USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 16
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Romaine W. Myers was about eight years of age when brought to Oakland and in the public schools of this city secured his early education. He afterward at- tended the old Baptist California College and the University of Pennsylvania, where he specialized in electrical and illuminating engineering. He was connected with the engineering department of the General Electric Company at various places on the coast, had charge of the installation of the electric plant and street railway in Grass Valley, California, and has done much special work along that line in different sections of this state. He then associated himself as electrical engineer with the United States Engineers and was for five years in charge of all electrical work in connection with the construction of government fortifications. On the com- pletion of that work Mr. Myers left the government service and engaged in the private practice of his profession. He was the consulting electrical engineer in charge of the electrical work on the Estuary Subway, in which he installed an au- tomatic control of the air of the tube, which is regulated by the number of auto- mobiles passing through it. The successful completion of this project, and the efficient manner in which it has operated, gained for him a wide reputation in elec- tric circles and created a larger demand for his services. He also devised the light- ing arrangements around Lake Merritt and the lighting system of the Scottish Rite temple, which, in its results and effects, is regarded as one of the finest jobs in the country. He maintains offices in the Federal Telegraph building and is regarded as one of the leading electrical engineers in the west.
Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss Marian DeBrish, whose father, Louis DeBrish, was a well known educator in this state for thirty-five years, serv- ing for a number of years as principal of the schools at Alameda. Mr. Myers gives his political support to the republican party and has shown a helpful interest in public affairs. He is a Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and belongs to the High Twelve Club, the Rotary Club, the Electrical Club, the Engineers Club, the Illuminating Engineers Society and the Castlewood Country Club. He is a man of high personal standing, of marked business ability and unquestioned integrity, and, though un- assuming and unaffected in manner, the sterling worth of his character is rec- ognized by all with whom he has come in contact
LEONARD PERILLO Y
San Leandro has gained a wide reputation for its cannery products. Chief among the firms engaged in this business is the H. G. Prince Company, operating here one of the largest and best equipped plants in this part of the state. A large share of credit for the success of this establishment is due the capable superin- tendent, Leonard Perillo, whose efficiency has won for him a high place in the re- gard of both his employers and the men under him. Mr. Perillo was born near Naples, Italy, on the 9th of March, 1880, and is a son of Carmine and Felicetta
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(Roselli) Perillo, well-to-do and highly respected people of their locality. He obtained a good education in the schools of his native land where he lived until 1903, when he came to the United States, locating in San Francisco. Energetic and ambitious, after coming here he furthered his education by private study and in night schools, so that he now speaks, reads and writes several languages, parti- cularly the Latin tongues, and English. He has never avoided hard work or re- sponsibility and has "made good" in every position in which he has been placed. He was first employed at manual labor in San Francisco, and later worked in a cannery, intensively studying every phase of the business, eventually he gained recognition as an expert and dependable workman, the California Packing Cor- poration promoting him successively to positions of greater responsibility until he became superintendent of one of its plants. In 1922 Mr. Perillo came to San Leandro as superintendent of the big H. G. Prince Company plant, and he is still filling that position with notable success. Alameda county is, because of its ex- cellent climate and superior soil, particularly well adapted to the raising of fruits and vegetables, this having been emphasized by the fact that Luther Burbank se- lected San Leandro for the location of his demonstration gardens during the Panama-Pacific Exposition. Here the H. G. Prince Company built a modern cannery and established a very successful enterprise, employing during the busy seasons as many as five hundred men and women. All kinds of fruits are pre- served, while enormous qualities of tomatoes, asparagus and other vegetables are canned. This is but one of a number of large canneries operated by this well- known concern, whose goods are recognized as of superior quality, and Mr. Perillo has taken a justifiable pride in the efficient operation of the plant over which he has complete supervision.
In 1906, in San Francisco, Mr. Perillo was united in marriage to Miss Iola Felizianetti, who is a native of Venice, Italy, and they are the parents of five chil- dren, Vera, Dora, Evelyn, Delia and Leonard, Jr. In 1915 Mr. Perillo erected a comfortable and attractive home at 2247 Washington avenue, San Leandro, and here the spirit of hospitality and good cheer is always in evidence. He has en- tered heartily into the civic and social life of the community and everywhere he commands respect and good will, being regarded as a man of superior business and executive ability and commendable personal qualities.
