USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume II > Part 11
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Joseph N. Ghirardelli spent his early boyhood in his native city but at a comparatively early age he was sent with his brothers to Europe, where he pursued his studies. One of the brothers, Caesar, died on the continent. Mr. Ghirardelli of this review remained for some time in Italy and then returned to California, where he enrolled in Santa Clara College, which he attended until within six months of his graduation. At the age of twenty years he entered the store established by his father in Oakland and there assisted in the man- agement of the enterprise, later becoming a partner. The three brothers entered earnestly into the business with the father. The business at this time was not prospering, but Joseph N. Ghirardelli, whose happy disposition enabled him to make friends, brought to bear his unusual powers as an organizer, and his influence soon told, the business gradually increasing in magnitude until it assumed large proportions. Accompanying the development, more and more responsibility was assumed by Mr. Ghirardelli, until he was elected vice president of the company, a position he held until his death. The company became one of the largest manufacturers of chocolate in Oakland and San Francisco.
In Oakland, in 1885, Mr. Ghirardelli married Miss Ellen Frances Barstow, a daughter of David Pierce and Elizabeth ( Reed) Barstow. Mr. and Mrs. Ghirardelli became the parents of two children: Joseph N., Jr., who is now engaged in the insurance business in Oak- land, and Carmen, still pursuing her studies and residing with her mother at Piedmont. Joseph N., Jr., is a member of the Native Sons
ghirardelli 3
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of the Golden West, the Nile Club and the Elks. On July 2, 1910, he was united in marriage with Miss Nina Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Jones.
The old family home of the Ghirardellis was at the corner of Fifth and Brush streets in Oakland, and after Joseph N. Ghirar- delli's marriage he built a residence on the corner of Market and Nineteenth streets, wherein he made his home until his death.
Mr. Ghirardelli was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at one time, and at the time of his death was connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, being very active in the affairs of the Oakland lodge. He was also a member of the Athenian Club and was very active in its affairs, being one of the earnest advo- cates of the removal to the present location, at Fourteenth and Frank- lin streets. During his early years he voted the Democratic ticket, but later inclined to independent views in political matters.
He passed away at his home in Oakland, May 11, 1906, of heart failure, superinduced by the shock received at the time of the earth- quake. He was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends, won in the course of a long and honorable connection with the business and social life in this community. His funeral was largely attended and among the many floral tributes laid upon his casket were some from those in humble positions who had found in him a friend in need.
A man of genial personality and keen business acumen, whose friends were legion; and although he has ceased from his labors and no longer his happy smile and friendly handclasp bring gladness to the many who once called him friend, yet his memory is still green and his name is spoken in eulogy throughout Alameda county and the state.
EDWARD V. TIFFANY, M. D.
Dr. Edward V. Tiffany, a successful and able representative of the medical profession, has maintained offices in Oakland since 1906 and has enjoyed an extensive and lucrative practice. He is a native of Independence, Iowa, and a son of Vester and Louisa Tiffany. In the acquirement of an education he attended the graded and high schools until the age of twenty and afterward the Upper Iowa Uni- versity of Fayette until 1890. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered the medical department of the
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University of Iowa, where he studied for one year, and then entered the medical department of the University of California, which insti- tution conferred upon him the degree of M. D. in 1894. He located for practice in Amador county, California, and there remained until 1906, when he came to Oakland, which city has since remained the scene of his professional labors, and the success which has attended him is ample evidence of his skill and ability in the field of his chosen life work. He belongs to the Alameda County Medical So- ciety and the California State Medical Society, and the proceedings of those bodies keep him thoroughly informed concerning the most advanced work being done in the country.
In December, 1895, in Amador county, California, Dr. Tiffany was united in marriage to Miss Carrie L. Easton. He is a progres- sive in politics and has fraternal relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Woodmen of the World and the Masons, belonging to the lodge and chapter of the last named organization. Dr. Tiffany is loyal to the teachings of these fraternities, which he exemplifies in his life, and in matters of citizenship he manifests a progressive and public-spirited interest, yet he devotes the greater part of his atten- tion to his professional duties, which are constantly growing in vol- ume and importance.
