USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 39
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In 1884 Mr. Rigney was united in marriage to Miss Anna Powers, who was born and reared in New York, and is a daughter of Dennis and Anne (Reay) Powers, and to this union have been born nine children, Mary, Joseph, William, Arthur, Thomas F., Jr., George, Anna, Alice and Walter, of whom Mary and Anna are deceased. The five sons are all connected with their father's business and have been important factors in its success. William Rigney is a member of the Builders Exchanges in San Francisco, Oakland and Richmond. Mr. Rigney owes his success to his determined and persistent efforts, backed by sound judg- ment and honorable business methods, and today no resident of Oakland com- mands to a greater degree the confidence and respect of those who know him or have had dealings with him.
FRANK E. McGUIRE
Frank E. McGuire, who has been actively engaged in the practice of law in Oakland for more than twenty-five years, is regarded as one of the ablest and most reliable attorneys of this locality, commanding a large and representative clientele, and is one of Oakland's most useful and public-spirited citizens. He was born in this city, December 29, 1879, and is a son of William and Maria (Cav- anagh) McGuire. His father became a resident of Oakland in 1862 and the mother came here from New York state in 1869, their marriage occurring here. William McGuire was one of the early contractors and builders of this section of California, having erected many of the early business blocks in Oakland and San Francisco, and did much grading for railroads here in early days. Both parents are deceased, the mother dying in December, 1912, and the father, June 2, 1914.
Frank E. McGuire secured his early education in the public schools of Oakland and also attended St. Mary's College, in this city. He then entered the law school of Yale University, from which he was graduated, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, in 1901. In the following year he engaged in the practice of his profession in Oakland, to which he has devoted his time and attention continuously since. He has been identified as counsel with many important cases tried in the courts of Alameda county, and has proven himself a keen, astute and skillful attorney, while no member of the local bar holds a higher place in public esteem.
In 1914, Mr. McGuire was united in marriage to Miss Grace Mulliken, whose mother, who bore the family name of Taylor, was the first white child born in Sonoma county, California. In his political views Mr. McGuire is a democrat, but reserves the right to support the candidates whom he believes to be best qualified for the offices they seek. He is a member of the California State Bar Association. Though a busy man professionally, Mr. McGuire is a great lover of his home, in which he finds his greatest pleasure, while his favorite forms of recreation are
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fishing and duck hunting. Genial and unaffected in manner, he is exceedingly popular among his associates, while all who have come in contact with him hold him in the highest esteem, appreciating his ability as a lawyer and his worth as a man and citizen.
PETER M. VERZIC
In the life and character of Peter M. Verzic, the well known baker at Hayward. there have been exemplified the traits essential to success in any undertaking-a thorough technical knowledge of his business, industry, ambition and sound judg- ment, and he has well merited the splendid success which is now his. Mr. Verzic was born in Austria, on June 17, 1882, and is a son of Mile and Eva (Vukela) Verzic, the former a farmer. He received his education in the schools of his home neighborhcod and remained on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, when, in the hope of finding better opportunity for individual advancement than ex- isted in his own country, he came to the United States. Locating in Chicago, Illinois, he learned the bakers' trade, after which he was employed in several bakeries in that city, rising to the position of foreman. Going to St. Paul, Minne- sota, he worked there a short time, and later was in Spokane, Washington, and in North Yakima, that state, where he remained for eleven months. On December 26, 1906, he went to San Francisco, California, where he worked for the California Baking Company, for a short time, and was also in Monterey, this state, working there until November, 1907, when he came to Hayward. His stay was short, how- ever, as he returned to San Francisco in two weeks, but in March, 1908, he again came to Hayward, where he was employed at his trade until April, 1909, when he bought his present business, which at that time was located at 641 Castro street. He applied himself closely to building up his business, in which he met with en- couraging success, and on October 1, 1922, he moved to his present location at 650 Castro street, where he now has one of the most complete and up-to-date baking plants in northern California. At first he operated but three ovens, but in order to meet the steadily increasing demand for his products, he was compelled to enlarge his plant. To this end, he erected an addition, forty-three by ninety feet, and installed an additional oven. He employs thirty people and the ovens are operated continuously, day and night, while the bakery products are carefully main- tained at the highest possible standard, which has been the underlying secret of the success of the business. Mr. Verzic makes a specialty of coffee cake, which has become immensely popular, and he now turns out more coffee cake than any other bakery in this section of the state. The shop is strictly sanitary to the last degree and Mr. Verzic has installed lockers and shower baths for the use of his employes. He has ten delivery wagons and his business covers a large territory and is steadily broadening.
