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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01717 2088
GENEALOGY 979.401 AL1B v. 2
PAST AND PRESENT
OF
ALAMEDA COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914
1131898
FRANK K. MOTT
BIOGRAPHICAL
FRANK K. MOTT.
Among the prominent and representative men of Alameda county none stands higher nor possesses a wider circle of friends than Frank K. Mott, the mayor of Oakland. A self-made man who, by his natural leadership, initiative and unswerving principles of honor, has risen from humble station through the several positions of mes- senger boy, clerk, merchant, real-estate dealer, member of city coun- cil and several times mayor of Oakland. In every capacity he has measured up to the highest standards of efficiency and more than satisfied the expectations of his friends and party.
Frank K. Mott was born in San Francisco, January 21, 1866. His parents, Peter D. and Fannie K. Mott were from New York state and settled in San Francisco at an early day. Leaving school at the age of twelve years and working as a messenger boy for the Western Union and American District Telegraph Company, his education was of necessity very limited. However in a year's time he had advanced to the position of clerk and collector for the company, and he remained there for four years, at the end of which time he entered the employ of George S. Brown, a hardware merchant of Oakland.
When he was twenty-two years of age Mr. Mott entered into partnership with A. E. Howard and together they succeeded to a part of the business. This firm continued for eleven years when Mott bought his partner out and became sole proprietor. In Janu- ary, 1907, he sold his mercantile business and founded the well known firm of Frank K. Mott Company, real-estate brokers, whose extensive dealings and manifold improvements have helped so materially toward a greater Oakland.
In the meantime, in 1897, he was appointed to the city council and chairman of the committee on finance by Mayor Pardee, afterward governor of California. In this capacity he served for two years, the last year of which time he was president of the council. In 1899 he was elected on the republican ticket to the council again. Another honor was bestowed upon him in 1905 when he was elected mayor of
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Oakland on the republican ticket, having also received endorsement of the democratic party and the Municipal League. He was elected again in 1907 to succeed himself, being a candidate of all parties. Since then two elections have been held, in 1909 and 1911, and he has been reelected both times.
Mr. Mott is a member of the Nile and Athenian Clubs, and is active in Masonic, Elk, Knights of Pythias, Moose and Native Sons orders. He has also served on the republican state central com- mittee. He is organizer, president and stockholder of the Frank K. Mott Company and several allied corporations. He is director in the Security Bank & Trust Company and was president of the League of California Municipalities.
Mr. Mott was married in 1911 to Mrs. Gertrude Bennett.
HON. CHARLES FREDERICK HORNER.
On the roster of county officials of Alameda county appears the name of Hon. Charles Frederick Horner, who, following a period of efficient and capable service as a member of the board of super- visors, was in 1911 elected county assessor. He is a native son, born in Irvington, Alameda county, November, 1858, his father, the late W. Y. Horner having been one of the well known figures in the pioneer days of California. He came to the Pacific coast around the Horn in 1849 and became prominently identified with the develop- ment of San Francisco in early times, laying out the first addition to the city, which was known as Horner's Addition, and controlling about two hundred and thirteen thousand acres of land in the state.
Charles F. Horner acquired his early education in the public schools and later attended Washington college. Early in his career he became interested in the business of refining sugar and has made a comprehensive study of every branch and department of this industry. He was for many years manager of one of the largest sugar plantations in the Hawaiian islands located at Lahaina, Mani. Starting in with a very modest position at this plantation, he exhibited such business acumen and earned such a reputation for integrity and responsibility that he soon won the confidence of the capitalists who had invested in the enterprise and was steadily promoted, being finally given full supervision of the property. He took an active part in public affairs while a resident of the Hawaiian islands and in 1887
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
and 1888 served as a member of the legislature under the reform movement.
Mr. Horner was elected a member of the board of supervisors of Alameda county in 1900 and served in this capacity for eleven years, his continued reelection to office being the best proof of his acceptability to the people. His tireless efforts and conscientious work in behalf of progress and general improvement, particularly in regard to the betterment of the roads and public highways, soon gained for him an enviable reputation for well directed activity in office.
Improvements along these lines had his particular attention as a member of the board, and it is largely owing to his influence that Alameda county enjoys its excellent system of roads. In addition to this Mr. Horner was a strong advocate for better bridges and suc- ceeded, among other things, in obtaining for the county the modern steel bridge in Niles canyon. As presiding member of the board he always showed a constant courtesy and impartiality to petitioners, to his fellow board members and to the public at large. In August, 19II, after the conviction of Henry P. Dalton, county assessor, the board of supervisors appointed Mr. Horner to fill the vacancy, and he has since served in this office, discharging his duties in his usual prompt and systematic manner.
