USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
On March 18, 1875, in San Francisco, Mr. Hadlen was united in marriage to Miss Dora M. Funk, who also was born in Hanover, Germany, where she was reared and educated. In 1873, at the age of seventeen, she came to the United States, landing at San Francisco on September 18th. She is a daughter of Peter and Anna (Miller) Funk, the father dying when she was but two years old and the mother when she was five years of age. She received religious confirmation when fourteen years old and from that time she earned her own livelihood as a hous- maid. She was encouraged to come to America by an older sister who was living in San Francisco, and in that city she met Mr. Hadlen. To their marriage were born seven children, namely: Anne who is the wife of D. M. Newell, who now runs the Hadlen grocery store; Charles, who married Miss Emma Brombacker, died at the age of forty-four years and left three children, Elmer, Stanley and George, who are in school ; Julia is the wife of A. A. Gibb, a retired business man in Oakland, and they have one child, Clyde; Herman, who died November 26, 1927, at the age of forty-five years, was married twice and by his first union had three children,
.
446
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Lillian, Dorris and Mazie; Fred, who died on October 15, 1919, at the age of thirty-five years, had married Miss Dena Hoffman and left three children, Roy, Dorothy and Mildred; Mabel is the wife of George S. Hopkins, who is connected with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in Berkeley, and they have four chil- dren, Harriet, Edith, Robert and Lucile; and Edward C., who is deputy county clerk of Alameda county and resides in Berkeley, was married to Miss Rose McGlinchey and has a daughter, Florence. There are twenty-two grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. In 1925 Mr. and Mrs. Hadlen celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, and it was a most enjoyable occasion, at which they were the recipients of the congratulations and well wishes of their large circle of friends.
In his political views, Mr. Hadlen was a stanch republican and ever maintained a deep interest in public matters, particularly such as related to the prosperity and welfare of his community, in the affairs of which he was long an influential factor. He assisted in framing the first city charter and was a member of the first board of trustees, in which position he served the city faithfully and judiciously. He also rendered valuable service as a member of the first board of the Berkeley City Planning Committee, on which committee he served for six years. He was proud of his city and zealous in its interests, no measure for its advancement or betterment ever lacking for his earnest and active support. He was kindly and generous by nature and the Golden Rule was the standard to which he conformed his actions, so that he was a friend to all men, and all who knew him were his friends. A man of well defined opinions and high ideals, he stood uncompromisingly for what he believed to be right, from which fact he received the nickname "Old Ironsides," as he was sometimes affectionately called. The record of testimony is ample that he was a good citizen in the fullest sense of the term, and he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and to the city he loved so well the record and example of an honorable and well spent life.
C. P. MURDOCK
C. P. Murdock, of Oakland, as vice president and general manager of the Realty Syndicate Company, and officially identified with a number of other important business enterprises of the East Bay district, has been extremely active and influential in advancing the interests of this section of Alameda county. Mr. Murdock was born in San Francisco, California, on the 29th day of August, 1881, and is a son of George H. and Susan L. Murdock. During his boyhood the family moved to Alameda, where he attended the public schools until 1895, when he entered the Lick School, to take the preparatory course of the California School of Mechanical Arts. On completing that course, he engaged in the insurance busi- ness, to which he devoted his energies until 1907, when he turned his attention to the construction business as assistant superintendent of the Great Western Power Company's initial development of the Feather river. In this work he demonstrated marked ability and two years later became assistant secretary to F. M. Smith. Mr. Murdock's industry, close application and efficiency won him deserved recognition
447
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
in his appointment in 1913 as vice president and general manager of the Realty Syndicate Company, which position he has held to the present time. He is also president and a director of C. P. Murdock, Inc., the Idora Park Company, the Nevada Milling Company, the Terminal Junction Land Company, the Syndicate Building Company and the Oakland Building and Manager Association; vice president, general manager and a director of the Realty Syndicate, the Leona Chemical Company and the Twelfth Street Realty Company; vice president and a director of the West End Consolidated Mining Company and a director of the East Bay Title Insurance Company. He has given his close attention to the sub- division work of the Realty Syndicate Company, which has handled over fifteen million dollars in subdivisions in the last fifteen years, while his private interests also demand a due proportion of his time. In all of his affairs he has displayed clear-headed judgment, keen vision as to the future development of Alameda county, and the courage and progressive spirit which have enabled him to successfully carry through the important enterprises of which he has been the executive head. Doing well whatever he undertakes, and guided by the highest business ideals, he has gained not only a splendid measure of prosperity, but has also won that which is of greater value, the confidence and respect of his fellowmen, and is regarded as one of Oakland's most useful citizens.
