USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume II > Part 20
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VICTOR REITER.
Victor Reiter, the popular manager of the Hotel Oakland of Oakland, has had an interesting career, connecting him with two continents. He was born in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, April 14, 1866, a son of Valentine and Annie L. (Levers) Reiter. His father was born and educated there in the public schools and the gymnasium. Subsequently he devoted himself to general mercantile pursuits. He died in his native country.
Victor Reiter attended the grammar schools and the gymnasium in Luxemburg until sixteen years of age. He then went to Versailles, France, where he entered the Lyceum, from which he graduated at the age of nineteen. At the end of that period he went to Paris, con- necting himself with his cousin, who owned the Pefer Hotel, in order to learn the business. He remained with him until 1889, when he had charge of the Palais de l'Alimentation at the Paris Exposition of that year. Seeking new fields to conquer, Mr. Reiter then came to
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New York city, where he managed the outside catering department of the Delmonico until 1891 and then made his way to San Francisco, becoming assistant manager of the Palace and Fairmont Hotels. He so continued until June, 1913, when he accepted the position of manager of Hotel Oakland. Mr. Reiter is very popular and thoroughly conversant with all the details of hotel and restaurant business. His connection with some of the foremost institutions of that kind in the world well fits him for his present position. Although he has been in charge of the Hotel Oakland but a year, marked improvements have taken place since he has become the head of the establishment.
On the 14th of November, 1896, Mr. Reiter married, in San Francisco, Miss Augusta Pages, and they have one son, Victor Pages, ten years of age, who is attending school. Although Mr. Reiter is not active politically, he takes part in all public movements under- taken in the interest of the city. He displays marked energy and determination in his business affairs and has succeeded in life because of persistent, energetic and honorable effort.
FRANK W. FROST.
Frank W. Frost holds important offices with a number of trans- portation and public utility companies, being particularly known in connection with the San Francisco-Oakland Terminal Railway, of which he is assistant secretary and assistant treasurer. He was born in San Francisco, California, April 29, 1867, and is a son of Horatio and Mary Frost, the former born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in October, 1821. The father was educated there and later went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he was engaged in painting and con- tracting until the spring of 1850. Being attracted to San Francisco by the stories of great riches which were to be gained in California, he made his way to the Golden Gate via the Isthmus of Panama and engaged in mining at Placerville until 1852. He then returned to San Francisco and again devoted himself to painting and contracting, being very successful along that line of business until he retired in 1887. He was actively interested in the vigilantes movement. He died in 1889. He was a charter member and one of the founders of the Mechanic's Institute of San Francisco. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, and his religious faith was that of the Unitarian denomination. He was one of the founders of Star
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King church and was deeply interested in its work. Mr. Frost, Sr., married in San Francisco Miss Mary L. Wadhams. They had three children: Charles H., Frank W. and Horatio T.
Frank W. Frost attended the public schools until seventeen years of age, when he entered upon his active career, becoming an office boy with Sullivan & Ravekes, wholesale paint and oil dealers. He subsequently was shipping clerk for this firm, remaining with them for four years. He then held a similar position with the Overland Packing Company for three years. Resigning this position, he was, until 1893, teller in the money order department of the San Francisco postoffice and then removed to Oakland, accepting a position as receiving teller and assistant secretary for the Oakland Consolidated Street Railway Company. He remained as such until the latter company consolidated with the Alameda, Oakland & Piedmont Elec- tric Railway and the Central Avenue Railway under the name of Oakland Transit Company on March 21st, 1898. Mr. Frost became assistant secretary, remaining in this position until 1910, when he was elected secretary, which office he held until March 21, 1912, when this firm consolidated with the East Shore & Suburban Railway Company and the California Railway, the new company becoming the San Francisco-Oakland Terminal Railway, of which Mr. Frost became secretary and treasurer, retaining these offices until January, 1914, when the property was taken over by other interests, he being given the offices of assistant secretary and assistant treasurer. He has since held these important positions and is one of the important factors in the successful operation of this road. His long and varied experience makes him valuable to his company, and he is recognized as one of the most expert men in transportation matters on the coast. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Union Water Company, sec- retary of the United Properties Company, secretary of the United Light & Power Company, secretary of the Oakland Railways and secretary of the Oakland Terminal Company.
On the 26th of February, 1895, Mr. Frost married Aletta Garret- son, and to them were born three children: Harlan G., eighteen years of age, who is attending high school; Dudley, fourteen, and Phyllis, both attending the public schools. Mr. Frost is a member of the Transportation Club of San Francisco and the Oakland Com- mercial Club. He is deeply interested in the growth and trade progress of his city and county and stands in the front ranks with those men who have at heart the expansion and advancement of their city. Politically he is a republican, and his religious adherence is given to the Unitarian church. He is connected fraternally with the
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Woodmen of the World and is very popular in social circles of his city. As a business man he ranks high and, while he has attained individual success, he has also been a factor in the upbuilding of Oakland.
