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 17
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In August, 1860, a fire destroyed several buildings ; and on August 15, 1867, the Pacheco Flour Mills, owned by W. J. Ireland, were destroyed. In October, 1881, Wagner & Russi became owners of this plant, by pur- chase from Mrs. Ireland. On September 5, 1871, another fire ravaged the town, entailing a loss of more than $30,000, the heaviest loss falling on Elijah Hook, L. F. Moreno, Bunker & Porter of the Contra Costa Ga- zette, L. Anderson, J. H. Fray, and the Odd Fellows Hall.
The first church was of the Presbyterian denomination, and was or- ganized in 1862. The next was the Catholic church, organized in 1867, and the third was a Congregational church.
On September 12, 1863, Pacheco Lodge No. 117, I. O. O. F., was instituted. In 1871 the lodge erected its own building, but it was destroyed by fire in September of that year. On April 26, 1872, their new hall was dedicated. The lodge was later moved to Concord.
The first school was established in 1859, and D. S. Woodruff was the teacher.
Capt. Ludwig Anderson started his lumber yard in 1860. P. Stand- ish established the Pacheco Plow Works in 1859. He sold to H. M. Dal- ton in 1861, and first exhibited his plow at the Bay District Fair in 1862. In 1879 the plant was removed to Oakland.
In June, 1868, Lohse & Bacon built a warehouse at Seal Bluff Landing. On October 21, 1868, the great earthquake did great damage to the buildings in Pacheco, and throughout Contra Costa County.
On June 19, 1869, Mohawk Tribe No. 20, I. O. R. M., was organized.
On May 29, 1869, the Western Union Telegraph Company complet- ed their line to Pacheco and established an office in the store of Fassett & McCauley, appointing Barry Baldwin as their agent.
On December 29, 1870, the Contra Costa Savings & Loan Bank was organized, with a capital of $50,000.
On May 10, 1871, the following officers were selected for the new military company of forty members : George J. Bennett, captain; H. N. Armstrong, first lieutenant; and William Fassett, second lieutenant.
The Pacheco Tobacco Company was incorporated on February 6, 1871, with a capital stock of $10,000, for curing and manufacturing to- bacco. The directors were W. K. Dell, D. F. Majors, B. Baldwin, S. W. Johnson and R. H. Cornell.
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The Contra Costa News was established in Pacheco in 1873 by popu- lar subscription; Mr. Chadwick was manager. In May, 1877, W. R. Crauna bought the paper, and in October moved the plant to Martinez.
Pacheco Grange was organized on February 5, 1876 with thirty charter members.
BRENTWOOD
Probably no section of California has made greater strides in agri- cultural development in past years than Brentwood. Up to a few years ago irrigation would have been considered not only impracticable, but unnecessary, in the country around Brentwood. It took the engineers and agricultural experts of the Balfour-Guthrie Company, owners of 13,000 acres, to discover the possibilities of the land, if irrigated. They laid their plans carefully and constructed an irrigation system which is now the finest in the State.
In 1837 the Los Médanos Rancho was sold to Dr. John Marsh, and that year marks the coming to Contra Costa County of the first American citizen. He established his residence in a small adobe, but later built the now famous Stone House, which was most of the time intact and un- occupied until the quake of 1868. Dr. Marsh met his death on September 24, 1856, while on his way to Martinez to take a boat to San Francisco. He was accosted by three Mexicans at Potter's Hill, on Pacheco Road, and was killed. Thus passed the man who first developed the Brentwood Irrigated Farms, and from whom the Marsh Grant derived its name. The development of the property was retarded many years, until the final set- tlement of the suit of Bergin vs. Sanford, which resulted in the partition of the grant, a small portion going to Sanford, while the Bergin interests got 95 per cent of the tract, and this was bought by. the Balfour-Guthrie Company. For many years fine crops of wheat, oats and barley were har- vested from these lands. Now, with the land under irrigation, English walnuts and alfalfa are being grown very profitably. It cost the Balfour- Guthrie Company $500,000 to bring about this change. A concrete ditch carries water from Indian River, and by means of laterals it is distribut- ed by meter to all parts of the 13,000 acres.
On the ten-acre experimental farm maintained near Brentwood, the Balfour-Guthrie Company demonstrated that celery, asparagus, potatoes, and all sorts of vegetables, fruits and berries thrive and bring good returns in this section.
