History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 112

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 112

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necessary home accessories. In 1879 a central refectory was erected as part of the plan that looked to devoting separate buildings to separate purposes; cost, $35,000. A boiler-house and a residence for the Principal were also erected ; costs, $4,000 and $5,000 respectively. In 1881 another "Home" was built; cos:, $51,500. Lastly, an educational building was ready for occupation in the fall of 1882. The appropriation asked for was $73,000, and the plans were for a proportionally extensive building. But it was cut down to $40,000, and the building was reduced to its present dimen- sions. It is one-storied and contains ten class-rooms, library, office, chapel, hat-rooins, and all modern improvements. The building material is brick, upon granite founda- tions, with slate for the roof, and artificial stone flooring for the basement. The out- ward architectural aspect is very plain, though not harassing to the eye, when it collects in a single view the whole group, and recognizes a degree of harmony existing between the design and appearance of the buildings and the brown hills against which the houses rest as against a background. Ground improvements are late in coming, as no money is at hand. The interior of the houses make up for the sacrifice of the outward appearance, as large airy rooms and bright, white cedar wood-work, contribute to a home-like cheerfulness, a feature that has been secured as one of the many parts of the segregate system, namely: the idcalization of home-life as against the rigid discipline of barrack-life in the congregate institution. All that was expected of the system has been realized. Morals are improved many per cent., and sickness is so reduced to a minimum that the salary of a doctor is beginning to be a burden. The yearly expenses of the institution are $40,000, ot which $17,500 go to salaries and wages. The total cost of the buildings thus far has been about $260,000. The property, with the land at market rates, and all its improvements these many years, represents, along with the buildings valued as above, about $350,000 to the State's credit. At the time of the present writing one hundred and fifty pupils are being educated. Ten teachers are employed, namely: George B. Goodall, who, in addition to being the head teacher of the deaf-mute department, has charge of the blind's musical training; Charles Wilkinson; Henry Frank (a pioneer teacher and deaf mute, having been connected with the institution seventeen years); Douglas Tilden; Mrs. George B. Goodall; Miss Annie Carter; Miss M. A. Dutch; Miss Anna B. Garrett; Miss Annie Warren, and Miss Kate Crandall. Articulation has been lately introduced as a part of the deaf mutes' education. The institution is, as it has been for eighteen years past, under the management of Warring Wilk- inson, of whose zeal enough cannot be said by way of praise. His perfect familiarity with the mysteries of deaf-mute education has produced extraordinary results in the intellectual department of the school, and his enthusiasm has brought the institution out of a small beginning to be one of the best equipped schools throughout the country devoted to like purpose. The institution is fortunate in belonging to this county. Alameda County is the intellectual center of the State. It has also been enabled, by her geographical situation, to give to the institution a home which can ask for nothing better in the way of healthfulness of climate and fineness of sitc. The school is directly in front of the Golden Gate. A telescope in a front window levels across Alcatraz Island and notes the mast or chimney of an incoming vessel, and far beyond, on a fine day, may be seen the Farallone Islands, forty miles distant

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The view sweeps uninterrupted around the whole basin of the bay, from the Santa Cruz mountains to the Sonoma hills. The city of San Francisco is in full view, and the lights of the streets at night look like stars strung for the play of mortals, and the fires of Mount Tamalpais, seen from here, make strange colors with the sunset clouds, which veil the top. At our feet lies Berkeley, sloping gently down to the bay. Oakland is four miles to the southward-a great park of oak-trees. The institution has always been most fortunate in its management. Its Directors have been men of acknowledged integrity and administrative ability. Among them may be mentioned Ira P. Rankin, Dr. J. P. Whitney, Wm. Sherman, B. H. Randolph, Rev. J. A. Benton, J. Mora Moss, Col. J. C. Hays, Capt. Chas. J. Brenham, Dr. J. E. Nicholson, J. L. Barker, E. J. Crane, D. D. Shattuck, Dr. L. Hamilton, Gov. H. H. Haight, Thomas Yolland, John Garber, and Gen. J. F. Houghton. The present Board consists of Hon .. John A. Stanly, President; A. K. P. Harmon, Vice-President; Isaac Wormser, Auditor; George D. Dornin, and Dr E. H. Woolsey. The Secretary and Treasurer is H. A. Palmer. The Directors serve without pay, and the prosperity and good name of the institution is largely due to the unselfish zeal which has characterized their administration. While the institution has been called upon to mourn the loss of several Directors, it particularly laments the death of J. Mora Moss, a well- known citizen of this county, who filled the Presidency of the Board for ten years, and departing this life in November, 1880, is still remembered for his gentleness and his integrity in the discharge of his trust.

