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 210

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 210

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Mr. Hild was united in marriage with Miss Stella Del Monte, a native daughter born in San Fran- cisco, and they are the parents of one son, Mark Wil- liam, Jr. Fraternally he is a member of the Stock- ton Elks, the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Kiwanis Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

JAMES EDWARD KELLEY .- As superintendent of gas manufacture for the Western States Gas and Electric Company of Stockton, James E. Kelley oc- cupies a position of great importance and responsi- bility in connection with one of the largest public service corporations in California and a strong factor in promoting the industrial development of many cities and towns in the central portion of the state. He is one of California's native sons, his birth hav- ing occurred at Benicia, in Solano County, on August 15. 1878, and his parents, Timothy and Mary (Shortell) Kelley, were natives of Ireland. The former came to California when nineteen years of age in the fifties, and was married in San Francisco to Miss Shortell. She came to California when she was about fifteen years old. They were ranchers at Benicia until they retired to Stockton in 1885, and here they passed away, the mother on August 24, 1912, and the father on October 10, of the same year. In their family were three children: James E., our subject, Frank and William, all residents of Stock- ton. Timothy Kelley proved his loyalty to his adopted country by serving in the Civil War.

James E. Kelley acquired his education in the grammar schools of Stockton and while pursuing his studies he acted as lamp lighter for the Stockton Gas and Heating Company, performing the task faithfully each evening. At the age of sixteen he laid aside his textbooks and secured employment with the California Paper Company, with which he remained for a year, in 1895, and then became wagon driver and errand boy with the Stockton Gas, Light and Heating Company, now the Western States Gas and Electric Company. He conscientiously applied himself to his work and was gradually promoted through the various branches, being for a time in the electrical department, while later he was transferred to the gas department, working his way from the bottom, acting as fireman, oiler and also as engineer. He was next made foreman of the gas plant and in 1910 merit and ability won for him promotion to his present position, that of superintendent of gas manu- facture, in which connection he has charge of from forty to fifty men, while he also acts as superintend- ent of the company's natural gas wells, having seven- teen wells in Stockton. He does everything in his power to promote the efficiency of his department and his services are of great value to the corporation.

Mr. Kelley married Miss Nellie Brisco, a native of Stockton and a daughter of Michael Brisco, now liv- ing retired in Oakland, Cal. He became one of the pioneer settlers of Stockton and took an active part in public affairs, serving as city councilman and also as a member of the Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have a son, Francis V., attending Stockton high school. Mr. Kelley owns his resi- dence at 426 East Vine street, where he resides with his family. He is a member and officer of the Pacific Coast Gas Association and of Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. Elks.

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JOSEPH ALEGRETTI .- Among the representa- tive men of the second generation in San Joaquin County we mention Joseph Alegretti of Stockton, who was born in this city on January 23, 1880, the son of Gaetano Alegretti, who came to California in 1859 and was one of the first Italians to settle in Stockton. He was born in Chiavari, Italy, June 22, 1841; his father was Joseph and his mother was Gio- vanni (Bisagno) Alegretti, the former a distinguished sculptor. Gaetano attended a private school until six years old, later a school kept by a priest, but his attendance was irregular for seven years; and he also went to an evening school to study drawing, as he early evinced an aptitude for art. He helped his father is his shop to carve and in 1856 began learning a trade in a shipyard. His uncle, Pio Bisagno, had been in California and had gone back to Italy in 1857, with glowing tales of the wonders of the Pacific Coast country. Gaetano was enthused and wanted to come to California, but he had no money for transportation. In 1858 arrangements had been made for his fare to New York and he prepared for the trip, but being under legal age he could not get a transport to leave Italy, and on June 13, 1858, he enrolled as a carpenter on a sailing vessel bound for Philadelphia. Before leaving he visited friends and relations, who, upon parting, gave him small sums of money as presents. His father went to Genoa to see him off and when bidding him goodbye, Gaetano put this money, some sixty francs, into his father's hand and told him to keep it. It took the ship three and one-half months to reach its destination and upon arriving in Phila- delphia the lad was given to understand that at a certain hotel he would find more money from uncles in California for his passage to San Francisco. This had not arrived and he had to wait some little time; fortunately the next incoming ship from the coast brought the money and he bought a ticket via Aspin- wall and the Isthmus to San Francisco, arriving twenty-two days later on the S. S. Golden Gate. He at once went to work for his uncles, Bisagno Broth- ers, in a crockery store, and six months later he was sent to Stockton to take charge of a branch store which was erected at the corner of Washington and El Dorado streets. He received $20 a month for the first two years, then $30. His studies and contact with people had made him a good French, Spanish and English scholar and he was thus well qualified to carry on a responsible business. When he left the employ of his uncles he opened a grocery store in partnership with a cousin, A. Daneri, at El Dorado and Lafayette streets; then eighteen months later bought his uncles' store and ran it for the same period at the old location, then moved to 430 South Center Street. Beginning with a small salary Mr. Alegretti saved his money and invested it intelligently in real estate in San Joaquin County, all of which has greatly increased in value so that his heirs enjoy a compe- tency accrued from his labors. Mr. Alegretti related interesting experiences during his lifetime. During the flood of 1862, when the lower part of the city was covered with water, an old barge from the river floated down the street and went aground at the corner where he was employed in the store; he also told of the miners and Spaniards who would often come into his store and demand free drinks, flourish- ing guns to emphasize their demands, and how he drove them away with an old pickaxe he had hidden back of the counter for such occasions.

