USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 27
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When Father Nolan came here the parish numbered about two hundred families, but has enjoyed a steady growth and there are now four hundred families in the congregation. An able and forceful preacher, a faithful and efficient pastor and a
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friend to all men, Father Nolan has exerted a beneficent influence in the community in which he has labored, and he well merits the confidence and respect which are accorded him.
MANUEL GREGORY RIGGS
For the past eighteen years the fire protection of Hayward has been under the supervision of Manuel G. Riggs, whose capability and efficiency are appre- ciated by the people of the community, who hold him in high regard for his faith- fulness. Mr. Riggs has spent his life in Hayward, having been born here on the 24th of December, 1877, and is a son of John and Laura (De Mello) Riggs, both of whom were natives of the Azores. His father left the islands in boyhood, going to sea on a whaling ship, which later docked at San Francisco. Mr. Riggs left the ship at that time and, going to Yreka, California, engaged in mining. In 1872 he located at Centerville, where for about three years he devoted his atten- tion to farming, and in 1875 came to Hayward. He worked on the H. H. Meek ranch until 1908, when he went to work for the Hunt Brothers Packing Com- pany, being employed with that concern to the time of his death, which occurred in 1924, at the age of eighty-nine years. He was a republican in politics and was a member of the U. P. E. C. His wife went to San Francisco in girlhood and became a dressmaker, being thus employed to the time of her marriage.
Manuel G. Riggs received the advantage of a good public school education and then went to work for P. H. Hoare, who was engaged in the hay and grain busi- ness, remaining with that gentleman until 1896, when he entered the employ of the Hunt Brothers Packing Company. He was with that concern for twenty-nine years, during which period he had charge of the can department. He then went to work for Carl Sorenson, the contractor, with whom he remained until May, 1927, when he became building and sanitary inspector of Hayward, in which capacity he is still serving. Mr. Riggs has for many years given his attention to the fire department of Hayward and as early as 1908 began raising funds with which to secure better fire fighting equipment by giving parties and other enter- tainments. In 1910 he was appointed chief of the fire department and in 1912 was made fire marshal, performing the duties of these positions in addition to his regular employment. In 1910 he secured the purchase of extra hose for the de- partment, and in 1912 he circulated a petition requesting the town trustees to issue bonds for the erection of a fire station and the installation of a fire alarm system, to include sixteen boxes. The proposition was carried by a vote of seven to one and in 1913 the building was erected. In 1915 Mr. Riggs recommended the purchase of gas-driven equipment, which was provided, and in 1917 the members of the department bought the second piece of apparatus through their own earn- ings. In 1923 the city bought a modern, motor pumping equipment, so that today Hayward is provided with ample facilities for fighting fires. The members of the fire department have done more than their share in equiping the department, having bought the fire station furniture, laid a fine maple floor in the building and bought their own uniforms. Altogether they have raised seven thousand dollars by giving dances, field days, athletic meets and other public affairs, and at this time
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have about three thousand, six hundred dollars to their credit in the bank. Mr. Riggs has taken the lead in all of these activities and has proven the right man for the place. Among the older members of the department may be mentioned A. J. La Cunha, who has been assistant chief since 1910. William B. Heyer who has been a member since 1894, Joe Godell, who has belonged since 1896, and Frank Pereria, Joseph Riggs, John Dobbel, Louis Silva, John Riggs, Edward Mendoncia, Frank Marshall, Albert Breits and John Machado, John Carr, Tony August, and George W. Luce. The city is proud of these men, who have given such loyal and efficient service as firemen, and the department has an enviable reputation through this part of the state for its success in holding the fire loss of this city to a com- paratively low figure.
Mr. Riggs is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Companions of the Forest, Foresters of America, Woodmen of the World, International Fire Chiefs Association and the Pacific Coast Fire Chiefs Association, and is a deputy state fire marshal. As building and sanitary inspector, he has shown helpful interest in the welfare of the city and has been most faithful in the discharge of his duties. He is a man of earnest purpose and progressive ideas, is proud of the city in which he has spent his life and zealous in his efforts to promote its improvement. By reason of these qualities, as well as for his splendid personal traits, he commands to a marked degree the respect and good will of all who know him.
