Harald L. Kamp

Harald L. Kamp was born in Sweden, May 22, 1824. His parents were both Danish by birth. His father, L. Kamp, arrived in Sweden (before his birth) as a commercial agent. Harald received a private education; was engaged as clerk in a book and stationery business; and emigrated to the United States, landing at New York, in 1845. In 1846 he enlisted with Colonel Stevenson's New York Volunteers, Company C., Captain Brackett; left New York for California in September, 1846, arriving March, 1847; was stationed at Sonoma. In May, 1847, he was with others sent to Sacramento under Lieutenant Anderson for the protection of the settlers from Indians; remained there until September, same year, when he was sent back to Sonoma; and remained in Sonoma to the close of the war.

    After the war he left for the mines and remained there until December, 1848, when he returned to Sonoma and engaged in store business to 1856. Selling out his mercantile business he engaged in farming and stock-raising, in Sonoma County, until 1868, when he moved to Martinez, Contra Costa County. He engaged there in the wholesale and retail liquor business until 1880, then moved to San Buenaventura, continuing in the same business.

    Mr. Kamp was married in Sonoma, in 1851, to Dona Josefina Higuerra, a native of County County, and they have had five children, three of whom are now living, whose names are Luis Ignacio, Adriano Francisco, and John.

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