USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 55
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
Mr. Knowland is identified with a number of extensive and important business enterprises, being president and a director of the Gardiner Mill Company, a director of the Kennedy Mine and Milling Company and a director of the American Trust Company. He is president of the Oakland Tribune Publishing Company, to which he devotes the major share of his attention. In its editorial policy the Tribune has stood as a bulwark of those things which are of vital importance to the public welfare.
In 1894 Mr. Knowland was united in marriage to Miss Ella Fife, who died in 1907, and they became the parents of the following children: Joseph Russell Knowland, Jr., William Fife Knowland, Mrs. Eleanor Knowland Lion and the late Miriam Knowland. In October, 1908, he married Miss Emaline Sue West in Chicago.
Mr. Knowland is a member of Oakland Grove Lodge No. 215, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master ; Alameda Royal Arch Masons; Oakland Commandery No. 11, K. T .; Oakland Consistory, A. A. S. R .; Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; Woodmen of the World; and Native Sons of the Golden West, of which he served eights years as a grand officer, being past
524
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
grand president. Early in life Mr. Knowland became interested in preserving old landmarks and other relics of the early history of the west, particularly of California, and he took a leading part in the restoration of the old missions and other structures of the pioneer period. He is now chairman of the California land- marks committee of the Native Sons.
C. H. ALMY
C. H. Almy, who for a number of years has rendered efficient service as superintendent of streets in Piedmont, is a man of wide and varied experience in different parts of the country, and since locating in Piedmont has won a high place in the esteem of his fellowmen due to his faithful performance of duty and his excellent personal qualities.
He was born in Berden, Kansas, on the 17th of February, 1887, and was there reared. He secured his early education in the public schools, after which he took a course in civil engineering in Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. Going to Denver, Colorado, he engaged in mining and was also identified with the theatrical business for a time. From there he went to Barton, Colorado, where he was em- ployed on a ranch, and then removed to Billings, Montana, where he engaged in the hardware business and was later with a sugar beet company at that place. Returning to Denver, Mr. Almy became a surveyor for the Denver & Northwest Pacific railroad, with which he remained until 1908, when he removed to Oakland, California and became connected with the city engineering department. Later he was with the river and harbor department of the United States government in Mexico and Arizona, being employed in surveying, and eventually he located in Oatman, Arizona, where he engaged in mining and became the superintendent of a mine. Returning to Oakland, he was with the Mono Irrigation Company, employed in cutting up a large tract of government land into farms, and on the completion of that work he became connected with the A. Kitchen Construction Company.
In 1921 Mr. Almy was appointed superintendent of streets in Piedmont and during the subsequent years he has applied himself closely to the supervision of of his department, for which he has shown himself in every respect well qualified. He has constructed many miles of streets and has maintained the streets and alleys in a very satisfactory condition. Some time ago he tore down the old reservoir in Piedmont park and in course of this operation found a well preserved copy of the San Francisco Chronicle of April 8, 1898, which contains some very interesting references to events of that period.
Mr. Almy was united in marriage to Miss Justine Nichols and they are the parents of three children, Clifford H., Robert Lloyd and Martha Jane. He is a member of the Athenian Club and the East Bay Country Club. As a diversion, he has been a collector of relics and curios and possesses a large and interesting collection, undoubtedly the best in its line in Alameda county. He has Indian relics, old guns and fishing rods, rugs made by Arizona Indians, saddle bags carried by the pony express riders of pioneer days, and also prizes a relic found
525
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
on the scene of General Custer's last stand against the Indians at Little Big Horn in 1876, which is the most famous battle of the western Indian wars. Another valuable piece which he owns is a steel engraving of the first session of the United States senate. This is one hundred and fifty years old and formerly hung in Abraham Lincoln's law office. Mr. Almy is a man of friendly and straightforward manner, gives his earnest support to everything calculated to promote the best interests of his city or county, and throughout the range of his acquaintance commands respect and confidence, while among his associates he is deservedly popular.
