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


AUGUST RANTALA was born near Raahe. in the state of .\ulu, Fin- 
land, .May 21, 1863. and being the son of a farmer, he learned the rudiments 
of agriculture as it is done in his native country. The advantages for obtain- 
ing an education were very limited and the children were taught at home, 
usually by their parents. However, Mr. Rantala has been studious, and by 
close observation and reading has become a well informed man. Aside from 
working on the home farm he learned carpentering, which he followed until 
1888, then coming to Mendocino county. He found employment at the 
Navarro mills for a few years, when he engaged in the hotel business on 
Navarro Ridge, and for nine years ran the Navarro Ridge Hotel. The lumber 
company failed in business at this time, and the mills closed down. Accord- 
ingly, in 1901, he found it to his advantage to sell out his business and he 
then located in Fort Bragg, where he entered the employ of the Union Lum- 
ber Company. A year later he was given a place as car repairer, a position 
he has filled ably and well ever since. 

With his wife and children Mr. Rantala resides on Corry street. Mrs. 
Rantala in maidenhood bore the name of Sophia Jokilehto, and was also a 
native of Finland. They have four children as follows : Axel, Everett, August 
A. and Blanche. Fraternally Mr. Rantala is a member of the Kalevala Broth- 
erhood No. 1, at Fort Bragg, and has been its secretary for ten years. In 
religious views he is a Lutheran. Stanch Republican principles are his politi- 
cal standards.