USA > California > A history of the new California, its resources and people; Vol II > Part 27
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ROBERT ADDISON JACKSON.
Robert Addison Jackson is a member of the real estate firm of J. H. Macdonald & Company, of Oakland. This is not only the oldest firm of the city, but also does the most extensive business, and in this connection Mr. Jackson has been largely associated for twenty years with the development and progress of the city. No other one man can have as great an influence in the improvement and substantial upbuilding of a community as can the real estate dealer. If in the conduct of his business affairs he at the same time has regard for the permanent growth and benefit of his locality, he can do a work the influence of which is indeed far-reaching. Mr. Jackson has in his career manifested many sterling qualities, and to-day he is classed among the men who are accorded the honor and respect of their fellow citizens.
Mr. Jackson was born September 20, 1864, in New York city. His father. Peter H. Jackson, also a native of that city, is a representative of an old American family that was established in the eastern metropolis in the early part of the eighteenth century. He came of English and Welsh ances- try. His father, also a resident of New York, died in 1826. Representa- tives of the name were loyal to the cause of the colonists at the time of the Revolutionary war, but took no part therein, being of the Quaker faith. Peter H. Jackson remained in the east until 1874, when he came to Cali- fornia, locating in Oakland. Here he made his home, but conducted busi- ness in San Francisco as a representative of the iron and steel industry. He wedded Miss Mary Cooke, who was born in New York city and was also a representative of good old Revolutionary stock. Her great-grandfather Bremner came from Scotland at the time of the French and Indian war, and
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during the period of hostilities which brought independence to the nation he served as one of the minute-men of Jamaica, Long Island. The father of Mrs. Jackson was a representative of an old New York Dutch family. Charles E. Jackson, a brother of Robert A., is a civil engineer of New York city, while Francis D. is Secretary of the Heckla Iron Works of Brooklyn, New York. One brother, Warren A., is deceased, while the fourth, Edwin R .. a chemist by profession, is now assisting his father in business. The only daughter of the family is Miss Caroline C. Jackson.
Robert A. Jackson, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the public and high schools of Oakland, concluding his studies in 1883 when nineteen years of age. He has since been engaged in the real estate business, and in 1903 he entered into partnership with J. H. Macdon- ald, a pioneer real estate dealer in Oakland, and his son, J. A. Macdonald. The business is carried on under the firm style of J. H. Macdonald & Com- pany, and their operations in real estate exceed those of any other firm in the city. They also conduct an extensive insurance business. Mr. Jackson is likewise active in the world of trade, having assisted in the organization of various industrial companies which have contributed in large measure to the business prosperity of Oakland. His ready recognition of opportunity and his dispatch in all business matters have been important elements in the commercial expansion of this portion of the state.
On the 29th of January, 1903, in Oakland, Mr. Jackson was united in marriage to Mrs. Eleth Hollenback, a native of Niagara Falls, Canada.
MELVIN CANFIELD CHAPMAN.
Melvin Canfield Chapman, a resident of Oakland and one of the schol- arly representatives of the bar of central California, was born in Westfield, Illinois, September 5, 1850. His father, Charles DeGrass Chapman, was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, and was a direct descendant of Robert Chapman, the first settler of Saybrook, Connecticut, who came from Eng- land to America in 1636. The grandfather, Constant Chapman, was a con- tinental soldier at the time of the Revolutionary war. The father of Melvin C. Chapman carried on farming and merchandising, and through his activ- ity as a representative of these pursuits provided well for his family. He married Miss Cynthia Palmer, who was born in Durham, New York, and whose father was also a soldier of the continental army, while her great- great-grandfather came from England to America at a very early epoch in the colonial history of the new world. Charles Chapman died in 1877, and his wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1901. In their family were four sons, the brothers of Melvin being Alfred P. and William H., who are resident farmers of Los Angeles county, California ; and Edgar C., who is an attorney of San Francisco.