RICHARD S. FRENCH, PH. D.
Dr. Richard S. French, since 1922 principal of the California School for the Blind, at Berkeley, has gained a wide reputation because of the high type of service which he is rendering in this very exacting field of education. Under his able super- vision, the school has attained a place in the front rank of institutions for the sense-defectives of this country and is a source of justifiable pride to the people of this state. This School for the Blind is not a home or custodial institution, but is purely educational in its aims and work.
The first efforts along this line in California were confined to a school which was started in San Francisco in the late '50s, and which was a private institution, being established for the instruction of both the deaf and the blind. In 1860 the state legislature made an appropriation for its maintenance, taking it over under the name of the California Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind. One hundred and thirty-two acres of land were purchased at Berk- eley and to this location the dual institution was removed in 1861, and has since remained there. The first head of the school was Warring Wilkinson and the insti- tution had a steady growth. Two large buildings were erected on the new site but some years later these were destroyed by fire, whereupon the legislature made the necessary appropriations for new buildings. The first two of these were erected in 1878 and several other buildings have since been added. The dual school build- ings were completed in 1915 with the erection of the gymnasium, making this one of the most completely equipped schools for the deaf and blind in the United States.
By an act of the legislature in 1921 a division of the school was ordered and from that time the California School for the Deaf and the California School for
448
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
the Blind have been separate institutions. The latter was formally organized in 1922 and Dr. Richard S. French became its first principal, in which capacity he has served to the present time. In 1923 the legislature made an appropriation for the building of a girls' dormitory, which was completed in 1924, at a cost of sixty-five thousand dollars. This building is up-to-date in all of its appointments and houses fifty girls. In 1925 an appropriation was made for a school building, which is now only two-thirds completed, as it is planned to add another wing to it, at which time it will have twenty-six class and practice rooms. The building was dedicated in 1927 and is admirably adapted to the purpose for which it is used. Its total cost, with equipment including an Estey pipe organ costing ten thousand dollars, was ninety thousand dollars. The last legislature also made an appropriation for a boys' dormitory, which in design and arrangement will be in keeping with the other two buildings. A kindergarten building and shop facilities will be added later.
The course of study includes every grade from kindergarten through the high school in the academic department, the design being to fit the students for college or university work if they desire it. There are also vocational departments, includ- ing housekeeping, sewing and cooking, and typewriting for the girls, and chair- caning, broom making, piano tuning and typewriting for the boys, while the Braille system of reading is a fundamental subject for all students. Particular attention is given to instruction in music, in which there are thorough courses in both instru- ment and voice, and in orchestra and chorus the students have an opportunity for practical experience, as well as pleasure.
At the present time there are fifty girls and fifty-six boys in the school, and there are ten full-time instructors and eight part-time teachers. The pupils range in age from seven to twenty-two years. A large proportion of them eventually become self-supporting and several graduates of this school have attained notable success in law and as entertainers, as dictaphone operators and as salesmen, par- ticularly of musical instruments and in life insurance and investments. Dr. Newel Perry, totally blind, who is a graduate of this institution, is now a member of its faculty, being director of advanced studies. He took his doctor's degree at the University of Munich and is widely known for his attainments. Another of the well-known graduates of this school is Miss Christine Labarraque, well known as a concert singer, who is a successful and popular teacher of voice in San Francisco. Twenty-six former students in the California School for the Blind are now students in universities or colleges, a record which is enjoyed by no other institution of the kind in the country. From one of the local papers we copy the following :
"For the purpose of providing scholarships to enable graduates of the California School for the Blind to carry on their education in the lines for which they are the best fitted, a campaign is being launched to create a scholarship endowment fund of approximately thirty thousand dollars. William Edwin Chamberlain is chair- man of the endowment committee and Professor Leon Richardson is acting trustee of the funds. Associated with them are a large number of outstanding citizens of the bay cities. The School for the Bilnd now has a small endowment fund, which is insufficient to assist the deserving students who wish to continue their educational work."
