History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 182

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660

USA > California > San Joaquin County > History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 182

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The marriage of Mr. Archer united him with Miss Alice L. Stevens, a native of Red Bluff, Cal. and they are the parents of two children, Elwood and Bettie Ann, both natives of Stockton, Cal. Fraternally Mr. Archer is a member of Stockton Lodge of Elks. He has never relaxed his diligence in the study of his chosen profession, always keeping abreast of the times on things mechanical, and by his industry and untiring energy he is acknowledged, by his business associates and residents throughout the state, to be among the best-informed and most practical engineers of Northern California.

GRAT E. CANNON .- An accountant of excep- tional ability, Grat E. Cannon has done meritorious work in the county auditor's office and is now in the accounting department of the Samson Tractor Company. He was born on the Pixley ranch near Lodi, Cal. on August 5, 1885. His father, George V. Cannon, was a native of Tennessee, who came direct to Lodi, Cal., and was foreman of the Pixley ranch; later he was in charge of the narrow guage railroad which was built from Lodi to Valley Springs. He passed away when Grat was a boy of fifteen years, and from that time on, our subject was obliged to earn his own living. As a matter of interest, it may be mentioned that Uncle Joe Can- non of Illinois is his great uncle. Removing to Stockton he worked as an accountant for a number of companies, among them being the Matteson-Wil- liamson Company, the Stockton Lumber Co., the Milk Producers Company,. John Brenner Furniture Company, and W. P. Fuller Co. Some thirteen years ago he entered the county recorder's office as a deputy, remaining in that position five years; fol- lowing which he became a deputy in the county auditor's office; and on February 9, 1920, entered the employ of the Samson Tractor Co. Mr. Cannon is a member of the San Joaquin County Accountants Association, and is a Republican.

Mr. Cannon's especial hobby is commercial illus- trating and designing. He possesses a marked gift along these lines, and during his spare time devotes himself to this work; he engrosses all the county school diplomas, the memorials for the American Legion, the honor roll of the Anteros Club mem- bers, working with pen and ink and water colors. Fraternally he is a member of Charity Lodge, I. O. O. F., the Elks and the Moose. His marriage united him with Miss Pearl McCuen, a native of Stockton; her father, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, was an employee of the Sperry .. Flour Company for some time and later was engaged as a painting contractor in Stockton.

Samson

Vrah

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

ELI J. BLANCHARD .- A leading business man of Stockton who has forged his way to prosperity and success is Eli J. Blanchard, who conducts a wall- paper and paint store at 616 East Main Street; he is also a leader in interior and exterior decorating. He was born in Montreal, Canada, on June 19, 1860. In 1883 he left his native home and located in Ari- zona and for three years followed various occupations until 1886 when he went to San Francisco and there learned the trade of painter. He located in Stock- ton in 1891 and for four years worked for Matteson & Williamson Mfg. Company; then in 1895 started in business for himself as a painting contractor. One of his first large contracts was the painting of the old pavilion, formerly one of the landmarks of Stockton. His business grew steadily as the city grew, until now he is among the leaders in his line; he keeps from ten to thirty-five men busy all the time. Among his more recent work of interior and exterior decorating are the Wilhoit Building, the Hotel Bronx, Hotel Sutter, Hotel Philson, Hotel McAllister, two school houses, etc. He has made a specialty of fine residences and has been the con- tractor for a large number of them. In the spring of 1909, he opened a paint and wallpaper store, which is well stocked with a full line of up-to-date paints and wallpaper. When Mr. Blanchard arrived in Stockton he had very little capital and what he has accomplished during these years has been due to business-like methods and the quality of his work.

Mr. Blanchard's marriage united him with Miss Harriet A. Binnington, a native Californian, and they are the parents of four children; Thomas T. is the manager of his father's store; Amy is a trained nurse; Mrs. C. C. Marsh; and Leah, attending the University of California at Berkeley. Fraternally he is a member of the Truth Lodge No. 55, I. O. O. F., the Elks, and is active in the Rotary Club.

