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 110
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DAVID MENDEL .- One of the leading merchants of Martinez, David Mendel has made good in California and especially in Contra Costa County, where he has become a highly respected citizen and is recognized as one who has done his full share in building up his home city, and in furthering all projects which have this end in view. Born in 1872, in that part of Hungary which since the World War is included in Rumania, he attended the Hebrew schools and received a good educa- tion. His parents intended him for a Rabbi, but he took to mercantile pursuits instead. His worthy ambitions for himself and family led him to the decision to come to America, and in 1903 he made the journey alone, leaving in Hungary his wife and four children. He had been a merchant in the old country, and also had engaged in farming and stock- raising. Arriving in San Francisco, he engaged in merchandising, and did so well that in 1905 his wife and family joined him. In 1906, however, he lost everything he had, in the earthquake and fire of that year. Noth- ing daunted, he started in storekeeping again, but owing to a poor loca- tion, had to give up the business.
In 1914 Mr. Mendel came to Martinez in search for a more favor- able location, and here he has succeeded beyond his most sanguine ex- pectations and has become one of the city's substantial men, owning valuable business and residence properties. His business methods met with the approval of his fellow townsmen, and the sturdy character dis- played in building up his fortunes anew from a double setback gave visible proof of his caliber as a man and as a real asset to the community where he had chosen to make his home. He owns the corner where his store was located, at Main and Castro Streets, Martinez, and he also owns the brick garage building on Alhambra Street, now the Buick and the Hudson and Essex Garage, and his residence property at 534 Talbert Street, where he makes his home, as well as other property. Mendel's Depart- ment Store, at 602 Main treet, was one of the dependable places to shop in Martinez, and he closed out his store in July, 1926, to improve the property with a modern building.
In Hungary, at the age of sixteen, Mr. Mendel married Goldie Fiege, also a native of Hungary; and four children have blessed their union. Albert S. is a clothing merchant in San Francisco; he married Frieda Thu, and they have two children, Bernard and Sarah. Rosa is the wife of Leon Snyder, and the mother of two children, Lillian and David. Mr. Snyder is a partner of Albert S. Mendel in the clothing store. Annie,
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the third child, is the wife of Mendell Blackfield, an accountant for the Southern Pacific, and is the mother of two children, Ethel and Irving. Sigmund is a realtor in San Francisco, and is married to Ruth Green- back. Mr. and Mrs. Mendel belong to the Jewish Orthodox Synagogue in San Francisco. In politics Mr. Mendel is a Republican. He was naturalized in San Francisco, and he has always been a loyal citizen of his adopted country.
G. LOMBARDO .- Perhaps there is no resident of Pittsburg better known than G. Lombardo, the genial shoemaker who has an up-to-date shoe-repairing shop on Railroad Avenue, where he does a good business. When not making or repairing shoes he makes gloves and mittens, hav- ing installed first-class machinery for both lines of work. His fore- fathers were shoemakers, as were his father and brother, all expert work- men in their native land. He was born in Tropani, Italy, on Septem- ber 5, 1877, a son of Antonio and Crescezia (Ancoma) Lombardo. The father is dead, but the mother is still alive and is seventy-four years old.
Mr. Lombardo was married in Italy on April 30, 1909, to Miss Madalina Scalisa, a native of his own province; and they have had five children: Nino, Salvador, and Maria were born in Italy; Frank and Peter are native sons of California. In 1911 Mr. Lombardo and family came to California and located in Martinez, where he conducted a shoe- repairing business for six years. Then he found a better location in Pittsburg and moved here, and since then has built up a very good busi- ness in his line. He has made many friends in this city and is usually a busy man. Fraternally, he is a member of the Foresters and the Italian Lodge of Odd Fellows in Pittsburg. He has secured his first papers, showing his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States.
RAYMOND E. CLAEYS .- A city trustee and prominent business man of Martinez, Raymond E. Claeys is a native of Oceana County, Mich., born on September 13, 1893, the son of Alphonse and Theresa (Van De Walla) Claeys, both natives of Belgium and both still living. The father, a farmer in Michigan, came to California and settled in Contra Costa County in 1903, buying a ranch at Muir and there engag- ing in farming. Later he came to Martinez and bought the grocery store of J. J. McNamara, on Main Street. He has now retired from . active business.