OSWALD R. WOOD.
Oswald R. Wood, a prosperous young attorney of Oakland, has here practiced his profession with growing success for the past four years. His birth occurred in Ovid, Michigan, on the 16th of October, 1881, his parents being Robert C. and Edna E. (Read) Wood, natives of Ontario, Canada. He acquired his early education in the public schools of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Everett, Washington, and after coming to Oakland, California, in 1895, continued his studies here, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1901. Subsequently he pursued a course of study in the Polytechnic Business College at Oakland and then embarked in business in San Francisco. Later he made his way to Chico, Butte county, Cali- fornia, there entering the law offices of F. C. Lusk. On returning to San Francisco he became traveling freight agent for the Rock Island Railroad Company.
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In 1908 Mr. Wood took up the study of law with Fred W. Fry, of Oakland, and was admitted to the bar of California on the 16th of October, 1909, for practice in the state and federal courts. He has since maintained his office in Oakland and has been accorded a large clientage in recognition of his professional ability. He has won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and system- atic methods which he has followed. He has remarkable powers of concentration and application and his retentive mind has often excited the surprise of his professional colleagues. The utmost care and precision characterize his preparation of a case and have made him one of the successful attorneys of Oakland.
EDWARD E. THORNTON.
Edward E. Thornton is superintendent of the Key division of the San Francisco & Oakland Terminal Railway Company and is a rail- road man of experience, who has won this position entirely on his own merits. He was born in Leesville, Indiana, March 12, 1874, and is a son of Henry P. and Louise Thornton.
Edward E. Thornton attended the public schools in Oakland until 1889, in which year he became a pupil in Crawford's Private School, there remaining for one year. At the end of that time he accepted a position as fireman in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, continuing so until 1894, when he was made motorman of the Oak- land, Alameda & Piedmont Electric Railway, which later became the Oakland Traction Company. In 1899 Mr. Thornton was pro- moted to the position of inspector, and in 1900 he was made superin- tendent of the Hayward division, resigning in 1902 in order to accept the position of superintendent of the Petaluma & Santa Rosa Rail- road. He continued as such until 1904, when he resigned and became superintendent of the Key division of the San Francisco & Oakland Terminal Railway Company, which office he now holds. He is a thoroughly able man, who knows all details of railroading from the ground up. His executive force was soon recognized and his man- agerial ability was largely the cause of his rapid advancement. He is a man who readily grasps any situation and has a large capacity for detail, never overlooking small matters in the execution of an object. He is determined and energetic, always completing any- thing he undertakes. In the estimation of his superior officers he stands high and is popular with his associates and with the many
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men who work under him, all of whom recognize his justness and his honorable character.
Politically Mr. Thornton is a republican, interested but not active in the welfare of his party. He cooperates, however, very readily in any enterprise undertaken for the welfare of his city and Alameda county, and he is ever willing to bear his share in order to further the public weal. He is interested in the intellectual and moral upbuilding of humanity.
CRIS N. MILISICH.
Cris N. Milisich has for the past twenty-two years been engaged in the restaurant business at Oakland in partnership with John Crchum, with whom he has conducted the California Cafe at No. 469 Eleventh street since 1898. He was born in Herzegovina, Austria, on the 7th of April, 1871, and attended the public schools of that country until sixteen years of age. Desiring to take advantage of the opportunities offered in the new world, he then emigrated to the United States, settling in San Francisco, California, where he was employed in a restaurant until 1891. In that year he came to Oakland and established a restaurant at the corner of Sixteenth and Broadway in partnership with John Crchum, remaining at that loca- tion until 1898. During the past fifteen years, however, they have conducted the California Cafe at No. 469 Eleventh street and have been very successful, attracting and holding a desirable patronage.
