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 111
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LEONARDO CANCIAMILLA .- In the career of Leonardo Can- ciamilla are illustrated the results of hard work, thrift, and a determined effort to overcome obstacles to his success in business. Earlier in life he was an Italian fruit peddler; to day he is the proprietor of a fruit and grocery store at the corner of Seventh and Black Diamond Streets, in Pittsburg, Cal., where he is building up a nice business. He was born in the Province of Palermo, Island of Sicily, Italy, November 6, 1879, a son of Giuseppe and Giuseppa Canciamilla. The father is still living in Italy, at the age of eighty-three; the mother passed away at the age of sixty-five years. Their family consisted of three children: Mariano, a rancher at San Jose; Gracia, the widow of Nicholas Donna, who died in Pittsburg, leaving five children who are now living with their mother in Oakland; and Leonardo, the subject of this sketch.
Realizing that America offered to young men with little money great- er opportunities than he could ever hope for in his native land, Leonardo Canciamilla emigrated to America, locating at Boston in 1903. After some time spent in this country he returned to his native land and on February 14, 1906, at Trabia, Province of Palermo, Sicily, was united in
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marriage.with Miss Carmilla Landolina. The young couple emigrated to America, sailing from Naples and arriving in New York City, from whence they continued their journey to San Francisco, arriving August 15, 1906. At Stockton, Cal., he opened a little fruit and grocery store. After some years he moved to Pittsburg, in 1914, and opened a store on Second Street remaining in that locality four years, and then moved to the corner of Black Diamond and Seventh Streets. Here he is build- ing up a good business, in the operation of which he is ably assisted by his good wife and the children. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Cancia- milla consists of three children: Joe, Nicholas and Marian. The children show their loyalty to their parents by helping all they can in the work of the store. This cooperation of children and parents in the busi- ness affairs of the family is highly commendable upon the part of the children, and has been responsible for the growth and eventual develop- ment of many small stores and factories into what are today large and successful stores and business establishments. Mr. Canciamilla has taken out his first papers of naturalization and is looking forward with much pleasure to the day when he shall be a full-fledged American citizen.
JOHN RAYMOND PEMBROKE .- A native son of Port Costa and one of its successful young business men, Raymond Pembroke, as he is more familiarly called, is well and favorably known throughout the county. The son of William P. and Annie (Dolan) Pembroke, well- known Port Costans and natives of Ireland, he was born at Port Costa on June 25, 1899, and grew up in that city, where his father, now past seventy-four, has for many years worked in the grain warehouses. Both parents are highly respected in their community.
After attending the public schools of Port Costa, Raymond Pembroke early learned the meat market business in his native town, where he has been a steady worker since his youth. He is now the manager and a partner in the Port Costa Market, which has been built up as a modern sanitary market largely through his intelligent and energetic efforts, for he built the building occupied by the market in 1923 and has given his entire time to the development of the business. The firm was formerly known as McNamara & Pembroke, but on February 12, 1925, it became Shea & Pembroke, taking in as a partner Earl Shea, another well-known and successful young business man of Port Costa. Mr. Shea had been the proprietor of the Port Costa Garage, which he sold in order to give his attention to the market. With these two energetic and up-to-date men at the helm, the Port Costa Market has become one of the principal busi- ness houses of the city, carrying at all times a large stock of the best in fresh and salt meats, and in fruits and vegetables, and catering to their many patrons in the city.
The marriage of Mr. Pembroke, which occurred in Berkeley on October 8, 1923, united him with Miss Grace Hunt, also a native Cali- fornian, born in Sacramento, and their marriage has been blessed with
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two children, William Raymond and Phyllis Margaret. Mr. Pembroke takes an active interest in public affairs and good government, but is not an office seeker, preferring to do his share as a private citizen in advancing his home community.
THEODORO FERRE .- An artist of more than ordinary ability and the proprietor of the Italian Hotel in Pittsburg, Contra Costa County, Theodoro Ferre is making a name and place for himself in the business circles of this county. He was born on October 15, 1893, in the Province of Milan, at Magnago, Italy, and comes from a very tal- ented family of that province. His father, now deceased, as an architect of ability and gave to his son every educational advantage possible. He attended the schools of his native city and took a course at the Academy of Belle Arte in Milan, where he prepared himself for the greater things in life that might come his way.
