History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 107

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : M.W. Wood
Number of Pages: 1206

USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions > Part 107

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757

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP-CITY OF OAKLAND.

St. Andrews Society of Alameda County .- This Society, which has for its object the assisting of distressed Scotchmen who are deserving of aid, was organ- ized May 17, 1878, with sixty charter members, the first officers being: A. McKin- lay, President; D. Kilpatrick, Vice-President; James Easton, Treas .; Thomas Turn- bull, Fin. Sec .; Robert P. Smith, Rec. Sec .; W. O. Buckland, M. D .; Physician; Rev. J. K. McLean, D. D., Chaplain; A. Campbell, R. Dalziel, W. G. Gray, Trustees; W. L. Mckay, James Dalziel, John S. Collins, Relief Committee. There are at present one hundred and forty members on the roll. The officers for the current term are Peter Thomson, President; Robert Smilie, James P. Taylor, Vice-Presidents; James Easton, Treas .; D. E. Collins, Rec. Sec .; A. W. Hughan, Asst. Rec. Sec .; Thomas Turnbull, Fin. Sec .; J. A. C. Macdonald, Asst. Fin. Sec .; D. C. McTavish, Librarian; William Collins, William Stuart, David Leitch, Trustees; John Thomson, Alexander Campbell, J. Wyllie Mackie, Board of Relief; William Brown, M. D, Physician; Rev. J. K. McLean, D. D., Chaplain; Peter Thomson, D. E. Collins, Colin Campbell, J. P. Munro-Fraser, J. P. Taylor, A. Campbell, John Thexton, Literary Committee.

"Daughters of Israel" Relief Society .- This society was organized in the year 1876 with twenty charter members; its first officers being: Mrs. J. J. Bettmann, President; Mrs. S. S. Cohen, Secretary; Mrs. R. Beel, Treasurer; the last of whom was the actual originator of the association. The objects for which it was instituted are charity and benevolence to all, irrespective of nationality or creed. The present membership consists of fifty-four, while the office-bearers for the current term are: Mrs. R. Beel, President; Mrs. E. Bernstein, Vice-President; Mrs. M. H. Coffee, Secretary; Mrs. J. Alexander, Treasurer. Meets on the third Wednesday of cach month in the vestry of the Synagogue, on the south side of Fourteenth Street, between Franklin and Webster Streets.

Hebrew Benevolent Society .- Was organized in July, 1861, with the following officers: S. Hirshberg, President; S. Adler, Vice-President; S. Schultz, Secretary; R. Heyman, Treasurer. The present office-bearers are: D. S. Hirshberg, President; B. Samuels, Vice-President; I. D. Ryttenberg, Secretary and Treasurer. Meets on the first Sunday of each month.

The Danish Society "Dania of California."-Was organized January 21, 1882, and incorporated August 12, 1882. The Trustees for the first year being Oscar F. Westphal, Thomas Mikkelsen, C. H. E. Christensen, W. A. Kreutzman and C. E. Frostholm. Its object is to assist and relieve its members, to establish a relief fund for widows and orphans of deceased members, to assist and obtain employment for its members when in need, to improve its members socially and materially, and to create a spirit of harmony amongst the Danes in California. Branch No. I of Dania is located at 8641% Broadway, Oakland, has a membership of about sixty and its officers are: President, H. Andresen; Vice-President, P. Larson; Secretary, Fred Peterson; Treasurer, H. Frederikson. This branch is in a prosperous condition.

