USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 33
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Esteves, and engaged in the auto top and trimming business. The firm prospered and was soon doing a business of twenty-five hundred dollars a month. Mr. Esteves then sold out to his partner for sixteen hundred dollars and moved with his family to San Leandro, September 5, 1920. He has lived here since, though for a short time he worked for C. C. Starr in Oakland. On November 4, 1920, Mr. Esteves engaged in the auto top and trimming business here and, though he had a hard struggle at first, the high quality of his workmanship and his sound business methods gained recognition and he began to attract patronage, particularly from the important concern of C. L. Best Company, cushion makers, which has been a liberal patron of his to the present time. He runs his business under the name of the Esteves Top Shop and does body work, trimming and painting, makes seat covers to order, as well as silk roller curtains and carpets. He does all of the top work and trimming, with the assistance of six helpers, while the body work and painting is done by tenants, who occupy the same building. He has been remarkably successful and owns the present building he occupies, a one-story brick and steel structure, thirty-eight by one hundred feet in size; and also the residence in which he lives at 228 Chumalia street, two duplex houses in San Antonio court and two valuable residence lots on Begier avenue.
On January 16, 1915, in San Francisco, Mr. Esteves was united in marriage to Miss Esther Jiminez, also a native of Spain, and they began housekeeping when Mr. Esteves was earning but thirteen dollars a week. They are the parents of four children, Beatrice, Roland, Jr., Margaret and Eleanor. Mr. Esteves became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1919 and has proven a loyal and stanch supporter of his adopted country. He has taken an active part in civic affairs and is a director of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, belongs to the Kiwanis Club and was for five years a member of the volunteer fire department. A pro- gressive business man, he owns a well equipped shop, takes pride in the high quality of his work and in every respect is well worthy not only of the prosperity which is now his, but also of the good will and respect of his fellow citizens.
GEORGE H. MASTICK
The late George H. Mastick was a worthy representative of one of the most prominent families of Alameda and in his own life exemplified the noblest qualities of citizenship, having shown a devotion to the highest interests of his community that marked him as a man of more than ordinary public spirit. His death, in 1920, was regarded as a great public loss. Mr. Mastick was born in San Francisco, California, May 23, 1856, and was a son of Edwin B. and Lueretia (Wood) Mastick. His father was a pioneer of this section of the state, having crossed the plains, with ox team and covered wagon. He became a prominent and success- ful lawyer, standing in the front rank of the bar of San Francisco. He was also a large land owner and was regarded as the father of Alameda, having aided greatly in the upbuilding of this city, of which he was one of the first mayors. He donated land to the Southern Pacific Railroad and every measure for the advancement of the community received his hearty support.
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George H. Mastick attended the public schools of San Francisco and gradu- ated from the University of California. He was admitted to the bar and for a number of years was associated with his father in the practice of law, later being alone in practice. Well founded in the basic principles of jurisprudence, a logical and forceful speaker and a man of unswerving integrity, he had a large clientele and was identified as counsel with many of the most important cases tried in the courts of San Francisco and Alameda county.
Mr. Mastick was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth S. Spencer, a native of Illinois, and they became the parents of three children, Winifred, Spencer and George H., Jr. With an absorbing interest in education matters, Mr. Mastick, even in boyhood, showed the practical side of his nature in his successful efforts to establish a public library, which he effected in 1902, and at the age of seventeen years was president of the local library association. Its promotion and growth was a matter of the deepest interest to him and he remained officially identified with the Alameda public library to the time of his death, giving liberally of his time and efforts that it might become an institution worthy of the community which it served. He was a great lover of books, owned a splendid library, and was a man of wide and accurate information. The Mastick family has through the years been influential in promoting the progress of Alameda, and the Mastick school, on Santa Clara avenue, was named in recognition of the eminent public services of E. B. Mastick. George H. Mastick was a man of fine attainment, an agreeable companion, a loyal friend and neighbor and a man of earnest purposes and highest motives, so that he commanded to an unusual degree the admiration and sincere respect of his fellowmen.