Mr. Ferre arrived in New York City on October 20, 1920, after having served his country for five years in the World War, and having been promoted to the rank of sergeant for his services to his country. Mr. Ferre came at once to Pittsburg, Cal., and for a time followed the business of the painter and decorator. In this work the talents of Mr. Ferre were given ample opportunity. He painted a portrait of the late President Theodore Roosevelt, which adorns the walls of the First Na- tional Bank in Pittsburg. A painting of the martyred President, Abra- ham Lincoln, and scenes from Venice and Spring Time adorn the walls of the dining room of the Italian Hotel. After having learned the ways of this country by his contact with the people in Pittsburg, Mr. Ferre and a partner engaged in the hotel business, operating the Tivoli Hotel until July 1, 1925, when he moved to the present location on Black Dia- mond Street ; and here, at the Italian Hotel, he has built up a good busi- ness. The hotel is equipped to serve special parties and to arrange ban- quets to the satisfaction of its patrons. He has an efficient chef, the cui- sine is unexcelled, and the rooms are modern in every respect.
Mr. Ferre has applied for his citizenship papers, and he is always ready to help promote any interest to benefit his home city of Pitts- burg. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Order of Druids and of the Odd Fellows in Pittsburg.
GEORGE ROBERT CALVERT .- The efficient manager of the Richmond exchange of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company is George Robert Calvert. He was born at California, Washington County, Pa., the son of John W. and Margaret (McDonald) Calvert, natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively. The mother is deceased.
Mr. Calvert received his education in the public and private schools, and also attended night school in Chicago. His first real job was with Montgomery Ward & Company in Chicago, and he remained with them seven years, or until he came to California. His first two years here were spent in the construction engineering department of the Southern Pacific
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Railroad Company. From 1906 to 1908 he was in the shoe business, part of the time as manager of an Oakland store and part of the time on the road as salesman. His first work with the telephone company was as collector, and he made his home in Oakland for a year. His ability was soon demonstrated, and he was selected to be the manager of the Richmond exchange. In 1910 he came to this city to take charge of the plant, and ever since that time he has been busy keeping in advance of the times and enlarging the company's business. The territory has been enlarged and he is district manager for the Richmond district. There were 400 connections when Mr. Calvert came here, and the number has been growing until there are now more than 4000 telephones in service and fifty-five people employed.
On April 9, 1917, Mr. Calvert married Miss Isabell McPherson, daughter of William and Susan (Fleming) McPherson, natives of Scot- land. Her brother, James McPherson, died in service during the World War as a member of the English Navy. Mr. Calvert belongs to the Rich- mond Elks, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club. His recre- ation is found in deer hunting, fishing and camping. He is fond of all out-of-door sports, especially baseball. He owns his own home and takes an active interest in municipal affairs.
EDWARD J. BALL .- Having practically "grown up" in the fruit industry in Contra Costa County, Mr. Ball is one of its most competent men in that line; and since fruit growing and packing is one of the principal industries, he is a well-known figure throughout the bay terri- tory. A native son, he was born at Pleasant Hill on June 7, 1900, the only son born to Thomas R. and Jennie Ball, pioneers of the county, and he now resides at the beautiful country home built on his father's ranch near Martinez. Here he was reared amid the orchards of growing fruit, and attended the public schools of Martinez, graduating from the high school there with the Class of 1920; and later he graduated from Heald's Business College, at San Francisco. He then was in the employ of the Pioneer Fruit Company, of which concern his father, Thomas R. Ball, was manager. In 1922 the son succeeded his father as manager, and has since carried on the operations of the plant. Their packing house is located at Muir Station, on the Santa Fe Railway, near Martinez, and they handle about $250,000 worth of fruit each year, the greater part of the output of the Alhambra Valley. This comprises, on the average, 150 cars of pears; 30 cars of grapes, and 20 cars of apricots and plums. During the season twenty-five men are employed to carry on the work. The company maintain headquarters in San Francisco, and it makes a specialty of deciduous fruits for table use.
Mr. Ball was married at Martinez on February 8, 1922, to Miss Mildred A. Lockard, also a native of Martinez, and the daughter of L. R. Lockard, senior engineer at the Standard Oil Company's pumping station at Avon. One child has blessed their union, Mildred June.