OAKLAND GUARD .- Upon the outbreak of the rebellion the loyal citizens on every hand gathered themselves together and formed themselves into military com-

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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

panies for the protection of the rights of the Union, determining to maintain its integrity at all hazards; and it may be remembered that it was proved almost beyond a peradventure that a secret scheme existed whereby California was to be given over to the control of the Confederacy. To this end the citizens of Oakland met in meet- ing, and on June 10, 1861, formed the "Oakland Guard," that distinguished company of which we now purpose giving a short sketch. The city of Oakland then num- bered only about two thousand of a population, and from among those who signed the original muster-roll, we have the names of William Hoskins, Jeremiah Tyrrell, J. Barnett, A. W. Burrell, Harry N. Morse, J. A. Whitcher, John H. Hobart, A. D. Eames, J. A. Webster, George M. Blake, H. Hillebrand, W. W. Crane, C. S. Haile, William C. Little, John McCann, and many others. From these were elected the first officers, viz .: James Brown, Captain; Harry N. Morse, First Lieutenant; Henry Hille- brand, Second Lieutenant; Jeremiah Tyrrell, Junior Second Lieutenant. Shortly after its organization the Oakland Guard was attached to the Second Regiment of Artillery, where it remained for some considerable time. After this it became " unattached," and as we find in the annual report of the Adjutant General of the State of California, 1862, at that time it was Company C., of the First Infantry Bat- talion, Second Brigade, of the National Guard. From this official statement its name would appear to have then been the "Oakland Home Guard." In 1872, when the number of companies in the National Guard was reduced, each regiment in the Sec- ond Brigade losing two, the Oakland Guard was mustered out, but that same even- ing was again mustered in as an "unattached " organization. The Captains, from its incipience up till the present writing, 1883, have been: James Brown, Harry N. Morse, W. C. Little, A. W. Burrell, H. D. Ranlett, Henry Levy, A. L. Smith, and Thomas H. Thompson. It will thus be seen that the company's first captain was he who was elected to the responsible position of Marshal of the city in 1863, and who died January I, 1879, while the second to take command was none other than the gentleman who was for so many years the distinguished Sheriff of the county. The third captain on the list is the well-known Colonel Little, who took so prominent a part in bringing the Oakland Light Cavalry into existence. Captain Ranlett has since developed into the Colonel in command of the Fifth Battalion of the National Guard, while under the régime of Captain Levy, the company won its crowning laurels as the best drilled company in the State Militia. In all branches of its military duties have the Oakland Guard ever held the foremost position; be it at drill or at the target, their record is a proud one and adds luster to its fame. Its trophies have been won in many a hard though friendly contest, and tell of honor gained at home and abroad, while to the credit of the company it may be said that it has one in its ranks, C. H. Ellis, who has been a continuous member of it for upwards of twenty-one years. The armory of the company is located at the corner of Central Avenue and Washington Street, where their social and military equipments are most complete, the drill-hall being a noble room ninety-five feet in length and forty wide. Officers, non-com- missioned officers, and men each have separate rooms wherein they meet, a commend- able scheme that is eminently conducive to discipline. The present status of the Oakland Guard is seventy men, rank and file, the officers being Thomas H. Thomp- son, Captain; Joseph S. Green, First Lieutenant; Edward M. Campbell, Second Lieu- tenant.

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OAKLAND TOWNSHIP-CITY OF OAKLAND.

OAKLAND LIGHT CAVALRY, UNATTACHED, SECOND BRIGADE, N. G. C .- This effective corps was organized in 1877, thirty-three members having signed the roll at a meeting held on the 3Ist of July of that year. On the 7th August the following officers for the military and civil departments were elected: W. C. Little, Captain; E. W. Woodward, First Sergeant; J. E. McElrath, Senior Second Sergeant; T. H. Allen, Junior Second Sergeant; C. M. Burleson, Secretary; Thomas Prather, Financial Sec- retary; W. H. H. Graves, Treasurer. The corps originally had their meetings in the old Armony Hall on Thirteenth Street; subsequently they moved to Antisell's Build- ing at the corner of Central Avenue and Broadway, and finally on April 15, 1883, took up their quarters in the building erected by H. D. Bacon, on the corner of Washing- ington Street and Central Avenue. Here they have their armory. The drill-hall is a splendid apartment one hundred by sixty feet in dimensions with ante-rooms for officers and men, besides assembly rooms and parlors. The Oakland Light Cavalry were mustered into the service of the State, September 23, 1878, with forty-nine rank and file, but their membership has reached ninety. There are now sixty-two effect- ive members on the roll. This may be said to be the corps d'élite of Oakland, and as such takes a just pride in presenting a most creditable demeanor at every public parade. They are a fine body of men, generally good horsemen, and have a distin- guished military appearance in their handsome and becoming uniforms. The social entertainments given by the corps are remarkable for their high standard of excellence and rank among the events of Oakland's social world. The present officers are: Webb N. Pearce, Captain; George B. Flint, First Sergeant.

