USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 19
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LOUIS A. PIEROTTI
In the front rank of the substantial and successful business concerns of Oakland is that of Joseph Pierotti & Sons, Inc., builders of automobile bodies and dealers in Ford cars. This is one of the oldest and best known business establishments in the city and enjoys a high reputation for honorable dealing and reliability. The president of the company is Louis A. Pierotti, who has been identified with the business continuously since boyhood.
Mr. Pierotti was born in Oakland on the 25th of August, 1887, and is a son of Joseph and Filomenia (Cuicci) Pierotti. The father was a blacksmith and wagonmaker by trade and in 1880 established a shop in Oakland, continuing in the business until his death, which occurred May 22, 1912. With the assistance of his sons, he built up a large business, the scope of which was greatly broadened with the advent of automobiles, and his company was the first to build commercial auto- mobile bodies in Oakland. Mr. Pierotti was one of the oldest merchants continu- ously in business in this city and commanded the confidence and respect of the en- tire community. Sometime prior to his death he made a trip to Italy. The mother passed away February 2, 1924.
Louis A. Pierotti secured his educational training in the public schools and then went into his father's shop, where he learned the blacksmith's trade in all of its branches. He continued with the business and when his father retired from the active management he took charge. In 1923 he and his brothers, H. M. and Joseph, Jr., incorporated the business under the name of Joseph Pierotti & Sons, of which Louis A. is president. It now includes three departments, that of automo- bile body building, automobile parts and the agency for Ford cars. They utilize seventeen hundred and fifty square feet of floor space and employ twenty-two people. They design their own bodies, which have met with popular favor, and have enjoyed a steadily increasing business in that line, while as sales agents they have met with well earned success. For about six years Louis A. Pierotti was ab- sent from the business, during which time he was in the employ of the Shell Oil Company.
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Mr. Pierotti was united in marriage to Miss Mary Duddy, whose grandfather, Martin Duddy, was one of the pioneer expressmen of Oakland. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierotti has been born a son, Leonard, who is attending St. Mary's high school.
In his political views Mr. Pierotti is a republican, and he is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Knights of Columbus, of which he is a past grand knight, and the Native Sons of the Golden West, of which he is a past grand president and past district deputy. A man of outstanding business ability and progressive methods, he is regarded as one of his city's worthy citizens and commands to a marked degree the respect of all who know him.
MRS. LAURA A. (LYNCH) EBER
One of the most beloved and, in some respects, one of the most remarkable women in San Leandro is Mrs. Laura A. Eber, who has lived here and been iden- tified with various phases of the community's activities for over fifty years, and still maintains a deep interest in everything relating to its progress and welfare. Mrs. Eber was born at Westchester, Butler county, Ohio, February 2, 1853, and is a daughter of Rev. W. F. B. and Rachel (Jackson) Lynch, the latter a native of Pennsylvania and a distant relative of President Andrew Jackson. Mr. Lynch was born in Pennsylvania, about thirty miles from the Gettysburg battlefield, and after his marriage settled in Butler county, Ohio. Later they moved to Keokuk, Iowa, which is the scene of Mrs. Eber's first recollections. Mr. Lynch was of Irish Stock on the paternal side, while his maternal ancestors came from Alsace. He was a man of great natural ability, force of character and versatility. He attended school in the east, but was largely self-educated, being a constant reader and close student. In 1864, when Mrs. Eber was eleven years of age her father outfitted at Keokuk, and, with his family, started for California. Mrs. Eber well remembers that journey, the covered wagon in which she traveled, the great freight wagon, drawn by a pair of gigantic mules, named "Shad" and "Shadrum," and as they proceeded they were joined by thirty other wagons, so that the scenes pictured by Emerson Hugh in "The Covered Wagon" were but reproductions of the scenes of her memorable trip across the plains. They were in constant fear of the Indians, who hovered near them; the dreaded cholera made its appearance in