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 88
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Pacific Railroad Company, and with his wife went to Port Costa for a year. From there he was sent to Vernalis, below Tracy, and remained eight years. In the meantime they saved their money and bought a home in Tracy as an investment, but this was sold in 1902. Mr. Burkhalter was transferred to Sacramento, and during his work there met with an injury when a switch engine ran him down while he was riding his bicycle, in the spring of 1901. He was severely injured and for five months was in a hospital, and for a year was an invalid. After his recovery he and his wife came to Contra Costa County again and bought a small ranch near the Live Oak school. This they improved by cutting out the live- oaks and the chapparal and setting out fruit and a vineyard. He died there on September 24, 1917. Mr. Burkhalter was a member of the Tracy Odd Fellows Lodge and Encampment, and had many friends who mourned his passing.
Mrs. Burkhalter recalls that when she came to this location Oakley had one blacksmith shop run by John Augusto, a box car for a depot, and Mr. Marsh was the postmaster. There were no roads, only trails through the sand; and she has watched with considerable interest the growth of this county as it has been cleared of live-oaks and chapparal to make new homes and productive ranches for the many incoming set- tlers. She continued to operate the ranch for two years following her husband's demise and then she removed to Oakley, where she purchased her present home. In 1925 she became custodian of the Oakley Public Library, a position she is filling with great satisfaction to the patrons. Mrs. Burkhalter is a Republican in politics. She counts her friends by the score in her home town of Oakley and vicinity.
HARRY H. HALL .- Adjoining Oakley on O'Hara Avenue is what is unquestionably one of the finest almond orchards in Contra Costa County. Its twelve acres are covered with finely developed and prolific trees, and the grove presents an aspect of thrift and attention rarely excelled in any part of the State. Its owner, Harry H. Hall, has always maintained that whatever was worth doing at all was worth doing well, and in confirmation of his theory his orchard shows studious care which results in unfailing production from year to year. On the Hall Ranch there is also a fine vineyard of Zinfandel grapes interplanted with Trag- edy plums, and the other three acres are planted to Muir peaches-all testifying to the same studious attention characteristic of Mr. Hall's busi- ness methods.
Harry H. Hall was born in Cleveland, Ohio, August 17, 1855, a son of Sylvester C. and Nellie (De Graff) Hall. Two sons were born of this union, Harry H. and John C. The father was known as Capt. Charles Hall and was captain of a boat that plied Lake Superior in early days ; and during a severe storm on the lake he was swept overboard and drowned, when Harry was a lad of nine years. The widow of Captain Hall, with her two boys, returned to the old home in Cleveland, where
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Harry attended public school until he was twelve years old. He then struck out for himself and served an apprenticeship as a printer, and afterwards drifted from place to place, selling newspapers and working at his trade. In 1874 he was working in Cincinnati, when he decided to take a trip down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, going as far south as New Orleans. This experience was anything but pleasant, and in the dead of winter he finally succeeded in reaching his home in Cleveland and resumed work at his trade. He became pressman for the Williams Pub- lishing Company of Cleveland, and was with that company for twelve years; and from there he went to New York State, working in New York City and other places until 1897, when he came to California. He entered the employ of the Union Lithograph Company in San Francisco as press- man, working for them for twelve years. Five years before he gave up his position he bought a place of seven and a half acres at Oakley, which he improved and in 1921 sold at a profit of $2900. He then purchased his present ranch of twenty acres, which he has so finely improved.
Mr. Hall was married in Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss Lizzie McBride; and of this union two sons were born. Mrs. Hall passed away in 1887, and Mr. Hall was later married a second time, being united with Miss Lizzie Huffman, also a native of Cleveland, Ohio. Her father, George Huffman, was a native of Germany and a wheelwright by trade; but later he became an insurance agent in Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are the parents of three children. Edwin B. is a partner on the home ranch and is also leasing a nearby 50-acre ranch. George H. is a graduate of the University of California and is now assistant superintendent on Wright Tract No. 2, near Stockton. Calista is the wife of Fred Hudson, of Stockton; they have two children, Jesse and Doris. Mr. Hall is an independent Democrat in politics. He was brought up in the Dutch Re- formed Church, while his wife was brought up in the German Re- formed Church.