HANCOCK RIFLES, COMPANY C .- This thriving military company was organized shortly after the State campaign that resulted in the election of the Democratic can- didate, General Stoneman, to the exalted position of Governor of California. The material of which the Rifles is composed was principally taken from the Hancock Fire Brigade, a political body of about two hundred members, which had been marshaled successfully during election times by Frank J. Moffitt, in the interest of the Democ- racy. After the victorious election the Fire Brigade found its occupation gone, and a committee from its ranks was appointed to select suitable young men for a proposed independent military organization. The outgrowth of this committee's labor was the Hancock Rifles, the name of that famous military chieftain being all that was left of the now defunct political company. Temporary organization was effected with Henry Levy as Captain and Martin Ryan as Lieutenant. Will. S. O'Brien was Secretary and Frank Moffitt was Treasurer. New recruits were taken in at each meeting, and a course of drilling exercise was at once commenced, and in a remarkably short time the Hancock Rifles possessed the reputation of being the best independent military organization in the State. One evening, unexpectedly, Adjutant General Cosby dropped in during a drill; accompanying him were several members of his staff and Major-General Turnbull, and so well were the visitors pleased with the " Rifles " that the Adjutant-General intimated that were the company to apply for admission to the State service, as a part of the National Guard, the request would receive favor- able consideration, and accordingly application was made and the company mustered into the State Militia as a part of the Third Infantry Regiment, and given the official

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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

title of Company C. It was the first company of that gallant regiment to be honored by being placed at the command of the military authorities of California. Permanent officers were then chosen as follows: Captain, Henry Levy; First Lieutenant, Martin Ryan; Second Lieutenant, Will. S. O'Brien. Thus properly organized an armory was procured and fitted up at the corner of Franklin and Twelfth Streets, where the pres- ent headquarters of the company are. A considerable sum of money was required to equip and uniform the prosperous body, and the members for the first time realized their company's popularity when a sufficiency poured in almost immediately. The company is at the present time in excellent condition financially and socially, and at every meeting applications from the foremost young men of the city are being acted on.

FIRE DEPARTMENT .- The first attempt to establish a Fire Department in the city of Oakland was made in the early part of 1853, which resulted in the organiza- tion of two engine companies, the Empire and Washington, and the Oakland Hook and Ladder Company, and the election of John Scott as Chief Engineer. Three large cisterns were soon after constructed on Broadway between First and Fourth Streets, to supply the engines with water, and the necessary apparatus was obtained to give efficiency to the operations of the Department. The apparatus then used by the Empire Company, a small New York side-stroke engine, purchased originally at a cost of two thousand dollars, was not long ago in the Santa Clara Fire Department, in good condition. This organization had but a short-lived existence. It was within a year disbanded, the property delivered over to the Council, and, up to 1869, Oakland had little or no means of resisting the fire element.

