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 109
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N. A. Becker was married at Joliet, Ill., on Thanksgiving day, 1899, to Miss Rose Donlon, born in Will County, Ill., a daughter of Will Don- lon, superintendent of the Joliet rail mills. This union has been blessed
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by the birth of two children: Thomas, a graduate of Santa Clara Uni- versity, served the government during the World War; and Rose, a student in Santa Clara University. Mr. Becker is a stanch supporter of the projects that help to build up the western coast and believes in the future possibilities of Contra Costa County. He is president of the Pittsburg Lions Club, which he helped to organize, and takes an active interest in all progressive movements for the advancement of Pittsburg. In all matters pertaining to the iron and steel industry he is an author- ity and his advice is eagerly sought by many.
VEREGGE BROTHERS .- The proprietors of the Pittsburg Sheet Metal Works, doing business at 129 Black Diamond Street, are Harry C. and Roy S. Vergge, known to the trade as Veregge Brothers. This en- terprising firm has been established in Pittsburg since 1920 and since that date has been a factor in the business life of this section of Contra Costa County. Both are excellent workmen, energetic and reliable. Harry C. was born in Indianapolis, Ind., on October 28, 1893, and Roy S. first saw the light in the same city on October 3, 1899. They were educated in the public schools and early entered the sheet metal trade as journeymen. They owned a shop in Stockton, where they carried on their business with good success. It was the spirit of expansion that brought them to Pittsburg in 1920, and the move has never been re- gretted. They employ four experienced men and have built up a good patronage. By giving of the best that is in them to turn out satisfactory jobs, 'they have been enabled to make good headway towards success. Among some of the jobs they have executed we mention the Columbia Steel Plant, Continente Block, and indeed practically all of the sheet metal work done in Pittsburg since they located here. They are up- standing business men and good citizens, of whom any community might well be proud.
Harry C. Veregge was married in Stockton to Miss Geraldine Rim- ington, and they have three children, Harry C., Jr., Helen and Gerald. The family reside at 1020 York Street, Pittsburg. Mr. Veregge is a member of the Pittsburg Lodge of Odd Fellows and of David A. Solari Post of the American Legion. He saw eighteen months of service in France in the World War.
Roy S. Veregge was married in Sacramento to Miss Grace Zent, of Stockton, and they have two children, June and Ellwood. He resides with his family in a comfortable residence on Eighth Street, Pittsburg. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows.
JOHN JAMES COWARD .- A good citizen, as well as a good rail- road man, John James Coward enjoys the good will of his many friends. He was born in England, on June 30, 1879, of English parents, who came to America to better their condition. The family settled in New York and there the lad was reared and remained until 1890. His father was a blacksmith by trade and was foreman of the shop in the steel
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plant at Troy, N. Y., till his death. This affliction left a widow with six children, therefore, J. J. had to go to work to help his mother sup- port the rest of the family. He worked at odd jobs about his home town and then went to Cripple Creek, Colo., in 1890, to work in the mines and while there learned considerable about the mining game. He worked in various places and at various occupations and at the same time added to this fund of information by coming in contact with people and condi- tions until he is a well-informed man. Mining, lumbering and kindred occupations fell to his lot until he began his railroad work with the Colorado Southern; he became a fireman and worked seven years for that company.
On September 8, 1910, Mr. Coward came to California from Chey- enne, Wyo. He had a cousin in Richmond, so when he got to San Francisco he came on this side of the bay to find his relative, and was persuaded to stay. Being short of money he took any job that offered till a better one showed up. Soon he entered the employ of the Santa Fe, after having taken the examination, in July, 1911, as engineer on the switch engine. At that time the company was using two engines, one for day work and one for night, now this has increased to eight crews besides those employed on the Belt Line. He feels that he made no mis- take in selecting this city for his home for it has afforded him advantages he never would have been able to grasp had he selected a road job. He joined Mckinley Lodge of Masons and has passed through the chairs; and is also a member of Richmond Chapter No. 113, R. A. M.
Mr. Coward was married in Colorado, in December, 1904, to Anna Maxwell, a native of Scotland who was reared in Colorado. They have two children: John Gilbert, who graduated from the Richmond High, Class of 1924, is now working for the Standard Oil Company; Nellie Isabel, a member of Class of 1925 in the Richmond High, is majoring in chemistry at the University of California. Mrs. Coward belongs to the P. T. A., of which she is treasurer ; she is a Past Matron of Mira Mar Chapter, O. E. S., and active in all civic, church and community affairs. The family home is at No. 60 Terrace Avenue, West Richmond, which Mr. Coward bought upon moving his family here.
