| Life Story |
Pastora Fimby Contreras worked in the weaving department of TKWM from 1912-1915 with husband Frank Contreras. Her brothers Cass and Levi Fimby also worked at the mill.
Pastora Fimby was born 19 Apr 1880 in Marysville, CA to parents George and Maria Trinidad [Garcia] Fimby. She was one of 13 children born to the couple. Both parents were descendants of California’s early Spanish and Mexican settlers, also referred to as Californios. She attended public school until 5th grade, in Napa, California along with her siblings. When she was old enough, she went to work at the woolen mill with her father and brothers.
In 1888, her father lost both hands in a hunting accident and died a few years later. It took all Fimby family members working to support themselves. The older children worked at the woolen mill, others as laborers at a tannery and glove factory, or on the farms and ranches in their community. Their mother Trinidad made chicken tamales that the children delivered around town six nights a week.
In 1908 she married Frank Felix Contreras, a fellow millworker and weaver at the Napa Mill. The couple moved to Portland, Oregon by 1910 and took work at the newly built Portland Woolen Mills. They were joined by Pastora’s brother Levi. In 1912, the couple moved to Salem, OR for employment at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. Brother Cass and his wife joined them briefly in 1915. While in Salem they rented homes which they shared with family members until they had saved up enough money to build their own home at 345 S. 15th St. In 1924, just a few blocks from the mill. No children were born to Frank and Pastora. Both were members of the Catholic Church and involved with the Woodmen of the World organization. The female auxiliary of which was known as the Neighbors of Woodcraft.
Frank and Pastora remained at the mill until retirement in 1943. Then they sold their home and returned to Napa, CA to be near family. Frank died in 1950. Pastora died 25 July 1953 at the home of her sister Dolores. She had been in failing health for some time. Both she and Frank were buried in Tulocay Cemetery in Napa, CA. |
| Salem City Directories (unless otherwise noted) |
1910 Contreras Frank, weaver Portland Woolen Mills r 202 W Leavitt (Portland)
1910 Contreras Mrs. Pastora, weaver Portland Woolen Mills r 202 W Leavitt (Portland)
1912 Contreras Frank, opr M M Mills b 644 Tacoma av (Portland)
1912 Contreras Mrs. Pastora, opr M M Mills b 644 Tacoma av (Portland)
1913 Contreras Frank F (Pastora), weaver T K W M Co, res 1368 Ferry
1915 Contreras Frank F (Pastora), weaver T K W M Co, res 163 S. 13th
1917 Contreras Frank F (Pastora), weaver T K W M Co, res 163 S 13th
1924 Contreras Frank F (Pastora), weaver T K Woolen Mill Co, h 424 S 16th
1928 Contreras Frank (Pastora), weaver T K Woolen Mill Co h 345 S 15th
1930 Contreras Frank F (Pastora), weaver T K Woolen Mill Co h 345 S 15th
1932 Contreras Frank (Pastora), weaver T K Woolen Mill Co, h 345 S. 15th
1934 Contreras Frank F (Pastora), weaver h 345 S 15th
1935 Contreras Frank F (Pastora), weaver h 345 S 15th
1947 Contreras Frank (Pastora)h 1348 Seminary (Napa, CA)
1948 Contreras Frank (Pastora)h 1348 Seminary (Napa, CA) |
| Federal / County Census Records |
1900 Pastora Fimby Age: 20. Birth Date: Apr 1880 in California. Home in 1900: 94 Pearl St. In Napa, Napa, CA. Single, daughter to HOH. Occupation: Weaver in Woolen Mill. (can read, can write, can speak English) Additional household members: George Fimby, age 45 (father), Trinidad Fimby, age 32 (mother), Levi Fimby, age 18 (brother), Cass Fimby, age 14 (brother), Mary Fimby, age 12 (sister), Dionicia Fimby, age 10 (sister), Joseph Fimby, age 9 (brother), Mona Fimby, age 7 (sister), Santo Fimby, age 6 (brother).
1910 Pastora Contrerer Age: 30. Birth Date: 1880 in California. Home in 1910: Revett St., St. Johns Ward 1, Multnomah, OR. Married, wife to HOH. Occupation: Home listed. Additional household member: Frank Contrerer, age 38 (husband).
1920 Pastora Contreras Age: 39. Birth Year: 1881 in California. Home in 1920: 1920 S. 16th St., Salem Ward 4, Marion, OR. Married, wife to HOH. Occupation: None listed. Additional household member: Frank Contreras, age 48 (husband).
1930 Pastora M Contreris Age: 49. Birth Year: 1881 in California. Home in 1930: 345 S. 15th St. Salem, Marion, OR. Married, wife to HOH. Occupation: None listed. Additional household member: Frank F. Contreris, age 58 (husband).
1940 Pastora Contreras Age: 59. Birth Year: 1881 in California. Home in 1940: 345 S. 15th St. Salem, Marion, OR. Married, wife to HOH. Occupation: none listed. Additional household member: Frank F. Contreras, age 68 (husband).
1950 Pastora Contreras Age: 69. Birth Date: 1881 in California. Home in 1950: Napa, Napa, CA. Married, wife to HOH. Occupation: Keeping House. Additional household member: Frank F. Contreras, age 78 (husband). |
