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 48

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1118

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 48

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HANS A. MILLER .- None of the men now living in and around Crockett, in the western part of Contra Costa County, have a better con- ception of the growth of the industries hereabouts than has H. A. Miller, now living retired in the enjoyment of a competence well and honorably earned. A native of Denmark, he was born on December 12, 1871, the son of Jens Andrew and Petra (Holm) Miller, both born, reared, married and died in their native land of Denmark, where Jens Miller followed the building business. Hans A. attended the grammar and high schools of his native country up to the age of seventeen, also taking a technical course in the building trade. He had a strong desire to visit America and in 1889 he and a group of his friends were discussing the possibilities of America for young and energetic men and some of the boys decided they would try their luck in that foreign land. Hans A. wanted to go but on account of his youth his father would not give his consent when the matter was talked over with him. At this point a sister's persuasion won the day and after a promise to his father that after a period of five years he would return to his home, he embarked to make his own way in the world, arriving in New York on Easter Sunday in 1889. The place of his destination was San Francisco, Cal., where he arrived on June 9, of the same year.

Among the acquaintances here were Otto Johnson, with whom Mr. Miller roomed and who conducted a restaurant in San Francisco; he soon secured his young friend a job as a carpenter. Then there was M. A. Therkelsen, who turned out to be a son of the woman who did washing for Mr. Miller's mother back in Denmark. He had been a cook on a British ship but had taken up the life of a landsman upon arriving in Cali- fornia. Johnson and Therkelsen later undertook to raise chickens out on the Mission Road, leasing four acres of land for fifteen dollars for the purpose. Owing to disease getting among the fowls their venture was a failure and Therkelsen secured a job in the Selby smelter at Selby. This

457

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

was during the winter of 1889-1890, the worst winter ever seen in this part of California. During all these changes among his friends Mr. Mil- ler worked as a carpenter in San Francisco, where he later met Louis Mil- ler, a maker of musical instruments and a musician of note. The carpen- ter's trade did not suit young Miller very well and Therkelsen told him to come to Selby and try for a job in the smelter, which he did when he was about eighteen years old. His qualifications as a leader of men and his ability to handle the job given him with dispatch, soon were rewarded and he was promoted to be foreman of fifty men and he continued in this position until 1909, when he was advanced to be the general foreman of the entire plant and this position he held, to the entire satisfaction of his employers and the men under him, until 1923, when he resigned to look after his own affairs. During the many years Mr. Miller, was connected with the smelter he witnessed many changes in the methods of handling the materials and products of the plant, also the coming and going of thou- sands of men.

H. A. Miller was united in marriage on June 24, 1896, with Miss Alice Muth, born at San Pablo, Cal., the daughter of pioneer parents. Two children have blessed this union : Mrs. Ruth B. McGrath, living with her husband in Crockett Heights; and Clarence Alfred, who married Miss Ingrid Hartman, by whom he has one child, Constance Annette. Mr. Miller owns his own home in Valona and other property in this com- munity, thereby showing his faith in the future of Crockett, where he has been prominent in the community's growth and development. He has served as a school trustee; is a Republican and has been selected as stand- ard bearer many times. He a charter member of Selby Lodge Knights of Pythias, the oldest Knights of Pythias lodge in the county; and also belongs to the Odd Fellows. He was reared in the Lutheran faith. His motto is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

FRED M. HOLWAY .- Having spent nearly half a century of his life at Byron, Cal., perhaps there is no other resident of the vicinity more familiar with the resources of eastern Contra Costa County, nor one who has witnessed more of the transformation wrought by present day civil- ization than Fred M. Holway. He is the oldest living business man at Byron, having continuously engaged in some business since 1883. At present he is proprietor of a pool hall and soft drink parlor, and sells fire insurance.

Fred M. Holway was born in Somersetshire, England, May 12, 1856, emigrated to Ameria when fifteen years of age, accompanied by his cousin Annie Pierce, now Mrs. Meinken. After arriving in New York City he continued his journey westward and located for a while in Chicago, where he attended school for a short time, then he visited St. Louis, but soon returned to Chicago, where he lived until the latter part of 1874, when he moved to Denver. In 1875 Mr. Holway arrived in San Francisco, and the year 1878 found him located at Antioch, Cal. Later in the same

458

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

year he came to what was then known as the Point of Timber district of Contra Costa County, the stopping point of the stages between Banta and Antioch. When the first railway was built through this place the station was given the name Byron, and the postoffice was also located there. The first hotel business was conducted by a Mr. Wilkening, but that building was destroyed by fire in 1884. In 1885 Mr. Holway built the second hotel which bore the name of Byron Hotel; this was destroyed by fire in 1917 and was never rebuilt.

