USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 21
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On October 29, 1864, Mr. Montgomery began the publication of a weekly news- paper, The Occidental, but six months later this was destroyed by a mob of citizens and soldiers, who were exercised at the outspoken views of the editor and deeply excited over the assassination of President Lincoln. In April, 1865, he had been warned that his life was sought by his enemies, notwithstanding which he was to be found daily in his editorial rooms. One day a messenger hurried in and told him that a mob, thirsting for his life, was on its way to the office. Hastily gathering up what papers he wished to save, he started to leave the building, but met the mob on the stairs. The leaders, furious with rage, but failing to recognize their intended
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victim, inquired where to find Zach Montgomery's office. He told them and passed calmly down the stairs. His office was totally destroyed and for a short time he was compelled to remain in seclusion. Endeavoring to secure some redress, he went to see Major-General McDowell, head of the military, to whom he explained the situation, but was told that the mob had only anticipated the military in the de- struction of his paper. Mr. Montgomery then appealed to the General in an open letter, demanding by what provision of the federal constitution he attempted to abridge the freedom of speech. He received no answer, and, being deprived of making a living through his paper or profession, he traveled over the state, making speeches in which he scored the military authorities for what he denounced as their unwarranted interference with the exercise of free speech and personal liberty. The times having quieted, in April, 1866, Mr. Montgomery resumed the publication of his paper under the name of the Occidental and Vanguard. In 1867 he was solicited to become a candidate for United States senator, but declined the honor. In 1868, the legislature having repealed the test oath which drove him from his profession, he resumed the practice of law, with an office in San Francisco, where he soon won a large clientele. He formed a partnership with General J. R. Kittrell, but this association was dissolved soon afterwards by the removal of the General to Nevada. His next partner, O. P. Evans, continued with him until 1871, when Mr. Montgomery removed his office to his home city, Oakland, where his practice grew to such an extent that, needing a partner, he became associated with Hon. J. C. Martin. Mr. Montgomery had lost none of the traits which had distinguished him in the early years of his legal career and an amusing incident of his practice in Oak- land is recalled. A case was being tried before Judge Green, when Mr. Montgomery and the opposing attorneys became involved in a heated argument as to the definition of a certain word. Mr. Montgomery quoted Webster, his invariable standard, but the judge sided against him. The following morning Mr. Montgomery entered the court room with a copy of Webster's dictionary, telling the judge he would now read the definition given by Noah Webster. The judge looked his displeasure and remarked coldly that the court had already decided the definition. "I know, your honor," replied Mr. Montgomery, "but I wanted to show the court what a fool Noah Webster was."
In 1881, because of his wife's impaired health, Mr. Montgomery moved to San Diego, this state, where for four years he engaged in practice. In 1885 he was appointed assistant United States attorney general and went to Washington, D. C., where for four years he served as advisor to the secretary of the interior. The attorney general, Augustus H. Garland, and he were former schoolmates and, though they had not met from the time of their graduation until their meeting in Washington, they had watched with interest and pride each other's career. On the close of his official term, Mr. Montgomery returned to San Diego, but a short time later legal business called him to Los Angeles, where he became the legal adviser of his nephew, the late Archbishop George Montgomery, who was then bishop of Monterey and Los Angeles. In that city Mr. Montgomery engaged in the practice of his profession, in which he continued to the time of his death, September 3, 1900. That week he was to have gone to Washington to argue a case before the United States supreme court.
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At the time of his death, Mr. Montgomery's life, labors and characteristics were widely commented on by the press of the country. The following appeared in the Daily Tribune of Salt Lake City: "It seemed strange to read the news, for men called him 'Old Zach' in the '50s. He was a lawyer among the Argonauts; he was a democrat, and no democratic doctrine was too strong for him. He was not beau- tiful, even in repose, but no one ever saw the twist of his mouth when he spoke the word 'Abolitionist' and ever forgot it. To hear him on the stump was to listen to a human calliope. Personally, though he looked like a grizzly, his heart was as soft as a deer. He was always doing kindly deeds and always there was a look which said plainly, 'If my right hand finds out what my left hand is doing it will be liable to, beat me to death.' He could not have been lured from the straight line of duty for all the wealth of the world. He was old honesty itself and though he was never handsome we believe the angels up above strewed the pathway with flowers when they heard he was coming."
