USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 60
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Rev. Edward Maher, who was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's church in July, 1927, was born in county Kilkenny, Ireland, August 15, 1883. After completing his elementary studies, he attended Carlow College, in Ireland, and the Irish Col- lege, in Paris, France, where he completed his theological studies and was ordained to the priesthood in 1907. In that year he came to California and was appointed assistant pastor of St. Patrick's church in Oakland. Later he served as assistant pastor of St. Peter's church in San Francisco, and his first regular pastorate was at St. Ann's church, at Lodi, San Joaquin county, where he built a Sisters' school and in other ways did very effective work. He was a member of the Lodi Rotary Club and took an active part in affairs affecting the community. He was next transferred to St. Patrick's, with which church he had served on first coming to this country. He has supervision not only of this church, but also of St. Joseph's school. A forceful and eloquent preacher, he always draws large congregations, while in his pastoral work he has shown a personal interest in his people that has given him
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a strong hold on their confidence and esteem. He is given effective assistance by Father N. P. Morrow. Many prominent citizens of Oakland have received the holy rite of baptism at St. Patrick's, among whom are Judge Hennessey, Judge Ed Tyrell, County Supervisor John F. Mullins and others, and this old church is held in grateful regard by thousands throughout the city.
R. C. HILLEN
R. C. Hillen is an outstanding figure among the representatives of building operations in Oakland. He has become widely and prominently known as the "builder of modest mansions", but there is in his work an element of art and taste as well as utility and convenience that has drawn the attention not only of Oakland citizens but of visitors from all over the world. Beauty of design is always one of the features of his homes and through his extensive operations he has con- tributed largely to the improvement of the city.
California can proudly claim R. C. Hillen as a native son. He was born and reared in San Francisco and is of German descent. His father became a pioneer druggist of San Francisco and there the son spent his boyhood and youth, enjoying the educational advantages offered by the public schools, but starting out at an early age to make his own way in the world. His initial step was a humble one but through sheer force of ability and commendable determination he has reached the top and has been rewarded with prosperity well earned. He has operated most successfully as a builder in Oakland and has become widely known as a model builder of modest mansions, evidences of his ability being found in large measure in east Oakland residential districts including Normandy Garden, Court of All Nations and College Court, all of which are choice residential districts in the eastern part of the city. These are among the most distinctive homes in central California, unique, beautiful and attractive in design and supplied with every modern equip- ment and convenience known to the builder's art at the present time. As a builder he has been known to Oakland for the past nineteen years and in addition to the beautiful residences already mentioned he has been the builder of about nine hundred other "modest mansions," including three hundred and fifty homes in the Seminary avenue district of Oakland. His houses range in price from seven thou- sand five hundred dollars to twenty thousand dollars and are sold as rapidly as they are built, for the originality of design and the quality of work have attracted wide attention throughout northern California and make strong appeal to those who wish to acquire residential property. He maintains two offices, the main one being at 5364 Trask street, with a "studio office" at 5715 Picardy Drive north. He employs between thirty and forty men including carpenters, masons, brick layers, cement workers, plasterers, plumbers and painters and has only expert help.
Mr. Hillen is very fond of travel and as he has prospered in his undertakings he has utilized his leisure in trips in this country and abroad. In 1927 he visited Australia, South America, and South Africa and at this writing, in 1928, is touring Europe. While the trip is primarily for pleasure and he delights in scenic beauty and historical associations of the places he visits, he is also studying his
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line of building and familiarizing himself with worth while ideas as he travels so that it takes no gift of prophecy to see that the prospective home buyers of Oak- land will profit by the features which he observes in foreign countries. During Mr. Hillen's absence his building operations in Oakland go right on without interruption, being in the hands of thoroughly competent men, for he has surrounded himself with a corps of representatives whose efficiency is well known. His entire business career has been characterized by capability, broad vision, unfaltering integrity and high standards, and these qualities have brought him not only patronage but friends. Mr. Hillen is a man of few words-a man of action rather than words- but the sterling worth of his character has won for him the highest regard of those who know him best. In his relations with his employes and patrons he is always just and, moreover, in his makeup there is a quality of generosity most highly de- veloped. He is intensely interested in all matters pertaining to the public welfare, yet he never aspires to public office, giving close attention to the business which he has made his life work and in which he has attained a high degree of success and prominence.