RICHARD EVANS .- For the past seven years Richard Evans has been chief engineer at the Selby Smelter, with which company he has been employed since 1908. He was born at Holyhead, Wales, on January 25, 1883, a son of Edward Evans, a locomotive engineer who met an acci- dental death while in the performance of his duty. The mother was Elizabeth Williams in maidenhood. They were both natives of Wales and never left that country. Richard had three brothers and four sisters, all of whom remained in their homeland, except one brother who went to Australia. They are all happily married.
Richard Evans attended the schools of his native town. Upon coming to America he made for California and entered the employ of the South- ern Pacific in Oakland as a locomotive fireman, continuing for several months to become familiar with the country and conditions, and during this time he took the engine running course in the I. C. S. His next em- ployment was with the Oakland Traction Company, remaining until 1908,
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when he came to Crockett to work in the smelter, first as fireman, then was promoted to be chief engineer through the various stages of advance- ment. Since he has been here many innovations have been made in the machinery at the smelter, from time to time the most modern has sup- planted the old, and today the equipment is up-to-date.
On January 12, 1912, Mr. Evans and Miss Margaret Davies were united in marriage. She was born in the same town as he and arrived here in December, 1911. Her sister and three brothers are still living in Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have two boys, Edward David and Richard John, both in the Crockett Grammar school. Mr. Evans owns his own home and shows his confidence in the community by investing in other realty and business interests in Crockett. He believes in protection, is a Republican and active in the workings of the party. For several years he has served as a trustee of the Presbyterian Church organization, while Mrs. Evans is a teacher in the Sunday School. She is also a club and fraternal woman, holding membership in the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs, the Woman's Club and the Ladies Aid Society of the church. Mr. Evans is an Odd Fellow since 1910, being a Past Grand; and belongs to the En- campment. He is a Mason and a member of the Eastern Star. He is a substantial citizen in every sense of the word.
BURROUGHS BROTHERS .- As the proprietors of the Burroughs Brothers' Creamery in the Knightsen precinct of Contra Costa County. B. R., W. P. and E. C. Burroughs have established a reputation for as pure products as can be produced by any dairy. Their milk is certified to by physicians as being pure and wholesome, and in consequence of this indorsement their trade is rapidly growing throughout this vicinity. The three brothers are among the leading dairymen in central California, and indeed, in the entire State. They were born near Quincy, Adams County, Ill., B. R. on October 7, 1875; W. P. on April 2, 1879; and E. C. on Christmas Day, 1882, and are the sons of Benjamin and Harriet Jane Burroughs, who came out from Illinois to California in 1895, settling on land in Tehama County, where the family engaged in horticultural pursuits and general farming. In 1898 the parents moved to Oakland and there they died. They had three sons and five daughters.
The Burroughs brothers came from Tehama County to Contra Costa County in 1907, purchased 320 acres of land in the Knightsen precinct, and began its development to alfalfa and a dairy. They have 165 cows, all high-grade Holsteins, and registered bulls for their herds. They market their certified milk not only in eastern Contra Costa County, but also in Oakland, San Francisco, Stockton, Fresno, Richmond, San Mateo, San Jose, Sacramento and Pittsburg. W. P. Burroughs looks after the distribution of their product in Oakland, where he is also interested in the disposition of the products of the Walnut Grove Creamery, in which "he is financially interested. They carry on an increasingly successful enterprise, and their equipment is most modern and sanitary. They
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use the Universal Milking Machines and get the best of satisfaction from them. Their dairy barns are built after the latest designs for dairy purposes, and everything about their place shows a master hand at the helm to guide and direct the enterprise to ultimate success. They all believe in cooperation and do much towards promoting community in- terest in their section of the county. B. R. Burroughs makes his home in a modern residence erected on their ranch and oversees the ranch operations in person. E. C. Burroughs resides in Antioch, but spends his time on the ranch, assisting with the dairy enterprise.
B. R. Burroughs was married to Miss Edna Nelson, of Butte County, and they have five children: Rendale, Cynthia, Oscar, Philip and Ernest.
W. P. Burroughs was united in marriage with Harriet Wright, of Tehama County, and they have four children: Elizabeth, Katherine, Harriet and Willis.
E. C. Burroughs was united in marriage with Miss Clementine Clark, of Tennessee and they have three children: Mildred, Dorothy and Ernestine.
