USA > California > Contra Costa County > History of Contra Costa County, California; with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 101
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was a director in the Contra Costa County Bank from January, 1905 until 1923; then a member of the advisory board of the Mercantile Trust Company from January, 1924 to January, 1925. Mr. Todaro is in every way the ideal banker, he has a wonderful personality, is a man of fine appearance with high ideals, and believes in the square deal in every business transaction. By following these lines in his business career he has won a large circle of close friends who hold him in the highest es- teem. Mr. Todaro has made two trips back to Italy, one in 1923, when he took his two children with him, and the last one in 1926.
Guido Todaro was united in marriage in August, 1904, in San Jose, with Rose Williams, daughter of J. Williams. She passed away on November 11, 1922, leaving two children: Guido A., attending St. Mary's College in Oakland; and Mary K., attending Dominican College in San Rafael. Mr. Todaro holds membership in the Elks, Knights of Pythias and the Eagles. He attends the Catholic Church. Politically he is an admirer of Theodore Roosevelt's principles and is a strong progressive. Mr. Todaro is recognized by the banking fraternity of Central and Northern California as being a man of fine business acumen, and a leader in banking and financial circles who has a firm grasp of the financial problems confronting the successful banker of today.
WILLIAM ARTHUR ROWELL, M. D .- Only a few persons appreciate the patience, the self-denying application, the weight of care and anxiety and the enormous responsibility which attend the life of the conscientious physician. William Arthur Rowell was born on August 8, 1868, at San Francisco, Cal., a son of Rev. Joseph and Hannah (Cum- mings ) Rowell, natives of New Hampshire and Maine, respectively. Reverend Rowell established the Mariners Church in San Francisco and maintained it until it was destroyed by the earthquake and fire of 1906. He was well-liked and favorably known in the Bay City. There were five children in this family: William A., of this review; Joseph C., who served as librarian at the University of California for many years and is now librarian emeritus of same; Edward F., who lives at Avon and is engaged in mining enterprises; and Mrs. Bertha L. Findlay, of Palo Alto; and Mrs. Grace W. Haynes, now deceased.
William A. Rowell received his elementary education in the public schools in San Francisco, after which he entered Cooper Medical College, now affiliated with Stanford University, from which he was graduated in 1891 with the degree of M. D. He served as intern in the hospitals in San Francisco, then became surgeon for the contractor's crew on the construction of the Southern Pacific for a brief period. He then went to Africa and traveled in central and southern parts, spending about seven years in that country as a frontiersman, studying and doing re- search work. While there he visited many places where white man had never set foot. His specialty was the study of tropical diseases and his headquarters were at Fort Jamison. After his return from Africa Dr.
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Rowell spent four years in Mexico. His first practice in California was in Santa Barbara, where he hung out his shingle only a short time, when he once more returned to Africa and remained five years. While there this time he engaged in ranching with a partner, upon whose sudden death by attack of a wild elephant the doctor's plans were suddenly changed and he returned to America and practiced for a short period in Trinity County. The World War broke out and he tendered his services to the government, was commissioned Captain and connected with the Post Hospital at the Presidio in San Francisco, serving until the war was over. He is now ranking as Captain in the Officers Reserve Corps. The war over Dr. Rowell spent two years in South America as surgeon for a mining company. He came to Crockett in 1923 and by strenuous pro- fessional activity has succeeded in building up a lucrative practice, which is steadily growing as he enjoys the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends in this section of Contra Costa County.
On December 25, 1900, at Santa Barbara, Dr. Rowell was united in marriage with Miss Kate Campbell Higgins, of that city, and a woman of culture and refinement. Through all of his vicissitudes of fortune his wife has been his constant and cheerful companion. They celebrated their silver wedding in proper style on December 25, 1925. In politics the doctor is a Republican, though he takes very little active interest in political affairs. Fraternally, he is a Mason and an Elk, and he belongs to the American Legion Post at Crockett.
