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 105

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1118

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 105

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Mr. Reber was married in Stockton in February, 1925, to Miss Mary Leckie, who was born in Stewartsville, Contra Costa County, the daughter of David Leckie, a coal miner who is now living retired in Pittsburg. This union has been blessed with two children: Margaret and Janet. Mr. Reber belongs to Diamond Parlor, N. S. G. W., and to the Masonic order. In politics he is a Republican. The family reside in their own home, which Mr. Reber erected in the Home Acre Tract.

WALLACE SNELGROVE .- As a successful contractor and builder of the Bay district, Wallace Snelgrove holds a substantial position among the representative business men of Richmond. He was born at Lan- caster, N. H., February 11, 1886, a son of Thomas George and Eliza- beth (Booth) Snelgrove. The mother came originally from Sheffield, England, accompanying her parents to America and settling in New Hampshire, where she met and married the father of our subject.

Wallace Snelgrove began his education in the public schools of his native city, and as time passed took special courses to fit him for his chosen line of work. For several years he worked in a sash and door factory; and then he went to Manchester, N. H., where he worked at his trade. He then removed to Butte, Mont., and for six years was an employee of the Anaconda Copper Company. Following this he came to California and worked for several companies before settling at Rich- mond, where he has resided since 1920 and has become an essential factor in the development and growth of this city. Mr. Snelgrove built the Galina Signal Oil Company's plant and many of the finest residences in Richmond and the surrounding country. He built the Odd Fellows' Building and Richmond Syndicate Building, and also the Galvin and the Richmond Daily Independent Buildings.

On September 4, 1918, Mr. Snelgrove was married to Miss Mary Willard of Santa Rosa, daughter of Wiley Willard, a farmer of that vicinity. Mr. Snelgrove has three sisters: Elizabeth, Mrs. Harry Long- ley, in Vermont; Mary, Mrs. James Lomby, in Massachusetts; and Ethel, Mrs. McIntire, in New York State. Mr. Snelgrove is a member and director of the Builders' Exchange and a member and formerly a director of the Lions Club of Richmond. Fraternally, he is a member and Past Noble Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a director of the Odd Fellows' Hall Association.

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CLARENCE H. ROMAN .- Among the successful young business men of Bay Point, Contra Costa County, Cal., there are none possessing greater energy and enterprise than Clarence H. Roman, proprietor of the Bay Point Garage. His birth occurred at Rhinelander, Wis., on May 5, 1900, the second child in a family of four born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Roman. From Wisconsin the family moved to Potlatch, Idaho, and in this lumber town Clarence began his schooling. Then the family removed to Bay Point, Cal., where Henry Roman became the superin- tendent of the C. A. Smith Planing Mill, now known as the Coos Bay Lumber Company, and here the son continued his grammar school courses. Being of an ambitious turn of mind, he soon found employment with the Coos Bay Lumber Company, first as a laborer and then as a machinist, his employment with the company covering a period of seven years. He was caught in the 18 to 45 draft in 1918 and placed in Class A-1, and was ready to go to the front when the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. He then decided to become an automobile mechanic and entered Sweeney's Automobile School at Kansas City, Mo., receiving his certificate from that institution in 1920. Upon his return to Bay Point he formed a partnership with Plino Rigolli, and together they operated the Bay Point Garage and Automobile Machine Shop until

1924, when Mr. Roman became the sole owner. Mr. Roman is a first- class mechanic and works on all makes of automobiles and trucks. He owns a good tow-car, which brings in wrecks and disabled cars; and re- pairs are made on short notice. Two mechanics assist Mr. Roman, and they have an excellent reputation for good and careful work.

Mr. Roman was married at Bay Point on November 16, 1921, to Miss Mary Brazz, of Concord, where she was born and where her grandparents were among the early pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Roman have one child, Russell. Mr. Roman is a Past Grand of the Bay Point Lodge of Odd Fellows.

BATTISTA ARDIZZOIA .- The subject of this sketch, Battista Ardizzoia, is a man of ability and an efficient workman and foreman, well-liked both by his employers and by the men under him in the Port Costa Brick Company's plant, where he is machinist and head foreman. A native of Oleggio, Italy, he was born on November 9, 1887, the son of Francisco and Nattalina Ardizzoia, farmer folk in the province of Navara, Italy, where both are still living. Battista is the only son living, but he has six sisters, two of whom are in California; Giovanni, the wife of Pete Franzetti, and Teressa, wife of Joe Cardanni, both in Port Costa.