JAMES LEE BARNAMAN .- The well-known business man, James Lee Barnaman, of Richmond, has made his influence felt for the best interests of the people with whom he has been associated ever since coming to California. He was born in Missouri on June 18, 1863, a son of William C. and Mildred Jane Barnaman, natives of Missouri and Kentucky, respectively. The father was a wagon and carriage maker by trade and they spent their married life in Missouri. James L. attended the grammar and high schools in his home town and early began working with his father and learning the trade of wagon maker; he also learned to make furniture. In 1888 Mr. Barnaman left Missouri and went to Montana, where he spent twenty years at his trade. In 1908 he came to California and located at Oakland; and five years later came to Rich-
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mond, Contra Costa County, and opened up a retail furniture store at 328 Nineteenth Street; he also had another store nearby. He still carries on business at this same place. He owns the building, which has apartments on the second floor for rental purposes. As he succeeded in business Mr. Barnaman thought it time to branch out and on March 15, 1924, began manufacturing furniture at Shattuck and Ashby Avenues in Berkeley, continuing until July, 1926, when he returned to Richmond. He specializes in bedroom sets and makes some of the best to be found in the State. The ivory, French gray and walnut are his special finishes. Several employees are kept busy to fill the orders secured in Oakland and San Frnacisco. Since entering the manufacturing field Mr. Barna- man gives his personal time and attention to all the detail work about his store and plant and finds that he has a gradually increasing trade. His goods are so satisfactory to purchasers that they advertise themselves and he is planning for greater business enlargement in the future.
On March 10, 1885, James L. Barnaman and Miss Sarah E. Mc- Millan, a native of Missouri, were united in marriage. Her parents were John and Mary (Anderson) McMillan. This union resulted in the birth of five children. Jennie married Lester Burright and they have five children and live in San Jose. Mary S. married M. J. Snyder and is deceased. The three sons, Irvine, Wiliam T. and Arthur F. are associ- ated with their father in business and are highly respected among their business associates. Mrs. Baraman passed away on March 16, 1926. A brother Wesley Barnaman is associated in business with him; and a sister, Mrs. N. E. Royce makes her home with him. Being much inter- ested in music, Mr. Barnaman plays the violin, and is a member of a quartette in Richmond. He likes to fish and camp for his recreation.
LOUIS F. SOLARI .- A native Son of the Golden State, Louis F. Solari was born in Redwood City on February 23, 1885, and died on Sunday, November 29, 1925, by an accidental shot from a gun while he was hunting ducks. When he was a lad of five years his parents moved to Contra Costa County and settled on Marsh Creek, where the father followed market gardening. Later they removed to Pittsburg, where the family are well and favorably known. A more detailed account of the family is given in the sketch of Mrs. Rosa Solari, mother of Louis F.
Louis F. Solari attended the public schools of this county and then, having a liking for things mechanical, went to San Francisco and entered the shops of the Union Iron Works as an apprentice, later going to the Risdon Iron Works in that city. He also took a course in the Inter- national Correspondence School in mechanical engineering. Having mastered the trade, Mr. Solari began for himself immediately after the fire and earthquake, in 1906, in San Francisco, and there met with well- deserved success. Seeing a better opening in Pittsburg, however, he re- moved to this city and established the Pittsburg Machine Works, and built up a good paying business, the company making a specialty of marine and stationary gas engines. He was also the proprietor of the
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Pittsburg Boat House, at Dock 1, where all kinds of small craft can be secured for business or pleasure. So competent a machinist was he, that the company came to draw customers from long distances, as well as from his home city and vicinity. The establishment is the local agency of the Fairbanks-Morse & Company's products, and installs all kinds of pumps and pumping machinery.
Mr. Solari was a booster for his home city and county and gave his support to all progressive measures. He made his home with his mother in Pittsburg. His brother, David A. Solari, for whom the American Legion Post in Pittsburg was named, was the only Pittsburg soldier who met his death in France during the World War. The family are highly esteemed and are among the best citizens in Pittsburg.