EUGENE DOLAN
Probably the most important concern in its line in northern California is the Dolan Brothers Wrecking Company, of Berkeley, dealers in new and second-hand builders' supplies, and, under the successful management of Eugene Dolan, its volume of business is steadily increasing. Mr. Dolan, familiarly known among his associates as "Gene," was born in county Fermanagh, Ireland, on the 16th of January, 1886, and is a son of John and Ann Dolan. His father came to the United States alone in the '70s but subsequently returned to Ireland, where he and his wife are still living. He was formerly a farmer and merchant, but is now retired. To him and his wife were born nine children, four sons and five daughters. Of these, one son died in Ireland, and the other three are in California, while all of the daughters remained in their native land, one being now deceased. Of the three sons in this country, Donald J. lives in San Francisco, where he took over a business which had been established by his uncle, P. A. Dolan, at 1639 Market street, but which is now at 1639 Mission street. P. J. Dolan, who is in partnership with his brother Eugene, lives in Portland, Oregon, where he has charge of the lumber yard, planing mill and sawmill, and is also interested in the Dolan Wrecking and Construction Company with his brother in San Francisco. Similar plants are also located at San Jose and Fresno.
Eugene Dolan came to California in 1909 and located in San Francisco, where, with money he brought from Ireland, he engaged in business until 1912, when he located in Oakland and began operating in his present line, having his plant at Twenty-ninth street and San Pablo avenue. By close attention and the exercise of sound judgment, he met with splendid success and in 1925 sold out there for eighty thousand dollars. He at once came to Berkeley, bought a tract of ground and erected his present building, one hundred by one hundred feet and two stories high, ยท for which he has refused one hundred thousand dollars. Here he carries the largest stock of new and second-hand builders' supplies in the East Bay region, and does an extensive business, selling to contractors, home builders. ranchers, dairymen. poultry men and summer resorts, his sales territory extending from Bakersfield to the Oregon line and reaching into Nevada and Arizona. Piedmont and other select residential districts buy largely of his used dimension timber, as it has become well known that old and thoroughly seasoned timber is much better for building purposes than kiln-dried timber, and on this account, as well as because they thus save about fifty per cent in cost, many people of wealth are among his best cus-
526
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
tomers. Mr. Dolan also keeps on hand a large stock of new plumbing supplies, which he buys in quantity direct from the factories at jobbers' prices, and which he is thus able to sell at almost wholesale prices. He employs sixty people through- out the year and in 1927 did a cash business of three hundred and fifteen thousand dollars. In addition to his large business in Berkeley, Mr. Dolan is interested with his brother in the business at Portland, and is also the owner of Dolan Acres, consisting of one hundred acres of land in Marin county, which he is subdividing, located on the state highway and but twenty-five minutes drive from San Francisco.
In 1925, in Marin county, Mr. Dolan was united in marriage to Miss Evelyn Bauman, who is a native of New Jersey, and they reside in a comfortable and attractive home at 600 Prospect avenue, Oakland. Mr. Dolan gives his political support to the democratic party, and is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Lions Club of Oakland. He is a man of energetic and enterprising methods, is absolutely square in all of his business affairs, and all who have come in contact with him entertain for him the highest respect and confidence.
ALAMEDA COUNTY TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY
Time is the test which proves the worth of all institutions. Cherishing high ideals, the Alameda County Title Insurance Company of Oakland and its pre- decessors have served the property owners of the county continuously for a period of sixty-seven years, a record equaled by no other institution of the kind in this part of the state. The business was established in 1861 at San Leandro, then the county seat, by William Thomas Hill, who was designated as the first searcher of records. A few years later he was joined by A. G. Lawrie, and the firm of Lawrie & Hill was then formed. When Mr. Hill withdrew from the business George C. Whitney was admitted to a partnership, and in 1878 his place was taken by August Schramm. The firm of Lawrie & Schramm existed until the death of the senior partner in 1885, when Abner H. Stocker became his successor. The next change in partnership occurred in 1889, when Mr. Schramm died and his interest was purchased by Arthur P. Holland, at which time the firm became Stocker & Holland, while later the style of the Stocker & Holland Abstract Company was adopted. Mr. Stocker died in 1905, and Mr. Holland conducted the business until 1916, when it was consolidated with that of the Alameda County Abstract Company under the present form of the Alameda County Title Abstract Company.
