| Life Story
|
John Contreras worked as a weaver from 1912-1917 at the TKWM along with other family members, brother Frank Contreras, sister-in-law Pastora, and two sons Joseph and Eugene.
John Contreras was born 30 Mar 1873 in Marysville, CA to Jesus Martin and Candelaria [Garcia] Contreras. Both his parents were of Mexican heritage. He took work at the Stockton Woolen Mills with his brother Frank, in the weaving department. Then he married Mary Ellen Sullivan in 1896. They were the parents of 7 children.
By 1910 the family had moved to the Portland, OR area to take work at the Portland Woolen Mills. They remained there for a few years and then went to Salem, OR to work at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. While in Salem, they shared housing initially with brother Frank and his wife Pastora. The children attended school and the two eldest boys, Joseph and Eugene, joined the workforce at the mill as soon as they were old enough. John and wife Mary were Catholic and involved in the Woodmen of the World organization. John also became a local representative for the Knights and Ladies of Security organization, a type of early insurance.
The family left Salem in 1918 and moved to Oregon City where the boys worked for the Woolen Mill. John was in ill health, suffering from diabetes. He took work as a laborer for a furniture store. John died 3 Feb 1920 in a hospital in Portland from type 2 diabetes. He was buried in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Portland, OR. Wife Mary Ellen would live, supported by her eldest sons, until 31 July 1964. |
| Salem City Directories (unless otherwise noted) |
1910 Contreras John, weaver Portland Woolen Mills h 503 Philadelphia (Portland)
1912 Contreras John, weaver Port Woolen Mills h 1031 N Hayes St. St. Johns (Portland)
1913 Contreras John (Mary E), weaver, res 143 S 13th
1915 Contreras John (Mary), carder T K W M Co, res 434 S 16th
1917 Contreras John (Mary), weaver T K W M Co, res 434 S 16th |
| Federal / County Census Records |
1880 John Contrarus Age: 9. Birth Date: abt 1873 in California. Home in 1880: Red Bluff, Tehama, CA. Single, son to HOH. At School. Additional household members: Condalora Contrarus, age 27 (mother), M. Contrarus, age 26 (father), Raphaela Contrarus, age 10 (sister), Frank Contrarus, age 9 (brother).
1900 John Contreras Age: 26. Birth Date: Mar 1874 in California. Home in 1900: 246 W. Washington, Stockton Ward 1, San Joaquin, CA. Married, HOH. Occupation: Weaver in Wool Mill. Parents born in Mexico. Additional household members: Mary Contreras, age 20 (wife), Eugene B. Contreras, age 3 (son), Joseph L. Contreras, age 1 (son), Jose T. Contreras, age 24 (brother).
1910 John Contreras Age: 36. Birth Date: 1874 in California. Home in 1910: 1031 Hayes St. St. Johns Ward 2, Multnomah, OR. Married, HOH. Occupation: Weaver in Woolen Mill. Additional household members: Mary E. Contreras, age 31 (wife), Eugene B. Contreras, age 13 (son), Joseph L. Contreras, age 11 (son), Margaret W. Contreras, age 8 (daughter), John L. Contreras, age 6 (son), Albert S. Contreras, age 5 (son), Laurence G. Contreras, age 0 (son), Kote Winters, age 37 (lodger).
1920 John Contreras Age: 47. Birth Year: 1873 in California. Home in 1920: 625 Umatilla Ave. Portland, Multnomah, OR. Married, HOH. Occupation: Weaver in Woolen Mill. Additional household members: Mary E. Contreras, age 41 (wife), Eugene B. Contreras, age 22 (son), Joseph L. Contreras, age 20 (son), Winifred M. Contreras, age 17 (daughter), John L. Contreras, age 15 (son), Albert S. Contreras, age 13 (son), Laurence G. Contreras, age 10 (son), Norbert R. Contreras, age 5 (son). |
