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 102
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Charles Henry Schwake, our subject, was the youngest of the family and attended the public schools of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, walking to Berkeley every morning from their home at the county line. At the age of fifteen he went to work in the Du Pont Powder Works at Vigoret (Point Isabel) for one year. After this he went to Berkeley and apprenticed himself to learn the plumbing trade, which he learned very thoroughly, after which he worked as a journeyman in San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley until 1916. At that time business was slack in his line and he went to work at the Standard Oil refinery in West Richmond and was in their employ for four and one-half years actual time. Dur- ing these years he served his country during the World War, for eigtheen months at Camp Kearney, in the maintenance of plumbing etc at that camp. After his honorable discharge in 1919 he returned to the Stan- dard refinery, holding the same rating he had when he entered his country's service. On May 23, 1923, he started in business for himself, establishing a general plumbing business at the old home place where his father and mother had lived and died. His scope of business includes the Richmond, Albany and El Cerrito districts, where he has built up a fine business. Mr. Schwake is the only survivor of the family name, that he knows anything about.
In 1913, in San Francisco, C. H. Schwake was united in marriage with Miss Queenie Lydia Evett, a native daughter, born in San Francisco, and they have a daughter, Frances Louise Schwake. Mr. Schwake is a Mason, belonging to Point Lodge No. 503, F. & A. M., of Richmond, and also to the Richmond Pyramid of Sciots No. 42. He also holds membership in the Berkeley Order of Owls. In earlier days he played ball with the Richmond Elks team, the Standard Oil team and in various teams throughout the State.
MRS. ROSE SCHAEFER .- As the leader in musical circles in Crockett and vicinity Mrs. Rose Schaefer holds an assured position. She was born in Iowa and was educated in the public schools and at the Nebraska Normal College at Wayne, Nebr., graduating with the Class of 1903. She at once began to teach in the grammar grades in the schools in Wausau, that state, continuing for five years; she also served as assistant superintendent of the Knox County schools for a time. Com- ing to California Mrs. Schaefer began her musical education, for which she has a natural aptitude, under the leading artists in San Francisco, among them Catherine Hertzog, Maud Wellendorff, and for the past
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three years has been a student under Benjamin Moore. During the years she has been studying she has also been teaching music. Mrs. Schaefer specializes in piano, and has given musical evenings, recitals and concerts and has taken an active part in promoting a musical interest in the community. She was chairman of the committee for music week in Crockett, which is now an annual affair, and is secretary of the County Music Week Committee at present; Mrs. Hanlon being chairman.
Mrs. Schaefer is the authorized teacher of the Perfield System of teaching music. This is a group system of instruction, employing estab- lished pedagogical principles, and through her activities has become very popular. It gives especial satisfaction with beginners as the quickest means of establishing an appreciation of harmony. Her studio is at her home, which is a modern bungalow in the western side of Crockett on the highway. She is an active member of the Carquinez Woman's Club.
Mrs. Schaefer and her husband are both lovers of the great out-of- doors and spend their vacations in the mountains where they study nature and forestry. They have accumulated many fine specimens from the various localities they have visited and have a wonderful store of in- formation on this subject. They have a wide circle of close friends and are leaders in their social set in the East bay shore.
W. E. WATSON .- Among the most successful hotel men of An- tioch is W. E. Watson, the genial and accommodating proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, whose services as a host are appreciated by the traveling public. He was born at Camden, Maine, September 22, 1867, a son of John E. and Ella (Cross) Watson, both of English extraction and old time State of Maine families. The Cross family took part in the Revolutionary struggle. The father, John E. Watson, was one of eleven brothers, ten of whom were seafaring men. The parents were married in Maine, and in 1870 the father came alone to California, settling in Oakland, where he was joined by his wife and our subject, then a lad of five years, two years later. A sister of our subject, Mrs. William Nichols resides at White Plains, N. Y. where her husband is a prominent lawyer. Mr. Watson's mother, Mrs. Farn Lam, resides in Oakland and is a member of the Pioneers Society of that city.
