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 84
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established the Albany Argus, at Albany, Cal., which has proved to be a very successful weekly paper. Politically, both of his papers are regarded as conservatively Republican; and at both plants he operates a job printing business. He is an ardent champion of the movement to make Richmond the leading harbor of the Pacific Coast. Its natural deep water harbor and superb location opposite the Golden Gate combine to make of it an ideal port for worldwide shipping.
On February 6, 1907, George W. Ryan was united in marriage with Mrs. Laura H. Codington, of Oakland, daughter of the late Rev. John B. Hill, formerly manager of the Methodist Book Concern, at San Fran- cisco. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan have two sons : Sydney E., an athletic young man who attended the Leland Stanford University, and while a student was a member of the baseball team; and Thomas G., a student at the Rich- mond High School. Fraternally, Mr. Ryan is a member of Richmond Lodge No. 1251 B. P. O. Elks at Richmond, and is also a member of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
JAMES M. THOMPSON .- A resident of Richmond since 1906, and of California since 1901, James M. Thompson has been an eye wit- ness to the wonderful growth and development of the entire state since he first came within its borders. He was born in Tennessee on January 30, 1879, and attended the public schools near their home farm. He had worked around machinery from early boyhood and was handy with tools, so at an early age he started out for himself, being the oldest of fourteen children in his parents' family. He worked in sawmills and lumber camps for several years, and when he arrived in California, went to Mariposa County and found employment in the mines and for practically five years worked underground.
This settling in Mariposa County was one of the best moves Mr. Thompson ever made, for it was here he met and in 1905 married Miss Lena Pettis, who was born in that county, the daughter of Charles and Celia (Collins) Pettis. Her grandparents came from Cornwall, England, to America in an early day and her grandfather was engaged in mining and ranching in Mariposa County. Members of the family have been prominently connected with community affairs for many years in the Mother Lode district. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have a daughter Ber- nice, who married William E. Geach and has a son William Eugene.
Mr. Thompson came to Richmond to work for Edwin T. Blake, at the time he was opening up the quarry at Point Richmond for Blake Brothers and he remained with this firm until 1915, when he resigned to enter the employ of the Standard Oil Company. After having worked at various occupations he was placed in the power department at the salt water pumping station. This station has a capacity of 45,000,000 gallons every twenty-four hours. In 1907 Mr. Thompson moved his family to Richmond proper and they went through many pioneer experiences before the city assumed a place for itself in the county. Mrs. Thompson belongs
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to the Ladies of the Maccabees, and takes a live interest in community affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson believe in Richmond and have faith in its growth and development and favor all projects to that end. Mr. Thompson finds his recreation in fishing.
PRESLEY MORGAN NEVILLE .- Descended from Revolutionary ancestors Presley Morgan Neville holds an assured position in the esteem of his friends in Richmond and the East Bay district, which has been his home since 1903. He was born in Chicago on January 4, 1889, the oldest of three sons of Frederick Morgan and Anna (Schreck) Neville, now living retired in Richmond.
Frederick M. Neville was born in West Virginia and is descended from General Daniel Morgan of Revolutionary fame. Mr. Neville is a man of good education and was master car builder for the Union Tank Line Car Company, of New York, continuing there until 1911, when he became their representative on the Pacific Coast. He was in charge of transport and shipping for the Union Tank Line Car Company until he was retired on a pension on January 15, 1926, after thirty-five years con- tinuous service. He was married in 1888, and became the father of three sons : Presley M., Edgar and Way, all in Richmond.
Presley M. Neville attended the public schools and at the age of a little over fourteen, in June, 1903, entered the service of the Standard Oil Company in Richmond and since then he has witnessed the wonderful growth of this great concern. He started as a messenger boy in the lab- oratory and carried samples for a year, then was advanced to be inspector, and when he was only sixteen was night inspector; then for the next three and one-half years was in charge of that department. In November, 1906, he became connected with the transportation department, beginning at the bottom as a clerk to learn all the angles of that department so import- ant to every large company ; he worked up to be chief clerk, and in 1909 was promoted to be yardmaster, and in December, 1911, was advanced to general yardmaster, having charge of all incoming and outgoing shipments at the Richmond refinery. He has made a special study of transportation and is often sought by others for definite data along those lines. He has worked with the various officials and bodies in Richmond to perfect one of the best transportation systems for the city. Mr. Neville is the young- est man at the refinery with twenty-three years continuous service to his credit. He belongs to the San Francisco Transportation Club.
