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 20
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Diamond Parlor No. 246 was organized at Pittsburg with twenty- seven members on February 4, 1909. W. G. H. Croxon was President and L. H. Schmalholz was Secretary.
San Ramon Valley Parlor No. 249 was organized at Danville on April 10, 1909, with twenty-three members. C. G. Goold was President and S. H. Flournoy, Secretary. This Parlor was later dissolved.
NATIVE DAUGHTERS OF THE GOLDEN WEST
The first Parlor of Native Daughters was organized in Martinez on December 10, 1887, and was given the name of Ramona Parlor No. 21. Mrs. Lizzie Russell was the first President.
Richmond Parlor No. 147 was organized on December 2, 1905, with thirty-two charter members. The officer presiding was Mrs. A. C. Lang, Past President; Mrs. R. H. Spiersch, President.
Donner Parlor No. 193, N. D. G. W., was organized on November 4, 1911, at Byron. Mrs. A. Alexson was Past President and Mrs. H. T. Hammond, President.
Carquinez Parlor No. 234 was organized at Crockett in 1926.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
Alhambra Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized on Sep- tember 12, 1874, with Dr. John Strentzel, Master; W. Frazer, Secretary; H. Raap, Overseer; B. R. Holliday, Lecturer; J. McHarry, Chaplain ; J. C. McHarry, Treasurer; E. Barber, Steward; L. Smith, Assistant Steward; J. Stewart, Gatekeeper; Mrs. A. Boss, Ceres; Mrs. H. Raap, Pomona; and Miss Louise Strentzel, Flora.
AMERICAN LEGION POSTS
The American Legion is represented in Contra Costa County by the following Posts : Henry A. McNamara Post No. 29, Martinez; Roy Freirichs Post No. 200, Brentwood; Harding Post No. 161, Antioch ; David Solari Post No. 151, Pittsburg; Crockett Post No. 33, Crockett; Richmond Post No. 10, Richmond; Walnut Creek Post No. 115, Walnut Creek; and Mount Diablo Post No. 246, Danville.
CHAPTER XV
BANKS AND BANKING
In the early days of Contra Costa County there were no local banks, and the banking business was for the most part carried on by and through the general merchants, who usually had a safe for their own convenience and, when so requested by their customers, would accept money of their surplus funds. They were sometimes given the money in a sack or some other kind of receptacle, with instructions to pay out sums of money
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upon written orders for various amounts as needed. This, however, was the custom only under unusual cricumstances. It was usual for the cus- tomer to take a receipt for, what money he turned over to the merchant, and that money was mixed with the merchant's and he would keep strict account of disbursements and receipts. It was not an unusual thing for the merchant to pay a certain rate of interest for the use of the money entrusted to him.
The first bank in the county was organized at Pacheco by Hale Brothers, general merchants, who were often asked to make loans on good mortgage security for their customers. It was on December 29, 1870, that the Contra Costa Savings & Loan Bank of Pacheco was or- ganized with $50,000 capital. The directors were W. K. Dell, G. M. Bryant, John Gambs, Barry Baldwin and W. M. Hale. Two years later, on March 27, the Contra Costa Bank was incorporated to do a general banking business.
On October 7, 1873, the Bank of Martinez was incorporated, its board of directors being L. I. Fish, W. W. Cameron, S. Blum, H. M. Hale, W. M. Hale; L. I. Fish, president; W. M. Hale, cashier. Its cap- ital stock was $50,000. On May 26, 1875, its capital stock was in- creased to $100,000. In July, 1890, L. C. Wittenmyer bought L. I. Fish's interest and became president, holding the office until 1899, when he sold out. James Rankin was his successor as president, and he was succeeded by W. S. Tinning in January, 1902. W. A. Hale was the next president and is still serving in that office. J. E. Rodgers is vice- president; Frank Jones, cashier ; P. D. Butcher, assistant. The directors are J. E. Rodgers, A. B. Tinning, W. A. Hale, E. W. Merrithew and T. B. Fernandez. The policy of the bank has always been constructive and helpful.
The Bank of Antioch was organized on September 12, 1891, with $100,000 capital stock, $70,000 paid up; S. G. Little, president; R. Hark- inson, secretary. C. M. Belshaw succeeded Mr. Little as president.
Contra Costa County Bank, in Pittsburg, began business on January 1, 1904, with capital stock of $50,000; D. A. Bender, president. This bank was taken over in 1924 by the Mercantile Trust Company of San Francisco as one of their chain of banks.