W. E. Watson was reared in Oakland and attended the public schools, and there learned the carpenter's trade. In 1887 he was married to Miss Kathryn Duddy, born in Oakland of pioneer parents. She passed away leaving two sons. Walter E. is in the taxicab business in Oakland; he saw service during the World War working in the Spruce Division in the Oregon woods cutting spruce lumber for the Government air planes ; he is married and has two children, Claude and Francis. Arthur L. is proprietor of the Lorenz Hotel at Redding; he is married and has one child, Ann. Soon after his marriage W. E. Watson went to Arizona as carpenter for the Calumet-Heckla Mining Company and while in their employ helped to build their smelter. He continued there until August,
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1905, when he went to Goldfield, Nev., and was there during its palmy days when they found gold ore that ran $28,000 to the ton. He re- mained in Goldfield until 1908, when he returned to Oakland and ran a cafe until 1915. Then he went to Ely, Nev., where he built and operated an apartment house. In 1924 Mr. Watson located in Antioch. Mr. Watson was married the second time in February, 1919, at Martinez, Cal., to Mrs. Palymer O'Hanlon, who was born in Lysle, France. Fra- ternally Mr. Watson is a member of the Eagle Lodge at Tucson, Ariz., and the Moose of Portland, Ore. He is a firm believer in the continued progress of Antioch and holds a five-year lease on the Commercial Hotel. He is a member of East Contra Costa County Chamber of Commerce.
HENRY J. GREGORY .- Among California's native sons, one who has made a success of the opportunities that have presented themselves to him is Henry J. Gregory, dealer in Ford products at Pittsburg, Contra Costa County, under the firm name of the Pittsburg Motor Company. He is a live wire booster for his native State and was born at San Luis Obispo, on January 4, 1893, the son of Frank and Mary (Conception) Gregory, now living in Santa Maria, this State. Frank Gregory came to California about 1880 and has been identified with its best interests ever since that year.
Henry J. Gregory received his early schooling in the grammar schools in San Luis Obispo and attended high school in Santa Maria, where his parents had settled. As soon as he took up the duties of life he be- came a salesman for the Studebaker automobile in Santa Maria, and was thus engaged when he entered the service of the government, enlisting in the Medical Department of the United States Army as an ambulance driver, and being stationed at Angel Island. He entered the army in the latter part of 1917 and received his honorable discharge on Feb- ruary 2, 1919.
On March 1, 1919, Mr. Gregory was united in marriage in San Francisco with Miss Bessie M. Gwin, born at Walla Walla, Wash., who was serving as a nurse in San Francisco and at Angel Island during the World War. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gregory went to Santa Maria, where Mr. Gregory was agent for the Willys-Knight and Overland automobiles during 1920 and 1921. He was then given the management of the Willys-Knight and Overland branch agency in San Luis Obispo and moved to that city, remaining there until in May, 1924, when he went to Oakland as district representative of the Peerless Motor Company. On August 1, 1925, he was appointed dealer for the Ford products in Pittsburg and came here to make his home. On March 10, 1926, he moved into the building at the corner of Third and Cumberland Streets that had been expressly built for him, and here he has the most modern fireproof building and equipment to be found in this county. He has over 14,000 square feet of floor space on the two floors and is able to handle anything that may come to him in the line of repairs and battery work. He gives night and day service, and also has storage space
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for cars. His partner is Ernest J. Parrish, formerly with the Union Sugar Company. A bright future is predicted for these young and energetic men. Mr. Gregory is a charter member of the American Le- gion at Spokane, and belongs to the Lions Club and Chamber of Com- merce in Pittsburg. He fully realizes the bright future in store for his adopted city and is ready to aid any worthy project for the good of the people and community.
RALPH NORTON .- A resident of Port Costa since early boyhood, Ralph Norton has, for the greater part of that time, been in the employ of the Associated Pipe Line Company and has risen to a responsible posi- tion with the company through his long years of service. Born in Hyde Park, Los Angeles, on June 6, 1893, he is the eldest of eight children born to Fred U. and Mary V. (Leuzinger) Norton, and obtained his education in the southern city, where he remained to finish his schooling until fifteen years old, and then joined his parents, who had located in Port Costa in 1906. After coming to join his parents, he went to work as a machinist in the Port Costa Brick and Tile Company's yard, in which his father was employed, and there young Norton remained for four and one-half years. At the end of that time, finding that he could better his position, he found employment with the Associated Pipe Line Company at Port Costa. Starting in as a laborer on construction work, and advancing step by step by his own ability, in time he reached his present position as superintendent of the Associated Pipe Line Company's plant at Port Costa, which includes the loading wharf where fuel oil is shipped to Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Honolulu, and Eastern ports. This oil is pumped to the loading wharf at Port Costa from Bakersfield, and also from Avon, from which latter place Diesel oil is pumped and shipped for use on Diesel engines. Vessels are here sup- plied with fuel oil for their own purposes; and tankers are also loaded for export shipment, making Port Costa a very important point in the fuel shipping trade, about 13,000,000 barrels being handled annually.
