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HISTORY
of
Alameda County CALIFORNIA
VOLUME II Illustrated
CHICAGO, ILL. THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1928
X 979.465 M 5532 285569
FRANK OTIS
BIOGRAPHICAL
FRANK OTIS
In many respects one of the most distinguished citizens of the East Bay district is Frank Otis, who has held the office of mayor of Alameda continuously since 1919, and whose record of public activities has made him one of the most favorably known men in this section of the state, while in the profession of law he has long been regarded as the peer of any of the members of the Alameda county bar. Mr. Otis was born in San Francisco on the 18th day of November, 1852, and is a son of Stephen and Harriet (Dennett) Otis, who were pioneers of California, he having made the long journey around Cape Horn and she by way of Panama. He was reared in San Francisco, attending the grade and high schools, and then became a member of the first freshman class to enter the University of California under that institution's state charter. He was graduated, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1873, in the first class graduated from the present university campus, receiving the university gold medal awarded for the highest scholarship. Subse- quently in 1876 the Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him. He then turned his attention to the law, studying under the preceptorship of Judge Selden S. Wright, and later of Edwin B. Mastick. Mr. Otis was admitted to the bar in Sacramento, April 11, 1876, and became associated with the law firm of E. B. & J. W. Mastick. From that time until 1919 Mr. Otis was associated with various lawyers, but from that date has been alone in the practice. Possessing a keen and analytical mind, he has always been painstaking and thorough in the preparation of his cases and in the trial of causes has proven skillful and resourceful, while as an office counselor he has long been regarded as a sound and dependable advisor.
In 1880 Mr. Otis was united in marriage to Miss Lucretia Lockwood Mastick, a daughter of his early associate, Edwin B. Mastick, and two sons born to this union are now living, namely, Edwin M., an attorney residing in Alameda and a former state senator, and Stephen F., an attorney in Sacramento. Mr. Otis began his public career as a member of the city board of education in 1899, serving eight years, during six of which he was president of the board. He was elected near the end of 1906 to the state assembly, representing Alameda county from 1907 to 1911.
While a member of the assembly, he sponsored in 1909 the well known anti- race-track gambling bill which closed for gambling purposes the race-tracks of California. He likewise was the author of the certified milk bill which initiated the procurement of pure milk by the people of this state.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
He was mayor of Alameda from 1913 to 1915, and was a member of the board of freeholders, also presiding over a later board which prepared the city manager charter for Alameda. In 1917 Mr. Otis was elected a member of the city council, serving in that capacity until 1919, when he was chosen mayor, and is now the incumbent of that position. During all the years of his residence here he has evinced the keenest interest in the welfare of his community, lending his efforts and his influence to its advancement and betterment along civic and moral lines. During the world war he worked actively in the furtherance of the various war measures. He headed the executive committee on all of the Liberty Loan drives in Alameda, each one of which exceeded the apportionment, and was an effective four-minute speaker. Mr. Otis is a member of the Society of California Pioneers, the Commonwealth Club, the San Francisco Commercial Club, the Sierra Club, has served as head of the Unitarian Club of America and as a director of the Olympic Club and the Mercantile Association of San Francisco. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Sons of the American Revolution, and is one of the charter members of the California Alpha of Phi Delta Theta, belonging also to the Golden Bear Society and the Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Otis has traveled widely, having visited practically all of the larger cities of the world, and in 1889-90 made a memorable trip of one hundred and thirty days on a clipper ship from San Francisco around Cape Horn to Liverpool. He is a man of vigorous and alert mentality, is remarkably well preserved physically, and, though advanced in years, is still young in his interests. His has been an active and useful life and no citizen of his community commands to a greater degree the confidence and esteem of the people.
