USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume II > Part 24
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was on the Broadway wharf and the Oakland Brewery was located at Ninth and Broadway. He remembers when East Oakland was called San Antonio and when oak trees stood in the center of Broad- way, and he can recall the first fire engine, the Phoenix, which was housed at Eighth and Washington streets. He knew James Du Bois, who ran the first bowling alley, and can remember when Hardy's creek ran between Adeline and Market streets. The first cemetery was at Nineteenth and Webster streets and tomato orchards occupied a great portion of what is now Center street. Joe Dillon, the first assessor of Oakland, had his office at the corner of Seventh and Fallon streets, and the section lying between Twelfth and Oak streets contained the finest residences in the city. Ships were built in the yards at First and Franklin streets.
These and many other reminiscences of the early days are still vivid in Mr. Sturm's memory, and he takes great delight in recalling things which are matters of history at the present time. The fifty years of his residence here have been prosperous and happy ones and have brought him a large and important business, a substantial fortune and that true success which lies in the respect, esteem and confidence of many friends.
STEPHEN WYTHE, M. D.
Dr. Stephen Wythe is specializing in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat in Oakland, where he is engaged in private practice, following a period of connection with the govern- ment service as acting assistant surgeon in the United States army and with community interests of Oakland as medical inspector of the city. He has attained a gratifying reputation in the ranks of the medical fraternity in this part of the state, and his ability is evident in his large and constantly increasing patronage.
Dr. Wythe was born in San Francisco, December 16, 1874, and is a son of William T. and Laura Belle (Willson) Wythe, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Oregon. The maternal grandfather was one of the pioneers in the last named state and owned and laid out the town site of Salem, which still remains as originally planned. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this review served in the Civil war and following his discharge came to California, where he was chief surgeon on the governor's staff in 1864. He became one of the leading physicians and surgeons in
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the state and was instrumental in building up Cooper Medical Col- lege. His son, father of the subject of this review, was also a physi- cian and connected with the staff of the Cooper Medical Col- lege. In his family were five children : Alice Belle, who makes her home with the subject of this review; Willson Joseph, a well known architect and assistant professor of mechanical drawing in the Uni- versity of California; Grace, who is a teacher in the University of Tokio, Japan; Margaret, connected with the Zoological Museum of the University of California, and Stephen, of this review.
Dr. Stephen Wythe was five years of age when his father died and he afterward made his home with his grandfather, acquiring a preliminary education in the public and high schools. He later took a special course in science in the University of California, which he attended during the years 1893 and 1894, following which he entered Cooper Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1895 with the degree of M. D. He supplemented his medical education by one year's service in the Lane Hospital in San Fran- cisco and by a similar period in the United States Marine Hospital in the same city. Following this he was surgeon on the United States auxiliary cruiser No. 9 of the Pacific squadron, holding this position during the Spanish-American war. He was afterward made acting assistant surgeon in the United States army, serving from January, 1899, until December, 1905. During three years of this term he was on the transport Sheridan and for one year was stationed on the Buford. After the fire in San Francisco Dr. Wythe was placed in charge of the emergency hospital in Oakland and when the relief work was successfully completed made several trips to Panama as surgeon on the Pacific Mail steamship Newport. Following this he resigned from the government service and settled in Oakland, where from 1907 to 1908 he served as medical inspector, taking an active part in the campaign against the bubonic plague.
Upon the expiration of his term he engaged in private practice in Oakland, where he is now one of the leading eye, ear, nose and throat specialists. He is connected with the Oakland College of Medicine as assistant professor of ophthalmology and laryngologist, and he is a member of the Alameda County Society for the Preven- tion of Tuberculosis. He belongs to the Pacific Coast Ophthal- mological Society and is a member of the American Medical Association and the county and state medical societies, thus keeping in close touch with the most advanced thought of his profession. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and holds membership in Live Oak Lodge, F. & A. M. Socially he belongs to the Nile Club. He is
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held in high regard by his fellow practitioners and by the local public, for he conforms at all times to the highest standards of pro- fessional ethics and is thoroughly devoted to the interests of his patients.
ALEXANDER FRIEDMAN.
Alexander Friedman is senior partner in the Yosemite Wine Company. A native of Oakland, he attended the public and high schools, passing through consecutive grades until graduated at the age of seventeen years. He then engaged with Fibush Brothers, wholesale tobacconists, in the position of salesman and so continued for four years, at the end of which time he resigned and embarked in the retail cigar business at Thirteenth and Washington streets. There he continued until February, 1913, when he and his brother, Morris Friedman, bought out the interests of the Yosemite Wine Company and are now engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor and cigar business. They also have a branch store at No. 488 Sev- enth street. They are very successful and conduct a high class business, catering to the best people around the bay. Their patron- age is now extensive and each month marks an increase in their trade.