On the ist of December. 1897, at Oakland, Mr. Milisich was united in marriage to Miss Katie W. Stratford, by whom he has a son, Cris Frank. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and various Servian organizations.
WILLIAM B. QUIGLEY, JR.
William B. Quigley, Jr., is the proprietor of a wholesale and retail liquor establishment at the corner of Tenth and Clay streets in Oakland and has conducted the same successfully for the past seven years. He is a native son of Alameda county, having been born in Oakland on the oth of June, 1880, of the marriage of W. B. and Isa- belle Quigley. He acquired his education in the graded and high
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schools and following his graduation, in 1897, spent two months as a student in Heald's Business College. Subsequently he secured a position as credit man with Benjamin Curtay & Sons, a piano concern, remaining in their service until 1900, when he embarked in the retail liquor business in Oakland at the corner of Seventh and Magnolia streets. In 1907 he sold that establishment, having in January, 1906, opened a wholesale and retail liquor store at the corner of Tenth and Clay streets, the conduct of which has claimed his attention to the present time.
On the 17th of March, 1902, in Oakland, Mr. Quigley was united in marriage to a Miss Kispert. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Native Sons, the Druids, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Eagles and the Masons, being a member of the local chapter of the last named organization. He is a popular and repre- sentative young citizen of Oakland and enjoys an extensive acquaint- ance in the city in which his entire life has been spent.
LOUIS J. SIEVERS.
Louis J. Sievers is known in business circles of Oakland as local manager of the John Wieland Brewery of San Francisco. His birth occurred in Chicago, Illinois, on the 16th of March, 1861, his father being Louis Sievers. His mother bore the maiden name of Schaff- hausen. He began his education in a German-American school, later attended the public schools and subsequently pursued a two years' course in a business college. He then entered the University of Notre Dame but at the end of a year returned to Chicago and became a partner of his father, who was engaged in the wholesale liquor busi- ness, under the firm style of Louis Sievers & Son. In 1890 he severed this connection and went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was engaged in the wholesale liquor business on his own account until 1895. In that year he sold out and again returned to his native city, remaining with his father until 1896, when he went to St. Paul, Minnesota, acting as salesman for the Schlitz Brewing Company until 1900. Subsequently he spent three years as manager of the Minneapolis branch and on the expiration of that period removed to San Francisco as assistant manager of the Wunder Brewery. He was afterward employed as traveling salesman by the wholesale liquor firm of Hotaling & Company for six months and at the end
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of that time came to Oakland, being here engaged in the real-estate business until April 30, 1911. On that date he became local manager for the John Wieland Brewery of San Francisco and has since held that important position, the business here having doubled under his able direction. Mr. Sievers likewise acts as president of the Oak- land Beer Bottlers Association and is a member of the Board of Trade.
On the 16th of March, 1887, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mr. Sievers was united in marriage to Miss Von Ende, by whom he has a daughter, Agnes, who has decided talent as a vocalist and is studying for grand opera. In his political views he is a progressive republican. He is a strong man of excellent judgment, fair in his views and highly honorable in all his relations with his fellowmen.
F. BRUCE MAIDEN.
Numbered among the successful and enterprising young business men of Oakland is F. Bruce Maiden, now the general manager of the Laymance Real Estate Company. His birth occurred in Platts- mouth, Nebraska, on the 6th of May, 1887, his parents being George W. and Mary A. Maiden. Accompanying his parents on their removal to Fresno, California, he there pursued his education in a graded school and after his graduation, at the age of fourteen years, came to Oakland. Here he attended high school until graduated at the age of seventeen and while a student published a school paper called "Tom Cat." Subsequently he spent two years as expert accountant in the freight department of the Southern Pacific Rail- road Company and on the expiration of that period secured a posi- tion as clerk in the rent department of the Laymance Real Estate Company at a salary of fifty dollars per month. At the end of a year in that capacity he became manager of the rent department and two and a half years later was made general manager of the entire com- pany, which position of importance and responsibility he holds at the present time. His promotions have come in recognition of unusual ability and faithful service. During his first year in the sales depart- ment he did business amounting to more than two million dollars and brought to a successful culmination the Kahn deal, making it possible for the Kahns to erect their present new building at the corner of Twelfth and Washington streets, which is considered the finest department store on the Pacific coast today.
