Yolo County
Biographies
ARMAND LOUIS CARRERE
Armand
L. Carrere, proprietor of the Davis Steam Laundry, at Davis, Yolo County, has a
fine business record, being progressive and up-to-date in his ideas and
methods, so that his persistent and well directed efforts have been rewarded
with success. He was born in the Basque
Province, in the Basses Pyrenees Mountains of southern France, on the 24th
of July, 1894, was reared on a farm and attended school in his home
community. The climate in that section
of France is very similar to the part of California in which he now lives. In 1911, at the age of sixteen years, in
company with eight friends, boys and girls, he emigrated
to the United States, with California as his objective. For many years the Basques have been coming
to this state, where the most of them have engaged in sheep raising. Mr. Carrere and his party arrived in
Sacramento on May 12, 1911, and there joined his brother, Bernard L., who had
preceded him to this country.
Five
days later Mr. Carrere went to San Francisco, where he started to learn the
laundry business in the French Laundry.
While there he also attended night school in order to more quickly
acquire knowledge of the English language.
On September 28, 1914, he came to Woodland, Yolo County, and, in
partnership with his brother, bought a small laundry on Main Street, for which
he paid six hundred and fifty dollars for a half interest. This was a small concern, located in a store
room, and employed but four hands. In
1916 the Carrere brothers erected a new building across the street and
established the French Laundry. The
business increased rapidly, modern machinery was installed, and in 1920 the
plant was enlarged and more machinery added.
On November 1, 1925, Mr. Carrere sold his interest in the business, but
still owns the building. The trade at
that time had increased to a point that necessitated the employment of fourteen
persons. Mr. Carrere took a vacation of
two years and then, on October 10, 1927, came to Davis and built and equipped
the Davis Steam Laundry, one of the most up-to-date and modern laundries in the
state. This also has proven a good
investment, for the business has had a steady and substantial growth. Mr. Carrere still gives it his personal
attention, but retains his home at Woodland, where he owns a very attractive
and comfortable residence. On November 18,
1914, in Woodland, California, Mr. Carrere was united in marriage to Miss
Jeanne Paraleiu, who was one of his companions on the voyage to this country in
1911. They are the parents of two
children, Henriette, aged fourteen years, and George, who is four years
old. On December 9, 1920, Mr. Carrere
was admitted to American citizenship, and in every respect he has shown his
loyalty to his adopted country. During
the World War he took an active part in various loan drives and did all he
could to uphold the government in its war activities. He is cordial and friendly in manner and
where known is held in high esteem for his sterling qualities and his business
ability.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Wooldridge, J. W. Major, History of Sacramento Valley
California, Vol. 2 Pages 352-353. Pioneer Historical
Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010 Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Yolo
County Biographies