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 92
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The Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburg was instrumental in estab- lishing the first union high school, known as the Riverview Union High
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School, which is located at Antioch and embraces the Antioch, Pitts- burg and Oakley districts. Then, seeing the need for a high school in Pittsburg, the Chamber advocated a school for the city, and organized a new high school district, which maintains a high school in the grammar school building, in Pittsburg; it is now agitating a bond issue for a new high school building.
The Chamber also cooperated with the new Library Club, and the Pittsburg Woman's Club, in passing a $20,000 bond issue for the new library building in Pittsburg, which is now completed; also in building the new city hall. The Chamber is doing effectual work in proclaiming to the world Pittsburg's advantages as a manufacturing city and Contra Costa County's great agricultural wealth, ranking as the richest county in the State, and leading in hay, grain, and dairy products. The value of a live Chamber of Commerce to a growing and up-to-date city, such as Pitts- burg, can readily be seen and appreciated, and Pittsburg is indeed fortu- nate in having such capable and farseeing men at the helm in civic betterment.
BEN R. SERPA .- The junior member of the firm of Pacheco & Serpa, proprietors of the Crockett Creamery, Ben R. Serpa is a native of the Island of Pico, of the Azores group, and was born on December 11, 1881, a son of Joseph R. Serpa, a bricklayer in his native land and now deceased. The mother is still living in the Azores.
Ben R. Serpa attended the schools of his island and remained at home till he was sixteen. He was determined to come to America, the land that he had heard so much about as he was growing up; and arriving in California went to Turlock in 1908 and there followed farming until 1914, when he came to Crockett. He entered the employ of the C. & H. refinery, and for nine years worked steadily. In 1923 he went to work for Tony Pacheco in the Crockett Creamery, and so well did he satisfy his employer that on April 1, 1926, he was able to become a partner and bought a half interest in the business. The Crockett Creamery is one of the dependable businesses of Crockett, and the young men at the head of the concern have a high standing among the business men of the commun- ity. The products of the creamery are retailed in Crockett, Valona, Port Costa and near-by towns by motor vehicles. The milk is bought from the various dairies and is handled in the most sanitary manner to insure purity and give satisfaction to all customers.
Mr. Serpa was united in marriage on October 12, 1918, at Crockett, to Miss Clara Avellar, daughter of John J. and Mary Gloria (Mach- ado) Avellar, natives of the Azores and California, respectively, now living in Valona. Mr. and Mrs. Serpa live in Valona, where they have a modern home. He is a member of the I. D. E. S. and U. P. E. C. lodges; has served several years as secretary, and later as president, of the former; and is a past president of the U. P. E. C.
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WILLIAM JAMES BORLAND .- One of the solid, substantial business men of Contra Costa County is William James Borland, who has invaded the widely different callings of the rancher and contractor and attained considerable success at both. Mr. Borland is a native son, hav- ing been born in Oakland on July 21, 1878, the son of Archie and Agnes Borland. The father was a miner and head of a family of four children of whom the subject of this sketch was the youngest. A brother, Archie Borland, resides in Oakland; one sister, Agnes, now Mrs. W. M. Hart, makes her home in Berkeley; while the other sister, Mary, is Mrs. Van Odeling of Oakland. Mr. Borland received his education in the Oakland High School and the Hopkins Academy, which was on the site where the Merritt Hospital now stands. When a youth of twenty he started out for himself and worked as a cattleman in New Mexico. In 1906 he returned to California and embarked in the business of road grading and street contracting, a calling which he has followed ever since, building a number of important roads in different parts of the State.
In connection with his other activities, in 1921 Mr. Borland started a cattle ranch, leasing a tract of land containing 6400 acres from the East Bay Water Company on which he fattens several hundred head of cattle each year. He is a man of considerable means and influence in his community. In his fraternal affiliations he is a member of the Masons and the Elks. He is also a member of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and the Orinda Country Club; he is an ardent golfer and fond of hunting and outdoor life. In 1917 he married Miss Gertrude Jordon of Oakland, whose parents are both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Borland are the parents of two daughters, Jane and Agnes.
