USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume II > Part 12
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dealers in real-estate and making a specialty of exchanges, located at 1544 Broadway. This firm enjoys the hearty good-will of the entire wage-earning population with which they have done business, and the fact that their business has continued to thrive under the vigorous business policy proves that the fair and reasonable consideration always given to their customers is appreciated. Of equal importance is the fact that this firm's standing in the community is such as to reflect great credit upon the city at large. They are among the lead- ing business men of this section and have never hesitated to give liberal support to all worthy projects that have had for their object the uplifting and betterment of the city's welfare. We urge our readers to do all in their power to further this firm's interest during the ensuing year."
On the 26th of June, 1894, in Heppner, Oregon, Mr. Parish was united in marriage to Miss Effie J. Warren, by whom he has a daughter, Irma, who is eighteen years of age and a high-school student. In politics he is independent, while fraternally he is identi- fied with the Masons and the Elks. He is also a valued member of the Oakland Real Estate Association.
DAVID MORRIS.
David Morris, division superintendent of the Peoples Water Company in Alameda and one of the well known, popular and repre- sentative business men of his community, was born in London, Eng- land, on the 26th of May, 1852. He acquired his education in the public schools of his native city and there remained until he was nine- teen years of age. Leaving England in 1871, he crossed the Atlantic to America and, pushing westward to California, located in San Fran- cisco, where he remained for a number of years, engaging first in various occupations and finally centering his attention upon civil engineering, with some branch of which he has been connected since that time. He has mastered the profession in principle and detail, and this knowledge, combined with the spirit of enterprise which actuates him in all that he does, has brought him an enviable degree of success and a high place in business circles of the city where he makes his home.
Mr. Morris came to Alameda in 1880 and here became connected with the Artesian Waterworks, rising through successive stages of progress and advancement from the position of collector and clerk
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to that of division superintendent, this final promotion coming in April, 1900, when the waterworks plant was taken over by the Contra Costa Water Company. Mr. Morris has since served in this respon- sible position, and he has proved himself eminently well qualified to fill it, being a discriminating, resourceful and enterprising busi- ness man and thoroughly well informed on questions relating to the work under his charge.
Mr. Morris married Miss Mary B. Tibbery, a native of San Francisco, and they have one son, Jack E. The parents are well known in social circles of the city, their genuine personal worth hav- ing drawn to them many warm friends. During the thirty-three years that he has lived in Alameda Mr. Morris has taken an active and intelligent interest in public affairs, cooperating heartily in move- ments for the general good and lending the weight of his influence to progressive public measures. His business record is above reproach, and the long period of his residence here has been fruitful and of great good to the community, to the advancement and growth of which he has made such substantial contributions.
PERRY F. BROWN.
A man well known in Oakland for his public spirit, his broad views and his excellent business and professional ability is Perry F. Brown, now acting in a capable and efficient manner as city engineer and superintendent of streets. He was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, and acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of that city, later entering the State University, from which he was grad- uated as a civil engineer in 1897. Immediately afterward he engaged in professional practice at Janesville and he served as city engineer of that city, gaining thus his first experience in his profession as applied to municipal questions. Mr. Brown came to Oakland in 1900. and here he spent one year with the Standard Electric Com- pany, in charge of the construction of the Bear River dam, com- pleted in 1901. In the following year he entered the employ of the city of Oakland in the city engineering department and when the new charter went into effect in July, 1911, was appointed superintendent of streets and city engineer, positions which he has since capably filled. Mr. Brown takes a just pride in the fact that he has been identified with the inauguration of many movements making for public sanitation and beautification and that he has done much to
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advance the cause of good roads throughout the county. It has been his constant aim to see that all affairs coming before his departments are conducted along business lines and upon a fair and honorable basis, and in this way he has done a great deal to promote efficiency in the offices over which he has control.