FRED W. PETERSEN
The position of county superintendent of buildings and bridges is one of great importance and large responsibility and the present incumbent of the office in Ala- meda county, Fred W. Petersen, has measured fully up to the demands of his position, discharging his duties in a manner that has gained for him the respect of his fellow citizens. Mr. Petersen was born in Brooklyn, New York, August 21, 1874, and is a son of Henry Ulrick and Amelia (Bergner) Petersen. His father was a sea captain and his ancestors for six hundred years had followed the sea. About 1877 he brought his family to California, and here his death occurred in April, 1886. The mother passed away in 1909.
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Fred W. Petersen received a good public school education, which he supple- mented by a course in a technical college. He then learned the plumbing and heat- ing business, at which he was employed for a time as a journeyman, but later en- gaged in business on his own account, being so occupied until 1913, when he was appointed county superintendent of buildings and bridges. He has charge of all public buildings and bridges in the Oakland estuary, as well as supervision over the engineers and janitors employed in these buildings, and is thus responsible for the proper care of all public offices. He has taken great pride in the efficient func- tioning of his department and his well directed efforts have received frequent com- mendation from those who are cognizant of his good work.
Mr. Petersen is a republican in his political views and is a member of the loyal Order of Moose. He has served with the military forces of his country, having been with the United States troops during the Mexican border troubles, and when the United States entered the World war he entered the School of Fire at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where, from 1917 until the close of the war, he served as an in- structor. He entered the service as a captain and now holds a commission as lieu- tenant-colonel in the United States Reserves. Mr. Petersen has always been fond of outdoor life and, following the bent of his family, is thoroughly at home on the water. He excels in rowing and sailing, and in the former sport has won many prizes. He is widely and favorably known throughout this locality and, because of his straightforward manner and excellent personal qualities, commands the es- teem and good will of all who know him.
EDWIN S. WARREN
Edwin S. Warren, of Hayward, has through his activities in the real estate business been a large factor in the development of his community and stands among its successful and influential citizens. He was born in Alvarado, Alameda county, California, in 1863, and is a son of Stafford Deane and Martha M. (Wright) Warren. The father was born in Canada of American parents, and the mother was a native of New York. His paternal grandfather was a contractor on the con- struction of the Erie canal in New York and in 1848 crossed the plains with ox teams, locating in Redwood Canyon, Alameda county, where he established a char- coal plant, remains of which still exist as landmarks and reminders of pioneer days. Later he returned east and located in Michigan, where he was killed by Indians while engaged in building a house in that unsettled country.
In 1847 Stafford D. Warren was married and, getting together what money he could, he and his wife came to California in 1853 by way of the Isthmus of Panama, landing at San Francisco. For awhile he engaged in teaming, trans- porting freight from the harbor lighters, and he later followed mining in Trinity county, this state. During this period he bought a ranch near Alvarado, Alameda county, a suburb of Union City, which in the early days was a well known shipping point. Eventually he located on this ranch, which he improved and developed into a good farm, where he lived until 1866, when he sold it. In 1868 he removed to Hayward, arriving here on the day of the big earthquake. At that time he bought
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the twelve acres of land now owned by Edwin S. Warren, and there he lived until his death in 1904, at the age of eighty years. The mother died there in 1891, at the age of sixty-seven years. Mr. Warren was a republican in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Congregational church, of which he was a deacon. One of our subject's uncles, Reuben Wright, installed the first water plant in Sac- ramento.
Edwin S. Warren lived at Alvarado until five years of age, when the family removed to Hayward, where he attended the public school. He was graduated from the University of California in 1885, after which he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, with which company he remained for a number of years. While in college he had studied civil engineering and on leaving the rail- road he became assistant city engineer of Seattle, Washington, where he was en- gaged in the laying out and building of streets until 1889. He then took charge of large property holdings of the Maxwell Land Grant in Colfax county, New Mexico, where he laid out and improved town sites until 1900, when he returned to Hayward. While in New Mexico he worked under James L. de Fremery of Oak- land, California, whose father was minister to Holland at that time and through these Holland connections became interested in a large land grant in New Mexico.
