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 64

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 64

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WILLIAM M. McNEIL .- Ever since starting out for himself at twenty-one years of age, William M. McNeil has been a resident of Wal- nut Creek, where he engages in business as a well-driller and conducts a pump-supply establishment. He is a native of Contra Costa County, born at Lafayette on March 29, 1898, the fourth child in a family of five born to Robert E. and Gertrude (Thomson) McNeil, both natives of Cal- ifornia. His great-grandfather, Andrew Allen, brought the first Durham cows to California and Contra Costa County, coming from Missouri, and spent the remainder of his days farming in this section. Robert E. McNeil was in the grocery business in Lafayette for twenty years, and for a time was engaged in farming in that vicinity. There are five children in this family : Stuart C., in the employ of the Standard Oil Company at Walnut Creek; Ruth, now Mrs. P. P. Draper, of Oakland; Alice; William M., our subject; and Bertha, now Mrs. D. D. Dean, of Lafayette.

The education of William M. McNeil was obtained in the grammar school in Lafayette; and at an early age he began helping on the farm and in the store. Since 1919 he has been in business for himself in Wal- nut Creek, and by hard work and persistency of purpose has met with gratifying success.

At Oakland, Cal., on October 25, 1920, Mr. McNeil was married to Miss Dolly May Neff, a native of Kansas, and a daughter of John Neff ; and to them have been born two sons, William Lewis and Richard. Mr. McNeil is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Lions Club of Walnut Creek.

Sarahg. Pearson

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MRS. SARAH J. PEARSON .- A resident of California since 1876, and of Walnut Creek since 1877, Mrs. Sarah J. Pearson has been identified with the business, church and social life of Contra Costa County since that early day. She has wielded an influence for good in the community which is widely recognized and much appreciated by her many friends. Born in Scotter, Lincolnshire, England, she is a daughter of George and Ann (Conyer) Atkinson, both natives of England, where their lives were spent. Of their seven children Sarah J. is the youngest, and she is the only member of the family to come to California. She was reared in England, and received a good education in the public schools in that country.

In 1873 Mrs. Pearson came to the United States. She had a sister Mrs. Harris, residing in Leydan, Cook County, Ill,, and came to make her home there, and it was there she met Joseph E. Pearson and was united in marriage with him in 1874. Mr. Pearson was born in Livings- ton County, N. Y. Though reared as a farmer's boy, he was a graduate from a medical college in Tennessee. During the Civil War he served in an Indiana regiment of cavalry, and after the close of the war he studied medicine, and practiced his profession in the South until coming to Illinois. There he taught school for a time, and in 1876 the young couple came to Bay Point, Contra Costa County, where he also taught for one year. In March, 1877, they located in Walnut Creek, and for two years thereafter Mr. Pearson taught in the local school. In the meantime the people in the community, learning that he was a physician, urged him to take up the practice of medicine. This he did, and his prac- tice grew so rapidly that he was obliged to give up teaching and devote his entire time to his profession. In 1878 he bought two lots in the city, one on a corner, paying only seventy-five dollars each-an interesting item, showing the low value of real estate in those days. He built his residence on one of these lots in 1878, and in 1879 built the drug store. In 1888 Dr. and Mrs. Pearson bought residence property on Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, as an investment, and this she still owns. In 1886 he had the first cement sidewalk in town laid in front of his place of business and home. Dr. Pearson practiced medicine here for twenty years; then his health became impaired and he gave up the practice.

From the time they started the store Mrs. Pearson entered heartily into the management of it, and in 1892 she was registered as a pharmacist, being the first woman pharmacist registered in the county. Since the death of her husband, the pioneer doctor, which occurred in 1898, she has continued to manage the store and to reside in the old home, and in point of years of practice she is the oldest pharmacist in the county. She has been a member and active worker of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Walnut Creek ever since its organization and served as its treasurer for over thirty years. A Republican in politics, Mrs. Pearson has always taken an active interest in the upbuilding and advancement of her home

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community, more especially lending her aid to those movements which make for economic and social betterment. For a hobby and outdoor interest she has made a considerable study of botany and agriculture, and takes great pleasure in her garden. Of talented and cultured personality, Mrs. Pearson can be called a representative of the best type of Contra Costa's pioneer women.

