USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 25
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who died March 4, 1928. Father Collins the assistant pastor, is a forceful and enthusiastic worker, has stimulated all departments of the church work, and has gained a warm place in the hearts of the parishioners and the confidence and re- spect of the people of that section of the city who appreciate his loyal interest in the general welfare of the community. The Rev. Father Quirk has just been ap- pointed pastor to succeed the late Father Concannon.
WILLIAM CLARK BLACKWOOD
William Clark Blackwood, who passed from the scenes of earthly activity in 1894, will always be remembered as one of the real pioneers in the fruit raising in- dustry in Alameda county, and by his progressive methods he exerted a marked influence among the fruit growers of this section of the state, particularly in the growing and handling of apricots. He was a man of marked initiative ability and sound judgment, and the abundant measure of prosperity which crowned his ef- forts was well merited.
Mr. Blackwood was born in County Antrim, Ireland, from which country he ac- companied his parents on their emigration to the United States. They settled in New York state, where both parents died, and there he completed his education, studied law and was admitted to the bar. Later he went to Michigan, where he engaged in farming for a few years, and then came to Alameda county, California, where he established his permanent home, buying one hundred and fifty acres of good land. He made splendid improvements on his place, erecting a substantial set of farm buildings and giving his attention to fruit raising. He was the first man in Alameda county to plant an apricot orchard, in which he took a justifiable pride, it becoming in the course of time one of the show places of the county. He dem- onstrated the practicability of raising apricots here and thus gave an impetus to the movement which has resulted in this being one of the chief apricot raising counties in the state. He was also the first here to dry apricots in the sun. In 1879 he erected a splendid residence on his farm and in everything he undertook his dis- played up-to-date ideas and methods. He also became the owner of three hundred acres of land near Winters, California, and a large tract of land at Mountain View, Santa Clara county. He was a good manager and cleared as high as thirty thousand dollars in one year on his fruit.
Mr. Blackwood was married three times, first to Miss Jane Woodard, who was born in Michigan, and to them were born four children, namely: Dr. Samuel Blackwood, deceased; Mrs. Mary F. Sparks; Mrs. Clementine Reynolds, of Palo Alto, California; and Sarah Elizabeth, the wife of William Owen, who is a native of Wales, and on coming to this country settled in Alameda county, where he be- came associated with the late Captain Roberts, of Roberts Landing. To. Mr. and Mrs. Owen were born two children, William Blackwood Owen and Victor Hugo Owen, the latter of whom lived for a time at Santa Clara, California, but now re- sides in Oakland. William Blackwood Owen, who died in 1898, at the age of twenty-seven years, inherited his share of the estate. He married Miss Ethel M. Craig, who was born near Brantford, Brant county, Ontario, Canada, and was a
WILLIAM C. BLACKWOOD
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. niece of Mrs. Elizabeth Blackwood, with whom she came here to make her home. To William B. and Ethel Owen were born two children: Harry William, who married Miss Leola French; and Edith Craig Owen, who married Harry Schuyler and has one son, James Owen Schuyler. They reside in Whittier, California. To Mr. Blackwood's second union was born one child, Lucy Belle. In June, 1876, in San Francisco, Mr. Blackwood married Miss Elizabeth Craig, who was born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, a daughter of Samuel and Jane (Rosebrough) Craig. She was a teacher in the Oakland public schools prior to her marriage, and is now living on the home farm, at the age of eighty-five years, beloved by all who know her.
Mr. Blackwood gave his political support to the republican party, and was a member of the Presbyterian church, to which he gave generous support. He was a man of sterling qualities of character, loyal and true in every relation of life, and was not only highly successful in his individual affairs but also commanded the respect of his fellowmen. His death removed from Alameda county one of its most substantial and highly esteemed citizens, and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.
