USA > California > A history of the new California, its resources and people; Vol I > Part 38
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HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
JOHN LACKMANN.
Much has been written concerning corruption in public office, and while there are instances of this, much to be lamented, it is the exception and not the rule. Abraham Lincoln said "You can fool all the people some of the time, some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." This truth is especially manifest in politics and as long as the attainment of public office depends upon popular suffrage so long is trust to be placed in the common sense of the American people, who will not retain in the public service those whom they have no reason to trust. There is in the history of San Francisco county no record more clean and commendable than is that of John Lackmann, who is now serving as sheriff and who in former years and in other offices discharged his public duties with such fidelity and promptness that he won the unqualified trust and confidence of the entire public. At the three last elections held in this county he has re- ceived the largest vote given any candidate on the Republican ticket-a fact which indicates an unblemished official career and the warm regard and friendship entertained for him throughout the community.
Mr. Lackmann is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in the fatherland on the 27th of February, 1863. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth Lackmann, both natives of Germany and the former a farmer by occupation. In the family were five sons and two daughters: Frederick, deceased : John ; Henry : Herman; Ernest: Elizabeth, the wife of H. Rippe ; and Annie, the wife of F. Rippe.
John Lackmann was a student in the public schools of Hanover, Ger- many, between the ages of six and fourteen years. He then put aside his text-books and has since been dependent upon his own resources for a liv- ing. He came to America in 1878, when fifteen years of age. landing in San Francisco on the first of September of that year. Soon he secured a clerkship in a grocery store, where he worked industriously and energetical- ly. His fidelity won him promotion, and saving his earnings he was in 1885 enabled to embark in business on his own account and opened a grocery store, which he conducted with success until 1900, when he disposed of his stock.
In the meantime Mr. Lackmann had become deeply interested in politi- cal affairs, having for fifteen years been a recognized leader in the local ranks of the Republican party in San Francisco. He was frequently chosen a delegate to the city, county and state conventions of his party, where his opinions carried weight. He was first called to public office in 1896, when elected to the position of supervisor for a term of two years. He discharged his duties with such capability that in 1898 he was re-elected, receiving the endorsement of all the people. He had served for one year when the new city charter went into effect, and he was then elected sheriff of the county in 1899 for a term of two years. Again his fidelity in the discharge of duties won him re-election. At the last three elections since 1898 he has headed his ticket with the largest number of votes. In 1900 in a Democratic year he was elected sheriff by over eight hundred majority, his majority being as
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great as that given to all the rest of the Republicans together, yet his com- petitor was an old-time Democrat, who was held in high esteem by the peo- ple. He believes in conducting his office upon an economic basis and to show no favoritism. He discharges his duties in a most conscientious man- ner and is prominently spoken of for re-election.
In April, 1891, Mr. Lackmann was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Schortemeier, a native of San Francisco, and a daughter of Henry H. and Mary Schortemeier, who were early pioneer residents of California. Mr. and Mrs. Lackmann now have one daughter, Mary, who is attending the public schools. He is a well known Mason, belonging to the Knight Templar commandery and to the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the A. of F. Throughout his entire life he has followed the ancient maxim of " Honesty is the best policy," and this characterizes his official as well as his business career. His public course is indeed worthy of emulation. When serving as supervisor he labored earnestly to prevent all fraud and made a creditable record on the water and gas questions. He is not a politician in the common acceptance of the term, but an honorable and active business man who brings to his official duties the same fitness, energy and enterprise which characterized him in a mercantile career.
ALFRED PRESSLY BLACK.