Brentwood, the center of this area, has grown apace with the de- velopment of the surrounding country. Its principal street is Oak Street, which was paved in 1915. Some of the principal buildings are Hotel Brentwood, built by the Balfour-Guthrie Company at a cost of $40,000, the Bank of Brentwood, the Liberty Union High School, and the Brent- wood-Deer Valley Grammar School. This grammar school, which cost $40,000, was financed by a bond issue voted at the election in September, 1921 ; and the building was occupied in 1922. The school has four teach-
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ers and an enrollment of ninety-nine pupils. Other modern buildings are the Rolando, Jansse & O'Meara, W. W. Morgans, Brentwood Garage, and Shafer's Funeral Home.
Brentwood was started in 1874. That year Joseph Carey built the first building, a blacksmith shop. In 1876, E. Bacigalupi erected a building and opened a saloon. L. Grunauer opened a general merchandise store in 1880, in the third building erected in town. J. E. W. Carey was the first justice of the peace and notary. A postoffice was established Novem- ber 9, 1878, C. R. Estabrook being postmaster. The Methodist Epis- copal church was built in 1885, and the Christian church in 1889.
H. B. Jewett was the pioneer rancher, and lived on the grant of land now occupied by the northwest part of town. While the railroad was being built, Mrs. Jewett boarded some of the men.
The Balfour-Guthrie Company established the first water system on the east side of the town and put in a septic-tank sewer system on that side. The water supply is now furnished by the Eastern Contra Costa Irriga- tion Company.
The early agricultural products of this section were wheat and barley, and in 1890 Brentwood was the largest shipping point, for the shipment of these grains, between New Orleans and San Francisco.
The Brentwood Lodge of Masons, No. 345, was instituted in 1901, with fourteen charter members. William Jereslaw was the first Master; Aubrey Williamson, Master in 1925. There were 115 members in 1925.
Maspha Chapter No. 198, O. E. S., was instituted in 1901 with twen- ty-two charter members; Henrietta Stone, first Matron; Mrs. Hazel Kreim, Matron in 1925. In 1924 the Masons and the Eastern Star erected a Masonic Temple, costing $20,000, with furnishings.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows organized a lodge in 1892.
Brentwood Grammar School was organized in 1882, and the building was inclosed in 1888; this building stood until 1923. The first high school was held in two rooms of the old grammar school until the high school was built. The first building burned and was replaced by the present structure.
Brentwood Courier was established in 1892. There was only one issue of the paper, as the plant burned. One bundle of the papers was saved, and they sold for fifty cents each.
Fred Eachus established the Brentwood News in 1897.
E. W. Netherton started the Brentwood Enterprise, having bought Eachus' plant.
Sam Hill became owner of the Brentwood News in 1920. The paper is a weekly, with a circulation of 650.
Brentwood Bank was established in 1913; president, R. G. Dean, who continued in that office until his death. The Balfour-Guthrie Company, through R. F. Macleod, owned 210 shares, and local stockholders the
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rest; the capital stock was $25,000. This bank was sold to the Bank of Antioch in 1922. Robert Wallace is the only one of the original directors still in office. The institution is now known as the Brentwood Branch of the Bank of Antioch.
Among the early settlers of the town and vicinity are: C. J. Preston, who came in 1867, and is now deceased; and Mrs. Elizabeth (Pearce) Shafer, who came in 1868 and is still a resident. She crossed the plains in 1858, lived in Solano County for ten years, and married William Sha- fer, who came to the Los Médanos Grant and engaged in the stock busi- ness. R. G. Dean, now deceased, came in 1869; Mrs. Jerusha Dean, his widow, lives in Martinez. Robert Wallace came in 1869, was elected justice of the peace in 1900, and still holds that office.
The Southern Pacific serves the community as common carrier, as do also a regular Stockton-Brentwood auto stage and motor trucks. Half the hay and milk is hauled by trucks. What fruit is raised is hauled to Oakley, where two packing plants care for it, those of the Earl Fruit Com- pany and the Stewart Fruit Company. When the large acreage now plant- ed comes into bearing, packing houses and canning facilities will be pro- vided, land already having been purchased by Hunt Brothers for that purpose. The present crops made possible by irrigation are alfalfa and fruit. Six thousand acres are in fruit trees-peaches, apricots, etc .- from one to three years old. There is still considerable stock raised and ranged in the hills, some 30,000 acres being devoted to pasture; and there is also considerable dairying.