In August, 1909, Mr. Verzic was united in marriage to Miss Alice Cleland, who was born in San Lorenzo, Alameda county, and is a daughter of Samuel and Katie Cleland, who were early settlers in that locality, and the former at one time owned a large acreage here. Mr. Verzic gives his political support to the republican party, and is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the
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World, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the I. D. E. S., the U. P. E. C., the Lions Club and the Service Club. He is a busy man, but always stands ready to cooperate in the advancement of measures for the betterment of his community and gives generously to all worthy causes. Because of his good business record, his sterling qualities and his agreeable manner, he commands the respect and good will of his fellowmen and is regarded as one of the representative citizens of Hayward.
GILMAN W. BACON
The name of Gilman W. Bacon is written high on the list of the public officials of Alameda county, for his long tenure of the office of county recorder stands in unmistakable evidence of his loyal and efficient service and his popu- larity among the people. Mr. Bacon was born in Randolph, Vermont, on the 22nd of October, 1864, and is a son of Frank and Ancelia (Perrin) Bacon. He re- ceived his educational training in the public schools of his native city and in Den- ver, Colorado, and was graduated from a business college in the latter city. In 1885 he came to Oakland, where he has since resided. He went to work for the Oakland Street Railway Company, in the service of which corporation he remained for sixteen years. In 1902 he was nominated on the union labor ticket for the office of county auditor, was elected by a good majority and discharged his duties in an able and satisfactory manner. At the expiration of his term he became iden- tified with the Franklin Association of Master Printers as auditor, which position he held for a number of years. In 1910 he was elected to the office of county re- corder and, by successive reelections, has been retained in that position to the present time.
On August 4, 1887, Mr. Bacon was united in marriage to Miss Hester E. Wood, of Oakland. He is a member of Sequoia Lodge, No. 349, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master ; Oakland Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M .; Oakland Lodge of Per- fection, A. A. S. R .; Oak Leaf Chapter, No. 8, O. E. S .; Oakland Lodge No. 401, I. O. O. F., and the Carmen's Social and Benevolent Society. Mr. Bacon has al- ways been a consistent and earnest advocate of good government and public im- provement. The cause of labor has had in him a constant and dependable friend and he has been an active worker therefor ever since he took up his residence here. A man of sterling character and pleasing personality, he commands the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellowmen and is deservedly popular among his acquaintances.