The present Department was organized March 13, 1869, under the provisions of an ordinance approved February 4, 1869, by the election of John C. Halley as Chief Engineer and Thomas McGuire and George Taylor, Assistants, who succeeded John Scott, Chief, and John C. Halley and W. W. Moore, Assistants, acting under author- ity of a previous organization. The apparatus of the Department comprised a third- class Amoskeag fire-engine, purchased by the city, and a hose-carriage procured by funds temporarily advanced by Col. John Scott. The organization of the Depart- ment is at present composed of a Chief Engineer, two Assistant Engineers, and a Superintendent of Fire Alarm and Police Telegraph, while its force consists of four steamers, five two-wheel hose-carts, carrying three thousand seven hundred feet of hose, two Hook and Ladder trucks; fifty-eight officers and men, one hundred and sixty hydrants, five cisterns, and forty-six fire-alarm stations. Water for the use of the Department is supplied by the works of the Contra Costa Water Company.

The following are the Fire Companies in the Department :-

Steam Fire Engine Company No I .- Located on Fifteenth Street, near City Hall; Third Class Amoskeag engine, drawn by two horses; and hose-reel carrying eight hundred feet of rubber hose, drawn by one horse. The engine driver, who acts as stoker, and hose-cart driver are permanently employed. These, together with the Engineer, Foreman, and five extramen, who do duty only when alarmed, constitute the entire company.

Steam Fire Engine Company No. 2 .- Located on Sixth Street, between Broadway

Edward Nichaus

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OAKLAND TOWNSHIP-CITY OF OAKLAND.

and Washington; second class Silsby Rotary Engine, drawn by two horses; and hose- reel, carrying seven hundred and fifty feet of rubber hose, drawn by one horse. The engine driver, who acts as stoker, and hose-cart driver are permanently employed. These, together with the Engineer, Foreman, and five extramen, who do duty only when alarmed, constitute the entire company.

Steam Fire Engine Company No. 3 .- Located on Eighth Street, between Camp- bell and Willow; one second class Rotary Engine complete, drawn by two horses; and hose-reel, carrying seven hundred and fifty feet rubber hose, drawn by one horse. The engine driver, who acts as stoker, and hose-cart driver, are permanently employed. These, together with the Engineer, Foreman, and five extramen, who do duty only when alarmed, constitute the entire company.

Steam Fire Engine Company No. 4 .- Located on East Fourteenth Street, near Thirteenth Avenue; second class Amoskeag Engine, drawn by two horses; and hose- reel, carrying seven hundred and fifty feet of rubber hose, drawn by one horse. The engine driver, who acts as stoker, and hose-cart driver, are permanently employed. These, together with the Engineer, Foreman, and five extramen, who do duty only . when alarmed, constitute the entire company.

Hook and Ladder Company No. I .- Located on Sixth Street, between Broadway and Washington Streets; first class Hayes Patent Fire Escape Truck, and the usual equipments attached to truck companies. The driver and tillerman are permanently employed. These, together with the Foreman and nine extramen, who do duty only when alarmed, constitute the entire company.

Hook and Ladder Company No. 2 .- Located on East Fourteenth Street, near Thirteenth Avenue; one Hook and Ladder Truck, drawn by one horse, and the usual equipments attached to truck companies. The driver is permanently employed.

Hose Company No. I .-- Located on Sixth Street, between Broadway and Wash- ington Streets. The hose-reel is two-wheeled, drawn by one horse, and carries six hundred and fifty feet rubber hose. The driver is. permanently employed. These, together with the Foreman, and five extramen, who do duty only when alarmed, con- stitute the entire company.

THE MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY .- As early as 1863, the design of opening a cemetery along the foothills of Oakland was discussed, and in December of that year a few public-spirited men formed an association under the name of the "Mountain View Cemetery Association," and fixed the number of Trustees at twelve, the names of whom are: Hiram Tubbs, Geo. E. Grant, A. M. Crane, J. A. Mayhew, Rev. S. T. Wells, S. E. Alden, Rev. H. I. Brayton. Dr. S. Merritt, J. E. Whitcher, R. W. Heath, Wm. Faulkner, and J. S. Emery. Early in 1864 the Association organized by elect- ing Dr. S. Merritt President, J. E. Whitcher Secretary, and Hiram Tubbs, Treasurer.