SUSAN J. FENTON, M. D.
Among the prominent women physicians of the state of California is Dr. Susan J. Fenton, of Oakland, who for many years has prac- ticed in this city with ever increasing success, being accorded an extensive practice. She has also always taken a deep interest in the public welfare and in charitable work and has done much toward promoting the health of children and the sanitary condi- tions under which they live, being fully cognizant of the importance of giving to the coming generation the best possible chance in life. She is deeply interested in civic improvement of any kind and in that line is connected with a number of effective organizations which make it their aim to improve the government and remedy antiquated measures or bring to a realization new proposals, the wisdom of which cannot be so quickly discerned by the general public as it is recognized by those who make a particular study of the needs of the people.
Dr. Fenton is a native of Pennsylvania and came to California in 1874, graduating in medicine from Hahnemann Hospital College of San Francisco in 1889. She had, however, previously been in Oakland, having served for one year on the staff of Fabiola Hospital, returning to the same institution after her graduation and remaining for five years, at the end of that time opening an office on Fourteenth street, Oakland, where she remained for two years. Recognizing the advantages of studying European methods, she then went, in 1896, to Berlin, Germany, there pursuing her studies under the most famous surgeons of the capital. Ever since she returned she has given herself to her extensive practice. Sympathetic of nature, she inspires in her patients that confidence which means half a cure and to many families has become more than the mere physician, being considered the truest and most unselfish family friend. Dr. Fenton is still a member of the staff of Fabiola Hospital of Oakland. She is a surgeon of fine ability and is probably the only woman in the county proficient in the many branches of the science of surgery. She specializes in gynecology and has operated extensively and most successfully along that line.
DR. SUSAN J. FENTON
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Along professional lines the Doctor is a member of the California State and Alameda County Medical Societies, taking a prominent part in their meetings and keeping in touch with the latest discoveries in the world of medical science through meeting her fellow workers. She is also a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy. She has taken a most helpful part in civic affairs during her long resi- dence here and is a director in the Associated Charities of Oakland. She is also a member of the public welfare committee and president of the Children's Welfare Club. She has always taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the well-being of the children and takes her memberships and offices most seriously, advocating meas- ures which she deems beneficial and formulating new plans in order to attain her ends. As a member of the Public Service Club she is interested in and active in good government. The city of Oakland has in an immeasurable degree profited by her labor, and Dr. Fenton has therefore well earned the esteem and appreciation which is accorded her. Essentially a practical woman, she is a physician of more than average ability, natural talent and wide experience and is also a public-spirited citizen, ever enlisting her powers and abili- ties in support of movement that make for the betterment of con- ditions.
BURG BROTHERS.
The city of Richmond finds progressive and enterprising repre- sentatives of its business interests in C. H. and E. J. Burg, compris- ing the Burg Brothers Company, Inc., controlling large and import- ant real-estate interests in the vicinity. They are the largest real- estate operators in Richmond, and their business has grown from a humble beginning to its present great proportions.
Both brothers are natives of Sweden and E. J. came to California in 1884, C. H. following in 1889. They have been interested in the real-estate business during practically all of their active careers and in 1901 began operations in Richmond. Five years later they formed the Bay City Land Company and in 1910 incorporated the Burg Brothers Company. One of their first enterprises was the subdivid- ing of the Richmond tract, the first subdivision in Richmond, and since that time they have sold sixteen different tracts of land in and about the city. In two years, ending August 1, 1913, they disposed of over two and a half million dollars worth of Richmond property,
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and many of the most important subdivisions of the city have been promoted and developed by them. In May, 1910, they put upon the market the Central Richmond tract and by January eleven hundred and fifty lots had been sold. Some of these were later resold at an advance of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars over the original price. On the 26th of March, 1911, the Burg Brothers Company put upon the market the Richmond Pulman townsite and up to March 1, 1913, held contracts for the sale of fourteen hundred and seventy- five lots, the largest real-estate record ever made in Richmond. They are the developers also of Grand View Terrace, a subdivision in which one thousand and seventy-three lots were sold within nine months, and in November, 1912, they purchased and put upon the market the Nicholl McDonald Civic Center tract, paying five thousand dollars per acre for this property. By August 1, 1913, they had sold one thousand lots. Both are keen, resourceful and far- sighted business men and under their able direction the firm has become a powerful factor in the development of Richmond.
C. H. Burg is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding mem- bership in the lodge, chapter, commandery and shrine, and E. J. is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Both are members of the Richmond Industrial Commission and at all times enthusiastic on the subject of the opportunities which this city offers. They believe in its splendid future, which their well directed activi- ties have aided in making possible.
