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 65
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Patrick Formey
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PATRICK TORMEY .- Patrick Tormey, whose death occurred on May 7, 1907, was one of Contra Costa County's leading men, having efficiently and faithfully served the county as supervisor for thirty years, and was one of its large landowners, a rancher and stockman. He was born in Westmeath, Ireland, in the month of March, 1840, the son of Patrick and Mary ( Rooney) Tormey; and he was reared and lived in Ireland until September, 1858, in which year, after completing three years of academic training, he sailed with three sisters and a brother, from Galway to the United States. Arriving in New York on September 29 of that year, he remained in that city only a short time, and on the 7th of October, in company with Hon. D. N. Sherburne, of Syracuse Valley, sailed for the Isthmus of Panama in the steamer St. Louis. From the Isthmus the journey to San Francisco was continued on the Louisa, which landed on the last day of October, 1858.
Arrived in California, Mr. Tormey at once joined his brother, John Tormey, at Suscoe, in Napa County, and there engaged in ranching for a year. In the fall of 1859 he moved to Stockton and for six months was employed in the California Flour Mills at that place, after which he came to Contra Costa County and for eighteen months was engaged in herding cattle for his brother on the Pinole Rancho. In June, 1861, he drove stock to Nevada. Returning at the end of four months, he leased a portion of the ranch which he later purchased, and here he engaged in agricultural pursuits for two years. At the end of that period he went to Sonoma County, and there for four years he ran the Adobe Ranch, near Petaluma.
Returning to Contra Costa County, together with his brother John, Mr. Tormey purchased 7000 acres, a portion of the Pinole Grant com- prising the interests of Mesdames Estudillo, Merle, Berryessa, and Rich- ardson, and a third share of the interest of Mrs. Castro. This property had a three-mile frontage on San Pablo Bay, and on it is located Tormey Station, originally on the line of the San Pablo and Tulare Railroad, later the Central Pacific, and now the Southern Pacific Railway. The lands advanced in value, and while carrying on the ranch work, Mr. Tormey built a fine residence and ranch buildings and made many im- provements. The Union Oil gas refinery at Oleum is now located on a portion of this land, Mr. Tormey having sold that portion to a lumber company, which in turn sold to the Union Oil Company for a refinery.
In the fall of 1877, Patrick Tormey was elected to a place on the board of supervisors, the office having been made vacant by the death of his brother John, who had held it for nine years previously. Patrick Tormey was repeatedly reelected and held the office some thirty years, until his death. He was a most faithful and efficient public servant, and to know him was to appreciate his manly worth.
Mr. Tormey's marriage, which occurred in May, 1875, united him with Miss Mary Matthews, a native of Boston, Mass., and eight chil- dren blessed their union: John P., who died in 1924; Leo. F., a leading
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attorney at Martinez ; Mary; Louis, deceased; and Clement, Ruth, Linus, and Verda, the latter a graduate of the Dominican College at San Rafael. The other sisters are graduates of the College of the Holy Name, at Oakland; while the brothers are graduates of St. Mary's Col- lege of that city. The good wife and mother died on March 21, 1906, having reached fifty-six years of age. She was a highly respected and much loved woman. This worthy couple may be called representative of California's pioneer men and women. Patrick Tormey more than did his share in building up his part of the Golden State, devoting his time unsparingly to his duties as a public officer; and Mary Tormey proved herself a capable helpmate, rearing a large family to carry on the work begun by their forebears, and carrying her share of the burden with the spirit which has made our pioneer women famous throughout the country.
JAMES DUNBAR KEITH .- The manager of the personnel de- partment of the California and Hawaiian Sugar Refining Corporation at Crockett, "Jimmie" Keith, as he is familiarly known to his friends, is a native son, born in Oakland on December 4, 1887. His father, Samuel F. Keith, is also a native son, having been born in San Francisco. He mar- ried Lillie Bovee, who was born in Grass Valley, Nevada County, and is a representative of another pioneer family in California. James Bovee, her father, is mentioned in the story "The Gray Dawn" by Frank Norris and his picture hangs in the Golden Gate Park museum in San Francisco.