ERNEST W. URCH
Ernest W. Urch represents R. C. Hillen as superintendent of construction and is thus closely associated with the extensive and important building interests in Oak- land, where he has made his home since fourteen years of age. He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, but when quite young was taken to Pueblo, Colorado, by his father, Effort Urch, who was a building contractor and under whom the son learned the carpenter's trade. His education was acquired in the public schools and when his text books were put aside he applied himself to the mastery of carpentering and steady practice and experience continuously promoted his skill and efficiency in that field. Eventually he began contracting on his own account in Oakland and Marin county, continuing in the business independently until about seven years ago, when he entered into active association with R. C. Hillen by becoming his superintendent of construction. He has since continued in that connection, having demonstrated his high qualifications for the position. Through his thorough and painstaking efforts to further the ideas and plans of Mr. Hillen, he has contributed in substantial measure to the success of the business. Mr. Urch is a member of Forest Hill Lodge, No. 564, F. & A. M., and he possesses in large measure those qualities which commend him to the friendship of his brethren of the fraternity and all with whom he comes in contact.
LORING O. McCORMICK
Loring O. McCormick, a progressive and efficient business man, of Oakland, was born in Los Angeles, California, on the 20th of March, 1890, and is a son of Edward L. and Anna (McCormick) McCormick. His father was a research engineer by profession and in the course of his operations left Los Angeles for
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the east. Loring O. McCormick secured his elementary education in the public and high schools, after which he attended Columbia University, in which insti- tution he later took a post-graduate course in land economics. He then took up appraising, which he followed in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D. C., until 1921, when he returned to his native state, locating in Oakland. Here he engaged in business as an appraiser and realtor alone for a time, later being associated with one of the largest real estate firms in the district, and in March, 1927, he formed a partnership with A. J. Goard and H. W. Arnold under the name of Goard, Arnold & McCormick, specializing in business property, and he became secretary of the company. They have offices at 355 Seventeenth street, and are meeting with good success, having handled a number of important deals.
Mr. McCormick was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Rogers, of Spokane, Washington, and they are the parents of two daughters, Mary and Janice. Mr. McCormick is independent in his political views, supporting the man whom he considers best qualified for office, regardless of party lines. A man of strong char- acter and pleasing personality, he has formed a wide acquaintance since coming to Oakland and commands the confidence and respect of all who know him.
FRANCIS ROEMER, SR.
One of the worthy and popular citizens of Oakland is Francis Roemer, Sr., who is associated with the Oakland Lime and Cement Company. He has spent practically his entire life in this section of the state and is held in high esteem by all who know him. Mr. Roemer was born in Oakland on the 26th of October, 1881, and is a son of Gustave A. and Nellie T. (Carroll) Roemer. His father was born and reared in New York city and in 1879 came to Oakland, where he was employed in the butcher business for a time. Later he went into the meat business at Seventh and Center streets, in which he engaged until 1888, when he sold out and went to work for F. Becker in the Grand Central market. In 1898 he went to Fresno, California, and was engaged in business there to the time of his death, which occurred in 1904. His wife, who was a native of Maine, accompanied her parents to California in 1860, coming by way of the isthmus of Panama, at which time she was less than a year old. She lived in San Francisco to the time of her marriage, in 1881, and her death occurred November 4, 1927. To Mr. and Mrs. Roemer were born four children, two sons and two daughters.
Francis Roemer secured his education in the public schools, attending the Cole grammar school, and had two years in the Polytechnic high school. He then went to Fresno and assisted his father until 1900, when he returned to Oakland and for three years worked for the Wells Fargo Express Company. He then went back to Fresno and was with the Raisin Company until 1905, when he went to Los Angeles and was in the advertising business for about one year. Returning to Fresno, he was connected with the California Fruit Canners Association until going to Bakersfield, this state, where he was in business for himself until 1912. He then came back to Oakland and was engaged in business until 1919, after which he was for a short time with the Moore Shipbuilding Company. In July of that
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year he entered the county clerk's office, in which he was employed until January 1, 1923, when he accepted his present position as salesman for the Oakland Lime and Cement Company. He is energetic and wide-awake, has been "a good business getter," and commands the confidence and respect of all who have had dealings with him.