In 1854, Mr. Montgomery was married to Miss H. Frances Graham, who lived only a little over a year, leaving one child. On April 28, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Evoy, who came to California in 1849, after a nine-months* journey across the plains. To them were born six children, John J., Richard J., Marty C., Margaret H., Jennie E. and James P. John J. Montgomery was born in Yuba City, California, February 15, 1858, and became a resident of Oakland in 1863, receiving his education in the schools of that city. He taught school in Hum- boldt county in 1894 and in the following year became a professor in Santa Clara College. He was the first man in the world to fly a heavier-than-air machine, public demonstrations with his aeroplane were given in San Diego county in 1884 (see Progress in Flying Machines by Octave Choate, pages 248 and 249 published in 1894). His claim in this respect was acknowledged by the Austrian government, though never allowed by his own government. His death, the result of an acci- dent, occurred October 31, 1911. He was widely known as a scientist and com- manded to a marked degree the respect of all who knew him. Mrs. Ellen Mont- gomery passed away on April 17, 1923.
Richard J. Montgomery was about six months old when his parents brought their family to Oakland and here he attended St. Joseph's Academy, at Fourth and Har- rison streets, after which he attended St. Ignatius College, in San Francisco, one year. The family moved to San Diego in 1881 and he attended Santa Clara College during 1883-4, being at this time a member of the Alumni Association of that col- lege. He engaged in farming for a time, relinquishing that line of work to accept appointment as deputy United States collector of customs on the Mexican border, with headquarters at Tijuana, Mexico. This was not an easy or pleasant job, as the country there was wild and but sparsely settled, and his position was rendered still more hazardous from the fact that, in addition to his duties as collector, he also acted as United States marshal. However, he stuck to the job, giving able and efficient service, from 1886 to 1891, when he returned to Oakland and engaged in the real estate business, with which he has been identified continuously since. In 1892 the territory at Fortieth and Telegraph streets was practically a wilderness, the only improvements being a large number of shacks which dotted the landscape. With a clear-headed vision of the future development of this district, Mr. Mont- gomery bought and moved off seventy-five of these buildings, after which he opened
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streets through the district, and in the course of time had the pleasure of seeing his judgment abundantly vindicated in the splendid development of this part of the city. An instance of the remarkable advance in real estate values here was that of a property, one hundred and ten by one hundred and sixty feet in size, which Mr. Montgomery's father sold for eight hundred and twenty-five dollars, was bought back in 1901 by his son for twenty times the price for which it was sold. The Central Oakland district is now one of the choicest sections of the city and in it Mr. Montgomery has valuable property interests. He has been a constant and persistent booster for Oakland, has induced many people to locate here and in many ways has been a large factor in the upbuilding of the city.
Mr. Montgomery is a stanch republican in his political views and has always shown a deep interest in public affairs, particularly such as have to do with the wel- fare of his city and county. He has held a commission as notary public for twenty- five years. He is a life member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is an extremely popular member of the circles in which he moves, while throughout the community he commands the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellow- men.
EUGENE KING STURGIS
Among the eminent lawyers and well known citizens of Oakland stands Eugene K. Sturgis, a member of the law firm of Sturgis, Probasco & McClean. He has not only proven himself an able and effective lawyer but also an efficient and capable public official, having served six years as city clerk of Oakland.
Mr. Sturgis was born in Portland, Multnomah county, Oregon, on the 9th of September, 1892, and is a son of George Eugene and Rose Mary (Carson) Sturgis, the former of whom was born in Augusta, Maine, March 29, 1855, and the latter in Portland, Oregon, April 18, 1860. In both paternal and maternal lines Mr. Sturgis is of English and Scotch-Irish descent and both families were established in this country between 1620 and 1630. His maternal grandfather, John C. Carson, came from New York to California, and thence moved to Oregon in 1849. He was prominent in public affairs, having served for twenty years as speaker of the Oregon house of representatives. Mr. Sturgis' maternal aunt, Luella Clay Carson, was for twenty years dean of women at the University of Oregon and was later president of Mills College at Oakland, California.