Presley M. Neville was married to Miss Neba Frances Miller on April 20, 1913. She was born at Savanna, Ill., an only child of Carl and Char- lotte (Nymen) Miller, the latter born in Sweden. Carl Miller was the general foreign correspondent for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company for many years. When he retired he engaged in the real estate business in Chicago until his death. Mrs. Neville is a high school graduate and an accomplished musician. She has two children: Neba Charlotte, aged twelve, who is in the Junior High School, and Nancy Anne, four years old.
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Mr. Neville is a pianist and formerly played in the churches. He was a member of the first band organized in Richmond. From 1911 until 1914 he was organist for the Modern Woodmen of America Camp in Rich- mond; and from 1914 till 1919 served in the same capacity for the Rich- mond Elks. He frequently is called upon to deliver addresses along his special line of work and has contributed to the Elks journal and other papers. He is a member of the Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America; and belongs to the Carquinez Golf Club. The Nevilles own their own home at 475 Carlston Avenue and take great pride in their beautiful lawn and garden. He enjoys motoring, golf and all sports.
J. E. QUINN, D. V. S .- The well-known and successful veterinarian, J. E. Quinn, of Antioch enjoys a wide practice which extends throughout the whole of eastern Contra Costa County. His office and hospital are located at 814 G Street, Antioch, and his equipment is of the most modern character. He was born in Franklin County, Ky., on August 3, 1861, the son of Alexander Quinn, a well-known carriage-maker at Frankfort, where he and a brother, John Quinn, built a factory and established a good busi- ness in their line. The elder Quinn was born in Ireland and married Margaret Hearn.
J. E. Quinn was sent to the public schools in Kentucky until he was sixteen. Then he left home and went to Missouri, and there was married on February 25, 1891, to Miss Clara Barr, daughter of James and Sarah (Case) Barr, natives of West Virginia and Michigan, respectively. Mrs. Quinn's grandfather Barr built the first railroad in West Virginia, where he was a wealthy contractor. When she was a child Mrs. Quinn left Iowa, where she was born, for Missouri with her parents, and there she grew up and attended school. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Quinn farmed in Missouri for a time and then went to Texas and continued farming for three years. Returning to Missouri, he thereafter acted as manager for several large farm owners. Mr. and Mrs. Quinn have five children : Margaret, wife of Martin Jensen, rancher near Antioch; James William, who served in the United States forces over seas during the World War and was wounded three times in various engagements, and who is now superintendent of the sub-station at Antioch for the Great Western Power Company; Norman, a fireman for the Standard Oil Company at the pump- ing plant at Helm, Fresno County; Emma, who died at the age of eighteen months; and Wallace, a cable splicer for the Great Western Power Com- pany in Oakland.
In 1901 Mr. and Mrs. Quinn left Rich Hill, Mo., for Antioch, Cal. Mr. Quinn was employed on the Los Medanos Ranch by Mr. Hooper, who offered him the management of it, but he declined as he had decided to become a veterinary. He matriculated in the San Francisco Veterinary College in the fall of 1907, pursued the regular courses, and was gradu- ated with the Class of 1910 with the degree of D. V. S. Locating in Anti- och he began to build up a practice, and here has been the scene of his
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operations ever since. He is now serving as State meat inspector at Pittsburg and Brentwood, having been appointed in each city by the board of trustees. He is a member of the American Veterinary Associa- tion and of the California State Veterinary Association, and takes an active interest in each organization. He has made a success of his work. and is a good judge of stock values. Fraternally, Dr. Quinn belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. The parents of Mrs. Quinn came to Contra Costa County in 1892, and took an active part in the development of the community. Mrs. Quinn has many friends in this community, who esteem her for her high ideals.
HERBERT T. KEYSER .- Numbered among the successful alfalfa growers of eastern Contra Costa County is the name of Herbert T. Keyser, who by his long and close identification with the agricultural interests of the county is looked up to as an authority on the subject of alfalfa growing. He has proven, by the results of his many years de- voted to this special crop, that he thoroughly understands the requirements of raising alfalfa.