In 1902 Mr. Warren became superintendent of the Hayward Water Company, which position he held for twenty years, though during that period he had also become interested in the real estate developments of this section of the county, es- tablishing a real estate office on Castro street. He and his wife have also become financially interested in apartment houses in San Francisco, Mrs. Warren looking after that part of their business, while Mr. Warren manages the realty business in Hayward, and they have been very successful in all of their affairs. Since 1900 he has successfully handled a number of valuable tracts in the vicinity of Hayward, including the Warren Russell addition, the Highland addition, the Bay View tract, and has a tract to lay out on B street.
In 1900, while living in New Mexico, Mr. Warren was united in marriage to Miss Clara A. Leak, whose parents were born in Indiana. On returning to Hayward Mr. and Mrs. Warren moved into the old Warren home, where they have since resided. To Mr. and Mrs. Warren have been born two children. Staf- ford, who enlisted in the medical department of the United States navy at San Francisco, now has charge of the pathological department of the Rockefeller Foun- dation Hospital at Rochester, New York, and is also connected with the Eastman Hospital in that city. He was sent abroad by the hospital authorities and spent some time in research work there. He married Miss Viola Lockhart, a classmate at the university, and they have two children, Jane R. and Stafford D. Edward Guy Warren, the younger son, also enlisted during the World war but was refused, being only sixteen years of age at that time. He was employed by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company as an engineer on the Pitt river development and is now located at Hayward, where he is doing engineering work. In 1924 he married Miss Adair Garrecht, a daughter of Louis L. Garrecht, county assessor of Shasta county, this state, and they have one child, Richard Stafford.
Mr. Warren is a republican in his political views and has been active in mat- ters affecting the welfare of his community, having served a number of years as a member of the board of high school trustees. He is a member of the Woodmen of the
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World. He and his wife take a deep interest in the social and cultural activities of Hayward, and their efforts have ever been directed to the support of movements calculated to advance the locality in which they live, and where they enjoy a well deserved popularity.
ROBERT G. HEARNE
Robert G. Hearne has gained well deserved prominence in the real estate circles of Oakland and, as first vice president of Wickham-Havens, Inc., is an important factor in the successful operation of this well known concern. Mr. Hearne was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on the 5th of October, 1895, a son of Robert G. and Frances (Wild) Hearne. The father, who was a railroad man, died when his son was an infant, and the mother is now living in Oakland.
Robert G. Hearne attended the public schools and Mercersburg Academy, in Pennsylvania, continuing his studies in Cornell University and the University of Chicago. For one and a half years during the World war he served as a member of the Motor Transport Corps and after receiving his discharge, in March, 1919, came to Oakland, where he entered the employ of the W. H. Leimert Company, with which he remained for three years. In July, 1922, Mr. Hearne became iden- tified with the Wickham-Havens, Inc., as a salesman, in which capacity he served for three years, making an enviable record, and in 1925 was made vice president of the corporation. This is the oldest real estate organization in Oakland and has been prominently identified with the development of the city, having put on many subdivisions and handled some of the choicest residential sections of Piedmont, Berkeley and other parts of the county.
Mr. Hearne was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude A. Reicker, of Indian- apolis, Indiana. He is a stanch republican in his political views and is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon college fra- ternity, the Orinda Club and the Athens Club. He is fond of golf and tennis and other outdoor sports, is a popular member of the social circles in which he moves and has a host of loyal friends throughout this city.
JOHN ED WILLEY
For a number of years John E. Willey has rendered able and satisfactory service as chief of the fire department of Emeryville and stands high in the es- teem of the people of that community, who appreciate his faithful and efficient discharge of duty. Mr. Willey was born at Sonora, California, July 29, 1883, while his parents, William Miller and Carmen (Ballestero) Willey, were on their way from the south to San Francisco. His paternal grandfather, Dr. John Michael Willey, who was a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Dublin, came to San Francisco in an early day, being a pioneer of this locality, and he was also a noted organist. William M. Willey, also a physician, practiced his
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profession in San Francisco a number of years but he and his wife are now deceased.