Mr. Brown married Miss Beulah Hodgdon, a native of Wis- consin, and they are the parents of a daughter, Marian. Mr. Brown has since 1908 been a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and is widely known in engineering circles, on account of his professional ability and the excellent constructive work he has done along this line in the public service.
GILBERT P. HALY.
Gilbert P. Haly embarked in the real-estate and insurance busi- ness at Oakland on attaining his majority and during the eight years which have since elapsed has won gratifying success in that field of endeavor. His birth occurred in London, England, in April, 1884, his parents being G. S. and E. M. Haly. In 1896 the family home was established in Oakland, California, the father embarking in busi- ness as a tea broker of San Francisco, where he is still active.
In the acquirement of an education Gilbert P. Haly attended the graded and high schools until 1905 and when twenty-one years of age became identified with the real-estate and insurance business, in which he has won success. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with realty values here and is qualified to give expert advice to clients.
In August, 1907, at Oakland, Mr. Haly was united in marriage to Miss S. M. Fritsch, by whom he has two children, Ann and Phillip. He is a young man of excellent business ability and is popular in social circles by reason of his attractive personality.
CORNELIUS J. TWOMEY.
Cornelius J. Twomey, merchant tailor of Oakland, has been for more than twenty-five years a resident of that city and enjoys an extensive and gratifying patronage. His birth occurred in County Cork, Ireland, on the 21st of March, 1869, his parents being James
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and Nora Twomey. He attended the public schools until fourteen years of age and then made his way to San Francisco, California, where he entered the dry goods establishment of J. J. O'Brien, being employed as clerk for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Oakland and here continued as buyer for James A. Joyce, a dry goods merchant, until 1901. At that time, having gained both the necessary capital and experience, he embarked in the men's tailor- ing business on his own account and has won an enviable reputation for high-class merchant tailoring.
At Oakland, in 1896, Mr. Twomey was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Gallagher, by whom he has three children: Margaret, Earl James and Henrietta Marie. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Columbus and other prominent orders. The period of his residence in Oakland covers almost three decades and he is widely recognized as one of the city's substantial, esteemed and repre- sentative residents.
CHRISTOPHER RUESS.
Christopher Ruess, of Oakland, was appointed probation officer of Alameda county in 1907 and his labors in this connection have since been of incalculable benefit in the work of moral uplift here. He was born in Sterling, Kansas, on the 10th of December, 1878, his parents being William E. and Katharine Ruess. He acquired his early education in the public schools of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, and at the age of fourteen entered high school in Los Angeles, California, graduating when a youth of eighteen. Subsequently he matriculated in Harvard College, Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, and completed a four years' course in 1900, while three years later he was graduated from the Divinity School of Harvard University, a non-sectarian institution. He then made his way to San Francisco and became head of Boys Work and editor of The Kingdom, a social service monthly, at the People's Place Social Settlement, in the meantime acting as superintendent of the Sunday School of the First Unitarian church under Rev. Bradford Leavitt until 1904. In that year he became minister of the First Unitarian church in Alameda, there remaining until 1906, and after- ward acted as a representative of the American Unitarian Associa- tion in the earthquake and fire relief work in San Francisco for one
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vear. At the end of that time he was appointed probation officer of Alameda county.
When Mr. Ruess first undertook the duties of this responsible position he occupied half of a desk in the office of District Attorney Brown and the Detention Home comprised one small room in the Receiving Hospital of Alameda county. Mr. Ruess was the first full time probation officer in the county and his salary for the first two years was paid by private subscription, as it had been paid since 1903 to his predecessors, who were Miss Anita Whitney, recently the presi- dent of the California Civic League, and Ezra Decoto, now prosecut- ing attorney for Oakland, under whom the work was successfully carried forward. Great credit is due for ten years of successful juvenile court and probation work in Alameda county to the Oakland Club and to the Child's Welfare League in particular, under the leadership of Miss Bessie J. Wood, Mrs. Elinor Carlisle and Dr. Susan J. Fenton, as well as to many other women's organizations in this county. Fifty such organizations sent in resolutions to the super- visors in 1908, when John Mitchell was president of the board, ask- ing for the present juvenile court building to be rented. Recently one hundred women's organizations have petitioned the present super- visors to appropriate money for land and a building. The super- visors have since purchased for twenty thousand dollars the entire block between Eighteenth and Nineteenth and between Poplar and Union streets, in Oakland. Mr. Ruess' policy has been to enlist the cooperation of men and women of ability and caliber by permitting and encouraging self-expression and initiative. During his incum- bency as probation officer the juvenile court has been under the direc- tion of Judges Harry A. Melvin, E. J. Brown, F. B. Ogden and William S. Wells, whose successive policies he has endeavored to carry out.