On the roll of capable attorneys at the San Francisco bar appears the name of Alfred Pressly Black, and the extent and importance of his client- age is an indication of the confidence reposed in his professional skill and ability. He was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1856, and is a son of James Black, who was likewise a native of the Keystone state, born in 1808. The family is of Scotch-Irish descent and was estab- lished in America about the middle of the eighteenth century, the grandfather having located in Pennsylvania in 1769. James Black was a farmer by oc- cupation and also engaged in the undertaking business for many years. He married Miss Nancy A. Russell, a native of the north of Ireland, and in her girlhood days she was brought to the United States by her parents, the fam- ily home heing established in Philadelphia about 1824. In the year 1874 James Black came with his family to California, settling in San Jose, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1901. To him and his wife were born ten sons and a daughter, of whom Alfred Pressly Black is the youngest.
In the common schools of Butler county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Black ac- quired his early education, which was supplemented by an academic course in Franklin, Venango county, Pennsylvania. His own literary education be- ing completed at the age of eighteen years, he then engaged in teaching school for the following term in the Keystone state. In 1875 he came to Califor- nia, joining his parents in San Jose. He afterward engaged in teaching school in Fresno, Santa Clara and Alameda counties for a period of seven years. In the fall of 1882 he came to San Francisco and entered the Hast- ings Law College, from which he was graduated on the completion of a
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three years' course with the class of 1885, at which time the degree of Bach- elor of Law was conferred upon him. Entering upon his professional career he has since remained in active practice. He was appointed by William S. Barnes in 1891 as assistant district attorney of San Francisco, and served un- der him for seven years, while in 1899 he was appointed by Judge D. J. Murphy as first assistant district attorney, filling that position until 1900, when the new charter of San Francisco went into effect, and he retired from the office as he had entered it, with the confidence and good will of all concerned. During his term of service, particularly during the six years which he spent in connection with Judge Wallace, the percentage of convic- tions was much larger than under any former administration. Among the notable cases which he tried and obtained conviction were those of Becker & Creegan, the Navada bank forgers-a case of world-wide fame.
On the 25th of August, 1887, occurred the marriage of Mr. Black and Miss Fannie Jean Lyne, a native of San Francisco and a daughter of Will- iam and Catherine Lyne, who were early settlers of California. Her father was of English lineage and her mother of Scotch descent, having been born in Kinross, Scotland. They have three children who are yet living: Emma F., Alfred Harold and Marion Alice. Mr. Black belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a past grand of San Francisco Lodge No. 3. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, but while he is deeply interested in the success of the party, believing that its principles con- tain the best elements of good government, he has never been an aspirant for offices outside of professional lines. His success in a professional way af- fords the best evidence of his capability. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. His appeals have been characterized by a terse and decisive logic and a lucid presentation rather than by flights of oratory, and his power is the greater before court or jury from the fact that it is recognized that his course is to secure justice and not to enshroud the case in a sentimental garb or elusions, which will thwart the principles of right and equity involved.
GEORGE STONE.
The march of improvement and progress is accelerated day by day and each successive moment seems to demand a man of broader intelligence and a keener discernment than the preceding. The successful men must be live men in this day, active, strong to plan and perform and with a recogni- tion of opportunity that enables them to grasp and utilize the possibilities of the moment. Such a ciass finds a worthy representative in George Stone.
A native of Delaware county, New York, Mr. Stone was born May 30, 1843, and is a son of Robert Stone, who was born in Connecticut and repre- sented an old American family whose history in America dates back to the seventeenth century, the first ancestor coming from England. Robert Stone was a farmer by occupation and when at an early age removed to Delaware county, New York, where he died at the age of forty-nine years. He had married Caroline Griffin, who was a native of Dutchess county, New York,
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and was of Holland Dutch lineage. Her father was a musician in the war of 1812. Mrs. Stone passed away in 1876 at the age of sixty-seven years. In the family were six sons and five daughters.
