USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 7
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David Bercovich received a good public school education, attending the high school in Oakland, and during his school days he devoted his spare time to assisting his father. When he attained his majority in 1899, his father admitted him to a partnership in the business, which was thereafter conducted under the name of A. Bercovich & Son until the father's death. Mr. Bercovich and a brother-in-law then
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carried the business on until 1917, when Mr. Bercovich sold out and bought a half interest in his present business from Mr. Monroe. In 1922 he bought out his partner and has since been sole owner. He carries a large stock of furniture, both new and second-hand, which he sells at moderate prices, thus moving his stock quickly, and also maintains auctioneering rooms, in which he has sold a vast amount of goods. He is an active, energetic and progressive business man and well merits the prosperity which is now his.
Mr. Bercovich was united in marriage to Miss Bettie Lefkovitz, who was born in Del Norte, Colorado, but was reared and educated in San Francisco. To them have been born three children : Lillian, who is a graduate of the Oakland high school and is the wife of Sam Berman; Avram, who also is a graduate of the Oakland Technical high school and is now associated with his father in business; and Mervin, who is attending the Piedmont high school. Mr. Bercovich gives his politi- cal support to the republican party and has shown a deep interest in the welfare and progress of his city and county. He is a member of Fruitvale Lodge, No. 336, A. F. & A. M .; Oakland Consistory, A. A. S. R., and Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is a man of marked business ability and sturdy character and all who have come in contact with him hold him in high regard.
GEORGE P. HELLWIG
George P. Hellwig, who for over a third of a century has conducted the leading meat shop in Alvarado, is a member of one of the pioneer families of this locality, his father having located here over seventy years ago, since which time representa- tives of the name have always done their full part in the development and improve- ment of this section of Alameda county. Mr. Hellwig was born at Alvarado July 26, 1876, and is a son of Philip and Eliza (Switzer) Hellwig, natives of Germany. The father came to California, by way of the isthmus of Panama, in 1856 and located at Alvarado at a time when this section of the county was little more than a wilderness. He became the pioneer merchant here, establishing a butcher shop, which he conducted for many years, and on retiring, the business was taken over by his son, George P. He also became the owner of seventy-five acres of good land, also now owned by his son. Both parents are deceased, the father dying in 1903 and the mother in 1912. They had three children.
George P. Hellwig, the only one living, received a good public school education, which he supplemented by a commercial course in the Pacific Business College in San Francisco. When seventeen years of age he became associated with his father in the meat business and has been identified with it continuously since. He has built up a large and prosperous business here and has also established branch meat markets at Hayward, Niles and Centerville, this county, all of which are profitable enterprises. He maintains his own slaughter house and thus insures to his patrons absolutely fresh meat at all times. He conducts his business according to the highest commercial ethics and the prompt and efficient service which he renders has been one of the secrets of his success.
Mr. Hellwig was united in marriage to Miss Willa Cecil, a native of Virginia.
DR. BENJAMIN F. MASON
MRS. BENJAMIN F. MASON
SV2
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refused an offer of one thousand dollars. A woman of lovable qualities, kind and generous in all of her social relations, she was held in affectionate regard by all who knew her, and her death, which occurred at Fabiola hospital, Oakland, October 29, 1923, was regarded as a distinct loss to the community in which she had spent her life. To Dr. and Mrs. Mason were born three children, namely: Ruby M., a former student at the University of California, who has been head of the Mason household since her mother's death; Flossie, who is the wife of Roland Boucher, of Oakland; and Charles, who is about to enter the University of California.