GEORGE ALBERT BROCKHURST .- It is pleasing to note the large number of descendants of those who were attracted to California during the gold rush days of 1849 who are now engaged in the most pro- ductive of all occupations-tilling the soil. George A. Brockhurst, a successful and highly respected agriculturist located near Lake Orinda, is one of this number. His father, Henry Brockhurst, was a native of Eng- land who became one of the Forty-niners and located in Oakland. From there he went to Napa, where he resided for ten years, after which he re- moved to Orinda, and here his family was reared. He married Martha Summer, a native of Maine, and they became the parents of eleven chil- dren, nine of whom, five boys and four girls, are still living. Their eldest child, Samuel, died at the age of six months. The other children are: Annie, now Mrs. Sparhawk, who resides in Berkeley; William, living in Yonkers; George Albert, the subject of this sketch; Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs. Sundstrom, residing in Pasadena; Charles, who died in infancy; Emma, now Mrs. R. Ehlers, residing in Berkeley; Lottie, Mrs. E. Silva, also in Berkeley; Benjamin, in Walnut Creek; Eddie and James, both in Berkeley.

George Albert Brockhurst was born in Oakland, on Brockhurst Street, January 5, 1871, and received a common school education. He became thoroughly familiar with farming through practical experience on his father's farm, and at the age of thirty-one engaged in ranching on his own responsibility, renting 600 acres devoted to growing hay and feeding cattle. During the World War he raised wheat. In 1917 he became the owner of 200 acres of this same ranch; and now he grows red oats and hay and raises cattle. He has also done some teaming and road contract- ing. For the past seven years Mr. Brockhurst has been a school trustee. He is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of his vicinity.

George Brockhurst was married on April. 26, 1917, to Mrs. Bertha Jorgenson Hansen, of Orinda. She was born in Denmark on a farm, a daughter of Thomas and Boddill (Gibsen) Jorgenson, one of nine chil- dren, of whom eight are still living. Seven of the children came to Amer- ica and settled in San Francisco, but the parents remained in Denmark. Mrs. Brockhurst is the mother of two children by her first husband : James Hansen, aged sixteen, and Bernice Hansen, aged thirteen. Mr. Brock- hurst is a fine, clean type of citizen; he does not use tobacco in any form. He is fond of outdoor life, his chief recreation being motoring; he has made a trip to New York City. He owns the family home site and several lots on Lake Orinda.

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ALLISON BYER .- To have lived more than half a century in Con- tra Costa County is the distinction accorded to Allison Byer, the honored pioneer rancher of the Byron-Brentwood section. When but six years of age he accompanied his parents, the late John R. and Elvira (Bogges) Byer, across the plains from Illinois to California in 1863, coming by the covered wagon route. Upon arriving in the Golden State John Byer rented a farm in Yolo County, but owing to the drought of 1864 he re- moved to Napa County, where during the next two years, the family were nearly drowned out by the excessive rains. In the fall of 1869 they moved to Contra Costa County, where Mr. Byer bought 160 acres on Marsh Creek. During the season of 1870-1871 they experienced another drought which he managed to survive, and he afterwards purchased 160 acres in the Knightsen district and engaged in raising grain. John Byer lived to be eighty-seven years old, and died in 1921, being one of the oldest and most highly honored pioneers in east Contra Costa County; his wife died when sixty-nine years old, the mother of six children, four of whom were born in California.

Allison Byer was born on December 22, 1858, at Girard, Ill., and was six years old when he arrived in California, and ten years of age when his parents settled in the Knightsen district of Contra Costa County. After finishing his school days he rented land and raised grain; later he purchased 200 acres one-half mile north of Byron, and in the nineties moved there. After the death of his father in 1921, and division of his estate between the children, Allison received forty-two acres in Brent- wood precinct and the Knightsen Irrigation District, upon which he built a modern house in 1925, where he now resides. Allison Byer sold 110 acres of his ranch to his two sons, Eugene and Virgil. Eugene Byer is mentioned on another page of this work. Virgil built a home on his por- tion and put ten acres in walnuts and peaches, the remainder is given to the raising of alfalfa.

In 1873 Allison Byer was united in marriage with Ida Plumley, a member of the well-known pioneer family of Byron, and they were the parents of four children : Virgil, Ethel, Eugene, and John R. Mrs. Byer died in 1897. The second marriage of Mr. Byer occurred in 1900 at San Francisco and united him with Mrs. Amanda (Wolf) Myers. Mr. Byer is a man of sterling worth and is held in high esteem throughout the county where he has resided for so many years.