George Stone pursued his early education in the public schools of Dela- ware county, New York, attending through the winter months while in the summer seasons he clerked in a store. He put aside his text-books, how- ever, at the age of fourteen years and was employed in a country store from that time until the outbreak of the Civil war, when, in response to his country's call for aid, he enlisted as a private in July, 1861, becoming a member of Company E, Third Regiment of New York Cavalry. He was promoted to first sergeant in August, 1861, became second lieutenant on the 25th of December, 1862, and first lieutenant of the Fourteenth New York Cavalry in June, 1863. He was on duty in New York city during the great craft riots, in command of the headquarters guard and patrol. He went with his company to New Orleans in August, 1863, and was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Eighty-third Regiment of the United States Colored Troops in December of that year, thus serving until February, 1864, when he re- signed. He was reappointed first lieutenant and commissary in the Four- teenth New York Cavalry and was attached to the staff of General Lucas, commanding the Cavalry Brigade. In the Red River campaign he was taken prisoner in the battle of Mansfield, April 8, 1864, and was incarcer- ated at Camp Ford in Tyler, Texas, until the following November, when he was exchanged. In the same month he was appointed a captain in the Eighteenth New York Cavalry, and was detailed for service in General Canby's staff as ordnance officer of the Department of the Gulf. He was in command at the San Antonio arsenal on the staff of General Wesley Merritt from September, 1865, until June, 1866, when he was mustered out of serv- ice. He participated in a number of important battles, including the en- gagements at Ball's Bluff, Berryville, Winchester, Kingston, Tarborough, Washington, North Carolina, Summit and Greenville, Mississippi, Fort De Rossey, Alexander, Fort Jessup, Sabine Crossroads and Mansfield.
Following the close of the war Mr. Stone was engaged in civil engin- eering on the Union Pacific Railroad until its completion in 1869. The following year he came to California, where he has since continuously made his home, and has been actively engaged in railroad construction as super- intendent or contractor, doing work on the Union Pacific, the Denver & Rio Grande, the Burlington & Missouri River, the Chicago & Rock Island, the Oregon Shortline, the Rio Grande Western and the Southern Pacific railroads. The work which he did on the Southern Pacific as contractor ex- tended from Santo Marguerita to Elwood, this portion of the coast line being all constructed by him and requiring nine years for its completion. In this connection he has contributed largely to the development of the state, for there is, perhaps, no other one agency that has done as much for general progress and the opening up of any district as the building of railroads.
In 1901, in connection with two or three local citizens, Mr. Stone organ- ized the Pacific Portland Cement Company, establishing a factory in Solano county, which has been in operation since August, 1902, with the capacity
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of 350,000 barrels of cement annually. Mr. Stone was chosen president of the corporation which controls the first industry of this kind established on a large scale in California. Chronologically it is the second cement works in the state, a small one having been in operation at Colton, San Bernardino county. The output of the plant is fourteen hundred barrels in twenty-four hours, and the factory was erected and equipped at an expense of three- fourthis of a million dollars. Heretofore nearly all of the cement used in California was imported from European points, and the establishing of this industry has supplied a long-felt want in this direction, placing upon the market an article equal in grade to the European product. Mr. Stone is likewise interested in extensive mining operations in Nevada and Amador counties of California.
In May, 1873, in Oakland, California, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stone and Miss Annie Burr Jennings, a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of John S. and Mary ( Wheeler) Jennings, representatives of a prominent family of Connecticut, the paternal ancestry being traced back to the sixteenth century. To Mr. and Mrs. Stone have been born three daughters, Marea, Leona and Louise. In his fraternal relations Mr. Stone is a Mason, and he also belongs to the Loyal Legion and the Grand Army of the Republic. He holds membership with the Bohemian Club, the Union League, the Sutter Club, the Merchants' Club of St. Louis, Missouri, and the Hamilton Club of Chicago, Illinois. He was department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic for California and Nevada in 1902, and in 1903 was chairman of the general and executive committee having entire charge of the arrangements for the national encampment held in San Fran- cisco in that year. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he is one of its distinguished leaders in this state. He is past president of the National League of Republican Clubs, past president of the State League of Republican Clubs, has been a member of the Republican state committee for six years and served two years as its chairman. He has studied closely the conditions existing in political circles with a view to the success of his party, and has so directed the work in various parts of the state that the combined forces of the leaders in different districts have con- tributed to the general success, thus reflecting credit upon his management and keen foresight. He is also well known in military circles and was en- gineering officer on the division staff of Generals Diamond and James. He was also appointed adjutant general of the National Guard of California in January, 1902. His leadership has been manifest in many lines, and he has seldom failed of accomplishment in whatever he has undertaken. He stands to-day as one of the strong men of California, strong in his honor and his good name, in the extent of his influence and in the result of his accomplish- ments.