Dr. Mason, though closely devoted to his professional work, found time to interest himself in other lines of effort, and, being a man of marked literary taste and talent, did considerable writing, being the author of a number of short stories and books, his best known work being a Civil war story entitled "The Village Mystery and Through the War to Peace." He took a deep interest in scientific subjects and gained note as a geologist, chemist and metallurgist, having, in 1919, received a post-graduate degree from the American College of Chemistry. He made a fine collection of minerals, fossils and Indian relics, many of which are unusual and valuable, and which are still in the old home in San Leandro. In the early '70s the Doctor served as an army surgeon under Gen. Nelson A. Miles, and had also acted as superintendent of a mine in northern California. He was a close personal friend of Bret Harte, Mark Twain, General Miles and Thomas Marshall, the discoverer of gold in California. In his political views he was a republican and at one time was a candidate for the state senate. Dr. Mason's wide professional knowledge and his long practical experience made him a physician of great ability and enabled him to attain notable success. Goodness was an outstanding factor in his life and character, for he had goodness of hand by which he touched unnum- bered sick and suffering bodies into healing, and a goodness of mind by which he attained an unchanging attitude of kindness, generosity and good will toward his fellowmen. His patients had unbounded confidence in him because of his sincerity, his honesty and his integrity as a physician, together with his nobility of character and his thorough-going uprightness as a man. San Leandro honored him greatly, esteemed him highly, loved him dearly, will miss him sorrowfully, and will ever remember him with gratitude.
WILLIAM H. WAHMUTH
William H. Wahmuth, as chief of the police department of Alameda, has won distinctive recognition throughout the coast region because of his efficiency as a de- tector of crime, and his record has stamped him as an exceptionally capable and suc- cessful department chief, the force under his supervision functioning in a manner that has won general commendation. Mr. Wahmuth was born in San Francisco, California, March 8, 1869, and secured his education in the public schools of that city. He learned the trade of painting and paper hanging, which he followed until April 29, 1901, when he became a member of the police force of Alameda. He served as a patrolman until May 31, 1907, when he was made a detective, in which capa- city he did such commendable work that on October 8, 1920, he was made chief of
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the police department, in which position he has served to the present. The police force was small when he joined, but it has kept pace with the growth of the city and now consists of a chief, a captain, four sergeants, thirty patrolmen, two detectives and a policewoman. As a result of his experiences and observations, Mr. Wah- muth organized a crime bureau, which is complete in every detail, including the finger print system, and in its practical efficiency it has reflected great credit on his painstaking thoroughness and his genius for organization.
Mr. Wahmuth was united in marriage to Miss Lina C. Thompson, who was born in Lake county, California, and they are the parents of three children, William H., Jr., Roy and Lois. Mr. Wahmuth is a member of the Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine at Oakland. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men, the Pacific Coast Associa- tion of Police Chiefs, the International Association of Police Chiefs and the Inter- national Association of Finger Prints. Though closely devoted to his official duties, Mr. Wahmuth is a cordial and friendly man and enjoys well merited popularity.
ARTHUR L. SCHAFFER
Arthur L. Schaffer, conducting a successful general insurance business in Oak- land, is one of the most enthusiastic and effective boosters of the East Bay district, and particularly of Oakland. He has shown mature judgment and wise discrim- ination in business affairs and well merits the success which is crowning his ef- forts. Mr. Schaffer was born in Oakland, on the 16th of August, 1880, a son of Louis and Caroline (Fouguier) Schaffer. His father came to California in 1875 and, locating in Oakland, engaged in the wholesale sheep butchering business. He was successful in his material affairs and became prominent and influential in the public life of the city, where he served as chief of police in 1892-3-4 and as presi- dent of the city council from 1898 to 1902. His death occurred May 17, 1923. In 1879, in Oakland, he married Miss Caroline Fouguier, who died February 28, 1926.
Arthur L. Schaffer attended the Oakland public schools, graduating from high school in 1898, and then went to work for the electric company which later became the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, with which he remained for eight years. He next engaged in the electrical contracting business on his own account, continuing alone for four years, after which he became associated with his father in the manu- facture of fertilizers and tallow. After four years he sold his interests to his brother and accepted a commission as district manager of the Woodmen of the World in the East Bay district. He performed the duties of that position for five years and then turned his attention to the insurance business, in which he is still engaged. He maintains offices in the Wolf building, at East Fourteenth street, and Thirty-fifth avenue, and deals in all kinds of insurance, including fire, automobile liability, casualty and plate glass, and his energetic and enterprising methods have enabled him to realize a splendid measure of prosperity.