DAVID HADDEN, M. D.
Dr. David Hadden has been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Oakland for the past seven years and is widely recog- nized as one of the able and representative members of the profes- sion here. He was born in Ireland in 1875 and when a youth of sixteen came to Oakland, California, spending two years in the Oak- land high school with the class of 1893, while subsequently he entered the University of California, from which institution he was graduated in 1897. Desiring to prepare for the practice of medicine, he then matriculated in Cooper Medical College of San Francisco and in 1899 won the M. D. degree. He makes a specialty of gynecology and for four years acted as first clinical assistant in Cooper Medical College, while he was also instructor of gynecology in that institu- tion, remaining in that capacity for four years. For a period of five
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years he practiced his profession in San Francisco, being in the marine hospital service of that city for a time. In 1906 he opened offices in Oakland and this city has since remained the scene of his profes- sional labors. The liberal practice accorded him is proof of his skill and ability in the field of his chosen vocation, and he is recognized as a capable and successful physician and surgeon. He finds inspira- tion for further study and research through his membership in the Alameda County Medical Society, the California State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the American Asso- ciation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.
Dr. Hadden married Miss Edith Backus, whose father was a California pioneer and the founder of the George H. Tay Company. They have two sons, David Rodney and Malcolm Backus. Dr. Hadden is a member of the University of California Club and is well known and popular in social as well as professional circles.
CHARLES R. WELCH.
Charles R. Welch is one of the owners and general manager of the James Taylor Company, Incorporated, who are engaged in the undertaking business. They conduct one of the foremost establish- ments of its kind in Oakland and have been in charge of some of the imposing funerals in this city. Mr. Welch gives careful atten- tion to all the details of this difficult work and discharges his duties in connection with the business in such a quiet and dignified way that he has built up a large patronage. He was born in Marion county, Iowa, January 29, 1858, and is a son of W. T. and Nancy Ann Welch.
Charles R. Welch attended the public schools until eighteen years of age and then followed the profession of teaching for two years. At the end of that time he matriculated in the State Agricul- tural College at Manhattan, Kansas, remaining there for two terms and again teaching for about two years before he removed to Garden Plains, Kansas, where he successfully conducted a hardware business. He also taught during the winter months, while his father-in-law waited upon the customers at the store. Two years later Mr. Welch went to Hutchinson, Kansas, where for one year he engaged in car- pentering and contracting, and then removed to Salem, Oregon, being attracted to the west by the large opportunities which he believed existed on the Pacific coast. He continued in contracting there until
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1899, in which year he turned his attention to the furniture and under- taking business, being successful along both lines. He is a man of executive ability, thoroughly acquainted with the most modern busi- ness methods and therefore successful in his undertakings. At the end of six years he gave up the furniture department, giving his entire attention to the undertaking business in Salem until December, 1912, when he removed to Oakland to take charge of the James Taylor Company. He became a partner in the business in May, 1912, and has control of its affairs.
In July, 1880, Mr. Welch was married in Burton, Kansas, to Miss Flora Winches and they have three children: Ernest M., who is thirty-three and is engaged in the furniture and hardware business in Baker, Oregon; Chester E., twenty-seven years of age, who assists his father in the management of the James Taylor Company; and Mildred K., attending high school.
Politically Mr. Welch is independent, giving his support to all measures which he considers of the greatest benefit to the largest number of people and supporting candidates according to their quali- fications and not because of party affiliation. His religious faith is that of a Protestant and he contributes generously to the local churches. He is a progressive man who is careful of the interests of others and has succeeded in life because he has always closely applied himself to the business at hand. He follows the most honor- able methods and is esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact both in business and social circles, being well worthy of the confi- dence and respect which he enjoys.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN FRICK.
Abraham Lincoln Frick, who is successfully engaged in the prac- tice of law in Oakland, belongs to an old California family, his father, George Washington Frick, having settled here many years ago. Ile was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and a son of Abraham Frick, a descendant of early German settlers of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather died in 1888 and his wife some years earlier. In their family were eight children, six sons and two daughters. The parents sought the opportunities of the middle west, going to Illinois about 1839 and settling on a farm near Moline. With them was George Washington Frick, father of our subject.
