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 73
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The branch of the Sherlock family from which Mr. Sherlock is a de- scendant, is an old and honorable one, originating in England and migrat- ing to Ireland during the turbulent Cromwellian period, which changed the lives and fortunes of so many English families. The family settled in County Antrim, Ireland, at some time prior to 1700. The American progenitors, who were Protestants, arrived in this country in pre-Revolu- tionary days. Hugh Sherlock, founder of this branch of the family, after his arrival from Ireland, settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, where he became a successful farmer and landowner, residing there until his death at the age of eighty-eight years. It was on this farm that Abraham Sher- lock was born ; and he, too, became a successful farmer and landowner. He married Adeline Sandel, who died in 1926 at the age of eighty-one; and they became the parents of Alva Sherman Sherlock, who was born on Sep- tember 26, 1869.
In 1875 the family removed to Poweshiek County, Iowa, where Abra- ham Sherlock became the owner of 160 acres of land on which he raised cattle. The early days of young Alva Sherlock were spent in herding cat- tle on the range, an occupation not without its thrills and, frequently, ac- tual perils. He had five brothers and one sister, being the second son and third child of the family. The sister, Margaret V. Sherlock, lives with the mother in Oakland; Louis is a fruit grower in Santa Clara County; Hugh is employed by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company in Santa Cruz ; Elmer is a successful attorney in Chicago; Edmund V. has been admitted to the bar, but is now engaged in real estate in Chicago; while the youngest brother, Roy W., is a fruit grower in San Luis Obispo County. The mother of this family, now eighty-one years old, is still living, but the father died in Iowa some forty-six years ago.
As already mentioned, the early years of Alva Sherman Sherlock were spent on the range in Iowa, his education being received in the near-by country school. But while still quite young he determined that he would become a lawyer, and this unwavering thought he kept in mind until his ambition was finally attained. He attended night school in Chicago and studied law in the office of attorney H. A. Haines. In 1897 he success- fully passed the Illinois State Bar examinations and became a full-fledged attorney. He continued his studies in Mr. Haines' office, however, and was employed in the Newberry Library in the evenings. In 1898 came the call for volunteers for the Spanish-American War and he enlisted in the 1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, serving throughout the war until he was
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mustered out with an honorable discharge at Fort Sheridan, Chicago, Oc- tober 11, 1898. After his discharge from the army he opened a law of- fice in Chicago, where he practiced for several years.
On September 26, 1901, Mr. Sherlock was united in marriage with Miss May P. Kent, who was born in Circleville, Ohio, and graduated from the high school of Wellington, Kans. They moved to the State of Wash- ington in 1906 and settled in Newport, which was then in Stevens County but is now in Pend Oreille County. Mr. Sherlock practiced there until 1913, being city attorney of Newport and also of Deer Park, Wash. Dur- ing this period he assisted in the incorporation of the town of Ione. In 1913 he removed to Spokane, where he practiced for two years. In 1915 he came to Concord and opened a law office, after having been admitted to the California Bar in June, 1915. Later he was admitted to the United States District and Circuit Courts. Mr. and Mrs. Sherlock had a daugh- ter, May Ruth, who graduated from the University of California and married Martin C. F. Graeber, of Long Beach. Mrs. Sherlock died on April 29, 1925, aged forty-two years.
Mr. Sherlock is a member of the American Bar Association, the Cali- fornia Bar Association, and the Bar Association of Contra Costa County. He is also a member of Camp Liscomb, of Oakland, Spanish-American War Veterans, and a member of the Royal Arcanum. He is attorney for the Bank of Concord and the Concord Branch of the American Bank.
JAMES A. McVITTIE .- As city manager of Richmond, Contra Costa County, the career of James A. McVittie has been almost phenom- enal, for its record of civic accomplishment in the successful promotion of municipal improvements in the city under his direction. He worked so energetically and proved so successful in his management that there can be no doubt in anyone's mind that he is the right man in the right place. Born in Parkersburg, W. Va., February 5, 1885, he is the son of George and Florence McVittie. He was reared and educated in Hamilton, On- tario, and in 1903 came to Richmond, Cal., and entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company, doing clerical work. He remained with that com- pany until July 1, 1910, and was then made city auditor of Richmond, which office he filled until July 15, 1920, when he was appointed city man- ager of Richmond.