FRED T. WOOD
The Fred T. Wood Co., of which Fred T. Wood is president, has achieved a notable record in the development of Oakland's suburban districts and is gen- erally recognized as one of the leading and efficient real estate firms in Alameda county. Mr. Wood was born at Woodland, Yolo county, California, on the 11th of December, 1883, and is a son of Daniel E. and Wylmoth E: (Goode) Wood, the latter now residing in Oakland, at the age of eighty years. The father, who was an accomplished violinist, was born and reared in London, England, whence he emigrated to the United States, making the long voyage around Cape Horn to San Francisco, and spent the remaining years of his life in this state, his death occurring in Los Angeles about thirty-six years ago.
Fred T. Wood spent his boyhood at Grass Valley, Nevada county, and secured his education in the public schools of that locality. Later he moved to Healdsburg, Sonoma county, where he attended the Adventist College. He supplemented his classical education by a commercial course in the Santa Rosa Business College and in 1904 came to Oakland and engaged in the real estate business. Two years later he organized the Mutual Realty Company, but subsequently sold his interests to his partner, J. A. Pizzotti, and in 1917 he formed the Fred T. Wood Company. This concern has enjoyed remarkable success in the handling of subdivisions and
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among the more important tracts which it has sold off are Lakewood Park, · Piedmont Highlands, Claremont Woodlands, Miller Gardens, Edgemont, Fern- wood and Fernside, and now has in project the San Leandro tracts of three hun- dred acres. Mr. Wood is a man of great energy and his tireless efforts and pro- gressive methods have enabled him to accomplish remarkable results in his special line, whereby he has in very large measure contributed to the progress and devel- opment of Oakland and Alameda county.
In 1906 Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Lilla Pearl Burke, who is a native of this state, and they are the parents of a daughter, Ruth P. Wood. Mr. Wood is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Mason, in which he has received the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite; the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Kiwanis Club. He also belongs to the Oakland Real Estate Board, of which he is a director, is a director of the State Real Estate Association and a member of the executive committee of the Home Builders. He has shown a live interest in the prosperity of his com- munity and in all of his affairs has been actuated by the highest principles, so that he has well earned the high place which he holds in the estimation of those who know him and are familiar with his work. Agreeable and courteous in manner, he has a host of warm and loyal friends throughout the community in which he lives.
SAN LEANDRO FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
No public institution in San Leandro is more generally appreciated by the people of the community than the free public library, which, under the wise and judicious supervision of the librarian, Miss Mary Brown, has steadily grown in popularity and general use. The library had its inception in 1905, when the San Leandro Board of Trade (which subsequently became the Chamber of Commerce) took official notice of the local need of such an institution and began soliciting public subscriptions for that purpose. The ladies' organization known as the Alta Mira Club gave the movement its active support and soon afterwards communicated with Andrew Carnegie, the result being that Mr. Carnegie gave ten thousand dollars for the building of a library, on condition that a fund equal to ten per cent of that amount should be raised annually by taxation for the support of the library. The donation and the condition were accepted by the officials of San Leandro, and the building was erected on the splendid lot which it now occupies, at 302 Estudillo avenue, the site being the gift of Talcott Patchin Cary. The building, which cost twelve thousand dollars, is of pressed brick and reinforced concrete, is of appro- priate architectural design and well adapted to the purpose for which it is used, while the furnishings are in keeping with the building. It was formally established as a free public library by the board of library trustees on November 6, 1905, and Miss Mary Brown, who, as a member of the Alta Mira Club, had been actively in- terested in the consummation of the project, was appointed librarian. During this period W. P. Kimball, of Pasadena, gave valuable encouragement and practical help in the organization of the library. The interior furnishings of the library cost about three thousand dollars, which amount was subscribed by the citizens of San
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Leandro. Besides the main reading room, in which are to be found the leading newspapers and magazines, there is a large and beautifully equipped children's room and a thoroughly modern reference room, the shelves being stocked with a well selected list of books, covering practically every department of literature. In the basement is a large and well furnished auditorium, for public meetings, a men's club room, the librarian's workroom, and the hot-air heating plant. Every year since the establishment of the library, there has been a steady increase in patronage until today there is real need of more room. Miss Brown is a native of St. Helena, Napa county, California. Her heart is in her work here and to her efficient and capable service as librarian is very largely due the popularity of the institution, her courtesy and accommodating manner having won for her the friendship and good will of all who come in contact with her. The present library trustees are, A. B. Cary, president, Dr. C. H. Miller and Mrs. J. H. Garcia, Mrs. George J. Helms and Mr. Frank Bricker, secretary.