On May 12, 1883, Fred M. Holway married Miss Emma Luhrsen, a daughter of pioneer settlers near Tracy. They were the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living; Eva, Percy M., Raymond, Herman, Viola, Geraldine, Irene, Martha and Elvira. Aurora died when she was twenty-three months old. Mrs. Holway died in 1912. Mr. Holway is a charter member and Past Grand of Byron Lodge No. 335, I. O. O. F., Byron, and is a member of the Rebekahs. His jovial disposition and ster- ling character have won for him a host of warm personal friends and it is safe to say no one in Byron is more highly esteemed than Fred M. Holway.

MISS LOUISA A. SCHOTT .- Miss Louisa A. Schott is a native of Antioch and the daughter of the late John and Adelia Barrett (Kimball) Schott. Her grandfather, George W. Kimball, organized a company of men who agreed to purchase shares at $101 each to build and equip a ship to carry passengers and their belongings from Maine to California. These passengers were the families of the shareholders in the vessel and they were coming to California to establish homes in a new country. Even in the days of '49 there were boosters for California, as is evident from a memorandum of their agreement drawn up in 1849 from which we quote : "We, the undersigned, are desirous of engaging in an enterprise on the golden shores of California, the paradise of America, where summer reigns perpetually, while the fertile soil is yielding its increase abundantly, fruits growing spontaneously, fishes sporting most plentifully, and where wild game is most prolific, on the shores of the Pacific. Our object is to settle a township, or effect a permanent settlement on the Coast of Cali- fornia, at some central point, in some capacious harbor, where the salu- brity of the climate, the fertility of the soil, mill privileges, timber for ship building and other purposes, conveniences for the fisheries, for coast- ing, and other natural advantages, shall warrant a healthy and rapid settlement." The reasons given for leaving their Eastern homes were: "1st, the land has nearly all passed from the government into the hands of speculators, who exact more for the soil than we are able to pay; 2nd, the lumber is nearly all gone and the fishing business is uncertain; 3rd, the land fails to yield its usual increase, the potato and some other crops be- ing almost an entire failure; 4th, the summers are so short, and the win- ters so long, that we have to become the humble servants of our cattle about eight months in the year; 5th, the despotism of fashion is so op-

459

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

pressive, and its exactions so insupportable, that like our Puritan Fathers, in order to preserve our integrity, we flee into the wilds of the far distant West; 6th, at this trying moment, Providence has opened to us a door of mercy and hope, and we gladly accept the proffered favor; 7th, we go be- cause a continual summer, a salubrious climate, a fertile soil, and other natural advantages, open to us an unbounded field for industry and enter- prise in that region." The ship was named the California Packet and was lying at Central Wharf, Boston, February 4, 1850. The circular from which the above was copied contains some interesting data of the inten- tions of the shareholders, and has been preserved by Miss Schott. George W. Kimball came to California in the days of gold and settled at the place now known as Antioch. He was of English ancestry, and of that sturdy type who are ever looking for new worlds to conquer. He had French, Irish, Welsh and even Greek blood in his veins, through the in- termarriages of past generations.

Miss Schott's mother, Adelia Barrett Kimball, was the first public school teacher in Antioch when only twelve years of age. She was a woman of marked ability, a correspondent for various newspapers and magazines, and was well versed in the early history of Antioch, where she had a great influence for good. She lived to reach the age of seventy- seven years. John Schott was born in Pennsylvania, was a tailor by trade, and after serving in the Mexican War came out to California. He died at Antioch at the age of fifty-six from the rigors of army life. Miss Schott has two brothers living: George L., a carpenter by trade, living in Anti- och; and Franklin T., an employe of the Oregon Short Line Railroad, living in Salt Lake City.

Miss Schott was reared and educated in Antioch. She is a musician, and for many years was organist in the Congregational Church. She is an Adventist in religious belief and takes an active interest in the activi- ties of this denomination. The material in the historical department of this book relating to Antioch tells more of the family history and need not be repeated here. Miss Schott resides in the old home place at No. 415 Third Street, and is highly respected by all who know her.

MRS. AQUILINA VISCUSO .- The oldest living resident of Pitts- burg, Cal., is said to be Mrs. Aquilina Viscuso, the widow of the late G. Viscuso, who came to California about fifty years ago and was one of the pioneers of New York Landing, afterwards called Black Diamond, and now Pittsburg. G. Viscuso was a pioneer in the fish business at Pittsburg. He was a native of Catania, Italy, where he was born on June 24, 1851, and his death occurred in Pittsburg, Cal., in 1918.