WILLIAM HENRY LANGDON.
Professor William Henry Langdon, superintendent of the public schools of San Francisco, is one of the young men of the west of marked ability and enterprise whose progressive spirits are bringing about the rapid develop-
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ment of this section of the country. Holding 'advanced ideas concerning education and methods of teaching, during his incumbency as superintendent of the San Francisco schools he has introduced many methods which are proving of the most practical value in making the school what it ever should be-a preparation for the responsible duties which devolve upon every in- dividual after reaching maturity. His course has received the approval of the most progressive citizens of San Francisco, and he has enlisted the co-opera- tion of his teachers to such an extent that great harmony prevails and the concerted action is attended with excellent results.
Professor Langdon is a native son of California, his birth having oc- curred in Alameda county, on the 25th of September, 1873. His father, Will- iam Langdon, was born in the state of New York and was of Irish descent. In his boyhood days, however, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, where he was reared to the age of nineteen years, when he left the middle west for California, arriving in the year 1856. He first settled at Oakland and afterward engaged in farming at San Leandro, while subse- quently he removed to Dublin, where he was extensively engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, operating one of the largest farms in Alameda county. He died in 1878, at the comparatively early age of forty years. In early man- hood he had married Annie Moran, a native of Ireland, who came to America with a sister when only twelve years of age. They first settled in New York, and in 1861 Mrs. Langdon came to California, locating in Oakland, where she was married. She is still living on the old homestead farm. In the family were three sons and five daughters.
Professor Langdon pursued his early education in the schools of Ala- meda and Contra Costa counties and was graduated from Haywards' high school, following which he pursued a course of study in the San Jose Normal School, in which he was graduated with the class of 1892. He then engaged in teaching at San Leandro for a short time and was made vice principal of that school in August, 1892, continuing to occupy that position until Sep- tember 25, 1893, when he resigned and went to Fresno, California, to accept the proffered principalship of the Center school of that city. There he re- mained until the 8th of June of the following year, when he resigned and returned to San Leandro, acting as principal of the schools there until De- cember 20, 1902. In November of the same year he was elected superin- tendent of the common schools for the city and county of San Francisco, and in January entered upon his duties in this city.
In the meantime-in 1896-Professor Langdon had been admitted to practice law in all the courts and entered upon the active work of the legal profession in San Francisco and Alameda. In 1897 he was elected to the position of teacher in the public evening school of this city and after a few months was chosen principal of the school, acting in that capacity until the abolishment of the evening school in 1899. He was then made vice prin- cipal of the Hamilton evening school, and filled that office up to the time of his election as superintendent of the common schools.
In conducting this office Professor Langdon has taken many progres- sive steps. He has abolished all political tendencies in connection with the
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conduct of the schools, and has appointed men to serve under him because of their merits and peculiar fitness and not because of any party allegiance. He went outside of the San Francisco school department for his deputies, select- ing one from each university, each one holding a chair in the educational de- partment of the respective institutions with which they are connected. Since taking the office of principal Professor Langdon has abolished written ex- aminations for promotion of pupils from grade to grade; has taken steps to establish a truant school; to introduce an ungraded class in each school; has established grade meetings of teachers, held bi-monthly in which instruction in methods and practice of teaching is given by the superintendent and his deputies-which is a new department in the school work of San Francisco; and has reduced the sizes of the classes, so that the maximum is fifty-five pupils in the grammar grades and fifty in the primary grades. Thus the labors of Professor Langdon have assumed practical form, and already very beneficial results have followed his work, and the schools have made satisfactory ad- vance under his guidance.
