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 72
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Albert C. Trette, the second son, was born in Clayton, on July 20, 1888, attended the public school of Clayton and as a boy and youth worked in his father's blacksmith shop, greatly enjoying the work. As a young man he secured a position on the old Kirkwood ranch near Clayton,
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. ATCHINSON
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where he was employed for eleven years, being finally promoted to the position of foreman. During this period he married Miss Ada Jane Myrick, daughter of the pioneer farmer, Walter Myrick, of Clayton Pre- cinct. To Mr. and Mrs. Trette two children were born, Albert C., Jr., and Reginald Benjamin. About 1923 Mr. Trette became connected with the Associated Oil Company, starting as a pipe fitter. It was apparent from the start that he had found his true vocation and he was rapidly promoted until finally transferred to his present responsible position.
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. ATCHINSON .- One of the ven- erable pioneer women of Clayton Precinct, Contra Costa County, is Mrs. Elizabeth Atchinson, widow of the late George Washington Atchinson, who died in Berkeley on November 22, 1925, at the age of eighty-seven years and fourteen days. Mr. Atchinson had made three trips across the plains to California and had witnessed much of its subsequent growth. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Atchinson were rated among the most in- dustrious ranchers of this county, and their home was a model of its kind, where a real hospitality was dispensed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Atchinson were born in Fulton, Greene County, Ill., and there they were married. Their parents were among the pioneer settlers there when that section was considered as being on the Western frontier. Mrs. Atchinson was born on August 2, 1850, and was united in marriage with Mr. Atchinson on August 24, 1871.
Their marriage resulted in the birth of four boys: Alonzo W., of Berkeley, who is married and the father of one daughter living, Mamie, and two children deceased, Martin and Viola; John W., of Clayton Pre- cinct, who is the parent of two children, Wilbur and Mrs. Mildred Edlen, the latter the mother of a son, Kenneth; Arthur B., who resides in Ber- keley and has a son Arthur, Jr .; and George A., who lives on his own place, which was a part of the original home ranch, and has two boys, Marvin and Elden.
After going through the usual experiences of the prospector and miner, the father finally decided to settle down to agricultural pursuits and in 1895 bought a ranch near Clayton. His experience as a farmer in Iowa, whither he had moved with his wife and two boys before settling in California, now stood him in good stead; he began with bare land, and added every improvement seen on it today. With the help of his boys and his wife he made a success of his farming and finally retired to Berkeley, where he passed away. The property consists of fifty-five and three-quarters acres of fine land and is devoted to the raising of fruit and to general farming.
Mrs. Atchinson has first-hand knowledge of the hardships and struggles of the pioneer women, for she pioneered in Iowa before settling in California. Both she and her husband were honored residents of this 21
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county, and by their kindly and neighborly acts to those in distress they drew around them a warm circle of devoted friends. Mrs. Atchinson divides her time between her four sons and their families, and is hale and hearty despite her many years of struggle and deprivation. She still owns the home ranch, and her visits there are looked forward to with joy by her children and grandchildren.
THOMAS D. WALKER .- Thomas D. Walker is one of the most widely known men of Walnut Creek, where he has been postmaster since 1922. Born in Kings County, Ireland, February 11, 1860, he is the son of Joseph James and Margaret (Dawson) Walker, both natives of the same country. There were six children in this family: James, deceased; Dawson, deceased; Joseph; Thomas D., our subject; Henry; and Cran- ston, deceased. Joseph James Walker lived to be seventy-four years old, and his wife was sixty-nine years old when she passed away.