Following the acquirement of his elementary knowledge in the public schools of his native state. Melvin C. Chapman attended a seminary in On- arga. Illinois, concluding his studies there in 1869. He afterward assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. In 1869 he came to Califor-
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nia, where he was engaged in speculating in real estate for a number of years, during which time he made some profitable investments. He then took up the study of law under the direction of Henry Vrooman, of Oak- land, California, and in 1884 was admitted to practice, since which time he has successfully followed his profession in Oakland. He never enters a courtroom until fully prepared to present his case in the strongest possible light, and in argument he is forceful, his deductions following in logical sequence. His facts are cited so cogently and the reasoning therein pre- sented so clearly that he seldom fails to gain the verdict desired. He has a general law practice demanding an intimate knowledge of every depart- ment of jurisprudence, and he is continually adding to his efficiency through reading and research.
On the 21st of December, 1887, in Oakland, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage to Miss Lillian M. Childs, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and a daughter of W. W. Childs, a contractor of Oakland. The family is of English lineage, the ancestral home having been established in New Jer- sey more than one hundred and thirty years ago, and its representatives were connected with the Society of Friends, or Quakers. To Mr. and Mrs. Chap- man has been born one son, Melvin C., Jr. In his political views Mr. Chap- man is a Republican, strong and earnest in his advocacy of the principles of the party and active in its support. In 1889 he represented the fiftieth as- sembly district in the state legislature of California, at which time his party was in the minority. In 1891 he was elected mayor of Oakland and served for two years, but did not seek re-election. He is a man of scholarly attain- ments, and endowed by nature with strong mentality he has in the difficult and arduous profession of the law won an enviable place which is indicated by the liberal clientage accorded him.
STAFFORD DEAN WARREN.
Stafford Dean Warren, lately engaged in the real estate business in Haywards, who died March 21, 1904, was born on the Ioth of January, 1824, in Canada West, of Dutch and English origin. His father, Levi Warren, was a native of Connecticut and a representative of an old American fam- ily that was of English lineage and was founded in the new world in colon- ial days. Among its representatives were those who fought for indepen- dence at the time of the Revolutionary war. In early manhood Levi War- ren removed from Connecticut to Canada, where he was married and re- sided for several years, but he always retained American citizenship. In 1851 he came to California in company with his younger brother, since de- ceased. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Dean, who was a native of Canada, to which country her parents had removed from Pennsylvania. She was of both Dutch and English lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Levi Warren died in the '70s. In the family were thirteen sons and daughters. The liv- ing brothers and sisters are Edwin M., who now resides at Pacific Grove, California ; and Frank, who makes his home in Wisconsin; Helen, the wid- ow of H. Chaplin, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Emeline, the wife of M. E. Brad-
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ley, of Bay City, Michigan ; and Mary, the wife of William Vanhoosier, of Haywards.
Stafford Dean Warren pursued his early education in the public schools of Michigan. When he put aside his text-books to master the more diffi- cult lessons of the schools of experience, he first learned the tanner's trade, which he followed in Chautauqua county, New York, until thirty years of age. In 1853 he came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama and Aspinwall, making his way to Alvarado, Alameda county, where he located on a ranch. He secured one hundred and sixty acres of land and continued its cultivation until 1868, when he purchased a tract of land at Haywards that is now a part of the townsite. He thenceforth gave his attention in some degree to agricultural pursuits, although he also extended his labors to other fields of activity. Not long after his arrival on the Pacific coast he went to Nevada county, where he engaged in mining, and spent two or three years in Trinity county in the same pursuit. He continued to make his home in Alvarado, however, until his removal to Haywards. About sixteen or seventeen years ago he began dealing in real estate in this city, and later he formed a partnership with his son E. S. Warren, who re- turned from New Mexico about five years ago.
On the 7th of July, 1847, in Chautauqua county, New York, Mr. War- ren was united in marriage to Miss Martha Wright, who was born in West- field, Chautauqua county, New York. She too belonged to an old American family, whose patriotic devotion to the rights of the colonists was manifested by the active service of some of its members in the American army at the time of the Revolutionary war. Her eldest brother was at one time proprie- tor of a large temperance house or hotel between Buffalo and Cleveland, which he called "A Wright Temperance House." In 1893 Mr. Warren was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in the month of November. Two sons were born of that marriage, the surviving son Ed- win Stafford Warren, having been his father's partner in business. Frank W. died at the age of eighteen months. The son is also civil engineer and is superintendent of the San Lorenzo Water Company. He takes an active part in religious work, serving as superintendent of the Congregational Sunday-school. He married Miss Clara Leak, of Indiana, and they have two children.