Under his able management Richmond has grown and prospered to a really marvelous extent, and with the help of his fellow citizens he has tackled and brought to completion projects which much larger cities have hesitated to undertake. An electrolier lighting system has been installed in the business district, a series of parks and playgrounds laid out, and a bond issue of $150,000 voted for the purchase of land for this purpose. In 1912 a bond issue was passed for $730,000 for developing and dredg- ing a canal for a harbor, and for buildings, docks, etc. The United States Government appropriated an additional amount of $428,000 for this work, and in 1920, $150,000 more was voted by the city for wharf im-
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provements, etc. The city also passed a bond issue of $440,000 to build a highway and tunnel through the hills, from the water front, and in 1920 a $400,000 issue was passed for additional work on the harbor. Since 1920 the city has grown from a population of 16,843 to over 25,500.
A new Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1924, with new officials at the helm, and $20,000 was raised to carry on the work of that body, which comprises some of the ablest and most prominent men of the city. The work of the Chamber is to be carried out along strictly business lines and will be an important factor in the future advancement of Richmond, and the city which fifteen years ago was only a village will soon, at the present rate of growth, rank with the larger cities of the State. Mr. Mc- Vittie is a charter member and a director of the Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the State City Managers' Association and of the Cen- tral Section of California City Managers' Association, and keeps in touch with the most modern city improvements being adopted in other localities.
The marriage of Mr. McVittie, which occurred on December 25, 1917, at Ontario, Cal., united him with Della M. Wilsey, a native of Illi- nois, and two daughters have been born to them, Mary Elizabeth and Florence Eleanore. Fraternally Mr. McVittie is a member of Mckinley Lodge No. 347, F. & A. M .; Richmond Lodge No. 1251, B. P. O. E .; Twilight Lodge No. 119, I. O. O. F .; and Contra Costa Encampment No. 99, of the last-named order.
EDGAR F. SLATTERY .- One of the best-known citizens of Con- cord, who has been active in business and public life for more than twenty years, is Edgar F. Slattery. Among other public services, Mr. Slattery was elected city marshal in 1919 and has held the office ever since. This particular office also involves a variety of civic duties (although it pays but one salary), but Mr. Slattery has taken care of them all in a most satisfactory manner and has had the distinction of taking in more city funds during his tenure of office than have any of his predecessors. In addition to his other duties Mr. Slattery is a deputy sheriff under Sheriff Veale. He is a member of the Concord Chamber of Commerce, and takes a keen interest in everything pertaining to the development of the city.
Mr. Slattery was born in San Francisco, May 16, 1870, a son of Dennis F. and Eliza (Jackson) Slattery, and one of three children. The father, a native of Ireland, was a railroad man and in his younger days was engaged in the shipping business. Young Edgar was educated in the grammar schools of San Francisco, and after leaving school he was con- nected for a time with several of the leading drygoods stores of his native city, such as the White House and O'Connor & Moffitt. He has the record of never having lost a job. For some time, also, he was connected with the license department at the San Francisco City Hall as an auditor. After the earthquake and fire in 1906 he went to Concord, where he has since made his home. For a number of years he engaged in the drygoods busi- ness in Concord and was partner in two stores which were finally destroyed
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by fire. One of these stores, a gents' furnishing store, is still under his management. Mr. Slattery is a member of the Elks, Native Sons, Wood- men of the World, and the U. P. E. C., and is a member and a Past Sachem of the Red Men.
On February 15, 1899, Mr. Slattery was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Hughes of Nevada County, a daughter of Joseph and Kather- ine (Gleason ) Hughes. Her father was a miner and a California pioneer. She is one of six children. Mrs. Slattery has been active in the social life of Concord, and both she and Mr. Slattery have a wide circle of friends. Mr. Slattery is fond of hunting and fishing, and both he and his wife derive great pleasure from camping and motoring.
