California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 FRANK SANDELIN. � Privations and hardships marked the early years Of Frank Sandelin, whose father, Carl, by dint of the most arduous labor as a miller was scarcely able to provide the necessities of life for his large family and when death removed from the home the sole provider the nine children. left without means of support, were dependent upon the kindly assistance of charitable and sympathetic neighbors. The south of Finland, which had been the family home for generations, was a region lacking in wealth or resources and the struggle for a livelihood was there unusually discouraging. Frank, who was born October 13, 1866, in Wampula, Obolau, and had reached the age of nine years at the time of the death of his father, passed the years of youth on a farm in Finland, where he worked for his board and clothes, his sole privilege being that of attendance upon night schools. At the age of fifteen he began to receive small wages as a farm hand, at first only $8 per year. Next he served as coachman for a minister for two years and then spent three years as an apprentice to the trade of tanner. Traveling as a journeyman he saw much of Sweden and Denmark and in 1890 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, where he found employment on a Massachusetts farm. In a short time he crossed the country as far as -Michigan, where he worked at the trade of tanner in South Haven. The year 1891 found him in California, where he worked as a tanner in San Fran- cisco and later in Santa Cruz, but discontinued his trade in 1893 to embark in the liquor business in the former city. Coming to Mendocino county during 1901, Mr. Sandelin engaged in the hotel business as proprietor of the White House Hotel at Fort Bragg and during his residence there was city trustee. February 23, 1904, he leased the Palace Hotel property from Judge Mannon and immediately began rebuild- attention assiduously to its management. In the spring of 1914 he purchased the Palace Hotel property from Judge Mannon and immediately began rebuild- ing and remodeling it, building a three-story brick addition one hundred feet in length. This addition of twenty-four rooms (each with a bath), makes a total of eighty rooms. The hotel now covers a ground space 60x220 feet, and is today the largest and most modern hotel structure in the county. Mr. Sandelin has risen to prominence in Masonry, being made a Mason in Abell Lodge No. 146, F. & A. M. He is a member of Ukiah Chapter No. 53, R. A. M., and Ukiah Commandery No. 33, K. T., and a member of Islam Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., of San Francisco. With his wife he is a member of Kingsley Chapter No. 59, O. E. S., and in addition is associated with the Woodmen of the World, Ukiah Aerie No. 319, Eagles, and Santa Rosa Lodge No. 646, B. P. O. E. At the time of coming to America he was unmarried. His union with Mary C. Granwall, a native of Finland, was solemnized at San Francisco in 1895 and they have three children living, Frank W., Lempi Mary, and Stella C. Mr. Sandelin was prominent in the incorporation of the Yokoyo Creamery Company in 1908 and has served as president since its organization. The creamery was built on State street. There Mendocino county milk is manu- factured into creamery butter and this industry has become a great factor in the success of the farmer in the community. In 1912 he built a garage on his lots on State street, a fireproof brick building 50x107 feet, equipped as a modern garage in all its appointments. He also owns other real estate, in- cluding the French laundry and two residences. Since establishing his home and business headquarters in Mendocino county Mr. Sandelin has purchased a ranch of three hundred and seven acres two miles north of Ukiah. The ranch is under his personal supervision, but operated by competent men of his selection, and he has made a number of important improvements since acquiring the property. The principal products are grapes, Bartlett pears, alfalfa, hay and vegetables. Much that is raised on the farm is brought to the hotel for use. With fresh fruits and vegetables the dining-room becomes one of the most successful features of the hotel, especially as there is a com- petent chef in charge of the culinary department. Thoroughly familiar with all details of the hotel business, the proprietor is an efficient and popular land- lord and has a host of warm personal friends among those who regularly make his place their headquarters when in Ukiah.