JUDGE WARREN H. ATHERTON .- One of the youngest men in the state of California to be ap- pointed city justice, Judge Warren H. Atherton has already attained a position of prominence among the members of the Stockton bar, his signal rise in the legal profession coming as a due recognition of his ability and the thoroughness of his training, gained through his application and persevering study. Judge Atherton is a native son of California, born at San Francisco, December 28, 1891, gaining his edu- cation in the public schools there. In 1908 he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, as a clerk in the office at Port Costa, Contra Costa County. With a decided bent toward the legal profession, he had already made up his mind to enter. the practice of law, and so began by studying at night, pursuing this course until October 20, 1911, when he came to Stockton and entered the law office of H. R. McNoble. Here he studied diligently so that he was admitted to the bar on January 8, 1913, becoming Mr. McNoble's partner the following year.

On October 13, 1917, Mr. Atherton patriotically gave up his law practice to enlist in the service of his country, entering Company D, 363rd Infantry, as a private. He became first sergeant, and was commissioned first lieutenant while in an American training camp, and transferred to the ordnance. Soon after arriving in France he was advanced to the rank of captain, and saw service in the tank corps, having 79

charge of the distribution of caterpillar tractors in France, and in command of one of the ordnance parks there. After nearly two years in the service, he recevied his honorable discharge on September 3, 1919, returning to Stockton, where, on October 1, he formed a law partnership with M. P. Shaughnessy, as Shaughnessy & Atherton. On December 15, 1920, he was named Justice of Stockton, and this post he has filled most efficiently, being exceptionally well qualified for its duties. Judge Atherton has made a special study of bond issues and is considered an authority on this important subject, as related to municipal financing. He was selected by the city to conduct its bond proceedings in recent issues, among them the issue of $1,275,000 for the Stockton school district, the $1,760,000 issue for the Stockton Muni- cipal Auditorium and City Hall, and the $1,500,000 issue for the Calaveras Dam project.

On July 7, 1917, Mr. Atherton was married to Miss Anne M. Holt, daughter of the late Benjamin Holt, the inventor of the famous caterpillar tractor, and whose genius and worth gave him a place of high- est honor among Stockton's noted citizens. Judge Atherton took a prominent part in the organization of the local post of the American Legion and is very popular in its ranks, being a member of the execu- tive committee during the year 1920.

WILLIAM F. BARNICOL .- Stockton owes much of its present industrial prosperity to the efforts of those who control its large manufacturing enterprises, among them William F. Barnicol, founder and presi- dent of the Sterling Iron Works, one of the leading productive industries of this part of the state. He was born at Belleville, Ill., and after completing his public school course learned the trade of a machinist, being employed by the Lentz Wire Nail Company at Belleville, where he gained a thorough knowledge, and in 1889 he came to the Pacific Coast, taking charge of the A. S. Halliday Wire Nail Works at San Francisco, Cal. He continued to fill that posi- tion until 1903, when he came to Stockton and was placed at the head of the machine shop of the Shippee Harvester Works, where he remained for a year, and then entered the Stockton Iron Works, with which he was identified until he founded the Sterling Works, being associated with four others in the enter- prise. Their first place of business was a small shop 50 by 100 feet in dimensions, at 326 South California Street, and for a year they devoted their attention to repair work. Later they engaged in building gas engines and since 1914 have manufactured the famous Sterling pump, which was invented and perfected by the partners in the firm. It ranges in size from one to ten inches and is used extensively in agricultural districts and in industrial plants. Under the capable management of Mr. Barnicol, the president of the company, the business has expanded from year to year and in 1920 they manufactured and sold 600 pumps, their sales for the year amounting to $270,- 000. The other officers are R N. Bachelder, vice- president, and W. W. Wilson, secretary and treas- urer. They make twelve different styles of pump. and all are thoroughly tested before they leave the plant, which is equipped with a testing laboratory, in charge of an expert engined. Complete pumping plants have been installed by the company on many ranches in the valley. The California Packing Com-

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

pany has four of their pumps in use, while the Cali- fornia Vineyards have eleven.

Mr. Barnicol is a member of the San Joaquin Lodge of Masons and he is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Charity Lodge, No. 6. He is bending his efforts to administrative direction and executive control and has so directed the efforts of those in his employ that maximum results are obtained at a minimum expendi- ture of time, labor and material. In his business career he has ever closely adhered to the rules which govern unabating industry and unswerving integrity and his influence is one of broadening activity and strength in the field in which he is operating.