The only interruption in his service for the company occurred in 1918 when he entered the army for service during the World War as a mem- ber of Battery 374. He was stationed at Camp Lewis and received his honorable discharge as a corporal, at the Presidio, January 17, 1919. On doffing his uniform he immediately resumed his position, then a gauger, for the pipe line company.
The marriage of Mr. Norton, at Port Costa on July 28, 1919, united him with Miss Juanita Florence Soto, a daughter of J. A. and Manuella (Higuera) Soto, of Port Costa, both parents native Californians and descendants of early Spanish families in the history of the State. Mrs. Norton was born in Oakland, and reared and has lived in Port Costa and Crockett since she was five years old. Two daughters have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Norton; Manuella Juanita and Verena Mary. Mr. Norton is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose in Martinez and the American Legion Post No. 33, at Crockett.
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WARREN ARTHUR ORDWAY .- On the Pacheco Road just out from Martinez is located the Ordway Garage, where some of the best repair work on automobiles is done under the supervision of the propri- etor, W. A. Ordway, who is a fine mechanic and auto-machinist. Warren Arthur Ordway was born in Cambridge, Mass., on November 23, 1888, and attended the public schools in pursuit of his education. He early learned the trade of the machinist in Boston, Mass., and did work in garages handling the Pierce-Arrow and Hudson cars. In 1918 he came out to California and stopped in Los Angeles, from there going to San Francisco, where he was employed in the J. J. Shueer auto machine shop. After he had learned the routine in this shop he went to Pittsburg, Cal., and had charge of the W. & W. Auto Machine Shop for three years, after which he worked for the Los Medanos Garage in that city for two years. He then came to Martinez in 1923 and became proprietor of his present place of business, known as Ordway Garage; and here he is fast building up a fine business, doing repair work on all kinds of automo- biles, as well as tractors and other machinery.
Mr. Ordway was married on September 8, 1917, in Boston, Mass., to Miss Sarah Tinker; and they have two children, Warren A. Jr., and Lloyd James. Mr. Ordway is a self-made man, having begun at an early age to be self-supporting, as his father died when he was a lad of fifteen. He is a Republican in politics.
GEORGE VINCENT .- A resident of Contra Costa County for the past twenty-six years, George Vincent is well-known throughout the county as the proprietor of the Club House Cafe, on the Pacheco highway between Martinez and Walnut Creek. Born in New Orleans, La., in 1862, he is the son of George and Elizabeth (Goldsock) Vincent, both natives of England. George Vincent, Sr., was a sailor, and rose steadily until he became a master mariner. He resided for a time in New Or- leans, where the son, George, Jr., was born, and in 1878 he brought his family around Cape Horn to San Francisco and there settled down. With his wife he afterwards made a trip to England on business, and there both parents passed away.
George Vincent, our subject was a delicate child and was left in San Francisco with Duncan McVicar. He received his education in the pub- lic schools of that city, and at the age of thirteen entered the employ of Peter Hopkins, in the Grand Hotel Saloon, continuing there until 1882, when he fulfilled a long-felt desire to travel. He shipped before the mast on the Carnarvon Castle, making the trip to Europe and back to New York. Then came a voyage to Australia on a sailing vessel, and he became acting second mate in the Australian trade, carrying horses from that country to the English Army at Madras, India, then sailing on to Rangoon and back to England. Following this, Mr. Vincent made a trip back to New York, and on to New Orleans, remaining in the latter city for ten years, during which time he engaged in business. In 1896, he returned to San Francisco, in the employ of the Matson Steam-
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ship Company, with whom he continued for the following two years. For a like period of time thereafter he was proprietor of the Bungalow, a resort cafe at Millbrae, in Marin County. In 1900, Mr. Vincent came to Martinez and established the Club House Cafe, about four miles out of Martinez, adjoining what is now the Martinez Gun Club, though at that time the gun club was not yet formed, nor was the highway built. And here he has remained in business ever since, catering to the patronage of the traveling public and to his many friends in the surrounding coun- try, who appreciate his well-managed inn.