In the same year by-laws were adopted, a suitable site was selected, and bonds were issued for its purchase, and thus the Mountain View Cemetery came into existence Rev. S. T. Wells was elected as the first Superintendent, and remained in that capacity 49

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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

until the end of 1870. Under his direction avenues were opened, and some plots surveyed, and prepared for occupancy.

In accordance with the salutary resolution, that all profits accruing under said organization, from the sale of lots or otherwise, shall, after paying for the ground, be expended in improving and ornamenting said cemetery, and incidental expenses, the the Trustees immediately began the work of improvement and ornamentation. Fred. Law Olmstead, the architect of Central Park, New York City, prepared a general plan which has been but slightly and not essentially modified. In harmony with his instructions and explanations the cemetery has been opened and improved, and now begins to show the imposing symmetry and beauty which have been taking form for many years.

In 1871 Rev. S. T. Wells resigned, and William Collins was elected Superintendent, a position which he has held ever since. At the same time Gen. R. W. Kirkham was elected President of the Board of Trustees, and David E. Collins chosen Secretary. Since that date the cemetery has been rapidly improved, and has attained a widely extended reputation for the beauty of its site, the charming effect of its landscapes, and its peaceful seclusion. The finances of the association were ably managed and rigidly economized by its very efficient and lamented treasurer, Dr. E. P. Sanford. Within the last few years the association has been able to cancel all its financial obligations, and now carries only an inconsiderable debt arising from incidental expenses. The history of the Mountain View Cemetery has been one of steady and unobstructed progress, and in large measure its success has been owing to the efficiency and vigilance of its present superintendent. During the present year he was granted a leave of absence to visit the East and Europe, and was requested to gather what new information he could regarding cemeteries-such information at least as would be applicable to the cemetery which he superintends: at the present writing he has not yet returned.

From the beginning Hiram Tubbs has manifested unceasing interest in the growth and advancement of the cemetery, and has been actively supported by a generous and intelligent body of men. The public spirit which the Trustees have invariably shown is deserving of the highest commendation.

Various changes have taken place in the members of the Board and in the officers of the Association; but in every case the Trustees and officers have shown exceptional fidelity. From 1875 to 1881 John S. Collins acted in the capacity of Secretary, and proved himself an efficient and popular officer. Since that time no change has been made in the officers of the association. At the present time the following are the names of the Trustees and Officers: Trustees, Hiram Tubbs, A. K. P. Harmon, A. Chabot, Geo. E. Grant, Peter Thomson, R. W. Kirkham, Walter Van Dyke, J. S. Emery, E. S. Davis, J. W. Carrick, C. W. Kellogg, and W. C. Mason. The officers are: R. W. Kirkham, President; A. K. P. Harmon, Vice-President; David E Collins, Secretary; W. C. Mason, Treasurer; Geo. L. Nusbaumer, Engineer; Messrs. Tubbs, Harmon, and Thomson, Finance Committee; Messrs. Harmon, Chabot, and Tubbs, Executive Committee; William Collins, Superintendent.

Mountain View Cemetery is about two miles from Oakland, and its approach is the finest drive in Alameda County.

763

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP-CITY OF OAKLAND.

THE OAKLAND BANK OF SAVINGS .- This bank was organized August 13, 1867, with the following directors, A. C. Henry, Edward Hall, Samuel Merritt, P. S. Wilcox, W. W. Crane, Jr., with a capital stock of $150,000, which on March 30, 1869, was increased to $300,000, and by further action of the stockholders, May 9, 1871, was increased to $1,000,000, divided into ten thousand shares of one hundred dollars each. The subscribed capital stock paid up in United States gold coin is $475,000, with a reserve fund of $28,500. The bank is situated at the corner of Twelfth Street and Broadway, and was built in 1876. The officers at present are: Directors, Francis Blake, W. E. Miller, Samuel Merritt, Henry Rogers, A. W. Bowman, W. A. Aldrich, J. E. McElrath, R. E. Cole, E. C. Sessions; Finance Committee, E. C. Sessions, A. W. Bowman, W. E. Miller; President, E. C. Sessions; Cashier, W. W. Garthwaite. The bank draws direct on London, Dublin, Paris, and Berlin; the San Francisco cor- respondents being, the Anglo-Californian Bank (limited), and the Bank of California. New York correspondents, the Ninth National Bank, New York, and Messrs. Laidlaw & Co.

