USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 38
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At Fresno, California, Mr. Miller was married in 1894 to Miss Nella Wood, who was born in Kansas. Her father was a Baptist minister who came to Cali- fornia when she was but a year old. Mrs. Miller became the mother of three children, a son and two daughters, and on June 8, 1926, she was called to her final rest. Marjorie, the surviving daughter, is the wife of Robert MacNeur, Jr., manager of the American Trust Company, and they have three children : Jean, Robert and Grant.
Mr. Miller is justly proud of his grandchildren and finds much enjoyment in their society. In politics he is a republican and in 1914 was elected county coro- ner. His duties are performed with conscientiousness and efficiency and his long retention in the office proves that his services are thoroughly appreciated. He was also one of the first five directors serving on the utility board to secure a supply of mountain water for the Alameda district. He is connected with all branches of the Masonic order and since 1894 has been identified with the Native Sons of the Golden West, being an ex-president of Brooklyn Parlor. Much of his leisure is spent in the open and golf is his favorite sport. A lifelong resident of California, he has witnessed many phases of its development and his conversation spans the past in interesting reminiscences. In all matters of citizenship he is loyal, progressive and public-spirited and his genuine worth is attested by a wide circle of steadfast friends.
PETER MARTIN LISSE
One of the leading places of public entertainment in Oakland is the Rainbow cafe, at 1218 Broadway, owned and conducted by Peter M. Lisse, who has here attained an outstanding success, for his progressive methods and painstaking at- tention to the needs and tastes of his patrons have gained for him well deserved popularity among the representative people of the city. Mr. Lisse was born in Austria, on the 15th of November, 1889, and is a son of Martin and Annie (Plemich) Lisse. The father was a farmer and both died in their native land.
P. M. Lisse received a good education in the public schools of Austria and remained at home until eighteen years of age, when he emigrated to the United States. Coming at once to Oakland, he was employed for awhile in restaurants,
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but later went to San Francisco, where for a short time he engaged in business. On his return to this city he became manager of the Peerless cafe, which position he held for ten years, and in 1925 he bought the Rainbow cafe, which he has conducted to the present time. He is by nature and training well adapted to this business and his success has been commensurate with the earnest efforts he has put forth to make his place the leader in its line here. In connection with the cafe he operates a well equipped bakery and employs forty-three people in all departments, giving public service all day and serving special meals when desired. He has a spacious banquet room for parties, with a fine dancing floor, and his place has steadily grown in popularity. It has a seating capacity of four hundred. Mr. Lisse is a member of several lodges and clubs. He is held in high esteem through- out the range of his acquaintance, for he is a man of earnest purpose and sterling qualities of character.
ALBERT T. SHINE
The bar of Alameda county has no more worthy member than Albert T. Shine, who for nearly twenty years has been numbered among the active, capable and successful attorneys of Oakland. During this period he has commanded a large and representative clientele and has well earned a reputation as a learned, able and dependable lawyer. Mr. Shine was born in Woodside, San Mateo county, California, on the 20th of December, 1883, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Boyd) Shine. His father was a pioneer of California, having come here in a sailing vessel in 1852, and for a number of years he devoted his attention to mining. He later located in San Mateo county, where he engaged in farming during the remainder of his active life, his death occurring April 4, 1900. His wife, who came from Australia to this country in her girlhood, was married to Mr. Shine in San Mateo, and is now, at the age of eighty years, residing in Palo Alto, Santa Clara county.
Albert T. Shine attended the public schools and the Sequoia high school at Redwood city, from which he was graduated in 1902. He then entered St. Mary's College, at Oakland, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1906, while in 1912 he received from his alma mater the Master's degree. He next matriculated in the law school of the University of California, from which he was graduated in 1909, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and on May 13th of that year was admitted to the bar. He immediately engaged in the practice of his profession, opening the office which he still occupies in the Oakland Bank building, and is still engaged in the general practice of law. He has appeared as counsel in connection with much of the important litigation in the courts of this county and has been uniformly successful, both as trial lawyer and office counselor. During the past eight years Mr. Shine has also served as state inheritance tax appraiser.