Mr. Ardizzoia attended the schools of Italy and grew up on the home farm, raising grapes, making wine, and helping in the dairy and other farm work. When nearly twenty years of age he came to the United States, having decided to seek his fortunes in the new world, and with him on the same steamer came his cousin, Miss Pierina Mattachini, now the wife of Biagio F. Ferrario, the superintendent of the Port Costa Brick Works. Arriving in Port Costa on October 12, 1907, Mr. Ardiz-

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zoia lost no time, but went to work as a common laborer. He worked hard and steadily, and has risen to the important and responsible posi- tion he holds as foreman in one of the largest brick and tile works in California, 60,000 bricks being the average daily output.

The marriage of Mr. Ardizzoia, in St. Catherine's Church, at Mar- tinez, Cal., on April 16, 1912, united him with Miss Paolina Fortina, a native of the same village as her husband, and one child was born to them, Frank L., now attending the grammar school at .Port Costa. The wife and mother died at Port Costa on April 15, 1925, after having been ill for several years, part of which time was spent in Italy in an effort to regain her health. Mr. Ardizzoia made one visit back to his home in Italy, in 1908, returning to Port Costa one year later. He has taken out his first naturalization papers and intends to become a citizen of the country where he has been so successful.

SEVERIN FERCHE .- A striking example of what energy and re- sourcefulness can accomplish when wisely directed is furnished in the career of Severin Ferche, contractor and builder of Crockett and the district in the west end of Contra Costa County. He is a man of natural ability and was born at St. Stephens, Minn., on January 8, 1895, where he attended school and learned the trade of carpenter. He has four brothers; Stephen, Joseph, Cyril and Frank, living in St. Stephen.

When Severin Ferche came to California in 1916 he joined the United States Army and spent four years at Mare Island. So important was his work there for the government that he was not permitted to go elsewhere as he had charge of the shops at headquarters in all construc- tion work. On April 16, 1920, he received an honorable discharge from the Army, then made a visit back to his home folks in Minnesota, return- ing to Crockett in 1921. He took up hotel keeping at the Union Hotel for a few months, but resigned his position and took up general contract- ing and building and ever since has made his influence felt along that line in this part of the county. The business and his fame grew steadily and soon he took in a partner and as Ferche and Childs the firm has won a name for dependable work throughout this section. Among the out- standing contracts they have been awarded are the municipal firehouse and the library at Pinole, the Doctor Horne residence in Crockett Heights, and many other fine homes in this district that is so rapidly being built up in Crockett. To further promote the best interests of his adopted city he holds membership in the Crockett-Valona Business Men's Association.

Severin Ferche was married on September 15, 1921, to Miss Eliza- beth Rossman, of St. Cloud, Minn., where her father, John Rossman, was prominent in political circles. Two children have been born of this union : Madeline and Dorothy. He belongs to the American Legion Post No. 33, at Crockett; is a Knight of Columbus, Fourth Degree; and a member of the Ancient Order of Druids. He is independent in politics and attends the Catholic Church.

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FRANK L. RISON .- A resident of Richmond since 1905 who has earned the good will and esteem of a wide circle of close friends is Frank L. Rison. A native son of the State, he was born in Lake County, near Lakeport, on May 2, 1883. His father was the late Hiram G. Rison who came from Wisconsin to California in 1877. He was born in Ohio, and was married in Lake County, Cal., to Miss Elizabeth Ingram, who was born in Lake County, whither her father, Jonas Ingram, had located in 1849. Mr. Ingram was born in Jackson County, Ill., April 17, 1823, and died April 1, 1908. Some of the land that he homesteaded near Lakeport is still owned by members of his family. When Jonas Ingram came to Lakeport he was a single man; when he married he and his wife had to go on horseback to Napa, where the ceremony was performed. Besides farming Mr. Ingram made cheese, which he carried to Napa to sell, that being their nearest market place. Those were pioneer times be- fore much improvement had been made in ranch development. Mrs. Elizabeth Rison's mother, Martha Hammock, crossed the plains in 1849, being then sixteen years old. The party lost some of their oxen through an Indian raid while en route from Missouri. Her grandfather, father and uncles took up government land in Lake County and were among the earliest pioneers of that section. In the Ingram family were two boys and four girls, all of whom grew up. Sarah Hammock, a daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Rison's uncle, was the first white child born in Lake County. There were seven of the Hammock family in the train of forty wagons that arrived safely in the Golden State. In those early days in Lake County eggs sold for one dollar each and chickens were twenty dollars each. Middletown was then an active mining center and some of the men of the families tried their luck at mining until they took to farming. Bear and deer were plentiful in Lake County in those early days. Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Rison were married at the home of Mr. Ingram in 1880. They had four girls and one boy: Nellie, wife of Wil- liam Carter of Santa Rosa; Frank L., of this review; Edna, Mrs. Walter W. Haggler, of Berkeley; Elsie, who married Dean Asdell of Portland, Ore .; and Ethel, of Richmond. Mr. Rison came to Richmond in 1905 ; and here he died nineteen years later, in 1924, at the age of seventy- seven. He had one sister living in Oregon.