It was with this background that J. D. Keith was reared. He went to the public schools in San Francisco and did much the same as other boys of his time. He took a special course to fit himself for such work as he might find to do when he was through with his studies. As office boy he entered the employ of the California and Hawaiian Sugar Refining Com- pany, kept the stock records, was assistant purchasing agent, accountant, manager of the insurance department, in fact was instrumental in organiz- ing this department and was the first manager of same. After working his way through these various positions his ability and fidelity were re- warded by his appointment to his present position of trust and much responsibility. In fact Mr. Keith is a busy man with an enormous amount of detail to look after, but he accomplishes his tasks with a smile and en- joys his work. He came to live in Crockett in July, 1924.
Mr. Keith has made a special study of his department and it falls to his lot to look after housing conditions for employees, whereby the com- pany investigates the man and, sells him a home on suitable terms. Em- ployment and fitting the man to his job is another duty entrusted to Mr. Keith and in this way the company obtains the best results from the labor and at the same time compensates its employees adequately. Administra- tion of plant safety and health, employees' disability and death benefits and the C. and H. Employees' Mutual Benefit Association with its provision which pays two-thirds of normal earnings while the employee is disabled, fall under his supervision. It is the human interest that appeals to Mr.
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Keith and by which he gets such excellent results. Other duties of his in- volve oversight of clubs for men and women, the nursery from which plants are distributed to the people for beautifying lawns, parkings, etc .; contact with churches, schools, clubs; educational work inside and outside of the plant in conjunction with the public schools : part time school to fit the employee, evening classes to train the employee the better to serve the company ; and the technical library in the plant. One of the most import- ant things which Mr. Rolph considers of benefit to the company is the hospitality program, which includes entertainment of guests and students who visit the plant, for which highly trained guides are supplied to answer all questions propounded. The Camp Fire Girls, Bluebirds, Boy Scouts, and Wolf Cubs, gardeners to maintain and develop the parks and play- grounds, are all maintained for the benefit of the young and others by the company. All this and many other lines of activity in and out of the plant come under Keith's watchful eye and he performs his duties with satisfac- tion to all.
On September 19, 1922, James D. Keith was married to Miss Fern E. Myers, born in Stillwater, Okla., daughter of Alonzo Myers, who mar- ried Stella Boatman. They have two daughters, Virginia and Carol Jean, and a son, Earl Douglas.
CHARLES J. RICHARDS .- A veteran employee of the Selby Smelter, Charley Richards, as he is familiarly known by his many friends, is one of the reliable men in the employ of the Selby Company and is gen- eral foreman of the ore room. In addition to his work at the smelter he has rendered good service to his community, especially in the line of maintaining good public schools, serving as trustee of the Selby Grammar School for more than thirty years, and is now clerk of the board; also for the past seven years he has been a member of the board of trustees of the John Swett Union High School. In many other ways he has served for the public good. He was born in England, on January 16, 1868, the son of Albert and Sarah (Morse) Richards. The elder Richards was a glove maker and always made his home in England. There are still a brother, Arthur, and a sister, Louise, living in England.
The public schools of England gave Mr. Richards his early educa- tion. In 1885 he landed in San Francisco and with William G. Davis came to Selby and secured a job. He began as a laborer and shoveled coal, then was promoted to be an electrical helper, next was made foreman of the ore-sampling department, in all having been in the employ of the company forty-one years.
Mr. Richards was married on February 6, 1895, to Miss Agnes Mc- Donald of San Francisco. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Independent Order of Foresters and the Eagles. His politics are in accord with Democratic policies but he tries not to be narrow. He is heartily interested in the development of this region and during his long residence here has done his part to bring it to its present condition.
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FRED ULYSSES NORTON .- The Norton family, of British an- cestry on both sides, has been identified with American soil since the first days of the Revolutionary War, and are well known on the Atlantic coast, especially in New England. A genealogy of the family, making up a large volume, was published some years ago. Like most old New England families, they were mostly seafaring men in the early days, though in later years finding different occupations : some being of strong artistic tendencies, others devoting their lives as ministers of the Gospel, but all having strong convictions and carrying the family name untarnished through the succeeding generations.