their party, and other terrifying incidents made it an experience never to be for- gotten. On reaching Washoe, Nevada, in 1865, they stopped and Mr. Lynch be- came a partner in "Lawlor's Institute," in which he taught for about a year and a half. In 1866 he was ordained a minister of the Presbyterian church, after which he continued teaching in the institute for a short time. In 1866 he entered upon the active work of the ministry, in which he was eminently successful. He was an accomplished elocutionist and orator, also possessing marked histrionic ability, and it is known that at one time he coached the actors in a certain historical play that was given for the benefit of the soldiers of the Civil war. As a minister of the Gospel, he preached with fervor and marked effect and many of the old-timers delight to tell, to this day of the thrills of his oratory. He held pastorates in Oak- land and other Presbyterian charges in the East Bay district and did much effective
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work in building up and strengthening the churches to which he ministered. As a platform orator he won popular favor and his lecture, "Crossing the Plains," held many an audience spellbound. At one time he was taken seriously ill and was threatened with blindness, but eventually recovered and, in addition to his pastorial work, engaged in teaching. He was soon elected county superintendent of public instruction, a position which he filled with credit and ability for eight years. He and his good wife have both passed to higher scenes of activity, dying in the home of their daughter, Mrs. Eber, at San Leandro. To them were born five chil- dren : Elizabeth, who died in Iowa, at the age of eight years; Laura A .; Dr. W. F., who practiced medicine at Walnut Creek, but it now deceased; Oscar J., deceased, who was a pioneer druggist in San Leandro, and was married to Miss Etta Knox, of this city, who is represented elsewhere in this work; and Harry W., deceased, who was principal of the Centerville grammar school.
Inheriting much of her father's natural ability, Mrs. Eber as a girl was an apt pupil and became an excellent elocutionist and pleasing entertainer. She became a teacher and while teaching at Lockwood romance entered her life. Henry Ferdi- nand Eber, usually called "Fred," was conducting a meat market at that place, and the acquaintance they formed led them to the altar on December 12, 1875. Happily wedded they moved to San Leandro, where Mr. Eber engaged in the meat business, establishing the Eber Meat Market, which has been in continuous operation to the present time. In this venture he prospered and they were exceedingly happy, despite the absence of electric lights, telephones, street cars, radios and other mod- ern conveniences. Mr. Eber was a man of high ideals, the son of cultured German parents, was well educated and spoke and read high German as well as he could English. In Ohio he had followed blacksmithing, but after coming to California, in the '50s, he turned his attention to the meat business, in which he engaged to the time of his death, which tragic event occurred in 1909, when he was sixty-three years of age being killed by a street car while driving a horse and buggy in San Leandro. For many years he was one of the most prominent and influential citi- zens of San Leandro, was a consistent advocate of progress and improvement in municipal and civic affairs and was a leader in movements for the betterment of the community. At one time a serious epidemic of diphtheria broke out in San Leandro, causing the death of many children. At that time the streets were but slightly improved and other conditions were equally bad, so that it was thought that the epidemic was the result of unsanitary conditions. Mr. Eber at once be- came an earnest advocate of sewers and was one of the prime movers in securing the construction of a sewer system in this city. He stood for every good thing for his community and his worth received substantial recognition on the part of his fellow citizens, who repeatedly elected him a member of the city council. He served two terms as mayor and subsequently as city marshal for five four-year terms. In his private affairs he was successful, for he had early established a well merited reputation for square dealing. He erected the Eber block, in which the Eber meat market is located, built the residence at 63 Callam avenue, which is still the family home and has been the scene of many important social functions, and owned other buildings in this city. His death was regarded as a distinct loss to the community which had been honored by his citizenship and his memory is still enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.
