Edwin Merrithew, M. D., has been successfully engaged in the
practice of medicine at Martinez for the past eight years, and is widely
recognized as one of the able and representative members of the profession.
He was born at Gold Run, Placer County, California, November 23, 1880, son
of Moses W., born July 4, 1837, and Annie Elizabeth Merrithew, born in 1854.
His father is a native of Maine, and his mother was born in San Francisco.
The parents still reside in Placer County. The subject of this sketch was
educated in the public schools of Placer County. He also attended the
Stockton Normal School. He then entered the Cooper Medical College and
graduated in 1905, becoming intern at the Lane Hospital in San Francisco. He
practiced his profession in Sonoma County, and in June, 1907, he removed to
Martinez, where he enjoys the full confidence of the people of his locality.
In March, 1911, Doctor Merrithew was appointed county physician, which
office he has since held. He has served as health officer of the city of
Martinez since January 1, 1914. He is local surgeon for the Santa Fe
Railroad. Fraternally, Doctor Merrithew holds membership in the Odd Fellows,
the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, and the Elks. He has held
the chairs in the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and now serves as camp
physician of the Woodmen of the World. He is especially interested and a
member of the Native Sons. He is a member of the Contra Costa Medical
Society, the California State Medical Association, and the American Medical
Association. He has served as vice-president of the County Medical Society.
In politics the Doctor is a Republican. He was married to Miss Emma Kriner,
of California, October 29, 1910. To this union one son, Wallace Kriner, was
born on July 29, 1913. Mrs. Merrithew is a member of the Women of Woodcraft,
and is active in all matters pertaining to promote the general welfare and
growth and expansion of the community.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California",
Elms Publ. Co., 1917, p. 490.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, August 2006.
An enterprising and prosperous representative of business
interests in Richmond is Reuben H. Curry. His birth occurred in Contra Costa
County, at Clayton, August 10, 1864. He acquired his education in the public
schools of this county. He is a son of Edward Curry, a native of Missouri,
who came to California via Cape Horn in 1849. He located in Clayton, and
after a time he returned to his native State and in 1855 was united in
marriage to Annie Goodwin, a native of Indiana. They then crossed the plains
with an ox-team, which took six months, and again located at Clayton. The
father was an experienced stockman and followed this business all his life.
He died in 1865. While crossing the plains the parents of Mr. Curry had many
narrow escapes from the Indians, and on one occasion rescued a lady who had
been scalped by the Indians while en route. Mr. Curry's mother is still
living and makes her home in Alameda. Four children were born in the
parents' family - Martha, wife of Augustus Houston, deceased; Edward, a
mining man; Josephine, wife of John Breen; and the subject of this sketch,
who embarked early in life for himself, and has been engaged in various
places in the hotel and soda business. He operated the Geyser Hotel in
Sonoma County for ten years, and run a hotel at Angel's Camp for six years.
In 1901 he removed to Richmond and established the first manufacturing
business in the city, called the Richmond Soda Works. He continued in this
about three years, then sold out and left Richmond for ten years, when he
returned and repurchased the business which he had originally started, and
since his return has met with gratifying success. Mr. Curry was united in
marriage to Georgia B. Dingley, a native of San Francisco, April 5, 1883. To
this union were born Grace D. and George Franklin. Mr. Curry is a
Republican. He has been honored by being elected on the water commission,
and took office in April, 1913, which he now holds. He is a member of the
I. O. O. F., the Rebekahs, the Moose, the Eagles, and is a Native Son.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California",
Elms Publ. Co., 1917, pp. 491-492.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, August, 2006.