Mrs. G. Viscuso in maidenhood was Miss Aquilina Murzi, a native of Tuscany, Italy, where she was born on March 28, 1860. On Sep- tember 1, 1882, when she was twenty-two years of age, Miss Murzi ar- rived in Pittsburg. On November 20, 1882, a little more than two months after her arrival, she was united in marriage with G. Viscuso.

460

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

They built the house where she now resides, and she has lived in it con- tinuously for forty-four years. This happy union was blessed with nine children, six of whom are still living, three having died with the flu. The children in order of birth are: Sarah, wife of Dr. Gregory, of San Francisco; Theresa, wife of Casper T. Cautiello, the hardware merchant of Pittsburg; Joseph, who died in 1921; Mary, the wife of Harry H. Summer, who is in the lumber business at Pittsburg; Bert, a resident of San Francisco; Attilio, who married Erechetta Valoni of Pittsburg; John, who passed away in 1922; Susie who died in 1921; and Emma, the youngest. The four sons saw service during the World War. The Vis- cuso family are highly esteemed in the community and are consistent members of the Catholic Church at Pittsburg.

During her long residence of forty-four years in Contra Costa County, Mrs. Viscuso has witnessed marvelous changes both in the city of Pitts- burg and in the county. Those who have come more recently to Cali- fornia to enjoy the highly improved conditions materially, socially and commercially that exist today, do not always realize what a great debt they owe to the pioneers who faced the hardships of existence when only the strong and brave could remain and by their fortitude helped to lay the foundation for the great commonwealth on the Pacific.

BETHEL S. COATS .- The son of an old California pioneer and himself a pioneer by birth, Bethel S. Coats is a fine representative both of the true Californian and of the rancher in the Tassajara section of Contra Costa County, where he was born on April 16, 1868. His father was Felix Grundy Coats, who was born in Missouri, there grew to man- hood, and crossed the plains with ox-teams in 1849 with his father, Wil son Coats. Grandfather Wilson Coats was born in Smith County, Tenn., on August 10, 1802, and when fifteen went to Callaway County, Mo. On May 1, 1849, with his son and some others, he came across the plains to California, arriving on September 7, that same year. They mined in Placer and Nevada Counties till 1851. Wilson Coats went back to Missouri, via Panama, and joined his family; and they came back to California and settled in Contra Costa County, where he bought 160 acres of land. His was the only family in the Tassajara Valley for some time. His wife, whom he married on December 25, 1823, was in maiden- hood Miss Mary Philipp; she was born in Tennessee, and died in Cal- ifornia on November 27, 1875. Wilson Coats died aged eighty-four years. There were ten children in the Coats family. The great-grand- father was Rev. William Coats; he was born in Tennessee, was a Baptist preacher, and moved from Tennessee to Missouri in 1817. He died at the age of seventy years. Coats Prairie in Missouri was named for the Coats family, as they owned almost all the land in it.

Felix Grundy Coats was born in Callaway County, Mo., on August 9, 1828, grew to manhood there, and came with his father to California

461

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

in 1849. He mined till the fall of 1851 and then gave up mining to come to the Tassajara Valley, Contra Costa County, to engage in ranching. He took up 160 acres of land and added a school claim and later purchased 640 acres where Bethel S. Coats now lives. He added to his holdings until he owned about 1200 acres. This he devoted to stock and grain and during his many years of actual work made a decided success. He married Leona Doggett, who was born in Arkansas and rode horseback from her native State to Oregon when she was a girl of eleven, in 1852. They were married on February 23, 1860, at Tassajara, she having come south from Oregon with her people in 1859 and settled about one mile from the present Coats ranch. The house built in 1855 by grand- father Wilson Coats was burned, but Bethel S. Coats has the bricks built into a chimney in his own home, which he put up in 1917. Of the family of children born to the Coats family we mention Nolen, now deceased ; James, living in San Francisco; Bethel S., of this review; Ella, who mar- ried E. Seiler of Stockton; May, the widow of Marion Horton, residing in San Francisco, and Jennie, the wife of Thomas White, also in San Francisco. Felix G. Coats died on June 9, 1916, aged eighty-seven years and ten months. The wife and mother died on December 25, 1893, aged about fifty-two.