Bank of Pinole was established on October 25, 1905, by E. M. Down- er, with a capital stock of $25,000; J. Bermingham, Jr., president; P. Tormey, vice-president; Lou Hart, secretary; E. M. Downer, cashier. The board of directors were J. Bermingham, Jr., P. Tormey, E. M. Downer, L. Kavanagh, W. A. Ray, Mrs. Sara Bermingham and Henry Boysen. In 1908 a branch was established at Crockett, and in 1910 the capital stock was doubled. It erected its own building in 1915, and in 1916 the branch bank building was built.
The First National Bank of Contra Costa County was organized in Martinez on May 16, 1907, and began business on June 7. Its officers 7
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were E. A. Majors, president ; N. E. Gluckman, cashier. Its capital stock was $25,000, which was doubled on May 2, 1908. Its board of directors were : E. A. Majors, A. E. Blum, E. J. Randall and W. K. Cole. This was taken over by the American Bank of California in 1924. Leslie Alt, cashier.
The San Ramon Valley Bank was organized on June 28, 1907, at Walnut Creek; John Hackett, president; A. H. Cope, first vice-president ; A. Burton, second vice-president; Joseph Silveira, cashier and manager. On the same day that this bank was organized the private bank conducted by J. L. Silveira at Walnut Creek was incorporated with the San Ramon Valley Bank ; John Hackett, president; Ralph Harrison, F. V. Wood, A. P. Borges, W. K. Cole, directors. The Danville Branch of the San Ramon Valley Bank was established in May, 1911, C. W. Close, manager. On October 21, 1912, the San Ramon Valley Bank opened a branch at Concord; Guy E. Green, cashier ; directors, Eli Hutchinson and M. Frank Russi.
The Mechanics Bank of Richmond, formerly the Iversen Banking Company, was organized in 1905 by Josias Iversen. It was reorganized August 15, 1907, under its present title with a capital stock of $25,000, which was doubled on October 12, 1912; and this was again doubled on July 27, 1916. The original stockholders were: L. I. Cowgill, Charles Nelson J. Iversen, H. C. Morris, S. C. Denson, L. N. McDonald, and F. W. Judson. L. I. Cowgill was president and W. L. Ballenger, cashier. The bank building was built in 1906 by B. H. Griffins at Eighth Street and Macdonald Avenue.
The First National Bank of Richmond was organized on May 24, 1910, with a capital stock of $100,000. C. E. Worden, of San Francisco, was the first president ; C. J. Crary, cashier.
On July 1, 1911, the Richmond Savings Bank was organized by the officers and directors of the First National Bank.
The First National Bank of Concord was organized on March 20, 1911, with a capital stock of $25,000; F. W. Foskett, president; H. H. Elsworthy, vice-president; and W. L. Brown, cashier. The first directors were: P. Roche, J. Sutton, E. H. Shibley, A. C. Gehringer, C. L. Devereaux, J. M. Lovazzola, J. V. Enloe and William Ford. In 1912, L. A. Stevenson became cashier, and on January 1, 1917, the capital was doubled.
The Bank of Byron was organized on May 11, 1911, as a branch of the Bank of Tracy. There is also a branch of the American Bank at Byron.
The First National Bank of Walnut Creek was organized in Septem- ber, 1912, with capital stock of $25,000. Its officers were A. H. Cope, president ; J. H. Stow, vice-president; H. G. Flint, cashier ; Elmer Cam- eron, assistant. The directors were : A. H. Cope, J. H. Stow, H. G. Flint, P. Thompson and R. N. Burgess. The bank first opened its doors in the Brooks realty offices on October 28, 1912.
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The Bank of Brentwood was issued articles of incorporation on April 4, 1913, and began business on July 15, with a capital stock of $50,000, $25,000 paid up. R. G. Dean was president; Robert Wallace, Jr., vice- president; and Lee Durham, cashier. The directors were: R. G. Dean, Alex Burness, Robert Wallace, Jr., R. F. Macleod and Frank H. Lud- inghouse. This is a Balfour-Guthrie concern. The first day it was opened $22,138 was deposited.
The First National Bank of Antioch was organized on January 3, 1911, capital stock $25,000. Its officers were : J. L. Harding, president ; J. A. West, vice-president and manager; J. A. West, cashier. The di- rectors were J. L. Harding, J. A. West, E. C. Werrell, J. Arata, W. C. Williamson, J. G. Prewett, and M. Baeta. At the same time the Antioch Savings Bank was opened with the same directors and officers, and with an authorized capital of $50,000, of which $25,000 was paid up.