Thomas D. Walker was reared and educated in his native country, at- tending first a private elementary school and later the University of Dub- lin. At the age of twenty years he left Ireland for Canada, settling at Winnipeg, where he spent four years farming and working for the Hud- son Bay Trading Company. In 1885 he came to the United States and settled at Minneapolis, where he was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad, serving as yardman and switchman for three years, and then becoming cashier at the Minneapolis station. On account of his depen- dability this company sent him to Portland, Ore., as claim agent, and he occupied this position for the following ten years. Mr. Walker was also outside auditor for Ladd & Tilton, of Portland. He then removed to San Francisco and accepted the position of secretary for the Phoenix Savings & Loan Society, continuing there until the opportunity came to enter the real estate business with Breed & Bancroft, a venture which proved of particular benefit financially. In 1906 Mr. Walker sold his home in Oak- land and removed to Contra Costa County, where he was one of the first to purchase a portion of the Larkey Homestead subdivision. On this tract of land he engaged in farming successfully until 1911, when he took charge of the construction work for the Walnut Creek Development Com- pany. During his three years of service in this capacity he helped to put through the Mount Diablo Boulevard and the Tunnel Road from Ber- keley. Mr. Walker then became bookkeeper for the First National Bank of Walnut Creek, and later was advanced to assistant cashier of this institution, with which he remained until 1922, when he was appointed postmaster at Walnut Creek.
On December 26, 1884, at Moose Jaw, Canada, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Edith Welsh, a native of Liverpool, England, daughter of Robert A. and Elizabeth (Bowman) Welsh, and fifth child in a family of six children. Robert A. Welsh was manager of one of England's largest banks. When the financial panic hit London he lost heavily, and then went to South America, hoping to regain his former
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fortune; there he passed away while still a young man. 'Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker: Robert Lawrence; Margaret, Mrs. Culver, residing in Oakland; Grace, Mrs. Harry M. Stow, residing in Walnut Creek; Christina, Mrs. Armand Stow, of Pittsburg, Cal .; Cranston; and Eva. There are twelve grandchildren in the family. Mr. Walker is a Republican in politics; and fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order in Oakland and the Sciots of San Francisco. Mrs. Walker is a member of the Eastern Star chapter of Walnut Creek. Mr. Walker holds the position of honorary treasurer of the city of Walnut Creek, and with his influence and means has liberally supported all projects that would advance the interests of its citizens.
ANTONIO F. MASSA .- A highly respected citizen of the Richmond district, and a hard-working man, Antonio F. Massa has seen much of the development of this section since he settled here in 1909. He was born in Italy on June 16, 1864, the son of G. Batiste Massa, a pioneer of California of 1856. In that early day the elder Massa arrived in the Golden State and went to prospecting and mining in Calaveras County continuing thus for six years. He did not get the expected fortune, but he did get enough money to return to his native land, where he married the girl of his choice in 1863. Her name was Madelina Zanoni, and she was a native of his locality. Their oldest child, our subject, was born there, and soon afterwards the father again came to California to follow his work on his placer claims in Calaveras County. He worked to gain the necessary money and in 1880 sent for wife, son and daughter, who were glad to join him in his new home. Two more years were spent in mining, and then his wife induced him to sell out and go to San Francisco and make another start. He died in Napa County at the age of seventy- seven, and his good wife died in Fresno County at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Victoria Perazzo, at the age of sixty-seven years.
Antonio F. Massa attended the Italian schools and came with his mother and sister to California in 1880. In San Francisco, when he was eighteen, he was apprenticed to Mr. O'Connor to learn the carpenter's trade and remained with him for six years, becoming one of his best workmen. When he started at the trade he received fifty cents a day for his services, and Mr. O'Connor told his father that he ought to charge him something to have the lad about instead of having to pay him any- thing. After six months he was paid one dollar a day, and later he was advanced to one dollar and fifty cents. Upon the death of Mr. O'Connor he went out on his own hook and worked at the trade in various locali- ties. He was naturalized in 1886, when he was twenty-one, in the superior court in San Francisco. He never attended an English school, but had a hobby of going to theaters and in that way picked up the language, as also by reading papers and good books. To hear him talk, it would be difficult to comprehend that he had not attended schools in America. He followed the carpenter's trade for six more years in San Francisco, and
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then was in the employ of the United States Government at Mare Island Navy Yard for a number of years. He also spent two and one-half years for the Government in the Samoan Islands, but came back to California to join his family in 1895. They lived in Vallejo for thirteen years, and then moved back to San Francisco eight days before the great fire and earthquake, in which he lost all he possessed. He also followed his trade in San Mateo County for a time. In 1907 he went to Colusa and spent two years, coming to Contra Costa County in 1909.
