherder becoming a partner for six years. He again sold his interest and bought 170 acres west of Merced. Shortly, he unloaded that property and settled into a partnership of 3,000 head of sheep with Bert Crane of Turlock.

Joseph married Rosa A. Rodrigues, a native of the Azores, in 1902. They had five children: Joseph M. Jr.; Elsie who married Toney Freitas of Merced; Clarence; Rosaline; and Clinton W. On August 6, 1906, Joseph became an American citizen. He was a member of U.P.E.C.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

    128. Joseph R. Souza

Joseph was born on July 15, 1877 in Mariposa County, California, to parents J.M. and Mary Souza, both from the Azores Islands. His father came to California in 1862 and worked as a miner. He then farmed in Mariposa County where his seven children were born. He died at the age of eighty-three on March 27, 1925.

Joseph attended public schools in Mariposa County and then drove a team of horses for the Mariposa Mining Company for three years where he learned to blacksmith. He opened up a blacksmith shop in Merced in 1906, having four employees, and specializing in wagons and farm equipment.

Joseph married Ivah Ellen Pickard who was from South Bend, Indiana. They had four children: Annie, Chester, Lloyd, and Robert. Joseph was a member of the Odd Fellows, Woodsmen of the World, Neighbors of Woodcraft, and I.D.E.S.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Company, 1925.
 
 

      129. Manuel Souza

Manuel was born in 1865 on the Azorean island of Sao Jorge to Joseph O. and Anna (Brazil) Souza. They had three sons, Antone, Joseph, and Manuel, and a daughter, Marie.

Manuel left Sao Jorge at the age of eighteen seeking his brothers who were in California. He instantly found employment as a ranch hand in the Watsonville area where there were many dairies owned by Azoreans. He married in Watsonville Josephine Pimentel, a native of Flores. She was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Pimentel coming to California when she was sixteen. There were twelve children in her family: Delphine, Mary, Joseph, Antone, Flora, Joaquin, Frank, Anna, Josephine, John, Amelia, and Marion.

In 1903, Manuel and Josephine moved to Los Banos where they leased the Jameson ranch which was near Los Banos. They moved on and leased the McCarthy ranch for two years. Then Manuel went into partnership and rented the Simonson ranch milking 75 cows. He saved his money and then bought 80 acres in the Cottonwood District, Merced County where he built a house and barn, and operated a dairy and did alfalfa farming.

Manuel and Josephine had three children: Josephine, who married Frank Tosta of Patterson, in January  1921 and had two children,
Gerald and Aldine; Mary, who married Joseph Olivieira on August 30, 1912 and died at the age of twenty-one; and Joseph, who married Mary De Gregori on November 30, 1914 and had two children, Clinton, and Vernon. Joseph died on November 7, 1923 at the age of thirty-two. Manuel became a naturalized American citizen and was a member of U.P.E.C. and I.D.E.S.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 

          130. Manuel J. Souza, Sr.

Manuel was born on January 15, 1850 in the Azores Islands. He left when he was twenty and worked on a whaling ship out of New Bedford for four years. He returned home in 1874, but the next year, he traveled to California and worked as a farm hand. He saved his money and then was able to lease land. He then bought land having ultimately 400 acres in San Luis Obispo County.

Manuel married Maria Lawrence Bello in 1878, and they had eight children: Mary L.;  Joe J.; Manuel J.; Frank E.; Annie J.; Antone J.; John J.; and Maria de Gloria who married Manuel C. Grace. Joe and Frank were ranchers in the Santa Maria valley, San Luis Obispo County. Antone operated a store in Guadalupe and John worked at a bank in Santa Maria.

Manuel J. Souza, Jr. was born on the Oso Flaco and went to public schools. He was a progressive rancher. He married Rosa Garcia who was born at Arroyo Grande and had three children: Alice, Bernice, and
Henry. They built a home in 1916. He was a member of I.D.E.S., and politically he and his wife were socialists.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John  H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County
  and Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1917.
 
 

    131. Manuel M. Souza

Manuel was born on June 28, 1893 on the Azorean island of Sao Miguel to parents Frank M. Maderios Souza and Marie G. Souza. His father was a dairyman on the island and died at the age of forty-eight in 1902. Marie was left with three children: Manuel M. ; Marie G., who married Manuel Almeda Caoto; and Frank M. The latter two offspring remained on the island.

Manuel helped his mother on the small dairy. He attended school and was an artilleryman in the Portuguese army. At the age of twenty-two, he left Sao Miguel and came to Boston arriving February 19, 1915. On the 26th, he had traveled to Modesto, California. He worked for Mrs. Ella Maze on her large farm near Modesto. He went into partnership with Joseph Galeazzi in the Harte district where there were two farms, 80 dairy cows, 100 head of young stock, and ten work horses.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, California with     Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

      132. Manuel Sylva

Manuel was born on the Azorean island of Pico and came to Eureka, California in 1862. Interested in gold mining, he traveled to Trinity County and then to Siskiyou County. In 1869, he was given a 160-acre homestead on Willow Creek.