SIMEON A. D. BUCHANAN
Simeon A. D. Buchanan, of Newark, is numbered among those whose activi- ties are directed along agricultural lines. He is meeting with well deserved success and stands among the worthy and respected citizens of his community. Mr. Buchanan was born on the ranch on which he now lives, a son of John and Rachael (Ross) Buchanan, the former born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the latter in Londonderry, Ireland. The father left his native land at the age of fifteen years and followed the sea for fifteen years. Landing at New York city, he enlisted in the United States Navy during the war with Mexico. He was made quartermaster of his ship, which was sent to Vera Cruz, and they captured a slave ship. Subse- quently they went to Norfolk, Virginia, and Mr. Buchanan was discharged some time later. On June 24, 1850, he arrived in San Francisco, California, and soon afterward came to Alvarado, Alameda county. He operated a boat from that point to San Francisco, but later engaged in mining on the Middle Yuba river. Re- turning to Alvarado, he bought forty acres of land, to which he later added twenty- six acres, giving his attention to the operation of this ranch until the earthquake of 1906, when he retired, and his death occurred in 1911, at the age of eighty-eight years. He was married after coming to this county, and his wife died in 1917, at the age of eighty-five years. They became the parents of three children, Mar- garet W., who is the wife of Orman J. Emery, of Alvarado; John Ross and Simeon A. D.
Simeon A. D. Buchanan received his educational training in the district school between Alvarado and Centerville and in the Oakland high school, from which he was graduated in 1890, after which he took a commercial course in the Pacific Business College in San Francisco. For awhile he clerked in a general store in Alvarado, and then engaged in a general merchantile business at Newark. This
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proved a successful venture and he carried the business on for nineteen and a half years, when he sold out and settled on the home ranch. He has sixty-five and a half acres of fertile, well improved land, devoted mainly to raising cauliflower and spinach in winter, and corn, tomatoes, potatoes and squash in summer. He has given close attention to his farm, in the cultivation of which he has shown good judgment and from which he receives a nice income. Mr. Buchanan gives his political support to the republican party and is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Native Sons of the Golden West. Mr. Buchanan recalls his father's account of conditions and events of the early days here, one of which was that pears raised on the old Mission San Jose found ready sale in San Francisco at one dol- lar each. Mr. Buchanan has not failed in his obligations of citizenship, having given his earnest support to every measure for the advancement of the community, while his personal record has been of a character that has earned for him the sincere respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
REV. ROBERT SAMPSON
Rev. Robert Sampson, one of the able and influential clergymen of the East Bay district, is rendering effective and appreciated service as pastor of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church in Oakland, which is one of the oldest and has long ·been one of the most important centers of religious life in this city. Until 1876, from a point at West Oakland and the bay of San Francisco, running thence by the water front easterly as far as Lake Peralta, now Lake Merritt, thence northeasterly to the foothills and by the foothills northerly as far as the boundary line of the two counties of Contra Costa and Alameda ; and thence westerly as far as the bay of San Francisco, and thence southerly to the point of beginning, constituted only one Catholic parish. The only Catholic church for all the Catholics of this vast terri- tory was St. Mary's, at Jefferson and Seventh streets. On January 13, 1876, Most Rev. Archbishop Joseph Alemany divided this extensive territory and estab- lished another parish. The division was made commencing at the foot of Twenty- eighth street at the bay of San Francisco on the west and by this street easterly to the west line of St. Anthony's parish and thence northeasterly to the foothills, by the foothills to the boundary line of the counties north of Berkeley, thence westerly to the bay of San Francisco and southerly to Twenty-eighth street, the point of beginning. All the territory within these boundaries constituted the new parish of Sacred Heart. Rev. Lawrence Serda, who was then assistant pastor at St. Mary's church, Oakland, was appointed rector of this new parish. The first mass in the parish was celebrated by Rev. Michael King, rector of St. Mary's church, in the home of Hon. Zach Montgomery, at the northwest corner of Telegraph avenue and Forty-first street, January 16, 1876, and for nearly a year mass was celebrated every Sunday and holy day in the Montgomery home. A month after Father Serda's arrival, a school was built and completely equipped by Mr. and Mrs. Mont- gomery on the west side of Grove street, between Forty-first and Forty-second streets, but remained under the direct supervision of Father Serda. Through the