ALEXANDER H. MACKINNON .- There is no man more favor- ably known in El Cerrito than Alexander H. Mackinnon, justice of the peace of the Seventh Township, Contra Costa County. He was born on Prince Edward Island, Canada, on August 1, 1880, on a homestead that has been in the Mackinnon family since 1790; a younger brother now residing there, where the father and mother both passed their last days. A. H. attended the public schools and a commercial college. At the age of twenty-three years he came to Boston, Mass., and entered the employ of his brother-in-law, who was engaged in the hardware, plumbing and kindred lines of business. Beginning at the bottom he worked in various departments and learned the plumbers and sheet metal trades, also fur- nace work, etc., in time becoming a very efficient workman. Thinking he could better his condition and desiring to see something of California and the West, he came to San Francisco, where he was employed at his trade, making his home in Oakland in the meantime. He soon saw an opening near the county line in Contra Costa County, the locality then being known as Rust, and he located here and continued at his trade until he became associated with the Richmond Annex Land Company, which owned and promoted the Annex and the El Cerrito townsites. Since 1912 he has been engaged in the real estate business at El Cerrito. In 1914-1915 he was tract manager for his firm; and it is not questioned when the statement is made that Mr. Mackinnon has placed more people on property in this section than any other man.
Mr. Mackinnon early established his home in this locality and has taken an active interest in the upbuilding of the community, doing all in his power to further its best interests by serving in official capacity when called upon. Upon the incorporation of El Cerrito he was appointed, by the board of trustees, the first city recorder, and held office until May, 1924. In 1912 he became a naturalized citizen of this country, and in 1914 was elected justice of the peace of Township 7, serving until 1918, when he relinquished the office to give his services to his country, and was assigned to Troop Train Service in New York City and New- port News, Va., until 1919, when he was discharged and returned home
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to resume the duties of a private citizen. He was appointed justice of the peace by the board of supervisors and continues to hold that office to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Mr. Mackinnon was united in marriage in Boston, Mass., in 1906, with Miss Jennie Cochrane, a native of New Brunswick, and they have two children: Jean, in the Class of 1926 of the Richmond High School, and Hector, attending the El Cerrito Grammar School. In his political affiliations Mr. Mackinnon is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of Eclipse Lodge No. 403, I. O. O. F., of Richmond, having joined the Odd Fellows in Prince Edward Island in 1901 ; he demitted to Oak- land Lodge No. 118, I. O. O. F., and passed the chairs in that lodge in 1909; he belongs to Richmond Lodge No. 1251, B. P. O. E .; and the Richmond Lions Club. He also holds membership in the Independent Order of Foresters, a Canadian Order; and in The Praetorians. Be- sides his real estate business Mr. Mackinnon writes fire insurance, having the agency of some of the best known companies; and he is a notary public. In 1925 he built a service station in El Cerrito and began build- ing up a trade in that business. Mr. Mackinnon is of a jovial tempera- ment and has a host of friends who look forward to a prosperous future for him.
HORACE A. DAVI .- A self-made man, well worthy of mention in these pages, is Horace A. Davi, bookkeeper for the well-known corpora- tion of F. E. Booth & Company at their Pittsburg branch. At this place are canned salmon, sardines, peaches, tomatoes, asparagus, etc .; also large quantities of salmon and shad are packed here. Mr. Davi was born in Pittsburg on January 24, 1902, the son of Antone and Maria (Di Maggio) Davi, the former now deceased, while the latter is still living at their home in Pittsburg. Antone Davi had made his home at this place for thirty-two years before he met an accidental death, on August 20, 1912, when his fishing boat was run down by a hay barge and Mr. Davi was drowned. This worthy couple had eight children, viz .: Antone, Joseph, Marie, Rose, Horace A., Vincent, Bert and Neno. The parents were married in Italy and soon after came to the United States and to California, and in Contra Costa County Mr. Davi engaged in fishing for the canneries and packing plants at Black Diamond, as the place was known before it was given the name of Pittsburg.
Horace A. Davi had the advantage of studying in the grammar schools, but is otherwise largely self-taught. When a lad he entered the employ of the Wells Fargo Express Company as errand boy, working mornings, evenings and holidays; and it was here he picked up the rudi- ments of bookkeeping. In December, 1917, he entered the employ of the F. F. Booth Company as bo bookkeeper at their Pittsburg branch, and since that time he has given satisfaction to his employers. Mr. Davi is a member of Pittsburg Parlor, N. S. G. W., and is a young man whom it is a pleasure to meet and to call a friend.