Raymond E. Claeys received his education in the Martinez schools, and clerked in the J. J. McNamara store for his first business experience. He later managed the business for his father, which expanded under his management until it became the largest store in Martinez, housed in a new building owned and erected by himself, which included both a com- plete grocery establishment, and also a coal, hay and grain department. Mr. Claeys bought a warehouse and spur railway track for the rapid handling of his merchandise, and has brought modern ideas to bear in the management of the concern, whose growth has been so rapid as to
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seem almost phenomenal; but in back of all the growth is the steady hand and head of a man brought up in the business, and every seemingly radical move is carefully planned from a background of practical experi- ence; and with a view to expansion with the growth of Martinez and the surrounding country.
The mariage of Mr. Claeys united him with Ethel Kleiber, a native daughter of California, and four children have been born to them: Ed- ward, Coulter, Vernon and Vivian. Elected city trustee in April, 1922, and re-elected in 1926, Mr. Claeys also has served his city as chairman of the finance committee. He knows the future in store for Contra Costa County, and believes in working with that knowledge in view, plan- ning civic improvements with a broad yet practical vision, and in sup- porting this policy he has proved an invaluable man to the community, and a factor in its progress. Mr. Claeys is a director of the National Bank of Martinez, and a member of the Martinez Chamber of Com- merce. Fraternally, he belongs to the Richmond lodge of Elks, and to the Eagles, Maccabees, Woodmen of the World, and the Young Men's Institute in Martinez.
WILLIAM A. CAPELLE .- The proprietor of the successful Rich- mond Hatchery located at No. 312 Thirty-ninth Street is William A. Capelle. He was born at Rockingham, N. C., on December 11, 1882, a son of William Edward and Elizabeth (Benton) Capele, wealthy retired folk in Rockingham. (It will be noted that the spelling of the name varies. The younger generations use the old original spelling as found in the old family records.) The Capelle children are: William A., of this review; Mary Jessie, wife of W. Nash, of Little Rock, Ark .; Nan- nie Benton, who married Dave Garrett, also of Little Rock; Archie B., also in that city; and Stella, who died in childhood. The Capelle family have always been prominent in religious work, and there were two very prominent physicians of that name. The grandfathers on both sides of the family were captains in the Confederate Army; Captain Benton led the fight at Gettysburg and had a citation from Gen. Robert E. Lee for bravery and distinguished services. Captain Benton was a large slave owner, having some 180 on his large plantation. After the slaves were freed, he deeded to those who were the heads of families five acres of land for their future homes.
William A. Capelle attended the grammar school and a commercial school and at the age of nineteen began an apprenticeship as a painter and decorator, serving five years, after which he worked as a journeyman in various places until 1920. He was with the Thomas Cusack Sign Company in Chicago for fourteen years, and then came to California and spent two years in San Francisco. In 1920 he entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company at the Richmond refinery, and when he left the company he was in the power department. He purchased his present property and erected his house and suitable accommodations for the
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establishment of a chicken hatchery; and he equipped the plant with most modern incubators and with a capacity of 7000 eggs. He covers the bay region and specializes in White Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds. No order is too small or too large for him to fill with efficiency and dis- patch, and he gives his personal attention to all details of his business, which is expanding every mnth.
On March 31, 1907, Mr. Capelle was united in marriage with Miss Lucile Garland, of Prescott, Ark., daughter of Rufus K. Garland, attor- ney general of Arkansas. The mother was Isabella Walker in maiden- hood, and all were born in Arkansas. An only brother is H. W. Gar- land, an oil man in Los Angeles; and a sister is Mrs. H. M. Hanna, of Hattiesburg, Miss. Mr. Capelle belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and their auxiliaries. He has the honor of having been presented with the emblematic ring of the Knights of Pythias of the State of California by the Grand Master of the State in 1923, at the convention held in Oakland. Mr. Capelle takes an active interest in civic matters, stands for progress along all lines, and shows his public spirit at all times. For recreation he takes rod and reel and seeks the best-known fishing grounds.
FRED BUSBY .- A man of good business acumen, industrious and active, Fred Busby occupies a well-established place among the successful business men of Brentwood. Hard-working, persevering, and thinking for himself, he has met with success as the proprietor of the only exclu- sive shoe store in Brentwood and has gained the respect and confidence of the community. A native of Avalon, Mo., he was born March 4, 1881, a son of William and Martha Busby, southern people. The father was a shoemaker by trade in Avalon, where the family lived for several years, but he is now living retired in Stockton, Cal .; the mother died in 1923.
