USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 50
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David N. Edwards attended the public schools of Oakland, graduating from the Oakland high school to enter the University of California with the class of 1914. In August, 1919, he entered into a partnership with C. W. Schneider and took over the business of the Burnham-Standeford Company under the name of The Oakland Planing Mills. Burnham-Standeford Company had been doing a planing mill business in Oakland since 1869. In 1924 the business was incorporated
DAVID N. EDWARDS
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under the name of The Oakland Planing Mill, Inc. The company manufactures all kinds of interior finish, sash, doors and cabinet work, catering particularly to high class architectural requirements. The prosperity of the business has been founded on the high quality of the work produced, the result being that the firm is enjoying a well deserved success. During the busy season about one hundred men are employed.
In 1916 Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Vivian Taylor, whose father, William L. Taylor, was a pioneer of Alameda county and was for many years engaged in the hardware business in Oakland. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have two children, William David and Dorothy Jane.
Fraternally Mr. Edwards is a member of Park Boulevard Lodge No. 568, F. & A. M., the Scottish Rite bodies, and Aahmes Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Oakland Lions Club, of which he is a director; the Athenian Nile Club and the Athens Athletic Club. He has so conducted his interests that he has not only won individual success but has also contributed to the up- building and development of his community, and his record as a business man and a private citizen has been such as has gained him a high place in the estimation of his fellowmen.
REV. JOSEPH D. O'BRIEN, O. P.
For thirty-six years Rev. Joseph D. O'Brien has devoted his life to the ministry and his record is replete with able and effective service in the interest of his fellow- men. He is now pastor of St. Mary Magdaline Roman Catholic church at Berkeley and is regarded as a distinct asset to the religious life of that community. Father O'Brien was born in San Francisco, California, on the 1st of January, 1867, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Flanagan) O'Brien. His father was a native of Ireland, whence he came to California in 1849, making the long voyage around Cape Horn to San Francisco, where he became a prominent and well known citizen.
Father O'Brien attended Christian Brothers Sacred Heart College in San Fran- cisco, and when sixteen years of age entered the Dominican order. He was a student at St. Dominic's priory at Benicia, California, and on December 27, 1892, was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Reardon in St. Mary's cathedral, San Francisco. He spent twenty-five years as a missionary in the northwest, with head- quarters at Portland, Oregon, and in 1915 was recalled to Vallejo, California. There he erected a Catholic high school in 1917, and during the World war did much effective work in support of the government's various war measures, in acknowledgment of which he received from Josephus Daniels, secretary of the navy, a letter of appreciation. During the influenza epidemic of 1918 the high school which he built was devoted to hospital purposes. On December 8, 1921, Father O'Brien returned to Benicia as prior of St. Dominic's Priory, the mother house of the order, and in 1924 was reelected to that position. In 1926, owing to ill health, he resigned and devoted his attention to restoring his health, with such favorable results that on July 2, 1927, he was appointed to the pastorate of St. Mary Magdaline church at Berkeley. During his stay at Benicia he rebuilt the
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Catholic cemetery and, with the aid of a fund, which was started with a three dollar subscription, he greatly beautified it and made a very attractive burial ground.
St. Mary Magdaline church was dedicated August 17, 1924, under the pastorate of Rev. F. P. Driscoll, O. P., who was the first priest assigned to that church, and who was later elected Provincial of the order on the coast. He was an effective worker in the church, having erected other edifices at Seattle, Washington, and Eagle Rock, California. Father O'Brien has added many members to the church at Berkeley, now comprising three hundred families, and all departments of the church are functioning in a very efficient manner. The church organizations are the Society of the Holy Name, the Blessed Sacrament for Women, the Order of St. Dominic, organized in October, 1927, and the Rosarian Sodality, for the young ladies of the parish. A children's class of one hundred and sixty members was organized by the Dominican sisters of Fruitvale and meets on Saturdays in the parish hall. Father O'Brien is recognized as one of the ablest preachers in the diocese, while as a pastor his work proves itself, the church being in a thriving and prosperous condition. He is a man of kindly and affable manner, has made a host of friends since coming to this locality and is regarded as one of its most influential citizens, for, aside from his pastoral work, he has shown a deep interest in the general welfare of the community.