Frank L. Rison attended the public schools in Lake County and grew up amidst the pioneer conditions of that county. In 1900 he left the ranch and went to Willits and found work in the Redwoods. His father and himself worked at carpenter work, rebuilding Willits after a fire had wiped out the town. That fall Frank went back to the home ranch and operated it for a year, then returned to the Redwoods and remained till 1905, when he came to Richmond to try his luck. In Willits he had an uncle that was one of the pioneer freighters from Willits to the grad- ing camps along the Northwestern Pacific Railroad during its construc- tion, and for a time Frank tried his luck at railroad construction, then went back to the lumber camps. He has seen much of frontier life in grading camps and lumber camps and was innured to hard work from

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early life. In 1905, with his father and some friends, he came to Rich- mond and found work with the Standard Oil Company. He has seen many changes in the plant and in the development of the city, but is satisfied that he cast in his lot in such a prosperous locality.

Frank L. Rison was united in marriage at Berkeley, on May 22, 1913, with Miss Amy Rose Turnbull, a native of East Liverpool, Ohio, who came to California and was here married. They have two children : Bernice Florence and Dorothy Alice. For four years the Risons lived at Point Richmond, but moved to their present place in 1914. Frank's mother makes her home with her son and they all have a wide circle of close friends in Richmond.

FRANK DRAGON .- Many desirable personal characteristics are contributing to the success of Frank Dragon, not the least of which is his determination to succeed in his chosen line of work. He is steadily forging to the front as a contractor and builder and his ability is fast be- coming known throughout the environs of Antioch. His birth occurred in Italy on March 15, 1886, the second son of Peter and Concitta (Mar- asciulo) Dragon, now both deceased. He remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, then accompanied an uncle to the United States, where he joined his father and eldest brother, and with them came to California. Knowing nothing of the English language, Frank Dragon procured an English-Italian grammar and with the help of friends and attending night school, soon became able to read the daily papers. It was a difficult matter to find employment without a speaking knowledge of English; however he had the good fortune to meet Carmino Didio who piloted them to Antioch in 1904, where the father became a success- ful rancher and Frank helped his father; later he worked in a paper mill, then in a brick yard, but he never lost sight of the fact that he was deter- mined to reach a higher plane; he had kept up his night studies, has completed the correspondence course in drafting and architecture in the International Correspondence School at Scranton, Pa., and has become a good draftsman.

In 1916 he began contracting for himself and makes a specialty of moderate priced homes. His work has been centered about Antioch, where he has built many houses. In 1926 he completed four magnesite houses for Louis Arata; he erected a rooming house of twenty-six rooms for Louis Fontana in Pittsburg; also an apartment house for M. Valente; and several residences. He built the Oakley Garage and several homes throughout the country.

At Antioch, on September 12, 1910, Frank Dragon was united in marriage to Miss Rose Didio, daughter of Carmino Didio, and they have three children: Peter F., born September 13, 1911; Carmen M., born July 28, 1914; and Roland M., born July 20, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Dragon reside in their home on Wilbur Avenue, where they own two and one-half acres of fine productive land. One acre is planted to al- monds and one acre to muscat and wine grapes. He belongs to the Young Men's Institute.