Fred Busby received a common school education. In Kansas City, Mo., he learned the shocmakers trade and traveled about from state to state working at his calling, finally coming to California about 1895, and is willing to remain here the balance of his life. For a number of years he worked as a journeyman shoemaker, then, in 1920, came to Brent- wood where he has since made his home. He has installed a full equip- ment of up-to-date electrically-driven machinery for repairing shoes ; also carries a full line of the best makes of men's, women's and children's shoes to suit his fast-growing trade.
In Stockton, June 19, 1919, Mr. Busby was married to Mrs. Mattie (Chamberlin) Cowan, born at Dinuba, Cal. By her first mariage she had three children, the only one now living being Reed Cowan. Mr. and Mrs. Busby have had four children, three of whom are living, Eugene, Sophia, and Lola. Mrs. Busby is a member of Rainbow Rebekah Lodge; Neighbors of Woodcraft, and the Maccabees, all in Stockton. Mr. Busby is a member of Tehama Tribe No. 203, I. O. R. M. in Corning, Cal. Locally he is an active member of the East Contra Costa Chamber of Commerce of Brentwood.
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VICTOR D. AND ALBERT D. GIBERTI .- The Giberti brothers, native sons of Contra Costa County, and able business men and loyal citizens of Martinez, were reared on one of the county's fertile ranches, their parents being prominent ranchers about five miles south of Mar- tinez, where they own a valuable ranch.
Victor D. Giberti, now the pioneer automobile mechanic and garage man in Martinez, was born in that city on July 7, 1899, the son of John and Alphonsa Giberti. After finishing the grammar school, he took a course in the International Correspondence School in automotive ma- chinery and electricity, and after graduating, when seventeen years old, he started to work in the garage he now owns with a partner. His employer was C. C. Corkett, then the proprietor of the garage; but after working there for four years, Mr. Giberti took a lease of the premises and es- tablished the Giberti Garage.
Albert D. Giberti was born on October 5, 1905. He graduated from the Alhambra Union High School, and then joined his brother Victor in business, under the firm name of Giberti Bros .; and they have since con- ducted the garage together, doing a general storage and repair business and dealing in automobile accessories, as well as in Shell gasoline and Shell and Standard lubricating oils. They carry genuine Ford parts and other accessories. Their repair work has been extensive, and they have gained many patrons in the county by reason of their painstaking and conscientious work. They devote their entire time to the business and are meeting with merited success. The brothers are interested in civic advancement, and take an active part in progressive movements directed toward that end. Victor D. Giberti is a member of the Pittsburg lodge of Elks, Red Men, and the Dante Society.
GUNNAR HOLLEDAY .- As a contractor and builder, drawing his own designs and plans of architecture, Mr. Holleday is well known in Martinez and Contra Costa County, where he has been in business for the past decade and has planned and erected many buildings during that time. Born near Stockholm, Sweden, on January 7, 1879, he is the son of Gustav and Emma (Johnson) Holleday, farmer folk of Sweden and the parents of ten children, seven of whom are now living, three being in California.
The fourth youngest in the family, Gunnar Holleday was brought up on the home farm, and when thirteen years of age went to sea as a sailor before the mast. On his sailing voyages he visited the principal seaport cities of the Atlantic coast, and also the various North and South Ameri- can ports washed by the waters of the Atlantic. In 1899 he came to California, but for the following year continued to go to sea, this time on the Pacific. At the end of that time he settled on land and took up the carpenter's trade in San Francisco, where he continued to work as . a carpenter and builder for five years, during which time he helped erect many large buildings in the Bay city. In 1915, Mr. Holleday came to Martinez and entered upon his career as a contractor and builder, in
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which work he has met with deserved success. Among the buildings he has put up are the Dean Apartments, the Fitzpatrick residence, and three residences on his own account, on Talbert Street. Drawing his own plans and specifications, he is able to meet the wishes of his patrons in carrying on his work, and he is known as a conscientious builder and an able workman.