PASQUALLI BRUNO .- A splendid example of the honest, indus- trious, law-respecting Italian-American citizen is Pasqualli Bruno, who for many years has been rated among the prosperous ranchers of Contra Costa County. He was born in Italy on May 28, 1871, the son of Joseph and Anna Bruno, who were the parents of seven children. His father was a farmer and it was from him that the son received the training in the fundamentals of agriculture which he has since used so successfully during his residence in America. He came to the United States in 1896, landing in New York and came directly to California, which had long been the goal of his youthful ambition. He resided in Oakland for a year and a half then removed to Spruce Street, Berkeley, at the reservoir, where he resided with his family for fourteen years. During this period he had charge of the reservoir for the East Bay Water Company. About 1920 he gave up this position and commenced to branch out for himself by renting land from the water company. He raised cattle and fattened them for the market. Gradually he increased his leasehold until at one time he had 3000 acres of land leased on which he ran an average of from 300 to 400 head of cattle; now he has about 1100 acres. He fattens beef cattle exclusively and generally sells to the buyers and butchers on foot.
Mr. Bruno and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. He was married in Italy, at the age of twenty-one, on October 17, 1892, to Jennie Bruno (same family name but no relation). She is a native of Italy and her parents came to America and settled in Oakland. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Bruno are dead. Their children are : Anna, now Mrs. A. Denevi, of Richmond; Katherine, Mrs. J. Muratore, resides in Berkeley; Edward J. resides at home; and Edna J., a stenog- rapher, also resides at home, Mr. Bruno is fond of athletic games, and
Cuthur Spandau
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takes a keen interest in his adopted community and Contra Costa County generally. He is a property owner in both Richmond and Oakland. Both his wife and children are musically inclined and are proficient on several musical instruments. His son is a musical student and gives promise of a successful career in that line of endeavor.
ARTHUR GRANSHAW. - A successful florist of Martinez is Arthur Granshaw, whose slogan "Say it with Flowers" has come to be one of the most familiar signs to be seen in that city, as well as heralded throughout the county wherever his auto delivery cars are to be found. He thoroughly understands every branch of his business, having learned the details while living in Salt Lake City. Mr. Granshaw was born in London, England, on September 10, 1892, a son of Henry and Sarah Granshaw, the father being a furniture manufacturer. The tenth in order of birth in a family of twelve children, he attended the London city schools until he was eighteen. Then he went into the law office of Sharp & Pri- chard Company and was a law student for eighteen months. His health then failed and he had to seek employment that would take him out of doors and he decided to come to the United States.
In 1909 Mr. Granshaw came out to Utah and soon started a green- house in Salt Lake City. Selling out his greenhouse, he began clerking in a florist's shop in that city, and here he learned the business. In 1920 he went to Oakland and worked for Hogan & Evers, florists in that city. Coming to Martinez in August, 1922, he opened an establishment in the old Hook building on Main Street, but his business soon outgrew these quarters, and in 1924 he moved into the Martinez Hotel block. He is making a wonderful success of his enterprise, and by his genial manners and good nature is building up a fine trade as a florist. He delivers to all parts of Contra Costa County, supplying all kinds of floral offerings for all purposes, and now has the largest business of its kind in the entire county, and continually expanding.
Mr. Granshaw was married on April 3, 1921, in Salt Lake City, to Miss Olive Parsons, born in England, whom he knew as a girl in London. In his business he is ably assisted by his wife, who shares with him the esteem and good will of the citizens of the county. Fraternally, Mr. Granshaw belongs to the Masonic Lodge in Salt Lake City, and also to the W. O. W. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Martinez.
GEORGE K. ANDERSON .- An enterprising and successful alfalfa grower, George K. Anderson enjoys to an unusual degree the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens, who appreciate the ability and energy he has displayed in the cultivation and improvement of the property located one mile north of Byron. He was born in the university town of St. Andrews, Scotland, April 17, 1883, and obtained his education in his native city where, in 1909, he was married to Miss Margaret Wilson, born at Ladybank, Scotland, a daughter of Alexander and Margaret
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(Nairn) Wilson, farmers in Scotland. The parents of our subject were William and Jane (Christian) Anderson and they were the parents of nine children, of whom our subject was next to the youngest. They were farmers in Scotland and both are now deceased.