RICHARD DANIEL MAPLESDEN .- One of the well-known and successful horticulturists and nurserymen of Central and Northern Califor- nia, R. D. Maplesden has been in business in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, since 1906. First coming to California in 1903, he located his residence in Oakland, but for the past twenty years he has made Walnut Creek his business headquarters. Of old New England ancestry, Mr. Maplesden was born in Derby, Orleans County, Vt., on August 1, 1858. His father, Richard Maplesden, was a native of England who came to Vermont when a young man and was there married to Alice Perkins, a native of Plymouth, Mass., of Puritan stock, the progenitor of her fam- ily having come from England to Massachusetts in the Mayflower; and members of the family were prominent in Colonial history, as well as serving in the Revolutionary War. Richard Maplesden was a farmer in Vermont, but in 1859 sold his New England farm and came around Cape Horn to California. Arriving in Sacramento, this old pioneer made his way by pack train to Yreka, Siskiyou County, locating on Doggett Creek, a branch of the Klamath River, where he engaged in mining. Losing his all the first year, he returned to Vermont in 1860, via Panama, and once more engaged in farming, this time taking up land in the spruce and fir forests, which he cleared and improved; and as he prospered he added to his acreage and in time became a very successful farmer. He passed away at eighty-six years of age, having never been sick a day in his life, but dying suddenly while resting, waiting for his noon meal. His good wife also died in Vermont. Of their three children, Richard Daniel is the third in order of birth and the only one now living.
R. D. Maplesden was brought up on the Vermont farm and educated in the local schools. His father was a horticulturist and nurseryman, and under his guidance he learned both pursuits. When twenty-one years old he came west as far as Boone County, Nebr., locating a homestead on the Platte River, and engaged in cattle-raising ; but after three years of drouth he found himself with less than when he started the venture, and decided to come to California. His first work in the Golden State was mining, and he started with placer mining, continuing for six years, but with no success. In 1899 he began the nursery business, in which he has since been
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continuously engaged. In the beginning he represented the Oregon Nur- sery Company, of Portland, Ore., continuing with them for the following twelve years, during which time he traveled by team over eastern Oregon and Northern California, gaining valuable experience and becoming thoroughly familiar with the country; so much so, in fact, that he knew every cow-path in his territory. In 1913, he began using an automobile for traveling and selling nursery stock, and he still owns and drives the original Ford car with which he began in 1913 and which has traveled over 300,000 miles.
Mr. Maplesden resided in Siskiyou County until 1903, when he locat- ed in Oakland, in which city he still makes his home, while maintaining his business interests in Walnut Creek. He represented the Chico Nursery Company for ten years, and in 1922 bought the interests of this company at Walnut Creek and engaged in business on his own account. During the season, while taking orders, he calls at more than 3000 homes, and he has gained an acquaintance with thousands of people. Having made a study of horticulture and nursery stock since a boy, Mr. Maplesden is thoroughly informed and has become an expert in selecting trees suitable to soil and climatic conditions.
Mr. Maplesden was first married in Vermont, when twenty-one years of age, to Miss Linnie Moulton, born in that State of an old Colonial family. One year later they moved to Nebraska, and there, six years later, her death occurred. This union was blessed with one daughter, now Mrs. Fannie Judell, of Oakland. It was after the death of his wife that, discouraged and disappointed by the misfortunes Nebraska had shown him, Mr. Maplesden came to California. Eight years later he was mar- ried again, at Scott River, Siskiyou County, to Minnie A. Marfeldt, a native of that place and the daughter of an old settler of Siskiyou County. Her parents came to Scott River in 1849 and were prominent pioneers there until their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Maplesden make their residence at 41 Linda Avenue, Oakland. Mr. Maplesden was made a Mason in North Star Lodge No. 91, at Fort Jones, Siskiyou County; he demitted and is now a member of Standard Lodge No. 440, Oakland. He is a thirty- second-degree Scottish Rite Mason, belonging to the Oakland Consistory; and with his wife he is a member of Golden Chain Chapter, Eastern Star, of Oakland. He is also a member of Fort Jones Lodge No. 115, I. O. O. F., and belongs to the Encampment, being a past officer in both orders. For many years he has been a member of the California Nurserymen's Association. In religious belief he is a member of Plymouth Congrega- tional Church of Oakland.
ALBERT H. SCHUH .- In the musical life of Concord and vicinity, Albert H. Schuh has occupied an important place since locating here many years ago and has contributed largely to the social and musical life of the city, where he is now head of the School of Music; he also main- tains a studio in San Francisco. He comes from a musical family. His
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father, Joseph Schuh, a native of Germany, where he spent his whole life, was a composer of note and in consequence the son was born and reared in a highly musical atmosphere.