Bethel S. Coats attended the Tassajara school and for a short time went to the Livermore College conducted by J. D. Smith. He began his career as a rancher on the old home place and remained there until his children were ready for an advanced school and the family moved to San Jose, where he conducted a store for three years and carried on an orchard for about four. He continued to look after his property in Tassa- jara, where he has 320 acres. Since returning to the ranch after his stay in San Jose, he has resided here, raising hay, grain and cattle; and he also carries on dairying on a small scale. Mr. Coats is a member of the Woodmen of the World, Neighbors of Woodcraft, and the Grange.

On December 30, 1891, Bethel S. Coats and Miss Phoebe Bowles were united in marriage. She was born in San Luis Obispo County, a daughter of Caleb and Ellen (Patton) Bowles, both natives of Missouri. Caleb Bowles came to California and mined for a time, after which he settled in San Luis Obispo County and engaged in ranching, later moving to Tassajara, where he continued farming. Mr. Bowles was related to the late Senator George Hearst, and Mrs. Bethel S. Coats was named for Mrs. Hearst. Three children have been born of this union: Eunice, Mrs. William Rowe of San Gabriel, and the mother of four children : Phyllis E., Doris E., W. Bethel and Roberta E .; Bernice, a professional nurse in Stanford Hospital in San Francisco; and Doris, Mrs. Victor Mor- ton, who lives near San Jose and is the mother of two children, Victor J. and Marcia B. Mr. Coats is a Presbyterian. The family enjoy motoring, and each year take an extended trip for their vacation. In 1923 Mr. and Mrs. Bethel S. Coats took an automobile trip back East over practically

462

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

the same route as that covered by his father in six months with ox-teams in 1849. They spent seventeen days on their journey, and had a very en- joyable time.

HARTLEY M. BUSH .- Closely associated with the advancement of the commercial prosperity of Contra Costa County is Hartley M. Bush, who owns and operates the oldest real estate business in Martinez, together with considerable property in Contra Costa County, including valuable city property in Martinez. Well educated, talented and of un- doubted business sagacity, he has attained to a place of influence in the community and has established himself in the confidence of his friends and fellow-citizens, who hold him in high regard and favor. He was born at Rochester, N. Y., at the old Bush family home, on April 15, 1868, while his mother was there on a visit to relatives. His father, David Bush, was also born in Rochester, N. Y .; his mother, Ellen (Morgan) Bush, was a native of Ohio.

Grandfather Henry Bush was a native of New York and came to San Francisco in 1851 via the Isthmus of Panama. Soon after his ar- rival he built the first fire-proof building in San Francisco, which was located on Clay Street; and Bush Street was named after him. Grand- father Bush had a large consignment of fruit trees sent him the following year, consisting of apples, pears, cherries and peaches, and these were planted on what was known as the Bush Homestead in Martinez. This site is now occupied by the de la Salle Institute, and many of the trees that the pioneer Henry Bush planted are still in full bearing.

David Bush, the father of our subject, was sixteen or seventeen years old when he arrived in San Francisco; here he grew up and was educated and became one of the most influential and prosperous business men of the Bay City. He organized the real estate company of David Bush and Son in San Francisco, maintaining a branch office in Martinez. He was one of the promoters of Golden Gate Park and helped develop it. During the panic of 1873 he raised money by popular subscription from the well-to-do citizens in San Francisco and hired men who were out of work, paying them one dollar per day for their labor in the park, con- tinuing until times assumed a more stable aspect. There were four children in the Bush family: Brightie, now Mrs. J. O. Low, who resides in San Francisco; Alice, for years a physician in Oakland, who died in Shanghai, China, while on a world tour in March, 1926; the third child, a son who died in infancy ; and Hartley M., the subject of this sketch. The father died in 1914 in San Francisco. He was a member of the Vigilance Committee, and he served as tax collector for San Francisco for eight years. He was a member of the Ohio Society in that city for many years.

Hartley M. Bush grew up in San Francisco and Martinez and at- tended the public schools at both places, graduating from high school in San Francisco. He entered the University of California, but was unable

463

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

to graduate as his father needed his help in looking after the extensive properties he owned. He engaged in orcharding on the home place in Martinez and was successful from the start.