ANTONE MELROSE .- A native Californian, Tony Melrose, as he is familiarly known, was born in San Francisco on August 8, 1893, a son of Antone and Mary Melrose, both born in Italy. The father was engaged as a fisherman, but is now deceased. The mother, now sixty years of age, still makes her home in Pittsburg. Tony grew up in the bay metropolis, remaining there until 1906. After the fire and earth- quake the family moved to Pittsburg, where he finished the grammar school. His first- work and business connection was with the Contra Costa Gas Company, in Pittsburg, now the Coast Counties Gas & Elec- tric Company. Beginning as a laborer, he gradually worked his way towards the top until 1917, when he resigned his position to become local manager for the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, a position he still holds to the satisfaction of all concerned. This company has a large business in Pittsburg, furnishing power to the large manufacturing cor- porations doing business in that city.
Tony Melrose was married at Pittsburg in 1911 to Miss Patricia Rubina, and they have two children, Tony and Marion. Mr. Melrose is an active member of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, and is a stanch booster for the city's best interests.
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FRED E. GEORGE .- Favorably known in the milling business in California, Fred E. George, now superintendent of the California Bean Growers' Warehouse Association, with offices at Pittsburg, was born January 23, 1877, at Portland, Ore., a son of John L. and Fredricka L. George. The father was well-known in banking circles as vice-president of the First National Bank, and for years he was engaged in the wholesale barber supply business. Both parents are now deceased.
After leaving the public schools Fred E. George went to sea and for the following twelve years journeyed into various ports, in time becoming first mate. He spent one year in the shipyards of the Union Iron Works in San Francisco and then took up the milling business with the Crown Mills in 'Stockton and remained two years learning the business. The next two years were spent with the Globe Milling Company in Los An- geles, and he was then made superintendent of the warehouse for the Los Angeles Farm Milling Company for eighteen months. In each of these changes he was broadening his scope of knowledge and fitting himself for advancement. For seven years he was miller at the Del Monte Mills in San Francisco, and for five years was miller for the Globe Grain and Milling Company, also in that city. He was next with the Hazzard Ware- house Cleaners for seven years, remaining there until he accepted his present position as superintendent of the California Bean Growers' Ware- house Association. Mr. George is thoroughly competent to deal with men, and has always held the respect of those under his direction, as well as those whom he served. He is in touch with bean growers and brokers all over California, and is continually making a study of the business he follows, thus keeping abreast of the times in every way. He spends most of his time in Pittsburg looking after the interests of the business here, as this is one of the largest shipping points in the State.
Mr. George was married in San Francisco on June 15, 1906, to Miss Sarah Cochran, daughter of William and Anna Cochran. Her father was the veterinary for the E. J. (Lucky) Baldwin ranch, in charge of his racing stock, for a number of years. They have an adopted daughter, Agusta, now the wife of Harlan Howsley and the mother of two children, Harlan and Walter. Mr. George is a member of Oakland Lodge No. 171, B. P. O. E., and of Oakland Lodge No. 188, F. & A. M. Politically, he supports men and measures he thinks will be the best for the country regardless of party lines. His recreation is found in the out-of-doors, and he is very much interested in all kinds of athletic sports.
The Bean Growers' Warehouse Association erected a warehouse in Pittsburg in 1922 with a capacity of 100,000 sacks, and during the season it is a hive of industry. On November 18, 1925, the following article appeared in the Pittsburg Dispatch, which gives valuable information of the bean industry in the delta section of Central California :
"And now comes the lowly bean to soar to the pinnacle of eminence and share in the topmost honors of California's agricultural wealth. The praise of the bean is being seen in Pittsburg this week, with the ar-
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rival of no less than 70,000 sacks of beans of various varieties at the warehouse and processing plant of the California Bean Growers' Ware- house Corporation (up-to-date for the season of 1925.) They are the products of the Sacramento and San Joaquin delta districts and are brought here on barges and railroad trains from the bean fields for cleaning, grad- ing, processing and repacking for shipment. A large tonnage is being made ready for export. The week's receipts, representing the first heavy shipments of the 1925 crop, will average 100 pounds to the sack, or ap- proximately seven million pounds.