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There he attended the district schools, supplementing his knowledge by private study and subsequently taking a course in the Mount Morris Seminary when he was about twenty years old. In Galena, Illinois, in 1852, he married Mary Elizabeth Bryant, and before the year was out the young couple started for California, being accom- panied by Mrs. Frick's parents. Arriving in the Golden state in 1853, Mr. Frick taught school in Santa Cruz for two terms, at the end of which time he removed to Centerville, Alameda county, there following the same profession. He was a republican of strong con- victions and from the beginning took an active part in political affairs. In 1857 he removed to Sonoma county, purchasing a ranch of one hundred and twenty acres, to the cultivation of which he gave some time, while during the winter months he taught in Bethel school. In 1860 he was the nominee for sheriff on his party's ticket but with- drew before the election in favor of a union democrat, in order to promote the chances of the union party, which was then formed between the Douglas democrats and republicans. He was active in the Union League movement and was elected president of the Bethel Union League. Becoming more and more prominent in his party, he was chosen chairman of the Sonoma county delegation to the state convention in which George C. Gorham was selected as candidate for governor. Twice Mr. Frick served as supervisor, being elected in a county in which a democratic majority prevailed. This may be taken as a testimonial of his integrity and the confidence which even his political opponents had in his ability. For fifteen years he served as a school trustee and was an officer in the Methodist Episcopal church practically throughout his life.
In 1871 he sold his interests near Petaluma and located in Men- docino county, where he remained until 1874, when he made his home in Santa Barbara county, identifying himself with the Lompoc Tem- perance Colony, being one of the pioneers of that movement. He kept the first general store in Lompoc and while holding the office of school trustee there assisted in making possible the erection of the five thousand dollar schoolhouse, which was erected within the first year of the settlement. He also took great interest in building the church for the Methodist Episcopal denomination. After selling his store in Lompoc he bought a dairy ranch of one thousand acres in San Miguelito canyon, about 1876, and three years later took up his permanent residence thereon. He subsequently rented this property and removed to Oakland in order to give his children better educa- tional advantages. He died while on a visit to Lompoc, July 12, 1889, at the age of sixty-four years, his wife having passed away
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May 3, 1884. She was a daughter of William Cowper Bryant, a New Englander, who had removed to Illinois early in that state's history, becoming a merchant of Galena. He made several trips to California by way of Mexico and the Isthmus, and while crossing the plains was shot by Indians, although he was not fatally wounded. He turned his attention to the draying business in San Francisco and while so occupied sustained injuries which crippled him for life. His wife, Anna (Sterret) Bryant, was of German extraction, deeply interested in church and charitable work and known throughout the state as "Mother Bryant." She lived to be about seventy years old and had the respect of all who knew her. Two of her sons, John and William, both became ministers. Mrs. Frick was president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union of Lompoc at the time of her death and always took part in movements for the upbuilding and betterment of humanity along moral and intellectual lines. In the family of George W. Frick were the following children: George W., a well known educator of Alameda county; Laura A., who died December 3, 1888; Abraham Lincoln, of this review; John Frederick, who was born October 23, 1869, and is a lawyer; and Blanche, born October 9, 1874.
Abraham L. Frick was born in Sonoma county, California, Feb- ruary 21, 1866, and there attended the public schools until 1875, when he went to Santa Barbara, where he completed his course and subse- quently entered the high school, which he attended until the age of eighteen. He then became a student of the San Jose high school, in which institution he remained for six months, subsequently improv- ing his knowledge by private study. His professional education was acquired in Hastings College of the Law, from which he was grad- uated, and in 1888 he was admitted to the bar by the supreme court. He immediately established himself in practice in Oakland and has remained in this city ever since, being connected with legal matters in a private and public capacity. He served as deputy district attorney under George Reed for two years and then became chief deputy district attorney under Charles Snook, with whom he also served for two years. On December 10, 1894, he was appointed superior judge of Alameda county, filling the unexpired term of Judge Henshaw. Upon the bench he proved himself a man of highly trained, judicial mind, rendering decisions which established him firmly as a man deeply versed in the law. Mr. Frick now enjoys a large and profitable practice, representing a number of important interests of Oakland and Alameda county. He is a man of clear, logical mind who readily grasps the salient points in any case and
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presents his arguments convincingly before court and jury. His serv- ices are also sought as advisor, and he has a large consulting practice.
On May 21, 1896, Mr. Frick married Miss Matilda M. Bader, and both are very popular in social circles of their city. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, in the local councils of which he is influential. He is entirely in accord with the aims of that organization and has done much toward increasing republican prestige in Alameda county. He is a Protestant in religious faith and is fraternally a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Loyal Order of Moose, being popular in these societies. Mr. Frick has at heart the welfare of the people and the growth of his city and county and has contributed in various ways to these aims. He enjoys in full measure the confidence and respect of his fellow members of the profession and stands high in the eyes of the general public.
JAMES P. POTTER.
James P. Potter holds an important position with the San Fran- cisco-Oakland Terminal Railway as the superintendent of trans- portation of this system. There is great credit due him for having obtained this position, as he succeeded entirely through his own efforts, rising from a comparatively humble position to one of fore- most importance.
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