EUGENE W. ROLAND
Eugene W. Roland, of Oakland, is numbered among the able and successful lawyers of Alameda county, having a reputation as a sound and dependable attorney and counselor. Mr. Roland was born in Quincy, Illinois, on the 27th day of No- vember, 1879, and is a son of John W. and Lucia M. (Kingman) Roland, the former born in Steubenville, Ohio, and the latter in Quincy, Illinois, their mar- riage occurring in Quincy. J. W. Roland served for nineteen years as train dis- patcher on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and then moved his family to Orange, California, where he purchased an orange ranch. He gave his attention to that until 1887, when the family moved to Oakland, and he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad at San Francisco, with which company he remained more than twenty years, when he was retired on a pension. He is now eighty-two years of age and survives his wife who died in Oakland. He is a republican in his political affiliation and is a faithful member of the First Presbyterian church.
Eugene W. Roland was about three years of age when the family came to California and he spent his early boyhood at Orange. He attended the public schools of Oakland, graduating from the high school in December, 1896, and in August, 1897, entered the University of California, from which he was graduated in 1901. Having determined to follow the practice of law, he attended Hastings Law College, in San Francisco, for two years, at the same time studying law and clerking with the law firm of Campbell, Fitzgerald, Abbott and Fowler. He passed the state bar examinations and was admitted to practice in September, 1904. He began the prac- tice of his profession in the offices of Fitzgerald & Abbott in San Francisco, con- tinuing until the great fire of 1906, in which his office, files and books were burned. Later he became the San Francisco attorney for the American Surety Company of New York, a relation which he sustained for four years, after which he was appointed Pacific Coast manager for the bonding department of the Royal In- demnity Company. In April, 1913, Mr. Roland resigned that position and began the private practice of law in Oakland, which he still continues. Well grounded in the
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basic principles of jurisprudence, a determined and resourceful lawyer and an honest and careful counselor, he has gained the public confidence to the extent that his practice has steadily grown through the years, and today he is regarded as one of the reliable lawyers of his city.
On December 25, 1917, Mr. Roland was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Helen Beatty, a native of Oakland, and graduate of its grade and high schools. Mr. Roland is a republican in politics and has taken an active interest in civic and public affairs. He served from January, 1919, to July, 1920, as deputy city at- torney of Oakland, and in 1924 was elected to represent the Thirty-seventh assembly district of Alameda county in the state legislature. His record for faithful and effi- cient service in that body earned for him a reelection in 1926 and he thus served through two sessions. He is now a candidate for a third term. He is a member of Sequoia Lodge, F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite; and is active in Aahmes Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a past president of the Oakland Orpheus Club, and belongs to the Bohemian Club of San Francisco and the Alpha Delta Phi college fraternity. Mrs. Roland is an accomplished musician, specializing in piano and organ, is a member of the Ebell Club of Oakland and is extremely popular in the circles in which she moves. Mr. Roland is a man of agreeable personality, candid and straightforward in manner and shows a commendable interest in everything affecting the welfare of his com- munity, so that he well merits the high esteem in which he is held wherever he is known.