"By the time they reach the kitchen of Mr. and Mrs. Consumer they will have an average value of eight cents a pound and will hit the family budget for an aggregate of $560,000. The bean crop this year is seven weeks later than usual, according to Fred E. George, superin- tendent of the bean warehouse, but the lateness of the crop is proving a boon to bean growers. The result, he declares, is a heavier yield per acre, larger beans and better quality. Mr. George says the season now is suf- ficiently advanced to safely say that 1925 will be the banner bean year in California. A large crew has been employed at the bean warehouse to aid in sacking and handling of beans after they are cleaned and graded, which is largely automatic. Several barges are arriving daily from the bean fields, and export shipments are to be started within the next week."
WILLIAM H. BEASLEY .- The leading contracting plumber in Antioch is W. H. Beasley, who not only is a contractor, but also deals in all kinds of plumbing fixtures and accessories to his line. For the past ten years he has lived and worked in Antioch, and his shop on Third Street is usually a scene of busy industry. So thorough is he in executing his contracts that once a job is completed it is an advertisement for another bigger and better job.
W. H. Beasley was born on Squaw Creek, in Nevada County, Cal., on August 29, 1879. His father was Richard Beasley, who with his father and his father's family came from Boston, Mass., across the plains to California, the new Eldorado, in a covered wagon. Upon arriving here the father and grandfather engaged in mining for gold in Nevada County. They were both born in Ireland. It was in Nevada County that Richard Beasley married Miss Elizabeth Dugan, born in Boston, Mass. For many years the Beasleys followed mining and prospecting, eventually removing from Nevada City to Port Costa, and thence to San Francisco, where they ran the Metropolitan Hotel.
W. H. Beasley attended the public schools in San Francisco, finishing at the Polytechnic High School. He had to go to work early in life, and while serving his apprenticeship to the plumber's trade with W. F. Wilson, he attended night school. After completing his trade he worked as a journeyman, and upon coming to Antioch embarked in the business on his own account; and now he employs three and four men all the time. Some of the buildings that show his handiwork are the City Hall,
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Bank of Antioch building, Bloomfield Apartments, Catholic rectory, Burroughs residence, and many other cottages and residences in and around Antioch. The reason for his popularity is that he gives not only service but also satisfaction to all his patrons.
On September 6, 1905, in Antioch, Mr. Beasley married Miss Estelle J. Sweeney, the talented daughter of C. A. Sweeney, one of the oldest officers in the town of Antioch, where he serves as city marshal. Mrs. Beasley is an only daughter and the second child in a family of three. Their family consists of two children: Ramona, attending the State Teachers' College in San Jose ; and Billy, a high school pupil. The family are members of the Catholic Church in Antioch. Mr. Beasley belongs to the Eagles, the Native Sons, and the Young Men's Institute, in Antioch. Mrs. Beasley is a member of the Native Daughters and the Young Ladies' Institute. Their home is at Sixth and A Streets.
KARL J. HENNING .- One of the leading contractors and builders of fine homes and apartments in Richmond is Karl J. Henning, of No. 500 Key Boulevard. He has resided here since 1920 and since that time has revolutionized the building business in this locality. Before he began to erect his style of homes there were very few houses of any pretentions whatsoever. Up to 1926 he has built nearly 120 fine houses, most of them in the Mira Vista section, and costing from $5000 to $20,000. Among them we mention that for Edward Gray, assistant superintend- ent of the Standard Oil Company, on Eleventh Street; Dr. St. John Healy, on Thirteenth Street; the R. T. Osborn home; the Cecil Brunner Apartments, on Brooks . Avenue near Twenty-third Street; the Casa Madrona Apartments at Barrett Avenue and Twenty-fourth Street. He specializes in home building and employs from twenty to fifty men, ac- cording to the job.