In 1888 Mr. Massa was married in San Francisco to Theresa Vermi, a native of Chile, born of Italian parents, but reared and educated in San Francisco from the age of six months. Of this union eleven children were born, seven of whom are living, viz .: Charles ; Alfred; Antonio, Jr .; Elwin; Edna, who married John Bogardo; Mabel; and Mildred. The children attended the local schools and the sons are associated with their father in his nursery business. Charles and Alfred served in the World War. Charles was in the Engineers' Corps of the 91st Division and saw service in France; Alfred's command were under marching orders to em- bark, but the following day the armistice was signed.
Coming to Contra Costa County in 1909, Mr. Massa met John Ryan, who put the tract where Mr. Massa now lives on the market. Mr. Massa bought two lots and erected their home. He followed the carpenter's trade for some years, and then was engaged in raising mushrooms for the market for eight years, losing some $18,000 in the business. He had as his friend and backer Frank Rossi, of Colma, San Mateo County. He began on a small scale, knowing nothing about the business; but he began to get ahead and every cent he made he put back into improvements and added to his capacity, even buying additional land to operate on. Having the property on his hands, he saw it opportune to erect greenhouses in place of the mushroom houses, and now has some 80,000 square feet under glass and with the aid of his sons is engaged in raising roses for the San Francisco markets. In 1926 a modern heating system was installed with an 80 horse-power boiler and a modern system of irrigation of his own planning, for watering and fertilizing at the same time, and sanitary in every way. He is one of the organizers and the president of the San Francisco Flower Growers' Association, and the American Rosarian As- sociation count him a member. The firm of A. F. Massa & Sons is well equipped to do a fine business, and is noted for honesty and square dealings in all business transactions. Mr. Massa is a Republican in na- tional affairs, but in local matters considers men and measures in pref- erence to party. The family are well and favorably known in the bay re- gion for their many fine traits of character.
LOUIS DELLA ROSA .- Among the successful business men of Mar- tinez must be mentioned Louis Della Rosa, a son of Italy who came here in 1903, and has since that time been identified with the business life of the city. Born at Romanea, Messina, Italy, January 29, 1877, he is the
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oldest of three children born to his parents, who were farmer folk of that country and are still living there, the father now seventy-nine years old. The only member of the family to come to California, Louis Della Rosa grew up on the home farm, and attended the public schools of his native land. In addition to farming, as a youth and young man he learned the trade of the carpenter, bricklayer and plasterer. When twenty years of age, he entered the Italian Army as a member of Artillery Regiment No. 7, and served the regular two years prescribed by the Italian govern- ment, receiving at the end of that time his honorable discharge.
With the desire to see the new world and seek his fortunes there. in 1903 Mr. Della Rosa came to the United States, and after two months spent in Pennsylvania came on to California and settled in Martinez. For two years after his arrival he was in the employ of the Peyton Chemical Works, and from there he went to the Mountain Copper Com- pany and worked for them steadily for the next five years. He then entered the employ of Mr. Lottman, then the agent of the San Francisco Brewery; and eighteen months later he established the Marconi Hotel, at the corner of Castro and Escobar Streets, Martinez, and continued as the Martinez agent for the San Francisco Brewery, which position he has held ever since. He prospered in his hotel business, continuing there until 1920, during which time he enlarged the building at two different times. In 1920, he opened the Liberty Hotel, on Pacheco Boulevard. and also built the garage across the street, known as the Ordway Garage. The hotel is provided with a fine ballroom and is the center for many balls, banquets, and other social functions. Mr. Della Rosa also owns and operates an extensive express business, with headquarters at Martinez. under the firm name of L. Della Rosa & Son. This company owns three large automobile trucks, and they also operate a number of large moving vans and dump trucks, doing a general express and freight business in the Bay region.
The marriage of Mr. Della Rosa, which occurred in Italy, united him with Rosa DeLucca, also a native of that country, and four children have blessed their union: Eugene, in active charge of the express busi- ness, and Constantina, Dorothy and Katherine; all are graduates of the Alhambra Union High School. Fraternally, Mr. Della Rosa is a mem- ber of the Dante Society, the Moose and the Druids, all of Martinez. His success in life has been reached through the application of the habits of work and thrift which he acquired in his youth, and he is a well- liked man in the community which has been his home for so many years.
