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 56
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On June 27, 1906, at Snelling, Merced County, Mr. Portman was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Hobson, daughter of the late James Hobson, an early settler in Contra Costa County who had a ranch adjoin- ing the mining town of Nortonville, a settlement springing up on his land and named Hobsonville in his honor. There were nine children in the Hobson family, and the family is mentioned at length in the sketch of Mary A. Dickinson on another page in this history. Mr. Hobson died in March, 1905, aged seventy-five years; and Mrs. Hohson passed away on February 19, 1923, when eighty-six years old. Mrs. Portman belongs to the Eastern Star and Rebekahs in Antioch. Both she and Mr. Portman are Republicans.
JOHN E. McELHENEY .- A citizen of whom any community might well be proud is John E. McElheney of Antioch, Cal., the present city clerk who has been elected to the office by the votes of the citizens seven times in succession, a record seldom equalled by any official in An- tioch, and a remarkable testimony to his efficiency and popularity. He is one of the oldest of the city officials of Antioch, having filled his position since March, 1912. He was born in Watsonville, Cal., on December 12, 1864, a son of James Rathbone and Amanda '(Adams ) McElheney, na- tives of New York State and Indiana, respectively. The father came to California in 1857 and mined for gold near Marysville, but later moved to Santa Cruz County on account of ill health, and became interested in stock raising. He later leased the agricultural park in San Jose and with the assistance of his son John carried on ranching.
John E. McElheney attended the public schools in San Jose and Santa Cruz, and then supplemented his studies by taking a commercial course at the San Jose High School, fitting himself to be an accountant. He began his career in this capacity, 'but found such work too confining for one who had been used to out-of-door life, and so looked about for a suitable open- ing. This he found at the Antioch paper mill, then owned by Brown Brothers. He worked in this plant for eighteen years, or until he was appointed city clerk of Antioch. Many large and valuable city improve- ments have been installed since Mr. McElheney has been in office. The new City Hall was erected at a cost of $60,000; the city water system has been rebuilt ; extensive street paving has been prosecuted; and in 1926 the immense reservoir for storing water for use of the city was completed in the hills about three miles from town, with its pipe lines and pumps
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to handle the water. The reservoir has a capacity of 100,000,000 gallons and will insure an ample supply for years to come. The water is obtained from the Mount Diablo district.
On December 21, 1888, Mr. McElheney was united in marriage with Miss Annie Jane Roberson; and they have had eight children: Carl R., an insurance broker of Antioch; Ray Edward, with a chemical company in Pittsburg; Ethel A., Mrs. Arthur Doyle of Los Angeles; Thelma, a graduate nurse in Los Angeles; Peter Ellis, of Walnut Creek; Belva E., of Antioch; Ruth A., a graduate of the Antioch High School, Class of 1926; and Donna Marie, a high school pupil. Fraternally, Mr. McEl- heney is a member of the Moose and of the Foresters of America in An- tioch. The family is most highly esteemed in the community and has a wide circle of friends.
WINFIELD SCOTT McRACKEN .- The name of Winfield Scott McRacken has stood for quality merchandise for nearly a quarter-century in Richmond, and it has been due to just such progressive business methods as have characterized the enterprise of this local merchant that this city has made such rapid strides in the past few years and has grown from a crossroads country town to a metropolitan city. On January 11, 1904, Mr. McRacken opened his first little store at Point Richmond, and from this modest beginning his business gradually grew up with the city, keep- ing abreast of the times, until today the store occupied at 1011 Macdon- ald Avenue is a retail establishment that would grace a city many times the size of Richmond. In 1906 Mr. McRacken took in a partner, incorporated the business, and opened another store on Macdonald Avenue between Second and Third Streets, which was then the main business district of Richmond. The Point store was still operated under the name of W. S. McRacken, and the downtown store was known as McRacken, Parker & Co. About a year and a half later Harry Adkinson bought out Mr. Parker's interest, and in 1910 they moved near the corner of Sixth Street and Macdonald Avenue, keeping in the heart of the business district as the city built eastward. In 1919 Mr. McRacken bought Harry Adkin- son's portion of the business and the firm was again changed back to W. S. McRacken. Later the store at the Point was closed, and Mr. McRacken has devoted his entire efforts to the main store ever since. On March 1, 1926, the business was moved to the present location at 1011 Macdonald Avenue, which is the very center of things in Richmond today. Here Mr. McRacken is conducting one of the most up-to-date men's stores in the East Bay district.