Meanwhile Stocker & Holland had purchased at various times the plants and business of Du Ray Smith, a well known searcher of those days, also that of the Realty Title Company, of which R. H. Leckie and C. H. Thomas were the heaviest stockholders. In 1890 Louis H. Sharp, A. E. Bolton and others were the founders of the Land Title Company, which spent many thousands of dollars and created a complete abstract of Alameda county records. About 1900 the Land Title Company was merged with the newly formed Oakland Title & Abstract Company, which had acquired the various plants or portion of plants and the business of many of the independent searchers of those days, notably those of G. W.
527
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
McKeand, Gustave L. Mix & Company and Leckie & Hawkitt. By this process of purchase and merger the Oakland Title & Abstract Company became the owner of a complete abstract of the county records.
In 1878 George Wright and several associates had organized in Oakland the Alameda County Abstract Company and proceeded to construct an abstract plant upon the then most approved lines. They kept it strictly up-to-date, and no change in the personnel occurred until 1903, when the plant was purchased by John McCarthy, who controlled the business until 1916, when, as previously mentioned, it was consolidated with that of the Stocker & Holland Abstract Company. However, in 1910 the Alameda County Abstract Company had purchased the business and plant of the Oakland Title & Abstract Company, which, as has been seen, was itself a merger of six or seven others, so that in 1910 the Alameda County Abstract Com- pany found itself in possession of two complete abstract plants, or tract indices, as they are sometimes called. The consolidation of that company with the Stocker & Holland Abstract Company in 1916 resulted in bringing together under one roof three complete abstracts of the Alameda county records. In order to secure the preservation of these extremely valuable documents the company has stored a complete abstract of the Alameda county records in fireproof vaults far removed from possible destruction by any conflagration which would endanger its down-town vaults. With the single exception of Los Angeles, in which city a similar chain of circumstances brought about like conditions, there is no other place where property owners are afforded this full protection.
The Alameda County Title Insurance building is now an imposing structure, being ten stories in height and standing at the corner of Franklin and Fourteenth streets. This ornate building houses not only the oldest but also the strongest and best equipped title company in the county. Through the service afforded by the company's vast store of records, compiled by those who in their day were acknowl- edged experts and critically examined from time to time as occasion required, the chance of error and of resulting loss approaches the "irreducible minimum." Absolute indemnity is insured by the capital and surplus of more than seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, all in first class assets available to policy holders, and made more certain by the fact that the company itself, its management and assets are all under the supervision of the insurance commissioner of the state of California. The prestige and success of the corporation have resulted largely from the tireless efforts, administrative power and high standards of its president, John McCarthy, who has been identified with the business for a quarter of a century, devoting the best years of his life to its upbuilding.
FRED FERRERO
In his special field of industry Fred Ferrero, of Alameda, has become one of the largest and best known manufacturers of building material in the Bay district, the art stone made by him having been used in many of the most important struc- tures in this locality. Mr. Ferrero was born in Castellamonte, province of Torino, Italy, on the 28th of March, 1883, and attended school there in his early years.
528
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
When eleven years of age he began to work in cement plaster and terra cotta, at which trade he became an expert, and was thus employed in his native land until sixteen years of age, when he emigrated to the United States.
In 1900 Mr. Ferrero located in Alameda and entered the employ of Clark & Son, who operated one of the pioneer potteries in Alameda county. In 1920 he embarked in that line of manufacture on his own account and his judgment in this venture has been abundantly vindicated in the success which is now his. He has as a partner in the business his son, Romeo, the firm style being Fred Ferrero & Son, and they manufacture art stone, staff ornaments, fire places and garden supplies, their products finding ready sale throughout this section of the state. Mr. Ferrero has furnished the art stone used in the construction of some of the largest buildings in the Bay cities, including the new Elks Club and the Athens Athletic Club buildings, the Cole public school in Oakland, and several other schools, besides many apartments and fine residences in Oakland, Richmond, Piedmont and Berkeley.
Mr. Ferrero was united in marriage to Miss Lucia Vagina, also of Castella- monte, in the province of Torino, Italy, and to them have been born three chil- dren, Romeo, Aldo and Norma. Mr. Ferrero is a member of the Druids, the Foresters of America and Alameda Lodge No. 1015, B. P. O. E. He was made a citizen of the United States in 1913 and has shown a commendable interest in the public welfare. He is a man of excellent personal qualities, straightforward in all of his relations, and cordial and friendly in manner, and throughout Alameda county he is held in high regard.