Mr. Shine was united in marriage to Miss E. M. Kelly, who was born, reared and educated in Oakland, and they are the parents of a daughter, Evelyn Marie. Mr. Shine is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal
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Order of Moose, the Knights of Columbus, the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Press Club, the Athens Athletic Club and the Lions Club, and maintains pro- fessional affiliation with the State Bar Association. He has been a deligent and honorable worker in his profession and has met with gratifying success, while his career has been characterized by honorable purpose and worthy. accomplish- ment. Because of this, as well as his splendid personal qualities, he commands tc a marked degree the respect and friendship of all who know him.
MICHAEL G. CALLAGHAN
A resourceful business man of seasoned judgment and an astute financier, Michael G. Callaghan has contributed his full share to the progress of Livermore, where he has made his home for over forty years. Here he is serving as post- master, an office which he has acceptably filled for several years. He was born in Ireland, November 21, 1870, and received his education in his native country. When a youth of sixteen he left the Emerald isle and since June 21, 1885, has been a resident of Livermore. For several years he devoted his energies to stock raising and in 1898 embarked in the warehouse business, in connection with which he insured hay and grain. In 1904 he organized the Callaghan Warehouse Company and was identified with the corporation until April, 1916, establishing a business of large proportions. Meanwhile he had become a successful realtor and during 1908 and 1909 bought the right of way for the line of the Western Pacific Railroad in Livermore valley. In 1913 he was appointed by the city and county of San Fran- cisco to appraise all lands of the Spring Valley Water Company in Alameda and Santa Clara counties for the rate case which was tried in San Francisco in the United States court for the northern district of California. This commission Mr. Callaghan satisfactorily executed and in 1913 was chosen by the board of super- visors of Alameda county a member of the county exposition commission, now known as the Alameda county development commission, which had charge of the county's exhibit at the World's Fair in San Francisco, at the Panama-Pacific Ex- position, and also at the Panama-California Exposition in San Diego. He now acts as vice chairman of the advisory board of the Livermore branch of the Bank of Italy and his name lends added prestige to the institution, which has been one of the chief factors in the development of this locality.
In 1898 Mr. Callaghan married Miss Mary E. Gallagher, a native of Cali- fornia and a member of one of its pioneer families. They have become the parents of four sons : Phillip P., who is in the employ of the Firemen's Fund Insurance Company; Richard M., who was graduated from the University of Santa Clara and was recently admitted to the bar; and Robert Lewis and Lincoln Francis, both of whom are high school students.
An adherent of the democratic party, Mr. Callaghan was appointed postmaster of Livermore by President Wilson and for three administrations has been re- tained in the office in recognition of his worth. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic and his fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Columbus, the For- esters of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Callaghan has
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been the recipient of important trusts, all of which have been faithfully and effi- ciently fulfilled, and combines in his character all of the qualities of a useful and desirable citizen.
JOSEPH A. BORGES
Joseph A. Borges, owner of one of the best orchards in the vicinity of Hay- ward, has exercised excellent judgment in the management of his business, in which he is meeting with distinctive success. He was born in Hayward on the 30th of November, 1877, and is a son of Joseph S. and Mary (Cordoza) Borges. His father was born and reared in the Azores islands, where he followed farming for a number of years. He then became a sailor and followed the sea for ten years, at the end of which time he came to the United States. Locating in California, he gave his attention to mining for some years, and then took up farming near Hayward, which he followed during the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1905, at the age of seventy-two years. The mother died about 1912, when seventy-six years of age.
Joseph A. Borges was educated in the public schools of Hayward and then engaged in farming and fruit raising. He inherited the old home place of fourteen acres of good land, practically all of which is in orchard, consisting mainly of apricots and pears. His place is well improved and is maintained at the highest standard of excellence, so that it is regarded as one of the best-kept fruit farms in this vicinity.