FERDINAND C. STOLTE
As a builder of fine homes no contractor in Oakland takes precedence over Ferdinand C. Stolte, whose operations have been large in volume and of a char- acter that has gained him an enviable reputation as a reliable and capable builder and business man. Mr. Stolte was born in Portland, Oregon, October 24, 1889, and when a year old was brought to Oakland by his parents. He secured his edu- cation in the public schools of this city and then learned the carpenter trade under Ben O. Johnson, with whom he remained for a few years and then em- barked in the contracting business on his own account, going to Dixon, where he spent three years, during which period he built a number of good residences. Since that time he has confined his operations to the East Bay district, in which he has erected many of the best homes now standing here, and in Berkeley and Piedmont, ranging in cost from thirty thousand to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. These include the residences of H. R. Jackson, Mrs. Hills, Fritz Henshaw and Henry Patterson, together with a number of the leading apartment houses, and he recently completed a three story garage for Lloyd Brothers, one of the best in Oakland. He is painstaking in the fulfillment of his contracts, employs none but expert workmen and the work done by him has been uniformly satisfactory to those who have employed him.
Mr. Stolte was united in marriage to Miss Moran, of Crow's Landing, Califor- nia, and they are the parents of a daughter, Carol. Mr. Stolte enlisted for serv- ice in the World war and was assigned to engineering construction work in the
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state of Washington, where he remained until the close of the war. He is a member of the American Legion, the Castlewood Country Club, Sequoia Club and the Athens Club and is deservedly popular among his associates, while throughout the city in which he lives he commands the confidence and respect of his fellowmen.
J. ALLISON BRUNER
J. Allison Bruner is an able lawyer of San Leandro, whose long and honor- able career has gained for him high professional standing and the confidence and respect of his fellowmen. Mr. Bruner was born in Sacramento county, California, the son of Rev. J. A. and Margaret (Morris) Bruner. He is descended from a family of preachers, lawyers and jurists. His father, who was a native of Vir- ginia and came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama in 1856, was a Methodist Episcopal minister, who helped to organize a number of churches of that denomination in California and during his active years did much effective work as preacher and pastor. He retired from the ministry after completing fifty years of active service. In Ohio he married Miss Margaret Morris, a daughter of Judge Presley Morris, and they became the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters. Of the five sons, four became lawyers, one of them being P. M. Bruner, who is now, at the age of seventy-six, still practicing his profession in Oakland, this state.
J. Allison Bruner obtained a good public school education after which he en- tered the University of the Pacific at San Jose, an educational institution of the Methodist Episcopal Church. From there he went to Sacramento serving as ship- ping clerk in a wholesale grocery house for three years and then spent six years in the mines of central Idaho. During the last year of his stay there, he was elected to the legislature of Idaho, then a territory. Mr. Bruner introduced a bill to obtain statehood for Idaho which passed the lower house but was defeated in the upper house in retaliation for his stand in opposing certain county division measures. The bill was passed at the following session and Idaho admitted to the Union. Mr. Bruner next went to San Francisco, where he obtained a position as head bookkeeper for a large mercantile concern. While performing the duties of this position he de- voted his spare time and evenings to general study and also read iaw in the office of his brother, Elwood Bruner, in that city. In May, 1894, Mr. Bruner success- fully passed the bar examination and was admitted to practice, after which he be- came associated with his brother Elwood, in San Francisco, where he remained three years, when they moved to Sacramento, where they were associated from 1897 to 1904. In 1905 they went to Nome, Alaska, where J. A. Bruner was suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of his profession until 1914, when he went to Seward, Alaska, where he remained about one year. Among the pleasant recol- lections of his life in the far north is an incident which occurred in June, 1906, at which time the noted Arctic explorer, Capt. Roald Amundsen, put into Nome in his little yacht, the "Gjoa," which now lies in Golden Gate park, San Francisco. Cap- tain Amundsen had just accomplished the Northwest passage, which had been unsuccessfully attempted by other navigators for four hundred years, and the
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people of Nome celebrated the notable achievement in a fitting manner. It fell to the lot of Elwood and J. Allison Bruner to act as hosts at a great dinner in com- memoration of the event, and in his book describing his Arctic experiences Cap- tain Amundsen referred to this celebration, stating that it was the greatest reception ever tendered him. In 1916 Mr. Bruner returned to California, opening offices in the Best building in San Leandro and has since been actively engaged in the practice of law. He practices in all of the state courts and in 1904 was admitted to practice in the United States Circuit Court of Appeals.