THE BERKELEY GYMNASIUM .- Next to the University in the educational scheme of the town, and preparatory thereto, is the Berkeley Gymnasium. It is related to the higher institution as the German gymnasia are related to the German universities. It is in full accord with the Faculty, one of whom makes the annual address to the graduating class, and most of whom deliver occasional lectures in a course that forms. part of the stated curriculum of study. Its patronage is drawn from the best social element of the Pacific Coast. Its teachers are selected not only with reference to their scholarly ability, but their fitness by temperament for their arduous and important profession. The course of study includes the ordinary English branches, the higher mathematics as far as geometry, Latin, Greek, and the modern languages. The school buildings are near to the University grounds, are spacious, conveniently arranged, and surrounded by evergreens. They include everything necessary to the' comfort and culture of the pupil-large study-rooms, necessary scientific apparatus, airy dormitories, and a generous cuisine, the last feature being considered absolutely essential to the well-being of studious and growing youth. Observance of the funda- mental principles of the Christian religion is insisted on, but denominational inter- ference is not tolerated. Students can attend, with a monitor, any particular church in Berkeley or Oakland designated by parental authority. The scope of religious instruction contemplates inculcation of the idea of a Supreme Being, Creator of the Universe, the First Cause and Ultimate of things. That which relates to special dogma is left to the church, the theological school, and to domestic training. If by this means the student becomes inspired with reverence for God, respect for religious observances, consideration for well-established human institutions, and a zeal for

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critical investigation, work in this direction is considered finished. The use of tobacco is considered, as are all forms of intemperance, destructive to both brain and body, and pupils are so instructed. Students found guilty of bringing intoxicating liquors upon the school grounds, or of visiting drinking-saloons, are expelled. As in the University, discipline is based on manly qualities. When a boy forgets that he is a gentleman, and fails utterly in his duties to his parents, his teachers, and himself, his connection with the institution is severed. The corps of teachers may be con- sidered as permanently connected with the school, their work having been so harmo- nious that no changes have occurred in four years. The theory of instruction is embodied in the word "self-help." Here, also, the guiding principle of the University is followed. Knowledge is not only imparted to the pupil, but every effort is made to enable him to assimilate it as part of his mental constitution, that it may be of practical benefit to him afterward. This analysis of the Berkeley Gymnasium shows how it fits into the system of complete instruction which the town affords. The benefit of such an institution so closely related to the University is apparent. Its teachers know the exact standard required for admission to the Freshman Class; hence no pupil is submitted for examination until he is thoroughly prepared. If students come from a distance, having made imperfect preparation, they can be received here until they have supplied every deficiency, and are ready for the higher education which the University so generously furnishes. The advantages of such a school to citizens of Berkeley, who desire to have their children with them through all the period of study, are great. The Berkeley Gymnasium has already the largest and best patronage of all the private schools on the coast. It is now extending its name to Mexico, Central America, the Sandwich Islands, Oregon, Nevada, and the East. Its management expect to make it in the near future one of the leading pre- paratory schools of America. The Principal is George Bates, M. A., Cambridge University, England, with a highly accomplished corps of instructors in every branch of literature.

THE HARMON SEMINARY .- This institution for the education of young ladies was opened August 3, 1882, under the charge of Rev. S. S. Harmon and Mrs. F. W. Harmon, as associate principals, with a corps of seven competent instructors, instruc- tion being imparted in every useful information and mental culture. Here ladies are given a special course of instruction arranged with a view to a thorough preparation for the entrance examinations of the State University.

ST. JOSEPH'S PRESENTATION CONVENT .- This institution is located in the heart of the beautiful suburb of Oakland, Berkeley, and was founded by Reverend Mother Mary Teresa Comerford, of the Order of Presentation, in 1878. The foundress of this Convent was a remarkable and noble woman, and a few of the salient points of her life's work will be perused with interest by all the readers of this volume. The Order of Presentation Nuns was established by Miss Nano Nagle, who was born in Ireland, in 1728. The order flourishes in that country to this day, the chief characteristic of it being that its members observe cloister, and devote their lives to the education of children "without money and without price," trusting in God for all their temporal