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JOHN DI BETTA .- John Di Betta and a partner own and operate the Valley Home Ranch, consisting of sixty-five acres four miles south of Martinez. This ranch they have changed from a dairy ranch to a vineyard, having planted forty-five acres to grapes, now just coming into bearing and promising to be one of the most productive vineyards of the valley. Born in Contessa, Entellina, Italy, on September 16, 1868, John Di Betta is a son of Frank and Lunna Di Betta, who were married in Italy, and moved to New Orleans, La., when John was one and one-half years old. He was five years old when the family went back to Italy, and there he was reared, in his home town. There the father died in 1889, and the mother lived until 1916, when she died aged eighty years.
Returning to the United States when twenty-three years old, after having served for three years in the Italian army, from which he was discharged with the rank of high corporal, John Di Betta went to New Orleans and there learned the barber's trade. In that city his marriage occurred, uniting him with Miss Celia Musacchia, who was born in New Orleans, a daughter of Leonard and Lilly Musacchia. Mrs. Di Betta's mother died of yellow fever when Mrs. Di Betta was only one month old. That dread disease was raging in New Orleans at that time and wiped out hundreds of lives. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Di Betta : Lulu L., a pharmacist and druggist at Martinez ; Julia, a forewoman at the sugar refinery at Crockett; Lillian, a stenographer with the Shell Company at Martinez; Frank, on the home ranch; Leon- ard; and Helen. All the children were born in New Orleans with the exception of Helen, who was born in California.
In 1914, Mr. Di Betta brought his family out to California, seeking a more healthful climate, and for eight years worked as a barber in Martinez. On June 12, 1922, with a partner, he bought his present ranch; and there he makes his home, his family continuing to reside at their residence in Martinez. The ranch has been improved with a dwell- ing house and ranch buildings, and is being developed by the two partners to a productive ranch.
WILLIAM HENRY STEPHENS .- One of the men deeply inter- ested in the Boy Scouts and who is one of the shift bosses at the sugar refinery in Crockett is William H. Stephens, who has been connected with the refinery since 1914. He was born at Grand Junction, Colo., on December 28, 1890, the son of W. J. and Jennie (Brown) Stephens. W. J. Stephens and his wife were both natives of Wisconsin. The father went to Colorado during the gold rush of the eighties ; he met an accidental death in 1923, when he was seventy-four. Mrs. Stephens died in 1891, when her son was a babe in arms. The lad attended the Grand Junction schools, taking a special course in chemistry. At the age of twenty-three he came to California and for six months worked in the sugar refinery at Hamilton City. In fact, ever since coming out of high school in 1906, in Colorado, Mr. Stephens has worked in the sugar busi-
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ness. In 1914 he landed in Crockett and secured a position at the C. & H. refinery. He began at the bottom and gradually has been advanced because of his exceptional ability until he is now a shift boss with all the responsibilities of the position. He likes the company by whom he is employed, and the community in which he lives and prospers, and takes a live interest in furthering every movement for the good of the people. He feels it is some satisfaction to work for one of the largest concerns of its kind in the world and does his best to promote its interests.
On August 14, 1912, W. H. Stephens married Miss Bessie Hall, of Grand Junction, Colo. She is the daughter of Lee and Annie Hall, farmers and fruit growers there. One daughter has come to bless this union, Irene Elizabeth, aged eleven and a pupil in the grammar school. Mrs. Stephens has two brothers living in Oregon City, Ore., where they are engaged in the automobile business; one sister in Vallejo and another in San Francisco. Mr. Stephens has a sister, Mrs. E. C. Barnes. Golf is Mr. Stephens hobby, and he also enjoys the great out-of-doors on seasonal camping trips. His religious belief is in the Episcopal doc- trines, while Mrs. Stephens is a Christian Church worker. The family are highly respected and have won an assured place in the community in which they live.
NELS J. MEYER .- A successful fuel and feed merchant, whose place of business is located on the Giant Highway in the San Pablo dis- trict, is Nels J. Meyer. He was born in Jutland, Denmark, on Novem- ber 27, 1879, and attended the schools of his native land until he was about fifteen. He grew up on a farm and early in life became accustomed to farm life, continuing in that line of work until he came to America in 1901. He worked as a farm hand in Wisconsin and later went to Min- nesota, where he engaged in the dairy business near St. Paul two years.