THOMAS CARROLL
The oldest citizen of the Fruitvale district of Oakland in point of years of resi- dence is Thomas Carroll, who for three decades has rendered efficient and satisfac- tory service as constable of Brooklyn township, his record as a man and citizen win- ning for him a high place in public esteem. Mr. Carroll was born in Wisconsin on the 25th of December, .1853, and is a son of Wesley and Margaret (Mitchell) Car- roll. His father crossed the plains to California in 1856, and settled at Fruitvale, where he bought two hundred and fifty acres of land. He engaged in mining for a time, but spent the greater part of his life on his Fruitvale ranch. He engaged in raising horses and in farming and was successful in his affairs. He was a typical pioneer of his day, having passed through all the experiences common to frontiers- men, including warfare with the Indians. The old Carroll mansion at Fruitvale was the first two-story house built in this locality.
Thomas Carroll attended the first public school built in Fruitvale and from boy- hood assisted his father in the management and operation of the home place. A real pioneer, strong in body and alert mentally, he took upon himself his full share of the work and also enjoyed the sports of the community. From young manhood he showed considerable athletic prowess, possessing a splendid physique, and in the course of time gained national repute for his achievements. At one time he held
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
the world's record as a weight thrower and in the contests at the Philadelphia Cen- tennial Exposition took third place as a strong man. As an international athlete, he visited England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and other foreign countries, where his performances excited much interest. Today, though seventy-five years old, Mr. Carroll is still erect in carriage and active in his movements, retaining his physical vigor to a remarkable degree.
For ten years Mr. Carroll conducted a large dairy here and met with fair suc- cess, but during the past thirty years he filled the position of constable of Brooklyn township, which is undoubtedly a record period of service for a peace officer in this state. He has faithfully and capably performed his duties and has at all times commanded the respect of his fellowmen.
Mr. Carroll married Miss Minnie Dean, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who is now deceased. To them were born three children, Thomas Duncan, a well known evangelist, Wallace and Harry Mitchell. Mr. Carroll is a great lover of outdoor life and enjoys an occasional hunting trip. He has a "den" and curio shop on two and a half acres of the old home place, in which he keeps a collection of pistols and rifles used in former days, some of them having been used several generations ago, and he is justly proud of this collection, which possesses considerable value, as well as interest. Mr. Carroll is quiet and unobtrusive in manner but possesses a strong character, and among his acquaintances is held in high regard.
JOSEPH THIELE
Joseph Thiele, who is conducting a successful poultry farm near Hayward, deserves great credit for what he has accomplished here, his success being due entirely to his determined and tireless efforts along scientific lines. Mr. Thiele was born in Bohemia on the 27th of April, 1894, and when about ten years of age accompanied his parents to San Francisco, California, where he attended the gram- mar schools. He was then apprenticed to learn the trade of a coppersmith in the plant of August Shafer, at Sixth and Briant streets. Later he went to San Bruno, San Mateo county, where he worked as a cowboy on the Jersey farm, afterwards entering the employ of Miller & Lux, for whom he rode the range on their ranch at Los Banos, Merced county. Later he rode the ranges in Nevada and Oregon and on his return to California worked on the Spreckels ranch at Soledad, Mon- terey county, where he served as field boss for three years. Going then to Taft, Kern county, he worked for the Standard Oil Company, and was later with the same company at Coalinga, Fresno county. In 1920 he bought his present place in the hills back of Hayward, where he has developed a fine poultry farm. He keeps White Leghorn chickens, brooding and raising about twelve thousand a year. He sells the pullets when three months old and, all being pure bred stock, he receives a dollar each for them. He has two thousand laying hens and at times has had eight thousand chicks one week old. He thoroughly understands his work and is meeting with well merited prosperity.
Mr. Thiele was married to Miss Eleanor Cummings, a native daughter of San Francisco, and they have two children, Claire and Harold. Mr. Thiele is a member
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
of all branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and belongs to the Hayward Poultry Breeders Association and the Alameda County Farm Bureau. He displays a high type of business ability in his affairs, is scrupulously honest in all of his relations and among his acquaintances commands confidence and respect.