Gaetano Alegretti was united in marriage on Au- gust 19, 1864, to Miss Maria Macchiavello, born at Soti, Italy, and they had six children; one now deceased was named Giovanna; and the eldest, Mrs. Clotilda A. Macchiavello, died December 4, 1915, leaving a son Gaetano and a daughter, Maria, living in San Francisco. Those living are Miss Clorinda; Leonora A, Mrs. G. Ghiglieri; Miss Anna, all in San Francisco; Joseph, of Stockton, the only son. Gae- tano Alegretti was one of the founders of the Italian Gardeners' Association and was president of the lodge many years; he gave his gun, belt and sash, which he wore when presiding over the lodge, to his son, Joseph. He was a member of the Odd Fellows; the Druids, serving as secretary and treasurer of the lat- ter; and was treasurer of Court Cavalotti of the For- esters and a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 20. He was one of the organizers of the Commercial & Savings Bank and was a member of the board of directors, and his name, with the names of the other founders, is inscribed on the wall in the new bank building at the corner of Sutter and Main streets; he also helped organize the Union Safe De- posit Bank. He accumulated several ranches in the county and valuable real estate in Stockton, and the old home is still standing at the corner of Commerce and Washington streets, a portion of which was brought around the Horn in pioneer days. The hold- ings of Mr. Alegretti have been incorporated under the name of G. Alegretti Company, of which Joseph is the president. Gaetano Alegretti died on February 5, 1910, and he was survived by his widow until January 21, 1916. Mr. Alegretti was a leader among his countrymen and they sought him for advice be- cause they did not understand the ways of this coun- try, and he often became their banker in the earlier days in Stockton.

Joseph Alegretti was educated in the schools of Stockton and worked with his father as long as he continued in business, and since the death of his par- ents he has had charge of the large estate as presi- dent of the corporation.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Alegretti there are three talented daughters who are the pride of the Alegretti home: Georgia, Leonora M., and Margaret C. Fraternally, Mr. Alegretti is a member of the Stockton aerie of Eagles, being among the oldest members of the lodge at this time. Mr. and Mrs. Alegretti have a large circle of friends through- out San Joaquin County who appreciate their worth as citizens of this great state.

JULES PERRIN .- A progressive and influential citizen, Jules Perrin has proven himself a construc- tive business man and as a concrete contractor he is entitled to the prominent position which he has at- tained. He was born in the rural districts of Quebec, Canada, on November 2, 1870, and remained there until he was twelve years of age, attending school. Then he removed with his parents to Willow City, N. D., where he grew to manhood. He was em- ployed in various lines of business until he was twenty-one, when he took up a homestead of 160 acres, which he improved and farmed. In 1896 he engaged in the butcher business at Willow City and then he enlarged his operations by adding a bakery, restaurant and bowling alley, and carried on the combined businesses until he came to California. He still owns his property there. Coming to Lodi, he

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

became the partner of his brother, Henry, in the cement contracting business. In 1919 he purchased his brother's interest and is now sole owner, the business consisting of the manufacture of the Miracle concrete building blocks, which are extensively used in building homes, garages, business blocks, packing houses and other structures.