In 1890 Mr. Bush was married to Miss Louise M. Frazer, daughter of William and Delilah (Cook) Frazer, another pioneer family of Mar- tinez, who crossed the plains to Oregon in a covered wagon in the forties and later came to California to educate their children. Mr. and Mrs. Bush are the parents of four children: Barbara is the wife of Robert Myers, and they live in San Francisco. David Frazer married Aila Holm and they have two children, Dorothea and Hartley; he is now an attorney at Oakdale. In April, 1917, before he had graduated from the University of California, he enlisted for service in the World War. From the Presidio he was sent to Camp Lewis; he became captain and was honorably discharged at the signing of the Armistice. Beverly F. is a dental student at the Affiliated Colleges in San Francisco. Arlien Louise, who was formerly employed with the Shell Oil Company in Martinez, is now Mrs. Dudley Henry of Long Beach.

Mr. Bush specializes in locating large business concerns. Among many others he located the Shell Company of California refinery at Martinez and the General Chemical Company. Mr. Bush owns the Bush tract on the eastern side of town, one of the finest residence districts in Mar- tinez; his fine residence is located on this tract. Politically, Mr. Bush is a Republican with progressive tendencies, being a great admirer of the late Theodore Roosevelt.

MRS. MARY A. DICKINSON .- Among the prominent women in Contra Costa County is Mrs. Mary A. Dickinson, proprietor of Hotel Melrose at No. 463 Los Medanos Street, Pittsburg. She was born at Somersville, Contra Costa County, a daughter of James and Sarah (Brazil) Hobson. James Hobson was born in England in 1833, and his wife was born in Australia in 1837. He went to Australia and was there married, and with his wife came to California in 1862. They first went to Somersville for a short time, then returned to San Francisco, but in 1863 again came to this county, and in 1869 he bought a ranch of 240 acres near Somersville and raised wheat. For many years Mr. Hob- son was in the employ of the old Clay Street Bank, prospecting in various parts of this State for coal, he being an experienced coal miner by trade. He was an honest and upright man, always trying to do a good turn for his friends. There were seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hobson: Mrs. C. H. Oders, of Oakland; Mrs. Mary A. Dickinson, of Pittsburg; Mrs. A. F. Portman, of Antioch; James F. and Edward F., both in Antioch; Mrs. Emma Lowery, of Los Angeles; and Charlotte, deceased. By a former marriage Mr. Hobson had two boys: Sampson, of Antioch ; and W. J., of Santa Cruz. By her first marriage Mrs. Hobson had a 15

464

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

daughter, Mrs. John Watkins, now deceased. After a long and useful life Mr. Hobson died in 1907 at the age of nearly seventy-five; Mrs. Hobson passed away on February 19, 1923, aged eighty-six years, both dying in this county.

Mary A. Hobson was reared on her father's ranch and attended the public schools near by. On September 14, 1886 she was married to James Isaac Dickinson. Mr. Dickinson was born in Newcastle, England, and was an expert miner by occupation. He was superintendent of the Stew- artville Mine at the time of their marriage. In 1891 the family went to Antioch and Mr. Dickinson built the Dickinson Hotel and ran it for a time. It is now known as the Arlington Hotel. In 1893 he went back to Somersville and was superintendent of the mine there for a number of years. Two children were born of this union: Charles G., who mar- ried Gertrude Sippel, born in San Francisco, the daughter of Henry and Joan Sippel, natives of Canada and Wales, respectively; and Rowena Emma, wife of Dr. Edward Love of Colfax, Cal., and the mother of a daughter, Marilyn Jean. Mr. Dickinson died on December 21, 1923, in Pittsburg. In 1923 the Dickinsons came to this city, and here Mrs. Dick- inson embarked in the hotel business, in a building that had been purchased by A. F. Portman; and she is building up a good and substantial business. She shows her public spirit in many ways, and cooperates in all pro- gressive movements.

JOHN LOVE .- California numbers among her native-born citizens many men of excellent business ability who, as farmers, have done their part toward making the State famous for its grain and its live stock; and to this class of citizens belongs John Love, a prominent rancher in the Lone Tree District, Contra Costa County. Mr. Love has the honor of being the oldest white male born in this section of the county. On his present ranch of 160 acres he was born on August 5, 1869, the fifth child in a family of eight born to the honored pioneers, Robert and Elizabeth (Mckinnon) Love, both natives of Scotland. Robert Love came to California in a covered wagon in 1852 and tried his luck at mining for gold, but his success was only limited. He then turned his attention to farming, first in Napa County. Then, in 1865, he preempted 160 acres of Government land, which is now occupied by our subject. Robert Love was seventy-three years old when he died and the mother passed away at the age of sixty-seven years, both dying on the old homestead. He served as a school trustee for many years. Fraternally, he was a Mason.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 48

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P Publication date: 1926 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1118

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1118