John E. Willey attended the public schools of Oakland, where the family had located, completing his education at the Tompkins school. At the age of fourteen years he went to sea on a double masted schooner, and followed that work for many years. He received a chief engineer's unlimited license and was in the en- gine room of the "Astor" during the Spanish-American war. He spent sixteen years at sea, and also served as a bay pilot and as captain of the fire tug for the Standard Oil Company at Richmond for six and a half years. In 1918 he came to Emeryville to relieve the chief of the fire department, and soon afterward was appointed to that position, which he has held to the present time. At one time he was on duty for four days and nights continuously, the other members of the fire department being sick with the influenza, and in other ways he has shown admir- able loyalty to duty, the department under his supervision functioning in a man- ner that has been very satisfactory to the people of the town.
Captain Willey was united in marriage to Miss Grace White, who is a native of California, and they have a daughter, Mrs. Evalyn Bartholomew. The Cap- tain is a republican in his political alignment, and is a member of the Pacific Coast Fire Chiefs Association. He is a man of sterling character, courteous and affable in manner, and throughout the community in which he lives has many warm and loyal friends, who esteem him for his genuine worth.
JESSE WELDON O'NEILL
In the practice of law Jesse W. O'Neill, of Oakland, has gained noteworthy success, being regarded as one of the leading members of the Alameda county bar, while in civic affairs he has gained general recognition as one of the public-spirited and dependable citizens of his community. Mr. O'Neill was born at Boulder, Colo- rado, on the 31st of December, 1890, and is a son of John McCormack and Jennie (Weldon) O'Neill, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Michigan. His father was a prominent railroad and mining attorney and served as a district court judge in Texas.
Jesse W. O'Neill attended the public schools of Yreka, Siskiyou county, Cali- fornia, graduating from high school, and then entered the University of California, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in May, 1913. On July 1, 1913, he was admitted to the bar and at once located in Oakland, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession continuously since. His practice is limited to civil and probate law, in which he has won a large and impor- tant clientele, being looked upon as a sound, safe and reliable counselor and attor- ney. He is a director of and attorney for the Securities Investment Corporation of Oakland.
On September 2, 1914, at Turlock, California, Mr. O'Neill was united in mar- riage to Miss Clara Schorer, a daughter of Rev. William and Wilhelmina Schorer. Her father, a native of Switzerland, was long an active and well known minister of the Presbyterian church and is now deceased. Her mother, who was born in
JESSE W. O'NEILL
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Kansas, now resides in Hollywood, California. Mrs. O'Neill attended Mills College for two years and the University of California for two years, graduating from the latter institution with the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in May, 1914. She is prominent in the social and business affairs of the Mills Club and is actively interested in Baby Hospital work. Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill have one child. Jack, who is now eight years of age. In his political views, Mr. O'Neill is a republican, while fraternally he is a member of Oakland Lodge, No. 171, B. P. O. E., belong- ing to its advisory and Americanization committees. He also has membership in Oakland Lodge, L. O. O. M., and Berkeley Chapter of the Delta Chi college fraternity, of which he was president in 1913. He is chairman of the grievance committee of the Alameda County Bar Association. He and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church of Oakland and he takes an active interest in all civic movements of a beneficent nature, standing for all that is best in the life of the community. He enjoys well merited popularity among his associates, being a man of cordial and friendly disposition, and throughout the city in which he lives he is held in high regard for his integrity of character, his professional attainments and his splendid personal qualities.
F. J. HIRSCHMANN
The life story of F. J. Hirschmann, one of San Leandro's prominent and successful business men, if told in detail would make a most interesting chapter, for he has passed through many and varied experiences, some of which have been decidedly unpleasant. His record since coming to San Leandro has been a re- markable one, his achievements in a commercial way reflecting great credit on his ability and judgment, and today no resident of the community commands to a greater degree than he the public confidence and good will.