In his political views Stafford D. Warren was an earnest Republican with firm faith in the principles of the party, and served as delegate to coun- ty conventions, but the demands of his business were too great to allow him much time or opportunity to engage in political work. He was formerly a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and after his removal to Haywards he organized the Good Templars lodge in this place. That fact is indicative of his views upon the temper- ance question, and he was an effective worker in behalf of the cause. He belonged to the Congregational church, and his life was honorable and up- right. His integrity stood as an unquestioned fact in his career. His course was manly, his actions sincere, his manner unaffected and, therefore, his example well worthy of emulation.
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COLONEL EDWIN HARVEY McKEE.
Colonel Edwin Harvey McKee, who is engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Sacramento and is also filling the position of labor com- missioner, was born in Burlington, Vermont, on the 16th of May, 1847. His father, George McKee, was a native of Ireland and in his boyhood days came to America, arriving in California in 1852, having made the trip westward by way of the isthmus route. His death occurred in this state when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-two years. In early manhood he had married Miss Mary M. Curtis, who was born in Canada and died in Califor- nia at the age of seventy-one years. The only brother of Colonel McKee is also deceased.
Colonel McKee is indebted to the public school system of Sacramento for the educational privileges he enjoyed, having been brought to the far west by his parents when a lad of only five years. In 1861, when he was fourteen years of age, his father suffered heavy losses because of the floods, and Colonel McKee began to earn his own living and has since been dependent upon his own resources. He pursued a business course in the Sacramento Business College and then began work at steamboating on the river, being thus employed for a year. He afterward served an apprenticeship to the iron-molder's trade in 1864 and followed that pursuit until March, 1877. In the latter year he was elected to the position of city auditor of Sacramento, and by virtue of his office became ex-officio clerk of the city board of trus- tees. At each subsequent election until 1891 he was again chosen officer, thus holding the position continuously for fourteen consecutive years, dur- ing which time his capability and fidelity were fully demonstrated, while his re-elections indicated the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen.
During the period of his service he witnessed many improvements in the city, and the Fowle bonds and the fire department bonds were called in and thus a great indebtedness was discharged. A vast amount of improve- ment was done in the streets and bonds were issued for the payment of one- fourth of the street improvements. On the expiration of his term of serv- ice in 1891 Colonel McKee began dealing in wood, coal, hay and grain at No. 1205 Second street. He conducted that enterprise for a year and then sold out, after which he began working as a solicitor in connection with the Record Union, being employed in that way until 1893. In the same year he was again called to public office, being elected the first city tax col- lector under the new charter of Sacramento. He served for the years 1893-4 as collector of all revenues of the city. In 1895 he again resumed work at the iron-molder's trade, which he followed for two years, and in 1897 turned his attention to the real estate and insurance business at No. 1025 Fourth street, where he has since been located. In this connection he has secured a good clientage and not only negotiated many important real estate transfers, but also writes a large amount of insurance annually.
Colonel McKee has taken a very active interest in political affairs as a supporter of the Republican party, and has been a delegate to city and county conventions. He served as city auditor from 1877 until 1891, as
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before stated, but this has not covered the extent of his public service, for in many other ways he has rendered effective aid to Sacramento. He be- longed to the paid fire department of the city and was foreman of Engine Company No. I, at the time he was elected auditor. He then resigned his position with the fire department. He was appointed free labor commis- sioner in the Sacramento city free labor bureau by Mayor George H. Clark on the 15th of December, 1903, to serve for a term of two years, being the first commissioner appointed, and he is now acting in this capacity. He has also rendered military aid to his state, having enlisted about 1864 in the state militia. He held successively the positions of corporal, sergeant, lieu- tenant and major, this covering eight years, at the end of which time he was elected lieutenant colonel, and he is now on the retired list with that rank. He tendered his services for the Spanish-American war, but the recall of the troops made it impossible for him to do active military work in the field.
