Thomas J. McNerny stands foremost among the
men of Imperial County and possesses the universal respect and esteem of his
fellow townsmen. Mr. McNerny was born in Cory, Pennsylvania, June 2, 1879, a
son of Thomas and Delia (Garvey) McNerny, residents of Horton, Kansas. His
father for many years was identified with railroad contracting, and is now
retired. Thomas J. acquired his education in the public and high schools of
Horton, Kansas, and later graduated from St. Mary's College in 1894 with the
degree of A. B. He was identified with the Rock Island Railroad as
accountant at Horton, Kansas, and Colorado Springs until 1904, when he
engaged in the drug business at Horton, Kansas. This business he carried on
successfully for five years. In 1911, he became part owner in the Farmers'
State Bank at Gage, Oklahoma. remaining in the bank business until 1912,
when he came to California and located at Brawley. In October, 1915, Mr.
McNerny took the office as secretary of Water Company Number 8, and held
that position up to the present time. Mr. McNerny has a comfortable ranch of
forty acres near Brawley, and has a one-half interest in a 320-acre ranch.
Fraternally he is a member of the B.P.O.E. He was united in marriage to Miss
Lela O'Roke August 30, 1910, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles O'Roke, both
residents of Fairview, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. McNerny have been born one
son and one daughter, Helen Joy and Robert Thomas.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, p. 340.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, November, 2006.
Leslie Reed is a man who has
by his own energy and ambition and enterprise, guided by sound and practical
judgment, worked his way upward to a place among the representative
attorneys of Southern California. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri,
February 1, 1889, a son of Winfield Scott and Edith (Bourdon) Reed. Leslie
Reed acquired his education in the public and high schools, graduating from
the Kansas City High School in 1906. He afterwards attended the Kansas
University, graduating from that college in 1910, and received the liberal
arts degree. He attended the Kansas City Law School, graduating in 1912. He
commenced to practice his profession in Kansas City and remained there until
1913, when he removed to Calexico, California. He at once began the practice
of law with gratifying success. Fraternally he is affiliated with the
I.O.O.F. of Kansas City. Mr. Reed is held in high esteem by his associates
by reason of his enterprise and sterling personal worth.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 340-341.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, November, 2006.
Prominently connected with the business
interests of El Centro is John W. Goza. The opportunities that are offered
in Imperial County to men of enterprise are nowhere better exemplified than
in the successful career of Mr. Goza. He was born in Jackson, Missouri,
February 3, 1876, a son of Wiley and Caroline (Roberts) Goza. The subject of
this review acquired his education in the public and high schools of his
native town. He graduated from high school in 1897. He then went to St.
Louis, Missouri, and entered the business college of Bryant & Stratton. Here
he remained one year. His first business venture was with the Hamilton Brown
Shoe Company, where he remained for one year as stenographer. He then took
the position with the Brown Shoe Company as bill clerk, and here he remained
for over five years. Having acquired the knowledge of the shoe business, he
took charge of a shoe store at 822 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri. He
was tendered a position on the road traveling for the National Cash Register
Company of Dayton, Ohio, and later he traveled for the American Multigraph
Company, being transferred to Dallas, Texas. He remained in the capacity of
traveling salesman until November 1, 1908, when he was promoted to manager
of the Kansas City, Missouri, branch, where he resigned and became
identified with the Multi-Color Press Company of San Francisco. Here he
remained for a brief period. The first of the following year he became
associated with the Comptograph Adding Machine Company, remaining for eleven
months. In 1911 Mr. Goza engaged with the Underwood Typewriter Company as
salesman and remained with the Royal Typewriter Company until he came to El
Centro, California, and opened a store for his company, dealing in new and
rebuilt typewriters. March 1, 1917, he purchased the stationery store which
he operates in conjunction with his other business. Fraternally he is a
member of the Masonic Lodge and the K. of P. of El Centro. Mr. Goza was
married in St. Louis, Missouri, March 29, 1909, to Miss Charlotte Sauerbrunn.
Her father is a prominent contractor of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Goza have
one daughter, Jane E., and the family resides at 653 Heil Street, where they
enjoy in a full measure the acquaintance of a large circle of friends.
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California,"
Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 341-342.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, November, 2006.