H. C. LOVETT
H. C. Lovett, of the H. C. Lovett Spray Painting Company of Alameda, owes his business success to the fact that he has been able to capitalize his opportunities and has been energetic and judicious in the promotion of his affairs. He is a pioneer in the west in his special line of work as a spray painting contractor and has gained a wide reputation for reliability and efficiency, doing a business over the entire coast region.
Mr. Lovett was born in Louisville, Kentucky, November 3, 1883, and was reared there to the age of nine years, when he accompanied his family on their removal to Kansas City, Missouri, where he lived until twenty-one years of age. He secured his education in the public schools of Louisville and Kansas City, and in the latter place learned the trade of steam fitting with Sulzberger & Sons, the largest concern in its line in the country. With this company Mr. Lovett remained for thirteen years. During this time he superintended the erection of many meat packing plants for the company and was superintendent of their plant at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for a time. After resigning his position with that company, he went to Ogden, Utah, as superintendent of the Ogden Packing & Provision Com- pany and on leaving that concern in 1916 came to California with the intention of entering business for himself. On account of the World war, however, he changed his plans and went to work in the shipyards at Alameda where he remained for two years supervising the building of four ships in that plant. While taking his last ship to the Hunter's Point Dry Docks for inspection and the painting of the ship's bottom, he noticed the ships being painted by the spray process. He quickly comprehended the commercial value of this method of painting large surfaces and
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about eight years ago he embarked in that line of business. Success attended him from the start and his business has steadily grown in volume until his operations now extend through the eight Pacific coast states and he keeps ninety men employed during the summer seasons. He works on a large scale and among the more im- portant contracts which he has handled successfully are the plants of the H. J. Heinz Company, the Willys-Overland Automobile Company, the American Smelting & Refining Company, the Hercules Powder Company, the Rialto Citrus Fruit Company, and the Baker-Hanson Company in Alameda, and recently he has painted the Max Sennet studio in Los Angeles. He does practically all of the painting for Standard Oil Company plants in California and other coast states, and in connection therewith he painted about six hundred signs on the roofs of Standard Oil buildings in that many cities and towns of California and other coast states, each sign giving the name of the city in which it was located for the information of aviators, the letters being large enough to be seen at a long distance. Mr. Lovett has a large and complete equipment, of the most modern type, and is prepared to promptly and efficiently fill any sized contract in his line.
Fraternally Mr. Lovett is a Mason, belonging to both York and Scottish Rite bodies ; Alameda Lodge No. 1015, B. P. O. E., and the Alameda Rotary Club. His has been a life of diligence and determination, and success in substantial measure has rewarded his labors. He is a progressive and dependable business man and a loyal and patriotic citizen, and his sterling qualities have established him in an enviable position among his fellowmen.
REV. J. J. HENNESSEY
Any pastor who is able to show as part of the results of his labors a four hundred per cent increase in the membership of his church presents indisputable evidence of his ability, persistence and faithfulness. Such has been the record of Rev. J. J. Hennessey as pastor of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic church at West Berkeley, his splendid service here gaining for him an exalted place in public esteem.
Father Hennessey was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1874, and after completing his preliminary education entered Carlow College, where he prepared for the ministry, in 1899 being ordained to the priesthood. In that year he came to California and was appointed assistant pastor of St. Vincent's church at Petaluma, Sonoma county. From there he went as assistant pastor to St. James church in San Francisco, and later became assistant pastor at St. Joseph's church in Alameda. His first regular pastorate was at St. Isador's church in Danville, Contra Costa county, where he did excellent work, and then came to St. Ambrose church at West Berkeley.