JOSEPH A. SILVA
To such men as Joseph A. Silva, of Niles, is Alameda county indebted for its remarkable development, and his immediate section of the county has been greatly benefited through his extensive operations in real estate, in which he has shown keen business judgment and a public-spirited interest in the advancement of his community. Mr. Silva was born in Half Moon Bay, San Mateo county, California. October 26, 1875, and when about three years of age was brought by his parents to Alameda county. He secured his education in the public schools of Irvington and Decoto, and at the age of seventeen years entered the employ of the California Nursery Company, at Niles, with which he remained six and a half years. From that time to the present he has been in business for himself in Niles, having con- ducted a barber shop and a liquor business, operated in real estate, sold insurance and farmed, and in all of these lines he has been successful. He has specialized in the development of real estate in the Niles district, his first extensive deal being the purchase of the Myer orchard tract of ninety-seven acres, which he divided into small tracts and sold to farmers, and he has bought, sold and improved more property in Niles than any other person, and thus has materially advanced the settlement of this territory. He has shown a progressive spirit in everything he has undertaken, and in the town of Niles has erected and sold a number of resi- dences, being also the first person to erect a concrete building in this city. He is a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Alameda County and is a di- rector of the Citizens Water Company of Niles.
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Mr. Silva was united in marriage to Miss Emily Ribeiro, who was born in Mil- pitas, Santa Clara county, this state. He gives his political support to the republican party and is deeply interested in local public affairs. He was made a director of the fire department on its organization and was appointed a justice of the peace to fill out an unexpired term, and so satisfactory was his discharge of the duties of the office that he was elected to a full term. He is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West and the U. P. E. C., a Portuguese society. He is essentially a self- made man, for his success has been gained entirely through persistent and well di- rected efforts, and throughout the community in which he lives he commands uni- form respect and esteem.
JOHN E. LLOYD
One of the largest and most completely equipped garages in Alameda county is the Oakland garage, which will compare favorably with any other in northern California. John E. Lloyd, president of Oakland Garage, Inc., has attained his present enviable position in the business world through the exercise of initiative, sound judgment and progressive methods. A native of Wales, he was born on the 4th of June, 1886, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Roberts) Lloyd, who brought their family to Oakland, California, in 1890. Here the father's death occurred shortly afterward, while his widow still resides in this city.
John E. Lloyd had but little opportunity to attend school, for he started to earn his living at the age of eight years, working at such jobs as he could find. His first regular position was that of driver for a wholesale milk concern. Later he learned the trade of a harnessmaker, at which he worked for one man four years, then located in the Fruitvale district and opened a harness shop of his own, mak- ing the first set of harness for the Fruitvale fire department. He carried on his business for about three years, when he sold and became a fireman on the Southern Pacific railroad, following that line of work for two years. Sensing the importance of the rapidly developing automobile business, he quit railroading and, in partner- ship with his brother, Thomas H. Lloyd, established a small garage at 1425 Alice street. Business was slow at first and they had a hard time through the first lean years, but their good workmanship and square dealing gained them friends and their business steadily increased through the years until they were compelled to arrange for more room. Where originally stood their modest little garage, now stands a fine five-story, concrete building, occupying the full block between Alice and Jackson streets, with an entrance on each street, everything connected with the business being under roof, with runways to the second floor. In 1922 the business was incorporated as the Oakland Garage, with John E. Lloyd as president and Thomas H. Lloyd, vice president. In 1923 H. C. Broderick became a member of the corporation. They have one hundred thousand square feet of space, providing for the accommodation of a large number of cars, and they maintain a completely equipped repair department, sell oil and gas and carry a full line of accessories, employing a large force of men. They are agents for the Auburn cars, of which they have sold a large number in Oakland and Alameda county.