In February, 1889, in San Leandro, Mr. Bruner was united in marriage to Miss Louise P. Watkins, who was born and reared in this city, and they are the parents of two children: A. W., who is a law graduate of the University of Cali- fornia and is now associated in practice with his father at San Leandro, and Carolyn, who also is a graduate of the University of California, and is now the wife of R. M. Farnsworth, a farmer near Grimes, Colusa county, California. They have one child, R. M., Jr.
In his political views, Mr. Bruner is a stanch republican, deeply interested in public affairs, particularly such as relate to the welfare of his own community. He is a gentleman of straightforward manner, kindly and cordial in his social rela- tions, and enjoys marked popularity among his fellowmen, who recognize in him not only an able and dependable lawyer, but a man whose high character makes him well worthy the confidence and esteem in which he is held.
STENZEL FARMS, INC.
One of the best known and most valuable agricultural properties in California is the Stenzel farm, located about two miles west of San Lorenzo, Alameda county, and now incorporated and operated under the name of Stenzel Farms, Inc., with a capitalization of three hundred thousand dollars. This place of six hundred and one acres, owned by Mrs. Mercedes M. Stenzel and her five children, is one of the most productive tracts in the state, and had its nucleus in a purchase of eighty acres of the land in 1856 by Carl Stenzel. Mr. Stenzel, who was born in Breslau, Ger- many, in 1823, went to Australia in quest of gold, and while prospecting there heard of the discovery of gold in California. He immediately set sail for this country, arriving in 1849, and for about a year prospected and mined. However, his natural taste was for farming and he started to look around for a favorable location for permanent residence. Arriving in San Lorenzo in 1856, he bought eighty acres of land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his attention with marked success. In San Francisco he married Miss Emelia Melchert, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and they became the parents of three chil- dren, Fritz, Henry and Charles, the last-named dying in 1906. Fritz Stenzel de- voted his life to farming and, through his persistent industry and excellent man- agement, added to his holdings until, at the time of his brother Henry's death they were the owners of one thousand acres of land, which was then divided equally as to value. Mr. Stenzel was married to Miss Mary Mercedes Moreria and they became the parents of five children, Henry Charles, Fritz Robert, Rudolph John,
FRITZ STENZEL
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Amelia Rose and Mabel Marie. Mr. Stenzel's death occurred in 1923, at the age of fifty-nine years. Henry Stenzel, who died in 1913, was married to Miss Hattie Kuerzel, of Oakland, California, and they became the parents of two children, Henry A. and Edna H., who are living on their share of the estate. The grand- mother, Emelia Stenzel, died in 1901, at the age of sixty-five years, and left three tracts of land, aggregating four hundred acres.