Among the buildings for which Mr. Perrin has fur- nished the concrete blocks are the Lodi Canning Company, the Tokay City garage, the Buchanan sanitarium, Ford garage, and the Lodi Hardware Company block; he has also erected a number of re- inforced concrete buildings in Lodi; the hotel at Ione, a garage at Sonora, a store building at Grove- land, a garage at Madera, several blocks in Stock- ton, a business block in Galt, the Forest Lake school building, a garage at Clements, a bank and store at Tracy, and a residence on the Curry ranch. He has operated all over the valley and his work has been first-class and of the highest order and his busi- ness has greatly increased. He is agent for the Amer- ican River Sand and Gravel Company of Sacra- mento and handles thirty carloads every month. His manufacturing plant and yards are located at the corner of Stockton and Locust streets. Mr. Perrin has completed a three-story hotel and apartment house of his own on South Sacramento street, built of Miracle concrete blocks, and which is a great im- provement to the city. There are fifty rooms in this building, made into eight apartments and the balance sing'e rooms. In 1923 he finished two modern gar- age buildings and sales-rooms adjoining the hotel.

The marriage of Mr. Perrin united him with Miss Mary Ann Cota, a native of Canada, and they are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are liv- ing: David B .; Cecil, an architect and manufacturer of cement lamp posts; Philip is married and has two children; Paul is captain of the Lodi football team; Veronica; Cecelia; and Jules, Jr. Fraternally, Mr. Perrin is a member of the Modern Woodmen, Lodi Lodge of Eagles, No. 848, Royal Neighbors, and Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Lodi Business Men's Association and of the State Auto- mobile Association.

CECIL P. RENDON .- A prominent attorney of San Joaquin County and Stockton who was for many years closely identified with the law as a representa- tive of the public's interests is Cecil P. Rendon who maintains offices in the Wilhoit Building, Stockton, as a member of the law firm of Foltz, Rendon & Wallace, and enjoys a lucrative practice throughout the county. He was born in Sonora, Tuolumne County, October 6, 1861, the son of Jesus Rendon, a native of Mexico who came to California in 1849 and engaged in mining. Grandfather Rendon was a native of Spain, migrating from there to Mexico and later to California, and he was a goldsmith at Sonora in the early days of the gold excitement.

Mr. Rendon's boyhood days were spent in Hum- boldt County, Nev., where he attended the public schools, living the life of a cowboy and learning the printer's trade on the Humboldt Register at Winne- mucca, Nev. He spent one year at Santa Clara Uni- versity, Santa Clara, Cal., and then returned to Nevada and rode the range for a time. In 1884 he returned to California and worked as a printer in Oakdale and on the Modesto News, and while there he studied law in the office of T. A. Caldwell, the district attorney of Stanislaus County. Coming to

Stockton in 1885 he read law in the office of Governor James Budd, and in 1887 he was admitted to the bar of California.

Mr. Rendon was appointed prosecuting attorney of Stockton, under Mayor William A. Clark, serving for three and a half years, and for the next four years was city justice of the peace. Later he was appointed assistant district attorney for San Joaquin County under George McNoble, serving four years, and for the next eight years occupied the same of- fice, when Edward P. Foltz was district attorney of the county. He has always been very active in Re- publican politics in California as a member of the Republican County Central Committee, taking an active part in the party conventions. For six years Mr. Rendon was a member of Company B, 6th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, N. G. of C., and was closely associated in military affairs with Col. Eu- gene Lehe and Brig .- General James H. Budd of the 3rd Brigade. Prominent in fraternal life, Mr. Ren- don has been state head of three fraternal orders and the national head of one. He was a past grand presi- dent of the Young Men's Institute of the Pacific Coast, and is past grand chief ranger of the Forest- ers of America for the state of California, past state president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and su- preme chief ranger of the Foresters of America, this being the highest office of the national order. He has also been popular in local fraternal life, being a member of the Elks, Stockton Parlor, N. S. G. W., and Iroquois Tribe of Red Men, and is ex-president of the San Joaquin County Bar Association. His three children are Mrs. Cecelia DeYoung, Mrs. Anita Atkinson and Raymond V. Rendon.

