USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 56
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Familiar with the story of his forbears, who retold the tales of thrilling interest having to do with seafaring life, it was not a matter of marvel that Frank C. Havens ran away from home when a lad of sixteen years and shipped as a cabin boy on a sailing vessel which rounded the Horn and made its way to California. Like those before him, he found delight in a life on the bounding main and in the adventures which came in travel and sojourns in foreign lands. He spent two years in Honolulu and thence went to China. When in Shanghai and other coast ports he worked on various river boats which went far into the interior and there laid the broad foundation and experience upon which he later built the whole structure of his life. He was twenty-one years of age when he became a passenger on the Oriflame, the first steam-propelled vessel to make the trip across the Pacific. Thus he reached San Francisco, where soon afterward he obtained a situation in the bank of the Savings & Loan Society of Clay street. With the thoroughness that always characterized him, he acquainted himself with financial problems, won various promotions and after a period of ten years formed a partnership with Van Dyke Hubbard in the stock-brokerage business and became a member of the San Fran- cisco Stock exchange. It was during the period that immediately followed that Mr.
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Havens formulated the plan that led to the organization of the Home Benefit Life Association, the American Investment Union of New York and the Mutual In- vestment Union, the last named being ultimately absorbed by the realty syndicate which came into being through the organization efforts of Mr. Havens and perhaps constitued the greatest element in his life work.
His operations in the real estate field reached mammoth proportions. It was during this period that he turned his attention to the possibilities of the east side of the bay and began to acquire the property interests which constituted the founda- tion of his fortune. In partnership with F. M. Smith of borax fame, he acquired thousands of acres of land in and adjacent to Oakland, to which city he removed, establishing his home at Vernon heights, where he laid out and platted one of the finest rose gardens not only in California but in the entire west. He knew that in order to develop and improve the lands which he had purchased there must be supplied adequate transportation facilities and accordingly he purchased the properties of three struggling street car companies which he merged under the name of the Oakland Traction Company. Thus in 1900 he began the development of the interurban system and maintained the highest standards of service in this connection. At that period the Southern Pacific had a monopoly of the ferry boat service of the bay and he established the Key Route system of ferries, which for five years he operated at a loss and which ultimately developed into what is today the fastest and best ferry service between the mainland and San Francisco. Under Mr Havens' management the realty syndicate accumulated thirteen thousand acres of valuable land with a sky line from Mills College to North Berkeley. On the six per cent certificates of the syndicate which were made convertible into realty holdings, the Havens interests raised some twelve million dollars which went into development work of various kinds, and today many of the most beautiful sections and the most attractive business districts of Oakland and the east bay region owe their existence to his enterprise, sagacity and broad vision. At the time of the San Francisco earthquake and fire Mr. Havens resigned from the active management of the realty syndicate to become president of the Peoples Water Company. With the division of the interests between himself and his partner, Mr. Smith, Mr. Havens took over the water company and land holdings and Mr. Smith acquired the Key Route traction interests. Today the East Bay Water Company, the suc- cessor of the Peoples Water Company, controls one of the finest water systems of the state, and its splendid foundation lay in the efforts of Mr. Havens. Two excellent hotels, the Claremont and the Key Route Inn, came into existence as the result of his enterprise. Turning his attention to the bare foothills of Oakland, at his own expense he had planted millions of trees of all varieties and maintained a forest service of over fifty men to care for them. The Sky Line boulevard, rated in Baedeker as "America's premier scenic route," was his idea and he spent a large amount of money in developing the first portion of this great boulevard along the tops of the Oakland foothills, showing Oakland the real worth of this scenic highway, which was afterward taken over by the city. In Europe Mr. Havens acquired one of the finest art collections now in America and built in Oakland a museum which he opened for the free enjoyment of the public. He regarded no investment on his part too great if it would promote Oakland's upbuilding along material, scenic and civic lines.
