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 77

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 77

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It was while running this ranch that R. R. Veale was first elected to office as sheriff of Contra Costa County, in 1894, since which time he

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has been reelected nine times, and it is safe to say that he is the best- known peace officer on the Pacific Coast and over a large portion of the United States as well, as during his incumbency he has acquired a wide acquaintance with sheriffs, police officers and judges in almost every State in the Union. In all the public affairs of Contra Costa County his in- fluence has been felt. The people of Richmond sent him to Washington to help Hon. Franklin P. Lane and Chas. F. Curry put over the reclama- tion district, known as the Richmond Harbor project. And it was largely through his efforts that the U. S. government was induced to clean out the shoals between Martinez and Pittsburg which had made navigation difficult. Deep going vessels can now go up as far as Antioch in safety. This water commerce is of inestimable value to the county. He is an ardent advocate of good roads, and was largely instrumental in the State highway being built between Martinez and Crockett, and from Crockett to the Alameda County line. Letters from N. D. Darlington, a member of the California Highway Commission, and from Charles D. Blaney, chairman of the California Highway Comission, were written in September, 1922, commending him most highly for the service ren- dered both the State and his county in helping to secure the necessary rights of way and public cooperation in the highway projects, now con- ceded to have been a most important factor in the remarkable upbuilding of the county.

And as sheriff of the county R. R. Veale has been so eminently the man for the place that his terms in office have been uninterrupted. In the early days, when Contra Costa was decidedly "Western" territory, he passed through many adventures and had numerous miraculous es- capes, and while he arrested many desperate characters, and sent many of them to the penitentiary, he has never yet found it necessary to kill a man in the discharge of his duty, although he has captured many at the point of a gun; the Sheriff getting the "draw" first! His life has been so marked by characteristics of firmness, determination and courage, that these have controlled the situation without recourse to desperate measures, for he feels that it is his duty not to kill a criminal, but to arrest him, and then let the law take its course. He has always landed his man and been successful in getting national and international extradition of his prisoner. In the Mechanics Bank robbery at Richmond, which occurred one morning in November, 1926, at 8:30 o'clock, the next evening at 5 o'clock one of the defendants was in San Quentin, and over $8000 re- covered. As custodian of the courthouse at Martinez, he has proved a real humanitarian. He installed the furniture and fixtures of the pres- ent jail, which is a model of cleanliness. The mattresses are kept cleanly and carefully in covers; and an abundance of both hot and cold water is provided for baths. Sheriff Veale takes a humane interest in the jail and its inmates, insisting on regular bathing and clean quarters; and every person committed to his keeping is given individual attention and medical aid when required; as a result of which many prisoners emerge from

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their confinement in a better condition of mind and body than when com- mitted, and with a much greater chance of again becoming useful citizens. The courthouse, built in 1901, is overtaxed for room and additional buildings have been required. The same careful management is brought to bear throughout the buildings, and nothing destroyed which can be put to some use, or sold to help in county expenses. In covering the county under his charge as peace officer, Sheriff Veale has become so well acquainted with the wonderful fertility of the delta section, and the ad- vantages of having seventy miles of waterfront, that he feels a deep loyalty toward doing everything in his power to further its best interests, and during the past years there has not been a worthy public project for development put forward in Contra Costa that Richard R. Veale did not take an active part in aiding, both as an efficient public officer and as a loyal citizen to his home district.

In 1884, at Oakland, occurred the marriage of Richard R. Veale and Miss Elizabeth Martin, a native daughter of San Francisco, and six children blessed their union: Robert Howard, superintendent of Her- cules Powder Company at Kenosha, Wis .; William Minor, under-sheriff at Martinez; Leila, who is the wife of Absalom F. Bray, member of the law firm of Rodgers and Bray, of Martinez, and the mother of a son, Junior Bray; Mortimer Belshaw, an attorney at Antioch; Miriam E., wife of Francis McMahon, of the Shell Oil Company at Martinez; and Leola, Mrs. Bernard McDonald, of Los Angeles, who has a daughter, Nancy Elizabeth.

