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 76

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 76

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Mr. Silva makes his home with his mother in Oakley. He is a director in the Contra Costa County Retail Grocers' Association and was one of its organizers, and he is a charter member of the East Contra Costa County Chamber of Commerce. He belongs to the Native Sons and holds a medal presented to him as Past President by the local parlor, of which he is now a trustee; and the Red Men, the Young Men's Institute, and the U. P. E. C. of Antioch, and the Moose of Pittsburg, claim him as a valued member. He is a director in the Antioch Development Company and is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to all worthy projects. The slogan of the Com- munity Market is "Service," and the aim of the two proprietors is to see that service is rendered. Mr. Silva takes a decided interest in the various associations of which he is a member, and has won a host of good friends throughout eastern Contra Costa County. 22

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R. C. GRIFFITH .- Under the management of R. C. Griffith the O. K. Garage of Brentwood is doing a thriving business. He is dealer for the Star, the Chandler and the Cleveland automobiles, handles the Shell and Standard Oil Companies' products, and also maintains a battery service and deals in accessories.

R. C. Griffith was brought up on a Wisconsin farm. His first inde- pendent business after leaving the farm was connected with a cheese factory, of which he finally became the proprietor, at Spencer, Wis. Whatever he undertook to do was carried through with intelligence and well-directed energy and he continued in business there until 1909, when he landed in California and entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company as a mechanical engineer on construction of pipe lines. He next worked for the Shell Oil Company and became their chief mechanical en- gineer in pipe line construction through the San Joaquin Valley. He then decided he would have a business of his own and with his savings opened a tire and battery shop in Antioch. Coming to Brentwood in September, 1920, he opened his business in an old garage that now stands across the street from his present place of business, and in 1925 moved into his modern and up-to-date garage building. It is a two-story brick structure, the lower floor being devoted to his garage business and the upper floor to offices and apartments.

Mr. Griffith was married in Wisconsin in 1906 to Miss Rosalie Smith, of Spencer, Wis., and they have three children: Lowell, of the class of 1926, in the Brentwood High School, and Bella and Rex, in the gram- mar school. Mr. Griffith belongs to the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Masons. In all matters pertaining to the development and progress of the county he takes a very active and discriminating interest.

MATHIAS C. ANDERSEN .- Among the many worthy citizens and capable and industrious farmers of Contra Costa County is Mathias C. Andersen, residing on his fine ranch of 160 acres in the vicinity of Danville. He purchased this place in 1920, has improved it with good buildings, and here he raises grain and runs a dairy. His stock is of the best, and he is a thorough, systematic agriculturist and progressive citi- zen. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein on November 24, 1869, a son of Andrew J. and Anna M. (Nicolaisen) Anderson, both natives of the same country. Andrew J. Andersen was a carpenter and builder and traveled from place to place plying his trade.

Mathias C. Andersen was educated in the public schools of his own country, and when twenty years of age came to America, landing at Hali- fax. His destination was California, however, and on arriving in the Golden State he immediately hunted around for a place to settle. For two years he worked on a farm near Black Diamond, now Pittsburg, Contra Costa County, and then went to San Francisco where he worked as a motorman on the street cars for six years. During this time he went to night school to study English and completed grammar school courses

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and two years of high school work. His next move took him to Liver- more, and he remained there for four years; then he came to Danville in 1907, and was on a leased ranch for thirteen years, until he bought his present home, which he has since steadily improved to its present high state of productivity.

Mathias C. Andersen was married on November 2, 1895, to Miss Thyra H. Gram, a native of Denmark, the daughter of Nels Gram, a large farmer in Denmark. She attended private school and afterwards decided she would visit some of her relatives, a great many of whom were seafaring folks who had settled in various countries. . She selected those in California and came hither, and has since lived here. One son, Andrew J., has blessed this union. He is a graduate of the San Ramon Union High School at Danville and assists his father with the work on the ranch. He is a Mason. Mr. Andersen is also a member of the Masonic Lodge. He is a trustee of the Sycamore Grammar School and of the San Ramon Union High School, and has been a member of the Danville Grange for many years, taking an active interest in agricultural and gen- eral economic development of the county.