The marriage of Mr. Holleday, occurring in San Francisco, united him with Miss Ida Larson, a native of Dalarme, Sweden, and daughter of John and Christine Magnuson, who were farmers in that country. A woman of unusual charm and ability, Mrs. Holleday is a favorite in social and fraternal circles in Martinez, and especially in the Rebekah Lodge No. 292, in which she is serving as the First Guard of Pocahontas. Mr. Holleday was made an Odd Fellow in 1906, becoming a member of Odin Lodge No. 293, in San Francisco. While learning his trade, after leaving the sea, he attended night school in Oakland. He has always been a believer in self advancement and in working toward high ideals.
JOHN CREELY .- A substantial business man of Richmond is John Creely, dealer in feed, fuel and groceries at 4700 Potrero Avenue. He was born in Ireland on March 27, 1875, a son of William and Martha (Hughes) Creely. The father was a worker in the textile mills in his native land and only come on a visit to California. There were three sons in the family : William, in Philadelphia; Jacob, deceased; and John, of this review. He attended the schools of his native land and in 1890 landed in New York, remaining only a short time. He then went to Philadelphia and started in as a workman for a paint manufacturer as a mixer of dry colors, remaining at that business until 1913, when he landed in California. During this time he attended night school and pre- pared himself for the future as he might find it. Arriving here he entered the employ of the Stauffer Chemical Company at Stege, the oldest concern of its kind in California. When they ceased making dry colors the California Ink Company of Berkeley took over that branch and the work was continued under the head chemist Mr. Hulett. Mr. Creely quit on account of ill health and in 1919 opened a fuel and feed store and began to build up a good business. As he prospered he added gro- ceries to his line and now does a thriving business and carries a staple line of the very best good. He delivers by motor and has a wide range of customers.
Mr. Creely was married on April 15, 1905, to Miss Letitia Taylor, also a native of Ireland and a daughter of Richard and Mary (Martin) Taylor, the former a textile worker. They have three children: Mary, Mrs. Leo Davidson, who has a son John and make their home with Mr. Creely ; Marguerite, a grammar school pupil; and Helen, also in school. Mr. Creely is a member and an officer in the Presbyterian Church at Stege and was one of the promoters of the new building. He is a most loyal American and loves his adopted country. He is highly esteemed by all who know him and his word is considered as good as his bond.
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HUGH H. DONOVAN .- A prominent attorney of Pittsburg, and a leader in all movements for the upbuilding of the city and county of his adoption, is Hugh H. Donovan, with offices in the First National Bank Building. Since coming to Pittsburg he has taken an active interest in civic affairs and can always be counted upon to give of his time and means for the betterment of the community and the people. A native of texas, he was born in Austin, in 1894, and attended the common schools of that city. He supplemented his primary education with studies at the Dublin University and at Queen's University in Belfast, Ireland. Upon returning to the United States he entered Stanford University and was graduated from that institution in June, 1923, with the degree of Juris Doctor. In seeking for a promising location in which he could find a field for his labors, Mr. Donovan selected Pittsburg; and in November, 1923, he opened an office for the practice of law in the First National Bank Building. He has served as a city trustee, and as such was always to be found on the side of progress. He is secretary of the Health Center Association and a director of the Chamber of Commerce.
During the World War Hugh H. Donovan enlisted from San Fran- cisco and served in the Field Artillery, spending one year in France, where he was when the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. He is a member of the David A. Solari Post of the American Legion in Pittsburg, and in 1926 served as Commander; in 1925 he was a delegate to the convention held at Catalina. He is a director of the Lions Club and secretary of the Contra Costa Golf Club. Fraternally, he is a mnem- ber and the Chaplain of Pittsburg Lodge No. 1474, B. P. O. E. Promi- nent in politics, he is a stanch Democrat on national issues, and is a mem- ber of the University Democratic Club. His financial interests are large ; he is a director in the First National Bank of Pittsburg and vice-presi- dent of the First National Bank of Bay Point. He believes in the future of Pittsburg and is looked upon as a leader in the various organizations to which he belongs that work for the general good.
EDWARD OLIVEIRI .- Born in Venice, Italy, on June 29, 1886, Edward Oliveiri is a son of Vincent and Rosina (De Mas) Oliveiri, natives of Italy and the parents of three children, viz .: Edward; Mrs. Elba Toniti, postmaster at Belluno, Italy; and Mrs. Louise Scossel, of Vallejo, Cal. Both parents are now deceased, the father having lived to be eighty-two years old, dying in 1922. He was a farmer and sausage maker in Italy, and was well known there.