Mr. Horner is well known in fraternal circles, being a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the Order of Elks, the Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, the Knights of Pythias, the Native Sons of the Golden West and the Druids. He holds membership also in the Nile Club of Oakland. He is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, a business man of unusual insight and ability and a conscien- tious and capable official, and he holds the confidence and good-will of all who are in any way associated with him.
PERRY A. HAVILAND.
One of the most valued and representative citizens of Oakland is Perry A. Haviland, well known in official circles in Alameda county from his many years of continuous service in the department of engineering with which he is still connected as county surveyor. He was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, September 8, 1865, and there acquired a public-school education, later entering the Iowa State University where he took a thorough engineering course. After
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
finishing his studies at the university he was tendered a position with the Union Pacific Railway Company in the engineering department and after several years' satisfactory service with them came to Cali- fornia. He established a private engineering office in San Luis Obispo and for two years did work of various kinds in line with his profession, serving as consulting engineer, draftsman, and in similar capacities. Following this he came to Oakland, where he took up his residence. At about this time he accepted a position in the city engineer's office, where he remained for several years.
Mr. Haviland has been connected with the department of engineering in various capacities in Alameda county for the past eighteen years. As county surveyor he has conducted the work of his office in a businesslike and systematic manner, and the public is to be congratulated in securing the services of a man of his broad experience, integrity and unquestioned ability in the engineering department of the county. He is uniformly courteous and prompt in his business transactions and in his dealing with his associates and office staff. The best proof of his popularity is the fact that he has, for two elections, received the indorsement of both the republican and democratic parties and at the last election was nominated by the republican, democratic and union labor parties. Mr. Haviland has recently had supervision of some very important public work. The county boulevard, which was planned by him, is widely known as one of the finest works of its kind in the state.
Mr. Haviland's marriage to Miss Anna Knight of San Francisco, who comes from a prominent English family, took place in that city in 1895. There are two children in the family, Marian, a daughter of eighteen and a son Carlton, aged fourteen.
Mr. Haviland has had to make his own way in the world and is what is generally called a self-made man. During his long resi- dence in Oakland he has become well liked in both his social and business intercourse and has many firm friends throughout the county.
ALAMEDA COUNTY ABSTRACT COMPANY.
The Alameda County Abstract Company, one of the leading busi- ness concerns of its kind in this part of California, was established in 1878, Wright and Lynch being the founders and owners. After a few years the concern was purchased by William Grier, who con- ducted it until 1901, when John McCarthy became the owner. Since
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
that time he has been associated with W. H. Waste in the conduct of this enterprise, Mr. McCarthy being its president and Mr. Waste vice president. Under its present management the business has had a remarkable growth and is now the leading abstract company in Alameda county. When Mr. McCarthy assumed control in 1901 about fifty orders a month were received by the house. The monthly average today is five hundred and fifty orders and the entire business has expanded proportionately. The Alameda County Abstract Com- pany purchased the plant of the Oakland Title & Abstract Company two years ago and is the only company in the county that has a com- plete title plant which enables it to do thorough and reliable work. The concern is well managed along progressive and modern lines and is a valuable contribution to the business resources of the city and county.
John McCarthy, president of the Alameda County Abstract Com- pany, came to Berkeley in 1873, later removing to Oakland, where he now resides, honored and respected by all who know him. He has been in the abstract business for eighteen years and understands it in principle and detail, his experience and knowledge being salient ele- ments in his success. He has always taken an active interest in com- munity affairs, being in hearty sympathy with all movements to advance the permanent interests of the city. He has won a wide circle of friends, who hold him in the highest estimation for the many sterling traits of character which he has evidenced in many ways. throughout his long career as a citizen of Alameda county.
JAMES B. BARBER.
The worth and fidelity of James B. Barber in positions of public trust is evidenced by the fact that since 1888 he has been continuously in public office and since 1894 has served by reelection as tax collector of Alameda county. He was born in Marysville, this state, Novem- ber 9, 1850, and is a son of Arthur S. and Elmira (Burton) Barber, who came to Alameda, Alameda county, in 1853. In that city James B. Barber was reared and educated, attending public school until he was fifteen years of age at which time he laid aside his books and began his business career, working as a clerk in his father's grocery store and continuing there until he was twenty years of age. Being ambitious for a broader field of activity he learned telegraphy and was afterward for three years and a half in the employ of the Southern
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Pacific Railroad as operator, proving conscientious, prompt and able in the discharge of his duties. He resigned this position in order to go into business for himself, turning his attention to dealing in wood and coal in Alameda and building up a large and profitable enter- prise along this line, a liberal patronage being accorded him in recog- nition of his upright and honorable business methods and his earnest desire to please his patrons.