JOHN METZLER CARR
John M. Carr, who, after a long and active career, has now retired from busi- ness, is one of the earliest pioneers of the Fruitvale district of Oakland and has been an interested spectator of the wonderful development of that locality. He was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, January 13, 1852, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (McCully) Carr, the former of whom was a native of Scotland. Both parents have long since passed away.
John M. Carr left home at the tender age of eight years, since which time he has made his own way in the world. In early life he attended school and learned the trade of a blacksmith. When twenty-two years old he went to Boston, Massachu- setts, in which city he resided five years, and in 1874 came to the Pacific coast, locating first in San Francisco. Two years later he went to Menlo Park, this state, and after two years there he came to Oakland, locating in what is known as Fruit- vale, where he engaged in the dairy business. At that time he pastured his cattle where now stands the solidly built business district of that place and on the site of many of the finest residences. He continued in the dairy business for forty years, enjoying a large patronage, for he sold good milk and gave prompt and efficient service, and met with a very gratifying financial success. He has now retired and makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Saunders.
Mr. Carr was united in marriage to Miss Alice Maude O'Brien, also a native of Nova Scotia, who died in December, 1916, at the age of fifty-four years. To them were born four children: Mrs. Lottie Saunders; Roy A., who died when twenty years old; Alfred J., who lives in Moraga Valley; and Greta, the wife of August Cramm, a civil engineer for the Western Pacific Railroad. There are also seven grandchildren.
Mr. Carr gives his political support to the republican party. Despite his age he is still very active and devotes his attention to the management of his property interests, having made good investments in his section of the city. A man of kindly and hospitable nature, he is widely known and throughout the range of his acquaint- ance he is held in the very highest esteem.
JOHN T. STANTON
John T. Stanton has long been a prominent figure in ranching and business circles of the Castro valley and is now holding the office of deputy county assessor of Eden township. He is a man of sound judgment in practical affairs and has shown himself well worthy of the confidence of his fellowmen.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Mr. Stanton was born in San Jose, California, on the 21st of May, 1871, and is a son of Michael and Mary (O'Donnell) Stanton, both of whom were natives of Ireland. His father came to the United States in young manhood and became a member of the firm of Strowbridge, Stanton & Harris, railroad contractors. He was successful in his business affairs and bought five hundred acres of land, located on the Castro Valley highway, at Castro Valley, and lived there during the remain- der of his life. He made many substantial improvements on the place. He died in 1881 at the age of fifty-two years. His wife came to this country in young woman- hood, and their marriage took place at San Jose. Mr. Stanton was a democrat in his political views and served as a member of the board of school trustees.
John T. Stanton spent his boyhood on his father's ranch and secured his educa- tional training in the public schools and Hayward Academy. Thereafter he gave his attention to the management of the ranch, which was later subdivided and the greater part of it sold. In 1904 he embarked in the real estate business in Hay- ward, in which he was successful, handling a large amount of town and country property. He has also given some attention to chicken raising on his home place, which business he has found to be a profitable enterprise, and in all of his affairs has exercised excellent judgment.
In 1905 Mr. Stanton was united in marriage to Miss Anita L. Gowen, who was born and reared in San Jose, California, a daughter of N. H. and Dora (Campbell) Gowen, who were numbered among the first settlers in that locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Stanton has been born a daughter, Anita M.
Mr. Stanton gives his support to the republican party and has always evinced a deep interest in local public affairs. About ten years ago he was appointed and rendered effective service as inspector of highways and on November 25, 1926, was appointed deputy assessor of Eden township, in which position he is still serving. He is clerk of the school board and is active in Boy Scout work and is a commis- sioner of the newly formed Castro Valley fire protection district and was one of the organizers of the Castro Valley Improvement Club. He is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West and the Woodmen of the World. His career has been characterized by a strict observance of the highest business ethics, and in all of his relations with his fellowmen he has been honorable and square, for which reason he today commands the unqualified respect of all who know him and is regarded as one of his community's reliable citizens.