The Detention Home is not under the direction of the probation officer but under that of the probation committee, whose members are as follows: J. B. Richardson, Herbert D. Clark, Mrs. A. S. Lavenson, J. D. McCarthy, R. A. Leet, Dr. Sarah I. Shuey and Mrs. C. S. Chamberlain, secretary. These are unpaid and are appointed for four-year terms by the superior judges.
Mr. Ruess' hobby may be said to be public service. He has been interested in many reforms in the county, especially those bearing on the juvenile court, adult probation, child labor, the larger use of public-school buildings and the enforcement of educational rights of children. He did a great deal of campaigning under the auspices of the Women's Christian Temperance Union for the red light injunc-
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tion and abatement act in towns within one hundred miles of Oak- land. Among the local reforms which have enlisted his active sup- port are those pertaining to the reduction of the number of saloons, the closing of the segregated vice district, the censorship of public amusements, the persistent advocacy of more and better playgrounds and the establishment of municipal club houses like the Young Men's Christian Association in every part of the city. He is a valued mem- ber of the Santa Fe Improvement Club, the Central California Social Workers Club and the Alameda County Social Workers Club.
On the 2d of April, 1905, in Los Angeles, Mr. Ruess was united in marriage to Miss Stella Knight, her father being William H. Knight, a journalist who is connected with several Los Angeles papers. They now have two children, Waldo, aged five, and Everett, aged one. Mrs. Ruess is a former president of the Mothers Club of the Washington school, Oakland, and to her sympathy and interest in his work Mr. Ruess attributes his success in great measure.
ADELBERT WILSON.
From 1870 until 1912 Adelbert Wilson was connected with the police force of Oakland, with but two years' interruption, and from December 20, 1905, he served as chief of police. Under him the department developed and increased in efficiency and lawlessness in the city of Oakland was kept down at the lowest possible level. There is great credit due Mr. Wilson for what he achieved in his official position and many were those who voiced regret when he. retired on account of ill health on a pension on October 1, 1912, although all recognized that this faithful and untiring official was entitled to a rest.
Mr. Wilson was born in Camden, Maine, January 8, 1844, and there received a serviceable public-school education, remaining in his native town until nineteen years of age. Being possessed of ambition and desirous to see the world, he decided to seek his for- tune in the west, and in 1863 arrived in San Francisco, California. His first position was with Boswell & Geddes, who were located at Front and Commercial streets. He was willing to work and turned his attention to anything that would yield him a living. After he relinquished his first position he turned his attention to the black- smith business, and subsequently, with his brother Edmund, engaged in the express business, and later owned the San Francisco news-
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ADELBERT WILSON
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paper routes of the News and Transcript of Oakland. On May 30, 1870, Mr. Wilson was appointed special officer in the police depart- ment in Oakland, and served in that position for four years and four months, receiving, on October 5, 1874, his appointment to the reg- ular force. On October 15, 1877, he was made sergeant, but shortly thereafter, during the political excitement known as the "Kearney Workingmen's Movement," Sergeant Wilson and eighteen other officers were discharged. He was reinstated, only to be again dropped from the force and again taken on many times, according to what political leaders were in power. For example, on January 17, 1881, he was reappointed, and removed again on June 6th. He was not reappointed after his removal on June 6th until August 20, 1883, and from this time was continuously connected with the police force. On May 7, 1889, he was made captain, and for over sixteen years held that important position, being on December 20, 1905, appointed chief of police. Although different political administra- tions came and went, Mr. Wilson was retained as chief, which title was changed to that of superintendent of police, but under the new charter was again changed to chief. There is great credit due him for what he has achieved, for he rose from the ranks and by the faithful and fearless performance of duty and because of his natural ability became the head of the department.