L. C. MEANS
L. C. Means, the efficient superintendent of Plant No. 45 of the California Packing Company, at Berkeley, has held that responsible position for seven years, which fact stands in evidence of the satisfactory character of the service he has rendered. Mr. Means was born in Eldora, Iowa, December 4, 1884, and is a son of
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James and Olive (Davis) Means. He was reared in that state, attending the public schools and graduated from the high school at Delmar in 1901. He at once started to make his own way in the world and entered the employ of the Chicago & Great Western Railroad, his first work being in the roundhouse at Dubuque. He continued there until 1907, when he was transferred to Chicago, where he re- mained two years, when he resigned and entered the office of the Libby, McNeill & Libby Company, at the stockyards in that city. There his loyal and effective serv- ice won for him deserved promotions, and in 1914 he was sent to Sacramento, Cali- fornia, in the interests of his employers. Later he resigned his position with the Libby Company and went to work for the California Packing Company. Here too he won advancement, being made a foreman, and eventually superintendent, in which capacity he has served for eight years, having been transferred from Sacra- mento to Berkeley in 1921. Plant No. 45, which is one of the one hundred and forty-five packing plants owned by this great company, puts up the famous "Del Monte" brand of fruits, fruit salads and catsups, besides six other grades. The "Del Monte" brand is of supreme excellence being unsurpassed by any other brand of canned goods put up in this country. The chief products of this plant are apri- cots, peaches, pears and tomatoes. During the canning season, which lasts from June to the last of December, the factory is a busy place, especially during the height of the season, in August and September, when one hundred and fifty men and three hundred and fifty women are employed, and it is then that a superinten- dent shows his mettle. Mr. Means has shown fine executive ability, while his tact- fulness and cheerful manner have had much to do with his successful management of the large force under him during the busy season. He accomplishes his pur- poses without friction, at the same time securing maximum results.
In 1904, in Chicago, Mr. Means was united in marriage to Miss May Law- renze, who was born in Galena, Illinois. They are the parents of a daughter, Bernice, who is a graduate of the Berkeley high school and is now employed as floor lady at the plant of which her father is superintendent. Mr. Means is a man of outstanding personal qualities, being cordial in manner, alive to everything affecting the welfare of his city, and devoted to the interests of his employers, so that he has well earned the respect and esteem which are accorded him throughout the com- munity in which he lives.
RAMSEY PROBASCO
Ramsey Probasco, of Berkeley, has a well established reputation as an able and dependable lawyer and enjoys a large and remunerative clientage, having been actively engaged in the practice of his profession here for the past fifteen years. He was born in Glendale, Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 11th of November, 1880, and is a son of Harry Russell and Minnie (Moulton) Probasco, the former born in Lebanon, Ohio, May 5, 1856, and the latter in Cincinnati, Ohio, Novem- ber 3, 1856. The Probasco family probably came to this country from Holland about 1756, although the name is of Spanish origin.
Ramsey Probasco attended the public schools until graduated from high school, and then entered the University of Cincinnati, completing the classical course in
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1902. Having determined to devote his life to the legal profession, he entered the law school of his alma mater, and was graduated in 1904. He was admitted to practice in Ohio in 1903, in New York in 1906 and in California in 1913. From 1903 to 1906 he was associated in the practice of law with his father, and then when to New York, where he practiced alone until 1910. In 1913 he came to Berkeley, California, and was in practice alone until January 1, 1928, when he became a member of the firm of Sturgis, Probasco & McClean, with offices in the Central Bank building of Oakland. Well grounded in the basic principles of jurisprudence and a constant student of his profession, he has proven a determined, able and re- sourceful lawyer and has successfully handled many important cases in the courts of this county.
On June 30, 1908, at the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, Virginia, Mr. Probasco was united in marriage to Miss Clara Tuttle, whose father, Albert H. Tuttle, was for forty years a college professor. Mrs. Probasco is a member of the Town and Gown Club of Berkeley and the College Women's Club, as well as other social organizations. In his political views Mr. Probasco is a stanch repub- lican. He is a member of the Mt. Diablo Country Club, the Bohemian Club of San Francisco, the Athens Athletic Club of Portland, the Kiwanis Club of Oakland, and the several college fraternities. He is a director and was the first president of the East Bay Safety Council and is a director of the Berkeley Campfire Girls, while during the World war he was a member of a number of committees and was a Four Minute speaker from the time the organization was started until the close of the war. His religious connection is with St. Clement's Protestant Episcopal church, of which he is a vestryman. Everything pertaining to the welfare and advancement of his community has enlisted his earnest support and he has stood consistently for the best things in life. Cordial and friendly in manner, he enjoys a wide acquaintance and is held in high regard by all who know him.