In 1900 Mr. Borges was united in marriage to Miss Nora Smith, a daughter of John G. and Mary (Mills) Smith, both of whom were natives of the Azores islands. On coming to California, Mr. Smith engaged in farming and fruit raising near Hayward, following that business until his death. His widow is still living on the old home place with a daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Borges are the parents of three children, Helen, Arthur and James. Mr. Borges is a member of the U. P. E. C. and, because of his ability, industry, splendid character and friendly manner, is held in high esteem throughout the community in which he has spent his life.
MANUEL S. BRANDON
Manuel S. Brandon, owner of the Brandon Memorial Studio, at Hayward, is meeting with marked success, having built up a large and steadily growing business, in the management of which he has shown sound judgment and good taste. Born at Warm Springs, Alameda county, California, on the 2d of April, 1883, he is a son of Manuel and Adelaide (Trinidad) Brandon, the former born in the Azores islands and the latter in Massachusetts. The father was educated in his native land and when eighteen years of age emigrated to the United States, landing on the east coast. He came across the country to Hayward, where he en- gaged in farming, and was married here. In 1916 he moved to San Jose, where he
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bought a ranch, on which he and his wife are still living, at the respective ages of seventy-two and sixty-two years. Mr. Brandon is a republican in politics and is a member of the I. D. E. S.
Manuel S. Brandon received a good public school education and during his early years worked on his father's farm and at other occupations. In 1910 he moved to Hayward and later engaged in the monument business on Castro street, in which he met with encouraging success, remaining at his first location until April, 1927, when he moved to his present place of business on the Niles road, where he erected an attractive home and business building. Here he has a fine show court for the display of his goods and is well situated for the handling of the large business which he now enjoys. His tombstones are of both granite and marble, many of them being imported, while others come from Minnesota, Wis- consin, Missouri and California.
In 1910 Mr. Brandon was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Mills, a daughter of Joseph and Isabelle (Coelho) Mills, and they have a daughter, Isabelle. Mr. Brandon gives his political support to the republican party. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Columbus. A man of sterling character and sound principles, he has conducted his business in a way that has gained for him the uniform respect and confidence of the community, while his genial and affable manner has won him the friendship and good will of all who know him.
J. W. McCLYMONDS
In the history of educational progress in Alameda county no name stands out more prominently than that of J. W. McClymonds, who for twenty-five years rendered splendid service as superintendent of schools of Oakland. Well educated, naturally adapted to the work to which he devoted his life and possessing marked executive ability, he made a deep and lasting impression on the educational affairs of his city and his death occasioned an irreparable loss to the community which had been honored by his labors and his citizenship. Mr. McClymonds, born in Portersville, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1848, was educated in the public schools of his native state and in Westminister College, from which he was graduated. In 1871 he went to Kansas, where he spent a year and a half, and then came to Cali- fornia, of which state he was a resident to the time of his death, on March 7, 1922. In 1873 he accepted the appointment as teacher in one of the country schools of Sonoma county, after which he became principal of the Healdsburg grammar school. He served three years as principal of the Petaluma high school and six years as principal of the San Leandro high school. Then he came to Oakland as princi- pal of the Lincoln school, which position he held for three years, and in 1888 was made superintendent of the city schools, which position he held until his retirement some years prior to his death. During this long period many changes were effected in the city school system, both as to methods and equipment, but so closely did Mr. McClymonds keep in touch with advanced educational methods that he was always the leader in all changes for the betterment of the schools. So greatly were his
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effective efforts and his devotion to the schools appreciated by the people of his city that one of its schools is named in his honor.
