USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 9
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Mr. Whaley was united in marriage to Miss Lucile Shannon, of Texas, and they are the parents of a son, George. In his political views Mr. Whaley is a republican, actively interested in public affairs. He is a veteran of the World war, having enlisted in the first students' training camp, and was among the first ten thousand to volunteer. Commissioned a captain, he saw active service in France, being one of the three hundred men who were cited by General Pershing. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the United Veterans of the
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Republican, and Oakland Post, No. 5, A. L., of which he is commander, this being the largest Legion post west of Nebraska. He has done much effective work in the interest of disabled veterans, in which line his efforts have been greatly appreciated. A man of earnest purpose and sterling integrity, he commands the confidence of all who know him, and particularly of those who are acquainted with the fine work he is doing, and among his associates, being a man of genial and friendly manner, he is deservedly popular.
WILLIAM I. MACDONALD
William I. Macdonald, who conducts a successful florist business at 453 Seven- teenth street, Oakland, is one of the best known residents of this city, having for many years been actively connected with various interests in this locality, and none enjoys a greater measure of popularity than he. He has spent practically his en- tire life in Oakland, having been born at 1731 Broadway, near his present business location, on the 12th of January, 1880, and is a son of J. A. C. and Mary Antionette (Cavasso) Macdonald, the former a native of Weem, Scotland, while the latter was born in Mariposa county, California. They were married in Oakland. The father came to California when fourteen years of age with an uncle, Peter Thompson, who built the original house later occupied by the Adult Blind, at Thirty-sixth and Tele- graph streets, Oakland. J. A. C. Macdonald engaged in the plumbing business in 1875 and his son has a photograph of the first order taken by him, in August, 1875, and also a picture of the old shop, showing his father. The latter took a deep in- terest in the public affairs of his city and served as a member of the city council from 1888 to 1892. He was a lieutenant in the National Guard at Oakland and about 1881 commanded the local company of light cavalry, which later became Com- pany A of the National Guard. His death occurred October 31, 1915, as the re- sult of an automobile accident, and his widow passed away September 30, 1927.
William I. Macdonald attended the grade and high schools of Oakland, and for about six months, was employed in a stationery store, after which he went to work for Miller, Sloss & Scott (afterwards the Pacific Hardware and Steel Com- pany), remaining with that concern from June, 1898, until March 1, 1911, since which time he has engaged in the florist business. He carries a large line of flowers, well displayed, and by his prompt and courteous service has built up a large patron- age and is meeting with very satisfactory success.
Mr. Macdonald is married and has a son, Donald Livingston, who is a suc- cessful and popular entertainer on the Kieth Albee and Orpheum circuits. In his political views Mr. Macdonald is a republican, while fraternally he has long taken an active interest in masonry, belonging to all of the York-rite bodies and is a past master of the blue lodge. His memberships are in Oakland Lodge, No. 188; Oak- land Chapter, No. 16, R. A. M .; Oakland Commandery, No. 11, K. T .; St. Philips Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine; Oakland Lodge of Perfection, No. 2, A. and A. S. R .; Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of which he is the director. He is also vice president of the Shrine Directors Association of North America ; is an honorary member of Syria Temple, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as
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well as of India Temple, of Oklahoma City, and El Zaribah Temple, at Phoenix, Arizona. He also belong to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Lions Club, of which he has been a director, the Athens Club, Oakland Council National Union and St. Andrews Society. His favorite diversions in the way of sports are football, baseball and golf, in which he has long been actively interested. He ran the first reserved football trains to Palo Alto in 1925 and 1927 and has attended every Stanford-University of California game since 1896. He is an enthusiastic booster for the East Bay district and has been particularly active in promoting the commercial interests of upper Broadway, one evidence of which was his erection of the first electric sign north of Fourteenth street. In every possible way he has shown his loyalty to his city and county and his efforts to promote the interests of his community have been appreciated by his fellow citizens, among whom he is held in high regard.