BERT A. BENEDICT .- An enterprising rancher whose success as an almond-grower has made his progressive methods an object of special interest to all concerned with the advancement of California agri- culture, is Bert A. Benedict, who resides on a place owned by his brother, E. A. Benedict, three miles northwest of Acampo. He was born near Nora Springs, Floyd County, Iowa, April 12, 1871, a son of Francis and Abigal Benedict, and was fortunate in entering the family of a farmer, and so, from his boyhood, getting familiar with farm life. The worthy couple were blessed with five children, three of whom are now in California: Louis lives in Iowa; Lyman L. is deceased; E. A. Benedict of Lodi; Harrison, in Iowa; and Bert, the subject of our interesting review.

Bert Benedict attended the district schools in Iowa, and afterward enjoyed one year at the high school His father had come to Iowa in frontier days, and in time he cultivated some 200 acres of rich land and the "stick-to-it-iveness" with which he pursued his work may be judged from the fact that at one time he walked 100 miles in the direction of Cedar Rapids to locate some of his horses that had strayed. Bert remained on his father's farm until he was married on December 22, 1898, at Nora Springs, Iowa, to Miss Anna L. Darling, who was born and reared in that part of the country. Her father, Charles Darling, was a farmer by occupation, and owned land at Nora Springs, on the east side of the river. Mr. and Mrs. Darling had three children, and Miss Anna was given a high school education.

Bert Benedict cultivated a farm of 120 acres at Nora Springs until 1910, and then he came out to California and settled at Lodi. Here he purchased an almond

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

orchard of five acres on Acacia Avenue, west of Cher- okee Lane; and this well-irrigated ranch, bearing I. X. L., Ne Plus and Non Parael almonds, he still owns. The past year he has helped to care for his brother's ranch of sixty acres three miles to the northwest of Acampo, one of the very desirable ranch properties in this part of the county.

Public-spirited to a degree that makes it impossible for him to be merely a partisan voter, although he endorses heartily the general principles of the Repub- lican party, Mr. Benedict is keenly interested in all that makes for the progress of the Golden State, and is known as one of the effective local "boosters."

ALBERT C. BOWMAN .- One of the younger business men of South San Joaquin County who is meeting with success is Albert C. Bowman, of the firm of Bowman & Sharenbroch, proprietors of the Midway Garage, on the State Highway between Man- teca and Ripon. He was born at Sturgeon Lake, Minn., in 1894, being a son of Gus and Anna (Kling) Bowman, both of Swedish birth. They removed from Minnesota to California in 1902, bringing with them their family of eight children, and settled at Manteca, where the father still resides, Mrs. Bowman having passed away in 1917.

The seventh of the family, Albert C. Bowman was reared at Manteca and after attending the public schools there he supplemented his education with courses in the Polytechnic College of Engineering and the Automobile school at Oakland, after which he engaged as a mechanic in different garages at Man- teca, and in 1916 was employed in this line at Stock- ton. In 1917 he enlisted at San Francisco in the 280th Air Squadron as a mechanic, serving at Waco, Texas, and Brindley Field, Long Island, N. Y., and was hon- orably discharged at San Diego in 1919. After return- ing home he worked at the Ford garage at Manteca until he accepted a position with the Shell Oil Com- pany at Stockton, remaining with them about three years. On September 1, 1922, Mr. Bowman in part- nership with Mr. Sharenbroch, took possession of the Midway garage, leasing it from its owner, E. T. Pierce, and here they maintain a first-class machine shop and service station and are meeting with success.

In 1920 Mr. Bowman was united in marriage at Stockton to Miss Alice Bryer, and they have one child, Albert Curtiss. Mr. Bowman is a member of the American Legion at Stockton and Manteca Lodge No. 124, I. O. O. F., while in politics he is Republican.

LUCIEN BORDENAVE .- As a successful sheep and wool grower, Lucien Bordenave is well known throughout San Joaquin County; he is the owner of what is known as the old Butterick place, consisting of 187 acres five miles south of Stockton on the old Stockton Road. He was born near Pau, France, February 12, 1867, a son of J. Peter and Catherine M. (Souviet) Bordenave, well-to-do sheep growers and farmers in their native land; they were the parents of three children: John, Mary and Lucien, the subject of this sketch. At eighteen years of age L. Bor- denave left home for America to join an uncle, but upon his arrival in New Orleans he found that his uncle, N. Bordenave, had passed away, which was a sad blow to the lad in a strange country. He then went to Galveston, Texas, and found employment on a ranch at twelve dollars per month; while there he suffered an attack of fever and as soon as he was able 92