Having relatives in California, Mr. Meyer decided to come to this State. Accordingly he arrived in Oakland in 1906, and soon after en- gaged in the fuel and feed business in Oakland. Thinking to better his financial condition, he came to Contra Costa County in 1913 and for five years carried on farming in the vicinity of San Pablo. His next move was the establishing of a fuel and feed business at his present location. For two years he had his brother as a partner, until the brother left to enter the service of his country in the World War. The firm opened business under the name of Meyer Brothers; and this still continues, al- though Nels purchased his brother's interest and is now sole owner.
Mr. Meyer has met with well-deserved success in this enterprise and has a growing trade in this entire community. His aim is to have satis- fied customers, and through his affable manners and good business integ- rity he has won a large circle of friends. He believes in progress and is al- ways ready to assist any worthy enterprise that has for its aim the build- ing up of the city and county. His fraternal relations are with the Dan- ish Brotherhood, No. 39, of Oakland, where he finds a warm welcome from his many friends in that Bay city.
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HARRY L. BRADY .- A representative citizen of Martinez, well- known for his sterling qualities, both as a business man and as a public official, Harry L. Brady was born in Alamo, Contra Costa County, on September 25, 1875, the son of John and Jennie Brady, both natives of Michigan. The father came to Contra Costa County in early days and followed grain ranching in the Moraga Valley all the rest of his life. Four children were born to him and his good wife: Harry L., E. L., W. A., and Mrs. Cora Baldwin.
After finishing his schooling, Harry L. Brady learned the black- smith's trade and followed that work, also engaging in ranching. For the past eight years he has been deputy sheriff of the county, six years of which time were spent in active service. Some four years ago he started in the fuel and ice business, and two years later completed a mod- ern $30,000 cold-storage and ice plant in which to carry on the business. This is fully equipped with all the facilities necessary for so large a plant, and is a decided addition to the industrial and economic growth of Martinez. Mr. Brady is also in the tow-boat business, owning and operating three boats on the river at Martinez, and one boat in San Pedro harbor.
The marriage of Mr. Brady, which occurred in 1899, united him with Mary Smith, a native daughter of Alameda County, and they have two adopted children, Norman Smith and Dorothy Smith. Fraternally, Mr. Brady belongs to the Martinez Parlor, N. S. G. W., and to the Loyal Order of Moose.
JAMES A. MONTEVERDE .- The identification of the Monte- verde family with California dates back to 1862, when John Monte- verde, the father of James A. Monteverde, arrived in California via Cape Horn. He came from Boston, Mass., and upon arriving in Cali- fornia became a gold miner, working in the old Eureka, Lincoln and Mahoney quartz mines, and was rated as the strongest man on the Mother Lode and an A-1 miner. He was a native of Genoa, Italy, and after his mining experience he settled at Sutter Creek, Amador County, and operated a general store for many years. He passed away in Au- gust, 1918; and his widow, Rosa (Levaggi) Monteverde, and three daughters and a son, are still living at Sutter Creek and managing the business left by the husband and father.
James A. Monteverde was born at Sutter Creek, May 11, 1875. He attended the public school of the community and later supplemented his education by taking a special business course at Atkinson's Business Col- lege, in Sacramento, from which school he was graduated on August 16, 1893, after which he returned to his home at Sutter Creek and assisted his father in the management of the store, remaining there until 1901. He became a commercial traveler and for twenty years traveled as a "knight of the grip" in central and northern California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada and British Columbia. From 1901 to 1915 he traveled for Bertin and Lepori, wholesale liquor dealers
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at 520. Washington Street, San Francisco; and from 1915 to 1921 he represented the wholesale establishment of N. Dingley & Co., of Sacra- mento, dealers in coffees, teas, and spices. John Jackson Monteverde, his brother, being sole proprietor of said firm.