This church was erected in 1910 by Rev. Robert Sampson, who was its first pastor, and was succeeded by Rev. Mackie, who was followed by Rev. Comerford, who served until Father Hennessey came. Mass was first celebrated on Christmas day of 1910. Sunday, January 29, 1911, the church was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Connell. Solemn high mass was celebrated by Rev. John McGinty, pastor of Holy Cross church, San Francisco, assisted by Rev. P. J. Ryan of Holy Cross,
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and Rev. James Kiely, of Elmhurst. Rev. John Butler, then pastor of St. Colum- ba's, was master of ceremonies. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Thomas Brennan, S. T. L., of St. Joseph's church, Berkeley. Benediction by Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Connell concluded the ceremonies. Among the priests present were Rev. Lawrence Serda, Rev. B. J. Mckinnon, Rev. E. P. Dempsey, Rev. P. C. Yorke, Rev. Edward Maher, Rev. J. J. Cranwell and Rev. M. Kearns. The music was rendered by the choir from Holy Cross, San Francisco. The church is a handsome edifice and reflects great credit on the people of the parish and their energetic and devoted pastor. The city is growing extensively in this vicinity and the parish of St. Ambrose promises to become increasingly important. An attraction for the members of the parish and an item conducive to its growth, is the fine climate of this section.
Under the ministry of Father Hennessey the church has been greatly stimulated in all of its departments and the membership has been increased from one hundred families to five hundred families, being now one of the strongest and most active churches of this section of the county. Father Hennessey formed a Young Men's Institute, which has been a valuable adjunct to the work of the church, and in many other ways he has accomplished results which have contributed to the moral better- ment of the entire community. Father Hennessey is a strong and effective preacher, while in his pastoral work he has shown an efficiency that has commended him to the admiration and affection of his people, among whom he is deservedly popular, while throughout the community the people, regardless of creed or profession, hold him in high esteem.
HON. FRIEND WILLIAM RICHARDSON
One of the distinguished citizens of Alameda county is Friend William Richard- son, who recently retired from the office of governor of this state, where he stood for economy in state expenditures, law enforcement and a business government. Governor Richardson was born in Friends Colony (commonly called Quakers) on a farm south of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and is a son of William and Rhoda (Dye) Richardson. His great-grandfather, Johnathan Richardson, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and a devout Quaker. His maternal grandfather was a Quaker preacher. His name Friend denotes his Quaker origin. The family moved to San Bernardino, California, when he was quite young, and there he secured his early education. Afterwards he studied law but after completing his studies decided to enter the newspaper business and purchased the San Bernardino Daily Times-Index, which he conducted until he moved to Berkeley, where he was editor of the Daily Gazette for many years. In 1912 he was appointed state printer and in 1915 was elected state treasurer. His discharge of the duties of that office were satisfactory and he was elected to a second term, receiving the highest vote of any one on the ticket. In November, 1922, he was elected governor of California, in which office he served from January 9, 1923, to January 5, 1927. On retiring from office he spent seven months in a trip around the world.
Governor Richardson was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Felder of San
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Bernardino, California, and they are the parents of three children: Ruth, now the wife of Frank J. Smith, Paul William and John Albert.
Governor Richardson has been a republican and actively interested in public affairs. He is a member of Durant Lodge, Berkeley, Free and Accepted Masons ; Berkeley Commandery, Knights Templar; Oakland Council (Masonic), Islam Temple (San Francisco) of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Berkeley Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Berkeley Lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; and San Bernardino Lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America. He also belongs to the California Press Association, of which he has been president for many years. He is a member of the Press Club of San Francisco, the Los Angeles Athletic Club, Pacific Coast Club of Long Beach and the Sutter Club of Sacramento.
PIERRE BAREILLES
The man who makes his own way in the world through force of character and honest methods is deserving of high commendation, and of this type was Pierre Bareilles, long a dominant figure in business circles of Alameda and one of the pioneer laundrymen of the country. A native of France, he was born near Pau, in the eastern part of that country, in 1860, and there received his schooling. In 1874, when a youth of fourteen, he made the voyage to the United States in com- pany with friends and came direct to California. In East Oakland he secured work as a general helper in a private residence and later was employed on the Cohen estate in the city of Alameda. He saved his money and with a partner started a small French laundry on Park street, later moving to Central avenue. Meanwhile the Alameda Steam Laundry had been established, and Mr. Bareilles purchased an interest in that enterprise. He installed up-to-date appliances and was con- stantly improving the plant. Through his untiring efforts and carefully matured plans this became one of the best equipped and most efficiently managed laundries in the county, and for forty years he was engaged in the same line of business in Alameda, winning and retaining a position of leadership in his chosen field of endeavor. In the treatment of his employes he was always tactful, just and con- siderate and thus secured their harmonious cooperation and goodwill.