Mr. Roemer was united in marriage to Miss Annie Strubhur, who is a native of Illinois, but was reared and educated in Oregon. They are the parents of two children, Frank R. J., and Mrs. Edith Marion. In his political views Mr. Roemer is a stanch republican and has always taken a deep interest in public affairs re- lating to the welfare and prosperity of his city, county and state. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of Piedmont Parlor, No. 120, N. S. G. W., and his daughter, Mrs. Hamb, is a member of Piedmont Parlor No. 87, N. D. G. W., and a very unusual and interesting occasion was when they were simultaneously installed as presidents of their respective parlors, the installing officers being the district deputy grand president of the Native Sons of the Golden West and the grand president of the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Mr. Roemer is fond of outdoor life, particularly of motor trips, and is an ardent baseball enthusiast. Cordial and friendly in manner, and a man of genuine personal worth, he enjoys a wide acquaintance and has a host of warm and loyal friends.
FRED S. STRIPP
Fred S. Stripp, a prominent representative of the insurance business in Berkeley since 1920, is also widely known as an active civic leader of the city. He is a native of Canada, having been born in Toronto, Ontario, June 16, 1880. In the acquire- ment of an education he attended the schools of Charlevoix, Michigan, thereafter entered Kalamazoo College, and subsequently continued his studies in Dartmouth College. He was star catcher in the college baseball club and after putting aside his textbooks followed professional baseball for a period of eight years, being suc- cessively connected with the Fargo team of the Northern League, the Aberdeen team of the Northwestern League, the Oakland team of the Pacific Coast League and the Salt Lake team of the Union American League, under John J. McClusky.
Mr. Stripp first became identified with the insurance business in Salt Lake City as a representative of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, which he after- ward served as traveling auditor out of Vancouver, British Columbia. He was next made manager at Medford, Oregon, and was subsequently transferred to the Spokane and eastern Washington districts, including western Idaho. It was in 1920 that he came to Berkeley, California, where he has since been engaged in the conduct of a general insurance business, handling all lines.
In early manhood Mr. Stripp was united in marriage to Lorena M. Moran, a native of Arlington, Washington. They are the parents of four children, as fol- lows: Fred, who was class president and president of the Honor Society at the Berkeley high school, from which he was graduated in 1928, and who is now a student in the University of California; Betty, who is president of the students'
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. body in the Garfield Junior high school; and Shirley and Pat, attending the Crag- mont school.
Mr. Stripp is a stalwart supporter of the republican party and has manifested an active and helpful interest in civic affairs. He was manager of the Community Chest in 1925, has served as president of the Berkeley board of education, is a director of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, has occupied the presidency of the Northbrae Improvement Association and was formerly a director of the East Bay Underwriters Association. He is serving on the board of directors of the Boy Scouts organization, is now president of the Berkeley Lions Club and vice president of District No. 4 of the Officers Association of Lions Clubs. Moreover, Mr. Stripp is a past president of the Dartmouth Alumni Association of Northern California and fraternally is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Thou- sand Oaks Lodge, F. & A. M .; Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M S., of San Francisco; and the Sciots. His military record covers service in the Philippine Islands during the Spanish-American war as a member of Company K, Eleventh Infantry, and Company I, Thirteenth Infantry Regulars. His life has measured up to high stand- ards in every relation and he fully merits the respect and esteem which are uni- formly accorded him.