H. T. Keyser was born in Niagara County, N. Y., June 27, 1865, the son of Jacob and Amanda Keyser, both natives of New York State, where they were married. The family moved to Wisconsin, thence to Michigan and from there, in 1874, migrated to California, settling in the San Joaquin valley. Later they removed to El Dorado County, where Herbert T. Keyser remained three years; then he went to live with his aunt, Mrs. S. M. Wills, near Byron, Contra Costa County. After work- ing for wages for several years Mr. Keyser became manager of the But- terwick place, owned by Vernon Taylor, and continued in this position for eleven years. In 1907 he purchased his present ranch of 162 acres on the Byron-Brentwood Highway and here he has developed one of the best alfalfa ranches in the county. In 1913 Mr. Keyser bought his home place of two and a half acres in Taylor Lane, and the following year built his home, where he now lives.
The first marriage of H. T. Keyser occurred in 1900 when he was united with Mary Mckenzie. On September 10, 1919, he was married to Miss Jessie Rhoades, a native of England, who was brought to Tracy, Cal., when six months old, lived there until nine years of age, and then removed to Contra Costa County. The genealogy of the Keyser family dates back to pre-Revolutionary days when Great-grandfather Keyser emigrated from Holland to America ; he had the distinction of being with General George Washington at Valley Forge. Herbert T. Keyser is a self-made man and his commendable success has been the result of his own efforts, as early in life he became dependent upon his own resources. By energetic, persistent and patient efforts, economical living, an opti- mistic and enterprising spirit, coupled with uprightness of character, he has won success in his chosen occupation, and has the esteem of the community where he has resided for so many years.
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LEANDER JOHNSON .- A resident of the United States since 1900, and of Contra Costa County since 1901, when he located in Mar- tinez, Leander Johnson there lived and labored for nine years, then moved to Richmond and made that his home for six years, after which he located in El Cerrito on the place he now occupies. Well he remembers the early condition of this section when he first saw the county. He has followed carpentering and building and house moving ever since he came. here, his work taking him to the various bay cities and throughout Contra Costa County. For the easier conduct of his business he has a full equipment of tools, trucks, timbers, etc., and employs several men according to the size of his job. He believes in progress along all lines, especially good schools, and is giving his children the very best educa- tions he can afford.
Born in Hapbaranda, Northern Sweden, on November 3, 1878, he at- tended the schools of his locality until he was fifteen. His father was a carpenter, boat builder and all-round workman and for several years followed the sea as a ship carpenter and touched at many ports. . He and his wife spent their days in their native land. At the age of fifteen Leander joined a ship's crew as a ship carpenter, having followed in his father's footsteps ; when he was twelve he had built a boat. During his time at sea he touched at Java and many ports of the Old World, worked in New Zealand for a time building boats, then went to Australia where he worked as a ship builder at Natural Park, some sixty miles from Sidney. He was a fine workman but could not understand English and conse- quently his employer paid him less than his worth; and when he asked for what was his due, it was denied him and he left and worked on his own hook in Sidney for a time. He then took ship and worked his way to the Hawaiian Islands, and after a time there came on a four-master to San Francisco. Leaving the deep water he took to the coasting trade. Then leaving the sea entirely he worked as a millwright in Oroville and in Santa Cruz. He had a friend in the chemical works in Martinez and came to join him and to find employment, which he did at the building business. It was in Martinez that he bought an equipment and began moving buildings. Selling out he came down to Richmond and followed contracting, later going back to house moving till 1913, when he located at his present home. He owns two houses in Richmond which he rents. He is well satisfied with his home in Contra Costa County.
Mr. Johnson was married in Sweden when he was twenty-one, in 1899, to Miss Emma Erickson and they have had six children. The oldest child, a son named John Hilmar, was born in Sweden and was six months old when his father left home; he grew up there, making his home with his mother's people; he is married and has a family, never having come to this country. It was while he was working at Oroville that Mr. Johnson sent for his wife, and she arrived in 1903. Five of their children are natives of Contra Costa County and are: Hilma, a graduate of the Richmond High School and now attending the University
Hansford ing
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of California at Berkeley; Herbert, a graduate of the Richmond High School, Class 1924, now assisting his father; Harve and Hugo, both students at the Richmond High School; and Signe, in the Union High at Richmond.