Fraternally, Sheriff Veale is a prominent Mason, and Shriner, a mem- ber of Aahmes Temple in Oakland; and he belongs to the Eastern Star, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Moose, Elks, the Native Sons, Re- bekahs, Pythian Sisters, Neighbors of Woodcraft, Eagles, Woodmen of the World, U. P. E. C., etc. Since 1895 he has been secretary of the Sheriffs' Association of California. He is, and has been for many years, secretary of the Contra Costa Chamber of Commerce. During the World War he organized a Home Guard of 1200 men, and could send 250 armed men to any point in the county at short notice; they all served without pay or a dollar of expense to the tax- payers of the county. Always able to meet every situation in this indus- trial county of $26,424,500 annual payrolls, and $404,123,620 annual output-it is this ability which has won him such far-reaching respect. During the hoof and mouth disease in the county, he had photographs taken of infected cattle, which Congressman Curry used to excellent ad- vantage in getting damages for Contra Costa stockmen. When he was first elected to office Richmond was not in existence, Pittsburg was but a fishing village, and other towns were small places. The growth of the county has necessitated the gradual increasing of police protection throughout the county, all of which has been done under the supervision of the sheriff. In 1923 Sheriff Veale received a very complimentary letter from R. A. Haynes, federal prohibition commissioner, in appre-

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ciation of his activities in that line, especially the receipt of padlock posters from Sheriff Veale, and copies of places closed under the Pad- lock provision, which Mr. Haynes wrote he was transmitting to the United States District Attorney in New York for his information and as a demonstration of what local officials may accomplish in coordination with Federal agents.

A trustworthy public official, and a man of remarkable attributes of mind and energy, Mr. Veale has been a decided factor in the upbuilding of Contra Costa County during the past third of a century.

FRANK H. ROSA .- Now in his third term as a member of the San- itary Board of the San Pablo District, Frank H. Rosa is serving the public with the true spirit of a responsible official whose wish it is to work for the benefit of his community and to render unselfish service to those whose franchise has confided to him a public trust. He was born in the Azores Islands on June 8, 1886, a son of Manuel and Mary (Garcier) Rosa, both natives of the Azores. There were thirteen chil- dren in the Rosa family, and when the parents came to California three were still living in their native land.

Frank H. Rosa attended the schools on his native island and was the first of the family to migrate to America. He left home in 1904 and arrived at New Bedford, Conn., whence he came direct to San Pablo, Cal. He secured employment in the Pullman shops and later went to work at the refinery of the Standard Oil Company in Richmond, and has been with that firm ever since. After he had saved some money he sent back and helped his folks to get to the land of promise, and his parents are still living in Contra Costa County. As he has prospered he has invested his savings in property, and now owns a house in Richmond and two in San Pablo; and he also has stock in the Standard Oil Company. He is well pleased with Richmond and feels that in no other place could he have succeeded as well in so short a time. He has entered into the spirit of the community and was elected to the Sanitary Board, and twice reelected, which is evidence of his popularity and efficiency as a public official. At one time Mr. Rosa was a partner in an apartment house in San Francisco, but sold out after three years.

Mr. Rosa was married on April 25, 1914, in Oakland, to Miss Jo- sephine Frega, of that city. There were three children born to them, only one of whom is living, a daughter, Genevieve E., aged eleven and a pupil in the local grammar school. Two children died in infancy, and on October 31, 1918, Mrs. Rosa died of the flu. Mr. Rosa is a member, and for sixteen years has been secretary, of the U. P. E. C .; is a member and the president of the I. D. E. S .; and is president of the Holy Ghost Society of San Pablo. For fifteen years he has represented the U. P. E. C. Society at the State conventions. The family are active workers in the Catholic Church of San Pablo, and are leaders in their social circle. Mr. Rosa has a host of good friends in his locality.

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JOSEPH FREITAS .- The greater part of the life of Joseph Freitas has been spent in the Live Oak district of Contra Costa County, where he owns a productive twenty-acre ranch ; fifteen acres are in grapes and the balance is set to almonds, all in full bearing. This ranch is one of the pioneer ranches of the community. It is under a high state of cultivation and on it is a comfortable residence and good improvements.