Mr. Friedman was married in Oakland in 1902 to Miss Lydia H. Meyers, and they have two children, Verna and Harold. Mr. Friedman is well known in Oakland, where he has spent his entire life and where he has a circle of friends that includes many that have known him from his boyhood to the present.
ERGO ALEXANDER MAJORS, M. D. 1
Dr. Ergo Alexander Majors, whose suite of offices is in the new Dalziel building of Oakland, was born in Santa Cruz, California, June 2, 1877. He had a cousin, Joseph Majors, who settled in that city in 1843, while his great-grandfather, Benjamin Majors, came to the Golden state in 1850 and was one of three who died on the banks of the San Joaquin with cholera in that year. His grandfather, Alex- ander Majors, instituted the famous Pony express, which he owned and ran, in April, 1860. Dr. Majors' father is Greene Majors, who - wended his way to this peerless commonwealth in 1873 and here mar- !
DR. ERGO A. MAJORS
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ried Miss Cora C. Reese in 1875. It is thus seen that Dr. Majors is very thoroughly Californian through early family association as well as by birth.
As a boy he showed such a consuming curiosity in studying the an- atomy of crabs, birds, gophers and other representatives of animal life at every opportunity that his parents were constrained to enter him in the medical department of the University of California, from which he received his professional degree in 1902. At the close of his col- lege course he entered upon country practice, riding over the hills and through the valleys for five years and gaining the experience that can be obtained in no other way. In 1907 he drove his stakes in Oakland as his permanent home. Since coming to this city Dr. Majors has taken his well earned position in the front ranks of his profession both as a surgeon and physician, acquiring a prac- tice in both that is at once enviable and very lucrative.
Dr. Majors was married September 7, 1902, to Miss Anna Belle Rader, of Siskiyou county, and three lovely children have blessed their union. Dr. Majors spent a number of his boyhood years in the lovely city of Alameda, where he attended the public school and where his parents have lived for the past twenty-three years.
HARRY S. ANDERSON.
Harry S. Anderson, creditably filling the position of commis- sioner of public works of Oakland and prominently connected with mercantile interests of the city as the proprietor of a large carpet business, was born in Oakland, September 3, 1877, and has spent his entire life here. Following the completion of a public-school education he entered the carpet business with his father, S. Anderson, and has been connected with this line of work since that time. His present enterprise was established in the old Masonic Temple building, whence after three years it was removed to 1114 Broadway. There it remained for twelve years and at the end of that time was moved to its present location at No. 405 Thirteenth street. Mr. Anderson gives a great deal of his time and attention to the conduct of this concern and, thoroughly understanding the business in principle and detail, has met with gratifying and well deserved success. In 1911 he was elected commissioner of public works of Oakland, and he has since filled this important position, giving to the city a businesslike administration. He has charge of Vol. II-16
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the construction work on the new two million dollar city hall, the development work on the water front, the construction of all new schoolhouses and full direction of all matters pertaining to wharves, docks and shipping, these being some of the most important enter- prises within the control of the municipal government.
On the 23d of April, 1901, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Edna Frances Camp of Oakland, and both are well and favorably known in social circles. Mr. Anderson is a stanch repub- lican, and although this is his first elective office, he has been active in politics for some years past. He was secretary of the county republican central committee of Alameda county, secretary of the Seventh Ward Republican Club and of the last state republican committee's convention under the old regime, before the direct pri- mary law went into effect. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of the Elks and all the branches of the Masonic order, besides holding membership in the Moose, the Owls, the Fraternal Brotherhood of America, the Royal Arcanum and other representative fraternities. He also enjoys the distinction of holding the position of "speaker of the senate" of the National Union, which is the third highest gift of the order in the United States. He is one of the most active men in the city in furthering the cause of athletics and is one of the directors of the Oakland Baseball Association. He is a man of energy, resource and capacity and whether in business, official or social relations holds the good-will and confidence of all who are associated with him.
JOHN PETER COOK.
John Peter Cook, now in the third term of his able service as county clerk of Alameda county, is one of California's native sons, his birth having occurred in San Francisco, on the 30th of November, 1869, his parents being Peter and Margaret Cook. The public and high schools of his native city afforded him his educational oppor- tunities and after he was graduated in 1886 he spent two years in the University of California. He then began his independent career, engaging as a clerk for Whittier, Fuller & Company, dealers in paints in San Francisco, and he remained active in their interests until 1895, when he was appointed deputy county clerk of Alameda county under F. C. Jordan, who is now secretary of state. He con- tinued as deputy until 1902 and in that year was elected county clerk,
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serving by re-election in 1906 and again in 1910. He still holds this position, his continued return to office indicating the value of his services and their acceptability to the public at large.
