Imperial County, CA Biographies

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, January, 2007.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



WILLIAM J. PURCELL
 
                   William J. Purcell of El Centro has been actively engaged in 
the real estate and livestock business since 1909. Ceaseless industry, 
supplemented by sound judgment, has rendered possible the success gained by Mr. 
Purcell. Ten years have elapsed since he came to Imperial County, and Mr. 
Purcell may be termed a pioneer. He was identified with the Southern Pacific and 
was transferred to Imperial in 1907, where he used a box car for an office, 
passenger station and baggage room. He worked under these conditions for two 
years, and, seeing the possibilities in this section, he resigned and took a 
position with the California Cream and Butter Company. By close application to 
business he eventually became identified with  the livestock business for 
himself; and later the real estate line was engaged in. Unaided, and through his 
energy, he has risen to be one of Imperial County's leading business men. Mr. 
Purcell was born at Kilburn, Wisconsin, August 29, 1881, a son of John J. and 
Mary (Tanguey) Purcell, both still residing in Kilburn, Wisconsin. The subject 
of our review received his education in the public and high schools of his 
native town, graduating from the high school at the age of eighteen. He took up 
telegraphy and was identified with various railroads in that capacity until he 
came to Imperial Valley. Politically Mr. Purcell is a Republican. His parents 
originally came from Ireland, but were of Old American descent. Mr. Purcell 
resides at the Oregon Hotel. He is a genial and companionable man and his 
success has been well deserved.
 
Source: "The History of Imperial County, California," Elms and Franks Publ. Co., 
1918, pp. 404-405.