Mr. Anderson brought his family to America in 1914 and came direct to California where he secured farm work, first as a farm laborer, then as a field foreman. He then went as manager for Volney Taylor and worked in that capacity for eight years. After Mr. Taylor's death in 1923, Mr. Anderson leased his land comprising 225 acres ; besides operat- ing this Mr. Anderson owns his own ranch property of thirty-five acres, all devoted to alfalfa. The average crop amounts to seven tons to the acre and there are six cuttings, making a desirable income to the man who is willing to give it time and attention.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of one son, Alexander; they have adopted a niece of Mrs. Anderson's, named Margaret Wilson, now six years old. Mr. Anderson became a naturalized citizen in 1920. Frat- ernally, he is a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, and is a member of the Blue Lodge at Brentwood, Scottish Rite at Stockton, and a Shriner, being a member of Aahmes Temple in Oakland. Mr. Anderson is a member of the East Contra Costa County Chamber of Commerce. In 1924 the Anderson family made a trip to their old home in Scotland, which was a most enjoyable outing.
EDWARD C. EBSEN .- The editor of the Pinole Times at Pinole is Edward C. Ebsen, an experienced newspaper man and a native son of California. He was born at Rio Vista in 1874, the son of Edward C. Ebsen, Sr., who was born in Denmark and was a carpenter by trade. He came to America about 1865 and located in San Francisco, where he fol- lowed his trade with the Spreckels company until he located at Rio Vista. He next settled in Martinez, where he died. For many years he served as constable in Contra Costa County and voted with the Republicans. He married Jane Conlin, only daughter of Patrick Conlin, and a native of Ireland. She came to America with relatives about the same time Mr. Ebsen crossed the ocean. This marriage resulted in the birth of three children: Anna, who died in childhood; Edward C., of this review; and Emma, Mrs. Silvia De Cobas, of Argentine Republic; she was on the stage and took the name of Silvia Linden.
Edward C. Ebsen, Jr., attended the public schools and went to work in a printing office when a lad of sixteen; he worked on the Contra Costa Gazette for five years and learned the art of printing, then went to work on the Daily Item in Martinez, after which he came to Pinole and worked on the Pinole Times until the Spanish-American War broke out and he enlisted and saw service during the period of the war. After his discharge he returned to Pinole and worked on the Times two years, then went to the Daily Transcript in Nevada City. Again coming to Pinole he worked until 1916, then purchased the printing plant of the Pinole Times from
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E. M. Downer and Dr. Fernandes. The paper had been started by Mr. Downer in 1894 and has been issued ever since. The policy of the paper is to present the news in a dignified manner, and its editorial page gives the views of the editor in a frank and straightforward style. The Times is a newsy and attractive paper and has a growing circulation. A general job printing is conducted by Mr. Ebsen, and for a time he printed papers for the smaller towns about. He is correspondent for the San Francisco papers and does all he can to help the community advance. He belongs to the Printers Union and has served on various committees ; is a member of Pinole Lodge No. 353, F. & A. M. His recreation is found in hunt- ing, fishing and camping and usually has fair luck in bringing down deer and other game. Mr. Ebsen is quiet and unassuming and holds a firm place in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
HUGH D. THOMASON .- Since establishing his home in Pitts- burg in 1914, Hugh D. Thomason has given no little part of a busy life to the city's progress and upbuilding, and is now doing a general insur- ance business. He is a native of Fayetteville, Ark., born May 12, 1894, a grandson of Capt. T. W. Thomason, who was an officer in the Con- federate Army and later served as a member of the Arkansas legislature, from 1892 to 1896. Our subject attended grammar school in his native State, and when he came to California, in 1910, attended high school in Madera for a time.
Six months prior to settling in Pittsburg, Mr. Thomason was agent at Concord, Cal., for the Sacramento Short Line; then he came to Pittsburg as station agent for the same company and served for the following fifteen months. He then entered the employ of the Columbia Steel Works at Pittsburg, first as a shipping clerk, and by subsequent promo- tions rose to be superintendent of the finishing department. He was with this company during the World War and his term of service covered eight years. On November 1, 1924, Mr. Thomason entered the general insurance field with offices at No. 333 Railroad Avenue, Pittsburg, where he is devoting his time and talents to his chosen field of endeavor.