FRANK J. CARDINALLI .- The efficient manager of the Pittsburg branch of the well-known firm of A. Paladini, Inc., of San Francisco, fish dealers, is Frank J. Cardinalli, born in Pittsburg when the place was known as Black Diamond. The corporation which he so ably represents is one of the largest and most important in the State, and Pittsburg is its most important branch. Some 750 fishermen are employed in catching
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fish for the various packing houses and canneries in Pittsburg, and the scenes of their activity are the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, the San Pablo, Suisun and San Francisco Bays, and the Carquinez Straits.
Frank Cardinalli's father, Arasimo Cardinalli, was one of the pioneer fishermen upon the bays and rivers, beginning his operations here when this city was known as New York Landing. He built the first power launch, about 1902, and used it to visit the fishermen in order to buy their catches from their little fishing boats. In later years he operated on the Columbia River and its tributaries, in all his operations meeting with such success that he has been able to retire and enjoy the competence he has earned. He and his good wife became the parents of five children. Frank J., the oldest, was born on September 22, 1892. When only eleven years of age he accompanied his father in his power launch and wrote out the fish tags for the fish purchased, for his father could neither read nor write. When he was fifteen he had charge of one of the power launches owned by his father and bought fish himself, having learned every detail of the business as conducted by his father. After his father sold his packing plant to A. Paladini, Inc., Frank became manager for the new company, and he still holds that important position.
The seasons for fishing are from April 1 to June 15, and from August 15 to September 17, and during these periods Mr. Cardinalli finds plenty to occupy his time and attention. The corporation employs twenty-five men in and about the Pittsburg plant, and contracts for the catch of fish from about 150 fishermen. During the season from April 1 to June 15, 1925, this branch handled 1,000,000 pounds of salmon and striped bass and catfish; and during the season from August 1 to September 17, some 400,000 pounds, mostly salmon. This plant mild-cures shad and salmon in large quantities, the latter being used for smoking. The product finds ready market in New York and in Germany, while the shad is consumed in the United States.
Frank J. Cardinalli was married in San Francisco on June 17, 1912, to Miss Fannie Murzi, who was born in Santa Cruz, the daughter of Paul Murzi, pioneer fisherman of Santa Cruz and Monterey. One child has come to bless this happy union, Arasimo. The family are members of the Catholic Church and are popular in their social set in Pittsburg. In politics Mr. Cardinalli supports the candidates of the Republican party.
FRANK GANZERT .- A veteran of the Civil War, having seen ser- vice in California and Oregon, Frank Ganzert was born at Frankfort, Germany, on July 4, 1849, the son of Jacob Ganzert, who was also born in that city. Jacob Ganzert was a musician, and served for twelve years as musician in the German Army. He came to the United States, and soon entered the United States Army, serving twenty-one years as a mu- sician. During this period he came to California with General Wright,
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taking part in the Indian Wars in Oregon. After his time was served, he decided to remain in California and lived retired in San Francisco. His death occurred at the Soldiers' Home at Yountville.
Frank Ganzert was brought to this country when eighteen months old, by his parents, and soon the father went to Fort Monroe and joined the government service. In 1852 they came in a sailing vessel around Cape Horn to San Francisco. From here the family went north to Vancouver, Wash., then to The Dalles, Ore., and from there to Walla Walla, and young Ganzert's education was obtained at these different places, through instructors supplied by the government. It was natural that he should first decide on a military career. After the family came down to the Presidio in San Francisco, he volunteered in Company E, 9th California Infantry, during the Civil War, and served under Capt. Edward Pollock. He was sent to Fort Point, and then to Fort Gaston, on the Klamath River, and served his country with patriotic zeal for four years, receiving his honor- able discharge in 1866 at Fort Gaston Indian Reservation. These valiant old soldiers are given all honor by the citizens of a reunited country, and their thinning ranks serve to remind us of how much we owe to their un- selfish and sacrificing patriotism.
After resuming civil life, Mr. Ganzert came to Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, and then to San Francisco for a time; and from there he started on a prospecting and mining tour, going to Placer, Nevada, and Sierra Counties, California. Meantime, however, each winter was spent at Walnut Creek, where he had established his home soon after the close of the Civil War.