In 1873 Mr. McClymonds was united in marriage to Miss Virginia M. Smith, of San Francisco, and they became the parents of three children, Mrs. Dudley Kinsell and Vance McClymonds. The last named is one of Oakland's prominent and successful attorneys, being a member of the well-known law firm of McClymonds & Wells, with offices in the Oakland Bank building. Another son, Roy McClymonds, died in 1899. A man of vigorous mentality and strong moral fiber, Mr. McCly- monds exerted a strong influence on all with whom he came in contact, and his high ideals and enthusiastic interest in his work enabled him to so direct the educa- tional affairs of his city as to give the schools a wide prestige throughout educational circles. Personally, he was courteous and kindly in manner, loyal and constant in his friendships, and throughout the range of his acquaintance he commanded the highest respect and esteem.
MISS FLORA A. McAUSLAN
Hayward and the territory contiguous to it are under an everlasting debt of gratitude to Miss Flora A. McAuslan for what she accomplished here in establish- ing and maintaining a sanitarium and hospital, particularly at a time when such institutions were comparatively scarce, and in a sense almost inaccessible owing to the difficulty of travel over the unimproved roads of that period. She carried on her enterprise in the face of many obstacles and eventually had the satisfaction of seeing it become one of the leading hospitals of this section of the county. Miss McAuslan was born in Sutter county, California, and is a daughter of William and Mary (Muir) McAuslan, both of whom were natives of Scotland, the father born in Dumbartonshire and the mother in Ayrshire. They were married in that country and in an early day embarked on a sailing vessel for the United States, being six weeks on the voyage. Mr. McAuslan's parents also came with them. They settled in Utah, but later came to California, being guarded by a detachment of soldiers during the trip, which at that period was attended with danger. Locating near Marysville, Sutter county, they took up a tract of government land, which they improved and developed into a good homestead, and there the grandparents died. In 1867 Mr. McAusland brought his family to Hayward, where he successfully engaged in farming, and retiring from active affairs some time prior to his death, which occurred in 1897. He was survived a number of years by his widow, who passed away in 1924. Mr. McAuslan was independent in his political views, and he was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. While living near Marysville, he had a general store and was regarded as an able business man, com- manding the respect of all who knew him.
Flora A. McAuslan was reared in Hayward and secured her education in the public schools. In 1886 she entered the Children's Hospital of San Francisco, the first institution of its kind on the Pacific coast, from which she was graduated as a . trained nurse in 1888. She followed her profession in San Francisco for a num- ber of years and in 1895 returned to Hayward and built the Hayward Sanitarium
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on Castro street. This was also used as a hospital, and she conducted the institu- tion very successfully until 1911, winning a wide reputation for her professional ability, as well as for her broad human sympathy and her deep personal interest in the sick and afflicted. In 1911 she rented the building and equipment, which is now known as the Hayward General Hospital and is in charge of Mrs. Lucile Tomley. The latter was born in Eyton, England, in 1886, received her education in private schools there, and after coming to the United States took up hospital work, in which she engaged for some time at Vancouver, British Columbia. She is thoroughly competent and is rendering splendid service in her present position. When Miss McAuslan first established the hospital, practically no public improve- ments had been made in this section of the county, and she is regarded as the pioneer in her special line of effort in this locality, laying the foundation for the fine in- stitution into which it has developed. In 1911 she made a substantial addition to the hospital building, and also has a comfortable home adjoining that building. The service which she rendered to her community in those early days is much appreciated and no resident of Hayward commands to a greater degree than she the respect and esteem of the people. Because of her splendid record and her gracious and tactful manner she has a large circle of warm and devoted friends.