Mr. Schaffer was united in marriage to Miss Ruth R. Harlow, a lifelong resi- dent of Oakland and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Harlow. Mr. and Mrs.
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Schaffer have a daughter, Evelyn. The republican party receives Mr. Schaffer's political support and during all the years of his residence here he has shown a com- mendable interest in local public affairs, giving his aid consistently to all measures for public advancement. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World and the Native Sons of the Golden West, the East Lake Exchange Club, the Normandie Garden Improvement Association, of which he is president, and the Fruitvale Businessmen's Association. His material success has enabled him to embark in interests outside his regular business and he is now erecting several business blocks in different sections of Oakland, thus giving tangible evidence of his faith in the future prosperity of this district. He is recognized as a citizen of genuine worth and his sterling traits of character have won for him a high place in the estimation of his fellowmen.
MONROE L. SUMMERS
To Monroe L. Summers is largely due the development of the Melrose district of Oakland, for he aided in subdividing and selling much of the most eligibly located land in that community, and to the present time has been a persistent booster for that section of the city. Mr. Summers was born on a farm in Jefferson county, Indiana, October 28, 1854, and is a son of Jonathan and Amanda (McKinley) Summers, who were pioneer settlers in that part of the Hoosier state. Jonathan Summers is a veteran of the Civil war, having served as a captain in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He is still living on his farm here, at the age of ninety-eight years, and his wife died when past ninety years of age, after seventy-three years of wedded life. She was related to President Mckinley. Her father served in the war of 1812 and Mr. Summers has in his possession a pair of silk stockings which his grandfather secured in an attack on Detroit, where General Procter, commanding the British and Indian forces, made his headquarters. The stockings and other wearing apparel were in a traveling bag which was left in a cart by General Procter when he cut the tugs from the cart in making his escape.
Monroe L. Summers secured his education in the district schools of Indiana, and when twenty-two years of age left home, going to Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked for a wholesale grocery until 1871, when he went to Colorado. There he prospected for precious metals and took up claims, which he sold in 1881 and returned to Indiana. He became connected with a music house in Indianapolis and for a number of years traveled over that state, buying and selling pianos. On first returning to Indiana he had married, but his wife died in less than a year. About ten years later he again married and, through the will of William H. English, at one time a candidate for vice president, they inherited four hundred acres of land at Lexington, Scott county, Indiana. They located on this land, which they man- aged for five years, when they sold it to William English, who greatly improved it and at his death gave the property to the people, to be used as a home for homeless children. In 1904 Mr. Summers arrived in Oakland and became associated with Talcott, in subdividing his ranch of one hundred and fifty acres, and putting some
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on the market. He was superintendent of the enterprise, giving his attention to subdividing and selling this property, the Melrose Heights and Melrose Terrace tracts being among the choicest residential sections of this part of the city, all now being well built up. Since then Mr. Summers has continued his real estate opera- tions and has successfully handled a large amount of property.
For his second wife, Mr. Summers married Miss Birdie Van Staden, who was born in San Francisco, California, but was reared in Indiana, and to them have been born two children, Bessie, who is the wife of George Pierce, and Fay, who is the wife of Willard King. There is also a granddaughter, Marjorie. In 1905 Mr. Summers built his fine home in Oakland. He is a republican in his political views and holds a commission as a notary public. He has lived an industrious and upright life, marked by earnest purpose and definite achievement, and throughout the com- munity where he lives commands the unqualified respect of all who know him.