Professor Langdon is widely and favorably known in fraternal and social as well as educational circles. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Woodmen of the World and the Native Sons of the Golden West. and has represented the local parlor in the grand parlor. He is also connected with the Eagles and the American Order of Foresters. In 1894 he was president of the Alumni Association of the San Jose Normal school, and in 1897 was vice president of the Califor- nia Teachers' Association. His reputation in the line of his profession has gone abroad throughout the state, and he is accorded a foremost position in the ranks of the public school educators in California.
HON. FRANK McGOWAN.
Hon. Frank McGowan, a valued member of the state legislature of Cali- fornia, now practicing law at the bar of San Francisco, has spent his entire life upon the Pacific coast, and the enterprise and the progressive spirit which are the dominant qualities in the development of this section of the country are manifest in his professional career. He was born on the 4th of Septem- ber, 1860, in Steilacoom, Washington. His father, Terrance McGowan, was a native of Ireland, and became one of the pioneer settlers of the terri- tory of Washington. He was a merchant tailor by trade, following that business for many years in order to provide for his family. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside all business and personal considerations in response to the call of the president for men to aid in the defense of the Union. He joined the army, serving from 1861 until 1865. He married Miss Ann Rigney, also a native of the Emerald Isle. Coming to America she settled in Maine, and it was in the Pine Tree state that Mr. and Mrs. McGowan were married. Their union was blessed with a family of seven sons and two daughters.
Frank McGowan pursued his education in the public schools of San Francisco, coming to this city in early boyhood days. He was also a student
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in the public schools of Humboldt county, California, and when sixteen years of age put aside his text books to enter upon a business career. His father had died the year previous, and it was necessary that Mr. McGowan pro- vide for his own support. He continued his studies, however, for some time under private instructors, for it was his desire to enter upon the practice of law and he wished to make thorough preparation before beginning his pro- fessional career. When he had broadened his literary knowledge in this way he entered upon the reading of law in 1881 under the direction of J. D. H. Chamberlin, who remained as his preceptor until he was admitted to the bar before the supreme court in 1883.
Mr. McGowan entered upon his professional career in Humboldt county, California, where he opened a law office and continued in active practice until 1886. In the meantime he had become a recognized leader in political circles in his locality, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, nominated him for the office of a representative in 1886. At the election it was shown that he was the choice of the public for the position and he became a member of the assembly of California. In 1888 he was elected to the state senate and was re-elected in 1892 and again in 1896. He proved a capable member of the law-making body of the commonwealth, giving to each question which came up for settlement his earnest considera- tion and supporting strenuously every act which he believed would con- tribute to the general good. He held the office of chairman of the judiciary committee during six years of his service. He was the author of the county. high school law, also of the law giving preference in appointments to ex- soldiers of the war of the rebellion, and the author of the pure butter law, designed for the protection of the dairy interests of the state. He was also identified with the passage of bills in behalf of the labor classes, and his service in the house and senate awakened high commendation throughout California. He is a recognized leader in the ranks of the Republican party in this state, and has taken an active part in campaign work since 1882. Throughout these years he has served as a delegate to local and state con- ventions, and was an elector on the Republican presidential ticket in 1900. Mr. McGowan took up his abode in San Francisco in 1896 and entered upon the practice of law at that time, since which he has been an active representa- tive of the legal interests of .this portion of the state. He is now actively connected with the profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community and one which has long been considered as conserving the public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights. He was identified with the defense in the celebrated criminal case of Cordelia Bodkins, and has been connected with other important litigation of both the criminal and civil courts. He has been attorney for public administrator John Farnham.
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