California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

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

 
FRED TUNNELL.  A popular and well-patronized garage man, Fred Tunnell is intimately associated with 
the development and advancement of the industrial and business interests of his home town, Los 
Alamos, and is kept busily employed by the many autoists living in this vicinity, or passing through the 
town on pleasure or business bent.  He is a native son of California, his birth having occurred October 
14, 1876, at Ukiah, Mendocino County, while his father, Frank Tunnell, who was also of California birth, 
was born in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County.
 
Frank Tunnell was the son of Martin Luther Tunnell, one of the earlier settlers of the Golden State, and 
a pioneer of the Santa Maria Valley.  Becoming well versed in agriculture when young, he became a 
farmer from choice, and in course of time became owner of considerable land, and is now successfully 
operating his home ranch at Los Olivos, and a large stock ranch in the mountains.  His good wife, whose 
maiden name was Emma Hopper, was born and bred in Santa Rosa and was likewise of pioneer 
descent.
 
Acquiring his preliminary education in Santa Maria, Fred Tunnell completed his early studies in Santa 
Barbara, attending the public schools and Hoovers Business College.  An agricultural career having no 
charms for him, he sought other work when young, and for eleven years was in the employ of the 
Southern Pacific Railroad Company, beginning as fireman, and later running both freight and passenger 
trains between San Francisco and Santa Barbara.  Severing his connection with that company, Mr. 
Tunnell was for four years associated with the oil industry, working in the Santa Maria fields.
 
Locating then in Los Alamos, he opened an up-to-date garage, putting in all the most approved 
equipments and appliances, and is building up an extensive and highly remunerative business.
 
Mr. Tunnell married, September 5, 1900, in Los Alamos, Miss Cora Hartley, who was born in Kansas, a 
daughter of L. P. Hartley.  Three children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Tunnell, 
namely: La Verne, James and Muriel.  Fraternally Mr. Tunnell is a member of Hesperian Lodge No. 694, 
Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, of Santa Barbara; and belongs also to the Brotherhood of 
Locomotive Engineers.