GEORGE E. GROSS
Among the public officials of Oakland and Alameda county, none has been more highly honored or is held in greater esteem than George E. Gross, who is filling the responsible position of county clerk in a very able and satisfactory manner. Born in Oakland on the 14th of March, 1872, he is a son of William G. C. and Margaret (Stiles) Gross. He received his educational training in the public schools of this city and afterward became associated with his father, who was engaged in the marble and granite business here. On May 1, 1901, Mr. Gross was appointed a deputy in the city treasurer's office, serving for three years, during which period he evinced a natural aptitude for and a thoroughness in his work that led to his appointment as chief deputy treasurer in 1904. While still holding that position he was nominated on the republican ticket for city auditor and assessor, receiving also the endorsement of the democrats and the Municipal League, so that there was practically no opposition and he was elected by an overwhelming majority. He assumed the duties of the position at the time of the charter election. In 1909 the office was transformed from a position in which the county auditor's figures were
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accepted as the basis of the city assessment rolls, to a department in which the en- tire work of the city was handled. The handling of the auditing and assessing by the city instead of accepting the county figures raised the assessed valuation of the city as a whole over thirty million dollars above what it would have been under the county figures, and resulted in a more equal distribution of the burden of taxation in the city. Mr. Gross's popularity was again proven in the direct primary election of 1911, when he was nominated by the people and was elected by another large majority, having practically no opposition. In 1914 he was elected county clerk, in which office he is still serving.
On September 3, 1901, in Oakland, Mr. Gross was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Gage, of this city, a daughter of Stephen T. and Bessie (Fletcher) Gage. Mr. Gross is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Moose and Elks, the Athens Club and Athenian Nile Club, while, politically, he has always supported the republican party. He is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, standing consistently for public welfare, and his effi- cient administration of the various offices which he has held has gained for him merited prestige among the people of his city and county, while his courtesy and affability, combined with his sterling character, have gained for him a host of warm and loyal friends.
ALBERT G. LARSON
Berkeley received a valuable addition to its citizenship when in 1924 Albert G. Larson located here, for he has not only built up a prosperous industrial enter- prise, but possesses to a marked degree the essential qualities of good citizenship and has attained an enviable place in the estimation of the people of this community. Mr. Larson, who is the proprietor of the Reliable Manufacturing Company, at Fourth street and Dwight way, was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, February 27, 1888, and is a son of Lars J. and Caroline (Christenson) Larson, both of whom are deceased. His father was a successful leather goods manufacturer, making valises, shoes and other articles, and became well-to-do and influential in his community. To him and his wife were born four children, namely: Ernest, who is a banker in Lysekil, Sweden; John, of Lysekil, who is a sea captain and the owner of a motor schooner on the Baltic sea; Harry, an electrical engineer in Gothen- burg, Sweden ; and Albert G.
The last named attended the public schools of his native land and later en- tered the Chalmers Engineering College, in Sweden. He served an apprenticeship at Gothenburg and Lysekil, becoming proficient both as a master mechanic and as an electrical engineer. In 1909 he embarked for the United States, landing at New York city in October, and soon afterwards went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was employed as a machinist. Later, in Chicago, Illinois, he worked for the International Harvester Company and subsequently he went to Rockford, Illinois, where he entered the employ of Barber Coleman, a manufacturer of mill- ing machinery, with whom he remained for fourteen months. In the fall of 1911 Mr. Larson located in San Francisco, California, where for about a year he worked
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as a machinist for the American Can Company, and then went to Alaska, where for two years he was employed as a master mechanic by fish canneries at Keen Eye, and later in the Chickina Cannery, at Chickina, and with the Northwestern Canning Company. Returning to the States in 1914, Mr. Larson entered the employ of the California Cartridge Company, at Richmond, California, which was engaged in making machines for the manufacture of cartridges. He remained with that concern until the United States entered the World war, when he offered his services to the government and was sent to the Apex Manufacturing Company, where he superintended the construction of three hundred steel lifeboats. He re- mained with that concern until 1924, when, having determined to engage in business on his own account, he resigned and came to Berkeley, where he bought ground and began the erection of his present plant, the main building of which is ninety by one hundred and twenty-five feet. In this building he installed expensive and highly specialized machinery, much of which is his own invention, and engaged in the manufacture of air compressors, paint spraying machinery, washing machines and lubricating devices. Mr. Larson is an inventor of note, being the holder of several valuable patents, and is manufacturing and selling machines of his own invention. He employs from eight to ten expert machinists and his business is en- joying a steady and substantial growth.