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Mr. and Mrs. Eber had five children, as follows: Winifred F. became the wife of George Robinson, the Alameda county representative of the Johns Manville, Inc., of California, and resides in Oakland; William Jacob died at the age of nine- teen months; Budd Ferdinand, one of the managers of the Eber market, is mar- ried and lives in San Leandro; Henry J., also connected with the Eber market, lives with his mother; Edward Earl, who is associated with his brothers, married Miss Rose Simmen and lives in this city. Mrs. Eber has two grand children and two great-grandchildren. In thorough accord with her husband's high civic ideals, she has always exerted her influence for the best things in community life along material moral and social lines and took an active interest in local organizations of a beneficent nature. She is a member of the Alta Mira Club and the Daughters of Rebekah, and was active in the organization and establishment of the public li- brary. She has long been an earnest worker in the Presbyterian church, having served as a member of its board of trustees and as church treasurer. Being of the same blood as "Old Hickory" Jackson, it is not strange that she is a democrat in her political views and, though one of the kindest and most loving of spirits, she can be as firm as he when occasion demands. Mrs. Eber still owns the Eber meat market, which is operated by her three sons, and she has shown herself a capable and efficient business woman. Despite her age, she is still active and enjoys life and the association of her many friends, by whom she is held in the highest measure of affectionate regard.
C. STANLEY WOOD
C. Stanley Wood is giving capable and satisfactory service to Oakland as assistant city attorney and is recognized as a thorough and painstaking lawyer. A man of liberal education, alert mentality and high personal character, he has won a high place in public esteem and is numbered among the city's leading at- torneys. Mr. Wood was born in Cadillac, Michigan, on the 12th of November, 1887, a son of Harry S. and Mina (McDonald) Wood, who are now living in Oregon, where the father is engaged in the lumber business.
C. Stanley Wood attended the public schools and graduated from normal school, after which he entered the law school of the University of Michigan, winning the degree of Bachelor of Law in 1916. . He afterward located at Deming, New Mex- ico, where he practiced for about a year, when he enlisted in the United States Army, serving in the headquarters and ordnance departments for a year and a half, spending one year in France, and at the close of the war was honorably dis- charged. After looking over a number of cities for a location, he decided on Oakland and in 1919 resumed the practice of law here. His ability as a lawyer gained quick recognition and he soon gained a gratifying clientele. On April 13, 1926, Judge Gray appointed him deputy city attorney, and subsequently E. Sturgis promoted him to the position of assistant city attorney, which office he also holds under Preston Higgins.
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Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Carol F. Walton, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and they have a daughter, Barbara. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church and belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Bisons and the American Legion, in which organization he has been very ac- tive, being a past president of American Legion Service Club and past adjutant of his post. A man of genial disposition and kindly manner, he has won a host of warm and loyal friends throughout this city and commands the respect of all who know him.
JOSEPH M. DE FREITAS
Joseph M. de Freitas, of Hayward, who is now retired from business, has had a long and interesting career, beginning here in pioneer days, and has been an interested spectator of the great development that has taken place here during the almost sixty years since he first came to this state. Mr. de Freitas was born in Flores, Azores islands, on the 25th of November, 1849, and is a son of Frank and Mary (Freitas) Freitas, also natives of those islands. They lived there many years and in 1890 came to the United States, making their home with their son and his daughter until their deaths.
Joseph M. de Freitas spent his boyhood and young manhood in the place of his birth, securing his education in the public schools, while farming was his chief occupation. In 1870 he embarked for the United States, arriving at San Francisco, September 12th, and then went to Senol, this state, where he spent some time with an uncle, Joe de Freitas. He went to work for Mr. Bowman on Bay Farm island, but later went to Gold Hill and Dayton, Nevada, where he was employed in getting out wood for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and later did some teaming at Dayton. From there he went to Santa Clara county, California, and thence to Livermore, where he worked for J. C. Rose, handling wood for the Southern Pacific Railroad. His next location was in the San Joaquin valley, where he was employed as a sheep herder by C. C. Smith, going from there to Salinas, this state, and thence to Castro- ville. From there he went to Watsonville, where he engaged in farming, and also farmed in the Salinas valley, but 1876-7 was a dry year and he failed in that venture and went to Collinsville, Solano county, where he worked for E. I. Upham as a farmer for seven years. He next engaged in farming again on his own account in Contra Costa county, where he remained twelve years, and then went to the vicinity of Pleasanton, where he bought seventy acres of land, on which he farmed for fourteen years, when he sold his land to the Spring Valley Water Company, of San Francisco, and in 1911, having retired from business, came to Hayward and bought the comfortable home at 554 First street, where he now lives.