HARRY A. BRADFORD
One of Hayward's best known and most popular citizens is Harry A. Bradford, who is now serving his second consecutive term as postmaster, in which capacity he is rendering to his community a high type of service. He was born in this city on the 3rd of October, 1886, and is a son of Alonzo and Mary (Glasscock) Brad- ford. He attended the public schools, graduating from high school in 1905, and in 1907 he was appointed to a clerkship in the post office, where he remained for many years. During this period he received deserved promotions until he reached the position of assistant postmaster, which he was holding at the outbreak of the Mexican border troubles.
In 1909 Mr. Bradford had enlisted in Company H, Fifth Regiment California National Guard, and in September, 1912, was commissioned a first lieutenant, which rank he held until December, 1914, when he was promoted to a captaincy. He was sent to the Mexican border and took part in the punitive expedition into that coun- try. In April, 1917, the United States having become involved in the World war, he resigned his commission and enlisted as a private in the signal corps of the United States army. He was sent to the army aviation school at Kelly field, San Antonio, Texas, where he received a commission as second lieutenant in the signal corps aviation section in 1918. In September of that year he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the air service, which rank he held until receiving his honorable discharge in 1919.
Mr. Bradford then returned to Hayward and resumed his duties as assistant postmaster but resigned three weeks later. In 1922 President Harding appointed him postmaster, and in 1926 he was recommissioned by President Coolidge and is the present incumbent of that position. He is painstaking in his attention to the proper functioning of the office, and his official record has gained for him the ap- preciation and respect of his fellow citizens.
On October 6, 1915, Mr. Bradford was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmenia Duchran, who is a native of San Francisco and a daughter of Emil and Emelie Duchran. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Woodmen of the World, the Rotary Club, and the
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American Legion, of which he is the present commander. His record for pa- triotism and good citizenship, as well as his career as an able and efficient official, have gained for him a high place in public esteem, and he has a host of warm friends throughout this section of Alameda county.
WILLIAM W. HOFFMAN
William W. Hoffman has gained a place among the able attorneys of Oakland and is enjoying a large and steadily growing clientele. A native of Washington, he was born in Tacoma, February 2, 1893, a son of Andrew M. and Ella F. (Wake- field) Hoffman. In 1908 the family came to Oakland, where the father engaged in the drug business to the time of his retirement. He is now deceased while his widow still resides in this city.
William W. Hoffman attended the public schools of Petaluma, California, until graduated from high school and then attended the night sessions of the Golden Gate Law College, being graduated in June, 1917, with the degree of Bachelor of Law. He was admitted to the bar February 20, 1920, and in the following year engaged in the practice of his profession in San Francisco, where he remained until 1926, when he returned to Oakland, where he has practiced to the present time, having offices at 1409 Thirty-fifth avenue. With a thorough knowledge of the law, of which he is a close and constant student, he combines a soundness of judgment and a resourcefulness which have gained for him a wide reputation as a sound and safe practitioner. He maintains a branch office in East Oakland in order to con- veniently care for his business in that part of the city.
Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage to Miss Esther C. Hastings, who was born in Watsonville, this state. He gives his political support to the republican party and maintains a deep interest in public affairs. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Woodmen of the World, the East Lake Kiwanis Club, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Commonwealth Club of San Fran- cisco. He is a lover of outdoor life, hiking being his favorite form of recreation. His fine qualities and splendid personality have gained for him many warm friends and throughout the community where he lives he is held in high regard.
JOHN H. ALCALDE
John H. Alcalde, who conducts a well stocked and up-to-date jewelry store in San Leandro, has demonstrated his skill and ability in the technical part of his business, while as a merchant he has shown himself progressive and enterprising, and is commanding his full share of the local trade in his line.