Joseph Freitas was born on the Island of Flores, October 15, 1869, and when nine years of age he came to America, with his parents, Frank and Anna J. (Machada ) Freitas. After a few months' stop in New Bed- ford, Mass. the Freitas family arrived at Half Moon Bay, Cal., in the month of May, 1879. One year later they located in the Oakley Pre- cinct near what was then known as the Iron House school district, and in 1883 they located in the Live Oak district, on their present home place. This ranch was cleared of the chaparral and live-oak trees and was then planted to fruit and nut trees and vines. Many were the hardships and privations of these sturdy pioneers, but they never tired of striving for better things for their posterity. The mother passed away in 1924, aged eighty-two years ; the father survived her until January 31, 1926, when he too passed away, aged eighty-eight years.

Joseph Freitas received a common school education, and since fourteen years of age has made his own way in the world. For sixteen years he worked on a hay-press. He saved his money through all the years, and today he is living in comfortable circumstances, enjoying the fruits of his labors.

In 1896 Mr. Freitas was married to Miss Frances Minta, a native daughter of California ; and to them have been born five daughters; Rosa- line; Frances; Evelyn, Mrs. Thomas De Maggio; Minnie, Mrs. Joseph McCurrio; and Marie. Mr. Freitas helped to organize and is a director in the Bridgeport Shipping Corporation. For twenty years he has served as a member of the Live Oak school board. In politics he is a Republican. He is a charter member of the I. D. E. S. No. 7, and belongs to Antioch Aerie No. 785, F. O. E., both of Antioch.

ROY E. EDSTROM .- One of the efficient and capable workmen for the F. E. Booth Company is Roy E. Edstrom, who has long been recognized by the company as a most valuable and dependable employee. He was born on New Year's Day, 1895, in Chicago, Ill., a son of Andrew and Evelyn Edstrom, and in 1900 came with his parents to San Francisco, where he spent his boyhood days and attended school. After graduating from grammar school he found employment with a theatrical booking company. In 1911 his mother died and he then severed his connection with the theatrical business and obtained employment with the F. E. Booth Company, San Francisco branch, in the canning department. His services were so loyal and efficient that his ability was soon recognized and by January, 1917, he had been advanced to the responsible post of warehouse foreman at Pittsburg, Cal. Few people outside of Pittsburg

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have an adequate idea of the magnitude of the varied output of the F. E. Booth Company's plant. Fruits, vegetables and fish are canned in carload and shipload lots. This company has experienced a healthy growth until now it ranks among the largest in the world.

Roy E. Edstrom has an enviable record for service during the World War. On September 19, 1917, he was assigned to the Depot Brigade and sent to Camp Lewis, and from there was transferred to Camp Mills, N. Y., where he was placed in the 41st Division. On December 12, 1917, he sailed from New York for St. Nazaire, France, where he arrived on December 26. He says he will always remember December 25, 1917, as their convoy, consisting of fourteen ships, destroyed two German sub- marines on Christmas Day. As a machine-gun man, Mr. Edstrom saw service in France at Bordeaux. His company volunteered on St. Patrick's Day to go to the front, where they fought side by side with the French in Flanders. He was with the 1st Division as a machine-gun man. He also fought in the Toul sector, and at Soissons, where he was severely wounded three times in the left leg and once in the left arm. After nine months in a French army hospital he was returned to the United States on October 10, 1918, and honorably discharged from Camp Kearney, Cal., on January 8, 1919.

Roy E. Edstrom was united in marriage on June 5, 1920, with Mamie Belleci, the daughter of Joe and Sarah Belleci. This union has been blessed with two children, Evelyn and Irvin. Mr. Edstrom belongs to the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.

SALVATORE AND SYLVESTER ENEA .- Two brothers doing business under the name of S. Enea & Brother erected, own and operate the California Theater, the only first-class moving picture house in Pitts- burg, Cal. They also own and operate the Palace Theater on Black Diamond Street. It is quite appropriate to mention in some detail the ad- vancement of the moving picture business in this thriving city. In the early days of the moving pictures, when 4000 feet of film, then unperfected, was called a wonderful show, David Solari and Sylvester and Salvatore Enea saw in the motion picture good business possibilities. In 1908 these gentlemen operated and controlled the old opera house, giving the town of Black Diamond the best that the motion picture industry afforded. Six months later they opened the Diamond Theater on Railroad Avenue. Others also saw possibilities and the old opera house on York Street was remodeled and opened as a first-class motion picture theater. These young men were not satisfied, however, and in 1910 they built the Palace Theater, proclaimed by all the most magnificent structure in Black Diamond. In 1914 Mr. Solari sold his interest in the Palace and looked for larger fields, operating in Napa, Stockton, Hayward and Eureka.