Albert H. Schuh was born in Baden, Germany, on February 15, 1868, and his earliest recollections centered around music. He had the privilege of being an exchange student with other nations and in this way had the advantage of visiting such cities as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vilna, Paris, London, besides other large cities. He has traveled practically all over the world and has become personally acquainted with the great musicians of his day. He studied in many of the leading conservatories of the world, which was of especial advantage to him, as the various nations emphasized different points of efficiency in musical attainment. Mr. Schuh, after finish- ing his work, opened a studio in London; and from there he went to Glas- gow, Scotland, where he taught successfully for seven years. He then came to New York City, and got in touch with several opera companies with whom he served as director, and for the next fifteen years he was in and out of New York serving as director for various companies. After this he located in Los Angeles, California, and then in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., and in these various places he taught music and directed various musical organizations. Mr. Schuh is also a fine organist and has played in many of the leading churches of the Coast. He devotes most of his time to teaching but finds pleasure and profit during his leisure time in composing music. He has completed a series of California compositions which were accepted by one of the largest music publishing concerns, and a handsome revenue is expected to result therefrom. The following num- bers comprise the series: Yosemite, Santa Cruz, Catalina, Coronado, Mount Lassen, Diablo. Each place mentioned has been visited personally and the composition written on the spot.
Mr. Schuh is married and has three children, Edward, Clara and Bill. Mr. Schuh is a member of the American Federation of Musicians. He is public spirited and energetic, and has a host of friends in this and ad- joining counties.
CARUSA BROTHERS .- The firm of Carusa Brothers of Pitts- burg, Contra Costa County, is composed of the two brothers, Stephen and Vincent Carusa, both men of good business judgment who have met with success in their many undertakings. They are large owners of real estate; operate the Pittsburg Ice and Fuel Company and the S. Carusa & Brother Truck and Transfer Company; own the Central Hotel build- ing, a pressed brick structure costing $65,000; and are agents for the National Ice Company. Carusa Brothers were the first undertakers in Black Diamond, but sold out their business in 1914 to George Higgins. They were also owners of a successful livery business until the automo- bile and truck came along, when, in keeping with their up-to-date methods, they turned their livery stable into a garage and started the first auto- mobile-renting service in Pittsburg, in 1909. Carusa Brothers are up-to-
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date in all things and are very public-spirited when the welfare of their city is concerned. Frank Vincent and Concetta (Petralia) Carusa, their parents, were born at Catania, Italy, the city at the base of Mount Ætna that has twice been destroyed. Frank V. Carusa, like many of his name, was a seafaring man. At the age of seventeen he was mate of a vessel; and three of his brothers were sea captains. He came to San Francisco the first time in 1850 and was a miner for several years, but finally went back to Italy, was married there, and after a while brought his family to California and settled in Collinsville, in 1874. Later they moved to Black Diamond. There were six boys and two girls in the Carusa family.
Stephen Carusa was the first child in their family to be born at Black Diamond, and he first saw the light on June 19, 1882. Vincent was born at the same place on May 9, 1888. Both went to the public schools and from early boyhood began to take an interest in business matters. Stephen has twice been elected a member of the board of trustees of Pittsburg, and in 1911 was chairman of the street committee when the name of the place was changed to Pittsburg. An efficient officer, he was a credit to his friends and himself. The firm of Carusa Brothers was first composed of Stephen and Salvatore, but when the latter died Vincent was admitted to the firm.
Stephen Carusa and Miss Mabel Edstrom were married in Pittsburg on November 15, 1908. She was born in Chicago, Ill. They have two children : Etta and Evelyn. Stephen is a member of Pittsburg Lodge No. 436, I. O. O. F .; the Antioch Encampment, I. O. O. F .; Pittsburg Aerie, F. O. E .; and Pittsburg Lodge No. 1475, L. O. O. M. He also belongs to the Lions Club.
Vincent Carusa was married in San Francisco on July 19, 1914, to Miss Mary Mazzone, and they have three children: Walter, Irving and Bernice. He is a member of Pittsburg Lodge No. 1475, L. O. O. M .; Diamond Parlor, N. S. G. W .; and the I. D. E. S. of Antioch. Carusa Brothers are boosters for Pittsburg and believe firmly in its future, as shown by their wise investments in property. They give of their time and money to help all worthy projects that forward the growth and develop- ment of their native city and county.