PATRICK C. QUINN
To Patrick C. Quinn, of Pleasanton, belongs the honor and distinction of having served as a justice of the peace longer than any other man in California, and he is still discharging his judicial duties in a manner that will mean his continued service as long as he desires the office. Mr. Quinn was born in county Tipperary, Ireland, on the 5th of July, 1849, and there acquired his education in the public schools. In 1886, when a lad of sixteen years, he emigrated to the United States, landing at Boston, Massachusetts. From there he went to Albany, New York, where he had a brother and sister and later he went to New York city. He learned the trade of carriage-painting and then went to work in the car shops of the New York Central Railroad, being employed in painting cars. He was afterwards with the Pennsylvania Railroad, in the same capacity in its New Jersey shops. In 1877 he came to California, making the journey by way of the isthmus of Panama, where the French were then engaged in their futile attempt to construct a canal. Landing in San Francisco, he soon found employment at his trade, work- ing there until February 22, 1880, when he came to Pleasanton, which at that time was but a hamlet. He recalls the way in which local mail was handled in those early days. The letters were left at a general store and the people of the neigh- borhood would come in, look over the mail themselves, picking out what belonged to them, and, of course, scrutinizing the remainder. In the year 1898 Mr. Quinn was elected justice of the peace and he has, by successive reelections year after year, without opposition, retained the office to the present time, a period of thirty years. During twenty years of this period he also held the office of city recorder. A man of clear-headed judgment and a sound sense of justice and fairness, he has
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rendered a valuable service to his community and to a marked degree has com- manded the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Quinn was united in marriage to Miss Annie M. Carolan, and they now have two daughters, May and Anna. Mr. Quinn has dignified his office and hon- ored his community by his long and able service and throughout the section of the county where he lives he has many warm and admiring friends.
THOMAS F. RIGNEY
Thomas F. Rigney, owner of the Rigney Tile Company, of Oakland, is one of the oldest tile men in the United States in point of years of continuous iden- tification with the business, and in the East Bay district he has done a large amount of important contracting in this line, his success being founded on the sound principles of high grade work at right prices. Mr. Rigney was born in New York city, October 18, 1854, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Morrissey) Rigney. He was reared at home and secured his education in the public schools of New York, after which he learned the tile business, in which he was employed there until thirty years of age. He had charge of setting the tile work of the south porch of the White House, Washington, D. C., which was done during President Benjamin Harrison's administration. That work has attracted the attention of world travelers and has been very favorably commented upon.
Going to Indianapolis, Indiana, Mr. Rigney went to work as a tilesetter for the United States Tile Company, remaining in that city for some time. Later he returned to New York for a brief visit, after which he went to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for two years. From there he went to Kansas City, where he was employed by a Mr. Richardson until business became poor, when he returned to Indianapolis, and engaged in the tile business on his own account in partnership with Walter Bradley and Richard May. Later he and Mr. May bought Mr. Bradley's interest in the business, and several years later Mr. Rigney sold his interest to his partner and returned to New York. From there he came to California and entered the employ of W. W. Montague, of San Francisco, re- maining with that gentleman two years, and was then with the Bush & Mallett Company, dealers in tile. Later he went into the tile business in partnership with Joseph Mazeau, but afterwards bought his partner out and ran the business under his own name for awhile. He extended his operations by buying out the Califor- nia Tile & Mantel Company, and also established a branch in Oakland, under the name of the Oakland Tile & Mantel Company. In 1917 he moved to Oakland and established the Rigney Tile Company, which he has conducted to the present time and in the operation of which he has met with a very satisfactory measure of prosperity. Mr. Rigney's first large contract after going into business in San Francisco was the Wells-Fargo building, and his second was the Owl drug store. Since then he has handled many important jobs throughout this section of the state, among which may be mentioned the Emporium, San Francisco's largest de- partment store, the courthouse at Sacramento, the Elks' buildings in both Oakland and San Francisco and the federal building in San Francisco, the Athens Athletic
THOMAS F. RIGNEY
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Club building, St. Mary's College at Moraga, Capwell's market, the large Com- munity Home at 244 Lakeside drive, and many other important contracts in Ala- meda county and in Santa Barbara and Merced, this state. Mr. Rigney has al- ways been exact and painstaking in all of his work and has a well established reputation for absolute reliability in all of his business engagements.
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