Mr. Alcalde was born in Granada, Spain, on the 8th of March, 1900, and is a son of Antonio and Constance Alcalde, who now reside at 317 Juana avenue, San Leandro. They are the parents of five children, John H., Mary, Carmen, Frank and Fabian, all of whom are unmarried and live with their parents. When John
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H. Alcalde was ten years of age, the family emigrated from their native land to the Hawaiian islands, locating on a large plantation near the city of Hilo, and there he secured his education in the public schools. He also learned the jeweler's trade, which he followed there until 1921, when the family came to California and settled in San Leandro. For a time after arriving here Mr. Alcalde was employed at va- rious occupations in different places, and then went to work in the Staffon jewelry house on Mission street, San Francisco, where he remained until 1925, when, am- bitious for an independent career, he established his present business in San Lean- dro, in which he is assisted by his youngest brother, Fabian. He carries a large and well selected line of goods, embracing watches, clocks, rings, other jewelry and sil- verware, which he keeps nicely displayed, and in the conduct of his business he has shown himself a courteous, accommodating and agreeable gentleman, giving of his best efforts to please and satisfy his customers.
Mr. Alcalde comes from an old and highly respected family of Spain and he and the members of his family have gained a high place in the esteem of the people of San Leandro. They are members of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Alcalde is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Young Men's Institute. He is generous and public spirited and is deservedly popular throughout the com- munity.
WILLIAM STEWART
Among the sturdy old pioneers of the Hayward district of Alameda county was the late William Stewart, who not only developed a splendid ranch and met with a large measure of success, but also contributed of his time and means to the im- provement of his community, being a broad-minded and public-spirited man, deeply interested in the welfare of those about him.
Mr. Stewart was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1824, and was a son of David and Elizabeth (Adams) Stewart, both of whom also were natives of Glasgow. They moved to Portglenone, Ireland, where the father engaged in farming, his place being known as the White Hill farm, and there he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives.
William Stewart was reared and educated in Ireland and in 1848 he embarked on an old sailing vessel for the United States, being three months on the voyage around Cape Horn to San Francisco. He went to the gold mines in Placer county and staked out a claim, but was unfortunate in losing the sight of one of his eyes while engaged in blasting. He went to San Francisco, where he was under the treatment of Dr. Pardee for one year, almost losing the sight of his other eye. When sufficiently recovered he went to Cull canyon and took up a tract of land, on which he engaged in farming and stock raising, improving the ranch and living there until 1893, when he removed to Hayward. Here he bought thirty-seven acres of land, a part of the old C. W. Hathaway ranch, and set out a fine apricot orchard and otherwise improved the place, developing it into one of the best ranches in the locality, and here he lived up to the time of his death, which occurred in December, 1919. His canyon ranch comprised seven hundred and forty acres, and he only gave it up because of his eyesight. When he came to this locality things
WILLIAM STEWART
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were still somewhat primitive, ox teams being used in the building of roads to the ranch, but he lived to see the locality become one of the most desirable sections of the county. At one time he had an eating place on his farm to accommodate the people who traveled through here. The stage coaches took people to and from the boats which docked at East Oakland to pick up freight and passengers. In 1863 Mr. Stewart lost a large number of cattle in the great flood which followed a long period of rain. He was greatly interested in everything pertaining to the develop- ment of his community and gave the money with which was purchased the site for the Congregational church, also assisting in the building of the edifice. He was a deacon and trustee of that society and generously supported it, as he did other local benevolent enterprises. He was a republican in his political views.
In 1849, in New York, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Ann Boyce, a native of Paisley, Scotland, and a daughter of William and Nancy (Maitland) Boyce, the former of whom was a manufacturer of shawls. To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were born six children, Ann Eliza, Elizabeth, Martha A., William, David and John.
Of these Martha A. is the only survivor, and she now devotes her attention to the management of the estate. She has taken an active interest in educational affairs, having taught for seven years at Redwood Canyon, to which school she rode on horseback. She also taught in the San Lorenzo school; in the Oakland Night school and two years in Yolo county. She took upon herself the rearing and educating of the five children of her brother David J., namely : Ruth S., now Mrs. White, who is a teacher in the Pleasanton school; Gene Boyce, who is a trained nurse in the Franklin hospital, San Francisco; Ralph David, who is taking the law course in the University of California; Bruce William, who is manager of an oil and gas service station in Hayward; and Joyce Maitland, who stood at the head ·of her classes in high school. In addition to managing the home ranch, Miss Stewart also operates a dairy and is the owner of a fine flock of sheep, showing sound busi- ness judgment and meeting with well merited success. Because of her gracious qualities of manner and her kindly and cordial manner, she has a host of warm and loyal friends throughout the community.
