USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 12
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In May, 1910, in San Francisco, Mr. Gossett was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Taggard, who was born and reared in that city, and to them have been born six children, namely: Elmira A., who is a senior in the Hayward high school; Chester F., who is a student in the San Leandro high school; Jean R., Clifford H. and Allison E., who are attending grammar school; and Gilbert B., who is two and a half years old.
Mr. Gossett is a member of Eden Lodge No. 113, A. F. & A. M., of which he is junior warden; Eden Chapter, R. A. M., and he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Gossett is a past worthy matron. He has long been an active member of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club. Both are earnest members of the Community church of San Leandro, his name appearing on the records as chairman of the board which organized the congregation as a community church under the auspices of the Con- gregational denomination. He is interested in all that has to do with public progress, and his aid and influence are given in support of advancement and improvement. He is a man of substantial worth, a splendid type of American manhood and citizen- ship, and commands the confidence and respect of all who know him.
FRANK T. KENNEDY
Frank T. Kennedy has long been a prominent figure in general contracting circles in Oakland and bears a high reputation as a man of enterprising spirit and correct business principles. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of October, 1876, and is a son of Frank T. and Elizabeth (Ochner) Kennedy, both of whom are deceased. The father was for many years a contracting freight agent on the New York Central and Lake Erie & Western Railroads. The son was edu- cated in the public and high schools of Pittsburgh and then learned the trade of carpenter, which line of work he followed for a number of years in various large cities of the east.
In 1900 Mr. Kennedy came to California, locating first in San Francisco, where he remained for two years, afterward working in various places in this state. In 1906 he located in Oakland and in the following year entered the general contracting business. During the subsequent years he has erected many of the largest and most important buildings in this locality, among which may be mentioned the Traction building, Plaza building, the Melo Hotel, the California building and the Post- Enquirer buildings. His work has stood the test of time, and he has been found to
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be absolutely trustworthy in every engagement or contract into which he enters.
Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Nicholson, a native of this state. He is a republican in his political views and is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite; the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks ; the Loyal Order of Moose; the Kiwanis Club; and the Athens Club. He is a lover of outdoor life, being particularly fond of hunting and fishing in the mountains. He spends his summer months on his fine ranch of one hundred and sixty acres at Lafayette and greatly enjoys his life there. He is a man of fine personality and is deservedly popular throughout his range of acquaintance.
ALBERT NORRIS
Albert Norris, who for thirteen years has given able and satisfactory service as postmaster at Alvarado, had a long and successful career as an educator, in which he earned a high reputation, and he commands the respect of all who know him. He was born in Farmington, Iowa, on the 25th of February, 1851, and is a son of Robert and Rebecca Ann (Ray) Norris, the former of whom was born in Coshoc- ton, Ohio, in 1827, while the latter was a native of Tennessee. Robert Norris accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa in 1839, and assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and also ran a distillery. In 1848 he was married there. In 1852 he decided to join the gold rush to California and with one man started across the plains with two horses and a wagon, joining an emigrant train where Omaha, Nebraska, is now located. There he was overtaken by his wife, who had decided to accompany him, bringing with her her two children. After they had crossed the Rocky mountains the company divided, one group going to Oregon, while the remainder went to Salt Lake City, Utah, where the Robert Norris family spent the winter. In the spring of 1853 they joined a new train of emigrants, headed by Mormons, for Russian River, California, but Mr. Norris took his family on to Eldorado county, ten miles southeast of Placerville. There he engaged in mining for eight years, their home being at Newtown, and later he bought a farm in Pleasant valley, two miles from Newtown. On a corner of this property there was a large hotel, which he conducted with success because of the heavy travel through that section of the state. Mr. Norris lived at that place during the remainder of his life, his death occurring November 14, 1907, when he had reached the age of eighty years and eight months. His wife died there in 1889. He was a democrat in politics and was a man of sterling character, commanding the respect of all who knew him.