MANUEL R. SERPA .- A member of the painting firm of Serpa and Gistelli of Crockett, Manuel R. Serpa has established himself firmly in the business circles of this part of Contra Costa County. He is a native of the Azores Islands, where he was born on December 25, 1885. In 1904 he came to America and went to Glouster, Mass., where he had a sister living, and after making her a visit, continued his travels to the Pacific Coast, arriving in April, that year. He located in Kings County, going thence to Turlock, Stanislaus County, where he was engaged in ranching and in painting. In fact he has alternated painting with ranch- ing several times, but is now engaged in contract painting. In the latter part of 1915 he came to Crockett and followed his trade, then spent two years in San Francisco, but returned to Crockett. In 1919 he entered the employ of the C. & H. Sugar Refinery. He is a member of the I. D. E. S. and the U. P. E. C. and the Druids.
On February 23, 1914, at Turlock, he married Miss Mary Avellar, born in Martinez. Her father, John J. Avellar, was born in the Azores on April 7, 1870, remained there until 1891, when he came to Lafayette, Cal. His father had died when John J. was about four years old. He remained at Lafayette for nine years, during which time he married, on October 14, 1896, Miss Mary Gloria Machado, of San Pablo. From Lafayette the Avellars farmed in Briones Valley, then went to Elmhurst, and next came to Tormey for eight years, and in 1905 settled in Valona. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Avellar: Mrs. Mary
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Serpa ; Mrs. Clara Serpa; and Elsie, still at home. Mr. Avellar belongs to the I. D. E. S. and to the U.P. E. C. lodges. He has made an unusual record as an employee of the Selby Smelter and enjoys the confidence of his superiors. It was called the American Smelting and Refining Com- pany when he first located in Valona. He is employed in the silver room, a position of trust and honor he has held for twenty-eight years. The family are members of the Catholic Church.
GAYLORD ROSERN DUNN .- A highly respected citizen of Contra Costa County, and one who has watched with great interest the development of parks, playgrounds, clubhouses, street improvements and all other modern conveniences for the comfort of the citizens of Crockett, is Gaylord R. Dunn, who was born in New York on December 22, 1855, a son of Hiram G. and Mehitable (Hollister) Dunn. The father died when Gaylord was nine years old. The lad attended the public schools in his home section and afterwards learned telegraphy. His first position was as operator with the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, with whom he remained five years. He then went to Chicago and was in the employ of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway seven years on various parts of their system. In 1878 Mr. Dunn came to San Francisco and was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad as station agent and telegraph operator on their system, remaining in the employ of that com- pany twenty-six years. He was sent to Crockett in 1905 and was station agent and operator until 1913, when he quit railroad work and entered the sugar refinery as an employee. His first work there was as a mingler operator, but since that time he has worked at various tasks and in various positions.
Mr. Dunn was united in marriage on April 29, 1879, with Miss Neil Lakey, a native of New York State; and they have one daughter and one son. The daughter, Mrs. F. R. George, of Oakland, is the mother of two children : Roberta Jane, aged five, and one child who died in infancy. Mr. George is an engineer in the employ of the P. G. & E. in San Francisco. The son, F. Ross Dunn, died in 1918 in the flu epidemic, at the age of thirty-four. He was in the last draft, had duly qualified, and was ready to enter the service when the armistice was signed. He mar- ried Miss Georgia Stipes, of Snelling, Merced County, Cal. At the time of his decease he was foreman in the California Warehouse Company's warehouse at Crockett. He left three children, all daughters; viz .: Dorothy, Kathleen, and Bernardine.
Mrs. G. R. Dunn is a Past President of the Carquinez Woman's Club, having served two years; she is now vice-president. The club has seventy-six members, all wide-awake to the topics of the day, and belongs to the County, State and Interstate Federation of Women's Clubs. It is a part of the Alameda District. Mrs. Dunn is also a member of the Eastern Star, and of the Neighbors of Woodcraft. She just completed her twentieth year as clerk of this organization and was presented an
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appropriate gift of appreciation by the members for her efficient service. The local organization is called the Alhambra Circle, Neighbors of Woodcraft, and was instituted in 1899 with thirteen members, mostly residents on Alhambra Street; hence the name. Mrs. Dunn is also a member of the Druids, in which order she is a Past Arch Druidess, and is Past Pocahontas and now Keeper of Records. She belongs to the church missionary and aid societies. She has been chosen to represent various orders to which she belongs, at their Grand Conventions, and has acquitted herself with due regard for the best interests of all concerned. Mrs. Dunn, when president of the Woman's Club, arranged with a num- ber of prominent speakers to speak at Crockett, among them Grace Pal- mer Craig, whom she entertained in the name of the C. & H. Company. This club offers prizes to the high school students for the best essay each year. Mrs. Dunn is descended from Revolutionary stock. Her great- grandfather was Col. Joshua Reynolds; and she is a cousin to Fanny Crosby. It will be seen that the activities of both Mr. and Mrs. Dunn in the interests of the community in which they are leaders have been many and varied, all for the public good.