Fred Ulysses Norton was born on July 27, 1863, in Falmouth, Maine, a son of Randall and Vienna (Branscomb) Norton, both natives of Maine, as were all the Nortons for several generations back to Great- grandfather Ichabod Norton, who was an ancestor of Lillian Nordica, the great American opera star, whose real name was Lillian Norton. Of Scotch-Irish blood, the Nortons became one of the leading families in the Pine Tree State, all strictly Protestant in faith and sturdy pioneers. Grandfather Rev. Lemuel C. Norton was a sea captain before he became a Methodist Episcopal minister, and it was he who established the first State hospital for the insane in Maine. Randall Norton, father of our subject, was also a sea captain; on one of his voyages to Savannah, Ga., he contracted the yellow fever, from which sickness he died at the age of forty years. His wife, Vienna (Branscomb) Norton, was of English an- cestry, her grandfather having been brought to America as an English soldier in the Revolutionary War; but he favored the Revolutionists and, deserting the English ranks, joined the American army. After the close of the war he settled upon Mt. Desert Island, Maine, and became a sea- faring man.
Just nine years old at the time of his father's death from yellow fever, Fred Ulysses Norton was the sixth child and a twin in a family of seven born to his parents, six boys and one girl, of whom the sister and three brothers are living. He completed the common schools, and had passed the examination for admission to the high school when, at fourteen years of age, he went to sea as a sailor before the mast on the brig Ernestine, of which his brother, Edmund Randall Norton, was captain. He sailed to the West Indies, Malagas, Santiago, and to Havana, for cargoes of sugar and molasses, and continued to follow the sea for six years, the last voyage being to the Rio de la Plata, in South America. On leaving the sea, he put in one year as clerk for his brother-in-law, William E. Wilson, in his general store at Cumberland Center, Maine; and with him he came to Los Angeles, Cal., in 1889. After his arrival there he worked on ranches for two years, and then for the following five years ran a butcher shop in Los Angeles. He next went to work in a brickyard for several years, most of his time being spent in construction and carpenter work incident to a large brickyard, installing machinery and so forth. On January 1,
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1906, he came to Port Costa to take a similar position with the Port Costa Brick Company, and has worked as a general mechanic and carpenter with that concern almost continuously ever since.
The marriage of Mr. Norton, occurring in Los Angeles, on November 19, 1891, united him with Miss Mary Leuzinger, a native of Abilene, Kans., and daughter of John and Verena (Durst) Leuzinger, the parents both being natives of the same canton in Switzerland and of Swiss-German blood. They came to the United States and settled in Abilene, Kans., in 1863, and there John Leuzinger became a farmer, owning 240 acres of land, 160 acres of which they homesteaded. Eight children were born to John and Verena Leuzinger, four in Switzerland and four in Kansas, Mrs. Norton being the fifth child in order of birth and the first one born in America. She was reared in Kansas until thirteen years old, and then came with the rest of the family to Los Angeles in 1883, and in 1891 her marriage occurred. Eight children have blessed their union: Ralph, with the Associated Oil Company at Port Costa; Everett, with the same con- cern; Wallace, salesman for the California Clay Products Company in Los Angeles; John, who died when nine years old; Edward, attending the Polytechnic Engineering College in Oakland; Esther ; John, and Mar- ion, a graduate of the John Swett Union High School at Crockett and now attending the University of California at Berkeley. Mrs. Norton has always done her share in helping out the family fortunes, in addition to raising her large family; for years she had charge of the cook house for the Port Costa Brick Works, and has cooked for as many as twenty men, besides her family. Her youngest brother, who settled in Los Angeles, is the Rev. John A. Leuzinger, assistant pastor of the Emanuel Presby- terian Church of that city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Norton are Democrats in politics. Mr. Norton belongs to Tent No. 2, K. O. T. M., in Los Angeles.
O. PETER OLSEN .- One of the successful contractors and build- ers of Contra Costa County is O. Peter Olsen, who is aiding materially in the growth of Martinez and surrounding territory. A native of Den- mark, he was born April 20, 1878, the son of O. Nilsen and Kjerstine Olsen. The father was a dairyman and farmer in the old country. Both parents are now deceased, and of their family of three boys and four girls only four are still living, O. Peter being the only son left to bear the family name.