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earnest efforts of Father Serda and Patrick Swords, funds were raised for the building of a church, and December 17, 1876, this church, a neat frame building, was dedicated by Archbishop Alemany. It was located on the north side of For- tieth street on a lot, one hundred and twenty-one by two hundred and twenty feet, donated to the parish by Mrs. Margaret P. McCourtney, Mrs. Ellen Montgomery and Hon. Zach Montgomery. On December 9, 1878, Father Serda moved into the new rectory which had been erected through funds raised at a fair. In 1880 Father Serda solicited funds and built a two-story school building, with class- rooms on the first floor and an entertainment hall on the second, the building be- ing blessed by Archbishop Alemany on June 27, 1880. This was a girls' school and was so successful that Father Serda in a few years laid plans for a boys' school, as a site for which he donated a piece of property that he personally owned, and this schoolhouse was dedicated by Archbishop Riordan, June 20, 1886. In 1889 the church was enlarged, new altars erected, sacristies built and many other improvements made. In 1897 the parish met with a severe loss in the destruction by fire of the church, the rectory and the girls' school. Plans were immediately made for the erection of a temporary church and mass was celebrated in it early in December. In the summer of 1898 a new school for girls was completed, which has since been considerably enlarged and remodeled and is now used as the parish rectory. In October, 1901, Father Serda called a meeting of a number of busi- ness men of the parish to consider the erection of a new church, and, after due consideration of various plans, it was decided to build a stone church, the corner- stone of which was laid by Archbishop Riordan on December 15, 1901, and on December 4, 1902, the building was dedicated by him. This is a beautiful structure, simple but impressive in design, and has served the parish well to the present time. In June, 1917, after forty-one years of zealous and untiring service in Sacred Heart parish, Father Serda tendered his resignation, because of advanced age and rapidly failing health, and on July 1, 1917, the Archbishop appointed Rev. Robert Sampson as pastor in his place.
Rev. Robert Sampson was born in Galbally, county Limerick, Ireland, and was educated and ordained at St. Patrick's College. Thurles, Ireland, after which he came to the United States. For many years he served successively as assistant pastor at Holy Cross church, San Francisco, and St. Patrick's church, West Oak- land. In December, 1909, he was chosen by the Archbishop for the arduous task of establishing the new parish of St. Ambrose in the sparsely populated district of West Berkeley, where his untiring efforts met with unqualified success and in one year he had built there a splendid church and rectory. From St. Ambrose he went as pastor to St. Louis Bertrand's, Elmhurst, and there again distinguished himself as an indefatigable worker. During the few years that he spent there, he enriched the parish with a modern and well equipped hall. Great as was the grief of the parishioners of Sacred Heart on the retirement of their beloved pastor, Father Serda, they felt that they had secured in Father Sampson one well fitted to carry on the noble traditions of their parish, and their homes were not misplaced, as is attested by the wonderful work he has accomplished since coming here. On his appointment Father Sampson remodeled and enlarged the parish rectory, thus giving more suitable accommodations to the priests of the parish. During the sum- mer of 1919 he added four large classrooms and a cafeteria to the school building
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erected in 1910, and at the same time installed a modern heating plant in the church and school. Later in the same year he made many improvements in the church and hall and built a large annex to the Sisters' home. In October, 1921, Father Sampson constructed a boys' sacristy at the rear of the church and in order to maintain uniformity with the main building he secured the same kind of stone as that used in the church. His zeal and devotion to the work of the parish has en- deared him to the hearts of his people, who give to him the most loyal and whole- hearted support, and Sacred Heart parish is in a prosperous and healthy condition in all of its departments. Father Sampson is an eloquent and effective preacher, always has large congregations, and is regarded as an important factor in the spiritual and moral life of this section of the city, commanding the sincere respect of all who know him.
MANUEL OLIVEIRA
One of the old residents of Centerville, whose useful and industrious life has gained for him a high place in public esteem, is Manuel Oliveira, who is a successful orchardist, while his citizenship has been of a type that has benefited his community. Mr. Oliveira was born in Centerville, September 3, 1875, and is a son of Antone and Marie (Lewis) Oliveira, who were natives of the Azores islands and were married in Boston, Massachusetts. The father left his native land in young man- hood, landing at Boston, Massachusetts, and thence proceeded by train to Califor- nia. Locating at Centerville, he was employed for a short time as a farm hand, then bought a small tract of land, to which he added by later purchase until he had sixteen acres, which he planted to apricots and cherries, developing a valuable place, to which he devoted his attention until his death, in 1926, at the age of sev- enty-four years. He was a democrat in his political views and was interested in the affairs of his community, contributing to its improvement and progress.