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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

needs; and certainly if we are to judge from the great amount of work accomplished by Sister Mary Teresa, that source of help can be relied upon in time of need. She came of a highly respectable family, and was born February 19, 1821, and was given the name of Bridget at her christening. Early in life she was admitted to the Pre- & sentation Convent at Kilkenny, as a postulant, and on the 18th of January, 1842, she received the holy habit of a Presentation Nun, as a novitiate. The final vows were # taken January 17, 1844. Ten years later, in 1854, she determined to come to. San Francisco, and assist in the establishment of a convent of her order, and on the first of December of that year a school was opened temporarily in a small building on Green Street, with an attendance of two hundred. August 10th of the following year the foundation of a convent was laid, the first of the order in the United States, as well as on the Pacific Coast. While this was building the Sisters who had come to California with Sister Mary Teresa, with one exception-Sister Mary Xavier Daley, determined to return to Ireland; and upon their departure Sister Mary Teresa was duly installed Superioress. The appointment was made November 8, 1855. The new building was taken possession of December 3, 1855, and the schools were opened in January, 1856. The attendance was very large, and the Mother Superior was urged to accept pay for the tuition of the pupils; but, keeping the principles of her order fixedly in view, she refused to do so. This institution is well known as the . Powell-street Convent. On the 26th of September, 1868, the corner-stone of a new convent was laid, on Taylor Street, San Francisco, which was built from plans designed by Mother Mary Teresa, and under her personal direction; and in May, 1869, eight Sisters, chosen from the Powell-street Convent, together with Mother Mary Teresa, took possession of the new building. The popularity of these schools is attested in the fact that by the 2d of June following the pupils had become so numerous that it was found necessary to convert the chapel into a school-room, and the refectory was used as an infant school, and each teacher was obliged to take charge of nearly one

hundred scholars. We now come to the last work of her life in California --- the estab- lishment of the Convent of St. Joseph, at Berkeley. From a small volume entitled, "Memoir of Reverend Mother Mary Teresa Comerford," we make the following extract: "Being as desirous as ever to extend her Institute, she was eager to found a convent in the suburbs. Various locations were proposed. She decided, however, on P.Berkeley; Mr. Curtis and Mr. James Magee immediately offered lots for the building. As the property of the latter gentleman was larger, and in a good locality, his ground was accepted. In the beginning of the year 1877, Mother Mary Teresa visited Berkeley, and made preliminary arrangements for the erection of the convent. On Ithe 27th of May his Grace, Archbishop Alemany, accompanied by many clergymen, pproceeded to Berkeley to lay the corner-stone. The people's appreciation of the a advantages to be derived from the gratuitous education of girls by the Presentation NNuns, was fully testified on the occasion. Hundreds crossed the bay to witness the

cceremony. At fifty minutes past four o'clock on this beautiful May evening the c congregation assembled on the open plain in center Berkeley. Beside the venerable -Archbishop might be seen a youth who had scarcely reached his teens. He wore a n mason's apron of no coarser texture than white satin, beautifully ornamented with the vaquerelle painting of the nuns. In his hand he held a silver trowel, with which he

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aided the Archbishop in the laying of the corner-stone. This young gentleman was Joseph Donohoe. The ceremony having terminated, Rev. Brother Justin, President of St. Mary's College, San Francisco, delivered an eloquent address. The crowd dis- persed as the orb of day was gathering his crimson rays into the placid waters of the Golden Gate." The 27th of May, 1878, was chosen as the time for taking possession of the new building, and six Sisters were selected to accompany Mother Mary Teresa to her new home. On the 30th of May the dedication services were held, which were largely attended, and were conducted by Rev. Father King, of Oakland, assisted by Rev. Fathers Prendergast, V. G .; Gualco, McNally, and Serda. Father Prendergast preached the dedicatory sermon. After the sermon and vespers, the priestly proces- sion was formed, and the building apartments, site, and grounds were blessed. The beginning of the school was small, owing to the residents of Berkeley being so scat- tered, the number of pupils being only about sixty the first day, but the school has gradually increased in size, the present attendance .being ninety. The size of the building is sixty by seventy feet, and two stories high. The cost of erection was thir- teen thousand dollars. There is one school-room which is divided by rolling-doors. There are also four music-rooms, refectory, chapel, spacious corridors and bath-floors, and dormitories .. In 1880 there was erected a building on the grounds, twenty-eight by thirty feet in size, which is used for small boys' school. All pupils are day scholars. The convent is at present under the charge of Mother Mary Josephine Hagarty, who succeeded Mother Mary Teresa in 1879. There are eight sisters engaged in teaching. A church will be erected on the convent grounds during the present year. There are now four novices and one postulant in the convent. From the fact that the Sisters of the Presentation Order do not accept tuition for the pupils attending their convents, it will doubtless be a question in many minds as to where the funds come from with which Mother Mary Teresa accomplished her wonderful work. The only answer to the question is that-