W. S. McRacken was born in Iowa on August 16, 1861, a son of Andrew J. and Jane (Caldwell) McRacken, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was of Scotch descent. Coming to America, the McRacken family had settled in Pennsylvania ; Andrew J. McRacken, however, met his future wife in Iowa, and there they were married and reared their fam- ily. W. S. McRacken went to the public school until he was sixteen years
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old. In 1880 he came West to Nevada, where an uncle was in the mining business. He remained there for twenty-three years, and then came to California, settled at Richmond, and established the mercantile business so long and honorably connected with his name.
In October, 1891, Mr. McRacken was married to Miss Amy Blundell, a daughter of Dick Blundell. Her father and mother were natives of London, England, but she was born in Wyoming. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Racken have had three children : Ward, president of the Merchants' Asso- ciation of Richmond and a partner in the store with his father ; Hazel; and Harold Wayne, who was accidentally killed in San Francisco. Mr. Mc- Racken was at one time a director in the old Bank of Richmond. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants' Association of Richmond, and fraternally is a Mason.
JAMES HENRY MARTIN .- One of the pioneer merchants of Crockett and Valona, James Henry Martin has watched with interest the development of the industrial city that means so much to Contra Costa County. He is a native son, born in Porterville, on October 27, 1862. His parents were Thomas Leighton and Sarah Elizabeth (Nelson) Mar- tin, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively, but early settlers in the San Joaquin Valley, which the elder Martin helped to develop from its virgin state.
James H. Martin attended school in Tulare County and came to Vallejo, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits for one year; then he returned to Tulare County and in Tulare carried on business two years. It was about thirty years ago that he decided to locate in Crockett and that decision he has never regretted. The development and growth of this town has been within his memory, and like all good citizens he has cooperated with every movement that has brought Crockett to its pre- sent enviable position with her sister cities in Contra Costa County. He has witnessed the growth of the schools, the commercial enterprises, the industrial development and now enjoys the confidence and esteem of nearly the entire citizenry of this end of the county. He has been a leader in financial circles and is a director in the Bank of Pinole; has served as a trustee of the grammar schools for more than sixteen years; and it is largely due to his efforts that the grammar schools of Crockett and Valona were merged into one institution and a fine school building was erected with modern equipment, and installation of the best corps of educators to be found anywhere. From five teachers the number has in- creased to twenty-three, and is still growing. He is a member of the Crock- ett-Valona Business Men's Association; and was a charter member of the Maccabees and has passed all the chairs in the local tent.
J. H. Martin was united in marriage on May 24, 1894, to Miss Emma Roth, born in Indiana, a daughter of Christian and Marie (Oligher) Roth, and a sister of Judge Roth, of Richmond. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have had seven children, viz .: Louise, at home; Lemuel Francis, married
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Ethel Holly and resides in Crockett and they have two children; James W., married Helen Rogers and resides in Turlock and they have two children; Harold, employed by the Southern Pacific Railway at Crockett; Catherine E., at home; Roth L., and Elizabeth, are both attending high school. For many years Mr. Martin was located at Valona and during the heydey of that town's activities played a prominent part in mercantile life. Now that the two towns have been solidified and their interests in nearly every line of activity have been made one, he has located in Crockett. No man is better liked in this section than is J. H. Martin.
WILLIAM H. HANLON .- The able superintendent of schools of Contra Costa County, William H. Hanlon, is an educator of note, and is so recognized both in California and in other States where he is known. He is a native son, having been born at New York Landing, now known as Pittsburg, on October 25, 1880, a son of James and Ellen (Daley) Hanlon, both natives of Massachusetts, in which State they were mar- ried, at Cambridge. Fifty-six years ago, Mr. and Mrs. James Hanlon migrated to California, where he homesteaded a farm site of 160 acres adjoining the Rancho Los Medanos, located about three miles south of Pittsburg, and here he farmed for many years.