While at Castroville, California, Mr. de Freitas was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. de Frates, who was born at Flores, Azores islands, and they became the parents of four children, two of whom died in infancy, while the survivors are, Joseph M., Jr., who lives on the Mt. Eden road, about one mile from Hayward, and is married and has two children, Albert and Joe; and Mary F., who is the wife of J. C. Hanriques and has two children, Helario and Victor. In his political views Mr. de Freitas is a republican, while fraternally he has been a member of the
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1884 and of the U. P. E. C. since 1898. He has lived a life of earnest and honest endeavor, during which his persistent efforts were rewarded with fair success, while his excellent personal qualities won for him the sincere respect and good will of his fellowmen throughout the com- munity in which he lives.
ROBERT WILLIAM TYSON
Robert W. Tyson has for many years rendered able service as a probation officer of Alameda county and in his present position in charge of adults he has been helpful in bringing many persons back to a normal and law-abiding manner of living, and thus has in a definite way contributed to the welfare of society. Mr. Tyson was born in Niles, Alameda county, California, January 1, 1881, and is a son of William Henry and Barbara (Bonner) Tyson. His paternal grandparents settled at Niles in October, 1850, and bought a tract of land, for which he paid five dollars an acre. In that year William Henry Tyson was born there. He be- came a farmer and horticulturist and served several years as horticultural inspec- tor. His death occurred in 1924. His wife, who was a native of New York state, came across the plains in 1860. They were prominent among the pioneers of this section of the state and became early members of the Native Sons of the Golden West.
Robert W. Tyson attended the public schools, graduating from high school, and also from Anderson Academy. He was reared to a farm life, followed agricultural pursuits for about four years after completing his education, and for two years was in the employ of the Southern Pacific railroad at Niles., On March 11, 1909, he was appointed a deputy juvenile probation officer of Alameda county, and so eminently satisfactory was his service that he was subsequently made probation officer of adults, in which capacity he is still serving.
Mr. Tyson was united in marriage to Miss Edna Tyson, who was born and reared at Niles and who also is descended from old pioneer stock. Mr. Tyson is a republican in his political views and is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church. He is public-spirited in his attitude towards all enterprises for the advance- ment of the community and because of his consistent life and valuable public service is respected and esteemed by all who know him.
EUGENE H. GRANDJEAN
Eugene H. Grandjean, who is rendering effective service as secretary of Oak- land Lodge No. 171, B. P. O. E., is one of the best known residents of Oak- land, where he has spent his life. He is a scion of one of the old and honored fam- ilies of the community, long prominent in commercial affairs, and he devoted his attention to business pursuits for many years.
Mr. Grandjean was born in Oakland on the 2nd of August, 1879, and is a son of Henri and Eugenia (Amstutz) Grandjean. The father was born and reared in
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Switzerland, and there learned the trade of watchmaking. At the age of twenty- one years he emigrated to the United States, locating in Oakland, California, where he followed his trade for some time. Afterward he was in the grocery business and in 1884 established a wholesale coffee, tea and spice business, which he con- clucted until 1923, when he sold out and lived retired until his death, which oc- curred in August, 1926. He was widely known; was influential and active in af- fairs relating to the development and growth of his city, and he showed sound judgment in the buying of property which has since greatly increased in value. His wife passed away in July, 1907.
Eugene H. Grandjean attended the public and high schools of Oakland and took a commercial course in a business college. For twenty-seven years he was asso- ciated with his father in business, and on the disposal of the business he entered the city auditor's office. He served there until April, 1925, when he resigned in order to accept his present position as secretary of the Elks lodge, where his work has received the general commendation of the members of the order.
Mr. Grandjean was united in marriage to Miss Alice Ward, who also is a mem- ber of an old California family. He is a stanch republican in his political affilia- tion and is a member of Brooklyn Lodge No. 225, A. F. & A. M., as well as of Oakland Lodge No. 171, B. P. O. E. A man of great energy and sound methods, and possessing a cordial and friendly manner, he is popular among his associates and commands the respect of the entire community.