In 1886 Mr. Bareilles married Miss Catherine Laporterie, who was also born in France and is living in Alameda. They were the parents of two children. The daughter is the wife of Charles J. Cody and since the death of her father has had charge of the laundry. Although inexperienced at first she soon assimilated the details of the business and under her wise management it is constantly expand- ing. She enjoys her work, to which she devotes deep thought and study, and has a natural aptitude for commercial affairs. The son, Alfred P. Bareilles, is a student at St. Mary's College and during vacation periods works in the laundry. In accordance with his father's wish, he is diligently applying himself to the task of mastering the business and will soon be able to assist his sister in its conduct.
A keen sportsman, Mr. Bareilles greatly enjoyed hunting and fishing expeditions and when in search of game was accompanied by the valuable dogs which he kept
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for this purpose. His interest in the welfare and progress of the city was deep and sincere but he never aspired to public office, being modest and retiring by nature. Genial, kind-hearted and broad-minded, he held a secure place in the esteem of all with whom he was associated and his death on October 13, 1922, as the result of being run over by a truck on Market street, in San Francisco, at the age of sixty-two years, deprived the community of a citizen whom it could ill afford to lose.
SISTERS OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Much of the effective work accomplished in the Roman Catholic parishes of the East Bay district is directly attributable to the able and unselfish efforts of the sisters of the Society of the Holy Family, whose work among the youth of the district has been of a most beneficient and praiseworthy character. In Alameda county there are nineteen sisters of the order, who teach in the Sunday schools of the various Catholic churches of the district and on week days hold classes in catechism for public school children, thus devoting themselves to the noble work of moulding the characters of those to whom they minister. It is not possible to measure adequately the height, breadth or depth of such service, for its influence continues through the lives of succeeding generations.
The Society of the Holy Family was founded in San Francisco, November 6, 1872, by Mgr. J. J. Prendergast. The first sister was Mother M. Dolores, who died in August, 1905. The sisters specialize in the spiritual and social improvement of the children, endearing themselves to the hearts of all. The mother house of the Order is still in San Francisco, but their ennobling work has spread to San Jose, Fresno and Los Angeles, in which cities they maintain branch houses. The sisters also have a day home at 1086 Eighth street, Oakland. Their new home at 328 Hillside avenue, Piedmont, was dedicated by Archbishop Hanna, September 4, 1922, and greatly facilitates their work among the children of the district. Mother M. Consilio is now at the head of the society, the members of which are held in the highest esteem by all, regardless of creed or profession.
ST. JOSEPH PRESENTATION ACADEMY
One of the notable educational institutions of the East Bay district is St. Joseph Presentation Academy, at Berkeley, which also bears the distinction of being the pioneer Catholic institution of that place. During its fifty years of history it has done a splendid work in the training of the young and its record gives it a place among the leading schools of Alameda county. St. Joseph Presentation Academy is conducted by the Sisters of the Presentation, and was founded in 1878. The mother house was founded in San Francisco in 1854 by Mother Mary Theresa Comerford, who came to this country from Ireland and devoted her life to religious and educational work. The original convent was located in a large brick building
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at Powell and Lombard streets, San Francisco, and subsequently three other con- vents were established, Sacred Heart, in San Francisco, St. Joseph's, at Sonoma, and St. Joseph's at Berkeley. The last named school has had a steady and healthy growth through the years and its importance gained early recognition. In 1901 a boarding school was started, and in 1878 a fine church building was erected by Rev. Peter Comerford, who was the first pastor. In 1913 an addition was built to the convent and the present beautiful school building was erected by the present pastor, the Rev. Thomas Brennan, S. T. L., the land for the convent and school was donated for that purpose by Mr. McGee. There is now a fully organized boarding school for girls, with seven hundred students in attendance at the day school. The curriculum includes a full high school course, this school being accredited to the University of California. There are twenty teachers, and much attention is given to the teaching of vocal music, one evidence of which is the large and well trained choir. In addition to their work as teachers here, the Sisters teach in the Sunday schools of the Catholic churches in Berkeley and Oakland.