HARRY T. FEE .- A far-seeing business man of winning personality who has repeatedly demon- strated that he has marked ability along more than one line, is Harry T. Fee, who conducts an insurance business in the Commercial & Savings Bank Build- ing in Stockton. Mr. Fee is also a poet of no mean ability, and the people of Stockton and vicinity need no introduction to him, for his poems have been pub- lished from week to week in the Stockton Record. In reading his poems one feels that Mr. Fee has caught the very spirit of the hills, the woods, the streams, the forests and embodied for others some of his joy in them. A native son of California, he was born in Stockton, on March 25, 1871, a son of Patrick and Mary (Daly) Fee. His father was a native of Ireland, and his mother was born on the Island of St. Helena in the room where Napoleon died. His father was brought to America by his parents when only one year old. He was married in Hamilton, Ontario and later he migrated to Califor- nia, across the plains in an ox-team train, in the early 50's; he opened one of the first livery stables in Stockton and conducted it for many years; he was a prominent figure in the politics of the state and county, serving as the first harbor master in Stock- ton; he was also a member of the city council for two terms; a member of the. Volunteer Fire Depart- ment and later an Exempt Fireman. At one time he was president of the Ancient Order of Hiber- nians. There were two children in the family, Harry T. and Mrs. Frank Weaver, of Stockton. Both parents have passed away.

Harry T. was educated in the Stockton public schools; then entered the Santa Clara University and was graduated from that institution in 1891, de- gree B. S .; he then became deputy county auditor and recorder under Otto Von Detten, where he re- mained for eight years; and was chief deputy county assessor under Cyrus Moering, where he remained for four years. In 1910 he engaged in the insurance business along general lines, but specializes in acci- dent and health insurance.

Mr. Fee's marriage occurred in Stockton and united him with Miss Etta Ortman, born on her father's ranch near Stockton, a descendant of a prom- inent pioneer family. Fraternally, Mr. Fee is a member of Stockton Lodge 218, B. P. O. E., and Stockton Parlor, No. 7, N. S. G. W., and the Lions. Mr. Fee has recently published his first book of poems entitled "The Land of Out O' Doors," full of the freshness and beauty of the open. His poems have also appeared in the Sunset Magazine, the Pacific Monthly and other coast publications.

HARRY BOTTINI .- A native son of San Joa- quin County who has devoted his efforts very suc- cessfully to agricultural pursuits since arriving at manhood's years is Harry Bottini, He is the owner of the twenty-one-acre home place near where he was born August 9, 1893, in Morado precinct, a son of Giovanni and Dominica Bottini, both natives of Genoa, Italy. Giovanni Bottini was a young man of twenty-eight years when he came to this country and after arriving in California he worked at hydraulic mining at La Grange, then removed to San Joaquin County where he bought twenty acres some seven miles northeast of Stockton in the Morado district. This ranch he developed to an orchard of walnuts and peaches with about six acres in vineyard. There were seven children in the family: Bert, deceased; Filda, Mrs. Solari, resides in Stockton; Antonio, deceased; Harry, the subject of this sketch; Linda, Mrs. Armondo Costa, deceased; Edith, Mrs. Secondo Costa, resides in Stockton; and Irene, Mrs. Augusto Lagomarsino, who has a daughter, Esther. The father passed away in 1918 at the age of sixty-three and the mother in 1911 at forty-eight years of age. Harry Bottini received his education at the Green- wood district school in the vicinity of the home place and since he was sixteen years old helped his father run the home ranch. After the death of his father he bought the interests of the rest of the family, so that he is now the owner of the home place of twenty-one acres of vineyard and orchard. His sister Irene and her husband make their home with him on the ranch. Harry Bottini has many warm per- sonal friends and has established a reputation as an excellent agriculturist, and has become a valued citi- zen of the county. . He is a Republican in his politi- cal views.

WILLIAM H. FAUST .- Since 1912 William H. Faust has been affiliated with the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, as manager of the Lodi office, and through his capable management the busi- ness has grown to satisfactory proportions. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on September 27, 1874, and was educated in the public schools of his native city. His first business experience was in the real estate and insurance business; later he was the passenger agent at Dubuque for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad for one year; he then removed to St. Joseph, Mo., and for one year was the cost account- ant for the American Sash & Door Company. In 1905 he journeyed to the Pacific Coast and entered the employ of the Diamond Match Company, at Chico, where he worked for four and a half years; then in 1911 he entered upon his duties with the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, at Sacra- mento. His ability as a manager was soon recog- nized and in 1912 he assumed the oversight of the office in Lodi. Not only. has Mr. Faust put the office on a paying basis, but he has systematized, the work so that the patrons get better service, and the ser- vice has been extended from 800 in 1912 to 2200.