He married Marie Coelho who too was from the Azores but from a wealthy family. She was born on January 2, 1850 on the island of Flores. Manuel and Maria had eleven children: Paulsina, Maria, Ema, Adeline, Rose, George Ira, Philomena, Delphina, Jesse, Joseph, Anna, and Margarite. Five of their children had homesteads adjoining their parents'. They built their homes close together and then had a fence around the compound for security from Indians.

They raised cattle, sheep, chickens, hogs, hay, grain, and vegetables. They had a dozen milk cows and sold the cream to Si Koppes Creamery in Montague. Jesse went into partnership with his brother George, but it was terminated when his brother died in 1913.

Jesse married Mary Leal of Hawkinsville on September 30, 1914 and had three sons: Leonard, Edward, and Francis who in later years took over the ranch keeping it in the family.

Source: Sylva, Rachel. Siskiyou Pioneer.
 
 

         133. Manuel J. Trigueiro

Manuel was born on June 29, 1863 on the Azorean island of Flores to parents John J. and Anna (Harmens) Trigueiro who farmers and stock-raisers. They never emigrated. John lived to sixty-four and his wife, Anna, to seventy. They had four children: Manuel J., Mary Armas who lived at the home farm; Frank J. who was a stockman at Elko,
Nevada; and Joe F.

Manuel left Flores at the age of eighteen and came to Boston. He found work on Rhode Island farms for three and a half years. He beginning pay was $10 a month. He saved his money and was able to come to California working one season on the Oso Flaco and then eighteen months in Tulare County.

Manuel moved to Eureka, Nevada where he was employed for five years. He then began a sheep business in Elko, Nevada eventually having 8,000 head. In 1907, he took a trip to the Azores where he married Anna Freitas Martinez. Her father was Joseph F. Martinez who later came to California.

Manuel and Anna lived on the Elko sheep ranch until 1909, when they sold out and came to Santa Maria valley. Manuel raised hay, grain, and beans on their 200 acres purchased from Union Sugar Co. They return to the Azores on a visit in 1912.

Source: Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon. History of San Luis Obispo County
  and Environs. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1817.
 
 

    134. Antone R. Vieira

Antone was born on June 9, 1862 on the island of Flores, Azores Islands. He lived on his father's small farm and left as a young man spending five months as a sailor. He arrived in New York in 1880 and reached Watsonville, California in the fall of that year. He lived and worked in Santa Clara Valley for awhile. He moved to Fresno and was employed there until his return trip to the Azores in 1889.

Coming back to the United States in 1890, he married his lifelong acquaintance, Maria Louise Vieira, in Boston. In 1900, Antone worked for four years on the Whitmore ranch near Ceres, Stanislaus County.
He purchased 30 acres in 1904 of the Crane Colony near Turlock and was engaged in general farming and dairying. He added 20 more acres shortly which were a mile north of Turlock on Colorado Boulevard.

Antone and Maria had fourteen children: Mary who married A.J. Lawrence and had two daughters; Antone who lived in Merced County was married and had one son; Anna married John Bettencourt, lived in Merced County with their daughter; Louise married Arthur Vieira and lived in Turlock; Evangeline who married Carlos Pereira and lived in Escalon; Mildred, Joe, Willie, Josephine; Hazel; Mabel; Ida; and Evelyn. Antone R. Vieira was a member of U.P.E.C. and I.D.E.S.

Source: Tinkham, George Henry. History of Stanislaus County, Stanislaus with     Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1921.
 
 

    135. Eugene J. Viera

Eugene was born on July 24, 1884 near Marsh Landing, Contra Costa County to Manuel and Elizabeth (Whelihan) Viera. Manuel had come from Pico, Azores Islands, and Elisabeth was from San Francisco. Both were considered to be pioneers of Contra Costa County. Eugene helped his father clear their 60 acres of land of live-oak and plant it in grapes, almonds, and walnuts. This was about two miles west Oakley.

Eugene had buildings constructed on the corner of Bridgehead Avenue and Victory Highway for his business interests. He was president of the Bridgehead Shipping Corporation and was a large stockholder. A shipping shed and a spur track cost $7,000 from which the corporation shipped hundreds of carloads of fruits, grapes, nuts, celery, lettuce, and asparagus to eastern markets.

Eugene married Johanna Alma Mack, who was born in Minster, Ohio, on January 1, 1914. Johanna was the daughter of Charles August and Mary (Trimke) Mack both who died at a young age. She came to California with her sister and husband in 1902 and grew up in Contra Costa County. Eugene and Johannna had four children: Edward, Dorothy, Donald, and Betty Jean.

Eugene helped organized the East Contra Costa County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of Live Oak Farm Bureau and served on the board of trustees for the Antioch-Live Oak School District. He too was a member of the Industrial Survey of Eastern Contra Costa County and the organization Native Sons. Johanna belonged to the Oakley Women's Club, Live Oak Farm Center, and the Live Oak Parent-Teacher's Association.

Source: History of Contra Costa County, California with Biographical Sketches. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1926.
 