Receiving a very thorough education in his native land, Mr. Olsen at- tended both the high and polytechnic schools there, and also was brought up and confirmed in the Lutheran Church, which is considered a part of the education of children in that country and undoubtedly has much to do with the sturdy character of the race. On finishing his schooling, for the following four years he served an apprenticeship in the carpenter's trade in Denmark, during which time he also studied drafting and architecture.
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One of his brothers, Christian Olsen, came to the United States in 1882, and became a farmer in Iowa, where he carried on agricultural work for thirty-five years before his death occurred. His success inspired his younger brother to seek the newer country for greater opportunities than were offered in his home land, and O. Peter Olsen sailed from Esbjerg, Denmark, to England, and from Liverpool took passage on the liner Lucania, landing in New York in March, 1905. His first move was to visit his brother in Iowa, and from there he went to Sioux City, that State, and there worked at his trade in 1905-1906. After this he went to Chicago and there continued the same work for nine months. In the fall of 1906 he came to the West Coast, and for the following nine months did carpenter and building work, helping in the rebuilding of San Fran- cisco after the disastrous earthquake and fire of April, 1906. In the spring of the following year he moved to Seattle, Wash., and worked on the Exposition buildings there for a short time. He then went to Dag- mar, in what is now Sheridan County, Mont., and for the following six years continued at carpentry in that locality, and while there proved up on a homestead. Returning in the fall of 1914 to San Francisco, he worked on the buildings for the Panama-Pacific International Exposi- tion for one year.
In October, 1915, Mr. Olsen came to Martinez, and since that date he has followed contracting and building for himself, and has met with deserved success. Among the buildings to his credit here are the Christian Science Church, the Women's Club building, and the J. H. Wells residence. In 1920 he purchased a thirteen-acre tract one mile southeast of Martinez, formerly known as the De Lacy tract, which he is subdividing and building up, having already built and sold seven houses at the date of this writing. This subdivision, which is on the Pacheco Road, is a distinct addition to the city and county, and Mr. Olsen deserves great credit for his fore- sight and faith in the present and future growth of Martinez and Contra Costa County.
The marriage of Mr. Olsen, which occurred at Medicine Lake, Mont., on April 2, 1912, united him with Miss Christine Mortensen, also a native of Denmark, though she has spent practically her entire life in this country, as she was brought here by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Mortensen, when only three years old. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Olsen, a son, Everett Lawrence. The family reside in Rose Cottage, a part of their new subdivision. An excellent mechanic and a man of sound business intelligence, Mr. Olsen is energetic and progressive in his work and ideas, and believes in building for the future. He became naturalized as an American citizen in Glasgow, Mont., in the fall of 1912 and in politics he is non-partisan, giving his support to the men and measures he deems most favorable to the general good. He belongs to the Martinez Chamber of Commerce.
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REV. EDWARD G. McMULLAN, O. P .- St. Peter's Catholic Church, of Pittsburg, Cal., is especially fortunate in having as its pastor such an able minister and devout disciple of Christ as Father E. G. Mc- Mullan. He was born in San Francisco on March 30, 1886, and as a boy attended St. Patrick's School in his native city. Afterwards he became a student at St. Patrick's Seminary, at Menlo Park., Cal., where he com- pleted the studies of the academic department, which included two and one-half years study of philosophy and theology. To further advance his education in preparation for his life work he entered the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D. C., graduating with the Class of 1917, and was ordained on May 17, 1917. Father McMullan has a vigorous men- tality and well-trained mind. He is eloquent in the pulpit, and his theo- logical and scholastic attainments are of an unusually high order, in keeping with the educational advantages provided by the Church.
His first assignment was as assistant to the pastor of St. Vincent's Parish at Vallejo, Cal., where he served for three years. From Vallejo he was appointed assistant pastor of St. Dominick's Church in San Francisco, where he remained three years, afterwards assuming the pastor- ate of St. Dominick's Church, Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, for one year. With each succeeding pastorate he gained valuable experience and in- creased in spiritual power, which fitted him for larger responsiblities and tasks in the work of the Church and the salvation of souls.
In August, 1924, Father McMullan was called to the pastorate of St. Peter's Catholic Church at Pittsburg, Cal., which is a very large and strong congregation. The parish of St. Peter's comprises approximately sixty- five per cent of Pittsburg's 7000 population, giving an estimated member- ship of over 4500. In the great work of this parish he is ably assisted by the Holy Family Sisters from San Francisco, who come to Pittsburg twice a week to teach the catechism.