PHARCELLUS K. BIGLOW .- The name Biglow is well known in Contra Costa County, where for many years the family have resided, and Pharcellus K. Biglow is considered one of the substantial dairy farm- ers of the Antioch section of the county. His well-kept and sanitary dairy is located on his ten-acre tract on Wilbur Avenue, two and a half miles east of Antioch. Most of this tract of land is devoted to raising alfalfa, besides Mr. Biglow rents an additional 100 acres for pasture. He main- tains a choice herd of about thirty-six cows and delivers milk to the Pioneer Dairy Company in Pittsburg.

Pharcellus K. Biglow was born in Antioch on October 31, 1896, a son of Franklin J. and Mary (Jones) Biglow, both of Antioch. The grand- father of our subject, Adoniram Judson Biglow was born at Perkinsville, Vt., on April 20, 1821, and there grew to manhood. He came around the Horn to California in 1849 and settled in San Francisco, where he engaged in the draying business. He was married in San Jose, on October 25, 1857, to Miss Martha Jane Monroe, a native of Augusta, Maine, who came to California via Panama in 1854. The family then removed to Sacramento and there engaged in the bee business and had the distinc- tion of being the first to bring Italian bees into California. The family remained in Sacramento until the great flood of 1862, when they moved to San Francisco and two years later moved to Sherman Island. Grand- father Biglow and his brother Pharcellus K. were pioneers in raising Early- Rose Potatoes and Palmetto asparagus, and planting grapes, apricots and peaches. There were four children in the family. Elizabeth Louise mar- ried John Newton Logan; Mr. Logan died June 26, 1924, and his widow now makes her home on Middle River near Holt, Cal. Franklin Judson is the father of our subject; Pharcellus Monroe was a farmer at Antioch

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and died May 3, 1915 ; and David Carlton Orvis is superintendent of the Upper and Lower Jones tracts of the Ringe Land Company in the Delta of San Joaquin County. Grandfather Biglow died in 1892, and grand- mother Biglow in 1891.

Pharcellus K. Biglow is the fifth child in a family of six, born to Franklin K. and Mary Biglow, the others being W. A., who assists our subject in the dairy business; Frank Judson, in the grocery business in Antioch; Harold O., residing in Antioch; Mrs. A. Hodgson; and Mrs. A. Meehan. The father of our subject was accidentally killed in August, 1925, aged sixty-three years. Our subject attended the grammar school in Antioch. During the World War he was placed in Class-A-4 but the signing of the armistice kept him from being called to serve his country. Mr. Biglow has been in the dairy business for the past three years and has made a distinct success of it; he has installed the most modern equip- ment that insures perfect sanitation in every respect.

At Antioch on February 14, 1917, Mr. Biglow was married to Miss Irma E. Vanderhorst, a native of Ohio and daughter of Jacob P. and Josephine (Mack) Vanderhorst, both natives of Ohio. In 1910 the family left Ohio and settled at Antioch, Mr. Vanderhorst being em- ployed at the chemical works in Pittsburg. They have three children : Mildred Irma, Thelma Dorothy and Vernon Cellus. Fraternally, Mr. Biglow is a member of the Eagles of Antioch, and in political affiliations he is a Republican.

SILAS BECKWITH ROBERSON .- A successful contractor and builder in Richmond is Silas B. Roberson, who resides with his family at No. 5142 Nevin Avenue in the Mira Vista section of Richmond. He was born at English, Crawford County, Ind., on December 16, 1888. His father, Frank H. Roberson, was a prominent and successful builder in Crawford County, Ind., and in Kansas City, Mo., having lived in the latter place since 1908. The mother was Mary S. Wright before her marriage, and she was also born in Indiana. There were seven children in the family. S. B. Roberson, of this review; and J. W. Roberson, who is employed by him and lives in Richmond, are the only ones in California. The others are Nolan, in Kansas City; Victor, deceased; Ada, Mrs. Grover Belcher, of Houston, Texas; Viola, Mrs. A. Shepard, of Kansas City; and Katie, Mrs. H. Stratton, also in Kansas City.

S. B. Roberson received his early education in the public schools in Indiana, and this foundation he has supplemented with correspondence courses. His first work was done at St. Louis, Mo., then he worked at Princeton, Ind., and next at Columbus, Ohio. In 1906 he enlisted in the United States Army and came to the Presidio in San Francisco, and re- mained till he was honorably discharged in 1911. He then took up the barber business in San Francisco, and worked at the trade for seven years, part of the time in Redwood City. He took up the building trade, spent one year in Redwood City, and then came to Richmond. For

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a short time he was employed at Crockett by the C. & H. Sugar Re- fining Company and helped put in some foundation work, after which he settled in Richmond and began taking contracts, with only $100 cap- ital, and that borrowed money. He specializes in residences and has erected some of the best in Richmond, among them one for Howard Flint in Mira Vista.