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EDWARD ESLEY EVANS .- A representative of a pioneer Cali- fornia family, and a business man of El Cerrito, Edward E. Evans has a wide circle of friends and business associates in Contra Costa County and vicinity. A native of the State, he was born in Petaluma, Sonoma County, January 21, 1886, the oldest son of E. W. M. Evans, well known as the senior member of the firm of E. W. M. Evans & Sons, marble and stone workers. The great-grandfather was a Douglas, and came around the Horn to California in 1850, bringing with him material for a ready-made hotel and dwelling house. He landed at what is now Anti- och and set up his house and hotel, but not liking the location, took them down and moved to Petaluma, where he again put up his buildings and made a permanent home. The dwelling house is still standing, but the hotel occupied the site of the new Petaluma Hotel building. Members of the Douglas family still reside in Petaluma and vicinity. Grandfather Tupper landed in California from a whaling vessel in 1848. He finally settled in Petaluma, and there he died at the age of eighty-eight. He was married in Petaluma, and the first child born of a marriage of white persons in that city was his daughter Ellen Tupper, mother of our sub- ject. Both the Douglas and Tupper families had much to do with the upbuilding of Petaluma.

E. W. M. Evans was born in Ireland, in County Tyrone, in 1862, attended the schools of his native land and came with his father, in 1870, to California. The family lived in Alameda for several years, where E. W. M. Evans attended school. He learned the trade of the marble worker in Petaluma and began the business for himself when he bought out his former employer in 1889. He built up a fine trade and continued alone until 1919, when the firm was incorporated under the name of E. W. M. Evans & Sons, owning the Petaluma Granite and Marble Works in that city, and the Fairmont Monument Works in El Cerrito, Contra Costa County. Since its incorporation the firm has made a specialty of mantel and tile work, handling the products of the Cali- fornia Art Tile Company of Richmond. Mr. Evans was married in 1882 to Ellen Tupper, and they have had seven children : Mrs. F. J. Tol- burg, of Sacramento; Edward E., of this review; Arthur B .; and Roy M .; Mrs. H. H. Cluver, of Petaluma; Mrs. Al Zimmerman, of Peta- luma ; and Roscoe D. The four sons are all members of the firm of E. W. M. Evans & Sons. The father is still actively engaged in his trade, and is found at the bench every day.

Edward E. Evans attended the public schools in Petaluma and at the age of sixteen began to learn the trade of the marble worker from his father. He has been through every department of the work, from the quarry to the finishing and setting-up of monuments. There being an opening for marble works at the Sunset View Cemetery in Contra Costa County, he came to this place and opened a branch of their Peta- luma establishment on Fairmont Avenue where the El Cerrito library building stands, later moving to his present location at the gates of the cemetery. At the beginning it was real pioneer work. Labor was scarce

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and teamsters almost unknown, and many times the finished monument was hauled in a wheelbarrow to its resting place. The corporation repre- sented by our subject is among the well-known firms in California. A splendid business has been the result of the pioneer efforts of Mr. Evans, and today he ranks among the leading citizens of El Cerrito, being a strong booster for his adopted city.

When Mr. Evans married he chose for his life companion Miss Anna Koch, also born in Petaluma, and they have one daughter, Esley Ann Evans. The family occupy their own home, which was built in 1915. Mr. Evans believes in civic betterment whenever and wherever possible and supports all movements having this in view. In politics he is a Re- publican. Socially, he is a member of the Exchange Club in Berkeley. Besides looking after his monument business and the interests of E. W. M. Evans & Sons, he represents some old-line fire insurance com- panies and handles considerable of that kind of business.

WILLIAM O'HARA .- A native son of California who has lived in Contra Costa County and vicinity nearly all his life, is William O'Hara. He was born in Solano County, a son of Michael and Julia O'Hara, both natives of Ireland, but who were married after reaching America. Michael O'Hara ran threshing machines for many years and threshed thousands of bushels of grain annually for the grain growers in the State.