BENJAMIN IDE WHEELER
California has been honored in the lives, character and labors of men who by their individual efforts and the force of their personalities have contributed im- measurably to the advancement and prosperity of its higher educational institu- tions. Of these, none more truly deserves the gratitude of the people of this state than the late Benjamin Ide Wheeler, who over a period of twenty years devoted himself untiringly to the interests of the University of California, of which he was president. A man of alert and vigorous mentality, broad and exact learning, an effective and successful teacher and possessing unusual executive ability, he came to the University of California equipped for great work, and at no time during the years of his presidency did he fail to fully measure up to the responsibilities and opportunities of his position, so that today he is held in grateful remembrance not only by those who were privileged to be associated with him, but by those who were interested in the great institution of which he was the head.
Mr. Wheeler was born at Randolph, Norfolk county, Massachusetts, July 15, 1854, a son of Rev. Benjamin and Mary Eliza (Ide) Wheeler. His father was a minister of the Baptist church and served as pastor successively at Plaistow, New Hampshire; Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Randolph, Massachusetts; Haverhill, Mas- sachusetts; Saco, Maine; and Franklin, New Hampshire. His mother was born
529
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and was a daughter of Ebenezer Ide, whose family had its origin in South Attleborough, then Rehoboth.
Benjamin Ide Wheeler attended the public schools of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and Saco, Maine, and at the latter place, in 1866, entered the high school, which formerly had been Thornton Academy, a name it has since resumed. On removing to Franklin, New Hampshire, in 1868, he entered Franklin Academy, which he attended a half year, and then went to New London Academy, now called Colby Academy, at New London, New Hampshire, from which he was graduated in the summer of 1871. In the fall of that year he entered Brown University, and on his graduation, in 1875, had the honor of delivering the classical oration. That he was an exceptional student is evidenced by the fact that during his college course he received the Dunn premium, given for the best work of the year in the department of English, with special reference to writing and speaking, and also one of the Carpenter prizes given to the two students who in the opinion of the faculty combined in the highest degree the elements of success in life. After his graduation, Mr. Wheeler taught for four years in the Providence high school, the first two years in mathematics, the last two years in classics and mathematics. In 1879 he was appointed a tutor in Brown University to take the place, during a temporary absence of two years, of Professor Poland, assistant professor in Greek and Latin. For four years, 1881-85, Mr. Wheeler studied in German uni- versities, a year at Leipzig, two years at Heidelberg, a half year at Jena and a half year at Berlin. In the spring of 1885, on examination at Heidelberg, he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, summa cum laude, presenting a thesis entitled "Der Eriesche Nomen Accent," which was afterwards published at Strasburg as a separate book. On returning to the United States, he was for one year, 1885-6, instructor at Harvard University, and was for thirteen years a professor at Cornell University, holding the title of acting professor of classical philology in 1886-7, that of professor of comparative philology in 1887-8, and that of professor of Greek and comparative philology from 1888 to 1899. During the year 1895-6 he was professor of Greek literature at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, and in 1909-10 Roosevelt professor at the University of Berlin. In 1899 Mr. Wheeler became president of the University of California, at Berkeley, and there found an opportunity for the exercise of the notable qualities of mind and character which marked his career and stamped him as one of the most successful educators of the country.