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Mr. Havens was twice married. He wedded Miss Sadie Bell, of Virginia City, Nevada, who passed away when about thirty-three years of age, leaving four chil- dren : Wickham, now a leading realtor of Oakland; Harold, now deceased, who was prominent in realty circles of Berkeley; and Seyd and Paul, twins, the former now a resident of New York city, while the latter lives in Oakland with his wife and son, Roland. For his second wife Mr. Havens married Miss Lila Mandana Rand, who now resides in Oakland. They built "Wildwood" in the Piedmont foot- hills, a world famous oriental home of teakwood and fine carvings from India, China and Japan. Extensive and important as were his outside interests, Mr. Havens found his greatest happiness at his own fireside. His was indeed an event- ful career, enriched with many unusual and interesting experiences, and no record among Oakland's citizens more truly embodied the romance of business than his. He took the keenest pleasure in achieving his purpose, which at all times combined the ideal with the utilitarian. To improve and develop Oakland became the purpose of his life and he took the keenest delight in adding to its beauty and to its charm. Time gives the perspective which shows the true worth of every individual and as the years pass on Oakland more and more acknowledges her indebtedness to Frank Colton Havens.
Aside from his business qualifications Mr. Havens was a lover of books, poetry and art and was the author of a book called "The Possibility of Living Two Hun- dred Years". He was the uncle of the much loved Californian poet, George Sterling, who married Caroline Eugenia Rand, a sister of Lila Mandana Rand. Mr. Havens was also a yachtsman and a winner of many cups. His boats carried the New York Yacht Club insignia as well as the Larchmont and other lesser clubs. Two of his boats, the "Lamascotte" and the "Avis," were well known in eastern waters. He enjoyed his summers at Stag Harbor, Long Island, where he had a beautiful home on the bay and there he spent much time in swimming, boating and fishing and in the associations of his youth. His niece, Harriette Cady, is the celebrated pianist and composer, among her well kown compositions being the "Volga Boatman Song." Later her Chinese music drew much favorable comment.
ARTHUR HIERONYMUS, M. D.
Dr. Arthur Hieronymus is a successful physician of Alameda county and commands a large and representative practice in Alameda, where he has resided for more than twenty-five years. He was born in Franklin, Johnson county, Indiana, and there attended the public schools, graduating from high school in 1890. He then entered Indiana University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1894. He then matriculated in the New York Medical College and Bellevue Hospital, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1897. For two years he served as interne in the Gouverneur Branch of Bellevue Hospital and afterward engaged in his profession in New York city until 1902. On October 30th of that year he arrived in Alameda, California. For nearly ten years he served as ship surgeon for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company between San Francisco and ports in the far east. After serving his connection with the
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Pacific Mail Steamship Company he engaged in the private practice of his pro- fession in Alameda. The Doctor has served as health officer of Alameda continu- ously since 1912 and has done very efficient work in the direction of conserving the health of the people of this city.
Dr. Hieronymus has been married twice; first, to Miss Nellie Wilmot of New York city, and to them were born two children: Arthur Shirmer, who is now twenty-eight years of age, and Judson Stewart, who is twenty-five. For his second wife the Doctor chose Miss Fay Templeton, of Oakland, California, and they are the parents of a son, Jack Harrison, now six years of age.
Dr. Hieronymus is a member of the following organizations: He is a Knight Templar and Thirty-second Degree Mason and a member of the prerequisite bodies for these degrees; was high priest of Alameda Chapter, R. A. M., in 1918; and master of Oakland Council, R. & S. M., in 1921; organized the Alameda Com- mandery, Knight Templar ; is a member of Aahmes Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Oakland and a charter member of Alameda Pyramid of Sciots; is a member of Alameda Lodge of Elks and the Alameda Eagles; and was president of the Alameda County Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution, in 1927. He organ- ized the Alameda Kiwanis Club and was its second president in 1924. He belongs to the Alameda County Medical Society ; the California State Medical Society ; the American Medical Association; and the American Public Health Association. He is deeply devoted to his life work, in which he has met with flattering success. Personally he is a man of congenial disposition and of kindly and affable manner, and commands the friendship and admiration of all who know him.
