Purdy, Carl–(1861-1945)–Ukiah, California–established his nursery in 1879.  He specialized in California natives.  He started collecting native seeds, bulbs and plants in about 1875 when he was only in his teens, for a nurseryman in the eastern United States.  He traveled widely as a collector and was a school teacher for a while.  In 1903 collecting native bulbs was his principal work.  His first catalog was published in 1896. He also did landscaping in the San Francisco Bay area.  He was especially interested in native lilies and collaborated with L. H. Bailey in writing on California bulbs for the Cyclopedia of American Horticulture.  His grandson, Carl Mahurin wrote a biography of Purdy in 1941 for the Journal of the California Horticultural Society.  He died on August 8, 1945 at 84 years.  His children, Mary Purdy Robinson, Mabel Purdy Mahurin, and Elmer C. Purdy, carried on the business with his son as manager starting in 1925.  The business was called Carl Purdy Gardens after his death.
Sources:  CHSJ-Oct. 1941; CHSJ-Jul. 1961; CHSJ-Jan. 1968