HOWARD SCHRODER
Howard Schroder, of Oakland, enjoys a well merited reputation as an able and popular architect, his work being of a quality that has appealed to discriminating builders, and he now commands a large and representative clientele. He was born in San Francisco, California, on the 14th of July, 1891, and is a son of John F. and Mary (Matthews) Schroder, the former of whom was born in that city about 1857 and whose father was a native of Denmark. John F. Schroder was reared and educated in his home city and later engaged in the brick manufacturing busi- ness, in which he was successful. He and his wife are deceased.
Howard Schroder attended the public schools, graduating from high school, and then turned his attention to architecture, which he studied privately. For a few years he was employed in architects' offices, but in 1923 he opened his own office
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at 354 Hobart street, Oakland, and in the practice of his profession has met with distinctive success. During the years 1923 and 1924 he made preliminary plans and estimates of the cost of new school building for the 1924 bond issue in Oakland. He has designed and planned a number of important public buildings, among which are the Lowell high school building, the Elmhurst elementary school and other schools and the Builders Exchange building, besides many wholesale and retail busi- ness blocks, in all of which he has shown an unusual aptitude for appropriate design and well planned interiors.
Mr. Schroder was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Devine, of Monterey, California, and they are the parents of three children, Ralph, Jack and Donn, the two last named being twins. In his political alignment Mr. Schroder is a republican and he is a member of the city examining board for building materials and is consulting architect for the Lakeshore avenue business district. He is a member of Lakeshore Lodge No. 551, A. F. & A. M .; Oakland Consistory, A. A. S. R., and Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and belongs also to the Society of Architects of Alameda county. He has taken a deep interest in Boy Scout work and is now scout master of Piedmont troop No. 3. A man of artistic temperament and sin- cerely devoted to his profession, his labors have been effective in their results, and he is regarded as one of the most competent and reliable members of his profession in the East Bay district.
ORMAN J. EMERY
Orman J. Emery, of Alvarado, who has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a building contractor, has specialized in the construction of dairy barns, in which he is an acknowledged expert. He has been successful in his business affairs and is regarded as one of the leading men of his community. Mr. Emery was born in Maine, on the 30th of September, 1861, and is a son of Weston F. and Dianthe (Gilmond) Emery, also natives of Maine, where they were reared and married, the father there engaging in contracting and building. In 1870 they came to Cali- fornia, locating in San Francisco, where Mr. Emery followed the carpenter trade for two years. In 1872 he came to Alvarado and bought property, after which he continued in the contracting business here to the time of his death. His wife died at the home of her son, Orman J. Mr. Emery was a republican in his political alignment, belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife were earnest members of the Presbyterian church.
Orman J. Emery was about two years old when the family came to California, and secured his education in the public school at Alvarado. He learned the car- penter trade under his father and, with the exception of one year when he worked at his trade in Oregon, has lived here continuously. As a contractor and builder he has attained a worthy success, for he is thorough and painstaking in everything he does and takes a justifiable pride in the high quality of his work. He has erected many of the best buildings in this locality, but in recent years has confined his activities mainly to building dairy barns. In this field he has earned a wide reputation and his operations have extended as far as Los Angeles.
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In 1895 Mr. Emery was united in marriage to Miss Margaret W. Buchanan, who was born in Alvarado, a daughter of John and Rachael (Ross) Buchanan, mentioned at length in the sketch of S. A. D. Buchanan, on another page of this work.