On May 4, 1920, after every line of the motion picture had been per- fected, Enea Brothers erected the California Theater, one of the finest

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motion picture palaces in any interior city in Northern California. Nearly $200,000 have been expended in building and equipping this building. It has a seating capacity of 1200 and there is a Leatherby-Smith Orchestral organ costing $20,000 to supply the music. A modern water pre-cooling system keeps atmospheric conditions perfect in all kinds of weather. The building is fire-proof, has numerous exits, and is modern in all its appoint- ments. Amusement lovers of Pittsburg and vicinity have derived much pleasure from this theater, and Enea Brothers are very highly compli- mented for their excellent management and the high grade of pictures shown. The residents of this vicinity have shown their appreciation by a liberal patronage of this magnificent playhouse. The proprietors have shown their firm faith in the city, and make this their slogan: "When better pictures are made, we show them." They are very loyal boosters for Pittsburg and are accounted among the representative business men of Contra Costa County.

Salvatore Enea was born in Italy on January 25, 1885. His father had died, leaving his widow with several small children. She brought her family to California and settled at Black Diamond, as Pittsburg was then called, and nobly kept her little family together until her death, which occurred in this city. The children grew up in this environment and have proven themselves worthy of their parents. Salvatore Enea was married in San Francisco on December 3, 1905, to Miss Mary Solari, a represen- tative of a pioneer family of this city, and they have four children: Stella, Rose, Frances and Virginia. Mr. Enea is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose in Pittsburg.

Sylvester Enea was born in Italy on January 13, 1888, grew to matur- ity in Pittsburg, and early became interested in the moving picture industry, as has already been mentioned. He was married in Pittsburg on October 18, 1914, to Miss Mary Partenico, of this city, where she grew up from the age of two. They have three children, Sammie, Salvatore and John.

LESTER G. LAWRENCE .- For the practice of his calling Lester G. Lawrence received a thorough preparatory training. Before he had finished his high school course he took up the machinist's trade, and he was prepared, at the opening of the World War, for a position as a mechanic in the department of air service. He enlisted in the Army on October 7, 1917, and was sent to Camp Lewis; from there he was trans- ferred to Camp Hancock, Ga., and on February 8, 1918, sailed for France. His regiment repaired airplanes at Epinal, France, in the Vosges district, until the signing of the Armistice, and he then returned to the United States and his home in Walnut Creek, where he has continued his work as a mechanic.

Lester G. Lawrence was born at Half Moon Bay, Cal., October 27, 1894, and is the youngest of nine children born to J. C. and Lena (Frates) Lawrence, natives of Portugal and Massachusetts, respectively. The father, J. C. Lawrence, was a young man when he came to California. He

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engaged in mining in Idaho and California for a number of years after his arrival in the West, and then homesteaded land at Half Moon Bay. Here the family of nine children were born, as follows: Rose, now the wife of G. F. Womersley; Adaline, now Mrs. Board; Elizabeth, Mrs. Walsh; Louise, Mrs. Stephan; Mayme, Mrs. Wilcox; Fred; Joseph; Harry; and Lester, our subject. J. C. Lawrence was a butcher by trade, and besides looking after his homestead he operated a butcher shop in Half Moon Bay. When Lester was but a babe in arms, the family re- moved to Haywards and there the father ran a butcher shop for two years. Another move was made to Danville, and the father ran a shop there until he retired from active business cares and settled at Walnut Creek, where he passed away in March, 1923, at the age of eighty-four years. The mother of the family lived to be sixty-seven years old, and also died in March, 1923, and was buried on the same day as her husband. Lester G. Lawrence attended grammar school in Danville and after finishing the course entered the high school; then he attended the Concord High School, but left before finishing the course in order to learn the machinist's trade. He now owns a thriving garage business and is agent for the Buick and Star automobiles.

On September 8, 1922, Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage with Miss Jean Rogerson, who was born in Los Angeles, Cal., and they are the parents of one daughter, Barbara Jean. Mr. Lawrence's political views favor the policies of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the American Legion and the Woodmen of the World, both of Walnut Creek, and belongs to Richmond Lodge No. 1251, B. P. O. E.