Albert Norris spent his boyhood in the mining district where his father had located and attended the schools of the neighborhood. In 1867, at the age of sixteen years, he left home and went to work in a sawmill. In the following year he joined a company of twenty-two men and went to Silver City, Idaho, where he remained four and a half years. In 1872 he went to San Francisco, where he took a com- mercial course in Heald's Business College, and later had charge of the book depart- ment for A. Roman & Company, at 11 Montgomery street. For two years he was engaged in the selling of Mark Twain's books and other subscription works. Sub-
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sequently he was in the grocery business at Sutter and Dupont streets, but two years later, because of the seven per cent discount on silver, he quit that business and became a bookkeeper for the Sierra Flume & Lumber Company, at Chico, Califor- nia. He was with that concern for two years, and then taught school in Pleasant valley for eight years, during which time he served eight terms as justice of the peace, holding his court in the schoolroom and there performing the marriage ceremonies which united a number of his pupils. From there he went to Colfax, California, where he served as principal of the school for nine years, and during four years of that time was president of the board of education.
In 1898 Mr. Norris came to Alvarado, Alameda county, as principal of the school and filled that position in a very satisfactory manner for ten years, when his health broke down and he spent ten months in a sanitarium. On June 20, 1915, he was appointed postmaster at Alvarado and has served in that position continuously to the present time. He has given painstaking attention to the performance of his duties, and the patrons of the office have greatly appreciated the splendid service which he has rendered.
In 1875, in San Francisco, Mr. Norris was united in marriage to Miss Rosalie D. Colman, and to them have been born six children, Albert M .; William H .; Oliver P .; Lester, deceased; Joseph and Alma Rose. Mr. Norris has always sup- ported the republican party and has been interested in public affairs, particularly such as have related to the prosperity and welfare of his community. In 1872 in Idaho Mr. Norris was made a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, to which he still belongs. He stands as a splendid type of American citizenship, true and loyal in every relation of life, and is well worthy of the respect and esteem which are accorded him.
ANTHONY JOHN ROSSI
Great credit is due the man who starts in the world unaided and by sheer force of will, controlled by correct principles, forges ahead and reaches a position of independence and honor among his fellowmen. Such has been the record of Anthony J. Rossi, who, through persistent and determined effort, has become one of the leading florists and most highly esteemed citizens of Oakland. He was born at Volcano, Amador county, California, on the 18th of June, 1880, and is a son of Angelo and Madaline Rossi. His father came to California in the '50s and, going to Amador county, worked at hydraulic mining. In the course of time he estab- lished a grocery store, but met with heavy loss in its destruction by fire. His death occurred in that county and in 1890 the family moved to San Francisco, where the mother's death occurred in 1909.
Anthony J. Rossi attended the public schools of San Francisco, but was early compelled to go to work. At the age of eleven years he began his connection with the florist's business, at which he was employed in that city until the earthquake of April, 1906. On the following day he came to Oakland, of which city he has been a resident ever since. After being employed by florists for a number of years, he embarked in business on his own account in 1916, and, through the exercise of
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sound judgment, has been enabled to realize splendid success. He has a well equipped establishment at 3460 East Fourteenth street, and also maintains another shop in the Elks block, on Broadway. He carries a large and complete line of flowers of all kinds and makes a specialty of floral pieces, suitable to any occasion for which they may be desired. Courteous and accommodating, fair in his dealing, and rendering prompt and efficient service, he is now firmly established in the confidence of the public and is now enjoying a large and steadily increasing trade.
Mr. Rossi was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude O'Connor, and to them have been born five children, namely, Ernest, Harold, Antoinette, Clyde, and Frank, who died when one year old. Mr. Rossi gives his political support to the republican party, and is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Kiwanis Club. In 1900 he became a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, assisting in the organiza- tion of Fruitvale Parlor, and Mrs. Rossi is a past president of Fruitvale Parlor, N. D. G. W. Though his individual affairs make heavy demands on his time and attention, Mr. Rossi has not been unmindful of his obligations to his community, the interests of which he supports in every possible way. Of genial and friendly manner, he has made many loyal friends throughout his locality and is numbered among its most highly respected citizens.