Upon taking up his residence in Lodi, Mr. Faust became an active worker in the affairs of the com- munity; at one time being a member of the board of health. During the Exposition at San Francisco, in 1915, he served as chairman of publicity and exhi- bits for the local Chamber of Commerce and de- signed and prepared the Lodi exhibit, receiving a personal letter from C. C. Moore, the president of the Exposition, complimenting him upon his attrac-

Harry Gottini

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

tive and comprehensive exhibit. He was a director in the Lodi Business Men's Association at one time and is the man who started the movement for the erection of the Lodi Hotel and the Lodi theater and worked untiringly for the success of the enterprise. In 1922 he served as president of the Lodi Business Men's Association, which has a membership of 200. At the present time he is serving as clerk of the grammar school board and is one of the three trus- tees; he is also secretary of the Lodi fire department. During the World War he was captain of a team in all war drives. He is a member of the Elks and of the Lodi Rotary Club.

The marriage of Mr. Faust, in May, 1904, united him with Miss Cynthia F. Becker, a native of Dubu- que, Iowa, and they are the parents of one son, Will- iam H., Jr., born in Chico, Cal. Mr. Faust is wide- awake to all measures for the advancement of his locality and with his wife is active in educational affairs and the associated charities of Lodi. Mrs. Faust is a member of the Lodi Woman's Club.

JUDGE DANA P. EICKE .- The life story of the present mayor of Stockton, Judge Dana P. Eicke, presents an interesting and varied record, which has run the gamut of farm boy, miner, prison guard, railroad policeman, detective, lawyer, judge and mayor. He was born in Placer County, December 9, 1879, and when still in his 'teens went to work as a miner, working in the gold, copper and borax mines of Canada and Mexico. When he was twenty- four, he returned to California and was appointed prison guard at Folsom by Governor Pardee, where he passed through some exciting experiences. He went through the famous riot and attempted jail break of 1904, when convicts seized a captain and several guards and used them as shields against bul- lets in their attempt to break away. Judge Eicke aided in preventing this wholesale delivery that had been carefully planned, ten men being shot during this break in eight minutes. In 1908 Governor Gill- ette appointed him to the state railroad police and he was one of the posse that captured the China Mail robbers near Suisun; he was then chosen by the Southern Pacific to gather evidence for its legal department in criminal cases.

With a decided inclination toward the legal profes- sion, and through his association with C. M. Gill, a prominent attorney of Stockton, Judge Eicke took up the study of the law, burning the midnight oil in Mr. Gill's office to such good purpose that he was admitted to the bar in February, 1914, practicing in the Superior, Supreme and U. S. Courts. In 1918 he was elected judge of the police court of Stockton and while on the bench he attracted nation-wide attention through his method of dealing with auto- mobile speeders, articles having appeared in many of the Eastern papers.

The following is quoted from a Buffalo, N. Y. paper :

"Solomon in all his wisdom could not have de- vised a brighter scheme for punishing speeders than that of the genial police court justice . of Stockton, Cal., Dana P. Eicke. Speeders no longer come into Judge Eicke's court smirking, 'What's the fine, Judge?' The Judge doesn't fine speeders any more. Instead he locks up the speeders' machines. Judge Eicke launched this unique campaign against speeders some time ago and since that time he has locked up a number of cars. He started out with a

motorcycle and a tin Lizzie and followed up with big machines. His first victim was a young Stanford University law student. 'You're learning the ways of the law, young man,' said the Judge, 'and it isn't costing you a cent. But you will have to walk for a week. The bailiff is hereby ordered to lock up your car in the fire engine house for seven days.' One day a taxicab driver appeared before His Honor. 'You are sentenced to thirty days in jail,' said he sternly. 'However, I will grant you your liberty on condition that you turn over your machine to the bailiff for that same period.' 'Your honor, I will pay a fine, but the taxicab is not mine,' said the driver. 'Very well, then,' said the Judge. 'You shall sur- render your license to the bailiff and you shall not. so much as step inside of an automobile for thirty days. If you are seen in a machine within that time, you will go to jail. This court does not fine speeders any more.'