Mr. Roberson was married on May 4, 1914, in San Francisco, to Miss Claire Richel, of that city. She is the daughter of George and Minnie (Schrader ) Richel, natives of Germany and Kings City, Nev., respectively. The father spent thirty-two years in the American Army as a band leader. Besides Mrs. Roberson there were the following children in the Richel family: Minnie, who. married W. C. Dooley and lives in Richmond; Gladys, Mrs. C. M. Curley, of Oakland; and Fred, at home in Oakland with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Roberson have three interesting chil- dren : Frank Leroy, Eleanor Lorraine, and Varney Hubbard. The two oldest are in grammar school. The oldest son has a natural bent for music. Mr. and Mrs. Roberson have considerable musical ability and their children have inherited a fondness for music. Mr. Roberson has served on various committees for the advancement of the community, and is a member of the Builders' Exchange. He belongs to Harbor Lodge No. 502, F. & A. M., and to the Eastern Star. He finds his recreation in deer hunting and being in the open.

HENRY EICHER .- One of the pioneer residents of Pacheco, Cal., who first came to the town in 1882, is Henry Eicher, a man of marked business ability and keen judgment in financial affairs. Mr. Eicher is a native of Germany, born on February 9, 1855, in Hessen-Darmstadt. As a young boy he attended a technical trade school for three years, after which he was apprenticed to a large mercantile establishment in Germany, where he was most thoroughly trained for business. At the age of seven- teen he emigrated to America and for eight years was employed in the mercantile business in New York City. Desiring to see more of the country he joined the surveying corps of the Santa Fe Railway, at the time this road was being constructed across the Western plains and mountains. remaining in this service for two years while surveying in Arizona. In 1881 Mr. Eicher arrived in California, and for a short time thereafter he was engaged in storekeeping in San Francisco. It was in the summer of 1882 that he arrived in Pacheco, Contra Costa County, where he became the local agent for the Albany Brewery of San Francisco; and later he was the agent for the Fredericksburg Brewery, also of San Francisco. Being a man of keen business foresight and executive ability, he saved his money and invested in lands. His sound judgment in business affairs led him to success, and today he is regarded as Pacheco's most substantial citizen. He has bought and sold farms in the vicinity, and is still interested in real estate. His ability as a keen financier has been recognized, as is evidenced by his appointment on the advisory board of the Concord

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Branch of the American Bank. Mr. Eicher was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Concord, the predecessor of the American Bank. He is active in the advancement of the best interests of Pacheco and gives his special attention to the betterment of educational facilities. For many years he has been a school trustee of his district; and for fifteen years he has been a member of the board of trustees of the Mount Diablo Union High School at Concord, serving eight years of that per- iod as secretary. He is especially proud of the fact that during the time he has been a member of the board of trustees all the new school buildings have been constructed.

On December 25, 1885, Henry Eicher was united in marriage with Miss Louise Woodford, of Pacheco; and they became the parents of six children : Clarence, Loleta, Evelyn, Ray, Herman Theodore, and Louise Jeanette. Mrs. Eicher died in 1906, at the age of thirty-seven years. Fraternally, Mr. Eicher is a member and a Past Grand of Pacheco Lodge No. 117, I. O. O. F., and has been a member of the order for forty years.

LOUIS R. GINOCHIO .- Well known as a sturdy, industrious and successful stockman, Louis R. Ginochio has spent his entire lifetime in Contra Costa County. Twelve years ago he succeeded his father in the sheep business, and two and a half years ago he bought the beautiful resi- dence on the highway just south of Antioch. He rents a tract of land con- sisting of 5000 acres in the vicinity of the old coal mines south of Antioch, where he pastures his large flock of sheep; at present he has 2000 lambs, some 1800 ewes, and 46 registered Shropshire bucks. He was born at Nortonville, Cal., on March 7, 1889, a son of John and Angeline Gino- chio, both natives of Italy, where they grew up and were married. There are five children in their family : Mrs. Marie Cunningham, of San Fran- cisco; John, in the roofing business in Oakland; Mrs. Lizzie Lougher, of Oakland; Louis R., of this review; and Mrs. Amelia Peel, of Oakland. Mr. Ginochio, now seventy-four years of age, makes his home in Oakland, retired from business cares after a residence of more than fifty years in California. His wife died at the age of seventy-two, in 1922.