FRANK G. IACONA .- Numbered among the successful growers of Pittsburg is Frank G. Iacona, an enterprising citizen whose adherence to right principles of business and courteous treatment of customers have de- veloped the growing business enjoyed by the grocery department of the National Market, of which he is the owner and manager. The life which this narrative sketches began on August 19, 1880, in Licata, Province of Girgenti, Italy, when Frank G. Iacona was born in the family of Guiseppe and Maria Iacona. There were five children in the family: Vincenzo, An- tonino, Frank G., Carmelo, and Angelo, four of whom reside in Pittsburg and one at Antioch. Carmelo, Vincenzo and Antonino are employed in the Pioneer Rubber Works at Pittsburg. The father is now deceased, but the mother is still living in Italy.

Frank G. Iacona attended the public school at Palermo, where his grandmother, Carmela Bonfiglio lived. The first one of the boys to emi- grate to America was Vincenzo, who came over in 1898. Frank G. Iacona arrived in San Francisco in June, 1903, and found employment in the San Germain Restaurant in that city, where he remained over nine years. In 1911 he returned to Italy and was married on April 29 of that year to Catherine Taormina, a native of Trabia, Italy. He returned with his bride to San Francisco, where they resided until 1916. Mr. Iacona located

ET. Herbert

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in Pittsburg in August, 1917, and is now operating the grocery department of the National Market. In 1922, in partnership with A. C. Cardinale, owner of the meat market department of the National Market, he built the two-story brick building at the corner of Railroad Avenue and East Third Street, Pittsburg, which is occupied by the National Market.

Mr. and Mrs. Iacona are the parents of two children, Maria and Teresa. In 1908 Mr. Iacona became a naturalized citizen of the United States. In national affairs he supports the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the American Order of Foresters in Pittsburg.

ELLWOOD F. HERBERT, D. D. S .- Since 1919 Ellwood F. Her- bert has practiced the dental profession in Pittsburg, and during that per- iod he has gained an enviable reputation as a careful and skilled dental surgeon, so that he now draws his clientele from a wide radius. He was born in Solano County, Cal., on October 11, 1876, a son of William B. and Susan (Barnes ) Herbert, the former a pioneer of 1850 and the latter of 1854, in this State.

William B. Herbert was born in Harford County, Md., in 1817, and comes from Revolutionary stock through relationship with General Her- bert. After reaching young manhood he went to New Orleans and was engaged in the trading and transportation business between that city and St. Louis. In this way he heard a great deal about California from those going and coming over this route, and he decided that he would see the country for himself. Accordingly he outfitted for the trip across the plains in 1850, and walked all the way, suffering many privations. He mined for a time; but finding it was not productive of satisfactory returns, he looked about for some land, and in Solano County, three miles from what is now Davis, purchased a ranch and began general farming on it. After he became assured that a prosperous future awaited him here, he went back East, in 1854, and on May 5 of that year married Miss Susan Barnes. With his bride he returned to California via Panama and for a time after his arrival followed mercantile pursuits in San Francisco. He then went back to Solano County and engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1876, when he bought 2000 acres near Cambria, San Luis Obispo County, and carried on the stock business until 1881. As his children were attain- ing the age when they should have good school facilities, Mr. Herbert disposed of his ranch and stock and located near San Jose. He began the cultivation of his newly acquired property by setting out an orchard, be- ing among the very first to engage in horticulture on a commercial scale. In 1894 he sold out and settled in San Jose, and there he died on June 13, 1901, aged eighty-four years. Mrs. Herbert is still living in San Jose, and at the age of ninety-two is enjoying life to its full.

Ellwood F. Herbert is the youngest son in a family of nine children. He attended the public schools of San Jose and the College of the Pacific, and then, in preparation for the profession he chose for a life work, he entered the University of California Dental College and was graduated

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with the Class of 1901. He began his practice in Santa Barbara and re- mained there for the following seventeen years. During the World War he was located in Vallejo, and then went to Richmond and followed his profession until November, 1919, when he located in Pittsburg, and since that date he has built up a lucrative practice and enlarged his already wide circle of friends.

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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 77

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