Alta May Sweney

     Alta was born on Saturday, 15 May 1880 at Whetstone Township, Crawford County, Ohio. She was the daughter of William Sidney Sweney and Margaret Ellen Hess. Alta married Earl Elijah Preston on 15 June 1906 at Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan. 22 April 1910, Alta and her husband Earl were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at 852 Fifth Street, San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California. Enumerated in this household were Earle E. Preston [26 Kansas] & his wife: Alta [27 Ohio]. They have been married 3 years with no children. He works at an ice plant. [Alta's brother Edgar Blaine and his wife are living in the same apartment building.]¹ 2 January 1920, Alta and her husband Earl were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at 616 Ezra Street, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. Enumerated in this household were Earl E. Preston[35 Kansas], his wife: Alta M. [35 Ohio], Franklin E. [7 Colorado] & Alice J. [6 Kansas]. Earl is a wholesale fruit buyer.² 3 April 1930, Alta and her husband Earl were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at 1211 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Diego, San Diego County, California. Enumerated in this household were Earl E. Preston[46 Kansas], his wife: Alta M. [42 Ohio], Frank [17 Colorado], Alice[16 Kansas]. He was 25 years old when first married and she was 21 years old. He is a salesman for a bulding company. They are renting their home for $35.³ 3 April 1940, Alta and her husband Earl were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at 5100 Bancroft Drive, La Mesa, San Diego County, California. Enumerated in this household were Earl E. Preston[55 Kansas], his wife: Alta [53 Ohio], Frank E. [27 Colorada] & daughter: Alice Ruski [26 Kansas - married]. Earl completed the 8th grade Nd the rest completed 4 years of high school. Earl had a building construction business and Frank is a building contractor working with his father.⁴ Alta departed this life on Wednesday, 2 August 1972 at San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California, at age 92 years, 2 months and 18 days. Alta was laid to rest in the Cyprus Hill Moseleum, San Diego, San Diego County, California.