The Stenzel Farms were incorporated under the laws of California in 1926 the officers being : Mrs. Mary Mercedes M. Stenzel, president ; Henry Charles Sten- zel, vice president : Fritz Robert Stenzel, secretary, and Rudolph John Stenzel, treasurer. The land has become too valuable for grain farming and stock raising and dairying, and is now devoted to the raising of tomatoes, potatoes, rhubarb, cucumbers for pickles and red currants, for the production of which the soil is particularly well adapted and this farm is now the largest producer of red currants in the state of California, the currants being shipped to San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles, where they find ready sale, for they are sent fresh to the con- sumer. Mrs. Stenzel and her children, all of whom are unmarried and remain at home, give their close attention to the operation of the farm, in which they are meeting with very satisfactory success. They have built a splendid home, one of the most attractive in the county, is provided with every modern convenience, so that they lack none of the accommodations of a city home. All of the children re- ceived high school and college educations and their home is characterized by an atmosphere of refinement, culture and hospitality that makes it an attractive rendez- vous for their many friends. Amelia Rose Stenzel is now a student at Mills Col- lege and Mabel Marie is attending the University of California. The late Fritz Stenzel was a prominent member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he had attained the degrees of the chapter, and Mrs. Stenzel belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star at San Leandro. Fritz R. and Charles H. Stenzel are members of Eden Lodge, No. 113, A. F. & A. M., at San Leandro, and the mem- bers of the family are all republicans in their political faith. They have shown a live interest in the welfare of their community, giving their aid to every measure for the advancement of its material, civic and moral interests, and none are held in higher regard, for the record of the family since its foundation here has been one of industry, progressiveness and public spirit, through which they have in large measure contributed to the general prosperity of the community.
EDWARD ARNOLD GRAU
Edward A. Grau, owner of the Los Amicos (The Friends) vineyard, at Irving- ton, is regarded as an expert in the growing of wine grapes and has met with well merited success. Born in Switzerland on the 15th of May, 1858, he was there reared on a farm and received a good education, supplementing his public school training by a course in civil engineering at a polytechnic school in Zurich. He started his business career in connection with a hotel, of which his father was the owner, and he served the regulation period in the Swiss army. Going to London, England, he was employed as bookkeeper in the Charing Cross hotel until 1884,
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when he came to California. After a short stay in San Francisco, he went to St. Helena, Napa county, where he secured a position as a winemaker with the Napa Valley Wine Company. Later he was transferred to that company's wine cellar, on King street, San Francisco, where he was employed until 1888, when he located in Mission San Jose, Alameda county, and, installing a wine cellar, began making wine, which he took to Switzerland, being the first man to export and sell American- made wine in Europe, disposing of it in Antwerp, Hamburg, Berne and London. Returning to Alameda county, he bought the Los Amicos vineyards, of ninety acres, in partnership with Ed Peter Werner, who died in 1913. Taking out the old vines, they planted a new vineyard, for which purpose Mr. Grau went to France in 1893 and secured a variety of French wine grape cuttings, such as were suitable for California soil and climate. This is now one of the best vineyards in the valley, and Mr. Grau has taken many prizes on his wines, winning all of the first premiums at the California-Panama exposition held in San Francisco in 1915, and also prizes at expositions and fairs in Europe. For many years he gave his attention to making fine wines, but now ships most of his wine grapes to the eastern markets, where they are in great demand.
Mr. Grau is a member of Alameda Lodge, No. 167, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master ; also the York rite and Scottish rite bodies, and is a life member of Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of San Francisco. He has been closely devoted to his business interests but has always found time to do his share in promoting the general welfare of the community in which he lives, and is held in high regard by all who know him.
JOHN VINCENT WEBSTER
John Vincent Webster, whose eyes were closed to earthly scenes in 1912, was one of the notable men of his day, possessing to a marked degree the mental qualities and traits of character which make men natural leaders and enable them to influence the life of their times. He led a busy and useful life, characterized by persistent industry and sound business judgment, and success in large measure rewarded his efforts. Mr. Webster was born in Tennessee, July 31, 1830, and secured his educa- tional training in the public schools of that state. He took up horticulture as a voca- tion, which he followed there until 1852, when he joined a party of engineers and crossed the plains to California. For a few years he engaged in mining in this state and in 1860 settled in the Diamond section of Fruitvale, Alameda county, where he bought a tract of land. He was the first to plant and raise cherries in that part of the county, and also engaged in the nursery business, raising and selling fruit trees, thus giving an impetus to the fruit raising interests of the county. He ac- quired considerable land in this locality and lived here until 1880, when he sold his property and, going to San Luis Obispo county, bought a ranch of fourteen hun- dred acres, to the operation of which he devoted his attention until his death.