John Williams organized the Brentwood Coal Company, backed by the Sanford family of New York. He secured two sections of land near Marsh Landing, where he had deep water, erected a wharf, and opened the coal vein, installing all necessary machinery and equipment, and build- ing boarding-houses and bunk-houses. The coal, however, was found to be of inferior quality, and water flowed into the shaft in such quantity that it could not be handled, and consequently the whole project was aban- doned. The property was sold for taxes, and was bought in by the Clay Street Bank of San Francisco; and M. B. Ivory was placed in the position of manager and superintendent. When the town was started, it was given the name Brentwood, after the name of the mine, as some claim. Others say that the town derives its name from Brentwood in Essex, England, whence originally came the family of Dr. John Marsh, and that the owner of the Marsh Grant donated the townsite.
BYRON
The name of this thriving town was given to it by the railroad com- pany. It has a population of about 500 people and is located in the ex- treme eastern end of Contra Costa County, in the center of a highly de- veloped, irrigated district, on the main line of the Southern Pacific Rail- way. It is two and a half miles from the world-famous Byron Hot Springs,
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and had its beginning in 1878, when the railroad began operating trains through this district.
The first building put up was erected by a man named Smith, a cob- bler, who built a shack of rough boards where he mended boots and shoes. Henry Wilkening erected the first house, which was his family home and was also used as a hotel. He formerly ran the Red House at Point of Timber. On November 9, 1878, the postoffice was established and Mr. Wilkening was appointed postmaster. That same fall Charles Peers moved a house from the old Iron House to the new townsite and opened a saloon. Mr. Wilkening erected a building on a lot adjacent to his hotel, and in it opened the first saloon. This building is the only one of the pioneer structures still standing, all the others having been destroyed by the various fires that have ravaged the town. F. M. Holway came at the same time as Wilkening and entered his employ, and he is still doing business in the old pioneer building, where he has a soft drink emporium and a billiard hall. He bought the property in 1885 from the heirs of Wilkening, who died in 1883. The hotel, burned in one of the first fires to occur in the village, was rebuilt by Mr. Holway in 1885, and was rented to M. M. Grover for a term of five years. Again the structure was de- stroyed, but was not rebuilt. In 1878 Fish & Blum erected a large ware- house.
Fabian & Levinsky built the first store building in 1879. Peers & Den- gels had the first meat market in 1882. Frank Phelps came in 1884 and started the first smithy. In 1883 the Congregational Church was built and Rev. W. H. Tubbs was installed as pastor. Rev. Tubbs was also con- sidered an artist with the paint brush. In 1887 Byron Lodge No. 335, I. O. O. F., was instituted with five charter members, F. Rahnestorf, Noble Grand; there are now (1925) 195 members. In 1889 Florence Knight Lodge No. 264, D. of R., was organized. It was first known as Grace Darling Lodge. In 1903 the Odd Fellows erected their new hall, a two-story structure. In 1888 V. J. Engle started the first lumber yard on property sold him by F. M. Holway.
Prior to the activities mentioned above, this section was a vast cat- tle range, known as Point of Timber on the river, where there was a land- ing owned jointly by the neighboring ranchers, and as Eden Plain to the west. Here, where the range land had a wide scope, the hardy settlers did all in their power to build up a law-abiding community, and accumulate fortunes for themselves. Alonzo Plumley came in 1851 ; so did Ferdinand Hoffman, who owned 920 acres of land; and J. S. Netherton was the third settler in Point of Timber. H. C. Gallagher, J. E. Carey, J. F. Carey, A. Richardson, W. R. Wilder, C. J. Preston, D. Perkins, D. K. Berry, M. Berlinger, Thomas McCabe, J. P. McCabe; H. C. McCabe, George Cople, A. T. Taylor, J. Christensen, R. N. McEntire, W. J. Cotes, J. B. Henderson, R. G. Dean, M. A. Walton, J. H. Baldwin and others were among the number who laid the foundation for this thriving community.
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The pioneers were stock-men and later came the raising of grain, mostly wheat. At one time Byron was the liveliest shipping point between Stockton and San Francisco.
In 1868 the Methodist Episcopal parsonage was built, and the fol- lowing year A. E. Hertell took charge of the circuit, which included Eden Plain. In 1871 it was Point of Timber and Antioch, and in 1872 Som- ersville and San Joaquin were added to the charge. In 1875 Rev. E. Jacka went to Point of Timber. In 1897 the Methodists erected their building. Later the Seventh Day Adventists came into the field, and lastly, in 1917, the Catholics.
Excelsior Lodge No. 349, I. O. G. T., was organized on March 7, 1869; Point of Timber Lodge, A. O. U. W., was organized on April 12, 1870; and Point of Timber Grange No. 14, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized on May 21, 1873, as an outgrowth of the Farmers' Protective League. R. G. Dean was Master. These God-fearing, hardy pioneers had much to do with the early development of the whole eastern end of Contra Costa County.