DRAKE'S CATERING COMPANY
One of the most distinctive institutions in the entire Bay district is Drake's Catering Company, located at 2441-45 Bancroft way, Berkeley, and which rep- resents the original ideas and determined efforts of two women, Mrs. N. M. Drake, who first established the business, and her daughter, Mrs. M. R. White, who now owns and conducts it. The place is well deserving of the marked popu- larity which it enjoys, for it is conducted on a plane that commends it to discrim- inating people, and Mrs. White has well earned the splendid success which has crowned her efforts. The business was founded in Oakland in 1908 by Mrs. Drake, who began in a small way at Thirty-sixth street and Telegraph avenue, and be- cause of the splendid service which she rendered she built up a business which soon required more commodious quarters, so that within five years she moved to Thirtieth street and Telegraph avenue. In this location the business expanded and acquired a reputation which attracted a class of customers that encouraged them to establish their present unique and attractive place, which in all of its appointments is superior to anything in its line on either side of the bay, and into which they moved January 15, 1926. Their three-story building is constructed of reinforced concrete and is in every respect well adapted to the purpose for which it is used, being equipped with all modern conveniences and of an architectural type that is extremely pleasing to the eye. Here they conduct a threefold business, bakery, restaurant and catering, and some idea of its growth and importance may be gained from the statement that eighty people are employed in the restaurant and seventy-five in the catering department. From one thousand to fifteen hundred people are served daily in the restaurant, the main hall having a seating capacity of one hundred and seventy-five, while the balcony dining room seats two hundred
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and fifty. They serve breakfast, luncheon, afternoon tea and dinner. The catering department gives special attention to weddings, receptions, dances, suppers and teas, in either the homes or clubhouses. The establishment is prepared to rent dishes, silver, linen, tables and chairs, and sells pure fruit punches, fancy sandwiches, box lunches or salads in any quantity.
Mrs. M. R. White became associated with her mother when fourteen years of age, and it has been largely through her initiative, sound judgment and executive ability that the establishment has been developed into what it is today. At one time Mrs. White conducted a small place of her own, called the Specialty Food Shop, at the gate to the University of California grounds, but this was later consolidated with Drake's, and she has from that time devoted her attention tirelessly to the interests of the business. The very best of food, prompt and efficient service and careful attention to the comfort and wants of her patrons have been the foundation stones of her success, and she has won a host of warm and admiring friends among her patrons, who have recognized and appreciated her earnest efforts to provide for them an ideal service. Mrs. White is a member of the Soroptomist Club of Berkeley and is extremely popular among her associates.
HAMILTON J. HANEY
The business career of Hamilton J. Haney, of Berkeley, has been marked by a sagacity and soundness of judgment that would have insured success in any un- dertaking, and during the past quarter of a century he has held a foremost place among the progressive, wide-awake and successful men of the city. He was born in Ryegate, Caledonia county, Vermont, on the 18th of May, 1867, and re- ceived his educational training in the district schools and an academy at McIndoe Falls, in his home county, after which he aided in the work of the home farm.
In 1888, at the age of twenty-one years, tired of trying to cultivate the rocky New England hills, Mr. Haney came to California and engaged in dry farming at San Pablo (now Richmond), Contra Costa county. He worked hard but met with many lean years, and one day he hauled a load of hay into Berkeley, where he sold it for eleven dollars, which was much more than he could get for it at the farm. Quick to grasp the significance of this fact, after sizing up the situation he decided that there ought to be good money in the feed and fuel business, and in 1902 he bought a lot, fifty by one hundred and forty-two and a half feet in size, at the corner of Shattuck avenue and Blake street, for which he paid three thousand dol- lars, and converted it into a feed and fuel yard, which is still in existence. At that time the ground was a berry patch, and close by his place was a dairy and cow pasture, his lot being practically out in the country. However, his judgment in buy- ing there has since been abundantly vindicated and his lot is today worth many times what he paid for it. For a number of years he conducted his feed and fuel business, meeting with a gratifying measure of success, and in 1915 he branched out into the ice business, erecting a nine-ton ice plant. This proved a successful venture, his ice business growing so rapidly that two years later he bought one hun- dred and fifty feet more land adjoining his property and built a thirty-ton ice plant.
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He did a large retail ice business until 1927, since which time he has sold at whole- sale only. He is now the owner of four fuel and feed yards in Berkeley, and is also president of the Alpine Wood & Supply Company. His success has been gained through close application, determined effort and honorable methods and he has long been regarded as one of Berkeley's substantial business men and worthy citizens.