Manual Oliveira was educated in the public schools of Centerville, after which he was engaged in the nursery business for twenty years, during the last seven years as a foreman. In the meantime he bought land and is now the owner of fifty-six acres, of which sixteen acres are in cherries and apricots, and all of the land is well improved, comprising one of the good farms of this locality. Mr. Oliveira also buys and dries fruit for Rosenberg Brothers & Company, with which firm he has been associated for twenty-eight years, being its agent in Washington township. He also acts as fruit buyer for the F. E. Booth Canning Company of Centerville.
On September 25, 1898, Mr. Oliveira was united in marriage to Miss Rita Furtado, who was born and reared in Centerville and is a daughter of Joaquin and Rita Furtado. Her parents were born in the Azores islands and came to this country in early life, though at different dates, their marriage occurring in Center- ville. Here Mr. Furtado engaged in farming, but is now retired, at the age of seventy-six years. The mother died here. Mr. and Mrs. Oliveira have ten children, Matilda, Carrie, Erma, Rachael, Marie, Emily, Otilla, Agnes, Clareman and Vin- cent. The family live in a beautiful home on Main street, in Centerville, where the spirit of good cheer and true hospitality is always in evidence. Mr. Oliveira is a democrat and has long been active in local public affairs, having served as constable
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for a year and a half, while for sixteen years he has been a member of the school board, in which capacity he has rendered effective service to his community. He is a member of the Ancient United Order of Druids and the U. P. E. C. Because of his upright and consistent life, his sterling qualities and his genial disposition, he well deserves the high place which he holds in public esteem.
THE OAKLAND BANK
The Oakland Bank is the oldest bank in Alameda county and one of the oldest in the state. It was organized August 13, 1867, as The Oakland Bank of Savings, with a capital stock of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This was increased to three hundred thousand dollars in 1869 and to one million dollars in 1871.
In 1905 the stockholders organized the Bankers Trust Company with a capital of three hundred thousand dollars, and in 1910 this institution was merged with the parent bank, which established a trust department to care for this business. At that time the capital was increased to one million, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. In 1915 The Oakland Bank of Savings absorbed the Berkeley National Bank and the University Savings Bank, which they continued as a Berkeley branch and again increased the capital to one million, two hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars. The rapid growth of deposits made it necessary to increase the capital stock to one million five hundred thousand dollars in 1920 and in December, 1927, five thousand additional shares of stock were issued, making the paid up capital two million dollars. In 1915 they also established a branch in West Oakland, and in 1917 another in East Oakland through the absorption of the Twenty-Third Avenue Bank.
Having decided upon a policy of confining their operations exclusively to Oakland, they sold their Berkeley interests in 1922, and now maintain eleven branches, all located at strategic points in this city. Of these branches The Oakland Bank owns the sites of seven, on which they have erected their own buildings.
During the early part of its career The Oakland Bank of Savings was primarily a savings bank, but with the growth of Oakland as a commercial city and the consequent development of the bank's commercial business this name became mis- leading and in 1923 it was deemed advisable to change the name to The Oak- land Bank.
This bank began business in a small brick building at Ninth and Broadway, but ten years later, in 1877, removed to its present location at Twelfth and Broad- way. Since then the rapid increase of its business has several times necessitated the enlargement of its quarters, finally resulting in its present magnificent structure, a modern seventeen-story bank and office building, covering a lot one hundred by one hundred and fifty feet. It occupies the entire ground floor as well as the second and third floors.