JAMES PORTER SHAW
James Porter Shaw of Oakland is recognized as one of the strongest and most dependable members of the Alameda county bar, his success as a practitioner having gained for him marked prestige in his profession. He was born in Oroville, Butte county, California, on the 8th of May, 1884, and is a son of George M. and Estelle (Porter) Shaw, the latter of whom was born in Folsom, California. The father was born in Maine, January 8, 1854, and was there reared and educated, graduating from the State University as a civil engineer. In 1876 he came to California and for several years taught school in various parts of the state. He read law under Peter Hundley, at Oroville, Butte county, and was there admitted to practice May 16, 1882. Soon afterward he was appointed deputy county clerk, in which capacity he served until 1884, when he came to Oakland, where he has been engaged in the practice of law continuously to the present time, a period of forty-four years. Mrs. Shaw's father and mother were natives respectively of Ohio and Missouri and in an early day crossed the plains to California, of which state they were pioneers. To Mr. and Mrs. Shaw were born two children: James P., of this review, and George M., Jr.
James P. Shaw was about one year old when his parents came to Oakland and in the public schools of this city he secured his early education. After graduating from high school in 1904, he entered the University of California, from which he was graduated in 1908. He read law with his father and in 1914 was admitted to the bar, at once entering upon the practice of his profession. In 1917 he enlisted
JAMES P. SHAW
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in the first officers training camp, where he received a commission as first lieutenant, and was stationed at Camp Lewis, Washington, until honorably discharged, May 6, 1919, after which he resumed his professional work. He is engaged in general practice but specializes in street law, in which he is regarded as an expert, and he has built up a large and remunerative practice in the courts of Alameda county.
Mr. Shaw is a member of Live Oak Lodge No. 61, A. F. & A. M., and the American Legion; is commander of Quentin Roosevelt Unit No. 15, U. V. R .; and also belongs to the Athenian Nile Club and the Oakland Yacht Club. A man of vigorous mentality, well founded in the basic principles of jurisprudence and skilled in discriminating analysis, he has proven his ability and worth as a lawyer and commands the respect of his professional colleagues, as well as the confidence of the public, while socially his kindly and affable manner has gained for him a host of warm friends.
JOSEPH FURENZA
Joseph Furenza holds a high place in the art circles of the Bay district, his work over a long period of years having stamped him as one of the leading artists of this section of the country, and San Leandro is justifiably proud to number him among its citizens. Born at Stockton, California, on the 24th day of May, 1883, he is a son of Louis F. and Mary (Fappiano) Furenza, the former born in Genoa, Italy, and the latter at Volcano, Amador county, California. On first coming to the United States. Louis F. Furenza located in New York city, but over fifty years ago made his way to Stockton, California, and became a well-to-do farmer on the San Joaquin river. He died in 1918 and the mother is now living with her two daughters in Oakland. A son, Benjamin, resides in San Joaquin county, this state.
Joseph Furenza attended the public schools in Stockton and while but a lad his natural talent for drawing attracted the attention of his elders. While in the gram- mar school his teacher was Prof. Fred Meyers, who was then teaching drawing, painting and designing in the public schools and is now connected with the Arts and Crafts College in Oakland. Attracted by the efforts of his pupil, which indi- cated a strong natural aptitude for drawing, he gave the boy encouragement and suggested that he center his efforts on that line of study, with the aim of making artistic painting his life work. Mr. Furenza accepted his advice and later had pri- vate instruction from Professor Meyers through several terms. He made rapid progress in the technique of scenic painting, and going to San Francisco, took up the painting of theatrical curtains and scenery under the noted scenic artist, Prof. Harry Duckett, from London, under whom he studied and worked for six years. During this period he painted the curtains and scenery for many of the leading theaters of that city, as well as for a number of comic opera companies. In 1900 Mr. Furenza returned to Oakland and studied under such masters as Frank Key, Harry Duckett and Mrs. Wishart, and at that time became the regular scenic artist for the Liberty theater, working during the day and studying at night. He had found his life work, which he enjoyed, for he loved his art. He is now acknowl- edged a master in the special field in which he has done so much effective work, but has also gained marked distinction as a painter of commercial signs and pictorial
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