Eugene K. Sturgis attended the public schools of Portland until 1903, when he went to Berkeley, California, where he completed his public school training. He was graduated from the University of California with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1915, and then entered the Northwestern College of Law at Portland, which he attended until April, 1917, when he laid aside his textbooks and entered his country's service. From April to October, 1917, he was a member of the Am- erican Field Service in France, and from October 1, 1917, to September, 1919, was a member of the American Expeditionary Forces. He enlisted as a private and was promoted to sergeant and lieutenant. During his service he participated in nine major engagements.
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On his return to this country Mr. Sturgis became an editorial writer for the Bancroft-Whitney Company, law book publishers, with which concern he re- mained until October, 1920, when he came to Oakland, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law. In July, 1921, he was elected city clerk of Oakland, serving in that capacity until January 1, 1927, when he was appointed city attorney, in which position he served until June 1, 1927, since which date he has been a member of the city council. Since January 1, 1928, he has been a member of the law firm of Sturgis, Probasco & McClean.
On March 9, 1919, at Le Mans, France, Mr. Sturgis was united in marriage to Miss Alice L. Fleenor, who was born in Ukiah, California, February 16, 1895, and is a daughter of William Trigg and Elizabeth (Scott) Fleenor. Her father, who was a native of Virginia, died in 1910, and her mother, who was born in Colo- rado, is now residing in Oakland. Mrs. Sturgis is a member of the Park Boule- vard Club, of which she is a past president; the American Women's Overseas League, of which she is a past national vice president ; the Women's Athletic Club of Alameda County, of which she is president; and is the author of "Textbook on Parliamentary Law," by Hall and Sturgis. To Mr. and Mrs. Sturgis have been born three children, namely: Rosemary Elizabeth, born in April, 1920; Wayne Flcenor, born in August, 1922, and Eugene Kenwood, born in November, 1927.
Mr. Sturgis is a republican in his political views, and fraternally is a member of Sequoiah Lodge No. 349, A. F. & A. M., of Oakland; Oakland Lodge No. 171, B. P. O. E .; Oakland Post No. 5, A. L .; and Oakland Post No. 999, V. F. W., be- longing also to the Athenian Nile Club of Oakland. He and his wife are members of the First Baptist church of Oakland. Mr. Sturgis' sterling qualities of char- acter and candid and straightforward manner have gained for him the unqualified respect and good will of the people of his city, while in professional circles he is regarded as a sound and safe attorney, well worthy of public confidence.
R. MORTON MANSON, M. D.
Dr. R. Morton Manson has become firmly established in the confidence of the people of Hayward, where he has been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery for ten years, during which time he has won a warm place in the hearts of those who know him. Dr. Manson was born in Grass Valley, Nevada county, California, and is a son of Dr. John and Annabella (Morton) Manson, both of whom were natives of Canada, the father born in Ontario and the mother in Toronto. His father, a prominent physician, engaged in the practice of his profession in Canada until 1869, when he settled in Grass Valley, California, of which locality he was one of the pioneer medical men. There he built up a large private practice and was also surgeon for a number of the leading mining companies of that locality. In later life he moved to Lincoln, Placer county, where his death occurred in 1919, at the age of eighty years. He was a republican in his poli- tical views He is survived by his widow, who still resides at Lincoln.
R. Morton Manson spent his boyhood years in Nevada and Placer counties, where he attended the public schools. During 1909 and 1910 he was a student in
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the University of California, after which he matriculated in the Oakland College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he was graduated, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1915. He served for three years as interne and resident physician in the Alameda County Hospital, and in 1918, came to Hayward, where he has since been actively engaged in practice. He is well qualified in every respect for his life work and has been eminently successful in his efforts to combat disease, being re- garded as a capable and trustworthy physician.