Richard S. French, principal of the school for six years, was born in San Bernardino, California, on the 23d day of September, 1883, and is a son of Wil-
449
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
liam and Lydia (St. John) French, the former a farmer. He completed the public and high school courses and entered the University of California, from which he was graduated in 1906, and in 1919 he received from his alma mater the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. From 1919 to 1922 he served as assistant professor of edu- cation in the University of California, and then was called to his present position as principal of the California School for the Blind. Since 1922 he has also been a lecturer on Education in the University of California.
In 1909, at San Jose, California, Dr. French was married to Miss Alice Grace Stone, of that city. Dr. French has shown a deep interest in the welfare of his city and is rendering effective service as a member of the city council, to which body he was elected in 1927. He is a member of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce, and belongs to the Phi Delta Kappa, the national educational fraternity. He is thoroughly devoted to the interest of the institution of which he is the head and in the conduct of which he has achieved noteworthy success, and he holds a high place among the educators of this section of the country.
BERKELEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
The City of Berkeley is proud of its progressive library, which is rendering a distinctive service to the community. It had its beginning in 1893, in the Holmes Library, supported by subscription. The town trustees, in 1895, voted to make it a public library. The Berkeley Public Library accordingly was established in 1895, in rented quarters, with a collection of about two thousand eight hundred volumes.
The first trustees were, T. K. Shattuck, A. W. Naylor, Thomas Addison, Henry W. Taylor, and H. D. Irwin, all prominent in the early history of Berkeley. Mr. Irwin was a faithful and efficient member of the library board for twenty-six years. At the time of his death in 1926, he was president of the board.
In 1903 Andrew Carnegie made an offer of forty thousand dollars for a library building on condition that the city provide a site, and that an appropriation equal to ten per cent of the gift be made for maintenance. Mrs. Rosa Shattuck at once offered a lot on Shattuck avenue and Kittredge street, and the town trustees voted the appropriation. Mr. John Galen Howard was appointed architect. Berkeley's first library building was opened to the public on February 22, 1905, with a collection of eighteen thousand two hundred and twelve volumes.
David R. Moore was the first librarian, serving until his death in May, 1914. Under his administration the library grew to a collection of fifty-one thousand well used volumes. Mr. Moore was succeeded by Carleton B. Joeckel, under whose direction the library made great advancement. The circulation was more than tripled during his administration, and three handsome branch libraries were erected. Mr. Joeckel was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and received the degree of Bachelor of Library Science from the New York State Library School. He came to Berkeley to accept the position of assistant reference librarian of the University of California Library, and became librarian of the Berkeley Public Library in 1914, holding this position until his resignation in 1928, to become associate professor of library science in the library school of the university of
450
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Michigan. In 1919-1920, he was president of the California Library Associa- tion, and later was a member of the executive committee of the C. L. A. He was a veteran of the World war, rising to the rank of captain, and was wounded in the Argonne. He was active in matters affecting the welfare of Berkeley, and his resignation as librarian was greatly regretted. Miss Olive Burroughs was ap- pointed acting librarian at the time of Mr. Joeckel's going on leave of absence in June, 1927.
The Claremont Branch Library was opened in a school building in 1909, the North Berkeley and the Ashby Branches in 1911 and 1913, respectively, both in rented quarters.
The new West Berkeley Branch building was opened for use in 1923, the Claremont Branch building in 1924, and the South Berkeley Branch building in 1927. The South Berkeley Branch combines in one modern plant the former Ashby and South Berkeley Branches. In addition to four full time branches, the library operates one part-time branch in the Hawthorne School.
By a popular vote in 1925, the citizens of Berkeley authorized an increase of four cents on the hundred dollars, over the existing tax rate for a library building fund, for a period of four years. The imperative need for an adequate Main Li- brary building had been evident for many years. The city council levied the addi- tional tax and funds are accruing for the new library building. The library person- nel includes the librarian and twenty-five full time assistants.
AMOS MECARTNEY
Among the honored pioneers of northern California who worthily served their day and generation, contributing to the development and progress of their respective communities, and have passed on to higher scenes of activity was Amos Mecartney, who, braving the hardships and perils of the early days here, established a home and heritage and gained well earned recognition as one of the helpful and useful citizens of Alameda county.