Mr. Henning was born in Saxony, Germany, on December 21, 1886, and received his education in the schools of his home community. He studied drafting in the advanced schools, specializing in bridge building and heavy construction work. He entered the employ of a company that had a patent on a composition flooring and he traveled over Italy, Rus- sia, England and Africa, establishing branch agencies for his firm. At the age of twenty-three he was sent to St. Paul, Minn., to establish an agency ; and later he became a contractor and builder in the Twin Cities on the Mississippi River and was prospering satisfactorily. He did not like the severe winters of that northern city and decided he would come to California to look after some real estate he had purchased in Rich- mond, in 1911, from a salesman who visited him. He had never seen the lots and bought from the map carried by the salesman. He was more fortunate than many others for his lots happened to be on high ground in the Grand View Terrace tract. He found no sale for his lots at that time and decided he would begin building homes on them to induce buy- ers to inspect and purchase. From the beginning he had difficulty in
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selling houses at the prices he asked, but soon the people began to become educated to owning a good home and he has since kept busy building. Most of his best structures are in the Mira Vista district, though he has done work in various parts of Richmond, and built some buildings at Crockett, and in El Cerrito. He feels well satisfied with conditions and believes Richmond has a bright future. Being of an observing nature he noticed that facilities had to be provided in other counties, where conditions had to be changed to suit, while here in Contra Costa County nature has provided the harbors and shipping facilities at no expense to the people. He has invested in lots in various sections of the city and is confident that in due time they will all be very valuable. He says that the main artery of travel, San Pablo Avenue, has no equal anywhere in the country and is bound to help build up from the county line through to Pinole.
On February 26, 1910 Mr. Henning married Mary Sommer, a native of Germany, who came to America at the age of eleven and was reared in St. Paul, Minn. They have two children: Erwin and Marjorie, both attending the Golden Gate Academy in Berkeley, of whose board of trustees Mr. Henning is a member. He belongs to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, in which he is an elder. This denomination controls the Golden Gate Academy. He is a member of the Builders Exchange and of the Lions Club, both of Richmond. He takes an active interest in the Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a member. In politics he supports the Republican party on national issues, but in local affairs he considers the candidate irrespective of party lines. To perfect himself in his work Mr. Henning took a correspondence course after coming to America. No civic improvement is ever brought to his notice but what he gives it his support and he is considered by all who know him as one of the leading citizens of Contra Costa County.
GEORGE H. CARR .- Among the most enterprising and progres- sive young business men of Pittsburg, Cal., is George H. Carr, whose keen business ability, sound judgment and fidelity to details have been recognized by the Columbia Steel Corporation, where he is ably filling the responsible position of paymaster and chief timekeeper.
Born on July 16, 1896, at Portland, Ore., he is the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Connors) Carr. His father was at one time county clerk of Multnomah County, Ore., and for several years was associated with the Frank Smith Lumber Company of Portland. He passed away in 1924 at the age of fifty-eight. The mother was born in Minnesota and was brought to California at the age of five years, being reared on the McDaniel ranch near Suisun.
George H. Carr spent his boyhood days in Portland, and after graduating from the Davis Grammar School he attended the Lincoln High School of that city for two years, after which, in 1913, he accepted a position with the parent plant of the Columbia Steel Corporation, at
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Portland. This company now maintains plants at Pittsburg and Tor- rance, Cal., and in Carbon and Iron Counties, Utah, where they operate coke ovens and smelter works. In 1915 Mr. Carr was transferred to Pittsburg, Cal., to take over the responsible position of foundry clerk ; and later he became an accountant in the general offices of the company at Pittsburg. During the World War he enlisted in the United States Government service as cost inspector at San Francisco, in the Bethlehem Ship Building Works, remaining at this post for thirteen months. After his honorable discharge he returned to Pittsburg, where he reentered the plant of the Columbia Steel Corporation as paymaster and chief time- keeper. The immense amount of detail incident to the careful oversight of this important position can be better understood when one realizes that the time and wages of 1250 employees must be accurately computed by this department before each pay day.
On February 19, 1918, George H. Carr was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Lynch, daughter of the pioneer rancher, Philip Lynch, who located at Antioch, Cal., when she was a little girl. Her education was received at St. Rose Academy, San Francisco.
Fraternally, Mr. Carr helped to organize Pittsburg Lodge No. 1474, B. P. O. E., the Lyons Club, and the David A. Solari Post of the Am- erican Legion at Pittsburg, Cal., and is active in each.