James A. Salts kept a store at Point of Timber. Henry Tichenor ran the first hotel at the Hot Springs. After him came Henry C. Gal- lagher, who was the first man to advertise the curative powers of the water. This was in 1878, and at that early day he brought many sporting men from the bay cities and elsewhere to his hotel. Here they coursed dogs for amusement. Caswell & Durwood Wright, in 1870, ran a stage line from Banta to Antioch through Point of Timber, making the run twice a week, with a change of horses at the Red House.
The Odd Fellows formed an association and erected a building over the piles of lumber in Engle's yard for their lodge room. When this burned they bought the land of Engle & Peers and erected their own building, under the name of the Odd Fellows' Hall Association.
Byron Parlor No. 170, N. S. G. W., was organized on February 7, 1891. Then came Donner Parlor No. 193, N. D. G. W .; Mt. Diablo Camp No. 496, W. O. W .; and the Portuguese lodges : I. D. E. S., No. 96, organized on November 26, 1911, and U. P. E. C., No. 165, organ- ized on October 27, 1920.
Soon after the founding of Byron a school was started. Ella McCabe was the first teacher. The Excelsior district had been organized some time before, with Miss Ida Hall as teacher.
In 1897 the old school building that had been used as the Grange Hall, in the Excelsior district, was moved to Byron.
In 1906 Harry Hammond established the Byron Times, which has done more, through its special editions, to advertise the whole delta sec- tion, than all other agencies.
In 1915-1916 the Byron-Bethany Irrigation project was started, and in 1917 water was running in the ditches. With the coming of water in suitable quantity to irrigate the land, the ranchers began putting in al-
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falfa, which has proved a very profitable crop, with five cuttings a year. Most of this is fed to dairy stock, and the milk and cream are shipped to Oakland.
In 1924 the Bank of Tracy, Byron Branch, which had well served the financial convenience of the community, was sold to the American Bank, Byron Branch; E. C. Hannum, president ; Judson Swift, cashier.
During 1924 the Borden Highway was completed. This highway crosses the delta country to Stockton, traversing the entire length of Contra Costa County.
CLAYTON
The village of Clayton, located at the base of Mount Diablo, at the head of Diablo Valley, was named after Joel Clayton and was started in 1857, when he laid out one street and platted a few lots on either side. The prospecting for coal was the primary reason of founding a set- tlement. W. K. Taylor surveyed the site in 1858. The first house erected on the present site of the town was built in 1857 by Romero Mauvais, who erected a building and opened a tavern. This latter became the site of the Clayton Hotel. In 1858 George Chapman erected a hotel ad- joining, and in 1858 James Curry opened a livery stable. In 1858 Charles Rhine moved his business from a point two miles distant, where he had started a store in 1856, into the town. A. Senderman opened a general merchandise store next to the Chapman hotel building that same year.
In 1857 a religious congregation was organized by a Presbyterian preacher in the home of Howard Nichols; this organization was later merged with a Congregational church, organized on February 1, 1863, by Rev. J. J. Rowell. On November 10, 1867, a church was dedicated by Rev. James W. Brian.
On February 28, 1864, the town was nearly wiped out by a disastrous fire. On March 9, 1872, Joel Clayton died. In July, 1873, a temperance meeting was held in Clayton; and on May 6, 1876, three years later, Unity Lodge No. 11, I. O. G. T., was organized.
Some of the early settlers. of Clayton and vicinity were: Capt. How- ard Nichols, J. D. Allen, William Taynton, Milton Shepard, D. Fisher, Adolph Zophy, G. O. Chapman (who had crossed the plains with Fre- mont in 1846, and who died in 1920), Henry Polley, Isaac Mitchell, C. Ryan, John Collins, and the Duncans, Donners, Stranchans, Kirkwoods, Myricks, Claytons and Cowdles. C. E. Wetmore was the first justice of the peace, and William Morris also filled that position in 1862-1863.
When copper was discovered, Clayton was at its height of prosperity ; but when the mining excitement diminished, the people began leaving and today there is but one general store, and only a few inhabitants remain in the once thriving town. The country round about is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. Members of the Chapman family are the only pioneers represented in the village, but on various ranches are des- cendants of several of the early settlers.
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OAKLEY
Oakley is a growing town located on the Santa Fe Railroad in the heart of one of the most productive farming sections of Contra Costa County, through which runs the State highway. It is on the border of the reclaimed lands, upon which hundreds of acres of asparagus are raised every year ; also the town is now surrounded by producing orchards and vineyards.