Mr. Mecartney was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of March, 1838, and was of remote German ancestry. His father, John Mecartney, who also was a native of Lancaster county, figured prominently in the public and business affairs of that locality, and at one time served as county auditor. Later he became the organizer of the Lancaster County Fire Insurance Company. Amos Mecartney was reared in his native county and secured his education in its public schools. Hearing of the discovery of gold in California, he sailed from Philadelphia on the brig "Osceola," which rounded Cape Horn and arrived at San Francisco, August 5, 1849. He engaged in gold mining on the Yuba and Feather rivers, but, meeting with indifferent success, returned to the east. However, he could not resist the lure of the western country and in 1852 again came to California. Locating in San Francisco, he engaged in the general commission and real estate business, in which he met with substantial success, gaining a comfortable fortune and acquiring valuable properties in Kansas City and Chicago. In 1872 Mr. Mecartney bought from the United States tideland commission two hundred and ninety-eight acres
AMOS MECARTNEY
-
MRS. AMOS MECARTNEY
29V2
45.5
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
of land on Bay Farm island, on which he located and established his permanent home. Here he erected a pleasant and attractive residence, which he surrounded with trees and shrubbery and created an ideal homestead, which is still occupied by the family. He greatly enjoyed this place and lived here until his death, which occurred January 23, 1903.
In 1868 Mr. Mecartney was united in marriage to Miss Mary Killinger, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of David and Margaret (Drepperd) Killinger. To this union were born five children, namely: Pearl S .; Meda H .; Myrtle J., who is the wife of W. P. Willard; Mignon K., the wife of E. J. Hall; and Amoslita, the wife of Louis E. Aubert, of Paris, France. Since her husband's death Mrs. Mecartney has continued his business policies and is regarded as a woman of sound judgment in practical matters. She is of kindly and hospitable disposition, her gracious qualities of character endearing her to all who know her.
Mr. Mecartney enjoyed a wide acquaintance throughout this section of the state ; was regarded as a man of marked business capacity and of the highest integrity, true to his ideals and consistent in all of life's relations, so that to a marked degree he commanded the confidence and esteem of all who were associated with him.
GEORGE W. HICKMAN
Standing in the front rank of the able and successful lawyers of Alameda county, and rendering signal service as judge of the city court of Albany, George W. Hickman is regarded as one of the leading and influential citizens of his community. Born in Benjamin, Utah, on the 21st of January, 1895, Mr. Hickman is a son of J. E. and Ella (Rogers) Hickman, who were pioneers of Utah, in which state the father, who was a graduate of Michigan and Columbia universities, was long a teacher in the public schools.
George W. Hickman acquired his elementary education in the public schools, graduating from high school, and then enlisted in the United States Army for service in the World war. He saw twenty-two months service with the Forty-first Division in France, and was associated with Captain Waldo on the staff of the Stars and Stripes, the official newspaper of the American Expeditionary Forces. He returned to the United States on the same boat with President Wilson and, after a week's visit at home, came to the coast and entered the University of Cali- fornia. There he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1922 and that of Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1924. He worked in the law office of Garret McEnerney in San Francisco, and in 1925 opened a law office in Oakland. In 1926 he was appointed judge of the city court of Albany and, the new city charter making the judgeship elective, he was, in the spring of 1927, elected of a three-year term.
Judge Hickman was united in marriage to Miss Luella Anderson, of Logan, Utah, who also is an alumnus of the University of California, and they are the parents of two children, George W., Jr., and Richard. The Judge is active in politics and takes a keen interest in public affairs. He is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and is commander. of the Albany post of the American Legion,
456
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
of which he was one of the organizers. He is an honorary member of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen. Well grounded in the law, possessing the solid and substantial qualities which mark the successful jurist, his conduct of the city court has gained for him the confidence and respect of both bar and laymen, and he is honoring the position which he holds. Personally he is cordial and friendly in manner and throughout the city he commands a large and loyal following.