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GEORGE L. CHANEY .- Since the future growth and progress of any city and county depends upon the caliber of men who elect to live there and engage in business or professional pursuits, Martinez and Contra Costa County are especially fortunate in the class of men who have come here to locate and to help carry on constructive work. Among such men mention must be made of George L. Chaney, who has proven such a "live wire" and booster for the district and has established him- self as a very real factor in its growth.
Born at Colorado Springs, Colo., on June 10, 1894, Mr. Chaney is descended from a family who, in spite of serious handicaps, accomplished some wonderful things in the world, for Frank H. and Emma A. (Ken- nedy) Chaney were both deaf mutes; and Grandfather and Grandmother Kennedy were the founders of the Deaf and Blind Institute at Law- rence, Kans., and also the institute at Colorado Springs, for the help of those so afflicted. His parents were the first deaf mute couple to be married in the State of Colorado, where the father was a personal friend of W. S. Stratton, the discoverer of the great gold deposits at Cripple Creek; and his brother, Silas O. Chaney, was a pioneer grain dealer and capitalist at Denver. The Chaney family originally came from Ohio, and they have been very active in developing the West, especially in Kansas and Colorado. Emma A. (Kennedy) Chaney died in Colorado, aged fifty-two years; but the father, Frank H. Chaney, is still living in Southern California, and is now seventy-five years old. Their other son, the brother of George L., is Lon F. Chaney, the celebrated moving pic- ture star of Hollywood, who is conceded to be the greatest character actor in the world, with some truly marvelous characterizations to his credit, among them The Miracle Man, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, the Phantom of the Opera, and many others in which he starred.
George L. Chaney has been "on his own" since early boyhood, for he left home when twleve years old, and has been making his own way in the world ever since. He learned the paper ruling trade in San Fran- cisco. When the World War came he enlisted in the 364th Ambulance Corps, otherwise known as the Masonic Ambulance Corps, in the 91st Division, and served in France and Belgium, taking part in four battles in the St. Mihiel, Argonne, Lys, and Scheldt sectors. Returning to the United States as a first-class private, he was honorably discharged at the Presidio on May 13, 1920. He then became traveling salesman for San Francisco paper houses, A. Carlisle, and H. S. Crocker, dealers in sta- tionery and printer's supplies, and covered the State from Oakland to Bakersfield.
Deciding to locate in Martinez, in 1923 Mr. Chaney bought out the G. W. Hoffman job printing office and he is building up a very lucrative business, employing six experienced people, his rule being that they are always 100-per-cent ex-service men. He was elected Commander of the American Legion at Martinez in 1924. During his incumbency the mem- bership increased from 32 to 175 men, and the new Memorial Building
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on Court Street, costing $30,000 was built. This is a two-story brick and concrete structure, 80 by 100 feet, with a swimming pool 30 by 60 feet, club rooms, and everything necessary to make an up-to-date club building. The Memorial Building is used for community affairs and is a distinct adjunct to the social life of the city.
The marriage of Mr. Chaney, occurring at Martinez, on February 1, 1920, united him with Miss Mae Sullenger, a daughter of A. N. Sul- lenger, county auditor of Contra Costa County. They have one son, George Clifton Chaney. Fraternally, Mr. Chaney is a member of the Masons, at Berkeley, and of the Richmond Lodge of Elks. He is a director in the Red Cross, and past president of the Exchange Club of Martinez. A Republican in politics, he was manager of President Cool- idge's campaign in Martinez in 1924.
FRANK DEL ROSSO .- The proprietor of the Lucca Hotel, corner of I and Second Streets, Antioch, is Frank Del Rosso, who is justly pop- ular among the Italian-American contingent in eastern Contra Costa County. The Lucca Hotel is run Italian style and in its operation he is assisted by his good wife. He was born at Bientina, Province of Pisa, Tuscany, Italy, on April 12, 1878, a son of Francisco and Madeline (Benardoni) Del Rosso. The parents were born and married in Italy. The father passed away in Italy at the age of seventy-five years; the mother is still living there and has attained to the age of ninety-three.
The Del Rosso family were very poor, the father earning the liveli- hood for the support of his family by day's labor. While still a very young boy, Frank Del Rosso went to work and when only thirteen years old he went to South America; eight years later he returned to his home in Italy and then, being twenty-one, he enlisted in the Italian Army in the Bersaglieri and served three years in China. After his term of enlist- ment had expired he came to the United States.