William H. Hanlon was reared on his father's ranch and attended the country schools, after which he entered the State Normal School at San Jose in September, 1896, pursued the regular pedagogical course, and graduated with the Class of 1900. In the fall of the same year he ac- cepted the position of principal of the school at Pittsburg, which post he filled so efficiently for six years that in November, 1906, he was elected to the important office of county superintendent of schools for Contra Costa County, which position he still holds. Mr. Hanlon has the over- sight of all high, junior high, grammar, elementary and kindergarten schools, both in the cities and in the country districts. This office requires the services of a broad-minded man of sterling character, extensive learn- ing, and good executive ability ; such a man the county has found in Mr. Hanlon. During the period of his tenure of office, he has done much to advance the cause of education, to which he is deeply devoted.
On December 5, 1908, at Oakland, W. H. Hanlon was united in mar- riage with Miss Winnifred Grace Carpenter, a daughter of Daniel W. Carpenter, for twenty years county tax collector, and a pioneer gold miner. He arrived in Placerville in the early fifties, but afterwards settled in Clayton, Contra Costa County; and it was here that Mrs. Hanlon was born. Mrs. Hanlon attended the San Francisco Teachers' College, special- izing in music and voice culture. She possesses a pleasing soprano voice, and often delights her many friends at Martinez with her beautiful so- prano solos. The Hanlons have been blessed with two children, Howard and Marjorie.
W. H. Hanlon is a member of national, State and county educational associations. He passed the State Bar examinations and was admitted to
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practice in 1917. Like all good leaders in educational work, Mr. Hanlon believes that the future of our nation depends on the capacities developed and the good ideals inculcated in the minds of the young and growing generation. He is in accord with the spirit of progress and is keenly alive to the great opportunities awaiting the children who are now being moulded by the public schools of the United States into intellectual, moral, and loyal citizens of our great commonwealth.
ANDREW J. McMAHON .- A native son of Contra Costa County, and one of its substantial business men, Andrew J. McMahon was born in Martinez, on September 22, 1870, the son of Thomas and Adelaide (Gibbings) McMahon, both natives of Ireland. The parents both came to the United States in 1852, and were married in New York City in 1854, leaving the next day for California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Cholera broke out on board the vessel, and they were two of the 146 survivors (out of 386 passengers) that arrived in San Francisco about Christmas time, in 1854. They soon moved to Martinez, and Thomas McMahon became a brick mason and plasterer, which trade he followed the balance of his life, until retiring from active business just ten years before his death, which occurred in April, 1912, on the ranch where he first worked in the county, known as the Donohue Ranch, and now owned by his son and daughter. He was eighty-one years of age when he died and his good wife survived him until 1921, when she passed on, having also reached eighty-one years in life's span.
Of the six children born to this worthy pioneer couple, Andrew J. McMahon was the youngest. He grew up in Martinez and from the age of sixteen to nineteen years worked on the newspaper, then called the Daily Item, but later renamed the Argus, and now known as the Contra Costa Daily Standard. On leaving this work, he established the Mc- Mahon Brothers' Grocery, which he conducted until 1904. That year he started in to do road work as a contractor, and thereafter built many of Contra Costa County's roads. He dealt in large quantities of sand, gravel and cement, and gradually became a dealer in road material, leading to his present large business in that line now managed by his son, Albin A., with the firm name of Andrew J. McMahon. In 1908 Mr. McMahon was appointed probation officer for Contra Costa County by Judge Latimer, and for sixteen years he held that position with ability and credit, resigning in 1924.
The marriage of Mr. McMahon, occurring in Martinez in 1893, united him with Miss Asilee Williams, born at Antioch, a daughter of Francis Williams, who for many years was county assessor of Contra Costa County. Three children have blessed their union : Albin A., man- ager of the business, who married Margaret Berling; Francis, civil engineer for the Shell Company, at Martinez, who married Miriam E. Veale, daughter of Sheriff R. R. Veale; and Margaret, wife of Dr. Victor Henny, chemist of London, England. Fraternally, Mr. McMahon is
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a member of the Richmond Lodge No. 1251, B. P. O. E., and of the Martinez Parlor of Native Sons. In his years of service in the county as a public official and as a business man, he has taken an active interest in the moral, economic and business advancement of the community, working with the other representative men toward that end, and his fore- sight and knowledge of the county's resources have been of great value. In 1916, Mr. McMahon built a new family home, at 1011 Willow Street, Martinez, a large and beautiful concrete house, which is the center of much social activity.