Louis R. Ginochio attended public school in Carbondale, and while a very small boy began tending sheep for his father, who became a very successful sheep man of Contra Costa County. The lessons he learned in youth have followed him throughout his business career, and his industry and thrift have insured him a comfortable competence for the balance of his life time.

On November 4, 1911, Mr. Ginochio was married to Miss Marguerite Hunter, daughter of James and Almira (Snively) Hunter, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of California. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hunter : Marguerite, Mrs. Ginochio; Mrs. Elsie Shumert; D. O. Hunter ; Mrs. Ermyl Lewis; and Vernon. James Hunter had four children by a former marriage: John, James, Walter and Mrs. Rose Daly. By her first husband Mrs. Hunter had four children:

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Charles Kingsley, now deceased; and Mrs. Mabel Baker, Mrs. Dorothy Bobo, and Mrs. Maude White. Mr. Hunter died in 1918, but Mrs. Hunter is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Ginochio are the parents of six children : Lauretta A., Anetta E., Lois M., Louis J., Viola E., and Lloyd Ralph. Mr. Ginochio is a Republican.

ARTHUR BURR MINTER .- A pioneer automobile mechanic and dealer is found in the person of Arthur Burr Minter, of the Twenty-second Street Garage, Richmond, Cal. He was born on the old Wicks place in Allegan, Mich., on April 26, 1876, a son of William B. Minter, an Englishman born at Ramsgate, Kent, who came to Chicago in the fifties. He operated three tugs on Lake Michigan and adjoining lakes and was a lumber speculator in the northern part of Michigan. He was married in Allegan, Mich., to Miss Charlotta Piper, who was born there, the daugh- ter of Dr. Piper, one of the first dentists in southern Michigan. Dr. Piper had a son, Giles A. Piper, also a dentist, who was prominent in Masonic circles, and who served in the Civil War, and was taken prisoner and con- fined in Libby prison until he was exchanged. This was the second mar- riage of William B. Minter. He had three children by his first wife.

The only child by his father's second marriage, A. B. Minter received his education in the schools in St. Louis up to the age of eleven. He was always handy with tools, and accordingly learned the machinist's trade and ever since then has been working with engines and machinery. Since 1898 he has been interested in the automobile industry. Mr. Minter built the first fire engine of local manufacture, while with the Gorham Engineering Company, in Oakland. This fire engine was purchased by the city of Oak- land and was the largest fire engine ever built west of the Mississippi River, of the gas engine type, up to that time. Mr. Minter was selected from among fifty machinists for this particular work, which required great engineering skill. It was built in 1912-1913 and is still in service. He worked in several gas-engine shops in Oakland and did experimental work making electrical score boards. In 1919 he wanted a valve lifter and was unable to procure what he wanted; so he made one that filled the bill and had it patented. This was the second valve lifter patent, of its kind, applied for in the United States.

In 1913 Mr. Minter came to Richmond as shop foreman for the Miles Standish Automobile Company. After one year here he bought out one of the partners owning the business, and the following year bought out the Standish interest and established himself in his present location at No. 325- 327 Twenty-second Street. This is the only garage in the city of Richmond that has remained in the hands of the original owner through all the vari- ous changes; and it was also one of the first Richmond garages.

Mr. Minter has been uniformly successful and has shown his faith in the city of his adoption by investing in local property. He owns his gar- age and other property adjoining. He came here with only his bare hands and a good trade-and ill health ; now he weighs 206 pounds and is more

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firmly convinced than ever that this is a "land of promise." He does all kinds of repair work on automobiles and engines and maintains a corps of skilled mechanics. He gives considerable personal attention to his sales department, and up to 1927, he had sold $200,000 worth of automobiles. He sticks to business and believes in giving service regardless of hours spent on a job.