Mr. Dunn is a member of the Masons and a Past Patron of the Eastern Star; and he belongs to the Ancient Order of Foresters. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn own their own home and take an active interest in all civic movements in Crockett. They were reared in the Episcopal Church, but as there is no church of that denomination in Crockett they attend the Community Church, in which Mrs. Dunn is a teacher in the Sunday School.
MRS. NETTIE GRISHAM AND MRS. MILDRED JOSE- PHINE WHITCRAFT .- A native daughter of Contra Costa County, Mrs. Mildred Josephine Whitcraft held the position of postmaster at Rodeo from 1925 until her removal to Berkeley, where she now resides. She is the daughter of Mrs. Nettie Grisham, of Rodeo, and was born at Anaheim, Orange County, and there received her early schooling; later she entered the Richmond Union High School and was graduated with the Class of 1919. On March 9, 1925, she was appointed postmaster at Rodeo by President Coolidge, and she filled that office with satisfaction to her many friends until she resigned to make her home in Berkeley. Prior to accepting the postmastership of Rodeo she was connected with the United States Veteran's Bureau in San Francisco. She is a member of the Rodeo Rebekah Lodge and has a host of friends in Rodeo.
Mrs. Nettie Grisham was born in Missouri, and there she was reared until she was seventeen years old and then came to California. She was married at Pinole to John Grisham, now an employee of the Hercules Powder Works. This marriage resulted in the birth of three children: Mildred Josephine, who married George G. Whitcraft at Oakland on May 10, 1924; Roland Robert, who is in the John Sweet Union High School; and John Ward, now in the employ of the Union Oil Company at Oleum. Mrs. Grisham makes her home at Rodeo. She is a Past
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Noble Grand of the Rebekah lodge at Rodeo and takes an active interest in the advancement of this section of the county. Both Mrs. Grisham and Mrs. Whitcraft are to be commended for their hospitable natures and their home has always been the center of a wide circle of friends.
CAPT. CHARLES N. NELSON .- A master mariner who has an enviable record in the merchant marine, as well as in the Government employ during the World War when he was enrolled as a volunteer and made master of a vessel, is Capt. Charles N. Nelson, a native of Bergen, Norway, born on June 27, 1864. His father was a successful business man, owning a large brewery in Bergen, and it was in that seaport town, with its beautiful fjord, that Charles N. was reared. He received a good education in the public schools of his native city, which is well-known as one of the large seaports on the west coast of Norway. As was the cus- tom among the young men there, he went to sea soon after his con- firmation in the Lutheran Church. Thus, at the age of fifteen, he was an apprentice on a barque and made a trip to the Mediterranean, and on his return, one to the Baltic Sea, ten months in all. Following these journeys, he sailed to New York City, and for a while worked on shore there. But the sea called him, and in 1883 he came to San Francisco via Cape Horn and followed the coasting trade. Attending a navigation school in that city, in due time he graduated and became second mate and later mate, and in 1891 captain with the Alaska Packers' Association. He continued as captain with various companies until he contracted with the California Sea Products Company, of San Francisco, and in 1922 went on a whaling voyage for them. Captain Nelson has been unusually successful as a navigator and very fortunate in his voyages, never losing a vessel. During the World War he volunteered his services with the United States Shipping Board as master, and served two years as captain on three different ships, the Mojave, Forsill and Olan, making trips across the Atlantic from New York and Newport, Mass., to France, England and Germany.
After making his residence for eleven years in San Francisco, and then for seven years in Fruitvale, in 1913 Captain Nelson came to Contra Costa County and built a comfortable home in Walnut Creek. His marriage, which occurred in 1886, in San Francisco, united him with Miss Bertha Geisler, who was born in Casper, Mendocino County. She was a woman of more than ordinary attainments and character, much endeared to her family and many friends. Captain Nelson was bereaved of his faithful wife in March, 1924. She left him two children: Ruth, who married Charles Miller, of Walnut Creek, and Beatrice, wife of George Edgar, of Walnut Creek. Having been reared in the Lutheran faith, Captain Nelson adheres to that church as a firm believer. He is a member of the Ship Masters' Association of the Pacific Coast, and of the San Francisco Tent, Independent Order of Red Men. In politics he is a Republican.