The National Bank of Martinez was organized in April, 1924, and opened in May, 1924. Fifty-two of the fifty-four stockholders live in Martinez. The bank moved into its new home, Estudillo and Main Streets, in 1925. It is capitalized for $50,000, and has resources of $200,000. R. B. Borland, president; P. Ferrarini, vice-president; A. J. Heald, cashier.
The Bank of Oakley was organized on August 23, 1920, with capital stock of $25,000. The first officers were: O. M. Champlin, president ; J. H. Shaw, vice-president; F. C. Anderson, secretary; and P. A. Ander- son, cashier and treasurer.
The Bank of Richmond was organized on April 25, 1902; William Minzer, president; W. F. Belding, vice-president, and W. Stairley, cash- ier. This bank is now a branch of the Mercantile Trust Company of California, having been taken over in 1924.
The First National Bank of Crockett was issued a charter on March 19, 1919, and opened for business on June 1. Its capital stock was $25,- 000. In 1922 this was increased to $50,000. The bank had a surplus of $10,000 in 1926; deposits, $588,062.23. The original directors were: P. Murphy, C. P. Thomas, C. Gemignani, B. H. Zuppan, G. W. Likens, M. D., G. M. O'Malley, M. D., F. W. Hutchinson, A. Berger, P. Lucey, T. J. O'Leary, and A. Aljets. T. J. O'Leary was president ; G. W. Likens, vice-president; and J. B. Leadbetter, cashier. In 1926 F. W. Hutchinson was president ; A. Aljets, vice-president; and Mrs. M. D. Parker, secretary and cashier.
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CHAPTER XVI IRRIGATION
The following editorials from the local press afford a first-hand ac- count of the growth of sentiment in favor of irrigation, and the increas- ing demand for an equitable distribution of the available water resources to the irrigable lands of the county.
Editorial, January 1, 1876 :- "That any irrigation measure can be adopted by any legislature which will be wholly satisfactory to all who are demanding action in the matter, is not to be supposed. It should not fail, however, to adopt some measure that will prohibit the acquisition of water rights by private corporations or persons, and will condemn such of these rights as have been acquired, wherever and whenever the larger public interests are to be subserved by such condemnation. Provision should also be made for determining the available water supplies for ir- rigation and domestic or manufacturing requirements, and the institution of means that may ultimately secure their economical and equal distribution for such purposes. There is urgent need in many sections of some im- mediate available means of irrigation, and if the legislature can provide for these wants without putting obstacles in the way of such a general plan as it may ultimately be desirable to adopt, it should certainly do so. But it is clear enough that as yet we have not enough data for the ad- option of such a general system as will answer the future needs.
"It may be a question, too, whether with our sparse population and limited markets for our staple products, we could at present command the capital or fair terms that would be required for carrying out a satisfactory system for irrigation works. And if such works are undertaken upon means to be raised by bond issue at large discount, there would be much probability that bondholders might ultimately come to own the works and the land instead of their remaining the property of the farmers of the State."
Editorial : An Irrigation Policy Demanded by the Farmers, May, 1879 .- "The time has come when the State will be called upon to adopt some policy with reference to the utilization of its surplus waters where practicable, for irrigation of soil. Its first care should be to prevent the water being seized and made private property of speculating monopolists, and to extinguish such claims as have unjustly been asserted to them. It will be its duty to see how they can be fairly and economically distributed where they are needed and furnished to consumers at a rate not op- pressive. .
"It would seem to be the duty of the State to institute a commission or board of engineers to determine sources and the amount of supply of water for irrigation, and also the best plan of distribution where re-
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quired. The State might, authorized by special amendment to the con- stitution, construct main conduits and enable, by bond guarantee, the landowners of such districts as might be organized to construct their own work. The general advantages would justify a tax on all property in the State for payment of interest and redemption of bonds for portion of work done by the State on this plan, with water rents and special district taxes levied and collected for the interest and redemption of ranchers' bonds. Any system that will meet the requirements will meet with more or less objections, and even if it prove perfect in every detail, there would be objections made by those who cannot monopolize its benefits."
