Contra Costa County Biographies

In reviewing the lives of the settlers of Contra Costa County due mention should be made of the name of Jiergen Christenson, one of the most prominent and enterprising ranchers of the eastern section. He was a native of Denmark, born December 10, 1834. At the age of eighteen he came to America, arriving in New Orleans in January, 1853. A short time afterward he went to St. Louis, where he remained until 1858. Then he crossed the plains with ox-teams and came to San Francisco. Here he first found employment in a coffee and spice house with Charles Bernard, and by close application to business was made manager and conducted the business for sixteen years. About 1865 he settled on two hundred and fifty acres, and at one time he leased over seven hundred acres, in Marsh grant. While a resident of Utah, Mr. Christenson was united in marriage to Hanna Wallace on April 6, 1850, and she died on January 20, 1917. To this union there were twelve children, five of whom are now living. Thomas W. Christenson, wife of Joseph Sloan (deceased), was born January 12, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Sloan had three children - Joseph Jr., born November 6, 1885, and his children are Margery, born October 25, 1911, and Violet, born January 7, 1913; Violet Sloan, born June 8, 1894; Rosetta Sloan died at the age of two years. Charles Bernard Christenson was born April 3, 1869, and is now a resident of Taft, California; his children are Jiergen, born August 4, 1901, and Wallace, born September 8, 1902. James Henry Christensen was born January 3, 1888, and is engaged in the grocery business at Capitola, California; his son, Henry M., was born July 15, 1902. Florence A. Christensen was born January 27, 1881. Thomas W. Christensen, the eldest son, was united in marriage to Emma Brown, of San Francisco, in 1891; to this union was born Blanche, wife of A. Hudson, and Chrissie, who died at the age of fifteen years. Jiergen Christensen was a Republican in his political views. Fraternally, he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The land he bought Mr. Christensen improved in many ways. He erected a large and commodious residence, besides barns and other buildings, which were above the average in his locality. He was a man greatly beloved by all, and his death, which occurred on June 4, 1910, was deeply mourned, and his useful deeds perpetuated his memory.

Manuel J. Pimentel, one of the representative men of eastern Contra Costa County, was born in Portugal on March 17, 1868. He acquired his education in the schools of his native land, and at the age of sixteen he came to America. He located in Fresno, where he readily found employment. Later he removed to Madera, where he engaged with a sheepman for a period of one year. He then bought sheep, and has always been engaged in this business. He was identified with this business in Contra Costa County, while he was a resident of Madera for some years. Mr. Pimentel was married to Mary Lawrence, and her death occurred in 1904. His second marriage was to Anna Ramos of Santa Rosa, California. To this union was born one daughter, Josephine E. Mr. Pimentel gives his political support to the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the I.D.E.S. and the U.P.E.C. He deals extensively in sheep, and is one of the prominent men of Byron.