In 1917 Dr. Manson was united in marriage to Miss Madolyn Strohl, who was born in San Francisco and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey Strohl and a sister of ex-Senator Strohl, of that city. Dr. and Mrs. Manson are the parents of a son, Robert Morton, Jr.
The Doctor gives his political support to the republican party and is deeply in- terested in the welfare of the country, though his professional duties preclude his taking a very active part in public affairs. He is a member of Eucalyptus Lodge, No. 243, A. F. & A. M .; Oakland Consistory, A. A. S. R .; Sycamore Lodge, No. 129, I. O. O. F .; Eden Parlor, No. 13, N. S. G W., and the I. D. E. S. Personally the Doctor is courteous and affable in manner, possesses to a marked degree the faculty of inspiring confidence on the part of his patients and always carries a spirit of optimism into the sickroom, traits which have been of material assistance to him in his practice, and his record since coming to Hayward has won for him many warm and loyal friends.
CHARLES CHRISTOPHE
Charles Christophe, owner of the New French Dry Cleaners & Dyers, of Oak- land, is an expert in his line of business, and his efficient and prompt service has enabled him to build up a large and prosperous business. He was born on the 9th of December, 1882, in Aubin, a mining and manufacturing city in the de- partment of Aveyron in south central France. He attended school to the age of twelve years, when he went to work as a clerk in the office of a notary public, by whom he was employed until twenty years of age.
Having a brother in California, Mr. Christophe came to the United States in 1902 and located first in Oakland, where he at once found employment in the French cleaning and dyeing shop of Mr. Lyonnais at Twentieth street and San Pablo avenue, where he thoroughly learned every detail of the business. He later went to work for the Allec Cleaners in San Francisco, with whom he remained until the earthquake and fire of April, 1906, when he came to Oakland and was here employed by the same firm until 1907, after which he worked for about a year in Sacramento. In 1908 Mr. Christophe returned to Oakland and bought a small place at 2247 East Fourteenth street, his present location, where he engaged in the dry cleaning business. In 1911 he sold out and during the ensuing three years worked at his trade in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Denver, Colorado. In 1914 he again came to Oakland and reengaged in the business at his former location, where he has remained to the present time. Here he has met with very satisfactory success, having a modern and fully equipped plant. Through his hard and persistent
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efforts, marked by good and honest service, he has gained a well earned reputa- tion for absolute reliability and has attracted the patronage of the representative people of the city. He cleans and dyes all kinds of garments, plain and fancy, as well as portieres, draperies, blankets and other classes of goods, to all of which he gives the most painstaking attention, taking a justifiable pride in the high quality of his work.
Mr. Christophe was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Boirard, who was born and reared in Berkeley, California, and to them have been born four children: Clemence, Emrile, Armand and Florence.
Mr. Christophe has been an active factor in the organizing of several French societies in Oakland, and the members of which must be of French birth or descent, namely : L'Union Francaise, of which he was president in 1919 and is now re- cording secretary; the French Lady Foresters of America; the Lafayette Club, of which he was the first financial secretary; and the French Athletic Club, of which he was the first secretary. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. A courteous and accommodating man in his business relations, cordial and friendly in manner toward all with whom he comes in contact, he has not only a wide ac- . quaintance throughout the city in which he lives, but is held in high regard for his sterling qualities of character and his interest in the welfare of the community.