In 1865 Mr. Webster was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Howard, who was born in Ontario, Canada, a daughter of Judge Asa and Elizabeth (Hughes) Howard. She came to California in 1860 by way of the isthmus of Panama. To this union were born three children, William Howard, Nellie and Ernest C. Mr.
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Webster took a deep interest in public affairs, keeping in close touch with the great economic questions of the day, on which he held well defined opinions, and in 1894 he was the candidate of the People's party for governor of California. He was greatly interested in the Grange movement and for four years was master of the National Grange. He also rendered to his community effective service as a mem- ber of the school board for a number of years. He was a Mason and his daily life conformed to the sublime precepts of that time-honored order. A public-spirited citizen, he was ready at all times to use his means and influence for the promotion of such measures as were conducive to the comfort and happiness of his fellow- men and probably no other man in this section of the state was held in higher esteem. He was distinguished for his honesty, firmness of character and consistent conduct, and as a friend and neighbor he combined the qualities of head and heart that won confidence and commanded respect.
FRED A. JONES
Despite the fact that he is one of the comparatively recent additions to the legal circles of San Leandro, Fred A. Jones has evinced qualities which have gained for him recognition as a capable and reliable attorney and he is building up a large and representative clientele.
Mr. Jones was born in San Leandro on the 2nd of June, 1895, and is a son of Charles R. Jones and Jessie (Fremont) Jones, the former of whom is a representa- tive of one of the old and well known families of this section of the state. The father was for twenty years a trusted employe of the Best Manufacturing Company in this city and from 1910 to 1915 was engaged in the grocery business here. In the latter year he moved to Oakland, where he also opened a grocery store and is still a resident and successful merchant of that city. Fred A. Jones is a brother to the late Harris P. Jones, who became a lawyer and practiced in San Leandro for a number of years, serving as its city attorney for about eight years. He then went to Peking, China, where he taught in the university of Peking until his death.
Fred A. Jones was reared in San Leandro and Oakland, in which cities he attended the public schools. For a time he assisted his father in the grocery busi- ness, but, having determined to devote his life to the practice of law, he applied himself to the study of Blackstone and Kent. For four years he attended the School of Law, Golden Gate College, from which he was graduated in May, 1924, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Laws, and in the following August he suc- cessfully passed the state bar examination and was admitted to practice. In that same month he was admitted to practice in the district court of the United States, for the northern district of California. In March, 1925, Mr. Jones established his present office in the American Bank building in San Leandro, where he is meeting with well merited success.
He takes great pride in his home community, where his family had been long established, and has shown a desire to contribute of his efforts and influence to its upbuilding and advancement. He is a firm believer in constructive progress and is regarded as one of the wide-awake and dependable professional men of San
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Leandro. He is a republican in his political views; keeps well informed on the leading questions of the day, and is a man of definite and well grounded opinions. He enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the county and is highly regarded by all who know him.
RALPH S. HAWLEY
In a profession of peculiar significance in the west, owing to its bearing upon the development of the country, Ralph S. Hawley has steadily advanced, filling positions of trust and responsibility, having been for twenty years city engineer of Emeryville. A native of California, he was born January 11, 1877, in Hanford, Kings county, and is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the state. He completed a course in the Hanford high school and continued his studies in the University of California, from which he was graduated in 1903 with the degree of Bachelor of Science, qualifying for the work of an electrical and civil engineer. For four years he was connected with the United States geological survey and before the city of Los Angeles started the project for the development of the Owens river water system he was with the government engineers in the Owens river valley. For a year Mr. Hawley was identified with the municipal en- gineer's office in Oakland and since February, 1908, has been city engineer of Emeryville. His long retention in the office proves that his worth is appreciated and as superintendent of streets and building inspector he is also doing work of importance and value.
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