      136. Manuel Viera

Manuel was born on the Azorean island of Pico on April 10, 1854. At the age of fourteen, he came to the United States with his brother. He stayed with his uncle Antone Viera in New Bedford, Massachusetts working in his uncle's boardinghouse and attending night school to learn English. In 1870, he and his brother John came to California. He stayed with another uncle, Charles Smith, who was a wheat farmer on the Oakley ranch near Antioch. The grain was loaded at Antioch on rail or boat and shipped out.

Manuel found work on Sherman Island. Charles McLaughlin, a large land owner and an irrigation agent for Southern Pacific Railway, took a liking to Manuel and helped him get his start. Manuel rented 800 acres of the Marsh tract and soon had 2,000 head of sheep. He too started to buy more land. Also, he ran a threshing and baling business where he had a crew of forty men who threshed and baled hay in Alameda County and especially Livermore.

Manuel bought 480 acres and later added another 368 from the Marsh tract where he made his home. Some of the land had to be cleared of live-oak before it could be tilled properly. Before long, he had 850 acres of good farm and fruit land. He had invested in property in San Francisco but lost the buildings in the 1906 earthquake thereby selling the lots.

He ran into a bad piece of luck one year when he drove his sheep flocks south to Fresno County hoping to find feed there. He found little, and in the process of bringing his sheep north, he lost 1,000 head. He eventually grazed them in the Berkeley hills and Moraga Valley before the area became populated.

Manuel married Elizabeth Whelihan on April 17, 1882. She had been born in San Francisco.  Her parents were John and Dorothy (Flynn) Whelihan who were both from Ireland. As children, they both moved to New Orleans, and it was there they married where they had their first child. They came to California through the Isthmus of Panama in 1854 and settled in Contra Costa County. The were successful farmers, but John died in 1871 leaving six children: Mary, Elizabeth, Julia, John, Eugene, and David.

Elizabeth (Whelihan) Viera learned dressmaking from her mother. Manuel and Elizabeth had eight children: John F. who was a rancher and had four boys: John F., Jr., George, Robert, and Richard C.; Eugene J. who was a rancher and had four children: Edward, Dorothy, Donald, and Bettyjean; Francis who was in ranching and real estate; May was an auditor in the quartermaster's department in San Francisco; Cyril graduated from the University of California and became the manager of a magnesite mine in Stanislaus County in which his father had a heavy investment. He died at 22; Elizabeth who died at eight months; Joseph G. was a rancher in Antioch and four children: Joseph G., Jr., Howard, Bernard, and Catherine. He saw serve in World War I; and William who was in the automobile business in San Francisco. He saw action in five major battles in World War I and had three children: William, Jr., Stanley, and Wallace who died at infancy. Manuel distributed his vast holdings to his children who all prospered from it by making sound investments.

Source: History of Contra Costa County, California with Biographical Sketches. Los   Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1926.
 
 

   137. A.J. and George C. Vierra

The Vierra brothers were born in San Lorenzo, California, A.J. on January 19, 1892 and George on March 10, 1902, to Anton J. and Rose Vierra. Anton was born on Faial, Azores Islands and came to the United States at a young age settling in Alameda County. He was a farmer and died at seventy-one in 1926. Rose was born and raised in Hayward and died at the age on thirty-one in 1904. They had three sons and four daughters.

A.J. and George C. Vierra attended San Lorenzo schools and both took up farming. George owned five acres on East Fourteenth Street planted to Royal Ann and Black Tarlarian cherries. A.J. owned ten acres on Washington Avenue. Together they owned four acres of prime land and rented another 250 acres from the Stenzel Estate Company about two miles from San Leandro. It was one of the best farms in the area having large amount of modern equipment. The brothers grew corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, peas, rhubarb, and pears.

A.J. Vierra married Caroline Oliver of Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County. George married Isabel Simus, who was from San Leandro and they were parents of a daughter, Shirley Jane. Their residence was the old town hall. George was a member of the Woodmen of the World.

Source: History of Alameda County, California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.,   1928.
 
 

          138. Joaquin Vierra, Sr.

Joaquin was born on March 14, 1856 on the Azorean island of Terceira to parents Joaquin and Josephine (Gomez) Vierra. His mother died when he was only fourteen months. His father remained a farmer and lived to be seventy-two.

Joaquin came to California at the age of sixteen arriving at Hayward, Alameda County, where he lived for the winter. He then moved to Merced County, Cottonwood district where he worked for six years on the ranch of Mr. Bunker. He went back to Terceira and returned to California working for Bunker another year. He then began raising calves for his future dairy on the Donahue ranch where he stayed a number of years. He purchased ten acres of land and operated a dairy for six years. In 1910, he bought 65 acres for a dairy while leasing the McCabe ranch of 160 acres of which 100 acres were in alfalfa.

Joaquin married Angeline Menzes, from Terceira, in San Francisco on September 18,1891. Her parents were Gariot and Margaret (Martinez)
Menzes. Joaquin and Angeline had five children: Margaret, who became Mrs. Rocha of Volta, California; Joaquin Jr. who helped managed his father's ranches; Joseph; Frank, and Estella. They had fifteen grandchildren. Joaquin Sr. was a member of I.D.E.S. and U.P.E.C., and served as a trustee on the Santa Nella school district board.

Source: Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California with a Biographical Review.
  Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1925.
 
 
 

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