Mr. Barber sold out his business interests at the end of three years and came to Oakland, accepting the appointment of deputy county tax collector, a position which he filled so ably and efficiently that in 1888 he was elected tax collector of Alameda county. He served two years and at the end of his term was elected city treasurer of Alameda, an office which he held until 1894. In the latter year he was again elected county tax collector, and he has served continuously since that time, his excellent record proving his business ability, fore- sight and discrimination.
In Alameda on the 25th of December, 1878, Mr. Barber married Miss Anna M. Cook, and both are well known in the city where they make their home as people of genuine personal worth and many fine qualities of mind and character. Mr. Barber is prominent in fra- ternal circles, being past master of Oak Grove Lodge, No. 215, F. and A. M., past president of Halcyon Parlor, Native Sons of Alameda and past chancellor of Alameda Lodge, No. 49, K. P. He belongs .also to the Order of the Eastern Star and is a member of the Unitarian club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and he has always been stanch in his support of its principles and policies, upholding them both as a private citizen and as a public official. In the city where he has resided since the beginning of his public career, he is well known and deservedly popular, commanding the respect, esteem and confidence of all with whom he is in any way associated.
HON. JOSEPH R. KNOWLAND.
Hon. Joseph R. Knowland is the present representative of his district to the sixty-third United States congress, having been elected to that office by virtue of his previous excellent work in various fields of public service. He is, morcover, numbered among the distin- guished citizens of California because of the prominence he has attained in promoting the permanent interests of the state along all lines and by reason of the extent and importance of his business con-
HON. JOSEPH R. KNOWLAND
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
nections. He is identified with industrial, commercial and financial enterprises, the successful conduct of which indicates his keen sagacity and unfaltering enterprise.
Mr. Knowland was born in Alameda, August 5, 1873, and is a representative of a well known pioneer family of this state. His father, Joseph Knowland, settled in California in the early days and was one of the most prominent and successful business men of Ala- meda county, being one of the leading lumbermen of the Pacific coast.
Following the completion of a public-school education Joseph R. Knowland attended Hopkins Academy and the University of the Pacific, after which he became associated with his father in the lumber industry and in the latter's various shipping interests. He began at the bottom and rose steadily, learning the business in prin- ciple and detail and becoming soon a valuable assistant to his father.
Later, however, he turned his attention to public affairs and here found his chosen field of work, for he early manifested ability as a politician and an intelligent interest in matters of community develop- ment. He was only twenty-five years of age when he was elected to the assembly from the forty-seventh district by a majority of fifteen hundred votes and he served with credit and ability both at the regular session of 1899 and the extra session of 1900, during which he was chairman of the committee on commerce and navigation. So acceptable was his work to the people of his district that in 1900 he was reelected by a majority of two thousand and during his term of service was appointed chairman of a special committee to investigate the police department of San Francisco. As a result of disclosures made in the course of this investigation Mr. Knowland introduced legislation, now on the statute books, prohibiting Chinese slave girl traffic in San Francisco.
In 1902 Mr. Knowland was elected to the state senate from the fourteenth district by a majority of twenty-eight hundred votes and he served in an efficient and capable manner as chairman of the com- mittee on banking. During his entire legislative career he was identi- fied with all movements calculated to improve public morals and elevate the standard of citizenship and his courage and integrity as well as his ability led to his nomination in 1904 to fill out the unex- pired term in the fifty-eighth congress of Hon. Victor H. Metcalf, who had been appointed secretary of commerce and labor. His elec- tion to the fifty-ninth congress followed by a plurality of seventeen thousand, three hundred and eighty-four votes and he was later reelected to the sixtieth congress and again to the sixty-third, being
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
now a member of the house. His continued return to office speaks eloquently of his services for the state and is a tribute to his integrity, intelligence and public spirit. As a member of the committee on interstate and foreign commerce Mr. Knowland has taken an active interest in legislation connected with the Panama canal and he led the fight on the floor of the house for free tolls for American ships on the coastwise trade. He has at all times favored movements which would allow the United States to get the fullest possible benefit from the canal, voting in favor of a provision in the Panama canal bill pre- venting railroads owning or controlling steamships from operating through the canal, where they compete with railroad lines in traffic. Never being content without exact and comprehensive knowledge of the subject on which he is working, Mr. Knowland made four trips to the canal during its construction, has studied methods and condi- tions there and can speak with authority on everything connected with its building and use. Among other important legislation with which he has been connected was the bill to suppress the white slave traffic and it was he who recently introduced bills to enlarge the pro- vision of the present act relating to this. In the natural course of advancement he is now a candidate for the senate. He is of the con- scientious type of public men, ever holding to his ideals and principles without swerving. He is not only a patriotic American but an ultra loyal Californian, with an intimate knowledge of the state's needs.