In 1922 Mr. Monteverde became associated with the First National Bank of Pittsburg, Cal., as acting vice-president, resigning in 1924, but still retaining his interest in the bank, of which Mr. C. Lepori is presi- dent. On January 26, 1924, the Industrial Finance Company was in- corporated, and James A. Monteverde was made the secretary and treas- urer of the corporation. At first the company was incorporated for $25,000, but the success of the business by 1925 warranted the increase of the capital stock to $75,000. The officers of the Industrial Finance Company, Inc., are: John J. Davi, president; H. H. Summer, vice- president; and James A. Monteverde, secretary and treasurer. Perhaps no other man in Pittsburg has so large a number of business acquaint- ances as Mr. Monteverde, his long experience as a commercial traveler having afforded him an opportunity to meet and greet a host of persons in the great Northwest. His happy faculty of making and retaining friends is a very valuable asset to every man in business, but all are not so fortunate in this respect as Mr. Monteverde. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 1474, B. P. O. E., at Pittsburg; and he holds membership in the Illinois Commercial Travelers, and in Lodge No. 147 of the United Commercial Travelers, at Sacramento. His family con- sists of three children: Mrs. Alice Henckll, of San Francisco; Whitton C., a medical student at the University of St. Louis; and Miss Olive Monteverde, of San Francisco.
CARL R. ALEXANDER .- As owner of the Pioneer Battery Com- pany of Richmond, Carl R. Alexander has been connected with the best interests of Richmond since 1918, but he has lived in the city since 1912. He was born at Garnett, Kans., on May 25, 1888, the son of John A. and Clara May (Roach) Alexander, the former a native of Ohio and a farmer. The mother was born in Indiana, and her marriage to Mr. Alexander took place on October 18, 1885. Their children are as fol- lows: Archie A., who is married and with his wife and four children resides in Richmond; Carl R., of this review; Wilma, who married T. V. Robertson and lives in Topeka, Kans .; Donald R., who also is married and has a daughter ; and Helen, Mrs. C. Hetherington, of Topeka, Kans.
Carl R. Alexander attended the public schools in Topeka, Kans., and his first work after leaving school was in the Santa Fe Railroad shops, where he stayed for two years; then he was transferred to the electrical engineering department and remained there two years, after which he was sent to Arkansas City as electrical inspector and spent two years there. His next move brought him to Richmond, where he came as foreman of the train-lighting department in the Santa Fe shops, in which he remained five years. On September 15, 1918, he bought his present business, which had been established in 1915 and is the oldest
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one of its kind in the city. All kinds of battery work is executed by Mr. Alexander and his assistants, and his business has had a steady increase from the first. As a specialty the company deals in radios.
Carl R. Alexander was married on December 7, 1910, to Miss Louie Patterson, daughter of William and Minnie (Hayson) Patterson, natives of Scotland and Missouri, respectively, but now residents of Richmond. She has two brothers, Harold A. and Homer W., living in Richmond. Mr. Alexander is a prominent Mason, being a member and Past Master of Harbor Lodge No. 502, F. & A. M .; Past High Priest of Richmond Chapter No. 113, R. A. M .; vice-president of the Masters and Past Masters Association of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties; Con- ductor of Oakland Council No. 12, R. & S. M .; and Past Patron of Acantha Chapter No. 249, O. E. S. He belongs to the Rotary Club and to the Chamber of Commerce, and is active in civic work for the city of Richmond.
AXEL T. ANDERSON .- Although born in Sweden on June 4, 1888, Axel T. Anderson was but two years old when, in 1890, he was brought to the United States and to Minnesota by his parents, Oscar and Anna Anderson, who settled at Cloquet, that State. Of their six children, two girls and four boys, Axel T. Anderson, is the oldest. He grew up and attended the public schools and a business college at Cloquet, and there entered the lumber business as a grader, working for the Northern Lumber Company, and for the Cloquet Lumber Company. Later, after he had mastered quite a little of the business by practical application, he was employed at various times with other companies in Minnesota and in Ontario, Canada. In 1918 he came West to Bay Point from Cloquet, Minn., and entered the employ of the C. A. Smith Lumber Company. He worked his way through the various positions with this company until he was promoted to his present position, that of dock foreman for the Coos Bay Lumber Company, successors to the C. A. Smith Lumber Company. Mr. Anderson is a competent workman and understands the handling of lumber and the operation of the machinery used in its loading and unloading.
The Coos Bay Lumber Company own and operate three sea-going vessels that transport the lumber from their mills at Coos Bay, Ore., points to the docks at Bay Point. The manufactured material is re- loaded onto barges, of which they have three, and is taken to Oakland and San Francisco for distribution. About 120,000,000 feet of lumber is handled at the docks annually.
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