" God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform;"

And that as a true child of the Supreme Father, going, like the Apostles of old, with- out money and without scrip, she put her trust in God, and he failed her not, and friends were always raised up at the right time to meet her requirements, and an abundance of money was always forthcoming. This sketch would be incomplete without a mention of the closing of the beautiful life of the foundress. After getting the convent at Berkeley thoroughly established she paid her second visit to her native land in 1879, for the purpose of founding a general novitiate where young sisters might be trained to meet all the requirements of the United States Missions. After having accomplished her mission to Ireland she returned to California in May, 1881, and shortly after became seriously ill, and on the 2d of August she breathed her last without an effort, as the evening "Angelus" pealed from the convent belfry, and her bright, pure spirit sped away to its reward, so nobly and faithfully earned during her long novitiate of more than sixty years, and the sable garbs of a nun were changed for the immaculate marriage robes of God's saints.

WEST BERKELEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- The First Presbyterian Church of

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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

West Berkeley was organized March 18, 1877, by Rev. James Currie. He began operations in this field in 1875, preaching his first sermon January 3d of that year. He organized a Sunday-school, and preached occasionally till July 23, 1876, he being a student during that time. At the last-named date he began preaching regularly in the school-house. The following-named persons united in the organization of the church: Capt. James S. Higgins, Mrs. A. E Bunce, Mrs. Ann Bowen, Mrs. John Boyd, Miss Josephine Snow, Miss Alice M. Bunce. Rev. David McClure assisted in effect- ing the organization of the church. Rev. Mr. Currie has remained in charge as pastor from the organization of the church to the present time. Capt. J. S. Higgins has been elder since its organization, The church building was erected in 1879, and was dedicated October 26th of that year. It is thirty-two by fifty-seven feet in size, with a spire seventy feet high. The seating capacity of the church is about two hundred. The building cost $2,800, and the lot is valued at $1,000. The present membership is fifteen, and the field is being worked industriously by the pastor. The Sunday- school is in a flourishing condition, and numbers about sixty at the present time.

WEST BERKELEY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- From the earliest settle- ment of this part of the State Methodist ministers have pushed out into the sparsely settled sections and conducted divine service in school houses, halls, or wherever else they could find room. It is not known just when they began preaching in the vicinity of Berkeley, but certainly at a very early date. There were, however, no steps taken towards effecting a church organization by this denomination till 1878, when Rev. George Newton was appointed by the California Conference to occupy the field and organize a church. The first step taken in the matter was the forming of a class at West Berkeley, with C. H. Mason, Leader. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Newton, services were held in a hall. In September, 1879, Rev. William Herbert succeeded Rev. Mr. Newton, and remained in charge till September, 1880, when the present pas- tor, Rev. G. D. Pinneo, entered the field. Shortly after Rev. Mr. Pinneo became pas- tor arrangements were effected by which the Methodist services were held in the Presbyterian church during the morning hour, all other services being Union. In July, 1881, a building was purchased and moved upon a lot belonging to the church. It was used for school purposes until February, 1883, services being held, as noted above, in the Presbyterian church up to that time. On the first Sunday in February, 1883, they occupied the building for church purposes, and also organized a Sunday- school. The church organization was effected September. 14, 1882, by Rev. T. H. Sinex, Presiding Elder, and Rev. G. D. Pinneo, Pastor in charge; with C. H. Mason, Class Leader; and J. O. Byxbee, John Squires, C. H. Mason, J. Underwood, F. Wilkes, and William Boddy, Stewards. The present membership is nineteen, and the work is in a good condition. The Sunday-school is flourishing also.

BERKELEY LODGE, No. 270, I. O. O. F .- Was organized February 20, 1878, with the following charter members: T. B. Tarbett, J. Woolley, S. H. Anthony, Wm. Ellis, George S. Tallman, S. C. Clark, F. H. Payne, F. J. Ryus, I. A. Boynton, J. Funnell, G. D. Metcalf, J. Chappie, and T. M. Antisel. The first officers were: F. H. Payne, N. G .; S. C. Clark, V. G .; I. A. Boynton, Secretary; F. J. Ryus, Financial Sec-

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retary; J. Chappie, Treasurer. The Past Grands have been: F. H. Payne, S. C. Clark, I. A. Boynton, J. Ryus, J. Funnell, Thomas Hann, J. McClain, W. H. Chapman, A. H. Broad. The present officers are: A. H. Broad, N. G .; W. E. Zander, V. G .; H. M. Barry, Secretary; Thomas Hann, Financial Secretary; J. Chappie, Treasurer. The present membership is eighty-six, and the lodge is in a prosperous condition. It meets on Thursday evenings.