Mr. Haney married Miss Georgene M. McClellan, who is a native of Vermont and had preceded him to California. To them has been born a daughter, Dorothy M., who is the wife of E. M. Pearson.
Mr. Haney is a member of Berkeley Lodge, No. 366, A. F. & A. M .; Oakland Consistory, A. A. S. R .; Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; Berkeley Lodge, No. 270, I. O. O. F .; Berkeley Lodge, No. 1002, B. P. O. E., and Berkeley Camp, No. 123, W. O. W. He and his wife are earnest members of the First Presbyterian church, to which they give generous support. Everything calculated to promote the best interests of his city and county enlists his hearty support and throughout the community he commands uniform confidence and respect because of his fine business record and his genuine worth of character.
RT. REV. MSGR. EDWARD P. DEMPSEY
In the death of Rt. Rev. Msgr. Edward P. Dempsey, pastor of St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic church in Oakland, on January 21, 1928, the East Bay dis- trict lost one of its most beloved citizens and ablest and most distinguished clergy- men, a man whose life had been characterized by zeal and devotion to his holy call- ing that was immeasurably fruitful in its results and gained for him the confidence and respect of the people of his city, regardless of creed or profession.
Father Dempsey was born at Warm Springs Hill, a small mining town in Eldorado county, California, on the 6th of March, 1871, and was a son of Patrick and Honora Dempsey. His father came around Cape Horn to California in 1851, and at once went to the mining district. In addition to his mining interests, he also became the owner of many cattle but lost everything in a flood. He then returned to mining and during those early years was acquainted with Leland Stanford and other of the prominent men of that day. In 1872 he came to Oakland and became an investor in stocks; later engaged in contracting, and during the ensuing years passed through a variety of experiences, making and losing three fortunes. At the time.of his death, in 1889, he had large mining interests and was prominent and influential in business and civic affairs.
Father Dempsey was about one year old when the family moved to Oakland and here he secured his education under the Christian brothers, attending old St. Joseph's Academy at Fifth and Jackson streets and later Sacred Heart College in San Francisco. He next entered St. Mary's College on the old Mission road, from which he was graduated as the youngest member of his class with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1887. He returned to his alma mater for a post-graduate course and while in that college he took an active interest in athletics, being a mem- ber of the famous Phoenix baseball team. In further preparation for the priest-
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hood, he went to St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, and from there to the Catholic University at Washington, D. C., where he completed his theological studies and was ordained to the priesthood in 1893 by Archbishop Reardon. His first appointment was as assistant pastor at St. Raphael's church, San Rafael, California, and in the following year he was appointed to St. Mary's cathedral in San Francisco, where he served for eleven years. While at the cathedral he was instrumental in organizing a number of sodalities and was active in the League of the Cross Cadets and other organizations.
Upon the death of Rev. Michael King in 1905, Father Dempsey was transferred to old St. Mary's church in Oakland, where he labored for twenty years, during which period he accomplished great things for the parish, which he practically re- organized. He rebuilt the block, remodeled the parochial buildings and established a convent for the Sisters of the Holy Names. At the same time he took a deep and effective interest in civic affairs and, as a member of the Downtown Business Association, he waged a fight against the railroad interests, it being largely through his efforts that Seventh street was widened and paved and electric cars substituted for the steam cars that formerly occupied it. During the trying days that imme- diately followed the earthquake of 1906 he organized a relief corps for the care of the refugees from San Francisco and established a Red Cross station and hos- pital in the park near the church. Hundreds who had lost everything in the great conflagration were housed by him in the St. Mary's school building. His thoughts were ever with the poor and afflicted, and he made daily visits to the city and county jails and the hospitals. In 1924, following the death of Rev. Dr. F. X. Morrison, pastor of St. Francis de Sales, Archbishop Hanna appointed him to this central parish and here he served indefatigably and with great success until his death. Father Dempsey made a journey to the Holy City, where he was received by His Holiness, the Pope, who made him a papal delegate to the eucharistic conven- tion at Chicago. He was a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose.
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