San Mateo County Archives - California Genealogy

Biography of Archibald McDonald of San Jose

Archibald McDonald, originally from Ireland, moved to America as an infant and settled in Massachusetts. He arrived in California in 1852, where he became influential in various business ventures, particularly in the lumber and woolen industries. McDonald served as superintendent of the San Jose Woolen Mills Company and held directorial positions at the Agnew State Hospital and the Garden City Bank. He was instrumental in the company’s growth, producing flannel and blankets and employing many workers. Married with two children, McDonald was an active member of the community and remains a respected figure in California’s industrial sector.

Application of Mary Callan to become a Sole Trader

The term “sole trader” historically referred to a married woman in some U.S. states who, with court approval, could conduct business independently from her husband, managing her own earnings and property. This designation was crucial before married women’s property acts were enacted. An example is Mary Callan, who sought this status in 1897 due to her husband’s inability to provide support. The court authorized her to operate a farming business using her property, stating her motivation was to support her family, including their four children. This process is documented in court records.

Biography of David Burris

David Burris, whose death occurred at his residence in Sonoma, January 5, 1904, was one of the most highly respected and wealthiest of Sonoma county citizens, and his death closed a long and useful life, many years of which were spent in old Sonoma and other parts of this state. He was prominently connected with financial and business affairs of Sonoma county for half a century, and few men were better known in this section of the state. His name was a synonym for honor and integrity, and he will be long remembered for the public-spirited part he bore in … Read more

Transportation Facilities

San Mateo County’s spectacular growth during the last ten years, when it has almost quadrupled in population, has been made possible by steadily improving transportation facilities which now serve every portion of the county. These bring the majority of the desirable locations, homesites and places of interest, within a little over a half hour’s trip from San Francisco; while the further and more inaccessible portions in the county are about an hour’s ride from the business center of the metropolis, thus bringing the advantages, charms and opportunities of this region within easy reach of the business man, homeseeker and farmer. … Read more

San Mateo County, Today and Tomorrow

San Mateo County is a good place to live. Bay and ocean-girt and mountain-crowned, it is a little wonderland of a thousand unique and distinctive charms. Better than just being a good place to live, it is an easy place to reach from the big city adjacent. A half to a full hour at the most brings the tired business man to his home. It brings him also into Southern California, as far as climate goes. This is pleasant for him -but far more so for his wife and growing children. A flower garden in a flower country is hers … Read more

The San Mateo County News

The San Mateo County News, the only daily newspaper in San Mateo County, is published in the city of San Mateo every afternoon except Sundays and holidays and was founded by A. P. Bellisle and J. D. Bromfield in the year 1914, its first number appearing on the 5th of January. It is the county publication in the sense that its influence and scope of action extend throughout the entire district from South San Francisco and Daly City on the north to Menlo Park and Pescadero on the south, which demonstrates its prestige all over the county. Preeminently, San Mateo … Read more

Suburban Development Period

The last stage in the development of San Mateo County, from the standpoint of the ownership and apportionment of the soil is now at hand, and consists of the division of large portions of the magnificent country estates throughout the county, into generous sized suburban lots and villa tracts. Although this period is the last stage of the subdivision of the land into its smallest segments,-it marks the beginning of an era of the greatest advancement and prosperity that this section of the peninsula has ever experienced. San Mateo County is a “community grown up over night.” Twenty-five years ago … Read more

Spanish Colonial Activity

The rehabilitation was keenly felt throughout the Spanish colonies, particularly in Mexico and the Californias, all of which were ably administered by Jose Galvez, the great agent of the Spanish crown in America, whose zeal and enthusiasm in carrying out his sovereign’s policy of expansion are matters of historical comment. For a century and a half, Spanish statesmen had been intending to colonize the Californias. Their plans included possession of Monterey Bay, formerly discovered by the Spanish navigator Vizcaino. They considered this harbor the finest on the Pacific Coast, and desired it for the use of their ships engaged in … Read more

South San Francisco, San Mateo County, California

The City of South San Francisco had its beginning in the fertile brain of Peter E. Iler of Omaha, Nebraska. In 1889-90 Mr. Iler obtained options on 3,500 acres fronting on the bay of San Francisco, at San Bruno Point. Thereupon the South San Francisco Land and Improvement Company was incorporated, with P. E. Iler as general manager. Among the large holders of stock in the new enterprise were P. E. Iler, of Omaha and M. C. Keith, of North Platte, Nebraska ; Henry Miller, Henry S. Crocker, P. N. Lilienthal, E. R. Lilienthal, and Jesse Lilienthal of San Francisco, … Read more

Schools of San Mateo County

The school system of San Mateo County embraces the kindergarten, the primary schools, the grammar schools and high schools. From the time children reach school age until ready for the university, they may attend school and remain at their own homes. Throughout all this time they arc pursuing a well laid out and carefully planned course which completely covers, in a minimum time, alll that is required by the laws of the state. Further than this, most of the pupils are not only taught the statutory subjects but are also given instruction in manual and domestic arts as well as … Read more