PETER CRESTETTO
To Peter Crestetto is due the inauguration of the salami manufacturing industry in Oakland, and the success which has crowned his efforts is the direct result of his energy, persistence and good business judgment. A native of Italy, born on the 8th of September, 1881, he is a son of Dominico and Mary Crestetto. His father had come to California during the days of the historic gold rush, in which he met with fair success, and then returned to Italy, where he engaged in the lumber busi- ness, later turning his attention to farming.
Peter Crestetto received a good education in the public schools of his native
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
land and learned the trade of butchering. When twenty-three years of age, he came to the United States, locating in San Francisco, California, where he worked for his brother, remaining in that city until the earthquake of 1906, when he came to Oakland and, with the small capital which he possessed, started the first salami factory in this city. His first week's production was about fifty pounds, but he found ready sale for his product, which has steadily increased in volume until now the factory is producing fourteen thousand pounds a week. The California Salami Factory, under which name the business is conducted, is a partnership concern, Mr. Crestetto being the senior member of the firm. They employ eleven persons in the factory, which is sanitary in every respect and is equipped with modern ma- chinery.
Mr. Crestetto was united in marriage to Miss Esther Viclio, who was born and reared in this state and whose father, E. Viclio, was one of the early and prominent bakers of San Francisco, where he was in business for many years. Immediately following the earthquake and fire in San Francisco in 1906 he furnished bread free to the victims of the disaster, for which generous act he was commended by the United States government. Mr. and Mrs. Crestetto have two children, Ernestine and Norma. Mr. Crestetto gives his political support to the republican party, while fraternally he is a member of a Masonic Lodge in San Francisco and a life mem- ber of Oakland Consistory, A. A. S. R., and Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belongs to the Foresters of America. Since coming to Oakland, he has manifested helpful interest in the welfare of the community, cooperating in all movements for the advancement and progress of the city, and, because of his business success and his sterling qualities of character, he commands the uniform respect of his fellowmen.
DAN MARSHALL
Dan Marshall, who has for a number of years owned and operated the Foothill Service Station, at Estudillo avenue and Foothill boulevard, San Leandro, is one of the best known and most popular residents of Alameda county and, because of his progressive methods and square dealing, has built up a large and prosperous business.
Mr. Marshall was born in San Lorenzo, this county, on the 5th of October, 1877, and is a son of Joseph and Mary Anna Marshall, both of whom were born in the Azores islands. On coming to this country, they first located in the east, where they were married, but they came to California at an early day, settling in San Leandro during the pioneer history of that place. There they spent their remaining years, the mother dying when seventy years of age and the father at the remarkable age of one hundred and two years.
Dan Marshall spent his boyhood under the paternal roof and secured his educa- tion in the public schools. Since attaining mature years he has always been in business for himself, excepting for a period of five years when he was employed as foreman in the yards of the Best Tractor Company at San Leandro. He engaged in the grocery business at Fruitvale for several years, after which he turned his
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
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efforts to the wholesale fruit and vegetable commission business, with headquarters at 1027 Harris street, Oakland. While in that business he formed a wide acquaint- ance with the fruit raisers, gardeners and farmers all over the county, an acquaint- ance which in later years has been greatly to his advantage, as many of the patrons of his present establishment come far out of their way in order to give him their business. The Foothill Service Station, which now requires his entire time and attention, has proven a very successful enterprise, due to the painstaking care which he gives to the wants of his customers. He carries Standard, Richfield and Shell oil and gas, gives free crank-case service, carries a large line of tires, tubes and accessories, and in connection with the station operates a neat and well equipped refreshment stand for the convenience of the traveling public. Courteous, pleasant and accommodating, Mr. Marshall has made many warm friends among his patrons, and his business is showing a steady and satisfactory increase.
In 1910, at San Leandro, Mr. Marshall was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Matoza, a member of one of San Leandro's early families, and they are the parents of four children, Evelyn, Harold, William and Elsie.
Mr. Marshall is a member of the I. D. E. S. He stands for all those things which tend to better living conditions and advance the public welfare and is regarded as one of the up-to-date and public-spirited citizens of his section of the county, well worthy of the confidence and respect which are accorded him by his fellowmen.