Chief Wilson held office when the great fire in San Francisco occurred, and largely to him fell the handling of the immense crowds of homeless people who made their way to Oakland, accom- panied by the usual lawless element. The magnitude of this task can be better appreciated when it is known that over two hundred thousand arrived in Oakland within three days. By promptly insti- tuting strict rules Chief Wilson remained master of the situation, although he only had his regular force of seventy-one policemen. At the recent celebration in honor of the entrance of the Western Pacific Railroad into Oakland he again distinguished himself by handling an immense throng of one hundred thousand visitors, tak- ing precautionary measures in advance of the occasion which made the affair pass off without a hitch, and not a single accident was reported. This excellent result was largely due to his personal dili- gence and inspection. Chief Wilson moved with the police depart- ment into Oakland's first city hall on August 9, 1870, one prisoner being removed at the time. The city jail was formerly where the courthouse now stands and the police court and police office were located on the southwest corner of Eighth street and Broadway. After forty years of most efficient service Mr. Wilson retired on a
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pension on October 1, 1912, and the good wishes of thousands accom- panied him into a life of leisure, to which he is perhaps more entitled than any one man now living in the city.
On December 19, 1872, Chief Wilson married Miss Mary E. Poole, of Whitman (then Abington), Massachusetts, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Hamilton and taking place in Oakland. Of their three children all are dead. Florence married Wilbur Walker, Jr., and passed away October 18, 1913, leaving a daughter, Adele. Fraternally Mr. Wilson is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, and since February 12, 1872, has been a member of Oakland Lodge, No. 118, I. O. O. F. Both he and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. His home is on Twenty-fifth street and was built by him many years ago, as he has resided there for twenty-eight years. On May 30, 1907, he was presented with a valuable diamond set gold shield by the members of the Oakland police force as a token of their esteem and friendship, the mayor of the city making a suitable speech at the time. Mr. Wilson has had few outside interests except those already mentioned, police effi- ciency being always foremost in his mind and his duties being the all important thing which continually occupied him. Courteous, affable and approachable, he is ever ready to do a kindness to those who need his services, and is esteemed for his unfaltering veracity, the purity of his motives and the sincerity of his opinions. As an official he has reflected honor upon the city of Oakland and is a credit to the department of which he was so long the head.
ALBERT C. BARKER.
Albert C. Barker, present city superintendent of the Oakland schools, was born in Canton, Maine. He attended the public schools of Turner, Maine, and the Maine Wesleyan Seminary. He served as principal of the schools of Mays Landing, New Jersey, for three years, and of Austin, Nevada, for the same length of time.
Mr. Barker then came to California, where he continued his edu- cation at Stanford University and the University of California. After leaving college he became principal of the high school and superin- tendent of schools in Salinas, from which position he resigned to accept a similar one in Eureka. Seven years later he came to Oak- land and became principal of the Bay and of the Prescott schools. He was then elected city superintendent of Santa Rosa, but resigned
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this position to become assistant superintendent of schools in Oakland. In 1912 he became business manager of the Oakland schools, and on the resignation of Superintendent McClymonds became his suc- cessor.
In June, 1900, he was married to Miss Nettie E. Hindry. They have two sons, Richard and Horace Albert, who are eleven and six years old respectively. Superintendent Barker is a member of the Oakland Commercial Club and of several fraternal and local civic organizations.
HENRY B. ORWIG.