On the 10th of June, 1869, in Sacramento, occurred the marriage of Colonel McKee and Miss Emeline L. McKee, who, though of the same name, was not a relative. She was born in Philadelphia and by her marriage has become the mother of three children: Homer L., who is now assistant manager of the Sunset State Telephone Company of Sacramento; Evelyn M .; and Edna M., who is now principal of the Elk Grove high school. Mr. McKee is well known in fraternal circles, being a popular and valued repre- sentative of several organizations. He is a Past Sachem of Owasso Tribe No. 39, I. O. R. M .; and is a Past Chief Ranger of Court Sacramento No. 12, A. O. F. of A .; is a Past Chancellor of Columbia Lodge No. 42, K. of P .; belongs to the Woodmen of the World; and to the Masonic fraternity. In the last named he has membership relations with Washington Lodge No. 20, F. & A. M .; Sacramento Chapter No. 3, R. A. M .; Sacramento Council No. 1; Sacramento Commandery No. 2, K. T .; and Islam Temple of the A. A. O. N. Mystic Shrine. In his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. The same spirit of fidelity has characterized his entire career, whether in business, in political or military circles, and his many sterling traits have been the means of winning for him the respect and regard of a large circle of friends.
JAMES H. OGIER.
In taking up the personal history of James H. Ogier we present to our readers the life record of a man who by strong purpose, unfaltering energy and powers of keen discrimination worked his way steadily upward from humble surroundings until large worldly successes crowned his efforts, and who at the same time commanded the respect and confidence of all by reason of his fidelity to upright principles. He lived for many years in California, coming to this state in 1851, and bravely met the conditions of pioneer life at that day, while as the years advanced he kept pace with the progress of the times.
Mr. Ogier was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, born on the 28th of March, 1830. His father, Jolin Ogier, was born on the island of Guernsey
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in the English channel and came to America with his parents when nine years of age, the family home being established in Maryland. There after attain- ing to years of maturity he engaged in business as a gardener, and he met and married Miss Elizabeth Hargest.
Their son, James H. Ogier, was reared in Baltimore and acquired his education in the public schools. He worked with his father until twenty-one years of age and was early trained to the value of industry, economy and integrity in the active affairs of life. In July, 1851, he started for Califor- nia, being at that time twenty-one years of age. He arrived on the 2d of August at San Francisco and at once made his way to the Santa Clara val- ley. There he was employed by others for a brief period, but in 1852 he pur- chased an interest in three hundred acres of land situated about three miles north of San Jose. In this enterprise he prospered and was later enabled to purchase his partner's interest. Devoting his energies to farming he con- tinued in that pursuit until 1870, after which he gave his energies almost exclusively to the raising of fruit for the purpose of making shipments to the eastern markets. This business he conducted on an extensive plan. In 1868 he established a dairy business, which is still in operation. In view of the fact that he commenced his business career empty-handed his success is all the more remarkable, and his record must prove an inspiration to many a young man when starting out, as he did a few years ago, with no capital save brains, integrity, determination and perseverance. Though no land is richer in opportunities or offers greater advantages to its citizens than America, suc- cess is not to be obtained through desire, but must be persistently sought. In America "labor is king" and the man who resolutely sets to work to accom- plish a purpose is certain of success if he will but persevere in the course that he has marked out. This Mr. Ogier did, and his business record excited the admiration and won the respect of all.
In May. 1866, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Margaret Branham, a native of Fulton, Missouri, and a daughter of Isaac and Amanda (Bailey) Branham, who came to California in 1846, bringing with them their four children. They traveled with the famous Donner party, but Mr. Branham refused to take the Headspeth cutoff as a number of the party did with such disastrous results. He followed, instead, the old traveled road and eventually arrived in safety, coming through Sacramento and reaching San Jose mission on the Ist of December, 1846. He established his home near San Jose and was engaged in farming in that locality up to his death. He was also identi- fied with mining interests in California and Mexico, and the extent of his business operations made him a leading representative of industrial interests in this part of the state. In public affairs he was also prominent and influen- tial, and for many years his influence was a potent factor in molding the pub- lic life of San Jose. He had no political aspirations for himself, preferring to devote his time and energies to his private business interests, and thus he always refused public office, save when he served for one term as supervisor. He was noted for his love of hunting, and his gun was frequently his com- panion in many an outing, and he kept a pack of from ten to twenty-five hounds. In his family were three sons and three daughters.