PIERRE ANTHONY FONTAINE
Prominent among the members of the bar of Alameda county is Pierre A. Fontaine, of Oakland, who has been actively engaged in the practice of law here for a score of years, during which period he has won a high reputation as an able and successful attorney. Mr. Fontaine has been a lifelong resident of Oakland, his birth having here occurred on the 23d of August, 1886, and is a son of Pierre and Marie (Berges) Fontaine, both of whom were natives of France. His father, who was born May 16, 1836, was a grandson of General Anthony Fontaine, who served under Napoleon Bonaparte, and was a descendant of the great French fable writer and poet, LaFontaine, the prefix "La" being discontinued during the French revolution. Mr. Fontaine's mother, who was born September 27, 1865, was de- scended from a family of the old nobility of southern France.
Pierre A. Fontaine attended the public schools of Oakland, and after his gradu- ation from high school entered the law school of Yale University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law, December 12, 1907. He con- tinued his studies at the Sorbonne University, Paris, France, and was admitted to the bar of California on April 28, 1908, since which time he has devoted his atten- tion closely to the practice of law. He maintains offices in the Oakland Bank building and commands a large and lucrative practice, having been connected as counsel with many of the most important cases tried in the courts of this county. A forceful and determined trial lawyer and a sound and reliable office counselor, he has been consistently successful in practice, and commands the respect of his professional colleagues and the confidence of the public.
On June 5, 1912, in Oakland, Mr. Fontaine was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Virginia Lahr, who was born in this city June 26, 1890, and they are the
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parents of two children, Pierre Anthony, Jr., who is now fourteen years of age, and Barbara, twelve years of age. Mrs. Fontaine is a member of the Orinda Club and is popular in social circles. Mr. Fontaine is a republican in his political views and has shown an active interest in public affairs. His religious belief is that of the Roman Catholic church and he is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Athens Club. His absolute integrity in every relation of life, his acknowledged ability as a lawyer and his genuine qualities have gained for him not only high standing in his profession but also the respect and admiration of his fellowmen, among whom he is deservedly popular.
CHARLES G. STORIE
Charles Gordon Storie, realtor and broker, of Oakland, California, with offices at 1006 Ray building, was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, December 13, 1884. He is the son of Frank Robert and Katherine (Gordon) Storie. The father and mother were both born at Aberdeen, Scotland, where they were married. The father was a graduate of Edinburgh University, as civil engineer. His first services were rendered to the government of Great Britain, later with the Turkish government. For sixteen years he was chief civil engineer for the Japanese government. He later retired and the Japanese government bestowed upon him the highest medal of honor that it could bestow upon a foreigner. He later returned to Scotland. Following a vacation there of one or two years, in 1886 he moved to Fresno, California, where he engaged in ranching. He later passed away there in 1891, at the age of forty- eight years. The mother is living with her son Charles G. at their home in Berkeley, California.
The boyhood days of this subject were spent in Fresno, California, he coming to this city with his parents at the age of two years. He was educated in Fresno and Berkeley, graduating from Berkeley high school in 1903.
He then accepted an official position in the office of the Balfour Guthrie Com- pany in their oil field interests in Coalinga, California, which position he held for a period of seven years. During his period of employment with Balfour Guthrie Company he realized the vast possibilities in the real estate field in California, and later resigned his position with this firm to accept the position of salesman with Huntington, Kerchoff & Baulch, rising from the ranks of salesman to that of sales manager in the first year of employment in this organization, there being some seventy-five salesmen in the organization.
After this subdivision was sold out he operated for many years in the real estate business in the San Joaquin valley, later affiliating himself with the Santa Monica Water Company-a Los Angeles corporation, entering this organization in the capacity of assistant sales manager, which position he held until moving to Berkeley in 1923.