JOSEPH M. BRACKER
Joseph M. Bracker, the able and efficient superintendent of the California Pack- ing Company's plant No. 9 at San Lorenzo, is regarded as one of the alert, indus- trious and progressive citizens of his community and is well worthy of the high place which he holds in public esteem. Mr. Bracker was born in Sonoma county, California, on the 16th of February, 1889, and is a son of A. and Esther (Dol- pogetti) Bracker. His father was born in Alsace-Lorraine, and many years ago came to this country, locating at Fresno, California, where he was successfully engaged in business to the time of his death. His widow still lives in that city, being fifty-five years old.
Joseph M. Bracker received his educational training in the public schools of Fresno and in 1915 went to Milpitas, California, where he entered the employ of the California Packing Company, with which he has been connected continuously since, with the exception of the period of his war service. Through his faithful and capable efforts he won deserved promotions and in 1922 was made superintendent of the plant at San Lorenzo. He is a man of sound judgment and marked executive ability, managing the plant in a manner that has won him general commendation. He is identified with one of the largest and most important concerns in its line on the coast, the California Packing Company's standard brand of "Del Monte" prod- ucts being popular throughout the United States, and ranking with the very best. The company puts up peaches, apricots and cherries, tomatoes and spinach. These are all raised locally with the exception of peaches, which are shipped in by rail from other sections of the state. The San Lorenzo plant is modern and up-to-date in its equipment, packs an enormous amount of products and during the busy season employs from five hundred to six hundred men and women.
In December, 1917, at San Francisco, Mr. Bracker was united in marriage to Miss Leonid Kimball, who was born and reared in that city, and they are the parents of a daughter, Jeanne. Mr. Bracker is a member of Alameda Lodge, No. 1015, B. P. O. E., and San Leandro Post, No. 117, A. L. He is a veteran of the World war, having enlisted in the Three Hundred and Sixty-third Regiment, which became
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a part of the famous Ninety-first Division, which had so important a part in the war activities in France. Mr. Bracker was all through the Meuse-Argonne cam- paign, and then entered the Lys campaign, serving through the Avdvenarde drive until the signing of the Armistice. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1919, and at once resumed employment with the California Packing Company. He is a dependable and worthy man. commands the respect of his employers and throughout the community where he lives he is held in the highest regard by his fellowmen.
GEORGE A. JANSSEN
George A. Janssen, who conducts a prosperous meat business at 4719 East Fourteenth street, in Oakland, was a pioneer in the Melrose district, and his far- sighted judgment in locating here has been well vindicated in the splendid trade which he has enjoyed for many years. Born in San Francisco, May 23, 1882, he is a son of Henry and Gesine (Husing) Janssen. His father came to California in 1865, locating in San Francisco, where for many years he was in the employ of the Frye Furniture Company. He went to Alameda when his son, George A., was but two years old, and then moved to Oakland, which has been the family home since. The father is deceased and his widow is still living in this city.
George A. Janssen attended the public schools of Alameda to the age of four- teen years, when it became necessary for him to go to work to assist in supporting his mother. He learned the butchering business, in which he became expert, and for a number of years worked for various concerns in this city. In 1907, sensing the future growth of East Fourteenth street, he established a meat market at his present location, being one of the first to engage in business in his section of the city, and, due to his courteous and accommodating manner and the high quality of his meat, he has always enjoyed a substantial trade.
Mr. Janssen was united in marriage to Miss Christine Meyer, who was born and reared in Hayward, and they are the parents of a daughter, Georgia. Mr. Janssen is a republican but his business has made such heavy demand on his time as to preclude his taking a very active part in public affairs. However, his support can always be counted upon in the advancement of measures for the public welfare and he has long been regarded as one of his community's solid and substantial citizens. He was one of the organizers and a member of the volunteer fire depart- ment in Melrose before this territory became a part of Oakland and is a director of the Melrose branch of the Bank of Italy. He is held in high esteem by all who know him.