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On the 5th of July, 1912, in Oakland, Mr. Maiden was united in marriage to Miss Winte Perkins, by whom he has one child, Rowan Perkins, born July 22, 1913. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and also belonging to the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a member of the Commercial Club and the Athenian Club. Both Mr. and Mrs. Maiden are popular in social circles and have many friends in Oakland.
HARRY A. MOSHER.
Among the strong financial institutions of Oakland is the Central National Bank, and among the bankers of prominence in the city is Harry A. Mosher, who as cashier and later as a vice president has done much toward securing for his institution the foremost position it now occupies. His banking experience extends over twenty years, and he has since August 1, 1908, been connected with the institution of which he is now a vice president. A native of Alameda county, Mr. Mosher was born in Centerville, July 9, 1871, a son of H. E. and Sarah Jane (Warnick) Mosher, who settled in this county during its early history, in 1867, and now resides at Niles, California.
Harry A. Mosher attended in the acquirement of his education the grammar schools at Centerville and Niles and the Oakland high school. However, ever since he was twelve years of age he has earned his own livelihood. He entered banking circles in 1893 as clerk in the Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank, later becoming assistant cashier as his ability became recognized. For a number of years he was private secretary to Edson F. Adams but on August 1, 1908, came to the Central National Bank of Oakland as assistant cashier. On January 1, 1909, he was elected cashier and in January, 1914, was elected a vice president and still holds this position. Care- ful, painstaking and systematic, Mr. Mosher is yet aggressive and progressive, and as he is a student of human nature and conditions, seldom, if ever, has made an error in extending credit or making investments. The institution of which he is a vice president has greatly prospered through his efforts, and he is readily conceded to be one of the most able and best informed men in his line of work in the city. Mr. Mosher is also president of the Fifield Steamship Company of San Francisco.
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Mr. Mosher married Miss Ethel Baechtel, a native of California, and they have one daughter, Esther A., and one son, Hugh Martin. He is a well known member of the Athenian Club of Oakland. While his duties largely confine him to his bank, Mr. Mosher is ever ready to join worthy public movements for the extension of trade or betterment of conditions. He has never been active along political lines, but fulfills the obligations of citizenship faithfully. He enjoys the esteem and respect of his colleagues and the general public, and by his personality has done much toward upholding the prestige which his bank enjoys.
T. L. CHRISTIANSON.
Although yet a young man, T. L. Christianson of Oakland, Cali- fornia, is considered one of the best trial lawyers on the Pacific coast and has made for himself a reputation along lines of medical juris- prudence and toxicology. He is deeply informed along these lines and often drawn into important cases for consultation.
T. L. Christianson is a native son of Oakland, his day of birth being February 16, 1880. His parents are Captain H. O. and Karen (Thompson) Christianson, and he is of Norwegian descent. He spent his boyhood in Washington county, Oregon, and there in his early years received a limited education. At the age of seventeen he retraced his steps to Oakland, his sole asset, other than his character and ability, being an indifferent country-school training. In this city he attended for a short time public and night schools, acquiring a competent business training. Early in life he studied dentistry to some extent, acted as clerk in a drug store and later was a student in the offices of various physicians. His ability was recognized when he was appointed an assistant to the surgeon-general under Governor Pardee. While he filled this position he also read law. Making removal to Indiana, Mr. Christianson attended the University of Val- paraiso, there passing his junior year in the law department. His senior work was done at the American Central Law School of Indianapolis, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Laws degree, being one of the foremost in his class. He took the bar examination before even obtaining his diploma and was thereupon admitted to practice in the courts of Indiana. He has since been admitted to practice before the department of the interior united patent office. In Indianapolis he first began active work in connec-
T. L. CHRISTIANSON
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tion with one of the foremost firms of the Hoosier state, Holtzman & Coleman, there gaining a wide practical knowledge.