HEARTS OF OAK LODGE, NO. 61, A. O. U. W., WEST BERKELEY .- Was organized October 25, 1878, with the following charter members: F. E. Berge, G. A. Schuster, G. F. G. Larson, R. S. Nixon, J. C. Burghardt, E. F. Niehaus, C. Johnson, George Embury, P. R. Sisterna, A. Park, J. Chappie, T. Hann, R. Lloyd, C. Maloney, E. S. Tallman, C. F. Burns, W. H. Johnson, S. Austerhaut, A. Steinmetz, P. Sheridan, J. H. Ruarke, G. M. Eames, J. Copp, J. Ehrman, O. P. Oliver, S. A. Penwell, William Storm, T. J. Reilley, J. E. Wright, A. Arnold, Charles W. Tobey, M. Hendershot, D. W. Hewitt, E. M. Lawrence, G. Weidinger, A. Lucas, William J. Greer, C. Luth, L. Marks, E. Reagh, R. G. Houston, F. E. Corder, J. J. Bluett, B. E. Olsen, and M. M. Gilman. The first officers were: F. E. Berge, P. M. W .; G. A. Schuster, M. W .; G. F. G. Larson, O .; R. S. Nixon, Recorder; J. C. Burghardt, F .; E. F. Niehaus, Receiver; C. Johnson, Guide; G. Embury, I. W .; and P. R. Sisterna, O. W. The P. M. W., are F. E. Berge, G. A. Schuster, C. F. Burns, G. Larson, S. Austerhaut, and C. Hadlen. The present officers are: L. Shafer, M. W .; G. Larson, Foreman; H. Mitchell, O .; S. A. Penwell, Financier; S. Austerhaut, Recorder; and E. F. Niehaus, Receiver. The present membership is forty-six. The lodge is in a very prosperous and growing condition. Three of its members have died since its organization, viz., A. Park, J. C. Burghardt, and W. H. Johnson.

BERKELEY LODGE, NO. 10., A. O. U. W .- Was organized October 23, 1877, with the following charter members: C. F. Gompertz, J. F. Burdick, F. H. Payne, Thomas F. Graber, W. P. Durfee, P. R. Boone, Allen Shorkley, Lorenzo Davis, Jr., J. F. Burris, and these officers: C. F. Gompertz, P. M. W .; J. F. Burris, M. W .; L. Davis, Jr., F .; W. P. Durfee, O .; F. H. Payne, Recorder; P. R. Boone, Financier; A. N. Buchanan. G .; J. F. Burdick, I. W .; A. Shorkley, O. W. The Past Masters serving this lodge have been, John F. Burdick, Thomas F. Graber, W. P. Durfee, Philip R. Boone, C. F. Gom- pertz, Allen Shorkley, Frank H. Payne, John W. Bice, C. H. Siliman, R. G. Houston. The present officers are: Fred. E. Berge, P. M. W .; Samuel C. Clark, M. W .; Nathan C. Carnall, F .; Welles Whitmore, O .; T. F. Graber, Recorder; F. H. Payne, Receiver; W. H. Chapman, Financier; James Graham, G .; J. D. Stewart, O. W .; J. E. Masson, I. W.

UNIVERSITY LODGE, NO. 88, A. O. U. W., BERKELEY .- Was organized March 20, 1879, with the following charter members: Thomas Hann, P. Sheridan, W. P. Oliver, B. T. Conger, G. A. Embury, H. L. Whitney, H. A. Palmer, I. A. Boynton, George Tallman, J. Chappie, Clinton Day, S. Wilson. The first officers were: Thomas Hann, M. W .; C. Usinger, Secretary; C. O. Lord, Treasurer. The Past Master Work- men of this lodge have been H. A. Palmer, Thomas Hann, P. Sheridan, H. Ayers, B. T. Conger, H. L. Whitney, G. A. Embury, J. Squires. The present officers are J. Squires, P. M. W .; S. V. Nichols, M. W .; A. L. W. Kschieschang, Foreman; F. W.

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History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 112

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