On September 26, 1912, at Rockford, Illinois, Mr. Larson was united in mar- riage to Miss Lydia Swanson, who was born and reared in that city, and they are the parents of three children, John, Harry and June. Mr. Larson came to this country well equipped for his life work, having mastered the English language in the excellent schools of his own country, and on coming to Berkeley was in splen- did financial shape to launch his business, which has proven a distinctive success. Mr. Larson was made an American citizen at Oakland in 1917 and has since given his political support to the republican party. He is a member of the Manufacturers Association of California and the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, and has shown a commendable interest in the general welfare of his community. A good business man, a dependable citizen, and cordial and affable in his social relations, he has won many warm friends since coming here and he and his wife are popular in the social circles in which they move.
CHAUNCEY WALSTEIN GIBSON
The record of Chauncey W. Gibson, of Oakland, is that of a man who, though more than ordinarily successful in his material affairs, has not lived to himself alone, but has found pleasure in devoting his means and influence to the welfare of others less fortunate than he. For many years he has been a prominent and influ- ential figure in the business world and commands the confidence and respect of all who are associated with him. Mr. Gibson was born in Grand Blanc, Genesee county, Michigan, September 6, 1838, and is a son of Charles D. W. and Artemesia Gibson, who were natives of New York state, where they were reared and mar- ried. In 1832 they became pioneer settlers in Michigan, where Mr. Gibson exten- sively followed farming, owned a mill and established a hotel. He started a village
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known as Gibsonville and lived there until his death, remaining actively engaged in the upbuilding of the community of which he was practically the founder.
Chauncey W. Gibson spent his boyhood in Michigan and attended the public schools of his home neighborhood. On starting out on his own account he went to Saginaw, Michigan, where he opened a general store, and later started the Bay City Bank. Sometime afterward he there organized the First National Bank which was the third national bank in the state. In 1874 he came west, locating in Los Angeles, California, where he engaged in merchandising. Prosperity attended him here also, and he enlarged the scope of his operations, building the Los Angeles Soap Company plant. Later he organized the Chamber of Commerce, prior to the building of the first railroad into that city. He turned his attention to the manufacture of carbon dioxide and during his active career he built thirty-two factories in various parts of the country, including Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Omaha, living in each city while getting his business es- tablished, and so sound was his judgment and so skillful was his management that these various enterprises returned him a very comfortable competence. On Sixty- sixth avenue, Oakland, Mr. Gibson built a splendid home. In addition he owned large tracts of land, much of which he subdivided, and thus became extensively en- gaged in the real estate business, building many homes, which he sold. His own residence he later presented to the Children's Home Society, its valuation being con- servatively placed at twenty-five thousand dollars, and since he has retired from active business pursuits he has been greatly interested in the finding of homes for children who need them, over five thousand having been thus cared for. This work of love has not gone without due recognition and appreciation, though Mr. Gibson has been entirely unostentatious in his relation to it.
In 1864 Mr. Gibson married Miss Lovina M. Gibson, who is a native of New York state and a daughter of Houdd and Julia (Steel) Gibson. To this marriage have been born three children, Charles, Houdd and Frost. Mr. Gibson votes inde- pendently, but holds decided views on the great issues of the day. He is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging also to the Order of the Eastern Star and the United Honor. A gentleman of kindly and hospitable manner, he has a host of warm and admiring friends throughout this community, who esteem him for his genuine worth and for the sunshine he has scattered along the pathway of life.
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