After making a very careful study of various real estate problems surrounding the San Francisco bay area, he finally decided to establish himself in the city of Oakland, first going as salesman in the office of Fred E. Reed, Inc., where he remained for a period of eight months. Resigning from this position, he opened
CHARLES G. STORIE
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first a small office in the Federal Realty Building and organized the Charles G. Storie Company. Since that time the Charles G. Storie Company has extended and prospered in this community until now they have commodious offices on the top floor of the Ray Building and some ten salesmen in the organization.
On coming to Oakland Mr. Storie specialized exclusively in the handling of down town business properties, with the result that in 1926 his organization played an important part in the consolidation of the properties that went into the Capwell- Emporium merger. The organization has also been successful in selling other important down town properties and today are in the process of promoting a new Medical Building to be erected in Oakland's down town area.
Mr. Storie while in the San Joaquin Valley was a Rotarian. Upon moving to Oakland, however, his classification in this organization was filled, therefore the membership was dropped. However, he is a member of the Athenian-Nile Club and the Exchange Club. Politically he is a republican.
CARL A. SORENSEN
Carl A. Sorensen, of Hayward, has long been recognized as one of Alameda county's leading contractors and throughout his section of the county stand evi- dences of his good workmanship, while his business reputation is of the highest, for he has adhered to honorable methods in all of his dealings and is firmly established in the public confidence.
Mr. Sorensen was born at Hayward on the 31st of December, 1882, and is a son of Hans and Caroline (Andersen) Sorensen, both of whom were natives of Denmark. The father left his native land in 1873, at the age of twenty-three years, and on reaching the United States came direct to Hayward. He became cook for the New York brewery, which position he held for nine years, and then engaged in the hotel business at B and Castro streets, where the Bank of Italy building was later erected, continuing there until 1892, when he retired from active business. His death occurred in 1921, when he was seventy-three years of age. After having lived in Hayward for five years, Mr. Sorensen returned to Denmark and brought his father and mother to Hayward, at which time he bought the present home place, on which he and his father set out trees in 1876, and there the grandparents spent the remainder of their days. The grandfather made wooden shoes after coming to this country. The mother came to America in young womanhood and was married soon after reaching Hayward. She died in 1892 at the age of thirty-two years.
Carl A. Sorensen received his educational training in the public schools of Hay- ward and was employed on ranches in this locality for four years. He then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he was employed for nine years, and later engaged in the contracting business, being in partnership with his brother, Andrew E. Sorensen, from 1913 to 1924, under the firm name of Sorensen Brothers. Since the dissolution of the firm Carl A. Sorensen has continued in the business alone. Among the principal buildings constructed by the brothers were the Mt. Eden and Tennyson schools, the Orchard ward school at Oakland, the Christian Science church, the General Bowree home in Castro Valley, the Christ Nicolaisen home at
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Seventh and B streets, the Joe Lemos home on the Mt. Eden road, the Manuel Lopes home at A and Soto streets, the Joe Martin home at Fourth and B streets, Hayward, the Frank Dutra home on C street, a dairy barn for Mr. Mowery at Ervington and one for Andrade Brothers at Centerville, and the remodeling of the Methodist Episcopal church. Since Carl A. Sorensen has been alone in the business he has erected the following brick buildings : The Dias music store on B street, the Prowse building on Main street, the John Ravano service station at A and Main streets, the Fred Starr Hayward Battery Company building on A street, near Main, the Meininger & Company building on Castro street, near E street, the Buick building on A street near Castro, the Rasmussen building on Watkins street, the Castro Valley Hatchery building on A street, and the residences for Jep Eschelsen, George Meininger, Ted Medau, Mrs. Hogrefe, Dr. O'Connor, Gus Borneman and Jack Rodgers, besides many others. He is thorough and painstaking in everything he undertakes, and the high quality of his work has stamped him as being absolutely reliable and trustworthy.
In 1918 Mr. Sorensen was married to Miss Nina N. Killingsworth, a daughter of William C. Killingsworth. Mrs. Sorensen is a native of Idaho and is a graduate nurse. In his political views Mr. Sorensen is a stanch republican and takes a good citizen's interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of his com- munity and county. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Dania, the Lions Service Club and is a director of the Chamber of Commerce and the Hayward Building Exchange. He is a man of fine personal traits, straight- forward in all of his relations and commands the respect and good will of all who know him.