DOMINIC MURCHIO .- For many years the Murchio Ranch has been one of the landmarks of Clayton Precinct in Contra Costa County. Even the casual passerby cannot fail to be impressed by its well-kept ap- pearance and substantial buildings. Its 480 acres are devoted to the rais- ing of hay, grain and stock, and it has been exceptionally productive. Dominic Murchio, progenitor of a large family and a highly respected citi- zen and neighbor, was the founder of this homestead, which has long 19

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been noted for the hospitality of its inhabitants and the cheery social life within its walls. He is now deceased, but the traditions of the old home are still maintained by his widow and sons, who still live there.

Dominic Murchio and his wife, Julia Murchio, who survives him, were both born amid the vine-clad hills of sunny Italy. He was born on July 22, 1849, and his wife on August 15, 1859. They were married in Cali- fornia in 1879 and at once settled in Clayton Precinct. By the exercise of thrift and industry they prospered and became owners of one of the finest ranches of that vicinity. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom eleven are still living. Two died in infancy. The eleven living are : Albert, who is married and has two children, Jack and Iola, and who lives in Berkeley; John, working for the Shell Oil Company; Joseph, a rancher in Clayton Precinct; Lena, now Mrs. Bouve of Oakland, and the mother of a daughter, Carol; Dolly, wife of Albert Foubert, of Oakland; Dominic, born on July 4, 1888; Louis, of Clayton; Frank, a farmer of Clayton; Azalia, wife of Victor De Martini of Lone Tree, Contra Costa County, who has three children, Donald, May and Victor; George, pro- fessional ball player residing at home; and Dewey, also at home. Mr. Murchio died in March, 1916.

Dominic Murchio, Jr., married Mary Garaventa, a native of Contra Costa County. He operates the old home ranch, under lease from his mother, growing hay, grain and cattle as formerly. Joseph Murchio is the owner of a fine farm nearby and, being unmarried, continues to re- side at the old home place. The parents were pioneers highly honored by all who knew them, and all members of the Murchio family are highly respected as substantial, industrious and progressive citizens.

MRS. CARRIE L. PALMER. - Among the most worthy and highly esteemed native daughters of Walnut Creek, Cal., is Mrs. Carrie L. Palmer, a woman of strong personality, enterprising and persevering, who has won success in her active career by sheer persistency of purpose. Her father, James M. Stow, was only a small boy of nine years when he came to California from his native State of Illinois. The family settled in the LaFayette district of Contra Costa County, where he grew to young manhood. Later, when he removed to Walnut Creek, he was mar- ried to Miss Alice Glass, who was born at Alamo, Contra Costa County. Her parents, Joseph and Harriett (Stone) Glass, crossed the plains to California in 1850. James M. Stow became a prominent factor in the business life of Walnut Creek and Contra Costa County. For many years he held the position of county assessor, and he represented his district as supervisor. He was also postmaster of Walnut Creek, and throughout his entire residence was engaged in the real estate and mercantile business.

Carrie L. Stow attended the grammar school in Walnut Creek and the high school at Martinez. She then took a nurse's training course at the Waldeck Hospital in San Francisco, spending four years there. On October 2, 1905, she was united in marriage with Lewis R. Palmer,

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a native son of California, born October 29, 1874, at Jackson, Amador County, a son of Eliphalet Charles and Laroka (Turner) Palmer. When Lewis R. Palmer was one year old the family moved to the Reliez Valley, where his father farmed; and later still they moved to San Francisco, where the father conducted a livery business. Lewis R. Palmer `received his education at Trinity College, and later studied in Heald's Business College in San Francisco. He then went to Winters, Yolo County, as bookkeeper for Griffith & Hazelrigg. In 1894 he came to Walnut Creek and worked in a warehouse, later engaging in the livery business with his father, and still later with Joel Harlan, to whom he sold out. He is a member of the undertaking firm of Guy, Palmer & Ford, in Concord. With Mr. Ford he bought the old Dias ranch near Walnut Creek. On this ranch they carry on general farming and are also en- gaged in raising fruit.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are Republicans. Fraternally, he is a member of Alamo Lodge No. 122, F. & A. M., of Walnut Creek; and Mrs. Palmer belongs to the Eastern Star Chapter of Walnut Creek. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, Whitney Griffith and Harlow Baker.