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Of Mr. Ogier's children, the son John now has the active management of the orchard and farm, while Lee has charge of the dairy business.
Mr. Ogier served for two years as a director of the Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Society and was also a director of the San Jose Savings Bank. While on a visit to his old home in Baltimore in 1885 he died in that city, on the 7th of May, but his remains were brought back to San Jose and interred in Oakhill cemetery. Although he came to California a poor man he was at the time of his death possessed of a considerable fortune. Death often re- moves from our midst those whom we can ill afford to spare, whose lives have been all that is exemplary of the true and thereby really great citizen. Such a one was Mr. Ogier, whose whole career both business and social served as a model to the young and as an inspiration to the aged. He pos- sessed strong domestic tastes, and while he accomplished much in the business world and ratified his friendships by kindly sympathy and thoughtful con- sideration for others his greatest love was reserved for his family.
HIRAM C. SMITH.
The day of small things is past and the era of gigantic undertaking is upon us. In control of mammoth enterprises are men of master minds with ability to plan and perform, with power to recognize from the begin- ning what the result will be and to mould circumstances and conditions to their own interest. In this way have been developed splendid enterprises that have contributed to the commercial prosperity of the entire country. In business circles of the Pacific coast Hiram C. Smith occupies a foremost position as one who has taken a most important part in the development of the lumber industry of this section of the country.
A native son of Wisconsin, he was born in Manitowoc, in 1849. His father, Perry P. Smith, was born in Pennsylvania and was married to Esth- er A. Champlain, whose birtli occurred in Vermont, both being representa- tives of old families whose ancestral history was of long and close connec- tion with American development and progress. For many years Perry P. Smith was an extensive operator in the lumber industry in Wisconsin, but with his wife is now living a retired life, in Manitowoc, where they first settled on emigrating westward in 1836.
Hiram C. Smith pursued his education in the public schools of Wiscon- sin and of Chicago, Illinois, and at the age of sixteen years entered the busi- ness world, becoming a bookkeeper in a general mercantile establishment in Lacon, Illinois, where he remained until 1871. He spent the two suc- ceeding years in Kansas and Texas, where he was engaged in the stock business, and in the spring of 1874 he came to California, where he entered the employ of Murphy Brothers, being engaged in lumbering on the Rus- sian river. There he continued until the spring of 1876. He then took charge as superintendent of the business of the Russian River Land & Lum- ber Company at Tyrone, and during his residence there was married. In the spring of 1877 he joined Austin D. Moore in the establishment of a lumber business at Stockton. California, under the name of Moore & Smith.
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They operated on an extensive scale, establishing the first large lumber yards between Stockton and Bakersfield. In 1880 they purchased the Port Discovery sawmill on Puget Sound and established a yard in San Fran- cisco as their distributing point. In 1888 they purchased a large tract of land, comprising about forty thousand acres of timber, in Fresno county and began the construction of the fifty-four mile flume from the mountains to Sanger, where they erected a large manufacturing plant, investing one mil- lion two hundred thousand dollars in this enterprise. At the same time they were operating all of their other interests. In 1891 they closed down their Port Discovery mill and in 1893 closed out their business at Stockton. The following year, owing to the great financial panic which overspread the country and the hard times consequent thereto, the firm made an assignment of all of their interests, thus bringing to a close their extensive business. The banks to whom they assigned appointed Mr. Smith as general manager to run the business, and he occupied that position until 1897, when he resigned and went to Mexico. There he engaged in buying and selling timber lands, and in this undertaking he was very prosperous. He not only recouped, but more than regained his former losses, and one of the first things he did was to return to California and settle all of his personal obligations with accrued interest. This is certainly indicative of high business ideals and honorable principles and is in harmony with his entire course throughout an active business career. He still holds more than three hundred thou- sand acres of valuable timber lands in the states of Durango and Guerrero, Mexico.
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