On June 25, 1881, Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Miss Amey Webb, of Providence, Rhode Island, a daughter of Henry Aborn and Amey (Gorham) Webb, the former a banker of that city, while the latter was a daughter of Jazeb Gorham, founder of the Gorham Silver Manufacturing Company. Mr. Wheeler was a member of the American Oriental Society, the American Philological Asso- ciation and the Kaiserliches Archaeologisches Institut. He received the degree of Doctor of Laws from eight American universities, Princeton, 1896; Harvard, 1900; Brown, 1900; Yale, 1901; Johns Hopkins, 1902; University of Wisconsin, 1904; Dartmouth, 1905, and Columbia, 1906, and the degree of Doctor of Letters from the University of Athens in Greece. He was the author of "Analogy in Language," 1887; "Introduction to the Study of the History of Language," 1890; "Dionysos and Immortality." 1899; "Organization of the Higher Education in the United
530
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
States," 1896, published in Munich; "Life of Alexander the Great," 1900, and "Instruction and Democracy in America," 1910, published in Strasburg, Germany. Mr. Wheeler's death, which occurred May 2, 1927, was regarded as a distinct loss to the educational world, for he was a man of high ideals and principles, which he maintained with the utmost fidelity, and he left the impress of his personality on everything he did. He stood consistently for those things which were ennobling and uplifting in life and every member of the student body knew that in him they had a friend, one who felt a deep personal interest in their welfare. This was probably one of the keys to his success as an executive. Personally he was kindly and affable in manner, loyal and constant in his friendships, and all who knew him held him in the highest measure of affectionate regard.
EDWARD JOHN CAREY
Edward J. Carey, of Emeryville, has served as marshal and chief of police for so many years that he is regarded almost as one of the fixed institutions of the municipality, for he has been capable and efficient in the discharge of duty, and loyalty to his community has been one of his most marked characteristics.
Mr. Carey was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on the 27th of November, 1873, and is a son of John and Helen (Kinney) Carey, both of whom died when he was about two years of age, therefore he knows but little regarding the history of his family. He received his educational training in the public schools of Brook- lyn, New York, to which city the family had moved during his babyhood, and as soon as he was old enough he was put to work, his first employment as a wage earner being as a maker of springs in a window shade factory. He had a strong liking for horses and in the course of time became a jockey, riding on the leading tracks of the country for a number of years and gaining a high reputation for his skill and success as a rider. When he became to heavy for the required weight, he turned his attention to the other end of the business and became a horse owner. Eventually he brought his string of horses to Emeryville, California, where he trained and raced them until that sport was prohibited by law, when he disposed of his stable but continued to reside here.
For the past twenty-four years Mr. Carey has served as marshal of Emeryville and is now in point of years of service the oldest town marshal in the state of California. In connection with that office, he is also serving as license and tax collector, and his faithfulness and efficiency have made him one of the most valuable officials of the municipality, a fact which is recognized and appreciated by his fellow citizens.
Mr. Carey married Miss Molly Murphy, who was born and reared in Oakland, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Murphy, the former of whom was a pioneer of this state and a highly respected citizen of the community. To Mr. and Mrs. Carey have been born four children: John J., Edward J., Jr., Philip W. and Glenora M. There is also one grandchild.
Mr. Carey maintains an independent attitude in political affairs, giving his sup- port to the candidates who in his opinion are best qualified for public office. He
531
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Athens Club, and in his social relations he is cordial and friendly and enjoys a well merited popularity among the people of the community. He has consistently supported every measure calculated to advance the public welfare, and his life here has exemplified a high type of citizenship.
FRANK COLTON HAVENS
Oakland, city of great resources and immense business, owes her advancement in notable measure to the efforts of Frank Colton Havens, who for many years labored untiringly to promote the city's welfare. His was indeed an eventful and interesting career, for he was a strong and forceful personality, while his unselfish work, his intelligence and energy impressed his name on Oakland's annals for all time. Men name him as a capitalist, a traction magnate, a former president of the Peoples Water Company and the founder of the Key Route ferry system. Any one of his accomplishments in the fields of business indicated would entitle him to representation with the distinguished men of California, yet he was not content with achieving his purpose along a single line. He readily recognized opportunity, and to him opportunity was ever a call to action, and thus it was that the commonwealth mourned the loss of one of her most distinguished citizens when he passed away at his beautiful home, Wildwood, in the Piedmont foothills, when seventy years of age. His birth occurred at Sag Harbor, New York, Novem- ber 21, 1848, his parents being Wickham Sayre and Sarah Darling Havens. His father, who was born during the War of 1812, was a sea captain and came of a family whose male members devoted their lives to seafaring pursuits. His paternal ancestors were among the early settlers on Long island and were active in develop- ing the whaling industry for which Sag Harbor became famous. The family was also represented on the American side in the Revolutionary war.
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.