Mr. Hirschmann was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 26th of January, 1876, a son of Karl and Caroline Hirschmann. The father was an expert mahogany worker, being employed in finishing pipe organs in Germany, and he was a man of good education, being able to speak the German and French languages. In 1880 he brought his family to the United States on a sailing vessel which required fifty- six days to make the passage, and they located first at Pettisville, Ohio. A short time later he removed to Detroit, Michigan, where he worked in the shops of the Pullman Car Company. From there he went to Roger City, Michigan, where he was employed at the carpenter's trade, building houses and also making coffins when needed, and while there he also did the finishing work in mahogany on the "Al- pena," the "Flora" and the "Charlevoix," large lake steamships. His next move was to Emerald, Lancaster county, Nebraska, and from there to Lincoln, that state, where he built the German Orphans Home. From there he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked in the factory of Lutch & Laesher, manufacturers of cedar chests. Later he located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but, not satisfield with that section of the country, he came to California, living in Bakersfield, Fresno and Oakland. In the last named city he spent his remaining years, dying
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there in 1922 at the age of seventy-six years. His wife died there sometime pre- viously, when sixty-eight years old.
F. J. Hirschmann spent two years in a German college studying for the ministry. He began his business career as a delivery boy in a grocery store, and when the family located in Dubuque, Iowa, he went to work as a newsboy and peanut ven- der on the Illinois Central Railroad, running from Dubuque to Sioux City, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Later he ran from Chicago, Illinois, to Sioux Falls, and then from Chicago to Centralia, Vandalia and Cairo, Illinois. In 1896 Mr. Hirschmann became a freight brakeman on the Illinois Central road, running from Freeport, Illinois, to Clinton, Illinois, and in the course of time was pro- moted to freight conductor. During these years he met with three serious acci- dents, either one of which came near costing him his life. The first accident oc- curred at Minonk, Illinois, where he was thrown from the top of a freight car, breaking his left leg; near Bloomington, Illinois, the top handhold of a car pulled out and he fell off while the train was running at a speed of fifty-five miles an hour, and he received internal injuries ; and at Decatur, Illinois, the car on which he was riding failed to clear a passing train, which struck him and he suffered several broken ribs, his lantern was crushed and a bolt penetrated his train book. The lantern and book are still in his possession as souvenirs of his experience. His injuries have necessitated seventeen operations, all of which he passed through without taking an anesthetic. Despite his accidents and injuries, he is today in good health and enjoys life as only a well man can.
When Mr. Hirschmann heard of the great California earthquake of April 17; 1906, he made all possible haste to the coast, fearful of the safety of his parents, whom he found unharmed in Oakland. He was so pleased with this part of the country that he decided to remain here and, going to Needles, California, obtained employment as a conductor on the Santa Fe Railroad, having charge of a water train which ran from Newberry to Bagdad. His train consisted of twenty-two cars, each of which contained six thousand gallons of water. After a year on that road, Mr. Hirschmann returned to Oakland and became a motorman for the Oakland Traction Company. A year later he resigned that position and, coming to San Leandro, he demanded a job in the San Leandro Cash Store, and got it. However, he did not like the position, so quit and engaged in hauling and dealing in potatoes. At that time the potato market had been cornered and he was compelled to give up that line of effort. With a cash capital of three dollars, he established the San Leandro Creamery, which proved a fortunate venture and from that day prosperity has attended him. He has been painstaking and thorough in everything he has undertaken, and as his business increased and his financial con- dition permitted, he has gradually increased the scope of his operations until now he has a full-fledged department store and does an important and prosperous busi- ness. His accomplishments in twenty years have not been attained without hard work and the exercise of sound discrimination, and he has shown himself a capable and dependable business man, true to high commercial principles and loyal to every engagement, so that he has long commanded the absolute confidence of all who have dealt with him. His first location was at the corner of East Fourteenth and Ward streets, where he remained until 1910, when he moved to the Best building, where the Bank of Italy is now situated. In 1913 he located in the Masonic
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