San
Joaquin County
Biographies
PAUL L. NESS
Well known as an able pharmacist, a
successful businessman and a progressive citizen, Paul L. Ness is the owner and
proprietor of the Ness Drug Store in Ripon.
He was born at Lofoden, Norway, June 28, 1880,
a son of Johan Ness, a physician of that place, but early in life he was
bereaved of both father and mother, and so deprived of many of the enjoyments
of childhood. He was confirmed in the Lutheran
Church and attended the schools of his district, and while a mere youth began
the study of pharmacy, starting as an errand boy and holding positions in drug
stores at Stockmarknes, Hemmingsver
and Kobelvorg, and being an apt student he acquired
both a practical and theoretical knowledge of pharmacy.
Coming to the United States in 1904,
Mr. Ness held positions at Granite Falls, Minnesota, and Lily, South Dakota,
until the fall of 1906, when he came to California, where he similarly engaged
at Berkeley and Oakland until 1909, when he came to Oakdale, where he soon
became the proprietor of a drug store.
Disposing of this, he left for an extended visit to his old home in
1914, his tour over Europe covering over seven months. Returning to San Francisco he bought out a
drug store at San Rafael, which he disposed of after operating it for more than
a year and in 1915 came to Ripon, where he established the P. L. Ness Pharmacy
and a few years later, in association with Dr. N. B. Gould, built the Ripon
Hospital.
In 1922 Mr. Ness built the beautiful
two-story pressed brick building at Stockton and Main streets, Ripon, and this
will be the permanent home for his pharmacy.
It is one of the best appointed drug stores in the San Joaquin Valley
and reflects great credit on its owner.
By his uniform kindness, courteous ways and strict attention to
business, Mr. Ness has won a success that is well deserved. A naturalized citizen of his adopted land, he
works for the best interests of the community in all things.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
816. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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