ROY V. DAVIS .- As the efficient cashier and manager of the Bank of Antioch, Roy V. Davis, has made every effort to serve the people of his community by extending to all worthy projects the assistance of the finan- cial institution of which he is the main guiding spirit, having the close co- operation of his associates in all matters concerning the upbuilding of both bank and community. The Bank of Antioch owns its own building, which is modern in every detail, and it caters to the growing patronage it so well deserves. For the convenience of its patrons there are 200 safety deposit boxes; and there is always someone in authority to lend a helping hand to those seeking information and advice. This bank maintains a branch in Brentwood, and the combined resources are $1,500,000. The slogan of the bank is "Service," and service is rendered to all who ask it. The officers of this institution have ever been ready and willing to encourage all legitimate movements for the upbuilding of eastern Contra Costa County in transactions large or small. The needs of the patrons are studied with the object to better serve them. Ranchers, manufacturers, merchants and builders have felt the influence of this financial institution and its large list of depositors shows the confidence in which it is held in the community. For twelve years Mr. Davis has been closely connected with the Bank of Antioch and during this time he has worked for the interests of bank, county and people to the best of his ability.

W. W. Morgans, Sr., is president; James Gunn, first vice-president ; Robert Wallace, Jr., second vice-president; Roy V. Davis, cashier and manager; L. W. Mehaffey, assistant cashier, who with M. B. Veale and George Nunn, make up the board of directors. The Brentwood branch is under the management of Lee Durham.

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Mr. Davis was born in Seneca, Mo., and had the advantage of a good education, which he has supplemented with a broad study of finance that has made him one of the best-informed bankers in Northern California, being recognized by the banking fraternity as a dependable and construc- tive man. The following communication shows the trend of Mr. Davis' constructive service slogan :

"Bank of Antioch Antioch-Brentwood To Our Depositors :

"The business of this bank has largely grown through our ability to assist and serve the people of the community. We aim for increased capacity to help in the practical affairs of our patrons-To give them a definite sense of direction-without criticism-To take personal interest in our depositors and friends-To maintain their friendship-To merit their confidence-To give information and-To be increasingly helpful- Is our constant aim.

"Roy V. Davis, Cashier. "Bank of Personal Service."

Not alone in banking circles is Mr. Davis well known, but as president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of Contra Costa County has his influence been felt for the good of the entire county. He believes in conducting the Chamber of Commerce as he does the bank, giving personal service and helping in every way to provide helpful information to all who ask it.

Mr. Davis had one of his dreams come to a reality when the Antioch Bridge was completed that joined the Sacramento Valley with Contra Costa County. Defeat did not discourage him ; when he failed in one place he sought another angle until the $2,000,000 bridge was started and it was great satisfaction to him when it was formally opened to traffic at one minute after twelve o'clock on January 1, 1926, he being a passenger in the first automobile that officially crossed and recrossed the structure. It is conceded that to Roy V. Davis, more than to any other one man, is due the credit for the building of this wonderful piece of engineering that links the Sacramento Valley with this county and the Bay Cities.

WALTER G. REED .- Highly respected in business circles, and closely identified with church and Sunday school work in Martinez, Walter G. Reed's influence has always been given for the betterment of conditions in Martinez and Contra Costa County. He is the proprietor of a stationery and confectionery store at 724 Main Street, and there carries in the line of supplies a stock of such things as are necessary to the school pupils, office men and merchants of the city, together with a well-stocked candy case with standard makes of sweets.

Mr. Reed was born in Emerson, Ill., on February 19, 1865, the son of Franklin and Elizabeth (Keefer) Reed, who came to Illinois from Pennsylvania and located in Emerson. He is the youngest of the family

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of six children and is the only one in California. After his school days were over he worked at various employments until 1887, when he made his first trip to California, remaining one year. On account of the ill health of his mother he went back home, where she passed away when she was sixty-two years old. In 1889 Mr. Reed came again to California and worked on a ranch near Winters. Later he bought land and farmed on his own account, developed an orchard, and was engaged in fruit- growing for several years near Winters. In 1901 he came to Martinez. and here he has worked up a fine business in his retail lines, at the same time taking an active interest in social and civic affairs.

At Winters, Mr. Reed and Miss Olive Wilson, also a native of Illinois, were united in marriage in 1895. Mrs. Reed was reared in California and attended the schools of this State. Their fortunate union has been blessed by two children: Howard W., now cashier at Camp Curry, in Yosemite, and Charlotte, a graduate of the University of California and now a teacher in the Martinez High School. Mrs. Reed is a member of the Eastern Star Chapter, and is an able assistant to her husband in his business. He has been superintendent of the Congrega- tional Sunday School for more than fifteen years, and is a pillar of that church. Since establishing himself in Martinez he has built up his trade by careful attention to the wants of his customers, and by always giving a square deal to all.

