Mary Ann Thomas was a covered wagon baby. She was born near Angels Camp, Calaveras County on October 16, 1856. The wagon team had started from Arkansas heading to California in the middle of April 1856 with Captain Mat Sewell. The wagon crossed the boundary of California at sundown and Mary Thomas was born the next morning
James Rawlings True and Mary Ann Thomas were married circa 1876 in Yuba City, CA. James and his brother Isaac hauled freight first in Nevada then out of Sacramento, CA. In 1869 James left Sacramento and settled in Sutter County where he was involved in agriculture. After marrying Mary Ann they moved to Santa Rosa and then finally settled in Santa Cruz. Per their great grandson Otto they purchased the 303 Ocean View Avenue property from Martha Pilkington Wilson. The 1880 and 1900 census reports showed his occupation as a farmer but there is no information on where he farmed in Santa Cruz County. In 1899 they purchased a 2,700 acre ranch in Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA.
Trella Luene True was born in 1889 in the house on Ocean View in Santa Cruz. She married Otto William Jensen 17 June 1914 in Santa Cruz. Trella worked as a milliner, hat maker, for Lulu Carpenter. She was also a book keeper. Otto was a carriage maker and an automobile dealer. Trella died 15 March 1976 while there is no confirming information it is possible she died in the Ocean View home.
Truella Louisie Jensen was born 20 March 1915 in Santa Cruz, CA most likely in the house on Ocean View. She married Virgil Victor Lund 14 October 1945 in Santa Cruz. Truella was the first female police officer for the city of Santa Cruz from 1944 to 1948. Per her son Otto she joined the police force when the opportunity arose during World War II. After leaving the police force she then became a social worker. Virgil was a mechanic for Lone Star Industires. Truella died 25 October 2008 in Santa Cruz. She died in the same house she was born, 303 Ocean View Avenue.