Mr. and Mrs. Emery have two children, Weston B. and Orma J. Mr. Emery gives his political support to the republican party and has always been interested in public affairs. A member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for forty- four years, in his daily life he exemplifies the noble precepts of that great fraternity. Successful in business a consistent supporter of the best things in the life of the community and cordial and friendly in his social relations, he well deserves the uniform respect in which he is held by his fellowmen.
OSTROM BROTHERS
The material development of San Leandro received a decided impulse when the Ostrom Brothers, George T. and Alvin C., came here and started their real estate operations, which have not only been on a large scale but have been of a character that has reflected great credit on their business acumen and artistic tastes. Their properties lie in the choicest section of the city, and their enterprising and up-to- date methods have been rewarded with a commensurate measure of success.
George T. Ostrom was born in Franklin, New Jersey, while Alvin C. Ostrom was born in State Center, Iowa, and they are the sons of Rev. Alvin and Frances M. (Pierce) Ostrom, the latter of whom was a first cousin of President Franklin Pierce. The Ostrom family is of Dutch origin and in Holland was known as Van Oostrom. The father was a foreign missionary of the Congregational church and was stationed in China for many years. On his final return to the United States he was assigned to home mission work in Oakland and other parts of California, and he organized a number of congregations, serving various charges in this state. He was then sent to the Hawaiian islands and while actively engaged in the work of the ministry of the Congregational church he died there at the age of sixty-five years. He was a learned and able man, an effective worker and a consistent Christian and commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him. After his death his widow returned to Oakland, California, where her death occurred. To them were born six children.
George T. and Alvin C. Ostrom were students in Hopkins Academy at Oakland when their parents went to Hawaii, and after finishing there Alvin C. entered Rutgers College, while George T. engaged in mining in western Colorado, where he was joined by his brother after the latter had completed his college course. In 1897 they went to Alaska for the purpose of engaging in gold mining, George lo- cating at Nome and Alvin at Dawson. They returned to the States in 1901, at which time Alvin located in Oakland, while George engaged in real estate opera- tions in Idaho. Alvin Ostrom was for seventeen years in the employ of the Key System in Oakland as a civil engineer and in June, 1925, the two brothers came to San Leandro, where they have successfully operated ever since as subdividers, builders, real estate agents and sellers of insurance. The firm consists of the two
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Ostrom brothers and Edward F. Wolcott. They are the builders of the splendid new Mission apartments, at the corner of Garcis avenue and East Fourteenth street. This is an up-to-date, modern cement and brick structure, three stories high and containing seven stores and twenty-four apartments, all of which are completely furnished. They are developing the following subdivisions: The Garcia Avenue tract of ten acres ; the West Broadmoor tract of ten acres, and the Franklin tract of four acres, and on these tracts they have erected forty-six houses, no two of which are alike and all of which are more than ordinarily attractive, both inside and out. In their operations they have set the pace for all who may follow them in develop- ment work, for they have neglected nothing and have in many cases sacrificed profits for the sake of utility, and those who are familiar with the scope and character of their work are loud in their praise of their progressive spirit and their genuine in- terest in the progress of the community.
The Ostrom brothers are members of the Chambers of Commerce at San Leandro and Oakland, and in politics they support the republican party. George T. Ostrom is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Because of their fine business record here, their culture and agreeable personalities, they have won a high place in public esteem and have made many loyal friends throughout this locality.
CHARLES H. SECCOMBE
Charles H. Seccombe, of Oakland, has gained distinctive recognition as a learned, able and successful lawyer and, as a member of the firm of Seccombe & Edson, commands a large and representative clientele. He was born in Zumbrota, Goodhue county, Minnesota, January 26, 1868, and is a son of the Rev. Charles and Harriet M. (Tolman) Seccombe, both of whom were members of old New England fami- lies and are now deceased. The father was a minister of the Congregational church and was active and prominent in promoting the higher educational facilities of the west, having established Carleton College in Minnesota, of which he was the first president, and also founded Yankton College, at Yankton, South Dakota. The mother was a first cousin of Mrs. Susan B. (Tolman) Mills, founder of Mills Col- lege, Oakland, California.
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