THE UNION SAVINGS BANK OF OAKLAND .- This bank commenced business in July 1869, near the corner of Broadway and Eighth Streets, the President being A. C. Henry, and the Cashier, H. A. Palmer. The capital stock was originally $150,000, which, in a few years, was increased to $450,000. In 1871 the present building at the corner of Ninth Street and Broadway was constructed, whither they moved on the Ist of May of that year. In 1875 the bank was reorganized under the Civil Code, when it separated its commercial from its saving business, and transferred the former to the Union National Gold Bank, with the same management, saving the election of Hon. J. West Martin as President in the place of A. C. Henry. The status of the bank on December 31, 1882, was most satisfactory. The present capital, fully paid, is $200,000, with a reserve fund of $100,000. The officers of the bank are: J. West Martin, R. W. Kirkham, A. C. Henry, Hiram Tubbs, John C. Hays, D. Henshaw Ward, R. S. Far- relly, H. A. Palmer, Socrates Huff, W. W. Crane, Jr., Samuel Woods; President, J. West Martin; Vice-President and Treasurer, H. A. Palmer. The bank does a purely "savings" business, investing its funds in mortgages, etc.

UNION NATIONAL BANK .- This institution was organized July 1, 1875, under the National Banking Act of the United States, and succeeded to the commercial business of the Union Savings Bank. The following were the first officers: A. C. Henry, President; H. A. Palmer, Cashier; A. C. Henry, J. West Martin, R. W. Kirk- ham, D. Henshaw Ward, H. A. Palmer, Directors; the capital being $100,000. The bank remained under this management until October 1, 1881, when Mr. Henry was succeeded on his resignation by H. A. Palmer, who was elected to the Presidency, and Charles E. Palmer, Cashier. On March 8, 1881, the institution was changed under the Act of Congress to the Union National Bank, the style it at present bears, while it transacts its business in the same building as does the Union Savings Bank, the organization of officers being identical with it save as regards the President and Cashier.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OAKLAND .- This bank was originally organized as

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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

the First National Gold Bank in May, 1875, with the following officers: B. F. Ferris, President; E. Case, Vice-President; G. M. Fisher, Cashier; B. F. Ferris, E. Case, F. Delger, C. H. Twombly, W. Newcomb, A. Eberhardt, P. C. Huntley, V. D. Moody, J. E. Ruggles, G. M. Fisher, S. N. Putnam, Directors. In 1876 V. D. Moody was elected to the presidency under whom, and with the same name it was conducted. In 1878 Mr. Twombly was elected Cashier. On March 8, 1880, the institution was reorganized under the style of the First National Bank of Oakland, with the same management, and in February, 1883, moved to No. 1002 Broadway. where they are now located. The present officers are: V. D. Moody, President; B F. Mann, Vice-President; C. H. Twombly, Cashier; A. D. Thompson, Assistant Cashier; A. Chabot, L. C. Morehouse, J. E. Ruggles, B. F. Mann, C. H. Twombly, A. J. Snyder, F. K. Shattuck, W. P. Jones, V. D. Moody, Directors. Financially the bank has been a success. For the first twelve months of its operations it paid one per cent, per month, since which time it has been paying three-quarters per cent. per month, and having a surplus fund of $50,000.

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History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 107

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : M.W. Wood Number of Pages: 1206

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : M.W. Wood
Number of Pages: 1206