Today I had to go down to the recorders office to get some forms for a new business I’ll be starting with another photographer (more on that later, I don’t really want to give it away just yet). Since ficticious business names are handled by the same people that keep track of marriage licenses and death certificates, I figured while I was there I would do a bit more research on the family. I found out that John G. Knowles, our great-grandfather was born Oct. 16, 1855, and died Sept. 2, 1911. His occupation was listed as carpenter. His father was listed as W. A. Knowles.

I’m not sure about the “W” but that is my best guess. So maybe he was a Warren also? John’s mother’s maiden name was listed as Eleyel A. Morgan. Again I’m not sure about the spelling. Both John and Eleyel were listed as being born in Maine. John had lived in Fortuna since 1886, and moved to California in 1874. He died of tuberculosis of the lungs which he had been suffering from for 5 years. A secondary cause of death was scarlet fever. The coroner was listed as E.J. Hunter, and he was buried in Fortuna on Sept. 4th by the Hansen Hunter Co. All that just from the death certificate!