FRANK RUTHERFORD .- Near Danville, San Ramon Valley, Contra Costa County, lies the fifty-two-acre ranch owned and operated by Frank Rutherford, one of the enterprising and popular ranchers of this sec- tion. He is particularly well known as one of the first commercial walnut growers, having planted a large acreage on the Bishop ranch many years ago, all now in full bearing and bringing a substantial profit each season. He was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 13, 1865, and is one of the fourteen children of William and Jessie ( Balmer ) Rutherford, farmer folk who lived in Scotland, where the father died. The mother came to California and died at Santa Barbara, aged eighty-eight years.

Mr. Rutherford was a young lad when he came to America. He set- tled in Santa Barbara County and farmed there until 1904, when he came to the Bishop ranch, his present home, in Contra Costa County. In 1919 he purchased his highly improved property here, near Danville. Besides walnuts, there are cherries and prunes on the place. Mr. Rutherford is superintendent of the Bishop ranch consisting of 2680 acres, which he has developed from a grain field and on which he has introduced diversified farming, planting on the place 300 acres to walnuts, 280 acres to pears, fifty acres to vineyard, twenty to prunes and twenty to peaches ; moreover, some 400 hogs and 100 cattle are raised on the place annually. The com- pany have their own warehouses for shipping their products.

On April 30, 1892, Mr. Rutherford was married to Miss Susan Grant. born at Aberdeen, Scotland, a daughter of David and Christina (Mid-

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dleton) Grant, who had six children in their family. The parents came to California in 1892, and died in Santa Barbara, the father in 1902, the mother in 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford are the parents of six daughters : Daisy B., now Mrs. H. H. Steinmetz, living in San Francisco and mother of one child, George Edward; Florence G., Mrs. Frank Roy, residing in Danville; Christina J., also of Danville; and Frances S., Edith I., and D. Helen, who are at home. Mr. Rutherford is a director in the San Ramon Valley Bank and vice-president of the Walnut Growers' Association of Contra Costa County.

GEORGE LEE .- One of the most highly esteemed citizens of Rich- mond is George Lee, a financial broker with offices at the corner of Seventh Street and Macdonald Avenue. Mr. Lee was born in England on Decem- ber 27, 1881, the son of William Lee, a scientist in horticulture, who mar- ried Miss Sarah Craddock. George Lee received his education in the English schools and lived in his native country until 1901, when he went to the Hawaiian Islands and for three years was in the employ of the Theo. H. Davies Companies. He came to Richmond in June, 1904, and entered the Bank of Richmond as assistant cashier; he was also one of the directors. In 1915, in association with John H. Nicholl, E. M. Tilden and J. F. Carlston, he came over to Richmond proper and reorganized the Mechanics Bank and put it on a sound basis. Mr. Lee was associated with the bank until the United States entered the World War. He then offered his services to the financial department of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association and took his training at Stanford during August and September; but while at Ft. Barry, waiting for passports, the armistice was signed, and he returned home. Mr. Lee then established his present office in December, 1918, and acts for the John Nicholl Company in an advisory capacity. He has had a rapid increase in his investment business and is an especial friend of the foreign element in Richmond, many of whom seek his advice in business matters. Mr. Lee is proud to say that he has never lost a dollar for one of his clients. At the time of the build- ing of the city hall he was given custody of the funds.

Mr. Lee was united in marriage on August 2, 1911, with Miss Louise Stairley, daughter of Waverley Stairley, founder of the first bank in Rich- mond and former postmaster of the city. She is related to Gen. Robert E. Lee, and to Senator Bankhead, of Alabama. They have a daughter, Vir- ginia Lee, a student in the Richmond High School. Mr. Lee is a charter member of the Kiwanis Club and a member of Richmond Lodge No. 1251, B. P. O. E., and the Chamber of Commerce. He owns considerable prop- erty in Richmond and vicinity and has great faith in the future of the city. A conservative investor, he has confidence in what he undertakes and in- spires confidence in those who seek his advice. He takes an active interest in civic affairs and believes in progression, and to such men as George Lee the community's interests can be safely entrusted.

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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 64

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