EAST CONTRA COSTA IRRIGATION COMPANY
East Contra Costa Irrigation Company is a mutual company, and its development work was the first irrigation project in the county. All of the stock has since been taken over by the Knightsen Irrigation District, the Lone Tree Irrigation District and the Brentwood Irrigation District, one share of stock being issued for each acre of land represented in the various districts. The three districts mentioned were each organized under the State law known as the Wright Irrigation Act.
The rights to water of the East Contra Costa Irrigation Company are based on appropriation and use (not riparian), by which means it obtained legal rights to as much water as can be supplied by its plant.
The waters for irrigation in this district are diverted from the head of a dredged canal forty feet wide, seven feet deep, and one mile long, starting at Indian Slough near Point of Timber Landing, a natural chan- nel extending inland from Old River, one of the main delta channels of the San Joaquin River. The delta channels of the Sacramento and San Joaquin are all inter-connected, so that the water supplied for irrigation comes from the combined flow of both rivers.
The system consists of a series of seven pumping plants lifting water from the river level in successive stages to a maximum of 144 feet. It is very generously designed and of permanent construction, and is capable of watering 25,000 to 30,000 acres. From the main canal, which runs east and west, main laterals extend north and south, dividing the terri- tory into north-and-south zones. The slope of the country is west and east.
The seven pumping plants lie along the main canal, one above the other. The canal is divided into seven steps, each plant lifting the wa- ter through one step. The intake station lifts all the water required for the entire system and discharges it into the first step; the balance flows to No. 2, which lifts it into the second step, where the water is diverted to irrigate that level; and so on through the seven steps or zones.
The main canal is concrete-lined through its entire length. The pump plants are of the highest grade of electrically driven power equipment, all of the most permanent and enduring character, and had been con-
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structed prior to the present era of high cost of labor and material. The system could not now be duplicated for less than two or three times its original cost.
The company was organized in 1913. Construction was begun that same year, and the pump plants were carried to completion; the main canal and main laterals were constructed during 1913, 1914 and 1915. Since then the sub-laterals have been under construction as necessary to meet the demands of the system. Also some additions have been made to the main canals and the plants.
In his report to the Brentwood Irrigation District, Engineer Woolley, who was also engineer for the Knightsen and Lone Tree Districts and formerly assistant engineer for East Contra Costa Irrigation Company, states :
"Much anxiety has been manifested in times past with reference to the encroachment of salt water in the Delta Channels and possibility of the condition reaching that where the water would be unsuited for irrigation use. Late in 1919 tests for salinity were begun by the East Contra Costa Irrigation Company on water from the intake tunnel; there was also in- stalled an automatic recording gauge for registering continuously the level of the water at the same point. These salinity tests have been carried forward continuously. The maximum degree of salinity thus far recorded was 33.4 parts per 100,000, this being much below even the danger point, and occurring for short periods as water requirements were at a minimum.
"A continuous record of the water level at the mouth of intake tunnel shows that at no time was there a depth of water less than 3.3 feet over the sill of the intake tunnel; also that this condition prevailed only for very limited periods and at such times as the demand for water was low.
"The irrigation season of longest duration for this system was that of 1917, when during 285 days 13,143 acre-feet were pumped to irrigate 3733 acres, at the rate of 3.5 acre-feet per acre. With a water right of 200 cubic feet per section and 285 days' irrigation season, the total volume of water available would be 114,000 acre-feet, or on a basis of 2000 acres an average gross duty of 5.7 acre-feet per acre, an amount far in excess of actual requirements. It may, therefore, be conceded with certainty :
"(1) That the water is of suitable quality at all times.
"(2) That there will always be sufficient water at the intake to supply the needs of the system.
"(3) That the water right is ample as to volume for the supply of the total acres to be included under this project."
KNIGHTSEN IRRIGATION DISTRICT
During 1912-1913, a period of sub-normal rainfall, the East Con- tra Costa Irrigation Company, a mutual service corporation, was formed to irrigate certain lands which embrace what is now the northern portion of the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District, the East Contra Costa Irri-
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gation Company's holdings, and the main portion of the Lone Tree and Knightsen Districts.
The pioneering and financing were done by Balfour-Guthrie Irrigation Company, which firm had bought the Marsh grant of 13,000 acres. It was evident that, if the water was to be delivered to many holders of tracts who were desirous of taking stock in the Contra Costa Company, some means of securing rights of way would be necessary, a mutual serv- ice company not having the right of eminent domain then. The Wright Irrigation Act provided not only the necessary right of eminent domain and an excellent method of financing, but the protection of the Bond Com- mission, and this was the plan advanced by the local branch of the Contra Costa Farm Bureau, which had carried on an educational campaign for years.