MARK PAGE
One of the leading home builders of Oakland is Mark Page, whose operations have been on a large scale, and he is widely recognized as one of the important factors in the improvement and development of the city, particularly in the resi- dential sections. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, October 18, 1885, and secured a public school education. He learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked in Chicago until 1907, when he came to California, locating first in Needles, San Bernardino county, where he superintended the plastering of the Harvey eating house, at the Santa Fe Railroad station.
In December, 1908, Mr. Page came to Oakland and engaged in building opera- tions on his own account, which business he has followed to the present time. He has specialized in building and selling residences, his first activities in that line being on the Palm tract, on College avenue. Later he erected twenty-seven houses on the Nason tract, but the greater part of his operations have been in the Seminary and Eastmont districts of East Oakland. Recently he completed eleven residences on Sixty-ninth avenue, and built and still owns a beautiful bungalow on Foothill boulevard. In December, 1927, Mr. Page bought the Masonic building, at the corner of Foothill boulevard and Mason street, in which he now has his office. That he has contributed in very definite measure to the development of his city may be inferred from the statement that since coming here he has erected six
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hundred and twenty-four residences. His houses have an originality in design and are so well built that they appeal at once to prospective home buyers and Mr. Page has had no trouble in readily disposing of his houses. He is painstaking in every- thing he undertakes and has shown good business judgment in all of his affairs, so that he has commanded in fullest measure the confidence and respect of all who have had dealings with him.
Mr. Page married Miss Hattie Jensen, a native of Michigan, and they have one daughter, Doris, who is now four years of age. Mr. Page is a member of Live Oak Lodge, No. 61, A. F. & A. M .; Oakland Consistory, M. R. S .; and Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is deservedly popular among his asso- ciates and acquaintances, for he is a man of pleasing and friendly manner, candid and straightforward in all of his relations and has been loyal and true in all of his engagements.
VERNOR E. THORP
Among the leading contractors of the Bay district, Vernor E. Thorp occupies a prominent place, having been identified with building and construction work in this locality for many years, and he is regarded as absolutely trustworthy and dependable in every engagement into which he enters.
Mr. Thorp was born at Santa Rosa, Sonoma county, California, on the 13th of December, 1888, a son of J. M. and Della May (Stephenson) Thorp. The father came to this state about forty years ago and has served for many years as a superintendent of construction, having been employed on many of the largest and most important buildings in this part of the state, such as the Elks Club building in Oakland. the Oakland post office building, the T. & D. theater, the Hippodrome theater and the Roos building in that city.
Vernor E. Thorp received his education in the public schools of Alameda and then learned the carpenter's trade under his father. He later took a special course in architecture and building construction at the University of California. He worked for his father and other builders for a number of years and was made superintendent of construction, directing the erection of a number of large buildings, such as the Glacier Point Hotel and the Yosemite Lodge in the Yosemite valley; buildings for the Shell Oil Company at Martinez, this state; Hillgard hall at the University of California; and the Pantages, now Hippodrome, Theater building in Oakland. In 1921 Mr. Thorp entered the contracting business on his own acccount and is devoting his attention mainly to the building of fine houses, ranging in cost from nine thousand to thirty thousand dollars. Among the residences which he has erected are those of H. J. Durney and Dr. Channing Hall, and he also erected the Medical building, on Central avenue, and remodeled the St. Joseph Parish house and the Notre Dame Academy building at Alameda.
Mr. Thorp was united in marriage to Miss Clara Zeller, a native of this state, and they are the parents of four children, Estelle, Jeanette, Murial and Bonnie.
Mr. Thorp is a member of the Woodmen of the World and Oak Grove Lodge No. 215, F. & A. M .; is vice president of the Kiwanis Club of Alameda; is a
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director of the Chamber of Commerce; and for ten years has served on the auxiliary board of the Boy Scouts of America, being greatly interested in work among the boys. He is a man of forceful character, active in his support of measures for the betterment of his home community, and his record as business man and private citizen has been such as has gained for him the sincere respect of his fellowmen.