Mr. Ganzert's marriage, at Martinez, united him with Mrs. Lizzie Logan, a native of Missouri. She was the mother of one child by her first marriage, to John Logan. One child was born of their union, a daughter, Allie, who married Joe Marshall and has two children. Mrs. Ganzert died in 1919. An old-timer in Contra Costa County, Mr. Ganzert has seen the many changes which have taken place here, the remarkable growth of the past two decades and the even more remarkable projects which are now getting under way, and he has never regretted that he de- cided to locate here. He is a Republican in politics, and has the honor of having cast a vote for Abraham Lincoln.
JOSEPH STOCKFLETH .- Representatives of nearly all of the races of the earth have contributed their share toward the upbuilding and development of California. In this program of colonization and prog- ress the Scandinavian racial strain has played a most important part. One of the leading citizens of Clayton Precinct in Contra Costa County is Joseph Stockfleth who is justly proud of the Danish blood which flows in his veins, and of the Swedish blood of his loyal wife. They are an industrious couple, deeply interested in their home, children and the com- mon welfare-the brand of citizenship which is a valuable addition to any community. Mr. Stockfleth is a man of sound business judgment and a
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good manager, one of the leading farmers and stockmen of the vicinity. He was clerk of the school board in his district and takes a keen interest in all things pertaining to making the district a better place in which to live and rear a family.
Mr. Stockfleth is a native son, having been born in San Francisco on October 18, 1880. His father, Capt. John Stockfleth, was one of the best known sea captains of the Bay City and sailed the West Coast for thirty- seven years, a picturesque figure accustomed to facing calmly the perils and hardships of "those who go down to sea in ships." Captain Stock- fleth was born in Schleswig-Holstein, which at that time was a province of Denmark. Like so many of his race he took to the sea at an early age and in time became a sea captain. Hearing of the opportunities to be found in America he came to San Francisco and became a member of . the firm of Hobbs, Wall & Co., a steamship concern. For many years he was a commander of an ocean-going vessel of which he was part owner. As a boy Joseph Stockfleth often accompanied his father on these voyages and had many interesting experiences. In 1892 Captain Stockfleth, having grown weary of the sea, purchased land in Clayton Precinct and made many improvements. An almond orchard of twenty-five acres, which he set out, is now full bearing and one of the finest to be found in Contra Costa County. Captain Stockfleth married Isabel Wilkie, who was born in Nevada while her parents were on their way to California. They be- came the parents of seven children, Joseph being their second son and child. Captain Stockfleth lived to be seventy-seven years old. His wife died at the age of fifty-six years.
Joseph Stockfleth attended the public schools in San Francisco and was fourteen years old when he accompanied his parents to the farm in Clayton Precinct. As he became a young man he went to the mother-lode country and worked at quartz mining for several years with but indifferent success. Returning to Clayton Precinct he resumed farming and stock- raising which he found to be a more profitable calling than mining was for him. He is a well-known stockman, raising some of his cattle, but usually buys stockers and feeders in Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Oregon. These he ships to his Clayton farms, in the fall of the year, where they feed upon the rich wild oats and other grasses. By spring they are ready for ship- ment to San Francisco markets where they command highest prices. He owns the old Stockfleth home ranch of eighty acres, the Wetmore ranch of 175 acres, a third ranch of forty acres, and he rents 1455 acres, making a total of 1750 acres which he controls.
On August 1, 1909, Mr. Stockfleth married Miss Laura Olofson, daughter of John P. and Clarissa Olofson. Her father was a native of Sweden, and the mother was born in England and came to California, where they married, settling in Oakland. Mr. and Mrs. Stockfleth have two children; Laura May, attending high school; and John, in the gram- mar school.
When Shelook
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ALVA SHERMAN SHERLOCK .- One of the foremost of the lead- ing citizens of Concord is Alva Sherman Sherlock, city attorney, who has most ably handled the legal affairs of the thriving community since 1916, when he was first appointed to that position, having been reappointed each consecutive year since. Mr. Sherlock is a self-made man, a brilliant bar- rister, and enjoys the complete confidence of a large and constantly grow- ing number of clients.
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