Our subject attended the public schools in the localities where the family lived, but had to go to work at an early age, for his father died when the lad was only seven. He came to the Rodeo Valley and engaged in the cattle business and did some general ranching along with cattle raising for eighteen years; also was in the dairy business. He then moved to the Alhambra Valley, thence to a ranch near Walnut Creek, spending in all seventeen years in those sections of Contra Costa County. All these years he has followed the dairy and stock business, which has always stood him in good stead, especially at the present time, when he is carrying on the dairy business on a large scale in this section of the county. In 1922 he came to Crockett to live. Mr. O'Hara is a man of strong determination, is not afraid to work with his hands, and is an authority on cattle. He erected a large dairy barn with a capacity for 200 milch cows, which will meet all legal requirements, and is going to install milking machines. He has about 1400 acres of land at Tormey, where he pastures his stock, has his silos and mixing machines to prepare the feed for his cattle. He is building up a very modern dairy, sanitary in every particular and retails and delivers his milk by means of trucks. His cattle are high grade Holsteins and tested by the State veterinarian.

In his dairy business Mr. O'Hara is assisted by three sisters, who are partners with him in the enterprise. They share and share alike in the responsibilities and profits. Mr. O'Hara gives his personal time and attention to the business and therefore feels that it surely will continue to be a success. He stands for the "square deal" in business affairs, as well as in his contact with his fellow citizens.

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JOHN GIACOSA .- An active and successful young Italian-American business man of Martinez, John Giacosa is well known in his home com- munity. Born in Italy, on March 20, 1894, he is the son of Antonio and Filomena Giacosa, both natives of Italy who came to California when John was sixteen years old, in 1910, and have since made their home here. The first of five children born to his parents, he received his early education in Italy and also attended private and night schools after com- ing to Martinez, gaining most of his knowledge through self-application.

For three years Mr. Giacosa was in the ice and fuel business in Mar- tinez, as a partner with S. J. Pongrace in the People's Ice and Fuel Com- pany; but he sold his interest to his partner in the early part of 1925, and since that time has engaged as wholesale distributor of soft drinks, acting as wholesale agent for this district.

During the World War Mr. Giacosa served as a machine gunner with the 144th Machine Gun Battalion, 40th Division, and saw service in France for nine months. He was honorably discharged at Camp Kearny, San Diego, in May, 1919, and some time later went into the ice business in Martinez. He is a member of the American Legion at Martinez, and belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose.

LLEWELLYN W. EVANS .- An industrious, enterprising citizen of Richmond, who holds a responsible position with the Republic Steel Package Company, is Llewellyn W. Evans. Mr. Evans was born in Pinole on August 6, 1896, the son of L. P. Evans, a native of Wales who came to America in 1885. The father is still living and is connected with the Standard Oil Company. The mother, Bertha (Wilkie) Evans, was born in San Pablo. Two other children in their family were Bertha, now Mrs. F. Shubat of Richmond; Gwendollyn, Mrs. J. Carlisle of San Jose.

Mr. Evans received his early education in the grammar school of Pinole, and then took a course in the Engineering College of Oakland. After finishing his schooling he secured a position with the Larkin Machine Works of San Francisco, where he was employed for four years. During this period of apprenticeship he arose early every morning and traveled from San Pablo to San Francisco, traveling six hours daily to work eight hours, and made the exceptional record of never being late and never missing a day from labor. He next held a position with the Standard Oil Company for a year, and then took a position with the Pacific Gear & Tool Works of San Francisco. From there he went to Seattle, where he was employed by the Paragon Tool Company for three years. This was followed by a period of employment, lasting two years, with the Smith Can Machinery Company of Seattle. His next move was a business venture for himself in manufacturing tools and auto parts in Seattle for a year and a half. Selling out his plant, he removed to Eugene, Ore., and worked in the same line of business for a year. From there he came to San Pablo and opened a garage and machine shop. While engaged in this work he met Mr. Merry, of the Republic Steel Package Company, for whom he made some dies and did some machine

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work. This led to his being asked to take the position which he now holds, and he took up his duties in June, 1922. Since that time the plant has enjoyed a wonderful growth, and Mr. Evans has devoted him- self strenuously to making such improvements in his department as the needs of the plant and the demands of the trade warrants.

On June 1, 1923, Mr. Evans married Miss Agnes Walters of Rich- mond, daughter of John Walters of San Jose, a brick manufacturer, who is still living. Mrs. Evans has one brother. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents of two children, Luella Agnes and Catherine Viola. Mr. Evans is a member of the Masons. He is fond of fishing and hunting, and is interested in all forms of athletics. During the war he did valu- able work in the navy in the construction of motors.

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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 105

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P Publication date: 1926 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1118

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1118