The town is located on section 25, township 2 north, range 2 east. The first settlers were James O'Hara, Andrew Walker, B. F. Porter and R. C. Marsh. Deeds of right of way were given to the Santa Fe (not sold) with the understanding that they erect a temporary shelter and that, when needed, a permanent depot and freight buildings be erected. On September 9, 1898, the postoffice was established, R. C. Marsh, post- master, who received the first mail on November 1. The first eight months the mail was brought from Antioch daily, by cart; then it came from Brentwood in charge of the United States postal service. Prior to this it was handled by the drivers A. N. Norcross and Daniel Methven. The first passenger train stopped on July 1, 1900.
James O'Hara planted the first almond and fruit trees and the first store was run by J. A. Jesse. J. M. Augusto carried on the first black- smith shop.
On July 4, 1905, the first Fourth of July celebration was held, with some 2000 guests present. In 1909 the first addition to the town was platted by Mr. O'Hara. Later R. C. Marsh added another. The build- ing in the town kept abreast of the development of the country-stores, garage, machine shops, hotel, community hall and three packing plants, a bank, etc.
The first religious services were held under the branches of a tree. Then the Congregational Mission was established, with Paul Bandy the first preacher. The Methodists had a church a short distance out in the country ; but it was soon moved into town, and in 1908 a new edifice was built. Next came the Baptist Church. In due time a school was opened; and when the occasion demanded, a modern building was erected.
The Ladies' Improvement Club is one of the important adjuncts to the growing town and has done much for civic betterment, as has also the Farmers' Club.
The Loganberry was introduced in the Oakley district in 1900 by Rev. C. S. Scott, who brought the plants from Southern California.
At the packing house of the Miller-Cummings Company of San Fran- cisco, hundreds of tons of asparagus, tomatoes and grapes are shipped to Eastern points yearly. Apricots ripen earlier in Oakley than in any other section, on account of the sandy soil, and these apricots are in great de- mand in the Eastern States.
The Bank of Oakley, established in 1920, has been the financial guide in the community and has always fostered all upbuilding of the substantial sort. J. H. Shaw, the president, is a real banker and upbuilder.
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RODEO
The thriving town of Rodeo is situated on San Pablo Bay, where a fine water front and excellent shipping facilities are to be found. Its name was derived from the rodeos that were held there by the Spaniards in the early days of the cattle barons. Patrick Tormey owned the townsite. The town was established in 1890. A man named Hawley built the first store and sold general merchandise, and was the postmaster in 1892. Jerry Mahoney in 1892 bought the first lots put up for sale and erected the first building, which he conducted as the Rodeo Exchange. A Mr. Graham bought the second lot and built the first hotel, and J. D. Smith erected two residences that same year.
In 1893 the first school was established, which in 1913 had seven teachers. The town has a Presbyterian church, established in 1911; and the Catholic church was built in 1918. That same year the First National Bank was established, T. J. O'Leary being the first president. S. J. Claeys is the present president. Their new building was erected in 1921. In 1921 the Bank of Pinole established their Rodeo Branch, with Mrs. Gertrude Bernard as manager.
The volunteer fire company was organized in 1895 with an ordinary hose cart; there is now a chemical truck, and there are four companies with seventy-five members. T. P. Lewis is the fire chief. The town owned its own water supply. S. J. Claeys put in the water system.
The plants of the Union Oil Company and Western Oil Company are located in the nearby town of Oleum; and the powder factories of the Hercules Company, the plant of the C. & H. Sugar Company, and the Mare Island Navy Yard supply many residents, who commute to the last-named place. The Standard filling station is located here. The Rodeo Ferry to Vallejo, which gives a twenty-minute service, has done much to advance the popularity of Rodeo.
The social and fraternal life of the town finds expression in the activi- ties of Rodeo Rebekah Lodge No. 342, established on November 13, 1913; Rodeo Lodge, I. O. O. F., established on August 4, 1906; Rodeo U. A. O. D. No. 177; Rodeo Circle No. 54, U. A. O. D .; I. D. E. S. No. 69; U. P. P. E. C. No. 12; and S. P. R. S. I. No. 71.
The opening of Hotel Rodeo on April 30, 1892, was an auspicious af- fair. A special train of five cars was run from San Francisco and carried guests from the entire bay district to inspect the work done by the Rodeo Packing Company at its immense stock yards and plant. At the banquet 225 people were seated at one time in the dining room.
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