HON. WILLIAM HARRISON WASTE
In the largest and best sense of the term, Judge William H. Waste, of Berkeley, is one of the notable men of California, and as such his life record is entitled to a place in the annals of the county which is honored by his residence. As a citizen, he has shown himself public-spirited and enterprising; as a friend and neighbor, he combines the qualities of head and heart that win confidence and command respect ; while, as a lawyer and jurist, he has brought honor to his profession and dignity to the public positions which he has filled with such distinctive ability, his eminent attainments and ripe judgment giving him a prestige enjoyed by few of his contemporaries. Judge Waste was born on his father's farm near Chico, Butte county, California, on the 31st of October, 1868, and is a son of John Jackson and Mary Catherine (McIntosh) Waste, the latter a native of Kentucky. His father, who was born in New York state, was numbered among the pioneers of California, to which state he came in 1851, crossing the plains on a fine, thorough- bred Kentucky horse. He acted as hunter and guide for the train with which he traveled, which was over three months on the road, and on his arrival in this state he located at Princeton, Colusa county, where he engaged in farming and stock raising for a number of years, and then moved to a fine farm near Chico, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1882. He was a man of sound judgment in practical matters, was industrious and successful, and was held in high regard throughout his community.
William H. Waste secured his preliminary education in the public schools of his home neighborhood and in Los Angeles, in which city he lived for a time, after which he entered the University of California, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, in 1891. He then entered Hastings Law School, in San Francisco, the law department of the University of California, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1894. While studying law, he was employed as a reporter on the San Francisco Examiner, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland Tribune and Times and Berkeley papers. Soon after grad- uation, he was admitted to the bar and at once opened an office in Oakland, where he practiced his profession until 1905. His ability and devotion to the interests of his clients soon gained for him a large clientele. From his young manhood, Judge Waste had shown a deep interest in public affairs and has held well defined opinions on public questions. In 1902 the republican party nominated him for the assembly of the California Legislature from the fifty-second district. He was elected and so satisfactory was his service in that body that he was elected for a second term in 1904. On April 13, 1905, Gorvernor Pardee appointed him judge of the superior court of Alameda county, and he served in that capacity continuously until 1918.
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The high type of service which he rendered on the superior bench won for him statewide recognition and he was chosen presiding justice of the district court of appeals, which position he filled with ability until 1921, when he was elected a judge of the state supreme court, in which body he has served to the present time, having been chief justice since 1925. A lawyer of exalted ability, a jurist of the highest type and a man of integrity and honor, he has made a deep impress on the judicial history of his state and stands as a conspicuous member of a striking group of public men whose influence on the affairs of the commonwealth has been of a most beneficent order.
On September 16, 1896, in Oakland, Judge Waste was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Ewing, of Maxwell, California, a daughter of Archibald and Rowena (Taylor) Ewing, both of whom were natives of Virginia. To Judge and Mrs. Waste were born two children, William Ewing and Mrs. Eugenia McIntosh Ward. Mrs. Waste died December 2, 1927. Judge Waste has been a lifelong republican in his political alignment. Fratenally, he is a member of Durant Lodge, No. 268, F. & A. M., of Berkeley, of which he is a past master; Berkeley Chapter, No. 92, R. A. M .; Berkeley Commandery, No. 42, K. T., being a past grand commander of Knights Templar of California; the Oakland Bodies of the Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree; St. Francis Conclave Order of Constantine; Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Oakland; Berkeley Parlor, No. 210, N. S. G. W., and Peralta Camp, No. 123, W. O. W. He is an earnest member of the Methodist church, in the work of which he has been greatly interested, and for more than twenty-five years has served as president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Berkeley. He is a trustee of the College of the Pacific and of the Pacific School of Religion, and is a member of the California State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association, and is a Past President of the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco. There are combined in him a weight of character, a native sagacity, a broad and accurate knowledge of the law and a fidelity of purpose that have commanded the respect of all who have come in contact with him and he stands as one of the representative men of the state which has been honored by his life and labors.