Edward Oliveiri was educated in the schools of Venice and at the college in Treviso, receiving a good education up to the time he was seventeen years old, when he came to America, landing in New York City in November, 1905. His destination was California, where he had an uncle, who for twenty-eight years had been mayor of Sonoma, and his intention was to go to work for him; but unfortunately this uncle died before the arrival of our subject, and so he went to work in the quartz 31
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mines in Shasta County. Several years later he went into Nevada, and then into Montana and Washington, following mining with more or less success, and in the meantime gaining some knowledge of the Pacific Northwest. In 1917 he came to Napa, Cal., and started a meat market and a sausage factory, for he had learned sausage-making from his father. Three years later he arrived in Martinez, established a sausage factory, meat market and grocery, and from the very beginning succeeded beyond his expectations. In 1924 he was enabled to erect his own fac- tory, a brick structure, and his bungalow residence.
In 1918, on Thanksgiving day, Mr. Oliveiri was united in marriage at Santa Rosa, Cal., with Miss Rosina Marinoni, the only daughter of G. Marinoni, a prosperous business man and sausage maker now living in Petaluma. Of this union two children have been born, Elleanoro and Edward W. After Mr. Oliveiri became an American citizen he enrolled as a Republican, and now votes with that party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Moose of Martinez.
WILLIAM STONE DAVIS .- Descended from the old Western Sharon family, and himself a native son of California, William Stone Davis is now a valued employee of the Standard Oil Company at their refinery at Richmond, being connected with the department which has the final word as to the quality of the product before it is put on the market. He was born at San Jose on September 1, 1894. His father, William Sharon Davis, was born in Ohio and was a farmer. He came to California in early manhood, and on his mother's side was related to United States Senator Sharon of Nevada. The mother of our subject was named Susan Stone before her marriage, and was born in California. Her people came from Kentucky to California in 1850, her father being a physician in San Jose for many years, and an active man in civic affairs. There were four children in the Davis family. Susan Kirk, a graduate in agriculture at the University of California, is a landscape gardener in Berkeley. Pauline was a nurse, and served during the World War; she contracted the flu and died from its effects. William S. Davis of this review, is the next in order of birth. George Erwin W. is employed in the National City Bank in San Francisco. During the time when Benja- min Ide Wheeler was president of the University of California, Mrs. Susan Davis had the first dormitory for girls erected at the University of California. She is making her home in Berkeley, whither the family removed in 1909.
William S. Davis attended the Berkeley High School and from 1916 to 1917 was a student at the University of Nevada. After the entrance of the United States into the World War he enlisted, in August, 1917, and was with the aero squadron at Fort McDowell and then at Kelley Field in Texas. He then went to Mitchell Field and left New York for England, on December 17, 1917, landing at Greenwich Harbor. They trained at Winchester for eight months and then were sent to France in
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August, 1918. He participated in the St. Mihiel drive on September 12, 1918, and was in the Argonne-Meuse, September 18 to November 11, being attached to the First Army Corps. On May 1, 1919, he was re- turned to the United States and on May 26 was honorably discharged at Camp Kearny. Returning home to Berkeley, Mr. Davis entered the Uni- versity of California in August, 1920, majoring in Economics and gradu- ating with the degree of A. B. in 1922. He is a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and was a member of its baseball team. His first work after leaving college was with the Matson Navigation Com- pany. Then he came to Richmond, in 1922, and entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company in the pipe shop. Next he was in the inspec- tion department; and being a keen observer and an apt pupil, he was ad- vanced from one department to another until he reached his present responsible position.
On April 30, 1924, Mr. Davis and Miss Penelope Allen Boden were united in marriage, the ceremony being performed at her home by Rev. Henry Ohlhoff. She was born in San Francisco and is a graduate of the University of California, Class of 1923. She majored in Anthropology. She was the first girl to be president of the Alpha Epsilon Society, and was also a member of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. Her parents are Frederick C. and Helen A. (Macdonald) Boden. Mr. Boden was in gov- ernment service and spent much time abroad. Of this marriage one child has been born, Sherrod Stone Davis, aged ten months. Mr. Davis be- longs to the Richmond Elks and to the American Legion Post. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davis are identified with the Episcopal Church. He owns his own home property and takes keen pleasure in gardening and beauti- fying his home. His recreation is found in hunting and fishing and in golf.
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