Mr. Minter has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Mary Rickley, of St. Louis, Mo .; and they had four children, two of whom are living : Jesse Burr of Chicago; and Grace, wife of Peter Mclaughlin, of San Francisco. For his second wife he chose Miss Augusta Voigt, who was born in West Bend, Wis., the daughter of a farmer; and they have two children: Edith and Ruth, pupils in the Richmond schools. Mr. Minter is a member of Richmond Lodge No. 1251, B. P. O. E., having joined the order on December 14, 1915. He is a member of Alpha Lodge No. 431, F. & A. M .; the Oakland Consistory No. 2, of the Scottish Rite ; and Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is an honorary member of the Sons of Herman, and belonged to the Merchants' Association in for- mer years. Mr. Minter is a crack marksman and has many trophies as the result of his skill with the rifle. For recreation he goes deer hunting every year, and usually brings game home.

FRANK ARTHUR WENN .- Another native son of the Golden State who is making his influence felt for the general good of the people in Crockett is Frank Arthur Wenn. He was born in Visalia, Tulare County, on September 20, 1885, a son of Stephen and Jennie (Hernan- dez) Wenn, natives of Italy and Los Angeles, Cal., respectively. His mother was a singer of more than ordinary ability. His father was a brick maker. Besides Frank there were Carmen, Joseph and Stephen in the family. Carmen is an accountant, Joseph is a violinist of note, and Stephen is a carpenter. Frank Arthur Wenn was educated in Tulare County and learned the trade of house painter. He came to Crockett in 1908 and engaged in the building business, then for seven years was the local agent for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and had a newspaper agency, later embarked in the candy business, and has since followed his trade.

Mr. Wenn is deeply interested in the cause of education and has done yeoman work in promotion of good school buildings, in organizing the grammar school district at Crockett and in the erection of the modern buildings. His hobby is the manual training of the young and the de- velopment of character in them. He has worked to protect the children at grade crossings, and he served as trustee of the grammar school in 1920, when the condition of the school building was deplorable, but through the efforts of the citizens, bonds were voted for modern structures.

On June 28, 1908, Mr. Wenn married Eugenia Gerz, a native of Germany, and they have three children: Viola, gifted with musical ability on the piano, in the high school; Frank, a graduate in the manual arts ;

Real

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and Joseph, in kindergarten. Mr. Wenn belongs to the Young Men's Institute ; the Knights of Columbus; is Past Sachem of Carquinez Tribe, No. 98, I. O. R. M .; is Past President of Carquinez Parlor No. 205, N. S. G. W .; Secretary of Crockett Aerie No. 774, F. O. E .; and in civic affairs is active in the Crockett-Valona Business Men's Association and identified with all progressive movements in the county. The family at- tend the Catholic Church.

RICHARD R. VEALE .- In thirty-two years of service in public office, and holding an office which calls for more real character, initiative and integrity of purpose than perhaps any other in public life, Sheriff Richard R. Veale, of Contra Costa County, during this long period of active duty has built up a reputation which is a matter of pride to his many friends in the district, and to the county as a whole. As a promi- nent resident of the county once said, "the school, the church, and the home have all found Richard R. Veale a bulwark of strength, a monu- ment of untiring energy, dependable at all times, and first to the front when. duty calls ; yet ever kind, consistent and considerate-a real man." A native son, his birth occurred near Petaluma, Sonoma County, on March 27, 1864, the son of Richard R. and Martha ( Rains) Veale. The father was born in Illinois and came to California via the Isthmus in the early fifties. He was married in 1863, at Petaluma, to Martha Rains, a native of Missouri and daughter of Gallant Rains, an influential South- ern gentleman of means who with his family, including Martha, crossed the plains in charge of three wagon trains composed of many wagons and horses, and became a stock-raiser, rancher and a man of much influence in California, for he had an unusual strength of character, a characteris- tic no doubt inherited by his descendants. Grandfather Veale was also a highly respected and able man; he located at Penn's Grove, in Sonoma County, and became an extensive stock-raiser and rancher and a large land owner there.

Sheriff Veale attended the Cinnibar school in Petaluma during his grammar school days, and later pursued courses at the Petaluma High School and at a business college at Stockton. He came to Contra Costa County with his parents in 1868, but upon his mother's death, in 1871, he went to live with his Grandmother Rains, and so had his schooling mostly in Sonoma County. He entered politics very early in life, being selected as a local committeeman, and took an active interest in the doings of the Republican party. In the meantime he worked for his father on the farm, and for G. W. T. Carter on threshing machines, and also learned the blacksmith trade, at Brentwood. He farmed for a time on the Los Medanos ranch near Antioch, and later went to Brentwood, where he became an extensive rancher, and with his brother, W. W. Veale, operated 4000 acres, raising grain, cattle, horses and hogs.

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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 76

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