The marriage of Mr. Vincent, which occurred in San Francisco, united him with Miss Libby Hauge, a native of Denver, Colo. Her death occurred in 1920. Mr. Vincent was made a Mason in Union Lodge No. 172, F. & A. M., of New Orleans, of which he is a life mem- ber, as he is also of Concord Chapter No. 2, R. A. M. In politics he is a Republican. A well-informed man, of wide travels, he is an inter- esting conversationalist, and his friends are legion.
MIRO SINCICH .- An intelligent and able horticulturist, who for fifteen years was employed as foreman on the F. K. Burnham fruit ranch in the Alhambra Valley, is Miro Sincich, a native of Austria, born at Kastav on April 10, 1889, a son of John and Veronica (Paulinich) Sincich. The father is still living in that country, aged eighty-three; and the mother died there in 1919, aged seventy-two years.
Miro Sincich was the eighth in a family of eleven children born to his parents. When eighteen years old he came to California, and soon found employment as a ranch hand, in time becoming foreman on the Burnham fruit ranch, where he gained a thorough knowledge of horti- culture and of the special advantages offered for horticultural work in this part of the state; and when he decided to ranch for himself, he located in the same neighborhood, and is now developing a ranch of fifty acres four and one-half miles south of Martinez. Eight acres of this ranch is devoted to vineyard, and the balance to fruits, pasture, and gen- eral farming.
The marriage of Mr. Sincich, which took place in Martinez on July 21, 1912, united him with Miss Maria Robesa, a native of his home town in Australia, who came to California in 1912. Three children have blessed their union : Emily R., John M., and Marion, all born in Contra Costa County. A Republican in political adherence, Mr. Sincich was nat- uralized in Judge Mckenzie's court at Martinez in 1921. He is progres- sive in his ideas, with a full knowledge of the opportunites to be found in his adopted country, and the ability to take advantage of them. Two of his brothers are also located in Contra Costa County: Tony Sincich, in the marble business at Martinez, and Alex Sincich, a cooper employed by the Union Oil Company at Oleum, but living in Martinez. Mr. Sincich belongs to St. Joseph Lodge, in Crockett.
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JOHN NIENBURG .- As superintendent of the Contra Costa County garage in Martinez, John Nienburg is making good. Included in the responsibilities of his position are the looking after all tractors, trucks, concrete mixers, road rollers, automobiles and one clamshell un- loader, owned and operated by and for Contra Costa County. John Nienburg was born in Alameda County in the Tassajara Valley, on Feb- ruary 29, 1892, and is the son of Frank and Catherine (Wehling) Nien- burg, both natives of Germany, who came to California when they were young and were here united in marriage. They became successful ranchers and fruit-raisers, and also were in the chicken business for a time on their twenty-two acres near Livermore, Alameda County. They had twelve children, all living, John being the sixth in order of birth. He grew up on the ranch and attended the grammar schools in Liver- more, after which he went to work in a bicycle, gun and automobile shop in that town, learning the business from the ground up and remaining at that work for nine and one-half years. He was appointed to his present position on December 15, 1919, by the board of supervisors because of his ability as an all-round mechanic. The garage which is owned by the county, is located on Shell Avenue, just outside of Martinez, and here all repairs are looked after on all equipment in the engineering department of the county.
Mr. Nienburg has been a resident of Martinez since 1917, and since that time he has entered heartily into all movements tending towards making Contra Costa the banner county in the State. He is popular with all with whom he comes in contact, and his work is performed in a very thorough manner. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Livermore.