Mr. Cook married, on the 16th of June, 1897, in Woodland, Cali- fornia, Miss Sadie Briggs, and they have three children, Mildred, Virginia and Carol, all of whom are attending public school. Mr. Cook gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fra- ternally is connected with Masonic order, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Native Sons of the Golden West. He is also secretary of the Oakland Baseball Association. With him persever- ance, diligence and integrity have been the guiding principles of life, bringing him to the honorable position which he now occupies in the opinion of his fellow citizens among whom he has long lived and labored.
ALPHONSE CARPENTIER.
Alphonse Carpentier needs no introduction to the people of Alameda or San Francisco for during the twenty-nine years during which he has resided in the former city and done business in the latter, he has become widely and favorably known as a man whose high integrity and excellent business ability constitute him a promi- nent factor in community advancement and progress. He is a native of Belgium and is a representative of one of the most honored fam- ilies in that country.
Alphonse Carpentier was reared and educated in Belgium and after laying aside his books served fifteen years in the Belgian army as aide de camp. In 1884 he came to America and after his arrival in this country pushed directly westward to California, settling in Alameda where he has since made his home. He established himself in the shipping and importing business in San Francisco and to this line of work he has given his attention for twenty-nine years, success steadily attending his well directed labors. Through energy, enter- prise and persistent purpose, he has developed a large and profitable business and has taken his place among the deservedly successful and able business men of the community, his name standing today as a synonym for straightforward and honorable methods, and high commercial standards.
Mr. Carpentier married Miss Angele Cobb of Belgium, a daugh- ter of John and Marie Cobb, and they have three children : Gabrielle,
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Jeanne and Marguerite, all born in Brussels, Belgium. Mr. Car- pentier is a member of the San Francisco Commercial Club and is always active and interested in anything which tends to promote busi- ness activity and commercial growth. The culture of previous generations has left its impress upon him and his well developed intellectual powers and his breadth of view make him a favorite in social circles where intelligent men gather for the discussion of deep and vital questions. Alameda is proud to number him among her citizens, and he in turn is proud of the achievements of the city where he has resided for over a quarter of a century.
GEORGE E. KLEEMAN, M. D.
Dr. George E. Kleeman, in the practice of his profession, medi- cine and surgery, having specialized in the latter to a large extent, is acknowledged today as one of the most skilful and successful members of the profession in the Bay cities. Like a great many men of his profession, however, he has not devoted his entire time and attention to the same, having found time to engage in other business connections of a profitable nature. At the present time he is affiliated with the Fulcher Concrete Block & Paving Company, a new indus- trial enterprise in the early, though not experimental, stages of development which has a very promising future and is destined to revolutionize the building industry of the world. In addition he has come to be recognized as an authority in the pigeon industry, having brought into existence some of the finest specimens of birds which the western coast has been able to boast of. He was born in Oakland, California, April 3, 1876, and is the son of the late William Thomas Frederick and Natalie ( Fischer) Kleeman. His father was born in the province of Posen, Germany, December 21, 1829, and attended the public schools there, receiving his preliminary educa- tion. After a further preparatory course in government schools he entered the army with a commission of first lieutenant, with which rank he served until he resigned at the age of twenty-three years. Hearing of the fabulous gold fields of this state then opening up, he migrated to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. This, however, was not without its difficulties, for in addition to the stormy and dangerous passage experienced in crossing the Atlantic ocean he contracted the yellow fever together with twenty-one others in the party. The entire party were cared for on the isthmus as well
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as was possible with the crude methods then existant, he being one of four to survive the terrible ordeal. Coming thence to San Fran- cisco, he very shortly followed the roving spirit of the early day miners and located in Trinity county, where he began mining, accumulating enough to enable him at the end of five years to open a general merchandise store. In this he was eminently successful and at the end of five years sold same to enlist under his adopted country's flag in the war of the rebellion as a Union soldier. This was in 1861. His service was valuable in the cause in which he enlisted on account of his previous army experience. His entire period of enlistment covered four years, after which he was honor- ably discharged at Washington, D. C., in 1865. Again feeling the magnetism of his adopted state, he soon set forth for San Francisco, where he established a wholesale paper collar business, manufac- turing paper collars for men. This venture proved extremely profit- able owing to his large acquaintanceship, in fact, so much so, that the enterprising firm of Murphy & Grant, wishing to stifle competi- tion, in addition to buying out his business, paid him a bonus of five thousand dollars to permanently retire from said business. He was married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Miss Natalie Fischer on the 29th day of May, 1874. She survives, but Mr. Kleeman passed away March 13, 1898, leaving his beloved companion well provided for against the worries of business life.
