| Life Story
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Joseph L. Contreras worked briefly at the TKWM as a carder from 1915-1917. He worked with his brother Eugene, father John, and Uncle Frank Contreras.
Joseph Lucien Contreras was born 8 Jan 1899 in Stockton, CA to John Garcia & Mary Ellen [Sullivan] Contreras. His father was the descendant of Mexican residents of California and his mother Irish immigrants. Joseph was one of 7 children born to the couple. His father worked at the Stockton Woolen Mill at the time of his birth.
By 1910 the family had moved to St. Johns, OR along with his Uncle Frank and Aunt Pastora [Fimby] Contreras. They joined the workforce of the newly opened Portland Woolen Mill. They remained there for a few years and then went to Salem, OR to work at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill.
Joseph had a grammar school education before joining his father, uncle, and brother at the woolen mill. He worked in the carding department. In 1917 when he registered for the draft, he was granted exemption for his war-time factory work. His draft card lists his employer as Oregon City Mill. In 1920 his father John died, a victim of type 2 diabetes. Brother Eugene and Joseph moved back into the family home to financially support their mother and younger siblings.
By 1929 Joseph and Eugene had moved to 1669 E 16th St. in Portland and taken work at the Oregon Worsted Mill. Joseph continued to work until the start of WW2 when he enlisted in the Army, at age 43. He served from 8 Sep 1942 to 14 Nov 1944. After his discharge he returned to the Portland area and took a gardener job with the City of Portland. He continued to live with his mother and elder brother Eugene.
On 24 Feb 1956 at the age of 57 he married Sophia Katherine Rebstock Armbuster, age 55. They were married in Milwaukie, OR. They lived at 1653 SE Sherrett St. Sophia died 19 Sep 1978, at age 77. Joseph died at age 88, on 3 Mar 1987 in Multnomah [county]. Both are buried in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR. |
| Salem City Directories (unless otherwise noted) |
1915 Contreras Joseph, carder rms 434 S 16th
1917 Contreras Joseph, carder T K W M Co, res 434 S 16th
1921 Contreras Joseph, r 625 Umatilla av (Portland)
1929 Contreras Joseph L, comber OWCo (OR Worsted?) r1669 E 16th (Portland)
1930 Contreras Joseph L, carder OWCo r1669 E 16th (Portland)
1933 Contreras Joseph L, textilewkr OWCo r1669 E 16th (Portland)
1953 Contreras Joseph L, lab City Park Bur r1006 SE Harney (Portland)
1960 Contreras Joseph (Sophia) lab City Bur of Parks h 1653 SE Sherrett (Portland) |
| Federal / County Census Records |
1900 Joseph L. Contreras Age: 1. Birth Date: Mar 1899 in California. Home in 1900: 246 W. Washington, Stockton Ward 1, San Joaquin, CA. Single, son to HOH. Additional household members: John Contreras, age 26 (father), Mary Contreras, age 20 (mother), Eugene Contreras, age 3 (brother), Jose T. Contreras, age 24 (uncle).
1910 Joseph L. Contreras Age: 11. Birth Date: 1899 in California. Home in 1910: 1031 Hayes St. St. Johns Ward 2, Multnomah, OR. Single, son to HOH. Additional household members: John Contreras, age 36 (father), Mary E. Contreras, age 31 (mother), Eugene B. Contreras, age 13 (brother), Margaret W. Contreras, age 8 (sister), John L. Contreras, age 6 (brother), Albert S. Contreras, age 5 (brother), Laurence G. Contreras, age 0 (brother), Kote Winters, age 37 (lodger).
1920 Joseph L. Contreras Age: 20. Birth Year: 1900 in California. Home in 1920: 625 Umatilla Ave. Portland, Multnomah, OR. Single, son to HOH. Occupation: Carder in Woolen Mill. Additional household members: John Contreras, age 47 (father), Mary E. Contreras, age 41 (mother), Eugene B. Contreras, age 22 (brother), Winifred M. Contreras, age 17 (sister), John L. Contreras, age 15 (brother), Albert S. Contreras, age 13 (brother), Laurence G. Contreras, age 10 (brother), Norbert R. Contreras, age 5 (brother).
1930 Joseph Contreras Age: 31. Birth Year: abt 1899 in California. Home in 1930: 1669 E. 16th St. S. Portland, Multnomah, OR. Single, son to HOH. Occupation: Comber in Woolen Mill. Additional household members: Mary E. Contreras, age 51 (mother), Eugene B. Contreras, age 32 (brother), John Contreras, age 26 (brother), Lawrence Contreras, age 20 (brother), Norbert Contreras, age 15 (brother).
1940 Joseph L. Contreras Age: 41. Birth Year: abt 1899 in California. Home in 1940: 1734 Spokane St. Portland, Multnomah, OR. Single, son to HOH. Occupation: Textile Worker in Oregon Worsted Mill. Additional household members: Mary E. Contreras, age 61 (mother), Eugene B. Contreras, age 43 (brother).
1950 Joseph L. Contreras Age: 51. Birth Date: abt 1899 in California. Home in 1950: Portland, Multnomah, OR. Single, son to HOH. Occupation: Gardner for City [Portland]. Additional household members: Mary C. Contreras, age 71 (mother), Eugene Contreras, age 53 (brother). |
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