The novelty of Judge Eicke's plan struck the humor of the people and it was the talk of the town, and, incidentally, speeding decreased 100% while he was on the bench. Before his election to the judge- ship, Judge Eicke was appointed prosecuting at- torney for the State Board of Pharmacy by Gover- nor Johnson. During the World War he was ap- pointed by the Government as appeal agent for San Joaquin County, and he received an honorable dis- charge from President Wilson for the faithful per- formance of his duties and also honorable mention from Governor Stephens. He was also one of the four-minute speakers and did much effective work in this capacity. Judge Eicke has always been promin- ent in Republican politics and at the November elec- tion in 1920 he was elected Mayor of Stockton, and this high office he had filled with distinction.

Judge Eicke was married in 1910 to Miss Florence Taylor, a native daughter of Amador County, and a descendant of a pioneer family, her father having crossed the plains in 1849, Judge Eicke's father hav- ing come to California around the Horn the same year. Three children have been born to them, Jane, Willis and Caroline. Judge Eicke is very prominent in fraternal life and is a member of all branches of Masonry, including the Shrine; also of the Eagles, Elks, Moose, Red Men, Mooseheart Legion, Ad Club of Stockton and the State Automobile Association. Mrs. Eicke is a member of the First Christian Church, the Christian Women's Board of Missions, and of the Eastern Star.

JOHN V. BARE .- Among the successful grow- ers, packers and shippers of fruit of Lodi, is John V. Bare, who from a small beginning has achieved his present outstanding success. He was born in Visalia, Tulare County, Cal., on February 14, 1881, a son of John and Clara (Parker) Bare. His father, a native of Indiana, crossed the plains with an ox team in 1849, and settled in Tulare County where he engaged in farming. Mrs. Bare is a native of Cali- fornia, a daughter of John Parker, a seafaring man who came into Monterey Bay as cabin boy on a sail- ing vessel in 1837 and spent the winter there; he made other voyages to California in 1847 and 1849.

John V. Bare was educated in the public schools of Visalia and when a young man took up profes- sional baseball as a livelihood; he was second base- man on the Visalia team and was in the Northwest- em League, playing in Spoke, Wash, of Both. Mont

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

team, playing in California in the winter and the Northwest in the summer. In 1907 he became dis- trict manager for the Producers Fruit Company of Lodi and served in that capacity for seven years, when he entered business for himself as a packer and ship- per. His idea was to give the consumer the best fruit, packed in the most attractive boxes and labeled, and he was among the first to pack fruit in that man- ner. He started business on a borrowed capital of $500, and his business has grown until it has reached large proportions. Later he bought crops in the field and packed and shipped them. He then bought eighty acres near Galt but later traded it and bought his home place of 320 acres, located about two miles west of Woodbridge, which he has brought to a high state of productivity and it is considered one of the finest places in the northern part of San Joa- quin County. In 1920 he added 130 acres to his holdings which is also a full bearing vineyard, thus making a total of 450 acres. He packs and ships all of his fruit under the "Bare Brand" which is well known throughout the eastern markets.

The marriage of Mr. Bare united him with Miss Jettora Watkins, a native of Sacramento, Cal., and they are the parents of one daughter, Bonnie. Fra- ternally, Mr. Bare is a member of Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E. Progressive and enterprising, Mr. Bare at all times is willing to give of his time and means, as far as he is able, to all worthy objects that have for their aim the upbuilding of the county and state in which he takes so much pride and where his ambition has been realized.

LOUIS F. BARZELLOTTI .- The capable and efficient engineer of Lodi, Louis Barzellotti was born in Florence, Italy, on April 1, 1857, and was educated in his native country. Finishing his preliminary edu- cation he entered the University of Pisa and was graduated with the degree of M. A .; he received his C. E. degree from the University of Rome; then took a post graduate course in mineralogy and geology from the Institute of Florence. During the year of 1891 he concluded to cast his lot in the land of greater opportunities and upon arrival in California practiced his profession of mining engineer in Sierra County for three years; he was also consulted by horticulturists throughout California on olive and grape culture; for the next ten years he was consult- ing engineer for the Corvagie-Tesla Coal Mining Company. He then was engaged in railroad con- struction work in the Mojave desert and in 1912 located in Lodi when that thriving city was just starting on its era of expansion.

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History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 182

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849 Publication date: 1923 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1660

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660