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HON. ALBERT A. QUILL .- A native son of Crockett, where he was born on August 9, 1895, Albert A. Quill is a son of Dennis and Mary (Creedon) Quill, both natives of Ireland, who came to America in early life and in this country began making a name for themselves. They are both still living, though not enjoying good health. Albert A. attended the local public schools and after his graduation from the high school in Crockett entered the University of California and in due time was graduated with the degree of B. A. During his university course Mr. Quill specialized in law and was admitted to practice at the bar in California on March 7, 1922. He immediately came to his home town and opened an office and ever since then has been meeting with deserved success. His growing clientele is drawn from Crockett and Valona and he numbers among his clients the leading people of those two towns and the surrounding country. He is active in all affairs that have to do with the upbuilding of the county, is popular in business circles and belongs to the Vallejo lodge of Elks. He is active in Republican political circles and has before him the promise of a brilliant future.
EDWARD N. WUELZER .- Ever since he was eighteen months of age Edward N. Wuelzer, familiarly called Ed. Wuelzer, has lived in California. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 20, 1885, a son of John W. and Catherine (Burkhardt) Wuelzer, both born in America of German parents. The father was a cigar-maker by trade and for twenty-five years served as secretary and treasurer of the Cigar Makers' Union. He died on October 31, 1895. There were seven chil- dren in the family, viz .: Mrs. Lillian Anderson, of Berkeley; Edward N., of this review; Benjamin H., a machinist in the employ of the Atlas Gas Engine Company; William J., employed by the Southern Pacific and a resident of El Cerrito; Frederick, also an employee of the Southern Pacific and a resident of Berkeley; Kathryn, wife of John Phillips, of San Francisco; and John, employed by the Virden Packing Company of Oak- land. After the death of the father, the mother married Frank Mc- Dermott, ex-mayor of El Cerrito; and they have a daughter, Mrs. Fran- ces Buckley. The family live on Liberty Street, El Cerrito.
The Wuelzer family first settled in San Francisco, and then moved to Oakland and remained there until 1911. Edward N. attended the Oak- land grammar schools until he was fourteen, and then entered the em- ploy of Taft & Pennoyer in Oakland as errand boy. He continued study- ing by himself during his employment, and has become a well-read man. For six years he remained with Taft & Pennoyer, becoming a valued em- ployee of that firm. He then entered the office of the Southern Pacific Railway Company as assistant ticket agent and baggage master at their depot at First and Broadway, in Oakland, remaining there from April, 1905, until August, 1908. After this he entered the employ of the Home Telephone Company and installed all the underground cables in Oakland and San Francisco. In the spring of 1910 he began work with the North- ern Commercial Company in Alaska. He saw a great deal of that
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country during the summer months and worked as far north as the Klon- dike. The winters were spent about the bay section. In 1915 he en- tered the employ of the Giant Powder Works as a pipe-fitter helper, and then became night engineer in the power house. He came to El Cerrito in the fall of 1911 and made his home with his mother until he estab- lished his own home. For a time he was employed by the Western Pipe and Steel Company in Richmond as acetylene welder. Since October, 1918, he has been in the employ of the Standard Oil Company at their refinery in Richmond, where he has charge of all barrel repairing as acetylene welder in their shops. He has made good in whatever position he has filled, is a man of broad experience and wide travel, and has a host of warm friends in the bay district.
In 1916 Edward N. Wuelzer was united in marriage with Miss Em- ma Margaret Mossman, who was born in Equality, Ill., and who came to California in 1913. They purchased property on Blake Street, El Cerrito, remodeled the house into a comfortable residence, and now make their home there at No. 700 Blake Street. Mrs. Wuelzer has been forelady in the Pullman Shops for the past twelve years. Mr. Wuel- zer has always been interested in civic affairs, and in 1924 was elected a member and secretary of the Stege Sanitary District, serving with fidelity in this position. He serves on election boards and in many ways helps to promote the welfare of town and county. He is president of the El Cer- rito Athletic Club, which occupies a fine club house erected by G. Rossi on Potrero Avenue, and which bids fair to become the center of healthful sports for this district. Mr. Wuelzer registers as a Republican, but in local matters votes for the men he considers best suited for the office, regardless of party lines. He holds membership with Richmond Lodge No. 1251, B. P. O. E.