JOHN A. ROBINSON
John A. Robinson conducts a successful grocery business at Mt. Eden, has also served as postmaster at that place for twenty years, and has otherwise been active in matters affecting the general welfare of the community. He has been a lifelong resident of Mt. Eden, born here on the 26th day of June, 1874, and is a son of
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William and Catherine Robinson, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Illinois. The father was reared and educated in the Empire state and then went to Illinois, where he engaged in farming. He was married there and in 1860 he and his wife made the overland journey to California, settling in the Castro valley of Alameda county, where he farmed. Afterwards he lived for a time at San Lorenzo, but finally settled at Mt. Eden, where he leased a tract of land, on which he carried on agricultural pursuits to the time of his death, which occurred in 1904, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife passed away in 1910. Mr. Robinson was a democrat in politics and a man of splendid character and likable personal qualities.
John A. Robinson was reared at Mt. Eden and attended the public schools. He devoted his efforts to farming until 1908, when he was appointed postmaster, which position he has filled continuously to the present time, rendering a service that has been highly satisfactory to the patrons of the office. In 1902 he bought his present property, fronting two hundred feet on Telegraph road and one hundred and ninety-two feet on Hayward road, and on this lot he erected the buildings which now occupy it, one of which is utilized as a billiard parlor while the other contains the library, the postoffice and a grocery store which Mr. Robinson has carried on for many years. He keeps a well selected stock of goods and enjoys a very satis- factory trade, due to his courteous treatment and close attention to the wants of his customers.
In 1901 Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Garcia, who was born in Hayward, Alameda county, and is a daughter of Caesar Garcia, who was an early settler of this county. Mr. Robinson gives his support to the republican party and has shown an active interest in public affairs. He is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West and the Woodmen of the World and is extremely popular, owing to his friendly manner and his upright and consistent life.
EMIL CHARLES HAHN
No citizen of Oakland merited to a greater degree the confidence and respect of his fellowmen than did the late Emil C. Hahn, whose death, on December 25, 1927, was deeply regretted throughout the community, for he possessed not only much native ability, but also those qualities of character which are essential to the highest type of citizenship and together with a kindliness and geniality that gained for him the friendship of all who knew him. Mr. Hahn was born in San Francisco on the 25th of August, 1869, and was a son of John William and Elizabeth Hahn, the former a native of Germany and the latter of France. They were numbered among the pioneers of the Golden state, arriving in the early '50s, and here spent their remaining years.
Emil C. Hahn attended the public schools of his home city and was first em- ployed as an errand boy in a tailor shop. Two years later he began to learn the trade of cigarmaking, which he followed for three years, when he turned his attention to the coppersmith trade, at which he worked for seven years in San Francisco. On August 1, 1894, he moved to Oakland and entered the employ of
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the Southern Pacific Railroad as a coppersmith and steamfitter, which position he filled for five years, at the end of which time he resigned and bought a notion and periodical business, at the corner of Seventh and Pine streets. This proved a suc- cessful venture and as trade increased he added other lines, including men's furnish- ings, cutlery and a line of cigars and tobaccos, investing several thousand dollars in the business. He was also made agent for the Wells Fargo Express Company, acting in that capacity for three years, and at all times exercised prudence and judgment which enabled him to realize a very satisfactory measure of success. For several years Mr. Hahn agitated the idea of organizing a bank in his community, but for some time met with little encouragement. Eventually, however, his deter- mined efforts were fruitful and in 1904 the West Oakland Bank was organized, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, and he was chosen vice president of the institution. The same year he was appointed postmaster of Oakland, discharging the duties of that position for one year, when he resigned in order to accept a seat in the city council, to which he had been elected. This proved a wise selection on the part of the people, for Mr. Hahn soon became known as one of the ablest and most efficient members of that body, safeguarding and promoting the public inter- ests. As chairman of the committee on ordinances and judiciary he exerted a marked influence on city legislation and every measure which was calculated to promote the city's advancement and better the public welfare received his earnest and effective support. On retiring from council, Mr. Hahn was appointed superin- tendent of the city street cleaning department, which position he held for sixteen years.
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