REV. ANTHONY RAGOGNA
Rev. Anthony Ragogna of the Salesian Father of the Venerable Don Bosco is doing splendid and appreciated work as pastor of Mary Help of Christians Roman Catholic church, at 2611 East Ninth street, Oakland, and his sincere devotion to his life work, his ability as a preacher and his effectiveness as a pastor have gained for him the respect of the entire community. Father Ragogna was born at Aviano, Udine, Italy, and secured his elementary education in the public schools. Later he went to Lisbon, Portugal, where he entered college and pursued his classical and theological studies, and was there ordained to the priesthood. For ten years he served as superior of the college there, and then went to Palmeiras, Brazil, where he spent nine years as a missionary among the Indians, being Superior of the colony. He saw two years of active service in the World war, being one year in the ranks as a common soldier in the Italian army. He was twice wounded, was captured and spent one year in the zone occupied by the Central powers. In 1919 Father Ragog- na came to Oakland, California, and was appointed assistant pastor of St. Joseph's church, on Seventh street, under Rev. Joseph Galli, with whom he remained for five years, and in 1924 he became pastor of Mary Help of Christians church, which is located in the Fruitvale district of Oakland. Here he has done a good work, greatly stimulating the activities of the church in all of its departments. He erected a new parish house, two big halls for Sunday School children and plans are being made for the future building of a new church and a school. This church has over- sight of all the Latin Catholics of East Oakland, its membership being largely Portuguese, and Father Ragogna's working knowledge of five languages has been of great advantage to him in his labors. He has two assistants, Fathers Rinaldo
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dle Martini and A. Orosco. Mary Help of Christians church was founded in 1915 by Rev. Candaido Ribeiro, who died November 11, 1918, and was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Henry Ferreira, who served until 1924, when Father Ragogna canie to the parish. A man of wide learning, deep sympathies and tireless in his labors, he has well earned the warm place which he holds in the hearts of his people.
THOMAS R. EVANS
One of the most highly respected of the older residents of Oakland is Thomas R. Evans, who, after a long, active and successful business career, is now retired and is enjoying the fruits of his earlier efforts. Mr. Evans was born in Cornwall, England, on the 6th of July, 1846, and is a son of John and Margaret (Rule) Evans. His father never left England, where he was in the employ of one man for over fifty years.
Thomas R. Evans was reared on a farm and received his education in the public schools. In 1866, when twenty years of age, he came to San Francisco, arriving November 1st, and then went to the mines at Grass Valley, where he worked as a blacksmith, which trade he had learned in England. He remained there seven years and then went to White Pine, Nevada, where he spent two years during the silver excitement, and then for five years served as an engineer and blacksmith for General Rosecrans in that state. He went to Eureka, Nevada, where he lived five years, after which he worked for the Sperry Flour Company at Stockton, Cali- fornia. In the meantime his brother, who was engaged in the hotel business in San Francisco, was taken ill and Mr. Evans went there to look after his interests. The brother died and Mr. Evans remained there until he had reared his brother's chil- dren and then, in 1882, he organized a company which became known as The San Francisco Fuse Manufacturing Company, and, coming to Elmhurst, Alameda county, built a plant for the manufacture of fuses. In this venture they were suc- cessful and carried the business on for many years. The San Francisco Fuse Manu- facturing Company, was duly incorporated with John Dunn as president, John Rodda, secretary; and Thomas R. Evans, manager. When they established the plant the district was marsh-land, but the old buildings which they erected, and which are still standing, are now surrounded by other industrial and manufacturing plants. Mr. Evans devoted his efforts closely to this enterprise, which he developed with great success, and in the course of time, having accumulated a competency, he wisely retired from active pursuits and is now living in his comfortable home at 4619 Clemens street, Oakland.
When Mr. Evans was fifty-five years old he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Cotton, and after her death he married Miss Carrie Daniels. Mr. Evans has been a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Grass Valley since 1869, being now the oldest member of his lodge, and also belongs to the Sons of St. George in San Francisco. Though past four score years of age, he still maintains a keen interest in local and national affairs, on which he keeps well informed, and he
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS R. EVANS
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is regarded as one of the "grand old men" of his community, enjoying the confi- ยท dence and esteem of all who know him.
LOUIS JOHNSON & SONS
Among the home builders of Alameda county, none have shown a more pro- gressive spirit nor attained a larger measure of success than Louis Johnson & Sons, who, through their extensive operations have contributed materially to the growth and upbuilding of Oakland. Louis Johnson was born in Norway, December 23, 1867, and secured a good education in the public schools of that country. When seventeen years of age he came to the United States and located at Sioux City, Iowa, where he learned the carpenter trade. After four years in that city he went to Chicago, Illinois, where he was employed at his trade for fourteen years, assist- ing in the erection of the World's Fair buildings in Jackson park and completing the construction of the "Streets of Cairo" just prior to the opening of the fair in 1893.
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