ROBERT T. OSBORN .- Among men of affairs connected with the Standard Oil Company at Richmond, Cal., is Robert T. Osborn, a man of high ideals of citizenship, and unquestioned business ability, which has been especially emphasized by him in the position he now occupies as manager of the refinery at Richmond. His record as an employee of the Standard Oil Company has been a continuous succession of promotions and advancements. Starting as an employee in 1913 he was assigned to the clerical force, later transferred to the laboratory department, and in time given charge of the physical laboratory. His next advancement made him chief refiner, and after successfully filling this position he be- came assistant superintendent of the refinery. His intelligent application of wise business methods, the exercise of superior judgment in overseeing men and his loyalty to the company's best interests in all former positions, so attracted the attention of higher officials of the corporation that Mr. Osborn was chosen, in February, 1924, superintendent of the refinery, with full charge of all manufacturing at the Richmond plant. On June 9, 1926, he became manager of the refinery.
Robert T. Osborn was born at Gallatin, Mo., on August 29, 1890, the son of William T. and Minnie (Higgins) Osborn, both of whom were born in Missouri. The father was a merchant at Gallatin and has spent all of his days in that place; his ancestors were English, those of his wife were from Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Osborn are still liv- ing in the old home place at Gallatin. Their family consists of three children : Robert T., the subject of this review; Edwin, who lives in Okla-
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homa; and Mary, who resides with her parents. Robert T. Osborn was educated in the public schools at Gallatin, and held a most remarkable record for attendance, having never missed a day nor been tardy during his entire attendance in both the grammar and the high schools. After graduating from high school he attended the University of Missouri, from which institution he was graduated in June, 1912, with the degree of A. B. His business career with the Standard Oil Company at Rich- mond began in January, 1913, and he has remained with the company ever since. During this time he has achieved success in every position he has occupied and has won for himself a prominent position in the busi- ness circles of Richmond.
On October 20, 1919, Robert T. Osborn was united in marriage with Bessie Troy, of Richmond, a daughter of the late John and Mary (Hatch) Troy. Mrs. Osborn has two sisters and a brother in Rich- mond: Cary Troy, an employee of the Standard Oil Company; Marian, now Mrs. E. L. Schofield; and Helen, the wife of M. R. Burdick. Mr. Osborn is greatly interested in the welfare of the community and lends his aid to all worthy movements that aim to better the educational, moral, civic and commercial interests of Richmond. He is a member of Rich- mond Lodge No. 1251 B. P. O. E.
EDWARD W. CORDUA .- The obliging agent of the Santa Fe at Oakley is Edward W. Cordua, and he is also local agent for the American Railway Express Company. A native of Holland, he was born on June 22, 1890, and attended the schools of his native community until he was fifteen years old. In 1905 he came alone to the United States and stopped in Kansas City for two years. He was determined to see something of the West, and so sought work on the big cattle ranches in various parts of the Northwest and spent the time up to about 1910 in the saddle. Arriving in Denver, Colo., he took a course in telegraphy and then secured a position with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad as an operator for one year. Having demonstrated his ability, Mr. Cordua became an employee of the Santa Fe and worked at various stations between Albuquerque and Raton on the New Mexico Division as a telegraph operator. On April 12, 1912, he came to California and became operator at Corcoran, and later at Bakersfield. He was next promoted to become station agent and operator at Planada, and in 1916 was transferred to Oakley as agent and telegraph operator, a position he is filling with satisfaction both to his employers and to the public.
Edward W. Cordua was married at Raton, N. M., to Miss Edith Marie Altman, a native of Indiana, but reared and educated in New Mexico. This union has been blessed with two boys: Harry T., aged thirteen, who is musically inclined and specializes with the saxophone and piano, taking an active part in musical circles in this vicinity, and with the Columbia Park Boys' Band in San Francisco, of which he is a mem- ber; and Edward George, another popular Oakley lad. In politics Mr.
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Cordua is a Republican. He is a Mason, serving as Junior Warden of Antioch Lodge No. 175, F. & A. M .; and he is also a member of the Sciots, Antioch Pyramid No. 24, and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star Chapter at Antioch. Mr. Cordua is also a member of the Santa Fe Masonic Club of Los Angeles. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cordua are held in high esteem by their many friends in eastern Contra Costa County, and take an active part in social circles here.
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