CAPTAIN DAVID WILLIAM WELDT
For many years one of the most conspicuous figures in maritime circles on the coast has been Captain David W. Weldt, who, after long and active service, is now retired and lives in Oakland. He was born at Fort Tejon, Los Angeles county, California, March 20, 1852, and is a son of William and Catherine (Malone) Weldt. The father crossed the plains to California in an early day and here spent the remaining years of his life. He fought through the Mexican war, and during the Civil war, was in the United States navy, having been on the "Kearsage" when it sank the "Alabama" in 1864. In acknowledgment of his services he received from the government his ranch at Tejon and also a pension but he afterward lost the ranch. In 1865 he settled at Wilmington, Los Angeles county, where he engaged in farming, and lived up to the time of his death, which
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occurred in 1908. His wife died in 1905. His original farm is still in the possession of the family. He was an earnest and devoted member of the Roman Catholic church and built the first church of that denomination in Wilmington.
David W. Weldt was educated in the Brothers school at Los Angeles and St. Vincent's College. On completing his education he returned to the home farm, where his father put him to plowing, but after one week of that work the young man decided that it was not to his liking and he went to sea as a sailor before the mast. He made five voyages around Cape Horn, during which time he was successfully promoted until he became first mate. On one voyage the master of the ship, Captain Johnson, died and the command devolved on Mr. Weldt, who was not yet twenty years of age. Later Captain Weldt became owner and master of the ship "Rose Weldt", on which he made one voyage. He took out a cargo of coal oil from Oakland, Long Wharf, but the ship and cargo were destroyed by fire at the dock at Kobe. He then shipped as an officer on another boat and made three trips around Cape Horn, stopping at the principal ports enroute.
In 1880 Captain Weldt returned to San Pedro, California, and was appointed government pilot of the ports of San Pedro and Wilmington, under Governor George Stoneman. He served in that capacity for twenty years, after which he entered the employ of John L. Davie, now mayor of Oakland, as master of the steamer "Rosalie", which was engaged in the transportation of passengers in oppo- sition to Southern Pacific, reducing fares from fifteen cents to five cents, which still stands. While in the employ of Hellmeyer & New, the contractors for the construction of the government breakwater at the San Pedro outer harbor, Captain Weldt towed the first shipload from Catalina Island and dumped it at the west end of the harbor. For four years he served as wharfinger under Governor Henry T. Gage, since which time he has lived in Oakland, having retired from active service, and is now enjoying a well earned leisure. He it was who discovered a rock that had existed in the harbor for years and which was afterward named on all charts as the Weldt Rock. At that time he received the following notice. from the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey :
"Capt. D. W. Weldt,
San Pedro, Los Angeles Co.,
California.
Dear Sir :
I thank you for your letter of the 4th and have communicated the contents to the Superintendent.
I have recommended that the rock be known as the Weldt Rock.
Very respectfully,
George Davidson, Assistant U. S. C. & G. Survey, per Chas. B. Hill."
Captain Weldt was united in marriage to Miss Mollie F. Hyde, of New Jersey, who died March 22, 1927. By a former marriage he has two children: Cathaleen, and Bernice, who is the wife of Kirch Thomas and is the mother of three children.
Politically Captain Weldt is a stanch republican and fraternally is a member of the Knights of Pythias, holding a veteran Pythian badge presented him by the Supreme Lodge twelve years ago. He is also a member of the Native Sons
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of California, of which he is a past grand officer, having served as district deputy grand president under John D. Sproul, then grand president. He is a man of strong character and an attractive personality, commands the respect of all who know him and is probably as well known as any seaman in the East Bay district.
LESTER L. STEELE
Alameda county has just reason for pride in the character and standing of its members of the legal profession, and among those who are lending honor and dignity to their calling stands Lester L. Steele, of Oakland, who is widely rec- ognized as an able and competent attorney and commands a large practice in the courts of this county. Mr. Steele was born in Modesto, California, on the 11th of July, 1890, and is a son of Lafayette and Lydia Catherine (Adams) Steele. The father came to California in young manhood and the mother crossed the plains in young girlhood with her parents, who traveled with oxen and covered wagons. Lafayette Steele followed the building and contracting business at Stockton and other places, but eventually located at Modesto, where he spent his remaining years, dying when his son was but three years old. The mother is now living at Oakdale, this state.
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