EDWARD J. SMITH
Edward J. Smith, who has gained an enviable standing among the successful lawyers of Alameda county and is prominent and influential in political and civic circles, is a self-made man in the best sense of the term, his success being the legiti- mate fruitage of his determined and persistent efforts along rightly directed lines.
He was born in San Francisco, California, on the 5th of January, 1894, a son of Eugene E. and Mary Smith, and attended the public schools and night schools in his native city, also taking university extension courses. Having decided to devote his life to the practice of law, he attended an evening law school and studied in a law office. He had to make his own way, and in this he succeeded, so that in 1917 he was admitted to the bar. He has since practiced his profession in San Francisco and Oakland and has gained distinctive recognition as an able and trust- worthy lawyer, being now in the enjoyment of a very satisfactory clientele.
Mr. Smith has been married twice, first, to Miss Gladys Elliott, who died in 1919, leaving two children: Gladys, now fourteen years of age; and Edward F., eleven years of age. For his second wife Mr. Smith chose Miss Lillian Hartmeyer, who was born in Sacramento, California.
Mr. Smith has always been an active supporter of the republican party and in 1922 was elected to represent the thirty-sixth district in the state legislature. His service in that body was so satisfactory that he was reelected in 1924 and again
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in 1926. He has served on a number of important committees and has done most effective work in the public interests. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to Scottish Rite; Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; the Sciots ; the Woodmen of the World, of which he is a past council commander ; the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a past president of Brooklyn Parlor, N. S. G. W., and is a member of the Past Presidents Association of that order. He has ably and conscientiously performed his full duty in every position to which he has been called, and his career has reflected great credit on his integrity, his honesty of motive and his loyalty and faithfulness. He commands the respect of his profession, the confidence of the public and the admiration of his host of friends throughout the community where he lives.
MRS. ELIZA ABERNETHY
One of San Leandro's best known and most highly esteemed families through a long period of years has been the Haas family, a present representative of which is Mrs. Eliza Abernethy, than whom no woman in this community is more honored or admired. Mrs. Abernethy was born in San Leandro, Alameda county, on the 27th of February, 1858, and is a daughter of John L. and Mary (Reid) Haas. Her father, was born near Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and was there reared and educated. He learned the trade of cabinetmaking, which he followed there until he decided to try his fortune in the west. In company with Robert Sylvester Farrelly, who later became a pioneer settler in San Leandro, he went to Mexico, but not liking that country, they came to California and Mr. Haas, attracted by the splendid climate and rich soil, concluded he had traveled far enough. Coming to San Leandro, he squatted on one hundred and sixty acres of land, and later, when the Spanish land grants were confirmed by the United States Government, he bought a number of acres of land from Don Ignatio Peralta, for which he paid about fifty dollars an acre. On this tract, which is now located in the heart of San Leandro, he built a small cottage, which is still one of the landmarks of the community. In San Francisco, Mr. Haas was united in marriage to Miss Mary Reid, who was born at Dundee, Scotland, April 25, 1824, and they established their home at San Leandro, where they spent their remaining years. Mr. Haas dying in October, 1864, and his wife in 1909, at the age of eighty-five years. After coming to California Mr. Haas gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, raising a general line of crops, and also became an extensive fruit grower and orchardist, having planted a large acreage to fruit trees, and he was successful in all of his operations. He was married twice and to his first union were born two children, Jacob, who made his home in Stockton, California, was married to Miss Agnes Drummond and they became the parents of six children, of whom three are living, Agnes, Lottie and Clara; Clarissa was married but died without issue. To John L. and Mary (Reid) Haas were born six children: Annie, who is the widow of the late Robert Broad and lives at 1028 Capp street, San Fran- cisco; Jennie, who became the wife of A. R. Hamlin and lives at 3234 Central avenue, Alameda, California ; James, who died at the age of sixteen years; Mrs.
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