GEORGE A. PUTNAM .- The successful ranchers of Contra Costa County have no better representative than George A. Putnam, who holds an assured position among the thrifty farmers and business men who are conducting the affairs in this part of California. Since 1912 he has been associated with his brother, Guy L., in the real estate business in Walnut Creek. A native son, he was born in Fruitvale, Alameda County, on June 3, 1860, the second child in a family of eight born to John H. and Eliza- beth (Shuey) Putnam, natives of New York and Illinois, respectively.
In young manhood the elder Putnam left his native State, in 1853, bound for California via the Isthmus of Panama. Upon his arrival he went to the mines around Placerville and followed prospecting and mining until he contracted rheumatism, and then came to Lafayette and worked for Squire Elam Brown. He was married in 1856 to the daughter of John W. Shuey, a pioneer resident of Moraga Valley. They then went to Humbolt County, settled on Eel River and farmed there till the trouble with the Indians forced them to leave in 1858. Trading his land for a band of stock, Mr. Putnam drove them overland to Contra Costa County. En route he stopped for the night in the Russian River country in Sonoma County and negotiated with a resident for grazing for the night for his herd. The man had a large cornfield about half a mile back of the place where Mr. Putnam planned to keep his stock, and he told the owner he would put a herder between the grass plot and the corn to keep the animals from damaging the latter. The man replied that he'd stand any loss from the stock eating his corn. Next morning, when they came to get their cattle, none were in sight and they were traced to the cornfield; but when . Mr. Putnam arrived there he realized what the owner had meant when he said he'd be responsible for damage, for the stalks were twenty feet high and a man would have to be on horseback to reach the lowest ear on the stalk. Arriving here, Mr. Putnam located in Pacheco, built the first hotel in the place, in 1858, and operated it for about eight months. Ranching appealed to him more strongly, however, and he went to Fruitvale, Ala- meda County, where his wife's father had settled in 1860. Returning to Contra Costa County later, he was superintendent of the Alcalanes Grant for a time, at Lafayette, for Squire Brown. From 1866 to 1872 he op- erated an express line between San Leandro and San Francisco, making his 17
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home in San Leandro; and he served as the first marshal of that town. He was next in the general merchandise business in Walnut Creek for seven years. In 1879 he moved to Washington and farmed there for some years, finally dying at Seattle, where he had retired.
Of the marriage of John H. and Elizabeth Putnam eight children were born: Emma Daisy, Mrs. J. W. Stevens, who resides in Washington; George A., of this review; Minnie A., Mrs. T. Fagan of Copperopolis; William H., a miner in Siskiyou County; Charles A., Mrs. Mary Gau, and Victor Ray, all residing in Seattle; and Guy L., who lives in Oakland and carries on a real estate business in Walnut Creek in partnership with our subject. During the last years of their lives Mr. and Mrs. John H. Put- nam made their home with their daughter, Mrs. Gau, in Seattle, both pass- ing away in 1907 of pneumonia, aged eighty-four and seventy-four, respectively.
George A. Putnam attended public school at Pleasant Hill, near Wal- nut Creek, later taking an advanced course of study at the San Ramon school. After finishing school he went to work for his father in the general merchandise store and remained there until 1879, when he removed to Walla Walla, Wash., and engaged in farming until 1882. Returning then to Contra Costa County, he worked for his uncle as a clerk in his grocery store in Walnut Creek.
At Astoria, Wash., on January 16, 1886, Mr. Putnam was married to Miss Grace Brackett, born at Pacheco, Cal., a daughter of Rufus and Amanda (Hook) Brackett, natives of Massachusetts and Missouri, re- spectively. Rufus Brackett settled in Benicia, Cal., in 1849, and there became a successful merchant and rancher. Mrs. Brackett was born in 1842 and crossed the plains with her parents in 1850; she was educated in Martinez and Benicia and graduated from the Young Ladies' Seminary in Benicia. Mr. Brackett passed away in August, 1889. Mrs. Brackett makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Putnam.