JOHN E. LLOYD
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Mr. Lloyd was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Morse, who is a native of Louisiana but was reared and educated in Oakland, and they are the parents of two children, John Evan, Jr., and Marjorie. Mr. Lloyd is a republican in his political views .. He is a charter member of the Kiwanis Club and belongs to Oak- land Lodge, No. 188, A. F. & A. M .; Oakland Consistory, A. A. S. R .; Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Though a busy man, he finds time for an occasional game of golf, and among his associates is extremely popular. He is a public spirited man, giving his earnest support to everything calculated to benefit his city in any way, and enjoys a high reputation for business ability and progressive methods.
EDWARD STANTON BELL
Edward Stanton Bell, who commands a large law practice in Oakland, has made an enviable record in the courts of this section of the state, having been unusually successful in the trial of causes, and enjoys a well established reputa- tion as a trustworthy and dependable attorney.
Mr. Bell was born in Trinity county, California, on the 26th of August, 1861, and is a son of Charles Edward and Catherine Jane (Mills) Bell, both of whom were descended from Revolutionary stock. Charles E. Bell was born in Darien, Connecticut, in the same house in which his grandfather was born, and on the maternal side was a lineal descendant of John Howland, who came to this country on the Mayflower. The paternal grandmother of our subject was a member of the Schofield family, who founded Stamford, Connecticut, and built Stamford University. Mr. Bell's mother was born in South Norwalk, Connecticut. His uncle, Jacob Bell, of the firm of Brown & Bell of New York, built the "Niagara," Commodore Perry's flagship in 1812, it being the first vessel built by contract for the United States government.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Bell were married in Connecticut and in 1857 migrated to Montgomery county, Iowa, where Mr. Bell erected the first gristmill in that section of the state. In the spring of 1859 his health failed and his wife started with him, in an ox cart, for Pike's Peak, Colorado. When they reached St. Joseph, Missouri, they learned that the Pike's Peak boom had subsided, and so they joined a train of emigrants bound for California, the company being commanded by Captain Charles Parker. On reaching the coast they located in Lewiston, Trinity county, California, and, the trip having greatly improved Mr. Bell's health, he went to work as a miner. In 1864 he became superintendent of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company at Benecia, where he remained until 1866, when he removed to San Francisco, to which city the company moved its offices at that time. He retained that position until June, 1868, when his wife and children returned to Connecticut and he went to Coos Bay, Oregon, with Senator Piper, and there built a steamship, which they operated until 1874, when it was sold to the Mexican government. Mrs. Bell and her children then returned to California, locating in Vallejo, where Mr. Bell entered the employ of the United States government as a master ship builder in 1869, holding that position until 1898, when he retired. His death occurred in 1920, when he had reached the advanced age of ninety-
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four years. In 1876 he had bought a ranch of four hundred and fifty-five acres, four miles north of Saint Helena, and there the family lived for many years, the mother's death occurring there, when she was seventy-four years of age. The father was a republican in his political views and was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Edward S. Bell spent his boyhood at Vallejo and secured his education in its public schools. In 1881 he began to work at the carpenter trade, which he followed there and in Oakland until 1892, when he ran for the office of justice of the peace at Saint Helena. He was elected and during his tenure of the office he took up the study of law. About that time his brother, Theodore E. Bell, became district attorney and Edward S. went into his office and there completed his studies, also gaining valuable experience in legal procedure. He was admitted to the bar and a year later embarked in the practice of law at Napa, California, in which he was successful, remaining there until 1919, when he came to Oakland. Here he has since been located, having his offices in the Latham Square building. His brother served as district attorney for eight years ; was for two years a member of congress, and was three times a candidate for governor.
In 1899 Edward S. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Dresser, who was born at Folsom City, Sacramento county, California, and is a daughter of William and Mary Dresser, the former of whom was a pioneer of this state, having come here in 1849.
Mr. Bell has always given his political support to the democratic party and has been actively interested in public affairs. He is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, is justifiably proud of the great state in which he lives, and has given his earnest support to every worthy public interest of his city and county. Possessing a splendid personality and an agreeable manner, he is deservedly popu- lar among his acquaintances and is held in high regard among his fellow lawyers.
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