Henry B. Orwig is widely known as the president and general manager of the North American Hospital Association at No. 577 Fourteenth street in Oakland. His birth occurred in Bangor, Michi- gan, in August, 1864, his parents being Henry G. and Mary A. (Gardiner) Orwig. In the acquirement of an education he attended the graded and high schools of Garnett, Kansas, until 1884 and then went to Chicago, where for one year he was employed as clerk by I. O. Harsh, a member of the Board of Trade. Returning to Gar- nett, Kansas, he there worked on his father's stock farm until twenty- two years of age and subsequently made his way to Clatskanie, Oregon, where he was engaged in the butchering business in associa- tion with his brother for two years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and again returned to Kansas, working on his father's farm for two years. He next went to Girard, Kansas, and there con- ducted a mercantile establishment until 1898, when he sold out and organized Company D of the Twentieth Kansas United States Volun- teers, acting as its captain until his regiment was mustered out in July, 1899. In that month he was promoted major of the Thirty- seventh United States Volunteers and thus served until the regiment was discharged in June, 1901, when he accepted a commission as major of native troops around Manila.
In 1908 Mr. Orwig resigned and came to Oakland, California, here acting as a salesman with the M. T. Minney Real Estate Com- pany for one year. Subsequently he spent a year as manager of the Pacific Coast Hospital Association and then consolidated a number of hospital associations under the name of the North American Hos- pital Association, of which he was elected president and general manager. The purpose of the organization is to afford surgical,
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medical and hospital service to men, women and children at a nominal cost of one dollar per month. Mr. Orwig is well qualified for his important duties as head of this splendid organization-an institu- tion of great value and inestimable benefit to the general public.
On the 24th of December, 1889, in Garnett, Kansas, Mr. Orwig was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Rupp, by whom he has three children, namely: Raymond L., who acts as agent for the North American Hospital Association; Ethel, at home with her parents; and Robert, a resident of Stockton, California. In politics Mr. Orwig is a progressive republican and at all times a loyal and public- spirited citizen. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and enjoys an extensive acquaintance in Oakland and Alameda county.
BROWN G. ENSIGN.
Brown G. Ensign assisted in the organization and has since acted as treasurer of the United Home Builders, a prosperous con- cern of Oakland. His birth occurred in Effingham, Illinois, on the 6th of June, 1879, his parents being J. H. and Hattie J. Ensign. In the acquirement of an education he attended the graded and high schools until eighteen years of age and then went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was employed as a stenographer by the Mississippi Valley Trust Company until 1903. In that year he returned to Effingham, Illinois, and there served as assistant cashier for the First National Bank until 1907, when he resigned and removed to Neola, Iowa, acting as president of the State Bank of Neola for five years or until 1912. He then made his way to Cali- fornia and after spending five months in Sacramento came to Oak- land, here assisting in the organization of the United Home Builders, of which he has served as treasurer to the present time. In that capacity he has contributed in no small degree to the continued growth and success of this Oakland concern, which has gained both prestige and prosperity.
At Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of June, 1905, Mr. Ensign was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Donaldson, by whom he has two children: Donaldson, a public-school student; and Brown G. Ensign, Jr.
Mr. Ensign is a republican in politics and a Protestant in religious faith. He belongs to the Athenian Club and the Oakland Commer- cial Club and is identified fraternally with the Benevolent Protective
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Order of Elks. He is a man of exemplary habits, strict integrity and strong personality and is well known in Oakland, holding the high esteem of all who have business and social relations with him.
THOMAS M. ROBINSON.
Thomas M. Robinson, a highly respected and representative citi- zen of Oakland, ably discharges the duties devolving upon him in the capacity of assistant assessor of Alameda county, having been appointed to that position in 1880 and having held the same con- tinuously since with the exception of four years. His birth occurred near Jacksonville, Jackson county, Oregon, on the 28th of February, 1858, his father being one of the pioneer settlers in both California and Oregon coming to the former state in 1849. The latter enjoyed a reputation as an able physician and surgeon and was also recog- nized as one of the stanch upbuilders of the new and growing western commonwealths.
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