MRS. CARRIE L. HOYT
No history of Berkeley would be complete without extended reference to Mrs. Carrie L. Hoyt because of her close association with all that makes for material. intellectual, civic and moral progress. She is identified with many organizations which make for human development and uplift and her methods are at all times intensely practical, and she labors to secure the adoption of high ideals. She was born at Petersburg, Menard county, Illinois, October 24, 1866, a daughter of Judge Samuel Stone and Isabelle (Terhune) Knoles. Through the paternal line she is directly descended from Thomas Stone, of Maryland, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and she is a cousin of Tully Knoles, president of the College of the Pacific at Stockton, one of California's leading educational institutions. Judge Knoles was born in Indiana and for a number of years en- gaged in the practice of law at Petersburg, Illinois, where in addition to his pro- fessional work he published the Petersburg Herald. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the conflict, taking part in the siege of Vicks- burg and in various important engagements. He was wounded in battle, was cap- tured and confined in Andersonville prison. In 1887 he came to California and in January, 1888, established his home in San Diego, having been appointed United States commissioner for the southern district of California. He died in that city in 1908, at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, Mrs. Isabelle (Terhune) Knoles, who was a native of Kentucky, passed away in 1872, leaving three children : Mrs. Hoyt; Fred T., now of San Francisco; and Mrs. Effa Fouche, of Sacramento. Later Judge Knoles married again and by his second union had two sons and a daughter ; Asa Barrett Knoles, William Day Knoles and Mila Knoles Schulenberg.
Carrie Knoles was but five and one-half years of age at the time of her mother's death, and she and the other two children of the family went to live with the mother's sister, Mrs. Ellen Hart, with whom they remained until their father's second marriage. The family lived at Chanute, Kansas, remaining in the Sun- flower state until after the memorable grasshopper scourge of that period, when all returned to Illinois. The party included Judge Knoles and his second wife, Lois Barrett, together with his children, and after a short residence in Jacksonville, Illinois, he again took up his abode in Petersburg, where he practiced law.
It was thus that Mrs. Hoyt pursued her education in the schools of her native city, mastering the work of successive grades and entering high school, although she did not have the opportunity to complete the high school course. Her broader education was gained in a newspaper office and in the wide field of experience.
457
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Her father was then publishing the Petersburg Herald, and visiting the office after school hours, she learned to set type. In fact she acquainted herself with every phase of newspaper activity from the "devil's" work to writing editorials and was of great assistance to her father, remaining in the newspaper office until the family started for California in 1887. They spent a brief time in Ontario, this state, where the daughter Carrie was employed for two months in the office of the Ontarion Record. In January, 1888, the family home was established in San Diego and the daughter again entered the newspaper field as an employe in the office of the San Diego Union. While holding that position she met her future husband, William Hoyt, their marriage being celebrated October 22, 1889. He was born at Penn Yan, New York, November 6, 1860, was educated in the Penn Yan Academy and later entered the newspaper field, since which time he has been connected with various publications in southern California and San Francisco. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt took up their abode upon a ranch in San Diego county, near Foster station, between Poway and Santa Maria. Their honeymoon trip was a never to be forgotten experience. They remained on the ranch, which was "away out in the wilderness," until August, 1890, when they removed to San Diego, where Mr. Hoyt again entered the newspaper business. On the 30th of December of that year their daughter, Isabelle Amanda Hoyt, was born, and when she was a year old Mr. Hoyt removed with his family to Los Angeles, where he was employed in the Times office. . Their oldest son, William Knoles Hoyt, was born in Los Angeles, June 14, 1892. Because of failing health Mr. Hoyt was anxious to again take up his abode on the ranch in San Diego county, and the summer of 1893 once more found them installed in their home among the hills, about two miles from Foster station. There on the 11th of April, 1894, their son, Ralph Edwin, was born. Their little daughter, Isabelle, started to school when about seven years of age, going two miles to the schoolhouse across a country on which there was nothing but sagebrush and rattlesnakes, her father taking her in the morning and calling for her in the afternoon. When her brother William was old enough to enter school, the father would take them in the morning and they would walk home in the evening. On the 1st of January, 1898, another daughter, Effa Lois, was added to the family and in time the younger children entered school, but when the elder daughter was ready for high school Mrs. Hoyt took Isabelle, William and Effa into San Diego in order that she might have the opportunity to there continue her education, the father and his son Ralph re- maining for a time on the ranch.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.