GEORGES P. PINEAUX .- A worthy exponent of the modern science of healing is Georges P. Pineaux, chiropractor, with offices in the National Bank Building of Crockett. He is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Williamsport, a son of Thomas L. and Adele (Gstalder) Pineaux, both living. The father was born in Canada, of French extraction, and the mother was born in Paris. They now reside in Albuquerque, N. M. Dr. Pineaux attended the public schools in Williamsport, Pa., graduating from the high school with honors. When the family moved to New Mexico he accompanied them and from there came to California, matriculating in the West Coast Chiropractic Col- lege, obtaining the degree of D. of C. His first location was in Oak- land, where he built up a successful practice in his profession, continuing there until 1923, when he came to Crockett. When he located here this branch of healing science was scarcely known and many were prejudiced against it. But by steadily keeping his eyes to the front and giving the best efforts to heal the sick and afflicted, he has gradually won a lucrative clientele and his benefitted patients are his best advertisements. Those who have been treated by him in Crockett and vicinity are loud in the praise of his drugless methods. He is now firmly established in this
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locality and has proven a valuable acquisition to the community through his public-spirited participation in all forward movements for the upbuild- ing of Crockett. He believes in the future greatness of California and of this section in particular. He is a member of the Federated Chiro- practic Association of San Francisco, and is enthusiastic over the possi- bilities of his profession and keeps up with every modern thought and action to promote its interests.
Dr. Pineaux was married in March, 1920, to Miss Emma Fisher, of New Mexico, and they have two children: Georges P. Jr., born October 10, 1922, and Charles Armand, born December 4, 1924. The Doctor is a member of the Elks and the Masons and in politics is a Republican. In consideration of his services during the World War he is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and of the American Legion, and active in all their endeavors to maintain the prestige of the soldiers.
MRS. ERNA (GALLAGHER) NEAR .- One of the successful business women of Walnut Creek is Mrs. Erna Near, a native daughter of California, born in Oakland, who has spent her entire life in the cen- tral part of the State. Her father, Martin Rohrbacher, was a native of Germany, and there received his education. As a young man he came to California, located at Oakland, and was employed by Scriber's Furniture Company, and afterwards by the Anderson Furniture Company. Later, he engaged in business for himself until his death. Martin Rohrbacher married Margaret Wilkins, also born in Germany, who came to Cali- fornia in her youth. She now resides in Oakland. Four children of the family born to this worthy couple are now living. Of the entire family, two sons served in the Spanish-American War, and one in the World War.
Erna Rohrbacher was reared in Oakland, attending the public schools, and was married in that city in 1901 to Edward R. Gallagher. In 1917 she located in Walnut Creek and leased the Walnut Creek Hotel, of which she continued as proprietor for two years. She then es- tablished the Ramona Grill, on Main Street, Walnut Creek, which she is now conducting. Her skill in cooking is well-known, and the grill has become the most popular eating place in town. Mrs. Near does all the cooking herself, even to the baking and pastries, and she personally super- vises the service and sees to it that a high standard of both cleanliness and comfort is afforded her guests. Her establishment is very well pat- ronized, and is known throughout Contra Costa County for the excell- ence of its cuisine.
Mrs. Near is the mother of three children: Erna, now Mrs. J. Mathieson, of Concord; Dorothy V., Mrs. Vearl Buckner, of Merced; and James Gallagher, who resides with his mother. In September, 1925, Mrs. Gallagher was married to Henry E. Near, of whom mention is made on another page in this history. A Republican in politics, Mrs. Near is interested in civic betterment. Fraternally she is a member of Fruitvale Parlor, No. 171, N. D. G. W.
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MICHAEL PERINO .- A resident of California since 1907, Michael Perino has since that date become well and favorably known in the building business, both in Santa Clara County and in Richmond and vicinity. He was born on March 20, 1882, in Italy, attended the gram- mar school, and later studied architectural drawing to perfect himself as a builder and contractor. After the great fire and earthquake in San Francisco Mr. Perino decided to come here, and upon the advice of a friend came straight to San Francisco. The first six months he worked at the building business, and then he began taking contracts himself. He met with success and built good buildings, so that one job was a good advertisement for another. From San Francisco he went down to San Jose and followed his calling there with good financial results. Having a friend, Charles Faccini, who owned property in El Cerrito and wished to erect a home, he came to this place and built the home at 215 Fair- mont Avenue.
Mr. Perino could see the advantages of this district and decided that he, too, would locate here. This he did in 1923, and ever since he has been busy at his contracting business both in Richmond and in El Cerrito. He erected the postoffice building in El Cerrito, and a fine business and apartment building at Thirty-ninth and Macdonald in Richmond, as well as many homes costing from $2500 to $5000. While living in San Jose he was a member of the Builders' Exchange. The six years he spent there gave him a wide experience in American methods, and he is now able to cope with almost any condition that arises.
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