After about two years he returned to California in April, 1912, and was admitted to the courts of this state, opening an office in the Pantages building at Oakland. No long novitiate awaited him in this city, as he soon demonstrated his ability to successfully handle the most intricate cases and he is now accorded a most lucrative prac- tice. As Mr. Christianson specializes in medical jurisprudence and toxicology his library along these lines is extensive. He is often called into consultation by his colleagues and is considered one of the foremost authorities in the state on these subjects. Mr. Christianson also acts as California representative for the firm of Bradford & Doolittle, patent attorneys, who have offices in Indianapolis and Washington, D. C. Mr. Christianson is particularly effective in criminal defense and in this field has made himself widely known. He has distinct oratorical ability, a convincing manner and a pleas- ing personality, and his services are ever in demand by those who are unfortunate enough to fall under suspicion. Quiet and determined, he cannot be moved by sarcasm or ridicule to precipitate action. always preserving his dignity and clear judgment. It is but natural, therefore, that he has great influence on court and jury and that he succeeds in winning most of his cases. A recent honor which has come to Mr. Christianson is his election to membership in the Medico-Legal Society of New York.
Mr. Christianson married Miss Elizabeth L. Spencer on March 28, 1907, and they have four children: Lawrence Spencer, Blaine Ingersoll, and twins, Elizabeth Avis and Lorraine Enid.
GEORGE MAGGIO.
George Maggio, an enterprising and prosperous representative of business interests in Alameda county, has since 1906 been manager of the Oakland branch of the Western California Fish Company. His birth occurred in San Francisco, California, in November, 1876, his parents being Fortutno and Eleanor Maggio. The father became a resident of San Francisco in 1852 and was there engaged in the fish supply business until the time of his retirement in 1904.
George Maggio remained a public-school student until fifteen years of age and subsequently spent nine months in Heald's Business College. He then embarked in the fish business in San Francisco Vol. II- \
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and conducted an independent enterprise of that character until 1906, when he consolidated his interests with those of the Western California Fish Company, becoming manager of its Oakland branch. He has held that important position throughout the intervening seven years and has promoted the success of the local establishment in no uncertain degree.
On the 30th of April, 1898, in San Francisco, Mr. Maggio was united in marriage to Miss Chlotilde Franchi, by whom he has three children: Eleanor, Alma and Maria. The two first named are public-school students. In politics Mr. Maggio is a republican, while his religious faith is that of the Catholic church. He belongs to Piedmont Parlor of the Native Sons and is likewise identified with the Loyal Order of Moose and the National Union. In all the rela- tions of life he has been honorable and straightforward, and his example is well worthy of emulation.
FRANK A. PARISH.
Frank A. Parish, general manager of Frank A. Parish & Com- pany, has been engaged in the real-estate business in Oakland since the fall of 1910. His birth occurred in Corvallis, Oregon, on the 10th of May, 1873, his parents being James A. and Matilda E. Parish. In the acquirement of an education he remained a public- school student of The Dalles, Oregon, until 1894 and then went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he pursued a course in oratory, elocu- tion and dramatic art at Drake University. He afterward lectured throughout the state until 1901 and in that year removed to Lawton, Oklahoma, where he embarked in the real-estate business, handling town sites until 1905, when he disposed of his interests. His next place of residence was Long Beach, California, where he dealt in real-estate until the fall of 1910, when he came to Oakland. Here he has been engaged in the general real-estate business throughout the intervening three years, making a specialty of trading country properties for city realty.
The following is an excerpt from a local publication: "It is the purpose and intent of this issue of our Home Industry Edition to call the attention of our friends, members and readers to those busi- ness houses who have shown a kindly interest in the principles we promulgate, and it is with this end in view that we are pleased to give space to the well known firm of Frank A. Parish & Company,
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