he came to California, arriving at San Francisco in 1889. Going into the San Joaquin Valley he found employment at general ranching until he entered the sheep business at Los Banos, first as a herder, which occupied him for five years; then with a partner bought. 1,800 sheep near Fresno and since that time has increased his herds and now holds a prominent position among the successful sheep and wool growers of the Pacific Coast. Mr. Bordenave took the con- tract to prune and care for the vineyard for the Mar- garetta Vineyard Company of Madera County, and was also a teaming contractor for the Sugar Pine Company for three years. In 1903, Mr. Bordenave brought 1,300 sheep of his own and in company with another man from Madera County, 6,000 sheep across the Siskiyou Mountains from Oregon to the San Joa- quin Valley; they used 150 French sheep bells and four Indians as guides; they started in May, 1903, and were until October of the same year reaching their destination. He sold his bands of sheep in 1922 and is looking after his interests.

The first marriage of Mr. Bordenave occurred in Stockton in 1905, which united him with Miss Joseph- ine Bernard, also a native of France, who came to America in 1900. Two sons were born to them: Peter is a graduate of Heald's Business College; and John. Mrs. Bordenave passed away October 27, 1918; Mr. Bordenave was married a second time on June 3, 1920, to Miss Catherine Condon, a native of Pau, France, who arrived in California in 1902. In 1915 Mr. Bor- denave completed a commodious residence at French Camp where he is well known for his hospitality.

ROBERT J. HEATH .- A well-known and success- ful grain farmer and stock raiser is Robert J. Heath, who resides on his ranch four miles east of the town of Peters, San Joaquin County. He was born on his father's ranch two miles west of his present home place, January 8, 1872. His father, Patrick Heath, was a native of County Mayo, Ireland, who came to America in the late '50s, and as early as 1861 began farming in San Joaquin County with a single plow and a yoke of oxen. He married Miss Johanna Lyons, also a native of Ireland, who came to California via Cape Horn. Three sons and one daughter constitute the family of this pioneer couple: Robert J., the subject of this sketch; George J. resides in San Fran- cisco; Mary Ann died at the age of seven years; and Fred Thomas resides in Farmington. Patrick Heath passed away in November, 1906, his wife preceding him in July of the same year. Robert J. attended the district school in his vicinity and being the eldest of the family, early in years assumed the responsibilities of farm life and became associated with his father in grain and stock raising.

On February, 4, 1906, Mr. Heath was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Dorgan, born in County Clare, Ireland, May 1, 1869. She left Ireland in her sixteenth year, in company with her sister Mary, and arrived in San Francisco in August, 1886. Mary Dor- gan entered Notre Dame in San Francisco, where she became Sister Mary Verimus, and for twenty-five years she devoted her time to the church and passed away in San Jose, Cal., in 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Heath are the parents of two daughters: Mary Catherine Gabriella and Helen Johanna Marie, and both are students at the Notre Dame Convent in San Fran- cisco. Mr. Heath's activities as an agriculturist have

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been of the highest order, as can be seen on his fine ranch of 320 acres east of Peters; he employs only the most modern machinery and methods in farming, which invariably are productive of the best results. Mr. Heath cooperates in local affairs by belonging to the farm bureau at Farmington.

WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER HOUSKEN .- The name of William Christopher Housken is well known throughout San Joaquin County, for here he has passed his entire life, and here his parents lived since early California days. He was born on the present ranch at New Hope, San Joaquin County, August 16, 1873, a son.of George and Katherine (Ling) Housken. The father was a native of Norway, where he was born December 14, 1838; and at the age of twenty-two he came to America and direct to California, where he was captain and owner for many years of the schooner Reliance which plied the Sacramento River, and he was also engaged in the Oregon lumber trade. In 1873 he purchased 380 acres in Union township, San Joaquin County, and later acquired a ranch of 480 acres in the same township, which he cultivated to wheat, and his farm was' well stocked with horses and cattle. In 1865, in San Francisco, he was mar- ried to Miss Katherine Ling and they were the par- ents of eight children; George resides in Stockton; Frank at Tracy; Oscar is deceased; William Christo- pher is the subject of this sketch; Kate, Mrs. Foun- tain of Oakland; Augusta, Mrs. Von Enden, lives in Holland; Laura, Mrs. Cogshall, resides in Berkeley; and Josie, Mrs. Von Doran of Portland, Ore. The mother passed away in Stockton on January 17, 1918; the father now resides in Oakland, aged eighty-five.

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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 210

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