At Martinez, on July 14, 1914, Mr. Thomason was married to Miss Hazel Whipple, a native of Duluth, Minn., but reared in Kansas. She is a descendant of William Whipple, one of the signers of the Declara- tion of Independence. They are the parents of three children : Raymond, Norine, and Eugene.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomason reside in their own home, located at 1240 York Street, and enjoy the respect and good-will of many friends and acquaintances. Mr. Thomason is a member of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce and a prominent member of the Improved Order of Red Men at Pittsburg, having been through all the chairs of that order. Dur- ing 1924 he was President of the Past Sachems' Association for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Politically he is a Democrat.
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BERNARD TAILLEFER .- Well and favorably known both in Antioch and Pittsburg, Bernard Taillefer is now the proprietor of the Antioch French Laundry and is exerting his best efforts to please a grow- ing list of patrons. He was born in the Basses Pyrenees, France, on November 23, 1897, and in 1913 came with his parents to Pittsburg, Cal., where his father engaged in the laundry business.
As Bernard was growing up he worked with his father in the laundry for two years. In 1915 he enlisted for duty in the French Army as an infantryman and returned to his native land for service. He was in the engagements in Alsace-Lorraine, Colmar, Verdun, Champagne and Plateau Craonne; and while in the last-named battle he was wounded on June 17, 1918, and had a very narrow escape from death. He was in the hospitals at Blenfield and at Lyons, and later was assigned to duty as a carpenter. On May 1, 1919, he was honorably discharged from service and on May 1, 1920, returned to California.
Four months later Mr. Taillefer returned to France to marry the girl of his choice, Etenette Bordenave, daughter of John and Mary Louise Bordenave, of France. Mrs. Taillefer is the second in a family of five living children, six having passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Taillefer have had three children: Mary Madeline, with an aunt in France; and Jeannie and Jean, (twins) both deceased. In October, 1922, Mr. Tail- lefer again arrived in California where he was joined by his wife on Jan- uary 2, 1923. On May 1, 1925, they embarked in business in Antioch under the name of the Antioch French Laundry. Mrs. Taillefer's father is a thoroughly experienced laundryman and operates the mechanical de- partment of the plant. It is the purpose of Mr. Taillefer to open a branch in Pittsburg in the near future. All work turned out at his estah- lishment is first class, and the prices are reasonable. An auto truck is used for delivery. The family are members of the Catholic Church, and are rapidly acquiring a wide circle of friends in this community. He be- longs to the French Veterans, the French Hospital Association, and the Ancient Order of Druids No. 1., all of San Francisco, and to the French Union, of Oakland.
CHARLES A. FRENCH .- The accommodating postmaster at Brentwood is Charles A. French, a native of Tennessee, born on Octo- ber 29, 1875. His father, Peter French, died in 1902; and his mother, Melinda French, passed away in 1910. Grandfather French was a pioneer of Knox County, Tenn., and was a highly respected citizen.
Charles A. French attended the public schools and later took a course in a college to better equip himself to make his way alone. He came West in May, 1903, and located at Brentwood, Cal., where he secured employment on a ranch with Mr. Grigsby. Later he bought a lease on the Marsh Grant, and in the fall of 1905 moved into Antioch, continuing to farm for a year. He next moved to Knightsen, but again came to Brentwood and for three more years carried on farming. He
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then became manager of the general mercantile store owned by R. E. LeMoine & Company for two years. Since its incorporation, Mr. French has been associated with the East Contra Costa Mercantile Company. In 1915 he was appointed postmaster of Brentwood, and has since been reappointed and serves the public in a most efficient manner.
Charles A. French was married on October 18, 1905, to Bertha Anna LeMoine; and they have two children, Bertha Anna, born May 15, 1909, and Floy Elsa, born August 21, 1913. In politics Mr. French is a Republican, and he takes an active interest in civic affairs. He serves on the board of education of the grammar school, acts as a deputy assessor under George O. Meese, and collects taxes in this district. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters. He is the Past State President of the National League of District Postmasters for the States of California and Nevada, and is the chairman of the Fifth District, comprising eleven Coast States. Mr. French can always be relied upon to do his duty in whatever he undertakes, and is a firm believer in progress and development.
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