THOMAS H. LLOYD
The life history of Thomas H. Lloyd, of Oakland, presents a record of early years of hard labor and determined efforts, eventually crowned with a gratifying measure of success, and now, as secretary of the Oakland Garage, Inc., he stands among the leading business men of this city. Mr. Lloyd was born in Wales, Sep- tember 11, 1887, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Roberts) Lloyd. In 1888, when he was about a year old, the family came to the United States, locating in Oakland, where the father's death occurred soon afterwards. His mother is still living in this city.
Thomas H. Lloyd was given the advantage of a good public school education, graduating from the Polytechnic high school in 1904, after which he worked at various occupations. As a blacksmith's helper he worked fourteen hours a day for two years. He then worked in an automobile shop, where he became familiar with automobile mechanics and repairing. Leaving that place, he entered his brother's harness shop, where he spent about six months, after which he went to Honolulu. On his return to Oakland, he went to work in the Imperial garage, with which he was connected until 1916, when he joined his brother, John E., and established a small garage at 1425 Alice street. Here they had a hard time getting things started, but, with a firm belief in their ultimate success, they stuck to it and their faith has been abundantly rewarded, as is evidenced by the extensive business which they now command in one of the finest garage buildings in this part of the state. The business is incorporated as the Oakland Garage, with John E. Lloyd as president and Thomas H. Lloyd as secretary. They display sound judgment in all of their
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111STORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
affairs and have well earned the prosperity which is now theirs. In 1923 H. C. Broderick became a member of the firm.
Mr. Lloyd was united in marriage to Miss Lois B. Wilson, of Cleveland, Ohio, and they are the parents of a son, David Wilson. Mr. Lloyd gives his political support to the republican party, while fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is governor of the Optimist Club and a member of the Oak Knoll Golf Club. He is a strong and persistent booster for Oakland, supports every measure for the promotion of the city's best interests along material, civic or moral lines, and commands to a marked degree the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen.
MELVIN C. CHAPMAN
The consensus of public opinion places Melvin C. Chapman as one of the most distinguished citizens of Oakland, where he has resided for more than a half century, during forty-five years of which he has been engaged in the practice of law. That he is one of the most eminent members of the California bar is in- dicated in the high opinion entertained for him by his fellow members of the profession who for the past eighteen years have honored him with the presidency of the Alameda County Bar Association. Mr. Chapman comes to the Pacific coast from Illinois, his birth having occurred in Westfield, Bureau county, that state, on the 5th of September, 1850. In the paternal line he traces his ancestry back to Robert Chapman, a native of England, who came to the colonies in 1637 and was one of the original settlers of Saybrook, Connecticut, occupying a home there that is still in the possession of his descendants. Members of the family parti- cipated in the war of the Revolution, the War of 1812 and in the Civil war. The parents of Melvin C. Chapman were Charles de Grasse and Cynthia (Palmer) Chapman, the latter, like her husband, being a representative of a family long established in this country.
Melvin C. Chapman was but five years of age when in 1855 his parents removed from Westfield, Illinois, to Chicago, where he acquired his preliminary education in the public schools, while later he entered Onorga Seminary and was graduated in 1868. A year later he arrived in California and soon afterward established a real estate business in San Francisco, where he remained until 1876, when he came to Oakland. For five years thereafter he continued in the real estate busi- ness in this city and then disposed of his interests along that line in order to take up the study of law. Following his admission to the bar he formed a partner- ship with Roscoe Havens, but after eight months this association was discon- tinued and Mr. Chapman practiced alone until June, 1910, when he was joined by E. E. Trefethen in a partnership that has since been maintained. They have offices in the Oakland Bank building and are accorded an extensive clientele. For a half century Mr. Chapman has been a representative of the Oakland bar, honored by reason of his capability and his close conformity to the highest ethical standards of the profession. He has always prepared his cases with great thoroughness and care, is clear in his reasoning, logical in his deductions and forceful in the presen-
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