HANS JENSEN .- When Hans Jensen located in Contra Costa County, some thirty-seven years ago, there was little to suggest the pros- perity which he himself has helped to bring about; for his influence has always been of a forceful and progressive nature. Though seventy-five years of age, Mr. Jensen is still strong and active, but he has now prac- tically turned over the operation of his large landholdings to his son. For the past nine years he has been serving as a government reporter on weather, crops, etc., for this section of the county. He was born in Den- mark on June 19, 1851, a son of Jens and Annie ( Mortinsen ) Jensen, who were born, reared, and married in Denmark, and died in their native land.
When eighteen years old, Hans Jensen entered the Danish army, and at that time was the youngest recruit in the service. On January 13, 1873, he landed in New York City; and from there he went to Racine, Wis., where he worked at various pursuits. While residing in Wisconsin he took out his first naturalization papers, in 1873. He went to Indian- apolis in 1874 and worked in a spoke factory, and in 1875 he came to California, arriving in San Francisco on June 13. He was engaged for the next four years as a driver and street car conductor from Seventh Street to the Cemetery, and for eleven years he worked for A. K. P. Har- mon as assistant gardener.
In 1876 Hans Jensen was married to Karen Christine Hansen, also a native of Denmark, and to them were born five children. Dorothea is at home with her father. Hannah, Mrs. Nilsen, is now deceased. Louise married Robert Kearns, an employe of the Southern Pacific in Oakland. Martin, a prosperous rancher, bought 160 acres from his father and rents and farms the balance of 300 acres; he married Miss Marguerite Quinn, daughter of J. E. Quinn, D. V. S., of Antioch, and they have one child, Clara. May married Alfred Miller and lives in Oakland. Mrs. Jen- sen passed away at the family home on March 3, 1921.
Mr. Jensen, as above stated, has sold 160 acres to his son, Martin. Besides this, he has sold ten acres to the East Bay Water Company and four and one-half acres to the Standard Oil Company, besides donating the right of way to the City of Antioch Water Company. Mr. Jensen completed his American citizenship in Oakland in 1879, and in politics is a stanch Republican.
CYRUS NEWLOVE .- Ever since establishing his home in Contra Costa County, Cyrus Newlove has made agriculture his chosen occupation. His speciality at first was the raising of grain, but for a number of years past he has devoted his attention to raising almonds. He was born in Wood County, Ohio, near Toledo, on March 27, 1866. His father,
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James Newlove, was an Ohio pioneer, and served through the Civil War as a Union defender. He married Miss Catherine Stull. The family moved to Flora, Ill., when our subject was a lad of eight years, and he attended public school and in time became a teacher. He taught three years in Illinois before coming to California in 1892. He spent three years in Yolo County, and after settling in Contra Costa County, in 1895, he taught at Iron House for a while, but gave most of his attention to the development of his ranch, from which today he enjoys a comfortable livelihood. His ranch consists of 200 acres of fine productive soil, on which is a very highly cultivated almond orchard, while the balance is devoted to general farming. The Southern Pacific railroad runs through his ranch and the station of Neroly is near his residence, thus affording a fine shipping point for all produce raised on his ranch and others in the vicinity.
Mr. Newlove has never married, but by his quiet and efficient business methods he has won a host of friends and has come to be counted among the most highly esteemed citizens of his section, where he is deservedly popular. He is a consistent Republican in politics, and is a member of the Farm Bureau of Live Oak. Mr. Newlove was among the early settlers here. No improvements had been made in this district when he came, and he is among the pioneers who helped clear the land.
GEORGE ALBERT JOHNSON .- The progressive spirit, wise con- servatism and keen foresight of George Albert Johnson have won for him a notable position among the best known and successful educators in Contra Costa County. He was born in Yuba County on September 13, 1877, and is a son of George W. and Louise (Sailor) Johnson, both of Missouri but who came to California early in life and established a home and reared their family of six children, of whom three sons and one daughter are living, George A. being the youngest son. He attended the public schools in Yuba County and completed his training in a private institution, where he pursued the normal course. To keep abreast of the times he has done post-graduate work in the University of California and is now specializing in law in Golden Gate College in San Francisco.