Since 1889, Mr. Putnam has resided in Walnut Creek. For a number of years he operated a dairy supplying milk and cream to the county hospital at Martinez, meantime farming quite extensively. He now owns and operates a sixty-acre walnut grove and is interested in the real estate business with his brother. Mr. Putnam served for two terms on the board of trustees of the Concord High School and was a member of the first board of directors of that institution. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam are the par- ents of five children : George Blalock, who married Miss Frances Vessing, a native of New York State, by whom he has two children, Claire and Robert; Miss Grace Bell, who resides in San Francisco; Marian Bernice, now Mrs. Charles Beattie, who lives in Stockton; John Van Alstine; and Dorothy Hazel. George Blalock, the oldest son, was born on May 17, 1888. After graduating from the Concord High School he entered the University of California, from which he was graduated in 1911 in agriculture. He enlisted in the U. S. Army on May 8, 1917, and was
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commissioned first Lieutenant in the Officers' Reserve, and went into active service with the 60th C. A. C. at Fort Scott, California, as first Lieutenant, serving two months before his discharge at the Presidio. He is now serving as first Lieutenant in the 860th Motor Transport Reserve, a Walnut Creek Company which he organized; and he is past commander of the Walnut Creek Post, No. 115, of the American Legion, and also a past commander of the Contra Costa Council of the Legion, and has the honor of being one of its founders. He in now salesman for the Western Sulphur Company of San Francisco. George A. Putnam is a Republican in politics. He is recognized as a thrifty and conservative business man in the community where he has continuously resided for the past thirty-seven years.
WALTER W. & NORTON J. MORGAN .- Among the represen- tatives of old pioneer families who are carrying on, under more promising conditions, the work established by their sires, mention is due Walter W. and Norton J. Morgan, young men of energy and resource, and among the well-known business men in Contra Costa County. By right of in- heritance they became owners of the E. Morgan Hardware & Plumbing Company, located at the corner of Ferry and Escobar Streets, Martinez. This is the oldest hardware establishment in Contra Costa County and was formed fifty-six years ago by Edwin and Oliver Morgan, brothers.
Edwin Morgan, the father of Walter and Norton Morgan, was born at Dallas, Texas, and sprang from the noted Southern family of Mor- gans, being closely related to General Morgan, famous as leader of Morgan's men during the Civil War. Edwin Morgan's parents were William and Lucinda Morgan. They crossed the plains to California when Edwin was four years old, settling first in San Jose, but remained there only for two or three months, when they removed to Contra Costa County. Here William Morgan worked for a time on the Pacheco Ranch, and then the family located in the Pleasant Hill district, where the Mor- gan Ranch was located. William Morgan became an extensive farmer and stock-raiser and at one time owned the larger part of the valley. Edwin Morgan worked with his father until he reached his majority; then he learned the tinner's trade at Pacheco. After learning his trade he moved to Martinez and opened a tin shop on Ferry Street, in 1875. Soon he branched out and added a stock of hardware, and this business he continued successfully until his death.
At Martinez, in 1878, Edwin Morgan was married to Miss Mary Abbie James, born at Martinez, Cal., a daughter of Oliver James, the first postmaster of Martinez. The James family was of Puritan origin, a representative settling in America in 1629. On her mother's side, Miss James was descended from a branch of the Winslow family, her mother having been Miss Abagail Cartwright. Miss Cartwright was a second cousin of the Cartwright who introduced the game of baseball in New
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York State. To Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Morgan were born six children : Mabel M., now the wife of George Russi, a grain broker living in Port- land, Ore .; Walter W., born in Martinez in 1882; Amy I., who makes her home in Martinez, and is married to Harry Seyers; Norton J., of this review; Emmalyn, a graduate of Stanford University Hospital and now a trained nurse in Martinez ; and Edwin H. Morgan, Jr.
Edwin Morgan was a school teacher for many years; and he was also a city trustee and mayor of Martinez. Fraternally, he was a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Martinez and had passed through all the chairs. He was a Republican in politics. His death occurred on April 9, 1921, seven months after the decease of his wife.
Walter W. and Norton J. Morgan grew up in Martinez, and as soon as they were old enough went into the business with their father. The business has grown steadily until they employ six men besides themselves. This firm figures on jobs of plumbing such as for school buildings, resi- dences and business blocks. In August, 1905, fire destroyed the original building, and the same year a modern building of pressed brick was erected to take its place.
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