Dr. Kleeman, whose name introduces this record, was a student in the grammar and high schools of Oakland until he graduated at the early age of seventeen years. In preparation for his medical career he immediately entered the Polytechnic College, remaining two years. He afterward attended the University of Illinois as a medical student for three years, on the expiration of which period he returned to Oakland and matriculated in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons of San Francisco, from which he was graduated with signal honors in 1903. Still deeming this insufficient from a theoretical standpoint, he immediately entered the Cooper Medical College of San Francisco, pursuing a post graduate course and spe- cializing in surgery. Upon completing his course he immediately opened offices in the Bacon block in the city of Oakland, where he remained until March, 1913, when on account of a disastrous fire which consumed to a large extent his medical instruments, he moved to the Blake block. The Doctor is progressive in thought as well as action and believes in keeping abreast with the latest discoveries in his profession, and in accordance with this view has endeavored to and has every two years since graduating attended some notable
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institution in the United States in quest of advanced knowledge. He has visited the famous Mayo Institution of Rochester, Minnesota, which is without a peer in the surgical world. He has also attended instructions in connection with the Polyclinic and Bellevue Hospital of New York City. His practice is now extensive and of a most important character, and his success has come as the direct result of his ability due to his broad study, research and wide experience. During the terrible conflagration at San Francisco in 1906 the doctor was one of those to suffer, losing everything he possessed. Not to be daunted, however, he immediately got busy and since that time has gained wonderful success, so much so, that he might readily be termed a self-made man, a proud cognomen attached to men of American genius and ability. As before stated, he is prominently connected with the Fulcher Concrete Block & Paving Company, being a large stockholder.
Dr. Kleeman was married in San Francisco on the 17th of May, 1906, shortly after the fire and earthquake, to Miss Etta Tiedeman, and they have become the happy and proud parents of two children : George William and Marietta Martina, aged respectively six and two years. The doctor is a Protestant in his religious beliefs, and his political faith is allied with that of the republican party. In addition to being a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, he is affiliated with the Elks. Along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Alameda County Medical Society, the State Medical Association and the American Medical Association, which keeps him in close touch with the advanced thought of the profes- sion. Year by year his knowledge and ability have increased, and he is today one of the most successful physicians and surgeons on the Pacific coast.
STEPHEN KULCHAR.
Stephen Kulchar is now engaged in the manufacture of office and bank fixtures in Oakland and has a large and profitable business. There is great credit due him for what he has achieved, for he has reached an independent position in life entirely through his own efforts. Long years of experience along that line in this and foreign countries make him an expert, and some of the largest contracts ever let in Alameda county have been handled by his firm. Mr. Kulchar is yet a comparatively young man and is a worthy type of the suc-
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cessful American business man of today. He was born in Austria- Hungary, March 12, 1876, and is a son of John and Julia Kulchar.
Stephen Kulchar attended the public schools of his native city and subsequently was a student in the Polytechnic School until he had reached his sixteenth year. He then attended a manual training school, from which he graduated at the age of seventeen, and subse- quently worked as a cabinetmaker in various places in Hungary until 1896, when he went to Paris, France, where he followed his trade for one year. At the end of that time he crossed the channel to London, England, where he worked as a cabinetmaker for two and one-half years, and then came to this country, working at his trade in New York city for two years. At the end of that time, in 1902, he came to Oakland, accepting a position as cabinetmaker for W. T. Veitch & Brothers, with which firm he remained for five years. Having acquired the means to make himself independent and having gained all the experience necessary, he then established himself in business and has since continued in the manufacture of office and bank fixtures. Among the many contracts which he has had are the following: The entire finishing of the Kahn Brothers store, at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars; the work in the Pantages Theater, which cost the same sum of money; the work in the Young Men's Christian Association building, Heeseman's store, the Lem Williams store, the Bradden residence, the store of M. J. Keller, all of the woodwork in the Bercovich cigar stores and the Central National Bank. In addition he has done part of the work in practically all of Oakland's banks. He is a very reliable, trust- worthy man, and his work is of the highest class. In his particular line there is no one today in Alameda county who turns out finish- ings of better workmanship.
At Newark, New Jersey, in 1900, Mr. Kulchar married Miss Sophie Misoebs and they have five children, George Victor, Helen, Sophie, Ruby and Alice, who are respectively twelve, ten, eight, six and five years of age. Fraternally Mr. Kulchar is a member of the council in the Masonic order and also belongs to the Royal Arch degree. He is likewise affiliated with the Oakland Commer- cial Club, in which he serves on the manufacturers' committee, and the Chamber of Commerce, and is in full sympathy with the pro- gressive movements of these organizations. He also holds mem- bership in the Young Men's Christian Association. Politically he is a republican and interested in the welfare of his party but not a politician, although he is ever ready to support enterprises which may prove of value to his city and county. His religious faith is
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that of the Unitarian church. Mr. Kulchar has won many friends since coming to Oakland, and all admire him for his steadfastness of purpose, his determination, his industry and his business ability. And yet while he has promoted his own interests, he has always been considerate of others and has never lost sight of the general welfare.
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