Mr. Johnson began his school work in Yuba County in 1898 as a teacher and was prominently connected with all educational affairs there, serving for two terms as president of the county board of education of Yuba County. To better his condition Mr. Johnson came to Crockett in 1913 to become principal of the grammar school, and ever since that period his whole time and attention have been directed along the lines of raising the standard of education in this growing community and he has taken a very aggressive part in all school activities all over Contra Costa County, serving at various times in positions of leadership, and now being president of the county board of education. One of the main projects with which Mr. Johnson has been identified has been the union of the Crockett and Valona grammar schools, for which bonds were
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voted for the erection of a modern school building at a cost of $250,000; also he was active in promoting the bond issue for $450,000 for the new John Swett Union High School building at Crockett. It has been his pleasure to witness the rapid growth of the schools in this community and the county board of education is now working on and perfecting a course of study best adapted to the needs of the pupils.
Mr. Johnson is closely associated with the boy-welfare movement, and for a number of years has served as scout master. During the World War, under his direction, the Boy Scouts and the grammar school pupils distinguished themselves in selling thrift stamps and otherwise promoting the war activities to win the struggle. He is in sympathy with all move- ments of town and county that tend to an upward growth, and higher community interests that make for better citizenship. As he has pros- pered Mr. Johnson has invested in property in Crockett and vicinity and owns his own home here.
It was on November 25, 1903, that George Albert Johnson took for his bride, Miss Ivy Kumle, born in California of parents who were also natives of the State. This marriage resulted in the birth of six children, one of whom is deceased. Alton is twenty-one, has graduated from high school and is employed in the First National Bank in Crockett. Audrey is nineteen, has completed the high school and is taking a special course in night school in Oakland, working in a store during the day. George Beverly is eighteen and a graduate of the Class of 1926, Crockett High School. Lola and Margaret attend the grammar school. A nephew of Mr. Johnson, Louis J. Blodgett, distinguished himself during the World War in the Marines and lost his life at the Battle of the Marne on October 4, 1917. Two brothers of Mr. Johnson still make their homes in Yuba County and there is a sister living in San Francisco.
C. L. LINDQUIST .- Apricots and prunes are the two resources to which C. L. Lindquist has devoted his energies since purchasing his sixty- acre home place nine years ago. As his name and personal characteristics indicate, Mr. Lindquist is of Swedish ancestry. He was born in central Sweden on October 2, 1870. His parents were well-to-do farmers who, at their death, left a good-sized estate to their two sons, our subject and his brother John Alfred, who also owns a farm of thirty acres in this same vicinity and now makes his home with our subject.
Mr. Lindquist attended the common schools in his native land, and when sixteen years of age came to America and for seven years lived in Hudson, Wis. In 1894 he came to California, settling at Vacaville, where he later bought land and was one of the original members of the Vaca- ville Fruit Company. Nine years ago he located in the Lone Tree Dis- trict of Contra Costa County, purchasing sixty acres, but later sold off twenty acres. This ranch is in the section of the county where the land is known as heavy land and was considered unsuited for fruit-growing. Mr. Lindquist has demonstrated that this land will not only grow fruit
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trees, but that the trees are particularly productive. His young apricot trees yield from five to six tons per acre of the very finest fruit. Mr. Lind- quist has made substantial improvements on his ranch, building a good house and other necessary buildings; and his orchard, which was one of the very first in this locality, is bringing him splendid returns for his careful labor. In 1921 he bought twenty acres one-half mile south of his home place, and this he set to apricots.
In 1895 Mr. Lindquist was married to Miss Annie Swanson, also a native of Sweden; and they are the parents of one daughter, Lillian Charlotte, a graduate of the Oakland High School. Mr. Lindquist be- came a naturalized citizen at Hudson, Wis., in 1894. He was brought up in the Lutheran faith. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masons at Vaca- ville, Cal .; and in politics he is a Republican. He is a member, and in 1925 was a director, of the East Contra Costa Chamber of Commerce : and is a director of the Lone Tree Irrigation District, and a director of the Lone Tree Shipping Association, which was organized in 1926.
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