MISS MARY ELIZABETH WILSON
The biography of a person is of importance and interest to other people just to the degree that his or her life and work has touched and influenced the lives of individuals, and through them the life of their time. Only in a feeble way, at best, can a life story be told on the printed page. The story is better as it is written on the hearts of others, and the individual does the writing. Miss Mary Elizabeth Wilson, who for nearly twenty years has governed the Anna Head School, in Berkeley, has done a work in the training of girls that is deserving of the highest encomiums and has gained distinctive recognition among the able and successful educators of the Pacific coast. Miss Wilson was born in Helena, Montana, in 1869, and is a daughter of Enoch Henry and Joanna Halsted (McIntire) Wilson. She graduated from the high school in Oakland in 1887 and then entered Smith College, at Northampton, Massachusetts, from which she was graduated, with the degree of Bachelor of Letters, in 1891. She further pursued her studies in the University of California, from which she received the degree of Master of Letters in 1896. She became the teacher of rhetoric and composition in Miss Murison's school, in San Francisco, in 1895, remaining there until 1906, when she became the head of the English department of Miss Head's School, in Berkeley, and two years later she bought this school, of which she has been principal continuously since. This well known school has an enrollment of three hundred girls, with a faculty of thirty-four teachers and housemothers, and because of the high quality of its work in both mental and moral training, the school has become justly famous in educa- tional circles.
Miss Wilson is a member of the Presbyterian church and belongs to the Smith College Society of Northern California, of which she was president from 1915 to 1918; the Fortnightly Club, of which she was president from 1922 to 1924; the Town and Gown Club, of Berkeley, of which she was president in 1925; the Woman's City Club of San Francisco, and the Claremont, Diable and Orinda
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Country clubs. She was also vice president of the Pacific Coast Association of Collegiate Alumnae from 1912 to 1915. She is the translator of "Intellectual and Moral Development of the Child," 1896, and "Later Infancy of the Child," 1902.
MISS ANNA HEAD
In several rsepects one of the most noted women in Alameda county is Miss Anna Head, who is best known perhaps as the founder of the famous Anna Head School, at Berkeley, one of the best known schools for girls in the west. She is also well known as a traveler and scientist, her love for birds and flowers leading her into extensive travel through the by-ways of this country and to foreign lands. Her life has been a useful one and she commands to a marked degree the respect and admiration of all who know her.
Miss Head was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on the 7th day of May, 1857, and is a daughter of the late Judge Edward F. and Eliza (Clement) Head. Her father was a native of Boston; was graduated from Harvard Law School, and practiced his profession in Massachusetts. In 1861 he came to California, his family joining him in 1868, and here he gained distinction in his profession. He served as judge of the superior court of San Mateo county and became known as "the blind judge," having been stricken with blindness while in office, regardless of which affliction he was reelected to the bench and rendered able and appreciated service. Miss Head's brother-in-law, the late Professor Josiah Royce, was a famous educator and philsopher. He was born in Grass Valley, California, was graduated from the University of California at the age of twenty years; studied in one of Germany's noted universities and later became one of Harvard's best known professors.
Miss Head came to California in 1868 and was educated in a private French school in Oakland conducted by Professor Miel. She was graduated from the Oakland high school in 1874, after which she studied music in Boston, Massachu- setts. She was one of about twelve girls who were graduated from the University of California in 1879, one of her classmates being ex-Governor George Pardee. After spending several years in travel and study in Europe, she returned to Alameda county and on August 1, 1888, established a school for girls, now known as the Anne Head School. She started with thirty day pupils but later received both boarding and day pupils, and the school made steady and substantial progress under her direction until 1909, when she sold the institution to Miss Mary Elizabeth Wilson, who is still its principal. She started the school with high ideals relative to the training of girls, and adhered to them closely, so that the school soon gained a reputation second to no other school of its kind in this part of the country, a prestige which the institution still enjoys, having more than a thousand graduates scattered throughout the various countries of the world.
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