Father McMullan is wielding an inestimable influence for righteousness by his exemplary daily life before his parishioners, perpetuating in the minds of young and old the precepts and principles of Jesus. To adminis- ter to the spiritual, mental and material welfare of 4500 people is no small matter, and requires the grace of a strong Christian character-a character like that of Father McMullan, whom all delight to honor.
JUDGE WADE W. MOORE .- The present incumbent of the office of justice of the peace for township No. 6, Contra Costa County, is Attorney Wade W. Moore, of Pittsburg. Judge Moore has an enviable reputation for sterling character; and being well versed in legal lore, his decisions are wise and just and he possesses the ability to inspire his clients with the greatest confidence in his judgment. He was born at Paris, Stark County, Ohio, on October 26, 1889, the son of Albert and Rosella (Jackson) Moore. The father was a native of Pennsylvania; the mother was born at Cincinnati, Ohio. Seven children were born of this
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union, six of whom are still living. The father, Albert Moore, was a veteran oil driller, having conducted operations in many States and lands, including Peru, Brazil, Siberia, Canada, Mexico, and in the Eastern and Mid-Western States. The family formerly resided in Ashtabula, Girard and Hubbard, Ohio, but in 1904 migrated to San Francisco, Cal.
Wade W. Moore, the youngest boy of the family, attended high school in San Francisco and was graduated from the Wilmerding High School in the Class of 1908. Possessed of an aptitude for learning and a natural penchant for legal lore, he became a student of the San Francisco Law School and after a four-year course was graduated with the Class of 1916. While a law student he was employed by Jordan, Rowe, & Brand. He was admitted to the Bar in 1917 and began his practice in San Francisco. On April 2, 1918, he became a resident of Pittsburg, and opened an office for the practice of his chosen profession; and in No- vember, 1922, he was elected for a term of four years to the office of justice of the peace for Township No. 6, Contra Costa County. Judge Moore is an active and enterprising citizen of Pittsburg, foremost in supporting every worthy movement which has as its aim the advancement of the civic, moral, and commercial interests of the county and community. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburg, was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Pittsburg, and is now a director of this bank as well as a director of the First National Bank of Bay Point.
The marriage of Wade W. Moore was solemnized at San Francisco, on October 23, 1919, when he was united with Miss Amy Jann, a native daughter of California. Fraternally Mr. Moore is a member of Pittsburg Lodge No. 429, F. & A. M., and is a charter member of Pittsburg Lodge No. 1474, B. P. O. E. Politically, he is a Republican in national affairs. His legal practice extends to the State and Federal courts.
ARTHUR CLIFFORD FOOTE .- In 1925 Arthur Clifford Foote established the Richmond Auto Wrecking Company, which is now located at San Pablo Avenue and Alameda Streets, El Cerrito, and which since the day of its inception has gradually been expanding. He was born in Rives Junction, Mich., a son of Wallace Henry and Aetna A. (Green) Foote, the father a well-known and successful real estate man in Iowa. When a small child our subject was taken to Emmet County, Iowa, where he grew up and attended school. The other members of the family are: Grace, Mrs. J. A. Cain; Wallace Clyde, in Los Angeles; and Claire Idell, the youngest son.
After completing his education at the high school Arthur Clifford Foote began his career as an express messenger and gradually worked his way into the hardware business. He went to Wilbur, Wash., where he was connected with Hay Brothers for four years. Next he was with the Holly-Mason Hardware Company in Spokane for five years. In 1912 he came to San Francisco and went to work in the Southern Pacific yards,
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after which he spent five years in the employ of the Santa Fe in train ser- vice, continuing until 1925, when he embarked in his present enterprise. He still holds his membership in the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.
In 1912 Mr. Foote was married to Miss Georgie Jeanette Zims, of San Francisco, in which city her father was connected with the Stock Ex- change. The family home is located at 2022 Burbeck Avenue, Richmond. Mr. Foote tries at all times to do his duty as a citizen, and shows his pub- lic spirit in many ways. He has many friends.
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