Mr. Del Rosso, after being discharged from the army, was married on September 12, 1902, to Miss Evelyn Masini, who was born and brought up in the same town as her husband. She is the daughter of Angelo and Laura (Stefanini) Masini. Her father died in Italy in 1923, seventy-four years old, and her mother passed away aged fifty-five years. Two weeks after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Del Rosso sailed for the United States. They spent one year in the East where their oldest daughter was born, then came to Antioch, California, and for a number of years he worked at any work he found to do, and five years ran a gro- cery store. They have been the proprietors of the Lucca Hotel since November, 1923. This property belongs to Alfred Ferranti, a brother- in-law of Mrs. Del Rosso. Mr. and Mrs. Del Rosso are the parents of five children: Irene L. is the wife of Angelo Finato, a carpenter of Antioch, and they have two boys, Angelo and George; Josephine M., is the wife of Arthur Wring of Antioch, an employee of the Columbia Steel Corporation in Pittsburg; Frank, Jr., is a machinist in Antioch ; Angelo, died at the age of twelve; and Pietro was four months at time
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of his death. Mr. Del Rosso is an active member of the Columbus Society of the Sons of Italy, which he helped to organize; he has been a member of the Antioch Aerie of Eagles for the past sixteen years. Both his sons-in-law and son, also are members of the Eagles.
CHARLES EDWIN CUMMINGS .- A native son of California who has made a name and place for himself in business circles in the Bay district is Charles Edwin Cummings, treasurer of the California Art Tile Company of Richmond. He was born in Rohnerville, Humboldt County, on January 10, 1876. His father was Elliott Carrol Cummings, a native of New York who was a school teacher by profession and came to California via Panama in 1862, and at one time served as superin- tendent of schools in Humboldt County; he was also engaged in the fur- niture business for a time. The mother was in maidenhood Miss Delia Hill, a native of Oregon, and their marriage occurred in Humboldt County, Cal. The five children who came to bless their union are: Mrs. May Gardner of Sacramento; George, living in Chicago; Charles E., of this review; William, of Sacramento; Joseph, of Guatemala. The father died in 1916, aged seventy-two. Mrs. Cummings lives in Oakland.
Charles Edwin Cummings attended the public schools of his native county and worked at such jobs as a lad usually tackles while going to school to make a little money for himself. In 1900 he began working on a gold dredger at Oroville and remained at that place for the following five years. He next spent one year in British Columbia at the same business, then came back to California and worked on Bear River a year. In 1907 he went to Dawson, Yukon Territory, and spent ten years, mak- ing several trips back to California in the meantime to spend the winter months. In 1917 he came back to California and went to mining on the American River, above Auburn, for a year. During the years in Daw- son he was in the employ of the Yukon Gold Company; he was dredge- master at Oroville for the Pacific Gold Dredge Company, as the com- pany was known in California. After following the gold dredging busi- ness several years his health began to fail and he left that business and went to Livermore and entered the employ of the Livermore Fire Brick Company and remained with this concern until 1922, when he came to Richmond and became one of the organizers of, and an officer in the California Art Tile Company. He has charge of all manufacturing for the concern, which has a world-wide reputation and turns out a fine product. A more extended mention of the company will be found in the sketch of J. W. Hislop on another page of this work.
On June 15, 1903, Mr. Cummings was united in marriage with Miss Laura Evelyn Chase, of Oroville. She was born at Abilene, Kans., a daughter of George Francis and Mary Ann (Burr) Chase. Her father was born in Iowa but went to Michigan in early life; he was a soldier in the Civil War and ranked as sergeant. Her mother was born at Belle- ville, Ill. The children in the Chase family were: Edith, married E. K.
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Brown and is dead; Alfred, of Oroville; Jessie, Mrs. W. E. Denny of Sacramento; Estelle, married Luther Hadley of Oroville; Sarah, Mrs. L. L. Lindsey, also in Oroville; Laura E., Mrs. Cummings; Mary, wife of J. J. Simonson of Orland; Clara, Mrs. George C. Wilson of Ham- monton; Bruce E., deceased; and Chester H., of Oroville. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings had a son who died in infancy; they have a daughter Doris Jean. Mr. Cummings belongs to the Native Sons, the Masons and the Eastern Star. He enjoys fishing as a recreation and sport.
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