The petition for the organization of the Knightsen Irrigation District was presented to the supervisors on November 17, 1919; it received sev- enty signatures out of 115 on the assessment roll of the district at that time. The original signers represented 70 per cent of the value of the lands included in the proposed district. The election on the formation of the district and for the officers was held January 19, 1920. The vote on the formation of the district was 94 for to 23 against. . Directors : Division No. 1, Joseph Minto; No. 2, E. B. Sellers; No. 3, H. W. Hei- dorn; No. 4, Frank Estes; No. 5, Byron Grigsby; assessor, I. M. Bailey ; collector, A. H. Shafer ; treasurer, A. E. Bonnicksen.
Due consideration of the construction of an independent plant occu- pied the directors and officers during the winter of 1920. After consid- ering the preliminary report of W. F. Woolley, chief engineer, and A. C. Wilson, consulting engineer, of San Francisco, it was the unanimous opin- ion of the board that the purchase of stock in the East Contra Costa Ir- rigation Company not only prevented a great economic waste in building two plants designed to serve practically the same territory, but would be less expensive in first cost to the district, providing earlier delivery of wa- ter and economy in operation, and a water-right of great value. A con- tract for 10,000 shares of stock was made after the legality of the step had been considered by E. A. Bridgeford, attorney for the district, and the purchase was made.
The feasibility of irrigating the lands included in the Knightsen Dis- trict had been demonstrated in the irrigation of adjacent lands. The splendid remuneration received from such irrigation is a matter of com- mon knowledge in Eastern Contra Costa County; and with frequent re- currence of dry years the absolute necessity for irrigation, if the section was to develop, was conceded by all interested.
There being little data on rainfall in the Knightsen section, conclu- sions were arrived at by Woolley, in making his report to the board of directors, from Antioch records on the one side and Tracy records on the other. The records showed that the mean seasonal rainfall in 1879 was 10.37 inches at Tracy, while at Antioch it was 12.97 inches. "It is
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usually conceded that the rainfall at Knightsen and vicinity is less than at the other two points, due to the sheltering effect of Mount Diablo, which is due west of the district."
The Knightsen District is unusually well supplied with transportation facilities. The maximum distance to track within the irrigated district is less than two miles. The Southern Pacific passes on the west; the Santa Fe, on the east. Brentwood is on the Southern Pacific; and Knight- gen, on the Santa Fe. A concrete highway running the entire length of the district is the main and direct highway connecting San Francisco and the Bay cities with the valley. The bulky crops of the district are hauled by river boats, the delta channels being deep enough for boats. This dis- trict is the closest of eastern Contra Costa districts by rail, highway and water to the markets of the Bay cities. The Pacific Gas & Electric Com- pany and the Great Western Power Company serve electricity for lights and power. Rural delivery serves the greater part of the district, and many telephones give the conveniences of urban life.
The principal slope of the district is towards the east; and there is a slight fall to the north, the direction of the principal drainage canal, Marsh Creek, which follows the entire length of the district on the western boundary, cutting off the flood waters from the Diablo hills and carying off such drainage water as is led into it by users of water in the district. On the east side the sloughs of the San Joaquin care for drainage of excess irrigation.
The soil of the district is Yolo clay-loam, with a capping of fine sand in large areas. In places, the sand knolls project above the average levels; and most of these are planted to trees, almonds principally. The Knightsen and Oakley sections are the best almond districts in California, Oakley being the center of packing. At the time of the or- ganization, 115 were on the roll. The average size of the ranches was eighty-five acres. The assessed value, $856,611.50. Almonds, grapes, and alfalfa are the products of the district; and dairying is also carried on.
LONE TREE IRRIGATION DISTRICT
The Lone Tree Irrigation District, organized under the State law know as the Wright Irrigation Act, embraced 2167 acres lying along the line of the Southern Pacific, northwest of Brentwood. In 1918 certain of the lands now included within the district endeavored to secure water from the East Contra Costa Irrigation Company and landowners. Some 600 acres were signed to take stock in this company contingent upon securing the necessary rights of way. These could not be secured by negotiation and the plan was abandoned.
In 1919, when the Knightsen Irrigation District was under way, there. was some discussion of including these lands; but when the district boundaries had been finally settled upon, they were left out. In April, 1920, the landowners held a meeting to formulate some plan to secure ir- rigation, and it was finally decided to organize a district, such pro-
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