The bank's deposits show a steady and consistent increase from year to year since its organization. They passed the million dollar mark in 1875, two million dollars in 1887, five million dollars in 1892, ten million dollars in 1904, twenty · million dollars in 1912 and thirty million dollars in 1917. During the past decade
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they have more than doubled, being now over sixty million dollars. In addition to having paid regular dividends of twelve per cent on its capital stock, this bank has built up a reserve fund of nearly double its capital, the last statement showing capital of two million dollars, surplus of three million one hundred thousand dollars and undivided profits amounting to eight hundred and ten thousand dollars. The total assets are sixty-seven million, nine hundred and twenty thousand seven hun- dred and seventy-two dollars.
All of the directors and chief officers of The Oakland Bank have been identified with the institution for many years. W. W. Garthwaite has been with the bank almost since its organization and has been president and general manager for the past twenty-five years. All of the vice presidents have served the bank in various capacities for a quarter of a century or more. The present officers and directors are: W. W. Garthwaite, president; J. Y. Eccleston, A. Borland, A. W. Moore, J. A. Thomson and A. E. Caldwell, vice presidents; J. W. Garthwaite, vice presi- dent and trust officer ; and H. J. Harding, vice president and credit manager. The directors are A. Borland, Arthur H. Breed, H. C. Capwell, W. B. Dunning, J. Y. Eccleston, W. W. Garthwaite, James K. Moffitt, A. W. Moore, A. G. Tasheira and P. J. Walker.
ALBERTO MOURA
Alberto Moura, who is successfully engaged in the practice of law in Oak- land, has attained his present position of prominence and usefulness through persistent and well directed efforts and is regarded as one of the capable and influ- ential members of the Alameda county bar. Mr. Moura was born in Chaves, Por- tugal, on the 1st day of January, 1891, and is a son of Joseph, and Anna (Sousa) Moura, who also were natives of that country. His father received a university education, acquiring an intimate knowledge of the French language, became an ex- pert pharmacist, and afterwards taught history and French in several colleges. Mr. Moura's maternal grandfather was a prominent and successful merchant and did much traveling.
Alberto Moura acquired a good public school education and studied for the priesthood in the College of St. Bernard. Later he entered a military academy, from which he was graduated with the rank of second lieutenant. In 1914 he came to the United States, locating in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he founded a Portuguese newspaper, and two years later he came to Oakland, Cali- fornia. For about two years he served as editor of the Portuguese Union, and in the meantime had taken up the study of law in St. Ignatius University, at San Francisco, being admitted to the bar on the completion of his course in 1923. In that year he was elected supreme secretary of the Portuguese Continental union, which office he held until 1927, since which time he has been president of that or- ganization and is also interested in a number of other organizations. In September, 1923, Mr. Moura entered upon the active practice of law in Oakland, having his offices in the Oakland Bank building, and has built up a large clientele, having proven a capable and reliable attorney. He gives his political support to the republi- can party and takes a commendable interest in the affairs of his city and county,
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lending his efforts and influence to the advancement of measures for the better- ment of the public welfare. He is a man of splendid personal qualities and com- mands the respect of all who know him.
MRS. AGNES C. MOODY
No woman of Alameda county has made a deeper impression on the educational and civic life of the community than has Mrs. Agnes Claypole Moody, who, as a lecturer on sociology, anthropology and kindred subjects, is a member of the faculty of Mills College. Possessing a vigorous mentality, thorough education and a sincere interest in the higher purposes of life, she has been more than ordinarily successful as an educator, while in the affairs of her community touching the public good she has been a definite factor. Mrs. Moody was born in Bristol, England, and is a daughter of Prof. Edward W. and Jane (Trotter) Claypole. Her mother, who was born in the forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England, died at the birth of her twin daughters, Agnes C. and Edith, the latter a scientist of note, who was well known in Berkeley, having worked on the staff of the department of pathology at the University of California. During the World war she served in the preparation of anti-typhoid serum, for use by the Allied forces, when she was stricken with that dread disease, from which she died. Edward W. Claypole was a native of England and a graduate of London University, from which he received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Master of Science. In 1879 he brought his family to the United States and became a professor of sciences in Antioch College, at Yellow Springs, Ohio. Later he was a member of the faculty of Troop Polytechnical Institute at Pasadena, California, and his death there occurred when he was sixty-six years of age.
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