JOSIAH C. WILLIAMSON

 

             Mr. Williamson was born February 18, 1851, in Marshfield, Massachusetts, coming to Pescadero, California, December 14, 1869, via the Isthmus of Panama.  He lost no time, but immediately engaged in the dairy business.  After four years spent at this, he clerked in a store until 1885, when he opened up a general merchandise store, which is still continued by him and is the largest mercantile establishment in Pescadero.

             On December 14, 1879 he married Harriet Hornsinger.  The children born to this union, who are now living, are:  Frank, Gladys, and Elmira.

             Mr. Williamson served as postmaster in Pescadero for eight years.  Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows.

 

Transcribed by Betty Wilson

E. I. WOODMAN

 

             Mr. Woodman is one of the leading newspaper men of the county, his sphere of activity being South San Francisco where he is the editor and manager of The Enterprise.

             He is also secretary of the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, a body that has been instrumental toward the substantial upbuilding of its city, in which Mr. Woodman in his two-fold capacity as newspaper man and civic booster, has taken no small part.

             Mr. Woodman has been in the newspaper business for over forty years, coming from Sacramento in June, 1907 where he was also engaged in the newspaper business.  He has resided in South San Francisco ever since.  Mr. Woodman is a member of the San Mateo Press Association.

 

Transcribed by Betty Wilson

Charles Ayers

 

Charles Ayers. – This venerable gentleman was born in Redding, England, March 3, 1829.  His father, James Ayers, moved from Redding to Windsor, England, when the subject of our sketch was a lad of five years.  The father being a confectioner and pastry cook, he learned that trade from him.

 

March 17, 1848, Mr. Ayers set sail from his native land for Australia, where he worked at his trade and was financially successful.  In London he was married to Ann Delahny, an English lady who was of Irish descent and of a Protestant family.  Her father was a hatter by trade, and was engaged in business in London; both her parents being natives of that city.  She became the mother of nine children, two of whom are now living, namely: Elizabeth, widow of M. L. Britton; and Charles, a plumber by trade.  She died in 1879.  July 30, 1889, Mr. Ayers married for his second wife a Miss Laughtry, by whom he has one son, J. W. B. Ayers.  Mr. Ayers has five grandchildren.

 

As a pioneer of San Mateo county, he is well known.  Indeed, he was one of the very first business men of the very first business men of Redwood City.  He built the Fremont Hotel, one of the most popular hotels in the county, and has since continued to operate it.  As a man of integrity and square dealing few have a better reputation than he.