CRAIN P. SANTOS .- A successful driller of water wells in the Bay district is C. P. Santos, who was born in the Island of Hawaii on Novem- ber 1, 1885. He is one of nineteen children born to his parents. His father, Joseph Santos, was a sugar cane grower and was twice married.
C. P. Santos has been living in Richmond for the past fifteen years and has worked at well-drilling a great deal of the time, boring wells in various parts of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. Some good wells have been brought in under his direction. He has drilled to the depth of 515 feet while working for others. He has two drilling outfits and has been quite successful in his operations. Both himself and his partner are well-known throughout the Bay district. Prior to coming to Rich- mond Mr. Santos worked in the gold and silver mines in Nevada for five years, but for the past five years he has carried on business for him- self. Mr. Santos is able to speak Portuguese, Spanish and English, and this helps him greatly in his work. For pastime he enjoys fishing and camping ; getting next to nature has alway been his hobby.
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ANTONE SINCICH .- Self-made, in the best sense implied by the term, Antone Sincich, or Tony, as he is known by his friends, enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who have come to know him. Mr. Sincich located in Martinez in October, 1906, having come hither from his native country of Austria, and four years later he purchased his present business from his brother-in-law, Frank Robesa. His marble and granite works are located at 425 Main Street, his shop fronting on the street and his residence being in the rear. He is a master of his art, produces some exceptionally fine work, and has made a success of his trade as a stone and marble worker.
Antone Sincich's birth occurred at Istra, Austria, on April 26, 1879. He learned his trade from his father, John Sincich, a stone-cutter in his native town of Istra, and worked at stone cutting for fourteen years before he came to the United States. His destination was Martinez, Cal., where he has resided from that time to the present.
Mr. Sincich was married in Austria to Miss Francesca Robesa, also a native of that country, and to them have been born seven children, five now living: Dora, the wife of Mr. Davi, an expressman residing in Pittsburg, Cal .; and Tony, Otilia, Olga and Annie. Mr. and Mrs. Sincich are members of the Slavonian Lodge of Crockett, Cal., and he is also a member of a Slavonian Lodge in San Francisco. Mrs. Sincich belongs to the U. P. P. E. C. of Martinez. The family are members of the Catholic Church.
CHARLES HENRY SCHWAKE .- An experienced plumber in the Richmond district of Contra Costa County, and the son of a pioneer blacksmith of what was known as Rust, Charles Henry Schwake enjoys a good business and has a wide circle of friends in this locality. He was born in Gainesville, Texas, July 28, 1893, a son of Charles Henry and Louise (Scheele) Schwake, both born in Hanover, Germany, and there grew up and married; and there their first child, Fred Louis, was born. He became a draftsman and met death by drowning in Lake Merritt, Oakland, in 1913. Another son, William, was killed in a railroad acci- dent in Yuma, Ariz., when he was only seventeen years old. The parents and one son came to Galveston, Texas, where Mrs. Schwake had some relatives living. Mr. Schwake engaged in blacksmithing and in building up a good trade, then would sell out to remove to some other place and do the same thing, continuing on his way until he landed in San Pablo, Cal., in 1895. There he bought the shop owned by the Kleinschmidts, but later sold it to buy the shop established by William Rust on San Pablo Avenue, at the county line between Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. He was a lover of fine horses and took pleasure in raising them. During the Spanish-American War he sold a good many head of horses to the United States Government. Removing to his new location at Rust he carried on the old Rust shop until Mr. Rust returned from a visit to Germany, then he was taken ill and passed away in 1902, aged about
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forty-eight years. His good wife died in 1909, at the age of fifty-two, both at the home place they had bought adjoining the Rust property, consisting of a square of land 150 by 150 feet for which they paid $219. After the death of the father the blacksmith shop was sold back to Mr. Rust. The elder Schwake was a prominent Odd Fellow in the Berkeley Lodge; and he also belonged to the U. P. E. C. He was a kindly man and had a wide circle of acquaintances and close friends.
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