Mr. Knowland has had extensive and important business affilia- tions, being president and a director of the Gardiner Mill Company; a director in the Kennedy Mine & Milling Company; a member of the Gas Consumers Association of the United States; and a director in the Alameda National Bank and the Union Savings Bank of Oak- land. He is thoroughly alive to the interests of the city and com- munity and can always be counted upon to further any plan for their material development.
Mr. Knowland married Miss Ella Fife and of the children born to them two are still living. Mrs. Knowland passed away in July, 1908, and her death was sincerely mourned by a wide circle of friends in Oakland, to whom her culture and refinement as well as her many excellent qualities of character had greatly endeared her.
Mr. Knowland is well known in various fraternal organizations, being a life member of the Masonic body ; past master of Oak Grove Lodge, No. 215, F. & A. M .; Alameda chapter, Oakland com- mandery, Oakland consistory and Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belongs to the Elks and the Woodmen and for eight years served as grand officer of the Native Sons of the Golden West, of
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
which he is now past grand president. Early in his career Mr. Knowland became interested in the preservation of the landmarks, relics and other mementos of the early history of California and ardently participated in movements for the restoration of the old missions and other structures of the pioneer period. He delivered illustrated lectures in over twenty states on this subject and con- tributed greatly toward raising public sentiment to the necessity of preserving the landmarks of the first European occupation on these shores. He is now president of the California Landmarks League. His interests are varied and all along lines of progress and improve- ment. He is a broad-minded man who places a correct valuation upon life, its opportunities and its privileges, and in the course of a useful and honorable career has wrought along lines of the greatest good to the greatest number, his activities in various fields proving of great benefit to the community at large. He stands today among the most honored and eminent residents of Alameda county.
JUDGE E. M. GIBSON.
The life of Judge E. M. Gibson of Oakland has been so varied in its activities, so high in its purposes and so far-reaching in its effects, that it is difficult to state which of its phases has been most directly beneficial, for at different periods he has proved himself a patriot, jurist, statesman, philosopher and philanthropist, and at all times an honorable and worthy man and a loyal citizen. During a period of connection with the legal profession in Oakland dating from 1874, he has risen to a place of honor and distinction in this field, but it does not by any means limit the scope of his interests which extend to every phase of municipal development or public growth.
Judge Gibson is a native of Indiana, and was born on a farm in Hamilton county on the 13th of June, 1842. He is a representative of one of the oldest southern families, the members of which have been prominent in North Carolina for many generations. He is descended from Quaker lineage. From North Carolina his paternal grandfather, Thomas Gibson, was a volunteer soldier in the con- tinental army of the Revolutionary war, rendering distinguished service as a cavalryman. After receiving an honorable discharge he made his home in that state until his death. He wedded a Miss Crothers and their son, George Gibson, father of the subject of this
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
review, was born in North Carolina and went to Indiana as one of the early pioneers of the latter state. George Gibson married Mary Winslow, daughter of Eleazer Winslow, a descendant of an old Massachusetts family of Winslows, one of whom was at one time governor of that state. The Winslows were Quakers for generations and left their native Massachusetts to become residents of the south. Judge Gibson's great-grandfather Winslow, was a sea captain of Nantucket, Massachusetts, sailing the high seas in his own ship for many years. When he retired because of approaching old age he purchased a large tract of land in North Carolina where he estab- lished his home, and the family became prominent among the wealthy and aristocratic people of that locality. The Winslow family were intimately related with the Stantons, also Quakers of North Caro- lina, Elizabeth Stanton being the maternal grandmother of our sub- ject and Edwin M. Stanton, who was secretary of war under Lincoln, was a member of the same family.
Judge Gibson acquired his early education in the crude log school- house, so representative of that early day, in his native county, which was supplemented by a course at a Quaker seminary. Upon the out- break of the Civil war, being a patriotic lad, he enlisted in Company A, Nineteenth Indiana (Volunteer) Infantry, under Colonel Sol Meredith, and went with his company into camp in Indianapolis. From there it was sent to Washington, D. C., and later to Arlington Heights, Virginia, where Judge Gibson served under General George B. McClellan. He saw a great deal of active service, participating in many of the most important engagements of the war, including the battles of Gainesville, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He . was with General Pope's army on its retreat from the Rapidan to Washington when it was under fire much of the time for twenty-one consecutive days. During that retreat Pope's army fought the battles of Gainesville, Second Bull Run and Chantilly.
After the battle of Antietam General Burnside was placed in com- mand of the army of the Potomac and fought the battle of Fredericks- burg. For excellent conduct in that battle young Gibson was pro- moted from the ranks to the position of sergeant. His service at Gettysburg was as a member of the famous Iron Brigade, the first infantry on the field of that great battle. Late in the afternoon in a desperate charge made by the enemy he was badly wounded, taken prisoner and was left four days and nights on the field before being taken to a hospital. When he had recovered sufficiently to be moved he was taken to Philadelphia, whence in December he was sent to
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