CHARLES SCUDERO .- Under the able management of Charles Scudero, the popular chief of the fire department of the city of Pittsburg, Cal., this rapidly growing city is said to possess one of the most efficient fire departments, of its class, in the State. Charles Scudero was born at Black Diamond, now Pittsburg, Cal., on November 29, 1874, a son of Andrew and Rosie ( Romeo) Scudero, both natives of Catania, Province of Sicily, Italy. Andrew Scudero came around the Horn to California in 1849, and Miss Rosie Romeo, who later became his wife, made her ad- vent into the Golden State the following year, also sailing around the Horn; and both settled in San Francisco, where they were afterwards mar- ried. This union was blessed with eleven children, Charles being the
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fifth in order of birth. Andrew Scudero engaged in fishing and was one of the first commercial fishermen of San Francisco Bay. He died about twenty years ago, at Pittsburg, at the age of sixty-seven; his good wife passed away about two years later at the age of fifty-seven.
Charles Scudero attended the public schools at Black Diamond, now Pittsburg, and helped his father in the fish business. Being a strong and virile young man, he gained quite a reputation as an athlete and expert swimmer and has to his credit the rescue of thirty-seven bodies from the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers and the Carquinez Straits. He made a contrivance for use in the recovery of drowned persons, and by its use the number of recovered bodies has been greatly increased. His first employment was with the Redwood Manufacturers Company at Black Diamond, where he became foreman of the lumber yard, and he had at one time as high as 160 men to oversee. In the meantime he kept up his connection with the volunteer fire department and in 1901 became fire chief, serving in this capacity for five years without pay, and he has served continuously as chief ever since. After six years with the Redwood Manu- facturers Company he accepted a position with the F. E. Booth Company, where for five years he served as watchman of their cannery. Six years ago he became a member of the Pittsburg police force, and is still an active member, as well as a deputy sheriff, having been appointed to the latter position by Sheriff R. R. Veale eighteen years ago.
On May 18, 1899, at Black Diamond, Charles Scudero was united in marriage with Miss Cora Belle Eggleston, a native of Collinsville, Cal., a daughter of Edward and Anna (Rogers) Eggleston and a grand- daughter of the pioneer, Judge Rogers. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Scudero have five children living: Charles Edward, a member of the Pittsburg fire department; Andrew Clarence, an employee of the Columbia Steel Corporation; Sarah, the wife of Dr. Arthur Herman, at Los Angeles; Camille, living at home; and Williard, a pupil of the grammar school. Mr. Scudero is a member of the International, the California and the Pacific Coast Associations of Fire Chiefs, and has a large circle of warm friends who hold him in high esteem.
JOHN GEORGE BISHOP .- The capable foreman of the pattern- making shop of the Columbia Steel Corporation, John George Bishop, was born in Toronto, Canada, on December 21, 1884. When he was a babe of two years his parents moved to Nottingham, England, and in that city he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the elementary and high schools and graduating from the latter in due time, after which he was at once apprenticed to learn the cabinet-maker's trade. In 1904 he came to Boston, Mass., and entered upon an apprenticeship as a machinist with the Saco Pettee Machine Shop in Boston, continuing there for seven years. During this time he pursued his studies in a night school and thus completed his technical training. In the fall of 1911 he went to Spokane, Wash., and entered the employ of the Northwest Harvester
Bux Curry
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Company, with whom he remained about seven years as a patternmaker, rising to become shop superintendent. Then he came to California and was employed at the Holt Manufacturing Company's plant in Stockton, after which he located in Pittsburg, in the fall of 1916. He entered upon his duties with the Columbia Steel Corporation as patternmaker, and succeeded the retiring foreman in 1921, since which time he has remained in this responsible position. He is well liked by his fellow employees and is discharging his duties as foreman with credit to himself and to the cor- poraton which employs him.
Mr. Bishop was married in Spokane; Wash., in 1912 to Miss Katherine McCarthy, and they had five children: Joseph Thomas, John George, Robert Arthur, Mary Katherine, and Annie Ruth. The wife and mother died in 1920. For his second wife Mr. Bishop married Miss Beatrice Amelia Raynor, a native of Nottingham, England. The family attend the Congregational Church. Their home is in Pittsburg, where they have a wide circle of friends. In all movements for the betterment of general conditions, Mr. Bishop is always found on the progressive side. Fraternally he is a Moose.
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